Rostislav Netisov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images(NEW YORK ) -- Russias Communists, dwindling in numbers and sidelined by the authorities, on Tuesday marked the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution, the uprising led by Vladimir Lenin and his Bolshevik party in 1917, that led to the creation of the Soviet Union and commenced the spread of Communism around the world.



A few thousand people marched through the center of Moscow, carrying large portraits of Lenin and waving red flags, moving toward the Kremlin and Red Square, off which they held a small rally.



It was one of the few major public events commemorating the centenary, which the Kremlin indicated it wants to be low-key. The Bolsheviks seizure of power was arguably the 20th centurys defining event, fundamentally altering societies around the world and setting up the centurys central clash, the Cold War. But 100 years on, Russia's current authorities made clear they consider it now peripheral for the country.



"The revolution is modern Russias birth certificate, but Russia does not like what it says, Maksim Trudolyubov, a political commentator wrote in the newspaper, The Moscow Times.



Over the nights 6 and 7 (Oct. 25 and 26 in Russias pre-revolutionary calendar) in 1917, soldiers and sailors loyal to the Bolsheviks seized strategic points in Saint Petersburg. Around 2 a.m., they stormed the Winter Palace, the huge ice-green, colonnaded building that stretches along the citys river. Tsar Nicholas II, whose palace it had been, had already been toppled by an uprising in February. He had been replaced by the so-called Provisional Government, a group of liberal ministers, who had spent the last few months desperately trying to restore order in the country exhausted by World War I.



The Bolsheviks entered the palace from the square. Unlike in later Soviet depictions, they faced almost no resistance -- most of the defenders had fled -- after it was shelled from the fortress across the river. Coming through the palaces tunnel-line corridors, they found the Provisional Government holed up in a dining room off the tsars former living quarters and arrested them.



The same day, Lenin declared the Bolsheviks now held power. Within months, they would establish a dictatorship and unleash a savage civil war. Rapid progress in education and industrialization would follow, but it was accompanied by bloody repression climaxing under Stalin.



For 70 years, the Soviet Union celebrated Lenins seizure of power as an almost religious holiday, with massive parades. His body remains embalmed in state on Red Square. But it has become an inconvenient event for the Kremlin. Engaged in quashing challenges to its own increasingly authoritarian rule, celebrations of revolution are not appealing. At the same time, current President Vladimir Putin has turned to the Soviet Union as the model for his Russia, making it difficult to ignore its founding event.



Its puts Putin in a bind, said Shield Fitzpatrick, a well-known historian of the revolution and professor emerita at the University of Chicago.



The solution has been to say nothing. In December, Putin declared discussion of the revolution should be left to professional historians. Last week he told the Valdai conference, he hoped the centenary can draw a line under the divisions provoked by the revolution. Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters last month the Kremlin saw no reason to mark the occasion. Proposals that Lenin should be removed from Red Square have been dismissed.



Tuesday's march underlined the Kremlin's disinterest. The Communists chanted "revolution" as they marched toward the Kremlin, but were channeled tightly between police and wire barriers. Where even a few years ago the march had been allotted Moscow's main street, now they were squeezed by police onto its pavements. Some of the older Communist marchers rattled the barriers, yelling furiously at police that they had once walked there.



The Kremlin is not alone in its attitude -- recent polls show many Russians are deeply ambivalent about the revolution. A poll in October by the Russian Academy of Science showed only 6 percent of Russians feel the revolution is something to be proud of. Some point to the repression that it led to under Stalin, but many seem more troubled by the revolution as a proof of Russias weakness at the time.



The result has been muted commemorations, left largely to the Communists, who have hosted a week of events. But even they have often skirted the uprising itself. The party of revolution has grown old too. In Saint Petersburg, it dutifully hosted a conference of left forces. At the Tauride Palace, where Lenin established the party, delegations from socialist groups one after another lamented the lefts troubled prospects.



"Maybe Lenin will wake up," Adrian Larsen Steinboe, a Norwegian delegate, told an ABC News reporter wryly.



Russias Communist Party has recently sought to rebrand itself to attract younger members. Part of that involves printing posters showing Marx and Lenin as hipsters. In one, a raffish Lenin in a long red scarf and holding a laptop, looks at the Winter Palace and asks, Will we take it? Another shows a picture of a red flag flying over the Kremlin walls with the plaintive date, 201?



Mostly though, the party has turned toward nostalgia, not for revolutionary upheaval, but for the post-war glory days of the Soviet Union, when many party members were young. At a commemorative concert in Saint Petersburg on Friday, a crowd, mostly in their late sixties, sang along to Soviet-era swing. There were chants of Lenin lives. An emcee, also in his sixties, harangued the crowd about the marvels of a first apartment given by the government. Oh speak of that, speak of that, he cried, of the bath!



Amid the official quiet, Russias state media and some cultural institutions have offered hints at how citizens ought to perceive the revolution. Russian state television has aired documentaries suggesting the countrys revolutions were largely foreign-funded plots, a favorite idea of the Kremlin in the present day. Russia 24, the state news channel, ran a program titled 100 Years of the Revolution  A Snare for Russia, suggesting the 1905 revolution, and by extension 1917, was a conspiracy of American bankers and Japanese generals.



The Kremlin under Putin is a history enthusiast -- its avoidance of the revolution itself is notable given how eagerly it makes use of history elsewhere. It has focused recently on building a single continuum of what it considers Russian greatness, from the tsarist empire to the present day, bridged by Stalin.



Putins states preferred lineage, Trudolyubov said, is Russias pre-revolutionary empire. He noted that several of Russias key ministries have begun dating their founding to tsarist-era bodies instead of their Soviet forebears.



The now dispossessed Communists who finished Tuesday's rally put on brave face to ABC News. One man, Aleksey Maksimov, standing in a long gray Stalinist coat and white gloves, and holding a red banner, declaimed, "Communism will not be defeated, it will necessarily come,"he said. "I just can't tell you which year that will exactly."



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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Apple's iOS 12 is now installed on 72% of iPhones, iPads and iPods that are four years old or newer  and 70% of all iDevices, according to data from the company's App Support webpage.

iOS 12 has seen some of the fastest user adoption in recent years, and surpassed iOS 11 just two and a half weeks of its release in mid-September. At that time (Oct. 5), iOS 12 had already been installed on 47% of iDevices.

iOS 11 is now on only 21% of all iDevices.

Apple

Before iOS 12's launch on Sept. 17, iOS 11 was running on 85% of iPhones and iPads, according to Apple's developer support page.

In comparison, it took iOS 11 nearly two months last year to reach a 50% adoption rate. This year's uptake rate is actually more similar to that of iOS 10, which was released in 2016 and had been installed on 48% of devices after only two weeks.

To date, however, 2015's iOS 9 remains the leader for fastest uptake. Launched on Sept. 16, 2015, it needed just eight days to surpass iOS 8, and in 10 days, it garnered 50% of the install base. (A month after its release, iOS 9 was on 62% of iDevices, compared to iOS 8, which plummeted to just 29.65%.)

Among other factors, the popularity of the newest version of iOS may be partially due to positive reviews and the timing of its release, according to Jack Gold, principal analyst with J. Gold Associates.

Apple

"Apple just had a major launch, so the issue is fresh in people's minds," Gold said. "This time of year, people are [also] more involved with computing, especially if you consider the education market with back to school."

Among other features, iOS 12 is designed to be faster than its predecessor, even on older model iPhones. It offers group FaceTime chats, new emojis, "Screen Time" for tracking how iDevices are being used, revamped Notifications and Siri shortcuts.

For comparison purposes, Android Pie, which rolled out this summer, is being used on 1.98% of devices, according to Mixpanel. Pie's predecessor Oreo, which arrived in 2017, is now running on 39% of Android devices.
Microsoft has pledged a new Office suite, tagged Office 2019, for next year. But other than a nod to the vague "second half" of 2018, the Redmond, Wash. developer has said nothing of dates.

But because Office 365 is, even more than Windows 10, as much a service as software - and because that model requires a predictable schedule of releases, maintenance milestones and support expiration dates - we can anticipate many of the important dates in the transition from present (Office 2016) to future (Office 2019).

To prepare for Office 2019, circle these dates on the enterprise IT calendar.

IDG

Summer, 2018

Six weeks ago, Microsoft said, "Previews of the new products [Office 2019 applications] will start shipping mid-year 2018."

Computerworld's best guess for the beta? July 10, 2018. That's the scheduled date for the release of what will be coded as the "Semi-Annual Channel" of Office 365 ProPlus. (ProPlus is the suite that provides rights to the locally installed applications, including Excel, Outlook and Word, for 365 subscribers.)

Because the perpetual licensed version of Office 2019 will be built from code already released as Office 365 ProPlus, it's most likely that Microsoft will use the March 2018 feature upgrade for Office 365 ProPlus subscribers as the basis for Office 2019.

According to Microsoft's Office 365 ProPlus release calendar, the March 2018 feature upgrade will ship March 13, 2018. Then on July 10, 2018, that same upgrade will be issued to the Semi-Annual Channel, the main distribution channel. In Microsoft's vernacular, "Semi-Annual Channel" represents more stable code that has been tested by some customers between March 13 and July 10, with Microsoft fixing any found bugs.

(Like Windows 10, the first four months or so of each feature upgrade of Office 365 ProPlus is a test-and-fix period; it's labeled with the awkward "Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)" because those releases "are intended to provide enterprises time to pilot and to validate their line-of-business applications, add-ins, and macros with Office 365 ProPlus before Semi-Annual Channel is released.")

By issuing that Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) build as the preview for Office 2019, Microsoft expands the testing to customers who don't subscribe to Office 365, but gets to offer code that has gone through a partial shakedown outside of the company's confines.

IDG

Sept. 11, 2018

Office 2019 is supposed to ship in the "second half of 2018," according to Microsoft. But when exactly?

We think the date to remember is next year's 9/11. That's the delivery date for 2018's second feature upgrade. Another Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) release, it will probably be identified as 1802 using Microsoft's yymm format. (Yes, yes, yes, 1802 signifies February 2018, but Microsoft released the code that became Office 2019 in March. Yes it can be confusing. Don't ask.)

September has another thing going for it, since it was that month in 2015 when Microsoft released Office 2016 to Office 365 customers, offering the new applications as alternatives to the Office 2013 applications. On that same day, Sept. 22, 2015, Microsoft started selling the one-time-purchased "perpetual" licensed version, also called Office 2016. (Yes, Microsoft's use of the same name for two quite different things yields a big, steaming pot of confusion, .)

Next September makes sense as Office 2019's launch window because the perpetual-license version will be built from code already released as Office 365 ProPlus. In fact, for Office 365 subscribers, Office 2019 is little more than a declaration, a verbal if not virtual sign that names the next iteration. And all that's necessary to prep the one-time purchase version is to take the code that exists at that moment, then build the image file for volume customers to download, or package the retail editions.

IDG

September 2019

Approximately a year from its release -- and about 18 months from its actual inception -- the initial Office 2019 build will be knocked off the support list.

Eighteen months is the support lifetime of any individual Office 365 ProPlus feature upgrade, whether it carries an additional label of "Office 2016," "Office 2019," or "Office 2028."

It will be a different situation for Office 2019 than for Office 2016; the latter was not prefaced by a software-as-a-service model, but by the traditionally-developed Office 2013. So, while Microsoft had to announce earlier this year that after February 2017, Office 2013's applications would not be supported for Office 365 subscribers, there will be no need for a similar declaration for Office 2016 apps. They will have already aged out of their Office 365 support.

The same holds true for the Office 2013 application download shutdown Microsoft mandated in late February when it said, "All 2013 versions of Office 365 client applications ... will no longer be available for installation from the Office 365 Admin Center." That will be moot for the transition from Office 2016 to 2019, as Microsoft automatically limits Office 365 downloads to the current feature upgrade of the suite.

IDG

Early 2024

The perpetual licensed version of Office 2019 will be supported for the usual 10 years - probably until early 2029 - but five years before that, Microsoft will cut off the suite's applications from connecting to any Microsoft-provided service.

Under new rules revealed in April, owners of perpetual-license versions of Office will be able to use those services only during the first half of their 10-year support lifecycle, the portion Microsoft dubs "mainstream." Those services include Microsoft-hosted Exchange email, the OneDrive for Business storage service and Teams, the corporate collaboration platform.

Microsoft will enforce this rule starting Oct. 13, 2020, making Office 2019 the first to fall under its mandate. Office 365 ProPlus - the applications from the 2019 suite provided to subscribers - will not be affected by the changes.
Daniel Hannan is an MEP for South-East England, and a journalist, author and broadcaster. His most recent book is What Next: How to Get the Best from Brexit.

It looks as if I had the Catalans completely wrong. I had assumed that the hard line taken by Madrid would boost support for independence. If I had been a previously undecided Catalan voter, I would have reacted with fury to the police brutality that accompanied the referendum. My local pride, however slight before, would have been outraged by the way in which my democratic rights were mocked. Id have felt personally affronted by the arrest of Catalonias elected leaders  who, if reports are accurate, were stripped naked and locked in a police van with the Spanish national anthem blaring at full volume. Even if I had not voted for their parties, I could hardly fail to have felt the insult to all Catalans.

Then again, I am not a Catalan. Although I am pretty sure that Britons would have bridled at being denied the right to vote, Catalans appear to be reacting differently. The latest polls show a decline in support for separatist parties, as well as a decline in support for secession itself. Mariano Rajoys inflexibility, which struck British observers as insanely counter-productive, may in fact be working.

Catalans have the reputation in the rest of Spain of being mercantile and materialistic. To some extent, they see themselves in the same light  as modern, practical, hardworking people, who have little time for guitars or bullfights or long late lunches. (There is, of course, a great deal to be said for being mercantile and materialistic: businesspeople do more for human happiness than soldiers or politicians.) Is it possible that Catalans backed away from independence as the costs rose? That they simply didnt want the hassle and disruption of walking away  not, at any rate, if it involved police raids and repression?

I dont want to read too much into the polls. We should remember that opinion was finely balanced before the vote: plenty of Catalans, and not just those whose parents came from other parts of the peninsula, were happy to be Spanish. Even so, the total absence of a backlash is surprising  at least from a British perspective. We are a bloody-minded and stubborn people. We know how wed have reacted.

The relative success of Madrids coercion  so far, at any rate  might help explain something else that, from a British perspective, is bewildering, namely the belief in much of Europe that we, too, might give in to bullying.

Most EU leaders oppose Brexit. Fair enough. But the idea that they can put us off it by passive-aggressive tweeting, or by demanding money, or by being unreasonable in the talks, is extraordinary. The most cursory reading of our history suggests that such behaviour makes us dig in  as, indeed, it is doing now. My colleagues in Brussels often ask me where the opinion polls are in Britain, and are incredulous when I tell them that they havent moved since polling day.

If the EU had really wanted Britain to reverse its decision, it would have adopted a reasonable and emollient tone. It would have explored whether, if Britain didnt like the existing terms, a looser arrangement might have been put in place  one whereby, for example, Britain kept most of the commercial and economic aspects of membership, paying for them as now, but withdrew from the political aspects. That, indeed, was what most Euro-integrationists were calling for before our referendum was announced: a kind of associate status for Britain, that would allow the federalist countries to pursue their political union unimpeded.

Had such an offer been on the table when we voted last year, wed have opted to stay. Had it been made after the vote, it would surely have convinced more than the two per cent who needed to switch sides. But it wasnt. Instead, EU leaders have adopted an uncompromising tone, partly out of hurt feelings, and partly because, on some level, they still think that, if the whole business becomes disagreeable and difficult enough, well drop it. How little they know us.

What is even odder is the number of British Europhiles who have adopted the same tactic: talking down our negotiators, prophesying gloom, revelling in every bit of bad news, however unrelated to Brexit. Believe me, guys, it isnt making anyone become more pro-EU; its just making you look like gits.

To the extent that they have a strategy  and much of what we are seeing is an understandable emotional spasm with no very clear object  it seems to be to make Brexit as nasty and costly as possible, in the hope that well give it up. The danger, of course, is that they half-succeed, encouraging Brussels hardliners in their fantasy of a reversal, and so ensuring that Brexit happens in the most ill-tempered way.

While a hard rupture would be sub-optimal, it would still be better than staying in. Last month, the World Bank said that, in the event of no trade deal beyond the minimal WTO terms, our trade with the EU would fall by two per cent. Since exports to the EU amount to 12.6 per cent of our total GDP, were talking about an overall loss of a quarter of one per cent. Set against our new commercial opportunities overseas, and our deregulatory opportunities at home, that doesnt seem so bad.

To repeat, we should aim for an amicable deal. We should work hard for an outcome that serves the interests of our 27 allies as well as our own  our prosperity, after all, is enmeshed with theirs. But such a deal will happen only if everyone accepts that we are leaving. So far, they dont.
CORNWALL, Ontario  The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Bergeron as the new part-time Executive Director of the Cornwall Innovation Centre, effective November 6, 2017.

We are excited to have Kelly join our team as we continue to grow the CIC, says John Rattray, Chair of the Centres Board of Directors. With her extensive experience in the tech industry, she brings great value to our team.

Cornwall-born and raised, Ms. Bergeron is the Founder of the Code Heroes program and Cornwall Chapter Lead for Canada Learning Code. Among her many duties, she will be responsible for helping to foster growth of the Green companies that are accepted through Carletons Lead To Win program, setting direction and implementing strategic goals, and helping to grow the capacity of the CIC through fundraising and community partnerships.

The Centre plays such an important role in building and boosting innovative local businesses and I am eager to be part it all, says Bergeron. I look forward to working with the team to continue growing the Centre.

Apart from her goal of teaching digital literacy to youth in SD&G, Ms. Bergeron comes to the CIC with more than 15 years of experience in website development, design, digital marketing and strategies. Before returning to Cornwall in 2015, she worked as a Digital Experience Manager for Salesforce in San Francisco and Toronto. She has also worked for charities like Make-A-Wish Canada, as well as government agencies such as the RCMP and the Department of National Defense. She has continuously worked to upgrade her education at institutions including Stanford University, Berkeley and Queens University, and is a graduate of the Computer Programmer/Analyst diploma program at St. Lawrence College.

Ms. Bergeron most recently served as a review panel member at the CICs latest Venture Demo Day on October 25th which accepted two local businesses into the Lead To Win program.
Royal Caribbean Internationals Vision of the Seas began its homeport seasonal sailing itinerary from the Port of Galveston with a five-day Western Caribbean cruise on Monday, November 6, 2017.

We are thrilled to welcome the Vision of the Seas to its new seasonal homeport in Galveston. Her presence will be good for the Island and the Port since it strengthens Royal Caribbeans commitment to Galveston and the Texas and Midwestern U.S. cruise market., said Peter Simons, interim port director, in a prepared statement.

The Vision of the Seas joins the largest cruise ship in the state of Texas, Royal Caribbeans Liberty of the Seas, which has an overall length of 1,112 feet. The Vision of the Seas has an overall length of 915 feet and the port anticipates an average of 2,150 passengers per cruise.

Royal Caribbean has scheduled thirty-five four- and five-day cruises from Galveston during the 2017/2018 winter season. These cruises will include ports of call in Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya and the Yucatan, depending on the cruise. These new cruises will result in an estimated additional 80,000 passengers leaving on cruises from Galveston.
Holland America Line has launched a best price guarantee program for guests who prebook its EXC Tours.

The guarantee is available on all ships and all itineraries except Asia cruises and promises that if a guest finds a comparable shore excursion elsewhere at a lower price, Holland America will provide an onboard credit of 110 percent of the price difference.

Shore excursions are an essential part of the cruise for many of our guests, and were introducing the Best Price Guarantee because we believe our EXC Tours offer exceptional value, competitive pricing and the highest quality, said Orlando Ashford, Holland Americas president. Weve taken an extensive amount of care in creating experiences that showcase the best of each destination and offer something for every taste, whether its enjoying the iconic sites through a different lens or someone whos looking for something special and unique.

If a guest pre-books a Holland America Line EXC Tour (shore excursion) and then finds an equivalent tour that offers the same amenities and experiences, including date, time, duration, transportation and meals, then a request can be submitted through an online form up to seven days before cruise departure. Guests will be notified within two days of submission if the tour meets the requirements for Best Price Guarantee.

If eligible, guests will receive a non-refundable onboard credit to be used during their cruise. Best Price Guarantee only applies to shore excursions that are advertised with pricing and publicly available. Guests who cancel their EXC Tour on board will not be eligible for the Best Price Guarantee credit.

Numbering more than 4,100 tours in nearly 550 ports, Holland America said its EXC Tours are carefully crafted to ensure travelers are able to deeply connect with the people and places visited during each cruise. With a variety of options for every level of activity and interest, guests who book an EXC Tour through Holland America Line can rest assured that they will experience an unparalleled level of comfort, care and convenience, the line stated. Professional, local guides offer a unique perspective and exceptional guidance, and a worry-free return to the ship is guaranteed.
Royal Caribbean Cruises announced that it "is rolling out an unprecedented wave of digital innovations touching every aspect of its business, charting a course for a world where travel frustrations have disappeared, erased by technology that is transforming cruise ships from stem to stern."

A new app is coming to all 48 ships by the end of 2019, the company said, that will eliminate check in-lines and let crew anticipate guests' needs. Also, the fuel-saving bubble-system is coming fleetwide.

"The pace of change is relentlessand so are we," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO. "We are harnessing a range of technologies to enhance every facet of our business, every minute of our guests' vacations, and every inch of the ships we build."

Jay Schneider, RCL's senior vice president, digital, said one focus of RCL's company-wide innovation initiative is zeroing in on wasted effort and wasted energy. "We are finding ways to eliminate friction and frustration, giving guests more time to make the memories that make vacations special," said Schneider.

The new technology will enable quick boarding thanks to facial recognition, along with letting guests make shore excursion and restaurant bookings from the app.

There are also VR and AR experiences that transform ship spaces into virtual environments and interactive games, where stateroom ceilings might be replaced by starry skies, the walls of a restaurant can transform into the sights and sounds of an outdoor cafe and digital signs challenge you to play an arcade game, the company said.

"Consumers are buying experiences now, not things," Fain said. "So we are creating ways for them to design vacations rich in made-to-order, memory-making moments, and even providing recommendations based on what they have enjoyed before or shared with us about their preferences. And with our mantra of continuous improvement, our strategy is to constantly upgrade the guest experience across the fleets of all our brands."

"Time spent in linewhether you're waiting for your food, waiting for your bags to arrive, waiting on a table, or booking an excursionis time stolen from your time off," Schneider said.

To return that time to guests, the company is combining technologies ranging from facial recognition to RFID tagging to GPS mapping to Bluetooth-enabled beacons to streamline boarding, manage check-ins automatically and improve wayfinding.

"Many of these same technologies are being deployed to put the power to manage your vacation in the palm of your hand," said Schneider. "Our new app will make it simpler than ever to book and plan your cruise vacation from home or with a travel agent. Once on board, you can navigate our ships with interactive maps and guides, explore the ship with cool features like x-ray vision, or order drinks that can be delivered to you wherever you are on the ship." The app, along with the next generation of the company's WOW Bands, will also unlock guest staterooms and enable guests to control stateroom lighting and temperature.

"Our aim is to have the app enabled on about 15 percent of our fleet by the end of this year, and more than double that by the end of 2018," said Schneider.

There will also be an app for crew that helps check-in guests, complete required paperwork, track delivery of guests' bags to their staterooms, and interact with guests and anticipate their needs throughout their vacations.

In addition, crews will have access to easier means to manage their own schedules, stay connected to friends and family while onboard, and stay connected to the company during their off-contract periods.

"We regularly earn industry-leading guest satisfaction ratings  which is first and foremost a tribute to the outstanding work our crews do every day," said Fain. "To continue to improve, we will put more capability to delight and surprise our guests into our crews' hands even as we help them better manage the special challenges of being away from their homes and families while on board."

Royal Caribbean also announced command centers will use augmented reality to assist with navigation and maneuvering. "Think of it as enabling the nautical equivalent of flying on instruments," said Fain. "Our ships always operate with keen sensitivity to the limitations the weather may impose. But having new means to mitigate the weather's impacts on departures and arrivals helps us uphold schedule and itinerary commitments important to our guests," added Fain.

In addition, Royal CaribbeanL is pioneering the use of an air lubrication system that coats the hulls of its ships with millions of microscopic air bubbles to further reduce resistance and drag. In initial uses, air lubrication has reduced fuel consumption at speed by 7 to 8 percent, the company said.

Quantum-class ships already have the technology, and a number of other ships have been since retrofitted.

The company is planning fuel cell experiments on existing ships, with an eye to extensive use of fuel cells and liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion on its upcoming Icon class of ships.

"We are fully embracing the expectation that we run an environmentally sustainable business," said Fain. "Experimenting with new ways to power our ships is just part of our broad commitment to being a responsible environmental steward."
Security is far from the only challenge represented by BYOD policies. Youre allowing employees to bring their own devices into the workplace, and if you just leave it at that, theyll use their personal phone number to conduct work over voice, text and data. Thats a problem.

How do you distinguish work use from personal use? How do you know if a phone call or text was made to a business associate or a family member? How do you accurately distinguish whether an employee was using their work email or playing a game? How do you own and retain a phone number even if an employee leaves?

How do you ensure a great work/life balance for your workers, while protecting both corporate data and user privacy?

The Headache of Regulated BYOD

In regulated industries, things get even more challenging, as many are required to keep records of all voice and text conversations related to the organization. Therein lies the problem. Theres no way of distinguishing whether communications on a personally-owned device is private or professional.

And you cant record everything, not without violating employee privacy (and probably breaking the law).

It isnt like you can do away with BYOD, either. Your employees are going to bring their personal devices into the workplace regardless of whether those devices are sanctioned. Even if you manage to convince staff to accept a COPE (Corporate-Owned, Personally-Enabled) deployment model, youll still be unable to easily differentiate between corporate and personal use.

Without that, privacy is still a concern. People will still use their devices for personal business. And while you could rely on dual-SIM devices to make this distinction, thats both inconvenient for your users and expensive for you. After all, with COPE, youre also bearing the cost of purchasing each device.

Theres another option.

Part of BlackBerry Secure, BlackBerry WorkLife allows you to add a separate corporate line on personal devices without having to worry about compliance or user privacy. With WorkLife, you can also draw a firm line between corporate and personal use, while also ensuring that each employee receives full and accurate compensation for corporate usage. With prior court rulings for BYOD reimbursement, companies need to clearly understand costs.

This is achieved through two distinctive offerings: BlackBerry WorkLife Persona and BlackBerry WorkLife Data. Both solutions are cloud-based and carrier- and EMM-agnostic, ensuring that they can be deployed for any organization.

Take Control Of Corporate Identities

BlackBerry WorkLife Persona gives employees a separate corporate identity on their device without requiring an additional SIM. This eliminates the need for employees to use their personal numbers for work  meaning their personal lines stay private. And your organization can keep and reassign corporate phone numbers when employees leave, significantly reducing the impact to your customers. Your IT department, meanwhile, has full control over WorkLife Personas corporate profile, making cost management and regulatory compliance a breeze.

WorkLife Persona integrates readily with voice, recording and text archiving platforms  such as Vantage, Global Relay, and GWAVA  recording only communications involving an employees corporate number. It requires no additional mobile device installations, and is both cloud-based and carrier independent. This allows your business to easily meet regulatory compliance demands established by frameworks and directives such as MiFID II without requiring additional legwork from staff.

And with WorkLifes advanced analytics features, you can easily monitor employees work-related voice and text usage, such as top users and length of calls, without visibility into their personal lives. Voice calls, meanwhile, use connectivity from whatever carrier network an employee is on, making them inherently secure and reliable.

Streamline and Simplify Expense Management

BlackBerry WorkLife Data, meanwhile, is a powerful split billing solution. It allows you to automate reimbursements and maintain complete control over your employees data usage for business applications. From a simple console, administrators can selectively apply rules and policies for work applications without affecting personal apps. With built-in advanced analytics, it also lets you see how, where, when, and how much data your employees use across your entire corporate portfolio, integrating with existing expense management systems for easy reimbursements.

Together, WorkLife Persona and WorkLife Data offer better user privacy, a great user experience, and total visibility into where and how work devices are being used. By creating a separate corporate identity and walling off corporate voice, text and data from personal apps, BlackBerry increases productivity by eliminating employee concerns about being billed for work charges on their personal plans. Employees can work on mobile with confidence, and you can eliminate one of the final roadblocks to BYOD.

BYOD does not have to be a financial, legal, and regulatory nightmare. With BlackBerry WorkLife, you can seamlessly draw a line between corporate and personal use. Your enterprise can create a separate corporate identity on any device, allowing it to meet stringent compliance requirements, reduce mobility costs, gain full control over corporate voice, text, and data usage, and make its BYOD program truly come alive.

And together with the rest of our product portfolio, youll have everything you need to secure, connect, and protect your employees  no matter where they are, and no matter how they choose to work.

Learn more.

Diana Levan is a Product Marketing Specialist at BlackBerry.
Before September, translation didnt matter  at least, from an infosec standpoint. Taking content written in one language and changing it to another wasnt at the top of most CSOs lists of data risks. Then Norwegian news network NRK uncovered a breach at Statoil, one of the worlds biggest oil and gas companies.

NRK reports that the $46 billion business used Translate.com, a free online tool, to translate notices of dismissal, plans of workforce reductions and outsourcing, passwords, code information, and contracts. Then, the story continued, Lise Lyngsnes Randeberg, a college professor, Googled Statoil: In her results were the companys translations.

Wow! What is this? Randeberg thought, telling NRK, This was information from organizations, private companies, government agencies. In other words, stuff Statoil may not have wanted Randeberg  or any Google user  to read.

The translation industry saw the breach coming. It was something that we had been warning companies about [for] 10 years or so, says Don DePalma, Chief Strategist at Cambridge-based think tank Common Sense Advisory. It's been a question that's been coming up, given the way [free online translation] works: Is that something that would expose information?

How online translation services work

So how did it happen? This is what Translate.com had to say: "Translate.coms free, volunteer-based machine translations were not breached. There are two versions of the Translate.com solution. The one in question, the free version, using various online translation services, also incorporated volunteer translators to review and correct translations. This 'old' volunteer segment is now closed, and all translations involving volunteers have been removed. The online machine translations, which are still available for free, will no longer be saved."

In general, heres how free online translation works: Every word you enter is stored in a translation engine where machine learning uses your entry  and its translation  to improve future results. That means anyone who uses the tool after you either has use of or access to your data, if not both. Whether your information winds up on Google from there depends on where and how the tool provider stores it.

Create a translation policy with security in mind

When it comes to preventing your own translation-related data breach, the first step is to determine when employees can  and cant  use free tools. At BASF, that answer is never. After learning employees were translating important emails about new products, business plans, [and] PowerPoint presentations online, independent technology consultant Kirti Vashee says the company blocked all free translation sites.

For an option thats less severe, you can always limit the use of free translation tools by topic. Maybe its okay to enter product shipment details in the software, but not receiver contracts. Vashee says this is problematic, though: Employees often use free translation to see what somethings about. People will use Google [Translate] and Bing [Translator] because they get a memo in Chinese and just want to know, What is he talking about? Employees who dont speak a language might not realize content is about a sensitive topic until theyve already translated it.

A more secure option is to create your own machine learning engines and move translation in-house. Thats what Volkswagen did, Vashee explains: They specifically dont want to use outside engines because of the risk of exposure. Of course, in 2016 Volkswagens revenue was $251.6 billion. Thats more than the GDP of many sovereign nations, including Chile and Finland. At a company that large, internalizing translation is easy. For other businesses, its simply not realistic.

Professional translation services an option, but have their own risks

So what can those companies do? Instead of plugging data in random tools online, tell employees to route all translation through a professional provider. Translation vendor selection is usually based on quality, turnaround and cost. To ensure data security, ask prospective resources how they receive and deliver files for translation. If they say email, watch out. [Email is] 10 times riskier than any [online] solution because its very easy to break into peoples email, Vashee says.

Email is also readily forwarded  something many translation companies depend on. A human translator gets the job by specializing in that content type and the language direction needed  English into Polish, for example. If either of those factors change, so does the translator. As a result, even the largest translation companies dont have in-house resources for everything you need. DePalma says, There's a lot of reselling in the industry, translation companies outsourcing work to other providers.

Let's say somebody comes along and wants Albanian to Polish, he explains, There's a very small demand for that and theyre probably not going to provision for that on a 24/7/365 basis. So after you email your file to your selected translation company, they forward it to another one, likely a business youve never heard of that only offers Polish. But your data wont stay there. That company forwards your files to an independent translator somewhere else.

[Its] an infinite chain of inheritance, says DePalma. Twenty-six percent of the average translation companys income comes from other translation companies, constituting one-fourth of all words translated worldwide.

As soon as [your file] goes outside the company, he adds, it's in the wild. In the end, if no human resource is found, your project could wind up on Translation.com, except this time, youre paying a translation provider to put it there. According to Common Sense Advisory, 64 percent of translation professionals say their colleagues frequently use free translation services on the web.

When [your data is] in the wild, DePalma continues, you then have to rely on the provisions, the security mechanisms, just the entire range of anybody who touches that information to keep it secret and secure.

Thats a lot of trust for a single vendor. So as the Russian proverb says, trust but verify. To track your data while its in translation, Vashee recommends translation management software (TMS), an industry-specific tool that tracks every word from the moment it leaves your office to the moment it comes back.

With TMS, no one accesses data without your direct approval; files cannot be forwarded without your knowledge. You go in and you provide access, Vashee says. If you say, Here are 100 valid IDs and the only people that will be able to touch this data use these 100 valid IDs, [youll] be able to know exactly what they did every time they touched the data. Thats a high level of security. A TMS system properly set up will give you some protection.

This protection isnt perfect. TMS systems are sold to both translation companies and clients; advanced systems extract content directly from GitHub, Adobe CQ, and other platforms where its created. Ask how that connection is secured. Then ask where and how the TMS stores your files.

Even more importantly, does the TMS you use let translators take data out? DePalma mentions that translators are prone to removing materials from TMS to move it into a tool they might like better. They log in, hit export, then suddenly your data is back in the wild. Tell your TMS provider that you want this option turned off.

In the end, though, DePalma says no matter how well you lock down the tech, the riskiest part of any translation project is the translator: Even if they couldn't pull [your data] out exactly, what they could do is a screen capture, then do an OCR, and then from that, put it into another tool. To DePalmas knowledge, this type of breach is simply theoretical. But before September, so was Statoils.

Do language translation apps pose a risk?

You might be tempted to use one of the many translation apps now available. Most are designed for consumer use to, for example, aid in voice-to-voice communication or translate street signs. They can be used for small translation tasks for business, but they do come with significant risk.

In October 2019, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) published a report that raised concerns about Chinas use of technology that collects data to generate industrial knowledge graphs, algorithmic models, and visualization platforms for finance technology, intelligent manufacturing, smart cities, national security, and industry consulting and analysis for government and the private sector.

Chinas Global Tone Communications Technology (GTCOM) is leading this effort by analyzing unstructured data in bulk in at least 65 languages from more than 200 countries, according to the report. GTCOM is part of Chinas Central Propaganda Department. Its translation services are embedded in the Chinese search giant Alibabas cloud offering and in apps such as the JoveTrans voice recorder and translator and LanguageBox, which translates and transcribes conference sessions.

The ASPI report claims that GTCOM is openly contributing to state security and intelligence data collection. Clearly, businesses would want to steer clear of using its technology to translate any kind of sensitive data.

Popular web-based apps like Google Translate store and translate content on its own servers. Businesses lose some control over that data once its in the cloud, and it creates a regulatory risk. For example, under the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an organization is equally accountable for a breach that occurs at a third-party data processor.

Under normal circumstances, the user will perceive themselves as the owner of the words and documents that are being translated and as such they should have the ability to control how the information is used, shared and protected while being translated, says Doug Graham, CSO for translation services company Lionbridge. When it comes to these expectations, a user may get what they pay for. If there is no cost for translation, how is the provider monetizing their services? Is it at the cost of security?

Translation is no different than any other app or service, according to Graham. Businesses should ask app vendors the same kinds of questions concerning data protection and privacy, including:

Does the app encrypt data?

Will the application vendor enter into a contract that underpins their security responsibilities?

Does the app vendor have a dedicated security team?

The safest way to use translation apps is to keep sensitive data away from them. From a security perspective, companies should consider the type of data involved and how essential it is that this data be protected, says Graham. If this data were only in  and were staying in  English, would you still load it in a free, third-party, online app? Common sense, with a good dose of privacy regulations and information handling procedures, should go a long way to tell people what can be translated using these apps and what shouldnt.
STORY LINK GBP EUR Exchange Rates Tumble on Fresh UK Government Scandals

May Suffers Second Resignation in a Week, GBP Exchange Rates Tumble

ECB Bulletin Proves Positive, EUR Exchange Rates Bolstered

GBP EUR Forecast: Volatility Ahead on UK Data

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The GBP EUR exchange rate tumbled today, with markets shifting to focus on the resignation of British Aid Minister Priti Patel on Wednesday night.UK Prime Minister Theresa May is now seeking to reassert her leadership following the second resignation from within her cabinet in a week.Priti Patel was forced from office on Wednesday following various undisclosed meetings with Israel officials overseas.These meetings were unsanctioned and thus breached diplomatic protocol.Patel has since acknowledged that her actions were below the high standards required of her positon, stating in her letter to May:While my actions were meant with the best intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated.I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation.At this point in time it is not clear who will be replacing Patel, and coming so shortly after the resignation of another member of Mays top team, Michael Fallon, the news acted quickly in underlining apparent weaknesses within Mays cabinet.With today being another rather sparse data calendar day for the UK, the Pound has felt the full brunt of market attention, with investors increasingly worried that Mays questionable lead over her team could hurt Britains position in Brexit negotiations.This prolonged the Pounds descent against the Euro.According to the European Central Banks (ECB) recent economic bulletin, growth in the bloc is likely to continue unabated into the New Year.The ECB optimistically stated:Private consumption is underpinned by rising employment, which is also benefiting from past labour market reforms, and by increasing household wealth.The upswing in business investment continues to benefit from very favourable financing conditions and improvements in corporate profitability, it added.This news bolstered market confidence in the ECBs monetary policy outlook, as the ECB had only just recently warned that further delays to the tapering of its quantitative easing scheme could occur if the economy struggled without support.Tomorrow will feature a run of data prints pertaining to the UK, with industrial production, manufacturing production, construction output, and the UKs trade balance being the most significant.On one hand, the UKs trade deficit is forecast to shrink from -5,626 to -4,600 and the UKs industrial production too, is expected to climb from 1.6% to 1.9%.On the other, both construction output and manufacturing production are forecast to contract, with the former expected to print at 1.6%, down from the 3.5% previous, and the latter expected to fall from 2.8% to 2.4%.If these figures do print as expected then the GBP EUR exchange rate may come under increased pressure, conversely, prints above expectations could give Sterling the room it needs to regain the lead.Beyond the data, markets will be keeping a keen eye on any new Brexit-related information, with negotiations having officially resumed. If sufficient progress is demonstrated then market demand for the Pound will rise,if none is achieved, however, then markets will become increasingly anxious, leaving the Pound by the wayside.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: Currency Predictions Euro Pound Forecasts
'Pa. women were scared': Abortion ranked as top issue during midterm

Before Election Day, polls suggested the economy had eclipsed abortion as a voting issue. But that's not what Pennsylvania exit polls show.
It's official now. At a time when India-US bonhomie to fight global terror has largely cornered Pakistan, militants in the restive Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir enjoy access to sophisticated American weapons.

Barely a few days after the picture of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, flaunting an M4 carbine rifle, went viral on the social media - the inspector general of police (IGP) Kashmir range, Sardar Muneer Ahmed Khan, officially confirmed that the armed guerrillas are equipped with the US-made weapons.

A Hizbul Mujahideen militant, flaunting an M4 carbine rifle.

Addressing a press conference in the summer capital of Srinagar, the IGP displayed M4, the US-made machine gun, found near the bodies of three terrorists killed in Pulwama on the evening of November 6.

Throwing light on the recovery of the weapon, a police handout said: "This M4 carbine colt rifle was in the social media in the recent time."

One of the slain terrorist commanders, Talha Rasheed, near whose body the gun was recovered, is the nephew of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar. IGP Khan, who holds the credit for eliminating over one dozen top militant commanders in the last six months, asked Pakistan to take back Talha Rasheed's body.

The US-made rifle has been recovered at a time when militants in Kashmir are largely presumed to be facing a shortage of arms and ammunition. It is for this reason that militants are often heard snatching it from police personnel.

Official statistics reveal that around 66 weapons, including 17 AK-47 rifles, and over 7,000 rounds of ammunition were snatched from the police personnel by militants and mobs in Kashmir Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.

Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar's nephew, Talha Rasheed (centre).

According to the state home ministry data, 66 weapons - 17 AK rifles, 23 SLR rifles, 14 INSAS rifles, 6 pistols, one .303 rifle, one carbine, 3 UBGL thrower and one Taser gun were looted by militants and other suspects from the mobs after attacking police stations and the personnel.

It's for the first time in the past decade or so that a sophisticated US-made weapon has been recovered from militants in the valley.

This is a clear-cut indication that infiltration from across Pakistan is going on unabated with the inflow of latest weapons and terrorists such as Talha Rasheed, who is believed to have sneaked into Kashmir a few months ago.

While the recovery of sophisticated weapons is nothing new in Kashmir, what is new and alarming is the weapon's country of origin.

Traditionally, militants in Kashmir would mainly have access to the Russian-made guns such as AK-47 and Kalashnikov. But now the new-age militancy has access to weapons from the US as well.

In June, New Delhi had secured a diplomatic advantage over Islamabad when the US firmly sided with India in its war against terrorism. America designated Syed Salahuddin, the Pakistan-based head of the largest militant group in Kashmir, Hizbul Mujahideen, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

The statement was released at the end of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump where the duo promised an unforgiving strategy against global terrorism.

This is a clear-cut indication that infiltration from across Pakistan is going on unabated.

Coming back to the M4 carbine rifle, last month, the picture of a local militant, Sameer alias Tiger, holding a M4 rifle in an orchard - believed to be somewhere in south of Kashmir - went viral prompting the government to order an inquiry on whether the photo was real.

The killing of Azhar Masood's nephew, a terrorist in south Kashmir, has brought the worst fears true as the IGP personally displayed the recovered M4.

Mostly used by the NATO forces battling Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, this American-origin rifle is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle.

But then apart from being a major security concern, the M4 carbine has some interesting "Tiger" conincidence.

In Salman Khan's upcoming Tiger Zinda Hai, the actor used a machine gun of the same series, for some heavy-duty action in the film, which stars Katrina Kaif as the female lead. Big screen's "Tiger" fired about 5,000 cartridges from a MG-42 for a scene in the movie.
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Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia.
Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. The Chemicals segment produces and markets ethylene and other olefin products; aromatics and styrenics products, such as benzene, cyclohexane, styrene, and polystyrene; and various specialty chemical products, including organosulfur chemicals, solvents, catalysts, and chemicals used in drilling and mining. The Refining segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, such as gasolines, distillates, aviation, and renewable fuels at 12 refineries in the United States and Europe. The M&S segment purchases for resale and markets refined petroleum products, including gasolines, distillates, and aviation fuels primarily in the United States and Europe. This segment also manufactures and markets specialty products, such as base oils and lubricants. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sports shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Alstyle, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer pantyhose, tights, and leggings under the Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel brands. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brands; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, and embellishers, as well as to retailers and lifestyle brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
United Rentals, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities. The specialty segment rents specialty construction products, including trench safety equipment consists of trench shields, aluminum hydraulic shoring systems, slide rails, crossing plates, construction lasers, and line testing equipment for underground work; power and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, such as portable diesel generators, electrical distribution equipment, and temperature control equipment; fluid solutions equipment for fluid containment, transfer, and treatment; and mobile storage equipment and modular office space. This segment serves construction companies involved in infrastructure projects, and municipalities and industrial companies. It also sells aerial lifts, reach forklifts, telehandlers, compressors, and generators; construction consumables, tools, small equipment, and safety supplies; and parts for equipment that is owned by its customers, as well as provides repair and maintenance services. The company sells used equipment through its sales force, brokers, website, directly to manufacturers, and at auctions. The company operates a network of 1,360 rental locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. United Rentals, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
GTT Communications, Inc. provides cloud networking services to multinational enterprises, carriers, and government customers in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers wide area networking, such as software-defined wide area networking, multiprotocol label switching, and virtual private LAN service; high bandwidth-Internet connectivity and IP transit, as well as broadband and wireless Internet access services; managed equipment and security services; and unified communication services consisting of session initiation protocol trunking, cloud unified communication service, and traditional analog voice. It also provides transport services, such as Ethernet services that enable to design network equipment; and video transport services to support broadcast quality transmission of live events, sports entertainment, and news to media and entertainment industry. In addition, the company offers infrastructure services enabling transport of high volume data between data centers, enterprise office locations, and media hubs; wavelength services to deliver scalable high-performance optical connectivity; colocation, turnkey, duct, and dark fiber services; advanced solutions, including security, hybrid cloud, database, and application management Its IP network consists of approximately 600 points of presence. GTT Communications, Inc. markets its products and services through a network of direct sales force and indirect sales channels. The company was formerly known as Global Telecom & Technology, Inc. and changed its name to GTT Communications, Inc. in January 2014. GTT Communications, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
Salzgitter AG, together with its subsidiaries, engages in steel and technology businesses worldwide. It operates through five segments: Strip Steel, Plate/Section Steel, Mannesmann, Trading, and Technology. The Strip Steel segment manufactures branded and special steels, such as hot-rolled strip steel and steel sheets, sections, tailored blanks, and components for the construction industry. The Plate/Section Steel segment produces various high-grade heavy plates for engineering, shipbuilding, and mechanical engineering, as well as trades in scrap. The Mannesmann segment is involved in the manufacture of line pipes, HFI-welded tubes, precision and stainless-steel tubes, and spiral-welded and longitudinal-welded large-diameter pipes; and seamless and welded tubes for the energy, automotive, and mechanical engineering sectors. The Trading segment operates a European sales network, as well as trading companies and agencies worldwide. The Technology segment engages in the provision of machinery and plants for the filling and packaging of beverages, as well as special machinery engineering for shoe manufacturing and elastomer production. The company also provides IT, facility management, logistics, automotive engineering, and research and development services, as well as supplies raw materials. Salzgitter AG was founded in 1858 and is headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany.
Synthomer plc operates as a specialty chemicals company. It operates through four segments: Performance Elastomers, Functional Solutions, Industrial Specialities, and Acrylate Monomers. The company offers pressure sensitive adhesives, acrylic polymers, acrylic dispersions, saturants, release coatings, and other adhesives; water-based carboxylated styrene butadiene rubber, redispersible powder, flooring adhesive, and additives for construction applications; and impregnation binders, styrene butadiene copolymers, dispersions, polymer binders, and butadiene-based binders for textiles applications. It also provides binders for various carpets; synthetic binders for graphic, packaging, and specialty paper coating applications; paper coating additives and plastic pigments; binders, dispersions, water-based and solvent-borne resins, and other products for various coating applications; foamed bedding products and footwear; elastomeric modifiers for thermoplastics and friction components; reinforcement resins for rubber compounds; and latex for tire cord. In addition, the company offers compounds and aqueous curing pastes for carpets and other applications; acrylic monomers for enhancing the performance characteristics of polymer formulations; antioxidant products; latices for medical examination, clean room, food handling, chemotherapy drug handling, chemical laboratory, and medical device and balloon applications; and nitrile latex, which enhance performance of industrial and fabric-supported gloves. Further, it provides liquid polybutadienes, polyvinyl alcohol suspending agents, polyvinyl acetates, thermosetting resins, butyl ethyl propanediol, and inorganic materials for various industrial applications; and coalescing agents for enhancing the properties of coatings. The company was formerly known as Yule Catto & Co. plc and changed its name to Synthomer plc in 2012. Synthomer plc was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Zendesk, Inc., a software development company, provides software as a service solutions for organizations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. Its flagship product is Zendesk Support, a system for tracking, prioritizing, and solving customer support tickets across various channels. The company also offers Zendesk Chat, a live chat and messaging software to connect with customers on websites and mobile devices applications; Zendesk Talk, a cloud-based call center software; Zendesk Guide, a knowledge base that powers customer self-service and support agent productivity; Zendesk Gather, a community forum software that allows customer end-users to connect and collaborate; Zendesk Explore, which provides analytics for organizations to measure and enhance the customer experience; and Zendesk Sell, a sales customer relationship management (CRM) product solution to enhance productivity, processes, and pipeline visibility. In addition, it provides Zendesk Sunshine, a CRM platform; Sunshine Conversations, a messaging platform solution; Zendesk Developer Tools, a combination of application programming interfaces, web widget, and mobile software development kits; Zendesk APIs that allow users to build custom integrations and interact with Zendesk data; and Zendesk Apps that enable organizations to customize Zendesk product and platform solution interfaces and optimize workflow through plug-ins, as well as Zendesk Suite, an omnichannel offering, which combines its solutions. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the hospitality industry. The companys portfolio is concentrated in upper upscale, full-service hotels across the US. The portfolio strategy seeks to optimize total returns by maximizing the value of new acquisitions while paying dividends over time. The company boasts a geographically diversified portfolio of dominant branded full-service hotels. Ashford Inc externally advises Ashford Hospitality Trust.

Ashford Hospitality Trust is the culmination of decades of real estate experience dating back to the 1960s. Now based in Dallas, TX, the company was founded and went public in 2003. The company is geared to withstand the ups and downs of the hospitality and hotel cycles. The company is committed to disciplined capital market activities, has a successful transaction track record, and brings value-added asset management to the table.

Ashford Hospitality Trust is guided by five principles that best describe the company. These are Ethical, Innovative, Profitable, Engaging, and Tenacious and all key components of its reputation for integrity.

The companys portfolio is well-diversified across brands and includes but is not limited to Courtyard, Crown Plaza, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton, Marriot, Ritz-Carlton, and Sheraton. Properties are located in 25 of the 50 US states and Washington, D.C. targeting the top 25 markets in the nation. The company also owns a number of private and boutique names as well.

Ashford Hospitality Trust was founded by Monty J. Bennet who is the Chairman of the Board as well as Chairman, CEO, and President of Ashford, Inc which also trades on the NYSE. Mr. Bennet has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry including owning and operating major hotels.
Bar Harbor Bankshares operates as the holding company for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust that provides commercial, lending, retail, and wealth management banking services. It accepts various deposit products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company also provides commercial real estate loans, such as multi-family, commercial construction and land development, and other commercial real estate classes; commercial and industrial loans, including loans to commercial and agricultural businesses, and tax exempt entities; residential real estate loans consists of mortgages for 1-4 family housing; and consumer loans comprises home equity loans, lines of credit, auto, and other installment lending. In addition, it provides life insurance, annuity, and retirement products, as well as financial planning services; and third-party investment and insurance services. Further, the company offers trust and estate administration, wealth advisory, and investment management services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities; and 401K plan, financial, estate and charitable planning, investment management, family office, municipal, and tax services. It operates 53 locations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The company was founded in 1887 and is based in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. The Assisted Living and Memory Care segment owns or leases communities consisting of freestanding multi-story communities and freestanding single-story communities, which offer housing and 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living for the Company's residents. This segment also operates memory care communities for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The CCRCs segment owns or leases communities that provides various living arrangements, such as independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing; and services to accommodate various levels of physical ability and healthcare needs. It also manages communities on behalf of others. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned 347 communities, leased 299 communities, and managed 33 communities on behalf of others. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Centrica plc operates as an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, North America, and internationally. The company operates through British Gas Services & Solutions, British Gas Energy, Centrica Business Solutions, Bord Gais Energy, Energy Marketing & Trading, and Upstream segments. It supplies gas and electricity to residential customers, as well as offers energy-related services; and generates power from nuclear assets. The company also provides installation, repair, and maintenance services for domestic central heating, plumbing and drains, home electrical, and gas and kitchen appliances; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, as well as offers breakdown services. In addition, it is involved in the procurement, trading, and optimization of energy; procurement and sale of LNG; and supplies energy efficiency solutions and technologies to residential customers. Further, the company produces and processes gas and oil; develops new fields to maintain reserves; constructs, owns, and exploits infrastructure; and engages in the social enterprise investment fund activities. Additionally, it provides vehicle leasing, commercial, and insurance services, as well as energy management products and services; and operates a gas storage and franchise network. The company was formerly known as Yieldtop plc and changed its name to Centrica plc in December 1996. Centrica plc was founded in 1812 and is based in Windsor, the United Kingdom.
Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, electronic, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Business and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization services, settlement and funding services, customer support and help-desk functions, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security services, consolidated billing and statements, and on-line reporting services. This segment also provides an array of enterprise software solutions that streamline business operations of its customers in various vertical markets; and value-added services, such as point-of-sale solutions, and analytic and engagement tools, as well as payroll and human capital management services. The Issuer Solutions segment offers solutions that enable financial institutions and retailers to manage their card portfolios through a platform; and commercial payments and ePayables solutions for businesses and governments. The Business and Consumer Solutions segment provides general-purpose reloadable prepaid debit and payroll cards, demand deposit accounts, and other financial service solutions to the underbanked and other consumers, and businesses under the Netspend brand. It markets its products and services through direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers, referral arrangements with value-added resellers, and independent sales organizations. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; data and analytics solutions; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. The company's Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearance and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.
Derwent London plc owns 83 buildings in a commercial real estate portfolio predominantly in central London valued at 5.4 billion (including joint ventures) as at 30 June 2020, making it the largest London-focused real estate investment trust (REIT). Our experienced team has a long track record of creating value throughout the property cycle by regenerating our buildings via development or refurbishment, effective asset management and capital recycling. We typically acquire central London properties off-market with low capital values and modest rents in improving locations, most of which are either in the West End or the Tech Belt. We capitalise on the unique qualities of each of our properties - taking a fresh approach to the regeneration of every building with a focus on anticipating tenant requirements and an emphasis on design. Reflecting and supporting our long-term success, the business has a strong balance sheet with modest leverage, a robust income stream and flexible financing. As part of our commitment to lead the industry in mitigating climate change, in October 2019, Derwent London became the first UK REIT to sign a Green Revolving Credit Facility. At the same time, we also launched our Green Finance Framework and signed the Better Buildings Partnership's climate change commitment. The Group is a member of the 'RE100' which recognises Derwent London as an influential company, committed to 100% renewable power by purchasing renewable energy, a key step in becoming a net zero carbon business. Derwent London is one of only a few property companies worldwide to have science-based carbon targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Landmark schemes in our 5.6 million sq ft portfolio include 80 Charlotte Street W1, Brunel Building W2, White Collar Factory EC1, Angel Building EC1, 1-2 Stephen Street W1, Horseferry House SW1 and Tea Building E1. In 2019, the Group won several awards including EG Offices Company of the Year, the CoStar West End Deal of the Year for Brunel Building, Westminster Business Council's Best Achievement in Sustainability award and topped the real estate sector and was placed ninth overall in the Management Today 2019 awards for 'Britain's Most Admired Companies'. In 2013 the Company launched a voluntary Community Fund and has to date supported over 100 community projects in the West End and the Tech Belt. The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is 25 Savile Row, London,
First Republic Bank was founded by Jim Herbert with the intention of providing exceptional levels of customer service. It was his belief that customer service would set the bank apart and create a profitable investment for its shareholders. After 35 years, his vision has proven true with a 25% CAGR that continues to this day. The initial enterprise value has grown from only $8.8 million in that time, to over $19 billion making it the 14th largest bank in the US. First Republic Bank was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

First Republic Bank with its subsidiaries operates in two segments and provides personal banking, business banking, and wealth management services to individuals, families, organizations, and small businesses in the United States. The companys services are available in-person at one of the more than 80 offices or via ATM, online, mobile, and debit cards.

The company offers deposit products including checking and saving accounts, money market, and CDs as well as a range of lending products. The full range of lending products includes but is not limited to residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, commercial real estate and construction loans, and personal and business loans.

The companys wealth management services include advisory services, online investment management, trusts, estate planning, and alternative investments as well as insurance and foreign exchange. The online brokerage service is available to all clients and can be accessed at any time via a web browser or mobile device.

First Republic Bank operates a network of more than 80 deposit-taking branches and 12 wealth management offices. The network is located primarily in California with additional branches in major metropolitan areas and two destination locations that include Portland, Boston, Palm Beach, Greenwich, New York, and Jackson, Wyoming.

First Republic Bank has proven its worth over the year by maintaining a consistently strong capital level, asset quality, and liquidity position. Its prudent management has allowed it to weather market ups and downs while commanding investment grade ratings for its bonds and preferred stock.
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Fresh and Value-Added Products, Banana, and Other Products and Services. It offers pineapples, fresh-cut fruit, fresh-cut vegetables, melons, and vegetables; non-tropical fruits, such as grapes, apples, citrus, blueberries, strawberries, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, and kiwis; other fruit and vegetables, and avocados; and prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, other beverages, and meals and snacks. The company also engages in the sale of poultry and meat products; and third-party freight services business. In addition, it manufactures and sells plastic and box products, such as bins, trays, bags, and boxes. The company offers its products under the Del Monte brand, as well as under other brands, such as UTC, Rosy, Fruit Express, Just Juice, Fruitini, Mann's Logo, Arcadian Harvest, Nourish Bowls, Broccolini, Caulilini, Better Burger Leaf, RomaLeaf, and other regional brands. It markets and distributes its products to retail stores, club stores, convenience stores, wholesalers, distributors, and foodservice operators. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. was founded in 1886 and is based in George Town, Cayman Islands.
Trecora Resources manufactures and sells various specialty petrochemical products and synthetic waxes in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Petrochemical and Specialty Waxes. The Petrochemical segment offers hydrocarbons and other petroleum based products, including isopentane, normal pentane, isohexane, and hexane for use in the production of polyethylene, packaging, polypropylene, expandable polystyrene, poly-iso/urethane foams, and crude oil from the Canadian tar sands, as well as in the catalyst support industry. It also owns and operates pipelines. The Specialty Waxes segment provides specialty polyethylene for use in the paints and inks, adhesives, coatings, and PVC lubricants markets; and specialized synthetic poly alpha olefin waxes for use as toner in printers, as well as additives for candles. The company also provides custom processing services; and produces copper and zinc concentrates, and silver and gold dore. Trecora Resources was formerly known as Arabian American Development Company and changed its name to Trecora Resources in June 2014. Trecora Resources was founded in 1967 and is based in Sugar Land, Texas.
The following companies are subsidiares of Dominion Energy: 96WI 8me LLC, Align RNG Arizona LLC, Align RNG Arizona-Snowflake LLC, Align RNG California LLC, Align RNG California-Corcoran LLC, Align RNG Grady Road LLC, Align RNG LLC, Align RNG Magnolia LLC, Align RNG North Carolina LLC, Align RNG North Carolina-Bowdens LLC, Align RNG Utah LLC, Align RNG Utah-Milford LLC, Align RNG Utah-Minersville LLC, Align RNG Virginia LLC, Align RNG Virginia-Waverly LLC, Alpaca Holdings LLC, Angus Holdings LLC, Aster Holdings LLC, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, BOE Holdings Inc., Bantam Holdings LLC, Bellflower Holdings LLC, Birdseye Holdings LLC, Birdseye Projects LLC, Birdseye Renewable Energy LLC, Blackville Solar Farm LLC, Blue Ocean Energy Marine LLC, BrightSuite Home LLC, BrightSuite Home Solar Inc., BrightSuite Inc., BrightSuite Solar CT Inc., BrightSuite Solar Development LLC, BrightSuite Solar SC Inc., BrightSuite Solar VA Inc., Brown Swiss Holdings II LLC, Buckingham Solar I LLC, CEA Americus LLC, CEA CO-Fort Morgan LLC, CEA Clovis LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Colorado LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Georgia LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Idaho LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Kansas LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Nevada LLC, CEA Dairy RNG New Mexico LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Texas LLC, CEA Greely LLC, CEA Mason LLC, CEA TX-Dimmitt LLC, CNG Coal Company, CNG Power Services Corporation, Canola Holdings LLC, Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation, Charolais Holdings LLC, Chester White Holdings LLC, Chicory Holdings LLC, Clean Energy Asset USA LLC, Clean Energy Enterprises Inc., Clipperton Holdings LLC, Collard Holdings LLC, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Correctional Solar LLC, Cotswold Holdings LLC, Cove Point LNG Limited, Currant Holdings LLC, DE 700 Canal Place LLC, DE Arlington Solar LLC, DE Fluvanna Solar LLC, DE Hanover Solar LLC, DE Henrico Solar LLC, DE King William Solar LLC, DE Louisa Solar LLC, DE Newport News Solar LLC, DE Powhatan Solar LLC, DE Virginia Beach Solar LLC, DECP Holdings Inc., DEO Alternative Fuel LLC, Dairy RNG Holdings LLC, Denmark Solar LLC, Devon Holdings LLC, Dexter Holdings LLC, Dill Holdings LLC, Dillon RE Holdings LLC, Dominion ACP Holding Inc., Dominion Alternative Energy Holdings Inc., Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Dominion Capital Inc., Dominion Cogen WV Inc., Dominion Energy Birdseye Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Fuel Services Inc., Dominion Energy Gas Distribution LLC, Dominion Energy Generation Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Inc., Dominion Energy Kewaunee Inc., Dominion Energy Marketplace LLC, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut Inc., Dominion Energy Payroll Company Inc., Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, Dominion Energy RNG Holdings II Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Services Inc., Dominion Energy Solar CA LLC, Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., Dominion Energy Southeast Services Inc., Dominion Energy Technical Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies II Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies Inc., Dominion Energy Terminal Company Inc., Dominion Energy Wexpro Services Company, Dominion Equipment III Inc., Dominion Equipment Inc., Dominion Fairless Hills Inc., Dominion Fowler Ridge Wind LLC, Dominion Gas Projects Company LLC, Dominion Generation Inc., Dominion Greenbrier Inc., Dominion High Voltage Holdings Inc., Dominion High Voltage MidAtlantic Inc., Dominion Investments Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline Holdings Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company III Inc., Dominion Mt. Storm Wind LLC, Dominion Nuclear Projects Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration & Production Inc., Dominion Person Inc., Dominion Privatization Florida LLC, Dominion Privatization Georgia LLC, Dominion Privatization Holdings Inc., Dominion Privatization Kentucky LLC, Dominion Privatization Maryland LLC, Dominion Privatization Pennsylvania LLC, Dominion Privatization South Carolina LLC, Dominion Privatization Texas LLC, Dominion Privatization Virginia LLC, Dominion Products and Services Inc., Dominion Projects Services Inc., Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, Dominion Retail Gas Holdings Inc., Dominion Solar Holdings IV LLC, Dominion Solar Projects C Inc., Dominion Solar Projects D Inc., Dominion Solar Projects III Inc., Dominion Solar Projects IV Inc., Dominion Solar Projects V Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VI Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VII Inc., Dominion Solar Services Inc., Dominion State Line LLC, Dominion Utility Privatization LLC, Dominion Voltage Inc., Dominion Wholesale Inc., Dominion Wind Development LLC, Dominion Wind Projects Inc., Dorset Holdings LLC, ESCT-SA-Suffield LLC, Eagle Holdco Solar LLC, Eagle Solar LLC, Eastern Shore Solar LLC, Endive Holdings LLC, Energize Holdings III LLC, Flax Holdings LLC, Fremont Farm LLC, Gideon Solar LLC, Ginger Holdings LLC, Greenbrier Marketing Company LLC, Greenbrier Pipeline Company LLC, Greensville County Solar Project LLC, Guernsey Holdings LLC, Hardin Solar Energy LLC, Hecate Energy Cherrydale LLC, Hecate Energy Clarke County LLC, Hemlock Holdings LLC, Hereford Holdings LLC, Hodges Solar LLC, Hope Gas Inc., Hosta Holdings LLC, Innovative Solar 37 LLC, Joanna Solar LLC, Kale Holdings LLC, Leek Holdings LLC, Leghorn Holdings LLC, Lentil Holdings LLC, Leyland Holdings LLC, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Millet Holdings LLC, Moffett Solar 1 LLC, Moorings Farm 2 LLC, Mustang Solar LLC, Mustard Holdings LLC, Okra Holdings LLC, PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company, Phone House, Pikeville Farm LLC, Power Path Holdings I LLC, Power Path Holdings II LLC, Power Path Holdings III LLC, Prairie Fork Wind Farm LLC, Public Service Company of North Carolina Incorporated, Quail Holdings LLC, Questar Corporation, Questar Gas Company, Questar InfoComm Inc., Ridgeland Solar Farm I LLC, Rutabaga Holdings LLC, SCANA, SCANA Corporate Security Services Inc., SCANA Corporation, SRFI LLC, Safflower Holdings LLC, Scott-II Solar LLC, Seabrook Solar LLC, Sedge Holdings LLC, Shallot Holdings LLC, Siler Solar LLC, Silkie Holdings LLC, Simmental Holdings LLC, Sol Madison Solar LLC, Sorghum Holdings LLC, South Carolina Fuel Company Inc., South Carolina Generating Company Inc., Southampton Solar LLC, Strawberry Holdings LLC, Sumac Holdings LLC, Summit Farms Solar LLC, Sussex Drive Solar Project LLC, TWE Myrtle Solar Project LLC, The East Ohio Gas Company, Trask East Solar LLC, Tredegar Solar Fund I LLC, Tredegar Solar LLC, VP Property Inc., Virginia Electric And Power Company, Virginia Power Fuel Corporation, Virginia Power Nuclear Services Company, Virginia Power Services Energy Corp. Inc., Virginia Power Services LLC, Virginia Solar 2017 Projects LLC, Wakefield Solar LLC, Watercress Holdings LLC, Wexpro Company, Wexpro Development Company, Wexpro II Company, Wilkinson Solar LLC, Yemassee Solar LLC, and Yorkshire Holdings LLC.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan.

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National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services comprise credit, and deposit and investment solutions, as well as international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. The Wealth Management segment comprises investment solutions, trust services, banking services, lending services, and other wealth management solutions. The Financial Markets segment offers corporate banking, advisory, and capital markets services; and project financing, debt, and equity underwriting; advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and financing. The U.S. Specialty Finance and International segment provides specialty finance products; financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Cambodia; and investment solutions, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, notes, structured products, and monetization. It provides its services through a network of 384 branches and 927 banking machines. National Bank of Canada was founded in 1859 and is based in Montreal, Canada.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. provides reinsurance and insurance products around the world. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Bermuda with offices in Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, and the US.

The company operates through two segments that include multiple underlying businesses and investment vehicles. The two main segments are Property and Casualty & Specialty. The company operates through intermediaries that include DaVinci Resinsurance Inc, Top Layer Reinsurance LTD, and RennaisanceRe Syndicate 1458 among others.

Top Layer Re is the first major venture and was started in 1999. It is a joint venture with State Farm targeting high layers of the US reinsurance business. DaVinci Re was formed in the wake of 9/11 to assist with capacity and it was given added capacity in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Medici was formed in 2009 and is an open-ended fund intended to spur investment in the catastrophe bond market.

The Property segment writes catastrophic insurance policies to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes. These include but are not limited to hurricanes, floods, freezes, and terrorism.

The Casualty & Specialty segment provides a wide range of consumer products including business insurance, malpractice insurance, liability insurance, workers' compensation, mortgage insurance, and health insurance among others.

Among RenaissanceRes Specialty businesses is capital management. The firm offers 6 investment vehicles and has more than $11 billion under management making it the #1 ILS or insurance-linked asset manager in the US. In regards to its credit ratings, the firm and all of its vehicles carry an A or better rating from every credit rating agency.
SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The following companies are subsidiares of SAP: Abakus, Abakus Europe Limited, Abakus Ukraine Limited Liability Company, Adatfeldolgozasban Informatikai Kft., Altiscale, Ambin Properties Proprietary Limited, AppGyver, Ariba, Ariba Czech s.r.o., Ariba Inc. Palo Alto, Ariba India Private Limited, Ariba International, Ariba International Holdings, Ariba International Singapore Pte Ltd, Ariba Slovak Republic s.r.o., Ariba Software Technology Services (Shanghai) Co., Ariba Technologies India Private Limited, Ariba Technologies Netherlands B.V., Beijing Zhang Zhong Hu Dong Information Technology, Business Objects, Business Objects Holding B.V., Business Objects Option LLC, Business Objects Software Limited, CNQR Operations Mexico S. de. R.L. de. C.V., Callidus Software, CallidusCloud, Christie Partners Holding C.V., Clear Standards, ClearTrip Inc., ClearTrip Inc. (Mauritius), Cleartrip MEA FZ LLC, Cleartrip Private Limited, Coghead, ConTgo Consulting Limited, ConTgo Pty. Ltd., Concur (Austria) GmbH, Concur (Canada), Concur (France) SAS, Concur (Germany) GmbH, Concur (Japan) Ltd., Concur (New Zealand) Limited, Concur (Philippines) Inc., Concur (Switzerland) GmbH, Concur Czech (s.r.o.), Concur Holdings (France) SAS, Concur Holdings (Netherlands) B.V., Concur Technologies (Australia) Pty. Limited, Concur Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited, Concur Technologies (India) Private Limited, Concur Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Concur Technologies (UK) Limited, Concur Technologies Inc. Bellevue, Contextor, Coresystems, Crystal Decisions (Ireland) Limited, Crystal Decisions Holdings Limited, Crystal Decisions UK Limited, Emarsys, EssCubed Procurement Pty. Ltd., Extended Systems, Factory Logic, Fedem Technology AS, Fieldglass Europe Limited, Financial Fusion, FreeMarkets Ltda., Frictionless Commerce, Gigya, Gigya Australia Pty Ltd, Gigya Ltd., Gigya UK Ltd, GlobalExpense Limited, Highdeal, Hipmunk, Hybris (US) Corp., Hybris GmbH, Inxight Federal Systems Group, KXEN, Khimetrics, LLC "SAP Labs", LLC "SAP Ukraine", LLC SAP CIS, MaXware, Merlin Systems Oy, Multiposting Sp.z o.o., Nihon Ariba K.K., OpTier, OutlookSoft, OutlookSoft Deutschland GmbH, PLAT.ONE, PT SAP Indonesia, PT Sybase 365 Indonesia, Pilot Software Inc., Plat.One Inc., Plat.One Lab Srl, Plateau Systems LLC, Quadrem Africa Pty. Ltd., Quadrem Brazil Ltda., Quadrem Chile Ltda., Quadrem Colombia SAS, Quadrem International Ltd., Quadrem Netherlands B.V., Quadrem Overseas Cooperatief U.A., Quadrem Peru S.A.C., Qualtrics, Recast.AI, Right Hemisphere, Roambi, Ruan Lian Technologies (Beijing) Co., SAF, SAP (Beijing) Software System Co., SAP (Schweiz) AG, SAP (Schweiz) AG Biel, SAP (UK) Limited, SAP (UK) Limited Feltham, SAP AZ LLC, SAP America, SAP America Inc. Newtown Square, SAP Andina y del Caribe, SAP Argentina S.A., SAP Asia (Vietnam) Co., SAP Asia Pte Ltd, SAP Australia Pty Ltd, SAP Australia Pty Ltd. Sydney, SAP Belgium NV/SA, SAP Beteiligungs GmbH, SAP Brasil Ltda, SAP Brasil Ltda Sao Paulo, SAP Bulgaria EOOD, SAP Business Compliance Services GmbH, SAP Business Services Center Nederland B.V., SAP CR, SAP Canada, SAP Chile Limitada, SAP China Co., SAP China Co. Ltd. Shanghai, SAP China Holding Co., SAP Colombia S.A.S., SAP Commercial Services Ltd., SAP Concur, SAP Costa Rica, SAP Customer Experience, SAP Cyprus Limited, SAP Danmark A/S, SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KG, SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KG Walldorf, SAP Dritte Beteiligungs- und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, SAP EMEA Inside Sales S.L., SAP East Africa Limited, SAP Egypt LLC, SAP Erste Beteiligungs- und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, SAP Espana - Sistemas Informatica, SAP Estonia OU, SAP Fieldglass, SAP Financial, SAP Finland Oy, SAP Foreign Holdings GmbH, SAP France, SAP France Holding, SAP France Levallois Perret, SAP Global Marketing, SAP Hellas S.A., SAP Holdings (UK) Limited, SAP Hong Kong Co., SAP Hosting Beteiligungs GmbH, SAP Hungary Rendszerek, SAP India (Holding) Pte Ltd, SAP India Private Limited, SAP India Private Limited Bangalore, SAP Industries, SAP Industries Inc. Newtown Square, SAP International, SAP International Panama, SAP Investments, SAP Ireland Limited, SAP Ireland US - Financial Services Designated Activity Company, SAP Israel Ltd., SAP Italia Sistemi Applicazioni Prodotti in Data Processing S.p.A., SAP Italia Sistemi Applicazioni Prodotti in Data Processing S.p.A. Vimercate, SAP Japan Co., SAP Japan Co. Ltd. Tokyo, SAP Kazakhstan LLP, SAP Korea Ltd., SAP Labs, SAP Labs Bulgaria EOOD, SAP Labs Finland Oy, SAP Labs France SAS, SAP Labs India Private Limited, SAP Labs Israel Ltd., SAP Labs Korea, SAP Latvia SIA, SAP MENA FZ L.L.C., SAP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SAP Malta Investments Ltd., SAP Mxico S.A. de C.V., SAP National Security Services PA, SAP Nederland B.V., SAP Nederland B.V. s-Hertogenbosch, SAP Service and Support Centre (Ireland) Limited, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP d.o.o., SeeWhy, Signavio, SuccessFactors, SuccessFactors Inc. South San Francisco, SwoopTalent, Sybase, Syclo, TopTier Software, Triversity, Vimercate, Virsa Systems, Visiprise, Wicom Communications, and conTgo limited.

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1. Yes. The ordinance goes against state law and is not in the best interest of the cities.

2. Yes. At the very least, it should be amended to give police officers some discretion.

3. No. Voters approved the ordinance by large majorities; the councils cant ignore that fact.

4. No. The petition process has to be given a chance to work. Leave the ordinance alone.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the cities should move forward regarding the ordinance.

Vote

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Under Armour, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the developing, marketing, and distributing performance apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and youth. The company offers its apparel in compression, fitted, and loose fit types. It also provides footwear products for running, training, basketball, cleated sports, recovery, and outdoor applications. In addition, the company offers accessories, which include gloves, bags, headwear, and sports masks; and digital subscription and advertising services under the MapMyRun and MapMyRide platforms. It primarily offers its products under the UNDER ARMOUR, UA, HEATGEAR, COLDGEAR, HOVR, PROTECT THIS HOUSE, I WILL, UA Logo, ARMOUR FLEECE, and ARMOUR BRA brands. The company sells its products through wholesale channels, including national and regional sporting goods chains, independent and specialty retailers, department store chains, mono-branded Under Armour retail stores, institutional athletic departments, and leagues and teams, as well as independent distributors; and directly to consumers through a network of 422 brand and factory house stores, as well as through e-commerce websites. It operates in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Under Armour, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
Telia has hit out at the Latvian governments rejection of its proposal to combine local mobile operator LMT with fixed provider Lattelecom.

The Nordic group issued a caustic statement noting that it been in negotiations with Latvian authorities over the merger for the past ten years, and slammed the rejection as detrimental to the country.

Over the past decade, Telia Company has put forward every single option to the government  to buy, to sell, to merge and different ownership structures, which have now all been rejected, read the statement.

It is disappointing that the government has not only rejected the solutions recommended by the independent consultants and its own inter-ministerial working group, but has also failed to provide an alternative strategy regarding the development of the two companies and the countrys digital sector. The negative decision is detrimental for both LMT and Lattelecom and ultimately to Latvian society and the wider economy.

Telia holds a 60% stake in LMT and a 49% stake in Lattelecom, and has repeatedly stated that it believes a merger between the companies is the only solution to ensure their sustainable future. The Latvian government holds the majority stake in Lattelecom, as well as a small holding in LMT. Lattelecom itself in fact also holds a 23% stake in LMT.

LMT leads the market in Latvia with 1.24 million connections. Telia had been hoping to run the operator as a converged fixed line and mobile provider, but since this has been rejected the operator is reviewing its position in the market.
When billionaire Alibaba founder Jack Ma wrote in an open letter earlier this year we need to fight counterfeits the same way we fight drunk driving, his sentiments reflected how bad the global counterfeiting trend has become.

Mobile phones are one of the most trafficked goods in the electronics counterfeit market. According to a recent study by OECD, approximately one in five - that is about 19% of mobile handsets sold in the world -are counterfeits, and the number has been growing in recent years.

Africa and other emerging markets have long been the primary market for fake mobiles. Counterfeit phones account for 10-30% of the total handsets sold in sub-Saharan African countries, and can go up to 60% in worst case scenarios. In Tanzania, it has been estimated that 40% of the 35 million mobile users use a counterfeit handset. In Nigeria, the largest mobile market in Africa, surveys have found that more than 15 million, or over 10% of its mobile subscriber base, use fake handsets. In India this use of counterfeit handsets is growing by a shocking 12% per annum.

Due to the growth of e-commerce platforms such as Ebay, Amazon and Alibaba, it has become easy for this counterfeit mobile sector to become global; these e-commerce platforms have helped make fake mobiles easily available at a fraction of the price for the original items, anywhere in the world.

Research conducted by the Intellectual Property Office of EU (EUIPO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) revealed that counterfeiting has impacted on smartphone sales by an estimated 184 million units valued at 45.3 ($52) billion, or 12.9% of total smartphone sales. These sales losses have a domino effect - in the EU, US and Latin America markets, the losses accounted for more than 4 billion each; in Africa  1 billion; the Arab States 2 billion; and in China more than 16 billion.

This economic loss has not only affected the IPR owner sales but has also international governments lose the additional revenues gathered through value-added tax and corporate income tax.

Governments are making demands on mobile service providers to help stop the sale of counterfeit mobiles and help to recoup lost tax revenues.

In Kenya, the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) was introduced by the National Commission of Communications (CCK) in 2011, to register and control all fake and sub-standard mobile communications accessories.

More than 1.5 million Kenyan fake phones were switched off by mobile operators in October 2012, in an operation where all agreed to comply with a government directive. A joint memorandum of understanding was signed in and the Commission of Communication of Kenya agreed to pay financial compensation for any losses incurred. Mobile service providers implemented the switch-off of the handsets, which were identified by their invalid IMEI code. Other countries have followed Kenyas example. Tanzanias Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) announced an inauguration of a Central Equipment Identity Register in 2016, followed by a plan to switch off all fake and substandard phones.

Shutting off counterfeit handsets without warning made many people angry as the sudden loss of connectivity made life difficult, stopped business and even put people in danger. Many people bought their devices in good faith and had paid a small fortune for them, and the impromptu cut-off didnt feel fair to them.

It is almost impossible for the average consumer to spot a fake handset, especially if the design is convincing. Spotting a fake mobile phone requires a level of technical knowledge that most people do not have.

Counterfeit handsets cause money losses for IPR owners and the distributors of legitimate devices, and a loss of tax income for governments. Counterfeit phones are not durable, can generate high radiation, and contain harmful levels of dangerous elements such as lead.

As they are made out of cheaper elements and not subject to safety standards, these fake phones can easily explode and often have inoperable speakers, low-resolution cameras, and slow or old processors that result in a poor network connection.

Device management technology can now provide operators with several ways to handle device shutdowns so that it respects the customer relationship and has the potential to turn the situation into a fruitful customer engagement.

Some automatic device detection solutions can enable operators to identify in real-time whether a device is fake via its IMEI code. Based on this information, customer engagement solutions can deliver users personalised messages to inform them about their fake device and about the potential risks of carrying one.

These messages can be automated in advance of the shutdown to give customers enough time to buy a legitimate handset. Operators can turn this into an upsell opportunity and send the affected subscribers discounted handset offers.

This technology enables a smooth device shutdown so as not to put customers in a dangerous position. All fake handsets would first lose mobile data connectivity, with voice and SMS following only after a certain amount of time, leaving only the emergency number in use.

Because of real-time detection and automated and targeted customer engagement capabilities, each fake mobile owner can be handled differently as they appear on a network. This avoids mass-shutdowns, which can ruin customer satisfaction and damage the operator brand.

In the open letter, Jack Ma said law enforcement has been too lax and that Chinese authorities should raise maximum prison sentences and other penalties to deter illegal counterfeit handset makers.

The only way forward is to punish mobile counterfeiters and traffickers, is by hitting them where it hurts  their pockets. And, instead of punishing the handset owners by mass switch-offs they should be turned into legitimate device users by using fake device detection and personalised customer engagement.
The OnePlus 5T is slated to launch on November 16. Ahead of the launch, OnePlus CEO explains why Dash charging is better than wireless charging and that the latter wont be featured on the upcoming flagship device.

The OnePlus 5T has been a hot topic of discussion within the tech community as well as OnePlus fan community for a while now. The upcoming flagship killer is expected to launch on November 16 at an event in New York, after which it will be made available in India on November 21.

Ahead of the launch of the OnePlus 5T, company CEO Pete Lau has reiterated the prowess of Dash Charging, explaining that it is better than Wireless charging. Lau has also confirmed that the OnePlus 5T will not be featuring wireless charging. He gives two reasons why the company decided to exclude wireless charging on the OnePlus 5T. Explaining the two reasons in a blogpost, Lau writes:

Reason 1: Wired quick charging solutions like ours clearly outshine wireless on quantitative measures. Just plug your device in, and Dash Charge produces 20 watts of power, reliably giving a days power in half an hour.

Reason 2: Dash Charge gives you enough power for the day with just one charging session. All you need is the Dash Charge cable and adaptor to consistently power your device at superior rate. It doesn't matter whether you're gaming or streaming video. Dash Charge stays cool and power efficient.

He further explains that Wireless charging requires the smartphone to be placed perfectly aligned on the charging pad. Some of the best wireless charging pads market the theoretical potential of 15 watts of power, but that's only if you position your phone correctly. Wirelessly charging more than one device at a time further divides that number, leading to even slower charging per device, he adds.

The OnePlus CEO goes another step ahead to justify the power of Dash charging over wireless charging. As per Lau, wireless charging can seem attractive, but it restricts the user from picking up the phone while its charging. He says, You cant pick up your phone to game or take a photo while charging. Given present-day infrastructures, wireless charging brings more limitations than freedom.

The OnePlus 5T is a big deal for the company and it seems like OnePlus wants no criticism from users when it launches the phone.

From what we know so far, the OnePlus 5T will be a major redesign with thinner top and bottom bezels and an 18:9 aspect ratio display. We have seen the smartphone leak in the form of renders and a GFXBench listing.

The device is expected to feature a 6-inch display with Full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. For its processing power, the OnePlus 5T will most probably rely on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with options for either 6GB or 8GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB internal storage.

We also hear that the OnePlus 5T will be priced the same as the OnePlus 5. However, there is no real confirmation of its India price yet.
A day before Brexit talks resume, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier challenged the Prime Minister and her troubled government on whether she planned on following the US's model of social and economic deregulation or continuing to operate within Europe's mainstream.

Speaking in Rome on Thursday ahead of Friday's resumption of talks, Barnier told his audience the comments made by the US commerce secretary on a recent visit to Number 10 left him with several concerns.

"When I hear the US secretary of commerce, Wilbur Ross, call in London for the British to diverge with Europe to better converge towards others  towards less regulation, environmental, sanitary, food, probably also financial, fiscal and social  I'm wondering," said Barnier.

"The United Kingdom has chosen to leave the European Union. Will it also want to move away from the European model? That's another question."

"There is behind this European regulatory framework the fundamental societal choices we hold: the social market economy, health protection, food security, fair and efficient financial regulation  it is up to the British to tell us whether they still adhere to the European model," he added.

Barnier also stated that the UK would have to offer up further details on just how much of the estimated 60bn separation settlement it was willing to pay as Germany began to apply pressure on Brussels to take a more commanding approach to negotiations and tell Downing Street, that unless an agreement was reached on the financial settlement in the coming weeks, there would be no hope of discussions on a future relationship with the EU states.

Westminster has demanded that there be some sort of discussion regarding future arrangements before the settlement was agreed upon in order to aide withdrawal issues relating to financial settlement, citizens' rights and the problematic border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

But last month European leaders have agreed to move internal discussions on Brexit onto issues of trade and the exit transition - but not with the UK negotiating team due to the "insufficient progress" made in negotiations.

Jacqueline Foster, deputy leader of the Tory party's MEPs, said on Thursday, "The UK set out a fair and reasonable offer on citizens' rights which is nearly ready to be signed."

"The commission say it's for the member states to sort out, but tell the member states they shouldn't talk to the Brits," she added.

At a summit of EU heads of state in Brussels in October, it was reiterated that moving talks to next negotiations on trade cannot begin until the UK agrees a rough financial settlement it will pay on leaving the bloc.

European Council president Donald Tusk confirmed that the EU27 had given the green light for the member states to begin internal discussions on the second phase, but that this would not yet be discussed with the UK.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who attended the summit, said that there were only a small number of outstanding issues left to be resolved and on Friday she refused to confirm or deny that she had been persuaded to increase her original offer of a 20bn Brexit divorce bill to the EU to progress to the next stage of talks.

May would only say that the UK will go through any agreement on contributions line by line.
European stocks ended the session slighty lower in the wake of weaker-than-expected data on Chinese foreign trade and ahead of tax reform proposals from the US Senate which were expected on Thursday.

At the closing bell, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was 0.05% or 0.20 points lower to 394.45, alongside a marginal advance of 0.02% or 3.15 points for the German Dax which was at 13,382.42.

The FTSE Mibtel meanwhile fell 0.57% or 131.29 points to 22,831.30.

In parallel, euro-dollar was edging higher by 0.01% to 1.1592 and January-dated Brent crude oil futures 0.39% down at $63.44 on the ICE.

The rate of growth in Chinese exports slipped from a 9.0% pace year-on-year for September to 6.1% in October (consensus: 7.0%), while import growth cooled from a 19.5% clip to 17.5% (consensus: 17.0%).

Yet according to Julian Evans-Pritchard at Capital Economics the chief factor behind the 'miss' in Wednesday's figures was the shift in the Mid-Autumn festival this year.

"The upshot is that, after adjusting for seasonal factors and price effects, both outbound and inbound shipments appear to have softened recently. Looking ahead, we expect any further weakening of exports to remain mild given the relatively upbeat outlook for growth in Chinas main trading partners," said Julian Evans-Pritchard at Capital Economics.

Back in Europe, Spain's national statistics office, INE, reported that the country's industrial production grew at a 3.4% clip year-on-year in September (consensus: 3.2%).

Meanwhile, in France, Finance Ministry data revealed a seasonally adjusted -4.7bn shortfall on the foreign trade balance in September, as expected by economists.
Burberry 's new boss has vowed to move further upmarket in search of stronger profit margins after the fashion brand announced the departure of design guru Christopher Bailey.

Marco Gobbetti, who became Burberry's chief executive in July, said the brand needed to be entrenched "firmly in luxury enabling us to deliver sustainable long-term value".

Unveiling first-half results, Gobbetti pledged to liven up and increase Burberry's clothing, create luxury leather goods and accessories and revamp stores to make them more appealing.

Gobbetti, who joined from French luxury brand Celine, said: "By re-energising our product and customer experience to establish our position firmly in luxury, we will play in the most rewarding, enduring segment of the market. This will enable us to drive sustainable growth and higher margins over time."

Same-store sales rose 4% for the six months to the end of September, pushing revenues up to 1.26bn. Adjusted operating profit increased 28% to 185m, beating analysts' average forecast of 167m.

But Burberry shares fell 12% to 229p at 08:25 GMT and were the biggest losers in the FTSE 100 as investors digested Gobbetti's strategy. He wants to take Burberry out of US stores where its products sit alongside less desirable goods to enhance their luxury credentials but the move will hit revenues for two years.

Steve Clayton, who manages Hargreaves Lansdown's select UK growth shares fund, said investors were struggling to come to come to terms with a plan that could give Burberry the pricing power enjoyed by ultra-luxury brands.

"The real focus today is on new CEO Marco Gobbettis announcement of a drive to push the brand ever deeper into luxury territory. The market is now being asked to back him in a 'no pain, no gain' strategy shift. Early evidence suggests Mr Gobbetti has not carried the crowd with him."

Gobbetti set out his stall a week after Burberry announced the departure next year of Bailey, his predecessor as chief executive who joined as design director in 2001. The new boss's strategy could come as a surprise to investors who have been asked to approve multimillion-pound payouts to reward Bailey for turning Burberry into a luxury fashion brand.

Bailey became Burberry's chief executive in 2014 with no experience of running a public company. He came under pressure as sales flagged in China, which had become Burberry's key market, and he gave way to Gobbetti, a veteran fashion executive.
FTSE 250 builders merchant Grafton posted a rise in revenue for the 10 months to the end of October as it reaffirmed its expectations for the year.

Revenue was up 9.1%, or 6.9% in constant currency terms, to 2.3bn.

The UK merchanting business saw like-for-like growth of 5.4% in the four months to the end of October versus 4.5% for the first half, helped by a weak comparative in the third quarter. In the 10-month period, the UK business saw LFL growth of 4.9%.

Ireland continued to see strong growth despite an expected moderation, with merchanting LFL growth of 8.4% in the last four months and 10.6% in the 10-month period.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands merchanting business continued to perform strongly with the benefit of broadly based growth in the Dutch economy and increased activity in the secondary and new housing markets. It saw LFL growth of 5.7% in the last four months and 4.8% in the 10-month period.

Chief executive officer Gavin Slark said: "We are pleased with the performance of the group during the period and our expectations for the full year remain unchanged. We anticipate that current trading conditions in the UK merchanting business are likely to continue over the remainder of the year while the Irish and Netherlands businesses should benefit from favourable trading conditions and strong market positions."

Canaccord Genuity said: Overall a reassuring update with no big surprises and consensus looks well supported; we don't expect to see material changes today.

At 1010 GMT, the shares were down 4.9% to 783p. Canaccord pointed out that the stock has performed strongly, up by around 55% in the last 12 months and 6% over the last three months.
Independent News & Media lowered its profit expectations for the 2017 financial year into the red against the backdrop of revenue decline and increased legal costs.

The Dublin based company announced on Thursday "a material reduction in expected full year profit before tax", mainly due to a combination of ongoing, uncertain challenging market conditions including Brexit, continued revenue challenges and higher one-off legal costs, it said.

Those legal costs were in relation to the independent review and meeting the ongoing requirements of the office of the director of corporate enforcement, which were significantly higher than previously estimated.

The company also said it was actively engaged in tackling the challenges it currently faced, while seeking to maximise its revenue streams.

The company's preliminary results for the twelve months ending 31 December 2017, due to be announced on 9 March 2018.
London-based property investment firm Wynnstay Properties had investors in a groovy kind of mood after increasing the dividend thanks to a strong rise in first-half property income and net assets bolstered by new lettings in Aylesford and Liphook, and contractual rent reviews on its properties in Lichfield and Surbiton.

Wynnstay reported 16% income growth to 1.17m in the six months to 29 September and after-tax income of 581,000 against the 423,000 a year earlier thanks to profits from the sale of its Gosport and Colchester properties.

As a whole, the group increased its net asset value (NAV) per share 15.9% to 685p.

Wynnstay chairman Philip Collins said, "In view of the very satisfactory financial results, I am pleased to say that we are in a position to continue our recent pattern of increasing the dividend."

If not quite another day paradise, it was at least a heavenly moment for investors as Collins and colleagues lifted the interim dividend an impressive 18% to 6.5p per share.

Looking forward, Collins suggested against all odds of the uncertainties arising from Brexit, the board was "encouraged that the portfolio remains fully let and with rising rents being achieved and are confident about the company's future given the broad spread of the portfolio and range of tenants".

As of 1430 GMT, shares were down 1.75% to 560.00p.
At least 145 million Americans  half the population of the United States  were impacted by the recent data breach at Equifax that netted thieves personal information such as names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security Numbers and drivers license numbers.

That pales in comparison to the earlier Yahoo breaches, which affected more than 1 billion accounts.

However, those incidents may be just the tip of a very large iceberg, as reports of data breaches just keep on coming.

Data Breach Disillusionment

Consumer confidence is at an all-time low, said Paige Schaffer, COO of the identity and digital protection services global unit atGenerali Global Assistance.

We did a survey with ORC International that found 40 percent of consumers believe businesses arent doing all they can to protect their personal information, she told the E-Commerce Times. Further, three in four holiday shoppers say theyre either very concerned or somewhat concerned about their financial or personal information being compromised due to a data breach this season.

Still, 75 percent of holiday shoppers say theyll be doing at least some of their shopping online, Schaffer pointed out.

Consumer spending will be up 3.4 percent year over year this holiday season, to total almost US$680 billion, according to the National Retail Foundation.

Companies that want to nail down their share of the bonanza must not only make sure their systems are secure, but also make sure that shoppers know theyre in good hands.

Here are some ways e-commerce firms can reassure skittish customers and potential customers.

1. Have a Good Cybersecurity Solution

Have multifactor authentication for any user accessing information and anyone in the company handling anything related to money to make life hard for hackers, advised Ebba Blitz, CEO of Alertsec.

Ensure data storage is on a secure server like Amazon Web Services, or if the data is stored in-house, encrypt all entry points and include a personal firewall, she told the E-Commerce Times.

2. Make Security a Core Policy

Demonstrating a serious attitude about security at the policy level is crucial, remarked Jim Hartling, chief architect at Softvision.

Companies must have processes with security at their center, he told the E-Commerce Times. They must adhere to compliance standards including PCI, and establish policies for code revision and penetration testing.

Further, they must pay ongoing attention to exploits in the wild, Hartling said.

E-commerce companies should promote customer data protection like other companies promote their sustainability policies, said Generalis Schaffer.

Make it a part of your companys culture and reflect it outwardly in all aspects of what you do, she advised.

3. Use SSL Security

Companies should use SSL bank-level security by default on all certificates, and invest in Green Bar SSL certifications, advised Christopher Walton, VP of guilds at Softvision.

This is the highest level of SSL, and your customers will be assured that their transactions are secure, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Dont just buy the cheapest SSL certificates, Walton warned. Choose a well-known and trusted vendor instead.

4. Dont Stint on Site Hosting

Even if budgets are tight, invest in a separate e-commerce server.

Dont host your e-commerce site on a computer under your desk, Softvisions Walton said. Ive actually seen this before.

Use a trusted secure hosting provider that delivers solid physical or virtual servers and has the ability to scale up as business grows, he suggested. The last thing you want is for your servers to go down because you have too many orders.

5. Blow Your Own Security Horn

Make sure you display your security certification logos on your website, Schaffer advised. These seals assure customers who are inputting their credit card data that your sites secure.

It might be worthwhile to create a campaign focusing on demonstrating your organizations data security policies, she suggested.

Think about creating a simple Why shopping with us is safe page in plain English, Softvisions Walton said. Provide visibility to all your trust marks and verbiage that explains what youre doing to deliver a safe shopping environment.
Most retailers dont have the in-store technology to view customer information across various touchpoints, suggests a new study from Kibo, Technologies That Are Changing How We Think of Brick and Mortar.

Fifty-eight percent of retailers who participated in the study, released last Thursday, acknowledged they did not have that capability.

The study was based on questions posed to 115 retail executives during an on-site benchmarking session at the Future Stores 2017 conference.

Based on its findings, it appears that a majority of businesses currently are unable to automate shoppers information on mobile devices or kiosks while they are present in their stores.

In order to provide a seamless omnichannel experience to consumers, retailers must have a complete picture of all consumer activities, regardless of buying channel, said Kibo CMO Tushar Patel.

Nothing is more frustrating to a consumer than a retailer who has blind spots [about] their activity, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Coming Around

Many retailers have been using a wide range of technologies to capture more personalized data from their customers, according to the report.

Eighty-two percent of participants said they used mobile devices and tablets, 76 percent used kiosks, 41 percent used mobile point-of-sale devices, 26 percent used Bluetooth low-energy beacon technologies, and 19 percent used near-field communication.

However, 64 percent of retailers felt they were only somewhat effective at capturing in-store data on customer preferences.

Only 42 percent of retailers said they had the in-store technologies to view customer data across a variety of touchpoints.

Personalization Plans

Another key in-store technology retailers have been adopting is personalization.

Fifty-two percent of participating retailers planned to invest in personalization technologies within the next 12 months or already had begun to implement the strategy.

However, 22 percent of retailers said they had not begun to personalize and were not sure if they had the capacity to do so.

Fulfillment Choices

Offering more ways to get products into customers hands has proved daunting for many smaller retailers.

Major retailers including Walmart, CVS, Sears and Target offer ship from store and in-store pickup of online orders  and some have done so for years.

However, more than 40 percent of retailers who participated in the Kibo study said their technologies wouldnt support those services, or that they were not ready to implement them.

Retail Pressure

With the exception of Amazon and Walmart, many retail stocks recently have been under severe pressure, noted Cindy Zhou, principal analyst at Constellation Research, after the SPDR S&P Retail ETF fell to its worst week since last December.

Thirty-seven percent of retailers who responded to a poll she conducted during Microsofts Modern Customer event indicated their biggest challenge was delivering a consistent digital-to-physical multichannel experience to customers.

Customers are using their multitude of mobile devices to research and shop for products  reading reviews, asking their friends on social  before making a decision, Zhou told the E-Commerce Times. 

The mobile shopping experience is critical, she said, but few retailers have been able to deliver a mobile app that makes it easy for customers to see availability, shop and check out items with ease.

One major retailer that has undertaken a digital transformation project, Zhou said, is a company that has a retail brick-and-mortar presence, an e-commerce website and a catalog division  but each is part of a separate system, and they cant communicate with each other.

Personalizing in-store technology to see customer data is not as easy as one might think, observed Nikki Baird, managing partner at RSR Research.

Yes there are definitely gaps in terms of needing mobile devices, she told the E-Commerce Times, but at the same time there are a lot of concerns about giving frontline employees access to personalized customer data.
Facebook on Tuesday announced that it was preparing a plugin to its popular Messenger platform that will allow a websites visitors to chat with a human or bot without leaving the location.

Customer Chat is one of a number of changes in the version 2.2 update of Messenger platform revealed at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

The chat plugin, which currently is in closed beta, will be available on desktop and mobile devices. Early testers include airlines like KLM, Volaris and Air France.

Chatbots deployed through the plugin reportedly can perform a number of duties, including delivering order status updates, scheduling appointments, answering questions and providing after-hours services.

Businesses want to reach consumers where they are and make it convenient for them to interact with the business, noted Ross Rubin, principal analyst at Reticle Research.

Businesses are already marketing to consumers, particularly younger consumers, through channels like Messsenger, WhatsApp and Snapchat, so its a natural extension to use them for service, he told CRM Buyer.

Marketing and service also can feed off each other.

In servicing a user, you may become aware of needs that can lead to revenue opportunities, Rubin pointed out.

For Large and Small Businesses

Customer Chats initial attraction may be to the Facebook faithful, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

The strongest interest is likely to be among businesses that are already using Facebook to engage with customers, he told CRM Buyer.

However, the sheer size of Messenger  about 1.2 billion global customers  might attract others to try out the service after it exits beta, King added.

The new offering has something for both small and large companies, observed Jack Kent, senior analyst for mobile media at IHS Markit.

Smaller organizations may look to benefit from using Facebooks infrastructure rather than investing in their own, he told CRM Buyer, but larger companies may also benefit from having another channel to connect with users who may be less active on traditional communications channels.

Unified Experience

All businesses using Customer Chat will be hoping to benefit from Facebooks reach and engagement with its users, said Kent.

The ability to reach consumers across platforms will also be important, he added.

Customer Chat offers businesses an opportunity to present to users a consistent interface when interacting with them through chat.

Up to now, businesses could engage with customers through the Messenger app, but it was a fragmented experience, explained Beerud Sheth, CEO of Gupshup.

Customers coming to the businesss website would see a different experience from what they experienced with Facebook Messenger, he told CRM Buyer.

With Customer Chat, website visitors not only encounter a familiar interface, but also are recognized. A first time user of a website could be greeted by name, for example, because even though the business doesnt know who the user is, Facebook does.

To the user, it appears as if the business knows them, Sheth said. Thats great for the business and more engaging for the consumer.

What Price Chat?

Despite all its benefits, Customer Chat could have a downside for some businesses.

The Facebook plugin isnt as fully featured as many dedicated and professional-quality customer chat applications, King said. Businesses that already utilize those kinds of solutions are unlikely to embrace the Facebook plugin.

Theres also the danger of depending too much on Facebook.

Businesses may be concerned if Facebook becomes the dominant or primary channel for customer engagement, IHS Markits Kent noted. It could impact existing multichannel marketing activities and operations and reduce the data they have themselves, he said.

Moreover, the data lost by the business likely would be gained by Facebook.

Like every other social media site, Facebook garners value from the data it collects during user interactions, King said. Companies that are uncomfortable with that point or with other Facebook practices should avoid the new Messenger plugin.

Benefits to Social Network

Facebook will benefit from Customer Chat in a number of ways, suggested Kent:

It can drive engagement, increasing time spent in Messenger, as users no longer would have to use an alternative channel for customer communications.

It can help Facebook gather more information about its users to support its advertising businesses.

It can help drive Facebooks plans to extend the Messenger platform and grow its enterprise presence to drive further monetization.

Facebook has been ramping up its focus on business features for Messenger for some time, said Kent. Adding chat support to third-party business sites is another way for Facebook to extend its presence as a communications and commerce platform to connect businesses and consumers.
Nearly 60 percent of small businesses have been the victims of a cyberattack over the past year, but the vast majority didnt realize that they had been attacked, according to Nationwides third annual survey, released Monday.

The insurance company tapped 1,069 businesses with fewer than 299 employees for the study. Initially, only 13 percent of the participating companies said they had been victims of a cyberattack. However, after they were shown a list of cyberattack types  ranging from phishing scams to trojan horses to ransomware  that figure shot up to 58 percent.

Cyberattacks are one of the greatest threats to the modern company, said Mark Berven, Nationwides president of property and casualty. Business owners are telling us that cybercriminals arent just attacking large companies on Wall Street.

The companies that are targeted often have fewer cyberdefense systems, less money to invest in threat protection, and less name recognition at risk from a breach.

The most common forms of attack, based on the survey, were computer viruses, cited by 36 percent of respondents. Next came phishing attacks, cited by 29 percent, and then trojan horses, cited by 13 percent.

Lack of preparedness was a significant problem for the companies surveyed. About 57 percent of the firms did not have dedicated employee or vendor monitoring for cyberattacks in place. About 76 percent did not have a plan for dealing with such attacks. Fifty-seven percent did not have a plan for protecting employee data, and 54 percent lacked a plan for protecting customer data.

Recovery from cyberattacks in many cases was slow and expensive. About 20 percent of cyberattack victims spent US$50,000 and took more than six months to recover, while 7 percent spent more than $100,000 and took more than a year to recover.

Money Matters

Cyberattackers typically steal credit card information from companies with customers who make purchases from them, noted Karen Johnston, a technical consultant with Nationwide. that much

They also steal personally identifiable information  such as addresses, names and Social Security numbers  that hackers can use to apply for new credit cards or loans, she told the E-Commerce Times.

Small businesses need to make sure their systems have proper antivirus and firewall protections, and make sure their systems are password-protected and properly patched and updated with the latest versions of antivirus and operating system software, Johnston said.

Companies also need to have up-to-date backups of their critical systems and customer data, and consider having cloud backups of this information, she suggested.

Further, most small businesses fail to have proper cyber-risk insurance, Johnston noted  or they think they are covered by existing business policies when they are not.

Protections Lacking

With their limited resources, small businesses tend to be more vulnerable to cyberattacks than larger enterprises.

Small businesses are one of the most at-risk sectors of the market, in part because their data is equally valuable to an attacker and simultaneously their protections are significantly [less] than what you would see in a mid-size or enterprise business, explained Kevin OBrien, CEO of GreatHorn.

Cyberthieves are likely to sell whatever data they find on the Dark Web, and the price per item likely will be the same, whether the firm that was breached was a Fortune 500 or a much smaller firm, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The majority of attacks still arrive via email, but there recently has been a rapid increase in attacks via mobile devices and social media, observed Ryan Kalember, senior vice president of cybersecurity strategy at Proofpoint.

Technology firms and companies with complex supply chains, like manufacturers, are targeted more frequently, with about 40 email fraud attempts per organization, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Small businesses can be a really sweet spot for cybercriminals. They have more money to steal than a consumer and less security in place than a large business, said Kevin Haley, director of security response at Symantec.

They are also often dependent on third-party vendors for their technology, he told the E-Commerce Times. Meanwhile, cybercriminals can be very successful specializing in breaching one technology or solution and working their way through the small businesses that use it.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced

legislation Wednesday night that would open a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas development for the first time.

The bill could advance with only 51 votes in the Senate instead of the usual 60 as it complies under Congress budget resolution instructions for 2018.

The Alaskan senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, expects her legislation will bring in more than $1 billion in federal revenue over the next decade.

Our instruction is a tremendous opportunity both for our committee and our country, Murkowski

said. The legislation I released tonight will put Alaska and the entire nation on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and businesses, generating new wealth and strengthening our securitywhile reducing the federal deficit not just by $1 billion over ten years, but tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars over the decades to come.

ANWR, the largest

protected wilderness in the U.S., consists of more than 19 million acres of pristine landscapes and is home to 37 species of land mammals, eight marine mammals, 42 fish species and more than 200 migratory bird species.

Last month, Senate Democrats offered an amendment to the Senates budget resolution that would block drilling in the Alaskan refuge but the measure failed 48-52 mostly along party lines. Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups criticized the GOP for sneaking the backdoor drilling provision through the budget process.

Conservatives have long sought to open up the refuge and have targeted the so-called 1002 area, a 1.5 million-acre coastal plain which the U.S. Geological Survey estimates has between 5.7 billion to 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil.

Murkowski calls the area a non wilderness portion but Earthjustice

notes that the targeted area hosts migratory bird species, endangered wildlife and is considered to be sacred to the indigenous Gwichin people, who sustain themselves from the caribou that migrate there.

Additionally, the expectation that drilling could raise $1 billion in revenue over the next decade is under dispute. Even oil industry execs anticipate a world of $50 for a barrel of oil over the next few years.

Nothing in this bill can magically make these fantastical revenue assumptions materialize, said Adam Kolton, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, in a statement.

What this bill would do is turn Americas last great wilderness into a lost wilderness. Senator Lisa Murkowski had promised some kind of new and improved directional drilling, but thats just a talking point. What we got was simply misdirection and deception. The fact is that is that the entire 1.5 million acres could be offered up in two massive lease sales.

BREAKING: A bill has been introduced in the Senate that would open the #ArcticRefuge to drilling. Doing so WILL NOT solve our deficit, and 2/3 of Americans are opposed to it. Our statement: https://t.co/pdDRCSJfjS  #ProtectTheArctic #NoArcticRider pic.twitter.com/YN6WQsZtfQ  Alaska Wilderness League (@alaskawild) November 9, 2017

Heres what the legislation entails, as detailed by Huffington Post:

As written, the bill would require Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to approve at least two lease saleseach no less than 400,000 acresin the first 10 years. The first sale would be required within four years, with the second having to be finalized within seven years. The royalties from those sales would be split in half between the state of Alaska and the federal government.

The bill allows for 2,000 acres of the coastal plain to be developed with wells and support facilities.

Opening the refuge is also on the Trump administrations wish list. In May, Zinke signed an order to jump-start Alaskan energy production. He said at the time that the move was an important first step in a smart and measured approach to energy development in ANWR. Additionally, the administrations 2018 fiscal year budget calls for allowing oil and gas production in the coastal plain.

Murkowskis bill is scheduled for a committee hearing on Nov. 15.
By Marlene Cimons

Natural burialswhere bodies are buried in the soil to allow for a hasty decompositionhave already caught on. But an Australian scientist has proposed that the concept of dust-unto-dust go even further.

He suggests that natural burials become conservation burials, that is, that people use the costs of interring bodies to buy, manage and preserve new land for natural burials, turning them into nature preserves or wilderness areas. Such funds could go toward supporting other conservation efforts, as well.

We can create a spectacular legacy for our loved ones, said Matthew Holden, a lecturer at the University of Queensland, who outlined his ideas in a paper recently published in Conservation Letters. We can use their dead bodies to protect the most awe-inspiring and critically endangered ecosystems from disappearing from the Earth.

In the U.S. alone, close to 3 million people die each year, generating an estimated funeral revenue of $19 billion, far more than the estimated $3 to $5 billion required to protect every threatened species listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Holden said. They could generate revenue that exceeds the amount of money needed to save every threatened species on the planet.

Green burial practices are also less carbon-intensive than conventional burials, which produce emissions from the manufacture and transportation of embalming fluids, coffins and grave liners, as well as the maintenance of cemeteries. Natural burials are also less expensive than traditional burials. Ornamental caskets and embalming are costly, and the chemicals used in the process, such as formaldehyde, are harmful.

While not every threatened species can benefit directly from conservation burials, the hypothetical revenue demonstrates substantial potential for increased biodiversity, he added. If conservation burials became as commonplace as similar types of after-death charities, such as organ donation, the biodiversity benefits would be enormous.

The U.S. already has several conservation burial sites, according to Holden. These include Honey Creek Woodlands in Georgia, Ramsey Creek Preserve in South Carolina, White Eagle Memorial Preserve in Washington State, Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve in New York, Foxfield Preserve in Ohio, and Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve and Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, both in Florida.

In the U.S., the Green Burial Council sets the standards for non-traditional burials based on a detailed set of criteria. The concept of using burial as part of ones environmental legacy has been evolving for nearly two decades, said Joe Sehee, founder of the Green Burial Council, who first became interested in natural burials after moving to the Mojave Desert.

I had always been inspired by the early monastics who used to make pilgrimages to the desert, in part, for the purposes of befriending death,' he said. It didnt take long for us to think about accommodating end-of-life vigils at our place nine miles north of Joshua Tree National Park, where we envisioned proceeds helping to play a role in the stewardship of the fierce landscape that surrounded us.

Sehee, who now lives in Australia, has been encouraging policies that would allow people to purchase land adjacent to state parks that they could use for natural burials, and then give the land back to the park agency for long-term stewardship.

I think conservation burial, if used properly, could be a great way of encouraging people to think about the environmental legacy they want to leave behind, and could become a meaningful form of climate action, Sehee said. It provides a way for people who mediate meaning and purpose through an environmental lens to feel as though death really can connect with life.

Holden points out that most people are well intentioned and eager to create a lasting legacy for their loved ones, but spending thousands of dollars on elaborate tombstones, monuments and expensive coffins is not the way to do it, he said. Sadly, our good intentions are causing environmental damage, he said.

Rather, it would be more meaningful to turn a loved ones passing into a living legacy for everyone to enjoy, he said. How beautiful would it be to visit the departed in a nature reserve, to hear a bird call and know that your loved one made that birds existence possible, he said. Your loved one, in death, created life.

Reposted with permission from our media associate Nexus Media.
By Jessica Corbett

Animal rights advocates are celebrating a move by the Italian parliament on Wednesday to, over the next year, phase out the use of all animals in circuses and traveling shows.

We applaud Italy and urge countries like the U.K. and the U.S. to follow this example and end this cruelty, said Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International, which supported the launch of the bill.

Traveling from place to place, week after week, using temporary collapsible cages and pens, circuses simply cannot provide for the needs of the animals, Creamer said in an Animal Defenders International statement that also featured declarations from the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and the British Veterinary Association that there are no means by which the physiological, mental and social needs of these animals can be adequately met within a traveling circus.

Creamer traveled to Italy to advocate for the bills passage. Following a screening of her groups film Lion Ark which is about rescuing animals from illegal circuses in Bolivia, she addressed Italian lawmakers at a workshop to further explain how Animal Defenders Internationals undercover investigations have shown the violence and abuse that is used to force these animals to obey and perform tricks.

Italy has an estimated 100 circuses with some 2,000 animals making this one of the biggest victories in the campaign to stop circus suffering, according to Animal Defenders Internationals Stop Circus Suffering campaign. The European nation joins 40 other countries and several more municipalities that have outlawed the use of animals in circuses and traveling shows.

The news from Italy comes on the heels of a similar move by the Indian government, and just days before Animal Defenders International plans to host a week of action, beginning Nov. 13, to support the Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act (also called TEAPSPA or H.R.1759), a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prohibit traveling wild and exotic animal acts.

Animal rights advocates celebrated the new law on Twitter, and called on other countries to follow suit:
Three of the worlds largest meat producers emitted more greenhouse gases in 2016 than France, putting them on par with oil companies such as ExxonMobil, BP and Shell, a recent study found.

GRAIN, a non-profit organization, collaborated with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Heinrich Boll Foundation to estimate the greenhouse emissions of meat and dairy corporations, a figure that few companies calculate or publish.

The study was published as meat and dairy industry representatives arrived in Bonn, Germany for the COP23 to emphasize their role in food security.

In stark terms the study warns that if unchecked, the worlds top meat and dairy producers greenhouse emissions could lead us to a point of no return.



Projections showing business-as-usual meat and dairy greenhouse emissions. GRAIN

Through lobbying, major meat and dairy companies have promoted policies that have led to increased production and consumption around the world. Livestock production now contributes 15 percent of global greenhouse emissions, more than the transportation sector, according to the study.

If livestock production continues to grow at the rates estimated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, greenhouse emissions from the meat and dairy industries will undercut attempts to keep global average temperatures below 2C.

The papers authors warned that industry representatives will arrive at the COP23 in Bonn pushing their agendathe expansion of livestock productionas a solution. This will amount to criticism of small-scale farmers, which is where the solution in cutting greenhouse emissions lies, according to the authors of the study.

Rather than continuing to subsidize factory farming and agribusiness that undercuts millions of small farmers, governments should redirect public money to support small-scale agroecological farms, the study suggests.



Graph showing the top 20 meat and dairy companies greenhouse emissions. GRAIN

Three out the worlds five biggest meat and dairy greenhouse gas emitters are U.S.-based companies.

A previous study showed beef, when compared to staples like potatoes, wheat and rice, has a per calorie impact that requires 160 times more land and produces 11 times more greenhouse gases.

Another study published in Environmental Research Letters calculated that a 50 percent reduction in mean per capita meat consumption in the developed world is needed by 2050 to meet global greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Sea Shepherd Global has documented the grisly annual hunt and slaughter of pilot whales and dolphins in the Danish Faroe Islands.

As part of its ongoing

Operation Bloody Fjords campaign, the ocean conservation group sent a crew of volunteers posing as tourists to six different Faroese towns covering 19 designated whaling bays with the aim of [exposing] the continued barbaric killing of dolphins and pilot whales, campaign leader and Sea Shepherd UK Director Robert Read said.

Over the course of ten weeks from this July to early September, the volunteers documented nine separate

grindadrap events (what these yearly hunts are called in Faroese). According to the group, 198 Atlantic white-sided dolphins and 436 pilot whales were killed.

The Faroese whaling tradition, also known as a grind, has a recorded history since 1584.

During a grind, island authorities allow a flotilla of boats to drive dolphins and whales into a shallow bay. The animals are then killed with a whaling knife that severs their spinal cord.



Sea Shepherd Global

We witnessed the whole process from the driving in of the 50 or so pilot whales through the slaughter, the butchering and the distribution of the meat and blubber, said one volunteer in a statement provided to EcoWatch about the the Aug. 29 grindadrap in the village of Hvannasund.

As the pilot whales were driven to the shoreline by the small boats the intensity of the thrashing bodies grew. Hooks were sunk into the blowholes and the whales were dragged onto the shore in a sadistic game of Tug of War. We witnessed whales seemingly bashing their heads against the stones in a frenzy.

Another witness at a July 25 dolphin hunt in the village of Sydrugota remarked about the crowds and children casually gathering at such a bloody scene.

As we drove into Sydrugota we knew we were in the right place as the water was blood red, we continued towards the harbor and parked up, walked to the slipway to see 16 Atlantic White Sided Dolphins already had been slaughtered, lined up neatly in two rows, guts already spilled onto the concrete and spines severed, one thing I didnt expect was the stench of blood. A crowd had gathered including small children who were poking the dolphins in the eyes while their parents watched.



Sea Shepherd Global

A witness at the Funningsfjordur hunt on Aug. 5where more than 100 dolphins were killedwas similarly taken aback by this disconnect.

Thoughts immediately turned to the disconnect between the image of people laughing, children playing and the barbaric scene before us at the waters edge. Many of the pod still laid on the beaches, blood flowing from the kill wounds, one dolphin with a wound so deep it had almost severed the head completely, parents could be seen taking their children down to see the bodies close up, one we observed even lifting their boy up to sit on the body of a dolphin as they took photos of him, the lack of any empathy for the lives that had just been brutally taken was clear, as was an insight into how future generations are already being exposed to this brutal act.

Faroese authorities told Fox News that hunting pilot whales on the islands is sustainable. The long-term annual average catch of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands represents less than percent of the total estimated stock. It has long since been internationally recognized that pilot whale catches in the Faroe Islands are fully sustainable.

Sheep farming, whaling and fowling have enabled the Faroe Islands as an island nation to maintain a relatively high degree of self-sufficiency in food production, the Faroe Islands government said in its statement. In the Faroe Islands it is considered both economic and environmental good sense to make the most of locally available natural resources, and to maintain the knowledge required to use what nature can provide in a harsh oceanic environment.



Sea Shepherd Global

Catches are shared largely without the exchange of money among the participants in a whale drive and residents of the local district where they are landed, the statement continued. Each whale provides the communities with several hundred kilos of meat and blubbermeat that otherwise had to be imported from abroad.

The island government also criticized Sea Shepherd representatives for going to any lengths to paint a negative picture of the Faroese whale hunt as barbaric, unnecessary, evil and lunacy describing Faroese as sadistic psychopaths with the aim of inciting anger and outrage against the people of the Faroe Islands. They have chosen an easy target, as whale drives in the Faroe Islands take place in the open for anyone to watch and document.

Sea Shepherd, which has led campaigns to oppose the grind in the Faroe Islands since 1985, continues to speak out against this practice.

2017 has proved to be one of the worst years for the grindadrap since the mid 1990s by the men of the Danish Faroe Islands with 1203 pilot whales and 488 dolphins killed during 24 individual hunts so far, Read said, urging people to support the Operation Bloody Fjords campaign to help end this senseless slaughter.



Sea Shepherd Global
As a veteran theater professor, Andrew Kahn knows a great acting job when he sees one.

During his twice-a-week visits to Lafayette International High School in Buffalo, N.Y., theres a newly arrived student from the Congo who pretends to struggle with his locker combination. The student knows the numbers to his combination, Kahn said, but he seizes any opportunity to connect one-on-one with someone in the school.

He likes the presence of someone whos going to be with him for five minutes, said Kahn, a theater professor at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York.

For students who are still learning English and those who are immigrants, forging even small connections with educators and their classmatesas simple as a hallway conversationcan be crucial to keeping those students coming to school and motivated to persevere, both educators and researchers say.

With students who hail from dozens of countries and speak a wealth of languages, Kahn and the staff at Lafayette International are teaming up to do just that: create a communal experience for these newcomers, focusing less on differences and more on how theyre aliketheir shared struggle of learning a new language.

The kids get it because theyre from [places] where we before me is part of their DNA, said Kahn, who directs the Anne Frank Project, an initiative that uses storytelling as a tool to help students explore their identities and build connections.

Setting a Positive Tone

Boosting literacy for English-learners and ensuring a greater share of such students reach proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the English language is a growing concern in the nations K-12 schools.

As more English-learners land in the nations classrooms, more researchers and educators are exploring the role peers play in determining how quickly students learn the language and how they stay connected to school.

Kahn and John Starkey, the principal at Lafayette International, think theyve found a formula that works. Led by the Anne Frank Project staff, the students draw up village rules that are translated into each language, all 45 of them spoken at the school, and post the rules around the building.

It creates parameters and rules for our engagement with each other that really helps set a positive tone in the classroom and the school, Starkey said.

Charlene Liu, a Utah educator, uses similar strategies to get English-learners in her school district connected to and vested in their learning.

Even though we might be from different cultural backgrounds or speak different languages, we look to create opportunities for us to explore and find out how were so similar in so many ways, said Liu, the director of educational equity for the Granite school district in Utahs Salt Lake County.

We can find those commonalities and similarities and overcome some of those obstacles.

Combining Strengths

Some research has questioned the effects of gritones perseverance toward goalson students and their academic performance, specifically for first- and second-generation English-learners.

A study led by Colleen ONeal, an assistant professor of school psychology in the University of Marylands college of education, found that the perseverance of a students peers was twice as influential as individual grit in predicting literacy growth.

The Internationals Network for Public Schools, a New York City-based nonprofit that focuses on serving immigrant students, rely heavily on project-based work that encourages students to work together.

That could pave the way for students adept in a subject, such as math or science, to team up with classmates who may have a greater grasp of English. Those sorts of pairings afford students opportunities to shore up their weaknesses and capitalize on their strengths.

It allows students of different strengths to combine those into something thats even stronger, said Joseph Luft, the executive director of the Internationals Network.

Starkey, the principal at Lafayette International, has seen English-learner students relying on each other for years as hes transitioned from an English-as-a-second-language teacher in the Bronx to an administrator in New York City and Buffalo.

Lafayettes academy for newcomers is based on a model developed by the Internationals Network.

Early on, it remains important for students to sit and form bonds with people who are most like them, often students who speak the same native language, Starkey said.

Over time, the school pushes students out of their comfort zone. Starkeys school, which serves English-language learners almost exclusively, has relied on the Anne Frank Project.

Not only was their English strengthened, Kahn said, but their confidence was strengthened [along with] their ability to look us in the eyes and converse and be proud of what they had learned and process what they had learned.

In her district and across Utah, Liu said the students and families that public schools serve have become more diverse, but the states teaching corps hasnt changed at the same rate.

In her position, Liu helps teachers to confront their potential biases or misconceptions that may make it more difficult for educators to connect with students.

Its not so much curriculum that were looking at, Liu said. Its the attitude of our teachers.

At the start of ONeals study, students completed an eight-question survey to measure grit as well as reading-performance tasks to gauge English proficiency.

The students then repeated the process twice more during a four-month period to measure progress on literacy achievement. The research team calculated peer-grit scores by using the average of the class scores.

The studys 142 participantsmostly Spanish-speaking Latinoswere 3rd to 5th graders from a suburban elementary school where 95 percent of students receive free or reduced-price meals.

Since almost all the participants had strikingly low literacy levels, ONeal cautioned that the research did not take into account the wide variation of language development among English-learners.

Our Communities

Ha Yeon Kim, an associate director of the Global TIES for Children Center at New York University, has explored how students relationships with their peers and teachers, shape their academic motivation and self-conceptwho the children think they are and what they aspire to be.

Kims research on classroom experiences for Hispanic English-learners at the elementary level found that advanced English-language proficiency allowed for deeper engagement in the school experience.

The research explored the role that teacher-student relationships and peer connections play in social and academic adjustment.

Peer connections can hold particular importance for Latino students, Kims research found, because values such as helping others and building positive relationships are often ingrained in their culture.

In the study, students who struggled with picking up the language became increasingly disengaged over time.

Liu estimates that a third of the 60,000 students in Granite are current or former English-learners.

Its a striking contrast from the start of her teaching career four decades ago when there were so few students tagged as ELLs in the state, the education department didnt track data on them.

We need to make them feel comfortable, Liu said. These are our little communities.
Photo: Foundation for California Community Colleges



Lance Izumi is a Koret senior fellow in education studies and senior director of the Center for Education at the Pacific Research Institute, a free-market think tank. He is a regular opinion contributor to edweek.org where he trades views with Bruce Fuller, on the other side of the political aisle. Read Bruce Fullers response to this essay

The continuing campus protests by the Left against U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos may grab the headlines, but another real political concern for her and the president lies with her relationship with the Right.

The importance of the base for President Donald Trump cannot be overstated. Mark Penn, the co-director of the Harvard-Harris poll, wrote last month in an opinion piece for The Hill, No poll Ive seen puts [Trumps] support from Republicans at below 80 percent, and we at Harvard-Harris have it at 84 percent, which is remarkable, given his knock-down-drag-out fight with some mainstream Republicans.

Indeed, despite the recent Democrat gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey, a Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Nov. 6th, the day before those elections showed that Donald Trump would still beat Hillary Clinton if the 2016 election were held today because Trump, according to the Post, has still got enough hold of his base to win reelection if there was a rematch today.

Penn incisively says that it is the presidents positions on issues that undergird his strength with his base: His style is not what won him the presidency. It was, remarkably, his substance. The Trump base, therefore, evaluates the president and, by extension, his top subordinates, such as cabinet leaders like DeVos, based on their perceived adherence to the populist conservative agenda that Trump enunciated during the campaign and now in his presidency.

As opposed to cabinet picks like Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, who have well-publicized views that comport with the beliefs of the presidents base, the selection of DeVos was a mystery to many of Trumps supporters and a cause of worry to others based on their perception of her previous policy positions.

Take the Common Core State Standards. Jane Robbins, senior fellow with the Washington-based, conservative think tank American Principles Project, observed, One of candidate Donald Trumps biggest applause lines when campaigning was his promise to end the common core, and that promise claimed an importance with grassroots citizens.

The controversy over DeVos views on common core is well known. She said she opposed common core despite the support for those standards by organizations with which she was associated.

DeVos was a mystery to many of Trumps supporters and a cause of worry to others based on their perception of her previous policy positions."

Zeev Wurman, a senior policy adviser at the Education Department during President George W. Bushs administration, told me that concern over DeVos stance on the common core was and is most pronounced among grassroots activists in the states, who are the mothers in Indiana, Ohio, Florida, and Missouri, who were still furious with their own state-based Republican politicians that played the bait-and-switch game on them with the common cores rename-and-retain game. DeVos problem, he said, is with the Trump base rather than with the [Washington] Republican crowd.

Similarly, in an email conversation I had with Robbins, she said, up until now, not enough has been done to mollify Trump supporters and conservatives. The only education issue Trump talked about during the campaign was the common core, she said, but nothing has been done to address that.

Robbins has this advice for DeVos regarding the standards: The U.S. Department of Education cant end the common core, but it can reassure states, vocally and loudly, that they may choose any standards they find appropriate and suffer no federal penalties for doing that.

When I asked Wurman and Robbins about issues that DeVos could address to allay the concerns of Trumps grassroots activist supporters, both said that she should focus on student privacy and data collection.

Wurman, who praised DeVos handling of new guidance on Title IX, noted that the Obama administration changed regulations for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, to give both government and private organizations broader access to student education data. DeVos could undo these changes and argue that she is simply undoing Obamas opening the floodgates for student personal information flowing to private and noneducational players, which should make a serious impact on the grassroots [base] that [is] incensed by it. Robbins agreed and advised that DeVos should at a minimum move to withdraw the Obama regulations.

Robbins agreed and advised that DeVos should at a minimum move to withdraw the Obama regulations.

President Trump, more than most presidents have, depends on the support of his core base. Cabinet members such as DeVos can help the president in mobilizing this essential grassroots support, like former U.S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett did for President Ronald Reagan. To do so, however, will require addressing issues that are important to these constituents, putting to rest their suspicions, and building their trust.
The Trump administration is yanking the nomination of Tim Kelly, a Michigan state representative who President Donald Trump tapped to lead the office of career, technical, and adult education at the U.S. Department of Education, after it surfaced that he was the author of a personal blog that made offensive statements about Muslims, Head Start parents, and federal efforts to recruit women into the sciences, a source said.

It became clear that Mr. Kelly had made a series of statements that were not reflective of the secretarys values, said an administration official. Sources characterized this as a decision that U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos made when she was presented with the information. The blog should have been caught in the White House vetting process, one source said. And Kelly should have disclosed it with his application, but failed to do so, this source added.

Kelly did not respond to an email from Education Week, and his state legislative office declined to make him available. But Kelly told the Detroit News that his blog reflected mainstream conservative thought.

This has been a terribly distressing thing over the last eight months for me and my family, Kelly told the newspaper. Increasingly, I became aware that I perhaps was not a good match for some of this given the toxicity of the swamp.

Kelly, who had been scheduled for a Nov. 15 confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, would have been tasked with implementing the $1.1 billion Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program, the largest source of federal funding for high schools, as well as initiatives dealing with adult literacy and community college.

Democrats were aware of these offensive blog posts and Senator Murray certainly intended to bring this up if this nomination had proceeded. She is pleased he chose to withdraw his nomination because those types of comments cannot be tolerated in our government or elsewhere, said Mairead Lynn, a spokeswoman for Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the committee.

The comments from his Citizen Leader blog date from 2009 to 2012, when Kelly was serving as a board commissioner in Saginaw County. In 2009 Kelly, a Republican, appeared to suggest that all Muslims should be placed on the no-fly list, and given the chance to clear their names individually. His comments came in the wake of a Nigerian man boarding a plane bound for Detroit with plastic explosives hidden in his underwear. (The man was caught by authorities.)

Heres a snippet from the blog:

"Forget for a moment, that this young man from Nigeria purchased his one-way ticket with cash, had no luggage, or that his father had warned the authorities of his radicalism. He should have been on anybody's no-fly list because his name is UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB! Zenaphobic [sic]? No, I'm being pragmatic ... Instead of assuming that all people are interested in, let alone capable of, blowing up Western, Christian, or Jewish things, let's assume all Muslims are."

A blog posting is skeptical of federally-funded programs aimed at recruiting women for STEM fields, such as Advance, which received a grant from the National Science Foundation.

"Research shows that bias against women in the sciences is extremely weak. Studies point to data that indicate men and women simply have different tastes when it comes to areas of study. For instance, women may be underrepresented in the fields of engineering, but thrive in the areas of sociology and biology. ... For my money, this kind of ridiculousness in academia should not be rewarded and certainly not paid for by the American taxpayer."

Those views would appear to be at odds with others in the administration. Ivanka Trump, the presidents adviser and eldest daughter, wants the Education Department to steer as much competitive grant money as possible to STEM education, including for under-represented groups, such as women.

Another post, from 2010, questions the role of the federal government in career and technical education and K-12 education more generally.

"Job placement, and training, until the '60's, was handled mostly by the private sector. Now it's become an administrative nightmare of federal regulations, delivered mostly by the states, with horrible results. Same with K-12 education."

And a 2011 post takes aim at Head Start, a federally funded early-childhood education program for low-income families administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. In particular, the blog expresses skepticism about the programs emphasis on parent involvement, given that Head Start parents are often themselves academically and socially needy.
Today is the voting day for Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2017. Citizens including young and adult are participating in the voting with great enthusiasm. Gauri Devi, a 101-Year-old lady took proud in casting her vote for the one she finds fit. We at EmitPost are bringing live reports to you for these Assembly Elections. The results for todays voting will be released next month. Opinion polls, people surveys, and public feedback report that Dhumal could win this election with an unprecedented jump. He might get around 60 seats out of total 68 seats in these elections. Although, most of the experts call this report big too much hopes and expect Dhumal to win around 45 to 50 seats in Assembly Election 2017 live results.

Assembly Election 2017 Live Report indicates Congress clearance sell

One could easily spot people favoring Bhartiya Janata Party in Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections this year. Present Congress government under Virbhadra Singhs command is already being condemned for poor employment, government policies and absence of development in the state. Indian National Congress gave the ticket to many under police investigation candidates for this Assembly Election. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is also one of those candidates. He is currently being investigated for charges of corruption. Opinion polls in Himachal Pradesh Elections report that Congress will be folded within a maximum of 25 seats this year. The latest HP Assembly Election 2017 Live Report indicates that Congress might have to settle with just 5 to 10 seats in hand.

Public Showing great interest this year

The public of Himachal Pradesh is showing huge interest in voting this year. The voting for Assembly Election 2017 might cross previous records. Analysts indicate that the total vote count might cross the records set in previous elections. Shyam Saran Negi- The Independent Indias first voter cast his vote in selecting new government at the age of 100. Similarly, Gauri Devi  A 101 Years old female voted for her opinion too. A groom in Manali came forward to vote in Assembly elections before he attended other rituals for the wedding. His relatives accompanied him to the polling booth. This step is being praised in the community.

New Assembly after HP Assembly Election 2017 Live Reports

The live reports on Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections indicate a rise of a new government this year. The state is being run by Indian National Congress at the moment. The inclination of voting shows that the Bhartiya Janata Party will win these elections with a huge difference. The popularity of BJP leader PM Narendra Modi, Chief Minister BJP Candidate Dhoomal and unsuccessful reign of Virbhadra Singh are the major factors of this change.

Opinion Polls Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017 indicated same results. According to opinion polls, Congress might get its hands on 25 to 27 seats whereas BJP could bag around 45 seats in 2017 Assembly Elections. This will leave only 2 to 3 seats for Others. Whereas, present live report on Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2017 signs towards BJP victory on over 60 seats.
More than one-third of Americans are considered obese based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI measures the ratio between your height and weight. A BMI of 30 or above signals obesity. As more and more of us age, we also are likely to see an increase in the number of older people who have a difficult time maintaining a healthy body weight. That's a serious problem, since obesity can impact many parts of our health and daily life. For example, studies show people who are obese have more complications following heart surgery--an increasingly common surgery for older adults--than do people who are considered overweight (but not obese) or who maintain a "normal" weight.

Although we know that obese older adults may be surviving heart surgery with more complications, few researchers have studied how well they can manage daily activities like eating, bathing, walking short distances, dressing, getting in or out of bed, and using the toilet.

To learn more about this key issue, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania examined information from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study. They published their findings in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The researchers focused on 1,731 participants from the study (which included 20,000 participants) who had heart surgery. Of these individuals, 34 percent were obese and 66 percent were not obese. The researchers followed the participants over a two-year period.

The researchers learned that:

22 percent of obese participants who had heart surgery said they were less able to perform their daily activities within two years of their surgery.

17 percent of overweight or normal weight participants who had heart surgery reported that they were less able to perform their daily activities.

In the two years following heart surgery, 10.5 percent of obese participants died; 13.8 percent of non-obese participants died.

The researchers said that obese older adults who survive heart surgery may live with greater degrees of functional decline in the two years following the procedure, especially in participants who were younger than 80-years-old. However, in people aged 80 and older, the relationship between obesity and the ability to function well was considered more complex.

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This summary is from "The Association between Obesity, Age, and Functional Decline in Survivors of Cardiac Surgery". It appears online ahead of print the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The study authors are Timothy G. Gaulton, MD, MSc, and Mark D. Neuman, MD, MSc, from the University of Pennsylvania.

About the Health in Aging Foundation

This research summary was developed as a public education tool by the Health in Aging Foundation. The Foundation is a national non-profit established in 1999 by the American Geriatrics Society to bring the knowledge and expertise of geriatrics healthcare professionals to the public. We are committed to ensuring that people are empowered to advocate for high-quality care by providing them with trustworthy information and reliable resources. Last year, we reached nearly 1 million people with our resources through HealthinAging.org. We also help nurture current and future geriatrics leaders by supporting opportunities to attend educational events and increase exposure to principles of excellence on caring for older adults. For more information or to support the Foundation's work, visit http://www.HealthinAgingFoundation.org.

About the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Included in more than 9,000 library collections around the world, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) highlights emerging insights on principles of aging, approaches to older patients, geriatric syndromes, geriatric psychiatry, and geriatric diseases and disorders. First published in 1953, JAGS is now one of the oldest and most impactful publications on gerontology and geriatrics, according to ISI Journal Citation Reports. Visit wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/JGS for more details.

About the American Geriatrics Society

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has--for 75 years--worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Its nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org.
Johannesburg, South Africa 9 Nov 2017: Significant financial stress is associated with a 13-fold higher odds of having a heart attack, according to research presented at the 18th Annual Congress of the South African Heart Association.

The SA Heart Congress 2017 is being held from 9 to 12 November in Johannesburg. Experts from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) will present a special programme.1

"The role of psychosocial factors in causing disease is a neglected area of study in South Africa, perhaps because there are so many other pressing health challenges such as tuberculosis and HIV," said lead author Dr Denishan Govender, associate lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

"The INTERHEART study 2,3 showed that psychosocial factors are independently associated with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) in Africa but as far as we are aware there are no other published local data," said last author Professor Pravin Manga, professor of cardiology, University of the Witwatersrand.

This study included 106 patients with acute myocardial infarction who presented to a large public hospital in Johannesburg. A control group of 106 patients without cardiac disease was matched for age, sex and race. All participants completed a questionnaire about depression, anxiety, stress, work stress, and financial stress in the previous month. The Likert scale was used to grade the experience of each condition.

Regarding financial stress, patients were graded with no financial stress if they were coping financially; mild financial stress if they were coping financially but needed added support; moderate financial stress if they had an income but were in financial distress; and significant financial stress if they had no income and at times struggled to meet basic needs.

Levels of psychosocial conditions were compared between groups and used to calculate associations with having a heart attack.

Self-reported stress levels were common, with 96% of heart attack patients reporting any level of stress, and 40% reporting severe stress levels. There was a three-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction if a patient had experienced any level of depression (from mild to extremely severe) in the previous month compared to those with no depression.

Both work stress and financial stress were associated with a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction. The odds of myocardial infarction was 5.6 times higher in patients with moderate or severe work stress compared to those with minimal or no stress. Patients with significant financial stress had a 13-fold higher odds of having a myocardial infarction.

Dr Govender said: "Our study suggests that psychosocial aspects are important risk factors for acute myocardial infarction. Often patients are counselled about stress after a heart attack but there needs to be more emphasis prior to an event. Few doctors ask about stress, depression or anxiety during a general physical and this should become routine practice, like asking about smoking. Just as we provide advice on how to quit smoking, patients need information on how to fight stress."

Professor Manga said: "There is growing recognition that many developing countries are experiencing an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases of lifestyle such as myocardial infarction, and South Africa is no exception. Our study shows that psychosocial aspects are an area of cardiovascular prevention that deserves more attention."

Dr David Jankelow, Chairman of the SA Heart 2017 Congress, commented: "We know that the depressed cardiac patient is at greater risk. We as clinicians need to identify them much earlier, so that they can be referred for appropriate intervention. Cardiac rehabilitation together with counselling and reassurance will play an important role as well."

Professor Fausto Pinto, ESC immediate past president and course director of the ESC programme in South Africa, said: "Psychosocial factors including stress at work, depression and anxiety contribute to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and having a worse prognosis. European prevention guidelines say that psychosocial risk factor assessment should be considered in people with, or at high risk of, cardiovascular disease to identify possible barriers to lifestyle change or adherence to medication." 4

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A transfer technique based on thin sacrificial layers of boron nitride could allow high-performance gallium nitride gas sensors to be grown on sapphire substrates and then transferred to metallic or flexible polymer support materials. The technique could facilitate the production of low-cost wearable, mobile and disposable sensing devices for a wide range of environmental applications.

Transferring the gallium nitride sensors to metallic foils and flexible polymers doubles their sensitivity to nitrogen dioxide gas, and boosts response time by a factor of six. The simple production steps, based on metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE), could also lower the cost of producing the sensors and other optoelectronic devices.

Sensors produced with the new process can detect ammonia at parts-per-billion levels and differentiate between nitrogen-containing gases. The gas sensor fabrication technique was reported November 9 in the journal Scientific Reports.

"Mechanically, we just peel the devices off the substrate, like peeling the layers of an onion," explained Abdallah Ougazzaden, director of Georgia Tech Lorraine in Metz, France and a professor in Georgia Tech's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). "We can put the layer on another support that could be flexible, metallic or plastic. This technique really opens up a lot of opportunity for new functionality, new devices - and commercializing them."

The researchers begin the process by growing monolayers of boron nitride on two-inch sapphire wafers using an MOVPE process at approximately 1,300 degrees Celsius. The boron nitride surface coating is only a few nanometers thick, and produces crystalline structures that have strong planar surface connections, but weak vertical connections.

Aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) devices are then grown atop the monolayers at a temperature of about 1,100 degrees Celsius, also using an MOVPE process. Because of the boron nitride crystalline properties, the devices are attached to the substrate only by weak Van der Waals forces, which can be overcome mechanically. The devices can be transferred to other substrates without inducing cracks or other defects. The sapphire wafers can be reused for additional device growth.

"This approach for engineering GaN-based sensors is a key step in the pathway towards economically viable, flexible sensors with improved performances that could be integrated into wearable applications," the authors wrote in their paper.

So far, the researchers have transferred the sensors to copper foil, aluminum foil and polymeric materials. In operation, the devices can differentiate between nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ammonia. Because the devices are approximately 100 by 100 microns, sensors for multiple gases can be produced on a single integrated device.

"Not only can we differentiate between these gases, but because the sensor is very small, we can detect them all at the same time with an array of sensors," said Ougazzaden, who expects that the devices could be modified to also detect ozone, carbon dioxide and other gases.

The gallium nitride sensors could have a wide range of applications from industry to vehicle engines - and for wearable sensing devices. The devices are attractive because of their advantageous materials properties, which include high thermal and chemical stability.

"The devices are small and flexible, which will allow us to put them onto many different types of support," said Ougazzaden, who also directs the International Joint Research Lab at Georgia Tech CNRS.

To assess the effects of transferring the devices to a different substrate, the researchers measured device performance on the original sapphire wafer and compared that to performance on the new metallic and polymer substrates. They were surprised to see a doubling of the sensor sensitivity and a six-fold increase in response time, changes beyond what could be expected by a simple thermal change in the devices.

"Not only can we have flexibility in the substrate, but we can also improve the performance of the devices just by moving them to a different support with appropriate properties," he said. "Properties of the substrate alone makes the different in the performance."

In future work, the researchers hope to boost the quality of the devices and demonstrate other sensing applications. "One of the challenges ahead is to improve the quality of the materials so we can extend this to other applications that are very sensitive to the substrates, such as high-performance electronics."

The Georgia Tech researchers have previously used a similar technique to produce light-emitting diodes and ultraviolet detectors that were transferred to different substrates, and they believe the process could also be used to produce high-power electronics. For those applications, transferring the devices from sapphire to substrates with better thermal conductivity could provide a significant advantage in device operation.

Ougazzaden and his research team have been working on boron-based semiconductors since 2005. Their work has attracted visits from several industrial companies interested in exploring the technology, he said.

"I am very excited and lucky to work on such hot topic and top-notch technology at GT-Lorraine," said Taha Ayari, a Ph.D. student in the Georgia Tech School of ECE and the paper's first author.

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In addition to Ougazzaden, the research team includes Georgia Tech Ph.D. students Taha Ayari, Matthew Jordan, Xin Li and Saiful Alam; Chris Bishop and Youssef ElGmili, researchers at Institut Lafayette; Suresh Sundaram, a researcher at Georgia Tech Lorraine; Gilles Patriarche, a researcher at the Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N) at CNRS; Paul Voss, an associate professor in the Georgia Tech School of ECE; and Jean Paul Salvestrini, a professor at Georgia Tech Lorraine and adjunct professor in the Georgia Tech School of ECE.

The research was supported by ANR (Agence Nationale de Recherche), the National Agency of Research in France through the "GANEX" Project.

CITATION: Taha Ayari, et al., "Gas sensors boosted by two-dimensional h-BN enabled transfer on thin substrate foils: towards wearable and portable applications," (Scientific Reports, 2017). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15065-6
At a glance:

Depletion of a fatty molecule in human blood drives the deadliest malaria parasite to shift its priorities from infection to transmission.

The discovery improves understanding of a critical yet poorly understood stage in the Plasmodium life cycle and potentially opens doors to new strategies for malaria control and treatment.

life cycle and potentially opens doors to new strategies for malaria control and treatment. This study is the first to identify a factor in human hosts used by the parasites to make developmental decisions.

Depletion of a fatty molecule in human blood propels malaria parasites to stop replicating and causing illness in people and instead to jump ship to mosquitoes to continue the transmission cycle, according to a new study by an international research team.

The discovery, published online in Cell Nov. 9, answers a longstanding question about what controls this critical step in the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for about half a million malaria deaths worldwide each year. It could also open doors to new strategies for malaria control and treatment.

The key molecule the researchers identified has the catchy name of lysophosphatidylcholine, or LPC for short. It appears to be a building block the parasites use to construct new cell membranes when they divide, the team found.

"When LPC is plentiful, the parasites happily reproduce in humans," said J.P. Gerdt, a research fellow in the lab of Jon Clardy at Harvard Medical School and co-first author of the study. "When LPC drops, the parasites can't multiply anymore and commit to a different pathway."

"This is a first big step in dissecting the details of what's going on," added Gerdt.

The purpose of the research was to illuminate the biochemical motivators in Plasmodium's decision making. Although important, the findings won't immediately translate into new therapies, cautioned Clardy, the Hsien Wu and Daisy Yen Wu Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at HMS and co-corresponding author of the study.

Even so, Clardy said, by pinpointing a previously unknown control switch, the work suggests new ways to try to prevent Plasmodium parasites from re-entering mosquitoes and infecting more people-a major goal of global malaria eradication programs.

"Treating patients with antimalarial drugs usually kills the replicating parasites, but if you don't also block transmission, the disease will never disappear from the population," said co-corresponding author Matthias Marti, adjunct professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and professor at the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology at the University of Glasgow.

Zeroing in

Plasmodium parasites lead complex lives.

They pass into humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, congregating first in the liver and later in red blood cells, where they multiply and burst forth in cycles that cause waves of illness.

Eventually, if the host is lucky enough to survive, some of the parasites stop multiplying and follow a different path known as sexual commitment or differentiation. In what Gerdt likens to a parasitic puberty, they morph from asexual into sexual creatures.

If mosquitoes bite an infected person during this phase, the parasites-now male and female-travel back into the insects and breed. The transmission cycle begins anew.

"Almost everything we try to do to treat malaria is at the blood stage, because that's when you know people have it," said Clardy. "Researchers are putting more effort lately into studying the transmission stage in light of campaigns to eliminate malaria."

Even though sexual commitment is a linchpin in malaria dynamics, scientists didn't know much about what prompts it. Three years ago, Marti, then an associate professor at the Harvard Chan School, and study co-first author Nicolas Brancucci, then a postdoctoral fellow in Marti's lab, set out to discover whether any substances in human hosts-rather than in the parasites themselves-played a role.

To find out, they combined their expertise in parasitology with the Clardy lab's specialty in tracing the source of molecular signals.

Something in the blood

When the researchers cultured Plasmodium cells in flasks without their usual bath of human blood serum, the parasites skipped replication and went straight for sexual commitment-hinting that a control switch lurked in the missing blood.

Next, the researchers grew Plasmodium with serum. As expected, after a while the parasites lost their zest for replicating and began to undergo sexual commitment. But when the team added fresh serum, the parasites went on replicating. They were indeed grabbing something from the serum.

The researchers decided to separate and study all the serum components to see if they could identify the molecule or molecules at play.

"Serum is so complex; no one would do a test like that," Marti recalled. "But it actually worked. We found a single factor that's necessary and sufficient for regulating sexual commitment."

With each round of parasite replication, the researchers observed that LPC levels dropped. When LPC fell low enough, the parasites switched to sexual commitment.

Fluorescent microscopy revealed that Plasmodium cells were absorbing LPC from the bloodstream as they prepared to divide.

"The parasites suck it up," said Gerdt.

The scientists believe that when the parasites sense that their raw materials are running low, they change strategies.

The researchers found similar patterns of LPC depletion in a mouse model of malaria. Their findings were further reinforced by blood serum data from previously published studies that showed LPC depletion is a hallmark of acute malaria infection in humans.

Testing the waters

The study is the first to identify a factor in human hosts that Plasmodium uses as an environmental sensor.

"This was surprising at first, but once you know about it, it makes sense," said Marti. "Plasmodium is a blood parasite, after all, and it travels through many different environments during its life cycle. It samples those environments, and in this case, it responds to reduced LPC levels in the blood during acute malaria infection by deciding to move into the mosquito."

Moving from the study findings to a malaria therapy won't be straightforward, said Clardy. For instance, doctors can't simply deplete LPC to prevent the parasites from replicating, because LPC plays important roles in the body, including forming healthy cell membranes.

Nonetheless, now that they know "at least the first step and a few downstream steps" of how the parasite regulates transmission, Marti said he envisions new combination strategies that would safely block transmission while also treating the people who already have malaria.

Brancucci is now at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel.

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Twenty-four additional study authors were based at the institutions listed above as well as the University of South Florida in Tampa; the University of Granada in Spain; the Lodz University of Technology in Poland; and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, an associated institute of the University of Basel.

This work was funded by the Wellcome Trust (Senior Investigator Award 172862, IRS Award 172805, Center Award 104111 and a Burroughs Wellcome Fund career development award), the National Institutes of Health (grants GM086258 and R01RHL139337 and NRSA fellowship F32GM116205) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (grants 31003A_163258 and BSCGI0_157729 and fellowships P300PA_160975 and P2BEP3_165396).

Harvard Medical School

Harvard Medical School has more than 11,000 faculty working in 10 academic departments located at the School's Boston campus or in hospital-based clinical departments at 15 Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutes: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Hebrew SeniorLife, Joslin Diabetes Center, Judge Baker Children's Center, Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital, Mount Auburn Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network and VA Boston Healthcare System.
With a readership that runs into the millions, few would argue that the New York Times doesn't influence public debate on a host of issues. But what about a news outlet with a circulation of only about 50,000?

The answer, says Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor Gary King, is that even small- to medium-sized media outlets can have a dramatic effect on the content and partisan balance of the national conversation about major public policy issues.

In the first large scale randomized media experiment ever conducted, King and former students Benjamin Schneer, now assistant professor at Florida State University, and Ariel White, now assistant professor at MIT, found that if just three outlets write about a particular major national policy topic - such as jobs, the environment, or immigration - discussion of that topic across social media rose by more than 62 percent, and the balance of opinion in the national conversation could be swayed several percentage points based on that coverage.

"For several hundred years, scholars have tried to measure the influence of the media. Most people think it is influential, but measuring this influence rigorously with randomized experiments has until now been impossible," King said. "Our findings suggest that the effect of the media is surprisingly large. Our study's implications suggest every journalist wields a major power and so has an important responsibility."

Those findings, King said, are the result of more than five years of work, much of which was spent convincing 48 news outlets to agree to take part in the study. Fortunately, about half of these outlets were represented by the Media Consortium, a network of independent news outlets, eager to find a way to measure impact and willing to help.

"Much of the work leading up to this study involved finding a way to bridge the cultural divide between journalism and science," King explained. "Through years of conversations, much trial and error, and a partnership with Media Consortium Executive Director Jo Ellen Green Kaiser, we learned to understand journalistic standards and practices, and the journalists learned to understand our scientific requirements. What ultimately made it all work was a novel research design we developed that satisfied both camps."

Though similar efforts have been tried in the past, they invariably collapsed as journalists chafed at the notion of being told what to report and when to report it.

To address the problem, previous researchers fell back on clever tricks, such as studying areas that fell outside the broadcast area of a particular outlet but, because no one knew whether the areas were truly random, they were hard to evaluate. Such studies faced many problems, particularly their inability to control for a host of factors like race, education, or income.

"From a scientific point of view, we have to be able to tell the journalists what to publish, and preferably at random times," King said. "From a journalistic point of view, these scientific requirements seem crazy, and journalists reasonably insist on retaining absolute control over what they publish. The two sets of requirements seem fundamentally incompatible, but we found a way to create a single research design that accomplished the goals of both groups."

It wasn't only the participation of news outlets that made the study noteworthy, though.

"If you're doing something like a medical experiment, you may randomly assign individual people to one of two groups, and then each person is your unit of analysis," he said. "But when a media outlet publishes something - no matter how small - the potential audience it could impact includes basically everybody in the country. That means our unit of analysis can't be a person; it has to be the entire country, which greatly increases the cost of the study." This means that the equivalent of an entire experiment in many other studies constitutes only one observation in this study.

Because collecting each observation was so expensive, and so logistically challenging, King and colleagues used, and further developed, novel statistical techniques to enable them to collect only as much data as needed. They could then examine, after each massive national experiment, whether they now had enough data to draw reliable conclusions.

"That allowed us to keep going until we got to the point where we had exactly as much data as we needed, and no more," King said. "As it turns out, we ran 35 national experiments that produced 70 observations."

To achieve the experimental randomization needed for the study, King's team, the Media Consortium staff, and journalists at the 48 outlets together identified 11 broad policy areas - like jobs, the environment, or immigration. They then simulated the tendency of journalists to influence each other and publish stories on similar topics, sometimes known as "pack journalism," by choosing three or four outlets from their participating group of 48 to develop stories together that fell into the same broad policy area.

"For example, if the policy area was jobs, one story might be about Uber drivers in the Philadelphia area," King said. "We would then identify a two-week period where we predicted there wouldn't be any surprises related to that topic area - so if the President was planning to give a speech about immigration in one of those two weeks, we would not run an experiment on immigration during that time."

Randomization came from researchers flipping a coin to determine which of those weeks would be the publication week, and which the control week.

"At first, our outlets didn't really understand what randomization meant," said Kaiser. "Our project manager Manolia Charlotin and the researchers worked very closely with all the outlets to ensure they followed the researchers' rules. This was a resource-intensive project for us, but the unexpected benefit was that outlets found they also gained many qualitative benefits from collaborating."

In both treatment and control weeks, King, Schneer, and White used tools and data from Harvard-based start-up Crimson Hexagon, to monitor the national conversation in social media posts. King is co-founder of Crimson Hexagon and, with a previous generation of now former Harvard students, developed the automated text technology that was originally licensed by Harvard to create the company. He explained that this methodology "is used to evaluate meaning in social media posts. So if you have a set of categories you care about, we identify example posts in these categories, which is what humans are good at," King said. "Then our algorithm can amplify that human intelligence and, without classifying individual posts, can accurately estimate the percent of posts in each category each day."

What they found, King said, is that the effect was larger than anyone anticipated.

"The actual effect is really big," King said. "If three outlets (with an average circulation of about 50,000) get together and write stories, the size of the national conversation in that policy area increases a lot - it's a 62 percent increase on the first day's volume distributed over the week, just from these three little outlets."

"These national conversations about major policy areas are essential to democracy," he added. "Today this conversation takes place, in part, in some of the 750 million publicly available social media posts written by people every day -- and all available for research. At one time, the national conversation was whatever was said in the public square, where people would get up on a soapbox, or when they expressed themselves in newspaper editorials or water-cooler debates. This is a lot of what democracy is about." King explained, "The fact that the media has such a large influence on the content of this national conversation is crucial for everything from the ideological balance of the nation's media outlets, to rise of fake news, to the ongoing responsibility of professional journalists."

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This research was supported with funding from Voqal and Harvard's Institute for Quantitative Social Science.
On Oct. 11, 2017, five young scientists at the Institut Pasteur received 2017 L'Oreal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Fellowships. Through their research, the three postdoctoral fellows and two PhD students are helping to advance scientific knowledge in the fields of child malnutrition, the immune system, vaccination, emerging diseases and psychotic disorders. These fellowships, awarded to thirty outstanding scientists each year, will offer greater visibility to the female scientists at the Institut Pasteur and to the "Pasteur-Paris University International Doctoral Program", of which two of the laureates are alumnae.

On October 11, 2017, five young scientists at the Institut Pasteur received 2017 L'Oreal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Fellowships. Each year, the L'Oreal Foundation, in partnership with the French Academy of Sciences and the French National Commission for UNESCO, awards Fellowships to thirty young female scientists who are helping advance the frontiers of research in France. Ten PhD students and twenty postdoctoral fellows are selected for their outstanding research. The program is designed to support them in their research and as they pursue their scientific career.

Two of this year's winners are graduates of the Pasteur-Paris University International Doctoral Program (PPU), launched in 2009 by the Institut Pasteur and co-funded by the EU's FP7 and Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie programs. The PPU was set up to provide training for young scientists in the fields of life sciences and biomedicine, in keeping with the Pasteurian tradition of pursuing outstanding research with the aim of improving health across the world. The PPU program is a three-year PhD program. Students from all over the world come to France to pursue their research at the Institut Pasteur, while being enrolled on a PhD at one of the Institut Pasteur's partner universities in Paris (UPMC, Paris Descartes University, Paris Sud University, Paris Diderot University and Paris-Saclay University).

The five scientists awarded 2017 L'Oreal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Fellowships for their outstanding research at the Institut Pasteur are the PhD students Juliette Fedry and Ai Ing Lim and the postdoctoral fellows Fani Koukouli, Blandine Monel and Pascale Vonasch. Through their research, they are helping advance scientific knowledge in the fields of child malnutrition, the immune system, vaccination, emerging diseases and psychotic disorders. Their discoveries are laying the foundations for the development of new treatments for several diseases.

Juliette Fedry - Paving the way for the development of new vaccines:

Since the 20th century, we have known that the fertilization of an egg by a sperm is the key stage in sexual reproduction. But much still remains to be elucidated about this process, especially concerning the molecule that induces the fusion of the membranes of these two cells to form a fertilized egg cell. Juliette Fedry, a PhD student in the Institut Pasteur's Structural Virology Unit, is trying to shed light on these questions. The young scientist from Lyon is fascinated by the protein HAP2, a molecule needed for fertilization in plants, algae, many invertebrate animals and some parasites such as the malaria agent. "By determining the atomic structure of HAP2, I showed that it is the first known molecule to fuse the sperm and egg membranes in several living species." The research carried out by Juliette Fedry and her colleagues revealed an unexpected resemblance between the structure of the HAP2 fertilization protein and the structure of proteins that enable viruses like Zika or chikungunya to infect cells. This suggests that viruses may be at the origin of sexual reproduction on earth, or conversely that these viruses may have acquired the fertilization molecule to infect their target cells more effectively. This new understanding about the molecular mechanism behind fertilization is therefore vitally important. It will help pave the way for the development of new vaccines to tackle several parasites, including the malaria parasite, by blocking their sexual reproduction and thereby stopping them from spreading. It brings us one step closer to the extinction of these agents that are pathogenic for humans.

Fani Koukouli - Could nicotine be used to combat schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a condition which is still poorly understood today and which disrupts the lives of almost 51 million people over the age of 18 worldwide. Fani Koukouli is a young Greek postdoctoral researcher who is passionate about sailing in the Mediterranean and works with the Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic team at the Institut Pasteur. She has dedicated her research to this pathology, which has huge implications from medical, economic and social perspectives for patients and their relatives. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), the area of the brain that is especially associated with decision making and short-term memory, shows neuronal activity which decreases in people with psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. This cerebral deficit is due to a genetic anomaly in the nicotinic receptors which are present in the PFC, correlated with the fact that 80 to 90% of schizophrenia patients are smokers. During experiments in which she recreated this cerebral deficit, the young researcher was able to demonstrate that the repeated administration of nicotine helps re-establish neuronal activity in individuals affected by schizophrenia. "The aim of my research at the moment is to test different molecules which act on the nicotinic receptors and enable nerve cells to return to normal activity without the harmful effects associated with nicotine." At the same time, she is leading a major project investigating the role of nicotinic receptors in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form of dementia and affects 44 million people. Her work also forms the basis of new pharmaco-therapeutic strategies.

Ai Ing Lim - Zooming in on immune system intelligence:

The immune system is made up of a collection of cells whose role is to defend the body. They include the recently identified "innate lymphoid cells" (ILC), which play a major role in the initial phases of the immune response. Ai Ing Lim, from Muar in Malaysia, was able to pursue her studies in science thanks to the support of her family. Now a PhD student with the Innate Immunity Unit at the Institut Pasteur, Paris Diderot University, the young researcher is working to achieve better characterization of ILCs. Through her research, she identified and isolated from human blood, a particular type of cell which can develop into four different types of ILC, and can therefore be considered an "ILC precursor" cell: "This work enabled me to come up with a new ILC genesis model in which the precursor cells circulating in the blood adapt their mechanism of action depending on the type of tissue they penetrate." Using ILC precursors, it is now possible to manufacture different types of ILC that could be used in cell therapy to treat infectious diseases, allergies and some cancers.

Blandine Monel - Research to effectively tackle the Zika virus:

Over the past few years, the Zika virus has shot to infamy. First discovered in 1947, the virus gave rise to a recent global outbreak that caused neurological disorders and brain development abnormalities in fetuses. In 2016, more than 16,000 cases were confirmed in Martinique alone. To date, no treatment or vaccine is capable of curbing this virus. Blandine Monel, a postdoctoral fellow in the Institut Pasteur's Virus and Immunity Unit, is trying to shed light on how the Zika virus acts, especially how it destroys human cells. "We recently discovered that Zika viruses isolated in Africa were killing human cells using an impressive process known as "paraptosis". One the cell has been infected, it develops vacuoles, or cavities, that expand until the cell implodes and dies." This process appears to be unique - it has not been observed in related viruses such as dengue. How does the Zika virus kill these cells? What defense mechanisms does the host have to protect against this process? The young scientist, who previously worked tirelessly on the HIV virus for six years, is trying to answer these questions with the aim of paving the way for new therapeutic strategies that might improve host resistance and help reduce the incidence of Zika virus disease in the long term.

Pascale Vonasch - Studying microbiota to combat malnutrition:

Throughout the world, one in four children is affected by growth retardation, predominantly in Africa and Asia. The number one cause of this growth retardation is chronic undernutrition. Chronic undernutrition creates the perfect conditions for infection and therefore seriously hampers the normal development of these children. It can even have serious consequences into adulthood. There is no effective treatment at the present time. The causes of this undernutrition are many, however Pediatric Environmental Enteropathy (PEE) syndrome appears to play a major role in the condition. PEE is a chronic inflammation of the small intestine, the main part of the body where nutrients are absorbed, and leads to a diminished nutrient absorption capacity. It is thought that an imbalance in the intestinal flora, known as "microbiota", may be one of the key factors in this syndrome. Pascale Vonasch, a postdoctoral researcher in the Molecular Microbial Pathogenesis Unit at the Institut Pasteur, has been focusing her research on PEE: "The aim of my project is to study intestinal flora in young children aged 2 to 5, who are and are not suffering from malnutrition, in Bangui (Central African Republic) and Antananarivo (Madagascar). " The young Swiss researcher hopes to understand more about this syndrome in order to combat undernutrition, her dream being to "one day alleviate the extreme poverty and situations of hopelessness faced by many, the majority even, of children in this world".

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New research shows that early farmers who migrated to Europe from the Near East spread quickly across the continent, where they lived side-by-side with existing local hunter-gatherers while slowly mixing with those groups over time

New research answers a long-debated question among anthropologists, archaeologists and geneticists: when farmers first arrived in Europe, how did they interact with existing hunter-gatherer groups? Prior studies have suggested these early Near Eastern farmers largely replaced the pre-existing European hunter-gatherers. Did the farmers wipe out the hunter-gatherers, through warfare or disease, shortly after arriving? Or did they slowly out-compete them over time? The current study, published today in Nature, suggests that these groups likely coexisted side-by-side for some time after the early farmers spread across Europe. The farming populations then slowly integrated local hunter-gatherers, showing more assimilation of the hunter-gatherers into the farming populations as time went on.

The Neolithic transition - the shift from a hunter-gatherer to a farming lifestyle that started nearly 10,000 years ago - has been a slowly unraveling mystery. Recent studies of ancient DNA have revealed that the spread of farming across Europe was not merely the result of a transfer of ideas, but that expanding farmers from the Near East brought this knowledge with them as they spread across the continent.

Numerous studies have shown that early farmers from all over Europe, such as the Iberian Peninsula, southern Scandinavia and central Europe, all shared a common origin in the Near East. This was initially an unexpected finding given the diversity of prehistoric cultures and the diverse environments in Europe. Interestingly, early farmers also show various amounts of hunter-gatherer ancestry, which had previously not been analyzed in detail.

The current study, from an international team including scientists from Harvard Medical School, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, focused on the regional interactions between early farmers and late hunter-gatherer groups across a broad timespan in three locations in Europe: the Iberian Peninsula in the West, the Middle-Elbe-Saale region in north-central Europe, and the fertile lands of the Carpathian Basin (centered in what is now Hungary). The researchers used high-resolution genotyping methods to analyze the genomes of 180 early farmers, 130 of whom are newly reported in this study, from the period of 6000-2200 BC to explore the population dynamics during this period.

"We find that the hunter-gatherer admixture varied locally but more importantly differed widely between the three main regions," says Mark Lipson, a researcher in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-first author of the paper. "This means that local hunter-gatherers were slowly but steadily integrated into early farming communities."

While the percentage of hunter-gatherer heritage never reached very high levels, it did increase over time. This finding suggests the hunter-gatherers were not pushed out or exterminated by the farmers when the farmers first arrived. Rather, the two groups seem to have co-existed with increasing interactions over time. Further, the farmers from each location mixed only with hunter-gatherers from their own region, and not with hunter-gatherers, or farmers, from other areas, suggesting that once settled, they stayed put.

"One novelty of our study is that we can differentiate early European farmers by their specific local hunter-gatherer signature," adds co-first author Anna Szecsenyi-Nagy of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. "Farmers from Spain share hunter-gatherer ancestry with a pre-agricultural individual from La Brana, Spain, whereas farmers from central Europe share more with hunter-gatherers near them, such as an individual from the Loschbour cave in Luxembourg. Similarly, farmers from the Carpathian Basin share more ancestry with local hunter-gatherers from their same region."

The team also investigated the relative length of time elapsed since the integration events between the populations, using cutting-edge statistical techniques that focus on the breakdown of DNA blocks inherited from a single individual. The method allows scientists to estimate when the populations mixed. Specifically, the team looked at 90 individuals from the Carpathian Basin who lived close in time. The results - which indicate ongoing population transformation and mixture - allowed the team to build the first quantitative model of interactions between hunter-gatherer and farmer groups.

"We found that the most probable scenario is an initial, small-scale, admixture pulse between the two populations that was followed by continuous gene flow over many centuries," says senior lead author David Reich, professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School.

These results reflect the importance of building thorough, detailed databases of genetic information over time and space, and suggest that a similar approach should be equally revealing elsewhere in the world.

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In recent years, the search for new cancer treatments has increasingly focused on immunotherapies that harness the body's own defenses to fight tumors. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a powerful immunotherapeutic strategy that can effectively control some cancers but that also has drawbacks. To administer ACT, T cells are withdrawn from a patient and cultivated in a laboratory (ex vivo) for weeks or months, until a massive number of cells are available to be injected back into the patient. During ex vivo cultivation, the T cells often lose potency and life span.

A great deal of research has been aimed at improving ACT effectiveness by enhancing anti-tumor T-cell strength and persistence. While researchers have made incremental progress by changing components of the laboratory culture, it has been difficult to create a T cell that incorporates both desirable anti-tumor attributes (i.e., long-term survival and high cancer-fighting efficacy) -- until now.

Shikhar Mehrotra, PhD, associate professor of surgery and co-scientific director of the Center for Cellular Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), led a team of investigators to develop a culture protocol that successfully merged the strong effector traits of Th1 cells with the durability of Th17 cells, which have a highly stem-like phenotype. The result was a hybrid Th1/17 T cell that has the best anti-cancer characteristics of both parent cells.

"We've known about how T cells can fight tumors for more than three decades. However, for a long time the focus was on Th1 cells because they seemed to be most important. They secrete interferon-gamma, which can directly kill the tumor and also draw in other cells to help fight the cancer," explains Mehrotra. "But in the past ten years we've realized that it's more important to have a T cell with long-lasting function. Th17 cells survive longer than Th1 cells because they have a more stem-like phenotype. So, we wanted to integrate both the robust interferon gamma phenotype of Th1 cells with the long-lasting phenotype of Th17 cells. But it took us some time to figure out how to put them together in a manner that they can also keep their useful traits when injected into the patient. We had to use different cytokines in the laboratory culture and combine them in new ways-it took us a while to get the right recipe."

Because Th1/17 cells are a new cell type, the team extensively investigated their properties using transcriptomic and metabolic profiling and a series of confirmatory experiments. Comparative Illumina microarray analysis showed that 589 genes were exclusively expressed in hybrid Th1/17 cells, which have unique metabolic and T-cell signaling pathway gene expression. Furthermore, comparative studies in a mouse melanoma model demonstrated that adoptive transfer of hybrid Th1/17 cells provided more effective tumor control than Th1 or Th17 cells (reported earlier by this group). Importantly, when tumor-free mice were later re-challenged with the same tumor, there was no tumor growth through 150 days (the last observed time point).

After demonstrating that these novel hybrid Th1/17 cells could persist long-term in the body (in vivo) while maintaining their effectiveness, the researchers next set out to determine what specific cellular mechanisms supported these characteristics. A comprehensive evaluation of principal metabolites showed that the metabolite signature of hybrid Th1/17 cells was intermediate between the original Th1 and Th17 cells. Intriguingly, Th1/17 cell levels of the metabolite nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) were 34 times higher than in Th17 cells. Furthermore, they discovered that these high NAD+ levels were sustained via glutaminolysis instead of glycolysis-making Th1/17 cells metabolically unique. This is important because metabolic commitment plays an important role in the function and survival of T cells in the tumor microenvironment.

Further experiments found that their enhanced anti-tumor properties were attributable to increased NAD+ mediated histone deacetylase Sirt1 activity. The team showed that pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of either NAD+ or Sirt1 impaired the anti-tumor activity and confirmed that elevated NAD+ levels are required to maintain the anti-tumor activity and in vivo viability of Th1/17 cells.

While these were all important findings, they simply laid the groundwork for what was to be the most important result of their work. Experiments revealed that inhibiting CD38, a NAD+ hydrolase that inversely correlates to NAD+ levels and co-expresses with cell exhaustion marker PD1, led to vastly improved tumor control. In other words, cells with reduced surface expression of NADase CD38 had intrinsically higher NAD+ levels and were much stronger cancer fighters.

The inverse relationship between intrinsic NAD+ levels and TGF-beta-induced CD38 expression may explain how the CD38-NAD+ axis regulates T-cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Results also suggested that, since CD38 and PD1 are tightly co-expressed, CD38 plays a central role in regulating 'metabolic exhaustion' by moderating NAD+ levels in PD1+ exhausted T cells. Most impressively, the team found that blocking CD38 expression resulted in improved tumor control even in unpolarized anti-tumor T-cells. The team treated mice with established melanoma using Th0 cells derived from CD38-KO (knockout) mice. Results showed that these Th0 T cells could efficiently control tumor growth without ex vivo programming. Thus, strategies targeting the CD38-NAD+ axis could increase the efficacy of ACT.

"We've known about NAD+ for almost 100 years, so, for me, the best part was when we realized that this intrinsic factor was responsible for the cells' strength," says Mehrotra. "That we could pick out one molecule, CD38, and produce this robust anti-tumor phenotype just by knocking it down was a big surprise. I actually thought that it wouldn't work-that we wouldn't get robust tumor control with the CD38 knockout cells. But it turns out that its ability to regulate the important cofactor NAD+ is so vital, that just by inhibiting it we could make the T cells work better."

The MUSC team also used similar ex vivo cultivation conditions to those that produced the hybrid Th1/17 cells to program CD8+ T-cells into a Tc1/17 hybrid phenotype, which also showed potent and durable anti-tumor properties. This finding may have immediate translational value since, unlike Th17 cells, Tc1 cells are known to have better anti-tumor activity despite Tc17 cells' ability to persist longer in vivo. "Using the hybrid programming protocol, we can now use both Th and Tc cells together for ACT," explains Mehrotra.

Overall, the team's experiments suggest that increasing NAD+ may be the key to improving the functionality of any T cell subset, and ex vivo programming to a hybrid phenotype with high NAD+ equates to the intrinsic NAD+ levels achieved by CD38 down-regulation. Better tumor response due to CD38 inhibition that concomitantly increases intracellular NAD+ in T cells (or other immune cells) could contribute to broader use of ACT.

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Dr. Shikhar Mehrotra and Dr. Shilpak Chatterjee are inventors on a provisional patent application covering CD38-mediated metabolic axis in anti-tumor T cell immunotherapy owned by the MUSC Foundation for Research Development.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute designated center) Level I Trauma Center, and Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit muschealth.org.

About MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

The Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina is a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and the largest academic-based cancer research program in South Carolina. The cancer center comprises more than 120 faculty cancer scientists with an annual research funding portfolio of $44 million and a dedication to reducing the cancer burden in South Carolina. Hollings offers state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, therapies and surgical techniques within multidisciplinary clinics that include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, radiologists, pathologists, psychologists and other specialists equipped for the full range of cancer care, including more than 200 clinical trials. For more information, visit http://www.hollingscancercenter.org
A number of strategies used by the police to proactively prevent crimes have proved to be successful at crime reduction, at least in the short term, and most strategies do not harm communities' attitudes toward police, finds a new report by the NASEM

WASHINGTON - A number of strategies used by the police to proactively prevent crimes have proved to be successful at crime reduction, at least in the short term, and most strategies do not harm communities' attitudes toward police, finds a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. However, the committee that conducted the study and wrote the report said there is insufficient evidence to draw strong conclusions on the potential role of racial bias in the use of proactive policing strategies.

"The committee felt that the lack of data on the role of racial bias in proactive policing was startling," said David Weisburd, executive director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University and chair of the committee. "It's critically important that we understand not simply the impacts of proactive policing on racial outcomes, but also how race may impact the adoption of specific types of proactive policing."

Police organizations apply proactive policing practices to prevent and reduce crime, which differs from standard or traditional reactive approaches in policing that focus primarily on responding to crime once it has occurred and on answering citizen requests for police service. In this report, the committee assessed the application and results of such proactive strategies, including their impact on crime, the reaction of communities, whether they are being used in a legal fashion, and if they are applied in a discriminatory manner.

Impact of Proactive Policing on Crime and Disorder

Overall, the committee found enough evidence to support the adoption of a number of proactive policing strategies, if the primary goal is to reduce crime. The available evidence focused on the localized impacts of crime prevention, such as specific places or individuals, and generally on short-term crime-prevention effects. Relatively little is known about whether and to what extent the strategies will have benefits at the larger jurisdictional level, for example, across an entire precinct or city or across all offenders. Furthermore, the evidence is rarely able to speak about long-term benefits. Key findings include:

Available research suggests hot spots policing - a practice where police focus on locations where crime is concentrated - produces short-term crime reduction effects without simply displacing crime into surrounding areas. Studies tend to find that these programs also have beneficial crime reduction effects in immediately adjacent areas.

A small group of rigorous studies show that problem-oriented policing programs lead to short-term reductions in crime. Problem-oriented policing seeks to identify and analyze the underlying causes of crime problems and to respond using a wide variety of methods and tactics, from improving lighting and repairing fences to cleaning up parks and improving recreational opportunities for youth.

Evaluations of focused deterrence programs show consistent crime-control impacts in reducing gang violence, street crime driven by disorderly drug markets, and repeat individual offending. The available evaluation literature suggests both short-term and long-term area-wide impacts of focused deterrence programs on crime. These strategies attempt to deter crime among repeat offenders by understanding underlying crime-producing dynamics and implementing a blended strategy of law enforcement, community mobilization, and social service actions in response.

Stop-question-frisk (SQF) - stops in which suspects are questioned about their activities, frisked, and often searched - when implemented as a general, citywide crime control strategy showed mixed results. Evaluations of focused uses of SQF targeting places with violence or serious gun crimes and focusing on high-risk repeat offenders consistently find short-term crime reduction effects. The report notes a lack of evidence on long-term impacts of focused uses of SQF on crime.

Broken windows policing - a strategy to address small instances of disorder before they overwhelm a neighborhood and to restore afflicted neighborhoods - generate little or no impact on crime when applied as an aggressive tactic for increasing misdemeanor arrests. On the other hand, interventions that use place-based, problem-solving practices to reduce social and physical disorder have reported short-term crime reduction impacts, the committee said.

Procedural justice policing seeks to impress upon citizens and the wider community that the police exercise their authority in legitimate ways, with the expectation that if citizens accord legitimacy to police activity, they are more inclined to collaborate with police and abide by laws. Because the evidence base is so small, however, conclusions cannot be drawn about the effectiveness of such strategies.

Race and Proactive Policing

In addition to crime reduction and community relations, the committee assessed the potential role of racial bias in proactive policing. The report finds that when police target high-risk places or people, a common practice in proactive policing programs, there are likely to be large racial disparities in the volume and nature of police-citizen encounters. However, existing evidence does not establish conclusively whether and to what extent such racial disparities are indicators of statistical prediction, racial animus, implicit bias, or other causes.

The research gaps also leave police departments and communities that are concerned about racial bias without an evidence base that can help them make informed decisions, the report says. It highlights more research on these topics as an urgent need, both for the field to better understand the potential negative consequences of proactive policing, and so that communities and police departments may be better-equipped to align police behaviors with values of equity and justice.

The committee also did not find enough direct empirical evidence to draw any conclusions about the likelihood that particular proactive strategies increase or decrease constitutional violations.

Community Relations

Emerging research suggests that proactive policing strategies that focus on areas with high concentrations of crime, such as hot spots policing, rarely have negative short-term impacts on community outcomes. At the same time, the evidence suggests that such strategies rarely improve community perceptions of the police. There is a virtual absence of evidence on the long-term and jurisdiction-level impacts of place-based policing on community relations, the report says.

Studies on problem-solving interventions, which seek to identify and remedy underlying causes of crime problems, show consistent small-to-moderate positive impacts on short-term community satisfaction with police. Evidence also suggests that the risk of undesired negative effects from these strategies - known as backfire effects - is low. However, there is little consistency in these strategies' impacts on perceived disorder and quality of life, fear of crime, and police legitimacy. Again, there is little research on long-term or jurisdiction-level impacts.

The report found that community-oriented policing, which involves citizens in identifying and addressing public safety concerns, leads to modest improvements in the public's view of policing and the police in the short term. The committee said these improvements occur with greatest consistency for measures of community satisfaction and less so for measures of perceived disorder, fear of crime, and police legitimacy.

Research Needs

In addition to the need for more research on racial bias, the committee called for greater investment in understanding which proactive policing strategies are cost-effective, how such strategies can be maximized to improve the relationships between the police and the public, and how they can be applied in ways that do not lead to violations of the law by police.

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The study was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice of the U.S. Department of Justice and Laura and John Arnold Foundation. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org. A roster follows.

Contacts:

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Copies of Proactive Policing: Effects on Crime and Community Relations are available at http://www.nap.edu or by calling 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242. Reporters may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE

Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

Committee on Law and Justice

Committee on Proactive Policing: Effects on Crime, Communities, and Civil Liberties in the United States

David Weisburd (chair)

Distinguished Professor of Criminology, Law, and Society, and

Director

Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy

George Mason University

Fairfax, Va.

Hassan Aden

Founder

Aden Group

Alexandria, Va.

Anthony A. Braga

Distinguished Professor, and

Director

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Northeastern University

Boston

Jim Bueermann

President

Police Foundation

Washington, D.C.

Philip J. Cook1

Sanford Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Professor of Economics and Sociology

Duke University

Durham, N.C.

Phillip Atiba Goff

Franklin A. Thomas Professor in Policing Equity

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and

Co-founder and President

Center for Policing Equity

New York City

Rachel A. Harmon

F.D.G. Ribble Professor of Law

University of Virginia

Charlottesville

Amelia Haviland

Associate Professor

Heinz College

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

Cynthia Lum

Associate Professor

George Mason University

Fairfax, Va.

Charles F. Manski2

Board of Trustees Professor in Economics

Northwestern University

Evanston, Ill.

Stephen Mastrofski

University Professor

Department of Criminology, Law, and Society, and

Director

Center for Justice Leadership and Management

George Mason University

Fairfax, Va.

Tracey L. Meares

Walton Hale Hamilton Professor of Law

Yale Law School

New Haven, Conn.

Daniel S. Nagin

Teresa and H. John Heinz III University Professor of Public Policy and Statistics

Heinz College

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

Emily Owens

Associate Professor

Department of Criminology, Law, and Society

University of California

Irvine

Steven Raphael

Professor of Public Policy

University of California

Berkeley

Jerry Ratcliffe

Professor

Department of Criminal Justice, and

Director

Center for Security and Crime Science

Temple University; and

Member

Advisory Board for the Office of Justice Programs

U.S. Department of Justice

Philadelphia

Tom Tyler

Macklin Fleming Professor of Law and Professor of Psychology

Yale Law School, and

Professor

Yale School of Management

New Haven, Conn.

STAFF

Malay K. Majmundar

Staff Officer

1Member, National Academy of Medicine

2Member, National Academy of Sciences
At Northern Illinois University, Dan Gebo opens a cabinet and pulls out a drawer full of thin plastic cases filled with clear gelatin capsules. Inside each numbered capsule is a tiny fossil--some are so small they rival the diminutive size of a mustard seed.

It's hard to imagine that anyone would be able to recognize these flecks as fossils, much less link them to an ancient world that was very different from our own, yet has quite a bit to do with us--or the evolution of us.

The nearly 500 finger and toe bones belonged to tiny early primates--some half the size of a mouse. During the mid-Eocene period, about 45 million years ago, they lived in tree canopies and fed on fruit and insects in a tropical rainforest in what is now China.

The fossilized phalanges are described in detail in a new study by Gebo and colleagues, published online this fall ahead of print in the Journal of Human Evolution.

Representing nine different taxonomic families of primates and as many as 25 species, the specimens include numerous fossils attributed to Eosimias, the very first anthropoid known to date, and three fossils attributed to a new and much more advanced anthropoid. The anthropoid lineage would later include monkeys, apes and humans.

"The fossils are extraordinarily small, but in terms of quantity this is the largest single assemblage of fossil primate finger and toe specimens ever recorded," said Gebo, an NIU professor of anthropology and biology who specializes in the study of primate anatomy.

All of the finger and toe fossils imply tree-dwelling primates with grasping digits in both hands and feet. Many of the smaller fossils are between 1 and 2 millimeters in length, and the animals would have ranged in full body size from 10 to 1,000 grams (0.35 to 35.3 ounces).

"The new study provides further evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures, the size of a mouse or smaller," Gebo said. "It also adds to the evidence pointing toward Asia as the initial continent for primate evolution. While apes and fossil humans do come from Africa, their ancestors came from Asia."

The newly described fossils were originally recovered from a commercial quarry near the village of Shanghuang in the southern Jiangsu Province of China, about 100 miles west of Shanghai. In recent decades, Shanghuang has become well-known among paleontologists.

"Shanghuang is truly an amazingly diverse fossil primate locality, unequaled across the Eocene," Gebo said. "Because no existing primate communities show this type of body-size distribution, the Shanghuang primate fauna emphasizes that past ecosystems were often radically different from those we are familiar with today."

Co-author Christopher Beard, a paleontologist at the University of Kansas in Lawrence who has been working on Shanghuang fossils for 25 years, said the limestone in the quarry is of Triassic age--from the very beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs some 220 million years ago. Owing to a subsequent phase of erosion, the limestone developed large fissures containing fossil-rich sediments dating to the middle Eocene, after dinosaurs went extinct.

In the early 1990s, more than 10 tons of fossil-bearing matrix were collected from the fissures and shipped to the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. There, the matrix was washed and screened, yielding fossil bones and teeth from ancient mammals, many of which remain to be identified.

"Because of commercial exploitation of the quarry site, the fossil-bearing fissure-fillings at Shanghuang are now exhausted," Beard said. "So, the fossils that we currently have are all that will ever be found from this site."

Gebo was initially recruited during the late 1990s to spearhead research on primate limb and ankle bones from Shanghuang. That led to two publications in 2000, when he and colleagues first announced the discovery of 45 million-year-old, thumb-length primates, the smallest ever recovered, from this same site. The work identifying body parts also helped cement the status of Eosimias, first identified by Beard on the basis of jaw fragments discovered at the site, as an extremely primitive anthropoid lying at the very beginning of our lineage's evolutionary past.

In more recent years, Gebo found additional specimens, sifting through miscellaneous elements from Shanghuang both at the Carnegie Museum and the University of Kansas. He brought the delicate and minuscule finger and toe fossils to NIU for study using traditional and electron-scanning microscopes.

The fossils that endured the millennia may be small but still have a story to tell. "We can actually identify different types of primates from the shapes of their fingers and toes," Gebo said.

Primates are mammals, characterized by having bigger brains, grasping hands and feet, nails instead of claws and eyes located in the front of the skull. Living prosimians, or living lower primates, include lemurs and tarsiers, and have broader fingertips. In contrast, most living anthropoids, also known as higher primates, have narrow fingertips.

Fossils from the unnamed advanced anthropoid are narrow, Gebo said.

"These are the earliest known examples of those narrow fingers and toes that are key to anthropoid evolution," he added. "We can see evolution occurring at this site, from the broader finger or toe tips to more narrow."

Unlike other prehistoric forests across the globe that have a mixture of large and small primates, Shanghuang's fossil record is unique in being nearly absent of larger creatures.

The unusual size distribution is likely the result of a sampling bias, Gebo said. Researchers might be missing the larger primate fauna because of processes affecting fossil preservation, and for similar reasons scientists at other Eocene localities could be missing the small-sized fauna.

"Many of the fossil specimens from Shanghuang show evidence of partial digestion by predatory birds, which may have specialized on preying upon the small primates and other mammals that are so common at Shanghuang, thus explaining the apparent bias toward small fossil species there," Beard added.

Some of the primate fossils found in Shanghuang are found in other countries. Eosimias fossils have been recovered in Myanmar, for example. But Shanghuang stands out because of the presence of more advanced anthropoids and the sheer diversity of primates.

"You don't find all of these fossil primates in one place except at Shanghuang," Gebo said.

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In addition to Gebo and Beard, the research team publishing in the Journal of Human Evolution includes Marian Dagosto, a professor in the Cell and Molecular Biology Department at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and professor Xijun Ni of the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology. Processed and identified fossils will be returned to the Chinese institute.
Light from a supernova explosion in the nearby starburst galaxy M82 is reverberating off a huge dust cloud in interstellar space.

The supernova, called SN 2014J, occurred at the upper right of M82, and is marked by an "X." The supernova was discovered on Jan. 21, 2014.

The inset images at top reveal an expanding shell of light from the stellar explosion sweeping through interstellar space, called a "light echo." The images were taken 10 months to nearly two years after the violent event (Nov. 6, 2014 to Oct. 12, 2016). The light is bouncing off a giant dust cloud that extends 300 to 1,600 light-years from the supernova and is being reflected toward Earth.

SN 2014J is classified as a Type Ia supernova and is the closest such blast in at least four decades. A Type Ia supernova occurs in a binary star system consisting of a burned-out white dwarf and a companion star. The white dwarf explodes after the companion dumps too much material onto it.

The image of M82 reveals a bright blue disk, webs of shredded clouds, and fiery-looking plumes of glowing hydrogen blasting out of its central regions.

Close encounters with its larger neighbor, the spiral galaxy M81, is compressing gas in M82 and stoking the birth of multiple star clusters. Some of these stars live for only a short time and die in cataclysmic supernova blasts, as shown by SN 2014J.

Located 11.4 million light-years away, M82 appears high in the northern spring sky in the direction of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. It is also called the "Cigar Galaxy" because of the elliptical shape produced by the oblique tilt of its starry disk relative to our line of sight.

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The M82 image was taken in 2006 by the Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys. The inset images of the light echo also were taken by the Advanced Camera for Surveys. The science team members are Y. Yang of Texas A&M University, College Station, and the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; P.J. Brown of Texas A&M University, College Station; L. Wang of Texas A&M University, College Station, and Purple Mountain Observatory, China; D. Baade, A. Cikota, F. Patat, and J. Spyromilio of the European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Garching, Germany; M. Cracraft and W.B. Sparks of the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; P.A. Hoflich of Florida State University, Tallahassee; J. Maund and H.F. Stevance of the University of Sheffield, U.K.; X. Wang of Tsinghua University, Beijing Shi; and J.C. Wheeler of the University of Texas at Austin.

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., in Washington, D.C.

For images and more information about the light echo and Hubble, visit:

http://hubblesite.org/news_release/news/2017-42

http://www.nasa.gov/hubble

Donna Weaver / Ray Villard

Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

410-338-4493 / 410-338-4514

dweaver@stsci.edu / villard@stsci.edu

Yi Yang

Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

972-8-934-6505

yi.yang@weizmann.ac.il
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Philippines and saw the thirtieth tropical cyclone of the northwestern Pacific Ocean typhoon season form. On Nov. 9 at 0454 UTC (Nov. 8 at 11:54 p.m. EST) NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Depression Haikui over the central Philippines. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite showed the center of the storm over the Philippine Sea and the western quadrant of the storm stretched over the central Philippines. Animated enhanced infrared satellite imagery showed a consolidating low-level circulation center with bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the center.

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) Tropical Depression Haikui was located near 14.1 degrees north latitude and 120.7 degrees east longitude. That places the center of circulation about 51 nautical miles south-southeast of Manila. Haiki has tracked west-northwestward at 14 knots (16 mph/26 kph). Maximum sustained winds were near 35 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph).

Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect Haikui to move northwest, cross the Philippines and track northwest through the South China Sea. A second landfall is expected over China's Hainan Island on Nov. 14 followed by a third and final landfall in the mainland of southern China.

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"Being exposed to non-physical sexual harassment can negatively affect symptoms of anxiety, depression, negative body image and low self-esteem," say Associate Professor Mons Bendixen and Professor Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) Department of Psychology.

This applies to derogatory sexual remarks about appearance, behaviour and sexual orientation, unwanted sexual attention, being subject to rumouring, and being shown sexually oriented images, and the like.

The researchers posed questions about sexual harassment experienced in the previous year and received responses from almost 3,000 high school students in two separate studies. The responses paint a clear picture.

Worst for girls This is not exclusively something boys do against girls. It's just as common for boys to harass boys in these ways.

Girls and boys are equally exposed to unpleasant or offensive non-physical sexual harassment. About 62 per cent of both sexes report that they have experienced this in the past year.

"Teens who are harassed the most also struggle more in general. But girls generally struggle considerably more than boys, no matter the degree to which they're being harassed in this way," Kennair notes.

"Girls are also more negatively affected by sexual harassment than boys are," adds Bendixen.

Being a girl is unquestionably the most important risk factor when teens report that they struggle with anxiety, depression, negative body image or low self-esteem.

However, non-physical sexual harassment is the second most important factor, and is more strongly associated with adolescents' psychological well-being than being subjected to sexual coercion in the past year or sexual assault prior to that.

Level of severity

Bendixen and Kennair believe it's critical to distinguish between different forms of harassment.

They divided the types of harassment into two main groups: non-physical harassment and physically coercive sexual behaviour, such as unwanted kissing, groping, intimate touch, and intercourse. Physical sexual coercion is often characterized as sexual abuse in the literature.

Studies usually lump these two forms of unwanted behaviour together into the same measure. This means that a derogatory comment is included in the same category as rape.

"As far as we know, this is the first study that has distinguished between these two forms and specifically looked at the effects of non-physical sexual harassment," says Bendixen.

Comments that for some individuals may seem innocent enough can cause significant problems for others.

Many factors accounted for

Not everyone interprets slang or slurs the same way. If someone calls you a "whore" or "gay," you may not find it offensive. For this reason, the researchers let the adolescents decide whether they perceived a given action as offensive or not, and had them only report what they did find offensive.

The article presents data from two studies. The first study from 2007 included 1384 high school students. The second study included 1485 students and was conducted in 2013-2014. Both studies were carried out in Sr-Trndelag county and are comparable with regard to demographic conditions.

The results of the first study were reproduced in the second. The findings from the two studies matched each other closely.

The researchers also took into account a number of other potentially influential factors, such as having parents who had separated or were unemployed, educational programme (vocational or general studies), sexual minority status, immigrant status, and whether they had experienced physical coercion in the past year or any sexual assaults previous to that.

"We've found that sexual minorities generally reported more psychological distress," says Bendixen. The same applied to young people with parents who are unemployed. On the other hand, students with immigrant status did not report more psychological issues. Bendixen also notes that sexual minorities did not seem to be more negatively affected by sexual harassment than their heterosexual peers.

However, the researchers did find a clear negative effect of non-physical sexual harassment, over and beyond that of the risk factors above.

Uncertain as to what is an effective intervention

So what can be done to reduce behaviours that may cause such serious problems for so many?

Kennair concedes that he doesn't know what can help.

"This has been studied for years and in numerous countries, but no studies have yet revealed any lasting effects of measures aimed at combating sexual harassment," Bendixen says. "We know that attitude campaigns can change people's attitudes to harassment, but it doesn't result in any reduction in harassment behaviour."

Bendixen and Kennair want to look into this in an upcoming study. Their goal is to develop practices that reduce all forms of sexual harassment and thereby improve young people's psychological well-being.

###

Reference: International Journal of Public Health. The effects of non-physical peer sexual harassment on high school students' psychological well-being in Norway: consistent and stable findings across studies. Mons Bendixen, Josef Daveronis, Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) offer significant improvement on detection efficiency (DE) compared to their semiconducting counterparts, having enabled many breakthrough applications in quantum information technologies. The team headed by Prof. Lixing You from Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology (SIMIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (also affiliated to CAS Center for Excellence in Superconducting Electronics (CENSE)) first demonstrated the fabrication and operation of a NbN-SNSPD with system detection efficiency over 90% at 2.1 K at a wavelength of 1550 nm, which paves the way for practical application of SNSPD (Figure 1).

The results were published recently on SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy [1] as a cover image story. Dr. Weijun Zhang is the first author and Dr. Lixing You is the corresponding author.

At 1550 nm, which is the most important wavelength for applications, the state of the art SNSPD made of WSi superconductor has reached a DE record of 93% [2], compared to InGaAs detector with DE ~30%. Unfortunately, WSi-SNSPD usually operates at sub-kelvin temperatures, requiring expensive and user unfriendly refrigeration equipment.

Extensive efforts are made on the development of SNSPDs based on NbN, targeted at operating temperature above 2K, accessible to inexpensive and user-friendly compact cryocoolers. With a decade research, the detection efficiency of NbN-SNSPDs were gradually increased to ~ 80%. However, further improvements are not reported. Achieving DE over 90% requires the simultaneous optimization of many different factors, including near perfect optical coupling, near perfect absorption, and near unity intrinsic quantum efficiency. Previous attempts at doing this have mostly been made through a process of trial and error.

This paper first reported a NbN-SNSPD system based on G-M cryocooler with system detection efficiency over 90% (at dark count rate of 10 Hz) at 2.1 K at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The efficiency of the device saturates to 92% when the temperature is lowered to 1.8 K.

The success of this device has been the result of using an integrated Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) cavity offering near unity refection at the interface, and through systematic optimization of the NbN nanowire's meandered geometry. The joint efforts enable researchers to simultaneously achieve the stringent requirements for coupling, absorption and intrinsic quantum efficiency. What is more, the device exhibit timing jitters down to 79 ps, almost half that of previously reported WSi-SNSPD, promising additional advantages in applications requiring high timing precision. The devices have been applied to the quantum information frontier experiments in University of Science and Technology of China.

SNSPD with near unity detection efficiency operational on economical and user-friendly compact cryocooler will provide researchers a powerful and easy accessible tool, envisage further breakthrough in quantum information areas such as optical quantum computation/simulation, quantum key distribution etc., in a foreseeable near future. Aiming to this niche and growing market, Dr. You et al also founded a start-up company (Shanghai Photon Technology CO LTD, http://www.sconphoton.com/ ) to commercialize the technology.

The SNSPDs with start-of-art performance from SIMIT have provided key support to quantum communication of China. Collaborated with JW Pan's group, many world records on fiber quantum key distribution have been made including the current record of the longest distance of 404 km [3]. Dr. You believes that there is still room for further improving the detection efficiency of NbN SNSPD. In the new National Key R&D Program of China kicked off in July of 2017 directed by Dr. You, the new target of the detection efficiency is 93-95%.

###

This research was funded by National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFA0304000); Strategic Priority Research Program (B) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB04010200); National Natural Science Foundation of China (91121022, 61401441, and 61401443) and the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (16JC1400402)

[1] W. J. Zhang, et al. NbN superconducting nanowire single photon detector with efficiency over 90% at 1550 nm wavelength operational at compact cryocooler temperature, Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 60, 120314 (2017)

http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1007/s11433-017-9113-4

[2] F. Marsili, et al. Detecting single infrared photons with 93% system efficiency. Nature Photonics 7(3): 210-214 (2013)

https://www.nature.com/articles/nphoton.2013.13

[3] H.-L. Yin, et al. Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution Over a 404 km Optical Fiber. Physical Review Letters 117(19): 190501. (2016)

https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.190501

See the article: W. J. Zhang, et al. NbN superconducting nanowire single photon detector with efficiency over 90% at 1550 nm wavelength operational at compact cryocooler temperature, Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 60, 120314 (2017)

http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1007/s11433-017-9113-4

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11433-017-9113-4
Simple technologies can be learned effectively through imitation, while complex methods require professional training. If Ghanaian pineapple farmers are to achieve higher yields through more sustainable agriculture, they will need to be trained in exactly these types of complex applications. This was the conclusion reached by a team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (ifW), who provide evidence for this assertion in the form of a new study with recommendations.

For two months, the agricultural economist Dr. David Wupper from the Chair Group Agricultural Production and Resource Economics at TUM worked with around 400 Ghanaian pineapple farmers in a hot and humid tropical region south of the Ghanaian metropolis of Kumasi. He and Dr. Linda Kleemann from the ifW -- with the support of several other interviewers and translators -- examined the learning effects of training and imitation. A number of the farmers had already been interviewed several years ago.

A Much-Too-Short Success Story

For a long time, the yields of the pineapple fields, most of which are smaller than two hectares, were only intended for subsistence farming. In the 1990s, productivity increased along with exports, primarily to the European Union. There was a great sense of excitement, both among farmers as well as scientists, according to Wupper: "A true success story for African agriculture."

But then came MD-2. What sounds like a robot from a popular science fiction series is actually a variety of pineapple from an American company that was bred for Costa Rica's monoculture farming. It contains more vitamin C, is sweeter, more symmetrical, and has a longer shelf life. It replaced the traditional Ghanaian varieties in European supermarkets. "MD-2 was a real setback for Ghana," the TUM scientist explained. "This is because this variety has high pest control, fertilization, and irrigation requirements. In these areas, the Ghanaian small-scale farmers are clearly at a disadvantage when compared to the more industrialized agriculture in Costa Rica."

Although it is closer to the countries of the EU than Costa Rica is, Ghana has been near the bottom of the list for several years in terms of pineapple export statistics. Despite this, researchers, the UN, and the World Bank continued to remain interested in the pineapple farmers. They all wanted to help the farmers achieve economically successful harvests again -- despite their widely scattered fields, despite their still mostly inefficient extensive agriculture, and despite MD-2.

Their common goal: to establish sustainable agriculture. This reduces irreversible damage to the soil (soil degradation), increases its fertility, and ultimately also its yield and income. Many stakeholders -- governmental organizations, NGOs and private companies -- are on the ground in the West African country in order to help small enterprises with training. Mainly, this involves two techniques: mulching and the use of organic fertilizer, but also the cultivation of catch crops.

In mulching, the soil around the plants is covered using organic material, fabric, or plastic. This protects the ground, because it does not dry out as much, and also prevents weeds. Mulching is not complicated. It can easily be imitated and the effect is reliably identical in all types of soil.

Limits of Imitation

Using organic fertilizer and cultivating catch crops, on the other hand, is significantly more complex. Methods that work or plants that grow in a neighbor's field are not necessarily suitable for one's own field. Many factors play a role: the amount of rainfall, soil composition, and the location of the field. Training sessions using example fields are ideal, said Wupper. "This allows farmers to directly see the effects of various practices in the growth of the plants." However, there are too few of these fields and distances are great in Ghana.

A greater focus must be placed on training in these complicated techniques, the expert summarized. They need to become more intensive and sustainable. "As a farmer, I don't anticipate many of challenges at first. So when problems occur, I need to be able to ask follow-up questions." However, because the training sessions are often limited to half a day and no follow-up support is provided, the training does not have the desired effect.

The interest of the organizations conducting the training such as the GIZ is great according to David Wupper, "Because the development aid organizations want to learn." The financial means available will not change significantly, that much is clear to the scientist. But he hopes that the focus and intensity of the agricultural training sessions will change. More effective training will in turn result in higher yields and income for the pineapple farmers of Ghana.

###

Publication:

David Wuepper, Johannes Sauer and Linda Kleemann: Sustainable intensification amongst Ghana's pineapple farmers: the complexity of an innovation determines the effectiveness of its training, Cambridge University Press 2017. DOI: 10.1017/S1355770X1700033X

Contact:

Dr. David Wupper

Technical University Munich

Chair Group Agricultural Production and Resource Economics

Phone: +49 (8161) 71 - 3458

Mail: david.wuepper@tum.de
Graduate students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will receive specialized training to help patients in underserved Texas communities, supported by a new grant four-year, $800,000 grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)'s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program.

The Program for the Integrated Training of Counselors in Behavioral Healthcare (PITCH) is a four-year program that will recruit and train 12 clinical mental health counseling students a year to work in integrated behavioral health care (IBH) settings - settings in which medical and behavioral professionals work collectively.

The program, under the direction of UTSA counseling professors Heather Trepal, Shane Haberstroh and Jessica Lloyd-Hazlett in the College of Education and Human Development, will help provide critical mental health services to rural and underserved populations.

"The primary goal of the PITCH project is to develop a local workforce of highly trained counselors to provide integrated behavioral health to rural, vulnerable and underserved communities in primary care settings," said Trepal.

Students who participate in the program will receive specialized IBH training from Dr. Stacy Ogbeide, IBH consultant, and are eligible for two $5,000 scholarships upon completion of two internships to help defer their cost of attendance.

Through a partnership with UT Health San Antonio, PITCH will also establish five IBH internship sites in the local community, including the University Health System's Robert B. Green Campus in downtown San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and a rural medical practice in Pearsall, Texas.

"I am looking forward to training the graduate behavioral health students and primary care clinics in the primary care behavioral health (PCBH) consultation model. My hope for this training program is to create health care environments in which integrated primary care will be a standard of care in Texas and beyond," said Dr. Ogbeide, assistant professor in the departments of family & community medicine and psychiatry at the Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio.

"This grant leverages the collaborative strengths between UTSA, UT Health San Antonio and other health care sites in the region where the students will be completing their internships," said Trepal.

Through PITCH, UTSA will also propose an IBH graduate certificate program in its Department of Counseling. Additionally, UTSA will create a virtual resource library and offer professional development trainings and workshops for local and statewide practicing counselors and health care professionals.

"PITCH will provide students with cutting-edge training and opportunities to pave the way for licensed professional counselors to join integrated health care teams," said Lloyd-Hazlett. "We are thrilled to demonstrate the value of these health care best practices here in San Antonio."

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The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program provides grants to higher education institutions to help train students in order to expand mental and behavioral health services to rural and underserved communities.
Experts are calling on the Veterans Administration (VA) to promote research, clinical care, and education in the area of elder abuse, furthering the VA's mission of serving those who have served. Such efforts will benefit not only Veterans, but also the many older individuals in the general population who face mistreatment or harm, including physical, emotional or sexual abuse, along with neglect and financial exploitation. A way forward is described in a new Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article.

Many social factors--for example, a lack of support services and community resources, as well as a lack of research -- can make conditions ripe for elder abuse. At least 10 percent of older adults experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation annually in the United States. US Military Veterans may be a group at high risk of abuse based on known risk factors, but very few studies have examined older Veterans experiencing abuse. Lena Makaroun, MD, of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and the University of Washington, in Seattle, and her colleagues note that the VA has long been a pioneer in research, education, and clinical care for complex geriatric syndromes.

"Now, in the area of elder abuse, they again have the opportunity to lead by spearheading a research agenda on studying abuse, neglect, and exploitation among older Veterans that is outlined in our paper," said Dr. Makaroun. "Progress made by this research will not only help Veterans, but as we've seen in many instances before this, advances developed within the VA have the potential to greatly impact the care of older adults nationally. While adults are living longer in this country, we also want them to live better, and part of having a good quality of life in older age, as at any age, is ensuring safety, adequate care, and justice."

Dr. Makaroun also pointed to evidence that older individuals who experience abuse have higher mortality rates, increased risks of dementia, more hospitalizations, and a greater likelihood of being placed in nursing homes. "As we learn more and more about the complexities of this phenomenon, an institution like the VA that has a national scope and can partner with other federal agencies such at the Department of Justice, is uniquely positioned to be an effective leader," she said. "Our paper may be used as a starting point for leaders within the VA interested in pursuing this work, and also suggests opportunities for private-public partnerships, inter-departmental partnerships, and state-federal level partnerships as ways forward."

The authors acknowledge that there have been calls for increased research around elder abuse within the VA, but to date only one study has been published that looks at abuse, neglect, and exploitation in older Veterans. No matter how old we are, we deserve to be treated justly and as full members of our communities. We can all ensure that remains a reality for us as we age by reporting these or other signs of abuse to an Adult Protective Services agency that can investigate potentially abusive situations. If you notice that someone in your community is in immediate danger, call 911 or local police as soon as possible for help.

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Additional Information

The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Members of the media may sign up for embargoed news or to request a copy of any study please contact:

Dawn Peters (US)

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sciencenewsroom@wiley.com

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Full Citation: "Veterans Experiencing Elder Abuse: Improving Care for a High-Risk Population About Which Little is Known." Lena K. Makaroun, Laura Taylor, and Tony Rosen. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Published Online: November 9, 2017 (DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15170).

URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jgs.15170

Author Contact: Susan Gregg,of the media relations office for University of Washington Health Sciences and UW Medicine, at sghanson@uw.edu or +1 206-616-6730.

About the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS)

Included in more than 9,000 library collections around the world, JAGS is the go-to journal for clinical aging research. We provide a diverse, interprofessional community of healthcare professionals with the latest insights on geriatrics education, clinical practice, and public policy -- all supporting the high-quality, person-centered care essential to our well-being as we age.

Our rigorous peer-review process ensures that we bring healthcare professionals, older adults, and caregivers research with the potential to impact public policy and geriatrics care today -- and tomorrow. Since the publication of our first edition in 1953, JAGS has remained one of the oldest and most impactful journals dedicated exclusively to gerontology and geriatrics. For more information, please visithttp://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jgs.

About Wiley

Wiley, a global research and learning company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 210 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.
Nov. 9, 2017 - By teaching patients better strategies for coping with chronic pain, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a valuable treatment alternative for the millions of Americans taking opioids for noncancer pain, according to an article in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.

"Cognitive behavioral therapy is a useful and empirically based method of treatment for pain disorders that can decrease reliance on the excessive use of opiates," write Drs. Muhammad Hassan Majeed of Natchaug Hospital, Mansfield Center, Conn., and Donna M. Sudak of Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia. They discuss evidence supporting the use of CBT to avoid or reduce the use of opioids for chronic pain.

CBT Offers Effective, Safer Alternative to Opioids for Chronic Pain

Rising use of opioid (sometimes called opiate) medications to treat chronic noncancer pain is a major contributor to the US opioid crisis. But despite the aggressive marketing and prescribing of these powerful painkillers, there has been little change in the amount and severity of pain reported by Americans over the past decade. "There is no evidence that supports the use of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain for more than one year, and chronic use increases the serious risks of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose, and death," Drs. Majeed and Sudak write.

They believe that CBT is an important alternative to opioids for treatment of chronic pain. The goal of CBT is to help patients change the way they think about and manage their pain. The idea is not that pain (in the absence of tissue damage) "is all in your head"--but rather that all pain is "in the head." Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients understand that pain is a stressor and, like other stressors, is something they can adapt to and cope with.

Interventions may include relaxation training, scheduling pleasant activities, cognitive restructuring, and guided exercise--all in the context of an "empathic and validating" relationship with the therapist. These interventions "have the potential to relieve pain intensity, improve the quality of life, and improve physical and emotional function," according to the authors.

"Therapy helps the patient see that emotional and psychological factors influence perception of pain and behaviors that are associated with having pain," Drs. Majeed and Sudak write. "Therapy...puts in place cognitive and behavioral strategies to help patients cope more successfully."

The authors cite several recent original studies and review articles supporting the effectiveness of CBT and other alternative approaches for chronic pain. Studies suggest that CBT has a "top-down" effect on pain control and perception of painful stimuli. It can also normalize reductions in the brain's gray matter volume, which are thought to result from the effects of chronic stress.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is moderately effective in reducing pain scores, while avoiding or reducing the opioid risks of overuse, addiction, overdose, and death. It can be used as a standalone treatment; in combination with other treatments, including effective non-opioid medications; or as part of efforts to reduce the opioid doses required to control chronic pain.

Unfortunately, CBT and other nondrug treatments are underused due to unfamiliarity, time pressure, patient demands, ease of prescribing medications, and low reimbursement rates. Drs. Majeed and Sudak note that significant investment of resources will be needed to train practitioners and to widely integrate the use of CBT into chronic pain treatment. The authors suggest that the President's Commission on the opioid crisis might fund such training programs as a preventive strategy to curb opioid abuse.

"There is a need for a paradigm shift from a biomedical to a biopsychosocial model for effective pain treatment and prevention of opioid use disorder," Dr. Majeed comments. "Increased use of CBT as an alternative to opioids may help to ease the clinical, financial, and social burden of pain disorders on society."

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Click here to read "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain--One Therapeutic Approach for the Opioid Epidemic."

DOI: 10.1097/PRA.0000000000000262

About Journal of Psychiatric Practice

Journal of Psychiatric Practice, a peer reviewed journal, publishes reports on new research, clinically applicable reviews, articles on treatment advances, and case studies, with the goal of providing practical and informative guidance for clinicians. Mental health professionals will want access to this journal--for sharpening their clinical skills, discovering the best in treatment, and navigating this rapidly changing field. John M. Oldham, MD, is the editor in chief and past president of the American Psychiatric Association.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2016 annual revenues of 4.3 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide.

Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry. For more information about our products and the organization, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com/, follow @WKHealth or @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube.

For more information about Wolters Kluwer's solutions and organization, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Thursday, November 9, 2017

Every year on December11-12, Geneva holds an annual festival, Escalade , celebrating its victory over the Savoyard soldiers on the night of December 11-12, 1602. There is a torch-bearing procession of locals dressed in period costumes through the streets of the old town. Many restaurants have special menus for the occasion and families get-together to celebrate over food.

Beginning of the Escalade procession

Geneva, Switzerland is located in the heart of Europe and, as the worlds capital of peace, is filled with peace-making and humanitarian history. It is also the paradise for chocolate lovers. After all, the Swiss invented both dark and milk chocolate.

I love chocolate and European history, and when the two come together, I am in heaven.



December 2014, I travelled to Geneva to attend Escalade, an annual celebration of Genevas victory of a famous battle that took place the night of December 11-12, 1602  more than 400 years ago.

Historically, at the time, Geneva was not yet part of the Swiss Confederation. The Duke of Savoy, determined to reclaim the wealthy city after having lost it, sent his soldiers during the cover of night to climb the fortified walls to seize it. A terrible battle ensued, many lost their lives, but several residents were courageous and are still today remembered for it.

In particular, a local woman, Mere Royaume, climbed onto the city walls and poured a cauldron of hot soup over the head of an intruding Savoyard soldier. To honour her heroism, and to remember her by, Genevas chocolatiers created special chocolate pots, which are ornately designed and filled with tiny marzipan vegetables, a symbol of her cauldron of soup. Although the date of the origins of Genevas chocolate pot is unknown (chocolate in the form we have come to know was not yet invented), it has been a long tradition in this city to make these special treats for the Escalade celebrations.



During Escalade, locals get dressed in period costumes and walk, or ride horses, around the old town recreating the atmosphere of the 17th century, where mulled wine fills the air, and one can try roasted boar that is cooked in the open air, and other foods of the era.

On the evening of December 12th, (or the closest date to it that falls on a weekend), there is a traditional torch bearing procession with locals in costume through the streets of the old town. Unfortunately for me, this year, it poured rain the night of the procession. As I stood in the bone-chilling downpour, along with many others who braved the weather, under a canopy of umbrellas, the theatrics gave me a real sense of that time in history. A proclamation of victory is read while folks are gathered around, then many broke out into singing patriotic songs. It was worth every second.

There are many other activities throughout the Escalade weekend in Geneva. Several restaurants have special menus for the occasion. Families get together to celebrate over food and, of course, the famous chocolate pots.





The chocolate pots of Escalade (I made this one)

According to tradition, the chocolate pot is put on the table, and then the eldest and youngest in the room join hands and together they smash it, releasing the contents of tiny marzipan vegetables for everyone to enjoy.



At a restaurant in the old town, I had the privilege of witnessing a large family who gathered to celebrate Escalade. After eating their meal, a large chocolate pot was put in the centre of the table, everyone in the room broke into a traditional folksong, and grandpa and a child, together, smashed the chocolate pot to smithereens. Everyone in the restaurant cheered them on, clapping and singing. It was so much fun, I only wish I had known the songs.

There is nothing like Escalade anywhere in the world. So if you enjoy history and want to try these special chocolate pots, pack your bags and go to Geneva in December.



Photo credit: all small photos of Escalade courtesy of Swiss Tourism.

Resources: Geneva Tourism and Switzerland Tourism

Shannon Skinner is the award-winning host/creator of ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com, radio host, international speaker, author and travel writer.

*This article was originally published in Infinity Magazine.


Wednesday, November 8, 2017

(NewsUSA) - Technology, the pletho- ra of devices, such as smart phones and tablets, and social media have brought convenience to our finger- tips today in ways that we didn't know were possible just a few years ago.

It has made life easier for families and businesses in so many ways, more than we can count.

But, with that immediate grat- ification we, as a society, have some serious consequences to con- sider and address.

A new Comcast survey shows that the majority of parents across the country believe that disconnecting from devices during mealtime improves family bonding, with more than 2 in 5 (42 percent) not able to remember the last time their family had a device-free meal.

However, children aren't the only ones to blame: more than half (52 percent) of parents have been told by their children to put their cell phones away during meals. A new DeviceFreeDinner campaign featuring comedian Will Ferrell captures this very issue. Comcast offers a solution for parents called Xfinity xFi, a new way for users to personalize, monitor, and control their home Wi-Fi, including the ability to instantly pause Wi-Fi connectivity by user or device.

The "pause device" feature is the most popular xFi function, with users tapping "pause" about five million times since launch, most often between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Parents will be happy to learn that they are not alone in their concerns about screen time and its effects.

Comcast's nationwide study of parents, conducted by Wakefield Research, also found:

* Dinnertime is bonding time -Nearly every (98 percent) parent surveyed agrees that disconnecting from devices during mealtime im- proves family bonding.

* Millennial parents have an especially hard time remembering the last time they sat at the dinner table without a device at the table (49 percent), compared to Gen Xers (37 percent) and Boomers (33 percent).

* Sneaking screen time - Par- ents admit to taking away their children's devices an average of once per week and more than half (56 percent) have found their chil- dren trying to sneak their devices when they were banned from them.

* Going to extremes to discon- nect - Nearly one-third (31 percent) of parents make their children leave their devices in a basket be- fore bedtime, while 14 percent go so far as to disconnect their modems to stop Wi-Fi usage.

The American Academy of Pe- diatrics recommends that parents develop personalized plans for their children's device use, warning that excessive screen time can displace important activities such as face-to-face interaction, familytime, outdoor play, exercise, and sleep.

"Technology should adapt to meet our customers' needs, not the other way around," says Eric Schaefer, Senior Vice President of Internet and Communications Ser-vices for Comcast Cable. "With xFi's 'pause device' feature, parents have the power to decide when it's time for family members to connect with each other, rather than their devices."

For more information about Comcast's xFi, go to: www.xfinity.com/xfi.

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by Anthony Cervino | Cowboys Correspondent | Thu, Nov 9th 3:40pm EST

Dallas Cowboys beat reporter K.D. Drummond is reporting the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Ezekiel Elliott's injunction on Thursday. (KD Drummond on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact:

With Elliott's injunction denied, his suspension will begin immediately. As a result, he will miss the next six games of the 2017 season. Once again, it's time to add Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris from waivers if they happen to be lingering on the market. They are both upside Flex options for Sunday's Week 10 matchup against Atlanta.
NEW CASTLE, Pa.  Ag Central, a New Castle area feed mill, has increased conventional capacity and opened doors for the organic grain market.

A division of Hamco, Ag Central, has been serving the agricultural community since the 1970s.

Three years ago they started the process to become certified organic.

We wanted to have options for producers for better pricing, said Rob Hodge, who works at Ag Central, which is owned by his father, Ronald Hodge.

About two years ago, they got into the loads of paperwork it took to get the certification, which was a lengthy process, Rob said.

Expansion

Around the same time, they began a million and a half dollar expansion for conventional grain. The expansion gave them the ability to dump or load a semi-truck in 30 seconds.

Weve made everything speedier and more efficient for farmers, he said.

This expansion also allowed for the previous facility to house organic grain.

Total segregation to ensure no contamination is required, Rob said.

There is a lengthy trail of sequential events that need to happen and be documented when they deal with organic grain, he added.

Ag Central received its certification to be an organic handler and processor in mid-October. As a federally licensed warehouse, they can house any organic grain.

Imports

Its all imports for now, to allow the farmers time to transition, he said, about the organic soybeans from China they are now handling.

It typically takes a farmer 212 years to transition to certified organic production.

There is a demand for the organic products  feed for the local organic dairy and poultry industries and an interest in producing the organic grains domestically, but farmers havent converted yet, he said.

What weve seen as far as pricing is that it (organic soybeans) is triple the price, but we expect half the yields, Rob said. So there is money to be made.

Ag Central has the capacity to house a half million bushels, which are now still 99.1 percent conventional.

Serving farmers

Weve tried to help both ends of the spectrum, better for conventional farmers and an avenue for organic farmers.

Ag Central is open to serving other mills that may need to move or process organic grains. They can take organic grain off the barge or rail and store it for others.

It was a big decision to get certified. We are now juggling both sides, but not neglecting conventional farms, he said. They arent going away.
BEVERLY, Ohio  On Oct. 25, the Fort Frye FFA headed to the 90th National FFA Convention and Expo with three other FFA chapters; Frontier, Marietta and Waterford.

The chapter watched two Fort Frye FFA alumni receive the American FFA Degree. John David Gazelle III, the first male from Fort Frye to ever receive the national degree, and Josie White, the sixth female from the chapter to do so.

  

ALLIANCE, Ohio  The Marlington FFA chapter traveled with RG Drage and Minerva FFA chapters to the 90th National FFA Convention Oct. 25-28 in Indianapolis.

Members attended sessions, saw piglets being born at Fair Oaks Farm and went to the rodeo, and Rascal Flatts concert.

The Marlington FFA chapter and the Marlington FFA Alumni and Friends are selling Biery Cheese through Nov. 20. If interested, contact an FFA member or Brittany Sheckler at 330-823-1300, ext. 4229, or at b_sheckler@marlingtonlocal.org.

Marlington FFA will hold a statewide Leadership Night Dec. 8, at 5 p.m., at Marlington High School. Admission for the leadership night is a donation of food for families in need. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

The Marlington FFA Alumni and Friends will meet Nov. 13 in the Marlington High School Ag Room at 7 p.m. You do not need to be a past member of the FFA or Marlington to join.

  

WATERFORD, Ohio  The Waterford FFA rural soils team competed in the state soils competition Oct. 14 at the Farm Science Review rounds in London, Ohio.

The team placed eighth out of 50 teams. Team members were Stefani Saunders, Gavinn Tornes, Leeann Trippett and Clay Hansell.

Leading up to the state competition, the rural team placed second in the county competition, with team member Hansell placing third individually.

In the District 10 competition, the rural team placed first, with Hansell placing first individually, Saunders placing sixth, Tornes placing seventh and Trippett placing 12th.

  

MILLERSBURG, Ohio  Sixteen members of the West Holmes FFA chapter traveled to National FFA Convention Oct. 25-28 in Indianapolis.

Chapter members Juanita Miller, Michael Klein, and Jason Jenkins were recognized as proficiency finalists and Jenkins, William Hughes, Gabe Armstrong, Hannah Schlegel, Carter Smith, and Justin Lorentz received their American Degrees.

During their trip, the chapter toured the Anthony-Thomas Chocolate Factory, the Exotic Cat Rescue, Purdue University, Fair Oaks Farms and rode horses at Ft. Harrison State Park.

  

BELOIT, Ohio  The West Branch FFA took eight members to National FFA Convention Oct. 25-28: Kelly Ginnetti, Neil Ginnetti, Curtis Irwin, Grayce McDaniel, Starr Leyman, Brad Kale and Gavin Clarke.

The chapter is currently selling fruit, and will be collecting scrap metal and aluminum cans behind the Vocational Agriculture department at West Branch High School Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will be donated to the Nationwide Childrens Hospital.

  

SULLIVAN, Ohio  On Oct. 6, Jake Tyree, from Crop Production Services, visited Black River FFA ag classes and helped students perform a crop yield analysis on the chapters 15-acre and four-acre soybean fields.

Each class period went into the fields to learn how to find the crops approximate yield, identify problem weeds like marestail, and evaluate problems or things that went well with the field during the growing season.

Black River FFA chapter challenged its members to participate in the Largest Harvest competition. The winners in each category were: Kaitlyn Long with the tallest corn stalk at 12 feet, 4 inches; Jenna Hamilton with the largest pumpkin weighing 87 pounds; Jeff Owens corn cob had the most kernels with 881; and Kylie Longs soybean plant had 404 bean pods.

  

PALMYRA, Ohio  The Southeast FFA chapter took six members to the 90th annual National FFA Convention, in Indianapolis. Several Ag businesses were toured on the way and members attended general sessions as well as the FFA career show and expo.

Chapter members Kelsea Ebie and Brandon Loebick were awarded American FFA Degrees.

The chapter is selling citrus fruit and beef jerky through Nov. 13.

  

HANOVERTON, Ohio  Members of the United FFA chapter attended the 90th annual National FFA Convention in October. Zak Tomlinson and J.R Himes received their American Degrees.

Along with attending sessions during convention, members toured the National Air Force Museum and Indianapolis Speedway, and attended the Rascal Flatts concert and The Worlds Toughest Rodeo.

  

COLLINS, Ohio  Western Reserve FFA held a Third Grade Ag Day, Oct. 20, at Western Reserve High School. Students rotated through six stations to learn about farm safety, corn plastics, wool and eggs, soybeans, dairy, beef by-products, and a petting zoo.
The day Brent Bennett was arrested for attempted robbery, he knew he had hit rock bottom. When Lisa Herner heard the news her brother had been arrested, all she could think was, Bennetts dont go to jail. And when his daughter heard the news, she couldnt believe her fathers life had gotten so out of control. As he sat in his cell at the Huron County Jail, coming down from his high, Brent reflected on the path that led him there. I knew I was better than that. Off to the races Brent was in his 30s when he started experimenting with drugs. His marriage was struggling and his life was not where he wanted it to be. He went to a party at a cousins house where he was offered cocaine.So I got into a line and I liked it, of course, he said. It numbed everything. It took my problems and just kind of set them aside. From there, it was off to the races. I started spending our savings, taking money from the house that we were building, using some of that money to feed my addiction, he said. Brent went from cocaine to crack to opiates, which became his drug of choice. He was doing contract heating and cooling work at the time, which meant he was in and out of peoples homes. He would go through their cabinets, taking prescription medications like Vicodin and Percocet. He also took medications out of his in-laws cabinets. You do anything to get your fix, he said. Lie, call in sick, just to feed my addiction  my habit.

Numb It wasnt long before his family noticed a change. He was losing weight and disappearing from their lives. Theres a numbness that even when hes standing right in front of you, theres just no connection, said Lisa. Hes not the person that I knew. I wanted that back so bad. Lydia Bennett, now 19, was around 11 when she learned her dad was doing drugs. She remembers her parents getting into arguments, but didnt understand what was going on. The day Brent left his family, he told Lydia and her younger brother he wasnt coming back. He tried to see us, and then he stopped. Throughout the rest of her middle and high school years, Lydia didnt see much of her father. It hurt. I definitely didnt care to see him. He was spending more time with his new girlfriend and her kids than me and my brother, and that hurt. I tried not to let it bother me, she said. It was sad and it sucked, but I kept the mentality of not caring and thats what kept me from feeling hurt. Intervention Matt and Lisa Herner didnt always see eye to eye when it came to Brents addiction. This was Lisas brother  her family  and Matt was trying to be patient and understanding, but he was tired of the lying. It got to the point where we stopped talking about it, said Matt. We could only talk about Brent for so many minutes per day and then we were done. Brents addiction went on for five years before his family decided it was time to do something. They approached me and gave me a family intervention kind of thing, he said. Lisa, Matt and Matts father met with Brent in the Herners apartment in Norwalk. I was in total denial: no, Im all right, Im good, said Brent. It was Matt who told Brent he had put the family through enough and it was time to get some help. Brent agreed to let Lisa and Matt pay for a 30-day treatment program in Morristown, Tennessee. Triggers After the program ended, Brent moved back to Norwalk. I still didnt have things at home the way I wanted. There were still some triggers, he said. Id start experimenting again, almost like starting the same story over. Brent would go to a friends house on the weekends, get high and drink. He thought he had it under control. Then he started hanging around a group of people who were doing drugs regularly, and for three more years, Brent succumbed to addiction. Opiates such as Vicodin, Percocet and OxyContin were still his drugs of choice. In the background When Brent came back from Tennessee, Matt and Lisa knew he had fallen back into his old ways, but it was kind of out of sight, out of mind, said Matt. We knew where he was, at the drug girls house  Brents girlfriend at the time. Sometimes, Matt and Lisa secretly hoped Brent would get arrested, so they would at least know he was alive and getting treatment. They also knew if they wanted Brent to get clean, they could not force him into getting help this time. During a second family intervention, Lisa and Brents father had also attempted to strong-arm his son into getting help. First, you need to surrender and realize you have a problem, said Lisa. She continued researching recovery treatment options. If Brent ever decided he needed help, we were ready to go, she said. All he had to do was pick up the phone.

Signs of Addiction Accidental drug overdoses are the No. 1 cause of injury-related deaths in the U.S. Know the signs of drug addiction and start talking about it. Click the links at the left to learn more. Physical Signs of Addiction

Emotional Signs of Addiction

Behavioral Signs of Addiction Physical Over-active or under-active (depending on the drug)

Repetitive speech patterns

Dilated pupils, red eyes

Excessive sniffing and runny nose (not attributable to a cold)

Looking pale and undernourished

Clothes do not fit the same

Weight loss

Change in eating habits

Unusual odors or body odor due to lack of personal hygiene Emotional Irritability/Argumentative

Defensiveness

Inability to deal with stress

Loss of interest in activities/people that used to be part of their lives

Obnoxious

Silly

Confused easily

Denial

Rationalizing  Offering alibis, excuses, justifications, or other explanations for their using behavior Behavioral Missing work/school

Work/school problems

Missing important engagements

Isolating/secretive about activities

Disrupted sleep patterns

Legal problems

Relationship/marital problems

Financial problems (always needing money)

Conversations dominated by using or drug/alcohol related topics



Teen Challenge Lisa was working at her salon when her husband knocked on the door, phone in hand. Brent had made the call for help. But he quickly changed his mind as soon as his family stepped in. I knew I had to act fast, said Lisa. Matt and Lisa convinced Brent to take a family trip with them. Secretly, they had signed Brent up for rehabilitation at the Ohio Valley Teen Challenge program in Youngstown. Teen Challenge is a faith-based approach to helping men 18 years and older work through addiction. Matt and Lisa felt once they got him out of Norwalk, away from the drugs and the people who influenced him, they could convince him to join the program. He agreed. In the program, he joined the mens choir and a work group, and the Herners believed he was doing well. But partway through the 12-month program, Brent was sent to work a construction job in Willard, Ohio, with a group of Teen Challenge members. The group was caught drinking in the evenings, which was grounds for dismissal from the program. Finding drugs Shortly after Brent left the Teen Challenge program, his father, who was battling brain cancer, needed help around his home in Tennessee. So Brent went to live with him. I was clean, working out; I felt healthy, I felt confident, which I was for a while.

Then, he started taking his fathers cancer pain medications. I thought I was always going to be an addict. When youre an addict, it doesnt take very long to figure out where to get (opiates). Just by talking to someone and knowing the right words  the lingo  he could find what he wanted. So, even in a small, rural Tennessee town, access to drugs was easy. I was in this town for like four hours and I could talk to someone and find it, he said. Running that race again In 2015, Brent and Lisas father died, and Brent inherited a large sum of money. He decided he was going to get himself a nice place, put some of the money away for retirement and live on the high hog for a while. He bought a place in the Crocker Park area in Westlake, near Cleveland. His ex-girlfriend, who Brent had dated while he was using drugs, found out about his inheritance and reached out to him. Youre not supposed to reconnect with people who used drugs with you in the past, explained Brent, but he let her move in. She could get (drugs) real easy and I had tons of money, he said. So I started running that race again. Brent quickly blew through his inheritance, forcing him to leave Crocker Park and rent a place from a friend back in Norwalk, until he couldnt pay his rent anymore. I always worked. I worked seven days a week for the longest time just to feed my addiction, but I was always broke because all the money I got would go right to feed my addiction. He was always lying, scamming, finding any way he could to get money  not caring about anyone else. From the moment he woke up, he knew he needed to get his fix or he would be physically sick. Isnt it enough? In the background, Brents sister was praying. I remember thinking, isnt it enough that we are who we are, that you have an amazing family, two amazing children  is that not enough? Lisa reached out to a friend who also had a family member struggling with addiction. She told me, Lisa, sometimes we have to get out of Gods way. Rock bottom Things got so bad for Brent that he was living out of his van. Thats how strong the pull of addiction is. Its terrible, he said. He started to feel hopeless, not caring if he died, feeling like he couldnt go back to his family for help. I cant go back to them, I already did this a couple times. They wont accept me, he thought to himself. Then he hit rock bottom. One day after work in November of 2015, Brent got into a fight with his girlfriend. She was upset because Brent couldnt get any opiates, and accused him of keeping them all to himself. When youre with another user, they think you are always hiding it, he said, because you feel good and they dont. Its always a battle. Brent had eaten three or four benzos (benzodiazepines, often taken for their sedative effects) and blacked out. He doesnt remember everything that happened that night, but he drove off in his van, hit a curb in Norwalk and got the van stuck. He remembers the police coming and towing his van, but letting him go without a citation. Still, in a fog, Brent walked to a friends house where he took more benzos. After leaving his friends place, Brent walked into Daves Food Mart  a convenience store and Sunoco gas station in Norwalk  pulled out a small knife and attempted to rob the store. When the police showed up, Brent admitted to his crime and surrendered.

Finding God Growing up, the Bennett family had always had their faith. Now, sitting in his jail cell, Brent was ready to turn back to it.

While in jail, he found a book titled Journey with Jesus, and started to read it. It emotionally took me over, it softened my heart. When you are doing drugs, he explained, you isolate yourself. I was just so hard and cold. I was all about me, I didnt care, he said. Brent started reading the Bible, a full book a day, determined to find God and restore his faith. Something inside me said, OK, enoughs enough, he said. Different this time When he was released in May 2016, he moved in with his mother and was lucky enough to find a job. I started working right away because I needed money to pay all my fines, I didnt have a license and I had child support, he said. Brent started to feel the pull to escape the piling bills  one hit and all his troubles would melt away. But he was stronger this time. He committed himself to getting up at 3 a.m. each morning, reading the Bible, listening to music and journaling his thoughts. It totally changed my life, he said. Lydia said it was like her father just woke up one day. Over the past two years, Lydia and her father have been slowly putting the pieces of their relationship back together. I definitely put it all on him, she said. If he wants me to be a part of his life, he has to contact me. Its different this time, said Matt, adding Brent is hanging out with people who are clean and spending more time with the family. But Matt and Lisa are still taking things one day at a time. I think a lot of people might think, Oh, who knows, a week from now he could be right back at it, but I have chosen to embrace it on a daily basis, said Lisa. So every day is a gift and a bonus and were going to enjoy it, she added.
Commentary by Farm and Dairy Reporter Catie Noyes

When was the last time you changed your mind?

No, Im not referring to the fifth outfit you tried on this morning before leaving for work or the last-minute decision to get McDonalds instead of Subway for lunch.

But when was the last time you really challenged yourself to consider another side of an opinion or viewpoint that you hold dearly.

A new documentary, Food Evolution, challenges you to do just that  to think critically about the food industry, step out of your comfort zone and ask questions.

The Ohio State Universitys Agricultural Technical Institute, in Wooster, held a free screening of the movie Nov. 7, inviting area farmers, foodies and anyone remotely interested in learning more about a controversial topic, GMOs.

Related: Food Evolution spurs GMO discussion in Wooster

Following the screening, a panel of industry professionals led a discussion on the movie and answered questions from the audience.

What is a GMO?

So what is a Genetically Modified Organism or GMO? In our society, the three-letter acronym has become somewhat frightening and polarizing.

In the movie, a clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live shows a camera crew asking random men and women on the street that very question: What is a GMO? Some tried to stumble through the acronym, while others simply said I dont know, but I know its bad.

Early in the documentary, one protester explains to the camera that GMOs are a thoughtless invasive species that are created by mad scientists. But the scientists behind genetically engineered (GE) crops are not mad  other than possibly mad at the way they are portrayed by activists. Their mission is to find ways to make crops better.

Genetic engineering allows plant breeders to take desirable traits, like disease resistance, and transfer that trait to a plant or organism they want to improve, or make a change to an existing trait in a plant they are developing, according to gmoanswers.org.

This creates a crop, like Hawaiis Rainbow papaya, which is resistant to diseases, such as the papaya ringspot virus. Hawaiis papaya production was halted in the 1990s when papaya ringspot virus decimated almost all of the $11 million industry.

Dennis Gonsalves, a plant pathologist from Cornell University, was credited with developing the disease-resistant Rainbow papaya that restored production.

But even though Hawaiians were enjoying a healthy crop once again, activists started to challenge how healthy they really were.

Fear

Food Evolution portrays how fear tactics have cast a negative light on GMOs and biotechnology. GMO opponents latch on to the most dramatic images and pieces of evidence that can persuade others to join their ranks without considering the science behind them.

I think one of the scariest comments was made by Zen Honeycutt, an activist and founder of Moms Across America, who said, I trust the social media more than most medical doctors, more than the CDC, more than FDA, more than the EPA. I dont need a scientific study.

What?

GMOS signify a loss of people who are in touch with their food system, said Wayne County veterinarian Gabe Middleton during the post-movie panel discussion.

In the case of Hawaiis papayas, American consumer activist and self-published author Jeffery Smith told Hawaiians GMOs could lead to health hazards such as developing more colds, cancer, birth defects and autism.

Even though Gonsalves tried to defend this point with science, stating there is no proof that GMOs cause health hazards, the public had made up its mind and Hawaii became one of the first states to ban GMO products in 2013.

This caused a ripple effect, causing more people to develop their own concerns about GMOs and causing more counties, states and countries to enact bans of their own.

We live in a world that is presented to us, said Glenn Mott, vice president of compliance at Gerber Poultry Inc., in Kidron, Ohio, during the panel discussion. He described the power of technology in spreading powerful messages and how consumers are ready to suck in all that information and take it at face value without digging deeper.

Changing minds

During the panel discussion, Dr. Cathann Kress, dean of Ohio States College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and vice president for agricultural administration, commented on the transition she saw in the movie when activists were presented with facts.

Consumers are looking for that easy and simple answer to their questions about food and GMOs, she said. Unfortunately, there is no one simple, right answer.

I personally enjoyed seeing an activist start to question her own reasons for being against GMOs when a scientists informed her the information she was using was not credible. I appreciated the civil conversation they shared and that the activists were interested in learning more.

I think one of the other notable points in Food Evolution was watching how a few of the states and countries that had placed a ban on GMOs out of fear started to reconsider the benefits of GMO technology once they heard the research and saw the capability of a GMO plant.

Critical thinking

Food Evolution was not intended to tell you how you should raise your crops or what food you should and shouldnt eat. It was intended to address the science of GMOs and help consumers make informed decisions about the food they eat.

I hope this movie makes you ask more questions and indulge in discussions, said Kress, adding it doesnt matter what your perspective is, you should ask those questions and start conversations.

There is an absolute need for critical thinking, said Dr. Jarrod Tudor, dean of University of Akron Wayne College. You need to read outside of your comfort zone.

In the movie you see a lot of investment in GMO and you see a lot of robust discussion. In the end, the world does have a food problem, said Tudor. A lot of us are blessed with food to eat, but we all have a responsibility to look after one another, he added.

In the end, all sides, whether pro-GMO, non-GMO, organic or conventional, want a safe and sustainable food supply. Its the path that gets us there that is going to continue to be the challenge.

I encourage anyone to watch Food Evolution. Whether you are a traditional or organic farmer, a foodie or someone who just likes to eat, I think the movie helps get those discussions started.

It may not have all the answers, but if it encourages you to dig deeper, to ask questions, or even changes your mind on a preconceived notion about agriculture or GM technology, well, then we are already a step in the right direction.

A trailer for Food Evolution, streaming options and more information about the making of the movie can be found here.
Dairy Crest has announced that it is increasing the milk price it pays to its farmers by 0.5 pence per litre to 32ppl from 1st December 2017.

The British owned dairy giant will increase the milk price it pays to its Davidstow farmers. This has been agreed with Dairy Crest Direct (DCD).

Even though dairy prices are beginning to steady again, we wanted our farmers to receive the benefits of the recent all-time high, particularly as we go into the more challenging winter months, commented Chris Thomson,

Group Procurement Director at Dairy Crest. We remain committed, as ever, to supporting our farmers and paying them a fair price for the high quality milk they supply to us.

DCD Chairman, Steve Bone, said: We are pleased that Dairy Crest has agreed to increase the Davidstow price by 0.5ppl. In our view this reinforces the Companys commitment to its producers by paying a competitive milk price.

'Good growth'

High cream and butter prices failed to negatively affect Dairy Crests pre-tax profits which increased 871 per cent to 151.4m in the six months to September 30, according to new figures published.

Mark Allen, Chief Executive, said: We have had an encouraging first half, with Cathedral City, Clover and Frylight delivering good growth in both volumes and value. Cathedral City, the nation's favourite cheese, continues to go from strength to strength and has produced exceptional growth over the period.

We have delivered good profit growth despite a record high cream price, which has a temporary but significant impact on input costs in our butter and spreads business.

We expect to accelerate sales of demineralised whey and GOS in the second half of this year. In conjunction with our partner Fonterra we are making good progress in developing sales channels for our products.

Our strong brands and the quality and efficiency of our operating facilities mean that we are well positioned to grow. While we expect butter input costs to continue to be challenging for the remainder of the year, we are confident in delivering our full year expectations.
The European Commission has once again postponed its decision on the vote for the renewal of glyphosate today.

The meeting by the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) on Thursday morning (9 November) at the European Commission followed an initial round of votes by Member States that commenced on October 25, which failed to come to a conclusion.

Member States have once again failed to come to a conclusion in today's meeting.

Following the lack of a qualified majority of the Member States on the proposal of the European executive, the decision will now be referred to the appeal committee, which will announce its decision by the end of November.

This procedure is foreseen in cases where there is no agreement between the Member States. This committee can only examine the proposal which has been formulated by the European Commission and not a new one.

Following the abstention of Germany (which represents 16% of the European population), the Member States failed to gather a qualified majority.

A qualified majority is when a proposal wins approval (or rejection) from 55% of the European Union countries, representing at least 65% of the population.

Expiry date

Member States now only have five weeks left before the expiry of the current glyphosate license on December 15. The European Commission is struggling to gather the qualified majority needed to take a decision.

The 14 countries that voted in favour of the proposal (representing 36.95% of the vote) were: the UK, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Hungary, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden and Lithuania.

Nine countries voted against the proposal (representing 32.26% of the vote). These were Belgium, France, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta and Austria.

Five countries abstained (representing 30.79% of the vote): Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Portugal and Romania.

'Playing politics'

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has urged the European Commission to take "decisive action" to reauthorise the use of glyphosate to stop the politicisation of the process.

Guy Smith, NFU Vice President, said: Once again we are left in a situation where no decision has been made on the reauthorisation of glyphosate  one of the safest plant protection products on the market which secures so much environmental benefit in terms of better soils and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Allowing Member States to continue playing politics over this decision despite overwhelming science and evidence showing glyphosates safety does nothing but undermine the credibility of the EUs regulatory bodies and the entire regulatory process.

We ask the Commission to stand by its own science and regulatory procedure, and re-authorise glyphosate for the maximum period possible. It cannot stand by and allow the issue to be politicised any longer.
A dog owner has been charged with livestock worrying following a spat with a farmer who got fined by the police.

The incident went viral on social media after 28-year-old farmer Jonathan Sloan uploaded his penalty ticket on Twitter, criticising the police for not arresting the dog owner at the time of the incident.

Mr Sloan, who farms in Springbank Farm near Kinross, was hit with a 40 fine for trying to rescue his flock of sheep from the out-of-control dog.

Mr Sloan eventually put the situation under control by hitting the dog with his shepherd's crook to help it move away. The dog was eventually contained.

The farmer then called the police after a heated argument with the dog owner, who became aggressive. But after speaking with police officers, Mr Sloan ended up with a 40 fine for "breach of peace".

However, in a statement, Police Scotland said the dog owner has now been charged with an offence under section 1 of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

The incident follows news of a month-long campaign launched by Police Scotland to raise awareness among dog owners about the devastating effects of livestock worrying.

The Procurator Fiscal will now look at the case for consideration.
The UK government has overturned its previous convictions on neonicotinoids and now say an outright ban is needed due to their supposed harm to pollinators.

A total ban on the pesticide in fields across Europe will be now be backed by the UK, Defra Secretary Michael Gove has revealed in The Guardian.

The decision reverses the governments previous position on the worlds most widely used insecticide.

Speaking about neonicotinoids following a speech in the summer where he outlined his vision for a Green Brexit, Gove said new research had raised profound concerns and that he was contemplating the need for further restrictions on their use.

This includes new evidence showing neonicotinoids may have killed off 75% of all flying insects in Germany, a discovery Gove said had shocked him.

The weight of evidence now shows the risks neonicotinoids pose to our environment, particularly to the bees and other pollinators which play such a key part in our 100bn food industry, is greater than previously understood, wrote Gove in The Guardian.

I believe this justifies further restrictions on their use. We cannot afford to put our pollinator populations at risk.

As is always the case, a deteriorating environment is ultimately bad economic news as well.

'Stronger evidence'

He said pollinators help increase the yield and quality of UK crops by 400m-680m every year.

He used an example of British gala apple growers, who now have to spend 5.7m a year to replace the work of lost natural pollinators.

Gove explained that evidence surrounding neonicotinoids harmful effects on bees and other pollinators has grown "stronger" since 2013.

In 2013, the European Commission proposed a ban on the use of three types of neonicotinoids on flowering crops.

Gove explained that evidence surrounding neonicotinoids harmful effects on bees and other pollinators has grown "stronger" since 2013

At that time, the UKs assessment was that there was insufficient evidence of a link between neonicotinoids and pollinator decline, but other member states took a different view and a ban was implemented across the EU.

Gove said the EU has been unable to get full support for a widespread neonicotinoid ban, but he hopes the change in the UK's stance will support it.

In taking this unfrozen moment in British politics to put bees and science at the centre of our priorities for sustainable agriculture, Michael Gove may also unfreeze the EU and secure an EU-wide ban that will benefit insects across the continent, Gove said.

'Critical juncture'

The National Farmers' Union has said the future of both neonicotinoids and glyphosate are currently at a "critical juncture". It has called on the Government to support their availability to farmers.

The NFU has explained that farmers across the country have already suffered heavy losses through oilseed rape crop damage following restrictions to the availability of neonicotinoids.

A recent survey of 400 arable farmers who all grow winter oilseed rape (OSR) report that 8.3 per cent of the crop this year has failed.

And another survey paints a worrying picture for the agricultural industry, which states that 80 per cent of farmers interviewed believed that a neonic ban would have an impact on their day-to-day business.

NFU Vice-Chairman Guy Smith said: If we lose key plant protection productds  glyphosate, neonicotinoid seed treatments  we will lose our competitiveness via a vis non-EU countries.

Dr Chris Hartfield, NFU acting chief science and regulatory affairs adviser, said farmers are "acutely aware" that bees play a crucial role in food production

Farmers rely on bees to pollinate crops and have planted around 10,000 football pitches of flower habitat across the country to support a healthy bee population and give them a good home. Dr Hartfield said.

We deeply regret the decision the Government has taken on this issue as we dont believe the evidence justifies this abrupt change in policy. We will continue to speak to the Government about how the impact of the decision can best be mitigated so that farmers can maintain sustainable and productive cropping systems.

'Bizarre decision'

Multinational chemical giant Bayer reacted strongly to the announcement, calling it a "bizarre" decision and one that "flies in the face of sound science".

It said the decision is a "kick in the teeth" for British agriculture.

Dr Julian Little, a spokesperson for Bayer in the UK, said: "The Government's own UK Biodiversity Indicators published only this summer show that butterfly, bee and hover fly population numbers have stabilised since 2011 and this was confirmed only earlier this week in response to a Parliamentary question.

"The suggestion that the extension of this ban to non-flowering crops, which pollinating insects do not

visit, will somehow improve the health of bees is farcical.

"We do know from talking to farmers that such a ban would seriously impact the UK's ability to grow high quality wheat, barley, sugar beet and some vegetable crops, just as UK farmers are trying to gear up to life after European subsidies.

Dr Little continued: "Farmers will have to resort to older chemical sprays to control damaging insect pests rather than the targeted seed treatments currently employed, and will have to use much larger quantities of slug pellets, just at the time when we are trying to reduce their use."

'Overwhelming evidence'

Welcoming Goves decision to back tougher restriction, environmental charity Friends of the Earths said Gove should be congratulated for "listening to experts", saying the scientific evidence for a complete ban is "overwhelming".

Chief executive Craig Bennett said: Tougher restrictions on neonicotinoids are essential for our precious bees and the wider environment.

To their credit farmers across the UK are already finding innovative ways to successfully grow crops without neonicotinoids, even ahead of the ban being extended.

But lessons also need to be learned  we now need to move away from chemical intensive farming and instead boost support for less damaging ways of tackling persistent weeds and pests.

The UK must follow through on todays announcement by backing current European Commission proposals to get these pesticides completely out of our fields.
Solar must go on rooftops instead of farmland, charity says
Recommended Video

Padmavati: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Clarifies on scenes between Deepika - Ranveer character | FilmiBeat

Under attack, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali today sought to scotch rumours surrounding 'Padmavati' in a video appeal calling the film his tribute to the 'sacrifice, valour and honour' of Rani Padmavati.

He said rumours about a romantic dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji's characters are not true as he was careful in depicting the 'Rajput honour and dignity'.

"I want to say something to you through this video. 'Padmavati' has been made with a lot of honesty, responsibility and hard work. I have always been inspired by Rani Padmavati's story. This is a tribute to her sacrifice and honour.

"The film is in controversy due to some rumours. The rumour is that there is a dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. I have clarified it earlier and doing it again through this video that there is no such in the film which will hurt anyone's sentiments and sensibilities," Bhansali said in the video.

"We have kept the Rajput honour and dignity in mind while making this film... I am repeating again that there is no dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Khilji in our film. There is no scene that will hurt anyone," he added.

The film features Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji. It is set for release on December 1.

Bhansali, famous for his large canvas and period dramas, has been facing a lot of trouble since he began shooting the film with various Rajput groups who have accused the director of "distorting historical facts".

Rajasthan BJP MLA and erstwhile Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari has also joined the chorus against the film.

Earlier this year, fringe group Rajput Karni Sena vandalised the sets of the film in Jaipur and roughed up the director. They also destroyed the sets in Kolhapur and set costumes on fire.

Last month, its members destroyed a 'rangoli' created at a Surat mall for 'Padmavati' promotions and threatened further disruption.

Bhansali and his team have repeatedly assured the opponents that there are no romantic scenes between Deepika and Ranveer in the film.

The Karni Sena has allegedly threatened to burn the theatres if the film is played in cinema halls before it is shown to them.
Telugu Dubbed Version

If the latest reports are to be believed, Street Lights will be released in Telugu, as well. Speculations are rife that the makers are planning to dub the film in Telugu and the works for the same are in progress.

Shot Simultaneously In Tamil & Malayalam

Interestingly, Mammootty's Street Lights is a bilingual, in all senses. Both the Tamil and Malayalam portions have been shot separately with a different star cast in both the versions.

Shamdatt, The Director

Shamdatt is the director of this Mammootty starrer. The renowned film-maker is making his debut as a film-maker with Street Lights. Importantly, Shamdatt has had experience working as a cinematographer in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu languages and he is expected to have put in that experience in to play.

Mammootty's Character In Street Lights

The team has ensured not to reveal anything about the storyline of the movie. If reports are to be believed, Mammootty will be seen essaying the role of a character named Inspector James in Street Lights.

When Will The Film Hit The Theatres..!

Earlier, there were reports doing the rounds that Street Lights might hit the theatres in the month of November. But the makers are yet to officially announce the exact release date of the movie. Now, there are reports doing the rounds that the film might release only in the beginning of 2018.
If we create a list of the Malayalam movies which made a huge impact in this year, so far, then Take Off, the film directed by Maneesh Narayanan will surely top that list.

Starring Parvathy, Kunchacko Boban and Fahadh Faasil in the lead roles, Take Off gave the entire film audiences a unique experience and proved that Malayalam cinema is capable of handling global topics, as well.

Celebrities from various industries started praising the movie and then came the talks of a remake. Reportedly, the film was all set to get a remake in Bollywood but now it seems like it won't happen and the reason is Salman Khan's Tiger Zinda Hai. Keep scrolling down to know more..
Gauhar Khan Slams Hina

Gauhar tweeted, "Ek ladki ki izzat ke liye Jung..Aur doosri ladki ki koi izzat nahi ??It's ok to discuss a girls conduct with others n judge? Kapde phaad ke kaam milega??Not suggestive?? Not derogatory?? Hmm yaar values ho toh sabke liye ek jaise ho!! Varna galat Sab hain!!"

Gauhar Supported Shilpa

This is not the first time that Gauhar has slammed Hina. Earlier too, Gauhar took to Twitter and expressed her disappointment over Hina Khan's remarks over Shilpa's English.

Kishwer-Hina

Initially, Hina Khan had also made a comment against ex-Bigg Boss contestant, Kishwer. This didn't go well with Kishwer, who also took to the social media to explain her situation (Kishwer had spit in Rishab's drinking water during a task) and even said that she is watching her!

Hansika, Kushboo & Kriti Lash Out At Hina

It has to be recalled that recently, Hansika Motwani, Kushboo, and Kriti Kharbanda (who had worked in South) slammed Hina when she insulted South industry and called South actresses bulging'.
Hinas Father & Her Alleged Boyfriend Rocky React

Any father would be disturbed to watch his daughter cry! So was Hina's father. Not only Hina's father, her alleged boyfriend, Rocky, who has always supported her, took to social media to encourage Hina and lashed out at #HinaHaters!

Hinas Father Says

Hina's father was quoted by TOI as saying, "It's difficult for us to see Hina in this state. But I understand and feel her tears as Hina is a very hardworking girl, who has always given her 100 percent to her work. For her to see a loss due to her actions is extremely difficult."

Hina Is Hardworking

"She started in this industry about a decade ago and continued playing Akshara in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai for 8 long years. For her it has never been about taking a shortcut as she always believed in working hard and took each day as a new challenge."

Hinas Father Is Glad That She Admitted Her Mistake

"But I am glad that she admitted her mistake as it takes a lot for someone to admit that they were wrong and that too on National Television."

Hinas Father Is Sure That She Will Not Repeat It

"She has by far been one of the hardest working performers in all the tasks and for her such a failure is not easy. I'm sure though she will rise above this and not repeat it."

Rocky Misses Hina

Rocky too, took to social media, "I miss her and Of course it's difficult to see her going through such heart wrenching moments but that's what makes her a human being."

Rocky Writes

"@realhinakhanbeing what she is never said that someone else is jealous of her or insecure because of her popularity, even when she was showered abuses and cornered she fought back but never abused."

Rocky Praises Hina

"She never tried to escape the house. She doesn't let go any tasks n gives her best which usually becomes the top standard in the house. She never shy's away from standing for what's right just because she's a celeb or is a target."

Is Rocky Aiming At Arshi Khan & Shilpa Shinde?

"Some #hinahaters r supporting insane people, actors who were banned by their own association, people who want to strip on YouTube if Pakistan wins, people who r getting physical n acting to be in a relationship just to stay longer. HOW? HOW can u be so blind?" Well, is Rocky aiming at Arshi Khan and Shilpa Shinde as they have always taken a dig at Hina?

Rocky Lashes Out At The Commoners

"Last year commoners were actually entertaining but this year it's pathetic! If u like Cringe so much , so be it! But don't throw shit to genuine people. At least keep a difference between the inhuman people inside who represent us commoners and outside."

Hina Is Strong

"She's so strong that the ones chanting her name with abuses n filth will not even be seen if they don't do it ! Just imagine these psychos if they do not have someone as strong as Hina to fight with, right u can't even imagine them coz they will be invisible."

Rocky Feels Hina Doesnt Need Any Footage!

"N btw even if they all stay inside the #Bigboss11 house for 5 years consecutively they will not be able to match the Footage' Hina has already gotten, she doesn't need it but can't say the same for you'll!"

Rocky Supports Hina & Lashes Out At #HinaHaters

"We will not stand down! We will always be with Hina! She's not perfect but whatever She Is, it's the best the house has Got! #hinahaters Now do what u always do n try to catch up coz ur way behind the truth."
A Norfolk farmer has spoken of his disgust after supermarket giant Tesco stopped selling eight brands of British-grown sugar in favour of brands made from imported sugar cane.

Sugar beet grower David Partridge, of Poplar Farm, near Downham Market, said he had spent the past nine months trying to persuade Tesco to stock British Sugars Silver Spoon brand after the retailer switched its sourcing policy in favour of Tate & Lyle.

See also: How to gear up for a bumper sugar beet harvest

I grow about 3,000t which goes about seven miles to the factory  about a mile from our local Tesco store, Mr Partridge told Farmers Weekly.

But I have to buy sugar that has travelled some 5,000 miles. It does leave a nasty taste in the mouth.

Tescos decision to stock imported cane sugar rather than home-grown beet sugar called into question its claim that it supported British farmers, said Mr Partridge.

They cant have it all ways and they deserve to take some stick over this, he said.

Mr Partridge, who is in his 80s, said some people might consider him a grumpy old man with too much time on his hands.

But he said it was an important issue and the contribution of the sugar beet sector to the local economy deserved to be highlighted.

Steam rising

I just dont like it. When I stand in the field, I can see the steam rising from the sugar beet factory.

Lots of people locally are employed in the sugar beet sector, not just farmers. But when I go to Tesco, they wont sell it. They are kicking us in the back.

In a letter to Mr Partridge, Tesco said its aim was always to provide the best products at the best prices in a way that was fair to suppliers and farmers.

We have a long and proud history of supporting the British sugar industry, it said.

Tesco argues that both Silver Spoon and Tate & Lyle are an important part of the UK sugar industry.

Although only Silver Spoon is made from British sugar beet, it says that Tate & Lyles London refinery, which processes imported cane, is one of the largest in the world.

After careful consideration and lengthy discussions with British Sugar, we have taken the decision to move eight branded sugar lines from British Sugar to Tate & Lyle, it said.

However, we will continue to sell Silver Spoon Half Spoon Sugar and an extensive range of other products.
A Northern Irish farmer has been fined 1,500 for twice failing to present all his cattle for bovine TB testing, and one charge of failure to notify the deaths of nine cattle.

Robert Stewart Armstrong, Gorteen, Tempo, Enniskillen pleaded guilty to both charges at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday (8 November), and also had to pay a 15 offender levy.

See also: Badgers to be tested for bovine TB in NI hotspots

The control of bovine TB is dependent on identifying reactor animals at tests conducted by the department, said a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).

Failure to present animals for tests undermines efforts by both farmers and the department to reduce the incidence of disease.

The spokesman noted disease levels in Northern Ireland have risen to levels not seen for several years.

The majority of herd keepers fully comply with the requirements of the TB eradication scheme. Especially at this time, it is vital all stakeholders work together to reduce the prevalence.

The offences relating to the undisclosed deaths of nine animals were discovered during a cattle identification inspection carried out by Daeras veterinary enforcement branch.

Breaches of the cattle identification regulations weaken and undermine the cattle traceability system in Northern Ireland, including the integrity of the departments Animal and Public Health Information System, added the spokesman.

Current interest in food safety, by both government and consumer groups, mean it is essential that the department is clearly seen to be implementing all legislation pertaining to the traceability of livestock.
DuckDuckGo

One of the main features of this Search engine is that it doesn't track or retain users data. Moreover, it is ad-free one, allows a private browsing and does more cool things than you can even imagine.

Bing

Microsoft-owned Bing is the second popular search engine, with a market share of 15%. In here, the video search is significantly better, gives twice as many autocomplete suggestion and can predict when airfares are about to go up or down as well.

Dogpile

It is the oldest web search engines to curate information, links, and much more from other search engines. This one fetches link from other services including Google, Yahoo, Yandex, and others. Moreover, it also has its own toolbar for Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox as well.

Yandex

This Russian service is similar to that of Google and is dominant in Russia. Yandex was launched in 1997 as a search engine itself, where it offers results in a nice logical format and provides services like Images, Videos, Mail, Maps, and much more.

Videocon unveils WallCam Eco Series CCTV solution for Retail Segment

Ask.com

Rather than a search engine, it is a question-answer service, which provides a solution if asked on the search bar. In here, you can find topics ranging from Art & Literature, Geography, Education and Politics to Technology, Science and Business queries answered here.

Gibiru

This service pulls the censored content from Google and showcases it on their service. Here, the issue of privacy is managed well through its Anonymous proxy search engine. It also has Mozilla Firefox extension, to make the search for Uncensored content hassle free.

Wolfram Alpha

This service comes up with computational facts and curates data from a lot of reputed and trustworthy college publications/libraries, Crunchbase, FAA, Best Buy and much more.

Boardreader

If you want to know nook and corner about a subject, with a variety of different points of view away from the major publications, this is the one for you. This services curates result from forums, message boards, and Reddit.

IxQuick

With this services, none of your data is stored and no cookies are used. However, you can also save the data if you want, but it will be deleted automatically within 90 days.

Creative Commons Search

This service comes handy when you need to find copyright free images for your website. All you need to do is to type the image you want and click on search.
Why OnePlus sticks to Dash Charge?

We already know that Dash Charge is the fast charging system that was introduced by OnePlus. It will allow smartphones to receive enough backup to last for a day in just 30 minutes. Notably, the wireless charging technologies those exist right now do not offer such a convenience. The drawback with wireless charging is that when a device is subjected to charging, it has be placed on the charging pad and you can't pick it up for any reason, notes OnePlus. The company states this is not the case with the Dash Charge as it lets you use the device freely even when it is plugged into the charger.

OnePlus might consider wireless charging in future

OnePlus is quoted stating, "given present-day infrastructures, wireless charging brings more limitations than freedom." The company notes that they will consider implementing the wireless charging feature "when the time is right."

The company could have implemented both wireless charging and Dash Charge technologies on the OnePlus 5T but it looks like they were not ready for it right now.

November 16 launch confirmed

It has already been confirmed that the OnePlus 5T will be unveiled on November 16 at an event in New York. Also, there will be live events happening in several cities in India and anyone can attend the same by purchasing the tickets.

First sale on November 21

While it has been confirmed that the OnePlus 5T will go official on November 16, it has also been confirmed that the device will go on sale for the first time on November 21. In India, the smartphone will be exclusive to Amazon India.

Will cost the same as OnePlus 5

Previously, there were reports that the OnePlus 5T might be priced around $600 making it expensive than the OnePlus 5. However, the recent updates have tipped that the OnePlus 5T will be priced similar to that of the existing flagship smartphone costing $479.
New Commands, Cyber, Afghanistan on Plate for NATO Defense Ministers

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2017  NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed the NATO Defense Ministers meeting, saying the alliance will continue to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century.

Stoltenberg spoke at NATO headquarters as alliance defense ministers -- including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis -- gathered in Brussels to begin their deliberations. The meeting will help set the stage for the NATO Summit next summer, also in Brussels.

NATO will continue to change to meet the threats facing it, the secretary general said.

"Our command structure is the backbone of the alliance," he said during a short conversation with reporters. "It has evolved through the decades, to reflect changing security conditions. And it must continue to evolve to remain robust, agile and fully fit for purpose."

NATO ministers are looking at an outline design for an adapted NATO command structure, Stoltenberg said. This will include new commands to improve the movement of troops across the Atlantic and within Europe, he said.

Power projection and military mobility is essential to the alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities, the secretary general said.

The alliance is also looking to update the military requirements for civilian infrastructure, such as roads, railways and airports, Stoltenberg said.

"This is vital for NATO," he said. Bridges, culverts, roads and railroads, he said, must be checked to ensure they can take the stress of armored vehicles. Bridges need to be high enough to allow taller vehicles to pass under. Before the fall of the Soviet Union, NATO nations did this routinely throughout Western Europe.

Now the effort must be renewed in Western Europe and extend into Central and Eastern allies, the secretary general said.

Cybersecurity

"Cyber is another top priority for NATO, which will be reflected in our updated command structure," Stoltenberg said. "I expect ministers will decide on ways to integrate cyber into all NATO planning and operations. So we can be just as effective in the cyber domain, as we are in air, on land and at sea."

The ministers will meet with European Union Vice President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, he said. They also will discuss threats to international security, including North Korea.

"Pressure is required to find the path for peace," the secretary general said. "We will need full and transparent implementation of U.N. sanctions. Russia and China have a special role to play as neighboring countries and as permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. This is a global threat, which requires a global response."

Tomorrow, the ministers will discuss developments in Afghanistan, where the security situation remains unstable. Stoltenberg said Afghan forces are making progress. The United States and other NATO allies and partners are sending more troops to the country. All this serves to "strengthen the Afghan forces so that they can fight international terrorists, and pave the way for a lasting political solution," he said.

The last item is a meeting of the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which is chaired by Mattis. That group, which now includes NATO as an entity, will examine the progress made in the effort and the moves that remain.

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

No. NR-383-17 November 08, 2017

Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' meeting with Turkish Minister of Defense Nurettin Canikli

Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Turkish Minister of Defense Nurettin Canikli today at the NATO Defense Ministerial to reaffirm the longstanding defense relationship between the United States and its NATO ally, Turkey. Following their Aug. 23 meeting in Ankara, the secretary thanked the minister for Turkey's continued, critical contributions to global security and the fight to defeat ISIS. Secretary Mattis acknowledged the threats posed to Turkey, and reiterated that the U.S. will continue to stand with Turkey in its fight against the PKK and all terrorist threats.

Secretary Mattis and Minister Canikli agreed to continue their full range of bilateral defense activities and consultations, and to look for ways to further strengthen defense cooperation in the future.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1367337/

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Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

08 Nov. 2017

(As delivered)



Good morning.

Today and tomorrow, defence ministers will take decisions to pave the way for our Summit in July, here in Brussels.

Those decisions will ensure that NATO continues to adapt for the 21st century so that we can keep our people safe in a more challenging world.

Our command structure is the backbone of the Alliance. It has evolved through the decades, to reflect changing security conditions. And it must continue to evolve to remain robust, agile and fully fit for purpose. That is why today, Ministers will agree on an outline design for an adapted NATO Command Structure, with new commands to improve the movement of troops across the Atlantic, and within Europe. Military mobility is key to our deterrence and defence. But it's not just about new commands. We also need to update our military requirements for civilian infrastructure, such as roads, railways and airports. This is vital for NATO.

National governments, the private sector and the European Union also have key roles to play, and we are working closely with them.

Cyber is another top priority for NATO, which will be reflected in our updated command structure. I expect ministers will decide on ways to integrate cyber into all NATO planning and operations. So we can be just as effective in the cyber domain, as we are in air, on land, and at sea.

This evening we will be joined for dinner by High Representative Vice-President, Federica Mogherini. We will discuss threats to international security, including North Korea. Pressure is required to find the path for peace. We will need full and transparent implementation of UN sanctions. Russia and China have a special role to play as neighbouring countries and as permanent members of the UN Security Council. This is a global threat which requires a global response.

Tomorrow, we will meet our Resolute Support partners to discuss our mission in Afghanistan. The security situation remains volatile. But Afghan forces are making progress and are denying the Taliban their strategic goals. The United States is already deploying more troops, and many other Allies and partners are making additional commitments. To continue to strengthen the Afghan forces so that they can fight international terrorists. And pave the way for a lasting political solution.

Finally, we look forward to hosting the meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, chaired by Secretary Mattis.

And with that, I'm ready to take your questions.

Q (Sky): Last week the British Defence Secretary was sacked for sleaze allegations. The British International Development Secretary is currently on her way back, in the air, from Africa - summoned by the British Prime Minister, again, we think to be sacked. The Foreign Secretary is on shaky ground because of misguided comments he made earlier this week about an issue back in the UK. Coupled in with Brexit, has UK become unreliable partner on the international stage for you right now?

A: Britain very reliable partner and ally, because Britain is contributing to the Alliance in so many different ways. And I welcome the strong commitment of the United Kingdom to NATO and to many different NATO missions and operations. We have to remember that the United Kingdom has the 2nd largest defence budget. Next to the United States, no-one else invests more in defence than the UK. And the UK is leading one of the battlegroups we have deployed in the Baltic countries. They are responsible for our Response Force, and they are present in Afghanistan.

So I look forward to welcoming the new Secretary of Defence to the meeting today, but also to have a bilateral meeting with him tomorrow. So Williamson is a man I look forward to work together with, and continue to adapt the alliance together with the United Kingdom.

Q (ARD): Could you explain once again how and why exactly the NATO Command Structure should be expanded, and what would be Germany's role in that?

A: The NATO Command Structure is the backbone of the Alliance. The Command Structure is what enables us to work together, 29 nations, to deploy forces in operations and to deliver credible deterrence and defence in Europe every day. But to be able to do that, we need a Command Structure which can make sure that we have the right forces in the right place with the right equipment at the right time. And therefore we need the Command Structure to organise, to lead, to facilitate the deployment of NATO forces in missions and operations, but also of course, the fact that we are present in Europe in delivering deterrence every day.

The Command Structure has to change when the security environment is changing. So when the world is changing the Command Structure must change. That has been the case before, and that's the case now. We reduced the Command Structure at the end of the Cold War, because tensions went down. And we went from being focused on collective defence in Europe to be focused on expeditionary operations outside Europe, like for instance in Afghanistan. Now we have to continue to be able to conduct expeditionary missions, or train, assist and advise missions, as in Afghanistan, but at the same time strengthen our focus, our presence in Europe, collective defence.

And for instance, address also new areas like for instance cyber. And that's the reason why we are adapting, that's the reason why we are focusing on issues like, for instance, military mobility. Because to make sure that our forces are able to deploy, we need higher preparedness, we need higher readiness; but we also need infrastructure, we need means of communications, we need secure sea lines of communications over the Atlantic. All of these issues are going to be addresed through the adaptation of the Command Structure.

Exactly where we are going to locate new commands is something we are going to decide later. We now have the proposal from our strategic commanders, that's based on a tasking from the Summit in Warsaw in 2016, last year. And then I hope that defence ministers will be able to make final decisions at their meeting in February, but we'll agree on the outline design today.

Q (BBC): Secretary General, you stressed Britain's exemplary role in the alliance, its spending, the responsibilities it takes on. Do you share the concerns of the US European Commander, General Hodges, who told the BBC today that if Britain makes any further cuts in its defence spending, it will no longer be able to assume all these global roles?

A: The UK is increasing defence spending. Because the UK is spending more than 2% of GDP on defence, and GDP is increasing. So what we have seen over the last year is an increase, and I welcome that. And I welcome also the fact that the United Kingdom is meeting the NATO guideline of spending more than 2% on defence. And what I see is that the UK is delivering key capabilities to NATO. Being part of our mission in Afghanistan, but also leading one of the battlegroups in the Baltics, and also providing forces and different military capabilities in many other ways.

So the reality is that defence spending across Europe is now increasing. And more nations are also joining UK in spending more than 2% on defence. And UK is by that, also leading by example, because UK meets the target and now other Allies are following the example of the UK.

Q (Mitra TV): Considering the brutal and heinous attacks against civilians in Afghanistan, as you might have seen, you know, they are sparing nobody. They are attacking mosques, they are attacking schools, restaurants and a recent one - a TV station yesterday. So that is a clear and blunt message from the Taliban they are sparing no-one and they are not embracing the reconciliation or peace process. With the US strategy in place, what is NATO's actually blunt and very message to the Taliban?

A: Our message is that we're going to stay in Afghanistan to train and help and support the Afghan forces so they can fight Taliban. So they can fight terrorist organisations. So they can stabilise their own country. And we have seen a lot of progress. There are many challenges, we see a lot of violence; there is a lot of uncertainty.

But we have at the same time seen that the Afghan forces are becoming more and more capable, more and more professional, and stronger and stronger. So they are able to respond every time the Taliban and the terrorists are attacking. We have seen that the Taliban has failed in reaching their main strategic goal: to control provincial capitals. And actually I think one of the reasons why we now see more high-profile attacks against civilians is that they have failed in their main goal to take control over provincial capitals.

So our message is that we will continue to support Afghan forces with training, assistance and advice, but also with funding. We are not returning to a combat mission. We strongly believe that in the long run it is a better solution that Afghan forces are responsible for security in their own country themselves, and that we provide support to them. But we are stepping up our support. We are increasing the number of NATO trainers in Afghanistan from roughly 13,000 to around 16,000 next year. And we will especially focus on training special operations forces, improving the air force of the Afghans, and also schools, or education - military academies and schools.

Q (VG): Secretary General, this morning President Trump was addressing the parliament in Seoul and he was again mentioning the possible use of military force to stop Pyongyang. In your mind, what would be the most helpful language towards North Korea - would that be threats of use of military force or would that be a more diplomatic language?

A: All NATO Allies agree that we have to put strong pressure on North Korea. Because North Korea is responsible for reckless behaviour, irresponsible behaviour, by developing nuclear weapons, by developing missiles. And we have to put pressure on North Korea to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution. Pressure is the path to peace. We need political pressure, we need diplomatic pressure, but in particular we need economic pressure. We need the full implementation of the economic sanctions. And I welcome that the economic sanctions were strengthened by the UN Security Council in September, and I also welcome the fact that we see that the sanctions are now more thoroughly implemented than before. And we need the full implementation of the sanctions in a transparent way.

Russia and China have a special responsibility, because Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council and they are neighbouring countries. So we need strong pressure on North Korea to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution, and the whole Alliance agrees on that strategy.

Q (WSJ): Secretary General, one of your discussions today is on maritime and beyond just the new Atlantic command. Is your message to Allies that they need to contribute more to the standing maritime forces? Is this, in part, because of increased Russian naval activity in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean? And finally, are you concerned at all about reports about cuts to Allied navies - the potential selling off of frigates from Allied navies?

A: We have a very substantial defence planning process in NATO. Where we identify all the different targets, the capability targets we need, and we allocate them to different nations. So we have specific requests or targets also in the maritime domain for all NATO Allies. And yes, there are some requirements for increased maritime capabilities. That may be ships, submarines, or Maritime Patrol Aircraft, or other maritime capabilities. So yes, there is a request for more maritime capabilities.

But when we discuss the new Atlantic joint force command, then we discuss not only whether we need new capabilities - that's actually more part of the defence planning process. But then we are discussing how can we best organise, how can we best lead, how can we best plan for ensuring that we have safe and secure lines of communications across the Atlantic. That's partly about capabilities, but it's also partly how they work together, and to what extent nations contribute their national capabilities into a NATO framework. And exercises and planning. So all of these issues are now on the table and they will be addressed as part of the process related to adapting the NATO Command Structure, and in particular the Atlantic command.

Q (1TV Afghanistan): Mister Secretary General, this is Abdullah and I am from 1TV Afghanistan. My question is regarding the coming election, the parliamentary election and presidential elections in Afghanistan. The security stalemate in Afghanistan leads to a situation where Afghan government could not be able to hold the parliamentary election on time and there is increasing concerns among citizens in the country that the Afghan government would also not able to hold the next presidential election in Afghanistan on time. What's your message for Afghan government politically and what would be the contribution to NATO for ensuring maybe the security of the next election in Afghanistan? Thank you, sir.

A: We are underlining again and again the importance of political reform. And building democratic institutions in Afghanistan, fighting corruption, and making sure that the democratic institutions are working as they should, for instance with, of course, elections which are a core element in any democratic society. So therefore elections are important, and we think it is important that Afghanistan do whatever it can to be able to hold elections - both presidential and parliamentary elections.

To do that, security is important, to be able to hold elections. What we are doing, NATO is doing to help, so it's possible hold elections, or arrange elections in a secure environment, is to train the Afghan forces. We are not there in a combat operation anymore, but we are there to enable the Afghans. So the best thing we can do to help securing the elections is to step up our efforts to train Afghan police and security forces so they can make sure that it's possible to hold elections in a secure environment. And that's exactly what we're doing when we now are increasing our presence in Afghanistan - to train more Afghan soldiers and police.

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Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Defence Ministers

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

08 Nov. 2017

(As delivered)

Good evening.

We have just had a very good meeting with the Defence Ministers of the NATO Allied countries.

We took further decisions to continue NATO's adaptation to the challenges we face.

A key component of our adaptation is a robust and agile command structure. This underpins both our strengthened deterrence and defence posture and our ability to project stability beyond NATO's borders.

At the Warsaw Summit last year, we decided to launch an assessment of the NATO command structure in light of the changed security environment. To ensure it can do the job across the full spectrum of Alliance missions. Today, we agreed on the outline design for an adapted NATO Command Structure, which will be the basis for further work.

Let me mention some key elements.

A Command for the Atlantic, to ensure that sea lines of communication between Europe and North America remain free and secure. This is vital for our transatlantic Alliance.

A new Command to improve the movement of military forces across Europe. And ways to strengthen the logistical function across the NATO Command Structure. Our military commanders will now flesh out the details. And the results of their work will be presented to Defence Ministers next February.

The adaptation of the NATO Command Structure will further strengthen our ability to reinforce Allies quickly and effectively. But military mobility is not only about new commands. It's also about the ability to move forces and equipment quickly, with the right transport means and the right infrastructure. Since 2014, we have made good progress in improving national legislation. Removing many bureaucratic hurdles to allow us to move forces across Allied territory. But much more needs to be done. We need to ensure that national legislation facilitating border crossing is fully implemented. We need enough transport capacity at our disposal, which largely comes from the private sector. And we need to improve infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, railways, runways and ports. So NATO is now updating the military requirements for civilian infrastructure.

Of course, military mobility is not just about the military. It requires a whole-of-government approach. So it's important that our defence ministers make our interior, finance and transport ministers aware of military requirements.

It's also important that NATO coordinates with the European Union and we are indeed working closely and actively together on this issue. For instance, we share information on standards, requirements, as well as challenges related to civilian infrastructure. So I envisage that military mobility could become a real flagship of NATO-EU cooperation.

Finally, we discussed ways to strengthen our cyber defences. We must be just as effective in the cyber domain as we are on land, at sea and in the air, with real-time understanding of the threats we face and the ability to respond however and whenever we choose. Today, ministers agreed on the creation of a new Cyber Operations Centre as part of the outline design for the adapted NATO Command Structure. This will strengthen our cyber defences, and help integrate cyber into NATO planning and operations at all levels. We also agreed that we will be able to integrate Allies' national cyber capabilities into NATO missions and operations. While nations maintain full ownership of those capabilities. Just as Allies own the tanks, the ships and aircraft in NATO missions.

NATO is a defensive alliance, whose actions are always subject to strict political oversight and always act in accordance with international law.

So we have taken many important decisions to pave the way to next year's Summit of NATO leaders here in Brussels.

We will continue doing whatever is necessary to keep our territory secure and our citizens safe.

And, with that, I'm ready to take your questions.

Moderator: Reuters, in the centre.

Q (Reuters): Thank you. I had a question on the cyber weapon issue. Would you say then that having a cyber weapon is less harmful than having a bomb? Is it the idea that bombing a server would be more dangerous than say taking down a webpage? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: Using cyber capabilities may be a more proportionate response and that's the reason why I welcome that we are now integrating national cyber capabilities into NATO missions and operations and that we have agreed the principles of doing that.

For NATO, it is always our aim to use minimum force to achieve maximum effect and therefore cyber effects may be the best response. That depends very much on the situation, but we have seen that NATO allies have been using cyber capabilities against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and that has been important in the fight against ISIS, and I strongly believe that in any military conflict cyber will be an integrated part and therefore we need to strengthen our cyber defences and our cyber capabilities.

We will integrate national cyber capabilities into NATO missions and operations as we integrate their conventional capabilities, being it ships, tanks, planes. It will still be under full national control, it will be national capabilities but they will be integrated into NATO missions and operations. Let me also add that we have as part of our strengthening of our cyber defences we have also decided to establish or we have established cyber as a military domain and we have also decided that cyber attacks can trigger Article 5. So integrating national cyber effects into NATO missions and operations is yet another step to strengthen cyber in NATO.

Moderator: Washington Post, third row left.

Michael Birnbaum (Washington Post): Hi, Michael Birnbaum from the Washington Post. Another question about cyber: do you foresee a role for cyber effects to be used in the defensive operations related to the eFP deployment or in general in that area of NATO in the Baltics and Poland? And is that something that you would announce publically if they were to have a role that they haven't had previously? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: NATO is a defensive alliance and what we do is always proportionate, it is always according to international law, and we are now integrating cyber effects into NATO missions and operations to respond to a changed and new security environment where cyber is part of the threat picture we have to respond to. I will not speculate exactly when and how we're going to use it, I'll only underline that it will be in accordance with international law, it will be national-owned and controlled capabilities, and it will be a way to respond in ways that can be more proportionate than when we are forced to only use conventional forces, but I think it will only be wrong if I start to speculate exactly on how and where. I can just refer to that NATO allies have used it against ISIS in a very effective way.

Moderator: Agence France Presse, lady in green.

Q (Agence France Presse): Secretary General, thank you. The Turkish Minister of Defence has sent a letter of intent today with his French and Italian colleagues. This project is about acquiring ground-to-air missile systems. Given that Turkey has created some unease or questions within the alliance when announcing a project to acquire S-400 missile systems from Russia, I was wondering how you would see this step towards a real contract. Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: So I welcome very much the cooperation between Turkey, France, and Italy on developing air defence systems. We welcome always when NATO allies are working together to develop different capabilities, and I think that this kind of cooperation is the best way also to make sure that we have the capabilities different nations need and is also a good way to make sure that when we have new capabilities they can be fully integrated into NATO air defence systems. For NATO, it's extremely important to have interoperability, and of course having three NATO allies working together that is an example of how we really develop interoperability, how nations can work together. So, yeah, so I welcome that.

Moderator: Gentleman over there.

Konstantin Benyumov (Meduza): Thank you. Konstantin Benyumov, from Meduza. Have you decided on the location for the coordination centre for cybersecurity? And if yes, are there going to be specific NATO forces involved in working or just the capabilities of NATO members?

Jens Stoltenberg: The centre is part of the existing command structure, but to be honest I'm not able to tell you exactly where it's going to be located, but it's part of the existing command structure.

Moderator: Jane's, front row here.

Brooks Tigner (Jane's Defence): Yes, Brooks Tigner, Jane's Defence. Coming back to this logistics aspect of the reformed NATO command structure, I was just wondering could you explain to us in more detail what this will mean. NATO already has a number of agencies that are intimately involved in logistics management, as you well know, so are you referring to simply closer relationship with the EU to tackle these things or do you have something more substantial in mind internal to the house of NATO? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: This is about updating, modernizing the military requirements to infrastructure, taking into account the fact that we are now much more focused on the importance of moving heavy equipment across Europe, because after the end of the Cold War we didn't pay so much attention to that. The main issue was how to move lighter forces into expeditionary operations outside NATO territory, for instance to Afghanistan. But now it is about how to move forces across the Atlantic and how to move them across Europe, and we speak also about much heavier equipment, battle tanks, armoured vehicles, and that kind of equipment.

To be able to do that we need infrastructure and we know that at least in many parts of Europe we don't have the standards, we don't have the strength of the bridges, of the roads, or the different types of infrastructure which can carry the heavy equipment we need to move, at least not enough, and it's about making sure that we have the means of transportation, the ships, the trucks, the planes, and to a large extent these means of transportation will be privately-owned so we need to make arrangements with the private companies on how to make these tools available if needed.

It's about legislation, and of course it's about making sure that NATO allies implement those standards and those requirements. We formulate the requirements and the standards, but of course it's nations that have to implement them when they invest in infrastructure, when they make arrangements with for instance private providers of transportation. The European Union is important and I welcome the very close cooperation with the European Union on this, and I know that this is also something which the European Union has been focused on because this is partly about also European Union financing some of these investments.

So we have the ability to move forces today, but we would like to move more forces more quickly across Europe and then we have to invest more in infrastructure and to meet modern NATO standards.

Moderator: Wall Street Journal.

Q (Wall Street Journal): Mr. Secretary General, the U.S. raised the INF Treaty violations today. Was there new information about Russian violations of this treaty raised? What was the significance of the U.S. bringing this discussion at the NATO ministerial level and what is the importance in your mind of keeping the INF Treaty in place?

Jens Stoltenberg: Secretary Mattis briefed the allies on the INF Treaty and the U.S. has determined that Russia is in violation of the INF Treaty, so that was an important message in his brief. NATO allies stressed, just as they did at the Warsaw Summit in 2016, that the INF Treaty is very important and that a strong and viable INF Treaty is a pillar for European security. So they also expressed that they will follow this very closely. This is a bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States, but of course this has a great importance for all NATO allies, especially European NATO allies because the INF Treaty eliminates a whole category of weapons, intermediate range missiles, which can carry nuclear weapons.

And I'm part of a political generation in Europe which really grew up with the very intense debate related to the deployment of the SS-20s and the Pershing and the cruise missiles after the Dual-Track Decision of NATO in 1979 and we also very much welcomed the INF Treaty which then eliminated all these weapons in Europe. So I think that the INF Treaty is a cornerstone, it's extremely important that it is fully implemented, so we will continue to call on Russia to address the serious concerns in a substantial, transparent and verifiable way because the INF Treaty's important for all of us.

Moderator: Europa Press.

Q (Europa Press): Thank you Secretary General. Going back to cyber, did any of the NATO allies today offer offensive cyber capabilities for NATO missions and operations, and also I'm wondering is this going to be, if it already isn't, fitted into the NATO defence planning process? I mean are the allies going to start getting from now on specific capability requests for cyber offensive capabilities? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: What we have done today is to agree the framework and the principles for how to integrate cyber capabilities into NATO missions and operations. Then it will be a decision by nations what kind of capabilities they are willing integrate and to use in specific missions and operations, and nations will retain full control and ownership to [sic] the capabilities. But I welcome the fact that we now can strengthen NATO missions and operations also with cyber capabilities because we know that they are important, and we know that cyber will be an integral part of any potential military conflict.

It's too early for me to say exactly how we will integrate that into NATO planning processes, but as soon as this is becoming a part of NATO missions and operations we have to integrate it in one way or another in the way we plan for missions and operations. And this is just illustrating that we are adapting to a new world where cyber is becoming more and more important, but it's not that different than for instance conventional capabilities when nations have the ownership but they use them in a NATO mission and operation. And regardless of whether we speak about a plane or a tank or a cyber capability, the use of these capabilities is going to be in accordance with international law and it's going to be part of the defensive posture of NATO.

Moderator: Gentleman over there.

Waseem Ibrahim (Al-Ittihad): Hello, Waseem Ibrahim, from Al-Ittihad newspaper, Lebanese newspaper. Secretary General, you discussed the global challenges today and you said something before about that ISIS now has a very small risk that ISIS will focus on attacking partners or even alliance countries. Can you explain depending on what exactly you are building this assessment? And are you worried that this fight against ISIS will become also endless war like we see what's happening in Afghanistan? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: I think we have to be prepared that the fight against ISIS is a generational fight, that it will take time. It is an important achievement that we are now very close to totally eradicating the caliphate, the territory they controlled in Iraq and Syria, but ISIS or some kind of follow-up of ISIL, we have to be prepared that that may still be a threat to NATO allies and many other people in other countries. And we have seen before that terrorist organizations when they lose at one front they start to do aggressive actions in another area. We have seen that in Afghanistan for instance. I think the last couple of weeks and months where the Taliban and the insurgents have not been able to gain their main strategic goal to control provincial capitals, and then we have seen more high profile terrorist attacks against civilians.

So of course nothing is certain, this is an unpredictable challenge and threat, but I'm just saying that we have to be prepared and I don't think we have the final victory over ISIL even though it is a very important step that we have been able to get them out of the territories they controlled in Iraq and Syria.

Moderator: Okay, one question over there. That's AP.

Q (Associated Press): Associated Press, on the other side here. A lot of what the ministers have discussed, whether it's command, mobility and so on, has been in reference to Russia, although you've not really mentioned it. Could you give us an assessment of the threat, the risk that you think Russia poses right now? In terms of Zapad you said that the personnel had left; was any equipment left? Is there anything that leads you to think that Russia poses a greater threat today than it has over the last years?

Jens Stoltenberg: NATO's deterrence and defence is not directed against any specific nation, and we don't see any imminent threat against any NATO ally, and we have monitored and followed the Zapad exercise very closely, but we haven't seen that they have for instance left or remained with troops or equipment for instance in Belarus as we saw some speculations about before the exercise.

Having said that, we have seen a much more assertive Russia, we have seen a Russia which has over many years invested heavily in their military capabilities, modernized their military capabilities, which are exercising not only conventional forces but also nuclear forces, and which has been willing to use military force against a neighbour: Ukraine. And of course, NATO has to be able to respond to that and we have responded to that partly with our enhanced Forward Presence with more deployment of troops in the eastern part of the alliance, but also by increasing the readiness of our forces and also increasing our ability to move forces. And we are constantly adapting and what we do in Europe now is part of that adaptation.

Moderator: Spiegel.

Q (Der Spiegel): Secretary General, one question also about the fight against ISIS. There has been an announcement more or less about a possible cap, like a mission in Iraq to stabilize the Iraqi army, and there has been a fact finding mission as far as I know in February, what are the results of this fact finding and is this mission in itself moving forward and will it be discussed tomorrow at the meeting after the formal NATO meeting?

Jens Stoltenberg: I expect that it will be discussed tomorrow. It was also discussed today and NATO has already started training activities in Iraq. We were asked by Prime Minister al-Abadi, I met him, he sent a letter, and he asked for NATO support for training and capacity building in Iraq of Iraqi government forces. So that's something we have already started, it's still not so big, it's some training activities related for instance counter IED, it's helping them in maintenance of equipment, it's military medicine, and it's also helping them to build security and defence institutions, and in some other areas. So we are doing some training activities based on the requests from the Iraqi government.

What we are now discussing is whether we should scale that up. And again, this is not about NATO going into any combat role or combat mission in Iraq, but it is about the fact that we had to be able to make sure that Iraq is stable after ISIS is defeated and therefore we need competent, capable, well-trained Iraqi forces to make sure that we're not forced back again into combat missions or operations in Iraq. So training local forces is one of the best weapons we have against terrorists, and I strongly believe that NATO can do more when it comes to training and capacity building because if our neighbours are more stable we are more secure and one of the best weapons in fighting terrorism.

Moderator: Thank you very much. This concludes this press conference.

Jens Stoltenberg: Thank you.

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Saudi airstrikes, continued blockade show Riyadh's failure, frustration in Yemen: Iran

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 03:17PM

Iran has condemned a recent aerial attack by Saudi fighter jets on residential areas in the Yemeni province of Hajjah, saying intensified airstrikes by Riyadh indicate the regime's failure to achieve its goals in the impoverished country.

"The intensified bombardment of residential areas, continued siege, closure of Yemen's naval, ground and sea ports, and blocking humanitarian aid and people's basic needs by Saudi Arabia indicate the country's frustration and failure to achieve its goals in attacking Yemen," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Wednesday.

Arabic-language al-Masirah television network, citing Yemen's Health Ministry spokesman, reported that at least 60 people, including women and children, had been killed or injured in a series of airstrikes by Saudi Arabia in Hajjah.

Medics said Saudi war planes hindered rescue operations, with at least 10 paramedics killed in the strikes, according to reports.

The Iranian official slammed the international community's silence over the Saudi regime's incessant attacks on residential areas and civilian targets and blocking international humanitarian aid to Yemen.

"Such measures are blatant violation of the principles of human rights," Qassemi said.

He called on the United Nations and key players in the Yemeni conflict to double their efforts to put an immediate halt to Saudi attacks and take measures to protect civilian lives in the war-torn country.

The Tuesday attack was the latest in a series of airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and a coalition of its allies since the war began in March 2015.

In addition to airstrikes, the Saudi-led military coalition has imposed a blockade on Yemen.

International human rights groups and the UN have called on Saudi Arabia to reopen air and sea ports, warning the blockade would sharply exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

A report released Tuesday by the New York-based Human Rights Watch criticized the Saudi-led coalition, saying it had "delayed and diverted fuel takers, closed a critical port and stopped lifesaving goods from reaching the population" during the war.

The report said a blockade is "unlawful if it has the sole purpose of starving the civilian population or denying the population goods indispensable for its survival."

Yemen is also suffering from an outbreak of cholera, while roughly seven million Yemenis are on the brink of famine, aid workers say.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has warned that "any further shocks to imports of food and fuel may reverse recent success in mitigating the threat of famine."

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also urged the reopening of ports for medical supplies.

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NATO Ministers Agree To Upgrade Command Structure Amid Tensions With Russia

RFE/RL November 08, 2017

NATO defense ministers have endorsed a plan to establish two new military headquarters designed to improve the movement of troops across the Atlantic and within Europe, as the alliance looks to counter the growing threat from Russia.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement on November 8, the day before an expected decision to boost NATO's mission in Afghanistan by some 3,000 troops.

Speaking after the ministers' first day of meetings during the November 8-9 gathering in Brussels, Stoltenberg provided initial details on the two new commands, although he said military commanders would "flesh out the details" and present them to defense ministers in February 2018.

It is the first time the 29-member alliance is expanding its command structure since the end of the Cold War, when 22,000 personnel were working at 33 commands. Numbers have been slashed since to fewer than 7,000 people and seven commands.

In recent years, Russia's military actions in Ukraine have increased concerns about Moscow's intentions in NATO nations, particularly former Soviet republics or Warsaw Pact satellites of the Soviet Union.

Russia occupied and seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and backs separatists whose war against Kyiv's forces has killed more than 10,000 people in eastern Ukraine since April of that year.

Aggressive Maneuvers

A series of potentially dangerous close encounters between Russian and NATO warplanes and navy ships in recent months has added to the tension, with the alliance accusing Moscow of aggressive maneuvers in the air and at sea.

Those actions have prompted NATO to step up its defenses in the east, deploying four multinational battle groups in the three Baltic states and Poland -- totaling approximately 4,500 troops.

One of the planned new NATO command centers will be tasked with ensuring that "sea lines of communication" between North America and Europe "remain free and secure," Stoltenberg said.

The other command will "improve the movement of military forces across Europe" and strengthen logistical functions across NATO.

"This is vital for our transatlantic alliance," Stoltenberg told reporters. "It is about how to move forces across the Atlantic and how to move forces across Europe."

"The adaptation of the NATO command structure will further strengthen our ability to reinforce allies quickly and effectively," he added.

Stoltenberg said any new command must ensure that legislation easing the transportation of troops and equipment across various national borders is fully implemented.

The secretary-general also said that coordination with the private sector must be in place to guarantee the availability of sufficient transport capacity.

"And we need to improve infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, railways, runways, and ports. So NATO is now updating the military requirements for civilian infrastructure," he added.

Locations To Be Decided

Diplomats said no decisions have been made on location for the two new command centers, although Germany has expressed interest in hosting the logistics base, arguing its location in Central Europe would make it the strongest candidate.

The diplomats also said Portugal, Spain, France, and the United States could be potential hosts for the new Atlantic sea command.

He said NATO defense ministers also agreed on the creation of a new Cyberoperations Center to strengthen cyberdefenses and help integrate cybercapabilities into NATO planning and operations at all levels.

The move follows a series of global cyberattacks that disrupted multinational firms, ports, and public services this year.

"We must be just as effective in the cyberdomain as we are on land, at sea, and in the air, with real-time understanding of the threats we face and the ability to respond however and whenever we choose," Stoltenberg said.

Afghan Strategy

On the second day of their meeting in Brussels on November 9, the NATO ministers are expected to decide to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan from the current 13,000 to 16,000 to aid the Kabul government in its fight against the Taliban and other extremist groups.

Speaking ahead of the gathering, Stoltenberg said the new troops would not have combat roles but would be part of NATO's "train, advise, and assist" mission, Resolute Support, and that about half of the additional troops will come from the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump in August announced a new Afghan strategy. In September, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that more than 3,000 additional U.S. troops will be deployed to Afghanistan.

"The United States is already deploying more troops, and many other allies and partners are making additional commitments to continue to strengthen the Afghan forces so that they can fight international terrorists. And pave the way for a lasting political solution," Stoltenberg said.

The United States led an invasion to drive Taliban extremists from power after Al-Qaeda militants whose leaders were sheltering in Afghanistan carried out the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Militant Resurgence

The United States, NATO, and other partners had more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan for a time, but the Taliban has been resurgent since NATO ended combat operations in 2014. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has also stepped up attacks.

The defense ministers' meeting is also set to agree on a new plan to improve the way the alliance commands and deploys its forces, Stoltenberg said.

The alliance needs a command structure to ensure "we have the right forces, in the right place, with the right equipment at the right time," he said.

The meeting will endorse a plan to create two new commands -- one to protect sea lanes ferrying troops and equipment across the Atlantic, the other for land forces in Europe.

It's the first time the 29-member alliance is expanding its command structure since the end of the Cold War, when 22,000 personnel were working at 33 commands. Numbers have been slashed since to fewer than 7,000 people and seven commands.

North Korea's nulcear ambitions will also be on the agenda.

With reporting by RFE/RL Correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, dpa, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-defense-ministers-afghanistan- command-structure-stoltenberg/28842517.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Trump In China Amid North Korea Tensions

RFE/RL November 08, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump has begun a visit to China that is expected to be dominated by talks on trade and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Trump arrived in Beijing on November 8 from South Korea, where he issued a stark warning to Pyongyang not to test the United States' resolve.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump got a lavish welcome and a tour of the Chinese capital's Forbidden City, where they watched a music-and-dance performance.

They were accompanied by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, as well as senior U.S. and Chinese officials.

Trump, who is on a five-country Asian tour shadowed by concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile tests, said earlier in the day that the world "cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens it with nuclear devastation."

In a speech to the South Korean parliament, Trump warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the nuclear weapons Pyongyang is developing "are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger."

"Do not underestimate us and do not try us," Trump told North Korea, using some of his toughest language yet against Pyongyang.

At the same time, Trump promised a "path to a much better future" for North Korea if it stopped developing ballistic missiles and agreed to "complete, verifiable and total denuclearization."

In recent months, Pyongyang has tested intercontinental ballistic missiles and carried out its sixth nuclear explosion, prompting Trump to warn in August of "fire and fury" in response to the North's moves.

China is North Korea's main diplomatic supporter and trading partner, and Trump was expected to push Xi to step up pressure on Kim to abandon his nuclear ambitions.

North Korea depends on China for its economic survival and for 90 percent of its trade.

With trade also high on the agenda, Trump has brought a large business delegation along, and U.S. and Chinese companies signed 19 deals worth a total $9 billion shortly after his arrival in Beijing.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang oversaw a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People but did not immediately give details about the 19 deals.

Wang said the agreements were merely a "warmup" before Trump and Xi oversee their own ceremony on November 9 involving bigger deals, including in exports of natural gas and soybeans.

Trump has said he would use the three-day China visit to press Xi on Beijing's massive trade surplus with the United States, which was valued at $26.6 billion last month according to official Chinese data.

China's state news agency quoted Xi as saying on November 8 that Trump's first state visit to Beijing was expected to yield "positive and important" results.

Trump is to travel on November 10 to Vietnam, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech to leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had also been scheduled to address the 21-country forum on November 10, but Putin's speech has reportedly been canceled.

Trump said earlier that he expected to meet with Putin during his Asia tour, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on November 8 that Putin was "ready" for such a meeting and "the Americans know that."

Lavrov also said that he might meet with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during the November 10-11 APEC summit. He said those talks would probably touch on bilateral relations, which he said need "serious repairs," as well as issues including "Syria, North Korea, and Ukraine."

U.S.-Russian relations are badly strained over issues including Moscow's aggression in Ukraine and its alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Since his inauguration in January, Trump's only face-to-face meetings with Putin took place during a G20 summit in Germany in July.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, dpa, BBC, TASS, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us- trump-warns-north-korea-do-not- underestimate-us/28841703.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Calls For UN Action Against Iran For Allegedly Arming Yemeni Rebels

RFE/RL November 08, 2017

The United States has called on the United Nations to hold Iran accountable for allegedly supplying Yemeni rebels with missiles that have been fired at Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen's government in a three-year-old civil war.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said on November 7 that Saudi Arabia had provided information showing a missile fired in July was an Iranian Qiam, which she described as "a type of weapon that had not been present in Yemen before the conflict."

Haley said a ballistic missile shot down over Saudi Arabia on November 4, which precipitated a sharp escalation of tensions between Riyadh and Tehran this week, "may also be of Iranian origin."

Haley said that by providing weapons to Yemen's Shi'ite Huthi rebels, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had violated two UN resolutions, one of which prohibits Tehran from supplying weapons without UN Security Council approval, and another which bans the supply of weapons to various Huthi leaders.

"We encourage the United Nations and international partners to take necessary action to hold the Iranian regime accountable for these violations," she said.

"The United States is committed to containing Iran's destabilizing actions, and will not turn a blind eye to these serious violations of international law by the Iranian regime," Haley added.

Iran, while openly supporting the Huthis, has denied arming them. Iran's Defense Ministry and Revolutionary Guards both denied the U.S. and Saudi accusations on November 7.

Before Haley spoke, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman accused Iran of supplying missiles to the Huthis, in what he said was a "direct military aggression by the Iranian regime," which "could be considered as an act of war," in remarks carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

The Saudi-led coalition, which has backed the Yemeni government with a devastating bombing campaign against the rebels since 2015, has tightened its blockade of rebel-held areas in response to the weekend missile launch in what it said was an effort to stop the smuggling of arms to the rebels.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni rebels have threatened to attack ports and airports not only in Saudi Arabia but in the United Arab Emirates, another coalition member, in retaliation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on November 7 said the Saudis' "insinuations are false, destructive, irresponsible, and, above all, provocative."

Instead of aggravating the situation with such "absurd allegations," Qassemi said, the Saudis should seek an end to the violence in Yemen through diplomatic channels.

One senior Iranian official questioned how Iran could sneak missiles into the heavily blockaded country, as alleged.

"Is it possible from a military point of view to send a very long missile to Yemen when all the ships surrounding Yemen are very much alert to intercept any shipments of arms to Yemen?" this official asked Reuters. "The Saudis and their supporters know this is a fake story."

The European Union's foreign-policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called the recent escalation of tensions between the two Middle Eastern neighbors and rivals "extremely dangerous," and called on all sides to back down and seek "a minimum of common ground."

"I know that this is not the wind that is blowing as the majority voice in the world of today," Mogherini told reporters on a visit to Washington on November 7.

"But allow me to bring a little bit of wisdom as the European voice in a world that seems to go completely crazy here: It's dangerous." she said.

Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides not only in Yemen's civil war but in power struggles in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere.

The growing tensions between the two major oil producers has helped push oil prices this week close to two-year highs and spooked global stock markets.

The missile, which was intercepted near the Riyadh international airport on November 4, was the first to reach the Saudi capital and underscored the growing military capability of the Yemeni rebels as well as the increasing fallout for Saudi Arabia from its involvement in the Yemeni war.

UN and humanitarian aid officials warned on November 7 that the Saudi-led blockade of Yemen threatens to deepen the desperation of 7 million people the UN has said already are on the brink of famine in Yemen.

"If these channels, these lifelines, are not kept open, it is catastrophic for people who are already in...the world's worst humanitarian crisis," said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN's humanitarian coordination office in Geneva.

Aid officials say their shipments to civilians in Yemen have been blocked since the weekend.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also urgently called for humanitarian access to be restored.

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-calls-for-un-action- against-iran-allegedly-arming-yemeni-huthi-s hiite-rebels/28841454.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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NATO Agrees on New Command Structure to Move Forces Across Europe - Stoltenberg

Sputnik News

21:19 08.11.2017(updated 22:32 08.11.2017)

The move comes amid the unprecedented NATO military buildup in eastern Europe, which has been further boosted since 2014 in the wake of the crisis in Ukraine.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  NATO members have agreed on instituting a new adaptive command structure to improve the alliance's ability "to improve the movement of military forces across Europe," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in press conference after the North Atlantic Council Defense Ministers Meeting on Wednesday.

"Today, we agreed on the outland design for an adaptive NATO command structure which will be the basis for further work."

According to Stoltenberg, the new command structure will further strengthen NATO's capability to reinforce allies quickly and effectively.

NATO has been significantly boosting military presence near Russia's borders since 2014 under the pretext of an alleged "threat" Moscow poses for eastern members of the alliance in the wake of Ukraine's internal conflict, a claim repeatedly denied by the Kremlin. Moscow has repeatedly voiced its protest against NATO's military buildup, saying that it would undermine regional stability and result in a new arms race.

Nevertheless, in 2016, the alliance has decided to approve sending four multinational battalions to each of the Baltic states  namely Lithiania, Latvia and Estonia  and Poland.

Most recently, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Moscow will do its utmost to ensure its security in case of further NATO reinforcements in eastern Europe.

New NATO Cyber Operations Center

Stoltenberg has also announced a new NATO cyber operations center, which aims to strenghten the alliance's capabilities and defenses,.

"We discussed ways to strengthen our cyber defenses, we must be just as effective in the cyber domain as we are on land, at sea and in the air," he said, adding that the alliance will use its cyber capabilities against Daesh terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.

According to Stoltenberg, the use of cyber capabilities will be in accordance to national law and used as a proportionate response.

Previously, the alliance's chief stated that there will be the cyber element "in any military operation, in any foreseeable, possible military mission or operation" of the alliance.

The issue of cyberdefense was brought up during the NATO session in early October in light of Lithuania's repeated calls on increasing the cybersecurity across Europe, with President Dalia Grybauskaite calling on the European Union to create a joint task force that would rapidly tackle hacker attacks targeting the bloc.

 Sputnik

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'Mad Dog' Mattis' Nordic Tour Results in Joint Exercises, Missile Purchase

Sputnik News

11:09 08.11.2017(updated 11:31 08.11.2017)

US Defense Secretary James Mattis has visited Scandinavia, where he has taken part in tripartite talks with his Nordic counterparts, which are expected to have far-reaching consequences for both Sweden and Finland.

Earlier this week, James Mattis visited Helsinki and held meetings with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, announcing that relations between the US and Finland have "never been better."

Later, trilateral talks involving Finnish Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto and Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist were held for the first time. It is not yet clear whether it will become a regular event. Niinisto said a similar encounter is being planned for 2018.

Niinisto explained that the goal of this format was meant to supplement, rather than replace Finnish and Swedish bilateral relations with the United States, ensuring that no new alliance is being built, despite both Nordic nations' increased cooperation with the US, the Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported. Earlier this year, US tanks made their first appearance on Swedish soil during the Aurora 17 military drills, the country's largest in decades.

The Finnish Defense Minister also said that cooperation to combat hybrid warfare was one of the priority items on the agenda, given the Helsinki-based hybrid threat center, which commenced its operation earlier this autumn.

Furthermore, Niinisto said he had extended an invitation to James Mattis to participate in the Nordic nation's main military drills to be held some time in 2020 or 2021. At a later conference, Niinisto told the US Defense Secretary that his country's participation would be "useful and welcome."

"We see the US presence in the Baltic area and the rest of Europe as a stabilizing factor," Jussi Niinisto said.

Mattis did not directly respond to Niinisto's invitation, yet congratulated Finland on its100th independence anniversary and lauded Finnish troops for their skill and work ethic.

The country is slated to go to the polls in late January 2018 and the NATO membership debate inevitably flares up in non-aligned Finland before every presidential election.

None of the current candidates support NATO membership except for Nils Torvalds of the Swedish People's Party, who polled a meager 1 percent in a recent survey by Yle. Finns' opposition to NATO remains stable, with opponents consistently polling over 50 percent in recent years.

Following the meeting with Mattis, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist informed the parliamentary defense committee that the government had chosen the US missile system Patriot as a replacement for the current defense Robot System 97, which is largely outdated. Hultqvist explained that the Patriot was safest supply-wise and guaranteed Sweden against ballistic missile attacks, the Swedish daily Aftonbladet reported.

The price tag, however, remains unknown. Nevertheless, it is beyond question that this will become one of the nation's most expensive defense acquisitions, if not the most expensive. The idea is to equip Sweden's two air defense battalions with Patriot missiles until 2025. Previously, the cost of firing ramps and management centers alone was estimated at SEK 12 billion ($1.5 billion). A single Patriot missile costs around $3 million.

Hultqvist himself admitted that there are concerns that the Patriot may become "the cuckoo in the nest" that replaces other defense efforts.

Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist also argued that the tripartite meeting sent a very important security policy message. He also called it "very natural," since both Finland and Sweden have similar defense cooperation agreements with the US.

 Sputnik

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Scrambling to Track Islamic State Terrorists, Coalition Turns to Biometrics

By Jeff Seldin November 08, 2017

As U.S.-backed forces made their final push into the city of Raqqa to liberate what had once been the Syrian capital of the Islamic State's self-declared caliphate, they faced a problem.

Not only were the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) holding IS fighters  some captured and some who had surrendered  they were also encountering many Syrians who, for various reasons, had collaborated with or worked for the terror group.

In the end, against their initial instincts, the U.S.-backed forces let many of them go.

"[The SDF] was pressured and convinced by the civil council, the civil leadership, in that part of Syria, who listened to the tribal leaders," said Major General James Jarrard, commander of the special operations joint task force for Operation Inherent Resolve.

Just how many IS followers or collaborators from the areas in and around Raqqa were ultimately freed is unclear  officials with Operation Inherent Resolve have not been able to provide any numbers.

As worrisome as the prospect of their release might sound, coalition officials are not concerned, assuring anyone who asks that the local IS fighters and supporters are not likely to cause trouble.

"A lot of those that were captured that were local Syrians have been turned over to their tribal leadership," according to Jarrard, who briefed reporters last week. "The SDF leadership feels comfortable that the tribal leadership and the tribal code in northeast Syria will make sure that they maintain control of those individuals."

Tracking IS fighters, collaborators

But perhaps more critically, other protections have been put in place.

"What we did do with the SDF, is we did take all of those members and we enrolled them biometricaly, so that we are able to track them into the future," Jarrard said.

The collection of biometric information from those who fought for or worked with Islamic State in Raqqa is just a small part of a much wider effort encompassing other areas once under the terror group's control.

The goal is to make sure those affiliated with IS are not able to go undetected and find ways to unleash terror and havoc, whether in Iraq and Syria or the West.

The collected information commonly includes fingerprints, photos, DNA samples and even retinal scans, and not just from Syria. Iraqi forces and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Iraq have also been gathering biometric data.

"This upward trend will probably increase in the months to come," he added.

German officials say they have already used whatever biometric information is available to confirm the identities of family members of foreign fighters who may be seeking entry into Germany.

There are also growing fears some foreign fighters, terrorist operatives and their family members may be getting some sophisticated help.

"We see a lot of relationships between organized crime and terrorism, not ideologically but from old friendships sometimes," said Dutch National Counterterrorism Coordinator Dick Schoof. "Organized crime is a facilitator for weapons, for transport, for fraud documents, for identity theft."

And while most of the more than 5,000 would-be jihadists who left Europe are not expected to attempt a return  a feat made more difficult with a tightening of the Turkish-Syrian border  counterterror officials believe there are plenty of reasons to remain concerned.

"Quantity may not be the story," U.S. National Counterterrorism Director Nicholas Rasmussen said this past July at the Aspen Security Summit.

"If I'm sitting in western Europe in a security service or a law enforcement organization, I'm very, very concerned about even a small number of foreign fighters from my country who come back from the conflict zone with a whole new set of skills, a whole new set of contacts, perhaps even specialized skills that go into areas of mass destruction."

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Trump Arrives in China for Thorny Talks on Trade, North Korea

By Steve Herman November 08, 2017

Donald Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday, his first visit as U.S. President to a nation that has been a focus, often a negative one, in his drive to secure jobs at home. Trade is to top the agenda, but so is North Korea. White House officials say the president intends to press China - North Korea's closest ally and top trading partner - to push the North to abandon its nuclear program, the topic of a speech he gave in Seoul just hours before arriving in Beijing.

In that speech to South Korea's National Assembly, President Trump had a forceful message for Pyongyang, calling on leader Kim Jong Un to give up all his nuclear weapons for a chance to step on to "a better path."

Trump warned the North, "Do not underestimate us and do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity and our sacred liberty."

Backing the president's words was the presence of three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups and nuclear submarines, which the president said "are appropriately positioned" near the Korean peninsula.

The U.S president referred to North Korea as "a total failure," and a "twisted regime" ruled by a cult and a tyrant who enslaves his people  a characterization certain to provoke a harsh rhetorical reply from Pyongyang.

"The world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens it with nuclear devastation," said Trump in his speech. "All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea  to deny it any form of support."

The U.S. leader had effusive praise for South Korea, contrasting its economic success with the dark situation in the North.

"The more successful South Korea becomes, the more decisively you discredit the dark fantasy at the heart of the Kim regime," said the U.S. president.

The speech ended on a hopeful note, which is the Korean dream: the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. But with Kim's weapons of mass destruction posing a greater threat, Trump warned, "the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the few the options become."

President Trump generally took a more optimistic view of diplomacy during his visit to Seoul, which included meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He said progress has been made to diffuse heightened tensions in the region, a striking departure from the tone of his tweets in recent weeks suggesting talks with Pyongyang to resolve the nuclear crisis were "a waste of time."

Speaking on Air Force One on the approach to Beijing Wednesday, a senior White House official said President Trump and the South Korean leader had reaffirmed their commitment for a coordinated global pressure campaign to bring North Korea back to "authentic denuclearization talks," while also remaining committed to use a "full range of military capabilities" to defend South Korea and Japan.

"Authentic" talks, the U.S. official said, would be without preconditions and would entail North Korea agreeing to "reduce the threat, end provocations, and move toward sincere steps to ultimately denuclearize." Preconditions like refusing to put nuclear weapons on the table, the official said, "is a non-starter" for the United States. The U.S. also maintains that any agreement would need to include verification of denuclearization efforts - a key sticking point in multi-nation negotiations that have been attempted in the past.

The White House official said President Trump would call on Chinese President Xi Jinping to pressure North Korea by, among other things, closing loopholes that have facilitated continued trade between China and North Korea despite U.N. sanctions.

In a statement issued separately, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump would also make a determination on whether the United States will designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism before the end of his visit to China.

In addition to the North Korea nuclear crisis, Trump will also press his Chinese hosts on that nation's massive trade surplus with the U.S. In a separate development, negotiators for both countries signed up to 20 deals worth $9 billion. Details of the agreements were not revealed, but Reuters news agency says they include a pledge by Chinese eCommerce company JD.com to buy more than $2 billion of food products from the U.S. over three years.

The President and First Lady Melania Trump started their visit to the Chinese capital with a stop at Beijing's Forbidden City, the palace complex of China's past emperors, where they joined President Xi for a look at the restoration of ancient relics.

It is likely President Trump will continue to send out Tweets in China, despite a Chinese block on Twitter. Thanks to communications gear aboard Air Force One, the official said "The President will Tweet whatever he wants."

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USNS Comfort Restocks to Continue Post-Hurricane Care

By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher, Navy Medicine East

PUERTO RICO, Nov. 8, 2017  The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort replenished its medical supplies, food and other necessities, by connecting with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn while underway off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 6.

Since it departed from Norfolk, Virginia, Sept. 29 to provide humanitarian relief in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the sailors aboard the Comfort have treated 1,476 patients, performed 147 surgeries and admitted 293 patients. Patients continued to be treated on the ship during the short underway period.

"I am proud of the accomplishments and contributions we've made so far in our partnership with the lead federal agency, the health and human services and the Puerto Rican administrators of health and their providers," said Navy Capt. Kevin Buckley, commander of the military treatment facility aboard Comfort. "Our [Disaster Medical Assistance Teams] team partnership has worked really well, embedding them with our staff, helping screen patients and relieve human suffering."

New Life

During the Comfort's time in Puerto Rico, two babies have been delivered on board, a boy and a girl, the first children born aboard the ship since 2010 in Haiti.

"It has been a really wonderful opportunity for our crew to see and participate in," said Buckley, discussing the two births. "And the thankfulness of the Puerto Rican people --it's Americans helping Americans. They're very appreciative of all the efforts we've had, and it shows."

The Comfort received 193 pallets of food and medical supplies from the Big Horn during the underway replenishment.

"There are medical supplies we need to keep frozen or chilled, so we keep them in freezers or chill boxes and limit exposure to the elements on the transit down from Norfolk," said Navy Cmdr. Scott Stahl, the Comfort's supply officer. "It was a total team effort, the civilian mariners and military working together to bring on 165 pallets via [vertical replenishment] and 28 pallets via [connected replenishment]. We work really well with the crew here."

The Comfort is a seagoing medical treatment facility that has more than 850 personnel embarked for the Puerto Rico mission, including Navy medical and support staff assembled from 22 commands, as well as more than 70 civil service mariners.

The Defense Department is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates all federal assistance requested by the government of Puerto Rico to help those affected by Hurricane Maria.

The Comfort's primary mission is to provide an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facility to the U.S. military that is flexible, capable and uniquely adaptable to support expeditionary warfare. The ship's secondary mission is to provide full hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide.

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First U.S.-Qatar Counterterrorism Dialogue

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

November 8, 2017

U.S. and Qatari officials met in Washington, DC on November 8 for the first U.S.-Qatari counterterrorism dialogue.

U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales led the U.S delegation, which included officials from the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Justice, and Treasury. The 11-member Qatari delegation was led by Major General Abdul Aziz al-Ansari, Chairman of Qatar's National Counter Terrorism Committee, and included Dr. Mutlaq al-Qahtani, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Conflict Mediation, and officials from the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Bureau, and the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Finance Committee.

The delegations reviewed Qatar's positive progress in implementing the U.S.-Qatar counterterrorism Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Doha on July 11 by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohamed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The MOU laid out our mutual commitments for increasing information sharing, disrupting terrorism financing flows, and intensifying counterterrorism activities. During the dialogue, both sides affirmed the progress made to date on implementing the MOU and committed to expanding our counterterrorism partnership. Topics discussed included regional terrorist threats, counterterrorism financing, regulation of the charitable sector, information sharing, and aviation security.

Building on this progress, the United States and Qatar will deepen their counterterrorism cooperation further, as exemplified by the recent visits to Doha of Secretary of State Tillerson (October 22-23) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (October 29-30). Both visits served to underscore the broad, robust ties between Qatar and the United States, especially in reaffirming the two countries' joint efforts to defeat terrorism.



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Sweden Mulls Purchase of US Patriot Air Defense System  Reports

Sputnik News

07:59 08.11.2017(updated 08:46 08.11.2017)

The Swedish government plans to start talks with the United States on buying the US missile defense system Patriot in the coming years, local media reported on Tuesday.

STOCKHOLM (Sputnik)  According to the SR radio, the Swedish opposition Center Party and the liberal conservative Moderate Party have been negotiating the issue for some time, which led to the government endorsing the plans.

"The Armed Forces support [the idea], which is important. Moreover, [Patriot] is a reliable system that is deployed in many countries in our region, which would increase the possibility of our cooperation with others," Hans Wallmark, the defense policy spokesman of the Moderate Party, told the radio, adding that it is "absolutely necessary" to renew the country's air defense system to be able to face modern challenges.

According to the media outlet, Sweden intends to purchase four units of the system, with the deliveries starting in 2020 and ending five years later. The purchase will cost several billion Swedish kronor (millions of US dollars).

Patriot is a long-range all-altitude air defense system capable of countering tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. The United States supplies Patriot systems to a number of its allies, including Germany, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 Sputnik

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US Completes Planned Ground-Based Missile Defense System, But Trump Wants More

Sputnik News

01:53 09.11.2017

The US Missile Defence Agency has confirmed the installation of the last planned Ground-Based Missile (GBM) Defense system interceptor, which is supposed to protect the country from a nuclear attack. Though the effectiveness of the system remains questionable, US President Donald Trump has requested that it be expanded.

The 44th and final Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missile of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, planned during Barack Obama's presidency, has been successfully installed in Fort Greely, Alaska, according to a Defense News report.

"MDA and Boeing emplaced the 44th interceptor in its silo at the Missile Defense Complex at Ft. Greely on Thursday, Nov. 2," the agency said in a statement.

The installation comes months ahead of schedule. Timely though its completion may be, the system itself has been rather spotty in testing.

As Sputnik reported earlier, GMD is the only US missile defense system that can actually shoot down ICBMs (even the North Korean ones). But, judging by its test history, which was begun in the 1990s, the system's chances of successfully thwarting a nuclear armed missile attack is barely above 50 percent.

In the words of the former head of the Missile Defense Agency, retired Lt. Gen. Trey Obering, the chances of successfully hitting an ICBM with a GMD are "as good as a coin toss."

The 44 interceptors installed at Fort Greely are only good enough to shoot down 22 ICBMs. That's probably the reason Trump asked Congress to install 20 more.

According to an Investor's Business Daily report, the Trump administration asked Congress in a supplemental budget request on November 6 to allocate $4 billion to fund missile defense programs, which include GMD and the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). The latter is effective only against short to medium-range missiles.

"This request supports additional efforts to detect, defeat, and defend against any North Korean use of ballistic missiles against the United States, its deployed forces, allies, or partners," Trump wrote in a letter to Congress.

Of that $4 billion, $200 million will go to building the fourth missile defense silo at Fort Greely, 13 News Now reports.

 Sputnik

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US to Impose New Sanctions on Cuba as Part of Trump's New Policies - Treasury

Sputnik News

17:02 08.11.2017(updated 18:42 08.11.2017)

Donald Trump has been reconsidering many decisions by his predecessor Barack Obama, including with regard to the relations with Cuba, one of the major achievements of the former administration.

Changes to the sanctions program against Cuba which were announced by US President Donald Trump in June will take effect on November 9, according to the US Treasury Department.

According to the Treasury, the goal of the changes is to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military, intelligence and security services, but still allow Americans to travel to Cuba and support the country's private, small businesses.

The State Department is currently putting together a list of entities and sub-entities with which people subject to US jurisdiction will no longer be allowed to conduct transactions, while the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security will be simplifying and expanding the exception that allows certain license-free exports to the Cuban private sector.

According to a US administration official, now the ties between Washington and Havana depend on Cuba, while the sanctions, which are not linked to the so-called "acoustic attacks," are aimed to push the country to comply with political and economic freedoms.

Washington's U-Turn on Cuba

The decision comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump rolling back his predecessor's historic opening of relations with Cuba, announcing new business and travel restrictions to the Caribbean island nation. According to the White House, the United States retained the congressionally-mandated trade embargo imposed on Cuba and opposed the appeals of the United Nations and other international organizations to abolish it.

Most lately, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley announced the decision to vote against the resolution condemning the US embargo against Cuba, which came amid the expulsion of Cuban diplomats under the pretext of an alleged "acoustic attack" on US officials, a claim denied by Havana.

However, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has stated that the US would maintain relations with the Latin American country.

The actions of the current US administration are out of tune with the policy of the administration of former President Barack Obama that announced in December 2014 the decision to normalize ties with Cuba after more than 50 years of non-engagement and hostilities. The two countries have reopened embassies in their respective capitals and have signed a dozen cooperation deals since then.

 Sputnik

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Speaking in South Korea, Trump threatens North Korea with 'destruction'

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 07:22AM

US President Donald Trump has once again returned to fiery rhetoric against North Korea, threatening Pyongyang with "destruction" if it continues nuclear "provocations."

Addressing South Korea's National Assembly on Wednesday, Trump attempted to portray his administration as much more willing than former US administrations to resort to military action against the North.

"This is a very different administration than the United States has had in the past," Trump said. "Do not underestimate us. And do not try us," he added, apparently addressing North Korea.

Trump, who was wrapping up his visit to Seoul, said, "We will not let the worst atrocities in history be repeated here, on this ground we fought and died to secure."

"We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. We will not be intimidated," he added.

In what he called a "direct" message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the US president said, "The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger."

"Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face," Trump said. "North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned. It is a hell that no person deserves."

On the eve of a visit to China, he further called on countries around the world, including China and Russia, to step up their efforts to isolate North Korea by denying "it any form of support, supply, or acceptance."

In earlier, confused remarks, he had threatened North Korea with military action while inviting it to make a deal with Washington.

North 'to bolster nuclear capabilities'

In a reaction to Trump's rhetoric, the North reiterated that it "will further bolster our nuclear, treasured sword of justice and defend our sovereignty and justice with nuclear weapons."

In a commentary on Tuesday, the official publication of the Workers' Party of Korea, Rodong Sinmun, rebuked "the US and its puppets'... hostile acts and invasive attempts against" Pyongyang. It reassured that "as long as imperialism, the root of evil and injustice, is left on Earth, we will further build up our nuclear power."

"US warmongers are increasing extreme tension here by holding a joint military exercise in the nearby waters of the peninsula with three nuclear aircraft carrier strike groups," wrote the newspaper, adding that North Korea expected "provocation" during Trump's Asia visit.

Three US carrier strike groups are expected to carry out war games in the Western Pacific during Trump's visit this week, according to US officials, who declined to disclose the exact date.

Making a pitch to sell American military equipment

During his trip to Seoul, Trump praised South Korea for purchasing billions of dollars' worth of US military hardware.

During his visit to Japan, he told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that US weapons would help shoot down North Korean ballistic missiles. He encouraged the Japanese prime minister to "shoot them out of the sky when he completes the purchase of lots of additional military equipment from the United States."

He even called on Abe to purchase "massive amounts of military equipment, as he should," boasting that "we make the best military equipment by far."

China is Trump's next destination, where he would also discuss North Korea. He will later visit the Philippines and Vietnam during his tour of Asia.

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US Senate panel approves North Korea banking sanctions

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 05:02AM

The US Senate Banking Committee has unanimously approved new sanctions against North Korea amid President Donald Trump's tour of Asia.

The sanctions over Pyongyang's intercontinental ballistic missile program target all the financial institutions in China and elsewhere that help finance Kim Jong-un's government.

The "Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act," which was approved on Tuesday, also aims to bolster existing sanctions on the country and congressional oversight.

"The time has come for the US to take the lead to ensure that all nations work together to isolate the Kim regime until it has no choice but to change its dangerous, belligerent behavior," said Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in a statement after the vote.

The measure, which was named after a US student who died earlier this year in North Korea, was backed by all 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats on the panel to clear the way for its consideration by the full Senate.

Senator Pat Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican and a cosponsor, said the bipartisan legislation is "designed to exert maximum economic pressure."

"The bill sends a clear message to the world that the entire US government is committed to the strongest possible sanctions against North Korea," he noted.

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the Banking panel's ranking Democrat, said, "On a bipartisan basis, this Committee forged legislation that cuts to the heart of the North Korean regime by targeting the economic resources that Kim Jong-Un needs to stay in power and achieve his nuclear ambitions."

Trump wrapped up his visit to South Korea Wednesday with a major speech on North Korea. He is due to arrive in China, where he will try to press President Xi Jinping to increase pressure on Pyongyang.

Tensions have been building on the Korean Peninsula following a series of nuclear and missile tests by Pyongyang as well as threats of war and personal insults traded between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korea has been under a raft of United Nations sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear tests and missile launches.

Pyongyang has firmly defended its weapons programs as a deterrent against hostile policies of the US and its regional allies, including South Korea.

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Germany Likely to Buy Lockheed Martin F-35s

Sputnik News

22:02 08.11.2017

The German Air Force, also known as the Luftwaffe, is moving closer to buying the Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth-generation fighter.

The Luftwaffe wants to replace its fleet of 85 Panavia Tornados, which date to the 1980s, with "fifth-generation" aircraft "to meet the full spectrum of our needs," Lt. Gen. Karl Muellner said Wednesday, the most visible public statement to date that Germany will procure the F-35.

Last month, the aerial branch of the Bundeswehr sent out formal requests for information (RFIs) on the F-35, F-15, F/A-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The service hopes for new warplanes to enter service in 2025 as the Tornadoes begin to go offline.

The next fighter plane needs to be "low-observable, and able to identify and strike targets from a distance," Muellner told Reuters.

A Lockheed executive told the wire service, "it's really about giving nations a deterrent capability. Because if you've got the capability to take an airplane into another country's airspace and they don't even know you're there, that's an incredible deterrent."

In July, the US convened with European allies to discuss how the F-35 would be used in that theater.

"Bringing the F-35 into this theater will really change the way we do business in a way that we haven't seen for decades," US Air Forces in Europe Vice Cmdr. Timothy Fay said at the time.

Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey and the UK have already signed on as F-35 clients. Germany, Finland, Spain and Switzerland are possible future F-35 program participants.

Germany's sent a letter requesting classified information (distinct from the aforementioned RFI) on the F-35 program in May to help Berlin conduct an "an in-depth evaluation of market available solutions."

 Sputnik

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Rouhani urges Saudis to end hostilities, befriend Iran instead of US

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 10:01AM

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called on Saudi Arabia to cease its hostile policies against Tehran, warning against the ramifications of putting trust in the US and Israel.

Speaking at his cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Rouhani reaffirmed Iran's support for the development of regional countries, including Saudi Arabia and said, "There is no way other than brotherhood, friendship and helping each other."

"You are mistaken if you think Iran is not your friend, but the US and Israel are. This mentality is a strategic mistake and miscalculation," added the Iranian president.

"Our path in the region is to establish and promote stability; we want the geographic borders not to change, nations to decide for themselves, and bombardments and aggression against regional nations to be stopped," he added.

The president further reminded the Saudi rulers of Iran's might and influential role in the region, saying, "You are well aware of the power and status of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Those more powerful than you have failed to do anything against the Iranian nation."

"The US and its lackeys mobilized all their equipment and power, but they could not do anything," he added.

Rouhani pointed to the allegations about Iran's interference in regional countries, adding that such claims come while the Islamic Republic has been fighting terrorism in Iraq and Syria upon the request of those countries.

The Iranian president pointed to the track record of the US and Israeli plots against regional countries, saying, "The hegemonic [states] plunder the oil and wealth of the region and, in return, they sell their a variety of weapons to fan the flames" of hostility.

Saudi war on Yemen

Rouhani lashed out at Saudi Arabia for waging a deadly war on its neighbor Yemen since March 2015.

"How should the Yemeni nation respond to bombardment on such a scale? They are told not to use their own weapons. Well, stop the bombing and see whether or not the Yemeni nation responds positively. You do not allow delivery of medicine, food and UN assistance to the Yemenis. Is what you are doing reasonable and Islamic?"

He also slammed Riyadh's hostility towards Iraq and Syria through the proxy of terrorist groups and said, "Why are you hostile towards the people of Syria and Iraq? Why did you create Daesh [terrorist group] and unleashed it on the people in the region?"

Saudi interference in Lebanon

Rouhani pointed to the sudden resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Riyadh on Saturday, calling it a result of the Saudi interference.

"Why are you interfering in Lebanon's affairs and [in its] government? We cannot find an instance throughout history where a country meddling in the affairs of another country by apparently forcing the head of that country to resign. This is unprecedented in the history of the region," he pointed out.

Hariri cited many reasons for his sudden resignation, including the security situation in Lebanon. He also said that he sensed a plot being hatched against his life. He accused Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement of meddling in Arab countries' affairs, an allegation the two have repeatedly denied.

The surprise announcement has sparked a new political crisis at home in Lebanon, fueling speculations that the premier has been forced by the Riyadh regime to announce his resignation.

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UN Nuclear Chief Rejects U.S. Claim That Enforcement Of Iran Deal 'Weak'

November 08, 2017

The UN's nuclear inspections chief has rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump and other administration officials that his agency's enforcement of the Iran nuclear deal has been "weak."

"Some people believe that our verification activities are weak. This is not true," International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Yukiya Amano said on a visit to Washington on November 7.

"We have had access to all the locations that we needed to visit, and this should continue," he said, adding that inspectors have been able to turn up at Iranian sites with as little as two hours' notice and were given access in more than 90 percent of cases.

The 2015 nuclear agreement gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear activities which are verified by the UN agency.

Trump cited "weak inspections" last month as a reason for not certifying that Iran was complying with the deal.

But Amano said U.S. concerns have been "exaggerated." He said that in particular, whether a site is military or civilian is not "relevant," as some U.S. officials say.

"The places that interest us are the places that have nuclear material, nuclear expertise, and nuclear-related equipment," he said.

Amano visited Iran last week and met with President Hassan Rohani and other top officials. He said all assured him that Tehran would not be the first to pull out of the deal.

A key factor enabling the UN watchdog to inspect facilities in Iran has been Iran's provisional implemention of an international protocol that gives the agency more tools to verify compliance, Amano said.

It would be "a pity" if Iran were to stop allowing the agency to use those tools, he said, suggesting that pressure from the United States over the nuclear deal might prompt Tehran to backtrack at some point.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/un-nuclear-chief-amano-reject-us-claim- enforcement-enforcement-iran-deal-weak/28841365.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Daesh militants besiege 10,000 civilians in western Iraq: UN

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 02:57PM

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) says members of the Takfiri Daesh militant group have laid siege to a town in Iraq's western province of Anbar, as army soldiers, backed by allied fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, are engaged in a multi-pronged operation to retake the last remaining militant bastions in the country.

The UN agency, in a statement released on Wednesday, announced that the Takfiris have taken about 2,500 families, equivalent to 10,000 individuals, hostage in Rawah, located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of the capital Baghdad, to block the progress of Iraqi forces.

The OHCHR also appealed to the Iraqi government and security forces involved in the Rawah liberation operation to intensify humanitarian efforts and open safe exit routes for civilians to frustrate terrorist schemes aimed at using ordinary people as human shields.

Late last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi formally ordered the launch of operations to purge the towns of Rawah and Qa'im from Daesh terrorists.

Abadi visited the newly-liberated town of Qa'im and the nearby Husaybah border crossing in far western Iraq on Sunday, and raised the Iraqi flag at the border crossing.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) stated that army soldiers and fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi, have launched a joint offensive to retake the Rumana subdistrict from Daesh terrorists.

Separately, Hashd al-Sha'abi bomb disposal units have cleared 20 booby-trapped houses in addition to a power plant in Qa'im, located nearly 400 km northwest of Baghdad near the Syrian border, days after government troops and their allies recaptured it from Daesh extremists.

The pro-government volunteer fighters continue to comb the area for improvised explosive devices and mine left by the terrorists in order to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons.

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Saudi Arabia blocks over 1,200 bank accounts amid crackdown

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 06:59AM

Saudi Arabia has blocked the bank accounts of over 1,200 individuals and companies as part of the kingdom's purported anti-graft campaign which is considered the biggest purge of the country's elite in the kingdom's modern history.

The Saudi central bank has been expanding the blacklisted accounts on an almost hourly basis since Sunday, Reuters cited Saudi bankers and lawyers as saying on Tuesday.

Dozens of princes, ministers and former ministers were detained on the order of Saudi Arabia's so-called Anti-Corruption Committee headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday in a crackdown which is widely believed to be aimed at consolidating his power.

The detained individuals are facing allegations of money laundering, bribery, extorting officials and misappropriation of public office for personal benefits.

Saudi authorities have warned that any assets related to the corruption cases would be seized as state property.

Billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the chairman of investment firm Kingdom Holding, Nasser bin Aqeel al-Tayyar, the founder of Al Tayyar Travel Group and Amr al-Dabbagh, the chairman of builder Red Sea International are among the top business executives detained during the purge.

The stocks of all three companies, which have issued statements saying they continue to operate as normal, plunged between 9 and 10 percent on Tuesday.

A no-fly list has reportedly been drawn up and security forces in some Saudi airports are preventing owners of private jets from departing the country without a permit.

Business uncertainty and capital flight

While the crackdown has triggered uncertainty among businesses over the prospect of political instability and capital flight, the Saudi authorities are trying to reassure investors that the purge is part of the country's economic reform plan.

The central bank reportedly held a meeting with some foreign banks this week, assuring them that the freezing of accounts targeted individuals and that the purge would not harm businesses, including those with ties to the arrested suspects.

Moreover, Saudi Commerce Minister Majid al-Qasabi stressed that companies, including those owned by the arrested elites, will be accorded "full protection" under the law.

Nevertheless, the current circumstances are fueling anxiety among investors who believe the arrests and asset freezes have left their businesses vulnerable.

While the kingdom's general economic downturn and the unstable political situation have already triggered an outflow of capital in recent years, the latest anti-corruption drive has shaken the business community to the core, with major enterprises wondering who will be targeted next.

Over the past year, the crown prince has become the ultimate decision-maker for the Persian Gulf kingdom's military, foreign, economic and social policies, angering some royals frustrated by his unorthodox and swift rise.

Political analysts say the purge by the 32-year-old crown prince has centralized power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history.

US President Donald Trump has expressed support for the crackdown, saying some of those arrested had been "milking their country for years."

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Saudi Arabia Steps Up Military Operation in Yemen and Media Campaign Against Iran

By Edward Yeranian November 08, 2017

The war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia is escalating in the media and on the ground after the weekend launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen which hit near the airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The Saudis accuse Iran of arming Yemen's Houthi rebels, who fired the missile.

Saudi state TV announced a fresh round of attacks by by the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen as tensions continued to escalate following the weekend ballistic missile launch. Saudi military forces say they shot down the missile, but shrapnel fell around Riyadh''s international airport.

Television reports said Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman believes that Iran's "involvement in arming the Houthi rebels with ballistic missiles is a direct military aggression (against Riyadh) and reaches the level of armed aggression against the kingdom ... and that (Riyadh) reserves the right to respond at the right time and place" to the "Iranian aggression."

A spokesman for Yemeni military forces loyal to the Saudi-supported government of President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, Colonel Taher Hamid, told Saudi media he believes Riyadh has the "right" to respond to the latest missile attack on its soil.

He says that the long-range missile attack (on the Saudi capital) sets a very dangerous precedent and he believes the kingdom has the right to respond, in accordance with article 51 of the U.N. charter.

Article 51 stipulates that states "have the inherent right ... of self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a (member state of the UN) ... until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security."

In Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responded to world condemnation of the launch in remarks Wednesday, arguing that it was a "reaction" to what he termed "Saudi aggression" in Yemen.

Iran supports the Houthis, but denies accusations that it is arming them.

Saudi military spokesman Colonel Turki bin Saleh Al-Malki called the weekend ballistic missile attack on the Saudi capital Riyadh a "barbaric aggression," and blamed Iran for supplying the missiles.

He says that the dangerous escalation by the Houthi militia group would not have occurred without the support of a nearby regional country, namely Iran, which supports the Houthi group by supplying them with ballistic missiles.

Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, tells VOA the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran has been a "proxy war" on a number of fronts, including Lebanon and Yemen, but he worries that situation could escalate quickly into something much worse.

He says the ballistic missile threat in the region is becoming more and more serious and could be the prelude to a major aggravation of the ongoing proxy war. He argues the situation could degenerate quickly if the Houthi militia group acts on its threats to attack the ports or airports of the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE is a junior partner in the Saudi-led coalition.

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Both ISIL and Syrian Government responsible for use of chemical weapons, UN Security Council told

7 November 2017  The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) was responsible for using sulfur mustard in a September 2016 attack in Umm Hawsh and the Syrian Government was accountable for the release of sarin in an April 2017 attack in Khan Shaykhun, the head of a Security Council-mandated investigation said Tuesday.

"There has been sufficient evidence of a credible and reliable nature to make its findings," said Edmond Mulet, Head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (OPCW-UN JIM), during a briefing on the entity's latest findings, released on 26 October.

He said that despite the challenges of investigating complex cases during an armed conflict, the Mechanism has taken great care to ensure that its methodology and findings were technically and scientifically sound.

He said the Mechanism has been guided by the terms of reference approved by the Security Council, conducting its work "in an independent, impartial and professional manner."

Mr. Mulet noted that 12 Member States provided case-specific information, including Syria. The Mechanism interviewed over 30 witnesses and reviewed 2,247 photographs, 1,284 video files, 120 audio files and 639 documents. Technical teams visited Damascus and the Al-Shayrat air base in September and October. Syria has engaged constructively with the Mechanism.

Although it was too dangerous to visit Umm Hawh and Khan Shaykum, the panel considered that sufficient information had been gathered to come to a solid conclusion.

The Mechanism has also obtained independent expert analysis and assessments and consulted with several international recognized experts in energetic materials and the medical effects of chemical warfare agents. It cross-checked witness statements and ensured that information gathered was credible and reliable.

As for the 15-16 September 2016 incident, two women were found to have been exposed to sulfur mustard at Umm Hawsh, he said. A mortar shell containing sulfur mustard hit the house of one of the victims and a second shell containing the chemical agent was recovered lodged in the pavement. Based on the positioning of ISIL and the forensic assessment that the mortar shell came from the direction of areas held by that group, the panel is confident that ISIL was responsible for the use of the mortar shells containing sulfur mustard.

As for the 4 April incident involving sarin, it killed around 100 people in Khan Shaykhun. The Mechanism examined eight possible scenarios, including that the incident might have been staged to place responsibility on the Government of Syria, he said. The Mechanism has carefully put together pieces of a complex puzzle, of which some parts are still missing.

It could not establish with certainty that the aircraft which delivered the chemical bomb had taken off from Al Shayrat air base, or the type of plane involved. However, Syrian aircraft was in the immediate vicinity of Khan Shaykhun at the time of the bombing. The crater was determined by experts to have been most likely caused by the impact of an aerial bomb travelling at high velocity.

In-depth laboratory study into the chemistry of sarin has revealed that the nerve gas used was very likely to have been made from the same precursor chemical that had come from the original stockpile of Syria, based on unique markers. He said the panel is confident that when taken together, all those elements constituted unmistakable evidence that Syria was responsible for the use of sarin at Khan Shaykun.

It is now up to the Council to consider the next steps, he said, asking the 15-member body that in doing so, it also consider the victims of those insidious acts. "Impunity must not prevail," he said, pointing out that today, news about another instance of the use of chemical weapons in Syria has been received.

Briefing on the work of the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Also briefing the Council was Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, who gave an update on the work of OPCW.

Following a long-standing delay in gaining access, the OPCW is now conducting a visit to two stationary above-ground facilities to confirm their condition. This is the first step in the process of OPCW verification of the destruction of these facilities.

She also expressed regret that neither the information provided during the consultations nor the latest submissions by the Syrian Arab Republic have enabled the resolution of all identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies in Syria's declaration.

Efforts to resolve these issues have been hampered by a lack of original historical records, as well as an ongoing lack of access to and engagement with senior leaders and officials who have an overarching knowledge of the Syrian chemical weapons programme, she said.

On 2 November, the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission submitted its report on the alleged incident of the use of chemical weapons at Ltamenah on 30 March 2017.

Given the limitations in some evidence, the Mission was not able to determine "with absolute certainty" the use of a chemical weapon, but was able to determine the presence of sarin on samples that came from the alleged site of the incident.

These most recent findings are deeply concerning  all the more so in view of the fact that the mandate of the OPCW-UN JIM is set to end on 16 November.

"Allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria have not ceased and therefore nor has the need to identify and hold accountable those responsible for their use," she said. "The unity of the Security Council will be necessary in order to avoid impunity for the use of these abhorrent weapons."

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Syrian forces along with Lebanon's Hezbollah capture Daesh's last stronghold

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 08:11PM

The Syrian forces along with allied fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement have liberated Bukamal, the last major Daesh-held town in Syria.

"The last stronghold of Daesh, Bukamal, is free of the Daesh organization," said the Syrian commander of the operations on Wednesday night.

Hezbollah fighters were "the foundation in the battle" he noted, adding that hundreds of the elite forces took part in the liberatoin operation.

Reuters initially reported that Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) also had a significant role in capturing of the city but later retracted the statement after it was denied by the Iraqi forces.

"Our movements are carried out under orders from the commander in chief of the armed forces and our key objective is to liberate Iraq's territories from Daesh. We have no orders to cross the borders," said spokesman Ahmed al-Asadi said.

Earlier, the Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Manar television network reported that the Iraqi army and their allies crossed into the city, which is located in the country's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.

The Syrian army and its allies broke Daesh's three-year-old siege on Dayr al-Zawr in September and fully liberated it on Friday.

Dayr al-Zawr is the capital of an oil-rich Syrian province of the same name, which borders Iraq. The city used to serve as the main Daesh stronghold in Syria after the terror group left Raqqah in the north to US-backed Kurdish militants.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011.

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Syrian army, allies enter Daesh's last stronghold on border with Iraq

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 01:04PM

Syrian army soldiers, backed by pro-government fighters from popular defense groups, have entered the last major Syrian city controlled by the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in the country's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.

The Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Manar television network reported on Wednesday that the Iraqi army and their allies crossed into Bukamal, which lies on the Euphrates River and the border with Iraq.

The development came on the same day that Syria's official news agency, SANA, reported that army forces and their allies have launched wide-scale military operations against foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists in the country's west-central province of Hama in order to restore stability to al-Rahajan area and secure the road linking Hama to Aleppo.

A military commander, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operations are meant to destroy the fortifications of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, previously known as al-Nusra Front, terrorists.

He added that army units, backed by Syrian Air Force fighter jets, have eradicated a large number of terrorists, destroyed numerous terrorist command centers and struck many vehicles, which had brought militants from Idlib in order to reinforce Jabhat Fateh al-Sham's ranks in the area.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011.

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Russian Opposition Throws Doubt On Renewal Of UN Inquiry Into Syrian Gas Attacks

RFE/RL November 08, 2017

Russia has rejected a UN investigative report blaming the Syrian government for a deadly sarin-gas attack, casting doubt on whether it will agree to extend the investigation's mandate before it expires next week.

Russia vetoed a U.S. bid to renew the Joint Investigative Mechanism of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on October 24. It has since offered to extend the inquiry's mission for six months, but only after an overhaul.

"Without a comprehensive change, it will become a tool to settle accounts with the Syrian authorities," Russian UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said on November 7, criticizing the report as full of "errors and systemic problems" that concluded that the Syrian forces were behind an April attack that killed dozens of civilians in the town of Khan Sheikhun.

The United States and its allies defended the report and called for renewal of the UN investigative mission.

"Russia is trying to shoot the messenger to cover up for the crimes of the Syrian regime," Deputy British UN Ambassador Jonathan Allen told the UN Security Council.

Russia has been Syria's biggest backer in a six-year-old civil war that has killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Allen said Russia's call for an overhaul of the UN investigative team was "a cynical ploy to discredit a professional, independent, and impartial body" that "has very little if any support in the council and no realistic prospects of success."

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said there could be no higher priority than renewing the investigative team's mandate.

The United States has drafted a resolution to extend its mandate for another 18 months beyond November 17. Haley said she revised the resolution to include some of Russia's proposals, such as embracing the importance of following high standards and sound evidence.

But she said Russia continues "to push unacceptable language only meant to undermine the investigators and divide this council."

Russia is one of five world powers on the UN Security Council that has veto power over resolutions.

"Anyone who prevents us from achieving this goal is aiding and abetting those who have been using chemical weapons," Haley said. "They are helping to ensure, not just that more women and children will die, but that those women and children will die in one of the cruelest, most painful ways possible."

Russia maintains the UN team's latest report on Khan Sheikhun is not credible because the team did not visit Khan Sheikhun or the Syrian air base where the sarin attack allegedly was launched, and instead relied on samples Moscow maintains may have been tampered with by Western intelligence.

But Edmond Mulet, the head of the Joint Investigative Mechanism, said its experts were able to establish that the sarin was dropped in an air strike and that Syrian aircraft were in the area when the attack took place.

Analysis of the sarin used at Khan Sheikhun matched that of the nerve gas found in Syrian stockpiles, Mulet said, adding that this composition "would be very difficult to replicate."

Safronkov shot back that "the chemicals could have been produced anywhere to compromise intentionally the authorities of Syria."

Mulet said his team reached its conclusions after examining 2,247 photos, 1,284 files of video footage, 120 audio files, and 639 documents, and worked according to guidelines set by the Security Council.

Residents, government officials, doctors who treated victims, rescue personnel, and commanders of nonstate armed groups were interviewed as part of the probe, he said.

Mulet said the team examined eight scenarios, including that the scene of the attack might have been staged by rebels to frame the Syrian government, as Russia contends.

The investigation found nothing to prove the incident had been staged, "and when I say nothing, I mean nothing," Mulet said.

As to Russia's criticism that the team didn't visit the site of the attack, Mulet said such a visit would have been of value, but was too dangerous to pursue, as the area is under the control of Al-Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group.

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian- opposition-throws-doubt- renewal-un-inquiry-into-syrian- gas-attacks/28841505.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Tillerson Joins Other Diplomats, Signs Onto Statement Condemning Syrian Chemical Weapons

By VOA News November 08, 2017

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and several other diplomats signed onto a statement Wednesday condemning the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons against its citizens.

Tillerson, along with the foreign ministers from France, Germany and Britain, released the joint statement. It followed a recent report from United Nations investigators that found the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad violated international law when it used sarin gas in the rebel-controlled town of Khan Sheikhoun earlier this year.

"We condemn this heinous act and demand that the Syrian regime immediately cease any and all use of chemical weapons and finally declare to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons all chemical weapons that it possesses," the statement reads.

Tillerson and the other diplomats said it is important to continue looking into instances of chemical weapons use in Syria and urged the U.N. to maintain the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) it established with the OPCW.

According to the diplomats' statement, JIM investigators have reported that another sarin attack "more than likely" took place in the Syrian town of Al Lataminah just a week prior to the attack at Khan Sheikhoun.

"A robust international response is now essential to hold those responsible to account, seek justice for the victims of these abhorrent attacks and to prevent such attacks from happening again," the diplomats wrote.

Just last month, prior to the release of the latest chemical weapons report, Russia used its U.N. veto to block a resolution extending the mandate of the JIM investigators.

The findings in the report were politically embarrassing for Russia, a staunch ally of the Syrian president.

In Syria, the government is the only party to the conflict that possesses air capabilities. Russia had previously suggested that the gas was released from a bomb on the ground and not in the air.

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Taiwanese Military Grounds Mirage Fleet After Jet Goes Missing In Flight

Sputnik News

23:17 08.11.2017(updated 23:22 08.11.2017)

The Taiwanese military grounded its fleet of French-made multirole Mirage 2000 aircraft on Wednesday after Capt. Ho Tsu-yu's plane disappeared from their radars 34 minutes after taking off.

The jet took off Tuesday evening from the northeastern coast of the island, and was about 90 miles from shore went it suddenly went off the grid, the air force said. Grounding the fleet was likely taken as a precaution in the event that a technical malfunction caused the aircraft to disappear from radar.

Seventeen jets were sent out to find the missing plane later on Tuesday, but so far rescue pilots have not found the Mirage or Ho, Channel News Asia reports. At least 10 Taiwan Coast Guard and Navy surface vessels are participating in the search and rescue operation as well, the Aviationist reports.

The air force said it received signals that may have come from the plane's emergency equipment, the Taipei Times reports, adding that Ho communicated with some other pilots while flying. The communications data has been sent to an investigation committee, but the air force hasn't disclosed the content of those communications.

Lt. Gen. Chang Che-ping called Ho an "excellent" pilot, adding that the air force hopes Ho can be "safely rescued soon." An investigation into Ho's background is ongoing, but Chang rejected the possibility that Ho defected to China.

He also said the young aviator graduated pilot school in 2013 and logged more than 220 hours flying the Mirage since, according to the air force.

Ho apparently had a health issue that triggered a leave of absence in 2015, but Chang did not disclose further details about Ho's health.

Taiwan's Mirage 2000 jets have been involved in five accidents between 1999 and 2013, three of which were deadly, the Aviationist reports. Taiwan's fleet of 60 Mirage planes was also grounded in 2012 following the death of a pilot who was training on the jet in France.

 Sputnik

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UK military cuts to hurt NATO: US general

Iran Press TV

Wed Nov 8, 2017 10:58AM

The UK should stop making more cuts to its armed forces before hurting its position in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a top US general has warned.

Speaking to BBC on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, the commander of the US Army in Europe, expressed concerns about the British Ministry of Defense's plans for making 20 billion of efficiency savings.

If the UK "can't maintain and sustain the level of commitments it's fulfilling right now, then I think it risks kind of going into a different sort of category," the general said. "I don't see how you could maintain those global commitments if you got any smaller."

The government has already reduced the Army regular troops from 120,000 to 82,000. However, due to the difficulty of recruiting new staff, that number has even decreased to just over 78,000.

The American general made the remarks ahead of new UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson's meeting with James Mattis, his American counterpart, during his first NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels.

All three branches of the British armed forces have been asked to come up with a list of options for cuts as part of the Ministry of Defense's struggles to control spending through an overall review.

The Royal Navy's cuts are expected to impact the Royal Marines forces and limit the force's ability to carry out offensives on beaches. The Navy's two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, might also be axed.

"I'd hate to lose that particular capability... Whenever you take something off the table unilaterally then you've just made the job a little simpler for a potential adversary," Hodges said.

The US general is known for consistently urging NATO allies to do more to meet what he calls a threat posed by Russia.

The US-led military alliance decided last year to deploy an Enhanced Forward Presence force to the Baltic StatesEstonia, Lithuania and Latviaas well as Poland, following Russia's reunification with Crimea.

Under the current plan, over 800 British troops and nearly 300 French troops are expected to be stationed in Estonia and form one of the four battalions the NATO is putting together near Russian borders.

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UK steps up commitment to European security

8 November 2017

The UK is increasing its commitment to European security as the Defence Secretary announces a package of support to stand by our allies.

Speaking at the NATO Defence Ministerial in Brussels, Gavin Williamson will commit four RAF Typhoons to the Southern Air Policing mission in Romania next summer. Following a successful rotation last summer, the fast jets will be redeployed to the country, working with our Romanian allies to police the Black Sea skies.

Marking a further commitment to Europe, the Defence Secretary will announce that the UK is stepping up in the Western Balkans. In addition to the troops already based in Kosovo, supporting peace in the country, and our contribution to the EU's Op Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from next year a Battalion will be held at high readiness to respond to any situation in the region. This will see 600 soldiers ready to move into the region at short notice.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

"In the face of an increasingly assertive Russia, the UK has significantly stepped up its commitment to Europe and today I can confirm a further package of support, showing how we remain at the forefront on European security."

"We are standing by our allies across air; deploying Typhoons to Southern Air Policing in Romania, land; increasing our support to the Kosovo peacekeeping operation, and sea; with HMS Ocean returning to the NATO Standing Maritime Group."

The Defence Secretary will also welcome the return of HMS Ocean to one of NATO's Standing Maritime groups, following its redeployment to the Caribbean to help in the hurricane recovery.

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Armed Forces Minister reinforces UK support to Gibraltar

8 November 2017

Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Lancaster, arrives in Gibraltar today.

He will meet Gibraltar Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, Deputy Governor, Nick Pyle OBE, as well as service personnel stationed in the UK overseas territory as part of a visit to discuss Brexit and the role of the UK's military in Gibraltar.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Lancaster, said:

"Gibraltar is of great importance to the UK, our Armed Forces and our allies. It has provided vital assistance to operations and exercises over the years, perhaps best demonstrated by the recent support to the UK's hurricane relief effort in the Caribbean."

"We are absolutely steadfast in our support of Gibraltar, its people and its economy and will fully involve Gibraltar as we prepare to exit the European Union."

In meetings with the Deputy Governor and The Chief Minister, Mark Lancaster will stress the UK's commitment to upholding Gibraltar's sovereignty as well as ensuring that their priorities are taken properly into account as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

Whilst in Gibraltar, Mr Lancaster will also attend an event recognising the important role that personnel stationed there played as part of the UK military response to Hurricane Irma. They delivered vital assistance to HMS Ocean as she docked to load humanitarian aid and disaster relief before sailing to the Caribbean Islands to assist those devastated by the hurricane.

He will also meet with Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron who support British military activity in the region, providing force protection for visiting allied warships as well as upholding the sovereignty of British Gibraltar territorial waters.

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Ukrainian Lawmaker To Propose Cutting Diplomatic Ties With Russia

RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 08, 2017

KYIV -- A lawmaker from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's party has told RFE/RL he plans to propose legislation that would sever diplomatic relations with Russia.

Ivan Vinnyk spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on November 8, after reports that he had already submitted the proposal prompted criticism from Moscow.

The proposal comes as the Verkhovna Rada considers a bill governing what lawmakers hope will be the "reintegration" of parts of eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed separatists whose war against Kyiv has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014.

The single-chamber parliament approved the bill in its first of two required votes on October 6. The second and final vote, which would send the bill to Poroshenko if it is approved by the Rada, is expected next week.

Vinnyk told RFE/RL that he has not yet submitted an amendment that would require Ukraine to cut diplomatic ties with Moscow but intends to do so.

HIs proposal would "oblige the cabinet of ministers, within three months from the date of entry into force of this law, to denounce, terminate, withdraw the signature under the protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia,"

"After that, diplomatic ties will be terminated," Vinnyk said. "This does not mean that we will not be able to support a certain amount of trade relations if necessary, [or] that Ukrainians will not be able to travel to Russia."

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the plan.

Kremlin Backlash

Russian officials and pro-Kremlin politicians lashed out swiftly following reports that Vinnyk had proposed cutting off ties.

"If such a decision is taken...it will further complicate the situation and...damage the interests of people both in Ukraine itself and in Russia," said Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov suggested it would undermine efforts to end the war in eastern Ukraine, which persists despite a European-brokered pact on a cease-fire and steps to end the conflict and restore Ukrainian control over separatist-held areas.

Kyiv and NATO say Russia has sent troops into Ukraine and has also been arming and funding the separatists, claims that Moscow denies despite mounting evidence.

The conflict broke out after Russia fomented separatism across eastern and southern Ukraine -- and seized the Crimean Peninsula -- following pro-European protests that pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power in February 2014.

Putin is likely to discuss the war in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump at a possible meeting on the sidelines of a November 10-11 Asia-Pacific economic summit in Vietnam.

The U.S. envoy for efforts to end the conflict, Kurt Volker, said last week that he will plans to meet with Kremlin envoy Vladislav Surkov on November 13 in Belgrade.

With reporting by Interfax and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukriane-vinnyk-russia- cutting-diplomatic-ties/28842771.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Clashes near vital infrastructure in eastern Ukraine may have 'grave' impact on population, UN warns

8 November 2017  Recent escalation of fighting in close proximity of critical infrastructure and services in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, could endanger over a million lives, the top United Nations official in the country has warned.

"As we enter winter, any disruption of essential services, such as water and heating amid freezing temperatures could have grave consequences," said Neal Walker, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, in a statement Wednesday.

"I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to respect civilian infrastructure and to protect civilians. Any intentional disruption of access to quality water supply or critical heating systems is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law," he underscored.

In the past six days, the Donetsk Filter Station has been shelled for three consecutive nights. Another station, the Verkhniokalmiuska Filter Station, was hit more than a dozen times in a single night.

Stations such as these provide clean water to some 1.1 million people on both sides of the 459-kilometre 'contact line' dividing eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, these stations are also essential to keep heating systems functioning.

"Without sustained water supply, heating systems will stop and health conditions will deteriorate. Children, the elderly, women and people with disabilities may flee their homes in search of heat and shelter," noted Mr. Walker.

At the same time, the fighting has also prompted concerns over the possible release of hazardous chlorine gas stored at the two filter stations.

If a single 900-kilogram gas container is hit, anyone within 200 meters might receive fatal dose of the poisonous gas.

The conflict, now in its fourth year, continues to take a toll on civilians, denying the most vulnerable of their basic needs as well as their safety and protection.

"In this protracted crisis, millions of families trapped in active hostilities and people displaced are losing hope for a future," said the UN official, calling on parties to uphold their responsibility to facilitate the access of humanitarian organizations to provide critical services for the most vulnerable Ukrainians affected by the conflict.

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Back in May this year, Google announced that it's mobile payments service Android Pay will soon be available in five more markets around the world, including Brazil. And now, it looks like the Brazilian launch is imminent.

The company has started sending out press invites for a November 14 event in the country, and it's likely that Android Pay will be officially launched in the country that day.

Not only Brazil, but Czech Republic is also apparently set to get the service the same day, as November 14 event has been scheduled there as well.

Via 1 2
Earlier this year, rumors said Huawei was in talks with a US carrier (later identified as AT&T) over sales of its top of the line smartphones. The last report on the matter, in August, claimed a tentative agreement had been reached.

Today AT&T-branded firmware for the Huawei Mate 10 Pro has been revealed to exist, which pretty much confirms that this handset is headed to the US carrier at some point in the future. The mumblings from the summer said sales would commence in the first part of 2018, and that definitely still seems possible.

Huawei is apparently only going to make the Mate 10 Pro available in the US, and not the Mate 10 too. This isn't unheard of, with other markets also only getting one of the models. As you may have expected, AT&T will require its bloatware to be pre-installed. As with the international model, the Mate 10 Pro will run Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 8.0 on top. Intriguingly, Mozilla's Firefox browser will be there alongside Chrome.

The Chinese company could officially announce the Mate 10 Pro for the US market at CES in early January. Pricing details haven't been leaked yet, nor a specific release time frame.

Source
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vivo will expand to Europe and Africa in 2018 with Qualcomm's help

vivo is one of the top smartphone makers yet the brand is not well known outside of its key markets  China and India. That will change next year as the company expands into Europe and Africa.

To bolster its position, vivo signed a $4 billion memorandum of understanding with Qualcomm. This will entail technical partnership and patent sharing to bring 5G phones to market and diversify biometric authentication features.

vivo was the first to do demo a fingerprint reader below the display, but the two companies also want to develop 3D facial identification (think iPhone X), along with scanning palm prints, iris scanning and more.

Recently, the company launched the X20 with Face Wake, vivos facial recognition (based on the 12MP selfie camera), and Qualcomms Snapdragon 660 chipset.

Sibling company Oppo and rival Xiaomi signed similar memorandums with Qualcomm, pushing up the potential monetary value up to $12 billion (which will be spread out over 3 years). Oppo and Xiaomi are also interested in 3D scanning tech, which was reportedly co-developed by Qualcomm and Himax (which made a crucial component in the Google Glass display).
A former British army soldier has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a man who was stabbed to death outside a chip shop.

Donal Colgan (66), formerly of Killarney Court, Killarney Street, Dublin 1, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 44-year-old Dav- id Sheridan, who died after being stabbed outside Luigi's takeaway on the city's North Strand Road three years ago.

However, a jury unanimously found him guilty of murder following five days of evidence and six hours and 44 minutes of deliberation.

Perfect

"We're happy with the verdict but it doesn't bring David back," Mr Sheridan's family said in a statement.

"He will be missed terribly, and we all love him."

In a statement read to the court by Gda Ronan Hobbs, Mr Sheridan's son Jake Fay said his dad was "not perfect but he did his best" and did not deserve to die in the way he did.

He said he would never forgive his father's murderer.

Colgan's defence had argued that he lost all self-control after Mr Sheridan struck him on the head with a bag of cans.

The prosecution said Colgan attacked the deceased out of anger following a row.

The defendant, who was discharged from the British Army due to injuries suffered in an explosion in Libya, had spent the Sunday evening of August 17, 2014 drinking in the Sunset House pub.

He went to Luigi's for a bag of chips on his way home and, while he was there, a number of young "lads" started "slagging him off".

When Mr Sheridan arrived with his friend Gary Kinlan, CCTV footage showed Colgan aggressively pointing at them.

As Colgan left the chip shop, he became involved in a scuffle with Mr Kinlan.

Colgan alleged that Mr Kinlan had punched him before Mr Sheridan emerged from the chip shop and said: "Hit him with the bottles."

Mr Kinlan had thrown a bottle at him, striking him on the forehead and knocking him to the ground. However, Mr Kinlan said Colgan had been the first to throw a punch.

After being hit by the bottle, Colgan said he was "dazed" and anger and frustration took over.

He had walked to his nearby apartment, retrieved a kitchen knife and returned to Luigi's seven minutes after the initial scuffle with Mr Kinlan.

Colgan said he had no intention of stabbing anyone and, although he was afraid, anger and frustration took over.

By the time he reached Luigi's, he had started hoping Mr Sheridan and Mr Kinlan would not be there.

Colgan alleged he was att-acked by the deceased, who had hit him on the head with a bag of cans. He added: "I just lost complete control."

This led to his defence of provocation, with Justice Tony Hunt explaining that, if a person accused of murder was provoked by the deceased to the point where he was no longer master of his own mind, then he would be guilty of manslaughter, not murder.

Cruel

Judge Hunt said yesterday that it was sometimes satisfying to send a person to prison, but this was not one of those occasions.

He said Colgan had not gone out that evening with any intention of doing what he had and that, if he could turn back the clock, he would do so.

He said it was clear the dec-eased had been a "nice man" who had not deserved to die in such a "cruel" way.

Judge Hunt also called on the legislature to look at the defence of provocation, particularly in cases where an accused brings an offensive weapon "into play".

It was the second time the case had been tried, the first trial having collapsed after a gap was discovered in the CCTV footage.
Luas Cross City will open for passengers on Saturday, December 9, the Herald can reveal.

Full tram services will operate from 2pm, allowing Christmas shoppers and commuters to travel from Cabra/Broombridge to the capital's main shopping areas of Henry Street and Grafton Street before carrying on to Dundrum.

Those keen to continue their shopping experiences will also be able to transfer to the Red line at O'Connell Street, continuing to Tallaght, or perhaps take in a show at the 3Arena, where Andre Rieu plays that night.

Training

A spokeswoman confirmed full services will be running in just over four weeks' time, adding that the new service would form part of late-night services over the festive season.

"Luas is being delivered on time and on target after four-and-a-half years and in advance of the Christmas rush, so commuters, businesses and shops can all enjoy Christmas with the new service in place," the spokeswoman said.

Driver training is under way, and testing is continuing to ensure that services run smoothly.

Some works still remain to be done, including planting, which is likely to continue into the new year.

Luas Cross City will cost almost 370m and will extend the Green Line, which currently runs from Bride's Glen to St Stephen's Green.

It will continue for almost 6km to Broombridge, near Cabra, where it will connect with Irish Rail services to Maynooth, Longford and Sligo.

There is an interchange on O'Connell Street, where pass-engers can transfer to the Red Line, which runs to the Point Depot and on to Tallaght/Saggart.

Construction work began in July 2013, and 10 million passengers a year are expected to use the service.

It will take 21 minutes to travel from St Stephen's Green to Cabra, with 13 new stops along the route, eight of which are in the city centre.

The new system is designed to help reduce congestion and emissions from traffic and improve air quality.
One of the country's most dangerous criminals narrowly avoided being caught with a loaded firearm during a massive garda operation, it has emerged.

Around 100 officers were involved in the lengthy investigation on Monday, which led to four dangerous criminals being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Two of the thugs were caught with a loaded Beretta fitted with a silencer on Philipsburgh Avenue, while another two high-profile criminals were detained in the south inner city.

They were on their way to take out Hutch gang associate Gary Hanley (28) when they were intercepted.

Further details of one of the most significant operations in the State's history emerged last night.

The Herald can now reveal that a 38-year-old thug regarded as one of the most dangerous individuals in the country was moments from being caught red-handed with the loaded gun.

Expand Close Hutch gang associate Gary Hanley was the intended target / Facebook

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A surveillance operation uncovered how the firearm to be used in the murder plot was handed over on the Old Finglas Road, Glasnevin.

The criminal, who is a suspect in up to 10 murders, was travelling in the vehicle with the hitman and getaway driver as they were en route to carry out the shooting.

However, the thug got out of the van just moments before members of the elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU) stopped the vehicle transporting the loaded firearm.

Despite not being caught at the scene in possession of the handgun and ammunition, the thug was arrested moments later as he drove in a vehicle near his home in Christchurch, Dublin 8.

It has also emerged that Hanley came across the scene just moments after armed gardai arrested the hit team on their way to kill him.

Assault

"Hanley bizarrely walked past just minutes after the ERU hard-stopped the hit team," a source said.

"He asked one of the officers 'Was this for me?' and was told to get himself home."

The convicted criminal was warned last month of the threat against his life, but he refused to leave the country.

Hanley has more than 30 previous convictions for offences including drug dealing, serious assault and other crimes.

He was once brutally assaulted in Mountjoy Prison by a convicted killer.

Now a feared enforcer, he was convicted of an armed robbery when he was only 15.

Sources said he had "risen through the ranks" within the Hutch gang after being released from his latest jail sentence around a year and a half ago.

Gardai were last night continuing to hunt for a 33-year-old cartel associate who they want to question over the murder conspiracy.

Four criminals are also continuing to be questioned over their suspected involvement in the elaborate murder plot.

Those detained include the 38-year-old hitman for hire who was only recently released from prison.

Another man being quizzed is a 35-year-old criminal who is a high-ranking member of the Kinahan cartel.

This individual was arrested at his apartment in the south inner city by members of the Armed Support Unit. Investigators suspect that he was the person responsible for organising the hit.

It emerged last night that the gangster had become an "organiser" within the cartel's operations.

Also arrested was a 23-year-old thug who previously survived an attempt on his life, as well as a 37-year-old career criminal who was only recently released from prison after serving a sentence for explosives and firearms offences.

This drug addict was previously busted with the high-ranking cartel member.

A 39-year-old man who lives in the leafy Blackrock area is also suspected of being involved in the murder plot.

Searched

He has been linked to the Kinahan cartel for a number of years, and his home was searched as part of the probe into Monday night's foiled murder.

Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll said the operation was one of the most significant carried out in the history of the State that didn't involve subversives.

He also paid tribute to the officers who were involved.

"Clearly with an intervention like this there is a serious level of risk assessment that takes place," said Mr O'Driscoll.

"You have members of An Garda Siochana putting their own lives at risk,"

He also warned of more arrests. "There are people whose doors we will be knocking at," he said.
Five fifth-class pupils had their mouths taped shut by a teacher when they refused to stop talking in class, a Teaching Council fitness to practise inquiry was told yesterday.

They gave evidence of their treatment by the substitute teacher at the first public fitness to practise inquiry held by the council.

The female teacher was facing allegations of professional misconduct at the inquiry into the incident, which happened in the primary school on March 7, 2012.

"I was scared and shocked," said one of the teenagers as she recalled the incident.

The school was not named and the identity of the teacher, the principal and the pupils was also not made public.

The hearing ended with the three-member panel indicating that they would give their decision on the case at a later date.

The teacher was not present at the hearing and was not represented.

In a submission to the Teaching Council, she had denied the accusations and claimed the children had taped up their own mouths.

Each of the pupils contradicted the teacher's statement.

The young witnesses said six boys and five girls were in a maths class when the incident happened.

They admitted that all the pupils were talking and messing about and that they did not stop talking despite the teacher telling them to "whist" on several occasions.

The substitute teacher, who had started working at the school only two days previously, said she would Sellotape their mouths if they did not stop talking.

"She could not control the class. We kept talking," said one witness, who is now aged 16.

The witnesses said the teacher placed Sellotape on two of the girls' lips and instructed the other three girls to put Sellotape on their own mouths.

The six boys in the class did not have their mouths Sellotaped, they said.

According to one witness, the teacher later asked the boys if the Sellotape should be removed from the girls' mouths and the boys said "No".

The tape remained on the girls' mouths for up to 30 minutes until the class ended.

Upset

The school principal said she was informed about what had happened by a pupil and she spoke with the five girls.

"I could see they were upset. One or two were crying," she said.

The girls had "little red marks" around their mouths, the principal added.

When the teacher arrived back at the school later that afternoon, she put the allegations to her .

The principal said the teacher did not deny it had happened and said she "didn't mean any harm by it".

The teacher later informed the Teaching Council that she did not put tape over the pupils' mouths.

The principal informed her that afternoon that she was not to return to her job. She contacted the parents about the incident and asked the girls to write down what had happened.

The principal said she had been in contact with the Department of Education, Tusla and the HSE about the incident.

She added that one of the parents contacted the Department of Education to complain.

The teacher later informed the Teaching Council that she would not be capable of dealing with an oral public hearing.

She said she was not giving the council permission to go ahead with the hearing.

The teacher also said she did not want to receive emails or phone calls from the council.
Police Accountability Boards starting work in most Maryland counties

Mandated by state law after the killing of George Floyd, Police Accountability Boards have begun work in the majority of Maryland counties.
C ounting down the days until Christmas has never been so inviting thanks to the festive samples and mini-bottles tucked neatly behind the cardboard doors of this year's fun-filled advent calendars.

Food blogger Annem Hobson has joined forces with ASDA to launch a cheese advent calender to celebrate the festive season. Costing 8 for 24 pieces of individually wrapped portions of cheese, you can spend December munching your way through different varieties of Jarlsberg, Applewood, mature cheddar, Red Leicester and Wensleydale with cranberries. It hits the store on November 9.

With a different Italian larder sample behind each door, keen cooks will love the Carluccio's advent calendar. For 75, you can squirrel away 24 delicious store cupboard essentials such as chilli pesto, wild boar ragu, fig jam and truffle butter.

Including 24 different chillies from around the world alongside handy recipes, The Big Chilli advent calender is priced at 35. Have a glass of milk ready for the day you open the world's hottest chilli, the Carolina Reaper.

And to keep the festive spirit rolling throughout December, Aldi has a wine advent calender for 49.99. Every day offers a new mini bottle of red, white, rose or fizzy wine.

Click through our gallery above to see more advent calendars to help you count down to Christmas...
A growing band of designers are delving into ancient Greek, Roman and Norse mythology, while creatives with fertile imaginations are dreaming up mythological characters of their own.

There have been revivals of classical motifs through the ages, including the postmodernist architecture of the Seventies and the neo-expressionist art movement of the Eighties, whose members  including Francesco Clemente and Mimmo Paladino  favoured primitive, mythological imagery.

Designers of the Eighties, such as Timney Fowler, also filled their work with Greek and Roman motifs from pillars and pediments to statues of emperors and gods.

One difference between that decades revival and the current one is that designers today are creating objects highlighting the similarity between the ancient worlds simple, functional vessels and our own modern, streamlined homeware.

Typifying this approach is the Delta collection co-created by Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of Formafantasma, which references ancient Roman vessels. The Italian design duo scoured Roman archaeological sites and museums for inspiration, taking photos and notes that formed the basis of their designs.

They were struck by Imperial Romes more mundane objects, and their Acquedotto water jug and vinegar dispenser in clay red, black or off-white emulate these age-old pots earthy colours and stripped-down shapes.

423: Titus con Manici urn by Jaime Hayon for Paola C

Spanish designer Jaime Hayons pared-down New Roman tableware for Italian brand Paola C also looks to ancient Roman vessels but uses more opulent materials. Its glossy black ceramic Titus vase, which nods to the amphorae Romans used to store wine, sits on a brushed brass base.

Similarly, Hayons metal Colosseum bowl rests on a copper or brushed silver-plated base featuring arches mimicking the famous amphitheatre. He says the collection is inspired by vessels of the Roman Empire but transforms antique references into a celebration of contemporary craft.

345: square green Urn Decoupage tray by Bridie Hall for Pentreath & Hall

Pentreath & Hall has given a modern twist to the ancient Greek figure vase, with trays incorporating black-and-white decoupage images of urns set against punchier, contemporary hues of ruby red or moss green. The trays evoke the 18th-century revival of classical Greece and Rome  the first wave of neoclassicism  promoted by artists and designers returning from the Grand Tour.

Price on request: Owl and Deer figures by Lena Peters, stylised versions of Roman-era artefacts found in 2015

The work of ceramicist Lena Peters reinterprets the imagery of these ancient cultures in a more personal way. Her stylised animal-shaped objects are based on real objects found in 2015 in a settlement dating from the Roman occupation of Britain near Hadrians Wall.

Her project, Secrets of the Hidden North, was exhibited recently at the British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent.

Helen M Strevens, founder of HMS Studio, says her passion for classical motifs stems from studying the history of architecture. Her Roman Graffiti plates and jewel-bright taffeta cushions, stocked by Jonathan Charles, bear linear images of slightly comic, swaggering gods, satyrs and mermen.

One designer giving free rein to her imagination is Jennifer Shorto. Her Cadre Noir wallpaper mingles Op Art-inspired elements, Mexican totemic structures and horses. She was inspired by 20th-century Italian artist Giorgio de Chiricos melancholy urban scenes but depicted the horses in Smurf blue to inject humour.

38: Forest Jig cushion by Ellie Curtis for St Judes

Ellie Curtiss Forest Jig fabric pictures imaginary, long-snouted creatures dancing deliriously, as if performing an ancient ritual.

And the sponge-like mind of designer Emma Shipley  whose silk cushions teem with phoenixes and dragons  has soaked up such wide-ranging influences as medieval legends, Norse myths, Beowulf, Tolkiens Middle Earth and even Game of Thrones.
O nce a forlorn little east London corner, Silvertown is poised for stardom thanks to a regeneration programme that will create the capitals first factory-built town.

A factory will be built on-site to construct the components for 850 new homes as part of a 3.5 billion masterplan. Residents should be moving in by 2020.

Their new homes will be part of an architectural and retail scheme that is promised strictly to be free of skyscrapers and chain stores.

"We see it as a vibrant 24-hour area. And we are obsessed with design. We wont build homes that are just boxes with no character or identity"

Right now there are few clues that Silvertown, stranded on a sliver of land between the Thames Barrier, London City airport and Pontoon Dock, is being put on the map.

A few small developments were thrown up on disused industrial sites in the Eighties and Nineties but work fizzled out, leaving the new locals stranded.

Buying a pint of milk is still a challenge in Silvertown, and if you plan on going out locally to eat or drink, you can forget it: there is nothing here but old, abandoned mills.

GIANT PROJECT

Olaide Oboh is spokeswoman for the Silvertown Partnership, a consortium of three developers  Chelsfield Properties, First Base and Macquarie Capital  leading the regeneration.

Pre-fabulous: no tall towers and no chain stores at Silvertown, which will eventually have 3,000 new factory-built homes / Silvertown Partnership

We see it as a vibrant, 24-hour area, she says. And we are obsessed with design. We wont build homes that are just boxes with no character or identity. They will work well and be beautiful to look at.

The regeneration of Silvertown has been considered for years.

There has been a lengthy preparation period, part of which was taken up with obtaining planning permission for the project from Newham council.

Stripping out a ton of dangerous asbestos from the Millennium Mills, a hulking Art Deco former flour mill which will eventually become the centrepiece of the 62-acre site, was a mammoth task. But over the next few months the pace will pick up.

Poised for a decision: TfL plans a new Silvertown to Greenwich road tunnel

Later this year a container city of up to 250 shipping containers will be installed, providing affordable temporary workspace for small businesses. By the new year the ambitious first phase of this giant project will get under way.

THE POTENTIAL TO BE SPECTACULAR

The restoration of the potentially spectacular Millennium Mills, which will feature shops, bars, and restaurants plus workspace for start-up firms, will be completed by about 2019, and simultaneously a new bridge will be installed over Royal Victoria Dock, giving pedestrian access to the new super-fast Crossrail links to the City and West End when they begin next year from nearby Custom House station.

Transport for London, meanwhile, is pursuing plans to dig a new road tunnel beneath the Thames from Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula. A government decision on whether to allow the 1 billion project is expected within days. An opening date of 2022 or 2023 has been pencilled in.

Connection: a curved new Royal Victoria Dock footbridge will give access to Crossrail at Custom House / Alamy

Eventually there will be about 3,000 new homes, ranging from one to five bedrooms  a mixture of private, affordable, shared ownership and built to rent.

Whatever their tenure, all of Silvertowns new homes will be prefabricated, their components created on-site in the purpose-built new factory. This process will be faster than regular housebuilding, and roughly 20 per cent cheaper.

This saving will not be passed on to buyers, as pricing will be based on local values. However, Olaide Oboh promises other benefits. We want to deliver 100 per cent snag-free homes.

"Dont think about the old idea of a prefabricated home, built like a cross between a shed and a bungalow. Prefabricated homes are now a sophisticated and universally used way of providing beautiful and well-designed, long-lasting homes. We are going to make this area look beautiful.

On the water: sport and leisure will be in the mix at the docks new town

The partnership is working with a seriously impressive 20-strong design team of internationally recognised architects including David Adjaye, David Chipperfield, Rem Koolhaas, Richard Rogers and AHMM, which designed the Saatchi Gallery. The first detailed designs will be revealed next year.

AMBITIOUS PLANS

Award-winning practice Stanton Williams has drawn up the plans for the new Silvertown Bridge, a wide concrete boardwalk curving across Royal Victoria Dock, with an opening section to allow boats and barges to sail below.

The other ambitious promise made by the Silvertown Partnership is that it will not create a town just for people who work in the City and Canary Wharf but cannot afford to live there, but a self-sufficient urban town.

As well as independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, Roundhouse, based in Camden Town, is planning to open up in Silvertown.

How cool is that?: Roundhouse plans a music/education venue in Silvertown

Like its north London counterpart Roundhouse East will be a music venue and education space.

Silvertown will also have a new school, a health centre, and therell be plenty of job creation  both during the construction and also in the new businesses that will be able to take space at the site.

The drawback is that the project will take at least 20 years to complete, and residents will have to live through the building process. And its proximity to London City airport means flight path noise is inevitable: some homes will need quadruple soundproofing.

The bright side is the convenience of having an international airport just half a mile away, says Olaide Oboh, while plane takeoff paths will ensure there are no high-rise buildings at Silvertown.

Millennium Mills is our tallest building at 12 storeys, she says. We are going to show you can do high-density housing without having to go high rise.

WHAT YOU CAN BUY NOW

500,000: a two-bedroom flat at the Barrier Point Road scheme in E16. Purple Bricks (0121 396 0867)

Homes close to Londons major regeneration zones have historically tended to outperform in terms of property price growth.

So buyers keen to get in on the ground and reap the benefits of Silvertown right now could buy a two-bedroom purpose-built flat close to the river for about 350,000, or a home with river views for about 550,000.

There are some more glamorous townhouses to be had south of North Woolwich Road  but dont expect bargains.
EyeforTravel are constantly researching the trends and technologies that are set to disrupt the travel industry.

Mobile innovation and the internet's control over the travel consumer is forcing travel brands to evolve the way they work, create new business models and service their customers  and this conference will facilitate this change.

300 heads of mobile innovation, technology, marketing and innovation from America's biggest transport, hospitality and travel brands will meet with one goal  identify the strategies, partnerships, innovations and business models that will make their companies thrive in the future.

Data driven customer insight, the evolving mobile consumer and a host of other technologies are the drivers behind this change and we are looking for innovators in this space to join the speakers such as Hilton, Marriott, Air Canada, IHG, Expedia, Cathay Pacific and more to showcase how they are using digital and tech innovation to enhance the customer experience.

The full agenda will be launched early December but here's a sneak peek of some of the hot topics their summit in San Francisco will cover.

Personalization, hyper-segmentation, voice and chatbots as tools to enhance customer experience & optimize your marketing efforts

Re-imagining the customer journey and venture beyond the transaction  how can you delight customers at every touchpoint to build and retain loyalty?

Perfecting your mobile marketing recipe to drive interaction and ensure a seamless customer experience

Applying and integrating disruptive technologies such as AI, machine learning, VR, mixed reality and blockchain into your strategy

Leveraging consumer insights to drive targeted social media and content marketing programs, and more!

Sign up here to get the brand-new brochure sent to you.

Here's what some of the 2017 attendees had to say:

"The conference was a great opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in the industry and to hear what travel companies are doing to leverage new technologies"

- Deyola Adekunle, GM, Caribbean, HotelTonight

"For the travel marketer today, trends are changing quickly while consumers expect more so understanding the technology available and applications is essential. EyeforTravel creates a conference that ties this all together with actionable insights and application."

- Rebecca Robinson, Director of Marketing, WayBlazer

"Very informative and amazing group of assembled professionals. EyeforTravel clearly understands the tech pulse of the travel industry."

- Christian Wolters, Managing Director, TourRadar

A mixture of active debate, insightful presentations and 1-2-1 networking will be at the heart of this year's conference.

They're also currently offering a launch discounted rate, something worth getting your hands on!

This offer is available until November 17th  click here to claim your discounted pass:

For more details contact Renu Kannu [email protected]

About Reuters Events

Reuters Events is a community where the worlds top online travel brands  from hotels to airlines, online travel agents, cruise, car hire firms and more  come to meet to drive forward growth and innovation in the industry.

We know that working in the turbulent online travel industry is as exciting as it is challenging. In this constantly evolving market place, we appreciate that keeping up with the pace of change can be tough, not to mention time consuming. You need the right information, contacts and strategic insight to succeed.

Established in 1997, by Tim Gunstone, we offer a diverse product portfolio including industry analysis, insights, research, webinars, reports and conferences to suit the needs of our clients.

Our clients read as a whos who of online travel. From major hotel brands to new startups, we help our 80,000 strong customer base make better decisions, build better brands, close the most lucrative deals and ultimately sell more of their product. After all, increasing travel brand profit margins in the cutthroat travel industry is the name of the game!

No other online travel intelligence provider has been charting the growth of online travel as long as we have. We were here at the inception of online travel and we know the industry inside out. Whats more, were a small, friendly team. Forget impersonal hierarchies, we like to get to know our customers and work towards their exact needs.

Meredith Pistulka
Over 60 ministers of tourism and private sector leaders gathered on 7 November in London for the UNWTO / WTM Ministers' Summit on 'overtourism'. Moderated by CNN International's Max Foster, the Summit concluded on the need for the tourism sector to engage more and better with local communities.

Community engagement, communication, congestion management, adequate planning and product diversification were highlighted as key aspects in dealing with 'overtourism'.

Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said opening the Summit: "growth is not the enemy; numbers are not the enemy; the key is to manage the growth sustainably, responsibly and intelligently and use the power of growth to our advantage".

"We cannot continue to build five-star hotels in three-star communities. Jobs and charity are not enough  we need to diversify visitors' activities, reduce seasonality and raise awareness of less busy destinations" he added.

Participants agreed on the need to build awareness among communities of the benefits of the sector, improve the use of big data to measure and manage the impact of tourists and tourist flows, and promote the development of tourism experiences that engage and benefit communities directly.

The emergence of new platform tourism services, or the so called sharing-economy, was discussed at length, with participants recognizing that they will continue to expand and need to be understood and managed by destinations on a case-by-case basis.

Speakers in the Summit included:

H.E. Mr. Mauricio Ventura Aragon, Minister of Tourism, Costa Rica

H.E. Ms. Elena Kountoura, Minister of Tourism, Greece

Mr. Ryoichi Matsuyama, President, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

H.E. Mr. Mohamed Sajid, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicraft and Social Economy, Morocco

H.E. Mr. Enrique de la Madrid, Secretary of Tourism, Mexico

H.E. Mr. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), United Arab Emirates

H.E. Mr. John Glen, Minister of Arts Heritage and Tourism, United Kingdom

Mr. Istvan Ujhelyi, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, European Parliament

Ms. Gloria Guevara, President and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Mr. Patrick Robinson, Head of Policy for EMEA, Airbnb

Ms. Inge Huijbrechts, Vice-President, Responsible Business, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

Ms. Kate Gibson, Vice-President, Global Corporate Responsibility, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Mr. Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman, Silversea Cruises

About The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

Follow UNWTO on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.

Rut Gomez Sobrino

Principal Media Officer

(+34) 91 567 81 60

UNWTO
New York and Tel Aviv  Routier, a Tel Aviv-based start up founded by intelligence experts trained by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), announced that it has built the first ever continuous communications solution to connect hotels with their guests at all times while they are on property  with no downloads or installations required. The company has opened a U.S. office in Manhattan to accelerate its growth, and has added branded hotel properties in New York, London and Tel Aviv.

Routier's Founder and CEO, Gal Bareket, said, "At a time when guests are demanding efficient and personalized service as they want it, when they want it, Routier is helping hotels deliver that experience while streamlining operations and increasing margins. Now partnering with branded and independent hotels on three continents, we are revolutionizing how hospitality providers connect and engage with their guests and how guests engage with providers  on property, at all times."

Routier's seamless communications solution tackles one of the biggest challenges facing hotels  successfully connecting hotel staff and their guest at all times, to enhance the guest experience, improve operational efficiencies and drive increased guest revenue. Since the overwhelming number of guest requests are repeated over time, the data accumulated by Routier's technology can also provide the foundation for more efficient application of staff time and on property investment by hotel owners and management companies.

Routier's growing client list includes luxury branded hotels such as the Hotel Indigo and the Stewart Hotel in Manhattan, and the David Intercontinental in Tel Aviv. The company expects rapid deployment in additional cities in the U.S and Europe, and is in discussions with the leading airline and cruise companies to bring its solutions to their verticals.

For more information about Routier and its products, http://www.routier.io/routier/

Michael Frenkel
Leading travel and hospitality technology marketing agency Puzzle Partner, today announced their latest alliance with HEDNA, a global forum dedicated to the advancement of hospitality distribution anchored by a fundamental belief in strategic collaboration and knowledge sharing. HEDNA is making bold moves to lead the category and is looking to Puzzle Partner to support their initiatives and help take the association's industry impact to the next level.

Puzzle Partner will be distilling and condensing working group content to ensure that HEDNA members are receiving valuable updates tailored to their needs and business, which will, in turn, also assist in driving membership for the association on a larger scale. The agency will utilize their team of writers, each with significant proficiency and insights relating to the hotel industry, to support the content and delivery of HEDNA specific publications. With the onset of this new engagement, Puzzle Partner continues to expand its reputation as the preferred marketing agency and content provider for the travel, tourism and hotel industry.

"The HEDNA community creates critical, relevant content that benefits everyone in hospitality and Puzzle Partner is the right choice for us as we broaden our scope," said Sarah Fults, President of HEDNA. "It is now even more imperative that hoteliers worldwide be fully aware and educated on the dynamics of hotel distribution so that they can make the best strategic decisions regarding where and how they sell their rooms inventory."

HEDNA encourages an open exchange of information, continued professional development amongst members and the global conferences focused on the latest trends and dialogue in hotel distribution. This variety of expertise lends itself to the continuous advancement of member education, a core concept which HEDNA is focused on. The non-profit organization will be hosting its next Global Distribution Conference in Austin, Texas from January 29th-31st. The event is a renowned international networking opportunity dedicated to sharing the latest information, insights, and dialogue on emerging trends that impact the hotel industry. Sessions run during the conference will provide participants with the very best in transformative ideas and information as they relate to hotel distribution, shared by industry leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, influencers and more.

Alan Young, president of Puzzle Partner, adds, "The delivery of top-tier content to specific hotel-centric outlets and social networks will deliver greater brand and working group visibility, an on-going benefit to both the association and its members. We are honored to be working with the talented team at HEDNA to inspire hoteliers and very much looking forward to a very successful long-term relationship."

For more information about Puzzle Partner, visit puzzlepartner.co.

About Puzzle Partner

Puzzle Partner Ltd. is a boutique marketing agency focused exclusively on complex B2B initiatives for the travel and hospitality technology industry. We are experts at combining strategy and tactical execution in a way that doesn't just maximize a company's potential; it redefines it. By delivering influential content, marketing services, and public relations rooted in the skills of our team and tested through real-world experience, we help our clients gain visibility, raise their profile and ultimately increase their sales revenues. To learn more visit puzzlepartner.co.

About HEDNA

HEDNA (Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association) is a not-for-profit trade association whose worldwide membership includes executives and managers from the most influential companies in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1991, HEDNA's mission is to be the leading global forum for advancing hospitality distribution through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Its vision calls for HEDNA to be known for creating an environment that fosters strategic collaboration toward business development in the global hospitality industry. For more, visit HEDNA.org.

Alan Young

CEO
Travelers continue to be concerned by terror threats when travelling - nevertheless the desire to travel is unbroken  City trips are growth driver in holiday segment - ITB Berlin exclusively publishes latest results from the World Travel Monitor in January 2018

Pisa/Berlin, 9 November 2017  Despite yet another year of numerous terrorist attacks, outbound travel volume worldwide has not been affected. The global travel industry is continuing on a growth path, as the number of outbound trips has increased by 6 per cent in the first eight months of this year. Rolf Freitag, CEO of the tourism consultancy IPK International, presented these results today (Thursday) at the 25th World Travel MonitorForum in Pisa, Italy.

Looking at the different outbound regions, North America showed the highest growth rate with a rise of 7.5 per cent, followed by Europe with 5.5 per cent. Compared to previous years, Asia so far performed slightly under the global average with an increase of 5 per cent. Outbound travel from Latin America also showed a growth rate of 5 per cent. Russia seems to be on a path to recovery as it showed a strong comeback with a rise of 18 per cent. On the other hand, a source market with a negative development is Mexico, where outbound trips dropped by 5 per cent, which could be due to tensions with the US.

In terms of destinations, Spain is amongst this year's winners with an 11 per cent rise in visitors. In general, Europe is the region with the strongest growth, welcoming around 7 per cent more guests from abroad. Asia had around 5 per cent more international visitors followed by the Americas with a 3 per cent increase.

There continues to be a relatively high perceived risk of terror when travelling. However this is mainly resulting in a change to safer destinations rather than giving up travelling altogether. Destinations such as Turkey and Egypt are still seen as unsafe. However, Great Britain and the USA, for example, have also suffered in their safety perceptions, which is likely due to recent incidents.

Holidays remain the number one reason for going on a trip abroad and further grew by 6 per cent in the first eight months of 2017. Within the holiday segment, city trips are also this year the main growth driver, with a rise of 16 per cent while tour holidays at the same time further decreased by 2 per cent. Trips to visit friends and relatives (VFR trips) showed an even stronger increase of around 8 per cent, while business trips more or less stagnated. This is mainly caused by a decrease in traditional business trips, possibly as they are more and more replaced by new technologies. On the positive side for the business travel industry, MICE trips, making up for around 60 per cent of all business trips, are showing positive growth trends so far this year.

IPK International is forecasting that 2018 will be yet another year with positive growth rates in worldwide outbound trips. The consultancy is estimating an increase of around 5 per cent worldwide, with the strongest growth for outbound trips coming from Asia as well as Latin America with increases of 6 per cent, followed by a 4 per cent rise from both North America and Europe. The forecasts are based on IPK's World Travel Confidence Index, which is compiled annually based on the views of the survey participants about their travel intentions for the coming 12 months.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention

ITB Berlin 2023 will take place for trade visitors only from Tuesday, 7 to Thursday, 9 March. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World's Leading Travel Trade Show. As in previous years, the internationally renowned ITB Berlin Convention will take place live parallel with the exhibition on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, with selected sessions live-streamed on itb.com. In 2022 it took place as a virtual event on the brand's website itb.com and registered 60,700 attendees from 125 countries who took part in more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers. Taking place on one day, the Digital Business Day gave 2,500 attendees from 96 countries an opportunity to exchange views and do business virtually from anywhere in the world. International attendance was high, with 78 per cent of buyers and providers taking part from abroad. A total of 20,000 business contacts were made, resulting in 14,000 leads and 3,200 business meetings being arranged. As a virtual industry platform, the Digital Business Day augmented the ITB brand family and rounded off the trade show concept. In 2022, under the heading 'TRVLX by ITB', ITB Berlin is planning a series of B2B networking events in European markets  the kick-off event took place in May in Georgia. Before the pandemic at ITB 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to some 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.

Emanuel Hoger

Press Spokesman and Press and Public Relations Director, Corporate Communication - Messe Berlin Group

+49 30 3038-2270

Messe Berlin GmbH
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour Hotel Opens

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has opened its doors, making it the first new-build, international luxury hotel to open in Sydney's CBD this millennium. Centrally located opposite the International Convention Centre, the $500M Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will play a major role in the ongoing revitalisation of the vibrant Darling Harbour precinct. It also heralds the renaissance of new hotel development in Sydney, with over 40 hotels scheduled to open in the next five years to support the city's tourism growth.

"Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will be the first new-build 5-star hotel the city has seen in more than 15-years and it is going to be a flagship property not only for AccorHotels but for the Australian hotel industry," said Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels Pacific.

The hotel will offer 590 stylish guestrooms including 35 coveted suites, boasting some of the best views in Sydney. All the hotel's guest rooms feature the Sofitel MyBed and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Darling Harbour and the city. The suites feature an in-bathroom television, double shower heads and luxurious soaking tubs for the ultimate pampering experience.

The Bellerive suite is the hotel's pinnacle of accommodation and features a separate living room, dining room and butler's pantry.

Exclusive to guests staying in the Club Sofitel rooms and suites on levels 28  34, the Club Millesime Lounge, located at the very top of the hotel on level 35 will offer breathtaking views over Darling Harbour and the city. Offering a refined environment, Club Millesime Lounge will present an array of personalised services. These include private check-in, use of the meeting room for more intimate gatherings and access to other special privileges.

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The hotel was designed by renowned multi award-winning Sydney architect Richard Francis-Jones from Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp architects. Dreamtime Australia Design and the A+ Design Group all collaborated to create this visually inspiring property which was built by Lend Lease.

On arrival, guests will be greeted by the hotel's imposing 35-storey glass exterior featuring triangular accents representing sails and a striking red ochre and blue exterior colour palette which pays tribute to the indigenous clans of the Eora nation who lived around Tumbalong  the name given to Darling Harbour.

A stylish porte-cochere leads guests inside the building. The hotel's public spaces and guestrooms continue to pay tribute to the maritime location and the industries that formerly occupied the site including extensive use of timber representing Sydney's strong wharf heritage through to the rope and sandstone motifs in the carpets.

While recognising the links to the location's history, the hotel's cutting-edge design places it squarely at the centre of Darling Harbour's future. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will meet sustainability targets as part of a transformed tourism precinct with a 6-star green rating, as well as feature spectacular external lighting to enhance Darling Harbour at night with 6000 LED lights providing Sydney with stunning light displays.

Three sophisticated bars and the stylish signature restaurant, Atelier by Sofitel will anchor the hotel as the place in Sydney to meet for a drink or a memorable dining experience.

With its French inspired rotisserie and grill, Atelier by Sofitel on the third floor, is the hotel's restaurant, serving the very best local seasonal produce combined with the culinary techniques that highlight the origin of Sofitel's French heritage. A contemporary deconstructed bouillabaisse designed by Executive Chef, Matt Coates and his team will become a signature guest experience.

The Champagne Bar, perfect for a pre-or post-dinner drink, is the largest Champagne bar in Sydney, offering 20 different types of champagne, from the smaller champagne houses like Canard-Duchene and Pol Roger to the houses of Louis Roederer and Pommery. There also will be a special Louis Roederer Champagne from the 2009 vintage in collaboration with artist Philippe Starck, representing the mix of innovation and French heritage. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will also be the only hotel in Australia to acquire a special edition 3L Jeroboam of Cristal Brut valued at $22,000. The bottle is encased in 24 carat gold-dipped latticework handcrafted by two master goldsmiths over four days.

Esprit Noir lobby bar, located on the ground floor, offers an elegant space to relax and enjoy a cocktail.

Channelling the relaxed sophistication of a Mediterranean beach meets the urban energy of Sydney, Le Rivage Pool Bar on the fourth floor will become one of the city's highly sought-after outdoor spaces. It will be emblematic of the hotel's vibrancy and Darling Harbour's transformation  an idyllic place to laze the day away while sipping cocktails, swimming in the inviting 20m infinity pool or working out in the SoFit gym, while overlooking the magnificent city skyline.

With nine flexible meeting spaces, including a grand 450-person Magnifique Ballroom, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is also well-positioned to host any style of event, from haute couture fashion shows to gala dinners and large-scale meetings or conferences with state-of-the-art audio visual technology.

Every Sofitel around the world is culturally linked with a city or region in France that shares similar attributes in terms of culture, landscape and design. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is culturally linked with Marseille, the epitome of vibrant waterside sophistication. From industrial ports to sophisticated harbours, the energy of transformation which runs through Marseille and Sydney's Darling Harbour make them an appropriate pairing.

Each Sofitel hotel internationally has a number of identifying elements which they adopt to help bring the hotel to life and as the flagship property in Australia, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will become the new benchmark. From a signature fragrance, to evening candle lighting ceremonies, a welcome drink, to the implementation of Sofitel Wine Days - a month of celebrating French wine and art-de-vivre - Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will become a destination in its own right.

Sofitel continues to expand its global portfolio with recent openings of Sofitel Baltimore in Paris, Sofitel Foshan, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, Sofitel Guiyang Hunter and the latest Sofitel Singapore City Center in Asia. Sofitel Surabaya Majapahit will soon open along with several SO hotels around the world.

To celebrate, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is offering a Grand Opening Package which includes overnight accommodation in a Superior Darling Harbour View* room, buffet breakfast for two at Atelier by Sofitel restaurant, a Champagne degustation served at the Champagne Bar for two people, a selection of Laduree sweets and late checkout of 3pm. The Grand Opening Package is priced from $529.
Aerial Rendering of the Al Najada Complex Doha

Minor Hotels announced that it will open three new-build hotels in Qatar in spring 2018 under its Tivoli and Oaks brands. The three properties are owned by Katara Hospitality.

Launching in April, Tivoli Al Najada Doha Hotel is in the final stages of development in the centre of the Qatari capital. Facilities in the five-storey property will include 151 guest rooms and suites, a selection of dining options, a fitness centre, a swimming pool and a business centre, with guest rooms on the upper floors offering a panoramic view of the Doha skyline including West Bay. The hotel sits within a new development surrounding a large open piazza with cafes, restaurants and shops, with the hotel offering alfresco dining on the terrace. Tivoli Al Najada will also offer an impressive ballroom, designed to host elegant social occasions and corporate meetings and events, with a capacity of 250 guests.

Oaks Hotels & Resorts will make its debut in Qatar with Oaks Al Najada Doha, also set to open its doors in April 2018. The 100 serviced apartments have been tastefully designed to reinvent the conventional residential concepts of compound and high-rise accommodations, with elegant, minimalist interiors and an Arabian artistic touch. Oaks Al Najada will offer a range of premier onsite facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, alfresco dining, a pool bar and 24hr room service. This will be the third Oaks in the Middle East, joining properties in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE.

Oaks Hotels & Resorts services a combination of corporate and leisure guests for both short and long stays, blending contemporary accommodation with onsite leisure facilities, while a number of properties also feature food and beverage outlets and meeting and business services.

Tivoli Al Najada is located alongside Oaks Al Najada and both are part of the same new development in central Doha offering the ideal base to experience local culture, enjoy traditional cuisine and relish the citys vibrant atmosphere. The hotels are within easy walking distance of the new Msheireb Downtown Doha development, Bank Street, the Museum of Islamic Arts on the Corniche and the renowned Souq Waqif. In addition, the location is just 15 minutes away from Hamad International Airport and very close to the central rail terminal, scheduled to open in 2020.



Advertisement is a new five-star property blending artful Qatari tradition and top-end contemporary leisure in Souq Al Wakra, an up-and-coming seaside district just a 20-minute drive from central Doha. The hotel is destined to be a convenient and luxurious stay for business and leisure travellers alike, with close proximity to Hamad International Airport.

The 101-key property comprises of two buildings, both former heritage houses where original character has been splendidly preserved. Shaped by an open and expansive layout, guest rooms and suites feature classic thatched roofs as well as sea and sand motifs, inspired by Al Wakras history as a pearling diving and fishing village. Facilities at the new hotel will include two restaurants offering International and Middle Eastern cuisines, a shisha lounge overlooking the sea, majlis areas, meeting rooms, Tivoli Spa and fitness, plus a business centre.

Celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2018, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts differentiate through the range of unique experiences offered, allowing guests to enjoy the most authentic features of every destination, along with innovative and outstanding service.

The launch of these three new properties in Doha will enhance the development of the local hospitality sector and contribute towards the economic diversification, as envisioned in the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, commented, The Middle East is a key growth market for Minor Hotels and we are delighted to be opening two new Tivoli hotels and debuting the Oaks brand in Qatar. We are delivering on our promise when we acquired Tivoli last year to grow the brand within Minor Hotels footprint and for sure we will see the brand grow further. Qatar will be the second GCC country for Oaks and there is also opportunity to further grow this brand.

Last month Minor Hotels debuted Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East with the rebrand of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels in Doha to Tivoli. Minor Hotels also operates Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara in the Qatari capital. The addition of the three new hotels in Doha will bring the total number of properties operated by Minor Hotels in the GCC region to 16 across multiple brands. In addition the group has a strong pipeline in the MENA region including new properties under development in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco, three new countries for the group.
Shangri-La's Hotel Jen Brand Launches Autonomous Relay Robots

Designed and built by Savioke, Relay is the first fully-autonomous delivery robot that has been deployed in over 70 dynamic busy environments such as logistics, hotels, office buildings, and high rise apartments.

Hotel Jen today marks a new milestone as the first international hotel brand to use autonomous Relay robots in Asia. Teams at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway and Tanglin Singapore welcome colleagues, Jeno and Jena at their respective properties. The duo will deliver amenities and local favourites from the in-room dining menu to guests, when an order for them is placed.

"Hotel Jen is proud to be the first brand in the Shangri-La group to introduce this technology. The new "colleagues" will be great team players in getting important things done well and delivered in Jen's distinctive style. Known to curate playful experiences, Hotel Jen, through the Relay robots, yet again proves that it can surprise and delight urban adventure-seekers," said Cetin Sekercioglu, executive vice president of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

Stationed at the hotel lobby 24/7, both Jeno and Jena are unmistakable in their bright uniforms and Hotel Jen's brand colours - turquoise and pink, affixed with the signature bicycle image that evokes a sense of travel. Inspired by the concept of a butler, Toby Tan (@tobyato) from Band of Doodlers designed a jacket and tie for Jeno, and a scarf for Jena.

The pair stand at almost one metre tall and come with the ability to move unmanned around the hotel at a safe speed of 2.5 km/h, half that of the average human walking speed. They can ride the elevators, make phone calls to rooms upon arrival, and are equipped with sensitive sensors that know to avoid obstacles in its path.

Jeno and Jena are both integrated with a software system that can easily track their to-do list once an order is placed. Need an extra towel or bottle of water? Guests can expect one of the pair to have these delivered within 15 minutes from the time of request. Midnight hunger pangs can be eased from a supper menu featuring local flavours from midnight to 6 am.

Designed and built by Savioke, Relay is the first fully-autonomous delivery robot that has been deployed in over 70 dynamic busy environments such as logistics, hotels, office buildings, and high rise apartments. Using advanced technology to navigate around people and objects, Relay delivers items quickly, safely, and reliably. Since initial commercial deployment in 2014, Relay robots have made over 150,000 autonomous deliveries.
It appear some of the most powerful people in the world cant avoid good ole Jury duty, or hes just that good of a guy. But on Wednesday, our 44th President Barack Obama returned to his hometown of Chicago, Illinois for jury duty at the Richard Daley Center, where he was greeted by tons of fans & media the Chicago Tribune reports.

This looks like Chicago right here, Obama said to laughter after surveying the room filled with rows of black plastic chairs, according to one of the jurors who captured it on video. I like that.

Obama eventually found a seat next to some random strangers and watched a decades-old juror training video hosted by a younger, Lester Holt, who now does NBCs Nightly News. However, he wouldnt stay long as a judge dismissed Barack from the trial and sent home around noon.

A spokeswoman later released a statement saying that President Obama believes the most important office in our democracy is that of citizen, and he considers jury duty a core obligation of citizenship.

Like other jurors, Obama will be mailed a check for $17.20 for his days work, which he will reportedly return to Cook County a spokeswomen says. And, just like the other jurors who were passed over, Obama will be excused from jury duty for at least a year before being reassigned into the pool of potential jurors who are randomly selected to serve.

I dont know of anybody who receives a summons from me and says, Oh great, I get to serve jury duty, Judge Evans joked. I hope they can see that  if the former president of the United States takes his time to come, anybody ought to be willing to come.

Fans who attended the courthouse & fellow jurors were able to capture some good pics of our favorite President, and it saddens me to know hes no longer in control and we have the orange man running the country now.

Check out the pics from Wednesdays jury duty (below).

Barack Obama
Well heres another disturbing story coming out of Hollywood today. In a recent article in The National Enquirer, actor Dominick Brascia accused Charlie Sheen of raping child star Corey Haim during the filming of the 1986 movie Lucas, saying He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex, Brascia told the publication. Haim said after it happened Sheen became very cold and rejected him. When Corey wanted to fool around again, Charlie was not interested.

Brascias description of the encounter was confirmed by dozens of other sources who claim that Haim said Sheen abused him during filming. Haim was just 13 at the time, while Sheen was 19, meaning the alleged encounter would have been a statutory rape even if it was consensual. However, Charlie said these accusations never happened, and Haim cant be asked because he sadly passed away in 2010 due to pneumonia.

A rep for Charlie Sheen issued a statement earlier today to The Hollywood Reporter that said he categorically denies these allegations, but of course hes going to say that regardless of the facts.

Apparently thats not all the evidence that suggests Sheen raped Haim though. A story about Haim being sexually assaulted during Lucas film also came up in Corey Feldmans memoir, Coreyography, in which he described an alleged encounter between Haim and an adult co-star, but he never named his name. According to Feldman, the older actor told Haim It was perfectly normal for older men and younger boys in the business to have sexual relations, that it was what all guys do, and added that, Haim, innocent and ambitious as he was, allowed himself to be sodomized.

Los Angeles police confirmed Wednesday that an investigation had been opened into Corey Feldmans accusations. Whether or not they get to the bottom of it is another question, but theyre apparently trying to.

This allegation is just the latest of many scandals & disturbing reports that have come out of Hollywood recently. Just yesterday we reported another story about Gossip Girls actor Ed Westwick allegedly raping actress Kristina Cohen a few years ago at a dinner party, which he ultimately denies of course.

Well continue to keep you posted if any more on Sheen and Haims disturbing story surfaces or develops. Read more on it here if you wish.

[Via]

Charlie Sheen
A Los Angeles-area rapper and producer has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for pimping out several women that he met online.

Ramsay Tha Great, reportedly made several thousand dollars every week forcing women in Orange County to prostitute themselves, all of whom he found through social media sites, according to CBS News. Though he can be seen stunting several times on his artist Facebook page with $100 bills, Ramsay was ruthless behind the scenes, supposedly threatening at least one of his female victims with a gun and demanding that they make at least $1,000 per day, an amount that he took a cut of. The rapper had allegedly used his social media influence to talk these women into being prostitutes, not letting them quit and offering up threats of violence similar to the aforementioned gun incident.

This week, Ramsay was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He plead guilty to all four counts of pimping and pandering, one count of human trafficking, and one count of assault with a firearm. It is still unknown whether or not there were more charges that were dropped during the court process. One of the women that he forced into this life, who was only 19 years old, had met the rapper on a music video shoot. You can check out video from the Los Angeles news report on the story below.

The bigger sentencing story this week was that of Philly native Meek Mill, who is to serve two to four years after violating his probation. With lots of support within the hip-hop community and beyond, a petition has even been started on Meeks behalf, with the hopes that Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf will have the sentence reevaluated. The sentence was handed down after a judge decided to rule harshly on Meeks supposed reckless driving incident in New York City where he was popping a wheelie on his dirt bike. Since then, several startling revelations have come out from Mills attorney, claiming that the judge not only has a personal vendetta against the rapper, but also tried to get him to move from Roc Nation to a local Philly label in exchange for a softer touch in court.
Toronto native & XO artist Nav has been relatively quiet since he teamed up with ATL producer Metro Boomin for the joint project Perfect Timing back in July, but thankfully it looks like thats about to change come tomorrow night. On Wednesday, the XO affiliate hopped on Instagram and informed fans that hes dropping a new single with Lil Uzi Vert tomorrow night called Wanted You.

Tomorrow night  the caption read on Navs IG post along with songs artwork. Unfortunately theres no other information about the collab, like where it will end up on or what it sounds like, but it looks like its going to belong to Nav with Lil Uzi being featured. We also know itll be arriving at midnight tomorrow, if not sooner thanks to the International markets. And dont be surprised if Nav is also the producer on the record as well as he often likes to handles his own production, but thats just speculation as of now.

This wont be the first time Nav and Lil Uzi Vert will have collaborated on a record either. Back in July, the two linked up for a couple records off the Perfect Timing project with Metro Boomin, including songs like A$AP Ferg & the outro NAVUZIMETRO#PT2.

The upcoming single will serve as the follow up to Navs contribution to 88Glams Bali record and Lil Uzi Verts The Way Life Goes remix with Nicki Minaj, which dropped last Friday. Itll also surface just days after Nav celebrated his 28th birthday this week in Toronto. This last year been the best year of my life Wanna thank everyone who helped it be that way, he shared on IG the other day while cutting his bday cake. So what better way is there to celebrate than with a new single this week?

Check out the announcement (below) and let us know your thoughts! Whos excited to hear another Uzi & Nav collab again?

UPDATE: Its here. Listen to the song.

Nav
Earlier in the year, Joey Bada$$ claimed J. Cole was no longer giving out features and he managed to catch the rare J. Cole guest appearance on his All Amerikkkan Bada$$ album. However, J. Cole just made an exception for Paris-born rapper Salomon Faye. Today, Faye delivers his latest single Live and Learn featuring J. Cole.

Fayes been an artist to keep an eye out for. Moving from Paris to New York, hes made his waves through America with his Stimulation EP back in 2015 but hes returning to drop off another project in the near future. The rapper links up with J. Cole for his latest single Live and Learn. The Cole appearance is rare and unfortunately, he doesnt end up coming through with bars. However, Cole blesses the hook with a humble note that defies the celebrity status hes currently at. For Faye, its another example of the strength of his pen. He rides the beat softly while delivering introspective verses about life.

Fayes upcoming project King Salomon is due out in just a few weeks on November 23rd. His Instagram page already gave previews of three different tracks including Live and Learn. They all vary in sounds. While this single contains a more soothing soul sound, the other two show diversity in his range. For anyone unfamiliar with Salomon Faye, get familiar and get ready for him to deliver his upcoming EP, King Salomon.

Quotable Lyrics

Thats why I love you because I know who you are

Thats why I look at you like I seen you before

I recognize you from a hole in the wall

That I punched in the wall, because Im so pissed off
Earlier this week we posted a story that many Stranger Things fans were upset by the shows creators forcing the kids to kiss. Many took to Twitter saying its just another inappropriate Hollywood move while others did not understand how grown men could force children to do something that made them uncomfortable when it wasnt in the script.

After a video surfaced seeing one of the shows lead, Finn Wolfhard, dodging fans outside of his hotel room, once again Twitter was in an uproar calling the young star heartless for ignoring his loyal followers. Game of Thrones actress Sophia Turner was quick to have Finns back with the following tweets:

Finn, who plays Mike in the spooky series, tweeted his own response to the matter saying if you are a real fan you will not harass my friends, or co-workers.

Of course, the other more realistic side of Twitter rallied behind Finn in support of his comments.

Stranger Things
This Big Indian Joint Family Has 72 Members Living in The Same House in Maharashtra
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The night before Kristallnacht  the infamous date in November 1938 when synagogues burned across Germany and the Nazis arrested tens of thousands of Jews  my fathers family escaped from Berlin and fled to one of the few places in the world willing to take in Jewish refugees. They settled in Sosua, a remote beach town on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, whose dictator, Rafael Trujillo, had offered Jews safety for a promise to develop the land.

This is the story I heard countless times. It was paradise, my 89-year-old Aunt Hella would say, weaving my familys heritage into a little-known part of Holocaust history.

But the story never entirely made sense.

As it was told to me, a small Caribbean country saved my family at a time when more powerful nations such as the United States and Britain refused to do the same. In return, the Jews transformed a jungle coastline into a peaceful settlement with a hospital and a school. My grandfather, a salesman by trade, became the village baker. Hundreds of others  accountants, nurses, tailors  learned to ride horses and clear roads.

When the settlers arrived in Sosua, the beach was a quiet, peaceful spot. Today it is a site for prostitution (American Jewish Joint Distributi)

The story always ended the same way, and with little explanation. Sosua had been ruined, I was told, its streets overrun by prostitutes and foreigners. The town had become a destination for sex tourism, tainted by pickpockets and drugs. My family moved away, like so many others, and never returned.

My father lives in Santo Domingo, where I was raised, and his parents and two sisters ended up in Miami. People often act surprised when I tell them that Im Jewish and Dominican, and Ive yet to meet anyone who knows about Sosua. Never forget, people say about the Holocaust. But this part of Jewish history has been almost entirely lost, and the story Id been told seemed incomplete.

I thought I knew the beginning and the end. In July, I left for Sosua to find out the rest. It quickly became clear why so many chose to forget.

The first thing I wanted to see was the beach. I remembered seeing photos of my fathers family along the shore. The refugees would hang their clothes on sea grape trees and wade into the shallow waters. After school, the village children would often have the beach to themselves.

My father warned me to stay away. The beach, he said, had become a site for prostitution and crime.

Gathering place: the Codik family home (Sosua Virtual Museum)

Could it really be that dangerous? I remembered going there as a kid, but I hadnt been back to the town in more than a decade. I asked Ivonne Strauss de Milz, a family friend and a descendant of refugees who lives in Sosua, to take me there. Is that the purse youre taking? she asked, then instructed me to zip it shut.

The shore was strewn with mismatched umbrellas and beach chairs scattered in front of hundreds of shacks selling cigars, souvenirs, Presidente beer and Dominican aphrodisiacs. It didnt look that unsafe. But around the beach, several people later told me, tourists can find any type of sex they might want: straight, gay, sex with trans people  even illegal sex with minors.

Prostitution has long been a part of Dominican culture, but nowhere does it feel more entrenched than in Sosua. Elsewhere, the industry exists in the grays of life, largely unregulated, widely known but rarely seen.The sex trade took off there in the 1980s and 90s, after a nearby airport opened and foreign tourists flooded the town. Over the next few decades, the hotel industry boomed, and Dominican women, facing insecure and low-paying job prospects, headed for Sosua hoping to find more profitable work. As prostitution increased, it drew more tourists looking for sex, and the town got a reputation as a major sex-tourism destination. Today, a short walk from the beach, on the main drag of Calle Pedro Clisante, dozens of prostitutes line the sidewalk in front of the busy open-air restaurants and bars filled with foreign men.

Sosua has a before and after, said Alexandra Lister, a program manager with CEPROSH, a health organization based in Puerto Plata, who has worked with sex workers in the region since the 1990s. And the after isnt pretty.

The Codik family pose for a portrait in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic (Family photo)

Many longtime locals, like Ivonne, are upset that prostitution has consumed Sosuas reputation. Efforts to discourage the trade have failed, and its prevalence means that the towns businesses  hotels, restaurants, cafes  benefit from it, whether the owners condone sex work or not.

As we drove away, Ivonne pointed out one hotel. It was a three-story building, painted lime green and white, where she said my grandparents house had once stood.

A man named Joe Benjamin had lived next door. Before my trip, several people had told me to speak with him. He understood why Sosua had changed. He was the one I was going to see next.

Joes family arrived in Sosua in 1947, part of the last refugee group selected by the Dominican Republic Settlement Association, an organization founded by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in New York, which sought safety and relief for Jews. In 1938, Trujillo had offered to take in up to 100,000 refugees. In turn, the association funded and populated Sosua, but the outbreak of World War II and a 1941 Nazi ban on Jewish emigration meant that only about 4,000 visas were ever issued.

The association gave farmers like Joes father a mule, a horse, 10 cows and 75 acres of land. In the early days, urban transplants wearing wide straw hats rode horse-drawn wagons from one plot to the next. Joe told me that his father, once a furniture maker, got up at 4:30am every day to milk his cows.

On weekends, a projector would light up at the theatre in town for a matinee movie. Joe and his sister would make the two-kilometre walk back to the family farm in the dark. He never told his parents where he was going. Nobody feared anything then.

The writer's aunt, Hella Blum, a teacher, with her class (American Jewish Joint Distributi)

For decades, Joe, now 76, was an executive with a successful dairy and meat co-operative founded by Sosuas Jews. Today, he lives in a spacious house on the outskirts of town, in a plush development behind a guarded security gate. He told me how hed slept with his windows open as a kid. He remembered the town library, the cafe, the nights when everyone gathered around a record player to listen to opera.

But I had heard those stories before. I wondered if that was all he knew.

There was a long pause. What else is important for me to know? I asked.

There are things you wont find in the history books, he said.

Then he made a reference to a best-selling book I had never read, about a fictional small town where sex, gossip and scandal hide behind the pretence of paradise.

Sosua, he said, was a small Peyton Place.

I didnt understand. What did a racy novel have to do with my familys past?

The few published works about Sosua read like history textbooks. But there were other texts and documents that I had never seen, and I knew where to find them.

Next door to the town synagogue that the refugees founded is a small Jewish museum. The synagogue offers services only a few times a year and isnt visited much, and peeling paint covers the museum doors. Inside, I found a damaged photo of my Aunt Margots wedding. Documents on display showed the stains of age. A map of Sosua had lost one of its adhesive letters and now read only Sosu. A group of descendants, including Ivonne and Joe, had planned to raise funds for a renovation, but the efforts have yet to get off the ground.

Developing the land in exchange for refuge (American Jewish Joint Distributi)

The museum archives were in a tiny air-conditioned room in the back. Dozens of boxes sat on industrial steel shelves, some labelled, others not. It was overwhelming. There was so much history here, little of it digitized, none of it known to me. I started pulling tan and crinkled sheets out of folders, searching for clues.

I found a file for my Uncle Max, my Aunt Hellas husband. Stashed inside, a form detailed my aunts journey from Germany to the Dominican Republic. I had to read it twice. What it said went against every story I had been told about my familys escape from the Nazis.

They didnt flee Berlin the night before Kristallnacht. Theyd left a month earlier  Oct. 12, 1938  and arrived in the Dominican Republic in November. A separate list of settlers revealed that the family arrived in Sosua in stages, starting in 1947, much later than Id thought.

Leaving on the eve of Kristallnacht had always been a key part of our story, a hurried exit from Berlin at just the right moment, before Nazi mobs stormed Jewish neighbourhoods, killing at least 91 Jews, and antisemitism took a more violent and radical turn. So was their time in Sosua, but the reality was that they didnt arrive there until after the war.

I had never asked about the timeline. Instead, I pictured them abandoning an apartment in Berlin and finding refuge in a rustic home in Sosua. It was a reminder of how stories, consciously or not, can be romanticized as we retell them, even to ourselves.

Max Blum, the writer's uncle, sells homeware at his store (American Jewish Joint Distributi)

I started digging deeper into the archives, looking for anything that could provide a hint about what Joe had told me. Fraying papers, many stashed haphazardly in folders and boxes, detailed transcripts of meetings, vital records, academic papers and memos sent from Sosua to the settlement association in New York.

On one shelf, I saw a narrow light-blue box labeled exit interviews. Ivonne, who helps run the museum, had never seen it before, and from the looks of what was inside, nobody had seen it for years. I pulled it onto the table. Inside were several testimonials from refugees, all men, who had abandoned Sosua and were apparently questioned by the settlement association about why theyd left.

I could not stay [sic] the sun, said a 29-year-old Austrian.

I had nothing to do there, said a 27-year-old Romanian.

The agricultural work was too hard for me, said a 34-year-old Pole.

Then there were two others, Tibor Meister, a 24-year-old Hungarian textile technician, and Louis Lajos Klein, a 28-year-old Czech mechanic, who cited not the towns conditions, but tensions in Sosua that left them both feeling panicked.

The synagogue in the 1940s (Sosua Virtual Museum)

Meister said he was threatened by a group of German Jews in the dormitory.

I have been attacked by some twelve men while sleeping in my bed, Klein said. That is why I preferred to leave Sosua of fear they might repeat it or kill me.

Until then, Id heard that people left Sosua in search of better work or education. No one had ever mentioned violence. Could it have been true?

The JDC doesnt have a record of the incident, but in Tropical Zion: General Trujillo, FDR and the Jews of Sosua, historian Allen Wells says the settlement association asked 45 troublemakers  discontented colonists whose presence was undermining morale  to leave Sosua for Ciudad Trujillo in 1942. Meister and Klein  and the others  could have been part of that group.

Among other files, I found an analysis written by former settler Ann Bandler for Columbia University in 1956. She suggested that Sosuas administration had demonstrated an impractical idealismand blamed it for much of what had gone wrong. With proper planning and management, these middle-class, white-collar Europeans could have built the new life they had been promised. Instead, the early settlers had felt dispirited and pessimistic from the start.

They came to Sosua unprepared, unexperienced, unselected, the document said. It is not sufficient to benevolently take these people away from their past sufferings and only deposit them in an undeveloped area.

A parade of experts, Bandler wrote, had made plans for Sosua, advising the refugees to plant bananas, raise livestock or grow tomatoes; that last effort resulted in such a failure that a large surplus of tomatoes spoiled and was thrown into the sea.

The land they had been instructed to develop turned out to be better suited for pasture than farming, and the Jews ended up finding success in a dairy and meat operation that  ironically  sold pork.

But the administrations unkept promises and poor directions bred resentment, Bandler wrote, until antagonism toward it became the main bond among the settlers.

The JDC acknowledges that Sosuas refugees faced considerable challenges. The context under which these efforts occurred was totally unprecedented: a war raging, the Holocaust in full force and many countries closing their doors to Jews, Linda Levi, director of the JDC archives, later wrote me in an email.

A Star of David monument stands near the shore at Sosua (Washington Post)

Still, with every page I read, the story that Sosua had been some sort of paradise, the story I had always been told, started to come apart.

Documents hidden away in the archives revealed tensions I had never heard about, between Austrians and Germans, between those who lived in town and those on farms, and those who wanted to improve the community and those who wanted to abandon it and immigrate to the United States.

It wasnt unusual for the Jews to fight among themselves. People screamed at each other at community meetings. Divisions emerged over who would be the boss and how to address the towns problems.

On a warm night, while one refugee listened to a German radio broadcast, another became enraged by the propaganda, according to a manuscript written by a former resident, Ernest B. Hofeller. He entered his room, ripped the radio out of its socket causing a short circuit and smashed it, Hofeller wrote.

One main reason Sosua fell apart, several refugees said in interviews, was simple. It wasnt only the backbreaking agricultural work, the infighting, the culture shock or the desire to find a better life in the States.

There were very, very few girls, refugee Ruth Kohn, 90, now living in Springfield, Va., told me. Single men had trouble finding marriageable partners in Sosua, giving them even less reason to stay. In 1942, according to the JDC, among a population of 472 were 158 single men and 38 single women.

The settlement association had looked for young men with an agricultural background who could develop the land, and women were less likely to leave Europe on their own. Trujillo also sought out men, hoping that the wave of immigrants from Europe would intermarry with Dominicans and whiten his nations people.

History lesson: The Jewish Museum at Sosua (Washington Post)

Settlers had to ask the administration for permission any time they wanted to leave Sosua, and the nearest major town was hours away by horseback or about an hour by car, making romance between Dominicans and Jews difficult. These conditions helped spawn cases of adultery in the small community, constantly witnessed and whispered about.

You never knew in the morning when you woke up which young man had slept with a married woman, Kohn said.

But it wasnt only single men sleeping with married women. The settlers gossiped about both husbands and wives engaging in affairs, Joe Benjamin told me, and the Columbia University analysis mentioned a sexual turpitude that had resulted in cases of syphilis.

It made me think of a short passage in Dominican Haven: The Jewish Refugee Settlement in Sosua, one of the few books published about the town, that now made a lot more sense. In the 255-page book, a few paragraphs, easily overlooked, mentioned these dalliances: In 1942, doctors warned men to stay away from bordellos and unknown women and, assuming their advice would be ignored, to use condoms.

The bordellos in question were in Charamicos, a poor neighbourhood on the south end of the beach. The refugees had populated El Batey on the north end, and those looking for sex would discreetly venture south. Todays sex industry is completely different, employing women from across the Dominican Republic and Haiti, who take spins around town and on the beach looking for clients.

The beach at Sosua today (Washington Post)

Everything is just much more visible, said Denise Brennan, a Georgetown University professor who wrote the book Whats Love Got to Do With It? about Sosuas sex industry.

Still, it was the Jews  not the tourists blamed for Sosuas demise  who first visited prostitutes. But that part of the story had been conveniently lost in the retelling.

When I got back from Sosua, I called my Aunt Hella and told her that the archives told a different story about our familys journey. She said that the night before Kristallnacht must have been when they arrived in the Dominican Republic, not when they left Berlin.

She told me that the first few years in the country were hard  my grandparents struggled to learn Spanish and earn money. Records the JDC sent me revealed more details: In Santo Domingo, then called Ciudad Trujillo, my grandfather tried selling tableware, peddling kitchen coal, working as a carpenter and serving as a messenger. But despite working hard, he said he still couldnt make a living.

Maybe thats why he decided to move to Sosua. My Aunt Hella was the first to go, after marrying my Uncle Max, one of Sosuas early settlers, at 19. The rest followed her. Hella and Max stayed in Sosua only a few years. My grandparents lived there through the late 1950s, while my Aunt Margot and Uncle Vittorio remained until the 1960s.

It was hard getting used to life in Sosua, Aunt Hella said, but she refused to believe the story about the attack in the barracks. That must have happened before she got there, she said. She never saw any violence like that.

I asked her about the affairs.

Yes, people would trade partners, she said. That was a mess.

Why dont people talk about those things? I told her that Id gone to Sosua to find out what had happened. I left thinking that idealism has always been a part of the town, woven even into the stories we tell.

There were challenges in Sosua, she said, but everyone could live however they wanted, far from the Nazis and without fear of persecution.

They were free, she said.

That was what mattered, of course. Sosuas legacy is that it saved so many lives. Its easier to hide the storys difficult aspects in a dusty box in a locked room in a small beach town, and its more comfortable to remember the town as a perfect haven.

But the stories we tell ourselves become history, and the full version of what happened in Sosua is being lost. The town has become so foreign to those who left that some have vowed never to return, pushing it deep into their memories.

My Aunt Hella told me about one of the last times she visited, with her brother-in-law, Vittorio, more than a decade ago. She stood in the middle of the town, stunned at how things had changed, and turned to her brother-in-law.

Lets forget about this, she said.

 Washington Post
Former prison officer Brian Stack was murdered by the IRA

The son of an Irish prison officer murdered by the IRA has claimed critical witnesses were not questioned and evidence related to the killing went missing.

Austin Stack, who has campaigned to find the gunmen who shot his prison officer father Brian Stack in 1983, said a minority of gardai and prison officers in the Irish Republic colluded with the Provos in the early 1980s.

He said botched investigations into atrocities were more than simply poor policing and called for a public inquiry.

"It's not just simply down to the poor Garda practices at the time, which is the answer we have been told," Mr Stack said.

He was one of a number of people representing victims and survivors of the Troubles who raised concerns over legacy cases and truth recovery at the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Karen McAnerney, whose brother Terence McKeever was abducted and murdered by the IRA in South Armagh in 1986, said she has learnt that 16 items of evidence related to the killing have gone missing from Dundalk Garda Station.

She has taken her case to the Garda Ombudsman but claimed the watchdog was working "hand in hand" with the Garda.

"Ten years down the line I still don't have any answers," she said.

Ken Funston, of Innocent Victims United, said Mr McKeever's murder investigation was marked by bogus officers signing for evidence and a vehicle and a blood stained anorak and cigarette butts going missing.

He told the committee former gardai failed to cooperate with inquiries.

Mr Funston said another case in Donegal showed clear collusion by gardai.

He said members of the force handed a list of names to the IRA which led to a murder and attempted murder.

"We need to see honesty from both sides of the border, not just one side," he told the committee.

Sitting alongside David Kelly, whose father Patrick, a private in the Irish Army, was murdered in an IRA kidnap in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim in December 1983, Mr Stack he believed collusion occurred in the Republic in the early 1980s.

Mr Stack said that as part of his work with the Independent Victims and Survivors Coalition he was aware of evidence log books going missing and unsuccessful a ttempts to find original fingerprints after the flooding of a Garda archive in Santry, Dublin.

"I do believe there was a very small minority of people in An Garda Siochana and prison service who aided and abetted the IRA at the time," Mr Stack said.

"I think that we need to tease these matters out in full public inquiry."

Mr Kelly said his family got no support from the Irish state following his father's murder.

"It was all downhill. Three years later, in fact, we were living homeless on the streets of London," he said.

The Independent Victims and Survivors Coalition told the committee that proposals for a truth recovery process, agreed in late 2014 between Northern Ireland politicians and the Irish and British governments, would stop well short of getting the information relatives need.

Mr Kelly said: "The idea of truth ... it might not work in my case but if it gives anyone peace, closure or healing after these traumatic events in their families' lives then it's worth pursuing."

Mr Stack said the proposals under the Stormont House Agreement would not let victims meet or question terrorists or those giving information.

"In order for us to trust the process we need to be able to test and question the evidence. Being handed a report by a third party is not acceptable and is not truth recovery," he said.

It was not until 2013 that the IRA admitted responsibility for the murder of Brian Stack, a chief prison officer in Portlaoise in the Irish Republic where high-profile IRA members were jailed.

Austin Stack was driven with his brother Oliver to a location in Northern Ireland with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams for a secret meeting.

But he accused Mr Adams of only giving 70% of the truth with the rest of the information about who sanctioned his father's murder.

Mr Stack also called for former justice minister Michael McDowell to be called before the committee to explain his assertions that there was a "consensus" in the Republic going back to the early 2000s that the Garda would not seek prosecutions of on-the-run terrorists for historical cases.

Kenny Donaldson, of Innocent Victims United, raised concerns about letters written to IRA on-the-runs that they would not be prosecuted for legacy killings.

He called for them to be rescinded and questioned why a victim would support proposed truth recovery or cold-case investigations without assurances that no-one is immune from prosecution.
David Davis has visited European capitals in an attempt to build support for the UK's position

The date of Brexit will be written into law as Theresa May warned Tory rebels that the process of leaving the European Union will not be derailed.

Amendments to legislation going through Parliament will spell out that the UK's membership of the EU will end at 11pm GMT, midnight in Brussels, on March 29 2019.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said the change will make the UK's departure date "crystal clear".

And the Prime Minister issued a blunt message to pro-EU MPs, saying any attempt to block Brexit will not be tolerated.

The move comes as Mr Davis was set to meet the European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, where officials have been engaged in the latest round of Brexit talks.

The amendment enshrining Brexit day in law will be considered by MPs when the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill returns to the Commons next week.

Mrs May's fragile grip on power, relying on DUP votes for a Commons majority, means the Government is vulnerable to any Tory rebellion.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph the Prime Minister said: "We will not tolerate attempts from any quarter to use the process of amendments to this Bill as a mechanism to try to block the democratic wishes of the British people by attempting to slow down or stop our departure from the European Union."

Mr Davis indicated that he was talking a "pragmatic" approach to MPs' concerns by writing Brexit day into the Bill.

He said: "Our amendment makes it crystal clear that the UK is leaving the EU at 11pm on March 29 2019.

"We've listened to members of the public and Parliament and have made this change to remove any confusion or concern about what 'exit day' means.

"This important step demonstrates our pragmatic approach to this vital piece of legislation.

"Where MPs can improve the Bill, whatever their party, we will work with them.

"We look forward to further debate in the House of Commons when committee stage begins next week."

Ahead of the meeting in Brussels, Mr Barnier called on the UK to make clear whether it will stick with the "European model" on issues like food and environmental standards and financial regulation when it leaves the bloc.

With a crunch leaders' summit in December, Mr Barnier also said the moment was approaching for a "real clarification" of Britain's position on issues like citizens' rights, the Irish border and the UK's financial settlement.

If the 27 remaining EU members agree next month that sufficient progress has been made on these issues, they will give a green light for negotiations to move on to the questions of trade and transition to a new post-Brexit negotiation.

The Prime Minister will attempt to win support from European businesses for her goal of moving the negotiations on to trade talks.

She will meet leading business organisations on Monday to set out her vision of a "bold and deep economic partnership" between the UK and EU after Brexit.

The Brexit Secretary and Business Secretary Greg Clark will also attend the Downing Street event, which the CBI has helped to organise.

Groups represented include the BDI and BDA from Germany, Medef from France and the EU-wide BusinessEurope.

Ministers hope that business groups can lobby their national governments to support a trade deal which will be in the interests of both sides in the negotiations.

But in a sign of business unease about the impact of Brexit, motor manufacturers Honda, Ford and Vauxhall set out their concerns in evidence to a Commons select committee.

In a written submission to the Business, Energy and the Industrial Strategy committee, Honda, which employs 4,000 people at its Swindon plant, said it had concerns about disruption to supply chains, regulatory divergence, restrictions on free movement of labour and the impact of tariffs.

"With 35% of exports from our Swindon factory exported to the EU, and 40% of the components used to build cars at Swindon imported from EU27 suppliers, frictionless, tariff-free access to the single market and customs union is vital to our competitiveness," the Japanese motor giant said.

Honda also warned that non-tariff barriers could potentially have a greater impact than import and export tariffs.

Ford said any transitional deal should be a "standstill agreement" preserving current rules because "we do not believe that the new customs, border and documentation arrangements necessitated by the UK leaving the EU and customs union could be put in place by April 2019".
Planning permission for a 40m redevelopment and extension of the Red Mall at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre has been granted by the local authority.

The approval paves the way for the creation of up to 300 more jobs at the Dublin location, which is the country's second-largest shopping centre.

Blanchardstown Shopping Centre - which is owned by US private-equity giant Blackstone - intends to add an additional 100,000 sq ft of retail space.

It will see the construction of a single, 40,000 sq ft unit, as well as 18 standard units.

Multi Corporation, Blackstone's pan-European retail platform, manages the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on behalf of the $9bn (7.7bn) Blackstone fund that acquired the mall for 950m from Green Property last year.

When it acquired the property, Multi Corporation said there was scope for adding a total of about 150,000 sq m (1.6 million sq ft) of retail, residential, office and leisure space to the Blanchardstown site.

The shopping complex has about 12 million sq ft (112,000 sq m) of retail space. There are about 180 outlets at the centre and some tenants will be relocated in order to facilitate the new development.

When it first announced the planned extension to the shopping facility in September, Multi Corporation said the building work involved would support 250 construction jobs. The centre currently supports 5,500 jobs.

Dominic Deeny, the managing director of Multi Ireland, said in September that the new extension would be the second in a number of planned investments at Blanchardstown.

The Irish Independent recently revealed that US doughnut chain Krispy Kreme has selected Blanchardstown Shopping Centre as the location for its first-ever outlet in Ireland. The chain, now owned by Germany's billionaire Reimann family, had been scouting for more than a year for a location in Ireland.

McDonald's has also just secured planning permission to extend its drive-thru restaurant at Blanchardstown. It will add 462 sq ft to boost the size of the outlet to 3,500 sq ft.

There have been changes of ownership among all three of Ireland's biggest shopping centres over the past couple of years.

UK property giant Hammerson acquired 50pc stakes in Dundrum and the Ilac Centre in Dublin city centre in 2015, after paying Nama 1.85bn for 2.6bn worth of loans connected to the developments. Hammerson has also bought a 50pc stake in the Pavilion's Shopping Centre in Swords, north of the city.

Last December, the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin was sold for more than 600m to German pension scheme Bayerische Versorgungskammer.

It was sold by a consortium that included HSBC, Alternative Investments, Grosvenor, and Hines.
The proposed disposal by developer Pat Crean's Marlet Property Group of a portfolio of 1,205 apartments at various stages of development in Dublin is expected to proceed shortly, notwithstanding an issue relating to the title of one of the sites forming part of the deal.

The expected sale of the 'Dublin Living' portfolio to London-based Round Hill Capital for a sum in the region of 450m will allow for the forward funding of apartments across four sites at St Clare's and Mount Argus in Harold's Cross, Carriglea on the Naas road and on the former CIE lands at Carlough Road in Cabra.

The title issue has arisen for the Marlet Property Group at the St Clare's site, and relates to a small strip of land which, according to records held at the Land Registry, forms parts of the adjacent Parkview Mansions apartment development. This is despite the fact that it has been bounded by a wall within the grounds of the former St Clare's convent for several decades.

The Irish Independent understands that Mr Crean was in contact with representatives of the Parkview Mansions management company as recently as yesterday afternoon, in an effort to resolve what he describes as a "mapping error".

While Parkview's residents last week refused an offer from the Marlet ceo of 20,000, which he had proposed "as consideration" for the Deed of Transfer for the piece of land, a source familiar with the matter said that refusal should not be seen as an indication that they were opposed to the agreement of a deal. The same source stressed that Parkview's representatives had not looked for more money than the 20,000 which Mr Crean had offered to cover the costs associated with executing the Deed of Transfer.

While it would be open to Marlet to pursue a claim for adverse possession of the land, the company would need to establish that it, or its predecessors in title, had enjoyed exclusive use of the property for a minimum of 12 years in order to prove its case. It is understood that Mr Crean and his team are determined to resolve the title issue with Parkview's residents on amicable terms and without the need for litigation.

Commenting on the matter, a source close to the negotiations said: "Issues of title are common enough. This is straightforward and it will be sorted out."

Elsewhere, and in preparation for the 'Dublin Living' sale, Marlet subsidiary, Crekav Trading GP Ltd, wrote to An Bord Pleanala on September 22 last seeking a pre-planning consultation to fast track the delivery of 421 residential units (419 apartments and two houses) at Carnlough Road in Cabra. The submission was made under the temporary legislation the Government introduced to speed up Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) of 100 residential units and 200 student bed spaces.

Apart from the delivery of 421 units in Cabra, Marlet is looking to build 180 apartments at Mount Argus, 220 apartments at St Clare's and 362 apartments at Carriglea. The four schemes are due for completion between the second half of 2018 and the early part of 2020.
The firm has designed the new 43,000 Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork Photo: Sportsfile

Pre-tax profits at the award-winning architects Scott Tallon Walker last year more than tripled to 811,983.

The firm, which designed the new 43,000 Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork and has also co-designed Dublin's Aviva stadium, recorded the 244pc increase in pre-tax profits as revenues increased by 36pc from 7.1m to 9.6m.

In response to the surge in business, it increased its workforce from 76 to 92 during 2016.

"As predicted, 2016 saw ongoing recovery and confidence in the Irish market with a positive uplift in our revenues and profitability and our appointment to a number of high-level projects," the directors' report stated.

The firm and the directors added that they are satisfied with the company's financial position at the end of last year.

They state that in response to this increased workload, "we have recruited talented architects to deliver this work in 2017 and their costs are reflected in our operating expenses for 2016".

The directors state that working closely with the firm's London office "we have also assisted our UK sister company in securing a number of flagship projects in the UK".

Staff costs increased from 4.2m to 5.5m.

Pay to the 12-strong board last year increased from 902,211 to 1.2m.
The worsening shortage of young cattle vets has forced one large practice in Donegal to look to the southern African state of Botswana for suitable staff.

Gerard Roarty of the Donegal Animal Hospital in Letterkenny said it was proving extremely difficult to hire Irish vets for big animal work and many practices were now looking to Eastern Europe and beyond to fill posts.

He claimed the ongoing difficulty in hiring vets for cattle work could jeopardise the future of beef and suckler farming in remote parts of the country.

"If we advertise a job for a vet for small animals only, we are inundated with applications - our email would be choked up.

But nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to work with cattle," Mr Roarty said.

Mr Roarty is currently looking to hire a vet but he couldn't get an Irish graduate and he is now in discussions with a vet from Botswana who studied in Glasgow.

Earlier this year Veterinary Ireland claimed there were up to 110 unfilled posts for vets in large animal practices around the country. However, many in the sector believe there are even more vacant positions, with vets in some areas not advertising jobs because they know they won't get applications.

Mr Roarty said the situation in some parts of the country was now becoming critical. The absence of vet cover could end up excluding farmers from keeping cattle, he claimed.

"If a cow in the middle of the Bluestack Mountains or out in Gweedore needs a Caesarean section, then someone has to be there to do it," he said.

However, he maintained that it was becoming increasingly difficult to guarantee veterinary cover.

Mr Roarty worked as a vet in North America, Australasia and Africa before returning to establish the practice covering northwest Donegal with his brother Ciaran.

"The problem now is that graduates are travelling abroad and working in small animal practices and they're not interested in taking jobs with cattle at all when they come home," he contended.

The Donegal vet claimed the CAO points system and the entry criteria for the UCD veterinary college were partly to blame for the drift away from big animals.

Young people who had an interest in veterinary and farming were finding it increasingly difficult to get the points for the UCD course.

The entry requirement for veterinary medicine in UCD this year was 559 points.

He maintained that a certain number of places on the UCD veterinary course should be reserved for students who had completed an agriculture qualification and shown an interest in working in the farming industry with large animals.
Richard O'Connell was out on a Sunday hunt with the Duhallows in Co Cork the week before Christmas in 2008 - but after a freak off- farm accident the following Wednesday he was hospitalised in the Mater, Dublin.

The prognosis strongly suggested he might never walk again.

His life had changed utterly in an instant and his best laid plans for the farm in Mallow, where he breeds hunters and jumpers for the equestrian sector were put on hold indefinitely.

He was 37 at the time, married to Niamh with four young children - Sarah (16), Emma (8) and Chloe (7) and Daniel, then aged 13 months.

Richard was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury which, according to the doctors in Dublin, would probably leave him paralysed for the rest of his life.

That was never Richard's plan, however.

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He had an off-farm job with a road construction company to supplement his income from the horse enterprise but everything changed that Wednesday when he was working "up country in Mayo".

"I fell off the lorry and rolls of wire mesh fell down on top of me, I had no feeling from the neck down. I was brought to the Mater where I was told I had the spinal cord injury," Richard recalls.

"I spent a month in the Mater and nine months in the Dun Laoghaire rehabilitation hospital.

"After three months there I began to get some movement in my toes and with hard work and determination I got some movement in my legs. The help and motivation I got from the nurses and physios and from my family made me determined to walk again," he says.

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After over a year in the Dublin hospitals where, apart from his spinal injury, he also suffered badly from depression, he was discharged in a wheelchair.

By 2010 Richard was continuing his recovery at home and in a private clinic in Limerick.

"I started with the private physio in October 2009 and the physio told me that I would be standing by Christmas."

Richard missed that deadline, but was on his feet by the following March when he took his first tentative steps to the partial mobility he has now regained.

"I gradually started getting better from then on and the only thing that stops me now is my spasm," he says.

"I did my test for driving a horse box when I came home full-time and last year I bought a modified John Deere for the farm.

"I never thought I would have a chance of driving a tractor again, but during this summer I did the mowing and baling - and drawing the bales on the farm - just like the old days.

"All my life I have been interested in horses and machinery and to this day I still am. I said 'never say never' and I can now drive my modified John Deere."

Looking ahead, he wants to improve the breeding lines of his hunters and jumpers with the recent introduction of two new stallions to his stable of 70 horses. "We'll know if the move has improved the stocks early next year and I am hopeful," he says.

Richard will be speaking at the Embrace Farm conference in the Midland Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Saturday, November 25
Almost two out of every three steers being slaughtered at the beef export plants are now failing to make the base classification grades, the latest official figures have revealed.

The grading results were compiled from the Department of Agriculture figures on the entire throughput of steers at the export factories between July 1 and September 30, 2017, which was an excellent production period for beef animals.

The grading was carried out on more than 200,000 head of steers supplied during the third quarter of 2017. The results showed that 61pc of the steers slaughtered over the period had failed to make any of the base price grades which ranges from R=/2+ to R-/4=.

On a typical 350kg carcase, the penalty varies between 12c/kg and 36c/kg, reducing the return to producers by between 42 and 126/hd, with the poorer grading also adding to a further reduction of 42/hd under the in-spec bonus for some categories.

The ICMSA have called for factories to supply farmers with a digitised image of the carcase for each of the animals on the day of slaughter.

ICMSA beef chairman Michael Guinan said the drop in grades cannot be explained simply in terms of the increased dairy influence adding that there is ongoing disquiet around the accuracy of grading machines themselves.

He said the  images of the carcases should be provided to the farmer on the day of slaughter along with images of animals making the specific grades for comparison.

Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly has called for an overhaul of the grading system, describing farmers as totally frustrated with the system of grading.

ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan said serious cattle producers are getting disillusioned with the accuracy of grading machines in some factories. With the increase in dairy sourced calves, it is likely that this will get worse before it gets better.

He added: The current grading machines are outdated technology and there are many who believe that they are not working accurately and that they need replacing.

IFA beef chairman Angus Woods told farmers in Co Limerick that there is a lack of transparency within the beef industry.

Dairy farmers know within a cent or two the value of milk and can take out a five year fixed price contract. Beef farmers cannot get a five day assurance on price and it is very hard to build an industry on that he said.

Meat Industry Irelands Cormac Healy said the Department constantly monitor grading and the carcase classification system operates to a very high level of accuracy and consistency.

Bord Bias Joe Burke said that there has been a big increase in the number of Hereford and Angus progeny off the dairy herd in the kill this year and average carcase weight had dropped by up to 5kg. He said that throughput for the year to date is up 75,000hd and in line with expectations.

Mr Burke said factories have experienced strong market demand throughout the year and prices to producers have remained stronger than 2016.

He predicted that it is not likely that any significant tightening in the supply of cattle will take place for the rest of 2017.
Political indifference has turned rural Ireland into a playground for criminal gangs and drug lords, a party leader has claimed.

Renua Ireland Leader Councillor John Leahy said the only response to rising crime has been closing Garda stations.

This has created the situation where, be it in the West, the Border or the Midlands, the people are under siege from thieves and drug warlords intent on expanding their empires, he claimed.

Rural Ireland has become a playground for criminal gangs because of political indifference to the plight of rural communities. The government has, over the last decade, staged a managed retreat from rural policing, Cllr Leahy stated.

He argued that criminals are capable of making risk assessments and have, in what he believes is the absence of rural gardai, made the most of Irelands network of motorways.

In a jibe at Minister for Transport Shane Ross, Cllr Leahy pointed out that crime existed in areas other than Dublin's Stepaside, a reference to a re-opening of its closed Garda Station.

He insisted it was time to get tough on crime. We do not want people jailed for 20 years for stealing a Mars bar. But they should go down for terrorising a farmer and they should go down for 20 years as should paedophiles such as Tom Humphries, argued Cllr Leahy.

People are losing respect for a law system that only protects the rights of defendants. Thugs and gangsters have made a playground of rural Ireland. Virtual terror has been imposed on people particularly in rural counties. Our culture, our lifestyle has been taken away from us. We no longer can leave our key in the back door, Cllr Leahy remarked.

Offaly North Tipperary TD Carol Nolan also called for action on rural crime. The Sinn Fein spokesperson on Community and Rural Development said recently, almost 300 people attended a public meeting in West Offaly to discuss a significant increase in break ins in the local area. We also had a vicious attack on a local farmer last weekend, who was hospitalised after four assailants broke into his home, she remarked.

Rural crime is a massive issue and rural communities are living in fear, she stated.

There has been a growing concern that the closure of local Garda stations has reduced garda visibility and made rural communities vulnerable to crime, said Deputy Nolan.

Meanwhile, she claimed, there are Garda cars that remained parked outside Garda stations in Offaly because there isn't Gardai to drive them to patrol communities, this is of serious concern.

She maintained the closures have resulted in people feeling vulnerable, particularly in isolated areas. In addition, she said, "farmers have increasingly found themselves dealing with the theft of valuable farm machinery and livestock.

Deputy Nolan expressed her belief that the government has no desire to re-open closed garda stations and was instead stalling on the issue. "This Government must take immediate action to ensure that rural communities have the resources they need to feel safe, she added.
People are keeping guns beside their beds, following the vicious attack on a farmer in Offaly last week, a local Community Alert representative has said.

Richie McKelvey, a 54-year-old farmer, was assaulted in his home in Brosna, outside Birr, Co Offaly earlier this week.

Gardai have appealed for information on his four attackers, saying they had Munster accents and used a high-powered 4X4 vehicle.

Speaking to Midlands 103, Aghancon Community Alert Chairman Joe Parlon highlighted the impact of the attack on the local area.

Several people have said to me in the last number of days and it's coming from fear leading to anger that by god I have the shotgun beside the bed at the moment.

That is the reaction that is there at the moment.

I think as a community we have to try and do what we can to make sure that our community is more secure and that a situation is not there that Richard would feel that he could not come back and live in his own house because he is too afraid, he said.

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Superintendent Martin Cashen said it was "a very serious incident."

He said Gardai believe the public may have vital information which could lead to identifying the raiders.

"We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or even something just out of the ordinary in the area to contact us," he said.

"In particular, we would like to hear about any suspicious persons or vehicles in the Drumakeenan and Glassderrybeg areas on the N62 Birr to Roscrea Road that was noticed in the days leading up to the incident.

"If anyone has any information, no matter how trivial they might think it is, please contact Birr Garda Station immediately," Supt Cashen said.

Farmers and landowners in the area have already been combing their fields following a Garda appeal in a bid to trace any clothing or items that may have been discarded by the raiders following the burglary.

Gardai are also checking CCTV security camera footage from towns and villages in the area to try to trace the movements of any vehicles matching the description of the powerful 4x4 believed to have been used by the raiders.

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While Garda inquiries are only at a preliminary stage, they do not believe that Dublin gangs who have been terrorising parts of the Midlands and Munster over recent weeks are responsible for the Brosna attack.

One Garda source said the farm raid is believed to have been conducted by a Limerick-based gang who have repeatedly targeted farms and agricultural facilities across Munster and south Leinster for cash and valuable farm machinery such as generators, quads and chain-saws which are then sold on.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Birr Gardai on (057) 9169710 or the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666111.
'The latest data shows casual dining is a dominant trend, with more than a third of consumer spend on limited service restaurants.'

Ireland's food service market is now valued at a record 7.8bn, according to new research from Bord Bia.

The sector is now made up of 33,000 individual outlets.

The latest research shows takeaway and so called 'grab-and-go', are key drivers of growth, although healthier foods trends are increasingly influencing menus.

Bord Bia's 2017 Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report tracks all food consumed outside the home - from restaurants and pubs, to workplaces, hospitals and vending machines.

The sector is tipped to grow to 9bn by 2020.

The latest data shows casual dining is a dominant trend, with more than a third of consumer spend on limited service restaurants.

This includes casual dining and takeaway, compared to 12pc in full service restaurants and 17pc in pubs.

A drop this year in pub dining figures, excluding alcohol, is attributed to Brexit which Bord Bia said has led to a decrease in weekend trips and holiday visits to Ireland from the UK.

However, the two market segments showing the biggest share gain are hotels, accounting for 17pc of total food service consumer spending; and coffee shops and cafes - although the latter still only makes up 6pc of activity.
Last year, 2,600 tonnes of sweets were produced at the Dublin plant

Jellybean firm Cloetta Ireland last year recorded a 43pc drop in pre-tax profits to 2.2m.

That is according to new accounts which show that the company - formerly Aran Candy Ltd - recorded the drop in profits after revenues decreased from 14.68m to 14.32m.

In July of last year, co-founder of Aran Candy Richard Cullen received a 10.12m windfall when he sold his remaining shareholding in the Dublin gourmet sweet firm to Scandinavian firm, Cloetta.

Based in Blanchardstown, the sweet business was established by father and son, Peter and Richard Cullen in 1998.

Last year, 2,600 tonnes of sweets were produced at the Dublin plant - or the equivalent of 14 million jelly beans a day

Cloetta Ireland exports more than 97pc of its production to 60 export markets around the globe, with its main market in the UK.

The firm also exports to the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.

Numbers employed by the firm at its Dublin facility increased further last year, going up from 81 to 87.

The accounts show that 74 are engaged in production, 11 in administration and two directors.

Total pay to staff, including directors last year, increased from 2.86m to 3.13m.

The amount paid to directors increased going from 422,261 to 452,780.

Accumulated profits at the firm last year increased from 10.7m to 12.7m. The firm's shareholder funds totalled 13.7m while its cash pile increased from 1.1m to 1.6m.
Coillte chief Fergal Leamy says there is plenty more to be done to transform the agency despite recent progress

When Fergal Leamy (40) told the staff at Coillte's head office that he was looking to reduce numbers there to 17 from 90, it, unsurprisingly, didn't go down very well.

He had the backing of the board and the Government for his "ambitious strategy" - making the state forestry agency leaner, increasing its operating cash and putting it in the healthy position of being able to spew out a bigger shareholder dividend each year.

With plans to cut the cost base by 20m, it was time to get staff on board as well.

"Was it difficult? Of course it was," he says. "The day I announced to people that we were going to 17 people as a head office, you can imagine the sheer shock."

Not exactly the best route to make you Mr Popular among your new staff following his appointment as CEO in 2015.

His first year in the job, he says, was spent driving around Coillte's various operations across the country to set out his vision.

"There was quite a bit of emotion, because people were concerned with all of the uncertainty. We had town halls up and down the country and I would stand up in front of 60 or 70 people, and I genuinely wanted people to say what they thought. The change was uncomfortable," he says.

All in all, Coillte's staff numbers have been cut by 200 through voluntary redundancy.

But Leamy is able to reassure the remaining staff that the heavy lifting has now all been done.

"I'd say the organisation today has been through a huge trauma, but has come out the other side and is in a good place. We have done our heavy lifting on the restructuring.

"We had four phases. We completed the fourth phase, it went to union ballot in June, and the new organisation went live on the first week in September. That's done."

He has good reason for optimism.

Last year's annual results for the agency - which is the custodian of 7pc of Ireland's land extending to more than 440,000 hectares - showed that operating cash flow surged 130pc to just over 15m. This year it's on target to hit 30m operating cash.

It had set a target of 12m for last year. It also reported record earnings of 98.3m for the year, up 10pc, while operating profit was just under 65m.

But to quote the old Fianna Fail election slogan of 2002 - 'A lot done, more to do'.

"We're not finished. We've got quite a bit more to go," he says. "But we're rightly primed, we're where we want to be, and we're primed to see the benefits come through. How you measure that now is through the dividend."

And that's the part of his plan that looks set to make him a real golden boy in the Department of Finance. Mr Leamy believes Coillte could be paying a dividend to the State of around 30m to 40m within three to four years. That would be a significant increase on the 6.2m paid for 2016, which was up 24pc on the previous year.

"We very much hope that by 2020/2021, that's where we'll be," Mr Leamy says.

Although he's tight-lipped on the projected figure for this year, he expects it will be double digits.

Mr Leamy said the company had agreed a dividend policy with the State - linked to the increasing operating cash pile - and that it had committed to trying to grow that dividend each year.

The aim - to avoid the situation where the forestry agency can't see the wood from the trees if it suffers a bad year.

"What we want is to move away from is a business that in a year of bad timber prices, historically you wouldn't have paid a dividend for years. But under this new model, because you have a enough headspace, it means you still pay a decent dividend.

"It might be a little lower than you'd want it, but in the good years you pay a little bit more. It's within a range."

And so to the future.

"If we get this right, and we continue in the journey we're on, you'll have an organisation that is the best forestry land solutions company in Europe," Leamy says.

"It has that potential. We have some very strong assets in this country."

One future income stream is renewable energy. Coillte has just appointed financial advisers IBI and Capricorn to help the agency seek out a joint venture partner to help it manage its renewable energy ambitions.

Between now and the end of the year, their task will be to work with Coillte and figure out what is the right plan for that side of the business.

The commercial semi-State has identified around 1,000 megawatts of development for wind and renewable energy projects on its land. But it believes that to press ahead on its own would take considerable equity and "unbalance" the business.

"My primary aim and the aim of our board is to have a situation where we're not giving away the family jewels," Leamy said. "We're retaining the upside on the wind side but we're not taking the risk. That is the objective, and I think we're in a position with the sites we have that we can achieve that.

"We could have taken the decision to do this ourselves, but it would have been such a distraction. You would have had to think about the two parts of the business separately."

Longer term, the agency doesn't see itself as a utility company, Leamy says, but more a developer of wind assets - a view that is shared by the board, he adds.

"To do otherwise you would lose focus on forestry and it may well be something for a shareholder in a future point to look at.

"But from Coillte's perspective, it probably would be the wrong thing for us to do because we would get distracted by it."

For Leamy, the focus is to put Coillte on a sound financial footing - of particular importance given the threat from Brexit.

He is upbeat about the agency's prospects for dealing with the UK's EU withdrawal.

But he accepts there nonetheless remain considerable challenges for which the company needs to prepare.

"There are 40,000 trucks that move between Ireland and mainland UK every year with timber products on them," he says.

"That's 150 to 200 trucks a day. That's not including what goes north and south. The sheer volume here is extraordinary.

"So it's making sure of simple things - like our IT systems can process documents that might need to cross the Border. We're doing a lot of that prep work at the minute."

I wrongly suggest that delays for timber products at borders may not be quite as problematic as those for food products.

But Mr Leamy says time is paramount as customers in the UK regard Coillte almost as a British company.

"For us to support that, the slickness of the system is extraordinary. Material leaves our factories in Waterford and Clonmel and all of our customer factories across the country and is sometimes on-site 48 hours later - 24 hours later when it needs to be.

"We are looking at things like warehousing in the UK. It's a different challenge to food because of their perishability. But if a B&Q in the UK begins to see us as non-homegrown and they favour the homegrown, then that is a challenge. We're actually investing more in making us as much a UK-based company in that segment as possible."

And what of his own plans?

The Waterford man and father of three has had an eclectic background that has included a stint as a ministerial adviser under Simon Coveney, some time in private equity at Terra Firma Capital Partners and three years in Australia as CEO of agrifood business Consolidated Pastoral after spending four years in the US as head of Greencore US.

"I've spent 15 years travelling and I'm thoroughly enjoying my time in Coillte. It's always for me about coming in and leading that transformation, and we're not done yet."
BANK of Ireland has owned up to thousands of extra cases where customers were denied a good-value tracker mortgage by it.

The bank said it has discovered an additional 6,000 cases where customers were due the low-rate mortgage, but had been told they were not entitled to it.

The new figure is understood to include 2,000 bank staff that Bank of Ireland was resisting including in its tracker remediation scheme, despite pressure from the Central Bank.

The new 6,000 cases are in addition to 4,300 cases already admitted to by the bank.

This takes the total to more than 10,000, the largest number of the 15 lenders examining their mortgage books for mortgage overcharging.

New chief executive Francesca McDonagh has apologised for the failure to recognise that customers were due the good value rates.

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The bank has been forced to put aside between 150m and 175m to cover the cost of returning the 6,000 overcharged mortgage holders to tracker rates, refunding overpaid interest and compensating them for the loses.

Ms McDonagh said: Since taking up the role of CEO at Bank of Ireland in October, making progress on the tracker issue has been a top priority. We have since made substantial progress in relation to the issue.

The bank is also confirming today that c.6,000 additional customers will be part of the compensation scheme. This now gives us a clear picture of the number of impacted customers.

"The compensation process is commencing, and our priority is to ensure that all impacted customers are compensated as quickly as possible.
Five years ago, Google was a software and online ad company. Now, it makes hardware such as phones and laptops. It has deliberately gone for the high end in both categories. The latest incarnation of this is the Pixelbook, a 12-inch machine that has a touchscreen, a 360-degree hinge, the latest power specifications under the hood and Google's web-focused Chrome OS operating system.

This latter element is the big feature that either attracts or repels potential buyers. While most people overwhelmingly use their laptops for online operation, many still like to have the promise of a deep offline reservoir of functionality - facilitated by a highly evolved operating system - that they can default to.

Personally, I have always wanted to take to Chromebooks. I believe in the ascension of cloud over individual devices and have habituated lots of my work practices to it, from Google Docs and photo-editing to music, movies and other things.

Twice before I've bought a Chromebook, hoping they could substitute for traditional Windows or Apple laptops. Twice before, I've faded away from them because of critical limitations in workflows. Will the Pixelbook lure me back?

Anyone who has tried a Chromebook will know that one of its key traits is to act as a speedy gateway to fully functional apps and programmes that live online.

The Pixelbook is a testimony to this. It's lighting fast to start up and get into Chrome - there's no 20 to 30 seconds of fidgeting as you wait for things to warm up.

Another advantage is design and form factor. The 12-inch Pixelbook is very slim and very light, at just 1kg. Considering the heavyweight tech under the hood, that's great. But its biggest design feature is its 360-degree hinge, which allows you to stand the device up as a video screen (in 'tent mode') or use it as a slight heavy tablet. I like this in laptops because these devices are increasingly also being used in our downtime as Netflix, YouTube or Sky Go screens.

The display on the Pixelbook is absolutely excellent - really bright (up to 400 nits) and sporting a high-end 235 pixels-per-inch resolution.

To differentiate the rear casing from every other silver-coloured laptop, the Pixelbook has a white glass rectangular panel on the upper side of the casing. From afar, this looks like plastic, so don't be surprised if your first impression of the look of the machine is that it's a little cheap. Once you're used to using it, however, it's quite an attractive feature and sets it apart from the gazillions of silver laptops out there.

The Pixelbook's keyboard is sleek and really nice to use. A small quibble is the backlit keyboard: the keys are lit unevenly. For example, on one of the 'shift' buttons, the 's' and the 'h' are lit brighter than the 'ift'. On the 'enter' button, the 'r' is much brighter than the 'e' beside it.

There are also a few other small things to get used to. For example, camped in the place of a caps lock button is a search button. So to turn on caps lock you have to jointly press the 'alt' and search button.

Don't expect many physical connectivity options here. There are just two USB-C / Thunderbolt ports on the device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. This goes back to a core point: with this machine, software and additional storage (over the 128GB to 512GB options available) is primarily accessed online.

In the Pixelbook's favour, there is almost no application that you can't now get or download online. The first thing I did on this machine was to sign up to Adobe's Lightroom software (for a subscription of a fiver a month) and get to work editing photos on the machine without any noticeable lag.

Google has widened the potential for app usage here, making the Pixelbook compatible with downloads from its Play Store. Obviously, very few are optimised for it. Still, this has great potential. Google says that developers are adding more beta versions of Chrome OS apps to optimise for screens such as the Pixelbook's.

That said, some programs on the Pixelbook aren't really apps, but are better described as shortcuts to webpages. Coming from a pro tablet (such as the iPad Pro) or a hybrid (such as the Surface Pro), this can feel a bit cheap by comparison.

Ironically, using some of Google's own apps with the touchscreen Pixelbook is not as fluid as devices such as the iPad Pro. For example, I'm a big user of Google Docs. But when you try to highlight a word or sentence using your finger, it immediately pulls up a menu, disallowing you from deciding how much more of the sentence or paragraph you want to edit.

Adding insult to injury, there's no such problem using touchscreen edits on rival systems such as Microsoft Word.

However, the idea that the Pixelbook is some sort of a lightweight machine that can't handle heavy software processes is increasingly a shaky one.

Despite its slimness and lightweight frame, the hardware is beefy enough with 8GB of Ram (16GB is available) and an Intel i5 processor (an i7 version is optional). This is easily enough horsepower to handle almost any mainstream application, or several of them at once.

For those into voice control, one of the laptop's big features is its integration with the Google Assistant. Saying "OK Google" immediately opens up the Assistant, which can help with general web queries, location information, weather, sport results and other minor queries. The more you use Google's ecosystem (such as Google Calendar or Gmail) the more helpful it is. However, it has some limitations. Sitting in an Insomnia cafe in Drumcondra, Dublin, I asked it for the nearest cafe. It gave me the name of one a mile away, despite at least three others being closer (including the one I was sitting in). But this is a small quibble. Integrated into one's workflow, this could be a very useful feature.

The Pixelbook has one other trick when used with the Pixelbook Pen stylus.

Using this gadget, you can circle text or images and get information instantly. This also works for some locations or public figures. Calendar entries also work using this method, too, by circling a date and a time. It's one of the best implementations of a screen stylus I've ever seen, with one drawback: the pen itself isn't rechargeable (it takes batteries) and it can't attach to the Pixelbook.

Battery life is fine, although it's a stretch to say it's 10 hours, as Google guides. Expect six hours without too many exceptions.

So what's the verdict?

This is one seriously impressive laptop. It's easily the best Chromebook I've ever used. It's light and portable and serves me way better in downtime (for things like Netflix) than most laptops do.

However, it should be said that this type of machine won't suit everyone. If you use a few custom pieces of software, particularly those you need for your work, the Chromebook format is still inherently more limited than Windows or Mac machines.

But I can honestly say that there's almost nothing I use a laptop for that wasn't satisfied by the Pixelbook.

I use laptops mostly for work (writing, word processing, presentations, photo-editing and web research). I suspect that's not so different from the majority of laptop use cases out there.
'"There is no more than a theoretical possibility of Monarch emerging as a going concern or resuming the operation of air services," Gross told the court.'

Failed airline Monarch does not have the right to sell its airport takeoff and landing slots, potentially the most valuable remaining part of the business, a court in London ruled on Wednesday, in a blow to administrators seeking to recoup money.

The High Court rejected Monarch's claim that it must be allocated slots for the summer 2018 schedule and said the airline's slots will be placed into a pool for allocation.

Administrators at KPMG had sought a judicial review to establish if they had the right to sell airport slots, reportedly worth 60m.

Judge Peter Gross dismissed their claim, saying that as Monarch was no longer flying and was unlikely to do so in the future, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) had no duty to assign them slots.

"There is no more than a theoretical possibility of Monarch emerging as a going concern or resuming the operation of air services," Gross told the court.

Lawyers for Monarch sought permission to appeal the ruling. Gross said a decision on whether to grant an appeal would be adjourned until the full judgement was written.

British Airways owner IAG, easyJet, Norwegian and Wizz Air have all expressed interest in acquiring Monarch's slots, especially at London's Gatwick and Luton airports.

The court's ruling means that the slots will go into the pool, and they will be assigned by ACL. A slot-allocation conference began on Wednesday in Madrid.

Judge Gross also said he intended to grant a stay on the ruling until 4pm on November 17 with regards to the slots at Luton and Gatwick. There was no stay given for the ruling on Monarch's Manchester and Birmingham slots.

The sudden collapse of Monarch last month meant that over 100,000 holidaymakers needed repatriation by British authorities.

(Reuters)
A travel agent played a spectacular prank on a guy who lost his ID outside their premises this week.

Will Armstrong shared the joke on Twitter, revealing he lost his driving licence when he was "pretty drunk" and later received a letter from a local travel agents, Flight Centre, in the UK.

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The documents contained an itinerary for a luxury trip to the Maldives including first class flights from December 1 with Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi to the Maldives and back.

There was also a letter addressed to "Lord George William Armstrong" which stated, "Thank you so much for popping in the other day. We certainly appreciate your business and hope your [sic] beginning to get excited about your upcoming first class flight to the Maldives!"

"Please keep in mind, balance is due in full on Friday, November 10th at 12.05pm."

The "balance due" was a whopping 5,289.87.

However, another letter revealed it was a prank carried out by Steve who works at Flight Centre.

It read, "George, We're just kidding :) we've found you're [sic] driving license (enclosed) outside our shop and thought you might need it! Just amke sure you consider us for your next holiday. Take care!"

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Will shared the prank on Twitter and took a selfie with Steve, the genius prankster and PR extraordinaire.

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Several people expressed their suspicion over the prank given the letter is addressed to "George Armstrong" but the name on the driving licence is William George Armstrong.
A 24-year-old woman who suffered problems after laser eye surgery has given evidence against a leading doctor before a Fitness to Practise committee inquiry of the Medical Council.

Rebecca Kinsella was 18 when she had the Lasik eye surgery at an Optical Express clinic on Wellington Road, Dublin on April 2, 2012. The new mother who had a five-month-old son at the time told how she paid around 4,000 for the procedure.

She was giving evidence at a hearing into Dr Jan Venter, of Kabeljous Road, Jeffreys Bay, in South Africa - who did not himself perform the surgery - but held a position with Optical Express in the UK.

He is facing allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance in relation to the treatment afforded by Optical Express to Ms Kinsella, where he was Medical Director and/or Clinical Director. A number of the allegations relate to ensuring adequate systems were in place.

Mr Simon Mills BL, who is representing Dr Venter has strenuously denied that his client has any case to answer. He said his client is very highly regarded, and has 44 unblemished years of service.

Ms Kinsella told the inquiry she was offered a free consultation, and that happened in a different branch to the Wellington Road one on March 27th 2012.

The surgery was booked and carried out a few days later on 2 April, 2012 by a surgeon  there is no allegation in relation to the performance of the surgery.

She subsequently attended a number of after-care appointments at the clinic, and two weeks post surgery, she told the inquiry that: "My right eye seemed to deteriorate more.

"I had problems when I was trying to look at the telly. I had to blink a lot. I was very sensitive to the light.

"When I was reading or anything my eyes would water. They kept watering. I noticed when I was driving at night, the lights in the cars in front of me were kind of like doubled. I made another appointment to go back and speak to them again."

Lorna Lynch BL for the Medical Council said it is not disputed that the first date Ms Kinsella saw Dr Venter was 18 June 2012 for clinical review and then again on 20 August 2012, when Dr Venter was also in attendance.

She said evidence will be given to the inquiry by an expert that taking a number of issues into consideration, Ms Kinsella was not a suitable candidate for Lasik eye surgery.

In a statement, Optical Express said: "Optical Express performs thousands of successful procedures every year making it Irelands number one laser eye surgery provider. Our patients receive the highest level of care from the worlds most experienced laser eye surgeons... We pride ourselves on being Europes leading laser eye surgery provider and delivering professional high-level care to thousands of patients across Europe every year."

The inquiry is continuing.
The Teaching Council inquiry in Maynooth heard the allegations about taping of students mouths. Stock picture

Five schoolgirls said their mouths were taped shut by a teacher in fifth class when they did not stop talking.

They gave evidence of their alleged treatment by a substitute teacher at Ireland's first- ever public fitness-to-practise inquiry, held by the Teaching Council yesterday.

The female teacher faced allegations of professional misconduct at the inquiry into the March 2012 incident in a primary school.

"I was scared and shocked," said one of the girls as she recalled the incident, which is alleged to have happened when they were in fifth class.

The teacher was not present at the hearing and was not represented. In a submission to the Teaching Council, she denied the accusations and claimed the children had taped up their own mouths. Each of the pupils contradicted this.

The young witnesses, who are now aged between 15 and 16, said there were six boys and five girls in a maths class. They admitted that all the pupils were talking and messing and that they did not stop talking despite the teacher telling them to "whist" on several occasions.

The substitute teacher, who had started at the school two days previously, said she would Sellotape their mouths if they didn't stop talking.

"She could not control the class. We kept talking," said a now 16-year-old.

The inquiry heard that the teacher placed Sellotape on the lips of two of the girls and instructed the other three girls in the class to put Sellotape on their own mouths. It remained on the girls' mouths for up to 30 minutes until the class ended.

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The school principal said she was later informed what had happened by a pupil and she spoke with the five girls.

"I could see they were upset. One or two were crying," she said.

The girls had "little red marks" around their mouths, she said. When the substitute teacher arrived back at the school later that afternoon, she put the allegations to her.

The teacher did not deny it and said she "didn't mean any harm by it". However, she later told the Teaching Council she had not taped the pupil's mouths.

The principal informed her that afternoon that she was not to return to the substitute teaching job. She contacted the parents and asked the girls to write down what had happened.

The principal said she had contacted the Department of Education, Tusla and the HSE.

The hearing heard that attempts by solicitor Natasha Forde, acting on behalf of the Teaching Council director, to maintain contact with the teacher since a preliminary hearing in September, had been fruitless.

At one stage, the teacher indicated to the inquiry team she "no longer" wished to be contacted by phone or email.

Among the evidence was that, last month, a man answered a call to the contact number provided by the teacher and said it was a "wrong number". On other occasions, there was no response or the call was disconnected.

Over two days last week, a summons server called to the teacher's apartment and there was no reply. One neighbour said she hadn't seen her for the previous week and that post hadn't been collected.

A 10-year-old neighbour told the summons server that he believed she had "gone back to her mother's house in another county".

The identity of the teacher, the school principal and the pupils were not made public at the hearing. The school was not named.

The hearing concluded with the three-member panel indicating it will give its decision on the case at a later date.
Since last Monday, Leaving Cert students and, indeed, any person who is interested in starting college next September can register with the CAO and begin filling out their form.

I always push students to begin this process as early as possible. There is no benefit to waiting and, in my experience, once applicants get going, they are reassured by how simple it is.

The most difficult part of completing a CAO application is not the actual process of filling out the form, but deciding the courses for which to apply.

I have to admit that each year a large number of applicants, including my own students, fail to follow the advice to start early. Students delay because they have not yet decided which courses they would like to list or the order in which they will place them.

The great thing about filling out the CAO form online is that the applicant does not have to make a decision about when the form is completed. There is no send button and there is no piece of information that cannot be changed by the candidate before the submission date. Whatever is entered on it on February 1 is the information with which the CAO will work.

Since the CAO opened on Monday, it is possible for applicants to set up an account into which they can log as many times as they like. And from now until February 1, they can make as many changes to their form as they like.

To get started, applicants will need to register and pay their fee. For 2018/19, the standard application fee is 45, discounted to 30 for any applicant who registers by January 20.

On the form, applicants will be asked to complete their personal details and enter credit/debit card details or the number from their Bank Giro. If an applicant would like to pay by Bank Giro, they should contact their school guidance counsellor and ask them to request one from the CAO on their behalf.

Once they have done this, they will receive their CAO number. The number is important as applicants will need it for logging into their form and all dealings with the CAO, as well as other CAO-related activities, such as applying for the HPAT aptitude test for medicine, or submitting a portfolio.

The applicant may log into their account as often as they wish to enter application details, apply for programmes such as the HEAR or DARE, and to enter and remove courses.

At this stage, it is unlikely that applicants will have more than one or two courses for their application. However, it is not necessary to enter any courses at the moment, although that should not prevent students from getting started. On the plus side, entering a few courses now, safe in the knowledge they can be removed at a later date, can help reduce an individual's stress around this process.

The danger is that by not starting the process of entering courses and thinking about order of preference, many students end up in the situation where, on February 1, their form has no course choices. While February 1 is the deadline for registration, and courses and their order of preference can be entered later, it is far from the ideal situation.

Even though there is nothing preventing applicants from delaying entering course choices, the spring term of sixth year is, at times, overwhelming for even the most prepared student.

Deadlines, mocks and orals arrive in quick succession, while students are also preparing for final exams in June. It is not wise to attempt to make such important decisions while there are so many competing demands, and perhaps stress, in a student's life. Also, after February 1, there are certain restrictions about applying for some courses.

But, most importantly, choosing a course or a career is not a lightbulb-like decision at which you will arrive if you wait long enough. It is a process, and one in which potential applicants should be engaged in every day.

Beginning that process early and revisiting it regularly minimises the danger of a rushed decision and, hopefully, will lead to applicants making the optimum choices.

Aoife Walsh is a guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin
The CAO opened for applications this week and, in theory at least, it is open to all.

But the CAO cannot offer a place to someone who hasn't applied. Among those will be people who, because of some disadvantage in their lives, are under the misconception that college is only for other people.

The drop-down menu of those who don't believe college is for them include families where no one has ever attended third level and where, even in 2017, it is not discussed as an option. Another category is children or adults with a learning difficulty, disability or other special needs, who lack the confidence to take their education to the next step.

Many overcome those challenges and apply for a dream course, but, at the point of selection for entry, find themselves beaten in the race by others with more financial and/or social capital behind them, such as those who can afford grinds to help clinch those extra points.

So the system is credited with being transparent and fair to those who arrive at the line with the same points, with no danger of any favouritism that might be associated with an interview, but the journey to get there is harder for some.

Data on college entry tell us that in affluent areas 90pc to 100pc of school leavers go to college. In areas of socio-economic disadvantage, the average is 26pc, although some great work done in individual schools in raising pupils' ambitions buck that trend. Even getting to the Leaving Cert is a challenge for some. While, generally, about 90pc of those who start school sit the Leaving Cert, in disadvantaged communities, it is about 80pc.

And even when students from under-represented groups make it to college, the challenges can continue.

State-run schemes such as the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR), for applicants coming from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage, and the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) seek to level out the playing field for entry by giving a limited waiver on points. Colleges also have their own programmes where they actively reach out to target groups, such as students in DEIS schools, to nurture pupils and encourage them to see college as part of their future, even planting that seed at primary level.

Both the State and colleges also fund schemes to support students post entry to college.

The five-year National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-19, the third of its kind, sets targets for increased participation by six different groups, including students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, first time mature students, students with disabilities, further education graduates and Irish Travellers. A mid-term review is about to get underway.

Among the initiatives under the plan is a programme specifically aimed at widening the diversity of students in teacher training programmes. Entry to the profession is dominated by young, white, Irish females and broadening that base would not only have immediate benefits for other categories of students, but would bring new role models into classrooms with the important message that teaching can be for anyone.

Another plank in supporting wider access to higher education has come with the re-introduction of maintenance grants for students on post-graduate courses, now almost deemed a pre-requisite qualification level for any career.

The challenges remain, but an insight into what can be done is visible in the way the Dublin City University (DCU) Access Scheme has grown since 1990. As one of its first acts in 1989, the governing authority of the then fledgling university decided to introduce an access programme to address low numbers attending third level from the neighbouring Ballymun area. The first six students entered DCU in 1990 as part of the pilot initiative.

Since then, 3,997 DCU students have been supported. In the current year, there are 1,300 Access students enrolled (up from 424 in 2012/13), including 360 first years.

As well as allowing entry on fewer points than is required through the CAO system, the programme offers a range of financial, social, emotional and academic supports post-entry. The access scheme works in three ways: providing entry routes for Leaving Cert students; scholarships; and an outreach programme in school communities where there is a low third-level uptake. When, in 1995, DCU targeted 16 schools in north Dublin and extended access supports to their students, the numbers increased significantly. Some 10pc of places in DCU are now allocated to students entering through DCU/HEAR Access routes.

The job of the school outreach team starts well before the Leaving Cert years. As well as working with 21 second-level schools, they have links with 41 DEIS primary schools where they work to develop positive attitudes to education and encourage pupils to see third level as a viable option.

Access Outreach Project Officer Susan Hawkins explains that they seek to engage with students at four different stages in their education, from fourth class up. "The programme is not about recruiting for DCU, it is about encouraging them to take one step on, to further education or higher education," she says.

At primary level, it may involve encouraging students to attend weekly classes in the DCU Centre for Talented Youth. Junior Cycle students are introduced to the concept of university through initiatives such as campus tours and academic taster programmes.

At transition year, they support teachers in developing student skills in areas such as technology. In Leaving Cert years, they offer a range of supports such as a schools and student mentoring.

It all takes funding which is why DCU runs telethons during which current students talk to graduates (who must register an interest in taking a call), to raise awareness about and support for its Access Scholarship Programme.

The latest telethon started this week and will run to November 25. During a similar initiative last June, 700 DCU graduates took calls.
The recently appointed president of the University of Limerick (UL) has expressed concern about the way the university "treated some of its people in the past".

Dr Des Fitzgerald said a new report into a string of controversies at the college cast light on occasions in the past where UL fell short in its duty of care as an employer.

He was commenting on the findings of the review by Dr Richard Thorn, president emeritus of the Institute of Technology, Sligo, who was appointed six months ago to investigate certain matters and allegations.

Dr Thorn's report is critical of college management's use of severance payments, worth 1.7m, and its handling of staff issues.

A total of eight severance packages agreed between 2007 and 2015 came under scrutiny in the review carried out for the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Education.

In five of the cases, individuals were under investigation for what was deemed to be gross misconduct under a section of the Universities Act, but the review found that the application of the particular clause was "overly severe". At least some cases could have been dealt with differently, it stated.

According to the review, a common theme across the five cases was individuals felt under pressure to agree an exit deal.

The review found the severance packages breached public pay guidelines, the Department of Education was not told about them and they were not approved by the university's governing authority.

Former UL president Professor Don Barry confirmed to the review that the decision to enter into the agreements was an executive one.

"The review finds that management of the severances (and the events leading to them) and the communication of their facts to relevant stakeholders, was confusing," the report stated.

It called on the university to prepare an account of all severances agreed and circumstances surrounding them, within a month.

The severance package issue is one of a number of matters dealt with in the report, commissioned following a series of controversies over the unsanctioned severance payments, expenses and governance.

Some issues raised by whistleblowers had already been investigated while other matters emerged in a report by the State spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and were discussed at the Oireachtas' Public Accounts Committee.

In 2016, the Department of Education had sought the co-operation of the university for a full review of the allegations made, but that was not forthcoming.

Prof Fitzgerald said UL would act swiftly in response to the report and he hoped outstanding issues could be resolved.

Higher Education Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor said the report was one of a number of actions being taken by the department and the HEA to strengthen governance arrangements in higher education.
Gardai have arrested four men suspected of being members of a travelling gang responsible for a spate of burglaries.

The arrests were carried out last night after a house was burgled in Mullingar and resulted from a co-ordinated operation involving officers in several Garda regions.

The operation was hailed as the first significant result of a new winter offensive by the gardai against the travelling gangs behind the majority of burglaries in rural Ireland.

The offensive, disclosed in yesterday's Irish Independent, was drawn up last week at a meeting chaired by Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll, who is in charge of special crime operations.

The four suspects, all members of an extended family ranging in age from 22 to 61, are from Tallaght in south Dublin. They were detained after a car was intercepted by officers at Lucan in west Dublin.

All suspects are well known to gardai and are regarded as being linked to one of the targeted gangs.

One of the key initiatives ordered by Asst Commissioner O'Driscoll was to further enhance the exchange of information between the regions on identifying members of the main travelling gangs, the locations of their home bases and their methods of operation.

A senior officer said last night: "We were hoping for a good start to the winter phase of Operation Thor but we had not expected a major development so quickly."

A three-pronged tactic is being used against the gangs with the aid of the intelligence exchange, pinpointing the target of the burglary, the likely route used by the criminals in their escape, and their home destination.

Most of the rural burglaries are being carried out by gangs based in west and south Dublin, with two other travelling outfits based in Laois and on the Kildare-Laois border, and another with links to Limerick.
Gardai have confirmed that a missing teen has been found safe and well in Dublin.

They have thanked the public for their assistance.
The Government has been challenged to say whether junior education minister, John Halligan, will pay the 7,500 fine levied on taxpayers because he broke anti-discrimination laws.

Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, told Today with Sean O'Rourke on RTE Radio 1 that Mr Halligan "should pay the bill himself".

"I think he should make a cheque out to the Department. I think he should pay the bill.

"I think they should forget about the trip (to North Korea)."

Labour leader, Brendan Howlin, said there was a danger of a double-standard emerging in government practices relating to charges incurred by ministers.

The former Public Expenditure Minister cited the case of current Social Protection Minister, Regina Doherty, who through no fault of hers was wrongly paid a special allowance as a junior minister.

Mr Howlin said Minister Doherty later had to pay back that money out of her own pocket.

The Labour leader called upon the Government to formally apologise to the woman civil servant involved. She was judged by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to have been wrongly asked family-related questions by Mr Halligan at a job interview.

The WRC ruled the Independent Alliance Minister should not have asked the woman concerned if she was married and had children during an interview for a job as his private secretary.

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Mr Howlin said it was extraordinary that a government minister should put such a question some 20 years after laws banned it. He noted that Mr Halligans responsibilities also included equality laws.

Replying for the Government, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, said Mr Halligan had already acknowledged that he was in the wrong and had apologised.

But she formally apologised in the Dail to the woman on behalf of the Government.

We certainly regret what happened and accept the WRC decision, Ms Fitzgerald said.

The Tanaiste said according to the law the fine involved was the responsibility of the Education Department. But she would await Mr Halligans response on the entire issue when he returned next Sunday from a work trip overseas.

Speaking to the Irish Independent from Thailand last night, Mr Halligan said he is considering making an appeal of the decision of the WRC.

But Labour Party TD Sean Sherlock called on Mr Halligan to consider his position.

A Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Kate OConnell, said she was both disgusted and disappointed by Mr Halligans actions.

Most people would believe such questioning belongs in the dark ages, not in modern professional workplaces, Ms OConnell said.

If any employer is ever in any doubt as to whether theyre asking something inappropriate of a woman in an interview, they should simply ask themselves, Would I ask a man this? Have I asked men this?

Several Fine Gael ministers privately expressed their disgust last night, but did not wish to speak on the record.

But Fianna Fails equality spokesperson Fiona OLoughlin accused the minister of asking questions of an interviewee that are no longer permitted.

It has been against the law to ask questions like this at interviews since 1998 and John should have been aware of this particularly when he was on an interview board as a minister of State. While he may not have been trying to offend, what he asked was deeply offensive, she told the Irish Independent.

The WRC ruling found the executive officer, who has been employed by the civil service since 1993, applied for one of two posts of private secretary in May 2016 to two junior Government ministers in the same department.

At the interview, Mr Halligan said to the official: I shouldnt be asking you this, but... are you a married woman? Do you have children? How old are your children?

The female official answered the questions and confirmed that she was married and that she was the mother of two children, indicating their ages.

In reply, Mr Halligan observed:

You must be very busy.

In her ruling, which found that the woman was discriminated against, WRC adjudication officer Penelope McGrath found the junior ministers comments to be so outmoded.

She said: It was ill-advised of the Minister of State to have so pointedly obtained information that had nothing to do with this candidates suitability for a position and a position for which she had determined she was eligible to compete.

Last night Mr Halligan said he was upset by the ruling as he feels he runs a family friendly office.

I was simply trying to put the interviewee at ease. I wanted to assure her that I am as flexible as possible with members of my team with any external or non-work commitments they may have, Mr Halligan told this newspaper.

All of my staff start at 10am because they need to get their kids to school and can finish early if they need to. Im upset in the sense I genuinely didnt think I was doing anything wrong. Sometimes I am wrong but I operate a family friendly environment, he added.
Commandant Art Magennis, who spent 50 years searching for the body of Trooper Patrick Mullins, who has been missing in action in the Congo since 1961

A 97-year-old army veteran spent five decades trying to trace the missing body of a heroic teenage soldier killed in the Congo Civil War.

Testimony from Cmdt Art Magennis in which he speaks about his quest is among a collection of first-hand interviews with former soldiers and military experts released by the Defence Forces today.

Magennis, who is now resident in a nursing home, was a captain in Ireland's first-ever UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961 when Trooper Patrick Mullins (18) from Kilbehenny, Co Limerick, was killed.

His patrol was ambushed in the city of Elisabethville. Despite placing his own life in grave danger, the young soldier refused to leave the side of his friend Cpl Michael Nolan from Co Wicklow, who suffered serious shrapnel injuries.

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The young trooper tried to get his friend medical attention but died in a gun battle in which he single-handedly tried to hold off an enemy platoon to protect his friend.

While Cmdt Magennis eventually traced Cpl Nolan's body to a graveyard outside Elisabethville, Mullins's body was nowhere to be found.

But he never gave up the search, devoting almost half of his life to it.

Tragically, Mullins remains officially missing in action.

Twenty-seven Irish soldiers died in the Congo between 1960 and 1964.

The recordings, made over the past year, are part of the Military Archives Oral History Project at the Military Archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks.
A workman sustained burn injuries to his face and upper body during an incident at an Easons shop in Limerick city on Thursday.

The man, aged in his 50s, was seriously injured around 11.46am, Thursday, while working in the shop's "basement area", located on O'Connell Street, gardai said.

The man was taken from the shop by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, where his injuries are believed to be serious but "not life-threatening", gardai said.

The man is understood to have been working on a sprinkler system in the shop when he came into contact with an electrical cable, reliable sources said.

Two fire tenders attached to Limerick City Fire Service attended the scene, along with HSE paramedics and gardai.

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) said they were informed the man had been "electrocuted".

The spokesman said the HSA would be "carrying out an investigation" into the incident.

An Eason spokesperson said: "We can confirm that an incident took place this morning at our O' Connell Street store in Limerick, in which a workman employed by an external contractor sustained injuries while carrying out work on-site.

"To ensure the safety of all our customers and employees we closed the store.

"Our primary concern remains the well-being of the injured person and we are currently working with his employers and the Health and Safety Authority to investigate the incident."

ESB crews were present at the store assisting emergency services and HSA officials. Power was cut to the store which was closed pending further notice.

An ESB statement said: "ESB Networks is aware of an incident which took place earlier today on OConnell Street in Limerick. ESB Networks is currently assisting the emergency services and the HSA as they investigate this incident. No further information is available at this time."

It added: "ESB Networks would like to remind the public to always be aware of the potential dangers that electricity poses and to never approach or touch electricity wires. To report an incident, please call the ESB Networks emergency number at 1850 372 999."

Garda Superintendent Derek Smart, Henry Street, Limerick, said: "The injured man is in the care of the hospital. We are treating it as a workplace accident and have referred the matter to the HSA."
A man was left for dead after being repeatedly stabbed and beaten during a horrific aggravated burglary.

The 49-year-old victim was attacked after a gang kicked in the front door of his west Dublin home in the early hours of the morning.

He was stabbed five times, including twice in the neck, and suffered a smashed eye socket after being struck in the face with a blunt object as he lay in bed.

Gardai suspect that up to four young men were involved in the incident, which occurred on the morning of November 1 in the Deansrath estate, Clondalkin.

The gang beat the entirely innocent man and ransacked his home.

There are now fears that the victim could lose his eye due to the severity of his injuries.

The victim also suffered two knife wounds to his neck and puncture wounds to his shoulder and stomach.

The thugs continued to assault the man as they ransacked his home in the hunt for items to steal.

"At this stage, it seems that the perpetrators spent the best part of an hour in the house, where they assaulted and robbed the man," said a source.

The gang eventually made off with the man's laptop, a quantity of cash and the keys to the victim's van.

This vehicle was found burnt out later that morning.

The victim was brought to Tallaght Hospital, where he was treated overnight.

He has since returned to hospital due to his injuries deteriorating, and is expected to receive further medical treatment to his eye later this week.

"His eye socket is completely smashed and there is severe swelling. There is a genuine fear that he could lose his eye," a source said.

Gardai have confirmed that officers at Clondalkin Garda station are investigating an incident of aggravated burglary and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

As part of the investigation, gardai have carried out door-to-door inquiries.

It is understood that investigating officers have identified some of the gang involved in the vicious assault on the man, who are all males and range from their late teens to mid-20s.

A number of searches have also been carried out as part of the ongoing investigation.

A team from the Garda Technical Bureau carried out a forensic examination of the scene in the aftermath of the attack.

No arrests have yet been made but inquiries are continuing.
A man shot dead in a gangland attack on a Dublin street has been remembered today as as someone who had a big smile, a contagious laugh, and who would do anything for his family.

Jamie Tighe Ennis (24) was gunned down in front of his friends on Moatview Avenue in Coolock in the early hours of Saturday October 28.

He was a close associate of the chief suspect in the double killing of mother-of-six Antoinette Corbally (48) and innocent locksmith Clinton Shannon (30) in Ballymun north Dublin in August.

Gardai are investigating if he was murdered as retaliation for those murders but other motives are also possible because Tighe had links to a number of different criminals.

He has previous convictions for assaulting gardai and for firearms offences, and was before the courts last year in relation to a firearms charge.

At the Church of Our Lady Immaculate in Darndale a large number of family, friends and neighbors gathered this morning before he was laid to rest.

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In his homily parish priest Fr Leo Philomin said nobody had the right to take the life of another person.

We gather because someone somewhere thought it was right to take the life of another. Someone somewhere thought it was right to deprive a family of a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, he said.

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A cousin of Jamies named Stuart told of how they grew up together more like brothers.

He told of how Jamie loved animals, and joked about getting a crocodile as a pet.

Jamie was the happiest, most carefree person you could meet. He had the biggest smile and a laugh that was contagious, he said.

During the prayers of the faithful, a member of the family prayed for victims of violence.

Lord, we remember all those whose lives have been cut short by violence. Give them peace and grant them eternal rest, she prayed.

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Outside the church more than a dozen of Tighe Enniss friends performed burnouts on their motorbikes and revved the engines to the limits, creating a noisy and smokey tribute of their own to him.

His remains were then brought to Fingal cemetery for burial.
Topshop has confirmed that all of its changing rooms, including its 14 Irish branches, are now considered gender neutral. Credit: travisalabanza / Instagram

Topshop and Topman are one of the first high street stores in Ireland to officially announce that their changing rooms are gender neutral following a recent complaint from a customer.

This official announcement comes after a trans customer claimed they were refused access to the female changing rooms in a Manchester Topshop branch.

Performance artist Travis Alabanza, who identifies as trans feminine, had queued up to try on a dress in one of Topshop's changing rooms. They claim they were asked to use the male changing rooms in the Topman area of the store instead, which caters to male customers.

It is understood the policy changed in the summer but staff were not clearly informed.

However, it officially revealed the news following Travis' complaints.

When Travis tweeted: "Hey @topshop just experienced transphobia in your Manchester store. Not letting me use the changing room....sort it out", the store claimed the policy was already in place.

A spokesperson for Topshop told Independent.ie in a statement: "All Topshop and Topman customers are free to use any of the fitting rooms located within our stores."

This policy also applies to all 14 Topshop and Topman stores in Ireland.

However, the move sparked debate online.

You are changing the world and opening up bits of space for others to exist in, your legacy will be massive. Solidarity, one supporter tweeted Travis.

This makes me so angry! Im so sorry you had to go through this, another added.

However, another said Topshop's changing rooms should only be available to women and children.

"How to loose the largest amount of customers in a day, cater for the minority and not the majority of your customers. I wont by buying anymore #Privacy in #Changing rooms for women and children," she wrote.
Members of the Irish public were divided today about whether they would trust Facebook with their nude photos.

The social media giant is testing out a new initiative that they hope will help them to crack down on revenge porn.

Users are encouraged to send intimate photos to Facebook, who will put a unique digital fingerprint on it before it is sent to the recipient.

This imprint will then flag up through messenger and automatically stop it being shared on Facebook, Facebook Messenger and Instagram.

However the Irish public weren't so sure about the idea when Independent.ie took to the streets of Dublin today.

One woman said she isn't a fan of the idea, calling it "a bit pervy."

Another man said he isn't sure he would put his trust in this system.

He said: "It is a bit much having to send a picture of yourself, I'd be worried that it could get into the wrong hands."

One woman said that she would be in favour of this if it stops intimate images being sent without the consent of the person in them.

She explained: "Revenge porn is becoming such a huge epidemic among young people, it's absolutely horrible and if there's any way to tackle it then we should take that seriously."

Antigone Davis, Facebooks head of global safety, said the system is being trialled in the UK, US, Australia and Canada.

She said: "The safety and well-being of the Facebook community is our top priority.

"As part of our continued efforts to better detect and remove content that violates our community standards, were using image matching technology to prevent non-consensual intimate images from being shared on Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Groups and Messenger."
Gino Kenny TD, People Before Profit Alliance, outside his office in Clondalkin. Photo: Tony Gavin 20/12/2016

PEOPLE Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has made a last ditch appeal to other political parties to support his Bill to legalise medicinal cannabis.

Ahead of a debate on the proposed law, Mr Kenny said: "if they vote against our Bill theyll be on the wrong side of public opinion, science and history."

The Oireachtas cross party health committee has recommended that the Bill does not proceed, a move Mr Kenny has described as "sabotage".

The government has adopted the Committee's position amid concern that the Bill may lead to unintended consequences such as cannabis making its way onto the recreational market.

Mr Kenny said that a government proposals for a compassionate access scheme are too restrictive and would not help everyone who needs medicinal cannabis.

He said his Bill is backed by Vera Twomey, the mother of Ava Barry (7) who has a severe form of epilepsy and is currently being treated in the Netherlands where medicinal cannabis is legal.

Mr Kenny said: "Hopefully we can get the bigger parties to change their mind on the health committees report."

His PBP colleague Richard Boyd Barrett said that Sinn Fein has indicated that it may support the law and Fianna Fail is still considering its position.

Solidarity TD Paul Muprhy also appealed to the larger parties not to "block and kill" the proposed law.

He added: "Weve always said we're open to any changes that are necessary in order to make it workable in terms of legislation".

PBP TD Brid Smith said Ireland is lagging behind other countries in legislating for medicinal cannabis.

"Poland are in the process of legalising medicinal cannabis. Already in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and over 23 States in the USA have legalised medicinal cannabis," she said.

Ms Smith added: "I have friends... who suffer with extreme pain because of cancer and other illnesses and theyre being deprived the use of medicinal cannabis its time we caught up with the rest of the planet."
MINISTER Shane Ross has confirmed he and two other members of the Independent Alliance will not travel to North Korea for a proposed peace trip.

The alliance were thrown into crisis last week when it emerged that Minister of State John Halligan had written to the North Korean Embassy in London to propose a trip to the country along with Mr Ross and Minister of State Finian McGrath.

Mr Halligan said the trip would be to "ask Kim Jong Un to engage in democracy" and to discuss peace.

However, Mr Ross has now said this will not go ahead.

Speaking on RTE Prime Time tonight, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said he had not even seen the letter sent by Mr Halligan to the embassy.

"It's off," Mr Ross said.

"The trip to North Korea, it is not government policy and we are not doing anything which is in breach of government policy.

"This arose when we were in opposition many years ago, John, Finian and I spoke regularly about making trips abroad and doing things which were constructive, it was just an idea."

Asked about the letter Mr Halligan sent to the North Korean Embassy, Mr Ross said:

"A letter was probably written, I haven't seen that letter actually.

"It never developed to a stage where we were going, I don't think we even mentioned it to Sean Canney or to Boxer Moran," he added.
The strike at Irish Rail is still ongoing even though both sides will attend the Labour Court today in a bid to resolve the dispute, according to the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU).

Dermot O'Leary, general secretary of the NBRU, said three 24-hour work stoppages scheduled for November 14, November 23 and December 8 will still go ahead as planned unless there is a breakthrough at the court today.

Although the hearing between Irish Rail management and the Trade Union Group, including the NBRU, Siptu and Unite, is a positive step forward, Mr O'Leary cautioned that it doesn't mean the dispute is over.

"I'm not in the business of giving people false hope," he told the Irish Independent last night after 150,000 rail users were forced to make alternative travel plans on Tuesday.

It was the second strike to hit the rail network this month after workers walked out over a pay dispute.

They are seeking a 3.75pc a year pay increase for three years while the company is offering 1.75pc over one year.

Irish Rail, meanwhile, welcomed the invitation to attend the Labour Court hearing.
An analysis of the 2016 Census data by Pobal has revealed Ireland's most affluent and disadvantaged areas

The 'Deprivation Index' starkly reveals multiple pockets of affluence in areas of the south and east of Dublin while there are high levels of disadvantage in parts of the north and west of the city.

Expand Close Screen grab of the Dublin area electoral map on the Deprivation Index. Dark blue areas are ranked as 'affluent', while orange areas are ranked as 'disadvantaged' / Facebook

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Whatsapp Screen grab of the Dublin area electoral map on the Deprivation Index. Dark blue areas are ranked as 'affluent', while orange areas are ranked as 'disadvantaged'

Pobal draws on a number of data points to compile the index, such as employment levels and education levels, and then they apply these to a whole range of area types, from counties to electoral divisions.

Drilling into the maps it is revealed that the most affluent electoral area in the country is 'Mansion House B' a section of Dublin city centre that includes Grafton Street, part of Stephen's Green and Leinster House.

It has a male unemployment rate of just 5.6pc and a female unemployment rate of just 3.05pc.

And 81pc of the population of 1,311 has a third level education.

Meanwhile, just a few miles away on Dublin's northside, 'Priorswood B', in Darndale, is ranked as 'very disadvantaged'.

Men there have an unemployment rate of 37.8pc while women have an unemployment rate of 32.8pc.

Under seven per cent of the population of 2,728 have third level education.

However, an area of Limerick called 'John's A' on the city's northside, is the most disadvantaged in the country.

Unemployment for men stands at 69pc while for women it is 40pc.

Third level education levels for the population of 759 stands at just over two per cent.

Most of the major urban cities and towns have pockets of areas ranked as being above average in terms of advantage while the west, and especially the north west, have the highest frequency of areas that are described as disadvantaged.

Speaking at the launch Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, said:

The publication of the new updated Pobal HP Deprivation Index takes account of the significant changes experienced throughout the country since 2011. The Taoiseach established the Department of Rural and Community Development in response to the impact of the recession on rural Ireland and to ensure the recovery reaches every part of Ireland. The index provides further proof of the need for the investments my Department is providing to our rural communities and to our towns and villages.

The index has enabled us to more effectively target resources and services at the most disadvantaged and is a vital tool for so many Government Departments, including my own, as well as many State Agencies. For example, my Departments RAPID Programme ,which I launched last week, relies on the Pobal HP Deprivation Index to identify the socio-economically deprived communities which the Programme aims to support.

Seamus Boland Pobal Chairperson said, The index is a key resource to enable a targeted approach towards tackling disadvantage, by providing local analysis of the most disadvantaged areas throughout the state. It also allows us to look at national trends in relation to real levels of affluence and disadvantage experienced and how this changes over time and geographically. I want to commend Trutz Haase and Jonathan Pratschke for their extensive work on the Index, which will serve as an extremely valuable evidence based planning resource for Government over the coming years in the targeting and allocation of resources and services.

The interactive map can be viewed here.
This is the moment elite gardai raided the home of one of the main targets of a co-ordinated set of CAB raids across three counties.

The raids, which took place on Wednesday, saw more than 20 properties searched.

Armed gardai backed up members of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to carry out the extensive operation.

The target was a drugs gang based in the Cabra area of Dublin, led by two brothers, who are considered dangerous criminals and have previously served jail terms for violent offences.

As part of the operation the house of one of the brothers was searched.

Our exclusive footage shows gardai using specialist equipment to remove a front window of the semi-detached home, which is in darkness when gardai arrive.

Once the window is cleanly and swiftly removed from the home a number of armed gardai access the house through the ground-floor window, using a ladder for easy access.

Gardai can then briefly be seen moving through the house.

Yesterday's raids were part of an ongoing probe focusing on the gang's proceeds of crime.

In particular, gardai believe that the gang is buying property and land in a bid to launder its money.

In total, 24 homes and businesses were searched by gardai, who were supported by the Emergency Response Unit.

The searches took place in Cabra, Finglas and Monkstown, in the capital; Gorey and Courtown, in Co Wexford; and Leixlip, in Co Wicklow.

One property searched in Laraheen, north of Gorey, is estimated to have cost around 1m and was bought without a mortgage.

Efforts will now be made to secure a High Court order to freeze the assets on the basis that they are suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

A large amount of documentation and computers were also seized as well as around 7,300 in cash and one vehicle during the nationwide raids.
The use of wild animals in circuses will be officially banned in Ireland from January 2018.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed today signed new regulations that will ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

The minister said he was "happy to endorse the general view of the public at large".

He also said he believes the move will "secure the future" of the circus community in Ireland, as more people will feel more comfortable with going to the circus.

"This is a progressive move, reflective of our commitment to animal welfare," Minister Creed said.

"I am of course allowing a modest lead in period to allow for alternative arrangements to be made for the animals in question."

He said that although circus owners and operators may have regrets about the move, the ability of a travelling circus to provide fully for all the needs of animals such as camels or tigers is no longer a tenable proposition.

He also said he appreciated their concern and care for the animals that have been part of their lives.

"While the retirement of the small numbers of wild animals in Irish circuses might seem like a loss I am confident that this move will do more to secure the future of the circus community," Minister Creed added.

"Coming in line with modern welfare standards will mean that greater numbers of the public will be more comfortable with going to the circus.

The Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 has five core principles for animals which include; Freedom from hunger and thirst; Freedom from discomfort; Freedom from pain, injury and disease; Freedom to exhibit natural behavior; Freedom from fear and distress.
We are buying far fewer new cars - but seem to be switching in ever-increasing numbers to second-hand imports instead.

The sharp contrast between new and used buying is shown by latest CSO figures. They show a 10.4pc fall in the number of new cars licensed for the first 10 months of the year (down to 124,850).

At the same time the number of used imports that were licensed so far has increased by 38.4pc compared with the corresponding period in 2016.

The official CSO figures also reflect findings of a recent report by economist Jim Power for the Simi which points to evidence of people substituting 'fresh' imports for new cars. The surge in imports had also devalued the price of a typical family car, the report said.

On the basis of a typical family car, the fall in value would be around 1,800. That's because the staggering volume of lower-priced imports is now setting the benchmark for what all cars are worth.

The Jim Power report forecasts import numbers will hit 97,000 this year - up markedly on the 72,000 brought in during 2016.

The CSO figures for last month alone reflect this. New-car licensing tailed off significantly to 3,255 - a plunge of 15pc compared with October 2016. Yet the number of used imports rose by 23.9pc.

Uncertainty around Brexit in general is also cited as a key reason for the fall-off in buyers of new cars.

Meantime, and despite the bad press around diesel for more than two years now, almost two-thirds of new licensed cars (64.9pc) fell into that category.

Nearly all new cars (95.7pc) came within the two lowest (A and B) bands for VRT and road tax assessment, the CSO said.

However, there is growing disquiet within the motor industry that our lower-emission buying of new cars is being offset by thousands of old, 'dirty' diesel imports being dumped here from the UK.

Despite its links to the emissions scandal two years ago, Volkswagen was the most popular car licensed in Ireland.
Short-haul, long-haul, frills, no-frills  airlines can impress in any number of ways, but which is your favourite?

WINNER: Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus by a country mile! you said. And you voted that way too.

Aer Lingus got more than twice as many nominations as its closest rival (a much-improved Ryanair, see below), highlighting our emotional attachment to an airline and brand that remains deeply Irish despite its recent acquisition by IAG.

Its that sense of being cared for by our own, the friendly welcome and attention of the staff, you said. Words like warm, personal, welcome and service cropped up over and again, with Aer Lingus staff (below) cited as excellent, well-trained, professional, kind and polite.

Read the full results of our 2017 Reader Travel Awards.

They are always willing to go the extra mile, you told us. There's nothing like the feeling of getting on board and feeling like you're already home.

Since its acquisition by IAG, Aer Lingus has expanded its North American route network, added a new business class, and a direct service to Miami is just one addition that will make 2017 its busiest ever transatlantic schedule.

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New flights to Porto in Portugal and Split in Croatia are coming this summer, and the airline is working on introducing Wi-Fi to its short-haul flights in the near future, too.

And the prices? Readers shared a clear sense that Aer Lingus is more expensive than Ryanair, but they frame this as value repaid in terms of service and comfort on board.

Its still Irelands airline," as you put it. "No matter what airport you are in abroad, its always nice to see the shamrock on the tail.

Ryanair's Revolution

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Ryanair may be a runner-up in 2017, but readers were quick to note its website and customer service improvements (our judges too, commented on simple pleasures such as being able to take a handbag on board).

This, combined with its comprehensive route network, reliability and affordability, suggests Aer Lingus shouldnt rest on its laurels.

What they fall down on with service and food, they make up for by providing an affordable and reliable way to travel, you told us.

Holidaymakers, students, grandparents and emigrants sung the praises of an airline making adventures affordable.

I remember a time when I couldnt just fly away on a sun holiday or hop on a plane for a weekend away because the cost was totally beyond my wage packet. Ryanair, it has to be acknowledged, has changed the entire airline business.

I don't want fancy dinners at 30,000 feet, as one reader put it. I want fancy dinners 3,000 miles away.

TRAVEL TRENDS: Going via the Gulf

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In 2017, Dublin Airport will have direct flights to Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad) and a new direct service to Doha (Qatar Airways).

The difference these routes are making to the way you travel to Asia, Australia and Africa was clear from your replies. One reader shared an enviable moment from their Emirates flight into Cape Town...

6.00am and just a chink of light showing through the cabin blind on opening it, the South African desert dawn was breaking on the horizon  you couldn't capture the minute!

More from our Reader Travel Awards 2017:
Qatar Airways, which recently launched its first services from Dublin, has been named world 'Airline of the Year' for 2017.

The airline topped the poll in the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, described as the 'Oscars' of the aviation industry.

Qatar launched direct flights between Dublin and Doha this month.

Emirates, last year's winner, has dropped to fourth place, with Singapore Airlines placing second and Japan's ANA All Nippon rounding out the Top Three.

Top 10 World Airlines 2017

Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines ANA All Nippon Airways Emirates Cathay Pacific EVA Air Lufthansa Etihad Airways Hainan Airlines Garuda Indonesia

320 airlines were surveyed, though just the Top 100 are listed.

Aer Lingus ranked as the world's 38th-best airline, up 11 places from 49th last year. Ryanair also made the Top 100, placing 76th after last year ranking 108th.

Other awards saw Aegean voted Europe's best regional airline, Air Canada win best North American airline, and Qatar Airways named world's best business class.

Norwegian, which launches transatlantic flights from Ireland this week, was voted the world's best long-haul low-cost carrier, as well as Europe's best long-haul airline.

Skytrax (worldairlineawards.com) is a London-based air transport rating organisation that undertakes product, service and passenger audits and research studies for airlines, airports and related businesses.

Its World Airline Awards, running since 1999, are compiled using what the consultancy says is the world's largest airline passenger satisfaction survey.

The awards were announced at this week's Paris Air Show.

Read more:
From the best views to the smoothest flights and speediest exits, here's our guide to getting the best seat on the plane.

If you want the best service

First of all, as soon as you step onto the plane, smile and make proper eye contact with the cabin crew who greet you. According to JetBlue flight attendant Amanda Pleva, who penned an article for Flyertalk, being blanked by passengers upon entry is surprisingly common and is likely to tick them off.

"To have someone clearly see me and ignore my 'hello' and walk on by is the most dehumanizing experience", she says.

And if you want the fastest service?

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Order a slightly different meal (vegetarian or no fish for example), as these always come out first. And sit at the back of the plane rather than the front.

Flight attendants are less keen to respond to requests at the front because they have to parade whatever item you've requested - a pillow, or second drink, say - all the way up the gangway. This often prompts other passengers to notice and ask for the same thing, setting off an irksome chain reaction.

For the best view

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In some cases this depends on which airport you're taking off from. For example, a seat on the left side of the plane is best for catching a great view of the Hollywood sign from LAX, and the same goes for Sydney if you want a prime view over the harbour.

More broadly speaking, if you're partial to a spot of window gazing, you always want to avoid a window seat that's located over one of the wings, where your view will be blocked entirely. Websites like Seat Guru can provide you with a map of your particular aircraft if you plug in your flight number, so you'll be able to see which seats are located over the wings and steer clear of them.

If youre safety conscious

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Airlines and plane manufacturers will tell you that all seats are equal when it comes to matters of safety. However, Popular Mechanics believe some seats are more equal than others.

A 2007 study conducted by the periodical found that passengers sitting near the tail of a plane were 40 per cent more likely to survive a crash than those sitting in the first few rows. Verdict? Sit as far back as possible if youre safety conscious.

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If you want a speedy exit

Youre on a city break to Europe and youre travelling light with just a small carry case in the overhead locker. You want to maximise the amount of time you spend at your destination and minimise the time spent on the plane. Verdict? You need to grab a seat at the front of the plane on the left, which is where the exit is located and where passengers leave the aircraft from.

If you want to sleep

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Sleep is hard to come by at 35,000 feet, where many things are conspiring against you nodding off: the hum of the engines; the passenger next to you needing the loo; the lack of neck support in your seat. Some places, however, are better than others for getting some shut eye.

Window seats give you control of the window shade and a place to rest your head; they also mean you dont need to be woken up every time the passenger next to you needs the toilet. The verdict? A window seat at the front of the plane, where it is also quieter.

If you want a better dining experience

According to Professor Charles Spence  author of Gastrophysics: The New Science of Eating  plane food tastes better at the front of the aircraft, where it is quieter and the air is more humid.

Dry cabin air and the loud engine noise all contribute to our inability to taste and smell food and drink, he says. Verdict? Sit as close to the cockpit as possible if you want to make plane food taste better. More often than not youll also get served first.

If you dont like turbulence

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Turbulence does, of course, shake the entire aircraft, but experts claim there are some seats on a plane where lumps and bumps will feel less intense. The verdict? Sit in the middle of the plane, above the wings, which help keep the plane steady when the going gets tough.

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If you need more legroom

Seats in exit rows have more legroom than most, as do seats at the bulkhead. Such seats are, however, in high demand and can come with caveats: passengers in exit rows, for instance, must be willing to assist in the evacuation of the aircraft during an emergency.

Some airlines charge for seats with extra legroom. The verdict? A seat at the bulkhead, ideally in the middle, which means fellow passengers wont have to step over you en route to the loo.

Failing that, an aisle seat.

If you're travelling with kids

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Travelling with children, especially young children, can be something of an unknown quantity. Will they cry, will they be excitable, will they sleep like a log, will you need to accompany them on multiple bathroom visits? Perhaps all four of those scenarios will play out if youre going long haul. The verdict? Get a seat at the bulkhead, which has more room and is near the bathroom.

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If you want to spread out

Flights will often take off with empty seats and there are ways to increase your chances of sitting next to one of them. If your airline has not yet replaced its check-in staff with computers, ask the person over the counter how busy the plane is. If its not busy, ask politely if theyd be kind enough to put you next to an empty seat.

It works surprisingly often. If youre dealing with a computer, check in late and choose your seat manually before printing off your boarding pass. Be warned, though: this leaves you more exposed to delays going through security and in extreme cases could result in you missing your plane.

If you are flying with a companion, try booking both the aisle and the window seat. You will often find that the middle seat  as it is the least favoured by passengers travelling solo  has been left empty by the time you come to board. Relax and enjoy it.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Paris Jackson urged fans to resist neo-Nazi and white supremacist jerks in the wake of fatal violence in Charlottesville.

The model and actress, who is the daughter of late pop star Michael Jackson, told viewers of the MTV Video Music Awards to resist the fascists.

If we were to all put our voices together, do you realise the difference we would make? she told the audience in Los Angeles on Sunday.

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If we were to all stand up united as one, our impact, it would be huge.

Lets leave here tonight remembering that we must show these Nazi, white supremacist jerks in Charlottesville and all over the country that as a nation with liberty as our slogan, we have zero tolerance for their violence, their hatred and their discrimination.

Her comments came after clashes at a far-right led rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, saw Heather Heyer, 32, killed when a car was rammed into her and other counter-protesters.

Jackson, 19, presented the first award of the night, for best pop video, to Fifth Harmony for their collaboration with Gucci Mane on hit song Down.

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Katy Perry began the ceremony by descending into The Forum arena in a silver space suit, joking that she had left Earth in the wake of a terrible 2016.

Video of the Day

Viewing the news, she realised that this year has not been much better but welcomed the nights performers because even in the apocalypse we deserve a great soundtrack.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene attend the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California on October 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Prince Albert II of Monaco, his wife Princess Charlene with Prince Jacques pose during the Children's Christmas ceremony at the Monaco Palace

Prince Albert II of Monaco (3rdR) and his wife Princess Charlene (3rdL) arrive with their twins Prince Jacques (C-R), Princess Gabriella (C-L) and an unidentified child to take part in the traditional Monaco's picnic in Monaco, on September 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / ERIC GAILLARD

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge view helicopter models H145 and H135 before departing from Hamburg airport on the last day of their official visit to Poland and Germany on July 21, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince Albert II of Monaco, right, with his wife Princess Charlene and their twins, Prince Jacques, right, and Princess Gabriella, attend from the Monaco palace to the Monaco's national day ceremony, in Monaco, Friday Nov. 19, 2016. Monaco's Fete Nationale has been celebrated since the reign of Prince Charles III in 1857. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco walk with their twins Princess Gabriella of Monaco and Prince Jacques of Monaco during the 'March for climate' on November 29, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Gaetan Luci /Monaco Press Center via Getty Images)

Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco arrive with their twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, to take part in the traditional "Pique Nique Monegasque" (Monaco's picnic) in Monaco August 28, 2015. AFP PHOTO / POOL / ERIC GAILLARD

Princess Charlene of Monaco and her twins Prince Jacques (R) and Princess Gabriella take part in the traditional Monaco's picnic in Monaco, on September 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / ERIC GAILLARD

A royal play date is on the horizon.

Monaco's royal twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques are approaching their third birthday and during that time, they've seen more of the world than most of us could hope to in adulthood. It makes sense, the royals based in Monte Carlo aren't exactly known for their subtlety, but Prince Albert has revealed just exactly how well travelled his children with Princess Charlene are.

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While they have stuck close to home at the Prince's Palace for much of this year, they will be joining their parents for appearances around the world in 2018 and are getting accustomed to public life before the year ends: first, for Monaco's National Day on November 19 and later at the royal family's Christmas party in December.

"We did a cruise with them this summer and that was fine. Next summer, were going to take them on a long trip to Polynesia. Well have to break up so its not so long for them," he told People.

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He plans to keep up family tradition in holding off including his children in an "official" international capacity until they're older, referencing a trip to Ireland he took with his parents Princess Grace and Prince Rainier "on the private side of an official visit"; which may explain his particularly affinity for our shores and he's often pictured here for business and leisure.

"Including Jacques and Gabriella as part of any official state visit might have to wait a few years," he added.

Naturally, as all royal baby coverage is required to include references to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, he said there are no immediate plans to meet up.

"Are you asking me about a royal play date with Will and Kates kids? Maybe, but a state visit with the twins to any country - not just the UK - is a few years off," he explained.
A former news presenter is launching an app specifically designed for making apologies.

In a caps-laden Facebook post on Wednesday, former MSNBC and Fox News presenter Greta Van Susteren announced her new app, unsurprisingly called Sorry.

SNAPCHAT AND INSTAGRAM are about to get some competition! This will be fun and hopefully get us all thinking..

Individuals and companies can apologise to the masses or to select people using the app.

Building on the upvote/downvote buttons on other popular social networks, Van Susterens app will enable users to accept or reject the apology.

FREE and COMING NOVEMBER 14 to the APP STORE! SNAPCHAT AND INSTAGRAM are about to get some competition! This will be Posted by Greta Van Susteren on Wednesday, November 8, 2017

According to the Facebook post, she has been working on development of the app for more than a year.

Van Susteren uses Kathy Griffins Donald Trump incident as an example of how her app will work.

Imagine if you and everyone else got to vote accept or reject when Kathy Griffin apologized? she writes. Was it enough? or not? And how would she know if her apology was accepted without the vote counter?

If you have an apology that you cant quite bring yourself to make face to face, you only have five days to wait until the app is released.
There are currently more displaced people around the world than at any other time on record  over 65 million people, according to the UN.

And while plenty of African and Asian countries are doing as much as they can to host the worlds 22.5 million refugees, the overall response in the West seems to be one of suspicion.

Nations have, historically, been wary of welcoming refugees into their countries.

But with the leader of the United States calling for a complete ban on refugees, perceptions have to be changed in order for vulnerable people to reach safety.

And thats where Syrian-born artist Mohamed Hafez and Iraqi-born writer Ahmed Badr come in.

Mohamed and Ahmed have been telling the stories of refugees from around the world  Afghanistan, Congo, Syria, Iraq and Sudan  who have fled war zones and built new lives in America. But theyve been doing it in a very innovative way.

A big misconception is that refugees and migrants all come from impoverished backgrounds, Mohamed, an architect who moved to the US on a student visa, said.

The project hes undertaken with Ahmed, called Unpacked, shows exactly what some refugees are leaving behind when they flee their homes, by remodelling parts of them in ornate detail.

When you see this luxurious interior in the living room, or nice furniture, nice fabrics, nice wallpaper; this is a life that existed. Comfortable lives. Some people might have left nothing but also many people have left a lot, have risked so much to get here. They did not choose to leave, they did not come here on a vacation. They had to leave.

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Mohamed chose to display the homes in suitcases because he felt everyone would be able to grasp what they represent  the emotional baggage that comes with leaving a whole life behind.

Its a trauma both artists know well, with Ahmed and his family fleeing Iraq when he was seven and Mohameds sister recently becoming a refugee in Sweden.

Ahmed, whose family spent two years in Syria before being resettled in America in 2008, interviewed families and saw his conversations turn into detailed models thanks to Mohamed.

His interviews can be heard through headphones next to the suitcases in the museums across America where theyve been exhibited, and one of the homes in the exhibition was his own.

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Over the past three, three-and-a-half years Ive been retelling my own story. And I realised that as I was retelling my own story it was empowering me, so I wanted to give other people that same feeling, Ahmed said.

This project was the first time Ahmed and his family had discussed leaving Iraq, and seeing his house recreated by Mohamed was emotional.

It was really, really visceral to tangibly see something that fundamentally changed your life forever. And were seeing it not just with my story, but for others that weve featured as part of Unpacked.

Some of the stories being told through Unpacked are quite remarkable. Theres that of Fereshteh, an Afghan raised in Iran, who at 22 founded an underground school in the Islamic republic for the undocumented Afghan children unable to receive education legally.

The school nurtured more than 300 children each day, and Mohamed chose to build the basement where they learned for Fereshtehs suitcase.

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After applying for refugee status, Fereshteh arrived in the US three years later in 2011, where shes now a professor of Farsi at the University of New Haven, an active translator for refugees, and attending nursing school.

Joseph, a prominent lawyer who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo, told another of the stories that stuck with Ahmed. After receiving refugee status in Kenya, Josephs son was kidnapped and is still missing.

Josephs suitcase features a dining table with several chairs all around the table, except for one off to the side that represents his son.

Ahmed said: When Joseph saw this he became very, very emotional, and it was very emotional for both me and Mohamed to witness that.

Youre literally presenting someone with their own tragedy and their own triumph. It opens the door for many reactions.

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Mohamed believes that seeing the suitcases can have a therapeutic effect on the people they represent.

They couldve been more therapeutic if they made them themselves, but with that not being a possibility I think having their stories being out in the public and people coming to them and saying your story matters, you matter you cannot escape these suitcases, you cant pass by them and pretend youve seen nothing.

Mohamed also hopes his art can help people who call for travel bans and building walls to see refugees not as a monolith, but people with histories and lives and loves.

We realised that if we introduced ourselves as Muslim Arab American artists we are going to get kicked out of the room immediately, because weve already been judged two million ways. So we said OK, how can we speak with our mouths shut? he said.

Since starting the project Mohamed has filled 10 suitcases with aspects of the lives a family has left behind, and the duo hope to tell 50 stories to represent the 50 states.

The reception it has received promises to make that a reality, with immigrants and their descendants  a lot of them Jewish  donating suitcases.

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They resonate with this push back and xenophobia, Mohamed said. Theyve been donating to me their suitcases, their miniature dollhouses.

Nothing tells a more beautiful story about diversity and living together more than Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists coming together.

A suitcase that belonged to a Jewish immigrant, donated by their grandchildren, for a Muslim Syrian artist  using yesterdays immigrants belongings to tell todays immigrants stories.

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Through the project Mohamed and Ahmed have connected with lots of refugees living in the US  from delivery drivers and doctors to professors, engineers and lawyers.

Hes adamant he doesnt want his work to romanticise refugees, but humanise them, and also show that its possible to move forward.

Everybody goes through hardship. It is not the whole story, it is part of the story. That is not how the story ends, he said.

You can listen to Fereshteh, and other refugees, tell their stories here.
Donald Trump arrived in Beijing yesterday after earlier calling on China to stop all trade with North Korea or have the regime's growing nuclear threat on its "conscience" ahead of crunch talks.

The US president said China should feel no "obligation" to help its neighbouring regime and urged it to "sever all ties".

US President Donald Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping watch an opera performance at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Photos: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

He also described North Korea as a "hell that no person deserves" and issued a warning directly to the regime: "Do not underestimate us and do not try us."

The intervention came in an address to South Korea's national assembly before Mr Trump flew into China as part of his five-nation tour of Asia.

Despite the tough rhetoric, Mr Trump enjoyed a tour of the Forbidden City alongside Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, as the pair's personal "bromance" was further deepened.

There are reportedly hopes from Mr Trump's team that $250bn (215bn) of trade deals between companies can be agreed during the visit.

China shares a land border with North Korea and remains the regime's main ally, providing most of its energy despite cutting some trade after recent United Nations sanctions.

Mr Trump urged it to go further. "We call on every nation, including China and Russia, to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions, downgrade diplomatic relations with the regime and sever all ties of trade and technology," he said. "It is our responsibility and our duty to confront this danger together, because the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the fewer the options become.

"And to those nations that choose to ignore this threat - or worse still, to enable it - the weight of this crisis is on your conscience."

Mr Trump, who has already visited Japan during his tour, also issued a direct warning to Kim Jong-un, North Korea's young leader.

He said: "The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer.

"They are putting your regime in grave danger.

"Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face.

"North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned. It is a hell that no person deserves."

Mr Trump attempted to make an unexpected visit to the Korean peninsula's demilitarised zone [DMZ] but fog shrouding the border stopped the trip.

While Mr Trump and Mr Xi were expected to clash over their approaches to trade and North Korea in talks, the pair enjoyed a day of sight-seeing yesterday. They struck up a bond when Mr Xi visited Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, earlier this year and the favour was returned yesterday.

Mr Trump was treated to tea in the Forbidden City in Beijing, which dates back to the 15th century and was used as the imperial palace for centuries.

The presidents and their wives viewed antiques and historical relics from the Forbidden City's museum.

They were also treated to three performances of Peking Opera, a Chinese dramatic tradition that combines music, acting, mime and singing.

"Such hospitality is rarely seen in modern China," the 'Global Times', an influential tabloid, said in an editorial.

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump had been greeted with children singing "Welcome to China, I love you" and waving Chinese and American flags.

Mr Trump also showed off a video of his six-year-old granddaughter singing in Mandarin and reciting ancient Chinese poetry to Mr Xi, who reportedly gave the performance an "A+".

Tomorrow, Mr Trump flies to Vietnam for an Apec economic leaders' meeting. ( Daily Telegraph London)
Priti Patel leaves Downing Street yesterday after offering her resignation as international development secretary over meetings with senior Israeli figures Photo: AP

Priti Patel has quit the British cabinet over her secret meetings with senior Israeli figures and acknowledged that her actions "fell below the high standards" expected.

Her decision to resign as international development secretary came after being summoned back from an official visit to Africa for a showdown with Theresa May in Downing Street.

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The UK prime minister has now lost two cabinet ministers in successive weeks and will face a politically sensitive reshuffle to replace the prominent Brexit-backer.

Ms Patel had been intending to spend three days in Kenya and Uganda, but was forced to cut short her trip and return home from Nairobi to explain the disclosure of further unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians.

In a letter to the prime minister, Ms Patel said: "I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation."

In reply, the prime minister told her that meetings should have been arranged "formally and through official channels".

Witham MP Ms Patel's downfall came after it emerged she had a series of 12 engagements with senior Israeli figures - including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - during a holiday in the country in August.

She then held two additional meetings, one in the UK and one in the US, following her return from Israel.

In a further development, the Israeli 'Haaretz' newspaper reported that during her stay in the country she visited an Israeli military field hospital in the occupied Golan Heights.

Britain, like other members of the international community, has never recognised Israeli control of the area seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

In her resignation letter Ms Patel said: "In recent days there have been a number of reports about my actions and I am sorry that these have served as a distraction from the work of the Department for International Development and of the government as a whole.

"As you know from our discussions I accept that in meeting with organisations and politicians during a private holiday in Israel my actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state.

"While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated."

The meetings, without officials and in relation to one of the most sensitive areas of foreign policy, led to Ms Patel apologising and being given a dressing down by Mrs May on Monday.

But subsequent disclosures added to pressure on Ms Patel, culminating in a meeting in Downing Street lasting around 30 minutes during which it was made clear her cabinet career was over.

The prime minister could be keen to replace Ms Patel with another Brexit-backer in order to avoid further discontent among pro-Leave MPs on the Conservative benches and maintain the current balance within the cabinet.

Ms Patel's resignation comes a week after Michael Fallon quit as defence secretary.
A wealthy antiques dealer is accused of strangling his seven-year-old daughter with a dressing gown cord, the Old Bailey has been told.

Robert Peters (55) is charged with attacking his daughter Sophia Peters at his 1 million home in the Raynes Park area of Wimbledon, south west London, according to the Telegraph.

She was treated by medics but died in a south-west London hospital on Saturday.

A court order put in place while the girl was fighting for her life in hospital, preventing her from being identified in media reports, was overturned at the Old Bailey by Judge Mark Lucraft QC on Wednesday following a challenge by the Press Association.

Peters, of Blenheim Road, Raynes Park, south-west London, was not present for the hearing at the Old Bailey.

It is believed Peters runs an antiques firm with his brother in Kensington, west London, specialising in oriental ceramics and artworks.

Peters, who appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with attempted murder, is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

With additional reporting from Press Association
The Alstom hydrogen-powered trains will be running from 2021 (AP)

Rail passengers in northern Germany will be able to travel on the world's first hydrogen-powered trains in four years' time.

French engineering giant Alstom has signed an agreement to deliver 14 fuel-cell trains to LNVG, a rail company in Germany's Lower Saxony state.

The trains will begin operating on routes between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude from December 2021.

Alstom said that the Coradia iLint trains will have a range of up to 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) and a maximum speed of 140kph (87mph).

Hydrogen engines emit only water vapour and are considered one of the cleanest forms of transport. The trains will replace diesel trains on non-electrified tracks.

There are plans to produce the hydrogen using electricity from Lower Saxony's many wind turbines.

AP
Islamic State militants have withdrawn from their last stronghold in Syria following a government offensive that has effectively left the extremist group's fighters dispersed in villages and small towns in the desert.

The Syrian military declared the town liberated after intense battles that killed a large number of militants, including leaders. The military said they are still chasing other IS militants in different directions in the desert.

"The liberation of Boukamal is of great importance because it is a declaration of the fall of this group's project in the region generally and the collapse of its supporters' illusions to divide it, control large parts of the Syria-Iraq borders and secure supply routes between the two countries," said Army spokesman Ali Mayhoub in a televised statement.

Syrian pro-government media said Syrian troops had clashed with remnants of IS militants in the town after they entered it late Wednesday. On Thursday, they reported the town clear of IS fighters.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces and allied troops, including Iraqi forces who linked from across the border, are combing through Boukamal after IS militants withdrew.

With the collapse of IS in Boukamal, Islamic State militants have no major territorial control in Syria and Iraq and are believed to have dispersed in the desert west and east of the Euphrates River.

US officials estimated that there were between 2,500 and 3,500 IS militants around Boukamal and that leading members of the group were also believed to have taken refuge in the town. The group has a small presence near the capital Damascus.

IS has suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of separate but simultaneous offensives in Iraq and Syria by the Russian-backed Syrian forces and allied militias as well as US-backed Iraqi and Syrian fighters.

Despite its fall, the group's media apparatus has remained active and its fighters are likely to keep up their insurgency from desert areas.

The swift fall of Boukamal in eastern Deir el-Zour province was accelerated after Iraqi forces seized Qaim, the town across the border last weekend, also controlling a strategic crossing between the two countries.

A senior Iraqi official said there was an agreement on Tuesday to send Iraqi paramilitaries to Syria to take part in the Boukamal operation, adding that the Syrians were to supply them with weapons and gear.

Boukamal is the last urban centre for the militants in both Iraq and Syria where Syrian troops - backed by Russia and Iranian-supported militias - and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are vying for control of the strategic border town.

Washington is wary of increasing Iran influence in the area and has backed the SDF in their bid to uproot IS from the borders with Iraq. The proximity of forces in the area has raised concerns about potential clashes between them as they approach Boukamal from opposite sides of the Euphrates River, and now from across the border with Iraq.

It was not clear if the government seizure of the town means the end of the race for control of territory previously held by IS.

So far the Kurdish-led SDF have focused on the area east of the Euphrates, seizing a number of oil and gas fields and securing large swathes of areas along the border with Iraq, as well as the newly liberated Raqqa city.

AP
Barack Obama returned to Chicago today, not to check on the progress on his presidential library being built in the city, but to report for jury duty.

The 44th President of the United States arrived at the Daley Center but was ultimately not selected for the jury, with Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans telling reporters he had been dismissed.

Another nominee, Angel Martinez, posted a Twitter video of the arrival of the former president, who stopped to shake hands and crack jokes while flanked by security.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Obama departed his South Side home in the Kenwood neighborhood in a motorcade, making a 10am arrival at the downtown court, parking in a secure garage and taking a private elevator usually used by judges up to the 17th-floor jury assembly room.

Hes gorgeous! exclaimed court clerk Sonal Joshi, upon briefly catching a glimpse of him.

"Oh my God," Martinez mouths in the video, as another onlooker nervously says: "Hi, Mr President."

"How's everybody doing?" Obama says to the room, extending a hand. "Stay seated!

"Thanks to everybody for serving on the jury, or at least being willing to. This looks like Chicago right here, I like that!"

Prospective jurors, some of whom brought copies of Obama's books for him to sign, are paid $17.20 per day.

Obama is not the first president to be called for jury duty, George W. Bush having been beckoned in 2015 to a Dallas courthouse. He was not picked for the jury either.
Burberry shares dragged on the FTSE 100, tumbling 10% after it revealed plans to close stores and focus efforts on taking a slice of the higher-end luxury market.

Londons blue chip index ended the day down 0.6% or 45.62 points at 7,484.1, with the fashion house emerging as the biggest faller, dropping 198p to 1,787p.

Burberry said on Thursday that it will ditch its outlets within department stores and shut stores that are not found in or near communities of luxury shoppers.

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Investors did not welcome the news.

David Madden, a market analyst at CMC Markets, said: Burberry updated the market with its figures for the first six months of the year and its strategic plans, and neither went down well. Pre-tax profits jumped by 24%, but fell short of analysts expectations.

The fashion house will shut down a number of stores and focus more on the higher end of the luxury goods market. The remodelling cost of the stores gave traders a reason to lock in profits.

The announcement comes after Burberry recently confirmed that former boss and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey will step down from the board next year, ending his 17-year stint at the high-end fashion house.

In currency markets, the pound was mixed, rising 0.1% against the US dollar to 1.313 but falling 0.3% versus the euro to 1.127.

Across Europe, the French Cac 40 tumbled 1.16%, while the German Dax fell 1.49%.

Brent crude prices continued their ascent, rising 0.8% to $63.96, as political tensions in the Middle East raised questions about potential supply constraints.

The corruption crackdown in Saudi Arabia, and the heightened tensions between the Saudis and the Iranians is making traders fearful for future supply levels, Mr Madden said.

In UK stocks, Vodafone shares were one of the best performers on the FTSE 100, up 5.9p to 221.8p after revealing it was entering into partnership with network infrastructure firm CityFibre to bring fibre connectivity to as many as five million UK homes by 2025.

CityFibre surged 17.5p to 60.75p on the news.

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Sainsburys fell 4.3p to 229.2p as the grocery giant reported a 9% fall in half-year profits and a sharp slowdown in sales growth amid fierce competition in the market.

Shares in Redrow tumbled 44p to 597.5p as the housebuilder said that ongoing political and economic uncertainty had caused sales to slip in recent weeks compared to a very strong market last year.

In a similarly grim report for the housing market, estate agency Countrywide said the environment was challenging and that the number of transactions made was likely to fall in contrast to 2016.

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Countrywide shares fell 3.75p to 125p.

News from the two firms also weighed on the share price of rival housebuilders including Persimmon, down 110p to 2,662p, and Barratt Developments, down 23p to 612p.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Informa up 29p to 731.5p, Vodafone Group up 5.9p to 221.8p, Hammerson up 7p to 528.5p, and Coca-Cola HBC up 32p to 2,593p.

The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Burberry, Persimmon, Barratt Developments and BHP Billiton down 47p to 1,429.5p.
Italian police have detained a man caught on video head-butting a reporter from state-run RAI television amid an interview about his support for a neo-fascist movement.

The violence against the RAI journalist, Daniele Piervincenzi, has led newscasts in Italy for two days.

It has prompted calls by Rome's mayor for a march against organised crime this weekend.

Mr Piervincenzi and his RAI cameraman were conducting interviews in Ostia after the neo-fascist, anti-immigrant CasaPound movement performed well in Ostia municipal elections on Sunday.

One of their subjects, Roberto Spada, who had voiced support for CasaPound, suddenly interrupted the interview, head-butted Mr Piervincenzi, chased after him and the cameraman and beat them with a stick.

CasaPound distanced itself from Mr Spada, who was detained on Thursday, and called for a full investigation.

AP
The Democratic Party candidates for the governorships of both Virginia and New Jersey dealt Donald Trump's Republican Party its first major electoral defeats on Tuesday night.

In Virginia, which is widely viewed as a bellwether of next year's mid-term elections, Ralph Northam won a bitter race against Republican Ed Gillespie, who ran a combative campaign.

The softly spoken Mr Northam successfully tapped into anti-Trump sentiments and voter regret among many Republicans.

He overcame sustained attacks from Mr Gillespie, whose aggressive campaign had focused on immigration, gang crime and preserving Confederate statues.

During the campaign, Mr Trump frequently tweeted his support for Mr Gillespie.

However, the Republican, while attempting to appeal to the same voter base that thrust Mr Trump to the White House last November, had apparently attempted to keep the US president at arm's length owing to his historically low approval ratings.

Barack Obama, the former president, and Joe Biden, the former vice-president, had both campaigned for Mr Northam.

Mr Obama tweeted his support for the result yesterday, saying: "This is what happens when people vote."

The current US president stated late on Tuesday night that Mr Gillespie "did not embrace me or what I stand for".

Mr Northam, who enjoyed huge support from women voters, tweeted: "Tonight proved that we're stronger together."

The outgoing governor is a Democrat and Hillary Clinton won the state in last year's presidential election.

Turnout

In a second significant election in Virginia, a transgender woman unseated one of the state's most socially conservative politicians to win election to the House of Delegates.

Democrat Danica Roem, a journalist, beat Republican incumbent Bob Marshall, who had served in the House since 1992. She will make history as the first openly transgender person elected and then seated in a state legislature.

In New Jersey, the result was less of a surprise, largely owing to the widespread unpopularity of Chris Christie, the former governor, and Mr Trump.

Democrat Phil Murphy, who was the favourite, defeated Kim Guadagno.

But Democrat winners in both Virginia and New Jersey said that the election results were a message to the White House.

The new Virginia governor, Mr Northam, said in his victory speech to supporters: "Virginia has told us to end this divisiveness, that we will not condone hatred and bigotry and to end the politics that have torn this country apart."

The newly elected New Jersey governor Mr Murphy declared: "Tonight, New Jersey sent an unmistakable message to the entire nation: we are better than this."

The former city councillor from Brooklyn quashed his Republican challenger, 36-year-old state assembly member Nicole Malliotakis, in the largely Democratic city, where a woman has never served as mayor.

With 90pc of votes counted, he was propelled into office for another four years, on a commanding lead of 65.5pc compared to 28.7pc for Trump-voting Malliotakis, the 'New York Times' reported.

Even with a low turnout, that was no mean feat.
Donald Trump's campaign was the same on the inside as it appeared on the outside: a bunch of political neophytes making it up as they went along, butting heads and doing everything wrong.

Somehow it worked. They dispatched 15 other Republicans on their way to the party nomination before handily beating Hillary Clinton, possibly the most experienced and most prepared presidential candidate in history.

In years gone by, the brains responsible would now be enjoying their rewards. Maybe a plum job in the White House or a chance to do it all again as a vote-whispering guru able to charge top dollar.

That is not quite how it has worked out for Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus and the advisers who steered Mr Trump to a victory that reshaped American politics.

Ask where are they now and the answer for several is that they have left politics to spend more time with their lawyers.

In the case of Mr Manafort, who served as campaign manager last year, and his deputy, Rick Gates, it is possible to be pretty specific about where they are now. They are under house arrest in Virginia after being charged with laundering millions of dollars and hiding their work for foreign powers.

Their position is the result of the dark cloud of collusion that hangs over Mr Trump's team as the federal probe into Russian meddling goes about its work, a symptom of how an unconventional campaign and administration is tripping itself up.

Michael Flynn, the retired US army general, was the first to go after Mr Trump's inauguration. He managed only 24 days as Mr Trump's national security adviser before it emerged he lied to the vice-president about contacts with the Russian ambassador to Washington.

Today he is one of the biggest targets of federal investigators. Not least because throughout the campaign he played a key role advising on national security and policies of crucial interest to Moscow.

He brought in other short-lived appointments - such as Sebastian Gorka, who made up for his lack of recognised credentials with a sharp line in British-accented bombast that played well on Fox News - and was so central to the campaign that he was considered a possible running mate.

Few serious foreign policy players had wanted to get involved with Mr Trump, which was why so many fringe figures - such as George Papadopoulos - took on roles.

They were characters who had never had a career in Washington or had it cut short, like Mr Flynn, who lasted 18 months at the Defence Intelligence Agency. They were never keepers.

Corey Lewandowski was the first campaign manager but had little experience of national politics. Roger Stone, a long-time operative with a handy line in conspiracy theories, hovered on the edges lurching from one controversy to another.

Others made it through the transition and into the administration but left because of internal tensions.

Reince Priebus was one of the few senior Republican officials who understood that the party would take the blame if Mr Trump lost the election heavily. He helped deliver victory and was rewarded with the post of White House chief of staff.

But even he struggled to reconcile such an unconventional president with the establishment figures in Congress. He left the White House in July after months of turmoil as rival factions clashed.

Steve Bannon, the ideologue behind so much of the campaign, left soon after. His reputation for encouraging Trump to be Trump put him at odds with John Kelly, the then-new chief of staff, who was busy instilling discipline in the West Wing.

It marks an extraordinary rate of attrition for members of the campaign team. Yes, Jeff Sessions clings on as attorney general despite angering Mr Trump for his handling of the Russia probe, and his protege Stephen Miller prospers in the White House.

But for the most part the key players who survive are members of the family and the Trump Organisation who predate the campaign - Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Hope Hicks. (The other important factions, such as the bankers and the generals, mostly arrived after the election was won.)

In short, the ragged band of outsiders and insurgents who connected with the concerns of American people has been torn asunder by the realities of Washington politics.

In part, it was their own doing. At one stage it seemed as if any chancer with a CV could find a place in the campaign team. The Flynns of this world are unlikely to have survived the vetting required by other more conventional campaigns or the Senate approval needed for other jobs in the administration.

The best equipped to survive are either those with a long history with the president, or the ones who came with less baggage, have kept out of the limelight and built quiet alliances. In other words: Politicians.

That leaves Mr Trump's family in place plus the bankers, globalists and most of the generals who joined him later. The result is an administration that has the outer trappings of a radical, populist movement - regular salvoes in the culture war - but which in Washington has been sucked into pursuing a conventional agenda of tax cuts and small government. The swamp always protects its own. ( Daily Telegraph London)
Recent mass shootings have brought the risk of gun violence into sharp focus. Pictured is a memorial to victims killed in the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland, Texas on Nov 7th Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Bachman

A US private school is selling bulletproof panels for children to insert in their backpacks in case of a mass shooting.

The Florida Christian School in Miami said the panels give children "another level of protection in the event of an active shooter".

Parents can order the ballistic panels for $120 (103) on the school's website.

George Gulla, head of security at the school, told the 'Miami Herald' the panels would protect the students' "centre mass".

"It's just a tool," he said.

"I'd rather be prepared for the worst than be stuck after saying 'Wow, I wish we would've done that'. We thought, yeah, let's offer it to anyone who wants it. It's not required. But it gives you extra peace of mind."

He added: "It's out of the norm, but what is the norm?"

Drill

The school, which encourages children to wear their bags on their chest and has security guards patrolling the gates, came up with the idea during an active shooter drill.

Parent Alex Cejas, who runs a body armour company, began putting the panels in his children's backpacks when they started school.

"While books and stuff in your backpack may stop a bullet, they're not designed to. I wouldn't bet my life on it," he said.

Gun violence in the US has come under sharper focus following the recent mass shootings at a Las Vegas open-air concert and a Texas church.

On October 1, Stephen Paddock carried out the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, killing 59 after opening fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Gunman Devin Patrick Kelley slaughtered 26 members of a church congregation in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday.
Sir Mark Lowcock warned of a famine with millions of victims unless the blockade of Yemen is not lifted (file photo)

The UN's humanitarian chief has warned Yemen will face "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades with millions of victims" unless a Saudi-led blockade is lifted.

Sir Mark Lowcock said there must be an immediate resumption of regular air flights to the cities of Aden and Sanaa by the United Nations and its partner organisations and immediate access to all ports for food, fuel and medicine.

The former Whitehall official was speaking to reporters after briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday,

The coalition tightened its blockade in Yemen this week after a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels was intercepted near the Saudi capital.

The UN says aid agencies were given no prior notice of the Saudi decision to shut down all land, air and seaports in Yemen.

Speaking after the closed-doors Council meeting, Sir Mark said there also has to be immediate access to all ports, especially for food, fuel, medicine and other essential supplies.

The coalition tightened its blockade in Yemen this week after a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels was intercepted near the Saudi capital - an act condemned by Sir Mark and the Security Council.

The UN said aid agencies were given no prior notice of the Saudi decision to shut down all land, air and seaports in Yemen.

Sir Mark said he told the council that "there will be famine in Yemen" unless five steps are taken immediately.

"It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year where tens of thousands of people were affected," he said. "It will not be like the famine which cost 250,000 people their lives in Somalia in 2011. It will be the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims."

The official said the five immediate steps are:

:: Resumption of air services.

:: Assurances flights will not be disrupted.

:: Opening of all ports to humanitarian and commercial vessels, especially those with critical supplies.

:: Agreement to keep a UN World Food Program ship in waters off Aden.

:: Halt to interference with all vessels that have passed inspection by the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism "so that they can proceed to port as rapidly as possible".

David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Program, told AP on Monday that out of Yemen's population of 27 million to 28 million people, 19 million to 20 million "do not know where they're going to get their next meal".

The agency is reaching only seven million Yemenis, he said, "partly because of lack of funds and partly because of lack of access" by the coalition and the Houthis.

Sir Mark said he couldn't put a timeline on famine if the Saudi blockade isn't lifted, but it is inevitable.

"Children are losing their lives all the time in Yemen," he said, because they are malnourished and don't have the ability to fight off even a cold.

The Security Council expressed concern about "the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, with 6.8 million people threatened with famine and suspected cholera cases at over 900,000".

The council emphasised the importance of keeping all of Yemen's ports and airports functioning "as a critical lifeline for humanitarian support and other essential supplies".

Council members also reiterated the need for the coalition and the Houthis "to provide full, safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and UN personnel to the population of all affected governorates, including by air, land and sea".
Library picture of the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC

Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for next month's US Senate election in Alabama, has strongly denied claims by a woman that he made inappropriate advances to her several decades ago when she was 14.

The Moore campaign called the Washington Post report "the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation".

Senior Republicans swiftly called for Mr Moore to step aside if the allegations are shown to be true.

"The allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore are deeply troubling," said Colorado Senate chairman Cory Gardner, who leads the party's Senate campaign arm.

"If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell added: "If these allegations are true, he must step aside."

The Moore campaign's statement said: "Judge Roy Moore has endured the most outlandish attacks on any candidate in the modern political arena, but this story in today's Washington Post alleging sexual impropriety takes the cake."

The statement noted that Mr Moore has been married to the same woman for 33 years and has four children and five grandchildren.

The Moore campaign continued: "After over 40 years of public service, if any of these allegations were true, they would have been made public long before now."

The incidents are alleged to have taken place when Mr Moore, the 70-year-old former state Supreme Court judge, was serving as an assistant district attorney in his early 30s, according to the Post.

The newspaper reports that Mr Moore, then 32, first approached 14-year-old Leigh Corfman in early 1979 outside a courtroom in Etowah county, Alabama.

Mr Moore won the right to represent the Republicans in the December 12 special election after surviving a bruising primary election that divided the party, including President Donald Trump and his former chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Mr Trump backed Senator Luther Strange in the contest, while Mr Bannon and much of the far-right portion of the party backed Mr Moore.

Alabama law lists the legal age of consent as 16.

In Alabama, the statute of limitations for bringing felony charges involving sexual abuse of a minor in 1979 would have run out three years later.

Ms Corfman never filed a police report or a civil suit, the Post said.

AP
The Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed by a gunman during Sunday services will be demolished, the pastor said.

Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this week that it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church as a place of worship.

A national Southern Baptist spokesman said Mr Pomeroy discussed the plan with the denomination's top executives, who travelled to the rural community in a show of support.

Sing Oldham said the pastor described the building as "too stark of a reminder" of the massacre. Mr Pomeroy expressed hope he could turn the site into a memorial for the dead and put up a new building on property the church owns.

On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of the gunman.

Mr Pence told the crowd that the attack was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman "deranged".

"Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church, if the attacker's desire was to silence their testimony of faith, they failed," the vice president added.

The governor said Texans come together at times of crisis and tragedy. "It's what we do," Mr Abbott said. People in the crowd responded "amen".

He also proclaimed Sunday November 12 a state-wide day of prayer.

Mr Pence also visited wounded congregants at a San Antonio hospital and met with families of the dead in Floresville, not far from Sutherland Springs. He went from table to table at a high school library, attempting to console devastated family members.

"The whole country is praying over you," he told one man who lost his sister-in-law.

He stopped to talk with John Holcombe, whose family was decimated by the shooting. Mr Holcombe, who suffered shrapnel wounds, lost his wife, Crystal, who was pregnant with their first child. Also killed were three of her children, his parents, a brother and a toddler niece.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Pence said President Donald Trump had ordered federal agencies to provide extensive help to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

The Texas Department of Public Safety released an official list of those killed in the rampage. The eight male victims and 17 female victims ranged in age from one to 77.

Eight of the fatalities were children or teenagers. The oldest of them was 16.

Authorities said the 26 dead also included Crystal Holcombe's unborn baby. All the victims died at the scene, except for one child who died in hospital.

Eleven people remained hospitalised with wounds they suffered in the attack.

AP
Sir Mark Lowcock warned of a famine with millions of victims unless the blockade of Yemen is not lifted

The UN and more than 20 humanitarian groups have condemned a blockade by the Saudi-led coalition on airports, seaports and land crossings into Yemen, saying it could bring millions of people closer to "starvation and death".

The groups, including CARE, Save the Children and Islamic Relief, said about two-thirds of Yemen's population relies on imported supplies.

They said more than 20 million people need humanitarian assistance, including seven million facing "famine-like" conditions. Food supplies are set to run out within six weeks, and vaccines will last one month.

The groups called for the "immediate opening" of all air and seaports in the statement.

The military coalition tightened its blockade in Yemen this week after a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels was intercepted near the Saudi capital.

Hundreds of cars lined the main roads of Yemen's capital after the rebels who control the city ordered fuel stations to close on Wednesday, accusing merchants of taking advantage of the blockade to hike prices. Fuel prices have spiked by 50% since Monday.

Hassan al-Zaydi, a spokesman for the Houthi-run Oil Ministry, said merchants had refused orders to keep prices fixed, prompting authorities to shut the fuel stations down.

A UN official said aid agencies were given no notice of the Saudi decision to shut down all land, air and seaports, and had learned about it from media.

George Khoury, head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen, said on Wednesday: "We want to be crystal clear to the international community - any disruption will have catastrophic consequence on the lives of hundreds of thousands people and children."

Later in the day, the UN humanitarian chief, Mark Lowcock, warned that if the blockade continued, Yemen would face "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims".

After briefing the UN Security Council behind closed doors, he called for a resumption of air flights into Yemen for the United Nations and its humanitarian partners, and said there must be immediate access to all ports, especially for food, fuel, medicine and other essential supplies.

Every month, at least seven million people depend on life-saving UN aid.

The Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis, a Shiite group supported by Iran, since March 2015. Saudi Arabia blamed Saturday's missile strike on Tehran, which supports the rebels but denies arming them.

AP
Kolkata, Nov 9 (IBNS): Government of India's Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, on Wednesday, launched the Centre of Excellence on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, West Bengal.

In the presence of Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Babul Supriyo, DHI's Joint Secretary N. Sivanand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kharagpur.

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) has received a PPP funding of Rs. 65.19 crore, of which Rs. 47.62 crore (80 per cent) has been provided by GOI and the remaining has been arranged by IIT Kharagpur itself and several private industries.

A key focus of the CoE will be to make the Indian Capital Goods sector globally competitive and support the imminent need to increase the depth in manufacturing through innovation and technology up-gradation in four important areas, namely Speciality Materials, Process Automation, Additive manufacturing and Digital interventions as envisaged in Industry 4.0.

Talking about the CoE, IIT Kharagpur's director, Partha Pratim Chakrabarti said, "It was exactly a year back when Shri Babul Supriyo shared his vision with us and we unanimously agreed that such a Centre is the need of the hour. Consequently we came up with the proposal of the Centre of Excellence on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Heavy Industries with a strong focus on the technologies which will usher India into the emerging era of Industry 4.0."

"The CoE will aim to bridge the divide between the requirements of the leading manufacturing firms of India and the ability of SMEs to meet those requirements in globally competitive terms," Chakrabarti said.

Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo, who attended the event, said, "A state-of-the-art center on advanced manufacturing technologies in Eastern India has been long overdue. I have intensely felt the need for the resurgence of small and medium scale enterprises in the region, which needs to get more competitive with the rest of the country."

"My vision is to achieve this through a common platform of academia, corporate houses and enterprises which must come together in a synergistic way. It is my firm belief that IIT Kharagpur, with its extensive experience in industrial research and incubation is the best choice to lead this initiative, Babul Supriyo said.

Pallab Dasgupta, Dean of Sponsored Research at IIT Kharagpur, said, "It is unique for the leading industrial houses in India to come together to form a consortium and jointly support an academic Center on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies."

"We chose the consortium model for industrial partnership because the need for infusion of next gen technology in the manufacturing sector transcends domestic competition and needs concerted cooperation of all industrial houses in this sector," Dasgupta said. "The consortium will also enable self-sustainability of the Center beyond the period of DHI support.

The CoE is aimed to create an ecosystem for indigenization and innovations in the manufacturing sector involving small and medium scale enterprises.

The Innovation Lab at the Centre will be accessible to SMEs and Startups to gain expertise in modern technology usage and upgradation, said the Institute.

According to CoE's technical lead Surjya K Pal, the SMEs will receive hands-on training to develop modern technologies and capacity building to boost supply to large scale industries and this will also have a long term effect leading to import substitution.

The Centre will have state of the art physical infrastructure for Additive manufacturing like 3D printing, Advanced joining facility e.g. robotic and micro friction stir welding, Diagnostic and metrological inspection systems such as CT scan, Industrial IoT with lab facilities for sensors, backend analytics and research," Surjya K Pal said.

"All of these are targeted towards Industry 4.0, the next gen industrial evolution with intelligent machines, health monitoring and connected manufacturing through digital interventions, robotics and automation, he said.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Images by Souvik Das/IBNS)
Patna, Nov 9 (IBNS): President of India Ram Nath Kovind, launched the Bihar Krishi Road Map 2017-2022 in Patna on Thursday.

Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said it was a moving and emotional experience for him to come to Bihar for the first time as President of India.

He said he will always remember the regard and affection received from people of all sections and regions of the state during his tenure as the Governor of Bihar.

The President said that the centenary year of the Champaran Satyagraha is being commemorated from April 2017.

As such this was the best time to introduce the new 'Agricultural Road Map' in the interests of farmers.

"Mahatma Gandhi had emphasised through the Satyagraha that farmers are at the centre of Indian life and policy making. And this remains true even today," he said.

The President said that the Government of Bihar had launched the first Agricultural Road Map in 2008 after consulting farmers, agricultural scientists and other stakeholders. The 2017 road map is the third.

The road map provides comprehensive and coordinated plans for the development of agriculture.

The President expressed confidence that the third 'Agricultural Road Map' released on Thursday, which, he said, will further energise the agricultural sector's performance in Bihar and empower the farming community.

Earlier in the day, Ram nath Kovind was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Patna Airport upon his first visit to Bihar as the President.

The President also paid floral tributes at the statue of Dr. Rajendra Prasad in Patna.

Images: PIB
Shimla, Nov 9 (IBNS): In the Himachal Pradesh Assembky elections on Thursday, 54.9 per cent voters cast their vote till two pm, media reported.

Voting began at eight am and will conclude at five pm on Thrusday.

Kinnaur has recorded its highest voting percentage at 35 percent by 12pm, Indian Express reported.

In the Thursday election, 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.

As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty, according to media reports.

17,850 police personnel and Home Guards, as well as 65 companies of central paramilitary force have also been deployed, media reported.

he poll is witnessing heavyweights from both the BJP and the Congress battle it out for supremacy in the state.

Six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 83, a prime Congress contestant, is the oldest candidate; his 27-year-old son Vikramaditya has also made his poll debut.

The octogenarian is likely to retain his position if his party is elected to power.

The junior Singh has been handed Simla (Rural), which originally belonged to his father, to battle it out against BJP's Pramod Sharma, a Virbhadra protege.

Two-time former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP's chief ministerial candidate is contesting from Sujanpur.

The 73-year-old is pitted against Congress' Rajinder Rana, who is in his home turf and has already won the 2012 elections from the same seat.

Party-wise, both BJP and Congress, have fielded 68 candidates each, while BSP has fielded 42 candidates, followed by CPM with 14.

The CPI, NCP and the SP have fielded 3, 2 and 2 candidates, respectively.

The independent candidate count is 112.
Srinagar, Nov 9 (IBNS) : Suspected militants on Thursday shot at and injured a Special Police Officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Anantnag district.

Reports said that militants fired at the SPO posted outside the Deputy Commissioners Office.

The injured was shifted to a hospital for treatment.

The area has been cordoned off by the forces and a hunt is on to nab the assailants.



(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
Shimla, Nov 9 (IBNS): More than 64 percent votes were polled till four pm In the Himachal Pradesh Assembky elections on Thursday, media reported.

Voting began at eight am and will conclude at five pm on Thrusday.

Una district has recorded its highest voting at 67.09 percent till 4 pm, Indian Express reported.

In the Thursday election, 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.

As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty, according to media reports.

17,850 police personnel and Home Guards, as well as 65 companies of central paramilitary force have also been deployed, media reported.

he poll is witnessing heavyweights from both the BJP and the Congress battle it out for supremacy in the state.

Six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 83, a prime Congress contestant, is the oldest candidate; his 27-year-old son Vikramaditya has also made his poll debut.

The octogenarian is likely to retain his position if his party is elected to power.

The junior Singh has been handed Simla (Rural), which originally belonged to his father, to battle it out against BJP's Pramod Sharma, a Virbhadra protege.

Two-time former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP's chief ministerial candidate is contesting from Sujanpur.

The 73-year-old is pitted against Congress' Rajinder Rana, who is in his home turf and has already won the 2012 elections from the same seat.

Party-wise, both BJP and Congress, have fielded 68 candidates each, while BSP has fielded 42 candidates, followed by CPM with 14.

The CPI, NCP and the SP have fielded 3, 2 and 2 candidates, respectively.

The independent candidate count is 112.
Chandigarh, Nov 9 (IBNS): Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over the pollution problem at the national capital, calling the latter a "peculiar man", media reports said.

The two chief ministers have been engaged in verbal spats for sometime over the pollution in Delhi with stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana as one of the reasons.

Blasting Kejriwal, the Punjab CM said: "Mr Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem."

While the Delhi CM wants to meet the chief ministers of neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, Capt. Amarinder feels the Centre can alone solve the problem.

Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management (1/2).  Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017

Mentioning Kejriwal in a tweet, the Punjab CM said: "Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications."

In a follow up tweet, Capt. Amarinder said: "Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management..."

The Delhi government on Thursday decided to re-implement its much debated OddEven' plan for cars as the national capital region continues to reel under dense smog, according to media reports.

City Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the 'OddEven' scheme will be enforced in Delhi for five-day period from Monday.

The region has been suffering from intense smog over the past few days, which has forced the administration to declare an 'emergency'.

Life have been thrown out of gear in many places, with schools shut, accidents on highways, delay in train and flight timings, etc.



The National Green Tribunal has banned construction and industrial activities in Delhi-NCR till November 14, media reports said on Thursday.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sent notices to the Centre, and to the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana in view of the life-threatening pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region.

Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications.  Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017

In its advisory on Wednesday, the Union Health ministry has recommended those with breathing difficulty to remain indoors.

Parents have been asked to keep children indoors as much as possible.

Delhiites have been advised to avoid morning walks or any other strenuous outdoor activity that increases breathing rate.

The advisory has suggested all to drink plenty of water and fluids; avoid smoking; minimize the use of deodorants and room sprays as much as possible; and to avoid the areas with smoke or heavy dust.

For those with heart ailments and chronic respiratory disease or asthma, the ministry has recommended them to continue their medication as advised by physician.



Image: Capt Amarinder Singh Twitter page
Shimla, Nov 9 (IBNS): The voting for Himachal Pradesh assembly election has ended with a turnout of 74% of voters, media reports said.

Voting began at 8 a.m. and concluded at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Una district has recorded its highest voting at 67.09 percent till 4 pm, The Indian Express reported.

In the Thursday election, 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.

As many as 7,525 polling booths were set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel deputed for poll duty, according to media reports.

17,850 police personnel and Home Guards, as well as 65 companies of central paramilitary force were deployed, media reported.

The poll is witnessing heavyweights from both the BJP and the Congress battling it out for supremacy in the state.

Six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh, 83, a prime Congress contestant, is the oldest candidate; his 27-year-old son Vikramaditya has also made his poll debut.

The octogenarian is likely to retain his position if his party is elected to power.

The junior Singh has been handed Simla (Rural), which originally belonged to his father, to battle it out against BJP's Pramod Sharma, a Virbhadra protege.

Two-time former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, the BJP's chief ministerial candidate is contesting from Sujanpur.

The 73-year-old is pitted against Congress' Rajinder Rana, who is in his home turf and has already won the 2012 elections from the same seat.

Party-wise, both the BJP and the Congress, have fielded 68 candidates each, while BSP has fielded 42 candidates, followed by CPM with 14.

The CPI, NCP and the SP have fielded 3, 2 and 2 candidates, respectively.

The independent candidate count is 112.

The poll count will take place on Dec. 18.



Images: twitter.com/DhumalHP, twitter.com/virbhadrasingh
The Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express was flagged off from Kolkata station by unveiling e-plaque.

The trio also inaugurated Second Bharirab and Titas Railway Bridges in Bangladesh and International Rail Passenger Terminus with End-to-End Immigration and Customs Clearance Facilities for the passengers of both Maitree Express and Bandhan Express at Kolkata station.



Addressing on the occasion, PM Modi said that close connection and understanding between two countries requires connectivity between the people across the border.

"Maitree Express and Bandhan Express trains will bring more connectivity between India and Bangladesh and strengthen further bonding," he said.



The Prime Minister added that it is a great privilege for India to become the most trusted partner of Bangladesh for execution and completion of various developmental projects in that country.





Seikh Hasina expressed hope for more such initiatives for increasing rail link and connectivity between the two countries.

She also expressed happiness concern about convenience of the passengers of Maitree and Bandhan Express trains with reduced journey time after introduction of International Passenger Rail Terminus with End-to-End Immigration and Customs Clearance Facilities.



Mamata Banerjee said that this new Passenger Train link between Kolkata and Khulna will strengthen the relationship between two countries.

She expressed happiness on introduction of the new train between the two countries & recollected the traditional bonding with Bangladesh.



After the introduction of Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment stations in April, 2008, the Governments of India and Bangladesh have further decided to run another passenger train viz. Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna through Petrapole and Benapole route to cater to the demands of the people of both the countries for more connectivity.



The Bandhan Express will be a weekly service on every Thursday.

The Kolkata - Khulna Bandhan Express (13129 Up) will depart from Kolkata at 07.10 hrs.(IST) and will arrive at Khulna at 12:30 hrs.(BST) on the return journey the Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express ( 13130 Down) will depart from Khulna at 13.30 hrs. (BST) and arrive at Kolkata at 18.10 hrs.(IST) on the same day.The immigration and Customs checks will take place at Kolkata International Passenger Terminal for the Indian side and at Benapol border station for Bangladesh side.



The second Bhairab Bridge and Titas Bridge in Bangladesh built with the assistance of Government of India are two of the most important projects in Bangladesh for infrastructure and rolling stock development.

The one kilometer long second Bhairab Railway Bridge was built over the mighty Meghna river at a cost of around USD 75 million by Indian contractors and consultants.

Similarly, the Titas bridge over river Titas in Eastern Bangladesh was built at a cost of around USD 25 million. Both these bridges are on the main Chittagong to Dhaka Trunk Rail Line which will help in faster movement of both passenger and freight traffic trains of Bangladesh.





Ministry of Railways, with the coordination of Department of Immigration & Customs has opened an International Rail Passenger Terminus at Kolkata station with proper infrastructure and facilities of end-to-end immigration to reduce the en-route journey time of the passengers of the existing Kolkata  Dhaka Cantt. Maitree Express and newly introduced Kolkata  Khulna Bandhan Express,. With this new facility at Kolkata Terminal, the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express will be immensely benefitted.



The journey time of Maitree Express from Kolkata to Dhaka will be 08 hrs.25mts. and from Dhaka to Kolkata will be 08 hrs.15mts. i.e. a reduction of about 2 hours. It will depart from Kolkata at 07.10 hrs.(IST) (on Mon, Tue, Fri & Sat) and arrive at Dhaka at 16.05 hrs.(BST) instead of earlier arrival at Dhaka at 18.05 hrs.(BST). On the return journey it will depart from Dhaka at 08.15 hrs.(BST) (on Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun) instead of earlier departure from Dhaka at 08.10 hrs. (BST) and arrive at Kolkata at 16.00 hrs.(IST) instead of earlier arrival at Kolkata at 18.10 hrs.(IST).

Sudip Bandyopadhya, MP & Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, Mala Saha, MLA, Harindra Rao, General Manager, Eastern Railway, Toufique Hassan, Dy. High Commissioner, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Kolkata were present on the occasion at Kolkata station and all of them addressed the gathering.
New York, Nov 9(Just Earth News): As the number of people displaced worldwide due to climate change-related events continues to grow, the United Nations and its partners are focusing on regional approaches, framed by existing international practice, to respond to the issue of climate refugees.

The number of disaster displacements on annual average between 2008 and 2016 amounted to 25.3 million, according to figures released by the Norwegian Refugee Council. The five countries globally that have the highest proportion of their population affected by displacements are all island States: Cuba, Fiji, Philippines, Tonga and Sri Lanka.

During this hurricane season alone for example, we saw the displacement of 1.7 million people in Cuba  thats the equivalent of 15 per cent of its population, said Camila Minerva, Humanitarian Programme Manager with Oxfam in the Dominican Republic, during a press conference on human mobility and climate change at the UN Climate Conference (COP23), in Bonn, Germany.

The poorest and the most marginalized are five times more likely to be displaced and to remain so for longer time than people in higher income countries and it is increasing with climate change, she added.

Mariam Traore, Migration, environment and climate change specialist with the UN Migration Agency (IOM) said that it is also important to remember that the slow onset effect of climate change makes people move and migrate, sometimes in a forced way.

In a country like Bangladesh, we did a survey last year and 40 per cent of the households we interviewed told us that climate change contributed directly to their decision to migrate, she added.

In this context, some have suggested to create a climate refugee status, protecting those forced to leave their country because of the impacts of climate change.

The refugee legal status is provided by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which is very clear on what [basis refugee status is conferred], which is basically persecution, said Marine Franck, Programme Officer (climate change), Division of International Protection, in the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In the context of climate change displacement, there might be cases where there is persecution involved where this refugee status could apply but in most cases, it doesnt, she added.

She recalled that in 2011, States had suggested that UNHCR create a new status of refugee for people displaced because of climate change. But some States were not ready at all for that, she stated.

Franck stressed that this issue of broadening the scope of refugee protection is not necessarily desirable, because there is a risk of undermining the refugees fleeing persecution and violent conflict. Moreover, she explained: We would need also to renegotiate the Convention and there is no appetite for that from States and it might not be the most effective protection tool.

UNHCR thinks it is better to look at what exists at the regional level and try to have a bottom-up approach with broadening at the regional level using practices that are effective. She mentioned humanitarian protection visas, temporary protection and stay arrangements, as well as migration laws that can provide real protection.

It is much more effective because States are going to look at what their neighbours are doing and may adopt the same kind of procedures, rather than if we adopt a global convention or a new category [] it might not be easy to negotiate and it is not also sure that States will then implement it properly, Franck said.

Credit: Nansen Initiative, via UNOCHA

Source: www.justearthnews.com
The banana sector serves as an essential source of employment and income for thousands of rural households in developing countries and the manual, while initially aimed at workers in Ecuador, can be adapted >for use around the world, said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in a news statement.



Presented on Wednesday, at the Third Conference of the World Banana Forum in Geneva, the publication outlines a series of recommendations for trainers and workers on how to manage banana farm risks and more safely carry out work.



It includes a wide range of guidelines covering topics, including proper handling, storage and use of agrochemicals/pesticides; measures for adequate personal protection, including first aid in emergency situations; ergonomic risk information; and ways to stop gender-related violence and other human rights abuses.



The conference brought together over 300 representatives from the banana sector along with other stakeholders, including UN agencies, governments, importers, exporters, retailers, producers, consumer associations, trade unions and civil society organizations.



Banana production



After cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa, bananas are the most traded agricultural product in the world. Attempts to lower production costs often lead to disastrous consequences on the rights of workers and on the environment, according to FAO.



For example, banana plantations use 10 times more pesticides than conventional plantations in developed countries. Elevated exposure to these agrochemicals can cause serious health problems for workers and neighbouring communities  one of the topics addressed in the manual, FAO said in the news statement.



The manual also serves as a guide to identify risks and also as a source of information regarding current legislation to report on work-related accidents.



Of the almost 100 million tons of bananas consumed each year globally, around 20 million are exported. Of those, almost 6 million come from Ecuador, the world's largest exporter and the country chosen by the Banana Initiative for Occupational Health and Safety  coordinated by the FAO-led World Banana Forum and the non-governmental organizations Solidaridad and Bananalink  as a priority country for the manuals development.



The guide is the result of an unprecedented consensus between the public and private sectors and civil society, and includes all current legislation applicable to the sector in Ecuador. It is expected to be useful for some 250,000 direct workers and from two to 2.5 million workers related to banana exports in the country.



Given that banana farming is carried out similarly around the world, the initiative can be adapted and replicated in banana producing countries from Latin America to Asia and the Pacific, incorporating their own legislation.



Photo: World Bank/Yosef Hadar







Source: www.justearthnews.com






New York, Nov 9(Just Earth News): The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Major Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli, a commander in the Al-Saiqa Brigade accused of murdering 33 people in the context of the ongoing conflict in Libya, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the United Nations Security Council.

Addressing the Council in New York, the Prosecutor also urged the international community to turn over Al-Tuhamy Mohamed Khaled, former head of the Libyan Internal Security Agency, and Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi.

Busayf Al-Werfalli, is a commander in the Benghazi-based Al-Saiqa Brigade, who, according to Bensouda, has been  and possibly still is  active in the Libyan National Armys (LNA) Operation National Dignity.

In her remarks to the Council, the ICC Prosecutor appealed directly to General Khalifa Haftar, head of the Libyan National Army, to demonstrate, by concrete actions, respect for international justice by ensuring Mr al-Werfallis immediate transfer to the Libyan authorities so that he may be surrendered to the court without delay.

My Office continues to request States Parties, non-States Parties and organizations to assist in securing the arrest of persons subject to an ICC warrant, Bensouda told the Council.

The call for accountability comes amidst continued concern over the security situation in Libya, which has been in conflict since a disputed election in 2014 following the 2011 toppling of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In recent months, Bensouda said she noted with grave concern reports of unlawful killings, including the execution of detained persons; kidnappings and forced disappearances; torture; prolonged detentions without trial or other legal process; and arbitrary detention, torture, rape, and other ill-treatment of migrants in official and unofficial detention centres.

Reports have also emerged that 36 male corpses were found in the totem of al-Abyar, outside of Benghazi.

This is also of grave concern, she said. The bodies were reportedly handcuffed, showed signs of torture, and displayed bullet wounds to the head.

The prosecutor also echoed Ghassan Salame in condemning recent airstrikes in a residential neighbourhood in Derna that appear to have resulted in the tragic deaths of civilians, including at least 12 children and women.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Source: www.justearthnews.com
India using technology as weapon in war against poverty: PM Modi | After PM Modi-Rishi Sunak meet, UK gives go-ahead to 3,000 annual visas for Indians | Supreme Court orders retrial in 2018 Kathua rape-murder, accused to be tried as adult | Delhi murder: Accused Aaftab Ameen Poonawala was inspired by crime show Dexter | 'Will expose the reality of how Pakistan treated me': Singer Adnan Sami
Quetta, Nov 9 (IBNS) :: A senior police officer was among three officials killed in a suicide attack on Quetta's airport road on Thursday morning, Pakistan's Geo News reported. .

Around eight others, including police officials, were said to be injured in the attack on the vehicle of the senior police officer.

SSP Operations Naseebullah has been quoted as saying that DIG Hamid Shakeel, who was heading the motor transport and telecommunications department, and two other police officials were martyred when the DIG's convoy was targetted in a bomb attack.

The injured have been moved to the Combined Military Hospital and Civil Hospital for treatment.

Two police officials are said to be in critical condition.

The report quoted sources as saying that DIG Shakeel's vehicle was targetted as soon as the officer left this residence in the Chaman Housing Scheme, situated close to other government officials' residences.
Ottawa, Nov 9 (IBNS): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is satisfied with the explanation of a top Liberal fundraiser Stephen Bronfman, whose link to an offshore trust in the Cayman Islands came into light in the Paradise Papers, media reports said.

Bronfman said he had neither funded nor used any offshore trust, which Trudeau felt a sufficient explanation to be satisfied.

The top liberal completely ignored his business ties with Montreal-based investment company Claridge, which was leaked in the Paradise Papers.

Speaking about the leak of financial details, Bronfman said he had no involvement with the trust of any kind except a loan which he took 25 years ago. He said the money was repaid by him within few months.

Trudeau, while interacting with media in Hanoi, Vietnam on Wednesday, said: "We have received assurances that all rules were followed, indeed the same assurances made in the public statement released by the family, and we are satisfied with those assurances."

"We have done much in regards to tax avoidance and tax evasion, including working with international partners, but we also recognize there is much more to do and you can rest assured that Canada Revenue Agency will take very seriously its responsibility to go after everyone and anyone involved in tax avoidance and tax evasion" the PM added.

Though Bronfman's explanation has been able to satisfy Trudeau, it failed to impress the Opposition.

Conservative leader Andrew Scheer said: "We had the Canada Revenue Agency indicate that they were going to review these files and take it seriously. And then a day later, just on the word of his friend and chief fundraiser, the prime minister is basically saying that he's satisfied that there's no wrongdoing."

"We have serious concerns about who is Justin Trudeau speaking for. Is he absolving his friend and chief fundraiser of any wrongdoing in advance of any kind of review, in advance of any kind of investigation? Is he speaking for Canada Revenue? I think it's very inappropriate that he would use that type of language, and I certainly don't take him at his word on this issue," Scheer added.

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh urged the finance committee to investigation the Paradise Papers.

".......The reality is Canadians are not satisfied. Canadians expect a just and fair taxation system that  that doesn't just target everyday working Canadians, but that makes sure that everyone pays or contributes their fair share, that ensures that the wealthy, the well-connected, the powerful also contribute their fair share and that's not what Canadians feel like right now and that's why this motion is so important" Singh said hitting out at the PM.

Facing a barrage of questions from the Opposition on Monday about the Paradise Papers leak, the Liberal government on Tuesday ensured they will carry out a review on the Canadian names that have come up, media reports said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons: "We are fully committed to fighting tax evasion and tax avoidance."

"With respect to the Paradise Papers, the (Canada Revenue Agency) is reviewing links to Canadian entities and will take every appropriate action . . . . We will continue to work for a system that is fair," the PM added.

National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier confirmed that the CRA has already initiated a review and probing the names of the Canadians present in the papers.

More than 300 Canadians whose names are present in Paradise Papers, described as the largest leak of financial data, are suspected to have used offshore tax havens to evade taxes.

The figure is slightly around 3,300.

The revelation comes from Paradise Papers, as the documents are being called by a collective of international journalists who after months of ferreting a clutch of records and internal communications from Bermuda's Appleby and Singapore's Asiaciti presented their findings on Sunday night.

Paradise Papers refer to a trove - 13.4 million files - of financial data leaked from two firms

The reports have shown that Canada is Applyby's one of the biggest markets after the U.S., the U.K. and China.

The data has brought number of Canadian firms and individuals under the scanner who have paid very little or almost no tax as they have received the benefits from the offshore trusts and corporations which are set up in countries.

It is said that Bermuda firm Appleby and Singapore-based Asiaciti helped the ultra-rich & powerful move money abroad

Appleby allegedly helped clients set up offshore firms and manage bank accounts to evade taxes, manage realty, buy planes and yachts, move tonnes of money across the globe.



(Reporting by Suman Das)

Image: facebook.com/JustinPJTrudeau
Hanoi, Nov 9 (IBNS): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is in no hurry to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal at the time other countries are looking forward to seal the deal, media reports said.

Trudeau said this at the APEC summit in Vietnam this week.

Trudeau at a press conference said: "Let me remind everyone Canada will not be rushed into a deal that is not in the best interest of Canada and Canadians. I have always been very clear that I will stand up for Canadian jobs, for Canadian values, that's exactly what we will do here."

Some of the TPP partners are however expecting any deal to take place by the end of this week.

The US had pulled out of the deal earlier in January this year.

According to CBC News, Canada is pushing to include chapters like environment, labour rights and gender equality in the revised TPP deal.

About Canada's working on the revised deal, the Canadian PM said: "Our ministers are very much engaged and working hard on this issue of TPP11."

"Canada is very much engaged in discussions of how we can move forward in a way that is beneficial to Canada and our partners. We believe progressive, solid trade deals can help citizens in all sorts of different countries" Trudeau added.

Canada's push for inclusion of new elements are very much like the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations where the Trudeau government is trying to embody climate issues in the deal.



(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)

Images: facebook.com/JustinPJTrudeau
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Crisis continues at Indian Health Service

By Kevin Abourezk

The crisis at the Indian Health Service continues as another hospital has lost its ability to access a key source of funding after a recent survey uncovered a number of problems.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday placed the facility on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota on immediate jeopardy status, a category used to indicate the likelihood of imminent injury, serious harm, death or impairment to patients. In a final decision, CMS terminated the hospitals provider agreement, effective November 18.

That means the hospital will no longer be allowed to bill Medicare for services, which will affect its Medicaid funding as well.

The IHS Pine Ridge Hospital remains open and patients are receiving care, including emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, and all other hospital services, the IHS said in a press release. Providing access to quality medical care remains a top priority for IHS.

The Pine Ridge Hospital isn't the only IHS facility on the reservation. But it is the largest, serving more than 17,000 patients, most of whom are citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe

President Scott Weston was attending at tribal council meeting Friday afternoon when the decision was announced from Washington, D.C. He said he was seeking a statement from the hospital about the loss of Medicare and Medicaid funding and declined to offer further comment when reached.

Although the hospital remains open, the loss of certification represents a severe blow. The IHS, due to chronic under-funding, relies on revenue from Medicare and Medicaid to make up for shortfalls in its budget.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), third from left, met with Oglala Sioux Tribe President Scott Weston, fourth from left, and other Oglala Sioux leaders in Washington, D.C., in February 2017. Photo: Sen. Mike Rounds

Before CMS terminated certification to the IHS hospital that serves the Omaha Tribe and the Winnebago Tribe , the facility was heavily dependent on outside sources of funds. Some 77 percent of third-party reimbursements came from Medicare and Medicaid in the fiscal year prior to the 2015 decision

And in the current fiscal year, IHS expects 88 percent of collections at all facilities to come from Medicare and Medicaid, according to a budget justification

In response to the loss of certification at Pine Ridge, the IHS said it will work to help improve the hospitals health services so it can begin receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding once again.

These issues did not happen overnight and it will take time to correct them, the agency said.

But the agency's track record remains shaky. The Omaha-Winnebago Hospital in Nebraska has yet to recover from its CMS termination more than two years ago.

The IHS also has been slammed repeatedly for failing to resolve long-standing problems in the Great Plains Area , a region that includes South Dakota and Nebraska. A 2010 investigation by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs warned that five facilities were in danger of losing access to Medicare and Medicaid funds.

The Pine Ridge and Omaha-Winnebago hospitals have since been terminated by the CMS. Two additional facilities in the Great Plains -- Rosebud and Sioux San --- were placed in jeopardy and saw reductions in services while the IHS worked to correct deficiencies.

The emergency room at Sioux San has since been shut down completely. Emergency services at Rosebud were cut for seven months, which took a heavy toll on citizens of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe

The inadequate care being delivered at IHS facilities across the country has reached crisis level, Sen Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) said when he introduced the Independent Outside Audit of the Indian Health Service Act . It is a serious issue that requires tangible solutions."

His bill, S.465 , requires an independent audit to determine where improvements can be made in budget, staffing and management. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will be taking testimony on the measure on Wednesday.

In response to the loss of the CMS termination at Pine Ridge, IHS said it has begun enhancing staffing levels in the emergency department, extending deployment of U.S. Public Health Service officers to reduce staff and turnover, and improving tele-health consultation.

Additionally, IHS has awarded a new contract to provide emergency department staffing services at Pine Ridge to Central Care Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia. Services will begin in mid-November.

The emergency department will be federally managed, which will allow for staffing with both contractors and federal employees working together under federal direction, the agency said. IHS is working to ensure there is a smooth transition with no disruption in services.

IHS also said it plans to work with tribal leaders and health care stakeholders in the Great Plains Area to pursue reforms. Members of Congress have introduced the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act -- S.1250 and H.R.2662 -- in hopes of fixing what they have said is a "broken" federal agency.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice: Legislative Hearing to Receive Testimony on S. 1400 & S. 465 (November 8, 2017)

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Report: In Critical Condition: The urgent need to reform the Indian Health Services Aberdeen Area (December 2010)

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Genocide and The Wizard of Oz

By Tim GiagoEditor EmeritusNative Sun News Today

The Broadway Production of the childrens musical, Mein Kampf will be at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on November 6  9, 2017.

Now suppose you read this announcement in a local newspaper or saw it on a local television station. A childrens play based on Adolph Hitlers book? The clamor would be overwhelming. Here is a book written by a man who called for the genocide of the Jewish race. He not only wrote about it but attempted to carry it out.

The billboards and newspaper ads I am mimicking are those announcing the Broadway Play, The Wizard of Oz that will be appearing in Rapid City on December 9 and 10. Why the comparison? Lets take a close look at some of South Dakotas more nefarious history because this part of it is synonymous with Hitlers efforts at genocide.

On December 29, 1890, Sophie Giago was working at the Holy Rosary Indian Mission about 15 miles from Wounded Knee Creek. The troops of the 7th Cavalry had just stopped Chief Sitanka and his 300 followers at Wounded Knee. In what turned out to be one of the deadliest massacres in American history, the Hotchkiss guns mounted on the hills surrounding Wounded Knee sprang into action and began to mow down nearly 300 innocent Lakota men, women and children leaving their torn and bloody bodies scattered for miles along the Creek.

Elements of the cavalry, pursuing stragglers, boldly rode on to the Mission grounds, some with blood on their uniforms and gloves, and Sophie and the other Lakota employees and students were forced to water and feed their horses. Eight days later an editorial appeared in the Aberdeen (SD) Saturday Review written by the editor, L. Frank Baum . He wrote about the massacre that had just occurred at Wounded Knee with this editorial, Having wronged them before perhaps we should wrong them one more time and wipe these untamed and untamable creatures from the face of the earth .

A view of the canyon in South Dakota where the December 29, 1890, Wounded Knee Massacre took place. Photo: Library of Congress

Read that last sentence again. In plain English this newspaper editor is calling for genocide against the Lakota people. There is no other conclusion any one of normal intelligence can reach about this quote. But then again, he was just calling for the murder of Indians and that was totally inconsequential to the white settlers and so-called pioneers of that era. Sophie Giago, her friends and her entire family should be wiped from the face of the earth. That is how the Lakota people read it.

L. Frank Baum wrote the book, The Wizard of Oz 10 years later. And now, this man who called for genocide against a people, is being lauded for a play based on his book. Think about it: He, just like Adolph Hitler, called for the genocide of a race of people. Now what is the difference to what Hitler wrote and what L. Frank Baum wrote? There is none. But then keep in mind that Hitler was just writing about Jews and Baum about Indians, totally inconsequential to the Master Race and the white settlers.

Sophie Giago was my grandmother and so for those who want to chalk up Baums call for genocide as ancient history; they are wrong. My grandmother held me on her lap when I was a baby and so to me, and to the rest of the Giago family and the Lakota people, it is not ancient history. But the play will go on because no one, except the Lakota people, will make the connection between Hitler and Baum. When it comes to the Indian people genocide is a word that is merely whispered. The holocaust of the Jews was a real part of the worlds history, but the genocide of the American Indians was a mere footnote.

Copyright permission Native Sun News Today

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Exactly ten years ago, the audience saw a mega-debut of three actors. Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Sonam Kapoor. With Saawariya and Om Shanti Om, these actors made a promising debut.

For Ranbir Kapoor, the film flopped at the box-office but critics and audience could see what they were up for. With a few hits and misses, Ranbir Kapoor's decade-old career is worth talking about.

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There was a Bombay-Velvet phase where people almost gave up on him. However, failures have hardly affected Ranbir, who has also been tabloid's favorite lover boy for his love life. A flop like Bombay Velvet can't take make us ignore the fact that Ranbir has films like Wake Up Sid, Tamasha, Barfi and Rockstar to his career.

Dharma Productions

Ranbir's portrayal of lover-boy is something we have always bought. If we talk about team-work, Imtiaz Ali and Ranbir make quite a fascinating team. With Rockstar and Tamasha, this dream team has only gained praises. People say that Imtiaz can bring out the best in Ranbir and we think so too.

Dharma Productions

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Imtiaz Ali chose to speak about one of his favorite actors Ranbir. Talking about Ranbir's ten-year-long journey in Bollywood, Imtiaz said,

Facebook/Tamasha

"Ranbir Kapoor is a 'bada janwar'. Ranbir's success or failure cannot be measured by the rat race because he is not a rat, he is a 'bada janwar'. He is meant for big things.

Facebook/Tamasha

The best thing about him is that he is never in a hurry and he always wants to do what is meaningful, what is new and challenging for him. That is an attitude that makes him the best actor in the film industry."

Latest reports also claim that Ranbir and Imtiaz are collaborating for yet another film and fans surely have some high expectations from them.

Facebook/Tamasha

While neither of the two has confirmed the news, we for sure can't wait to see what they have got to offer to us.
Bollywood celebrity Farhan Akhtar has always stood for equality. Whether it was for the brutal gang rape of a medical student in Delhi or speaking in defense of Hrithik Roshan during the Hrithik-Kangana controversy, the actor has been more than vocal in his support for gender equality.

And now, he speaks again. This time on sexual harassment. A topic which has engulfed pretty much the entire nation revealing shocking facts and celebrity allegations. Farhan has urged victims to come out and talk about it openly.

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He says there is no point in targeting only the film industry for perpetuating sexual harassment as it exists everywhere.

At a time when several women in Hollywood have come forward to voice their experience with sexual harassment in the field, Bollywood has been fairly quiet about it. People have spoken about the casting couch and some women celebrities joined the #MeToo campaign, but not many men have spoken out and women, especially budding actors, who may have even faced it, fear taking names.

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Farhan, who is also the founder of MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination), said: "Wherever there is an industry where the power dynamic is in play -- be it corporate, be it film industry, such issues will unfortunately occur. But I think right now, the world over, the environment is such where all the women should feel empowered and secure to come out and share their stories.

"There is a constant dialogue on gender equality, gender discrimination across the globe. I think anyone who has their heart and mind in the right place, will support them."

Asked if he heard any such stories from the industry people of asking to compromise for getting work in a film, Farhan said: "Well, not from the film industry that anyone has come up to me with such a story, but I do come across some such stories from different industries.

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"It is true that such situations of molestation, sexual violence at workplace exist in all industries and it is not unique to one industry."

What about the sense of insecurity that actors have in naming and shaming people as far as sexual harassment is concerned?

Farhan said: "If that person has come out and spoken about harassment, it doesn't mean I won't cast that person in my film. They are two completely different things and they should not be confused together."

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"What we have seen in reverse is that when somebody has come out about people who have harassed them, there has been a reaction to it. Maybe it was not the one that you expect, but there have been reactions. If someone has something to share, this is the perfect platform to come out. You will be doing yourself and others a favour by coming out and speaking."

Farhan's MARD started in 2013 and continues to create awareness among youth against violence and discrimination against women.
The Global Nutrition Report (GNR) of 2017 reported that India faces the enormous challenge of tackling massive social and economic problems that stem from both under-nutrition and obesity in the country.

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GNR-2017 found key forms of malnutrition as one of the 'significant trending burdens' across 140-countries, including India.

The issues include childhood stunting affecting 38 per cent children under-five years of age of 155 million worldwide; 21 per cent of under-fives defined as "wasted" or "severely wasted", implying they are underweight for their height, comprising 52 million children.

More than 51 per cent of women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia and more than 22 per cent of adult women are obese or overweight, besides one-third of all women affected worldwide with no country on track to meet global targets.

AFP/Representational Image

"A well-nourished child is one-third more likely to escape poverty, learn better in school, be healthier and grow into productive contributors to their economies," said Jessica Fanzo, GNR co-chair and Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Global Food and Agriculture Policy and Ethics at John Hopkins University.

The GNR also states that overweight and obesity are on the increase in almost every country, with two billion of the world's seven billion now falling in this category. Less than one per cent of this problem will be tackled by 2025.

In India, 16 per cent of adult men and 22 per cent adult women are overweight, says GNR-2017.

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"India's government is recognising that the country cannot afford inaction on nutrition, but the road ahead is going to be long. The GNR-2017 highlights (what) needs to be tackled as part of its national nutrition strategy," said the report.

At the global level, nutrition is recognised as key in enabling sustainable development, according to Corinna Hawkes, co-chair of the GNR's Independent Expert Group and Director, Centre for Food Policy at City, University London.

"We will not achieve any of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030 unless there is a critical change in our response to malnutrition in all its forms, and action throughout the goals to tackle the many causes of malnutrition," said Hawkes. The GNR-2017 calls for nutrition to be placed at the heart of efforts to end poverty, fight disease, raise educational standards and combat climate change.

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A vast majority88 per centof countries studied, face a serious burden of two or three forms of malnutrition which could have a damaging impact on broader global development efforts.

"Historically, maternal anaemia and child under-nutrition have been viewed as separate problems to obesity and non-communicable diseases, but the reality is they are intimately connected and driven by inequalities everywhere in the world. Governments and their partners need to tackle them holistically," said Fanzo.

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Though rates of under-nutrition in children are decreasing globally with recent gains in some countries, it is not quick enough to meet the internationally agreed nutrition goals, including the SDGA target to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, said GNR-2017.

Donor funding for nutrition increased by just two per cent in 2015 to $867 million, representing a slight fall in the overall percentage of global aid, against the need for tripling it to $70 billion over 10 years to tackle childhood stunting, wasting and anaemia, and increase breastfeeding rates.

Towards this end, the Global Nutrition Summit 2017, held in Milan, Italy, earlier this week saw new commitments of billions of dollars to achieve nutrition targets, including a pledge of $50 million for five years by the Tata Trusts, Mumbai.
In the race to go digital, businesses judge India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, is the best host among 45 cities worldwide.

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Bengaluru, expressed the highest confidence in their digital environment based on people and skills, financial environment, innovation and entrepreneurship, new technology development, and ICT infrastructure, according to a report from the Economic Intelligence Unit, published Tuesday.

"India's cities may suffer more than most from infrastructure deficits, pollution, poverty and other ills, but when it comes to the environment for digital transformation, their executives are remarkably optimistic," analysts led by Denis McCauley wrote in the report. "By contrast, developed cities account for eight of the 10 lowest readings in the barometer."

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San Francisco came in second followed by two other Indian cities Mumbai and New Delhi while Tokyo, Yokohama and Berlin brought up the rear.

Most in demand are people with skills in digital security, according to the report, followed by big data analytics. These beat demand for cloud computing skills, social media, and artificial intelligence.

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About 48 per cent of all companies surveyed said they are willing to relocate to take advantage of a more favourable environment. 53 per cent of Asian firms answered this way, compared with 48 per cent in the US, 46 per cent in Australia and 42 per cent in Europe.
Bengaluru's St. Joseph's College on Friday said it has initiated a probe into the circulation of study material that endorses dowry. The incident came to light after a female student posted a picture of a page of study material on Facebook. The page starts with "Generally, though accepted as an evil practice, dowry has its supporters," under the caption 'Advantages of Dowry'.

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"The matter is being investigated and we are trying to find the root of the problem. Such views have never been part of the college syllabus. In fact, the department and the college are opposed to such obscurantist and oppressive patriarchal views as are contained in the page cited," college Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kiran Jeevan said.

Reportedly, the students of sociology at the St Joseph's College of Arts and Commerce were handed over study material that endorsed the system of dowry, reported ANI.

The study material reportedly states that the marriage of ugly girls who would otherwise have gone without a partner is made possible by offering heavy amount of dowry. "It is a useful and effective method of attracting good, handsome and sometimes unwilling boys for marriage," the text states.

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The study material further said, "Dowry increases the status of a woman in the family. As a woman brings substantial sum at marriage, she is treated well just for her economic contribution. It affects the love and affection her husband bears for her. A poor girl who does not bring huge dowry in her marriage does not usually receive the same attention and affection that is bestowed up on a rich girl."

The study material also claimed that dowry provides "An opportunity for meritorious boys of poor classes" to pursue higher education.
Remember the shocking images of poisoned trees from Bengaluru, earlier this year? It appears like they have just done it all over once again. This time 30 trees have been cut illegally in what environmentalists suspect was done as the trees were blocking some advertisement boards nearby.

The trees at the outer ring road were chopped down on Thursday night by unidentified people.

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Incidentally, the trees were on the same stretch of the median where the trees were poisoned in March, barely 500 meters apart. Vijay Nishanth, a conservationist and tree doctor who visited the spot told Indiatimes that the trees have been badly mutilated.

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Nishant has already begun working to rejuvenate the trees by applying a liquid bandage, and fungicide, which he says will help in curing the injuries.

"We must try and heal the open wound of the tree. This is to ensure it does not contract fungal infections. If the fungal infections become severe, the tree will dry up and will die soon, Nishant said.

He said it was a shocking sight to see the trees which are around five years old destroyed to that level.

"There are around 50 trees in this stretch, out of which 30 have been chopped down. It is clear that this was done to increase the visibility of the hoardings," Nishanth said.

Indiatimes

Unlike in the case of the acid poisoning, where most of the trees were destroyed beyond repair, Nishanth said he is optimistic about their recovery.

Along with working to revive the trees, Nishanth also wants to hold those responsible for the senseless act accountable.

Indiatimes

"Like in the previous case of poisoning, we have taken this matter to the Lokayukta. We will seek severe punishment for those responsible. We are yet to identify who was behind this act, once we get the relevant information from the hoardings department, we will pursue their case, " he added.

Nishanth and his team which managed to revive three acid poisoned trees in March have now replanted the dried ones and are taking care of the new ones.
Mumbai Police paid an emotional tribute to one of their brave K-9 named Ruby, who succumbed to cancer.

Twitter/Mumbai Police

In a touching video they posted on Twitter, Mumbai Police wrote, "Remembering our star, Ruby, whose contributions to the department are 'impawssible' to match! #RIPRuby"

According to Mumbai Police, Ruby joined the K-9 bomb detection squad on June 22, 2009, and was instrumental in helping the department crack 41 cases.

Remembering our star, Ruby, whose contributions to the department are 'impawssible' to match! #RIPRuby pic.twitter.com/yuKmIRriOr  Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) November 8, 2017

"One of her most important detection was a brutal murder case in Khar East in 2015. She led cops to the culprit just by smelling a slipper," said Mumbai Police in its video tribute for Ruby.

The video touched a chord with people on social media and condolences came pouring in:

#1

We all Indians Salute Ruby and Mumbai Police for their exemplary courage and service to the nation. Jai hind!#RIPRuby  Dhruvil V. Purani (@Dhruvil99Dp) November 8, 2017

#2

May his soul RIP. We Mumbaikars salute Ruby for his contribution. Jai Hind. Vande Mataram.  Umesh Mhambrey (@MhambreyUmesh) November 9, 2017

#3 Forever indebted #RIPRuby

Gratitude from all #Mumbaikar  SCOrE Pawan Jhabak (@Score_Education) November 9, 2017

#4 Its hard to say goodbye to such a special companion.My thoughts are with you#RIPRuby  Warren (@Warrenromaine) November 9, 2017
Around 1,38,899, people from India are Mars-bound. They have 'booked' a flight to the Red Planet via Nasa's InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission slated for launch on May 5, 2018. Nasa states that those who submitted their names were provided online 'boarding passes' for the mission.

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The names are being etched on a silicon wafer microchip using an electron beam to form letters with lines one one-thousandth the diameter of a human hair. This chip will then be attached to the top hull of the lander.

Several Indians responded to Nasa's call for names for the Mars mission. The total number of names received by Nasa from all over the world is 2,429,807.

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According to Nasa on Wednesday, India ranks third in the global list with regard to the number of names submitted for the Mars mission.

The first is the US with 6,76,773 names followed by China with 2,62,752 names. India stands at number three.

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Space experts point out that US leading the list is not surprising since it is, after all, a Nasa mission. However, they do say that the fact that India is next to China is a matter of significance. They attribute India being ranked among the first three nations to two factors: the excitement and interest in Mars flights triggered by India's ground-breaking Mangalyaan mission, and the overall strengthening of India-US space ties.

Andrew Good of Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) told TOIthat the deadline to submit names was last week and "we are no longer accepting submissions".

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Slated for landing near the Mars equator on November 26, 2018, it is a 720-day mission, which will gather data on the Martian interior by monitoring Marsquakes.

Nasa states that InSight's role is not only to study Mars, but also to gain broader insight into the formation of rocky planets in the entire solar system.
Amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan over, a high-level delegation of Pakistan Rangers arrived in New Delhi to hold talks with the BSF.

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BSF is likely to raise with Pakistani officials deaths and injuries of civilians being caused by Pak troops in ceasefire violations apart from Pak army/Rangers assistance in the infiltration of trained terrorists.

The 19-member Pakistani delegation is led by the director general of the Rangers (Sindh) Major General Muhammad Saeed while the Indian side will be headed by Border Security Force chief K K Sharma.

The Pakistani delegation, also comprising officials from their interior (home) ministry and anti-narcotics force, is expected to return on November 10. The last time the two sides met was in July last year when the BSF delegation led by DG Sharma travelled to Lahore for the bi-annual talks.

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The BSF too, in the recent past, had claimed to have killed a number of Rangers as part of its retaliation to the ceasefire violations along the India-Pakistan International Border.

The Indian side is likely to put across these issues during the talks apart from interception and neutralisation of a number of infiltration attempts along the IB from the Pakistani side over the last year.

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Issues of smuggling of drugs, especially along the international border in Punjab, arms and detection of underground tunnels will also be discussed between the two sides. The Pakistani delegation may also call on home minister Rajnath Singh during the visit.
Back to Risk-On Monica Kingsley - 9 minutes ago S&P 500 hasnt truly reversed yesterday  corrections are still to be bought, and the retreat in yields is especially helpful to tech as I wrote about extensively on Monday. The long end of the curve...

Poland, NATO say missile strike wasn't a Russian attack AP - 36 minutes ago The NATO chief and the president of Poland both say there are no indications a missile that came down in Polish farmland, killing two people, was a deliberate attack $SPX : 3,991.73 (+0.87%) $DOWI : 33,592.92 (+0.17%) $IUXX : 11,871.15 (+1.45%)

Midweek Cotton Follow Through Barchart - 1 hour ago Wednesday cotton prices are trading with triple digit gains to follow the Tuesday trade. Cotton trade bounced back Mondays weakness with 285 to 346 point Turnaround Tuesday gains. New crop Dec rallied... CTZ22 : 89.90 (+1.31%) CTH23 : 88.00 (+1.18%) CTK23 : 86.70 (+1.00%)

Feeder Cattle Weaken on Tuesday Barchart - 1 hour ago Front month cattle futures ended 7 to 30 cents lower in some of the contracts, while Feb and April closed 50c and 30c in the black. Feeders worked $1.80 to $2.42 in the red. USDA reported limited cash... LEZ22 : 151.275s (-0.20%) LEG23 : 153.050s (+0.33%) LEJ23 : 156.725s (+0.19%) GFX22 : 175.675s (-0.72%) GFF23 : 177.025s (-1.35%)

Hogs Higher for Week into Midweek Trade Barchart - 1 hour ago Tuesday hog futures closed with $0.45 to $1.12 gains through the front months. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price for Tuesday was $1.46 stronger to $85.54. The CME Lean Hog Index was $88.65 on 11/11,... HEZ22 : 85.325s (+0.53%) HEJ23 : 95.500s (+1.19%) KMZ22 : 95.900s (+0.24%)
A Connecticut man who claims to have tipped off the FBI about extortion from a zoning official has now filed a federal lawsuit against the town where he says it took place.

WTNH-TV recently acquired a copy of the lawsuit filed by Sajjad Chaudhary against East Haven, Conn., Aug. 23. In the lawsuit, Chaudhary alleges theft, negligence, negligent supervision and emotional distress caused by former zoning administrator Frank Biancur Jr.

Biancur was convicted in 2015 after he pleaded guilty to one count of theft of honest services mail fraud.

Prosecutors say an investigation into Biancur began in 2015 when a resident told authorities they had been extorted by the man since 2012. Now, Chaudharys attorney says there needs to be accountability.

The towns attorney says he will fight the lawsuit.

Information from: WTNH-TV

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Connecticut
A fire has destroyed a popular restaurant in Massachusetts that just celebrated its 50th anniversary in business.

Officials were called to Jamies Pub in Scituate, Mass., around 4:20 a.m. Sunday. Fire Chief John Murphy says it took about an hour and fifteen minutes for crews to control the blaze, and the building suffered a partial collapse.

Murphy says the building is a total loss. No injuries were reported, and no other buildings were affected.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Jamies Pub had been run by the same family since it first opened in 1967.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
China pledged to keep nudging open the door to its mammoth financial industry  but it will do so at its own pace.

On Thursday, amid a slew of Sino-U.S. dealmaking during President Donald Trumps visit to China, the Foreign Ministry said entry barriers to sectors such as banking, insurance, securities and funds will be substantially eased. That will happen in accordance to Chinas own timetable and road map, the ministry said, following a meeting between Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping.

The ministry also said that China had urged the U.S. to push forward an application by China International Capital Corp. for a U.S. financial license. The two countries announced Thursday $250 billion in investment deals, many of which came in the form of tentative agreements.

The comments will be encouraging to foreign banks, asset managers and insurers, who have long been kept on the margins in China, the worlds second-largest economy, by various barriers. Among changes at the top of global banks wish list: permission to amass majority stakes in local securities joint ventures. Theyre currently limited to 49 percent.

The cap has frustrated foreign banks attempts to compete effectively with domestic securities firms and was behind JPMorgan Chase & Co.s move to exit its venture, as it sought a new structure that would give it more say in decision making.

The U.S. bank is making preparations so that it can operate a securities business in China with or without local partners, its Asia-Pacific chief Nicolas Aguzin told Bloomberg Television earlier on Thursday.

The pledge for measured reform follows steps that China has already taken to gradually open up its $40 trillion financial sector. That includes allowing foreign investors greater access to its equities and debt markets through trading links with Hong Kong.

The Peoples Bank of China was drafting a package of reforms which would give foreign investors greater access to the financial services industry, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg in September. In August, Chinas cabinet said the country will continue to open up various industries, including banking, securities and insurance as well as electric cars.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers USA China
This year will be among the three hottest on record, the United Nations said on Monday [Nov. 6], as almost 200 countries started talks in Germany to bolster a global climate accord that the United States plans to quit.

Temperatures this year will be slightly less than during a record-breaking 2016 and roughly level with 2015, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said, part of a long-term warming trend driven by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.

We have witnessed extraordinary weather, said Petteri Talaas, head of the WMO, pointing to extreme events including a spate of hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean, monsoon floods in Asia and drought in East Africa.

The WMO attributed the small dip from last year to the fading effects of a natural El Nino event that released extra heat from the Pacific Ocean in 2016. In terms of economic costs, 2017 will be the most costly hurricane season on record after Harvey, Irma and Maria, it added.

Delegates said sweltering temperatures and weather extremes were a spur for action at the annual conference in Bonn from Nov. 6-17, which will work on a detailed rule book for the 2015 Paris climate agreement and try to step up action before 2020.

This is our moment of truth, Fijis Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, presiding at the Bonn talks, told delegates, urging them to lock arms with all other nations and move forward together.

Patricia Espinosa, the U.N.s climate chief, said the very fabric of life on Earth is under threat from rising temperatures. The message cannot get any clearer. We must act right here, right now, she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who doubts mainstream scientific findings that man-made greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change, said in June he would pull out of the Paris agreement and instead promote U.S. fossil fuels.

None of the speakers at the opening ceremony mentioned Trump by name. The meeting included a traditional Fijian warrior ceremony and children parading with models of a whale, jellyfish and polar bear to urge more action.

U.S. Delegation Shrinks

A U.N. list of delegates counts 48 Americans, mostly technical experts and many fewer than in recent years. The U.S. delegation office in a tent village in Bonn has less space, for instance, than those for France or Italy.

A formal U.S. pullout will take until November 2020 and delegates say there are wide uncertainties about how far Washington will balance Trumps pro-coal agenda with the conferences goals.

Fijis chief negotiator Nazhat Shameem Khan said the U.S. delegation had consistently signaled a willingness for constructive engagement in preparations for the Bonn conference.

And some developing nations, including Iran, said all rich countries were failing to do enough, especially to cut emissions before 2020.

The Paris climate agreement sets a goal of ending the fossil fuel era this century and to limit warming to well below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, ideally 1.5C.

But the United Nations says the world is on track for a temperature rise of about three degrees by 2100.

Mondays WMO report said average surface temperatures in 2017 were already about 1.1C above the pre-industrial era in data from January to September.

(Reporting By Alister Doyle, editing by David Evans and Gareth Jones)

Related:

Topics USA
The remorseless growth of cyber crime is leading to 4,000 ransom attacks a day and gangs technological capability now threatens critical parts of the financial sector, the head of Europol said on Wednesday.

Online criminals have become so sophisticated that gangs have created conglomerations with company structures that specialize in different criminal activities to carry out the attacks, Rob Wainwright, who leads the EU law enforcement agency, said.

What really concerns me is the sophistication of the capability, which is becoming good enough to really threaten parts of our critical infrastructure, certainly in the financial, banking sector, he told Reuters.

And while not all those 4,000 ransom attacks  which demand money to restore access to files that have been frozen or encrypted  are on banks, the financial services sector is seen as a key target because of the potential profits for the criminals.

Even bank payment systems and ATM cash machines fall prey, Wainwright said.

The launch of ransomware attacks such as Wannacry, which struck firms around the world in May and June, has changed the dynamic of such attacks, by propagating them more widely through companies computer systems, Wainwright said.

The rapidly spreading extortion campaigns underscored concerns that businesses have failed to secure their networks from increasingly aggressive hackers, who have shown they are capable of shutting down critical infrastructure and crippling corporate and government networks.

The real threat comes from a sort of exponential, remorseless increase in the scale and significance of cyber criminal capability, Wainwright said on the sidelines of the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon.

He said every year there now seems to be a doubling, or tripling, of one kind of threat or another, in terms of scale.

He said the challenge of fighting cyber criminals is that they can be based in their bedrooms, making it difficult to find them. A majority of cyber criminals we are working against are Russian speaking, not just Russian, he said. Russia denies it is involved in hacking.

Last year, police authorities in several countries smashed 20 criminal groups that had created a service-based economy for the rest of the criminal market, such as providing ways to launder money or sell drugs online.

Such criminals gangs operate on the so-called dark web, which can only be accessed with special software.

It is used by criminals doing everything from selling drugs to guns, but also attacking payments systems and other parts of the financial system.

There is this sort of cyber criminal underworld thats a lot bigger and smarter and adept than most people think, Wainwright said. And, against it, we still have generally low cyber security standards.

(Reporting by Axel Bugge; editing by Alison Williams)

Topics Cyber Fraud Russia
Amazon is facing a $28,000 state fine over safety violations from when a worker at a suburban Indianapolis warehouse was killed when a forklift fell on him.

The Indiana Department of Labors order says Amazon didnt provide adequate training and safety procedures werent followed before the Sept. 24 accident at the companys Plainfield distribution center.

Authorities say 59-year-old Phillip Terry of Indianapolis was fatally crushed when a forklifts lift fell on him while he was doing maintenance work on it.

The safety order gives Amazon until Dec. 1 to correct the safety violations. It has until late this month to appeal the fine.

Amazon says it doesnt comment about ongoing investigations.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Indiana Amazon
During last weeks hearings about the industrys role in the 2016 presidential election, one ominous moment for Big Tech came when California Senator Dianne Feinstein, the industrys representative in Congress and a Democrat, addressed the social media companies. You bear this responsibility. You created these platforms, and now theyre being misused. And you have to be the ones who do something about it, or we will, she said.

So far, the talk about a crackdown on Big Tech is just talk. But Feinstein was knowingly hinting at one of the tech industrys most prized laws  Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, known as CDA 230. The law precludes companies from being held legally liable for the content their users post on their websites.

This protection allowed the modern internet to come into existence, the argument goes, because no one would be dumb enough to start a social media company if it were held liable for everything its users used the platform to do.

Even nibbling around the edges of the law would have disastrous impacts on the freedom of expression online  and on the entire economy of the internet. Tech has been winning this debate for years. But the industrys argument has become less popular while its simultaneously being attacked for enabling Kremlin-funded internet trolls, jihadists seeking new recruits, distributors of fake news, and ad-hoc mobs singling people out for abuse.

The opposing view, held by advocates for victims of crime or harassment online, is that giving tech companies immunity removes any incentive they have to conduct due diligence. Danielle Citron, a professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law who also serves on Twitters Trust and Safety Council, co-authored a paper this summer entitled The Internet Will Not Break, which called for making the laws immunity less sweeping. She sees political opportunity in each new revelation of techs ineffectual response to Russian meddling in last years election. When you accept ads in rubles, youre not acting responsibly, she said. Maybe they should have to internalize some of those costs.

If the talk about a governmental pushback against tech has focused on geopolitics, the actual action has come on a much different issue. For years, the central front in the battle over CDA 230 has been how sites involved in sex trafficking have hidden behind it. The biggest player here would hardly be considered Big Tech. Its Backpage.com, a Craiglist clone that has faced multiple lawsuits for its role in the online sex trade, that has regularly cited the law in its defense.

Earlier this year, 24 senators co-sponsored a bill to allow prosecutors to pursue companies whose platforms facilitate sex trafficking. Silicon Valley lined up in opposition, issuing strongly worded arguments through its trade associations. Opponents of the bill argued it was written in a way that would inspire legal action that would have little to do with human trafficking. Once the door was open, they argued, other aggrieved groups would inevitably begin pushing for the right to go after tech platforms, too, and the each ensuing exception would be easier to secure, slowly choking off the internet in installments.

Tech has shown the ability to turn arguments like these into populist energy. Alphabet Inc.s Google, in particular, seemed to be preparing to go this path last month when it hired a lobbying firm run by people who nurtured the popular uprising of web users that defeated a 2012 internet piracy bill. But this time around, any such attempts failed, and opposition began to fall apart in recent weeks. The Internet Association, a trade group representing large companies including Facebook Inc., Google, and Twitter Inc., endorsed what it described as a compromise bill last week, saying the most problematic parts of the bill had been fixed in advance of a hearing this Wednesday. The companies declined to comment on the issue directly.

The new language tightened the focus on specific sex trafficking violations, which solved the technical opposition but did little to address the slippery slope argument. Many interpreted this move as Big Tech giving up the fight. Evan Engstrom of Engine, an advocacy group for startups that opposed the bill, blamed the hostile landscape of recent weeks. At some point you have to say, how much more are you going to pour into this? At least with the larger tech platforms, they have a lot of issues to deal with, he said. The bill still has to go through the Senate, and then be taken up by the House and signed by the president to become law.

Like most tech policy issues, the narrative surrounding the negotiations focuses on the wrangling between the government and some of the worlds most powerful companies, but if any companies are well-positioned to handle the increased cost of business that new government regulation brings, its Google and Facebook. Engstrom said smaller companies with fewer resources would be in the worst position. The Electronic Frontier Foundation accused Big Tech of rolling over on a bill that would likely end up insulating them further from new competition. The intramural hostility illustrates a common attribute of tech policy debates, which are inevitably framed as clashes between the government and the most powerful companies in the world. But Facebook and Google are uniquely positioned to absorb new costs of doing business, making them problematic advocates for smaller companies whose priorities arent necessarily aligned.

Whether the about-face on the sex trafficking bill portends anything larger remains to be seen. But people in Washington see the internet as a much darker place than they did a year ago. We went a long time when technology companies were seen as saviors, and they got preferential treatment, said Eric Goldman, a law professor at Santa Clara University who studies internet law. The pendulum has swung very hard in the way of fears and phobias.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics InsurTech Tech Google
In early 2016, agribusiness giant Monsanto faced a decision that would prove pivotal in what since has become a sprawling herbicide crisis, with millions of acres of crops damaged.

Monsanto had readied new genetically modified soybeans seeds. They were engineered for use with a powerful new weed-killer that contained a chemical called dicamba but aimed to control the substances main shortcoming: a tendency to drift into neighboring farmers fields and kill vegetation.

The company had to choose whether to immediately start selling the seeds or wait for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sign off on the safety of the companion herbicide.

The firm stood to lose a lot of money by waiting. Because Monsanto had bred the dicamba-resistant trait into its entire stock of soybeans, the only alternative would have been to not sell a single soybean in the United States that year, Monsanto Vice President of Global Strategy Scott Partridge told Reuters in an interview.

Betting on a quick approval, Monsanto sold the seeds, and farmers planted a million acres of the genetically modified soybeans in 2016. But the EPAs deliberations on the weed-killer dragged on for another 11 months because of concerns about dicambas historical drift problems.

That delay left farmers who bought the seeds with no matching herbicide and three bad alternatives: Hire workers to pull weeds; use the less-effective herbicide glyphosate; or illegally spray an older version of dicamba at the risk of damage to nearby farms.

The resulting rash of illegal spraying that year damaged 42,000 acres of crops in Missouri, among the hardest hit areas, as well as swaths of crops in nine other states, according to an August 2016 advisory from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The damage this year has covered 3.6 million acres in 25 states, according to Kevin Bradley, a University of Missouri weed scientist who has tracked dicamba damage reports and produced estimates cited by the EPA.

The episode highlights a hole in a U.S regulatory system that has separate agencies approving genetically modified seeds and their matching herbicides.

Monsanto has blamed farmers for the illegal spraying and argued it could not have foreseen that the disjointed approval process would set off a crop-damage crisis.

Repeatedly Warned

But a Reuters review of regulatory records and interviews with crop scientists shows that Monsanto was repeatedly warned by crop scientists, starting as far back as 2011, of the dangers of releasing a dicamba-resistant seed without an accompanying herbicide designed to reduce drift to nearby farms.

In 2015, just before Monsanto released its soybeans seeds, Arkansas regulators notified the firm of damage from illegal spraying of its dicamba-resistant cotton seeds. Some cotton farmers chose to illegally spray old versions of dicamba because other herbicides approved for use on the seeds were far less effective.

The EPA did not approve the new dicamba formulation that Monsanto now sells for use with cotton and soybean seeds  XtendiMax with Vapor Grip  until after the 2016 growing season.

Monsantos Partridge acknowledged that the company misjudged the regulatory timeline for approval of its new herbicide.

The EPA process was lengthier than usual, Partridge said.

Monsanto, however, denies culpability for the crisis that followed the two-stage approval.

The illegal misuse of old dicamba herbicides with Xtend seeds was not foreseeable, the companys attorneys said in a response to one class action suit filed by farmers in Missouri. Even if it were foreseeable that farmers would illegally apply old dicamba to their Xtend crops, which it was not, Monsanto is not liable for harms caused by other manufacturers products.

Monsantos Partridge said in a written statement that the reports of damage from illegal spraying of dicamba on its cotton seeds in 2015 were extremely isolated.

Those who applied dicamba illegally should be held responsible, Partridge said.

Soybean Success

Monsantos handling of the delayed herbicide approval may cause the firm legal and public relations damage, but it has boosted the companys business considerably. Instead of halting seed sales while waiting on herbicide approval, Monsanto captured a quarter of the nations massive soybean market by the start of 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Even the damage from dicamba may have boosted sales. Some farmers whose crops were harmed said in interviews that they bought Monsantos new dicamba-resistant seeds as a defense against drift from nearby spraying.

State regulators believe the illegal spraying of dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean crops continued in 2017  after the EPA approved Monsantos new herbicide. Farmers would still benefit from using old versions of dicamba because it is cheaper than XtendiMax. Many growers also have dicamba on hand because it is legal to use for limited purposes.

Regulators have not yet determined, however, how much damage came from illegal spraying and how much came from the legal application of XtendiMax, which weed scientists say still vaporizes under certain conditions.

Monsanto concedes that XtendiMax has caused crop damage, but blames farmers who the company says did not properly follow directions for applying the herbicide.

The EPA, after delaying a decision on XtendiMax, gave the herbicide a limited two-year approval  as opposed to the standard 20 years  in case drift issues arose.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman, Rick Corker, acknowledged in a statement to Reuters that the release of an engineered seed before its companion herbicide caused problems. The department, he said, is now in talks with the EPA about whether to coordinate approvals of paired seeds and chemicals.

USDA and EPA are in discussions regarding the timing of our deregulations, Corker said in a statement.

The EPA did not comment on whether it planned any policy changes in response to the dicamba crisis.

Early Warnings

Dicamba is cheap, plentiful, and has been used as a weed killer for decades. But its tendency to damage nearby fields had caused U.S. regulators to limit its use to the task of clearing fields before planting or after harvest, when there are no crops to damageand cooler temperatures make it less likely the substance will migrate.

Farmers who illegally sprayed dicamba during growing season are now facing fines of up to $1,000 for each violation of EPA rules limiting the use of dicamba, which are enforced by state regulators.

Farmers with damaged crops have filed at least seven lawsuits  five class-action suits and two by individuals  seeking compensation from Monsanto. The suits claim the company should have known that releasing the seeds without a paired herbicide would cause problems.

Monsanto officials had been repeatedly warned of the potential for damage from illegal spraying of dicamba on seeds designed to resist the chemical.

In October 2011, five scientists from Ohio State University addressed a conference in Columbus focused on the future of dicamba. In attendance were agriculture researchers from across the country as well as representatives of the companies Monsanto, Dow Chemical and BASF.

According to Douglas Doohan, one of the conferences organizers, three Monsanto employees, including Industry Affairs Director Douglas Rushing, attended the meeting. Monsanto had a keen interest in the topic because the company was far along in developing its new line of dicamba products at the time.

In their introduction to the symposium, Doohan and his colleagues outlined what they called an increased risk of illegal dicamba spraying by farmers once dicamba-resistant seeds became available. They also argued that dicamba-resistant seeds  and the illegal spraying that might accompany them  would lead farmers whose crops were damaged to buy their own dicamba-tolerant seeds to protect themselves from further drift, according to conference records.

In another general session, Doohan said, he and Ohio State Professor Joe Heimlich outlined the risks of illegal spraying in a memorable way  a skit in which Doohan played a farmer digging out an old container of dicamba to spray on his dicamba-resistant crops, without regard for regulatory standards.

Monsantos Rushing gave his own presentation about dicamba to the symposium, according to conference records. Rushing explained the need for a new herbicide-and-seed combination to replace those that had grown less effective as weeds become more tolerant to certain chemicals, according to slides outlining Rushings conference presentation. He raised the issue of damage from dicamba drift, but said the risks could be reduced by using certain kinds of sprayers and taking other precautions.

Rushing could not be reached for comment. Monsanto did not directly respond to questions about the symposium.

Damage Reports

Years later, some of what the scientists outlined in their presentations was becoming reality.

Monsanto released its dicamba-resistant cotton seed in the summer of 2015. The seed was compatible with two other legally available herbicides, giving farmers options for dealing with weeds before the EPAs approval of XtendiMax.

But farmers started digging into their dicamba stockpiles anyway, and damage reports started to trickle in. Monsanto officials were among the first to see those reports, according to minutes of an Arkansas Plant Board committee meeting in July 2015.

Jammy Turner, a Monsanto salesman, was on the Arkansas Plant Board, the agricultural regulator that investigated the complaints. He and Duane Simpson, a Monsanto lobbyist, attended the committee meeting. There, the boards Pesticide Division Director Susie Nichols gave a report about drift damage complaints linked to the new seed technology.

At that meeting, lobbyist Simpson was asked by the board what Monsanto was doing about drift damage complaints, according to the minutes. Simpson told the committee that the firm had been telling farmers not to spray dicamba illegally, even over crops specifically designed to withstand it. He said the company would consider pulling whatever licenses Monsanto had given to offending farmers to use its technology.

At an Aug. 8, 2016 meeting of the same committee, Simpson was asked again how Monsanto was dealing with farmers illegally spraying dicamba on Xtend crops. This time, he responded that Monsanto saw no way to pull farmers seed licenses over the issue.

Monsanto did not comment on Simpsons statements in response to written questions from Reuters. The company said it would consider revoking a particular farmers license if asked to do so by state regulators when they have investigated and adjudicated an egregious violation.

Larry Steckel, a weed scientist and professor at the University of Tennessee, said those early damage reports should have been a red flag to Monsanto against releasing its soybean seeds the following year.

It turned out to be a precursor of what was to come, he said.

Neither Turner nor Simpson responded to calls and emails seeking comment. Monsanto did not comment on the companys involvement in the Arkansas investigations.

By the end of 2015, the damage reports linked to the Xtend cotton seeds were making the rounds among scientists. Weed scientist Michael Owen, a professor at Iowa State University, said he warned at the ISU Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference on Dec. 2-3, 2015 that no dicamba formulations had been approved for use on Xtend crops. He told attendees it wasnt clear when the formulas would be greenlighted, and that the situation was cause for concern.

Monsanto representatives attended that conference, according to ISU Program Services Coordinator Brent Pringnitz, who handled the registration. He would not identify them.

Owen said he also repeated his warning directly to Monsanto officials around the same time, but did not name them.

Monsanto did not comment on Owens assertion that he warned the company about dicamba spraying.

Flawed Assumptions

Farmers who spoke to Reuters and others who gave testimony recorded in state records described a variety of reasons why they purchased Xtend seeds before XtendiMax was available.

One farmer in Arkansas, Doug Masters, planted Xtend cotton in 2015 and was caught illegally spraying dicamba, according to Arkansas Plant Board records. He said the Monsanto salesman who sold him the Xtend seeds told him that, by the time the plants came up in the summer of 2015, it would be legal to spray dicamba and he should go ahead and do it, according to the board records.

Masters declined to identify the Monsanto salesman to Arkansas regulators, records show. He declined again, when reached by Reuters, to identify the representative. Masters admitted that he illegally sprayed dicamba, and the Plant Board fined him $4,000, assessing the maximum penalty allowed for four violations.

Monsanto did not comment on Masters testimony to the plant board.

Ritchard Zolman, another Arkansas farmer caught illegally spraying his cotton in 2015, said in a disciplinary hearing held by the Arkansas Plant Board that hed planted Xtend seeds because he thought he could spray dicamba legally over his fields 14 days before his crops came up from the ground, according to records.

But the Plant Board ruled it was illegal to spray dicamba onto a field where planted crops had not yet sprouted, disciplinary records show. Zolman was fined $3,000 for three dicamba spraying violations, records show.

Zolman declined to comment.

In Missouri, Gary Dalton Murphy III said he and his family planted Xtend soybeans in 2016 after hearing that dicamba would be legal to spray by the summer. He did not say who told him dicamba would be legal that season.

When Murphy learned XtendiMax would not be available, the family got rid of their weeds by hand, hiring extra workers to help.

(Additional reporting by Steve Barnes in Little Rock, Arkansas; Editing by Rich Valdmanis and Brian Thevenot)

Topics USA Legislation Agribusiness Pollution Missouri Arkansas Chemicals
Hanover Insurance Group announced that company veteran Richard W. Lavey has been appointed president of Hanover Agency Markets.

The appointment is effective immediately. Lavey will lead the companys personal and core commercial lines businesses, as well as its field operations.

He is succeeding John C. Roche, who was recently appointed president and chief executive officer of The Hanover to replace Joseph M. Zubretsky, who has left the company to become president and chief executive officer at Molina Healthcare.

Lavey most recently served as executive vice president, chief marketing officer and chief growth innovation officer for The Hanover. He has served on the companys executive leadership team since 2009. Lavey brings 25 years of experience in the property/casualty industry, many of those spent working directly with the companys agents and field operations.

Since joining The Hanover in 2004, Lavey has held several key business and marketing roles in the field and in the home office. He has served as president, personal lines; president, field operations; and president of the companys Northeast Region. Prior to joining The Hanover, Lavey held eadership positions in strategic marketing and the Select Customer division at The Hartford and started his insurance career at Travelers.
Global insurance broker Hub International Limited (Hub) has agreed to acquire the assets of the crop insurance broker business of Wells Fargo Insurance.

Terms of the agreement to buy the business, known as Wells Fargo Crop Insurance Agency, were not disclosed.

With offices in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana, the agency offers insurance to protect agriculture-related operations. Representing the top crop insurance providers, Wells Fargo Crop provides insurance brokerage services for more than 130 types of crops, plus standard federal multi-peril and crop hail policies. It also helps farmers protect their operations with programs such as revenue protection and state-specific offerings.

Rene LeVeaux, president of Hub International Mountain States Limited (Hub Mountain), said Hub Mountain is aggressively investing in its crop and agriculture business and this acquisition will make Hub Mountain one of the largest crop brokers in the Midwest and Northwest.

Following the acquisition, the Wells Fargo Crop team members will join Hub Mountain. Jeff Kemink, national crop insurance manager of Wells Fargo Crop, and Jean Hinsverk, assistant vice president and operations manager, will join Hub Mountain in leadership roles. Kemink will report to LeVeaux and Hinsverk directly to Kemink with a close partnership with Wayne Dauwen, chief operating officer of Hub Mountain.

The deal continues Wells Fargos exit from the crop line. Last year, Zurich American Insurance Co. bought Rural Community Insurance Agency (RCIA) and its subsidiary Rural Community Insurance Co. (RCIC) from Wells Fargo Insurance for $700 million. The two crop businesses, which were collectively known as Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS), are among the countrys biggest crop insurance providers.

The deal also furthers Hubs interest in the crop agency market. Last October Hub purchased Mayport Insurance & Realty Inc. in North Dakota, which specializes in insurance for the agriculture and crop industry.

Source: Hub

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Agribusiness
Two workers were injured when a fire broke out on an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday, according to a Coast Guard spokeswoman.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Lexie Preston said 46 workers were evacuated from Shell International Ltd.s Enchilada platform after the fire broke out around 2 a.m. The platform is about 185 miles (298 kilometers) southwest of New Orleans.

The two injured workers were flown by helicopter to a hospital, according to Preston and Shell spokesman Philip Robinson. The extent of their injuries wasnt immediately released. Robinson said their families have been notified.

Robinson said all of the workers who were aboard the platform were safely evacuated to a nearby vessel or another Shell-operated platform in the area.

Shell said in a statement that its platform was safely shut down. Shell and Preston said there were no immediate reports of oil pollution in the area.

Shell said it will investigate the cause of the operational incident.

No harm to people or the environment is ever acceptable and Shell deeply regrets that this incident occurred, the companys statement says.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Workers' Compensation Louisiana Energy Oil Gas
After a series of small to moderate earthquakes in central Oklahoma, two companies are being told to reduce the amount of wastewater they inject into the ground.

About a dozen quakes have struck just south of Hennessey, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City since Oct. 31, the largest being a magnitude 4.1.

There are no reports of injury or severe damage.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesman Matt Skinner says Choate Disposal Service and Chaparral Energy were told to reduce their injection of wastewater in the area.

Thousands of quakes have struck Oklahoma in recent years, many linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production. Several oil and gas producers have been directed to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported an another earthquake, one with a preliminary magnitude of 3.7, was recorded in central Oklahoma on Nov. 8. The quake struck at 5:47 a.m. near Covington, about 55 miles (89 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.

There are no reports of injury or severe damage.

The temblor struck about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of where a series of about a dozen earthquakes, including one of magnitude 4.1, have occurred since Oct. 31.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Oklahoma
A chemical plant in Tennessee that will likely stay idle until next year has maintained its staff of almost 700 workers as it recovers from an explosion there in September.

The Chattanooga Times Free-Press reports that Wacker Chemical expects to lose 25 percent of its global polysilicon production while it addresses the damage at its Charleston, Tennessee plant.

The German company is keeping employees at work by reassigning and training them while repairs and an ongoing $150 million facility expansion continues.

The Sept. 7 explosion briefly closed an interstate section and spurred shelter-in-place orders. Wacker and state and local authorities said the chemical releases were within allowable levels.

Additionally, an Aug. 30 fire injured four plant workers.

Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Tennessee Chemicals
A destructive Southern California wildfire this fall was ignited by windblown embers from an oak that was still smoldering after an earlier fire that is believed to have started when a vehicle struck a highway flare, authorities said Monday.

The first fire damaged four homes and another structure in late September. The second fire, which erupted nearby in early October, damaged or destroyed 80 structures, including homes, in the inland suburbs southeast of Los Angeles.

The original fire is believed to have started accidentally in a roadside shrub while a California Department of Transportation crew was cleaning a section of the State Route 91 freeway with a street sweeper.

A Caltrans truck trailing the slow-moving sweeper was dropping flares onto the road to warn approaching motorists.

Based on witness statements and evidence, it is likely that another vehicle struck the flare, causing it to spin off the freeway into the shrub, Anaheim Fire & Rescue Chief Randy Bruegman told a news conference.

That fire was declared fully contained on Sept. 30. The second fire erupted on Oct. 9 as Santa Ana winds blew through the region at speeds of about 50 mph (80 kph) or greater.

The investigation determined there was a smoldering clump of oak 20 feet within the original burn area, and the strong wind carried embers at least 60 feet (18 meters) into an unburned area and ignited vegetation, Bruegman said.

The wind-driven flames spread through canyon lands among neighborhoods, igniting some homes and bypassing others. Thousands of people fled their homes.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors launched an investigation into whether fire officials did not respond to the second blaze aggressively enough. Bruegman said protocols are under review.

Addressing another controversy about the second fire, the chief said a spot fire reported by a police helicopter crew the previous night on a peak in the Cleveland National Forest was definitively not the cause.

That report ultimately was handled by the U.S. Forest Service, which determined the spot fire was in a remote area, posed no threat to neighborhoods or structures and no action was necessary, Bruegman said.

An ember from that peak would have had to travel several miles against the wind to be the origin of the Oct. 9 fire, he said.

A Caltrans official said the agency worked closely with Anaheim fire authorities during the investigation and has begun reviewing its policies and procedures to look for ways we can make improvements.

We regret that our road flare may have been involved in starting Canyon Fire (hash)1 and recognize the impact this fire had on the community, Ryan Chamberlain, director of Caltrans District 12, said in a statement.

Canyon Fire 2 broke out as firestorms were ravaging wine country and other areas of Northern California.

We only need to look at Northern California to see how devastating fire can be, to people, to homes, to communities and to the local economy, Bruegman said. And we all know in this business there is no perfect response to any fire situation.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Wildfire
Update 2.40pm: A female student says she was "scared and shocked" when a teacher asked her to put sellotape over her mouth during class.

The 15-year-old is giving evidence at the first Fitness to Teach inquiry where a teacher denies putting tape on the mouths of five girls.

The student, who was in fifth class at the time, said the teacher put the sellotape on her mouth after she refused to do it.

She said she had to leave the tape on for about 20 minutes and had a rash on her mouth afterwards.

The name of the teacher, school and students involved are protected.

1.07pm: Latest: Fitness to practice inquiry hears pupils were 'distressed' after sellotape put on their mouths

In opening this inquiry, Senior Counsel Remy Farrell said the teacher was teaching fifth class at a primary school in March 2012 when some of the students became giddy.

He said it would be alleged the teacher told them if they were not quiet she would put sellotape on their mouths.

Shortly after that it would be alleged, she did put sellotape on the mouths of five girls or told them to put it on their mouths themselves.

It would be alleged the girls had to spend the rest of the class with their mouths taped shut and the teacher asked them to remove it when the class was over.

The principal of the school was told about what happened and would say the five girls were "upset and distressed".

In a statement this April, the teacher, who said she has not taught in years, denied she had physically assaulted the girls by putting sellotape on their mouths.

She said she did not put the tape on them, rather they did it themselves, which shocked her and she asked them to take it off.

File photo.

11.08am: Fitness to practice inquiry hears teachers put sellotape on pupils' mouths

The first ever fitness to teach inquiry is underway.

The teacher in question is accused of putting sellotape on the mouths of five students in March 2012.

The teacher hasnt appeared before the inquiry and isnt obliged to.

The inquiry was told the teacher said she wouldnt be able for the rigours of the hearing because of a medical condition.

The hearing is being held in public but the teachers identity, the name of the school and all witnesses are protected.

6.47am: Council to hear first fitness to practice hearing for a teacher since legislation introduced

The first hearing into a teachers fitness to practice in an Irish school is due to take place in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, this morning.

Details of the complaint made against the teacher have not been made public yet and it is understood he or she will not be identified.

Since the Fitness to Practice legislation took effect last July, the Teaching Council has received around 50 complaints, but only half of those have been investigated further, and this case is the first to go to a full hearing.

Anyone including colleagues, parents and even children can make a complaint but those considered frivolous or vexatious will not be pursued.

The council has the power to strike a teacher off the professional register, but lesser penalties include suspension and an offer of support to improve performance.

The legislation provides for hearings to be held in public but they can also be held in private, either in full or in part.

It is not yet clear if the public will be allowed into todays hearing, the first of its kind, but it is understood the identity of the teacher in question will be protected.

The hearing has been set down for two days.
Arts Yangon Art Expo Showcases Decades of Myanmar Art

Yangon Art Expo 2017 has gathered the works of 72 artists from the past 60 years.

YANGON  Yangon, the commercial capital of Myanmar, has hosted various expos from building materials and furniture to automobiles and industrial machinery. But an ongoing expo on the 21st floor of Junction City is the first of its kindan art expo.

Yangon Art Expo 2017 has gathered the works of 72 artists from the past 60 years. This is a rare opportunity for art lovers to observe how Myanmars art movement changed over time.

The exhibition organized by Culture 2 All, an Italy-based cultural promotion organization, showcases the trademark impressionist works of U Lun Gywe, typical Myanmar cultural works by celebrated watercolor artist U Marlar, paintings of Sandar Khaing, who is known for her nude series, installation works by Myat Kyawt, and street art by Ko Ko Maung.

This expo intends to provide aesthetic delight by creating a vibrant, open and independent urban environment, said Mauro Salvemini, chairman of Culture 2 All, at the opening ceremony of the expo on Saturday, which was also attended by the Italian ambassador to Myanmar, and Union minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Aung Ko.

Culture 2 All also curated the works of 10 Myanmar artists in Milan last year.

People barely collect contemporary art in our country while even our neighbor Thailand has a contemporary art museum. I am pleased with this expo, which comes at a time when we are trying to showcase our contemporary artistic creations to the world. I want the government to collect those paintings and establish a museum, said artist Ni Po Oo.

The exhibition will be held until Nov. 12. A total of 144 paintings are on display, priced between US$500 and $15,000. The painters receive 70 percent of the proceeds and the remaining 30 percent will be spent on a cultural heritage and villages program, one of the projects of Culture 2 All to be carried out next year.
In Person Lonely Planet Founder Urges Myanmar Youth to Travel

Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler at the fourth Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay. (Zarni Mann/The Irrawaddy)

Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler first wrote about Myanmar (then Burma) in the massively successful Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, released in the 1970s.

The Irrawaddys Zarni Mann met him at the fourth Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay held from Nov. 3-5, where they discussed Myanmars developing tourism industry.

Tell me about your first time traveling to Myanmar.

In 1974, me and my wife Maureen flew into from Bangkok because flying was the only way in. It was when I was traveling around Southeast Asia. Back then, we could only get a seven-day visa. We werent allowed to go to many places as well. There werent many places to stay, too. In a week, there are only a few things we could do. So, we took a train to Mandalay from Yangon, and traveled to Bagan from Mandalay by bus. We were there for a couple of days and took a train back to Rangoon. What I remember is that the train took an incredible amount of time to reach Rangoon: it was about 24 hours or something. That was a terrible train. We took the wrong train. We should have taken another way so that we could have visited other places.

In Bagan, during that time, there were lots of little guest houses in the center of the old city. All the back packers stayed in those small guest houses. They were very nice and people were friendly. Then, the military government moved them away. They were all shifted out from central Bagan to the new area. That happened during my second visit.

Traveling around the city and other places back then, there was little transportation. The roads were empty. And most of the cars running were very oldold English cars and some Japanese cars, I think. And there were old Chevrolets.

During that time, nobody wanted to fly, because the only airline, Union Airline, was always crashing. There were so many crashes, nobody wanted to risk their lives. So people used to take the train or busses, but they are very slow and take a long time.

Are there any memorable moments from traveling during that time?

On the second visit, I heard there was a possibility of getting a small truck and to travel that way. It seemed a very good way for me, because I didnt want to wait for the trains. It was in 1983. I arrived late in Rangoon and everything was closed. I walked to my hotel, the tourist office building by Sule Pagoda. Somebody just walked in and offered me a truck for hire, late at night. We hired it to travel to Rangoon, Prome, Bagan, Mandalay, Maymyo [now Pyin Oo Lwin] and Inle Lake.

Since it was difficult to buy petrol outside of Rangoon, there were lots of petrol containers at the back of the truck. When we got to Prome, it was getting late and that man, the driver, said we were not allowed to go as Prome was not open to foreigners. But once you are inside Prome it is okay, he said. There were soldiers at the check points on the way into Prome, so he told us to lie down on the floor of the back of the truck and put a sheet of tarpaulin over us. It was quite an adventure.

Since you are also a board member of the Heritage Trust Foundation, what do you think about the conservation and restoration work of earthquake-impacted pagodas and temples in Bagan?

Bagan received very bad restoration during the military government. They wanted to paint it all gold. There are already many suggestions and messages on what is good restoration and what is bad. Hopefully the responsible person will listen and not repeat the same mistake.

If people try to ruin the ancient monuments such as by writing and painting with white inks, people need to shame them. If they keep doing it, the monuments should not be allowed to be touched and would be better fenced off. Or someone has to watch it and clean them off as soon as people put their names on them with white inks.

There was an example of a Chinese youth, who wrote something on the monuments in Egypt. People wrote about him on social media to shame him and when he was back in his country, he got into a lot of trouble.

There are rules and regulation on what people should wear visiting certain monuments. Some of the tourists do not want to follow that. We see that in many countries. If people are so stupid not to know that, you have to keep telling them or occasionally arrest them.

How does it feel to be the author of the first edition of Lonely Planet and to have traveled through so many countries over the years?

I wrote the first edition of the book, and other editions. There were also other people who helped write the books. In that first edition, there was very little information. I look back on it now and I find it wasnt very good because there was nothing else. There was only about a little bit of history, and about the limited number of the places you could stay. We could only go to Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon. I didnt even know whether they allowed people to go to Inle Lake back then. It was very restricted to travel around [the country].

I was very proud to be the first one who could do the introduction of this country through Lonely Planet. Since there was not much information, I thought I was opening doors to the world. And I believe my articles and my travel experiences have somehow brought the interest of travelers. Now, there are lots of books and the country is also open to visitors. I enjoy visiting Burma very much. Because, there is that feeling that you are going to something unknown.

In your opinion, what is needed to boost Myanmars tourism industry?

There are still many places where people do not visit. For example, Ive been to Mrauk-U and it is a very nice place. Until now, there are only a few people who visit there, maybe because there is some unrest in Rakine State. It is the same in the other places like Karen, Kachin and Chin states. If there is peace in the country, transportation and communication will be better. And if there is easy access to visit through borders this will attract more visitors.

And people who are doing business have got to be honest with the people. To be more attractive to people, there should be easy access for visitors. Im talking about visas. Making visas easy is the biggest step for tourism.

What is your opinion on suggestions not to visit a country like Myanmar because of the sanctions, and now, the humanitarian matters relating to the unrest in Rakhine State?

There are two things: one thing is that there is not as much danger as people say there is, but sometimes where the government says it is dangerous. If you want to visit a place, you have to decide whether it is safe for you. Im not going to tell people you should go there. But if you wanted to go there, you should look out there for stories on what has happened and what is happening there. Generally, I go.

Ive been to Pakistan, which people said I should not go. But when I arrived there, things were not so bad as they said.

I would also like to say to the Burmese youth who start traveling, to go out there. See the world. You have to be wealthy to travel, of course. Travel needs a lot of money. If you do, you are going to understand more. You are going to explore more about the different aspects of people, you will learn more about other cities and countries. And from that you will enrich your knowledge.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
News China Says Will Keep Talking to Myanmar Over Stalled Dam Scheme

Grraffiti is seen on a stone at the confluence of the Mali and Nmai Rivers at Myitsone, outside Myitkyina, capital city of Kachin State, Myanmar, March 30, 2017. / Reuters

BEIJING  China said on Wednesday it will continue to talk to Myanmar about a controversial stalled dam project, after Myanmars new energy minister cast doubt over the scheme.

Valued at US$3.6 billion, the Myitsone dam project in the north of Myanmar has been a sticking point between the two countries since the previous military-backed government suspended work in 2011.

Reuters reported in April that officials in China and Myanmar were discussing alternative options that would allow Myanmar to scrap the massive project amid environmental concerns.

Big hydropower dams are not a priority in Myanmars strategy to tackle chronic power shortages, Energy Minister Win Khaing told Reuters on Tuesday.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Chinas position on the Myitsone dam had not changed, which was that China had always upheld deepening cooperation with Myanmar on a mutually beneficial basis.

The Myitsone hydropower station is a commercial cooperation project both sides have already agreed upon, and has already been through a complete approval process, Hua told a daily news briefing.

We will continue to maintain communication with the Myanmar side and proactively and appropriately handle the problems or difficulties which arise during cooperation on the project, to allow relevant cooperation to continue to develop healthily and stably, she added.

The proposed dam, on the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State, would have sent most of its power across the border to Chinas Yunnan province, which now has an oversupply of electricity as it switches to less energy-intensive industries amid an economic slowdown.

A government panel set up in August 2016 was still reviewing the dam, Myanmars energy minister said, adding the government was in dialogue with the Chinese operator, State Power Investment Corp subsidiary Yunnan International Power Investment.
News Lower House Approves Internet-monitoring Body to Curb Fake News, Hate Speech

A social media user in Yangon, Myanmar. Tin Htet Paing/ The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  Myanmars Lower House approved a motion on Wednesday establishing a body to monitor racial and religious hate speech online, and curb the spread of disinformation on social media. The body will be overseen by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

Well form a monitoring body in coordination with the Presidents Office and the Attorney-Generals Office. We will ensure that the monitoring doesnt infringe on the privacy or fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the [2008] Constitution, minister U Thant Sin Maung told lawmakers.

Facebook is the most popular social media platform in Myanmar, with nearly 14 million users, according to a ministry estimate. Concerned that the site is becoming an organ for disseminating hate speech, the ministry has been negotiating with Facebook officials to find a way to monitor use of the platform, the minister said.

The minister said that everyone has an obligation to use social media responsibly, adding that the government cannot fight hate speech alone.

Facebook claims users in Myanmar do not properly read the platforms terms and conditions of use before creating accounts, and has urged the government to educate the public on the proper use of social media.

The motion to establish the monitoring body was brought before the Lower House late last month by Daw Yin Min Hlaing, the National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker for Magwe Regions Gangaw Township. The lawmaker argued that irresponsible use of the Internet could disrupt law and order and corrupt moralsa view shared by the transportation and communications minister.

It is not about levying a tax [on Facebook users], invading peoples privacy, or denying the right to information. It is about limiting the spread of disinformation, hate speech and racial and religious incitement, the NLD lawmaker told reporters on Wednesday.

Military representative to the Lower House Maj Ne Win proposed registering SIM cards and Facebook users as additional measures to tackle hate speech. He called for legal action against those who intentionally spread false news on social media.

NLD lawmaker U Win Win of Minbu Township stressed the need for safeguards to ensure Internet surveillance does not violate the law protecting citizens privacy and security, which was enacted by the previous session of Parliament.

According to data released by the Transportation and Communications Ministry, as of September Myanmars SIM card usage stood at 56.127 million, equivalent to 108.56 percent of the population. Internet usage was 46.39 percent, with the vast majority of that occurring on social media platforms including Facebook, Messenger, Viber, and Twitter.

Attempts to blacken the name of individuals or organizations or instigate racial and religious sentiments disrupt law and order and destabilize the country, the minister said.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
News Myanmar Cardinal Urges Pope Francis to Avoid Use of the Term Rohingya

Pope Francis leads his Wednesday general audience at Paul VI auditorium hall in Vatican City, Feb. 8, 2017. / Reuters

YANGON  Myanmars most senior Catholic prelate has urged Pope Francis to avoid using the term Rohingya during a visit this month, when he is expected to raise the humanitarian crisis faced by the Muslim minority after a Myanmar Army offensive in August.

The pope is set to visit largely Buddhist Myanmar from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30, before going to Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim neighbor where more than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to take shelter in refugee camps.

In the first visit by a pope to Myanmar, Francis will meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel peace laureate who leads a civilian administration that is less than two years old, the generals it has to share power with, as well as leading Buddhist monks.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo told Reuters the pope would raise the need to provide assistance to the Muslim minority, saying, These are people who are suffering and these are the people in need of help now.

Francis has used the term Rohingya when he has spoken about their suffering in the recent past. But Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has asked foreign leaders not to use the term Rohingya, because in her view it is inflammatory.

Bo, appointed by Pope Francis in 2015 as Myanmars first and only cardinal, said church leaders in the country had advised him to sidestep the divisive issue of the name.

We have asked him at least to refrain from using the word Rohingya because this word is very much contested and not acceptable by the military, nor the government, nor the people in Myanmar, Bo said in an interview in Yangon

.

It was unclear if the pope would heed the advice, Bo added, but if he did so, it would not be to politicize the issue or endorse the Rohingya right to Myanmar citizenship, but he just wants to identify this particular group who call themselves Rohingya.

Many people in Myanmar regard the largely stateless Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and they are excluded from the 135 national races recognized by law.

Regardless of Myanmars sensitivities, however, the United Nations and United States continue to call them Rohingya, upholding their right to self-identify.

Importance of Dialogue

Francis will highlight the importance of resolving the refugee crisis through dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh and with the help of the international community, Bo added.

Myanmar has said Rohingya who can prove they were residents would be allowed to return, but the two countries have still to agree how the repatriation should be carried out.

These are the people who do not enjoy the citizenship and are somewhat unwanted in both countries, said Bo, referring to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

They are also human beings, they have a human face and they also need human dignity, so eliminating or killing any one of them, thats not justified, Bo said, referring to the group as our brothers and sisters.

Francis will celebrate a mass in Yangon that is expected to draw around 200,000 people, Bo said, adding that Buddhists, Muslims, and those of other faiths were welcome to attend.

Myanmar has about 700,000 Roman Catholics, said Bo, from among a population of more than 51 million.

The United Nations has denounced the violence in Myanmars northwest over the past 10 weeks as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, a charge Daw Aung San Suu Kyis administration has denied, while saying accusations of rights abuses should be investigated.

Myanmars military says its counter-insurgency clearance operation was provoked by Rohingya militants attacks on about 30 security posts on Aug. 25.

In the following days, the pope spoke about the persecution of our Rohingya brothers and sisters and asked Catholics to pray for them, adding that they should be given their full rights.
News Tatmadaw Troops Killed and Wounded in Arakan Army Ambush

The Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw clashed in Kachin State. (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

YANGON  At least 11 Myanmar Army troops were killed and 14 wounded during a clash with the Arakan Army (AA) in the western township of Paletwa in Chin State, according to military sources in Parliament.

Retired Myanmar Army Lt-Gen Thaung Aye, a Lower House lawmaker, confirmed the causalities and injured. Two army officers and nine troops from other ranks died, he said.

It was not a good situation, he added.

Lt-Gen Thaung Aye explained the troops were ambushed while traveling by boat along the Kaladan River, which runs through Chin and Rakhine states from east India.

One university student was killed and four women were injured in the attack, as they were also on board the military boat, according to local sources.

[The AA] should not act like that. It is time for the government to make a strong decision to eliminate them, said Lt-Gen Thaung Aye.

Fighting between the two sides has escalated since the first week of November, with clashes on Wednesday north of Paletwa in Nom Bu and Nge Chest villages, where the AA issued a message to locals on Nov. 5. It said the Tatmadaw has intensified offensives in the area and warned people only to travel if necessary.

The AA attacked three Myanmar Army, or Tatmadaw, boats on Wednesday, according to a statement posted on the AA Facebook page, but the message did not mention any casualties or wounded.

The ethnic armed group targeted the Tatmadaws Light Infantry Battalion 563 under the control of the Western Command, based in Rakhine State, according to the statement, adding that clashes have broken out in several places on the India-Myanmar border.

We heard 10 Tatmadaw battalions were coming as reinforcements. They came by boats, said lawmaker U Kwe Thang of Kanpetlet constituency in Chin State.

The Irrawaddy was unable to verify reports of ground fighting. Defense ministry spokesperson Gen Aung Ye Win declined to comment.

About 300 civilians in Paletwa fled the clashes on Nov. 3, according to local sources, and sought shelter at a Buddhist monastery.

Paletwa is an ethnic Chin township that borders Rakhine State. The AA uses the area as a base, crossing the Kaladan River to enter Rakhine.

Many Chin locals dislike the AA using the township as a base, but the area has become a strategically important location for the group, which mainly stays in Kachin States Laiza townthe headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army.

The AA has not signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement nor does it have a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the Tatmadaw. It is part of ethnic bloc the Northern Alliance and bases itself in Kachin and northern Shan states.

The Tatmadaw does not officially recognize the AA and in statements refers to it as a Northern Alliance member.

The ethnic armed group has joined conflicts against the Tatmadaw in Kokang territory and Kachin State, where the AA recruited many members in the jade mining area of Hpakant. Arakanese migrant workers in Mongla near the Chinese border and northern Shan State are also a source of recruitment for the group.
News Two Years After Election, a Mixed Report Card for NLD

Supporters celebrate as they watch official results from the Union Election Commission on an LED screen in front of the National League for Democracy Party (NLD) head office in Yangon, Nov. 9, 2015. / Reuters

YANGON  Two years ago, on Nov. 8, 2015, a majority of Myanmar voters gave the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi a mandate to form a new government, amid much speculation over what changes the party would bring to the country after nearly six decades of rule by the military and its proxy party.

That mandate saw an NLD-dominated Parliament convene on Feb. 1, 2016, and the countrys first NLD-led government sworn in on March 30 of the same year.

The NLD got off to a good start, releasing hundreds of political prisoners  including detained student activists  downsizing ministries, scrapping oppressive laws that had long been used by military rulers to jail political dissidents, amending other controversial laws and issuing guidelines limiting the gifts civil servants may receive.

Well-known human rights activist U Aung Myo Min from the rights group Equality Myanmar said the legal amendments introduced during the period were mostly satisfactory.

In the legislature, we have seen lawmakers become more active, with more discussions on how to change repressive laws and enact new laws in Parliament, the activist said.

Parliament revoked the 1975 State Protection Law and the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act  which were widely used to jail individual political dissidents under successive military administrations.

It also abolished provisions of the Ward or Village Tract Administration Law requiring citizens to report overnight guests to authorities. The measures had been used to hunt down political activists.

Parliament is also working to revise the 1993 Child Law and to enact a long-awaited bill that would take steps to protect women against violence.

Ko Htin Kyaw Aye, a research director at Open Myanmar Initiative, a think-tank and research center monitoring Parliament, told The Irrawaddy last month, The NLDs political objective seems to be to increase citizens rights in general. The researcher cited the partys enactment of a new law protecting citizens privacy and security, and an amendment to the telecoms law enacted in response to calls from the media and rights groups.

Ma Mie Mie, a former political prisoner and member of student activist group 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, credited the executive branch with achieving some improvements in health care. The NLD has increased health spending since taking office.

On her governments first anniversary, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi cited this significant progress in the public health care sector, adding that the international community had acknowledged it.

She said significant progress had been made in the fight against three diseases: tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Myanmar, once ranked near the bottom in terms of global efforts to fight against the three diseases, is now near the top, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said.

The Global Fund established to fight the three diseases has commended Myanmars achievements in this area and pledged US$500 million to fund the effort for the next three years.

During the governments first year, the State Counselor said that the aspect of the administrations track record she was most proud of was the fact that her ministers were free of corruption.

The countrys de facto leader has repeatedly spoken out publicly against corruption and called for the public to submit complaints against corrupt government officials, ensuring the confidentiality of all submissions.

However, former Yangon Regional lawmaker Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin has accused the government of failing to effectively tackle corruption, with graft reportedly still rampant in the lower levels of the administration.

Despite their vow to tackle bribery, the new government has yet to replace members of the anti-corruption commission whose terms expired along with that of the ex-president, Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin said.

Political commentator Dr. Yan Myo Thein added that the NLD-led government had failed to improve the economy during the past more than one-and-a-half years.

U Ye Min Oo, a member of the NLDs economic committee, responded that the economy had been in decline since 2014. Between 2015 and 2016, as the election was held and the new government assumed power, investors and business owners adopted a wait-and-see approach, he said.

In 2016 and 2017, the new government was preoccupied with downsizing the number of ministries from 36 to 21, and couldnt focus much on economic development, and thus the economy continued to deteriorate, he said.

He added that the unexpected escalation of unrest in Rakhine State, where the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army launched organized attacks against military targets on Aug. 25, had some economic consequences as well.

While the crisis hasnt had a direct impact on businesses, as the area affected by the conflict was limited, it had influenced international opinion and that had consequences for investment flows into the country, he said.

[The economic decline] didnt just start under the NLD. It has been going on for years. Commodity prices didnt fall; they increased every year. But we need to manage the increases to support income generation for businesses in the country, U Ye Min Oo said.

At the same time, he acknowledged the need to strengthen the rule of law in the country, saying that economic development required the support of a robust legal system.

The rule of law needs to be the same for all, including for those who have a duty to maintain it, and action needs to be taken against those who break it. But I have seen an inconsistent approach to this issue among those [in positions of authority].

NLD Yangon Regional lawmaker Ma Kyi Pyar lamented there had been no significant improvement in the judicial system.

She said the Rakhine crisis had also slowed the governments work in other sectors. She stressed that the country is still in a period of struggle, noting how cabinet ministers had to cope with an old bureaucracy inherited from former governments while trying to strictly follow the new governments policies.

If you asked me whether I am satisfied, I am and the nation is too. Because the party that [the people] wished to see win, won, U Ye Min Oo said.

He said people enjoyed more freedom under the civilian government than during the years of military rule, which could be seen in both the mainstream media and social media, where people are not afraid to criticize government officials.

Several people interviewed by The Irrawaddy shared the view that the Constitution remained a major barrier to developing the countrys democracy.

Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin said the NLD-led government had failed to deliver on election promises to the people, including amendments to the Constitution.

Political analyst U Maung Maung Soe concurred: I dont see much to be satisfied with  only the fact that a civilian government took power, he said.

It is good to see a civilian government after the junta had ruled for so long. But in reality, the military remains a powerful influence under the 2008 Constitution.

Constitutional reform is no easy task for the NLD, as the military  the countrys most powerful institution  sees its main duty as safeguarding the charter, which guarantees that it maintains an important leadership role.

Constitutionally, 25 percent of seats in all national and regional parliaments are reserved for the military. It also holds three key ministerial portfolios  Defense, Home and Border Affairs  and appoints a vice president.

Prior to the election the NLD pushed to amend the undemocratic, military-drafted Constitution through a nationwide signature campaign that collected more than 5 million signatures. In Parliament, it has proposed changes to the constitutional article that gives the military veto power over proposed amendments to the charter and to the article barring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency.

Both of these efforts have been thwarted by the military. Nonetheless, the NLD has vowed to reform the Constitution before the current governments term expires in 2020.

Myanmar still has many hurdles to overcome to achieve full-fledged democracy, U Maung Maung Soe said, adding that without constitutional amendments to bring the charter in line with democratic norms, it will be hard to move forward to the democratic federal union the NLD promised to establish.
Accounting software company Xero has announced it is delisting from the New Zealand stock exchange to focus on its listing on the Australian stock exchange (ASX) and to pursue further growth in overseas markets.

The New Zealand-headquartered company, which says it will cease trading on the New Zealand exchange at the end of January next year, gets 80% of its revenue from outside New Zealand.

The announcement came as Xero released its first-half results, showing that subscription revenues had risen 38% to NZ$183 million over the half, while annualised committed monthly revenue rose 38% to NZ$417 million.

And it reported a first ever EBITDA of NZ$5.4 million.

Xero chairman Rod Drury said consolidation of the listing on the ASX would support the companys next phase of growth, and the decision to delist in New Zealand was made following an extensive strategic process which thoroughly canvassed all available options.

Xero is an ambitious New Zealand company. We will remain headquartered in Wellington and domiciled in New Zealand, said Drury. We thank the NZX for providing a valuable platform to support Xeros first decade as a public company. Our success wouldnt be possible without the support of the NZX and our shareholders.

While more than half of Xeros people live and work in New Zealand, 80% of our revenue now comes from outside New Zealand. Our strategy is to drive further growth in markets like the UK, North America and Southeast Asia. As Xero continues to grow, gaining enhanced access to deeper capital markets, increased liquidity and a broader base of potential investors is critical to fulfilling our ambition to be the leading global small business platform serving millions of customers.

Reporting 1,199,000 subscribers at 30 September, Xero says it added more than 160,000 net new subscribers in the half-year, with operating revenue growing 37% over the same period last year to NZ$187.8 million  and more than NZ$1 billion was added in total lifetime value in the past 12 months.

Xero delivered another strong half-year result, achieving positive EBITDA for the first time, and is emerging as one of the largest and fastest growing listed technology companies in Australasia, Drury said.

We continue to cement our position as the cloud accounting leader in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, with more than half a million subscribers in Australia, and quarter of a million subscribers in each of the New Zealand and UK markets.
The demand for executives in the IT sector continues to decline, with a fall of 11% in October reversing gains made earlier in the year.

According to the latest executive demand index from recruitment firm EL Consult, the IT sector has fallen despite gains it made in June and July.

But, despite the decline EL says the IT sector remains approximately in the middle of its trading range for the year.

In October the majority of the losses in IT came in Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, and EL Consult says Web-based advertising created the majority of the downward draft.

The decline comes as EL Consult also reports that the boom in the economy, led by Victoria and NSW, is set to continue despite the fall in the countrys economic indicators.

Executive demand fell across all sectors and in all of the large states, while among the states and territories, the Northern Territory managed the best result backed by a strong web performance and improved Engineering and Management sector results.

EL says of the large states Queensland recorded the largest retraction due to losses in Management and Marketing.

In fact, Management and Marketing made up the bulk of the monthly decrease, while despite falling compared with the prior month, in absolute terms the financial sector is the largest supplier of executive-level jobs, with Information Technology the smallest.

And while the EL Consult Executive Demand Index has been recording its strongest performance since the GFC, according to EL it took a surprise dip of 15% in October.

Grant Montgomery, EL Consult managing director, says the significant growth over the last few months meant that a correction was expected given the month to month volatility of any employment series.

The recent gains in demand have been very strong  the strongest positive movement since the GFC," he said.

This has not just been an Australian experience  it is a global phenomenon.

But there is a precedent for volatility in both financial markets and executive demand in October  the month has regularly been met with significant falls."
A fake version of Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft's free video editing software that was pulled by the company in January, has been attracting a large number of downloads.

Slovakian security firm ESET said the people behind the software tried to collect small sums of money from those who downloaded and tried to use the software.

Screenshot of the scam website.

The company said links to the software, which was hosted on windows-movie-maker.org, were appearing right at the top of Google search results. On Bing, the links appeared on the first page of results as well.

ESET researcher Peter Stancik wrote that when users installed the fake software, they found that they had what appeared to be a trial version that needed to be upgraded to a full version if one wished to use all features.

He said the user was repeatedly prompted to buy the full version, with nag screens appearing when one launched the program and also when one tried to save a file.

The payment prompt displayed by the modified Movie Maker when one tries to save a document.

In the latter case, the user was unable to save the file, with a pop-up asking for US$29.95 appearing on-screen and not going away. This price was presented as a 25% discount!

Stancik said users who wanted a video editing tool could consider using the replacement offered by Microsoft  Windows Story Remix.

Graphics: courtesy ESET
American security firm Cylance has refused to say whether stored malware samples that it used in a product demonstration in Melbourne were really malware as they were made out to be.

The company held the demonstration, under the name "Explore the cyber crime UNDRWRLD with Cylance" on 19 October but only replied on 8 November to iTWire's queries about whether the samples used were really malware.

The Melbourne demonstration was the last of a series in Australia and was held by Cylance product marketing manager Matt Stephenson and senior security technologist Richard Melick.

Practically all the attendees were IT workers from various companies. The writer was the lone journalist who attended, though others had apparently been invited but did not turn up.

Held in a bar in the CBD, the demonstration was slick and ran smoothly for two hours, with the audience permitted to take advantage of an open bar.

During their talk, Stephenson and Melick made reference to an article published by the US website Ars Technica which had pointed out that Cylance had used files that were not malware to prove the superiority of its product over others.

The two Cylance employees had one member of the Melbourne audience create a malware sample using SATAN, a malware-as-a-service site that was said to be located on the dark web.

iTWire queried the location of this site, asking: "...was the SATAN site that was accessed from an internal setup in the Cylance US office or was it from the dark web? Can I have the address (.onion) of the site?"

To this, Brian Robison, senior director of security technology, responded: "The SATAN site was accessed on VDI systems located in the United States. Unfortunately Cylance is unable to share the address of the site."

A second query submitted by iTWire was this: "...lots of stored malware was used in the demo. Ars Technica has raised this in an article which was cited by the Cylance guys themselves and asked how one can know whether all these are really malware samples."

Robison replied: "Cylance in the UWT demo actually invites audience members, who have no experience in creating malware, to create new malware, step by step on the spot in front of the audience, and this newly created malware is then tested in the demonstration."

But this one piece of malware was not the only one used in the Melbourne demo; in later stages, numerous samples of what were said to be malware were accessed on the Cylance servers in the US to test the company's product. The question referred to these samples as is obvious.

Robison offered a number of links for anyone who wanted to read more about anti-malware testing: 1, 2, 3, 4. He said the first was a direct response to the Ars Technica article.

iTWire also asked what proportion of the Australian market Cylance had at the moment and what it was aiming for. Robison again did not offer a direct answer, saying: "Cylance doesn't breakdown its market share in specific geographic regions, but what we can say is the company recently delivered a 283% year-over-year revenue growth." He offered a link which he said contained additional details.
Australias third largest telco, Vodafone, is partnering with technology educator, Coder Academy, in establishing a technology-centric course, Code Next, for Year 9 and 10 girls in select Sydney high schools.

The new course is aimed at inspiring women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and Vodafones support of the Code Next programme follows a recent inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training which found that participation in STEM subjects in Australian schools is declining.

Vodafones director of Human Resources, Vanessa Hicks, said there is an alarming rate of young women avoiding studying STEM subjects in school, and subsequently not pursuing careers in these areas, because there is a lack of understanding about job prospects and roles for women in male dominated STEM fields.

Code Next is a great way to bridge the knowledge gap and let young women see the countless ways STEM skills can be applied, so they can make an informed decision about the future of their career.

Hicks said support for programmes such as Code Next is vital to ensure young women feel empowered to reach their potential, and programmes like Code Next were the key to driving up the number of women in STEM fields.

We are very proud to support the Code Next programme and give young women a strong, supportive platform to explore opportunities within STEM disciplines.

Code Next is a great way to bridge the knowledge gap and let young women see the countless ways STEM skills can be applied, so they can make an informed decision about the future of their career.

In its inaugural year, about 60 students from Chatswood High School, Mosman High School and North Sydney Girls High School are taking part in Code Next.

Students are taught the fundamentals of coding and design including HTML + CSS  learning how to build and style a static website  and Ruby, a programming language to stimulate computational thinking.

Students then have the opportunity to put their new skills into practice. Working in teams, they are tasked with identifying an issue and applying what they have learnt to build an app that addresses and solves the problem.

Hicks said that during the programme, students from each school are supported by two female Vodafone mentors in different STEM-related roles ranging from strategy to technology security to social media management. The mentors demonstrate the opportunities for women and the variety of ways STEM skills can be applied across a range of vastly different careers.

Coder Academys general manager Sally Browner said the Code Next programme has been specially designed with young women in mind and is centred on challenging, engaging and encouraging students creativity.

Girls need to be able to experience what the modern workplace feels like, the plethora of careers in STEM available to them and to meet people who they aspire to become.

I meet students from all types of schools and the most effective programmes are those that build their confidence to solve problems with technology as well as showing them how those skills can be applied in the workplace."
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The Syrian regime announced Wednesday that its army, supported by the Lebanese Shiite militia, Hizbullah and Iraqi Shiite militia, took control of the city of Al-Bu Kamal, the last base for ISIL on the Syrian-Iraqi border, after battles with the terrorist organization.

At the same time, an Iranian official affirmed that these forces, having proven victorious in the far east of the country, will now be redeployed to the northwest, to Idlib province, the last bastion of the armed resistance (which is dominated in Idlib by the al-Qaeda-linked Syrian Conquest Front or Nusra Front.

The Syrian spokesman said that the Syrian sources had met up with their Iraqi counterparts on the border in the environs of Al-Bu Kamal, and that the Iraqi military had simultaneously taken on ISIL remnants on their side of the border opposite Al-Bu Kamal.

The Syrian and pro-Syrian fighters received air support, which must have been Russian or Syrian Arab Air Force. Some civilian deaths were reported.

Last week, the Iraqi army expelled ISIL remnants from the district of al-Qaim, which neighbors Syria.

Some 120,000 persons have been displaced from this this district by the fighting.

As ISIL declines into insignificance as a military force even as it remains a significant terrorist threat, I expect the hype around it to survive, like a ghost haunting us.



related video:

Wochit News: Syrian Army, Allies, Take Last IS Stronghold In Syria
VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Eldorado Gold Corporation ("Eldorado" or the "Company") announces it will move the Skouries development project into care and maintenance. Dialogue has continued with Greece's Ministry of Energy and Environment ("MoE") with respect to the development of the Company's subsidiary Hellas Gold S.A.'s, Kassandra Mine assets in Halkidiki, Northern Greece. However, the MoE has failed to issue the amended Electromechanical Installation permit for the Skouries flotation plant as well as other matters including, but not limited to, the relocation of antiquities at the Skouries site.

The Company has also initiated legal action within the statutory deadline in order to enforce and protect its legal rights. This legal action consists of three lawsuits which have been filed with the Council of State ("CoS"), requesting judicial protection against the Ministry's failure to issue routine installation permits, resulting in unjustifiable delays to the development of the Skouries facilities. Furthermore, the Company has filed with the CoS a petition for non-compliance of the Ministry with a previous decision granted by the CoS.

The Company will re-assess its investment in the Skouries project upon approval and receipt of the required permits, coupled with a supportive government open to discussions regarding the use and implementation of best available technologies.

Olympias Phase I progress on historical tailings cleanup continues and the ramp-up to commercial production at Olympias Phase II during the quarter demonstrate our commitment to high environmental standards and long term partnership with communities as well as our ability to construct and operate mines in Greece. Early indications from exploration drilling at Stratoni to extend the mine life are positive.

George Burns, Eldorado's President and CEO stated, "Although we have made good progress on the Olympias mine, we require the necessary permits and government support prior to investing further in Skouries. As a consequence we are now taking the necessary legal action to enforce the Company's rights while continuing efforts to resolve outstanding matters through ongoing dialogue."

About Eldorado Gold

Eldorado is a leading intermediate gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Greece, Canada, Romania, Serbia and Brazil. The Company's success to date is based on a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EGO).
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 8, 2017) - Lumina Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:LUM) (the "Company" or "Lumina") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of agents, co-led by Raymond James Ltd. and Haywood Securities Inc., (collectively, the "Agents"), that have agreed to sell, on a "best efforts" private placement basis, up to 24,193,548 common shares at a price of C$0.62 per common share, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$15 million (the "Offering"). It is anticipated that certain insiders of the Company will participate in the Offering.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's projects in Ecuador and for general corporate purposes. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about November 29, 2017 the ("Closing Date"), and is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The common shares issued in the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day following the Closing Date.

The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Company understands certain related parties as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") may participate in the Offering. Any such resulting related party transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation requirement and shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101, as will be described in the material change report to be filed by the Company in connection with this Offering, if required.

About Lumina Gold

Lumina Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. The Company's Cangrejos Gold-Copper project is located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador, and its Condor Gold-Copper project is located in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. The Company also recently announced a letter of intent with First Quantum Minerals Ltd. for an earn-in agreement on its Orquideas and Cascas concessions. The Company holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador consisting of 135 thousand hectares. The Company has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects. The Company intends to continue to identify, acquire and advance mineral exploration properties that have large scale potential.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 7, 2017) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX:TXG) reports that during the evening of Monday, November 6th, a group of approximately 35 persons, entered the ELG mine site and threatened the site staff. These staff members were monitoring to protect the environment, monitoring the pumps in the open pits, and maintaining the processing plant status to that required for a rapid restart of operations upon conclusion of the illegal blockade of the site access road. Of the 35 persons, about 25% were unknown to the Company, the rest were local citizens. These individuals told the ELG staff, that if they did not leave by Tuesday, November 7th, then they would be forcibly removed from site. The staff have been evacuated from the site and the off-site accommodation facilities are in the process of being evacuated. The Company has requested to the appropriate authorities that they take action to restore law and order.

Fred Stanford, President & CEO of Torex, stated: "This escalation will weaken the relationship between employees and the company and between contractors and the Company. Upon resolution of the illegal blockade, the schedule to restart the operations will be dependent on how many personnel elect to return to site. This is an unknown outcome, at this time."

The illegal blockade of the ELG Mine started on November 3, 2017; see press release issued by the Company on November 6, 2017.

Torex is an emerging intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Gold Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometers southwest of Mexico City. Within this property, Torex has the El Limon-Guajes Mine, which announced commercial production in March of 2016 and the Media Luna Project, which is an early stage development project, and for which the Company issued a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in 2015. The property remains 75% unexplored.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 9, 2017) - Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE:PSE) (CSE:PSE.CN) (CNSX:PSE) (FRANKFURT:PNX) (The "Company" or "Pasinex") is pleased to announce a maiden Mineral Resource estimate by CSA Global (UK) Ltd of 200,000 tonnes averaging 31% Zn for the Company's 50%-owned Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey. This resource equates to 61,600 tonnes of contained zinc metal or approximately 135,700,000 lbs of zinc. Three quarters of the resource tonnage is oxide at an average grade of 29% zinc and one quarter of the tonnage are zinc sulphides at an average grade of 35% zinc with additional silver credits.

Pinargozu Mineral Resources

Mineral Resource Estimate as at 30 June 2017

Reported at a cut-off grade of 10% Zn Zn Grade Zn Metal Density Pb Metal Ag Metal Classification Material Ktonnes % Ktonnes (t/m3) Ktonnes Koz Inferred Oxide 150 29 43.5 2.8 1.2 520 Sulphide 50 35 18.1 3.4 1.2 160 Total 200 31% 61.6 2.9 2.4 680

Notes:

Reporting cut-off is 10% Zn for both Oxide and Sulphide Resources. The Mineral Resource Estimate has been depleted for mining up to 30th June 2017. The effective date of Mineral Resource is 30th June 2017. Figures have been rounded to the appropriate level of precision for the reporting of Mineral Resources. Due to rounding, some columns or rows may not compute exactly as shown. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ dry tonnes. All tonnage figures are in metric tonnes. The Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council, and procedures for classifying the reported Mineral Resources were undertaken within the context of the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not demonstrate economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

-

President and CEO of Pasinex Resources, Mr. Steve Williams, commented: "This result now formally underpins our high-grade zinc production and direct ship operation (DSO) for the next few years. We have found that mining is the best way to explore the potential of this extraordinary deposit. Underground development routinely exposes additional mineralization outside the defined resource volumes. We will now focus aggressively on resource expansion and discovery. Specifically, new underground drives are planned to get into the best locations for underground exploration drilling."

Note that since the "effective date" of 30 th June 2017, the tonnage of this Mineral Resource estimate has been depleted by approximately 20,000 tonnes of high-grade direct shipping material, mined at a rate of 150 tonnes per day, about 60,000 tonnes per year.

June 2017, the tonnage of this Mineral Resource estimate has been depleted by approximately 20,000 tonnes of high-grade direct shipping material, mined at a rate of 150 tonnes per day, about 60,000 tonnes per year. Note that Instrument 43-101 does not require an issuer to file a technical report to support a production decision based on mineral reserves because under Companion Policy

43-101CP, 4.2(6) - Production Decision the decision to put a mineral project into production is the responsibility of the issuer, based on information provided by qualified persons.

43-101CP, 4.2(6) - Production Decision the decision to put a mineral project into production is the responsibility of the issuer, based on information provided by qualified persons. Pasinex took this decision, in 2015, to proceed to production not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating their economic viability and technical feasibility. As a result there is an increased risk of failure.

The Mineral Resource is categorized as Inferred due to factors including high variability in bulk densities, locally poor core recoveries especially in some oxide drill intersections, uncertainty over stope depletion volumes, and, in some areas, drill-hole spacing. All these issues are currently being addressed with a view to improving the classification of the resource.

Grade of the sulphides resource is lower than the threshold for DSO. This category includes lower grade transitional mineralization and selective mining and sorting will continue to ensure DSO grades are achieved.

Exploration of the Horzum Zinc Trend

Regional and near mine exploration will focus particularly on the nearby Akkaya Zinc Prospect using a new structural lineament analysis of the Horzum Zinc Trend by Murphy Geological Services in Ireland. Pasinex is working closely with its consultants to interpret the results of recent drill-core resistivity and conductivity measurements with the goal of building a much more robust geophysical model of the Horzum Zinc Trend. Finally the team is researching the use of ionic-leach technology. This maybe a way to "see through" transported alluvial fans which spill into steep canyons at the highly-prospective intersection of cross-faults with the sub-crop of the prospective carbonate host-rock.

Figure 1  Inferred Mineral Resource model at a 10% Zinc cut-off, at an effective date of 30th June 2017. Looking north-west.





Qualified Persons

The information in this news release relating to the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey has been prepared under the supervision of Maria O'Connor and Dr. Neal Reynolds of CSA Global and John Barry of Pasinex Resources.

CSA Global (UK) Ltd ("CSA Global") has undertaken an independent Mineral Resource estimation in accordance with CIM guidelines and the requirements of Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) effective June 30th, 2017. A NI 43-101 Technical Report is currently being prepared and will be filed with the Ontario and British Columbia Securities Commissions within the next 45 days.

Maria O'Connor BSc (Hons) is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Maria O'Connor is a Principal Resource Geologist and full-time employee for CSA Global (UK) Ltd and takes responsibility for the Mineral Resource Estimate reported here. Maria O'Connor has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which she has undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Dr. Reynolds (PhD, Economic Geology) is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Dr. Reynolds is a Director of CSA Global, and visited the Pinargozu Mine between 28 May and 31 May 2017. He is responsible for Sections 1 to 12 of the NI43-101 report relevant to this Mineral Resource Estimate. Dr. Reynolds has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Maria O'Connor and Dr. Reynolds are independent of the issuer as described in Section 1.5 of NI 43-101 and have reviewed and approved this news release and consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which this appears.

The Company's Qualified Person is John Barry, who holds a MSc in Geology from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Professional Geologist with the European Geological Society. Mr. Barry is the Senior Technical Advisor to Pasinex Resources with 29 years of extensive global experience in exploration, mining and mine development and is a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release, reviewed and approved its contents.

About Pasinex

Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE:PSE) (FRANKFURT:PNX) is a metals company which is a 50% owner of the high grade Pinargozu zinc mine which is in production and, under its DSO Program, is shipping directly to zinc smelter / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Company has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development and production. The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc company based on building a large land within a productive CRD district in Turkey.

The Pinargozu Mine is included in the 50-50 company, Horzum Arama Isletme AS, which is a corporate joint venture between Pasinex and Turkish mining house, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). Akmetal AS is one of Turkey's largest family-owned conglomerates with the nearby past-producing Horzum zinc mine.
Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (Frankfurt: M1N) (OTC: MTEHF), (Maxtech or the Company) is pleased to announce that after a site visit, it is moving forward with further research on a potential asset located in the state of Goias, Brazil due to positive indications of potential manganese deposits.

Maxtech in conjunction with Maringa Ferro-Liga, is planning to return to the Raimunda, Cavalcante claim in northern Goias for further due diligence. The Company signed a letter of interest on the existing mining operation as previously released on September 12th 2017. Initial results of the visit were positive and warrant further research activities. The exploration team from Maringa indicated that there was manganese mineralization visible in sieved stockpiles and they recommended further fieldwork to ascertain the potential resource of the site.

Peter Wilson, CEO of Maxtech said Although the rainy season has begun in Brazil, it is a good time to expand research on new manganese claims and potential acquisitions. We are committed to make Brazil our base in South America while teaming up with Maringa. We are fortunate to have such an engaged and experienced strategic partner who we hope to be our key off-take partner both in Brazil and throughout the South American region.

Additionally, Maxtech Ventures Inc. announces that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement of up to $2,000,000 by the issuance of units priced at $.30 per unit, each unit being comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company and one share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share for a period of one year at an exercise price of $.40 per share. The Warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiration period in the event the Companys shares trade on a recognized exchange at more than $.60 for a 14 day period, which will include days where no shares trade, after a period that is four months and a day from the issuance of the Warrants.

The Company has issued 3,000,000 million options at $.30 per share to certain officers, directors and consultants, pursuant to the Companys stock option plan.

About Grupo Maringa

Founded in 1946, Grupo Maringa now has over 2,000 employees with over USD $200 million in 2016 revenues. The Maringa companies are located in the states of Parana and Sao Paulo. They produce sugar cane, sugar, ethanol, energy and manganese alloy. Maringa Ferro-Liga S.A. is a subsidiary of Grupo Maringa and is located in Itapeva, State of Sao Paulo. It is the second largest manganese ferroalloy producer in South America, producing high quality silico-manganese and high-carbon ferromanganese.

About Maxtech Ventures Inc.

Maxtech Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based diversified industries corporation with gold and manganese mineral properties. Its focus is on mining and the products that are derived therefrom.
November 9, 2017 / TheNewswire / Vancouver, BC, Canada - Guyana Goldstrike Inc. (the "Company" or "Guyana Goldstrike") (TSXV: GYA, OTC: GYNAF, FSE: 1ZT) is pleased to announce details of a planned multi -phase exploration program on the Company's 13,500-hectare Marudi Gold Project in Guyana, South America (the "Property"). The primary objective of the program is to identify new hard-rock gold mineralization in an effort to expand beyond the Property's historic resource estimate.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXPLORATION PROGRAM

Up to 10,000 Metres of Diamond Drilling

Up to 12,000 Metres of Trenching

Detailed Rock, Soil and Core Sampling and Assaying

Airborne Magnetic Survey over the entire Property

Mr. Locke Goldsmith, P.Eng., P.Geo., and Chief Geologist for the Company states, "It is exciting to be organizing a comprehensive exploration program that will see the Marudi Gold Project advance. Only five percent of the Property has been explored to date, and therefore the opportunity for new discoveries is very favourable."

Exploration Program Summary:

The multi-phase program will consist of a planned 12,000 metre excavator trenching and sampling program of targeted locations. It is anticipated to be followed by up to 10,000 metres of diamond drilling in areas where successful trenching and sampling has occurred. Assays will be performed on all samples from rock, soil and core.

An airborne magnetic and radiometric survey is also planned to be flown over the Property (13.5 sq. km) to ascertain a geophysical signature of the complete area. The metachert rock unit that hosts gold mineralization on the Property contains disseminated magnetite that will be detected by the survey. The data obtained from the survey will assist the Company in tracing the unit through areas of saprolite and identifying targeted sites for further exploration.

Marudi North and Mazoa Hill Mineralized Zones

The Company has been endowed with legacy data from previous operators which includes 141 holes (42,000 metres) of diamond drilling completed on the Property. The majority of the drilling was conducted on two main mineralized zones: Marudi North and Mazoa Hill. Both zones are open to mineralization in multiple directions and at depth, and therefore favorable to further exploration and development. The Company recently completed 3D modeling of both zones that allow rotation and viewing of the drill patterns in all directions. The 3D modelling can be viewed in full scale on the homepage of the Company's website: www.guyanagoldstrike.com. An objective of the exploration program will be the expansion and further definition of these two zones.

Property Geology

"The Marudi Property is underlain by Proterozoic metasediments of the Kwitaro Group and the younger Southern Guyana Granite Complex. The Kwitaro Group is mostly comprised of shallow water metasediments with interbedded basic volcanic strata which are metamorphosed to amphibolites facies (Berrange, 1972). The Southern Guyana Granite Complex is part of the tectono-thermal TransAmazonian Orogenic Cycle which resulted in block faulting, crustal shortening, folding, metamorphism, and anatexi (Hurley, et. al. 1967). Locally the Property is dominated by the Marudi Formation of the Kwitaro Group which includes a lower pelitic unit, a medial quartzite and meta-andesite unit with subordinate tuff and ironstone (the 'quartzite' unit). These rocks are overlain by a massive unit of orthoamphibolite (metabasalt). These metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks have been subjected to upper greenschist and lower amphibolite grade regional metamorphism. The Marudi granodiorite lies mostly north of the north flank of Marudi Mountain. Metasedimentary and metavolcanic units at the Marudi Property have been complexly deformed with at least two local and three regional generations of folding recognized. Fold axes and beds have been offset by a significant northwest striking fault which cuts the Mazoa Hill anticline. Displacement on this fault is uncertain.

Gold mineralization at the Property is regarded as being related to iron-formation hosted gold deposits which occur in other cratonic greenstone belts. Iron-formation hosted gold deposits and occurrences can be divided into two sub-types: stratiform and non-stratiform. At the Marudi Property, all important gold mineralization discovered to date is associated with the medial 'quartzite' unit of the Marudi Mountain Formation. Gold occurs within the magnetite-hematite rich quartzite and in the magnetite-silicate iron formation." (Source: Strickland 2016, NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Marudi Property, Guyana).

The proposed exploration program on the Property will be completed in multiple phases, as working capital and financing are made available to the Company. The Company may also elect to alter subsequent phases of the program, based on the results and success of earlier phases. The Company will continue to provide corporate and exploration updates as the program develops.

Project Summary

The Marudi Gold Project (the "Project") is the Company's flagship project located in Guyana, South America. The Project is unique in that it has three known gold bearing areas, specifically the alluvial areas, the saprorlite overburden, and the underlying hard-rock. There has been 42,000 metres of historic diamond drilling (141 holes) completed on the Project by prior operators. This historical work has delineated historical mineral resource estimates on the Project.

For information concerning these estimates and the Project, readers are encouraged to review "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Marudi Property, Guyana", a technical report prepared for the Company by Derrick Strickland, P. Geo., and is available on the Company's website (Click Here) and under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).*

There exists excellent exploration upside through the development of previously identified, highly-prospective mineralized targets on the Project. The Project has a mining license in good standing, all-season road access, infrastructure in place, with an established mining camp serviced by employees, service buildings, and a full-time mining manager.

* The Company considers these estimates to be historical, and cautions that a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. The Company does consider these historical estimates to be relevant as they may indicate the presence of gold mineralization and favourable geology.

Qualified Person

Locke Goldsmith, M.Sc., P. Eng, P. Geo, Chief Geologist and Exploration Manager for the Company, is a Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Goldsmith has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this news release.

About Guyana

The Republic of Guyana is located in South America between Venezuela and Suriname. The country is English speaking under British Common Law with a democratically elected government. It has an established mining act and a rich history of gold production. In 2013, 458,000 ounces of gold were produced by operators mining in the country. The Guiana Shield has over 100 million ounces of gold inventory and is world-recognized as a premier gold region.** With geological continuity with West Africa, the shield is highly prospective and under-explored. In 2016, two mines declared the commencement of commercial production: the Aurora deposit (Guyana Goldfields) and the Karouni deposit (Troy Resources).

** Independent Technical and Environmental Review Karouni Gold Project - Guyana, Behre Dolbear Australia Pty Ltd, April 29, 2016
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 9, 2017) - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive drill results from the Fekola Property and Fekola Regional targets in Mali, West Africa. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

For 2017, B2Gold has budgeted over $15 million for exploration in Mali. To date, exploration programs remain on budget and set to complete over 111,000 metres of exploration drilling between the Fekola Property and the Fekola Regional program.

Highlights

This news release should be read in conjunction with the Fekola and Fekola North Extension schematic long section (see below or on our website at www.b2gold.com/news/2017/)

New drill results in the upper portion of the Fekola North Extension (formerly Kiwi zone) indicate it is part of the Fekola zone and has significantly extended mineralization to depth

New drill results above the deeper portion of the Fekola North Extension (formerly Fekola Deeps) have intersected wide zones of good-grade mineralization, closer to surface, and up to 600 metres north of the Fekola resource pit boundary

These results, combined with the deeper, mineralized intercepts in the upper portion of the Fekola North Extension area indicate that these zones are one contiguous mineralized zone that could dramatically increase the extent of Fekola mineralization. In addition, the mineralization remains open to the north beyond the new drill results

Drill results from the infill-drilling program, within the Fekola resource pit boundary, continue to convert inferred resources to indicated, confirming the potential addition of 900,000 ounces of gold

Fekola North Extension Zones:

New drilling below the upper portion of the Fekola North Extension and above the deeper portion of the Fekola North Extension in a previously untested area have significantly extended mineralization to the north and depth.

Highlights of drill results from the upper portion of the Fekola North Extension (formerly Kiwi zone):

Target HoleID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Fekola N. Ext FSER_023 131.00 147.00 16.00 1.35 Fekola N. Ext FSER_161 97.00 114.00 17.00 1.38 Fekola N. Ext FSER_169 129.00 142.00 13.00 1.17 Fekola N. Ext FSER_186 193.00 213.00 20.00 1.09 Fekola N. Ext FSER_191 93.00 115.00 22.00 1.07 Fekola N. Ext FSER_195 198.10 213.00 14.90 1.56 Fekola N. Ext FSER_212* 24.00 48.00 24.00 1.28 Fekola N. Ext FSER_211* 25.00 46.00 21.00 1.22 Fekola N. Ext FKD_194 276.00 300.00 24.00 1.04 Fekola N. Ext FKD_195 247.75 257.1 9.35 2.06

Note: Intervals reported above are >0.6 g/t gold, with a maximum of 5 m internal waste. Intervals indicated by (*) occur within defined resource areas and are reported >1.0 g/t gold, with a maximum of 3 m internal waste. All intervals are reported as core lengths

New drilling above the deeper portion of the Fekola Northern Extension (formerly Fekola Deeps) has intercepted wide zones of good-grade mineralization in two holes, 226 and 227, 60 metres to the north of the Fekola resource boundary.

In addition, two holes, 228 and 229, drilled above the Fekola upper portion of the Fekola North Extension, and up to 600 metres to the north of the resource pit boundary, intersected wide zones of good-grade mineralization, with mineralization remaining open to the north. These holes indicate the potential to extend good-grade mineralization much further to the north of the Fekola resource pit boundary.

These results also indicate that the deeper portion of the Fekola Northern Extension zone extends closer to surface and indicate continuity with mineralization from the deeper drilling results from the upper portion of the Fekola North Extension.

New drill results to the north of the Fekola resource pit boundary above the deeper portion of the Fekola North Extension:

Target HoleID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Fekola N. Ext FKD_229 352.00 386.85 34.85 1.60 Fekola N. Ext FKD_228 318.00 355.00 37.00 2.82 Fekola N. Ext FKD_226 277.90 341.50 63.60 3.37 and 303.75 325.00 21.25 4.92 Fekola N. Ext FKD_227 216.00 239.20 23.20 1.57 and 260.60 308.00 47.40 1.92 Fekola N. Ext FKD_230 183.00 195.40 12.40 1.90 and 233.00 251.90 18.90 1.24

Previously released drill results from the deeper portion (formerly Fekola Deeps):

Target Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Fekola N. Ext FKD_148 421.30 454.30 33.00 2.90 Fekola N. Ext incl. 440.30 446.30 6.00 7.97 Fekola N. Ext FKD_179 488.60 507.60 19.00 3.88 Fekola N. Ext and 515.50 529.19 13.69 1.95 Fekola N. Ext FKD_181 425.20 470.58 45.38 4.77 Fekola N. Ext incl. 425.20 434.60 9.40 10.70 Fekola N. Ext and 438.60 444.80 6.20 9.23 Fekola N. Ext FKD_182 457.30 473.10 15.80 2.98 Fekola N. Ext incl. 467.25 472.10 4.85 4.41 Fekola N. Ext FKD_183 445.10 479.30 34.20 3.27 Fekola N. Ext incl. 463.00 471.00 8.00 8.33 Fekola N. Ext FKD_184 490.00 515.05 25.05 2.37 Fekola N. Ext incl. 499.70 508.00 8.30 3.54 Fekola N. Ext* FKD_220 465.10 505.10 40.00 2.78 Fekola N. Ext* FKD_225 351.55 389.15 37.60 2.98

Note: *Indicates two new holes drilled 50 metres north of the Fekola resource pit boundary

Fekola Resource Infill Drilling:

Infill drilling is ongoing at Fekola, to continue to convert inferred resources to indicated, within the resource pit boundary (see table of drill results below).

The resource pit boundary extends beyond the Fekola reserve pit boundary by approximately 50 metres below the reserve, 150 metres to the north, down plunge, and approximately 600 metres to the north (formerly Kiwi zone), from surface to 50 metres depth.

The resource pit extension contains 720,000 ounces in the indicated category and 180,000 ounces in the inferred category, for a total potential increase of 900,000 ounces of gold.

Highlights from Fekola Resource Infill Drilling:

Target Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Fekola Infill FSER_183 119.00 136.00 17.00 1.26 Fekola Infill FKD_231 207.00 248.00 41.00 2.31 Fekola Infill FKD_232 287.00 315.00 28.00 1.77 Fekola Infill FKD_147 397.20 479.20 82.00 3.09 Fekola Infill FKRD_054 331.20 386.20 55.00 2.28 Fekola Infill FKRD_055 295.30 347.30 52.00 2.44

Note: Italics indicate previously-released holes

Figure 1. Fekola and Fekola North Extension schematic long section





Fekola Regional Program Drill Results  Anaconda/Adder and Mamba Zones:

Earlier this year, B2Gold announced the maiden mineral resource for Anaconda, part of the Fekola regional exploration program (see B2Gold news release, June 15, 2017). In 2017, over 56,000 metres of combined auger, aircore, reverse circulation and diamond drilling have been completed in this area in an effort to increase the saprolite-hosted Anaconda resource and to further explore for underlying zones of bedrock-hosted mineralization.

Anaconda Area:

Recent drilling has confirmed and extended the shallow saprolite inferred mineral resource and has discovered three well-mineralized bedrock (sulphide) zones (the saprolite zone) beneath the Anaconda, Adder and Mamba zones, which indicate the potential for large Fekola-style mineralized zones.

Bedrock drill holes MSD_127 (20.20 m at 6.05 g/t gold) and MSD_132 (24.50 m at 4.02 g/t gold) are indications of highly prospective structures beneath Anaconda and Mamba, respectively. The intersection in MSD_132 occurs approximately 160 metres down-dip from the saprolite-hosted intersection in MSR_360 (46 m at 1.94 g/t gold), suggesting there is significant down-dip continuity along this structure. Follow up drilling is currently underway in both target areas. These holes and other selected results from the recent bedrock drilling are presented by target area in the table below:

Target Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Adder MSD_119 45.60 66.00 20.40 2.03 Adder MSD_118 117.00 121.10 4.10 6.21 Anaconda MSR_427 90.00 115.00 25.00 1.64 Anaconda MSD_127 32.00 52.20 20.20 6.05 Anaconda MSD_114 52.00 59.50 7.50 2.85 Anaconda MSD_113 33.00 79.60 46.60 1.62 Anaconda MSD_111 89.50 95.45 5.95 7.11 Anaconda MSR_283 30.00 44.00 14.00 2.28 Mamba MSD_132 116.48 139.70 23.22 1.31 Mamba MSD_132 218.50 243.00 24.50 4.02 Mamba MSD_132 253.20 276.00 22.80 1.04 Mamba MSR_404 13.00 17.00 4.00 7.32 Mamba MSR_404 105.00 148.00 43.00 0.59 Mamba MSR_357 113.00 134.00 21.00 1.67

Note: Bedrock-hosted intervals reported above are >0.6 g/t gold, with a maximum of 5 m internal waste. Intervals reported are core lengths

Drilling is ongoing to further test the Fekola North Extension zone, infill the Fekola resource, and further test the new bedrock mineralization beneath the Anaconda, Adder and Mamba saprolite resource. The Company is planning additional, aggressive exploration drilling programs on these targets in 2018.

Fekola Ramp Up and Gold Production

On September 25, 2017, the Company announced that it had completed construction of the Fekola mill on budget and commenced ore processing at the Fekola Mine, more than three months ahead of schedule. In September, Fekola produced 6,340 ounces of in-circuit gold inventory (nil ounces budgeted). Commissioning of the mill is ongoing and is expected to ramp up quickly to achieve commercial production by the end of November 2017, four months ahead of the original schedule and one month ahead of the revised schedule.

In October 2017, the first full month of ramp up and pre-commercial production, the Fekola mill produced a total of 33,946 ounces of gold in the month (budget of 15,100 ounces). For 2017, the Company is projecting gold production from Fekola to exceed the upper range of its reforecast production guidance range of between 50,000 and 55,000 ounces. 2018 is scheduled to be the first full year of gold production at Fekola, yielding 400,000 to 410,000 ounces for the year at a cash operating cost of approximately $354 per ounce of gold and AISC of $609 per ounce of gold.

Based on current assumptions and updates to B2Gold's current year guidance and long-term mine plans, the Company is projecting consolidated gold production in 2017 of between 530,000 and 570,000 ounces. In 2018, production is forecast to increase significantly to between 925,000 and 975,000 ounces with the inclusion of the anticipated first full year of commercial production at Fekola.

About B2Gold Corp.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is one of the fastest-growing intermediate gold producers in the world. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland.

B2Gold's Quality Assurance/Quality Control

The primary laboratories for Fekola are SGS Laboratories in Bamako, Mali and Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. At each lab, samples are prepared and analyzed using 50g fire assay with atomic absorption finish and/or gravimetric finish. Umpire assays are used to monitor lab performance monthly.

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures include the systematic insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates into the core, reverse circulation and aircore drilling sample strings. The results of the control samples are evaluated on a regular basis with batches re-analyzed and/or resubmitted as needed. All results stated in this announcement have passed B2Gold's quality assurance and quality control protocols.

Tom Garagan, Senior Vice President of Exploration of B2Gold, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the exploration information contained in this news release.
Documentary about area buffalo soldier now available on College of Education's YouTube channel for educational use

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017

The documentary "I was a Buffalo Soldier: The Story of Nolan Self" is now available on the Kansas State University College of Education's YouTube page.



MANHATTAN  Thanks to the family of a Junction City icon, a documentary providing a firsthand account of what it was like to be a buffalo solider will be available to classrooms, military personnel and history buffs alike.



"I was a Buffalo Soldier: The Story of Nolan Self" was commissioned by Curtis Self in 2015 to tell the story of his father, Nolan Self, a longtime Junction City resident who served five campaigns in the 10th Calvary during World War II. After a two-year showing on KTWU, the Public Broadcasting System station in Topeka, the Self family has agreed to make the documentary available on the Kansas State University College of Education's YouTube page for teachers to share with their students.



"Our father was an incredible man who lived an incredible life," Curtis Self said. "If his story can inspire others to live with the hope, joy, faith, love and commitment that defined his life and it encourages people to do the same, nothing would make my dad or our family happier."



"There are few sources for education materials like this," said David L. Griffin Sr., assistant dean of the College of Education. "These personal stories draw you into a time in life that students would otherwise only to read about in passing. With this video, not only will many students learn that buffalo soldiers even existed, but they will learn what kind of lives they had before and after the war. That's a powerful resource."



Nolan Self's journey to the U.S. Army began when his mother and 10 siblings moved from Leesburg, Louisiana, to Pine Bluffs, Arkansas, after his father's untimely death. He recounts the trip with about 400 young African-American men, who were to become buffalo soldiers, on the Missouri-Pacific train from Pine Bluffs to Fort Leavenworth. It broke his mother's heart to think her son was going off to war, but that's not how Nolan Self saw it.



"The Army was a salvation to me and my family," he said. "I was glad to be a soldier."



The Army moved the 10th Cavalry to Fort Riley to train with the 9th Cavalry. That's where Nolan Self met fellow buffalo soldier and world heavyweight champion, Joe Louis. Thanks to Louis' efforts, a dance was hosted in Topeka where Nolan Self would meet his future wife, Wilma.



The couple raised eight sons and the film depicts the deep love, respect and wisdom the two have gained during their seven-plus decades together.



The College of Education invites teachers everywhere to view and share this resource of little-known American history with their classes. Additional resources will be forthcoming. View the trailer and the complete documentary at coe.k-state.edu/documentaries/buffalo-soldier.html.






Tom Switzer at CIS writes:

Next week marks the centenary of the Bolshevik Revolution. November 7, 1917 was not just one of the most influential events of all time, it ushered in the most terrifying period in human history. In the matter of scale, the Russian revolutionaries and their later successors in China and elsewhere achieved a record of far more deaths than either world war. According to the London-based project to create a Museum of Communist Terror, 15-18 million people died in World War One; 40-80 million died in World War Two; and 80-100 million died under communist regimes.

A Museum of Communist Terror is a great idea.

Yet 100 years later, many young people in the West are ignorant of the ideology that inspired Lenin, Trotsky and millions of their worldwide followers. According to YouGov surveys, only 55% of American millennials think communism was, and still is, a problem. A third of young people believe US president George W. Bush murdered more people than Soviet dictator Josef Stalin did. And about 70 per cent of young British people have never heard of Mao Tse-Tung, the communist revolutionary whose regime murdered tens of millions of Chinese.

Ignorance of the past can doom us to repeat it. Fox News reported:

Nearly 45 percent of millennials polled said that they would prefer to live in a socialist country compared to the 42 percent who said they preferred a capitalist one.

Yet for some reason theyre not moving to Venezuela.

The report also found that one in five Americans in their 20s consider former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin a hero, despite his genocide of Ukrainians and Orthodox priests. Over a quarter of millennials polled also thought the same for Vladimir Lenin and Kim Jong Un.

Great role models.

One of the most troubling findings of the report is that over 40 percent of Americans believe that there should be restrictions placed on the First Amendment and free speech to ensure that anything being said is not offensive.

Sad little petals.

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By Na Jeong-ju





Last week's agreement between South Korea and China to normalize bilateral relations is being hailed as a diplomatic achievement of the Moon Jae-in administration.



Hopes are high here that it will be a turning point for the Seoul-Beijing ties, which had been soured over the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea. Moon's aides proudly said the bilateral talks on resolving THAAD-related issues began right after President Moon Jae-in held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Berlin in July.

Optimism prevails now in Seoul about the prospects of relations with Beijing.

Moon and Xi will meet again next week on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Danang, Vietnam, to discuss follow-up measures to the agreement.



High on the agenda may be restoring the "strategic cooperative partnership" between the two countries and the scrapping of economic retaliatory measures



China had taken against South Korea over the THAAD deployment. Conservative politicians here are expressing concerns about Moon's approach toward China, claiming his "pivot to China" will make the U.S. uncomfortable and could jeopardize the alliance between Seoul and Washington.



For Moon, however, thawing ties with China will be an opportunity to break South Korea's diplomatic deadlock over North Korea's nuclear program. Likewise, improving relations with South Korea could mean a fresh start for Xi in addressing North Korea-related issues as China is under growing pressure from the United States to maximize the use of its leverage on the North.



In this sense, embracing Seoul could be part of a new game plan against Washington by the Chinese leader, who has successfully cemented his power through the latest Communist Party congress.



South Korea's efforts to restore relations with China were also a key topic at Moon's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Nov. 7 in Seoul. This was the first measurement of how Washington feels about Moon's diplomacy with China because the Moon-Trump summit took place only days after Seoul and Beijing agreed to bring their relations back on track.



During a joint press conference after the summit, Moon made it clear that his pursuit of "balanced diplomacy" does not mean he will stay neutral between the two superpowers when they are in dispute.



"That was about expanding our diplomatic frontier. I want to consolidate relations with China while keeping alliance with the U.S. strong," Moon said. "I talked about balance because we need to enhance relations with not only the U.S. and China, but also countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union. I believe diversifying our diplomatic relations is the key to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and, by extension, Northeast Asia."



Trump supported Moon. And he also praised President Xi on his efforts to contain North Korea, saying he has been "really, very, very helpful" in dealing with the North. Asked about concerns in South Korea that the country has been sidelined in talks to resolve the North Korea nuclear issue, Trump said there will be no South Korea skipping.



"South Korea is very important to me and there will be no skipping South Korea," Trump said.



This suggests Trump thinks closer relations between Seoul and Beijing are helpful in handling Pyongyang at the moment. And this is absolutely true. China has long been criticized for using North Korea to defend its interest in its rivalry with the U.S.



But there are positive signs that it is changing. While toughening its sanctions on Pyongyang, Beijing, at the same time, is calling for dialogue among concerned nations to find a peaceful solution to the nuclear problem.



This would have been impossible if there was no mutual understanding between Trump and Xi that Pyongyang's nuclear program hurts their common interests in the region.
From sea to rails and France to Gambia; readers share their collecting interests

May 4, 2021, 3 AM

One of Frances many Peace and Commerce stamps, also called Type Sage by collectors because the stamp artwork was by Jules Auguste Sage.

Philatelic Foreword  By Jay Bigalke

From France to Gambia to the rails, collectors chimed in on some of their collecting interests. In my Nov. 6 Philatelic Foreword column, I asked collectors to share why they collect certain areas, similar to my stumbling across the French territory of Inini while flipping through the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue.

Patrick Reedy described why he collects locomotives shown on older stamps. He explained that in his small apartment in Brooklyn he does not have the space to build a model railroad or accumulate much railroad memorabilia.

Locomotives on stamps gave me the opportunity to collect trains without needing too much space, he said.

Raymond Feldman expressed his interest in collecting semipostals and ship topicals.

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Gary Loew recounted, I got started with stamp collecting 64 years ago when my dad gave me his old stamp album. The stamp that truly got me hooked was the beautiful blue Gambia Cameo (Scott 2). Ive been a Gambia specialist ever since. But as I grew older, I evolved into a postal historian, collecting covers from and to Gambia.

Starting a collection at an early age is a familiar story for most of us. Charles Vengrove said he became a worldwide stamp collector at age 5. By age 12 he was able to name most of the countries in the world because of his collection. A junior high school French course prompted his collecting focus on France.

The French Type Sage (or Peace and Commerce) stamps, definitive stamps first issued in 1876, jumped out at him because they were very inexpensive and plentiful, probably because they were unattractive compared to other issues.

Vengrove added that he is in his 88th year and busier than ever with his Sage collection.

It was great hearing from everyone who responded.

Postmaster general title

Canada Post CEO and president Deepak Chopra referred to himself as postmaster general during the Oct. 20 joint issue between Canada and the United States, and I referred to him as Canadas postmaster general in my Nov. 13 column.

Thats not his official job title, as a couple of readers have noted, but it seems to work for him.
Bonobos, our close primate cousins with whom we share 99 percent of our DNA, will help strangers even when there is no immediate payback, and without having to be asked first.

Bonobos, one of our closest primate relatives, could teach some humans a thing or two about helping others before being asked.

These predominantly peaceful primates  sometimes called "hippie chimps," as they are known to be less aggressive and more altruistic than chimpanzees  tend to look out for one another and even share their food.

But these courtesies aren't extended only between bonobos that are already acquainted with each other. Researchers recently found that bonobos would help unfamiliar bonobos reach a food reward, even when they didn't receive a reward themselves. And the helpful primates would lend a hand to assist the stranger whether or not the unknown bonobo asked them for help. [8 Humanlike Behaviors of Primates]

"Trust," the scientists wrote in a new study, "is fundamental to social life." Modern human societies are built on trust that we often extend to people who are unfamiliar to us, a behavior known as xenophilia. Evidence of this behavior in non-human primates suggests that xenophilia may have evolutionary origins that predate the modern human lineage, likely because such behavior improves the chances of a group's survival, the scientists reported.

Prior studies have shown that xenophilia is especially prevalent in bonobos. They move more easily between social groups than chimpanzees do, and when two groups interact, tensions rarely escalate into violence, the study authors wrote. In experiments, bonobos have unlocked one-way doors to share their food with unfamiliar bonobos, even when unlocking the entry would admit a group of strangers  something that chimpanzees would go out of their way to avoid, according to the study.

Hello, stranger

In the new study, researchers worked with wild bonobos at a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to further explore the primates' practice of connecting with bonobos that they didn't know.

A female bonobo embraces a newcomer on her first day in a new group. (Image credit: Courtesy of Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary)

The scientists suspended pieces of apple over an enclosure, securing the rope so that it was impossible for a bonobo in the room to reach the fruit. But the apple could be lowered to them if a second bonobo in an adjacent room climbed the fence and pulled a wooden pin to release the rope.

Screens prevented the second bonobo from grabbing the apple for themselves. Yet, even when there was no reward for them  and when they had to put aside a toy and go out of their way to climb the fence  they released the fruit to their waiting neighbor.

In some of the tests, the waiting bonobos were visible to their benefactors and could use begging gestures to indicate that they wanted the fruit. But even in trials where the bonobos had limited visual contact with each other, the helpful bonobos released the fruit without receiving any beseeching signals at all, the study authors reported.

Sympathetic yawning

Another experiment tasked the bonobos' responses to yawning, an activity that is known to spread between individuals  humans as well as bonobos  triggered by a form of empathy.

But do you have to know someone, in order to empathize with them enough to "catch" their yawn? Not if you're a bonobo, according to the study.

The scientists discovered that the bonobos were just as likely to join in when confronted with an unfamiliar yawner  they yawned along with a stranger as often as they did when the yawner was part of their social group.

When female bonobos reach adulthood, they abandon the social group of their youth for another, unrelated group. Being able to quickly bond with strangers would therefore be a critical strategy for these highly social primates, Jingzhi Tan, a postdoctoral associate with the evolutionary anthropology department at Duke University in North Carolina, said in a statement.

"All relationships start between two strangers," Tan explained. "You meet a stranger, but you may meet them again, and this individual could become your future friend or ally. You want to be nice to someone who's going to be important for you."

The findings were published online Nov. 7 in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports (opens in new tab).

Original article on Live Science.
Uber has teamed up with NASA to develop flying cars for passenger transport.

Uber's planned "flying cars" will navigate crowded city skies with some help from NASA, if everything goes according to plan.

The space agency has signed an agreement with Uber to help develop an air-traffic-control system for the flying-car project, which goes by the name Uber Elevate or UberAir, according to USA Today (opens in new tab).

"UberAir will be performing far more flights over cities on a daily basis than has ever been done before," Uber Chief Product Officer Jeff Holden said in a statement provided to USA Today. "Doing this safely and efficiently is going to require a foundational change in airspace-management technologies."

NASA has already been working to develop such technologies and help make "urban air mobility" (UAM) a reality, agency officials have said. In 2011, the agency's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) started a project called Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System (UAS in the NAS), which focused on relatively large, uncrewed vehicles flying above 500 feet (150 meters).

Then, in 2015, NASA initiated its UAS Traffic Management (UTM) project, to deal with smaller, lower-flying drones.

"We believe our job is to create opportunities for the UAM community to work together toward the common goal of safe, efficient and quiet operations," Rich Wahls, NASA's strategic technical advisor in the Advanced Air Vehicles Program for ARMD, said in a statement.

"We have a unique role to play in leading collaborative efforts that leverage the knowledge, technologies and visions of everyone coming to the table," Wahls added.

Uber said it hopes to begin flying its aerial taxis  basically, small planes with wing-mounted propellers that will take off and land vertically, on the roofs of buildings  by 2020. The company has announced three cities as the sites of this early push: Los Angeles, Dallas and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

Uber Elevate has other NASA connections as well. Earlier this year, Uber hired longtime NASA engineer Mark Moore to help develop the Elevate initiative.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
What if the space rock that wiped out the dinosaurs hit another spot on Earth?

The age of dinosaurs met an unlikely end  because had the cosmic impact that doomed it hit just about anywhere else on the planet, the "terrible lizards" might still roam the Earth, a new study finds.

The impact of an asteroid about 6 miles (10 kilometers) wide about 66 million years ago created a crater more than 110 miles (180 km) across near what is now the town of Chicxulub (CHEEK-sheh-loob) in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The meteor strike would have released as much energy as 100 trillion tons of TNT, more than a billion times more than the atom bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. The blast is thought to have ended the age of dinosaurs, killing off more than 75 percent of all land and sea animals.

Prior work suggested the Chicxulub impact would have lofted huge amounts of ash, soot and dust into the atmosphere, choking off the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface by as much as 80 percent. This would have caused Earth's surface to rapidly cool, leading to a so-called "impact winter" that would have killed off plants, causing a global collapse of terrestrial and marine food webs. [Wipe Out: History's 7 Most Mysterious Extinctions]

To explain why the Chicxulub impact winter proved so catastrophic, Japanese scientists previously suggested the superhot debris from the meteor strike not only caused wildfires across the planet, but also ignited rocks loaded with hydrocarbon molecules such as oil. They calculated that such oily rocks would have generated vast amounts of soot.

The amount of hydrocarbons in rocks varies widely depending on location. In the new study, the Japanese researchers analyzed the places on Earth where an asteroid impact could have happened to cause the level of devastation seen with the Chicxulub event.

The scientists now find the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs happened to hit an unlucky spot  had it landed in about 87 percent of anywhere else on Earth, the mass extinction might not have occurred.

"The probability of the mass extinction occurring was only 13 percent," said study lead author Kunio Kaiho, a geochemist at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan.

The scientists ran computer models simulating the amount of soot that asteroid impacts would have generated depending on the amount of hydrocarbons in the ground. They next estimated the climate effects caused by these different impact scenarios.

The researchers calculated the level of climate change needed to cause a mass extinction was a 14.4 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 10 degrees Celsius) drop in global average surface air temperatures. This would involve an asteroid impact sending 385 million tons (350 million metric tons) of soot into the stratosphere.

The scientists found that a mass extinction would have occurred from the impact only if it had hit 13 percent of the surface of the Earth, including both land and oceans. "If the asteroid had hit a low- to medium-level hydrocarbon area on Earth, occupying approximately 87 percent of the Earth's surface, mass extinction could not have occurred," Kaiho told Live Science.

The scientists are also analyzing the level of climate change "caused by large volcanic eruptions that may have contributed to other mass extinctions," Kaiho said. "It is hoped that the results will lead to further understanding of the processes behind those mass extinctions."

Kaiho and his colleague Naga Oshima at the Meteorological Research Institute in Tsukuba, Japan, detailed their findings (opens in new tab) online today (Nov. 9) in the journal Scientific Reports.

Original article on Live Science.
A local land development, civil construction and quarrying company, Wharehine, has purchased Holcim NZs 50 per cent shareholding in Millbrook Quarry, located in the Whangaripo Valley, Wellsford.

The purchase results in Millbrook Quarry being 100 per cent owned by Wharehine.

Wharehine is a New Zealand owned business with strong regional ties to the Rodney area and employs about 100 staff in Rodney.

Wharehine managing director Rob Gibson says the purchase reaffirmed Wharehines commitment to Millbrook Quarry and the North Auckland aggregate market.

The Millbrook resource is a very high grade aggregate, and if managed correctly this significant resource has the potential to supply the aggregate needs of the Auckland region for many generations ahead, he said.
Local News, Crime, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 09 2017

Nicholas Rice Submitted False Timesheets, Falsely Billed Medicaid Over $6,000 For Home Care Services He Did Not Provide To A Disabled Medicaid Recipient.

Rochester, NY - November 9, 2017 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Nicholas Rice, of Rochester, NY. Rice stole over $6,000 from Medicaid by submitting false timesheets claiming that he provided home care services to a disabled Medicaid recipient. An investigation conducted by the Attorney Generals office uncovered that Rice was not present to render the services that he purported to provide. Rice will now serve 1 1/2 to 3 years in state prison.

When crooks steal from Medicaid, theyre stealing money from New York taxpayers and exploiting those who depend on the programs vital services, said Attorney General Schneiderman. My office will prosecute those who misuse the Medicaid system and take advantage of the disabled for their personal financial gain.

The Attorney Generals investigation, conducted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), revealed that Rice submitted false timesheets to Maxim Healthcare and received payment for services that he did not provide to a disabled Medicaid recipient. The recipient qualified for 116 hours of personal care per week to assist with his significant healthcare needs, including but not limited to, tube feeding and seizure monitoring.

The investigation further revealed that over the course of at least three months, Rice submitted phony time sheets that were signed and verified by the recipients relativeindicating that Rice had provided daily personal care services to the Medicaid recipient when, in fact, he did not. At the time of this crime, Rice was on parole for a felony offense and was mandated to wear an ankle bracelet-tracking device. The data retrieved from the device revealed that Rice was approximately 40 miles away in Rochester, NY when he claimed to have been providing services to the Medicaid recipient in the recipients home in Geneva, NY.

On October 5, 2017, before Monroe County Court Judge the Honorable Sam Valleriani, Rice admitted to improperly billing Medicaid $6,261.80 and pled guilty to Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class E felony.

Today, Judge Valleriani sentenced Rice to 1 1/2 to 3 years in state prison and adjudicated Rice as a second felony offender for his two prior felony convictions of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island News & PR Published: November 09 2017

Officers responded and forced entry into a home when a male threatened to jump head first out of the window.

NCPD reports the a rescue of a suicidal male that occurred in Hempstead on Tuesday, 11/8.

Hempstead, NY - November 9, 2017 - The Emergency Service Unit reports the details of a rescue of a suicidal male that occurred in The Emergency Service Unit reports the details of a rescue of a suicidal male that occurred in Hempstead on Tuesday, 11/08/17 at 10:30 A.M.

Hempstead police officers requested assistance with a suicidal male locked in a second floor bedroom on Allen Street. The Emergency Service Unit responded and forced entry into the room when the male threatened to jump head first out of the window.

The aided had a toy airsoft gun and fired a few plastic BBs at the ESU members as they entered.

The aided jumped out of the window and onto the roof before ESU could reach him, because of debris blocking the path into the bedroom. ESU officers blocked the aided on the roof and attempted to make contact with him.

Crisis negotiators responded, along with additional ESU officers, with a large rescue truck equipped with a platform, which they used to reach the aided and safely remove him. The aided was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
On 7 November, at 6 pm, in Mexico City, in the auditorium of the Leon Trotsky House Museum, a meeting was held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, with nearly 100 in attendance.

The subject of the talk was; "Mexico and Russia: two revolutions of the twentieth century". The invited speakers were Cuauhtemoc Cardenas; Eduard R. Malayan, the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Mexico; Esteban Volkov, grandson of Leon Trotsky, and the leader of the International Marxist Tendency, Alan Woods.

This event is part of a series of conferences that the Leon Trotsky Museum has organised to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution.

Speakers: Alan Woods, Esteban Volkov, Cuauhtemoc Cardenas and Eduard R. Malayan / Image: Own work

The first to speak was engineer Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, son of General Lazaro Cardenas, who was the president of Mexico who invited Trotsky to the country in the 1930s, when all the other countries were closed to him. He also directed a left split in the PRI (Revolutionary Institutional Party) in 1988, to form the PRD (Party of the Democratic Revolution), and was the first leftist mayor in Mexico City.

He spoke about the achievements of the Mexican Revolution, for example the right of the peasants to have land, including laborers who had previously lived in semi-slavery. Other reforms included right to work, national control over oil (shutting out foreign speculators), the Mexicanization of banking and so forth. He recognized that the Mexican Revolution was the great transformer of society and that the influence of the Russian Revolution was great in Mexico. Governors and politicians of the time referred to what the Bolsheviks did in Soviet Russia as an example.

Second to speak was the Mexican ambassador to the Russian Federation, Eduard R. Malayan, who, despite Putin's disastrous policies (we note the Russian leader has not even celebrated the anniversary of the Russian revolution), has always been a good friend of the Leon Trotsky Museum. This historical monument to Trotskys life is being visited, more and more, by Russian citizens, and Malayan has translated the museum's guide into Russian.

The day before, at the opening of the exhibition "Rojos" (Reds), which visually depicts some aspects of the Russian Revolution and its impact in Mexico, he said:

"Today, in Russia, there is no one who questions the role of Lev Davidovich Trotsky in the October Revolution. Everyone knows that this revolution was led by two men: Lenin and Trotsky."

In the exhibition on the anniversary of the Russian Revolution, among other things, he mentioned that the influence of the revolution and its consequences were felt worldwide. He also said that the revolution was never intended, by Lenin and Trotsky, to remain enclosed within the limits of the Russian borders: it was never thought that socialism could be built in a single country.

He insisted that Trotsky is now vindicated in Russia, that books have been published about him and even the most popular Russian television channel has run a series about him.

But then he added that today the October Revolution elicits "contradictory opinions", and quoted from an "official" poll showing only a minority in Russia have a positive opinion of the events 100 years ago.

In his speech, Alan Woods answered the ambassador by quoting an English saying: "there are lies, damned lies and statistics". He added that in Mexico it is well known how public opinion polls can be manipulated. It was clear that these surveys serve the interests of the Putin government, which has outright suppressed all the celebrations of the October Revolution.

After the ambassador, it was the turn of Leon Trotsky's grandson, Esteban Volkov, director of the Leon Trotsky House Museum. Esteban has dedicated his whole life to preserving Trotsky's legacy against Stalinist falsification and fighting for historical truth.

Volkov began by describing the brutality of capitalism today and said that in this context the need for Marxist theory was fundamental. And it was precisely the Russian Revolution, the first victorious proletarian revolution, carried out by those who had been exploited and oppressed, which demonstrated that the working people of the countryside and the cities can rule society.

Esteban recalled that it was Lenin and Trotsky who led the revolution that was subsequently undermined by the process of bureaucratic degeneration. He commented, rightly, that this degeneration was based on the material conditions of a backward country, with a low economic and cultural level, and the isolation of the Russian revolution due to the defeat of the revolution in Germany. All these conditions accentuated the fatigue of the masses and this is how the bureaucracy could take power. Stalin served as the seal upon this whole process of degeneration.

100 present at Trotsky Museum / Image: Own work

Volkov's speech was full of optimism in the struggle for socialism.

Closing the rounds of interventions was the British Marxist, leader of the International Marxist Tendency and editor of the popular website marxist.com, Alan Woods. Alan affirmed that the Bolshevik revolution was the most important event in history, which demonstrated the superiority of a nationalized and planned economy in the concrete language of steel, coal and spacecraft:

"The Russian Revolution showed that it is possible to manage a gigantic country without landlords, bankers nor capitalists and have excellent results."

Alan denounced the campaign of lies orchestrated by the enemies of socialism as a gross falsification of the events of 1917. He attacked the whole campaign that has been deployed in the last period seeking to distort events in order to inhibit the participation of youth in the struggle for socialism. He said:

"There are many lies that have been said about the Russian revolution, many of these come from former communists and intellectuals, including in Russia, who seek to prevent young people from carrying out a revolution."

Alan explained that it is a gross lie that the revolution was useless. He recalled that Russia before the revolution was a very backward country, at the level of Pakistan at present, and that it was thanks to the planned economy (and in spite of the bureaucracy) that the Soviet Union developed to unprecedented levels, competing in some areas with capitalist powers like the US.

After the introductions a brief round of questions from the audience was opened. These were very diverse, but most were about the viability of socialism. Some participants asked specific questions, for example, about the role of Stalin in the revolution, or in World War II. Someone asked Alan about the relationship between the Mexican Revolution and the Russian Revolution.

Alan answered in the following way:

"The Mexican Revolution was a bourgeois revolution that had the potential to go further. This revolution was betrayed by the bourgeoisie, that is the great difference with the October Revolution. It is a classic example of Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution. "The Mexican people have much to thank for to their revolution, which was reflected in cultural richness: the countrys art, literature, music and architecture. But it must be said that 100 years later the rotten Mexican bourgeoisie has destroyed the country. "This beautiful land, with so much wealth and so many possibilities, has been plundered and ruined by a voracious bourgeoisie, which in turn is totally subordinated to US imperialism. The only solution to the problems of Mexico is a new Mexican Revolution that repeats the same heroism that the Mexican people showed 100 years ago, but at a qualitatively higher level. And the only possible model for the new Mexican revolution is, precisely, the Bolshevik revolution of 1917."

This was one of the most applauded interventions.

And thus came to an end the first in a series of meetings on the anniversary of October, which will take place in the course of the week.
by Ray Schultz , November 8, 2017

U.S. firms are more ready for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) than their European counterparts., according to Getting to GDPR Compliance: Risk Evaluation and Strategies for Mitigation, a study by Iapp and TrustArc.

Of the U.S. respondents to the poll of almost 500 security pros, 84% say they will be compliant by May 2, 2018.

But a fourth of EU companies will nor be prepared, the study reports. That may be because EU companies are either less concerned or more lacking in resources, it continues.

Overall, 88% of those surveyed say they fall under the GDPRs scope, and 12% do not. Those that are affected include 85% of the U.S. corporations and 98% of those in the EU.

U.S. companies say they are 49.27% of the way toward compliance, versus 47.31% for European organizations.

Of course, different studies document varying levels of preparedness.

Among all respondents, the five greatest compliance risks are seen as:

Preparation for breach

Data inventory/mapping

Obtaining consent

International data transfers

Maintaining article 30 records

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But the order is slightly different when looking only at the U.S. There, the top dangers are:

International data transfers

Obtaining consent

Preparation for breach

Data inventory/mapping

Maintaining article 30 records

And in the EU, where firms are presumably more aware, the list is:

Preparation for breach

Data inventory/mapping

Maintaining article 30 records

Obtaining consent

Conducting DPIAs

The study also found that 17% of the U.S. firms rely on lawyers to navigate GDPR for them, compered with 9% in the EU.

The EU firms are more likely to invest in training than hire outside counsel.

Not appointing a data protection officer (DPO) ranked near the bottom of the list of dangers. The study notes that "it's likely this is something most organizations who must comply with the GDPR have already done, ad have thus checked it off the list of concerns.

Overall, the number one risk mitigation choice is clear: training, training and training. Respondents selected investing in training as the number one risk mitigation response for all but the DPO risk.

EU and UK companies made up 44.38%, and U.S. firms another 44.38%. The remainder were from Canada (4.22%), non-EU European countries s(3.21%) and other (3.82%).
by Tanya Gazdik , November 8, 2017

Longtime auto marketing executive Jim Zabel joins Volkswagen of America as senior vice president, marketing.

The appointment is effective Nov. 27. Zabel replaces Vinay Shahani, who left the company in late May after helping shape messaging in the wake of the automaker's emissions scandal. Shahani is now Toyota Motor North Americas vice president for integrated marketing operations.

Greg Tebbutt, VW of America's senior director for marketing transformation, strategy and communications, has been acting as the interim since Shahanis departure, a VW spokesperson said. VW placed a help-wanted post for the position on LinkedIn in July.

Zabel, managing director of Omni Advertising in Los Angeles, has more than 19 years of automotive and related experience, having managed brand accounts for Hyundai and Honda. Earlier in his career, he worked for Nissan North America as a manager in both dealer operations and marketing for the Infiniti brand.

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At Volkswagen, Zabel will be responsible for all facets of marketing for VWoA, leading the development and evolution of the Volkswagen brand to ensure long-term growth and profitability. He will report to Derrick Hatami, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Volkswagen of America.

Zabels experience in building effective, integrated marketing campaigns and leading brand development in the automotive industry will serve as an asset for VWs growth strategy in the U.S. market, Hatami says.

The company has a long road ahead of it in recovering from the emissions scandal that has plagued it for several years, but it is possible, says Autotrader Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs.

Volkswagen needs to stay the course of continuing to re-build trust with previously loyal owners and reach out to prospective new ones with its more relevant new products, Krebs tells Marketing Daily.

Volkswagen will probably need to discount more than its immediate competition to offset the cost of the damage to its reputation, says David Kiley, principal with New Roads Media and a new-product and marketing consultant.

But it also needs to go back to great storytelling about this brand, some very good product and design and brand value, says Kiley, who is also the author of Getting the Bugs Out: The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Volkswagen in America.

It would be foolhardy for Volkswagen to start chasing big sales volumes as if it is Toyota or Nissan, he adds.

It is not a mass brand, Kiley tells Marketing Daily. It is a unique niche brand in the U.S., and always will be, The more it chases Toyota- and Honda-like volume, the more it will devalue the brand in the U.S. It is a mass brand in Europe, but not here.
by Richard Whitman , Columnist, November 8, 2017

Forrester is out with its predictions report for 2018. Its a fascinating read and doesnt contain great news for agencies. On the other hand, the world isnt coming to end for agencies, per the report, as some would have you believe.

But, Adland is going to have to work a lot harder to justify its existence. I know, Adlanders, youre probably thinking, As if we werent working hard enough to do that, already!

No, you are not.

All the signals are clear, Forrester concludes. Customers avoiding ads; the cost of wasted or bad ads; major brands announcing massive cuts in ad spending; and agencies providing downward guidance to Wall Street.

The result: Ad spend will be flat in 2018 and cause a painful correction in the agency and adtech markets.

Yep, pain is in the offing. But think of it this way. Pain is the offing for a lot of industries. But the truth is, for many of you Adlanders at least, you love your jobs and youre obsessed with the challenges presented by clients. You have that at least. A lot of people cant stand their jobs.

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And, according to Forrester, you shouldnt think of whats coming as an advertising budget crisis. Its more about changing priorities for marketers.

CMOs cant defend underperforming media spend focused on customer acquisition as churn rates escalate or stand idly by as digital platforms threaten to disintermediate their relationship with customers, the report concludes.

Instead of plowing money into traditional ad spending, CMOs will increase spend on: 1. Revitalizing CX to drive affinity and stem churn. 2. Synchronizing loyalty programs to customer expectations. 3. Understanding how to decode digital platform algorithms. 4. Advancing martech to deliver individualized experiences at scale.

The result: Ad spend will be flat in 2018 and cause a painful correction in the agency and adtech markets.

Anyway, theres a lot more in this report and you probably ought to take a gander. You can get a summary of the broader report and access it here as long as you show proper ID.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, November 9, 2017

Los Angeles-based ad agency Idea Farmer has just launched a new content and commercial production house called Crop Circles. It will be run by former Endemol Executive Matthew Forrest, who will serve as president of the new entity.

Forrest joined Idea Farmer earlier this year as its first CFO, a post he will retain while running the new production studio. He reports to Idea Farmer CEO Josh Beane.

Idea Farmer, founded in 2011, began as a content studio and then evolved into a creative agency, cultivating clients such as KitchenAid, Subaru, Shutterfly and Viceroy Hotels. The commercial and other content the agency has created for its clients has largely been done in-house.

Now that in-house operation will be split off to form the core of Crop Circles, which is also hiring a number of new production content creators to join the team.

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According to Beane, the idea is to generate a new stream of revenue from content and commercial production work via new Crop Circles-specific clients. At the same time, the entity will now handle content and creative execution from existing Idea Farmer clients.

Beane said the time was right to launch the new entity, given the growing interest brands have in content beyond traditional commercials. Brands believe strongly that storytelling in many forms helps them connect more effectively with consumers, he said.

Original video content is the puzzle pretty much everyone is trying to solve for, said Beane. The level of demand were seeing from marketers, companies and agencies continues to grow. With the launch of Crop Circles, we now have a standalone company totally dedicated to serving this high volume business.

Prior to joining Idea Farmer earlier this year as company CFO, Forrest oversaw all production for Endemol Beyond, including branded and original content for the lifestyle network Icon and the esports and gaming network Smasher.

Forrest echoed Beane: There is a ton of opportunity going forward in the original content space, given brands appetite for it.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 9, 2017

In a world where the authenticity of online content and the trust in information often seems questionable, 79% of people participating in a recent BrightLocal study say they have seen a fake review in the last year.

BrightLocal conducted its annual survey, The Local Consumer Review Survey, in October 2017. The findings, based on responses from 1,031 U.S.-based consumers, explore the attitudes and behavior of consumers when they are looking at online reviews for local businesses.

Giving reviews is a common practice these days. When consumers buy something online at a retailer, the follow-up email typically asks to leave a review of the product purchased.

Fake reviews have become a challenge for retailers and brands as they strive to maintain a positive reputation. About 25% of survey participants admit to reading "a lot" of fake reviews, but 84% admit to not always being able to spot them. For the 14% of people who admit they can never spot fake reviews and the 16% who dont know how to identify them in particular, fake reviews create problems when determining the authenticity of a review.

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The findings also acknowledge that consumers have changed their habits in terms of what they will do after reading a positive review. People are now less likely to go on to visit a business' website, but they are far more likely to get directly in touch with the brand or retailer via phone, email, or by visiting the physical business.

In fact, only 37% of consumers will visit a business website after reading good reviews compared to 54% in 2016. And 10% of consumers now contact a business after reading a positive review.

Some 26% will continue searching for more reviews after reading a positive review, up from 19% in 2016. About 10% will contact the business, up from 3% in 2016.

In 2017, 68% of U.S. consumers said positive reviews made them more likely to use a business, up from 50% in 2016 -- while 40% said negative reviews make them not want to use a local business, down from 68% in 2016.

About 36% of consumers said they will seek out other factors such as price and location when making a decision, down from 42% in 2016.

Some 19% said they read reviews, but it doesn't influence their buying decision.

Still, the majority of consumers read reviews to check a retailer's or brand's reputation. Some 93% of consumers read local reviews to decide if a business is good or not, and 35% always read reviews when seeking out a business near them.
by Wayne Friedman , November 9, 2017

Although Dish reported a decline of 129,000 subscribers for the third quarter -- and lower revenues, its stock was up sharply in mid-Thursday-morning trading.

In recent days, various media analysts upgraded Dishs stock, as a number of communications companies -- T-Mobile and Verizon in particular -- are possibly looking to make a deal for Dishs spectrum assets.

Dish Networks stock 4.5% rose in mid-Thursday morning trading to $50.89.

Hit with outages from Hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dish Networks pay TV subscribers sank by 145,000 in the third quarter. The satellite pay TV provider added 16,000 in 50 U.S. states during the period.

Overall, Dish had a decline of 129,000 for the period. This lowered Dish's overall subscriber count -- satellite and digitally delivered via its Sling TV unit -- to 13.2 million from 13.6 million in the third quarter a year ago.

Scott Goldman, media analyst at Jefferies LLC, said: Dish reported better-than-expected pay TV losses of 129,000. This was driven by better subscriber additions at Sling TV and lower churn among its customers.

Revenue for the company sank 5% to $3.58 billion, with net income attributable to Dish sinking 7% to $297 million.

Average customer pricing for its products dropped from $89.44 to $87.23 in year-to-year third-quarter stats.
by Sara Guaglione , November 9, 2017

The Washington Post is rolling out a new module today to recommend an opinion piece with a different point of view from what a user is currently reading.

Called Counterpoint, the feature appears at the bottom of select Opinion pieces, with a headline and link to a story with "a different view on the issue," according to the tagline next to the Counterpoint header.

The process of tagging content with opposing views is made easier by the use of WaPo's AI technology, according to Dr. Sam Han (PhD), director of data science at the newspaper.



We will continue to refine our technology and showcase the diversity of our content on external platforms and social media, Han added.

Fred Hiatt, editorial page editor, stated the Opinion section provides a range of topics from a variety of viewpoints. Were excited to make the diversity of this content more prominent for our readers, he said. This is one way we can present a range of views that can help our audience be more informed and that hopefully will encourage dialogue.

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All of WaPos news stories carry The Post Recommends section below to suggest relevant stories.

The move is a way to expand content and challenge readers' affinity for consuming news from outlets that fit their political leanings.

Opinion sections get readers heated. The New York Times hire of conservative policy and politics columnist Bret Stephens this spring triggered some readers to cancel subscriptions.



Business magazine Forbes shut down its opinion section this month to focus on its network of online contributors. The need for conventional opinion-style writing has lessened, Forbes Media vice president of digital news Mark Coatney wrote in an internal memo at the time.

But other publishers are doubling down on the section. In October, NBC News debuted Think, a digital vertical dedicated to commentary, analysis and opinion, while BuzzFeedlaunched an opinion section this summer.

In a memo, BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith said the goal is to address the rapidly changing world and contextualize it in ways that help our readers make sense of what the hell is happening.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, November 9, 2017

The Federal Trade Commission may take another look at a 2009 settlement order that restricts Sears' ability to engage in online data collection.

The order, which is slated to expire in 2029, requires the company to "clearly and prominently" disclose any programs that track consumers' online activity. Those disclosures must be on a separate screen, and must appear before the final user agreement. The disclosures must include a host of information including all types of data that may be collected, and whether that data may be used by a third party.

In a rare move, Sears is asking the FTC to revise the settlement. The company, which is currently restructuring its business, says the order is causing "significant hardship" -- particularly when it comes to mobile apps, which Sears says are key to its digital commerce plans.

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"The inclusion of the mandatory disclosures and consents creates friction in the initial application launch process, disrupting the mobile apps user experience during a users first interaction with each mobile app -- a time that is critical to user retention," Sears says in a petition filed with the FTC late last month. "As a consequence, the timing of the mandatory disclosures that Sears must display results in an initial app flow that unavoidably discourages adoption of Sears apps as compared to similar apps offered by Sears primary competitors."

The FTC said this week it is seeking public comments on Sears' request.

The settlement stemmed from allegations that Sears distributed tracking software created by a third party as part of a market research program. (The FTC didn't name that third party, but Harvard Business School professor Ben Edelman reported in 2008 that Sears was working with comScore.)

Sears had sent emails inviting people to download software, and promised them $10 if they kept the program for at least one month. The emails said the software would track "online browsing." But the FTC found that language insufficient to convey that the software would monitor nearly all online activity, including banking activity, video rentals, library borrowing histories and online drug prescription records.

At the time, the FTC's enforcement action struck some observers as unusual, given that the company paid people who downloaded the software, and that there were not any allegations of identity theft or financial harm.

Sears now argues that much has changed in the last eight years, and that the terms of the original order are "obsolete and impractical" for mobile apps.

"Sears consumers expect that in order to interact with the companys sites, forms, and offerings, some data collection, use, and sharing is necessary," the company contends.

The company specifically argues that the requirement to make clear and prominent disclosures before collecting data should not apply in all situations, including when the app collects data about its configuration, whether it's functioning, and information regarding consumers' use of the program.

It's not yet clear whether the Republican-dominated FTC will revisit the case. But it won't be surprising if the agency does so, given the recent explosion of tracking technologies.

Tanya Forsheit, a privacy lawyer with Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, points out that much has changed in the ad-tech world since 2009.

"Lots of companies are doing very, very granular and personalized tracking," she says, adding that some are also appending information from data brokers about people's offline activity. She adds that it's "extraordinarily difficult" for companies to come up with a "short, user friendly privacy policy" that discloses the full extent of their tracking.

The FTC is accepting comments through December 8.
Lichen sclerosus is an uncommon, long-term skin condition where small patches of skin become thin and colorless. The condition can affect any part of the body but most often occurs in the skin around the genitals. Most cases of lichen sclerosus occur in women who have been through menopause, but men and children can also sometimes be affected. Lichen sclerosus can be managed with the right treatment. In this article, we take a look at the treatment options, along with the symptoms and causes of the condition.

Symptoms Share on Pinterest Lichen sclerosus may cause thin, dry patches of skin that are sore or itchy. Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder that causes small areas of skin to become thin and discolored so that white patches develop. The skin can crack and become sore, which can cause pain, itching, and discomfort. These feelings may be distressing. Lichen sclerosus can affect the skin on the arms, back, breasts, and other parts of the body, but it is usually the skin around the genitals and anus that is most often affected. Having lichen sclerosus in these areas can sometimes lead to pain during sex or when going to the bathroom. The most common symptoms of lichen sclerosus are: small, shiny spots that develop into white patches of thinned, crinkled skin

itching

blisters

bleeding

soreness and discomfort

scarring In mild cases of the disease, there may be no symptoms.

Who gets lichen sclerosus? Lichen sclerosus is a rare disease. When it does occur, it mostly affects women who have been through menopause aged between 40 and 60 years. It is unclear exactly how many women develop the condition. Researchers think that the number could be anywhere between 1 in 300 to 1 in 1,000 women. Men are six times less likely to develop the condition than women. Children are the least likely to be affected by lichen sclerosus. When it occurs in children, it is usually in girls who have not yet reached puberty.

Causes Share on Pinterest Hormone disorders or an overactive thyroid gland may increase the risk of developing lichen sclerosis. The exact causes of lichen sclerosus are not known, but doctors think there are different reasons why some people develop the disease. Possible causes and risk factors include the following: hormone imbalances

immune system problems, such as an overactive thyroid gland

a family history of the disease

previous damage to the skin because of other skin conditions Lichen sclerosus is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another, even through intimate contact, such as sexual intercourse.

Complications Lichen sclerosus can cause the skin to crack and bleed. When the area around the genitals is affected, it can be particularly painful and sore. In severe cases of lichen sclerosus, scarring can cause the walls of the vagina to shrink and tighten, making sexual intercourse very difficult and painful. Lichen sclerosus does not cause cancer. However, women whose genitals are affected are at a higher risk of developing some forms of skin cancer. This cancer risk accounts for less than 5 percent of women with the condition, however. Developing cancer is more likely to happen to a woman if she has not managed her symptoms through treatment.

Diagnosis Anyone who develops symptoms of lichen sclerosus should see a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis of lichen sclerosus means that treatment can begin immediately. Prompt treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and make it more manageable. A doctor will often be able to make a diagnosis by carrying out a physical examination of the affected areas. They may want to examine a small sample of skin under a microscope to ensure that the condition is lichen sclerosus. Occasionally, lichen sclerosus may have no symptoms. When this is the case, a doctor may only diagnose the condition when they are examining the affected area for another unrelated reason.

Treatment Share on Pinterest Steroid cream or ointment may be prescribed to treat lichen sclerosus depending on where it is located on the body Currently, there is no known cure for lichen sclerosus. However, there are many effective ways to relieve and manage symptoms to ease and minimise discomfort. Lichen sclerosus can sometimes clear up on its own. This usually happens when it is on parts of the body other than the genital and anal areas. There are many ways to treat lichen sclerosus around the genital areas, however. Some of these methods are outlined here, but there may be other more recent treatments available. As a result, it is important to discuss treatment options with a doctor. The most common treatment for lichen sclerosus is applying a steroid cream or ointment directly to the affected area. Steroids can be very effective in controlling inflammation, which helps to reduce itching, soreness, and scarring, and can prevent the condition from getting worse. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend surgery. For example, scar tissue can sometimes make the entrance to the vagina narrow, and, as a result, sex becomes difficult. Surgery will widen the opening to the vagina, reducing discomfort. When the foreskin of a male is affected, a doctor may suggest a circumcision. Some general self-help measures can make the condition more comfortable to live with. These include: applying an appropriate moisturizer to the affected areas

avoiding scented bathing products and detergents that can irritate the skin

using a lubricant during sex

avoiding rubbing or scratching the affected areas

wearing loose-fitting clothing and underwear made of natural fibers Symptoms in young girls often clear up entirely once they reach puberty. A doctor should always diagnose lichen sclerosus before a person starts any treatments. Women with the condition should have regular check-ups.
People living with lupus may be at significantly greater risk of developing dementia than those without the autoimmune disease, a new study suggests.

Share on Pinterest Researchers have uncovered a link between lupus and an increased risk of dementia.

Lupus is a chronic condition wherein the immune system mistakingly attacks the bodys healthy cells and tissues.

It is estimated that around 1.5 million people in the United States have lupus, and around 16,000 new cases of the disease are reported across the country each year.

Lupus is more likely to strike women than men, and most people who develop the condition are between the ages of 15 and 44.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus. This can cause damage to the joints, skin, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels, which may lead to conditions such as kidney failure, arthritis, and seizures.

Research has also previously suggested that people with lupus are more likely to have problems with memory. The new study builds on such findings, after uncovering a possible link between lupus and an increased risk of dementia.
What happens when Hollywood legends Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg come under one roof? An explosion of awesomeness! Seriously, this deadly combination has all the possibilities to win an Oscar. The trailer that was released recently only goes on to prove why we and every other person who has seen a glimpse of this period film might be right in considering it Oscar-worthy.

 20th Century Fox

We are talking about the upcoming movie 'The Post', which surprisingly marks the first ever collaboration of Hanks, Streep and Spielberg. Why did Hollywood not think of pairing the three legends earlier? Well, their 2015 release 'Everything Is Copy' cannot really be considered their first movie as it was a documentary on the life of writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron.

 20th Century Fox

Set in the backdrop of 1970s America, 'The Post' follows the journey of Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), the country's first female newspaper publisher of The Washington Post, who joins forces with the Editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), to unravel some of the deepest and darkest secrets and lies of the government.

Can the two journalists overcome their differences to expose a massive cover-up that might hold the key to the buried secrets of the government, which spanned three decades and four US Presidents? This ethical dilemma of choosing to save their skins or putting everything (their life, careers, freedom) at stake for what is right, weaves the rest of the plot.

The press and the government have always been at loggerheads for reasons everyone knows but never talks about. They are like a bickering couple, who can never come to terms with each other and will always have something or the other to blame. It's a clear can't live with them or without them situation.

 20th Century Fox

Honestly, there could not have been a better time for Spielberg to come up with a movie like this. After Donald Trump's win in the 2017 Presidential Elections, the government's rift with the press and the media's frustration has only worsened and become more evident. Earlier, this year Streep even called out President Trump during her speech at the Golden Globes. So, it will be interesting to see how Spielberg weaves his magic around this sensitive issue and turns it into a movie that both the press and government might look forward to.

 20th Century Fox

'The Post' also stars Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Sarah Paulson, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Zach Woods. The mere mention of names like Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and the fact that they will touch base with one of the most controversial issues in the history of America, has catapulted our excitement into space. We cannot be more eager to watch this promising masterpiece that is slated to release on December 22, 2017.
When it comes to flying cars, the concept has always been a fantasy ever since the automobile was first invented. However, it may not be a fantasy anymore as Uber and NASA are partnering up to develop a flying taxi that might just be ready to take over the skies by 2020.

 Uber

The taxi-hailing company signed a deal with NASA yesterday to develop an air traffic management system so that Uber can fly their taxis safely. The partnership was announced by Jeff Holden, Uber head of product on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed as a part of NASA's Space Act Agreement where it allows a collective of industry leaders and other companies to work towards safer and efficient flying taxis and unmanned aerial systems. The flying taxis will be flown at low altitudes so that it does not interfere with the traditional air traffic of jets and other aircrafts. Uber detailed how the concept will actually work and their long-term vision for the flying taxi service in a marketing video.

Check it out:

 Uber

Uber has already been investing in self-driving cars and also announced plans for flying taxis in cities like Dallas and Dubai by 2020. However, Uber has now added Los Angeles to the list of cities that will host trials for the service. Uber may just be pushing the envelope, however, there is no way to ascertain whether this service will be expanded to other countries. A self-driven taxi may never be seen in India due to the country's driving habits and lack of basic driving etiquette. We sure as hell are not expecting a flying taxi service to enter India, especially with all this smog around us!

 Uber

However, the flying taxi service may also be the saving grace for traffic problems in a city like New Delhi. Uber predicts that a trip of 15 kilometres will take about 30 minutes as compared to 1 hour 20 minutes in a car.
09.11.2017 LISTEN

The annual second Kente Dinner Dance aimed at raising fund to support Ghana Association Adopted children Intellectual Disabilities at Dzorwulu Special School took place last Saturday at Arizona (USA).

Themed Wrap with Pride and Support A Good Cause, the occasion which had many Ghanaians in attendance created the 'show off' of the famous traditional Kente cloth.

The Association invited Kings and Queens from each region in Ghana who live in Arizona to grace the event and their presence were incredible.

These traditional leaders confidently portrayed the Ghanaian culture with their dressing and dancing in a perfect manner which tells how rich Ghana is in terms of culture and tradition.

Notable amongst the queens was Ophelia Owusuaa from the Aduana clan of the Ashanti Region. She showed off her Adowa dancing skills to the amazement of everyone present.

These numerous attractions drew a lot of personalities to the show. There were also guest speakers: Dr. Owusu Dormery and Dr. Peter Okra, (PHD) who spoke about maintaining a healthy life and prevention of cancer
Wife of ailing actor, Asonaba Kwaku Darko, popularly known as Super OD has expressed her deepest gratitude to former President John Mahama for paying them a visit.

Mary Nyarko told Hitz @1 that, her husband and the ex-president had a great relationship during his tenure as president and the bond between them still exist.

Former President Mahama visited the veteran actor and his family at their residence in Agona Swedru in the Central region after the Unity Walk by National Democratic Congress (NDC) last Sunday.

The wife of the veteran however disclosed that the former President gave them some money for their upkeep.

Madam Nyarko explained that the actor has been very ill for a while now and finds its very difficult to speak audibly due to his illness and old age.

She stated that for someone as great as former President Mahama to visit them is really an honour.

The former President was in the company of some members of the NDC including Allotey Jacobs, Central Regional Chairman; Ade Coker, Greater Accra Regional Chairman; Nana Oye Lithur, former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection; and actor Clement Bonney (Mr Beautiful).

Super OD, started acting in the 1970s and gained national prominence in the 1990s for roles in popular series, Akan Drama on Ghana Television.

He was part of the Oppong Drama Group which later became known as Osofo Dadzie Group.
09.11.2017 LISTEN

Bonn, Germany, Nov. 8, GNA - The United Nations Migration Agency says about 25 million people, globally, are displaced annually due to climate induced disasters.

In Africa, it said, floods and droughts were the main drivers of climate disasters, which were displacing many people from their natural habitats.

Speaking at the on-going Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany, Ms Mariam Chazalnoel Traore, the Thematic Expert on Migration, Environment and Climate Change at the UN Migration Agency, said most of the displaced people stayed within their countries and this led to economic and health issues.

In the last two decades, climate induced disasters, she noted, had forced more people to migrate internally than ever before.

This, the UN Migration Agency described 'as worrying', saying climate issues must be tackled by the governments seriously.

Ms Traore said countries needed to put in place migration and distressed emergency plans and other relocation contingencies.

However, she explained, that most people also migrated for economic reasons, while others migrated to escape political and religious persecution. .

Mr Atle Solberg, Head Coordination Unit, Platform on Disaster Displacement, said in Africa, countries within the horn of the continent and some other southern African countries were the most affected by climate disasters.

Somalia and Ethiopia, he said, were, particularly, affected by conflict and drought, Mozambique and Malawi were also being affected by floods.

'The main drivers in Africa are flooding and drought,' he stated. These two drivers are displacing people.'

He urged countries to endeavour to use their internally developed tools relating to disaster management; civil protection; and emergency responses; to more effectively to address the issues of climate disasters, which occurred within their borders.

The Climate Change Conference, which opened on November 6, is a meeting of nearly 200 nations to work on a detailed "rule book" to help guide the 2015 Paris climate accord.

The agreement set a goal of ending the fossil fuel era this century, by shifting to renewable energies such as wind and solar power.

Fiji's Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, who is presiding at the conference, has called for more urgent action to cut greenhouse gases as part of the 195-nation Paris Agreement.

The conference would thus enable countries to show the extent of their commitments towards mitigating the effects and impact of Climate Change, especially in developing countries, such as Ghana.

Meanwhile, many delegates have expressed optimism that the outcome of the Bonn conference would be more positive and that negotiators would have a smooth sailing with deliberations on climate change adaptation and mitigation negotiations.

Parties and negotiators on day one, adopted the final agenda for the coming two weeks .

Unlike in Bonn, at previous COPs, the adoption of the agenda was often used to disrupt the conference.

The previous COP was held last year in Marrakesh, Morocco, where stakeholders from around the world adopted a set of voluntary climate mainstreaming principles with the aim of improving the effectiveness and transparency of climate action.

GNA
Leading global ICT solutions provider, Huawei has called on telecom carriers in Africa to focus on providing customers with a great user experience to achieve new value-driven growth.

Paul Michael Scanlan, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Huawei's Carrier Network Business Group made the call in his keynote address at AfricaCom, the premier Pan-African technology, telecoms and media event which kicked off today in Cape Town.

'The ICT industry can play a crucial role in fuelling new growth in Africa through increased economic activity, innovation and productivity,' he said.

With a fast growing population, ICT demands in Africa are far from being met. Latest statistics from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) show that a proportion of households with Internet access in Africa for 2017 is 18%, while fixed-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Africa for 2016 was 0.26%. The global research also found that nearly nine out of 10 young individuals not using the Internet live in Africa or Asia and the Pacific.

'A better connected digital world is fast approaching; connectivity is no longer a privilege but a necessity. We notice that African markets still have a growing, underserved user base. This presents Africa with a historic opportunity for development,' Scanlan said.

As a key participant at AfricaCom, Huawei's theme for this year is ROADS to New Growth, with a focus on working together with operators and industry partners to explore ways to build a successful ecosystem that will speed up return on investment (ROI) and achieve value-driven new growth.

With an improved user experience as the focus, carriers needed to respond to user demand by relooking at their entire business and operation models as well as restructuring their telecoms networks.

'We believe that the impact of Information and Communications Technology should be measured by how many people can benefit from it, that's why we strive to engineer broadband technology to the highest standard, faster than ever, for everyone, everywhere.' Scanlan said.

At AfricaCom, Huawei will also host an Operations Transformation Forum for Carriers where it will share its solutions to creating additional business value while providing a better and more compelling experience.

Huawei is a leading global ICT solutions provider, aimed at enriching life and to improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry.

Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices and cloud computing.

Huawei's 180,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers with, products and services which are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population.

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees.

GNA
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of consistently peddling falsehood about the status of the countrys economy.

According to him, the recent failed attempts by the government to meet its target for the first tranche of the energy bond was an indication of the inability of the Economic management team, led by the Vice President, to manage the economy adequately.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Minority in Parliament today [Wednesday], Isaac Adongo described the team as over-hyped and stated that Dr. Bawumias eloquence had convinced Ghanaians to accept his lies about the state of the economy.

Bawumia has never understood the economy of Ghana. He has always lied about the economy of Ghana. He said that our debt was about 36 billion and would end at 40 billion dollars. When he came with his budget, he said it was around 26 billion. How did John Mahama miraculously find 14 billion dollars to pay down the debt in three months before we left office? He took the people of Ghana for a ride, he said.

The reality is that, he knows nothing but he's so confident and eloquent that he can confuse all of you. The reality is that he's now managing the economy and must walk the talk. But with this bond, I doubt they will attempt the four billion again because they will not get a third rematch because the investors are already away from it.

The managers of the bond sought to raise 6 billion cedis under two separate bonds, but accrued a total of 4.6 billion cedis after it closed the auction.

The 7-year bond received the targeted 2.4 billion cedis, whilst the 10-year bond accrued about 2.2 billion cedis, below the target of 3.6 billion cedis.

Several critics have described this development as a failure by the government and a sign of the declining confidence of investors, whilst the government hailed the bond as relatively successful.

According to Isaac Adongo, despite being able to raise a $2.25 billion bond in hours in April on the back of the goodwill built up by the NDC, the subsequent attempts have failed because of waning investor confidence.

They rode on the back of the confidence of the economy that the NDC left, to raise a bond of $2.25 billion in four hours. What has now happened that in one month, they still cant raise it? They are destroying the fundamentals that we developed for them. When they were in their honeymoon period and were taking credit we told them to wait and that their time would come. Their time has come and we have been embarrassed, he said.

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

He claimed that the balance sheet of ESLA PLC after raising the bond was -$3.6 billion, and that no investor would put their money in such a company.

Its only under the best economist that the world has ever produced, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Isaac Adongo added, tongue-in-cheek.

Listen to the full address by Isaac Adongo below



By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
A beneficiary of the LEAP program has stated that the managers of the support scheme should extend their graces to people with the energy to start businesses with the money.

Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is a program set up by the Ghana government in 2008 to support families and individuals described as extremely poor.

William Niyuni who is the Deputy Director of LEAP described extremely poor families as a household that cannot afford one square meal a day on the total income of the household.

According to the director, the category of people who qualify to benefit from the program includes households with: orphans, vulnerable children, people 65 years and above and people with severe disabilities and without productive capacity.

The amount given to such beneficiaries have been increased over the years and as of 2017 the figures stand at GHS64 per household if there is one eligible beneficiary, GHS76 if there are two eligible beneficiaries, GHS88 for three and GHS106 if there are four or more eligible people in the household and the money is paid every other month.

Most of the beneficiaries at Apapa a community at Labone in Accra who spoke on the Joy FM Super Morning Show on Tuesday when the programme was taken to the community, expressed pleasure about the existence of the scheme but wanted the money increased.

One beneficiary who spoke on the programme said she spends GHS50 on utilities and is left to with GHS14 which is not capable of doing much.

Another beneficiary said her father who the grant is meant for, spends more than the grant money on medications so the money should be either increased to GHS200 or the present amount be paid monthly.

Another beneficiary who spoke took a different stance when she said since the money is meant to help lift beneficiaries out extreme poverty, old and weak people like herself should be overlooked and the money given to able-bodied people who can actually use the money for a startup.

Apapa in Labone was strategically chosen for the programme because it is said that the gap between the poor and rich gets wider and Labone is a community for the affluent and just across the road is Apapa which is an extremely deprived community so such an area pictures the idea behind the scheme.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com| Oswald K. Azumah
Separatists killed two policemen in the restive English-speaking region of Cameroon, a day after an officer was shot dead there, the government said Wednesday.

Neither of the attacks has been claimed, but the authorities have been swift to blame the escalation on militants demanding that anglophone regions break away from the west African nation.

"Secessionist terrorists killed two gendarmes overnight in Bamenda," government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary told AFP, adding that the attack was carried out "with combat weapons".

The two were on guard duty at the time, one of them outside a micro-loan bank, he said.

The assailants fled with the policemen's guns, said Tchiroma, who is also minister for communications.

Bamenda is the chief town in the Northwest, one of two regions where unrest has broken out among Cameroon's anglophone minority.

On Monday, "suspected separatists" killed a gendarme in Jakiri, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) to the east, while he was pursuing men who attacked a school, according to a local official.

The officer found himself cut off and encircled by the attackers in a forest, the source said.

Discrimination claims

French-speaking Cameroon has a large anglophone community which comprises about a fifth of its population of 22 million.

Gathered mainly in two regions, many English speakers say they suffer economic inequality and discrimination at the hands of the francophone majority, particularly in education and justice.

On October 1, a breakaway movement issued a symbolic declaration of independence for their putative state of "Ambazonia," led by Sisiku Ayuk.

President Paul Biya fiercely opposes secession or a return to Cameroon's former federal structure.

The agitation began at the end of 2016 but has met with a crackdown that has alarmed human-rights watchdogs.

At least 14 people have died in clashes, as well as five prisoners who were killed while trying to escape jail, according to a toll compiled by AFP.

International monitors, in contrast, say at least 20 and possibly 40 people have been killed in clashes since late September.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank last month accused Cameroon of embracing a policy of "murderous repression" that, it warned, could lead to an "armed uprising".

The Biya government disputes the claimed death toll and has accused the ICG of being "an agency of destabilisation, in the pay of the secessionist movements."

On October 31, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said thousands of people had fled from the anglophone regions into neighbouring Nigeria, and the agency was bracing for an influx of up to 40,000.

Anglophone secessionists are being backed from abroad by social media outlets calling on the public to form self-defence groups to fight "the occupation forces" and to join protests.

So-called "dead city" demonstrations, in which all activities are supposed to stop, have been taking place on Mondays.

Several businesses, as well as homes and schools, have been torched in previous weeks, in attacks usually attributed to separatists.

But there are also tensions within the anglophone movement, with those advocating a more moderate stance under pressure.

An anglophone leader who advocates federalism, Felix Agbor Nghongo, has been branded a "traitor" by secessionists and thrown out of a campaign group, the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC), which was outlawed in January.

His home in Manfe, in the southwest, was burned down last month after he had called for schools to reopen.

In mid-October, the home of an anglophone legislator, Bernard Forju, was burned by a mob angered by the government's decision to send envoys to the region to seek what it called dialogue.

Legacy of history

The anglophone minority in Cameroon is a legacy of the colonial period in Africa.

France and Britain divided up the former German colony under League of Nations mandates after World War I.

A year after the French-ruled territory became independent in 1961, the southern part of British Cameroons was integrated into a federal system, scrapped 11 years later for a "united republic".
The Minority in Parliament has accused the Akufo-Addo administration of causing financial loss to the state with the recent issuance of the Energy Sector Bond.

They want the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to be hauled before the House to explain why the latest bond issuance did not get the desired amount.

According to them, Mr Ofori-Atta ignored investment advice from the IMF among others, resulting in the underwhelming GH6 billion yield of the bond.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Wednesday, Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, said the complex structure of the bond and unrealistic assumptions by the government, caused the failure of the bond.

Lead managers of Ghanas energy bond were not able to raise the entire amount targeted for the 10-year ESLA paper which closed last Friday.

Joy Business understands that managers got GH2.79 billion worth of bids from investors, but accepted GH2.29 billion as against a target of GH3.6 billion.

The results showed that the amount raised for the 10-year ESLA paper was about GH1.4 billion short of what was targeted. The managers, according to sources accepted to pay investors an interest of 19.5 percent over the next ten years on the ESLA paper issued.

This will translate into about GH456 million being paid every year, however, the amount would reduce to GH312 million and 156 million in the 9th and 10th year.

In reaction to this, Mr Forson said, instead of them issuing a bond called plain vanilla, they decided to use this complex structure that has caused the taxpayer some 200 basis points."

The 200 basis marks about two percent of theGH6 billion sought, amounting to about GH1.2 million, which he noted can help the government to finance the Free SHS that they are struggling to settle.

The former Deputy Finance Minister said, if they had gone to the financial market on the strength of government of Ghana ratings, rather than the ESLA PLC which is unrated and unknown, government could have saved the aforementioned 200 basis points.

On that basis, he blames government delegation in charge of the bond for woefully causing financial loss to the state as a result of their gross incompetence.

Because of someones gross incompetence, the state is losing GH1.2 billion over a 10-year period, he said.

For what he describes as reckless conduct and gross disrespect for the Constitution the Minority wants the Mr Ofori-Atta to be summoned to answer questions on the floor.

This singular failure of the bond issuance in this administration has brought Ghanas image and integrity into disrepute in the financial market. Ghana has become a laughing stock in the financial market.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com | JoyBusiness
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has said that despite the eloquent demeanor often displayed by economist Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia when he speaks, the Vice President actually knows nothing about the economy.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Minority in Parliament today [Wednesday], Isaac Adongo accused the Vice President of consistently peddling falsehood , but the confident way in which he speaks had convinced Ghanaians to accept his lies about the state of the economy.

Bawumia has never understood the economy of Ghana. He has always lied about the economy of Ghana. He said that our debt was about 36 billion and would end at 40 billion dollars. When he came with his budget, he said it was around 26 billion. How did John Mahama miraculously find 14 billion dollars to pay down the debt in three months before we left office? He took the people of Ghana for a ride, he said.

The reality is that, he knows nothing but he's so confident and eloquent that he can confuse all of you. The reality is that he's now managing the economy and must walk the talk. But with this bond, I doubt they will attempt the four billion again because they will not get a third rematch because the investors are already away from it.

His comments come on the back of recent failed attempts by the government to meet its target for the first tranche of the energy bond.

The managers of the bond sought to raise 6 billion cedis under two separate bonds, but accrued a total of 4.6 billion cedis after it closed the auction.

The 7-year bond received the targeted 2.4 billion cedis, whilst the 10-year bond accrued about 2.2 billion cedis, below the target of 3.6 billion cedis.

Several critics have described this development as a failure by the government, and a sign of the declining confidence of investors, whilst the government hailed the bond as relatively successful.

According to Adongo, the recent failed attempts by the government to meet its target for the first tranche of the energy bond, was an indication of the inability of the Economic management team, led by the Vice President, to manage the economy adequately.

Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo

Isaac Adongo described the team as over-hyped and stated that Dr. Bawumias eloquence had convinced Ghanaians to accept his lies about the state of the economy.

They rode on the back of the confidence of the economy that the NDC left, to raise a bond of $2.25 billion in four hours. What has now happened that in one month, they still cant raise it? They are destroying the fundamentals that we developed for them. When they were in their honeymoon period and were taking credit we told them to wait and that their time would come. Their time has come and we have been embarrassed, he said.

He claimed that the balance sheet of ESLA PLC after raising the bond was -$3.6 billion, and that no investor would put their money in such a company.

Its only under the best economist that the world has ever produced, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Isaac Adongo added sarcastically.

Listen to the full address by Isaac Adongo below



By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
09.11.2017 LISTEN

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, co-hosts the Africa CEO Forum to stimulate private investment on the African continent.

The next edition of the largest international meeting dedicated to the African private sector will take place March 26  27, 2018, in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

The partnership with the AFRICA CEO FORUM highlights IFCs new strategic orientation on creating markets, which includes placing Africas development at the heart of its priorities.

Chief Executive Officer of IFC, Philippe Le Houerou, said IFC is more focused than ever on leading development in Africa by creating markets and mobilizing significantly more private investment.

The growing participation of public decision-makers at the Africa CEO Forum will also allow IFC to support public-private dialogue.

The Africa CEO Forum brings major investors together to debate the regions toughest development challenges. By expanding our role in the Forum, IFC will deepen strategic relationships and encourage public-private dialogue that can lead to greater opportunities for private investors in Africa, said Cheikh Oumar Seydi, the IFC Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

As co-host of the Africa CEO Forum, IFC will bring its expertise on the subjects, in connection with its strategic priorities, which will be at the center of discussions

The subjects include development of capital markets, women leadership, the rise of private education, financing start-ups, improvement of good governance or youth employment.

This partnership comes at a time and in an international context thats favorable to mobilizing private investment in Africa. On the occasion of the next edition of the AFRICA CEO FORUM, and further to Baden-Badens G20, we will move forward the Compact with Africa initiative with IFC by bringing together economy and finance ministers from the 10 signatory African countries and the continents most influential economic decision-makers, said Amir Ben Yahmed, president of the AFRICA CEO FORUM.

The Africa CEO Forum is an event organised by Jeune Afrique Media Group, publisher of Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, and Rainbow Unlimited, a Swiss company specialising in organising events promoting and facilitating business.

Following the success of its 2017 edition, which hosted over 1,200 African and international personalities, the Africa CEO Forum definitively established itself as the leading international event focusing on the development of Africa and its companies, in a top-level professional setting conducive to business meetings.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.

Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, IFC uses their capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world.

In FY17, IFC delivered a record $19.3 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to help end poverty and boost shared prosperity.
09.11.2017 LISTEN

Mr Kwamena Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, has signed an economic partnership agreement with the United States of America (USA) based Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to promote trade and businesses in the region.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the largest Hispanic business organisation, contributing in excess of $661 billion to the American economy and represented 4.1 million Hispanic businesses in the US.

The move formed part of the region's stepped up economic engagements to significantly promote, attract, retain and boost investments and businesses to create jobs.

The partnership agreement was signed between the Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Chamber when Mr Duncan led a delegation to tour the United States of America on renewed investments prospects.

Other members of the delegation included the President of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Cape Coast, Mr Ernest Arthur, Bismark Baisie Nkum, District Chief Executive for Gomoa West and Mr. Kojo Ampah, businessman.

Speaking at an engagement with the chamber of commerce, the Regional Minister, described Ghana as the most politically stable investments destination in African where there were entrenched democracy and absolutely freedom.

"The tenants of rule of law operate without any inhibitions and fear regardless of one's colour, race social standing or political affiliation".

He indicated that, the Akuffo Addo led government was a pro-business one, adding that the new friendship would not only deepen the friendly relations between the two countries but would also deepen economic co-operation and collaboration.

Mr. Kwamena Duncan also used the opportunity to shed light on policy initiatives of the Ghana government and encouraged American investors to choose Ghana for investments.

In addition to that, the Government had also instituted various systematic and pragmatic policy initiatives aimed at returning the economy of Ghana from consumption to sustained production.

In this regard, the Government had initiated programmes such as the 'one district, one factory,' planting for food and jobs" among others to restart the processes of industralisation to transform the economy.

To achieve that target, the Government had succeeded in prioritizing the private sector with the right investments and congenial business friendly policies to help the economic transformation and emancipation agenda.

He reassured them of Government's commitment to creating enabling environment for the private sector to thrive since the sector constitute a key component in the country's economic growth.

He said government was working on improving on the country's policy framework to remove any bottlenecks that hindered private investors and give opportunity to expand their businesses and employ more people

Critical among the business incentives were easy port clearing system (paperless system), good legal system, abundant litigation-free arable lands, and abundance of human and natural resources which are critical to the success of private businesses.

However, Mr. Frank Garcia, National President of the States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce promised to work with the Regional Minister to encourage and promote trade between Ghana and Latin American States for mutual benefits.

Later, Mr Duncan, addressed the Bronx African American History Project (BAAHP) class at the Fordham University where he traced Ghana's path towards democracy and outlined programmes of the Akufo Addo-led administration to the admiration of the students and faculty members.

He invited the students to visit Ghana and Africa for first-hand experience to correct the misconceptions and hardened untruth notions about Africa and Ghana in particular.

In an address, Prof Mark Naison, Principal Investigator of BAAHP expressed his excitement for the collaboration between CCMA and BAAHP and for the choice of Fordham University.

He lauded Ghanaian migrants for their peace-loving nature saying "Ghanaian immigrants were the reasons for the peace in Bronx".

He thanked the Ghanaian community for its enormous support, saying India's trade investments had, over the years, provided jobs for many Ghanaians.

The investments tour was put together by the Cape Coast Metro Investments Desk and Malaika Media Network and sponsored by the Fordham University with support from the City of Rochester, New York.

GNA

By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
09.11.2017 LISTEN

Over a thousand youth from Labone Senior High School, Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) and the public, participated in Welt Filme's supported Premier organized by Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF).

The event, which commenced YBF and Welt Filme's Mobile Cinema Tour in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Western and Northern Regions of Ghana showed participant's four short films produced by selected Welt Filme trained youth from Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The project aimed at informing, educating and inspiring young people as well as advocating meaningful youth development on the continent.

Mr Samuel Asamoah, the Coordinator of the Mobile Cinema Tour, on behalf of the Executive Director of YBF, said the project was set to create nation-wide awareness on the situation of young people using the films as case studies; help foster national discourse among the youth and key stakeholders on the challenges facing the youth; and, empower young people to overcome their challenges.

He said, the project would distribute 1,150 Digital Versatile Disc copies of the films among young people, government institutions, CSOs, traditional and district authorities and all relevant stakeholders in Ghana.

On her part, Madam Sarah Heinlin, a volunteer from YMCA, on behalf of the Executive Director, expressed the readiness of YMCA to host similar project 'ALL ON BOARD' in Ghana in March 2018.

She commended Welt Filme and YBF for highlighting key issues that affected young people in Africa, and especially, for creating a learning platform for such productive youth engagement.

The movies premiered included Picturing My Life, Mayilla Stony Path, Dansa and Digging for a New Life.

Some excited participants after watching the movies, engaged to highlight the inherent lessons and discussion points in the movies.

Picturing My Life empowered young female participants to pursue their chosen career irrespective of the challenges they encountered in their pursuit, while Dansa called on families to support the chosen careers of their children and not force them to do what they had no interest in.

Mayilla Stony Path also teaching the youth the essence of resilience, why and how not to give up on their education even in the midst of adversities.

Students advised themselves to avoid bad companies and associate themselves with individuals and groups that would have good influence on their personal development from 'digging for a New Life'.

It cautioned young participants against stealing, smoking, drinking and other vices.

YBF is a Non- Governmental youth development advocate dedicated to youth empowerment with a passion of nurturing the next generation of African Leaders and Welt Filme is a Berlin based non-profit organization set up to intensify the dialogue between the northern and southern worlds using the medium of film.

GNA

By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
09.11.2017 LISTEN

Ambassador J. E. K Aggrey-Orleans, Ghana's celebrated diplomat, Wednesday, said protocol issues in diplomacy must be uplifted to a concept of Diplomatic Behaviour in every Ghanaian so that the nation would distinguish itself in the Sub-region.

He said everybody in society must be considered an agent of diplomacy, which was a secret tool for successful relations among states, representation of identities as well as negotiations between states and institutions.

Ambassador Aggrey-Orleans was speaking on the topics: 'The Fundamental Principle of Protocol and The Importance of Protocol in Inter-State, Inter-Corporate and Inter-Faith Relations' at the 2017 Protocol Matters Conference, in Accra, on Wednesday.

The Conference is to equip institutions, event Managers, religious organisations and hospitality operators with cutting-edge skills for the Protocol Industry since the cornerstone of all functions and events rests on the recognition and effectiveness of Protocol procedures.

The Conference, which is being organised by Prosline Events Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is on the theme: The Importance of Protocol in National Development: 'Image Creation and Communication.'

He said protocol services had the powers of making people's lives better if individuals committed to decency and followed its applications rightly.

Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a speech read on her behalf by Madam Olivia Opoku Adom, said protocol set the mood and created the right atmosphere for the Diplomatic and Political leadership to move ahead with serious diplomatic business at hand.

She said protocol also showcased a country's culture and its importance to nation building could not be exaggerated.

Mr Daniel Prosper Blagogee, the Executive Director of Prosline Events, said Ghana was globally recognised as a stable democracy and was thus strategically positioned for international engagement in all spheres of endeavours, especially the attraction of bilateral and multilateral businesses.

This, he said, brought the country into constant interaction with people of diverse economic, social, political and cultural backgrounds.

It was, therefore, imperative for protocol professionals to be abreast of current trends in the industry and to be equipped with the needed skills to ensure that the engagements with diverse people left a memorable impression of Ghana.

Mr Blagogee said the protocol industry rested largely on social and interpersonal interaction and it was necessary to let the public appreciate its critical place in the conduct of informal and informal engagements.

The Reverend Dr. Joyce Aryee, the Founder of the Salt and Light Ministry, and Chairperson of the Conference, said protocol was the practical aspect of communication and that ushers at events were the subset of protocol services.

Other speakers at the conference were Ambassador Dr. Margret Amoakohene and Ambassador James Naadjie, who spoke on 'Using Protocol to Enhance Image and Protocol as a means of Increasing State Efficiency,' respectively.

GNA

By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA
09.11.2017 LISTEN

A 23 year old petty trader who defiled a 14 year old girl after rescuing her from the grips of two other men who had defiled her, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.

Charles Frimpong who was charged with defilement pleaded guilty.

The court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh convicted Frimpong on his plea.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant Charity Agbekpornu is a businesswoman residing at Nii Boi Town and is also the victim's aunt.

Prosecution said Frimpong also reside at Nii Boi Town and that on October 30, this year at about 0300 hours, Frimpong spotted the victim in front of St Michaels School crying.

When Frimpong approached her, the victim disclosed that two boys had had sex with her in turns behind the school after they had lured her there and that they also collected her GHE 10.00.

The prosecutor said Frimpong promised the victim that he would collect her money from those two boys for her.

The prosecution said Frimpong then took her to Lapaz and asked her to wait at a spot for him to buy her food.

According to the prosecutor, when Frimpong returned, he saw another man forcing to have sex with the victim, he fought with the said man and received a deep cut on his lips.

Prosecution said Frimpong took the victim later to a place known as Nkobem at Nii Boi Town where he convinced and had sex with the victim on a mattress in a kiosk.

After the act, Frimpong informed the victim to accompany him to Lapaz to confirm to Police that the man he (Frimpong) fought had attempted have sex with her.

On reaching the Police Station the said man identified Frimpong as his assailant which led to his arrest.

During interrogation by the Police, Frimpong revealed that he also had sex with the victim after he had rescued the victim from the said man who was forcing her to have sex with him.

GNA

By Joyce Danso, GNA
09.11.2017 LISTEN

The Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services has honoured 17 gallant retired officers who have rendered selfless services to the 37 Military Hospital.

The ceremony to immortalise the names of the officers, formed part of activities marking the year-long 75th anniversary celebrations of the 37 Military Hospital.

Some of the officers, who had passed on as well as on retirement, were named after some departments in the hospital to reward their efforts and services.

The Departments named after the retired officers are the Trauma and Surgical Emergency Unit (TSEU), named after the Late Brigadier General G.K Deh (Gh/901), the 37 Military Hospital Basic School and Medical Emergency Unit was named after Brigadier General A.B Gyening (Gh/1352), the OPD Complex after Late Brigadier General D.A Twum (Gh/1353) and the Department of Anatomical Pathology after Brig Gen. J.M Wadhwani (Gh/1454).

The Intensive Care /Burns Unit was named after Brig. Gen. J.M Ayettey (Gh/1457); the Board Room named after Late Colonel J.B.B Asafu-Adjaye; Gynaecology Emergency Unit (GEU) Colonel Gladys Gifty Osei (Gh/769); Public Health Division, Colonel E.A Afari (Gh/1249); Reproductive and Child Health Center, Col. Florence Forson (Gh/1028); Paediatric Emergency Unit, Col Theresa Ofori-Akuffo (Gh/1306), and the Theatre Complex after Dr K.G Fordjour.

The Armed Forces Nursing Service MESS, after the Late Lieutenant Colonel Victoria Christian (Gh/162); Allied Ward was named after Lieutenant Colonel Edith Tamakloe (Gh/297), Administration Block (Nursing and Midwery Training College) after Lt Col. Gladys Okwaning (Gh/1062); Dispensary Gate-NTC Gate Road, 175079 Late Senior Warrant Officer Neindow Iddrisu; Main Gate-Dispensary Gate, 156186 W.O1 Sefordzi Aloysius whiles Relatives Waiting Area Department of Anatomical Pathology was also named after Late Mr Attah Kumah.

Lieutenant General O.B Akwa, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces, paid tribute to the departed officers for their service and prayed that posterity would recognise their hard work and keep them in memory.

Lt. Gen. Akwa said the military high command continues to pursue the core mandates of the hospital so that the logistical and personnel challenges could be addressed.

He urged all individuals and departments to continue giving off their best even in 'this trying times' to keep the hospital as the best health facility in the country.

'I am hopeful this recognition ceremony will trigger the personnel to stand up to their duties and responsibilities and encourage all of us to endeavour to work hard in order to carve similar niches for ourselves and future generations,' he added.

Brig. Gen. A.B Gyening (Gh/1352), Retired, on behalf of those honoured, expressed gratitude to the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services for the honour done them.

He pledged that whiles alive, they would be willing to help the Hospital whenever they are called upon, adding that, 'We accept the honour done us and we are most grateful for having offered our services to the well-being of humanity'.

GNA

By Samira Larbie, GNA
09.11.2017 LISTEN

CalBank has warned of increased impairments in the future if the potential injection of fresh capital into the banking sector from banks meeting the Bank of Ghana's minimum capital requirement is not properly used.

According to the Bank, asset quality will be greatly affected if all the banks raise fresh capital as a way of meeting the minimum capital requirements.

Ms. Dzifa Amegashie, Head of Investor Relations at CalBank Limited, speaking at the Bank's second and last 'Facts behind the Figures' session at the Ghana Stock Exchange, said there was a potential of between five to nine billion cedis that could come into the sector from banks meeting the requirement; an amount which could cause future loan impairments if not well utilised.

This, she said, was more pertinent due to the asset quality issues brought on high Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in the industry and Banks' inability to grow their loan books.

The BoG in September announced new GHE400 million minimum capital requirements for Banks, to be met by December 2018. Banks are expected to raise the amount by raising fresh capital, capitalising their income surplus or both.

Ms. Amegashie said the Board and Management of CalBank were currently going through the options to see which would be the optimal solution for the Bank, however there are concerns about what fresh capital may do to future returns if it had to raise fresh capital, especially with the Bank's capital adequacy ratio over 22 percent and the potential risk to asset quality.

'Undoubtedly, until the asset quality issues are resolved, we fully expect that all of this money chasing a few transactions, will result in increased impairments,' she stated, but assured that the Bank would have a proposal on how it intended to meet the requirements by end of November, 2017 as stipulated by the Bank of Ghana.

Mr Frank Adu Junior, Managing Director of Cal Bank, explained that the new capital will come from shareholders who will be looking for return on equity on capital employed thus managers of banks will pushed to deploy this fresh capital in order to give their shareholders this return on equity.

He noted that if care was not taken, they would be booking bad loans as the market will have nowhere else to put these monies but mainly into loans and advances, and other investments.

'Anytime you deploy capital rapidly, you're bound to make mistakes,' he said and advised banks to be careful in deploying the capital otherwise they would be writing them back into bad loans 18 months down the line.

Mr Adu further added that CalBank was confident of its ability to raise the minimum requirement by itself, by the 2018 deadline.

He noted that while it was open to partnering with another bank if it found one, it did not necessarily need to do so in order to meet the requirement.

'If we find a willing bride; we shall marry, if not, we do not need to get married. We will meet the capital requirement by ourselves,' stated.

Giving highlights of the Bank's third quarter performance, Mr Phillip Owiredu, Executive Director of CalBank, said the Bank recorded an increase in Profit Before Tax of GHE156,695 million, an increase of 13.2 percent over same quarter 2016.

Profit after Tax also went up 25 percent from GHE90,920 million in the third quarter to GHE113,641 million in the quarter under review.

At the same time, impairment loss increased by 46 percent from GHE33.6 million to GHE49.1 million.

Mr Kofi Yamoah, Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) commended CalBank for its commitment to the 'Facts Behind the Figures' series, adding that the GSE was looking at ways to amend its rules to make it compulsory for all listed companies.

He said financial services, especially banks, constituted a major section of the market thus everything that happened in that market was of interest to the GSE.

GNA

By Belinda Ayamgha/Stella Asare, GNA
09.11.2017 LISTEN

The Association of African Universities (AAU), having recently been appointed the Coordinator of African Union's Higher Education Cluster, will continue to fully support initiatives aimed at pushing forward Africa's higher education agenda.

Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile, the Secretary General of AAU, said the World Bank African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project was one such key initiative which was also in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 on the "the Africa we want", in terms of its vision of providing the requisite human resources to handle all development issues.

It would be recalled that the World Bank in collaboration with West and Central African countries launched the ACEs Project in 2014 to promote regional specialisation among participating universities in areas that address specific common regional development challenges.

Speaking at the opening of the Joint ACE I and ACE II Project Workshop (Eighth ACE I and Third ACE II Project Workshop) in Accra, Prof Ehile expressed the gratitude of the AAU and the World Bank to the Government of Ghana for its continuous support to the African Higher Education Centers of Excellence Project, and for hosting the ACE Project Workshop for the second time.

In addition to the staff of AAU and the World Bank, the three-day workshop brought together participants from the ministries of higher education of various countries in Africa, as well as university and faculty members of both ACE I and ACE II.

The workshop, which is the first joint regional ACE workshop, would provide the much needed platform for learning and knowledge sharing among the two ACEs.

It would present an opportunity for the provision of guidance on improving university-industry linkages and collaboration; and also help ACEs to review progress made towards results verification and planning of next disbursement.

Participating countries in the Accra meeting include Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Benin, Senegal, The Gambia and Ghana.

The rest are Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia

Prof Ehile said though substantial progress had been made since our last meeting in Lagos, in the areas of supervisory missions, national review meetings, monitoring and evaluation, and verification of results, there still remains a lot more to be done on the side of all stakeholders to ensure the full realization of the ACE project's goal.

'I seize this opportunity to again congratulate the many Centers which have taken the lead and which have shown strong performance, and call on other ACEs to strive hard to meet the established disbursement linked indicators,' Prof Ehile said.

'We are further hopeful, that the site visit to the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), both situated at the University of Ghana, will add value and enrich the learning process for both ACE I and ACE II officers, the General Secretary said.

Prof Ehile announced that the "Quality Assurance Training Workshop on Innovative and Quality Research Methods Knowledge and Skills for the 21st Century" would take place in Uganda from 12-14 December.

Mr Henry Kerali, the World Bank Country Director in Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, commended governments and the representative ministers of the various countries for their demonstrated commitment and ownership of the African Centres of educational programme.

He said the project was quite unique in the World Bank portfolio; stating that it was paving the way to re-thinking how the World Bank could support higher education and advance research in Africa.

'It has gained high level international and local attention from key partners, industry players, and stakeholders on the African continent and beyond,' he said.

'We commend the ACE's for the results achieved thus far, including strong progress on student enrolment, excellence and relevant applied research, a strong push for university-industry linkages, and relevance through revenue generation,' Mr Kerali said.

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education, assured Centre Leaders and their teams that government recognises their effort and stands ready to assist them to build the legacy that would endure long after the World Bank support has ended.

'The strategy is an extremely laudable one and has the full endorsement of government,' he said.

Dr Opoku Prempeh appealed to the nation's higher educational institutions, both public and private to start positioning themselves to develop competitive proposals that would earn them selection to the next round of call to establish ACEs Centres.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
The Mandela Washington Fellows Association of Ghana (MWFAG), on November 7, 2017, paid a courtesy call on the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency, Umu Hawa TejanJalloh.

The visit was to discuss issues of mutual benefit to both parties and commiserate with the High Commissioner and the people of Sierra Leone, following the mudslide disaster that devastated the West African country, a couple of months ago.

The group made a donation as a token of support and goodwill to the people of Sierra Leone. The items donated included sanitary towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes, bathing and washing soap, clothing, and beddings, worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.

President of the Association, Mr. Prosper Ahmed Amuquandoh expressed hope that this goodwill gesture would contribute to strengthening the bond that exists between Ghana and Sierra Leone, especially between the youth of both countries.

Our connection with the youth of Sierra Leone started during the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States of America, where we had some representation from Sierra Leone. So, following the mudslide disaster, we, as an association, and feeling the pain of our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone, decided to extend support and goodwill, through the High Commission, to them, with this donation. We hope this token of support would go a long way to show them how much we care, and hence strengthen the bond of brotherhood that exists between us.

He further called on the commission to consider partnering the association on strategic projects that will inure to the benefit of both countries.

We wouldnt want our relationship with the High Commission to be restricted to donations during disasters; we want to relate beyond that. So, we would be coming back to the High Commission to talk about how we can collaborate with our colleague young people in Sierra Leone to develop the capacity of young people in our two countries.

On her part, the High Commissioner thanked the association for the gesture and noted that this will set the tone for future collaborative projects between the High Commission and MWFAG.

The people of Sierra Leone are grateful to you for this kind gesture. It is exciting to know that Africa can now boast of a new generation of young leaders who believe in the concept of Ubuntu. It is my hope that this will be the beginning of many more collaborations between the young people of both countries especially in the areas of leadership and capacity development.

The Mandela Washington Fellows Association of Ghana (MWFAG) is an association of the alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF), a flagship program of President Barrack Obamas Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI).

The Fellowship, which began in 2014, is a six to twelve week academic, leadership and professional training program in selected US institutions that seek to empower selected young people in Africa through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking.

The Fellows, who are between the ages of 25 and 35, have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive impact in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
09.11.2017 LISTEN

The new Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), Gavin Pike, paid a courtesy call on Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, at the Jubilee House on Monday, November 6, 2017.

He was accompanied by Ms. Teye Mkushi, new Finance Director, Mr. Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Corporate Relations Director and Ms. Rita Rockson, Communications and Engagement Manager of GGBL.

Mr Pike took over from Francis Agbonlahor who retired from the business after 27meritorious years of service in Diageo. The courtesy call was an opportunity to formally introduce the new Managing and Finance Directors of Ghanas leading beverage business to His Excellency the Vice President.

Addressing the Vice President, Gavin Pike said GGBL which is a subsidiary of Diageo PLC has operated in Ghana for over 57years; making significant socio-economic contributions to the development of Ghana through taxes, sustainable job creation and impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives throughout the country, especially in the area of sourcing local raw materials such as cassava, maize and sorghum for the production of our beverages.

He added that GGBL is committed to the long-term development of the country and we will continue to invest in our infrastructure, people and production processes to ensure our products are produced to the highest quality with minimal environmental impact. We are also encouraged by the macro-economic strides being made in the country and will continue to count on the favourable business environment.

The Vice President, His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia commended GGBL for the contribution it is making to the socio-economic development of Ghana and expressed the commitment of his government to create the enabling environment by developing the appropriate policy framework for businesses to grow and thrive.

Mr Pike joined GGBL from Diageos Headquarters in London where he was Global Head of Mainstream Spirits. He has also held many senior positions in Diageos subsidiaries in South Africa and Nigeria. Prior to joining Diageo, Gavin worked for drinks company Distel LTD PTY in South Africa, and previously in various commercial roles in the pharmaceutical industry also in South Africa. He also had an earlier career in the education sector in the United Kingdom.

Teye Mkushi, the new Finance Director joined GGBL from Diageos business in Budapest, Hungary, where she served as the Diageo Group Financial Planning and Analysis Director. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) and also holds an MA (Hons) degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
09.11.2017 LISTEN

A man cries his eyes out. Its nothing but tears of joy. Hes found hope at last. His self-confidence has returned. He thought hope has deserted him --gone forever. But he can now mingle, he can now smile. There are many like him (Kwaku) though with varied degree of physical deformities that had had hope restored in their lives after decades of isolation and stigmatisation.

Indeed, society has got no clue. And society can also never measure the pain and the humiliation these folks have suffered and endured over the years. Other challenges made it increasingly difficult for them to access healthcare. Poverty was found to be the biggest problem says Restore.

Until the RESTORE Mission from the United States of America made its way to the West African nation of Ghana at the beginning of this Fall.

When Harvard trained board certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Michael K. Obeng and his RESTORE team visited Ghana last month October 2017 they restored hope to the image-battered, the ostracised and the low self-esteemed in the Ghanaian society.

His non-profit organisation, RESTORE an acronym for Restoring Emotional Stability Through Outstanding Reconstructive Efforts made it to his native Ghana to change lives and restore hope. Whiles there the team provided reconstructive surgery to individuals with accidental or congenital deformities.

Restore team correspondent Eleanor Hartley in a write-up shared on Ghana Advocacy Group (GAG) platform said: Developed societies are privileged with sophisticated healthcare systems able to support both the complex cancer treatments and care but cancer is a disease affecting all races, countries and ages. Therefore it comes as no surprise during the restore foundations mission we encountered so much of this vicious disease which eats away at not only ones body but also ones sense of self and pride.

Yes, its the indiscriminate nature of the disease coupled with other factors thats compelled benevolent organisations such as Restore to commit energy, resources and time to wage an unrelenting fight against this global malady.

And in Ghana the team demonstrated love, care and compassion to the sick, the needy and the poor. The young and old, men and women all received hope. The hope that theyd lost for many years. According to Dr. Obeng; it was a healing for many.

The visit to Ghana was the teams third in nine years. The first one was in 2008 and they returned last year- 2016 and then 2017. In 2008, Dr. Obeng and the team focused on burns, traumatic and hand injuries. They provided surgical services to women and children who had congenital breast cancer and other breast diseases in 2016.

This time while in Ghana the team provided services that ranged from extensive breast reconstructions, tumor removals to skin grafts and scar revision. The team also educated the local healthcare personnel on how to better handle specific patient cases. Meanwhile, Restore has pledged to fight back at cancers, physical and emotional scars thereby rebuilding the lives of the relentlessly strong and victorious survivors.

To this end I say Bravo Restore! Well done you selfless heroes for your remarkable outreach programme. Thanks a million, Doctors Atila, West Coffee, and McClean, Schlenker and Hoyte-William and not forgetting the teams incredible anesthesiologist Dr. Freeman.

I wish you all Godspeed in your future missions abroad: Whether in Gabon, Columbia,, El Salvador, Burma or Vietnam.
A middle aged man who sat beside me on a VIP Bus from Kumasi to Accra revealed to me during one of our conversations that [Former president] Rawlings has a Scottish roots just like you. He tried looking for his father, but the man rejected him.

To add more to this claim, a portion of an article on GhanaWeb published 1 March 2010 titled How Rawlings Came up By The Name Jerry Rawlings states that:

He [Rawlings] came to Britain trying to trace his father,

but the man opened the door and slammed it back on him.

He didnt want to see him. That was what he (Rawlings himself)

told me [Boakye Gyan] when he returned to Accra. He was bitter.

This experience is indeed very bitter. On the other hand, Mr. Rawlings should be a bit happy that once in his life, he saw his father. I say this because, my grandfather Robert Dandas (Dundas) Whigham, a former foreman of Ghana Railway and Harbours never saw his father -General Sir Robert Dundas Whigham (GCB, KCMG, DSO),  a British Army General who worked on behalf of the UK government in the Gold Coast, now Ghana .

He was first stationed in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and later transferred to Cape Coast (Castle) in 1907. Gen. Whigham was the Lt. of the Infantry, West African Frontier Force from 1907 to 1911. His name was in the Government Gazette on Saturday, December 14, 1907, Accra, Gold Coast, West Africa.

The telegram prior to him leaving the colony reads as

TELEGRAM from O.C.G.C.R., Coomassie, to Col. Sec., Accra dated 13th December, 1911:-

670/11 Decr. 13th Captain Whigham left here yesterday for Seccondee enroute to England on leave.

After fathering a child (my grandfather) born on 14th October, 1911, Captain Whigham left the colony for his mandatory leave whiles his son was just two months old. He never returned. Evidence I gathered from his (my grandfather) family home in Cape Coast suggests that Captain Whigham did not leave any money for the childs upkeep. The childs mothers uncle who worked with the Captain at the Cape Coast Castle gave the name to the child after he was born. Sources say he was directed by Captain Whigham to name the child after him.

However, because Captain Whigham always wrote his name as R.D. Whigham, the uncle spelt the middle name (Dundas) wrongly as Dandas. That wrong name was given to my father (also called Robert Dandas Whigham, former artisan of Ghana Railway and Ports) and subsequently given to me as well. In 2009, after painstaking investigations have been done, I swore affidavit and changed to Dandas to Dundas.

This totally shows a mark of irresponsibility on the part of some foreign soldiers who came to the West African colonies, fathered children and refused to take care of them just because they had wives back home in Europe.

The painful thing and extreme bitterness in my heart, just like Mr. Rawlings is that upon reading most of the documents I have intercepted, the UK Army has erased his official working here in the Gold Coast and have maintained Egypt, Sudan, and South Africa. Why has the UK government done this? A senior colleague told me that because Gen. Sir Robert Dundas Whigham was knighted, possibly it would be unfair to state that he had a son outside his marital home. Still painful! He left in 1911 and died 1950. What prevented him from coming to the Gold Coast to see the son he had fathered?

I got a terrible experience when I wanted to register for the 2012 General Elections as one EC staff challenged me to provide additional evidence because he thought I was not a Ghanaian. Perhaps what got me upset was when I found a picture on the internet (from a certified source) which shows the name Whigham, Robert George Murray: He was the only son of General Sir Robert Dundas Whigham. Upon seeing this, I wrote to the office of the British Prime Minister Theresa May and a BBC WhatsApp line (+447555173285) stating that George (a former UK Army officer died at 44) was not his only son. I have since not heard from them.

I do not want to go deep into the family line of Mr. Rawlings because he knows it better than I do. It is on record that James Ramsey John, A Scotsman was his father. The person who sat beside me added till today, many Scottish refer to Mr. Rawlings as the only Scottish President.

Personally, I like Mr. Rawlings. The first time I saw him was the 1996 General Elections campaign when he was at the Sefwi-Wiawso traditional area in the Western Region to canvass votes for his re-election. Again this year, I submitted a petition to his office on a corruption case. Though his office never responded, I still maintain the love I have for him as a statesman.

Few years ago, dozens of Kenyan women went on demonstration claiming that they were abandoned by [UK] soldiers who fathered children with them (Daily Mail, UK). I do not know very much about Mr. Rawlings father in terms of work, however, since my great grand-father did not travel to the Gold Coast on his own, but came on behalf of the UK government, I have every right to tell the UK government to recognize my family. It is not about asking for financial help, but recognizing my family will be a sign of respect and honour.

themanualgh.blogspot.com

Dundas Whigham,

Freelance Investigative Journalist
Inadequate medical supplies is worsening the health status of mentally ill people in the Northern Region who largely depend on government's support for their drugs.

This situation, according to the Executive Director of Gub-Katimali Society, Sheikh Yakubu Abdul Karim, requires government's prompt action.

He noted with deep concern that irregular supply and the periodic shortage of medications meant for mentally ill people is inimical to the promotion of sound mental health in Ghana.

Sheikh Yakubu Abdul Karim was addressing chiefs, queen mothers, assembly members and opinion leaders in the Zabzugu and Tatale-Sanguli districts of the Northern Region.

The ongoing region-wide durbar is spearheaded by Gub-Katimali Society in collaboration with BasicNeeds Ghana and funded by the DFID and USAID.

He urged them to serve as ambassadors of change by condemning stigmatization and all forms of human rights abuses of mentally ill people in their communities.

The purpose of organizing these meetings is to encourage you to join the advocacy in promoting quality mental health in this country.

He implored the Ministry of Health to rapidly make available medications meant for mentally ill people especially those in the Northern Region where poverty is endemic.

Making available medications for persons with mental illness and epilepsy will help in preempting any form of relapse of the health of those who are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the Northern Region.

Sheikh Yakubu Abdul Karim nonetheless, commended Bole, East Gonja, Kumbungu, Karaga, Zabzugu, Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo, West Gonja and Nanumba South District Assemblies for their continuous support to people with mental illness.

These districts have been giving money to PWMIE in their communities to buy their medications anytime they run short and medications from central government are not made available on time.

Gub-Katimali Society and our partners, Basic Needs-Ghana also do supply them with medications.

He explained that the workshop was organized as part of the implementation of a 5-year (2013  2018) DFID/USAID mental health and development project in all 26 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region.

The project is aimed at supporting the government of Ghana to build a national mental health system that effectively and efficiently responds to the mental health needs of Ghanaians. This will reduce the wide mental health treatment gap currently existing in Ghana and enable men, women, girls and boys with neuropsychiatric conditions to live and work successfully in their communities.

The project also seeks to increase capacity of Ghanas Mental Health Authority to effectively and efficiently run community based mental health services; and support 100,000 male and female adults as well as children with mental health needs to access quality mental health services within the proximity of their communities.

Furthermore, the project is to ensure an organized and active mental health service user and care-giver movements get involved in mental health service and policy advocacy in Ghana and reduce social stigma and discrimination towards PWMIE.

A Public Education and Investigative Officer at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the Northern Region, Inusah Iddrisu, cautioned the general public against violating the civil liberties and human rights of PWMIE.

Any citizen of Ghana who suffers from any form of mental illness still have their basic human rights and freedoms intact for them to enjoy. Such rights must be respected by their families, health personnel, employers and other members of the public as stated by the country's constitution, he stressed.

Inusah Iddrisu added that, It is a crime to beat, torture, rape and deny PWMIE treatment or sack them from their places of work. The security agencies particularly the police should not delay in seeking justice for such vulnerable people when issues concerning their health and welfare come to their notice.

Gub-Katimali Society (GKS) is a non-profit-making non-governmental organization based in Tamale in the Northern Region.

It is committed to bringing change and improvement in the lives of the vulnerable and the downtrodden.

It also seeks to sensitize, empower and enable local communities to realize their own development through collective participation, partnership and pooling of resources together for sustainable development.

Since 2013, over 11 thousand PWMIE, caregivers of PWMIE, staff of MMDAs, journalists, leadership of Trade Unions, traditional leaders as well as health personnel have benefited in various ways from the DFID/USAID sponsored project which is due to phase out in 2018.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Author

09.11.2017 LISTEN

In as much as I do believe that insurance policies help to take care of unforeseen circumstances, there is compelling conviction to critical examine the issues surrounding the provision of insurance for National Service Personnel and the proposed deduction of ghc15 from their meager allowance.

I submit that the proposed amount to be charged as insurance is very high considering the NSS allowance and the cost of living in Ghana.

I suggest, therefore, that the amount should be reduced or abolished.

Putting figures to it will make more sense.

There are 91,871 service personnel for 2017/2018 year. This implies that, at the end of every month and with the ghc15 proposed deduction per head, total deductions will amount to ghc 1,378, 065/month. It has been explained that MTN will be giving 500mb data and call credit monthly to service personnel, with 15,000 Ghana cedis allocation to next of kin of a deceased service personnel and 3,000 Ghana cedis to a personnel who becomes disabled in line of service.

In a situation where less or no casualties are being recorded what happens to the monthly deduction? From previous situations, where is the statistical data on catastrophic incidents recorded earlier which necessitates the deduction of ghc15 per month from every service personnel in Ghana?

From my knowledge as a Former NASPA President of Ashanti Region, I doubt if the secretariat can claim that 30 casualties are recorded per month.

Yes, an insurance policy is very important but it should be a burden on the merger allowance of personnel. The proposed ghc15 monthly charge can be reduced to gh5 or less and it will serve the fundamental purpose of providing insurance. Again, lets make sense with figures. A deduction of ghc5 * 91, 871 amounts to ghc459,355. This amount will be enough to address 30 casualties a month with burdening personnel. I believe by this , the service personnel will not be affected much.

I am strongly of the view that access to loan of 500 cedis by service personnel can equally be sourced from the ghc459, 355. It is not a justified reason to charge personnel ghc15 per month especially when it will be paid back. More so, they will be loaning from their own money.

The opportunity to watch movie is laughable. Do we have silverbird in every district? Clearly, not every service personnel will have the opportunity to go to silver bird to watch movie and since majority can not enjoy this service, it should be eliminated as well.

The success of a policy lies in the extent of stakeholder engagement that precedes its promulgation. In an attempt to serve, we should respect the persons we seek to serve. I think service personnel should have the final say on this matter and not the NSS officials at the secretariat. To the NSS official, in an attempt to serve our nation, we (Service personnel) should be given the rightful privileges and respect which will make our service to the country effective and efficient.

Long live National Service

Long live Ghana

Frank Kofi Kyei

Former NASPA President of Ashanti Region
Nigeria's government was on Thursday urged to order the release of a pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group leader, who has been in custody for nearly two years since clashes with soldiers.

Ibrahim Zakzaky, who heads the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife should be freed "on health grounds", lawyer Femi Falana said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The cleric lost the sight in his left eye during two days of unrest in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015 in which soldiers allegedly killed more than 300 IMN members.

Now he risks losing the sight in his right eye "sequel to the brutal treatment meted out to him by the armed soldiers", Falana wrote.

Zakzaky has long been at loggerheads with Nigeria's secular authorities because of his repeated call for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution

Zakzaky's wife, Zainab, was said to be in a "far worse" state, according to the lawyer, who said he visited the couple in secret police detention in Abuja a few days ago.

"For reasons best known to the State Security Service, some of the bullets lodged in her body during the brutal attack of December 14, 2015 have not been extracted," he wrote.

"In the circumstances, she has been subjected to excruciating pain and agony on a daily basis," he added, warning her life was in danger unless she received urgent medical attention.

Nigeria's government has previously ignored a court order to release the couple. Hundreds of IMN were arrested during the military crackdown in Zaria.

Zakzaky has long been at loggerheads with Nigeria's secular authorities because of his repeated call for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria.

Northern Nigeria is predominantly Sunni Muslim.

On Sunday, at least three people were killed in the northern city of Kano when police shot at an IMN procession marking the Shiite day of mourning, Ashura.

The march, which begins in Kano and heads to Zaria, has been a regular flashpoint. Last year, the IMN claimed police had shot and killed at least 30 without provocation.
Government has asked the Petroleum Commission to ensure that all contractors and subcontractors operating in the oil and gas industry make use of local companies, service suppliers and workforce.

Government also expects the Petroleum Commission to grow local content in-country and enhance the capacity of Ghanaian Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) to become competitive to deliver quality services to meet deadlines.

It is to this end that the government has launched the 'Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity Programme' aimed at accelerating capacity building in the oil and gas industry.

Deputy Energy Minister, Mohammed Amin Adam, disclosed this at the opening of the 2017 Local Content Conference and Exhibition held in Takoradi yesterday.

The two-day event was on the theme, Developing Competitive Local Service Providers and Personnel in Ghana's Upstream Petroleum Industry.

He indicated that government was desirous of increasing upstream activity following the favourable judgment on the maritime boundary dispute with Cote d'Ivoire.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has warned all companies holding oil blocks in the country's waters to demonstrate commitment to executing their contractual obligations.

Gas master plan

He mentioned that his ministry had been involved in executing an ambitious gas infrastructure programme expected to be completed in 2018.

It would include the completion of the tie-in of the Ghana Gas pipeline and West African Gas pipeline by the end of the second quarter.

The completion of the Onshore Receiving Facility (ORF) by the end of the second quarter to receive gas from Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) and the completion of gas pipeline to connect the 450 megawatts Karpowership stationed in Takoradi to the Regulation and Metering station, among others.

He bemoaned the fact that Ghanaians missed important opportunities in the development of the country's producing oil fields.

From the Jubilee field development to the TEN development and then to the OCTP project, the lost opportunities in jobs, income and value addition to our economy could translate into several billions of dollars, he added.

Petroleum Commission

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr, emphasized that the Commission believes in maximizing local content urgently.

He urged oil companies to hire competent Ghanaians, either resident in Ghana or the Diaspora who were willing to relocate to Ghana in order to help reduce the number of expatriate staff who are paid exorbitant salaries.
Gavin Pike, new Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), paid a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the Jubilee House on Monday, 6th November 2017.

He was accompanied by Teye Mkushi, new Finance Director, Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Corporate Relations Director and Rita Rockson, Communications and Engagement Manager of GGBL.

Mr Pike took over from Francis Agbonlahor who retired from the business after 27 meritorious years of service in Diageo.

The courtesy call was an opportunity to formally introduce the new Managing and Finance Directors of Ghana's leading beverage business to the Vice President.

Addressing the Vice President, Gavin Pike said, GGBL, which is a subsidiary of Diageo PLC, has operated in Ghana for over 57years, making significant socio-economic contributions to the development of Ghana through taxes, sustainable job creation and impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives throughout the country, especially in the area of sourcing local raw materials such as cassava, maize and sorghum for the production of our beverages.

He added that GGBL is committed to the long-term development of the country and we will continue to invest in our infrastructure, people and production processes to ensure our products are produced to the highest quality with minimal environmental impact.

We are also encouraged by the macro-economic strides being made in the country and will continue to count on the favourable business environment.

The Vice President commended GGBL for the contribution it is making to the socio-economic development of Ghana and expressed the commitment of his government to creating the enabling environment by developing the appropriate policy framework for businesses to grow and thrive.

Mr Pike joined GGBL from Diageo's Headquarters in London where he was Global Head of Mainstream Spirits.

He has also held many senior positions in Diageo's subsidiaries in South Africa and Nigeria.

Prior to joining Diageo, Gavin worked for drinks company Distel LTD PTY in South Africa, and previously in various commercial roles in the pharmaceutical industry also in South Africa.

He also had an earlier career in the education sector in the United Kingdom.
Former Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), Daniel Ohene Agyekum, has thrown a challenge to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

He has dared the current administration to appear before Antoa, the dreaded river deity in the Ashanti Region, over issues emanating from the COCOBOD scandal involving the disappearance of $400 million from the company's account.

Recent news has revealed the extent of alleged corruption and mismanagement at COCOBOD under the supervision of former Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and the direction of the board chaired by Ohene Agyekum, former Ambassador to the United Sates.

Corruption

The new COCOBOD CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, threw a bombshell last week when he said apart from some $400 million which his administration suspects the Opuni-led management withdrew from the coffers of the company after the NDC had lost the election in 2016, he (Opuni and others) also spent a whopping GH8 million to build a guest house at Bole, the hometown of former President John Mahama in the Northern Region, for his (Mahama's) comfort.

In the ensuing debate, Mr Ohene Agyekum, who is not new to using Antoa to establish his case, told Kasapa FM 's Akwasi Nsiah in Accra on Monday that the board he chaired followed due process in approving the renovation of the Ghana COCOBOD guest house at Bole, which has become the talk of town.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are currently probing the former COCOBOD officials over alleged corruption and face imminent prosecution.

Antoa Challenge

If what I am saying is not true we should go and face Antoa, he fumed, adding, It is an old guest house and it is the policy of CRIG which is a subsidiary of Ghana COCOBOD, to renovate its guest houses from time to time.

Mr Ohene Agyekum insisted, The guest house project is not a new project. It has been in existence since 1975.

He dared the NPP government to bring on the much-talked-about Special Prosecutor for him to face that office.

They (NPP) say they are bringing the Special Prosecutor. I want to meet him in court asking me questions and when everything is done, Ghanaians will hear from me later, he challenged.

According to the former COCOBOD chairman, the EOCO investigated his bank accounts but found nothing incriminating against him, although he claimed the anti-graft body was still harassing him.

Absolute Nonsense

He said he did not fear the Special Prosecutor because he had done nothing wrong as board chairman of Ghana COCOBOD and added, What they are doing is absolute nonsense, lies and propaganda.

Ohene Agyekum, former Ashanti Regional NDC chairman, said that the current COCOBOD administration was peddling falsehood against the immediate-past team to cover up its shortcomings.

How can you say we stole money? This is blatant lie. As Chairman, where did I take the money to? I am waiting for EOCO to take me to court and Ghanaians will know about it. What needs to be investigated, they are not doing it and rather targeting innocent political opponents.

$400 Million

Ohene Agyekum said, I came to COCOBOD in 2014. The syndicated loan is not paid directly to COCOBOD. There is a Ghana Commercial Bank in London. That is where all the money is lodged and it is transferred to the Bank of Ghana for goodness sake! he explained, adding, When COCOBOD draws its budget, they don't go to the ministry of finance. They seek approval from parliament and they go to borrow and based on the estimates that all the subsidiaries present to the board, they give approval.

The head office has its share, CRIC, CMC, PBC, all have their share of the money. Nobody can take $1.8 billion to say he is going to save it in his personal account. The money is brought to the BoG so we draw on it not in dollar but in cedis.

Opuni's Salary

He said cheekily that the board was not 'stupid' to have given Dr. Opuni the staggering monthly salary that set tongues wagging sometime ago and added that the proposal from the ex-CEO was not outrageous.

We did a comparative analysis of other top state enterprises like BoG, GPHA, SSNIT, BOST and others and we came to the conclusion that Opuni's proposal that came from management, he was not alone.

The BoG and others that I mentioned, their Chief Executives were drawing higher salaries than Opuni had proposed to us. And in the comparative analysis we believed in all sincerity that the amount we were to pay him was justified.

The CEO of Cocobod was managing almost about $2 billion project or industry. If it were any advanced country they will look at the quantum of money that you are managing to commensurate with your salary and when you incur debt you are sacked.

He submitted his proposal, we investigated and came to the conclusion that there is nothing outrageous because COCOBOD contributes between 25 and 29% to the Ghanaian economy.

When you came you said it was outrageous. Ask them if the current CEO has reduced his monthly salary. They are still enjoying from where Opuni left off, Mr Agyekum posited.

Witch Hunting

Mr Ohene Agyekum claimed the NPP government was witch-hunting him, saying, At COCOBOD, I am only a chairman like any other institution. This is the first time in the history of Ghana that a board chairman has been arraigned before the EOCO and charged with causing financial loss to the state.

I am not a spending officer so I don't authorize payments. I authorized the award of contracts. When it comes to payment it is management. Secondly, I am not a signatory to any of the board's accounts so I don't sign cheques. I am not a Chief Executive, so which money did I authorize to be paid which constitutes causing financial loss to the state?

Regret

I have regretted serving as board chairman of COCOBOD. I have served this country with a profound sense of integrity, he lamented.
When the minister for information, Hon. Mustapha Hamid, spoke to reporters just recently and said President Akufo-Addo would not sack Ghana's high commissioner to South Africa, H. E. George Ayisi Boateng, one's sense of deja vu was complete.

The reaction of some of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) leading lights to demands by many ordinary Ghanaians - including apolitical, well-meaning and fair-minded ones - for Mr. George Ayisi Boateng to be recalled and sacked by the president, reminded one of the obduracy of the Mahama administration - in the way it reacted with disdain to the widespread condemnation of the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) signature campaign petitioning President Mahama to grant presidential pardons to the so-called Montie 3.

The question is: What is it about political power that makes politicians in Ghana who during election campaigns even groveled before voters in order to win their trust and get their votes to win power that way, suddenly become contemptuous of public opinion, and defy reasonable demands for the president to sack appointees whose actions and inactions cause widespread outrage amongst ordinary people?

Have the Mustpha Hamids and the rest of them forgotten so soon that they actually happen to be servants of the Ghanaian people - not our Lords and Masters? Ebeeii. Their transformation into hard-of-hearing, Machiavellian politicians who don't care a hoot about what Ghanaians think of them is truly remarkable. Talk about being power drunk.

George Ayisi Boateng's discriminatory nonsense is unforgivable and abominable - precisely because he heads a diplonatic mission of Ghana's in a sister African nation in which migrants from other sub-Saharan nations such as ours are maimed and murdered in xenophobic attacks regularly.

Ghana needs patriotic and fair-minded diplomats in such sensitive posting overseas who as a matter of course will readily offer consular services to all Ghanaians requiring such services in emergency situations, regardless of their ethnic origins, religious faith and political party membership.

Clearly, George Ayisi Boateng cannot be counted on to provide such honourable, honest and fair-minded leadership to the Ghanaian communities resident in South Africa. That is why President Akufo-Addo - who himself is a principled and caring leader - must recall and immediately dismiss George Ayisi Boateng without any further delay. George Ayisi Boateng is simply unfit to represent the Republic of Ghana anywhere abroad. Full stop. Haaba.
Denmark is on course to wean itself off the use of fossil fuels by 2050, according to a senior adviser at the Danish Industry Association, Hans Peter Slente.

The Scandinavian country currently generates 40 percent of their total power output from wind, and is also targeting a rise in this total by 10 percent in the next ten years.

Speaking to the host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle in Denmark, Hans Peter Slente admitted that, whilst it was impossible to say for certain how they would achieve their plan, it remains their central focus.

He added that they were on the right path and aim to become one of the world leaders in the use of renewable energy.

It's 2050, so nobody knows exactly how to get there, but it's an ambition which drives the current green transition of our country which is on the right path, and at the right pace towards the end goal in 2050. We're not there yet and we have to invest time, effort and money into achieving it. But it's a trend that many countries in the world have embarked on. We would like to be part of it and in certain aspects be a leader in certain technologies and certain solutions, he said.

Nobody knows exactly how we'll achieve it. There might be fossil fuel involved in the future, but we need to develop renewables very fast and to be more efficient with the energy we use to achieve the end goal of fossil independence by 2050.

A presentation by Hans Peter Slente on Energy policies and solutions in Denmark

Hans Peter Slente spoke to Bernard Avle who was in the country at the invitation of the Danish government with three other Ghanaian journalists, ahead of Danish Queen, Margrethe IIs visit to Ghana later in November.

The monarch, on her maiden trip to the West African nation, is expected to be accompanied by a large Danish business delegation within three focus sectors, namely food & agriculture, sustainability, maritime, infrastructure and railways.

Denmark has earned global repute for its environmentally-friendly policies which have helped it maintain a 'green' outlook despite its industrial prowess, something other countries have tried and failed to achieve.

Just under half of the country's total electricity is generated from wind power, whilst the country also uses biofuels and biomass, something he describes as a crucial part of Denmarks transition to a green country.

The trademark for Denmark might be the wind power as we see the windmills all over or many places in society. About 40% of the electricity generated and used in Denmark is from wind power. We're aiming at 50% by 2020. Wind power is a very big factor, but also using biofuels, biomass from agriculture and forestry, municipal waste streams to put into furnaces, incinerate it and transform it into electricity and heat, which we also use a lot in Denmark. That is really a strong part of the great Danish green transition  the biomass we use is a big factor.

He added that despite not being a tropical location, Denmark generates some amount of its electricity from solar power, and expects more growth in that area.

We aren't really sunny and hot as a country, but we have solar power in our energy mix. It's not a big thing. We have solar for both electricity and heating, and though it's less than 5%, we see that it's growing and we expect it to grow even more.
09.11.2017 LISTEN

Introduction

In our last article, we stated that you can appeal the refusal of your Schengen visa. In todays post, we discuss two alternative remedies you may pursue against the refusal of your Schengen visa. These are:

Application for Review; and

Reapplication for a visa.

Application for Review

When your visa is refused, you may apply for review of the decision. This also called a remonstrance. You may pursue a review if only the national law of the Member State allows it. Not all Member States provide an option for review. If you have the option for review, this will be specified in the Notification of Refusal.

What is a review?

A Review simply means requesting the consulate to reconsider its decision on the basis of your representations. A different officer will consider your submissions along with your evidence to determine whether you have made a case for him to overcome the refusal and issue a visa. If you have new evidence or information that may enhance your case, you must attach them and explain its relevance to your case.

Procedure for review

A review need not take any particular form. It may be handwritten or typed and may be sent personally, by post or email. The review letter must state your full name, date of birth, your passport number and the date of the refusal. It must also state your full return address and email. The letter must be personally signed by you. If you use a representative, you must attach a signed letter of authorisation.

The Notification of Refusal will specify the time limit within which you must submit your review. The period is usually 30 days from the date of the decision. You must submit your review at the consulate that refused your visa. Do not send your passport with your review. If your review is approved, the consulate will contact you to submit your passport for a visa to be issued. There is no fee for submitting a review.

Outcome of review

There is generally no fixed period for deciding a review. A decision may take several weeks and may take up to 3 months. The period is usually determined by the internal procedure of the consulate and differs from one consulate to another.

In reviewing the decision, the consulate may maintain the original decision or withdraw same. If the consulate maintains the original decision, they will provide their basis for doing so. In doing so, the original decision will be withdrawn and be substituted by the review decision. You will usually have the right to appeal the review decision. If you decide to appeal the review decision, you must lodge your appeal with the appropriate authority in the Member State. The review decision will specify where you must lodge your appeal and the period within which you may do so.

The consulate may also withdraw the original decision and grant you a visa. The consulate will contact you to submit your passport for your visa to be issued. They may specify certain conditions which may include the presentation of a return air ticket, a valid travel medical insurance, a travel itinerary or a new document specifying the purpose of the journey.

Reapplication for a Visa

You may also reapply if your visa is refused. There is no period within which you may reapply even though reapplications made immediately after a refusal often have little chance of success.

Unlike an appeal and review, you will have to pay a new visa fee, complete a visa application form and submit yourself before the consulate. A reapplication is usually preferred if you were refused on the basis of a substantive document such as a cancelled hotel booking. A reapplication is also ideal if the reason for your visit is time bound. You must submit new evidence in support of your reapplication. If you fail to provide new evidence that tends to address the basis for the refusal, your visa will still be refused.

Conclusion

The decision to pursue an appeal, a review or reapplication may be determined by the circumstances of your refusal, the option specified in in the Notification of Refusal, among others. You will have to assess your options to decide which may be suitable for you.

By Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong

Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on Schengen immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. The writer is an immigration law advisor and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He advises on Ghana, U.S, UK, and Schengen immigration law. He is a Managing Partner for Acheampong & Associates, a law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on [email protected] or www.acheampongassociates.com
Cancerous cell work tirelessly with destructive creativity to re-design his forehead and skull until two-year old Bright looks anything but bright.

It has been like this for about a year after his parents spotted a small boil on his forehead and banished the swelling as a non-entity.

But the boil boiled with other ideas. Morning, noon and night, the cancerous tumor broke down issues, conquered bony matter, and bore through with cruel determination of a fall army worm.

One eye has been severely punched to make way for 'luxurious' expansion works of the dangerous cells. The eye drips with a whitish-yellow discharge denying Bright even the right to shed clear tears.

The other eye is swelling too, an obvious target for the insatiable destruction going on in the boy's body.

And then there is this other 'small matter' of a big tummy. That one was when a small boy threw a stone which hit his abdomen, her mother says.

It has been swelling since, leaving Bright with a shiny stomach. Stone at the abdomen? Stone at the abdomen?

Bright closet lookalike is extra-terrestrial creatures found only on Hollywood screen of imaginative alien movies.

Her mother - a single mother - was directed to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital when she first reported the growth at a health center at Battor in the Volta region.

But poverty undermined her ability to take the directive seriously because seriously is an adjective for money.

When she finally mustered courage to go to the hospital, the doctors at Korle-Bu told her, her son needs chemotherapy and some medical investigations.

Complex medical terms whittled down to mean Bright needs 12,000 cedis.

And so she came back home and carries her boy behind her back. The boy holds on to her mother like a cliff-hanger situation. She is the only one he knows to care enough to hold him and hug him.

And if he does not get 12,000 cedis, Bright may one day no longer hug her. She may hold him, but he won't hold her back.

Video



To help Bright, kindly follow these details;

Barclays Bank

Multimedia Ltd

Acct Number: 041-2018-095

Mobile money number: 0540122612

Pay-in as Bright Larweh

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]
09.11.2017 LISTEN

A married couple alleged to have stolen and forged documents covering an unregistered vehicle - a Toyota Highlander Station Wagon, have been dragged to a Kumasi Circuit Court.

Kwabena Bannor Wireko and Juliet Osei Doyinah are facing charges of conspiracy, stealing and forging of official documents.

The pair pleaded not guilty and they were each granted a GH25,000.00 bail with two sureties.

They were ordered to make their next appearance on Thursday, November 16.

Police Inspector Eric Asare told the court, presided over by Mr. John Ekow Mensah, that the said vehicle belonged one Nana Amoh, a businessman.

Wireko had expressed interest in buying it and settled on the price of GHC25,000.00 after a bargain.

The accused made down payment of GHC14,000.00 leaving an outstanding amount of GHC11,000.00, which he promised to pay off after two months.

The prosecution said based on this understanding he was allowed to take possession of the vehicle.

He did not only fail to keep to the agreed terms but together with the wife forged the original documents and used these to register it in their name as joint owners.

Amo made a formal report to the police on March 19, and they were arrested.
09.11.2017 LISTEN

The Asante-Akim South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Alexander Frimpong, has called for the people to show keen interest in the activities of the assemblies.

That, he said, was important to promote transparency and accountability in the management of resources meant to transform their living conditions.

He was addressing the chiefs and people of Yawkwei during a visit to gauge their felt needs.

Mr. Frimpong said citizens' participation was critical to good governance and asked that it was time everybody shook off apathy and pull together to bring progress.

He encouraged them to make use of the various structures of the local governance system - unit committees and area councils, to make input into decisions affecting their development.

They should also pay their levies and rates to the assembly to enable it generate more revenue to implement its development agenda.

Mr. Frimpong used the occasion to explain government flagship programmes -the free senior high school and the planting for food and jobs, and called for their strong support.

Nana Akwei Fokuo, the chief, applauded the MCE for the tireless effort to deepen the engagement with the people.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed faced accusations from an advocacy group on Thursday that she granted illegal permits to Chinese firms to import endangered Nigerian timber when she was Nigeria's environment minister.

Documents provided by Mohammed were used by Chinese importers to clear more than $300 million worth of rosewood logs held up by Chinese border authorities for months, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a Washington-based environmental campaigning organization.

The EIA said its investigation had found that Nigerian officials were paid over $1 million to help the importers release the rosewood, which was put on a list of endangered species last year by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In January, Mohammed allegedly signed thousands of retroactive CITES permits allowing the export of 1.4 million rosewood logs in one of her last acts as environment minister before she was sworn in as deputy secretary-general in late February.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq said Mohammed "categorically rejects any allegations of fraud."

The signing of the permits for the rosewood exports was delayed after Mohammed insisted "that stringent due process was followed," said Haq.

"She says that she signed the export certificates requested before the ban only after due process was followed and better security watermarked certificates became available," he added.

Mohammed, the highest-ranking woman at the United Nations, served as environment minister from November 2015 to February of this year and had previously lead the UN's efforts to agree on a new global anti-poverty agenda.

Foreign Policy magazine quoted a senior Nigerian forestry official, who asked not to be named and who said that Mohammed had signed 2,992 export certificates on January 16.

Mohammed had been due to begin her new post at the United Nations on January 1, joining Antonio Guterres as he began his term as UN chief.

But she delayed her move to New York to stay on as environment minister at the request of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and was finally sworn in as deputy secretary-general in late February.

The UN spokesman said Guterres has been informed of the reports and "reiterates his full support and confidence in her."

Exploding Chinese demand for African rosewood, also known as "kosso", has depleted forests across West Africa, prompting CITES to impose strict restrictions last year.

According to EIA, Nigeria since 2013 has become the world's largest exporter of rosewood logs, which are mainly used for luxury furniture.

CITES is scheduled to discuss the Nigerian rosewood exports to China at a meeting later this month in Geneva.
09.11.2017 LISTEN

Arusha (Tanzania), Nov. 9, CDA Consult  Ghana represented by Justice Constant Kwaku Hometowu, Justice of the High Court on Thursday joined about 150 delegates from African Union Member States to participate in the on-going Third African Judicial Dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania.

Justice Hometowu, who is representing the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo is billed to share with the participants including Chief Justices, Presidents of Supreme and Constitutional Courts from the 55 AU Member States, as well as regional and international judicial bodies and other relevant stakeholders Ghanas experiences on the use of technology in the courts.

Other countries expected to share experiences on the use of technology in Courts are: Cameroon, Rwanda, Namibia and Tunisia.

Justice Hometowu again on behalf of Justice Akuffo would also moderate a session to discuss the normative and institutional challenges of accessing and using the jurisprudence of supra national and regional courts by domestic courts.

Barrister Femi Falana is billed to speak on the main topic for the session; Dr Duga Titanji, would explore practitioners before national courts; whilst Dr Ibrahima Kane and Professor Chidi Odinkalu would dissect practitioner before a regional or an international court.

Third African Judicial Dialogue, organised by the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights under the auspices of the African Union (AU).

The Dialogue is being attended by about 150 delegates from AU Member States- including Chief Justices, Presidents of Supreme and Constitutional Courts from the 55 AU Member States, as well as regional and international judicial bodies and other relevant stakeholders.

The biennial meeting is on the general theme: Improving Judicial Efficiency in Africa and is a follow up to the first edition held in November 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania, and second in November 2015, also in Arusha.

The overall objective of the Dialogue is to explore ways of enhancing judicial efficiency in Africa.

It also serve as platform for Africas top judiciary officials to exchange experiences on the on-going continental judicial reforms, trends on human rights jurisprudence, continuing judicial education and management of judicial institutions on the continent.

The African Judicial Dialogue is organized in collaboration with the World Bank, the German Cooperation (GiZ) and the European Union (EU).
Burundi has been gripped by turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a bid for a third term in office more than two years ago.

On Thursday the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a full probe into alleged crimes committed during the crisis.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed, according to different sources, and more than 400,000 people displaced from their homes.

Here is a summary of key developments in the crisis in the central African country.

Demonstrations start

April 25, 2015: Nkurunziza is declared candidate for a third term by the ruling CNDD-FDD party. The following day thousands of protesters demonstrate in the capital, the start of six weeks of almost daily rallies that meet a fierce response from police.

The opposition maintains Nkurunziza's move is unconstitutional and violates a peace deal that ended a 1993-2006 civil war.

Failed coup

May 13, 2015: A top Burundian general, Godefroid Niyombare, announces the overthrow of Nkurunziza, hours after the president flies to neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders on ending the crisis. The coup leaders surrender two days later and Nkurunziza returns.

Defections

June 28, 2015: Parliament head Pie Ntavyohanyuma says he has fled to Belgium, denouncing the president's "illegal" third term bid. He joins a long list of opposition leaders, journalists, members of civil society, and even disillusioned members of the ruling party who have chosen exile.

Nkurunziza re-elected

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a bid for a third term in office in 2015, triggering the crisis

July 21, 2015: Nkurunziza is re-elected as expected in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Targeted attacks

August 2, 2015: General Adolphe Nshimirimana, widely seen as the nation's de-facto internal security chief and considered the regime's number two, is killed in a rocket attack.

August 3: Human rights activist Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, who had publicly opposed Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, is wounded by gunfire.

August 15: Colonel Jean Bikomagu, the former head of Burundi's army during a 13-year civil war, is assassinated.

December 11: At least 87 people are killed in coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen on three military sites that trigger a fierce riposte from the security forces.

'Risk of genocide'

Burundi became the first ever to leave war crimes tribunal the International Criminal Court

July 29, 2016: UN Security Council agrees to deploy up to 228 UN police in Burundi, but in early August the government in capital Bujumbura rejects the resolution.

September 20: UN investigators say Burundi's government is behind systematic human rights violations, warning of the looming risk of "genocide".

October 27: Burundi says it is leaving the ICC. In April, The Hague-based body had opened a preliminary examination into allegations including murder and torture. Burundi's exit is scheduled to come into force a year later.

December 30: Nkurunziza hints he might seek a fourth term in office in 2020 "if the people request it".

'Rape calls'

January 19, 2017: Human Rights Watch says young men belonging to Burundi's ruling party are waging brutal attacks on perceived opponents.

April 18: UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein says the youth wing is repeatedly calling for the rape and murder of opposition supporters.

Towards a probe

September 4, 2017: UN calls for the opening of an ICC probe into crimes against humanity in Burundi.

September 29: UN decides to extend the mission of an international probe into atrocities there, overriding strong opposition from the government.

October 26: Government approves changes to the constitution that could pave the way to a potential 14-year extension in Nkurunziza's stay in office.

October 27: Burundi's threat to leave the ICC takes effect.

November 9: ICC reveals that it decided on October 25 to launch a probe into crimes committed from April 26 2015 to October 26 2017. The court "retains jurisdiction" in this area, regardless of Burundi's withdrawal, it says.
The Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill was read for the third time and passed by Parliament on Thursday.

The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, laid the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill on October 24, which will provide legal backing for the establishment of a fund to cater for the wife and two children of the Late soldier.

The Finance Committee, as well as the Defence and Interior Committees of Parliament, deliberated on the Bill before a report was made to the plenary.

Major Mahama, who was lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region in May 2017, was part of a task-force deployed to root out illegal mining in the area.

The gruesome murder of an officer on duty, who was mistaken for a thief, shook the entire nation, and rekindled the debate on what has become known as mob justice and the need to end it.

Major Mahama is survived by a wife and two kids

Following the death, the government announced the setting up of a memorial Trust Fund with a seed money of GH500,000 to support the education of Major Mahamas children.



By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Prison authorities at the Kumasi Central Prisons are taking GHc2 from each person who comes to visit an inmate in the facility, without issuing receipts to cover the fee, the Chronicle can confirm.

This conduct is in contravention of section 38 of the Prisons Service Act 1972, (NRCD 46), which does not prescribed payment of fees by visitors to the prisons.

The said Act reads:

1.Every prisoner under sentence of imprisonment shall be entitled, once in every two weeks, to receive a visit from friends or relatives in the presence of a prison officer.

2.A prisoner under sentence of imprisonment, may in exceptional circumstances, be granted permission by the officer in charge of the prison to receive a visit from friends or relatives in addition to the visit to which he or she is entitled under subsection (1).

3.Every prisoner not under sentence of imprisonment shall be allowed all reasonable opportunities daily of receiving visits from friends or relatives.

4.Every prisoner shall be allowed all reasonable opportunities of receiving visits from his legal advisers.

5.If a prisoner who is seriously ill wishes to be visited by any friends or relatives, a medical officer may give an order in writing for the admission of such friends or relatives if he considers it advisable.

Las Friday, when this reporter went to the said facility for the 'Justice for All Programme,' uncountable number of visitors who came to the facility to visit some of the inmates were asked to fill the visitors' pass, after which a prison officer, was seen supervising the illegal exercise of collecting the money from the visitors.

This happened at the forecourt of the PRO's office.

The Chronicle observed that, the visitor's form, which was half of an A4 sheet, was halfway filled, with the name of the Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP) R.O. Bonsu, as the officer who appended his signature on it.

The prisons officer was seen collecting the money and keeping it in a red file.

It was established that visitors were asked questions like how they relate to the inmate, what items were bringing to them, as the security officer filled the visitors' pass.

The Chronicle noticed that, all the visitors were ordered to thumb print.

Speaking to one of the visitors (name withheld), after visiting her brother in the facility, she told the Chronicle that she has been paying GHc2 ever since her brother was thrown into jail for the past eight months.

Approached by the Chronicle, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Kumasi Central Prisons, ASP Richard M. Bukari, confirmed that indeed they have been taking GHc2 from visitors, after they had filled the visitors' pass.

According to him, they are not the only prison facility that takes money from visitors, and that is done everywhere in Ghana.

Asked about why authorities do not issue receipts to visitors upon taking money from them, the PRO replied that they give back the pass to them, which serves as a receipt.


Vegetable farmers have been told to desist from unsafe use of chemicals to help protect the health of consumers.

Mr. Stephen Adigbli, the Asante-Akim Municipal Extension Officer, warned against the practice, where some of them applied chemicals used for pest control on vegetables two to three days before harvest.

That, he said, was dangerous - a health hazard, and something which should never be done by anybody.

Mr. Adigbli, who conveyed the warning through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said unrestrained quest for huge profit on investment, should not blind farmers to the health safety of consumers.

He indicated that, such was the hazardous nature of some chemicals that when applied on food crops, it took between three to one month for these to become safe for human consumption.

It was therefore completely unacceptable for any farmer to spray their vegetable farms with these chemicals just days before harvest, adding that, even more troubling was the fact that most vegetable were eaten raw.

Mr. Adigbli reminded the farmers to prioritize the health of consumers and to stick with best practices.

They should frequently engage the services of extension officers to aid them to do the right things - properly and safely use agro-chemicals for optimal crop yield and returns, he added.

GNA

By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
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I do not believe Anas Aremeyaw ...
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Trade

Airbus Deal With Bombardier Wont Last Long: Analysts [247 Wall Street]. While the deal may have saved Bombardier and was thought to be an easy pickup for Airbus, that initial reaction may have proved to be too quick. According to Moodys, the airline industry prefers larger narrow-body jets, like Boeings 737 and Airbuss A320, to smaller planes like the CS-100. The 737 seats a maximum of 172 to 230 passengers in four different members of the 737 family, and the A320 family seats from 100 to as many as 240 in four different airplanes. The CS-100 seats around 100, and Bombardier is also building a larger version of the plane, the CS-300, to seat about 125 to 150 passengers.

Were talking with the administration and Congress about some mitigation efforts if that were to occur; about how we could protect our producers with that [farm] safety net based on prices that may respond negatively to any kind of NAFTA withdrawal, Perdue told reporters [Politico]. The statement from Perdue is significant as it is one of the first public, Cabinet-level admissions that preparations are underway to respond to a potential NAFTA withdrawal  a move President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened. Perdue doesnt think a contingency plan will have to be put into action, however, saying that he believes NAFTA 2.0 will be successfully renegotiated. Nevertheless.

Pacific rim countries are trying to revive the regions sweeping trade deal, even if the pacts biggest member wont take part. Trade negotiators led by Japan are meeting in Vietnam this week seeking a revised version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, looking past Mr. Trumps move to withdraw the U.S. from TPP [Wall Street Journal]. Theyre seeking to do that by essentially carving the U.S. out of the agreement, by suspending clauses that the U.S. had backed in negotiations under former President Barack Obama. A new deal would bring together nations with a combined GDP of more than $10 trillion. It is a far cry from what the pact would have been with the U.S., but experts say it would still wield strategic significance and would leave the door open for the U.S. to join later.

Politics

2016 Post Mortem

[L]ast year, in April, as Trumps shocking political ascent became impossible to ignore, Schillings 32-year-old son died of a heroin overdose. She found needles in the pockets of the clothes he wore to work in the mines before he got laid off [Politico]. Desperate for change, Schilling, like so many other once reliable Democrats in these parts, responded enthusiastically to what Trump was saying. Liberal Democrats, even today, are The Party of Government Does Stuff, even if in a half-assed, ObamaCare-style neoliberal way. Opioid deaths correllate to Trump votes, yet the Democrats have nothing to say about what government can do to prevent deaths of despair. Odd. I grant that such a program wouldnt necessarily appeal to wealthy suburban Romney supporters, but its still odd. As Ohio Goes: One Year Removed From Election Day 2016, Voters From The Ultimate Bellwether State Reflect On A Divided Nation [Belt Magazine]. (I reject the divided nation trope, which translates directly to the divisive keyword liberal Democrats deploy against critics. The country is divided depending on how you slice it; for exanple, 63% of Americans are dissatisfied with corporate influence.) This from a Clinton voter, of a Trump voter: They [the Trump voter] have a son who has a history of drug addiction. What I said was,  If your son didnt have that issue, then you wouldnt have to dig him out of that hole and then have him succeed as an adult. If he didnt go backwards, he could just continue to move forward.  But because he has that issue, hes had to work through that, and that has sucked up a lot of time and energy and resources  both in their lives and in their sons life. If nothing else, parents worry about their kids. I think that thats a lot of what I see happening with Trump in office. I think if I were the Trump voter, I would have found that have him succeed as an adult remark a little grating.

2018

By all accounts, political spending for the November 2018 election will shatter every record [McClatchy]. Democrats today are buoyed by what they see as a prime opportunity to take back the House. As of Sept. 30, a record number of Democratic challengers some 391  had raised a not insignificant $5,000 each. Of those 391, 145 have already raised at least $100,000.. As important as the money candidates raise is cash from the parties and outside groups. Relatively new major players are the four super PACS aligned with top congressional leaders which can ask for and receive unlimited contributions. They also have the ability to inject huge amounts of late money into close races. How 15 Democrats helped tank the 2013 assault weapons ban [ABC]. Just a reminder that a Democrat wave isnt necessarily good in itself; it can be squandered, as the Democrats squandered 2006.

2017

What the Virginia and New Jersey elections tell us about public polling and Donald Trump [Brookings Institute]. The reality: Republicans and President Trump lost a winnable governors race in one state and failed to hold a Republican seat in another. While Mr. Trump might have had a marginal effect on tonights races (although the massive boosts in turnout in Northern Virginia [especially Loudoun County] may suggest that the anti-Trump resistance is real), the narrative will say otherwise. The governors races will not tell us what will happen in the 2018 midterms, but if youre a candidate for the House, Senate or a governorship next year, you have to feel better tonight if you have a D after your name. On Virginia: Here is some cold water, to keep ourselves grounded [RealClearPolitics]. [T]he [gerrymandered] map moved out from underneath Republicans while no one was looking  or, while no one was willing to adjust their views in light of the facts on the ground. If we use presidential vote numbers to calculate an efficiency gap (EG) score, which is the measure of gerrymandering before the Supreme Court right now (using presidential votes avoids the problems of handling races where a candidate is unopposed, and it helps control for the candidate and campaign effects that make the metric being utilized so problematic), the House of Delegates map had an EG of -.16 in 2012. Using the 2016 data, that gap falls to -.11. You can think of this as the map losing about a third of its partisan advantage over the course of four years. I suspect that if the 2008 data were available, we would see a substantially larger gap than we saw even in 2012 We frequently see this with gerrymanders: Parties draw them to their advantage in the first year of implementation, but then time takes its toll. Partisan loyalties and attachments change, and the maps strength is eroded. Hence the Democrat Partys insistence on court cases, and not, ya know, actually registering people. Oh, wait. Republicans regain razor-thin edge in Virginia House of Delegates, pending recounts [Richmond Times-Dispatch]. The Northam campaign thinks that people who have been charged with crimes should not be allowed to vote: Statement from Northam campaign on Rick Gates leaving house arrest to go vote tomorrow pic.twitter.com/dBNkdySuwH  Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) November 7, 2017 Quite remarkable. Philly Is About to Get a Radical District Attorney. How Much Can He Really Change? [Splinter News]. Krasner: We have a very, very long history in criminal justice of not addressing trauma. A lot of research indicates that when people are harmed and they lose control [of their own life], whether they are victimized by violence or in some other fashion that is profound, what they do is they later act out in their lives in a way so that they can be in control. [The explanation is no excuse, he says, but if we want to reduce crime] we need to address the trauma that is visited on all of these different players in the system. Respect means subordinating deeply held positionsno matter how validto winning power and containing Trump [Daily Beast]. Funny how the finger-wagging always goes only one way

Trump Transition

She flipped off President Trump  and got fired from her government contracting job [WaPo]. (This the woman who gave the Presidential motorcade the finger while out riding her bike. [Juli Briskman] bosses at Akima, who have not returned emails and calls requesting comment, showed her the blue-highlighted Section 4.3 of the firms social-media policy when they canned her. Covered Social Media Activity that contains discriminatory, obscene malicious or threatening content, is knowingly false, create [sic] a hostile work environment, or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and will be subject to discipline up to an [sic] including termination of employment. I certainly hope Briskman gets a new job at a less craven and Puritanical company! Despite wins, Dems face an identity crisis [The Hill]. On Tuesday, Stephen Cloobeck, a major Democratic donor, expressed his frustration with the direction of the party and promised to stop donating if it becomes too progressive. I can tell you if we go far left, Im out, Cloobeck said on MSNBC. Im out. We [who?] need middle ground. It drives me nuts, Cloobeck added. So much so it would make me quit the party. And Ive made it very clear: Ill cut your money off. And others will do the same. Weve had enough . We need a new brand.' Good. Go. What the Sanders campaign showed is that you can run a first-class Presidential campaign without Cloobeck and his ilk. The Democrats should proceed forthwith to do so, and show Cloobeck the door.

Realignment and Legitimacy

One weird trick to end gerrymandering: cake-cutting game theory [Boing Boing]. This is very clever, and might go over better with the Supreme Court than complex statistical theories. [A]ll around the country, people have channeled the restless, do-it-yourself political energy that fueled the Womens Marches and the airport protests into the formation of locally grounded, multi-issue resistance groups [Guardian]. Nobody has an exact count of how many of these new groups exist, but more than 6,000 have registered with Indivisible, the organization that grew out of the now-famous post-election guide to congressional advocacy written by a group of progressive former congressional staffers. Indivisible instantly got good press, and I dont like the lack of agency in grew out of, either. Since progressive is a meaningless term, a good litmus test is support for #MedicareForAll, and Indivisile does not. Call me overly paranoid, but the whole thing has the smell of yet another Democrat decapitation effort, just as happened with Black Lives Matter. Now, thats not to say anything about local chapters! They have their own agency/autonomy, exactly like Black Lives Matter, distinct from the narrative forced on them by journalists who have those staffers names in their Rolodexes.

Stats Watch

Wholesale Trade, September 2017: Wholesale trade inventories rose 0.3 percent in September, confirming the advance report and in line with consensus expectations of a slowdown to a more sustainable pace following the outsized (though revised downward by a tick) 0.8 percent gain in the prior month [Econoday]. The stock-to-sales ratio fell a notch to 1.27, the lowest reading since December 2014, continuing the downward trend in force this year. Excluding autos, wholesale inventories were up 0.4 percent after a 0.7 percent rise in the prior month.

Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, week of November 11, 2017: Slipped two-tenths of a point [Econoday]. Current views of the economy edged up. Personal finances index declined. The index of buying climate though increased to.

Jobless Claims, week of November 4, 2017: Initial claims for the November 4 week were up 10,000 to 239,000 and above Econodays consensus estimate [Econoday]. The Labor Department reported that claims taking procedures continued to be severely disrupted in the Virgin Islands while backlogged filings in Puerto Rico continued to be processed.

JOLTS (Tuesday): Note that hires and quits have stopped growing, and historically both lead job openings, in yet another indication that this cycle has reversed [Econoday].

Shipping: Forwarders and shippers caught in the updraught of an air cargo perfect storm' [The Loadstar]. Forwarders and shippers are feeling the pain of a serious lack of air freight capacity in the market. The air freight market is particularly tight out of Hong Kong, mainland China and South-east Asia, with the situation worsening by the week.'

Retail: Sophisticated logistics is helping build a new business in a rarely-touched corner of the food market: Leftovers. A series of startups with names like ReFED, Spoiler Alert and FoodMaven are pushing into U.S. distribution channels they say waste billions of dollars in food every year, and theyre working with companies from wholesale suppliers to restaurants to get the food moving in new and potentially profitable directions [Wall Street Journal]. That includes convincing industrial distributors like Sysco Corp., Aramark Corp. and Sodexo SA to add nodes to their supply chains. The key is to move fast when companies end up with excess supplies, find new markets for food that might otherwise be thrown out and get the goods sold and delivered in good condition.

The Bezzle: Ubers flying car project Elevate came whizzing back into view today with a number of key announcements about where it will first appear, who will be working on it, and how this futuristic service will look when it ultimately takes off [The Verge]. [T]o round it all out, Uber released a glossily produced video to demonstrate what using its aerial taxi service would look like from the perspective of a working mom who just wants to get home to her kids. Of course they did

Mr. Market: Is the stock market a bubble? [Calculated Risk]. [A]s long term readers know, I rarely comment directly on the stock market (although I did post on the market in 2009 since that was a turning point). Since I dont think a recession is imminent, Id generally expect further gains in the market over the next year. The PE ratio is high (around 25), and that is well above average. However it is typical for the PE ratio to expand during an economic expansion The bottom line is the U.S. economy is doing well (the global economy is doing well too). There might be some speculation with margin debt, but everyone isnt talking stocks (like in 1999). So, in general, I dont think this is a bubble. Of course, as always, we could see a 10% to 20% correction starting at any time. Ill now go back to avoiding discussing the stock market.

Five Horsemen: Our Fab Five remain on the Permanently High Plateau to which they were elevated on Amazon Friday, Oct 27th. [Hat tip, Jim Haygood].

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 54 Neutral (previous close: 58, Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 72 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed. Last updated Nov 7 at 7:00pm. Election Day.

Health Care

How Many of the Uninsured Can Purchase a Marketplace Plan for Less Than Their Shared Responsibility Penalty? [Kaiser Health News]. Just over half (54%) of uninsured individuals who are eligible to purchase a marketplace plan with or without a subsidy would better off financially if they purchased a bronze plan rather than remaining uninsured. Of the 10.7 million people who are currently uninsured and eligible to purchase marketplace coverage, around 7.7 million people will be subject to the shared responsibility penalty. Most of these people will have access to at least some subsidies (6.3 million) to purchase a Marketplace plan.

Water

Researchers studying the [Flint] water crisis recently found a high number of fetal deaths and fewer pregnancies in Flint since April 2014, which is when the city switched its water supply to use water from the polluted Flint River without adding anti-corrosives to treat it [Rewire]. There have been far too many miscarriages to count, local activist Melissa Mays told Rewire. Its sad because we have no idea what the heavy metals, carcinogenic byproducts, bacteria, and whatever else we have been, and are still being, exposed to has done to our bodies. Will our sons have low sperm counts? How many young girls will not be able to become mothers because their eggs are poisoned? We just dont know, and the State of Michigan just wants to sweep it all under the rug like its all in the past.'

Class Warfare

Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South: An Interview with Historian Keri Leigh Merritt [History News Network]. In these Deep South states in 1860, you have about one-third of white people who own slaves or live in families who own slaves. About one-third of white people could classify as middling class status  yeomen who owned land and not slaves, or the up-and-coming middle class of merchants, lawyers, and bankers, and then men who were overseers and hadnt come into their inheritances yet. And the last third are poor whites.. The economists Samuel Williamson and Louis Cain came out with a paper called Measuring Slavery. .. [They] came up with a figure that purchasing a slave would cost something like $130,000 today. Thats a totally different figure than the cliometrician scholars were using in the 1970s to estimate slave prices. The American Dream

Persona Non Grata [Inside Higher Ed]. For Duke University students interested in learning about hedge funds and the economic forces that drive them, Economics 381S  Inside Hedge Funds, taught by Linsey Lebowitz Hughes, a lecturing fellow of economics  is probably a good place to start. Theres just one small catch, found six bullet points down on the front page of the course syllabus. Anyone who is on the staff of The Chronicle is not permitted to take this class.' And here is the Duke Chronicles article about that: Emma Rasiel, professor of the practice of economics and associate chair in economics, wrote in an email Thursday that the language used in the syllabus was meant to highlight the importance of confidentiality, not to disallow Chronicle members. Rasiel apparently doesnt understand the plain meaning of English words, since disallowing Chronicle members is exactly what the syllabus does.

#ThemToo [Boston Review]. [S]exual harassment happens to women (and sexual and gender minorities) at work. It is intersectional, a case of economic and gender oppression. But progress is uneven. As women become more equal as women, their rights and the power of the institutions that represent them as workers are progressively being overtaken by the prerogatives of employers and corporations. The result: it is every woman for herself, which means only a few women prevail. Those with the social capital to attract and endure media attention, primarily?

News of the Wired

Philadelphias Boulevard of Broken Dreams [The American Conservative]. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A sad article, especially since theres no solution proferred for making it come alive. And I would bet that airdropping in a new museum, the Barnes Foundation, hasnt done a thing since I was there in the earily 2000s. Any readers from Philly care to comment?

How to Hire Fake Friends and Family [The Atlantic]. [Ishii Yuichis] 8-year-old company, Family Romance, provides professional actors to fill any role in the personal lives of clients. With a burgeoning staff of 800 or so actors, ranging from infants to the elderly, the organization prides itself on being able to provide a surrogate for almost any conceivable situation. Yuichi believes that Family Romance helps people cope with unbearable absences or perceived deficiencies in their lives. In an increasingly isolated and entitled society, the CEO predicts the exponential growth of his business and others like it, as a la carte human interaction becomes the new norm.

Warren Mosler, MMT conference closing remarks:

Takes an hour, so listen to this instead of Morning Edition [snort], and grab a cup of coffee!

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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 (JK):

From Mt. Hood.

Readers, Im doing OK on fall foliage now, but Im so fascinated to learn that this map is off, Im going to leave the request up just to see what there is to see

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Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the NC fundraiser. So do feel free to use the dropdown and click the hat to make a contribution today or any day. Here is why: Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of small donations helps me with expenses, and I factor that trickle in when setting fundraising goals. So if you see something you especially appreciate, do feel free to click the hat!
On the one hand, the latest public disclosure of misconduct by CalPERS executives and staff isnt earthshaking. On the other, it was still significant enough to merit a Financial Times story. And it also illustrates a thumb-nosing attitude toward the law that has become a CalPERS trademark.

In a Financial Times FundFire article, Ex-CalPERS Execs Interactions With Pension Raise Red Flags [paywalled, no online source], Fola Akinnibi ferreted out that CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Ted Eliopoulos accepted the impermissible overtures of a former CalPERS employee almost immediately after he resigned and joined an asset management firm that was pitching business to CalPERS. As the article explains:

CalPERS former head of infrastructure investments Todd Lapenna, who resigned from the pension in December and officially joined StepStone in January, arranged a meeting between CalPERS CIO Ted Eliopoulos and StepStone executives to discuss the changing business immediately after joining the firm. Lapenna is subject to the California Political Reform Act, which prohibits lobbying by former employees for a certain period after changing jobs, according to emails and other documents obtained via a California Public Records Act request.

StepStone had been an infrastructure consultant to CalPERS, but abruptly and without explanation resigned from its contract in August of this year, even though the five-year agreement ran until February 2020. Author Akinnibi reported that StepStone was in the process of changing its strategy to give much more priority to asset management than consulting. CalPERS is attentive to the fact that consultants that are also money managers have a conflict of interest. CalPERS director of real assets Paul Mouchakkaa had noticed in October 2016 that StepStones promotional materials were touting its asset management prowess, particularly in infrastructure and real estate. StepStone had also stated in its SEC form ADV filed in March that being in the asset management and consulting business represented a potential conflict of interest. And StepStone said that was an issue with CalPERS. Again from the article:

StepStone resigned its board advisor r[o]le because it determined that it could be more helpful to CalPERS in an investment advisor role, and in CalPERS structure a service provider cannot effectively be in both roles, says the spokeswoman in an email.

To beef up its asset management business, StepStone had hired an infrastructure team from KPMG, including the teams leader, James OLeary, who then became head of StepStones infrastructure and real assets asset management initiative.

Recall that StepStone was still CalPERS infrastructure adviser during December 2016 and January 2017. But more important, the ex-CalPERS staffer LaPenna was subject to a two-year prohibition aiding, advising, consulting with, or assisting a business entity to obtain a contract or contract amendment with his or her former agency. From the Financial Times story:

On December 10, just days after Lapenna resigned from his post to join StepStone, OLeary reached out to Mouchakkaa to pitch a new line of business to the pension. As you may know, since I have joined StepStone, I have been focusing on our business being an asset management provider, not a general consultant, OLeary says in the email. While I am cognizant of our existing board advisory role at CalPERS (and will continue to support it), I do think our greatest value to funds like CalPERS will be around tailored investment solutions, leveraging my global teams experience and reach. Lapenna, the former CalPERS employee, emailed Eliopoulos on January 12, via a personal email account, looking to arrange a meeting between Eliopoulos and OLeary. OLeary followed up a week later, looking to discuss our new business model at StepStone, which is to provide SMA solutions to investment teams such as yours at CalPERS Neither Eliopoulos nor Mouchakkaa appear to have rebuffed any of the overtures, as per the documents released to FundFire Lapenna ultimately secured a meeting for StepStone executives with Eliopoulos to discuss the new private market business model, among other things, according to an email sent from his StepStone address.

Lapenna did not attend that meeting. However, author Akinnibi published this document:

As anyone with an operating brain cell can tell, this is too cute. Departing CalPERS employees like Lapenna get firm written and verbal instructions on the legal restrictions on soliciting CalPERS business. Lapenna signaled that he knew what he was doing wasnt kosher by first trying to pretend his business facilitation wasnt really that by e-mailng from a personal account. Reporter Akinnibi points out Lapenna did it again with the February e-mail we reproduced above. Since when does anyone put their employer name and title in a personal e-mail? This was clearly meant to be seen as official correspondence.

Lapenna tried to have it both ways again by encouraging Eliopoulos to keep in contact with him in an unofficial capacity. Its a no-brainer that Lapennas interest is to assist StepStone in winning more business with CalPERS, and that is clearly verboten under the California Political Reform Act. Even if Lapenna and Elopoulos had a pre-existing, shared, non-finanace interest, like they both sat on the board of a not-for-profit theater company, it would still be hard for Lapenna and Eliopoulos to steer clear of violating the law. As any provider of professional services will tell you, the reason most people participate in activities like that isnt for the cause, its for the networking and informal selling opportunities.

Having said all that, the California Political Reform Act impose sanctions only on former employees, and not on government employees and officers who take lobbying and business pitches they know they should reject. So Eliopoulos was not the one at criminal risk in this impropriety. Nevertheless, he cant pretend he didnt know that any communication with Lapenna was not on the up and up. Eliopoulos was an accomplice to the violation. And CalPERS would have every incentive to release records that showed Eliopoulos rejecting Lapennas overtures, but Akinnibi says none were provided.

Elioupoulos is a lawyer. Hes been in politics for years. When his boss and mentor Phil Angelides left CalPERS, you can be sure both Angelides and Eliopoulos adhered strictly to the cooling-off requirements. Now it may have been that CalPERS, and even Eliopoulos himself, nixed Lapenna attending the February 9 business pitch, but they never should have been in communication, much the less even have scheduled a meeting with Lapenna.

The reason this incident matters isnt just that it illustrates that CalPERS has a fast and loose relationship with the law. Its also that Eliopoulos, remarkably, has managed to abandon virtually all of the parts of the Chief Investment Officer job that involve making investment decisions, and has turned it into an almost entirely administrative and ceremonial post. If he cant even do that right, why is he still employed, much the less getting big bucks?
By Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director at Bruegel. She has previously worked at the European Commission and the research department of the Dutch Central Bank and has also held academic positions at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the USA and the University of Strathclyde in the UK. Originally published at Bruegel

Populist shocks in the UK and US threaten the multilateral order on which the EU depends. What lies behind these earthquakes, and what does it mean for Europe? Withdrawing from the world is no solution to geo-political upheavals, but Europe needs to reassess the future of globalisation.

European integration, the ever closer union of Europes states and economies, has faced a very difficult 10 years. Even as growth finally re-emerges, the legacy of the financial crisis is far from resolved. Meanwhile, poorly managed migration and refugee pressures saw huge population flows into and around the continent from the South and South-East. For many, this decade has brought echoes of old and very different eras.

These long-running crises exposed major imperfections in the architecture of European integration. Internal EU reform is long overdue. But two more recent events have also forced Europe to rethink its place in the wider world. Europes allies are withdrawing.

First, the US unexpectedly elected Donald Trump. This has only accelerated an existing trend: the US is questioning its role as the anchor of the global system. And this is not just about withdrawing from an active leadership position. Trumps America first rhetoric argues that the US can make better deals for itself if it acts alone  possibly outside the confines of multilateral frameworks.

Second, the UK voted to withdraw from the EU. The government now attempts to brand the move as the launch of Global Britain, an open country finding its own ways of engaging with the rest of the world. But the campaign rhetoric of taking back control is not all that different to the US tendency to look inwards, to protect ones turf and adopt an antagonistic rather than cooperative position with others.

These are two very different events, but to European eyes they reflect a similar desire to withdraw, as a way of doing better. This is quite different from the multilateral creed the EU follows internally and in the world: work together, as a way of doing better. European integration and globalisation are both built on this idea.

Are these US and UK withdrawals a sign that globalisation and multilateralism are in reverse? Or are they simply domestic reactions? If so, to what? The answers will determine Europes path.

I would like to offer two possible explanations of these events, with rather different implications for the future of globalisation and Europes place in the world.

The first explanation is that these political earthquakes are actually aftershocks of the worst financial crisis in 50 years. On both sides of the Atlantic, also in Europe, the last decade has brought a rise in populism, protectionism and ultimately even nationalism. In my view this is a consequence of decisions taken in order to correct large economic imbalances in the financial system. The system was saved, but there were many innocent losers.

Now, while this phenomenon can be seen across most of the western world, continental Europe has managed to contain populism more effectively than the US and the UK. And while the populists, and even nationalists, are still there, electorates have held back from bringing them to power. There is as yet no withdrawal.

The reason behind this difference is that Europe has been better in distributing the benefits of openness and trade to its citizens. European welfare states manage to prevent large inequalities, and as a consequence they ensure a more consistent support for globalisation. This is less the case in the US and the UK, where citizens resentment about inequality enabled populist voices to force huge changes in direction: Trump and Brexit respectively.

On the upside, if inequality was all that lay behind this observed discontent, active policy could eradicate the causes of populist calls to withdraw. More effective redistribution and social protections could re-establish support for openness and global trade.

However, I believe there may be another reason, more entrenched, that will prevent this: there is a slow but epochal shift in the balance of global powers.

The emergence of China on the international stage, along with the US steady withdrawal from global leadership, has led to a tri-polar system of global powers shared between the US, Europe and China. But why would such shift lead to greater inwardness in the US or some European powers like the UK?

One possible explanation is that tri-polar is not equivalent to truly multilateral: bargains still need to be struck. But now they are more difficult, as the rules under which countries interact can no longer be agreed between just the US and Europe; there needs to be Chinese consent as well. The west wont always come out on top. Voters and workers will notice.

There are real and serious difficulties here: China has very different views, in particular about the role of the state in the marketplace. This inevitably means that the wests traditional laissez-faire ideology is now challenged. Competition wont always feel fair. Multilateral governance has never been easy, but disagreements about the very principles of economic interaction are an obstacle to globalisation for the Europeans and US alike. It could very well be that withdrawal is a reflection of this standstill on what the collective rules ought to be.

The US is threatening to reject multilateral fora in favour of bilateral agreements, as a way of exerting its direct power. The UK is turning away from the world and its neighbours alike. The EU is less clear on how to proceed. On the one hand, it wants to preserve what has always been the most natural of partnerships with the US; but on the other hand, it also wants to protect multilateralism, which it cannot do alone. China is a staunch defender of multilateralism as a concept, but its economic values are quite different from Europes.

The question, then, is whether the prevalence of different views on how to do business puts a natural limit to globalisation. Protectionism, and even the threat of protectionism, runs against the spirit of globalisation and threatens to destroy economic relationships made in the past. But perhaps a populist shift toward protectionism is inevitable, given the shift in global powers. Must the west withdraw, or can powers with different underlying economic ideologies still unlock the benefits of closer economic cooperation?

The future of European integration depends on the answers to these questions. Here in the EU there remain major unresolved problems and populist pressures that could still push us into the trap of isolationism or even European disintegration. Withdrawing is not the way to do better. We must all find a way to do business together, but success is far from guaranteed.
Hot News from the Antarctic Underground NASA

Mammoth society seems to have been like that of modern elephants The Economist

Why This Fungus Has Over 20,000 Sexes Discover. Where we have two traditionally recognized genders Whos we? Thailand has 14 (or possibly 18). But whos counting?

Tiny human brain organoids implanted into rodents, triggering ethical concerns STAT (AB). I would have thought wed be going the other direction?

How Deutsche Banks high-stakes gamble went wrong FT

Me on the Equifax Breach Schneier on Security (CE).

Brexit

Catalan strike severs road links as secessionist leader regroups Reuters

Syraqistan

India

China?

New Cold War

Trump Transition

Democrats in Disarray

Suburbs Rebel Against Trump, Threatening Republicans in Congress NYT and Is it finally blue? Democrats speed Virginias transformation  thanks to Trump WaPo. Conventional wisdom congeals.

After pledging an aggressive race against GOP Del. Jackson Miller, state Democratic Party abandons populist challenger Richmond Times. Lee Carter won anyhow. Its important to have an operational definition of unity from the liberal Democrat perspective; this is it. This also shows that the conventional wisdom is severely, and tendentiously, oversimplified, as in the articles from Pravda and Izvestia, supra.

Health Care

Alabama task force performs drug raid, man dies. Officials take his home, split the proceeds. WaPo (SoC). SoC: Another day, another unconstitutional (but legal) asset forfeiture except the same court that denied appeal gets a cut from the same seizure. As one of the articles bicommentators said, if it was Robert Mugabe who did this we would expect it.

Our Famously Free Press

Imperial Collapse Watch

Nobodys Quaking in Their Boots, Anymore Patrick Buchanan, The American Conservative. I hate it when that old reprobate gets it right.

Class Warfare

Airbus knew of software vulnerability before A400M crash Reuters (Richard Smith). Richard: In addition to the usual weird failure mode, we have an underlying bureaucratic cockup, supplier conflicts, slapdash software controls. Only 4 dead this time.

Sen. Al Franken torched Amazon, Facebook and Google for using their algorithms to maintain their massive footprints Recode. Theres lots of innovation, for sure; mostly in rental extraction from the means of consumption.

Apple Is Ramping Up Work on AR Headset to Succeed iPhone Bloomberg (Re Silc). Apple hasnt finalized how users will control the headset and launch apps, but is investigating touch panels, voice-activation via Siri and head gestures.

German officials celebrate doubled Twitter character limit AP. Munich police said that at last they wont need abbreviations to tweet about accidents involving forklift drivers, or Niederflurfoerderfahrzeugfuehrer.

Qatar Airways plane forced to land after wife discovers husbands affair midflight Guardian. A Qatar Airways plane has been forced to land midflight after a woman who used her sleeping husbands thumb to unlock his smartphone discovered he was having an affair. The phones may be smart.

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
As the Philadelphia meetup, I got to chat at some length with a reader who had a considerable high end IT background, including at some cutting-edge firms, and now has a job in the Beltway where he hangs out with military-surveillance types. He gave me some distressing information on the state of snooping technology, and as well get to shortly, is particularly alarmed about the new home assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home.

He pointed out that surveillance technology is more advanced than most people realize, and that lots of money and talent continues to be thrown at it. For instance, some spooky technologies are already decades old. Forgive me if this is old hat to readers:

Edward Snowden has disabled the GPS, camera, and microphone on his cell phone to reduce his exposure. As most readers probably know, both the microphone and the camera can be turned on even when the phone has been turned off. He uses headphones to make calls. This makes the recent phone design trend away from headphone jacks look particularly nefarious. Laser microphones can capture conversations by shining a laser on a window pane and interpreting the vibrations. However, this isnt really a cause for worry since there are easier ways to spy on meetings. With a voice recording (think a hostage tape), analysts can determine the room size, number of people in the room, and even make a stab at the size and placement of objects, particularly if they get more than one recording from the same site.

But what really got this reader worked up was Amazons Echo, the device that allows users to give voice instructions to a device that will tell your TV to stream video or audio. order from Amazon or other participating vendors, provide answers to simple search queries, like Tell me the weather, perform simple calculations, and allow you to order around smart devices in your home that are on the networks. like tell your coffee maker to make some coffee. He said, Id never take one of them out of the box.

He was at a party recently with about 15-20 people when the host decided to show off her Echo. She called across the room, Alexa, tell me the capital of Wisconsin, and Alexa dutifully responded.

Based on his knowledge of other technologies, here is what he argues was happening:

The Echo was able to pick a voice out of a crowd engaged in conversation. That means it is capable of singling out individual voice. That means it has been identifying individual voices, tagging the as Unidentified voice 1, Unidentified voice 2 and so on. It has already associated the voices of its owners, and if they have set up profiles for other family members, for them as well, so it knows who goes with those voices. Those voices may be unidentified now, but as more and more voice data is being collected or provided voluntarily, people will be able to be connected to their voice. And more and more recording is being done in public places. So now think of that party I was at. At some time in the not too distant future, analysts will be able to make queries like, Tell me who was within 15 feet of Person X at least eight times in the last six months. That will produce a reliable list of their family, friends, lovers, and other close associates.

CNET claims that Amazon uploads and retains voice data from the Echo only when it has been activated by calling to it and stops recording when the request ends. But given the Snowden revelations that every camera and microphone in computers and mobile devices can be and are used as viewing and listening devices even when the owner thinks they are off, I would not be so trusting. Even if Amazon isnt listening and recording at other times, the NSA probably can. CNET adds:

Amazon Echo is always listening. From the moment you wake up Echo to the end of your command, your voice is recorded and transcribed. And then its stored on Amazons servers. Its unclear how long the data is stored, but we do know that it is not anonymized. And, for now, theres no way to prevent recordings from being saved.

Reread the first paragraph. The Echo has to be listening at all times in order to respond to the Alexa command. So the only question is whether Amazon or some friendly member of the surveillance state is recording then too.

This scenario ties into a recent development I find alarming: banks and other retail financial firms relentlessly offering to let you use your voice as your identifier if you wind up calling them. Every time I have called, I have to waste time rejecting their efforts to route me into that system. Ive told the customer reps I never want that done but there is no way to override that even when I call in from a phone number they recognize as belonging to a customer.

Now let us play devils advocate. The Echo is awfully promiscuous in terms of who it seems to think is allowed to place orders. A parrot famously placed an order for some gift boxes:

But the story in the Sun states that the African Grey Buddy was imitating his owner:

Buddy activated her 150 Amazon Echo smart speaker, which connects to the internet shopping giants artificial intelligence hub. Users can bark commands at it to control heating, order a takeaway or access a host of other services. It responds to the name Alexa and hilarious footage filmed by South Africa-born Corienne now shows Buddy squawking Alexa! in her voice.

Now since on a quick search, I didnt find any videos of Buddys owner saying Alexa, we have no idea of how good a mimic Buddy is (as is does the Echo allow anyone to place orders in a home who says Alexa? One would hope not, since imagine the mischief, say, an angry nanny or plumber or teenager could make).

Some argued that Echo and its ilk are not a threat because speaker recognition isnt as good as is often claimed. From Scientific American:

Voice recognition has started to feature prominently in intelligence investigations. Examples abound: When ISIS released the video of journalist James Foley being beheaded, experts from all over the world tried to identify the masked terrorist known as Jihadi John by analyzing the sound of his voice. Documents disclosed by Edward Snowden revealed that the U.S. National Security Agency has analyzed and extracted the content of millions of phone conversations. Call centers at banks are using voice biometrics to authenticate users and to identify potential fraud. But is the science behind voice identification sound? Several articles in the scientific literature have warned about the quality of one of its main applications: forensic phonetic expertise in courts. We have compiled two dozens judicial cases from around the world in which forensic phonetics were controversial. Recent figures published by INTERPOL indicate that half of forensic experts still use audio techniques that have been openly discredited. The recorded fragments subject to analysis can be phone conversations, voice mail, ransom demands, hoax calls and calls to emergency or police numbers. One of the main hurdles voice analysts have to face is the poor quality of recorded fragments. The telephone signal does not carry enough information to allow for fine-grained distinctions of speech sounds. You would need a band twice as broad to tell certain consonants apart, such as f and s or m and n, said Andrea Paoloni, a scientist at the Ugo Bordoni Foundation and the foremost forensic phoneticist in Italy until his death in November 2015. To make things worse, recorded messages are often noisy, short and can be years or even decades old. In some cases, simulating the context of a phone call can be particularly challenging. Imagine recreating a call placed in a crowded movie theater, using an old cell phone or one made by an obscure foreign brand.

In other words, a significant problem is sample contamination, which is also can be an impediment in DNA analysis, in that contamination often has occurred at the collection site and sometime takes place in the lab. However, if you are repeatedly giving Amazon and whoever else might be interested voice samples again and again and again, you are giving them the opportunity to get a good, indeed many good recordings.

And our concerned reader points out that you dont need pristine recordings to make useful inferences:

Although voice identification has a margin of error that would make it unacceptable for legal identification and non-repudiation, it still has useful utility for intelligence and user experience applications, especially when paired with other available data. For example, if a sensor captures signature characteristics of a subjects voice, it may limit the potential matches to, say, 500 people, but if another sensor detects cell phone IMEI signals near by, a match with a high degree of certainty may be predicted. Similarly a facial recognition algorithm may get a match that comes back with dozens of potential matches, but when cross-referenced to the nearby voice signature matches, a high confidence match is possible. Databases in the cloud are very economical at scale. If persistent collection is stored in a database with proper meta data (e.g. Date/time, GPS, sensor type), then Bayesian algorithms will eventually retag the data for an unknown subject into a known subject (with with X probability). To understand how this may work, consider the TSA backscatter scans performed every day at airports. The first batch will produce piles of scans of unknown persons. If these scans are compared with the boarding pass scans around the same place and time, then each backscatter scan may be considered as potentially matching one of the boarding passes scanned. Now, when the same person is scanned again, the number of potential matches of similar scans and common boarding passes reduces significantly. Eventually, scans can be quickly paired to an individual with a high degree of certainty. This can be further optimized by considering which scans and boarding passes have not already been tagged to someone with sufficient certainty.

But Echo and Google Home users may argue that they are allowed to erase their data, so whats the worry? Again per CNET:

For those who dont take chances, theres a way to delete all voice data in one fell swoop. Head to www.amazon.com/myx, sign in, and click Your Devices. Select Amazon Echo, then click Manage Voice Recordings.

This is not as reassuring as it might sound. Amazon collects at least your Echo instructions by default. You can wipe them manually. You cant set the Echo up not to retain your instructions nor to wipe the periodically, say daily.

So Amazon (and whoever else might have access to the data) pretty much always has some voice data to work with. And remember, Amazon is not deleting the voice profile that is has been constructing on you, merely the raw data it has been using to construct and refine that profile. So you can keep wiping your data, but ever time you speak to Alexa, and perhaps at other times too, you are giving it more and more information to develop a better and better vocal fingerprint.

Confirming some of the concerns described above, computer scientists at the University of North Carolina depict the overhearing of devices like the Echo and Googles home as a hacking risk (while our readers and our concern is that the overhearing is a feature, not a bug). From their paper SoundSifter: Mitigating Overhearing of Continuous Listening Devices:

Having reached the milestone of human-level speech understanding by machines, continuous listening devices are now becoming ubiquitous. Today, it is possible for an embedded device to continuously capture, process, and interpret acoustic signals in real-time.Although these devices are activated upon a hot-word, in the process, they are con- tinuously listening to everything. It is not hard to imagine that sooner or later someone will be hacking into these cloud-connected systems and will be listening to every conversation we are having at our home, which is one of our most private places.

Their solution is what amounts to a hardware condom:

Instead of proposing modifications to existing home hubs, we build an indepen- dent embedded system that connects to a home hub via its audio input. Considering the aesthetics of home hubs, we envision SoundSifter as a smart sleeve or a cover for these devices.

An indirect confirmation that this security concern is real is that Amazon is giving patently dishonest reassurances to Echo customers, as in technically accurate but utterly misleading. In a Quartz article, Amazons vice president and head scientist of Alexa machine learning Rohit Prasad claims there is no reason to worry about the Echo devices because they are too dumb. They have almost no memory, a buffer of only a few seconds, and know only four wake words. In other words, he acts as if the potential of intercepting the communication to the cloud does not exist, and worse, directs consumer attention from the fact that Amazon retains user voice recordings.

One thing that may impede the spread of widespread voice-spying is that the Echo appears to be sufficiently fussy that it does not work very well in a lot of real-world settings. So only partial uptake among customers that fall squarely into its target market (upscale, tech-friendly, servant-loving) would limit how many customer profiles it gathers as well as how many parties it can listen in on.

Plus Amazon seems to have trained its algos on American voices, which means if you have a pronounced accent, you may not be very happy with the Echo.1 From Clive:

Apart from the creepy crawley surveillance aspect (and Google/Amazon bother me far more than the state security apparatus) I bought a couple of Apple Homekit enabled devices for home automation and Siri voice control. Absolutely useless. Works barely 60 percent of the time which is way, way less than tolerable considering the cost premium over conventional equivalents. Wth proper microphone kit, a quiet workspace and a few hours training it on your dialect, theres noting especially wrong with the principles of computer voice recognition. But it will always struggle in real-world environments and the vagaries of human speech without extensive customisation. A lot of Silicon Valleys output is what Japanese firms used to be castigated for  Galapagos products which only work in a narrow niche-local market. If you are not an urban hipster in a San Francisco loft apartment with unimpeded WiFi signal strength, reliable low-latency broadband, good acoustic envelope, no street noise and so on, the tech has an embarrassing tendency to fall over in the kinds of environments the rest of us live in. Even in the US, these kinds of living conditions are atypical. City dwellers may have apartment type accommodation, but room sizes are smaller and reinforced concrete construction means the router in your hallway or kitchen will be patchy in the bedrooms. Suburban housing will be much bigger and youll need powerline repeaters to get to the outer edges of the building. CAT5 or 6 cabling isnt standard on mass built housing and even custom build doesnt normally specify it for residential development. My house is small by US standards but even I have to have a repeater to get a decent WiFi signal on the first floor. I move in a tech-y circle and everyone Ive discussed this with has tried Echo/ Siri Homekit/Google Home and has given up faced with the flakiness and demands to reconfigure their living spaces to accommodate their demands.

So many of the more trusting sort of customer may be put off by the lack of reliability of these home assistants. But if you care at all about your security, I wouldnt get near one.

Update 7:00 AM. By happenstance, a story just out in the Sun confirms the UK Echo is not ready for prime time point of view. From Cops raid music fans flat after his Alexa Amazon Echo device holds a party on its own while he was out:

A music fan has been left with a huge bill after his voice-operated Amazon Echo device threw a house party while he was away. Cops were forced to break into Oliver Haberstrohs flat in Hamburg, Germany, after neighbours complained about deafening music blasting from inside  but found the apartment empty. Mr Haberstroh claims he walked out of his flat to meet friend [sic] on Friday night after checking that the lights and music were switched off. He wrote on Facebook: While I was relaxed and enjoying a beer, Alexa managed on her own, without command and without me using my mobile phone, to switch on at full volume and have her own party in my apartment She decided to have it at a very inconvenient time, between 1.50am and 3am. My neighbours called the police.

___

1 More from our wary reader:
As part of NATO Allies ongoing commitment to transparency, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are hosting Russian arms control inspectors this week. The inspectors toured a number of military sites, including some used by multinational NATO battlegroups. NATO deployed defensive forces to the region  known as enhanced forward presence  following Russias aggressive actions against Ukraine. One battlegroup, roughly 1,000-strong, is now stationed in each of the Baltic countries and Poland to deter any possible aggression.

In Estonia, Russian inspectors visited the Defence Forces Central Training Area, headquarters of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Tapa, and met with NATO personnel stationed there. In Latvia, the Russian inspection team visited Latvian Armed Forces units and training grounds, and were briefed by the Commander of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade and the Commander of the National Guard 2nd Brigade. They also conducted an observation flight over the central part of Latvia. In Lithuania, the inspectors conducted an overflight and visited units within the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf in Rukla, where they were briefed by the Brigade Commander and met with NATO battlegroup personnel.

All of these visits are being carried out within the framework of the Vienna Document, an agreement on military transparency reached among the 57 member nations of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2011. Designed to promote mutual trust and transparency, the Vienna Document commits OSCE members to accept a number of inspection visits by other members each year, in order to verify there are no undeclared military capabilities or activities of concern.

NATO strongly supports efforts to build confidence and transparency on military activities. Allies respect the letter and spirit of the Vienna Document, and NATO regularly updates its schedule of military exercises online.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed today that NATO will increase its support for Afghanistan as part of its Resolute Support Mission.

The United States briefed on its new South Asia strategy, under which its troop numbers in Afghanistan have increased. 27 other nations have also said they will increase their troop numbers in the coming months. As a result, NATOs Resolute Support Mission will increase from around 13,000 to around 16,000 troops. I strongly welcome the strengthened commitment and support demonstrated by Allies and partners, said the Secretary General.

Defence Ministers from NATO Allies and partner nations also confirmed they will continue the fund the Afghan security forces until at least 2020. In addition to a significant financial contribution from the United States, other NATO Allies and partners will continue to provide almost a billion US dollars each year to the Afghan defence and security forces, added Mr Stoltenberg.

Ministers were joined by Afghanistans Acting Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami, who briefed on ongoing reforms, including on good governance, the rule of law, fighting corruption, and protecting the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls.

Mr Stoltenberg said that NATO continues to support an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process. We welcome the Kabul Process initiative launched by President Ghani earlier this year. And we urge all regional and international actors to support this process.

The Secretary General was speaking following the meeting of Resolute Support Mission defence ministers at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
On Friday, 10 November 2017, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will travel to rland to attend a ceremony on the occasion of the arrival of Norwegian F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft. Mr. Stoltenberg will deliver remarks during the ceremony.

The Secretary General will watch the fly by of the aircraft together with His Majesty King Harald, the Prime Minister, Mrs. Erna Solberg and the Minister of Defence, Mr. Frank Bakke-Jensen.

Still and video images will be available on the NATO website after the event.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg)
Defence Ministers agreed today (9 November 2017) to increase the size of NATOs Resolute Support training mission in Afghanistan from around 13,000 to roughly 16,000 personnel. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement at the end of a two-day meeting of the Alliance's Defence Ministers in Brussels. Mr Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that Afghan forces are making progress, even though the situation remains very challenging. Ministers also agreed on the importance of funding for the Afghan security forces, and welcomed Afghanistans intention to make further progress on reforms and reconciliation.

In response to changes in Europes security environment, Ministers agreed an outline design for an adapted NATO Command Structure on Wednesday (8 November 2017), with new commands to improve the movement of troops across the Atlantic, and within Europe. "We need a command structure which can make sure that we have the right forces, in the right place, with the right equipment at the right time," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in the margins of the meeting.

With cyber-attacks a growing threat, Ministers endorsed a set of principles for how the Alliance can integrate the cyber capabilities of its Allies into Alliance military operations. Ministers also agreed to the creation of a new Cyber Operations Centre to help integrate cyber into NATO planning and operations at all levels. This follows steps last year to recognise cyber as an operational domain along with land, sea and air.

Another key focus of discussion among ministers was North Koreas illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Secretary General Stoltenberg stressed that UN sanctions need to be fully and transparently implemented. Mr Stoltenberg added that Russia and China have a special role to play both as neighbouring countries and as permanent members of the UN Security Council. In the margins of the NATO ministerial discussion, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis also chaired a meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
The NATO Deputy Secretary General, the Honourable Ms. Rose Gottemoeller will travel to Vatican City on Friday, 10 November 2017 and Saturday, 11 November 2017 for an international symposium organized by Cardinal Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

On Friday, Ms. Gottemoeller will deliver remarks as part of a panel discussion on Perspectives for a World Free from Nuclear Weapons.

Follow the Deputy Secretary General on Twitter (@Gottemoeller). Also follow us at (@NATOPress).
(As delivered)

Good afternoon.

We have just had a productive meeting with our Resolute Support partners, together with Afghanistans Acting Minister of Defence Bahrami. We reviewed the security situation. Afghan forces are making progress, even though the situation remains very challenging. I saw both the progress and the challenges during my recent visit to Afghanistan with US Defense Secretary Mattis.

This year, the Afghan security forces have denied the Taliban their strategic objective

of capturing a provincial capital. They have kept up the pressure on insurgents across the country and NATO remains committed to supporting them, as they develop their capabilities, strengthen command and control, and prepare the next generation of military leaders.

Today, we addressed four key issues: the troop level of our mission, funding for the Afghan forces, progress on reforms and reconciliation, and continued engagement with Pakistan. Currently, around 13,000 troops from 39 different countries serve in our Resolute Support Mission. Allies welcomed the United States briefing on the implications of the new South Asia Strategy on our mission. This has already led to an increase in the US troop contribution. 27 other nations have also committed to increase troop numbers in the coming months. So the size of our Resolute Support Mission will increase, from around 13,000 to around 16,000 troops.

I strongly welcome the strengthened commitment and support demonstrated by all Allies and partners. This remains critical to our progress. We also continue to support the financial sustainment of the Afghan security forces. We are committed to funding the Afghan security forces until at least 2020. In addition to the significant US contribution, other NATO Allies and partners will continue to provide almost a billion US dollars each year to the Afghan defence and security forces.

At our meeting today, Minister Bahrami expressed Afghanistans appreciation for our continued support. He also made clear the Afghan governments intention is to make good on its commitments to make key reforms. For good governance, the rule of law, fighting corruption, and protecting the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls. Today, we reaffirmed the importance of finding a lasting, negotiated political solution in Afghanistan. NATO will continue to support a peace and reconciliation process that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. We welcome the Kabul Process initiative launched by President Ghani earlier this year. We urge the government to do all it can to ensure the conditions for peace on the ground. And we urge all regional and international actors to support this process.

Pakistan has a key role to play in ensuring the Taliban find no safe havens. And Afghanistan needs the constructive engagement of all its neighbours. Because peace and stability in Afghanistan means peace and stability in the whole region.

Finally, let me note that the ministers from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar joined us today.

They are seeking to contribute to the Resolute Support Mission.

And their presence was a strong symbol of global support to the government and the people of Afghanistan.

And with that, I am ready to take your questions.

Moderator: Okay, we'll go to the first row, TOLO, red scarf.

Parvesh Hamal (TOLOnews): Thank you very much. I'm Parvesh Hamal from TOLOnews. I will ask how long NATO will stay in Afghanistan, and also, was it difficult to get troops for Afghanistan? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: This is now a condition-based mission, meaning that we stay there as long as we deem it necessary to stay there. But of course it's not a totally open-ended mission, the aim is to enable the Afghans to take full responsibility for their own security without NATO troops present on the ground, but as the conditions are now we see that it's an obvious need for NATO presence and not only NATO presence but also some increased NATO presence.

We are not going back to a combat operation or a combat mission. What we do is to strengthen the training and the assistance and the advice to the Afghan troops. I think it's actually quite strong or quite impressive to see how committed NATO allies and partners are after 16 years. We have been there for 16 years and NATO allies and partners continue to provide troops and funding for the Afghan forces. They do so because they see that stability in Afghanistan is important for their own security. They understand that by fighting terrorists in Afghanistan we also make our own countries more secure, and by the fact that we have moved from a combat mission to a train, assist, and advice mission, I think there is strong support for this and we have many countries contributing with forces.

Moderator: Ariana.

Sharif Hassanyar (Ariana News): Yeah, thank you very much. Sharif Hassanyar, from Ariana News. The Afghan government committed to apply bold reforms in election commission and security sectors. Back in the country, Afghans are not satisfied. What more condition will you put on Afghan government to deliver its promises?

Jens Stoltenberg: So we are sending a very clear message to Afghanistan and to the government of Afghanistan and that is that the reform is extremely important. We need to strengthen the democratic institutions, we need Afghanistan to fight corruption, and we need of course elections because elections are important for the credibility of all the democratic reforms and it is also in the long run important for the development of the whole Afghan society. So we continue to raise the importance of reform, including elections, in all our engagements with Afghanistan, and it was stressed by many allies during the meeting today.

Moderator: We have VG over here, third row.

Q: Thank you. My question is in regards to the coalition meeting later today and the news this morning that the Islamic State are defeated from most of their strongholds in Iraq and Syria, so I wonder how would you view NATO's role in the time to come and on the further stabilization of Iraq? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg: NATO is already supporting Iraq and helping to stabilize Iraq. We do that partly because NATO allies through the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS contribute to that already through different training and capacity building activities. But in addition to that, we have also now started some training activities and capacity building activities in the NATO framework.

We have a core team in place, it arrived in Baghdad in January, and we have started different training activities with the Iraqi forces on countering IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, on maintenance of equipment, on military medicine, and we also help them with modernizing their security and defence institutions. Many allies argued during the meeting today and yesterday, sorry, during the meeting yesterday, in favour of stepping up and increasing those training and capacity-building activities.

NATO's presence in Iraq is based on a request or a wish from the Iraqi government, from Prime Minister Abadi. I've spoken to him many times, both in Baghdad and outside Iraq, and he has expressed strong support for increased NATO presence in Iraq. And the important reason to be there is of course to enable the Iraqis to stabilize their own country, to enable the Iraqis to make sure that the gains and achievements we have achieved in the fight against ISIL are lasting gains, and therefore we need to enable them to have a strong and reliable security forces and army.

Moderator: Wall Street Journal, in the middle. No, over there, fourth row. Thank you.

Q (Wall Street Journal): Mr. Secretary General, a while back we were talking about maybe as many as 1,500 additional non-U.S. European allies and partners for the Afghanistan mission. It seems like we have fewer than half of that for the pledge today. Are you at all disappointed with the early number? Do you expect that the number of non-U.S. allies contributing to the Afghanistan mission will grow next year? And do you anticipate some pushback from the White House given that Mr. Trump has called on NATO to do more in counterterrorism and more to support defence spending?

Jens Stoltenberg: In 2017, then the number of troops in the Resolute Support Mission have been roughly 50% U.S. troops and the rest non-U.S. troops, meaning other NATO allies and partner countries. We are now in the process of increasing the troop level and we are in the process of force generation, and we havent finalized that so it's not possible to provide any final figures when it comes to how much different countries are going to contribute. But I hope and I expect that it will be roughly also 50-50 within the Resolute Support Mission also next year, but we have not finalized the force generation process so it's not possible to say that with certainty.

But if we look at the broader picture, I think it's important to understand that Afghanistan is an example of how we do burden sharing, how NATO is important not only for Europe but also how NATO is important for the United States, because Afghanistan is about how NATO invoked Article 5 after an attack on the United States.

That's the only time we have invoked Article 5, and that was after an attack on the United States, and hundreds of thousands of European, Canadian soldiers have served shoulder to shoulder with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan for many, many years, and more than thousands have paid the ultimate price, so if we look at the bigger picture Afghanistan is really about that we stand together, that also European allies and Canada contribute in missions and operations which are important for Europe, but not least for the United States and this was triggered by an attack on the United States.

Moderator: Salam Watandar, second row.

Nasir Maimanagy (Salam Watandar): Hi, this is Nasir Maimanagy from Salam Watandar. My question is with regards to joining of Qatar and UAE in the RSM mission, could you please elaborate how big, or the significance of their joining, and also if they're going to be contributing troops and funding as well? Thanks.

Jens Stoltenberg: I'll be careful being too precise on behalf of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates because I think they have to elaborate or to be more specific on what kind of contributions they foresee, but they expressed their willingness, their readiness to provide support and also capabilities to the Resolute Support Mission, but exactly what kind of support I think they have to tell themselves. I would very much welcome support from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. They were part of the ISAF mission, the previous NATO mission in Afghanistan, and I would very much welcome that they also now support and become part of the Resolute Support Mission because they have capabilities, they have knowledge which will be highly valued by the Resolute Support Mission.

Moderator: BBC, fourth row.

Jonathan Marcus (BBC): Yes, good afternoon Secretary General. Jonathan Marcus, BBC. Two questions. Just following on from troop numbers, is it correct that even with the existing mission you are several hundred posts short of being filled in key specialities, and isnt this going to be a problem going forward? And more fundamentally, if you compare your assessment of the situation in Afghanistan with the regular American SIGAR reports, I'd put it to you that your characterization that it remains very challenging but the Afghans are making progress is being unduly optimistic; things are actually not going very well on the ground.

Jens Stoltenberg: So we are now in the process of filling the force or meeting the force requirements which our military commanders have developed and we have reached very far but we havent filled all the positions or the posts that are asked for. So that's exactly what we are addressing now. We got some new announcements from some nations during the meeting today but we still have some gaps that we will continue to work on and which we are going to then address with allies and partners to fill so we have a troop level and also not only the number of troops but also the types of troops we need to have a mission in Afghanistan next year which is able to do the job we would like to do.

When it comes to the situation in Afghanistan, the security situation in Afghanistan, I think it is a very mixed picture because on the one hand we have seen violence, we have seen horrendous attacks, terrorist attacks against civilians, against Mosques, against the international community and innocent people in Afghanistan, and Afghanistan is still very volatile and there is a lot of insurgents in large parts of the country.

Having said that, there are also some signs that are going in the right direction, some positive signs. First of all: the fact that the Afghan National Army and Security Forces are now responsible for the security in Afghanistan themselves. We have to remember that until 2015 NATO troops were engaged in combat operations, now the Afghans are responsible for security themselves. That's a big achievement. The other thing is that the main strategic goal, which was stated by the Taliban for this year's fighting season was to take control of provincial capitals. They have not been able to do that because the Afghan forces have proven capable, they have been professional, and they have been able to then repel every time the insurgents have tried to attack.

So, yes, there are many reasons for concern, but there are also some reasons for optimism and I think we need to understand this nuanced picture to be able to understand the challenges in Afghanistan.

Moderator: NHK at the back.

Q (NHK): Thank you very much. Yasushi Kudo from NHK, Japan news, Japan broadcasting corporation. My question is about North Korea. In yesterday's dinner you talked about North Korea inviting Ms. Mogherini and could you explain us the result? And in China, Mr. Trump talked with Xi Jinping, urging China to use its influence on DPRK, but DPRK is now getting closer to Russia, so how do you see this tie between them much closer than before? Is it alarming for NATO and what role do you demand to Russia on this issue?

Jens Stoltenberg: Russia has a special responsibility when it comes to North Korea, and we discussed the challenges and the threats posed by North Korea during our dinner yesterday because we are deeply concerned and all NATO allies strongly condemn the development of missiles and nuclear weapons, and also the fact that North Korea are now developing missiles which can reach both North American and Europe, and we have to remember that Secretary Mattis stated yesterday that European capitals are closer to North Korea than for instance Washington.

So the North Korean missile and nuclear program is of course a threat to NATO's partners in the region, Japan and South Korea, but it's also a threat to global peace and security and therefore we have to put maximum pressure on North Korea. Pressure is the path to peace. Pressure is the way we can reach a negotiated political solution where North Korea stops its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Russia has a special role to play, together with China, because Russia and China are permanent members of the Security Council, which has adopted the sanctions against North Korea, but Russia and China are also neighbours and that gives them a special role to make sure that sanctions are fully implemented. I welcome the fact that the U.N. Security Council agreed stronger sanctions in September, and that it looks like the sanctions are more implemented, implemented to a higher degree now than before, and that increases the pressure on North Korea, which is the way to achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis on the peninsula.

Moderator: Thank you very much. This concludes this press point. I'm sorry we couldnt take all the questions but we will see you again soon. Thank you.
On Thursday (9 November 2017), Hungary, the United Kingdom, and Finland joined a long-standing multinational effort to acquire Air-to-Ground Precision Guided Munitions. During a signing ceremony, the Defence Minister of Denmark and his counterparts from the new participants signed an amendment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding to mark their official accession.

This project was launched by six Allied Defence Ministers through a Letter of Intent during the Wales Summit in 2014. With Thursdays ceremony, the number of participants has doubled reflecting the potential nations see in this effort. Through this framework, participants will be able to lower their acquisition cost by aggregating their individual demands. They will also obtain greater flexibility for their munitions stockpiles as all Precision Guided Munitions acquired under this scheme can be easily shared and exchanged amongst the participants.

The first multinational order is being executed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) on behalf of the participants with delivery of munitions to nations scheduled for 2018. This first order is a major new opportunity for the nations and NSPA within the framework of US Foreign Military Sales. Additionally, this order under the PGM initiative demonstrates the benefit to nations of international cooperation in multinational logistics.
A team of representatives from NATOs Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), together with experts from Bulgaria, Germany and the United States, visited Skopje, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia from 30 October to 2 November 2017. They reviewed the governments progress on defence education reforms and identified clear priorities for the future.

During the visit, the Minister of Defence, Radmila Sekerinska, emphasised the importance of the programme. I can say, with conviction, that our inclusion in this NATO programme will help us reform and develop our military education and achieve better results, she said.

The DEEP team will complete an assessment report in close cooperation with Skopje. An initial action plan will then be developed to focus on defence education priorities. The DEEP project is expected to begin in February 2018 and could take up to three years.

The foundations for these negotiations were laid during the meeting between Defence Minister Sekerinska and NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller in Brussels on 27 September 2017. Both expressed strong support for strengthened cooperation and emphasised that education remains a critical factor of transformation.

DEEPs are tailored programmes through which the Alliance advises partners on how to build, develop and reform educational institutions in the security, defence and military domain. Projects are currently running in 12 countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1, Tunisia and Ukraine. They focus in particular on faculty building and curriculum development, covering areas such as teaching methodology, leadership and operational planning.
(Natural News) Throughout Hillary Clintons second unsuccessful bid for the presidency last year, there were repeated signs that her health was not good and actually getting worse.

Natural News founder and editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, was among the first in the independent media to report on it, in fact. In August, after Clinton was photographed being helped up a short flight of steps at a residence, Adams wrote that it was just the latest proof in a multi-year body of evidence that her health was failing:

For at least the last five years, scary signs of Hillary Clintons plummeting health have continued to emerge. From her bizarre in-speech blackouts to her repeated monstrous coughing fits and her seizure-like bobble head behavior, many people have legitimately wondered whether Hillary Clinton is in the midst of a neurological or cognitive collapse.

For that Adams and the few other indie media outlets who were tracking Hillarys health decline were pilloried by so-called fact-checking websites like Politifact who described the reporting as hysterically false and decidedly anti-Clinton, while at the same time appearing to lend credibility to mainstream media reporting that something is mentally wrong with then-GOP presidential contender Donald J. Trump.

Now, thanks to revelations contained in former DNC head and longtime Democratic operative Donna Braziles new book, Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House, we know that Adams and Natural News were right and the fact-checkers and lamestream media outlets were covering up for their preferred candidate.

Braziles book has thrown open a new and very big window on 2016  and exposed yet again the consequences of the political biases of the Democratic media, writes Michael Goodwin for The New York Post, regarding the medias disgustingly dishonest lack of coverage.

The missed stories are not merely the result of mistakes or sloppy reporting. Braziles book is a revelation in that it shows that many left-leaning journalists didnt so much cover Clinton as cover up for her, Goodwin noted further. (Related: Hillary Clintons worsening coughing fits point to massive hidden health problem.)

Consider this, Goodwin proffered: Brazile admitted that Hillarys declining health was so much of an issue that, during the peak of her campaign, she thought of replacing her with then-Vice President Joe Biden  but none of the thousands of mainstream media reporters covering her campaign ever knew that?

How likely is that, especially given the many public displays of Clinton in poor health?

Its not possible  if the media had been playing it down the middle and holding both candidates to the same standard of scrutiny, Goodwin writes. But this massive story was missed because the coverage was so skewed in an effort to ensure Trumps defeat.

By contrast, as noted in the Politifact piece referenced above, any insinuation completely devoid of facts that suggested there was something  anything  wrong with Trump became the lead story in the days political news cycle.

But anything that might harm Clinton or make her look physically unable to hold office was downplayed, ignored outright or ridiculed. The Washington Posts political writer Chris Cillizza is emblematic of the bias. He once denounced stories about Clintons declining health as a totally ridiculous issue and a sure-fire loser for Trump.

Its hard to plausibly insist, based on the available data, that Clinton is ill, Cillizza, now at CNN, wrote.

Riiiight.

The coverage of Clintons health was a prime example of the tilt. Her coughing fits, especially a long one on Labor Day, and a history of falling were pointed out by the popular Drudge Report, some Republicans and smaller, conservative-leaning sites to suggest she was not being honest about her health, Goodwin noted.

As we know now thanks to Braziles revelations, Clintons health was so poor the DNC chief thought about replacing her.

Once again, the independent media was right. Oh, and if you want real media fact-checking, head over to our network site MediaFactWatch.com.

Read more of J.D. Heyes work at The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

Politifact.com

NYPost.com
(Natural News) The Alt-Left feminist movement has no problem eating a fellow liberal when he or she isnt being Leftist enough, as evidenced by their attacks against a progressive writer who dared to advise against mothers sending their kids to daycare early.

As reported by PJ Media, author Erica openly describes herself and politically liberal, and yet, when it came time for her to publish her book Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters, let alone publicizing it, she was regularly rejected by liberal media outlets.

How can that be? Because Komisar, a social worker and psychoanalyst, chose fact over Left-wing political fiction in fighting the ongoing mommy war.

The Wall Street Journal reported:

She did appear on ABCs Good Morning America, but seconds before the camera went live, she says, the interviewer told her: I dont believe in the premise of your book at all. I dont like your book.

The premise of Ms. Komisars bookbacked by research in psychology, neuroscience and epigeneticsis that mothers are biologically necessary for babies, and not only for the obvious reasons of pregnancy and birth.

In other words, the interviewer dismissed Komisars fact-based research because it conflicted with her political beliefs.

Never mind that Komisar, 53, spent 30 years working with parents and children directly in New York City, during which time she witnessed an increase in ADHD among boys and depression among girls that bothered her.

More often than not these patients had a singular life event in common: They had mothers who were not present as often or as much as they should have been during their childs first three years of life.

What I was seeing was an increase in children being diagnosed with ADHD and an increase in aggression in children, particularly in little boys, and an increase in depression in little girls, Komisar said.

More young children were being diagnosed with social disorders where their symptoms greatly resembled those of autism and they were having difficulty relating to other children, having difficulty with empathy.

As she started to put the pieces together, she noted that the absence of others in childrens lives on a daily basis was what I saw to be one of the triggers for these mental disorders, she said. (Related: Raising healthy kids  Natural strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS, autism and other childhood diseases.)

As such, she began to compile all the scientific literature she could find that reinforced what she believed was going on. It then became a preoccupation with here, she said.

My husband would say I was a one-note Charlie, she told the WSJ. I would come home and I would rant and would say, Oh my God, Im seeing these things. Ive got to write a book about it.

Many publishers rejected her well-researched book claiming she was shaming women and making them feel guilty  as if their feelings are more important than the mental health of their children. But Komisar said guilt is a good thing in this case.

My best patient is a patient who comes to me feeling guilty, she told the paper. Women who feel guilty  its a signal feeling that somethings wrong, theyre in conflict.

Komisar said she is a big advocate for government-mandated, employer-funded maternity benefits that include a years paid leave once a baby is born, followed by two years of flex time. While that might not be governments place to mandate and a bitter, expensive pill for companies to swallow, she makes a good point regarding the kind of society we ought to strive to be as regards to the importance we put on motherhood.

What we do want, she says, is to be a child-centric society.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

PJMedia.com

WSJ.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Since World War I ended, the United States has started lending a hand to countries that are in need of assistance, starting with the reconstruction of post-war Europe, going all the way to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

America led the world when it comes to giving foreign aid, but by 1994, America provided less assistance to developing countries than did Japan, and the same amount as France and Germany. In addition, the U.S.s 1996 federal outlay of international assistance to other countries equated to only $6.6 billion  less than 0.5 percent of the total budget.

Most of the United States financial assistance goes to food assistance, capital to multilateral banks, development aid, disaster relief, and refugee assistance. Admittedly, the U.S.s actions have jumpstarted developing countries own moves towards food self-sufficiency.

Small developing countries with income levels that are constantly on the rise, like South Korea or Malaysia, will experience no difficulties when it comes to importing food, even if they are unable to match food production at the domestic level. Other countries like Thailand will continue to export food and thrive in food adequacy. (Related: Amazing edible park in Irvine, Ca., stresses importance of food independence.)

Continued food self-sufficiency can be credited in the decrease of the proportion of hungry people in East Asia to 16 percent from 40 percent even while their population increased by 500 million within the last 25 years. Its food needs are expected to increase sharply over the coming decades with a projected population of almost three billion by 2050.

The situation in Latin America is optimistic, albeit with some caveats. The proportion of the malnourished people in the continent declined to 14 percent from 18 percent over the past 25 years, although at the expense of the destruction of its natural forests.

Africa, on the other hand, has already reached the point when population growth rates have already exceeded food production growth rates, resulting in hunger whenever bad weather, civil unrest, or war decides to poke his ugly head in. It is currently depending on imports for around 25 percent of its grain consumption, a rate that has increased over the past 30 years as per capita food production has dropped.

One could say that the food independence assistance that the U.S. provides developing countries also brings empirical benefits to America. All the major crops in the U.S.  corn, potatoes, barley, rice, and wheat, among others  are endemic to other countries. The genetic variation that is the basis for plant breeding that created current high-yielding crop varieties in the United States was obtained from other countries.

This makes the genetic variation that is available in the U.S. limited; when a new pathogen threatens the existence of such crops, there is the possibility that naturally-occurring resistance in the germ plasm that is available here wont be enough to conquer the new pests. So scientists and agriculturists look for the cure in international agricultural research centers, and Americas financial aid to sustain such centers gives the United States a moral claim to those resources.

As a matter of fact, Phillip Pardey and his colleagues at the International Food Policy Research Institute has reported that by the early 1990s around one-fifth of the total U.S. wheat acreage and more than 70 percent of the American rice acreage  at a combined value of $3.5 billion between the years 1970 and 1993  originated from varieties that were produced by the international agricultural research centers.

In comparison, the United States gave $150 million to international wheat and rice centers and less than $1 billion to all the international centers in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) around that time.

These improvements in countries around the world, in health and in income levels  there has also been a big shift to democracyare helping to bring more capable states and governments that are quite helpful to us. If we want to enhance our own security around the world we need to be able to work with capable governments and states, said Stece Radelet, a professor and director of the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

There are many, many surveys that are taken, that Americans believe that we spend something like between 10 percent and 20 percent of the federal budget on foreign aid. And in fact we spend less than one percent of the federal budget. Its a tiny share of our budget that we contribute to fighting poverty and hunger and disease around the world, Radelet added.

New goals for the U.S. in its food assistance advocacy

The major goal for the United States is to help developing countries acquire their own agricultural knowledge, often in partnership with other entities, as time and again it has been proven that rising agricultural productivity is vital to economic development in every country that was once not self-sustaining.

The countries that the U.S. sees as the most challenging when it comes to this goal include Bangladesh, China, and India and areas such as Java, Malawi, and other highland areas of southern and eastern Africa. This is attributed to the fact that the international system is remiss in its duties to help African organizations address soil management, pest management, and water challenges.

Poor roads, poor transportation, and poor marketing systems in Africa also mean that fertilizers are more expensive in that part of the world. The United States stresses the need for public investments in good roads and transportation systems, plus market information systems that would establish the development of private traders, thereby decreasing the cost of marketing of both inputs and products.

For more stories on food independence, food surplus, and the ways the United States has been championing these causes, visit FoodSupply.news.

Sources include:

PNAS.org

WUWM.com
Four Bay Area counties show the largest achievement gaps between Latino and white students on the most recent math assessments, according to a new study by The Education Trust-West.

The report, The Majority Report: Supporting the Educational Success of Latino Students in California, looked at this years state test scores to determine the achievement gap between Latino students and white students across California.

The Bay Area counties with the largest achievement gaps in math include: San Francisco (46 percentage points), Marin (44 percentage points), San Mateo (43 percentage points) and Santa Clara (43 percentage points). Researchers say the gaps in English language arts are comparable.

Researchers found the majority of public school students in California are Latino. Across Bay Area counties about one in three people under age 25 is Latino. Yet, the study uncovered theres not a single county in the state where the majority of Latino students are proficient in math or English language arts.

A press release for the study says it also highlights bright spots throughout the state where promising practices are helping Latino students advance academically, dispelling the myth that these gaps cannot be closed and reiterating the need for more action and urgency from state leaders.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations, recognizing that failing to offer a high-quality education to our Latino students means failing to prepare the future leaders who will fuel our states economy, strengthen our communities and maintain our states cultures, traditions and values.

Below is a link to an interactive map created by The Education Trust-West that shows the achievement gap between Latino and white students in English language arts and math for all California counties.
A woman thrown from a Lamborghini after it crashed into a palm tree and caught on fire in downtown San Diego over the weekend has died.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office (ME) confirmed her death on Wednesday.

The victim, Stephanie Rivera, is a fashion model in Tijuana, Mexico, according to Joaquin Meza, director of Miss Earth Baja California.

Meza confirmed Tuesday that Rivera was the passenger in the Lamborghini, which crashed just before 2 a.m. Sunday on N. Harbor Drive near W. Broadway.

Michael Llamas, 33, was behind the wheel, traveling northbound on Harbor Drive at over 100 mph when he lost control, officials said. The luxury car crashed into a palm tree and Was engulfed in flames.

Rivera was rushed to a local hospital where she remained in critical condition for two days. On Tuesday, her father told NBC 7 she was not expected to survive.

A new report indicates that San Franciscos Office of the Controller wants to discontinue cash payments for cable car rides. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that investigators posing as riders said cable car conductors did not ask them to pay on 11 of 30 rides. Riders can also pay with clipper cards or online, but the report said cash fares...

Llamas died in the crash. His body was found inside the charred car after firefighters put out the flames.

Doing the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail? There's a fresh stay near Cannery Row.

Meza told NBC 7 he had met with Rivera last week to talk about her future projects. He described the model as a kind, smart professional who had a good heart.

"She cares a lot about the environment and is also involved in the breast cancer awareness," Meza said.
A romance novel cover model from Southern California has pleaded guilty to robberies at a bank and convenience store in Connecticut that led to a nearly weeklong cross-country manhunt.

David Byers, of Solano Beach, entered his guilty plea in Hartford on Tuesday. Prosecutors said Byers robbed a Chase Bank twice and a Citgo gas station in Greenwich in April before leading police on a cross-country manhunt that involved a series of vehicles thefts and high-speed pursuits.

Police said the 35-year-old evaded officers in Pennsylvania and Arizona before his arrest in San Diego in May. Authorities said Byers was also responsible for a series of robberies in New York.

He is now facing up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 18.

A Los Angeles photographer previously said Byers has appeared on the covers of four romance novels.

"There was never anything that would have indicated that he would do this," photographer Michael Stokes, who has worked with the model, told the Los Angeles Times.

In April, prosecutors said Byers, wearing a bandana over his face, robbed a gas station in New York of $300. A day later, he took $2,107 from a Chase Bank branch in New York, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Byers robbed another gas station in Greenwich April 24, then struck again in the southwestern Connecticut community a day later at a Chase bank, prosecutors said. He returned to the same bank April 26 and stolen more than $3,300, according to authorities.

The one-man crime spree led to a manhunt that started April 28 after a vehicle sought in connection with the heists was located in Greenwich. Byers eluded authorities during searches in Connecticut neighborhoods that involved several law enforcement agencies.

A sighting was reported later in Pennsylvania, where authorities said he again evaded law enforcement. Police used a tire deflation device in an attempt to disabled the vehicle Byers was driving, but he abandoned the vehicle before stealing a pickup with the keys left in it, prosecutors said.

Investigators released security camera photos of the suspect during the manhunt, which led to Yuma, Arizona on May 1. Police in the southwestern corner of the state said Byers was seen near a hotel. He again escaped following a high-speed chase, prosecutors aid.

Byers was arrested in the parking lot of a San Diego area liquor store.
For their entire lives, two sisters heard stories from the father about Uncle Frank.

"He's always told us he was a great big brother; he looked out for him growing up, said Lanna Sandoval.

Frank Louis Masoni, raised in Gilroy, was the oldest of four boys who became a U.S. Marine. Masoni would be killed in the South Pacific during World War II in 1943. The family never knew what happened to his body.

"Just that he was missing in action, said Sandoval, Frank Masoni's niece.

Last year, the family requested a DNA test from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. They did a cheek swab on their father, Richard Masoni, and sent it back.

In September, Richard Masoni received a phone call. The person on the other line told him his DNA matched a marine buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. It was his brother Frank, finally identified 74 years after he was killed.

Our dad called and said, Youre never going to believe this. He said, I got a call from the Marines, they identified my brother. We said wow, said Clorinda Sergi, Frank Masoni's niece.

The military sent the family service medals Frank earned, including a purple heart. They learned new information about how he died in the Battle of Tarawa on the Gilbert Islands. About 1,000 marines and sailors were killed. Masoni was working as a cook on a ship when he was sent in to fight.

He was one of the ones that made it and lasted a day on the island. He died the second day, Sandoval said.

My grandmother had actually sent letters (to the Marines) after my Uncle Frank's death  every year, she wrote a letter saying, Please if you find his body please, I want him brought home.'"

The sisters father, Richard Masoni, is 90 and still lives in Gilroy. When he was 16 years old, he dropped his brother off at the bus stop to leave for war. Franks body will soon be returned, 74 years after he died.

Im just glad it's happening in my dad's lifetime, Sandoval said. And he's able to see his brother make it back to Gilroy.
Police have released the names and mugshots of two young men accused in the shooting death of a high school student in Concord.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office filed charges Wednesday in the murder case against Kristhiam Uceda, 20, and Bryan Sermeno-Chachagua, 18, both of Concord. Uceda was charged with murder and Sermeno-Chachagua was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting, police said.

Three other suspects arrested are not being named because they are minors. One of the unnamed suspects, a 17-year-old male, was charged with murder for driving the involved vehicle in the shooting. Another 17-year-old male was also charged with hiding the gun after the shooting. Police said no charges have been filed at this time against the fifth suspect.

The victim has been identified as 17-year-old Lawrence Janson, who was shot and killed near Olympic Continuation High.

Police said Janson was likely targeted in the shooting. A motive is still under investigation.
Controversy is brewing at Stanford University over an on-campus event featuring an author known for being a harsh critic of Islam.

An appearance by Robert Spencer, scheduled for Nov. 14, has triggered a petition to rescind funding for his visit to the university.

Spencer is best known for his appearances on Fox News as a self-described expert on radical Islam. But students who are opposed to his appearance at Stanford question his credentials and say he poses a safety concern for the campus.

"By inviting someone like Spencer and calling it free speech, theyre basically saying that hate speech is OK, and it doesnt really matter how the marginalized students feel," student Fatima Ledha said.

Ledha is with a coalition of Stanford students who met Wednesday night to figure out a response to Spencers visit. Some of their concerns include questions about his academic credentials.

"Hes coming under the guise of a scholar," Ledha said. "Hes coming under the guise of someone whos done a lot of work on this, and he actually doesnt have any background or formal training on Islam."

"He brings nothing intellectually to this university," student Joshua de Leon said. "Bring in somebody whos conservative, please. Bring in someone who is a scholar, please. But not this man."

Spencer, who has written several books and runs a blog called "Jihad Watch," said it will be his first Stanford visit, and after a series of violent clashes over free speech across the bay in Berkeley, hell be coming with plenty of security.

"The freedom of speech is an indispensable foundation of any free society," Spencer said via an email interview. "There is an ongoing effort to marginalize, demonize and silence anyone and everyone who speaks honestly about the motivating ideology behind the Jihad threat."

Spencer's visit is sponsored by the Stanford College Republicans. The group did not wish to comment about the event.

Editor's Note: While introducing a story on Robert Spencers upcoming visit to Stanford, the image on-screen showed controversial alt-right speaker Richard Spencer. The use of the wrong image was unintentional. We apologize for the mistake.
A firearms expert Wednesday testified in support of defense arguments that Kate Steinle was killed on San Francisco's Pier 14 accidentally, describing unintentional firearms discharges as "all too common."

Alan Voth, a firearms forensic expert who spent 35 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, testified Wednesday in the trial of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, who is charged with second-degree murder in Steinle's death.

Steinle, a 32-year-old Pleasanton native and San Francisco resident, was shot once in the back as she walked on the pier with family members on the evening of July 1, 2015.

Defense attorneys are not contesting that Garcia Zarate, 45, fired the shot that killed Steinle, but instead are arguing that the shooting was an accident that occurred after Garcia Zarate found and picked up a gun on the pier that had been stolen from a U.S. Bureau of Land Management ranger several days earlier.

Prosecutors are not required to prove Garcia Zarate intended to kill Steinle for a second-degree murder charge, but they still must prove he intended to fire the gun.

Voth, who has trained law enforcement on proper weapons handling, Wednesday testified that unintentional discharges can be caused by manufacturing defects, operator error, muscle spasms, loss of muscle control or a loss of tactile sensation, such as when the hands are cold or in gloves and are "all too common" among both law enforcement and civilians.

Signs that a shooting was an unintentional discharge would include if a single shot fired rather than multiple shots, if the operator was poorly trained and if the operator injured himself, Voth said.

Other signs would include a lack of deliberate aiming, evidence that the person was doing something other than aiming when the gun went off, bullet strikes in illogical locations, a lack of motive or evidence of planning in the shooting and the actions of the shooter after the gun fired.

No evidence has been presented to indicate any motive or planning on Garcia Zarate's part.

Evidence presented in the case indicates the single bullet that struck Steinle hit the ground on the pier around 12 feet away from where Garcia Zarate sat before it hit Steinle around 90 feet away from him.

Under questioning by Matt Gonzalez, chief attorney for the Public Defender's Office, Voth said it was obvious the bullet had ricocheted and that he would consider that as an "illogical bullet strike."

"There's no apparent reason to fire into a concrete pier," he said.

Voth said in a situation such as Garcia Zarate's, where a person who is seated fires a single bullet at the ground that ricochets and strikes someone 78 feet away from the ricochet, "I see the probability that this is an unintentional discharge."

Outside court, defense attorney Francisco Ugarte said Voth's testimony corroborated statements by Garcia Zarate and his defense team that the shooting was accidental.

"It has all the physical characteristics of an accident," Ugarte said.

Defense attorneys Wednesday also worked to undermine the credibility of a witness who testified in court that she had seen Garcia Zarate laughing and acting strangely shortly before the shooting.

Sgt. Conroy testified that the witness, Michelle Lo, did not mention the laughter when she was interviewed by police after the shooting. Michelle Lo's son, Danny Lo, testified that Garcia Zarate made him uncomfortable because he was homeless and said the defendant had looked nonchalant and bored when he saw him on the pier before the shooting.

Steinle's shooting triggered a national furor over San Francisco's Sanctuary City policies after it was learned that Garcia Zarate, an undocumented immigrant with a history of deportations and drug charges, had been released from San Francisco jail several months earlier without notice to federal immigration authorities.

However, Prosecutor Diana Garcia did not bring up Garcia Zarate's immigration status and criminal record during the presentation of her case, which concluded last week.

Defense attorneys are expected to finish presenting their case Thursday, with closing arguments expected to take place next week.
A Chino Hills man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty--allegedly pouring scalding water on a caged dog--during an incident recorded by a cellphone camera, according to authorities and the reporting witnesses.

Authorities responded after receiving a call from two teenagers who reported hearing a dog yelp in pain, then seeing a man on an apartment balcony pouring liquid from a kettle onto a cage. The teens recorded video. The dog could not be seen in the video, but could be heard when the water was poured. The witnesses--seniors at Chino Hills High School-- told responding deputies it happened at least five times.

Enping Qu, 22, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of animal cruelty.

The teens described being startled by the "cries" of the dog.

"I couldn't walk away," said Giselle, 17. "I had to call."

Besides pouring the liquid, the man on the balcony also made "threatening gestures," said Jose, also 17. They were in Pinehurst Park, which is adjacent to the apartment building near the corner of Butterfield Ranch Road and Park Drive.

When authorities entered the apartment to speak with Qu, they noticed a kettle containing "scorching hot water" and discovered the dog's coat was still wet and warm, according to the Chino Hills Station of the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. Responders from the Inland Valley Humane Society measured the water temperature in a kettle at 129 degrees, authorities said.

The dog, a mixed breed believed to about three years of age and named "Sophie," was taken from the apartment and is currently being treated at the Inland Valley Humane Society. The dog suffered burns, possibly second degree, and will require observation at least 3-5 days, according to veterinarian Cynthia Kinney.

Sophie is the companion of Qu's girlfriend, authorities believe. She was not present during the incident.

Qu is from China and speaks limited English. A digital translator was used during questioning. It appeared Qu was trying "to intimidate" the dog, said Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Renear.

Qu posted bail Wednesday and was released from custody, but still faces a possible felony charge. He could not be reached for comment.
A paramedic with the San Francisco Fire Department is being accused of taking a puppy from a family in the midst of an emergency medical situation.

The family says they feel victimized by someone who was supposed to be there helping them.

A woman, who asked NBC Bay Area to not use her name, says on October 30 her husband felt ill after a dialysis treatment. The couple is originally from Laos. She says as two paramedics were treating her husband in the ambulance, a third paramedic who stayed behind suddenly asked to take a puppy.

"I say, 'you can come back tomorrow and take the dog. Take care of my husband first,'" the woman recalled. She says the paramedic insisted on taking the puppy right then there.

Fearing her husband's condition would worsen, the woman says she let the paramedic take the dog because she didn't think they would leave without it.

Family friend Kevin Chung tracked down the puppy with help of the fire department. The dog was reportedly given to friends of the paramedic.

"It's crazy. I mean, you shouldn't be taking advantage of these people during that situation -- in her condition, in his condition," Chung said.

The fire department says it is investigating the incident and declined to name the accused paramedic. But the family tells us a fire captain came Wednesday with an interpreter and said the puppy will be returned on Nov. 21 after a health quarantine. The paramedic faces disciplinary action, according to the fire department.
Danica Roem, a 33-year-old journalist turned public works advocate, has won Virginias 13th District House of Delegates seat, becoming the first openly transgender person elected and seated to a state legislature in the United States.

Roem beat out the districts 26-year incumbent, conservative values and government transparency champion Bob Marshall.

The race attracted national attention as Marshall, 73, a conservative who proposed a bill restricting which bathrooms transgender people could use, faced off against the transgender stepmother who plays in a metal band.

The district also found itself in the spotlight as one of a few Republican-governed areas that voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race.

Roem, speaking to MSNBC by phone following her victory, said that her campaign was based on a platform of "building up our infrastructure instead of tearing down each other."



She said she didn't want to "pile on" after a hard night for Marshall and his supporters. But she said it was important to note that discrimination "is a disqualifier."



THE CAMPAIGN

Roem ran on a platform focused on infrastructure projects to create jobs and fix Virginia's clogged Route 28, along with raising teacher pay.

Marshall put government issues at the center of his campaign, promoting government transparency, small businesses and school choice for parents.



Roem spent more time in the spotlight than her opponent. Marshall refused to debate Roem and often declined interviews.

In an NPR interview in September, Marshall said the election was about America's national character and Roem was going against nature.

"Danica clearly is out here doing this for making a marker in the national character that you can engage in this behavior -- which clearly goes against the laws of nature and nature's God -- and hold public office to make decisions on behalf of the common good," Marshall said. "That is what is kind of at stake here."

He refused to speak with News4's Julie Carey about flyers his campaign sent out last month. Those flyers referred to Roem as "him."

"When Delegate Marshall realized that he cannot win on public policy issues, on traffic, jobs, schools and health care, he resorted to trash," Roem responded.

Roem told News4 that when she was knocking on Virginians' doors, voters didn't ask about her gender. But across the country, a number of groups and individuals took interest in the race because of Roem's background.

After President Donald Trump announced on Twitter his intention to ban transgender people from the military, Roem received $52,000 in donations in one day, News4 reported.

The outside money came throughout the campaign, though. Roem was supported by Victory Fund, a national group that aims to elect LGBTQ leaders. Some of her largest campaign donations, according to Virginia Department of Elections filings, were from individuals in New York and Chris Abele, a county executive from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who donated $40,000.

During the final fundraising period of the race, Roem brought in more than $300,000, significantly more than Marshalls roughly $165,000. Few of Marshalls donations came from outside Virginia.

Roem becomes not only her state's first transgender legislator but also the only out trans state legislator in the country, according to the Victory Fund.

In 2012, Democrat Stacie Laughton became the first openly transgender candidate elected to a state legislature. But she was never seated in the New Hampshire House after revelations that she had failed to disclose a felony conviction, The New York Times reported. Another lawmaker, Althea Garrison, came out as transgender while serving in the Massachusetts House but lost subsequent races.



THE CANDIDATES

Both Roem and Marshall have a long history in Virginias 13th District, which encompasses parts of Prince William County and Manassas City.

Roem was born in Manassas and attended Catholic school in northern Virginia until she moved away for college. After college, she returned to Virginia and worked for the Gainesville Times, a local newspaper. She later worked for the Prince William Times and the Montgomery County Sentinel.

In 2013, Roem began her transition to life as a woman. She changed her name and started hormone replacement therapy.

It was great. I could just keep doing my job, Roem said on her website.

Marshall was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, and moved to Prince William County with his family in 1980, according to his website. He was elected to the House of Delegates in 1991 and has served in the legislature since.

In office, he fought to preserve privacy and help small businesses, supporting a measure that prohibited police from searching phones without a warrant. He also wrote a bill cutting the burden of paperwork on Virginia businesses.

He has championed conservative causes. Marshall sponsored Virginias own failed bathroom bill, which would have effectively banned transgender people from using opposite-sex bathrooms in government buildings and schools. He tried to block Virginia from adding sex and gender discrimination to anti-discrimination rules.

"Starting next year Delegate Marshall will be one of my constituents and I'm not going to attack my own constituents," Roem said Tuesday night on MSNBC. "I think if there's any lesson that came out of the race this year it's that attacking your constituents, singling them out, stigmatizing them and trying to make people feel bad about themselves  that's not our Virginia."



Abby Vesoulis contributed to this report.
Our Emmy-award winning documentary series "Bay Area Revelations" presents "Cannabis Rush" in December. The one-hour prime time special takes a look at the evolution and history of pot culture in the Bay Area.

California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. And, with a new law in 2018, Northern California is on the verge of becoming the legal marijuana capitol of the world.



Hear untold stories from the pioneers that fought decades for legalization.

One of them, Pebbles Trippet, is so important she as a law named after her.

Also, growers and busineses share their stories and concerns about the changes. And, some in law enforcement say the new law is one of the worst ideas ever in California.

"Bay Area Revelations: Cannabis Rush" premieres Sunday, December 17th at 10 p.m.
A man has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for robbing two New Hampshire banks.

Thirty-four-year-old Michael Munroe, formerly of Raymond, New Hampshire, had pleaded guilty in June to robbing the Northway Bank branch in Ossipee and the Granite State Credit Union branch in Seabrook. The robberies happened last year.

Court documents say Munroe committed each robbery by passing a note to a teller saying he had a gun and demanded money. There was no evidence he was armed.

As part of his federal plea agreement, Munroe also admitted to assaulting a man in Epping; taking people's cars in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Munroe, who was sentenced in Concord on Tuesday, also has to pay back nearly $15,000 to the banks and others.
At the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, lawmakers took part in the first ever sexual harassment training class.

The training, which is voluntary, went into specific details on what the difference is between welcome and unwelcome contact, and comes on the heels of sexual harassment allegations that have fired controversies nationwide.

Were saying to those who might perpetrate that you need to figure out what your behavior is, and to not do it, State Rep. Liteca Wallace said.

The allegations in Springfield have even prompted the hiring of a new Legislative Inspector General, who will work to clear a backlog of 27 complaints of misconduct that have not been addressed since the position went vacant in 2013.

Lawmakers met for the sessions behind closed doors, with Democrats meeting in the first wave and Republicans following them into the sessions.

The training was led by the Illinois Department of Human Rights. A copy of the handout given to lawmakers makes clear what behavior is acceptable and unacceptable, and features a quiz that lawmakers had to take after the class was over.

It opened up an opportunity for us to have conversations about race, discrimination, and sexual harassment, State Rep. Mary Flowers said. Things we havent really talked about.

The hiring of a new inspector general hasnt quelled the controversy over the handling of complaints, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives blasted House Speaker Mike Madigan for his offices handling of the situation.

People did know, and people obviously filed complaints, Ives said. John Cullterton knew. Mike Madigan knew. And they failed to do anything for three years.

Ives criticism comes on the heels of allegations against State Senator Ira Silverstein, who was forced to resign a senior leadership post within the Democratic party.

Lawmakers at the State Capitol took part in the first ever sexual harassment training class in Springfield Wednesday. NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern has all the details on what the class discussed.

Silverstein has not resigned from his Senate seat, and when asked about whether or not he should be forced to step down, Speaker Madigan said that the decision ultimately lies with the senator.

Senator Silverstein should decide what he wants to do, he said.

In addition to the training, a new task force will recommend where lawmakers go from here in terms of their responses to complaints of harassment. The task force also hopes to set up a hotline for those worried that allegations will adversely affect their careers.
For more than 20 years, Sgt. David Mueller has served and protected the city of Joliet as a police officer.

But the department veteran says he has been discriminated against because of his ongoing military service.

I feel like administration didnt have my back, he told NBC 5. I just dont understand why this is happening but it hasnt happened before.

Mueller filed a federal lawsuit against the city and certain members of its police department for not paying him in 2016, when the National Guard called Mueller to serve on its counter drug task force.

Joliet officials said Wednesday the city is aware of the lawsuit and has "engaged private counsel." They declined to comment further.

Muellers Hinsdale lawyer says her clients employer has violated the law.

The city of Joliet did not provide him with that pay differential, did not provide him with the benefit time, in fact required him to burn what time he did have and he also took a hit on his pension, attorney Heidi Karr Sleper said.

Mueller says back in 2001 he went on military leave for 10 months and received the proper pay and benefits from the city.

But this time, he says, a city official accused him of f-ing over the department and double-dipping" on his pay.

There were certain individuals on the department that supported me, and thats why I am sitting here today, Mueller said.

He says he felt he had no choice but to file this lawsuit, not just to seek justice for himself, but also anyone else in the same position.

"I feel it has to be done because policy has to be changed to protect those that are in the National Guard and reserves, he said.
Lake effect snow showers could bring accumulating snow to parts of the Chicago area Friday, just as northern Illinois battles a round of brutal early-winter cold.

Temperatures are expected to start falling Thursday evening into the mid-20s and into the teens by the overnight hours.

The cold temps could be met with wind chill values in the single digits late Thursday and into early Friday. Early morning wind chills could even dip below zero in some locations.

The record-low temperature for Nov. 10 in Chicago is 18 degrees, set in 1986.

Meanwhile, lake effect showers are expected to develop overnight in northwest Indiana before shifting into Chicago by daybreak Friday.

The morning will see partly sunny skies inland, but mostly cloudy conditions along the lakefront as the lake effect showers begin to taper.

The snow is expected to be out of the area by early afternoon, leaving anywhere from a dusting to an inch of accumulation possible.

Highs for the day are expected to sit in the low- to mid-30s.

Another chance for light snow showers returns Sunday, as light rain could turn to snow during the early morning hours.

Weekend highs are forecast to be in the low- to mid-40s.
Former President Barack Obama reported to jury duty in Chicago Wednesday morning.

He arrived in a motorcade to the Daley Center in Chicago's Loop at around 10 a.m. after being called last month to perform his civic duty. He made his way to the 17th floor of the building, where he proceeded to shake hands with hundreds of people there to fulfill that very same responsibility. [[389188032, C]]

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans said the former commander in chief "promised to do his duty" and was assigned to a panel that was not called to serve on a jury.

One group was called and the rest of the 220 jurors  including the 44th president  were dismissed, though Evans added that Obama said he was willing to serve had he been selected.

Before he left, Obama went around the room to greet his fellow jurors, some of whom anticipated his arrival and brought books for him to sign, Evans said. He signed autographs and allowed videos and pictures to be taken, but, in keeping with his long-held policy, permitted no selfies. [[456151613, C]]

Obama watched the entire 20-minute educational video during his time at the Daley Center, Evans said. The visit was "not disruptive at all," he added, despite heightened security, massive lines to enter the building, and plenty of onlookers.

Cook County pays jurors a rate of $17.20 for each day of service, and Evans said the court will be sending Obama a check, adding that his staffers indicated that the former president will likely donate his earnings.

"There is a civilian responsibility for justice to take place and that's what jury service is all about. No one is excused," Evans said after Obama's departure. "If the former president can come, anyone can come," he continued. [[381009371, C]]

Evans also said that he brought letters from Cook County's juvenile detention center for Obama, some of which asked him to come visit  an idea that Obama committed to, according to Evans.

Obama, who currently resides in Washington, D.C., has been active in various endeavors for his new Obama Foundation, and has also teamed with the other living former presidents in raising money for hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

He was in Chicago last week for his first-ever Obama Foundation Summit.
A 17-year-old is accused of hitting a teacher from Uganda with their car on Wednesday night in North Haven.

North Haven police officers responded to Washington Avenue around 6 p.m. after a pedestrian was reportedly hit by a motor vehicle.

Police discovered that two students and two teachers, who were chaperones visiting from Uganda, were attempting to cross Washington Street to go to the Exxon Tiger Mart. One of the teacher chaperones ran across the street and was struck by a 17-year-old driving northbound.

The teacher sustained lower leg fractures and possibly a head injury, police said.

Washington Avenue northbound between Blakeslee Avenue and Temple Street was shut down on Wednesday night.
An 86-year-old man who was reported missing in Westport on Wednesday night has been found.

Police issued a silver alert for Otmar Muehleisen Wednesday. It was canceled Thursday.
A suspected drunken driver traveling the wrong way on Central Expressway caused a head-on, chain-reaction crash that left one person dead late Wednesday night, police say.

According to police, 23-year-old Angie Gomez was driving northbound in the southbound left lane of U.S. 75 when she collided with a vehicle south of Lovers Lane at about 11:35 p.m.

The impact pushed the victim's vehicle into another lane where it was struck by another driver.

The victim in the initial crash was identified as Keunta Ray, 25, was killed at the scene. The second driver involved in the crash was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.



Firefighters had to pull Gomez out of her car and transported her to Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

Investigators said Gomez was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and was placed under arrest for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. She was booked into the Dallas County Jail and is being held on $67,000 bond.

It is not yet known if she has obtained an attorney.

Gomez's mother spoke with NBC 5 Thursday afternoon. She declined to speak on camera, but said she was, "very sorry for the pain they [the victim's family] are feeling. Every life is valuable."



She told NBC 5 she was watching her granddaughter and that her daughter was working at a restaurant along Lemmon Avenue until 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police have not confirmed if Gomez had been working prior to the crash.

According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, since 2012, along U.S. 75 between the Grayson County and Ellis County lines, there have been 21 wrong-way crashes involving alcohol that left 42 people either injured or killed.



NBC 5 Investigates Wrong-Way Crashes

Following a series of reports by NBC 5 Investigates, in January 2017 TxDOT began installing high-tech sensors and warning signs in Tarrant County designed to help prevent deadly wrong-way crashes.

The "DO NOT ENTER" and "WRONG WAY" signs were placed closer to the ground at exit ramps making them more visible to headlights at night -- and hopefully more visible to impaired drivers.



When the sensors pick up a car going the wrong direction, they not only light up warning signs, they also send a message to a TxDOT command center. From that command center, TxDOT can alert the police and post messages on light-up message boards warning other drivers that theres a car on the highway going the wrong way.

In TxDOT's Dallas district officials said in January they planned to installing red reflective markers on 115 exit ramps in Dallas County in February. The reflectors show white to drivers going the correct way, and red to drivers going the wrong way. TxDOT eventually plans to install the markers on ramps throughout the Dallas district.

NBC 5's Maria Guerrero and Don Peritz contributed to this report.


The father of the man Texas authorities say opened fire on a small-town church, killing more than two dozen people, says his family is grieving.



Michael Kelley is the father of shooter Devin Patrick Kelley.

He spoke to ABC News Wednesday from his home in New Braunfels, about 35 miles north of the community of Sutherland Springs where Sunday's shooting happened.



Authorities say the younger Kelley died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot and chased by two residents when he was leaving the church.



Kelley's father says he doesn't want the "media circus" surrounding the massacre to destroy "our lives, our grandchildren's lives."



Kelley's family has been silent since the shooting.



A motive remains unclear, but Kelley appears to have targeted a church that was long attended by his wife's family.


Every day for the last 17 years  since Nov. 7, 2000  at least one person has died on Texas roadways.

It's a sobering streak, which has taken the lives of more than 59,000 people during that time.

Now, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching a social media campaign, #EndTheStreakTX, to encourage safe driving.

"In emergency medical services, we don't refer to these as accidents," said MedStar spokesman Matt Zavadsky. "They are not accidents, they're crashes."

"They happen because someone was doing something that they shouldn't have been, or doing something differently than they could have to avoid that crash," Zavadsky said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 9 out of every 10 crashes are caused by driver error, like speeding, drinking or distracted driving.

MedStar supervisor Brian White says it's impossible to count how many fatalities he's seen, but estimates he responds to at least one fatal crash each week.

He says he's affected by each one.

"You go home, you hug your wife harder, hug your kids and kiss them more, and just appreciate life," White said

White says first responders have to find their way of dealing with the difficult task of working at fatal crashes.

"What I like to do is while the paramedics are taking care of the other patients that are usually involved, I will kind of go back and deal with the family or other bystanders that may have some emotional damage," White said.

To decrease the chances of roadway crashes and fatalities, TxDOT is reminding drivers to buckle their seatbelts, put phone away and avoid distractions, never drink and drive, and drive the speed limit.

"Life is definitely is something that is precious, and whenever we get behind the wheels of automobiles, it becomes even more precious, because it's so easy for these automobiles to end life very quickly," White added. "So I always urge people, pay attention when you're driving. It can be fatal."
It's an emergency and you call 911 for help. But the phone just rings and rings. Minutes pass before a 911 dispatcher finally answers your call. It can feel like a lifetime if you've been in an accident, or have an intruder in your home, or have a family member with a medical issue.

If you dial 911 from a cell phone in Los Angeles County, that could actually happen. You may have to wait for your emergency call to be answered by a dispatcher, according to a group of California Highway Patrol insiders who are speaking with the NBC4 I-team for the first time.

"Pray that you get an answer," said one CHP insider.

"Good luck. Good luck getting through," said another when asked what can happen when calling 911 with an emergency.

NBC4 agreed to protect the names of the CHP insiders because they fear retaliation from the CHP.

"Somebody is going to die with this equipment we have. Somebody is going to die because we can't get to the calls to answer the calls. It's just a matter of time," said one insider.

If you call 911 in Los Angeles County using your cell phone, it's a good chance that your call will end up at the CHP's Los Angeles Communications Center (LACC) that is staffed by both sworn-CHP officers and civilian dispatchers.

The large dispatch room is calmer than you'd expect, considering the stakes. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the dispatchers field cell phone calls from people with emergencies that run the gamut of life and death. With calming voices and a professional demeanor, these women and men are tasked with getting help quickly to those who need it.

"They deal with a wide variety of things on this floor, anything from answering 911 calls of babies not breathing to suicidal subjects to freeway shooters," explained CHP Lieutenant Joe Zizi, who is part of the leadership team at the LACC.

"They take that information they enter it into a computer program, they then if it is our responsibility, dispatch it to the appropriate unit," he said.

Another group of dispatchers handles the radio traffic with first responders. They provide time-sensitive information and logistical support to officers, deputies and medical personnel during emergencies and help them with their daily work including running license plates and dealing with freeway problems.

"I know that I signed up for a job to help people and I can't do that right now and it feels awful," said one CHP insider.

That's because the LACC is severely understaffed and is using outdated equipment that can't handle the demanding needs of a County as large as Los Angeles, according to the CHP insiders we spoke with.

"We don't have the staff needed to handle all of Los Angeles County," said one of the CHP insiders. "It's very well-known that we don't have the support we need, however, nothing is ever done about it."

The insiders say the LACC Center handles around 2 million calls each year and serves much of Los Angeles County. But they say unfilled positions, medical leaves, vacations, and sick calls contribute to understaffing which can make it difficult to respond quickly to emergencies.

"We may only have 2 people on 911s and you get a lot of angry people because they can't get through because there's not enough staffing to actually answer the 911 calls," explained one insider.

The CHP tells the NBC4 I-Team that the LACC is currently answering 91 percent of its 911 calls in 15 seconds or less and they dispute the claim that only 2 people have ever been solely responsible for handling 911 calls.

"I can tell you that my supervisors are required to get on the floor and also answer 911 calls as well as the radios helping out on the calls," Zizi said.

"For example, if there are two people on the 911 side of the floor that you saw, there are still 12 to 14 people on the dispatch side that you saw that are required to sign on and answer 911 calls," he added.

When that happens, however, the CHP insiders say the radio dispatchers who are primarily responsible for working with law enforcement are now put in a difficult position by having to do double duty. They have to work with their first responders and field 911 calls. When it gets busy, the insiders say these dispatchers have to decide which emergency is more important.

"A dispatcher should not be put in a position to where they have to tell an officer no I can't fulfill your request and yes ma'am I heard everything that you're saying but I'm also working a radio," one CHP insider said.

The insiders say dispatchers sometimes have a phone in one ear, speaking with a CHP officer, and a head-set on another so they can field an 911 emergency call from the public. In this case, they say, a dispatcher has to work two separate emergencies at the same time.

Zizi disputes that claim and says that situation doesn't happen at the LACC.

"A dispatcher won't handle two emergencies at once," Zizi said. "It's just not feasible to pay attention to both. If a 911 call rings in their ear and it is a legitimate emergency, the dispatch call that they're handling can be passed off to another dispatcher."

Zizi, however, concedes that the Center has had some staffing challenges in the past.

"So yes, there were some absentee bodies during this period and it was difficult to maintain staffing, however, overtime was utilized to try and meet that goal," Zizi said.

According to Zizi, there are no legal requirements for answering calls in a specific amount of time but the CHP does follow the guidelines of two organizations -- The National Emergency Number Association and California's Office of Emergency Services.

"We are trying to meet the guidelines of these associations that are saying this is what the communication center should do, and by in large we're doing it," Zizi said.

But data provided by the CHP shows the LACC failed to meet some or all of those guidelines every month in 2016. And an internal memo obtained by the NBC4 I-Team states that "during the year of 2015, LACC, was only able to meet service standards 3 of the 12 months of the year."

"These particular months you're correct, you're correct, we did not meet it, but every day we're having meetings about what we can do to better staff, what we can do to better hire," Zizi said.

The insiders tell us that better is not good enough and that they are worried about the public's safety when dispatchers can't answer calls quickly.

"Calls go unanswered. People hang up from being on eternal ring," one CHP insider said.

The CHP insiders say they've all seen calls ring for 8 or more minutes before a dispatcher finally answered the call.

Because of their concerns about the system, the insiders say they tell their own families and friends, "if they have an emergency, do not call 911 on your cell phone."

But the problems don't end with staffing issues, claim the CHP insiders. They say the computer system that they use for tracking emergency calls frequently breaks down or slows down so it's unusable.

"You're in the middle of a 911 call that is a true emergency and the computer just shuts down then locks you out so you can't even log back on," explained one CHP insider.

Another insider explains that when the computer system fails or freezes, dispatchers are forced to use index cards for tracking and reporting emergencies.

"The more calls that we have the slower the equipment gets because it's not the equipment needed for a high volume call center that takes 911s," said one CHP insider.

Zizi says a new dispatch system is coming soon and that should resolve the technical problems.

"We are on the cusp of getting a new telephone system and that will be installed by the beginning of next year," Zizi said.

He also says the LACC recently purchased new furniture for the center.

Zizi says he's not personally seen any of the problems expressed by the CHP insiders but he tells the NBC4 I-Team that the leadership team will look into the allegations.

"It's hard for me to believe that you're talking to our staff because they are constantly reminded of the statistics at this center," Zizi said. "So for someone to not have faith in that, it perplexes me."

But just minutes before the interview with Zizi, during our visit to the dispatch center, we overheard employees talking about the LACC's staffing issues.

"It's great to have all these people on 911," said one LACC employee. "I know. Wouldn't it be nice all the time," replied another employee. "All the time, it would be wonderful," another said.

The insiders say the CHP management shouldn't be surprised. They tell us they've been complaining about these problems for years.

"The problem is everybody knows this problem exists but everyone's afraid to say anything. It's been like that for a long time," one CHP insider said.

Until something changes, the insiders say they worry someone will be injured or killed because they can't get help fast enough when calling 911.

"I would like the public to know that their safety is in jeopardy every single day and the department is very well aware of the staffing shortage," said one CHP insider.
A man with gunshot wounds crashed his truck into a power pole Thursday in Santa Ana, causing a power outage.

Officials transported the driver to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police are investigating what led up to the shooting and are considering it as possibly being gang-related.

The crash was reported at approximately 12:45 a.m. behind an alley on the 800 block of South Townsend Street, the Santa Ana Police Department said.

Authorities first estimated that power would be restored by 5:30 a.m., but were unable to recover electricity for the 139 customers missing it. They now expect it to be restored by noon.
A driver's plan to get away from authorities in a stolen car was dashed Wednesday when he threw a dog from the moving vehicle and drove into a Palmdale cul-de-sac, where officers took him into custody after a chase that hit speeds of more than 100 mph.

The pursuit began on Sherman Way and Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood. That's where police ran a license plate check and found that the white, two-door Honda had been involved in a carjacking, officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood division said.

When officers tried to pull the driver over, he took off and got into the Santa Clarita Valley, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph in light traffic on the northbound 14 Freeway.

The driver got off the freeway and drove into a Palmdale neighborhood, where he swung the door open and tossed out a small white dog as he made a turn into a dead end street.

With nowhere to turn, he got out of the car and attempted to run away, but stumbled on the sidewalk and was taken into custody.



Police said the driver, identified as 31-year-old Saul Iban Angel of North Hollywood, was wanted for a burglary. The vehicle he was driving was carjacked on November 1.

The dog, named Bobby, appeared to be OK.


The family of a man who was shot and killed during a Craigslist transaction at a Davie CVS is demanding the arrest of the man who shot him.

Family members of 20-year-old Andre Smith are also demanding the release of any video or photos that captured the fatal Nov. 1 shooting at the CVS on University Drive near Griffin Road.

The family and their attorneys held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the incident and demand the arrest of 38-year-old Matthew Barry, the man who police say shot Smith.

"My son was beautiful. My son was my life. And I'm not going to stop until I get justice for my son," mother Andrea Smith said.



"If the Davie Police Department continues to deny our clients right to review the evidence, we will file a public records lawsuit," attorney Jasmine Rand said. "If the Davie Police Department refuses to arrest Mathew Jay Barry, we will ask the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Justice to step in."

Smith was African-American, while Barry is white. Rand has represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. Smith's family is also represented by Jose Baez, who was the attorney for Casey Anthony and Aaron Hernandez.

Davie Police say the two met at the parking lot of the CVS to complete the sale of an iPhone 7 that Smith was selling through Craigslist. But after money was exchanged, there was an argument as Barry claimed Smith and his friend were trying to take off with the phone and the cash, police said.

Police said Barry tried to leave in his car but Smith and a friend who was with him blocked the car. Barry ran into the CVS, frantically telling employees to call 911, as surveillance video showed Smith and his friend follow him into the store, police said.

According to police, Barry indicated to Smith and his friend that he has a concealed weapons permit and that he was carrying a weapon, but that Smith and the friend replied that they also had a weapon.

Surveillance video from the store showed Smith pursuing Barry through the store, police said. At one point, Barry pushed Smith away from him, pulled out his gun and opened fire, hitting Smith several times.

Barry's attorney, Ken Padowitz, said Smith followed him around the store and Barry shot in self-defense.

"He told the clerk to call 911. But in the end, he had to defend himself," Padowitz said.

Smith was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. Records show the Pembroke Pines resident had a criminal history including charges for domestic violence and misdemeanors, but his mother says he was in college and close to earning his associate's degree.

"A week has gone by and I have no answers regarding why the man whom shot and killed my son has not been arrested. Not only did he kill my son, he endangered all of those other people in CVS," Andrea Smith said in a statement. "My son was a college student and less than one credit away from finishing his Associates Degree. I watched this happen to Trayvon Martins family when the man that killed their son wasnt arrested. I cant believe Im watching this happen to my family. To my son. Here I am five years later demanding justice for Andre."

Baez said Smith wasn't armed at the time of the shooting.

"One thing is certain: Andre Smith was unarmed and did not have a weapon of any kind," Baez said.

He also claims the family wasn't notified of Smith's death until it was reported by the media, and that when the family was told, officials said the media would make it seem "like a race thing."

"The only mention came from the Davie Police Department when they asked we not speak with you, because of their fear of it becoming a race thing," Baez said. "The insertion of race was already initiated by the Davie police."



At a news conference Thursday, Davie Police Maj. Dale Engle said no arrests have been made but the investigation into the case is still ongoing. He said Smith's family will be the first to know what the findings of the investigation are.

"We are sensitive to the family's involvement in this tragedy and at the appropriate time we will share all the evidence with them prior to making it public," Engle said.

Engle said police wouldn't release the evidence until the investigation was completed.

"This incident happened a week ago, this isn't TV where everything happens and is resolved in 45 minutes without commercials," Engle said. "We're gonna do a thorough job, we're gonna do our job and we're gonna take every bit of evidence that we can compile and that's what's gonna be in our case."

He also expressed sympathy for Smith's mother.

"I can't fathom what that poor mother went through in losing a child," Engle said.
Americans seeking to visit Cuba must navigate a complicated maze of travel, commerce and financial restrictions unveiled Wednesday by the Trump administration, part of a new policy to further isolate the island's communist government.

Now off-limits to U.S. citizens are dozens of Cuban hotels, shops, tour companies and other businesses included on a lengthy American blacklist of entities that have links to Cuba's military, intelligence or security services. And most Americans will once again be required to travel as part of heavily regulated, organized tour groups run by U.S. companies, rather than voyaging to Cuba on their own.

The stricter rules mark a return to the tougher U.S. stance toward Cuba that existed before former President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro restored diplomatic relations in 2015. They come as President Donald Trump tries to show he's taking action to prevent U.S. dollars from helping prop up the Cuban government.

"These measures confirm there is a serious reversal in bilateral relations which has occurred as a result of the decisions taken by the government of President Donald Trump," said Josefina Vidal, the top Cuban diplomat for North America.

Still, the policy is only a partial rollback of Obama's changes. Cruise ship visits and direct commercial flights between the countries will still be permitted. Embassies in Washington and Havana stay open.

The rules are designed to steer U.S. economic activity away from Cuba's military, intelligence and security services, which dominate much of the economy through state-controlled corporations. The goal is to encourage financial support for Cuba's growing private sector, said senior Trump administration officials, who briefed reporters on a conference call on condition they not be quoted by name.

To that end, the Treasury Department said it is expanding and simplifying a license that allows some U.S. exports to Cuba despite the embargo. They include tools and equipment to build or renovate privately owned buildings.

"We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Trump announced his new policy in June during a speech in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood, the cradle of Cuban-American resistance to Castro's government. The administration took several months to finalize the details of the new rules, which will take effect Thursday.

The new policy maintains several categories of travel to Cuba that are permitted despite the embargo, which carries on decades after the Cold War's end. Americans can still travel on educational and "people to people" trips as well as visits designed to support the Cuban people by patronizing privately owned small businesses that have popped up across the island in recent years.

But those traveling to support Cuba's people must have a daylong schedule of activities designed to expose them to Cubans and steer dollars toward citizens, such as renting rooms in private homes. Those on organized, "people to people" or educational visits must be accompanied by a representative of the U.S.-based group organizing the trip.

Vidal, the Cuban diplomat who was the public face of Cuba's opening with the United States during the Obama administration, said the policy would harm Cuba's economy, American citizens and U.S. businesses. The rules were also quickly denounced by travel groups and proponents of closer U.S. ties to the island.

"Cuba is still open for business," said Charel van Dam of the Cuba Travel Network. "It is still possible for people to travel, but I think these announcements will serve mainly as something to scare off people who want to visit."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., a vocal advocate of improved U.S.-Cuban relations, noted the announcement came as Trump was in China pushing more U.S. business engagement with another communist-run country. "The hypocrisy of the White House ideologues is glaring," Leahy said.

The rules come amid deep strains in the U.S.-Cuba relationship stemming from invisible, unexplained attacks that have harmed more than two dozen U.S. government personnel in Havana since 2016. The attacks led the Trump administration to order most of its diplomats to leave Cuba in September and issue a sweeping travel warning urging Americans to stay away.

Officials insisted that the new, tougher rules had no connection to the attacks. The U.S. first complained to Cuba's government about the attacks in February, four months before Trump announced his broader policy intentions.

Some exceptions will accommodate Americans who already plan to visit Cuba. Those who booked "people to people" trips before Trump's June announcement will be exempt, along with Americans who organized education trips before the rules start on Thursday. Business deals already reached with entities on the prohibited list will be allowed to proceed.

It's unclear how aggressively the U.S. will police the new rules. Officials said they would use information obtained from several U.S. agencies to catch violators, who could be subject to penalties and criminal prosecution.

The blacklist bars business with the large military-run corporations that dominate the Cuban economy. These include GAESA and CIMEX, holding companies that control most retail business on the island; Gaviota, the largest tourism company; and Habaguanex, which runs Old Havana.

It also targets a new cargo port and special trade zone outside the city of Mariel that has been the focus of Cuba's efforts to draw foreign investment in manufacturing and distribution.

Blacklisted hotels include the Manzana Kempinski, which opened with great fanfare this year as Cuba's first to meet the international five-star standard.

The overall impact on American business with Cuba will likely be limited. Trade is sparse. Many American travelers already stay at hotels not on the no-go list, and the company that imports most American food products to Cuba is similarly unaffected.

Bringing home limited quantities of rum and Cuban cigars is still allowed, officials said.
The U.S. government is planning to airlift about 3,000 Puerto Ricans out of the island struggling after Hurricane Maria to Florida and New York.

Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Ron Roth confirmed that plans to transport Hurricane Maria survivors from Puerto Rico to the continental U.S. have been under development since Oct. 30, when the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program was announced.

FEMA and Puerto Rico's government under Gov. Ricardo Rossello are finalizing plans to carry out the airlift.

"At the governor's request, FEMA will be providing transportation assistance to select locations in the continental United States," FEMA said in a statement. "Priority of transportation will be available to those approximately 3,000 survivors who are still residing in shelters."

Further details on the criteria used to determine who qualifies as a survivor primed for airlift transportation were not readily available.

FEMA is working with officials in Florida and New York to establish an agreement for the states to accept survivors.

Shortages of food and water in Puerto Rico are ongoing as only 21.6 percent of grid electricity and 71.58 percent of running water have been restored. When Hurricane Maria swept through Puerto Rico in mid-September, the storm produced widespread damage.
What to Know The 75-foot tall, 12-plus ton Norway spruce comes from the home of Jason Perrin in State College, Pennsylvania

The 75-foot tree will arrive in the Plaza on Saturday and be illuminated on live TV in a special on Wednesday, Nov. 29

The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up in 1931 by workers building the complex during the Great Depression

Queue the Christmas songs: the 2017 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been cut down and is being prepped to head to New York City this weekend.

The 75-foot tall, 12-plus ton Norway spruce comes from the home of Jason Perrin in State College, Pennsylvania. It was cut down Thursday morning before a horde of camera-ready spectators.



It will arrive at Rockefeller Center -- by flatbed, of course -- on Saturday.

The tree, 50 feet in diameter, will be the 86th to grace the Plaza for the annual weeks-long display and the third from Pennsylvania.

Erika Pauze, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center, said Thursday that she saw this year's tree while driving nearly seven years ago and was quick to ask if the owner was interested in making his backyard evergreen the most famous Christmas tree in the world.

"It's hard to find a tree that's nice and full that doesn't have any storm damage or is growing crooked or anything," she said.

After being adorned with more than 50,000 multi-colored lights and crowned with the iconic Swarovski star, the tree will be illuminated for the first time during a live television broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

It'll be on display until Jan. 7, 2018.

Last year's tree, a 94-foot Norway spruce from Angie and Graig Eichler in Oneonta, was the second largest ever chosen for the holiday celebration.

The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up in 1931 by workers building the complex during the Great Depression. The first official tree lighting was in 1933.
A onetime New York City man is expected to face murder charges in the cold-case killing of a woman found strangled in her apartment more than a decade ago, law enforcement sources told News 4.

Naples, Florida, man Christopher Gonzalez's DNA was matched to the suspected killer of Dora Delvalle Almontaser earlier this week after he was arrested in the Sunshine State for allegedly driving with a suspended license, according to the sources.

Gonzalez -- who used to live in the Bronx -- is expected to be extradited back to New York to face murder charges in the death of Almontaser, who was strangled with a phone cord in her Bronx apartment in December 2000.

Sources said that investigators are also investigating whether Gonzalez had any role in the 2005 death of a Yonkers woman whose body was found wrapped in a blanket on the Sprain Brook Parkway.

It wasn't clear if Gonzalez had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
What to Know This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a Norway spruce from State College, Pennsylvania and will be cut down Thursday morning.

The 75-foot tree will arrive in the Plaza on Saturday and be illuminated on live TV in a special on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up in 1931 by workers building the complex during the Great Depression.

Queue the Christmas music, the massive 2017 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is being cut down Thursday in Pennsylvania.

Cuts cut down the 75-foot Norway spruce at the home of Jason Perrin in State College, Pennsylvania as onlookers watched Thursday morning. It was then hoisted by a large crane onto a 115-foot long flatbed trailer. It will arrive at the Rockefeller Center in Manhattan on Saturday.

Thousands of Philadelphia public school teachers and their supporters protested outside of the Philadelphia School District amid the School Reform Commissions meeting inside Thursday evening.

The tree, which is 50-feet in diameter and weighs between 12 and 13 tons, will be the 85th to grace the Plaza for the annual weeks-long display and the third from Pennsylvania.

After being adorned with more than 50,000 multi-colored lights and crowned with the iconic Swarovski star, the tree will be illuminated for the first time during a live television broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

[NATL] Dazzling Rockefeller Center Christmas Trees From Years Past

It'll be on display until Jan. 7, 2018. It will then be donated to Habitat for Humanity to be transformed into lumber for building homes.

Last year's tree, a 94-foot Norway spruce from Angie and Graig Eichler in Oneonta, was the second largest ever chosen for the holiday celebration.

The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up in 1931 by workers building the complex during the Great Depression. The first official tree lighting was in 1933.

[[454117643, C]]

This story has been corrected to show that this is the 85th Rockefeller Center tree, not the 86th.


A teenager was gunned down overnight along a Delaware street.

Wilmington officers arrived to the 500 block of S. Franklin Street, not far from Kosciuszko Park, around 12:15 a.m. Thursday to find 18-year-old Justin McDermott on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound to his head, police said.

New Castle County medics treated McDermott on the scene then rushed him to Christiana Hospital where he died a short time later, police said.

The investigation into the motive and circumstances of the shooting continued Thursday morning.

Anyone with information can call Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or email them at delawarecrimestoppers.org.


A man believed to be the first known participant of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program deported under President Donald Trump's Administration was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally cross the border from Mexico back into the United States.

Juan Manuel Montes, 23, was arrested around 11:50 p.m. Monday near the border town of Calexico in Imperial County, California, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.

Agents at the Calexico Border Patrol Station were notified by Remote Video Surveillance Systems operators that someone had made an illegal entry across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Montes ran approximately 200 yards north of the international boundary fence and laid down on the ground. When agents approached him, he attempted to run away, CBP said.

He was arrested after a short foot chase and transported to the Calexico Station for processing.

Montes claims he was wrongfully deported to Mexico in February by Border Patrol agents and was arrested a day later while attempting to re-enter the U.S. illegally, CBP officials said.



"Our agents witnessed and arrested (Mr. Montes) making an illegal entry into the United States for the second time this year," said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. "Border Patrol Agents will always stop, detain, and arrest anyone making an illegal entry into the country irrespective of their immigration or citizenship status."

Montes came to the U.S. when he was 9 years old and pursued a welding degree at a community college after his high school graduation.

According to his attorneys, he qualified for the DACA program in 2014 and renewed his status for two years in 2016, granting him protection through 2018.

On Feb. 18, according to his attorneys, Montes was on his way home from visiting a friend when he was stopped by CBP agents in Calexico. Agents asked him for identification but Montes did not have his wallet, California ID or EAD card on him.

Montes was driven to a port of entry near or in Calexico and was allegedly asked the sign documents written in English by CBP agents. He was then deported to Mexico.

On Feb. 19, he tried to cross back into the United States and was detained by CBP. He was again deported on Feb. 20.

In April, Montes filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking information about his case. According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Montes sought an explanation on the legality of sending him back to Mexico despite his enrollment in DACA, which gave him protected status through 2018.

CBP told NBC News at the time that Montes' DACA permit expired in August 2015 and, according to the agency's records, was not renewed. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later said that after a detailed records search, it was determined that Montes did have a valid status via DACA through Jan. 25, 2018.

However, the DHS refutes Montes account of his detainment by CBP on Feb. 18, saying that he was detained on Feb. 19 after illegally trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico.

The DHS said Montes "lost his DACA status when he left the United States without advance parole on an unknown date prior to his arrest" by the border patrol on Feb. 19.

The National Immigration Law Center, which represented Montes in the lawsuit, stood by its account and sought records on why their client was deported, alleging that immigration officials violated the Freedom of Information Act for failure to respond to its request beyond acknowledging receipt.

A trial was set for Dec. 4, and the Justice Department agreed with a federal judge in San Diego to let Montes back into the country so he could testify on his own behalf.

But in October Montes asked his lawyers to drop the case, saying he wanted to remain in Mexico where he had been living with family for eight months, according to USA Today. On Oct. 19, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel issued an order dismissing the case, USA Today reported.

Curiel was thrust onto the national stage when during the campaign by then-candidate Donald Trump, who questioned the the Indiana-born judge's impartiality due to his "Mexican heritage." At the time, Curiel presided over a case alleging the now-defunct Trump University misled customers. He approved a $25 million settlement to victims in the case.

CBP officials said Montes was booked into the Imperial County Jail following his arrest this week on pending charges of re-entry after removal. No further details were released.
A Washington, D.C., public charter school is under investigation by D.C. police and D.C.s attorney general for failure to report a suspected sex offense by a teacher, according to officials with each agency.

Police reports show the investigation stems from Capital City Public Charter Schools handling of longtime former social studies teacher Alan Coleman, who pleaded guilty last week to child sex abuse for a relationship with a 14-year-old girl he taught at a prior school in 2004.

Coleman managed to find a new teaching job in Florida weeks after he was fired by Capital City Public Charter School for suspected child sex abuse, according to a News4 I-Team investigation.

The I-Team investigation of Capital City Public Charter Schools handling of Colemans case raises questions about when the school notified authorities about its suspicions of the teachers misconduct. Though the school fired Coleman in March 2015, days after learning of allegations of his prior sex abuse of a student, the Metropolitan Police Department said it was not notified about Colemans abuse case until April 2016. A police official told the I-Team the agency was not first notified about Colemans suspected abuse by Capital City Public Charter School but by the victim herself.

D.C. law requires any adult who learns of suspected child abuse to promptly notify police of their suspicions, according to a D.C. police spokesman.

The I-Team investigation revealed Coleman secured a new teaching job at Eastside High School in Gainesville, Florida, four months after he was fired by Capital City Public Charter School. His job application, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, included a positive job reference from a fellow Capital City Public Charter School teacher. Mr. Coleman had a fantastic rapport with his students, the reference letter said.

Gainesville school officials told the I-Team they conducted a mandatory background check on Coleman in summer 2015. They said the report came back clean. Gainesville school officials said they also received a positive job reference from a former principal, whod recently retired, at Capital City Public Charter School.

The I-Teams investigation shows Capital City Public Charter School notified school parents about Colemans firing and arrest by letter in May 2016, weeks after Colemans arrest by D.C. police and more than a year after the school terminated his employment. We have been cooperating with the appropriate District officials and were asked to keep the matter confidential so as not to jeopardize their investigation, the letter said.

Capital City Public Charter School declined multiple requests for an interview and declined to answer specific questions about when it notified police or its own staff about Colemans suspected sex abuse.

In a written statement to the I-Team, a school spokeswoman said, We are confident that we discharged our responsibilities properly in this matter. We have cooperated with law enforcement in all phases of its investigation and will continue to do so.

A spokesman for D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said the offices review of individuals at Capital City Public Charter School is ongoing. The allegations in this matter are currently under investigation, and the complainant is cooperating with our office, the spokesman said. Our prosecutors will make a determination regarding whether charges will be filed in this case once our investigation has been completed.

Coleman declined requests for comment from the I-Team after a court appearance in late October. According to court proceedings, Coleman pleaded guilty to a count of child sex abuse. Attorneys told the judge they expect to recommend three years prison time when Coleman is sentenced in January.

According to police reports, Colemans victim was a 14-year-old student of his in 2004 at DCs KIPP DC Key Academy public charter school.

A police affidavit said KIPP DC Key Academys principal met with officers in April 2016, shortly before Colemans arrest. According to the affidavit, the KIPP DC Key Academy principal told officers she declined to renew Colemans contract after the 2004 school year amid concerns Coleman had an inappropriate relationship with the student.

When contacted by the I-Team last month, KIPP DC Key Academy said, If there was evidence of the misconduct Mr. Coleman was later charged with, we would have immediately alerted the appropriate authorities. The nature of the inappropriate relationship that led to us not extending Mr. Coleman an offer letter was professional in nature.

The spokesman for D.C.s Attorney General said if charges were brought against individuals for failure to report a suspected case of child abuse, those people would face a maximum of six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Full statement from Capital City Public Charter School: At Capital City, our top priority is to provide quality education to our students in a safe environment at all times. We are confident that we discharged our responsibilities properly in this matter. We have cooperated with law enforcement in all phases of its investigation and will continue to do so. Again, our students and families are our top priority and we will continue to deliver an excellent education to every student in a safe environment.

Reported by Scott MacFarlane, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Jeff Piper.


A retired Navy veteran was charged Wednesday in the death of Ashanti Billie, the 19-year-old woman who was found dead in North Carolina days after disappearing from her job at Virginia naval base, federal prosecutors say.

Eric Brian Brown, 45, faces a murder charge from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and a federal kidnapping charge, the police department and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced Wednesday.

Brown, who is homeless, worked as a day laborer and lived at buildings on and around the naval bases, according to an arrest affidavit. As a retired Navy petty officer, Brown had access to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach. Prosecutors said the 21-year Navy veteran visited Billie's workplace almost daily.

"He preyed on her," Ashanti Billie's father, Meltony Billie, said Thursday morning.

Billie, a student at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, was reported missing on Sept. 18 after she failed to show up for her job at the Blimpie sandwich shop on the naval base.

Her body was found 11 days later and more than 300 miles away, outside a church in a residential neighborhood of Charlotte.

Billie's parents, who both are veterans, said Thursday that they thought their daughter, who stood only 4-foot-11, would be safe on a military base.

"If this was allowed to happen on a naval base, it can happen anywhere," Billie's mother, Brandy Billie said.

"How was it that this guy was allowed to roam around base?" Meltony Billie asked.

Brandy Billie said Wednesday that she was "grateful" Brown was charged, but had a lot of questions and wants to know how it was possible for Brown to live on the military base.

"Where's the security? Something has to be done. That's not secure," she said.

She said seeing Brown's picture was "like looking at a monster."

"This is the person -- this is the coward that took our child's life?" she said.

"This was a veteran that did this to us. [Ashanti] was a child of veterans. She's been around the military her whole life," Brandy Billie continued.



Brown told a law enforcement informant on Oct. 2, after Billie's body was found, that he hated African-American women. He said they were "gold diggers" who "only want guys with all the money," court documents say.

Witnesses reported Brown "attempting to flirt with Billie" on several occasions. One witness said he made a "crude sexual comment" to her.

Billie left her Virginia Beach home about 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18 to go to work. She was supposed to start early to prepare for a scheduled health department inspection.

Prosecutors say she was wearing dark-colored clothing and her white 2014 Mini Cooper was seen on camera entering the naval base around 4:45 a.m. Surveillance video shows a man who resembles brown, wearing light-colored clothes, driving Billie's car off the base at 5:33 a.m.

About 5:40 a.m., a residential surveillance camera appears to show Billie's car stopped near a construction dumpster about 2 miles away. A man is seen getting out of the car and appears to throw something into the dumpster. Construction workers later found Billie's cellphone there and turned it over to police in Norfolk.

"No passengers were seen seated in the vehicle other than the driver," prosecutors said the footage showed.

Five days after Billie's car was seen on camera, the vehicle was found in Norfolk on Saturday, Sept. 23. It was unlocked, and the security key fob was on the passenger seat. Billie's work shirt, a pair of dark-colored pants and a shoe were found in "the rear compartment" of the car, covered in dirt.

Six days later, on Friday, Sept. 29, Billie's partially clothed body was found behind East Stonewall AME Zion Church in Charlotte.

Brown grew up near the church and went to vacation Bible school there as a child, prosecutors said.

He was arrested on unrelated trespassing charges in October and officers questioned him about Billie's disappearance. Brown said he "blacked out" on Sept. 17, the night before Billie went missing, and had "no recollection of what he did for several days after that," prosecutors said.

A review of his cellphone showed he made multiple searches for "police looking for man" and "Norfolk police looking for man in connection to homicide."

DNA recovered from Billie's body was consistent with Brown's DNA profile, prosecutors said.

Brown faces up to life in prison if convicted on the kidnapping charge. It could not be immediately determined if he has a lawyer.
A Maryland high school school teacher is accused of inappropriate behavior with a student, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

Officers arrested 40-year-old LaToya Niccole Parker of Waldorf Monday after a grand jury indictment on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, displaying sexual material to a minor and solicitation of a minor.

The incidents involved a student at St. Charles High School, where Parker taught, and took place between fall of 2016 and March, according to the sheriff's office. They were reported in May.

Parker, a family and consumer science teacher, shared inappropriate photographs and messages with a student, according to an email sent to parents and guardians.

The school district put Parker on administrative leave and temporarily assigned her to the administrative building in May, the principal's email said. The school immediately reported the accusations to Social Services, the sheriff's office and the school system.

"The school systems procedure is to immediately remove any employee accused of inappropriate behavior from the school, and to prohibit the employee from having contact with students during the investigation and adjudication of the charges," Principal Richard E. Conley's email said.



Parker is free on a $20,000 bond under the conditions she has no contact with minors and is monitored electronically.

The principal said she began teaching at the school in August 2015.

Also this week, a former Charles County Public Schools aide pleaded not guilty to 10 federal charges of child pornography. Court filings show prosecutors accused Carlos Bell of engaging in sexually explicit conduct between 2014 and 2016 with at least 10 children. The federal charges come after an announcement by Charles Countys states attorney, in which Bell was indicted on 206 charges involving the sex abuse of 42 alleged victims.
Its been 46 years since the accident, and Phil Tammaro isnt sure what he remembers or what he's been told, but he knows he covered his face to protect it from the fire.

My fingers are burned, he said, holding his hands to his face. You can see here - third degree burns.

Tammaro was a mischievous toddler. He escaped his crib at nap time and made his way down to the basement, where he found the gas can for the lawnmower and watered the cement floor with gasoline.

The building fumes found a flashpoint in the hot water heater and exploded. Wearing just a diaper - in a ring of fire - Tammaro suffered third degree burns over 35 percent of his body.

Both my legs, my feet, my right arm, and then I have patches all over my body, he recalled.

There was a saving grace. It was 1971, and his local hospital knew enough to rush him to the recently-opened Shriners Burn Hospital in Boston.

I wouldnt have survived... no, said Tammaro, shaking his head. I had infections, I had convulsions, high fevers. My parents went through that. Every day, asking, Is he going to survive?

Shriners saved his life and his legs, which he said would likely have been amputated without the specialty care. Without legs, he could never have become a firefighter.

I would have had to have gotten a real job, I guess," he said with a laugh.

Hes got a real job and a real calling. He's a Billerica firefighter, working in the same firehouse that answered the call for his fire decades earlier. He's the town's fire safety educator and travels the country promoting the value of burn centers. And he's a tireless volunteer at Shriners.

We joined Tammaro on a recent visit. He sat with a 12-year-old girl from Belize named Michelle. She was hurt in a household accident two years ago.

With burns over 50 percent of her body, Michelle has been back and forth to Shriners for surgeries and treatment.

I miss my friends, I miss my family," she told Tammaro quietly.

Michelle and Tamarro play Jenga. They talk doctors and surgeries, swans and snow. He is an affable playmate, poking fun at his own skills. She helps where she can.

I think you have these ones here, she said, pointing out an easy Jenga move.

Ooooh! delights Tammaro. Thank you!

As they chat, there is no mention of the scars they both wear inside and out, although Tammaro says scars tell a persons story.

We ask what story his scars tell. Im resilient, he said. Im resilient.

The Jenga tower crashed down. Michelle gloated, I won again! Tammaro ducked his head.

I know. I know, he said.

Knocked down, getting up, reaching out.
Massachusetts' governor announced the review of "serious allegations" in a state police trooper's lawsuit against top brass at headquarters should be completed soon on Wednesday, as the state police's colonel dodged questions about his future.

"I think it is very important that we make sure that all the facts are vetted and determined before we make decisions about issues like this," Gov. Charlie Baker said, adding he hasn't asked Col. Richard McKeon to step aside.

In a lawsuit, Trooper Ryan Sceviour said his bosses forced him to alter a police report. NBC Boston learned Wednesday evening that Gov. Charlie Baker is reviewing the information regarding the incident.

"It's terrible," said Sceviour's attorney, Leonard Kesten. "What they did to this trooper is so wrong."

The case stems from an incident in October, when Sceviour arrested Alli Bibaud on drunk driving charges in Worcester. The daughter of district judge Tim Bibaud, she made inappropriate statements, according to the original police report.

"One was 'my dad is an [expletive] judge,' and the other was that she indicated during the booking process she was suggesting the possibility of sexual favors in return for leniency," said Kesten.

Two days later, the trooper received a voicemail ordering him to the police barracks.

"That's an order from the colonel, and it's got something to do with an arrest report, a judge's daughter," the message states.

Sceviour's attorney says the trooper was told to remove Bibaud's embarrassing statements.

"Trooper Sceviour said to the major, 'Would this be happening if this wasn't the daughter of a judge?'" Kesten said. "She said, 'no, it wouldn't, that's why you're here.'"

In a statement, a State Police spokesman said, in part, the substance of the police report never changed and that The revision consisted only of removal of a sensationalistic, directly-quoted statement by the defendant, which made no contribution to proving the elements of the crime with which she was charged. Inclusion of an unnecessary statement does not meet the report-writing standards required by the department."

A state police spokesperson said in a statement that only "a sensationalistic, directly-quoted statement" was removed, and that "inclusion of an unncecessary statement does not meet the report-writing standards required by the department."

"That's not true," Kesten responded. "It's never taken out, you're supposed to put every communication with a suspect into your police report."

On Thursday, the day troopers were honored at the state house, the head of the Mass. State Police Association said morale among troopers is low.

The trooper's lawyer says he'll start subpeona'ing state police brass in mid-December.



The full statement from Massachusetts State Police is below:

Supervisory members of the State Police, up to and including the Colonel, may review any report and have the responsibility to order any appropriate revisions. In the report in question, the revision consisted only of removal of a sensationalistic, directly-quoted statement by the defendant, which made no contribution to proving the elements of the crimes with which she was charged. Inclusion of an unnecessary sensationalistic statement does not meet the report-writing standards required by the department. The revised report - which is clearly marked as having been revised -includes all observations made by troopers, all descriptions of physical evidence found in the defendant's possession, and summaries of statements made by the defendant relative to her possession and use of heroin, all of which constitute clear evidence against her. Furthermore, both versions of the report were submitted to the court. The removal of the inflammatory and unnecessary quotation did not change the substance of the trooper's narrative, did not remove any elements of probable cause from the report, and, most importantly, had no impact on the charges against the defendant. The defendant remains charged -- as she was initially charged -- with operating under the influence of drugs, operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and two other motor vehicle offenses, and she will be held accountable for those crimes based on the evidence collected by State Police.
What to Know Grief counselors will be at Quaboag Regional Middle High School in Warren, Mass. Wednesday after 3 students were killed Tuesday.

Authorities said two girls and a boy were driving on Douglas Rd in West Brookfield when their car left the road, hit a tree and rolled over.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Two central Massachusetts towns are reeling after three teenage students were killed when their car went off the road, hit a tree and rolled over.

The two girls and one boy killed in Tuesday's crash were students at Quaboag Regional Middle High School, which serves Warren and West Brookfield, around 20 miles west of Worcester.

They were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened around 3:30 p.m. on Douglas Road in West Brookfield.

"I feel so bad for the parents of those kids. My heart goes out to them," said Laurie Jamilowski, who lives near the crash scene.

"They're all so young, and that's the problem," said a woman named Barbara, whose daughter was best friends with the driver, 16-year-old Lena Noonan.

Officials have not released the names of the victims, but family members told NBC Boston that Noonan, 14-year-old Jaclyn Desrosiers and 15-year-old Christian Congelos died in the crash.

"These three particular individuals were exceptional kids. They were great kids," said James Gagner, chairman of the Warren Board of Selectmen.

Congelos's family described the sophomore as "an amazing athelete who was beloved by his family and friends. He was just a great kid."

Parents of other students at the school said their children are remembering their classmates' spirits.

"I think it's real tragic - my children knew them," parent Sue Deleon said.

"I just hope that all the kids can come together and be there for each other, be there for the families and show as much support as they can," parent Danielle Mastaj added.

School Superintendent Brett Kustigian said that while he is "heartbroken and saddened" for the school community, he's also encouraged by the strength and resiliency being shown by students and staff.

"This has been a difficult day for all of our schools," he said. "Quaboag is a small, tight-knit community where everyone knows each other and a tragedy of this magnitude affects all of us."

A vigil was held on Wednesday night at the West Brookfield Town Common.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
What to Know Twin sisters from Plymouth, Mass., were reunited with their father Thursday after police say their mom took them on Wednesday.

Richard Valentine said his daughters were not at the spot he was supposed to pick them up.

Police found the 9-year-olds with their mom, who does not have custody, and her boyfriend, in Lewiston, Maine. The pair faces kidnapping.

Twin sisters from Massachusetts were reunited with their father early Thursday morning after authorities say they were snatched away from their school bus stop by their mother and her boyfriend on Wednesday afternoon.

Nine-year-olds Je t'aime and Dasia Valentine of Plymouth were reunited with their father, Richard Valentine, who said he could not find them at their meeting spot after school.

"I was scared," Valentine said. "They weren't where I normally pick them up from."

Valentine normally picks the girls up from a supermarket after they get off the bus. But this time, police said, surveillance footage showed a man putting them in a car.

After a search, the fourth graders were located in Lewiston, Maine with their 35-year-old mother, Chereese Ford, and her 38-year-old boyfriend, Craig Beaudoin.

Police said Ford hasn't seen her children for at least five years and does not have custody of them. Police suspect the couple had been planning on taking them.

"There was some type of preparation and I think they just took advantage of the opportunity that the children were picked up right away," said Plymouth Police Chief Michael Boteri.



Valentine said he plans to make sure something like this never happens again.

"I know that my children were sitting there scared," Valentine said. "I'm going to make sure that I take all proper precautions to make sure something like this never happens again."

Both Ford and Beaudoin faced a judge in Maine Thursday afternoon. Although Beaudoin waived extradition to Massachusetts, Ford's attorney said she was within her rights to take the children from Plymouth.

They will then be taken back to Massachusetts to answer to kidnapping and other related charges. Police say they could also face federal charges, since they crossed state lines.

Ford was indicted earlier this year on welfare fraud charges after she allegedly claimed her children were living with her to receive benefits.
Two 9-year-old twin sisters from Massachusetts are safe after police say they were snatched away from their school bus stop and taken to Maine, where their mother and her boyfriend were arrested.

Fourth graders Je t'aime and Dasia Valentine were dropped off by a school bus near their Plymouth home around 4 p.m., but their father, Richard, did not find them at their meeting spot.

"I was scared," Richard Valentine said. "They weren't where I normally pick them up from."

Valentine normally picks the girls up from a supermarket after they get off the bus. But this time, police say, surveillance footage shows a man putting them in a car.

"It doesn't appear they were harmed in any way, but it does appear they were forcibly taken," said Plymouth Police Chief Michael Botieri.

The investigation led police to Lewiston, Maine, where the girls were taken to the home of their 35-year-old mother, who does not have custody of them. She and her 38-year-old boyfriend were arrested.

"I know that my children were sitting there scared," Valentine said.

Wednesday night, speaking exclusively to NBC Boston, Valentine could not wait for his daughters to come home.

"They're going to get a big hug and kiss from daddy," Valentine said. "They're going to get a big hug and kiss and I'm going to show them that they're safe."


A Massachusetts State Police trooper has filed a lawsuit against top brass at headquarters, accusing even Col. Richard McKeon of wrongdoing.

Trooper Ryan Sceviour says his bosses forced him to alter a police report. NBC Boston learned Wednesday evening that Gov. Charlie Baker is reviewing the information regarding the incident.

"It's terrible," said Sceviour's attorney, Leonard Kesten. "What they did to this trooper is so wrong."

The case stems from an incident in October, when Sceviour arrested Alli Bibaud on drunk driving charges in Worcester. The daughter of district judge Tim Bibaud, she made inappropriate statements, according to the original police report.

"One was 'my dad is an [expletive] judge,' and the other was that she indicated during the booking process she was suggesting the possibility of sexual favors in return for leniency," said Kesten.

Two days later, the trooper received a voicemail ordering him to the police barracks.

"That's an order from the colonel, and it's got something to do with an arrest report, a judge's daughter," the message states.

Sceviour's attorney says the trooper was told to remove Bibaud's embarrassing statements.

"Trooper Sceviour said to the major, 'Would this be happening if this wasn't the daughter of a judge?'" Kesten said. "She said, 'no, it wouldn't, that's why you're here.'"

In a statement, a State Police spokesman said, in part, the substance of the police report never changed and that The revision consisted only of removal of a sensationalistic, directly-quoted statement by the defendant, which made no contribution to proving the elements of the crime with which she was charged. Inclusion of an unnecessary statement does not meet the report-writing standards required by the department."

A state police spokesperson said in a statement that only "a sensationalistic, directly-quoted statement" was removed, and that "inclusion of an unncecessary statement does not meet the report-writing standards required by the department."

"That's not true," Kesten responded. "It's never taken out, you're supposed to put every communication with a suspect into your police report."

The full statement from Massachusetts State Police is below:

Supervisory members of the State Police, up to and including the Colonel, may review any report and have the responsibility to order any appropriate revisions. In the report in question, the revision consisted only of removal of a sensationalistic, directly-quoted statement by the defendant, which made no contribution to proving the elements of the crimes with which she was charged. Inclusion of an unnecessary sensationalistic statement does not meet the report-writing standards required by the department. The revised report - which is clearly marked as having been revised -includes all observations made by troopers, all descriptions of physical evidence found in the defendant's possession, and summaries of statements made by the defendant relative to her possession and use of heroin, all of which constitute clear evidence against her. Furthermore, both versions of the report were submitted to the court. The removal of the inflammatory and unnecessary quotation did not change the substance of the trooper's narrative, did not remove any elements of probable cause from the report, and, most importantly, had no impact on the charges against the defendant. The defendant remains charged -- as she was initially charged -- with operating under the influence of drugs, operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and two other motor vehicle offenses, and she will be held accountable for those crimes based on the evidence collected by State Police.
1881 census, maps and other documents and will also be open for viewing

LECKHAMPSTEAD Church will host a unique evening of music and memories from 7pm this evening (Friday).

The event will feature an organ recital by the Rev Mary Harwood and a display of village memorabilia dated from 1761 onwards.

The display will include items on Cpl Lawrence Thomas DCM (pictured) who fought at Gallipoli during the First World War, plus newspaper reports describing conditions at that time.

Cpl Thomas was the son of William Kent Thomas of Thicket Farm, Leckhampstead, who ran the well-known carriers business between Newbury, Wantage and the surrounding area for many years in the early 20th century.

His carrier wagon had the following places painted on its side: Brightwalton, Chaddleworth, Thicket, Leckhampstead, Boxford, Westbrook, Farnborough, Wantage, Bagnor, Winterbourne, North Heath, Lilley, Catmore and Newbury.

The display will include a copy of the 1881 census in Leckhampstead, maps and other documents and will also be open for viewing on Saturday between 10am and 4pm.
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Car Makers Lining up for Lithium

LOS ANGELES: If you had any doubt about Electric Vehicles (EVs) and their role in our future, news from GM should seal the deal. The giant automaker has just announced that it is working toward an all-electric, zero-emissions future.





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This news just places further demand on the future needs for the material that fuels the new power cells for these vehicles, Lithium.Lithium mining and production companies are seeing huge gains as the forecast demand reaches a fever pitch. These include Orocobre Ltd. (OTC: OROCF) (TSX: ORL), FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF) and NRG Metals Inc. (TSX-V: NGZ) (OTC: NRGMF).Goldman Sachs has gone as far as to label Lithium the "new gasoline" for its necessity in producing the new EV products, including those built by GM.EVs depend on lithium-ion batteries for their efficient storage and effective operation. For this reason, increased demand for lithium has producers concerned about having enough of the metal to answer the rapidly growing demand.However, many lithium companies are stepping up and planning to develop more lithium or tap new supplies in known regions.A few of these are emerging companies looking to use the current positive market momentum to advance their positions.A likely lithium developer in this category is NRG Metals Inc. (TSX-V: NGZ.V) (OTCQB: NRGMF), who have a potentially huge lithium brine project in South America. The company is ideally positioned and looking to mine in the very productive "lithium triangle".Share prices of current lithium companies have been rising as the demand pours in. Leaders in the space include FMC (NYSE: FMC) the diversified chemical company that rallied 87% in 2017 based largely on its lithium unit, Australia's Orocobre Ltd. (OTC: OROCF) (TSX: ORL) who just announced its maiden year profits, as well as Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF), also an Australian mining concern that has continued its incredible run and rose over 5% to hit a multi-year high in October.LITHIUM IS THE FUTURE FUEL, PERIODGM's mandate is really just the sign that EVs are the future and that Lithium will be the feedstock needed to power the revolution.GM says it will begin with two new, fully electric models next year and then then at least 18 more by 2023.That product roster puts the GM in line with a large crowd of automakers who have endorsed the age of electricity. In recent months, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Jaguar Land Rover have announced their EV initiatives. All of these are promising to move away from gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles.China has even gone so far as to mandate that it will move toward a zero petroleum-powered vehicle level, but with no date attached for enforcement.All this points to new estimates for just how much lithium will be needed.Consultants Roskill have estimated 785,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent a year will be needed by 2025, amounting to a 26,000-tonne shortfall from anticipated supply, compared to 217,000 tonnes of demand versus 227,000 tonnes of supply this year.However, those numbers are ratcheting up as each new automaker and power application manufacturer chimes in with their new plans.It looks like lithium producers will have their hands full just trying to answer the increase in demand. Several are already increasing their production and refining capabilities, but that's not going to cut it if demand reaches the projected levels. We will need new lithium resources.NEWS SOURCES WILL COME ONLINEAnalysts are telling us that one new lithium mine will need to come on line each year through 2025 in order to meet the rapidly growing demand for lithium. That would answer existing demand. But in order to avert a shortfall, there's going to have to be more exploration and development.Two-thirds of proven reserves of lithium are concentrated in a small, high-elevation area of South America known widely as the Lithium Triangle for its position at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.In fact, only four companies account for about 86% of all global lithium production. And within that group, over 70% of lithium production based is South America around the Lithium Triangle.This is the likely area to seek near-term lithium production.Emerging miner NRG Metals is putting its lithium strategy in play the Puna Region in Argentina. It's considered one of the most productive regions in that country, which produces about 50% of the world's lithium.NRG METALS NEAR TERM OPPORTUNITYNRG Metals hails from Canada, but its' lithium interests are located in Argentina. Canadian miners like the lithium space and have fared well.NRG Metals has managed to put itself at the heart of the lithium trend. It has two projects; the Salar Escondido lithium project, a well-developed project heading into drilling, and the Hombre Muerto North lithium project in the province of Salta, now under exploration.The region is also host to the Hombre Muerto Salar. That's where major lithium producer FMC is generating about 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent per year. It's also the location for Galaxy Resources' large development stage Sal de Vida project.Using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) geophysical survey NRG Metals has identified what it calls "a highly conductive horizon that is interpreted to represent a brine target with potential to host lithium"In other words, they have found what it is like a salt lake, about 4 kilometers by 6 kilometers in size located at depths from 70 to 300 meters below the surface.NRG Metals has been approved and plans to drill to define the actual lithium resources available. This could be the next major lithium resource in the area.It appears clear from announcements by automakers like GM that the demand for lithium is continuing to escalate. The opportunity to respond to the demand is still wide open.As these initiatives to increase the EV market emerge, new producers and near term producers of lithium could use the window to move to production. Smaller players like NRG Metals, and the leaders like FMC are both in a position to capitalize on the lithium trend.POTENTIAL COMPARABLESOrocobre Ltd. (OTC: OROCF) (TSX: ORL.TO)Orocobre Limited operates primarily in Argentina in the mining industry. The Company engages in the production ramp up of its Olaroz Lithium Facility and the operation of Borax Argentina S.A. (Borax Argentina). Its segments include Corporate, the Olaroz project, South American Salars and Borax Argentina. Its primary focus is on exploration for and development of lithium, potash and salar mineral deposits. The Company's assets also include boron mines and processing facilities of Borax Argentina and a portfolio of brine exploration projects. Its Olaroz Lithium Facility is located in the Puna region of Jujuy Province in northern Argentina, over 230 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Jujuy.FMC (NYSE: FMC)FMC Corp. is a Philadelphia-based chemical company which is swiftly ramping up its lithium production. Last year, FMC said it was planning to triple lithium hydroxide production capacity by 2019. The first phase of the plan has already started. FMC management also said that it was not ruling out the possibility to spin-off FMC's lithium segment as a separate publicly owned company. BofAMerrill Lynch recently upgraded FMC stock to "Buy" from "Underperform," increasing the price target to $103.00 from $66.Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF)Galaxy Resources Limited is a lithium-focused resources company, with assets spanning Australia, Canada and Argentina. Galaxy is currently advancing plans to develop the Sal de Vida Lithium and Potash Brine Project ("Sal de Vida") in Argentina, which is situated in the Lithium Triangle, a region where Chile, Argentina and Bolivia meet. Sal de Vida is a proven high quality resource has excellent promise as a future low cost production facility. Galaxy also owns the Mt Cattlin Spodumene Mine near Ravensthorpe in Western Australia and the James Bay Lithium Pegmatite Project in Quebec, Canada.
Zoom Room Relaunches High-Demand Pet Franchise Opportunity

LOS ANGELES: Ready to fill the need for a fun, safe place to play, train and socialize with dogs, Zoom Room, an indoor dog gym and training facility, is set to 'Zoom' into cities nationwide through its newly relaunched franchise opportunity following a significant investment in the company.





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Launched in 2008, Zoom Room quickly added dozens of locations nationwide and filled a deep demand for a climate-controlled space for owners to play, train and socialize with their dogs. The company paused franchising to focus on rebuilding its franchise infrastructure and has since assembled an experienced board of directors and a new investment from multi-unit emerging brand investor Anthony Polazzi of AP Franchised Concepts, LLC to support the sustainable growth of the franchise. Polazzi and Zoom Room's CEO Mark Van Wye have made necessary changes to the brand to resume franchising and now plan to add 100 new stores over the next five years."Anthony brings a tremendous amount of expertise to Zoom Room and knows how to take emerging franchise concepts to the next level," said Van Wye. "Now that we've reinforced our franchise infrastructure with the systems and operations needed to support a large network of franchisees, we are ready to make Zoom Room the No. 1 indoor dog gym and training facility in the country."Zoom Room's motto is "We don't train dogs. We train the people who love them." Its cutting-edge curriculum focuses on deepening the bond between dog and owner, which allows people to fully understand their dog's behavior and creates a distinctly social atmosphere. In addition to being experts in dog agility - which can be taught to any dog, no matter its size, age, breed or experience - Zoom Room offers an array of specialty classes including Shy Dog, Calm Down!, Pup-lates, Scent Tracking, Urban Herding, Flyball, Rally Obedience and more.Because Zoom Room requires owners to be present with their dog at all times, the liability shifts from the store to the owner, which is unique in the pet franchise industry. Zoom Room also requires a small footprint and does not have to navigate complex zoning issues. Zoom Room locations range between 2,700 sq. feet and 3,000 sq. feet and due to the business being zoned as retail, franchisees can open a Zoom Room in any area of their desired city."Zoom Room is a highly unique concept in the $69B pet industry. It has created a fun, sporty atmosphere in its stores and is one of the few places in metro areas where an owner can relax, have fun learning with their dog and meet other like-minded pet owners," said Polazzi. "We are confident entrepreneurs will gravitate to this innovative brand and Zoom Room will become the epicenter of dog-loving communities nationwide."The Zoom Room franchise opportunity is ideal for dog-loving entrepreneurs or investors looking to diversify their franchise portfolio. No prior dog training experience is necessary to become a Zoom Room franchisee, as its extensive training program allows for dog training novices to become experts in a matter of months. Zoom Room also offers an incredibly fun and convenient lifestyle with the store open only during set business hours and the concept requiring minimal payroll and staff.Investment for Zoom Room ranges between $137,125 and $290,635, depending on size and location. For a limited time, Zoom Room's franchise fee is $39,500 for one unit and $79,000 for three units. On Jan. 1, the franchise fee will increase to $49,000 for one unit and $98,000 for three. All U.S. territories are currently available for purchase with the exception of Hawaii, North and South Dakota and Rhode Island.
The Makers of the LA VICTORIA Brand Share Ways to Spice Up Traditional Fall Flavors

ORANGE, Calif: With fall in full swing, the makers of the LA VICTORIA Brand, known for authentic, flavorful salsa, enchilada sauce and taco sauce, are offering five seasonal recipe ideas that put a unique spin on your favorite comfort foods.





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Whether preparing a Friendsgiving dinner or offering up a tasty side for game day, salsa provides an unexpected way to spice up your next seasonal gathering."In our 100-year history, the LA VICTORIA brand has seen plenty of food trends come and go, yet we know that salsa is the preferred condiment on the West Coast1," said Sebastian Friedman, LA VICTORIA Brand Manager. "While some may think of salsa as the epitome of a summer pantry staple, fall is all about bringing people together. Combined with your favorite dishes, this timeless condiment provides a modern Mexican twist on classic autumn recipes."The makers of the LA VICTORIA Brand offer the following quick recipe ideas to help you incorporate this well-loved pantry essential into fall menus:Turkey and Stout ChiliaThe perfect weekend chili is simple to make and blends brown sugar, chipotle powder and salsa for just enough kick on game day. Try it with a thick and chunky salsa for a bolder textureanearly 70 percent of consumers prefer it to salsa with a smooth consistency.1Blistered Brussels and CaulifloweraTopped with a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, almonds and salsa verde, this is a healthy and flavorful addition to any fall menu.Butternut Squash, Black Bean, and Green Chile EnchiladasaNothing says fall quite like butternut squash. For a unique and vegetarian spin on a classic, try this savory, intensely flavored dish.Salsa Baked Mac 'N CheeseaThis is comfort food at its finest. With a Mexican twist and hint of heat, this is an easy weeknight side dish or delicious contribution to a holiday gathering.Wood Grilled Adobo Squash TacoaSquash is plentiful this time of year, so get creative on taco night with a vegetarian delight. Guajillo and ancho chiles blend together for a savory adobo sauce that completes these tacos.If you're pressed for time but need to bring something to share at your family gathering, chips and salsa is a classic crowd pleaserain fact, 71 percent of consumers most often enjoy salsa with chips. When deciding how spicy to go, more than half of consumers appreciate an extra kick, opting for medium to hot salsa over mild or fruity varieties. Finally, grab the bag of traditional/triangle chips, which nearly 55 percent of consumers prefer over scoops, strips or rounds.1This year, the makers of the LA VICTORIA Brand are celebrating a delicious culinary tradition: the 100th anniversary of salsa as we know it in America. As the pioneer of jarred salsa in the U.S., the makers of the LA VICTORIA Brand have kept the Mexican tradition alive and well in the hearts and bellies of today's consumers for a century while using field-to-jar tomatoes in its salsas.
Ontario Teachers' strikes new investment partnership at Bristol and Birmingham Airports

LONDON: Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (Ontario Teachers'), and Australia's New South Wales Treasury Corporation (TCorp) and Sunsuper Superannuation Fund (Sunsuper), are announcing they will become investment partners in Bristol Airport and Birmingham Airport, two of the UK's leading regional airports.





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Ontario Teachers' has entered a definitive agreement by which it will sell 30% of its stakes in both Bristol and Birmingham to TCorp as trustee of TCorpIM Direct Investment Fund E and Sunsuper Pty Limited as trustee of Sunsuper. TCorp and Sunsuper will each acquire 15% of Ontario Teachers' stakes in Bristol Airport and Birmingham Airport. Following completion, Ontario Teachers', TCorp and Sunsuper will own 70.0%, 15.0% and 15.0% of Bristol Airport and 33.8%, 7.2% and 7.2% of Birmingham Airport respectively.Ontario Teachers' is Canada's largest single-profession pension plan. TCorp is the financial markets arm of the public sector in New South Wales, Australia, and Sunsuper is one of Australia's largest and fastest-growing superannuation funds."Working with like-minded partners who bring new ideas, capital and expertise to the table is core to our broader investment strategy," said Andrew Claerhout, Senior Managing Director, Infrastructure and Natural Resources at Ontario Teachers'. "We look forward to TCorp and Sunsuper joining us as shareholders, alongside the strong teams at Bristol and Birmingham and Ontario Teachers' enduring partnership with the District authority shareholders in Birmingham. Under the new shareholder structure we will continue to focus on creating long-term value for all stakeholders including the 19 million passengers who fly through these two airports every year."Ontario Teachers' is the largest private investor in airports in Europe, with holdings in five freehold airports: Copenhagen Airports, Brussels Airport, Bristol Airport, Birmingham Airport and London City Airport. Ontario Teachers' has been an investor in Bristol and Birmingham Airports since 2001, increasing its stakes to 100% (Bristol) and 48.25% (Birmingham) in 2014 with the intention of bringing in new partners."In addition to the attractive investment characteristics of the individual airports, TCorp was particularly interested in this investment because of the opportunity to partner with Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Sunsuper, both experienced and like-minded global infrastructure investors," said Stewart Brentnall, TCorp Chief Investment Officer. "We are excited about working with our partners, not only on this investment but also on future opportunities. TCorp has a strategy of building long-term relationships with other sophisticated investors, which we believe will help to deliver value to our clients and members, both for managing existing investments and for identifying new investment opportunities.""Sunsuper is an experienced investor in the Australian airport sector, and we are excited to expand our existing portfolio by adding stakes in two high-quality UK airports in Bristol and Birmingham," said Michael Weaver, Head of Private Markets at Sunsuper. "We believe that investments in the infrastructure sector provide greater scope for value creation through responsible stewardship, governance and proactive management of assets to create value for our members. We look forward to our ongoing involvement in the Bristol and Birmingham airports, with a key focus on delivering high-quality outcomes for all passengers and stakeholders."Bristol Airport is the ninth largest airport in the UK with 7.5 million passengers in 2016, and Birmingham Airport is the seventh largest airport in the UK with 11.6 million passengers in 2016.The sale is expected to complete in late November.
Immanuel's The Landing Receives National Award for Excellence in Care

LINCOLN, Neb: Immanuel's The Landing at Williamsburg Village is proud to announce excellence in senior living after receiving the 2017 Silver Achievement in Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).





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One of only 191 communities nation-wide, six in Nebraska and the only community in Lincoln, Neb. receiving the distinction, the Silver Achievement in Quality Award recognizes providers across the nation that have demonstrated commitment to improving quality of care for residents and patients in skilled-nursing and assisted living care.The Landing received the honor after demonstrating effective approaches that help improve performance and quality outcomes for residents. Silver Award recipients were recognized at the AHCA/NCAL's annual convention this Oct. and are eligible for achieving the program's highest gold status - awarded to only three communities in 2016.Nestled perfectly into the surrounding Williamsburg Village, Immanuel's The Landing provides a full range of living options for an exceptional continuum of care. From independent living amenities to the complete services of long-term care, The Landing offers compassionate health care support, enriching activities, elegant dining experiences, and AgeWell, an exclusive wellness program with qualified, professional staff.The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent more than 13,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of individuals who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.Since 1887 Immanuel has been providing Christ-centered service to seniors, each other and the communities in which the organization serves. As a not-for-profit, serving arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Immanuel's house of brands includes: Immanuel Communities, Immanuel Pathways, Immanuel Community Foundation and The Immanuel Vision Foundation. More about Immanuel's brands: Immanuel Communities owns and operates 10 independent living, assisted living and long-term care retirement communities on six campuses; Immanuel Pathways operates three PACE Centers in Iowa and Neb.; the Immanuel Community Foundation, a Resident Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to independent living residents; and the Immanuel Vision Foundation extends financial support to non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations that share purposes in alignment with Immanuel's service centered mission.
Mattress Firm CEO Receives Accolades Award for Foster Kids Program

HOUSTON: During the 2017 Accolades Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 27, the CHILDREN AT RISK foundation honored Mattress Firm president and CEO Ken Murphy with the Accolades award for the work Mattress Firm has done for children in the Houston community through the Mattress Firm Foster Kids program.





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The Texas-based foundation recognizes leaders who support the company's mission to help all children thrive while making Texas a place where children's needs are a priority. CHILDREN AT RISK honored Murphy and Mattress Firm for being a powerful driving force in making a difference in the lives of children in foster care across Texas."I am truly humbled by this acknowledgement from CHILDREN AT RISK," said Murphy. "Our goal is to provide children in the foster care system and their families with the essential items they need to succeed. Alongside our non-profit partners, we hope to make a difference in the lives of foster kids and help them beat the odds."The Mattress Firm Foster Kids program, through the Ticket to Dream foundation, was created in response to requests for support from local nonprofit foster care organizations, citing needs for essential items like shoes, clothing, pajamas and school supplies for the over 400,000 foster children across the nation. As a result, the company has committed to helping these children and every year the stores host six item drives with all proceeds going to carefully selected nonprofit foster care partners across the country. Since 2015, Mattress Firm Foster Kids has raised over $7 million and collected 1.5 million essential items for foster kids."Ken Murphy and the Mattress Firm Foster Kids program are the guiding lights for children in Houston and throughout Texas," said Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. "We are recognizing Mr. Murphy because of his and Mattress Firm's commitment to advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves, not only in Texas but across the nation."CHILDREN AT RISK serves as a catalyst for change to improve the quality of life for children through strategic research, public policy, collaboration and advocacy. Through its research and advocacy programs, the foundation is a leader in understanding and educating the community and policy makers about the health, safety and economic indicators that impact children, while advocating for the importance of improving the lives of children.About Mattress FirmFounded in 1986, Houston-based Mattress Firm is the nation's first and only border-to-border, coast-to-coast specialty bedding retailer. With more than 3,000 stores across 49 states, Mattress Firm offers a broad selection of mattresses and bedding accessories from leading manufacturers and brand names, including Serta, Simmons, Dream Bed, tulo and Hampton & Rhodes. In 2016, Mattress Firm was acquired by Steinhoff International Holdings. Mattress Firm Foster Kids, a program of the Ticket to Dream Foundation, hosts six collection drives a year in communities nationwide to ensure that foster children have the resources needed to succeed.
Fish and Richardson Adds Jayme Partridge as New Principal in Houston

HOUSTON: Fish and Richardson today announced that Jayme Partridge has joined the firm's Houston office as a principal in its Litigation Group, where she will continue to focus her practice on complex intellectual property litigation.





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Previously, Partridge was a partner at Patterson + Sheridan. She also spent two years as in-house litigation counsel for ExxonMobil and worked as a mechanical engineer for six years before law school.Partridge is an accomplished trial lawyer who has tried a wide range of cases, from patent infringement to trade secrets, in diverse technologies including fiber optics, chemical processes and catalysis, filtering technology, and computer hardware and software. With an engineering background and outstanding advocacy skills, she has years of stand-up experience before both judges and juries trying cases for global companies in high profile competitor-to-competitor disputes."We are always looking for top talent to add to our deep bench of seasoned trial lawyers, and Jayme is a highly skilled IP trial lawyer who will be a tremendous addition to our team," said Kurt Glitzenstein, Fish's Litigation Practice Group Leader. "This is our second significant lateral hire this fall. These strategic hires further enhance our position as the market leader in IP litigation."Partridge received her J.D., high honors, Order of the Coif, from the University of Texas School of Law in 1991 and her B.S., cum laude, Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, from Texas A&M University in 1982.Fish & Richardson is a global patent prosecution, intellectual property litigation, and commercial litigation law firm with more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S. and Europe. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. Fish is the No. 1 U.S. patent litigation firm, handling nearly three times as many cases as its nearest competitor; a powerhouse patent prosecution firm; a top-tier trademark and copyright firm; and the No. 1 firm at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, with more cases than any other firm. Since 1878, Fish attorneys have been winning cases worth billions in controversy - often by making new law - for the world's most innovative and influential technology leaders.
LifeStraw's Safe Water Fund Provides Puerto Ricans With Access To Safe Water Filters And Purifiers

WASHINGTON: LifeStraw, a global leader in developing innovative filtration and purification products for safe drinking water, is deploying thousands of its high-impact water filters and purifiers to Puerto Rico to provide much needed access to safe drinking water following Hurricane Maria.





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The filters are made possible through donations to the LifeStraw Safe Water Fund, which is powered by consumer contributions to support communities devastated by natural disasters. LifeStraw is working with emergency responders on the ground in Puerto Rico to distribute its products to areas of the island that need them most.One critical issue impacting Puerto Rico is an overwhelming lack of access to safe drinking water for the unforeseen future, as the storm dramatically affected the island's infrastructure. One month after the hurricane, CNN reported that nearly one million Puerto Ricans still remain without running water. LifeStraw's purifiers and filters serve as one solution to the country's long-term recovery effort, as they remove virtually all bacteria and parasites from contaminated water, making it safe to drink.In just one month, more than $150,000 has been raised for the Safe Water Fund by consumers to support hurricane relief efforts following the storms that damaged parts of the Caribbean, Texas, Florida, and other areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to these donations, LifeStraw has provided access to safe water for more than 20,000 residents of Puerto Rico, but the need for support continues.Contributions to the Safe Water Fund have resulted in a mix of LifeStraw, LifeStraw Go, LifeStraw Community, LifeStraw Family and LifeStraw Mission filters and purifiers deployed to Puerto Rico to provide individuals, families and entire communities access to safe water. In addition to funds raised by individual donors, LifeStraw is donating products directly, matching donations and devoting hundreds of man hours to coordinate relief efforts with partners, manage complex logistics, and conduct on-site education and training to ensure that the LifeStraw products are used effectively and properly maintained to have a sustainable impact.Individuals and organizations can continue to make an impact for people in Puerto Rico by donating to the LifeStraw Safe Water Fund. The fund is managed by an independent 501-c3 public charity and all donations are tax-deductible. In addition to hurricane relief efforts, consumers can choose to support the expansion of safe water programs in primary schools in Kenya or India or suggest a new safe water program for consideration. To date, the fund has provided safe water for victims of the Ecuador earthquake and the Haiti floods in addition to supporting the victims of the hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida and the Caribbean.LifeStraw is a global company built on the foundation that doing good is good business. We put this mission into action by innovating game-changing solutions that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet. Technologically advanced LifeStraw water filters and purifiers are ideal for outdoor recreation, travel, emergency preparedness and humanitarian purposes. This year LifeStraw is expanding its safe water technology beyond removal of microbiological contaminants to also include removal of heavy metals including lead.
Ken Riddick Promoted To President And Publisher Of Three McClatchy Media Companies In California

SACRAMENTO, Calif: McClatchy (NYSE American: MNI) today named Ken Riddick as president and publisher of The Fresno Bee, The Tribune in San Luis Obispo and Merced-Sun Star. He will assume his new role November 6. Riddick succeeds Tom Cullinan, who is retiring November 3.





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"Ken has demonstrated great digital leadership at The Modesto Bee, as evidenced by digital-only growth of 44 percent over two years," said Gary Wortel, McClatchy's west regional publisher. "Modesto has been one of the company's leaders in audience growth as well, and he recently completed the Bee's move to a new location that beautifully reflects the future workspace of a digital media company."I am truly excited and humbled to be headed back to Fresno," said Riddick. "The chance to return and contribute to the digital future of these three media companies is a dream-come-true."Tom Cullinan, Riddick's predecessor added "Ken is the perfect choice at the right time. He'll continue our mission to be a digital driven media company and to serve the community with quality public service journalism."Riddick is returning to The Fresno Bee where he first started working for McClatchy in 1995, as Fresno's picture editor. In February of 1999, he was promoted to Fresno's managing editor for new media and was named director of interactive media that same year. Ken was then promoted to the executive director of interactive media for The Star Tribune in Minneapolis in 2003 and was named their senior vice president of interactive media in 2007. Ken's next role was vice president of digital for Hearst Newspapers where he was responsible for 16 locations.Ken returned to McClatchy in 2010 as the vice president of digital for The Charlotte Observer and became president and publisher of The Modesto Bee in 2014.Ken and his wife Catherine plan to move back to the Fresno area.
These two French bands to tour India in November, December

New Delhi , Nov 8 : Popular brands, Colt Silvers and Last Train are all set to take a multi-city tour in 10 cities as a part of the third edition of Bonjour India festival in the months of November and December.





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The Bonjour India festival is one of the biggest and the most ambitious initiatives between France and India.Hailing from the city of Strasbourg, Colt Silvers comprises of vocalist Tristan, bass player Nicolas, guitarist Florian and drummer Julien.Termed as the French Alt J by the popular magazine Les Inrockuptibles, the band produces intense indie electro rock, which is inspired by pop culture.Colt Silvers started gaining popularity beyond France within a year of their inception with the debut release 'Night of the Living Robots' in 2009.Their debut tour in India will also see them perform at this year's NH7 Weekender, Pune.A true-blue rock band from the East of France, Last Train is a story of four childhood friends - vocalist Jean-Noel Scherrer, guitarist Julien Peultier, Drummer Antoine Baschung and bass player Timothee Gerard, who have been making music together for over a decade.Their first two EPs 'The Holy Family' and 'Fragile' received critical acclaim, launching their music career.Earlier during this year, the band released a full length album 'Weathering' on their own label, 'Cold Fame Records'.Naveen Deshpande, Founder, Mixtape stated, "I had an opportunity to watch these two fun, high energy straight up rock n roll acts last year at IOMMA (Indian Ocean Music Market) and they blew my mind away. I instantly connected with their music and knew that their music is something the audience here will really appreciate.""This is by far one of the biggest projects we have done where 2 international artists will be traveling the length andbreadth of the country and I don't think any other artist has ever achieved that before. Really excited about this tour," Deshpande added.
Prince Charles meets PM Modi in Delhi

New Delhi , Nov. 8 : Prince of Wales Charles Philip Arthur George, accompanied by Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday.





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The royal couple is on a two-day visit to India.This visit is part of their 10-day four nation tour to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and India.It is the ninth of the Prince of Wales to India, is aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations.The Prince is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss a wide range of issues, including that of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will take place in April 2018 in the United Kingdom, Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, Economic cooperation and others.India-U.K. trade is at USD 12.19 billion.India is the third largest investor and the second largest international job creator in the U.K.U.K. is the third largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of USD 24.37 billion for the period April 2000 - June 2017.The Indian diaspora in United Kingdom is one of the largest ethnic minority communities in the country, with the 2011 census, recording approximately 1.5 million people of Indian origin in the U.K., equating to almost 1.8 percent of the population and contributing to six percent of the country's GDP.
Pak Rangers arrive in India for DG-level talks

New Delhi , Nov. 8 : A delegation of Pakistan Rangers led by Director General (Sindh Rangers) Major General Muhammad Saeed reached New Delhi for 44th Biannual DG-level talks on Wednesday.





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The delegation will hold talks with top brass of the Border Security Force (BSF).The talks are likely to focus on range of issues, including ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LOC).The meeting comes in the backdrop of ratcheting tensions between the two neighbours. Tensions have been running high between India and Pakistan since the Uri attack, with border skirmishes further aggravating the situation.Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale, who was earlier the country's envoy to Pakistan, ruled out talks between the two countries unless Islamabad stops cross border terrorism."There can be no talks in present scenario with Pakistan," Bambawale said.
Delhi: Lodhi Road area 'severely' choked

New Delhi , November 8 : The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Wednesday said that the air quality of Delhi's Lodhi Road area has hit 'severe' levels, showing prominent pollutants PM 10 and PM 2.5 above normal.





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Meanwhile, Noida and Aligarh District Magistrates have directed schools up to Class VIII to be closed tomorrow and day after, due to severe smog conditions.All government and private schools will remain closed in Punjab, from November 9 to 11, in regards to the same.Earlier in the day, the chairman of NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) had issued specific instructions to the field officials to take all possible steps to reduce contribution of the highways sector towards air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.The steps to be taken by NHAI include: water sprinkling at all construction sites and camps, covering of all construction material / waste, including flyash, being transported in the Delhi NCR region, adherence to the air quality norms by all plants and machinery, covering of exposed soil, etcetera.He instructed the officials to inspect the construction sites regularly to ensure that all the pollution control measures are adhered to in a strict manner.A thick layer of smog has engulfed entire Delhi-NCR region since Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, the air quality index of Delhi's Lodhi Road area fell under 'severe' category with high particulate matter at 10 and 2.5.Considering the severe pollution levels, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Wednesday that all schools and colleges in Delhi will remain shut till Sunday due to alarming levels of pollution.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also on Wednesday sent a letter to chief ministers of neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states, urging them to work jointly to resolve the air pollution issue."We have to jointly work to resolve such issues in a spirit of mutual cooperation in larger public interest to improve the air quality. One of the main reasons of air pollution in the national capital is the stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana," the letter read.He also urged the chief ministers of the two states to conduct a meeting in the coming days over the issue.
Ex-WH national security adviser worries about legal exposure of his son

Washington D.C. [United States] November 9 : Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn has expressed worries about the potential legal exposure of his son, Michael Flynn Jr., who, like his father, is under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller.





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The special counsel is looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election campaign.Interviews conducted by special counsel investigators have included questions about the business dealings of Flynn and his son, reported CNN.Flynn Jr., who served as his father's chief of staff and top aide, was active in his father's consulting and lobbying work at their firm, Flynn Intel Group.Flynn's business dealings have been the subject of federal investigation since November 2016.Flynn is also under legal scrutiny by Mueller's team for undisclosed lobbying that he did during the presidential campaign on behalf of the Turkish Government, CNN reported.Former Trump campaign officials Paul Manafort and Rick Gates already face charges relating to their undisclosed foreign lobbying, for Ukraine.Special counsel Robert Mueller has interviewed several White House former and current officials, including former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and ex-White House press secretary Sean Spicer, according to the reports.
Himachal Assembly Polls: PM Modi appeals to cast vote

New Delhi , November 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed the voters of Himachal Pradesh to step out of their houses and vote in large numbers in the state assembly elections.

?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in recrod numbers. and mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2017





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The Prime Minister took to Twitter and said, "Today is a day of polling in God's land Himachal Pradesh. I appeal all the voters to participate in the celebrations of democracy and cast their votes in large numbers. Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in record numbers. (?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in recrod numbers.)"The polling in Himachal Pradesh for all the 68 constituencies begun at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m.Speaking about the Chief Ministerial candidates, Congress leader and incumbent Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is fighting against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prem Kumar Dhumal, two-time Chief Minister of the state, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting 42 seats, followed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), which is contesting 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each, and the CPI contesting three seats.The main focus of the BJP campaigning was the corruption, while the Congress hit out at the Opposition regarding the issues of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) and demonetisation.A total of 50, 25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote and the polling will take place at 7,525 booths with EVMs and VVPAT.The counting will be done on 18 December.
Hamilton not distracted by tax evasion charges

London [U.K.], Nov 9 : Mercedes racing driver and Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has said that the tax evasion allegations against him will not distract him from winning the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.





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Hamilton was recently named in a Paradise Papers leak case for avoiding paying taxes on his private jet through an elaborate scheme.He allegedly used an Isle of Man company to avoid paying a value added tax of 3.3 million pounds when he imported the aircraft into England in 2013 and is under investigation by the HM Revenue and Customs."Obviously right now, there is a bit of a storm surrounding me," The Guardian quoted Hamilton, as saying."There are many different stories around, but I don't have anything to add to the whole scenario that has happened. It doesn't distract me from my core values and also what I am here to do, which is to try and win the Brazilian Grand Prix for a second time in my life," he added.The Briton recently became the Formula One world champion for the fourth time after winning the Mexican Grand Prix recently.The 32-year-old said that by absorbing all positive energy, he will try to shine his light in Brazil as well."I have had this huge wave of positive energy and nothing can really dent that. I carry that here, and I am solely focused on trying to win the race this weekend," Hamilton said.The Brazilian Grand Prix will held on November 12.
Virbhadra certain of Congress victory in Himachal polls

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) , November 9 : Congress chief ministerial candidate Virbhadra Singh on Thursday said that he is certain of the party winning with full majority in the ongoing Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.





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The longest serving chief minister of the state, Singh told ANI: "We hope for the best. I am sure that the Congress party will be achieving full majority votes in the elections. The next government too will be of the Congress. I have a very long and successful political career.""The derogatory remark by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the Opposition does not suit him," he added.Singh has cast his vote along with his son Vikramaditya from Shimla.Singh is fighting against Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prem Kumar Dhumal, two-time Chief Minister of the state, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting 42 seats, followed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which is contesting 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each, and the CPI contesting three seats.The main focus of the BJP's campaign was corruption, while the Congress hit out at the Opposition regarding the issues of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation.A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their votes and the polling will take place at 7,525 booths with EVMs and VVPAT.The counting will be done on December 18.
Leg ulcers? Just sweat them out

Washington D.C. [USA], Nov 9 : Patients with leg ulcers, you may want to hit the gym as according to a recent study, exercise may help you heal faster.





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In the Sheffield Hallam University study of 39 patients with venous leg ulcers who were randomized to compression therapy plus supervised exercise (including aerobic, resistance and flexibility elements) or compression therapy only, ulcer healing time was lower in the exercise group (13 versus 35 weeks).Lead author Markos Klonizakis noted that the findings suggest that people with ulcers not only enjoy taking part in a supervised exercise scheme, staying in the programme until the end, but may also draw multiple benefits from it, offering reduction in treatment costs as well."Having proven that such a programme is workable for everyone involved, we will now seek funding to test the main study hypothesis in seven regions across England," Klonizakis added.The study appears in British Journal of Dermatology.
MoArmouz announces launch of new lightning to 3.5 mm audio jack with remote control for iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, 7, and 7 Plus

New Delhi , Nov 9 : MoArmouz has just announced a key enhancement of their impressive range of electronic accessories with the nationwide launch of the new Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Jack Charge Adapter.





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Founded in 2014, the company has already carved a niche in the domestic as well as international markets with their highly rated USB-C Hubs, adapters, cables, Apple MFI certified cables/adapters, Qualcomm certified car chargers, HDMI-certified cables, wireless speakers, and much more.The new product from MoArmouz is a must-have accessory for the users of the latest iPhone versions including iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.The new Audio Jack Charge Adapter from MoArmouz allows users to seamlessly connect their lightning devices to accessories equipped with 3.5 mm audio plug/charge. Using this multifunctional adapter, it becomes a breeze to charge the device and enjoy music at the same time.This functionality of the product will be particularly useful for the users of the recently released iPhone X as the highly sophisticated device comes without an audio jack.Some of the most important features of Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Jack Charge Adapter include:-Multifunctional port supporting functions such as charging, listening and data transmission.-Equipped with one function button for playing and pausing while listening to the music and for answering and disconnecting the call, and two more for increasing and decreasing the volume levels-The male port is compatible with headphones and the female supports charging and data transmission-The 3.5 mm jack delivers high-definition audios by enhancing the sound quality of iPhones from 16-bit/48 KHz to 24-bit/192 KHz. The audio range offered is 114-db.-Advanced WAKE technology for automatic detection of the insertion and removal of headphones.-With Apple MFI Certification, yields a stable system without any chance of compatibility error even if the OS of the iPhone is updated.-Aluminium housing for enhanced durability-Low power consumption of 10mW only-ASP support for up to 32-bit audio inputsAnnouncing the launch of the company's new product, one of the founder from MoArmouz Srucchi Goel mentioned, "We are extremely happy to announce the release of Lightning to 3.5mm Audio Jack with Remote Control. If you already have an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus, this is something you have been missing so far."As an introductory offer, the product is now available for a special price of Rs. 3999 including GST and nationwide shipping throughout India. Each buyer is also being offered 1-year warranty and premium customer support from the manufacturer.To order MoArmouz Lightning to 3.5mm Audio Jack Charge Adapter, please visit www.moarmouz.com. (ANI-NewsVoir)
NEORIS Drives Innovation and Gains Momentum in the Digital Transformation Space

Miami, United States : NEORIS, a global Digital Consulting Services company, announced the launch of CEMEX Go, one of its most important client projects in its history. CEMEX Go, an initiative of CEMEX, is the first-of-its-kind, fully digital customer integration platform.





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With a strong customer-centric approach, it allows customers to increase their productivity, make better business decisions, and have more control over their businesses.NEORIS played a critical role in the initiative by designing and developing the customer-centric strategy, as well as implementing the system.The joint effort between CEMEX and NEORIS is a step to advance the building materials industry to the interconnected business age."NEORIS has been a strategic ally for CEMEX, helping us to stay competitive in a rapidly shifting global marketplace," said Fernando A. Gonzalez, CEMEX CEO. "From the beginning, NEORIS has played a key role in the development of CEMEX Go. With multidisciplinary teams across the globe and an acute business consulting perspective, NEORIS has become one of the most successful providers in the digital transformation space."Martin Mendez, NEORIS CEO, said: "The CEMEX Go project adds momentum to our transformation as a digital consulting company. During this specific project, our objective was to help CEMEX create the best customer experience in its industry by revamping its commercial model and enabling it with the latest digital technologies."NEORIS is a leading global consultancy that unlocks business potential and drives digital innovation. NEORIS cultivates the knowledge of technology, people and design to enable the critical bridge connecting legacy technology to new digital solutions, through a holistic, scalable and sustainable customer-centric transformation. Headquartered in Miami, FL., NEORIS has a network of global delivery centers, design studios and operations in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.More information is available at http://www.neoris.com/usa/home/, on Facebook or Twitter @NEORIS
Economic Growth in the Alibaug Region will Benefit from Ro-Ro Services Linking it with SoBo, Dr Niranjan Hiranandani

Mumbai : Economic growth, as financial pundits tend to say, gets enhanced by better connectivity. Alibaug is fast emerging as the luxe-leisure spot in Mumbai's vicinity, and premium real estate development is all set to make its presence felt, economic growth will get a boost as enhanced connectivity through Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) ferry based connectivity reduces the travel time, and brings Alibaug closer to Mumbai.





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Growth of tourism in the Alibaug region has been one of the key initiatives of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and various steps to enhance connectivity between Mumbai and the jetty at Mandwa have been announced by the state government, Dr Niranjan Hiranandani Founder & CMD - Hiranandani Communities & National President - NAREDCO. The passenger terminal at Ferry Wharf for east coast inland water transport to Mandwa (Alibaug) is 'work in progress', and is expected to be completed in 2018. Roll on - Roll off ferry services, which will enable taking cars across from Mumbai - Alibaug will make things easier."Leisure, if defined as absence of 'work', in terms of Real Estate developments translates into the segment of weekend or second homes where one relaxes and is it leisure - i.e. residential, not being the 'first home'," said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani. "The economic success of any leisure themed location depends upon smooth connectivity. Alibaug offers everything that the prominent leisure destination on India's west coast, Goa has: sun, sand and the sea. It is located just a few hour's drive from Mumbai, and once the Ro-Ro ferry starts operations between South Mumbai (SoBo) and Alibaug, it will become even closer," he added.From Mumbai through Alibaug and beyond, in the Konkan Region, water linkages over the years have been restricted to passenger ferry services based on launches - but things are all set to change. Catamarans and Ferries along with new jetties and road connectivity will provide Mumbai and its neighbouring coastal areas with Ro-Ro ferry based connectivity, and water transport will be the infrastructure linkage that will ensure connectivity between South Mumbai and Alibaug."Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that sea-based Ro-Ro services would link South Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Alibaug; and that the services would start by end-2018. He added that the provision in this regard had been made in the new ports policy, which apart from ferries, also mentions catamaran and hovercraft services. This is definitely good news, and once this project being completed as per schedule, connectivity between South Mumbai and Alibaug will translate into a few minutes across the sea," said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani.Navi Mumbai and Panvel along with Alibaug have potential to develop into an economic powerhouse, and this sort of connectivity will provide a fillip to the positives that the Navi Mumbai Airport will bring to the region.In terms of enhanced connectivity, for a coastal city like Mumbai, the sea-based Ro-Ro services for connectivity to Mandwa would be an apt option, rather than the long, circuitous drive from SoBo via Sion and Panvel."From the perspective of connectivity between South Mumbai and Alibaug, the Ro-Ro ferry would be ideal; Mumbaikars could drive onto the Ro-Ro ferries at the New Ferry Wharf and a short sail later, drive off at Mandwa, bringing the hinterland of Alibaug closer to Mumbaikars. Better connectivity will result in higher tourism, giving the region's development as also the state's economy a fillip," said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani.It is not just leisure and tourism which will get a fillip; water-based transport linkages like the Ro-Ro would also result in better connectivity between Mumbai and other destinations in the Konkan region, through Mandwa/ Alibaug, said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani. "The Hon'ble Chief Minister said that water transport linking South Mumbai with Nerul will enhance connectivity with the Navi Mumbai airport," he added.Infrastructure growth in form of better connectivity, which includes new jetties, ferries and road linkages, will help develop coastal areas in Maharashtra from the economic perspective, while also giving a fillip to tourism development. This has the potential to create new development hubs in the Konkan region - while ensuring that Alibaug benefits from enhanced connectivity to South Mumbai," he concluded.Niranjan Hiranandani is Founder & MD, Hiranandani Group, his recent initiative is Hiranandani Communities. He is the President, National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), which works under the aegis of Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India.
Starr is Fully Committed to Singapore Insurance Market

Singapore : Starr Companies wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to the Singapore insurance market. While Starr has decided to discontinue underwriting new business through the Starr Singapore Underwriting Agents representing its Lloyds Syndicate 1919, Starr International Insurance Singapore Pte. (SIIS), established in 2012, continues to operate normally.





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Starr is fully committed to growing its Singapore based businesses through SIIS, which also serves as an important part of Starr's Asia Pacific insurance operations.Starr's Singapore based team underwrites a variety of commercial risks including, property, construction, power, engineering, marine, and liability. Additionally, Starr underwrites accident & health related insurance.About Starr CompaniesStarr Companies (Starr) is the worldwide marketing name for the operating insurance and travel assistance companies and subsidiaries of Starr International Company, Inc. and for the investment business of C.V. Starr & Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries.Starr is a leading insurance and investment organization with a presence on five continents; through its operating insurance companies, Starr provides property, casualty, and accident & health insurance products as well as a range of specialty coverages including aviation, marine, energy and excess casualty insurance.The following insurance company subsidiaries each have an A.M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent): Starr Indemnity & Liability Company, Starr Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Starr Syndicate Limited at Lloyd's of London, Starr International Insurance (Asia) Ltd., and Starr Insurance & Reinsurance Limited.For more information visit us at www.starrcompanies.com
Taro Provides Results for September 30, 2017

HAWTHORNE, N.Y., United States : November 7, 2017-- Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TARO) (Taro or the Company) provided unaudited financial results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017.





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Quarter ended September 30, 2017 Highlights - compared to September 30, 2016Net sales of $169.9 million decreased $58.9 million, the result of continuing increased competition and the challenging pricing environment; despite a slight increase in volumes.Gross profit of $125.1 million decreased $52.2 million, and as a percentage of net sales, was 73.6% compared to 77.5%.Research and development (R&D) expenses increased $3.2 million to $18.0 million.Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) decreased $2.5 million to $18.3 million.Operating income of $88.8 million decreased $52.8 million, or 52.3% of net sales compared to 61.9%.Net Income was unfavorably impacted by a $46.0 million fluctuation in foreign exchange (FX) from income of $13.4 million in 2016 to an expense of $32.6 million in 2017, principally the result of the strength of the Canadian dollar vs. U.S. dollar.Tax expense of $6.9 million decreased $28.7 million; with the effective tax rate of 11.5% compared to 22.3%.Net income attributable to Taro was $52.4 million compared to $123.7 million, a $71.3 million decrease, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $1.30 compared to $3.00.Six Months ended September 30, 2017 Highlights - compared to September 30, 2016Net sales of $331.2 million decreased $131.3 million, the result of continuing increased competition and the challenging pricing environment; despite an increase in volumes.Gross profit of $241.7 million decreased $118.4 million, and as a percentage of net sales, was 73.0% compared to 77.8%.R&D expenses of $32.7 million remained in line with prior year expenses with all of our activities, including clinical studies, proceeding according to plan.SG&A remained relatively flat at $42.6 million.Operating income of $166.4 million decreased $117.8 million, or 50.2% of net sales compared to 61.4%.Net Income was unfavorably impacted by a $59.7 million fluctuation in FX from income of $7.5 million in 2016 to an expense of $52.2 million in 2017, principally the result of the strength of the Canadian dollar vs. U.S. dollar.Tax expense of $16.9 million decreased $49.1 million; with the effective tax rate of 13.6% compared to 22.0%.Net income attributable to Taro was $106.9 million compared to $233.6 million, a $126.7 million decrease, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $2.65 compared to $5.59.Mr. Uday Baldota, Taro's CEO stated, "We continue to navigate the current industry challenges a increased competitive intensity, pressures from buying consortiums, and higher ANDA approval rates from the FDA. In order to deliver long-term performance and a quality pipeline of products, we continue our investment in R&D. In addition, given our strong cash position, we will continue to explore and evaluate business development opportunities that meet both our operational and financial targets."Cash Flow and Balance Sheet HighlightsCash flow provided by operations for the six months ended September 30, 2017, was $138.7 million compared to $192.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2016.As of September 30, 2017, cash, including short-term bank deposits and marketable securities (both short and long-term), increased $83.3 million to $1.5 billion from March 31, 2017. Cash reflects the $40.4 million impact from the Company's share repurchases.FDA Approvals and FilingsThe Company recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for the Abbreviated New Drug Application ("ANDA") Dapsone Gel, 5%. The Company currently has a total of thirty-two ANDAs awaiting FDA approval, including five tentative approvals.Company's Office Holders Compensation PolicyOn February 9, 2017, the Taro Board of Directors (the "Board"), based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board, and in accordance with Section 276A(c) of the Companies Law, approved a renewed version of the Company's Office Holders Compensation Policy (the "Policy"). Such approval made the Policy effective until it could be reconsidered by Taro's shareholders at the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.On November 7, 2017, the Board elected, with Taro's Compensation Committee recommendation, to extend its approval of the Policy until the 2018 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in order to permit additional time to address feedback from various stakeholders.Share Repurchase Program - Returning Capital to ShareholdersOn November 23, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a $250 million share repurchase of ordinary shares. Under this authorization, repurchases may be made from time to time at the Company's discretion, based on ongoing assessments of the capital needs of the business, the market price of its stock, and general market conditions. The repurchase authorization enables the Company to purchase its ordinary shares from time to time through open market purchases, negotiated transactions or other means, including 10b5-1 trading plans in accordance with applicable securities laws or other restrictions. During the current fiscal year, through October 31, 2017, the Company has repurchased 410,664 shares at an average price of $103.79. Under this program, in total, the Company has repurchased 929,629 shares, with $153.1 million remaining under the authorization. On November 7, 2017, the Board extended the share repurchase program for one year.Earnings Call(8:00 am EST, November 8, 2017)As previously announced, the Company will host an earnings call at 8:00 am EST on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, where senior management will discuss the Company's performance and answer questions from participants. This call will be accessible through an audio dial-in and a web-cast. Audio conference participants can dial-in on the numbers below:Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: +1 (844) 421-0601 ID: 4298818Participant International Dial-In Number: +1 (716) 247-5800 ID: 4298818Audio web-cast: Details are provided on our website, www.taro.comTo participate in the audio call, please dial the numbers provided above five to ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. The operator will provide instructions on asking questions before the call. The transcript of the event will be available on the Company's website at www.taro.com.The Company cautions that the foregoing financial information is presented on an unaudited basis and is subject to change.
EMQ Partners with WeChat Pay HK to Expand Remittance Services in Southeast Asia

Hong Kong : EMQ, a Fintech innovator with an extensive remittance network in Asia, today announced its extended partnership with WeChat Pay HK, a payment service provider and a stored-value facility licensee in Hong Kong, to expand its remittance services in Indonesia.





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The newly launched Indonesia corridor is building on the success of the Philippines corridor, which has been fully deployed and operational since early this year."Both Philippines and Indonesia are currently among the top 10 largest recipients of remittances according to the World Bank, with millions of households relying on the financial support of the overseas workers," said Max Liu, Co-founder and CEO of EMQ. "We are proud to support and partner with Tencent's WeChat Pay HK in making the services more accessible and inclusive to the hard-working overseas workers leveraging our extensive remittance network in Asia."Powered by EMQ's scalable API platform, the partnership enables WeChat Pay HK to simplify the remittance process by allowing the overseas workers in Hong Kong to send money via a smart phone, providing a faster and seamless money transfer experience, while helping to drive greater financial inclusion across the Philippines and Indonesia. The Filipinos and Indonesians who live and work away from home can now use WeChat Pay HK to enjoy a full range of pay-out options including instant cash pickup, bank deposits to any bank, or mobile wallet wherever they are to support their families in hometown.EMQ currently has footprint in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, with plans underway to expand across other key business markets first in Asia and then globally, covering North America, Europe and the Middle East. The company received its Fund Transfer Operator license from Bank Indonesia in March 2017.About EMQHeadquartered in Hong Kong, EMQ is a financial technology startup that is building a financial network across Asia with a focus on remittance. With a footprint across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, the company partners with financial institutions and other strategic partners in each country to enable and settle cross-border remittance via banks and various modes for top-up and last mile delivery.
Speedcast and SES Networks Partner in Latin America to Provide Fibre-like Connectivity

Sydney, Australia and Betzdorf, Luxembourg : Speedcast, a leader in providing highly reliable, fully managed, remote communication and IT solutions, and SES, the world-leading satellite operator, announced today an agreement to provide several hundreds of Mbps of connectivity into Peru.





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This is the first agreement between the companies in Latin America to provide Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) capacity with high throughput capabilities and low latency. The agreement marks the fourth MEO national partnership between Speedcast and SES Networks.The agreement enables Speedcast to provide network services to mobile network operators (MNOs) and enterprise customers in areas of Peru where high performance internet is in high demand and short supply, enabling a host of latency-sensitive and bandwidth-hungry applications.By utilising SES's O3b constellationathe only satellite system with the high throughput and low latency required for broadband, 4G/LTE and cloud services a Speedcast will deliver internet performance, customer support, and integration with their customers' networks on par with terrestrial fibre in the region. Speedcast is able to supply this 24/7/365 day support through its network of more than 250 field engineers."Our unique low-latency, high throughput connectivity will help Speedcast achieve its goal of providing fibre-like connectivity and a premium experience to customers," said Omar Trujillo, Vice President of Sales for Latin America at SES Networks. "We are proud of our strong relationship with Speedcast, and pleased to help support the continued growth of its capabilities and infrastructure in the region.""Speedcast is happy to deliver a new level of performance for enterprises in Peru," said Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO at SpeedCast. "The added support from SES Networks' services will allow us to provide enterprises with the critical high-demand communications capabilities necessary to operate with speed and efficiency in today's technology-driven market. Speedcast is building the fibre, the radio links, and WiFi to extend the signal to the end users. It was a pleasure to work with SES Networks on this project as it was a real team effort."
Toyota Celebrates 60 Years in the U.S

PLANO, Texas: When Toyota launched its North American headquarters in a Hollywood, Calif., dealership on October 31, 1957, it was, no doubt, a frightening affair.





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Halloween notwithstanding, a Japanese car company making a foray into the U.S. market was a bold move 60 years ago. And its first vehicle, the Toyopet Crown, didn't turn out to be a screaming success either.But since those humble beginnings in a 3,000-square-foot, one-time Rambler dealership, Toyota has woven itself into the cultural fabric of America. Sixty years in, it encompasses a presence in every state, including 10 manufacturing facilities (14 in North America), nearly 1,500 Toyota and Lexus dealerships and 136,000 direct, dealer and supplier U.S. employees. And, the company recently unified operations by bringing together its quality engineering, sales, marketing, financial services and corporate functions in one location at a new North America headquarters campus in Plano, Texas."Celebrating our anniversary isn't just about the products we've sold the past 60 years," said Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz. "It's also about celebrating Toyota's thousands of employees who will help the company embark on the next leg of its American journey and continuing to improve our products and services for our customers."To commemorate its 60th anniversary, Toyota rededicated a 50th anniversary time capsule originally dedicated at its former Torrance, Calif., headquarters in 2007. The capsuleawhich includes items like a 2000 GT die cast matchbox edition model car, an original key for a 1977 Toyota Hilux truck and a Toyota Formula One racer scale modelawill be re-opened on the 100th anniversary in 2057. Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, who attended the ceremony, said the capsule marks a new chapter for Toyota."As Toyota moved their North American corporate offices to Plano over the last three years, the entire region has experienced the positive impact of their team members unique character and culture. The entire organization exhibits a sense of purpose, innovation, and family. We are proud they call Plano home, and we are honored to be part of today's anniversary celebration," LaRosiliere said. "We look forward to the next 60 years with Toyota in the City of Plano."The MetalToyota's American journey has been fueled by the cars it makes. In the 1950s that meant the Toyopet Crown and the now-legendary Land Cruiser. Introduced in the '60s, the Corolla would go on to become the bestselling nameplate in the world.The '70s got sporty with the Celica and the beloved ASupra, while the '80s introduced the American public to Camry and 4Runner, among others.In 1989, Toyota launched its luxury vehicle division, Lexus, in the U.S. with two models, the LS 400 and ES 250.In the '90s, Toyota filled out its lineup with models like the Tacoma, RAV4, Avalon and Sienna, and from Lexus, the GS, LX and RX.In 2003, Toyota launched Scion to bring in younger customers and to test out revolutionary processes and products. As a result, the xB became an icon for a new millennium.And, Toyota changed the world by pushing hybrid technology into the American mainstream with the Prius, which surfaced in 1997 and launched in the U.S. in 2000. More than a decade later, the iconic Prius was followed by another alternative fuel vehicle, the hydrogen fuel cell powered Mirai.Manufacturing, Engineering and Captive FinanceThe '70s were critical to operations. Toyota marked its first U.S. production, signing Atlas Fabricators of Long Beach (later changed to TABC) to make truck beds. Toyota Technical Center, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary in May, opened its first U.S. R&D facility and Calty Design Research opened its doors in Southern California.Growth continued into the '80s with the launch of manufacturing facilities in California and Kentucky. In addition, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (now known as Toyota Financial Services), began operations in the U.S. in October 1982.In the '90s and '00s, Toyota added vehicle and parts plants in Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri and Mississippi. To support the rapid growth, Toyota consolidated its R&D and manufacturing operations under a single company in 2006.The FutureOver the years, Toyota Motor North America has transformed from just a sales company into a mobility company.In 2016, the Toyota Research Institute launched, leading the way to autonomous vehicles, robotics, vehicle safety and materials science. In the same year, Toyota Connected was created to use data to personalize the customer driving experience.What started as a single store in Southern California has evolved into an American institution that continues to bring jobs, mobility and technology to its communities.
Sanya Serenity Coast Donates Money Raised at a Charity Sale Event to UNICEF

CAPE TOWN, South Africa: Berthed in the harbor of Cape Town and overlooked by its iconic Table Mountain, the Sanya Serenity Coast yacht hosted an Open Day of Clipper Round the World on Oct. 29 local time.





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The Open Day was highly welcomed by local citizens and tourists in Cape Town, who lined up early for a chance to visit the ship. The charity sale of the yacht crew uniforms got wild support from the visitors! Nicky, a family member of our crew, hosted the charity sale and stated: "Under the support of Sanya Municipal Government, China, we organized this event and we will donate the proceeds to UNICEF to help more children in need."The charity sale event raised 12,000 RMB, all of which was immediately donated to UNICEF, the Clipper Race's official charity partner. The charity event also promoted the image of China's Sanya City to the world.
University of New Haven Hacking Team Competes Nationally After Winning Regional, Connecticut Competitions

WEST HAVEN, Conn: A group of computer science and cyber security majors from the Tagliatela College of Engineering at the University of New Haven will be among 10 teams from major schools around the country competing in the national Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition at the Rochester Institute of Technology later this week.





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The University of New Haven fended off teams from Drexel and Carnegie Mellon, one of the top universities worldwide in cyber security and technology education, among others to advance through the regional competition hosted recently on the campus of Penn State.As part of the 48-hour competition, the students performed penetration testing for a fictional company -- Gotham Elections. They met with individuals playing the role of company staff and spent the next eight to nine hours attempting to compromise various devices on the company's network and documenting their findings. The team then had until eight the next morning to prepare a comprehensive report and a presentation."Experiences like this are a great opportunity for our students to practice their hacking skills, compete with other teams, and learn about professional penetration testing," said team advisor Frank Breitinger, assistant professor of computer science and co-director of the University of New Haven's Cyber Forensics Laboratory. "These events offer great opportunities to network with potential future employers. Making it to the nationals is a tremendous success for a small university like ours."The University of New Haven team also this month placed second of 23 teams at CyberSEED, a national cyber security conference hosted by the University of Connecticut. The team won $7,500, finishing behind Central Florida, which came in first and won $10,000.
Cambium Networks Celebrates Six Years in Operation

ROLLING MEADOWS, Illinois: Cambium Networks, a leading global provider of wireless networking solutions, is marking its sixth year providing wireless communication systems to network operators and industrial and enterprise customers around the world.





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"The demand for broadband connectivity continues to grow," said Atul Bhatnagar, President and CEO of Cambium Networks. "Customers have tested Cambium solutions, have experienced the affordable quality that they deliver, and are integrating the technology into their end-to-end connectivity. Each day we learn from our customers and are investing to develop the solutions that will be needed in the years to come."Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/594034/Cambium_Networks_logo.jpgOver its six years in operation, Cambium Networks has achieved many milestones to increase the performance of wireless connectivity while reducing the cost.a14x14 Massive MU-MIMO connectivity to provide industry-leading Gigabit throughput in a small amount of RF spectrumaCloud-based or on-premise end-to-end wireless network management to speed deployment and increase the quality of serviceaCost-effective distribution networks with interference tolerance and scalability for rural connectivity applicationsaExtending indoor and outdoor enterprise Wi-Fi networks to provide high-capacity coverageRecently recognized by the Wireless ISP Association as the Manufacturer of the Year and for Product of the Year and Service of the Year, Cambium Networks works closely with service providers around the world, donating connectivity solutions to support education and aid agencies and families in the wake of disaster. Wireless broadband equipment provided by Cambium Networks has made a difference in peoples' lives in the following situations:aRapidly building an indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi network to connect refugees in Greece through a partnership with Disaster Tech LabaConnecting schools and relief centers in the remote outback in AustraliaaEnabling a library and community center in poverty-stricken remote rural IllinoisaRapid deployment of broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity in the wake of Hurricane Harvey
Bone Marrow Protein May be Target for Improving Stem Cell Transplants

PHILADELPHIA: Bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells, the precursors to every blood cell type. These cells spring into action following bone marrow transplants, bone marrow injury and during systemic infection, creating new blood cells, including immune cells, in a process known as hematopoiesis.





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A study by Penn Dental Medicine and Technical University of Dresden has identified an important regulator of this process, a protein called Del-1. Targeting it, the researchers noted, could potentially improve stem cell transplants for both donors and recipients. There may also be ways to modulate levels of Del-1 in patients with certain blood cancers to enhance immune cell production. The findings are reported in The Journal of Clinical Investigation."Because the hematopoietic stem cell niche is so important for the creation of bone marrow and blood cells and because Del-1 is a soluble protein and easily manipulated, one can see that it could be a target in many potential applications," said senior author George Hajishengallis, Thomas W. Evans Centennial Professor of Microbiology at Penn Dental Medicine.For Hajishengallis, the route to studying Del-1 in bone marrow began in his field of dental medicine. Working with co-senior author Triantafyllos Chavakis, he had identified Del-1 as a potential drug target for gum disease after finding that it prevents inflammatory cells from moving into the gums.Both of their labs had discovered that Del-1 was also expressed in bone marrow and began following up to see its function there. Their work revealed that Del-1 was expressed by at least three cell types in the bone marrow and promoted proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, sending more of these progenitor cells down a path toward becoming myeloid cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils.Hajishengallis and Chavakis see potential applications in bone marrow and stem cell transplants. In donors, blocking the interaction between Del-1 and hematopoietic stem cells could be helpful for increasing donor cell numbers for transplantation. On the other hand, transplant recipients may need enhanced Del-1 interaction to ensure the transplanted cells engraft and begin making new blood cells more rapidly."It's easy to think of practical applications," said Hajishengallis. "Now we need to find out whether it works in practice, so our studies continue."The study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, European Commission, European Research Council and National Institutes of Health (grants AI068730, DE024153, DE024716, DE0152 54 and DE026152).
Quebec City - UNESCO City of Literature

QUABEC CITY: Quebec City and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO are pleased to announce that the city has been designated a City of Literature by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. Quebec City is the first French-speaking city to earn this distinction.





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"Quebec City is the cradle of French-language culture in North America. It's a creative city on the move, and its rich literary life reflects the French-speaking, English-speaking, and Indigenous people who live here," said Regis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City. "The city is currently home to 200 authors and over 100 organizations, publishers, and booksellers that are driving the literary revival in Quebec. Thanks to them, we're able to demonstrate our creative leadership as a UNESCO City of Literature.""Here in Quebec City, we embody and are proud to promote the accent d'Amerique," said Julie Lemieux, vice chair of the executive committee responsible for culture, heritage, and urban planning. "This recognition from UNESCO affirms Quebec City's position as a leader in library sciences, technoculture, and digital innovation and cements our status as a literary capital on the world stage.""We're thrilled Quebec City has been welcomed into this prestigious international network," said Christina Cameron, president of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. "Contributing to culture and creativity is key to sustainable urban development, and we're thrilled with the great work Quebec City's literary community has done on this front."Quebec City's application highlighted:aThe success of the Quebec City public library network (4.2 million books borrowed each year)aMaison de la litterature's contribution to the vitality of the city's literary communityaInnovative digital media companies in the book industry and creative writing organizationsaThe Literary and Historical Society of Quebec (Morrin Centre) and Aditions Hannenorak, a publisher devoted exclusively to Indigenous authorsaThe option to pursue graduate studies at Universite Laval, one of the few universities to offer a doctoral program in creative writing
CyrusOne Breaks Ground on New Data Center Campus in Allen

ALLEN, Texas: CyrusOne, a premier global data center REIT, broke ground Thursday morning on the first phase of their newest data center campus. The project is the first to be constructed by the company from the ground-up in North Texas and is located near the intersection of Stacy Road and Chelsea Boulevard in Allen.





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"We couldn't be more excited to be here to ground break on our latest, state-of-the-art data center in Allen," CyrusOne Executive Vice President and General Counsel Robert Jackson said. "Throughout this process everyone with the city and Allen's Economic Development team was a pleasure to work with and we're grateful that we could together bring this opportunity to fruition."The site's first data center will total 340,000 square feet and upon completion, the campus' three data centers will offer more than 100 megawatts of available power. The Allen facility will bring CyrusOne's total footprint in Texas to over 1.7 million square feet. The company is a global owner and operator of enterprise data centers, which are necessary to meet the ever-increasing demand for data storage in today's business and high-tech world.Allen Mayor Stephen Terrell welcomed the company to the city, noting that the facility's environmentally friendly design minimizes the use of natural resources and has nominal impact to city services. "We appreciate CyrusOne locating a facility in Allen that will provide a great deal of additional sales and property taxes, which greatly benefits our city and schools." he said.According to CyrusOne, the new site represents the next step in the company's long-term expansion plan and was selected because of its proximity to Dallas, access to energy sources and high-speed connectivity capabilities.Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Director Dan Bowman spoke of the board's excitement regarding data centers. "A number of years ago, Cisco validated our market by locating a $500 million production data center on a site just south of this project," he explained. "That decision set the stage for this current project, which could be roughly a billion-dollar investment. It's a huge boon for our economy, a strong community partnership, and a great example of the way we do business in Allen."
Brett Stratton joins NAI Northern California as Managing Director in Oakland to lead growth in the East Bay

SAN FRANCISCO: NAI Northern California is pleased to announce that Brett Stratton has joined as Managing Director based at the firm's downtown Oakland office.





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Brett brings over 20 years of real estate industry experience on a national level including multifamily investment properties, contract negotiations, and brokerage operations. His previous background includes roles with startups Owners.com and Movoto as well as real estate players like KB Home and Coldwell Banker."With demand and prices on the rise in Oakland and other cities throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties, NAI Northern California is really focused on growing our service coverage to meet the market. Brett's real estate experience and team building expertise will definitely be key in driving exponential market share growth throughout the East Bay," remarks NAI Northern California President, James Kilpatrick.NAI Northern California's momentum in the East Bay Area is already gaining this year. The brokerage closed just over $93 million in real estate transactions across the East Bay Area in 2016. Already in 2017, the team has nearly doubled sales volume in the region to over $173 million year to date.
Walker and Dunlop Adds Real Estate Finance Professional in Dallas

BETHESDA, Md: Walker and Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE: WD) (the Company) announced today that it has hired Chris Harris as senior vice president in its Capital Markets group. Based out of the Company's Dallas, Texas office, Mr. Harris is primarily responsible for nationwide structured finance and equity placement.





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During his career, Mr. Harris has been responsible for over $14 billion in equity and debt financings for conventional multifamily, student housing, and affordable housing properties throughout the United States.Bill Wein, senior vice president and chief production officer, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Walker & Dunlop team! Chris has an exceptional reputation nationally in the real estate and financing community for sourcing, structuring and closing real estate development and acquisition transactions, which makes him a great fit for our Capital Markets platform. Even as we have seen incredible growth in both the number of bankers and brokers on our team and our total transaction volume, we have remained focused on our clients' needs above all else, which has led to continued growth and success for our platform."Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, Mr. Harris was a principal and chief financial officer at Criterion Development Partners, LLC where he was responsible for finance, accounting, planning, investor relations, and risk management. Before Criterion, Mr. Harris was employed by FirstWorthing where he served as executive vice president, chief financial officer, and partner. Mr. Harris is a graduate of the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and currently serves on the advisory board of The Margaret and Robert Folsom Institute for Real Estate at SMU and is a member of National Multifamily Housing Council.In the second quarter of 2017, Walker & Dunlop originated a record $1.9 billion of brokered loans, bringing its year to date brokered originations to $3.3 billion through June 30, 2017.
Didier Reynders talks at the United Nations

BRUSSELS: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders took the floor today during an open debate of the UN Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict. Minister Reynders was invited to take part in this debate, opened to countries who do not sit at the Security Council, by France's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.





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In the run-up to his intervention, Didier Reynders co-chaired yesterday an event on the release and reintegration in society of children who have been part of armed forces or armed groups. Belgium organized this event in collaboration with UNICEF, represented by its Executive Director Anthony Lake, and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflicts Virginia Gamba.In his opening remarks, Didier Reynders deplored the fact that children are still disproportionally affected by armed conflicts. In Yemen, as an example, the United Nations verified 1,340 child casualties.The Minister underlined that prevention, including education, was the only sustainable solution for this issue. He expressed also his concerns regarding the worsening impact of violent extremism on children.Reintegration in society is essential. The Minister referred in this regard to the high level meeting which Belgium organized last year in New York in the presence of Queen Mathilde. This meeting made possible an exchange of best practices on psychosocial rehabilitation and the social integration of children who have been involved in conflicts.Didier Reynders concluded his intervention noting that Belgium was committed to remain active on this issue.During his visit to the United Nations, the Minister also participated in a meeting of the Security Council on the set-up of a joint force by five countries in the Sahel region to fight against transnational terrorism and trafficking (G5 Sahel). This force will be complementary to the United Nations' Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and to the European Union's training mission for the Malian Armed Forces (EUTM), both of which are led by Belgian generals.The Minister also had contacts with ambassadors of a number of geographical groups. He spoke to them about peacekeeping in Africa, the support to countries affected by natural disasters, the fight against racism and the situation in the Middle-East.
Galerie Adds New Executive Leadership to Meet Evolving Marketplace

HEBRON, Ky: Galerie, Founder Richard Ross announced today the addition of two key members of his executive team, Richard Reilly, president, and Phillip Schneider Jr., executive vice president, to meet the evolving market needs in support of their clients, licensors and consumers. Mr. Ross will remain with the company as chief executive officer.





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Richard Reilly joins the company with an extensive 26 year experience in the confectionery industry. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Reilly served as president of Kinnerton UK. Under his leadership, the company doubled in size, increased market share, improved speed to market by getting closer to the consumer and effectively leveraged license relationships to align with market demand. In addition, Mr. Reilly was instrumental in developing a global supply chain to capture best in class solutions that enhanced capacity planning and delivered innovation that resulted in enhanced client experience and business results. Mr. Ross stated, "we are so fortunate to have such a talented, seasoned, industry veteran join our company to help ensure that we are making the right strategic investments to support the rapidly changing market in support of our clients."In addition, the company has added Phillip Schneider Jr. as executive vice president of Sales, Marketing and Licensing. Mr. Schneider joins the company with extensive experience in leading transformational growth. Prior to Galerie, Mr. Schneider, spent 24 years with Cintas Corporation in multiple roles including leading and driving growth strategies to support the launch of new business services entered by the company to its national accounts, along with developing and driving the launch of new vertical go to market strategies to capitalize on companies' strengths. Mr. Ross stated, "Phil's experience in leading sales/marketing teams, along with his ability to evolve our go to market approach as our customer needs change, will be a great asset."
Second of Seven Iranian Baha'i Leaders Released from Prison

WASHINGTON: On October 31, 2017, Baha'i prisoner of conscience Fariba Kamalabadi was released from Evin prison in Tehran, Iran. Mrs. Kamalabadi was held in prison for nearly a decade.





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Mrs. Kamalabadi, 55, is one of seven Baha'i leaders who were arrested in 2008 for tending to the administrative affairs of their community. In September, her colleague and cellmate Mrs. Mahvash Sabet was released from prison, and the releases of the remaining five are expected over the coming year.Mrs. Kamalabadi and her imprisoned companions have drawn the admiration and attention of Senator John McCain, actor Rainn Wilson, Roxana Saberi, a journalist who was imprisoned with her, and Faezeh Hashemi, daughter of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsjani. Mrs. Kamalabadi worked as a developmental psychologist before her arrest and imprisonment. She is also married with children."Along with the deprivations of imprisonment itself, Mrs. Kamalabadi was also deprived of irreplaceable family moments, including the birth of her first grandchild and the weddings of her daughters," said Anthony Vance, Director of Public Affairs for the Baha'is of the United States."While we are pleased to welcome Mrs. Kamalabadi home," Mr. Vance continued, "we are also eagerly awaiting the release of her remaining five companions. This is to say nothing of the over 90 other Baha'i prisoners of conscience, and, indeed, the ongoing harassment of the Baha'is in Iran."Several Baha'is were arrested in Iran last week at celebrations for the bicentenary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of their religion.
Extended Stay: Quest Apartment Hotels Unveils Ambitious UK Expansion Plans

LONDON: Quest Apartment Hotels, Australasia's largest and fastest growing apartment hotel operator, has marked the start of its ambitious UK expansion plans, announcing it has signed its first site in Liverpool's city centre with a GBP10m investment.





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Established by entrepreneur Paul Constantinou nearly 30 years ago in Melbourne, the 160 strong Quest Apartment Hotels portfolio has made its name by offering a 'home away from home' to extended stay business travellers in key cities, regional towns and suburban locations across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. With 27 properties currently in the pipeline and 12 under construction in its home markets - the brand plans to apply its successful model to open ten properties across the country in the next five years.Quest Liverpool City Centre will open in 2019 and is located on Church Street along one of the city's biggest retail strips and adjacent to the landmark Liverpool ONE complex. The building itself is a 1980s commercial office building with retail on the ground and first floors. Quest will convert the existing vacant office space on levels two, three and four and construct additional levels five and six, creating 100 serviced apartments, reception, conference room, gym and back-of-house facilities.The announcement comes on the back of new figures from the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) and hotel global benchmarking company STR which shows health and expansion in the sector this year.Andrew Weisz, Director of UK Development at Quest said: "Hospitality brands have a huge role to play in opening up City Centre locations for business again, but against a backdrop of economic uncertainty - it is clear that businesses want to spend travel budgets wisely. We've immersed ourselves in the UK market in recent months and can see the potential for the aggressive expansion of both our brand and the apartment hotel industry here."Encouraged by the government's Northern Powerhouse strategy, the brand has chosen Liverpool as the home of its first property outside Australasia.Michael Ward, British Consul-General and Director General, UK Department for International Trade, Australia and New Zealand said: "We're delighted to have been working with Quest on their UK expansion plans. In the past 12 months alone, DIT has assisted over 100 Australian businesses expand to the UK - more than ever before - an indication of both the ongoing strength of the UK economy and the high level of interest in the UK market from innovative Australasian companies."
American Legion National Commander issues condolences to New York City terrorist victims

INDIANAPOLIS: American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan issued the following statement regarding today's truck attack in New York City.





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"Today's senseless attack upon innocent civilians is just another reminder of why The American Legion is fully committed to defeating terrorism," Rohan said."We have always maintained that it will be a long protracted struggle but we must support our men and women in the military and in law enforcement. The first responders again performed admirably and we are grateful to the brave officers who stopped the attack. We pray for the victims and their families."
Unrest in Cameroon's Anglophone regions sends thousands fleeing to Nigeria - UN agency

NEW YORK: The United Nations refugee agency is scaling up efforts with partners to provide humanitarian assistance to thousands of Cameroonians who have fled violence in that country's Anglophone regions to south-eastern Nigeria.





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"UNHCR [the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees] is working with the Nigerian Government and other UN agencies on a contingency plan, readying humanitarian assistance for up to 40,000 people crossing into Nigeria," Babar Baloch, spokesperson for UNHCR, told reporters Tuesday at the regular press briefing in Geneva.However, he pointed out that "our fear is that 40,000 might actually be a conservative figure in a situation where the conflict might continue."UNHCR and its Nigeria teams are currently evaluating the situation in various locations in south-eastern Nigeria and have registered some 2,000 people so far.Additional 3,000 are awaiting registration, while more people might be stranded in forests in Cameroon when trying to cross the border.Moreover, the UN agency has distributed relief items such as mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, hygiene kits, as well as 40 tons of food in Nigeria's Cross River state."The current influx of Cameroonians seeking refuge in Nigeria poses additional challenges to the international community and a burden to an already stretched assistance," Mr. Baloch explained.Nigeria and Cameroon are already grappling with one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with 2.5 million people displaced by Boko Haram insurgency, according to UNHCR.Cameroon's Anglophone regions have seen multiple strikes and demonstrations over the past year as tensions have mounted over what the country's English-speakers see as discrimination against them in favour of the majority French-speaking population.
LKKHPG Wins the First 'Best Companies to Work for in Asia' Award in the Chinese Mainland

SHANGHAI: LKK Health Products Group (LKKHPG) was named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2017 in the Chinese Mainland by HR Asia, an authoritative publication for HR professionals. The award ceremony was held in Shanghai on October 27, 2017.





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LKKHPG has been honored with this award for Hong Kong for two consecutive years. Winning the first-ever Chinese Mainland award further demonstrates LKKHPG's outstanding performance in employer branding.The "Best Companies to Work for in Asia" campaign is one of the most influential corporate management awards in Asia. LKKHPG was one of the 28 qualified companies this year out of the 158 nominees across 20 industries in the Mainland, based on essential criteria including working environment, HR practices, employee engagement and job satisfaction.The award was judged by an independent panel based on the Workplace and Employee Input Survey (EIS) and the Workplace and Employee Engagement Survey (WEES). "This unique combination of employee-driven endorsement and measurable judging yardsticks both eliminates the inherent bias of a judging committee, and sets the Award apart from the other programs in the market." Mr. William NG, Group Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Business Media International said.Through the anonymous survey conducted among the employees drawn randomly from the participating companies, LKKHPG received high scores in all dimensions, which meant its employees highly recognized the company in the aspects including job satisfaction, sense of ownership, good relationship with colleagues & superiors, long-term growth potential & opportunity, innovation encouragement, motivation empowered from recognition, proactivity in discovering employees' talents, thinking beyond policies and establishment of a balanced work-life culture.Mr. David Zhang, Senior Vice President of LKKHPG, said when receiving the award, "I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all colleagues. With adherence to our core values of 'Si Li Ji Ren', their persistent efforts make us achieve this recognition. Also, I would like to thank HR Asia for their professional evaluation and accreditation. We always value our employees as the most important asset. We will keep going forward to make the company a better workplace full of happiness."
An experimental "golden" potato could hold the power to prevent disease and death in developing countries where residents rely heavily upon the starchy food for sustenance, new research suggests.

A serving of the yellow-orange lab-engineered potato has the potential to provide as much as 42 percent of a child's recommended daily intake of vitamin A and 34 percent of a child's recommended intake of vitamin E, according to a recent study co-led by researchers at The Ohio State University.

Women of reproductive age could get 15 percent of their recommended vitamin A and 17 percent of recommended vitamin E from that same 5.3 ounce (150 gram) serving, the researchers concluded.

The study appears in the journal PLOS ONE.

Potato is the fourth most widely consumed plant food by humans after rice, wheat and corn, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is a staple food in some Asian, African and South American countries where there is a high incidence of vitamin A and vitamin E deficiencies.

"More than 800,000 people depend on the potato as their main source of energy and many of these individuals are not consuming adequate amounts of these vital nutrients," said study author Mark Failla, professor emeritus of human nutrition at Ohio State.

"These golden tubers have far more vitamin A and vitamin E than white potatoes, and that could make a significant difference in certain populations where deficiencies - and related diseases - are common," said Failla, a member of Ohio State's Foods for Health Discovery Theme.

Vitamin A is essential for vision, immunity, organ development, growth and reproductive health. And Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children. Vitamin E protects against oxidative stress and inflammation, conditions associated with damage to nerves, muscles, vision and the immune system.

In Failla's lab, researchers created a simulated digestive system including a virtual mouth, stomach and small intestine to determine how much provitamin A and vitamin E could potentially be absorbed by someone who eats a golden potato. Provitamin A carotenoids are converted by enzymes into vitamin A that the body can use. Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments that provide yellow, red and orange colors to fruits and vegetables. They are essential nutrients for animals and humans.

"We ground up boiled golden potato and mimicked the conditions of these digestive organs to determine how much of these fat-soluble nutrients became biologically available," he said.

The main goal of the work was to examine provitamin A availability. The findings of the high content and availability of vitamin E in the golden potato were an unanticipated and pleasant surprise, Failla said.

The golden potato, which is not commercially available, was metabolically engineered in Italy by a team that collaborated with Failla on the study. The additional carotenoids in the tuber make it a more nutritionally dense food with the potential of improving the health of those who rely heavily upon potatoes for nourishment.

While plant scientists have had some success cross-breeding other plants for nutritional gain, the improved nutritional quality of the golden potato is only possible using metabolic engineering - the manipulation of plant genes in the lab, Failla said.

While some object to this kind of work, the research team stresses that this potato could eventually help prevent childhood blindness and illnesses and even death of infants, children and mothers in developing nations.

"We have to keep an open mind, remembering that nutritional requirements differ in different countries and that our final goal is to provide safe, nutritious food to 9 billion people worldwide," said study co-author Giovanni Giuliano of the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development at the Casaccia Research Center in Rome.

Failla said "hidden hunger" - deficiencies in micronutrients - has been a problem for decades in many developing countries because staple food crops were bred for high yield and pest resistance rather than nutritional quality.

"This golden potato would be a way to provide a much more nutritious food that people are eating many times a week, or even several times a day," he said.
An analysis of the medical records of patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for an often-mysterious condition involving damage to small nerve fibers supports the hypothesis that some cases are caused by autoimmune disease and also identifies the first effective treatment option. This report on 55 patients diagnosed with what appears to be autoimmune small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) finds that treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, used to treat other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, provided symptom relief and improved nerve function for most patients, allowing some to discontinue treatment.

"This is a proof-of-concept finding that dampening the body's immune system may be safe and effective for treating apparently autoimmune SFPN, a condition that most patients don't even know they have," says Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, director of the Nerve Unit in the MGH Department of Neurology and the senior author of a paper receiving advance online publication in Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders. "This is the first treatment that has the potential to actually improve the nerve damage, not just block symptoms with drugs such as opioids that don't address its cause."

SFPN involves widespread damage to the tiny nerve fibers that carry pain signals and control internal functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and sweating. Patients often develop chronic pain, fatigue, weakness or fainting when standing, rapid heart rate or gastrointestinal problems. Common causes of SFPN include diabetes and chemotherapy-induced nerve damage, but this paper studied some of the 30 to 50 percent in whom no cause is found when they are first evaluated, leading to a diagnosis of "idiopathic" SFPN. Studies from Oaklander's group and others have suggested that some such patients have a previously undiscovered autoimmune condition.

In a 2013 study published in Pediatrics, Oaklander's team reported the first evidence that SFPN commonly affects children and adolescents. While these otherwise healthy young people didn't have any medical explanation for their neuropathy, the researchers noted that many had personal or family histories of autoimmune illness or blood test evidence of immune/inflammatory activation. This and other evidence led the team to propose the existence of apparently autoimmune SFPN (aaSFPN), in which the immune system directly attacks small nerve fibers. Several other types of nerve damage, including Guillain-Barre syndrome, are caused by autoimmune attack against large nerve fibers, and systemic autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have been linked to SFPN, lending a solid basis to the hypothesis.

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The 2013 Pediatrics study also reported that treatment with steroid drugs or immunoglobulins improved 12 of 15 treated patients. Steroids had been found helpful in a few other published cases, but since their long-term use cause significant adverse side effects, the current study focuses on the outcomes of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, a treatment that is FDA-approved for a wide variety of immune disorders and can be prescribed off-label for other immune conditions.

The team examined medical records for 55 patients who met their criteria for SFPN diagnosis, had no evidence of non-immune causes and who were treated at MGH with intravenous immunoglobulin at a starting dose of 2 grams per kilogram of weight every four weeks. All but four were treated for at least three months, the others discontinuing because of side effects. The team studied nine types of follow-up data, all of which showed improvement - 74 percent of the 51 patients rated their symptoms as improved after treatment, as did 77 percent of their physicians. For 8 patients, symptoms improved so much they were able to taper off and eventually discontinue all treatment.

"This study is wildly surprising," says Oaklander. "Although not a controlled clinical trial, it is paradigm-changing because the fact that an immunomodulatory treatment was effective is the strongest evidence so far that some people have an autoimmune cause of SFPN that can be improved. This paper offers not only a new class of treatments but also further evidence of a new disease discovery. While immunotherapy isn't for everyone with SFPN, patients with idiopathic SFPN should be systematically screened for all common causes, push their physicians to identify their specific cause and discuss disease-modifying treatment options. I'd also urge insurance companies, which are reluctant to cover this expensive treatment, to be more willing to consider covering three-month trials in appropriately diagnosed patients."

An associate professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Oaklander stresses that this "real-world" retrospective case study needs to be validated in a prospective, randomized clinical trial, something her team is seeking grant funding to conduct. She notes that learning more about the mechanisms behind aaSFPN and tracking outcomes of other treatments should lead to less expensive and easier to manage immunotherapies than intravenous immunoglobulin. In the meantime, patients with SFPN and their physicians can find more information, including a list of recommended blood tests, at https:/ / NeuropathyCommons. org.
The Center for Applied NanoBioscience and Medicine is doing its part to protect the health of astronauts on long-duration missions, including NASA's Journey to Mars.

The center, located at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, is a co-principal investigator on a grant awarded to the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The grant will fund research on the effects of simulated space radiation on the human gastrointestinal tract.

Frederic Zenhausern, director of the Center for Applied NanoBioscience and Medicine and a professor at the College of Medicine - Phoenix, said UA scientists will provide microfluidic gut microsystem and biodosimetry tools to Wake Forest University scientists. The lab's share of the grant is $943,000 over four years.

The innovative Human-Microbial Cross-Talk human "gut-on-a-chip" provides a platform for scientists to monitor how solar events and cosmic rays affect humans in space. The grant is one of 10 awarded by NASA's Translational Research Institute at Baylor College of Medicine for research projects in lymphatic flow, radiation damage resistance, minimally invasive surgical techniques and the effects of the microbiome on health during long spaceflights.

"This is the first TRI initiative from NASA's Human Research Program that will help to solve some of the challenges of health management for astronauts on extended space exploration missions," Zenhausern said. "It represents an exciting opportunity to be part of an outstanding group of experts at Wake Forest, NASA and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory."

"The University of Arizona has a longstanding and renowned history of research partnership with NASA, particularly through the Department of Astronomy and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory," said UA President Robert C. Robbins. "We are so excited to add the UA Health Sciences to this tradition of collaboration with the space agency."

The human gut-on-a-chip provides a platform for studying a biological model of the human gastrointestinal tract that mimics the actual conditions and processes that occur within the gut. It allows scientists to see how cells from individuals respond to certain drugs or environmental exposure, allowing them to formulate personalized therapies.

With organ-on-a-chip technology, researchers can analyze the complex interactions between human cells and the microbial ecosystems of the gut, predicting their effects on health, disease onset or even cognitive performance, and study the action of probiotics, nutritional compounds or drugs.

In 2016, NASA established the Translational Research Institute to research and develop innovative approaches to reduce risks to humans on long-duration exploration missions. The institute was awarded $246 million for six years, and is led by Baylor College of Medicine with partners including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology.

Source: http://opa.uahs.arizona.edu/newsroom/news/2017/university-arizona-scientists-awarded-space-research-grant
Traditional water treatment efforts have focused on water leaving the treatment plant, but a large number of recent waterborne disease outbreaks in the U.S. can be traced to plumbing systems in buildings. Legionnaires disease outbreaks in New York City and toxic levels of lead in Flint, Michigan have raised questions about how to manage risks in aging water systems.

Multiple studies assessing the risk of opportunistic pathogens in water systems and the institutional infrastructure failures that led to the Flint water crisis will be discussed at the 2017 Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting.

Legionellosis is the most common waterborne disease outbreak in the U.S. and its incidence is increasing. The Legionella microbes grow well in warm, stagnant water, particularly in large distribution systems, such as those found in hospitals or hotels. Researchers from the Ohio State University will discuss the need to create a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model to better understand how certain conditions affect Legionella's ability to cause disease.

The researchers will evaluate infection rates for the microbe in normal conditions, in different genetic scenarios and under environmental stressors (such as chlorine treatment). Building this model will allow scientists to further understand how environmental conditions affect Legionella, which could help control exposure and consequently, prevent outbreaks.

Legionella is just one of many opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) lurking in water sources. Others include non-tuberculous Mycobacteria, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Naegleria spp., and Acanthamoeba spp. OPPPs don't often cause illness in healthy individuals, but are still a key cause of waterborne illness in the U.S. In their study, Reverse QMRA for Opportunistic Pathogens in Premise Plumbing, researchers from Drexel University discuss the benefits and feasibility of developing a risk-based strategy to determine water quality targets for buildings.

"Drinking water quality can decline in between water treatment plants and the point at which we use water in our homes," states Kerry Ann Hamilton, a postdoctoral fellow at Drexel University. "This research will provide criteria for determining reasonable limits for some microorganisms most frequently linked with disease and household plumbing."

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Changes in usage, due to innovative plumbing and low-flow water fixtures, has led to increased water age in buildings. Having older water can result in bad taste and smell, disinfectant byproducts and greater microbial levels in water. Researchers from Purdue University conducted a study, Water Chemistry and Microbiology Changes as Plumbing Ages, to understand the link between fixture water use and drinking water quality in a newly plumbed residential green building. After 72 hours, bacteria and organic carbon levels increased inside the plumbing system compared with the chlorinated municipal tap water entering the building.

Metal plumbing components caused zinc, copper and lead levels to rise above levels measured at the water treatment plant. Also, use of different fixtures causes drinking water quality to vary within the same building.

When the city of Flint, Michigan began using the Flint River as a drinking water source without properly implementing federally mandated corrosion control in April 2014, a prolonged period of drinking water quality problems was triggered. These problems included red water and elevated levels of disinfection byproducts, coliform, bacteria, lead and Legionella. In 2016, 91 cases of Legionellosis and 12 deaths were attributed to an unprecedented outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease during the time Flint River water was used.

A new study from Virginia Tech, Links Between Physical and Chemical Water Quality, Reported Incidence of Legionnaires' Disease, and Waterborne Legionella pneumopheila in Flint, Michigan, presents several lines of evidence linking the Flint River water to the outbreak. Water quality reports and experiments revealed that Flint River water was conducive to Legionella growth. The water also leached elevated iron nutrients from water pipes and chemicals from while temperatures rose to ideal levels for Legionella growth.

The water crisis brought national attention to the risks associated with aging infrastructure and inadequate drinking water treatment. Data collected from tap samples in Flint challenge risk assumptions in the Safe Drinking Water Act under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), particularly with regard to prioritized sampling locations and effective corrosion control treatment. Researchers from Michigan State will discuss proposed changes for the LCR.
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Indian origin UK minister Priti Patel resigns over 'secret' meeting in Israel

London : Indian-origin International Development Secretary of UK, Priti Patel, has resigned from her post amid escalating storm over her 'secret' unofficial meeting with Israel officials during her holiday trip.

Patel is under pressure after it was revealed that she held unauthorised meetings with senior Israeli officials during a family holiday in August, the BBC reported.

She apologised to Theresa May for holding unofficial meetings in Israel. The opposition Labour Party called for an investigation into her apparent breaches of protocol.

During the visit, Patel, who paid for the trip herself, met a dozen politicians and organisations, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuval Rotem, a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official.

She also met Yair Lapid, the leader of one of Israel's main political parties, and made visits to several organisations where official departmental business was reportedly discussed.

Patel's press office confirmed that she had cut short her official trip to Africa to travel back to Britain on Wednesday, amid widespread speculation that May would be forced to sack her.

She was formally reprimanded in Downing Street on Monday, where she was asked to give details about a dozen meetings she had with Israeli officials while on holiday.

(IANS with added inputs)
Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs (Source: UN.ORG)

New York : Yemen faces the world's largest famine in decades "with millions of victims" if aid deliveries are not resumed, a senior UN official has warned.

Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, on Wednesday urged the Saudi-led coalition to lift its blockade of the conflict-torn country, the BBC reported.

On Monday, the coalition shut air, land and sea routes into Yemen after Houthi rebels fired a missile at Riyadh. Saudi Arabia said the blockade was needed to stop Iran sending weapons to the rebels.

Iran denies arming the rebels, who have fought the Saudi-led coalition since 2015.

Lowcock, after briefing the UN Security Council on the issue behind closed doors, said: "I have told the council that unless those measures are lifted... there will be a famine in Yemen. It will be the largest famine the world has seen for many decades with millions of victims."

Earlier this week, the UN and the Red Cross warned that a "catastrophic" situation threatened millions of Yemenis who relied on life-saving aid deliveries.

The Red Cross said its shipment of chlorine tablets, vital to combating a cholera epidemic which has affected more than 900,000 people, had been blocked.

The UN said seven million Yemenis are on the brink of famine.
Working hand-in-hand: How sustainable food independence helps the U.S. and developing countries acquire their own agricultural knowledge

Since World War I ended, the United States has started lending a hand to countries that are in need of assistance, starting with the reconstruction of post-war Europe, going all the way to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

America led the world when it comes to giving foreign aid, but by 1994, America provided less assistance to developing countries than did Japan, and the same amount as France and Germany. In addition, the U.S.s 1996 federal outlay of international assistance to other countries equated to only $6.6 billion  less than 0.5 percent of the total budget.

Most of the United States financial assistance goes to food assistance, capital to multilateral banks, development aid, disaster relief, and refugee assistance. Admittedly, the U.S.s actions have jumpstarted developing countries own moves towards food self-sufficiency.

Small developing countries with income levels that are constantly on the rise, like South Korea or Malaysia, will experience no difficulties when it comes to importing food, even if they are unable to match food production at the domestic level. Other countries like Thailand will continue to export food and thrive in food adequacy. (Related: Amazing edible park in Irvine, Ca., stresses importance of food independence.)

Continued food self-sufficiency can be credited in the decrease of the proportion of hungry people in East Asia to 16 percent from 40 percent even while their population increased by 500 million within the last 25 years. Its food needs are expected to increase sharply over the coming decades with a projected population of almost three billion by 2050.

The situation in Latin America is optimistic, albeit with some caveats. The proportion of the malnourished people in the continent declined to 14 percent from 18 percent over the past 25 years, although at the expense of the destruction of its natural forests.

Africa, on the other hand, has already reached the point when population growth rates have already exceeded food production growth rates, resulting in hunger whenever bad weather, civil unrest, or war decides to poke his ugly head in. It is currently depending on imports for around 25 percent of its grain consumption, a rate that has increased over the past 30 years as per capita food production has dropped.

One could say that the food independence assistance that the U.S. provides developing countries also brings empirical benefits to America. All the major crops in the U.S.  corn, potatoes, barley, rice, and wheat, among others  are endemic to other countries. The genetic variation that is the basis for plant breeding that created current high-yielding crop varieties in the United States was obtained from other countries.

This makes the genetic variation that is available in the U.S. limited; when a new pathogen threatens the existence of such crops, there is the possibility that naturally-occurring resistance in the germ plasm that is available here wont be enough to conquer the new pests. So scientists and agriculturists look for the cure in international agricultural research centers, and Americas financial aid to sustain such centers gives the United States a moral claim to those resources.

As a matter of fact, Phillip Pardey and his colleagues at the International Food Policy Research Institute has reported that by the early 1990s around one-fifth of the total U.S. wheat acreage and more than 70 percent of the American rice acreage  at a combined value of $3.5 billion between the years 1970 and 1993  originated from varieties that were produced by the international agricultural research centers.

In comparison, the United States gave $150 million to international wheat and rice centers and less than $1 billion to all the international centers in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) around that time.

These improvements in countries around the world, in health and in income levels  there has also been a big shift to democracyare helping to bring more capable states and governments that are quite helpful to us. If we want to enhance our own security around the world we need to be able to work with capable governments and states, said Stece Radelet, a professor and director of the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

There are many, many surveys that are taken, that Americans believe that we spend something like between 10 percent and 20 percent of the federal budget on foreign aid. And in fact we spend less than one percent of the federal budget. Its a tiny share of our budget that we contribute to fighting poverty and hunger and disease around the world, Radelet added.

New goals for the U.S. in its food assistance advocacy

The major goal for the United States is to help developing countries acquire their own agricultural knowledge, often in partnership with other entities, as time and again it has been proven that rising agricultural productivity is vital to economic development in every country that was once not self-sustaining.

The countries that the U.S. sees as the most challenging when it comes to this goal include Bangladesh, China, and India and areas such as Java, Malawi, and other highland areas of southern and eastern Africa. This is attributed to the fact that the international system is remiss in its duties to help African organizations address soil management, pest management, and water challenges.

Poor roads, poor transportation, and poor marketing systems in Africa also mean that fertilizers are more expensive in that part of the world. The United States stresses the need for public investments in good roads and transportation systems, plus market information systems that would establish the development of private traders, thereby decreasing the cost of marketing of both inputs and products.

For more stories on food independence, food surplus, and the ways the United States has been championing these causes, visit FoodSupply.news.

Sources include:

PNAS.org

WUWM.com

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A nation-wide reference station network has been built, and the construction of the basic system has been preliminarily completed.

In 2016, the system performance was being tested, including meter and decimeter level for widearea real-time services, centimeter level for the

areas within Beijing, millimeter level for postprocessing services.

When the system is operational, it will provide meter and decimeter level real-time location services for users in China, even centimeter level service in some areas.

BDS-based high-precision applications, such as the lane level vehicle navigation service, could be realized.

150 national wide-area reference stations (RSs), 1200 regional Reference stations

 National BeiDou Data Integrated Processing System, Data Backup System, 6 kinds of Industrial Data Processing Systems

 3 broadcasting paths: Mobile Communication, Satellite Broadcasting, Digital Radio

 4 kinds of high-precision positioning services: wide-area real-time meter level and decimeter level, regional real-time centimeter level, post-processing millimeter level

Development Plan as of 2016

* 2014: Evaluation of BDS augmentation performance.

* 2014-2015: Participate in dual frequency multi-constellation SBAS standard establishment through ICAO, IWG etc.

* 2018 2017 : Launch the first BDSBAS GEO satellites.

* 2020: Finish the launch of 3 GEOs. Start to provide dual frequency multi-constellation SBAS service for China and surrounding areas users.

* 2025: Provide augmentation services for users in larger areas through international cooperation.

Chinas new GPS system will go global in 2020.

China has built more than 1,500 Beidou ground stations across the country to improve the systems accuracy. It also plans to set up similar bases in dozens of countries including Pakistan and Thailand to extend the high-precision service to military and government users overseas.

Unicore Communications, a company producing Beidou chipsets for positioning devices in Beijing, said their latest products included support for the newest Beidou satellites.

The satellites have just been launched. They still need some time for testing and calibration before we can evaluate their actual performance, a Unicore product manager said.

He expected most smartphones to have a chip to receive Beidou signals in the near future.
Salesforce and Google have struck a broad partnership, that pairs their corporate software and cloud-computing services. The new deal ties key, complementary services in marketing analytics and cloud-computing. Salesforce clients that dont currently use G-Suite, Googles package of workplace software, will get the offerings free for one year.

The integration of Google Analytics with Salesforce Marketing Cloud had been a top request of Googles and Salesforces customers in recent months, says Google Analytics senior director Babak Pahlavan. While Google has offered APIs for companies to build on top of Google Analytics in the past, its never opened up the product to such a deep integration before, says Google Cloud president Tariq Shaukat.

Amazon Web Services dominates the public cloud market with a 47.1% market share. In its most recent earnings statement for Q1 of 2017, AWS reported revenues of $3.66 billion, a 42% increase from this time last year. While Microsoft Azure is gradually catching up to Amazon, it only holds 10.0% of the market.

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Googles Cloud Platform continue to grow market share, with IBM holding its own as of mid-2017. Quarterly cloud infrastructure service revenues (including IaaS, PaaS, and hosted private cloud services) are at nearly $11 billion and continue a growth rate of over 40 percent per year. This means worldwide revenues from cloud and SaaS remain on track to surpass $200 billion by 2020, according to Synergy.

In Q3, the huge cloud market kept on growing by over 40% per year while Amazon Web Services (AWS) is still managing to nudge its market share upwards, despite increasingly intense competition. Microsoft, Google and Alibaba are all growing their revenues much more rapidly than Amazon and they continue to gain market share, but the reality is that in this market Amazon remains bigger than its next five largest competitors combined. Meanwhile IBM maintains its position as the third largest cloud provider in the market thanks primarily to its strong leadership in hosted private cloud services.

In Q3, Synergy estimates that quarterly cloud infrastructure service revenues (including IaaS, PaaS and hosted private cloud services) have now reached $12 billion and continue to grow at well over 40% per year.

Microsfot and Google have higher growth rates than Amazon in the cloud.

Marty Puranik, CEO of Atlantic.Net, a leading cloud hosting provider, provides expert commentary in an interview.

Atlantic.Net is a trusted and proven hosting company in web hosting industry. Their reputation is founded upon over twenty years of direction and counsel given to CEOs, managers, engineers, and IT professionals.

High Availability Infrastructure

There is no reason to reinvent the hosting solutions wheel when Atlantic.Net provides one that is rolling along flawlessly. They provide the best web hosting and the necessary infrastructure and allow you to focus on your core competencies.

Among their competences are security, HIPAA for health applications, and PCI for ecommerce. They are easier simpler and less expensive. They are focuesed on B to B.

Marty discusses :

What this deal means for Google and Salesforce ?

Why Google has been making so many moves in the cloud space recently ?

Why now is such a pivotal time for companies to not only involve themselves in cloud computing, but significantly ramp up their efforts, as evidenced by todays partnership ?

What this means for the rest of the industry, i.e. Amazon and Microsoft, moving forward ?

Google and salesforce services

This is part of Salesforce ongoing war with microsoft Azure (#2 cloud) and Linkedin. Microsoft bought Linkedin. Linkedin has been Salesforces major competitor. Linkedin is very strong in Human Resources and the next target is the Sales people which is three times Human Resource market.

Salesforce endorsed gsuite which is an microsoft office 365 competitor.

Salesforce will use AWS and will deploy onto google cloud but will not support Microsoft Azure

Google Cloud moves

Google brought Diane Green from VMWare, a win for Google (#3). Google has rebranded Google Docs as Gsuite.

Google announced the launch of new desktop application for Google Drive users, called Drive File Stream, which is now available to G Suite customers. The app will serve as a replacement for the Google Drive desktop app that will be shut down for good next year  a far enough date to give enterprise customers plenty of time to make the switch.

Salesforce is #1 in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and Sales.

The emergence of Amazon AWS as a dominant cloud provider, largely at Googles expense. Google has a culture focused on engineering and not sales. Salesforce is good at selling and Google does not want to kill Salesforce. Google is focused on other things like self driving cars and global satellites and internet balloons. Salesforce can craft better sales messaging around cloud and cloud messaging for Google products.

Why is this a critical time

This is a Marketshare and midshare competition. It is still early days for the cloud segment. Amazon has the lead but this is not a locked in Monopoly yet. Netscape had the early lead with browsers but lost it to Internet Explorer and then Chrome became most popular.

Moving Forward

The biggest loser in this deal is microsoft in the near to mid term.

AWS subsidizes retail. AWS is highly profitable and a key part of the story for Amazons high stock valuation.

Google and microsoft war of attrition from other profitable businesses. AWS profit is under attack

Microsoft risk, losing mindshare. There is business model risk for Microsoft.
The next billion cellular connections will come from rural areas in developing markets. However, building the cellular infrastructure in these regions presents radically different challenges from building networks in urban areas:

The power grid in these areas is unreliable, if it exists at all.

There is no wired telecom infrastructure to run the network backbone of the cellular network.

The large distance over poor roads makes site maintenance time consuming and expensive.

There is little local skilled labor to support the site maintenance.

Vanu has addressed all of these challenges with the CompactRAN and continues to address it with Vanus Community Connect. The benefits of the Vanu solution are:

Vanu solution is a compact carrier grade outdoor base station, weighing only 9.6kg. The small form factor allows for simplified mounting on poles and alternative structures, eliminates the need to place equipment on the ground, and greatly simplifies tower construction requirements.

It is built to withstand wind, sand, vandals, and temperatures of 132 F, this network-in-a-box offers connectivityand lets the company maintain and upgrade its softwarethrough such media as DSL, wireless broadband, or a satellite link.

Low power consumption while transmitting two GSM carriers, enabling it to run off of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind for extended periods of time.

The CompactRAN uses only 64 watts of power supplied entirely by solar panels. Conventional base stations can use 10 or more kilowatts and guzzle thousands of dollars worth of diesel fuel each month.

It is solar powered to provide coverage where there is no power grid.

The Community Connect is the next generation GSM/EDGE base station from Vanu Inc. It is dual TRX system, designed to support up to 10W per TRX in the GSM 850/900 MHz and DCS 1800/1900 MHz bands. The BTS is highly integrated and includes the duplexers in the enclosure. The new BTS is enclosed in an IP67 rated enclosure and weighs 9.6kg. The small form factor allows for simplified mounting on poles and alternative structures. This greatly simplifies the tower construction requirements. The BTS is low power and consumes only 64W when operating at its peak output power of 10W per channel.

Utilizes a latency and jitter tolerant packet-based IP backhaul, enabling the infrastructure to use a wide variety of media for backhaul including microwave, wireless broadband, cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and satellite connections.

Software radio architecture allows for standards upgrades and bug fixes to be downloaded remotely. Vanu has performed over the air satellite upgrades from voice to data for a customer in the remote areas of Nepal.

Maintenance is simplified through remote monitoring and software upgrades. Hardware fixes are simple swap-outs, that do not require specific technical training.

The total cost of a siteincluding land, equipment, installation, and commissioningis $25,000. Vanu has no subscribers of its own; it offers coverage through established cellular service providers, who pay for each minute or megabyte their customers use. By signing deals with multiple competing carriers, Vanu can generate enough revenue per site to turn a profit.

They set up a network in Rwanda in 2016 and within a few months, more than 100,000 of the three Rwandan carriers subscribersvillagers whod previously traveled periodically to the closest town with coverage to call or textwere using Vanus network.

Many of the Poor Rwandan people already had cellphones but no service

The system is now in use by over 200,000 Rwandans whod had no cell coverage at home or work.

Vanu plans to connect thousands of villages in India and is considering expanding to Zambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Botswana in the coming years. Those countries are home to many of the worlds unconnected people: 62 percent of sub-Saharan Africans and 67 percent of Indians live in rural areas.

Lifting people out of poverty with solar lights and mobile money

A cellular connection also makes possible solar home lighting systems financed with phone-based pay as you go systems, digital banking services, weather and market price notifications for farmers, access to medical information for rural health workers, educational materials for teachers and students in rural schools, and more.

We have a lot of evidence on the impacts of mobile money, says Tavneet Suri, an associate professor of applied economics at MITs Sloan School of Management and an expert on development in sub-Saharan Africa. Her research has shown that access to mobile-phone-based money transfers lifted 2 percent of Kenyas population out of extreme poverty, increasing peoples savings and ability to withstand financial crises.
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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
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By Benjamin Jumbe:

Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli is set to arrive in Uganda today for a 3 day state visit.

On arrival President Magufuli and his host President Yoweri Museveni will be commissioning a one stop border post at Mutukula and lay a cross border mark stone at Luzinga village for the East Africa Crude oil pipeline.

Museveni together with his visiting counterpart from Tanzania Magufuli are set to Commission a One Stop Border Post at Mutukula as well as laying a cross-border mark-stone for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline during a three days working visit .

During this meeting the two heads of states are set to sign key bilateral agreement including cooperation in the Transport sector, Power Projects and Uganda-Tanzania cross border issues.

According to program the second foundation stone for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline will be laid on November 11th 2017 in Hoima.

President Magufulis visit comes at a time when the two countries have stepped up bilateral cooperation in a number of sectors.
By Ssebuliba Samuel.

The president of Tanzanian Dr John Pombe Magufuli has asked the government of Uganda to expedite the process of constructing oil pipeline in the shortest time possible instead of waiting until 2020 as scheduled.

Speaking to during his visit in Mutukula Kyotera on the going Commissioning of the One Stop Border Post as well as laying a cross-border mark-stone for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, Magufuli said that there is need to wait until 2020 for Uganda to start enjoying proceeds of oil.

He said that Uganda must work with ready investors to have this process expedited instead of waiting for 2020 since all sectors are ready.

This 1,445 km-project set for completion by 2020 at a cost of $3.55 billion
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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Occasional snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. About one inch of snow expected.
Explained: Can Mukul Roy be disqualified as MLA for jumping from BJP to TMC

After MP Ritabrata banerjee, software techie now trains guns at Mukul Roy

India

oi-Amitava

By Amitava

It is new found trouble for former TMC leader Mukul Roy who recently shifted allegiance to the BJP. Namrata Dutta, the software engineer who had leveled charges of rape against MP Ritabrata Banerjee, has now lodged a fresh complaint naming Roy.

The complaint lodged at the Balurghat police station in the South Dinajpur district, West Bengal, named Roy along with Banerjee, his fiance Durba Sen and Archana Majumdar, a physician close to Banerjee.

Sanjay Ghosh, Inspector-in-Charge of Balurghat Police Station stated that Roy has been charged under sections 120B/195A/214 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. Dutta who is a resident of Balurghat, claimed that Majundar had called her and threatened her to withdraw the case.

"Mukul Roy is a highly influential person and he is very close to Ritabrata- Majumdar had told me over the phone" alleged Dutta. She further alleged that a man had called her and stated that Rs. 8 lakhs had been deposited into Dutta's personal bank account and that she should remain silent" claimed Dutta.

Police sources claim that Dutta's call records are being examined. Mukul Roy however denied the allegations. "I do know any Namrata Dutta. I have not seen her nor have I spoken to her ever. It is nothing but political vendetta" added Roy.

Earlier on October 10, Dutta had lodged a complaint against Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee at the Balurghat police station.

Namrata Dutta's police complaint stated that she had met the MP on a social network site in May 2016. A relationship developed and Ritabrata Banerjee said that he wanted to marry Dutta. He even came to Balurghat and met Dutta's mother.

Alleging physical relations, the complaint stated "He lured me to his 104, South Avenue Apartment" where he allegedly physically exploited her.

They allegedly met a number of times. Dutta was studying in Netherlands since October 2016 and Banerjee paid her a visit in Netherlands in December 2016 claimed the complaint. "During that time we had problems and I wanted to end the relationship. He threatened to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pills. Thus I was forced to stay in the relationship" stated the complaint.

The complaint stated that now the MP is denying to marry Datta and was avoiding her calls. She also alleged that he was in a fresh relationship and has been threatening her with dire consequences.

"He used me, outraging my modesty and also transferred Rs. 2.5 lakhs to my bank account as compensation for having a physical relationship with me" alleged Datta in the complaint.

Incidentally Ritabrata Banerjee is a Member of Parliament (MP) who on September 17 was expelled from the primary membership of the CPIM party for grave anti-party activities, including "moral degeneration in relation to woman."

The MP too had lodged a complaint against Dutta at the Garfa Police Station in Kolkata on October 6 demanded stern action against the woman stating that she has been blackmailing him and trying to malign him.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, November 10, 2017, 0:53 [IST]
When this mom got a surprise gift, her reaction was 'gold' | Watch

'Poor' no more: 'Moderate' Delhi air to improve further with strong winds

Odd-Even formula to be implemented from Nov 13 in Delhi

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Recommended Video

Air Pollution: Odd-Even formula may be opted for to combat smog problem says Kejriwal |Oneindia News

The odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in Delhi for a five-day period from November 13, city Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on Thursday.

Under the Odd-Even formula, vehicles with the registration number ending with an even number are allowed on roads on an even date while those ending in an odd number are allowed on odd dates. The scheme was enforced in Delhi twice in 2016

#OddEven will be implemented from November 13-17. Request people and all agencies to cooperate. Exemptions will be same like last time: Kailash Gehlot,Delhi Transport Minister pic.twitter.com/eetDawAEsX  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said, if the need arises decision on Odd-Even formula will be taken by today or tomorrow.

Delhi air pollution: NGT slams all, calls attitude shameful

Kejriwal said, "For a month (from mid-October to mid-November) the whole northern India becomes a gas chamber, not just Delhi."

He said that the high increase in PM (Particulate Molecules) levels in Delhi were not just due to local reasons, also, blamed crop burning for worsening air quality.

However, he said that people and Government of Delhi are ready to take all steps but these steps will not be enough until a solution to crop burning is found.

"Until state governments don't find economically viable solutions to crop burning it will not stop. If everyone, central govt, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana government, come together and put aside politics a solution can be found," he added.

Delhi government is under fire from the NGT for failing to control air pollution in the city.

A few days ago, the IMA also declared a public health emergency and cautioned people not to step out of their homes.

OneIndia News
Ghazwa-e-Hind in Assam: NIA roped in as Islamists plan destruction of India

Assam Police arrests five militants from Meghalaya

India

pti-PTI

Morigaon (Assam), Nov 9: The Assam Police have arrested five militants, including a self-styled commander and a cadre of the outlawed Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA), and three rebels of Garo National liberation Army (GNLA) from Salang area of Meghalaya.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team from Morigaon district and security forces from neighbouring Meghalaya jointly nabbed the five militants last night, Morigaon, Superintendent of Police, Swapnanil Deka told reporters.

The militants were camping at Salang area of Meghalaya with a view to do arms training there, Deka said. Self styled 'commander' of TLA, Motilal Deori had issued an extortion note to Tiwa Autonomous Council, Chief Executive Member (CEM) Paban Manta demanding Rs 50 lakh, the SP said, adding based on the CEM's FIR police launched the operation against the ultras.

The five arrested were identified Motilal Deori, TLA cadre Sourav Deka and Meghalaya based GNLA militants Khasang A Marak, Smart A Marak and Arween A Marak acting as linkmen, the SP said.

PTI
Mamata miffed for not being invited to be part of Bangaldesh PM's India visit

B'desh PM Hasina and Indian PM Modi stress on strengthening existing ties between the two nations

India

oi-Amitava

By Amitava

While inaugurating a new train service between Kolkata and Khulna in Bangladesh, through video conferencing, both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed on people to people contact between the two countries for socio-economic upliftment.

At around 11:30 am Bangladesh time (11:00am Indian time) Prime Minister Hasina, Prime Minister Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee through video conferencing flagged off the "Bandhan Express;" inaugurated second Bhairab and second Titas Railway bridges in Bangladesh and the end-to-end immigration and custom checks for the Maitree Express from Kolkata to Dhaka.

In her address Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed on stronger ties between the two countries. "Bondhon (ties) should not be limited to Railway services alone but it should cement ties between citizens of both the nations for the socio-economic development of both countries" remarked the Bangladesh Prime Minister.

She stated that the two nations were trying to revive all the railway links that existed between the two countries before 1965.

"The Bandhan train service was a long cherished dream of both the nations. It is running after 52 long years. It will not only make travel easier but will promote cultural exchange, tourism and development. It will further strengthen ties between the two nations" stated Prime Minister Hasina.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister stated that there are plans to revive all the rail links that existed between the two countries before the services were halted in 1965.

"With the Line of Credit from India this is being made possible. We are using the Line of Credit for improving railway services in the country along with other sectors" stated Hasina.

Not only railways, India has been jointly working with Bangladesh in the avenues of internet services and space research stated the Prime Minister. "Both the nations work for the development of the common masses which ultimately will result in peace and stability in this region" stated Hasina.

Incidentally the two new railways bridges in Bangladesh, built under the Second Indian Line of Credit and inaugurated on Wednesday is expected to improve the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Sylhet train services.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi beginning his speech in Bengali stated "Aaj theke amder Maitree Bondhon aro shudriro holo" (From today our friendly ties have been further cemented.)

Prime Minister Modi stated that relations should be strengthened between neighbours rising above protocol.

"Protocol should not come in between two neighbouring countries. There should be visits and exchanges between neighbouring countries" stated Prime Minister Modi.

However the Indian Prime Minister stressed on person to person connects. "People to people connectivity is the most important. Both the trains between India and Bangladesh namely Maitree and Bandhan will promote this person to person connectivity" stated Prime Minister Modi.

The Indian Prime Minister assured that step by step the two countries will revive all the railway lines that existed between the two countries prior to 1965.

"Historical links between the two countries will further be strengthened and will reach newer heights" stated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inviting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Kolkata.

The Bandhan Express will cover a distance of 177km between Kolkata and Khulna in around four and a half hours. From Kolkata the train will travel through Benapole, Petrapole, Jessore to Khulna.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was also present at the inauguration video conferencing along with Prime Minister Modi.

The new Bondhon Express has 456 seats in its 312 cabins along with 144 chairs. It can accommodate 418 passengers.

OneIndia News
Close shave: How a lone wolf attack at an election rally was thwarted in Gujarat

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Recommended Video

Gujarat Assembly elections : ISIS's plan of lone wolf attack busted by ATS | Oneindia News

It was a close shave in poll-bound Gujarat. A person who had promised to supply a large chunk of explosives to carry out lone wolf attacks in Gujarat was arrested.

Urzo Khan, 36, a resident of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh was picked up by the Gujarat ATS. During his questioning, he said that the Islamic State was planning lone wolf attacks on election rallies and also at a Jewish synagogue in Gujarat.

Two suspected operatives of the ISIS had earlier been arrested by the ATS. One of the suspects, Ubaid Mirza said during his interrogation that the arms were to be supplied by Khan.

Khan is said to have assured Ubaid that he would be able to supply weapons for the attack. He said that there were two major strikes that were being planned. One strike was on a major election rally while the other was at a Jewish synagogue in Khadia.

An ATS source informed the two lone wolf strikes were to be carried out by Ubaid and Mohammad Kasim Timberwala. During the discussions, Urzo said that he would be able to supply the weapons at a cost of Rs 3 lakh. He also took an advance of Rs 20,000 for the same.

Investigations further revealed that Kasim and Ubaid had a common handler. The ATS source said that the attack was being overseen by a handler who goes by the alias Yusuf al Hindi. Yusuf who the Intelligence Bureau believe is Bhatkal resident Shafi Armar is said to be either in Syria or Saudi Arabia.

OneIndia News
Crop burning on November 1

Agriculture stubble running into millions of tonnes is burnt by farmer in north India every October.

Crop burning on November 2

An estimated 35 million tonnes are burnt to make room for the winter crop.

Crop burning on November 3

NASA captured this and the data shows that crop burning was really intense.

Crop burning on November 4

Crop burning in fact surged between October 27 and 31.

Crop burning on November 5

This practise continues despite the NGT imposing a ban on the same.

Crop burning on November 6

The people in Delhi have been complaining about breathing problems.

Crop burning on November 7

Arvind Kejriwal has decided to introduce the odd-even rule from next week.

Crop burning on November 8

The Supreme Court too had banned the sale of firecrackers this year in Delhi.
Gujarat elections: Pitroda to seek people's inputs for Congress manifesto

India

pti-PTI

Ahmedabad, November 9: To gather inputs for the Congress' manifesto for the upcoming Assembly election, Telecom entrepreneur Sam Pitroda will interact with residents in five cities of Gujarat.

The effort is to prepare a "people's manifesto" with focus on education, health, small and medium enterprises, employment generation and environment protection, Pitroda said at a press conference here today. He will visit Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Surat in the next five days.

"(Congress vice-president) Rahul Gandhi has sent me a message that he would like me to listen to the people...I spoke to leaders in Gujarat and collectively decided on the programme," said Pitroda, who was an adviser to the Congress vice-president's father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Pitroda will try to understand the people's problems and demands before making a manifesto which, he said, would include the "voices of people".

"So far across the world, the developmental model is top- down. So governments all over the world focus on growth, GDP, plants, ports, roads. This is a western model which has been pushed all over the world.

It is time to rethink of development from bottom-up," the entrepreneur said. "Gujarat can provide a new model of development, not only to Gujarat, India but all over the world.

We are here to listen to people, understand their main points, and make a manifesto which will basically include the voices of people. It is an open process, a good process, and people should be heard," he said.

Sharing his views on democracy, Pitroda said Gujarat, India and the entire world have been at a crossroads. "Democracy has been hijacked by a handful of people, and we have to bring the democracy back to people...," he said.

On the issue of quota, Pitroda said it was important for the underprivileged and those who had not been given a chance in the world but added that progress was possible even without the reservation. "Reservation is important for underprivileged, and for people who have not been given chances.

But that does not mean without the reservation you cannot progress. What is important is what I will do for Gujarat, and not what government will do for reservation," he said. "Even without the reservation you can get a lot more done," he said.

Pitroda also laid emphasis on "collective leadership", and said the main purpose of a leader should be to listen to people and not advise them.

Polling for the two-phase Assembly election in the state will take place on December 9 and 14, and votes will be counted on December 18.

PTI
Why NOTA, a blank vote, is a waste with no impact on election results

How BJP's win in Gujarat, HP is spreading happiness in the Indian market

In new Himachal Assembly, 52 out of 68 MLAs are crorepatis

Himachal Pradesh Elections: Polling ends, 74% voting recorded

India

oi-Madhuri

Recommended Video

Himachal Pradesh elections 2017: BJP and Congress clash for power in the hill state | Oneindia News

The polling for all 68 seats in the Himachal Pradesh Assemby began at 8 am on Thursday amid tight security arrangements. 337 candidates, including 19 women, are in the fray, with more than 50 lakh voters eligible to exercise their franchise. Polling, which began at 8 am, will end at 5 pm.

7,525 polling booths have been set up, of which nearly 1,300 have been identified as critical and vulnerable.

[No exit poll on Himachal today: Wait till Gujarat elections are over says EC]

For the first time, Electronic Voting Machines with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) are being used at all polling booths.

07:00 pm: 74% voting recorded

05:45 pm: Polling ends

05:20 pm: 64.8 % voter turnout recorded till 4 pm in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

02.30 pm: 54.09% polling recorded till 2 pm in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

02:15 pm: Senior Congress leader Vidya Stokes cast her vote a polling booth in Shimla's Barubag.

12:30 pm: 28.6% polling recorded till 12 noon in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

11:45 am: Independent India's first voter Shyam Saran Negi casts his vote at Kalpa polling station.

[Himachal Pradesh elections: Independent India's first voter to cast his vote today]

11:30 am: Union Minister JP Nadda casts his vote at a polling booth in Bilaspur.

11:00 am: In Ree polling booth in Hamirpur's Sujanpur assembly segment, VVPAT machine not working.

10:30 am: 13.72% polling recorded till 10 am in Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

10:00 am: Virbhadra Singh and his son Vikramaditya cast their votes at a polling booth in Shimla.

9:56 am: BJP's MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur casts his vote.

9:55 am: BJP chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal casts his vote.

9:45 am: Confident of getting majority in the election, the next Government too will be of Congress, says Virbhadra Singh.

9:26 am: The state needs a senior leader like Dhumal ji to look at the affairs of Himachal: Thakur

9:25 am: People have made up their mind to get rid of Congress who looted Himachal Pradesh, says Anurag Thakur.

9:15 am: We were expecting 50 plus seat, but looks like we will get 60 plus, says Dhumal.

8:45 am: Technical glitch at polling station number 55 in Kinnaur, Reckong Peo. Polling yet to begin.

8:30 am: A teacher on polling duty reportedly booked for taking selfie.

8:15 am: Voters queue up across Himcahal Pradesh to cast their votes.

Elderly woman, Barfi Devi, casts her vote at polling booth number 7 in Samirpur #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/2TILgQi2Pk  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

8:00 am: Polling for all 68 constituencies in Himachal Pradesh begins.

47 per cent crorepatis in Himachal Assembly elections 2017

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 10 ministers, eight Chief Parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

The vote count will be held on 18 December along with Gujarat's.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPM - 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI - 3.

oter slips in braille and many other firsts in the Himachal assembly elections 2017

As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty. Besides 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force have been deployed, Chief Electoral Officer Pushpender Rajput said.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for ensuring free and fair polls and 29 general, three police, 22 expenditure observers and 71 assistant expenditure observers, 1,561 micro observers, besides, 193 sector magistrate and 789 sectors officers have also been deployed throughout the state. Web-casting would be used in 2,307 polling stations in the state for live monitoring of polling activities in the state by Election Commission of India and polling would be held from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, the Chief Election Officer said.

Fact sheet on Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017

He said the state has 100 percent Photo Identity Card (EPIC) holders and 7,525 electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) are being used. VVPAT machines are being used for the first time in this Assembly Election and 10 percent of total EVMs and VVPATs have been kept in reserve.

The Election Commission has also allowed the electors to cast their vote by producing any one document out of the 12 identity documents. He said 983 polling stations had been declared vulnerable and 399 as critical to ensure free and fair elections in the State.

Meanwhile, DGP Somesh Goyal said 11,500 Himachal Pradesh police jawans, 6400 Home guards have been deployed. 65 companies of paramilitary forces also stationed for the elections.

The maximum numbers of vulnerable polling stations are 297 in Kangra district and minimum two in Kinnaur district, Rajput said. He said the Hikkim polling station in Lahaul and Spiti Assembly Constituency, which is situated at a maximum height of 14567 feet, has 194 voters while Ka polling booth in Kinnaur has a minimum of six voters.

In the previous election, BJP dissidents floated the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) just ahead of 2012 which won only one seat but cornered 4.52 percent votes. The Congress and the BJP won 36 and 26 seats polling 43.21 and 38.83 percent votes. Independents candidates polled 15.87 votes and five independents were elected.

This time there is no third force and as Congress and the BJP have been returning to power alternately since 1985, the BJP is claiming that it is their turn to stage a comeback.

Key fact about Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017:

Polling would go on till 5 pm.

Polling will take place at 7,525 booths with EVMs and VVPAT.

The counting will take place on 18 December.

A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns at Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Congress hit out at the BJP over GST and demonetisation

Section 144 will be in force in the 100-metre radius around each polling booth.

50,25,841 voters will decide the fate of 337 candidates.

983 out of the 7,525 polling booths have been declared sensitive.

Demonstrations, slogan-shouting and public meetings have been banned in t from November 7 to 10 and probibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been imposed.

The overall number of candidates has come down to 338 from 459 in the elections in 2012.

There are 25,31,321 men and 24,57,032 women voters in the State.

14 transgender persons will be exercising their franchise.

Web-casting would be used in 2,307 polling stations in the State for live monitoring of polling activities.

The highest booth at 14,467 feet is situated in the Hikkim polling station in the Lahaul and Spiti Assembly constituency. It has 194 voters.

The Ghaluwal polling station of 43-Haroli Assembly constituency is situated at 328 feet, the lowest, having 985 electors.

OneIndia News (with inputs)
When this mom got a surprise gift, her reaction was 'gold' | Watch

'Poor' no more: 'Moderate' Delhi air to improve further with strong winds

In pictures: This is how Odd-Even was like in 2016

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

The government of Delhi took a call to implement tried and tested formula Odd-Even from November 13 to 18.

In 2016, the 'odd-even' policy, which was first implemented for 15 days in January, again implemented from April 15 to 30. Women and two-wheelers were exempted.

The government has assured that the same exemptions will continue this year too. Also, a meeting of cabs and taxis has been called tomorrow to ensure that there will be no surge pricing this time.

A study shows Delhi's odd-even scheme had little impact on air pollution.

However, scientists, who studied last year's odd-even, say that Delhi's odd-even scheme had little impact on air pollution.

In May, the study published online in the journal 'Environmental Science and Policy' found that there was only a marginal drop in the PM2.5 levels during the period.

While the levels of the toxic particles came down by 8 to 10 per cent in some pockets, the rest of the capital recorded a drop of only 2 to 3 per cent.

Volunteers explaining the rules Volunteers with traffic police explaining the rules to an even number car owner near the Nizamuddin Bridge as Odd-even scheme restricting movement of private cars, becomes operational in New Delhi. PTI file photo Carpooling by Kejriwal Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal carpools former Transport Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendra Jain to Delhi Secretariat as the trial odd-even scheme comes into effect in New Delhi. PTI file photo Civil Defence volunteers Civil Defence volunteers holding placards at ITO as Odd-even scheme restricting movement of private cars, is operational in New Delhi. PTI file photo Relatively less traffic Relatively less traffic is seen at ITO as the Odd-Even scheme restricting movement of private cars, is operational in New Delhi. PTI file photo Police slap fine against BJP leader Vijay Goel BJP leader Vijay Goel being presented a rose by Delhi Police official after he violated the odd-even rule as a mark of protest against the scheme during in New Delhi on Monday. PTI file photo
CBI on a massive crackdown on drug cartels; 175 arrests and 127 FIRs so far

'No supply in India': Chemist association on drugs by Indian firm flagged by WHO

India fast emerging as a transit country for international drug cartel

India

oi-Amitava

By Amitava

The arrest of a Bolivian woman from the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, along with a contraband consignment of cocaine has raised questions as to whether an international contraband drug route is operational through India.

Acting on a tip off sleuths of the Narcotics Control Bureau intercepted a Bolivian national from the International Airport in Kolkata.

From a secret compartment located below her suitcase 2kg of cocaine was recovered. The worth of the contraband in the international black market is to the tune of Rs. 14 Crores.

According to a senior officer of NCB, the accused Saucedo Chao Yenny (45) had arrived at Kolkata from Sao Paolo, Brazil via Dubai on Wednesday. The woman is being interrogated by the NCB with a probe having been initiated.

A Spanish interpreter has been engaged to help with the interrogation. NCB sleuths feel that the woman was supposed to pass the consignment to her contact persons in the city.

From Kolkata, the consignment would be taken to other parts of the country or even to foreign shores.

In the past also there have been arrests of Bolivian nationals carrying drugs from Kolkata giving rise to fears of India becoming part of an international drug cartel.

On March 13 Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had arrested a Bolivian national Sergio Jie Zhang Salazar with 2.8kg of fine quality cocaine from Delhi.

He had admitted to working for a Bolivia-based gang and had visited Bangladesh in October 2016 to deliver a consignment of cocaine. That was the 5th seizure by the NCB within two months.

On May 16 the NCB had arrested six women, four of them foreigners and unearthed a Rs. 20 crore international drug racket in New Delhi.

The arrested included two women from Nigeria and one each from Spain and Bolivia. The other two arrested were from North East India. The racket involved smuggling of cocaine and amphetamine.

Interestingly in September, US President Donald Trump had earmarked India along with 21 other countries as among the major illicit drug producing or transit nations.

In addition to India, other south Asian countries identified as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar.

Other countries in the list are The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

OneIndia News
Himachal was valued less on strength, more on Parliament seats before: PM Modi

Its Virbhadra Singh's son vs protege at Shimla (Rural)

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The electoral battle for the Shimla (Rural) assembly seat in Himachal Pradesh is between Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh and BJP's Pramod Sharma.

Virbhadra Singh vacated Shimla (Rural) seat for his son Vikramaditya Singh and will be contesting from Arki seat in 2017 polls. Vikramaditya is now fighting against his father's former loyalist Pramod Sharma, who has a BJP ticket.

Sharma had sought votes in the name Virbhadra Singh several times in the past when he was active in Kumarsain.

Sharma is a creation of Virbhadra Singh who is said to have funded him to fight as an independent against Congress veteran Vidya Stokes in two previous elections.

Sharma, who was denied a Congress ticket from Theog in 2012, had contested as an independent and polled 4480 votes. The BJP candidate had polled 8,892 votes against 28,889 votes polled by Virbhadra Singh and he selected this constituency for his son in the hope that it was a safe seat.

Sharma has dubbed the election a contest between 'royalty and commoner', though he is avoiding attacking the chief minister or Vikramaditya. Sharma's campaign has picked up fast but BJP rebel Mohan Dass Sharma is also in the fray in the four-cornered contest, causing worry to the party.

[BJP candidate from Shimla Rural Assembly seat in Himachal: Pramod Sharma]

The polling for all 68 seats in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly began at 8 am on Thursday amid tight security arrangements. 337 candidates, including 19 women, are in the fray, with more than 50 lakh voters eligible to exercise their franchise.

OneIndia News with PTI inputs

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, November 9, 2017, 10:53 [IST]
J&K residents would be able to speak to Dineshwar Sharma directly

Guns and Roses: The job of the next Governor in Jammu and Kashmir

Talks a priority in Valley, but only within framework of Indian Constitution

J&K: Sharma ready to walk the extra mile despite Hurriyat snub

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

I will try my best to meet with the Hurriyat leaders, the Centre's special representative for Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma said. It may be recalled that the Hurriyat had boycotted the meeting with Sharma who was recently appointed interlocutor for Kashmir.

"I will try my best," Sharma told reporters when asked whether he will "walk the extra mile to talk to them."

Sharma made the remark after meeting lone Communist leader from Kashmir Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir and independent MLA Hakim Yasin. "I met many people. I wish that peace returns to Kashmir. I will also try to meet Hurriyat," Sharma, the former boss of the Intelligence Bureau said.

Sharma called on opposition National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah at the latter's residence in Srinagar. "

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Thursday, November 9, 2017, 6:07 [IST]
Two of 8 cheetahs released in acclimatisation enclosure at MP's Kuno National Park: Official

Two cheetahs make their first kill at Kuno National Park

Goat gives birth to baby with 'human face' in MP, leaves owner and locals shocked

Madhya Pradesh assembly bypoll: Voters from two villages boycott voting

India

pti-PTI

Bhopal, November 9: Voters from two villages in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot Assembly constituency boycotted the by-election being held on Thursday complaining poor infrastructure in their areas.

The residents of Bairhana and Bichhian villages had earlier warned the Satna district authorities that they will boycott the by-election, if proper roads and buildings were not built in their areas.

The villagers are boycotting the bypoll to press for their demands of construction of roads, school and other developmental works, Madhya Pradesh's chief electoral officer Salina Singh told reporters in Bhopal.

Election officials are requesting the electorate in these villages to participate in the polling, she said.

Polling is underway in the Chitrakoot Assembly seat where about 33.8 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm, an official of the Election Commission said.

The voting started in the constituency at 8 am. Congress candidate Nilanshu Chaturvedi, BJP's nominee Shankar Dayal Tripathi and 10 others are in fray for the by-election in the Assembly segment, which lies bordering Uttar Pradesh.

The BSP has not fielded its candidate in the bypoll. The by-election was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Prem Singh (65) after a prolonged illness in May this year. He had won the Chitrakoot seat thrice -- in 1998, 2003 and 2013.

There are 1.98 lakh voters in the Chitrakoot Assembly constituency, an EC official earlier said. As many as 257 polling booths with VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines were set up for the bypoll, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and MP BJP chief Nandkumar Chouhan had campaigned for the party's candidate.

Besides, Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Union Minister Kamal Nath, Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly Ajay Singh campaigned for their party's nominee.

PTI
Gujarat Assembly election 2022 to be held in two phases; Polling on December 1, 5; Result on December 8

No exit poll on Himachal today: Wait till Gujarat elections are over says EC

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Election Commission of India has barred exit polls for the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections 2018 till December 14. The EC said that exit polls cannot be made public before December 14 evening.

While the single-phase assembly election in Himachal Pradesh will be held on November 9, the first phase of polls in Gujarat will take place on December 9. The second phase will be held on December 14.

But exit polls showing outcome of the Himachal Pradesh polls cannot be shown till both the phases of Gujarat polls are completed.

A poll panel order citing election law said "conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner, whatsoever the result of any exit poll in connection with the current general elections to the legislative assemblies of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat shall be prohibited" between 8 am of November 9 to 6 pm of December 14.

It also said displaying any election matter, including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited 48 hours prior to the day of the Assembly election.

The existing law allows the EC to ban opinion polls 48 hours prior to voting.

In a separate statement, the commission said that TV channels, radio stations and cable networks should ensure that the contents of the programmes beamed by them 48 hours before the election day "do not contain any material, including views/appeals by panelists/participants that may be construed as promoting/prejudicing the prospect of any particular party or candidate or influencing/affecting the result of the election.

OneIndia News
Operation All Out: 170 terrorists shot dead and the year isnt complete as yet

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Operation All Out which was launched in Kashmir has seen a tremendous success rate. Since its launch in 2017, the security forces have gunned down 170 terrorists including their top commanders as well.

The killing of Talha Rashid, nephew of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief marked the death of the 170th terrorist in the Valley. The significant killings include Abu Dujana of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Burhan Wani's successor, Sabzar Ahmed Bhat among others.

About 170 militants have been eliminated this year only (in Kashmir). This is a record going by the last ten years. Except 4 to 5 commanders, other top militants have been eliminated," Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. S P Vaid said.

Security forces, including the Army, CRPF and police have fiercely intensified operations to hunt top terrorists in Kashmir, he said. "There is tremendous success as far as 'Operation All-out' is concerned. The credit goes to the officers and jawans who work in the field", the police chief said.

He said there was a very good coordination between the police, Army and other security agencies and claimed that "most of the top leadership of Hizbul and LeT had been neutralised" except a few odd ones. He said that recently a new phenomenon of suicide attacks by JeM was observed. "The JeM has been instrumental in carrying out suicide attacks, which is a new trend. This is an attempt from across the border to bolster the sagging morale of terrorists," he said.

Asked about infiltration of militants from across the border, he said the "Army was doing a great job in checking infiltration". "We had a lot of success on the borders. But since it is a difficult border, some people are managing to enter. But in the hinterland, they are getting neutralised," Vaid said.

He said that snowfall takes place around December and passes start closing so there was an effort from across the border to push as many terrorists before that. "We will continue with our operations and very soon peace will return to Kashmir. Already much (has been done). I am hopeful that things will improve further,"he added.

On police personnel joining militancy, he said that two such cases had come to his notice. "We are looking into the causes. There are various reasons. After all the police is also part of the same society and you can get influenced. You live in same society, same villages. It is not a serious challenge. We have taken steps to safeguard the police force from being targeted by terrorists," he said.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Thursday, November 9, 2017, 8:55 [IST]
India abstains on UNGA resolution calling for Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine

This is the truth: All people of India are Hindus says Dr. Mohan Bhagwat

New cross country train, Bandhan Express launched by Modi, Sheikh Hasina

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Thursday jointly launched 'Bandhan Express,' a new passenger train service between Kolkata and Bangladesh's southwestern industrial city of Khulna.

The two premiers inaugurated the service through video-conferencing. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee joined the conference from Kolkata railway station.

It will operate on the Khulna-Kolkata route with an aim to facilitate travel between the two neighbouring countries.

Bandhan Express will be the second train which will run between the two countries. Although the service is being launched on Thursday, it will start operating only on November 16.

They would also launch two railway bridges, built with Indian line of credit, and an "end-to-end" immigration facility to ease Dhaka-Kolkata 'Maitree' train services.

At present, Indians going to Bangladesh or Bangladeshis visiting India have to complete the immigration process at Darshana station in Bangladesh and at India's Gede point, where they have to wait for hours.

The two new bridges have been built on the Bhairab and the Titas rivers for the second track for simultaneous operation of up and down train services from Dhaka to southeastern Chittagong and northeastern Sylhet.

"We will call the new structures as the second Bhairab bridge and the second Titas bridge," a railway official said.

The 984-metre-long and seven-metre-wide Bhairab Railway Bridge was built at a cost of 567 crore Taka while the 218- metre-long and 70-metre-wide new Titas Bridge has been built at a cost of 161 crores Taka by two Indian companies.

With the launch of Bandhan Express ties between India and Bangladesh will further strengthen to newer heights and the new train service will clearly boost healthy friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

OneIndia News
INX media case: SC seeks CBI's stand on Karti Chidambaram's plea to travel abroad

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the INX media case involving former Union Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram till November 16.

The SC asked CBI to respond whether Karti Chidambaram could be allowed to travel abroad for 4-5 days and what can be the conditions imposed on him so that he does not escape.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud asked additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing CBI, to seek instruction on the issue and apprise it next Thursday.

Karti Chidambaram had moved the court as the government has issued a lookout circular against him - preventing him from travelling abroad - in connection with the INX Media case.

During the hearing, the bench perused the documents supplied by CBI in a sealed cover relating to materials found during the investigation conducted so far.

In the previous hearing, the SC rejected his plea seeking permission to travel abroad in connection with the INX Media case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), earlier, had opposed the plea, saying Karti might tamper with the evidence in the UK, which is very crucial for the ongoing investigation.

Karti's lawyer Kapil Sibal told the apex court that the former was not a 'fugitive of justice'.

The case was heard by a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra.

It has been alleged that Karti illegally took service charges for getting the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to the INX Media for receiving funds from abroad worth Rs. 305 crore in 2007, when his father P Chidambaram was the finance minister in Congress-led UPA government.

OneIndia News
Fact Check: No, Raghuram Rajan is not the new Governor of the Bank of England

Sorry, Raghuram Rajan is not interested in AAPs Rajya Sabha seat offer

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Nov 9: Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan once famously said, "My name is Raghuram Rajan and I do what I do."

Even his latest book is titled, I Do What I Do. True to his words, the world-renowned economist, who is also the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in the US, does what he want to do.

So, when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed its interest to nominate the 54-year-old economist to the Rajya Sabha, the former RBI Governor politely refused the offer.

In a short statement issued on Wednesday, his office at the University of Chicago said: "While Professor Rajan is engaged in a variety of educational activities in India, he has no plans to leave his full-time academic job at the University of Chicago."

In fact, only last year he went back to academics after finishing his tenure as the RBI Governor. Although Rajan himself has admitted that he was interested in a second-term in the office, but the Narendra Modi government did not offer him the job again.

On Wednesday, reports stated that the AAP approached Rajan offering him a Rajya Sabha seat and might not nominate its own leaders to the Upper House.

An AAP leader, who did not wish to be identified, said the party will not field any of its leaders for the three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi that will fall vacant early next year.

With its brute majority of 66 in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, a victory looks certain.

Apart from Rajan, the party is also looking for an eminent jurist and a known person from the field of social service for the other two seats, the leader said.

"We have approached him, but he is yet to revert to us," the leader added.

Delhi sends three members to Rajya Sabha. Currently, the city-state is being represented by Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi, Karan Singh, whose terms end in January next year.

AAP leader Ashish Khetan confirmed party convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's choice on Twitter.

See the contrast. @narendramodi recently sent @AmitShah to Rajya Sabha. While @ArvindKejriwal wants to send Mr. Raghuram Rajan to the upper house.  Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) November 8, 2017

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Story first published: Thursday, November 9, 2017, 11:04 [IST]
KJ Alphons triggers '#KannanthanamChallenge' with his sleeping pics, Twitterati just can't keep calm

Union Minister Alphons elected Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Tourism Minister KJ Alphons was elected as Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan unopposed on Thursday after the opposition Congress did not put up a candidate in the fray.

The seat had been vacant after former MP M Venkaiah Naidu was elected as the Vice President.

The election for the seat was supposed to be held on November 16.

In a cabinet reshuffle on 3 September 2017, Alphons was appointed as minister of state in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Minister of State (independent charge) of the Ministry of Tourism.

Since he was not a member of Parliament, he had to enter either house of the Indian Parliament within six months.

Alphons's contest from Rajasthan was not easy as BJP MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari called the minister's nomination for the Rajya Sabha seat from Rajasthan as "unfair", alleging that the rights the state's party workers had been compromised.

"Outsider candidates who have no mass support in their state file nominations from here which is unfair," the legislator said in a statement issued soon after filing of nomination.

(With agency inputs)
When Modi turns Lord Ram to fight against demonetisation

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Ranchi, Nov 9: We all know how much the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reveres the Hindu god Lord Ram. In fact, it was because of its fight to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh that the saffron party managed to grab power at the Centre back in the 1990s. The BJP's love affair with Lord Ram continues even in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's era.

On Wednesday, to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation, an over-enthusiastic BJP ended up putting up a hoarding of PM Modi showing him as Lord Ram fighting against "evils" confronting the country in Jharkhand.

According to The Indian Express, the hoarding showed Modi armed with a bow and arrows like Lord Ram.

"Four 'arrows', directed at a 10-headed demon, are labelled demonetisation, cases against corrupt, seizures of properties of corrupt and special courts for early conviction. The demon has 'kaala dhan' and 'bhrashtachar' mentioned on it," added The Indian Express.

After critics mocked the saffron party for comparing Modi with the Hindu deity, the Jharkhand unit of BJP officially distanced itself from the hoarding calling it an act of an overzealous party leader.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev said, "There was nothing official about it (the hoarding). But we sincerely apologise that it got circulated in the media without approval at any level. We will get it checked, as to how it happened."

As the BJP is trying to distance itself from the latest controversy over "Ram", it is not for the first time that our politicians are being shown as gods and goddesses.

In fact, a grand temple worth Rs30 crore is going to be built in honour of Modi in Meerut district of UP. The temple would be built in the Sardhana area of Meerut where a 100-foot statue of Modi would be installed.

Even a temple in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana has been devoted to Congress president Sonia Gandhi where her idol was installed back in 2014. Often supporters of politicians try to associate their leaders with gods and goddesses to bring the angle of divinity in them.

The latest attempt by the BJP to compare Modi with Lord Ram has come at a time when the party is facing flak over demonetisation, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), rise in hike of prices of fuels and essential items and lack of jobs in the market, to name a few problems of the country.

On Wednesday when the Opposition held several protests across the country over demonetisation, the Modi government celebrated the day as "anti-black money day". The opposition 'mourned' the first anniversary of demonetisation as "black day".

OneIndia News
29 civilians 'will die' if not evacuated from Syria's Ghouta, says UN

International

pti-PTI

Geneva, Nov 9: Some 400 civilians are in urgent need of medical evacuation from Syria's Eastern Ghouta region, including 29 who will die if they are not allowed to leave immediately, the United Nations warned.

"Around 400 men, women, children... need to be evacuated now," Jan Egeland, head of the UN's humanitarian taskforce for Syria, told reporters in Geneva, adding that 29 of them, including 18 children "will die if they are not evacuated." As of now, "we have confirmation of seven patients dead because they were not evacuated, some of them children," he said.

The Eastern Ghouta region, near the capital Damascus, is one of the last strongholds of rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Egeland said the region was now "the epicentre of suffering" in the war-ravaged country, with some 400,000 civilians stuck in a dozen besieged towns and villages.

The region, where a "de-escalation zone" deal was agreed by regime allies Iran and Russia and rebel backer Turkey in July, is now seeing increasingly dire conditions, he said. "Since September, it has been completely sealed off," he said, pointing out that UN convoys are now the only lifeline to the area, and more often than not, those convoys are unable to get through.

"We cannot continue like that. If we get in only a fraction of what is needed, it would be a complete catastrophe," he said. UN staff last week entered the area for a few hours and assessed that there are now "a growing number of acutely malnourished children," meaning they are "very close to dying," Egeland said. He said many were babies whose mothers had been too malnourished themselves to breastfeed.

He pointed out that since May, efforts to carry out desperately needed medical evacuations from the area have largely failed, with only about a dozen patients evacuated to date. This has created a situation where hundreds of civilians, most of them women and children, need to be evacuated. They are currently languishing "in clinics, in basements, in makeshift hospitals inside the Eastern Ghouta besieged towns and villages," Egeland said.

"They range from acutely malnourished children ... to severely wounded civilians, children, women, men. We really cannot understand that they can't be evacuated," he added. More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests, before spiralling into a complex, multi-front war that drew in international forces and jihadists.

PTI
Israel trip row: Priti Patel resigns as UK minister

International

pti-PTI

London, November 9: Over the unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians, Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel tendered resignation from her Cabinet post after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May.

Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed through the proper procedure.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric rise of the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

The 45-year-old was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

She must have hoped that the storm around her undisclosed meetings in Israel would die down after a formal apology before she flew out to Africa for an official tour of Uganda and Ethiopia yesterday. But she was unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings as she was ordered to abandon the visit and fly back to London today "at the request of the prime minister".

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patel's apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patel's position within the Cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israel's public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patel's apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about any of Patel's meetings  which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patel's resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the country's aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to investigate, or "state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence". In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to "enthusiasm".

"In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it," she said.

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

Downing Street was also forced to deny that Patel's meetings in Israel had led to any change of political stance on the region after it emerged that in the wake of her visit in August, Patel had discussed potentially providing some of Britain's aid money to Israel's armed forces which run field hospitals in the disputed Golan Heights area.

Britain does not officially recognise Israeli occupation of the area, seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, and DfID was reportedly advised against any such move. According to an Israeli media report, during her August visit to Israel, Patel also visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights.

Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, said the offer to send aid money to the Israeli army made a mockery of the British government's claim to be "pushing for a two-state solution".

"It was shocking for me a Cabinet minister breaking the ministerial protocol and meeting 12 officials, high-ranking, including Netanyahu," he added. Patel has been a longstanding supporter of Israel and also a former vice-chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel group.

Meanwhile, it was also claimed that Patel deliberately avoided facing questions over the issue from MPs in the House of Commons today, by bringing forward her flight to Kenya.

It was left to her junior, DfID minister of state for the Middle East Alistair Burt, to defend his boss' actions in Parliament.

"The meetings were not particularly secret...If I had gone to Israel, I would have wanted a schedule like this," he told MPs.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro- Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran.

The prime minister has been desperate not to shake up her already tenuous hold on Downing Street ever since her decision to call a snap general election in June backfired and lost the Conservative party its majority in Parliament.

But Theresa May has been increasingly seen as a weak leader trying to steady a very shaky regime.

PTI
What is the risk of Putin using a nuclear weapon?

'If NATO clashes with Russian army, it will lead to global catastrophe,' says Putin

NATO to increase cyber weaponry to combat resurgent Russia

International

pti-PTI

Brussels, November 9: NATO is upgrading capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia, also, the alliance members agreed to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations.

The changes are part of the alliance's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe.

The revamp reflects the "changed security environment" of recent years, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels.

The threat to the alliance's eastern flank has grown as a concern after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"We are now integrating cyber effects into NATO missions and operations to respond to a changed and new security environment where cyber is part of the threat picture we have to respond to," Stoltenberg said.

"In any military conflict cyber will be an integral part and therefore we need to strengthen our cyber defences and our cyber capabilities," he added, noting that such tactics have been effective in the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria.

After years of stripping back its command structure since the end of the Cold War, NATO wants to add the new command centres -- one to protect lines of communication across the Atlantic and one to coordinate the movement of troops and equipment around Europe.

The creation of a new NATO cyber operations hub comes as the alliance faces hundreds of attacks on its networks every month and fears grow over the Kremlin's electronic tactics.

NATO declared cyber -- where attackers disrupt websites, intercept communications and sabotage technologies used in combat -- as a conflict domain last year, putting it on a par with land, sea and air.

"We have seen a more assertive Russia, we have seen a Russia which has over many years invested heavily in their military capabilities," Stoltenberg said.

"NATO has to be able to respond to that. We are constantly adapting and what we are doing in Europe now is part of that adaptation."

Cyber capabilities will now be included in NATO missions in the same way as planes, tanks and ships -- fully integrated but still under the control of the contributing country.

Defence ministers will be joined by the EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini in the two-day meet at NATO headquarters will also cover the North Korean nuclear crisis.

PTI
With the number of anonymous rogues from Pak rising, here's how BSF is beating down the drones

Pakistan PM calls for sustained engagement with Afghanistan

International

pti-PTI

Islamabad, November 9: After a diplomatic official serving at Pakistan's consulate general in the Afghan city of Jalalabad was killed, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has emphasised the need to promote cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan through sustained engagement.

He stated this while speaking to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani who telephoned him to condole the killing of the diplomatic official Nayyer Iqbal Rana.

The prime minister conveyed to the Afghan president that Pakistan was deeply saddened at the killing of its diplomat.

He thanked the Afghan president for his condolences and said Pakistan expected that urgent steps would be taken by the Afghan government to apprehend the culprits of the crime and bring them to the justice swiftly.

Abbasi emphasised the need for cooperation and said that to realise this objective, "it is important that our two governments should collectively work for deepening the conducive environment" of relations between the two countries.

He also requested the Afghan president that the security of Pakistani nationals in Afghanistan including diplomats be strengthened.

PTI
No decision to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants in Delhi: MHA

What about undocumented Indians living abroad: Manish Tewari on BJP's Rohingya threat to nation comment

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

Rohingya crisis: How single mothers, lost children are struggling in refugee camps

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Dhaka, Nov 9: At least 622,000 Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in various camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district since they fled Myanmar to avoid violence and persecution beginning from August 25.

Aid agencies, including the United Nations (UN), working for the Rohingyas in the refugee camps have been constantly highlighting their plight.

Recently, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) finished the first stage of Rohingya family counting in Bangladesh using innovative data collection technology.

The survey has revealed a worrying trend: one-third of the refugee families are vulnerable.

"In an innovative and revealing family counting exercise, the UNHCR teams found that one-third of the families are vulnerable," Duniya Aslam Khan, spokesperson for the UNHCR, told reporters in Geneva.

Khan said that "14 per cent are single mothers holding their families together with little support in harsh camp conditions. Others are struggling with serious health problems or disabilities."

The survey also revealed high proportion of elderly people at risk and unaccompanied and separated children--some of them taking care of younger siblings--in the refugee camps.

In fact, children and women made up more than half of the total population. The individual biometric registration exercise, jointly conducted by the UNHCR and the Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), took place in the Kutupalong camp, makeshift and extension areas and Balukhali makeshift areas.

More than 100 UNHCR-hired enumerators have so far gathered data on 120,284 families comprising 517,643 refugees.

The emergency registration was made successful thanks to the new data collecting technology, stated a press release of the UN.

The geo-tagged data collection device was designed to use GPS even without network coverage, making data consolidation and analysis more efficient. The barcoded RRRC Family Counting Card has also given a shape to Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh in terms of demography and location.

"Because the refugees are still on the move and site zoning is still in progress, the enumerators visit their shelters individually, meaning that refugees do not have to queue to be counted," Khan explained.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 9, 2017, 6:26 [IST]
The events of November 10, 1898 in Wilmington, North Carolina provide added contraction to the recent claim by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly that the U.S. Civil War resulted from a failure to "compromise."

On that Thursday nearly 120-years ago a rampaging mob led by a former Confederate Army officer unleashed the only successful insurrection in American history with the violent overthrow of Wilmington's legitimately elected municipal government.

During that insurrection -- allowed to stand by state and federal authorities -- dozens of African-Americans were murdered. Insurrectionists ordered hundreds to leave that coastal city including liberal whites the insurrectionists felt embraced blacks by respecting the rights the U.S. Constitution extended to all including blacks.

Those Wilmington insurrectionists had no desire for compromise because their intent was control through white supremacy. Since those insurrectionists sought to reestablish pre-Civil War total political and economic dominance for whites over blacks, no compromise was acceptable.

The "White Declaration of Independence" issued by those Wilmington insurrectionists asserted whites in that area would, "never again be ruled" by blacks. That Declaration's "never again" phrase was unequivocal evidence the insurrectionists had no desire to compromise.



Insurrectionists in Wilmington burn black owned newspaper.

(Image by none) Details DMCA



The stance of those Wilmington, N.C. insurrectionists, cemented in white supremacy, was similar to sentiments of the Confederates who launched an armed revolt against the authority of the United States government in April 1861.

Confederates disregarded an attempted compromise in the form of a planned amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have barred Congress from outlawing slavery. Congress approved that constitution changing amendment -- known as the Corwin Amendment -- weeks before Confederates attacked a U.S. Army fort in Charlestown, SC that started the Civil War. That war stopped the ratification process of the Corwin Amendment by individual states as required by the Constitution.

That failure to compromise claim of Kelly, uttered during a recent interview on FOX News, evidenced extraordinary ignorance of American history from a man who was once a ranking general in the U.S. Marine Corps and/or engrained bigotry in the brain of President Trump's right hand man.

Kelly's failure to compromise claim about the Civil War infers a false equivalence placing equal blame on officials in both the North and South. Evidence is clear that Southerners wanted white supremacy inclusive of slavery on their terms only. Kelly's false equivalence follows in the footsteps of President Trump's August utterance placing blame for the bloody, deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia equally on white racists and the counter-protestors.

During that FOX interview the White House Chief of Staff praised the leader of the Confederate Army, Robert E. Lee, as "an honorable man" -- a declaration that coddled Lee's status as a traitor to the U.S. Constitution that Kelly swears allegiance to uphold.

"To suggest anything honorable about the people who divided our nation in an effort to keep Black people enslaved isn't just offensive -- it's dishonorable," stated a recent email blast from the President of the NAACP, America's oldest civil rights organization founded in the wake of a white rampage against blacks ten years after the Wilmington insurrection.

The perception of political oppression from blacks proclaimed by the Wilmington insurrectionists in 1898 erupted from their blinding bigotry because whites at that time held the post of Wilmington's mayor, seven of the ten city council seats and the overwhelming majority of other Wilmington city government posts from city attorney to superintendent of schools to garbage collection.

"The overthrow or coup d'etat took place within the context of an ongoing statewide campaign based on white supremacy," stated a 500-page report issued in 2006 by a commission appointed by the North Carolina legislature to examine the long ignored insurrection in Wilmington.

The Commission's report particularly faulted "historians" for perpetuating the falsehood that violence by the insurrectionists "was necessary to restore order."

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(This is a reprint from NewsBred)

Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP, Ravindra Kishore Sinha, has sought Privileges Proceedings against top brass of Indian Express, namely, (a) Vivek Goenka, chairman; (b) Rajkamal Jha, chief editor; (c) Ritu Sarin and (d) Shyamlal Yadav on its "motivated attempt to tarnish his reputation" via expose on "Paradise Papers" on November 6, 2017.

In a letter written to Venkaiah Naidu, Chairman, Rajya Sabha, published as an advertisement in newspapers on Wednesday, Sinha has accused Indian Express of "unethical journalism"in the name of freedom of the press."

Indian Express had alleged that Sinha was "illegally associated with (a) an offshore company, viz SIS Asia Pacific Holding Limited (SAPHL), incorporated in Malta ; (b) that his nomination papers of Rajya Sabha election in 2014 didn't declare his interest in offshore entities.

In his detailed letter/advertisement, Sinha has pointed out

(i) Malta has an approved jurisdiction of full Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India and doesn't amount to "tax evasion, money laundering or any malafide intent";

(ii) His holding company recently underwent "in-depth scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)"covering all regulations, including the Companies Act, Income Tax Act, SCRA, Stamp Act, FIPB, FEMA etc"no deficiency was found in terms of compliance."

(iii) Rajya Sabha nomination form requires only "provisions of details of Assets and Liabilities of which I am the owner or direct beneficiary" which is not true in Sinha's case (see the full advertisement in pic).

Sinha's anguish stems from a clearly "vested interest" of Indian Express in publishing the report--and a sneering a mocking version of it online--which he termed as "misleading and devoid of facts," despite Sinha having shared the details with Indian Express !

Over to Sinha:

"These facts were transparently shared with the Indian Express team prior to publication of the news report. Despite that, they have carried the misleading report devoid of facts and indulged in reputation assassination for vested interests."

"If the Indian Express claims to be the beacon of independent journalism, why are they not targeting other reputed public figures such as Sachin Pilot, P. Chidambaram, Pinarayi Vijayan etc who have all been named in the ICU Paradise Papers?"

"The Indian Express report is unethical journalism in the name of freedom of the press/freedom of speech and is motivated attempt to tarnish my reputation built over decades. It is extremely sad to see the high standards of neutral and independent journalism set by Ramnath Goenka being destroyed under the current editorial leadership."

In one word: Damning!!!

One doesn't know if Sinha tried to put this advertisement in Indian Express for it's not in its today's edition. Or, if he did and failed in his attempt. Still, the matter is now in public domain and Express would've to come up with an explanation.

At least the Privilege Proceedings against Indian Express is being sought for. Whether Editors' Guild of India reacts to it is a guess as good as yours as mine. Press Council of India, a Central Statutory Authority, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting--Mrs Smriti Irani being at the helm--surely should step in as Fake News in Mainstream Media--Lutyens' Media--is more rampant than ever.
From Smirking Chimp

After 2017's election night, the Republicans are on the brink of falling apart as a national party -- and everybody who has been around politics longer than President Trump knows it.

"Ed Gillespie's resounding loss in Tuesday's Virginia governor's race -- coupled with a series of other losses in lower-profile races around the country -- will likely take what was bubbling concern among Republicans about their prospects in the 2018 midterms and transform it into a frothing cauldron of panic," wrote Chris Cillizza, CNN's editor-at-large and a longtime Washington analyst. "That panic is born not from the fact of Gillespie's defeat but the way in which he lost -- and the role President Donald Trump and Trumpism played in that loss."

As bad as the results were for Republicans on Tuesday (Democrats won two governors' races as well as legislative majorities in several states, and elected a deep bench of progressives to mayoral and other down-ballot posts), Trump's response in the aftermath will only make matters worse for the GOP.

First, Trump tweeted that Gillespie didn't follow his cues. "Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for," Trump said. That's false, because Gillespie did what Republicans across the country thought was their best strategy: embrace Trumpism but not Donald Trump. Gillespie defended Confederate monuments, made racist attacks against Latin Americans (by accusing youths of being gang members), and pledged to outlaw sanctuary cities and repeal the restoration of voting to ex-felons.

What did the president do next? His administration Wednesday issued its latest Cuba sanctions, alienating many Latinos, who according to exit polls, turned out to vote in record numbers in Virginia on Tuesday.

Trump isn't going to change course. Neither is his base, nor its stalwart supporters. On Steve Bannon's Breitbart.com, Wednesday morning's lineup completely ignored Tuesday's results. Instead, there was a gamut of stories revving up nostalgia for Trump's victory a year ago. The lead story was, "November 8, 2016: The Untold Story of Breitbart's Election Night." Down the page was its preview of Virginia's governor's race, instead of coverage of the results. "The contest between the two milquetoast and uninspiring establishment candidates represents nearly everything voters hate about politics," Breitbart claimed.

Outside Trumplandia, as many Republicans and political observers know, the opposite is true. A majority of Virginia voters rejected Trump's divisive politics and embraced competent governing -- or the prospect of it. The conservative National Review's Jim Geraghty put this rejection of Trumpism as bluntly as any seasoned Republican.

"If last night had brought a routine disappointment for Republicans -- say, the statewide candidates losing by a few points and only a handful of state assembly seats flipping to the Democrats -- the 'blame Trump' argument would be weaker," Geraghty wrote. "But last night was the worst night for Republicans in Virginia in a long time. Gillespie lost by the worst margin for a Republican gubernatorial candidate in the state since 1985. No GOP statewide candidate hit 48 percent. Perhaps more significantly, Republicans entered Election Day with a 17-seat margin in the state assembly and lost at least 13, with seven seats too close to call this morning." (By midday Wednesday, Democrats had won 15 of those seats, including 11 by women candidates.)

What's apparent to Republicans who haven't drunk the Trump-Breitbart-Fox News Kool-Aid is that Trumpism and following the party's white nationalist fringe is a recipe for sending the GOP into the wilderness. Trump-style extremism may help copycats win low-turnout primaries to get onto fall ballots. But it's increasingly apparent that such extremism is a formula for losing in the general election.

CNN's Cillizza, who used to write the Washington Post's Fix column handicapping candidates, noted Gillespie's Trump-like messaging completely failed in the party's wealthier northern Virginia suburbs, which are like many GOP strongholds across America. David Wasserman, the U.S. House editor for the Cook Political Report, noted that Trump's messaging also failed in Richmond and the suburbs around Hampton Roads, which are conservative and home to nearby military bases. As a result, six of 10 Virginians told exit pollsters they strongly disapproved of the job Trump is doing -- that is, his style, his substance and his accomplishments.

"There's simply no way to explain the demolition of Gillespie in the suburbs and exurbs other than a strong distaste for Trump among those voters," Cillizza said. "And, for all of the caveats and the don't-read-too-much-into-one-race-ism by the 'smart' political reporters, the simple fact is that every single Republican politician in the halls of Congress will be paying very close attention to what happened in Virginia Tuesday night and wondering what it all means for them." He continued:

"What it means -- at least as of today -- is this: Trump remains a potent and powerful force in Republican primaries. But, he is a potentially toxic taint with the broader general electorate. Which puts Republicans -- especially those facing potentially serious primary challenges or who sit in swing districts in the general election -- in a no-win position. Run away from Trump and risk losing your primary fight. Run with Trump and risk losing the general election. Badly."

This no-win frame -- that standing with Trump will be an electoral death knell in next November's federal elections -- was also seen in results outside Virginia. In New Jersey, where voters were tired of the antics of another GOP bully, outgoing Gov. Chris Christie, Democrats won a complete lock on legislative and executive branch power. In Maine, where another red belligerent is governor, voters said no to dismantling Obamacare and voted to expand Maine's Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com.

Back in May 2013, a word came to mind that I wanted to see in all our vocabularies. It wasn't the ever-present "terrorist" but "terrarist" and I meant it to describe people intent on destroying the planetary environment that had welcomed and nurtured so many species, including our own, for so long; in other words, human beings willing to commit "terracide." I had in mind the CEOs of the biggest energy companies, the ones whose scientists understood global warming perfectly well decades ago and who still were ready to put their corporate money into supporting climate denialism. At the time I wrote:

"If the oil execs aren't terrarists, then who is? And if that doesn't make the big energy companies criminal enterprises, then how would you define that term? To destroy our planet with malice aforethought, with only the most immediate profits on the brain, with only your own comfort and wellbeing (and those of your shareholders) in mind: Isn't that the ultimate crime? Isn't that terracide?"

Of course, that was in the good old days before Donald Trump and his cronies filled a whole administration to the tipping point with so-called climate skeptics and outright climate-change denialists. And this continues to happen, even as one report or study after another confirms that humanity and its fossil fuels are heating the planet at a remarkable rate and filling its atmosphere with carbon dioxide at a record pace. In the end, Trump and his crew may prove to be the biggest collection of criminals -- in terms of harm to this world -- ever. And it should be considered a historical irony (of sorts) that, on this issue, the Republicans, once the American party of the environment, are with them all the way.

If you want an example of what this means in practice, take Donald Trump's secretary of the interior, former Montana Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke. In June, he addressed the American Petroleum Institute's board of directors at Washington's Trump International Hotel (on the very day his department announced plans to get rid of an Obama era regulation on payments for drilling and mining on federal land) and he also chartered a plane owned by oil and gas execs at a cost of $12,000 to American taxpayers for a domestic trip that would have cost $300 commercially; meanwhile, he's been doing everything in his power to open up America's protected areas to energy exploitation, shrink the boundaries of such areas, slash the Park Service budget meant to protect them, and even make them more expensive for ordinary Americans to visit. And if you think that's a mouthful of a run-on sentence, it only begins to hint at where this administration is heading with its energy fantasies about how this planet should operate. As TomDispatchregular Subhankar Banerjee, an expert on Alaska's Arctic lands and seas, points out today, no previously protected spot is likely to be spared such attention. In this context, think of the Trump White House as the Exxon Valdez of administrations and a group of terrarists all rolled into one. Tom

Drilling, Drilling, Everywhere...

Will the Trump Administration Take Down the Arctic Refuge?

By Subhankar Banerjee What happens in the Arctic doesn't just stay up north. It affects the world, as that region is the integrator of our planet's climate systems, atmospheric and oceanic. At the moment, the northernmost places on Earth are warming at more than twice the global average, a phenomenon whose impact is already being felt planetwide. Welcome to the world of climate breakdown -- and to the world of Donald Trump. The set of climate feedbacks contributing to further warming in the Arctic are about to be aided and abetted by President Trump, his Interior Department, and a Republican-controlled Congress. The impact of their decisions will be experienced around the world. While the United States is still recovering from the deaths, suffering, and devastation caused by extreme hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as historically deadly wildfires across the West, Trump's Department of the Interior is preparing a five-year strategic plan that never once mentions climate change or climate science. It does, however, plan to open previously protected public lands of all sorts to the increased exploitation of fossil fuels -- and Arctic Alaska is anything but exempt. "Alaska [is] open for business," Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told a cheering crowd at an Alaska Oil and Gas Association conference in Anchorage earlier this year. The secretary was visiting as part of a presidential mandate to "prepare our country to be energy dominant" -- even though the U.S. has been the largest global producer of oil and gas since 2012 and, in this era, has often been referred to as "Saudi America." What that energy-dominance slogan signals is nothing short of the beginning of a war against environmental conservation, justice, and the planet as a welcoming habitat for all life. "The only path for energy dominance is a path through the great state of Alaska," Zinke assured the Anchorage audience. What he evidently wants to do is sell off the most ecologically and culturally significant places in the state to Big Oil. On the sacrifice block is a long endangered stretch of public land, Area 1002, or the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a biological nursery of global significance and a place sacred to the indigenous Gwich'in Nation. Like her father, also a Republican senator from Alaska, Lisa Murkowski is championing the task of opening the refuge to drilling by abusing the filibuster-proof budget process rather than debating this controversial issue as stand-alone legislation in Congress. I first visited the Arctic Refuge in March 2001, spending a never-to-be-forgotten 14 months there during which, among so many other remarkable sights, I watched a polar bear mother playing with her two cubs outside their den in the Canning River Delta. As sea ice in the region continues to rapidly disappear, thanks to accelerating global warming, and as species like the polar bear that once used that sea ice as a primary denning habitat struggle for survival, the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge becomes increasingly significant as a land-denning habitat. And keep in mind that it's a place that harbors the highest density of onshore polar bear dens in Alaska. Any seismic exploration and drilling activities in the refuge are expected to severely affect those bears. (Seismic exploration is the process by which subsurface deposits of fossil fuels and minerals are detected by using shock waves.) On that first visit to the refuge, I witnessed caribou from the Porcupine River herd giving birth around our tent. Nearly 200,000 of them migrate more than 1,500 miles annually from their wintering habitats to the south to their calving grounds on the coastal plain and back again, the longest land migration of any mammal on Earth. In the summer months, I had difficulty sleeping because the sun quite literally never sets and birds sing around the clock. More than 90 species of them migrate from five continents and all 50 states to nest and rear their young on that coastal plain. No wonder the Gwich'in people call it "the sacred place where life begins." A Vast Transnational Nursery "Saddle up, it's going to be a tough fight, but we come from survivors, we come from warriors," Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee wrote in a Facebook post, as she faced the increasingly grim Trumpian future that seems to be in store for the preserve. To understand the situation she and her people find themselves in, join me on a brief journey into what might be called multispecies justice. On December 6, 1960, after a decade-long campaign by conservationists George Collins, Lowell Sumner, and Olaus and Mardy Murie, among others, Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton signed Public Land Order 2214 setting aside 8.9 million acres in northeast Alaska as the Arctic National Wildlife Range. Its purpose: "preserving unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values." Twenty years later, the "range" was renamed a "refuge" and more than doubled in size as part of the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act, or ANILCA, signed into law on December 2, 1980, by President Jimmy Carter. Protecting the habitat of the Porcupine River caribou herd was a crucial focus of the conservationists who helped create the refuge. Just as the original refuge was being established, the Gwich'in were beginning their own advocacy for the protection of the caribou. "Our people have been raising concerns about the impact of development on the caribou since the sixties," Gwich'in elder and activist Sarah James of Arctic Village told me during my visit to Alaska last month.

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Another shooting, another day in America.

Or so it seems.

With alarming regularity, the nation is being subjected to a spate of violence that terrorizes the public, destabilizes the country's fragile ecosystem, and gives the government greater justifications to crack down, lock down, and institute even more authoritarian policies for the so-called sake of national security without many objections from the citizenry.

Take this latest mass shooting that took place at a small church in a small Texas town.

The lone gunman--a former member of the Air Force--was dressed all in black, wearing body armor, a tactical vest and a mask, and firing an assault rifle.

Devin Patrick Kelley, the 26-year-old gunman, was described as a "regular guy" by those who knew him.

This "regular" guy's shooting rampage left at least 26 people.

President Trump and the Governor of Texas have chalked the shooting up to mental illness.

That may well be the case here.

Still, there's something to be said for the fact that this shooting bore many of the same marks of other recent attacks: the gunman appeared out of the blue without triggering any alarms, he was dressed like a soldier or militarized police officer, he was armed with military-style weapons and clearly trained in the art of killing, and the attacker died before any insight could be gained into his motives.

As usual, we're left with more questions than answers and a whole lot more fear and anxiety.

That sense of unease is growing.

How do you keep a nation safe when not even seemingly "safe places" like churches and rock concerts and shopping malls are immune from violence?

The government's answer, as always, will lead us further down the road we've travelled since 9/11 towards totalitarianism and away from freedom.

Those who want safety at all costs will clamor for more gun control measures (if not at an outright ban on weapons for non-military, non-police personnel), widespread mental health screening of the general population and greater scrutiny of military veterans, more threat assessments and behavioral sensing warnings, more CCTV cameras with facial recognition capabilities, more "See Something, Say Something" programs aimed at turning Americans into snitches and spies, more metal detectors and whole-body imaging devices at soft targets, more roaming squads of militarized police empowered to do random bag searches, more fusion centers to centralize and disseminate information to law enforcement agencies, and more surveillance of what Americans say and do, where they go, what they buy and how they spend their time.

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From Smirking Chimp



Donald Trump, the Snake Oil Salesman that Conned America

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Donald Trump was elected president of the United States a year ago this week.

His ascendancy in US politics has made visible a culture of cruelty, a contempt for civic literacy, a corrupt mode of governance and a disdain for informed judgment that has been decades in the making.

It also points to the withering of civic attachments, the undoing of civic culture, the decline of public life, the erosion of any sense of shared citizenship and the death of commanding visions.

As he visits Asia this week in a trip that those in the White House, as usual, feared could careen spectacularly off the rails, the world will once again witness how Trump's history of unabashed racism and politics of hate is transformed into a spectacle of fear, divisions and disinformation.

Under Trump, the plague of mid-20th century authoritarianism and apocalyptic populism have returned in a unique American form. A year later, people in Asia and the rest of the world are watching, pondering how such a dreadful event and retreat from democracy could have taken place.

How could a liberal society give up its ideals so quickly? What forces have undermined education to the extent that a relatively informed electorate allowed such a catastrophe to happen in an alleged democracy?

George Orwell's "ignorance is strength" motto in 1984 has materialized in the Trump administration's attempts not only to rewrite history, but also to obliterate it. What we are witnessing is not simply politics but also a reworking of the very meaning of education both as an institution and as a broader cultural force.

Trump, along with Fox News, Breitbart and other right-wing cultural institutions, echoes one of totalitarianism's most revered notions: That truth is a liability and ignorance a virtue.

As the distinction between fact and fiction is maligned, so are the institutions that work to create informed citizens. In Trump's post-truth and alternative-facts world view, nothing is true, making it difficult for citizens to criticize and hold power accountable.

Education Viewed With Disdain

Education and critical thinking are regarded with disdain and science is confused with pseudo-science. All traces of critical thought appear only at the margins of the culture as ignorance becomes the primary organizing principle of American society.

For instance, two thirds of the American public believe that creationism should be taught in schools and more than half of Republicans in Congress do not believe that climate change is caused by human activity. Shockingly, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 26 percent of Americans can name all three branches of government.

In addition, a majority of Republicans believe that former President Barack Obama is a Kenyan-born Muslim, a belief blessedly skewered upon Trump's arrival a few days ago in Hawaii, Obama's birthplace.

Such ignorance on behalf of many Americans, Republicans and Trump supporters operates with a vengeance when it comes to higher education.

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Big Food is miffed that the days of "it's-none-of-your-business" farming are over. Once upon a time, consumers cared only about the price and wholesomeness of food and didn't worry about--or investigate--its origins and "disassembly."

Now, consumers increasingly want to know how an animal lived, died, and even what it ate in between. Worse, they think it is their business. Some of the newly engaged consumers are motivated by health, wanting to avoid hormones in milk, antibiotics in beef, arsenic in chicken and who know what in seafood. Many more are motivated by ethics--not wanting to see animals suffer.



Increasingly consumers want to know how their food was produced

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There is no question that animal rights activists, with the help of miniaturized cameras and the Web, have forced farm animal treatment onto the national front page with a parade of cruel and upsetting exposes. To capture the farm verite all they often have to do is get hired at a factory farm or slaughterhouse.

How hard is it to get hired in a slaughterhouse or on factory farm? Can you fog a mirror? Do you have a pulse? Can you start this afternoon? There is not a long line to fill jobs whose descriptions are, "Remove dead animals from 98 degree ammonia-infused pens wearing face mask, $8 an hour possible, depending on experience," or "Determine sex of newborn chicks and grind up unwanted males for dog food: $6 dollars an hour; chance for advancement."

Shocked at the new brand of conscientious food consumer, Big Food has pushed back.

"Congress could require U.S. farmers to supply every pig, chicken, duck, and cow with private rooms, daily rubdowns, video iPods, and organic meals catered by Wolfgang Puck," said David Martosko the Center's the Director of Research, at Congressional hearings about humane slaughter. "But even this wouldn't satisfy activists who actually believe farm animals have the 'right' not to be eaten."

The Animal Agriculture Alliance, another pushback group, told journalists that "improvements in animal welfare should be based on reason, science and experience, not on the opinions of activists who have absolutely no vested interest in farm animals." Of course "not having a vested financial stake in the use of animals" is exactly what legitimizes activists' complaints----they are not doing it "for the money."

So it is no surprise that states, with the help of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), have been writing "Ag-Gag" bills that criminalize producing, distributing or even possessing photos and video taken without permission at an agricultural facility. They also criminalize lying on a work application to work at an agriculture facility "with an intent to commit an act not authorized by the owner."

Is such "Kill the Messenger" protectionism legal? Probably not. Two years ago, a U.S. district court ruled such a law in Idaho unconstitutional because it denied the exercise of the right to free speech even though states' ag biz "may not agree with the message."

Snuffing free speech may be a lot cheaper for Big Food than reforming animal production. But Big Food can't as easily suppress the new breed of conscientious consumers who want to know their food's origins.

(Article changed on November 9, 2017 at 06:34)
The calamity of suffering and destruction by Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico is on a much greater scale than what Houston and Florida suffered for a variety or reasons. First, as gleaned from media accounts, Irma struck with much greater intensity, apparently destroying all but the most durable structures, including nearly all infrastructure facilities, bringing the island country to total paralysis. Parts of Houston suffered greatly, but were adjacent to unaffected areas that could offer immediate refuge and assistance. The main damage there, if I am not mistaken, was from flooding, which at extensive cost could be expected to return to normalcy within a reasonable time period.

No such prediction for return to normalcy seems feasible for Puerto Rico. The situation there is complicated by its isolation from the U.S. mainland. Furthermore, the extent of damage appears far beyond what FIMA and other emergency resources are prepared to deal with, especially with the concurrent disasters.

But there are other historical factors plaguing Puerto Rico's recovery, which you can look up in Wikipedia. Puerto Rico (= Rich Port) was a comparatively wealthy Spanish colony, benefitting mainly from sugar exports. The USA took ownership after the Spanish-American War, and it gradually shifted its economy to tourism and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, and chemicals by U.S. companies attracted by special tax incentives. These favorable tax policies expired in 2013, which along with other factors, contributed to Puerto Rico's virtual bankruptcy prior to Hurricane Irma. Although its industries provided jobs, the profits from its U.S. dominated industries did not stay on the island, as is typical of colonies.

Perhaps the most significant obstacle to Puerto Rico's recovery is its status relative to the USA. Although its citizens are U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico remains a territory ultimately controlled by the U.S. Congress, which can determine its political and economic fate. (The United Nations Committee on Decolonization calls for the U.S. to expedite self-determination for Puerto Rico.)

Puerto Rico, then, is like a foster child of the USA, and therefore Congress should assume full responsibility for its welfare. That could mean providing all essentials for the population and evacuating them, if necessary, to the continental USA while reconstruction is in progress.

As an added thought, Puerto Rico presents an unusual opportunity to be a laboratory for the future. To rebuild as it was would expose it to the predicted ravages of future super hurricanes. No - it should be rebuilt to new standards that could much better withstand the onslaught of 150 MPH winds. Houses could be built with low profiles and steel skeletons well-anchored to the earth. Power grids could be placed underground and localized, using solar power, etc.

The cost would be huge, of course. Token grants and subsidies would not cover it. Congress should pass a special tax for Puerto Rico's recovery, or levy a permanent tax for environmental disasters. (Perhaps all we can expect from the current Congress is to rename it Puerto Pobre.) This is no time for general tax reforms to lower taxes.
From Consortium News



Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. August 31, 2016.

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During his campaign and his presidency, Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement if Canada and Mexico refused to renegotiate a "much better deal."

"A Trump administration will renegotiate NAFTA," Candidate Trump declared at one campaign stop after another, "and if we don't get the deal we want, we will terminate NAFTA and get a much better deal for our workers and our companies; 100 percent."

But as with many issues, the reality of Trump often doesn't measure up to the rhetoric. I spoke to noted labor journalist and photographer David Bacon about the prospects for NAFTA and free trade under Trump, and the devastating impacts that such policies have had and will continue to have on workers and undocumented workers in particular.

Bacon's books include The Right to Stay Home: How U.S. Policy Drives Mexican Migration. I spoke to him on Nov. 1, 2017 for Flashpoints on Pacifica Radio.

Dennis Bernstein: During the campaign, Trump talked about getting rid of NAFTA. Where are we now in "free trade land"?

David Bacon: Trump promised that he would renegotiate NAFTA, but, after all, Obama made the same promise when he was running for office. They were appealing for the votes of people who were hurt by the agreement here. NAFTA did have an enormous impact on working people in this country.

The Economic Policy Institute says that NAFTA cost the jobs of about 680,000 people in the US. The Department of Labor used to keep track of job losses because people who could show that they lost their job because it was moved to Mexico were entitled to get extended unemployment benefits. By the time Bush became president, that number had already reached about half a million people and Bush told the Department of Labor to stop counting because it was becoming politically embarrassing for all the politicians who had voted for the treaty.

There is no question that NAFTA did have an impact on people here and in many ways it led to a kind of displacement here that was similar to what we saw during the Depression, with people coming from the Dustbowl, but also what we are seeing with people coming here from Mexico.

Although the rhetoric of Trump and the Republican Party pits workers in this country against workers in Mexico -- because we lost jobs, Mexicans must have gained those jobs -- the reality is that Mexico lost many more jobs than they gained. But one of the things that did happen to people in this country is the migration of people internally in the United States.

When the Green Giant plant shut down here in Watsonville and moved operations to Mexico, a thousand immigrant Mexican women lost those jobs so that Green Giant could then pay women in Mexico one-tenth the wage to do the same work. Many of the women who lost their jobs had to go somewhere else to find work, the same way that people had to who lost their jobs in auto plants.

We also saw the same thing happen with people coming here from Mexico. About 3 million farmers in southern Mexico lost their jobs because of corn dumping by big US agricultural corporations like Archer Daniels Midland, and many of those people ended up coming here to the United States. One thing that progressive unions are trying to do is point out to people the similarity of experiences on either side of the border and that the only way to deal with the impact of treaties like NAFTA is by reaching across the border in solidarity. The idea that the Trump administration is going to force General Motors to bring jobs back to the United States is just ridiculous.

Dennis Bernstein: So Trump hasn't brought back thousands of jobs yet?

David Bacon: No, and he's not going to.

Dennis Bernstein: What has been the trend with NAFTA , where do you see this going?

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See original here

By Mark Sumner

Donald Trump is tougher at a distance. His speech on North Korea notably dropped the mentions of "little Rocketman" and "fire and fury" once Trump himself was in artillery range. Arriving in China, Trump replaced the vocal criticism of Chinese trading practices with equally loud praise, saying "I don't blame China" for gaining the upper hand in trade deals and "I give China great credit."

Asked about this sudden turnaround by reporters, Trump said ... nothing. Because Trump didn't allow reporters to ask any questions.

"Trump and Xi faced reporters here together for the first time on Thursday, but the two leaders leaders -- the first, a vocal critic of the press and the other an enforcer of strict media censorship -- did not take questions from reporters. "Trump is the first US President to not take questions alongside his Chinese counterpart during a first visit to the country since President George H.W. Bush."

First US president to ignore the free press ... seems like exactly the sort of title that Donald Trump would earn. Naturally concerned about Trump's cooperation in muzzling the press, reporters put the question to White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who had a ready answer.

"Asked why Trump did not take questions from reporters as his predecessors have done in the past, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said: 'It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today.'"

So ... Trump came to China to show how much tougher he is at negotiating than previous administrations, and the first thing he did was let the Chinese tell him that he couldn't talk to the press. That seems a lot less tough than those administrations Trump criticized.

"Then-Presidents Bill Clinton in 1998, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama in 2009 each convinced his Chinese counterpart to take questions from reporters during his first state visit to China."

Trump began his Chinese visit by rolling over on the fundamental right to a free press, and continued by praising the Chinese government for practices that he had called illegal during his campaign.

Trump is starting out by showing the Chinese exactly what he is -- a bully who's happy to call names from a distance, but who folds like a sweat-soaked napkin face to face. It's what anyone who has looked at Trump's business history would have predicted.

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From Strategic Culture



Is Trump Trying to Sabotage the Nuclear Deal to Lay Groundwork for War With Iran?

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Iran has responded furiously to what it called "reckless" Saudi threats after the latter accused Iran of "an act of war" in carrying out a long-range ballistic strike near the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Iran categorically denied any involvement in the missile attack at the weekend, which reports say was mounted by Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabia's southern border.

However, the Saudi rulers were quick to accuse Iran of supplying the Houthi militants with the ballistic weapon and thereby carrying out an act of war on Saudi Arabia. No evidence was presented in support of the Saudi claims.

Nevertheless, the Saudi position was immediately backed up by US President Donald Trump who, while on a tour of Asia, asserted: "Iran just took a shot at Saudi Arabia."

This automatic concurrence of views between Trump and the Saudi rulers suggests a level of concerted thinking by Washington and Riyadh, with the aim of incriminating Iran.

In other words, Saudi Arabia's provocative accusations against Iran -- which could serve as a pretext for a military escalation -- are not just isolated bluster from Riyadh.

The alarming thing is that the Trump administration has been coordinating its hostile rhetoric towards Iran for several months now, along with Saudi Arabia and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. All three allies have been using virtually the same talking-points, making hollow accusations against Iran of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East region.

Trump's threat to tear up the international nuclear accord with Iran and the reimposition of economic sanctions is also part of what appears to be an agenda of stoking a confrontation with the Islamic Republic. Before its 1979 revolution, Iran was a loyal client regime of the US. Washington, it seems, has never gotten over the loss of its Persian vassal state.

So, when the Saudi rulers accuse Iran of "an act of war" over the missile strike at the weekend, that suggests another step being taken in furthering a concerted agenda worked out by the US, Israel and the Saudis for setting up a conflict.

All of this has to be put in a much bigger regional context in which there has been a dramatic shift in geopolitical power. Russia, Iran, Syria and Lebanon's Hezbollah have emerged as new dominant political forces in the strategically vital Middle East.

The defeat of the US-led axis, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, in the proxy war in Syria is a momentous setback. The newly established dominance of Russia and Iran is anathema to the US and its regional clients.

This is why the US and its client regimes are seeking to sow conflict elsewhere in the region and towards Iran in particular. It's a nefarious consolation prize for having their regime-change plans spectacularly upended in Syria by Russia and Iran.

When Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri was summoned to Saudi Arabia at the weekend to tender his resignation, it was obviously a ploy to smear Iran and its ally Hezbollah. Hariri claimed in a Saudi television broadcast that he was running for his life to escape an assassination plot hatched by Iran and Hezbollah.

The sensationalist claims made by Hariri were dismissed by Iran as ridiculous. Even Lebanese President Michel Aoun treated the claims with derision, saying that he expects Hariri to return to Beirut immediately and explain his "surprise" resignation while standing in his own country, not from a TV studio in some foreign capital.

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BioID face recognition steps up its data privacy and protection commitment

BioID anonymous face recognition with legally compliant data centers allows for strong authentication under full data protection.

https://www.bioid.com

BioID biometric cloud service assures online user presence under full data privacyNuremberg, Germany  08.11.2017: BioID, a leader in multimodal Biometrics as a Service, has entered into agreements with both Microsoft Cloud Germany and Deutsche Telekom to host its highly in demand BioID Web Service (BWS) in the data center of T-Systems for further enhancing data security and privacy. T-Systems, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, is acting as the data trustee in ensuring that all data is stored exclusively in data centres on German soil, and T-Systems controls all access to customer data and any associated infrastructure.Addressing the upcoming GDPROffering its service via such a data center is a necessity for BioID customers, who must be compliant with the German and European Union (EU) data protection act, particularly for the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is also an excellent added-value for other BioID customers who wish to take advantage of one of the worlds most established infrastructures in protecting the security, privacy and integrity of their online data. Adding to cloud advantages like scalability and cost savings, 89% of German IT decision-makers consider German cloud providers the most trustworthy (Bitdefender 2017). By combining various components of data safety like legally compliant data centers, private clouds, anonymous authentication processes and their superior patented liveness detection, BioID enables entrusted personal privacy protection for online service providers using biometrics.BioID is Securing Privacy by DesignPrivacy by design is the fundamental principle BioID follows while building its safe and trusted face, eye and voice recognition. Aside from adapting data privacy best practices itself, BioID also facilitates its customers and their integrated solutions to meet the necessary standards and comply with regulations. As privacy issues are handled differently all over the world, BioID starts by making its service available worldwide through data centers in many different geographical and political regions. Upon request, BioID also offers private hosting for customers who are required to have BioIDs service located within the same data center. In particular, BioID offers an additional service with German cloud provider T Systems, and makes it available to all German customers as well as to those who wish to take advantage of the service by keeping all data securely stored inside Germany. This accounts for security as well as anonymity, making BioIDs face, eye and voice recognition especially suitable for industries and applications dealing with highly sensitive data and special security requirements.We understand how challenging data security and privacy are for companies and individuals alike, so we always strive for making our service even safer and more convenient, said Ho Chang, BioID CEO. Storing and processing only pseudonymized data and keeping it inside Germany in data centers compliant with the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (BDSG) is just one of the many steps we are taking towards this aim.Anonymous Face RecognitionBeing a "Biometrics as a Service" provider, BioID additionally ensures data privacy by dealing solely with pseudonymized data. To carry out its service, BioID requires only the mathematical representation of the characteristics extracted from the data uploaded. This abstract template used for the biometric operations is completely separated from other personal data. All data stored and used by the service is thus not personally identifiable. No template can be exported, re-engineered or reverse-engineered to its original format, therefore providing full anonymity and data protection.BioID is the cloud biometrics company with advanced liveness detection, offering multimodal face, eye and voice recognition with highest levels of data privacy, reliability and security. Guided by the vision that anonymous biometric recognition empowers internet users to secure their online identities with privacy, BioID offers a reliable link between a real person and digital identities by verifying the users presence in a convenient and natural way  just the way you look or the way you sound. BioIDs patented liveness detection makes online face-to-face services possible without the need of a live video session, taking online services to the next level with a great customer journey and experience. Privately held with R&D based in Germany, BioID has offices in Switzerland and the US and its technology has been proven through many years of use at enterprises, banks and government organizations.BioID GmbHBartholomausstrae 2990489 NurembergGermanyPress ContactAnn-Kathrin Schmittpress@bioid.com
The Coral Al Ahsa Hotel, Managed by HMH, Expands its Facilities

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https://www.hmhhotelgroup.com/subscribenow

http://www.mpj-pr.com

HMH  Hospitality Management Holding has announced the completion of renovation at the Coral Al Ahsa Hotel in Saudi Arabia.Mr. Ferghal Purcell, COO of HMH, said, The renovation was necessary in view of the growing demand for the hotel. As part of the upgrade, we have added 36 new guestrooms at the hotel taking its total inventory of rooms to 101 keys as well as expanded the banqueting facilities doubling the current capacity.Mr. Purcell, stressed, The Coral Al Ahsa Hotel is superbly located on King Fahad street (Dhahran road) that is the main road connecting key cities in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Over the years, the hotel has demonstrated strong performance across major segments given its outstanding location and fantastic accommodation and facilities. Al Ahsa continues to develop as a significant business hub and we have recently experienced an increase in demand for conference and event facilities. The addition of new rooms and expansion of the ballroom will allow us to take advantage of this growing demand while consolidating our position as a preferred choice in the city for both corporate and leisure guests.Decorated in a modern style, the Coral Al Ahsa Hotel is a beautiful 4-star hotel that welcomes guests with a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Included in its facilities is an exquisite all-day dining restaurant and two coffee shops with a shisha lounge, three multifunctional rooms fully equipped with the latest equipment and technology, a swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and a gym.About HMHFounded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH  Hospitality Management Holding is a fully integrated hotel management company that prides itself for being one of the pioneers among local groups that are specialized in the dry segment. Being the largest operator in the sector within the region, HMH provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of world-class management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from luxury to budget. These include Bahi Hotels & Resorts, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels.HMHs strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. The existing portfolio is located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, with a pipeline of hotels under development to grow HMHs regional footprint even further.For more information about HMH please visitorFor media contact:Hina BakhtVice PresidentMPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)Mob: +971 50 697 5146Email: h.bakht@mpj-pr.com1110, Yes Business CenterAl Barsha, Dubai, UAE1110, Yes Business CenterAl Barsha, Dubai, UAE
Global Reservoir Market - Analysis, Trends & Forecasts to 2025

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-reservoirs-tanks-vats-and-similar-containers-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/?utm_source=opr

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-reservoirs-tanks-vats-and-similar-containers-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/?utm_source=opr

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Reservoirs, Tanks, Vats And Similar Containers - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025" ().This report is best suitable for you if you: Are planning to enter a new geographical market and wish to know which one is best for your product Are planning to enter a new product market and want to have a detailed overview of the market before entering Already work in a given market and want to update your knowledge on the topic Are developing/reviewing your company strategy and wish to know the existing trends in the market Want to find the best country to import a product from Are consulting a client in the given industry and wish to get a deep understanding of the situation in the market Are planning to open new production facilities and wish to choose the best location.The report serves the above mentioned purposes by providing a deep analysis of the key indicators of the reservoir market. It includes a market overview, which consolidates the key conclusions made from the analysis of the market survey, giving insights on the most significant markets based on the comparative analysis. The report also provides a outlook of how the market is expected to change in the coming years, based on historical trends, external and internal factors, and the main drivers changing the market. Each section contains a a detailed study of the data provided. Specifically, the report covers the historical developments and existing projections of reservoir production volumes, consumption data, as well as producer prices.The trade section provides crucial data, such as historical data on imports/exports, changes in the direction of trade, as well as import/export prices. Analysis of reservoir trade shows the opportunities that are opening before producers and suppliers in a changing market.Product coverage: Containers of iron, steel or aluminum other than for compressed or liquefied gas, of greater than 300 litres capacity; containers for compressed or liquefied gas, of iron, steel or aluminium.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Data coverage: Reservoir market value and size; Major trends in the reservoir market; Historical data of production volumes and its dynamics; Per capita consumption data and its dynamics in recent years; Breakdown of reservoir production by region and country; Outlook of the market in the middle term; Trade volumes and prices; Profiles of major reservoir producers.Methodology:Our methodology consists of obtaining information from various trusted sources (both paid and open), which include, but are not limited to: International official statistical agencies Governmental statistical agencies Official trade statistics Paid trade databases Industrial associations Company reports Industry experts.Our analysts compare the information gathered, confirm it with sources when required, and analyze the collected data, developing a full clear picture of the market and coming up with the final numbers. It is crucial to understand the trends of the market, for which we do provide study, taking into account events in the market, in adjacent and related markets, raw material markets, and markets, which are the main demand creators for the product under research. As for the forecast, it is conducted using analytical models of country-by-country data on consumption, production, exports, imports, prices, as well as the industry trends, economic trends, consumption trends, possible political and technological trends.Source:IndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW
Global Camping Goods Market Trends and Opportunities Report 2017

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Camping Goods - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025" ( no link?utm_source=opr ).This report is best suitable for you if you: Are planning to enter a new geographical market and wish to know which one is best for your product Are planning to enter a new product market and want to have a detailed overview of the market before entering Already work in a given market and want to update your knowledge on the topic Are developing/reviewing your company strategy and wish to know the existing trends in the market Want to find the best country to import a product from Are consulting a client in the given industry and wish to get a deep understanding of the situation in the market Are planning to open new production facilities and wish to choose the best location.The report serves the above mentioned purposes by providing a deep survey of the key indicators of the camping equipment market. It includes a market overview, which consolidates the key conclusions made from the analysis of the market study, giving insights on the most extensive markets based on the comparative analysis. The report also provides a outlook of how the market is expected to change in the coming years, based on historical trends, external and internal factors, and the main drivers changing the market. Each section contains a an in-depth study of the data provided. Specifically, the report reveals the historical developments and existing prospects of camping equipment production volumes, consumption data, as well as producer prices.The trade section provides crucial data, such as historical data on imports/exports, changes in the direction of trade, as well as import/export prices. Analysis of camping equipment trade shows the opportunities that are opening before producers and suppliers in a changing market.Product coverage: Tarpaulins, sails for boats etc, awnings, sunblinds, tents and camping goods (including pneumatic mattresses).Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Data coverage: Camping equipment market value and size; Major trends in the camping equipment market; Historical data of production volumes and its dynamics; Per capita consumption data and its dynamics in recent years; Breakdown of camping equipment production by region and country; Outlook of the market in the middle term; Trade volumes and prices; Profiles of major camping equipment producers.Methodology:Our methodology consists of obtaining information from various trusted sources (both paid and open), which include, but are not limited to: International official statistical agencies Governmental statistical agencies Official trade statistics Paid trade databases Industrial associations Company reports Industry experts.Our analysts compare the information gathered, confirm it with sources when required, and analyze the collected data, developing a full clear picture of the market and coming up with the final numbers. It is crucial to understand the trends of the market, for which we do provide study, taking into account events in the market, in adjacent and related markets, raw material markets, and markets, which are the main demand creators for the product under research. As for the forecast, it is conducted using analytical models of country-by-country data on consumption, production, exports, imports, prices, as well as the industry trends, economic trends, consumption trends, possible political and technological trends.Source: no link?utm_source=oprIndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW
Proton Therapy Market and Forecast

http://www.dpiresearch.com/report-details.php?P_ID=119

www.dpiresearch.com

United States Proton Therapy market is expected to reach nearly US$ 1 Billion, potentially US$ 7 Billion by 2025.Market growth can be attributed to factors such as rising cancer incidence, increasing number of proton therapy centers, decreasing cost of proton therapy treatment, technological advances and market adoption. However, high costs involved in the establishment of the center is likely to restrain growth in the forecast period.The research report titled United States Proton Therapy Market: Demand, Insights, Analysis, Opportunities, Growth Potential and Forecast 2018 - 2025 examines the market dynamics, competitive landscape and discusses major trends. The study describes an indepth analysis of the United States actual and potential proton therapy market.Browse the Full Report @The report contains a granular analysis of the present industry situations, market demands, reveal facts on the market size, volume, revenues and provides forecasts through 2025. A comprehensive analysis has been done on market share of US proton therapy center (installed base) and treatment room by company. The report also provides information on the proton therapy current applications and comparative analysis with more focused on pros and cons of proton therapy and competitive analysis of eight companies.The report further sheds light on the number of treatment rooms, current and upcoming proton therapy centers. In addition, the report also provides essential insights on number of patients treated at US proton therapy centers from 2008 to 2015.The report also includes assessment of US reimbursement scenario, proton therapy clinical trials and offers a clear view of the proton therapy center component analysis. Key trends in terms of venture capital investment, collaborations, partnerships, licensing and development agreements are analyzed with details. The report also explores detailed description of growth drivers and inhibitors of the US proton therapy market.The report concludes with the profiles of major players in the US proton therapy market. The key market players are evaluated on various parameters such as company overview, product portfolio, US proton therapy centers developed by the companies and recent development & trends of the proton therapy market.Key Highlights of the United States Proton Therapy Market Report: Proton Therapy Current Applications Pros and Cons of Proton Therapy, Radiotherapy and Carbon Ion Therapy Proton Therapy Competitive Analysis: By Company Market Size & Analysis: United States Proton Therapy (2012  2025) Market Opportunity Assessment: United States Proton Therapy (2012  2025) United States Number of Treatment Rooms and Forecast (2012  2025) United States Proton Therapy Center (Installed Base) and Treatment Room Market Share: By Company United States Proton Therapy Center Infrastructure Analysis: Treatment Rooms & Proton Therapy Accelerator United States Number of Patients Treated at Proton Therapy Centers (2008  2015) United States Proton Therapy Reimbursement Scenario Proton Therapy Center Component Analysis Proton Therapy Clinical Trail Insight by Phase, Institute & Country Proton Therapy Market  Major Deals Key Market Drivers and Inhibitors of the United States Proton Therapy Market Major Companies AnalysisKey Companies Covered in the Report are as follows: Optivus Hitachi Ion Beam Applications(IBA) Varian Medical Systems Mevion Medical SystemsDPI Research is a business solutions firm which offer bespoke market research reports, custom research solutions and consulting across multi geographies and industry verticals. We deliver wide range of cutting-edge research solutions that helps organizations in making better decisions of the business to business needs.DPI Research provides high standard of business research reports to the clients across industry verticals comprising Life Sciences, Information Technology, Telecom & Internet, Food Beverages & Agriculture, Travel & Tourism, Consumer Goods & Retail, Education and Social Sciences. We are committed to use advanced analytical tools and methodologies to help clients with crucial industry information for decision making.DPI Research approaches for the business research led by a team of dynamic industry experts. DPI Research provides a real insight for effective decisions to help business with the help of current source and accurate data available in the market. DPI Research reach across the globe with global standards from established markets in the North America and Europe to emerging markets in South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa to provide the best business solutions.Maria RaiTel :+91 -7289949987Email: sales@dpiresearch.comWebsite:
Comfort through adversity 30 Visits with God by Jeannie Settembre now available

30 Visits with God

Things can often seem hectic or troublesome in the world today. During these times where do you seek comfort? 30 Visits with God is a contemporary guide through the book of Psalms. It represents a reconnection to God through a relatable journey that brings comfort in your relationship with Him and the Word.30 Visits with God is written in the format of a letter from God. It is a therapeutic way to talk to Him and work everything out. With thought provoking questions and lessons each day, 30 Visits with God gives you the tools needed to have a breakthrough in your relationship with God and the Word.Jeannie clarifies the complicated and leads you to Gods throne where youll receive healing for your wounds and wisdom for your life. -- Monica Schmelter, General Manager, WHTN Christian Television Network/Host of BridgesJeannie Settembre serves Gods people both within the church and on the streets of the inner city. She hits the streets in impoverished areas to bring hope to the homeless and many others living in desperate and dangerous situations. She is also a credentialed minister assisting Christian Faith Fellowship Church in the areas of empowering women through the Word of God, community outreach and teaches and speaks at womens retreats and conferences.Writing daily devotionals is a natural progression of Jeannies passion to see the desperate become filled with hope. Jeannie is married to her husband Fiore, has three grown children and enjoys a large family with many grandchildren. Jesus changed her life and she longs for others to experience the love and nurturing only the Lord can give.Bush Publishing and Associates announces the immediate release of 30 Visits With God, by Jeannie Settembre, available in hardcopy and digital download on Amazon.com. Bulk distribution available for book stores and church bookstores through Bush Publishing & Associates. For more information about 30 Visits With God or quantity pricing contact us at: info@bushpublishing.com.For more than 15 years Bush Publishing and Associates has helped bring the stories of both first-time and seasoned authors to print through our traditional publishing program. Our publishing and marketing team have facilitated best-seller status and book to major film through our fresh approach to publicity. To learn more about publishing and publicity packages, visit our website at bushpublishing.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN. Email us at info@bushpublishing.com.Citi Plex Towers 2448 E 81st StreetSuite 4805Tulsa, OK
Home Ownership to Fall in Norfolk

A study has shown that Norfolks property market may be in crisis due to the amount of home owners in the region decreasing. The study, carried out by the National Housing Federation, forecasts that home ownership in the East of England will drop to under 65% by 2021, and house prices will rise higher than anywhere in the country in the next five years. The study also highlights that rent in the 
Hospital Solutions Help Protect Vaccines & Drugs

www.DataLoggerInc.com

www.DataLoggerInc.com

Accsense Monitoring Systems Give Peace of MindAccsense temperature monitoring systems provide hospitals and clinics with single and multi-point monitoring in both wired and wireless models. Accsense systems provide healthcare staff with voice, email or SMS alarm notifications of unsafe changes in temperature or sudden power outages.For regulatory compliance in clinics and hospitals, Accsense provides users with peace of mind. All the temperature data and documentation is stored on our secure cloud servers to show to auditors. Using your Accsense Online Account, you can login through any Web browser to view data in real time and access each pods historic data in graph form.Call an Accsense representative today at (800) 956-4437 to learn more, or visit our website atAccsense Temperature Monitoring Features: Continuous Temperature Monitoring 24/7 Automated Operation Alarm notification via telephone voice messaging, email, and SMS texts View Real-Time Data as Graphs and Charts Secure Data Storage Regulatory Compliance Made Easy! FREE On-Call Technical Support!Where Should You Monitor Temperature in Your Hospital? Medical Refrigerators and Freezers: Medical storage units require continual temperature monitoring to help protect valuable life science inventory including drugs, blood supplies, and patient samples.Solution: The Accsense A2-05W Wireless Temperature Data Logger has inputs for two external RTD temperature probes and an additional input for a thermocouple. This makes it a low-cost way to monitor a combination medical refrigerator/freezer unit or two storage units at distributed points. Using a standard WiFi connection to the internet, the wireless data logger quickly connects to your WiFi Network. We also offer a Wired Ethernet version for LAN-based temperature monitoring. Vaccine Storage Units: Under the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, healthcare providers must adhere closely to the CDCs vaccine storage and handling guidelines. The CDC recommends using to electronically document vaccine temperature history. Since most VFC refrigerators contain vaccine inventory valued at $30,000 to $60,000, a temperature monitoring system can pay for itself by helping to avoid a loss of product.Solution: The Accsense Vaccine Storage Temperature Monitoring Kit comes complete with a NIST-traceable certificate of calibration, all hardware, and a one-year monitoring plan. With just a click you can view data online from any web-enabled devicedesktop, laptop or smartphone! Hospital Morgues: At CAS Dataloggers we offer several solutions to monitor, track and send alarm notifications about temperatures in body storage coolers and facilities.Solution: A2-05 Wired Ethernet Temperature Data Loggers helped provide a solution for Euclid Hospital located near Cleveland, Ohio. The Lab Team Leader explains why he went with Accsense for his morgue: Accsense is very convenient for our remote monitoring needs; in case anything goes wrong in the basement, Ive always got the alarm on my phone. All the alarming capabilities are greatnow we dont have to constantly go down to the basement to check on the cooler anymore. Operating Theaters: Operating theatres and surgery rooms often require temperature and humidity monitoring due to condensation dripping from the ceiling. This potential risk of patient contamination can be prevented by taking remedial action in response to an automated Accsense phone call or text notification.Solution: The Accsense A1-01a Wireless Environmental Data Logger has internal temperature and humidity sensors and will continue to log data even during power or Internet outages.State of the Art Medical Monitoring:Current Accsense customers include Boston Childrens Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Stanford Hospital & Clinics, UCLA Medical Center and many other prestigious medical facilities.To learn more about these world-class temperature monitoring systems, call CAS DataLoggers at (800) 956-4437 or visit our website atComputer Aided Solutions, LLC. dba CAS DataLoggers is a distributor of data loggers, paperless recorders and data acquisition equipment.We have the industrys most complete selection of data logging equipment, with hundreds of different models from more than 18 manufacturers. With data loggers from 1 to 300 channels we can record temperature, humidity, force/strain, pressure, flow, voltage, current, resistance, vibration and other digital signals, in connection with serial (RS-232/RS-485), CAN/OBD or SDI-12 devices. We sell directly to end users and also work through a network of distributors and resellers throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America.Computer Aided Solutions, LLC8437 Mayfield Rd., Unit 104Chesterland, OH 44026(440)729-2570(800)956-4437
Embrace the Fear Revolution Women's Conference Will Give the First Louise Hay Award

http://www.EmbracetheFear.me

http://www.embracethefear.me

The Embrace the Fear Revolution Women's Conference will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 7:30am until 8pm at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.Phoenix, AZ, USA -- Embrace the Fear Revolution Women's Conference held on International Women's Day, will celebrate fearless women of every generation. The revolution is a time for women to stop playing small, harness their power, and feminine brilliance to set women up for even greater success.During the lunch portion of the conference, an amazing pioneer from our community will win the first Louise Hay Award. We created this award to honor the late Louise Hay and keep her amazing accomplishments alive. Through Louise Hay's healing techniques and positive philosophy, millions of women have learned to create more of what they want in their lives-more wellness in their bodies, minds, and spirits."Louise Hay has had such an impact on so many lives" and "What is more powerful than to receive the first Louise Hay award?" says Linda Michaels, Conference Director. We will honor her memory and all of the amazing accomplishments. Louise Hay said best, "I now free myself from destructive fears and doubts."The Embrace the Fear Revolution Women's Conference will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 7:30am until 8pm at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is going to be one celebration that you won't want to miss! Space is limited, so please RSVP toPlease send Press inquiries to: info(at)embracethefear(dot)meMedia Contact:Linda Michaels, Conference DirectorEmbrace the Fear Revolution16401 S. 46th Pl.Phoenix, AZ 85048-0138480-510-7921info@embracethefear.me
How to Improve Customer Retention

www.contactspace.com

Have you ever tried to cancel your Pay TV subscription over the phone? As a customer, youve decided that you no longer want the service for whatever reason, and you just want to terminate the service quickly. You called them and selected the cancel service option when prompted, and your call is answered by an agent who is very friendly and empathises with you. Theyre great listeners, receptive to your reasons for cancelling the service, and then they address each reason with a counter-argument that somehow makes your decision to cancel, seem less significant than it did earlier on and that you could have been missing out  so you end up keeping the service. How did that happen?Far from being a random conversation, this example highlights what can happen when a great sales process comes into play. That call was converted from a potential loss to a win! And the customer also walks away satisfied, so its a win-win outcome.One of the top goals of most business is to increase customer retention because existing customers are more profitable. The cost of customer acquisition can be 10 times more than the cost of retaining existing customers. Improving customer retention is also one of the top 3 reasons given by businesses who are investing in contact centre solutions, accounting for 42% of all responses in a recent survey.If we examine the mechanics of this call, we can see that the call was routed via an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, to a team that is skilled in customer retention. An IVR is an automated function that interacts with callers, gathers information and routes calls. In this instance, a Skills-Based IVR System, as found in contact centre solutions like contactSPACE, correctly matched and routed the cancellation request with an agent that is skilled in customer retention.In what seemed like a natural conversation with the agent, was, in fact, guided intelligently through the conversation (rather than just scripted) The contactSPACE Call Guide software provides objection handling functionality so that the agent is able to rebut any reason that the caller offers up as grounds for cancellation. For example, if your customer says they cant afford to pay the bill, the system displays to the agent a number of available options, from payment plans to discounts and other inducements, designed to alleviate the customer of their immediate problem, and to retain them as a customer. As the call progresses, the agent can follow a proven process using contactSPACE CallGuides, an intelligent and proprietary scripting function that enables all agents to engage with confidence, using proven responses that yield the desired outcomes.Aside from aligning the callers needs with the agents skills, being able to provide good service helps with customer retention. Being efficient with customer interactions improves customer handling time; reduces repetition; reduces call queues; reduces caller frustration; improves personalisation, resulting in better outcomes. Contact centre solutions are often integrated with CRMs, which allows agents to have easy access to a customers history during the call, allowing them to quickly review and update the customer record without ever leaving the contact centre environment.Its clear that having the best contact centre technology and processes in place can make all the difference between retaining or losing a customer. So the next time youre on the phone with your service provider, take a moment to consider the technology behind the scenes and imagine how that technology can help your organisation.To learn more about contactSPACE, give us a call on 1300 360 533 or email us at info@contactspace.com .contactSPACE is a cloud-based contact centre solution which helps organisations improve the outcomes of their client interactions as well as eliminating the operational complexities which have plagued call centres for decades. The customers' reliance on costly I.T. infrastructure has been eliminated as contactSPACE requires little more than an internet connection and a headset. contactSPACE has successfully shifted the focus from the technology to the operations of contact centres.L9, 1 Chandos StreetSt. Leonards NSW 2065AUSTRALIAinfo@contactspace.com
Submarine Electricity Transmission Market Forecast 2017-2023 Nexans, NKT Cables, VISCAS, DONG Energy, Fujikura

Submarine Electricity Transmission

https://goo.gl/vtZ6bj

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-submarine-electricity-transmission-systems-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022-2/

A market study  Global Submarine Electricity Transmission Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Submarine Electricity Transmission market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Submarine Electricity Transmission market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Submarine Electricity Transmission market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Submarine Electricity Transmission Market 2017 report includes Submarine Electricity Transmission market Size, Revenue, market Share, Submarine Electricity Transmission industry volume, market Trends, Submarine Electricity Transmission Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Submarine Electricity Transmission Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Submarine Electricity Transmission Market Forecast 2017:1. ABB2. Nexans3. Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke (NSW)4. NKT Cables5. VISCAS6. DONG Energy7. Fujikura8. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)9. Prysmian10. Energinet11. Vattenfall12. SumitomoSubmarine Electricity Transmission Market : Type Analysis Mass-Impregnated Cables Self-Contained Fluid-Filled Cables Extruded Insulation CablesSubmarine Electricity Transmission Market : Application Analysis Military CivilianFirstly, the report covers the top Submarine Electricity Transmission manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Submarine Electricity Transmission report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Submarine Electricity Transmission industry, Submarine Electricity Transmission industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Submarine Electricity Transmission Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Submarine Electricity Transmission research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Submarine Electricity Transmission market revenue worldwide.Finally, Submarine Electricity Transmission market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Subsea Well Intervention Market Forecast 2017-2023 Petrobras, Statoil ASA, Total SA, BP PLC

Subsea Well Intervention

https://goo.gl/5EQKre

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-subsea-well-intervention-systems-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022-2/

A market study  Global Subsea Well Intervention Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Subsea Well Intervention market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Subsea Well Intervention market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Subsea Well Intervention market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Subsea Well Intervention Market 2017 report includes Subsea Well Intervention market Size, Revenue, market Share, Subsea Well Intervention industry volume, market Trends, Subsea Well Intervention Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Subsea Well Intervention Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Subsea Well Intervention Market Forecast 2017:1. Petrobras2. Statoil ASA3. Total SA4. BP PLC5. Royal Dutch Shell PLC6. ExxonMobil7. Aker Oil Field Services8. Eide Marine Services A/S9. Fugro-TS Marine10. Cal-Dive International11. Hallin MarineSubsea Well Intervention Market : Type Analysis Coiled Tubing Units Wire Line ServicesSubsea Well Intervention Market : Application Analysis Shallow Water Deep Water Ultra-Deep WaterFirstly, the report covers the top Subsea Well Intervention manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Subsea Well Intervention report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Subsea Well Intervention industry, Subsea Well Intervention industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Subsea Well Intervention Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Subsea Well Intervention research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Subsea Well Intervention market revenue worldwide.Finally, Subsea Well Intervention market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Li-Ion Grid Storage Market Forecast 2017-2023 SAFT, LG Chem, Samsung SDI, Toshiba, Sony

Li-Ion Grid Storage

https://goo.gl/uVRe54

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-li-ion-grid-storage-sales-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Li-Ion Grid Storage Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Li-Ion Grid Storage market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Li-Ion Grid Storage market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Li-Ion Grid Storage market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Li-Ion Grid Storage Market 2017 report includes Li-Ion Grid Storage market Size, Revenue, market Share, Li-Ion Grid Storage industry volume, market Trends, Li-Ion Grid Storage Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Li-Ion Grid Storage Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Li-Ion Grid Storage Market Forecast 2017:1. SAFT2. LG Chem3. Samsung SDI4. Toshiba5. Sony6. Panasonic7. Lishen8. BYD9. Kokam10. HitachiLi-Ion Grid Storage Market : Type Analysis Lithium Manganese Oxide Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide Lithium Iron Phosphate Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide Lithium TitanateLi-Ion Grid Storage Market : Application Analysis Wind Turbines PV Arrays Diesel-generators Fuel cellsFirstly, the report covers the top Li-Ion Grid Storage manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Li-Ion Grid Storage report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Li-Ion Grid Storage industry, Li-Ion Grid Storage industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Li-Ion Grid Storage Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Li-Ion Grid Storage research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Li-Ion Grid Storage market revenue worldwide.Finally, Li-Ion Grid Storage market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Softgel Capsules Market Forecast 2017-2023 Catalent, NBTY, IVC, EuroCaps, Captek

Softgel Capsules

https://goo.gl/vvRypJ

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-softgel-capsules-industry-2017-market-research-report/

A market study  Global Softgel Capsules Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Softgel Capsules market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Softgel Capsules market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Softgel Capsules market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Softgel Capsules Market 2017 report includes Softgel Capsules market Size, Revenue, market Share, Softgel Capsules industry volume, market Trends, Softgel Capsules Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Softgel Capsules Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Softgel Capsules Market Forecast 2017:1. Catalent2. NBTY3. IVC4. EuroCaps5. Captek6. Strides Arcolab7. Capsugel8. Soft Gel Technologies9. Amway10. Sirio Pharma11. Baihe Biotech12. Ziguang Group13. Shineway14. Donghai Pharm15. By-Health16. Yuwang Group17. Guangdong YichaoFirstly, the report covers the top Softgel Capsules manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Softgel Capsules report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Softgel Capsules industry, Softgel Capsules industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Softgel Capsules Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Softgel Capsules research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Softgel Capsules market revenue worldwide.Finally, Softgel Capsules market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market Forecast 2017-2023 Supermax, Lord, Malhotra, Benxi Jincheng, SRBIL

Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade

https://goo.gl/8xkqKZ

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-stainless-steel-double-edge-blade-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market 2017 report includes Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade market Size, Revenue, market Share, Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade industry volume, market Trends, Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market Forecast 2017:1. Gillette2. Edgewell3. BIC4. Supermax5. Lord6. Malhotra7. Benxi Jincheng8. SRBIL9. Treet10. Feather11. Feintechnik12. AccuTec Blades13. Kaili Razor14. Shanghai Cloud15. YingjiliStainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market : Type Analysis 0.1-0.3 mm 0.3-0.5 mm >0.5 mmStainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market : Application Analysis Razor IndustrialFirstly, the report covers the top Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade industry, Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade market revenue worldwide.Finally, Stainless Steel Double Edge Blade market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Energy Efficiency Gamification Market Forecast 2017-2023 Oroeco, Energy Time, MyEcoNavigator, Evolaris

Energy Efficiency Gamification

https://goo.gl/b1CEup

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-energy-efficiency-gamification-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Energy Efficiency Gamification Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Energy Efficiency Gamification market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Energy Efficiency Gamification market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Energy Efficiency Gamification market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Energy Efficiency Gamification Market 2017 report includes Energy Efficiency Gamification market Size, Revenue, market Share, Energy Efficiency Gamification industry volume, market Trends, Energy Efficiency Gamification Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Energy Efficiency Gamification Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Energy Efficiency Gamification Market Forecast 2017:1. Oroeco2. Energy Time3. MyEcoNavigator4. Evolaris5. Lockheed Martin Corporation6. San Diego Gas & Electric7. Opower8. Cool Choices9. Simple Energy10. WeSpire11. Creative Roustabouts12. JouleBug13. Take Charge ChallengeEnergy Efficiency Gamification Market : Type Analysis Web-Based Energy Efficiency Gamification Mobile Energy Efficiency Gamification Desktop Energy Efficiency GamificationEnergy Efficiency Gamification Market : Application Analysis Residential Commercial IndustrialFirstly, the report covers the top Energy Efficiency Gamification manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Energy Efficiency Gamification report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Energy Efficiency Gamification industry, Energy Efficiency Gamification industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Energy Efficiency Gamification Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Energy Efficiency Gamification research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Energy Efficiency Gamification market revenue worldwide.Finally, Energy Efficiency Gamification market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market Forecast 2017-2023 Tieto, SAP, Adept, Wipro Limited

Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution

https://goo.gl/8kfKwj

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-hydrocarbons-accounting-solution-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market Forecast  examines the performance of the Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market 2017 report includes Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution market Size, Revenue, market Share, Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution industry volume, market Trends, Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market Forecast 2017:1. Tieto2. SAP3. Adept4. P2 Energy Solutions (Formerly Merrick Systems)5. Wipro Limited6. Quorum Business SolutionsHydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market : Type Analysis Software Solution Services SolutionHydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market : Application Analysis Small and Medium Enterprises Big EnterpriseFirstly, the report covers the top Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution industry, Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution market revenue worldwide.Finally, Hydrocarbons Accounting Solution market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
IHE XDS.B Market Forecast 2017-2023 NEN, Bridge Head, Microsoft, Synedra

IHE XDS.B market

https://goo.gl/VTbaJr

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-ihe-xds-b-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global IHE XDS.B Market Forecast  examines the performance of the IHE XDS.B market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the IHE XDS.B market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of IHE XDS.B market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global IHE XDS.B Market 2017 report includes IHE XDS.B market Size, Revenue, market Share, IHE XDS.B industry volume, market Trends, IHE XDS.B Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, IHE XDS.B Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global IHE XDS.B Market Forecast 2017:1. Care Evolution2. NEN3. Bridge Head4. Microsoft5. Synedra6. Lexmark InternationalIHE XDS.B Market : Type Analysis XDR (XDS Reliable Interchange) XDM (XDS Media Interchange) XCA (Cross-Community Access) XUA (Cross-Enterprise User Authentication)IHE XDS.B Market : Application Analysis Hospitals Laboratories Ambulatory Clinics PharmaciesFirstly, the report covers the top IHE XDS.B manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the IHE XDS.B report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of IHE XDS.B industry, IHE XDS.B industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. IHE XDS.B Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The IHE XDS.B research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the IHE XDS.B market revenue worldwide.Finally, IHE XDS.B market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market Forecast 2017-2023 Samsung, Ericson, Huawei, Alcatel

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)

https://goo.gl/fzpBm9

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-ip-multimedia-subsystem-ims-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market Forecast  examines the performance of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market 2017 report includes IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market Size, Revenue, market Share, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) industry volume, market Trends, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market Forecast 2017:1. Samsung2. Nokia Networks3. Ericson4. Huawei5. Alcatel-Lucent SA6. ZTE Corporation7. Oracle8. Genband Inc9. BroadSoft10. Cisco Systems11. NEC Corp12. MitelIP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market : Type Analysis Fixed Access System Cable Access System Fixed Wireless System Mobile Access SystemIP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market : Application Analysis Smartphone/Tablets Desktops/Laptops Cable Set-Top Box Landline PhonesFirstly, the report covers the top IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) industry, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market revenue worldwide.Finally, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Yogurt Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022)

Yogurt Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022)

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/yogurt-global-market-intelligence-2012-2022

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=41947

Boston, MAReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Yogurt Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022) to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The report Yogurt Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022) provides market intelligence on the different market segments, based on type, application, and geography. Market size and forecast (2011-2020) has been provided in the report.The primary objectives of this report are to provide1. comprehensive global market intelligence through detailed segmentation2. market size and forecasts, growth rates, market dynamics, industry structure and developments, market situation, trends3. detailed analysis of current dynamics and trends, key market players, and strategies in the market4. detailed value chain analysis and review of growth factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants5. provide emerging opportunities in the market and the future impact of major drivers and restraints of the market and6. support decision makers in making cost-effective business decisions.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT - The global yogurt market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 6% from 2018 to 2022.- North America alone contributed most of the value sales in the global yogurt market, followed by Europe.- The key players in this market are Danone, Ultima Foods, Chobani LLC, Sodiaal, Nestle, General Mills, Kraft Foods, and Yakult Honsha Co, Ltd among many others.- Sprout Intelligence expert team estimated that the global yogurt market in 2016 was worth more than USD 8 billion.To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @ReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-1947abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Nov 9, 2017: Power Banks Market Forecast 2023 Mophie, Energizer, Samsung SDI , GP Batteries

Power Banks Market

http://bit.ly/2AtMc8u

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-power-banks-industry-report-2016-2/

www.spiremarketresearch.com

Power Banks Market Research 2017A market study  Global Power Banks Market  examines the performance of the Power Banks market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Power Banks market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Power Banks market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Power Banks Market 2017 report includes Power Banks market Revenue, market Share, Power Banks industry volume, market Trends, Power Banks Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Power Banks Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Power Banks Market 2017 : Mophie Energizer Samsung SDI GP Batteries Panasonic FSP EUROPE Xtorm Maxell Sony HIPER Samya Romoss MI PISEN OthersFirstly, the report covers the top Power Banks manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Power Banks report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Power Banks industry, Power Banks industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Power Banks Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Power Banks research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Power Banks market revenue worldwide.Finally, Power Banks market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov 9, 2017: Vacuum Contactors Market Forecast 2023 ABB, General Electric Company, Siemens

Vacuum Contactors Market

http://bit.ly/2hcpqJJ

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-vacuum-contactors-sales-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

www.spiremarketresearch.com

Vacuum Contactors Market Research 2017A market study  Global Vacuum Contactors Market  examines the performance of the Vacuum Contactors market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Vacuum Contactors market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Vacuum Contactors market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Vacuum Contactors Market 2017 report includes Vacuum Contactors market Revenue, market Share, Vacuum Contactors industry volume, market Trends, Vacuum Contactors Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Vacuum Contactors Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Vacuum Contactors Market 2017 : ABB General Electric Company Siemens Toshiba Mitsubishi Electric Schneider Eaton Larsen & Toubro Rockwell Automation Crompton GreavesFirstly, the report covers the top Vacuum Contactors manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Vacuum Contactors report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Vacuum Contactors industry, Vacuum Contactors industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Vacuum Contactors Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Vacuum Contactors research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Vacuum Contactors market revenue worldwide.Finally, Vacuum Contactors market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov 9, 2017: Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market Forecast 2023 3rdTech, Agave BioSystems, Anosys

Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market

http://bit.ly/2yGJejy

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-biomedical-nanoscale-devices-sales-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

www.spiremarketresearch.com

Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market Research 2017A market study  Global Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market  examines the performance of the Biomedical Nanoscale Devices market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Biomedical Nanoscale Devices market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Biomedical Nanoscale Devices market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market 2017 report includes Biomedical Nanoscale Devices market Revenue, market Share, Biomedical Nanoscale Devices industry volume, market Trends, Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market 2017 : 3rdTech Agave BioSystems Anosys Baxter Healthcare BioForceNanosciences LifeSensors Quantum Dot Triton BioSystems Zeptosens AG OthersFirstly, the report covers the top Biomedical Nanoscale Devices manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Biomedical Nanoscale Devices report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Biomedical Nanoscale Devices industry, Biomedical Nanoscale Devices industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Biomedical Nanoscale Devices Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Biomedical Nanoscale Devices research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Biomedical Nanoscale Devices market revenue worldwide.Finally, Biomedical Nanoscale Devices market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov 9, 2017: Population Health Management Market Forecast 2023 McKesson, Cerner Corporation, Epic Systems

Population Health Management Market

http://bit.ly/2hk8Onf

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-population-health-management-sales-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

www.spiremarketresearch.com

Population Health Management Market Research 2017A market study  Global Population Health Management Market  examines the performance of the Population Health Management market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Population Health Management market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Population Health Management market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Population Health Management Market 2017 report includes Population Health Management market Revenue, market Share, Population Health Management industry volume, market Trends, Population Health Management Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Population Health Management Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Population Health Management Market 2017 : McKesson Cerner Corporation Epic Systems Allscripts Athena Health Healthagen Optum Trizetto Phytel?IBM? I2i Systems Healthcatalysts Conifer Health eClinicalWorks Meditech Greenway Health OtherFirstly, the report covers the top Population Health Management manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Population Health Management report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Population Health Management industry, Population Health Management industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Population Health Management Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Population Health Management research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Population Health Management market revenue worldwide.Finally, Population Health Management market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov 9, 2017: Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market Forecast 2023 Pfizer, Fresenius, TEVA

Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market

http://bit.ly/2AjZzXW

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-neuromyelitis-optica-drug-industry-report-2016/

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Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market Research 2017A market study  Global Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market  examines the performance of the Neuromyelitis Optica Drug market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Neuromyelitis Optica Drug market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Neuromyelitis Optica Drug market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market 2017 report includes Neuromyelitis Optica Drug market Revenue, market Share, Neuromyelitis Optica Drug industry volume, market Trends, Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market 2017 : Pfizer Fresenius TEVA Sandoz Intas Gyjtrs Nang Kuang Tianjin Kingyork Baxter CSL Grifols Octapharma CBOP OthersFirstly, the report covers the top Neuromyelitis Optica Drug manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Neuromyelitis Optica Drug report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Neuromyelitis Optica Drug industry, Neuromyelitis Optica Drug industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Neuromyelitis Optica Drug Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Neuromyelitis Optica Drug research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Neuromyelitis Optica Drug market revenue worldwide.Finally, Neuromyelitis Optica Drug market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov 9, 2017: Creatine Kinase Market Forecast 2023 Beckman Coulter, Roche, Abbott

Creatine Kinase Market

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Creatine Kinase Market Research 2017A market study  Global Creatine Kinase Market  examines the performance of the Creatine Kinase market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Creatine Kinase market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Creatine Kinase market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Creatine Kinase Market 2017 report includes Creatine Kinase market Revenue, market Share, Creatine Kinase industry volume, market Trends, Creatine Kinase Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Creatine Kinase Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Creatine Kinase Market 2017 : Beckman Coulter Roche Abbott Siemens Healthcare LSI MedienceFirstly, the report covers the top Creatine Kinase manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Creatine Kinase report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Creatine Kinase industry, Creatine Kinase industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Creatine Kinase Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Creatine Kinase research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Creatine Kinase market revenue worldwide.Finally, Creatine Kinase market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov 9, 2017: Ultra Slim TV Market Forecast 2023 LG, Panasonic, Samsung

Ultra Slim TV Market

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Ultra Slim TV Market Research 2017A market study  Global Ultra Slim TV Market  examines the performance of the Ultra Slim TV market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Ultra Slim TV market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Ultra Slim TV market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Ultra Slim TV Market 2017 report includes Ultra Slim TV market Revenue, market Share, Ultra Slim TV industry volume, market Trends, Ultra Slim TV Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Ultra Slim TV Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Ultra Slim TV Market 2017 : LG Panasonic Samsung Sceptre Seiki Sharp Sony TCL Upstar Vizio Hisense Hair Philips ToshibaFirstly, the report covers the top Ultra Slim TV manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Ultra Slim TV report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Ultra Slim TV industry, Ultra Slim TV industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Ultra Slim TV Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Ultra Slim TV research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Ultra Slim TV market revenue worldwide.Finally, Ultra Slim TV market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Authenticom, a La Crosse-based data integrator in the automotive industry, informed 55 employees that they will be laid off effective Feb. 2 because of the companys prolonged antitrust battle with two larger companies, founder and CEO Steve Cottrell said Wednesday.

I consider these people as family, Cottrell said during a phone interview Wednesday in which his voice reflected obvious anguish over the decision, which he described as a resizing mode.

I deeply, personally regret this. Weve done everything in our power to avoid this, Cottrell said of the action, which will leave Authenticom with 36 employees.

La Crosse's Authenticom wins injunction in antitrust suit Authenticom Inc. gained substantial traction in its antitrust lawsuit against two companies 

Cottrell had remained steadfast in his resolve to keep Authenticoms roughly 110 employees on the payroll as the antitrust suit against CDK Global and Reynolds and Reynolds Co. winds its way through the court system.

Cottrells announcement to the affected employees came two days after the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago dealt Authenticom a blow in its suit, which the company filed in federal court in Madison on May 1.

Preliminary injunction quashed

The appeals court set aside a district courts preliminary injunction barring CDK Global and Reynolds from interfering with Authenticoms business.

Although we are disappointed with the Court of Appeals ruling, we continue to remain confident in the ultimate success of our case and continue to work diligently through discovery in preparation for trial, Cottrell said in a letter addressed to valued partners Tuesday.

The human side of the layoffs is sweeping, Cottrell lamented during the interview. One employee has been with me for 15 years and has four small children. There are employees with pregnant spouses, and some who have just bought homes.

Authenticom, which tried to hold its number of layoffs to the dozen announced in August, set the Feb. 2 date to lay off the 55 to extend benefits for them, Cottrell said. They will receive help with job-placement efforts, resume writing and other assistance needed to secure new jobs, he said.

These are the people who made this company, and made us a success, he said. This is a tribute to what the larger team has done.

After the downsizing, Authenticom will be well-positioned and viable and able to pay bills that had piled up as CDK and Reynolds took actions that Cottrell said are intended to bankrupt the company he founded in 2002 in his sons bedroom.

We have found significant opportunities outside of the automotive sector, he said.

Change is on the horizon, and we are inspired by the way our industry has embraced both technological change and at the same time pushed back on the status quo of control of emerging technology by the privileged few, he said.

Authenticom, which is headquartered in the Doerflinger building in downtown La Crosse, is a third-party data integrator that links car dealers to software vendors such as CDK and Reynolds. Cottrells suit alleges that CDK and Reynolds have colluded in an illegal plot to block Authenticom from access to their data, costing it millions of dollars and pushed it to the brink of insolvency.

CDK and Reynolds counter that their data is proprietary and insist that Authenticom should not be allowed to scrape the information.

Profits plunge nearly 80 percent

The companies actions caused Authenticoms profits to plunge by 77.22 percent between the third quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of this year, according to Authenticoms suit filings.

They have left Authenticom cash-flow insolvent, with insufficient earnings and resources to satisfy its outstanding debt obligations, the suit alleges.

Authenticom had been unable to pay an $11 million principal payment to a bank in April, as well as a tax-related obligation of about $1.17 million that same month, among other financial setbacks, the suit contends.

CDK and Reynolds are the two big dogs in the automotive data sector, in which Authenticom is the other major player. CDK is a publicly traded Delaware corporation with headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. It provides DMS software and services to car dealerships throughout the country and has more than $2 billion in annual revenues. The private corporation of Reynolds and Reynolds is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.

For its part, CDK issued a statement saying, in part, We strongly believe that our policy of not allowing unauthorized intermediaries onto our systems is the best way to preserve the integrity of those systems and the security of our customers data.

No court has mandated unfettered access to the data and systems operated by another company, according to the statement. We remain committed to protecting our property rights and those of third parties with data on our systems, and will continue to mount a vigorous defense against the meritless claims that have been made against us by Authenticom.

Obama lauded company for growth, wages

Cottrell was thrust into the national spotlight in 2015, when President Barack Obama saluted Authenticom during a major financial address he delivered at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

So this business that began in Steves sons old bedroom is now one of Americas own fastest-growing private companies based in a historic building right here in downtown La Crosse, Obama said.

Now, I guarantee you Steve worked hard, he put everything he had into it. He took enormous risks, the president said. But he also is somebody who recognizes that he didnt do it by himself.

Hes proud of what he accomplished, but he also talks about how fortunate hes been to be part of a community like La Crosse, Obama said.

The president lauded Authenticoms practices of paying fair wages, with paid sick days, and treating employees like family.

In the letter to clients, Cottrell said, We are ready to further our role as the data integrator of choice and the premier data services provider.

In addition, he wrote, Authenticom plans to launch new, simplified technology and a new website for its DealerVault product.

During the interview, Cottrell expressed gratitude for the support that Mayor Tim Kabat and U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, have offered his company amid the throes of the court actions.

Cottrell also voiced confidence in the companys ability to rebound, saying, This is just a chapter in the book, but the book is not written.

We are taking steps necessary to make this a 100-year company, he said.
Nov 9, 2017: Outboard Engine Market Forecast 2023 Yamaha, Brunswick, Honda, BRP

Outboard Engine Market

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Outboard Engine Market Research 2017A market study  Global Outboard Engine Market  examines the performance of the Outboard Engine market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Outboard Engine market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Outboard Engine market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Outboard Engine Market 2017 report includes Outboard Engine market Revenue, market Share, Outboard Engine industry volume, market Trends, Outboard Engine Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Outboard Engine Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Outboard Engine Market 2017 : Yamaha Brunswick Honda BRP Suzuki Tohatsu Parsun Hidea Weimin OthersFirstly, the report covers the top Outboard Engine manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Outboard Engine report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Outboard Engine industry, Outboard Engine industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Outboard Engine Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Outboard Engine research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Outboard Engine market revenue worldwide.Finally, Outboard Engine market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Fruit Market Growth and Regional Forecast 2017-2022

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Based on the Fruit ( Excl. Melon) industrial chain, this report mainly elaborate the definition, types, applications and major players of Fruit ( Excl. Melon) market in details. Deep analysis about market status (2012-2017), enterprise competition pattern, advantages and disadvantages of enterprise Products, industry development trends (2017-2022), regional industrial layout characteristics and macroeconomic policies, industrial policy has also be included. From raw materials to downstream buyers of this industry will be analyzed scientifically, the feature of product circulation and sales channel will be presented as well. In a word, this report will help you to establish a panorama of industrial development and characteristics of the Fruit ( Excl. Melon) market.The Fruit ( Excl. Melon) market can be split based on product types, major applications, and important regions.Browse complete report @Major Regions play vital role in Fruit ( Excl. Melon) market are:North AmericaEuropeChinaJapanMiddle East & AfricaIndiaSouth AmericaOthersGet sample copy @Table of Content1 Fruit Introduction and Market Overview2 Industry Chain Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Material Suppliers of Fruit Analysis2.2 Major Players of Fruit2.2.1 Major Players Manufacturing Base and Market Share of Fruit in 20162.2.2 Major Players Product Types in 20162.3 Fruit Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.3.1 Production Process Analysis2.3.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure of Fruit2.3.3 Raw Material Cost of Fruit2.3.4 Labor Cost of Fruit2.4 Market Channel Analysis of Fruit2.5 Major Downstream Buyers of Fruit Analysis3 Global Fruit Market, by Type3.1 Analysis of Market Status and Feature by Type3.2 Global Fruit Value ($) and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)3.3 Global Fruit Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)3.4 Global Fruit Value ($) and Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)3.5 Global Fruit Price Analysis by Type (2012-2017)4 Fruit Market, by ApplicationDiscount @6 Global Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)6.1 Global Fruit Consumption by Regions (2012-2017)6.2 North America Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6.3 Europe Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6.4 China Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6.5 Japan Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6.6 Middle East & Africa Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6.7 India Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6.8 South America Fruit Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)7 Global Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions7.1 North America Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.2 Europe Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.3 China Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.4 Japan Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.5 Middle East & Africa Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.6 India Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.7 South America Fruit Market Status and SWOT Analysis8 Competitive Landscape9 Global Fruit Market Analysis and Forecast by Type and Application10 Fruit Market Analysis and Forecast by Region11 New Project Feasibility Analysis12 Research Finding and Conclusion13 AppendixBuy now@We provide best in classcustomer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries. Our commitment to customer service is best exemplified by free analyst support that we offer to our clients which sets us apart from any other provider. We also offer enterprise subscriptions which provide significant cost savings to our clients.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.com533, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Alpha Destination Management Puts Up an Impressive Show at World Travel Market London 2017

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Top team from Alpha Destination Management, the leading destination management company in the Arabian Gulf, is at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2017, led by the groups CEOMr. Ghassan Aridi.Shaping the future of the travel industry, WTM offers the most effective business to business networking opportunities for the international community of travel professionals. Speaking from London, Samir Hamadeh, General Manager for Alpha Destination Management, said, World Travel Market is a leading global event for the travel industry. We have been exhibiting at the show for the last 20 years as it is one of the most important events for us due to the fact that the UK market is still a leading market into our destination and Alpha Destination Management is a well-known brand among the UK tour operators. At Alpha we cooperate with some of the top brands of UK tourism being their agents in the emirates and WTM offers us the perfect platform to connect and conduct business with them.Speaking about the significance of UK as a major feeder market for Dubai in terms of tourism, Samir stressed, There has been a major focus from the destination and its stakeholders on UK and we believe it will remain one of the top source markets in 2018 for Dubai. The message that we are conveying at WTM this year is that we are committed to offering greater added value as well as investing further into technology to enhance customer experience in the destination. Dubai is moving away from being a city you must visit, to a city you must experience.Dubai is among the top four most visited cities in the world and the best performer in the MENA region. The city recently added 17 new attractions such as the Dubai Opera, City Walk, IMG Worlds of Adventure, the worlds biggest indoor theme park, Dubai Water Canal, and Dubai Parks and Resorts, the regions largest integrated theme park resort that have all further added to Dubais appeal as well as contributed to a steep rise in leisure tourism.Samir stated, The more the destination creates attractions and tailors its product to cater to UK tourists, the better conversion it can expect. People seek experiences. Dubai is becoming a major attractions hub and it is very important that we focus on offering experiences and added value to our customer. Our approach to UK has to be different than other markets and key to that is coming up with new ideas to grow stop over business. In order to support Dubais goal to attract 20 million visitors annually by 2020 and maintain a stable momentum of growth, there is need for new packages and offers with added-value to entice transit passengers to stay for least one night rather than simply pass by. We are also focusing on Dubais strong calendar of events to excite more travellers to come over.Visitors will be able to find Alpha Destination Management at the Dubai Tourism stand on booth M300.About Alpha Destination ManagementFounded in 1996, by Mr. Ghassan Aridi and his partners, Alpha Destination Management is the leading destination management company and a pioneer in the tourism sector in the Arabian Gulf. Over the last two decades, the company has established itself as one of the most credible and reputed brands not only in the Gulf region but also in the international tourism industry. Controlling a significant market share of the lucrative tourism sector in the GCC, Alpha Destination Management is a market leader in the region with the largest annual turnover and wide network of international partners offering the highest levels of service and innovative and exciting experiences. Our extensive global and local knowledge and network, outstanding expertise and sound reputation is the key to success for us and all our partners.For more information about Alpha Destination Management visitFor media contact:Hina BakhtVice PresidentMPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)Mob: +971 50 697 5146Email: h.bakht@mpj-pr.com1110, Yes Business CenterAl Barsha, Dubai, UAE1110, Yes Business CenterAl Barsha, Dubai, UAE
Meat Speciation Testing Market - Detailed Analysis and Forecast upto 2025

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Meat Speciation Testing Market: SnapshotThe global meat speciation testing market is expected to witness a steady growth in the years to come on account of the increasing number of food fraud cases across the globe. The increasing infection among consumers on account of eating meats is also fueling the demand for meat speciation testing. The need for compliance with various labeling laws will also push the demand for meat speciation testing. In addition to this, the buyer demand for certified products, religious beliefs, and stringent rules and regulations are some of the other factors the spurring the growth of the global meat speciation testing market.With increasing meat consuming population across the globe, there has been an equal increase in the number of scandals and frauds of mislabeling meat products. This is giving rise to a high demand for meat speciation testing. There exists a wide range of products that helps in the meat speciation testing. These include ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and qualitative PCR analysis techniques. These methods identify the species of animals in raw and cooked food products. Meat speciation testing also verifies the labels on products and confirms the authenticity of meat and meat products. This assures consumers of meat food product safety. On the flip side, a lack of technology and infrastructure is one of the key challenges faced by the market. The lack of food control systems in developing nations is another factor hampering the growth of the global meat speciation testing market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Meat Speciation Testing Market: OverviewWith the growing number of meat consumers worldwide, along with the contemporary scandals stemming from the mislabeling of meat products, the market for meat speciation testing is slated to reach new heights over the next few years. Meat speciation is executed for raw and cooked meat products. Claims made by product labels are verified by meat speciation testing systems in order to confirm the authenticity of meat and meat products, thereby ensuring the safety of the consumers. Both raw and processed meats are assessed under these tests.The report presents an in-depth analysis of the major market players, wherein their products and services, their key business strategies, and market shares have been discussed. The report studies the supply and demand dynamics, key growth opportunities, trends, drivers, and challenges faced by the global meat speciation testing market. The report also covers Porters five force analysis, market attractiveness, future market outlook, key market segments, and market forecasts.Request TOC of the Report @Global Meat Speciation Testing Market: Drivers and RestraintsAs excessive processing of meat makes the identification of species difficult, the possibility of contamination and adulteration is also higher. Therefore, the market for meat speciation testing will witness substantial demand during the forecast period. The development of DNA-based detection methods that identify and quantify meat species and other meat ingredients in products is one of the key growth drivers of the meat speciation testing market. Also, numerous species-specific testing methods have been introduced for the detection of various meat types such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, and lamb. The rapid growth of the poultry sector is also expected to boost demand.Rising consumer awareness about the quality of meat products, the prevalence of meat-related diseases such as avian influenza (bird flu), an alarming increase in the frequency of food adulteration, the implementation of strict regulatory guidelines, and the demand for certified products are the major growth drivers. On the contrary, inadequate penetration of technological advancements, particularly in developing countries, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate food control regulations might pose a threat to market expansion. However, the flourishing raw meat segment is likely to nullify the negative effects of these restraints.Get Discount @Global Meat Speciation Testing Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the market for meat speciation testing can be categorized into Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, North America, Europe, and Latin America. Europe is slated to emerge at the forefront, with increasing demand for meat and meat products, strict regulations, and high health awareness driving growth opportunities. The U.S. holds a major share in terms of meat consumption in the North America market.Being relatively lesser explored markets, Asia Pacific and Latin America are likely to witness phenomenal growth due to increasing urbanization, rising per capita incomes of people, changing eating habits of consumers, and the growth of animal husbandry. China is likely to appear at the forefront in this regional segment owing to the adoption of Western food habits.Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the major participants in the global meat speciation testing market are Eurofins Scientific SE, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Both qualitative and quantitative meat speciation testing methods are offered by these bodies.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
BFSI Segment Critical in Enterprise Performance Management Software Market

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Enterprise Performance Management software is meant to assist organizations connect their business strategies to the plan of execution. Enterprise Performance Management software allows the closing of books and consolidation of results on a timeframe basis. Different components are intricately linked to management processes such as planning, forecasting, budgeting, and modelling. EPM software additionally considers important yardsticks including revenue, overhead costs, operational costs, and return of investment. The Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Software Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2022) has been recently added by Market Research Reports Search Engine to its repository hub. The report studies the enterprise performance management software market in exhaustive detail with the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and trends given an adequate amount of focus therein. Data analysis has been conducted for a number of parameters to arrive at accurate enterprise performance management software market forecasts over the eight-year period.Free Copy of Sample Report @Well-Structured ReportThe enterprise performance management software market report begins with the executive summary and the introduction. The executive summary provides a birds-eye view of the enterprise performance management software market and delivers the numbers that are the most relevant such as the CAGR from 2012 to 2016 compared and contrasted with that from 2017 to 2022. Information about the most attractive markets from the point of maximum revenue share and the highest CAGR are included. The introduction has a definition of the enterprise performance management software market that is both concise yet comprehensive.The next section highlights key dynamics of the enterprise performance management software market and presents a clear picture of the scope that exists for both incumbents and new entrants. The points covered here are the fiscal stimulus, enterprise bottom line, and the global economy as a whole. Subsequent sections of the enterprise performance management software market report give insights into the pricing and cost structure analysis. Key participants in the enterprise performance management software market have been assessed in a market attractiveness index by way of an intensity map.Read Full Report with TOC @Market SegmentationThe next portion of the report touches on the enterprise performance management software market by end-user, deployment, region, and product type. This section contains market numbers such as market share, revenue comparison, and Y-o-Y growth comparison. The report has given an equal amount of attention to both developed and emerging economies in the enterprise performance management software market.Competition LandscapeThe final section of the enterprise performance management software market report has the competition landscape where key stakeholders are profiled. A company and product overview, financials, recent strategies, and important developments can be expected in this chapter. It is possible to conduct a SWOT analysis of the companies in question, giving readers all the necessary information in the form of an easy-to-understand, dashboard layout. The competition landscape can be considered the most critical portion of the enterprise performance management software market report as it helps both incumbents and new entrants devise relevant plans and retain their position in the enterprise performance management software market.Enquire About this Report @About MRRSEMarket 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:
Military Robots 2017 Global Industry Key Players - Kongsberg Gruppen, Lockheed Marin Corporation, Saab AB, Elbit System Ltd. , Northrup Grumman Corporation, Thales Group Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Global Military Robots Market

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Global Military Robots MarketThis report mainly introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details. As a Detailed Analysis report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinion in Military Robots industry.This report splits Military Robots market By Platform, By Mode of Operation, which covers the history data information from 2012 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2022.Request a Sample Report @This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Major CompaniesKongsberg Gruppen (Norway)Lockheed Marin Corporation (US)Saab AB (Sweden)Elbit System Ltd. (Israel)Northrup Grumman Corporation (US)Thales Group (France)Qinetiq (UK)Endeavor Robotics (US)Cobham PLC (UK)General Dynamics Corporation (US)Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IL)Aerovironment, Inc. (US)Bae Systems (UK)Boston Dynamics (US)Main RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain Product TypeMilitary Robots Market, by PlatformLand RobotsMarine RobotsAirborne RobotsMilitary Robots Market, by Mode of OperationHuman OperatedAutonomousMain ApplicationsIntelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)Search and RescueCombat SupportTransportationEODMine ClearanceFirefightingOthersAccess Report @Table of ContentsGlobal Military Robots Detailed Analysis Report 2017-2022Chapter One Military Robots Market Overview1.1 Global Military Robots Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20221.2 Military Robots, By Platform 2012-20221.2.1 Global Military Robots Sales Market Share by Platform 2012-20221.2.2 Global Military Robots Revenue Market Share by Platform 2012-20221.2.3 Global Military Robots Price by Platform 2012-20221.2.4 Land Robots1.2.5 Marine Robots1.2.6 Airborne Robots1.3 Military Robots, by Mode of Operation 2012-20221.3.1 Global Military Robots Sales Market Share by Mode of Operation 2012-20221.3.2 Global Military Robots Revenue Market Share by Mode of Operation 2012-20221.3.3 Global Military Robots Price by Mode of Operation 2012-20221.3.4 Human Operated1.3.5 Autonomous..Chapter Five Global Top Players Profile5.1 Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway)5.1.1 Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway) Company Details and Competitors5.1.2 Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.1.3 Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.1.4 Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.2 Lockheed Marin Corporation (US)5.2.1 Lockheed Marin Corporation (US) Company Details and Competitors5.2.2 Lockheed Marin Corporation (US) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.2.3 Lockheed Marin Corporation (US) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.2.4 Lockheed Marin Corporation (US) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.3 Saab AB (Sweden)5.3.1 Saab AB (Sweden) Company Details and Competitors5.3.2 Saab AB (Sweden) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.3.3 Saab AB (Sweden) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.3.4 Saab AB (Sweden) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.4 Elbit System Ltd. (Israel)5.4.1 Elbit System Ltd. (Israel) Company Details and Competitors5.4.2 Elbit System Ltd. (Israel) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.4.3 Elbit System Ltd. (Israel) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.4.4 Elbit System Ltd. (Israel) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.5 Northrup Grumman Corporation (US)5.5.1 Northrup Grumman Corporation (US) Company Details and Competitors5.5.2 Northrup Grumman Corporation (US) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.5.3 Northrup Grumman Corporation (US) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.5.4 Northrup Grumman Corporation (US) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.6 Thales Group (France)5.6.1 Thales Group (France) Company Details and Competitors5.6.2 Thales Group (France) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.6.3 Thales Group (France) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.6.4 Thales Group (France) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.7 Qinetiq (UK)5.7.1 Qinetiq (UK) Company Details and Competitors5.7.2 Qinetiq (UK) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.7.3 Qinetiq (UK) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.7.4 Qinetiq (UK) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.8 Endeavor Robotics (US)5.8.1 Endeavor Robotics (US) Company Details and Competitors5.8.2 Endeavor Robotics (US) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.8.3 Endeavor Robotics (US) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.8.4 Endeavor Robotics (US) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.9 Cobham PLC (UK)5.9.1 Cobham PLC (UK) Company Details and Competitors5.9.2 Cobham PLC (UK) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.9.3 Cobham PLC (UK) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.9.4 Cobham PLC (UK) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.10 General Dynamics Corporation (US)5.10.1 General Dynamics Corporation (US) Company Details and Competitors5.10.2 General Dynamics Corporation (US) Key Military Robots Models and Performance5.10.3 General Dynamics Corporation (US) Military Robots Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.10.4 General Dynamics Corporation (US) Military Robots Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.11 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IL)5.12 Aerovironment, Inc. (US)5.13 Bae Systems (UK)5.14 Boston Dynamics (US)Continued..Buy Now@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-categoriesWISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Car Rental Market to grow at 9.18% CAGR between 2017 to 2022

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According to new market research report Global Car Rental Market- Forecasts from 2017 to 2022, published by Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence, is projected to witness a CAGR of 9.18% during the forecast period.The report has segmented the Global Car Rental market by car type (economy cars, luxury cars, executive cars, SUVs, and MUVs), by mode of booking (online and offline), application (self-drive and chauffeur-driven), rental category (local transport, airport transport, and outstation transport) and geography (North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific). The regional segment also covers country-level segmentation of global car rental market. Growing global travel and tourism industry is the major driver of global cart rental market. Rising influx of tourists, both international and domestic, in different regions augments the demand for on-airport rental car services. Stringent government regulations against the unlicensed business of ride-hailing service providers such as Uber and Didi further boost the growth of global car rental market.Luxury Rental Car market grows at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2022By car type, luxury rental car segment will witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is majorly driven by high demand from global corporate organizations and large enterprises for business trips across the globe. People are also demanding rental luxury cars as a test-driving vehicle to make sure of which model to purchase. All these factors are attracting car rental market players to heavily invest in this car type segment. In September 2017, the P2P car rental marketplace Turo raised $92 million from Mercedes and other luxury automobile makers to boost the growth of its luxury car rental business.APAC will be the fastest-growing regional car rental marketGeographically, APAC is projected to witness the fastest regional market growth during the forecast period. Infrastructural development, rising number of hotel chains in major cities, and supportive government initiatives contribute to the escalating number of tourist arrival in APAC countries which significantly bolsters the growth of APAC Car Rental market. Rising discretionary incomes and expanding urbanization in emerging economies such as China and India is escalating the demand for rental cars for short trips. This increase demand for rental cars is supported by stringent regulations regarding the private ownership of car in countries like China and Taiwan. There is a high demand for luxury rental cars for leisure and business trips across different APAC countries. Improving internet penetration across major metropolitan cities in PAAC countries is providing benefits to booming tech-savvy population to customize travel trips and online reservations and bookings, thereby positively impacting the market growth car rental market in the region.Competitive InsightsProminent key market players in Global Car Rental market include Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Enterprise Holding, SIXT, Irish Car Rental, and Trust Middle East Car Rental. Global car rental market players are increasingly expanding their footprints across different regions. For instance, Avis Budget acquired France Cars in December 2016 to expand its car rental business in France.Browse Related ReportsIndonesia Car Rental Market- Forecasts from 2017 to 2022 [by car type (economy cars, luxury cars, executive cars, SUVs, and MUVs), by service (self-drive and chauffeur-driven), by application (leisure activities/trips and business/corporate trips), by mode of booking (online and offline), and by rental category (local transport, airport transport, and outstation transport)]China Car Rental Market- Forecasts from 2017 to 2022 [by car type (economy cars, luxury cars, executive cars, SUVs, and MUVs), by service (self-drive and chauffeur-driven), by application (leisure activities/trips and business/corporate trips), by mode of booking (online and offline), and by rental category (local transport, airport transport, and outstation transport)]Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence is a market research and consulting firm based out of India. Driven by industry experts, the company provides syndicated reports, custom research, and consulting services. Our proprietary data analytics model blended with quality primary and secondary research data assists in generating quality reports providing crucial insights to managers and decision makers. The services offered by us help companies to gain required a competitive edge. Our expertise across 10 industries such as ICT, Chemicals, Semiconductors, Healthcare among others caters to diverse client needs.Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence2nd Floor, D-77, Sector 63Noida, IndiaCall: +1-866-714-4587
CMI Ltd. bags orders worth Rs. 32.64crore from BHEL for supply of LT XPLE power cables

CMI Ltd. bags orders worth Rs. 32.64crore from BHEL for supply of LT XPLE power cablesCMI Limited, the BSE & NSE Listed Specialty Cable company, has been awarded order worth 32.64crore from BHEL(Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd), to provide LT XPLE cables.The order from BHEL to supply LT XPLE cables will be delivered within the next 4 and a half months. The cables to be supplied to BHEL will be aluminum armoured cables as well as Copper armoured cables.Our order book continues to be strong. This order from BHEL confirms our belief that the infrastructure sector in India is on a high growth trajectory. Coming quarters are likely to further witness an uptick in the Investment cycle particularly in the core infra sectors like Power and Railways which augurs well for CMI, says Mr. Amit Jain, MD, CMI Ltd.Power segment continues to be a focus area for CMI and should contribute around 20-25% revenue to CMIs topline by 2019. CMI is already a preferred supplier to the big names in the power segment including GETCO(Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited), MVVNL(Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited), JVVNL(Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited), BHEL etc.About CMI Limited:CMI is a listed, specialty cables company (BSE Scrip Code: 517330, NSE Symbol: CMICABLES). CMI closed the year 2016-17 with revenues of Rs.346.03 Crore.CMI focus is currently on new product development with the emphasis on latest technologies at its facilities. CMIs original facility is located at Faridabad in Haryana. CMI began the Commercial Production at its new facility at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh in April 2016, which was a part of its acquisition of General Cable Energy Private Limited from fortune 500 Company, General Cable Corporation. It is Indias first green factory in the segment.Today, CMI manufactures a wide variety of cables for infrastructure, Railways, Oil& Refinery industries, Engineering Companies, EPCC contractors, and the like.CMIs satisfied customers include Railways & its subsidiaries like IRCON. RITES, MRVC, Konkan Railways, DLW, DMRC & other metros; Oil& Refinery industries like IOCL, BPCL, BORL, GAIL, MRPL, HPCL, ONGC; Leading Government companies like EIL, ISRO, BHEL, NLC, NTPC, NPC, BSNL / MTNL and HEC; Private Sector EPCC companies like L&T, Alstom, Siemens, Hitachi, Linde, Thales, Lurgi, Technip and ABB; Steel plants like Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant, Bhushan Power & Steel, etc. CMI has also exported cables to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Iran Railways.181, Anand Vihar, Pitampura, New Delhi-34
Agro Textile Market is expected to reach over US$ 14,363.2 Mn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2017 to 2025

Agro Textile Market

http://www.credenceresearch.com/report/agro-textile-market

http://www.credenceresearch.com/press/global-agro-textile-market

According to a new market report published by Credence Research Agro Textile Market - Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016  2024, the global agro textile market is expected to reach over US$ 14,363.2 Mn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2017 to 2025.Market InsightsThe worldwide agro textile market was evaluated at US$ 8,921.9 Mn for the year 2016. Growing demand for shade net and pond liners is predicted to remain the chief aspect determining the trends of global agro textile market in the near future. Demand for organic food products is increasing due to awareness associated with health and wellbeing in people.Browse the full Agro Textile Market @Organic food industry is also advancing in term of technology which is promoting use of agro textiles in floriculture, fruits and vegetable farming applications. Rising awareness and education associated with organic farming in farmers through various schemes and workshops organized by government and non-government organizations is fueling the demand for agro textile. Indian governments aggressive promotion for shade nets through NHB and NHM is also expected to fuel the demand.Asia pacific is the dominant region in the agro textile market owing to favorable climatic conditions and abundant availability of farming land. China is also the worlds largest exporter of agro textile. Major driver for the increasing agro textile demand in European region is mainly due to the highest concentration of horticulture & floriculture industry in this region. Overall consumption of agro textile in Western Europe is expected to increase in future.Press Release:Growing demand for agro textile from different end use sectors has compelled the producers to concentrate on increase in production. Fiberweb (India) Ltd., Freudenberg & Co. KG, Garware-Wall Ropes Ltd., Gujarat Craft Industries Ltd., JX Nippon ANC, Inc., Koninklijke Ten Cate bv., Low & Bonar PLC, Shakti Polyweave Pvt. Ltd., UNIMIN India, Ltd., Acme Mills (Pvt.) Ltd., Don & Low Ltd. are few key manufacturers in the global agro textile market.ToC:Chapter 1 Preface1.1. Report Scope and Description1.2. Research Methodology1.2.1. Phase I-Secondary Research1.2.2. Phase II-Primary Research1.2.3. Phase II-Expert Panel Review1.2.4. Assumptions1.2.5. Approach AdoptedChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1. Global Agro Textile Market Snapshot2.1.1. Global Agro Textiles Market, by Product Type, 2016 (US$ Mn) and (KT)2.1.2. Global Agro Textiles Market, by Application, 2016 (US$ Mn) and (KT)2.1.3. Global Agro Textiles Market, by Geography, 2016 (US$ Mn) and (KT)....Key Trends:Rising demand for organic food productsShade nets are widely used in several agricultural applicationsLack of awareness and hesitation in adopting globally proven cost effective technologiesLeading agro textile companies focusing on acquisition and product diversificationAsia Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rateLarge demand-supply gap are expected to restrain marketCredence Research is a worldwide market research and counseling firm that serves driving organizations, governments, non legislative associations, and not-for-benefits. We offer our customers some assistance with making enduring enhancements to their execution and understand their most imperative objectives. Over almost a century, we've manufactured a firm extraordinarily prepared to this task.105 N 1st ST #429, SAN JOSE,CA 95103, United States
Specialty Fats and Oils Market - Analysis Market with Current Trends Analysis upto 2025

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Global Specialty Fats and Oils Market: SnapshotSpecialty fats and oils find a diverse array of niche applications across a number of fields, especially in the food and beverages industry. The properties of specialty fats and oil are quite different from the general fats and oils, the latter group including cream fats, pastry fats, margarine, shortening, and a number of other products. Some of the largest applications for specialized fats and oils come from the chocolate and confectionary makers. Specialized fats, for instance, are finding a growing scope of applications in chocolate products, especially ones that are molded, including chocolate bars.The demand for specialty fats and oils is also growing among the manufacturers of chocolate products, such as chocolate wafers and biscuits, fruits and nuts, and other similar applications. Specialty oils and fats are also being used in the confectionery industry. A lot of applications of specialized fats distinguish them largely as cocoa butter alternatives, more specifically, cocoa butter substitutes, cocoa butter replacements, and cocoa butter equivalents. There is a growing but currently niche segment of exotic fats, but nearly all specialized fats find most of their applications in the confectionery and bakery goods production. Other end users of specialized oil and butters include the personal care and cosmetics markets, the manufacturers of animal feed, and the manufacturers of dairy products or processed foods.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Specialty Fats and Oils Market: OverviewThe world specialty fats and oils market is prognosticated to grab a massive chuck of demand in the food and beverages industry with a number of products fetching indispensable applications. The global market is deemed to be a highly fertile ground for high-paying business opportunities. Specialty fats and oils are lavishly used in a multiple food applications and possess the capability to enhance sensory and physiochemical characteristics such as appealing flavors, creamy and rich texture, and smoothness. Most countries have already restricted the usage of trans fats that risk the consumers with fatal heart diseases. This could be a great opportunity for the manufacturers dealing with trans-free specialty fat and oil products to rake in handsome revenues.The report offered here considers the vital segmentation categories of the global specialty fats and oils market, viz. form, application, oil type, and fat type. With our customized approach, all of these segments can be comprehensively analyzed to determine the most lucrative market types and ensure a tangible business success.Request TOC of the Report @The tailor-made reports prepared at TMR Research, a market research hub, are a foolproof guideline to capitalize on the most promising and unrevealed opportunities. Buyers of this report can prepare their businesses to get aligned in just the right direction for securing a reliable growth in the international specialty fats and oils market.Global Specialty Fats and Oils Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe market for cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) is anticipated to count its dominance on the application in compound coatings and chocolates. CBEs are extensively used in confectionery and bakery products. The flourishing rise of this specialty fats type segment could significantly raise the bar of growth for the world specialty fats and oils market. Since CBEs reduce the risk of heart disease by being free of trans fats and non-hydrogenated, the demand growth is expected to elevate even more in the global market. In addition to that, CBEs can be used to enrich the flavor of the ingredients used in various products. Besides CBEs, exotic fats, dairy fat replacers, cocoa butter improvers (CBIs), cocoa butter replacers (CBRs), and cocoa butter substitutes (CBSs) could fairly contribute to the market.Get Discount @The liquid form of specialty fats and oils is foreseen to hold the potential to register a higher CAGR against the dry form specialty fats and oils market because of its saturated fatty acid melting point properties. A large number of chocolate and confectionery items today are produced without trans fats. As a result, there has been an augmenting inclination toward trans-fat-free chocolate and confectionery products, which could intensify the demand in this segment. With respect to its exhaustive availability and usage in the making of different products such as confectionery fillings, palm oil is forecasted to gain traction over other specialty oils type markets.Global Specialty Fats and Oils Market: Regional OutlookThe Asia Pacific region is prophesied to emerge as a leading market for specialty fats and oils with a host of remunerative opportunities in store. The global specialty fats and oils market has recently witnessed the birth of a broad-ranging scope of applications in Asia Pacific, viz. animal feed, cosmetics, and personal care. This is envisaged to mark a rising rate of demand in the region. Palm oil and other specialty oils are consumed in vast amounts in India while China, Indonesia, and Malaysia are hailed as the authoritative makers of specialty oils and fats. In this regard, Asia Pacific could record an impressive CAGR against the background of other key regional markets such as North America. Such a dominance of the Asia Pacific market is expected to be in place with reference to both value and volume.Global Specialty Fats and Oils Market: Companies MentionedThe top companies making their mark in the international specialty fats and oils market could take advantage of the new geographies yet to be explored. Salient business strategies such as collaborations with key players, investments and agreements, joint ventures, and launch of novel offerings are predicted to be implemented by most firms operating in the global market. Some of the leading organizations anticipated to take charge are AAK AB, Wilmar International, IFFCO, Bunge Ltd., and Cargill.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
We are delighted to help promote and support Friends Sharing Food throughout the year, but especially during their Food for More Challenge when each $1 contributed is matched for FSF with a pound of food for the folks in need in our very own community, said Tracy Madvig of BRCB. Through their various outreach programs, Friends Sharing Food fulfills a huge need in so many peoples lives and we are so fortunate to have them as a tremendous vehicle for us to help others.
Immunooncology Market Expected to Account US$ 27,846.3 Mn By 2025-End

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Owing to higher efficiency as compared to conventional therapies such as radiation, chemo and surgery, doctors around the globe are increasingly prescribing immunotherapy to cancer patients. Immuno-oncology therapies have low toxicity, making it easier for the patients to undergo such treatment procedures. Increasing clinical approval of immunotherapy drugs continues to support speedy adoption of immuno-oncology treatments while higher investments to further improve immunotherapies is anticipated to create greater market opportunities for drug makers. Persistence Market Research (PMR) is its latest report projects that the global market for immune-oncology is set to witness a CAGR of 16.5% between 2016 and 2025, to reach a valuation of US$ 27,846.3 Mn by the end of the forecast period.Collaborative efforts and initiatives to identify therapies for difficult-to-treat illnesses is a key factor driving the overall immune-oncology market. However, high drug pricing, development costs and limited technical expertise are some of the challenges likely to dampen the surging spirit of the market over 2025.Request to view table of content @Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is widely used for treating several carcinogenic disorders. Immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs help the body fight against certain proteins that are normally used by various tumors to suppress immune responses. Sales revenue from immune checkpoint inhibitors drugs is anticipated to reach US$ 7,321.7 Mn by 2017-end. Of late, a number immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs have been approved by the US FDA including Yervoy (anti-CTLA-4), Opdivo and Keytruda (anti-PD1) and Tecentriq (anti-PD-L1).Demand for these drugs is expected to further gain traction, owing to a significant investment by biopharmaceutical companies in developing a robust pipeline. Meanwhile, immune system modulator is the second most preferred immune-oncology therapy and is expected to create an incremental opportunity of US$ 659.9 Mn between 2017 and 2025. Two major approved drugs that fall in this category include interferons and interleukins.Request Sample Report @Based on therapeutic area, demand for immune-oncology therapeutics for melanoma will remain high throughout the forecast period. By end user, hospitals account for the largest revenue share of the market and are expected to represent around US$ 5,557.1 Mn by 2017-end.Amongst regions, the immuno-oncology market in North America accounted for a revenue share of around 67.1% in 2016. The regions market is expected to witness a strong CAGR of 17.1% during the assessment period and retain its top position. In terms of revenue, the US dominates the North America immuno-oncology market and is projected to continue to do so in 2017 and beyond owing to the presence of prominent drug manufacturing companies in the country.PMR is its report has profiled some of the leading companies operating in the global immuno-oncology market, which includes Amgen, Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dendreon Corporation, F.Hoffmann-La Roche, Merck & Co., Inc. Novartis AG, Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi. In terms of revenue share, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) was ranked at the top in 2016, thanks to the success of its blockbuster products Opdivo and Yervoy.Buy Immuno-Oncology Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Hadoop Market Study Includes Key Players 2017 - Dell, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Cloudrea & Others

ReportsWeb

http://www.reportsweb.com/global-hadoop-market-forecast-to-2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Hadoop Market Forecast to 2022 This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Hadoop, the Apache Hadoop developed by Apache Software Foundation, is an open-source software framework for storing data and running applications on clusters of commodity hardware. It provides massive storage for any kind of data, enormous processing power and the ability to handle virtually limitless concurrent tasks or jobs.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Hadoop in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Complete report is available atMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversCloudreaHortonworksMapR TechDell/EMC/PivotalIBMMicrosoftAmazon Web ServicesGet a SAMPLE Request atMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversCloud-basedOn-premisesMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoManufacturingRetailFinancialGovernmentOthersTable of ContentChapter 1, to describe Hadoop Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Hadoop, with sales, revenue, and price of Hadoop, 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 Hadoop, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Get Discount atChapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Hadoop market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Hadoop sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourcePurchase this report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Bioenergy Market will be worth US$246.52 bn during 2016-2024

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https://www.researchmoz.us/bioenergy-market-by-product-type-bioethanol-biodiesel-biogas-and-others-and-by-application-type-cooking-offgrid-electricity-supply-transportation-and-others-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2016-2024-report.html/toc

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This research study analyzes the market for bioenergy both in terms of volume (Billion Gallons) and revenue (US$ Bn). The bioenergy market has been segmented on the basis of product type, application type, and geography. In terms of region, the market has been divided into four segments that comprise 15 countries, which are the major players in the global bioenergy market. For the research, 2014 has been taken as the base year, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2016 to 2024. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the regional as well as country-specific level from 2016 to 2024. The report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the bioenergy industry.The report also includes the key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the global bioenergy market. These market dynamics were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the global bioenergy market with the help of Porters Five Forces model. This analysis helps in understanding the five major forces that affect the market structure and market profitability. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.Click to get Sample PDF:The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the bioenergy market globally. There are currently numerous drivers of the market. Some of the most prominent drivers are climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy security, and waste treatment. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the bioenergy market on the basis of geography. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the bioenergy market in different regions. The parameters include biogas and biofuel costs, government policies, bioenergy demand, and applications such as transportation, cooking, and off-grid electricity supply.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:Bioenergy is a critical part of the renewable energy mix. It is the only renewable energy that can be used across all three energy sectors (electricity, heat and transport) it is projected to be another growing segment within the renewable energy market after wind energy segment. The bioenergy market is rapidly evolving and changing. It represents a growing market opportunity for both new start-up companies and traditional companies from a point of view to transfer their capabilities into this new growth market. It is also a broad and varied sector, covering a range of technologies at different stages of development.The bioenergy market was segmented on the basis of product type (bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and others) and application type (cooking, off-grid electricity supply, transportation, and others). The bioenergy market was analyzed across four geographies: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the bioenergy market. Key players in the bioenergy market include Abengoa Bioenergy, Amyris, Inc., BP Biofuels, Butamax Advanced Biofuels, Ceres Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Enerkem, Gevo, Inc., Joule Unlimited, LanzaTech, Novozymes, POET LLC, Sapphire Energy, Solazyme Inc., and Zeachem Inc. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, and recent developments.Bioenergy Market: By Product Type- Bioethanol- Biodiesel- Biogas- OthersBioenergy Market: By Application Type- Cooking- Off-grid Electricity Supply- Transportation- OthersResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Industrial Packaging Industry Business Development Analysis and Future Challenges by 2024

Global Market Insights, Inc.

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The latest industrial packaging market analysis and research report talks about major applications of industrial packaging, growth of these segments as well as offers insights into companies active in this industry and their information. Industrial packaging industry size is likely to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Increased international trade demands for product safety and robust packaging option to overcome damage occurred by environmental factors and transportation will drive the global industrial packaging market. This enables the manufacturers to provide easier distribution and reduce transportation losses occurred by the damage through the protective wrapping.Rising globalization and international trade are supporting the industry growth. Growing commercial industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, construction and electronics sector further propels the demand. The developed economies are the highest producers and consumers of these products. Whereas increasing demand in emerging economies will further drive the industry growth.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Increasing expenditure in R&D for materials and supporting government policies will further increase the demand. Technological advancements such as digital printing and use of robotics in workshops will result in maximizing shelf life of the product, efficient use of resources and minimizing the waste thereby increasing the revenues.However, pricing pressure on small vendors hinders the industry growth. Low and reduced profit margin to the manufacturers decreases the industry attractiveness owing to numerous local vendors. Low penetration of the market in developing countries hinders the industrial packaging industry growth. Use of bio degradable raw material for packing provides future growth opportunities for the manufacturers. Stringent government regulations regarding environment and employee safety encourages the use of bio degradable materials such as PLA and PHA plastic.The industrial packaging market can be segmented by product into drums, intermediate bulk container (IBC), crates, sacks, pails, tubes, and bulk boxes. IBC type is extensively used for the covering. Plastic sacks are replacing paper & jute sacks owing to its benefits such as low cost, light weight, durability etc.Industrial packaging industry is classified by material into metal, plastic, paper and wood and fiber. The plastic material segment is the most preferred type by the manufacturers owing to its various properties such as cost effective than other materials, can be molded in to specific shape & size and durability.By type, the industry can be classified as rigid and flexible packing. Flexible segment includes paper & plastic whereas rigid segment includes wooden, metal and plastic. Increased use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in place of heavy metal cans will impact positively on the market. The flexible type especially flexible plastic is expected to show higher growth rate owing to technological leaps in this segment.By end use or application, industrial packaging market cater to various industries such as agriculture & horticulture, building & construction, automotive, chemicals & pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, engineering, metal products, plastic & rubber, electronics, and furniture. Food & beverage segment dominated overall demand and used more than 65% of flexible packing in 2015. This segment is expected show similar trend during the forecast period 2017 to 2024.Make an inquiry for buying this report @North America is expected to show steady growth rate during the forecast period owing to developed economy, transport, and delivery infrastructures. Growing occurrence of chronic disease and increasing aging population will increase the demand in pharmaceutical and chemical segment in North America. The use of robotic systems for packages is expected to increase in demand in U.S. with the introduction of Food Safety Modernization Act.Germany and Italy are the major countries in Europe in terms of production of packaging machinery. Their major export countries include Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, Malaysia and Iran. Thus, increased export of machinery in these countries will increase the demand for industrial packaging market.Asia-Pacific region is estimated to record fastest growth in terms of rising industrialization. Increased demand is characterized by quick adoption of technological advancements, rising volume of OEMs which drives the competitors to reduce the cost per package and provide sustainable products. Moreover, low labor cost, huge scope for FDI and stable growth in industries such as automotive, construction and healthcare will impact positively foe industry growth this region.Indian industrial packaging market size exceeded USD 30 billion in 2015 and is estimated to grow over 15% CAGR. The Indian region accounts for 4% of global packaging industry. Growing packaging machinery market in Asia, Africa will further increase the demand for this industry. Enhanced automation, integrated systems and shorter turnaround time are some of the growth factors for industry growth in this region.Some of the major companies in industrial packaging market are Sealed Air corporation, Amcor Limited, International paper, WestRock, Tekni-Films, Mondi Group, Sonoco, Bemish company, Schutz, AmeriGlobe, Mauser Group, Orora Group, B.A.G. Corporation, Greif Inc, Bulk handling, East India Drums & Barrels manufacturing, Chem-Tainer industries, Corr-Pak Corporation, Halsted, Sigma Plastics Group, Wuxi Sifang Drums Limited company, Nefab, Hoovers Container Solutions, Intertape Polymer Group, Jumbo Bag, and LC packaging. The manufacturers are focusing on providing low cost, environmental friendly packaging solutions for the end users.This latest industrial packaging Market research report offers in-depth analysis, key industry insights, market sizing & forecast on a granular level for key products, applications across number of regional markets. The report also analyzes the industrial packaging industry from business strategy perspective, describing in detail growth drivers, pitfalls &challenges for participants, accompanied by a detailed competitive benchmarking including company market share analysis and detailed business profiles.About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:
Global Male Toiletries Market Overview 2017: Growth, Demand By Region, Trends and Forecast Research Report to 2022

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The global male toiletries market has witnessed a moderate growth over the past few years. Some of the major driving factors include rising image consciousness, influential advertisements, improving living standards, surging incomes and premiumization of products.Request for sample report:IMARC Groups latest report, titled Male Toiletries Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022, finds that the global male toiletries market reached a value of around US$ 24 Million in 2016. A surge in the trend of personal grooming and rising concerns about physical appearance among men have boosted the demand for male toiletry products. In line with this, most international brands have introduced male variants of their personal care and grooming products, such as deodorants, sunscreens, moisturizers, etc. A number of start-ups offering male grooming services and products have also emerged in the recent years.Highlights of the global male toiletries market:Rising consciousness about physical appearance and product endorsements by celebrities have majorly contributed to the market growth.On the basis of distribution channels, supermarkets/hypermarkets account for the majority of the sales.Europe represents the largest market, holding the majority of the global share.Aggressive marketing by the manufacturers is the major factor resulting in the expansion of the male toiletries market worldwide. Increasing portrayal of influential men endorsing the products has resulted in rising consciousness among the consumers regarding their physical appearances. This has led to a surge in the demand for male toiletries, mainly in the developed regions. Further, the prevalence of online retail has offered the consumers an option to buy the products at their convenience, thereby contributing to the growth of the market. Apart from this, targeted advertising is facilitating the expansion of the market in the emerging regions. Some of the other drivers include inflating incomes, rising standard of living, product premiumisation and expanding distribution networks. According to the report, the market is further expected to reach a value of more than US$ 29 Million by 2022, exhibiting a CAGR of around 3.5% during 2017-2022.The male toiletries market has been segregated on the basis of products. Currently, deodorants represent the most popular product type followed by hair care, skin care, and bath products. On the basis of type, the market has been segmented as mass and premium products. Based on distribution channels, supermarkets/hypermarkets hold the majority of the sales, followed by pharmacies, departmental stores, speciality stores and others. On the basis of region, Europe represents the leading market. The other major markets include Asia-Pacific, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. An analysis of the competitive landscape finds that the key players operating in the market are LOreal, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Beiersdorf, Shiseido and Unilever.Read full report with TOC:The report has examined the global male toiletries market on the basis of:Type:Mass ProductPremium ProductProduct:DeodorantsHair care productSkin care productBath productsRegion:EuropeAsia-PacificNorth AmericaLatin AmericaThe Middle East and AfricaMajor Manufacturers:BeiersdorfLOrealProcter & Gamble (P&G)ShiseidoUnileverBrowse related reports:Bath Soap Market:Perfume Market:About usIMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise.Contact usIMARC Group309 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USAWebsite:Email: sales@imarcgroup.comUSA: +1-631-791-1145Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobal
TestingWhiz Releasing the Newest Version TestingWhiz 6.0

TestingWhiz, a test automation solutions provider announced the release of Version 6.0 (Saturn).

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TestingWhiz, which is known for its commitment to provide ground-breaking, automated software testing solutions, is all set to lunch TestingWhiz 6.0 (Saturn) in the webinar titled Introduction To The TestingWhiz 6.0 (Saturn), A Test Automation Platform For The Testbirds.TestingWhiz, which is an endeavor of Cygnet Infotech, is about to bring TestingWhiz 6.0 (Saturn) for its users equipped with some of the most tremendous and stimulating features. You can learn more about the nifty and thought-provoking features of iteration 6.0 with the assistance of top-class test automation platform.TestingWhiz 6.0 (Saturn) is a result of TestingWhizs large amount of experience in software testing field, which excels in offering answers for businesses requirement for a reasonably priced, yet proficient test automation solution for internet, mobile and cloud applications. It guarantees to accelerate the prospect of displaying time-to-market but also endorses to authenticate constituents, mechanisms, and complex test automation demands.TestingWhiz Version 6.0 is well appointed with new and innovative augmentations that will allow the testers to track, monitor, and store all the data with effortlessness. Fresh features that are to be shown in this session consist of: Seamless Recording for iFrames and HTTPS SVN integration with TestingWhiz Centralized Object Repository for Team Collaboration New Operations for handling Mathematical and Statistical Functional Testing New Test Management Integrations Feature to handle Pattern-based Data Comparison Support for Multiple New Databases Feature to Merge different Test ProjectsTestingWhiz has never been the one to let a challenge go unanswered, and this time is no different. With iteration 6.0, it is offering testing automation solution to help clients test whether their application functions properly from the Web or not by meritoriously authenticating the performance of web services associated with them. As a result, with TestingWhiz 6.0, you can speed up the procedure of web services automation testing to verify whether the services meet the terms with business rationality and make sure they provide the projected output at the users end.The webinar has been arranged for date 28th November 2017 and Time: 12:00 PM-12:45 PM EST.TestingWhiz invites you to join this webinar to learn more about how TestingWhiz 6.0 helps you to work through the established tactics using its fascinating features to safeguard better test coverage.FREE - Register now for the webinar to have the latest insights on the recent innovations in TestingWhiz 6.0 (Saturn) to ensure better test coverage,TestingWhiz is a codeless test automation apparatus designed precisely for testing web and cloud applications. It is an uncomplicated, user-friendly, innate, and reasonably priced automation solution. It is based on robust FAST Automation Engine that does not need any mechanical and programming expertise for testing applications. With an exceptionally in-built interface and short educational arc, TestingWhiz takes the test automation to completely new level.TestingWhizMack-Cali Centre III,140 East Ridgewood AvenueSuite 415 ST, Paramus,NJ 07652, USAWebsite:Email: info@testing-whiz.comPhone: 1-855-699-6600Twitter:
Global Portable Gas Detection Equipment Market Expected to Reach US$ 1,737.3 Mn by 2023

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A portable gas detector is a safety device that detects and monitors the concentration of gases in the air. A portable gas detector uses a control system, incorporating a sensor that detects the presence of toxic and/or combustible/flammable gases in its immediate vicinity. Thus, detectors are increasingly used for a wide range of applications (gas level monitoring, portable gas detection, etc.) in multiple end-use verticals, including industry, oil & gas, mining, and building automation, to provide adequate safety for working personnel.Portable gas detectors are battery-operated devices that are used to detect gas leaks and transmit warnings using audio and visual signals even when the recipient is on the move. The demand for portable gas detectors is rising for mining activities. In mining, which occurs in a confined space, portable gas detectors are increasingly preferred over their wearable counterparts, because they can be carried around for portable gas detection. In confined spaces, access is often infrequent and the danger may be greater from oxygen deficiency than from the presence of combustible gases, requiring continuous fixed monitoring.Click to get Sample PDF:The portable gas detection equipment market is categorized based on end-use into oil & portable gas, mining, industrial, building automation, and others. In 2014, the industrial end-use segment dominated the portable gas detection equipment market, accounting for a major share of revenue. The demand for this equipment from the oil & portable gas and mining segments is also high, as the portability of a gas detector is prominent in these applications. Oil & portable gas is also anticipated to remain the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period from 2015 to 2023. Furthermore, the market for portable gas detection is also anticipated to witness growth in the building automation, waste water treatment, and educational end-use sectors.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:By product type, the portable gas detection equipment market has been segmented into wearable and non-wearable gas detection equipment. The non-wearable gas detection segment is further classified into sniffers and others. The wearable gas detection segment is anticipated to witness faster growth. This equipment can be worn on the body, not only increasing operator comfort, but also ease of work. In the non-wearable segment, sniffers account for the majority market share owing to their popularity and consequent heavy usage across industrial and non-industrial applications.The report provides in-depth analysis of the global portable gas detection equipment market based on end-use, type, and geography. In terms of geographical regions, the report segments the global portable gas detection equipment market into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. These geographical regions are analyzed in terms of revenue generation. They are further studied at the level of their constituent countries, and cross-segmentation for each one of these divisions has been provided.The report contains an analysis of the factors that drive and restrain the growth of the portable gas detection equipment market, and discussions of the prevailing market trends, prospective growth opportunities, and major strategies to increase the demand for portable gas detection equipment systems. It also provides market estimates and forecasts for all these segments in terms of revenue.Additionally, the report includes competitive profiling of the major players engaged in offering portable gas detection equipment to various end-use verticals. Major business strategies adopted by them, their market positioning, and various recent developments have also been identified in the research report. The major manufacturers providing portable gas detection equipment profiled in the report include Industrial Scientific Corporation, Dragerwerk AG & Co., KGaA, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Mine Safety Appliances, Crowcon Detection Instruments, Ltd., Trolex Ltd., Honeywell Analytics, RAE Systems Inc., Detcon, Inc., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Global Oral Cancer Rapid Test Kit Market Set for Rapid Growth and Trend, by 2024

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Oral cancer is one of the largest group of cancers, which comes under category of Head and Neck cancer. It includes lips, tongue, throat, sinuses, and floor of the mouth. About 90% of the oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). According to oral cancer foundation in 2016, around 48,250 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. and has relatively low survival rates. The death rates due to oral cancer are relatively higher due to lack of proper diagnosis test, which can detect oral cancer at the early stage. Hence, early stage diagnosis is an alternative solution that helps prevent the deaths of people infected by oral cancer.The Conventional diagnostic tests available in the market are time-consuming and costly. Currently, very few technologies are available in the market for routine screening of the oral cancers. Hence, companies are trying to develop the Oral Cancer Rapid Testing Kit (OCRTK), which can detect the stage of cancer effectively in less time to perform test at home/clinic. Vigilant biosciences developed OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test, which is accurate, cost effective, and uses non-invasive technology. This technology also got the CE mark in Europe that enables this product to sell all over Europe. Various companies and universities are trying to develop the rapid detection technology for oral cancer kits to detect oral cancerRequest for Report TOC @The increase in usage of tobacco, which includes smokeless tobacco, HPV-induced cancers, and consumption of alcohol are major factors that drive the growth of the market. Furthermore, increase in awareness and aging population also contribute to the prevalence the oral cancers. According to the cancer research center in U.K, globally over 3, 00,000 persons were diagnosed with oral cancer. Smoking is a major factor that is turning many men and women into victims of Oral cancer. In U.S., black males are having high incidence rate than their whiter counterparts because of cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Lack of new diagnostic technologies in the market is a major factors that is limiting the growth of the OCRTK market.OCRTK will have higher impact in the Oral cancer diagnosis market because currently there very few rapid test kits available in the market to diagnose the Oral cancer. Government organizations are actively funding companies that are operating in OCRTK. This highlights the importance of this domain. Factors like low cost, easy process, and instant results are expected to drive the growth of the market.On the basis of product segmentation, OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB is expected to hold major market shares of the OCRTK market as it is the only available product in the market with clinical effectiveness. On the basis of principle, sensor-based devices will have a relatively higher share due to its highly sensitive nature and precision results.On the basis of End User, hospitals, and diagnostic centers hold major market share comparatively than the research centers and consumers as mainly all the operations are carried out in hospitals and diagnostic centers. However, in future the end user is expected to shift their preference towards the consumer as companies are developing techniques to perform tests easily at home.OCRTK market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold relatively high market share due to factors such as growing awareness about the disease and rise in the aging population. However, Asia Pacific region and European regions also might have good market due to increase in incidence of oral cancer.Request for Report Sample @Some key players in the market are Vigilant Biosciences, Abviris Deutschland GmbH, Insilixa, and University of Sheffield.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Our client success stories feature a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to fast-growing startups. PMRs collaborative environment is committed to building industry-specific solutions by transforming data from multiple streams into a strategic asset.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Automotive Washer System Market to Witness Increase in Revenues by 2026

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global automotive washer system market in its latest report titled, Automotive Washer System Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026. Global sales of automotive washer systems including headlamp and windshield washer systems is expected to reach US$ 17.5 Bn in 2016, witnessing a y-o-y growth of 4.2% over 2015. The long-term outlook on the global automotive washer systems market remains positive, with the market expected to register a 5.4% value CAGR during the forecast period 2016-2026. Passenger car segment will account for maximum share of the total sales, extending the market share to 76.7% in 2026 as compared to 74.5% in 2016.In terms of volume, the global sales of automotive washer systems is expected to reach 1,453.4 Mn units in 2016 and is expected to expand at a CAGR 3.5% over the forecast period 20162026.Increasing vehicle production and adoption of efficient wiper and washer technologies are primary factors bolstering the sales of washer systems globally. Moreover, high replacement rate of washer system components is expected to result in high sales in the aftermarket segment. The emergence of newer wiper blade and windshield cleaning technologies is resulting in higher cost of end products, which is a major factor restraining adoption of these products among consumers. High market penetration of relatively low-cost wiper and washer system alternatives restricts demand for wiper de-icer, nozzle integrated wipers and heated nozzle washer systems.Request for Table of Contents @Segmentation highlightsThe global automotive washer system market is segmented on the basis of Component (Nozzles, Reservoirs, Hose & Connectors, Pumps, Windshield Wipers, Wiper Motor); Sales Channel (OEM, Aftermarket); Technology (Electric, Mechanical); Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles); and Application (Windshield Washer System, Headlamp Washer System).Windshield wiper was the largest segment by component in 2015 and this will remain unchanged in 2016Nozzle and hose & reservoir segments are expected to be the next large segment in terms of volumeBy value, wiper motor segment is expected to remain dominant over the forecast period. The segment is expected to account for share of 45.9% in 2016 and is expected to maintain dominance over the forecast periodBy product type, windshield washer segment was the largest segment in 2015, and this segment is anticipated to hold 72.3% of the market revenue by 2026. Advancements in wiper blade technology and nozzle design will support growth of the market over near futureHeadlamp washer system segment is anticipated to witness a relatively high value CAGR than windshield washer system. Increasing sales of premium and luxury vehicle globally is anticipated to bolster the growth of headlamp washer system. Furthermore, automakers in the market are focussing on introducing value added features in their mid-range vehicles, so as to earn competitive edge in the marketRequest for Sample @Regional projectionsThe global automotive washer system market is segmented into the regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA, and Japan. Asia Pacific, the largest market for automotive washer systems is expected account for US$ 5.5 Bn revenue in 2016. Increasing adoption of headlamp washer systems in semi-luxury and mid-sized cars is major trend witnessed in the region. North America is expected to be the next big market, the region accounted for 21.1% of the total revenue share in 2015 and is anticipated to hold 20.7% in 2016. The recent relocation of automobile production facilities to developing nations such as Mexico will impact the OEM sales of washer systems in the region. Western Europe is expected to account for US$ 3.3 Bn revenue in 2016. The market for headlamp washer systems in the region is majorly driven by the existing stringent regulations to deploy these systems with high intensity headlamps.Vendor insightsRobert Bosch GmbH, Denso Corporation, Valeo S.A., continental AG and Mitsuba Corporation are the top five players in the global automotive washer system market, accounting for about 30% market revenue share in 2015. The leading players in the market are focusing on acquisition, collaboration and partnerships of/with technology providers to increase their product portfolio and market presence. Furthermore, expansion of production facilities, particularly in developing nations, is the key strategy adopted by major players in the market.Buy Automotive Washer System Market Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Hermetic Packaging Market - Current Scenario and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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Global Hermetic Packaging Market: SnapshotThe global hermetic packaging market is predicted to witness strong opportunities emerging from the ascendency of ceramic-metal sealing (CERTM) demonstrating a higher growth rate and share in terms of type. There are some crucial factors that could propel the demand for CERTM in the market. The assurance of failure-free operation and passenger safety in the automotive sector is anticipated to fortify the growth of CERTM sealed sensors such as differential non-contacting, chassis level, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensors. The growth of the market could also gain a telling impetus on the back of an elevating demand for low-porosity and thermal shock-resistant hermetic packaging materials.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Although military and defense could take a leading share in the global hermetic packaging market on the basis of application, healthcare, food and beverages, petrochemicals, and consumer electronics are also expected to be significant. The healthcare market is prognosticated to record an impressive demand while riding on major advancements in technology for medical implants and other critical fields. The need to protect food from dirt, yeasts, molds, and bacteria could intensify the demand for hermetic packaging in the food and beverages sector. Glass bottles and rigid metal cans employ hermetic packaging seals as per the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Expansion and new product launch are envisaged to be some of the top strategies adopted to gain a strong foothold in the global hermetic packaging market. For instance, Amkor Technology expanded its China test factory and assembly in 2015 and Schott AG launched Puravis and autoclavable Solidur LED in 2017.Request TOC of the Report @Global Hermetic Packaging Market: OverviewExhibiting a positive CAGR between 2017 and 2025, the global hermetic packaging market is forecast to spawn into a multi-billion dollar industry by the end of the forecast period. The need to protect the sensitive electronic components used in sectors such as defense and military against invasion of moisture, oxygen, humidity, and any other forms of contaminant, which may result in system failure is the key factor spurring the demand for hermetic packaging. Besides this, with the growing use of hermetic packaging across end-use industries such as aeronautics and automobile electronics, experts see strong growth on cards for the market in the coming years.The report provides a holistic market overview, covering growth witnessed across end-use industries, key application segments, and major regions. The classifications under these segments are studied in detail. The study also includes an in-depth analysis of various drivers and restraints projected to impact the markets trajectory across the aforementioned segments. It therefore compiles exhaustive information regarding the market obtained via proven research methodologies. The market study also identifies the most lucrative segments in the market and gauges the investment feasibility for the new market players.Get Discount @Global Hermetic Packaging Market: Trends and OpportunitiesAmong major end users, the demand for hermetic packaging is considerably high in the military and defense sector. This segment is expected to gain from the high budget allocation in the defense sector in countries such as the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Besides this, the high demand from the defense industries in India and China will boost the hermetic packaging market in Asia Pacific. In the coming years, the rising demand from the aeronautics and space industry will contribute to the markets growth as well.Among other segments helping the market gain pace, the contribution of the multilayer ceramic segment is worth mentioning. The market players are expected to witness considerably high opportunities in response to the increasing adoption of multilayer ceramic packages across high-frequency applications such as wireless communication, optical communication, and data communication. Multilayer ceramics allow a large volume of electrical feed-throughs, which is a key factor fueling its demand, subsequently gaining increased traction for the overall market.In the coming years, the use of hermetic packaging transistors is expected to increase at a robust pace. This growth will be stoked by the increasing uptake of hermetically sealed transistors for designing home appliances and telecommunication circuits. Spurred by the increasing applications across diverse segment, the global hermetic packaging market is forecast to report strong growth in the coming years.Global Hermetic Packaging Market: Regional OutlookRegionally, the leading manufacturers will find a lucrative market in Asia Pacific. The region exhibits increasing demand for energy, backed by growth in the rate of GDP across emerging nations such as India and China, which will create growth opportunities for hermetic packaged electronic component manufacturers. Besides this, India, Japan, and China are now allotting increased funds in space research. The growth in space-related activities such as exploration missions and satellite launches in these countries will give impetus to the Asia Pacific hermetic packaging market. Additionally, North America and Europe will continue offering attractive opportunities to the enterprises operating in the market.Global Hermetic Packaging Market: Vendor LandscapeTeledyne Microelectronics, AMETEK, Inc., SCHOTT AG, Texas Instruments Incorporated, Amkor Technology, Legacy Technologies Inc., Micross Components, Inc., Willow Technologies, KYOCERA Corporation, and Materion Corporation are among the established players in the global hermetic packaging market. Besides in-depth assessment of the companies profiled, the report also studies the impact of the strategies they adopt on the overall market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Jackson County has received a 50 percent matching grant from the state of Wisconsin to add a dock to the boat landing on the Indian Creek Flowage in the town of Bear Bluff.

Its kind of hard to land your boat out there because once you push it off in the water, there is really no way of stepping from the shore to jump onto your boat. At one time somebody put a homemade dock out there, but the ice tore it apart and stuff so it didnt really serve the purpose, Jackson County Forestry and Parks Administrator James Zahasky said.

The county put a road to the flowage about 15 years ago and have been putting gravel down over the years.

The boat landing is already there. It is a rustic boat landing, just a gravel road and at the end of the gravel road we put more gravel to make a cul-de-sac on the end of the road so they can turn their cars around, Zahasky said.

As reports have spread of the impressive fish in the flowage, more and more anglers have arrived.

Even in the middle of the week, there always seems to be one or two cars out there. There is always someone there fishing whenever we go by it, Zahasky said. In the last five to 10 years, it has seemed to have an increase in usage out there.

The grant will help fund a small 16-foot dock that the Forestry and Parks department will be able to pull in before the flowage freezes.

The grant is funded by the County Conservation Aid from the state that is used to enhance and protect hunting and fishing opportunities. Jackson County will receive $2,691 from the grant and will be required to match it.

We will be adding some rock there to meet our match and we will probably have some time with equipment to put this in, so most of the match will probably be with in-kind labor and there might be a little bit of money put in the dock, Zahasky said.

The county will be ordering the dock over the winter and will install it after spring break-up.
Microcontroller Socket Market - Analysis Market with Current Trends Analysis upto 2025

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Global Microcontroller Socket Market: SnapshotThe global market for microcontroller socket is gaining traction from its increasing application across various sectors including automotive, consumer electronics, military and defense, and industrial, automation and re-automation in developing countries, and increase in IC packaging development. Currently, there is intense competition among the leading vendors, which is somewhat hindering the proper growth of the market.Based on product, the global microcontroller socket market can be segmented into Quad Flat Package (QFP), Ball Grid Array (BGA), Dual In-line Package (DIP), Small Outline IC Package (SOIC), and Small Outline Package (SOP), among which BGA microcontroller socket is anticipated to gain strong demand in the near future, driven by its use for integrated circuits and area type of surface-mount packaging. Application-wise, the prosperity of the automotive sector is projected to propel the demand for microcontroller sockets. In addition to that, escalating demand for power line communications and smart energy for metering is expected to gain traction in the near future.Request Sample Copy of the Report @This report on the global microcontroller socket market has been developed with the sole purpose of representing the present scenario as well as the future prospects, to the stakeholders connected to the value chain of this market. All important factors that may influence the demand, positively or negatively, have been analyzed and their implications have been estimated. The report also profiles a number of key companies operating in this market, estimating their market share and analyzing their product portfolio as well as recent strategic developmentsGlobal Microcontroller Socket Market: OverviewThe global microcontroller socket market is forecast to expand considerably in the coming years. Due to their increasing application in communication, industrial, and automobile sectors, the demand for microcontroller sockets is forecast to augment at a high pace. Microcontrollers are integrated in varied electronic devices in order to manage device operations. Because the technology allows seamless management of electronic devices, its demand is expected to scale higher in the near future.Request TOC of the Report @Currently, the market is witnessing high demand across automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, military and defense, and medical devices sectors. Of these, the market is forecast to see robust growth in the automotive sector, which is witnessing rapid expansion across developing regions. In the automotive segment, microcontroller sockets find application in body electronics and information devices. Based on product, some of the key market segments are ball grid array (BGA), dual in-line package (DIP), small outline package (SOP), quad flat package (QFP), and small outline IC package (SOIC).Aimed at providing a comprehensive market overview, the report covers industry factors affecting its growth across then aforementioned segments. The most lucrative opportunities are identified as well based on information obtained via proven research methodologies. Compiled with the intent of helping stakeholders gain a better perspective about the global microcontroller socket market, the report also studies the effect of Porters five forces on the overall operations.Get Discount @Global Microcontroller Socket Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe rising demand for enhanced technology in order to reduce fuel consumption is stoking the demand for lower-power embedded systems. To capitalize on prevailing opportunities, manufacturers have started producing powertrain applications. These exhibit miniaturized designs, low consumption of power, and reduced weight. Such improvements have helped improving functionality per chips with high output and input. Besides, these chips are available in smaller package size. Furthermore, the use of copper wire has increased, which has reduced the cost incurred in packaging without compromising on productivity. Spurred by these factors, the demand for microcontroller socket is projected to rise in the coming years.The market is also forecast to gain from recent developments in IC packaging enabling it deliver high application for a low cost in a low-profile and low-power design. These developments show great potential, lured by which system developers, OEMs, packaging and test subcontractors, foundries, fabless chip companies, and chip manufacturers are placing high stakes on the next generation packaging solutions. Uptake of IC packaging is therefore increasing as manufacturers look for ways of delivering better, faster, and cheaper results. This in turn will augment the demand for microcontroller socket market.Global Microcontroller Socket Market: Regional OutlookDue to the rising demand in Japan and China, the microcontroller socket market in Asia Pacific is forecast to exhibit robust growth. Besides this, the increasing demand for sockets in the regions flourishing microelectronics industry will aid growth. In North America as well, the market will witness attractive opportunities. The expansion of the smart energy and communication sectors will bolster opportunities for the microcontroller socket market in North America.Global Microcontroller Socket Market: Vendor LandscapeMill-Max Mfg. Corporation, Aries Electronics, CNC Tech LLC, and Samtec, Inc. are among the most prominent enterprises operating in the global microcontroller socket market. In order to gain pace, a majority of these companies are focusing on product development and expanding their global footprint. Business policies and marketing strategies adopted by these enterprises will also exert considerable influence on the overall market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Inertial Measurement Unit Market Growth Opportunities Report 2024

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The global inertial measurement unit market is expected to be bolstered by the rising manufacture of aircrafts on a world platform triggering the rise of the need of better navigation techniques. The requirement of equipment with greater usage ease on account of the advancement of worldwide lifestyle enabled the engagement of motion sensing technology extensively using inertial sensors. This could play a critical part in defining the market and driving its growth in the near future. Complex navigation systems equipped with inertial sensors could find an increasing demand because of the unparalleled rise in the use of unmanned automobiles across defense and civilian applications.Read Report Overview @The global inertial measurement unit market is predicted by Transparency Market Research (TMR) to reach a valuation of US$3.6 bn by 2022 end from a US$2.6 bn achieved in 2017. During the forecast timeframe 20172022, a CAGR of 6.0% could be posted by the market.Global Inertial Measurement Unit Market.jpgGlobal Inertial Measurement Unit Market: Major InsightsDeveloped regions such as North America are anticipated to set the tone for a constructive growth in the world inertial measurement unit market. This could be due to three main factors such as the massive inflow of federal investments, aggressive advancement in the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, and towering demand for commercial aircraft. Besides this, the U.S. government support for the military prioritization on inertial measurement unit could improve the growth of North America. Developing regions such as Asia Pacific, on the other hand, could amplify the demand in the global market on the back of new entrants dealing with MEMS that increasingly focus on the manufacture of advanced technology.The world inertial measurement unit market is prognosticated to be classified as per four categories, i.e. product, platform, end use, and sales channel. According to product type segmentation, there could be opportunities in markets such as gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, and attitude sensor. The report authors foresee the market to be dominated by gyroscopes in the product category, which is envisaged to expand at a 6.4% CAGR.Request Sample Report @In view of platform, there could be prospects birthing in the world inertial measurement unit market from segments such as land, airborne, and naval. By end use, the market is projected to see a classification into aerospace and defense, automotive, sports, and other industries. With respect to sales channel, important markets such as direct sales, online retail, electronic component stores, and others could create opportunities for industry players.Request Inertial Measurement Unit Market Report Brochure @Geographically, the world inertial measurement unit market is envisioned to be divided into Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ), the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Japan. Out of these regions, the market could testify the control taken over by North America as a larger segment while rising at a 6.4% CAGR.Buy Inertial Measurement Unit Market Research Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Research on Aerosol Therapy Market Global Industry Analysis and Trends till 2024

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Aerosol is suspension of liquid or solid particles in a carrier gas, which makes use of it for treatment of respiratory system related diseases. Different forms of drugs can be utilized for aerosol therapy such as solid particles, liquid particles, solutions, and suspensions. Until recently, aerosol therapy concentrated primarily on treatment of asthma and COPD for which, pressurized metered-dose inhaler device was used.However, the role of aerosol therapy is expanding beyond the initial focus. This expansion eliminated CFC-based traditional metered-dose inhalers devices. This will ultimately boost the market growth of aerosol therapy in the field of gene therapy, inhalation therapy and vaccination. Aerosol therapy is a natural and easiest way to treat asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and broncho pulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Aerosol therapy is also used to deliver insulin, vaccines of influenza and measles, and pain medications. Aerosol treatment therapy gives an excellent and cost-efficient drug delivery. This therapy is effective for patients who cannot use metered-dose inhalers; primary inhalation devices are produced that guarantee breath-actuated aerosol delivery with minimal side effects.Request for Report TOC @Aerosol therapy provides a fast and non-invasive way for treatment of lung disorders as the drug is delivered at the receptor site. Effectiveness of the therapy depends on how deeply aerosol particles infiltrate into the bronchial track and where the particles are deposited. A particle size under 2m is ideal and can permeate up to the peripheral airways. That is why most commercially available aerosol devices produce droplets of roughly this size.As per the World Health Organization, about half the cases of asthma and COPD are due to hereditary weakness and the other cases are due to environmental factors. The effect of pollution is likely to intensify globally along with industrialization of areas, and increasing the number of vehicles. Current government activities and rising healthcare investments are drivers of aerosol therapy market, which would upgrade over the examination time frame. Increasing prices are major factor that is restraining the growth of the market in terms of value.Currently metered dose inhaler majorly contributes to the market and is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period. As per the data, COPD is third leading cause of death and fifth leading cause of disability. Also, factors like increasing pollution, improper lifestyles are the factors that drive the growth of the market.On the basis of regional presence, global aerosol therapy market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Asthma symptoms were detected in 26 million persons who live in the U.S., of which, 19 million comprise adults and 7 million comprise children. With this rate, North America is expected to dominate the market. Asia Pacific (mostly China and India) market is estimated to grow at a relatively fast rate over the forecast period.Request for Report Sample @The largest manufacturers of aerosol therapy devices are Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca Plc. In 2001, SmithKline Beecham and GlaxoWellcome merged together and became GlaxoSmithKline, who became a key player in this field. Also, Novartis AGTeva Pharmaceuticals, Opko Health, Omron Healthcare Co., Covidien plc., GE Healthcare Ltd., Philips Healthcare, Agilent Technologies, Inc. Ltd, GF Health Products, Inc. are other important players in this market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Our client success stories feature a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to fast-growing startups. PMRs collaborative environment is committed to building industry-specific solutions by transforming data from multiple streams into a strategic asset.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
DNA Polymerase Market to Register a CAGR Growth of 6.5% throughout 2017-2027

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Future Market Insights presents a detailed forecast and in-depth insights on the global DNA polymerase market in a new report titled DNA Polymerase Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012  2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017  2027). According to the report, the global DNA polymerase market is anticipated to record a compounded annual growth rate of 6.5% and reach a market value of US$ 389.4 Mn in 2027.Factors Impacting Market Revenue GrowthStaggering increase in the use of DNA polymerases in point-of-care and molecular diagnostics kits is expected to continue to influence the adoption of DNA polymerases. Increasing use of DNA polymerases in epigenetics research, in addition to the increasing investments in life sciences R&D is also expected to boost revenue growth of the global market. However, high cost of reagents and availability of alternative techniques are expected to limit market growth over the forecast period.Read Report Overview @Global DNA Polymerase Market: Segmental Analysis & ForecastBy product type, growth of the eukaryotic DNA polymerase segment will be positively impacted by the introduction of various innovative products such as high-fidelity DNA polymerase that show excellent results in whole blood and other samples containing crude lysates. These products have been used in direct PCR applications, with limited sample processing, which have been a constant requirement especially for high throughput applications. In addition, the use of PCR-based technologies in point-of-care tests, companion diagnostics and other applications have led to a major boost for the DNA polymerase market. Manufacturers of DNA polymerases are entering into distribution agreements to extend product reach and collaborations to ensure they gain market share and remain competitive in global markets. Eukaryotic DNA polymerase segment is expected to hold the highest share of the market, as well as display strong growth, expanding at a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period. Among end use segments, molecular diagnostics companies are expected to hold the largest share of the global DNA polymerase market at over 31% market share in terms of revenue in 2027. However, the academic and research institutes segment is anticipated to expand at a robust growth rate of 7.4% over the forecast period.Request Sample Report @Global DNA Polymerase Market: Regional Analysis & ForecastFMIs report segments the global DNA polymerase market on the basis of region into North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. This report assesses key trends driving each market segment and offers analysis and insights on the DNA polymerase market across specific regions. The market in North America is anticipated to dominate the global DNA polymerase market with maximum value share by end of 2027, accounting for over 56% in terms of revenue. In terms of value, the market in Latin America is expected to be the fastest growing, registering a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period. The market in Asia Pacific Excluding Japan is also expected to show a significant growth of 7.7% over the forecast period.Request to View TOC @Global DNA Polymerase Market: Vendor LandscapeSome of the key competitors covered in this report include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, Roche Diagnostics, Agilent Technologies, Qiagen NV, Takara Bio Company, Merck KGaA, Genscript, Illumina, New England Biolabs, and Promega Corporation. These vendors in the global DNA polymerase market are expanding their business by launching new and innovative products tailored for both research and in-vitro applications. Companies are also focussing on emerging markets in Asia Pacific to increase their geographical presence and tap into various end use segments that have the ability to invest in R&D for life sciences as well as develop innovative diagnostics tools.Buy DNA Polymerase Market Research Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market - Future Market with Current Trend Analysis upto 2025

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Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: SnapshotUntil a couple of years from now, the future of the sleeker, smaller, and portable computing devices, now dubbed as ultra-mobile, looked bleak. The segment had few devices and the flagship devices failed to entice masses. But the scenario soon transformed and ultra-mobile devices charged in the burgeoning global computing devices market with immense force, a host of new products from some of the worlds most renowned brands and are witnessing massive sales.Analysts predict that ultra-mobile devices will soon supplant desktop computers in professional as well as public spaces. With the impressive rate of technological advancements that this segment of computing devices is achieving in a short span, this transition does not seem very far or difficult. Vast advances in battery, screen, processing, and material processing technologies are supplementing this change, making it technically very feasible to develop portable devices that can easily compete with the present-day ubiquitous, relatively bulkier, and mostly immobile workhorse personal computers.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The rapid influx of a number of technologically advanced and highly promising candidates in the global ultra-mobile devices arena is strengthening the position of the segment as the right candidate to claim a significant stake in the workplace computers replacement process that many organizations eagerly await. Conventional smartphones and tablets fail to be as productive and fast as desktop computers when it comes to fulfilling a number of requirements, a factor that makes the high demand for ultra-mobile devices more likely. This report gives a detailed overview of the global ultra-mobile devices market and its crucial segments.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: OverviewUltra-mobile devices (UMD), also referred to as ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPC), the notebook computers with physical features such as screen and overall size scaled down to bring about a reduction in weight make the devise more compact, have emerged as one of the largest selling computing devices in the past few years. These portable and easy to carry computing devices, which majorly pack capabilities and functionalities similar to those of a traditional personal computer, are steadily outpacing the conventional personal computer models.Request TOC of the Report @The market for ultra-mobile computing devices is expected to expand at a promising pace in the next few years as the trend of mobility gathers further pace. This report on the global ultra-mobile devices market provides a thorough analytical overview of the market in the present times and several forward-looking statements predicting the growth prospects of the market and its segments for the period 20172025, wherein 2016 is considered the base year.The report covers a detailed analytical overview of all the key trends expected to play a key role in the overall development of the market over the said period. The study highlights factors such as drivers, restraints, regulations, and opportunities expected to impact the growth prospects of the market during the forecast period.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe report states that of the key varieties of ultra-mobile devices available in the market, including basic UMD, utility UMD, and premium UMD, the segment of premium UMD accounted for the leading share in revenues in the global market. Operational capabilities equal or enhanced as compared to conventional personal computers, compact size, and high cost have made premium UMDs one of the most profitable UMD segments in the global market in the past few years.Get Discount @On the basis of operating system, the global UMD market can be segmented into Windows, Mac, Android, and open source. Presently, the Windows category accounts for the dominant share in the global market and is expected to retain dominance over the next few years as well.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsFrom a geographical perspective, the report analyzes the UMD market across regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Of these, the North America market contributed to the leading share in the global markets revenue. The presence of an affluent consumer base and some of the worlds leading UMD manufacturers have helped the region take the top spot in the UMD market.Emerging economies across regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America have become some of the worlds profitable destinations for the personal computers market owing to the rising population of affluent and digitally aware consumers and the burgeoning enterprise and education sectors. However, the high prices of UMDs could crop up as one of the key challenges for markets expansion in these regions, making people favor budget computing devices over UMDs. The consumer perception that UMDs lack in data processing or operating functionalities as compared to conventional personal computers could also be a factor limiting the overall demand for ultra-mobile devices to mostly business professionals and enterprise circles in these regions.The study also includes business profiles of some of the leading players operating in the global immersive simulator market with details such as recent developments, growth strategies, market share, market positioning, finances, and product portfolio. Some of the leading companies operating in the global UMD market are HTC Corporation, Google, Dell, Microsoft Corporation, Lenovo, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Apple Inc., Sony, HP Development Company L.P., and Samsung.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: SnapshotUntil a couple of years from now, the future of the sleeker, smaller, and portable computing devices, now dubbed as ultra-mobile, looked bleak. The segment had few devices and the flagship devices failed to entice masses. But the scenario soon transformed and ultra-mobile devices charged in the burgeoning global computing devices market with immense force, a host of new products from some of the worlds most renowned brands and are witnessing massive sales.Analysts predict that ultra-mobile devices will soon supplant desktop computers in professional as well as public spaces. With the impressive rate of technological advancements that this segment of computing devices is achieving in a short span, this transition does not seem very far or difficult. Vast advances in battery, screen, processing, and material processing technologies are supplementing this change, making it technically very feasible to develop portable devices that can easily compete with the present-day ubiquitous, relatively bulkier, and mostly immobile workhorse personal computers.The rapid influx of a number of technologically advanced and highly promising candidates in the global ultra-mobile devices arena is strengthening the position of the segment as the right candidate to claim a significant stake in the workplace computers replacement process that many organizations eagerly await. Conventional smartphones and tablets fail to be as productive and fast as desktop computers when it comes to fulfilling a number of requirements, a factor that makes the high demand for ultra-mobile devices more likely. This report gives a detailed overview of the global ultra-mobile devices market and its crucial segments.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: OverviewUltra-mobile devices (UMD), also referred to as ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPC), the notebook computers with physical features such as screen and overall size scaled down to bring about a reduction in weight make the devise more compact, have emerged as one of the largest selling computing devices in the past few years. These portable and easy to carry computing devices, which majorly pack capabilities and functionalities similar to those of a traditional personal computer, are steadily outpacing the conventional personal computer models.The market for ultra-mobile computing devices is expected to expand at a promising pace in the next few years as the trend of mobility gathers further pace. This report on the global ultra-mobile devices market provides a thorough analytical overview of the market in the present times and several forward-looking statements predicting the growth prospects of the market and its segments for the period 20172025, wherein 2016 is considered the base year.The report covers a detailed analytical overview of all the key trends expected to play a key role in the overall development of the market over the said period. The study highlights factors such as drivers, restraints, regulations, and opportunities expected to impact the growth prospects of the market during the forecast period.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe report states that of the key varieties of ultra-mobile devices available in the market, including basic UMD, utility UMD, and premium UMD, the segment of premium UMD accounted for the leading share in revenues in the global market. Operational capabilities equal or enhanced as compared to conventional personal computers, compact size, and high cost have made premium UMDs one of the most profitable UMD segments in the global market in the past few years.On the basis of operating system, the global UMD market can be segmented into Windows, Mac, Android, and open source. Presently, the Windows category accounts for the dominant share in the global market and is expected to retain dominance over the next few years as well.Global Ultra-mobile Devices (UMD) Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsFrom a geographical perspective, the report analyzes the UMD market across regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Of these, the North America market contributed to the leading share in the global markets revenue. The presence of an affluent consumer base and some of the worlds leading UMD manufacturers have helped the region take the top spot in the UMD market.Emerging economies across regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America have become some of the worlds profitable destinations for the personal computers market owing to the rising population of affluent and digitally aware consumers and the burgeoning enterprise and education sectors. However, the high prices of UMDs could crop up as one of the key challenges for markets expansion in these regions, making people favor budget computing devices over UMDs. The consumer perception that UMDs lack in data processing or operating functionalities as compared to conventional personal computers could also be a factor limiting the overall demand for ultra-mobile devices to mostly business professionals and enterprise circles in these regions.The study also includes business profiles of some of the leading players operating in the global immersive simulator market with details such as recent developments, growth strategies, market share, market positioning, finances, and product portfolio. Some of the leading companies operating in the global UMD market are HTC Corporation, Google, Dell, Microsoft Corporation, Lenovo, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Apple Inc., Sony, HP Development Company L.P., and Samsung.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Nail salon Market Trends,Share,Size,Growth,Status and Forecast 2022

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Research Beam has added a report on Global Nail salon Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022Nail salon Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2012-2022 for each of these regions are listed in the report.Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more. Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Nail salon MarketEnquire About Report @The Nail salon Market report has a mention of the industrial chain, sourcing strategy, and downstream buyers. This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Global Nail salon Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalThe key players which provide solutions in the Global Nail salon Market Parisian Nailsaloon Base Coat? ZAZAZOO Polished HM Nail Salon Endless Nail Salon Lotus Nail Bar & Spa Summit Nail Bar J and J Nails & Spa? MONOGURA Nail Salon PINKY Nail Quick RounGe KIYOSA Beautiful Nails & Body Salon CambridgeCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452mail help@researchbeam.com
Aseptic Processing Market - Future Market, Growth & Forecast upto 2025

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Global Aseptic Processing Market: SnapshotAs per the Food and Agriculture Organization, 43% of the food produced in Asia Pacific in 2014 was wasted, leading to huge financial losses for both manufacturers and retailers. Thus, the need for efficient packaging which offers long life and maintains the quality of products was felt. This gave rise to the demand for aseptic processing and the market for this technology is projected to witness a high growth in the years to come.The growing preference for eco-friendly packages is behind the high demand for aseptic processing technology, despite their complexity when compared to terminal sterilization or canning. A surge in the demand for convenience foods and pharmaceutical supplies is boosting the growth of the aseptic processing market. Aseptic processing enables longer shelf life and thus, in demand. As the disposable income of consumers is increasing, their spending capability is also growing, creating a heightened demand for various products, driving the global aseptic processing market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Players in the market are expected to witness a stupendous growth as they increase their already large production capacities. The increased demand for aseptically packaged goods has compelled manufacturers to expand their business and production capacity. The cosmetics and dairy sectors are two areas demanding aseptic processing increasingly, thus pushing the growth of the market. The dairy industry is witnessing robust growth on account of the high demand for varieties in terms of flavors, which is benefitting the aseptic processing industry in turn.Global Aseptic Processing Market: OverviewAseptic processing is referred to as the methodology through which sterile or aseptic products, mainly pharmaceutical and food is packed in a sterile container which would efficiently maintain its sterility. Sterility is obtained through a process of flash heating between a temperature of 195 and 295 degree F which recollects more nutrients and employs less energy than the traditional form of sterilization methods such as hot-fill canning or retort. The method of aseptic food preservation allows the storage of processed food for elongated periods without the use of preservatives. These type of aseptic packages are generally a mix of aluminum, polyethylene, and paper. Collectively, these materials form a constricted seal against degradation, contaminants, microbial organisms, thus removing the requirement for refrigeration. The products which packed using aseptic processing are tomatoes, gravies, liquid whole eggs, fruit juices, and milks.Request TOC of the Report @The market intelligence report investigates into the conceivable growth prospects for the aseptic processing market and the sequential growth of the market during the course of the forecast period. It also exclusively provisions the mandatory data related to aspects such as the dynamics manipulating the progress in all possible reflective manner. Numerous pervasive and non-pervasive trends have also been stated in the report. An outlook of extensive nature keeping in mind the Porters five forces analysis has been provided to make the vendor landscape transparent to the reader. The report further points out several activities related to R&D, mergers, acquisitions, and crucial conglomerates and corroborations. The companies in attention have been examined on the basis of market shares, prime products, and key marketing strategies.Global Aseptic Processing Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe global aseptic processing market is likely to witness exponential growth over the forecast period owing to rising focus on environment-friendly packaging and improvement in technologies and equipment in the packaging industry. The market is also expected to be benefitted by the mounting need for pharmaceutical supplies, growing demand for quality and convenience food products, and significant progress of the dairy beverage market. However, the market is expected to be negatively impacted by the high initial capital investment required for buying equipment and the need for advanced understanding of the technology in question in place forms of packaging forms.Get Discount @In terms of packaging, the segment of paper and paperboard is expected to lead the market in the coming years. This is because, paperboard can be easily cut and processed and is both strong and lightweight, thus making it an ideal material for packaging. Paperboard packaging is available in different grades with unique qualities. The grades are thus chosen on the basis of the respective packaging requirements.Global Aseptic Processing Market: Regional OutlookDeveloping countries such as Argentina, Brazil, India, and China are likely to contribute significantly to the revenue of the global aseptic processing market in the coming years. The growth of the markets in these countries can be primarily attributed to the hectic lifestyles of consumers and their shift towards processed and ready-to-eat meals, growth in household incomes, and favorable demographics.Global Aseptic Processing Market: Competitive LandscapeEquipment manufacturers and suppliers are focusing on offering innovative equipment in different categories along with integrating processing equipment. They are also diversifying the product offerings to strengthen distribution base. Some of the leading companies are JBT Corporation, Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co. Ltd., GEA Group, Amcor Limited, Becton, Dickinson and Co., GEA Group, Tetra Laval International S.A., E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, and Robert Bosch GmbH.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Cut the cost of travelling With Essex Minibuses newly Introduced affordable packages

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End moment changes in plan lead to unnecessary expenses and delay. To avoid this, travel by comfortable minibuses.Travelling by Minibus is always exciting. It enhances the journey experience and makes the transportation easy and hassle-free. Minibuses also help you to save hundreds of money, so hire them and make the voyage comfortable and joyful.If you are planning a short trip to London and looking for the perfect transportation. Then hiring a minibus can be your ideal solution, as it saves you from the nasty shocks of parking tolls. Although, you can travel in groups. If you want to visit the nearby places of London with less amount of money, then hire Essex Minibus services, and make the entire journey pleasant.Essex Minibus is well-known in London as a Minibus Leasing Company. They offer comfortable, neat and clean minibuses, which perfectly match your needs. They provide minibuses at affordable prices, if you compare their prices with local public transportation such as a bus or taxi`s, then their minibuses would charge you less. Essex minibuses have newly introduced their incredible travelling packages at the affordable prices. So, for all those who are thinking to visit London soon then hire their minibuses services only!Essex Minibus also offer many travelling discount offers. They said, the longer the customers would move with us, the more offer they would get! Essex minibus always does something beyond the imagination of the customers; this is the reason their clients only prefer or refer them.Essex Minibus offers comfortable and luxurious 8-seater, 11-seater, and 14-seater and 16-seater minibuses for a wedding, hen & stag parties, corporate events and airport transfers. With Essex minibus, you dont have to pay extra charges for the tolls as their Airport Transfers costs accompanied it.Essex minibuses have a trained team of well-professionals, uniformed chauffeurs who would rightly pick you up from the location and safely drop you at the desired destination. All of their drivers are CRB checked and have a complete four years EU license to drive the passengers vehicles.About Essex Minibuses:Essex Minibuses covers all the surrounding areas of the United Kingdom. All their minibuses are VOSA registered and fully-secured. Essex Minibuses believes in offering high-quality minibuses, and customer satisfaction is their priority. They offer clean and outstanding minibuses with all the amenities to all the occasions. So, sit back relax fully and enjoy your next London trip only with them.Call Essex Minibuses on 01708 301 302 for the cheapest quote.Or Visit websiteCONTACT:Sharif Uddinbookings@essex-minibus-hire.co.ukUnit 3, Lakeside Business Village Fleming RoadGrays- RM16 6EWEssex United KingdomPh: 01708 301 302Essex Minibus believes in offering high quality and customer satisfactions minibuses. Our minibus hire Iondon covers all the prominent areas of London. Our buses available for corporate events, weedings, Hen & Stag Parties and Airport Transfers and will pick you up from any destination within the UK.Unit 3, Lakeside Business VillageFleming Road, GraysRM16 6EW
Hips & Knees Reconstructive Market to Record a Sluggish CAGR of 6.4% through 2027

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global hips & knees reconstructive market in its upcoming report titled Hips & Knees Reconstructive Market: Global Industry Analysis (20122016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017  2027). In terms of revenue, the global hips & knees reconstructive market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period, owing to various factors regarding which FMI offers detailed insights and information in this report. A key trend witnessed in the global hips & knees reconstructive market is that manufacturers are focussing on new product innovations that are driving technological advancements, but are also cost effective. Globally, surgeons are adopting new minimally invasive surgical procedures, computer-navigated and robot-assisted surgical procedures, 3D printing technology and smart implants, which will have a significant impact on the overall growth of the global hips & knees reconstructive market.Read Report Overview @Global Hips & Knees Reconstructive Market: Segmental ForecastThe global hips & knees reconstructive market is segmented based on product type, fixation type, end user and region. Based on product type, the market segmented into hip and knee reconstruction. The fixation type is segmented into cement, cementless and hybrid fixations. Total hip and knee reconstruction is the leading product type segment in the global hips & knees reconstructive market over the forecast period. The knee reconstruction segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 8,719.9 Mn by 2017 end and is projected to be valued at US$ 16,653.2 Mn by 2027 end, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. The hip reconstruction segment is expected to be the second most lucrative segment in the global hips & knees reconstructive market, with an attractiveness index of 0.8 during the forecast period.Based on fixation type, cementless fixation is the leading segment in the global hips & knees reconstructive market over the forecast period. The hybrid segment accounted for 28.1% value share in 2016 and is projected to account for 29.9% share by 2027 end. It is the second most attractive segment in the global hips & knees reconstructive market with an attractiveness index of 1.0 during the forecast period.Request Sample Report @By end user, the market is segmented into hospitals, orthopaedic clinics, and ambulatory surgical centres. Hospitals is the leading segment in the global hips & knees reconstructive market over the forecast period. Demand for hip and knee reconstruction is expected to be the highest in hospitals, and this segment is projected to register a CAGR of 6.1 % over the forecast period.Global Hips & Knees Reconstructive Market: Regional ForecastNorth America is expected to gain popularity over the forecast period, driven by an increasing geriatric population requiring hip and knee reconstruction. The North America market is predicted to dominate the global hips & knees reconstructive market, accounting for a maximum revenue share of the market by 2017 end. The North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific excluding Japan markets are collectively expected to account for around 79% of the global hips & knees reconstructive market value share by 2017 end. Revenue from the market in APEJ is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period.Request to View TOC @Key PlayersSome of the key hips & knees reconstructive market players covered in the report include Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy Companies (Sub. Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.), Smith & Nephew Plc, Exactech, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, MicroPort Scientific Corporation, Limacorporate S.p.A., CeramTec, and ConforMIS. In this report, we have discussed the individual strategies followed by these companies regarding bringing improvements in their products, creating new manufacturing facilities, market consolidation and advanced R&D initiatives. The report concludes with key takeaways for players already present in the market and new players planning to enter the market.Buy Hips & Knees Reconstructive Market Research Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Acoustic Microscope Market 2017-2022: with Focus on future Scope and Historical Analysis

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Market Research Future published a research report on Acoustic Microscope Market Research Report- Global Forecast to 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Market Synopsis of Acoustic Microscope MarketMarket ScenarioThe major growth driver of Acoustic Microscope Market includes rising nanotechnology sector, growing technical advancement in microscope manufacturing, and fast growing semiconductor industry and government support on R&D innovation among others.However, high cost of instruments and stringent government rules and heavy custom duty charges on equipment are some of the factors which are hindering the growth of Acoustic Microscope Market.Get Sample of Report @Key PlayersSome of the major players in Global Acoustic Microscope Market include Bruker optics, Inc. (U.S.), Applied materials, Inc. (U.S.), Carl Zeiss (Germany),Danaher Corporation (U.K.), Nikon Corporation (Japan), FEI Co. (U.S.), Hitachi High Technologies Corporation (Japan), JEOL Ltd. (Japan), Leica Microsystems (Germany) and Olympus Corporation (Japan) among others.Objective Study of Acoustic Microscope Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Acoustic Microscope To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To Analyze the Acoustic Microscope Market based on various factors- porters five force analysis, mega trend analysis, macroeconomic indicators etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by type, by methods, by applications and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global Acoustic Microscope Market.SegmentsGlobal Acoustic Microscope Market can be segmented as follows:Segmentation by Type: Scanning acoustic microscope (SAM), confocal acoustic microscope (CSAM), and C-mode scanning acoustic microscope among others.Segmentation by Method: X-ray radiography, infrared imaging, and non-destructive testing.Segmentation by Applications: Automotive, semiconductor, aerospace, medical, industrial, and life-science industry among others.Get Complete Report @Target Audience: Research Organizations Education institutes Media Healthcare Corporate Resellers and Distributors Government AgenciesGlobal Acoustic Microscope Market Segmentation By Type By Method By Application By RegionThe report for Acoustic Microscope Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.About Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
The Tri-County Chapter #1386 of NARFE (National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees) is scheduled to meet at Pizones Restaurant in Tomah Nov. 16. Lunch is available at 11:30 a.m. The meeting starts at approximately 12 p.m. The guest speaker will be a representative from Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Health Insurance. All NARFE members, their guests and interested active and retired federal employees are welcome.
Two-factor Biometrics Market Growth,Trends,Size, Share,Status and Forecast 2022

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Research Beam has added a report on Global Two-factor Biometrics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022Two-factor Biometrics Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2012-2022 for each of these regions are listed in the report.Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more. Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Two-factor Biometrics MarketEnquire About Report @The Two-factor Biometrics Market report has a mention of the industrial chain, sourcing strategy, and downstream buyers. This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Global Two-factor Biometrics Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalThe key players which provide solutions in the Global Two-factor Biometrics Market EMC Entrust Gemalto VASCO Authenex Authentify Authy Deepnet Security DynaPass Fortinet HID GlobalCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452mail help@researchbeam.com
Carnauba Wax Market - Analysis Market with Current Trends Analysis upto 2025

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Carnauba Wax Market: SnapshotThe global carnauba wax market, traditionally dominated by Brazil, has emerged as a major economic avenue in recent years thanks to the steady growth of the automotive and food and beverage sectors. The cosmetics sectors growth in developing countries has also been vital for the global carnauba wax market and is likely to remain a key driver due to the growing demand for a variety of anti-pollution and anti-aging products.The automotive industry has emerged as a leading consumer in the global carnauba wax market due to the growing secondhand car industry. Carnauba wax is a precious commodity in automotive maintenance due to the superior performance it provides in terms of polish. Thus, resold cars generally require a generous application of carnauba wax, while new cars are also often treated with carnauba wax to maximize their appeal to customers. The growing automotive industry in developing countries is thus likely to be vital for the global carnauba wax market, while developed regions are home to an affluent consumer demographic that has shown a steady interest in automobile maintenance and is likely to remain a key consumer in the global carnauba wax market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The food and beverage industry has become a key consumer in the global carnauba wax market due to the rising demand for food glazing and the increasing consumption of confectionery items such as jelly and chewing gum. The rising demand for sweets in developing countries, where the products are still novel, is thus likely to be a vital contributor to the global carnauba wax market.Global Carnauba Wax Market: OverviewThe global carnauba wax market has witnessed tremendous growth over the past few years, due to its increasing application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector. Brazil is the leading producer as well as exporter of carnauba wax across the globe. The manufacturing of this wax involves low setup cost, however, the labor intensive nature of extraction and processing leads to a high labor cost, thereby boosting the overall manufacturing cost. Moreover, the widespread adoption of primitive tools for extraction leads to an increase in the overall extraction time. This wax commonly finds its application in food, pharmaceutical, automotive, and cosmetics.Request TOC of the Report @The report serves as a reliable business tool providing information regarding important parameters of the global carnauba wax market. It is intended to update stakeholders about the ongoing trends of the market. It provides an immaculate understanding of the market through definitions, classifications, applications, and chain structure. It gives a detailed description of the factor influencing the market and analyzes the extent to which they impact the growth. It offers qualitative and quantitative insights into the competitive landscape of the market. It profiles key players in the market and takes into account their business strategies, latest development, investment outlook, financial overview, and market shares. For a coherent understanding, the report segments the global carnauba wax market on the basis of various criteria including geography and applications.Global Carnauba Wax Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe burgeoning consumption of confectionary products such as jellies and chewing gums, particularly in developing countries, is anticipated to stimulate the demand for carnauba wax in the forthcoming years. In addition, the rising demand for food glazing agent in the food and beverage industry is bolstering the growth of the market. The growth of the market is also backed by conducive regulations enforced by regulatory authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union. On the other hand, the rising attempts of market participants to increase their margins and revenues are resulting in an increase in price, which in turn is adversely affecting the growth of the market.Get Discount @Global Carnauba Wax Market: Geographical SegmentationBased on geography, the key segments meticulously studied in the report are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. Europe and North America will account for a substantial cumulative share in the market throughout the forecast period. The growing demand for waxes for the production and maintenance of automobiles is bolstering the growth of these regions. The robust growth of the automotive care industry, due to rising automobile sales coupled with the increasing sales of pre-used cars, is translating into the greater uptake of carnauba wax.Asia Pacific will rise at a noteworthy pace during the same period, owing to the growing demand for food glazing agents in the food and beverage industry. The rapid industrialization, which is leading to the flourishing growth of various end-user industries, is also impacting the growth of the region positively. Moreover, the rising disposable income of consumers is propelling the growth of the region.Global Carnauba Wax Market: Competitive LandscapeProminent players in the global carnauba wax market are paying strong attention to improving their distribution network to cater to the global demand. The majority of players are focusing towards product customization to serve better to the requirements of end users and stay relevant in the market. The strong foothold of key players, due to their market knowledge and acumen, makes the market a highly competitive arena. Some of the key companies operating in the global metal carnauba wax market are Brasil Ceras, Tropical Ceras do Brasil Ltda, FONCEPI  Comercial Exportadora Ltda, Pontes Industria de Cera Ltda, and Carnauba do Brasil Ltda.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Laminated Busbar Market - Industry Analysis,Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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Global Laminated Busbar Market: SnapshotAs the switchgear market worldwide is treading along a healthy growth track, the global laminated busbar market is anticipated to rake in a healthy share of the revenue pie. Laminated busbars are used in various industries and with their widening scope of applications such as in electric and hybrid vehicles, the market is expected to experience a significant push in the coming years. However, the upward climb of the market is marred by the protean prices of raw materials. Moreover, the expansion of gray markets is leading to the greater supply of low-quality and inexpensive products, which in turn is adversely affecting the overall revenue generation of the global laminated busbar market.The demand for these busbars is likely to witness a surge in the forthcoming years, especially for alternative energy. Power generation through alternative sources of energy requires the generation of DC feeds into a capacitor circuit and insulated-gate bipolar transistor, through a low inductance laminated busbars. This enables delivery of safe and efficient power.Developing regions are expected to emerge as key destinations for prominent players in the global laminated busbars market in the near future. The emergence of smart cities, increasing number of high-rise buildings, and government policies encouraging energy saving solutions are rendering these regions highly opportunistic. Market participants are also paying high attention to contracts and agreements and new product launches to stay ahead in the global arena.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Laminated Busbar Market: OverviewThe power density requirements of present-day technologies and the highly complex and compact electronic devices require the central power distribution system to optimize the power being distributed, while also improve performance and reliability of the device it supplies. Also, the need for power distribution systems capable of making efficient use of space and providing low inductance is also deepening with rising adoption of high speed electronics and increasing switching speeds and decreasing pulse rise times of analog and digital circuits, generators, and data transmission equipment. These developments have made laminated busbar assemblies the ideal power distribution tool of late.This report on the global laminated busbar market presents a detailed overview of the markets growth dynamic in the present times and forecasts it on global, regional, and country levels. The report includes a, in-depth analytical study of the market and the factors such as growth drivers, opportunities, trends, and challenges, expected to have a prominent impact on the markets growth over the period between 2017 and 2025. The report includes several forward-looking statements about the growth prospects of the market and its segments over the said period, backed by detailed analysis of past and present trends, industry standard analytical models, and inputs from industry experts.Request TOC of the Report @The level and dynamic of competition in the market has been examined with the help of a detailed Porters five forces analysis of the competitive landscape of the market, allowing the reader a clear understanding of the opportunities that new and established companies can exploit going ahead. The report also includes an attractiveness analysis for the key segments covered under the scope of the study, benchmarked on the basis of criteria such as future growth potential, present market size, growth attractiveness, and growth rate.Global Laminated Busbar Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global market for laminated busbar has witnessed growth at a healthy pace in the past few years and is expected to remain strong over the reports forecast period as well. Some of the key factors expected to have a notable positive impact on the overall development of the market are the rising adoption of connected infrastructures across industrial and residential setups and the rising demand for compact and high-speed electronics across these facilities.Get Discount @The increased focus on increasing the use of renewable energy sources and the subsequent need to modify power distribution infrastructures is also expected to fuel the demand for laminated busbar assemblies in the next few years. Moreover, the rising awareness regarding the need for saving and efficiently using energy is also expected to drive the increased demand for efficient power distribution tools such as laminated busbars.Global Laminated Busbar Market: SegmentationThe report segments the global laminated busbar market on the basis of criteria such as insulation material, end-use industry, and geography.Of the key materials used for insulation in laminated busbars, including nomex, epoxy powder coating, polyimide, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), epoxy glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the segment of epoxy coating presently dominates the market. The material finds extensive usage in the production of laminated busbars owing to its high dielectric strength and low cost.Key industries utilizing laminated busbar assemblies for a variety of applications include transportation, power electronics, telecom, data centers, and alternative energy. Of these, the power electronics industry is presently the key consumer of laminated busbars and is expected to remain the leading contributor of revenue to the global laminated busbar market in the next few years as well.Global Laminated Busbar Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsFrom a geographical standpoint, the global laminated busbar market is dominated by Asia Pacific and Europe owing to the presence of established and high-growth industries such as steel, manufacturing, and automotive. Asia Pacific is expected to remain the region with the most promising growth opportunities for the laminated busbar market in the next few years owing to the continuously rising set of applications across these high-growth industries.Some of the key companies operating in the global laminated busbar market are Methode Electronics, Inc., Idealec SAS, Amphenol Corporation, Rogers Corporation, and Mersen S.A.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Robot Teach Pendant Market Trends,Size, Status and Forecast 2022

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Research Beam has added a report on Global Robot Teach Pendant Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022Robot Teach Pendant Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2012-2022 for each of these regions are listed in the report.Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more. Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Robot Teach Pendant MarketEnquire About Report @The Robot Teach Pendant Market report has a mention of the industrial chain, sourcing strategy, and downstream buyers. This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Global Robot Teach Pendant Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalThe key players which provide solutions in the Global Robot Teach Pendant Market ABB FANUC KUKA Omron Adept Technologies Yaskawa Motoman DENSO Robotics Epson America Festo Intelitek Nachi Robotic Systems Seiko Yamaha RoboticsCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452mail help@researchbeam.com
Precision Farming Market Size and Development Strategy 2017: Industry Estimated to Reach US $7 billion with CAGR of 12% by 2022

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Market Research Future published a research report on Precision Farming Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Market HighlightsPrecision farming can be very helpful in the management of the crop production with very low damage to environment. By the use of site-specific knowledge, precision farming can be helpful in the division of fertilizer, seed and chemicals for the soil and in the other conditions. Precision farming collects information and knowledge from the field by the deep analysis of the every aspects of farming. A study shows that precision farming can be very helpful in the long-term sustainability of farming and can reduce the environment damage by providing the fertilizers and pesticides only when the crops and soil needs it. Use of precision farming may help in reduction of losses caused by nutrient imbalance, insect damages and many other factors.An on-farm trial conducted in Argentina provided an example of how on site information and variable rates could be used to maintain the profitability while reducing the many application. Results of this trial also showed that precision farming is a modesty more profitable than the whole field management.Get Sample of Report @Precision farming method incorporate modern technologies for the fertilizer application along with the land leveling, crop protection, irrigation. Other agronomic techniques are being helpful to the farmers for increasing yields with the lower damage to the environment and low pollution. To reduce the greenhouse gases associated with traditional irrigation system, waterharvesting and terrace farming system can be very helpful.Whereas some of the factors such as high cost of and lack of technical knowledge about the use of technologies and equipments are some of the restraints to the market of precision famring.The global Precision Farming Market is expected to grow at CAGR of 12% and estimated to reach at market size of US ~$7 billion by the end of forecast period.Market Research Future Analysis:The global market of Precision Farming is dominated by North America. U.S. holds largest market share in North America followed by Canada. The main factor which supports this is presence of key companies in this region which gives North America a competitive advantage over other countries. Also government of North America countries are promoting use of advance technology in the agriculture for low emission of greenhouse gases into environment. North America is also technologically advance country as compare to other countries which also gives a lead. Europe stands as second biggest market for Precision Farming.Presence of developed nations such U.K. Germany, France and Italy generates most of the revenue in segment of precision farming in Europe. Also, farming culture in Europe is very rich and farmers are adopting new technologies to maximize their yield and profits. Growing application areas of precision farming is leading to wide adoption in the Europe region. Asia-Pacific has emerged as fastest growing market for the precision market. Growing economy of Asian countries such as China and India and high dependency on agriculture are some of the factors which is supporting the adoption of precision farming in Asia-Pacific.Key PlayersThe prominent players identified in the market of Precision Farming are- AGCO Corporation (U.S.), Deere & Company (U.S.), AG Leader Technology (U.S.), AgEagle Aerial Systems (U.S.), Aglytix Inc. (U.S.), AgGateway (U.S.), Precision Planting (U.S.), AgJunction Inc. (U.S.), Agribotix (U.S.), Dickey-John Corporation (U.S.) among others.Some other players in this market are- Raven Industries, Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc., AquaSpy, CropMetrics, Farmobile, Granular, IBM Watson among others.Study Objectives of Precision Farming Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the Precision Farming market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the Precision Farming market based porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment on the basis of type, application, end -users and region. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Precision Farming.Segments:The Precision Farming market has been segmented on the basis of- By Components - Hardware (Displays, Sensors, Drones, GPS Systems, Mobile Devices among others), Software (On Cloud, On Premise) and Service (Managed Services and Professional Services) By Application - Yield mapping, Quality mapping, Soil properties analysis, Inventory Management, Labor management, Crop Scouting among others.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience: Software developers Semiconductor component manufacturers and suppliers OEMs Agriculture equipment suppliers Government Agriculture service providers Consulting firmsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Optoelectronic Components Market will cross US$137 Bn by 2023

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Optoelectronic components have the capability to source, identify, detect, and control light. The interaction of these components with light makes them ideal to be used in a wide range of applications. These components are primarily used in automatic control systems, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, and healthcare among others.Growing application across different industry verticals primarily owing to its low power consumption, reliability, scalability, and performance is fueling the demand of optoelectronic components globally. Furthermore, increasing application of high end optoelectronic components in security and defense, automotive and industrial sector is one of the prime contributing factors in directing the growth of the market. Growing usage of LED Driver and IC, OLED, image sensor, infrared components in telecommunication, medical devices and security systems is expected to fuel the growth of optoelectronic components market over the forecast period.Click to get Sample PDF:Comparatively high price of raw materials, requirement of huge capital investments for developing energy efficient LED displays and niche nature of application of some of the optoelectronic components are major restraining factors for the market. These factors are expected to hinder growth of optoelectronic components market during the forecast period.Convenience in terms of application of infrared components in consumer electronics and automotive industry is one of the important factors fueling the growth in adaptation of optoelectronic components across different countries. Growing popularity of infrared LEDs in consumer security cameras is one of the major driving factors contributing to the positive growth of this market globally. Each of these cameras contains a number of rings of infrared LEDs, which offer night vision capabilities. Infrared LEDs are used in handheld devices for identity verification and authentication of monetary transactions. Furthermore, proliferation of applications in telecommunication and industrial set ups spurs demand for optoelectronic components at the global level.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:By components, the market can be segmented into LED Driver and IC (General LED, HV LED), OLED, Image Sensor (CMOS Image Sensor, CCD Image Sensor, Others), Infrared Component (Infrared Emitting Diode, Irda Transceiver, Infrared Detector), Optocouplers (High Speed Optocoupler, 4 Pin Optocoupler, IGBT Gate Driver, 6 Pin Optocoupler, Isolation Amplifier, Others), Laser Diode (Near Infrared, Red Laser Diode, Blue Laser Diode, Green Laser Diode) and others. Geographically, the optoelectronic components market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The scope of the report offers an insight into optoelectronic components market in these regions based on revenue (USD billion).The report also includes competitive profiling of leading players in the industry and their market position to aid in strategic decision making. The market attractiveness analysis and patent analysis included in the report provide insight into market dynamics, future research scope, industry competition and strategies adopted by market leaders.The report also breaks down and reviews the various factors impacting the market growth, which can be appropriately described as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. These factors help to determine the various existing trends and their impact on the market growth. Overall, taking into consideration the various factors affecting the optoelectronic components market, the report includes a holistic analysis of the global optoelectronic components market, and provides an estimate of growth for the period 2015 to 2023.Some of the major companies operating in the optoelectronic components market are Nichia Corporation (Japan), Avago Technologies (U.S.),Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(U.S.), Cree, Inc. (U.S.), EPISTAR Corporation (Taiwan), OSRAM (Germany), Royal Philips Electronics (Netherlands), Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan), Toshiba Corporation (Japan), ROHM Semiconductor (Japan), Finisar Corporation (U.S.), Sharp Corporation (Japan), NXP Semiconductors N.V. (Netherlands), STMicroelectronics N.V. (Switzerland), Infineon Technologies AG(Germany), Diodes, Incorporated (U.S.), Sony Corporation (Japan), Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (U.S.), Fairchild Semiconductor (U.S.), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd (South Korea), Panasonic Corporation (Japan), Maxwell Technologies, Inc (U.S.) and Texas Instruments, Inc. (U.S.).ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Kosher Salt Market Expected to Expand at a Steady CAGR through 2024

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Global Kosher Salt Market: OverviewThis report covers the analysis and forecast of the kosher salt market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2015 along with forecast for the period between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn).The study provides a decisive view of the kosher salt market by segmenting it based on product type, end use, packaging material type and regional demand. Application segments have been analyzed based on current trends and future potential. The market has been estimated from 2016 to 2024 in terms of volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn). Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. These have been further sub-segmented into countries and regions with relevance to the market. The segmentation also includes demand for individual applications in all regions.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The study covers the drivers and restraints governing the dynamics of the market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes potential opportunities in the kosher salt market on the global and regional level.Global Kosher Salt Market: SegmentationsThe study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein applications have been benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness for future growth.The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates. Prices of kosher salt vary in each region and are a result of the demand-supply scenario in the region. Hence, a similar volume-to-revenue ratio does not follow for each individual region. Individual pricing of kosher salt for each application has been taken into account while estimating and forecasting market revenue on a global basis. Regional average price has been considered while breaking down the market into application segments in each region.The report provides the size of the kosher salt market in 2015 and the forecast for the next nine years up to 2024. The size of the global kosher salt market is provided in terms of both volume and revenue. Market volume is defined in Kilo Tons, while market revenue for regions is in US$ Mn. The market size and forecast for each product segment is provided in the context of global and regional markets. Numbers provided in this report are derived based on demand generated from different applications and types of raw materials.Browse Market Research Report @Global Kosher Salt Market: Scope of the StudyMarket estimates for this study have been based on volume, with revenue being derived through regional pricing trends. The price for commonly utilized grades of kosher salt in each application has been considered, and customized product pricing has not been included. Demand for kosher salt has been derived by analyzing the global and regional demand for kosher salt in each application. The global kosher salt market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Market data for each segment is based on volume and corresponding revenues. Prices considered for calculation of revenue are average regional prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional suppliers, distributors, and direct selling regional producers based on manufacturers feedback. Forecasts have been based on the expected demand from kosher salt. We have used the top-down approach to estimate the global kosher salt market, split into regions.The product type split of the market has been derived using a top-down approach for each regional market separately, with the global product type segment split being an integration of regional estimates. Companies were considered for the market share analysis based on their product portfolio, revenue, and manufacturing capacity. In the absence of specific data related to the sales of kosher salt of several privately held companies, calculated assumptions have been made in view of the companys product portfolio and regional presence along with the demand for products in its portfolio.The report covers a detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and company profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include San Francisco Slat Company (U.S), Morton Salt, Inc. (U.S), Cargill, Inc. (Ireland), Redmont, Inc. (U.S), Flavor Delite, Inc.(Quebec), Qingdao Huifenghe Msg Co., Ltd. (China), Thai Refined Salt Co., Ltd. (Thailand), Marblehead Salt Co. (U.S.), Saltworks, Inc. (U.S.), K+S Windsor Salt Ltd. (Kassel, Germany), and Natural Minerals (U.S).About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Intelligent Sensor Market 2017 Global Trends, Competitive Landscape and Industry Growth Rate with 18% CAGR by Forecast 2022

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Market Research Future published a research report on Global Intelligent Sensor Market Research Report- Forecast 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Market Synopsis of Intelligent Sensor MarketMarket ScenarioIntelligent Sensor is a device which has capabilities such self-learning of and adaptability. It can be used for auto correction of errors from input end as well as output end. It also holds capabilities such as self-testing, self-validation and self-identification which makes it different from other similar devices. Need of energy efficient devices in the application areas such as industrial medial and in consumer electronics are the major factor for the growth of Intelligent Sensor Market. Also, growth in the MEMS technologies and sensors with bus capabilities and embedded processing is also expected to drive the market of intelligent sensor whereas factors such as high price of raw materials and high replacement cost are some of the restraints of the market.The global market of intelligent sensor is expected to grow at US ~$60 billion by the end of forecast period with compound annual growth rate of ~18% from 2016 to 2022Key Players: Custom Sensors & Technologies, Inc. (U.S.) Delphi Automotive LLP (U.K.) ABB Ltd. (Australia) Analog Devices, Inc.(U.S.) Honeywell International, Inc. (U.S.) Robert Bosch GmBH (Germany) Meggitt Sensing Systems (U.S.) Siemens AG (Germany) Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Japan) Infineon Technologies AG (Germany)Get Sample of Report @Regional AnalysisThe regional analysis of Intelligent Sensor Market is being studied for areas such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and rest of the world. The Europe region is expected to dominate the global intelligent sensor market owing to the factors such as improving infrastructure in the European countries such as Germany, France, Italy and U.K. among others and advancements in healthcare standards. North America will experience a growth owing to the factors such as frequent replacements of electronic devices and the increase in the demand of advanced features in consumer electronics device. Rich manufacturing and IT industry in U.S. and Canada is also one of the major factor which is driving the market of Intelligent Sensor in North America. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to see a significant growth in the market of intelligent sensors. Countries such as China and India is generating huge demand for the consumer electronic products which is expected to drive the market of intelligent sensor in this region. Also, China is one of the biggest producer of semiconductor equipment leading to high demand for the intelligent sensor from manufacturing industry.Study Objectives of Intelligent Sensor Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Intelligent Sensor Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Intelligent Sensor market based on various factors- supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by function, by type, by applications and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Intelligent Sensor MarketSegments:The Global Intelligent Sensor Market has been segmented on the basis of technology, types, output and applications. Technology comprises of system on chip, system in package, hybrid technologies, CMOS process and IC compatible 3D micro structuring. Types include capacitive pressure centers and linear variable differential transformers among others. Output can be categorized as analog, digital and quasi digital among others. Application includes industrial, medical, automotive, consumer electronics and infrastructure among others.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience Component Manufacturers Electronic components Government bodies Research organizations Chip designers Equipment manufacturers Electronic manufacturersAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
2017-2022 SMB Security Monitoring Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications

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This report studies the SMB Security Monitoring market status and outlook of global and major regions, from angles of players, regions, product and end Application/industries; this report analyzes the top players in global and major regions, and splits the SMB Security Monitoring market by product and Application/end industries.The global SMB Security Monitoring market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.United States will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of SMB Security Monitoring.EU also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2016 and will be xx million USD in 2022, with a CAGR of XX.Download Sample Report Copy From Here:The major players in global market includeOracle CloudCiscoFalanx GroupEvinox LLCCSIDEvinoxPrevalentCorporate Information TechnologiesENISAAlienvaultGeographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of SMB Security Monitoring for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)United StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaTable of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 SMB Security Monitoring Market Overview1.1.1 SMB Security Monitoring Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Analysis by Regions (2012-2017)1.2.1 United States SMB Security Monitoring Market Status and Outlook1.2.2 EU SMB Security Monitoring Market Status and Outlook1.2.3 Japan SMB Security Monitoring Market Status and Outlook1.2.4 China SMB Security Monitoring Market Status and Outlook1.2.5 India SMB Security Monitoring Market Status and Outlook1.2.6 Southeast Asia SMB Security Monitoring Market Status and Outlook1.3 SMB Security Monitoring Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Small Business1.3.2 Medium Business2 Global SMB Security Monitoring Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Global SMB Security Monitoring Market Size (Million USD) by Players (2012-2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles and Key Data3.1 Oracle Cloud3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Oracle Cloud SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Cisco3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Cisco SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Falanx Group3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Falanx Group SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Evinox LLC3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Evinox LLC SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 CSID3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 CSID SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Evinox3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Evinox SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Prevalent3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Prevalent SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Corporate Information Technologies3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Corporate Information Technologies SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 ENISA3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 ENISA SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Alienvault3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Alienvault SMB Security Monitoring Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments4 Global SMB Security Monitoring Market Size Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.2 Potential Application of SMB Security Monitoring in Future4.3 Top Consumer / End Users of SMB Security Monitoring5 United States SMB Security Monitoring Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States SMB Security Monitoring Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)5.3 United States SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)6 EU SMB Security Monitoring Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU SMB Security Monitoring Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)6.3 EU SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)7 Japan SMB Security Monitoring Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan SMB Security Monitoring Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)7.3 Japan SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)8 China SMB Security Monitoring Development Status and Outlook8.1 China SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Forecast (2012-2017)8.2 China SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)8.3 China SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)9 India SMB Security Monitoring Development Status and Outlook9.1 India SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Forecast (2012-2017)9.2 India SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)9.3 India SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)10 Southeast Asia SMB Security Monitoring Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Forecast (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia SMB Security Monitoring Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)10.3 Southeast Asia SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2012-2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global SMB Security Monitoring Market Size (Million USD) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States SMB Security Monitoring Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU SMB Security Monitoring Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 China SMB Security Monitoring Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 Japan SMB Security Monitoring Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 Southeast Asia SMB Security Monitoring Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 India SMB Security Monitoring Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global SMB Security Monitoring Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 SMB Security Monitoring Market Dynamics12.1 SMB Security Monitoring Market Opportunities12.2 SMB Security Monitoring Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 SMB Security Monitoring Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 SMB Security Monitoring Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding /Conclusion15 Methodology and Data Source15.1 Methodology/Research Approach15.1.1 Research Programs/Design15.1.2 Market Size Estimation15.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation15.2 Data Source15.2.1 Secondary Sources15.2.2 Primary Sources15.2.3 DisclaimerBuy Now This Report From Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. 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2017-2022 Luxury Hotel Design Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications

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This report studies the Luxury Hotel Design market status and outlook of global and major regions, from angles of players, regions, product and end Application/industries; this report analyzes the top players in global and major regions, and splits the Luxury Hotel Design market by product and Application/end industries.The global Luxury Hotel Design market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.United States will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Luxury Hotel Design.Download Sample Report Copy From Here:EU also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2016 and will be xx million USD in 2022, with a CAGR of XX.The major players in global market includeThe Gettys GroupHBARockwell GroupGenslerWilson AssociatesLeo A DalyHKSPierre-Yves RochonForrestPerkins | Perkins EastmanStonehill Taylor ArchitectsDaroff DesignGeographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Luxury Hotel Design for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)United StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaTable of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Luxury Hotel Design Market Overview1.1.1 Luxury Hotel Design Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Analysis by Regions (2012-2017)1.2.1 United States Luxury Hotel Design Market Status and Outlook1.2.2 EU Luxury Hotel Design Market Status and Outlook1.2.3 Japan Luxury Hotel Design Market Status and Outlook1.2.4 China Luxury Hotel Design Market Status and Outlook1.2.5 India Luxury Hotel Design Market Status and Outlook1.2.6 Southeast Asia Luxury Hotel Design Market Status and Outlook1.3 Luxury Hotel Design Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 4-Star Hotel1.3.2 5-Star Hotel1.3.3 Others2 Global Luxury Hotel Design Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Size (Million USD) by Players (2012-2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles and Key Data3.1 The Gettys Group3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 The Gettys Group Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 HBA3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 HBA Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Rockwell Group3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Rockwell Group Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Gensler3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Gensler Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Wilson Associates3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Wilson Associates Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Leo A Daly3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Leo A Daly Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 HKS3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 HKS Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Pierre-Yves Rochon3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Pierre-Yves Rochon Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 ForrestPerkins | Perkins Eastman3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 ForrestPerkins | Perkins Eastman Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Stonehill Taylor Architects3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Stonehill Taylor Architects Luxury Hotel Design Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Daroff Design4 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Size Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.2 Potential Application of Luxury Hotel Design in Future4.3 Top Consumer / End Users of Luxury Hotel Design5 United States Luxury Hotel Design Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Luxury Hotel Design Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)5.3 United States Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)6 EU Luxury Hotel Design Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Luxury Hotel Design Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)6.3 EU Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)7 Japan Luxury Hotel Design Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Luxury Hotel Design Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)7.3 Japan Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)8 China Luxury Hotel Design Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Forecast (2012-2017)8.2 China Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)8.3 China Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)9 India Luxury Hotel Design Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Forecast (2012-2017)9.2 India Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)9.3 India Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)10 Southeast Asia Luxury Hotel Design Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Forecast (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Luxury Hotel Design Market Size and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)10.3 Southeast Asia Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2012-2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Size (Million USD) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Luxury Hotel Design Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Luxury Hotel Design Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 China Luxury Hotel Design Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 Japan Luxury Hotel Design Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 Southeast Asia Luxury Hotel Design Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 India Luxury Hotel Design Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Luxury Hotel Design Market Dynamics12.1 Luxury Hotel Design Market Opportunities12.2 Luxury Hotel Design Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Luxury Hotel Design Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Luxury Hotel Design Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding /Conclusion15 Methodology and Data Source15.1 Methodology/Research Approach15.1.1 Research Programs/Design15.1.2 Market Size Estimation15.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation15.2 Data Source15.2.1 Secondary Sources15.2.2 Primary Sources15.2.3 DisclaimerBuy Now This Report From Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407
La Crosse County is nationally known for the success of its battle against mosquito-borne disease, especially the mosquito that carries the virus that causes the strain of encephalitis named after the city. Dave Geske, the vector control manager largely responsible for that success, is retiring Jan. 2, and he has some advice for people: Its probably time to invest in Off (mosquito spray) or some other material for next year.

The 2018 county budget, which goes to public hearing before the La Crosse County Board on Monday, proposes a large cut in spending on mosquito control, eliminating treatment for nuisance varieties while shifting vector control responsibilities outside the county Health Department, contracting for services in the private sector.

The ramifications go well beyond county borders as entities outside the county  11 other counties, two cities and a tribal nation  have long had contracts with La Crosse County for mosquito control services.

While county mosquito control is a tradition that goes back 40 years, its actually pretty unusual among Wisconsin counties. Outside of La Crosse County, only Milwaukee and Dane counties have programs for mosquito surveillance and abatement. The state has no requirement that county or municipal health departments do anything about mosquitoes, disease-carrying or otherwise.

We are by far going above and beyond what other counties do in vector control, County Administrator Steve OMalley said.

But state law does require the county to have an animal control program, and county officials are cutting mosquito spending to shift more resources to animal control after one case of animal cruelty/neglect in the town of Onalaska saddled the county with up to $130,000 in unbudgeted costs this year to care for the animals, which included horses, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits and rats.

Forty years ago when Geske started working for the county, there were 40 cases of La Crosse encephalitis within a six-county area, and over the 10 years before there were an average of 27 cases per year of the disorder, which can cause severe brain damage. These were clinically diagnosed cases. There were probably many more cases, Geske said. Ive seen these cases. Its a horrible disease.

The good news, though, is that since Geske began his vector control work, there have not even been a total of 27 encephalitis cases in that whole time.

Looking at cases of mosquito-borne illness during the past 13 years across the state, OMalley noted that its hard to find evidence that the countys vector control program is making a big difference anymore. Theres no significant difference between the incidences of mosquito-borne illnesses in La Crosse County compared with other counties around the state that dont have such programs.

Roughly 80 percent of the countys mosquito control spending has gone into treating for pests not known to cause diseases, and there have been many times when the treatment has not been enough to combat the nuisance mosquitoes. We can never get ahead with nuisance control, OMalley said.

Still, while Geskes efforts could never eliminate nuisance mosquitoes, they did have a marked effect. Id be awful disappointed if people didnt notice if we werent doing it anymore, Geske said. But sometimes you have to make tough decisions.

This years county budget involves a lot of tough decisions. The countys state-imposed levy limit rose a healthy 2 percent thanks to new construction, but that nearly $500,000 in additional property tax revenue was almost entirely taken up by increased costs and decreased revenue involved in operating the county jail.

The proposed county budget calls for spending $40,000 next year for the revamped vector control program that will focus on controlling disease-causing mosquitoes in La Crosse County. This years budget included $163,183 for the program.

Meanwhile, the budget for animal control tax levy for 2018 will be set at $52,681 in hopes of creating a program that would cut down on animal abuse and neglect and reduce the countys exposure to major expenses like those incurred in this years town of Onalaska case. The full animal control budget is $185,000, but about $132,000 of that will be offset by revenue from dog licenses. In past years, dog licenses fully funded the animal control program.

In animal control, La Crosse County also goes above and beyond, said health department director Jen Rombalski, noting that most county health departments only focus on rabies control. Rombalski emphasized, however, that there is value in doing more animal control activities because there can be a link between animal mistreatment and child neglect.

In addition to being vector control manager, Geske also has been in charge of animal control, but that was not a big focus for him. His passion and training is in bugs and biology, and the county contracts with the Coulee Region Humane Society for much of its animal control program. While Rombalski and OMalley praised the humane society for its work, they said the system will need to be revamped.

Its too gray and it needs to be more black and white in terms of whos responsible for what and whos paying for what, Rombalski said.

Weve got to pay more attention on how to prevent high-cost animal cases from impacting our budget, OMalley said.

Although no county officials expressed explicit support for having more nuisance mosquitoes next summer, almost all voted for a resolution dealing with the health departments vector and animal control at committee meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. The county boards Executive Committee, which is made up of board members who chair standing committees, voted unanimously for the resolution Wednesday morning. Only one member of the Health and Human Services Board, Dr. Cheri Olson, voted against it, arguing that bites from nuisance mosquitoes can result in medical issues, too. There are also consequences we dont know yet, she added.

For Geske, letting go of the reins is going to be tough. Its a big change. I really believe in what weve been doing for 40 years, he said. I think youve got to put the priority on disease control. ... I just really hope theyre able to orchestrate the money it takes to do it well.
Global Electronic Discovery Market 2017 Operations, Services, Applications and Elite Solutions

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Electronic Discovery Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.The report Electronic Discovery Market is a comprehensive industry study featuring qualitative and quantitative analysis. In todays complex business environment, players in the global Electronic Discovery market need to remain updated about the latest trends. The latest intelligence on the Electronic Discovery market can help companies form more informed business decisions. Furthermore, knowing the latest market trends will also help companies avoid any unnecessary business risks in the changing landscape of the global Electronic Discovery market. The research report on the global Electronic Discovery market presents to readers recent news, key deals, and other trends that are shaping the market. Furthermore, the valuable recommendations provided in the global Electronic Discovery market report will help companies form a more effective strategy, whether to penetrate a new market or expand their portfolio.Sample of this report is available upon request @The research report begins with a brief industry overview. In this section, the report offers definition, specifications, classifications, and applications of Electronic Discovery. Further to this, key data on the latest industry news and major deals is covered. This will update readers regarding the key events that are shaping the global Electronic Discovery market. Moreover, the report also provides the latest news and details regarding the regulatory framework of the global Electronic Discovery market.Lastly, the research report delivers a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape of the global Electronic Discovery market. This section covers the analysis of key companies operating in the global Electronic Discovery market with their portfolio, production data, company profile, price, revenue, and cost. In addition to this, this section also enlists the contact information of these major firms.Browse (TOC) Table of Contents of the Report @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Electronic Discovery Product ScopeFigure Global Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Electronic Discovery Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia Electronic Discovery Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)About UsQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Eco Friendly Bottles Market - To Dominate Eco Friendly Bottles due to Increasing Mass Participation

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The global eco friendly bottles market has risen at a rapid pace in recent years in response to the growing support to environmental causes from governments and the masses alike. The eco friendly bottles market has been driven by the eagerness of key competitors to cash in on the growing support to environmentalism, which has led to consistent innovation, as well as steady government support. The steady prevalence of these drivers is likely to enable rapid growth of the eco friendly bottles market in the coming years.According to Transparency Market Research, the global eco friendly bottles market was valued at US$2.5 bn in 2017 and is likely to rise to US$3.7 bn by 2022, exhibiting a strong 8.1% CAGR therein.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Polylactic Acid to Remain Dominant MaterialThe global eco friendly bottles market employs a number of materials in order to produce high-quality eco friendly bottles. Currently, polylactic acid is the dominant material segment of the global eco friendly bottles market and is likely to dominate the markets proceedings in the coming years due to its widespread usage. Polylactic acid accounted for 35.3% of the global eco friendly bottles market in 2017 with a valuation of US$902.3 mn. The segment is expected to rise to US$1,322.8 mn by 2022 at a strong CAGR of 8%. The mechanical properties of polylactic acid make it favorable for use in the production of bottles, which is likely to ensure steady growth of the segment in the global eco friendly bottles market in the coming years.Get an Exclusive Report Details @The leading regional contributor to the global eco friendly bottles market is North America, which is likely to retain its dominance through the forecast period thanks to the widespread distribution of environment-friendly infrastructure in the developed region and the steady government support for expansion of the same. The eco friendly bottles market in North America was valued at US$617.2 mn in 2017 and is expected to rise to US$1,123.4 mn by 2022, exhibiting a solid 12.7% CAGR from 2017 to 2022.Europe to Retain Steady Share, Asia Pacific except Japan Set to RiseEurope is also an important contributor to the global eco friendly bottles market and is likely to remain a key region for technological development as well as sales expansion for the eco friendly bottles market. Like in North America, the eco friendly bottles market enjoys solid government support in Europe, where environmental conservation has been a valued tenet of most governments. The Europe market for eco friendly bottles accounted for more than 32% of the global markets revenue in 2017.The Asia Pacific except Japan market for eco friendly bottles could emerge as a significant player in the coming years, with the market expected to create an absolute opportunity of US$252.2 mn over the 2017-2022 forecast period. The Japan market for eco friendly bottles is also set to rise to a strong valuation of US$228.2 mn by 2022, exhibiting a steady 6.2% CAGR upon its 2017 valuation.Global Eco Friendly Bottles Market: Competitive DynamicsLeading players in the global eco friendly bottles market include EcoXpac A/S, One Green Bottle, Earthlust, Ecologic Brands Inc., SKS Bottle and Packaging Inc., Cascade Designs Inc., Pachamama, and Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company.About TMRTransparency 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.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Industrial Automation Market Research Study 2017 and Global Leaders: Siemens AG, ABB, Honeywell International, Yokogawa Electric, Ametek, Rockwell Automation, Fanuc

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Market Research Future published a research report on Industrial Automation Market Research Report- Forecast 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Market Synopsis of Industrial Automation MarketMarket Scenario:Industrial Automation can be defined as the use of computer aided control devices to operate different industrial processes by replacing human involvement. Industrial automation helps to operate multiple processes in controlled manner. It helps for mass production by reducing time and increasing production quality.Industrial Automation consists of different levels such as sensor level, automation control level automation, supervision level and enterprise level. The sensor level can also be called as the process level that uses sensors and actuators for getting values of the process variables on periodic or continuous basis. Control devices like PCs/PLCs/DCS and others. are used by the automation control level. PLC is majorly a machine control whereas DCS leads the process control. The automation control level operates using different embedded processors, PID algorithms to control all processes.Industrial automation includes various technologies as Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), Human Machine Interface (HMI). Supervisory control and data acquisition is a controlled system architecture which uses computers, graphical user interfaces and network data communications for high-level processes. Human Machine Interface includes the electronics required to signal and control the state of industrial automation equipment. The major benefits of industrial automation can be considered as replacing human involvement from risky areas of work, greater quality of production and economy improvement.Get Sample of Report @The industry players are emphasized on increasing the efficiency of manufacturing process which is the major driver in industrial automation market. Apart from it, developments in computer aided systems, internet of things (IoT), engineering technologies are the factors driving industrial automation. Usage of robots in industrial controller mechanisms has been a market trend. The decreasing human labor has led to a threat in industrial automation. Lack of awareness and scarcity of investment for many companies could be the major restraints for industrial automation.Global Industrial Automation Market is expected to grow at USD 149 Billion by 2022, at 6% of CAGR between 2016 and 2022.Key Players Siemens AG (Germany) ABB Ltd. (Switzerland) Emerson Electric Company (U.S.) General Electric Company (U.S.) Schneider Electric SE (France) Honeywell International, Inc. (U.S.) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan) Yokogawa Electric (Japan) Ametek, Inc. (U.S.) Rockwell Automation, Inc. (U.S.) Fanuc (Japan)Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of Industrial automation market is being studied for region such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. The ongoing global trend towards greater industrial automation is being reflected in an increase in the number of industrial robots into the US.Currently, there has been news in Japan that factory automation has paved a way for establishment of robot training centers. There has been an upward trend in industrial automation in the Asia pacific nations including Vietnam. It is proved that using industrial robots helps saving time and increasing product quality and production capacity leading to improve the competitiveness. This factors are expected to drive the industrial automation market in Asia-Pacific Region.Study Objectives of Industrial Automation Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the Industrial Automation market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the Industrial Automation market based porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment on the basis of type, technology and end user. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Industrial AutomationSegments:Industrial Automation by Type: Fixed Automation Programmable AutomationIndustrial Automation by Technology: Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Distributed Control System (DCS) Human Machine Interface (HMI)Industrial Automation by end user industries: Machine manufacturing Oil & gas Aerospace & defense Electrical & electronics Automotive & transportation Chemical Pharmaceuticals Mining & metals Food & beverages Electric power generationGet complete Report @Intended Audience Process Automation and Instrumentation Manufacturers Industrial Robot Manufacturers MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and MOM (Manufacturing Operations Management) Players System Integrators Government Organizations Research/Consultancy firmsTABLE OF CONTENTS MARKET INTRODUCTION RESEARCH METHODOLOGY MARKET DYNAMICS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MARKET FACTOR ANALYSIS GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION MARKET, BY SEGMENTS COMPETITIVE ANALYSISAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Biodiesel Market Size, Share - Industry Trend and Forecast 2013 - 2019

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Latest industry research report on: Global Biodiesel Market | Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsBiodiesel is a clean burning fuel made from readily available renewable resources. It is a domestic, sustainable, diesel fuel replacement that meets strict quality standards. Biodiesel contains no petroleum and can be mixed at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel mix. As a renewable energy, biodiesel is receiving increasing attention because of the relevance it gains from the rising petroleum prices and its environmental advantages. The role of biodiesel industry is to help in creating a balanced energy policy.Complete Report Details @The global demand for the Biodiesel is driven by the Environmental, Energy security, and Economic benefits of the biodiesels technology. Biodiesel help the nations to meet goals for the net reduction of atmospheric carbon. Biodiesel is a fuel derived from organic materials; biodiesels and mix of biodiesel reduce the net amount of carbon dioxide in the biosphere. However the policy instability, deforestation and loss of Bio-diversity may hamper the growth of this market.Presently, the North America and Europe account for the highest demand of Biodiesels. In Asia-Pacific, numbers of Biodiesels initiative are taken in order to capitalize on the region's immense palm oil production capacity.Request For Sample Report @Some of the key players in the Biodiesel Industry are Green Earth Fuels of Houston, LLC United States, ACCIONA Energy Spain, OXEM Italy, Hero BX United States, Biopetrol Rostock GmbH Germany, Imperium Renewables United States, Eagle Biodiesel Inc. United States, Cereal Docks SRL Italy, Meroco Slovakia, Saras Energy Spain, Western Dubuque Biodiesel United States, and NEW Natural Energie West GmbH Germany among others.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldHave Any Query? Ask Our Expert @This report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsThis report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a technological growth map over time to understand the industry growth rateIt provides a seven-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segmentsAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Cosmetic Bottles Packaging Market - Present Scenario and the Growth Prospects with Forecast 2022

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The global cosmetic bottles packaging market is projected to improve its value to a significant high in the coming years. The buying decision of cosmetic product consumers could be influenced by the technique, material, and design of packaging. Besides marketing cosmetic products, packaging could play a critical role in protecting them from damage during handling or traveling. Cosmetic bottles packaging is foreseen to be one of the important factors considered by industry players to achieve a competitive edge over other manufacturers and keep up with changing trends.The global cosmetic bottles packaging market is forecasted to rise at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast timeframe 20172022 to touch a revenue valuation of US$8.3 bn by the concluding forecast year. In 2017, the market earned a valuation of US$6.5 bn.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Capacity of Below 50 ml to Clock up Spiraling Revenue Share in FutureThe world cosmetic bottles packaging market is envisioned to be segregated according to capacity, material, and application, where each category could incorporate a leading segment creating ample of favorable prospects for players. For instance, as per capacity, the market could see a segmentation into below 50 ml, 50 ml100 ml, 100 ml150 ml, 150 ml200 ml, and above 200 ml. Out of these segments, below 50 ml is prognosticated to bag a kings share in the market while expanding at a 4.9% CAGR.According to type of material, the world cosmetic bottles packaging market is prophesied to be classified into metal, glass, and plastic. In view of application, the market could be cataloged into skin care, hair care, makeup, and nail care.All of these segments are closely assessed in the report while comparing their revenue, market share, and Y-o-Y growth by region achieved between 2012 and 2022.Get an Exclusive Report Details @High Hopes Set on APEJ Expected to Lead Market with Overpowering CAGRIn terms of geographical segmentation, the international cosmetic bottles packaging market is anticipated to be segregated into different regions and a single country. While there could be little hopes of growth expected from underperforming Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets, Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ) is predicted to garner a higher share by the end of 2022. During the course of the forecast period, APEJ could gain 143 basis points (BPS) in its market share.Europe is prognosticated to reach a noteworthy revenue valuation of US$2.3 bn by 2022 end, presenting itself as a lucrative region for the international cosmetic bottles packaging market. North America could also be of great interest for players looking for opportunities in the market. It could grow at a higher CAGR of 5.0% than that of Europe. Latin America is expected to be another segment important to keep an eye on when operating in the market.The worldwide cosmetic bottles packaging market could experience the presence of top players such as Aptar Group, Inc., RPC Group PLC, Gerresheimer AG, Amcor Ltd., Albea Beauty Holdings S.A., Rebhan FPS Kunststoff Verpackungen GmbH, HK Cosmetic Packaging GmbH, Silgan Holdings, Inc., Quadpack Industries S.A., and Witoplast Kisielinscy Spolka Jawna.About TMRTransparency 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.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Future Energy Nigeria Industry Awards honour Lumos Global, Ajima Farms, The Guardians Emeka Anuforo and EE expert Daniel Chimaobi

Celebrating leading Nigerian energy pioneers and projects

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 I am passionate about the energy sector in Nigeria. We have huge potential for renewable energy on the continent and I hope we see that potential tapped in my lifetime for the benefit of all. Like energy, investigative journalism is critical to the Africa of our dreams. I take this opportunity to call for greater support for science and energy journalism in Africa. So says Emeka Anuforo, Senior Science and Energy Journalist, Abuja Bureau, The Guardian, who is the recipient of the Future Energy Nigeria Industry Award for the Energy Reporter of the Year. "Our journey to get more communities electrified via clean energy is just starting." - Ms. Fatima Ademoh - Founder Waste-2-Watt"  Community Initiative Award winner. Lumos is committed to bringing light to millions of Nigerians. - Yuri Tsitrinbaum, CEO of Lumos Nigeria - winner of Award for Outstanding Energy Project. It feels great to be honoured for my contribution to the power sector in Nigeria - Daniel Chimaobi  winner of Award for Outstanding Contribution: Power.The fourth edition of the hugely successful awards, formerly known as the West African Power Industry Awards, took place during this years rebranded Future Energy Nigeria conference and exhibition in Lagos. The glamorous gala dinner brought together 150 of Nigerias most renowned power professionals to recognise and celebrate the leading industry pioneers and projects in four different categories.The Future Energy Nigeria Industry Awards 2017:Community Initiative AwardWinner: Ajima Farms and General Enterprises Nigeria Limited"Ajima Farms Waste-2-Watt Project is honoured to be this years recipient of the Community Initiative Award. Our journey to get more communities electrified via clean energy is just starting but we are optimistic for what the future holds and we envisage continuous collaborative partnerships with the target communities." - Ms. Fatima Ademoh - Founder Waste-2-Watt.Waste-2-Watt (W2W) is a renewable energy project by Ajima Farms and General Enterprises Nigeria Limited that focuses on converting agricultural waste (poultry, livestock, crop waste) and communal waste (kitchen and human wastes) into electricity, cooking fuel using a bio-gas digester for off-grid farming communities at an affordable cost. Through this service, Ajima Farms provides cheaper access to clean energy and create jobs for the residents of these communities, stimulate economic growth while reducing the environmental problems that land filling this waste would have otherwise created. W2W is currently servicing two off-grid communities namely Rije and Kuyizhi in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.Ajima Farms has profiled over 260 off-grid communities with similar needs and is currently conducting feasibility studies to deploy the solutions to the target communities; they aim to power 25 more off-grid agricultural communities which will provide electricity for an estimated 2,750 homes; 22,000 people and 250 businesses over the next three years.Waste-2-Watt is not a CSR project it is a social enterprise division of Ajima Farms with a vision to transform off-grid communities by expanding energy access for socio-economic development.Energy Reporter of the YearWinner: Emeka Anuforo, Senior Science and Energy Journalist, Abuja Bureau, The GuardianEmeka Anuforo is a leading energy reporter in Nigeria, having covered the energy beat in Nigeria for over 15 years. In that time he has helped to shape energy policies through his thought pieces and held government and private sector accountable for ensuring energy access for millions of Nigerians. His articles and thought pieces are heavily syndicated and he is held in the highest regard by other journalists, by government officials and policy makers and by a significant section of the private sector. Emeka is currently on a short leave of absence and working for the African Development Banks Communications and External Relations Department.His full statement after receiving the award was: I am honoured to receive the Energy Reporter of the Year award in recognition of my work as a senior energy correspondent for The Guardian in Nigeria. I am passionate about the energy sector in Nigeria. We have huge potential for renewable energy on the continent and I hope we see that potential tapped in my lifetime for the benefit of all.Like energy, investigative journalism is critical to the Africa of our dreams. I take this opportunity to call for greater support for science and energy journalism in Africa. I would also like to pass a message to young journalists not to give up on their dreams, to keep writing, because this award shows that hard work and perseverance pays off. I would like to thank my editors and mentors over the years and, of course, Future Energy Nigeria for naming me Energy Reporter of the Year 2016-2017.Award for Outstanding Contribution: PowerWinner: Daniel ChimaobiWinning is a wonderful feeling was Daniel Chimaobis response after receiving his award. He added: it feels great to be honoured for my contribution to the power sector in Nigeria. Every great feat, however, is an accumulation of smaller feats. Seize the little moments, give everything your best shot, never say never and the world will celebrate you.At age 30, Daniel Chimaobi NNA holds a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and also an MBA from the prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria. A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, he is the host of the first ever energy programme premier on the first university radio station in Nigeria, UNILAG Radio 103.1 FM since October 2013 till date with a community reach of over 40,000 students, management and teaching staff.The program creates awareness, educates and provides advisory to the public on energy issues especially renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy conservation. He is also involved in the training and mentoring of about 200 higher institution students on energy related matters and provides guidance for the identification of energy related problems within university communities and innovative solutions to solve peculiar energy problems.Presently, he is a Research Officer at the National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Energy Commission of Nigeria.Outstanding Energy Project AwardWinner: Lumos GlobalLumos Nigeria would like to extend our sincere thanks to Future Energy Nigeria for the recognition embodied in the Outstanding Energy Project Award. Our success to date is just the beginning of our journey and is the result of a great partnership with MTN. Lumos is committed to bringing light to millions of Nigerians, providing affordable, reliable and renewable energy to homes and businesses. Inspired by the mobile revolution, we strive to become for the renewable energy sector what the mobile phone is for the communications. - Yuri Tsitrinbaum, CEO of Lumos Nigeria.Lumos Global has created the technology for a home power station in a box, which includes a solar panel activated by text messaging, that can supply sufficient clean, off-grid electricity for households and small to medium businesses in developing countries. The Lumos enterprise is widely praised for its innovative character, improving the standard of living for people in Nigeria and soon in many other locations around the globe. Lumos has also just announced its expansion plans into East Africa.Best custom standThe winner of the best custom stand at the Future Energy Nigeria exhibition was Skipper Nigeria Limited.Industry supportThe 14th edition of the rebranded Future Energy Nigeria once again enjoyed widespread support from the industry with Lucy Electric, a global secondary distribution leader in the electricity sector, and SkipperSeil Limited as platinum sponsors, while Genesis and Jubaili Bros were gold sponsors. The Indian Chamber of Commerce was also the country partner of the event this year, hosting an Indian pavilion with more than 45 members exhibiting.Future Energy Nigeria is organised by Spintelligent, a multi-award-winning Cape Town-based exhibition and conference producer across the continent in the infrastructure, real estate, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Other well-known events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Central Africa (formerly iPAD Cameroon), Future Energy Uganda, Agritech Expo Zambia, Kenya Mining Forum, Nigeria Mining Week and DRC Mining Week. Spintelligent is part of the UK-based Clarion Events Group.Senior Communications Manager: Annemarie RoodbolTelephone: +27 21 700 3558Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.comWebsite:Postal address: PO Box 321, Steenberg, 7947, South Africa
Passive Optical Network Equipment Market is Expected to Reach US$163.50 bn by the end of 2023

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A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine Passive Optical Network (PON) Equipment Market (By Components: Optical Cables, Optical Power Splitters, Optical Filters, Wavelength Division Multiplexer/De-Multiplexer; By Structure: Gigabit Passive Optical Network, Ethernet Passive Optical Network; By GPON Components: Optical Line Terminal, Optical Network Terminal; By EPON Components: Optical Line Terminal, Optical Network Terminal) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2023 is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Get Free Sample Report@The global demand for PON equipment is expected to rise quickly due to the superiority of optics in networking. PONs are easily scalable, provide advanced security, are highly reliable for consistency, and help optimize the bandwidth connectivity. Additionally, PON equipment are easy to install and maintain in comparison to conventional networks and also do not emit electromagnetic radiation due to their dielectric nature.Environmental conservationists are also positive about PON implementation due to their eco-friendly nature, in comparison to conventional copper-based cable networks. PON and its passive local area network also helps eliminate the need for workgroup switches.Factors such as these are responsible for the extremely optimistic 20.7% CAGR displayed by PON equipment revenue from 2015 to 2023. This market is expected to be valued at US$163.50 bn by the end of 2023.High PON Equipment Demand in Asia Pacific Draws Global Players to the RegionAsia Pacific is currently showing a very high demand for PON structures and equipment. Most of this demand increase is attributed to the rapid network implementations of China and India. China has played a key role in the growth of PON equipment players in the recent past and is expected to continue doing so for the coming years. A factor that allows China to show a higher PON demand than most other countries is the sheer volume of data being transferred across networks. The amount as well as rate of data traffic in the country is causing many users to switch from wireless networks to wired modes, thus increasing the consumption of PON equipment.View Full Report At@India has proposed to build what the country will call the National Optical Fiber Network. The NOFN is a part of a plan to enhance the connectivity between different villages across India. The resultant dark fiber network is expected to significantly improve the nations connectivity.GPON Preferred More While EPON Developments Enable Better AdoptionBy the end of 2023, gigabit passive optical networks are expected to hold 70.24% of the market over their counterpart structure, the Ethernet passive optical network. The key reasons for the higher implementation of GPON structure and equipment include the use of GPON encapsulation method, which helps service providers develop efficient subscriber packaging with their frames in segments. GPON also permits a more diverse array of bit rate options. They are, however, largely determined by the industry standards of a regions.EPON structures, on the other hand, are proliferating at a rapid rate owing to backhaul carriage services that can be offered in 3G and 4G mobile technologies. Technological advancements are also allowing EPON structures to be completely compatible with the current Ethernet standards, which removes the need to modify speeds during connection. However, EPON structures are currently being limited in use due to the large-scale usage of GPON structures.Key PON equipment providers in the world currently are Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., ZTE Corporation, Alcatel-Lucent S.A., and Calix, Inc. They own large revenue shares of the market and are collectively creating a highly consolidated market.Enquire About this Report@About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research 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.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Sea Water Pumps Market Forecast Report Offers Actionable Insights 2017 - 2027

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Sea water pumps are mainly used for transferring or circulating sea water aboard (ships) for various applications. These pumps have a wide range of applications, including ballast transferring, bilge pumping, firefighting, high-pressure deck washing, etc. On some smaller vessels, the same sea water pumps are used for a wide range of general service applications. This in turn propels the demand for centrifugal sea water pumps, which require more flexibility in terms of capabilities and performance. Generally, attributing to the saltiness of the seawater, corrosion is a common challenge in stainless or brine sea water pumps, which are used for various applications, such as, distillation, thermal, hydro and nuclear power plants. In order to tackle this problem, many manufacturers use specific types of metals, which are cost effective and serve as the best alternatives.Sea water injections pumps and sea water lift pumps are two major kinds of pumps used in different types of applications. Seawater injection pumps are installed at offshore platforms and are generally centrifugal pumps, which are used to increase the pressure of the reservoir by injecting high pressure raw sea water. On the other hand, seawater lift pumps are used to lift the sea water on board so as to use that water for different applications on the vessel. These pumps are vertical, centrifugal or multistage pumps and are attached to a submersible motor. Sea water injection pumps and sea water lift pumps both required a necessary consideration of material at the time of manufacturing in order to protect them from corrosion and rusting.Request For Report Sample:Sea Water Pumps Market: DynamicsSteady growth of the ship manufacturing industry, growing international sea trade and stringent marine emission regulations are factors driving the sea water pumps market. Further, increasing awareness regarding the supply of uncontaminated water and distillation and treatment of sea water are some more factors expected to drive the sea water pumps market. On the other hand, time to time maintenance and the cost involved, limited availability of aftersales service, etc. are some of the restraints countering growth of the sea water pumps market. Aside from this, the use of bronze and other metals, which are less prone to corrosion, in the manufacturing of pumps is the emerging opportunity for the sea water pumps market.Sea Water Pumps Market: SegmentationSegmentation of the sea water pumps market on the basis of operation:AirElectricEngineHydraulicSegmentation of the sea water pumps market on the basis of orientation:HorizontalImmersedVerticalSegmentation of the sea water pumps market on the basis of pressure rating:Below 50M51M - 150M151M - 350M351M - 500MAbove 501MSea Water Pumps Market: Regional OutlookAsia-Pacific is projected to lead the market for sea water pumps, wherein presently China holds the largest market share in terms of value and is estimated to grow with a comparatively high during the forecast period. Also, India, South Korea, Japan, etc. are some of the other countries majorly contributing to the growth of the sea water pumps market if the region. The domination of the Asia-Pacific region can be attributed to the increasing awareness of water and wastewater treatment and high growth in the power sector. After the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe are pegged to register significant growth rates in the sea water pumps market. This considerable growth stems from the high consumption and strong presence of well-settled manufacturers of sea water pumps in these regions. On the other hand, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are slated to exhibit stagnant growth in the sea water pumps market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Sea Water Pumps Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the sea water pumps market identified across the value chain are Dab Pumps Spa, Lenntech B.V., AxFlow Holding AB, Sundyne, Desmi A/S, Waterax, Wenesco, Inc., Tsurumi Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Wanner Engineering Inc., Crest Pumps Ltd, KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Rotech Pumps & Systems Inc., Torishima Pump Mfg. Co. Ltd., etc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market InsightsAbhishek Bhudoliya616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Asia Pacific Excluding Japan Automotive Aftermarket to Reach US$ 218.73 Bn by 2025

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Future Market Insights (FMI) announces release of its latest market outlook forecast titled Automotive Aftermarket: Asia-Pacific Excl. Japan (APEJ) Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2025. According to this report, automotive aftermarket components in Asia Pacific is anticipated to account for US$ 218.73 Bn by 2025, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% throughout the forecast period.The automotive aftermarket is a secondary market, which plays a pivotal role post-sale of a vehicle, as it entails remanufacturing, manufacturing, distribution and installation of automobile components and accessories for vehicles. Components and accessories are installed post sale of a new vehicle by the dealer or service provider and this is termed as automotive aftermarket. Accessories include customized parts for convenience, safety, comfort and performance. These are designed as add-ons after vehicles are assembled by the original manufacturer. Services on the other hand include maintenance and repairs to ensure vehicles continue functioning, and providers offer options with regard to where vehicle owners can avail such offerings.Request Sample Report@The replacement part segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.7%, accessories at 8.9% and services at 7.3% during the forecast period. Components segment is further sub-segmented into oils & lubricants, tyres, batteries, wear & tear parts, filters, collision body parts, starters & alternators, lighting components, exhaust components and spark plugs. Among these, exhaust components and tires dominate the other segments. Demand for interior accessories is expected to register a CAGR of 8.4%, owing to increasing demand from automobile owners to enhance functionality and appearance of their vehicles, and this trend is expected to further drive overall market growth in the near future. Services is further sub-segmented into general automotive repairs and automotive transmission and other repairs.Asia Pacific automotive aftermarket is majorly driven by growing vehicle parc, boom in vehicle sales and demand for general automotive repairs. This includes repairs and services related to transmissions, starters & alternators, brakes, lubricants, tyres, filters and batteries among others. Apart from this, increasing safety and security needs and favourable GDP growth in developing economies are major growth drivers for the ASEAN automotive aftermarket. However, despite certain technological challenges acting as growth restraints, the ASEAN automotive aftermarket is expected to experience rapid growth over the forecast period.Request for Table of Contents@This market forecast covers analysis and market value of each segment and respective sub-segment and potential of the connected automotive aftermarket in specific countries. Asia Pacific is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market, owing to the large number of vehicles in operation and is expected to witness a steady growth during forecast period 20152025.Buy APEJ Automotive Aftermarket Research Report @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite :
Green concrete Market to Record an Exponential CAGR by 2025

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Green concrete also known as geo-polymer concrete is a construction material that can withstand high temperatures, is fire resistant, has great resistance to corrosion and has good solar reflectivity. Green concrete consumes relatively less energy in production and emits less carbon dioxide in comparison to conventional cement, making it an eco-friendly solution. In United State Green Building Council has established Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for promoting the using of recycled material for reduces the wastes. Such initiatives across the geography creates a positive growth environment for green concrete market. Existing and upcoming regulations has resulted in increased consumption of these advanced construction material. The growth prospects for the market are anticipated to remain positive throughout the forecast period. The market will witness advancement in material technology. Manufacturers in the market are anticipated to focus on cost effective manufacturing techniques, so as to reduce cost of the product, which in turn help in increasing the consumption.Request For Report Sample:Green Concrete Market: Dynamics:Drivers:Rapid industrialization and urbanization has increased the demand for roads, houses, water retention structure, tunnel, bridges and are triggering the global green concrete market. The global Green Concrete market is expected to be increased by rising inclination for environment sustainability, durability and protection. Furthermore, increasing shift of manufacturer headed for ecofriendly concrete from conventional concrete will increase this market.Restraints:Due to fluctuating crude oil price, lack of awareness, weakening of petroleum reserves, and unavailability of raw material are expected to hinder the global Green concrete market. Stringent carbon emission norms by International Energy Agency (IEA) is indirectly also expected to affect the growth global green concrete market. Another prime factor which has resulted in slow adoption of green concrete is the relatively higher cost as compared to available conventional products, with lack of awareness consumers are more attracted towards economic products. However, government bodies has been trying to promote using of recyclable material for construction.Green Concrete Market: Segmentation:The global green concrete market can be segmented on the basis of product type and application. On the basis of product type the global green concrete market can be segmented into: cement concrete and lime concrete. On the basis of design, the market for green concrete can be segmented into plain cement concrete, reinforced cement concrete, pre-stressed cement concrete. On the basis of application the global green concrete market can be segmented into: Residential, Industrial, Infrastructure and Framing.Green Concrete Market: Key Participants:Examples of some of the market participants in the global green concrete market, identified across the value chain include:Rpm International Inc.The Dow Chemical CompanyPidilite IndustriesEco Green Co.BASF SECICO Technologies LtdCemex C.BChryso SASMapei Ltd.CeraTechHansonGammonBonded Hudson NYRequest For Report Table of Content (TOC):Green concrete Market: Region-wise Outlook:Asia Pacific is expected to be among fast growing market for green concrete over the forecast period owning to increase in construction spending and domestic infrastructure by government. Countries such as India and China are anticipated to be the major contributor to the growth of the market. Furthermore, government of India has announced a five year plan for promoting the construction of roads, houses, rails and offices, this policy is also expected to result increase the demand for construction materials, which in turn will bolster growth of green concrete market. European government has implemented construction product regulation for promoting the usage of ecofriendly cement. Latin America is expected to emerge as an attractive destination for consumption of green concrete, government in the region has implemented various Infrastructure plan in different sectors such as housing, communication, water, transport and tourism which in turn will help market to grow. Furthermore, Middle East countries has always been early adopters of advanced construction technology, the market in the region for green concrete is expected to witness steady growth.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Authorities cited two men accused of running an illegal deer-hunting operation in Trempealeau County.

Travis Brush, who owns Brush Ranch Outfitters in Galesville, and employee Randall Hoff lured wild deer into a fenced captive deer farm to harvest trophy bucks, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

The men altered the fence to allow wild deer to enter the ranch, where people could hunt and harvest deer year-round. They also used illegal bait and allowed hunts during closed seasons.

The DNR and state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection launched an investigation after complaints from the public.

In this instance, we found that the actions of Brush Ranch Outfitters created a situation where captive deer and wild white-tailed deer commingled to create a potential disease risk that, if we had not stopped it, could have had a negative impact on the deer population in this part of Wisconsin, said Paul McGraw, Wisconsin State veterinarian with the DATCP Division of Animal Health.

Brush, 48, of Holmen was issued 34 citations and two misdemeanors for unauthorized use of taking a deer from the wild in Trempealeau County Circuit Court. Hoff, 61, of Galesville was issued 14 citations.
Cordless Power Tools Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 20172025

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Cordless power tools refers to the tools that is actuated by an additional mechanism and better as power source, rather than depending on the manual labor and conventional hand instruments to accomplish the required tasks. These conventional equipment used to sport fat Ni-Cd batteries that were difficult to handle for wielders, which over the years have witnessed significant technological and design improvements. Next generation equipment are extremely compact, sleek and are built with the aim to enhance the mobility of the instruments for any sorts of job.Ability of these ubiquitous equipment to reduce the manual labor and enhance productivity is expected to remain the primary growth driverCordless power tools market has witnessed significant traction over the last few years owing to its extensive portfolio that is broadly classified under drills, saws, sanders, grinders, nail guns, bare tools, carpentry tools, and other related accessories. These find significant applications in mending and developing household projects in conjunction with exhaustive list off applications in industries that include automotive, electronics, and industrial assembly among many others. Moreover, owing to decreasing charging times, increased voltage capacity and storage have in turn led to increased usability in the heavier work load applications. These factors reduce the manual effort, time consumption and costs associated with the tasks, which will propel the overall cordless power tools market growth over the forecast period.Request Sample Copy of this Report Cordless Power Tools Market TaxonomyOn the basis of product type, the global cordless power tools market is classified into:DrillsSawsSandersGrindersNail GunsBare ToolsWoodworking & other toolsPower tool accessoriesOn the basis of battery type, the global cordless power tools market is classified into:NiCadNiMHLi-ionOn the basis of end use, the global cordless power tools market is classified into:ProfessionalAutomotive & transportationAerospace & defenseElectronicsEnergyIndustrial AssemblyOthersHouseholdIncreasing demands for automotive production are expected to provide significant boost to the demand growthAccording to Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs dAutomobiles (OICA), international production of vehicles witnessed an increase of around 4.5% over the year, accounting for an increase of around 94 million units in 2016. Requirement of power tools to enable human workforce to support the production tasks along with the high-tech machinery is expected to drive the demands for power tools. Moreover, Substantial benefits of cordless equipment over the corded alternatives is expected to generate the demand for replacement of the conventional instruments. Chief global trends such as demand growth for electronic vehicles and do-it-yourself (DIY) are expected to augment major growth prospects to the industry.Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries segment is expected to register highest growth over the forecast periodNickel Cadmium batteries are the conventional form of batteries that have acquired significant consumer base in the cordless power tools market. Moreover, low-cost availability and large scale adoption of equipment powered by these NiCad batteries are expected to witness significant demands. Li-ion batteries have witnessed significant growth momentum owing to significant featured benefits over the Ni-Cad batteries, such as low charging times, long power backups, and high charge density. However, owing to considerable difference in the overall equipment costs, and occasional requirement in household and few other application segments, NiCad is expected to witness consistent demand.Professional end use segment is expected to continue its dominance the cordless power tools market shareMajor requirements in the professional application segments such as construction, manufacturing, automotive and high affordability of the segment industry participants is expected to provide strong foothold to the business growth. The household segment is expected to gain major traction, owing to increasing of manual labor and lack of human resource for small household projects.Increased affordability and increasing activities for transformative automotive technologies such as V2V communication and connected automotive will drive the demands for cordless power tools in the region. Improving economic conditions in Asia Pacific, and large base of manufacturing activities in the countries such as China, India, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea, are expected to present potential growth landscape over the next few years.Industry is characterized by the consolidated presence of chief players in the region sharing major cordless power tools market share. These players include Emerson Electric Co., Makita, Robert Bosch, Stanley Black & Decker and Techtronic Industries. Other key players include Atlas Copco, Hilti, Husqvarna, Hitachi, and Snap-on.For More InformationAbout Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit our news Website:
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market Revenue is Expected to Reach US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020

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Future Market Insights (FMI) announces the release of its latest report titled, Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2020. According to the report, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 402.0 Mn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period, 2015 to 2020.Global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is driven by increasing number of diabetic patients and growing number of geriatric people across the world. Moreover, usage of advanced technologies such as artificial pancreas in continuous glucose monitors and increasing awareness of people towards diabetes are driving growth of the continuous glucose monitoring systems market. However, high prices of continuous glucose monitors and inadequate reimbursement policies pose a challenge for growth of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market.Request Sample Report@The global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is segmented on the basis of end use sector, components and geography. Moreover, company wise market share has also been indicated in the report. By end use sector, global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into household and hospital & diagnostic centers. Household is a larger segment as compared to hospital & diagnostic centers and is expected to dominate the continuous glucose monitoring systems market throughout the forecast period exhibiting a CAGR of 11.9%. The household segment held 68.5% market share in 2014 and expected to account for US$ 538 Mn by 2020, owing to the convenience and ease of use offered by continuous glucose monitors at home. Hospitals & diagnostic centers sub-segment accounted for approximately 31.5% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market value share in 2014, and is expected to gain market share to account for 31.8% of the global market by 2020.Request for Table of Contents@On the basis of component, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into transmitter & monitors, sensors and insulin pumps. Among the aforementioned sub-segments, transmitter & monitors is expected to dominate the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market with over 39% market share throughout the forecast period. Owing increasing trend of sedentary lifestyle in some developing and developed economies such as India, China and Japan, and increasing obesity rate globally, demand for continuous glucose monitoring is expected to increase significantly in the near future.Value wise share in the report has been provided for key players in the market, which includes Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott and cumulative share of other players. Medtronic dominated the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, expanding at a CAGR of 11.2%.Geography-wise, North America was dominant, accounting for over 50% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 in terms of revenue. However, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) is foreseen to witness a relatively high CAGR during the forecast period.Competitive LandscapeKey players considered in the continuous glucose monitoring systems market include Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott, OmniPod, Animas, Glysens, Roche, Ypsomed and Bayer.Buy Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market Research Report@ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite :
Solar Panels Global Market Accruals of Tremendous Growth With CAGR of 20.18% By 2023

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Market research future published a raw research report Global Solar Panels Market that contains the information from 2017 to 2023. The Solar Panels is expected to grow with the CAGR of approximately 20.18% from 2017 to 2023Market HighlightsThe Solar Panel Market is driven by various factors such as increase in solar systems installations and generous government initiatives and policies that support solar energy generation. This is mainly because, solar panel power generation is less polluting and produces less carbon emissions when compared with traditional conventional energy sources such as coal, oil and petroleum. Solar power generation is helping in the fight against climate change as well as it is acting as a source of power for remote and off grid areas where still millions of global population lives. However, the growth of the market can be hindered by the low power generation capacity of the solar panels and increasing stringent regulations on the land used for solar power generation sites.Key Players:The key players of solar panel market are Trina Solar Limited (China), Canadian Solar Inc. (Canada), Jinko Solar Holding Co., Ltd. (China), JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (China), Hanwha Q CELLS Co., Ltd., (South Korea), ABROS green GmbH (Germany), Yingli Solar (China), SunPower Corporation (U.S.A), Abengoa Solar (Spain), eSolar, Inc. (U.S.A).Request a Sample Copy @Solar PV by technology segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate and hold the largest market size in forecast period.Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, converts sunlight directly into electricity. Basically the name PV originates from the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage), which is called the PV effect. The PV effect was discovered in 1954, when scientists at bell laboratories discovered that silicon created an electric charge when exposed to sunlight. Solar PV was later commercialized and brought up in the market, which are now widely used from powering space satellites to smaller items such calculators and watches. Solar photo-voltaic holds the largest share in the solar panel market with the highest installed capacity of 306.5 GW till 2016 around 2% of the worlds electricity demand. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) ranges between USD 0.11 and USD 0.12/kWh (in South and North America, respectively) to over USD 0.31/kWh (in Central America and the Caribbean). But for individual projects there are wide range of costs. In countries with decent solar resources, projects are now being constructed with an LCOE of USD 0.08/kWh, while a recent tender in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, resulted in a successful bid for a solar PV power purchase agreement (PPA) for just USD 0.06/kWh, without financial support. It is expected that the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of utility-scale solar PV projects would witness an average fall of 50% during the forecast period.Enquire about this Report @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodology2.1 Scope Of The Study2.1.1 Definition2.1.2 Research Objective2.1.3 Assumptions2.1.4 Limitations2.2 Research Process2.2.1 Primary Research2.2.2 Secondary Research2.3 Market Size Estimation2.4 Forecast Model3 Market Dynamics3.1 Market Drivers3.2 Market Inhibitors3.3 Supply/Value Chain Analysis3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis4 Global Solar Panel Market, By Technology4.1 Introduction4.2 Solar PV4.2.1 Crystalline4.2.1 Thin Film4.3 Medium Voltage4.3.1 Parabolic Troughs4.3.2 Linear Fresnel Reflectors4.3.3 Power Towers4.3.4 Parabolic Dishes5 Global Solar Panel Market, By ApplicationContinue..List of TablesTable 1 Market Synopsis 12Table 2 Global Solar Panels Market, By Technology, 2016 (%) 31Table 3 Global Solar Panels Market, By Technology, 2015-2023 (Usd Million) 32Table 4 Global Solar Panels Market, By Module Type, 2015-2023 (Usd Million) 36Table 5 Global Solar Panels Market, By Application, 2015-2023 (Usd Million) 41Continue.Browse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Composite Bearings Market to Witness Widespread Expansion During 2017 - 2025

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Composite Bearings Market: IntroductionIncrease in the demand for lightweight material and to minimize the friction between the components have driven the demand for composite bearing. Composite bearings used to control friction and maintain separation among two moving parts. Composite bearing have a property of low friction, low heat build-up and no cold flow conditions. By replacing the conventional greased bronze bushings with composite bearings in industrial applications, the weight could be reduced and provides better efficiency. Composite bearing are used in various industry such as automotive, marine, construction & mining, agriculture, and aerospace among others.Composite bearings are light in design  it can be one tenth the weight of the traditional rolling element bearings. No heavy metals are used in the manufacturing of composite bearing. Composite bearings are suitable components in automotive engineering and are used in various applications from powertrain to car interiors. Moreover, composite bearing could be customized to meet the individual requirement of many applications.A sample of this report is available upon request @Composite Bearings Market: DynamicsThe increase in the demand from end use industries such as automotive, marine, agriculture, and aerospace among others are driving the demand for composite bearing market. One of the factor for the increase in the demand for composite bearing is the demand for lightweight components is rising from across the industries. Other macro-economic factors which are enhancing the composite bearings market are increasing vehicle production, growth in aircraft manufacturing, rising infrastructural activities increasing the demand for construction & mining industry. Along with this, the mechanical properties of composite bearings are better than its competitor which provide long & durable life cycle with minimum maintenance costs. However, stiff competition from single metal bearings is hampering the growth of composite bearing market.Composite Bearings Market: Outlook/TrendMany different types of bearings are used in aircrafts. In recent years, due to various stringent fuel efficiency norms put in place by governments to achieve fuel economy, manufacturers are making effort to reduce the weight of bearings. Manufacturers are trying to acquire new technologies to overcome such problems. In off highway construction equipment, composite bearing are used from loaders to hydraulic transmission system. Owing to factors such as increase in global warming, rise in sea levels and eruption of extreme weather conditions, regulatory bodies such as EPA (Environment Protection Agency) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) are developing regulations which will cut carbon emissions from end use industries.Composite Bearings Market: SegmentationOn the basis of industry, the composite bearings market can be segmented into:AerospaceConstruction & MiningAgricultureAutomotiveOthers (Marine, etc.)On the basis of product type, the composite bearings market can be segmented into:Fiber MatrixMetal MatrixOn the basis of material, the composite bearings market can be segmented into:PTFE (poly tetra fluoro ethylene) compositePOM (poly oxy methylene) compositeComposite Bearings Market: Regional OutlookNorth America region is expected to be the prominent market for composite bearings due to its rising demand from the end user industries such as aerospace. This growth is due to the advanced properties of composite bearings such as lightweight, fatigue & corrosion resistance, and stability among others which has enhanced the composite bearings market. Western Europe and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) region have significant share in the global composite bearing market. This is due to the strong presence of number of automotive, aerospace, construction, agriculture companies in Western Europe and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan).To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Composite Bearings Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants identified in the composite bearings market across the globe are:AB SKFSchaeffler GroupCIP CompositesTrelleborg ABTriStar Plastic Corp.Rexnord CorporationSaint-Gobain S.A.Federal-Mogul CorporationRBC Bearings Incorporated.Tufcot Engineering Ltd.Franklin Fibre Lamitex Corp.HyComp LLCSoucy Composites Inc.Tiodize TechnologiesAST Bearings LLCVNC Bearing, Inc.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and industry.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsAbhishek BudholiyaPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Latanoprost Global Industry Report 2017 Potential Growth, Share, Demand and Forecast till 2022

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Latanoprost MarketLatanoprost market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.The research article entitled Worldwide Latanoprost Market offers very useful reviews into the generic market trends and also the features that propel this Universal market place. This sector analyses deeply covers the main features of the Global Latanoprost Market about the Industry structure including landscaping plan, the issues, require opportunities, including the anticipated industry success.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Request for Sample Copy of This Report Please Visit @Global Latanoprost Market: Product Segment AnalysisBrand Drug, Generic DrugGlobal Latanoprost Market: Application Segment AnalysisOpen-angle Glaucoma, Close-angle GlaucomaThe Players mentioned in our reportPfizer, Mylan, Apotex, Teva, Taj Pharma, CR Zizhu, NovartisGlobal Latanoprost Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSA, Europe, Japan, China, India, South East AsiaBrowse Full Table of Contents and Report Description @Table of ContentsChapter 1 Globalization & Trade1.1 Business Locations1.2 Supply channels1.3 Marketing strategy1.4 Barriers to EntryChapter 2 Distributors and Customers2.1 Major Distributors and contact information by Regions2.2 Major Customers and contact information by RegionsContinuedAbout UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market to Record an Exponential CAGR by 2025

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Automotive Electronic stability control is a vital aspect of the safety system. These safety system are meant to sense the condition of vehicle and prevent the vehicle from accidents or minimize the effect of it. Automotive Electronic stability control are used to control the vehicle from skidding or losing control and reduce the danger of accidents. This system is used to allow the vehicle to maintain strong contact with the road. The system starts working when the driver starts losing control over the vehicle. The system applies brakes and makes the vehicle to stop at smaller distance and reduce the chances of accidents. The sensors are fitted in the system which detects the condition of vehicle and applies brakes reducing the chances of skidding and brings back the vehicle in normal mode. Automotive Electronic stability control is a computer based application which along with sensors like speed sensor has various other components like valves, pump and controller. This system has become a very important part for majority of the carmakers.Request For Report Sample:Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market: Drivers & RestraintsAn Automotive Electronic stability control is largely effective and reduce the chances of errors and accidents while driving, where the errors are sole reason for accidents. In Europe and United States the government has made mandatory the use of Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in all new passenger cars. In the coming years, the increasing demand for luxury cars in the regions such as Europe and Asia-Pacific, mainly in China, India and Japan, is expected to drive the market. Sustainable growth in the electronic stability control system will largely depend upon upcoming legislations in various countries. The major factors driving the demand for Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system are strict safety norms, increasing safety awareness, technological advancement, affordability as well as institutions such as the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) awarding safety ratings to cars based on safety performance. Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are mandatory in developed countries, while legislations in developing countries are rapidly catching up creating high growth opportunities. The increasing trend of reliability and dependency of the customers for the electronic components is becoming a major challenge in the Automotive electronic stability control market. The customers are highly dependent on the system and are losing focus while driving their vehicles on roads.Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market: Market SegmentationThe Automotive Electronic stability control market is segmented into three parts based on the vehicle type, sales channel and geography.Based on vehicle type Automotive Electronic stability control market is segmented into:Passenger carsCommercial vehiclesHeavy commercial vehiclesBased on sales channel type Automotive Electronic stability control market is segmented into:OEMAftermarketAutomotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market: Regional OutlookRegarding geography, Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market has been categorized into seven key regions including North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market is expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period due to high demand of system for avoiding major accidents which are very vital in the present generation. In terms of regions, North America accounts for significant share for Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market, owing to the high growth and demand for smart packaging in the region as compared to other developed regions. In terms of developing region of Asia-Pacific, the growth of the Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market is significantly high and with comparatively high CAGR in forecast period owed to factors such as such as rapid economic development, globalization and increasing demand of the Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC).Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market: Few PlayersFew players identified in Automotive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Market are:-Robert Bosch GMBHContinental AGDenso CorporationAutoliv Inc.Delphi Automotive PlcHitachi LtdKnorr-Bremse AGNissin KogyoAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Expansion in Application of Workflow Automation and Optimization Software Market - Industry Analysis Outlook Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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Strategic study of the new report Global Workflow Automation And Optimization Software Market, and the growth forecast for the period 2017 to 2025, have been provided in this report. Under the scope of the report, competitive analysis of various market segments, based on deployment type, end-use, and in-depth cross-sectional scrutiny of the workflow automation and optimization software market across different regions, have been provided.Click here For Free Sample Report @Global Workflow Automation and Optimization Software Market: Drivers and RestraintsWorkflow automation and optimization software solutions are considered as a part of Business Process Management (BPM) solutions and aids in automation, optimization and streamlining of business workflows. Additionally, workflow automation and optimization software solutions aid in betterment of product and service consistency, faster decision making and increases productivity amongst various other advantages. The growing investment in third platform technologies and fast adoption of such technologies for business processes is the primary driver for the workflow automation and optimization software market.Additionally, the advantages offered by these software solutions have also been promoting the growth of the market. The market is also being driven by the increasing usage of cloud for business processes. The growing dependence on cloud systems, coupled with the demand for fast and efficient business processes, has been promoting the demand for cloud based workflow automation and optimization software solutions.Global Workflow Automation and Optimization Software Market: SegmentationIn terms of deployment type, the global workflow automation and optimization software market is segmented into on-premise, cloud and mixed. On the basis of end-use, the market has been segmented into banking, financial services & insurance (BFSI), education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation & logistics, telecommunications & information technology (IT) and others. The market revenue for workflow automation and optimization software has been provided in terms of USD million, along with the CAGR for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025. In-depth analysis of the current trends in different regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa (MEA), under the regional market analysis present in the report.Global Workflow Automation and Optimization Software Market: Competitive LandscapeFor supporting strategic decision-making, the report also includes competitive profiling of leading companies of workflow automation and optimization software market, their overview, SWOT analysis, different product and business segments, unique business strategies adopted by them, revenue garnered by the companies and their regional revenue share. The SWOT analysis, provided for each of the companies profiled, focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the profiled companies, thus providing a enhanced understanding of the position of the major players in this market.The regional overview, provided in the report for each region, details the current trends of the workflow automation and optimization software market for the respective regions. The market attractiveness analysis, and competitive landscape included in the report provide insight into market dynamics, competition present in the industry and the most attractive segments in the workflow automation and optimization software market. The competitive landscape, provided in the report, allows for a better understanding of the major strategies undertaken by the industry leaders and their plans for a sustained growth in this industry.The report also provides specific assessment of the various factors impacting the global workflow automation and optimization software markets growth, which are described as growth drivers, market restraints, and opportunities. These factors aid in pointing out the various existing and upcoming trends, coupled with their impact on market growth. Overall, considering the various factors affecting the workflow automation and optimization software market, the report includes a comprehensive analysis of the global workflow automation and optimization software market, and provides the anticipated growth for the forecast period 2017 to 2025.Browse Full Report with TOC @Some of the leading players in the market are Xerox Corporation (The U.S.), Oracle Corporation (The U.S.), International Business Machines Corporation (The U.S.), SAS Institute, Inc. (The U.S.), SAP SE (Germany), OnviSource, Inc. (The U.S.), Boston Software Systems (The U.S.), Flexera Software LLC (The U.S.), JDA Software Group, Inc. (The U.S.), and Reva Solutions (The U.S.) among others.The global workflow automation and optimization software market has been segmented as follows:Global Workflow Automation And Optimization Software Market, by Deployment TypeOn-premiseCloudMixedGlobal Workflow Automation and Optimization Software Market, by End-useBanking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)EducationHealthcareManufacturingRetailTransportation & LogisticsTelecommunications & ITOthersGlobal Workflow Automation and Optimization Software Market, by RegionNorth AmericaThe U.S.Rest of North AmericaEuropeThe U.K.GermanyFranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia PacificSouth AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaIsraelSouth AfricaRest of Middle-East & AfricaEnquire about this Report @About (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Automotive Relay Market Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecast Report 2017-2025

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Automotive relays are used to permit a low ampere circuit to switch on or off a higher ampere circuit such as turning on the headlights in vehicle. Encouragement of government initiatives related to vehicle safety will lead to increase the demand of automotive relay in forecast period. The high demand for electronic power steering (EPS), car interior lighting, seat control, sunroof control, communications, infotainment systems, and automatic lock systems will also boost the demand of automotive relay in the market.The factor that can act as a restraint in the growth of the market is the deficiency of standardization in the automotive industry, mostly in developing countries is expected to hamper the automotive relay market. However, the increasing encouraging government initiatives mainly concerning about vehicular safety is creating new opportunities in the market of automotive relay in the forecast period.Request Sample is Available atThe Global Automotive Relay Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the automotive relay industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global automotive relay market with detailed market segmentation by system, services and geography. The global automotive relay market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global automotive relay market based on type, load type and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall automotive relay market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 15 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Inquire before Buying atBesides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key automotive relay market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are Beta Electric, ABB Ltd, Honda Motor Co. Ltd, American Zettler Inc., Panasonic Corporation, Denso Corporation, Nippon-Aleph, Omron Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Salzer Electronics Ltd.Complete Report is Available atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Connected Sensors Market Rugged Expansion Foreseen by 2027

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Connected Sensors market in Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices is showing a dynamic growth rate in many enterprise. The physical objects that are connected will have one or more sensors. Every sensor can monitor a specific location, vibration, motion and temperature. This sensors are connected to each other and to the system and can recognize the real time information from the sensors data feed in IoT. So for enterprises this connected sensors will provide new information to enterprise system. Due to advanced technology, there is greater investment in sensor devices that are having access to real-time information and services for enterprise.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Connected Sensors Market: Drivers and ChallengesThe major driver growth for Connected Sensors market is the constant decline in price for sensors, so the demand for sensors is increasing in various sectors such as IT, automotive, healthcare, retail and manufacturing, and others.In contrast to this, complexities with the sensors while connecting the devices in a wireless networks which poses of security threats, as the signals are spread in air and it is easy for hackers to catch the signal of connected devices in the network. So there is risk of data being lost while connecting the device which is restraining the market growth of connected sensors.Connected Sensors Market: SegmentationSegmentation of Connected Sensors Market on the basis of component:HardwareSoftwareNetwork ComponentsSegmentation of Connected Sensors Market on the basis of industry:IT and TelecommunicationsManufacturingTransportation and LogisticsDefense and GovernmentBFSIHealthcareRetailEnergy and UtilitiesOthersSegmentation of Connected Sensors Market on the basis of geography:North America (U.S., Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil)Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand)JapanThe Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, North Africa)Connected Sensors Market: key playersSome of the key players for Connected Sensors are IBM, Bosch, Google Inc., Samsung, HTC Corporation, Qualcomm Inc, Honeywell International Inc, Microsoft Corporation, Siemens, ARM Holdings, Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.A sample of this report is available upon request @Connected Sensors Market: Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, connected sensors market can be segmented into seven key regions namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Among various regions, the connected sensors market in North America is expected to dominate during the forecast period because of strong presence of companies from different sectors and fast development in new technology in this region. North America region is expected to be followed by Western Europe and APEJ. APEJ is expected to drive the demand for connected sensors market as many companies are investing in connected sensors technology market in this region.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Homecare Oxygen Concentrators Market trends research and projections for 2016-2024

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Over the recent years, intragastric balloon market has been occupying a chunk of the ever-evolving healthcare industry. The modern day hectic lifestyle is causing a plethora of risk factors, with obesity as the prime concern in the checklist. A recent estimation by WHO depicts that global obese population has doubled since 1980, primarily driven by U.S. and Sub-Saharan region. There has always been a surge in demand for cost effective and safe weight reduction methods for the treatment of obesity. Intragastric balloons have proved to be an attractive intermediate alternative to address this need. According to Global Market Insights, Inc. Intragastric balloon market having held a revenue of USD 120 million in 2015, is projected to register a CAGR of 9.5% over the period of 2016-2024.Mostly, intragastric balloons are inflated with saline or gas. Gas-filled intragastric balloon market demand is heightening, as its three-layered bacteria resistant design ensures patients comfort in case of balloon deflation. This market is anticipated to exhibit a significant annual growth rate of 10% over the coming seven years. Saline filled intragastric balloon market dominated the industry in 2015 and is projected to generate substantial revenue in the years ahead, with an estimated annual growth rate of more than 9% over the period of 2016-2024.Based on the product types, single, dual, and triple are the three categories of intragastric balloons prevalent in the industry. Single intragastric balloon market covered more than half of the total market in terms of revenue in 2015 and is anticipated to record a striking annual growth rate of 8.5% over the coming seven years. Dual intragastric balloon industry is also projected to record significant gains with a forecast revenue of USD 85 million by 2024. Growing patient inclination toward minimally invasive surgeries over bariatric surgeries such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass etc. is pushing triple intragastric balloon market. The study estimates the triple intragastric balloon industry to register a CAGR of 11% over the timeframe of 2016-2024.Request Sample Copy of this Report @US is one of the leading regions spending heavily in healthcare programs, with a major focus on chronic ailments. Obesity is becoming a prime concern for the U.S. population taking into account the increasing premature deaths in the region from obesity driven diseases such as strokes, heart diseases, and even cancer. As per the statistics provided by the OECD, in 2014 35% of the U.S. population were examined to be obese. Driven by the aforementioned fact along the improved patient awareness level, favorable government initiatives, and advanced healthcare infrastructure, U.S. intragastric balloon market is poised to witness a lucrative roadmap in the coming years.Hospitals and clinics are the major end-use sectors of the intragastric balloon market making an appreciable revenue contribution to the global share. Intragastric balloon industry share from hospitals is likely to exceed a value generation of over USD 100 million by 2024. Moreover, increasing spending on healthcare facilities has considerably fueled the clinics market contribution which is set to display a CAGR of 10% over the period of 2016-2024.Ambulatory surgical centers are also poised to observe a steady growth potential with its enhanced quality of patient care and cost-effective services. Intragastric balloon market share from ambulatory surgical centers is forecast to register a CAGR of 9.5% over the period of 2016-2024.Make Inquiry about this report @The inclination toward enhancing the healthcare infrastructure in terms of cost, treatment methodologies, and technological developments will significantly fuel intragastric balloon industry size in the coming years. In response to this fact, India and Brazil each are estimated to record a CAGR of 10% over the coming seven years.Taking into consideration the competitive outlook, the major intragastric balloon industry players are adopting mergers & acquisitions as the key strategy to accomplish global expansion and recognition. Allurion Technologies, Obalon Therapeutics Inc., ReShape Medical Inc., Silimed, Districlass Medical and Apollo Endosurgery Inc. are few of the notable participants of the intragastric balloon market.Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has recognized a La Crosse company for its environmental stewardship.

Brennan received a DNR Secretarys Director Award Thursday for its remediation and habitat restoration work as well as its handling of barge traffic on the Mississippi River.

Dan Baumann, the DNRs director for western Wisconsin, said Brennan was nominated by a former member of the agencys regulatory staff, which raises it to another level.

Its always about beyond compliance, Baumann said. Theyre the company that does it right.

Founded in 1919, Brennan operates the J.F. Brennan contracting company and a barge transportation and repair service under the name Brennan Marine. The family-owned business has offices in Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts and employs about 450 people during peak construction season, including about 50 divers.

Everything we do is related to the water, said company president Tony Binsfeld. We like to joke if we cut our wrist, river water would come out.

Binsfeld said his employees generate one or two patents a year, most having to do with environmental processes.

For decades, Brennan has been a contractor for the Upper Mississippi River Environmental Management Program, a joint state-federal effort to reverse damage caused by the damming of the river in the 1930s. DNR fisheries biologist Jeff Janvrin said Brennan has been involved in more than half of more than 30 dredging and island restoration projects.

The DNR also recognized Brennan Marine for efforts to keep barges off the shores and out of the way while shuttling materials in and out of the La Crosse harbor.

Brennan is a sub-contractor on the Fox River cleanup, an ongoing effort to remove PCB-contaminated soil from a 13-mile stretch of the river near Green Bay.

Beth Olson, the DNRs Fox River project manager, told a gathering of employees Thursday, You guys are the go-to people when other consultants say it cant be done.
Automotive RADAR Market Status, Share, Trends, Development and Opportunities Report 2017-2025

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Automotive RADAR system plays a vital role in advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) by continuously sensing the distance between vehicles in real-time, improving driving efficiency and increasing safety. These system are mainly used for preventing and alerting vehicle from collision detection, warning and mitigation. The boosting demand for advanced innovative features such as travel control will escalate the demand for automotive RADARs and also these systems will minimize human errors while driving which will decrease the frequency of road accidents. All these drivers will increase the demand of automotive RADAR systems.The factor that can act as a restraint in the growth of the automotive RADAR market is the high initial cost of the optical and automatic parts which includes micro electro mechanical sensors (MEMS). However, the increasing interest of customers and government initiatives towards autonomous vehicles create new opportunities in the market of automotive RADAR in the forecast period.Request Sample is Available atThe Global Automotive RADAR Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the automotive RADAR industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global automotive RADAR market with detailed market segmentation by range, frequency, vehicle type, application, and geography. The global automotive RADAR market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global automotive RADAR market based on range, frequency, vehicle type, and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall automotive RADAR market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 15 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Inquire before Buying atBesides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key automotive RADAR market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH, HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co., Valeo, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), Infineon Technologies AG, Analog Devices, Inc., Delphi Automotive PLC, and ZF TRW Automotive.Complete Report is Available atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Next Generation Iv Infusion Pumps Market Surge Valuation US$ 3.2 Bn in 2025

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Persistence Market Research has carried out a detailed market research on next-generation IV infusion pumps and has presented vital insights based on the market analyses in its research publication titled Next-Generation IV Infusion Pumps Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2025). This research report covers various macro-economic aspects influencing the growth of the next generation IV infusion pumps market along with various trends, opportunities, restraints and drivers impacting the market. These impacting factors are scrutinized across important regions considering all major market segments.Global Next-Generation IV Infusion Pumps Market: ForecastThe global next-generation IV infusion pumps market has been thoroughly analyzed and is anticipated to grow at a robust CAGR of 5.4% throughout the period of forecast 2017-2025. The global market is estimated to reach a value of about US$ 3.2 Bn in 2025 from a value of around US$ 2 Bn in 2016. This market has witnessed a positive growth path since 2012 and it is poised to continue over the following years.Request to view table of content @Global Next-Generation IV Infusion Pumps Market: DynamicsExpanding production base for smart PCA, ambulatory and syringe pumps in developing economies and rising adoption of smart pumps with huge drug libraries are opportunities that can be tapped by players involved in the global next-generation IV infusion pumps market. Emerging economies offer high opportunities as they register high rate of spread of chronic diseases. The advancements in IV infusion pumps systems, increasing research and development infrastructure due to rising investments and expenditure on research and development, favorable reimbursement for infusion therapy, rising demand for ambulatory infusion pumps, increasing strategic collaborations among leading players, improvement in distribution channel, ease in FDA approvals and clearance, strong government support for start-ups, expanding production capacity and extension of product line coupled with expanding medical device infrastructure and growing adoption of advanced medical devices have strongly supported the growth of the next-generation IV infusion pumps market. Medicine dispensing errors, product recalls due to product errors, lack of skilled personnel and lack of standard usage guidelines are few aspects which pull the adoption of next-generation IV infusion pumps thus having a negative impact on the global next-generation IV infusion pumps market.Global Next-Generation IV Infusion Pumps Market: Segmental HighlightsThe global next-generation IV infusion pumps market has been categorized by product type, by application, by end user and by region.By region, Asia Pacific is expected to witness high growth as compared to other regions, and is poised to reach a significant market share with a high CAGR of 7.8% throughout the period of forecast 2017-2025. North America region stays ahead with respect to market value to dominate the global next-generation IV infusion pumps market by region followed by EuropeChemotherapy segment by application is the fastest growing segment and is expected to reflect high market valuation by the end of 2025. This segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% throughout the forecast period to attain an estimated value of about US$ 1.1 Bn in 2025A sample of this report is available upon request @Hospitals segment by end user dominates the global market and also poised to reflect a high CAGR of 6.0% during the assessment period due to rise in adoption of infusion pumps in hospitalsLarge volumetric infusion systems to lead the global next-generation IV infusion pumps market by product type to reach a market value of about US$ 1.1 Bn in 2025. Electronic ambulatory infusion systems product segment is poised to show high potential in the coming yearsGlobal Next-Generation IV Infusion Pumps Market: Competitive LandscapeThe global next-generation IV infusion pumps market research report covers key players involved in the market such as B. Braun Melsungen AG., Becton, Dickinson Company, Fresenius Kabi AG, Terumo Corporation, Medtronic Plc., Baxter International Inc., Hospira, Inc., iRadimed Corporation, Zyno Medical, Nipro Corporation, Ambu A/S, Summit Medical Products, Inc., Smiths Medical, vTitan and Gamastech s.r.l.Buy Full Report@About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. 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Vision Guided Robots Market Analysis and Forecast Study for 2017 - 2027

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A robot is a multifunctional, reprogrammable manipulator intended to move materials, tools, parts, or specified devices through variable programmed motions. Robots are designed to perform a variety of tasks and a robot fitted with a camera and a computer to provide visual feedback is referred to as a vision guided robot. Vision guided robots work on a technology wherein the camera(s) acts as a sensor, which provides a feedback suggestion to the robot supervisor to precisely move an object to a mutable target location(s). These robots precursory work is to capture images and transfer them to the processor, which then reports the data. Furthermore, technology and ease of usage have come together to a point where a variety of industrial applications can leverage vision guided robots efficiently. Furthermore, advanced 3D sensing technologies are taming object detection and making vision guided robots a practical solution for accidental bin picking while developing technologies are providing a tempting view into the vision guided robots markets future.Global Vision Guided Robots Market: DynamicsDrivers:Adoption of vision guided robots in the market has increased and the reason behind this is the increasing need of automation in all industries. In order to deliver highly qualitative products, industries are using vision guided robots to maintain production lines. An upsurge in the recognition of robotics by SMEs has been observed in recent times for efficient and better functioning of processes within organizations. The customization of products for specific applications increases flexibility of usage required by smaller companies, which will be met by new technological advancements. With international labor safety standards becoming rigorous, robots are being employed in unsafe environments in place of humans. Moreover, vision guided robots are deployed in situations that are deemed unsafe and hazardous for laborers to work, such as working in irregular terrains and management of harmful substances. Vision guided robots enable organizations to circumvent risks and lessen the number of work mishaps.Request For Report Sample:Restraints:The restraining factor associated with vision guided robots is the initial cost required for the preliminary set up and integration. This limits the use of robots to heavy manufacturing groups. A major regulating factor for the vision guided robots market is theout of order of the cameras and the lack of acquaintance of robot operators. Furthermore, the limitation to select the existing camera versions with different resolutions is also a restraining factor for the vision guided robots market.Global Vision Guided Robots Market: SegmentationOn the basis of application, the vision guided robots market can be segmented into:AutomobileElectrical and electronicsAerospace and defenseFood and beverageHealthcare and pharmaceuticalMetal processingOn the basis of technology, the vision guided robots market can be segmented into:3D2DGlobal Vision Guided Robots Market: Regional OutlookAsia Pacific is projected to hold a major share in the vision guided robots market, owing to the hefty demand from a rapidly developing industrial sector. The region has fast growing robotic technology, which can be attributed to the growing industrialization in countries, such as India and China. North America is expected to register a significant CAGR over the forecast period, owing to the fact that different SEMS and MNCs have manufacturing plants in the region. The Middle East and Africa market is expected to account for a considerable share and grow with a positive outlook over the forecast period, attributing to the increased production capability of the oil & gas industry, which in turn requires precision and safety. The vision guided robots market in Latin America is expected to remain stagnant over the forecast period and account for a small market share during the time frame.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Vision Guided Robots Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global vision guided robots market are:Omron CorporationrDenso CorporationIsra Vision AGFanuc America CorporationThe Yaskawa Electric CorporationBasler AGCognex CorporationAllied Vision TechnologiesABB GroupJmp engineeringR and d equipmentAdeptComauNachi fuykashiEpsonKamasakaFauneKukaABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market InsightsAbhishek Bhudoliya616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Steering Wheel Safety System Market to Witness Exponential Growth by 2025

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Steering wheel is a combination of different components which includes various moving parts and fixed parts such as, steering handle, steering rim and grips. There are many different types of steering wheels such as, crab steering wheel, passive steering wheel, rear wheel steering wheel, articulated steering wheel, steer-by-wire steering wheel and watercraft steering wheel. Steering wheel safety system is very necessary for protection against any damage. Steering wheel safety system consists protection on the decorative parts, rim, on switches, spokes, heating and on frame. Steering wheel safety system provides safety by many different ways such as, collapsible steering column, airbags, and by crumple zone.Request For Report Sample:Steering Wheel Safety System Market: DynamicsThe major driving factor of steering wheel safety system is automotive industry. In the automotive industry steering wheel safety system is necessarily used in the cars, buses trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles. Another major driving factor is construction and mining industry, in the construction industry this steering wheel safety system is used in the heavy rollers and bulldozers. In mining industry, this system is used in the heavy cranes and load lifters. There are some restraining factors of steering wheel safety system are such as, difficulty in turning the wheel, steering wheel vibration, steering wheel slips while driving, looseness of safety system, grinding noise and screeching noise. There are some opportunities of steering wheel safety system such as, illumination technology can be used for driver air bag module and for supporting the environment, and bio-based alternative materials can be used for making of steering wheel safety system, this will reduce the greenhouse gases and weight also. There are some latest trends in the steering wheel safety system such as, vibrating steering wheel safety system is trending nowadays and hands on/off steering wheel is also beneficial for the safety purposes.Steering Wheel Safety System Market: SegmentationBased on the technology steering wheel safety system market is segmented:Normal steering wheel safety systemWith air bag steering wheel safety systemWithout air bag steering wheel safety systemControls embedded steering wheel safety systemBased on the materials steering wheel safety system market is segmented:LeatherWoodPolyurethaneBased on the application steering wheel safety system market is segmented:Passenger carHigh commercial vehicleLight commercial vehicleFarm vehicleSteering Wheel Safety System Market: Regional OverviewThe global steering wheel safety system market is divided geographically into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). Europe is major region in a steering wheel safety system market in terms of application and revenue sharing, because Germany is largest manufacturer of automobile steering wheel safety system .Followed by Europe, North America is expected to grow relatively at a higher CAGR during the forecast period since the use of steering wheel safety system in many vehicles. The global steering wheel safety system market in Japan is well established and expected to grow at average CAGR over the forecast period. MEA and Latin America are expected to expand at sluggish growth rate due to lack of technology advancement in this region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Steering Wheel Safety System Market: Regional SegmentationThe growth of steering wheel safety system market in Asia-Pacific is very high due to many developing countries in this region. Overall, the global market for steering wheel safety system market is expected to grow significantly by the end of forecast period. Steering wheel safety system market in Asia-Pacific is rapidly growing due to developing economic conditions, huge population, big investment market and many manufacturing companies boosting this market. Steering wheel safety system market is growing in this region because application of steering wheel safety system is increased in various vehicles such as, in cars, buses, trucks and in loading vehicles. India and china are major countries which shows significant growth in steering wheel safety system market and in forecast period this countries shows very positive increment.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Liquid-immersed Transformers Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 20172025

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Transmission and distribution of electrical energy from power generating sources to user end requires step-up and step-down of voltages at different ends that necessitate the utilization of transformers at every stage. Moreover, requirement to reduce the transmission losses and short circuit in high voltage transmission, liquid-immersed transformers that have mineral oil as an electric insulating medium to act as an arc-quenching medium and provide optimum operational temperature range are expected to drive the industry growth through the forecast period.Increasing demands for electrical energy and proliferating energy generating capacities of renewable sources are expected to fuel the industry growthAccording to International Energy Outlook 2016, by U.S. Energy Information Administration, world energy consumption is expected to witness surge of over 48% by 2040, with China and India accounting the major share of the increased demands. Moreover, increasing reliance on renewable fuels that include solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal are among the major forms of energy to for on grid installations are expected to attract major demand. Requirement to step-up the voltage and transmit the electrical energy over the long distance range is expected to be the primary growth factor over the forecast period. Moreover, increasing kWh demands in conjunction with the increasing costs of space, specifically in the urban areas, will present substantial growth prospects for the liquid-immersed transformers market.Request Sample Copy of this Report Liquid-Immersed Transformers Market TaxonomyOn the basis of dielectric fluids, the global liquid-immersed transformers market is classified into:Natural estersSynthetic estersMineral oilsSilicone oilsOn the basis of application, the global liquid-immersed transformers market is classified into:Power transformersDistribution transformersResidentialCommercialIndustriesBetter performance characteristics such as long life cycles, low noises and smaller sizes are expected to garner higher consumer inclinationMost commonly used alternative products used in the all the major applications includes dry-type and pad-mounted transformers. However, other than low cost of the dry type alternatives, liquid immersed transformers are featured with longer operating lifecycles, minimal or no annual maintenance time and costs, no outages over its lifecycles, and enhanced safety against fire hazards. Increased power capacities also result in significant decline in the overall capital expenditure, owing to the economies of scale. Moreover, capability of the equipment to repairable is among the chief advantageous factors which has led to increased applications specifically at power generation end.Transformer oil is the most widely used form of insulating medium owing to its low affinity towards oxidationWindings are insulated with cellulose which has substantial affinity to oxygen. When immersed in oil, the exposure to air is cut off. Moreover, it has been the most conventional form of fluid that has been used in these applications for arc quenching, in conjunction with other switchgears and circuit breakers. However, in order to reduce the environmental impacts and the carbon footprint, several other ecofriendly biodegradable substitutes have started gaining momentum in the industry applications. In conjunction with minimal environmental impacts, these offer enhanced life cycle and considerably reduce the maintenance requirements, in turn leading to increased inclination of the users and manufacturers.Asia Pacific is expected to remain the most dominating regional segment, primarily owing to the large scale requirements, and the presence of the largest consumer base. Technological advancements that can enhance the functioning of these equipment by several decimal units will find increased consumer inclinations owing to the energy efficiency that can be achieved owing to large scale power requirements.Key liquid-immersed transformers market participants include CG, ABB, Schneider Electric, GE, and Siemens. Industry presence is characterized by the presence of several regional participants competing in their specific region with the international players. Since pricing is the chief perspective in the transmission and distribution segment, regional players are expected to present significant challenge to the international players. Some other vendors in the industry include Altrafo Transformers, CNC Group, CELME, Dandong Xintai Electric, China XD Group EREMU, and Elsewedy Electric.For More Information About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit our news Website:
Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Key Trends and Forecast Research Report 2025

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Surrogacy is also likely to receive increasing demand in the coming years, due in part to the growing demand for assisted reproductive technology from same-sex couples. While many parents now prefer the benefit of having their own genetic imprint in their baby through in vitro fertilization, surrogacy is likely to receive sustained demand in the coming years. This is borne out by the figures of the global assisted reproductive technology market by procedure, wherein fresh non donor contributions were the preferred choice for most consumers. The fresh non donor segment accounted for more than 50% of the global assisted reproductive technology market in 2016 and is likely to remain similarly dominant in the coming years.Read Report Overview@Geographically, Europe is the leading contributor to the global assisted reproductive technology market and is likely to retain a leading share in the global market in the coming years. The rising support for same-sex marriage in Europe is likely to play a key role in the development of the assisted reproductive technology market in the region in coming years.Developing economies in Asia Pacific are likely to be vital to the global assisted reproductive technology market in the coming years. While the predominant social values in these regions tended to dissuade constructive growth of the assisted reproductive technology market, the gradual relaxation in social norms in these regions has resulted in a promising environment for the market. The growing prevalence of reproductive problems in Asia Pacific countries such as India and China is thus crucial to the global assisted reproductive technology market.Request Sample Report@The growing investment in the healthcare sector in developing countries is also likely to provide a major boost to the global assisted reproductive technology market in the coming years. This will help increase the frequency of fertility clinics in underdeveloped regions, where sophisticated medical facilities may still be absent.The steady development of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a key driver for the global assisted reproductive technology market. PGD helps physicians diagnose genetic disorders likely to manifest in the baby before it is implanted, making the technology vital for parents looking to avoid complicated births and lifestyles. The rapid development of the scientific database regarding genetic diseases is further likely to remain a key boost for the global assisted reproductive technology market.Request Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Report Brochure @By technology, the global assisted reproductive technology market is divided into artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and others. In vitro fertilization is by far the dominant contributor to the global assisted reproductive technology market at present and is likely to retain the position in the coming years due to the growing awareness about the efficacy of in vitro fertilization and the increasing awareness among citizens about the same. The in vitro fertilization segment accounted for a majority share of more than 62% in the global assisted reproductive technology market in 2016 and is likely to extend its dominance further by the end of the 2017-2025 forecast period.Key players in the moderately fragmented global assisted reproductive technology market include Merck, CooperSurgical, Inc., Irvine Scientific, Vitrolife AB, Hamilton Thorne, Inc., Nidacon International AB, Laboratoire CCD, Planer PLC, Esco Micro Pte. Ltd. (Esco Group), and Nikon Corporation. Merck holds a dominant share in the global assisted reproductive technology market due to its widespread portfolio and steady presence in various regional markets.Buy Full Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Albumin Market to Become Worth US$ 10.359 Billion by 2025

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A report by Transparency Market Research predicts the global albumin market to become worth US$10.359 bn by 2025 from US$4.8 bn in 2016 by clocking a CAGR of 9.2% from 2017 to 2025. Albumin is a water soluble globular protein found in serum and contributes 50% to 60% of blood plasma proteins. Albumin is produced in liver to get secreted or diffused into blood system. They have a crucial role in regulating blood volume and act as transporters for molecules such as hormones, bile salts, ions, etc. Owing to these functions albumin derived from human serum is widely used as blood volumizer in various conditions and in replacement therapies, explains the lead analyst of the TMR report.Read Report Overview@With growing instances of rare diseases, shocks, trauma and other fatalities, demand for human serum albumin is slated to receive a major boost. Besides, high acceptance of albumin as an excipient in drug delivery and in vaccines production is also predicted to catalyze growth in the market.On the flipside, however, scarcity of plasma for fractionation is a major concern among the industry players which is anticipated to hamper growth for albumin market. Moreover use of alternatives to albumin in replacement therapies, and other medical applications is expected to restrain the growth for albumin market.Request Sample Report@Based on the product type, the global albumin market can be classified into bovine serum albumin (BSA) which is derived from fetal bovine serum, human serum albumin (HSA) which is derivative of human plasma, and recombinant albumin produced from recombinant yeast, rice and other culture sources. Among them, the human serum albumin segment holds maximum share in the market. This is because, human serum albumin finds widespread application as a blood volumizer in case of burns, shocks, and other rare diseases. Going forward, the segment is expected to rise at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2017 to 2025 on the back of demand for blood volumizer from emerging markets like China, Brazil, and India.Geographically, the key segments of the global albumin market are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific, of them, dominates the market with a leading share and going forward is expected rise at a robust 11.5% CAGR, powered primarily by the emerging markets in India and China. A burgeoning geriatric population and rising instances of rare diseases such as burns and surgeries are said to be catalyzing growth in the region.Request Albumin Market Report Brochure @Competition is stiff in the global albumin market on account of the presence of many big names who are focused on product or service extensions. In the near future, competition is slated to increase further due to prominent players entering into partnerships or acquiring distributors to increase their sales and expand their businesses worldwide.Grifols International, CSL Behring LLC, S.A., Octapharma AG, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., InVitria, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and MedxBio Pte. Ltd. are to name a few prominent participants in the global albumin market.Buy Full Albumin Market Report@About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Government Cloud Market To Witness Enhanced Growth Owing To Big Data, Systems Handling and Large Datasets Till 2022 | Million Insights

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The global government cloud market is expected to witness a significant growth over the forecast period owing to the reduction in organizational cost, meeting compliance requirement and improving business productivity. In addition, the greater storage and computing capabilities, standardization of IT and agility improvements are the factors boosting the government cloud market.One of the major factors driving the growth of this market is big data, systems handling and large datasets. Due to big data issue, the task becomes more complicated. Hence, the cloud dealers have to normalize the systems, to facilitate the easy delivery of information to any agency or system in any format. This process enables the government organizations to share the information efficiently among internal and external stakeholders. Thus, improving the liability in the public sector.Full Research Report On Global Analysis available at:The implementation of government cloud will help the government agencies to achieve their mission demands, develop core competencies, improve automation and adopt sustainability practices. The Federal Risk and Authorization Program (FedRAMP) has been made to support the cloud computing plan of government. The program enables the implementation of cloud computing services among federal organizations. It also provides cloud service providers with the authorization of program which could be used by all agencies. This program helps in reducing money and time of the federal agencies.The numerous trends in the government cloud market create the enhanced opportunities for the citizens and other small departments. The trends include increasing data center consolidation, and optimizing government services with big data. For government organizations and various other public bodies, data transparency is an important factor. With the continuous increase in agreements and regulatory standard requirements, cloud system has to display even more high levels of integrity.The market is segmented on the basis of the agency into local and state cloud, federal cloud, and military and defense cloud. All of these agencies are widely using cloud services as it helps in gathering and handling the big data. On the basis of delivery, the market is classified into infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS). PaaS provides a platform which allows customers to develop and manage web applications without any complexity in maintaining the infrastructure associated with the launching of an app. Government and other public sectors are expected to purchase to a greater extent the infrastructure and software services from the cloud computing market. IaaS is expected to be the most popular service followed by SaaS.Request for Free Sample Copy :The market is categorized on the basis of deployment models into private, public, community and hybrid cloud. The hybrid cloud model is considered to be an attractive option for balancing security and scalability. The providers of cloud computing are making efforts to integrate firm network resources into the private and public cloud.On the basis of the application area, the market is segmented into business operations, storage and server, disaster recovery, collaboration, compliance and security, health and safety, cloud gaming, analytics, mobility, and content management. The content management and collaborative tools are allowing service providers to offer outstanding cloud experience to the agencies. Government agencies are working in collaboration with research institutes and industries to identify greater benefits of cloud computing.North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are the major regions identified in this industry. North America is estimated to hold the largest market share owing to the increasing IT enterprises and IT budgets. The large firms, in order to reduce the cost of IT infrastructure, uses cloud application and provides the employees the easy accessibility of data. In addition, the rising government initiative programs in the U.S anticipates the demand for the use of cloud services in government sectors.Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth over the coming six years owing to the rising disposable income levels, and increasing demand for cloud computing technology. The key players in this industry are Cisco, Amer, Solutions, Capgemini, Dell, Google, IBM, DMG Federal, Accelion, Carpathia Hosting, Daston Corporation, Microsoft, Rackspace, Vmware, Oracle, Layered Technologies, Clear Government Solutions and Amazon Web Services.Related Reports of this Category available at Million Insights:About Million InsightsMillion Insights, is a distributor of market research reports, published by premium publishers only. We have a comprehensive market place that will enable you to compare data points, before you make a purchase. Enabling informed buying is our motto and we strive hard to ensure that our clients get to browse through multiple samples, prior to an investment. Service flexibility & the fastest response time are two pillars, on which our business model is founded. Our market research report store, includes in-depth reports, from across various industry verticals, such as healthcare, technology, chemicals, food & beverages, consumer goods, material science & automotive.Contact Details:Office No. 302, 3rd Floor, Manikchand Galleria,Model Colony, Shivaji Nagar, Pune, MH, 411016 IndiaPhone: 91-20-65300184Email: sales@millioninsights.com
Future of Oil Free Air Compressor Market Size 2022 Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, KAESER, Gardner Denver, Fusheng, Kobelco

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MarketStudyReport.com adds New World Oil Free Air Compressor Market Research Report 2022 (covering USA, Europe, China, Japan, India, South East Asia and etc) new report to its research database. The report spread across 101 pages with table and figures in it. The report provides information on Industry Trends, Demand, Top Manufacturers, Countries, Material and Application.Oil Free Air Compressor market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.Request a Free sample PDF of this research to evaluate more @The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Global Oil Free Air Compressor Market: Product Segment Analysis as Below 50 HP, 50-100 HP and Above 100Global Oil Free Air Compressor Market: Application Segment Analysis as Food & Beverage, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals and Oil & GasGlobal Oil Free Air Compressor Market: Regional Segment Analysis as USA, Europe, Japan, China, India and South-East Asia.The Players mentioned in Global Oil Free Air Compressor Market report as Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, KAESER, Gardner Denver, Fusheng, Kobelco and Sullair.Enquire Discount on Global Oil Free Air Compressor Market Research Report @Major Points in Table of ContentsWorld Oil Free Air Compressor Market Research Report 2022Chapter 1 About the Oil Free Air Compressor IndustryChapter 2 World Oil Free Air Compressor Market Competition LandscapeChapter 3 World Oil Free Air Compressor Market shareChapter 4 Oil Free Air Compressor Industry Supply Chain AnalysisChapter 5 World Oil Free Air Compressor Industry Company ProfilesChapter 6 Global station & TradeChapter 7 Distributors and CustomersChapter 8 Import, Export, Consumption and Consumption Value by Major CountriesChapter 9 World Oil Free Air Compressor Market Forecast through 2022Chapter 10 Key success factors and Market OverviewFor more information on this report, Please visit at:Related Reports: -United States Oil Free Air Compressor Market by Manufacturers, States, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022An oil-free compressor is only one of several types of compressors available. It works the same way as a standard air compressor, and may even look very similar on the outside; internally, however, it contains special seals designed to keep the crucial lubricating oil away from the compressed air. The moving parts inside the compressor require lubrication to reduce the friction.Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
Life Insurance in Chile: Market Key Trends, Investments, Challenges, Opportunities and Forecast by 2021

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Market Research Hub (MRH) has included a new research report titled The Life Insurance Industry in Chile Key Trends and Opportunities to 2021, which provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Chilean life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Chilean insurance industry with its regional counterparts. It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (2012-2016) and forecast period (2017-2021).Request Free Sample Report @The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Chilean economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together MRH research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Summary:MRH 'Life Insurance in Chile Key Trends and Opportunities to 2021' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Chilean life insurance segment, including:An overview of the Chilean life insurance segmentThe Chilean life insurance segments growth prospects by categoryA comprehensive overview of the Chilean economy and demographicsA comparison of the Chilean life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsThe various distribution channels in the Chilean life insurance segmentDetails of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in ChileDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Chilean insurance industryScope:This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in Chile:It provides historical values for the Chilean life insurance segment for the reports 20122016 review period, and projected figures for the 20162021 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Chilean life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2021.It provides a comparison of the Chilean life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsIt analyzes the various distribution channels for life insurance products in Chile.It profiles the top life insurance companies in Chile and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons to Buy:Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Chilean life insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Chilean life insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the life insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Chilean insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Browse Full Report with TOC @Key Highlights:On February 10, 2017, the government enacted Law No 21,000 that will replace the existing insurance regulator, SVS (Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros) with the Financial Markets Commission (CMF). The transition is expected to be completed by 2017.New mortality tables for pension policies and insurers offering annuity and disability insurance were introduced with effect from July 1, 2016.On June 30, 2015, the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS) issued new regulations for life insurers and brokers regarding the marketing of investment-linked insurance policies through circular number 2180. The new regulations emphasize the implementation of provisions of the new Code of Commerce, which prohibits insurers from charging customers for surrender or full redemption on policies issued on or after December 2013.Under the Chilean Law of Income (LIR), individuals investing in life insurance policies are eligible to claim rebates in taxes under the provisions of Article 57.Table of Content:1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Segment Outlook4.1 Regional Comparison4.2 Segment Indicators4.2.1 Gross written premium and penetration4.2.2 Active policies4.2.3 Claims4.2.4 Assets and investments5 Outlook by Sub-Segment5.1 Individual Life Insurance5.1.1 Premium5.1.2 Active policies5.1.3 Penetration5.2 Group Life Insurance5.2.1 Premium5.2.2 Active policies5.2.3 Penetration6 Distribution Channel Outlook7 Competitive Landscape7.1 Company Profiles7.1.1 Metlife Chile Seguros De Vida SA-company overview7.1.2 Consorcio Nacional de Seguros SA-company overview7.1.3 Penta Vida Compaa de Seguros de Vida SA-company overview7.1.4 Seguros de Vida Sura SA-company overview7.1.5 Compaa de Seguros Confuturo SA-company overview.continueMake an Enquiry @About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of Insurance market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients and customers.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Nigeria OML 24 Market 2017 Trend, Segmentation and Opportunities Forecast

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SummaryNigeria OML 24 Project Panorama, latest release, presents a comprehensive overview of the asset. This upstream report includes detailed qualitative and quantitative information on the asset, provides a full economic assessment and reflects several parameters including (but not limited to) geological profile, asset development and specific challenges. Based on this analysis, future outlook for the asset is presented with possible trends and related scenarios identifying upside/downside potential.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- Overview of the asset based on an analysis of the economic indicators- Key financial indicators including Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return- Review of factors affecting the economic outcome of the field including development overview, geology, challenges, reserves and production with qualitative perspective on of the overall assets life with GlobalDatas analysis on the assets future outlook- Detailed production profile for the asset, giving annual output rates for each commodity produced- Cash flow statements from our economic analysis of the asset including capital expenditures, operating expenditures and tax liability- Individual valuations for equity holders- Sensitivity analysis for asset value considering a range of factorsReasons to buy- Understand the economic and non-economic factors that affect production of an asset- Benefit from an asset valuation derived from detailed research and modeling by our analysts- Basic view of various scenarios and its effect on the asset for risk or strategy planning- Utilize the quantitative and qualitative evaluation to ascertain trends within the region to inform decision making- Identify economic trends of an asset to determine investment requirements.Table of Content: Key Points1 Table of Contents 11.1. List of Tables 21.2. List of Figures 22. Project Panorama 33. Project Update 44. Outlook 55. Asset Summary 66. Development Overview 107. Geology 118. Challenges 129. Reserves and Production 1310. Economic Analysis 16ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook: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 RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Cellphone Image Sensor Market 2017 - Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, OVT, Toshiba, Henkel

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Latest industry research report on the Cellphone Image Sensor market report is an analytical study conducted by experts on the basis of global market, which analyses the competitive structure of the global industry all over the globe. The calculation for CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is completely produced by the Cellphone Image Sensor market report with percentage for precise period. The report also packs the leading and major players in the global market.Download Free Sample Report @The global market size is calculated by the industry experts in this report, with considering the income and volume of the production which are the two primary units. Intense analysis of the market fragments as well as geographical division across the world is also carries out. Growth drivers, limitations, the future aspects of every section, and other properties of the global market have been discussed intensively. These characteristics help Cellphone Image Sensor market report in deciding the standing future of the market across the world.This report covers overall features and analysis of the Cellphone Image Sensor market form fundamental information of the market to moving further to different important criteria including current rules, policies, and regulations as well as global industrial chain. Besides production chain, goods and services, key producers, demand and supply of these goods, pricing structure and revenue for the Cellphone Image Sensor market are also covered in this report. Major application areas of the global market are also discussed in terms of their performance.Browse full report with TOC @Estimation of the properties of demand and supply, manufacture capacity, and the chronological presentation has also provided in this report.The report provides the profile of the leading and Niche Company, and market statistics released by reputed private and public organizations.The analysis of the revenue forecast of all the major regions and application in terms of dollars has included in the report. The market report gives a complete judgment of Cellphone Image Sensor market through SWOT analysis.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Fever-Tree Market 2017  By Analyzing the Performance of Various Competitors

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SUMMARYWiseGuyReports published new report, titled Success Case Study: Fever-Tree - Mixer brand capitalizing on premium spirits trends"Success Case Study: Fever-Tree - Mixer brand capitalizing on premium spirits trends", is part of Successes and Failures research. It examines the details of and reasons behind the success of the Fever-Tree premium mixer, which has grown significantly in the UK and is also expanding internationally. It delivers the critical "what?", "why?", and "so what?" analysis to teach you crucial lessons that increase your chances of launching successful products.Alongside the brand's popularity and industry recognition, the company's revenue has also been steadily increasing. The 2016 financial year in particular was a significantly successful year for the company. According to preliminary results, the Fever-Tree brand's revenue was 102.2m globally, registering year-on-year growth of 73%, and its gross profit was 56.4m with 83% year-on-year growth. Other mixer brands, such as Coca-Cola's Schweppes, have not been able to sustain similar successes in terms of sales value and volume, especially in the UK.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- Fever-Tree is a "natural" premium mixer brand claiming to feature high-quality ingredients. The award-winning mixer brand has made an impact in the considerably mature overall mixer market, eroding established brands' sales.- Fever-Tree mixers have a distinctive character and its premium positioning caters to key consumer trends - such as premiumization, the craft movement, and connoisseurship - that are trending in the alcoholic beverage market.- Consumers prefer to drink at home rather than outside, and this cocooning trend has fueled the success of Fever-Tree.- Observing market trends can inspire new product development, identifying market trends and creating a brand that fills a gap in the market.Key points to buy- Use selection of successful and failed product launches and marketing campaigns from across the globe to inspire innovation.- Reduce the risk of failure by learning from brands/products that have under-performed: failed innovation can severely impact profit and reputation.- Understand the relevant consumer trends and attitudes that drive and support innovation success so you can tap into what is really impacting the industry.- Gain a broader appreciation of the fast-moving consumer goods industry by gaining insights from both within and outside of your sector.- Access valuable strategic take-outs to help direct future decision-making and inform new product development.Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 51.2 List of Figures 62 Executive Summary 72.1 Fall in OECD Countries Carbon Emission despite a Global Rise during 2010-2015 72.2 Technological Advancements and Government Support Driving Global Renewable Power Installations 72.3 Top 10 Countries Account for Over 85% of Wind Power Capacity 72.4 Renewable to Stock Up Maximum Installed Capacity by 2030 82.5 Wind Power to become one of the Primary Sources of Electricity in the Future 93 Introduction 103.1 Carbon Emissions, Global, 2001-2016 103.2 Primary Energy Consumption, Global, 2001-2025 123.3 Wind Power, Global, Technology Definition and Classification 143.4 Wind Power Market, Technology Overview 153.5 Wind Power Market, Turbine Components 153.6 Report Guidance 17..CONTINUEDFOR ANY QUERY, CONTACT US @For accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) Market 2017 - Eastsong Group, Classic Chemicals, Dong Tao Chem, Xin Tai Water, Innova Corporate

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The Global Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) market report presents a deep analysis of the current state of the markets along with its regional trends. The report has been documented with all the research findings related to the industry in order to support acquisition decisions of the agencies in the Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) market.Download Free Sample Report @All the information collected by our market research team members, even if it was critical to capture. These collected data are essential to fix several determinations for the industry capabilities such as available technologies, standard terms and conditions, industry practices, market trends, availability of services or products and competitive market forces.In the beginning of the report, the Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) Market deals with its comprehensive overview that consists plenty of applications, market definitions, classifications and a complete chain structure of the market. This report is a guide for many key areas that have been mentioned in the market research report to assist the development of the sector of Strategy.The report further contains a competitive landscape of the Global Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) market along with its development history as well as major development trends. The report documentation offers a platform for information sharing, minimize or eliminate of effort duplication, organization of the facilities out from the research results, records preservation, maintaining the official file, providing a base for commerciality decision.Browse full report with TOC @Collecting the research data from Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) market is very essential and this report gives a proper arrangement of that data, which is basically needed for the efficient and effective analysis of the report. This template is a guide to some key areas that should be considered in your market research report and to assist in developing the market research portion of your Acquisition Strategy Panel.The conclusion discloses the descriptive analysis of the most basic market which supported elite players, past as well as information of artistic movement that is capable of functioning of a profitable and trustful guide for all of the Global Polyacrylic Acid(PAA) market competitors.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Reinsurance in Austria Market 2017- By Plan Future Business Decisions Using the Forecast Figures 2020

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WiseGuyReports published new report, titled Reinsurance in Austria, Key Trends and OpportunitiesSynopsis'Reinsurance in Austria, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed analysis of the trends, drivers and challenges in the Austrian reinsurance segment. It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review (20112015) and forecast periods (20152020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the Austrian economy and demographics, and provides a detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Austrian insurance industry.The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Summary'Reinsurance in Austria, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Austrian reinsurance segment, including: The segments growth prospects by reinsurance ceded from direct insurance A comprehensive overview of the Austrian economy and demographics Detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Austrian insurance industry The competitive landscape in the segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Austria: It provides historical values for the segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period. It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Austrian reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020. It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Austria, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.Key points to buy Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Austrian reinsurance segment and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the segment. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Austrian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key Highlights The new Solvency II standard for insurers came into force in Austria and other European Union (EU) countries in January 2016. The non-life segment ceded 31.1% of its premium in 2015, followed by the personal accident and health segment with 13.3% and the life segment with 2.4%.Table of Contents1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Reinsurance outlook5 Competitive Landscape6 Natural Hazards7 Definition and Methodology8 About Timetric..CONTINUEDFor accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) bUSiness sector reports as cUStom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Bio-fertilizers Market is Estimated to Be Worth US$4,092.1 Mn By the End of 2025

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Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been serving as an active source to cater intelligent research report to enlighten both readers and investors. This research study titled Biofertilizers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025 Get Free Sample Report @Biofertilizers are the substances which make use of the living micro-organisms and are applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil. They promote the growth of the plants by supplying adequate amount of nutrients and improve the quality and yield of the crops. The three major biofertilizers existing in the market are nitrogen fixing bio-fertilizer, phosphate mobilizing bio-fertilizer and potassium mobilizing bio-fertilizer. Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing phosphorous, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances. The benefits of Biofertilizers include longer shelf life, less contamination, better survival on seeds and soil, high commercial revenues and export potential. Biofertilizers help to increase the nutrient absorbing surface area beyond the depletion zone of the root. Different kinds of soil micro-organisms belonging to several taxa of the bacteria, fungi, and protozoa kingdoms, colonizing the rhizosphere or the plant tissues and promoting plant growth, can be utilized for the production of Biofertilizers.Global Biofertilizers Market: SegmentationGlobal bio-fertilizer market can be segmented on the basis of product and applications. The product segment of bio-fertilizer market includes nitrogen fixing bio-fertilizer, phosphate mobilizing bio-fertilizer and potassium mobilizing bio-fertilizer. In terms of application, global biofertilizer market can be categorized into cereals and grains, fruits and vegetables, oil seeds and pulses and others segment including nursery turfs and ornamental plants.The report estimates and forecasts the Bio Fertilizers market on the global, regional and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2017 and 2025 based on volume (Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2016 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the Biofertilizers market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the Bio Fertilizers market on the global, regional and country level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of Biofertilizers and global average price trend analysis.Browse Full Report with TOC @Global Biofertilizers Market: Research MethodologyThe report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the Biofertilizers market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and regions have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for Biofertilizers between 2017 and 2025.The study provides a comprehensive view of the Biofertilizers market by dividing it into, product, application, and geography segments. The product segment of the biofertilizers market is classified as nitrogen fixing, phosphate mobilizing and potassium mobilizing fertilizers The Biofertilizers market, by application has been categorized into oil seeds & pulses, cereals & grains, fruits & vegetables and others. The regional analysis of global biofertilizer market include includes the current and forecast consumption of biofertilizers in North America (U.S, Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America) , Europe (Germany, France, Russia, Spain, CIS, Greece, Ukraine, Italy, Serbia, and Rest of Europe),Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN (Excluding Indonesia and Vietnam), Japan, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), and Middle East & Africa (Iran, Israel, Nigeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Rest of Middle East & Africa).Favorable regulatory scenario in highly developed regions such as North America and Europe are driving the market of global biofertilizers.Send an Enquiry @Global Biofertilizers Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include PotashCorp Agri Life, Bodisen Biotech, Inc. , Italpollina SpA , Protan AG , Novozymes A/S , Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. , T. Stanes & Company Limited , Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited Symborg S.L, & Rizobacters Argentina S.A. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to Food & Agricultural Organization(FAO), International Fertilizer Association (IFA), National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) and International Fertilizer Society (IFS). Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Check Discount @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research 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.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Kenya Oil and Gas Market 2017-By Facilitate Decision-Making and Analyzing Market Data on 2022

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Summary"Kenya Midstream Oil and Gas Industry Outlook to 2022 - Market Forecasts for Oil Storage and Pipelines", is a comprehensive report on midstream oil and gas industry in Kenya. The report provides details such as name, type, operational status and operator for all active and planned (new build) oil storage terminals and major trunk pipelines in Kenya till 2022. Further, the report also offers recent developments and latest contracts awarded in the countrys midstream sector.Scope- Updated information related to all active and planned oil storage terminals and major trunk pipelines in the country, including operator and equity details- Key mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, private equity and initial public offerings in the countrys midstream oil and gas industry, where available- Latest developments and awarded contracts related to midstream oil and gas industry in the countryGET SAMPLE REPORT @Reasons to buy- Gain a strong understanding of the countrys midstream oil and gas industry- Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of capacity data- Assess your competitors major oil storage terminals and major trunk pipelines in the country- Analyze the latest developments and awarded contracts related to the countrys midstream oil and gas industry.Table of Content: Key Points1 Table of Contents 11.1. List of Tables 31.2. List of Figures 42. Introduction 52.1. What is This Report About? 52.2. Market Definition 53. Kenya Oil Storage Industry 73.1. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Key Data 73.2. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Overview 73.3. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Storage Operations 73.3.1. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Total Storage Capacity 73.4. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Storage Capacity Share by Area 93.5. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Storage Capacity by Major Companies 103.6. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Storage Capacity by Terminal 113.7. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Asset Details 123.7.1. Kenya Oil Storage Industry, Active Asset Details 124. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry 324.1. Kenya Oil Pipelines 324.1.1. Kenya Oil Pipelines, Key Data 324.2. Kenya Oil Pipelines, Overview 324.3. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Crude Oil Pipeline Length by Company 324.4. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Crude Oil Pipelines 344.5. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Petroleum Products Pipelines Length by Company 344.6. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Petroleum Products Pipelines 354.7. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Oil Pipelines Asset Details 364.7.1. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Oil Pipelines Active Asset Details 364.7.2. Kenya Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Oil Pipelines Planned Asset Details 435. Recent Contracts 495.1. Detailed Contract Summary 495.1.1. Awarded Contracts 496. Recent Developments 55ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook: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 RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Automotive Lubricants Market is Expected to Get 475 Million Gallons Globally By 2021

Automotive Lubricants Market

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The global automotive lubricants market is expected to reach more than 475 million gallons by 2021 and is projected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 8% during the forecast period. The rising disposable profit will increase the sale of vehicles thereby drive the automotive lubricants market. In addition, the growing demand for heavy-duty vehicles and light passenger vehicles are expected to fuel the growth of the market. However, the explosive price of raw materials is expected to hamper the growth of the automotive lubricants market.In this report, the global automotive lubricants market is segmented by type and region. The market on the basis of type is segmented into grease and transmission fluids, gear oil, and engine oil.The global automotive lubricants market is segmented on the basis of key regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to the largest market in 2016 and is expected to continue the same trend during the forecast period. Furthermore, each region is segmented to provide market revenue for select countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, China, Japan, India, Brazil, and GCC countries. The report includes a detailed study of the global and regional automotive lubricants market and analyzes the variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.You Can Browse Full Report:BP Plc, Chevron Corporation, ExxonMobil Corporation, ConocoPhillips Corporation, Fuchs Lubricants Co., LUKOIL Oil Company, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Total S.A., Valvoline, Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., The JX Nippon Oil & Energy Co., and Repsol S.A. are the most active players in the automotive lubricants market.This report covers the automotive lubricants market, in terms of value, and forecasts the market size till 2021. In addition, the report identifies key growth segments and opportunities in the industry. This report also covers detailed competitive outlook including the share and company profiles of the key players in the global automotive lubricants market. Company profile includes company summary, financial summary, business strategy and planning, SWOT analysis, and current developments.Request Sample Report:The deep-dive study on the automotive lubricants market will help customers with the identification of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans. The report provides global market trends, with data from 2013, estimates for 2014 and 2015, and projections of CAGRs through 2021. A glimpse of the report structure is provided in the report description available on the website.Media Contact1 INTRODUCTION2 Research Methodology3 Premium Insights4 Industry Trends5 Automotive Lubricants Market in Africa, By Country6 Competitive Landscape6.1 Overview6.2 Expansions and Agreements: Most Popular Growth Strategies6.3 Maximum Developments in 20146.4 Competitive Situations and Trends6.4.1 Developments7 Company Profiles7.1 Key Players for Automotive Lubricants in Africa7.2 Royal Dutch Shell PLC.7.3 Exxon Mobil Corporation7.4 BP PLC.7.5 Chevron Corporation7.6 Total S.A.7.7 Petrochina Company Limited7.8 Sinopec Limited7.9 Lukoil7.10 Fuchs Petrolub AG7.11 Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.About UsMarket Research Engine (MRE) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. MREs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each Market Research Engines research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Media ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States
Consumer Payments Country Snapshot Indonesia Market 2017  By Analyzing the Performance of Various Competitors

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SUMMARYWiseGuyReports published new report, title Consumer Payments Country Snapshot: Indonesia"Consumer Payments Country Snapshot: Indonesia 2016", report examines the consumer payments market in Indonesia, considering payment cards, online payments, P2P payments, and newer payment technologies such as mobile wallets and contactless. The report also examines the main regulatory players overseeing the market.Indonesia remains a cash-driven economy, although new payment technologies are expected to gradually increase in importance, with e-commerce and mobile payments in particular predicted to drive significant growth and opportunities through 2021. The modernization of the countrys payments infrastructure and the National Non-Cash Movement promoted by Bank Indonesia will support the transition to digital payments. However, this change will take time to spread throughout the market.Specifically the report - Analyzes consumer attitudes to financial services by lifestage.- Analyzes the major payment card types in terms of both card holding and usage.- Identifies the major competitors in card issuing and how their position in the market has changed over the last five years.- Considers consumer attitudes towards P2P tools, mobile payment tools, and contactless cards, and how companies in Indonesia are deploying these tools to meet customer needs.- Explores the online payment market in Indonesia by merchant type and payment tool, as well as providing a five-year forecast for the development of the market.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- While cash remains an important traditional payment tool in Indonesia, cards will be used more frequently as the move to non-cash payments accelerates.- There is significant future growth potential in e-commerce, which will be driven by an increase in mobile internet penetration as well as the emerging middle class.- In spite of recent progress, Indonesias payment acceptance network is still underdeveloped, with only 1 point of sale terminal per 246 people and 1 ATM per 2,501 people in 2015.Key points to buy- Understand the key facts and figures in the consumer payments market in Indonesia.- Learn what trends drive consumer behavior at the macro level and plan your strategy accordingly.- Find out what products the major competitors are launching in the market.- Discover consumer sentiments towards various payment tools in the Indonesian market and use this knowledge to inform product design.Table of ContentsMegatrendsProximity PaymentsRemote PaymentsPayments Infrastructure & RegulationAppendixFor accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Gum Philippines Market 2017 - Current and Future Plans

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Pune, India, 9th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Gum (Confectionery) Market in Philippines - Outlook to 2021: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics.SummaryGum (Confectionery) Market in Philippines - Outlook to 2021: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of Gum market in Philippines.Gum Confectionery includes all bubble and chewing gum (including functional gum and sugar free gum). Also includes dental gums.Gum market in Philippines registered a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.80% during the period 2011 to 2016 with a sales value of PHP 5,834.33 Million in 2016, an increase of 3.34% over 2015. The research handbook provides up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2016 and illustrative forecast to 2021 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Gum and its variants Bubble Gum, Chewing Gum.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Furthermore, the research handbook details out Sales Value for top brands for the year 2013 to 2016, Demographic Analytics and overall market sales by Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Department Stores, Dollar Stores, Variety Store, Cash & Carries and Warehouse clubs, eRetailers, Food & Drinks specialists, Drug stores & Pharmacies, Health & Beauty Stores, Other general retailers and others) where ever applicable.The research handbook acts as an essential tool for companies active or planning to venture in to Philippines's Gum (Confectionery) market. The comprehensive statistics within the research handbook provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting.Sales Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency of country and Volumes are represented in M Kilograms.Scope- Overall Gum (Confectionery) market value and volume analytics with growth analysis from 2011 to 2021.- Value terms for the top brands.- Distribution channel sales analytics from 2013-2016.Reasons to buy- Get access to authoritative and granular data on the Gum (Confectionery) market and fill in the gaps in understanding of trends and the components of change behind them.- Enhance your understanding of the market to update your strategic and tactical plans based on volume and value changes, brand dynamics and distribution trends.- Analyze the components of change in the market by looking at historic and future growth patterns.- Use the data to understand future patterns of the market trends from winners and losers to category dynamics and thereby quickly and easily identify the key areas in which you want to compete in the future.Table of Content: Key Points1 Gum Market Overview2 Philippines Gum Market Analytics, 2011-212.1 Gum Value Analytics, 2011-212.1.1 Gum Market by Value, 2011-212.1.2 Gum Market Value by Segments, 2011-212.2 Gum Volume Analytics, 2011-212.2.1 Gum Market by Volume, 2011-212.2.2 Gum Market Volume by Segments, 2011-212.3 Philippines Gum Demographic Analytics, 2012-162.3.1 Philippines Gum Demographic Analytics by Age Group, 2012-162.3.2 Philippines Gum Demographic Analytics by Education Level, 2012-162.3.3 Philippines Gum Demographic Analytics by Gender, 2012-162.3.4 Philippines Gum Demographic Analytics by Urbanization, 2012-163 Philippines Gum Market Analytics, by Segment 2011-213.1 Bubble Gum Analytics, 2011-213.1.1 Bubble Gum Market by Value, 2011-213.1.2 Bubble Gum Market by Volume, 2011-213.2 Chewing Gum Analytics, 2011-213.2.1 Chewing Gum Market by Value, 2011-213.2.2 Chewing Gum Market by Volume, 2011-214 Philippines Gum Brand Analytics by Value, 2013-164.1 Gum Brand Analytics by Value, 2013-165 Philippines Gum Brand Analytics by Volume, 2014-165.1 Gum Brand Analytics by volume, 2014-166 Philippines Gum Distribution Channel Analytics by Value, 2013-166.1 Gum Distribution Channel Analytics by value, 2013-16ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook: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 RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Overview of Cloud Access Security Brokers Market in Global Industry : Demands, Insights, Research and Forecast 2017-2024

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Albany, NY, 9th November : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Cloud Access Security Brokers Market (Cloud Deployment Type: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS; Software Type: Cloud-based, On-premise; Software Solution: Control & Monitoring, Risk & Compliance Management, Cloud Data Encryption, Data Leakage Prevention, Tokenization; Services: Consulting, System Integration, Operation & Maintenance) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024" globally.Cloud access security brokers (CASB) are cloud security solution platforms deployed to protect organizations critical and sensitive data. With technological advancements and lack of storage infrastructure by SMBs, most information is stored in cloud silos. Owing to the rising threat of security breaches and data leakage, CASB services are gaining vital significance in the cloud security domain.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The solutions encompassed under CASB include control & monitoring, risk & compliance management, cloud data encryption, data leakage prevention, and tokenization. The aforementioned solutions have led the CASB market to grow substantially well and attain significant market position. The CASB market is expected to advance at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2016 to 2024 evaluating at a market size of US$ 13,218.5 Mn in 2024, from US$ 3,371.4 Mn in 2015.This research study, titled Cloud Access Security Brokers Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015  2023, provides strategic analysis of the global Cloud Access Security Brokers market, along with the market growth (size in US$ Mn) forecast for the period from 2016 to 2024. The report includes an in-depth analysis of the market drivers, restraints, and industry trends. It also highlights the growth opportunities for CASB services in the next few years.The research report provides a comprehensive assessment of stakeholder strategies, and the imperatives for success in the CASB market. The report also includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on deployment type, components encompassing software and services of CASB, and in-depth cross-sectional scrutiny across different geographical segments of the cloud security systems market. In order to aid in strategic decision-making, the report includes the winning strategies adopted by key players. The report segregates the CASB market geographically into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.View Complete TOC with tables & Figures @For a detailed understanding of the CASB market, all these segments have also been estimated in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) for the geographies mentioned above. The market research study analyzes the CASB market worldwide, and provides historical revenue estimates in terms of US$ Mn for 2014 and 2015, along with the market forecast for the period 2016 to 2024. Market forecasts have been analyzed considering the impact of various economic, political, social, legal, operational, and technological factors influencing market growth.The CASB market is segmented as follows:Cloud Access Security Brokers Market, by Cloud Deployment TypeSoftware as a Service (SaaS)Platform as a Service (PaaS)Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)Cloud Access Security Brokers Market, by ComponentsSoftwareCloud-basedControl and MonitoringRisk & Compliance ManagementCloud Data EncryptionData Leakage PreventionTokenizationOn-premiseControl and MonitoringRisk & Compliance ManagementCloud Data EncryptionData Leakage PreventionTokenizationServicesConsultingSystem IntegrationOperation and MaintenanceCloud Access Security Brokers Market by GeographyNorth AmericaThe U.S.Rest of North AmericaEuropeEU7CISRest of EuropeAsia-Pacific (APAC)JapanChinaAustralasiaRest of APACMiddle East and Africa (MEA)Browse Report @GCC CountriesNorth AfricaSouth AfricaRest of MEALatin AmericaBrazilRest of Latin AmericaResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Nov, 9 2017: Insert Automotive Thermostat Market Forecast 2023 Fishman TT, Borgwarner, Mahle, Kirpart, Shengguang, Vernet

Insert Automotive Thermostat

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Insert Automotive Thermostat Market Research 2017A market study "Global Insert Automotive Thermostat Market" examines the performance of the Insert Automotive Thermostat market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Insert Automotive Thermostat market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Insert Automotive Thermostat market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Insert Automotive Thermostat Market 2017 report includes Insert Automotive Thermostat market Revenue, market Share, Insert Automotive Thermostat industry volume, market Trends, Insert Automotive Thermostat Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Insert Automotive Thermostat Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Insert Automotive Thermostat Market 2017 :MahleStantBorgwarnerHellaKirpartVernetTAMANippon ThermostatGatesBG AutomotiveFishman TTMagalTembNingbo Xingci ThermalDongfeng-Fuji-ThomsonWantai Auto ElectricShengguangInsert Automotive Thermostat Market : By ApplicationPassenger CarCommercial VehicleInsert Automotive Thermostat Market : By TypeStandard Automotive ThermostatMAP-Controlled Automotive ThermostatFirstly, the report covers the top Insert Automotive Thermostat manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Insert Automotive Thermostat report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Insert Automotive Thermostat industry, Insert Automotive Thermostat industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Insert Automotive Thermostat Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Insert Automotive Thermostat research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Insert Automotive Thermostat market revenue worldwide.Finally, Insert Automotive Thermostat market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Analysis of Web Real Time Communication Market in Global Industry : Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2017-2023

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Albany, NY, 9th November : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Web Real Time Communication Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2023" globally.Web Real Time Communication (Web RTC) is an open source application programming interface (API) originated by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Web RTC enables end-users with voice calling, video chat and peer to peer file sharing between browsers without the support of any external plugin. World Wide Web Consortium is the international standard organization for the development of standards world wide web.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The W3C tries to establish compatibility among industry service providers for adoption of global standards developed by them. The internet protocols required for web RTC are developed, managed and standardized by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).Web RTC comprises of three APIs, GetUserMedia (), PeerConnection () and DataChannels (). The GetUserMedia () request the user for permission to get access to input devices such as microphone and camera. The PeerConnection () establishes a connection between local device and remote device. The DataChannels () represents a bidirectional data channel between both the peers in the connection.Web RTC provides time efficient, easily accessible and encrypted commercial telephony system. Web RTC is an open source API, hence could be easily accessed by the application developers. This has led to heavy adoption of web RTC in developing communication solutions at a lower cost compared to traditional systems. Web RTC does not depend on platform and device on which it is integrated, thus would attract global customers.Get Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Furthermore, web RTC provides better video and audio quality at a lower cost with enhanced security level compared to other telecommunication systems, thus could drive the growth of global web RTC market. Web RTC adapts and adjusts itself according to the changing network conditions. It adjusts according to bandwidth availability and avoids network congestion, thus increases efficiency of the network. The organizations enabled with web RTC technology products could improve customer interaction, promotional activities and increase their sales in a cost-effective way. The growth in customer facing industries such as retail, healthcare and hospitality would further boost the growth of web RTC market. However, web RTC is still an emerging technology, therefore has various challenges such as privacy issues with use of public internet and data security. These issues are expected to restrain the growth of global web RTC market. With big players such as Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation not supporting web RTC technology, the market is expected to face a hurdle in its growth.Web Real Time Communication Market: SegmentationWeb RTC market is broadly segmented on the basis of type, solution and geography. On the basis of type, the web RTC market can be segmented into software and services whereas, on the basis of solution it can be segmented as video calling solutions, voice solutions, messaging solutions and file sharing solutions. The software segment of the market provides software which have web RTC functionality whereas service segment provides the technology and API to integrate web RTC in their existing websites.Moreover, in terms of geographies, the global Web RTC market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America regions. Web RTC technology show its strong presence in North America as technological advancements and heavy investments are made by the players of this region. AsiaPacific and Europe are also adopting web RTC significantly due to tremendous growth seen in usage of web based applications.Web Real Time Communication Market: Key PlayersThe major participants in the web RTC market include companies such as Google Incorporation, Mozilla Corporation, Cisco Systems Inc., Opera Software ASA, TokBox, Twilio, Alcatel-Lucent S.A., Voxeo Corporation, American Telephone & Telegraph Corporation and Avaya Inc.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types and applications.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedValue ChainRegional analysis includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaAsia PacificJapanWestern EuropeEastern EuropeMiddle East & AfricaBrowse Report @The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts, and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors, along with market attractiveness within the segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and various geographies.ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Nov, 9 2017: Acoustic Ukulele Strings Market Forecast 2023 Dunlop, Aquila, LaBella, Cordoba, Martin, Black Diamond

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Acoustic Ukulele Strings Market Research 2017A market study "Global Acoustic Ukulele Strings Market" examines the performance of the Acoustic Ukulele Strings market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Acoustic Ukulele Strings market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Acoustic Ukulele Strings market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Acoustic Ukulele Strings Market 2017 report includes Acoustic Ukulele Strings market Revenue, market Share, Acoustic Ukulele Strings industry volume, market Trends, Acoustic Ukulele Strings Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Acoustic Ukulele Strings Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Acoustic Ukulele Strings Market 2017 :AquilaBlack DiamondCordobaDAddarioDunlopGHSLaBellaMartinOasisAcoustic Ukulele Strings Market : By ApplicationConcert UkuleleSoprano UkuleleBaritone UkuleleBass UkuleleAcoustic Ukulele Strings Market : By TypeSteel Core StringsSynthetic Core StringsFirstly, the report covers the top Acoustic Ukulele Strings manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Acoustic Ukulele Strings report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Acoustic Ukulele Strings industry, Acoustic Ukulele Strings industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Acoustic Ukulele Strings Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Acoustic Ukulele Strings research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Acoustic Ukulele Strings market revenue worldwide.Finally, Acoustic Ukulele Strings market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov, 9 2017: Activated Coal Market Forecast 2023 Shanxi Huaqing, Fujian Xinsen, Cabot, Ningxia Huahui, Calgon, TaiXi Coal

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Activated Coal Market Research 2017A market study "Global Activated Coal Market" examines the performance of the Activated Coal market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Activated Coal market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Activated Coal market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Activated Coal Market 2017 report includes Activated Coal market Revenue, market Share, Activated Coal industry volume, market Trends, Activated Coal Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Activated Coal Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Activated Coal Market 2017 :Cabot(Norit)CalgonOSAKA GAS(Jacobi)MWVCECA SAKURARYXbow CarbonFujian YuanliNingxia HuahuiShanxi XinhuaTaiXi Coal GroupShanxi HuaqingShanghai XingChangJiangsu ZhuxiJianou ZhixingFujian XinsenActivated Coal Market : By ApplicationPhysical reactivation (Steam reactivation)Chemical reactivationPhysical and chemical reactivationActivated Coal Market : By TypePowdered activated carbon (R1, PAC)Granular activated carbon (GAC)Extruded activated carbonBead activated carbon (BAC)Firstly, the report covers the top Activated Coal manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Activated Coal report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Activated Coal industry, Activated Coal industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Activated Coal Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Activated Coal research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Activated Coal market revenue worldwide.Finally, Activated Coal market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Development of Wireless Charging Market in Global Industry : Trends and Application 2017

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Albany, NY, 9th November : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Wireless Charging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2023" globally.Wireless charging is recharging batteries of electrical devices with no physically connected cables. Currently, charging of devices is an important aspect of business is response to power intensive applications. Mobile manufacturers such as Samsung, Nokia, LG Electronics and HTC are positioning phones with wireless charging to drive demand at the high end.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The global wireless charging market is segmented by application into consumer electronics, industrial, medical, automotive and defense. Consumer electronics is expected to be the largest application segment in the wireless charging market.On the basis of geography the market is segmented as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle-east and Africa and Latin America. High volumes of electronics devices such as smartphones and laptops in Asia Pacific make it the most promising region for wireless charging market. However, United States is the largest regional market for wireless charging. Increase in adoption of wireless charging for industrial applications and growing awareness of wireless power technology among consumers propels market growth in this region.On the basis of technology wireless charging market is segmented as Inductive, RF and Resonant. Inductive technology is mature and has high demand in wireless charging market owing to its use in all the applications. On the other hand, RF and resonant technologies are gaining traction in the wireless charging market. Companies such as Qualcomm and Samsung support resonant technology which allows charging multiple devices simultaneously.Get Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and Power Matters Alliance (PMA) are the three groups present in the wireless charging market. Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) uses Qi standard commonly found in smartphones whereas Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) uses resonance technology which is still in the early stages of development. Interoperability between these groups is of prime importance for the wireless charging market. Companies such as AT&T are seeking a commitment to one standard of wireless charging from their handset vendors.Wireless Charging Market: Trends and DriversThe penetration of wireless charging is expected to increase in wearable devices over the years. Wireless charging market is expected to experience a boom in electrical vehicles too. In-car charging and wireless charging of electrical vehicles are the key trends in the automotive industry. Rise in electrical vehicles manufacturing globally will help in the wireless charging market growth. Significant investments in R&D are being made by the market participants, wherein the leading players are focusing on improving the power transmission range. This would facilitate charging of devices wirelessly over long distances, subsequently expanding the application base. However, retaining the costs low is the key challenge for the wireless charging devices market.Wireless Charging Market: Competitive ScenarioWireless charging market is highly fragmented with start-ups and large market participants. Players are trying to distinguish themselves on the basis of quality and affordability. Few of the key players in the wireless charging market include Qualcomm Inc., Fulton Innovation LLC, Texas Instruments, Inc., WiTricity Corporation, Convenient Power HK Ltd., Integrated Device Technology, Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Duracell Powermat (Procter & Gamble Co.), Energizer Holdings, Inc, Oregon Scientific, Inc. and Anker among others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types and applications.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedValue ChainRegional analysis includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaAsia PacificJapanWestern EuropeEastern EuropeMiddle East & AfricaThe report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts, and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors, along with market attractiveness within the segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and various geographies.Report highlights:Detailed overview of parent marketChanging market dynamics in the industryIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and valueRecent industry trends and developmentsCompetitive landscapeStrategies of key players and products offeredPotential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective on market performanceMust-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintThe report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisBrowse Report @The regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Growth of 3D Concrete Printing Market in Global Industry : Trends and Application 2017-2024

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Albany, NY, 9th November : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "3D Concrete Printing Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" globally.3D concrete printing is a technologically advanced and innovative method used for constructing predesigned building components with the help of 3D concrete printers. The technology holds the promise of substantially optimizing the construction industry in terms of construction cost, time, error reduction, flexibility in design, and environmental impact.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Past experiments have successfully acknowledged the technologys expertise on all these fronts and the technology is being steadily adopted on a larger scale around the globe. The field of 3D concrete printing is receiving increased focus from construction companies across the globe. These companies mainly focus on experimenting with different concrete mixes and printing machines to bring about further developments in this construction technique.With construction companies making continuous efforts to bring 3D concrete printing in mainstream construction, the global 3D concrete printing market is projected to gather significant momentum in the next few years. The report provides a 360-degree overview of the market, covering crucial market-related details about the key elements and segments of the market. The report examines the impact of the major growth drivers, challenges, and trends on the markets future growth prospects, underlining both the most lucrative and the most unprofitable investment areas.Global 3D Concrete Printing Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe rate at which construction companies, researchers, and technologists are coming together in the development of 3D concrete printing techniques is commendable. A variety of concrete mixes, such as shotcrete, ready-mix concrete, limecrete, precast and stamped concrete, and high-density concrete, are already in the market and many more effective mixes are being introduced at a steady pace. Construction companies are increasingly utilizing the technique to formulate building elements such as panels, lintels, roofs, floors, walls, and pavement slabs.Get Complete TOC with tables & Figures @The market is expected to receive a healthy boost from developing regions such as Asia Pacific and some parts of Latin America in the near future. The construction sector in these regions is projected to lead to an increased demand for cost-effective building elements fabricated through 3D concrete printing techniques to complement the several new infrastructure development and building construction projects.Global 3D Concrete Printing Market: Region-wise OutlookThe report examines the global 3D concrete printing market from a geographical standpoint and segments it into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. The market for 3D concrete printing in Asia Pacific is currently the fastest-growing regional market, primarily owing to the rising disposable incomes and rising population in the region, which have led to a major rise in new construction projects in the past years. China exhibits attractive opportunities for the Asia Pacific 3D concrete printing market. The growth witnessed by the market in China is due to the presence of some prominent innovators in the country, government backing, rising awareness regarding the benefits of 3D printing techniques, and an expanding set of applications.Global 3D Concrete Printing Market: Competitive LandscapeSeveral construction companies are actively experimenting with a variety of 3D printing techniques and more will do so over the forecast period. The Chinese company WinSun constructed 10 houses using 3D concrete printing in under 24 hours recently. The Dutch company Universe Architecture has designed the worlds largest 3D printer that uses sand as a binder for creating a stone-like material.Over the forecast period, many more companies will utilize 3D concrete printing technologies in a variety of construction activities. The market does not have many companies at present and thus products are limited in variety as well. Hence it faces the issue of lack of standardization. However, as more companies venture in the 3D concrete printing arena, products will become more standardized, sophisticated, and even more cost competitive. Some of the major companies currently operating in the global 3D concrete printing market are WinSun Global, Universe Architecture, Skanska, DUS Architects, Sika, Carilliom Plc., Fosters + Partners, and LafargeHolcim.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Browse Report @The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Global Gypsum Market Size, Share, Growth Drivers, Market Trends, Statistics And Forecast 2017 - 2020

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Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been serving as an active source to cater intelligent research report to enlighten both readers and investors. This research study titled Gypsum Market - Global Industry Expert Opinions Analysis Get Free Sample Report @The research report on the global gypsum market throws light on how this industry has survived the global economic meltdown that had begun in 2008. The report discusses the evolution of the gypsum market over the years via comprehensive analysis of key demand determinants, supply side trends, resource procurement, and glaring industry bottlenecks.The report analyzes and evaluates pricing trends in the gypsum market. Furthermore, the market study defines the structure of the gypsum market via systematic classification and detailed segmentation. The research report offers useful insights into the ongoing gypsum industry trends prevailing in a few of the key regions namely, Europe, North America, Asia, and Rest of the World.Browse Full Report with TOC @Considering the present scenario in the gypsum market, one can predict the success of new market entrants with much confidence. In addition, the report highlights the fact that the gypsum market will be characterized by consolidation at the global platform. Mergers and acquisitions will be the primary focal points under this type of global consolidation. The research study brings out interesting market facts; one being the frequent acquisitions of large and well established companies.The research study analyzes the effects of globalization on the gypsum market and additionally even the trends in export and import. Apart from enumerating the restraints and demand inhibitors, the market study explores strategies that enable prospective market players to have a competitive edge over its competitors.Send an Enquiry @Saint Gobain, Eurogypsum, Gypsum Management and Supply Inc. (GMS Inc.), Gyptech, Lafarge, Knauf, Drywall, BPB Plc, USG Corporation, and National Gypsum Company are the prominent forerunners in the overall gypsum market. The gypsum market recently witnessed the acquisition of a San Diego based company, J&B Material Inc., by GMS Inc. Via such a strategic business alliance, the latter aims at capturing a significant market share in the potential markets of Hawaii and California.The report analyzes the aforementioned market participants on the basis of parameters such as company profile, product specification, production capacity, price trends, demand overview, supply side features, and future market forecasts.Check Discount @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research 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.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Osteoporosis Osteitis Deformans Therapeutics Pipeline Analysis - Clinical Trials & Results, Patent, Designation, Collaboration

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Osteoporosis osteitis deformans also known as Paget's disease of bone, is a condition that causes enlarged and weakened bones. The cause of pagets disease is still unknown and can occur in the any bone of the body such as the spine, leg bones, skull, and pelvis and can lead to fracture, arthritis in joints and bone pain.Access Report Overview:Pressure on nerves, headache, hearing loss, increased head size, hip pain, are some of the symptoms observed in the patients with pagets disease. The disease can be diagnosed by alkaline phosphatase blood test and bone scans. The treatment of pagets disease of bone comprises but is not limited to osteoporosis drugs such as Alendronate, Pamidronate and Zoledronic acid.Request to Sample :Some of the companies having a pipeline of osteoporosis osteitis deformans include Novartis AG, Dexa Medica Group, Bayer AG, and others.Enquiry :The report provides a comprehensive understanding of the pipeline activities covering all drug candidates under various stages of development, with the detailed analysis of pipeline and clinical trials. Pipeline analysis of drugs by phases includes product description and development activities including information about clinical results, designations, collaborations, licensing, grants, technology, and others.Contact:Mr. Kundan KumarManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +18887787886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.com
Business Process Management Worldwide Market, By Solution & Data Validation, Analysis and Forecast 2022

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According to Publisher, the Global Business Process Management (BPM) market is accounted for $5.51 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $17.96 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 18.4%. The factors that are fueling the market growth include increasing business dexterity, cost efficiency and return on investment from BPM suites. Whereas factors such as impedance to BPM solutions from IT staff, delusion about BPM solutions among end-users and perception of BPM as an IT matter are hindering the market growth.North America is estimated to be the largest market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The US is undeniably the world's biggest market for BPM. Until 2010 North America accounted for more than half of the global BPM market by revenue. The top 3 BPM software vendors, Pega, IBM and Oracle, are headquartered in the United States. With a suite of products that perk up every year, IBM is the global leader in the business process management market. Organizations are starting their digital transformation, which means a shift towards using an intelligent business process management suite (iBPMS) by rethinking their business models and processes to tackle customer expectations.For more information atSome of the key players in global market include Oracle Corporation, Microsoft Biz Talk Server, IBM Corporation, Software AG, Fujitsu, Capgemini, Global 360, Opentext, Inc., Appian Corporation, Adobe, BP Logix, Inc., SAP, Pegasystems, Inc., Fabasoft, Hewlett Packard, Red Hat, Inc. and Tibco Software.Organization Size Covered:- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES)- Large EnterpriseDeployment Types Covered:- Cloud- On-PremisesSolutions Covered:- Automation- Content and Document Management- Integration- Monitoring and Optimization- Process Modelling- Other SolutionsServices Covered:- System Integration- Training and EducationBusiness Functions Covered:- Accounting and Finance- Human Resources- Manufacturing- Operations and Support- Sales and Marketing- Supply Chain Management- Other Business FunctionsRequest Sample Copy:Verticals Covered:- Defense and Government- Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)- IT and Telecom- Healthcare- Retail- Manufacturing- Transportation and Logistics- Automotive- Other VerticalsRegions Covered:- North Americao USo Canadao Mexico- Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe- Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific- Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao Egypt13 Company Profiling13.1 Oracle Corporation13.2 Microsoft Biz Talk Server13.3 IBM Corporation13.4 Software AG13.5 Fujitsu13.6 Capgemini13.7 Global 36013.8 Opentext, Inc.13.9 Appian Corporation13.10 Adobe13.11 BP Logix, Inc.13.12 SAP13.13 Pegasystems, Inc.13.14 Fabasoft13.15 Hewlett Packard13.16 Red Hat, Inc.13.17 Tibco SoftwareMake an enquiry:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Chile: Market Key Trends, Investments, Challenges, Opportunities and Forecast by 2021

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Market Research Hub (MRH) has included a new research report titled Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Chile Key Trends and Opportunities to 2021, which provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment, and a comparison of the Chilean insurance industry with its regional counterparts. It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (2012-2016) and forecast period (2017-2021).Request Free Sample Report @The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Chilean economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together MRH research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Summary:MRH 'Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Chile Key Trends and Opportunities to 2021' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment, including:An overview of the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segmentThe Chilean personal accident and health insurance segments growth prospects by categoryA comprehensive overview of the Chilean economy and demographicsA comparison of the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment with its regional counterpartsThe various distribution channels in the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segmentDetails of the competitive landscape in the personal accident and health insurance segment in ChileDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Chilean insurance industryScope:This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal accident and health insurance segment in Chile:It provides historical values for the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment for the reports 20122016 review period, and projected figures for the 20162021 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2021.It provides a comparison of the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment with its regional counterpartsIt provides an overview of the various distribution channels for personal accident and health insurance products in Chile.It profiles the top personal accident and health insurance companies in Chile, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons to Buy:Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Chilean personal accident and health insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the personal accident and health insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Chilean insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Browse Full Report with TOC @Key Highlights:In February 2017, the government of Chile government enacted the Law No 21,000, that will replace the existing insurance regulator Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS) with the Financial Markets Commission (CMF). The transition is expected to be completed by 2017.On January 29, 2015, the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS) issued a third paper on risk-based capital frameworks.Personal accident and health was the smallest segment in the Chilean insurance industry in 2016, accounting for 9.7% of the industrys direct written premium.Table of Content:1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Segment Outlook4.1 Regional Comparison4.2 Segment Indicators4.2.1 Gross written premium and penetration4.2.2 Active policies4.2.3 Claims4.2.4 Profitability4.2.5 Assets and investments5 Outlook by Category5.1 Personal Accident Insurance5.1.1 Premium5.1.2 Active policies5.1.3 Claims5.1.4 Profitability5.2 Health Insurance5.2.1 Premium5.2.2 Active policies5.2.3 Claims5.2.4 Profitability5.3 Travel Insurance5.3.1 Premium5.3.2 Active policies5.3.3 Claims5.3.4 Profitability6 Distribution Channel Outlook7 Competitive Landscape7.1 Company Profiles7.1.1 Metlife Chile Seguros De Vida SA-company overview7.1.2 Consorcio Nacional de Seguros SA-company overview7.1.3 Bice Vida Compaa de Seguros SA-company overview7.1.4 Chilena Consolidada Seguros de Vida SA-company overview7.1.5 Seguros de Vida Sura SA-company overview.continueMake an Enquiry @About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of Insurance market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients and customers.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
The Global Nasal Implant Market is Projected to Register a Significant CAGR of 6.0% over the Forecast Period i.e. 2016-2023, according to Research Nester

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Nasal Implant Market: Global Demand, Growth Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023The global nasal implant market is segmented into material such as synthetic, and biological. Additionally, synthetic segment is further sub-segmented into metal (titanium), ceramics and polymers (silicon, polyethylene, PTFE, polyamides and polyesters). Moreover, biological segment is further sub-segmented into autograft, xenographt, allograft and alloplast. Among these segments, synthetic segment is projected to attain a remarkable CAGR by 2023. Likely, increasing incidences of nasal tumors across the globe is envisioned to propel the growth of nasal implant market. Moreover, supportive government initiatives are also positively impacting the growth of nasal implant market.Global nasal implant market is expected to register a considerable CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period. Moreover, the global nasal implant market is anticipated to reach at noteworthy revenue of USD 698.7 Million by 2023. The market is expected to expand on the back of increasing number of population of suffering from heavy snoring and sleep apnea.The hospitals segment by end user is envisioned to capture the biggest market of overall nasal implant market by the end of 2023. In terms of regional platform, North America region captured the largest market of nasal implant in terms of revenue in 2015. Additionally, U.S. is the major contributor in the market of nasal implant in this region due to high rate adoption of advanced healthcare technologies. Moreover, Asia-Pacific region is the most lucrative market due to emerging economies such as India and China. Moreover, presence of highest number of geriatric population in Japan coupled with increasing disease related with nose is predicted to elevate the market of nasal implant in near future.Request Report Sample@Technological Advancement in Nasal ImplantGrowing advancement in nasal implantation such as development of biodegradable techniques and drugs along with introduction of grafting and implanting material are predicted to significantly foster the growth of global market of nasal implant. Furthermore, rising adoption of biodegradable techniques for nasal implant is also fuelling the growth of nasal implant market.Increasing Prevalence of Nasal Related DiseasesGrowing incidences of nasal related disease such as nasal tumours, sleep apnea and others along with rising old age population across the globe is anticipated to flourish the growth of nasal implant market. Further, growing awareness regarding nasal related diseases is also projected to bolster the market of nasal implant. On the contrary, high cost and lack of awareness related with nasal implant is expected to hamper the Growth of Nasal Implant Market by 2023.The report titled Nasal Implant Market: Global Demand, Growth Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023 delivers detailed overview of the global nasal implant market in terms of market segmentation by material, by end user and by region. Further, for the in-depth analysis, the report encompasses the industry growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, BPS analysis and Porters five force model.Request For TOC Here:This report also provides the existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the global nasal implant market which includes company profiling of Surgiform Technologies LLC, Sientra, Inc., Stryker Corporation, KLS Martin L.P Medartis AG, Johnson & Johnson, Implantech , TMJ Concepts and Nagor. The profiling enfolds key information of the companies which encompasses business overview, products and services, key financials and recent news and developments. On the whole, the report depicts detailed overview of the global nasal implant market that will help industry consultants, equipment manufacturers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.Research Nester is a leading service provider for strategic market research and consulting. We aim to provide unbiased, unparalleled market insights and industry analysis to help industries, conglomerates and executives to take wise decisions for their future marketing strategy, expansion and investment etc. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Our out of box thinking helps our clients to take wise decision so as to avoid future uncertainties.Buy This Premium Reports Now @Research Nester is a leading service provider for strategic market research and consulting, serving clients from 120+ countries across the globe. We aim to provide unbiased, unparalleled market insights and industry analysis to help industries, conglomerates and executives to take wise decisions for their future marketing strategy, expansion and investment etc. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Our out of box thinking helps our clients to take wise decision so as to avoid future uncertainties.Contact for more Info:Name:- Ajay Daniel1820 Avenue M, Suite# 1113,Brooklyn, New York 11230Email: ajay.daniel@researchnester.comU.S. +1 646 586 9123U.K. +44 203 608 5919
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Market Research Expected To Experience The Highest Growth In The Upcoming Future

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Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Market research report helps to get access to industry data and upcoming trends which will give you avenues to know about the market. This report gives opportunities to go through with industry analysis, share and forecast, Providing brief description about the market size its competitors and product identification.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaIndiaRequest For Free Sample Of The Report @Global Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingRobert BoschContinentalAutolivNissin KogyoWabcoZF TRWHyundai MobisDenso CorporationHitachi Automotive SystemsAdvicsOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoElectronic Control Unit (ECU)SensorsHydraulic UnitObtain Report Details @On 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 Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) for each application, includingPassenger VehiclesCommercial VehiclesIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About UsAlltake Market Research is division of the Alltake LLC. that offers premium quality market intelligence, market research, industry analysis reports & forecast data for different domains across the business industry.Alltake Market Research understands the importance of market analysis for any strategy that is implemented in any organization or association. In order to provide the best solution, Alltake Market Research have associated with major organizations within market research and consultancy firm. This portfolio offers market analysis report at one place for different business verticals. Alltake Market Research ensures to offer you with the most reliable and quality market research available.Contact UsAlltake Market Research16192, Coastal Highway Lewes,DE 19958, United StatesUS - 188 8587 9717UK - 4480 0680 0195Email sales@alltakemarketresearch.com
Commercial agents claim for compensation following voluntary termination

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A commercial agent may even be entitled to compensation if he or she voluntarily issues notice of termination. However, the companys conduct needs to give rise to legitimate grounds for termination for this to happen.When a commercial agency agreement is brought to an end, the commercial agent often has a right to compensation. This is because the company in a lot of cases continues to profit from the client contacts that the commercial agent secured. There may be a right to compensation if the commercial agent terminates the agreement himself, but only if certain conditions are met; the companys conduct must give rise to legitimates grounds for terminating the agreement. We at the commercial law firm GRP Rainer Rechtsanwalte note that a ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Munchen [Higher Regional Court of Munich] from February 2, 2017 has clarified that this is not the case if the company has merely omitted of its own accord to offer the commercial agent a reduction in rent to enable the commercial agent to obtain sufficient profits (Az.: 23 U 2749/16).In the instant case, a filling station tenant had himself terminated the commercial agency agreement due to poor profits and demanded compensation in his capacity as a commercial agent. However, the OLG Munchen ruled that the tenant was not entitled to this claim, stating that a commercial agent cannot unilaterally shift his or her entrepreneurial risk onto the company.The OLG went on to say that the requirements pertaining to legitimate grounds are less stringent than those in relation to good cause for termination, meaning that for these purposes no-fault or even lawful conduct on the part of the company may be enough. The Court held that it is necessary as well as sufficient for the companys conduct to create a bona fide unacceptable situation for the commercial agent.This was not the case here, it being irrelevant that the company had opened another filling station approx. 1.4 kilometres away. The Court ruled that this had not demonstrably led to profit losses, especially since both parties had agreed to a reduction in the rent. The company could also not be accused of having rejected an application brought by the tenant to take over another filling station, as the latter in his capacity as a commercial agent was subject to a legal prohibition on competition for the duration of the contractual period.Before issuing notice of termination, commercial agents ought to carefully assess whether they are risking their right to compensation by doing so. Lawyers who are experienced in the field of commercial law can offer advice.GRP Rainer LLPis an international firm of lawyers and tax advisors who are specialists in commercial law. The firm counsels commercial and industrial companies and corporations, as well as associations, small- and mid-sized businesses, self-employed freelancers and private individuals worldwide from offices Cologne, Berlin, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and London UK.Contact Michael RainerLawyer, Managing PartnerGRP Rainer LLPGurzenich-QuartierAugustinerstrae 1050667 CologneGermanyPhone: +49 221-27 22 75-0info@grprainer.com
Live Cell RNA Detection Market show exponential growth by 2027

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RNA plays an important role in cell and tissue development as well as disease progression thus it is considered to be a major target for analysis of various diseases and disorders. In RNA detection, the study gets done to understand the gene expression patterns and determine the roles of genomic elements in cellular function and dysfunction. In live cell RNA detection, a study of the live cell gets done to understand that how one cell within a population responds to its environment. In live cell detection various techniques used to detect specific mRNA and microRNA in live cells while leaving the cells undisturbed and intact for further analysis. It also allows dissection of cell in RNA metabolism, RNA transcription, post-transcriptional processing, post-transcriptional regulations, nuclear export and RNA decay.A sample of this report is available upon request @The increasing research and development activities in molecular diagnostics sector and increasing availability of various new methodology and techniques has become the growth opportunity for the live cell RNA detection market.The global live cell RNA detection market is segmented on the basis of techniques, applications and end user.On the basis of techniques, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into:Linear oligonucleotide probeLinear FRET probeAutoligation FRET probeMolecular beaconMS2-GFPBgl-mCherrylN-GFPPUM-HDSpinach RNA tracking systemOn the basis of application, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into:DiagnosticsResearch and developmentDrug discoveryOn the basis of end user, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into:Biotechnology companiesAcademic institutesClinical research organizationsThe global live cell RNA detection market is expected to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The increasing applications of RNA detection techniques in the genetic disorder detection and the increasing prevalence of cancer diseases boost the demand for the live cell RNA detection and drive the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The advantages of live cell RNA detection over the conventional techniques as conventional techniques failed to provide important spatial, temporal information, also anticipated to propel the demand for the live cell RNA detection and boost the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market over the forecast period. The funding by the various regulatory bodies and governments also expected to bolster the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market.However, the high cost of reagents and devices required for live cell RNA detection may hamper the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The stringent rules and regulatory guidance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may also hinder the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The lack of skilled personnel to perform the detection, also restrain the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market over a forecast period.On the basis of regional presence, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The North America is dominating and contributed the leading shares to the live cell RNA detection market in terms of revenue and expected to register a significant growth over a forecast period due to the developed laboratory infrastructure and availability of skilled personnel in the region. The Europe has also contributed the moderate shares and registered a healthy growth rate to the global live cell RNA detection market followed by North America. The APEJ has become the lucrative market for live cell RNA detection and anticipated to register significant shares over the forecast period due to the increasing research and development activities along with government support and funding in the region. The Latin America and MEA are at a nascent stage to the global live cell RNA detection market and expected to show a moderate growth over a forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Live Cell RNA Detection Market: Key PlayersSome of the market players in live cell RNA detection Market globally include Merck KGaA, BioTek Instruments, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., MilliporeSigma, Promega Corporation, Biomol GmbH, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. and Qiagen Diagnostics. The market is currently witnessing a number of strategic collaboration and partnership activities by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Contact UsFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market to increase rapidly by 2027

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a broad term used for defining progressive lung diseases like emphysema, refractory asthma, chronic bronchitis and some other forms of bronchiectasis. The symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are so common that sometimes people fail to understand that they are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and consider it as normal cold, cough and symptoms of aging. Symptoms are sometimes not even visible in the early stages of disease and the disease remains undiagnosed for a long time. The symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease include wheezing, tightness in the chest, frequent coughing and increased breathlessness. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be treated using different types of drugs and therapies including oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. In case of extreme severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease surgery is recommended which includes lung volume reduction surgery, lung transplant and bullectomy.A sample of this report is available upon request @According to the data of British Lung Foundation approximately 1.2 billion people were suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the U.K. alone in 2011. Also according to the COPD Foundation approximately 30million Americans were suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in 2013. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This data demonstrates the ever increasing demand of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment worldwide and hence also shows the potential that the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market holds.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe most important factors that are expected to drive the growth of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease market includes the ever increasing number of cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease globally. Also the change in the lifestyle is responsible for increasing the habits like smoking and increase in the number of genetic disorders which in turn are responsible for raising the number of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients. Other factors that can boost the revenue from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market are rising expenditures on healthcare that is leading to the adoption of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatments in the emerging economies. Increase in the level of awareness has also lead to the early diagnosis of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease so that people can go for the treatment of the disease.Factors that can limit the growth of the therapeutic enzymes in the forecast period include the fact that not all the patients who are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are aware of the fact that they are suffering from the disease and therefore do not go for the treatment of the disease. Also sometimes people get to know about their disease when the disease cant be cured by only medication and therapies and surgery becomes mandatory. This factor can also lead to a slow growth in the revenue from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: SegmentationChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market can be segmented on the basis of components and end user.On the basis of componentDrug ClassBronchodilatorsSteroidsPhosphodiesterase-4 inhibitorsTheophyllineAntibioticsDelivery SystemsOralInhalationOn the basis of end userHospitalsPrivate clinicsOut-patientsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: OverviewChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market is a growing market and is expected to see an even higher growth in the forecast period. Factors such as increase in the population suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease worldwide and increasing awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are responsible for fueling the growth of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market. Betterment of the healthcare infrastructure in Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa is also responsible for the revenue growth of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market in the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: Region-wise OutlookChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market is in its growth phase and hence this market is expected to see very high growth in the emerging economies like Latin America and Asia Pacific due to high population growth in these regions. North America Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market is the most developed market in terms of revenue, followed by Europe. Middle East and Africa are also expected to see higher growth due to growing advancement in the healthcare infrastructure.About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Contact UsFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Cell Line Development Services Market Intelligence with Competitive Landscape 2027

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Cell is the basic unit of life, cell line are the culture developed from a single cell, the cell line is developed in the lab under natural conditions where cell can grow and proliferate indefinitely. The cell line growth need various nutrients and growth factor. The stem cell are generally pick for culture, cell line is categories in three segment according to the sources, as normal taken from tumor tissue, transformed in which normal cell went change under genetic to be tumor cells and stem cell which is can generate different cell type and based on morphology the cell is segmented into three type, as epithelial, lymphoblast and fibroblastA sample of this report is available upon request @Cell Line Development Services Market: Drivers and RestraintsCell line development services is a growing market over the forecast period, as the players and research institutes are come with more advanced technology and applications. The cell line technology are vastly used in various research and biotechnology industry. The factor which affect the market of this segment is the increased demand of monoclonal antibodies and high demand of vaccines for both human and animals. High cost and the awareness about the product and its application is the hindrances for this market.Cell Line Development Services Market: SegmentationCell line development services segmented based on:Based on Product Type:Media and ReagentsEquipmentOthersBased on Type:Primary Cell LinesContinuous Cell LinesHybridomasRecombinant Cell LinesBased on Application:BioproductionDiagnosticsVaccinesRecombinant Protein TherapeuticsTissue Engineering & Regenerative MedicinesDrug DiscoveryToxicity TestingPharmaceutical and Biotechnology ResearchCell Line Development Services Market: OverviewCell line development services are increasing over the forecast period as the application area is increasing and the participation of research institutes have also increased to explored the application, such as cancer, cell development. The number of patients suffering from cancer will affect the market growth and also the support provided by the government agency to increase the biotechnological research activities. For instances, in April 2017, Solentim launched VIPS (Validated In-situ Plate Seeding) a new single cell dispensing system for cell line development.Cell Line Development Services Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, Cell Line Development Services Market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is the potential market as players are located in the region and increasing the research and institutes. Europe and Asia Pacific is also holding the market share which a significant growth and hold major number of research activities. MEA is also a growing market as the awareness is creating about the services.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Cell Line Development Services Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in Cell Line Development Services Market include: Lonza, MabPlex Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Solentim Ltd, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Selexis, Corning, Inc, Wuxi App Tec, Inc. and Sartorius AG.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Contact UsFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Drinks Packaging Market by Key Vendors, Drivers, Application and Forecast To 2020

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The hot drinks packaging market in the US will post a CAGR of 2.93% during the forecast period. Coffee exports in the US are estimated to be worth $4 billion in 2016, with Americans consuming 400 million cups of coffee every day, making them the leading consumers of coffee in the world.The market is divided into the following segments based on material type:-Plastic-GlassFor More Information About This Report:Key vendors:-Amcor-Ball-Bemis-Graham Packaging-Mondi-Owens-Illinois-PrintpackOther prominent vendors:-Silgan Holdings-All American Containers-AptarGroup-Crown Holdings-Mead WestvacoRequest Sample Copy At:Market Driver:-High efficiency of packaging machines-For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket Challenge:-Increased concern of coffee staling-For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket Trend:-Innovative packaging by private labels-For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire For This Report At:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Software Defined Everything Market is expected to grow at USD 143 Billion by Forecast to 2022

Software Defined Everything Market

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Market Scenario:Software Defined Everything can be explained as a system which is controlled by advance software components and hardware components that is constructed in a virtual and physical space. Software-defined everything term is referred for a number of computing technologies. These include software-defined storage, software-defined networking and software-defined data centres.The global Software Defined Everything market is expected to grow at USD 143 billion by the end of year 2022 with 29.47% of CAGR.With Software-Defined Everything Market, the computing infrastructure is virtualized and delivered as a service. In a Software-Defined Everything environment, management and control of the networking, storage and/or data center infrastructure is automated by intelligent software rather than by the hardware components of the infrastructure. In software defined everything by type the software-defined networking (SDN) is expected to hold largest share of market and to grow at highest CAGR by the forecast period.Software-defined storage (SDS) is a new method to data storage in which the programming that controls storage-related tasks are decoupled from the physical storage hardware. Basically, a storage infrastructure that is managed and automated by an intelligent software is software defined storage. The software defined storage has many benefits over the traditional storage systems as increased flexibility, automated management and cost efficiency.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players Dell Inc. (U.S.) Hewlett Packard Enterprise (U.S.) VMware Inc. (U.S.) Extreme Networks (U.S.) Nexenta Systems Inc. (U.S.) Riverbed Technology (U.S.) Silver Peak (U.S.) Metaswitch Networks (U.K) Pivot3 (U.S.) Infoblox (U.S.)Intended Audience Technology Providers Cloud Service Providers Software distributors Software developing companies Research Institutes GovernmentRegional Analysis:High developments in field of technology and presence of developed countries under such as U.S. and Canada in the North America results to dominate the software defined everything market. Being the region with developed countries they are open to adopt all new developments and technologies. The region reflects major adoption for SDNs and is moving towards SDDCs.North America market is expected to grow at USD 33.52 billion by the end of forecast period. Followed by North America Europe holds the second biggest market for SDE where countries such as U.K., Germany and Italy are the major contributors in the market growth due to the growing telecommunication and IT industry. Europe is considered as a financial hub wherein UK is the key player. The growth of SDE market in BFSI segment is contributing to Europes share in the SDE market.Segments:The Global SDE Market has been segmented on the basis of Type, Application and Region. On the basis of Types, the market has been segmented on the basis of Software Defined Networking, Software Defined Storage, Software Defined Data Center whereas on the basis of Application, the market has been segmented as BFSI, IT and Telecommunication, Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare among others.Browse Full Report Details @Table of Contents1. Introduction1.1 Market Drivers 91.1.1 Introduction 91.1.2 Low Cost Of Maintenance 101.1.3 Growing Market of Cloud Computing 101.1.4 Growing IOT Market 111.2 Market Inhibitors 121.2.1 Security Issues 121.2.2 Technical Skills Shortage 131.3 Supply Chain Analysis 141.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis 15Continued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Growth of Beer Market with Focus on Craft & Premium Beer Market in Global Industry : Overview, Size and Share 2017

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Albany, NY, 9th November : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Beer Market with Focus on Craft & Premium Beer Market: Size, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2020)" globally.The report titled Global Beer Market with Focus on Craft & Premium Beer Market: Size, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2020), provides an in-depth analysis of the global beer market with detailed geographical analysis of major markets such as the US, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. The report also includes analysis of craft and premium beer in the US and other markets. Growth of market has also been forecasted for the period 2016-2020, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The report also includes detailed analysis of leading players in the global beer industry including attributes such as business overview, recent developments, financials and strategies adopted by the market leaders in order to ensure growth, sustainability, etc.Company CoverageHeinekein Holding NVAB InBev SADiageo PLCExecutive SummaryBeer market by category is broadly divided into premium, super premium and draught. One of the popular beer categories, Craft beer refers to beer that is not brewed by one of the big "mega-brewery" corporations. Globally, beer market has been following premiumization trend with growth advent in craft beer and premium beer segment.Get Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Global beer market is driven by rising demand from emerging markets, increasing market penetration of premium and craft beer; and growth opportunity in Asian markets. However, factors such as high regulation in craft brewing industry, distribution challenges from hypermarkets, emergence of alternative beverage categories and falling consumer demand are posing challenge to growth of the industry. Key trends prevailing in the industry includes rising consolidation in the global beer industry and growth of premium beer brands globally.Table Of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Beer Market: Overview2.2 Beer Industry Analysis by Production2.3 Beer Market: Outlets3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Beer Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Beer Market Size by Value3.1.2 Global Beer Market Size by Value Forecasted3.1.3 Global Beer Industry Profit Growth3.1.4 Global Beer Market Size by Volume3.1.5 Global Beer Market Volume Share by Region3.1.6 Global Beer Market Volume Share by CompetitorsBrowse Report @3.2 Global Beer Market: Pricing Analysis3.2.1 Global Beer Market Pricing AnalysisResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Automotive Wheel Bearing Industry Sales, Supply and Consumption 2017 Analysis and Forecasts to 2022

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This report studies Automotive Wheel Bearing in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa, focuses on the top 5 Automotive Wheel Bearing Players in each region, with sales, price, revenue and market share for top 5 manufacturer, coveringSKFSchaefflerNTNNSKILJINJTEKTWanxiangNachi-FujikoshiGKNHubei New TorchTIMKENGMB CorporationHarbin BearingFKG BearingCU GroupWafangdian BearingPFIXiangyang Automobile BearingXiangyang XinghuoShaoguan SoutheastChangzhou GuangyangChangjiang BearingRequest a Sample Report @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales, revenue, market share of top 5 players in these regions, from 2012 to 2017 (forecast), likeNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Korea)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia etc.South America (Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina)Middle East and Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Saudi Arabia)Split by Product Types, with sales, revenue, price, market share of each type, can be divided intoGen.1Gen.2Gen.3Split by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Automotive Wheel Bearing in each application, can be divided intoPassenger VehicleCommercial VehicleAccess Complete Report@Table of Contents2017 Top 5 Automotive Wheel Bearing Manufacturers/Players in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa1 Automotive Wheel Bearing Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Automotive Wheel Bearing1.2 Automotive Wheel Bearing Segment by Types1.2.1 Global Sales Market Share of Automotive Wheel Bearing by Types in 20151.2.2 Gen.11.2.3 Gen.21.2.4 Gen.31.3 Automotive Wheel Bearing Segment by Applications1.3.1 Automotive Wheel Bearing Consumption Market Share by Applications in 20151.3.2 Passenger Vehicle1.3.3 Commercial Vehicle1.4 Automotive Wheel Bearing Market by Regions1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Asia-Pacific Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Middle East and Africa Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Automotive Wheel Bearing (2012-2022)2 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue (value) and Market Share by Players2.1 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share in 2015 and 2016 by Players2.2 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share by Players in 2015 and 20162.3 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Average Price by Players in 2015 and 20162.4 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types by Players2.5 Automotive Wheel Bearing Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Automotive Wheel Bearing Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Automotive Wheel Bearing Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Players2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue (Value) by Regions, Type and Application (2012-2017)3.1 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3.1.1 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3.1.2 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3.2 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Price by Type (2012-2017)3.2.1 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)3.2.2 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)3.2.3 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Price by Type (2012-2017)3.3 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)3.4 Global Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 North America Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue and Price4.1 North America Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 20164.1.1 North America Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share in 2015 and 20164.1.2 North America Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 20164.2 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Price by Type (2012-2017)4.2.1 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2.2 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2.3 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Price by Type (2012-2017)4.3 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)4.4 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Country (US, Canada and Mexico) (2012-2017)4.5 North America Automotive Wheel Bearing Import & Export (2012-2017)5 Europe Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue and Price5.1 Europe Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 20165.1.1 Europe Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share in 2015 and 20165.1.2 Europe Top 5 Players Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share in 2015 and 20165.2 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Price by Type (2012-2017)5.2.1 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2.2 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2.3 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Price by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.4 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Sales and Market Share by Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia) (2012-2017)5.5 Europe Automotive Wheel Bearing Import & Export (2012-2017)ContinuedMake an enquiry before buying this Report @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
Dental Barrier Membrane Market 2022 - Industry Survey, Market Size, Competitive Trends, Outlook and Forecasts

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QY Research Groups states the newly formulated research report on Dental Barrier Membrane market to their group of offerings. The report based on the Dental Barrier Membrane market renders a summary of this market segment including, classification, definition, applications, strategies, segments, process of manufacturing, product specs, value structures, geography-based regional analysis and value chain analysis. The market report provides exclusive highlights to key challenges and potential opportunities along with crucial statistics and data with present situation, forecasts, insights, etc. The research report puts light on prime dynamics of this market sector.Get Sample Copy of this Report @The report comprises of thorough analysis of this market on a global level which impacts the market in terms of restrains, growth drivers, and vital trends. It will determine the market prospects in the coming years along with the profitable areas in the industry. This exhaustive report on global Dental Barrier Membrane market enables customers to evaluate the predicted future sales in the global market and in several regions with financial outcomes, interviews and forecasting returns. This report examines the import and export and accordingly compares the market directing on the development trend.Key features of the report: Industry overview including definitions, segments, classification based on products, application, geographical region and competitive market share Comprehensive evaluation of the market Statistically backed and industry validated market data Statistical analysis and factual data Forecasts of the market for the set time frame Developments and outlook based on the business SWOT analysis, qualitative analysis and commercial developments and product profiles Important participants, market trends, company profiles and business plansGeographical insights:The report on the global Dental Barrier Membrane market enables the user have an extra edge across the focuses regions along with all-inclusive competitive framework. It studies the market based on various segments at regional level paired with profit, rate, price, forecast and approximates. The report examines this industrys market in various segments to determine and predicts the growth prospects for the future. Keeping in mind the current market size and future prospects, the report cloaks the regional analysis of the current market trends. It talks about the present market situation of the Dental Barrier Membrane in several major geographical locations such as Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific coupled with analysis of many countries markets for the demand for Dental Barrier Membrane like United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, United States, China and Japan.Browse full report with Table of Content @Competitive Landscape:With the existence of substantial number of market players, the global Dental Barrier Membrane Market is characterized. This market report enables distinguishing crucial organizations accountable for maximum potential. It assists a customer stay at the forefront by identifying the commercial prospects, capabilities, and development of the prime market players. The report states the newest enhanced technologies along with the main industry players which are profiled in this market report. Analysis of micro and macro elements important for the current market players and novel entrants enables the user to assess the competitive dynamics. The commercial insights and market analysis of Dental Barrier Membrane Market will make the customer remain knowledged with the worthy business intellect on this market.Ask for Discount @Some points from TOC:-Global Dental Barrier Membrane Market Research Report 20171 Dental Barrier Membrane Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Dental Barrier Membrane1.2 Dental Barrier Membrane Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Resorbable1.2.4 Non-Resorbable1.3 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Segment by Application1.3.1 Dental Barrier Membrane Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Clinical Labs1.3.3 Hospitals1.3.4 Others1.4 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Dental Barrier Membrane (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Dental Barrier Membrane Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Enquiry Before Buying @About Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWebsite-
Hydrochloric Acid Market Size, Share, Analysis, Industry Demand and Forecasts Report to 2017

Hydrochloric Acid Market

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Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a clear, colorless, highly pungent solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in water. It is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses.Get a Sample of Hydrochloric Acid Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Hydrochloric Acid in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Hydrochloric Acid Market:Dow ChemicalOlinCovestroOxyChemAxiallINOVYNWestlake ChemicalBASFShin-Etsu ChemicalUNIDOrica WatercareDetrex ChemicalsCanexusSolvayERCO WorldwideDupontCoogee ChemicalsTessenderlo GroupAGCFormosa PlasticsToagoseiChina GreenonHaijing ChemicalXiyang FertilizerShanghai Chlor-Alkali ChemicalLuxi ChemicalSINOPEC Nanjing ChemicalTianyuan ChemicalJinniu ChemicalHongri AcronJiheng ChemicalNanning Chemical IndustryNingbo Oceanking ChemicalGehua GroupHaohua ChemicalScope of the Hydrochloric Acid Industry on the basis of region:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Browse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Hydrochloric Acid Market Report @Market Segment by Type, covers:Synthetic Hydrochloric AcidBy-product Hydrochloric AcidMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Industrial HydrochlorideFood-Class Hydrochloric AcidThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Hydrochloric Acid market.Chapter 1, to describe Hydrochloric Acid Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Hydrochloric Acid, with sales, revenue, and price of Hydrochloric Acid, 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 Hydrochloric Acid, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Hydrochloric Acid market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Hydrochloric Acid sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceCheck for Discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 Hydrochloric Acid Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Synthetic Hydrochloric Acid1.2.2 By-product Hydrochloric Acid1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Industrial Hydrochloride1.3.2 Food-Class Hydrochloric Acid1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force .ContinuedFor more help Speak to our Experts @No. of Report Pages: 118Price of Report (Single User Licence): $4880About Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Global Industry 2017: Sensor Patch Market For Technological Developments & Increasing Adoption of Wearable in Health Monitoring in 2024

Global Sensor Patch Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024

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"Global Sensor Patch Market Report" covers the present scenario and the growth prospects.Global Sensor Patch Market, By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa), By Product (Temperature Sensor Patch, Blood Glucose Sensor Patch, Blood Pressure/Flow Sensor Patch, Heart Rate Sensor Patch, ECG Sensor Patch, Blood Oxygen Sensor Patch); By Application (Monitoring, Diagnostics) By End-Users (Healthcare, Fitness and Sports)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Get Free Sample Report @:The global sensor patch market accounted for USD 33.5 million in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 47.5% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Global Sensor Patch Market of TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTIONCHAPTER 2. MARKET SEGMENTATIONCHAPTER 3 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET: OVERVIEWCHAPTER 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARYCHAPTER 5 PREMIUM INSIGHTSCHAPTER 6 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET, BY PRODUCTCHAPTER 7 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET, BY APPLICATIONCHAPTER 8 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET, BY END-USERCHAPTER 9 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHYCHAPTER 10 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET: COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPECHAPTER 11 GLOBAL SENSOR PATCH MARKET, COMPANY PROFILESCHAPTER 12 APPENDIXCHAPTER 13 ABOUT DATA BRIDGE MARKET RESEARCHRequest for Detail TOC@Sensor Patch Market  Market Segmentation:The sensor patch market is segmented on the basis of product into temperature sensor patch, blood glucose sensor patch, blood pressure/flow sensor patch, heart rate sensor patch, ecg sensor patch, blood oxygen sensor patch, and others. The global sensor patch market is also segmented on the basis of applications into monitoring, and diagnostics.On the basis of end user the global sensor patch market is further segmented into healthcare, and fitness and sports.Purchase Full Report @Based on geography, the market is segmented into five geographical regions: North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East and AfricaThe geographical regions are further segmented into 29 major countries such as U.S. Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Belgium, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, China, Singapore, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and others.Major Players operating in this market areSome of the major players of the global sensor patch market are Abbott Laboratories, Dexcom, Inc., Feeligreen SA, Frontier Smart Technologies Group Ltd., Gentag, Inc., G-Tech Medical, Inc., HIVOX BIOTEK INC., Hocoma AG, iRhythm Technologies, Inc., Isansys Lifecare Ltd., Kenzen, Inc., Leaf Healthcare, Inc., MC10, Inc., Medtronic plc, MTG Co.,Ltd., NanoSonic, Inc., Nemaura Medical Inc., Preventice Solutions, Inc., Proteus Digital Health, Inc., Raiing Medical Company, Sensium Healthcare Ltd., SMARTRAC N.V., Texas Instruments Incorporated, VitalConnect, Inc., X2 Biosystems Inc., among others.Related ReportGlobal Hemostats Market- Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Hemostats Market, By Product Type (Thrombin Based, Combination, Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Based, Gelatin Based, Collagen Based Hemostat), By Indication (Wound Closure, Surgery), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Centers, Community Healthcare, Others), By Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa)  Trends and Forecast to 2024About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog
3D Laser Scanners Market Size Set for Rapid Growth and Trend by 2022 Faro, Trimble, Topcon, Hexagon, Nikon Metrology, Creaform (AMETEK), Teledyne Optech

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MarketStudyReport.com Add New Global 3D Laser Scanners Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 to its research database. The report presents a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. The report spread across 115 pages with table and figures in it.Global 3D Laser Scanners Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 provides Market information about Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application. This Industry report also states Company Profile, sales, 3D Laser Scanners Market revenue and price, market share, market growth and gross margin by regions.3D Laser Scanning is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that digitally captures the shape of physical objects using a line of laser light. 3D laser scanners create point clouds of data from the surface of an object. In other words, 3D laser scanning is a way to capture a physical objects exact size and shape into the computer world as a digital 3-dimensional representation.Request a Free sample PDF of this research to evaluate more:Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the 3D Laser Scanners in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Faro, Trimble, Topcon, Hexagon, Nikon Metrology, Creaform (AMETEK), Teledyne OptechMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers Handheld, Tripod Mounted, Automated & CMM-based, Desktop & StationaryMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Aerospace and Defense, Medical and Healthcare, Architecture and Engineering, Oil and gas, Energy and Power, Automotive and Transportation, Manufacturing and OthersRequest Discount for Global 3D Laser Scanners Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global 3D Laser Scanners market.Chapter 1, to describe 3D Laser Scanners Market Size Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of 3D Laser Scanners Market Size, with sales, revenue, and price of 3D Laser Scanners, 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 3D Laser Scanners, 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 in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the 3D Laser Scanners Market Size by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, 3D Laser Scanners market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe 3D Laser Scanners sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceFor More Info on Market Research @Related Reports: -World SIM Cards Market Research Report 2022 (covering USA, Europe, China, Japan, India, South East Asia and etc)SIM Cards market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
World Frozen Yogurt Market Expected to Grow at CAGR of 14.5% by Forecast to 2022

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Market OverviewYogurt is a food produced by bacterial fermentation of milk which produces lactic acid, generally flavored by adding fruit pulp. It is chosen over the normal yogurt as it offers some extra micronutrients such as proteins, calcium, probiotics, prebiotics and different vitamins. It involves the process of adding micronutrients to yogurt which are generally consumed by consumers of different age. It is enriched with various nutrients, offer diverse range of products. The product comes in two types such as plain & flavored, of which flavored dominates the market.The rise in disposable income, along with a changing consumption pattern, is estimated to drive the growth of this market. The increase in cognizance of the health benefits of the yogurt is also a key driver of this market. The increase in demand from the developing economies due to involvement of organized sector will also provide boost to the industrys growth. These factors will support the growth of fortified yogurt market during the forecast period 2017-2023.Request a Sample Report @Competitive Analysis-The Major Key Players in Frozen Yogurt Market are Yogurtland Franchising, Inc. (U.S.) Menchie's Frozen Yogurt (U.S.) Pinkberry (U.S.) TCBY (U.S.) Red Mango, Inc (U.S.) 16 Handles (U.S.) Danone (France) General Mills, Inc. (U.S.) Amul (India)Established players from North America and Europe are following strategies innovations in their-product line to expand their business in other regions due to increasing demand of frozen yogurt. They are mainly focused on increasing their supply to developed regions where the demand of product is raising. In the Europe region, Spain and Italy are amongst the dominating countries holding a major share in frozen yogurt market and exports the product in various other countries of Europe which include Netherlands, France, U.K. and others.Regional AnalysisFrozen Yogurt Market is segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (ROW). Among these North America region has the major market share followed by Europe. U.S. is found to be concentrated with the established key players in the frozen yogurt market. Raising consumption of frozen desserts imparting high health benefits is supporting the growth of the market in developed countries of North America and Europe region. Italy, Spain, U.K., Portugal and Belgium are the major importers of frozen yogurt.Access Report Details @The Fortified Yogurt market is segmented under the following regionsmentioned below:North America US Canada MexicoEurope Germany France Italy Spain UK Rest of EuropeAsia-Pacific China India Japan Thailand Rest of Asia PacificRest of the world Latin America Middle East OthersAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.ContactAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Animal Health Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market to Reflect a Significant CAGR of 7.3% During 2017-2025

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The global animal health active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) market is projected to register an impressive expansion at 7.3% CAGR during the forecast period 2017 to 2025, according to a recent study by Persistence Market Research (PMR). PMRs study estimates the market to increase from revenues worth US$ 5,216.1 Mn in 2017 to reach US$ 9,162.2 Mn by 2025-end.Asia Pacific (APAC) will continue to be the most lucrative region in the global animal health active pharmaceutical ingredient market, with sales exhibiting the second highest CAGR through 2025. APAC has remained one of the largest API suppliers, at affordable costs. Governments across APAC have been making investments and focusing on local manufacturing facilities of APIs. Favorable policies offered by these governments have been shifting the focus of API manufacturers in moving their production bases to APAC countries, such as India and China. In addition, limited insurance or government intervention provides smooth flow to market growth in these regions.Request to view table of content @However, animal health API products manufactured in APAC countries do not meet regulatory standards, and there has been increasing concerns pertaining to the quality of APIs, especially those produced in China and India. Western regulatory bodies are becoming stricter in the inspection of APIs produced in these regions. Manufacturers are further facing challenges in bridging the gap between the cost and quality of APIs. These factors will inhibit growth of the market in APAC.Europe will remain the second largest market for animal health active pharmaceutical ingredients. Leading healthcare companies are located in the Europe, which in turn has boosted requirement for veterinary APIs in the region. Consumption of veterinary drugs in Europe has surged substantially over the past few years. Spain has been witnessed to be the largest consumer of veterinary antimicrobial APIs in the EU. In addition, rising improvements in the animal productivity has driven growth of the animal health industry in this region. These incidences are expected to augment growth of the animal health API market in Europe.Request Sample Report @However, the pharmaceutical industry in Europe has been concerned with potential short-term impacts of REACH regulations. This is likely to result in decreased supply of materials, or reagents, which are not preregistered by EU suppliers. In addition, dynamic changes in Europes macro-economic environment, such as the Brexit, has been impacting the intra-European trade and overall pharmaceutical sector. These factors might curb growth of the animal health API market in Europe.Antiparasitics will continue to be the largest adopted API in the market, followed by anti-infectives. Sales of Antiparasitics are expected to register the fastest expansion, to account for the largest revenues by 2025-end. In contrast, revenues from sales of anesthetics and NSAIDs will remain comparatively lower than antiparasitics and anti-infectives.Key market players profiled in PMRs report include Glenmark Pharmaceutical Limited., Zoetis, Inc., Eli Lilly & Co., Sanofi Winthrop Industrie (CEPiA), Indukern, S.A., Ofichem BV, P&R S.p.A (Olon S.p.A), Lonza Group AG, Huvepharma AD, Ourofino Saude Animal, Blanver Farmoquimica E Farmaceutica S.A., Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Changzhou Yabang-Qh Pharmachem Co., Ltd., Shanghai Pharmtech Co., Ltd., Ningxia Tairui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shaanxi Hanjiang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Sequent Scientific Ltd., NGL Fine-Chem Ltd., Omkar Speciality Chemicals Ltd., Excel Industries Ltd.Buy Animal Health Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA,Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Network Monitoring Tools Market Size Projected to Rise Lucratively during 2017-2025

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AT present usage of Network monitoring Tools is increasing significantly due to ability of these tools to provide information about problem and information about how to solve it and improve network. These Network monitoring Tools help users to generate log files and performance charts that helps in detailing system capabilities and allow user to change system settings for optimal set-up. These Network monitoring Tools includes software such as application performance management, web monitoring and packet capturing.Network monitoring Tools includes network monitoring process which includes checking of computers, systems, services and other tools to comprise a better network. This Network monitoring Tools also helps network administrator to improve network settings and maintain robust network. These Network monitoring Tools allow user automatically discovers all the networking devices and interfaces, helps in wireless access point monitoring and helps in monitoring other hardware devices.A sample of this report is available upon request @Network monitoring Tools Market: Drivers and ChallengesThe major factor driving the adoption of Network monitoring Tools is the ability of proactive alerts and root cause analysis. These Network monitoring Tools always provides right alerts at right time and provides dashboard about interactive network monitoring software along with other dashboards for world maps, topologies, dependency maps and others. Other factors due to which companies are using Network monitoring Tools are ability to quickly identify network bandwidth issues, and fixing of network problems faster.The key challenge for Network monitoring Tools is the high cost of these Network monitoring Tools and need of other integrated technologies and networks for implementing these Network monitoring Tools. These Network monitoring Tools can be implemented due to high operational cost and requirement of other robust technologies within the existing infrastructure of organization to easily implement these Network monitoring Tools.Network Monitoring Tools Market: SegmentationSegmentation on the basis of Software:The Network monitoring Tools market can be segmented on the basis of software that are provided by Network monitoring Tools vendorsApplication performance managementWeb monitoringProtocol analyzingPacket capturingOthersCompetition Landscape of Network monitoring Tools MarketKey Contract:In August 2016, Flowmon Networks, a network monitoring solution provider has entered into partnership with CyberKombat an attack/defense security operation center. This partnership will help Cyber Kombat to have more visibility in the network traffics along with application layer visibility.In July 2016, Riverbed technology, an application performance company has acquired Aternity, an application performance monitoring tool provider. This acquisition will help Riverbed to provide Network monitoring Tools to its customers better network monitoring solutions on mobile devices, virtual desktops and over cloud.In March 2016, APCON, a network monitoring solution provider has launched Ethernet monitoring solution for network traffic optimization and helps in loading balance traffic to network and security tools.Key Players in Network monitoring ToolsIn Network monitoring Tools market there are many vendors some of them are Riverbed, Zenoss, Nagios, Monitis, Zoho Corporation, Monitortools and others.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Regional OverviewPresently, North America is holding the largest market share for Network monitoring Tools market due to high adoption of Network monitoring Tools among enterprises in various industries for improved auto discovery of data, to increase availability of servers and applications, to determine unresponsive machine and alert user, for faster detection of network outage. In Europe region, the market for Network monitoring Tools is witnessing high growth rate due to the increasing demand for technologies that can allow companies to improve network performance, trend analysis, and network storage, improve working of wireless devices.The Asia Pacific region is following the Europe region in Network monitoring Tools market. This Network monitoring Tools market is expected to have the highest growth rate in coming years due to the adoption of cloud based Network monitoring Tools offerings significantlyAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Graphene Battery Market Report Size, Share, Growth and Forecast to 2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Graphene Battery Market Forecast 2012-2022 The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.A comprehensive research report created through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Graphene Battery Market By Type (Bearer Card, Registered Card), By Application (Oil Fees, Parking, Tolls, Car Wash, Others); By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW) and By Country (USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, China, Japan, South Korea)A comprehensive research report created through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Graphene Battery Market By End Users (Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Aerospace & Defence, Power, Robots, Healthcare), By Battery Type (Lithium Ion, Lithium Sulphur, Supercapacitors, Lead Acid), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW) and By Country (USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Norway, Rest of Europe, China, India, Japan, Australia, Rest of Asia).Increasing electric/hybrid vehicles sales coupled with rising penetration of portable consumer electronic goods across the developed and emerging regions is backing the growth in Global Graphene Battery Market. Additionally, increasing number of renewable power plants is backing the growth of advanced secondary storage graphene battery across various regions.Request a Sample copy@According to Publisher research report, "Global Graphene Battery Market-Analysis By Type (Lithium Ion, Lithium Sulfur, Supercapacitors, Lead Acid), By End-Use Industry, By Region, By Country- Opportunities and Forecast (2017-2022)-By End-Use Industry (Automotive, consumer electronics, Aerospace & Defense, Industrial Robotics, Healthcare, Power); By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW); By Country (U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Norway, China, India, Japan, Australia)" global market is projected to display a vigorous growth represented by a CAGR of over 38.34% during 2016-2024, primarily driven by increasing sales of electric vehicle and rising need for the portable consumer electronic products like smartphone, tablets etc. The new Graphene battery technology is expected to lead the market in the forecast period. Amidst the regions, Europe accounts for the largest regional share in the Global Graphene Battery Market in 2016. However, Asia Pacific is projected to progress at the highest rate, mainly driven by rising consumer population and increasing prevalence of utilisation of clean fuel sources.Complete report is available@Scope of the ReportGlobal Market, By Value (Actual Period- 2012-2016, Forecast Period- 2017-2022)- Global Graphene Battery Market-By Value, By Fuel Volume- By Sensor Type-Registered Card, Bearer Card- By Application-Oil Fees, Parking Fees, Tolls, Car Wash, OthersRegional Markets-North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW (Actual Period- 2012-2016, Forecast Period- 2017-2022)- Graphene Battery Market-By Value, By Fuel Volume- By Sensor Type-Registered Card, Bearer Card- By Application-Oil Fees, Parking Fees, Tolls, Car Wash, OthersTable of Contents:1. Research Methodology2. Executive Summary3. Strategic Recommendation4. Graphene Battery- Product Outlook5. Global Graphene Battery Market- Growth and Forecast6. Global Graphene Battery Market- By Type7. Global Graphene Battery Market- By Application8. Global Graphene Battery Market-Regional Analysis9. Europe Graphene Battery Market- An Analysis10. Europe Graphene Battery Market- Country Analysis11. North America Graphene Battery Market- An Analysis12. North America Graphene Battery Market- Country Analysis13. Asia Pacific Graphene Battery Market- An Analysis14. Asia Pacific Graphene Battery Market- Country Analysis15. Market DynamicsPurchase complete report@RW00011014348/buy/2900ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Cloud ERP Market Analysis, Key Findings, Regional Analysis, Key Players Profiles and Future Prospects

Cloud ERP Market

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Market Scenario:The cloud enterprise resource planning market is increasing at a fast pace due to advancement in technology and internet of things. The cloud ERP market has numerous advantages which includes cloud ERP being cheaper up front, stable and easy to use. The cloud software is hosted on the vendors servers and accessed through a web browser. Growing organizations that want to use ERP as a multi-tiered strategy, cloud ERP is now a compelling option. Two key reasons to consider the cloud as a vital solution include: lower capital expenditures and a significant decrease on IT cost.The Cloud ERP Market is segmented on the basis of deployment type, vertical and organization size. By deployment type segment consists of public, private and hybrid. A public cloud is one based on the standard cloud computing model, in which a service provider makes resources, such as applications and storage, available to the general public over the Internet.Public cloud services may be free or offered on a pay-per-usage model.The global Cloud ERP market is expected to grow approximately at USD 28 Billion by 2022, at approx. 8% of CAGR between 2016 and 2022.Key Players: Microsoft Corporation (U.S.) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) SAP SE (Germany) Infor (U.S.) Ramco Systems (India) IBM Corporation (U.S.) Sage Group Plc. (U.K.) Netsuite Inc. (U.S.) otvs S.A. (Brazil) Syspro (South Africa)Request a Copy of Sample Report @Study Objectives of Cloud ERP Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the cloud ERP market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the cloud ERP market based porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment on the basis of deployment type, organization size and vertical. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the cloud ERP market.Segments:Cloud ERP Market for segment on the basis of deployment type, organization size and vertical.Cloud ERP Market by Deployment Type: Public Private HybridCloud ERP Market by Organization Size: Small and Medium Enterprises Large EnterprisesCloud ERP Market by Vertical: Manufacturing BFSI Healthcare Retail Government Aerospace & Defense IT and TelecommunicationsRegional Analysis:The regional analysis of transport predictive analytics market is being studied for region such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. North America is expected to have the largest market share and dominate the cloud ERP market, due to the presence of large number of cloud ERP solution vendors and early innovative technology adopters across the U.S. and Canada. Asia-Pacific includes emerging economies, such as China, Japan, and India, which are rapidly transforming into business hubs with the regional expansion of global enterprises and the emergence of large number of small and medium enterprises.Access Report Details @Intended Audience Cloud service providers Investors and consultants Government Organizations Research/Consultancy firms Technology solution providers Automotive SectorTable of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Network Deployment Type2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Cloud Erp Market, By Deployment TypeTable 2 Cloud Erp Market, By Organization SizeTable 3 Cloud Erp Market, By VerticalContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Research Network SolutionFigure 2 Cloud Erp Market: By Deployment Type (%)Figure 3 Cloud Erp Market: By Organization Size (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
APM Automation Tools Market Predicted to Rise at a Lucrative CAGR throughout 2025

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Rapid evolution of software applications is creating need for performance management tools which can monitor and optimise the performance of these applications. Applications have evolved from stand-alone applications to client-server applications, distributed applications and recent cloud-based elastic applications. This rapid technological change is causing poor service delivery of businesses as it becomes difficult for software to manage increasing end-user traffic and provide excellent user experience at the same time.APM automation tools provide performance metrics with baselines for applications and monitor these applications to find out any variance from the baseline. The performance metrics are displayed using data visualization which help in easy identification of any application problem.A sample of this report is available upon request @APM Automation Tools Market: Drivers and RestraintsPrimary driver for APM automation tool is the need for operational efficiency of applications to improve end-user experience. Furthermore, rapid increase in mobile app development to fulfil escalating customer requirements will also contribute to the growth of APM automation tools market. APM automation tools help in reducing the downtime related cost and mean-time-to-repair (MTTR). These advantages are expected increase the demand of APM automation tools.However, high cost of the software hampers the market growth as most of the SMBs are reluctant in implementing expensive software. Technological issues such as lack of integrated monitoring capabilities and lack of visibility also pose as major challenges in the adoption of these tools.Global APM Automation Tools Market: Market SegmentationGlobal APM Automation Tools Market can be divided into four segments, based on Component, Type, Deployment and End-user.Segmentation on basis of Component for APM Automation Tools Market:The major segments of APM Automation Tools market on basis of component include:SoftwareServiceSegmentation on basis of Type for APM Automation Tools Market:The major segments of APM Automation Tools market on basis of type include:App Metrics based APMCode based APMNetwork based APMSegmentation on basis of Deployment for APM Automation Tools Market:The major segments of APM Automation Tools market on basis of deployment include:On-premiseCloudHybridSegmentation on basis of End-user for APM Automation Tools Market:The major segments of APM Automation Tools market on basis of end-user include:BFSIIT and TelecomLogisticsRetailHealthcareManufacturingChemicalsOil and MiningOthersGlobal APM Automation Tools Market Technology TrendsTechnological developments such as Cloud and DevOps are expected to create opportunities for APM automation tools. Furthermore, analytics as a component of APM solution will help to improve application quality.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global APM Automation Tools Competitive LandscapeSome of the major APM automation tools vendors include AppDynamics, New Relic, Inc., Dynatrace LLC, Microsoft Corporation, CA Technologies, Inc., BMC Software, Inc., IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, Dell Inc, AppNeta, and Riverbed Technology Inc. among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Business Intelligence Market Overview, Top Key Players, Growth Analysis and Segments by Forecast to 2022

Business Intelligence Market

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Market Highlights:Business intelligence is process which is driven by data analysis and presentation of prosecutable information to help corporate executives to make more expert business decisions. Business intelligence encircled around a wide range of tools, applications and techniques that empower organizations to collect data from both internal and external sources, arrange it for analysis, develop and run queries against the data. The BI accommodate operational data and analytical tool that presents captious information to business users within the organization. The potentiality of business intelligence solution is to helping organization in producing improved business decision over accurate and more absolute analysis of vacant corporate data assets.Business Intelligence programs potential benefits includes advanced and improving decision making in the organizations. The BI system provides past present and future view of business operations.it optimize internal business processes, it could also be an important asset for a companys sales force as it provides access up to the minute reports to identify sales trends and product improvements. Business intelligence helps organization in increasing operational efficiency and gaining competitive advantage over the competitors. BI provides more accurate resource allocation and inventory management. The rapid changes in business environment and the integration of information for better performance management are some of the major driving factors for the growth of the business intelligence market.The global Business Intelligence Market is expected to grow from US ~$16.3 Billion in 2016 to USD 34.3 Billion by 2022 at the CAGR of ~11.03%. The lack of skilled and proficient workforce is one of biggest challenge faced by most of the organization while implementing this tool hence acts as a major constraints in the growth of this market.Major Key Players: Verizon wireless (U.S.) Rackspace (U.S.) AT&T (U.S) Cisco Systems (U.S.) IBM Corp. (U.S.) Juniper Networks (U.S.) VMware (U.S.) SAP SE (Germany) Microsoft Corp (U.S) SAS Institute (U.S)Request a Sample Report @Study Objectives of Global Business Intelligence Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global business intelligence market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the global business intelligence market based porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by technology, service, deployment, component, organization, and industry. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market.Segments:The Global business intelligence market has been segmented on the basis of, technology, service, component, deployment, organization, and industry. By technology involves mobile BI, Cloud BI, Social BI and others. By Service includes managed service, hosted service and others. By Deployment includes On-Cloud and On-Premises. Whereas, by organization it includes small business units, by component it include hardware and software and large business units and by industry it is segmented into Telecom & IT, education, manufacturing, retail, banking and others.Regional AnalysisNorth America is expected to propel the market due to the intense research and development in the field of technology industry. North America is holding highest market share of the overall universal business intelligence market due to evolving trend such as data proliferation, increasing competition, cloud deployment.The overall market in expected to grow at CAGR of around 9.50% during the year 2016-2022 and also increase more revenue by 2022. Asia Pacific is expected to manifest high-growth by the end of the forecasted period due to the rapid industrialization in the region and growing number of start-ups focusing on mobile application development.Intended Audience: Cloud Service provider Saas providers Network service providers Storage providers Research Institutes Hardware providers Software DevelopersBrowse Full Report Details @Table of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope Of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market StructureContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Global Business Intelligence Market, TechnologyTable 2 Global Business Intelligence Market, By ServiceTable 3 Global Business Intelligence Market, By DeploymentContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Research Network Solution (%)Figure 2 Global Business Intelligence Market: By Technology (%)Figure 3 Global Business Intelligence Market: By Service (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Solutions, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questionsContact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Middle East Automotive Parts Aluminium & Magnesium Die Casting Market Report 2017, Trends, Analysis, Share, Estimates and Forecasts to 2022.

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The Middle East Automotive Parts Aluminium & Magnesium Die-Casting report provides an in-depth analysis of the various market segments and its sub-segments.Product types Covered: Pressure die casting Semi-solid die casting Squeeze die casting Vacuum die castingApplications Covered: Body assemblies Engine Parts Transmission parts OthersFor More, Please Visit:The report focuses on current and upcoming market trends such as Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, and Challenges, technological advancements, Porters Five Forces analysis to assess the intensity of competition in the market. The market values are presented in the form of tables and graphs for better interpretation.Market Size EstimationsThe market assessment is made by the core industry experts using our 360 research approach. The data is derived from the most reliable, authenticated data sources and is validated by the industry experts (Primary Research). Both top down and bottom up analysis are implemented to enhance the accuracy of the market figures. The market projections are calculated for the next 8 years using the actual market numbers of previous year as the base year.Company ProfilingThis section provides the overview of the key players that are leading in the industry, covering their business operations, financials, list of products & services, SWOT analysis, major developments such as mergers & acquisitions, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, new product launch, expansions etc.Report Highlights:- Market share assessments for all the mentioned market segments and sub-segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 8 years for all the given segments- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping, mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor More, Please Visit:We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,MD, 20877, USA
Osteoporosis Drugs Market to Reflect a Modest CAGR of 4.0% Throughout 2014-2022

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Osteoporosis Drugs: AsiaPacific to Witness Highest Growth by 2022, the global osteoporosis drugs market is estimated to be valued at US$11,226.1 Mn by the end of 2015 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2014 to 2022, to account for US$14,786.7 Mn by 2022.The global osteoporosis drugs market is witnessing significant growth due to rising geriatric population and changing lifestyles impinging bone health. Prevalence of osteoporosis is high among people aged 60 years and above. Moreover, increasing the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, growing awareness about osteoporotic care, and increasing investment in drug discovery and development are also driving the growth of the market.Request to view table of content @However, there are various side effects and complications associated with osteoporosis drugs such as heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, and ulcers in the stomach or esophagus. Furthermore, patent expiration of osteoporosis drugs also inhibits the growth of the market.The osteoporosis drugs market is anticipated to grow from an estimated US$11,226.1 Mn by the end of 2015 to account for US$14,786.7 Mn by 2022 at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period.In North America, the prevalence of osteoporosis is high primarily due to increasing geriatric population, growing obesity, and rising prevalence of lifestyle associated diseases in the region. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, in 2013, approximately 54 million people in the U.S. aged 50 years and above were affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the U.S., approximately 250,000 hip fractures are associated with osteoporosis.Request Sample Report @In Europe, increasing aging population, changing lifestyles, and increasing consumer awareness about osteoporosis care are driving the growth of the osteoporosis drug market. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 5.5 million men and 22 million women suffered from osteoporosis in 2010. Moreover, according to International Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 27.5 million people in Europe suffered from osteoporosis in 2010 and the number is expected to reach 33.9 Mn by 2030.However, the growth of osteoporosis market in Asia Pacific is much due to rising geriatric population and changing lifestyles in the region. Osteoporotic patients have a higher risk of hip fractures, owing to a major cause of morbidity and mortality. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, by 2050, approximately 50% of the worlds osteoporosis hip fractures would occur in women in Asia. In addition, according to a study on Epidemiology in Osteoporosis in Japan by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, in 2011, approximately 15 million people suffered from osteoporosis in Japan.Eli Lilly and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Merck & Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Amgen, Inc., Actavis plc, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., and Pfizer, Inc. are some of the major players of osteoporosis drugs market.Buy Osteoporosis Drugs Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA,Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Trends and Forecast 2024 on Thermochromic Ink Printing - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth 2016

Thermochromic Ink Printing

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"Thermochromic Ink Printing Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.. .Description-' 'Thermochromic ink printing is a type of printing, which is sensitive to change in temperature. The print changes color with rise and decline in temperature, which helps for indicating whether the beverage is hot or cold. The inks used for thermochromic ink printing contains thermochromic pigments that are subjected to color change when there is a temperature difference. In the recent past, the manufacturers are seeking for innovative packaging solutions as a marketing strategy, the thermochromic ink printing technology is one such innovation which is being widely used by manufacturers to endorse their products.. .Get Sample Report With TOC @' '-- Global Thermochromic Ink Printing Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe growth of global thermochromic ink printing market is driven by the demand for innovative printing technology in the packaging industry. Thermochromic ink printing is commonly used by food & beverages and alcoholic beverages manufacturers in order to identify the temperature state of the beverage by looking at the cans and bottles. Furthermore, the use of thermochromic ink printing is being used as a measure by the beverage manufacturers to gain customer attractions. Thus, the growth in packaging industry and innovative printing needs in packaging industry is anticipated to primarily drive the global market for thermochromic ink printing. Thermochromic ink printing is not limited to the packaging industry, thermochromic ink printing technology has found its potential in wallpaper printing, textiles, and specialty market, which is further augmenting the demand for thermochromic ink printing technology. On the plus side, the demand for Thermochromic ink printing in FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) is expected to rise over the forecast period, which in turn will propel the demand for thermochromic ink printing market globally. Trends noted in the global thermochromic ink printing market is the technological innovations for delivering state-of-the-art packaging solutions. For instance, Print Pack a leading packaging company has developed thermochromic ink with color to color change combinations, which allows the product manufacturers to alter the graphics of their labels according to their promotional needs. However, the thermochromic ink printing is a costly affair as compared to the traditional ink printing and the liquid crystal thermochromic inks which are highly sensitive to small changes in temperature due to which it is not recommended for packaging. These factors might hamper the growth of global thermochromic ink printing market globally.-- Global Thermochromic Ink Printing Market: SegmentationThe global thermochromic ink printing market is segmented on the basis of thermochromic ink types, applications and region-- On the basis of thermochromic ink types, the global thermochromic ink printing market is segmented into:Liquid CrystalsLeucodyesReversibleIrreversible-- On the basis of applications, the global thermochromic ink printing market is segmented into:AerospaceAutomotiveTranspiration & StorageTextilesManufacturingNovelty ItemsMedical & LaboratoryOthers-- Thermochromic Ink Printing Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, global thermochromic ink printing market is segmented into five key regions- North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC, and Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, North America accounts for significant share for thermochromic ink printing market, owing to the flourishing growth of smart packaging industry in the region as compared to other regions. Furthermore, the North America region accounts for healthy share in terms of consumption of alcoholic beverages, thermochromic ink printing being commonly used for printing in beer cans, the alcoholic beverage consumption in the region is anticipated to further add value to the thermochromic ink printing market in the region. Europe market for thermochromic ink printing is followed by the North America market for thermochromic ink printing market which is trailed by the Asia-Pacific market for the thermochromic ink printing. Over the forecast period, Asia-Pacific market for is anticipated to grow significantly owing to the growth of packaging industry in the region. Overall, the global market for thermochromic ink printing is expected to grow significantly by the end of forecast period.-- Global Thermochromic Ink Printing Market: Key PlayersSome of the few players identified in the global thermochromic ink printing market includes B&H Colour Change, CTI, AB Print Group Limited, MELMARC, SFXC | Special Effects and Coatings., QCR Solutions Corp, NanoMatriX International Limited and Hammer Packaging, Corp., among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.-- The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysis-- The regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.-- Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market. .Report Enquiry and Other Query @ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
New Research Report Analyzes Performance of NORDIC Engineering Consultants

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A new research added to the repository of Market Research Hub (MRH) offers insights and analysis on the engineering consultants landscape in NORDIC. The report is titled Engineering Consultants (NORDIC)-Industry Report and offers valuable information on 230 companies operating in the engineering consultants landscape in NORDIC.Request Free Sample Report@The report is ideal for stakeholders looking to gain understanding of the industry trends and know the best performing and weak performing consultants in NORDIC engineering sector. According to the report, 36 consultants have shown good sales growth, whereas 24 companies have declining rating. These insights are according to Plimsoll financial rating, which analyzes each company in detail.The report also offers comprehensive information on the best trading partner in the engineering consultants landscape in NORDIC. According to the report, BJERKING AB is the leading trading partner in the NORDIC engineering consultants landscape. Among the fastest growing companies, the report designates CEMENT PLANT CONSULTANT A/S to be at the top. The market sizing for top 230 companies is offered in the report, which gives readers an understanding of past years performance as compared to this years performance.The performance of each business is done on the basis of Plimsolls unequivocal model, which leads the creation of the Plimsoll Chart. The charts are an easy method of understanding the performance of different engineering consultants in NORDIC. The graphs are easy to understand, and readers can gain complete insights on the performance of companies through these charts.The report has been categorized into three sections  these sections give textual and graphic analysis on engineering consultants in NORDIC. The industry-wide Plimsoll charts offer all the information on the key performance indicators of engineering consultants in NORDIC.Browse Full Report with TOC@Overall, the study is a lucid repository of intelligence that helps readers get an understanding of the engineering consultants, their future performance. Considering the fragmented nature of the engineering consultants industry in NORDIC, it is important for readers to understand the difference in financial strength and sales performance of different companies. The report can also be beneficial for government and private agencies looking to choose the best engineering consultant for their projects. As the report offers a ranking of the top 50 engineering consultants, it becomes easy for stakeholders to understand the leading performers in this fragmented market. Overall, readers can gain a thorough understanding of the key factors at play in the NORDIC engineering consultants market.Enquire About this Report@About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :-
Biometric Point-of-Sale Terminals Market Size Share - Technology Innovation, Advancement, Industry Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Global Biometric Point-of-Sale Terminals Market: OverviewBiometrics technology is used for identification and authentication of people with the help of their biological and behavioral characteristics. An employee is asked for his user ID as soon as he logs into the retail PoS system. However, without typing in his password, he can simply scan his finger on the biometric fingerprint reader. Every time an employee tries to access a password-protected area, he is required to scan his finger. This leads to increased accountability, which ensures protection from accidental and intentional damage to the companys data.Based on technology, fingerprint identification, iris-retina scan recognition, palm-vein identification, iris recognition, voice recognition, and facial recognition are the segments of the global market for biometric point-of-sale terminals. Of these, fingerprint identification has been dominating the market. The prominence of this segment can be attributed to the convenience, ease of access, and high accuracy offered by this technology.Request For Sample Copy OF Report :Global Biometric Point-of-Sale Terminals Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rising incidents of fraud at point-of-sale terminals has been a key growth driver of the global biometric point-of-sale terminals market. Growing number of restaurants are adopting biometric technology at merchant point-of-sale terminals to keep track of employee attendance and time and ensure security while making payments. Several government authorities and private sector businesses and companies have been deploying these technologies. As a result, the growing demand is expected to translate into greater expansion of the global market for biometric point-of-sale terminals.As hackers worldwide find new ways of targeting vulnerable point-of-sale terminals, the demand for biometric point-of-sale terminals is likely to grow. Installation of skimmers that read and transit data from swiped cards on point-of-sale terminals and use of point-of-sale RAM scarpers have been some major techniques adopted by hackers, necessitating the deployment of this technology to prevent these thefts.On the other hand, lack of standardization might slacken the growth of the market. However, the emergence of new technologies in sensors and hardware is likely to encourage further expansion, outpacing the negative impact of this market restraint. For instance, electroencephalogram (EEG) and keystroke have been recently introduced for precise identification of individuals in the biometric point-of-sale terminals market.Request To Check Discount Here :Global Biometric Point-of-Sale Terminals Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the global market for biometric point-of-sale terminals has been segmented into Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Western Europe, and North America. In 2015, North America emerged as the leading regional segment, accounting for a major share in the global market for biometric point-of-sale terminals.Asia Pacific is slated for significant growth owing to the increasing number of non-cash payments by consumers, favorable government initiatives, greater penetration of technology, and rising purchasing power of the people. In India, for instance, YES BANK partnered with Lastmile.mobi to develop a point-of-sale terminal that allows biometric authentication for carrying out cash withdrawals, transfers, and balance enquiries, among many other functions. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) might also exhibit considerable growth as its industries flourish.Companies mentioned in the reportSome of the major companies operating in the global market for biometric point-of-sale terminals are DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH, Biyo Bright Co., Ltd., KEMP Technologies, M2SYS Technology, Bitel Company Limited, Danal, Inc., Ingenico Group, Cross Match Technologies, Inc., and Fujitsu. The market appears to be highly fragmented in terms of competition due to the presence of a large number of vendors. Being in its nascent stage, the market holds immense potential for advancement. As the number of new entrants and technological advancements are rising, the level of competition among the market players is expected to intensify.View Full Report :Major regions analyzed under this research report are:EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsKey highlights of this reportOverview of key market forces propelling and restraining market growthUp-to-date analyses of market trends and technological improvementsPin-point analyses of market competition dynamics to offer you a competitive edgeAn analysis of strategies of major competitorsAn array of graphics and SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsDetailed analyses of industry trendsA well-defined technological growth map with an impact-analysisOffers a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and key product segmentsNote : All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed in reports are those of the respective analysts. They do not necessarily reflect formal positions or views of Transparency Market Research.MRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Renal Diseases Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Analysis Information

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Pune, India, 9th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Frontier Pharma: Renal Diseases - High Degree of Innovation and Diversity with Products Targeting Immune and Hormone Signaling Dominating the Pipeline for.SummaryThe renal diseases therapy area encompasses a range of diseases of the kidney, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury, diabetic nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Renal diseases are becoming increasingly common due to the increased prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, two major causes of CKD. For most forms of renal diseases, early detection and management may slow down or prevent progression to renal failure and associated complications. However, many renal diseases are typically asymptomatic until they have progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which requires renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis and renal transplantation, and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.GET SAMPLE REPORT @The marketed treatments of renal diseases typically focus on controlling the risk factors and complications of renal failure. Treatments include anti-hypertensive agents, hormones, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. However, these treatments are often not wholly effective, as patients are still at risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease or progressing to ESRD. Few new renal disease therapies have reached the market in the past decade, and with the rising prevalence, there is a high need for innovation and investment in the renal diseases therapy area.The report assesses first-in-class innovation in the renal diseases pipeline, highlighting key trends and emerging treatment classes. There are 100 first-in-class products in development in this therapy area, which account for 39% of products in the overall pipeline for which there is a disclosed molecular target, and act upon 77 unique individual molecular targets. First-in-class innovation is concentrated heavily at the early drug development stages.The first-in-class programs identified show considerable diversity, and the relatively high degree of innovation in the renal diseases therapy area makes for a promising development pipeline. It is clear that recent activity in this area has increased, partly owing to the growing recognition of the unmet medical need. Further investment in innovation would benefit the therapy area greatly, and likely prove a worthwhile investment, particularly for highly prevalent diseases such as CKD and diabetic nephropathy, for which there are a lack of effective pharmacotherapeutic options.Scope- With 365 products in active development, the pipeline is modestly sized. Does current pipeline innovation hold the potential to affect the future renal diseases market?- There are 100 first-in-class products in the renal diseases pipeline. Which of these hold the greatest potential to improve future disease treatment with regard to their molecular target?- The majority of first-in-class products were in development for indications involving inflammation. Which first-in-class targets are most promising, and how does the ratio of first-in-class targets to first-in-class products differ by stage of development and molecular target class?- A significant number of first-in-class products have been identified with no prior involvement in deals. How do deal frequency and value compare between target families and molecule types, and which first-in-class programs have not yet been involved in a licensing or co-development deal?Reasons to buy- Understand the current clinical and commercial landscape. It includes a comprehensive study of disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis and the treatment options available.- Visualize the composition of the renal diseases market in terms of dominant molecule types and targets, highlighting what the current unmet needs are and how they can be addressed. This knowledge allows a competitive understanding of gaps in the current market.- Analyze the renal diseases pipeline and stratify by stage of development, molecule type and molecular target. There are strong signs in the pipeline that the industry is seeking novel approaches to treating renal diseases to overcome the level of unmet need.- Assess the therapeutic potential of first-in-class targets. Using proprietary matrices, first-in-class products have been assessed and ranked according to clinical potential. The matrices have been split into three categories: renal failure, glomerulonephritides, and renal scarring. Promising targets have been reviewed in greater detail.- Identify commercial opportunities in the renal diseases deals landscape by analyzing trends in licensing and co-development deals, and producing a list of first-in-class therapies with no prior involvement in licensing or co-development dealsTable of Content: Key Points1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 31.2 List of Figures 32 Executive Summary 52.1 Unmet Need and Limited Treatment Options Despite Rising Prevalence 52.2 Increasing Number of Pipeline Biologics 52.3 Significant Degree of First-in-Class Innovation 52.4 Low Deal Volume but Large Proportion of High-Value Deals 63 The Case for Innovation 73.1 Growing Opportunities for Biologic Products 83.2 Diversification of Molecular Targets 83.3 Innovative First-in-Class Product Developments Remain Attractive 83.4 Regulatory and Reimbursement Policy Shifts Favor First-in-Class Product Innovation 93.5 Sustained Innovation 93.6 GBI Research Report Guidance 104 Clinical and Commercial Landscape 114.1 Disease Overview 114.2 Symptoms 124.2.1 Acute Kidney Injury 124.2.2 Chronic Kidney Disease 124.3 Diagnosis 124.3.1 Acute Kidney Injury 124.3.2 Chronic Kidney Disease 134.4 Etiology and Pathophysiology 134.4.1 Renal Anatomy and Physiology 144.4.2 Pathophysiological Processes of Renal Diseases 14ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook: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 RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Increasing urban population and rising disposable income anticipated to fuel the development of the India alcohol market

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Rapid increase in urban population is one of the key factors that is boosting the India alcohol market. Traditionally, brown spirits have been targeted at the urban consumer. As such, increasing urban population coupled with factors such as increasing disposable income and growing preference for whiskies is expected to create avenues for growth of the alcohol market in India. Changing demographics is further expected to boost the India alcohol market. As of 2014, over half the countrys population (53%) was above the age of 25 years.Moreover, estimated median age of the countrys population for the same year was pegged at 27 years. The legal drinking age in India varies from state to state. For instance, 18 years in Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka; 21 years in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; and 25 years in Maharashtra, Delhi and Punjab.Obtain Report Details @Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) segment is projected to record the highest CAGR over the estimated periodThe Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) segment was estimated to reach a market valuation in excess of INR 1,400 Bn by 2016 end. This reflected a Y-o-Y growth rate of close to 5% over 2015. This segment is estimated to be valued at more than INR 3,000 Bn by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period.Indian Made Foreign Liquor segment in the India alcohol market is expected to create absolute INR opportunity of close to INR 80 Bn in 2017 over 2016.The aforementioned statistics indicate that India is an ideal market for high revenue growth of alcohol owing to increasing consumption among the people. According to World Bank statistics, GDP per capita income of the country for the year 2014 was pegged at more than US$ 1,595. The increase in per capita disposable income is expected to result in higher consumer spending on different lifestyle products and food and beverages, including alcohol. This increase is expected to drive the growth of the alcohol market in the country.The Indian lifestyle, especially of the urban populace, has witnessed a radical change over the recent years. A change in outlook towards social consumption of alcohol, increasing alcohol consumption among women, growing prominence of pub and cocktail culture in urban cities and emergence of novel Food & Beverage formats has resulted in increasing demand for alcoholic beverages in the country.All these factors are boosting the revenue growth of the India alcohol market and this growth trend is anticipated to continue throughout the forecast period.Request Sample Report@The two states in the southern part of the country, i.e. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are the highest alcohol consuming states in India. The population of these two states is not only ahead in consuming Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) but also gets high on country liquor.As a result the south zone held more than half of the market share of the India alcohol market in 2015 and is expected to continue its growth in revenue contribution to the India alcohol market throughout the forecast period. Also, white spirits such as Vodka and Gin are gaining popularity across the country and this is boosting the India alcohol market growth significantly.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.FMIs team of over 200 research analysts provides market intelligence at global, regional, and country level. Our analysts are committed to provide independent insights, relying on our cognitive defusion training module, which conditions them to look at data objectively and unbiasedly.ContactFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Fire Extinguisher Market - Global Trends, Market Share, Industry Size, Growth, Opportunities, and Market Forecast to 2017

Global Fire Extinguisher Market

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The global Fire Extinguisher market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and barriers with respect to the Fire Extinguisher market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market of different regions across United States, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Others. The report categorizes Fire Extinguisher market by by Moving Way, by Power Source, by Extinguishing Agent, and application. Detailed analysis of key players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them is also covered in this report on Fire Extinguisher market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Get a Sample of Fire Extinguisher Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Fire Extinguisher in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Fire Extinguisher Market:Amerex (US)Kidde (US)First Alert (US)Schmitz (Germany)Tyco (US)Honeywell (US)Tianguang (China)Shanghai Jindun (China)Jinqiangyu (China)CFE (China)Scope of the Fire Extinguisher Industry on the basis of region:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Browse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Fire Extinguisher Market Report @Market Segment by Type, covers:Fire Extinguisher Market, by Moving WayPortable TypeCart TypeFire Extinguisher Market, by Power SourceGas Cylinders TypePressure Storage TypeChemical Reaction TypeFire Extinguisher Market, by Extinguishing AgentFoamDry PowderCarbon DioxideOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Home UseCommercial UseGlobal Fire Extinguisher Market Research Report 2017-2022 by Players, Regions, Product Types & ApplicationsChapter One Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.2.1 Secondary Sources1.2.2 Primary Sources1.3 DisclaimerChapter Two Fire Extinguisher Market Overview2.1 Market Coverage2.2 Global Fire Extinguisher Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-2017Chapter Three Fire Extinguisher by Key Players 2012-20173.1 Global Fire Extinguisher Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2012-20173.2 Global Fire Extinguisher Revenue Share by Key Players 2012-20173.3 Global Key Players Fire Extinguisher Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 Global Key Players Fire Extinguisher Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceCheck for Discount @Chapter Five Fire Extinguisher Market by Product Types5.1 Fire Extinguisher, by Moving Way 2012-20175.1.1 Global Fire Extinguisher Sales Market Share by Moving Way 2012-20175.1.2 Global Fire Extinguisher Revenue Market Share by Moving Way 2012-20175.1.3 Global Fire Extinguisher Price by Moving Way 2012-20175.1.4 Portable Type5.1.5 Cart Type5.2 Fire Extinguisher, by Power Source 2012-20175.2.1 Global Fire Extinguisher Sales Market Share by Power Source 2012-20175.2.2 Global Fire Extinguisher Revenue Market Share by Power Source 2012-20175.2.3 Global Fire Extinguisher Price by Power Source 2012-20175.2.4 Gas Cylinders Type5.2.5 Pressure Storage Type5.2.6 Chemical Reaction Type5.3 Fire Extinguisher, by Extinguishing Agent 2012-20175.3.1 Global Fire Extinguisher Sales Market Share by Extinguishing Agent 2012-20175.3.2 Global Fire Extinguisher Revenue Market Share by Extinguishing Agent 2012-20175.3.3 Global Fire Extinguisher Price by Extinguishing Agent 2012-20175.3.4 Foam5.3.5 Dry Powder5.3.6 Carbon Dioxide5.3.7 Others .ContinuedFor more help Speak to our Experts @No. of Report Pages: 117Price of Report (Single User Licence): $3480About Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Allegations the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Alabama, Roy Moore, made sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32 are "disqualifying ... if true," U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said Thursday.

The Washington Post broke the explosive allegations Thursday. The report was based on interviews with more than 30 people who knew Moore, including four women who said Moore pursued them while he was in his 30s and they were under 18.

One of the women, Leigh Corfman, said Moore -- a former district attorney and state judge in Alabama -- initiated sexual contact with her in 1979 when she was 14, the Post reported.

The legal age of consent in Alabama, then and now, is 16, the Post reported. Under Alabama law in 1979, and today, a person who is at least 19 years old who has sexual contact with someone between 12 and 16 years old has committed sexual abuse in the second degree. The crime is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

If true, these allegations describe intolerable behavior and are disqualifying," Johnson said in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also said Thursday that "if these allegations are true, (Moore) must step aside."

Moore is the Republican nominee in a special U.S. Senate election in Alabama scheduled to be held next month, in which he faces Democrat Doug Jones.

The race is to fill the seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions, who left it to become U.S. Attorney General under President Donald Trump.
Sleeping Bras Market 2017 - Anita, Medela, Bravado, Triumph, Cantaloop

Sleeping Bras Market

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Apex Market Reports, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Sleeping Bras Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Sleeping Bras Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Sleeping Bras industry, and estimates the future trend of Sleeping Bras market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Sleeping Bras Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportBravadoDestination Maternity (Motherhood)TriumphLa Leche LeagueAnitaMedelaCake MaternityLeading LadyCantaloopRosemadameSenshukaiINUjIRUSHIWacoal (Elomi)Sweet MommyMamawayO.C.T. MamiHappy HouseThe market research report explores the Sleeping Bras market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Sleeping Bras Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Sleeping Bras market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Sleeping Bras. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Sleeping Bras market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Sleeping Bras is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Sleeping Bras market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Sleeping Bras market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The global Sleeping Bras market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Sleeping Bras production volume, data pertaining to demand and Sleeping Bras supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Sleeping Bras along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Sleeping Bras across the world.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite -
Hard Luxury Goods Market: Increasing Entry of New Players to Intensify Competition

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With a large pool of established vendors, the global hard luxury goods market is witnessing a high degree of competition, which is expected to intensify further over the coming years due to the escalating number of new players venturing into this market, states a new study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The leading participants in this market are Graff Diamonds, LVMH, Giorgio Armani, Swatch Group, Richemont, Bulgari, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., and Harry Wintson.Download exclusive Sample of this report:According to the study, the global hard luxury goods market is expected to reach US$75.24 bn by the end of 2017. Further, the markets opportunity is projected to rise at an exponential CAGR of 10.90% during the period from 2017 to 2022, arriving at a whopping sum of US$126.11 bn by the end of the period of the forecast. Watches are the most valued hard luxury products across the world and are expected to remain so over the next few years, with their revenue contribution to this market rising at a CAGR of 8.30% over the forecast period. Women are expected to remain the most prominent consumers of hard luxury goods, worldwide, in the near future.Europe, which has been leading the global hard luxury goods market over the last few years, is anticipated to keep up with the trend in the years to come. The presence of a large pool of players is expected to surface as the prime factor behind the growth of this regional market, reports the study.Increasing Preference of Branded Products to Reflect Positively on Markets ProgressThe increasing preference of branded products among consumers across the world is propelling the global hard luxury goods market significantly, says a TMR analyst. Consumers, nowadays, are preferring sophisticated products, leading to a rise in the demand for innovative craftsmanship and superior quality products, which has reflected greatly on the sales of branded items, especially hard luxury goods.Browse Market Research Report @In addition to this, the increasing initiatives related to product marketing and the rise in ad campaigns using digital media platforms, specifically in the retail industry, will impact the growth of the worldwide market for hard luxury goods positively in the near future, notes the market study.Continual Surge in Tariffs May Impede GrowthThe economic strengthening and the augmenting disposable income of consumers, particularly in developing nations, are also boosting this market substantially. However, the continual surge in tariffs among some of the lucrative domestic Asian and Latin American markets, such as India, China, and Brazil, may limit the growth of this market over the next few years. The lack of raw materials and their price volatility may also impede the markets growth in the years to come.Nevertheless, the companies operating in this market are expected present affordable and budget luxury products in both of the hard luxury goods product segments over the forthcoming years in a bid to expand their consumer base, thus driving the overall growth of this market, states the research report.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Governance, Risk and Compliance - The Turkmen Market Analysis Revealing Key Drivers & Growth Trends through 2022

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Market Research Hub (MRH) has recently added a new report to its vast online database. This research study is titled as Governance, Risk and Compliance 2017 which presents an in-depth study about the production, consumption, market volume, revenue (million USD) and market share across different geographical regions.ilRequest For Free Sample -The report provides insights into the governance, risk and compliance framework pertaining to the insurance industry in Turkmenistan, including: An overview of the insurance regulatory framework in Turkmenistan. The latest key changes and changes expected in the Turkmen insurance regulatory framework. Key regulations and market practices related to different types of insurance product in the country. Rules and regulations pertaining to key classes of compulsory insurance, and the scope of non-admitted insurance in Turkmenistan. Key GRC parameters including licensing requirements, permitted foreign direct investment, minimum capital requirements, solvency requirements, reserve requirements, and investment regulations. Details of the tax and legal systems in the country.Executive summaryTimetrics 'Governance, Risk and Compliance - The Turkmen Insurance Industry' report is the result of extensive research into the insurance regulatory framework in Turkmenistan. It provides detailed analysis of the insurance regulations for life, property, motor, liability, personal accident and health, and marine, aviation and transit insurance. The report specifies various requirements for the establishment and operations of insurance and reinsurance companies and intermediaries.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on insurance regulations, recent and upcoming changes in regulatory framework, taxation and legal system in the country. The report also includes the scope of non-admitted insurance in the country.Scope This report covers details of the insurance regulatory framework in Turkmenistan. The report contains details of rules and regulations governing insurance products and insurance entities. The report lists and analyzes key trends and developments pertaining to the Turkmen insurance regulatory framework. The report analyzes rules and regulations pertaining to the establishment and operation of insurance business in the country. The report provides details of taxation imposed on insurance products and companies.Reasons to buy Gain insights into the insurance regulatory framework in Turkmenistan. Track latest regulatory changes and expected changes impacting the Turkmen insurance industry Gain detailed information about key regulations governing the establishment and operation of insurance entities in the country Understand key regulations and market practices relating to various types of insurance product.Key highlights Ministry of Finance (MOF) is responsible for the development and implementation of insurance activities in Turkmenistan. The government of Turkmenistan allows 49% foreign direct investment in the countrys insurance industry. Effective from March 1, 2013, ecological insurance was made compulsory for all types of business organizations conducting activities that carry environmental risk. Composite insurance is permitted in Turkmenistan. Insurance products and services are exempt from VAT.Browse Full Report With TOC -Table of Contents1 Introduction1.1 What is this Report About?1.2 Definitions2 Governance, Risk and Compliance2.1 Legislation Overview and Historical Evolution2.2 Latest Changes in Regulations2.3 Legislation Trends by Type of Insurance2.3.1 Life insurance2.3.2 Property insurance2.3.3 Motor insurance2.3.4 Liability insurance2.3.5 Marine, aviation and transit insurance2.3.6 Personal accident and health insurance2.4 Compulsory Insurance2.4.1 Motor third-party liability insurance2.4.2 Personal insurance for accidents and occupational diseases of workers employed in high-risk manufacture2.4.3 Government insurance for passengers of all types of transportation, flight crews and employees of railway, seaway, inland waterway and automobile transports2.4.4 Introduction of new ecological insurance2.5 Supervision and Control2.5.1 The Ministry of Finance (MOF)2.6 Non-Admitted Insurance Regulations2.6.1 Overview2.6.2 Intermediaries2.6.3 Market practices2.6.4 Fines and penalties2.7 Company Registration and Operations2.7.1 Types of insurance organization2.7.2 Establishing a local company2.7.3 Foreign ownership2.7.4 Types of license2.7.5 Capital requirements2.7.6 Solvency marginsContinue.Enquire About this Report -About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :Read Industry News at -
Electrical Insulation Market Analysis by Segments, Size and Forecast 2016 - 2024

Electrical Insulation Market

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Electrical insulation is a vital need in many sectors where contact with electronic components may be a risk. Electrical insulation consists of materials that dont allow the passage of electricity; they are a necessity in places such as buildings, where the considerable electrical wiring needs to be insulated in order to protect the inhabitants of the building as well as other devices connected to the same power network. The growth of the construction industry has accordingly been the most important driver for the global electrical insulation market and is likely to aid its stable progress in the coming years.Rapid infrastructure growth in developing economies such as India and China has propelled the demand from several industries, with the electrical insulation market benefiting from the consistent need for modern construction practices in these dynamic economies. Rapid urbanization in these countries has also driven the construction of residential and commercial buildings, which has also been a vital boost to the electrical insulation market in the region. Accordingly, Asia Pacific is likely to dominate the global electrical insulation market in the coming years. Steady development of the indigenous construction industry in the aforementioned countries could also lead to further development of technological innovation channels in the coming years, which could also boost the electrical insulation market in the region.Thermoplastic insulation is likely to dominate the global electrical insulation market in the coming years. Thermoplastics have gained renown due to their cost-effective operation. They are cheaper to produce than conventional insulation materials such as glass or ceramics, and provide a highly effective insulation performance, making their sustained dominance likely in the global electrical insulation market. The high insulation capability of thermoplastics is also unaffected by harsh environmental conditions, which could also be a key driver for the global electrical insulation market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Electrical insulation is a form of material in which internally present electric charges do not flow freely. This makes it impossible for electric current to be conducted under the influence of an electric field. The main difference between electric insulation and semiconductors and conductors is that the former possesses higher resistivity, while the latter carry current with more ease. A substance is an insulator or a conductor is normally depends on the number of free electrons it possesses, which can be used to carry electric current. An important characteristic of insulating material is its ability to withstand electric stress which is known as dielectric strength. This strength is quoted in kilovolts per millimeter (Kv/mm). Previously, ceramics and glass were the most prominently used electrical insulation material. At present, polymer-based electrical insulation contributes a significant share in the global electrical insulation material market.Based on type electric insulation is classified as glass, ceramics, thermoplastic and epoxy resin. Electrical insulation material is used in various applications such as cables & transmission lines, power systems, electronic systems, domestic portable appliances, and others. Based on end-use industry, the electrical insulation market can be divided into manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, and others. Modernization of electricity networks, increasing usage of electric appliances, and demand from the increasing population are factors contributing to the expansion of the electrical insulation market.Consumption of thermoplastic electrical insulation is estimated to increase at a relatively speedy rate during the forecast period. These materials are lightweight, possess high mechanical and electric strength, and also deliver consistent performance in harsh climatic conditions. Thermoplastic electrical insulation also exhibit excellent voltage endurance compared to that of ceramics and a few other materials which makes them the preferred electrical insulation type across all regions.Request For Report Sample:Demand for electrical insulation material has been dominated by the infrastructure segment followed by transporation and manufacturing. Rising construction activities especially in emerging economies such as India and China along with growing urbanization fuel its requirement for electric insulation during the projected period. Usage of electrical insulation in power systems plays a part as well and this is projected to be the markets leading application with fast growing rate during the forecast period. A surge in electrical installation activities in developing countries, improved policy regulations related to electricity, and focus on increasing the rural areas access to electricity are major drivers of the electric insulation market during the forecast period.Based on region, Asia Pacific was a prominent, rapidly expanding electrical insulation market globally and this trend is expected to continue during the estimated period. Rising population leads to a need for better industrial, residential, and commercial infrastructure which in turn elevates the demand for electricity. Modernization of electric transmission networks, government policies for electricity in rural areas, and growth of renewable energy are a few more causal factors. In Asia Pacific, China is considered to be an important market followed by India and South Korea. Middle East & Africa and Latin America are also likely to grow significantly during the forecast period.This market for electrical insulation material is highly competitive due to the presence of a large numbers of local players who supply low-quality products at comparatively inexpensive pricing. Key players operating in the global electric insulation market include DuPont, ITW Formex, 3M, Nitto Denko Corporation, Krempel GmbH, and Haysite Reinforced Plastics.About UsTransparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers.We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers and Consultants, who 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
The Zambian Insurance Market Industry- Governance, Risk and Compliance Outlook & Deep Study of Top Consumers, Players and Strategies

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To study the market for Risk and Compliance in a precise manner, Market Research Hub (MRH) has included a new research report. The report is titled Governance, Risk and Compliance - The Zambian Insurance Industry, which enlightens the readers about the market share as well as growth rate during the period 2017-2022. The research study estimates that the Insurance sector would be rising with a positive CAGR during the same stated forecast period.Request For Free Sample -Market Research Hub 'Governance, Risk and Compliance The Zambian Insurance Industry' report is the result of extensive research into the insurance regulatory framework in Zambia.It provides detailed analysis of the insurance regulations for life, property, motor, liability, personal accident and health, and marine, aviation and transit insurance. The report specifies various requirements for the establishment and operation of insurance and reinsurance companies and intermediaries.The report brings together Market Research Hub research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on prevailing insurance regulations, and recent and upcoming changes in the regulatory framework, taxation and legal system in the country. The report also includes the scope of non-admitted insurance in the country.SummaryThe report provides insights into the governance, risk and compliance framework pertaining to the insurance industry in Zambia, including:An overview of the insurance regulatory framework in ZambiaThe latest key changes, and changes expected in the countrys insurance regulatory frameworkKey regulations and market practices related to different types of insurance product in the countryRules and regulations pertaining to key classes of compulsory insurance, and the scope of non-admitted insurance in ZambiaKey parameters including licensing requirements, permitted foreign direct investment, minimum capital requirements, solvency and reserve requirements, and investment regulationsDetails of the tax and legal systems in the countryScopeThe report covers details of the insurance regulatory framework in Zambia.The report contains details of the rules and regulations governing insurance products and insurance entities.The report lists and analyzes key trends and developments pertaining to the countrys insurance regulatory framework.The report analyzes the rules and regulations pertaining to the establishment and operation of insurance businesses in the country.The report provides details of taxation imposed on insurance products and insurance companies.Reasons To BuyGain insights into the insurance regulatory framework in Zambia.Track the latest regulatory changes, and expected changes impacting the Zambian insurance industry.Gain detailed information about the key regulations governing the establishment and operation of insurance entities in the country.Understand key regulations and market practices pertaining to various types of insurance product.Key HighlightsThe insurance industry of Zambia is regulated by the Pensions and Insurance Authority.100% FDI is permitted in the Zambian insurance industry.Composite insurers are not permitted in the Zambian insurance industry.Motor third-party liability, aviation liability and social insurance are the key compulsory classes of insurance in Zambia.Non-admitted insurance is not permitted in the Zambian insurance industry.Browse Full Report With TOC -Table of Contents1 Introduction1.1 What is this Report About?1.2 Definitions2 Governance, Risk and Compliance2.1 Legislation Overview and Historical Evolution2.2 Latest Changes in Regulations2.3 Legislation and Market Practice by Type of Insurance2.3.1 Life insurance2.3.2 Property insurance2.3.3 Motor insurance2.3.4 Liability insurance2.3.5 Marine, aviation and transit insurance2.3.6 Personal accident and health insurance2.4 Compulsory Insurance2.4.1 Motor third-party liability insurance2.4.2 Aviation liability insurance2.4.3 Social insurance system2.5 Supervision and Control2.5.1 International Association of Insurance Supervisors2.5.2 African Insurance Organization2.5.3 Pension and Insurance Authority2.5.4 Insurance Association of Zambia2.6 Non-Admitted Insurance Regulations2.6.1 Overview2.6.2 Intermediaries2.6.3 Market practices2.6.4 Fines and penalties2.7 Company Registration and Operations2.7.1 Types of insurance organization2.7.2 Establishing a local company2.7.3 Foreign ownership2.7.4 Types of license2.7.5 Capital requirements2.7.6 Solvency marginsContinue.Enquire About this Report -About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :Read Industry News at -
High Grade Aluminum Chloride Market Future Growth Opportunities 2016 - 2024

High Grade Aluminum Chloride Market

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High grade Aluminum chloride is a compound which is white in color and often gets contaminated with iron trichloride which gives aluminum chloride a yellow tinge. High grade aluminum chloride has a low melting point and boiling point and it is mainly produced and consumed in the production of aluminum metal. The compound is significantly used in other areas of the chemical industry. Solvay process is the key manufacturing process of ammonium chloride. High grade aluminum chlorides are mainly employed in the purification process of water and other applications such as paper size, drilling exploration, drugs, sugar refining, cosmetics additives, daily chemicals industry. Apart from this, high grade ammonium chloride is also used in etching in the manufacture of printed circuits, as a fire extinguisher, an explosive, and as a curing agent in formaldehyde based adhesives.The global high grade ammonium chloride market is growing owing to the rapidly growing pharmaceutical and consumer good sectors. Increasing demand for solar cells and electromagnetic components is directly proportional to the requirement for aluminum chloride as the latter is used as a raw material in their production. Rising health concerns are also boosting the growth of high grade ammonium chloride due to its use in water purification and treatment. In the pharmaceutical industry, high grade aluminum chloride finds application in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. However, stringent regulatory requirements in healthcare industry and the low nitrogen content in ammonium chloride in comparison to ammonia nitrate or urea is expected to hinder the growth of the global market to some extent.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):In terms of application, the global high grade aluminum chloride market can be segmented into biology & agriculture, textile and leather, metal work and other categories. In biological applications, ammonium chloride acts as a nitrogen source and is used in fertilisers, as a feed supplement for cattle and as an ingredient in nutritive media for yeast micro biological organisms. Ammonium chloride is used in the textile and leather industry in dyeing, tanning textile printing and to luster cotton. Ammonium chloride is used as a flux in preparing metals to be tin coated, galvanized or soldered. It is used as a electrolyte in Zinc carbon batteries. Other applications include in hair shampoo, in the glue that bonds plywood in cleaning products.Globally, high grade aluminum chloride has exhibited a decent growth in 2015 and is anticipated to follow the same trend in the next few years. Asia Pacific is a major market for high grade aluminum chloride which has been rapidly progressing due to increasing manufacturing activities in the consumer goods sector, the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry in China and India, and their subsequent exports of the product. The advancing food processing industry in South Asian countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Taiwan are important drivers as well. North America, especially the U.S., holds the second leading position for high grade aluminum chloride owing to the presence of a well-organized pharmaceutical market and international drug manufacturers in the region. In Europe, demand for high grade aluminum chloride is increasing, while Middle East & Africa and Latin America are likely to experience a positive growth in the near future.Request For Report Sample:The key manufactures of high grade aluminum chloride include BASF SE, Tan International Ltd, Dallas Group of America Inc., Jiangsu Debang Chemical Industry Co.Ltd, Central Glass Co., Ltd CNSG Anhui Hong Sifang Co., Ltd and others.About UsTransparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers.We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers and Consultants, who 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Aqua Feed Market size and Key Trends in terms of volume and value 2013-2019

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A recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research projects excellent growth prospects for the global aqua feed market. The report, titled Aqua Feed Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019, states that the market will expand at an 11.4% CAGR between 2013 and 2019. Owing to such excellent growth prospects, the market is expected to rise from a market valuation of US$57.7 bn in 2012 to US$122.6 bn by 2019.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The demand for all kinds of aquaculture products have been significantly increasing over the past few years across the globe. High in nutrients and also quite affordable, the demand for aquatic foods is high around the world. In order to sustain the ever rising demand for aquatic food products, aqua culture, the science of breeding and growing aquatic products in supervised and controlled environment, has also gained huge attention in the past centuries.The report credits the flourishing growth of the global aquaculture market as the largest contributor to the overall growth of the global aqua feed market. According to the report, revenue generated by the aqua feed market contributes nearly 50% of the overall costs involved in running an aquaculture facility. The growth of the aqua feed market, therefore, to an extent depend on the overall growth of aquaculture industry. While the continuously rising demand for aquatic food products from the aquaculture industry will drive the market for aquafeed, the fluctuating costs of key ingredients such as fish oil, corn, soybean and fish meal will restrain markets growth to a certain extent over the reports forecast period.Obtain Report Details @global-aqua-feed-market-volume-share-by-end-use-2012-and-2019The report segments the global aqua feed market on the basis of two criteria: end user and geography.In terms of end user, the market is segmented into crustaceans, carp, mollusks, carp, tilapia, catfish, salmon, and other segments such as milkfish, eels, and trouts. On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World (RoW).Of the key end users of aqua feed, the segment of carps held the largest share of the global market, accounting for 25%, in 2012. Carps are expected to be one of the fastest growing segments over the reports forecast owing to their compatibility in harsh environmental conditions. In 2012, the segment of mollusks held the second largest share of the global market and is expected to expand at an above-average growth pace over the reports forecast period owing to rising consumer awareness about their health benefits.Geography-wise, the regional segment of Asia Pacific accounted for over 65% of the global demand of aqua feed in 2012. This regional market is also expected to maintain its dominant position in the market over the reports forecast period owing to the flourishing aquaculture industry in the region. Demand for aqua feed is also expected to significantly rise in the countries in the Rest of the World region over the reports forecast period.Some of the key vendors operating in the global aqua feed market are Beneo GmbH, Avanti Feeds Ltd., Alltech Inc., BioMar A/S, Aller Aqua A/S, Cargill Incorporated, Dibaq Aquaculture, and Cermaq ASA.The global aqua feed market is segmented as:Aqua Feed Market: End-use AnalysisCrustaceansMollusksCarpSalmonCatfishTilapiaOthers (Trouts, eels, milkfish, etc.)About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Industrial Salt Market Size, Share, Trends, and Opportunity Analysis by Persistence Market Research 2017 - 2025

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Global Industrial Salt Market: OverviewIndustrial salt are made by the chemical substances with sodium chloride that enhances their wide range of industrial applications. These slats are used to develop glass, plastic and polyester. It is also used in the production of case-hardened steel, tires, brass, and pepper, etc. and also it is used in cleaning gas and oil wells. Industrial salt is used to improve the density of soil and mud in oil industry as it creates a more efficient and safe drilling rig. It is also used in backing soda, caustic soda, and other products and also it is used in water treatment facilities for water treatment. Industrial salt are also used in pharmaceuticals industry for the process of making saline solutions and capsules. Owing to increasing industrialization and growing pepper and pulp industry, Asia pacific is leading the global industrial salt market. India and china are the largest consumers of the industrial salt.Global Industrial Salt Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing industrialization is primarily driving the global industrial salt market owing to wide range of industrial applications of these salts. Furthermore, industrial salt are cheaper than natural salt, which is further catalysing the growth of global industrial salt market as every company require cheaper sources of natural resources such as industrial salt. Growing demand for industrial salt in food and beverages industry is also fuelling the growth of global industrial salt market as it used in various food products. Moreover, the industrial salt are not difficult to find and easily available everywhere owing to global supply chain, which has made the product available everywhere. So the ease of availability of the product is also driving the growth of global industrial salt market. Increasing production of the chloralkali chemicals, due to rising demand for ethylene dichloride is also a major growth promoting factor for the global industrial salt market.Request For Report Sample@Global Industrial Salt Market: SegmentationOn the basis of production methods, the global industrial salt market is segmented into:-Seawater solar evaporationBrine extracted through solution miningMined rock saltOn the basis of end uses, the global industrial salt market is segmented into:-Water conditioningChemical processingFood and beverages industryAgricultureRoad de-icingWater TreatmentFreezing Point DepletionSkins and Hides IndustryGlobal Industrial Salt Market: Region wise OutlookThe global industrial salt market is divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). Demand for industrial salt is rising in developing countries due to increasing industrialization. Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness an above average CAGR over the forecast period due growing demand for industrial salt from the developing countries in the region. Moreover, the development of pepper and construction industries in Asia pacific has led to rising consumption of the chloralkali chemicals is also propelling growth of the global industrial salt market in the region. India and china are the largest consumers of the industrial salt in the Asia pacific region. However, the global industrial salt market is expected to witness a steady growth by the end of 2027.Visit For TOC@Global Industrial Salt Market: Key PlayersSome of the prominent players in the global industrial salt market are-Compass Minerals CompanyINEOS Chemicals CompanyChina National Salt Industry CorporationK + S Chemicals CompanyCargill Inc.Lluka Resources mining CompanyAkzo NobelHubei Shuanghuan Science and Technology stock co., Ltd.Dow Chemical limitedExportadora De Sal SA de CVKopalnia Soli Klodawa Spolka Akcyjna Co., ltd.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Ourresearch model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and marketresearch methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact USPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Web:Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Hydrogenated Bisphenol A Market Steady Rise in 2016 - 2024

Hydrogenated Bisphenol A Market

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Hydrogenated bisphenol A (HBPA) is a saturated dialchol with a cycloaliphatic structure produced by dehydrogenating bisphenol. With a configuration similar to bisphenol A, it is available as a white, flaked material soluble in a wide range of organic solvents. Hydrogenated bisphenol is used as a raw material for various engineering plastics and paints such as epoxy, unsaturated polyester, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyacrylate, and polysulphone. It is also employed in the preparation of alkyd, polyester, and epoxy resins, in which color stability and improved weatherability are important to ensure lasting quality. The aromatic groups of bisphenol A are highly rigid, leading to polymers with mechanical strength and high glass transition temperatures. As a result, bisphenol-based resins and polymers find application in consumer products and medical devices. For instance, bisphenol-derived resins are employed in coil and can coatings in food & beverages containers. Bisphenol-based polycarbonates and their copolymers also produce baby bottles, tableware, and water bottles, apart from applications in casting, laminating, coatings, and fiber production.In recent years, bisphenol-based resins have been under scrutiny due to health concerns. These polymers are susceptible to degradation and yellowing upon exposure to light, heat, and certain chemicals. With their degradation, BPA and its derivatives can make their way into the content of the food and beverage containers or medical storage devices and subsequently into the body. This is where hydrogenated bisphenol A polymers come into the picture. HBPA polymers exhibit hydrolytic stability, heat & chemical resistance, and low toxicity. Additionally, with upgrading technology, HBPA-based polymers can be formulated for their high flexibility and excellent adhesion.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):The market for HBPA can be segmented by type into the epoxy resin-used, unsaturated polyester resin-used, and other varieties. Based on application, the market can be bifurcated into the epoxy resin and unsaturated polyester resin categories. Epoxy resins containing HBPA are employed for making paints, adhesives, a variety of protective coatings, as well as electrical laminates for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Cured epoxy resin offers protective liners on the inside of cans used for packing foods and beverages to maintain their quality. Because of a combination of desirable properties such as toughness, chemical resistance, and adhesion, HBPA is also used in protective coatings.In terms of regional outlook, Asia Pacific dominated the global HBPA market, accounting for a share of over 50% in the total consumption in 2015. It represents a majorly important market for the HBPA industry, mainly driven by emerging economies such as China and India. The overall HBPA market is propelled by increasing demand from key end-user industries such as automobiles, construction, can manufacturing, and electrical & electronics. However, volatile crude oil prices have remained a major concern for manufacturers of HBPA and they may act as a restraint.Request For Report Sample:Key players operating in the global Hydrogenated bisphenol A market include Maruzen Petrochemical, New Japan Chemical, Way Pharm, Milliken Chemical, Avera Chemicals Inc. Yangzhou Baohua Chemical Technology Development Co.,Ltd., and Puyang Huicheng Electronic Materials.About UsTransparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers.We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers and Consultants, who 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Viscosupplementation Market Set to Witness an Uptick during 2016-2026

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Russias healthcare infrastructure will continue witnessing significant rise in number of orthopaedic patients as several bone & joint-related disorders are likely to be caused by peoples eating & drink habits, their proactive lifestyles and the countrys harsh weather conditions. Rising occurrence of joint-related ailments such as knee osteoarthritis in Russia are a result of people performing physical labour in severely cold weather conditions. This has necessitated the adoption of viscosupplementation as an ideal medical procedure for injecting lubricating fluid in bone joints during surgeries. An in-depth analysis of Russias viscosupplementation market, conducted by Future Market Insights, projects that demand for three-injection viscosupplementation will gain traction over the next decade.According to Future Market Insights recent report, titled Viscosupplementation Market: Russia Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, nearly 70% of viscosupplementation revenues amassed across Russia in 2016 were accounted by three-injection viscosupplementation. The report estimates that the Russian viscosupplementation market incurred revenues worth over RUB 1.13 billion (US$ 19 million) in 2016. Registering a steady increment at 5.3% CAGR, Russias viscosupplementation revenues are expected to reach RUB 2.02 billion (US$ 34 million) by the end of 2026. With higher demand for three-injection viscosupplementation, Russias healthcare industry leaders will continue to extend production of three-injection viscosupplementation products as opposed to single injection and five-injection viscosupplementation products.Request to View Sample Report @The report also establishes projections regarding the end-use of viscosupplementation in Russia. Hospitals across the country will account for just above RUB 1.24 billion (US$ 21 million) revenues by the end of projection period. Within this, the demand for viscosupplementation will remain considerably higher in hospitals with capacity of more than 500 beds. End-use of viscosupplementation in Russias ambulatory surgical centres (ASCs) will remain nascent, while revenues accounted by orthopaedic clinics are expected to surpass RUB 595 million (US$ 10 million) through 2026.Request For Table Of Content @Top Players in Russias Viscosupplementation MarketTop three established players in Russias Viscosupplementation market include Hyaltech, Croma-Pharma GmbH and TRB Chemedica. The market is fragmented with small players holding substantial market share. While Hyaltech, Croma-Pharma GmbH and TRB Chemedica collectively dominate with more than half of the countrys viscosupplementation revenues. International players such as Sanofi, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Fidia Farmaceutici spa have low share as compared to the other players, Anika Therapeutics has recently launched their viscosupplementation product in Russias viscosupplementation market.Buy Viscosupplementation Market Research Report @Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Optical Brighteners Market : Industry Analysis And Detailed Profiles Of Top Industry Players

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In the highly consolidated global Optical Brighteners Market, the top four vendors, including BASF SE, AkzoNobel N.V., Huntsman Corporation, and Eastman Chemical Company, accounted for over 54% share in the market in 2015, states TMR in a recent report. BASF SE, the leading company of these four, accounted for nearly 22% of the market in the same year.Key players in the market are focusing on expansion across lucrative emerging markets in Asia Pacific. BASF SE, for example, inaugurated a new research and development center in Navi Mumbai, India in March 2015; it already has a sprawling chemical production complex at Dahej in Gujarat, India. Mergers and acquisitions with specialty chemical manufacturers in developing regions, focus on the production of organic products, and production of quality intermediates are among other prominent strategies adopted by key vendors in the market.Sample With Latest Advancements @Booming Textile and Cosmetics Industries to Provide Substantial Growth OpportunitiesThe textile industry is one of the most prominent consumers of a variety of optical brighteners. In the past few years, the flourishing growth achieved by the textile industry, especially across emerging economies such as India and China, has greatly influenced the total global demand for optical brighteners. According to the Indian Ministry of Textiles, the textile industry in the country is expected to expand at a strong CAGR of 11% over the period between 2009 and 2020, aiding the increased consumption of optical brighteners in the Asia Pacific market.The market for optical brighteners is also expected to substantially benefit from the booming cosmetic industry globally. Rising disposable incomes and a vast surge in the global demand for skincare and suncare products have encouraged the growth of the global cosmetics market in the past few years. Being another prominent consumer of optical brighteners, the growth of the cosmetics industry has in turn also boosted the overall global intake of optical brighteners.Browse Our Press Releases For More Information @Stringent Government Regulations and Declining Paper Industry to Hinder Markets GrowthStringent government regulations pertaining to the usage or exclusion of certain chemicals in consumer products owing to their potential health hazards on the user have resulted in complete bans on certain chemicals or have restricted the usage per product of some. This has significantly affected the global market for optical brighteners in the past few years.Along with this, the declining paper industry has also had severe implications on the overall development of the global optical brighteners market. The rising use of smart technologies such as computers, smartphones, and tablets across a number of industrial applications and processes have significantly reduced the amount of paper that was traditionally required to maintain records. The paper industry being one of the key consumer of optical brighteners, decline in its growth prospects has also dented growth opportunities of the global optical brighteners market.View Report @Asia Pacific to Play Pivotal Part in Growth of Global Optical Brighteners MarketTransparency Market Research states that the market will exhibit a 4.1% CAGR from 2015 through 2023. At this pace, the market, which had a valuation of US$1.12 bn in 2014, is expected to rise to US$1.71 bn by 2023. In terms of volume, the market is expected to expand at a 3.8% CAGR over the said period. Of the key chemicals used as optical brighteners, the segment of stilbene accounted for over 65% of the global market in 2014 and is expected to retain its dominance in the next few years as well. Geography-wise, Asia Pacific accounted for a 38% of the global markets revenues in 2014.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Industrial Gloves Market: Industry Analysis And Detailed Profiles Of Top Industry Players

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The global Industrial Gloves Market is envisaged to experience tremendous competition, leading to neck-to-neck struggle among the leading companies for the top spot. A third of the overall market share is predicted to be held by leading names such as Ansell Ltd., 3M Corporation, Showa Group, and Honeywell Safety Products. On a regional level, local vendors are predicted to give a tenacious fight. Market players and entrants are foretold to adopt innovative strategies in their products and employ cost reduction to maintain and influence market position. Portfolio expansion via acquisitions and mergers could also help gain trust of the customer base.According to TMRs report, the worldwide market for industrial gloves, which stood at US$5.13 bn in 2015, is expected to arrive at US$11.01 bn at the end of 2024. The market is prognosticated to showcase a 9.6% CAGR over the forecast duration of 2016 to 2024. Disposable gloves is expected to be leading market segment, showcasing a 9.7% CAGR.Sample With Latest Advancements @Disposable Gloves to Remain Dominant Owing to Hygiene IssuesIndustrial gloves market is segmented by type into disposable and reusable gloves. Reusable gloves need to be sterilized and decontaminated time to time. In an industry, this adds to the work process. In production industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, healthcare, and food, wherein gloves need to removed and put back on frequently, it is not feasible to use reusable gloves. This is the primary factor behind the popularity of disposable gloves- making them the leading market segment.The market for industrial gloves in Asia Pacific is predicted to be promising over the forecast period. On account of the food and beverage industry, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, industrial gloves are slated to witness high demand. Increase in stringent worker safety mandates in this region is also expected to contribute to the fast growth of the region. However, North America and Europe are prognosticated to hold over 60% of the market revenue over the forecast duration, due to considerable surge in chemical and pharmaceutical businesses.Browse Our Press Releases For More Information @Rise of End-Use Industries Provide Ample Market OpportunityThe worldwide industrial gloves market is anticipated to exhibit high growth due to a number of factors that promise to propel the industry positively. The rapidly flourishing chemical, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industry will lead to high demand of industrial gloves. Each of these industries require the use of gloves on a tremendous basis, and the food and beverage industry is predicted to be largest market share holder. The food and beverage industry requires strict hygiene standards, and could prove to be a significant market driver.The rise of industrial gloves usage across Europe and North America is foretold to be a key factor of the global market growth as well. These regions have recorded almost two-third of the total market revenue, and the increasing awareness of worker safety is expected to aid in maintaining the regions market position.View Report @The market could face some challenges in the form of lower awareness levels, and threat of local market players. The high cost of international products may lead to preference to lower quality and local product usage. Emerging economies may fall prey to lower cost products and hamper the overall market growth. However, with key players focusing on regionalization of their enterprise and making their product cost effective, these market constraints are expected to be overcome easily, leading to general market rise.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Metal Chelates Market Analysis And Forecast 2016 - 2024

Metal Chelates Market

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Metal chelates are compounds wherein a metal ion is bonded to an anion at more than one attachment sites. Chelation is a natural process that occurs to prevent the absorbed nutrients from precipitating. Organic substances present in the soil and produced by microorganisms are natural chelating agents. Hydroxamate siderophores are organic substances produced by microorganisms to transport and solubilize nutrients. However, presence of natural chelating agents is not enough to accelerate the crop yield. The role of synthetic metal chelates comes into play for curbing nutrient starvation in plants.Synthetic iron chelates are used extensively to feed iron-starving crops. The market for metal chelates can be segmented on the basis of nutrients they supply to the crop, mode of their application, and scarcity of micronutrients in the soil. Nutrients required for plants are categorized as macronutrients and micronutrients. Nutrients required in large quantities are macronutrients and nutrients required only in trace quantities are micronutrients. Macronutrients are sub-categorized as primary, secondary, and tertiary nutrients. The element potassium falls under primary macronutrients. It is essential for regulating water loss from leaves. Calcium and magnesium fall under secondary and tertiary macronutrients, respectively. On the other hand, elements such as iron, molybdenum, boron, copper, manganese, sodium, zinc, and nickel are included in the list of micronutrients.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Micronutrients are highly scarce nutrients found in soil. The micronutrients segment is projected to drive the market for metal chelates during the forecast period. Rising population and increasing awareness among farmers coupled with high demand for food products are also the drivers for the global metal chelates market. However, the market is hampered by stringent environmental regulations regarding utilization of biodegradable metal chelates. Opportunities are present for metal chelates manufacturers for penetrating the market with a bio degradable metal chelate.The market for metal chelates in Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America is estimated to expand. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global market for metal chelates owing to rising population, arable land, and micronutrient-deficient soil in the region. Rapidly increasing population has surged the demand for food and forced farmers in Asia Pacific to grow crops with high yield by utilizing external growth-promoting agents. Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a significant share in the global market for metal chelates. This is attributable to rapidly rising population, availability of arable land, and zinc-deficient soils in China and India. The market share held by Europe is anticipated to rise at a significant rate due to large population in Russia.North America is also expected to be an attractive market due to arable land, which is primarily concentrated in the U.S. Scarcity of micronutrients is likely to be a factor driving the market for metal chelates during the forecast period in Middle East & Africa.Request For Report Sample:Key players operating in the global market for metal chelates are AVA Chemicals Private Limited, M&M Industries, Qingyuan Mutual Bio Techniques Co. Ltd., Shanghai Joint Hope International Trade Corporation, Micromix Plant Health Limited, Farmtech Agriland Corporation, AkzoNobel, Gujarat State Fertilizer & Chemicals, Aris Agro Limited, Valagro, and Chemicnova. AVA Chemicals Private Limited is a holding manufacturer of metal chelates and manufactures chelated calcium, chelated manganese and chelated copper which are the essential micronutrients required for plant growth. Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited provides a micro mix fertilizer which contains a mix of all the essential micronutrients like zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and boron.About UsTransparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers.We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers and Consultants, who 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Ammonia Capacity Market 2017 - Opportunity, Driving Trends and deep study.

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Pune, India, 9th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Q2 Global Ammonia Capacity and Capital Expenditure Review - Iran and India to Drive Global Capacity Growth.SummaryGlobal Ammonia capacity is expected to experience considerable growth over the next nine years from around 230 mtpa in 2016 to more than 270 mtpa by 2025. More than 80 planned and announced projects are expected to come online primarily in Iran and India over the next nine years. Dangote Group, Eurochem Mineral and Chemical Co and Petroleo Brasileireo S.A. are the top three companies by capacity additions expected to come on-stream over the next nine years.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- Historic and forecast global ammonia capacity by region- Ammonia planned plants details- Global ammonia capacity by feedstock- Capacity share of the major ammonia producers globally- Global ammonia capital expenditure forecast by regionReasons to buy- Understand key trends in the global ammonia industry- Understand regional Ammonia supply scenario- Identify opportunities in the global ammonia industry with the help of upcoming projects and capital expenditure outlook- Understand the current and likely future competitive scenario.Table of Content: Key Points1 Table of Contents 12. Q2 Global Ammonia Capacity and Capital Expenditure Review 42.1. Key Highlights 42.2. New Project Announcements 52.3. New Project Cancellations 63. Global Planned and Announced Ammonia Projects 184. Appendix 284.1. Definitions 284.1.1. Installed Capacity 284.1.2. Key feedstock 284.2. Abbreviations 284.3. Methodology 284.3.1. Coverage 284.3.2. Secondary Research 294.4. Contact Us 294.5. Disclaimer 29ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Pune, India, 9th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Q2 Global Ammonia Capacity and Capital Expenditure Review - Iran and India to Drive Global Capacity Growth.SummaryGlobal Ammonia capacity is expected to experience considerable growth over the next nine years from around 230 mtpa in 2016 to more than 270 mtpa by 2025. More than 80 planned and announced projects are expected to come online primarily in Iran and India over the next nine years. Dangote Group, Eurochem Mineral and Chemical Co and Petroleo Brasileireo S.A. are the top three companies by capacity additions expected to come on-stream over the next nine years.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- Historic and forecast global ammonia capacity by region- Ammonia planned plants details- Global ammonia capacity by feedstock- Capacity share of the major ammonia producers globally- Global ammonia capital expenditure forecast by regionReasons to buy- Understand key trends in the global ammonia industry- Understand regional Ammonia supply scenario- Identify opportunities in the global ammonia industry with the help of upcoming projects and capital expenditure outlook- Understand the current and likely future competitive scenario.Table of Content: Key Points1 Table of Contents 12. Q2 Global Ammonia Capacity and Capital Expenditure Review 42.1. Key Highlights 42.2. New Project Announcements 52.3. New Project Cancellations 63. Global Planned and Announced Ammonia Projects 184. Appendix 284.1. Definitions 284.1.1. Installed Capacity 284.1.2. Key feedstock 284.2. Abbreviations 284.3. Methodology 284.3.1. Coverage 284.3.2. Secondary Research 294.4. Contact Us 294.5. Disclaimer 29ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Contact Info:NORAH TRENTsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Pune, India, 9th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Q2 Global Ammonia Capacity and Capital Expenditure Review - Iran and India to Drive Global Capacity Growth.SummaryGlobal Ammonia capacity is expected to experience considerable growth over the next nine years from around 230 mtpa in 2016 to more than 270 mtpa by 2025. More than 80 planned and announced projects are expected to come online primarily in Iran and India over the next nine years. Dangote Group, Eurochem Mineral and Chemical Co and Petroleo Brasileireo S.A. are the top three companies by capacity additions expected to come on-stream over the next nine years.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- Historic and forecast global ammonia capacity by region- Ammonia planned plants details- Global ammonia capacity by feedstock- Capacity share of the major ammonia producers globally- Global ammonia capital expenditure forecast by regionReasons to buy- Understand key trends in the global ammonia industry- Understand regional Ammonia supply scenario- Identify opportunities in the global ammonia industry with the help of upcoming projects and capital expenditure outlook- Understand the current and likely future competitive scenario.Table of Content: Key Points1 Table of Contents 12. Q2 Global Ammonia Capacity and Capital Expenditure Review 42.1. Key Highlights 42.2. New Project Announcements 52.3. New Project Cancellations 63. Global Planned and Announced Ammonia Projects 184. Appendix 284.1. Definitions 284.1.1. Installed Capacity 284.1.2. Key feedstock 284.2. Abbreviations 284.3. Methodology 284.3.1. Coverage 284.3.2. Secondary Research 294.4. Contact Us 294.5. Disclaimer 29ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Contact Info:NORAH TRENTsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Paper Fiber Market Shares And Strategies Of Key Players 2016 - 2024

Paper Fiber Market

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The global paper fiber market is driven by its extensive use as soil additive. Paper fiber increases organic matter to improve soil fertility and quality of poor soils. Paper fiber enables erosion control on steep slopes. It also improves water holding capacity and ensures long term availability of nitrogen. This is anticipated to fuel the growth of the market. Paper fiber is a recycled product with several applications and this will fuel the growth of the market. Paper fiber can retain water owing to its content of clay and lime. Paper fiber also offers ample amount of organic matter and helps in building deeper organic soils. This soil is then used for land reclamation programs and also in agriculture.Paper fiber products can revitalize the top soil and enrich it, which will fuel the demand and drive the market. Paper fiber is also being used as animal bedding as clay absorbs moisture and enables padding. This will boost the growth of the market. Paper fiber is far superior than traditional loam and is thus in demand for projects on steep slope. It is also useful in projects where there are wet and dry weather conditions. The need for irrigation reduces and nutrient holding capacity increases by use of paper fiber and thus, the market will witness growth. The market will also witness growth on account of high demand for landfill closures.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Paper Fiber Market: OverviewPaper fibers are commonly generated at paper mills. They are a byproduct of the manufacturing process of paper and pulp and are formed primarily through the wastewater treatment process at mills that employ them. The core substances in paper fiber include lime, clay, and wood. Over the recent past, paper fiber has come to be a part of an extremely diverse array of utilities and applications. One of the key factors to not about paper fiber is that it has a low content of phosphorus and nitrogen. Combined with the retentive properties of paper fiber, one of their greater applications rises from the agriculture industry, where paper fiber can be used as an additive to soil to improve it nutritional and water retention rate.For the global paper fiber market, this research report form a complete analytical work that entails the current and likely future events in the market. The report initially introduces the global paper fiber market to the reader through its fundamental aspects and current events. Armed with this knowledge and the application of proven research methodologies, the report derives the most likely future prospects in the market for the given forecast period. These components include Porters Five Forces analysis of the global paper fiber market, along with a SWOT analysis of its competitive landscape.Global Paper Fiber Market: Trends and Opportunities:The rising rate of soil erosion is one of the key factors promoting the use of paper fiber as a soil additive today. This applies both agriculturally and otherwise, as soil erosion is becoming a very high priority cause for concern in terms of land space reduction. Within the agriculture industry, paper fiber forms a doubly advantageous application, as it can hold the soil together while also imparting to it a better retentive property for water and added nutrients. Paper fiber thus plays a crucial role in the agriculture industry of today, where the total available arable land is low and the demand for quality yield is very high.The end users of the global paper fiber market include land reclamation, animal bedding, and agriculture. Of these, the agriculture segment forms the leading application for paper fiber, where it can be used in the topsoil in order to help the land retain nutrients and water, while simultaneously reducing the rate of soil erosion. Its fluid retentive capabilities are also giving it a heavy impetus in its use for animal bedding in the livestock industry, as it can help create a drier environment for livestock to live in, thereby reducing the growth of bacteria in it.Request For Report Sample:Global Paper Fiber Market: Region-wise Outlook:The core regions discussed in the report on the global paper fiber market are Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the MEA. Of these, Asia Pacific is currently showing the leading level of demand for paper fiber, given its extensive dependence on agriculture and the growing demand for premium yield crops. Paper fiber is also finding its way into dairy farms across the region as a viable replacement to hay and dried crops for animal bedding. China, India, and Australia are expected to show a very high rate of increase in demand for paper fiber over the coming years.About UsTransparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers.We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers and Consultants, who 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Yoga Mat 2017 Global Key Players  Hugger Mugger Para Rubber, Easyoga, Yogasana, PrAna Revolutionary, Jade Yoga, Barefoot Yoga Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022

Yoga Mat Market

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Yoga Mat Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Yoga Mat-Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Description:Based on the Yoga Mat industrial chain, this report mainly elaborate the definition, types, applications and major players of Yoga Mat market in details. Deep analysis about market status (2012-2017), enterprise competition pattern, advantages and disadvantages of enterprise Products, industry development trends (2017-2022), regional industrial layout characteristics and macroeconomic policies, industrial policy has also be included. From raw materials to downstream buyers of this industry will be analyzed scientifically, the feature of product circulation and sales channel will be presented as well. In a word, this report will help you to establish a panorama of industrial development and characteristics of the Yoga Mat market.The Yoga Mat market can be split based on product types, major applications, and important regions.Major Players in Yoga Mat market are:Hugger Mugger Para RubberEasyogaYogasanaPrAna RevolutionaryJade YogaBarefoot YogaKharma KhareCopeactiveA. KolckmannManduka PROliteKhatalandMicrocell CompositeLiformeHATHAYOGALululemonAuroraeYogarugsBean ProductsHosa GroupKeep wellAeroliteYogabumJiangXi Lveten Plastic IndustryStarlightGaiamRequest for Sample Report@Major Regions play vital role in Yoga Mat market are:North AmericaEuropeChinaJapanMiddle East & AfricaIndiaSouth AmericaOthersMost important types of Yoga Mat products covered in this report are:PVC yoga matsRubber yoga matsTPE yoga matsOther yoga matsMost widely used downstream fields of Yoga Mat market covered in this report are:HouseholdYoga clubOthersEnquiry before Buying @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Contents:Global Yoga Mat Industry Market Research Report1 Yoga Mat Introduction and Market Overview1.1 Objectives of the Study1.2 Definition of Yoga Mat1.3 Yoga Mat Market Scope and Market Size Estimation1.3.1 Market Concentration Ratio and Market Maturity Analysis1.3.2 Global Yoga Mat Value ($) and Growth Rate from 2012-20221.4 Market Segmentation1.4.1 Types of Yoga Mat1.4.2 Applications of Yoga Mat1.4.3 Research Regions1.4.3.1 North America Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.2 Europe Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.3 China Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.4 Japan Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.5 Middle East & Africa Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.6 India Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.7 South America Yoga Mat Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Drivers1.5.1.1 Emerging Countries of Yoga Mat1.5.1.2 Growing Market of Yoga Mat1.5.2 Limitations1.5.3 Opportunities1.6 Industry News and Policies by Regions1.6.1 Industry News1.6.2 Industry Policies2 Industry Chain Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Material Suppliers of Yoga Mat Analysis2.2 Major Players of Yoga Mat2.2.1 Major Players Manufacturing Base and Market Share of Yoga Mat in 20162.2.2 Major Players Product Types in 20162.3 Yoga Mat Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.3.1 Production Process Analysis2.3.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure of Yoga Mat2.3.3 Raw Material Cost of Yoga Mat2.3.4 Labor Cost of Yoga Mat2.4 Market Channel Analysis of Yoga Mat2.5 Major Downstream Buyers of Yoga Mat Analysis.8 Competitive Landscape8.1 Competitive Profile8.2 Hugger Mugger Para Rubber8.2.1 Company Profiles8.2.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.2.2.1 Product Introduction8.2.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.2.3 Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.2.4 Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.3 Easyoga8.3.1 Company Profiles8.3.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.3.2.1 Product Introduction8.3.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.3.3 Easyoga Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.3.4 Easyoga Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.4 Yogasana8.4.1 Company Profiles8.4.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.4.2.1 Product Introduction8.4.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.4.3 Yogasana Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.4.4 Yogasana Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.5 PrAna Revolutionary8.5.1 Company Profiles8.5.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.5.2.1 Product Introduction8.5.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.5.3 PrAna Revolutionary Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.5.4 PrAna Revolutionary Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.6 Jade Yoga8.6.1 Company Profiles8.6.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.6.2.1 Product Introduction8.6.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.6.3 Jade Yoga Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.6.4 Jade Yoga Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.7 Barefoot Yoga8.7.1 Company Profiles8.7.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.7.2.1 Product Introduction8.7.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.7.3 Barefoot Yoga Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.7.4 Barefoot Yoga Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.8 Kharma Khare8.8.1 Company Profiles8.8.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.8.2.1 Product Introduction8.8.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.8.3 Kharma Khare Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.8.4 Kharma Khare Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.9 Copeactive8.9.1 Company Profiles8.9.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.9.2.1 Product Introduction8.9.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.9.3 Copeactive Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.9.4 Copeactive Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.10 A. Kolckmann8.10.1 Company Profiles8.10.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.10.2.1 Product Introduction8.10.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.10.3 A. Kolckmann Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.10.4 A. Kolckmann Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.11 Manduka PROlite8.11.1 Company Profiles8.11.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.11.2.1 Product Introduction8.11.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.11.3 Manduka PROlite Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.11.4 Manduka PROlite Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.12 Khataland8.12.1 Company Profiles8.12.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.12.2.1 Product Introduction8.12.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.12.3 Khataland Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.12.4 Khataland Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.13 Microcell Composite8.13.1 Company Profiles8.13.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.13.2.1 Product Introduction8.13.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.13.3 Microcell Composite Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.13.4 Microcell Composite Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.14 Liforme8.14.1 Company Profiles8.14.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.14.2.1 Product Introduction8.14.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.14.3 Liforme Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.14.4 Liforme Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.15 HATHAYOGA8.15.1 Company Profiles8.15.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.15.2.1 Product Introduction8.15.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.15.3 HATHAYOGA Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.15.4 HATHAYOGA Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.16 Lululemon8.16.1 Company Profiles8.16.2 Yoga Mat Product Introduction and Market Positioning8.16.2.1 Product Introduction8.16.2.2 Market Positioning and Target Customers8.16.3 Lululemon Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2012-2017E8.16.4 Lululemon Market Share of Yoga Mat Segmented by Region in 20168.17 Aurorae8.18 Yogarugs8.19 Bean Products8.20 Hosa Group8.21 Keep well8.22 Aerolite8.23 Yogabum8.24 JiangXi Lveten Plastic Industry8.25 Starlight8.26 GaiamContinued..Buy now @Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune  411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042
New report sheds light on Global Telecom Consulting Market Research Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Telecom Consulting Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the global Telecom Consulting market provides in-depth region wise and country wise analysis, aspiring to serve as a credible business tool for its targeted audiences. Stakeholders of this report include manufacturers and service providers, raw material suppliers, research institutes, government agencies, and new players planning to enter the market. One of the primary feature of this report is an elaborated section on competitive landscape, which also includes profiles of some of the key companies currently operating in the global Telecom Consulting market.The report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the global Telecom Consulting market. Qualitative analysis comprises market dynamics, trends, product overview, and country-level market information. Quantitative analysis includes major players with their reported revenue, market size, and forecast in every important region including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. Major country-wide markets for Telecom Consulting have also been explored, such as the U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, China, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. Market revenue is provided in terms of US$ Mn from 2015 to 2025 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2017 to 2025 for all the segments, considering 2016 as the base year. The executive summary of the report provides a snapshot of the Telecom Consulting market with information on leading segments, country wise market information with respect to the market size, growth rate (CAGR %), and growth factors.Request and Download Sample Report @The market overview section comprises impact factors such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the global Telecom Consulting market. These factors would aid the stakeholders in establishing a strong foothold in this market. Furthermore, the market overview section comprises key industry events, product overview, market attractiveness analysis and emerging trend in the latest technologies. The market attractiveness analysis provides a graphical view comparing the growth and market dynamics in various segments and country wise to identify the most attractive market.Table of ContentsGlobal Telecom Consulting Market Research Report 20171 Telecom Consulting Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Telecom Consulting1.2 Telecom Consulting Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Telecom Consulting Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Telecom Consulting Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Type 1Complete table of content is available at:1.3 Global Telecom Consulting Segment by Application1.3.1 Telecom Consulting Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 4G-LTE-TTH1.3.3 Mobile Broadband1.4 Global Telecom Consulting Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Telecom Consulting Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)2 Global Telecom Consulting Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Telecom Consulting Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Telecom Consulting Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Telecom Consulting Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Telecom Consulting Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Telecom Consulting Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Telecom Consulting Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type3 Global Telecom Consulting Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Telecom Consulting Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Telecom Consulting Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Telecom Consulting Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Telecom Consulting Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Telecom Consulting Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Telecom Consulting Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Telecom Consulting Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Telecom Consulting Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Telecom Consulting Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Telecom Consulting Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Telecom Consulting Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Telecom Consulting Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Telecom ConsultingFigure Global Telecom Consulting Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Telecom Consulting Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Type 1Table Major Manufacturers of Type 1Figure Product Picture of Type 2Table Major Manufacturers of Type 2Figure Product Picture of Type 3Table Major Manufacturers of Type 3Figure Global Telecom Consulting Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Telecom Consulting Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016Figure 4G-LTE-TTH ExamplesFigure Mobile Broadband ExamplesFigure Cloud services ExamplesFigure Smart grid ExamplesFigure Other ExamplesFigure Global Telecom Consulting Market Size (Million USD), Comparison (K Units) and CAGR (%) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure North America Telecom Consulting Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Smart Gas Market : Business Profit And Future Scope Of The Report

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Market Analysis: Global Smart Gas MarketThe global smart gas market accounted for USD 11.10 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 13.86% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Market Definition: Global Smart Gas MarketThe smart gas devices are very helpful in monitoring solution for gas utilities deals remotely. These devices play a very important role in tracking asset performance which provides real-time data during gas operations. The smart meters help in capturing, storing, and transmitting meter data to the main server. The growing demand for the energy demand globally, rapid urbanization and technological advancements are driving the market for global smart gas.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @Major Market Drivers & Restraints:Rapid urbanizationTechnological AdvancementIncreasing Government InitiativesIncreasing Global Energy DemandIncreasing Amount Of Economic And Regulatory SupportImproved & Transparent Billing ProcessesMarket Segmentation: Global Smart Gas MarketThe global smart gas market is segmented on the basis of devices into AMR (Automatic meter reading) & AMI Meters.On the basis of solution, the global smart gas market is segmented into GIS, SCADA, asset condition monitoring &performance management, MDM, and outage management & remote monitoring.By services, the global smart gas market is segmented into consulting, deployment& managed.On the basis of geography, global smart gas market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. In 2017, North America is expected to dominate the market.Company Share Analysis: Global Smart Gas MarketThe report for global smart gas market include detailed vendor level analysis for market shares in 2016 for Global, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America specifically. Also impact and development analysis of key vendors is registered in the market and factored on the basis of Vendor Positioning Grid Analysis which measures the vendors strengths and opportunities against present market challenges, measure providers ability to identify or satisfy present market needs, map providers market vision to current and upcoming market dynamics among others. The report also measures technology life line curve and market time line to analyze and do more affective investments.Major Market Competitors: Global Smart Gas MarketSome of the major players of the global smart gas market are General Electric Company, IBM Corporation, Schneider Electric, Oracle, Silver Spring Networks, CGI Group Inc., Capgemini, Badger Meter, Inc., Itron Inc., Sensus, Verizon, Aclara Technologies LLC., ABB Group , Diehl Stiftung & Co KG among others.Obtain Report Details @Research Methodology: Global Smart Gas MarketData collection and base year analysis is done using data collection modules with large sample sizes. The market data is analyzed and forecasted using market statistical and coherent models. Also market share analysis and key trend analysis are the major success factors in the market report. To know more please request an analyst call or can drop down your inquiry.About UsAlltake Market Research is division of the Alltake LLC. that offers premium quality market intelligence, market research, industry analysis reports & forecast data for different domains across the business industry.Alltake Market Research understands the importance of market analysis for any strategy that is implemented in any organization or association. In order to provide the best solution, Alltake Market Research have associated with major organizations within market research and consultancy firm. This portfolio offers market analysis report at one place for different business verticals. Alltake Market Research ensures to offer you with the most reliable and quality market research available.Contact UsAlltake Market Research16192, Coastal Highway Lewes,DE 19958, United StatesUS - 188 8587 9717UK - 4480 0680 0195Email sales@alltakemarketresearch.com
Global Scar Treatment Market to Reflect a Significant CAGR of 3.9 % through 20172025

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) delivers key insights and presents a revised forecast of the global scar treatment market for an eight year period from 2017 to 2025 in the report titled Scar Treatment Market: Global Industry Analysis 20122016 and Forecast 20172025. The revision in the market size and forecasts have been carried out taking into account the impact of various macroeconomic indicators and other industry-based demand-driving factors, as well as the recent developments of key market participants. The global scar treatment market is projected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 3.9 % in terms of value during the forecast period, revised from the previous CAGR of 3.8%, due to factors regarding which PMR offers useful insights in detail in this report.Request Sample Report@ sample linkThe prime drivers for the market include availability of attractive reimbursement facilities in developed markets and rising incidences of atrophic scars (primarily acne) in developing markets, primarily due to rapidly changing food habits and lifestyles. Furthermore, growing adoption of combination therapeutics is another factor expected to drive demand for various combinations of scar treatment product and treatments over the forecast period. Currently, there are no formalized guidelines for treatment of scars. All treatments are done on a best-effort basis, guided mostly through word-of-mouth by expert clinicians and surgeons. However, efforts are underway to formalize treatment guidelines at least for common scars. In this regard, under the U.K. governments cosmetic intervention guidelines, patient and patient parties need access to independent and evidence-based information to form their decisions. Many of these scar treatment and aesthetic beautification procedures are considered similar to consumer goods by both the purchaser and provider. A change in this perspective could help boost manufacturers and service providers potential revenue base.Barriers to the market include fragmented documented clinical evidences for popular topical products such as onion extract gels (containing silicone). This hampers the product uptake by the educated section of the patient base in both developed and developing countries. Other barriers include psychological issues such as fear of side-effects and consideration of scar treatment as a non-necessary expenditure item in the overall consumption basket. Even some of the well-known regulatory agencies do not accept scar treatments as medically necessary as they mostly are not life-changing in nature.In the report, the global scar treatment market is analyzed based on product-type, scar type, end-user (distribution channel), and region. Based on product type, the overall market has been segmented into topical products, laser products, surface treatment products, and injectable products. The topical product segment is further segmented into creams, gels, oils, and silicone gel sheets. The laser segment has been sub-segmented into CO2, excimer, and pulse-dyed lasers. Based on scar type, the market has been sub-segmented into atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars and keloids, contractures, and stretch marks. The distribution channels or end-users in the market include hospitals, private clinics, pharmacies and retail drug stores, and e-commerce. The market has been analyzed in terms of value. In the overall market, topical products and atrophic scars are the prime segments driving revenue growth currently. Accordingly, the topical product type segment is expected to reach a value of 473.8 Mn by the end of 2025, registering a moderate CAGR over the forecast period.Request to View Tables of Content @Based on region, the market has been divided into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the MEA. Developed pharmaceutical markets such as the U.S. and EU are expected to emerge as the main markets for scar treatment products over the forecast period, while markets in Brazil and Central Asia are expected to witness growing adoption of laser treatments due to booming medical tourism and aesthetic corrective procedures in these regions. Increasing involvement of patients in treatment formulation processes is an important attribute being adopted by reputed physicians as it could lead to a marked improvement in adherence levels of prescribed treatments and increase treatment effectiveness. This report assesses the market trends, by product, scar type, end user and region, to offer analytical insights about the potential emerging demand for particular scar treatments in specific regions. North America is estimated to dominate the scar treatment market over the forecast period, accounting for maximum revenue share of the overall market by the end of 2015. Markets in Latin America and APAC region are estimated to expand at the most significant CAGR over the forecast period.Key companies covered in this report include Smith & Nephew PLC, Merz Inc., Enaltus LLC, Occulus Innovative Sciences Inc., CCA Industries Inc., Cynosure Inc, Avita Medical Limited, Lumenis, Syneron Medical Ltd., Nutramarks Inc., Molnlycke Health Care, Pacific World Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (AC. Alma Lasers). These companies are primarily focused on enhancing their product portfolio through research and development and on the introduction of innovative and cost-effective advanced manufacturing procedures in order to gain higher market share and to strengthen their respective positions in the global market.Buy Scar Treatment Market @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. 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Global Flavor and Fragrance Market 2017 - Sensient, Robertet SA, Givaudan, Firmenich, IFF, WILD Flavors

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Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Flavor and Fragrance Market 2017 Forecast to 2022"Flavor and fragrance are defined as substances that give another substance pleasant odor, altering the characteristics of the solute, causing it to become sweet, sour, tangy, etc. Flavors are used as food additives to enhancing the taste and smell of food products such as beverages, bakery and snacks, dairy products, soups, sauces or confectionary products. Fragrances are mainly used in fine fragrances and consumer products including body care, home care and oral care."Ask for Sample Report:Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Flavor and Fragrance in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversGivaudanFirmenichIFFSymriseTakasagoWILD FlavorsManeFrutaromSensientRobertet SAT. HasegawaKerryMcCormickSynergy FlavorProvaHuabaoYingyangZhonghuaShanghai AppleWanxiang InternationalBotonMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Access Full Report With TOC @Market Segment by Type, coversFlavorFragranceMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFood and BeveragesDaily ChemicalsTobacco IndustryThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Flavor and Fragrance market.Chapter 1, to describe Flavor and Fragrance Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Flavor and Fragrance, with sales, revenue, and price of Flavor and Fragrance, 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 Flavor and Fragrance, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Flavor and Fragrance market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Flavor and Fragrance sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Anti-corrosion Nanocoatings Market to Expand Substantially Owing to Technological Innovations During 2016-2024

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Corrosion is increasingly becoming a major issue for owners of industrial equipment and plants. Corrosion, which is mostly caused by a chemical attack, can lead to significant industrial losses. Corrosion, in its various forms, is estimated to cost the global economy US$3 Trn per year. The presence of corrosive chemicals can result in deterioration of a structure or equipment and is also a potential risk to personnel. It may also lead to permanent structural failure, which can be deemed costly in terms of repair. The corrosion phenomenon majorly affects economies of industrial companies. However, with the advent of innovative technologies, it is possible to eliminate corrosion in prior stages through anti-corrosion nanocoatings. Anti-corrosion nanocoatings consist of homogeneous thin films made up of alkoxides with chemically attached nanoparticles. Corrosion and high temperature oxidation can be reduced by coating materials made up of thin layer of chemically resistant oxides. Such films are primarily suitable for metallic surfaces. They offer various advantages such as low temperature processing, high purity, and control of the composition.Nanocoatings are materials manufactured by shrinking raw materials at the molecular level to form a denser product. Nanocoatings are preferred over traditional coatings due to their lower content of VOCs. Additionally, nanocoatings offer characteristics such as resistance to scratch, UV, and chemical; low maintenance; anti-corrosion; and color and gloss retention. Nanocoatings are classified as anti-fingerprint, anti-microbial, anti-fouling and easy-to-clean, self-cleaning (bionic and photocatalytic) and others (specialty coatings, etc.). Anti-microbial is a highly used nanocoating across various end-user industries. Anti-microbial nanocoatings are employed in end-user industries such as medical and health care, water treatment, food manufacturing, and packaging. Anti-fouling and easy-to-clean nanocoatings are also employed on a large scale in marine, food manufacturing, automotive, and electronics industries, etc. The anti-fingerprint nanocoatings segment is expected to expand substantially in the near future due to the increasing demand in electronics, automotive, and medical and health care industries. Other types of nanocoatings are used in building & construction, packaging, and textiles industries.Request For Report Sample@The global anti-corrosion nanocoatings market is expanding owing to the high demand in medical and automotive coatings industries. Growth in the coatings sector, rising demand, and urbanization in BRIC countries has been driving the global anti-corrosion nanocoatings market since the last few years. Anti-corrosion nanocoatings are used in medical equipment and implants. The medical and health care industry is likely to expand significantly in the next few years. Energy and electronics are high-growth end-users of anti-corrosion nanocoatings. This trend is estimated to continue in the next few years. Furthermore, increase in usage of anti-corrosion nanocoatings in automotive to retain color and gloss of the surface is likely to drive the anti-corrosion nanocoatings market in the near future. Demand for nanocoatings is high in the building & construction industry, as they inhibit microbial growth, mildew, and algae. Anti-corrosion nanocoatings are also used in food manufacturing, packaging, textiles, and water treatment industries, among others.The global anti-corrosion nanocoatings market is expected to witness significant growth due to the ability of these nanocoatings to provide high degree of adhesion and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance to meet the regulatory requirement. North America and Europe are the major markets for anti-corrosion nanocoatings, driven by the implementation of stringent emission standards to comply with the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Growth in the medical and health care industry in North America is estimated to drive the anti-corrosion nanocoatings market in the near future. Currently, the demand for medical equipment and implant coatings is high in North America. It is projected to rise owing to the increase in development in technology. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be a rapidly growing market for anti-corrosion nanocoatings in the next few years. Demand for anti-corrosion nanocoatings is likely to increase in Asia Pacific due to growth in automotive and electronics industries.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Key players operating in the anti-corrosion nanocoatings market include Buhler PARTEC GmbH, Nanogate AG, and P2i Ltd.About USTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact USState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Website:Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Dental Anesthesia Market Opportunities, Drivers, Manufacturers, Analysis and Forecasts Till 2027

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The Dental Anesthesia Market is expected to register a CAGR of about 8.9%. The Dental Anesthesia Market report analyses Advancement in technology, new developing techniques can also result in the growth of the dental anesthetics market. Dental Anesthesia is color coded by the manufacturers in order to differentiate between specific Anesthetics.Dental Anesthesia is the field of anesthesia which includes Local Anesthetics but sedation and general anesthetics. Lidocaine is the most commonly used anesthetic, its half-life in the body is 1.5 to 2 hours. According to recent trends heavy investment is going into R&D and technology to develop better delivery devices and improved techniques to deliver anesthesia.Anesthesia can be provided through various techniques such as sprays, needles or drops. Dental needle is an essential tool used by dentists on a regular basis, which is used to provide dental anesthesia to the patient for oral purposes.Get Sample Copy @Global Dental Anesthesia: Market SegmentationThe Dental Anesthesia market can be segmented on the basis of-Products (partially, more can be added): Dental Anesthesia is color coded by the manufacturers in order to differentiate between specific AnestheticsLidocaine 2% with Epinephrine 1:100,000. Red: 185, 186, 199 or 200Lidocaine 2% with Epinephrine 1:50,000. Green: 347, 348, 355 or 356Mepivacaine 3% Plain Tan: 466, 467 or 468.Prilocaine 4% Plain BlackAnesthesia is reversible loss sensation which is induces by a drug known as anesthetics. Anesthetics are very different from a normal analgesic (pain killers) which relives pain without loss of sensation. Anesthetics are generally administered to facilitate Surgery.Global Dental Anesthesia Market Regional Analysis:EuropeThe Europe healthcare industry is currently booming given the fact the increasing number of medical professionals and growing awareness. The number of dentists in Europe specifically Germany, France and Italy In steadily increasing. The high literacy rate in Europe is going to increase awareness about healthcare which ultimately is going to give boost to the healthcare industry leading to a boost of the dental market further boosting the dental anesthetics market. With already established market players like Astra Zeneca, Septodont, DENTSPLY in the market, increasing demand for better standards of healthcare and products will result in the growth on the dental anesthetics market in Europe.AsiaAsia is a growing dental consumables market. The Asian Dental consumables market is not dominated by a single market player, the market in asia is a mix of big and small entities which provides a platform for healthy competition and scope for growth. With players like J Morita and Shuguang already established in the dental consumables market and other smaller manufacturers, the dental anesthesia market is going to witness a high growth rate.Asia is one of the biggest exporter of dental consumables all over the world, with the demand for higher standards and quality, Asia can prove to be a big market for dental consumables as well as anesthesia.Get Discount @Major TOC of Dental Anesthesia Market:1 INTRODUCTION1.1 DEFINITION1.2 SCOPE OF STUDY1.2.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE1.2.2 ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS1.2.2.1 ASSUMPTIONS1.2.2.2 LIMITATIONS1.3 MARKET STRUCTURE:2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2.1 RESEARCH PROCESS:2.2 PRIMARY RESEARCH2.3 SECONDARY RESEARCH:3 MARKET DYNAMICS3.1 DRIVERS3.2 RESTRAINTS3.3 OPPORTUNITIES3.4 MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS4 MARKET FACTOR ANALYSIS4.1 PORTERS FIVE FORCES MODEL4.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS4.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS4.4 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS4.5 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES4.6 INTENSITY OF RIVALRY.ContinuedAbout US:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Gourmet Salts Market: Dynamics, Forecast, Analysis and Supply Demand 2015 - 2025

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Gourmet salts are unrefined and high quality salts used in cuisine in order to enhance taste and appeal of the food. Gourmet salts are used for to enhance the texture and flavor. In addition, these type of salts possess better solubility and also high mineral content. Gourmet salts are also blended with other type of herbs, spices and flavors in order to enhance the flavor and color of spices. Gourmet salts are used in various applications such as bakery, savoury, confectionery, poultry and sea food. Fleur de sel is one of the widely used gourmet salts, which is used in variety of food products such as roasted meat, vegetable dishes and salads. Gourmet salts are also used in for preserving canned food products in order to store food item for longer duration.Request For Report Sample:Gourmet Salts Market: SegmentationGlobal Gourmet salts market is segmented on the basis of product type, application and region. Based on the product type segmentation includes fleur de sel, Himalayan salts, sel gris, and flake salts. Of which, fleur de sel is used widely in various food applications such as meat and salads. Fleur de sel is anticipated to be the dominating segment during the forecasted period, followed by other gourmet salts. On the basis of application, gourmet salts is segmented into savoury, bakery and confectionary, poultry and seafood products and others. However, among all the segments, bakery and confectionary segment is expected to contribute maximum revenue to the overall gourmet salts market. Global gourmet salts market is segmented on the basis of regions into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan. Gourmet salts market is dominated by European region, followed by North America and Asia Pacific excluding Japan. In Europe, France and Spain are expected to contribute maximum revenue share to the overall gourmet salts market. However North America is projected to witness fastest growth in the next four to five years owing to the high disposable income of consumers in this region.Gourmet Salts Market: Region-wise OutlookThe Global gourmet salts market is expected to witness vigorous growth during the forecasted period due to the rising awareness among consumers related to changing food or cuisine preferences among consumers .Globally, among all regions, Europe is expected to witness significant growth in the gourmet salts market and contribute maximum market share, followed by North America and Asia Pacific over the forecasted period. However, North America is expected to experience fast growth due the high disposable income of the consumers, which results in buying patterns for products rich in gourmet salt. Since, these products are expensive in nature.Gourmet Salts Market: DriversVarious factors that fuel the growth of gourmet salts market includes rising living standard of consumers, increasing commercialisation of food industry by various media shows and also awareness regarding benefits of gourmet salts in the traditional food. However, factors that hampers the growth of gourmet salts market are high price associated with gourmet salts in comparison to conventional salts. Other major factor that restraints the growth of gourmet salts market that hinder the growth of gourmet salts market is lack of awareness among consumers in developing countries. Companies operating in gourmet salts market are mainly adopting new product development strategy in order to enhance their product portfolio and also to expand into new markets.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Gourmet salts Market: Key PlayersMajor companies that operate in gourmet salts market includes Cargill Inc., Morton Salt Inc., Murray River Salt, Alaska Pure Sea Salts Co., Infosa, Amagansett Sea Salt Co., Maldon Crystal Salt Co., Pyramid Salt Pty. Ltd.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Business Intelligence and Analytics Software Market to Reach $XX billion by 2021, According to Recent Study by MRG

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Market Research Globe has released a latest report based on thorough research on Business Intelligence and Analytics Software market. This in-depth report discusses this industrys market in forms of overview/definition, application, classification, predictions pertaining value and volume, and future predictions. It also prominently attributes the current situation and outlooks with industrial and financial aspect. Furthermore, it comprises of current events, latest market trends, schematic representation of the global companies with their prime developments, mergers & acquisitions, deals and agreements, expansions and investments, etc. Additionally, it talks about the vital prospects such as market restrains growth drivers, challenges and potential opportunities that may affect the overall Business Intelligence and Analytics Software market.Due to the constant altering business landscape, enhancements in the technology, the process of communication in several organizations have become intricate. Moreover, nowadays, customers demands have increased and expanded, this in return expects efficient and effective communication inside an organization. Escalated use of social networking websites, increased use of smartphones, and ascending demand for improved enterprise efficiency are the prime growth factors of the Business Intelligence and Analytics Software market. Enhanced technologies and several Information technology tools better the productivity of the business and escalate functional efficiency. Additionally, many services and solutions are put to use in various industrial verticals which includes banks, insurance (BFSI), public sector, travel & hospitality, healthcare, energy & utilities, education, IT & telecom, transportations and logistics, retail, many other industry sectors such as media and communications.Download Report Sample Copy@The methodological analysis which is used to approximate and forecast the Business Intelligence and Analytics Software Market starts with gathering data on vital vendors with the help of secondary research through various trusted sources that include news articles, presentations, journals and paid database. In addition, information which the vendors provide is also taken into consideration to analyze the segmentation of the market.This extensive professional market research report renders an in-depth study of this markets industry along with growth prospects for the forecast period with exclusive focus on the size and characteristics of the market, major market manufacturers, present trends, growth forecasts, competitive landscape for the predicted frame of time coupled with market restrains and prime success. Besides, this exclusive report cloaks the global Business Intelligence and Analytics Software Market based on applications, regions, competitive landscape and products. The report enlists profiles of several companies of prime market players, market share, financial metrics, business strategies, and forecasts and predictions.For More Enquiry about Report@The Business Intelligence and Analytics Software Market report wraps: Industry summary with market definition, key elements such as market restrains, drivers, potential opportunities, challenges, trends in the market, etc. Market sectioning depending on product, application, geographical region, competitive market share Market size, approximates, forecasts for the said frame of time Distribution channel assessment Competitive analysis of crucial market manufacturers, trends, company profiles, strategies, etc. Factors accountable for the growth of the market Thorough assessment of prime market geographically Factual information, insights, market date backed by statistics and industryThe report is worth a buy because:This report on Business Intelligence and Analytics Software Market assists in analyzing the condition and situation of the market in primary regions of the world. Apart from rendering an overview of product manufacturing processes, the research report also renders impeded strategy of the industry, latest technological developments, cost structures, product specifications, etc. Future predictions based on the development of this industry are also covered. The report also reviews micro and macro factors vital for the new entrants along with the current market players.Get PDF Brochure of Report@About Market Research Globe:Market Research Globe is a competent consulting company in the field of Global Market Research. We provide our clients a wide range of customized Marketing and Business Research Solutions to choose from, with the help of our ingenious database developed by experts. We help our clients understand the strengths of diverse markets and how to exploit opportunities. Covering a diverse range of business scopes from Digital products to Food industry, we are your one- stop solution right from data collection to investment advices.Contact us:Liberty Society,Koregaon Park, Pune- 411001,Maharashtra, India.US: +1-888-376-9998Email- sales@marketresearchglobe.comWeb-
LED Lighting Market Volume Forecast and Value Chain Analysis 2015-2025

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LED light is a light-emitting diode product which is accumulated into the utilization in lighting fixtures. It is basically a semiconductor lighting source operate in different applications such as automotive lighting, general as well as backlighting. It has been noticed that LEDs are smaller and have a lengthier operating life as well as lower cost of ownership as compared to previous technologies in the similar area. The prices of LEDs have reduced to a point where such type of lighting is becoming the economic choice in every application. The acceptance of LED lighting is escalating in almost all major end uses such as industrial buildings, residential and commercial buildings, as well as outdoor application areas. The LED lighting systems provide more energy efficiency and longer life span. The LED light provides a lifetime of nearly 50,000 hours of brightness and work effectively by using only a fraction of energy as is utilized by traditional bulbs and CFLs. The LED lights compete with old and traditional bulbs on various parameters which include longer lifetime, energy efficiency, enhanced environmental friendliness, better durability, lower heat and smaller size. The Global LED lighting market has showcased rapid growth over the past few years. The Global LED lighting market is anticipated to grow at a stupendous CAGR over the period 2015-2025 with a substantial revenue in 2025. Thus, the revolution in LED is gaining traction in terms of market dynamics.Request For Report Sample:Global LED Lighting: Market SegmentationThe Global LED lighting market is segmented on the basis of organizational structure such as organized and unorganized. The Global LED lighting market is further bifurcated by application areas such as automotive, general and backlighting. The LED lighting market in automobile industry is rising as LEDs are initiating to be used in mass market automobiles. The Global LED lighting market is also divided on the basis of end-user segment such as commercial, general, residential, industrial, outdoor and architectural. The Global LED lighting market is further segmented by technology which includes ultraviolet LEDs, basic LEDs, high brightness LEDs, polymer LEDs and organic LEDs.Global LED Lighting Market: Growth DriversThe global LED lighting market is influenced by various factors such as macroeconomic conditions which is impacting the new construction and subsequently new lighting installations. Less replacement, less heat as well as the lower price are fostering the demand for LED lights across the globe and strengthening the market of global LEDs. Such factors along with inclining demand for cost efficient lighting systems from communities and buildings will intensify the market for global LED lighting from 2015-2025. Besides this, innovation and change in technology along with different product designs by LED light manufacturers are anticipated to bolster the global LED lighting market. The rising government initiatives for conservation of energy is also fostering the growth of global LED lighting market.Global LED Lighting Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the Global LED Lighting industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. In 2014, Asia Pacific captured the highest share in the global LED lighting market due to significant population growth, huge private sector LED lighting projects as well as the suitable government policies. The LED lighting has become popular in Japans educational institutions, retail stores and hospitals. Followed by it, Europe stood at second position in the revenue of global LED lighting market as the demand for LED lights are gaining traction especially for architectural and commercial lighting functions. Apart from this, U.S. holds third position in the global LED lighting market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global LED Lighting Market: PlayersSome of the top vendors identified across the value chain of the global LED lighting market include Cree Corporation, International Light technologies, American Bright Optoelectronics Corporation, Philips Lumileds Lighting company, Samsung Electronics Limited and OSRAM Licht AG. It has been noticed that new companies from consumer electronics as well as from semiconductor segments are entering the LED lighting. Thus, the LEDs showcases a higher opportunity for service providers as well as the component manufacturers to enhance their activities in the areas of LED lighting.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Denture Adhesive Market Segments Analysis, Key Players Strategies and Forecasts Till 2021

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The World Denture Adhesive Market report summarizes the expert analysis of Denture Adhesive Industry on the basis of revenue, shares, demand and Forecasts period of 2017 to 2021. The Global Denture Adhesive Market report is an comprehensive research data from the well know key players as Ultra dent Products, Fixodent, Baxter International, Stryker Corporation, DENTSPLY International, Procter and Gamble, Colgate, 3M and Sea bond.Dentures are replaceable stand in for missing teeth and the tissues surrounding it. Dentures are available in two types, complete and partial. The complete dentures are used when all of the patients teeth are missing whereas the partial dentures come into use when some of the natural teeth remain.Get Sample Copy @Recent Trends in the Denture Adhesives market indicate towards heavy growth in the Denture Adhesives market. Increasing number of dentists in Europe, North America and other developing nations, growing awareness regarding healthcare are some of the key growth influencers for the Denture Adhesives market. Advancement in technology, new developing techniques can also result in the growth of the Denture Adhesives market. A major chunk of this increase in demand of denture adhesives can be credited to the increasing aging population in the world as it is much more likely for aged people to require dental procedures.Denture adhesive are powders or pastes which are placed on the dentures so as to make sure that the denture remains at the same place. If the dentures are used there is no requirement if denture adhesives. Denture Adhesives at times contain zinc to enhance the adhesion. The US Dental adhesive market alone is expected to register a growth at around 7% per year for upcoming years.Global Denture Adhesive Market Regional Analysis: North America is one of the leading markets for the denture adhesives market. USA alone is expected to register a growth rate of above 6% which is staggering. The North American dental market is currently placed in a position to propel the denture adhesive market is a position that its contribution to the GDP increases significantly. The increasing population of aging individuals is another factor which can prove to be a positive indication for the denture adhesive market. Increasing awareness regarding oral hygiene and healthcare can also boost the dental adhesive markets demand. Technological advancement and increasing acceptance of such material for surgical and medical purposes can also be credited with the increasing demand.The Europe healthcare industry is currently booming given the fact the increasing number of medical professionals and growing awareness. The high literacy rate in Europe is going to increase awareness about healthcare which ultimately is going to give boost to the healthcare industry leading to a boost of the dental market further boosting the denture adhesive market. Increasing demand for high standards and high quality dental consumables is going to increase the scope of the dental consumables market. Ageing population and technological advancement are expected to continuously fuel the demand for Denture Adhesives.Get Discount @Major TOC for Denture Adhesive Market:Research methodologyMarket dynamicsMarket factor analysisGlobal Denture Adhesive market, LandscapeGlobal Denture Adhesive market, by DynamicsGlobal Denture Adhesive market, by End usersGlobal Denture Adhesive market, by RegionCompetitive landscapeCompany profileConclusionThe report for Denture Adhesive Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance.About US:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles Market 2017 - Ford, JAC, BYD, Tesla, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen

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Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles Market 2017 Forecast to 2022Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles offer a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engines, and both use electric motors powered by electrochemical devices. Electric vehicles use energy stored in a battery, whereas fuel cell vehicles have stored fuel that reacts to produce energy.Download free sample report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversBYDTeslaNissanBMWMitsubishiVolkswagenRenaultBAICGMFordJACYutongSAICZhong TongZOTYEKANDIKing-longVOLVOMercedes-BenzCheryAudiTOYOTAMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Access Full Report With TOC @Market Segment by Type, coversEVPHEVMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoHome UseCommercial UseThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles market.Chapter 1, to describe Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles, with sales, revenue, and price of Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles, 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 Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Solar Photovoltaic in Australia, Market Outlook to 2030

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"Solar Photovoltaic (PV) in Australia, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2016 - Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles" is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market in Australia.The report provides in depth analysis on global renewable power market and global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in Australia (includes conventional thermal, nuclear, large hydro and renewable energy sources) and provides future outlook with forecasts up to 2030. The research details renewable power market outlook in the country (includes hydro, small hydro, biopower and Solar Photovoltaic (PV)) and provides forecasts up to 2030. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2006 to 2030 in Australia Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market. A detailed coverage of renewable energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to Solar Photovoltaic (PV) is provided in the report. The research also provides company snapshots of some of the major market participants.The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.Request a Sample Report@Scope:The report analyses global renewable power market, global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market, Australia power market, Australia renewable power market and Australia Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market. The scope of the research includes -- A brief introduction on global carbon emissions and global primary energy consumption.- An overview on global renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends, generation trends and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources. The information is covered for the historical period 2006-2015 (unless specified) and forecast period 2015-2030.- Renewable power sources include wind (both onshore and offshore), Solar Photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), small hydro power (SHP), biomass, biogas and geothermal.- Detailed overview of the global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity split by major Solar Photovoltaic (PV)power countries in 2015 and key owners information of various regions.- Power market scenario in Australia and provides detailed market overview, installed capacity and power generation trends by various fuel types (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro and renewable energy sources) with forecasts up to 2030.- An overview on Australia renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends (2006-2030), generation trends(2006-2030) and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources in 2015.- Detailed overview of Australia Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market with installed capacity and generation trends and major active and upcoming Solar Photovoltaic (PV) projects.- Deal analysis of Australia Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market. Deals are analyzed on the basis of mergers, acquisitions, partnership, asset finance, debt offering, equity offering, private equity (PE) and venture capitalists (VC).- Key policies and regulatory framework supporting the development of renewable power sources in general and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) in particular.- Company snapshots of some of the major market participants in the country.Get Discount for Report@Reasons to buy:- The report will enhance your decision making capability in a more rapid and time sensitive manner.- Identify key growth and investment opportunities in Australia Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market.- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market.- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industry's growth potential.- Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events.- Identify key partners and business development avenues.- Understand and respond to your competitors' business structure, strategy and prospects.Companies Mentioned:Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd.First Solar, Inc.Epuron Pty LtdAGL Energy LimitedTable of Contents:1.1 List of Tables 61.2 List of Figures 72 Executive Summary 82.1 Government Support in Conjunction with Technology Development Driving Global Renewable Power Installations 82.2 Thermal Power is the Dominant Source in the Power Mix 82.3 Renewable Sources Forecast to Witness Maximum Growth 93 Introduction 103.1 Carbon Emissions, Global, 2001-2015 103.2 Primary Energy Consumption, Global, 2001-2025 123.3 Solar PV, Global, Technology Definition and Classification 143.4 Report Guidance 154 Renewable Power Market, Global, 2006-2030 164.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Overview 164.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 174.2.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Cumulative Installed Capacity by Source Type, 2006-2030 174.2.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Cumulative Installed Capacity Split by Source Type, 2015 and. 2030 194.2.3 Renewable Power Market, Global, Comparison among Various Sources, Cumulative Installed Capacity, 2015 - 2030 214.3 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 234.3.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation by Source Type, 2006-2030 234.3.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation, Source Comparison Based on Power Generation, 2015-2030 254.4 Renewable Power Market, Global, LCOE Comparison of Power Generating Sources, 2014-2015 275 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global, 2006-2030 295.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global, Overview 295.2 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 315.2.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global Cumulative Installed Capacity Share by Region, 2015 and 2030 335.2.2 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global Cumulative Installed Capacity Share by Country, 2015 and 2030 355.3 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 375.3.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global, Generation Share by Region, 2015 and 2030 395.3.2 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Global, Generation Share by Country, 2015 and 2030 416 Power Market, Australia, 2006-2030 436.1 Power Market, Australia, Overview 436.2 Power Market, Australia, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 446.2.1 Power Market, Australia, Cumulative Installed Capacity by Fuel Type, 2006-2030 446.2.2 Power Market, Australia, Share in Cumulative Installed Capacity Split by Source Type, 2015 and 2030 466.3 Power Market, Australia, Power Generation, 2006-2030 487 Renewable Power Market, Australia, 2006-2030 507.1 Renewable Power Market, Australia, Overview 507.2 Renewable Power Market, Australia, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 517.2.1 Renewable Power Market, Australia, Cumulative Installed Capacity by Source Type, 2006-2030 517.2.2 Renewable Power Market, Australia, Cumulative Installed Capacity Split by Source Type, 2015 and 2030 547.3 Renewable Power Market, Australia, Power Generation, 2006-2030 56Buy this Report@8 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, 2006-2030 588.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Overview 588.2 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 598.3 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Power Generation, 2006-2030 618.4 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Project Based Analysis, 2015 638.4.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Major Active Plants, 2015 638.4.2 Solar PV Power Market, Australia, Key Under-construction Projects, 2015 648.5 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Investment Trends, 2015 658.5.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Deal Volume vs. Deal Value, 2006-2015 658.5.2 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Split by Deal Type, 2015 679 Power Market, Australia, Regulatory Scenario 689.1 Overview 689.2 Renewable Energy Policy Framework 689.2.1 Renewable Energy Target Scheme 699.2.2 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership 739.2.3 Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund 749.2.4 Clean Energy Finance Corporation 749.3 Financial Incentives and Policy Support for Solar Power, Australia, Federal Incentives 749.3.1 Collaboration on Building Solar Future 759.4 Financial Incentives and Policy Support for Wind, Australia, Federal Incentives 759.4.1 Mechanisms Supporting Grid-Connected Wind Power 759.5 Financial Incentives and Policy Support for Geothermal, Australia, Federal Incentives 759.6 Financial Incentives and Policy Support for Energy Efficiency, Australia, Federal Incentives 769.6.1 Energy Savings Initiative 769.7 Renewable Energy Policy Framework, Australia, State Level Policies and Incentives 769.7.1 South Australia 769.7.2 New South Wales 779.7.3 Victoria 779.7.4 Tasmania 789.7.5 Queensland 789.7.6 Australian Capital Territory 799.7.7 Western Australia 7910 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market, Australia, Company Profiles 8010.1 Company Snapshot: Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd. 8010.1.1 Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd. - Company Overview 8010.1.2 Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd. - Major Products and Services 8010.1.3 Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd. - Head Office 8010.2 Company Snapshot: First Solar, Inc. 8110.2.1 First Solar, Inc. - Company Overview 8110.2.2 First Solar, Inc. - Business Description 8110.2.3 First Solar, Inc. - SWOT Analysis 8110.2.4 First Solar, Inc. - Major Products and Services 8510.2.5 First Solar, Inc. - Head Office 8510.3 Company Snapshot: Epuron Pty Ltd 8610.3.1 Epuron Pty Ltd - Company Overview 8610.3.2 Epuron Pty Ltd - Major Products and Services 8610.3.3 Epuron Pty Ltd - Head Office 8710.4 Company Snapshot: AGL Energy Limited 8810.4.1 AGL Energy Limited - Company Overview 8810.4.2 AGL Energy Limited - Business Description 8810.4.3 AGL Energy Limited - SWOT Analysis 8910.4.4 AGL Energy Limited - Major Products and Services 9210.4.5 AGL Energy Limited - Head Office 9311 Appendix 9411.1 Market Definitions 9411.2 Abbreviations 9511.3 Bibliography 9511.4 Disclaimer 96For more information about this report@About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer Bauxite Mining and our customer support Bauxite Mining is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Ventricular Assist Device Market Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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With a large number of well-established players, such as Berlin Heart, SynCardia Systems, Sunshine Heart, St. Jude Medical, Heart Ware International, and Abiomed, The Market For Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) In North America demonstrates a fiercely competitive landscape, finds a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR).Most of the leading companies rely on innovation and technological advancements for business development. However, in the coming years, their focus is projected to shift towards strategic collaborations in order to curtail the competition within the market.According to TMR, the opportunity in the North America market for VADs, which stood at US$0.4 bn in 2015, is likely to expand at a healthy CAGR of 9.20% between 2016 and 2024 and increase to US$1.07 bn by the end of the forecast period. The destination therapy (DT) segment has been reporting a greater application of VADs than the other two indication segments. It is expected to remain the leader with its share rising to 66.7% in the overall market by 2024, states the report.View Report-U.S. to Retain Leadership on Account of Rising Awareness Regarding VADsA geographical analysis of the North America VAD market has also been offered in this research report. As per the study, the U.S. and Canada are the prime domestic markets for ventricular assist devices in this region. Among the two, the U.S. has emerged as the leading contributor to the overall market, thanks to the rise in the awareness level among consumers regarding the benefits offered by VADs.Expanding at a CAGR of 9.70%, this domestic market is anticipated to remain leading throughout the forecast period. The significant increase in patient assistance and clinical research is likely to act as the key driving factor behind the growth of this market over the next few years, notes the research study.Request Ventricular Assist Device Market Report Brochure -Increased Application of LVADs to Reflect Positively on VAD SalesCardiovascular disorders have been a cause of concerns among people in North America since the last few years. As per the American Heart Association, nearly 70% of the geriatric population with diabetes die from heart disorders and almost 16% pass away from strokes in North America. Most of the advanced heart failures in humans are caused by left ventricular dysfunction, resulting in the increased application of LVADs, which eventually, is adding substantially to the overall demand for VADs in North America, says the author of this study.Other prominent factors, fueling the demand for VADs in North America are the limited number of heart donors and the growing awareness among consumers regarding the benefits of VADs, states the market report.Request to view Sample Report -High Cost Incurred in Treatment to Limit Demand for VADsWhile the North America market for ventricular assist devices looks thriving currently, the overall cost incurred in the treatment may create obstructions in the growth trajectory of this market over the forthcoming years. The increasing incidence of device malfunctioning and product recalls is also projected to restrict the progression of this market in the near future, notes the research study.Ventricular Assist Device Market Report is available @ US$ 5795About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Batteries Market Size, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Transparency Market Research states that the competitive landscape in The Global Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Batteries Market is mildly fragmented. The leading players such as Medtronic, Boston Scientific Corporation, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Greatbatch, Inc. (Integer), and EaglePicher Technologies, LLC are focusing on developing unmatched quality of batteries through state-of-art technological development. Furthermore, companies are also expected to strengthen their position across the globe through geographical expansion. In the coming years, these players are expected to increase their investments to develop products that are aimed toward increasing streamlining clinical workflow, therapy efficacy, and improving quality of life, states the lead author of this research report.According to the research report, the global CRM devices batteries market is expected to worth US$518.4 mn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$397.3 mn in 2015. During the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is estimated to progress at a CAGR of 3.0%.View Report-High Prevalence of Chronic Conditions across Asia Pacific Boosts Regional DemandThe various products available in the global CRM devices batteries market are implantable cardiac pacemakers (ICPs), implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-Ds). Of these, the CRT-Ds are expected to show the maximum growth in the forecast period as the segment surges at a CAGR of 4.1%. The ability of these devices to manage heart failure cases and reduce the number of risks associated with irregular heartbeats are expected to boost their demand in the forecast period. Analysts projected that ICD will also be a lucrative segment for the global market in the coming years.In terms geography, the global CRM devices batteries market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Of these, North America is the most attractive market for CRM batteries as the region is slated to acquire a share of 38.2% by the end of 2024. Analysts estimate that Asia Pacific is also expected to gain a significant share in the overall market due to high prevalence of health conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension that have spiked the number of cardiovascular disease cases in recent years.Request Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Batteries Market Report Brochure -Aging Population Triggers Demand for CRM Devices Batteries for Disease ManagementThe demand for CRM devices batteries has grown to a significantly in the past few decades as power sources have graduated from nickel-cadmium batteries to lithium ones. These sophisticated batteries are capable of powering complicated pacing devices such as CRT devices and ICDs. These batteries are known to be light weight, highly predictable and reliable, high energy density, small in size, and come with a long service life. Owing to these regions, several CRM devices manufacturers are using them in ICD, CRT devices, and pacemakers. The demand for CRM devices batteries is also being fueled by the increasing need for data logging, biventricular pacing, and telemetry.Request to view Sample Report -Product Recalls Lead to Declining Sales of CRM Devices BatteriesThe report indicates that growing pool of geriatrics is also likely to boost the demand for ICD, CRT devices, and pacemakers, which, in turn, is expected to reflect positively on the sales of CRM devices batteries. These devices will be extensively used for managing diseases such as bradycardia, tachycardia, and congestive heart failure amongst the ageing population.Though the batteries have gained popularity and demand over the past few years, the growing number of product recalls have resulted in decline of sales of these devices. Failure of device batteries have been the predominant reason for recalls in recent past. The market is also likely to suffer due to the changes in purchasing patterns. These are attributable to the declining reimbursements, lower patient volumes, and a significant drop in capital expenditure since the economic recession of 2008.Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Batteries Market Report is available @ US$ 5795About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
The Baby Food Market in Italy 2017

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ReportsWeb.com published Baby Food Market from its database. 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 Baby Food Market in Italy 2017" is an analytical report by Publisher which provides extensive and highly detailed current and future market trends in the Italian market.The Italian baby food market has been contracting for the past six years, and enforced price decreases in the milks sector and lower prices in real terms in all other sectors, have depressed values. Overall consumption fell by 12.8% and retail sales fell by 10.6% in current price terms between 2010 and 2016. Nonetheless, per capita consumption remains high. Consumption of milks remains low, due to high prices and increased breastfeeding rates. Demand is expected to continue to fall, largely due to the forecast decline in the number of births, and slow economic progress. Between 2016 and 2022 consumption is predicted to decline by 7% in terms of volume and with value growth of 6%.Request a Sample Report@What else does this report offer?- Consumption data based upon a unique combination of industry research, fieldwork, market sizing work and our in-house expertise to offer extensive data about the trends and dynamics affecting the industry.- Detailed profile of the companies operating and new companies considering entry in the industry along with their key focus product sectors.- Market profile of the various product sectors with the key features & developments, segmentation, per capita trends and the various manufacturers & brands.- Overview of baby food retailing with a mention of the major retailers in the country along with the distribution channel.- Future projections considering various trends which are likely to affect the industry.Scope- Italy's baby population (aged 0-3 years) has declined steadily since a recent peak of just over million babies in 2009. By 2016, the total had dropped to million, a fall of 12.8% compared with 2006.- The market for baby food stood at tons in 2016, representing a 12.8% decrease over 2010 adversely affected by the fall in the number of births, as well as by the poor economic situation.- Wet meals are the largest category in both volume and value terms, accounting for 49% of consumption and 41.5% of retail sales.- All of the leading market players are involved in the local production of baby food. The market is dominated by the multinationals Heinz and Danone with a combined 79.5% of value sales and 83.8% of volume sales in 2016.- Vegetable-based and sweet meals account for the vast majority of exports, with milks & cereals accounting for just 5% in 2015.- Grocery stores account for the majority of value sales, at 84% in 2016, a share that has been steadily rising since 2010, largely due to the convenience and lower prices often offered by the grocery sector.Get Discount for Report@Reasons to buy- Evaluate important changes in consumer behavior and identify profitable markets and areas for product innovation.- Analyse current and forecast behavior trends in each category to identify the best opportunities to exploit.- Detailed understanding of consumption by individual product categories in order to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.- Investigates which categories are performing the best and how this is changing market dynamics.Companies Mentioned:Heinz Italia SpADanoneNestle Italia SpAHumana Italia SpAUnifarm SpAHipp Italia srlA Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite srlGranarolo SpABuy this Report@Table of ContentsIntroductionExecutive SummaryDefinationsBackground to the MarketBirth: Live Birth RatesBirth: Live Births by RegionBirth: Measures to Boost the Birth RateThe ConsumerSocio-Demographic TrendsWorking WomenRegulationsBreastfeeding TrendsMarket OverviewKey Features and DevelopmentsMarket OverviewManufacturers sharesThe FutureSector AnalysisBaby MilksBaby CerealsBaby MealsBaby DrinksBaby Finger FoodsProduction and tradeProductionImportsExportsCompany profilesIntroductionHeinz Italia SpADanoneNestle Italia SpAHumana Italia SpAOther ManufacturersDistributionRetail StructureBaby Food RetailingEconomic backgroundEconomic BackgroundKey Macro-economic ForecastsProspects and forecastsBirth And Population ProjectionsForecast OverviewFuture TrendsAppendixAdditional Data TablesSummary MethodologyAbout PublisherFor more information about this report@About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer Bauxite Mining and our customer support Bauxite Mining is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Global Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Market Industry Size, Market Share, Trends, Analysis And Forecasts 2012 - 2018

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"The Report Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Market - Global Industry Size, Market Share, Trends, Analysis And Forecasts 2012 - 2018 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) market makes up an important part of current world Photovoltaics market. The global market for BIPV is expected to reach the capacity of 11,392 megawatts by the year 2015 at the compounded annual growth rate of 56%.Get Sample copy of this Report @Among the various segments of this market, BIPV roofing is the largest segments accounting for 3,197 megawatts by year 2015 with the CAGR of 51%.Increase in the demand for energy and rapidly depleting energy sources are creating the need for alternative energy sources. Building integrated photovoltaics will enable energy generation, thus satisfying demands like heating and cooling of a building. Photovoltaic material is incorporated in the building at the time of construction for fulfilling the energy needs of the building. This material will help in generation of heat and electricity that can be used for various purposes. Most of the nations are adopting and encouraging the construction of such energy efficient buildings.Technological improvements in photovoltaic industry to increase device efficiency and reduce costs are also driving this market. World market for BIPV has entered the times of double digit growth in 21st century. This has been driven by acceleration in extension of production quantities of most components and declining price of PV materials. Trend towards declining prices in industry encouraged the emergence of many new market players.Market SegmentationBased on ProductRoofingGlazingShadingCladdingWall Integrated SolutionGlassFacadesWindowsView Report @ Based on ApplicationIndustrial BuildingsResidential BuildingsCommercial BuildingsThis research report analyzes this market based on its market segments and major geographies. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report provides comprehensive analysis of current market trends, market growth drivers, factors limiting market growth, market structure, and market projections for upcoming years. Report also provides analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model, and complete company profiles of top industry players. It includes review of micro and macro factors significant with respect to existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.Request for Enquiry @Major PlayersSome of the key players dominating this market are Ascent Solar Technologies Inc., Centrosolar AG, Dow Solar, Dyesol Ltd., Eagle Roofing Products Florida Llc, Ertex Solar GmbH, First Solar, Heliatek GmbH, Konarka Technologies Inc., Kyocera Corporation, Odersun Ag, Powerfilm Inc., Pythagoras Solar, Schott Solar Ag, Sharp Corporation, Solyndra, Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd., and others.Reasons for Buying this ReportThis research report provides forward looking perspective on major market forces driving and restraining market growthReport provides pin-point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of industry trendsReport provides technological growth map over time and explains its impact on industryIt provides clear understanding of key product segments and competitive environmentReport provides complete analysis of major competitors and their strategiesIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsCheck Discount @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Healthcare IT Consulting Market Forecast 2017-2022 Oracle Corporation, Accenture, Infosys, IBM Corporation

Healthcare IT Consulting Market 2017

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The Global Healthcare IT Consulting market research Report during 2017 to 2022 provide depth perception of the major regional market standing of the Healthcare IT Consulting trade on a international level that basically focuses the core regions that contains of continents such as North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia and therefore the key countries like USA, Germany, India, China and Japan.Get Sample Copy of Report Here:This Healthcare IT Consulting market state and future possibilities of the segment has jointly been examined. Additionally, key methods within the Healthcare IT Consulting market that features partnerships, product developments, link-ups, and acquisitions, etc., are mentioned. Besides, upstream and downstream instrumentation and raw materials and downstream demand analysis are additionally organized.Report Includes:-The Healthcare IT Consulting report covers the marketing research and forecast of Healthcare IT Consulting Market on a regional also the world level. The report composes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, experimental knowledge, help from business consultants alongside their most up-to-date verbatim and every trade makers via the market price chain. The future of this Healthcare IT Consulting business section has been strictly investigated in conjunction with primary market challenges.Global Healthcare IT Consulting market: Top Manufacturers including;1. Koninklijke Philips N.V.2. IBM Corporation3. General Electric (GE) Company4. Siemens Healthineers5. Cerner Corporation6. Mckesson Corporation7. NTT Data Corporation8. Allscripts Healthcare Solutions9. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited10. Epic Systems Corporation11. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation12. Infor, Inc13. Oracle Corporation14. Accenture PLC.15. Infosys Ltd.The research consultants have to prepare the general sales and revenue generation of this specific Healthcare IT Consulting market. Additionally, this report conjointly delivers widespread analysis of many governing components, root market trends and macroeconomic indicators, including market enhancements as per each section.Enquiry Here:The Healthcare IT Consulting report is generically divided into six components and each half aims at the summary of the Healthcare IT Consulting trade, past, present and future conditions of the market, feasibility of the investment alongside numerous methods and policies. Excluding the classification and definition, the Healthcare IT Consulting market report conjointly discusses the analysis crucial and export and explain a comparison of the market that's centered on the trends and development. Alongside whole structure additionally to in-depth details, one will prepare and keep earlier than the competitors across the targeted locations.Each regional Healthcare IT Consulting market has been studied totally during this report that deals with the exact data concerning the selling Channels and novel project investments so the new contender, as well as the established market players, conduct involved analysis of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the standing of the surroundings and product's up gradation, the Healthcare IT Consulting market report foretells every and each detail.The fact that Healthcare IT Consulting market report provides details regarding the most important market players alongside their development and ongoing trends proves to be terribly helpful for recent entrants to understand and acknowledge the trade in an improved manner. The report conjointly illuminates the sales, supply, market condition, demand, productions, growth, and forecast of the Healthcare IT Consulting industry within the world markets.At the end of this report, complete key details, methods and variables are examined so whole helpful data are combined together for the learning and understanding the key facts related the worldwide Healthcare IT Consulting market. The market share and production price in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated into this report.About Us:Business Worldwide is a trusted brand in the research industry with a capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business Worldwide, we believe in building long-term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive, Software and Aerospace.Contact Us:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803
Password Management Software Market Insights by Size, Status and Forecast 2022

Password Management Software Market

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HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Password Management Software market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Password Management Software market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [PC Terminal & Mobile Terminal], products type and various important geographies like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Password Management Software market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as TeamPassword, SplashData, Web Active Directory, Siber Systems, SysOp Tools, Passpack, Zoho, Kaspersky Lab, ManageEngine, SaferPass, Trend Micro & Bluink. The in-depth information by segments of Password Management Software market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Password Management Software Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Password Management Software Market, some of them listed here are TeamPassword, SplashData, Web Active Directory, Siber Systems, SysOp Tools, Passpack, Zoho, Kaspersky Lab, ManageEngine, SaferPass, Trend Micro & Bluink. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Password Management Software (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as . Further the research study is segmented by Application such as PC Terminal & Mobile Terminal with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Password Management Software in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global Password Management Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global Password Management Software marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global Password Management Software market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Password Management Software market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Password Management Software market?Buy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Password Management Software market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Password Management Software , Applications of Password Management Software , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Password Management Software , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, Password Management Software Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Password Management Software Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Password Management Software ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [], Market Trend by Application [PC Terminal & Mobile Terminal];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Password Management Software ;Chapter 12, to describe Password Management Software Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Password Management Software sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.Connect with us atHTF 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
Europe Travel Insurance Market, New Study, Future Trends, Analysis Forecast 2022

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An individuals potential loss during travel may vary significantly depending on factors such as how much of trip is prepaid, purchased ticket refundability, travelers health conditions, destination to where one is travelling, and similar other. Travel insurance acts as a cushion in an intense situation that may occur during travel. It covers the expenses incurred and minimizes the risks during travel. With the growing initiatives by government and the market players to spread awareness among the masses the industry has witnessed and increase in sales of travel insurance policy.For More Info, Get Sample :In Europe, travel insurance market is at a niche level, however, with the changing competitive and distribution dynamics, the market is projected to grow at significant CAGR during the forecast period of 2016-2022. Furthermore, with the stringent government policy with regards to travel insurance policy and the high cost of health care facility in the region drive the Europe Travel Insurance Policy. However, fewer written policies and low & fluctuating rates due to large number of competitors present in the market restrain the market growth.In addition, growth in tourism industry creates a new prospect to surge the demand for travel insurance in the region. According to office of national statistics, the number of outbound travelers in the UK have increased by 3% in 2015 as compared to 2014, strengthening the growth of the UK travel insurance market. Moreover, in the Netherlands travel market it has been observed that domestic tourist spending had increased by relatively 2.6% in 2015.The market is segmented on the basis of type of distribution channel, insurance cover, end user, and geography. Based on distribution channel, it is classified into insurance intermediaries, insurance companies, banks, insurance brokers, insurance aggregators, and others. Based on insurance cover, it is divided into single trip, annual multi-trip, and long stay. Based on end user, it is categorized into senior citizens, education travelers, backpackers, business travelers, family travelers, and fully independent travelers. Geographically, it is analyzed across UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Rest of Europe. Key players profiled in the report include Generali Group (Italy), Allianz Group (France), AXA Group (France), Insure and Go Insurance Services Limited (UK), The April Group (France), Mutuaide Assistance (France), Aon Plc (UK), Aviva Plc (UK), Saga Plc (UK), and Atlas Travel Insurance Services Ltd (England).KEY BENEFITS This study provides an in-depth analysis of the Europe travel insurance market, in terms of value to elucidate the imminent investment pockets. A detailed impact analysis of the current trends, country-wise travel insurance market, and future estimations is provided to target the profitable sectors. The drivers, restraints, and opportunities are analyzed to identify the prevailing market opportunities. Porters Five Forces analysis highlights the potency of suppliers and buyers in the competitive market to facilitate efficient business planning.KEY MARKET SEGMENTSEnquire About Report :By Distribution Channel Insurance Intermediaries Insurance Company Bank Insurance Broker Insurance Aggregators OthersBy Insurance Cover Single Trip Annual Multi-trip Long StayBy End User Senior Citizens Education Travelers Backpackers Business Travelers Family Travelers Fully Independent TravelerAlso Request For Discount :By Geography UK Germany France Spain Italy Netherlands Switzerland Austria Rest of EuropeKEY PLAYERS IN THE VALUE CHAIN Generali Group (Italy) Allianz Group (France) AXA Group (France) Insure and Go Insurance Services Limited (UK) The April Group (France) Mutuaide Assistance (France) Aon Plc (UK) Aviva Plc (UK) Saga Plc (UK) Atlas Travel Insurance Services Ltd (England)The other market players include: European Travel Insurance Group (Netherlands), InsuranceLine.gr (Greece), Alc Travel (UK), Staysure Limited (UK) ETA services (UK).About UsWe have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell our authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation.Contact UsGlobal Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com
Ethernet Gateway Market 2017-2022: Adtran, Advantech, B&b Electronics

Ethernet Gateway Market

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HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Ethernet Gateway market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Ethernet Gateway market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Servers, Embedded Systems, Consumer Applications, Routers and Switches, Desktop Systems & Others], products type [Ethernet, Fast Ethernet & Gigabit Ethernet] and various important geographies like United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Ethernet Gateway market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as Adtran, Advantech, B&b Electronics, Cisco, Digi International, HP, Iogear, Juniper Netscreen, Linksys, Mellanox, MOXA, Netgear, Opengear, Patton Electronics, Phoenix Contact, Planet & ZyXEL. The in-depth information by segments of Ethernet Gateway market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Ethernet Gateway Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Ethernet Gateway Market, some of them listed here are Adtran, Advantech, B&b Electronics, Cisco, Digi International, HP, Iogear, Juniper Netscreen, Linksys, Mellanox, MOXA, Netgear, Opengear, Patton Electronics, Phoenix Contact, Planet & ZyXEL. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Ethernet Gateway (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet & Gigabit Ethernet. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Servers, Embedded Systems, Consumer Applications, Routers and Switches, Desktop Systems & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Ethernet Gateway in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global Ethernet Gateway Sales Market Report 2017What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global Ethernet Gateway marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global Ethernet Gateway market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Ethernet Gateway market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Ethernet Gateway market?Buy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Ethernet Gateway market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Ethernet Gateway , Applications of Ethernet Gateway , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Ethernet Gateway , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Ethernet Gateway Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Ethernet Gateway Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Ethernet Gateway ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Ethernet, Fast Ethernet & Gigabit Ethernet], Market Trend by Application [Servers, Embedded Systems, Consumer Applications, Routers and Switches, Desktop Systems & Others];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Ethernet Gateway ;Chapter 12, to describe Ethernet Gateway Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Ethernet Gateway sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.Connect with us atHTF 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
Sleeve Boxes Market Research Study for Forecast Period (2017 - 2025)

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The packaging industry has been growing in leaps and bounds and is witnessing an increasing evolution in the various forms of packaging. Sleeves boxes are one such type wherein sleeves are added to the box to enhance the product visibility. These boxes are a unique way to present as well as promote the product in the market. The sleeve boxes possess sleeves which not only acts as a casing but also serve as the visibility enhancer of the product in an exquisite way. Sleeves boxes serve the purpose of cost efficient luxury packaging. Moreover, the sturdy structure of the trays present inside the boxes gives the sleeves relative amount of stability making them highly suitable for storage and transportation purpose. The global sleeve boxes market is expected to witness a healthy CAGR over the forecast period due to growing demand from various end users for light weight yet affordable packaging type.Sleeve Boxes Market: Market DynamicsOne of the prime factor driving the growth of the global sleeve boxes market is the convenient sleeve design which makes it easier for the consumers for quick loading of the product. Sleeve boxes market is also expected to grow due to rising disposable income of middle class population which is willing to pay for innovative packaging solutions. Sleeve boxes are made from recyclable material which also aids in reducing the carbon footprint, thus acting as a driver for the growth of the market. One factor restraining the growth of the global sleeve boxes market is the high price of the sleeve boxes as compared to other packaging types.Embossing and digital printing on sleeve boxes according to the needs of the end user is a key trend prevailing in the global sleeve boxes market. The sleeve boxes manufacturers are also providing improved embossing and window patching. Digital printing on the sleeve boxes is expected to create ample opportunities of growth for the global sleeve boxes market over the forecast period.Request Report Brochure @Sleeve Boxes Market: Market SegmentationThe global sleeve boxes market is segmented on the basis of material, end use, and geography.On the basis of material, the global sleeve boxes market is segmented intoPaper & PaperboardPlasticsOn the basis of end use, the global sleeve boxes market is segmented intoCosmetics & Personal CareElectronics & ElectricalsFood & BeveragesHousehold & othersPaper & paperboard is the most preferred material for making sleeve boxes. Sleeves boxes have a major utilization in the bakery & confectionery end use market, where the sleeve boxes are used for the packaging of candies.Visit For TOC@Sleeve Boxes Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of geography, the global sleeve boxes market is segmented into Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is currently leading the global sleeve boxes market due to a well-established consumer base willing to pay for the aesthetic appeal of the product. North America is followed by Europe which is expected to witness moderate growth over the forecast period. Certain regions in Europe are witnessing currency fluctuations and are way behind in terms of innovative packaging solutions. Asia Pacific is expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period. Asia pacific manufacturers are carrying out innovation in their packaging forms which is expected to spur the demand of the sleeve boxes market in the region. Latin America is anticipated to witness sluggish growth over the forecast period as compared to all other regions.Sleeve Boxes Market: Key playersSome of the key players operating in the global sleeve boxes market are Ebro Color GmbH, Emenac packaging, the custom box company, PakFactory, Yby Boxes and SoOPAK.About Us  Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others.Contact Us:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Mobile & Tablet Retailing in the UK 2017

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"Mobile & Tablet Retailing in the UK 2017" report offers comprehensive insight and analysis of the UK mobile and tablet markets, the main trends and hot issues, best in class retailers, and consumer shopping behaviour. It also provides forecasts to 2022 across key retail sectors.Expenditure via the mobile channel is set to grow by 112.0%, overtaking the tablet market over the next five years, and accounting for 23.8% of all online expenditure by 2022. The growing investment in mobile developments along with the increasing use of social media and familiarity with mobile payments will aid mobile expenditure growth.Tablet spend is increasing at a slower rate as consumers are choosing to spend more time browsing and buying on their mobiles. Electricals is the only sector where tablet sales are forecast to outperform mobile sales by 2022.Request a Sample Report@Retailers must have a mobile first strategy and focus on the personalisation of content and products, offering an easy and simple checkout process as well as a variety of delivery and collection options to appeal shoppers' need for convenience.The report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- The hot issues- What people buy- Where people shop- How people shopScope:- Food & grocery will see the highest growth on mobile over the next five years, with greater usage, improved websites and apps as well as consumer confidence driving purchases through this channel.- Clothing & footwear, the biggest part of the mobile market, will continue to be the largest driver of mobile spend to 2022. Pureplays such as boohoo.com and ASOS, which target the younger consumer who is more willing to purchase on a mobile device, will boost spend on mobile.- There is an opportunity for home sectors, where retailers have been slower to react to mobile developments, to capitalise on the growth coming from mobile by targeting shoppers who have abandoned purchases or advertising must-have products via social media channels.Get Discount for Report@Reasons to buy:- Utilise our five year forecasts to 2022 for the mobile and tablet markets, and sector penetration to understand the main areas of growth.- Identify the key players in the mobile and tablet markets using our in-depth analysis of how and why certain sectors are performing well in the market to gain strategic insight into this.- Understand the key drivers and inhibitors affecting the market.- Recognise which consumers are shopping via mobile and tablet and utilise analysis of shoppers' motivations and browsing/purchasing behaviour to enable a better understanding of the mobile and tablet markets moving forward.Companies Mentioned:boohoo.comASOSH&MAmazonMothercareHarvey NicholsNextMade.comShop DirectJohn LewisSainsbury'sArgosTescoWaitroseOcadoMorrisonsMilk and moreDixons CarphoneiTunesWH SmithWaterstonesThe WorksBook DepositoryAsdaNew LookMarks & SpencerMissguidedVery.co.ukSports DirectDebenhamsB&QArgosIKEAScrewfixHomebase/BunningsWilkoWickesBootsAO.comAppleCurrys PC WorldGameHotel ChocolatHolland & BarrettBuy this Report@MoonpigAldiThorntonsPoundshop.comHouse of FraserThe RangeDunelmDFSSuperdrugLushThe Body ShopSkyHMVCeXPlayStation NetworkSteamXbox LiveGoogle PlayTable of Contents:The hot issuesWhat people buyWhere people shopHow people shopMethodologyFor more information about this report@About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer Bauxite Mining and our customer support Bauxite Mining is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Global Energy Efficient Materials Market Industry Size, Market Share, Trends, Analysis And Forecasts 2012 - 2018

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"The Report Energy Efficient Materials Market - Global Industry Size, Market Share, Trends, Analysis And Forecasts 2012 - 2018 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Increasing consumption of energy in buildings for various electrical appliances and peripherals has developed the idea of using energy efficient materials in building construction.Get Sample copy of this Report @Energy efficient materials are largely used for thermal insulation of buildings as a result of which, demand for these materials is on the rise. Thermal insulation is the most efficient and effective way to improve the energy utilization and efficiency in the building. This method will preserve the indoor heat during winter while keeping the building cool from inside in summers thus improving comfort and saving energy. Some important factors which are necessary for energy saving potential include thermal insulation, efficient lighting system, insulation of windows etc.The most common energy efficient material is fiber glass which is largely used in constructing energy efficient windows. Energy efficient materials industry has a huge market potential in developed countries of America and Europe however, this technology is expected to catch momentum in developing markets of Asia Pacific in near future owing to the increasing adoption of the concept of energy efficient homes. Energy efficient materials market is also driven by increasing consumer demand for operating various appliances and increasing standard of living. In America about 38% of total energy consumption is used for heating and cooling purpose in buildings while China accounts for 47.2% of total energy consumption.Market SegmentationBased on TypeFiberglassMineral WoolCelluloseExpanded PolystyreneExtruded PolystyrenePolyisocyanurateView Report @ This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments and major geographies. Geographies analyzed under this research study includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis research report provides complete analysis ofMajor market segmentsCurrent market trendsFactors driving market growthRestraintsIndustry structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsReport also provides analysis of technological improvements in this industry, Porters five force model analysis, and complete company profiles of top market players. It provides review of micro and macro factors significant for existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.Request for Enquiry @Major PlayersSome of the key players dominating this market are PPG Industries, NSG, AGC, Saint-Gobain, Australian Perlite Pty Limited, Cornerstone Industrial Minerals Corporation, World Minerals Inc., BASF, Dart Container, INEOS Group, LG Chem, Loyal Group, Nova Chemicals, AGY Holding Corporation, Ameron International Corporation, Asahi Fiber Glass Co. Ltd, China Fiberglass Co. Ltd, Solvay SA, The Dow Chemical Company, and others.Reasons for Buying this ReportThis research report provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt provides overview of major factors responsible for driving and limiting market growthReport provides up-to-date analysis of latest trends in marketIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segmentsIt provides complete analysis of major competitors and their strategiesIt provides technological growth map over time and explains its impact on industryReport provides clear understanding of key product segments and competitive environmentCheck Discount @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Child Health Insurance Market 2017-2022: Allianz, AXA, Nippon Life Insurance, American Intl. Group

Child Health Insurance Market

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Global Child Health Insurance Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 is latest research study released by HTF MI evaluating the market, highlighting opportunities, risk side analysis, and leveraged with strategic and tactical decision-making support. The study provides information on market trends and development, drivers, capacities, technologies, and on the changing capital structure of the Global Child Health Insurance Market.Get Access to sample pages @Global Child Health Insurance market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includes Allianz, AXA, Nippon Life Insurance, American Intl. Group, Aviva, Assicurazioni Generali, Cardinal Health, State Farm Insurance, Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance, Munich Re Group, Zurich Financial Services, Prudential, Asahi Mutual Life Insurance, Sumitomo Life Insurance, MetLife, Allstate, Aegon, Prudential Financial, New York Life Insurance, Meiji Life Insurance, Aetna, TIAA-CREF, Mitsui Mutual Life Insurance, Royal & Sun Alliance, Swiss Reinsurance, CNP Assurances, CPIC, PingAn, Mass. Mutual Life Ins. & CignaThe research study is segmented by Application such as Personal & Enterprise with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global Child Health Insurance (Thousands Units) by Application (2017-2022)Market Segment by Application 2012 2017 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CAGR (%)(2017-2022)Personal xx xx xx xx% xx%Enterprise xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Child Health Insurance in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2017 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2017-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%EU xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx%China xx xx xx xx% xx%India xx xx xx xx% xx%Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%This independent 110 page research with title Global Child Health Insurance Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 covers geographic analysis that includes regions/countries like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and important players/vendors such as Allianz, AXA, Nippon Life Insurance, American Intl. Group, Aviva, Assicurazioni Generali, Cardinal Health, State Farm Insurance, Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance, Munich Re Group, Zurich Financial Services, Prudential, Asahi Mutual Life Insurance, Sumitomo Life Insurance, MetLife, Allstate, Aegon, Prudential Financial, New York Life Insurance, Meiji Life Insurance, Aetna, TIAA-CREF, Mitsui Mutual Life Insurance, Royal & Sun Alliance, Swiss Reinsurance, CNP Assurances, CPIC, PingAn, Mass. Mutual Life Ins. & Cigna. With n-number of tables and figures examining the Child Health Insurance , the research gives you a perfect visual, products, submarkets and market leaders revenue forecasts as well as analysis to 2022Each player highlighted in the research study contains companies Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors, in-depth business overview, geographic footprint and contact information. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to SWOT Analysis.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @This study is the collection of primary and secondary data including valuable information from major vendors in the market and the projections are derived on data from 2012 to current date and projected forecasts till 2022 which makes the research study a valuable resource for industry personnel, and other people looking for key industry related data in readily accessible documents with easy to analyze graphs and tables. The report is a perfect answer to future development roadmap of Child Health Insurance based on ongoing outlook to assist industry player understand the development journey of Child Health Insurance Market.Key questions answered in this report - Global Child Health Insurance Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global Child Health Insurance marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global Child Health Insurance market spaceBuy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Child Health Insurance market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Child Health Insurance , Applications of Child Health Insurance , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, Child Health Insurance Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Child Health Insurance Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [], Market Trend by Application [Personal & Enterprise];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of ;Chapter 12, to describe Child Health Insurance Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Child Health Insurance sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.Connect with us atHTF 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, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
New Study Offers Detailed Insights on Infant Formula Market 2017 - 2025

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Infant formula is engineered food that is used as a substitute to human breast milk. It is one of the most complex foods as it requires specific manufacturing capabilities and sophisticated quality assurance protocols. Infant formula sits on the dividing line between pharmaceuticals and food. This is indicated by the fact that the infant formula industry has historically been dominated by major pharmaceutical firms such Danone Nutricia, Abbott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Pfizer, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, etc. Growth in the baby food/formula market is significantly driven by rise in number of working women. According to the World Bank, the percentage of women workforce increased by 4% all over the world from 1990 to 2013. Currently, many working mothers resume their jobs shortly after giving birth. In such a situation, prepared baby formulas and foods offer an attractive alternative to working mothers, fulfilling their need for healthy and nutritious food for their babies.The infant formula market can be segmented on the basis of formula type, formulation, and geography. On the basis of formula type, the market is segmented into infant milk formula, follow on milk formula, growing up milk formula, and specialty baby milk formula. On the basis of formulation, the market is segmented into powder, liquid concentrate, and ready to feed formulas. On the basis of region, the market is segmented into five major geographies; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.Request Report Brochure @The infant formula market is witnessing significant growth due to rise in baby boomers population, increasing disposable income of people in developing regions, and growing female participation in the labor force that has encouraged the acceptance of baby formula and prepared baby foods. In addition, rapid urbanization and the growth of the middle class have further propelled the infant formula market. However, the main barrier to entry for the market is the regulatory hurdle associated with gaining approval for manufacturing of infant formula and food. China has recently implemented more stringent quality and safety standards for manufacturers and distributors of infant formula and food in the country. The China Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) stated that of the 800+ foreign brands distributing infant formula in China, only 94 brands received approval for sale in China. Stringent regulations associated with infant formula products might hinder the growth of the market.In terms of geography, North America accounts for the largest market in terms of revenue. Factors such as high disposable income, presence of major players in the region, and well developed pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is attributed to the growth of the market in the region. Europe is the second largest market for infant formula owing to good manufacturing facilities and high spending power per baby. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the coming years. Factors such as high baby boomer population, increasing disposable income, and high rate of urbanization contribute to the growth of the market in Asia Pacific. Moreover, slowdown in sales in developed regions has compelled leading players to target emerging markets. Chinas large population base and rapidly growing volume of consumers with increasing purchasing power is very attractive to multinational brands, however, the 2008 melamine infant formula issue still overshadows the market and has created an environment where consumers are concerned with the health and safety of infant formula.Visit For TOC@Ausnutria Hyproca, Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Glanbia plc, Pfizer, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Mead Johnson, Nestle S.A., Perrigo Nutritionals, and Danone Nutricia are some of the key players operating in the infant formula market globally.About Us  Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others.Contact Us:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cardamom oil Market Research Study for Forecast Period (2017 - 2025)

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Cardamom is commonly found in the Asia Pacific, North America and Middle East regions. It is well-known among the spices in cooking for its fascinating flavor. The oil of cardamom is extracted from dried seeds of cardamom through hydro distillation process which is furthercar used for variety of applications. The Cardamom Oil extract comprises of various Essential Components like Pinene, 8-Cineole, A-Terpineol Acetate, Limonene, Terpinen-4-Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Myrcene, Nerol, Phellandrene, Citronellol, Linalool, Sabinene, Trans-Nerolidol and others. Increasing applications in personal care products is serving the market growth. Cardamom oil possess the beneficial properties such as antiseptic, boosts digestion, used in aromatherapy, antimicrobial, aids proper digestion and relives muscle spasms. These properties are expected to boost the demand for cardamom oil market during the forecast period.Segmentation:-The global cardamom oil market is segmented by type, by applications, and by distribution channels. Cardamom oil market by type is segmented into Amomum cardamom oil and Elettaria cardamom oil. Elettaria cardamom is also known as green cardamom or true cardamom. Amomum cardamom is known as Kravan or black cardamom which is extensively used in cooking. By grade cardamom oil market is segmented into medical grade, cosmetic grade and food grade. By application cardamom oil market is segmented into Food and Beverages, Cosmetics and Personal care, pharmaceutical and others. Among all the segment pharmaceutical segment is expected to have potential market share in terms of value followed by cosmetic and personal care segment. By distribution the cardamom oil market is segmented into Direct and indirect sales channels. Indirect sales is further sub segmented into modern trade, departmental store, E-Commerce, Specialty Store, drug stores and others.Request Report Brochure @Global Market Drivers and Restraints:-Rising demand of cardamom oil in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries due to antibacterial properties which can be used in medicines related to muscles treatment is expected to boost the market. Increasing use of cardamom oil in food, medicine and cosmetics is further expected to bolster the market growth. Cardamom oil is also finding its application in aromatherapy and in other uses like air fresheners will grow the demand of the product in market. Encouraging demand for natural flavoring and coloring agent is also expected to increase the cardamom oil market. Increasing metropolitan population, increasing health awareness and changing lifestyle are some key factors driving the demand for cardamom oil in the global market as these days consumers are more conscious towards products containing natural ingredient and offers various health benefits.Visit For TOC@Regional Outlook:-Asia Pacific is anticipated to be dominating in the cardamom oil market as they are the largest cardamom producer as well accounting the health and personal care advantages of the cardamom oil will increase its demand in the near future. In Asia Pacific region, India and its neighboring countries is expected to be one of the major consumer to for cardamom oil. In terms of the production Latin America is the largest producer of cardamom across the globe followed by Asia Pacific region. Cardamom oil is one of the best flavoring agent thus increasing demand for cardamom oil in bakery, and other culinary products is expected to boost the cardamom oil market in North America and Europe. Its use in aromatherapy is increasing and other such properties will robust the growth of cardamom oil market in Middle East and Africa.Key Players:-Some of the major key players of the cardamom oil market are doTERRA International LLC, Shiv Sales Corporation, Green Fields Oil Factory, Elettaria, Shaanix Guanjie Technology, Aromaaz International and Nelixia.About Us  Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others.Contact Us:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) (On-demand RPO and End-to-end RPO) Market - Southeast Asia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020

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"The Report Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) (On-demand RPO and End-to-end RPO) Market - Southeast Asia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) is a type of business process outsourcing (BPO) which includes the outsourcing of different recruitment functions of an organization to third-party vendor. The RPO solutions primarily include screening of the candidates, interview scheduling, job posting, offer execution and other important activities in the recruitment process. The major difference between the RPO providers and staffing companies is the proficient recruitment process management and responsibility of its results by the RPO providers. Outsourcing recruitment processes to a RPO provider enables the client organization to focus on their core competencies. In addition, outsourcing these processes is highly beneficial for reducing the operating costs of the organization related to the recruitment functions. This is the most significant factor fuelling the adoption of RPO solutions among different end-use industries.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @The market for recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) is segmented, based on the type of engagement, into on-demand and end-to-end RPO service. On-demand RPO refers to the RPO service in which some of the recruitment services are outsourced to the RPO provider. On the contrary, end-to-end RPO refers to outsourcing of all the recruitment processes to the RPO providing company. On-demand RPO enables the client organization to have better control over the recruitment processes as only a part of recruitment process is outsourced to the providing company. Moreover, the cost of on-demand RPO is lower as compared to the end-to-end RPO solution. Due to these advantages and higher flexibility and scalability, the penetration of on-demand RPO services is currently high as compared to the end-to-end RPO solutions.This report studies the current scenario as well as the future market potential for recruitment process outsourcing in Southeast Asia. The market for recruitment process outsourcing has been segmented into six major end-use industries, namely, banks, financial services and insurance (BFSI); information technology (IT), IT enabled services (ITeS), and telecommunication; manufacturing; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; hospitality; and others. The others segment comprises aerospace, marine and construction industries. The market for these recruitment process outsourcing systems has been extensively analyzed on the basis of factors such as types of engagement service and countries in Southeast Asia region. On the basis of engagement type, the market has been segmented into on-demand RPO and end-to-end RPO. The market size and forecasts in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) for each of these segments have been provided for the period 2010 to 2020, considering 2012 and 2013 as the base years. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each segment of the market for the forecast period 2014 to 2020.View Report @Geographically, the market for RPO in Southeast Asia has been segmented into four regions, namely, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Rest of Southeast Asia (RoSEA). The market size and forecast for each region has been provided for the period 2010 to 2020 along with the CAGR (%) for the forecast period 2014 to 2020. The study also includes qualitative analysis of the competitive scenario in these regions. The overview section of the report comprises qualitative analysis of the overall market highlighting the factors determining the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities, along with the key trends analysis.The report also provides a section on the competitive landscape, wherein the market positioning analysis of the leading players in Southeast Asia RPO market in 2013 has been discussed. The report concludes with the profiles of major players in the Southeast Asia RPO market such as Kenexa Corporation (an IBM Corporation Company), Randstad Holding Company, Accolo, Inc., Atterro Human Capital Group, Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group, Cielo, Inc. (Pinstripe, Inc.), ManpowerGroup Solutions, Pontoon Solutions, Zyoin Web Pvt. Ltd., Futurestep (a Korn Ferry Company), TalentFusion, Inc., Alexander Mann Solutions and Hudson Global, Inc.Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market Segmentation:Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market, by Engagement TypeOn-demand RPOEnd-to-end RPORecruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market, by End-use IndustryBanks, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)IT, ITeS and TelecommunicationManufacturingHealthcare and PharmaceuticalsHospitalityOthers (Aerospace, Marine and Construction Industry)Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market, by Geographic RegionThailandIndonesiaVietnamRest of Southeast Asia (RoSEA)Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report Description1.2 Market Segmentation1.3 Research Methodology1.3.1 Sources1.3.1.1 Secondary Research1.3.1.2 Primary ResearchChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Market Snapshot: Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market (2013 & 2020)2.2 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market, 2010  2020, Revenue (US$ Mn) and Y-o-Y Growth (%)Chapter 3 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market Analysis, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.1 Key Trends Analysis3.1.1 Focus on brand name for outsourcing recruitment processes3.1.2 High penetration of on-shore recruitment process outsourcing3.2 Market Dynamics3.2.1 Drivers3.2.1.1 High advantages of recruitment process outsourcing3.2.1.2 Economic development in Southeast Asia3.2.2 Restraint3.2.2.1 Lack of confidence about the knowledge of RPO providers3.2.3 Opportunities3.2.3.1 Penetration in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)3.3 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market Analysis, By Engagement Type, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.3.1 Overview3.3.1.1 Segment Share, 2010  20203.3.2 On-demand RPO3.3.2.1 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market for On-demand RPO, Revenue and Forecast, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.3.3 End-to-end RPO3.3.3.1 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market for End-to-end RPO, Revenue and Forecast, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.4 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market Analysis, By End-use Industry, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.4.1 Overview3.4.1.1 Segment Share, 2010  20203.4.2 Banks, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)3.4.2.1 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market for BFSI Industry, Revenue and Forecast, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.4.3 IT, ITeS and Telecommunication3.4.3.1 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market for IT, ITeS and Telecommunication, Revenue and Forecast, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.4.4 Manufacturing Industry3.4.4.1 Southeast Asia Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Market for Manufacturing Industry, Revenue and Forecast, 2010  2020 (US$ Mn)3.4.5 Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals IndustryMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Impressive Software Development Solutions From Industry Experts

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The Best Software Development Services On The Upgraded Technology!We feel great to announce that now Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. in Lucknow has evolved better than before and improvised the software development services as well based on the changing technologies.The field of software development avails the value and the opportunities of growth for the companies and the clients. Our services also cater to every need of our users that very aptly promises to cover up all the requirements satisfying the marketing needs. Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. in Lucknow is highly committed to deliver the best-in-industry software development services for carrying out the desired undertakings. We keenly and deeply support the dazzling improvements in the field of software and ensures that only the higher end of software development services are given from our end.Everyone around can witness the outstanding expansion of the software development field and surely this is one of the technologies that will never stop to raise its bar higher. The professionals at Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. in Lucknow are also all the time working on the extemporizing of the software development skills. The field of software development has encouraged numerous offices to turn paperless and increasing the use of software in their working environment.Why To Choose Us For Software Development ServicesAll the clients associated with Ranks Digital Media are sure to receive the finest software development services in Lucknow. Below mentioned are the perks of choosing our amazing services: Cutting Edge Technology An In-House Experienced Team Key Solutions Of Software Development Needs Develops Customized Software Development Speedily Functioning and Quick OutcomesEvery organization looks forward for the cost efficient, tailored, scalable, and a qualitative software development services and Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. Lucknow is surely there to cater every need of our clients, so every organization can successfully promote itself in the competitive world and work on the contemporary technology based software applications.Visit:Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. (Lucknow)The well known brand that serves all the trusted clients for a long is none other than the Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. in Lucknow. The businesses choosing are assured of the successful delivery of our efficient services. We are here to serve our clients with the amazing software development services in Lucknow, additionally we offer the branding, marketing, web design, SMO, and a lot more for our Lucknow based clients, so they can earn recognition for better profits.Ranks Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. (Lucknow)304, Rohit Bhawan,Sapru MargLucknow 226001Phone: +91- 9891231226Email: sandeep@ranksindia.com
Insight Report: The Future of Consumer Payments - Contactless Cards or NFC Mobile?

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Timetrics Insight Report: The Future of Consumer Payments Contactless Cards or NFC Mobile? report analyzes the evolution of contactless payments and its impact on participants in the payment value chain. The report further explores the status of contactless payments globally and the regional differences in adoption. It provides detailed insights on the contactless payments market across geographies such as Europe, North and South America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.The report also provides detailed insights on some of the key indicators such as global contactless transaction value, contactless card shipment, NFC payments and number of contactless POS terminals.Get The Sample Copy Of Report :SummaryTimetrics Insight Report: The Future of Consumer Payments Contactless Cards or NFC Mobile? report provides market analysis, information and insights on contactless payments globally, including:Current and forecast analysis of contactless payment market, including previous and future market growth.Comprehensive analysis of contactless payments through cards and mobile handsets.Insights on the evolution and the level of adoption of contactless payments across geographies.Comprehensive analysis on the impact of contactless on payment participants, including consumers, merchants, PSPs and card schemes.ScopeProvides a comprehensive analysis of the contactless payments market across the world.Provides current value and forecast analysis of the contactless payments market.Covers regional analysis with respect to contactless cards and NFC mobile payments.Assess the impact of contactless on participants on the payment value chain.Understand the regional differences in the adoption of contactless.Reasons To BuyGain understanding of the future of consumer payments, including contactless cards and NFC mobile.Gain insights into the evolution of contactless payments.Understand the impact of contactless on payment participants, including PSPs, merchants, schemes and consumers.Understand why some regions are falling behind while others are developed.Understand the impact of EMV migration on contactless payments.Send An Enquiry :Key HighlightsTimetric estimates that US$358 billion in contactless transactions will be made in 2016, through both cards and mobile devices, on 23 million contactless-enabled POS terminals globally.While most contactless payments globally are still card-based, near-field communication (NFC) mobile payments are likely to grow faster than contactless card payments.Australia, Europe and Canada account for the majority of contactless card payments globally, while the US leads in mobile NFC payments.Mass transit systems are one of the largest markets for contactless transactions, and as a result, they have played a key role in the promotion and adoption of contactless.MRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Analysis & Forecast with Upcoming Trends 2022

Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market

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Global Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Research Report 2017 presents an in-depth assessment of the Reverse Flame Steam Boiler industry including enabling technologies, standardization, regulatory landscape, challenges, deployment models, market drivers, key trends, operator case studies, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The report also presents forecasts for Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market investments from 2017 till 2022.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Market Competition By Top Players:Atlantic BoilersATTSUBoilerTech Pty LtdBosch Industriekessel GmbHByworth BoilersICI Caldaie S.p.ASpirax-Sarco EngineeringViessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KGZhengzhou BoilerThe report "Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market by Manufacturers" fuses the current market size of this industry. It additionally renders the different item fragments of the market on a worldwide level. The present market outline and the future prospects of the area have additionally been investigated inside and out in this report. Crucial market players of Reverse Flame Steam Boiler are assessed on different parameters like item portfolio, organization rundown, income age, and deals investigation in the estimate time frame. Moreover, the general market probability is also portrayed in this report alongside various nations over the globe.Browse Complete Report with TOC @The costs of natural gas, which is the essential fuel utilized as a part of Reverse Flame Steam Boiler, have been unfavorably influenced post the current monetary log jam endured by Europe. The fluctuating costs of flammable gas have abstained control age organizations from growing organizations or taking up new activities in the current past, backing off the interest for Reverse Flame Steam Boiler to a degree. Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Reverse Flame Steam Boiler for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering - United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, India.The market will, rather, bore a greater negative effect of components, for example, the high beginning costs, high expenses of support, and the bit by bit decreasing proficiency of these boilers, which regularly shows the requirement for substitution.On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, including:ChemicalRefineriesPrimary MetalPower PlantsOthersOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into:Up to 100 KW101 KW-1000 KW1001 KW & AboveCheck for Discount @Some points from TOC:-9 Global Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data9.1 Atlantic Boilers9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Product A9.1.2.2 Product B9.1.3 Atlantic Boilers Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 ATTSU9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Product A9.2.2.2 Product B9.2.3 ATTSU Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 BoilerTech Pty Ltd9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Product A9.3.2.2 Product B9.3.3 BoilerTech Pty Ltd Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.4 Bosch Industriekessel GmbH9.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.4.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.4.2.1 Product A9.4.2.2 Product B9.4.3 Bosch Industriekessel GmbH Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.5 Byworth Boilers9.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.5.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.5.2.1 Product A9.5.2.2 Product B9.5.3 Byworth Boilers Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.6 ICI Caldaie S.p.A9.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.6.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.6.2.1 Product A9.6.2.2 Product B9.6.3 ICI Caldaie S.p.A Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.7 Spirax-Sarco Engineering9.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.7.2 Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Product Category, Application and Specification9.7.2.1 Product AAbout Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-
New Research Report Neodymium Market, Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2024

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Neodymium is a rare earth metal with the symbol Nd having an atomic number 60. The metal is soft and silvery in nature and tarnishes when exposed to air. Neodymium is present in large quantities in various ore minerals such as monazite bastnasie. The element is not present naturally in metal form and is always refined for general use. Although, neodymium is referred to as a rare earth metal it is a common element and is found largely in the earths crust. The original color of neodymium is reddish purple, but changes based on the lighting used owing to its fluorescent effects.Free Sample Report Click Here @Neodymium compounds are employed commercially in glass dyes and are used as an additive in the manufacture of glass. Moreover, neodymium is employed in lasers, which emit infrared light with wavelengths that range from 1047 nanometers to 1062 nanometers. These lasers are used largely in a variety of high power applications, such as experiments in a process known as inertial confinement fusion. Additionally, neodymium is employed as one of the components in alloys, which are used in the manufacture of powerful permanent magnets. These magnets are used in various electrical and electronic products including microphones, in-ear headphones, loudspeakers, computer hard disks etc.Neodymium Market: Drivers and TrendsThe key drivers of the neodymium market are its use in the glass and ceramics industry. The use of glass for various applications including as a packaging material, crockery, spectacles etc. is expected to drive the glass market during the forecast period. This in turn is anticipated to boost the market for neodymium over the next few years. In addition, increase in construction activities in various regions has been driving the ceramics and glass market in the past years.The rising demand for new residential houses and buildings has been boosting the glass and ceramic tile market. This will in turn boost the market for neodymium during the projected period. In addition, its use as a magnet in various end use industries such as electrical and electronics industry is expected to drive the market for neodymium during the forecast period. Neodymium is one the most costly metals among the rare earth metals and therefore has very few commercial uses. The cost factor can be a major restraint for the neodymium market.Neodymium Market: Region-wise OutlookThe key regions present in the neodymium market include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The demand for glass and ceramics is expected to be the highest in the Asia Pacific region owing to the increasing number of residential and commercial constructions in the region especially in growing economies like India and China. This in turn is expected to boost the market for neodymium over the next few years.In addition, the packaging market has been driving the market for glass in the past and this trend is likely to continue during the forecast period. This will further act as a driver for the neodymium market. Furthermore, North America follows Asia Pacific owing to new construction projects that are being taken on especially in the state New York. Commercial buildings in North America prefer the usage of glass in their construction projects. This is anticipated to drive the neodymium market in the North American region during the projected period.Read Full Report With TOC Click Here @Neodymium Market: Key PlayersThe key companies present in the neodymium market include Chemicool Ltd., American Elements: The Material Science Company etc. A number of new players are emerging in the neodymium market and high investments are being made my companies to develop new technologies in order to commercialize neodymium even further.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on: Market segments and sub-segments Market trends and dynamics Supply and demand Market size Current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive landscape Technological breakthroughs Value chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers: North America (U.S. and Canada) Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others) Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand) Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report: A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market Important changes in market dynamics Market segmentation up to the second or third level Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments Market shares and strategies of key players Emerging niche segments and regional markets An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketMake An Enquiry @Market 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.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite :Read More Industry News At:
Mobile Game Handle 2017 Global Key Players  Mad Catz, MOGA, NVIDIA, Nyko, Razer Inc, 8Bitdo, SONY Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022

Mobile Game Handle Market

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Mobile Game Handle Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Mobile Game Handle-Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Description:This report studies Mobile Game Handle in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringMad CatzMOGANVIDIANykoRazer Inc8BitdoIpegaWamoAfterPadGAMETELEVOLUTION CONTROLLERSSONYRequest for Sample Report@By types, the market can be split intoAndriod HandleIOS HandleBy Application, the market can be split intoApplication 1Application 2By Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaEnquiry before Buying @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Contents:Global Mobile Game Handle Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Mobile Game Handle1.1 Definition and Specifications of Mobile Game Handle1.1.1 Definition of Mobile Game Handle1.1.2 Specifications of Mobile Game Handle1.2 Classification of Mobile Game Handle1.2.1 Andriod Handle1.2.2 IOS Handle1.3 Applications of Mobile Game Handle1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Mobile Game Handle2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Mobile Game Handle2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Mobile Game Handle2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Mobile Game Handle.8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Mobile Game Handle8.1 Mad Catz8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Mad Catz 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Mad Catz 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 MOGA8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 MOGA 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 MOGA 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 NVIDIA8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 NVIDIA 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 NVIDIA 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Nyko8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Nyko 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Nyko 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Razer Inc8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Razer Inc 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Razer Inc 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 8Bitdo8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 8Bitdo 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 8Bitdo 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Ipega8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Ipega 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Ipega 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Wamo8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Wamo 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Wamo 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 AfterPad8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 AfterPad 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 AfterPad 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 GAMETEL8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 GAMETEL 2016 Mobile Game Handle Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 GAMETEL 2016 Mobile Game Handle Business Region Distribution Analysis8.11 EVOLUTION CONTROLLERS8.12 SONYContinued..Buy now @Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune  411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042
Reset Integrated Circuit Market is Expected to Reach a Value of US$3.92 bn by The End of 2025

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A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine Reset Integrated Circuit (IC) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Trend, Size, Share and Forecast 2017 - 2025 is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Get Free Sample Report@The global market for reset integrated circuit (IC) is heavily influenced by the growing demand for consumer electronics across the world. The significant increase in the user base of smart phones, tablets, laptops, and wearable gadgets, such as smart watches and smart helmets, is also boosting the demand for reset IC as these electrical gadgets are prone to frequent voltage fluctuations, which can damage their internal circuitry and lead to their malfunctioning, and the usage of reset ICs will prevent the devices from under-functioning and other damaging effects.In 2017, the global market for reset IC was worth US$1.39 bn. Rising at a CAGR of 12.50% between 2017 and 2025, the opportunity in this market is likely to reach a value of US$3.92 bn by the end of 2025. In terms of volume, the market is estimated to account for 6,100.8 mn units over the same period of time.Asia Pacific to Retain LeadThe global market for reset IC is spread across the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Presently, Asia Pacific is leading the global market and is expected to remain doing so over the next few years. In 2016, this region held a share of more than 60% of the overall market. Over the coming years, the growing demand for office automation products, IT hardware, and consumer electronics such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, is likely to boost the Asia Pacific market for reset IC substantially.The significant growth in the Asia Pacific semiconductor industry, thanks to strong government initiative policies in the form of tax exemptions, subsidies, and the increasing grants in research and development activities, is also projected to reflect greatly on the Asia Pacific reset IC market in the near future. The improving economic condition and the increasing disposable income, leading to a rising demand for smart phones and tablets, are some of the other important factors behind the growth of this regional market.North America, amongst other regional markets for reset IC, is expected to witness a considerable rise in its valuation over the forthcoming years, thanks to the technological advancements in the medical and healthcare industry in this region.View Full Report At@Demand for Reset IC to Remain High in Consumer Electronics IndustryBased on the end user, the global market for reset IC is categorized into the consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, and various other sectors, such as information technology, telecommunication, healthcare, and defense. The demand for reset IC has been higher from the consumer electronics sector and is followed by the automotive industry.Researchers expect this trend to remain so over the forthcoming years, albeit at the cost of a few shares of the consumer electronics industry since it is already matured. Currently, the production of tablets and laptops has slowed down a bit and the manufacturing of smart phones  although their demand is significantly high at present  will gradually decline in the near future.The automotive sector is anticipated to the report an exceptional growth rate over the next few years, owing to the increase in the connectivity systems in vehicles, such as driver assistance systems, navigation systems, and infotainment systems.Texas Instruments, ST Microelectronics, On Semiconductors, ROHM, Linear Technology, Analog Devices, Maxim Integrated, Cypress Semiconductor, Intersil Corp., and Renesas Electronics are some of the leading manufacturers of reset integrated circuits across the world.Enquire About this Report@About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research 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.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Artezio Cost Track App will Support IPhone X and FaceID

Artezio developers present an updated version of the mobile app Cost Track.The updated version of Cost Track takes into account all technical features of IPhone X, including its non-standard resolution and screen design. Soon Cost Track will get one more functionality  the support of the face scanner FaceID when Apple provides developers with the detailed information on the facial recognition system and reliability of this data protection method.Igor Esipovich, Head of Artezio Mobile Development Department, We aim to ensure not only the best user experience of the app on any device, but also safety protection. Introducing TouchID in the previous smartphone versions, we were sure that the technology met all standards on safety use. The process of Cost Track customization to IPhone X will be carried out based on the same requirements.Cost Track allows users to manage their personal finances, plan family budget, and gather statistics on income and expenses. As the new technologies emerge, Artezio developers continue to enhance the solution adding new functionality. The latest modifications include the support of large numbers, precious metals and cryptocurrencies as well as the full implementation of data entry with the help of the voice assistant Siri.Cost Track has been included into the Top 10 mobile apps for personal finance management.You can download the basic version of Cost Track for free on the App Store. To get the advanced set of features, you will need to buy a subscription or pay for the full version of the app.About ArtezioEstablished in 2000, Artezio is an ISO 9001:2015 certified custom software development company. Over the last 17+ years, Artezio has completed more than 1000 projects. Artezio's custom software development services enable its clients to deploy multi-platform applications, resulting in leveraged power of modern software technologies. Some industry-leading sectors where Artezio holds a stellar track record include telecommunications, mobile platforms, financial services, healthcare, hi-tech, logistics, utilities as well as retail. Artezio provides IT services to small, medium, and large companies within the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia. The company has 8 software development centers in Europe.Alexander Nikolaichuk, PR manager, ArtezioTel. +7 (495) 981 0531E-mail: Alexander.Nikolaichuk@artezio.comArtezio New Jersey300 Carnegie Center, Suite 150Princeton, NJ 08540
Global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles Market Forecast & Status by Manufacturers : Texas, Vicon

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "2017-2022 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications" to its huge collection of research reports.The thorough report here assembles different perspectives having a place with the Global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles market which verbalizes the present-day data and future exposures with reference to the dynamic powers at play. The prime reason for the examination report is to offer the endorser with an extensive format and make accessible the helpful realities and records. The quantifiable and testing elucidations behind the examination other than executes data on issues, for example, drivers, shackles, and projections to gage the deferred outcome of the Global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles market through the cross of the said gage period in the examination report. The report in like course passes on a brief and world class record of the predefined market follows, which joins a couple of occasions of the veritable fixations at work which are concentrated to trigger change in the market or may cause any negative effect.This report other than stations into the Global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles market by in a Global and United States sense examining the thing and industrialized chain of the market. This is required to in like manner help in passing on honest to goodness information and data on compound parts of the fitting market, for example, material relating to systems for the regulating body in the standard and Global and United States strata, transport and transmission structure, goals, and explanations behind premium got for the contributed mean.Interpret a Competitive Analysis Report with Free PDF Sample :The major players in global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles market, including Douglas Dynamics, ASH Group, Alamo Group, M-B Companies, Boschung, Paladin Attachments, Wausau-Everest, Kodiak America, Texas, KATO, DIMA, Senyuan Corporation, Zoomlion, Shenyang Deheng, Vicon, Henan Lutai,The report utilizes a couple of showed industry examination and whole contraptions. They permit the examination collect pass on an uncovered fundamental assessment of the Global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles market and help endorser and market troupes to be counseled with respect to speculation and business judgments. The wide thinking of the examination gives a market position on an obvious and minute scale. It collects crucial and optional research structures thusly. The administrators have figured the recorded encounters and rose it from the forward and thusly around change the circumstance to plan a structure for the Global and United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles market in the years ahead.Table of Contents1 Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.3 Disclaimer2 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Market Overview2.1 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Product Overview2.2 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Market Segment by Type2.3 Global Snow Cleaning Vehicles Product Segment by Type2.4 United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles Product Segment by TypeTo Browse a Complete Report with TOC Visit @7 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Players/Manufacturers Profiles and Sales Data7.1 Douglas Dynamics7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors7.1.2 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.3 Douglas Dynamics Snow Cleaning Vehicles Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 ASH Group7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors7.2.2 Snow Cleaning Vehicles Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.3 ASH Group Snow Cleaning Vehicles Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business OverviewList of Tables and FiguresTable Research Programs/Design for This ReportFigure Bottom-up and Top-down Approaches for This ReportFigure Global Snow Cleaning Vehicles Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure United States Snow Cleaning Vehicles Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Multi Function Snow Cleaning Vehicle Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Figure Global Ice Breaker Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Figure Global Snow Melting Agent Spreader Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Table Global Snow Cleaning Vehicles Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact US:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Application Specific Standard Product (ASSP) Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016  2024 | NXP Semiconductors, Infineon, Skyworks Solutions, Linear Technology, Renesas Electronic

Application Specific Standard Product (ASSP) Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Application Specific Standard Product (ASSP) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Application specific standard product (ASSP) is an integrated circuit used for a specific product in multiple units. These products consist of embedded programmable logic, mixed-signal, analog products as well as digital products. General purpose of ASSP integrated circuits is to cater to a wide range of applications. These circuits are used in several system-design houses across the globe. The market is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period. The anticipated increase in demand for consumer electronics is anticipated to affect the demand for ASSP positively in the next few years. For providing detailed overview of the ASSP market, it has been segmented on the basis of applications and geographies. On the basis of applications, the market can be segmented into: communications, automotive, consumer electronics, computers, industrial applications, and others. Geographically, the ASSP market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Use of ASSP in consumer electronics makes them highly cost-effective and efficient. Such beneficial features along with increasing usage are expected to dominate the market during forecast period. ASSP provides images with high quality. Such beneficial features made the innovation of the global smart Television, high resolution DSLR camera and smart phones is driving the opportunities for universal ASSP market. ASSPs are consolidated circuits that can perform audio and/or video de-coding and/or encoding. Short replacement cycle (SRC) of portable electronic devices increases the demand for consumer electronic devices, which is anticipated to drive the ASSP market. The automotive industry has been enjoying a period of relatively stronger profitability and growth worldwide. This is the most important factor driving the global application specific standard product market. Fueled by demand from carriers and data center technology is the most important factor driving the market opportunities for the global ASSP market. In addition, rising demand from the mobile phones & tablets industry is driving the global ASSP market. Local producers are introducing tablets and mobile phones. This market expansion is expected to augment the demand for ASSP during the forecast period. Things are more closely, smart-home applications such as automated lighting and heating growing demand in the market. This in turn has boosted the demand of these technology to a great extent in the global market.However, high capital investment in the semiconductors industry is anticipated to limit several manufacturers from entering the ASSP market. This is estimated to hamper the growth of the ASSP market during the forecast period.Geographically, in terms of revenue, North America held the major share in the global application specific standard product market in 2015. In Asia Pacific, China and India hold the leading share of the market in the region, due to growing consumer preference to electronic products and automation. The U.S. is the main hub for R&D (research and development) activities that take place in the semiconductors industry, which is opportunities for growing these market in future. Owing to significant growth in the electronics segment in China, India, the U.S., and Japan, the countries are major emerging markets for ASSP. Ever-changing consumer needs in the electronics industry is a key factor influencing the market for application specific standard product. The advancement of medical technology equipment may also act as a driving factor for the market.The application specific standard product market is characterized by presence of numerous key players. These companies include NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), Infineon (Germany), Skyworks Solutions (the U.S.), Linear Technology (the U.S.), Renesas Electronic (Japan), ON Semiconductor (the U.S.), Melexis (Belgium), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), Texas Instruments (the U.S.), Toshiba (Japan),, and Maxim Integrated Products (U.S).The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:- Market segments and sub-segments- Market trends and dynamics- Supply and demand- Market size- Current trends/opportunities/challenges- Competitive landscape- Technological breakthroughs- Value chain and stakeholder analysisMake an Enquiry of this report @The regional analysis covers:- North America (U.S. and Canada)- Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)- Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)- Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)- Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)- Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:- A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market- Important changes in market dynamics- Market segmentation up to the second or third level- Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume- Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments- Market shares and strategies of key players- Emerging niche segments and regional markets- An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market- Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketBrowse Detail Report With TOC @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
At A CAGR Of 12.88% Global Pharmerging Market Will Grow During The Period 2017-2021 | AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Sanofi, Novartis

Pharmerging Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Pharmerging Markets 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.The immense growth potential in pharmerging market has driven large multinational pharmaceutical companies to focus on these regions by pursuing organic as well as in-organic routes. To make in-roads into the new geography, the large players usually take in-organic route through strategic expansion initiatives such as acquisitions and alliances. For instance, in December 2015, AstraZeneca entered into a deal with WuXi to acquire its biologics manufacturing facilities in China to expand locally.Technavios analysts forecast the global pharmerging market to grow at a CAGR of 12.88% during the period 2017-2021.Get Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global pharmerging market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of pharmaceutical drugs in pharmerging markets, which are further divided into Tier I, II and III.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:Tier 1Tier 2Tier 3Global Pharmerging Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAstraZenecaGlaxoSmithKlinePfizerSanofiNovartisTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Other prominent vendorsAbbott LaboratoriesAbbVieAlexion PharmaceuticalsAllerganAmgenAspenAstellas PharmaBaxterBayerBiogenBoehringer IngelheimBristol-Myers SquibbCelgeneCSL BehringDaiichi SankyoDainippon Sumitomo PharmaEisaiEli LillyEndo Health PharmaceuticalsF. Hoffmann-La RocheFreseniusGileadGrifolsH. LundbeckHospiraJohnson & JohnsonKyowa Hakko KirinMallinckrodt PharmaceuticalsMenariniMitsubishi Tanabe PharmaMylanNovo NordiskOtsukaShireSTADA ArzneimittelSun PharmaceuticalTakeda PharmaTeva Pharmaceutical IndustriesUCBValeant PharmaceuticalsMarket driverLimitations in developed economies fuels demand in emerging economiesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeStringent price control and generic -centric usage lead to value erosionFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendPotential of new countries in emerging marketsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Browse Detail Report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
At A CAGR Of 12.79% Global Industrial Communication Market Will Grow During The Period 2017-2021 | ABB, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Siemens

Industrial Communication Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Industrial Communication Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet are widely used in office networks for data transfers. In the recent times, communication protocols are used in factory floors to meet communication needs of industrial applications. The industrial plant's environment is harsh with extreme temperature conditions, humidity, and vibration. Industrial-based devices are designed to be rugged to withstand such extreme conditions and function effectively. Industrial communication can be performed using three protocols, namely Fieldbus, Ethernet, and wireless.Technavios analysts forecast the global industrial communication market to grow at a CAGR of 12.79% during the period 2017-2021.Get Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global industrial communication market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from sales and aftermarket services of industrial Ethernet (IE) and wireless protocols used in devices by the market participants, for both process and discrete industries globally, is covered in this report.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEAGlobal Industrial Communication Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsABBRockwell AutomationSchneider ElectricSiemensTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Other prominent vendorsAdvantechBeckhoff AutomationCisco SystemsEmerson ElectricEndress+HauserGeneral ElectricInfineon TechnologiesNational InstrumentsTE ConnectivityTexas InstrumentsMarket driverGrowing demand from water and wastewater treatment industry.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeLack of determinism in industrial communication networks.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendRising adoption of industrial communications in machine vision systems.For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Browse Detail Report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Refrigerated Display Cases Market Estimated to be Driven by Innovation and Industrialization

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A comprehensive research publication by Future Market Insights titled Refrigerated Display Cases Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Opportunity Assessment 2017  2027 is focussed on understanding the worldwide demand and consumption of refrigerated display cases, the key aspects influencing customer purchase decisions, the key areas of innovations, the enhancement of features of refrigerated display cases and key industry developments across major geographies along with impact analysis in 2017 and forecast scrutiny pertaining to value and volume of the global refrigerated display cases market till 2027.After an in-depth investigation of the global refrigerated display cases market, Future Market Insights predicts a revenue growth of about US$ 16 Bn by the end of 2027, reflecting a CAGR of 6.2% during the period of forecast.Request to View Sample of Research Report @The global refrigerated display cases market is categorised by product type, by construction, by end user and by region. By product type, it is segmented into plug-in device and remote operated device. By construction it is segmented into horizontal, hybrid and vertical. By end user it is segmented into food service sector and retail food and beverage sector; and by region, the market is divided into North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, APEJ, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA).Remote operated device segment is poised to dominate the global refrigerated display cases market by product type by reflecting a higher market share and is poised to grow at a high CAGR of 6.5% during the period of forecast. Demand in the plug-in device market is also rising, especially in emerging economies. The plug-in device segment is poised to reflect a CAGR of 5.8% in terms of value. The remote operated device segment is expected to reflect a market share of more than 55% by the end of 2027.Vertical segment by construction is expected to dominate the market with respect to market value and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% throughout the period of forecast. The hybrid segment is anticipated to register the highest growth rate to reflect a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period.Retail food and beverage sector segment by end user is anticipated to grow at a higher growth rate to reflect a CAGR of 6.4% during the period of forecast. This segment dominates the global refrigerated display cases market by end user with respect to market value as it is expected to reach a value of just under US$ 13 Bn by the end of 2027. Market value of the food service sector segment is less compared to that of the retail food and beverage sector segment and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% throughout the period of forecast.Request for Table of Contents @The APEJ region shows a high growth to register a CAGR of 9.0% throughout the period of forecast surpassing North America and Western Europe in terms of demand. Rapid urbanisation and increasing income levels in India, China and South Korea are the main contributors for growth of the APEJ region in the global refrigerated display cases market. Moreover, along with a growing population and rising demand for food, the FMCG market has been performing well in the region and major retail chains are shifting their focus towards expanding their footprint in APEJ countries. This has spurred the growth of the refrigerated display cases market in this region. Another trend observed in APEJ is the shift of manufacturing base to this region. Besides enhancing technology, maintaining overall product cost is also a key concern for manufacturers. In order to decrease the cost of manufacturing, some players in the market have established their production facilities in countries such as China, Indonesia and India, where labour costs are relatively low as compared to other countries. North America and Western Europe are expected to face maturity in the coming years.The research report on the global refrigerated display cases market has profiled tier players involved in the refrigerated display cases market such as Panasonic Corporation, Dover Corporation, Frigoglass SAIC, Arneg S.p.A, AHT Cooling System GmbH, Illinois Tool Work Inc., Epta S.p.a. Refrigeration, Standex International Corporation, Lennox International Inc., United Technologies Corp., Metalfrio Solutions, Inc., Clabo Group, True Manufacturing, Carter Retail Equipment Ltd., Nakano Refrigerators Co. Ltd., QBD Modular Systems Inc., Zero Zone Inc., Igloo International, Marc Refrigeration Manufacturing, Inc., Aucma Co., Ltd., Haier Carrier, Isa S.p.a., Borgen Systems and Koxka.Buy Refrigerated Display Cases Market Research Report @ABOUT USFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
New Study on Global Test Data Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 | CA Technologies, Cigniti, Compuware, IBM, Informatica, Infosys

Test Data Management Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Test Data Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies the global Test Data Management market, analyzes and researches the Test Data Management development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeCA TechnologiesCignitiCompuwareDatprofDelphixEkobitIBMInformaticaInfosysIRIMentisOriginal SoftwareSolixGet Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Test Data Management can be split intoOn-PremisesCloudMarket segment by Application, Test Data Management can be split intoInformation Technology (IT)TelecomBanking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)Healthcare and life sciencesGovernmentRetailOthersTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsGlobal Test Data Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Test Data Management1.1 Test Data Management Market Overview1.1.1 Test Data Management Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Test Data Management Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Test Data Management Market by Type1.3.1 On-Premises1.3.2 Cloud1.4 Test Data Management Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Information Technology (IT)1.4.2 Telecom1.4.3 Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)1.4.4 Healthcare and life sciences1.4.5 Government1.4.6 Retail1.4.7 Others2 Global Test Data Management Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Test Data Management Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 CA Technologies3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Cigniti3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Compuware3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Datprof3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Delphix3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Ekobit3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 IBM3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Informatica3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Infosys3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 IRI3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Test Data Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Mentis3.12 Original Software3.13 Solix4 Global Test Data Management Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Test Data Management Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Test Data Management Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Test Data Management in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Test Data Management5 United States Test Data Management Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Test Data Management Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Test Data Management Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Test Data Management Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Test Data Management Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Test Data Management Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)Continue...Browse Detail Report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
New Professional Survey Report on Global Textural Food Ingredients Market 2017 | Cargill, Incorporated., Kerry Group Plc., Dohler GmbH, Tate & Lyle PLC, Sensient Technologies Corporation

Textural Food Ingredients Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Textural Food Ingredients Market Professional Survey Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies Textural Food Ingredients in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringCargill, Incorporated.Kerry Group Plc.Dohler GmbHTate & Lyle PLCSensient Technologies CorporationArcher Daniels Midland CompanyKoninklijke DSM N.V.Ajinomoto Co., Inc.CHS Inc.Ingredients Inc.C.P. KelcoNaturex SAFMC CorporationIngredion IncorporatedDupontFoodchem International CorporationSymrise AGAshland Global Holdings Inc.Furest Day Lawson Holdings LimitedLonza Group Ltd.Get Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBy TypeHydrocolloidsStarch and DerivativesEmulsifiersOthersBy FormConcentratePowdersFlakesBy FunctionalityEmulsifying AgentThickening AgentStabilising AgentGelling AgentOthersBy Application, the market can be split intoDairy Products and Frozen FoodBakery and ConfectionerySauces, Dressings, and CondimentsBeveragesSnacks and SavouryMeat and Poultry ProductsPet FoodBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsGlobal Textural Food Ingredients Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Textural Food Ingredients1.1 Definition and Specifications of Textural Food Ingredients1.1.1 Definition of Textural Food Ingredients1.1.2 Specifications of Textural Food Ingredients1.2 Classification of Textural Food Ingredients1.2.1 Hydrocolloids1.2.2 Starch and Derivatives1.2.3 Emulsifiers1.2.4 Others1.3 Applications of Textural Food Ingredients1.3.1 Dairy Products and Frozen Food1.3.2 Bakery and Confectionery1.3.3 Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments1.3.4 Beverages1.3.5 Snacks and Savoury1.3.6 Meat and Poultry Products1.3.7 Pet Food1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Textural Food Ingredients2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Textural Food Ingredients2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Textural Food Ingredients2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Textural Food Ingredients3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Textural Food Ingredients3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Textural Food Ingredients Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Textural Food Ingredients Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Textural Food Ingredients Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Textural Food Ingredients Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Textural Food Ingredients Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Textural Food Ingredients Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Textural Food Ingredients Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Textural Food Ingredients Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Textural Food Ingredients Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Textural Food Ingredients Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Market Share Analysis5.2 China Textural Food Ingredients Market Analysis5.2.1 China Textural Food Ingredients Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Textural Food Ingredients Market Analysis5.3.1 Europe Textural Food Ingredients Market Overview5.3.2 Europe 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.3.3 Europe 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis5.3.4 Europe 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Market Share Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Textural Food Ingredients Market Analysis5.4.1 Southeast Asia Textural Food Ingredients Market Overview5.4.2 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.4.3 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis5.4.4 Southeast Asia 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Market Share Analysis5.5 Japan Textural Food Ingredients Market Analysis5.5.1 Japan Textural Food Ingredients Market Overview5.5.2 Japan 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.5.3 Japan 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis5.5.4 Japan 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Market Share Analysis5.6 India Textural Food Ingredients Market Analysis5.6.1 India Textural Food Ingredients Market Overview5.6.2 India 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.6.3 India 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales Price Analysis5.6.4 India 2016 Textural Food Ingredients Market Share Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Segment Market Analysis (by Type)6.1 Global 2012-2017E Textural Food Ingredients Sales by Type6.2 Different Types of Textural Food Ingredients Product Interview Price Analysis6.3 Different Types of Textural Food Ingredients Product Driving Factors Analysis6.3.1 By Type of Textural Food Ingredients Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.2 By Form of Textural Food Ingredients Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.3 By Functionality of Textural Food Ingredients Growth Driving Factor AnalysisContinue...Browse Detail Report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Gate Operator Market 2017 Key Players - Chamberlain Group, Dorene, Al Kuhaimi Metal Industries, HySecurity, Eagle Access Control Systems, Nice Group, Xianfeng Machinery,..

Gate Operator Market

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Gate Operator Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Gate Operator Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Gate Operator in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Gate Operator market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingChamberlain GroupDoreneAl Kuhaimi Metal IndustriesHySecurityEagle Access Control SystemsNice GroupXianfeng MachineryViking AccessATALiftMasterMighty MuleAlekoUSAutomaticRequest Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoMechanicalHydraulicOn 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 Gate Operator for each application, includingFor slider gateFor swing gateFor overhead gateOthersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit -Table of ContentsGlobal Gate Operator Market Research Report 20171 Gate Operator Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Gate Operator1.2 Gate Operator Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Gate Operator Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Gate Operator Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Mechanical1.2.4 Hydraulic1.3 Global Gate Operator Segment by Application1.3.1 Gate Operator Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 For slider gate1.3.3 For swing gate1.3.4 For overhead gate1.3.5 Others1.4 Global Gate Operator Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Gate Operator Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Gate Operator (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Gate Operator Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Gate Operator Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Gate Operator Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Gate Operator Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Gate Operator Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Gate Operator Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Gate Operator Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Gate Operator Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Gate Operator Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Gate Operator Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Gate Operator Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Gate Operator Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Gate Operator Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Gate Operator Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Gate Operator Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Gate Operator Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Gate Operator Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Gate Operator Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Gate Operator Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Gate Operator Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Gate Operator Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Gate Operator Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Gate Operator Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Gate Operator Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Gate Operator Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Gate Operator Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Gate Operator Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Gate Operator Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Gate Operator Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global Gate Operator Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Gate Operator Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Gate Operator Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +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:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Iv Equipment Market is Projected to Record Sluggish CAGR of 5% Throughout 2017-2022

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Rising cases of needle stick injuries, the shift in demand towards ambulatory surgical centers and fusion pumps, and a greater number of surgical procedures performed are poised to benefit the IV equipment market. Furthermore, a prevalence of chronic diseases in an ageing population in developed nations are positive signs for the IV equipment market. However, lack of wireless connectivity, regulatory mandates for new product launches and increasing cases of medication errors inhibit the unencumbered growth of the IV equipment market that is anticipated to witness a steady CAGR of 5% from 2017 to 2022.The IV catheter segment is the most popular in the IV equipment market and should remain so for the foreseeable future. The IV catheter segment is expected to be worth more than US$ 2.7 billion in 2017 itself and companies are recommended to target this segment with gusto. The infusion pump segment is a close second in the IV equipment market in terms of product type segment and is likely to be the biggest winner in terms of market share. Key stakeholders in the IV equipment market would do well to focus their energy on the Europe infusion pumps market as the region accounts for more than a third of the revenue contribution.Request to view table of content @The securement device segment and stopclocks & valve segment have single digit revenue share in the IV equipment market. While the former is projected to lose market share, the latter is on track to gain share and companies may seek to take advantage of this. The stopcock & valves segment is estimated to grow with a CAGR of just under 6% from 2017 to 2022. Along with Europe, the stopcocks & valves segment has strong potential in APEJ.Request Sample Report @The drip chamber and needleless connector segment have a revenue share of less than a tenth in the IV equipment market at the end of 2017. The needleless connector segment is predicted to lose substantial share in the near future while the drip chamber segment should fall slowly. The Europe drip chamber segment is assessed to grow past more than US$ 285 million at the end of the forecast period. The needleless connector segment also has the greatest potential in Europe. Along with Europe, companies could additionally target the North America needleless connector segmentHospitals hold the lions share in the IV equipment market by end user segment and are forecast to hold steady for the medium to long term. Hospitals are the most-well equipped to deal with any and every patient need pertaining to IV treatment. Europe is the largest region in the hospital segment of the IV equipment market but there is a close competition for the second place between APEJ and North America.Read Report @The companies profiled in the IV equipment market are AngioDynamics, Moog Inc., Terumo Corporation, C. R. Bard, ICU Medical, Smiths Group, Baxter International Inc., Fresenius SE & Co., B. Braun Melsungen AG, and Becton, Dickinson and Company.Buy Iv Equipment Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA,Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Latest Survey Reveals Global Customer Support Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 | Freshworks Inc, Zendesk, salesforce.com, inc, TeamSupport, Zoho, PhaseWare

Customer Support Software Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Customer Support Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies the global Customer Support Software market, analyzes and researches the Customer Support Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeFreshworks IncZendesksalesforce.com, incTeamSupportZohoPhaseWareTrackerLiveAgentSamanageFreshServiceIntercomFocalScopeKayakoGet Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Application, Customer Support Software can be split intoSMELarge EnterpriseTable of ContentsGlobal Customer Support Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Customer Support Software1.1 Customer Support Software Market Overview1.1.1 Customer Support Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Customer Support Software Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Customer Support Software Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 SME1.3.2 Large EnterpriseTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @2 Global Customer Support Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Customer Support Software Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Freshworks Inc3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Zendesk3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 salesforce.com, inc3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 TeamSupport3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Zoho3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 PhaseWare3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Tracker3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 LiveAgent3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Samanage3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 FreshService3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Customer Support Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Intercom3.12 FocalScope3.13 Kayako4 Global Customer Support Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Customer Support Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.2 Potential Application of Customer Support Software in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Customer Support Software5 United States Customer Support Software Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Customer Support Software Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Customer Support Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Customer Support Software Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Customer Support Software Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Customer Support Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)Continue...Browse Detail Report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Exscudo uses multisignature technology to protect user accounts

Digital space is full of dangers, one of which is hacker attacks. That is why such services as cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, that exist only in digital space, are particularly vulnerable. Since transactions in blockchain are irreversible it is impossible to get back the stolen funds. Multisignature, technology developed to increase the accounts security level, is one of the solutions, which will be implemented in Exscudo ecosystem.Multisignature is a digital signature scheme allowing a group of accounts to sign one transaction. A user specifies accounts that will confirm his or her transactions in advance. In Exscudo ecosystem there will be several variations of this scheme - for example, a user can indicate that his transactions need two of three specified accounts signature to be confirmed, or, in opposite, that transactions should be necessarily protected by all the three accounts.Multisignature is one of the Exscudo tools to enhance security. This scheme will be particularly interesting for peer holders, whose accounts confirm transactions. Indeed, a user whose account participates in block generation has to enter his private key. It means, that with some effort hacker may read the key from the server. However, if the wallet is protected with multisignature, it is impossible to withdraw the funds without the certain number of accounts to agree, even if the private key is known.There are several variations of multisignature scheme. Some are more easy-to-use, such as 2FA, where confirmation is made with E-mail and SMS. But when it comes to companys account, it is very risky to give account access to one person only. Multisignature reduces these risks providing the scheme for several accounts to take decisions together.Exscudo is the nextgen financial ecosystem that unites the traditional financial system and the cryptocurrency market. The main goal of the project is to create a single gate to cryptocurrency market for everyday users, professional traders, investors and financial institutions. Exscudos ecosystem consists of a Stock exchange, a b2b cryptocurrency merchant, mobile wallets, trading terminals, bank cards and a protected messenger. The developers team consists of professionals who have many years of experience in the development of financial products and services. More information about the team can be found on the Exscudo website.TallinnMerirahu 58
INSIGHT Health: Data-driven market research spawned interest at CPhI

The INSIGHT Health CPhI-Team 2017

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Waldems-Esch, 09.11.2017. The CPhI-Worldwide is the world's largest pharmaceutical trade fair. The information service provider INSIGHT Health was also present at the Frankfurt exhibition centre from 24 to 26 October. The focus was on the SHARK patent database and databases on discount business of health insurance companies.We are a company with an international focus. Here where we can present ourselves to the entire pharmaceutical world, said CEO Petra Exner. Accordingly, the SHARK patent database, which monitors 85 percent of worldwide patents at an early stage of the approval process, met with great interest.Large companies from China and India are increasingly entering the European market. They need valid data for their strategic business development. Therefore, a patent database is very important for internationally active companies", explained Sascha Eder, who is responsible for SHARK at INSIGHT Health.The INSIGHT Health service Tender Alerts experienced a strong demand as well. Our Tender Alerts provide information on discount agreements with health insurance companies. Participation in such tenders is often the first step in the doorway for the German market, says Thomas Fante, the INSIGHT health expert in this area.Among the more than 2,500 exhibitors from 153 countries, the INSIGHT Health stand aroused interest. The company presented its web-based analysis tools on two giant touch screens.INSIGHT Health will again be present at the CPhI 2018, then in Madrid. Will the fair repeat to attract more than 43,000 visitors? We will approach every visitor of our booth as intensively as we did in the past. The benefit of our customers is always at the centre of our concerns", said Petra Exner.In case of further enquiry please contact:Miles Meier, Corporate Communications INSIGHT HealthTel.: +49 (0)6126 955 434E-Mail: MMeier@insight-health.deINSIGHT Health is one of the leading data providers in the health care market. Our broad knowledge of the health care market is the basis of our databased services in the field of market research, patient-centered care as well as as other business fields. With fast and transparent supply of data analyses we create individual solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, health insurance, scientific institutions as well as decision makers in the health care market. INSIGHT Health is based in Waldems-Esch near Frankfurt/Main with branches in Berlin, Vienna and Baar (Switzerland).For more information please visitINSIGHT Health GmbH & Co. KGAuf der Lind 10a/365529 Waldems-EschGermanyContactMiles MeierCommunicationsMMeier@insight-health.de
Global Automotive Films Market 2017 Industry Analysis, Technologies, Product Type, Growth Economies, Key Players & Forecasts to 2024

Global Automotive Films Market- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024

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Global Automotive Films Market research covers Major Classifications, Applications, challenge and restraints for the key players. Global Fertility Testing Devices Market reports feature a wealth of standardised and cross-comparable statistics including total market sizes, market share and sales, distribution and industry trends and revenue forecast information.Global Automotive Films Market accounted for USD 4.67 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Ask for Free Sample Report @Global Automotive Films Market By Films Type {Automotive Window Films(Dyed Films, Hybrid Films, Metallized Films, Ceramic Films), Automotive Wrap Films, Paint Protection Films)} Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles) Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Competitive Analysis:The Global Automotive Films Market is consolidated due to the presence of limited number of players concentrated in few countries. These major players have adopted various organic as well as inorganic growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, and others to strengthen their position in this market.Major Market Drivers: Lowers the cost of energy and gives protection against harmful radiation Increasing demand for mobile advertising and consumer awareness Growing demand for personalization of vehiclesRestraints: Strict rules and regulations regarding automotive filmsAvail 10% Discount On Global Automotive Films Market @Market Segmentation:On the basis of vehicle type:- Passenger cars and commercial vehicles.On the basis of geography:- North America & South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others.Request for Detail TOC @Major Market Competitors:- 3M, Avery Dennison Corporation, Ergis, Eastman Chemical Company, LINTEC Corporation, Johnson Window Film Inc., NEXFIL, Garware Polyester Limited, Zeofilms, Geoshield Window Film, Kay Premium Marking Films Ltd, Arlon Graphics LLC, aegis, Ads Window Films Limited, Madico, Inc. Beijing Kangde Xin Composite Material Co., Ltd. among others.Read more about This Report@About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn:
Ablation Technologies Market was anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period (2017-22)

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Ablation technologies involve in the removal of the abnormal tissue growth in the body to treat the disease. This technology is gradually replacing conventional surgical procedures owing to the high efficiency and less time. It is used in the treatment of various diseases like cardiovascular, cancer, ophthalmology and gynecology. The number of ablation procedures performed for the treatment of various diseases are expected to increase substantially in the future.Get a comprehensive overview of the Global Ablation Technologies Market:Global Ablation Technologies Market: Drivers & RestraintsIncreasing demand for ablation technologies, rising incidence of cancer, technologies growing adoption of minimally invasive procedures, increasing number of ablation procedures, rising aged population, growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, new product innovations, emergence of next-generation ablation products are driving the growth of Global Ablation Technologies market.However, limited skilled labour, regulatory framework for the ablation technologies and lack of awareness are hampering the market growth.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Global Ablation Technologies Market. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market:Global Ablation Technologies Market: SegmentationBy Product Light/Laser ablatorso Excimer laser ablatorso Cold laser ablators Radiofrequency (RF) ablatorso Temperature-controlled RF ablatorso Fluid-cooled RF ablatorso Robotic catheter manipulation systems Electrical ablatorso Argon plasma/beam coagulatorso Irreversible electroporation ablators Ultrasound ablatorso High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablatorso Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFUS) ablatorso Ultrasonic surgical ablation systemso Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy systems Microwave ablatorso Microwave thermotherapy ablators Cryoablation deviceso Tissue contact probe ablatorso Tissue spray probe ablatorso Epidermal and subcutaneous cryoablation systems Hydrothermal ablatorso Endothermal hydrothermal balloon ablation devicesBy Type Light/Laser Ablation Radiofrequency Ablation Electrical Ablation Ultrasound Ablation Cryoablation Microwave Ablation Hydrothermal AblationBy Application Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Cancer Treatment Ophthalmologic Treatment Gynecologic Treatment Pain Management Urologic Treatment Orthopedic Treatment Cosmetic Surgery Other TreatmentsBy Geography North Americao United Stateso Canada Europeo U.Ko Spaino Germanyo Italyo France Asia-Pacifico Chinao Indiao Japano Australiao South Korea Latin Americao Brazilo Argentinao Mexicoo Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africao Middle-Easto AfricaFrom simple data collation through secondary and primary research to ad-hoc research requests relating to specific information, we provide our services via customization. Get customization atGlobal Ablation Technologies Market: OverviewBased on Type, Radiofrequency-based ablation technology segment is expected to have the large market in the global ablation technologies market in 2017. In Application segment, cardiovascular diseases treatment is attributed to have highest market due to the increase in cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and rise in aged population.North America is the biggest market across the globe, followed by Europe due to factors like better healthcare infrastructure, technological advancement in ablation technology field and high disposal income of individuals. Asia-Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR, which is greatly due to increasing popularity of minimally invasive surgeries in the region, increase in lifestyle related diseases and government support to increase population access for elective surgeries.Global Ablation Technologies Market: Key PlayersThe key players include St. Jude Medical, Inc., Biosense Webster, Inc., AngioDynamics, Inc. Other companies include Boston Scientific Corporation, AtriCure, Inc., Smith & Nephew plc, Galil Medical Inc., CONMED Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Covidien PLC, Medtronic, Inc., BSD Medical Corporation.About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more information, kindly visit,Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.com
Bifold Doors Market Report 2023 Top Key Players Andersen Corporation, JELD-WEN Inc., Pella Corporation, Ply Gem Industries Inc., AG Millworks

Bifold Doors Market, Bifold Doors Industry, Bifold Doors Market 2017, Bifold Doors Market 2023, Bifold Doors Market Future, Market

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Bifold Doors Market ReportThe global bifold doors market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, due to the growth in the end-use industry. The demand is augmented essentially due to the rapid growth in residential construction in region of Asia-pacific. The market has been segmented on the basis of application into residential and non-residential.Request for Sample Report @Market Synopsis of Bifold Doors MarketThis study provides an overview of the global Bifold Doors Market, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.Key PlayersThe key players of global bifold doors market report include- Andersen Corporation, JELD-WEN Inc., Pella Corporation, Ply Gem Industries Inc., AG Millworks, Associated Windows & Conservatories, ATIS Group, AWM Building Maintenance Ltd., Cascade Windows Inc., and Brennan Enterprises Inc.The market is further expanding due to increasing demand from the Asia-pacific countries such as China, India and Indonesia. The region has observed positive economic growth which in turn boosts the real-estate and infrastructure development.The market has been segmented on the basis of material into wood, aluminum, PVC, and others. The PVC bifold doors has gained popularity in last many years due to the changing consumer preferences and cost-effectiveness of the material when compared to wood and metal. The global bifold doors market is expected to grow at approximately 5% CAGR during the forecast period.Product AnalysisProduct matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional InformationRegulatory LandscapePricing AnalysisMacroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic AnalysisGeographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany InformationProfiling of 10 key market playersIn-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report titleCompetitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesStudy Objectives of Bifold Doors MarketTo provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global bifold doors marketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo analyze the Global bifold doors market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW)To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segment by material, packaging, application, and regionsTo provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global bifold doors marketRegional Analysis of Global Bifold Doors MarketAPAC is expected to lead the market with the largest market share and fastest growing market. The region has witnessed growth in building & construction activities along with various supportive policies and regulations which encourages real-estate development in the countries of China, India and Indonesia. This has fueled the growth of the Bifold Doors market. Also, due to rapid urbanization and increasing disposable income in the APAC countries, there is seen an increase in the aesthetic values in construction, which leads to the demand for such doors in the interiors of the construction both in commercial and residential spaces.Table of Contents1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodology3 Market Dynamics4 Global Bifold Doors Market, By Material5 Global Bifold Doors Market, By ApplicationTABLE 1 GLOBAL BIFOLD DOORS MARKET, BY MATERIALTABLE 2 GLOBAL BIFOLD DOORS MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 3 GLOBAL BIFOLD DOORS MARKET, BY REGIONSTABLE 4 NORTH AMERICA BIFOLD DOORS MARKET, BY COUNTRYTABLE 5 NORTH AMERICA BIFOLD DOORS MARKET, BY MATERIALTABLE 6 NORTH AMERICA BIFOLD DOORS MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTo Access More Featured TOC @The report for Global Bifold Doors Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Beverage Packaging 2017 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR of 4% percent and Forecast to 2022

Beverage Packaging Market 2017

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Beverage Packaging Market 2017Summary:Global Beverage Packaging Market Information by Packaging Type (Flexible, Rigid & Semi-Rigid), by Materials (Metal, Plastic, Paper and Glass), by Products (Bottles, Cans, Pouch and Others), and by Region - Forecast to 2022Key PlayersThe key players of global beverage packaging Market report include-Saint-Gobain S.A.Tetra Laval International S.A.Owens-Illinois Inc.Crown Holdings Inc.Rexam PLCBall CorporationMondi PLCAmcor LimitedReynolds Group Holdings LimitedAlcoa Inc.Market ScenarioThe beverage industry has seen massive investments for expansion and technological upgradation. The packaging of beverages both carbonated and non-carbonated, has gained lot of popularity in the packaging industry. The beverage packaging is primarily driven by the increase in the consumption of beverages. Additionally, advancement in packaging technology also fuel the growth of this market. However, stringent government regulations may hamper the growth of beverage packaging market. Beverage packaging market is expected to grow at CAGR of approximately 4% by 2022.Study Objectives of Global Beverage Packaging MarketTo provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global beverage packaging MarketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo Analyze the Global beverage packaging Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW)To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Packaging Type, by Material, by Product, and by Region.To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the beverage packaging Market.Request For Sample Report @Regional Analysis of Global Beverage packaging MarketNorth America region dominates the beverage packaging market. Adoption of advanced packaging technology & consumer awareness as well as rising beer consumption are the factors driving the growth of this market in this region. This region is expected to grow at a good pace during the forecasted period.Target AudiencePackaging OrganizationsManufacturerResearch Institute / Education InstitutePotential InvestorsProduct AnalysisProduct matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional InformationRegulatory LandscapePricing AnalysisMacroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic AnalysisGeographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany InformationProfiling of 10 key market playersIn-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report titleCompetitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Beverage Packaging Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regionsComplete Report Details @Table of Contents1 Executive Summary2 Scope Of The Report2.1 Market Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations2.3 Markets Structure.Company Profiles11.1 Saint-Gobain S.A.11.1.1 Overview11.1.2 Financials11.1.3 Product Portfolio11.1.4 Business Strategies11.1.5 Recent Development11.2 Tetra Laval International S.A.11.2.1 Overview11.2.2 Financials11.2.3 Product Portfolio11.2.4 Business Strategies11.2.5 Recent Development11.3 Owens-Illinois Inc11.3.1 Overview11.3.2 Financials11.3.3 Product Portfolio11.3.4 Business Strategies11.3.5 Recent Development11.4 Mondi PLC.11.4.1 Overview11.4.2 Financials11.4.3 Product Portfolio11.4.4 Business Strategies11.4.5 Recent Development11.5 Amcor Ltd11.5.1 Overview11.5.2 Financials11.5.3 Product Portfolio11.5.4 Business Strategies11.5.5 Recent Development11.6 Crown Holdings Inc.11.6.1 Overview11.6.2 Financials11.6.3 Product Portfolio11.6.4 Business Strategies11.6.5 Recent Development11.7 Rexam PLC11.7.1 Overview11.7.2 Financials11.7.3 Product Portfolio11.7.4 Business Strategies11.7.5 Recent Development11.8 Ball Corporation11.8.1 Overview11.8.2 Financials11.8.3 Product Portfolio11.8.4 Business Strategies11.8.5 Recent Development11.9 Reynolds Group Holdings Limited11.9.1 Overview11.9.2 Financials11.9.3 Product Portfolio11.9.4 Business Strategies11.9.5 Recent Development11.10 Alcoa Inc11.10.1 Overview11.10.2 Financials11.10.3 Product Portfolio11.10.4 Business Strategies11.10.5 Recent DevelopmentContinued.About Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have the prime objective to provide optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies depending on products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments enables our clients to know more consequently do more, which gives them answer for their each and every important question. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industryCONTACT US:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Silica Flour Market Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored 2023

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The absence of the clear domination of a single player has led to a fragmented competitive scenario within the global market for silica flour, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a recent study. In 2014, the top three players, namely, U.S. Silica Holdings Inc., Premier Silica LLC, and SCR-Sibelco N.V, accounted for a share of 32.1% in this fragmented market.Read Report Overview @Over the coming years, the competition among participants is likely to be further reduced by the limited scope of differentiation. However, the leading manufacturers are focusing aggressively on establishing dedicated distribution channels across the world in order to deter the threat of a declined market share. Along with this, producers are also trying to enter into direct selling of silica flour in order to understand the needs of end users and, consequently, increase the sales.Rising Application of Fiberglass Impels Demand for Silica FlourSilica flour finds widespread applications the production of fiberglass. The recent rise in various industries, such as building and construction, consumer goods, transportation, and wind turbines, has increased the industrial application of fiberglass, which, in turn, has fueled the demand for silica flour significantly and will continue to do so over the forthcoming years, says an analyst at TMR.Request Sample Report @Along with this, the demand for silica flour has also been impelled by the ongoing expansion in the foundry (metal casting) industry. Due to its purity, consistent sizes and shapes of particles, chemically inert nature, and compatibility with chemical binders, silica flour is widely utilized in steel foundries in order to obtain the required tensile strength, high resistance to metal penetration, and improved temperature sustainability in cores.Health and Environmental Threats of Silica Flour to Hamper its DemandAlthough the market looks thriving at large; a number of factors are expected to slow down the demand for silica flour, obstructing the markets growth trajectory. The main one among them is the health and environmental threats associated with silica flour. The presence of microparticles in silica flour makes it considerably injurious for workers, who are continuously exposed to it, increasing the risk of diseases such as silicosis, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.Request Silica Flour Market Report Brochure @Nonetheless, the growing application of silica flour in high temperature cementing is likely to create lucrative opportunities for silica flour producers over the next few years.Asia Pacific to Report Strongest Demand for Silica FlourAccording to the report, the opportunity in the global silica flour market was worth US$338.1 mn in 2014. Rising at a CAGR of 7.0% between 2015 and 2023, it is expected to increase to US$618.0 mn by 2023. In terms of volume, the market is likely to expand at a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast period.Buy Silica Flour Market Research Report @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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Bioabsorbable Stents Market by Material, absorption, application and end user

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According to the report Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market, published by Market Data Forecast, the Global market is projected to reach USD 2.57 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 41.64% from 2017 to 2022.Stent is a device inserted into a blood vessel in order to expand the vessel to prevent or alleviate a blockage. They hold arteries open and help in the treatment of peripheral and coronary artery diseases. Bio absorbable stents are bio degradable stents which are completely vanishes overtime after the treatment. By these kind of stents, there is no need for secondary surgery in order to remove the metallic stents. Stents are also used in kidneys, abdominal and gastrointestinal tract for various purposes. Post-surgery reports account for the development of bio absorbable stents market.Get a comprehensive overview of the Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market:Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market: Drivers & RestraintsRise in cardiovascular diseases and increment in cardiovascular surgeries, increased aging population, growing people awareness, technology advancements in surgeries, increase in disposable income, positive outcomes of surgeries with bio absorbable stents and favourable government policies are driving the growth of the global bio absorbable stents market. However, stringent regulations, and high cost surgeries are hampering the market growth.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market:Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market: SegmentationBy Material Polymer stents Metallic stentsBy Absorption Slow absorption stents High absorption stentsBy Application Coronary artery disease Peripheral artery diseaseBy End User Hospitals Cardiac centresBy Geography North Americao United Stateso Canada Europeo U.Ko Spaino Germanyo Italyo France Asia-Pacifico Chinao Indiao Japano Australiao South Korea Latin Americao Brazilo Argentinao Mexicoo Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africao Middle-Easto AfricaFrom simple data collation through secondary and primary research to ad-hoc research requests relating to specific information, we provide our services via customization. Get customization atGlobal Bio Absorbable Stents Market: OverviewIn 2017, Polymer stents are expected to have the higher CGAR than metallic stents due to the flexibility of polymer. In absorption rate segment, slow absorption stents are predicted to be on the higher side in 2017. By application, coronary artery disease is expected to have larger share due to the rise in aged population and heart diseases. In end-user, the market is dominated by hospitals.The Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market is dominated by Europe followed by North America in 2017 due to the presence of market leaders and favourable government policies. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest pace due to the large population and presence of emerging economies like China and India.Global Bio Absorbable Stents Market: Key PlayersMajor players in global market of bio absorbable stents are Arteries Limited, Elixir Medical Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Amaranth Medical Inc. Other companies include Arterial Remodeling Technologies S. A, Kyoto Medical Planning Co Ltd., Biotronik, Reva Medical Inc, Tepha.Inc, Xenogenics Corporation.About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more information, kindly visit,Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.com
Magnesium Oxide Nanopowder Market Industry Outlook, Growth Prospects and Key Opportunities 2023

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Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled Magnesium Oxide Nanopowder Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023. According to the report, the global magnesium oxide nanopowder market was valued at US$1.69 bn in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$3.45 bn in 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 8.3% between 2015 and 2023.Read Report Overview @Magnesium oxide nanopowder is processed using magnesium ore as a raw material. Manufacture of magnesium oxide nanopowder is an energy intensive process, wherein magnesium hydroxide is calcined at high temperature. Magnesium oxide produced as a result of calcination exhibits high thermal and chemical stability; hence, it is used in the manufacture of flame retardant paints and coatings. It is also used in refractory linings applied in furnaces and boilers. Magnesium oxide nanopowder has large surface area as compared to particle size. This makes it useful in the construction industry. Magnesium oxide nanopowder is used extensively in the field of electronics and electrical owing to its excellent insulating properties. Magnesium oxide nanopowder is also employed in applications such as fuel additives, as it acts as corrosion inhibitor.Request Sample Report @Furnaces and boilers was the largest end-user segment of the magnesium oxide nanopowder market, accounting for more than 45% share in 2014. Due to high thermal stability, magnesium oxide nanopowder is extensively used in refractories for furnace linings due Research & development is being carried out to extend the usage of magnesium oxide nanopowder in orthopedic tissue engineering. This would increase the scope of application in the healthcare industry. Magnesium oxide nanopowder is used as dispersed phase in polymer composites, which is used post joint reconstruction surgeries for recovery of tissues. However, magnesium gets extremely hot and produce fumes when burned in open air. If inhaled, it can cause metal fume fever. Hence, it is necessary to take precautions during its manufacturing process and storage. Rise in health concerns and adverse impact on the environment are expected to hamper market growth.Request Magnesium Oxide Nanopowder Market Report Brochure @Paints & coatings industry has experienced a boost in demand as a result of infrastructural development in North America. The demand for magnesium oxide nanoparticle as an anti-bacterial coating is therefore anticipated to increase, owing to growth in the construction industry.Furthermore, the magnesium oxide nanopowder market in Europe is estimated to expand significantly due to high demand, primarily from the aerospace industry. Rising demand for fuel additives and increasing demand for refractory materials are also projected to drive the magnesium oxide nanopowder market in the near future. Demand for magnesium oxide nanopowder in flame retardant applications is expected to increase owing to rising safety concerns. Furthermore, development of cost-effective manufacturing process and achievement of economies of scale are likely to act as opportunities for the market in the near future.Buy Magnesium Oxide Nanopowder Market Research Report @Key players in the magnesium oxide nanopowder market are American Elements, US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., Stream Chemical, Inc., Eprui Nanoparticles & Microspheres Co. Ltd, Sigma Aldrich Corporation, Inframat Corporation, Reinste Nano Ventures Pvt. Ltd., NaBond Technologies Co., Limited, Nanostructured & Amorphous Materials, Inc., and SkySpring Nanomaterials, Inc.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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cellulose Acetate Market An insight on the important factors and trends influencing the market 2023

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Transparency Market Research has published a new report titled Cellulose Acetate Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015 - 2023. According to the report, the global cellulose acetate market was valued at US$4.88 bn in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$ 6.72 Bn in 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 3.6% between 2015 and 2023.Read Report Overview @High demand for cellulose acetate in cigarette filters due to rise in consumption of cigarettes and apparel consumption in developing regions, especially Asia Pacific, has been driving the cellulose acetate market during the past comuple of years. Cellulose acetate is primarily employed in cigarette filters, textile & apparel, and extrusion & molding applications. Increase in disposable income and changes in lifestyle of consumers in developing countries such as China, Brazil, Indonesia, and India are projected to fuel demand for cigarettes, textiles, and plastics. This, in turn, is expected to boost demand for cellulose acetate due to its eco-friendly attributes. Consumption of cellulose acetate in eyewear frames and food packaging applications is likely to drive the cellulose acetate market during the forecast period. However, volatility in prices of raw materials and growing health awareness among consumers against cigarette consumption in developed regions are estimated to restrain market growth during the forecast period.Request Sample Report @Cellulose acetate tow was the largest product segment, accounting for a major share of the global cellulose acetate market in 2014. Cellulose acetate tow is primarily used as key component during processing of cigarette filters, water purification media, and extruded plastics. Cigarette filters has been leading the cellulose acetate market since the past few years and accounted for over 80% of the market share in 2014. Cellulose acetate is used in making these filters as it can be easily processed and is biodegradable as compared to paper and cotton. Textile & apparel accounted for the second-largest share of the global cellulose acetate market in 2014. Cellulose acetate is consumed for making apparel linings and velvet fabrics and is also blended with other synthetic fibers such as rayon and polyester. Printing ink formulations and membrane filtration are some of the other applications of cellulose acetate.Request Cellulose Acetate Report Brochure @In terms of demand, Asia Pacific dominated the global cellulose acetate market in 2014 and accounted for over 50% of the share in the same year. This trend is expected to continue in the near future. Growth in textiles and cigarette industries is anticipated to boost the cellulose acetate market in the next few years. Demand for cellulose acetate is estimated to be sluggish as the markets in Europe and North America are mature. Furthermore, stringent environmental regulations and rising health awareness in these regions are affecting demand in these regions. Latin America is likely to be one of the emerging markets for cellulose acetate in the near future.Buy Cellulose Acetate Research Report @The report provides a comprehensive view of the cellulose acetate market in terms of volume and revenue. It includes current demand analysis and forecast for product and application segments in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Furthermore, the report provides detailed country-wise analysis of the cellulose acetate market in the regions mentioned above.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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
How to customize your piezo products: Webinar November 16

Learn How to customize your piezo products: Webinar November 16

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Sign up for our free online course Custom designs on November 16 and get a live introduction to our market leading level of possibilities to custom design our different piezo products.Custom products matching your requirementsCustom design ensures an easy integration of the piezo product to your specific application. Noliac is an expert in custom designed piezo solutions, whether you need a light customization such as a customized inspection or wires, or if you need a more complex customization such as customized voltage or material. The webinar Custom design describes the wide range of possibilities and the advantages provided by the customizations.Learn more about our possibilities for custom design at1.5 hours free piezo webinarThe webinar is held by two experienced engineers from Noliac giving you a thorough knowledge of Noliacs products and possible custom design solutions. The webinar is live, and with a chat function, you can ask questions to the presenters along the way.Book your seat now!There is a limit of 25 participants for each webinar, so sign up atThe webinar takes place on November 16 at 3 pm Copenhagen time. You will receive a link approximately 1 week before the webinar takes place with all the practical information for the webinar. Noliac, a part of CTS Corporation, is looking forward to welcoming you to the webinar.Sign up atSign up for the webinar on Sensors and transducers December 14!Following the webinar Custom design, we offer the webinar Sensors and transducers to be held on December 14. Here you will get an introduction to the different types of piezo sensors and transducers we offer as well as examples of applications.Sign up atGo to our tutorials atAny questions?If you have any questions regarding the webinar or any of our products, please contact us using the Request for Quote form, or contact sales atNoliac presents a unique proficiency in the field of piezoelectric technology. We design, develop and manufacture the total range of piezoelectric products - from powders to mono- and multilayer components and all the way to finished plug-and-play applications.Noliac, a part of CTS CorporationHejreskovvej 18DK-3490 KvistgaardDenmarkAtt.: Lotte Beck
Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) test Market Worldwide Expert Study and top to bottom Examination Exploration Report Gauge to 2023

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) test Market

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Market Research Future.com add new report of Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) test Market Research Report  Global Forecast To 2023 it contains Company information, geographical data and Table of ContentTissue transglutaminase (tTG) test is used for the diagnosis of certain autoimmune diseases, which is mostly restricted to celiac disease. In celiac disease, gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats) is seen as a foreign invader and is attacked by the immune system.Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) test market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~17.5% during the forecast period.This is followed by the production of antibodies directed against the enzyme Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) (a calcium dependent proteolysis restricting enzyme), which is normally present in intestines. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) are the antibodies responsible for the autoimmune responses. These (tTG) IgA and (tTG) IgG can be analyzed for diagnostic purposes. The IgA form of tTG antibody is more frequently exploited for the diagnosis of celiac disease because it is synthesized in the small intestine where gluten causes inflammation and irritation in sensitive people. On the other hand, (tTG) IgG can also be used. Its application in testing is marked when patient is unable to produce normal IgA as it is less specific to celiac disease. Traditionally, mucosal biopsies can be performed.Key Players in the Global Tissue Transglutaminase(tTG) Testing Market: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated., SQI Diagnostics, Trinity Biotech, ZEDIRA GmbH, Demeditec Diagnostics GmbH, ARUP Laboratories, Cell Science Systems, and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Celimmune, LLC., and others.The major factor that propels the global tissue transglutaminase testing market is the increasing prevalence of celiac disease. According to the World Gastroenterology Organization in 2016, 1% of the total population in western countries was diagnosed with the celiac disease and the prevalence have substantially increased across the globe. According to Celiac Disease Foundation in 2016, hospitalization have increased by 600% from 1998 to 2013 in the U.S. Similar trends in the European countries are observed. All these factors will boost the global tissue tranglutaminase (tTG) testing market.Request a Sample Report AtIncreasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases mainly celiac disease, increasing geriatric global pool, and increasing investments in the healthcare drive the growth of the market. Low healthcare expenditure in developing regions, costs considerations, and false positive diagnosis in geriatric population marked due to conditions such as diarrhoea etc restrain the growth of the market.The global tissue transglutaminase testing market has been segmented on the basis types and end users.Based on types, the market has been segmented into serological testing, biopsy, and others. The serological testing is sub-segmented into tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody- IgA, serum and Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) antibody-IgG, serum, and others.Based on the end users, the market has been segmented as hospitals & clinics, homecare, research organizations, and others.The Americas account for a significant market share owing to extensive use of medications and high expenditure on the health care. Additionally, the fastest uptake of new technology in the US drives the tTG testing market. Also, concentration of major research companies and research organizations in the developed countries of this region add fuel to the market growth.Europe is the second largest market in the world due to high income and high healthcare penetration.Asia Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly over the forecast period and China and India are likely to lead this market due to the fast growing healthcare sector.Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are estimated to drive the Middle East & African market. The African region is expected to witness a moderate growth owing to poor economic and political conditions and poor healthcare development during the review period.Ask Question to Expert AtTable Of Contents1. Report Prologue2. Introduction3. Research Methodology4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restraints4.3 Opportunities4.4 Mega Trends4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators5. Market Factor Analysis5.1 Value Chain Analysis5.2 Porters Five Forces5.3 Demand & Supply: Gap Analysis5.4 Pricing Analysis5.5 Investment Opportunity Analysis5.6 Merger And Acquisition Landscape5.7 Upcoming TrendsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comMRFR has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.Our Research Analysts are eager to share their knowledge and assist you in refining market research parameters, choosing right market studies, and evaluating both the market scope and the research methodologies of varied segments.We bridge the gap between our clients and their clients by identifying and decoding just the target group, while generating leads with the highest accuracy.Years of research into diverse fields of work has ingrained within us, a proficiency so distinguished that our industry-specific specialists identify with your business ideas and feel the pulse of your challenges and opportunities. This enables us for providing assistance, through our consulting and strategic consulting services, in informed managerial decision making. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industries, WantStats Research and Media often conducts industrial visits for its research analysts. Relevant inputs from various established market participants, help our clients make significant contribution in respective markets are a huge motivation for all of us to endlessly furnish quality. We depend greatly on profound insights into complex realms of our study.Pune, India
Global Heavy Duty Telehandler Market Information Report by Application, Construction, Agriculture, Mining and Others and By Region - Forecast to 2022

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Global Heavy Duty Telehandler Market Research ReportA telehandler, also known as telescopic handler, is a machine used for lifting of loads in construction, agriculture, logistics, and other industries. The machine is also useful in material handling, digging trenches and undergrounds mine baskets. It is a hybrid of a crane and a forklift.Request a Sample Report @Key Players:The key players of heavy duty telehandler market are Manitou (U.K.), JCB Ltd.(U.K.), Liebherr Machines (Switzerland), Caterpillar Inc. (U.S.), Merlo (Argentina), Pettibone Traverse LLC (U.S.), Wacker Neuson (Germany), Skyjack Inc. (U.S.), Sennebogen Maschinenfabrik GmbH (Germany), GEHL Company (U.S.) and others.The growth of the Heavy Duty Telehandler Market is expected to be driven by its widespread use in construction and agriculture. Telehandler are constantly evolving as more sophisticated construction equipment from being typical landscaping and farming equipment due to their high load bearing capacity and 360 movement capability. Telehandler have the capability to be combined with other industrial machines for reducing the overall cost of production. The ability of the equipment to perform a wide variety of tasks such as in farming and construction, contribute to the growth of the market.Study Objectives of Heavy Duty Telehandler Market:To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global heavy duty telehandler marketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo analyse the global heavy duty telehandler market based on various tools such as Supply Chain Analysis, and Porters Five Force AnalysisTo provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countriesTo provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segments by application and regionTo provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global heavy duty telehandler market.Complete Access Report @Regional Analysis of Heavy Duty Telehandler Market:Asia-Pacific in the largest region for the heavy duty telehandler market, owing to factors such as rapid industrialization and increased manufacturing activities in the region. The market for heavy duty telehandler, is flourishing in developing nations such as China due to the emergence of industries and manufacturing activities in the Asia-Pacific region.Product Analysis:Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information:Regulatory LandscapePricing AnalysisMacroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis:Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information:Profiling of 10 key market playersIn-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report titleCompetitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesTable of Content1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3 MARKET DYNAMICS4 GLOBAL HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATION5 REGIONAL MARKET ANALYSIS6 COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS7 LIST OF TABLESTABLE 1 GLOBAL HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 2 GLOBAL HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY REGIONSTABLE 3 NORTH AMERICA HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY COUNTRYTABLE 4 NORTH AMERICA HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 5 U.S. HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 6 CANADA HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 7 EUROPE HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY COUNTRYTo Access More Featured TOC @At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
New Research on Global Fall Detection System Market by focusing on Top Companies like ADT Corporation, Bay Alarm Medical, Blue Willow Systems, Connect America, Koninklijke Philips N.V.

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Global Fall Detection System Market, By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa), Component (Accelerometers & Gyroscopes, Other Unimodal/Bimodal Sensors, Multimodal Sensors); Algorithm (Simple Threshold, Machine Learning); System (Wearable Systems, In-Home Landline System, In-Home Cellular Systems); End-Users (Senior Citizens  Home, Senior Citizens  Outside, Hospitals, Nursing, and Senior Assisted Living Facilities, Lone Workers)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024The Global Fall Detection System Market accounted for USD 412.7 million in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 6.13% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024.The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request for Free Sample Report @Complete report on Global Fall Detection System Market Research Report 2017-2024 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figuresMarket Definition: Global fall Detection System MarketFall detection system is the system used in alerting emergence in the incident of fall. Fall detection system such as automatic fall detection system and manual fall detection system are used in such detection. Such devices have the potential to diminish some of the adverse consequences of a fall. It has its application in hospitals, nursing, senior assisted living facilities, lone workers, and others. Increased demand for multimodal technology is the major driver for the growth of fall detection system market. On the other side low practicality of the technology among elders somewhere hinders the market.Major market drivers: Global Fall Detection System Market Better accessibility to assistance in case of fall, leading to reduced medical expenses. Increasing demand for multimodal technology Increasing demand for smartphone and wearable technology based fall detection system. Use of data from simulated conditions for designing the fall detection system algorithm Low practicality and acceptability of the technology among eldersRequest for Detaild TOC:Key Questions Answered in Global Fall Detection System Market Report:-Our Report offers:- What will the market growth rate, Overview and Analysis by Type of Global Fall Detection System Market in 2024? What are the key factors driving, Analysis by Applications and Countries Global Fall Detection System Market? What are Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, and price analysis of top Vendors Profiles of Global Fall Detection System Market? Who are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Global Fall Detection System Market? Who are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in Global Fall Detection System Market? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin and Market Share What are the Global Fall Detection System Market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Market?Top Key Players: ADT Corporation Bay Alarm Medical Blue Willow Systems Connect America Koninklijke Philips N.V. Lifefone Mobilehelp Semtech Corporation Tunstall Healthcare Group Ltd. Vital Connect Inc. Alertone Services, LLC Intel Corporation Marigroup Oy Medical Guardian LLC Mytrex, Inc. DBA Rescue Alert Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited LifeWatch USAFor more insightful information visit @Customize report of "Global Fall Detection System Market" as per customers requirement also available.Market Segmentations:Global Fall Detection System Market is segmented on the basis of Components Algorithm System End User Geography.Market Segmentations in Details:On the basis of Components into accelerometers & gyroscopes, other unimodal/bimodal sensors, multimodal sensors, and others.On the basis of Algorithm into simple threshold, machine learning.On the basis of System global fall detection system market is segmented into wearable systems, in-home landline system, in-home cellular system, and others.On the basis of End User the global fall detection system market is further segmented into senior citizens  home, senior citizens  outside, hospitals, nursing, and senior assisted living facilities, lone workersOn the basis of geography North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaCompany Share Analysis: Global fall Detection System MarketThe report for global fall detection system market include detailed vendor level analysis for market shares in 2016 for Global, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America specifically. Also impact and development analysis of key vendors is registered in the market and factored on the basis of Vendor Positioning Grid Analysis which measures the vendors strengths and opportunities against present market challenges, measure providers ability to identify or satisfy present market needs, map providers market vision to current and upcoming market dynamics among others. The report also measures technology life line curve and market time line to analyze and do more affective investments.Speak to Author of the Report @Other ReportGlobal Fitness Equipment Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Fitness Equipment Market, By Type (Cardiovascular Training Equipment (Treadmills, Elliptical Trainers, Stationary Cycles, Rowing Machines, Stair Steppers, Others), Strength Training Equipment (Single Stations, Plate Loaded Equipment, Free Weights, Benches and Racks, Multistations, Accessories), Body Composition Analyzers (Bioimpedance Analyzer, Skinfold Caliper, Dual Emission X-Ray Absorptiometry (Dexa), Hydrostatic Weighing, Air Displacement Plethysmography), Fitness Monitoring Equipment), By End-User (Health Clubs, Gyms, Home Settings, Corporate Settings, Apartments, Hotels, Hospitals, Clinics), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa, Rest of the World)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024.Report Access:About Data Bridge Market ResearchData Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market 2027: Trend, Industry Review, Forecast

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Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market Analysis, by Type (Instruments, Reagents), By Application (Blood Grouping, disease Screening) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast to 2027Market Synopsis of Blood Transfusion DiagnosticsMarket Scenario:Globally the market for Blood Transfusion Diagnostics is increasing rapidly mainly due to increasing transfusion safety. The factors that influence the growth of blood transfusion diagnostics market; increasing safety with nucleic acid testing, blood testing products, immunoassay reagents that recognize irresistible infection, safety in blood preservations, pre-typing of blood donors and others.The market review segment includes affect factors, for example, drivers, restrictions, and open doors for the worldwide blood transfusion diagnostics showcase. These variables would help the partners in building up a solid foothold in the worldwide blood transfusion diagnostics market. Besides, the market outline segment includes key industry occasions, item diagram, showcase engaging quality examination and rising pattern in the blood transfusion diagnostics market. The market allure investigation gives a graphical view looking at the development and market flow in different sections and nation insightful to distinguish the most appealing business sector.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players: Immucor (U.S) Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (U.S) Beckman Coulter (U.S) Quotient Limited (U.S) Diagast (France) Abbott Diagnostics (U.S) Novartis AG (Switzerland) Becton Dickinson (U.S) BAG healthcare (Germany) DiaSorin (Italy) Fujirebio (Belgium) Grifols (Spain) Siemens (Germany) Quidel (U.S) Hologic/Gen-Probe (U.S) Biokit (Spain) Bio-Rad (U.S).SegmentsThe market for Blood Transfusion Diagnostics is segmented into mainly three; by type, by application and by End users and its various sub-segments. By type include Instruments, Reagents, Others. Whereas by application it includes Blood Grouping, disease Screening, others. Furthermore by end users include Hospital, laboratories, Blood Banks, Plasma Fractionation Facilities, Military Blood Banks and others.Study Objectives of Blood Transfusion Diagnostics To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global blood transfusion diagnostics market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth Assessment of current and emerging technologies, and their potential applications for the blood banking market. Comprehensive lists of companies developing or marketing new technologies and products, by test. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia, and Middle East & Africa. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by type, by applications, end users and its sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global Blood Transfusion Diagnostics market.Browse Full Report Details @The report for Blood Transfusion Diagnostics of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Anti Asthma Drugs Market 2022: Industry Review, Growth, Trend & Forecast

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Anti-Asthma Drugs Market Analysis, by type of asthma, by asthma trigger type, by drug class, by therapy (reliever treatment and maintenance treatment) and by route of administration (oral, inhaled, intravenous, subcutaneous)- Forecast to 2022Market Synopsis of Global anti-asthma drugs market:Market Scenario:Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by hyper responsiveness of tracheobronchial smooth muscle to stimuli, resulting in narrowing and inflammation of air tubes, accompanied by increased secretion, swelling and build-up of tissue fluid. Symptoms include tight chest, wheezing, cough and may be limitation of activity due to difficulty in breathing.Approximately, 300 million people suffer from asthma in 2015 and the figures are mounting which is blamed on increased pollution and unhealthy lifestyles. Anti-Asthma Drugs Market to around USD 18.9 billion as of 2015 which is expected to reach USD 28.3 billion as of 2022, resulting in a CAGR of 5.94%. The factors favoring the growth of the market are growing awareness of the benefits of modern drug therapy, strong pipeline of anti-asthma drugs with some novel molecules, growth in patients due to increasing pollution and great potential of biologics which is anticipated to dominate the future market etc.The constraining factors are loss of patents of leading brands, such as Advair and Symbicort, increasing fragmentation of markets and generic penetration. It is heartening to note that we anticipate that the growth factors will overwhelm the constraints and the market may take a strong growth due to commercialization of the biologics segment.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players for Global anti-asthma drugs market:GlaxoSmithKline plc., Merck & Co., Inc., AstraZeneca plc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Novartis International AG, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.Segments:Global anti-asthma drugs market has been segmented on the basis of by type, trigger, therapy, drug class and by route of administration.Regional Analysis of Global anti-asthma drugs market:Globally North America is the largest market for anti-asthma drugs. Europe is the second-largest market for anti-asthma drugs. The developing region especially Asia Pacific is accounting for major newer cases due to greater screening and better health care facilities distribution. However the developing regions market particularly Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing and will be the key to the future.Get Discount @Study Objectives Global anti-asthma drugs market: To provide detail analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global anti-asthma drugs market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the market based on various factors - price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries - Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type (allergic (extrinsic) and non-allergic (intrinsic)), by trigger type (child-onset, adult-onset, exercise-induced, cough-induced, occupational, nocturnal, steroid-resistant), by therapy (reliever treatment and maintenance treatment), by drug class (Bronchodilators (beta agonists, anti-cholinergics, xanthines), leukotriene antagonists, mast cell stabilizers, corticosteroids, monoclonal antibody) and by route of administration (oral, inhaled, intravenous, subcutaneous) To provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments globally.The report for Global Anti-Asthma Drugs Market of Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research along with the detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regions.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Anti Asthma Drugs Market  Forecast to 2022 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Herbal Tea Market 2017 Global Analysis By key Players  Twinings, Lipton, Teavana, Kanuka, Dilmah, Yogi Tea, Rare Tea

Herbal Tea Market

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Herbal Tea Market 2017 Global Analysis By key Players  Twinings, Lipton, Teavana, Kanuka, Dilmah, Yogi Tea, Rare Tea.Herbal Tea is not officially a tea, as it does not derive from the Camellia sinensis plant, but is instead an infusion or blend of leaves, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers of almost any edible, non-tea plant. The most common herbal teas are chamomile tea, hibiscus tea, peppermint tea, yerba mate, and red rooibos tea.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Herbal Tea in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversTwiningsLiptonTeavanaKanukaDilmahThe Republic of TeaYogi TeaYorkshireRare TeaUrbal TeaTwo LeavesMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversLoose TeaTea BagMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoCommercialIndividual ConsumptionOthersAsk Query @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Herbal Tea market.Chapter 1, to describe Herbal Tea Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Herbal Tea, with sales, revenue, and price of Herbal Tea, 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 Herbal Tea, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Continue..Table Of Contents  Major Key Points1 Market Overview1.1 Herbal Tea Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Loose Tea1.2.2 Tea Bag1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Commercial1.3.2 Individual Consumption1.3.3 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Twinings2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Twinings Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Lipton2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Lipton Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Teavana2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Teavana Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Kanuka2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Kanuka Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 Dilmah2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Dilmah Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 The Republic of Tea2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 The Republic of Tea Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Yogi Tea2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Yogi Tea Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8 Yorkshire2.8.1 Business Overview2.8.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 Yorkshire Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.9 Rare Tea2.9.1 Business Overview2.9.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.9.2.1 Type 12.9.2.2 Type 22.9.3 Rare Tea Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.10 Urbal Tea2.10.1 Business Overview2.10.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.10.2.1 Type 12.10.2.2 Type 22.10.3 Urbal Tea Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.11 Two Leaves2.11.1 Business Overview2.11.2 Herbal Tea Type and Applications2.11.2.1 Type 12.11.2.2 Type 22.11.3 Two Leaves Herbal Tea Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)Continue.Buy 1-User PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT 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.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.
Semiconductor Packaging Material Market 2017: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, Forecast to 2027

Semiconductor Packaging Material Market 2017

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Title:Global Semiconductor Packaging Material Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027Summary:Global Semiconductor Packaging Material Market Information by types (organic substrates, bonding wires, encapsulation resins, ceramic packages, solder balls, wafer level packaging dielectrics and others) by technology (Grid Array, Small Outline Package, Dual Flat No-Leads, Quad Flat Package, Dual In-Line Package and others) - Forecast To 2027Key PlayersThe leading market players in the global semiconductor packaging material market primarily includeHenkel AG, Hitachi Chemical, Sumitomo Chemical, Kyocera Chemical, Mitsui High-Tec, Toray Industries Corporation, Alent PLC, LG Chemical and others.The reports also covers brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:North AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainUKRest of EuropeAsia  PacificChinaIndiaJapanAustralia/New ZealandRest of Asia-PacificLatin AmericaBrazilOthersMiddle East & AfricaThe market report for Semiconductor Packaging Material of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Request For Sample Report @Market Synopsis of Semiconductor Packaging Material MarketThe global semiconductor packaging material has witnessed a remarkable growth over the past year owing to the rising demand for mobile phones, tablets and other communication devices and as per the estimation the market will keep on growing during the forecast year. The semiconductor packaging materials is major platform to the success of the semiconductor business across the globe and the changing in consumer electronics are driving the changes in packaging materials market. The major factor which is driving the global market is continuously growing mobile industry and technological advancements. Owing to the increased demand for mobile and other communication devices has augmented the semiconductor packaging material market. Geographically, Asia-Pacific is one of the crucial market due to the presence of vast electronic industry in China, Japan and South Korea. This factor has placed Asia-Pacific the leading market in near future followed by North America and Europe.Study Objectives of Semiconductor Packaging Material MarketTo provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Semiconductor Packaging Material MarketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo Analyse the Global Semiconductor Packaging Material Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW)To provide country-level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country-level analysis of the market for segment by technology and typesTo provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Semiconductor Packaging Material MarketSegmentationAs per MRFR analysis, the global semiconductor packaging material market has been segmented into:By Types: organic substrates, bonding wires, encapsulation resins, ceramic packages, solder balls, wafer level packaging dielectrics and others.By Technology: Grid Array, Small Outline Package, Dual Flat No-Leads, Quad Flat Package, Dual In-Line Package and others.Complete Report Details @Table of ContentsREQUEST FOR TOCContinued.About Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have the prime objective to provide optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies depending on products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments enables our clients to know more consequently do more, which gives them answer for their each and every important question. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industryCONTACT US:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
E-Cigarette Market 2016-2027 Increasing Health Awareness, Advancement in Electronic Device Technology, Smoke & Ash Less Vaping

E-Cigarette Market, E-Cigarette Industry, E-Cigarette Market 2017, E-Cigarette Market 2022, E-Cigarette Market Future, MarketResea

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Global E-Cigarette MarketNorth America- North America is considered as the largest revenue generator in the Global E-cigarette market, with a major share contributed by the US. The relentless growth of the market can be primarily credited to the non-uniformity of regulations and the growing perception of e-cigarettes as possible smoking Cessation aid. Moreover, the study of the competitive landscape in the US has brought forward the occurrence of some of the giant e-cigarette brands which are rolled out by tobacco giants such as Philip Morris, Altria, and Lorrilard and among others.Request for Sample Report @Global E-Cigarette & Vaporizer Market: Key PlayersThe key players present in the Global E-Cigarette & Vaporizer Market Include Altria Group, INC, Ballantyne Brands, LLC, British American Tobacco Plc (Bat), CB Distributors, Bull Smoke, INC, Cigavette, Clearette Electronic Cigarette Co, Cloudcig, Gamucci Electronic Cigarettes, Electronic Cigarettes International Group, Fontem Ventures, Fin Branding Group LLC and others.The e-cigarette industry has come into limelight after 2012, when the tobacco giant Lorillard acquired the US based e-cigarette company, Blu Ecigs. The market was then taken over by the top tobacco giants through a series of mergers & acquisitions which has brought immediate value to the fledgling market.Description of E-Cigarette & Vaporizer MarketThe E-Cigarette (Electronic Cigarette) was first introduced in the year 2003, by Hon Lik in China and was available commercially in the market by 2006. The recognition of e-cigarettes touched instant base with the US and European markets. Since then this industry has been growing at a rapid pace convincing players from Tobacco industry and Pharmaceutical industry to implement several strategies to grow and sustain in the market.Future Scope of E-Cigarette MarketThe giants of tobacco companies has started competing aggressively by acquiring the top e-cigarettes brands and rolled out their own brands in the market with newer and advanced technological products. Furthermore, an overall non-uniformity of regulation and taxation policies has allowed large number of players to enter into the market.Regional Analysis of E-Cigarette MarketAsia-Pacific- Asia Pacific prolongs to be the manufacturing center for e-cigarette industry, making the region a predictable player in the supply side. More than 78% of the global production of e-liquids and e-cigarettes is done in China. On the other hand, a major share of the production and manufacturing are meant for export to the US and European market. Many Asian countries are ranked very high in the global tobacco consumption and the government is taking initiatives to bring turn down in such countrys smoking population.Browse Complete Report @Table of Content1 Introduction2 Research Methodology3 Global E-cigarette & Vaporizer Market: Overview4 Market Dynamics5 GLOBAL E-CIGARETTE & VAPORIZER MARKET : VALUE/SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS6 GLOBAL GLOBAL E-CIGARETTE & VAPORIZER MARKET : PORTER'S 5 FORCES ANALYSISFor Access Complete Feature TOC@..............Market Research Future introduces about Global E-Cigarette & Vaporizer Market during the forecast period 2017-2027 which mainly includes the growth drivers, trends and restraints and how the market will grow in the future across the globe. In this report, Market Research Future has focused on the current market scenario which includes market segmentation, market dynamics, and competitive landscape along with company profiles.Every report of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Brigitte Findakly was born in 1959 to an Orthodox Christian Iraqi father and a French mother. She grew up in Mosul, Iraq, but moved to France with her family in 1972. Since then, shes visited only a few times and not since 1989. Most American comic readers may recognize her as the wife of French cartoonist Lewis Trondheim, in whose Little Nothings strips she appears as a sort of long-beaked bird creature. (Trondheim interprets himself as the same mixture of human and animal, but with a shorter, sharper beak.) But Findakly has a cartooning career of her own, as a colorist, but Poppies of Iraq, an autobiography of sorts and a collaboration with her husband, offers far more insight into her storytelling prowess.

Its a slim book with an episodic structure, and it doesnt try to give an in-depth history of the country. Instead, it dips in and out of Iraqs trajectory, sometimes discussing facts, sometimes politics and sometimes cultural differences, like the fact that Iraqis refuse second helpings of food, forcing the host to insist in order to get anyone to take more. The graphic novel doesnt attempt a sweeping narrative scope, but its impact lies in the personal nature of its story. Reading a fat book about the history of a place rarely leaves the reader with empathy for the people who live there. This restrained story about individuals, on the other hand, builds bridges and leads to greater understanding, case by case by case. Findakly and Trondheim answered some questions via email about their collaboration process (they didnt get divorced!), character design and the importance of distance in creating this story.



Paste: Can you talk to me about the process of creating this book? I know Brigitte wrote, Lewis drew and Brigitte colored, but it was probably a little less separated out than that. Who did what and how did you collaborate?

Brigitte Findakly: I began with notes I had jotted down over the past few yearsthe things I remembered about Iraq. As I told Lewis an anecdote, often, he would ask me follow-up questions to determine more about the circumstances and the places I was describing. He also asked for photos. When I needed a little more help remembering, Id ask my mother or my brother. Based on that information, he would edit and structure the anecdote as a comic. I would come back with more precise details and small clarifications. He would draw the page and I would color it. Sometimes I would ask him if what we were doing in Poppies was too elliptical, and he reassured me that you need to have confidence in the readers intelligence.

Paste: You both have a history of collaboration with other writers/artists: how is working together with each other different from working with other people?

Findakly: Lewis was there to listen, open. He knew better than anyone what would be good or bad for the book. Hes been making comics for 30 years; he knows how to structure a story. The only danger of working on this project was the risk of divorce over book-making disagreements. But that didnt happen!



Poppies of Iraq Interior Art by Brigitte Findakly and Lewis Trondheim

Paste: Do you prefer to work collaboratively?

Findakly: I tried to write the book by myself but my writing was too sentimental. The book called for a certain distance that I wasnt able to create on my own.

Paste: How did you know this could be a book? What was the deciding factor in starting to make it? In other words, why now?

Findakly: My father was losing his memory, my family was emigrating to every corner of the earth and Daesh (ISIS) invaded my birthplace, Mosul. It was too many things all at once. I felt the need to write down certain memories from my childhood. I wanted to show a different side of Iraq, and I wanted to preserve those memories for my children. I could tell that this would make enough material for a book, the problem was figuring out how that book would look.

Paste: The visuals are fairly cartoony and simplified. Why? Lewis, I know thats your style, but these are even more so than usual (for example, the people dont really have hands and feet).

Lewis Trondheim: I have never drawn in a realistic style. And even if I had wanted to, I wouldnt have succeeded. Even when I force myself to draw more realistically, or I ask someone else to handle the drawings on a book, I think that a minimalist drawings impact is that it allows the reader an easier entry point into a story. Usually I draw people as animals, here, Ive drawn them as humans, but using the bare minimum of detail, like a childrens drawing thats got a bit more structure to it. And we made the decision to place Brigittes family photos as anchors intermittently throughout the bookI initially used these as resources for my drawings. Even if the reader knows Poppies is a true story, seeing the photos makes it all the more striking.



Poppies of Iraq Interior Art by Brigitte Findakly and Lewis Trondheim

Paste: The book is more a series of related stories than one long, unified narrative. What led to that?

Findakly: We were working for the newspaper Le Monde in France. Each week they would publish a chapter. And so it made more sense to tell stories that didnt need to be read in order, but were just short strips. This format happened naturally, and when we went back to read the whole thing together, we would rework certain pages here, add pages there and so on to create a coherent book from the strips.

The most important thing for us was not to get lost in the pathos of the situation. We didnt want to romanticize the history or recreate conversations. So we stuck with a very fact-based history, with many anecdotes, as well as humor, and the necessary shifts back and forth in time, but all without exaggerating or blowing things out of proportion.

Paste: It seems like there have been a lot of comics about the Middle East (Joe Saccos Footnotes in Gaza and Palestine, Marjane Satrapis Persepolis, Riad Sattoufs The Arab of the Future, Guy Delisles Jerusalem, Harvey Pekars Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me, etc.). Why do you think that is?

Findakly: The Middle East has a very rich cultural history but is sadly known more for the instability caused by the various conflicts that have taken place there or are taking place there currently. If one has lived there or even if one spends some time in the Middle East, it becomes important to talk about this place in a real way. The books you mention, as well as our own, offer an intimate testimony that goes above and beyond to take these very complex conflicts and explain why and how they happened.



Poppies of Iraq Interior Art by Brigitte Findakly and Lewis Trondheim

Paste: Did you make a conscious effort to distinguish your book from them?

Findakly: I wasnt too worried because every book is different since every author has had his or her own experiences. In Poppies of Iraq, I describe my memories of growing up in the 1960s and early 1970s. My life in Iraq wasnt a horror story or a tragedy, it was just the story of one family. I didnt want to romanticize it, so we chose to avoid bombastic or over-the-top scenes. I didnt want to invent dialogue, re-enact scenes or overstate my experiences.

It seemed very important to both myself and Lewis that the focus of the story remain very pragmatic, and that we were efficient about the way we told my story. Just because you spill your guts about every last detail, that doesnt mean youve told an interesting or a moving story. Sometimes keeping the story more restrained allows the reader to develop more empathy for a situation. There is certainly a lot of emotion in this book, but we didnt want to play on peoples emotions.



Poppies of Iraq Interior Art by Brigitte Findakly and Lewis Trondheim

Paste: How did the translating process work? Was there a lot of back and forth?

Findakly: Helge Dascher translated this book. She lives in Quebec and I live in France. We spoke a number of times over Skype, sometimes because she wanted to be certain she had understood certain turns of phrase, sometimes because she wanted to clarify the details of certain events described in Poppies. I very much appreciated her method of working, her way of immersing herself in each story to be able to translate it as best she could.

Paste: What do your kids think of the book?

Findakly: My children (21 and 22 years old respectively) very much appreciated this book because they knew very little about my life and about the life of my family in Iraq. Before this book, I couldnt see myself saying to my children, Come sit down next to me, Im going to tell you about my life in Iraq, from when I was born until when I arrived in France. My brothers children are older than my own, and they were also very touched by the book. They told me that it helped them better understand their father and their grandparents.
The following article was first published fifty years ago in the Westby Times, on Nov. 9, 1967. Little did the country know that only two months later the Tet Offensive would be launched in Vietnam, taking 3,895 lives of U. S. forces, and that the war would continue until August 1973. The Westby Area Historical Society would like to thank all the men and women of our armed forces who have served our country in so many capacities.

Veterans Day

Throughout recorded history, and no doubt for hundreds of thousands of years before that, it has been a tragic fact that the best of the young men have had to carry the burden of fighting the battles and the wars in which their families, their tribes or their nations have been involved. In the United States today, every person, every family and most especially those with children know well that civilization has not yet progressed far enough to lift this burden from its young people who now fight on an Asian battlefield in defense of the ideals and principles for which this country stands.

During the Nov. 11 observance of Veterans Day, the nation will pause to honor those veterans, living and dead, who have served in the U. S. armed forces in time of war. It is especially fitting at this time that they be so honored. World War I, as our older citizens will remember, was thought to be the war to end all wars. November 11 was originally set aside by Presidential Proclamation as a time to commemorate the termination of hostilities in that war which came on the morning of Nov. 11, 1918. In 1926, Armistice Day was established as a national holiday.

But, the armistice did not last. Since that time many millions of American servicemen have fought this nations battles on every continent of the earth. In recognition of this fact, the meaning of Armistice Day was broadened in May of 1954 when Congress decreed that this November day should be known as Veterans Day with a broader significance recognizing all those who have served this country in a time of need. The nation will remember them and carry the hope that time will bring the day when the world will see the signing of the final armistice so young men may give their energies rather that their lives for the building of a better future.
Microsofts latest Windows 10 Insider build for the Redstone 4 update cycle tries to do away with the sneakernet with an feature called Near Share, as well as a phone-like auto-suggest feature for text typing.

Microsoft launched Windows 10 Insider build 17035 for the Fast Ring on Wednesday, one of the first code releases for whats been referred to as Redstone 4, or the update cycle following the Fall Creators Update. If Microsoft holds to its current schedule, Redstone 4 should be due in the spring, perhaps in February or March.

Until then, however, Windows Insiders are part of the testing team trying out new features: Near Share, better tab muting in Edge, a new Audio settings menu, the ability to configure update bandwidth, and a few more.

Microsoft Windows 10 Near Share makes it easy to share files or URLs locally, but make sure you have the right person in mind.

Why this matters: Microsofts free updates to Windows 10 continue. Now, however, were beginning a new, blank slate. Will there be a theme to Redstone 4? What will be the key apps? These are early days, and were still getting a few scattered, though useful, utilities.

How to use Near Share

Its pretty easy to just haul out a USB key and copy a file overif you have one handy. Near Share replaces that with Bluetooth, however. Within Windows 10, you can share just about any file to email, Facebook, and more. Now your PC can seek out nearby PCs and offer to share a file, too.

Youll need to have the current Insider build 17035 (or, as new builds are launched, something more recent). Youll need to turn Bluetooth on, then make sure that the Near Share button in the Action Center is toggled on. After that, every time you see the Share icon, youll have the option to share the file or URL with a nearby device. The recipient will get a note in the Action Center to either accept it or decline. (

Note: most people dont name their PCs, and instead use the generic PC name Windows assigns. Youll need to check with the recipient to confirm the name of their PC.)

Edge improvements: Better tab muting, EPUB saving

While the Fall Creators Update added nifty features like ebook annotations and PDF improvements, this new update cycle allows you to save free EPUB books that youre reading online to your local hard drive. Because, well, theyre free. Likewise, if you click a book in the Book pane, you can pin it to the Start menu or just remove it from the device.

Microsoft With Edge, you can either toggle the tab into a mute state, or right-click it.

A more useful addition is the ability to mute tabs right from the tab itself. Typically, web browsers (including Edge) will show a small speaker icon next to a tab thats playing audio,. Muting that tab, though, often requires right-clicking it and selecting a mute option. While that option is still there, the speaker icon is now a toggle, so that a tab can be muted just by clicking the icon.

While the Fall Creators Update allowed you to adjust the bandwidth used by Windows updates, the new build extends that same functionality to foreground updatesbasically downloads you kick off, like apps you download from the Store. Thats handy, if only because people rarely babysit a major app download (such as a game like Gears of War 4), instead focusing on other things, like web browsing.

The new Windows 10 Insider Build 17035 also migrates the main Audio settings (with the ability to set Windows sounds, and so forth) into the Settings menu, and out of the Control Panel.

Microsoft The Acrylic UI has now been added to the touch keyboard.

Windows touch keyboard includes a couple of improvements, with a new Acrylic-themed look to the keyboard, as well as expanding the touch keyboards reach to more than 190 new foreign-language layouts.

Microsoft has also begun to add generally useful technologies, such as eye tracking and dictation, as assistive technologies for differently abled people. To this list Microsoft has added an optional autosuggest featurenot autocorrect, but autosuggest. As you type, Microsoft will pop up suggestions for the next word. Its a feature typically found on phones, that now is included in Windows.

https://winblogs.azureedge.net/win/2017/11/bfdf270684df76465e7a9cd0d69421e5.png Windows 10s autosuggest works with your standard hardware keyboard.

The kicker, though, is that you dont need to use the soft or touch keyboard to enable autosuggestit works with your standard hardware keyboard. To enable it, go to Settings > Devices > Typing and then toggle on the Show text suggestions as I type on hardware keyboard setting.

If you do use pen to write using the soft keyboard, youll see an improved space gesture (a vertical line) for adding a space between words, and improved handwriting recognition.

Finally, Japanese users will see something special: Text suggestions from the Japanese-language AI chatbot Rinna, who will now suggest phrases as you type. Unfortunately, given the Tay debacle in the United States, dont look for the same feature to come to American users anytime soon.
Petoskey library hosting food drive this holiday season

The Petoskey District Library has partnered with Manna Food Project to host a food drive Nov. 14  Dec. 23 to help people in need this holiday season.
Poker and Life Strategy With Martin Jacobson

November 08, 2017 PokerNews Staff

The World Series of Poker Europe Main Event is winding down, with the final table arriving later this week.

Speaking of WSOP Main Event final tables, 2014 WSOP Main Event champion Martin Jacobson is one player who is plenty familiar with them. Jacobson took a little time in Rozvadov to speak with our Julia Lee about a few different topics, including looking back at his run to the $10 million first prize three years ago.

Jacobson's win came amid the "November Nine" era for the WSOP Main Event. Now that the delay is no more, Jacobson says he believes things might have gone a little differently for him had they continued straight into the final table back in 2014.

While Jacobson had a big stack for much of that year's tournament, he lost some chips late on the last day before the break to find himself in eighth position out of the final nine.

You might recall how the Swedish pro managed to survive a number of well-timed shoves at that final table to work his way back into contention and eventually position himself to win. If not, check out "Pushing His Way to a WSOP Main Event Title: A Look at Martin Jacobson's All-ins" for a reminder.

Jacobson discusses the pros and cons of getting rid of the delay, shares a bit regarding his participation in Raising for Effective Giving, and talks a little about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Take a look:

Stick close to PokerNews to discover who emerges from those remaining to become the next WSOP Europe Main Event champion.
Rock Avenue Apartments in Viroqua has welcomed its first residents. Tenants began moving into their apartments in September.

Shaun Pelton, of Rock Avenue LLC, said there are 42 units in all and plenty of vacancies; half of the units are one-bedroom and half are two-bedroom.

Not every apartment is the same; some two-bedroom apartments have one bath and there are some two-bedrooms with two baths, Pelton said. They are pretty large apartments. Some one-bedrooms are larger than others. There is a nice variety. We try to accommodate as many people as we can.

In addition to offering a variety of units, the secured building includes wide stairs and halls, underground parking stalls, bike racks in the underground parking area, above ground parking stalls and an elevator.

The elevator is a plus for the tenants, Pelton said. Its three stories thats a lot of stairs.

Rock Avenue LLC is owned by Pelton, her husband, Mark, and sons Luke and Cody. The Peltons also own a management company, PAC Management, which manages all of its units in Wisconsin, including the facility in Viroqua. The Peltons are based in Reedsburg.

We have over 200 units in Baraboo, a couple in Reedsburg and the facility in Viroqua, Pelton said.

Pelton said she and her family are very proud (of) their projects because they design, build and manage them. We are in it for the long haul.

Pelton said she and her family were very happy with the local subcontractors they worked with on the Viroqua project.

It was a good experience working with the people there, she said.

Excavation work for the facility began in September 2016.
In 2006, cartoonist Peter Kuper and his family relocated from Manhattan to Oaxaca, Mexico, where they remained for roughly two years. Driven out in part by Bush-era politics, and in part by the desire to take a breather and give their young daughter some experience of the world, they descended directly into the horrific 2006 state-wide teachers strike. The seven-month strike by teachers and their supporters against state corruption and in support of education funding was violently repressed by the states governor with the aid of the federal police. More than 20 people were killed during the repressive state violence, including American journalist Bradley Will.

The tragic resistance by the states teachers comprises the first third of this powerful and creative book. Infuriated by the inaccurate and superficial coverage of the conflict by the world press, Kuper began doing sketches illustrating what was actually happening and sharing them with friends and family back home. Even after it was violently put down, the strike undergirds much of the rest of the book. The calm and colourful daily life of the region lies in contrast to the violence whose memory the state attempts to repress; the political silence in the wake of violent state repression is a condemnation of a different sort. But while posters and graffiti can be torn down or painted over, Kupers memory and the sketches inspired by it remain a poignant and potent tribute to the striking Oaxacans efforts to improve their lives.

Diario de Oaxaca isnt just about the strike; its an eclectic and inspired collection of drawings and reminiscences of the authors two years in Oaxaca. Theres a lot packed into the period, and yet one gets the sense that even this wide-ranging collection barely pierces the surface. From monarch butterflies and endangered tortoises, to Mesoamerican ruins, to the varieties of stray street dogs and the inspired art of a radish festival, Kuper offers the reader something more than just a sketchbook or graphic travelogue. Its an impressionistic invitation to Oaxaca: a tantalizing sampling of the rich diversity the place has to offer. While acknowledging the violence that sometimes erupts in the place (as it does everywhere, including Kupers home country north of the border), he writes powerfully against the mainstream press depictions of an anarchic region paralyzed by daily violence.

There I go again reiterating Oaxacas troubles, making it sound like a dangerous town, he writes, during one of the diary-like entries which offer short analytical narrations of the experiences depicted in his illustrations. Moving from light to dark and back again. Its unavoidable; its the nature of the place. Or perhaps its in my nature to use a spectrum of hues when I paint my experiences. They say theres truth in beauty, but there is also beauty in truth. Thats Oaxaca. But dont take my word for it  go see it for yourself. Its the only way to paint your own picture.

The art and imagery of Diario de Oaxaca is impressively eclectic, and perfect for the nature of the work Kupers produced. Ranging from crayon-like splashes of symbolic and abstract art to cartoonish line drawings, he even integrates photos along with elements of Mexicos diverse and ancient imagery. The eclectic style allows him not just to illustrate experiences but to express them, from psychedelic cultural fusions to ancient and mystical iconography. There are Mayan temples, scorpions and butterflies, market stalls and cobbled streets. There are stray dogs, riot police, bar scenes, and beaches.

Everywhere, there is life, and Kupers art expresses this in profusion: the teeming omnipresence of insects; the deep and sprawling roots of ancient trees; the stoicism of a woman sitting at a market stall and the laughter of a man downing a beer. Courage on the flaming barricades and the delighted laughter of children; a fight between a couple on the beach and the bright eclecticism of Day of the Dead festivities. Kuper succeeds handily in fulfilling his desire to telegraph my enthusiasm for the place to anyone who will listen.

Diario de Oaxaca is also fully bilingual, with short essays and illustrated captions alike all presented in both English and Spanish.

Kuper has been traveling to Mexico for decades, and its become a sort of second home for him. Its been the inspiration for serious and complex work, like his award-winning graphic novel Ruins (also loosely based on his experiences of 2006-08). But Diario de Oaxaca is a much more personal sort of work, allowing him to reflect in first-person and adopt a more introspective tone. Originally published in 2009, the new edition includes several updated diary entries chronicling subsequent trips back to Oaxaca over the past decade, up through May 2017.

Diario de Oaxaca also feels driven by a sense of political urgency in the present and unfolding relationship between Mexico and the United States. Kuper doesnt hold back any punches; he left America in part because of the mess President Bush was making of things, but hes equally critical of the corrupt and violent political leadership of Oaxaca. President Trumps anti-Mexicanism has added an entirely new dimension to the situation. Kupers work reminds us of the vibrant and inspired everyday people who live under the tyranny of petty and corrupt officials in both Mexico and the United States, and of the imperative to see the beauty of each place through the murky political fog and inaccurate, homogenizing reporting that so often obscures them.

Given the xenophobic portrayals of Mexico spouted by U.S. government officials, my urgency to convey a broader vision of our neighbour is even greater today, Kuper writes in closing. With mandates to literally wall ourselves off from Mexico, its essential to question what would be lost. To narrow our vision of the planet into separate island-states is to isolate ourselves from art, culture, history and our collective means of survival. As if air can be halted by borders. As if weather can be contained by lines on a map. The ruins of fallen empires, evident throughout Mexico, are signposts our leaders would be advised to heed as they build their barricades.

Rating: 8
Mark Guiliana is a drummer with a classic pedigree for his generation. He went to jazz school at William Paterson Universitys superb program (in New Jersey, yes); served a formative period as a sideman in Avishai Cohens group, touring and recording; and he started a set of collaborations with both peers and mentors  in Guilianas case these included the pianist Brad Mehldau and David Bowie, on whose last recording, Backstar, Guiliana was the critical rhythmic presence. Born in 1980, Guiliana was influenced as much by rock as by jazz, and he has cited Jim Black as a role model for the way Black integrates influences across stylistic barriers.

Crossing stylistic barriers is Guilianas trump card. He has become a certifiable star drummer because (1) chops, and (2) a dazzling career in electronic music. But he has become a truly respected artistic force because his talent is equally sincere and powerful when he plays jazz

and in his career playing electronic music. On the electronica side (he founded Beat Music Productions), he has collaborated with people like bassist Tim Lefebvre and keyboardist Jason Lindner, who also play jazz. On the jazz side, Guiliana is precise but musical, a composer and a superbad player who blows you away with more than chops.

Jersey is the second recording from Guilianas Jazz Quartet, which is set up traditionally: tenor saxophone (Jason Rigby), piano (Fabian Almazan, replacing Shai Maestro), bass (Chris Morrissey), and drums. In some ways it plays traditionally  this is a band that plays primarily inside with post-bop harmonic rules and swings in the conventional sense. Listening to Jersey in the background, you might not hear it as special or different or particularly of its moment.

But you would be wrong.

Jersey eschews fancy footwork that calls attention to itself. It seems fair to start with the albums last song, Where Are We Now? Written by David Bowie and appearing on his penultimate recording, it is an elegiac ballad built on a simple melody and rich harmonies. Rigby plays the tune with no frills in his breathy but weighty tone, singing it utterly but calmly. The rhythm section is all taste and attention. But after a full trip through the form, Guiliana and Morrissey step aside, giving Almazan a beautiful, rubato spot of solo piano. This spell is broken by the tenor, coming in to play a ten-note phrase, which is repeated until the end of the performance as the band reenters quietly, then more, then in full force, Guiliana bringing everything to a boil and then taking over until a set of voices come in gently to sing, As long as theres me / As long as theres you along with the tenor, repeated, until the end. Chills.



&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=http://markguiliana.bandcamp.com/album/jersey target=_blank&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;http://markguiliana.bandcamp.com/album/jersey&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Jersey by Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;



&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=http://markguiliana.bandcamp.com/album/jersey target=_blank&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;http://markguiliana.bandcamp.com/album/jersey&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Jersey by Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;



That is

Jersey in a nutshell: intentional, structurally interesting (not a string of jazz solos with a repeated melody), and reliant on musicality rather than technical wizardry. If you listen, it will get to you.

Not that its all quiet, all stately. The opener, Guilianas Inter-Are, is a throbbing, dancing joy. The leader and bassist Morrissey lock in at the start with a swinging, rolling pattern that forms the hip-moving rhythm for all of it. The main theme is simple and catchy, really only a single phrase played around with, and once it is established, the band cuts back to a whisper but with the groove still pumping. A saxophone solo rises and blossom into the melody again, but extended, then Almazan takes a ride on the groove, soon overtaken by that last piece of the melody. How does it end? Its the throb again, but different, mainly the acoustic bass, piano strings hand-strummed, supported by simple handclaps. There isnt another jazz performance/arrangement quite like it. And its barely longer than a pop song.

Morrissey contributes two songs as well. Our Lady has a driving melody that could have been written for one of Keith Jarretts quartets, supported by a Latin pulse. The Mayor of Rotterdam begins with a formal, classical-sounding theme, then it slides into a polyrhythm built on a tricky pattern that I cant count properly, but that is played with such skill that my toe taps anyway. It is a perfect example of how this bands chops are mind-blowing but in service to the song.

The band is highly skilled at making something great out of something slim. BP, written by pedal steel specialist Rich Hinman, is mostly a long build-up, but the band is so good at arrangement and interaction that you never lose interest. Guilianas September simmers at first, stating an interesting melody over a pedal point, but then it slowly unfolds around a series of unexpected chords. Jersey, a tribute to the leaders birthplace and home, is built on an enchanting bass line played on the upbeats only, around which Rigby curls a heartwarming tune and a long, interesting solo. More swinging is Big Rig Jones, but the mark of Guilianas group is that they move to a bass solo first, allow the arrangement to ease back to ballad feel, then they work back into the fleet swing  and eventually a triumphant, explosive climax  over the tenor solo.

This being the Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet, Big Rig brings that fireworks-over-the-water climax home to a tender, quiet passage of solo piano over which the melody returns but the swing does not. Each of these performances suggests some of what I suspect Guiliana learned from his love of rock and his expertise in electronica: that there are more ways to build interest and create musical art other than theme/solos/theme, and these other ways are increasing central to jazz.

Taken as a whole,

Jersey is a surprising but reassuring work of art. It is as if you grabbed the ingredient normally used for a simple, known meal and combined and cooked them differently, coming up with a whole new taste. The jazz quartet is not, perhaps, reinvented here, but it is deployed with a sense of surprise and novelty that never abandons the artful.

If there is a drawback here, it is only in imagining the kinds of dynamics and propulsion the group is capable of in concert, with more time and freedom at their disposal. Not that the tracks here are all that short, but the long arc of development on some of these tracks suggests that the quartet has other, higher gears it might get to.

Id certainly like to hear them.

Rating: 7
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 07:47:56

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The vendor landscape of the global air conditioning systems market is speckled with large and established companies such as Gree Electric Appliances, Inc., Daikin Industries Ltd., and Carrier Corporation; emerging players such as Panasonic Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, and The Midea Group; and promising vendors such as LG Electronics, Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd., and Hitachi Ltd. Each of these players have been striving to strengthen their position in the air conditioning systems market and achieve sustainable growth.Read Report Overview @Transparency Market Research finds that in order to achieve these goals, companies are presently focused on integrating products so as to expand their customer base and reach out to newer audiences. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions have also been a core strategy for a number of players. A case in point would be Carrier, who, in 2011, joined hands with the Midea Group of China to manufacture as well as distribute HVAC systems in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. This joint venture not only helped Carrier form a strong distribution network in these promising countries but also established a strong foothold for the company at a global level, the lead analyst of the TMR study states.Request Sample Report @Energy-efficient Air Conditioning Systems Gain ProminenceThe growth of the air conditioning systems market can be largely attributed to the rapidly expanding construction and housing sector. Increasing construction permits, especially for commercial infrastructure, means a rising need for equipment such as air conditioning systems, a TMR analyst explains. The market for air conditioning systems is also driven by stringent government regulations, technological developments, rising consumer expectations, increased demand from the commercial sector, strong demand from Asia Pacific, and climate variations. The surge in awareness regarding the importance of indoor air quality has also generated an increased demand for advanced air-purifying technologies.Request Air Conditioning Systems Market Report Brochure @In contrast, the air conditioning systems market faces a major roadblock  increased energy consumption. However, TMR finds that this challenge can be easily addressed. The emergence of ongoing trends such as green technologies, smart homes, and energy-efficient systems are driving manufacturers of air conditioning systems to focus on innovation and come up with equipment that meet the rising energy requirements of consumers and governments alike. Thus, this obstacle also presents market players with several opportunities for growth over the coming years, the author of the study states.Buy Air Conditioning Systems Market Research Report @
Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Market

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Air travel has taken off in APEJ like never before, spurred on by rising affluence and a greater disposable income amongst consumers in this dynamic region. This is anticipated to require additional ground support equipment ensuring that the aircraft ground support equipment market grows at a healthy rate for the foreseeable future. Future Market Insights in its upcoming report titled Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012 - 2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017 - 2027) predicts that the aircraft ground support equipment market could record a robust CAGR of 6.5%.Equipment  Aircraft Service Segment Key in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe aircraft service segment had a market share of more than half by equipment type in the aircraft ground support equipment market at the end of 2017 and is projected to grow this share by 30 BPS going forward. This is largely at the expense of cargo loading and passenger service. Aircraft service segment is greatly benefited by the high cost of different products such as aircraft tractors, de-icing, and fire fighting vehicles that explains its dominance in the aircraft ground support equipment market.Read Report Overview @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/aircraft-ground-support-equipment-market Power  Electric Power Provides Spark in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe electric segment is the most popular in the aircraft ground support equipment market and has seen rapid adoption in airport buses, de-icing vehicles, and aircraft tractors because of its reliability, support, and battery performance. Furthermore, advanced infrastructure in a number of airports in Europe and the US has led to electric chargers becoming commonplace fuelling the growth of the electric power segment in the aircraft ground support equipment market. The electric power segment is expected to cross a value of more than US$ 7.5 billion by end 2027, larger than the non-electric and hybrid segments combined.Region  APEJ to Double Market Share in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketIn terms of value, APEJ is predicted to double its market share during the course of the decadal study. Explosive growth in passenger traffic in China and India is largely responsible for this with the former contributing to the bulk of it. In addition to this, open sky agreements such as that recently signed between India and Japan should further the prospects of the APEJ aircraft ground support equipment market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2854 Ownership  Rental Gaining Popularity in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe rental/lease segment is gaining greater acceptance in the aircraft ground support equipment market because of the high cost associated with it. There is a definite shift in focus of airline companies and airport management towards rental ownership as this saves capital, resources, and time. The rental/ lease segment is estimated to witness a CAGR of 7% for the forecast period.Application  Defence Unlikely to Topple Commercial Segment in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe commercial segment holds a lions share in the aircraft ground support equipment market by application and is on track to lose 70 BPS till 2027. However, it has a two-third share of the market in 2017 on account of substantial movement of commercial aircraft, requiring evermore aircraft ground support equipment units. An incremental dollar opportunity of approx. US$ 4.8 billion from 2017 to 2027 makes the commercial segment large enough for all stakeholders in the aircraft ground support equipment market.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2854 Competition Dashboard in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe companies profiled in the report are JBT Corporation, ALVEST Group, Air T, Alberth Aviation Ltd., Cavotec SA, Clyde Machines Inc., Textron, Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co., China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Kalmar Motor AB, HYDRO Systems KG, Nepean Engineering & Innovation Pty Ltd., Tronair, Lektro, Charlatte Of America Inc., Schopf Maschinenbau GmbH, Mulag Fahrzeugwerk Heinz Wossner GmbH, Mallaghan Engineering Limited, SEMMCO, and DENGE Airport Equipment.Important TakeawaysAPEJ has immense potential in the long-term because of skyrocketing passenger traffic and companies would do well to focus their attention on this continent. Western companies should shift their production bases there to take advantage of lower cost coupled with manufacturing expertise. Companies must develop efficient products that have minimal maintenance and innovations in power technologies could provide the necessary breakthroughs.Buy Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Market Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/2854
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Transparency Market Research (TMR) observes in a research report that the competitive landscape in The Global Apheresis Market is likely to be intense owing to the fact that a few leading vendors hold a substantial share in the market. The future threat arising from new entrants is likely to be comparatively low over the coming years because of the license required for manufacturing equipment, technical expertise needed to venture into this field, and expensive nature of the manufacturing process, which is keeping the new players at bay. The focus on mergers, collaborations, and strategic collaborations is likely to be high in the coming years with leading companies looking forward to tighten their grip in the intensely competitive market and amid the growing cost related pressures. The leading companies in the market comprise B. Braun Melsungen AG, Cerus Corporation, Fresenius Kabi AG, Haemonetics Corporation, Terumo Corporation, and Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd.View Report-According to a TMR analyst, The global market for apheresis is anticipated to exhibit a 10.2% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. In 2016, the market was worth US$1.85 bn and is likely to touch a valuation of US$4.33 bn by the end of 2025. Based on procedure, the market has been segmented into erythrocytapheresis, leukapheresis, plateletpheresis, LDL apheresis, photopheresis, and plasmapheresis. Among all these, the market was reigned by the plasmapheresis segment in 2016 owing to the growing number of procedures pertaining to donor plasmapheresis across the globe. The segment is further estimated to experience an 8.9% CAGR over the course of the forecast period. Region-wise, the market is anticipated to be dominated by North America until the end of the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the extensive development of the healthcare infrastructure in the region.Request Apheresis Market Report Brochure -Expanding Scope of Apheresis Procedure Application to be Key Growth FacetThe huge ascent in the prevalence of chronic maladies worldwide has prompted an extensive demand for blood components for use medical products such as immunoglobulin, coagulation factors, plasma, and albumin. Additionally, strict safety regulations are prompting the expanded concentration of healthcare facilities on the security and viability parts of these items, which has prompted specialized advances in apheresis items and techniques. In this manner, the rising interest for blood parts and plasma for therapeutics is anticipated to remain a key constrain affecting the general advancement of the worldwide apheresis market in the following couple of years.The market is additionally anticipated to profit by the enlarging set of therapeutic apheresis, which is provoking the expanded utilization of apheresis methodology in the treatment of various ailments and signs. According to the American Society for Apheresis' (ASFA) Apheresis rule's 2016 version, there are 87 ailments (78 out of 2013 release) and 179 sign for apheresis. In 2016, three new hematological signs were included these rules. Such enlarging utilizations of apheresis is anticipated to drive development for apheresis market in the coming years.Request to view Sample Report -High Initial Cost Might Push End users Towards AlternativesThe set-up of apheresis includes expensive disposables and apheresis systems. Furthermore, technically skilled operators are needed to conduct these procedures. This further, raises the cost of the operations, thus, making the complete procedure expensive. This type of situation also becomes a Herculean state in developing economies. Apheresis is also termed unaffordable for treating certain other diseases in which several other alternatives are also available which are equally efficient in treating the disease and are inexpensive as well. This issue is anticipated to have a huge impact on the growth of the global market for apheresis.Apheresis Market Report is available @ US$ 5795
Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics

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Ovarian cancer is caused by uncontrollable cell growth in the ovarian tissue. Ovarian cancer is one of the major causes of death in females across the globe. The treatment procedure depends on the stage of cancer. It involves surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and biological therapy. It is also said that ovarian cancer is a chemo-sensitive cancer. Chemotherapy treatment when performed in combination with radiation therapy increases the efficiency.Get a comprehensive overview of the Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-ovarian-cancer-therapeutics-market-1471/ Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe factors leading to growth of this market are growth of geriatric women population, discovery of drugs and efficient therapies, rise in peoples spending on healthcare, improved government financial support and increasing awareness regarding healthcare is also fueling the growth of the ovarian cancer market. Recent launching of generic drugs, and the expiring of patents of major drugs like Taxol, Gemzar, and Hycamtin are the key factors hampering the growth for ovarian cancer market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-ovarian-cancer-therapeutics-market-1471/request-sample Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market: SegmentationBy Stages Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IVBy Cancer Type Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma Ovarian Stromal Tumors Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Epithelial Ovarian TumorsBy Diagnosis Physical Examination Blood Tests Ultrasound PET CT Scan MRI Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test BiopsyBy type of treatment Chemotherapy Radiation Therapy Hormonal Therapy Surgery Immunotherapy Targeted TherapyFrom simple data collation through secondary and primary research to ad-hoc research requests relating to specific information, we provide our services via customization. Get customization at http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-ovarian-cancer-therapeutics-market-1471/customize-report Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market: OverviewThe Asia-Pacific is predicted to be the fastest growing regional market across the world. Large-scale R&D is being done in the region which support the growth of Asia-Pacific market.Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of geography, the Asia Pacific Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics market is analysed under the regions namely China, India, Japan and South Korea. The increased disposable income and rising geriatric population in developing countries like China and India has led to a lot of scope in this market.Key Questions Answered What is the current and future Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market outlook? What trends are affecting the Asia Pacific market? What is the competitive landscape and market share of major players in the Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market? What are the key market segments that currently occupy the highest market share? Which market segments are growing the fastest? What challenges are restraining the growth of the Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market? How will emerging technologies answer these challenges? What is physician perception and market outlook of HIV Diagnostics?Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market: Key PlayersMajor players in the Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics market include Aetera Zenteris Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Roche, Amgen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Novogen, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca and Genentech Inc.Reasons to buy Ovarian Cancer Therapeutics Market Report: Regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the geographical areas in which this industry is prospering Segment-level analysis on basis of stages, cancer type, diagnosis and treatment along with market size forecasts and y-o-y estimations to detect key areas of industry growth in detail Identification of key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) in the market and their impact on shifting market dynamics Study of macro and micro environmental factors that affect the market presented in an extensive strategic analyses section containing PESTLE and Porters Five Forces Analyses A comprehensive listing of key market players along with company overview, product portfolios, key financial information (subjected to availability), SWOT analysis and Analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment Competitive landscape analysis listing out the mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies Expertly devised Market Outlook along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketCheckout other related studies in the Drugs and Therapeutic Segment:North America Anticoccidial Drugs Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-anticoccidial-drugs-market-22/ North America Therapeutic Vaccines Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-therapeutic-vaccines-market-73/ Anti-fungal Drugs Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-anti-fungal-drugs-market-242/ About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more information, kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 10:03:02



Paris, 9 November 2017 - Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, launches BullSequana S, its new range of ultra-scalable servers enabling businesses to take full advantage of AI. With their unique architecture, developed in-house by Atos, BullSequana S enterprise servers are optimized for Machine Learning, business critical computing applications and in-memory environments.



In order to utilize the extensive capabilities of AI, businesses require an infrastructure with extreme performance. BullSequana S tackles this challenge with its unique combination of powerful processors (CPUs) and GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit). The BullSequana S server's flexibility leverages a proven unique modular architecture, and provides customers with the agility to add Machine Learning and AI capacity to existing enterprise workloads, thanks to the introduction of a GPU. Within a single server, GPU, storage and compute modules are mixed for a tailor-made server, for ready availability of all workloads worldwide.



Ultra-scalable server to answer both challenges: from classical use-case to AI

BullSequana S combines the most advanced Intel Xeon Scalable processors - codenamed Skylake - and an innovative architecture designed by Atos' R&D teams. It helps reduce infrastructure costs while improving application performance thanks to ultra-scalability - from 2 to 32 CPUs - with innovative high capacity storage and booster capabilities such as GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and, potentially other technologies such as FPGA in further developments.



"Atos is a prominent global SAP partner delivering highly performant and scalable solutions for deployments of SAP HANA. We have been working together to accelerate SAP HANA deployments by providing a full range of SAP HANA applications certified up to 16TB. The new BullSequana S server range developed by Atos is one of the most scalable platforms in the market, optimized for critical deployments of SAP HANA. It is expected to open new additional collaboration areas between SAP and Atos around artificial intelligence and machine learning," said Dr. Jorg Gehring, senior vice president and global head of SAP HANA Technology Innovation Networks.

BullSequana S - to reach extreme performance whilst optimizing investment:

Up to 32 processors, 896 cores, and 32 GPUs in a single server delivering an outstanding performance and supporting long-term investment protection, as capacities evolve smoothly according to business needs.

With up to 48TB RAM and 64TB NV-RAM in a single server, real-time analytics of enterprise production databases will run much faster than on a conventional computer by using in-memory technology whilst ensuring both security and high quality of service.

With up to 2PB internal data storage, BullSequana S efficiently supports data lake and virtualization environments.



"To power Machine Learning and AI in enterprise IT, Atos has designed a new-generation computing platform, which accelerates our customers' digital transformation by converging business-critical computing and HPC within a single device. BullSequana S is the ultra-scalable, ultra-flexible, go-to server that delivers extreme performance while optimizing investment", underlined Arnaud Bertrand, Fellow, Head of Big Data and HPC at Atos.

Availability

The first BullSequana S machines manufactured at France-based Atos factory are available worldwide from today.

***

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 100,000 employees in 72 countries and annual revenue of around  12 billion. The European number one in Big Data, Cybersecurity, High Performance Computing and Digital Workplace, The Group provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry. With its cutting-edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, Atos supports the digital transformation of its clients across various business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Energy & Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline. Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is listed on the CAC40 Paris stock index.

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Jose de Vries | jose.devries@atos.net | +31 6 30 27 26 11 | @josee_de vries

Intel, Xeon, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries

SAP, SAP HANA and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

SAP Forward-looking Statement

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: ATOS via Globenewswire


Automotive Engine Bearings Market

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CONTACT:Future Market InsightsAbhishek Bhudoliya616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: www.futuremarketinsights.comAbhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

In an automobile internal combustion engine, the engine bearing is usually a journal or a plain bearing on which the crankshaft rotates. The function of a bearing is to hold the crankshaft in place and to prevent the dislodging of connecting rod from the crankshaft. The engine bearing also plays a vital role in prevention of the force created by the piston and its transmission to the crankshaft, instead using the forces for the conversion of the reciprocating movements into rotation. The bearing is considered as one of the most important components of the engine assembly and its proper functioning is necessary to maintain the overall efficiency of the automobile. Research and development is going on in the field of automotive engine bearings in order to innovate the best suitable bearings for longer life and improved performance of the engine.The automobile engine parts and components have high wear and tear rate owing to its continuous operation to power the vehicle. The robust operation of the engine bearings is achieved if the material of construction possesses the properties such as high strength (wear resistance, cavitation resistance and load capacity) and softness (conformability, compatibility and embeddability).Request For Report Sample: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3757 Global Automotive Engine Bearings Market: DynamicsThe market for automotive engine bearings exhibits a huge potential to grow, owing to the development and growth in the overall automotive sector. Moreover, in developed nations, high standard of living and rising disposable incomes have enabled consumers to use vehicles, which have all the aftermarket products fitted for the effective use of automobiles. Furthermore, growth in production of automobiles, is in turn, expected to fuel the growth of the automotive engine bearings market over the forecast period. The development in technology and research & development to produce more strong materials, which can sustain more load is also estimated to bolster the automotive engine bearings market growth. The replacement rate of the automotive engine bearings is high and thus automotive aftermarket holds a significant share in the automotive engine bearings market.Global Automotive Engine Bearings Market: SegmentationThe automotive engine bearings market can be segmented on the basis of product type, sales channel and vehicle type.By product type, the global automotive engine bearings market can be segmented as:Ball BearingsRoller BearingsPlain BearingsOthersBy sales channel,the global automotive engine bearings market can be segmented as:Original Equipment ManufacturersIndependent SuppliersBy vehicle type, the global automotive engine bearings market can be segmented as:Passenger CarsLight Commercial VehiclesHeavy Commercial VehiclesTwo WheelersGlobal Automotive Engine Bearings Market: Regional OutlookAsia Pacific and North America hold major shares in global automotive engine bearings market owing to the large number of automobiles present in these regions. Consumers tend to equip their vehicles with durable and robust parts so that their vehicle is in good condition and also to avoid breakdown of engines. These conditions are expected to act as catalysts for the growth of the overall automotive engine bearings market over the forecast period. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations, which are the target markets of the automobile manufacturers will contribute significantly to the growth of the overall automotive engine bearings market over the forecast period. The automotive engine bearings market is projected to grow with a noteworthy CAGR owing to the increasing adoption of these systems in motorcycles and bikes globally.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3757 Global Automotive Engine Bearings Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global Automotive Engine Bearingsmarket identified across the value chain include:ORS BearingsNachi Fujikoshi Corp.MAHLE Aftermarket Inc.Minebea Co., Ltd.SNL Bearings Ltd.CW BearingNSK Ltd. King Engine Bearings, Inc.RBC BearingsSvenska Kullagerfabriken ABSchaeffler AG.Iljin Bearing Co., Ltd.RKB BearingsJtekt CorporationTimken CompanyWafangdian Bearing Group CorpC&U Bearing NTN Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 21:51:12

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for BeWhere Holdings Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - BeWhere Holdings Inc. (TSX Venture:BEW). has issued a press release with the following headline:BeWhere Holdings Inc. has no Undisclosed Material ChangesTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on BeWhere Holdings Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/BeWhere Holdings Inc.Source: BeWhere Holdings Inc. (TSX Venture: BEW, OTCQB: BEWFF)Date: November 09, 2017Time: 3:51 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of BeWhere Holdings Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent School Edition is an inspiring musical about friends and musical/theatrical artists struggling with drug addiction, poverty and HIV/AIDS.

It is based loosely on the Broadway musical by Puccinis La Boheme, with the Rent School Edition following a group of young adults for one year in the 1980s as they struggle to survive and beat the odds, which were stacked against them daily.

Drama Director Julee Caspers Agar said the students have been asking to perform this musical for years, but the cast and directors quickly learned that the RENT musical has a very challenging score, even at the high school level. She said the level of emotion needed for the performance was very intense.

The musical is based on the physical and emotional complications of suffering with AIDS, which complicates the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. A number of cast members played duel roles from main characters to the supporting cast.

During the Thursday morning performance at Westby Area High School for students and staff, Roger Davis was played by Vougard Latoja; Mimi Marquez (Sharice Elbert); Tom Collins (Cody Russell); and Angel Dumott Schunard (Jack Call). Other key roles were that of actress Maureen Johnson, who deals with her chronic infidelity and was played by Amy Teadt. Her life partner, Joanne Jefferson, was played by Eva Gajewski. Benjamin Coffin III (Luke Charles) played a former friend who sells out his freindships for money and aspiring filmmaker Mark Cohen (Peter Holdorf) struggled with lifes insecurities.

The main characters lives cross paths numerous times throughout the 2 hour, 30 minute performance.

Roger (Latoja) and Mark (Holdorf) characters struggled to pay the rent and had to deal with an uncompassionate landlord (Charles). They tried to be there for their friends, even though they were broke and barely getting by themselves.

Mark (Holdorf) was hoping to make it in film industry, but didnt want to sell his soul make it happen which left him broke and unable to pay the rent.

Coffin (Charles) sold out for money and lived to make his friends life miserable. Both actors did a good job of connecting with the audience through eye contact and spoke with clarity.

Maureen (Teadt) was dating Mark (Holdorf), but broke up after she fell in love with Joanne (Gajewski). It was a bitter breakup between Mark and Maureen, but bittersweet in that the two women (Maureen and Joanne) realized after months of on-and-off again disagreements that true love requires give and take from both parties involved if they hope to make their new relationship work.

Roger (Latoja) was focused on writing and performing a hit song. That path to stardom was interrupted when he fell in love with Mimi (Elbert) who was addicted to drugs and believed in living every moment like it was their last. The couple struggled with trust issues, which eventually tore them apart. With the help of their friends they found their way back to each other late in the show. The vocal strength of Latoja and Elbert made you feel the pain of the characters they played in the show. Unfortunately their vocal performances were interrupted at times by cordless microphones disconnect, but despite the periodic interruptions their powerful voices still shined through.

Collins (Russell) was mugged on the streets of new York, but soon found comfort and love in the arms of Angel (Jack Call). Angel, a street musician and crossdresser that had enough passion in his sole to comfort his friends when the world was bringing them down. Angel suffered from AIDS and died in Collins arms later in the show. The death of their friend was a life changing moment for many. Calls role was a very difficult one for any high school student to perform, but he did it with confidence. Russell has a strong presence on stage and did a good job of engaging the audience.

The Rent School Edition was filled with exuberance and energy from the supporting cast whose vocals were strong and movements on stage were graceful and added definition to each scene. The entire cast grew more confident in their performances as the musical progressed and the final scene where Mimi (Elbert) appeared to die in Rogers arms (Latoja) as he sang the song (Your Eyes) to her brought a tear to more than one eye in the audience.

The touching moment took a riveting twist when Mimi (Elbert) returned from her near death experience after seeing the light, entering a tunnel, but being stopped short of Heavens gate by Angel (Call) who died earlier in the musical. Angel (Call) sent Mimi (Elbert) back to earth for a second chance at life and love.

Kudos to everyone involved. You made the school and community proud. The cast, pit band, directors and production crews did a beautiful job with a very sensitive screen play. Hopefully everyone involved will make the most of all the Seasons of Love they live and enjoy every one of the 565,600 minutes in a year. We all need to live life like there is No Day, but Today.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:09:20

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a broad term used for defining progressive lung diseases like emphysema, refractory asthma, chronic bronchitis and some other forms of bronchiectasis. The symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are so common that sometimes people fail to understand that they are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and consider it as normal cold, cough and symptoms of aging. Symptoms are sometimes not even visible in the early stages of disease and the disease remains undiagnosed for a long time. The symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease include wheezing, tightness in the chest, frequent coughing and increased breathlessness. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be treated using different types of drugs and therapies including oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. In case of extreme severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease surgery is recommended which includes lung volume reduction surgery, lung transplant and bullectomy.A sample of this report is available upon request @According to the data of British Lung Foundation approximately 1.2 billion people were suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the U.K. alone in 2011. Also according to the COPD Foundation approximately 30million Americans were suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in 2013. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This data demonstrates the ever increasing demand of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment worldwide and hence also shows the potential that the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market holds.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe most important factors that are expected to drive the growth of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease market includes the ever increasing number of cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease globally. Also the change in the lifestyle is responsible for increasing the habits like smoking and increase in the number of genetic disorders which in turn are responsible for raising the number of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients. Other factors that can boost the revenue from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market are rising expenditures on healthcare that is leading to the adoption of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatments in the emerging economies. Increase in the level of awareness has also lead to the early diagnosis of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease so that people can go for the treatment of the disease.Factors that can limit the growth of the therapeutic enzymes in the forecast period include the fact that not all the patients who are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are aware of the fact that they are suffering from the disease and therefore do not go for the treatment of the disease. Also sometimes people get to know about their disease when the disease cant be cured by only medication and therapies and surgery becomes mandatory. This factor can also lead to a slow growth in the revenue from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: SegmentationChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market can be segmented on the basis of components and end user.On the basis of componentDrug ClassBronchodilatorsSteroidsPhosphodiesterase-4 inhibitorsTheophyllineAntibioticsDelivery SystemsOralInhalationOn the basis of end userHospitalsPrivate clinicsOut-patientsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: OverviewChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market is a growing market and is expected to see an even higher growth in the forecast period. Factors such as increase in the population suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease worldwide and increasing awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are responsible for fueling the growth of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market. Betterment of the healthcare infrastructure in Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa is also responsible for the revenue growth of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market in the forecast period.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: Region-wise OutlookChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market is in its growth phase and hence this market is expected to see very high growth in the emerging economies like Latin America and Asia Pacific due to high population growth in these regions. North America Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market is the most developed market in terms of revenue, followed by Europe. Middle East and Africa are also expected to see higher growth due to growing advancement in the healthcare infrastructure.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapeutics Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the key participants of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease therapeutics market include Pfizer Inc, Adamis Laboratories Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc.
Decision management applications decision oriented evaluative software that help an enterprise to solve critical problems, manage and analyses huge data, and delivers decisive results.

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 10:58:37

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CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/Associate Consultant3479183531

Decision management applications decision oriented evaluative software that help an enterprise to solve critical problems, manage and analyses huge data, and delivers decisive results. Also, enterprises are using decision management application for minimizing error and to get accurate results within a short period of time. These application helps an organization to maximise its profitability and efficiency. According to traditional approach, decision management used to be done manually without using any technical tools or applications.Decision Management Applications Market Segmentation:On the basis of type global decision management application market is segmented into Analytical management application, business rule management application, operational optimisation application, testing management application, workflow management application, and monitoring & governance application.A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1896 On the basis of application global decision management application market is segmented into business research management, fraud management, regulatory compliance management, accounting and revenue management, human resource management, credit risk management, customer management. Business research management is sub segmented into business intelligence and analytics. Business intelligence manages database, helps in analysis, and also tracks reporting. Analytics consist of sophisticated tools with abilities to discover insights in data. In decision management application these three technology areas can perform both together and separately as well. Customer management is sub segmented into Cross-sell and up-sell, web- based purchasing, single channel management and multichannel management.Geographically, decision management application market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America, Western Europe and Japan are the lucrative regions for global decision management application; where, U.S., European Union (EU)-5, Japan are the most revenue generating countries in this market. North America and Western Europe holds the majority of the market share in the decision management application market. Asia Pacific excluding Japan market for decision management application is one of the fastest growing market in terms of revenue generation. India, China, Malaysia, Singapore are the significant contributing countries in terms of revenue growth.Decision Management Applications Market Dynamics:Decision management application delivers solutions and results of a complex data. Currently, enterprises are adopting this applications in order to reduce the timeline of projects and also to optimise the affectivity of a project. These benefits are primarily driving the decision management application market. This applications are used by both service and manufacturing industries. Moreover, increasing critical data and complex business situation require strong result oriented decision, understanding the requirement developers have been improving the model of decision management. Currently, there are number of high level model of decision management application are available in the market. This technological advancement is another factor that drives the global decision management application market. However, owing to have high price, many big and small enterprises cannot effort decision management applications. Moreover, to run these applications, it requires skilled employees, which is again a cost bearing factor for the companies. These are the factor that are restraining the high growth of global decision management application market.Since, decision management application is a recent trend of a decision management market, many large scale enterprises already adopted this application, and most of the small and medium enterprises are still untapped, are the opportunity to the decision management application market globally. New models of decision management applications are always an opportunities to the decision management application market, hence decision management application companies have been developing value added decision management applications.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1896 Decision Management Applications Market Key Players:Some of the key players operating in the decision management application are IBM Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., AbsolutData Holdings, Inc., Mu Sigma Inc., Manthan Software Services Pvt. Ltd., salesforce.com , inc., Nimble, Inc. PipelineDeals, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 11:03:01

One of the largest independent research firms in the U.K. has chosen Deltek ERP to optimise internal processes and improve financial control

London, United Kingdom, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deltek, the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses, today announced that IFF - one of the U.K.'s leading research firms - has selected Deltek's enterprise resource planning solution to improve visibility and control across its entire business and project portfolio. Deltek's integrated ERP is purpose-built with projects at its core to deliver the business agility, transparency and control needed by modern project-centric organisations.



Based in London, England, IFF offers a full suite of social and market research services to a varied client base. The business is structured into teams which specialise in different sectors, each of which originates in public policy and administration but now reaches out to the private sector. These sectors include learning & skills, financial services, business & enterprise, regulations, employment & benefits, professional services and health & wellbeing.

As IFF's project and client portfolio continued to expand, its incumbent system was unable to provide real-time visibility and granularity of reporting required by both project managers and business management. To meet the demands of its changing business, IFF initiated an extensive vendor search in Spring of 2017, identifying a potential 13 ERP vendors in its long list. With the assistance of specialist advisor, Gradient Consulting, a series of detailed demonstrations and business process discovery sessions were conducted, with Deltek emerging as the preferred ERP partner.

In connecting all core business processes - from customer relationship management, project and resource planning, to financial management and reconciliation - Deltek's integrated project-based ERP platform seamlessly connects people, processes, and information. The key success factors for IFF when selecting its new ERP included: providing greater visibility to all decision makers through reporting and dashboards; improving forecasting of resource and revenue; reducing the complexity and time taken on revenue recognition; and reducing the reliance on spreadsheets and legacy databases.

"As one of the largest and fastest growing independent research agencies in the U.K., possessing robust and reliable company insight is crucial. As our business expands, it is extremely important that our ERP system keeps pace to optimise internal process and enable us to continually provide a better service to our clients. From our detailed assessment of ERP vendors, Deltek stood apart from competitors due to its strong references within the market research sector, thorough understanding of our requirements, and commitment to deliver work that truly makes a difference," said Jan Shury, Managing Director at IFF.

"IFF approached its ERP selection with a clear set of both functional requirements and key outcomes and metrics which will constitute success. We are thrilled that the depth of our solution's functionality, our industry expertise and our positive customer references have resulted in Deltek being selected as its ERP partner to underpin their systems transformation," said Fergus Gilmore, Deltek's VP and Managing Director, U.K. & Central Europe.



About IFF

IFF Research illuminates the world for organisations, businesses and individuals, helping them to make better-informed decisions.

Established in 1965, IFF combine their in-depth knowledge of the issues faced by clients with a full range of data collection methodologies to ensure the success of each project.





About Deltek

Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for government contractors, professional services firms and other project-based businesses. For decades, we have delivered actionable insight that empowers our customers to unlock their business potential. 22,000 organisations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek to research and identify opportunities, win new business, recruit and develop talent, optimise resources, streamline operations and deliver more profitable projects. Deltek - Know more. Do more. www.deltek.com

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Geomembranes Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 07:42:39

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Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Global Geomembranes Market: OverviewInfrastructural development across the world, mainly related to the construction of new roads is benefitting the geomembranes market. Geomembranes are increasingly being used in road construction activities as their benefits are being recognized. Geomembranes are used as a basis in asphalt layovers as they help to strengthen weak soil by holding them together, thereby increasing the life span of roads.Geomembranes refer to synthetic membranes or liners that have very low permeability and are used with geotechnical engineering. Geomembranes are synthesized with the impregnation of geotextiles with elastomers, asphalt, or multilayered bitumen geocomposites.The report provides a pin-point analysis of the various factors that will the competitive dynamics of the global geomembranes market during the forecast period. The report analyzes market segments and growth trends, which is insightful for informed business decision making.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=2998 Global Geomembranes Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe increasing use of geomembranes for road construction activities is benefitting the growth of the global geomembranes market. The growing demand for geomembranes for drainage applications is also expected to fuel the growth of the geomembranes market. This is because geomembranes used in drainage system acts as a permeable separator that allows water to pass seamlessly.Due to the low hydraulic activity of geomembranes, they are increasingly being used in landfills resulting in low seepage rate out of the landfill. This is further boosting the markets growth. The escalating need for landfills along with the need for reducing contamination of surroundings is fuelling the growth of the geomembranes market. Moreover, mining applications are anticipated to open new avenues for the geomembranes market.Request For Report Sample: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2998 Global Geomembranes Market: Regional OutlookThe global geomembranes market can be divided into the regional segments of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Amongst these, Asia Pacific is expected to represent as a major market for geomembranes. The heavy infrastructural development combined with innovation in geomembranes for drainage applications is expected to aid the growth of this regional market for geomembranes.Europe is expected to hold the second-largest share in the global geomembranes market. The setup of the innovation project New Road Construction Concepts (NR2C) carried out by the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories in association with the European Commission aims at repair and replacement of railways, roadways, and other infrastructure across several countries in Europe. The objective of the project also includes building and maintenance of bridges in this region. Thus, the growth of the geomembranes market in the region is expected to be benefitted. In Europe, the maintenance of the highly developed infrastructure coupled with the rising awareness for promoting vegetation growth in the region is also expected to boost the geomembranes market in this region.
Global Revenue Generated by the Hybrid Power Systems Market is anticipated to rise from US$411.7 mn in 2015 to US$703.5 mn by 2024 at a 6.1% CAGR; Wind-solar-diesel Hybrid Power Systems to Maintain Lead through 2024

Hybrid Power Systems Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 11:40:40

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New product development and innovation is also an effective strategy adopted by a number of players, a TMR analyst states. The hybrid power systems market is extremely inviting to new players despite the high initial investment required to manufacture as well as assemble these systems. Thanks to government and other regulatory institution clearances and the provision of various subsidies, the competitive landscape of the global hybrid power systems market is likely to witness constant change over the coming years.Read Report Overview@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hybrid-power-systems-market.html One of the major advantages presented by hybrid power systems, which is also a key driving factor for the global market, is the ability of these systems to reduce carbon emissions. Controlling carbon footprint is among the top priorities of most energy producing companies and factors such as climate change and growing social responsibility have contributed toward these companies focusing on using energy-efficient technologies in their networks, the author states.In April 2016, Vodafone Qatar announced its plans to roll out several hybrid power systems across its sites in the country as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the companys energy efficiency measures.Request Sample Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12884 On the down side, however, high installation costs and initial investments deter companies from the setting up of hybrid power systems. Building the infrastructure for hybrid power plant, especially solar-wind-diesel systems, is immensely expensive, a lead analyst at TMR finds. Moreover, these systems have a much longer return on investment (ROI) period compared to conventional sources of energy. This threatens to hamper the growth of the hybrid power systems market.The global revenue generated by the hybrid power systems market is anticipated to rise from US$411.7 mn in 2015 to US$703.5 mn by 2024 at a 6.1% CAGR therein. By type, wind-solar-diesel hybrid power systems held the dominant share of over 45% in 2014 and this segment is likely to retain its lead throughout the forecast period. The others segment, comprising wind-hydro-diesel hybrid, solar thermal, and hybrid-solar biomass, is projected to expand at the fastest pace from 2016 to 2024.Request Hybrid Power Systems Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12884 Only a fraction of companies in the renewable power industry are presently involved in the generation of power via hybrid power systems for rural electrification, the analyst states. However, an increasing number of upcoming power projects across the globe is likely to spur the demand for hybrid power systems. Investing in emerging economies and setting up hybrid power systems and rural electrification programs in the remote areas of Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa are key growth strategies for players in the hybrid power systems market, observes Transparency Market Research (TMR). For instance, Borg Energy invested a heavy sum in India in January 2014 in several projects centered on rural electrification and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). Likewise, Guangzhou HY Energy Technology Limited Corp., in 2011, supplied a wind-solar hybrid street light system in Tabriz, Iran and in 2012, installed a number of wind-solar hybrid systems for a telecom station in Mongolia.Buy Full Hybrid Power Systems Market Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=12884<ype=S About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.
An Incidence Management Software is used to manage the action of the existing system and workforce in response to a particular incident. Here an incident is defined as a disruption to an organizations operations, services or functions. An Incidence Management Software assures that a uniform and swift approach is being followed, so as to return to the normal at the earliest.

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 10:56:56

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An Incidence Management Software is used to manage the action of the existing system and workforce in response to a particular incident. Here an incident is defined as a disruption to an organizations operations, services or functions. An Incidence Management Software assures that a uniform and swift approach is being followed, so as to return to the normal at the earliest. A standard Incidence Management Software allows simultaneous input from multiple locations, automate the information flow between response team members, logs and record the incident information, create a central repository for recovery information and simultaneously produce reports. The primary goal of an Incidence Management Software is to warn and minimize the impact of any incident ranging from earthquake and power outages to product failures and market shifts. Incidence management software are nowadays commonly used in various industries like IT, Oil & Gas, Transportation, Retail, Government, Electrical utilities etc. While prevention is always the first defense, still every organization also needs to be fully capable of responding efficiently to any kind of incidence, regardless how large or complex it is. Hence the Global Incidence Management Software market is anticipated to show a decent CAGR over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1894 Incidence Management Software Market: Drivers and ConstraintsThe growing dependence on IT and data services across every industry raises many concerns related to losses, security and unwanted disruptions leading to the requirement of an Incidence Management Software. Similarly rising incidents of losses related to theft, damage, or other factors across retail and manufacturing industries also drives the market for incidence management software. Product failures, market shift, workplace violence, poor management activities and transportations delays can occur in any functional organization these days and adversely affect the productivity. The rising number of such incidences will definitely fuel the demand for Incidence Management Software.Contrary, the high cost of software  additional expense is preventing small organizations to adopt the solution. Also these softwares are generally complex in nature and requires proper training, to enable operators to use it during emergency situation. These factors might put some hurdles in the growth of global incidence management software market.The global economic advancement has increased the value of every second, leading organizations to deploy every possible system/softwares that helps them reduce their unproductive time, henceforth driving the market for Incidence Management Softwares.Incidence Management Software Market: SegmentationOn the basis of nature the incidence management software market is segmented into:PreventiveCurativePreventive and CurativeOn the basis of usage industry the incidence management software market is segmented into:ITGovernmentElectrical UtilitiesTransportationEnergy and PowerRetailOthersOn the basis of objective the incidence management software market is segmented into:Business Continuity Plan (BCP)Environment, Health and Safety Management (EHS)Hazard ManagementIncidence Management Software Market: Regional OutlookGlobal Incidence Management Software market is segmented into seven key regions, which includes North America (NA), Eastern Europe (EU), Latin America(LA), Western Europe(W.EU), Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) , Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Japan. North America which contributes 20% of the World GDP, currently owns the largest market share of Incidence Management Software. However with significant economic growth, and enormously growing IT and Manufacturing sector, the APEJ nations are next in line and will contribute notably to the growth in the market over the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1894 Incidence Management Software Market: Key PlayersBMC Software Inc., Cherwell Software LLC, Crisis Commander, Citrix Systems GmbH, Dell Inc.,eBRP Solutions, Enablon,, Flexera Software Inc,Global AlertLink, HP Inc., IBM,IHS, Intelex Technologies, IntraPoint, Ixtrom Group, Mission Mode, Previstar; ReadyPoint Systems, RecoveryPlanner, RMSS, EMC (RSA), SunGard Availability Services, VirtualAgility, Witt OBriens Ltd., etc.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:08:13

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Infusion therapy is type of medication through a needle or catheter. Infusion therapy is prescribed to patient only when patient condition is severe or oral medication are less effective. Infusion Pharmacy include infusion of antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, pain management and nutritional drug through needle or catheter. Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorder and pain related disorders are generally treated with infusion medication system. Infusion pharmacy can also be administered in home by providing doorstep services. Home infusion pharmacy management is more costly than hospital infusion pharmacy management because it require more skilled nursing facilities. Infusion pharmacy management are covered with government as well as private insurance planA sample of this report is available upon request @Infusion Pharmacy Management Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing prevalence of pain, cancer and diabetes is the primary factor driving the growth of infusion pharmacy management market. Increasing healthcare infrastructure and technological advancement by leading pharmaceutical companies will boost the growth of infusion pharmacy management market. Infusion medication is more efficient than oral medication which will again upsurge the growth of infusion pharmacy management market. The high cost of infusion pharmacy and lack of availability of skilled professional will hinder the growth of infusion pharmacy management market. Beside that risk in patient safety leads to less adoption of infusion pharmacy will restrain the growth of this market.Infusion Pharmacy Management Market: SegmentationThe global infusion pharmacy management market is classified on the basis of service, end user and geographic region.Based on service, infusion pharmacy management market is segmented into following:Total Parenteral NutritionAntibioticsAntifungalAnti-nutritionPain managementOthersBased on end user, infusion pharmacy management market is segmented into following:HospitalAmbulatory Surgical CentersSpecialty ClincsHomecare SettingInfusion Pharmacy Management Market: OverviewThe infusion pharmacy management market is expected to show robust growth over the forecast period due to rising incidences of chronic diseases. Infusion pharmacy management market is completely depend on the nurses. The nurse proving regular infusion medication to patient needs to be finely trained. The infusion pharmacy management is segmented on the basis of services and end user. By service type, infusion pharmacy management market is classified as total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, antifungal, anti-nutrition, pain management. Pain management infusion pharmacy is expected to show fastest growth over the forecast period. Based on end user infusion pharmacy management market is classified as hospital, ambulatory surgical center, specialty clinics, and homecare settings. Among all end user the hospital segment is expected to be most lucrative over the forecast period.Infusion Pharmacy Management Market: Regional OverviewBased on geographic region Infusion Pharmacy Management market is classified into seven key regions, North, America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to dominate the infusion pharmacy management market over the forecast period owing to high healthcare infrastructure. After North America, infusion pharmacy management market dominated by Western Europe. Increasing pharmacy management companies in Germany and U.K. will upsurge the growth of infusion pharmacy management market in Europe. In APEJ region, India and China are the major market for infusion pharmacy management due increasing geriatric population Middle East & Africa and Latin America are expected to show least growth for infusion pharmacy management market over the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Infusion Pharmacy Management Market: Key PlayersExamples of some of the market participants in Infusion Pharmacy Management market identified across the value chain include Managed Health Care Associates, Inc., Southside Group of Companies, ContinuumRx, Cigna, ARJ Infusion Services, CareCentrix, Inc., MedicoRx.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, type of product and applications.
MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KrolLDiscovery, a global leader in ediscovery and information governance services, has opened its newest ISO 27001-certified data centre in Ireland in response to growing international investigations and other legal matters that require local support and hosting. With this new centre, KrolLDiscovery becomes the largest ediscovery provider with a dedicated presence in the country.

Companies based in Ireland face additional litigation risks due to cross-border data regulation and international arbitration. Additionally, global investigations led by U.S. authorities are on the rise and expose corporations to increased legal risk, as does cooperation between regulators enforcing antitrust laws across multiple countries.

"KrolLDiscovery will be able to address many of the challenges organisations in Ireland face today with our latest global data centre opening," said Chris Weiler, CEO of KrolLDiscovery. "We have noticed a growing number of international matters that require organisations to collect, analyse and produce electronic documents in a timely and cost-effective manner in-country. Our experience with high-profile, high-stakes investigations and litigation will be a significant asset to these organisations."

"We know that it is important to our clients to be able to process and host data in-country in response to stringent data protection laws and timeliness is key in many legal matters," continued Weiler. "The new KrolLDiscovery data center will give organisations more control over their data. We could not be more excited to bring our best-in-class technology, footprint and signature 'white glove' client service to this market."

In addition to Ireland, KrolLDiscovery operates data centres in the U.K., Germany, France, Japan and the U.S.

About KrolLDiscovery

KrolLDiscovery provides technology-enabled services and software to help law firms, corporations, government agencies and consumers solve complex data challenges. The company, with offices in 43 locations across 19 countries, is a global leader in delivering best-in-class ediscovery, information governance and data recovery solutions to support the litigation, regulatory compliance, internal investigation and data recovery and management needs of our clients. Serving clients for over 30 years, KrolLDiscovery offers data collection and forensic investigation, early case assessment, electronic discovery and data processing, application software and data hosting for web-based document reviews, and managed document review services. In addition, through its global Kroll Ontrack business, KrolLDiscovery delivers world-class data recovery, email extraction and restoration, data destruction and tape management. KrolLDiscovery has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in North America by both Inc. Magazine (Inc. 5000) and Deloitte (Deloitte's Technology Fast 500), and CEO Chris Weiler was recognized as a 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year(TM). Additionally, KrolLDiscovery is an Orange-level Relativity Best in Service Partner, a Relativity Premium Hosting Partner, and maintains ISO/IEC 27001 Certified data centres. For more information, please email info@krolldiscovery.com or visit www.krolldiscovery.com and www.krollontrack.com.

Media Contact: Krystina Jones, 1-703-424-0852, krystina.jones@krolldiscovery.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:09:15

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RNA plays an important role in cell and tissue development as well as disease progression thus it is considered to be a major target for analysis of various diseases and disorders. In RNA detection, the study gets done to understand the gene expression patterns and determine the roles of genomic elements in cellular function and dysfunction. In live cell RNA detection, a study of the live cell gets done to understand that how one cell within a population responds to its environment. In live cell detection various techniques used to detect specific mRNA and microRNA in live cells while leaving the cells undisturbed and intact for further analysis. It also allows dissection of cell in RNA metabolism, RNA transcription, post-transcriptional processing, post-transcriptional regulations, nuclear export and RNA decay.The increasing research and development activities in molecular diagnostics sector and increasing availability of various new methodology and techniques has become the growth opportunity for the live cell RNA detection market.A sample of this report is available upon request @The global live cell RNA detection market is segmented on the basis of techniques, applications and end user.On the basis of techniques, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into:Linear oligonucleotide probeLinear FRET probeAutoligation FRET probeMolecular beaconMS2-GFPBgl-mCherrylN-GFPPUM-HDSpinach RNA tracking systemOn the basis of application, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into:DiagnosticsResearch and developmentDrug discoveryOn the basis of end user, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into:Biotechnology companiesAcademic institutesClinical research organizationsThe global live cell RNA detection market is expected to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The increasing applications of RNA detection techniques in the genetic disorder detection and the increasing prevalence of cancer diseases boost the demand for the live cell RNA detection and drive the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The advantages of live cell RNA detection over the conventional techniques as conventional techniques failed to provide important spatial, temporal information, also anticipated to propel the demand for the live cell RNA detection and boost the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market over the forecast period. The funding by the various regulatory bodies and governments also expected to bolster the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market.However, the high cost of reagents and devices required for live cell RNA detection may hamper the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The stringent rules and regulatory guidance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may also hinder the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The lack of skilled personnel to perform the detection, also restrain the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market over a forecast period.On the basis of regional presence, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The North America is dominating and contributed the leading shares to the live cell RNA detection market in terms of revenue and expected to register a significant growth over a forecast period due to the developed laboratory infrastructure and availability of skilled personnel in the region. The Europe has also contributed the moderate shares and registered a healthy growth rate to the global live cell RNA detection market followed by North America. The APEJ has become the lucrative market for live cell RNA detection and anticipated to register significant shares over the forecast period due to the increasing research and development activities along with government support and funding in the region. The Latin America and MEA are at a nascent stage to the global live cell RNA detection market and expected to show a moderate growth over a forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Live Cell RNA Detection Market: Key PlayersSome of the market players in live cell RNA detection Market globally include Merck KGaA, BioTek Instruments, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., MilliporeSigma, Promega Corporation, Biomol GmbH, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. and Qiagen Diagnostics. The market is currently witnessing a number of strategic collaboration and partnership activities by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:08:20

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Medical cyclotron is a machine used in the medical imaging and research field to make relatively short lived radioisotopes. Cyclotron is a particle accelerator. It is an electrically powered machine that produces a beam of charged that is then further used in medical, industrial and research processes. A cyclotron machine takes the hybrid atom (these are hydrogen that make up water except they have a negative charge) and accelerate it to very high speed. When this procedure has enough energy, the energy is spent into a target where the reaction is taken. The new element that is produced with the strike of positive ion and neutron is radioactive element that is used for the treatment in medical research. The major isotope that is used for the cyclotron is fluorine-18. Its ability to decay itself to produce positrons, which is used around the world for Positron Emission Tomography and PET scans. PET scans are used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. With the product obtained from a cyclotron, we can produce a wide variety of isotopes of our interest for medical imaging such as iodine-123, Technetium-99m and Gallium-67. The advantage of using cyclotron rather than buying isotopes for medical application is that as the isotopes has short half-life period. By the time an isotope reaches its destination it covers its half-life. However, by having a cyclotron in the medical facility it not only reduces the cost but also, increase the number of scans to the patients in a given day. The medical facility that used cyclotron is required to be built with extensive safety such as multiple levels of shielding, monitoring and protection to ensure safe operations.A sample of this report is available upon request @Medical Cyclotron Market: Drivers and RestraintsMedical cyclotron market is growing with the increasing prevalence cases of cancer. The growing investments on advanced treatment procedures for cancer is expected to drive the market. The increasing geriatric population, growing economy, changing life styles. Increasing awareness about the use of cyclotrons in diagnosis application of deep- lying tumors. The stringent regulations by government, high cost associated with the procedure and lack of experience in using this procedure are expected to act as a restraint to the marketMedical Cyclotron Market: SegmentationThe global medical cyclotron market is classified on the basis of product type and end usersGlobal Medical Cyclotron market, by Product TypeAVF CyclotronRing CyclotronGlobal Medical Cyclotron market, by End usersHospitalSpecialized ClinicsPharmaceutical companiesOthersMedical Cyclotron Market: OverviewProduct type is the major segment of the market that includes AVF Cyclotron and Ring Cyclotron. AVF cyclotron is abbreviated as Azimuthally Varying Field, it has magnetic fields that change with alternated strong and weak to focus beam axially. Ring cyclotron is a kind of AVF cyclotron, the magnets of this type of product are designed radially separated several sectors. The other segment includes end users that includes hospital, specialized clinics, pharmaceutical companies and others. The increasing government initiatives for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer is expected to act as the value-driver to the overall medical cyclotron market.Medical Cyclotron Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global medical cyclotron market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to lead the market due to better economic condition, better government initiatives and more business investments. Latin America market is expected to hold second largest market share followed by Europe due to increasing trend towards racing competitions and awareness among population.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in medical cyclotron market includes: General Electric Company, Nueclear Healthcare Limited, Cyclotron Products, Inc., IBA, Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Ltd.and others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, type of product and applications.
Mineral Waxes Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 07:44:18

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Waxes are solid material that melt and convert into liquid state at a slightly higher temperature. Sources of wax can be segregated into three segments: oil, mineral and plants & animals. Crude oil is the most dominant source of waxes moreover owing to higher demand for crude oil in other application segments, mineral waxes have been gaining acceptance and demand for mineral waxes has been surging across the globe. Lignite is the most dominant mineral used for the production of mineral waxes and this trend is anticipated continue for a foreseeable future. Ozokerite, peat and ceresin waxes are among other major mineral waxes sources.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=3002 Environmental hazards associated with processing of crude oil coupled with volatile pricing of crude oil have led to decline in demand for crude oil based waxes. Moreover, high demand for crude oil for other more lucrative application segments has been the foremost factor driving demand for mineral waxes. Increasing demand for wax in the production of rubber is expected to drive demand for mineral waxes during the forecast period. High growth in cosmetics market is also expected to be among major factors driving demand for mineral waxes. Moreover, supply constraints related to major mineral sources such as lignite is expected to restrain mineral waxes market growth. Furthermore, availability of other wax sources such as plants, animals and insects are expected to restrain mineral waxes market growth.Asia Pacific dominates the global demand for mineral waxes and this trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. Asia Pacific comprises two of the largest and the fastest growing economies, India and China. China dominates the global production of mineral waxes and exports a major portion of the production. Moreover, high GDP growth in the emerging economies of India and China is expected to drive growth in several end user industries for mineral waxes including paper, rubber and cosmetic among several others. Furthermore, high demand for candles in India is expected to be among major factors driving demand for mineral waxes in Asia Pacific. Owing to the aforementioned factors, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing region for mineral waxes during the forecast period.Request For Report Sample: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3002 North America is the second largest market for mineral waxes followed by Europe. Moreover, mineral waxes market in North America is profoundly dependent on imports from countries such as China. Poland is expected to be among major mineral waxes market in Europe. Moreover, Europe is anticipated to outdo North America in terms of mineral waxes market growth during the forecast period. Increasing demand for firelogs is anticipated to be a major factor driving demand for mineral waxes in North America and Europe. Demand for mineral waxes in RoW region is expected to be driven by increasing demand from developing economies of South America and Europe.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:08:27

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Immunoassay is a bioanalytical method in which a quantitative analysis depends on the interaction of antigen and antibody. Neuro Immunoassay is a technique that is a quick and accurate test that can be used in laboratory and on-site to detect specific molecules. Immunoassays are the procedure that rely on the procedure of an antibody to bind to a specific structure of a molecule. Antibodies in this are proteins that are generated by animals in response to the invasion of the antigen produced. It function on the antigen-antibody interaction procedure. Antibodies are found in blood and tissue fluids and will bind to the antigens whenever is encountered. Antibodies are highly specific, only act on its specific antigens. If these antibodies are purified from the blood, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are ideal for the reagents to detect and monitor certain specific target molecules from other substances. Neuro Immunoassay have been widely used for the pharmaceutical analysis such as diagnosis of disease, drug monitoring, pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study of drug discovery. Immunoassay are of different format such as competitive inhibition assay, monoclonal-polyclonal sandwich assays, rapid assays and antigen-down immunoassays. The importance of neuro immunoassay in pharmaceutical industry is due to its inherent specificity, high- throughput and sensitivity for the analysis of biological samples.A sample of this report is available upon request @Neuro Immunoassay Market: Drivers and RestraintsNeuro Immunoassay market is growing with the increasing prevalence cases of neurodegenerative diseases. The growing investments on neurobiology is expected to drive the market. The increasing geriatric population, growing technological advancement is expected to act as a driver to the global neuro immunoassay market. Increasing awareness about application of immunoassay in diagnosis and monitoring purpose of Neuro diseases. The stringent regulations by government, high cost associated with the procedure and lack of experience in using these tchniques are expected to act as a restraint to the marketNeuro Immunoassay Market: SegmentationThe global Neuro Immunoassay market is classified on the basis of product type, technology, application and end usersGlobal Neuro Immunoassay market, by TechnologyRadioimmunoassays (RIA)Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)ELISAWestern BlotRapid TestsELISPOTGlobal Neuro Immunoassay market, by Product TypeReagents and KitsAnalysersGlobal Neuro Immunoassay market, by ApplicationAlzheimers DiseaseParkinsons DiseaseHuntingtons DiseaseALSSpinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)Global Neuro Immunoassay market, by Product TypeHospitalsClinicsAcademic OrganizationsBiopharmaceutical CompaniesPharmaceutical CompaniesOthersNeuro Immunoassay Market: OverviewBased on Technology is the major segment of the market that includes Radioimmunoassays (RIA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), ELISA, Western Blot, Rapid Tests and ELISPOT. Based on product type Reagents and Kits and Analysers. The other segment includes end users that includes hospitals, clinics, academic organizations, biopharmaceutical companies, pharmaceutical companies and others. The increasing government initiatives for the diagnosis and treatment of neuro disorders is expected to act as the driverto the overall Neuro Immunoassay market.Neuro Immunoassay Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global Neuro Immunoassay market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to lead the market due to better economic condition, better government initiatives and more business investments for research and development. Latin America market is expected to hold second largest market share followed by Europe due to increasing trend towards racing competitions and awareness among population.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in Neuro Immunoassay market includes: Intrinsic LifeSciences, Danaher Corporation (Beckman Coulter), Becton Dickinson and Company, Akers Biosciences, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Inc, EDP Biotech Corporation, Hologic (Gen-Probe), Biomerieux and others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, type of product and applications.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:13:15

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Stents are commonly used in the treatment of blocked arteries. They are tiny and expandable mesh tubes that hold arteries open and help treat coronary and peripheral artery diseases. Bioabsorbable stents are defined as fully biodegradable stents that completely disappear overtime.Bioabsorbable stents can be broadly classified into two main types: polymeric bioabsorbable stents and metallic alloy bioabsorbable stents. Polymeric bioabsorbable stents are widely used in cardiovascular devices. Polymers used in bioabsorbable stents are Poly-L-Lactic acid (PLLA), Poly (D, L-lactide/glycolide) copolymer (PDLA), Polyglycolic Acid (PGA), and polycaprolactone. Usage of bioabsorbable polymer coating reduces the need for extended dual anti-platelet therapy and reduces thrombotic events. Poly-L-Lactic acid is widely used in medicine and breaks down lactic acid into natural metabolites in the human body. After that, Poly-L-Lactic acid enters into Krebs cycle and metabolized carbon dioxide and water.Request for Report TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3827 Iron and magnesium are the most frequently used metal alloys used to make metallic bioabsorbable stents. Factors that determine the biocompatibility of these metal alloys are their solubility and degradation products. Magnesium bioabsorbable stents are the most commonly used metallic alloy stents in disease management as magnesium is an essential element of the human body. It induces rapid endothelialization and lowers thrombogenicity. Magnesium bioabsorbable stents have a lower degradation time of about 2  3 months compared to iron-based bioabsorbale stents.Geographically, North America dominates the global bioabsorbable stents market owing to the increased awareness about the important role played by bioabsorbable stents in the treatment of coronary ailments in the region. In addition, technological advancements in bioabsorbable stents products is also supporting in the growth of this market in North America. The U.S. represents the largest market for bioabsorbable stents, followed by Canada, in North America. In Europe, Germany, Italy, the U.K., and France holds major shares of the bioabsorbable stents market. However, Asia is expected to exhibit a high growth rate in the next five years in the global bioabsorbable stents market given the increasing public awareness about various coronary and peripheral artery diseases in the region. Japan, China, and India are expected to be the fastest growing bioabsorbable stents markets in Asia.In recent times, increasing prevalence of coronary and peripheral artery diseases is the key driver of the global bioabsorbable stents market. Bioabsorbable stents avoid stent-in-stent procedures. They also eliminate the need for dual anti-platelet therapies and treat coronary artery diseases more effectively. Accurate stent placement and low cost treatment also attract patients to adopt bioabsorbable stents for disease management.However, slow adoption rate of stents in disease management is the key restraint faced by the global bioabsorbable stents market. High risks of complications associated with bioabsorbable stents and high selling price also hampers the market growth. In addition, inadequate reimbursement policies and presence of substitutes are some of the major challenges faced by the global bioabsorbable stents market. Rising number of product launches and increasing mergers and acquisitions between key players are key trends of this market.Request for Report Sample @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3827 Major companies operating in the global bioabsorbable stents market are Abbott Laboratories, Arterial Remodeling Technologies SA, Amaranth Medical, Inc., BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, REVA Medical, Inc., Kyoto Medical Planning, Co., Ltd., and Elixir Medical Corporation.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 07:12:02

Odfjell SE today reported results for 3Q 2017. The results reflect a weaker spot market for chemical tankers and the market for terminals was under pressure from falling forward prices of oil/products. Odfjell reports EBITDA of USD 37 mill compared with USD 41 mill in the previous quarter.

Highlights of 3Q 2017:



 Odfjell chemical freight index (ODFIX) down 4.1% compared with previous quarter



 Chemical Tankers EBITDA was USD 28 mill compared to USD 31 mill previous quarter. The key deviation relates to a weaker spot market



 The direct financial impact for Odfjell Tankers due to hurricane Harvey in the US Gulf was limited in 3Q, but utilisation of the fleet dropped



 Odfjell Terminals EBITDA 9 mill, compared to USD 10 mill in the previous quarter



 Odfjell continues to pursue an exit from Gas, where the two existing LPG carriers are assets held for sale



 Odfjell SE announced the sale of Odfjell Terminals' 50% ownership share in the Singapore terminal. The expected book gain is USD 135 mill, with net proceeds of around USD 150 mill. The sale is likely to close in 4Q

"3Q was a challenging quarter for our tanker and terminal divisions. Our balance sheet remains robust and our competitiveness continues to increase, so we are positioned to benefit once our markets recover. The sale of our Singapore terminal in line with our strategy will result in a significant gain", said Kristian Mrch, CEO of Odfjell SE.

Prospects:

We expect 4Q 2017 results to be in line with 3Q 2017.

Please see attached for the 3Q 2017 Report and Presentation. The results will be presented by CEO Kristian Mrch and CFO/SVP Finance Terje Iversen 09:30 today at Felix Conference Centre, meeting facility "Norden", Bryggetorget 3, Aker Brygge (Oslo).

A live webcast will simultaneously be available on Odfjell.com (Investor Relations/Reports and Presentations).

For more information:

IR contact: Bjrn Kristian Red, Manager Investor Relations & Research

Tel: +47 55 27 47 33

E-mail: bkr@odfjell.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Odfjell SE via Globenewswire


Global Off-grid Power Systems for Remote Sensing Market is projected to reach US$ 2,105.95 Mn by 2024, at 7.35% CAGR from 2016 to 2024; off-grid power systems for remote sensing market is driven by the need for power surge protection through fuel cells and backup batteries in the wind energy sector

Off-grid Power Systems for Remote Sensing Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 12:07:34

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Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled Off-grid Power Systems for Remote Sensing Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024. According to this report, the global off-grid power systems for remote sensing market was valued at US$ 1,193.85 Mn in 2016 and is projected to reach US$ 2,105.95 Mn by 2024 at a CAGR of 7.35% from 2016 to 2024.The global off-grid power systems for remote sensing market is driven by the need for power surge protection through fuel cells and backup batteries coupled with the growing applications/adoption of LIDAR in the wind energy sector. Increasing investments in offshore wind energy plants will also create a demand for off-grid power systems for remote sensing. Major players of the industry focus on research and technology to develop a remote sensing product with highest accuracy. The end-user industries are dependent on the data provided by the remote sensing systems for proper operations. Hence, accuracy of remote sensing systems will play an important role in the growth of the off-grid power systems for remote sensing market.Read Report Overview@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/off-grid-remote-sensing-power-system-market.html Use of off-grid technologies reduces the reliability on grid power, enabling smooth operations in remote sensing activities. Battery backup uses batteries with lead acid, lithium ion, and nickel cadmium, among others as a material to ensure longer battery life for smooth performance. Solar PV technology also uses battery backup due to its intermittent power supply problem. Fuel cells is a new and emerging technology and the market for fuel cells is anticipated to expand at a high rate in the next few years. In terms of technology, battery backup is anticipated to be the largest segment of the global off-grid power systems for remote sensing market during the forecast period. The battery backup segment is driven by the use of advanced technologies and the influx of investments in battery manufacturing. High investments in battery manufacturing are resulting in advancements such as increased energy for longer runtimes and improved power for high current load requirements which are particularly required in remote sensing applications. Significant efforts are being undertaken to develop the battery technology for remote sensing applications. For instance, the ratio capacity to size is increasing. This enables a higher number of power consuming activities such as longer flights and heavier payloads. In terms of new development, major companies are developing remote power systems for outdoor backup power solutions which provide uninterrupted power supply for monitoring activities in oil & gas and wind energy sector.Fuel cells are also used as one of the off-grid power supply options for remote sensing in oil & gas and wind energy sectors. Fuel cell technologies are being developed in order to support climate change and meet energy security goals in several industries, such as transportation, industry, buildings, and power. Fuel cell companies are seeking government help to accelerate the development and deployment of fuel cell technologies by ensuring continued research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) funding for hydrogen generation and conversion technologies, such as electrolyzers and fuel cells.Request Sample Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3348 Other technologies considered in off-grid power systems for remote sensing market include solar PV and hybrid technology. Solar PV can be used as a source of power for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) in remote sensing, usually for large-sized platforms with long flying missions. Solar cells combined with Li Po (Lithium Ion Polymer) and Li S (Lithium Ion Sulfide) batteries constitute a day/night power solution for several days of flight which is a hybrid technology of solar cells and battery backup.The oil & gas end-user segment dominated the off-grid power systems for remote sensing market in 2014. Growth of the LIDAR market and demand for alternate energy have fueled the demand for off-grid power systems for remote sensing market. The wind energy sector uses SODAR (SOnic Detection and Ranging) and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technologies to support wind resource assessments. These remote sensing devices are quite easy to use and move from site to site. Remote sensing is used in various other industries such as water resource management, military, weather stations, agriculture, and bioenergy. Remote sensing devices coupled with off-grid technologies are used to acquire accurate data with the help of images taken from space using satellites or using aircrafts.Wind energy is becoming a prevalent source of renewable energy based power generation for electricity in windy areas. Wind resource assessment is an essential and necessary step for appropriate wind turbine selection. A typical wind energy development project has three important aspects of measurement: quantification of available wind resource, study of geographical and geological conditions of the project site, and wind turbine power curve. The wind energy assessment process could include usage of remote sensing data to assess any of the components such as precision of extrapolations from tower data, shear coefficients to be used with tower data, hub-height wind speeds and directions, and wind resource variability across the site. Remote sensing equipment such as SODAR and LIDAR are used to support wind resource assessments. These provide wind turbine hub-heights, wind speeds and direction, vertical wind speeds, and wind shear and veer above the heights of typical meteorological (met) tower measurements.Request Off-grid Power Systems for Remote Sensing Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3348 Other end-user industries where remote sensing is used through off-grid power systems include water resource management, forestry, agriculture, military, and weather stations. Different data sources such as field survey, aerial photography, and satellite imagery are used to gather various information requirements in forest management, depending upon the level of details required and extension of the area under study.Key players in the global off-grid power systems for remote sensing market include Acumentrics Holding Corporation, Tycon Systems Inc., UPS Systems Plc., Timber Line Electric and Control Corporation, SFC Energy AG, Victron Energy B.V., HES Energy Systems Pte. Ltd., Ensol Systems Inc., Evergreen Energy Technologies Inc., and Energy Solutions (UK) Ltd. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues (on availability), business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments.Buy Full Off-grid Power Systems for Remote Sensing Market Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=3348<ype=S About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.
Global Oil Storage Market is poised to expand at a 4.73% CAGR by volume from 2016 to 2024, reporting a rise from 1,337 mn cubic meters in 2014 to 2,027 mn cubic meters by 2024; the Middle East and Africa region is the key contributor in oil storage market

Oil Storage Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 11:34:40

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In the report, Transparency Market Research has estimated that in 2014 the market stood at 1,337 million cubic meter based on volume, which is expected to reach the value of 2,027 million cubic meter by end of 2024, expanding at a steady CAGR of 4.73%.Read Report Overview@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/oil-storage-market.html Decline in crude oil prices is one of the prominent factors resulting in growth of the global oil storage market. The unpredictable variations in global rates of natural gases and crude oil are motivating numerous vendors to own high qualities of petroleum fuel and reserve them at storage facilities. This practice allows them to sell their stored fuel when the prices increases, which enables them to relish high profits. Furthermore, as changing prices of crude oil affects various product prices such as lubricants and gasoline, this trend of supplying crude oil at the period of high profit is being followed by numerous vendors. The other trend that has garnered significant traction to the global oil and gas storage is the increase in adoption of alternative fuels for cleaner and greener shipping. Emergence of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered marine containers due to increasing LNG projects is expected to expand the oil storage market further.Request Sample Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2421 Various national and international regulations have resulted in decline in the exploration and production activities of crude oil. These regulations are further supported by several environmental organizations. Such regulations aimed at reducing activities related to fossil fuels is resulting in decrease in production investment in this market. Furthermore, reduced consumption of fossil fuels and increasing inventory have remained key concerns for the vendors. All these trends could hamper the growth of the overall oil storage market. Nevertheless, expansion of the strategic petroleum reserves segment due to increasing investments is expected to help the market grow at a positive rate over the forecast period. Furthermore, factors such as high degree of product containment, increase in import or distribution type facilities, and the growth in need for mega refining hub are most likely to bolster the global oil storage market.Geographically, the Middle East and Africa holds a dominating position in the global market owing to the contribution of countries such as Nigeria, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. This region is expected to grow with a healthy CAGR of 7.91% between 2014 and 2024.Request Oil Storage Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2421 The global oil storage market is considerably consolidated as the top five players, namely NuStar Energy L.P., Buckeye Partners L.P., Oiltanking GmbH, Kinder Morgan Inc., and Royal Vopak N.V. held over 67% of global market in 2014. Transparency Market Research (TMR) has estimated that the degree of competition will escalate due to increasing investments by some of the key market players. The threat from new entrants is expected to remain moderate in the coming years. To gain a stronger foothold, various companies are undertaking strategic collaborations and are involving in joint ventures, acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, and are searching for strategic alliances. These strategies are allowing the players to expand their crude oil storage infrastructure and terminal networks, and raise funds for the development of storage facilities and to build new pipelines. For instance, Kinder Morgan, an energy infrastructure company in North America acquired Hiland Partners for US$3 bn in February 2015, to enhance storage and terminal infrastructure across North America.Buy Full Oil Storage Market Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=2421<ype=S About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:15:40

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Medical imaging is a process of creating high-quality imagesof the interior of the body for the diagnosis of various diseases. Medical imaging technologies are used by medical specialists and practitioners in the diagnostics of diseases in order to produce actual and visual representation of the structure and functions of organs.Medical imaging techniques include X-ray, computed radiography (CR), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, MRI, endoscopy, positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). X-ray technology includes analog and digital X-ray. Oral X-ray machines refer to X-ray machines that are used for medical imaging via buccal cavity.Oral X-ray machines find applications in various end users such as hospitals, freestanding clinics, and equipment leasing companies .X-ray is a form of electromagnetic ionizing radiation, which is produced using X-ray machines. It is one of the best diagnostic imaging techniques,which help in producing high-resolution images with detailed internal structures of a human body, particularly the bones. X-ray facilitates in early diagnosis of a disease or serious medical injury. The extremely-short wavelengthsenable X-ray to penetrate materials that reflect or absorb ordinary light.Rise in imaging population and patients with chronic diseases drive growth of theX-ray market.Oral X-ray machinesproduce images using radiographic technique.Oral X-ray machines find application in diagnostic applications, therapeutic applications, cosmetic applications, and forensic applications.Request for Report TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3839 North Americahas the largest market for oral X-ray machines, followed by Europe. Increasing prevalence of buccal cavity problems and technological advancements in North America boost its position in the market. In addition, growing incidences of chronic diseases and improved healthcare facilities in the region are driving the North America oral X-ray machines market. Asia is expected to witness high growth rate in the oral x-ray machines market in the next few years due to improving healthcare infrastructure,government initiatives , increasing aging population, and rise in incidences of chronic diseases in the region.Some of the major factors driving the oral X-ray machines market are rise in aging population,technological advancements, and improvement in healthcare facilities. However, factors such as high cost, lack of reimbursement policies, and lack of experienced medical professionalsrestraingrowth of the oral x-ray machines market.Growing populationand economies in the developing countries such as India and China are expected to create substantial opportunities for the oral X-ray machines market. Also, innovation of new products with improvedefficiency is expected to create substantial opportunities for the global the oral X-ray machines market. Management of high volume image data is one of the major challengesfor the global oral X-ray machines market.Some of the latest trends in the oral X-ray machines market include increasing number of mergers and acquisitions, and rise in collaborations and partnerships, and technological innovations.Request for Report Sample @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3839 Some of the major companies dealing in the global oral x-ray machines market are Gendex, Sirona Dental Systems, Inc., Carestream Health, and KaVo Dental GmbH. Other companies with significant presence in the global oral x-ray machines market are C-Dental, Vatech America, and Sota Precision Optics, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 11:04:02

Announcement Ossur hf. No. 81/2017

Reykjavik, 9 November 2017





New R&D leadership

Dr. Thorvaldur Ingvarsson, EVP of Research & Development (R&D), has decided to leave Ossur after leading the R&D function for over 5 years. Dr. Thorvaldur will continue to support R&D as a consultant.

Kim de Roy has been appointed EVP of R&D and will become a member of Ossur's Executive Management. Kim holds Master's degrees from the University of Leaven, Belgium, in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy and Education. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Kim joined Ossur in 2002 and spent 5 years in R&D working on various development projects in both Prosthetics and Bracing and Supports. He subsequently held several leadership positions in Sales, Marketing and Education in EMEA. For the past 5 years, Kim has been leading Global Marketing & Education for Prosthetics, as well as the Prosthetics sales in the Americas. Prior to joining Ossur, Kim worked for RSScan International in Belgium for 3 years. Kim has lived in Europe, the United States and Iceland while working for Ossur.

Jon Sigurdsson, President & CEO, comments:

"Kim de Roy brings with him a wealth of expertise and experience in the industry. He has been a valuble member of our team for 15 years and has a track record of strong strategy execution and leading successful global teams within Ossur. For more than 5 years Thorvaldur has been an instrumental force in driving our innovation strategy. On behalf of all Ossur employees I thank him for his valuable contribution to Ossur and wish him every success in the future."

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Ossur Hf via Globenewswire


PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 21:59:13

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Miranda Gold Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Miranda Gold Corp. (TSX Venture:MAD). has issued a press release with the following headline:Resignation of Mirandas Chair and Board MemberTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Miranda Gold Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Miranda Gold Corp.Source: Miranda Gold Corp. (TSX Venture: MAD, ISIN: 900 519, WKN: CA6046731031)Date: November 09, 2017Time: 3:58 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Miranda Gold Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Subscribe Technologies Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Subscribe Technologies Inc. (CSE:SAAS). has issued a press release with the following headline:Subscribe Technologies Inc. Announces Proposed Private PlacementTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Subscribe Technologies Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Subscribe Technologies Inc.Source: Subscribe Technologies Inc. (CSE: SAAS, OTC Pink: SRBBF, FWB: 6GQ, WKN: A2DX5G, ISIN: CA86432L1004)Date: November 09, 2017Time: 2:31 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Subscribe Technologies Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 07:55:25

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Tele-care refers to delivery of health-related services and information through telecommunications. Tele-care medical equipment help during emergencies, improve treatment of chronic diseases, monitor vital signs remotely, reduce cost of care delivery, support expert delivery, and provide comfortable healthcare environment to patients. Need for cost- and time-effective care delivery and demand for remote patient monitoring systems are some of the major factors driving growth of the tele-care medical equipment market. Some of the tele-care systems help to predict problems and reduce chances of problem occurring .Based on service type, the tele-care medical equipment market can be segmented into tele-consultation, tele-monitoring, tele-education, tele-training, tele-care, and tele-surgery. The tele-care segment includes heart failure telemonitoring, diabetes remote monitoring, home-based care, blood pressure home monitoring, and mobile health clinics. Major advantages of tele-care medical equipment include remote healthcare monitoring, which allows patients to avoid hospital stay, and reduction in hospital visits for routine check-ups. Moreover, these equipment allow patients to self manage.Request for Report TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3786 North America has the largest market for tele-care medical equipment due to innovations, technological advancements, improved healthcare infrastructure, government funds, and increasing use of remote service delivery in this region. North America is followed by Europe. Asia is expected to witness high growth rate in the tele-care medical equipment market in the next few years due to rise in need for time- and cost-effective service delivery and increasing incidences of chronic diseases.Technological advancements, cost- and time-effective service delivery, increasing aging population, government initiatives , adoption of remote service delivery, and rise in the incidences of chronic diseases are some of the major factors that are expected to drive the market for tele-care medical equipment . In addition, need for advanced treatment of chronic diseases, favorable reimbursement policies, and need for home patient monitoring systems are expected to drive the market for tele-care medical equipment. However, inadequate and incomplete consideration being reported by some patients and physicians, ethical issues and delayed response by some forms create negative impact on overall industry.Growing population and economies in the developing countries such as India and China is expected to drive growth of the tele-care medical equipment market in Asia. In addition, technological advancements, increasing use of mobile telecommunication technology, growing awareness regarding tele-care medical equipment, and rise in demand for home patient monitoring systems are expected to create new opportunities for the global tele-care medical equipment market. Increasing number of mergers and acquisitions, rise in the number of collaborations and partnerships, and new product launches are some of the latest trends that have been observed in global tele-care medical equipment market .Request for Report Sample @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3786 Some of the major companies operating in the global tele-care medical equipment market are GlobalMedia Group, LLC., Robert Bosch GmbH, AMD Global Telemedicine, Inc., GE Healthcare, Honeywell HomeMed, and Bayer HealthCare AG. Some other companies operating in the global tele-care medical equipment market are IBM Watson, Accenture, Telesofia Medical, Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, and Eliza Corporation.
Tip Location Devices Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 07:12:02

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Tip location devices are being increasingly used for confirmation of PICC tip location during PICC insertion, owing to their advantages, such as meticulous precision and low-price. Tip location devices are emerging as a credible alternative to the more expensive methods used for PICC tip confirmation, such as X-ray and fluoroscopy. These factors are expected to fuel the growth of the US$ 27 Mn global tip location devices market, according to a new report by Future Market Insights (FMI). The report, titled, Tip Location Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, projects 6.4% CAGR for the global tip location devices market during the forecast period 2016-2026.FMIs report offers market forecast and analysis on the global tip location devices market, segmenting the market on the basis of product, technology, end-user, and region.Request for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-880 North America Largest Market GloballyAccording to FMIs region-wise analysis, North America (U.S. and Canada) is the most lucrative market for tip location devices globally. The region accounted for 42.2% revenue share of the global tip location devices market in 2015, and is expected to increase at 7.1% CAGR during the forecast period, 2016-2026. Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), an emerging market for tip location devices, accounted for 8.0% revenue share of the market in 2015.On the basis of product, FMIs report has segmented the market into tip location devices and accessories. The former dominates global revenues in terms of value, whereas the latter has higher market share in terms of volume.Request for Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-880 On the basis of technology, the tip location devices market has been segmented into ECG tip confirmation, ECG with magnetic tracking and ECG & intravascular Doppler. Tip location devices that use ECG & intravascular Doppler technology are expected to witness higher demand than devices that use only ECG technology and devices that use ECG with magnetic tracking.Key end-use sectors that generate the bulk of demand for tip location devices can be broadly categorised into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centres, and catheterization labs. Among these, hospitals account for the largest revenue share of the market, owing to increasing number of PICC insertion procedures carried out in hospitals.Key companies profiled in FMIs report include C.R. Bard, Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, AngioDynamics Inc., Vygon S.A. and CORPAK MedSystemsBuy Full Tip Location Devices Market Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/880
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:08:34

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Ulcers are commonly diagnosed in people with age more than 65 years. The ulcers of lower extremities are a typical reason for visits to the primary care doctor, wound care expert, vascular specialist, or dermatologist. Majority of vascular ulcers occurring in individuals are recurrent or chronic in nature. These are responsible for considerable amount of sickness particularly among patients with peripheral vascular disease that includes work incapacity and intense pain. A substantial burden has been put on the patient and healthcare system in order to treat chronic vascular ulcers. These chronic ulcers, at times, subject patients to advanced risks for lower extremity amputation. Generally, vascular ulcers are treated moderately with non-operative treatment techniques. In cases where vascular ulcers are treated surgically, STSG (Split-Thickness Skin Grafts) are applied to the affected areas as per the standard techniques. The prevalence rate of vascular ulcers increases with the rise in obesity rate owing to the number of morbidities associated with obese patients.A sample of this report is available upon request @Vascular Ulcers Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rising prevalence of peripheral vascular disease and hypertensionare the primary factors propelling the growth of vascular ulcers treatment market. Vascular ulcers are caused by both arterial and venous disease. The rise in chronic diseases such as diabetes and vascular disease owing to the change in lifestyle of people coupled with growing obesity rates globally is anticipated to drive the growth of vascular ulcers treatment market. Additionally, rising senior population with previous surgery to leg including hip replacement and knee replacement are more likely to upsurge the growth of vascular ulcers treatment market. Furthermore, technological advancement and increasing trend to combine different treatment modalities for more efficient ulcer treatment is likely to drive the growth of vascular ulcers treatment market. However, high cost of products associated with treatment of vascular ulcers is anticipated to restrain the market growth to some extent. Also, prolonged surgical care put patients at risk of developing new ulcers in other places.Vascular Ulcers Treatment Market: SegmentationThe global vascular ulcers treatment market is segmented on the basis of disease type, treatment type, distribution channel and geographic region.Based on diseases type, vascular ulcers treatment market is segmented into following:Arterial UlcersNeurotropic UlcersVenous UlcersDiabetic UlcersOthersBased on treatment type, vascular ulcers treatment market is segmented into following:CompressionGradual CompressionIntermittent Pneumatic CompressionDrugsAntibioticsPentoxifyllineTopical SteroidsAspirinDressingsSurgical TherapySkin GraftingOthersBased on distribution channel, vascular ulcers treatment market is segmented into followingHospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesOnline Pharmacies and E-commerceDrugstoresOthersVascular Ulcers Treatment Market: OverviewThe vascular ulcers treatment market is anticipated to show a moderate growth over the forecast period owing to the rising geriatric population globally. American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) estimated that more than 200 million people are prevalent to Peripheral artery disease (PAD) in 2016, out of which around 8.5 million people are residing in United States, which includes including 12-20% of individuals older than 60 years of age. This number in projected to grow at fast pace over next few years owing to increase in number of smokers and diabetic patients across the globe. The vascular ulcers treatment market is classified on the basis of diseases type, treatment type and distribution channel. By disease type venous ulcers segment is expected to dominate the market for vascular ulcers treatment. However, compression treatment is anticipated to be most common treatment type for vascular ulcers. Whereas, retail pharmacies segment is projected to grow at faster CAGR than other distribution channel segments.Vascular Ulcers Treatment Market: Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, Vascular Ulcers Treatment market is segmented into seven key regions, including North, America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America holds the largest market share for vascular ulcers treatment market due to high PAD and obesity rate in U.S., followed by Europe and APAC. Growing old age population coupled rising expenditure in healthcare infrastructure are some of the factors accounting for high growth of vascular ulcers treatment market across Western Europe.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Vascular Ulcers Treatment Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players involved in vascular ulcers treatment market include Angiodynamics, Sigvaris Global, Medi GmbH & Co. KG, Activa Healthcare, 3M, Medtronic, B. Braun and others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, type of product and applications.
Revenue for the third quarter of 2017 totalled NOK 7.9 billion, an increase of 6% compared with the third quarter of 2016. Profit before tax amounted to NOK 523 million, compared with NOK 507 million, excluding a positive non-recurring effect of NOK 90 million, for the corresponding period last year. Earnings per share in accordance with the segment accounts was NOK 3.4 (3.8).

"It is pleasing to see that we have increased both revenue and profit in the third quarter. We have had good activity in asphalt operations and high residential production. However, the profits are still marked by weak margins in parts of the operations, and a number of improvement processes have been initiated," says President and CEO Arne Giske.

Veidekke's revenue for the third quarter amounted to NOK 7.9 (7.4) billion. The increase came in construction operations in Sweden and Denmark and in the Swedish property development operations. Profit before tax for the third quarter was NOK 523 (507) million.

The order intake of NOK 9.0 billion in the third quarter resulted in a total order backlog of NOK 31.8 billion.

"We need to concentrate on winning the right jobs. In the third quarter, we have won several major, important contracts, resulting in a further strengthening of the order backlog," says Giske.

Revenue in Veidekke's construction operations totalled NOK 6.1 (5.9) billion, and profit before tax was 185 (213) million in the third quarter. There was increased revenue and profit growth in both the Swedish and Danish operations, while revenue and profit fell in the Norwegian operations.

"The market situation for building construction operations in southern and western Norway is affecting the results, and much good work is still being done to improve profitability in Civil Engineering. There is high activity in the other parts of the operations in Norway. Operations in Denmark continue to deliver strong results, while Sweden has also improved its profit margin in this quarter as a result of measures in both building construction and civil engineering operations," says Giske.

Revenue from property development operations increased to NOK 684 million from NOK 454 million in the third quarter of last year. Profit before tax amounted to NOK 141 (123) million for the quarter. A total of 187 (317) residential units were sold in the third quarter, including jointly owned projects. The combined sales ratio for residential units under construction was 86%.

"There was high residential production in the quarter, and profits are up compared with last year, but Veidekke sold fewer homes than in the preceding quarters, both because there were fewer units for sale and as a result of the decline in the housing markets in Oslo and Stockholm in particular," Giske explains.

Industrial operations reported a high level of activity in the third quarter, with revenue of NOK 1.7 (1.4) billion and profit before tax of NOK 218 (183) million.

"Asphalt and Aggregates had high activity and good results, while Road Maintenance is undergoing consolidation and restructuring," says Giske.

Veidekke's total lost-time injury (LTI) rate (the number of lost-time injuries per million hours worked) over the last 12 months was 4.6 at the close of the third quarter. By comparison, the LTI rate was 4.2 at the end of the previous quarter and 3.9 on 30 September 2016. Sickness absence was 3.6% (3.2%).

For press photos, see www.flickr.com/photos/veidekke , for more information contact:

President and CEO Arne Giske, tel. +47 905 89 526, arne.giske@veidekke.no

SVP Finance Jrgen G. Michelet, tel. +47 917 43 856, jorgen.michelet@veidekke.no

EVP Communications and Public Affairs Lars Erik Lund, tel. +47 413 31 369, lars.lund@veidekke.no

Subscribe to notices from Veidekke

Veidekke is one of Scandinavia's largest construction and property development companies. The company undertakes all types of building and civil engineering contracts, develops residential projects, maintains roads, and produces asphalt and aggregates. The company is known for its involvement and local knowledge. Its annual turnover is NOK 30 billion and around half of its 7,400 employees own shares in the company. Veidekke is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and has always posted a profit since it was founded in 1936.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-09 08:04:04

Strategic partnership to deliver Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) infrastructure to up to 5 million homes and businesses

Vodafone and CityFibre Bring Gigabit-Speed Fibre to the UK

For Vodafone

Vodafone Group Investor Relations

Telephone: +44 (0)7919 990 230

Email: ir@vodafone.co.uk

or

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: 01635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

or

For CityFibre

National and Investment Media

Vigo Communications

Jeremy Garcia/Fiona Henson

Tel: 020 7830 9703

Email: cityfibre@vigocomms.com

or

Trade and Regional Media

Weber Shandwick

Tel: 07738 086 818

Email: dowen@webershandwick.com

Vodafone and CityFibre, the UKs largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure, today announced a long-term strategic partnership that will bring ultrafast Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to up to five million UK homes and businesses by 2025.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201711080067

Under the wholesale agreement, Vodafone will have a period of exclusive rights (predominantly during the build phase of each city network) to market ultrafast consumer broadband services on the FTTP network to be built, operated and owned by CityFibre. Construction of the first phase of deployment to one million premises is due to start in the first half of 2018 and will be largely complete in 2021. Both parties have the right to extend the commercial terms of this agreement to expand coverage to a further four million homes and businesses by 2025.

FTTP networks use fibre-optic cables for every stage of the connection from the customers home or workplace to the Internet, providing extremely fast and reliable broadband services capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 mbps). FTTP broadband connections are vastly superior to outdated networks that rely on old copper telephone lines to connect to the customers premises, enhancing business productivity and transforming consumers daily lives.

The Vodafone and CityFibre partnership represents one of the most significant developments in UK telecommunications since the launch of ADSL broadband around 17 years ago. The partnership will help to bridge Britains fibre gap, bringing world-class Gigabit-capable FTTP connections to households, businesses and public sector sites such as schools, hospitals and GP surgeries, and delivering 50% of the UK Governments target of full fibre to 10 million homes and businesses. Advanced fibre networks are also critical for mobile networks, providing the very high-capacity backhaul connections required for 5G mobile services from the early 2020s onwards.

The agreement provides Vodafone UK with access to a superior product at a lower cost and with better service conditions than the regulated wholesale terms offered by the incumbent operator for access to its legacy copper telephone line broadband network. It is consistent with Vodafone Groups capital-smart fixed infrastructure strategy that aims for an optimal mix of build/strategic partnership/wholesale/buy approaches in fixed broadband. This strategy has positioned Vodafone as the fastest growing broadband provider in Europe, marketing high-speed broadband services to 99 million European homes  a footprint that will be expanded further under this agreement.

Chief Executive of CityFibre Greg Mesch said: This agreement will unlock the UKs full fibre future and is a major step forward in delivering our vision for a Gigabit Britain. With this commitment from Vodafone, we have a partner with whom we can transform the digital capabilities of millions of homes and businesses and establish an unassailable wholesale infrastructure position across 20% of the UK broadband market.

Vodafone UK Chief Executive Nick Jeffery said: Vodafone is already playing the leading role in building the Gigabit Society across Europe by providing customers with high-speed, high-quality broadband. The UK has fallen far behind the rest of the world, trapped by the limited choice available on legacy networks. We look forward to working with CityFibre to build the Gigabit fibre network that the UK needs and deserves.

Summary of key terms:

CityFibre will build, operate and own this new FTTP network, providing wholesale access to Vodafone and other service providers.

Construction of the first phase of deployment to one million premises is due to start in the first half of 2018 and will be largely complete in 2021. The first towns and cities to benefit from the FTTP rollout will be announced over the coming months.

Marketing of FTTP services will commence from mid-2018 with the first customers connected towards the end of 2018.

Vodafone has made a minimum volume-based commitment for 10 years which increases over the period to 20% of the initial one million premises. In turn, Vodafone has been granted a period of exclusivity, city-by-city, for consumer FTTP, predominately during the construction phase.

The first phase of the agreement encompassing one million homes is estimated by CityFibre to be worth over 500 million over 20 years, assuming that the ten-year 20% minimum volume commitment is maintained throughout the subsequent ten years.

Both parties have the right to extend these terms to further roll-outs reaching up to four million additional premises by 2025.

About Vodafone Group

Vodafone Group is one of the worlds largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 49 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets. As of 30 June 2017, Vodafone Group had 523.5 million mobile customers and 18.5 million fixed broadband customers, including India and all of the customers in Vodafones joint ventures and associates. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com

About CityFibre

CityFibre is the UKs largest alternative provider of wholesale full fibre network infrastructure. It has major metro duct and fibre footprints in 42 cities across the UK, a national long distance network, and provides a portfolio of active and dark fibre services. The company has an extensive customer base spanning service integrators, enterprise and consumer service providers and mobile operators. CityFibre is based in London, United Kingdom, and its shares trade on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: CITY). Further information on the company can be found at www.cityfibre.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201711080067
Oil workers on the platform of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN, on Wednesday said they would oppose any attempt by the Federal Government to sell oil and gas asset to fund the 2018 budget.

The association also urged the National Assembly to reject any move to dispose of any facility, pointing out that doing otherwise would not be in the nations interest.

Reacting to a report on plans by the government to sell oil and gas asset to fund the budget, PENGASSANs National Public Relations Officer, Fortune Obi, said they would support any other funding model to bridge the over N2 trillion deficit in the budget proposal presented to the National Assembly on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Obi recalled that the idea of disposing of oil and gas industry asset to raise funds was rejected by Nigerians when it was first mooted in 2016.

He described the latest reported plan as a ploy to hand over the countrys commonwealth to a few individuals and further impoverish majority of Nigerians.

Instead of selling those assets, the government should look for other ways of funding the budget, such as plugging loopholes and leakages in governments finances, the oil workers said.

We will not allow the commonwealth of the country to be given away to cronies of the government all in the name of sale of the assets in the industry to fund the budget.

The Government should critically evaluate the assets and look at their viability and profitability. Profitable assets such as NLNG and shares in the upstream oil and gas JV operations that have become huge revenue earners for the country, should be kept by the government to the benefit of majority of Nigerians.

PENGASSAN restated its advice to government to repair asset that are in state of disrepair, rather than sell them as scrap to some opportunists in the clothes of businessmen and short-sighted politicians.

Mr. Obi said no nation can develop, survive or feel secure after selling all its national asset, arguing that the alleged plan would mortgage the future of the country in the hands of few members of the cabal.
Musician, Innocent Idibia, known as 2baba has slammed his colleagues, Blackface and Eedris Abdulkareem, over their recent comments about him.

Eedris, in an interview with GoldmyneTv called 2baba a double-faced individual who cared about no one.

He also accused the music legend of neglecting his friend, Blackface, when he needed him the most.

2baba reacted to the comments on his twitter page @official2baba on Wednesday.

He tweeted in pidgin, Dear Blackface and Idris, as na una sabi music pass make una do the music and stop talking nonsense all the time.

Im too busy, so this is the only advice and response ure gonna get from me. Una fit resume una nonsense rants.

The African Queen crooner who has been silent over accusations from both aggrieved artists has asked them to produce their own songs and stop condemning him.

The renewed conflict between the dancehall veteran and 2baba began on January 25, 2016 when Blackface, in a series tweets lashed out at 2face and his manager accusing them of stealing his intellectual property. He also threatened to take them to court.

Not long after, 2baba responded, describing the statements by Blackface as unfortunate.

Blackface is best known as the co-writer of African Queen with 2baba, a song made famous by the latter after it appeared on his debut solo album, Face 2 Face in 2004, later to become an international hit.

Blackface was a founding member of the Nigerian band Plantashun Boiz that he formed in 2000 with 2face and musician Chibuzor Oji (better known as Faze).

Blackface and 2face met in 1996 when they were studying at the Institute of Management Technology, IMT in Enugu. Faze joined them later.
The unending feud between 2Baba and Blackface has triggered a reaction from veteran Nigerian rapper, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman.

In an open letter to Blackface, Ruggedman registered his uttermost disappointment over the rift between the members of the former defunct band, Plantashun Boyz especially Blackfaces handling of it.

He reminded Blackface that he is and will always be a fan of his music but rather than allow himself (Blackface) to be reduced to an object of mockery and ridicule.

Ruggedman charged Blackface to hit the studio to record hits like he, 2Baba, Soundsultan and the likes have been doing over the years.

I am and will always be a fan of your one and only album Ghetto Child that had some conscious tracks in it. By the way, I am sure you are not blind and can see that Nigeria is still not as great as we want. So why arent you singing everyday about it like you said you expected me to keep doing? he said.

He said that Blackface has allowed himself to become an object of media manipulation which has made him a laughing stock.

In Ruggedmans words You are beginning to look like a sad, jealous, washed up artiste who cant keep up with his fellow artists. Like you cant make music anymore.

He said Blackface mentioning his name in a recent interview was a bad move and went further to call him a veteran upcoming artist.

Just recently, 2Baba reacted to Blackfaces rants, a move many said was long overdue.

In a tweet posted on Wednesday, 2Baba lampooned his colleagues, Eedris Abdulkareem and Blackface, saying he was too busy for pettiness, adding that they can resume with their nonsense rants.

2Baba responded by saying dear blackface and idris. as na una sabi music pass make una do the music and stop talking nonsense all the time. Im 2 busy so this is the only advice and response ure gonna get from me. una fit resume una nonsense rants.

While Blackface has been in the news accusing 2Baba of theft, Eedris on the other hand accused him of neglecting his former band member, calling him a double-faced individual.

This is not the first time Ruggedman is wading in on the feud between the duo.

In January, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Ruggedman attacked Blackface for condemning 2Babas backing out of a planned anti-government nationwide protest.
Saudi Arabia has announced it will confiscate money and assets held by dozens of top officials and businessmen detained in an anti-corruption crackdown.

But the experiences of two other Arab states trying to recover stolen money  Egypt and Tunisia  suggest Riyadh may face years of legal and diplomatic battles to secure assets held abroad.

Even then success is not guaranteed.

The anti-corruption committee which detained princes, tycoons and ministers last weekend has the power under a royal decree to take whatever measures are deemed necessary to seize companies, funds and other assets.

It can do this without waiting for the results of criminal investigations.

The offshore scrutiny of assets has already begun in the Gulf region, where Saudi Arabia regularly shares information.

The United Arab Emirates central bank and securities regulator has asked banks and finance companies there to provide information on the accounts of 19 Saudi citizens, banking sources told journalists.

The Saudi committee has not given details of the allegations individuals face, though Saudi officials say they include money laundering, bribery, extortion and taking advantage of public office for personal gain.

Riyadh has also set no timetable for its confiscations, although banking sources say over 1,700 domestic bank accounts have already been frozen at the request of the Central Bank.

An official at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has estimated that if the committee were to try to retrieve all the revenue that has been lost to corruption, from bribes to illegal expropriation of land, the total would be $800 billion.

A large amount of the funds are believed by financial sources to be held offshore in bank accounts, portfolio investments, corporate shareholdings and real estate.

Many of the businessmen detained have private planes, with one having a Boeing 747 airliner.

And a study by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that Saudis have stashed away wealth equivalent to over 55 per cent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) in foreign tax havens, an amount exceeding $300 billion.

However, the experiences of Egypt and Tunisia showed that although asset freezes could be arranged within months, repatriating the money can take many years.

Cairo has tried unsuccessfully for five years to retrieve about 85 million pounds in British bank accounts belonging to the inner circle of former President Hosni Mubarak.

British officials have said they are bound by British law, which requires Egyptians to provide them with criminal convictions first.

Tunisia has so far recovered only a small portion of about $35 million claimed from Switzerland following the 2011 revolution that inspired the Arab Spring uprising.

(Reuters/NAN)
British media and critics of Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, on Thursday said the resignation of a second cabinet minister within seven days had left her government in crisis.

Theresa May must get control of her chaotic cabinet and decaying government or step aside for Labour, Kate Osamor, a shadow minister for the opposition Labour party, said in a statement.

Ms. Osamor was reacting to the resignation of international development secretary Priti Patel over undeclared meetings with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while on holiday in Israel in August and later in London.

Another day, another crisis, the pro-Conservative Telegraph said in a front-page headline, while The Times led with Fears grow government will collapse as Patel quits.

The Financial Times said Ms. Patels resignation adds to instability around the government, which is struggling with sexual harassment allegations and cabinet splits on Brexit.

Ms. Mays cabinet has been hit by several allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to the resignation of former defence minister Michael Fallon and the reported investigation of her deputy and long-term friend, Damian Green, for possession of extreme pornography.

She was forced to back Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers joined by some Conservatives called for him to be sacked over his latest gaffe.

Mr. Johnson praised Ms. Patel following her resignation as a very good friend and colleague and said she still has a great future.

Mr. Johnson and Ms. Patel are strong advocates of Brexit and leading figures on the Conservative right.

(dpa/NAN)
Zimbabwean Government has renamed the countrys main airport after President Robert Mugabe, Transport Minister Joram Gumbo, has said.

Gumbo told journalists that the airport would be upgraded at a cost of 153 million dollars in an effort to attract more visitors, state media reported on Thursday.

Harare International Airport will be known as Robert Mugabe International Airport, while it is expected to undergo an upgrade so that it can handle 6.5 million passengers a year, more than double its current capacity.

This renaming is a way his legacy lives forever and he has to be remembered by everyone who comes to Zimbabwe today and forever, Gumbo said.

A local media reported that China Export and Import Bank would provide a 153 million dollars loan that would, among other things, be used to expand the runway to allow multiple planes to land at the same time.

The 93-year-old Mugabe while accepting the honour said renaming the airport was a great gesture to him and his family.

In the last few months, Mugabes vocal ruling ZANU-PF youth wing has been pushing the government to honour Mugabe by giving public institutions his name.

The government has said from 2018 the veteran rulers Feb. 21 birthday will be known as Robert Mugabe National Youth Day, a public holiday.

On August 9, the cash-strapped government announced plans to build a 1 billion dollars university named after Mugabe, a move that was criticised by the opposition as a waste of resources.

Report says many major roads are already named after Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for over three decades.

Mugabe is the only leader that Zimbabwe has known since independence from Britain in 1980 and in spite of his advanced age, he remains the most influential political figure in the country. (Reuters/NAN)
The federal government has directed the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, to probe the unknown disease that is alleged to have led to the death of several children in Jigawa State.

This directives is coming about 24 hours after media reports that a strange disease has been killing children in the state.

According to a press statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the health minister to investigate reports of the unknown disease.

At least 50 children in Wangara District of Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, were reported dead under inexplicable circumstances.

The first occurrence of the disease was reportedly noticed in July but the community did not report it until October 28.

The president also directed Mr. Adewole to deploy all the necessary machinery to combat the disease.

Mr. Buhari, in a telephone call to Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State on Tuesday evening, also directed him to find out the details of the incident.

The president while commiserating with the governor and the families of the victims assured the governor that the federal government will provide the necessary support to contain the spread of the disease.
About 81 days since his return from medical vacation in the UK, President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to use his office in the Aso Rock Villa, multiple sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Buhari left Nigeria for another around of medical care in the United Kingdom on May 7 and returned on August 19.

The president, however, did not resume at his desk on Monday, August 21 as he commenced official assignments from an auxiliary office attached to his residence.

His failure to resume at the office generated curiosity among Nigerians, with some expressing the fear that Mr. Buhari had not recuperated enough to resume work.

The presidency later issued a statement explaining that Mr. Buhari was staying away from the office due to ongoing repair works.

The regular office needs some renovation because the 103 days of absence caused some deterioration presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, explained at the time.

Another of Mr. Buharis media aides, Garba Shehu, later blamed the damages on rodents, an excuse Nigerians largely found amusing.

Following the three months period of disuse, rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units, Mr. Shehu had said.

STILL AWAY

However, 81 days after the president resumed work, Villa staff and visitors to the seat of power said he was still operating from outside of his official seat.

This is despite him taking full control of the day to day running of government, including hosting visitors and holding meetings at the Villa.

Mr. Buhari, Aso Rock insiders say, is now using annex offices at other locations within the expansive premises, including one attached to his house.

Another office used by the president is the one adjoining the Banquet Hall in the State House.

On October 30, the president received Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Banquet Hall office.

SPIRITUAL REASONS

Mr. Buharis absence from his office is said to be connected to his tortuous health challenges.

Insiders say spiritualists who worked on the presidents condition advised against his use of the office.

You know the man was actually bewitched. All these rumours about this or that illness are just guess works. No one was sure, not even the doctors, said a close aide of Mr. Buhari who preferred anonymity.

The trip to London in May was unscheduled and all the checks done, including in Germany, revealed nothing. We had to resort to prayers, he said.

The source said Mr. Buharis office and other parts of the villa are undergoing spiritual cleansing to avert any recurrence in the future.

PRESIDENCY REACTS

When contacted, Mr. Shehu said the president is at liberty to work from any office or location within the villa.

Asked about the state of repairs of the presidents office as announced by the presidency in August, Mr. Shehu declined further comments.

While the presidential aide is right that Mr. Buhari can choose to work from any office within the villa, Nigerians may continue to wonder when their president will return to his main office.
Nigerias largest independent power plant (IPP), Azura Edo Power Plant, is a huge suction pipe set up to siphon millions of tax-free dollars through a network of Mauritius-incorporated offshore shell companies to a number of trusts and private equity firms, an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and the International Consortium of Investigative journalist (ICIJ) has revealed.

A study of the data obtained by German newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, and ICIJ from two offshore secrecy providers (Appleby and Asiaciti Trust) and 19 secrecy jurisdictions showed that promoters of the power plant will earn as much as $28 million before the first light bulb comes alive from power generated by the facility.

The 1.4 terabyte leaked data, now named Paradise Papers, contains 13.4 million records and ranks among the biggest leaks in history.

For 12 months, more than 380 journalists from 96 media organisations in 67 countries pored over the gigantic data, which cover a period of nearly 70 years, from 1950 to 2016. PREMIUM TIMES is the only Nigerian media organisation involved in the investigation.

More than 120 politicians and country leaders, in nearly 50 countries as well as hundreds of business people across the world were identified in the record as users of offshore entities.

The beginning

In October 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan, a spade in hand, flanked by Adams Oshiomhole, then governor of Edo State, and other dignitaries broke the earth of the sprawling 100 hectares site for the Azura Edo Power Plant for the first time.

The power plant, located at the Ihovbor/Orior Odemwende communities outside Benin City was hailed as the first fully financed private power plant in Nigeria.

The first phase of the IPP, which is planned to take off in 2018, will produce 450 megawatts of electricity but ultimately, the plant is expected to produce 1,500 megawatts.

Mr. Jonathan said the project demonstrated the strong foundation on which his administration was building a sound and sustainable electricity industry, with great expectations for robust growth in the sector.

Azura Edo was an instant hit with foreign investors and multilateral financial institutions. The gas-fired plant had little problem generating the $1 billion ($700 million for the construction of the plant and $300 million to build associated infrastructure) required to set it up.

The World Bank provided a partial risk guarantee of up to $245 million. The board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) approved loans and hedging instruments of up to US$135 million and guarantees of up to US$659 million.

The project received loan financial backing from First City Monument Bank, Rand Bank of South Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, United Kingdom and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO).

Other financial institutions that provided debt financing were Standard Bank of South Africa, SWEDFUNDS International, AB, Sweden, and Overseas Private Investment Corporation, USA.

But after the funfair of the groundbreaking ceremony, work on the project stalled. The Mr. Jonathans administration, for undisclosed reasons, withheld its backing of the World Bank facility needed for the plant to take off.

In August 2015, however, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration breathed new life into the plant, signing a $237 million risk guarantees with the World Bank in support of the power plant. The guarantees included a debt mobilization guarantee of $117 million and a liquidity guarantee of $120 million.

This landmark development confirms the Buhari administrations commitment to the continuation of the power sector reforms which is anchored on attracting private sector investments, and establishing and supporting institutions that are critical to the reforms, the Ministry of Power said in a statement.

Similarly, during an inspection tour of the power plant, in April 2016, the immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, praised the promoters of the plant.

It requires a measure of confidence in our country, people, and about our future to initiate a gigantic project such as this. Even while you are at the stage of construction, all of us here are already beneficiaries of that vision, he said.

It is not hard to see why the Nigerian government is excited about the project. At full generating capacity of 1,500 megawatts, the plant will be producing more than a third of the countrys current total generating capacity.

A cluster of Offshore entities

But while the power plant enjoys a flurry of local and international financial supports and the Nigerian government gushes about its benefits, documents obtained from the database of global offshore law firm, Appleby, showed that Azura Power West Afica, the Nigerian company building the plant is owned by a cluster of offshore entities in Mauritius.

Part of the documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from the leaked data are two undated organisational charts of Azura Power West Africa.

One of the charts, which appeared to be the original structure of the company, shows that Azura Power West Africa was wholly owned by Azura-Edo Limited, a Category 1 Global Business Company (GBC1) incorporated in Mauritius.

Azura-Edo Limited is further completely owned by Azura Power Holding Limited, a Category 2 Global Business Company (GBC2) also incorporated in Mauritius.

Azura Power Holding is then jointly owned by two GBC2 companies  Amaya Capital Limited (86.23 percent) and Hollyhock Limited (13.77 percent). Hollyhock Limited is the GBC2 subsidiary of the private equity firm, American Capital Limited.

Amaya Capital is jointly owned by The Principal Investment Trust (40 percent) belonging to Philp Iheanacho the co-founder of Investment firm, Afrinvest, and an ally of the current governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, with whom he co-founded Afrinvest.

The Rasa Trust owns 40 percent of Amaya Capital. The trust belongs to Sundeep Bahanda, a former top executive at Deutsche Bank, London, while David Ladipo, the founder of Lintstock, a corporate advisory company and a former adviser to the Nigerian government on energy, owns 20 percent of Amaya Capital.

The second ownership chart, apparently drafted after the new investors were welcomed into the power project, showed that Azura Edo Limited 100 percent ownership of Azura Edo West Africa had reduced to 97.5 percent.

The Edo State government was also brought on board as marginal co-owner of the company with 2.5 percent stake. The company explains on its website that the 2.5 percent equity was given to Edo State for the providing 1100 hectares of land on which the company is built.

The document further showed that Azura Power Holding divested 50 percent of its equity in Azura Edo Limited to Aldwych Azura Limited, England (9.2 percent), FMO (4.8 percent), Asset & Resource Management Company Limited, ARM (6 percent), African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 (AIIF2), South Africa (15 percent) and African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 (AIIF2), Mauritius (15 percent).

Amaya Capital and Hollyhock still held their original equity of the remaining 50 percent of Azura Power Holding.

Transfer Pricing

Tax experts have argued that elaborate company ownership structures involving entities registered in Mauritius under its GBC system like that of Azura Edo are primarily designed to avoid paying taxes in the country where they are based and generate revenue from.

As a GBC2 company, Azura Power Holding Limited, the parent company of Azura Edo West Africa, is not required to and does not have physical property in Mauritius. It has no staff, telephone line or computers. It uses a care-of address (Les Cascades, Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, Mauritius) which directs its correspondences to the headquarters of International Mauritius Limited (IMM).

IMM is one of Mauritius best known financial service provider, which helps clients to set up and manage offshore entities including companies, trusts and funds. IMM carries a stock of ready-formed shelf companies and can obtain approval to set up new companies in two days.

It also assists offshore companies with nominee directors for offshore companies. A nominee director helps hide the identities of owners of offshore companies. He or she is a resident of a tax haven who is paid to lend his or her name on the board of an offshore firm in place of a non-resident trustee of the firm.

Although Azura Power Holding is required to file a financial summary within six months of its financial year, it is not subjected to an audit and is not available publicly. It is not considered a non-taxable entity therefore it is not required to pay any tax or file a tax return.

One of the ways multinationals cash in on this kind of ownership structure is through a cost-pushing mechanism called transfer pricing. This is when the parent company (mostly in a tax haven) of a multinational charges its subsidiary in another country for the supply of products or services. The transactions are usually artificial as the purported goods and services are often only supplied on paper.

Critics say this technique allows owners of multinationals to impose artificially high prices for the product or services they render with the aim of moving money from a high tax country, where they are based to a low to zero tax jurisdictions like Mauritius.

In Azura Edo Power Holdings business plan it was stated that the company was originally set up to hold investments in the development, finance, building and operation of power plants and distribution companies across Africa with a particular focus on Nigeria.

But the company later extended its service to the provision of management services for business in which it has investment.

These services will be provided by APHL itself and/or through the appointment of suitably qualified third-party service providers, as per the attached draft Management Services Agreement.

The first project to which it will provide such services is Azura Power West Africa Limited (APWAL), a company incorporated under the laws of Nigeria and having its registered office address at St. Nicholas House, 10th Floor, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos, Nigeria.

APWAL is the Project Company, which is developing a 1,000MW Independent Power Project (IPP) complex in Edo State, Nigeria in 2 phases. Phase 1 is the 450 MW open cycle gas fired IPP, for which the Company will be providing the management services (the Project), the business plan read.

A copy of the Management Services Agreement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that Azura Power Holding Limited (the service provider) shall manage all management and non-technical aspects of the Project on behalf of the Project Company (Azura Edo West Africa Limited) during the term.

According to the Management Service Agreement with Azura Power Holding Limited, the initial agreement was to last 33 months and may be extended for at least a period of three months. Also, while the agreement lasts, Azura Power Holding will be paid a quarterly base fee of $500,000 as long as it performs the function for which it was hired.

Thus, Azura Power should earn $4.5 million as base fee alone for the duration of the agreement. However, a clause in the agreement pegs the maximum fee the offshore company can earn as base fee at $3 million.

Also contained in the management agreement is the plan by the owners of Azura Power Holding to pay themselves over $25 million in management fee.

A breakdown of the budget showed that the company will pay itself $9.1 million in the first year, $7.85 million in year two and $8.34 million in the third year.

The agreement further stipulates that no employee of Azura Power Holding shall be deemed as an employee of Azura Edo West Africa. This is also another tax avoidance tactic used by multinationals.

Fair Tax Mark, a UK-based not-for-profit tax rating group explains how this works:

Multinational companies can choose to employ managers in a low tax regime country or tax haven far away from where their services are used. This can both reduce the employees individual tax bills and benefit the company by allowing them to make charges for management services which are deducted from their profits elsewhere.

The senior management of a multinational, may well be internationally mobile and will be willing to participate in tax planning for their own and their employers benefit. The result is that these senior managers might be employed in locations which suit tax planning even if their duties are undertaken elsewhere.

From this practice, managers can obtain a favourable tax treatment for their earnings if they are employed in a location that is not their long-term home. This is because part of their income might not be taxed anywhere.

Some of the management services the company will be providing includes providing the managing director, delivering customs and excise services, finance, and government and community relations.

Double Taxation Treaty

By creating a complicated, multi-layered ownership structure, promoters of Azura Edo Power Plant will not only be moving millions of tax-free dollars to Mauritius through transfer-pricing, they are in line to make several more if Nigeria ratifies a Double Taxation Treaties (DTTs) or Double Taxation Agreement(DTAs) it signed with the Indian Ocean country in 2012.

DTTs are primarily signed between two governments to prevent income from getting taxed twice, to prevent double non-taxation, to clarify the taxing rights between the parties involved and to aid the exchange of tax information.

However, companies often exploit loopholes in the treaty to ship significant portions of their profits to offshore jurisdictions where they pay little or zero tax. Low-tax countries like Mauritius deliberately sign DTTs with several countries which allow multinationals to engage in treaty-shopping, defined by the Business Dictionary as the practice of structuring a multinational business to take advantage of more favourable tax treaties available in certain jurisdictions.

[DTTs] significantly undermines [the] ability to raise domestic revenue to underpin acountrys development by opening up loopholes for multinational companies operating in the country and super- rich individuals to shift profits abroad through Mauritius to avoid paying appropriate taxes, said UK-based tax watchdog, Tax justice Network.

In 2014, rights group, ActionAid Nigeria, wrote the then Nigerias Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, about the perils of ratifying the DTT she signed with Mauritius two years earlier.

Double Taxation Treaties creates loopholes for tax evasion and avoidance and is exploited by companies that undertake treaty shopping which deny our beloved country of the much-needed resources we need at this juncture for developing.

Overall, the cost (financial and otherwise) of the treaty to Nigeria will outweigh the perceived benefits. It is advisable for Nigeria not to ratify the treaty unless certain changes are made to retain Nigerias taxing rights as contained in the domestic tax legislation, the letter read.

A review of the treaty earlier commissioned by the group identified some of these loopholes.

The Nigerian-Mauritius DTT could result in sharp practices by multinationals operating in the countries and especially in Nigeria through double non-taxation.

This is particularly the case with the reduced rate of withholding tax on streams of income flows from Nigeria such as dividend which are not taxable in Mauritius and the tax sparing provision applicable to reduced tax rates and waivers on income streams such as interest and royalty, the report stated.

Given that Nigeria is a net importer of capital and will remain so for the nearest future, the DTT by limiting the taxing right of Nigeria on dividend, interest and royalty potentially reduces the tax base of the country which will impact negatively on the revenue generation for the country, the report added.

As a GBC1, Azura Edo Limited is eligible to enjoy the DTT between Nigeria and Mauritius when it is ratified by the Nigerian government. GBC1 companies in Mauritius are generally used as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). None of the shareholders of a GBC1 is required to live or work in Mauritius and only one of its directors is required to be a Mauritius resident. However, this director can be a nominee director.

A nominee director is a resident of a tax haven who is paid to lend his or her name on the board of an offshore firm in place of a non-resident trustee of the firm. Though its beneficial owners are disclosed to the Mauritian Financial Services Commission (FSC), such information as well records of their shareholders and directors are hardly publicly disclosed.

For instance, documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that two of the three listed directors of Azura Edo Limited  Sandeep Fakun and Dourvesh Chumum  are employees of IMM. Mr. Oladipo is listed as the third. The companys secretary, Ashraf Ramtoola, is also an employee of IMM.

As a GBC1 company, the Azura Edo is also not required to make its accounts public. The incentives for the owners of Azura Edo to exploit the DTT to move its income offshore are huge. For example, while companies incorporated in Nigeria are expected to pay 30 percent corporate tax, GBC1 are only required to pay a maximum of three percent corporate tax.

Co-founder of Azura Edo responds

Responding to enquiry sent by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Oladipo denied that owners of the power plant were engaged in transfer pricing. He claimed that the contractual structure of project has been highly transparent.

Within Nigeria, Azura Power West Africa Ltd (APWAL) pays and will continue to pay all taxes due to the federal and state governments, Mr. Oladipo said. We have no transfer pricing or tax avoidance schemes. Indeed, such schemes are impossible in the context of an open-book project financed transaction where much of the debt comes from the big development finance agencies and where the revenues are securitised by all three arms of the World Bank.

APHL possesses a valuable stock of specialist resource which the other shareholders in APWAL wished to take advantage of. Clearly, the cost of providing this resource has to be reimbursed. And APHL also needs to earn a fee for the provision of these service, as well as bonuses if the project is delivered on budget and ahead of schedule. To put this in context, the maximum total cost (fee plus reimbursement plus bonuses) of the MSA over the entire three-year construction period represents less than 1% of the of the projects total capital.

It is also important to note that the MSA (management service agreement) is an arms length agreement that was reviewed by, and negotiated with both the lenders to the Project and the other shareholders in the Project. It represents extremely good value for money and, more importantly, it massively increases rather than decreases the profits that will be taxed in Nigeria, he said.

Mr. Oladipo, however, did not explain why the multi-million-dollar management contract for the plant was awarded to shell companies existing only on paper, has no physical address or a history of business dealings, and ensconced in a shelf at a notorious offshoretax haven.

He also did not address the cyclical huge dollar payment to the shell company by its Nigerian subsidiary. Further, he did not explain his companys seeming tax-avoidance tactic of classifying workers who carry out the management service as employees of the offshore parent company instead of its Nigerian subsidiary for which they offer the services directly.

Table 2.1  Construction Budget (33-month Basis)

Cost Category Budget, USD000 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total EPC + Initial Spares 175554.66 199419.06 42182.48 417156.21 Construction Management (see detailed breakdown below) 9141.28 7851.43 8349.87 25342.59 Development Costs & Non-CM Pre-Op Costs 92052.27 3815.19 5323.91 101191.36 Insurance 10269.17 - - 10269.17 DSRA - - 48433.64 48433.64 USD Interest During Construction (excl. WHT) 4325.62 18580.62 20528.39 43434.63 Naira Interest During Construction (excl. WHT)  converted to USD equivalent at an FX rate of N165/$ 3900.8 6891.62 6487.41 17279.84 Other Financing Costs 48133.1 9456.17 6093.66 63682.93 Contingency - - 20000 20000 Working Capital / LC Funding & Costs / Security Fees/ Other 86312.66 4129.36 37528.02 127970.04 Total 429689.57 250143.47 194927.37 874760.41

Table 2.2  Construction Management Budget

Cost Category Budget, USD000 33-month Basis 36-month Basis Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total TSA Fees 187.50 187.50 875.00 1,250.00 187.50 187.50 125.00 500.00 TSA Reimbursements 1,111.00 1,474.00 1,056.00 3,641.00 1,111.00 1,474.00 1,408.00 3,993.00 MSA Fees 187.50 187.50 875.00 1,250.00 187.50 187.50 125.00 500.00 MSA Reimbursements 874.75 514.99 205.69 1,595.43 874.75 514.99 274.25 1,663.99 Owners Engineer 166.67 166.67 166.67 500.00 166.67 166.67 166.67 500.00 Community, Social & Government 609.09 524.24 515.15 1,648.48 609.09 524.24 515.15 1,648.48 Recurrent Expenses & Payroll 2,400.06 1,915.37 1,662.95 5,978.39 2,400.06 1,915.37 2,143.33 6,458.76 Other 3,604.72 2,881.16 2,993.41 9,479.29 3,604.72 2,881.16 2,993.41 9,479.29 Total 9,141.28 7,851.43 8,349.87 25,342.59 9,141.28 7,851.43 7,750.81 24,743.53
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Nigeria Police to unseal the headquarters of the Peace Corps.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that the building be unsealed within seven days.

The court also ruled that N12.5 million be paid to the controversial group as damages.

Security agencies led by the Nigeria Police stormed the Peace Corps headquarters on February 17, after which the head of the organisation, Dickson Akoh, and about 49 others were arrested.

The police accused Mr. Akoh of using the Peace Corps, registered as a non-governmental organisation, to swindle young job seekers and operate as a para-military agency.

Mr. Akoh, who denied the allegations, has since been granted bail.

The Peace Corps seeks to be legalised as a government paramilitary agency and has secured the backing of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

More details later
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has said that he did not benefit financially from the three companies linked to him and Jim Ovia, the chairman of Zenith Bank, in tax havens.

He said the offshore firms were entirely arranged by Mr. Ovia and that it was the Zenith Bank chairman alone who reaped from the ventures.

Mr. Emefiele said he only served as director and shareholder of the companies in response to Mr. Ovias request.

At no time did our client derive any personal financial benefit from shares in Vitesse or Oviation Asset Management Limited (OAML) or from his directorship of OAML, Mr. Emefiele said through his London-based lawyers, New Media Law LLP.

When acting in relation to these companies our client was not acting for his personal financial benefit. Our client acted throughout in relation to Vitesse and OAML at the request of Mr. Ovia.

PREMIUM TIMES had, as part of its ongoing Paradise Papers series, reported on Monday that Mr. Emefiele, a former managing director at Zenith Bank plc, partly owned Vitesse Asset Management SA, incorporated in Switzerland in 2007; Oviation Asset Management Limited, a Bermuda company established in 2009; and Oviation Limited, an Isle of Man company incorporated in 2012.

That revelation emerged following a review of data obtained by German newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists from two offshore secrecy providers (Appleby and Asiaciti Trust) and 19 secrecy jurisdictions.

The CBN governor, while responding to an enquiry sent to him by The Guardian UK on behalf of PREMIUM TIMES and other ICIJ team members working on the investigation, said after he resigned from his position in the companies following his appointment as CBN governor, Mr. Ovia became the sole beneficiary in the businesses conducted by the shell companies.

He however said even before his resignation and departure from the companies, he enjoyed no personal financial interest from the deals.

Mr. Emefiele said through his lawyers, We now refer to the bank account that was opened by OAML (Oviation Assets Management Limited), maintained and operated for the sole purpose of supporting the aircraft ownership and operating structure.

Our client had no personal interest in any funds in this bank account. As you clearly hold (improperly) some of the banking information relating to this account, you will be aware that there are no transfers that have been made that would benefit our client.

You have referred to two account transfers of $5.75M and $3.75M from OAML to accounts in the name of Zenith Bank Plc (the Bank) in April 2014. These transfers relate to the proceeds of the sale of the Challenger 300 aircraft previously acquired and owned by OAML and the proceeds of that sale were remitted to a sole account (and not two as you have incorrectly referenced) in the name of the Bank, held at Citibank.

Our client understands that these transfers were made to an account of the Bank for onward transmission to Mr. Ovia who had provided OAML with the funds with which to acquire the aircraft.

To be clear: our client did not benefit from these transfers.

Documents show that the CBN governor and Mr. Ovia each held 50,000 bearer shares in Vitesse Asset Management, which in turn owns 100 percent of the shares in Oviation Limited.

In Oviation Asset Management Limited, Mr. Emefiele held 49 percent of the shares while his ally, Mr. Ovia, owned the majority 51 percent stake.

According to the records seen by this newspaper, Messrs Emefiele and Ovia, between 2007 and 2012, incorporated the three offshore firms which were then used to acquire luxury jets and move funds around in cyclical manners suggestive of tax avoidance schemes.

The shell companies have no offices or fixed address, staff, computers or telephone lines in the countries their are based. Their major operation seemed to be shuffling of assets among themselves or loaning millions of dollars to each other in a cyclical manner.

In January 2013, Oviation Limited acquired a $33 million Gulfstream 450 jet using a loan from Vitesse Asset Management SA. In 2014, a curious $9.4 million transfer was made by OAML to an account in the name of Zenith Bank plc.

On 14 September 2015, OAML transferred about $3.9 million to UBS AG Account 54648101 claiming to be repaying a loan it took from Oviation Limited.

Two months later, OAML acquired another aircraft, a $51 million G550 jet with registration number M-MNDG and imported it into the Isle of Man where Oviation Limited is domiciled. The islands aircraft registry shows the company claims it continues to lease the aircraft.

But Mr. Emefiele said he ceased to be a shareholder in the companies, particularly OAML, upon his appointment as CBN governor and took all the appropriate steps to transfer his shareholding in OAML, adding that he resigned as a director in May 2014.
Thursdays ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in favour of the Peace Corps of Nigeria against the Nigeria Police and other security agencies brings interim relief to the embattled organisation.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N12.5 million to the Peace Corps of Nigeria as compensation for unlawful arrest and detention of its officials.

The court also ordered the police to unseal the headquarters of the corps in Abuja within one week.

The building was sealed on February 28, when the police and other security agencies invaded the premises during the official inauguration of the building.

Justice Kolawole gave the order on Thursday when he delivered judgment in a fundamental human rights suit instituted by the corps against the police and five others.

The judge held that the police and the other security agents involved in the sealing of the Peace Corps premises acted outside their statutory powers.

Mr. Kolawole said although the police and other security agents had statutory powers to make arrest and detain people, such powers must be exercised within the ambits of the law.

He held that the police failed to establish that the Peace Corps officials committed a crime before they arrested and detained them.

The judge said that the allegations by the police and other respondents that the Peace Corps was engaging in military and paramilitary training was not sufficiently established before him to justify their unlawful action.

According to the judge, the allegation of extortion of money and the alleged threat to national security made against the Peace Corps officials was not backed with any document from the victims.

He also faulted the claim by the police that it invaded the Peace Corps house based on intelligence report.

He described the claim as amorphous as there was no evidence before the court to justify it.

The judge held that the Peace Corps, as a lawfully registered organisation, was entitled to own movable and immovable property and that under no circumstance should any security agent deny the corps this right.

He, therefore, ordered the police to pay N12.5 million to the Peace Corps officials in order to appease them for the harassment and intimidation they suffered when they were unlawfully arrested and detained.

He also ordered that the headquarters of the corps, sealed in the last nine months be unsealed.

The judge further ordered that no attempt should be made by any of the respondents to frustrate officials of the Peace Corps from accessing the building to carry out their duties.

The Peace Corps in March, instituted the suit against the Police, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser.

Other respondents in the suit were the State Security Services and its Director-General and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The corps was asking the court for an order directing the respondents to pay N2 billion as compensation for its officials who were injured during the invasion of its premises.

The compensation was also a remedy to the violation of their fundamental rights which the corps said was violated by their arrest and detention without a valid court order.

SEPARATE TRIAL

The suit is separate from the ongoing trial of the Peace Corps leader, Dickson Akoh.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how on Wednesday, the police replaced the 90-count charge against Mr. Akoh with a 13-count charge.

During that trial on Wednesday, the Nigerian Police brought an application to seal the National Headquarters of the Peace Corps, the same one Justice Kolawole on Thursday ordered reopened.

The corps, through its counsel, Kanu Agabi, had filed a motion on notice on October 6, 2017, seeking an order of the court to unseal the building located at No 57 Iya Abubakar Crescent, off Alex Ekwueme way, opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja.

In a motion by J. Idachaba, the police claimed the property of the Peace Corps was ill gotten and should not only be sealed by the order of the court, but it should also be temporarily forfeited.

He denied the allegations that the office had been sealed ab initio, saying the defendant could not produce any evidence to compel the court to believe that the office was sealed.

The presiding judge, John Tsoho, reserved judgement till January 15, 2017, on the respective applications submitted by both the Corps and the Nigerian Police.

The Peace Corps, a registered non-governmental organisation, seeks to be legalised as a government paramilitary agency and has secured the backing of the two chambers of the National Assembly for it.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the federal government has signed financial agreement for the execution of Lagos-Abidjan highway.

Olusegun Ogunkayode, a Senior Information Officer in the ministry, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

The statement quoted Mr. Fashola as making the disclosure at the ninth Steering Committee and Experts Meeting of the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway Development Programme.

He said the signing of the financial agreement was a demonstration of the federal governments commitment to the realisation of the project.

The minister said that road development was crucial to the economic growth of any nation, adding that the meeting was important considering the need for West African countries to join the league of developed nations.

According to him, West African countries must emulate South American and Asia countries, who have used road development to drive their economies.

Mr. Fashola said that the Lagos-Abidjan corridor would propel rapid integration of the region, boost commercial activities, improve social development, create employment windows and reduce social vices among the member states.

(NAN)
The Niger State Ministry of Education has suspended Mohammed Mohammed, a Vice Principal who reportedly impregnated a female student, Faith Danjuma, the permanent secretary, Yahaya Garba, has said.

Mr. Garba told journalists in Minna that the ministry had written to the office of the state Accountant General after the findings and recommendations of a committee set up by the States Secondary School Education Board, demanding the accused to be placed on half salary.

According to him, after the ministry received a report on March 28 that the accused had impregnated a JSS 3 student, the ministry directed the board to set up a disciplinary committee within the school.

An eight-man committee headed by Mrs Zainba Kolo, a Vice Principal in the school, was inaugurated to investigate the allegation against the Vice Principal, he said.

The committee was to suggest appropriate measures to be taken against the accused, if the allegation was confirmed to be true, based on the provisions of the public service regulation.

The committee came out with the following findings: that the student is pregnant as proved by the laboratory test conducted at Minna General Hospital.

That Faith is seven weeks and six days pregnant as at the time of the findings and is expected to deliver Nov. 9, and that the accused was responsible for the pregnancy.

Mr. Garba explained that the committee recommended that the accused be compelled to take responsibility of the child and the mother.

He added that the committee also recommended that the accused should be transferred to a male school after the investigation and if not found guilty.

The permanent secretary disclosed that another committee headed by Eunice Gana was set up within the board on March 30, to further investigate the matter.

He said that the committees findings showed that the Vice Principal admitted impregnating the student, a case of professional misconduct and that the pregnancy was confirmed from the medical report issued by a General Hospital.

He further said that the schools disciplinary report was in line with findings of the board.

Mr. Garba noted that the statutory report of the committee recommended that the Vice Principal should be suspended with immediate effect and placed on half salary, pending the determination of the case.

He added that another Vice Principal was appointed to take over the accused duties.

The committee also recommended for the victim to be transferred to another school and the ministry immediately acted on the recommendation.

The recommendation was forwarded to the state Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Finance was directed to place the accused on half salary pending the termination of the case.

The accused has been on suspension till date and was never promoted, he explained.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday joined other Nigerians to pay glowing tributes to the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi, as he clocked 60 years.

In a surprise birthday celebration organised by friends, mentees and employees of the media icon, held at Fraser Suites in Abuja, the vice president described Dapsy as he is fondly called as a man with a big heart who has inspired everyone around him.

Mr. Osinbajo said he has known Mr. Olorunyomi for over 20 years and he still remains one of the most reliable and transparent persons I have ever met.

Dapsy is a respectful human being, a great brother and friend who has inspired so many, including all of us, who are standing here today.

Cheers to you Dapo for 60 more years, the vice president said.

https://youtu.be//jj9TWs-hdfc

Also speaking at the ceremony, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, described Mr. Olorunyomi, who once worked at the agency, as a pacesetter in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. He described the veteran journalist as the engine room of the EFCC during his tenure.

He said the return of Mr. Olorunyomi to Nigeria after the return to democratic rule changed the countrys attitude towards the fight against corruption.

I met him first in the United States. I said come back to Nigeria, and he agreed. His coming changed our approach to the fight against corruption.

People became more comfortable sharing information with Dapo more than with me. I once said Dapo I did not bring you to take my job, Mr. Ribadu said.

Mr. Ribadu said the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo was a bit sceptical about his (Ribadus) decision to work with a journalist.

When I told President Obasanjo then, he noted that journalists are capable of doing anything including telling the truth to achieve their objectives.

Mr. Ribadu described Mr. Olorunyomi as a wonderful journalist, whose contributions to his world cannot be easily forgotten.

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Bayo Onanuga, described the celebrant as a renowned guerrilla journalist, who remained relentless in his zeal to expose facts, regardless of the consequence.

Mr. Onanuga, with whom Mr. Olorunyomi and others founded The News magazine in 1993, said the celebrant was a man who inspired his friends and colleagues.

Speaking earlier, one of Mr. Olorunyomis lecturers at the then University of Ife, Ropo Sekoni, described the celebrant, as a man of huge potentials, an incorruptible human activist, a globalist, a man of few words with many actions, and lover of accurate journalism.

The retired professor and mentor to the celebrant said right from his undergraduate days, Mr. Olorunyomi had shown the potential to be a trustworthy fighter for fairness and equity.

Another friend of the celebrant and co-founder of the News Magazine, Idowu Obasa, noted that Mr. Olorunyomi is a man of the people, whose affiliation with individuals of different disposition gives him off as a friend of everybody.

Mr. Obasa said it is impossible to identify Dapo by looking at his friends.

There are other types of friends here too. So, who is Dapo? Mr. Obasa said in jest.

In his tribute to the celebrant, Sani Zoro, a former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and current member of the House of Representatives, described Mr. Olorunyomi as: the master craftsman, and the true leader in investigative journalism.

Mr. Zoro described how he met Mr. Olorunyomi in 1991 and how he learnt a lot in journalism from the latter.

The Editor-in-Chief, PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, in a brief remark at the well-attended event, described the publisher as one, who had impacted his life greatly through his actions.

He lauded the humility and generosity of Mr. Olorunyomi, who he said had also influenced the lives of all who have encountered him in the course of his career.

Mr. Mojeed also narrated how his (celebrant) mentorship to younger journalists had led to the strides being made by the newspaper in the journalistic terrain nationally and globally.

Several other family and friends of Mr. Olorunyomi also paid tributes to him at the event.

Mr. Olorunyomi, who could not hide his excitement at the surprise birthday organised in his honour, thanked all those who put the event together.

He said the strides or failures of any democratic setting is directly linked to how vibrant the press is in the discharge of its constitutional duties of keeping leaders accountable to the people.

On Thursday, a separate event will also hold at Kongi Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos by 2 p.m. to honour the media icon.

The event, which has the theme, Courage under fire: A life of/in professional journalism will be chaired by civil rights activist, Ayo Obe, and will have notable Nigerians such as Lanre Idowu, Toun Ilumoka, Lanre Arogundade and Jibrin Ibrahim deliver talks including tributes by other eminent Nigerians.

Mr. Olorunyomi has had a chequered career that spans public service, civil rights activism and the media.

Educated at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he earned a B.A in English and M.A in Literature, he has attended several courses globally and received many awards, including the Freedom to Write Award, Hellman Hemmett Grant, Press Freedom Award, and International Editor of the Year Award.

He was a founding member of the The News magazine, launched in 1993, a flagship media publication that has produced many outstanding journalists. He served as deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine.

Due to his hard-hitting journalism, he was to be caught up in the violent repression of the military leader, Sani Abacha, which led to his exit from Nigeria in 1995.

Mr. Olorunyomi later joined Panos Institute, Washington, DC, USA, as director of Africa Programs in 1996, helping to train and mentor journalists in Nigeria and across West Africa.

He returned to Nigeria in 2004 to work as project director of Freedom House, an independent organisation that supports the expansion of freedom in the world. A year later, he founded the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) named after Africas first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka.

A former policy director and chief of staff to then executive chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ribadu, Mr.

Olorunyomi brought order, synergy and clarity to the work the commission did during the turbulent days of the anti-graft war under Mr. Obasanjo.

Analysts say he was able to create a public ownership of the fight through the engagement of trade and labour unions, the media, civil society, women groups, youth, students, faith-based organisations, professional associations and other stakeholders. He also strengthened foreign linkages that enhanced the war on graft.

After his stint at the EFCC, he was involved in the setting up of Next newspaper, a short-lived but highly effective media outfit that redefined the nations investigative journalism. As enterprise editor, he set up and headed the Investigative Reporting Team of the newspaper.

When Mr. Ribadu contested for president in 2011, Mr. Olorunyomi was the lead strategist for the campaign.

After the campaigns, Mr. Olorunyomi returned to his first love, when he founded PREMIUM TIMES, Nigerias leading online investigative news platform. He also launched another initiative, the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) which promotes fundamental human rights, good governance and accountability in West Africa through investigative journalism, open data and civic technology.

He has a Certificate in Human Rights Law from the Washington College of Law of the American University in Washington, DC, a Certificate in Natural Resource Management from the University of Oxford, and is in the process of completing an MBA from the Business School, Netherlands.

Mr. Olorunyomi is currently the chief judge for the Zimeo Award of the African Media Initiative (AMI), and a board member of the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism, an initiative of the UNODC to promote investigative journalism in West Africa.

He is happily married with children.
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday asked its committee on Health to investigate the alleged failure of the Federal Ministry of Health to supply anti-snake venom to treatment centres and other health centres in the country.

The Senate decision followed a motion tagged Alarming increase in the rate of deaths of victims of snake bites due to scarcity of Anti-Snake Venom, sponsored by Joshua Lidani (PDP, Gombe South).

Premium Times on Sunday published a report by the News Agency of Nigeria that 250 victims of snake bite died within three weeks in Plateau and Gombe states, following an acute scarcity of anti- snake venom drugs in the country.

The Ministry of Health issued a statement the following day denying that there was a scarcity of the drugs, although it was silent on the casualties.

Moving the motion on the issue at the Senate on Thursday, Mr. Lidani said that the Ministry stopped supply of anti-venom to health centres since last year.

While pointing out that the number of deaths from snake bites rose especially in the snake belt states of Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Plateau due to unavailability of anti-snake venom, Mr. Lidani expressed worry that 91 victims died within the past three weeks.

There are only three snake bite treatment centres established by the Federal Government in the North, namely Kaltungo in Gombe State, Zanko Langtang in Plateau State and Bambur in Taraba State catering for the numerous victims of snake bites which are highly prevalent in the area.

The Gombe State Government had been supplying the anti-snake venom worth N8.5 million every quarter to the treatment centre at Kaltungo. But because of the numerous patients coming from the neighbouring states, the quantity of anti-snake venom has been inadequate and patients have resorted to buying from pharmaceutical shops at exorbitant rates.

The suppliers of the anti-snake venom who used to import them from UK and South Africa have been unable to import these vaccines adequately and consequently patients have resorted to traditional means which are unsafe and unreliable.

An ampule of anti-snake venom costs N35, 000 and not less than three ampules dosage are required for the treatment which is unaffordable by most of the peasant farmers in those areas, Mr. Lidani said.

He further noted that the federal government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo had approved the establishment of a factory for production of anti-snake venom in Gombe State, but nothing has been done in furtherance of that approval.

Mr. Lidani also frowned at how all anti-snake venom drugs are imported into the country as no pharmaceutical company is producing them in Nigeria.

After resolving to probe the supply of the drugs by the ministry, the senate further urged the Federal Ministry of Health to as a matter of urgency procure sufficient quantity of anti-snake venom and supply them to the treatment centres at Kaltungo, Langtang and Bambur.

It also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to initiate step towards the establishment of local production of anti-snake venom in Nigeria.

In the PREMIUM TIMES report of Tuesday where the Federal Government said there is ample stock of anti-snake venom in Nigeria, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, called on states where snake bite is prevalent to invest in procurement of anti-snake venom.

He said the federal government could not continue indefinitely to procure and distribute the drugs free to states as being currently practised.

The federal government is however working on Public Private Partnership arrangement for local production of anti-snake bite venom, which will make the product available affordable and accessible, the minister said.
A 38-year-old man, Tony Allan, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court, over an alleged sexual assault on his neighbours daughter.

The defendant who resides at No. 9, Ali St., Olowora, Ogba, a suburb of Lagos, was docked for sexual assault.

The prosecutor, Raphael Donny, told the court that the offence was committed on October 23 at the defendants residence.

Mr. Donny said that the defendant lured the 14-year-old neighbours daughter into his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand.

The defendant fingered the girls private part, until she started bleeding and told her not to tell anyone, he said.

Mr. Donny added that the girl could not bear the pain anymore, so she told her mother and the case was reported at the police station.

The offence contravened Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Folakemi Davies-Abegunde, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mrs. Davies-Abegunde adjourned the case until December 18 for mention.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the Armed Forces Council and ratified the National Defence Policy 2017 (Revised); Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers 2017.

Speaking to State House correspondents, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said the council was reconvened and inaugurated by the president.

According to him, the last meeting of the council was held on July 17, 2014.

The Armed Forces Council was convened which had not been done since the inception of this administration.

The last councils meeting that was done was in 2014. It reviewed terms and conditions of service for officers and soldiers.

It reviewed some of the retirement benefits for officers and soldiers including Defence Policy which has been obsolete since 2006. We reviewed it and discussed and reached a conclusion on them.

The minister expressed the hope that the ratification of these documents would enable the Armed Forces cope with the ever changing contemporary security challenges.

He said the documents would help to enhance welfare, command, discipline and administration of the Armed Forces as well as policy framework governing the conduct of security and defence in Nigeria.

(NAN)
Over one million Nigerians were receiving anti-retroviral treatment at the end of June 2017, the government has said.

The minister of health, Isaac Adewole, made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the 60th National Council on Health held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, which had the theme, Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the Health Sector: Matters Arising.

He did not however indicate if the figure included those under the care of private health facilities.

He explained that the established number of 1,050,594 was against 983,980 cases of those being treated reported at the end of last year. That means that about 66,614 new patients were placed under treatment in 2017.

Mr. Adewole said the government was also implementing other HIV prevention and control programmes including the fast-tracking programme in six states plus the Federal Capital Territory to reduce the scourge.

He pointed out that HIV/AIDS remains a persistent threat to the health of Nigerians, further straining the already struggling health care system and compromising the past developmental gains.

The minister called for a concerted and sustained effort by all those to reduce the transmission of the ailment in Nigeria.

As at the end of June 2017, the number of individuals placed on antiretroviral therapy in the country is 1,050,594 as against 983,980 reported at the end of last year. The government is also implementing other HIV prevention and control programmes including the fast-track programme in six states plus the FCT to reduce the HIV epidemic in the country, Mr. Adewole said.

The minister said efforts must be made to reverse the trend whereby over $1 billion is being spent annually on medical tourism.

He said the government would collaborate with state governments in revitalising the Primary Health Care system.

The host governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said only a healthy populate can contribute meaningfully to socio-economic growth of any society.

Mr. Amosun said that while the nation was striving to diversify the economy from crude oil, it should realise that only a healthy population can drive this policy.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has warned against imposition of candidates as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, prepares for its national convention, to elect national officers on December 9.

Mr. Dickson in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, on Thursday in Abuja, said the next convention was critical to the survival of the PDP.

Mr. Dickson, a former Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, called on PDP leaders and delegates to make sacrifices for the unity of the party.

He advised that in cases where party stakeholders/delegates were unable to reach a consensus on any position, the party should allow all aspirants to test their popularity on the convention ground.

Mr. Dickson stressed that creating a level-playing field for all aspirants in a transparent convention would make the PDP a stronger and more cohesive party.

He advised that the convention should not be conducted in a manner that would plunge the party into fresh crisis.

He also advised leaders of the party to avoid the temptation of taking over the place of the convention and the rights of the delegates to choose leaders for the party.

The next convention is critical to the survival of the party,

My position is that the party should organise an all-inclusive, transparent, acceptable, and credible convention that would rebrand the PDP and show our platform as a truly Democratic Party.

Therefore, I am against all forms of manipulations, intimidations, blackmail and imposition of candidates. For me, there should be no imposition at all.

I will not be a party to the adoption of anybody for any office unless it is by consensus of the zone in which the position has been zoned to.

If there is more than one contestant for a position, they should be given the opportunity to test their popularity at the convention.

A leader, no matter how highly placed should not take the place of the Convention and the powers of the delegates to the convention, he said.

He said the PDP must understand that Nigerians see the forthcoming National Convention as an opportunity that will usher in a rebranded and united PDP, which Nigerians would be happy to embrace in 2019.

Mr. Dickson said the December Convention is a precursor to the Presidential primary. He maintained that if the party gets its national convention right, it is likely to hold a successful Presidential Primary in 2018.

(NAN)
Over 60 per cent of under five Nigerian children stand the risk of not developing appropriately due to poor nutrition, a UNICEF Education specialist, Swadchet Sanky has said.

She also said 250 million under five children globally are unlikely to reach their full potential because their development had been stunted by poor nutrition.

Speaking at a two day media dialogue on Early Childhood Development, ECD, in Kano on Tuesday, Ms. Sankey said that Nigeria is among the top 10 countries contributing to these huge number of children

She added that most children do not reach their potential because their development has been stunted by stress, lack of early stimulation and poor nutrition.

Early Childhood Development refers to the physical, congnitive, language and social and emotional development of a child from age one to eight.

At the dialogue which was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the ministry of information, Ms. Sankey said the lack of ECD in children also affects the impact on a countrys growth.

Nigeria does not have the fundamentals in place for a comprehensive approach to ECD, with an integrated multi-sectoral ECD policy, the key indicators of child development outcomes in the country remain low, she said.

She said that the current policy on ECD is outdated and needs to be reviewed to contain current thinking and an improved approach to delivering ECD across various platforms in Nigeria.

She however urged Nigerians from all sectors of the economy to work together to ensure the attainment of ECD in children.

Ms. Sankey said there is need to address regulation issues which would serve as a guide to developing childrens potentials.

There are regulation issues and it is the responsibility of the government to impose these regulations; today you see some schools using the Montessori model while others use the American model. There is no (standard) regulation.

Again, child development is not about biology and genes, it is about environment, nutrition and care. ECD is the foundation for attaining sustainable development and we are working with training institutions, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to ensure play-based learning in classrooms, Ms. Sankey noted.

In his presentation, a UNICEF nutrition specialist, Bamidele Omotola, urged mothers to stimulate their children for proper development, adding that parental stimulation is a major factor in preparing children for the future.

Also, the deputy director of UBEC, Mayowa Aleshi, called for adequate plan and utilisation of resources to expand early childhood development.

Mr. Aleshi noted that as at 2014, there were 62,406 primary schools but only 28,026 of them had early childhood care and development education centres.

He said that the centres had 56,588 teachers and caregivers with 74 per cent of this population qualified.

He also disclosed that the Nigerian government has set aside two per cent of its consolidated revenue fund for the implementation of UBEC Programme Funding. This is broken down to a matching grant of 50 per cent, instructional materials of 15 per cent; teachers development of 10 per cent and 5 per cent each for the three components on pre-primary schools.
Justice D. Z. Senchi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Jabi, Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of four suspected military pension fraudsters in Kuje prison over their alleged complicity in stealing military pension funds to the tune of N339million.

The suspects, Ishaka Yakubu (Wing Commander), Akinbamidele Odunsi (Lieutenant Commander), Abidemi Aderemi Kolade and Violet Ofoegbunam were alleged to have conspired to collect monies meant for payment of death benefits to deceased army officers, and converted same to personal use.

The offence breaches Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 LFN (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under the same Act.

The suspects were arraigned on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 6-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of pension funds.

One of the counts reads:

That you, Wing Commander Ishaka Yakubu m while serving as a cashier with the Military Pension Board, Lieutenant Commander Akinbamidele Odunsi M being an Assistant Director, computer, while serving with the Military Pension Board, Mrs Abidemi Aderemi Kolade F being a Relationship Manager while serving with United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc, Kuforudua Branch- Abuja and Violet Ofoegbunam F being a Branch Manager while serving with UBA Plc, Kuforodua Branch-Abuja, on or about February, 2016 in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to the Nigeria Military Pension Board dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N339.374million only which was withdrawn from the Military Pension Board Account with pretence that, the said sum represented payments to the supposed next of kin to deceased Nigerian as death benefit, that the said monies were paid and withdrawn in tranches and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Cap 532 LFN ( Abuja) 1990..

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In view of their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Steve Odiase, asked the court to fix a date for hearing and to remand the accused persons in custody pending trial.

Mr. Odiase invited the court to take note of the fact that, Messrs. Yakubu and Odunsi (1st and 2nd defendants) had on several dates refused to come to court, an attempt aimed at frustrating efforts to have them arraigned over the alleged offence.

He urged the court to impose stringent conditions should it be persuaded to admitting the defendants to bail.

However, Mr. Yakubus counsel, Patrick Ediale, informed the court of a pending application dated November 2, praying the court to admit his client to bail.

He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant saying, he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.

Other counsel in the defence also joined in seeking bail for their clients.

Justice Senchi, while ordering the remand of the defendants adjourned to November 13 for hearing of their bail applications.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, organisers of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, has banned the use of wrist watches and pens during the conduct of its 2018 test.

The boards Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this to journalists on the sideline of a one-day sensitisation workshop for Computer Based Test, CBT, centre owners on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to him, the essence of the workshop is to appraise the registration and conduct of the 2017 examination.

What we are doing here today is to appraise the registration and conduct of our past examination and we have taken some lessons from our experience.

To this end therefore we have introduced some measures that will further add to the integrity of the registration process as well as the conduct of the examination proper.

For instance, we discovered during the conduct of the last examination that some electronic devices such as pens, wristwatches and other devices were used to perpetrate examination malpractice.

So, for next year, we have banned the use of wristwatches and pens by candidates and other persons in the examination hall.

We are also going to introduce some detection devices to ensure that those who plan to cheat in the examination hall are frustrated, as we will also jam (communication network) of the centres, he said.

Mr. Oloyede noted that the sale of the registration document for the 2018 UTME would commence before the end of November.

We are planning to meet with all stakeholders on November 15 and the sale of the registration document will definitely commence before the end of this month.

But before that, we expect candidates to go and download our app, go to our website and download the syllabus and brochure, so that they can now study the process.

This is in order to minimise the errors that usually occurs during the registration process, he said.

The JAMB boss added that not less than 617 centres have been accredited nationwide for the exercise.

We are still considering about 60 more centres as we have their applications waiting for consideration.

However, a total of 72 centres nationwide have earlier been delisted owing to their involvement in some infractions and they remain delisted.

On the boards plan to construct mega CBT centres for its examinations, Mr. Oloyede said: The mega centre plan is still on, we said that last year.

But the process of planning will take some time.

There will be design, there will be contact with private operators, just as there will be advertisements and also due process will be followed, he said.

Earlier, Mr. Oloyede called for the support of the CBT centre owners in checking anti-examination activities capable of compromising the examination.

While thanking you for your diligence during the 2017 examination, we want to seize this opportunity to inform you of the flagging off of the 2018 exercise.

We will like to also assure you that we will make use of the best CBT centres in the coming examination.

You will be culpable if you do not expose any CBT centre that is doing what is evil because they will attract condemnation from all of us.

It is on this premise that we are appealing that you assist us in identifying the bad eggs among you and ensuring that they do not participate in our activities, he said.

According to him, monitoring starts from the time of arrival of the centre owners to the workshop.

He added that during the 2018 UTME examination, the board would include some other requirements for CBT centres.

We are not going to accept wireless CCTV cameras. Any examination conducted in any CBT centre that we cannot monitor from Abuja will not be paid for.

The onus is on you to ensure that your CCTV are working and must be on and no CBT centre is allowed to sell any kind of materials under the guise of past questions.

We will also not tolerate candidates leaving the centre to go out to use the toilet. It is expected that all accredited CBT centres have an in-house convenience, Mr. Oloyede said.

(NAN)
Following the withdrawal of the petition against the Nigerian Army, the counsel to detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, on Wednesday made a fresh demand for his release on health grounds.

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to release Ibraheem El-zakzaky, the IMN leader, and his wife, Zainab El-zakzaky, as they both need urgent medical attention.

Sheik El-zakzaky already lost his left eye and he is on the verge of losing the right eye sequel to the brutal treatment meted out to him by the armed soldiers and the State Security Service has denied him foreign medical treatment recommended by the local specialists who had attended to him. Even the alternative arrangement put in place by the family of the Sheik to bring eye specialists from abroad to treat him in custody has equally been rejected without any legal justification, Mr. Falana said in a letter to Mr. Buhari titled Fresh request for the release of Sheik Ibraheem Elzakzaky and Hajia Zainab Elzakzaky.

Mr. Falana said though Mr. El-zakzakys health is deteriorating and his wifes condition is far worse.

It may interest Your Excellency to know that the medical condition of Mrs Zainab El-zakzaky is by far worse than that of her husband. For reasons best known to the State Security Service, some of the bullets lodged in her body during the brutal attack of December 14, 2015, have not been extracted up till now. In the circumstances, she has been subjected to excruciating pain and agony, on a daily basis. Her life which is currently in danger may be saved and prolonged if she is allowed to receive adequate medical attention without any further delay, Mr. Falana said.

The radical lawyer said the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court had on December 2, 2016 ordered the release of the couple from the illegal custody of the State Security Service, SSS. The court also awarded them N50 million and directed the federal government to provide them a temporary accommodation.

He said he was compelled to ask President Buhari to consider ordering the release of the couple since the federal government is not prepared to direct the SSS to comply with the court order.

Mr. Falana also pointed out the fact that the Judicial Commission of Enquiry which was set up by the Kaduna State government to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violent attack unleashed on the Shiites in December 2015 did not recommend the indefinite incarceration or prosecution of Mr. El-zakzaky and his wife for any criminal offence whatsoever.

Therefore, they should be allowed to regain their fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed by Section 35 of the Constitution and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, he argued.

Mr. Falana, therefore, urged Mr. Buhari to release the couple and allow them to travel abroad for medical attention.

Mr. El-Zakzakys detention followed an attack on his followers by troops of the Nigerian Army in Zaria Kaduna State, leading to the death of over 300 IMN members. The army accused the Shiites of blocking a road to be used by the army chief, Tukur Buratai.

The couple are in detention in spite of a court order ordering their release. The government, however, said they are kept in protective custody for their own safety.
The FCT Police Command said that it arrested some suspects in connection with the disturbance between operatives of the Directorate of Road Transport Services (VIO) Task Force and cab operators at Wuse area of the Nigerian capital.

The commands spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah, in a statement on Wednesday, however, said that normalcy had been restored.

He, however, did not mention the number of suspects arrested.

Some hoodlums who were trying to take advantage of the false rumour to cause problem in the FCT have been arrested and investigation is in progress, he said.

He said that the disturbance followed a misunderstanding between operatives of VIO Taskforce and cab operators at Wuse.

Mr. Manzah said that contrary to speculations making rounds, no life was lost, nor was anyone injured during the disturbance.

The spokesman reiterated the commands commitment to protect lives and property in the territory.

He advised members of the public to always follow the right channel in expressing their grievances instead of resorting to self-help.

He enjoined residents to go about their lawful businesses as adequate security measures had been deployed by the command.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the incident caused traffic gridlock for several hours in the Nigerian capital.

The taxi drivers alleged that a soldier in the VIO team shot a taxi driver whose health condition could not be ascertained.

The cab operators blocked most link routes to Wuse, forcing motorists to take alternative roads.

Many commuters were also stranded as they could not get vehicles to take them to their various destinations.

In a reaction to the protest, some taxi drivers under Painted Abuja Taxis (PATs) dissociated themselves from the incident.

Shehu YarAdua, the chairman of the group, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the protest was carried out by miscreants.

He said that speculation that the protest was because a taxi driver was killed or injured by the FCT Joint Task Force, JTF, was not true.

Mr. YarAdua said the injured person was not a member of PATs but a private driver, who was with his family. He said the driver had a problem with the JTF that resulted to fight.

When the incident happened, the people around thought he was our member and I think in the course of the fighting, he fell down.

That was what people saw and then concluded that he was shot dead by the JTF and this is not true.

The information came to us but before we could investigate, all roads leading to Wuse market were barricaded by miscreants, who took advantage of the false information, he said.

He said the situation was brought under control with the support of security agencies and other stakeholders, adding that PAT was in cordial relationship the VIO.

Earlier, the protesters had alleged that a commercial taxi driver was shot by the task force.

Some of the protesters said the task force was being used to frustrate the operation of taxi drivers.

James Ibe, one of the protesters and a commercial taxi drivers, said he had regularly been arrested and made to pay fines of between N7,000 and N25,000 to bail their vehicles from the task force custody.

Mr. Ibe noted that most of the drivers were graduates, who took to driving because of failure of the government to provide employment.

Segun Adebayo, one of the protesters, said the continuous molestation and frustration of lives and efforts of the drivers to make ends meet was discouraging.

The government did not give us jobs, we have on our own decided to provide for ourselves and now, our efforts are being frustrated.

It is with this driving that we are feeding our families and meeting up with other financial obligations, he said.

Mr. Adebayo appealed to the FCT minister to intervene in the matter to ensure that taxis were allowed to load and discharge passengers in the various designated motor parks in Abuja.

Dauda Musa, another protester, said he was recently arrested inside Berger Bus Stop by four military men, six police officers and other security agents in Abuja

According to him, they arrested his vehicle along with some others and we were made to pay N25,000 each for alleged illegal parking inside a bus stop.

He said the security personnel and task force had always operated without their name tags, alleging that the task force was exploiting drivers.

We have had enough of this Joint Task Force in FCT, they have never allowed taxi drivers to earn a living for themselves, he said.
The Nigerian Police on Wednesday withdrew the 90-count charge instituted against the National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh, and replaced it with a 13-count charge.

The police also applied for the amendment ahead of hearing of the charge by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The police have been having a running battle with the Peace Corps Commandant in the last one year, culminating in his arrest alongside 49 other members of the corps on February 28.

No reason was given by the police for the amendment of the 90-count charge.

It was however gathered that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, had earlier this year faulted the charges brought against Mr. Akoh as bogus.

It was gathered that the AGF found that most of the counts were duplicated.

The police filed the charges after invading the head office of the peace corps on February 28 during its official commissioning in Abuja.

A team of legal experts put in place by the AGF to review the 90-count charge was said to have advised that the charges be compressed to 13.

Although the trial of Mr. Akoh was slated for Wednesday, a counsel from the AGF office, TVC Kuku, informed Justice John Tsoho that the prosecution had amended the charge to 13.

The counsel pleaded with the judge to grant an adjournment in the matter to enable the defendant be served with the amended charge in line with the provision of the law.

The counsel to the defendant, John Ochogwu, did not object to the request for adjournment.

The Police had earlier in the year frozen 24 accounts in various commercial banks in Nigeria, belonging to the commandant and other officers of the Corps in various states of the federation.

Justice Tsoho had set aside the orders of a Magistrate Court in Wuse and that of the Federal High Court freezing of the accounts.

The judge, while vacating the order, held that police engaged in gross abuse of court process on the ground that similar order freezing the PCN accounts was obtained at a Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, and was set aside by the same magistrate court following a counter motion of the PCN.



The judge said it was wrong of the police to have suppressed facts on the magistrate court matter before approaching the Federal High Court for the same order to freeze the accounts.

From whatever way the matter is looked, the police acted in bad faith against the court, Justice Tsoho said and ordered the commercial banks to unfreeze the accounts.

After the court reconvened on Wednesday afternoon, the Nigerian Police brought an application to seal the National Headquarters of the Peace Corps.

The corps, through its counsel, Kanu Agabi, had filed a motion on notice on October 6, 2017, seeking an order of the court to unseal its office located at No 57 Iya Abubakar Crescent, off Alex Ekwueme way, opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja.

In a motion by J. Idachaba, the police claimed the property of the peace corps was ill gotten and should not only be sealed by the order of the court, but it should also be temporarily forfeited.

He denied the allegations that the office had been sealed ab initio, saying the defendant could not produce any evidence to compel the court to believe that the office was sealed.

The presideing judge, Mr. Tsoho reserved judgement till January 15 2017, on the respective applications submitted by both the corps and the Nigerian Police.
As controversy rages over the insistence of the Kaduna state government to sack over 20,000 teachers who recently failed the competency test, Nigerians have taken to various platforms, especially on Twitter, to share their thoughts.

Following threats by the Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, to proceed on an indefinite strike from November 23, Governor Nasir El Rufai on Tuesday vowed to go ahead with the sack.

We have received a notice from the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kaduna State wing demanding that we rescind our decision on unqualified teachers or else they (will) go on an indefinite strike. But then we ask, whats the point of that strike? the governor questioned.

To force us to violate our oath of office and retain unqualified teachers? We have sworn by the Holy Books that we will only do justice and we are committed to ensuring that the children of the poor in Kaduna State must get free basic and quality education, he said via a Facebook post.

On Wednesday, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, led hundreds of demonstrators through the streets of Kaduna in protest against the planned sack.

The development has caused widespread outpouring of opinions from people from all works of life.

Rather than sack the Kaduna teachers who failed the exams the state administered on them is it not better to train and retrain them? Why sack them and lose their years of experience? Reno Omokri said in a tweet.

A co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls campaign, Aisha Yesufu, also waded in on the matter. She took the perspective of teachers being compared to doctors to awaken the consciousness of her followers.

She said Would you allow unqualified doctors in hospitals because you think its inhumane to sack them? Unqualified teachers kill too. They kill the mind. A slow painless torturous one.

Read more reactions here:

JOB! JOB!! JOB!!!

On going recruitment in KADUNA

Governor of Kaduna State has just announced recruitment for 25,000 teachers to replace the incompetent ones. Apply, RT and share with friends. pic.twitter.com/qzpUr2hJnF  Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) November 9, 2017

https://twitter.com/OsasCruz/status/928535513795047424

I have mulled this over in my mind. What the Kaduna State teachers who could not score up to 75% in the Primary 4 test they were made to take need is not training. Training scales up what you already know. What they need is to be sent back to restart Primary School.  HENRY Okelue  (@4eyedmonk) November 9, 2017

There are people here more concerned about the livelihood of UNQUALIFIED teachers than the future of millions of children in Kaduna. Nigeria is nothing if not a paradox.  Babanla (@biolakazeem) November 9, 2017

A gem of a placard from the Kaduna teachers protesting their sack for failing a competency test pic.twitter.com/Hs6QAov4Fl  tyro (@DoubleEph) November 8, 2017

I served in Kaduna, 1st at NN & later at Govt Sec. Sch. Geshere, Saminaka-Lere Zone where I painstakingly took English & Literature classes (JS3-SS3). I had to organise free private classes for the school's full time English teachers. Education in the North needs radical reforms!  'JideAluko (@JideAluko) November 9, 2017

Peter Obi was IMPEACHED for initiating core reforms in Education in Anambra. He fought back/won. Anambra Teachers/Students are better off today that he did. Education Reform is not an easy task but it IS NEEDED. Kaduna Govt/NUT should find solutions & NOT compromise COMPETENCE  Juliet 'Kego | #Poetry4Change (@julietkego) November 9, 2017

The future of the children has a greater importance and essence for Kaduna state than Elrufai's 2nd term. https://t.co/o28cBRRHoQ  JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) November 9, 2017

Kaduna is the most educationally improved and advanced state in Northern Nigeria. If you have over 21K teachers who failed a primary 4 test, what is then the fate of teachers in other Northern states?  A.S. Aruwa (@MusadiqZ) November 9, 2017

https://twitter.com/badgalmaddie_/status/928557933427920896

Thread  I dont have a vote in Kaduna but you have my 100% support on this if you need it https://t.co/SuJBL5HOU0  tyro (@DoubleEph) November 9, 2017

Lol, Id like to take your word for it but like I said unless you can show me where it has worked before in Nigeria or you can got into the future and report from 2020 or 2030 that this thing worked for Kaduna, I cant agree with you even though I may be wrong. https://t.co/oIojKrInbR  Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) November 9, 2017

I wish El-Rufai was our SGF or cheif of staff to the president.. this should be a National Case not only kaduna  Hamza. (@hamzee89) November 9, 2017

https://twitter.com/Muhada1072/status/928584241386082305
The Nigerian Senate has launched an investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of 26 Nigerian girls whose bodies were found on a Spanish warship.

Following a motion sponsored by Rose Oko, the Senate on Thursday mandated three committees to investigate the incident.

Bodies of the girls, mostly teenagers aged 14-18, and believed to have been sexually abused and murdered, were recovered at sea, BBC reported on Monday.

Their bodies were discovered in a Spanish warship, Cantabria, carrying 375 migrants.

Italian media reported that the bodies were being kept in a refrigerated section of the warship.

Most of the 375 survivors brought to Salerno, among which were 90 women, eight of them pregnant, 52 children, were sub-Saharan Africans from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, The Gambia and Sudan.

Five migrants are being questioned in the southern port of Salerno following an investigation launched by Italian prosecutors on Monday.

Mrs. Oko said emergency measures must be used to address the situation.

The Senate is worried that this mass exodus of our children from the relative safety and security of home to the often cold hands of death have arisen and are increasing as a result of the economic hardships at home including the unemployment situation in Nigeria, she said.

The Senate strongly believes that it is time to go beyond the mere feeling of horror to taking pro-active, urgent and emergency measures to address the root causes of the exodus, including massive enlightenment on the dangers that it portends.

Shehu Sani, Kaduna-APC, said the incident was a national tragedy that must urgently be attended to.

The death of 26 Nigerians in the Mediterranean Sea is a national tragedy. It is unfortunate that year in, year out, thousands of Africans, Nigerians perish in the Mediterranean on the way to Europe in search for what they call greener pasture, he said.

It is equally worrying that every month, hundreds of Nigerians are brought back to this country after failed attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea and there are factors to this irregular migration. The push factors have to do with the issue of poverty, economic instability and also the pull factor has to do with the unrealisable dreams and illusions and also components that has to do with drug trafficking, terrorism and sexual abuse.

Sam Egwu, Ebonyi-PDP, called on the Federal and State governments to declare a state of emergency on unemployment to curb re-occurrence of the tragic incident.

The issue of unemployment has been a recurrent decimal and has been a source of worry and the implication is a source of worry to all of us, he said.

Year in, year out, we turn out graduates that have no job to do after their NYSC and enabling environment is not even there to start their businesses. I think the Federal and State governments should declare state of emergency on unemployment and do something tangible.

The Senate, in its resolution mandated its committees on Diaspora, Foreign Affairs and Special Duties, to investigate the incident and report back within four weeks and thereafter observed a minute silence for the repose of the souls of the girls.

The lawmakers however rejected four prayers moved by the sponsor of the bill.
The federal government has called for the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, in fighting the scourge of fake news, disinformation and hate speeches.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call on Thursday in Paris at the 39th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO.

The minister spoke against the backdrop of UNESCOs Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and impunity.

Mr. Mohammed who reiterated the position of the Nigerian government never to engage in impunities against journalists, said that the global organisation must look into the negative trend of fake news and disinformation.

Times are changing, and as much as we support that journalists must be protected and allowed to do their jobs without hindrance, we at the same time want UNESCO to consider the new menace of fake news and misrepresentations.

Fake news and misrepresentations, while they may not directly take lives, the consequences are also grave.

We, therefore, want UNESCO to lend its considerable weight in fight against fake news, he said.

The minister also advocated better collaboration among various countries in the fight against illegal trafficking in artefacts.

He commended the move by UNESCO in amending the1970 convention against illegal trafficking and prohibition of endangered artefacts.

Mr. Mohammed said there was also the need to invest in public enlightenment and advocacy for people to take ownership of their cultural artefacts.

He identified poverty as one of the major reason for increase in the theft of artefacts.

Because of poverty, many of our people sell off and conspire with those who are stealing artefacts.

We need to educate them to know that a country without artefacts is without history and a country without history is likely not to progress, he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Mariam Katagum, said the country had signed and ratified all UNESCO Conventions on Culture including that on promotion of national heritage.

Ms. Katagum noted that beyond the ratifications, it was important to see how the conventions improved on the wellbeing of the common man.

She regretted that a UNESCO world heritage monument in Nigeria, the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa was attacked by the Boko Haram extremists and there were lot of damage.

The ambassador said UNESCO had, however, given assistance to Nigeria to rebuild what were destroyed and empowered member of the host community.

Ms. Katagum also said that UNESCO had prepared publications to train military personnel on how to ensure they do not destroy cultural property during armed conflicts.

She said her office had sent the manuals to the Nigerian Military for the training of their officers and men.

(NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the young man who blew the whistle on the massive stash of money recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, is now a millionaire.

The acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, stated this in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, the spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement.

Mr. Uwujaren said Mr. Magu spoke at the ongoing 7th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

On April 7, EFCC operatives broke into a four-bedroom apartment on Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, and pulled out $43 million, 27,800 and N23 million stashed in a wardrobe.

The commission said the discovery followed an operation triggered by a whistle blowers alert received by its Lagos office.

Mr. Uwujaren quoted Mr. Magu as saying that the whistle blower was already a millionaire by virtue of the percentage he was officially entitled to.

We are currently working on the young man because this is just a man who has not seen one million Naira of his own before.

So, he is under counseling on how to make good use of the money and also the security implication.

We dont want anything bad to happen to him after taking delivery of his entitlement. He is a national pride, he said.

The EFCC boss called on Nigerians who want a positive change in the country to take advantage of the whistle blowing policy announced by the government early this year.

He noted that aside from contributing to the eradication of corruption, potential whistle blowers also stood to benefit from the illicit acquisition by the looters.

So, we encourage more whistle blowers to come forward with genuine information that will lead to recoveries from looters of public treasuries.

That is part of the ways we can put an end to the looting madness in the public sector.

When they know that they have no place to keep the loot, as all eyes are on them, they will find looting of public treasuries unattractive,  Magu said.

On June 7, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.(NAN)
Justice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government of Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The property housed the sums of $43.3 million, 27,800, and N23 million in cash.

The judge issued the orders following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Before now, the anti-graft agency had mentioned the wife of the sacked Director-General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Folashade Oke, as the owner of the flat.

The commission said it found out that Mrs. Oke made a cash payment of $1.6 million for the purchase of the flat between August 25 and September 3, 2015.

The EFCC further argued that the woman purchased the property in the name of a company, Chobe Ventures Ltd, of which she and her son, were directors.

The payments were made to Fine and Country Ltd.

The anti-graft agency explained that Mrs. Oke made the cash payment in tranches of 700,000 dollars , 650,000 dollars, and 353,700 dollars, to a subsidiary of a Bureau de Change  Sulah Petroleum and Gas Ltd.

The company was said to have later converted the sums into N360 million and subsequently paid it to Fine and Country Ltd for the purchase of the property.

The judge adjourned the case until November 30 for any interested party to appear and show cause why the interim forfeiture should not be a permanent forfeiture. (NAN)
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, has pledged to deepen support to indigenous companies in Nigerias oil and gas industry.

A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, said Mr. Baru made the pledge while commissioning the Lagos Midstream Jetty, LMJ, at the Apapa Harbour in Lagos.

NNPC will continue to support all players in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry toward efficient product supply and distribution across the country, he said.

Mr. Baru reiterated NNPCs commitment to continuous collaboration with the private sector and urged private companies to develop innovative and profitable solutions that would not only aid development, but ease the way of doing business.

He noted that the development of the much-needed critical infrastructure should not be seen as the sole responsibility of government.

Good infrastructure plays a critical role in ending extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity among the citizenry.

The reality is that we all have a role to play in developing and moving the economy forward, an economy that will benefit us all today and generations yet unborn, Mr. Baru said.

He commended Oando Plc for initiating the idea of the LMJ, saying the jetty was an encouraging example of Public Private Partnership, PPP. The statement also quoted the Chairman OVH Energy, Wale Tinubu, as saying the N54.4 billion worth LMJ was conceived as an innovative industry solution to the perennial challenges marketers faced in the importation of petroleum products.

Today, we have delivered a first-class engineering piece that meets global standards. It is the first of its kind in the sub-Saharan Africa and will be of invaluable benefit to the industry and nation at large, he said

Mr. Tinubu also thanked the GMD for encouraging indigenous participation in the nations oil and gas industry. Conceived and successfully built by Oando PLC, the LMJ is West Africas first privately owned mid-stream jetty located at the Lagos Apapa Harbour. The LMJ will allow up to 45,000 Dead Weight (DWT) vessels to berth and discharge products while easing out congestion around the Apapa corridor.

The jetty which is also available for the use of players in all sectors, including peers and competitors, is expected to boost the delivery of petroleum products to terminals around the Apapa axis and the nation at large.

Its better to be approximately right than exactly wrong.
Our attention has been drawn to media reports that the Nigeria Police had applied for a bench warrant to arrest the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, over unfounded allegations of forgery and loan infractions with GTBank.

Consequently, weve deemed it proper to respond and put the records straight.

To be clear, a bench warrant can only be applied for and, if the necessary conditions are met, be issued by a court in a pending charge. As it stands, there is no charge pending against Mr. Chukwuma, Innoson Motors, Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mistsui Osk Lines and Anajekwu Sunny.

The police got involved in the ongoing legal dispute between Innoson Group and GTBank on December 21, 2015, when the Inspector General of Police initiated a lawsuit, charge number: FHC/L/565C/2015, against Mr. Chukwuma and five others based on frivolous complaints by GTBank.

But on February 17, 2016, the police withdrew the charges, saying they needed to properly investigate the banks complaints first and see if they had merits.

Since the police have withdrawn their charges, it is then wrong for the same police to seek arrest warrant against Mr. Chukwuma on the claims that he was evading court proceedings.

A prosecutor at the Office of Attorney-General told the court that the police filed charges against Innoson Group executives in December 2015 but he didnt inform the court that the same police had withdrawn the matter weeks later.

This was a perhaps an attempt by the Ministry of Justice official to mislead the court because the presiding judge, Ayotunde Faji, had only recently took over the matter.

The failure by the police to carefully investigate complaints before taking Innoson Motors and its executives to court and the involvement of the AGFs office were amongst the numerous tactics which GTBank had deployed to avoid paying its debt to Innoson Motors.

THE GENESIS OF THE WITHDRAWN ALLEGATIONS; SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

At all material time, Innoson Nigeria Ltd. was a customer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Sometime in 2012, Innoson discovered that GTBank had arbitrarily imposed and debited its current account to the tune of N700 million in excessive and unlawful charges.

Despite a series of complaints and demand for reversal of the illegal charges, a defiant GTBank refused to refund the N700 million to Innoson.

Consequently, Innoson sued GTBank before the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State.

Delivering judgement in suit number: FHC/AWK/CS/139/2012, the FHC awarded N4.7 billion to Innoson Motors against GTBank. The court also ordered GTBank to pay 22 percent interest on the judgment debt until all the payment had been made to Innoson.

GTBank challenged the judgement at the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division. The appeal number is: CA/E/288/2013.

However, on December 9, 2014, the Court of Appeal upheld the judgement of the FHC and ordered GTBank to pay its debt to Innoson into an interest-yielding account operated by the court. By then, the debt had accumulated to over N6 billion.

Similarly, the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, in a garnishee order absolute made on July 29, 2011, ordered GTBank to pay N2.4 billion to Innoson. The case number is: FHC/L/CS/603/2006.

Also, the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, in its judgment of February 6, 2014 affirmed the decision of the FHC and ordered GTBank to pay N2.4 billion. The appeal number is: CA/I/258/2011.

Based on the numerous judicial pronouncements to the appellate levels, GTBank was indebted to Innoson Motors up to N8.5 billion as at 2013/2014.

In its various affidavits, particularly at the Court of Appeal in suit number: CA/E/288/2013, GTBank deposed that if it pays the outstanding judgment debt of N6 billion, much less the N8.5 billion, it could go bankrupt and be out of business.

Consequently, in order to save itself from paying the outstanding judgment debts to Innoson, the bank filed a petition which led to the suit No: FHC/L/565C/2015  which was properly and competently withdrawn by the police on February 17, 2016 as stated above.

ON THE ALLEGATION OF FALSIFICATION OF SHIPPING DOCUMENTS TO OBTAIN A N2.4 BILLION LOAN FROM GTBANK.

GTBank did not at any time grant any loan of N2.4 billion to Innoson. And there was no such thing as Innoson obtaining any loan from GTB with shipping documents.

Innoson obtained, and had repaid same, a loan of N1.3 billion from GTB which was secured with a legal mortgage of its properties valued at more than N1.4 billion.

Please note that shipping documents, vide: bills of lading, are issued when goods covered by them are already loaded onto the conveying vessel.

It is highly unlikely that any manufacturer would release its goods for shipment unless it had been paid or its payment had been guaranteed.

In this circumstance, is GTBank saying that Innoson used bills of lading to obtain loan from it but it didnt investigate the genuineness of the documents before granting the loan? This, surely, should not be an attribute of a seasoned financial institution; except that of an unethical and a careless bank.

Secondly, it also means that for Innoson to have the bills of lading, the goods were already paid for or their payment guaranteed and, as such, the company did not need any loan from GTBank in that regard.

This alone disproves GTBanks claim that a loan was obtained with dubious shipping documents  bills of lading.

Moreso, GTBank paid the duties for all the goods Innoson imported with the facility it granted to it before Innoson cleared the goods covered using the bills of lading.

As at the time of payment of the duties, GTBank knew or ought to know that the goods covered by the bills of lading and its facility were to be cleared.

Also, after clearing the goods Innoson returned to GTBank the relevant exchange rate documents for onward transmission to Central Bank of Nigeria, and accordingly GTBank transmitted the paperwork to the CBN.

Innoson didnt do anything hidden, fraudulent or criminal in all its dealings with GTBank.

The bank is only looking for means to blackmail, hoodwink and force Innoson to forego its monetary judgment, which now stands at estimated N10 billion.

GTBanks desperate schemes in this regard know no limit.

Recently, in a ploy to get the Supreme Court of Nigeria to set aside the N2.4 billion judgment debt against it, it alleged, through a motion in suit number: SC/694/2014, that the Court of Appeal judgement in Ibadan (CA/I/258/2011) was procured by suspicious means. But the Supreme Court in its wisdom, and rightly, dismissed that unfounded and exasperating claim in May 2017.

As a result, Innoson commenced a N400 billion suit against GTBank, in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2448/2017, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Also pending before the Court of Appeal is an appeal on whether there is any charge at the Federal High Court, given the police withdrawal of the charge.

Even though the motion for a stay of proceedings was dismissed by the Court of Appeal while the substantive appeal is still ongoing, Innoson has appealed against that decision to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in suit number: SC:839/2017.

The Office of the Attorney-General is proceeding with the case even after the police have withdrawn their charges because they had not concluded investigation.

At the Supreme Court, Innoson filed motions to quash the directive of the Court of Appeal which had erroneously ruled that proceedings should continue despite police having withdrawn from the case at the High Court.

Innoson has served the Federal High Court notices of the motions pending at the Supreme Court.

Therefore, contrary to media reports, Justice Faji did not adjourn on October 10, 2017 to November 21, 2017 for hearing of the application for issuance of bench warrant.

Rather, the judge requested time to study ruling of the Court of Appeal and to hear Innosons and others preliminary objections.

There was no pending application for issuance of bench warrant against Innoson Group executives before Honourable Justice Faji on October 10, 2017.

Cornel Osigwe

Head of Corporate Communications

Innoson Group
The Borno State government says it has set up various mechanisms, including using pupils as spies, to help catch those diverting food meant for the public school feeding programme.

Governor Kashim Shettima disclosed this when he inaugurated a special committee to handle an improved feeding of pupils and students across 78 secondary schools in the state.

At the event Mr Shettima said he plans to engage undisclosed pupils as spies who will be sending him messages via telephone and social media platforms to give hint on the quality of meals being served at dining halls.

It is not clear if the primary school pupils would be equipped with smart phones and data to carry out the assignment.

The special committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Musa Kubo, an experienced school administrator, who will be working with representatives of the Parents Teachers Association, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other stakeholders.

Governor Shettimas decision to engage children as undercover agents was followed his recent unscheduled visit to a secondary school during where he went straight to the kitchen only to discover that meals being served fell short of the standard he prescribed back in since 2012.

Shortly after assuming office as governor, Mr. Shettima increased the monthly allocation of boarding school pupils feeding from N20 million which he inherited to N100 million.

The 17-member feeding committee is responsible for procurement of food stuff, distribution to schools, monitoring of cooking and quality of meals and supervision of efficient distribution of reasonable portions to pupils.

But the governor said he would not give the committee all the free hand like he did in the past.

Apart from approving funds, I will also help you to do your job, he said.

Do not feel that I am being suspicious. As you all know, I do visit schools but this time around, I will give some students (you will never know) my phone numbers to communicate directly with me to give me regular updates on the quality of meals they are being served henceforth.

You as committee members should address the principals and call them to order. I will urge you to directly procure the foodstuff and give it to the principals of our respective boarding secondary schools.

And it is within your mandate to hire and pay the salaries of cooks where there are shortages of kitchen personnel. I want all of you to work hard and identify some sacrificial lambs. I want you to deal with two or three principals who shortchange pupils in their feeding.

As I have always said, education is very important to the development of any society and we owe an obligation to humanity, to posterity to fix public schools in Borno. With the way we are building schools, some people would feel we are crazy because they forget that Boko Haram has taken our education backward and created thousands of school aged out of school children.

We are buying lands, we are buying premises and building schools on them and we will make these schools function effectively, the governor said.
The Kaduna State Government on Wednesday restated its resolve to upgrade the quality of education in the state. The state government said it stands firmly by the long-term interests of the two million pupils in public primary schools, and would not be derailed by the agitation of 21,000 unqualified teachers. It said the process of recruiting 25,000 new teachers is going well.

A government statement said that following reports of serial criminal actions that have taken place in the last three days, it has forwarded the names of individuals putting pupils at risk, disrupting schools and vandalizing public property to the law-enforcement agencies.

Adamu Mansur, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, explained at a press briefing that the government would not allow anyone to get away with criminal activity under the cover of industrial relations.

He emphasised that nothing will deter the government from recruiting qualified teachers, while giving disengaged teachers the entitlements specified in their terms of service.

The Kaduna State Government wishes to thank the public for supporting its quest to deliver quality education in public schools. This includes recruiting qualified teachers for the public primary schools. So far, more than 17,000 applications have been received by the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board and more are expected before the deadline of 19th November 2017.

The government today reviewed the situation in primary schools across the state. This review included a meeting with the Executive Secretaries of all the 23 local government education authorities. Government is satisfied that a majority of the primary schools in the state are functioning as normal.

However, government continues to receive disturbing reports of criminal activities being undertaken in the name of union activities. Some of these activities include the following:

1. Today, the NLC led thugs to vandalise the Lugard Hall premises of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

2. Officials of trade unions forcibly closing schools such as the Katsina Road LEA School and sending the pupils to the streets.

3. Blockage of highways by pupils and secondary school students, at the behest of their teachers;

4. Abdication of duty by some teachers who have left their pupils unattended.

NUT officials were previously warned about the consequences of illegal activity, including the unlawful use of pupils for protests, forcible closure of schools and engaging in unauthorized demonstrations.

The shameful events at the Kaduna State House of Assembly when union thugs destroyed public property and attacked honorable members is a visible and dangerous escalation.

Security and law-enforcement agencies have the names of the individuals to be investigated for the organized actions that endangered school pupils, forcibly closed schools and attacked the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The Kaduna State Government is filing complaints for criminal violations of several sections of the Penal Code, including:

 Section 59: Criminal Conspiracy

 Section 73: Promoting Unlawful Assembly

 Section 77: Disturbance of Public Peace

 Section 78: Inciting Disturbance

 Section 162: Obstruction on Public Way

Charges may also be filed for violations of the Young Persons Law.

The Kaduna State Government is committed to doing the things that are necessary and consequential in the public interest. We have a responsibility to deliver quality education to the two million pupils in our public schools.

The parents of these two million pupils have confidence in the reforms taking place in the Education sector.

Therefore, retaining unqualified teachers on the pay roll is an abdication of duty. The responsible thing to do is to disengage them on terms in their conditions of service and replace them with qualified persons, Mr. Mansur said.
The Kaduna State government has released the answer scripts of some teachers who participated in the competency test set by the government.

Basic questions like the full name of the governor, the three state of matter and so on were found difficult to answer by some of the teachers.

The government said it plans to sack over 20,000 teachers who failed the test, a move opposed by the workers union.

See some of the answer scripts as released by the government below.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said on Thursday the ministry had received applications to operate seven modular refineries in Edo.

He said three of the applications were already in approval stage.

The minister disclosed this at the Stakeholders Engagement and Enlightenment Campaign in Niger Delta states, organised by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in collaboration with the Edo State Government in Benin.

Mr. Kachikwu said the federal government was working to bring development to the Niger Delta region through establishment of modular refineries initiative, gas flare commercialisation programmes and collaborations with the Niger Delta region in the Amnesty Programme.

He said establishment of the refineries was private sector driven and the designs, analysis and engineering work for three of the refineries had been done.

Mr. Kachikwu commended the oil producing communities in Edo for being peaceful and urged them to continue to follow the line of peace to allow for development in the communities.

He announced the setting up of a committee, to be headed by the Secretary to the Edo Government Osarodion Ogie, to identify development needs and work to address them within a specific timeline in the state.

He said the committee was made up of representatives of the federal and state governments, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and security agencies.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo called on the NDDC, established by the Federal Government to fast track development in the Niger Delta region, to live up to its responsibilities in the state.

Mr. Obaseki expressed displeasure that the commission had, over the years, failed to fulfil its mandate in the state, adding that it had also failed to sign an MoU with the state to reconstruct the Benin-Abraka Express Road.

The governor called for extension of the Amnesty Programme to the state and a yearly stakeholders meeting, to encourage development in the state.

Oil is located in 33 communities in three local government councils in the state namely, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba Okha.

We want to organise the oil producing LGAs into clusters and work with federal government to help us with the physical planning and gap analysis to evaluate progress of development in the councils, the governor said.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, said the meeting was to sensitise and create awareness of the on-going federal governments initiative in the region.

Mr. Usani said the federal government was reviewing the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta region to capture those who were left out of the scheme.

Present at the meeting were delegates from the three oil producing local councils in the state, who called for provisions of health care centres, modular refineries, road construction and infrastructure needs.

(NAN)
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi chapter, says it will support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

The Ebonyi chapter of APC would throw its full weight behind the president should he declare interest to run again, acting chairman of the party, Eze Nwachukwu, said on Thursday.

Mr. Nwachukwu told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki that the party took the decision after close assessment of the achievements of the present administration especially in job creation, economic revitalisation, agricultural revolution and war against corruption.

According to him, it is natural for the party to back Mr. Buhari, so as to consolidate on the gains so far achieved.

The chairman said the national leadership of the APC should prevail on the president to go for second term.

We have assessed the achievements of the present administration and have come to an undeniable truth that Mr President has done so much in areas of physical infrastructure, war against financial graft, job creation, economic repositioning among others.

It is only natural that the President is given another opportunity to consolidate on the gains so far made in enthroning genuine democracy and putting the nations economy on the paths of economic growth.

We are going to mobilise both party and non-party members to support Buhari for second term.

We are only praying that Mr President will listen to the popular voices calling on him to throw himself in for re-election in order complete the good work that his administration has started, Mr. Nwachukwu said.

He claimed that the APC was `robbed of electoral victory in Ebonyi in 2015, but assured that it would have a clean sweep at the governorship and presidential polls in the state come 2019.

We are set to take over the Government House in Abakaliki by 2019 and APC will have 100 per cent votes cast in both the governorship and presidential elections.

Ebonyi belongs to APC and I am saying that APC will take 100 per cent of votes cast for the Presidential and governorship polls and we are going to prove this fact in 2019.

(NAN)
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to re-contest the presidential election in 2019.

The governor said he has also indicated interest to re-contest the governorship election in the state.

The governor, who spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said President Buhari was very qualified to seek a second term.

Mr. Umahi, a first term governor, who was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was at the Presidential Villa ahead of President Buharis planned visit to Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo states.

Well, any first term governor would want to go for second term and if what you wish yourself, you should be honest enough to wish another person the same.

Since, Mr President is doing his first term and I am doing my first term, its my wish to re-contest and I will as well wish the president the same to re-contest (in 2019), he said.

On the presidents planned visit to Ebonyi, Mr. Umahi said the state was fully prepared for the visit.

He said: We pleaded with Mr President for the visit and before then we have been preparing, we are fully prepared.

The governor revealed that several projects had been lined up for inauguration by the president during the visit.

According to the governor, the twin flyovers that is built across the African trans-atlantic road running from Enugu to Cameroon passing through Ebonyi State will be among the projects to be inaugurated by the president.

We have quite a lot of projects that we have executed within the past two and the half years.

We have three numbers of twin flyovers that is built across the African trans-atlantic road running from Enugu to Cameroon passing through Ebonyi State.

So we have to build three twin flyover to decongest traffic on that road, each of the twin flyover is 700 metre length.

We have completed two and the third one is 80 per cent done, Mr President will commission the two.

We also have a mall that we call Ebonyi mall that is modelled after the famous Dubai mall.

He stated that the president would lay a foundation stone for the mall during the visit.

Mr. Umahi expressed the hope that Mr. Buhari would inaugurate the Mall project when he returned to the state for re-election campaign in the next 12 months.

Also we are building a tunnel that dovetails into a flyover that is parallel to the existing flyover, that particular junction that is called Akanu Ibiam junction.

We want Mr. President to lay the foundation stone and that flyover bridge will be named after Mr. President and we are sure to finish that project in the next 12 months, Mr President will also come back, he will be commissioning it when he comes back for his campaigns.

(NAN)
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, on Wednesday said he was optimistic that the crisis generated by the recent crowning of Ibadan high chiefs and elevation of some chiefs, called baales, to the status of obas, will soon be resolved.

The monarch expressed the optimism in an interview with journalists shortly after leading the traditional council of Iwoland to a meeting with the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, at the Governors Office, Ibadan.

Commenting on his earlier meeting with the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Saliu Adetunji, the monarch said he was confident that a rapprochement would soon be established over the chieftaincy review row.

The governor had on August 27 presented certificates and staff of office to eight former Ibadan high chiefs and 13 baales (local chiefs), a development that triggered a face-off between him and the Olubadan, who was opposed to the crowning of new Obas.

The Oluwo said that his visit to Mr. Ajimobi was aimed at finding an amicable solution to the dispute between the governor and the Ibadan monarch.

The Oluwo, who did not disclose the details of his discussions with the governor and the Olubadan, however, expressed optimism that the end to the crisis was in sight.

He commended the governor for what he called his peaceful disposition to the saga and his continuous expression of deep respect for the Olubadan and the traditional institution.

I have met with Baba, the Olubadan, and we even spoke last night. I am here to speak with the governor because Iwo is the closest town to Ibadan. Being the closest first class monarch to the Olubadan, anything that happens to Ibadan is of interest to Iwo, he said.

We are here in continuation of our efforts at finding solution to the crisis. I am not going tell you the details of our discussions, but I can assure you that the traditional stool has been highly respected by the governor. He has shown so much respect to the Olubadan.

I can see the governments side that must also be respected. We must not rubbish that office. You can see that even with the power at his disposal, Ajimobi has toed the path of modesty and a quintessential trueborn Yoruba man.

He has kept saying Olubadan is my father; he is my king; I am the Aare of Ibadanland courtesy of Baba Olubadan. So he has shown so much humility, that must be appreciated. I believe Baba Olubadan will soon come to terms with the governor on the installation of Obas in Ibadan.
No fewer than 24,000 applicants to the University of Lagos who scored 200 marks and above will still be unable to secure admission in the institution in the 2017/2018 academic session.

The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Rahamon Bello, gave the indication at a forum with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

He said that although 32,000 applicants to the university scored 200 marks and above in this years Unified Tertiary matriculation examination (UTME), the school would not admit beyond 8,000.

Mr. Bello said that the university insisted that an applicant must also score at least 40 per cent in Unilags post-UTME before consideration for admission.

We know what goes on in our public examinations. That is why we insist on candidates undertaking our post UTME and scoring at least 40 per cent, he said.

According to Mr. Bello, who steps down as Unilags vice chancellor on November 11, the aim is to promote excellence.

We admit the best so that we can produce the best, he told NAN.

He said that the university held 75 inaugural lectures during his five-year tenure in an effort to promote scholarship.

The professor of chemical engineering noted that the university had held a total of 374 inaugural lectures since its existence.

Mr. Bello told NAN that the university produced 103 professors in the past five years, representing about 20 per cent of the 292 professors it had produced in its 55 years of existence.

They just dont come and get them; the process of becoming a professor in Unilag is very tedious.

We have peer review from inside and outside and we have interview internally, so that at the end, you know why you are promoted or why you are not, he said.

Mr. Bello said that Unilag had to change its curriculum in a bid to sustain academic excellence.

We are neither a technology university nor a business university; we are comprehensive, except for agriculture.

The only agriculture we do is marine.

He expressed satisfaction at the performance of the university in its new fields of study such as cell biology and genetics.

When we started them, they were almost nothing.

Cell biology and genetics, for instance, are the ones that drive the health sector when you talk about working in the sub-cell region, especially in the area of In-Vitro-Fertilisation (IVF).

He also expressed delight at the performance of the universitys creative arts department.

When we started it, some saw it as laughable. Today, most of our graduates are the ones making money in Nollywood, Mr. Bello said.

NAN reports that Mr. Bello, the 11th vice chancellor of the university, came into office in 2012, following the death of the then vice chancellor, Adetokunbo Sofoluwe.

Mr. Bello will be succeeded by Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the universitys Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics).

(NAN)
The militants in Ondo State have been given 21 days to submit their weapons so as to be listed in the expanded amnesty programme of the Nigerian government.

They will also only be listed for amnesty with the submission of their weapons at the various centres opened for the submission weapons in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments.

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, gave the conditions on Thursday in Akure during the opening of the amnesty programme for the militants. The programme is being coordinated by the Ondo State Amnesty Programme headed by the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of the militants, traditional rulers and officials of the Nigerian Army, the Police, Navy and Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The federal government through the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Paul Boro, had stated that the federal amnesty programme would not be expanded to include fresh agitators. However, while states are free to have their own programmes, Mr. Akeredolu indicated Ondo States was being done with the cooperation of the federal government.

Mr. Akeredolu, while addressing the militants, said his government was determined to ensure the programme succeeds and administered only to those it was meant for. According to him, only those who submitted weapons would be listed for the amnesty programme.

What we want is for all to surrender their weapons. When you bring the weapons, it will be noted and something good will follow, the governor told the militants.

Some people want to be listed in the amnesty programme when they had nothing or gun to submit. We have 21 days to do this, we will submit the weapons in five collection centres of Ajakpa, Igbokoda, Arogbo, Ugbonla, and Igbekebo.

He also warned that the programme would not be done in the palaces of the traditional rulers, but at the designated centres, saying the government would ensure that only those who are genuine militants would be captured.

He added that with peace returning to the region, there would be an expected increase in economic activities that would enhance the well-being of the riverine communities and provide employments for the youth.

He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, for accepting to include the militants in the amnesty programme.

Also speaking, the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigrade Akure, Charles Ofoche, said the militants must take advantage of the window of opportunity or face dire consequences.

Today is a milestone in the quest for peace not only in the Niger Delta region, but also in the country, Mr. Ofoche, a brigadier general, said.

Let me call on those still bearing arms to take advantage of the amnesty now provided by the government.

There can be no meaningful development without peace. The consequences of not taking advantage of this opportunity will be very grave.

The last thing we would want to do is to go after them. They are our brothers and we dont want to call anyone militants again.

In his address, the Ondo deputy governor recalled the history of armed struggles within the Niger Delta, saying the various clashes had resulted in the proliferation of weapons within the region.

He said the politicisation of the amnesty programme saw the exclusion of some of the militants from the existing programme of the federal government.

As a way of fostering peace through dialogue, the state government with the support of the federal government came up with a plan to clean up the riverine communities of arms through yet another opportunity, Mr. Ajayi said.

Todays occasion, which is the widening of the Federal Government Amnesty Programme through the efforts of Mr. Governor should therefore be seen as an ample opportunity that youth of Ilaje and Ese-Odo must maximise to their advantage. Mr Governors magnanimity is such a laudable one that all stakeholders must key into it, he added.
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




ST. LOUIS, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Five pet-focused startups have each won $10,000 and are competing to win the 2017/2018 Pet Care Innovation Prize grand prize. The finalists include a pet life management app, a microbiome-based pet health diagnostics and supplement company, a pet food company harnessing an invasive fish species as a primary protein source, a dog walking app delivering highly personalized pet care and a vendor-friendly customizable subscription box for dogs, each getting valuable business support and vying for a free booth and support to exhibit at Global Pet Expo, the world's largest pet industry trade show. Now in its second year, the Pet Care Innovation Prize is a partnership between Purina, a global leader in pet care, and investment firms Active Capital and Cultivation Capital. The American Pet Products Association also will offer valuable support, providing a booth and marketing assistance to help the Grand Prize Winner make the most of attending Global Pet Expo in March 2018.

Hoping to capture attention in a growing global pet care market with more than $60 billion in sales annual in the U.S. alone is difficult, but the Pet Care Innovation Prize aims to help through its mission to support and connect innovative early stage companies with pet-related products and/or services for sale. The competition is open to companies that focus on key areas of dog and cat needs, care and ownership including pet food, nutrition, care, play and technology. More than 85 companies from nine countries applied for the 2017/2018 Pet Care Innovation Prize.

Past Pet Care Innovation Prize finalists and winners have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity and prizes from investors and accelerator programs across the US.

"We were thrilled to help launch the Pet Care Innovation Prize last year," said Cultivation Capital Managing Partner Brian Matthews. "Our focus is investing in companies whose ideas have the potential to transform the way we live and work. Our team sees lots of exciting potential from the pet care startups that come through the Pet Care Innovation Prize."

This year's five finalists will each receive a $10,000 prize, plus a trip to St. Louis, where Purina's global headquarters is located, for a Pet Care Business Boot Camp, a multi-day accelerator program to get advice, mentorship and access to business partners. All of the finalists will then present their businesses to an audience of industry influencers early next year at a Purina Better With Pets event in New York. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced in March 2018, and all five finalists will attend Global Pet Expo, the world's largest pet industry trade show, courtesy of the Pet Care Innovation Prize team and the American Pet Products Association, the producer of the show. Additionally, the Grand Prize winning startup will receive a free booth at Global Pet Expo and up to an additional $10,000 in marketing support.

"The ongoing pursuit of innovation is a key to success in every consumer-focused industry, but the unique ability to change and enrich the lives of pets and people sets the pet care category apart," said Blair Morgan, Co-Lead of Purina's 9 Square Ventures Division and Vice President of Innovation at Purina. "The Pet Care Innovation Prize is Purina's way of working with other pet lovers to reward ideas that will raise the bar in making the lives of pets and the people who love them better."

The five 2017/2018 Pet Care Innovation Prize finalists are:

AnimalBiome | Berkeley, CA | Founders: Holly Ganz and Kari Goodman | animalbiome.com AnimalBiome is helping the millions of dogs and cats in the US living with chronic digestive disorders by offering microbiome-based supplements and non-invasive diagnostics.

AnimalBiome is helping the millions of dogs and cats in the US living with chronic digestive disorders by offering microbiome-based supplements and non-invasive diagnostics. BareItAll petfoods | Chicago, IL | Founders: Michael Cody and Logan Honeycutt | bareitallpetfoods.com BareItAll makes healthy, environmentally friendly pet food for dogs and cats utilizing the invasive Asian Carp as the main protein source, creating a commercial market to help reduce the populations and prevent them from entering the Great Lakes.

BareItAll makes healthy, environmentally friendly pet food for dogs and cats utilizing the invasive Asian Carp as the main protein source, creating a commercial market to help reduce the populations and prevent them from entering the Great Lakes. Barkly Pets | Washington, D.C. | Founders: Christopher Gonzalez , Dave Comiskey and Jim Camut | barklypets.com Barkly is the highest rated, most reliable dog walking app to simplify everyday and essential pet care needs, available to users 365 days a year in 60 minutes notice or less.

Barkly is the highest rated, most reliable dog walking app to simplify everyday and essential pet care needs, available to users 365 days a year in 60 minutes notice or less. Fetch Labs Inc | San Jose, CA & New York City , NY | Founders: Greg Tariff, Adam Jackowitz and Steve Malko | fetchmypet.com Fetch Labs, Inc. is making pet life management simple for pet parents with the Fetch My Pet app.

Fetch Labs, Inc. is making pet life management simple for pet parents with the Fetch My Pet app. PupJoy | Chicago, IL | Founders: Dustin McAdams and Bill Wilkins | pupjoy.com PupJoy provides the industry's most customizable and vendor-friendly subscription box for dogs and their parents as well as an online store for product replenishment and larger ticket items.

"This year's Pet Care Innovation Prize finalists each have the potential to influence the industry in very different ways," Morgan said. "From addressing areas of pet health and nutrition to easing some of the challenges of modern pet ownership, there is a diversity of ideas that is exciting to see."

About Active Capital:

Active Capital is a St. Louis-based impact investing leader, helping startups and investors come together to grow innovative products and initiatives. Active Capital manages the Pet Care Innovation Prize.

About Purina

Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.

About Cultivation Capital

Cultivation Capital is a St. Louis-based early stage venture capital firm focused on investing in high potential technology, life sciences and FinTech companies. Cultivation Capital is managed by a team of experienced entrepreneurs, and has invested in 36 companies that have exceeded $500 million in total capital raised. For more information, please visit www.cultivationcapital.com

SOURCE Nestle Purina PetCare

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- National Financial Realty, Inc. (NFR), a global real estate investment firm based in Los Angeles, is announcing the sale of a 211,863-square-foot Wells Fargo Bank leased office building located at 18700 NW Walker Road in Hillsboro, Oregon, a thriving Portland submarket, to an undisclosed buyer. The property sold for $39,750,000.

Vincent E. Pellerito, CEO with National Financial Realty

The transaction represents the final sale and investment exit of a 3,600,000-square-foot portfolio comprised of 41 office and retail buildings located in 9 states. Commencing in 2010, NFR's investment strategy focused on the wholesale aggregation of mission critical properties leased to leading financial institutions which were then sold independently to individual investors.

The aggregate sales price of the portfolio inclusive of the Hillsboro property was over $366,000,000, representing $100,000,000 in excess of NFR's original cost basis. With the closing of this most recent sale, NFR has now successfully executed its business plan resulting in an attractive risk adjusted return to the firm and its institutional capital partners. Vincent E. Pellerito, CEO with National Financial Realty, made the announcement.

NFR originally purchased the mission critical Hillsboro property in 2010, marking its first acquisition of a Wells Fargo leased property. In March 2013, the firm acquired a 40-building, 3.3 million-square-foot portfolio with 90% of the buildings leased to Wells Fargo. NFR secured control of the portfolio through a defaulted mezzanine position at a >50% discount to replacement basis, and at the time the transaction established NFR as the largest privately-held investment firm focused on acquiring and operating properties leased to regulated financial institutions. NFR significantly enhanced the portfolio value by negotiating two new leases totaling $155,000,000 with Wells Fargo and the American Bible Society. In addition, NFR and its capital partners invested several million dollars in capital improvements throughout the portfolio.

"We're extremely pleased to announce this sale marking the conclusion to a very successful portfolio investment," notes Pellerito. "Our essential focus as an investor is to create value by acquiring well-located income producing properties, attracting world-class tenants and opportunistically exploring divestitures  the execution of this portfolio is a clear demonstration of this strategy. The successful creation and exit of the portfolio is a showcase for NFR's track record of building long-term value, and we will continue to invest in similar opportunities going forward."

About 18700 NW Walker Road

Originally constructed in 1978, the 18700 NW Walker Road property is a mission-critical site for Wells Fargo operations in the Portland, Oregon market and the company recently executed a new long-term lease further reaffirming Wells Fargo's commitment to the building. The building's large floor plates addressed the lack of similar offerings in the region and capital improvement upgrades to the building are both planned and underway. The site offers a prime location within the Sunset Corridor submarket and in close proximity to major public transportation routes and Portland's light rail system. The flourishing Sunset Corridor continues to be a hot spot for technology companies and corporate campuses.

About National Financial Realty

Based in Los Angeles, National Financial Realty is a privately-held investment firm capitalizing on commercial real estate market inefficiencies. NFR's proven performance and multi-decade relationships create extraordinary opportunities in special situations where rapid capital deployment, transaction size, complexity, or current market conditions may impede other investors. NFR executes timely investments, typically in off-market transactions with solid fundamentals, limited and controllable risk, predictable cash flow and significant potential for appreciation. For more information visit www.nationalfr.com.

Contact: Great Ink Communications: 212-741-2977

Tom Nolan  [email protected]

SOURCE National Financial Realty

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OYSTER BAY, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Video piracy  the copying and selling copyrighted content - has been around since the advent of the VHS tape and home video recording in 1979. Today, video piracy has shifted from pirated set-top boxes to content redistribution over broadband networks. The most common forms of piracy today include illegal fully-loaded Kodi boxes, social network live streams, torrents of exclusive series or movies, web-based redistribution via file lockers, and password sharing. Service providers lose US$6 to US$8 billion annually in revenue to piracy.

"Content providers must shift their response to piracy from being device-oriented, such as traditional conditional access systems (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) to comprehensive service-oriented approaches and modern tools against piracy," says Sam Rosen, Vice President at ABI Research. The most important tools available today include session-based watermarking coupled with real-time piracy monitoring focused on locating and identifying pirated content consumption and disruption of pirated content via terminating the source or disrupting the web services. Other tools include managing password sharing, and working with other content providers in a market to effectively drive law enforcement to respond to the threat of piracy. ABI Research, a leader in emerging technology intelligence, estimates that nearly $400 million, or about 33% of revenues in the DRM market will shift to service- or as-a-service (aaS) oriented revenues, by 2022, according to ABI Research.

News and technology sites often take an ambiguous stance on piracy. For example, the New York Times reassured the public that "the government is unlikely to prosecute you" for sharing their passwords while TechRadar rated Kodi boxes similarly to how they would rate OTT boxes such as Roku and Apple TV. Piracy is a prevalent topic in the headlines, notably with HBO's Game of Thrones released on pirate sites before the broadcast and on-demand release. According to Rosen, "HBO suffered piracy via multiple avenues, including cybersecurity problems and supply chain leaks. One reassuring sign is that in the HBO supply chain case, as well as recent British Premier League cases, content owners quickly brought charges and the courts responded, showing better cooperation and urgency than has historically been the case."

While protection of all Pay TV and OTT content is important, the video ecosystem today is showing significant investment in new types of content in which the dangers of piracy are greater than in the past. Investments in Exclusive content, Live Sports, early release VOD and UltraHD Content create incentives where only specific platform providers in a market have access to the content. This may drive consumers to pirate if the content is not on their preferred platform, or is perceived as too expensive. About 32% of Pay TV and OTT revenues will be associated with one of these types of high-value content by 2022.

These findings are from ABI Research's Content Protection and Watermarking report. This report is part of the company's Video, VR & OTT research service, which includes research, data, and analyst insights

About ABI Research

ABI Research stands at the forefront of technology market intelligence, providing business leaders with comprehensive research and consulting services to help them implement informed, transformative technology decisions. Founded more than 25 years ago, the company's global team of senior and long-tenured analysts delivers deep market data forecasts, analyses, and teardown services. ABI Research is an industry pioneer, proactively uncovering ground-breaking business cycles and publishing research 18 to 36 months in advance of other organizations. For more information, visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info:





Americas EMEA/APAC Deborah Petrara Denise Duffy Tel: +1.516.624.2558 Tel: +44.203.326.0142 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE ABI Research

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NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner at Monteverde & Associates PC, a boutique securities firm headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City announces an investigation against Cheetah Mobile, Inc. (NYSE: CMCM)("Cheetah" or the "Company") for possible violations of federal securities laws.

The investigation focuses on whether Cheetah and certain of its officers and/or directors violated federal securities laws.

On October 26, 2017, Prescience Point Research Group published a report asserting, among other things, that approximately 55% of Cheetah Mobile's reported consolidated revenue does not exist. On this news, shares of Cheetah fell $0.37 per share or over 4% to close at $8.05 per share on October 26, 2017.

Mr. Monteverde would like to personally discuss with you how to potentially recover your monetary losses.

Click here for more information: http://monteverdelaw.com/securities/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

Monteverde & Associates PC is a boutique class action securities and consumer litigation law firm committed that has recovered millions of dollars and is committed to protecting shareholders and consumers from corporate wrongdoing. Monteverde & Associates PC lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions, whereby they protect investors by recovering money and remedying corporate misconduct. Mr. Monteverde, who leads the legal team at the firm, has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013 and 2017, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field.

Contact:

Juan E. Monteverde, Esq.

MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC

The Empire State Building

350 Fifth Ave, Suite 4405

New York, NY 10118

United States of America

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2017 Monteverde & Associates PC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC

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DENVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Security leader ProtectWiseTM today announced Adam Cecil has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A seasoned finance executive with experience managing strategic acquisitions and IPOs, Cecil is responsible for scaling ProtectWise to successfully meet the growing demand for automated network detection and response in enterprise, cloud and industrial control environments.

"I am pleased to join ProtectWise at such an exciting time in the company's history," said Cecil. "The ProtectWise leadership team is committed to delivering a new, disruptive way forward for the cybersecurity industry, and as such, the company has achieved a record year of growth. I look forward to collaborating to take ProtectWise to the next level."

Cecil brings to ProtectWise more than a decade of executive leadership experience for emerging companies and has spent nearly 30 years in finance. Most recently, he was CFO of high-growth startup CommercialTribe. Prior to that, Cecil was CFO at AlchemyAI where he helped grow the business through its acquisition by IBM Watson. He previously was part of the team that led Rally Software from early stage startup through a successful IPO.

"Adam is an experienced CFO with a track record for elevating technology innovators in fast-growing markets," said Scott Chasin, Chief Executive Officer, ProtectWise. "With Adam's strategic finance vision and leadership, we look forward to continuing to build on our tremendous growth trajectory in the global cybersecurity industry."

About ProtectWise

ProtectWise provides a new utility model for security, powering real-time, retrospective and automated threat detections for enterprise, cloud and industrial control environments. The company's platform, The ProtectWise Grid, captures full fidelity network traffic for analysis in an advanced visual presentation. Delivering security from the cloud, The ProtectWise Grid is an integrated solution that provides frictionless deployment and scalability.

Founded in April 2013, ProtectWise is based in Denver and led by a team of security and SaaS industry veterans from McAfee, Palo Alto Networks, and Symantec. The company launched the Immersive SecuritySM movement in 2017 to build a new path forward for the security industry. ProtectWise has raised more than $70 million in funding. For more information, visit www.protectwise.com.

Contact:

Jamie Mayer

[email protected]

SOURCE ProtectWise

Related Links

https://www.protectwise.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AdRoll, the most widely-adopted independent performance marketing platform, today announced that Toby Gabriner has been named CEO as a transition from his current role as President. Co-founder and current CEO Aaron Bell will step into a full-time Chief Product Officer role, overseeing engineering, product, UX, data science and supply.

The news comes as AdRoll celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The company reached profitability in 2017, and expects to close 2017 at its biggest revenue year to-date. Even as the industry faced mass consolidation in recent years, AdRoll has not only remained independent but has thrived as a result of its commitment to product innovation and machine learning-based advertising solutions. AdRoll has generated over $7B in revenue for its 35,000 clients. The company has nearly 500 employees in six offices around the world and is doubling down on its efforts in 2018 to build scalable products that meet its customers' varied needs.

"AdRoll was founded around building the best technology to help businesses grow, and we have our most transformational roadmap ahead of us," said Aaron Bell, AdRoll Co-founder and Chief Product Officer. "Toby and I have forged a remarkable partnership over the last 12 months, and I look forward to continuing the work we've begun in our new roles. As a complement to Toby's leadership and talents, I welcome the opportunity to draw on my passion for innovation and take AdRoll to new heights."

As a four-time CEO and five-time President of high-growth companies, Gabriner brings nearly two decades of digital advertising expertise to the executive team at AdRoll. His experience includes serving as President of Carat Interactive, one of the first large digital agencies, CEO of [x+1], one of the first demand side platforms, and President and CEO of Adap.tv, which, under his leadership, saw revenue grow from $200K to over $200M in just four years and was acquired by AOL in 2013 for $465M.

"As the industry is evolving, so is AdRoll," said Toby Gabriner, AdRoll CEO. "Looking to 2018, we're pursuing an ambitious vision for the company, merging data, marketing, and advertising technologies to better serve our customers. With Aaron as Chief Product Officer, we are doubling down on building products that help our clients grow, and laying the groundwork for our next phase as a company. I couldn't be more excited about our progress to date, and the opportunity ahead of us."

About AdRoll

AdRoll is a leading performance marketing platform with over 35,000 clients worldwide. Its suite of high-performance tools works across devices, helping businesses attract, convert, and grow their customer base. The company is home to the world's largest opt-in advertiser data co-op, the IntentMap with over 1.2 billion digital profiles. AdRoll's goal is to build the most powerful marketing platform through performance, usability, and openness.

AdRoll is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Dublin, and Sydney. Learn more at www.adroll.com.

SOURCE AdRoll

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https://www.adroll.com


PHOENIX, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisor Group, one of the nation's largest networks of independent financial advisory firms, comprised of FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, SagePoint Financial and Woodbury Financial Services, today announced the appointment of Shannon Larson, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Development and Daniel Aguillon, Vice President, Digital Platform Manager.

In her new role as Senior Vice President, Product Management and Development, Larson will be responsible for establishing the strategic direction of Advisor Group products to ensure that they are aligned with defined organizational priorities to support the wealth management needs of all clients from high-net-worth to small account solutions. In her new role, she will work to ensure the continued access, development, and delivery of holistic financial planning solutions, such as brokerage and advisory products to deliver on goals-based client outcomes.

Larson is joining the team from investment management firm Eaton Vance, where she held the position of Vice President, Senior Global Relationship Manager. In this role, Larson worked with large independent broker-dealers, third party asset managers and financial institutions to expand distribution and drive market share growth. Prior to this, Larson held positions at Cetera Financial Group and LPL Financial, where she helped lead the development and marketing for all of LPL's advisory platforms including the building of LPL's Model Wealth Portfolios program.

"Advisor Group has developed a robust reputation as a trusted resource for advisors, while simultaneously cultivating a strong internal culture that is widely regarded throughout the industry as the gold standard in promoting female professional development and leadership," said Larson. "This ethos of inclusiveness and constant self-reflection translates to exceptional client service and innovation, which resonates with a professional like me whose career has been largely driven by the question, 'how can I help advisors make better decisions for their clients?' At Advisor Group, I'm able to lead a team that is not only asking, but creating tangible answers to, that same question every day."

As Vice President and Digital Platform Manager, Aguillon will be responsible for working across Advisor Group's technology stacks and aligning digitization strategy for both advisors and consumers. In this role, Daniel will be collaborating with custodians, overseeing legal procedures, forms and processes to help improve the experience for both the customers and the advisors.

Aguillon joins Advisor Group from LPL Financial, an RIA custodian and independent broker-dealer. At LPL, Daniel oversaw the development of Guided Wealth Portfolios, LPL's first algorithmic digital advisory platform, and designed the advisor-intermediated model and operational workflows necessary to support it. He was also a recipient of the LPL Financial Service Excellence Award in 2017 and the LPL Financial Chairman Award in 2016.

"Advisor Group's strong emphasis on technology and innovation is clearly embraced organization-wide, and represents a compelling opportunity for me to make a difference," said Aguillon. "The Company's commitment to producing best-in-class products for advisors is evident, and I'm looking forward to playing an integral role in advancing Advisor Group's invaluable technology offerings."

"Advisor Group is passionate about priming independent advisors for success, which in large part means providing them with digital tools and competitive products that give them an acute advantage in an increasingly complex marketplace," said Advisor Group CEO Jamie Price. "Shannon and Daniel's combined experience in the independent advisory world represents a tremendous asset. We are confident that both will be a valuable addition to the Advisor Group family."

To learn more about Advisor Group, visit www.advisorgroup.com. For media inquiries, contact [email protected].

About Advisor Group

Advisor Group, Inc. is one of the nation's largest networks of independent financial advisors serving over 5,000 advisors and overseeing approximately $190 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, the firm is mission-driven to support the heroic role that advisors can play in the lives of their clients, offering securities and investment advisory services through its subsidiaries FSC Securities Corp., Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc. and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc, as broker/dealers, registered investment advisors and members of FINRA and SIPC. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Advisor Group champions the enduring value of financial advisors and is committed to being in their corner every step of the way.

SOURCE Advisor Group, Inc.

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http://www.advisorgroup.com


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AECOM and Van Alen Institute, with 100 Resilient Cities  Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation, today announced four finalists for Urban SOS 2017: hOUR City, a global student ideas competition that challenged multidisciplinary teams to connect more people in regions around the world to the opportunities found in contemporary cities.

An "hour city" radius  the distance people can travel in one hour  has historically defined the boundary of a city. However, with the forces of globalization and dramatic geographic, social and economic shifts affecting cities everywhere, the time has come to imagine new ways to connect people in suburban, rural and isolated urban communities.

The four finalist proposals and teams are:

Alternative Ways of Transportation, Bangkok, Thailand

Submitted by Wilaiwan Prathumwong, Perada Plitponkarnpim and Patcharida Sricome, all from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, the team developed a new, formalized multimodal pathway along one of Bangkok's many underutilized canals, connecting isolated residential communities to public transit.





The Healthy City, Oakland, California

Submitted by Vincent Clement Agoe, Derek Lazo, Serena Lousich, Mark Wessels and Sarah Skenazy, all from the University of California, Berkeley, the team connects communities suffering from high rates of chronic diseases (e.g., asthma, diabetes, etc.) to the physical spaces and resources of healthcare providers, using traffic calming, recreational opportunities and new transit options.

The Holding Project, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Submitted by Sean Cullen and Chris Millar from Queen's University Belfast, the team proposes a joint-housing and economic development plan in central Belfast, tailored to young renters aged 18-35. On publicly-owned vacant sites, the team envisions new pre-fabricated micro-units that would save construction time and costs; tenants would set aside 20 percent of their monthly rent as savings.

New Suburban Living, Melbourne, Australia

Submitted by Lisa Ann Garner from Universitat Der Kunste and Lauren Garner from RMIT University, the team developed designs and a planning process for new types of housing in Melbourne's Middle Suburbs to address the region's housing shortage and better meet the needs of residents.

Launched in May, hOUR City invited students to tackle urgent transportation, housing, or economic development challenges facing cities around the world and to create outcomes that promote equal access to opportunity. Eighty-six teams entered, comprising nearly 300 students from 31 countries around the world and representing 114 unique academic disciplines.

"In our work with cities, we've embraced a whole systems integrated approach to tackling the biggest challenges these urban centers and their surrounding regions face," said Stephen Engblom, AECOM global cities director. "It's inspiring to see how these multidisciplinary student teams have responded to the challenge to connect urban, suburban and rural communities. From multimodal pathways in Bangkok to bold new housing solutions in Melbourne and Belfast, and public health initiatives for vulnerable populations in Oakland, we believe the finalists' ideas will bear imaginative solutions to real challenges in those cities that translate globally."

"In our competitions, research, and public programs, Van Alen develops solutions to create more equitable cities and communities," said Van Alen Institute Executive Director David van der Leer. "We're proud to guide tomorrow's leaders to tackle urgent questions about suburban density, creating more affordable housing, and connecting underserved communities to transit and jobs."

"We are excited to see the progress of the four finalists in the coming months," said Michael Berkowitz, president of 100 Resilient Cities. "The work of building urban resilience often requires regional thinking  and the solutions and approaches these teams will uncover have the potential to create significant impact."

hOUR City convened juries of leading professionals from design, business, government and other sectors in Hong Kong, London, New York and Sydney who selected the four finalist teams. The finalist teams will compete for up to US$15,000 in prize money; the winning team also will receive up to US$25,000 of in-kind support from AECOM to realize a pilot project from the team's proposal.

The four finalist teams will now work with experts at AECOM, Van Alen and 100 Resilient Cities to further develop their proposals, and will present their ideas in Los Angeles before a final jury and live audience on January 23, 2018.





The 2017 challenge is the eighth in the Urban SOS student ideas competition series founded by AECOM, a premier, fully integrated global infrastructure firm, and the third challenge hosted in collaboration with Van Alen Institute, a design nonprofit with a 120-plus-year history of organizing competitions, and with 100 Resilient Cities  Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation.

Last year's Urban SOS competition, Fair Share, challenged teams to combine design with the tools and technologies of the sharing economy to create more equitable access to resources, envision more sustainable built environments and enrich the lives of urban residents. The winning team, comprising students at Washington University in St. Louis, proposed reusing United States Postal Service (USPS) post offices in Los Angeles slated for closure and excess capacity within the USPS distribution network to collect, store and deliver surplus food to neighborhoods with limited food access. Team members include Irum Javed, Anu Samarajiva and Lanxi Zhang, students in public health, architecture/urban design and landscape architecture/urban design. The team is currently developing a pilot initiative to be implemented in Los Angeles later this year.

For more information about the finalists, including descriptions and images of the finalist proposals, please visit http://www.aecom.com/urban-sos-2017-finalists/. High resolution images can be found here.

Additional information about the competition can be found at http://www.aecom.com/urbansos.

Urban SOS 2017: hOUR City is a project of AECOM and Van Alen Institute, in collaboration with 100 Resilient Cities  Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation.

Urban SOS is a trademark and registered trademark of AECOM in the U.S.

About AECOM

AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM had revenue of approximately $17.4 billion during fiscal year 2016. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Website: www.aecom.com/urbansos

Facebook: /UrbanSOS

Twitter: @AECOMUrbanSOS

About Van Alen Institute

At Van Alen Institute, we believe design can transform cities, landscapes, and regions to improve people's lives. We collaborate with communities, scholars, policymakers, and professionals on local and global initiatives that rigorously investigate the most pressing social, cultural, and ecological challenges of tomorrow. Building on more than a century of experience, we develop cross-disciplinary research, provocative public programs, and inventive design competitions.

Website: www.vanalen.org

Facebook: /vanaleninstitute

Twitter: @van_alen

Instagram: @van_alen

About 100 Resilient Cities  Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation

100 Resilient Cities  Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) helps cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. 100RC provides this assistance through: funding for a Chief Resilience Officer in each member city who will lead the resilience efforts; resources for drafting a resilience strategy; access to private sector, public sector, academic, and NGO resilience tools; and membership in a global network of peer cities to share best practices and challenges. 100RC currently has 66 member cities.

Website: www.100resilientcities.org

Facebook: /100ResilientCities

Twitter: @100ResCities

AECOM Media Contact:

Jason Marshall

Director, Media Relations

1.646.432.8474 jason.[email protected] Van Alen Institute:

Steven Thomson Programs & Communications

Manager 1.212.924.7000 x 12 [email protected] 100 Resilient Cities: Andrew Brenner Senior Manager, Global Communications 1.646.612.7236 [email protected]

SOURCE AECOM

Related Links

http://www.aecom.com


SAO PAULO, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aegea Saneamento's results in the third quarter of 2017 were driven by new concessions added to the portfolio and better operating performance by existing concessions. During the period, 699,000 new clients were added to the Company's client base, which reached 2.2 million, with billed volume growing 40.7%.

The highlight among new concessions is the startup of the full sub-concession in Teresina, with an estimated population of 850,000, which is equivalent to the Aguas de Guariroba concession that currently accounts for 37.8% of the Company's revenue.

In the same period, the Company continued to focus on increasing its operating efficiency, which reflected in the 9.6 p.p. increase in EBITDA margin, which reached 55.8%. Among the indicators that underline the productivity gain in operations are the 18.5% reduction in electricity costs per cubic meter, the 0.5% decrease in defaults and the 1.0 p.p. reduction in water distribution losses at existing concessionaires.

Other financial highlights in the period include the Company's debut in the international capital markets through a US$400 million bond issue and the R$655 million debenture issue in the domestic market through the concessionaires Nascentes do Xingu, Aguas Guariroba and Prolagos.

"The funds raised in the capital markets during the period underscore the Company's credibility in the international market and the sound reputation it enjoys among investors," said Aegea CFO, Flavio Crivellari.

The Company's performance was recognized through several awards. For the second time, Aegea Saneamento received the "Be Inspired Award", the premier international award in engineering, for the 2041 Sewage Master Plan developed for the concessionaire Prolagos. It was also elected the best private company in the water and sewage sector for the 3rd consecutive year by the Epoca Negocios 360o yearbook in partnership with Fundacao Dom Cabral. It was also adjudged one of the 100 most impacting companies in its sector, in terms of size and performance, according to the Empresas Mais ranking, based on a study by the O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper, Austin Rating and FIA. Aegea was also mentioned as one of the most innovative companies in Brazil, being the only private company in the segment to feature in the ranking published by the Valor Inovacao Brasil 2017 yearbook.

About Aegea

Aegea Saneamento is a Brazilian company that manages sanitation assets through concessionaires in several Brazilian states and manages public concessions. It serves around 5.4 million people in 48 cities across 10 Brazilian states. Created in 2010, Aegea is the second largest company in the sector, with 23.6% share of the private sanitation market in Brazil.

Media relations:

http://www.aegea.com.br/ri/english/

[email protected]

55 11 3818-8150

SOURCE Aegea

Related Links

http://www.aegea.com.br/ri/english


"For more than 60 years, Aflac has been in the business of helping people when they need us most, and we have accomplished that through hard work, innovation and technology," Crawford said. "We believe in simplifying people's lives, and that sentiment is what we want to demonstrate whenever someone walks through these doors. We want them to be Empowered to help find solutions for our customers."

"We see the possibilities that lie before us as limitless, and we want a company name and a work environment that not only reflect our optimism, but also inspire the best from every one of our employees," Khan said. "It is only fitting that our name and our brand should be without limitations, as well. So, starting today, we are Empowered: empowered to do great things; empowered to lead; and empowered to leverage our expertise and knowledge to uncover better ways of doing things."

At a time when benefits enrollment and administration have become increasingly complex, Empowered provides a cloud-based benefits administration solution and state-of-the-art enrollment software, including Aflac's Everwell benefits program, which is now being used by more than 162,000 businesses across the country. The volume of business at Empowered has more than tripled in size since Aflac purchased the company in 2015, so Aflac is investing in Charlotte and Empowered with a plan to grow and bring more talent to a region of the country that is already viewed by many as the financial center of the South.

While making the renovations, the Empowered team worked closely with architects, designers and builders to create a space that inspires creative thinking and innovation. The goal was to create an environment that sparks new ideas  and empowers each employee to expand their creativity as Empowered continues to transform its culture and identity into a premier digital innovation center. All told, the newly expanded office has grown from 14,000 square feet to 30,500 square feet.

In addition to Empowered Benefits, earlier in 2017 Aflac announced a $100 million Venture Capital Fund, headquartered in Charlotte. Aflac Corporate Ventures, which is a core part of Empowered's growth strategy, is pursuing investment opportunities with early-stage companies whose mission is relevant to Aflac's core business and designed to help the company enhance its strategic and innovative focus.

Media contacts  Jon Sullivan, 706.763.4813 or [email protected]

Aflac analyst and investor contact  David A. Young, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX 706.324.6330, or [email protected]

SOURCE Aflac

Related Links

http://www.aflac.com


CHESTERFIELD, Mo., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Agilis Systems today announced it ranked No. 283 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Agilis grew 322 percent during this period.

Agilis Systems' chief executive officer, Paul Inman, credits a strong product and customer satisfaction with the company's 322 percent revenue growth. He said, "Agilis is excited to join the ranks of the Technology Fast 500 for the first time, and to be the only company headquartered in Missouri on the list. Our strong revenue growth is a testament to the value we provide to thousands of small businesses who count on our GPS, ELD, and IoT solutions each day. Our growth also reflects the commitment of our entire team to providing the best product and customer support in our industry."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

"Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Agilis Systems

Agilis Systems is a leading provider of fleet and workforce management solutions tailored to the needs of small- to mid-sized service companies and fleets. The company offers robust location-based solutions through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that gives businesses the tools they need to improve fleet management, increase mobile worker productivity, and reduce operating costs. Services are offered through highly recognized brands such as Linxup and MOTOsafety, and include FMCSA-certified electronic log solutions to meet the federal ELD mandate.

PR Contact:

Colleen Lyerla

314-696-0520

[email protected]

SOURCE Agilis Systems, LLC

Related Links

http://www.agilissystems.com


The demonstration highlights the capabilities of Algo-Logic's hardware accelerated, in-memory KVS scale-out to support data center applications. Parallel simulations of a Markov model are run and data is shared between computation nodes using Algo-Logic's networked-attached KVS that runs entirely in FPGA logic and interfaces through a software API to standard computation servers.

At the SC17 conference, we will be showing KVS scale-out using multiple interconnected Intel Xeon compute servers, Intel FPGAs on Nallatech P385 cards, an Intel i7 display server, and an Ethernet switch. The distributed machine learning application runs parallel simulations for a Markov model on the compute servers and performs inference using real-time data with live results shown on the display server. Algo-Logic's scale-out KVS shares system state results between parallel processing nodes with sub-microsecond latency over standard Ethernet switches to train a car to safely drive and navigate on the highway. Within minutes, the simulated self-driving car is able to use sensor inputs to decide how to change lanes, adjust car speed, and achieve driving skills on par with a human driving experience.

Algo-Logic's FPGA In-memory Key-Value Store deployments dramatically benefits the sharing of data in compute clusters:

Lowers Latency: Network latency that is 88x faster than a traditional software-based database shard

Increases Throughput (IOPs): 3x to 13x more operations per second than existing network-attached storage systems

Reduces Power: 13x to 21x reduction in power per operation leading to lower operating expenditures

Scale-up design: Direct connection of FPGA to 10G and 40G Ethernet provides best latency, throughput and power

Scale-out architecture: Supports distributed computing within datacenters that have thousands of nodes

Algo-Logic's KVS solutions add Gateware Define Networking (GDN) functionality to Intel Stratix  and Arria FPGA platforms that come with at least two SFP+ networking interfaces, a QSFP+ port, and/or a PCIe host interface. Other applications of Algo-Logic's scale-out FPGA-accelerated KVS include fusing data from multiple sensors, accelerating NoSQL database queries, filtering IP traffic for cybersecurity, lowering latency for trading, and sharing data in AdTech exchanges. Algo-Logic's GDN products are used by storage companies, network architects, datacenter operators, and cloud services providers to lower latency, increase packet throughput, and lower energy consumption for servers in datacenters.

About Algo-Logic Systems:

Algo-Logic Systems Inc., is the recognized leader of Gateware Defined Networking products and solutions. Algo-Logic's GDN runs on off-the shelf FPGA platforms. The pre-built applications include software APIs to make them easy to use and deploy.

Price and availability: Email [email protected], call (408) 707-3747 or visit www.algo-logic.com

SOURCE Algo-Logic Systems

Related Links

http://www.algo-logic.com


PLANO, Texas, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today announced its Columbus, Ohio-based card services business, a premier provider of branded private label, co-brand and business credit card programs, has signed a new agreement for private label credit card services for Build.com (www.build.com), the largest online-only home improvement retailer in the U.S.

Founded in 2000 and based in Chico, Calif., Build.com offers home improvement products shipped quickly from warehouses throughout the country, and operates 18 retail websites, including Build.com, FaucetDirect.com, LightingDirect.com, Handlesets.com, and CompactAppliance.com, across a variety of home improvement categories. Build.com has rapidly grown into a billion dollar retailer, and expects this rapid growth to continue.

Alliance Data will develop and launch a tailored card program for Build.com, featuring one credit card that can be used for purchases across all 18 websites. The customized credit-based value proposition will be designed to motivate and reward Build.com's growing base of customers. Alliance Data will also create and implement a full suite of data-driven marketing services for the card program, designed to increase brand loyalty and drive top-line sales.

Alliance Data's expanding portfolio of brand partners in the home improvement space continues to increase with the growth of the industry. According to the Home Improvement Research Institute, the $248 billion consumer segment of the home improvement market grew nearly 6 percent last year compared to the previous year1.

"We're all about the customer experience, and we believe this new credit program will give our shoppers another reason to buy everything they need for their home from Build.com," said Brianna Walling Burwell, the company's VP of Finance. "We know the credit card program will reflect all that our brands stand for, and we are confident it will drive sales and strengthen the relationships we have with our customers."

"This new partnership drives home our commitment and proven track record of delivering customized, rewards-driven card programs to dynamic brands, and we are so excited to work with Build.com," said Melisa Miller, president of Alliance Data's card services business. "This important partner program further extends our reach within the home improvement vertical, and really speaks to the growth of the category. We know that customers choose to shop online for anything and everything for the home, and they want to get it through a quick and easy shopping experience, from device to doorstep."

About Build.com

Based in Chico, Calif., Build.com is the largest online-only home improvement retailer and maintains an extensive network of specialty sites. Build.com brings together personalized customer service with the convenience of online shopping and an endless selection of quality products for the entire home. Free, live Home Improvement Experts provide start-to-finish guidance in plumbing, lighting, door hardware, ventilation, appliances and more to help make every project a success. A trusted partner for professionals and consumers alike, Build.com takes the guesswork out of home improvement. For more information, visit www.build.com.

About Alliance Data's card services business

Alliance Data's card services business is a leading provider of tailored marketing and loyalty solutions, delivered through branded credit programs that drive more profitable relationships between our brand partners and their cardmembers. We offer private label, co-brand, and business card products to many of the world's most recognizable brands across a multitude of channels.

We uphold our Know more. Sell more. promise by leveraging unmatched customer insights, advanced analytics, and broad-reaching innovative capabilities. It's how we deliver increased sales to our partners, build enduring loyalty to their brands, and provide more value to our cardmembers. Alliance Data's card services business is a proud part of the Alliance Data enterprise. To learn more, visit www.KnowMoreSellMore.com or follow us on Twitter @Know_SellMore.

About Alliance Data

Alliance Data (NYSE: ADS) is a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, Alliance Data consists of three businesses that together employ more than 17,000 associates at approximately 100 locations worldwide.

Alliance Data's card services business is a leading provider of marketing-driven branded credit card programs. Epsilon is a leading provider of multichannel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and also includes Conversant, a leader in personalized digital marketing. LoyaltyOne owns and operates the AIR MILES Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, and Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers.

Investor information about Alliance Data's businesses may be found here.

Follow Alliance Data on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan," "likely," "may," "should" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements.

We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, factors set forth in the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.







1 https://www.hiri.org/news/334015/Home-Improvement-Market-Expects-Growth-of-5.9-in-2016.htm

SOURCE Alliance Data Systems Corporation
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global strategic advisory and expert consulting firm Berkeley Research Group announced today that private equity and infrastructure valuation expert Federico Jost has joined as a Managing Director based in New York.

Jost has more than 16 years of corporate finance and investment management experience. He has served global private equity, infrastructure, pension and sovereign funds in establishing fair-value policies and procedures, and has supported monitoring and reporting activities.

For the past five years, Jost oversaw and led the private equity valuation activities at ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority), particularly focusing on private equity and infrastructure direct investments, co-investments, primary funds and credit funds. Before that, he served as a senior manager at KPMG, serving clients in the alternative investments valuation practice. He also serves on the boards of directors of several small startups.

Jost graduated from Universidad Metropolitana in Venezuela in business administration and holds an MBA in international business from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Michael Athanason, BRG's Head of Alternative Investments Advisory, offered his welcome today at a BRG New York gathering: "Federico is a key addition to our Alternative Investments team. He will bring valuable perspectives as we work to promote valuation transparency between investors and investment managers in the global markets."

"I am excited to join BRG's Corporate Finance practice," said Jost. "The firm has managed to attract and retain top talent in the alternative investments space and is now considered one of the 'go-to' advisors in private equity and infrastructure."

About Berkeley Research Group, LLC

Berkeley Research Group, LLC (www.thinkbrg.com) is a leading global strategic advisory and expert consulting firm that provides independent advice, data analytics, valuation, authoritative studies, expert testimony, investigations, transaction advisory, restructuring services, regulatory and dispute consulting to Fortune 500 corporations, financial institutions, major law firms and regulatory bodies around the world. BRG experts and consultants combine intellectual rigor with practical, real-world experience and an in-depth understanding of industries and markets. Their expertise spans economics and finance, data analytics and statistics, and public policy in many of the major sectors of our economy, including healthcare, banking, information technology, energy, construction and real estate. BRG is headquartered in Emeryville, California, with offices across the United States and in Asia, Australia, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.

SOURCE Berkeley Research Group

Related Links

http://www.thinkbrg.com/


Since becoming the UAE's Ambassador to the US in 2008, Minister Al Otaiba has enhanced the bilateral security relationship, increasing military, intelligence and counterterrorism cooperation. He has also worked closely with US government officials and business leaders to deepen the UAE-US economic and trade relationship. He has also helped to develop closer social, educational and cultural ties via partnerships and exchanges with the Cleveland Clinic, New York University, Children's National Medical Center, Johns Hopkins and Smithsonian, among other US institutions.

Previous to his appointment as UAE Ambassador to the US, Minister Al Otaiba was instrumental in strengthening UAE's security and economic relations with other countries as Director of International Affairs for the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In this role, Minister Al Otaiba served as one of UAE's principal security, anti-terrorism and defense liaisons to other governments, and was heavily involved in diplomatic efforts to improve regional security and defense cooperation.

Minister Al Otaiba will remain in his current role as the UAE's Ambassador to the US. He will continue to oversee strategic initiatives that enhance bilateral relations, including the UAE's significant commitment to philanthropic activities that benefit underserved communities across America, enhance education for children and improve healthcare research and treatment.

For media enquiries, contact:



Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

[email protected]

SOURCE Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

Related Links

http://www.uae-embassy.org


CARDIFF, Wales, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

- HD Truck Pune takes place on November 28, 2017 at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, India

- Opening panel debate featuring AMW Motors, Tata Motors, MAN Trucks and Cummins

- 20 speakers from OEMs, suppliers and other industry stakeholders

- FREE TICKETS for Automotive World site license holders and vehicle manufacturer employees

Automotive Megatrends is delighted to return to Pune for the 2017 edition of HD Truck Pune, the conference which brings together the stakeholders responsible for the evolution of India's commercial vehicle industry. Great speakers, cutting-edge topics and fantastic networking opportunities will make this an unmissable event.

https://automotivemegatrends.com/hd-truck-pune

HD Truck Pune will open with a keynote address from Umesh Madhyan, National Head - Infrastructure & Logistics, Hindustan Coca-Cola. Umesh will set the scene from the perspective of a major FMCG company.

Our morning panel discussion will focus on 'India's commercial vehicle industry - the next ten years' featuring:

A. Ramasubramanian, President, AMW Motors

President, Joerg Mommertz , Chairman & Managing Director, MAN Trucks

Chairman & Managing Director, A.K. Jindal , Vice President, Tata Motors

Vice President, Jayeeta Lakhani , Marketing Director - Engine Business, Cummins

To understand the role of connectivity in the future of India's commercial vehicle sector, the second high-level panel discussion of the day will focus on 'The rise of the connected truck in India'. Moderated by Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Partner at Roland Berger, this debate will feature:

Seetharaman Rajappan , Technical Leader, General Motors

Technical Leader, Luke Sequeira , Founder & CEO, Numadic

Founder & CEO, Sourabh Jha , Business Leader, Connected Vehicles, KPIT

With an agenda focused on the CV sector's future, HD Truck Pune also includes presentations on developments in powertrain technology and freight efficiency, featuring:

Sanjay Sinha , CEO, Tata AutoComp Hendrickson

CEO, Manoj Kusumba , General Manager, Head of Diesel Engine Development, AVL

General Manager, Head of Diesel Engine Development, Dirk Wohltmann , Head of Engineering, WABCO India

Head of Engineering, Selvaraji Muthu, General Manager (Design and Development), MAHLE Engine Components

General Manager (Design and Development), Ravi Bulusu , CEO, Enmovil Solutions

CEO, Vishal Seth , Managing Partner, Arconic of Indi a

Managing Partner, Brijesh Singh , Head of Marketing & Pricing, Commercial Vehicles - Spares, Tata Motors

Head of Marketing & Pricing, Commercial Vehicles - Spares, Jinal Shah , Manager - South Asia Operations, Power Systems Research

For more information and to obtain tickets for this unique conference, please go to: https://automotivemegatrends.com/hd-truck-pune

Note: Automotive World site license holders and employees of vehicle manufacturers are eligible for FREE TICKETS to this conference.

SOURCE Automotive Megatrends
aruliden co-founder, Rinat Aruh explains; "As a creative leader today you need to look to a variety of innovative methodologies to become relevant  product, brand, and even business model innovation  it's essential to engage with the new generation in meaningful ways. Going beyond just being a great brand or product ". She continues; "Helen brings her 25+ years to lead the aruliden brand and product design teams creatively in the capacity of VP, Creative Director.

Steed hails from the lifestyle, fashion + beauty worlds having been VP, Creative Director most recently at Glossier where she helped build a new kind of beauty company from the ground up together with the founding team and CEO. Prior to that she led the creative of Bumble and bumble and Jawbone. Originally from London, Steed brings a unique vision to the agency with her substantial resume and proven experience. Steed says; "I'm a problem solver and nothing gives me more joy than delving deep into an issue and creatively discovering a masterful solution." Steed believes the key to success is developing a close connection to the client's brand mission and core customer beliefs while learning about the people you work with and constantly surfacing the best work. Steed's tenure at the agency begins December 2017.

aruliden is a New York City-based award-winning agency that builds brands, products and experiences across a diverse range of industries. Co-founded by Rinat Aruh and Johan Liden in 2006, aruliden's ethos is to bridge the gap between design and brand in new and groundbreaking ways. aruliden clients range from Google and Visionaire to Coty and St Regis, aruliden is internationally recognized for their branding and design work. And with a knack for beauty, current beauty clients include: Shiseido Group, Bare Minerals, Maybelline-Gigi Hadid Collection, Beauty Blende, Estee Lauder Group of brand, P&G Hair Care, Lacoste Fragrances, Hugo Boss Fragrances, Hugo Fragrance, L'Oreal Group, Coty, + MiniLuxe.

aruliden is also a founding partner of "Tools at Schools," an early education initiative that encourages design thinking and problem solving in schools. Johan and Rinat have created a diverse team that crosses cultures and disciplines. aruliden has offices in NYC and San Francisco www.aruliden.com

For more information please email:

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE aruliden

Related Links

www.aruliden.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Senate Republicans today unveiled their vision for tax reform with a legislative package that includes the elimination of state-and-local tax deductions and a near doubling of the standard deduction, among other provisions.

National Association of Realtors President Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor from Columbia, Missouri and CEO of RE/MAX Boone Realty, said that as NAR reviews the legislation, Realtors are steadfast in ensuring homeownership is protected throughout the tax debate.

Mendenhall issued the following statement on the bill:

"While we are still reviewing the outlines of this proposal, we are watching closely for changes to current law that might leave middle-class homeowners  and homeownership broadly  in a worse place than it is today. We've already seen that a near-doubling of the standard deduction, combined with the elimination of other deductions like the state-and-local tax deduction, can turn the American Dream into a nightmare for families, as the rug is pulled out from under them. Simply preserving the mortgage interest deduction in name only isn't enough to protect homeownership.

"America still believes in the promise of homeownership. Tax reform should reflect that belief, and as we continue to examine this proposal, that's exactly what we'll look to see."

The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.nar.realtor. News releases are posted in the newsroom under the "About NAR" tab.

SOURCE National Association of Realtors

Related Links

http://www.realtor.org


"A close partnership between higher ed and employers is essential at a time when graduates are heading into a fast-changing economy where they need to be prepared for jobs that don't even exist yet," said Gloria Cordes Larson, president of Bentley University and the author of PreparedU: How Innovative Colleges Drive Student Success .

The event, which will be held on the Bentley campus, will bring together college administrators, corporate executives and students to discuss innovative practices and real-world challenges in putting students on the path to fulfilling careers. The program includes:

Panel: "How Employers See the Challenges: A Conversation with Experts from a Diverse Set of Industry Sectors"

Moderator: Goldie Blumenstyk , senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education

, senior writer at Panelists: Jessica LoDolce , senior director of financial planning and analysis at Thermo Fisher Scientific; David Lucey , vice president of talent acquisition at Epsilon; and Bruce Soltys , 2nd Vice President for Talent Acquisition at Travelers.

Interview: "Helping Low-Income Students Enter the Workforce"

What are the barriers that first-generation students encounter in the transition from college to career, and how can institutions can help them?

Scott Smallwood , managing editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education

, managing editor at Guest: Hector M. Rivera Jr. , M.S.M., M.B.A., chief operations officer at Our Piece of the Pie

Interview: "The Road to Career Success"

The Chronicle sits down with Strada Education Network to discuss the most common challenges for graduating students in connecting with employers.

Moderator: Scott Smallwood , managing editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education

, managing editor at Guest: Michelle Weise , Senior Vice President, Strada Education Network

Panel: "How Colleges are Responding: Experts from Academe Weigh In"

Local university leaders debate best practices and new innovations in preparing students to enter the workforce.

Moderator: Scott Carlson , senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education

, senior writer at Panelists: Scott Latham , PhD, vice provost, innovation and workforce development

at University of Massachusetts Lowell ; and Susan Sandler Brennan , associate vice president, university career services at Bentley University

Bentley's market research has demonstrated that employers want multi-faceted employees who possess the essential "hard" technical skills such as software development and data analysis coupled with traditional "soft" skills like communication and collaboration.



Read more about the skills that graduates need to future-proof their careers

"Higher education should focus on preparing graduates with the skills and knowledge that will give them an edge in the workplace," said President Larson. "This means combining left-brain and right-brain thinking, integrating hands-on learning experiences with classroom learning, and exposing students to the technologies they need to be successful in today's evolving economy."

Read more about what colleges and universities should be doing to drive student success

"The Future of Work: The Path from College to Career" is targeted toward college administrators, career officers, corporate leaders, hiring managers, and students in the Boston-metro area.

SOURCE Bentley University
TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Advancing technology has contributed to a continuing boom in the mining of "special" diamonds that help keep the market buoyed, according to Paragon International Wealth Management.

Paragon International Wealth Management is a Toronto-based investment firm with particular expertise in acquiring and managing fancy colored diamonds for its clients' investment portfolios.

In the last five years alone, 61 diamond finds were significant enough to warrant press releases by the companies that mined them. (Publicly traded mining companies must announce developments that might impact their stock price.)

Sometimes, the perceived value of the diamond comprises a large proportion of the market capitalization of the company that mined it. The 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona recovered by Lucara Diamond Corp. in 2015, for example, was estimated at $75 million, or 15 percent of the company's total value. Similarly, Lucapa Diamond Co., with a market cap of $100 million at the time, uncovered a 404-carat stone in 2016 worth over $15 million.

Announcing noteworthy diamond finds keeps market interest high, Paragon International Wealth Management noted. Rio Tinto announced the 187-carat diamond recovered from its Diavik mine in Canada as the largest ever found in North America. Similarly, a 28-carat fancy pink diamond uncovered by Alrosa was the largest of its kind found in Russia.

The bigger the diamonds, especially if they are colored, the better for headlines and investor interest, Paragon International Wealth Management added. Technology has also played a role. Lucara, for example, recently equipped the processing plant of its Karowe mine in Botswana with leading technology to enable large diamonds to be identified and recovered whole.

Gem Diamonds, however, has been less successful with technology at its Letseng mine in Lesotho, another source of large diamonds. Gem recently told analysts that its average price per carat included a breakage rate of 80 percent due to technology limitations.

Paragon International Wealth Management said that public announcements of noteworthy major diamond finds are a helpful barometer for the market. But, they're not necessarily the last word. Some mines operators, like Rio Tinto, do it rarely and others, like DeBeers, don't announce them at all.

About Paragon International Wealth Management Inc.

Paragon International Wealth Management in Toronto acquires and manages fancy colored diamonds as key components of a clients' hard asset investment portfolio. The firm's expertise in colored diamonds, which experience much higher profit margins than other hard asset investments, helps clients achieve significant annual investment returns.

SOURCE Paragon International Wealth Management Inc.
CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Envestnet (NYSE: ENV), a leading provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness and the firm's President, Bill Crager, were recognized at the Hope & Heroes annual fundraising dinner, which was held last night in New York. Hope & Heroes is a non-profit organization focused on funding Columbia University Medical Center's work on childhood cancer and blood disorders.

Crager received the Legacy of Hope Award, which honors those whose commitment, now and in the future, to the eradication of pediatric cancer is exemplary. Envestnet is deeply invested in the work that Hope & Heroes and the Columbia University Medical Center does to make a profound difference in the lives of the children and their families afflicted with childhood cancer and blood disorders, and is honored to be affiliated with this dedicated organization.

"More than 260,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year," said Bill Crager, President, Envestnet, Inc. "Through the advanced care, support and cutting-edge research that Hope & Heroes helps to fund, children, patients and families gain access to possible new breakthroughs in treatment that can enhance and possibly save their lives. We are truly humbled to be involved with this organization and awarded the Legacy of Hope Award."

About Envestnet

Envestnet, Inc. (NYSE: ENV) is a leading provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness. Envestnet's unified technology enhances advisor productivity and strengthens the wealth management process. Envestnet empowers enterprises and advisors to more fully understand their clients and deliver better outcomes.

Envestnet enables financial advisors to better manage client outcomes and strengthen their practices. Institutional-quality research and advanced portfolio solutions are provided through Envestnet | PMC, our Portfolio Management Consultants group. Envestnet | Yodlee is a leading data aggregation and data analytics platform powering dynamic, cloud-based innovation for digital financial services. Envestnet | Tamarac provides leading rebalancing, reporting, and practice management software for advisors. Envestnet | Retirement Solutions provides an integrated platform that combines leading practice management technology, research, data aggregation and fiduciary managed account solutions.

More than 59,000 advisors and 2,900 companies including: 16 of the 20 largest U.S. banks, 39 of the 50 largest wealth management and brokerage firms, over 500 of the largest Registered Investment Advisers, and hundreds of Internet services companies, leverage Envestnet technology and services. Envestnet solutions enhance knowledge of the client, accelerate client on-boarding, improve client digital experiences, and help drive better outcomes for enterprises, advisors, and their clients.

For more information on Envestnet, please visit www.envestnet.com and follow @ENVintel.

About Hopes & Heroes

Hope & Heroes funds more than 50 percent of the lifesaving work on childhood cancer and blood disorders at Columbia University Medical Center -- including cutting-edge research, family support and care that always puts children first. Columbia is home to the largest and most comprehensive pediatric oncology program in the New York City metropolitan area, and one of the largest centers in the nation. Hope & Heroes ensures that every family, regardless of their ability to pay, receives the highest-quality care.

SOURCE Envestnet, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.envestnet.com


CLEVELAND, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOHM Health, a microbiome and probiotic company guided by the cutting edge research of Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, Ph.D., MBA, FIDSA, has launched BIOHM Children's Probiotic using BIOHM's powerful probiotic technology, but fully optimized for children. BIOHM's formulation is a combination of good bacteria and good fungi infused with a powerful enzyme that breaks through digestive plaque allowing BIOHM's 5 billion live active cultures to maintain, support, and promote the balance of the total microbiome in the digestive system.

Dr. Ghannoum, one of the world's leading experts in medically important fungus and microbiome sequencing, made a breakthrough discovery when he observed bacteria and bad fungus working together to form digestive plaque in the gut. With this research, Dr. Ghannoum pioneered the first probiotic to confront the gut's total microbiome of both bacteria and fungus. "It's not bacteria alone, it's not fungi alone  you have to put them together," emphasized Dr. Ghannoum.

"We understand the value of overall gut health, so we want to ensure there is a product for everyone," says Afif Ghannoum, CEO of BIOHM Health. "Your child's gut contains both bacteria and fungi. Unlike other probiotics, BIOHM Children's Probiotic has been designed to address the role of fungi in digestive balance, not just bacteria - offering an all-encompassing solution to total digestive balance."

So here's the scoop

Powerful BIOHM Probiotic technology fully optimized for Children

5 billion active live cultures in each chewable

Enteric coated to protect live active strains

Tasty fruit flavor, naturally sweetened by Monk fruit

Non-GMO, free-from synthetics, soy, gluten, egg and sugar

No artificial ingredients or sweeteners; such as, sucralose, sucrose, saccharin, aspartame, sodium saccharin, and maltodextrin

All strains are from non-dairy sources

Histamine neutral

42 chewables for a six week supply

No refrigeration required

Heat resistant packaging to protect live active strains

BIOHM's powerful probiotic technology (a combination of good bacteria and good fungi infused with a powerful enzyme that breaks through digestive plaque), BIOHM Children's Probiotic is available online starting at $39.99.

ABOUT DR. MAHMOUD GHANNOUM

Mahmoud Ghannoum, Ph.D., MBA, FIDSA, joined Case Western Reserve University and University Hospital's Cleveland Medical Center in 1996 from his prior position at the UCLA School of Medicine. As the acclaimed scientist who named the mycobiome (the body's fungal community), Dr. Ghannoum has spent his entire academic career studying medically important fungi and the major causes of fungal infections.

He published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and has been cited over 18,000 times by other scientists. Dr. Ghannoum lectures to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and has been a NIH-funded researcher since 1993 with $25 million in funding to date.

ABOUT BIOHM HEALTH

BIOHM Health was founded by Dr. Ghannoum after his breakthrough discovery that bad bacteria and bad fungus work together to create digestive imbalance. Dr. Ghannoum realized that today's probiotics and microbiome tests only had not been engineered to specifically address the role fungi plays in digestive health. As a result, he created BIOHM Health: The first company that addresses the gut's total microbiome of both bacteria and fungi.

BIOHM Health was founded to be the first microbiome company. BIOHM's mission is simple: engineer elegant products and services that address the total microbiome of both bacteria and fungi, allowing you to maintain total digestive health.

Media Contact:

Matt Kovacs

[email protected]

310-395-5050

SOURCE BIOHM Health

Related Links

https://biohmhealth.com


BUCHAREST, Romania, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Bitdefender, a leading global cybersecurity technology company protecting 500 million users worldwide, today announced GravityZone XDR, a comprehensive cloud-based security solution that offers integrated endpoint detection, prevention and response capabilities from a single agent managed by a single console. Specifically designed to offer protection against cyber threats that evade traditional defense mechanisms, it empowers resource-strapped businesses with lean IT teams and/or that operate without a Security Operation Center (SOC).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160405/351502LOGO )



GravityZone XDR is a layered next-generation endpoint security platform that provides industry-leading protection against the full spectrum of known and unknown cyber threats. Like other versions of GravityZone, XDR reduces the attack surface through: its firewall and patch management capabilities; blocks advanced threats at pre-execution through tunable machine learning models; detects malicious behavior through real-time process monitoring; anti-exploit protection and sandbox analysis; and protects all data at rest via full disk encryption. These components work together to continuously evolve protection of the endpoint from increasingly sophisticated attackers while supporting an organization's overall security posture.

In addition, GravityZone XDR boasts a new cloud-based Threat Analytics module that performs Big Data event correlation, identifying incidents of significance for the security administrator to investigate. Employing an event recorder, it continuously streams insights on chains of events that look suspicious, based on telemetry, processes, network policies and registry entity actions.

Once the level of threat is identified, security administrators can perform one-click investigations in XDR to look up VirusTotal or submit samples for behavior analysis to Bitdefender's Sandbox Analyzer. With surgical precision, admins can take immediate resolution - delete, kill or quarantine - for any indicators of compromise, and even apply policy change from the same interface to evolve the future security posture of vulnerable endpoints.

According to Harish Agastya, VP of Enterprise Solutions at Bitdefender, "EDR as a technology holds much promise for the security industry, but existing market offerings are too complex to be deployed by most organizations. That is why we have specifically designed GravityZone XDR to be EDR made easy."

He went on to say, "It provides security administrators with intuitive workflows and a contextual map to understand threat impact. With only the most relevant events being offered for incident response, threat hunting cost and effort are lowered. Having this EDR capability as part of a truly integrated security platform enables the holy grail of endpoint protection - prevent, detect, investigate, respond, and evolve."

GravityZone XDR is available on both endpoints and servers as part of the GravityZone Ultra integrated suite. For more details, visit https://bitdefender.com/edr.

About Bitdefender

Bitdefender is a global security technology company that provides cutting edge end-to-end cyber security solutions and advanced threat protection to more than 500 million users in more than 150 countries. Since 2001, Bitdefender has consistently produced award-winning business and consumer security technology, and is a provider of choice in both hybrid infrastructure security and endpoint protection. Through R&D, alliances and partnerships, Bitdefender is trusted to be ahead and deliver robust security you can rely on. More information is available at http://www.bitdefender.com.

SOURCE BitDefender
H.O.P.E. -- Healing, Opportunity, Protection and Education -- Haven will serve as transitional living quarters for the survivors in the Blazing Hope Ranch program. In 2016 Vanderbilt Mortgage donated two modular homes previously used for company housing to Blazing Hope Ranch that currently make up H.O.P.E. Haven. The four bedroom, two bathroom homes will be used to house female survivors and live-in mentors while they go through the organization's program.

"We are blessed to contribute to such an amazing cause right here in East Tennessee," Eric Hamilton, president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., said as he addressed the ceremony attendees. "Their dedication to helping these survivors is truly inspiring and makes a direct impact to our shared community."

The Blazing Hope program, operated by David and Jolien Haggard, takes in survivors of human trafficking and helps them through an 18-24-month rehabilitation program where they can learn life skills and undergo equestrian-based therapy, using horses rescued from poor or abusive conditions. The ranch sits on a 120-acre property that was donated by a local church.

"Blazing Hope Ranch is doing some truly incredible work by helping to rescue people from some of the worst circumstances imaginable," Hamilton said. "It's my hope that more people become aware of this growing issue and are inspired to help in any way that they can."

To hear a message from founders David and Jolien Haggard, watch the video.

For more information about the Blazing Hope Ranch and ways to donate, visit BlazingHopeRanch.org.

About Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. is a national housing lender that specializes in financing manufactured homes. In business for more than 40 years, the company currently services more than 200,000 home loans and works hard to tailor loans to each family's needs. Vanderbilt has an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau and is a Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information, visit VMFHomeLoan.com.

NMLS Disclosure

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., 500 Alcoa Trail, Maryville, TN 37804, 865-380-3000, NMLS #1561, (http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), AZ Lic. #BK-0902616, Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license, GA Residential Mortgage (Lic. #6911), Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, Licensed by the NH Banking Department, MT Lic. #1561, Licensed by PA Dept. of Banking.

SOURCE Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.
Magee and C Spire executives have invited over 300 local business owners to the meeting at Studio5fifty to learn more about the opportunity to get Gigabit speed internet access for their enterprises for as low as $200 a month, the lowest price available in the nation. The goal of the meetings is to gauge interest among businesses and discuss next steps for the project.

The after work session is set for 5:30 p.m. at Studio5fifty, 550 Central Avenue, in downtown Laurel. The high-tech infrastructure is expected to pave the way for more economic growth, new jobs and improved quality of life for Laurel residents and businesses.

Laurel is one of at least two dozen cities chosen by C Spire to begin the first U.S. effort aimed at making Gigabit internet widely available to businesses ranging from coffee houses and restaurants to law offices, accounting and tax services. The company aims to make ultra-fast service available to one out of every five of the state's 250,000 businesses.

Gigabit access for businesses is the second phase of a major private sector technology deployment by C Spire this fall that features a massive expansion of ultra-fast broadband internet and wireless fiber-based fixed internet to more than 250,000 consumers and small businesses in cities and towns across the state. C Spire has over 8,000 route miles of fiber optics and owns and has deployed more wireless spectrum in Mississippi than any other communications carrier.

The broadband expansion is a key part of the C Spire Tech Movement, an outgrowth of the company's 2013 groundbreaking Fiber-to-the-Home program, one of the first of its type in the U.S. and the fastest to connect thousands of Mississippi consumers in nine communities across the state to Gigabit internet, digital television and home phone services.

Laurel has been divided into three business fiberhoods  designated areas that are within several hundred feet of the company's extensive infrastructure of buried fiber optic cable. Even the 1,700 businesses that are outside of the primary sphere of influence can receive the service if there is enough interest.

The high-tech firm has been on a mission to expand broadband availability and boost average mobile and fixed broadband speeds in Mississippi. Overall, C Spire plans to deliver broadband Internet to over 250,000 residents and businesses with speeds ranging from 25 Mbps in underserved areas, 100 Mbps in other communities to 1 Gbps for businesses using the latest fiber optic and fixed wireless technologies, which enable faster and more widespread availability of critical services. The company also is continuing its FTTH Gigabit deployment in several communities across the state.

The broadband expansion plan is part of a broader C Spire Tech Movement initiative designed to leverage the company's technology leadership and investments to help transform its service areas. Other elements of the program include leading the development of a tech workforce in Mississippi through education initiatives, expanding tech innovation and development of a state-of-the-art digital customer care platform for customers and team members.

In recent years, C Spire's continuing technology investment has played a central role in recent state gains for average mobile and fixed broadband speeds in Mississippi. The company became the state's fastest Internet service provider in 2014 and more than quadrupled speeds in the state following its successful FTTH initiative.

C Spire plans to share more details as it rolls out each phase of the Tech Movement, including specific markets, pricing and speeds in the programs. In the meantime, consumers and businesses can go to cspire.com/internetlaunch for more details, updates and frequently asked questions.

About C Spire

C Spire is a leading technology company committed to transforming Mississippi through the C Spire Tech Movement, which includes the massive deployment of broadband internet to homes and small businesses, a state-of-the-art digital experience for its customers and team members, technology innovation leadership and the creation and retention of a 21st century technology workforce in its region. The company provides world-class, customer-inspired wireless communications, 1 Gigabit consumer Internet access as well as a full suite of dedicated Internet, wireless, IP Voice, data and cloud services for businesses. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire.

SOURCE C Spire

Related Links

http://www.cspire.com


SECUR provides clients in industry and government with asset-based packaging, logistics and technical services that enable them safely and cost efficiently to handle a range of radioactive, hazardous, industrial and other complex wastes that are generated from environmental remediation, decommissioning and waste management activities performed globally.

Headquartered near Pittsburgh, PA, SECUR was founded by longtime innovators in the radioactive and hazardous waste industries, Jennifer and John Evanko. They have been joined at SECUR by a seasoned executive management team that worked together at the Evanko-founded MHF Logistical Solutions, Inc, a pioneer in the use of rail and intermodal transportation for waste materials. The Evankos and their management team sold the company in 2006.

"We are excited to be partnering with this proven management team in an industry that we find attractive," said Ben deTar Wilhite, Caruth co-founder and partner. "Logistics, transportation and disposal of waste historically has been a stable industry with high barriers to entry. We believe it is an industry poised for outsized growth in the coming years." Tim Wegener, Caruth co-founder and partner, continued, "We look to partner with outstanding management teams. We believe we are investing in the best management team in the industry. Jennifer and John have an unmatched track record, demonstrated at MHF Logistical Solutions that they grew to become the largest supplier in the industry before successfully exiting."

Jennifer Evanko, SECUR chair and CEO, said that Caruth's investment will help accelerate the company's already aggressive growth strategy through the development of new packaging products and expansion of the company's transportation container assets, railcars and service offerings.

"We are offering our customers new and innovative solutions," she said. "We are helping them achieve more in their waste management programs at stable, predictable cost.

"We are appreciative of Caruth's foresight and trust in us. With its support, we are aiming high," Evanko said.

About Caruth Capital Partners

Founded by two career private equity professionals, Caruth Capital Partners ("CCP") is a private equity firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The founders of CCP have invested and operated in more than 100 businesses across a wide variety of industries.

CCP looks to acquire controlling interests in lower-middle market businesses and partners with management to accelerate growth and meaningfully improve operations through disciplined value-creation methodologies.

For more information contact- John Evanko, SECUR, john @ securllc.com (www.securllc.com) and Ben Wilhite, Caruth Capital Partners 469-551-3281 or bwilhite @ caruthcap.com

SOURCE SECUR LLC

Related Links

http://www.securllc.com


NEW YORK, November 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Chico's, the national women's clothing retailer known for bold prints and styles, aimed at women 45+, announced today it has selected The&Partnership as its creative and media agency of record after a two-month account review.

The&Partnership will spearhead all aspects of Chico's brand marketing and execute an integrated campaign to support the brand's re-launch and broaden the customer base beyond current loyalists. m/SIX, the full service media agency within The&Partnership and backed by GroupM, will lead all media planning and buying.

"The team at The&Partnership impressed us with their unique ideas, strategic thinking and collaborative approach. They clearly understood our challenges and opportunities and delivered bold creative that we can't wait to share with our audience. At every stage of the process it was clear that there was great cultural alignment of our teams," said Shelagh Stoneham, Senior Vice President, Marketing for Chico's.

"This is a great brand, with a very authentic and powerful legacy," said Andrew Bailey, Partner and CEO, The&Partnership. "Our favorite thing is to tap every one of our disciplines across strategy, creative, media, data, PR, content creation and production to take a brand to even greater heights. We created The&Partnership to help write this exact kind of modern marketing success story."

The first creative work will be delivered for the Spring Summer 2018 campaign.

ABOUT CHICO'S

The Company, through its brands - Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma, is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates and complementary accessories.

As of July 29, 2017, the Company operated 1,482 stores in the US and Canada and sold merchandise through franchise locations in Mexico. The Company's merchandise is also available at http://www.chicos.com, http://www.whbm.com, and http://www.soma.com. For more detailed information on Chico's FAS, Inc., please visit our corporate website at http://www.chicosfas.com

ABOUT THE&PARTNERSHIP

The&Partnership is a modern communications agency uniquely built to solve the concerns and frustrations of marketers. The multidisciplinary model operates under a single-bottom line, which creates game-changing collaboration and creativity across disciplines, delivering the right answer for today's client needs. The agency's capabilities span 10 disciplines including advertising, media, PR, CRM, data/analytics, digital, social, mobile, innovation, content and delivery/production.

The&Partnership has 1,500 employees in 56 offices across 25 countries. For more information, visit the website at: http://www.theandpartnership.com. Follow The&Partnership on Twitter @and_partnership and on Instagram @powerofand_na

ABOUT m/SIX

m/SIX is a full service media agency that combines the nimbleness of an independent shop with the buying power of GroupM. Backed jointly by GroupM and integrated marketing agency The&Partnership, m/SIX's unique model brings media planning, creative development and data management under a single roof, providing advertisers with a one-team approach for managing all aspects of their paid, earned and owned media campaigns. Digitally native with expertise across all addressable and traditional media channels, m/SIX is built for the modern media landscape offering hands-on management across all stages of the media process.

Contact:

Loulou Dundas

The&Partnership

+1-646-283-5003

[email protected]

SOURCE The&Partnership
SINGAPORE, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE: CYD) ("China Yuchai" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of engines for on-and off-road applications in China through its main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited ("GYMCL"), announced today that GYMCL's YC4A series products and YC6J series products won the Gold Award, Product of the Year, 2017 and the Market Performance Award, 2017, respectively.

The awards were presented to GYMCL at the 2017 China Agricultural Machinery Industry Annual Awards Ceremony held in late October 2017 in Wuhan, China, and organized by the China Association of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, the China Association of Agricultural Mechanization and the China Agricultural Machinery Distribution Association. GYMCL was one of two engine companies to receive these significant industry awards which were voted on by thousands of agricultural machinery experts and customers.

The YC4A engine is a 4.8-litre engine designed for agriculture applications, especially to propel a variety of cereal harvesters. This engine adopts a high-pressure injection system and an exhaust gas recirculation technology. The YC6J engine is a 6.5-litre engine with a robust design for hostile working environments and is particularly used for heavy duty tractor application.

Mr. Weng Ming Hoh, President of China Yuchai, commented, "We are honored to receive these prestigious awards. These awards are testament to our high performance and quality products. The agriculture market is of great importance in China as it is the government's goal to further enhance farm productivity to provide the proper food supplies to a growing population, already the largest in the world."

About China Yuchai International

China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited ("GYMCL"), engages in the manufacture, assembly, and sale of a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty engines for trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, construction equipment, marine and agriculture applications in China. GYMCL also produces diesel power generators. The engines produced by GYMCL range from diesel to natural gas and hybrid engines. Through its regional sales offices and authorized customer service centers, the Company distributes its engines directly to auto OEMs and retailers and provides maintenance and retrofitting services throughout China. Founded in 1951, GYMCL has established a reputable brand name, strong research and development team and significant market share in China with high-quality products and reliable after-sales support. In 2016, GYMCL sold 320,424 engines and is recognized as a leading manufacturer and distributor of engines in China. For more information, please visit http://www.cyilimited.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "targets", "optimistic", "confident that", "continue to", "predict", "intend", "aim", "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements concerning the Company's operations, financial performance and condition are based on current expectations, beliefs and assumptions which are subject to change at any time. The Company cautions that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors such as government and stock exchange regulations, competition, political, economic and social conditions around the world and in China including those discussed in the Company's Form 20-Fs under the headings "Risk Factors", "Results of Operations" and "Business Overview" and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date it is made, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to maintain or update the forward-looking information, whether of the nature contained in this release or otherwise, in the future.

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Theiss

Phone: +1 646-726-6511

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China Yuchai International Limited

Related Links

http://www.cyilimited.com


NORWICH, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chobani, LLC, maker of America's #1 Greek yogurt brand and the second largest overall yogurt manufacturer in the U.S., today announced the expansion of the world's largest yogurt plant in Twin Falls, Idaho, by breaking ground on a 70,000-square-foot facility that will serve employees, guests and house the company's global research and development team.

"I'm grateful for the specialness we share with the people of the Magic Valley," said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO, Chobani. "Twin Falls is one of those special places where there's a strong entrepreneurial mindset, the people are incredible, and a handshake truly means something. It's a special ecosystem when it comes to food making. Our home in Idaho is not only a celebration of our employees and our community, but is also a space to inspire creativity, drive even more innovation and take us further on our mission to bring better food to more people."

Inspired by the nature of the Magic Valley, the center represents the future of U.S. manufacturing  with some 30,000-square-feet of glass putting transparency and sunlight at the center of its design.

Employees can exercise in the 2,000-square-foot fitness center overlooking the Sawtooth Mountains and gather at a sun-filled space for shared meals and relaxation. A dedicated visitor entrance will welcome the Magic Valley community to learn more about the company's history of growth in Twin Falls, as well as its commitment to participating in local initiatives.

"It's been great to watch Chobani become part of the fabric of our Magic Valley communities over the past four years," said Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. "This new investment in Twin Falls reflects Chobani's commitment to Idaho and to the people who have responded so positively to its corporate citizenship. Congratulations to all those who are contributing to Chobani's growth, just as Chobani is contributing to ours."

Committed to creating jobs and economic opportunity where it operates, Chobani hired local architects and engineers to design this facility and brought on local contractors and workers to build it. Since installing the world's largest yogurt plant in Twin Falls in 2013, Chobani has made a positive impact in the local economy by stimulating new jobs and encouraging other businesses to invest in the region. In 2016, Chobani announced a $100 million expansion of its manufacturing plant to invest in new production lines and products, and to support distribution to international markets.

A closer look at the center:

People First

Developed to reflect Chobani's welcoming and collaborative culture, a 7,000-square-foot, sun-filled gathering space will be used for town halls, shared meals, daily relaxation and special celebrations.

A 2,000-square-foot fitness center will help employees improve their health and reduce stress through exercise, while enjoying stunning views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Wellness rooms for new mothers will be available throughout the facility.

A visitor's entrance will welcome the local community and invite guests to learn more about Chobani and the company's history in the region.

Sustainable Design

The center builds on Chobani's longstanding commitment to the environment, utilizing innovative features to increase energy efficiency.

Some 4,000-square-feet of "smart glass" windows greatly enhance natural light, while regulating internal temperatures and reducing use of heating and air conditioning, driving a 20% reduction in energy consumption.

An expansive skylight at the center of the building will reduce lighting needs from our environmentally-conscious all-LED lighting system, while 30,000-square-feet of "smart roofing" will reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.

To demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship, we're seeking LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The new facility will come online on Summer 2018. For more information and to access visuals of the center, please visit www.chobani.com/twinfalls.

About Chobani

Maker of America's No. 1selling Greek Yogurt brand and the second largest yogurt manufacturer in the U.S., Chobani, LLC, was founded on the belief that people have great tastethey just need great options. Chobani produces high-quality authentic yogurt made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients from its plants in New Berlin, N.Y., Twin Falls, Idaho and South Victoria, Australia. Chobani is committed to using milk from regional farms and strengthening its surrounding local economies. Chobani gives a portion of its annual profits to charities worldwide through the company's charitable foundation. In 2017, Chobani was recognized by Fast Company as one of the top 10 most innovative companies in the world. All Chobani productsincluding Chobani Greek Yogurt, Chobani Smooth, Chobani "Flip", Drink Chobani, Chobani Tots, and Chobani Kids productsare kosher certified, contain live and active cultures and are made with milk from cows not treated with rBST.* Chobani products are available nationwide in the U.S., Mexico and Australia, and in countries in Asia and Latin America. For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and www.facebook.com/chobani.

Media Contact:

Blair Aires / Chobani / [email protected] / 212-364-6731

*According to the FDA, no significant difference has been found between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows.

SOURCE Chobani, LLC

Related Links

http://www.chobani.com


Munvo

www.munvo.com

www.munvo.com/contact-us

MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Client Spectrum Inc., a leading consulting firm helping Fortune 1000 companies develop and improve their marketing technology capabilities, announced today that the company will begin operating under the brand name Munvo. Effective immediately, all outward representations and communications will reflect this change, while Client Spectrum Inc. will function as the legal entity of Munvo.

"Adopting a new name that would help enable the sub-branding of our growing products and services was the key driver. Another reason was that we wanted to adopt a shorter and easier name for our clients."

 Mathieu Sabourin, President

"Rallying on a non-pre-existing word represented a great branding opportunity to reinforce who we are: The Marketing Solutions Specialists."

 Joe Maraschiello, Managing Partner, Marketing & Products

After starting with four employees and two clients in 2005, Munvo has shown steady growth, increasing its head count to more than 65 employees spread across the company's offices in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. Through a combination of management consulting, technology implementation and marketing run services we help our clients develop the marketing capabilities needed to achieve their personalization, cross-channel and interactive marketing goals.

ABOUT MUNVO: Munvo is a leading consulting firm specialized in assisting global companies by maximizing their investment in their marketing solutions. Munvo services include: implementation, management consulting and marketing run services. In addition, Munvo Lab develops products, connectors and accelerators for Adobe, IBM and SAS marketing solutions. Munvo is a trademark of Client Spectrum Inc.

SOURCE Munvo
NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Colombia - Defense and Security: Increased spending driven by domestic discord (Strategy, Performance and Risk Analysis)

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05153075

Summary

The aircraft category remains one of the key segments for Colombian defense and security with capital expenditure accounting for 66.9% of the total in 2016. This was followed by C4ISR Electronics & IT segment accounting for 3.6% of the total. Colombia's total defense expenditure recorded a CAGR of 7.3%, rising from US$6.1 billion in 2012 to US$8.1 billion in 2016. It will post a forecast-period CAGR of 5.1% to reach US$10,323.5 million in 2021 due to mounting threats from Venezuela and rebel groups.

MarketLine's premium reports provide a comprehensive overview of each market within a country's defense industry; benchmark key performance indicators against regional and global peers; review industry trends and drivers; evaluate the competitive landscape and innovation potential of singular markets; and conduct data-driven SWOT analysis to ascertain a structured assessment of the performance of each territory represented.

Key Highlights

Colombia undertakes various procurement and modernization initiatives:Aircraft and naval ships currently used by Colombia's armed forces are aging. In order to compete with their regional rivals in terms of technology and defense capabilities, the Colombian Ministry of Defense (MoD) is undertaking plans to modernize aging hardware and procure state-of-the-art weaponry and defense systems. The government has initiated several procurement programs, including multirole aircraft, transporters and MBTs.

Budget cuts impacted the country's imports industry:

Colzmbia's total expenditure on imports declined at a CAGR of 63.4%, from US$207.0 million in 2012 to US$29 million in 2016. The decline is primarily due to defense budget cuts on the back of economic deceleration and a peace accord between the government and FARC. During 2012-2015, imports grew briskly as a result of a continued increase in the import of military aircraft. Colombia also imports ships, sensors, missiles and engines.

Strong influence of anti-state elements within the military:The Colombian MoD recently acknowledged that cocaine smugglers and leftist rebels had infiltrated senior levels of the Colombian Army, impeding efforts to defeat guerrilla organizations and combat the drug trade. The army discovered classified military information in the computer files of guerrillas from the FARC rebel group, which led the MoD to believe that senior military officials may be sharing information in exchange for bribes.

Scope

- Industry Snapshot and Industry View - Key defense and security industry statistics including total expenditure, revenue expenditure, and capital expenditure are analysed to reveal the key issues and trends driving market performance in the Colombian defense and security market.

- Industry SWOT Analysis - Discover the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats impacting market performance and investment in the Colombian defense and security market.

- Industry Benchmarking - Benchmark how the Colombian defense and security market is performing compared to regional and global markets in terms of total expenditure, revenue expenditure, and capital expenditure to gauge potential for growth or market entry.

- Competitive Landscape - Detailed overview and product offerings of the leading Defense and Security players in Colombia.

Reasons to buy

- How is the market performing in terms of: total expenditure, revenue expenditure, and capital expenditure?

- How risky is it to invest in the Colombia defense and security industry compared to other South and Central American countries?

- What is driving the performance of key industry segments such as aircraft, C4ISR electronics & IT, naval ships, helicopters, military vehicles, and others?

- Who are the leading players in the Colombian defense and security industry and their overview and product portfolio?

- What trends are being witnessed within the Colombian defense and security industry?

- What are the Colombian defense and security industry's Strengths and Weaknesses and what Opportunities and Threats does it face?

- What are the recent developments in the Colombian defense and security industry?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05153075

About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

https://www.reportlinker.com

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

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RESTON, Va., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore, Inc., today announced a partnership with leading political data provider L2 to integrate L2's voter and commercial targeting information into comScore's television ratings measurement.

By merging L2's national voter and demographic files with comScore's television measurement, marketers will have the ability to more accurately reach audiences. The combination of L2's database with comScore's attributes for analytical purposes helps clients more efficiently reach voters based on their demographics, voting characteristics, purchase behavior and interests for better targeting. L2 clients are comprised of thousands of campaigns, including almost every presidential candidate during the 2016 cycle, along with PACs, associations and non-profits. L2 is also the primary data partner for the New York Times and CBS News.

"comScore is one of our most innovative partners," said L2 CEO Bruce Willise. "Pairing L2's known voter profiles with comScore's television audience data gives users the unique ability to target much more precisely."

"L2 has been a trusted source for voter data for over 40 years," said comScore's Chief Revenue Officer Chris Wilson. "Having the ability to tap into their detailed national demographic segments will enhance targeting for our political clients."

About L2

For over 40 years, L2 has been the country's most trusted source for enhanced voter, consumer and modeled issue data. It's data and technology are used across, the political and public affairs landscapes with nearly 200 members of Congress as current customers along with the biggest names in polling and political advising. It is the source of choice for leading news organizations including CBS and the New York Times, as well as the country's leading universities, including both Princeton and Harvard. L2's national voter file remains the most accurate and frequently updated in the marketplace and contains the largest number of detailed voter file segments for traditional and digital targeting. As a non-partisan provider, L2 can tap powerful solutions including modeled issue data from HaystaqDNA. The HaystaqDNA modeled issue segments give users a detailed view of all voters regardless of party affiliation. L2 also provides party affiliation in all 50 states by modeling party ID for voters in states without party based registration. In addition to voters, L2 maintains a robust 265-million+ adult consumer file. For more, visit L2political.com

About comScore

comScore is a leading cross-platform measurement company that measures audiences, brands and consumer behavior everywhere. comScore completed its merger with Rentrak Corporation in January 2016, to create the new model for a dynamic, cross-platform world. Built on precision and innovation, comScore's data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behavior at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and a global footprint in more than 75 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. Shares of comScore stock are currently traded on the OTC Market (OTC:SCOR). For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, comScore's expectations as to the financial and operational effects of StationView Essentials and comScore's entire suite of advertising products. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, comScore's ability to project the financial impact of the partnership or comScore's ability to achieve its expected financial and operational results. For additional discussion of risk factors, please refer to comScore's respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings that comScore makes from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which are available on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. comScore does not intend or undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE comScore

Related Links

www.comscore.com


LONDON, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Synopsis

The US construction industry grew from US$1.0 trillion in 2012 to US$1.2 trillion in 2016, and is expected to reach US$1.4 trillion by 2021, in real terms measured at constant 2010 US dollar exchange rates. Economic recovery, coupled with government investment in infrastructure construction, healthcare, manufacturing, educational facilities and affordable housing is expected to drive forecast-period (20172021) growth.







Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4252308







President Trump is focusing on infrastructure development, announcing in August 2017 plans to spend US$1.0 trillion to rebuild the nation's roads, tunnels, bridges, airports and other infrastructure by 2027, whilst also eliminating permitting regulations to speed up the construction of roads, bridges and pipelines projects.



According to the US Census Bureau, total construction spending in the country increased by 6.7%, from US$13.3 trillion in 2015 to US$14.2 trillion in 2016. Moreover, it increased by 4.5% during the first eight months of 2017, rising from US$9.4 trillion in JanuaryAugust 2016 to US$9.8 trillion in JanuaryAugust 2017.



However, there are risks associated with the outlook for the construction industry in the US over the forecast period. The government's strict immigration policy and high budget deficit are expected to affect construction activity. The Trump government aims to reduce federal deficit from 3.5% of the country's total GDP in FY2017 to 1.8% by FY2022.



The industry's output value in real terms is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.13% over the forecast period, compared to 5.03% during the review period (20122016).



Summary

Timetric's Construction in the US  Key Trends and Opportunities to 2021 report provides detailed market analysis, information and insights into the US construction industry, including:

 The US construction industry's growth prospects by market, project type and construction activity

 Critical insight into the impact of industry trends and issues, and the risks and opportunities they present to participants in the US construction industry

 Profiles of the leading operators in the US construction industry



Scope

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction industry in the US. It provides:

 Historical (2012-2016) and forecast (2017-2021) valuations of the construction industry in the US using construction output and value-add methods

 Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

 Breakdown of values within each project type, by type of activity (new construction, repair and maintenance, refurbishment and demolition) and by type of cost (materials, equipment and services)

 Detailed profiles of the leading construction companies in the US



Reasons To Buy

 Identify and evaluate market opportunities using Timetric's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies.

 Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts.

 Understand the latest industry and market trends.

 Formulate and validate strategy using Timetric's critical and actionable insight.

 Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures.

 Evaluate competitive risk and success factors.



Key Highlights

 Timetric expects the residential construction market to grow at a CAGR of 5.40% in nominal terms, driven by rising residential buildings permits in the country. The total residential building permit issued in the country grew by 2.0%, rising from 1.18 million units in 2015 to 1.20 million units in 2016. Moreover, it grew by 5.7% in the first seven months of 2017, rising from 690,000 units in JanuaryJuly 2016 to 729,000 units in JanuaryJuly 2017.

 The government plans to invest US$1.9 trillion to upgrade transport infrastructure of the country by 2025. In addition, in March 2017, the government announced a plan to spend US$1.3 trillion on the construction of transport infrastructure. This is expected to drive the forecast period growth of infrastructure construction market.

 Timetric expects the energy and utilities construction market output to record a forecast-period CAGR of 3.52% in nominal terms, driven by government's focus on renewable energy infrastructure. The government aims to generate 30.0% of the total country's electricity need from renewable energy by 2025. Accordingly, it plans to construct 100GW solar power generation plants with an investment of US$130.0 billion.

 Timetric expects institutional construction market output to record a forecast-period CAGR of 2.74% in nominal terms, driven by the government's investment on healthcare and education. In the 2017 Budget, the government increased its spending on department of education by 2.0%, from US$68.1 billion in 2016 to US$69.4 billion in 2017.

 The construction industry is exposed to several risks, such as rising labors costs due to Trump's policy to restrict immigrants and the implementation of "Buy American, Hire American" policy, which may increase construction material cost and affect long-term growth.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4252308



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CORAVIN, Inc., maker of the innovative wine preservation opener by the same name, today announced that it has been named a 2018 CES Innovation Award honoree for its Coravin Wine Preservation Opener in the "Tech For A Better World" category during CES Unveiled New York. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products across 28 product categories.

The Coravin Wine Preservation System is the ultimate fusion of luxury and technology and the only tool in the world that gives enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike the freedom to drink any wine, in any amount without ever removing the cork for an impeccable and unforgettable wine experience. Combining unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design, Coravin ensures that whether a consumer wants a sip, a glass, or more, the last glass in the bottle will taste just as great as the first. The revolutionary Coravin system uses a non-coring needle to pass through the cork while it's in the bottle. Once the needle is removed, the cork naturally reseals, protecting the integrity of the wine remaining in the bottle for weeks, months, or even years.

"I developed Coravin by combining my background as a medical device manufacturer with my passion for wine and technology to solve a problemlike many other wine lovers, I wanted to be able to enjoy glasses of wine without committing to the whole bottle," said Greg Lambrecht, founder and inventor of Coravin. "This recognition from CES is a testament to the rigorous design standards of our engineers and the passion of all of our employees for enhancing the way people enjoy and experience wine."

The prestigious CES Innovation Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, the producer of CES 2018, the global gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, and have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976.

Entries are evaluated on their engineering, aesthetic and design qualities, intended use/function and user value, unique/novel features present and how the design and innovation of the product directly compares to other products in the marketplace. Products chosen as CES Innovation Honorees reflect innovative design and engineering in some of the most cutting edge tech products and services coming to market.

"As the world leader in wine technology, we are relentlessly focused on improving the way that wine aficionados across the globe enjoy their favorite bottles," said Frederic Levy, CEO of Coravin. "Our research and development team has a continuous focus on product innovation, and we are proud that this work is being acknowledged by CES."

Coravin will showcase its award-winning products in booth #40555 in the Smart Home Marketplace during CES 2018, which runs from January 9-12, 2018 in Las Vegas.

CES 2018 Innovation Honoree products are featured on CES.tech/Innovation, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, description, photo and URL. To learn more about Coravin, please visit www.coravin.com.

About Coravin, Inc.

Coravin, Inc. is a privately held company located in Burlington, Massachusetts focused on transforming the way wine is served, sold and enjoyed. Coravin designs and markets the Coravin Wine Preservation Opener for wine enthusiasts, restaurants, wine stores and wineries. Unparalleled in craftsmanship and design, Coravin uses proprietary patented technology to access and pour wine from a bottle without pulling the cork. Wine enthusiasts can now enjoy wine sealed with corks without feeling the need to commit to the whole bottle, allowing them to enjoy any wine, any time  whether they want a sip, a glass, or more. After enjoying a glass of wine, the remaining wine in the bottle will be perfectly preserved for weeks, months, or even years. For more information, please visit www.coravin.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennifer Asaro

781-684-6639

[email protected]

Adam Ouellet

781-684-6512

[email protected]

SOURCE CORAVIN, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.coravin.com


"When Paolo died in 2013, he left an archive of ideas and designs. This Hand of Soleri collection is a window into Paolo Soleri's vision of natural and built environment, which was radical then and especially relevant today," said John Walsh, chairman of the board of the Cosanti Foundation. "It is the first step to introduce Paolo to a new audience and connect with his longtime admirers."

The Hand of Soleri collection features jewelry, silk scarves, and ceramics. The sterling silver jewelry collection includes bracelets, earrings, and pendants, each hand cast and honed. All are based on original and iconic Soleri designs, from structures to architectural elements. Prices range from $95 to $650.

The scarf collection was inspired by a bridge design competition in Luxembourg in 1958 that Paolo won. The Bridge Collection 2017 is available in six designs in two colors. The silk charmeuse scarves are 16" x 72" and each depicts an architectural drawing by Paolo. Scarves are $125.

The ceramic collection is a compilation of Soleri's theory of shapes and symmetry and are functional, as well as artistic. The porcelains, each hand-glazed, range in price from $85 to $650.

The collection is available at the Cosanti Foundation, 6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Paradise Valley, AZ or online at www.cosanti.com.

Soleri is known worldwide for hand-cast bronze and ceramic Soleri bells, which have largely financed the building of the urban laboratory Arcosanti near Cordes Junction, Arizona. "This new collection will reaffirm the influence of Paolo Soleri as a maker of things, a theorist, a visionary, and an architect," said Jeff Stein, architect and co-president of the Cosanti Foundation.

Cosanti Foundation, located at 6433 E. Doubletree Road, Paradise Valley, AZ, is open daily to the public. For more information, visit www.cosanti.com.

Arcosanti is located near Cordes Junction. For information, www.arcosanti.org

Contact: Strategies

Pam Hait or Martha Hunter 602.952.0040

[email protected];

[email protected]

SOURCE Cosanti Foundation

Related Links

http://www.cosanti.com


"Average working adults spend at least 60% of their conscious time in the office, making our goal of building smarter offices much more important than what most people like to think. True smartness happens when it does the job for you without making you aware of it. Therefore, we define Smart as providing a solution where users can forget about looking for solutions to solve a problem," said Kang Zhou, CEO of CZUR TECH.

Unlike expensive, cumbersome and slow process of traditional book scanners, CZUR houses Auto-Flatten and powerful hardware to build a high-speed, reliable and affordable smart book scanner, popularizing the smart office device to each enterprise and individual. And it's long been our mission.

"ET Series not only provides the office with effective scanning solutions but also offers human warmth, making you forget about its presence."

Wide Range of Applications

For years, CZUR has been trusted by many world's most prestigious academic institutions. CZUR helps professors, PHDs and students in colleges and universities (including NYU, MIT, Harvard and Cornell) to scan and preserve their books and valuable documents. Also, ET book scanner is favored by state, university and public libraries (mainly across the US, Europe, Australia and Asia). Likewise, Archive Centers, Courts and Judiciary Authorities use CZUR to quickly build digital libraries for preservation and easy access.

* It's estimated that ET16 Plus would be officially released by the end of November.

About CZUR

Founded in 2013, CZUR is a global high-tech company that focuses on digitalization and archiving solutions. Including the latest technologies and human touch, CZUR aims to create smart office appliances to fundamentally improve work efficiency in office environments. Please visit: www.czur.com for more information.

Media Contact

Catherine Wang

Marketing Director

CZUR TECH CO., LTD.

TEL: +86-755-2397-4826 | E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CZUR TECH CO., LTD

Related Links

http://www.czur.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dashlane, one of the world's most trusted digital security companies, today announced it ranked 65 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Dashlane grew 2,484 percent during this period.

Dashlane's chief executive officer, Emmanuel Schalit, credits product innovation across all platforms, global expansion, as well as an uptick in Dashlane's enterprise product (Dashlane Business) with the company's increased revenue growth. "We're thrilled to receive this accolade from Deloitte and appreciate the recognition of our progress," Schalit said. "Consider this  nearly everyone on the Internet use passwords every day, and the average consumer has between 130 to 150 different accounts with passwords to manage. Couple that with the rising rate of cybercrime and it's obvious why Dashlane is growing exponentially."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

"Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."

Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 135 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 380 percent.

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Dashlane

Dashlane, one of the world's most trusted digital security companies, takes the pain out of passwords with its password manager and secure digital wallet app. Dashlane allows users to securely manage passwords, credit cards, IDs, and other important information via advanced encryption and local storage.

With so many devices, the line between home and work no longer exists. Thankfully, Dashlane works everywhere, for everyone. The company has helped 9 million consumers manage and secure their digital identity and enabled over $10 billion in e-commerce transactions. Dashlane Business is trusted by 7,000+ companies to create, enforce, and track effective access management, and features the only patented security architecture in the industry.

The Dashlane app is available on PC, Mac, Android, and iOS, and has won critical acclaim by top publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and USA Today. Dashlane is free to use on your favorite device for life, and costs $39.99/year to sync between an unlimited number of devices.

Dashlane was founded by Bernard Liautaud and co-founders Alexis Fogel, Guillaume Maron and Jean Guillou. The company has offices in New York City and Paris, and has received $52.5 million in funding from TransUnion, Rho Ventures, FirstMark Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners. Learn more at Dashlane.com.

SOURCE Dashlane
DENVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing series of special events to celebrate the grand opening of The Showroom  Denver's ultimate luxury furniture shopping and design experience  an open house for the new Stressless gallery is being held on November 11, 2017 from 11:00am  1:00pm. Made in Norway by Ekornes ASA, Stressless is Scandinavia's largest furniture manufacturer.

The prominence of this event was significantly heightened by the news that the Honorary Consul to Norway, Rita I. Ehrmann, will be making a special appearance. Appointed more than 25 years ago by the king of Norway, Ehrmann currently represents Norway (the country deemed the "happiest in the world" according to the 2016 World Happiness Report) in Denver, Colorado (the city that ranked "best place to live" in 2016 by U.S. News & World Report). Now add a little Norwegian cuisine to the mix and you have a Stressless event that truly lives up to its name.

According to The Showroom's lead buyer, Amy Foster, "Our November 11th Stressless Open House is the perfect opportunity for interior designers, their clientele, and discerning homeowners to experience the world's finest leather recliners for themselves. We're proud to present what is the very best in design, function, and comfort. We are also deeply honored to have Rita I. Ehrmann join us. Finally, we're delighted to once again showcase the most inspiring luxury furniture retail space in Denver and the Mountain West."

The Showroom is located at located at 5445 North Bannock Street, Denver, CO. To RSVP or for more information, please contact June Biederman at [email protected].

About The Furniture Row Companies  The specialty stores of Furniture Row include Denver Mattress, Sofa Mart, Oak Express, and Bedroom Expressions. Family-owned and operated with more than 330 stores in 30 states, Denver-based Furniture Row is one of America's largest furniture and bedding retailers. Visit http://www.FurnitureRow.com

About Stressless  Stressless recliners are made in Norway by Ekornes ASA, one of the world's leading furniture manufacturers. The company also assembles sofas in an American production facility located in Morganton, North Carolina. Since 1971, Stressless has offered tailored comfort through its patented Glide system and lumbar support system designed to match the changing contours of the back. Stressless, the largest Scandinavian furniture manufacturer, is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. For more information, visit http://www.ekornes.com

Contact: John Knippenberg / Furniture Row Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE The Showroom @ Furniture Row
Part of this one-of-a-kind collaboration furthers the company's support of organizations that work to help children and their families thrive: select items from the Disney x Kiehl's collection will make up the 9 th Annual Limited Edition Charitable Holiday Collection , and 100% of its net profits of this collection, up to $100,000 , will benefit Feeding America  , the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. This donation will help provide up to 1,100,000 meals* to families this holiday.

With a presence in all 50 states and Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, Feeding America's nationwide network of 200 member food banks support 60,000 food assistance programs, shelters and meal sites. Each year, Feeding America's network provides meals and resources to over 46 million people in the United States struggling with food insecurity, including nearly 12 million children. The Feeding America network secures and distributes 4 billion meals annually.

*$1 helps provide 11 meals* secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.

Disney x Kiehl's for Feeding America

100% of Kiehl's net profits, up to $100,000, from the following products will benefit Feeding America:

All products are available at Kiehl's stores and Kiehls.com.

#DisneyxKiehls

#KiehlsFeedsAmerica

Like @KiehlsUS on Facebook

Tweet @Kiehls

Tag @Kiehls on Instagram

Snap @Kiehls

Subscribe to KiehlsNYC on YouTube

Press Contact: Rachael Kelley

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851

Related Links

http://www.kiehls.com


Bruce Jaffe, Donuts president and chief executive officer, cited growing global demand for more descriptive, meaningful domain names and the company's strong business execution for powering its rapid revenue growth. He said, "Donuts has the world's largest portfolio of new domain names, which range from .CAREERS, .SOCIAL, .LIVE, .NEWS, and over 200 more."

"Individuals and organizations have recognized the power of new domains in promoting their brands online - for their primary and ancillary websites, for their social and ecommerce platforms, and for their online advertising and marketing," Jaffe continued. "From TMobile.careers, to Home.credit, to FullMeasure.news, to Lifetime.life - businesses of all sizes and types are embracing new domains to connect more effectively with their target audiences. We expect that Donuts' Fast 500 achievement will help to further accelerate worldwide adoption of new domains."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners illustrate the impact of technological innovation and world-class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 137 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 378 percent.

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Donuts

Donuts Inc. offers individuals and organizations new ways to manage and promote their digital identities. Donuts holds the world's largest portfolio of top-level domains and provides its registrar / reseller customers with innovative services for the discovery, registration, usage and monetization of high-quality domain names. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Donuts, the registrar Name.com is one of the most admired brands in the industry. Donuts' headquarters are in Kirkland, WA; it has offices in Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Dublin, Ireland and Beijing, China.

Contact:

Judith McGarry, Donuts Inc.

[email protected]

415-971-2900

SOURCE Donuts Inc.

Related Links

http://donuts.domains


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- E-J Electric Installation Co. (E-J Electric) is proud to announce that it has provided electrical installation services throughout 18 floors of the existing one million-square-foot Navy Yard Building 77, a previous ammunition depot in Brooklyn, New York, used by the United States Navy. This is the largest electrical infrastructure expansion within the Navy Yard since the Navy moved out in 1966.

The massive $140 million renovation project consisted of furnishing and installing three 13.8 KV double-ended substations on the second floor, along with lighting, fire alarms lightning protection, grounding risers, telecom risers, generators and paralleling switchgear systems throughout the building. The project also included installing a new electrical closet.

"It was an honor to have been part of the efforts to revamp the retired Brooklyn Navy Yard building into usable office space," said E-J Electric President Anthony E. Mann. "This renovation was a massive project, but the E-J Electric team was able to successfully execute all necessary actions to complete the project in a timely manner."

About E-J Electric Installation Co.

E-J Electric Installation Co., is active in all facets of electric contracting. Projects vary in size to over $200 million. Typical installations include: office buildings, hospitals, power plants, co-generation facilities, roadway, outdoors, airports, industrial plants, universities, sport stadiums, transit facilities and high voltage distribution. At E-J Electric Installation Co., three family generations of practical expertise have created an organization keyed to the most modern technological advances in providing rapid and efficient solutions to today's lighting, power, energy and communication needs. E-J has a 118-year reputation for unparalleled integrity, quality and service in the electrical field. Please visit our website at www.ej1899.com to learn about the company.

SOURCE E-J Electric Installation Co.

Related Links

http://www.ej1899.com


GENEVA, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today EasyCare Academy announced the release of Respond 4.0, the company's new digital assessment platform and the appointment of its executive leadership team. EasyCare Academy is a social impact company focused on supporting personalized care for healthy ageing to enable people to live better as they live longer.

As the global rise in the ageing population creates stress on families, communities, healthcare systems and governments, better management of activities of daily living through compassionate care and improved understanding of the biopsychosocial and environmental needs that accompany ageing can help alleviate those stresses by improving health, independence and well-being. EasyCare Academy's social mission is focused on meeting these needs.

"At EasyCare Academy, we are focused on providing digital solutions for training and education to empower caregivers and others who care for people as they age to support healthier, happier lives," said Peter Nicholson, Co-Founder, President and CEO of EasyCare Academy. "Improving independence enables ageing in place and enhances overall quality of life, and the resulting cost savings contribute to the possibility of health system sustainability. Respond's holistic approach to address not only the medical needs of the ageing population but also the social, psychological and environmental needs is one answer to the looming sustainability crisis."

To date, Respond has been used to assess more than 1 million older people and connect them to local resources. And, now with more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 5 for the first time in human history, the elder caregiving gap will only widen without new efforts to improve how care reaches those who need it. By equipping anyone dedicated to enhancing the lives of older people with data-driven, tech-enabled and personalized tools and resources, EasyCare Academy will enable and empower older people to stay more active, healthy and independent and live richer, fuller lives.

Respond 4.0 is the social impact company's flagship digital solution

Respond 4.0 is a digitized questionnaire featuring a standardized 52-point evaluation to assess an older person's needs and concerns across biological, social, psychological and environmental domains. Based on this information, the Respond 4.0 platform generates an independence score, the ERIS (EasyCare Respond Independence Score) and a customized care solution tailored to the older person's specific needs, priorities and location.

"When my team and I began developing the Respond assessment 28 years ago, we envisioned a tool that could address one of the greatest challenges of the global ageing phenomenon  and that is properly addressing the needs of older people and their caregivers  and that meant assessing the whole person and each person individually," said Prof. Ian Philp, MD, CBE, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of EasyCare Academy. "Today, we are proud to make that capability available in every corner of the world through this fourth generation of our standardized approach, data-driven insights, personalized response methodology, and powerful digital platform."

Respond has been validated by more than 90 scientific, peer-reviewed publications and has shown proven benefits for healthcare professionals, social workers, organizers of community programming, and caregivers  both family and professional  and those with years of experience or new to the field.

Used in nearly 50 countries, Respond has consistently produced positive results, including increased functional ability, independence and community engagement in older people. During the recent WHO Global Consultation on Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), EasyCare Academy shared these findings from its work in the UK, China and Uganda, demonstrating its ability to improve lives across geographies and income levels. Moreover, the tool has enabled cost savings for healthcare and long-term care systems  estimated as high as 3.3B over 15 years in reduced costs in the UK, according to a recent study. Just as importantly, Respond helps combat ageism by ensuring that the needs of older people are not overlooked  a growing concern as longevity becomes a hallmark of 21st century life.

In addition to customizing care for individuals, the EasyCare Academy platform is designed to collect de-identified longitudinal data at scale from Respond 4.0 assessments. With this data, EasyCare Academy can identify and analyze global, regional and local trends to inform new policies, products, services and technologies that help maintain functional ability as individuals age.

The Respond 4.0 package includes training needed to become a certified assessor, consultation on integrating the tool as a business solution, licensing rights to the digital platform with its dashboard to generate ERIS independence scores and personalized care plans based on each individual's needs and priorities. Respond 4.0 is now available by visiting www.EasyCareAcademy.com.

Peter Nicholson appointed CEO of EasyCare Academy

Today EasyCare Academy also announced the appointment of its executive leadership team. A co-Founder of the company, Peter Nicholson, a 25-year veteran of the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries and experienced entrepreneur, will serve as EasyCare Academy's President and Chief Executive Officer. A specialist in corporate strategy and business development, Nicholson also has expertise in bringing start-up companies to commercialization. Prior to founding the Academy, Nicholson served as a member of the executive leadership team of Nestle Skin Health for more than a decade, helping the company meet its global growth ambitions and launch strategic business initiatives.

"By supporting active ageing, EasyCare Academy has the potential to positively impact tens of millions of lives around the world, their communities and society in general. Serving as CEO of EasyCare Academy and working with such a visionary and talented team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Nicholson. "Combining these resources with our mission, our social enterprise model and our cutting-edge digital platform give me great confidence in our ability to change the future of ageing in this era of unprecedented longevity."

Ian Philp named Chief Scientific Officer

Prof. Ian Philp, MD, CBE has been named EasyCare Academy's Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, overseeing the organization's research and development. Philp, who is also a co-founder of EasyCare Academy and Professor of Global Ageing at the University of Stirling, UK, is the creator of the EasyCare assessment tool (now Respond 4.0) dating back to 1989. A globally recognized geriatrician, Philp served for 35 years in the UK's National Health Service as a clinician, educator, researcher and manager, and has been recognized on multiple occasions by the Queen of England for his tireless service to the care of older people.

"It is an incredibly exciting time for EasyCare, as we join up our globally validated model for improving health and independence in older people with our new proprietary technology," said Philp. "I could not be more pleased to be partnering with Peter on our EasyCare business venture. With his proven expertise as a business leader, growing companies both large and small, EasyCare Academy is well-positioned for a strong future."

Executive leadership brings diverse, global experience in technology and start-up management

In addition to Nicholson and Philp, EasyCare Academy's executive leadership team includes three veterans in their respective areas of expertise.

Lee Hampston, Vice President, Digital Innovation and Information Technology & Chief Technology Officer

Hampston has over 20 years' experience in strategic development and the creation of new businesses, with a focus on the technology-enabled care markets, telecoms and IT fields. He joins EasyCare Academy from the KCOM Group PLC, where he served as a member of its senior management team, responsible for the management and innovation of propositions, products and solutions.

"In my previous work experience, I've witnessed the convergence of two global trends. One is the rapid scalability of business through technology, and the second is the rapid ageing of our society," said Hampston. "EasyCare Academy marries these trends perfectly into a sustainable, mission-driven business model  and a company I'm proud to call my new home."

Chris Nicholson, Vice President, Finance, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer

Chris Nicholson has a long history of creating and driving successful financing strategies and the implementation of technology and other internal business systems for start-up companies. Most recently, he is credited with leading the financing strategy and raising initial funding for FinnTalon and serving as Treasurer and CFO of Core Oncology.

"When I was approached about EasyCare Academy, I was ready and eager to take on the next great challenge of my career  leading the financing strategy for a new and rapidly growing social impact company," said Chris Nicholson. "We've all witnessed our loved ones age and experienced the physical and emotional stress that comes along with it. EasyCare Academy is working to alleviate those burdens; it's a noble cause, and I am honored to participate as a member of the team."

Kerry Wootton, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development & Chief People Officer

Wootton has extensive and proven global expertise in achieving HR operational excellence for the companies he serves. He has led HR strategies for companies including Nestle Skin Health, Medtronic and HSBC, particularly in regions and times of rapid growth. In these roles, he has overseen major growth in operations and business activities, including a number of successful global acquisitions.

"The EasyCare Academy approach is at its core about person-centricity, and this mantra applies to the communities of older people we serve around the world as well as our internal people," said Wootton. "Our people drive our mission, and our mission drives our business  every single day."

About EasyCare Academy

Based on 28 years' experience across nearly 50 countries, EasyCare Academy is a social impact company focused on supporting personalized care for healthy ageing to enable people to live better as they live longer. Our digital platform, validated by more than 90 scientific, peer-reviewed publications, assesses biological, social, psychological and environmental domains to understand older people's concerns and generate a personalized response that connects individuals to local resources and solutions. More information about EasyCare Academy can be found at www.EasyCareAcademy.com.

Media Contact

Melissa Mitchell

(O) +1 212 332 3942

(M) +1 646 404 1149

[email protected]

SOURCE EasyCare Academy

Related Links

http://www.EasyCareAcademy.com


AMSTERDAM, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EclecticIQ, the global provider of Cyber Threat Intelligence technology solutions and Fusion Center operator today announced a Series-B investment of 14 million. The investment round is led by Keen Ventures Partners with the participation of existing investors. This investment follows a Series-A investment in May 2016 of 5.5 million led by INKEF with KPN Ventures also participating. Investment in the organization now totals over 20 million.



Founded in 2014, EclecticIQ employs a team of 60 with unique skills and strong analyst backgrounds. It holds offices in Amsterdam, London, and Herndon (Virginia, USA). The Series-B investment makes EclecticIQ one of the best-funded cyber security scale-ups in Europe. It will lead to accelerated expansion of its workforce, with a focus on expanding its portfolio of technologies and capabilities of its Fusion Center offering.



EclecticIQ supports dedicated teams of threat analysts working continuously to de-risk an organization's cyber profile by building an accurate picture of its cyber threat landscape. Previously, threat intelligence capabilities were only found at organizations with the highest risks such as Governments, Critical National Infrastructures and regulated industries such as banking. Today, threat intelligence is on the agenda of many organization's boardrooms due to advanced attacks that often reach mainstream media and regulation requirements such as the upcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA).



"EclecticIQ plays a pivotal role in supporting our customers and partners in their fight against the accelerating landscape of cyber threats. Agility and human enablement is key in bringing back balance in our fight against cyber adversaries," said Joep Gommers, CEO and founder of EclecticIQ. "We're in a unique position to not just enable analysts with the tools they require to be as productive as they can be, but also to give them access to the world's leading intelligence suppliers without the hassle of complicated integration and procurement."



Watch the EclecticIQ Series-B announcement video message (1.5 minutes).



EclecticIQ Platform provides an advanced analyst-centric toolset and intelligence reporting capability, including automated instrumentation of IT Security Controls for prevention and detection. It is the market-leading Threat Intelligence Platform for national governments, due to its scalability and on-premise offerings that meet the most demanding intelligence requirements.



EclecticIQ Fusion Center further empowers analysts by giving unified access to the world's supply of leading threat intelligence suppliers, thereby enhancing in-house analysts' efficiency, capability, and freeing up time to research advanced threats and hunt for unknown risks.



Many organizations kick-start or scale their threat intelligence capabilities as the number and complexity of cyber threats continue to rise. Actionable intelligence drives internal decision-making at various levels from Security Operations and Incident Response to C-level executives. By sharing intelligence with trusted partners, organizations collaborate to build an active shield against existing and future attacks.



"Impressed by the technology, the team and the huge potential of this market, Keen is proud to further support the spectacular growth of EclecticIQ," said Alexander Ribbink, General Partner at Keen.



Challenges that organizations report include, amongst others, finding threat analysts and lack of staff expertise. To make cyber threat intelligence accessible to organizations with a lower cyber maturity capability, less resources and smaller budgets, EclecticIQ will further develop its product portfolio and support mid-market through modularization.



As a first step towards this goal, EclecticIQ Fusion Center Intelligence Essentials, was announced last week, enabling organizations to kick-start their threat intelligence activity. It is offered entirely online, includes a free trial, can be acquired directly and consumed immediately without complex setup.

About EclecticIQ

EclecticIQ helps organizations turn cyber threat intelligence into business value with a suite of products built for cyber security professionals in threat intelligence, threat hunting, SOC, and Incident Response roles.



EclecticIQ Platform is the analyst-centric threat intelligence platform based on STIX/TAXII that meets the full spectrum of intelligence needs.



EclecticIQ Fusion Center enables the acquisition of thematic bundles of cyber threat intelligence from leading suppliers with a single contract.



In 2016, the company won Deloitte's Technology FAST50 Rising Star Award for "Most Disruptive Innovator".

EclecticIQ is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. More information at www.EclecticIQ.com

About Keen Venture Partners

Keen Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing in high potential technology scale-ups with transformative potential. Keen's team is highly committed to helping talented entrepreneurs by leveraging its network, expertise and capital. The firm operates out of London and Amsterdam and focuses on European and select North American investment opportunities. Keen Venture Partners is a Small AIFM authorized in the UK by the FCA and registered as a manager of a 'European Venture Capital Fund'.



The investment in EclecticIQ benefits from the support of the European Union under the Equity Facility for Growth established by the Council creating a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized enterprises (COSME). For more information: www.keenventurepartners.com

About INKEF Capital

INKEF Capital is an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm that focuses on long-term collaboration and active support of innovative technology companies. INKEF Capital was founded in 2010 by Dutch pension fund ABP and with 500 million under management it is one of the largest venture capital funds in the Netherlands. INKEF focuses on investment opportunities in Healthcare, Technology, IT/New Media & FinTech. For more information: www.inkefcapital.com

About KPN Ventures

KPN Ventures is the venturing arm of KPN, The Netherlands' leading telecom & ICT company. For more information: www.kpnventures.com



[1] Ponemon Institute, The Value of Threat Intelligence, September 2017



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12674812



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE EclecticIQ

Related Links

https://www.eclecticiq.com


EclecticIQ, the global provider of Cyber Threat Intelligence technology solutions and Fusion Center operator today announced a Series-B investment of 14 million. The investment round is led by Keen Ventures Partners with the participation of existing investors. This investment follows a Series-A investment in May 2016 of 5.5 million led by INKEF with KPN Ventures also participating. Investment in the organization now totals over 20 million.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600257/EclecticIQ_Founders.jpg )



Founded in 2014, EclecticIQ employs a team of 60 with unique skills and strong analyst backgrounds. It holds offices in Amsterdam, London, and Herndon (Virginia, USA). The Series-B investment makes EclecticIQ one of the best-funded cyber security scale-ups in Europe. It will lead to accelerated expansion of its workforce, with a focus on expanding its portfolio of technologies and capabilities of its Fusion Center offering.

EclecticIQ supports dedicated teams of threat analysts working continuously to de-risk an organization's cyber profile by building an accurate picture of its cyber threat landscape. Previously, threat intelligence capabilities were only found at organizations with the highest risks such as Governments, Critical National Infrastructures and regulated industries such as banking. Today, threat intelligence is on the agenda of many organization's boardrooms due to advanced attacks that often reach mainstream media and regulation requirements such as the upcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA).

"EclecticIQ plays a pivotal role in supporting our customers and partners in their fight against the accelerating landscape of cyber threats. Agility and human enablement is key in bringing back balance in our fight against cyber adversaries." said Joep Gommers, CEO and founder of EclecticIQ. "We're in a unique position to not just enable analysts with the tools they require to be as productive as they can be, but also to give them access to the world's leading intelligence suppliers without the hassle of complicated integration and procurement."

Watch the EclecticIQ Series-B announcement video message (1.5 minutes).

EclecticIQ Platform provides an advanced analyst-centric toolset and intelligence reporting capability, including automated instrumentation of IT Security Controls for prevention and detection. It is the market-leading Threat Intelligence Platform for national governments, due to its scalability and on-premise offerings that meet the most demanding intelligence requirements.

EclecticIQ Fusion Center further empowers analysts by giving unified access to the world's supply of leading threat intelligence suppliers, thereby enhancing in-house analysts' efficiency, capability, and freeing up time to research advanced threats and hunt for unknown risks.

Many organizations kick-start or scale their threat intelligence capabilities as the number and complexity of cyber threats continue to rise. Actionable intelligence drives internal decision-making at various levels from Security Operations and Incident Response to C-level executives. By sharing intelligence with trusted partners, organizations collaborate to build an active shield against existing and future attacks.

"Impressed by the technology, the team and the huge potential of this market, Keen is proud to further support the spectacular growth of EclecticIQ" said Alexander Ribbink, General Partner at Keen.

Challenges that organizations report include, amongst others, finding threat analysts and lack of staff expertise. To make cyber threat intelligence accessible to organizations with a lower cyber maturity capability, less resources and smaller budgets, EclecticIQ will further develop its product portfolio and support mid-market through modularization.

As a first step towards this goal, EclecticIQ Fusion Center Intelligence Essentials, was announced last week, enabling organizations to kick-start their threat intelligence activity. It is offered entirely online, includes a free trial, can be acquired directly and consumed immediately without complex setup.

About EclecticIQ

EclecticIQ helps organizations turn cyber threat intelligence into business value with a suite of products built for cyber security professionals in threat intelligence, threat hunting, SOC, and Incident Response roles.

EclecticIQ Platform is the analyst-centric threat intelligence platform based on STIX/TAXII that meets the full spectrum of intelligence needs.

EclecticIQ Fusion Center enables the acquisition of thematic bundles of cyber threat intelligence from leading suppliers with a single contract.

In 2016, the company won Deloitte's Technology FAST50 Rising Star Award for "Most Disruptive Innovator".

EclecticIQ is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. More information at http://www.EclecticIQ.com

About Keen Venture Partners

Keen Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing in high potential technology scale-ups with transformative potential. Keen's team is highly committed to helping talented entrepreneurs by leveraging its network, expertise and capital. The firm operates out of London and Amsterdam and focuses on European and select North American investment opportunities. Keen Venture Partners is a Small AIFM authorized in the UK by the FCA and registered as a manager of a 'European Venture Capital Fund'.



The investment in EclecticIQ benefits from the support of the European Union under the Equity Facility for Growth established by the Council creating a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized enterprises (COSME). For more information: http://www.keenventurepartners.com

About INKEF Capital

INKEF Capital is an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm that focuses on long-term collaboration and active support of innovative technology companies. INKEF Capital was founded in 2010 by Dutch pension fund ABP and with 500 million under management it is one of the largest venture capital funds in the Netherlands. INKEF focuses on investment opportunities in Healthcare, Technology, IT/New Media & FinTech. For more information: http://www.inkefcapital.com

About KPN Ventures

KPN Ventures is the venturing arm of KPN, The Netherlands' leading telecom & ICT company. For more information: http://www.kpnventures.com

1. Ponemon Institute [https://www.ponemon.org], The Value of Threat Intelligence, September 2017

SOURCE EclecticIQ
TSX: ELD NYSE: EGO

VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Eldorado Gold Corporation ("Eldorado" or the "Company") announces it will move the Skouries development project into care and maintenance. Dialogue has continued with Greece's Ministry of Energy and Environment ("MoE") with respect to the development of the Company's subsidiary Hellas Gold S.A.'s, Kassandra Mine assets in Halkidiki, Northern Greece. However, the MoE has failed to issue the amended Electromechanical Installation permit for the Skouries flotation plant as well as other matters including, but not limited to, the relocation of antiquities at the Skouries site.

The Company has also initiated legal action within the statutory deadline in order to enforce and protect its legal rights. This legal action consists of three lawsuits which have been filed with the Council of State ("CoS"), requesting judicial protection against the Ministry's failure to issue routine installation permits, resulting in unjustifiable delays to the development of the Skouries facilities. Furthermore, the Company has filed with the CoS a petition for non-compliance of the Ministry with a previous decision granted by the CoS.

The Company will re-assess its investment in the Skouries project upon approval and receipt of the required permits, coupled with a supportive government open to discussions regarding the use and implementation of best available technologies.

Olympias Phase I progress on historical tailings cleanup continues and the ramp-up to commercial production at Olympias Phase II during the quarter demonstrate our commitment to high environmental standards and long term partnership with communities as well as our ability to construct and operate mines in Greece. Early indications from exploration drilling at Stratoni to extend the mine life are positive.

George Burns, Eldorado's President and CEO stated, "Although we have made good progress on the Olympias mine, we require the necessary permits and government support prior to investing further in Skouries. As a consequence we are now taking the necessary legal action to enforce the Company's rights while continuing efforts to resolve outstanding matters through ongoing dialogue."

About Eldorado Gold

Eldorado is a leading intermediate gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Greece, Canada, Romania, Serbia and Brazil. The Company's success to date is based on a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EGO).

Forward Looking Statement

Certain of the statements made and information provided in this press release are forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "continue"", "projected", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "projected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "to be", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to first production at Skouries, exploration drilling at Stratoni and commercial production at Olympias.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including assumptions about the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that we operate in; the future price of gold and other commodities; exchange rates; anticipated costs and expenses; production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, suspensions or delays on our business and the ability to achieve our goals.

Even though our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: geopolitical and economic climate (global and local), risks related to mineral tenure and permits; gold and other metal price volatility; mining operational and development risk; foreign country operational risks; risks of sovereign investment; regulatory environment and restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical testing and recoveries; risks related to impact of the sale of our Chinese assets on the Company's operations; risks related to the acquisition of Integra Gold Corporation; additional funding requirements; currency fluctuations; litigation and arbitration risks; community and non-governmental organization actions; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; share price volatility; competition; loss of key employees; and defective title to mineral claims or property, as well as those factors discussed in the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk factors in our business" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Form 40-F. The reader is directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR under our Company name, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business and operations.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S.

SOURCE Eldorado Gold Corporation
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognized 18 Americans who are donating recovered-artifacts back to the Kingdom. The embassy hosted an event on Tuesday, Nov. 7 in conjunction with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's inaugural National Antiquities Forumthe Kingdom's inaugural exhibit aimed at elevating the importance of preserving the country's rich cultural heritage.

The Riyadh-based forum, hosted by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's deep historyand the wide reach in which its cultural antiquities have spread across the globe.

"We are grateful to these individuals for helping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia safeguard its heritage for generations to come. As the National Antiquities Forum highlights, the protection of historical artifacts feeds into the preservation of a country's national identity. Through these generous contributions, we can further showcase our heritage for those in the Kingdom, and around the world," His Royal Highness Ambassador Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States of America, said.

From diving into ancient trade routes to uncovering traditions embedded among the Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, the National Antiquities Forum will showcase antiquities from prehistoric times though the end of the fourteenth century. Separate workshops will explore the latest innovations in archaeological excavation, while addressing the role the media and citizens alike can play in cultivating a national responsibility to protect historic artifacts.

The National Antiquities Forum follows a string of global events celebrating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's antiquities. From 2010 through Oct. 2017, the Roads of Arabia Expo displayed more than 300 archaeological masterpieces in more than 10 cities across Europe and the U.S. The groundbreaking tour reflected the first display of Saudi artifacts outside of the Kingdom. The Kingdom's increasing international presence comes on the heels of ongoing efforts to enhance and expand the country's cultural footprint.

The event on Tuesday at the embassy honored the Americans who donated artifacts. The Washington, D.C., proceedings live-streamed the forum from Riyadh, providing attendees a live-look at the event in the Kingdom.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office
LONDON, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"The environmental testing market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period"





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3992172



The environmental testing market is projected to reach USD 12.75 billion by 2022 from USD 9.03 billion in 2017, at a CAGR of 7.1%. The market is driven by increasing regulations pertaining to environment protection, cost- & time-effective customized testing services, and active participation of government and regulatory bodies to monitor environmental conditions. High capital investment for accurate and sensitive analytical testing is the major restraint for this market.



"Wastewater/Effluent led the market with the largest share in 2016"

Wastewater/effluent testing was the largest segment in 2016. Growing environmental concerns related to waste disposal & treatment and regulations on wastewater/effluent disposal are reasons for its dominance. The water segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increase in health standards, demand for clean water, and shortage in water supply.



"Organic compounds to be the dominant contaminant segment during the forecast period"

The environmental testing market, by contaminant, was dominated by the organic compounds segment which is also projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to its high level of emissions and sustained growth in consumption, mainly of hydrocarbons. The risk of health problems is most likely to increase by breathing low levels of organic compounds for prolonged periods of time. Exposure to organic compounds is also known to cause serious illnesses in humans such as cancer, kidney damage, and lung damage.



"North America led the market with the largest share in 2016"

North America was the largest environmental testing market in 2016. Several environment-governing organizations are present in the market and have enforced various environment protection policies. The North American environmental testing market addresses various environmental issues such as climate change, acid rain reduction, and greenhouse gas emissions. The market in the Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest from 2017 to 2022 and is driven by infrastructure development such as construction and energy-related projects, growing awareness regarding environmental pollution and sustainable transformation of environmental policies.



The breakdown of the primaries on the basis of company, designation, and region, conducted during the research study, is as follows:

 By Company type: Tier 1  50%, Tier 2 25%, and Tier 3  25%

 By Designation: C-Level  35%, D-Level 25%, Others*-40%

 By Region: North America  12%, Europe  13%, Asia Pacific  63%, and, South America-12%

*Others include sales managers, marketing managers, and product managers.

Note: Tier 1: Revenue > USD 500 million; Tier 2: USD 100 million > Revenue > USD 500 million; Tier 3: Revenue < USD 100 million



Key environmental testing players include the following:

 SGS (Switzerland)

 Eurofins (Luxembourg)

 Intertek (UK)

 Bureau Veritas (France)

 ALS (Australia)



The above-mentioned companies collectively accounted for the largest portion of the environmental testing market in 2016. Other players also have a strong presence in this market. These players are as follows:

 Merieux (US)

 Microbac Laboratories (US)

 R J Hill Laboratories (New Zealand)

 Symbio Laboratories (Australia)

 Alex Stewart (UK)

The key players in the environmental testing market adopted acquisition as their key growth strategy to increase their market share and profits. Expansions accounted for the second-highest percentage of the total developments.



Research Coverage

The report analyzes the environmental testing market across different contaminants and regions. It aims at estimating the market size and future growth potential of this market across different segments such as sample, contaminant, technology, and region. Further, the report also includes in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market along with their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies.



Key Benefits of Buying the Report:

The report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall environmental testing market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders to better understand the competitor landscape, gain more insights to better position their businesses, and make suitable go-to-market strategies. The report will also help the stakeholders to understand the market and provide them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.



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About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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LONDON and YVERDON LES BAINS, Switzerland and DALLAS, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EPAL, a joint venture between Indian state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and UK-based EnergyPro Limited (EP), is partnering with leading battery storage solutions provider Leclanche, starting with the investment of US $12 million in a previously announced and nearly completed advanced battery storage project in Ontario, Canada, known as Basin 1 and 2[1]. The high-quality project, built and owned by Leclanche and development partner Deltro Energy, is the first utility scale energy storage facility designed to balance the Ontario power grid, with a total investment of approximately US $25 million.

The battery storage project will provide services to the Independent Energy Systems Operator (IESO) that oversees and manages the power grid of the province of Ontario, and is interconnected to Toronto Hydro, the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada. The Ontario power supply has shifted heavily towards intermittent power sources over the past three years creating additional grid management challenges for the IESO. The lithium battery storage project will improve stability on Canada's largest transmission grid by managing unbalanced supply-demand situations.

The partnership has strategic importance from India's perspective as its government has set a target of achieving 175GW of renewable energy by the year 2022, equivalent to 40 per cent of the country's energy supply, up from 12 per cent now. This was a part of India's commitment during COP21. To achieve this target, India's energy supply will be dependent on intermittent power sources and ancillary services will be required to stabilise the grid. Battery storage will help achieve stabilisation, supply power to charging stations and reduce the substantial Unscheduled Interchange (UI) charges payable by the country's utilities and states (around $461.5 million annually).

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Mr. Dinesh K. Patnaik, Acting High Commissioner of India to UK, said, "This partnership marks the beginning of a significant development in the energy efficiency sector. With the ever-increasing energy consumption, technologies like battery storage will go hand in hand with efficiency to balance supply and demand. I am very hopeful that EPAL, with its excellent track record in driving the UJALA (UK Joins Affordable LEDs for All) initiative, will bring a revolution in the market with its advancement into battery storage projects."

Mr Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL, and Chairman of subsidiary EPAL, said, "We are delighted to partner with Leclanche. It has been our constant endeavor to make future-ready technology solutions accessible. With a focus on long, low-carbon initiatives globally, we have partnered with the world's leading battery storage solution provider. We are confident that this partnership will help bring a new era of clean energy solutions for the world."

"Working together with EESL on this project has highlighted some unique synergies between the companies," said Anil Srivastava, Leclanche CEO. "We are exploring many additional ways to integrate Leclanche's advanced lithium battery solutions into stationary storage systems as well as new mobility applications such as EV charging stations, full-electric buses and urban transportation systems."

"At EnergyPro we are excited to be working with our JV partner EESL and Leclanche on this significant utility scale energy storage project. We see it as a first step to deploying energy storage solutions at a range of scales, something that will be essential to the energy transition in all economies," said Steven Fawkes, Managing Partner at EnergyPro Limited.

The Indian government recently launched an ambitious investment program in new energy, both domestically and overseas, of which the investment in the Leclanche and Deltro Project forms a part. The domestic plans are driven by the government's target of increasing the contribution of renewables to the country's energy supply. As part of this, the government has mandated that by 2030 all vehicles on its roads will be electric  the most aggressive such target in the world. Battery storage helps stabilize grids, which is a challenge as they become increasingly dependent on intermittent renewable energy sources. Storage also reduces the operational costs of grids and defers and reduces future infrastructure costs.

Integral to its global programme, in May 2017, the Indian government announced that it would invest 155 million in clean energy initiatives in the UK's public and private sectors through EPAL. To date, EPAL's UK initiatives include an affordable LED lighting scheme (UJALA), targeted at social housing associations in London, and the acquisition of two energy savings companies serving seven clients in education and leisure.

The global energy storage markets continue to experience very high growth. According to Navigant Research, in the four years to 2020 utility-scale generation and micro grids will experience a Combined Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 48 per cent; commercial and industrial battery systems, 58 per cent CAGR; and eTransport, 37 per cent CAGR.

Panitek Power AG, headquartered in Switzerland, was the investment adviser on the transaction.

About EPAL

EESL EnergyPro Assets Limited (EPAL) is a joint venture of Energy Efficiency Services Limited, an Energy Service Company under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, and EnergyPro Ltd, an advisory company in energy efficiency.

EESL is promoted by four large public-sector undertakings with a combined net worth of over $32 billion. EESL is implementing the world's largest non-subsidy energy efficiency portfolio across areas including lighting, buildings and agriculture, at a unique scale. In the UK, through its subsidiary EPAL, EESL aims to promote and implement low-carbon, energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions in both the public and private sectors.

About Leclanche

Leclanche is one of the world's leading fully vertically integrated energy storage solution providers. It delivers a wide range of energy storage solutions for homes, small offices, large industries, electricity grids, as well as hybridization for mass transport systems such as bus fleets and ferries. Established in 1909, Leclanche has been a trusted provider of battery energy storage solutions for over 100 years. Founded in the tradition of Georges Leclanche, the inventor of the dry cell battery, Leclanche today has a rich portfolio of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that include bespoke battery systems from industry leading lithium-ion solutions.

Leclanche is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, and is the only listed pure-play energy storage company in the world.

SIX Swiss Exchange: ticker symbol LECN | ISIN CH 011 030 311 9

About Deltro Energy

Deltro Energy Inc. is a member of The Deltro Group of Companies which strives to empower communities through the provision of reliable electricity. Providing turnkey solutions that are scalable, practical, deployable and commercially feasible makes Deltro Energy Inc. a leading energy storage solution developer in Canada. With momentous global growth in the renewable energy industry, Deltro quickly expanded from completing subcontract installations through major Canadian construction contractors to partnering on renewable projects and entering into its own Power Purchase Agreements. While solidifying its position here in Canada, Deltro has begun its expansion into the Caribbean as well.

Learn more at Deltro.com or connect with us on Twitter @DeltroGroup.

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Leclanche's business, which can be identified by terminology such as "strategic", "proposes", "to introduce", "will", "planned", "expected", "commitment", "expects", "set", "preparing", "plans", "estimates", "aims", "would", "potential", "awaiting", "estimated", "proposal", or similar expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding the ramp up of Leclanche's production capacity, potential applications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of Leclanche or any of its business units.

You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanche regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanche's products will achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that Leclanche, or any of the business units, will achieve any particular financial results.

[1] Basin 1 is scheduled to undergo completion testing in December 2017 and Basin 2 will follow with commercial operations in the first quarter 2018.

SOURCE Leclanche
LONDON, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Connectivity and data integration experts F4F, part of Proagrica, and established Farm Management System experts 365FarmNet have announced an exciting new strategic data connectivity agreement that will, as a first priority, enable connection of machinery operation data into 365FarmNets customer portals.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/473567/Proagrica_Logo.jpg )



The exclusive agreement sees two of the worlds most experienced agri-data companies join forces to heighten and simplify farmer experience, demonstrating technical capability at a level never seen before in agribusiness.

As farming and machinery has become ever more sophisticated over recent years a plethora of consoles have appeared, managing ever-increasing capabilities between tractor and implement. This added complexity, while valuable, creates data transfer issues.

Previously 365FarmNet has provided farmers with business information clearly set out in a single programme, this new collaboration with F4F will enhance this offering by facilitating the seamless inclusion of machinery operation data into the programme.

"Imagine it's possible for farmers to simply take their operation data back into the office, plug in and then 'send and forget'. Our technology does the data transformation and delivers the operation data to 365FarmNet," says Nick Evans, Managing Director at F4F."We have drawn on our 20 years of connectivity and integration experience alongside huge knowledge gained in developing Gatekeeper, the UK's leading arable Farm Management System." Says Mr Evans, "this solution takes the complexity out of uploading applied field operation data and makes Precision farming a seamless and integral part of your day-to-day farm management."

"We're really excited to bring this new level of connectivity to our customers," says Patrick Honcoop, Product Manager at 365FarmNet. "this solution will be compatible with both legacy equipment and newer cloud based systems, allowing all of our customers to take advantage of the data revolution. We're looking forward to the implementation process and working with F4F to provide a farm management solution for all farmers - independent of size or type of operation."

Sarah Alexander, Arable Commercial Product Manager, Proagrica says "The project will roll-out in Q1 2018 with John Deere and Class applied job data integration. From Q2 onwards we will accelerate the capability to include all of the major machine manufacturers used by 365FarmNet customers. "

Mr Evans adds, "This is only the start, our long-term vision for this strategic agreement is extensive and may include further connectivity to precision agricultural job data as well as integration with input suppliers and output operators, for example providing supply chain data straight into the 365FarmNet system."

This exciting new strategic agreement is being officially announced on the Proagrica & 365FarmNet stands in Hall 15 at this year's Agritechnica in Hanover 12th-18th November. If you would like further information on how you could benefit, please contact us at [email protected] or www.365farmnet.com

About Proagrica

Proagrica provides critical decision-support to the global agriculture industry by delivering high-value insight and data, trusted workflow tools, proven integration technology and effective channels-to-market. We're proud of our market-leading brands in Europe, as well as a growing footprint in Australia, Asia Pacific, South Africa and the US. Our portfolio includes flagship media brands Farmers Weekly and Boerderij, as well as the latest in the integration and connectivity capabilities that F4F offers across the supply chain. We're known for our industry leading farm management software Farmplan and GateKeeper, but with an increasing need for actionable insight from data and analytics, we have been developing new products in this area under our Agility brand.

Proagrica is a global division of Reed Business Information and the RELX Group, a FTSE 100 company with a total market capitalisation of approximately 34.4bn/38.8bn/$45.1bn[*] .

www.proagrica.com, www.reedbusiness.com, www.relx.com



365FarmNet - The digital solution for agricultural holdings

365FarmNet is Europe's largest, multi award-winning cloud-based software for the entire farm management, independent of farm size and type of operation. The 365FarmNet platform is manufacturer-independent and cross-segmental and using partner Apps, covers all functions required for operational management. Starting with cultivation planning through to harvest, including important topics in the field of pesticides and fertilizers, from field to farm, from documentation to operational analysis.

365FarmNet helps farmers deal with important issues regarding operational processes and integrates different evaluation options and special services in working practices in the simplest way possible.

The basic version of 365FarmNet is free of charge. This basic version already fulfils the requirements on the necessary scope of documentation for farmers. Farmers are able to book individual components subject to a charge in an innovative and continually growing modular system and adjust the platform individually to meet their needs. Using the free 365FarmNet Apps for iOS and Android, farmers are also in the position to document via their mobile devices meeting cross compliance regulations and enter a posting wherever the work has been carried out - on the farm or out in the field.

365FarmNet together with more than 30 European partners develops innovative applications for users from more than 20 countries. At present, the platform is available in five languages: German, English, French, Polish and Bulgarian.

For further information please contact:

Sarah Riley

Account Director

rdp

[email protected]

+44-(0)-1452-429-175



Yasmin Mohring

Communications Manager

365FarmNet

[email protected]

+49-30-25-93-29-901



[*]Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investorcentre

SOURCE Proagrica
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fifty-nine diverse faith leaders today delivered a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to "be merciful as your father in heaven is merciful" by rejecting current legislation to repeal D.C.'s medical aid-in-dying law and opposing this end-of-life care option nationwide.

Kim Callinan, chief program officer, Compassion & Choices

The letter signers are from D.C. and 23 states and collectively represent 14 faiths: Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Community of Christ, Episcopal, Interfaith, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist, Unitarian Universalist, and United Church of Christ. The letter is posted at: bit.ly/FaithLeadersMAID.

"...centuries ago rabbinic sages recognized the importance of granting mercy in the dying process," the faith leaders wrote. "The basic premise of medical aid in dying is simple and merciful: An adult of sound mind who faces imminent death should have the option to die peacefully. We represent a range of faith perspectives from across the nation and support a dying patient's right to a peaceful death at the end of life."

On Sept. 14, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) that included an amendment by U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (MD) to repeal the D.C. Death with Dignity Act, which authorizes medical aid in dying in the District of Columbia. On Sept. 26, Reps. Brad Wenstrup (OH) and Lou Correa (CA), along with eight other Members, introduced House Concurrent Resolution 80, erroneously claiming medical aid in dying undermines the integrity of the health care system.

"As children of God who comfort the terminally ill and their families, often at the dying person's bedside, we have seen the suffering that can occur during our final days," the letter concluded. "We believe God is a God of love and compassion, one who would not abandon a dying person who is suffering and refuse that person the means to die peacefully in whatever way is consistent with their own individual faith and beliefs."

Medical aid in dying is an option for mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to peacefully end their suffering if it becomes unbearable in the District of Columbia and six states: California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. There is no evidence of misuse with this end-of-life care option in the 40 years of combined experience in these seven jurisdictions.

Numerous polls show strong support for medical aid in dying among both U.S. physicians and Americans across the ethnic, political and religious spectrum.

"These leaders represent a wide range of faiths, and they have all reached the same conclusion: dying people should have the option to peacefully end their suffering if it is in line with their personal spiritual values," said Kim Callinan, chief program officer for Compassion & Choices. "We urge Congress to follow their example and continue allowing dying DC residents access to this humane end-of-life care option."

Compassion & Choices is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand options for the end of life. www.compassionandchoices.org

National Media Contact :

Sean Crowley, (202) 495-8520-c, [email protected]

Latino Media:

Patricia A. Gonzalez-Portillo, (310) 819-0310, [email protected]

SOURCE Compassion & Choices

Related Links

http://CompassionAndChoices.org


AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

FCA Foundation awards $300,000 to The Mission Continues and Forgotten Harvest for community impact and workplace development initiatives

The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US LLC, today awarded $250,000 to The Mission Continues and $50,000 to Forgotten Harvest. The grants will support community impact and workplace development initiatives for veterans who are adjusting to life at home.

"As a proud employer of more than 5,000 veterans, FCA US understands firsthand the contributions these men and women continue to make after their military service is complete," said Barbara Pilarski, Head of Human Resources, FCA - North America and Trustee, FCA Foundation. "The FCA Foundation is pleased to offer grants to organizations that provide veterans opportunities to help themselves and their communities."

FCA Foundation Veteran Support Grants

$250,000: The Mission Continues empowers veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact. The organization deploys veterans on new missions in their communities, so that their actions will inspire future generations to serve. Operations in cities across the nation send veteran volunteers to work alongside non-profit partners and community leaders to solve some of the most challenging community issues: improving community education resources, eliminating food deserts, mentoring at-risk youth and more.

"The Mission Continues is proud and excited to partner with the FCA Foundation and FCA US to empower more veterans across the country to serve again in their hometown," said Spencer Kympton, President, The Mission Continues. "As a company who cares strongly and believes in the power of veterans here at home, we know that this partnership will strengthen our ability to engage more veterans across the country, as well as FCA US employee volunteers, to have a deep impact in local communities."

$50,000: Forgotten Harvest's Workforce Development Program supports the growing food and agriculture sector in southeast Michigan by expanding the numbers of skilled men and women qualified for jobs and careers in the food and agriculture business sector. The ultimate goal is to make sure everyone has a job after graduation. Veterans and others, who have had difficulty seeking employment for a variety of reasons, will learn about food processing, distribution, logistics and basic farming at Forgotten Harvest Farms.

"Forgotten Harvest is honored to receive FCA Foundation support for our collaborative workforce development program for veterans with barriers to employment," said Kirk Mayes, CEO, Forgotten Harvest. "FCA's generous funding supports a food industry-focused program, which builds upon lessons learned in our 18-month pilot workforce development program."

The Mission Continues in Detroit

FCA US volunteers will join The Mission Continues' Detroit 2nd Service Platoon for "Veterans Day Cody-Rouge Carry On" (Saturday, November 11, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at Stein Park, 9258 Stahelin Avenue. The mission at the park, adopted by Motor City Grounds Crew and The Mission Continues, includes hands-on revitalization and maintenance projects working alongside youth, community members and fellow veterans.

FCA US has several programs in place to support veterans.

Recently, the FCA Foundation announced support of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), including underwriting special $10 tickets for veterans to attend "Heroes Night" concerts (all in 2018) performed in Orchestra Hall. The funding will also enable the DSO to collaborate with the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Hospital, sending musicians to perform at the hospital and providing for DSO webcasts in patient rooms.

tickets for veterans to attend "Heroes Night" concerts (all in 2018) performed in Orchestra Hall. The funding will also enable the DSO to collaborate with the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Hospital, sending musicians to perform at the hospital and providing for DSO webcasts in patient rooms. In 2011, FCA US joined forces with supplier Prestige Group, based in Clinton Township, Michigan , to offer a life-changing program for returning veterans, who earn engineering internship positions at FCA US while they finish their undergraduate degrees. More than 100 veterans have taken advantage of this program, with eight having completed their degrees.

, to offer a life-changing program for returning veterans, who earn engineering internship positions at FCA US while they finish their undergraduate degrees. More than 100 veterans have taken advantage of this program, with eight having completed their degrees. FCA US received Silver Status as a Michigan Friendly Employer by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in recognition of recruitment strategies aimed at veterans.

The Company's Belvidere Assembly Plant teamed up with PepsiCo Recycling to support PepsiCo Recycling's partnership with the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities.

FCA US also received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's prestigious Freedom award for its exceptional support of enlisted employees.FCA US currently has 23 employees on active military leave, with 434 currently serving as active or inactive reservists and guardsmen and more than 5,100 employees are military veterans.

About the FCA Foundation

The FCA Foundation is committed to rebalancing inequalities to promote the full realization of every human being. We seek to support outcomes in our communities that ensure people can enjoy equality and dignity. The FCA Foundation directs its resources toward the following areas of focus:

Youth Development  helping young people develop the leadership qualities and resiliency necessary to succeed in school, at work, and in life.

 helping young people develop the leadership qualities and resiliency necessary to succeed in school, at work, and in life. Education  building the skills and competencies that lead to achievement and support educational access and success.

 building the skills and competencies that lead to achievement and support educational access and success. Military/Veterans  ensuring veterans successfully transition to civilian life and that the needs of military service members and their families are supported.

 ensuring veterans successfully transition to civilian life and that the needs of military service members and their families are supported. Service  leveraging the talents and contributions of all members of the community.

SOURCE FCA US LLC

Related Links

http://www.fcanorthamerica.com


According to a report released by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), FCA US LLC was one of a select group of leading employers to achieve a 100 percent rating on HRC's 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).



The annual CEI report rates employers on their LGBTQ workplace policies and benefits. A 100 percent rating indicates a company provides full parity for domestic partner benefits, not only in basic medical coverage, but in dependent care, retirement and other benefits that affect the financial and medical well-being of families. A 100 percent rating also signifies coverage for transgender individuals for medically necessary care  a community the HRC notes has historically been overlooked.



The HRC, the largest civil rights organization in the U.S., rated nearly 1,000 employers for the 2018 report, including the entire Fortune 500. The top-rated businesses span nearly every industry and major geography of the U.S.



"FCA US is proud of our longstanding support of our LGBTQ employees, customers and communities," said Kelly Tolbert, Head of Diversity, FCA US LLC. "Our consistent record of providing an inclusive work culture and benefit parity for our LGBTQ employees represents our core belief in the talents and potential of our people."



The Company was the first automaker to offer domestic partner benefits to employees in 2000 and has attained a 100 percent CEI rating 11 times since the benchmark was established in 2002.



"Solid performance by FCA US on the Corporate Equality Index demonstrates the Company's commitment to creating and sustaining a supportive and inclusive work culture," said Kelly Hanlon, Chair of GALA, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance at FCA US. "Scoring a 100 percent on the CEI has been a source of pride for the Company, especially its LGBTQ employee community."



GALA is one of seven business resource groups at FCA US. These employee-directed groups pursue initiatives that celebrate multicultural differences and bring value to the larger community through volunteer, charitable, career-building and strategic activities. GALA's objectives include promoting a positive awareness of LGBTQ people and issues within FCA US and to ensure that the Company's products and services are tailored to diverse customers.



According to the 2018 report, "since the CEI's inception in 2002, America's largest employers, including so many with a global footprint, have embraced LGBTQ inclusion as a best business practice. Protections for employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are now non-negotiable components of business operations."



The 2018 Corporate Equality Index report is available at www.hrc.org/cei.



About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.



About FCA US LLC

FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli. FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA).



FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."



Follow FCA US news and video on:

Company blog: blog.fcanorthamerica.com

Company website: www.fcanorthamerica.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA

Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA

Twitter (Spanish): www.twitter.com/fcausespanol

YouTube: www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica

Media website: media.fcanorthamerica.com



SOURCE FCA US LLC

Related Links

http://www.fcanorthamerica.com


XENIA, Ohio, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Nov. 6, Teamsters Local 957 members working for First Student approved an agreement with the company after five months of negotiations and the threat of a strike, which was narrowly avoided. The agreement was ratified by more than a 70 percent margin.

"The bargaining unit really came together at the final hour in solidarity to ratify an agreement that is fair to everyone," said Local 957 President Kenneth Howard. "We're looking forward to a productive relationship with the company at this yard over the next few years."

The successor agreement contains wage increases and increases in personal days for drivers and monitors, a key issue to the workers at the Xenia location. It also includes improvements to the grievance process and establishes quarterly meetings for a committee that works to establish positive relations between labor and management.

Christine Little and Anna Shoemaker are stewards that served on the bargaining committee during contract negotiations with First Student.

"The drivers and the monitors really stuck together," Little said. "We maintained solidarity and it was a good outcome."

"Our business agents and the team at the local were wonderful; they were a big help in pulling everyone together," Shoemaker said. "We were focused on bringing people together on their common issues, and we got a good contract."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Galen Munroe, (202) 624-6911

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 957

Related Links

http://www.teamster.org


DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Healthcare Law Firm continues to grow with addition of former HHS and DOJ Attorney Matthew M. Fischer. Fischer, a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in Medicare audits, appeals, and compliance has over a decade of criminal and civil trial experience.

Prior to joining the firm, Matthew served as a Senior Attorney Advisor in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals. He advised federal administrative law judges (ALJs) on reimbursement appeals, including Medicare contractor overpayment audits (i.e., RAC, ZPIC, and PSC), statistical sampling extrapolation issues, Medicare Part D exceptions, and secondary payer appeals. Before joining HHS, he handled criminal and civil litigation matters for the U.S. Department of Justice as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and as an Assistant General Counsel with the FBI. As a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, he prosecuted narcotics distribution, weapons possession, theft, and other violent offenses. As Assistant General Counsel, he defended the FBI in Freedom of Information Act litigation preventing the disclosure of classified information in criminal, cyber, and counter-terrorism cases.

"Matt's experience working for the FBI, Medicare and the Justice Department is just exemplary. His ability and enthusiasm for helping healthcare professionals and healthcare businesses is outstanding and his insight will be invaluable for our clients," said Jeff Cohen, who is board certified as a specialist in healthcare law and founded the Florida Healthcare Law Firm in 2008. Cohen goes on to say that "Clients dealing with Medicare audits, DEA Audits, Civil Investigative Demands and Medicare Payment Suspensions will especially benefit from Matt's depth of knowledge."

The Florida Healthcare Law Firm is one of South Florida's leading firms serving healthcare professionals and businesses, such as medical practices, addiction treatment facilities, laboratories & pharmacies, hospitals and many more. The Firm's roots are in healthcare transactional and corporate matters and has grown to include a compliance division, a telemedicine division and an arm dedicated to helping healthcare providers and businesses get paid by managed care and defend against payor recoupment. The team of attorneys also handles professional licensing board matters, Stark Law & Anti-Kickback Law compliance, fraud and abuse and all manner of regulatory compliance for healthcare professionals. Visit the firm online at www.FloridaHealthcareLawFirm.com

PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12675799

SOURCE Florida Healthcare Law Firm

Related Links

http://www.FloridaHealthcareLawFirm.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Frankly Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TLK) (Frankly), the leader in transforming local TV broadcast and media companies by enabling them to publish and monetize their digital content across multiple platforms, has launched the Frankly Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative.

Frankly's AI Initiative aims to leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to help media companies increase audience engagement, enhance content relevancy and deepen operational insights. The AI Initiative will include both in-house development and external partnerships to bring a suite of innovative products and services to Frankly's expanding customer base.

"With over 200 media properties on our platform, Frankly is uniquely positioned to enable our customers to enter the next generation in media publishing and monetization by unlocking the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning," said Frankly Founder and CEO Steve Chung. "As traditional media gives way to new digital experiences for consumers, AI has the power to transform how media is created, consumed, distributed and monetized, and our goal is to be at the epicenter of that transformation through our new AI Initiative."

With IRIS.TV, a leading video personalization and programming platform, Frankly AI enables intelligent video playback for consumers globally. "We selected IRIS.TV as the perfect partner to commence our AI Initiative that leverages machine learning to program the right digital video content to the right viewer in real-time with IRIS.TV's market-leading Adaptive Stream technology," said Todd Randak, head of product for Frankly.

Field Garthwaite, CEO and co-founder of IRIS.TV, added, "There's a sea change happening that's affecting how media is distributed, consumed and monetized. Frankly is part of an important shift in how media platform providers innovate and customize audience experiences. Through our partnership, Frankly is able to leverage the power of AI and machine learning to serve up content that is highly relevant, engages audiences and offers up new revenue opportunities for media companies."

Frankly currently processes more than 72,000 minutes of digital video per day for its media customers, and reaches over 60 million monthly active users across its full suite of products. For questions on how you can leverage the Frankly Video AI product, please email [email protected].

About Frankly

Frankly (TSX VENTURE: TLK) builds an integrated software platform for media companies to create, distribute, analyze and monetize their content across all of their digital properties on web, mobile and TV. Its customers include NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX affiliates. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with major offices in New York. To learn more, visit www.franklyinc.com.

About IRIS.TV

IRIS.TV is a cloud-based personalized video programming system that allows publishers and content owners to generate more video views and engage users across all devices. The company's product suite is designed to increase video consumption and simplify operations for web, mobile, and OTT video distribution. The software integrates with existing video players using artificial intelligence and adaptive machine learning to automate streaming of personalized content based on audience preferences, user interaction, and behavioral segmentation. IRIS.TV has hundreds of customers across the world that rely on the company's video programming platform to keep their audiences watching. Based in Los Angeles, IRIS TV's investors include Sierra Wasatch, BDMI, Progress Ventures and individual backers including Machinima founder Allen DeBevoise, Lions Gate CFO James Barge as well as senior executives with Nielsen and AEG.

SOURCE Frankly Inc.

Related Links

http://www.franklyinc.com


ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuddruckers and locally-based franchisee, NVBH Orange, are putting the final touches on their newest Orlando area restaurant. Located at 4311 E. Colonial Drive in Colonial Town Center, steps from Fashion Square and across from the Executive Airport, the 4,950-square-foot home of the "World's Greatest Hamburgers" is slated to welcome its first guests on November 13.

This is the fourth Fuddruckers for NVBH Orange, a partnership consisting of Nick Vidalia, Ivan Reyes and Nelson Urdaneta. In addition to Orlando sites at 5250 International Drive and 12535 Apopka-Vineland Road, they also own and operate a Fuddruckers in Fort Meyers, FL.

Ideal for a shopping break, business lunch on the run, family outings and date nights, the 182-seat restaurant will feature eclectic decor referencing Fuddruckers' classic, Americana origins. The interior design will incorporate whimsical elements ranging from arcade games to roadhouse signage.

According to Peter Tropoli, Chief Operating Officer of Luby's, Inc., "We're always appreciative of Orlando's warm Florida welcome and are excited to be teaming up with our friends at NVBH again to make it easier than ever for locals to bite into our acclaimed burgers, salads and sandwiches."

Since 1980, Fuddruckers has been obsessed with making the world happier, one great hamburger at a time. Grilled-to-order burgers feature always fresh and never frozen, 100% USDA premium-cut beef with no fillers or additives. Delicious, sesame-topped buns are baked from scratch on-site throughout the day to achieve the perfect combination of crisp crust and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

And while burgers are the signature, the engaging menu offers variety for many tastes with an array of sandwiches, platters and salads. No matter what they choose, customers can customize their meal with a trip to the legendary Build Your Own produce bar, which features fantastic fixings like sun-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, sliced onions, dill pickles, pico de gallo and classic cheese sauce.

About Luby's

Luby's, Inc. (NYSE: LUB) operates 166 restaurants nationally: 88 Luby's Cafeterias, 71 Fuddruckers, and 7 Cheeseburger in Paradise. The Company is the franchisor for 112 Fuddruckers franchise locations across the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Mexico, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Chile, and Colombia. Additionally, a licensee operates 34 restaurants with the exclusive right to use the Fuddruckers proprietary marks, trade dress, and system in certain countries in the Middle East. The Company does not receive revenue or royalties from these Middle East restaurants. Luby's Culinary Contract Services provides food service management to 23 sites consisting of healthcare, higher education, sport stadiums, and corporate dining locations.

SOURCE Fuddruckers

Related Links

http://www.fuddruckers.com


TOKYO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/-- Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced that the company will launch its first serviced apartment in Cikarang, located in Greater Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Construction is expected to start soon, with a scheduled opening in the fall of 2019.

Offering the function and privacy of apartments with the facilities and move-in-ready condition of hotels, serviced apartments are fully furnished apartments that provide hotel-like amenities, services, and security. The typical clientele is business people, especially those relocating from overseas for a short or long-term stay with or without their families.

Fujita Kanko's Cikarang serviced apartment, yet to be branded, is expected to have 214 rooms in three unit types for both single and family residents, accommodating both business travelers and expats. The facilities will include a restaurant, gym, club lounge and Japanese-style spa with outdoor bath.

Cikarang, approximately 22 miles (35 km) east of Jakarta's city center, is known for its up and coming industrial developments, including Kota Jababeka, the largest industrial park in Southeast Asia. The area is attracting a growing number of international companies setting up their Indonesian offices/facilities.

"Southeast Asia is a market that we've been eagerly watching, and we saw a big opportunity in Cikarang," said Akira Segawa, President and CEO of Fujita Kanko. "We have built our expertise as a hospitality company for over 60 years, so expanding into the serviced apartment business is a natural extension of Fujita Kanko's core offerings. This is a strategic move for us."

Fujita Kanko currently has six overseas offices in Asia: Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Yangon and Jakarta, which was opened in 2015 to promote its 70+ Japanese properties, build international recognition for its businesses among travelers and other stakeholders, and develop local business.

Fujita Kanko is also accelerating its new hotel openings. Its scheduled openings include Hotel Gracery Asakusa and Hotel Gracery Seoul in 2018, and Hotel Gracery Taipei in 2019.

About Fujita Kanko

Fujita Kanko Inc., established in 1955, is a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo. In addition to its core hospitality business, the company operates wedding and banquet facilities, high-end resorts, leisure facilities and related services. It has 70 properties/facilities, including its five-star flagship, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, and 34 mid-priced hotels throughout Japan in the Hotel Gracery and Washington Hotels groups.

Keiko Okano

[email protected]

+1-212-583-1084 (U.S.)

SOURCE Fujita Kanko Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Future Farm Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Future Farm") (CSE: FFT) (OTCQB: FFRMF) is pleased to announce that it has engaged the services of Anthony Flores as marketing and brand manager to help build its Augmented Reality ('AR') platform brand. As previously announced, Future Farm has acquired the exclusive right to use AR E1, LLC's ('ARE1') patented AR technology within the cannabis industry. Future Farm and ARE1 will work together to merge AR and ad-tech with the cannabis industry through the CannaCube Live platform.

See Augmented Reality Video Here: Augmented Reality Cube

An overview of the business model is available for download on Future Farm's website or by using the following link: Augmented Reality Presentation

Flores' ten years of experience in strategic marketing, coupled with his four years of Augmented Reality marketing, brings a unique strength to this pivotal marketing role. His wide portfolio includes strategic marketing to creative direction of innovative experiential programs for Swarovski, Pepsi, Mercedes Benz, and Zound Industries. In addition to his agency experience, Flores brings a strong background in lifestyle positioning serving the cannabis industry, having worked on strategic marketing and retail positioning campaigns for PAX and Golden State Sciences.

Flores will play a key role in strategic marketing of the Augmented Reality CannaCube Live platform advancing its portfolio of Augmented Reality marketing capabilities to dispensaries, cultivation and extraction facilities and other marijuana businesses.

"I am tremendously impressed with this leadership team, its progressive model and its ability to realize the vision of a modern cannabis industry that leverages Augmented Reality," says Flores.

"We are pleased to have engaged the services of Mr. Anthony Flores," says Bill Gildea, CEO of Future Farm. "The AR market is estimated to grow to a $120 billion industry by 2020. Mr. Flores' services will help the CannaCube get into the hands of diverse marijuana businesses, thereby allowing Future Farm to be at the forefront of this fast growing cannabis market and fast growing technology."

The AR market is expected to explode from a $10 billion market today to $120 billion over the next two years as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Intel are now launching software and hardware to support this dynamic and fast-growing industry. Future Farm is aiming to carve out its niche in the cannabis market with augmented reality enhanced packaging for branding as well as an ad-tech driven platform where dispensaries, cultivators, processors and others will use its AR platform to create a richer customer experience in dispensaries, and at home.

On behalf of the Board,

Future Farm Technologies Inc.

William Gildea, CEO & Chairman

About Future Farm

Future Farm Technologies Inc. is a Canadian company with projects throughout North America including California, Florida and Maryland. The Company's business model includes developing and acquiring technologies that will position it as a leader in the evolution of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for the global production of various types of plants, with a focus on cannabis. Future Farm provides scalable, indoor CEA systems that utilize minimal land, water and energy regardless of climate, location or time of year and are customized to grow an abundance of crops close to consumers, therefore minimizing food miles and its impact to the environment. The Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license to use a patented vertical farming technology that, when compared to traditional plant production methods, generate yields up to 10 times greater per square foot of land. The contained system provides many other benefits including 90% less water, fertilizer and land used, less travel costs, seed-to-sale security, scalability, consistency due to year-round production, cost control, product safety and purity by eliminating environmental variability. The Company also utilizes a leading cannabis oil extraction technology, which enables the Company to process 20lbs/hour of cannabis plant to yield approximately 908 grams/hour of oil.

The Company is also in the business of designing and distributing LED lighting solutions utilizing the COB and MCOB technology. The Company is focused on delivering cost efficient lighting to North America via advanced e-commerce sites the Company owns and operates. LEDCanada.com, which caters to B2B customers, is a supplier of the newest and highest demand LED solutions. The Company also owns and operates COBGrowlights.com, which caters to both large and small agriculture green houses and controlled cultivation centers.

The Company recently acquired the exclusive right to use a patented, augmented reality (AR) technology in the cannabis industry. The Company will work with its partner to merge AR and ad-tech with the cannabis industry through the CannaCube Live[TM] platform.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

For further information, contact:

William Gildea

CEO and Chairman

+1-617-834-9467

SOURCE Future Farm Technologies Inc.
LONDON, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5184211



Report Details

Phototherapy equipment  our new study reveals trends, R&D progress, and predicted revenues

Where is the Phototherapy Equipment market heading? If you are involved in this sector you must read this brand new report. Visiongain's report shows you the potential revenues streams to 2027, assessing data, trends, opportunities and business prospects there.



Discover how to stay ahead

Our 146-page report provides 135 tables, charts, and graphs. Read on to discover the most lucrative areas in the industry and the future market prospects. Our new study lets you assess forecasted sales at overall world market and regional level. See financial results, trends, opportunities, and revenue predictions. Much opportunity remains in this growing Phototherapy Equipment market. See how to exploit the opportunities.



Forecasts to 2027 and other analyses reveal the commercial prospects

 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2027, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

 You find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), product profiles and commercial developments.



Discover sales predictions for the world market and submarkets

Along with revenue prediction for the overall world market, there are forecasts for 3 Phototherapy Equipment Types, 2 Phototherapy Applications and 2 Phototherapy End-Users, each forecasted at a global, regional and national level.



Phototherapy Equipment, by Type

 Conventional

 LED-Based

 Fibre-Optic



Phototherapy Equipment, by Application

 Skin Disease

 Neonatal Jaundice



Phototherapy Equipment, by End-User

 Hospitals & Clinics

 Home Use



In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 6 regional and 17 leading national markets:



North America:

 The US

 Canada

 Mexico



South America:

 Brazil

 Argentina

 Paraguay

 Bolivia

 Rest of South America



Europe:

 Germany

 The UK

 Italy

 Spain

 France

 Rest of Europe



APAC:

 Japan

 China

 India

 Australia

 Thailand

 Rest of Asia-Pacific



RoW:

 Middle East

 Africa

 Other Countries



The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Phototherapy market, with a focus on the Phototherapy Equipment segment of these companies' operations.

There will be growth in both established and in developing countries. Our analyses show that the both developed and developing markets, China, India and the Australia in particular, will continue to achieve high revenue growth to 2027.

Leading companies and the potential for market growth

Overall world revenue for Phototherapy Equipment will surpass $810m in 2027, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2027.

Our work identifies which organisations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.

How the Neurostimulation Market report helps you



In summary, our 146-page report provides you with the following knowledge:

 Revenue forecasts to 2027 for the Neurostimulation market and 3 different segmentations, with forecasts for 3 Equipment Types, 2 Applications and 2 End-Users at a Global, Regional and National level  discover the industry's prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues

 Revenue forecasts to 2027 for 6 regional and 17 key national markets  North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa are forecasted, as well as the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, Australia, Thailand

 Discussion of what stimulates and restrains companies and the market

 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 10 companies involved in the Phototherapy Equipment market



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5184211



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


"Around 80 percent of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations start out as a foot ulcer," said vascular surgeon Dr. Anil P. Hingorani, a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Vascular surgeons typically have many patients with diabetes, who need specialized vascular care to keep their feet healthy. For these patients, it is extremely important to pay attention to foot health, and to never ignore an open sore on the foot.

Diabetes patients with lower extremity wounds should be evaluated by a podiatrist, physician or an advanced health practitioner, said Dr. Hingorani.

If foot ulcers develop and don't heal, it may be a sign that the legs and feet are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood due to narrowed, hardened arteries that are made worse by diabetes.

At that point, patients should see a vascular surgeon who can evaluate the patient's vascular health as well as the foot ulcer. That doesn't mean they will have to have surgery, but vascular surgeons are highly trained to know exactly how to treat diabetic foot complications. Patients who have regular Medicare (not an HMO) can see a surgeon without a referral. (A "find a specialist" search tool is here.)

Meanwhile, if you are willing to take a few simple steps to prevent diabetic foot disease, the following tips may help:

See the doctor regularly. Patients with diabetes should see a doctor or a clinician who is trained in foot care once a year or more often, depending on their level of risk for foot problems. If you have had previous foot sores, an amputation or diabetes-related eye problems, you may need to see someone more often.



You should also be checked more often if you have neuropathy (a lack of sensation in the feet) ischemia (a dangerous condition that cuts off blood circulation) or if your feet are becoming deformed by diabetes.



Learn to take care of your feet. Patients with diabetes should be educated about how to take care of their feet. You need to know how to check your feet for sores or cuts, the best ways to keep feet clean and dry.



Wear the right shoes. Diabetes patients do not need to buy therapeutic shoes if they have an average risk of diabetic foot, but special shoes are important for high-risk patients. During your foot checkups, ask if you need special shoes.



Even if you don't qualify for therapeutic shoes, it is very important to wear shoes that fit comfortably. A study of 400 diabetic patients with healed ulcers found that 50 percent of women and 27 percent of men were wearing dangerous shoes, with: open toes or heels, no laces, a shallow or narrow toe box or high heels that put pressure on the ball of the foot.



Best shoes have broad and square toes, three or four lacing eyes per side, a padded tongue, are of lightweight materials and are big enough inside to accommodate a cushioned sole or orthotic inlay.



Avoid preventative surgery. Newer research recommends against getting a preventative stent or surgical revascularization of your leg arteries if you don't have diabetic foot or other symptoms associated with peripheral artery disease.



Stay updated on best treatments. If you get a plantar foot ulcer, the best practice is to not walk on the ulcer. Your physician may prescribe a total contact cast or a fixed-ankle walking boot. This has not always been the standard treatment, but has recently been changed.

For many patients with diabetes, the illness requires careful attention to daily routine. Foot care should be part of that daily health maintenance.

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is a 5,800-plus member, not-for-profit professional medical society, composed primarily of specialty-trained vascular surgeons, which seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research and public awareness.

SOURCE Society for Vascular Surgery

Related Links

https://vascular.org


LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollister Incorporated, a global medical device manufacturer, today held a groundbreaking ceremony signifying the start of construction on a manufacturing plant in the Kaunas FEZ (Free Economic Zone) region of Lithuania. The multi-stage project represents a company investment of over $58 million (50 million) and is expected to create more than 300 jobs over the next several years. Upon opening in mid-2019, the new plant will produce ostomy-care products with plans to expand production to include continence-care products.

The groundbreaking ceremony and reception were attended by: Hollister Incorporated President and CEO George Maliekel; Senior VP of Research & Development and Global Operations James Humphries; VP Human Resources Suzanne Erickson; VP and CFO Rob Keeley; VP of Global Operations Brendan Sugrue; and Senior Director Global Manufacturing William Ciehanski.

"Our decision to invest in this major expansion project in Lithuania was made after very thoughtful consideration," said Hollister Incorporated President and Chief Executive Officer George Maliekel. "This is a key strategic initiative for the continued growth of our company and for our customers around the world who depend on medical products of the highest quality. I want to personally thank our partners here in Lithuania who have helped us to plan and prepare for this very special day."

Representing the Kaunas FEZ at the groundbreaking ceremony were Kaunas City Mayor Visvaldas Matijosaitis, and Director General of Invest Lithuania Mantas Katinas, and other partners. According to Mr. Katinas, "Hollister Incorporated selected this country, region and city not only for the ideal geographical considerations and investment environment, but also for the strong skills and values of our local workforce."

"Very early in the site selection process, our team realized that the Kaunas region of Lithuania offered an ideal European location, a welcoming business environment, strong community support, and an ideal combination of infrastructure and talent to meet our manufacturing needs," Mr. Maliekel stated. "Our new manufacturing plant here in Kaunas will not only help us to meet the growing needs of our customers  particularly our customers in Europe  but will also help us to meet the global healthcare challenges of the 21st Century."

The skills and talent of the local population were critical components in making the decision to build the new facility in Lithuania. The cultural 'fit' between the company's culture and the people throughout the region were also extremely important. Educational opportunities were a significant factor as well. That is why Hollister Incorporated is committed to working closely with local educational institutions, like the Kaunas University of Technology and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, as well as institutions across the country to help enhance programs in research, engineering and technology to develop exceptional graduates and further strengthen the local talent market.

The company has already hired a few engineers from Lithuania who will begin working at its Ballina, Ireland plant. They will return to the Kaunas plant after the first phase of construction is completed in 2019.

About Hollister Incorporated

Hollister Incorporated is an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products worldwide. The company develops and manufactures products for ostomy care, continence care and wound care, and also develops educational support materials for patients and healthcare professionals. Hollister Incorporated has been serving healthcare professionals and consumers for 95 years and is committed to making life more rewarding and dignified for people who use its products and services. Headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, Hollister has manufacturing and distribution centers on three continents and sells in more than 80 countries around the world. www.Hollister.com.

Media Contact:

Meredith Castro

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

847-680-1000

SOURCE Hollister Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.hollister.com


ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Homesnap announced today that it ranked 220th on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America, due to the company's revenue growth during this period. Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved median revenue growth of 380 percent.

Homesnap Chief Executive Officer John Mazur credits the fast adoption of Homesnap's search platform for real estate agents and their clients, as well as its partnership with the Broker Public Portal (BPP), for the company's growth. He said, "This is an incredibly exciting time for Homesnap. We are closing in on a national footprint, with over 750,000 agents across the country having access to our mobile real estate productivity platform, Homesnap Pro, and millions of consumers searching for their new home on our search platform each month. We couldn't be happier about the direction of the company."

Homesnap has also introduced many new features to its app over the last year, including a real-time updated newsfeed of relevant real estate transactions in the user's key zip codes; new property types (commercial, co-op, lot/land, mobile and multi-family); Augmented Reality "Walk the Property Lines"; a redesigned Homesnap Pro tab; and an in-app mortgage calculator. Homesnap also relaunched its desktop version to closely match the mobile app, and it introduced a number of new marketing products for agents, including DIY Facebook Video Ads, Facebook Ads for Rentals, and Waze Ads for Homesnap.

Homesnap was selected as the public-facing platform of the Broker Public Portal in January 2017. The Broker Public Portal is an industry-grown initiative that sends all leads from listings on the consumer-facing search platform directly to listing agents and brokers, at no charge. The real estate industry has gotten behind the Broker Public Portal, with multiple listing services (MLSs) representing over 750,000 agents sending their listing data to the portal.

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a U.K. private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the U.S. member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Homesnap

Homesnap is the highest-rated mobile real estate search platform, used by millions of consumers to explore homes and search listings. Homesnap Pro, the professional version of Homesnap, is the fastest-growing platform for agents  now available to every agent in more than 100 MLSs with over 750,000 members. Both are powered by a specialized homes database that combines MLS data, property tax records, census data, geographic boundaries and more. Homesnap is the public-facing brand of the Broker Public Portal, a collaborative venture between real estate brokerages and MLSs to create a national consumer home search experience defined by simplicity, integrity and common sense. The portal aims to provide consumers with direct access to the most comprehensive, timely and complete property information while adhering to fair display guidelines. More information can be found at http://homesnap.com and http://homesnap.com/bpp.

PR Contact: Gayle Weiswasser, Homesnap, 202-271-3914, [email protected]

Related Links

Homesnap

SOURCE Homesnap

Related Links

http://homesnap.com


AUSTIN, Minn., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Hormel Foods joined the ranks of 609 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

"It is an honor to receive a perfect score for the third year in a row on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index," said Andre Goodlett, corporate manager of diversity and inclusion at Hormel Foods. "We believe a diverse and inclusive workforce fosters innovation and creates an environment filled with unique perspectives. As a result, diversity and inclusion help us meet the needs of customers and consumers around the world."

The 2018 CEI rated 947 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. The company's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

"Hormel Foods continues to grow and change to emulate the shifting demographics in our consumer base," said Steve Blevins, co-chair of the HProud & Allies employee resource group at Hormel Foods. "Our commitment to quality extends beyond our products to incorporate our people and culture. Receiving the highest marks on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index shows that people outside the company witness our values in motion. We will continue to provide an atmosphere for all people, cultures and backgrounds."

Hormel Foods was also recently recognized by Forbes on its World's Best Employers 2017 list and was awarded a silver Stevie Award as an Employer of the Year in the food and beverage category. In addition, the company has been on the Best for Vets Employers List by Military Times for five consecutive years and on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List by Corporate Responsibility magazine for nine consecutive years.

For more information about the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenue across 75 countries worldwide. Its brands include SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly Guacamole, Hormel Black Label and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the ninth year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. In 2016, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary and announced its new vision for the future  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  focusing on its legacy of innovation. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and https://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, work and in every community.

Contact:

Kelly Braaten

507-437-5345

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

Related Links

http://www.hormel.com


KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Houlihan's Restaurants will honor America's veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, 2017 with a complimentary meal.

"We are proud to honor our veterans and active duty military," said Mike Archer, chief executive officer of Houlihan's. "On Saturday, November 11, every Houlihan's across the country will provide a special offer for the men and women who have served our country, or who are currently serving."

While the offer may vary in some markets, Houlihan's restaurants located in the following markets will offer veterans and active-duty military a complimentary meal from a special Veterans Day menu:

Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Lansing, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis and San Antonio, as well as the Houlihan's in Rogers, Arkansas.

The Veterans Day menu is comprised of guest favorites including the Houlihan's Burger, Heartland Grilled Chicken Salad, Fish and Chips, Brentwood Chicken Sandwich, Southwest Grilled Chicken Wrap, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and a 5-oz. Petite Top Sirloin.

In order to receive a free meal on Saturday, November 11, 2017, guests will need to provide proof of military service which may include a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, Citation or Commendation.

For the closest Houlihan's restaurant, operating hours and to confirm the Veterans Day special for your local restaurant, visit www.Houlihans.com/find-a-location.

Offer valid on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at participating Houlihan's restaurants. Dine-in only from special Veterans Day menu. Not valid with any other offer. Beverages and gratuity not included. Limit one (1) meal per veteran or active-duty military.

Established in 1972, Houlihan's is privately owned by Kansas City-based Houlihan's Restaurants, Inc. There are nearly 80 company- and franchise-owned Houlihan's restaurants located primarily in the Midwest and the eastern United States.

SOURCE Houlihans Restaurants

Related Links

http://www.houlihans.com


With offices in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana, Wells Fargo Crop Insurance Agency offers insurance solutions to protect agriculture-related operations. Representing the top crop insurance providers, Wells Fargo Crop provides insurance brokerage services for more than 130 types of crops, plus standard federal multi-peril and crop hail policies. It also helps farmers protect their operations with programs such as revenue protection and state-specific offerings.

Rene LeVeaux, President of Hub International Mountain States Limited (Hub Mountain), said, "Hub Mountain is aggressively investing in its crop and agriculture business. This acquisition will position Hub Mountain as one of the largest crop brokers in the Midwest and Northwest. As such, we will continue to provide additional resources to ensure our crop and agriculture clients receive the best products and service to protect their operations."

Following the acquisition, the Wells Fargo Crop team members will join Hub Mountain, continuing to service and support clients. Jeff Kemink, National Crop Insurance Manager of Wells Fargo Crop, and Jean Hinsverk, Assistant VP and Operations Manager, will join Hub Mountain in leadership roles. Kemink will report to LeVeaux and Hinsverk directly to Kemink with a close partnership with Wayne Dauwen, COO of Hub Mountain.

"Our clients will continue to receive the same dedicated sales and service support from team members who have assisted them in the past with their crop and operations protection," said Kemink. "By joining Hub, they will also benefit from Hub's extensive network of insurance specialists in management liability, employee benefits and risk services to best help them protect and grow their businesses."

About Hub's M&A Activities

Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com.

About Hub International

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Hub International Limited is a leading global insurance brokerage that provides property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services from offices located throughout North America. For more information, please visit hubinternational.com.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,400 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 268,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune's 2017 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

HUB Media: Marni Gordon

Phone: 312-279-4601

[email protected]

HUB M&A: Clark Wormer

Phone: 312.279.4848

[email protected]

Wells Fargo Media: Sarah Hatch

505-818-7480

[email protected]

Wells Fargo Investor Relations: John Campbell

(415) 396-0523

[email protected]

SOURCE Hub International Limited

Related Links

http://www.hubinternational.com


SOUTHBOUROUGH, Mass., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MIS Training Institute (MISTI), the international leader in information security, audit and IT audit training, is pleased to announce InfoSec World 2018 Conference and Expo, scheduled for March 19-21. One of the longest running annual conferences dedicated to the business of information security will take place at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

This year's agenda addresses information security issues and questions plaguing security professionals at all types and sizes of organizations. Talks cover a diverse range of topics, such as: information security best practices in the age of cloud, IoT and data analytics; building the ideal security architecture for complex, dynamic, and interconnected systems; effective incident management; and the automation and commoditization of information security, and many others.

"Today's security professionals need skills to be both a business partner and enabler, and the technical expertise to prevent, detect, and respond to security challenges," said Katherine Teitler, Director of Content, MISTI. "Our goal for InfoSec World is to provide a platform that brings together security practitioners to advance their knowledge of the technologies, processes, and procedures that allow them to run a more secure, agile business, and enable them to identify, manage, and communicate information security risk throughout their organizations."

The three-day main conference features expert keynote addresses, stimulating panel discussions and interactive roundtables, hands-on tech labs as well as informative breakout sessions. Additionally, InfoSec World 2018 offers hands-on pre- and post-conference workshops. Focused summits on CISO Leadership, Cloud Security and Privacy and Risk are also scheduled. To top it off, this gathering provides a rare opportunity for information security professionals to network, in an intimate yet vibrant setting, with more than 1,000 attendees from a range of industries, professional backgrounds and countries.

Must Attend Sessions at InfoSec World 2018 Include:

The wide-ranging agenda covers all aspects of cybersecurity, including: information security management and strategies; hacking and the threats landscape; governance, risk and compliance; and information security infrastructure and operations. Listed here are the keynotes sessions this year.

"Are We There Yet?" - Getting There Is Only Half the Trip

By Amelie E. Koran, Deputy CIO, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General

We are now in the midst of the next wave of information security, with a more diverse and dispersed talent pool, varying and more advanced threats and millions of potential attack surfaces multiplying by the hour. Are we in good hands, or do we need to hand over the driver's seat to somebody else? This talk takes a high-level view of information security practices thus far  addressing the good and the bad, where those practices have led us and what we, as a security community, need to do as we move forward.

Are We Over-Investing or Under-Investing in Cybersecurity Year Over Year? How do We Know?

By Devon Bryan, Executive Vice President and CISO for the Federal Reserve System

In what ways can we provide defensible and quantitative responses to calculate ROI and justify the cybersecurity budget to the Board of Directors? Furthermore, how do we assure the organization's leadership, including the CFO, that the security organization is rightly prioritizing cybersecurity financial investments against the organization's riskiest items? This keynote address explores contemporary approaches to defensible cybersecurity budget and investment priorities, based on risk quantification techniques.

Integration of the Electronic Storage Detection K-9

By Ian Polhemus (Detective K9 Handler, City of Seattle), Todd Jordan (K9 Electronic Detection Expert), Bear (Labrador Retriever, Electronic Detection K9, Cybercrime Fighter)

Though cyber investigators can track down more digital information than most criminals think, retrieval of data from external sourceshard drives, USBs, and detachable storagecan provide additional evidence and speed up processes that might otherwise take weeks or months to uncover. But did you know that electronic storage devices can be detected by scent?

This keynote address introduces attendees to the newest technology component in K-9 investigations. It provides an overview of the Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K-9 program, including the law enforcement and civilian applications in use today. Attendees will also see a live demonstration from one of these exceptional K9 - "Bear" who became famous after finding key digital evidence in the Jared Fogle child pornography case.

Getting to "Reasonable" and Learning to Love "Grey"

By Whitney Merrill, Privacy, eCommerce and Consumer Protection Counsel, Electronic Arts (EA)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the leading privacy and data security law enforcement authority, requires companies to implement "reasonable security" to protect personal information. But what does "reasonable" mean? Does PCI or SOC 2 compliance suffice? If you look at the term "reasonable security" and cringe, asking yourself, "well...where's the checkbox of things I need to have to have reasonable security," you're doing security wrong.

This talk discusses the long history of "reasonableness" in law, why reasonableness should be embraced and how to approach creating a reasonableness-based data security program.

Preparing Security Professionals for the Next Wave of Cyber Threats:

InfoSec World 2018 introduces Tech Labs and Tech Challenges, which offer information security professionals opportunities to gain firsthand experience and learn from seasoned professionals in real-life security scenarios.

Tech Labs

These 2-3 hour sessions are hands-on, guided learning for participants. Students learn new skills by working through real-life red and blue team simulations. An expert mentor guides them through written instructions to complete the full exercise.

Capture the Flag Tech Challenges

In teams of up to four people, InfoSec World attendees, sponsors, and students are invited to participate in a prepared Capture the Flag challenge taking place among all the action in the Expo! Teams will have to combine their knowledge and skills sets to compete together and complete the challenge. Each team's real-time progress will be projected on a big screen, so bring your A-game!

The listed features only represent some of the highlights of the highly interactive and topical program. For more information on the conference, its detailed agenda as well as logistics, please visit: https://infosecworld.misti.com.

To become a part of this vibrant community of global information security experts, register today!

About InfoSec World Conference and Expo

For more than 20 years security professionals have made InfoSec World the "business of security" conference. Produced by MIS Training Institute (MISTI), InfoSec World assembles information security professionals from every market and field of study, from nations around the world.

About MIS Training Institute

MIS Training Institute (www.misti.com) is the international leader in information security, audit, and IT audit training. MISTI has trained more than 200,000 delegates across five continents, offering conferences, on-site training, and seminars in Information Security, Internal and IT Auditing, SOX Compliance, Network Infrastructures, Operating Environments, and Enterprise Applications, as well as Web-based training.

SOURCE MIS Training Institute

Related Links

http://www.misti.com/


KFAR SABA, Israel, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Innoviz Technologies, a leading provider of LiDAR sensing solutions, announced today that is has won the CES 2018 Innovation Awards Honoree recognition in the Vehicle Intelligence and Self-Driving Technology category for its groundbreaking InnovizPro High Definition Solid State LiDAR. Products recognized for this honor on one of technology's most exclusive lists meet the highest standards for outstanding product design and engineering as judged by a panel of highly respected experts in their field.

InnovizPro will be Available in 2018 and will Enable Effective Development and Testing of Autonomous Driving Technologies Innoviz Team of Renowned Expertise in the Fields of Electro-Optics, Computer Vision, MEMS Design and Signal Processing.

"We are elated to have InnovizPro recognized by the CES 2018 Innovation Awards, considered the preeminent award in the entire technology industry," said Omer Keilaf, Co-founder and CEO of Innoviz. "Our groundbreaking LiDAR solutions have not only set a new standard for performance and safety, but come at the mass market price that no other LiDAR solutions have been able to attain. Their real impact, however, lies in the fact that they are currently going into mass production, enabling the industry to move towards mass commercialization at an accelerated pace."

Innoviz's LiDAR technology leverages the company's proprietary System, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Detector designs to deliver the industry's most accurate and longest-ranging autonomous vehicle sensing capabilities. The company's groundbreaking, solid-state design enables it to deliver LiDAR in a more compact, reliable device that provides higher performance than other LiDARs currently on the market. InnovizPro, a development platform designed to provide auto manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and technology companies with the most advanced LiDAR available for testing and development, will be available in the first quarter of 2018. Samples of InnovizOne, the company's automotive grade LiDAR device for levels 3 - 5 autonomous driving, will be available in 2019.

Innoviz's precise sensing technology enables it to provide a superior algorithmic layer that uses deep learning to turn 3D vision into critical driving insights. By providing advanced software solutions in areas such as HD mapping and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping), the company is able to deliver the Object Detection and Classification capabilities necessary to move the industry towards mass commercialization.

Innoviz has raised $82 million since its founding in January 2016, including from several leading stakeholders in the automotive industry such as Delphi Automotive, Magna International and Samsung Catalyst. Innoviz also signed a partnership agreement with manufacturing company Jabil Optics to mass produce InnovizPro. The company has steadily expanded its team, which now consists of 100 employees, and plans to open offices in key geographical markets in 2018.

Innoviz will demonstrate its award-winning LiDAR sensor technology at the 2018 CES conference in the Smart Cities Hall, Tech East, Westgate, Booth 2101. In addition, Innoviz LiDAR will be featured in the following partner booths: Valens: LVCC North Hall, Booth 5931, Jabil: Sands Expo - Zeno, Booth 4702-4705. CES will be held January 9 - 12, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Innoviz's LiDAR will also be on display at the Innovation Awards Showcase within the Venetian Ballroom at CES Tech West.

CES Innovation Awards entries are evaluated on their engineering, aesthetic and design qualities, intended use/function and user value, unique/novel features present and how the design and innovation of the product directly compares to other products in the marketplace. Products chosen as CES Innovation Honorees reflect innovative design and engineering in some of the most cutting edge tech products and services coming to market.

About Innoviz Technologies

Innoviz is a leading provider of cutting-edge LiDAR remote sensing solutions to enable the mass commercialization of autonomous vehicles. The company's LiDAR products, InnovizOne and InnovizPro, offer solid-state design that uses Proprietary technology to deliver superior performance at the cost and size required for mass market adoption. Headquartered in Israel, the company was founded in January 2016 by former members of the elite technological unit of the Israeli Defense Forces with renowned expertise in the fields of electro-optics, computer vision, MEMS design and signal processing. Innoviz is backed by strategic partners and top-tier investors throughout the world. For more information, visit www.innoviz.tech.

SOURCE Innoviz Technologies Ltd

Related Links

http://www.innoviz.tech


BOSTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), the global leader in storage and information management services, today announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Iron Mountain joins the ranks of 609 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.



"One of our goals is to build and sustain an inclusive culture where all Iron Mountain employees are able to bring their whole, authentic selves to work and pursue their potential," said Ty Ondatje, senior vice president for Corporate Responsibility and chief diversity officer, Iron Mountain. "We believe that having a diverse employee base that reflects our customers and communities not only sustains our business, but is critical for our success. Iron Mountain benefits from an exceptional global talent pool of employees with different abilities, perspectives and backgrounds, and we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our employees to thrive. We are thrilled to have that commitment reflected in our score on the Corporate Equality Index."

The 2018 CEI rated 947 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Iron Mountain's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.



Iron Mountain's commitment to inclusion and diversity manifests in both internal and external programs, and recognition, that promote a workplace environment where all employees feel valued, connected and inspired contribute to the company's success. These include:

The founding of an executive-sponsored employee resource group (ERG) for LGBTQ employees to help promote advocacy and awareness;

Recognition by OUTstanding and The Financial Times for having a "Top 50 Executive Ally"  John Tomovcsik , executive vice president and general manager for Records Management, North America  supporting and promoting LGBTQ advocacy and awareness in the workplace.

For more information on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei. In addition, to read about Iron Mountain's commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit http://www.ironmountain.com/About-Us/Corporate-Social-Responsibility/Our-People.aspx.

About Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is the global leader for storage and information management services. Trusted by more than 230,000 organizations around the world, Iron Mountain boasts a real estate network of more than 85 million square feet across more than 1,400 facilities in 53 countries dedicated to protecting and preserving what matters most for its customers. Iron Mountain's solutions portfolio includes records management, data management, cloud services, document management, data centers, art storage and logistics, and secure shredding to help organizations to lower storage costs, comply with regulations, recover from disaster, and better use their information. Founded in 1951, Iron Mountain stores and protects billions of information assets, including critical business documents, electronic information, medical data and cultural and historical artifacts. Visit www.ironmountain.com for more information.

About the Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.



Contact :

Christian T. Potts

Iron Mountain Incorporated

(617) 535-8721

[email protected]

SOURCE Iron Mountain Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.ironmountain.com


BOSTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) announced at Greenbuild International Conference and Expo that they are teaming up to enhance WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) education for the design community. Beginning in February 2018, ASID members who have or receive IWBI's WELL Faculty designation will lead WELL AP exam preparation courses throughout the United States. ASID members will receive discounted pricing as a way to increase the opportunity for those in the design community to obtain the WELL AP credential.

"ASID is excited about this opportunity to make WELL education and exam prep more readily available to our members," said ASID CEO Randy Fiser, Hon. FASID. "Healthy living begins with design and our community is leading that work. Becoming WELL AP is a way to demonstrate that one has the expertise to create a space that is focused on the health and well-being of the occupants."

The WELL AP credential denotes expertise in the WELL Building Standard and a commitment to advancing human health and wellness in buildings and communities. WELL Accredited Professionals have demonstrated proficiency in the field of design, health, and wellness in the built environment through the WELL AP exam. Currently more than 2,000 people around the globe are WELL APs, with another 3,500 registered for the exam.

The ASID website contains information about the special Greenbuild WELL AP promotional package that includes exam registration, an e-textbook, a study guide, and a reservation for one of the WELL Faculty-led training sessions conducted by ASID members.

Following Greenbuild, ASID members and stakeholders can continue to access special discounted pricing for the exam prep bundle and training led by WELL Faculty members from ASID. Greenbuild is the official launch of the "Design Life, Design Well" campaign from ASID and IWBI. It will include marketing and promotional efforts to increase the visibility of the role of interior designers in creating healthier spaces and places.

"We are proud to partner with ASID to bring these resources directly to their members and stakeholders," said IWBI Chief Product Officer Rachel Gutter. "Their market leadership demonstrates a tremendous understanding of the importance of using our buildings and communities to help improve our health and well-being. We are excited about the opportunities going forward."

For more information, visit asid.org/learn/well.

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation that is leading the movement to promote health and wellness in buildings and communities everywhere. IWBI delivers the cutting-edge WELL Building Standard and the WELL Community Standard, performance-based systems for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of buildings and communities that impact the health and wellness of the people who live, work and learn in them. It also supports the growing number of professionals who seek WELL accreditation, as administered by GBCI. www.wellcertified.com



About ASID

The American Society of Interior Designers believes that design transforms lives. ASID serves the full range of the interior design profession and practice through the Society's programs, networks, and advocacy. We thrive on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. We lead interior designers in shared conversations around topics that matter: from evidence-based and humancentric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability. We showcase the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide.

ASID was founded over 40 years ago when two organizations became one, but its legacy dates back to the early 1930s. As we celebrate nearly 85 years of industry leadership, we are leading the future of interior design, continuing to integrate the advantages of local connections with national reach, of small firms with big, and of the places we live with the places we work, play, and heal.

Contact: Joseph Cephas, VP Communications, ASID

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.asid.org

SOURCE American Society of Interior Designers

Related Links

http://www.asid.org


WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Janus Global Operations, an international integrated stability operations company, has been tasked to provide a component of range support services for the U.S. Air Force.

Janus Global's project work will be under URS Federal Services, an AECOM company, which has been awarded a 16-year, $3.6 billion Air Force contract to provide range support services.

The overall project includes "mission and target management support for testing, tactics, development, advanced training, and Air Force and Joint urgent operational needs missions" at Air Force bases in Nevada and California, AECOM announced.

These sites include the Nevada Test and Training Range, Leach Lake Training Range, and Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases.

Janus Global Operations stability operations work is conducted by thousands of employees serving clients in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Janus' services include munitions response; demining; intelligence support; logistics; life support; risk management; communications; and other services in some of the world's most challenging and hostile environments. The company's website is www.janusgo.com.

SOURCE Janus Global Operations

Related Links

http://www.janusgo.com


PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jornaya, the fast-growing consumer journey insights platform, today announced it has been named to Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 list, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America.

"Being named to Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work of our employees," said Ross Shanken, CEO at Jornaya. "Our rapid growth has been a result of our dedication on continuously delivering value for our customers and partners, providing them with the highest resolution view of the consumer buying journey."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, Vice Chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

"Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."

Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 137 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 378 percent.

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Jornaya

Jornaya is the consumer journey insight platform that provides publishers, marketers, analytics, and compliance professionals with the highest-resolution view of the consumer buying journey. It is the only technology platform that witnesses both first- and third-party consumer interactions in real time and across devices. Meeting consumers at these moments of intent enables businesses to shorten the distance between data, decision, and action. Jornaya seamlessly integrates with any buyer journey decision process or toolkit. Visit www.jornaya.com for more information.

Media Contact:

Sebastian Pistritto

Chief Marketing Officer

Jornaya

(267) 460-7287 X1740

[email protected]

SOURCE Jornaya

Related Links

jornaya.com


BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kno2, the company that optimizes patient document exchange for everyone in healthcare, today announced that healthcare industry veteran Tom Visotsky has been named vice president of vertical market sales.

With his distinguished track record as a visionary leader in healthcare business development, Mr. Visotsky's primary focus will be on supporting the dynamic growth of Kno2's industry-changing interoperability platform. Kno2 currently serves electronic health record (EHR) developers covering the majority of the post-acute care market, a largely underserved segment that often struggles to enable secure electronic patient document exchange. Its interoperability platform is also incorporated into numerous EHRs for the emergency medical services, acute and ambulatory care providers.

Mr. Visotsky will manage the expansion of the Kno2 platform among its partners and their customers, empowering a multitude of providers throughout the care continuum to quickly and cost-effectively exchange electronic patient information. The Kno2 interoperability platform is currently being used to securely share electronic patient information via cloud fax, Direct messaging or document query within the current workflows of hospitals and health systems; physician practices; skilled nursing facilities; assisted/independent living communities; hospice organizations; emergency medical services; physical, behavioral and occupational therapy offices; and other providers.

"I became a strategic partner with Kno2 in 2016, and from the moment I was introduced to Kno2's technology and the great team behind it, I was tremendously impressed with the possibilities of achieving full interoperability for our customer base and, more importantly, for the healthcare marketplace at large," Mr. Visotsky said. "With most technologies, you can only impact a narrow range of organizations. Kno2 offers an opportunity to walk into virtually any healthcare organization and solve one of their most pressing problemsinteroperability. I'm looking forward to working with our partners to incorporate the Kno2 platform into everyday provider workflows. It's a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the way that healthcare is delivered to all of us."

Mr. Visotsky has nearly 20 years of direct healthcare industry experience. He comes to Kno2 from HCS, developers of an integrated clinical and financial IT platform for long-term acute care hospital (LTACH), senior living and behavioral health facilities, where he was executive vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to HCS, he excelled in a variety of sales and marketing leadership roles at Sutherland Healthcare Solutions, The Advisory Board, IntraNexus, Cerner and 3M.

"Tom is energetic and driven by nature, and he is a true believer in our mission to connect all of healthcare simply, quickly and affordably," said Jon Elwell, CEO of Kno2. "His skills, background and experience are a perfect match to help support our significant growth in the post-acute care market. With healthcare now moving toward a value-based model, the industry is recognizing the contributions post-acute care providers make to delivering better health outcomes. The Kno2 interoperability platform addresses that need, and we are thrilled to know that someone of Tom's caliber will help drive the proliferation of our solutions to providers throughout the full continuum of healthcare."

About Kno2

Kno2 optimizes patient document exchange for everyone in healthcare. The company's cloud-based platform improves the healthcare experience for providers and their patients by making the sharing of documents easy, affordable and secure. Even healthcare providers with limited resources can participate in the simple, structured exchange of patient documentswithout changing their workflow or technology infrastructure. The Kno2 platform captures and exchanges documents from virtually any source, ranging from a fax machine to an EMR/EHR. The intelligent platform determines the most interoperable format and method of exchange for a document. All of this functionality is available through a simple set of APIs or through Kno2's provider portal. Learn more about how Kno2 adds value to patient document exchange at www.kno2.com.

Media Contact:

Joy DiNaro

Amendola Communications for Kno2

[email protected]

847.809.0406

SOURCE Kno2

Related Links

http://www.kno2.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- General Assembly (GA) today announced the formation of an employer-led Digital Marketing Standards Board, which aims to increase transparency and access to careers within the fast-growing field of digital marketing. Designed to foster collaboration at a time when employers compete for digital marketing talent, the Standards Board will identify and define skills required for success, commission skill-based assessments, and establish performance thresholds for workforce-relevant credentials.

The number of job postings calling for digital marketing skills has nearly doubled in the last five years; now, four in 10 marketing job openings seek candidates with digital skills. These jobs take 16% longer to fill than traditional marketing jobs and offer a $7,000 salary premium.

"Pervasive skill and equity gaps in digital marketing reflect two related challenges: lack of unbiased tools to help employers quantify and understand the skill sets that matter, and inadequate transparency for job-seekers trying to understand what employers are looking for," said Jake Schwartz, CEO and co-founder of General Assembly. "Over the last two years, we've had a team working behind the scenes with employers to create authentic, standardized assessments that measure the combination of skills that are required for success in the digital marketing profession."

"As a company recognized as a school of marketing, it's a priority for us to drive the transformation of marketing in the digital era by allowing current and prospective employees to benchmark themselves globally," said Marie Gulin-Merle, Chief Marketing Officer of L'Oreal USA. "We're excited to partner with the Standards Board to drive the profession forward while engaging top talent."

The work of the Standards Board will be rooted in the development and maintenance of industry-standard assessments, designed to predict job performance and match capabilities of job-seekers through the simulation of workplace demands. Employers can utilize data from assessments, already taken by thousands of employees worldwide, to quantify competencies of employees and job-seekers across a range of dimensions.

"Digital marketers must master a broad range of skills  from user experience to media valuation  in order to navigate an increasingly fragmented network of potential consumer touchpoints," said Matthew DelRe, Director of Cross Product Solutions at Google. "As the demand for these skills continues to grow, it is critical for industry leaders to come together and create clear pathways to help aspiring marketing professionals invest in the skills they need."

The Standards Board will also publish skill maps to make career pathways more transparent. By mapping the competencies required for success on the job, employers intend to expand the pool of talent and increase the diversity of candidates pursuing careers within the digital marketing field.

Members of the Digital Marketing Standards Board include: Matt DelRe, Director of Cross Product Solutions, Google; Marie Gulin-Merle, CMO, L'Oreal USA; Ben Harrell, SVP of Brand & Digital Marketing, Priceline; Gail Horwood, SVP of Integrated Marketing, Kellogg; Micky Onvural, Co-President, Bonobos; Seth Rogin, CEO, Nucleus; Geoff Sanders, VP of Marketing, Betterment; Andrew Stephen, Associate Dean of Research and L'Oreal Professor of Marketing, Said Business School, University of Oxford; Joy Howard, CMO, Sonos; Greg Butler, VP of Miller Brands, MillerCoors; and Joseph Thompson, CMO, BuildDirect Technologies.

Standards boards are needed to increase transparency and access to career opportunities in a wide range of emerging fields. In addition to the Digital Marketing Standards Board, General Assembly is working to bring together leaders across high-demand fields including data science and more.

About General Assembly

General Assembly (GA) is advancing the future of work by equipping individuals and corporations alike with the most in-demand 21st-century skills. Offering training and assessments in web development, data science, digital marketing, and more, GA is building transparent career pathways for people, and sustainable, diverse talent pipelines for employers. With 20 locations, immersive online offerings, onsite trainings for the Fortune 500, and a global community of professionals nearly 1 million strong, GA is the leading source for training, staffing, and career transitions.

SOURCE General Assembly
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LIGHTMED Corporation, a global ophthalmic medical device company, today announced it has been awarded a competitive tender for ophthalmic laser equipment from Mexico's Ministry of Health, the government department in charge of all social health services in Mexico.

(L-R) Director del Seguro Social de Hidalgo Dr. Juan Carlos Bravo, LIGHTMED Sales Admin & Office Manager Elissa Berg, LIGHTMED Executive Chairman of the Board Gary Lee, Chief del Hospital Infantil de Mexico Dr. Marco Antonio Ramirez, Ing Israel Barron from Grupo Aldai S.A. de C.V. and LIGHTMED Latin America Sales Manager Arnold Flores at LIGHTMED's San Clemente, CA office on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2017 for advanced hands-on training. (L-R) LIGHTMED CEO Shlomo Alkalay, Chief del Hospital Infantil de Mexico Dr. Marco Antonio Ramirez, Ing Israel Barron from Grupo Aldai S.A. de C.V. and Director del Seguro Social de Hidalgo Dr. Juan Carlos Bravo at LIGHTMED's San Clemente, CA office on Thursday, Nov 2, 2017 for advanced hands-on training.

"Winning this tender is especially important to LIGHTMED because our LIGHTLas 810 photocoagulator laser will have a significant nation-wide impact on raising patients' quality of life in Mexico. The delivery and installation of our lasers will activate Mexico's National Medical Facilities Equipment Program to combat premature retinopathy and improve the overall health of its citizens," said Shlomo Alkalay, CEO of LIGHTMED.

"Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of preventable blindness in Mexican children," said Dr. Marco Antonio Ramirez, Chief del Hospital Infantil de Mexico. Shlomo added, "The Ministry of Health acknowledged a relatively high prevalence of ROP in Mexico's population so it's a crucial time to start a proactive blindness prevention program. We are honored to collaborate with their efforts."

The Mexican government chose the LIGHTLas 810 laser for its bells and whistles, including the innovative SP-Mode, LIGHTMED's microsecond pulse sub-threshold technology that enhances treatment safety, precision and versatility. Since Mexican hospitals treat a high volume of retina disease in pediatric patients, Dr. Ramirez explained that "we needed a cutting-edge, high quality 'work horse' to be able to keep up with our hospitals' demanding treatment schedules and launch our nation-wide health program. We are pleased that LIGHTMED offered the exact solution we were looking for."

Under the agreement terms signed by Dr. Ramirez, US-based LIGHTMED Corporation will provide 18 LIGHTLas 810 photocoagulator lasers for use in the major ophthalmology clinics and government run hospitals in Mexico by the end of November. The lasers will be strategically placed in areas with the most urgent need, including dense patient hospitals. LIGHTMED will also provide advanced hands-on training to key Mexican surgeons in its San Clemente, CA office.

About LIGHTMED Corporation:

LIGHTMED is a medical device and technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing a full spectrum of innovative laser systems for the ophthalmic market. The company's product suite includes advanced solutions for cataract, glaucoma, corneal, and retinal diseases. LIGHTMED has been in business since 1997 with its own R&D and manufacturing facility. All of LIGHTMED's products are backed by an industry leading warranty and are guaranteed with proactive routine inspections through its sales and service centers located worldwide.

Visit www.lightmed.com for more information. Connect with LIGHTMED on Facebook (@lightmedusa), Linked In (LIGHTMED), and Twitter (@LIGHTMEDUSA).

Contact Information:

LIGHTMED Corporate Communications

Elissa Berg

(949) 218-9555

[email protected]

SOURCE LIGHTMED

Related Links

http://www.lightmed.com


VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Mason Resources Corp. (TSX:MNR; OTCQB:MSSNF  "Mason Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, effective November 9, 2017, the Company's common shares will commence trading on the OTCQB in the United States, under the symbol "MSSNF". Mason Resources shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MNR".

Stephen Scott, President and CEO of Mason Resources stated, "The OTCQB market will provide our growing shareholder base with increased visibility and transparency by facilitating trading of our common shares in the United States. While our primary listing is on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, we appreciate that some investors prefer to trade in U.S. dollars on the OTCQB market".

Information relating to Mason Resources as well as Real-Time level 2 quotes for Mason Resources will be available on www.otcmarkets.com.

ABOUT MASON RESOURCES CORP.

Mason Resources Corp. is a well-funded Canadian company focused on copper exploration and development in the U.S.A. The Company's key asset is its 100% owned Ann Mason Project  an extensive, prospective land package located in the Yerington District of Nevada. The Ann Mason Project hosts two copper-molybdenum porphyry deposits, Ann Mason and Blue Hill, as well as numerous earlier-stage or untested priority targets. The Ann Mason deposit is currently at a PEA level and is among the largest undeveloped copper porphyry resources in Canada/U.S.A. The excellent infrastructure, year-round access, strong community support and clear permitting process are all factors that contribute to making Yerington, Nevada one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Mason also holds a 100% interest in the Lordsburg property, an exciting earlier-stage copper-gold porphyry project, located within an historic mining district in New Mexico.

Mason Resources' strong financial position and high-quality asset portfolio provide it with a solid foundation and flexibility for growth, by advancing development of Ann Mason towards Pre-Feasibility, introducing one or more strategic development partners, exploring high priority targets or considering strategic acquisitions. Major shareholders in Mason Resources include Mantos Copper (Bermuda) Limited and Hudbay Minerals Inc., owning 17.5% and 13.9%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding shares of Mason Resources. More information on Mason Resources can be found at www.MasonResources.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.

While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of the Company's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions and the environment in which Mason Resources will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum. Uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, unanticipated costs, expenses or liabilities; discrepancies between actual and anticipated production, mineral resources and metallurgical recoveries; the size, grade and continuity of deposits not being interpreted correctly from exploration results; the results of preliminary test work not being indicative of the results of future test work; fluctuations in commodity prices and demand; changing foreign exchange rates; actions by government authorities; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the impact of changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices, including laws, regulations and government practices with respect to mining, foreign investment, royalties and taxation; the terms and timing of obtaining necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability and cost of necessary items such as power, water, skilled labour, transportation and appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk; risks associated with changes in the attitudes of governments to foreign investment; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; inability to upgrade Inferred mineral resources to Indicated or Measured mineral resources; inability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; conclusions of economic evaluations; future prices of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals, permits or licences or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; environmental risks; title disputes; limitations on insurance coverage; as well as those factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion & Analysis available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Mason Resources
AMARILLO, Texas, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxor National Pharmacy Services, LLC (Maxor), a leading pharmacy services platform, announced today the appointment of Joe Ellison as Senior Vice President of Human Resources. As a member of the Maxor senior leadership team, Ellison will assume responsibility for organizational development, strategic human resource planning, talent recruitment, and employee engagement.

"I am passionate about the dynamic intersection of great talent, aligned with high-quality health care services to improve the lives of others," said Ellison.

Ellison brings over 20 years of leadership experience in complex, multi-site healthcare and technology businesses. Prior to joining Maxor, Ellison led nationwide HR teams in PBM, specialty pharmacy, and disease care management.

"We are pleased to have Joe join the Maxor team. His extensive experience leading value-added HR contributions to fuel performance and meaningful engagement will be a fundamental enabler of our future growth," said Mike Ellis, CEO of Maxor.

About Maxor

Established in 1926, Maxor is a leading pharmacy services platform that consists of the following business segments: MaxorPlus, providing client and patient-focused pharmacy benefit management services; Maxor Pharmacy Management and Consulting Services, providing on-site outpatient pharmacy management, 340B audits, and consulting services to hospitals, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Disproportionate Share Hospitals, and employer groups; Maxor Specialty, providing specialty pharmacy, respiratory, and home infusion services; and PickPoint, providing the design, creation, manufacturing and distribution of pharmacy technology solutions that improve the accuracy, safety and efficiency of medication delivery. More information on Maxor can be found by visiting www.maxor.com.

SOURCE Maxor National Pharmacy Services, LLC

Related Links

http://www.maxor.com


Presentations Will Provide Updates on Drug Distribution and Safety Results

TORONTO and HOUSTON, TX, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. ("Medicenna" or the "Company") (TSX: MDNA; OTCQX: MDNAF), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, today announced that Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz, MD, PhD, Kinetics Foundation Chair in Translational Research and Professor in Residence of Neurological Surgery at the University of California San Francisco, will present early results from the on-going clinical trial of the Company's targeted immunotherapy, MDNA55, at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Neuro-Oncology ("SNO") to be held from November 15-19, 2017 in San Francisco, CA.

The oral and poster presentations by Dr. Bankiewicz will provide an update on drug distribution and safety data from the MDNA55 Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), the most common and deadly form of brain cancer.

The details of the presentations are as follows:

Title: Clinical Trials of Direct Delivery of Gliomas: Update on the MDNA55 Program Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Time: Oral Presentation: 10:25  10:45 am Session: The 2017 SNO-SCIDOT Conference on Therapeutic Delivery to the Central Nervous System (CNS) Location: Marriott Marquis Hotel, San Francisco

Title: MRI-guided convective delivery of MDNA55, an interleukin-4 receptor targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma Date: Saturday, November 18, 2017 Time: Poster Session: 5:00 PM Location: Marriott Marquis Hotel, San Francisco

About Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.

Medicenna is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing novel highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines and first in class Empowered Cytokines (ECs). Its wholly owned subsidiary, Houston-based Medicenna BioPharma, is specifically targeting the Interleukin-4 Receptor (IL4R), which is over-expressed by at least 20 different types of cancer affecting more than one million new cancer patients every year. Medicenna's lead IL4-EC, MDNA55 is enrolling patients in a CPRIT (Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas) funded Phase 2b clinical trial for rGBM at leading brain cancer centres in the US. MDNA55 has completed 3 clinical trials in 72 patients, including 66 adults with rGBM, demonstrated compelling efficacy and obtained Fast-Track and Orphan Drug status from USFDA. Unlike most other cancer therapies, Medicenna's IL4-ECs have the potential to purge both the tumor and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, offering a unique treatment paradigm for a large majority of cancer patients.

For more information, please visit www.medicenna.com.

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 future plans and objectives of the Company and others 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 include the risks detailed in the annual information form of the Company dated June 15, 2017 and in other filings made by the Company with the applicable securities regulators from time to time.

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. 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 update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.
"Once again, our jury of top automotive designers was impressed by the creativity, innovation and quality of the entries," said Thom Roach, vice president of original-equipment marketing for Michelin North America. "The biggest surprise was the interest in pick-ups, or open-bedded vehicles, from so many unexpected places and how designers saw the opportunity for such vehicles to meet the needs in their respective countries or regions.

"Given the surprising growth in SUV and CUV categories around the world, it will be very interesting to see if pick-ups and open-bedded vehicles also grow well beyond the traditional markets. We have already seen early signs with new concepts and vehicles from Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, PSA and others recently introduced or announced," Roach said.

The three winning designs, seven additional finalists and eight honorable mentions were chosen by the jury from among more than 1,200 registrants representing 73 countries. Over 17 years, Michelin Challenge Design has received more than 12,000 entries from 126 countries.

Winners of the 2018 Michelin Challenge Design:

First place: Josh Sandrock of San Diego, Calif. , USA , for design entry "Volkswagen Type 10 Pick Up"

of , , for design entry "Volkswagen Type 10 Pick Up" Second place: Daniel Yee of Cleveland, Ohio ; Marcus Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio ; and Claire Keys Pytlik of Cincinnati, Ohio , USA , for "Michelin ToolBOX Pick Up"

of ; of ; and of , , for "Michelin ToolBOX Pick Up" Third place: Vinod Pakalapati and Surya Konijeti of Pune , India for "X Pick"

Finalists of the 2018 Michelin Challenge Design (in alphabetical order):

Benoit Aubertin of Ciboure, France , and Antoine Alaurent of Saucats, France , for design entry "Woodcutter Climber"

of Ciboure, , and Antoine Alaurent of Saucats, , for design entry "Woodcutter Climber" Hawon Jang of Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea , for "Mini Square"

of Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, , for "Mini Square" Wojciech Jurkowski of Krakow , Poland , for "Renault Subtil"

of , , for "Renault Subtil" Yixing Liao , Wei Wang , Hangbin Xu , Kang Zeng , Daiqi Fan and Jiali Han of Hangzhou , China , for "UFORCE 16"

, , , , Daiqi Fan and of , for "UFORCE 16" Alfred Munkenbeck of London , United Kingdom , for "Sherpa"

of , , for "Sherpa" Li Pengliang and Sun Hongyang of Zhengzhou , China , for "Oasis"

, , for "Oasis" Thomas Weger of Edgerton, Wis. , USA , for "MSW Pick Up"

Juror Comments

"As somebody who is heavily involved in truck design, seeing some of the fresh ideas coming from all around the world was really overwhelming. There's a lot of stuff there that is fresh and exciting. It was eye-opening," said Michael Gillam, FCA.

"I think the story of the pick-up is the freedom they promise. We've seen so many entries from different countries and different regions in the world, and you can see that people are looking for this type of flexibility. They're coming from all over the world. They're coming from Europe, they're coming from Asia, from India, from China, everywhere you can see people have different needs," said Thomas Sycha, BMW Group Design.

"There was a lot of diversity. I saw a lot of designs that show this diversity between product design and lifestyle. I was really impressed by seeing the variety of different ideas and looking at how they apply function to lifestyle as well," said Freeman Thomas, Ford Motor Company.

"The basic premise of the pick-up is still pretty much the same. What has changed the most is they provide more creature comfort. Trucks were something that were used by farmers and they've become more of a vehicle for personal use and free time," said Frank Saucedo, General Motors.

"There was so much variety. It's not just the North American perspective or European perspective, but so many are emerging markets where you can see the different needs that the different cultures would require from these vehicles," said Richard Plavetich, Nissan Design America.

"It never fails at the Michelin Challenge (Design), you're basically reminded again that it has not all been done and that's the most fascinating aspect of being a designer, there's still much to be discovered," said Chris Chapman, Hyundai Design North America.

"I think the biggest thing I saw was being able to do multiple things with the same vehicle. I was really amazed at the design work they put into it and the modular capabilities of being able to stretch and shorten and make trucks that you can park anywhere," said Rob MacCachren, off-road motorsports racer and four-time Baja 1000 winner.

"Once again, we saw Michelin Challenge Design open the doors to human imagination and creativity. And seeing what people have in their hearts and how they are able to express their passion through computer design was pretty amazing," said Damien Michelin, honorary juror for Michelin North America.

"I think there's consensus with the jury team that uniquely, what we term 'the pick up', and it's maybe viewed a little differently all over the world, is still an incredibly strong growth part of the marketplace in the future. So I think the consensus of our jury team is there's a massive future for what we call the pick-up truck," said Stewart Reed, jury chairman, of Art Center College of Design in California.

Additionally, the jury chose to recognize the following eight entries as Honorable Mentions in the 2018 Michelin Challenge Design (in alphabetical order):

(Images of the winning entries are available at www.michelinchallengedesign.com.)

Representatives from the first-, second- and third-place winners will be guests of Michelin at "Movin'On by Michelin," the premier global sustainable mobility event to be held in Montreal, May 30June 1, 2018, where their winning designs will be displayed and they will participate in a private portfolio review with members of the jury and leading designers.

All finalists and members of each winning team are invited to join an exclusive online community restricted to Michelin Challenge Design winners and jurors.

2018 Michelin Challenge Design Jury:

Stewart Reed : Chair, Transportation Design Department, Art Center College of Design , Consultant and Jury Chairman, Michelin Challenge Design

: Chair, Transportation Design Department, , Consultant and Jury Chairman, Michelin Challenge Design Chris Chapman : Chief Designer, Hyundai Design North America

: Chief Designer, Hyundai Design North America Michael Gillam : Exterior Design Manager, Ram Design, FCA

: Exterior Design Manager, Ram Design, FCA Rob MacCachren: Off-Road Motorsports Racer, Four-time Baja 1000 Victor

1000 Victor Damien Michelin : Honorary Juror, Michelin North America

: Honorary Juror, Richard Plavetich : General Manager, Design Business, Nissan Design America

: General Manager, Design Business, Nissan Design America Frank Saucedo : Director, Advanced Design Studio, General Motors

: Director, Advanced Design Studio, General Motors Thomas Sycha: Exterior Design Manger, BMW Group Design

Freeman Thomas : Director, Strategic Design, Ford Motor Company

About Michelin

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The company has earned a long-standing reputation for building innovative premium tires. In addition to tires, the company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelinman.com) employs about 22,850 and operates 20 major manufacturing plants.

SOURCE Michelin

Related Links

http://www.MichelinMedia.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mining of Gold and Uranium :

Although South Africa is no longer the world's largest gold producer and is now ranked sixth in the world, the gold and uranium mining sector is one of the largest components of the domestic mining industry on the basis of employment and export earnings. During 2016, South Africa produced 165.6t of gold, exported 103.7t worth R60.6bn and employed 116,479 people. The country was the world's eleventh-largest producer of uranium in 2016 and it has reasonably assured uranium resources of 237,600t or 6.9% of the world total.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02998215



Declining Production:

The current decrease in production has reduced gold's contribution to the country's economy. According to Statistics South Africa, gold contributed 3.8% to GDP in 1993, dropping to 1.2% in 2015. The issues contributing to the continued fall in production include the increasing depth of operations, continued declines in productivity, ageing infrastructure and falling gold grades. With increased travelling times for workers to reach work areas, the actual amount of time spent on production has diminished. Research conducted by the Chamber of Mines showed that if there is no substantial change in the mining methods used, local gold mining could cease in 2033. As a result, a modernisation plan comprising three stages is to be implemented by role players.



Report Coverage:

The Mining of Gold and Uranium describes current conditions, including the uncertainty that still exists in the regulatory environment, and discusses factors influencing the success of the industry. The report profiles 16 companies including Pan African Resources, which began the construction of the R1.74bn Elikhulu gold tailings project in Mpumalanga in September 2017. Also profiled is Sibanye-Stillwater, whose operations were negatively affected by a strike concerning illegal mining in June 2017, and which announced the retrenchment of 2,000 workers at its Cooke operations at the end of October 2017.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02998215



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to data released by Vietnam's General Statistics Bureau, Vietnam's retail market grew by 10.2% over the previous year to $118 billion in 2016. Vietnam ranked the sixth in the list of the world's most attractive retail markets, behind India, China, Malaysia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The huge potential of Vietnam's retail market has attracted many retail brands to develop in, including Japanese designer brand MINISO, which began to further develop in the Vietnamese market this year, for bringing "high quality and affordable" products to more Vietnamese people.

On October 28, 2017, MINISO held a promotion conference in GEM Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mr. Miyake Junya, the co-founder and chief designer of MINISO, together with the directors, general manager and representatives of Vietnam were present at the conference. A large number of local investors, retailers and entrepreneurs also attended the conference. Mr. Miyake Junya addressed the conference that MINISO advocates the life philosophy of "simplicity, nature and good quality", hoping to lead consumers to establish a healthy consumption concept and a sustainable development attitude towards life by excellent design, so that consumers around the world may have a chance to enjoy the high quality and affordable products in MINISO.

So far, MINISO has reached strategic cooperation agreements with over 60 countries and regions, opening more than 2,000 stores all over the world in merely four years since its establishment. By 2019, MINISO is expected to open 10,000 stores in 100 countries with global revenue reaching USD 15 billion. Vincent, MINISO's Vice President of International Operation, indicated that there are 30 MINISO stores in Vietnam so far, and this number would increase to 50 by the end of 2017. MINISO plans to open 300 stores in Vietnam by 2018 and 500 by 2019. MINISO is confident about developing in the Vietnamese market. Ms. Helen, the representative of Vietnam, believed that as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the retail industry in Vietnam has great potential, and there are new brands being introduced into Vietnam almost every day. Support of government policies, the rapid rise of the middle class and the relatively young demographic structure are the factors contributing to the rapid growth of the retail market.

At the promotion conference, on behalf of MINISO, Mr. Miyake Junya signed the strategic cooperation agreement with a few Vietnamese developers, including Vincome, the largest property group in Vietnam, which is laying a solid foundation for MINISO to develop in this country.

The conference was held on the anniversary day of MINISO's establishment in Vietnam. Large number of customers standing in long queues and shopped in the MINISO stores. Majority of consumers were young people. In addition to the popular products, such as makeup, digital products, perfume, etc., masks became one of the favorite products of local consumers. Because of the lack of public transport in Ho Chi Minh City and the general use of gas-guzzling motorcycles, masks have become a necessity for the local people.

MINISO sticks to the customer-oriented principle and works hard to develop products that meet the needs of the local market, conveying the concept of "high quality and affordable" to every consumer. In the future, MINISO will keep on moving forward, making effort to accelerate its overseas expansion so as to realize its vision of "liberating the younger generation".

SOURCE MINISO Japan
CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the five FABTECH co-sponsors unveiled a new logo and brand identity for the FABTECH series of events. FABTECH represents the leading events in North America exclusively focused on advancing the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.

The industry is evolving and the new logo reflects the innovation and emerging manufacturing technologies showcased at FABTECH. With its more modern look and feel, the new logo design better conveys the current and future direction of the FABTECH brand.

"The manufacturing industry is entering a new age and experiencing an industrial revolution that is changing the way we manufacture," said John Catalano, FABTECH show co-manager and SME senior director. "And in the midst of this, FABTECH is also evolving to stay at the leading edge of the industry. We are excited to launch a new logo that demonstrates the evolution of the FABTECH brand."

"While we usher in a new visual identity, FABTECH remains committed to delivering a high-quality, innovative event experience," added Mark Hoper, FABTECH show co-manager and FMA senior vice president of media and expositions. "The show will continue to meet the demands of the industry and showcase not only what's new, but what's next."

Evidence of FABTECH's embrace of innovation is on display in Chicago this week with a new pavilion dedicated to the advanced technology of additive manufacturing as well as expert panels and education sessions on the future of manufacturing, including smart manufacturing, the Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, automation and more.

The new logo mark and simple letter structure offers a more relevant, forward-thinking image, while still honoring and preserving FABTECH's rich history.

The new logo is the first piece of a strategic branding initiative to bring a consistent, cohesive and contemporary look and feel to all FABTECH events. The evolved brand identity will be rolled out for all FABTECH events, communications and other publications throughout the next year.

About FABTECH

FABTECH is North America's largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries. The event provides a powerfully aligned hands-on, face-to-face business growth experience. FABTECH is held annually in the U.S., rotating between Las Vegas, Chicago and Atlanta. FABTECH Mexico also occurs annually rotating between Mexico City and Monterrey and FABTECH Canada occurs biennially in Toronto. These events are made possible by FABTECH's five co-sponsors, all of whom represent the varied and diverse makeup of the manufacturing industry. They include the American Welding Society, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, the Precision Metalforming Association, Chemical Coaters Association International and SME.

SOURCE FABTECH
PALM BEACH, Florida, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

A constant and continued growth of legal cannabis throughout North America is leading to expanded operations and production of new products, as well as solid stock performance as the industry continues to earn lofty revenue forecasts from analysts. ArcView, a leading research group for the legal marijuana industry, recently reported legal cannabis, hemp and marijuana sales soared in North America by 34% last year, and they're slated to grow by an average of 26% annually through 2021. That type of growth appears to be enough to attract investors to marijuana stocks such as: MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (OTC: MYMMF) (CSE: MYM), Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF), Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC).

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (OTCQB: MYMMF) (CSE: MYM.CN) is pleased to announce that the Laval Project is on schedule for completion on December 15th, 2017. MYM will then be submitting on confirmation of readiness video and Standard Operating Procedures for Cultivation to Health Canada. All underground plumbing is complete, HVAC installation is underway and next week the storage vault will be completed. All the walls of the production rooms are insulated and have the bullet proof windows installed. MYM has completed the grow equipment purchase order and was able to cut the projected costs in half. Grow equipment will arrive in 10 days to be installed. Read this and more news for MYM Nutraceuticals at: http://www.marketnewsupdates.com/news/mymmf.html

In parallel, MYM's mega project 'Weedon' has been progressing rapidly with engineering land studies completed and the Health Canada application is progressing rapidly. The Weedon processing and packaging, distribution plant design has been completed and final implementation on the greenhouse design of the first phase of 300,000 sqft is close to completion. MYM is currently going through the process to acquire a 'Distribution and Dealers Import Export license' application with Health Canada, which will open up worldwide markets for MYM.

"Demand for cannabis is growing worldwide and with MYM actively investigating all opportunities in each sector of the cannabis industry, it will develop MYM into a complete Global seed-to-sale company," said Rob Gietl, Chief Executive Officer. "MYM is working to open up cannabis distribution channels globally to accelerate our growth. Our Weedon project alone has 329 acres to expand production on. As recreational cannabis opens in more markets and as global markets expand; we plan on being ahead of the curve and have supply chains ready."

In other industry news of note:

Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED.TO) (OTC: TWMJF) and Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: NINE) ('Delta 9' or together, the 'Companies') applaud the framework this week announced by the Province of Manitoba regarding adult-use cannabis production, distribution, and retail. The decision by the Government of Manitoba to allow for private retail distribution of cannabis while ensuring that public safety and health concerns are the focal points of its cannabis policies is a strong and welcomed approach. As responsible existing cannabis businesses, Delta 9 and Canopy Growth plan to work collaboratively within the proposed Manitoba framework to bring locally produced products as well as the best variety from across the country to future cannabis consumers throughout the province.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB.TO) (OTCQX: ACBFF) announced this week that the Company has elected to exercise its right under the indenture (the 'Indenture') governing the Company's 8.0% unsecured convertible debentures due November 1, 2018 (the 'Debentures') to convert (the 'Conversion') all of the principal amount outstanding of the remaining Debentures and unpaid accrued interest thereon up to December 9, 2017 into common shares of the Company (the 'Common Shares'). Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company may force the conversion of the Debentures at the conversion price of $2.00 per Common Share when the VWAP of the Common Shares on the TSX Exchange (the 'Exchange') for 10 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $3.00.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) announced yesterday that subsidiary Kannaway, LLC, the first hemp lifestyle network to offer cannabidiol (CBD) hemp botanical products, has introduced Kannaway SuperGreens, a brand new way to take advantage of hemp's nutritional benefits. Kannaway SuperGreens is formulated with more than 40 different superfood and nutrient dense ingredients, Kannaway SuperGreens makes it easier to get the suggested daily intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and other nutrients by using products such as wheat, barley, and alfalfa grasses, spinach, broccoli, kale, acai, carrot, beet, turmeric, flax and chia seeds, hemp flour, and Kannaway's exclusive Bi-Bong herbal extracts.

Terra Tech Corp. (OTCQX: TRTC), a vertically integrated, cannabis-focused agriculture company, will release its Third Quarter 2017 results today - Thursday, November 9, 2017 after U.S. markets close. The company will also host a conference call on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern.

- Dial-In Number: 1-857-232-0157

- Access Code: 422095

- Derek Peterson, Chairman and CEO of Terra Tech Corp., will be answering shareholder questions at the end of the call.

DISCLAIMER: MarketNewsUpdates.com (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. MNU's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed MNU has been compensated forty four hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MNU undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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SOURCE MarketNewsUpdates.com
Featuring smart building technology, the "industrial modern" building is designed for companies seeking a creative and inspiring environment. The Refinery will have a total of five floors with four upper levels of 22,500 square-foot efficient floorplates over first-floor retail. The first floor will have 16' ceiling heights complimenting office floor heights of 10'  14' with floor-to-ceiling glass. The Refinery will offer panoramic views of the Queen City's skyline and a rooftop amenity that will provide additional outdoor meeting/gathering space for tenants, visitors and guests with vast views of the Queen City, including Bank of America Stadium.

The Refinery's location at the Morehead Street exit off I-77 is in the highly sought-after South End/Midtown submarket and is an easy walk to a number of restaurants in the trendy Freemore West neighborhood such as Pinky's West Side Grill, Savor Cafe and Rhino Market, popular bars, retail and exercise concepts. It is a true "live/work/play neighborhood" less than half a mile from Uptown Charlotte and a short walk to Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways. The Refinery will sit adjacent to a 287-unit Class A multi-family project currently under construction. The Refinery will include free parking in a 350-space parking deck built for tenants and visitors. It will also provide electric vehicle charging stations, interior bike storage, private showers and locker rooms on the first floor, and a tenant friendly gathering space in the main lobby.

"We are delighted to partner with Insite on development of The Refinery project," said David Jackson, President of Northridge Capital. "This venture represents an expansion of our ongoing relationship with Insite and our commitment to this dynamic submarket." Northridge and its investors already own the Grinnell Water Works Building two blocks west of The Refinery site, which it purchased last year from Insite and which Insite continues to lease and manage. Northridge sourced investor equity through its relationship with Cap Corp Investment Company of Kuwait. Cap Corp Investment Company was founded in 2008 as a Shariah-Compliant Kuwaiti Closed Shareholding Company, and focuses on investment products ranging from asset management, financial markets, corporate finance, and private equity to real estate development.

David Etemadi, VP, Acquisitions at Northridge, added "We are thrilled to close on our financing and immediately begin construction on a Project that takes design cues from the rich historic and creative feel of Freemore West with state-of-the-art, Class A office amenities. Furthermore, with a Class A direct office vacancy rate below 5% in Midtown, we believe there is demand for this much-needed product."

"We are pleased to start work on The Refinery, bringing much needed creative Class A office and retail space to the rapidly developing West Morehead corridor," said Jay Blanton, Founder and Managing Principal of Insite Properties. "The Refinery will offer an adaptive re-use feel with the features and amenities of brand new construction that will both redefine and blend into the diverse and ever-changing face of West Morehead and further solidify it as a new hot spot in the Queen City."

JLL's Barry Fabyan and Charley Leavitt are representing the development team in office leasing execution; John Hadley of The Nichols Company is responsible for first-floor retail leasing. BB+M Architecture has been tapped as the architect, LandDesign is the civil engineer and Edifice Construction is the general contractor. The Refinery is slated to deliver in fall 2018

About Northridge Capital

Northridge Capital, LLC, based in Washington DC since its founding in 1997, is a real estate private equity firm focused on representing international high-net worth families and institutions. As an independent real estate asset management firm, Northridge Capital has successfully generated superior risk-adjusted returns to investors since its inception, demonstrating the ability to acquire, manage and sell real estate assets across a wide variety of property types and geographic areas. On behalf of investors, the company has invested in more than 50 assets, with a combined value of $962 million. The current portfolio has a value of $528 million.

About Insite Properties

Insite Properties, LLC, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Charlotte, NC with additional offices in Charlottesville, Va. Insite is regionally focused on professional and medical office development, acquisition, leasing and properties management opportunities throughout the southeastern United States. Insite acquires and develops properties directly or with a variety of joint venture partners in an effort to be involved in quality projects that add to the communities within which they exist and provide market risk adjusted returns for itself and its investment partners.

SOURCE Northridge Capital, LLC

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NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. (NYSE: NRE) ("NorthStar Realty Europe" or "NRE"), a European office REIT, today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Highlights

U.S. GAAP net (loss) to common stockholders: $(6.8) million , or $(0.12) per diluted share

, or per diluted share Cash available for distribution ("CAD"): $12.8 million , or $0.23 per share

, or per share Implementation of operational efficiencies underway and expected to result in run rate annual cash expense savings of approximately $4-5 million by the end of 2018 ( $0.07 - $0.09 per share)

by the end of 2018 ( per share) $1.4 million ( $0.03 per share) of annual cash saving from an amendment to a $562 million senior mortgage loan

( per share) of annual cash saving from an amendment to a senior mortgage loan 47,000 square meters of new leases or lease renewals signed year to date (14% of the portfolio), expected to add approximately $2.3 million per annum to same store NOI next year

per annum to same store NOI next year Declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share for the third quarter 2017

Amended the terms of NRE's management agreement with an affiliate of Colony NorthStar, Inc., effective January 1, 2018 , creating further alignment with NRE stockholders by bringing the fee structure, term and termination more in line with customary market standards

Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

During the third quarter 2017, U.S. GAAP net (loss) attributable to common stockholders was $(6.8) million, CAD was $12.8 million and NOI was $26.0 million. For more information and a reconciliation of each of CAD, NOI and same store NOI to net (loss) attributable to common stockholders, please refer to the tables on the following pages.

Mahbod Nia, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to announce another positive quarter in which we successfully implemented a number of asset management initiatives that we anticipate will result in an approximately $2.3 million per annum increase in same store NOI next year and further enhance the value of our portfolio. In parallel, we began the process of implementing certain operational efficiencies that we expect will result in up to $0.09 per share of run-rate cash saving by the end of 2018."

Mahbod Nia continued, "The agreement between Colony NorthStar, Inc. and NRE to amend NRE's management agreement, bringing the fee structure and term of the agreement more in line with customary market standards, is a clear reflection of the continued commitment from all parties towards unlocking NRE's trading discount to NAV."

Real Estate Portfolio Overview

$2.2 billion portfolio market value1 ("Portfolio Market Value") comprising $2.2 billion real estate portfolio value based on the 2017 mid year independent valuation by Cushman & Wakefield LLP and a $35 million preferred equity investment.

Real Estate Portfolio Leasing Activity 2

As of September 30, 2017, NRE's real estate portfolio included 26 properties located across five European countries with approximately 344,000 rentable square meters, 86% weighted average occupancy and a 6.4 year weighted average remaining lease term to expiry ("WALT"). The core portfolio consisted of 20 properties with 232,000 rentable square meters, 94% weighted average occupancy and a 6.4 year WALT as of September 30, 2017.

Year to date, NRE has signed 47,000 square meters (14% of the portfolio) of new leases or lease renewals, of which 35,000 square meters were executed in the third quarter, and are expected to add approximately $2.3 million to the same store NOI from January 1, 2018.

Proforma portfolio occupancy of 88% and core portfolio proforma occupancy of 97%

Proforma portfolio and core portfolio WALT of 6.6 years

Same Store Net Operating Income

In the third quarter 2017, same store sequential quarter-over-quarter total revenue decreased by $(0.9) million, or (2.6)%, and same store sequential net operating income decreased by $(0.4) million, or (1.5)%, as a result of value enhancing lease extensions signed at the Maastoren property (including approximately $0.3 million related to the retroactive nature of the lease). Core portfolio same store sequential quarter-over-quarter total NOI increased by $0.2 million, or 1.1%, excluding the recently signed lease with Deutsche Bundesbank at the Trianon property.

Same store portfolio year-over-year total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased by $(1.8) million, or (5.2)%, as a result of the value enhancing lease extensions signed at the Maastoren property ($0.7 million down in the third quarter) and vacancy at the Trianon property which has now been relet ($0.7 million per quarter contractual rent). Same store year-over-year net operating income decreased by $(1.7) million, or (6.3)%, driven by the leasing activity described above and the timing of certain recoverable expenses.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, NRE sold two non-core properties the Netherlands and Spain for $11.3 million, releasing approximately $8.6 million of equity.

Cash Expense Savings

Management has commenced implementation of cost saving initiatives that are expected to result in approximately $4-5 million per annum ($0.07 - $0.09 per share) of net run rate savings in other expenses and general and administrative expenses from the end of 2018, related to the internalization of certain asset management, accounting and other services and a reduction of corporate costs. These expense savings equate to approximately 25% of NRE's other expenses and general and administrative expenses, based on annualized year to date 2017 actuals (or 15% inclusive of the third party management fees).

Liquidity and Financing

As of October 31, 2017, total liquidity was $81 million, comprising $46 million of unrestricted cash and $35 million of availability under NRE's revolving credit facility.

As of September 30, 2017, leverage was 56.2% based on the Portfolio Market Value. In the third quarter of 2017, NRE amended and restated the SEB portfolio senior loan agreement to reduce the margin from 1.80% to 1.55%, resulting in an expected $1.4 million annual savings, and also extended the maturity date by two years.

Stockholder's Equity

NRE had 55.8 million shares of common stock, operating partnership units and restricted stock units ("RSUs") not subject to performance hurdles outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2017, total equity was $618 million (U.S. GAAP depreciated value), or $11.07 per diluted share. EPRA3 net asset value, or EPRA NAV, was $17.77 per diluted share as of September 30, 2017, based on the Portfolio Market Value compared to $17.29 per share as of June 30, 2017. For more information and a reconciliation of EPRA NAV to total equity, please refer to the tables on the following pages.

Amended and Restated Management Agreement and Ownership Waiver

On March 23, 2017, the Board established a Strategic Review Committee ("SRC") consisting solely of independent directors of NRE to, among other things, review, evaluate, negotiate and approve any modifications or amendments to the original management agreement. With the assistance of its financial and legal advisors, Moelis & Company LLC and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, the SRC negotiated with its external manager, an affiliate of Colony NorthStar, Inc. ("CLNS" or the "Manager") the terms of an amended and restated asset management agreement (the "Amended Management Agreement"), which has been unanimously approved by the SRC, and was entered into by the Manager and NRE on November 9, 2017, effective January 1, 2018. The SRC is committed to continuing its work to promote the best interests of the NRE stockholders.

The table below illustrates some of the key terms of the Amended Management Agreement. Please see NRE's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits thereto for additional details relating to the terms of the Amended Management Agreement and for a copy of the Amended Management Agreement.

Key Terms Initial Term and Renewal  Initial 5-year term and subsequent 3-year term renewals unless terminated by either party Termination  During the initial 5-year term, only for certain "cause" events. Thereafter, NRE may elect to terminate without cause at the end of each term  Following the initial term, NRE may also terminate at any time upon a Change of Control (as defined) of NRE Termination Payment  3.0x LTM Base Management Fee at the end of each term if terminated by NRE or upon a Change of Control Base Management Fee  1.5% per annum of EPRA NAV (as defined) amounts up to $2.0 billion plus 1.25% of EPRA NAV amounts above $2.0 billion, based on the prior quarter EPRA NAV  The fee is variable (upwards and downwards) Incentive Fee  20% of the excess of the Total Stockholder Return (as defined, and subject to a high water mark established when an incentive is realized) over a cumulative 10% annual hurdle rate  The first measurement period for the incentive fee will begin on January 1, 2018 Consideration  Base Management is payable quarterly in cash but the Incentive Fee is payable, at NRE's election, in cash, restricted shares of common stock or unrestricted shares of common stock or combination thereof  If payment is made in common stock, shares are valued at the higher of Market Price (as defined) and EPRA NAV per share (as defined), subject to a lock up with staggered releases over a 3 year term (1/3 released each year) Expense Reimbursements  NRE is responsible for its direct costs. In addition, NRE will reimburse CLNS for costs related to internalization services (as defined) subject to the following caps (per annum):  0.15% of gross asset value (as defined) amounts up to $2.5 billion, plus  0.125% of gross asset value amounts between $2.5 billion and $5.0 billion, plus  0.10% of gross asset value amounts above $5.0 billion Equity Based Compensation  The aggregate annual grant amount, if any, must be approved by NRE Compensation Committee

Under the Amended Management Agreement, beginning with NRE's 2018 annual stockholders' meeting, the Manager will have the right to nominate one director (who is expected to be one of NRE's current directors employed by the Manager) to NRE's board of directors.

In addition, NRE provided CLNS with an ownership waiver under NRE's charter, which allows CLNS to purchase up to 45% of NRE's common stock subject to certain voting restrictions. In connection with the waiver, CLNS agreed that for all matters submitted to a vote of NRE's stockholders, to the extent CLNS owns more than 25% of NRE's common stock, it will vote the excess shares in the same proportion that the remaining NRE shares not owned by CLNS are voted. Please see NRE's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits thereto for additional details relating to the terms of the ownership waiver.

Appointment of Chairman and Election of Mahbod Nia to the Board of Directors

On November 6, 2017, David T. Hamamoto, the chairman of the board of directors (the "Board") of NRE, informed the Board of his decision to retire, effective as of January 11, 2018.

Additionally, on November 8, 2017, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of NRE recommended, and the Board approved, effective as of January 11, 2018, (i) the appointment of Richard B. Saltzman, the Chief Executive Officer and President of CLNS, as Chairman of the Board and (ii) the election of Mahbod Nia, Chief Executive Officer and President of NRE, to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Hamamoto's resignation. Mr. Nia will not receive any compensation in connection with his service on the Board.

Third Quarter Disclosure Supplement Presentation

A third quarter 2017 disclosure supplement presentation will be posted on NRE's website, www.nrecorp.com, which provides additional details regarding NRE's operations and portfolio.

Third Quarter 2017 Conference Call

NRE will conduct a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Hosting the call will be Mahbod Nia, Chief Executive Officer, Keith Feldman, Chief Financial Officer and Trevor Ross, General Counsel.

To participate in the event by telephone, please dial +1 866 966 5335 (U.S. Toll Free), or +44 (0) 20 3003 2666 (International) or 0808 109 0700 (U.K. Toll Free), using passcode NorthStar.

The call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed from NRE's website at www.nrecorp.com. For those unable to participate during the live call, a replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the call through December 9, 2017 by dialling +1 866 583 1035 (U.S. Toll Free), or +44 (0) 20 8196 1998 or 0800 633 8453 (UK Toll Free), using passcode 5902766.

About NorthStar Realty Europe Corp.

NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. is a European focused commercial real estate company with predominately prime office properties within key cities in Germany, the United Kingdom and France, organized as a REIT and managed by an affiliate of Colony NorthStar, Inc. (NYSE: CLNS), a leading global equity REIT with an embedded investment management platform. For more information about NorthStar Realty Europe Corp., please visit www.nrecorp.com.

Investor Relations

Gordon Simpson

Finsbury

+1 855 527 8539 or +44 (0) 207 2513801

[email protected]

NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. Consolidated Balance Sheet ($ in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)



September 30,

2017

December 31,

2016 Assets





Operating real estate, gross $ 1,751,141



$ 1,614,432

Less: accumulated depreciation (96,805)



(63,585)

Operating real estate, net 1,654,336



1,550,847

Preferred equity investments 49,728





Cash and cash equivalents 35,086



66,308

Restricted cash 8,516



10,242

Receivables, net of allowance of $611 and $553

as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016,

respectively 8,114



6,015

Assets held for sale 76,141



28,208

Derivative assets, at fair value 8,054



13,729

Intangible assets, net 123,141



148,403

Other assets, net 26,117



21,640

Total assets $ 1,989,233



$ 1,845,392

Liabilities





Mortgage and other notes payable, net $ 1,272,758



$ 1,149,119

Accounts payable and accrued expenses 25,318



28,004

Due to related party 3,483



4,991

Derivative liabilities, at fair value 5,547





Intangible liabilities, net 29,911



30,802

Liabilities held for sale 2,453



2,041

Other liabilities 29,996



28,918

Total liabilities 1,369,466



1,243,875

Commitments and contingencies





Redeemable non-controlling interest 1,809



1,610

Equity





NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. Stockholders' Equity





Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 





Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 55,313,294 and 55,395,143 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 554



554

Additional paid-in capital 937,195



925,473

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (340,198)



(282,769)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 15,281



(51,424)

Total NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. stockholders' equity 612,832



591,834

Non-controlling interests 5,126



8,073

Total equity 617,958



599,907

Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and equity $ 1,989,233



$ 1,845,392



NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. Consolidated Statements of Operations ($ in thousands, except for per share data) (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016 Revenues













Rental income $ 27,747



$ 29,798



$ 79,308



$ 98,622

Escalation income 5,641



7,828



16,360



19,825

Interest income 704







1,001





Other income 171



149



708



899

Total revenues 34,263



37,775



97,377



119,346

Expenses













Properties - operating expenses 7,519



9,493



22,521



27,263

Interest expense 6,536



9,301



19,641



33,484

Transaction costs 332



150



1,565



2,633

Impairment losses 











27,468

Management fee, related party 3,585



3,548



10,716



10,548

Other expenses 1,996



2,848



6,604



9,579

General and administrative expenses 1,723



2,199



5,875



5,181

Compensation expense (1) 2,839



5,194



20,094



12,225

Depreciation and amortization 14,396



13,989



39,479



51,264

Total expenses 38,926



46,722



126,495



179,645

Other income (loss)













Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives and other (3,472)



(4,982)



(12,068)



(19,775)

Realized gain (loss) on sales and other 1,681



3,814



8,632



6,188

Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense) (6,454)



(10,115)



(32,554)



(73,886)

Income tax benefit (expense) (352)



(2,655)



(316)



(2,515)

Net income (loss) (6,806)



(12,770)



(32,870)



(76,401)

Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests 36



49



303



792

Net income (loss) attributable

to NorthStar Realty Europe Corp.

common stockholders $ (6,770)



$ (12,721)



$ (32,567)



$ (75,609)

Earnings (loss) per share:













Basic $ (0.12)



$ (0.22)



$ (0.59)



$ (1.28)

Diluted $ (0.12)



$ (0.22)



$ (0.59)



$ (1.28)

Weighted average number of shares:













Basic 55,155,440



58,239,941



55,004,888



58,923,027

Diluted 55,602,078



58,928,421



55,565,341



59,612,985

Dividends per share of common stock $0.15



$0.15



$0.45



$0.45



(1) Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is comprised of equity-based compensation expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compensation expense includes the impact of substantially all time based and certain performance based awards vesting in connection with the change of control of NRE's manager (the "Mergers").

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Included in this press release are Cash Available for Distribution, or CAD, net operating income, or NOI, same store net operating income, and EPRA net asset value, or EPRA NAV, each a "non-GAAP financial measure," which measures NRE's historical or future financial performance that is different from measures calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, within the meaning of the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules. NRE believes these metrics can be a useful measure of its performance which is further defined below.

Cash Available for Distribution

We believe that CAD provides investors and management with a meaningful indicator of operating performance. We also believe that CAD is useful because it adjusts for a variety of items that are consistent with presenting a measure of operating performance (such as transaction costs, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation, realized gain (loss) on sales and other, asset impairment and non-recurring bad debt expense). We adjust for transaction costs because these costs are not a meaningful indicator of our operating performance. For instance, these transaction costs include costs such as professional fees associated with new investments, which are expenses related to specific transactions. Management also believes that quarterly distributions are principally based on operating performance and our board of directors includes CAD as one of several metrics it reviews to determine quarterly distributions to stockholders. The definition of CAD may be adjusted from time to time for our reporting purposes in our discretion, acting through our audit committee or otherwise. CAD may fluctuate from period to period based upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the timing and amount of investments, repayments and asset sales, capital raised, use of leverage, changes in the expected yield of investments and the overall conditions in commercial real estate and the economy generally.

We calculate CAD by subtracting from or adding to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, non-controlling interests and the following items: depreciation and amortization items including straight-line rental income or expense (excluding amortization of rent free periods), amortization of above/below market leases, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of discount on financings and other and equity-based compensation; unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives and other; realized gain (loss) on sales and other (excluding any realized gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives); impairment on depreciable property; non-recurring bad debt expense; acquisition gains or losses; transaction costs; foreign currency gains (losses); impairment on goodwill and other intangible assets; and one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP and certain other non-recurring items. These items, if applicable, include any adjustments for unconsolidated ventures.

CAD should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance. In addition, our methodology for calculating CAD involves subjective judgment and discretion and may differ from the methodologies used by other comparable companies, including other REITs, when calculating the same or similar supplemental financial measures and may not be comparable with these companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of CAD to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (dollars in thousands):



Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ (6,770)



$ (12,721)



$ (32,567)



$ (75,609)

Non-controlling interests (36)



(49)



(303)



(792)

















Adjustments:













Depreciation and amortization items(1)(2) 17,096



20,870



61,656



71,300

Impairment losses 











27,468

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives and other 3,472



4,982



12,068



19,775

Realized (gain) loss on sales and other(3)(4) (1,449)



(3,714)



(6,944)



(7,283)

Transaction costs and other(5)(6) 438



4,564



2,480



7,333

CAD $ 12,751



$ 13,932



$ 36,390



$ 42,192

CAD per Share(7) $ 0.23



$ 0.23



$ 0.65



$ 0.69



(1) Three months ended September 30, 2017 represents an adjustment to exclude depreciation and amortization of $(14.4) million, amortization expense of capitalized above/below market leases of $0.8 million, amortization of deferred financing costs of $(0.7) million and amortization of equity-based compensation of $(2.8) million. Three months ended September 30, 2016 represents an adjustment to exclude depreciation and amortization of $(14.0) million, amortization of above/below market leases of $0.1 million, amortization of deferred financing costs of $(1.8) million and amortization of equity-based compensation of $(5.2) million. (2) Nine months ended September 30, 2017 represents an adjustment to exclude depreciation and amortization of $(39.5) million, amortization expense of capitalized above/below market leases of $0.3 million, amortization of deferred financing costs of $(2.3) million and amortization of equity-based compensation of $(20.1) million. Nine months ended September 30, 2016 represents an adjustment to exclude depreciation and amortization of $(51.3) million, amortization expense of capitalized above/below market leases of $(2.2) million, amortization of deferred financing costs of $(5.5) million and amortization of equity-based compensation of $(12.2) million. (3) Three months ended September 30, 2017 CAD includes a $0.2 million net gain related to the settlement of foreign currency derivatives. Three months ended September 30, 2016 CAD includes a $0.1 million net gain related to the settlement of foreign currency derivatives. (4) Nine months ended September 30, 2017 CAD includes a $1.7 million net gain related to the settlement of foreign currency derivatives. Nine months ended September 30, 2016 CAD includes a $(1.1) million net loss related to the settlement of foreign currency derivatives. (5) Three months ended September 30, 2017 represents an adjustment to exclude $(0.3) million of transaction costs and $(0.1) million of taxes associated with the capital gain tax on the sale of real estate investments. Three months ended September 30, 2016 represents an adjustment to exclude $(0.3) million of transaction costs and $(4.3) million of taxes associated with the capital gain tax on the sale of real estate investments. (6) Nine months ended September 30, 2017 represents an adjustment to exclude $(1.6) million of transaction costs relating to the Mergers and transaction fees related to our preferred equity investment and $(0.9) million of payroll taxes associated with the acceleration of equity awards due to the Mergers. Nine months ended September 30, 2016 represents an adjustment to exclude $(3.0) million of transaction costs and $(4.3) million of taxes associated with the capital gain tax on the sale of real estate investments. (7) CAD per share is based on 55.8 million weighted average shares (common shares outstanding including operating partnership units and RSUs not subject to performance hurdles) for the the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Based on 60.5 million weighted average shares (common shares outstanding, including LTIPs and RSUs not subject to performance hurdles) for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 61.0 million weighted average shares (common shares outstanding, including LTIPs and RSUs not subject to performance hurdles) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. (8) CAD per share does not take into account any potential dilution from restricted stock units subject to performance metrics not currently achieved.

Net Operating Income (NOI)

We believe NOI is a useful metric of the operating performance of our real estate portfolio in the aggregate. Portfolio results and performance metrics represent 100% for all consolidated investments. Net operating income represents total property and related revenues, adjusted for: (i) amortization of above/below market leases; (ii) straight-line rent (except with respect to rent free period); (iii) other items such as adjustments related to joint ventures and non-recurring bad debt expense and less property operating expenses. However, the usefulness of NOI is limited because it excludes general and administrative costs, interest expense, transaction costs, depreciation and amortization expense, realized gains (losses) on sales and other and other items under U.S. GAAP and capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of properties, all of which may be significant economic costs. NOI may fail to capture significant trends in these components of U.S. GAAP net income (loss) which further limits its usefulness.

NOI should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance. In addition, our methodology for calculating NOI involves subjective judgment and discretion and may differ from the methodologies used by other comparable companies, including other REITs, when calculating the same or similar supplemental financial measures and may not be comparable with these companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of NOI of our real estate equity and preferred equity segments to property and other related revenues less property operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):



Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016 Rental income $ 27,747



$ 29,798



$ 79,308



$ 98,622

Escalation income 5,641



7,828



16,360



19,825

Other income 171



149



708



899

Total property and other income 33,559



37,775



96,376



119,346

Properties - operating expenses 7,519



9,493



22,521



27,263

Adjustments:













Interest income 704







1,001





Amortization and other items(1)(2) (789)



166



(257)



2,815

NOI(3) $ 25,955



$ 28,448



$ 74,599



$ 94,898



(1) Three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily includes $0.8 million of amortization of above/below market leases. Three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily includes $(0.1) million of amortization of above/below market leases. (2) Nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily includes $0.3 million of amortization of above/below market leases. Nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily includes $(2.2) million of amortization of above/below market lease and $(0.6) million of non-recurring bad debt expense. (3) The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to NOI of our real estate segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):



Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016 Net income (loss) $ (6,806)



$ (12,770)



$ (32,870)



$ (76,401)

Remaining segments(i) 10,319



13,935



46,272



46,174

Real estate segment adjustments:













Interest expense 6,325



7,132



18,896



24,249

Other expenses 1,974



2,850



6,389



9,547

Depreciation and amortization 14,396



13,989



39,479



51,264

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives and other 951



4,330



1,912



18,715

Realized (gain) loss on sales and other (1,621)



(3,691)



(7,116)



(10,841)

Income tax (benefit) expense 352



2,655



316



2,515

Impairment losses 











27,468

Other items 65



18



1,321



2,208

Net (income) loss - Real estate segment 22,442



27,283



61,197



125,125

NOI $ 25,955



$ 28,448



$ 74,599



$ 94,898

(i) Represents the net (income) loss in our corporate and preferred equity segments to reconcile to total net income (loss).

Same store net operating income

We believe same store net operating income is a useful metric of the operating performance as it reflects the operating performance of the real estate portfolio excluding effects of non-cash adjustments and provides a better measure of operational performance for a quarter-over-quarter comparison. Same store net operating income is presented for the same store portfolio, which represents all properties that were owned by us at the end of the reporting period. We define same store net operating income as NOI excluding (i) properties that were acquired or sold during the period, (ii) impact of foreign currency changes and (iii) amortization of above/below market leases. We consider same store net operating income to be an appropriate and useful supplemental performance measure. Same store net operating income should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance. In addition, our methodology for calculating same store net operating income involves subjective judgment and discretion and may differ from the methodologies used by other comparable companies, including other REITs, when calculating the same or similar supplemental financial measures and may not be comparable with these companies. Same store portfolio is defined as properties in operation throughout the full periods presented under the comparison, excluding the impact of foreign currency changes, and included 26 properties.

The following table presents our same store analysis for the real estate equity segment, which excludes properties that were acquired or sold at any time during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017 (dollar in thousands):



Three Months Ended

Increase (Decrease)

September 30, 2017

June 30, 2017(1)

Amount Percentage Occupancy (end of period) 85.5 %

84.7 %





Core Portfolio Occupancy (end of period) 93.9 %

92.7 %





Rental income(2) $ 26,799



$ 27,231



$ (432)



Escalation income 5,526



5,728



(202)



Other income 187



423



(236)



Total revenues 32,512



33,382



(870)

(2.6) % Utilities 1,892



2,108



(216)



Real estate taxes and insurance 1,337



1,549



(212)



Non-recoverable value added tax (VAT) 536



499



37



Management fees 589



580



9



Repairs and maintenance 2,446



2,543



(97)



Ground rent(2) 193



197



(4)



Other 332



327



5



Properties - operating expenses 7,325



7,803



(478)

(6.1)%

Same store net operating income $ 25,187



$ 25,579



$ (392)

(1.5)%

Core Portfolio Same Store NOI $ 22,235



$ 21,991



$ 244

1.1 %

(1) Three months ended June 30, 2017 is translated using the average exchange rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017. (2) Adjusted to exclude amortization of above/below market leases.

The following table presents a reconciliation from net income (loss) to same store net operating income for the real estate equity segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017 (dollar in thousands):



Same Store Reconciliation



Three Months Ended



September 30, 2017

June 30, 2017

Net income (loss) $ (6,806)



$ (10,538)



Corporate segment net (income) loss(1) 11,023



12,860



Other (income) loss(3) 22,442



22,936



Net operating income 25,955



24,961



Sale of real estate investments and other(4) (64)



915

(5) Interest income(2) (704)



(297)



Same store net operating income $ 25,187



$ 25,579





(1) Includes management fees, general and administrative expense, compensation expense, corporate interest expense and corporate transaction costs. (2) Represents interest income earned in the preferred equity segment. (3) Includes depreciation and amortization expense, transaction costs and other expenses in the real estate equity segment. (4) Represents the impact of assets sold during the period. (5) Three months ended June 30, 2017 is translated using the average exchange rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

The following table presents our same store analysis for the real estate equity segment, which excludes properties that were acquired or sold at any time during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollar in thousands):



Three Months Ended September 30,

Increase (Decrease)

2017

2016(1)

Amount Percentage Occupancy (end of period) 85.5 %

86.0 %





Core Portfolio Occupancy (end of period) 93.9 %

94.7 %





Rental income(2) $ 26,799



$ 27,977



$ (1,178)



Escalation income 5,526



6,200



(674)



Other income 187



128



59



Total revenues 32,512



34,305



(1,793)

(5.2)%

Utilities 1,892



2,063



(171)



Real estate taxes and insurance 1,337



1,236



101



Non-recoverable value added tax (VAT) 536



478



58



Management fees 589



435



154



Repairs and maintenance 2,446



2,735



(289)



Ground rent(2) 193



177



16



Other 332



313



19



Properties - operating expenses 7,325



7,437



(112)

(1.5)%

Same store net operating income $ 25,187



$ 26,868



$ (1,681)

(6.3)%

Core Portfolio Same Store NOI $ 22,235



$ 23,410



$ (1,175)

(5.0)%



(1) Three months ended September 30, 2016 is translated using the average exchange rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017. (2) Adjusted to exclude amortization of above/below market leases.

The following table presents a reconciliation from net income (loss) to same store net operating income for the real estate equity segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollar in thousands):



Same Store Reconciliation



Three Months Ended September 30,



2017

2016

Net income (loss) $ (6,806)



$ (12,770)



Corporate segment net (income) loss(1) 11,023



13,935



Other (income) loss(3) 21,738



27,283



Net operating income 25,955



28,448



Sale of real estate investments and other(4) (64)



(1,580)

(5) Interest income(2) (704)







Same store net operating income $ 25,187



$ 26,868





(1) Includes management fees, general and administrative expense, compensation expense, corporate interest expense and corporate transaction costs. (2) Represents interest income earned in the preferred equity segment. (3) Includes depreciation and amortization expense, transaction costs and other expenses in the real estate equity segment. (4) Represents the impact of assets sold during the period. (5) Three months ended September 30, 2016 is translated using the average exchange rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

EPRA Net Asset Value (EPRA NAV)

We believe that disclosing EPRA NAV, a non-GAAP measure used by other European real estate companies, helps stockholders compare NRE's balance sheet to other European real estate companies; however, EPRA NAV should not be considered as an alternative to net assets determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of NRE's asset values. EPRA NAV is derived from NRE's U.S. GAAP balance sheet with adjustments reflecting NRE's interpretation of the EPRA guidance. As NRE's entire portfolio is based in Europe, NRE calculates EPRA NAV to compare its balance sheet to other European real estate companies and believes that disclosing EPRA NAV provides investors with a meaningful measure of NRE's net asset value. We calculate EPRA NAV based on the EPRA best practices recommendations. EPRA NAV makes adjustments to net assets as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP in order to provide stockholders a measure of fair value of the company's assets and liabilities with a long-term investment strategy. This performance measure excludes assets and liabilities that are not expected to be realized in normal circumstances. EPRA NAV includes the revaluation of investment properties and excludes the fair value of financial instruments that NRE intends to hold to maturity, deferred tax and goodwill that resulted from deferred tax. All other assets, including real property and investments reported at cost are adjusted to fair value based on periodic appraisals. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to measuring NRE's net assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following table presents a reconciliation of EPRA NAV to total equity as at September 30, 2017 (dollars in thousands, other than per share data):



September 30, 2017 Total Equity $ 617,958

Adjustments

Operating real estate and net intangibles (1,822,610)

Fair value of properties 2,204,104

Adjusted NAV 999,452





Diluted NAV, after the exercise of options, convertibles and other equity interests 999,452

Fair value of financial instruments (7,747)

EPRA NAV 991,705

EPRA NAV per diluted share $ 17.77



(1) Based on 55.8 million common shares, operating partnership units and RSUs not subject to performance hurdles outstanding as of September 30, 2017. EPRA NAV per share and total equity per share does not take into account any potential dilution from restricted stock units subject to performance metrics not currently achieved.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "potential," "intend," "expect," "seek," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "could," "project," "predict," "hypothetical," "continue," "future" or other similar words or expressions. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward looking information. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the expected use of proceeds from the sale of any non-strategic or other properties; the expected run rate cost savings as a result of operational efficiencies, the time required to achieve such run rate cost savings; the expected impact on contractual rent and same store NOI as a result of recent leasing activity; the expected increase in occupancy rates and weighted average lease term due to recent leases; expected annual saving a a result of margin reduction in the SEB portfolio senior loan agreement; anticipated run-rate operating expenses; the extent to which NRE's portfolio will be impacted by geopolitical uncertainty across Europe and whether Europe's macro economic fundamentals will result in continued expansion in the region; the ability to execute on NRE's strategy; whether properties currently being evaluated for sale or under contract will ultimately sell and if any such sales occur whether they will be consummated at prices expected; NRE's ability to maintain dividend payments, at current levels, or at all; and NRE's ability to generate stable and recurring income streams with the potential for capital growth over time. Forward looking statements are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying any forward-looking statements will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. Variations of assumptions and results may be material. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from NRE's expectations include, but are not limited to, NRE's liquidity and financial flexibility; NRE's future cash available for distribution; the pace and result of any asset disposals contemplated by NRE; NRE's use of leverage; and the anticipated strength and growth of NRE's business. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements are specified in NRE's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. NRE expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Disclaimer

As an opinion, the valuation by Cushman & Wakefield LLP referenced in this release is not a measure of realizable value and may not reflect the amount that would be received if the property in question were sold. Real estate valuation is inherently subjective due to, among other factors, the individual nature of each property, its location, the expected future rental revenues from that particular property and the valuation methodology adopted. Real estate valuations are subject to a large degree of uncertainty and are made on the basis of assumptions and methodologies that may not prove to be accurate, particularly in periods of volatility, low transaction flow or restricted debt availability in the commercial or residential real estate markets. For example, in the appraisal, a number of the properties were valued using the special assumption that such properties would be purchased through a tax-efficient special purpose vehicle, and is therefore subject to lower purchaser transaction expenses. If one or more assumptions are incorrect, the value may be materially lower than the appraised value.

Endnotes

The $2.2 billion portfolio market value comprises $2.2 billion real estate portfolio value based on the independent valuation by Cushman & Wakefield LLP and $35 million preferred equity investment (please refer to Note 11, "Fair Value" in the NRE Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 included in Part I Item 1. "Financial Statements").



The external third-party valuation was prepared by Cushman & Wakefield LLP in accordance with the current U.K. and Global edition of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) Valuation - Professional Standards (the "Red Book") on the basis of "Fair Value", which is widely recognized within Europe as the leading professional standards for independent valuation professionals. Each property is classified as an investment and has been valued on the basis of Fair Value adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board. This is the equivalent to the Red Book definition of Market Value. The Red Book defines Market Value as the estimated amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction after proper marketing where the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. The Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation assumes that certain properties would be purchased through market accepted structures resulting in lower purchaser transaction expenses (taxes, duties, and similar costs). This Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation is as of June 30, 2017 , adjusted for FX as of September 30, 2017 .

Excludes preferred equity investment.



Occupancy and weighted average remaining contractual lease term based on rent roll as of September 30, 2017 .



FX rates used as of September 30, 2017: EUR/USD = 1.1813, GBP/USD = 1.3391.



Core portfolio comprises primarily office properties in key cities within Germany , the United Kingdom and France .



Proforma occupancy and weighted average remaining contractual lease term based on rent roll as of September 30, 2017 , adjusted for new leases signed, but commencing through remainder of 2017 and early 2018.

EPRA = European Public Real Estate Association.

SOURCE NorthStar Realty Europe Corp.

Related Links

http://www.nrecorp.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Why are some US GHD brands standing out more than others?

There are various options available to US endocrinologists to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Clearly some of these options are achieving greater levels of loyalty and satisfaction than others  but why? What are the key factors driving physician choice and how does each of the leading brands compare to its competitors?



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05175250



NPS+ Growth Hormone Deficiency (US) gives a unique insight into the overall brand health of 7 leading treatments for GHD currently being used in North America. 100 adult and paediatric endocrinologists were surveyed on key issues including brand messaging, prescribing behaviour and satisfaction levels. The results provide valuable insight for brand marketers seeking new ways to stand out.



Top Takeaways

Promoters are in the minority: Only one brand has noticeably more Promoters than Detractors. Which one is it, and why is it the outlier?

Loyalty is proving difficult to achieve: Loyalty scores of 4 or more are what brands are aiming for, but for GHD treatments, even the highest scores are not even close in this latest survey. Is clinical differentiation really that low?

Some dissatisfaction is apparent: Why are endocrinologists unhappy with the numerous drugs on offer? Who stands to gain the most market share if Detractors could be converted to Promoters?

Marketing messaging could be the key: Which brands are associated with key issues such as safety, efficacy, convenient administration and cost effectiveness? Could more be done to promote key benefits?

In their own words: What do doctors say each brand means to them? For example, which brand is described as the 'gold standard delivery device' and which brand is 'nothing unique or special'.



Insight into 7 Growth Hormone Deficiency Treatments

Humatrope (somatropin; Eli Lilly)

Norditropin (somatropin; Novo Nordisk)

Genotropin (somatropin; Pfizer)

NutropinAq (somatropin; Roche)

Omnitrope (somatropin; Sandoz)

Saizen (somatropin; EMD Serono)

Zomacton (somatropin; Ferring)



A Report Based on Expert Knowledge



We surveyed 100 US adult and paediatric endocrinologists chosen from the largest community of validated physicians in the world.



We conducted the survey between 1st and 7th June 2017.



Explore Important Brand Loyalty Issues



NPS+ Growth Hormone Deficiency (US) explores key issues affecting brand loyalty for drug manufacturers. You'll learn:



How satisfied doctors are with available treatments.

How loyal doctors are to your brand.

How many other brands your Promoters recommend.

Which other brands your Promoters and Detractors recommend.

How much market share your brand has among Promoters and Detractors.

How much market share you stand to gain by converting Detractors into Promoters.

Which messages Promoters, Passives and Detractors associate with your brand.

Your brand DNA: what doctors really think of your brandin their own words.



What is Net Promoter Score?



NPS is a customer loyalty metric developed by (and a registered trademark of) Fred Reichheld, Bain & Company, and Satmetrix. It was introduced by Reichheld in his 2003 Harvard Business Review article One Number You Need to Grow.



How does NPS work?



NPS measures overall brand satisfaction and loyalty by asking one simple question:

"How likely are you to recommend this brand to a colleague?"



Responses - given on a scale of 0 (not at all likely) to 10 (extremely likely)are used to classify respondents into 3 categories:



Detractors are those who answer 0  6.



Passives are those who answer 7  8.



Promoters are those who answer 9 - 10.



How is NPS calculated?



The percentage of detractors - the percentage of promoters = NPS.



For example, 25% Promoters, 55% Passives and 20% Detractors give you an NPS of +5.



NPS can range from -100 (everybody is a Detractor) to +100 (everybody is a Promoter). The higher the score the healthier the brand.

What is FirstView NPS+?

NPS+ turns your Net Promoter Score into actionable information by answering key questions about brand loyalty.



Each NPS+ report examines doctors' relationships with the brands used to treat a major disease areameasuring brand loyalty and showing you how it affects your market share. NPS+ also examines "brand DNA", revealing in doctors' own words what brands mean to them.



Instead of one simple metric, NPS+ gives you a detailed picture of brand health that highlights areas for improvement, and helps you see exactly what steps you need to take next.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05175250



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



https://www.reportlinker.com



__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

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PK AIM, the first and only 2-in-1 advanced bipolar and monopolar hybrid device, provides surgeons with the ability to mobilize target anatomy, transect tissue, and seal and cut vessels (up to and including 3 mm), tissue bundles, and lymphatics with precision and control. The device combines the performance of both advanced bipolar forceps and traditional monopolar functionality and provides improved operating efficiency over alternative devices that do not integrate the 5-in-1 functionality of grasping, dissecting, coagulating, cutting, and sealing. Fewer instrument exchanges can help decrease procedure time and allows the surgeon to focus on the surgical site. Used in a range of procedures, PK AIM's integrated advanced bipolar energy can also reduce the need for clips and sutures, further helping to reduce procedure time.

The PK AIM was designed to positively impact the following metrics for clinical satisfaction:

Procedure Time

Surgical Field Focus

Suture/Clips Usage

Operating Efficiency Instrument Exchanges

Hemostatic Control

Demand on OR Staff

PK AIM was conceptualized by the Olympus Surgical Technologies of America (OSTA) Surgical Discovery Team via extensive observation and interviews with surgeons and staff across a wide range of procedures. The team discovered a specific unmet need that consistently plagued surgeons and staff: the exchange of multiple devices throughout the course of a procedure for various purposes was constant and detracted from the surgical flow of the case while also adding time.

The winners of the 9th annual ESP Awards were determined by the magazines' readers, commonly surgeons who have had hands-on experience or first-hand demonstration of the innovations being nominated. Readers voted for the companies and products they felt were most deserving by selecting those that contributed most to surgical performance, efficiency and safety.

"Olympus is honored to receive this recognition from Surgical Products for the fourth time," said Randy Clark, Group Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Olympus America Inc. "The PK AIM is an exciting addition to Olympus' growing portfolio of energy solutions, developed with the patient and physician in mind. We are thrilled to provide the market with an innovative energy product that enhances clinical efficiencies."

Other Olympus products previously recognized as Excellence in Surgical Products award winners include:

2016: VISERA 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD)

2013: HD 3D Video Laparoscope

2012: THUNDERBEAT

The Olympus PK AIM will be showcased for its award recognition in the November issue of Surgical Products magazine and well as in the magazine eDaily newsletter.

For more information please call 1-800-848-9024 or visit us at http://medical.olympusamerica.com.

About Surgical Products Magazine

Surgical Products is a publication for surgeons, anesthesiologists and department heads in charge of operating/emergency rooms, ICU/CCUs, infection control, OR materials management and other areas. Surgical Products has been published for 35 years, has a circulation of 55,000 and is published 10 times a year.

About Olympus Medical Systems Group

Olympus Medical Systems Group, a division of global technology leader Olympus, develops solutions for healthcare professionals that help improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for their patients. By enabling less invasive procedures, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and early stage lung cancer evaluation and treatments, Olympus is transforming the future of healthcare. For more information visit Olympus at www.medical.olympusamerica.com.

SOURCE Olympus

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JACKSON, Miss., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Open enrollment is underway for Magnolia Health's Health Insurance Marketplace product, Ambetter, in Mississippi for 2018. Ambetter from Magnolia Health will be available in all 82 counties in the state of Mississippi.

"Magnolia Health has been committed to ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all Mississippians for years, and now we're excited to expand that mission by offering Ambetter health plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace," said Aaron Sisk, President and CEO of Magnolia Health. "Our Ambetter plans offer affordable coverage for members for healthcare provided in their local communities from our network of high quality providers."

This year, Ambetter from Magnolia Health offers a variety of benefits and plan designs. Mississippians may also be eligible for government tax credits to help reduce monthly premium amounts, including plans with a $0 premium. To find out if you qualify and to connect with a local agent, visit ambetter.magnoliahealthplan.com.

Magnolia Health has been serving the state of Mississippi since 2011 and currently serves 349,000 members through its Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace and Medicare Advantage plans.

The Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period concludes on Dec. 15, 2017. Mississippi citizens interested in learning more about Ambetter from Magnolia Health or signing up during the open enrollment period may visit ambetter.magnoliahealthplan.com.

About Magnolia Health

Magnolia Health is a long-term solution to help the state of Mississippi enhance care for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients, while most effectively managing taxpayer dollars. A physician-driven, Mississippi-based Coordinated Care Organization (CCO), Magnolia is backed by its parent company, Centene Corporation (Centene). Centene has more than 30 years of experience in Medicaid, CHIP and other government-funded programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and long-term care. For more information about Magnolia, visit www.magnoliahealthplan.com.

SOURCE Magnolia Health

Related Links

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PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight hundred Portland families in need will receive enough food to supplement meals for a week plus daily essentials, thanks to a partnership between PepsiCo and Feed the Children. The event kicks off on Thursday, November 9 at 11 a.m. at 4040 SE 82nd Ave., Portland, Ore.

This is the first year PepsiCo and Feed the Children have partnered to help feed families in Portland, where more than 18 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. This distribution event is part of a larger initiative between the two organizations to help feed communities in cities throughout the United States.

The receiving families have been identified and preselected by the Salvation Army.

"We're excited to partner with Feed the Children, the Salvation Army and Fred Meyer helping our friends and neighbors in the Portland community," said Terry Taillard, sr. director, human resources, Pacific NW region, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division. "Frito-Lay and PepsiCo are committed to giving back to our communities where we live and work, and providing enough food to supplement meals for a week is a small way we can help make a difference."

Each qualifying recipient at today's event will be given:

One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items

One 15-pound box of personal-care items

One box of AVON products

Books from Disney Publishing Worldwide

Frito-Lay snacks

PepsiCo beverages

Life Original Cereal

Quaker Standard Oats

Chewy Granola Bars

Peanut Butter from Fred Meyer

Volunteers from PepsiCo and Feed the Children will be onsite serving families and assisting with distribution during today's event.

About Feed the Children

Established in 1979, Feed the Children exists to defeat hunger. It is one of the largest U.S.-based charities and serves those in need in the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. It provides food, education, essentials and disaster response. Domestically, it operates 5 distribution centers (located in Oklahoma, Indiana, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania).

In fiscal year 2016, through its domestic and international programs, Feed the Children distributed 105 million pounds of food and essentials worldwide with a total value of $415 million, working with partner agencies to benefit 5.9 million people globally. It is accredited by GuideStar Exchange and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Visit www.feedthechildren.org for more information.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated approximately $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose  our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around us. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

SOURCE PepsiCo

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DUBLIN, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Phenol: 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The present report is an essential resource for a one looking for detailed information on the world phenol market. The report covers data on global, regional and national markets including present and future trends for supply and demand, prices, and downstream industries.

In addition to the analytical part, the report provides a range of tables and figures which all together give a true insight into the national, regional and global markets for phenol.

Report Scope:



The report covers global, regional and country markets of phenol

It describes present situation, historical background and future forecast

Comprehensive data showing phenol capacities, production, consumption, trade statistics, and prices in the recent years are provided (globally, regionally and by country)

The report indicates a wealth of information on phenol manufacturers and distributors

Region market overview covers the following: production of phenol in a region/country, consumption trends, price data, trade in the recent year and manufacturers

Phenol market forecast for next five years, including market volumes and prices is also provided

Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION: PHENOL PROPERTIES AND USES



2. PHENOL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES



3. PHENOL WORLD MARKET



3.1. World phenol capacity

- Capacity broken down by region

- Capacity divided by country

- Manufacturers and their capacity by plant



3.2. World phenol production

- Global output dynamics

- Production by region

- Production by country



3.3. Phenol consumption

- World consumption

- Consumption trends in Europe

- Consumption trends in Asia Pacific

- Consumption trends in North America



3.4. Phenol global trade

- World trade dynamics

- Export and import flows in regions



3.5. Phenol prices in the world market



4. PHENOL REGIONAL MARKETS ANALYSIS



Each country section comprises the following parts:

- Total installed capacity in country

- Production in country

- Manufacturers in country

- Consumption of in country

- Suppliers in country

- Export and import in country

- Prices in country



4.1. Phenol European market analysis

Countries covered:

- Belgium

- Czech Republic

- Finland

- France

- Germany

- Italy

- Poland

- Romania

- Russia

- Spain

- Ukraine



4.2. Phenol Asia Pacific market analysis

Countries included:

- China

- India

- Japan

- Singapore

- South Korea

- Taiwan

- Thailand



4.3. Phenol North American market analysis

Countries under consideration:

- USA



4.4. Phenol Latin American market analysis

Countries overviewed:

- Brazil



4.5. Phenol Africa & Middle East market analysis

Countries examined:

- Saudi Arabia

- South Africa



5. PHENOL MARKET PROSPECTS



5.1. Phenol capacity and production forecast up to 2021

- Global production forecast

- On-going projects



5.2. Phenol consumption forecast up to 2021

- World consumption forecast

- Forecast of consumption in Europe

- Consumption forecast in Asia Pacific

- Consumption forecast in North America



5.3. Phenol market prices forecast up to 2021



6. KEY COMPANIES IN THE PHENOL MARKET WORLDWIDE



7. PHENOL FEEDSTOCK MARKET



8. PHENOL END-USE SECTOR



8.1. Consumption by application

8.2. Downstream markets review and forecast



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/gwnctq/phenol_2017



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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

SOURCE Research and Markets

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SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Prolong Pharmaceuticals today announced that researchers will present interim results from a Phase II trial of SANGUINATE (PEGylated carboxyhemoglobin bovine), an investigational treatment under evaluation for vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The data will be presented as a poster at the 59th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), which will take place December 9-12, in Atlanta, Georgia.

In a separate poster presentation at ASH, researchers will present data from a novel rat model of acute VOC demonstrating the ability of SANGUINATE to promote resolution of VOC by restoring blood flow in blood vessels and surrounding microvasculature.

The two SANGUINATE data sets will be presented in ASH poster sessions at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2, at the following times:

Saturday, December 9, 2017 , 5:30-7:30 PM (EST) *, Session 114, Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemia  Clinical Poster I: Jubin R, et al., PEGylated Carboxyhemoglobin bovine (SANGUINATE  ) Restores RBCs Roundness and Reduces Pain During a Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crisis. Abstract #969.

* Poster will be on display from 9:00 AM  7:30 PM (EST)



, *, Session 114, Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemia  Clinical Poster I: Jubin R, et al., Abstract #969. * Poster will be on display from  Monday, December 11, 2017 , 6:00-8:00 PM (EST) *, Session 113, Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemia  Basic and Translational Science: Poster III: Song BK, Nugent WH, PEGylated Carboxyhemoglobin (SANGUINATE) Restores Blood Flow and Tissue Oxygenation in a Novel Rat Model of Acute Vaso-Occlusive Crisis. Abstract #3517.

* Poster will be on display from 10:00 AM  8:00 PM (EST)

To learn more about Prolong Pharmaceuticals and SANGUINATE visit booth #1351 during ASH 2017.

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is a group of chronic genetic disorders that affect an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 Americans.1 VOC, the most common complication of SCD, is an extremely painful, potentially deadly condition characterized by abnormal hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs in the body and carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs.2,3 Cells affected by VOC become sickle- or crescent-shaped, a deformity that prevents them from flowing freely through blood vessels, potentially causing excruciating pain and other symptoms that may lead to death.4 VOC results in approximately 197,000 emergency department visits each year in the U.S. and costs an estimated $356 million annually for pain management alone.5

About SANGUINATE

SANGUINATE is the only biological product currently in clinical development for the multiple comorbidities of SCD, and has received an Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. SANGUINATE facilitates the transfer of oxygen to oxygen-deprived cells and tissues and has also been shown to down-regulate the inflammatory response in blood samples of patients with SCD. Many of the comorbidities of SCD are caused by a spiraling cycle of sickling, hemolysis and blood vessel inflammation. These comorbidities include VOC, acute chest syndrome, leg ulcers and pediatric and adult stroke. By correcting oxygen levels and down-regulating inflammation, SANGUINATE may be effective in treating many of the debilitating, acute comorbidities associated with SCD.

Prolong is exploring SANGUINATE as a potential treatment for patients with other hematological disorders caused by anemia or hypoxia and ischemia. SANGUINATE is not approved by any regulatory agency.

SANGUINATE is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration.

About Prolong Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, Prolong Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is developing products to treat several diseases and their debilitating comorbidities associated with reduced quality of life, increased medical cost and significant mortality. Prolong's senior management team includes inventors of the most successful drug delivery technology in pharmaceutical history, PEGylation, now responsible for the development of a dozen drugs improving the quality of life for sufferers of hepatitis, kidney disease, and a number of other life-threatening diseases.

References

1Genetics Home Reference. Sickle cell disease. 2016. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/sickle-cell-disease#diagnosis.

2National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Evidence-based management of sickle cell disease. Expert panel report. 2014. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-pro/guidelines/sickle-cell-disease-guidelines.

3National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. 2017. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms?cdrid=45108.

4National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is sickle cell disease? 2016. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca.

5Wilson BH, Nelson J. Sickle cell disease pain management in adolescents: a literature review. Pain Manag Nurs. 2015;16(2):146151.

SOURCE Prolong Pharmaceuticals, LLC
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 63 Market Data Tables and 35 Figures spread through 115 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Quantum Cryptography Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/quantum-cryptography-market-45857130.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

The major forces driving the growth of the Quantum Cryptography Market include growing incidents of cyber-attacks and increasing data security and privacy concerns. Moreover, the rising adoption rate of cloud storage and computing technologies and evolving next-generation wireless network technologies are also some of the factors that are driving the market growth.

The deployment and integration services segment is expected to be the fastest growing service in the quantum cryptographymarket during the forecast period.

The deployment and integration services is gaining traction, as integration services help to integrate the vendor's security offerings with the client's business functions and existing security mechanism. Integration services collect the customer requirements, and then install, integrate, test, and rollout the quantum cryptography solutions and hence quantum cryptography is gaining traction in the enterprises for modernizing and deploying their solutions to meet the rising demand for secure data transmission.

Request Report [email protected] http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=45857130

The IT and telecom is expected to hold the largest market share in the Quantum Cryptography Market during the forecast period.

The IT and telecom vertical is constantly developing and is at the epicenter of innovation and growth. The telecom business function generates voluminous data on a daily basis, which mandates the critical need for reliable quantum cryptography solutions. The telecom operators are adopting quantum cryptography solutions and providing secured information to the customers while complying with regulations, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Furthermore, the rise in the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into multiple verticals including IT and telecom, along with increasing cyber-attacks, have increased the need of security and safety. The business is expected to come with an emerging need for managing more complex networks of digital identities along with the technologies required for federation across emerging as well as developed economies.

North America is expected to have the largest market share in the Quantum Cryptography Market during the forecast period.

North America is expected to hold the largest market share and dominate the Quantum Cryptography Market during the forecast period. The region has always been a hub for high investments in research and development (R&D) activities, thereby contributing to the development of new technologies. The growing concerns for the security of IT infrastructure and complex data in North America have mandated the enterprises in this region to adopt quantum cryptography and reliable authentication solutions. The rise in cyber-attacks, adoption of connected devices, adoption of BYOD, and cloud-based applications into enterprise system have resulted in tremendous growth of technology adoption in this region. This has also triggered a rise in next-generation threats and added more complexities and concerns in the IT infrastructure. North America suffers the highest frequency of cyber-attacks and stringent compliance regulations in the world. Hence, causing more threats, intrusions, and security breaches, and as a result, it has the largest number of security vendors.

The major vendors in the Quantum Cryptography Market include ID Quantique (Switzerland), MagiQ Technologies (US), Nucrypt (US), Infineon Technologies (Germany), Qutools (Germany), QuintenssenceLabs (Australia), Crypta Labs (UK), PQ Solutions (UK), and Qubitekk (US).

Make an enquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=45857130

Browse Related Reports

Encryption Software Market by Component (Solution and Services), Application (Disk Encryption, File/Folder Encryption, Communication Encryption, and Cloud Encryption), Deployment Type, Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2022

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/encryption-software-market-227254588.html

Cloud Encryption Market by Component (Solution and Service), Service Model (Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Software-as-a-Service, and Platform-as-a-Service), Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2022 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-encryption-market-158713019.html

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Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

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DETROIT, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Quicken Loans, the nation's second largest mortgage lender, was today again named #1 for client satisfaction in mortgage origination in the country by J.D. Power, putting the company at the top of the list of America's more than 50,000 mortgage originators. This is the 8th consecutive year Quicken Loans has earned the J.D. Power accolade, which is based entirely on client feedback collected by the independent research firm.

Earlier this year, the nation's leading FinTech innovator also was named #1 in J.D. Power's study of mortgage servicers for the 4th consecutive year  topping the list every year it has been eligible. This brings Quicken Loans' total #1 rankings from J.D. Power to 12  the most of any mortgage lender in the history of the report.

"Our company is defined by our obsessive commitment to client service. Every inch matters to us. Every second counts to all of our team members who are singularly focused on delivering our clients the best experience they could possibly imagine when closing on what typically is the biggest financial transaction in their lifetimes," said Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Quicken Loans.

In addition to ranking #1 overall, Quicken Loans finished #1 in nearly every category J.D. Power measures including:

Loan Offerings

Website Satisfaction

Application/Approvals Process

Loan Closing

Client Onboarding

According to the J.D. Power study, 94% of clients surveyed stated Quicken Loans team members always called back when promised  compared to an industry average of 88%. Additionally, 90% of Quicken Loans clients who responded to the survey said they were provided status updates throughout the entire process from application to closing.

Quicken Loans' Rocket Mortgage redefined the mortgage industry when it was rolled out nationally nearly 2 years ago, giving homebuyers and homeowners access to a completely online and on-demand mortgage process for the first time ever.

"Quicken Loans is constantly setting the bar for the industry when it comes to both innovation and client service. There is no doubt that both are essential for creating the home loan experience that has led to our continued success," said Jay Farner, Quicken Loans CEO. "We are fanatical about investing our time and resources into technology that enables us to provide the best mortgage process in the nation. We are proud that we have ranked #1 in the country for 8 years running and that speaks volumes to our thousands of caring team members as well as our millions of clients who trust us with financing their homes."

In 2010, Quicken Loans moved its headquarters to downtown Detroit. There are now more than 17,000 team members from the Quicken Loans Family of Companies working in the city's technology-driven urban core.

About Quicken Loans

Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc. is the nation's second largest retail home mortgage lender. The company closed more than $300 billion of mortgage volume across all 50 states between 2013 and 2016. Quicken Loans moved its headquarters to downtown Detroit in 2010, and now more than 17,000 team members from Quicken Loans and its Family of Companies work in the city's urban core. The company generates loan production from web centers located in Detroit, Cleveland and Scottsdale, Arizona. The company also operates a centralized loan processing facility in Detroit, as well as its San Diego-based One Reverse Mortgage unit. It is also operates a special division that caters to credit unions and small banks providing various origination and closing services in Charlotte, North Carolina. Quicken Loans ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Primary Mortgage Origination" in the United States by J.D. Power for the past eight consecutive years, 2010  2017, and highest in customer satisfaction among all mortgage servicers the past four years, 2014  2017.

Quicken Loans was ranked No. 10 on FORTUNE magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list in 2017, and has been among the top 30 companies for the past 14 consecutive years. The company has been recognized as one of Computerworld magazine's "100 Best Places to Work in IT" the past 13 years, ranking #1 for eight of the past 12 years, including 2017. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rock Holdings, Inc., the parent company of several FinTech and related businesses. Quicken Loans is also the flagship business of Dan Gilbert's Family of Companies comprising nearly 100 affiliated businesses spanning multiple industries. For more information and company news visit QuickenLoans.com/press-room.

Twitter: @QLnews

Facebook.com/QuickenLoans

SOURCE Quicken Loans
Given the ICO hype, it seems as if anyone with a white paper, a good idea and a team of advisors can launch an ICO. Many ICOs are funded at the very first stage of their life cycles which represents significant product development risk for token holders. As a result, studies show that most ICOs fail. This leads to overall fatigue from hyped-up ICOs that have seen the value of their tokens depressed post-listing.

The outstanding success of the QASH Token Sale poses the question of what it would take for a company to win the trust of public investors and hold a successful ICO.

QUOINE's success in raising 350 million QASH with an oversubscribed placing over 3 days can be attributed to the following factors:

1) The team at QUOINE is comprised of banking and finance veterans from global top tier investment banks.

CEO and Co-founder Mike Kayamori has more than 20 years' experience in investments, business management, IT and venture capital. Both CEO Mike Kayamori and Chief Financial Officer Katsuya Konno were from Softbank. Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder Mario Lozada came from Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch. Chief Compliance Officer Ken Mazzio came from Merrill Lynch and Barclays. Chief Strategy Officer Ray Hennessey is a Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch veteran. Head of Operations Seth Melamed was also at Goldman Sachs for more than 10 years. Chief Trading Officer Andre Pemmelaar has experience in automated trading systems for more than 15 years.

The combined financial and technical expertise of QUOINE team members stand behind the quality and security of QUOINE's trading platforms and exchanges, which include QUOINEX, QRYPTOS and now QUOINE LIQUID. QUOINE LIQUID will be a revolutionary platform to solve one of the most crucial problems in the global utilization of cryptocurrencies, which is the lack of market liquidity in the crypto economy.

2) QUOINE is the First Global Cryptocurrency FinTech Company to Receive A License from Japan Financial Services Agency

As a leading global fintech company, QUOINE provides trading, exchange, and next generation financial services powered by blockchain technology. The company has been in existence for 3 and a half years with offices in 3 locations: Tokyo, Singapore and Vietnam. QUOINE adopts a pro-regulation stance, as the team believes that regulatory compliance will help foster a safe, secure environment for cryptocurrencies to help shape the future of the financial services.

3) The QUOINE LIQUID platform is the driving force behind the QASH Token Sale and leverages QUOINE's international network of trusted fintech partners.

The funds raised from the QASH Token Sale will strengthen the development of QUOINE LIQUID platform. The QUOINE LIQUID platform is a solution that will transform the crypto economy by providing liquidity, a much needed element across crypto markets. QUOINE's mission to unite all major exchanges to one single QUOINE LIQUID platform attracted great interest from the crypto and traditional finance communities, that acknowledge the importance and urgency of liquidity in the crypto space. More powerful than any existing platform in the marketplace, QUOINE LIQUID features the World Book, a globally sourced trading platform and Prime Brokerage, a suite offering direct market access, fiat management, crypto/fiat credit facilities and real-time reporting.

QUOINE has strong relationships with many of the world's top financial institutions, Asia regulators, cryptocurrencies, exchanges, and fintech startups. Among these major partners include: Bitfinex, Dash, Binance, Blockwave, ZB.com, BW.com, EXX.com, and CEX.IO.

With a proven team, proven platforms, and a pro-regulatory practice, QUOINE is partnering with cryptocurrency exchanges around the world to build a Global Liquidity Alliance, as part of the QUOINE LIQUID platform. By proactively developing long term partnerships with all major cryptocurrency exchanges and industry players, QUOINE is perfectly poised to bring about global liquidity for the crypto economy.

So what is the next step for QUOINE after the QASH Token Sale?

The QASH Token Sale is only the beginning. After sufficient funds are raised, the QUOINE team will be working hard to develop the QUOINE LIQUID platform to meet the huge demand for liquidity in the crypto markets.

Tentatively, QASH will be listed on QUOINEX, QRYPTOS and partnered exchanges by December 1st.

Regarding the huge success of the QASH Token Sale, CEO and Co-founder Mike Kayamori commented: "I would like to thank everyone who participated in our QASH Token Sale. Our responsibilities are bigger now. We have a clear fiduciary responsibility now to our token holders. First, from the product development perspective, we have to deliver our product as promised. QUOINE LIQUID already has the core development, and now we are moving into refining the user experience. Second, we have to provide liquidity by making sure that besides QUOINEX, QRYPTOS and QUOINE LIQUID platforms, other exchanges will be listing our QASH tokens, that there will be price stability, and there is an upward appreciation to all token holders. I would like to thank everyone, including our team members for your commitment and continued support. And I would like to invite everybody to be a part of this exciting journey."

ABOUT QUOINE

QUOINE is a leading global fintech company that provides trading, exchange, and next generation financial services powered by blockchain technology. With offices in Japan, Singapore and Vietnam, QUOINE combines a strong network of local partners with extensive team experience in banking and financial products to deliver best in class financial services for its customers. More information is available at www.quoine.com

In 2014, QUOINE launched Quoine Exchange, now known as QUOINEX, which became one of the largest bitcoin exchanges in the world by transaction volume. QUOINE offers powerful trading features, a sophisticated user dashboard, and secure regulatory compliance to individual and corporate customers. QUOINEX provides trading services for bitcoin and fiat currency pairs in Japanese yen, US dollar, Euro, HK dollar, Indonesian rupiah, Singapore dollar, Philippine peso, Indian rupee, Australian dollar, and Chinese Renminbi. QUOINEX has exceeded USD12 billion in transactions in the past two years. In September 2017, QUOINE Corporation became the first global cryptocurrency exchange to be officially licensed by the Japan FSA. More information can be found at www.quoinex.com

In June 2017, QUOINE launched a fully digital cryptocurrency exchange and trading platform called QRYPTOS, exclusively for cryptocurrency trading in desktop version at www.qryptos.com.

In October 2017, QUOINE became the first licensed global cryptocurrency exchange in Japan to launch a global Initial Coin Offering (ICO), also known as the QASH Token Sale. QUOINE Corporation was officially licensed by the Japan FSA on 29th September 2017.

In November 2017, QUOINE successfully raised 350M QASH (the equivalent of 350K ETH or ~USD105M) in a significantly oversubscribed ICO at https://liquid.plus, to fund the growth of the QUOINE LIQUID platform. More information can be found at:

QASH Token and QUOINE LIQUID website:https://liquid.plus

Whitepaper download:https://liquid.plus/quoine-liquid

QUOINE ICO Brand Reel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5mvYnammC0&t=51s

QUOINE LIQUID Reel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5gs2sX7W-g&t=2s

Telegram:https://t.me/QUOINE

CONTACT DETAILS

Contact Person: Katherine Ng

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.quoine.com

Telegram Community:https://t.me/QUOINE

Twitter: @QUOINE_SG

Facebook: www.fb.com/quoine.sg

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/quoine

Reddit:https://www.reddit.com/r/QASH/

Steemit:https://steemit.com/@quoineliquid

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOR2GJnFoOgTazC5v6mBTSA/featured?disable_polymer=1

SOURCE QUOINE

Related Links

http://www.quoine.com


BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Radiant Logistics, Inc. (NYSE American: RLGT), a third-party logistics and multi-modal transportation services company, today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

First Fiscal Quarter Financial Highlights (Quarter Ended September 30, 2017)

Revenues were $198.0 million for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017 , up $2.9 million or 1.5% compared to revenues of $195.1 million for the comparable prior year period.

for the first fiscal quarter ended , up or 1.5% compared to revenues of for the comparable prior year period. Net revenues were $46.1 million for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017 , down $2.9 million or 5.9% compared to net revenues of $49.0 million for the comparable prior year period.

for the first fiscal quarter ended , down or 5.9% compared to net revenues of for the comparable prior year period. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $0.3 million , or $0.01 per basic and fully diluted share, compared to a net income of $1.4 million , or $0.03 per basic and fully diluted share for the comparable prior year period and includes $0.3 million in customer start-up costs associated with the Company's expanded materials management and distribution ("MM&D") solution offering in Canada .

, or per basic and fully diluted share, compared to a net income of , or per basic and fully diluted share for the comparable prior year period and includes in customer start-up costs associated with the Company's expanded materials management and distribution ("MM&D") solution offering in . Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders was $2.7 million , or $0.05 per basic and fully diluted share for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017 , compared to adjusted net income of $4.0 million , or $0.08 per basic and fully diluted share for the comparable prior year period.

, or per basic and fully diluted share for the first fiscal quarter ended , compared to adjusted net income of , or per basic and fully diluted share for the comparable prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA was $6.5 million for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017 , down $0.8 million or 11.0% compared to adjusted EBITDA of $7.3 million for the comparable prior year period.

Acquisition Update

On September 1, 2017, the Company announced that it acquired the assets and operations of Sandifer-Valley Transportation & Logistics, Ltd. ("SVT") through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Radiant Global Logistics, Inc. SVT is expected to transition to the Radiant brand and will expand the Company's cross-border capabilities with Mexico providing a full range of domestic and international services with operations in McAllen, Texas.

CEO Comments

"Given the recent market headwinds, we reported Adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 million on revenues of $198.0 million and net revenues of $46.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017," said Bohn Crain, Founder and CEO. "On a comparable year over year basis, revenues were up $2.9 million or 1.5% while net revenues were down $2.9 million or 5.9%. These quarterly net revenue results reflect the impacts of excess capacity and related pressures on transportation margins (down $4.2 million) that continued through most of the quarter, partially offset by an incremental $1.4 million in net revenue contribution attributed to our acquisition of Lomas Logistics which expanded our materials management and distribution ("MM&D") capabilities in Canada. Most of the compression in our net transportation margins was offset by a corresponding reduction in commissions paid to our operating partners (down $3.7 million). In addition, our quarterly results were negatively impacted by approximately $0.3 million in start-up costs associated with adding new and reconfiguring existing Canadian facilities to further expand our MM&D solution offering which we believe will be a meaningful financial contributor in future quarters.

Looking forward, we believe we are well positioned to benefit from a more favorable market environment as capacity tightens and demand accelerates. We believe this will lead to expanding transportation margins and improved financial performance for both our forwarding and brokerage operations over the next several quarters. In addition, we are seeing strong demand for our Canada-based materials management and distribution solutions offering and have secured contracts with 8 new customers that we estimate will contribute an incremental $3.5-$4.0 million in incremental annual MM&D and transportation net revenues that will come on line over the next two quarters. We believe our strategic decision to bundle value added materials management and distribution solutions with our core transportation service offering will continue to gain momentum and allow us to enhance our margins and accelerate our organic growth."

Crain Continued: "We also made meaningful progress on the technology front this last quarter with the successful pilot of our new SAP-based transportation management system in Phoenix, Arizona. This was an important milestone for the Company and puts us in position to begin a more broad-based roll out of the system in the first calendar quarter of 2018. As we have previously discussed, we believe our ongoing investment in technology provides us with a unique opportunity to deliver a state-of-the-art technology platform for our strategic operating partners and the end customers that we serve. At the same time, our new technology set will enable a number of productivity initiatives to stream-line our back-office processes and accelerate the realization of back-office cost synergies associated with existing and future acquisitions and can ultimately help facilitate revenue synergies across the platform."

September 30, 2017  Financial Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, Radiant reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $0.3 million on $198.0 million of revenues, or $0.01 per basic and fully diluted share. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, Radiant reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.4 million on $195.1 million of revenues, or $0.03 per basic and fully diluted share.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, Radiant reported adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $2.7 million, or $0.05 per basic and fully diluted share. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, Radiant reported adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $4.0 million, or $0.08 per basic and fully diluted share.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, Radiant reported Adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 million, compared to $7.3 million for the comparable prior year period. Normalizing these results to exclude non-recurring transition costs associated with the interim operation of Service by Air's back-office operations, Adjusted EBITDA would have been $6.5 million and $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Earnings Call and Webcast Access Information

Radiant Logistics, Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern to discuss the contents of this release. The conference call is open to all interested parties, including individual investors and press. Bohn Crain, Founder and CEO will host the call.

Conference Call Details

DATE/TIME: Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern



DIAL-IN US (877) 407-8031; Intl. (201) 689-8031



REPLAY November 10, 2017 at 9:30 AM Eastern to November 23, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern, US (877) 481-4010;

Intl. (919) 882-2331 (Replay ID number: 22344)

Webcast Details

This call is also being webcast and may be accessed via Radiant's web site at www.radiantdelivers.com or through www.InvestorCalendar.com.

About Radiant Logistics (NYSE MKT: RLGT)

Radiant Logistics, Inc. (www.radiantdelivers.com) is a third-party logistics and multimodal transportation services company delivering advanced supply chain solutions through a network of company-owned and strategic operating partner locations across North America. Through its comprehensive service offering, Radiant provides domestic and international freight forwarding services, truck and rail brokerage services and other value-added supply chain management services, including customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management and warehousing to a diversified account base including manufacturers, distributors and retailers using a network of independent carriers and international agents positioned strategically around the world.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to: trends in the domestic and global economy; our ability to attract new and retain existing agency relationships; acquisitions and integration of acquired entities; availability of capital to support our acquisition strategy; our ability to maintain and improve back office infrastructure and transportation and accounting information systems in a manner sufficient to service our revenues and network of operating locations; the ability of the Wheels operation to maintain and grow its revenues and operating margins in a manner consistent with recent operating results and trends; our ability to maintain positive relationships with our third-party transportation providers, suppliers and customers; outcomes of legal proceedings; competition; management of growth; potential fluctuations in operating results; and government regulation. More information about factors that potentially could affect our financial results is included Radiant Logistics, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

# # #

Investor Contact: Radiant Logistics, Inc. Todd Macomber (425) 943-4541 [email protected] Media Contact: Radiant Logistics, Inc. Ryan McBride (425) 943-4533 [email protected]

RADIANT LOGISTICS, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

September 30,



June 30,





2017



2017

ASSETS















Current assets:















Cash and cash equivalents

$ 5,767



$ 5,808

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,830 and $1,599, respectively



123,260





116,327

Employee and other receivables



271





251

Income tax deposit



658





432

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



6,256





6,902

Total current assets



136,212





129,720



















Technology and equipment, net



15,607





15,227



















Acquired intangibles, net



73,311





74,729

Goodwill



66,997





66,779

Deposits and other assets



3,158





3,085

Total long-term assets



143,466





144,593

Total assets

$ 295,285



$ 289,540



















LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY















Current liabilities:















Accounts payable and accrued transportation costs

$ 85,008



$ 85,490

Commissions payable



11,466





10,843

Other accrued costs



5,302





4,778

Current portion of notes payable



3,548





3,382

Current portion of contingent consideration



3,830





4,130

Current portion of transition and lease termination liability



1,343





1,210

Other current liabilities



349





143

Total current liabilities



110,846





109,976



















Notes payable, net of current portion



42,083





37,040

Contingent consideration, net of current portion



6,015





5,790

Transition and lease termination liability, net of current portion



622





804

Deferred rent liability



980





857

Deferred tax liability



10,205





10,826

Other long-term liabilities



1,099





782

Total long-term liabilities



61,004





56,099

Total liabilities



171,850





166,075



















Stockholders' equity:















Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 839,200 shares issued and

outstanding, liquidation preference of $20,980



1





1

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 49,187,768 and 49,177,215

shares issued, and 49,095,970 and 49,085,417 shares outstanding, respectively



30





30

Additional paid-in capital



116,570





116,172

Treasury stock, at cost, 91,798 shares



(253)





(253)

Retained earnings



7,713





7,397

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



(740)





65

Total Radiant Logistics, Inc. stockholders' equity



123,321





123,412

Non-controlling interest



114





53

Total stockholders' equity



123,435





123,465

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 295,285



$ 289,540



RADIANT LOGISTICS, INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended September 30,





2017



2016

Revenues

$ 197,977



$ 195,133

Cost of transportation



151,829





146,124

Net revenues



46,148





49,009



















Operating partner commissions



19,692





23,351

Personnel costs



13,993





12,778

Selling, general and administrative expenses



6,848





5,782

Depreciation and amortization



3,575





3,006

Transition and lease termination costs



107





476

Change in contingent consideration



(300)





250

Total operating expenses



43,915





45,643



















Income from operations



2,233





3,366



















Other income (expense):















Interest income



7





4

Interest expense



(771)





(639)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)



(85)





201

Other



130





194

Total other expense:



(719)





(240)



















Income before income tax expense



1,514





3,126



















Income tax expense



(626)





(1,252)



















Net income



888





1,874

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest



(61)





(12)



















Net income attributable to Radiant Logistics, Inc.



827





1,862

Less: Preferred stock dividends



(511)





(511)



















Net income attributable to common stockholders

$ 316



$ 1,351



















Other comprehensive income (loss):















Foreign currency translation gain (loss)



(805)





221

Comprehensive income (loss)

$ (489)



$ 1,572



















Net income per common share - basic and diluted

$ 0.01



$ 0.03



















Weighted average shares outstanding:















Basic shares



49,085,545





48,861,511

Diluted shares



50,642,953





49,534,395



RADIANT LOGISTICS, INC.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA,

Adjusted EBITDA and Normalized Adjusted EBITDA

(unaudited)

As used in this report, Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Normalized Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Normalized Adjusted EBITDA are presented herein because they are important metrics used by management to evaluate and understand the performance of the ongoing operations of Radiant's business. For Adjusted Net Income, management uses a 36% tax rate for calculating the provision for income taxes before preferred dividend requirement to normalize Radiant's tax rate to that of its competitors and to compare Radiant's reporting periods with different effective tax rates. In addition, in arriving at Adjusted Net Income, the Company adjusts for certain non-cash charges and significant items that are not part of regular operating activities. These adjustments include depreciation and amortization, change in contingent consideration, amortization of loan fees, write-off of loan fees, impairment of acquired intangible assets, acquisition related costs, transition costs, lease termination costs, legal costs and non-recurring costs.

Adjusted EBITDA means earnings before preferred stock dividends, interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, which is then further adjusted for changes in contingent consideration, expenses specifically attributable to acquisitions, lease termination costs, extraordinary items, share-based compensation expense, legal costs, non-recurring costs, material management and distribution ("MM&D") start-up costs, write off of loan fees, impairment of acquired intangible assets and foreign exchange losses or gains. Normalized Adjusted EBITDA represents the Adjusted EBITDA but also adds back transition costs associated with the SBA back-office that is projected to be eliminated.

We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, as presented, represent a useful method of assessing the performance of our operating activities, as they reflect our earnings trends without the impact of certain non-cash charges and other non-recurring charges. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the GAAP financial information by providing additional insight regarding results of operations to allow a comparison to other companies, many of whom use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, these non-GAAP financial measures will not be defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other companies. Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Normalized Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any of the consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP, or as an indication of Radiant's operating performance or liquidity.





Three Months Ended September 30,

Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income:

2017



2016

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$ 316



$ 1,351

Adjustments to net income (loss):















Income tax expense



626





1,252

Depreciation and amortization



3,575





3,006

Change in contingent consideration



(300)





250

Lease termination costs



107





3

Acquisition related costs



78





145

Legal costs



24





36

Non-recurring costs









6

Amortization of loan fees



62





80

Transition costs associated with acquisitions









455



















Adjusted net income before income taxes



4,488





6,584



















Provision for income taxes at 36% before preferred dividend

requirement



(1,800)





(2,554)



















Adjusted net income

$ 2,688



$ 4,030



















Adjusted net income per common share - basic and diluted

$ 0.05



$ 0.08



















Weighted average shares outstanding:















Basic shares



49,085,545





48,861,511

Diluted shares



50,642,953





49,534,395























Three Months Ended September 30,

Reconciliation of net income to normalized adjusted EBITDA

2017



2016

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$ 316



$ 1,351

Preferred stock dividends



511





511



















Net income attributable to Radiant Logistics, Inc.



827





1,862

Income tax expense



626





1,252

Depreciation and amortization



3,575





3,006

Net interest expense



764





635



















EBITDA



5,792





6,755



















Share-based compensation



350





331

Change in contingent consideration



(300)





250

Acquisition related costs



78





145

Legal costs



24





36

Non-recurring costs









6

Lease termination costs



107





3

MM&D start-up costs



347







Foreign exchange loss (gain)



85





(201)



















Adjusted EBITDA



6,483





7,325

Transition costs









455

Normalized adjusted EBITDA

$ 6,483



$ 7,780

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Net Revenues



14.0 %



14.9 % Normalized Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Net Revenues



14.0 %



15.9 %

SOURCE Radiant Logistics, Inc.

Related Links

http://radiantdelivers.com


NEW YORK and TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a global, independent, employee-owned investment manager, further enhanced its quantitative investment capabilities announcing that Ram Ramaswamy has joined as Managing Director, Head of Investment Solutions for the Neuberger Berman Breton Hill team.

Using the Neuberger Berman Breton Hill research platform, Mr. Ramaswamy will develop portfolio insights and assist clients by providing thoughtful and innovative investment solutions. He will work closely with institutional and high net worth clients, globally, to help them think through and realize their investment objectives. Prior to this role, Mr. Ramaswamy spent 16 years at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in the Alternative Investments and Manager Selection group. He has an MBA from The Wharton School.

The Neuberger Berman Breton Hill team, based in Toronto, Canada, utilizes rigorous quantitative research and proprietary technology infrastructure informed by deep capital markets experience. Neuberger Berman Breton Hill's investment solutions range across the risk and return spectrum, with a focus on alternative risk premia and investment solutions spanning equities, currencies, commodities and rates. The group manages capital for a diverse investor base comprised of institutions, ultra-high net worth individuals and retail investors across various vehicles. The team manages approximately $2 billion in quantitative strategies and has 15 investment professionals.

Ray Carroll, Chief Investment Officer, Neuberger Berman Breton Hill, commented "Success in quantitative investing requires the best investment professionals. We look forward to Ram driving client solutions through his deep understanding of quantitative investing. We will continue to build the team as we strive to produce the best investment outcomes for our clients."

About Neuberger Berman

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 19 countries, Neuberger Berman's team is approximately 1,900 professionals, as of September 30, 2017. The company was named the #1 firm in Pensions & Investments 2016 Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). Tenured, stable and long-term in focus, the firm fosters an investment culture of fundamental research and independent thinking. It manages $284 billion in client assets as of September 30, 2017. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.

All information is as of September 30, 2017 unless otherwise indicated and is subject to change without notice. Firm data, including employee and assets under management figures, reflects collective data for the various affiliated investment advisers that are subsidiaries of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Firm history/timeline includes the history of all firm subsidiaries, including predecessor entities and acquisitions.

This material is being issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for the specific entities and jurisdictional limitations and restrictions.

The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC.



 2017 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Neuberger Berman

Related Links

http://www.nb.com


TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ReliaQuest, a leading provider of IT security solutions for the Fortune 1000, today announced it ranked 171 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. ReliaQuest grew 624 percent since 2013.

ReliaQuest CEO Brian Murphy credits the company's strong culture and talented team members for the company's growth trajectory.

"It's amazing to see what groups of individuals can accomplish together when they're driven by the same goals and values," Murphy said. "Security is a team sport. I'm proud of the impact we make every day, side-by-side with our customers, because of our focus on continuous advancement of our people and our security capabilities."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

"Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."

Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 135 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 380 percent. View all winners at www.fast500.com.

ReliaQuest has been continually recognized for its growth, success and commitment to maintaining a positive company culture. Earlier in 2017, the company was designated as a national "Great Place to Work," and was listed among Fortune Magazine's Top 100 Medium Workplaces. Also in 2017, CEO Brian Murphy was named Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida.

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About ReliaQuest

ReliaQuest advances the delivery, reliability and outcomes of IT security through co-management. Founded in 2007 and serving Fortune 1000 organizations in diverse industries, ReliaQuest helps customers better understand security threats to stay ahead of the curve. The company takes a collaborative approach, developing custom solutions based on each organization's risk profile and business goals, while leveraging existing investments in security hardware and software. ReliaQuest provides Detection and Response, Security Engineering, Security Analytics and Threat Management solutions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from Security Operations Centers in Tampa, FL, and Las Vegas, NV. ReliaQuest's model is recognized by industry experts as the emerging standard for large and complex organizations. The company has also received numerous accolades for its commitment to maintaining a positive company culture. In 2017 ReliaQuest CEO Brian Murphy was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida.

Media contact:

Kim Wilmath

Director of Communications

813-857-5397

[email protected]

SOURCE ReliaQuest

Related Links

http://www.reliaquest.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) was formed following the merger of Vodafone Australia with Hutchison Telecoms, each entity owning half of the new company.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02154699







Hutchison and Vodafone now operate under the business name VHA, with products still marketed under the Vodafone brand.

Vodafone's infrastructure has seen a fundamental overhaul, largely due to the successful refarming of its 850MHz concessions which allowed it to convert 3G to LTE across the country.



Vodafone Australia has begun committing major resources to evaluating a potential fixed-line play over NBN. It is also targeting leadership in the next generation of mobile, announcing that it will start running 5G lab trials and demonstrations.



Vodafone Australia is also looking to take leadership in the growing Internet of Things space, drawing on the expertise of the Vodafone Group globally.



Vodafone has begun a large half-decade network transformation project: virtualizing both its core and IP networks in its transition to a 5G environment.

It is planning to launch fixed broadband service via the NBN in selected areas by 2018 and has been investing heavily to establish its own NBN infrastructure. BuddeComm surmises that if Vodafone did not enter the fixed-line business despite the obvious opportunities in place it may become a target for fixed-line players.



Companied covered in this report include:

Telstra, Optus, VHA, Vodafone, 3, Hutchison (HTA).



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p02154699



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



https://www.reportlinker.com





__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RG was awarded a modification to a sole source contract for the Programmed Depot Maintenance Scheduling System (PDMSS) to perform the Enterprise Application (EA) Server Migration Effort for the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

RG (Robbins-Gioia, LLC) will deliver a solution that migrates PDMSS off the legacy EAServer and PowerBuilder code, and implements Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) compliance to provide a modern platform for the USAF. RG expects to extend the lifetime of PDMSS, increase compatibility, ease maintainability, and enhance system stability and supportability.

"RG is pleased to continue its support of the Air Force maintenance community by modernizing PDMSS and moving off the legacy code," says Jeff Philippart, RG's Director of Defense Business.

"Our wealth of knowledge related to the Air Force's technology architecture and business processes for depot level maintenance make RG a natural partner for the modernization of this legacy system. These efforts will ensure the Air Force maintains the required readiness to sustain the warfighter," says Chris Samulski, RG's Director of Software.

At RG, we provide management consulting, managed services, and JFAST software. We partner with our clients to test and refine every solution to meet their exact needs. We take pride in tackling complex management challenges with fresh and innovative insights and in transforming our clients' vision into reality.

Contact:

Lindsay Phillips

Director, Marketing

RG

703-739-5663

[email protected]

www.teamrg.com

SOURCE RG

Related Links

http://www.teamrg.com


SAINT LOUIS, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fully Managed cloud hosting provider RoseHosting is proud to sponsor the 2017 WordCamp US in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2017 WordCamp US in Nashville, Tennessee, is a great opportunity for the WordPress community to get to know each other, everyone from casual users to core developers participate, share ideas, and discuss news, updates, and best-practices for WordPress in general.

RoseHosting provides expertise in Linux server deployment services, including website migration, server configuration, server monitoring, maintenance, and full backup services. Offering ultra-fast SSD Linux virtual private servers, RoseHosting provides cloud hosting for businesses and individuals that need an online presence, in a fast, secure and isolated virtual private environment.

RoseHosting is an ideal sponsor for the 2017 WordCamp in Nashville, TN as WordPress users who require superior hosting for their WordPress sites can turn to RoseHosting to meet their needs. For example, RoseHosting provides a fully managed WordPress hosting for companies that want to publish content online without having to worry about managing and configuring a web hosting server.

Nashville's WordPress users are a community in the truest sense of the word, which is why they are so excited to host WordCamp US this year and blow it out of the water with the fellow WordPress enthusiasts around the country! The third annual WordCamp US 2017 will be held at Music City Center in the heart of downtown Nashville, and will take place on December 1-3, 2017. RoseHosting will be present to provide insight on the cloud hosting services they offer.

RoseHosting is a privately owned St. Louis-based company, in business since 2001. Back then, they were the first and only company in the world to offer commercial Linux virtual servers. Now, they offer several hosting solutions to thousands of customers around the world. Their data center is located in St. Louis, Missouri, less than 100 miles from the population center of the USA.

Media Contact:

Jeff Wilson

Phone: 888.767.3467

Email: [email protected]

Related Links

RoseHosting

WordPress Hosting

SOURCE RoseHosting
DALLAS, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed Dallas trial attorneys Richard A. "Dick" Sayles and Mark Werbner of the law firm Sayles Werbner have been selected for the 2018 edition of Benchmark Litigation, a leading legal guide to America's top litigators.

Benchmark has recognized both lawyers for their work in commercial litigation. In addition, Sayles is honored for his litigation work in energy and natural resources as well as insurance. Both have been listed in Benchmark's guides every year since 2013.

Benchmark Litigation compiles its list following an extensive interview process with trial lawyers and their clients, an examination of casework and feedback from peers.

Sayles and Werbner are no strangers to high honors for their legal work. The two are widely respected for their courtroom techniques and successes in high-profile cases, including a groundbreaking terrorism lawsuit that led to the first civil liability verdict against a foreign bank for providing material financial support to terrorists.

Sayles is Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Werbner is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Criminal Law.

The firm co-founders were recently selected to the 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list and Werbner was honored as a Top 10 attorney in the state for business litigation. He joined Sayles on the list of Top 100 attorneys in the state and in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Each has been recognized by Super Lawyers annually since 2003.

Additionally, The Best Lawyers in America included the duo in its 2018 edition and named both Lawyers of the Year for their respective practice areas. Chambers USA also has recognized the name shareholders as top commercial litigators.

Sayles Werbner maintains an international reputation as a proven trial law firm in complex business litigation, life-altering personal injury cases, and practically every type of case that requires courtroom expertise. To learn more, visit swtriallaw.com.

Media Contact:

Sophia Reza

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Sayles Werbner

Related Links

http://www.swtriallaw.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP ("Scott+Scott"), a national shareholder and consumer rights litigation firm, is investigating whether certain directors and officers of Lannett Company, Inc. ("Lannett" or the "Company") (NYSE: LCI) breached their fiduciary duties to the Company and its shareholders. If you are a Lannett shareholder, you are encouraged to contact Scott+Scott for additional information.

Lannett develops, manufactures, markets and distributes generic versions of brand pharmaceutical products. On July 16, 2014, Lannett disclosed that it had received interrogatories and a subpoena from the State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General concerning its investigation into the pricing of Digoxin, one of Lannett's generic drugs. By November 3, 2016, media outlets reported that Department of Justice ("DOJ") prosecutors were considering filing criminal charges against Lannett and several other generic pharmaceutical companies by the end of 2016 for unlawfully colluding to fix generic drug prices.

On January 5, 2017, the Antitrust Division's Washington Criminal I Section submitted an Uncontested Motion of the United States to Intervene in an antitrust action captioned In re Generic Digoxin and Doxycycline Antitrust Litigation, in which Lannett, among others, is named as a defendant. In its motion, the DOJ asserted that "this litigation shares common questions of law and fact with an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Continued litigation of this consolidated action is likely to result in the disclosure of information that will harm the ongoing criminal antitrust investigation." On January 6, 2017, the DOJ's uncontested motion to intervene was granted.

What You Can Do

If you are a Lannett shareholder, you may have legal claims against Lannett's directors and officers. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Joe Pettigrew at (844) 818-6982, or at [email protected].

About Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP

Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and employee retirement plan actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Connecticut, California, and Ohio.

CONTACT:

Joe Pettigrew

Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP

(844) 818-6982

[email protected]

SOURCE Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP

Related Links

http://scott-scott.com


LAS VEGAS, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hardware Show was held on May 9-11, 2017 in Las Vegas. The show featured business representatives from across the globe exhibiting 15 major hardware product categories. The show's layout was laid to help people connect with exhibitors and to know the insights of branded hardware products. The exhibition also enlightened the importance of new and emerging brand opportunities and money-saving deals.

Shanghai Rolling Threads Tech Ltd.

Shanghai Rolling Threads Technology Ltd. participated in this event and showcased its various plumbing products in collaboration with eWorldTrade.com. The company was represented by Mr. Jim Zhou, president of the company. He introduced his newly launched plumbing products in the event that included rolled threaded pipes and pipe cutting machines.

President of the Shanghai Rolling Thread Technology Jim Zhou in a discussion with a local journalist expressed that, "It has been a great experience participating in the National Hardware Show and it's wonderful to see the number of participants increasing from last year." He further added, "The show has got everything that an exhibitionist looks for; it provides an opportunity to showcase the depth of products you have and to let people know what innovation you are coming up with." Technical Support Engineer, Kimi Yang said that, "The major reason behind the increasing participants of the show is the featuring of new and innovative products. The National Hardware show helped us to build brand popularity of a completely new hardware product line such as ours."

About Shanghai Rolling Threads Technology Ltd.

Shanghai Rolling Thread Technology Ltd., established in 1998 and located in China, executed its operations with the objective of bringing innovative gas piping solutions. Taking this dream into reality, in 2016, Shanghai Rolling Threads introduced its rolling thread pipe nipple technology that gained overwhelming appreciation by the customers across all regions. The company has mastered the hardware and piping industry with its innovatively tailored threaded pipe nipples widely used for oil and gas piping applications. We have expanded our rolling thread technology to USA & Europe due to its increasing demand.

Sources:

http://www.nationalhardwareshow.com/Show-Info/Show-Information-Overview

https://www.chithreads.com/blog/participation-of-shanghai-rolling-threads-in-the-national-hardware-show

Contact Details:

James Park

International Sales Manager

Rm.502, Nr.1122 Xinjinqiao Rd, Pudong Shanghai, China.

Phone: 0086-21-61462116

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Shanghai Rolling Threads Tech Ltd.

Related Links

https://www.chithreads.com


NEWINGTON, Conn., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharpe Capital, a family-owned and operated brokerage firm, has developed a new "Growing Businesses Building a Community" program, which will benefit the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. As a lender with a heart, Sharpe Capital has developed a co-marketing relationship with the medical center and pledged one percent of its total receivables or commissions to be used for the nonprofit's general fund.

Sharpe Capital

The Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Children's Medical Center based in Hartford. The medical center is the only hospital in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the care of children. Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has more than 1,000 medical staff providing comprehensive, world-class health care in more than 30 pediatric specialties and subspecialties.

The foundation raises critical funding that provides for the financial resources for Connecticut Children's Medical Center to invest in people, research, technology and state-of-the-art equipment in order to ensure the care children need and deserve.

"We are very proud and excited to announce our new 'Growing Businesses Building a Community' program, benefiting Connecticut Children's Medical Center," says Brendan P. Lynch, CEO of Sharpe Capital. "Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a leader in child patient care, and we couldn't be more excited to work with such a great organization."

Sharpe Capital has more than 15 years of business financial experience and is at the forefront of the country's quickly changing economy. The firm provides a range of business loans, including SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit, merchant cash advances, equipment leasing and purchasing, and more.

To learn more about the company and their new partnership with Connecticut Children's Medical Center, visit SharpeCapital.biz.

About Sharpe Capital

Sharpe Capital is a family-owned and operated brokerage firm that helps their clients achieve and retain the greatest possible funding success. With more than 120 funding platforms in their network, Sharpe Capital has solutions for every business. To learn more, visit SharpeCapital.biz.

Related Images

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ccmc in support of logo

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SHARPE LOGO

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CCMC OUTSIDE

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BLYNCH PIC #1

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blynch pic #2

SOURCE Sharpe Capital

Related Links

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New York-based startup QuiO, winner of the 2017 Accenture Global HealthTech Innovation Challenge, is at the vanguard of digital technologies that allow injectable therapies to reach their full potential. QuiO technologies include the ConnectedRx, a first-of-its-kind cloud-based solution for patient support.

SHL and QuiO believe that connectivity is the key to taking user experience to the next level. The idea of the device as not only a drug carrier, but as a data collector, opens up unique opportunities to support patient adherence and monitor treatment outcomes.

The strategic partnership is a valuable match that will add to SHL's wide range of products and provide a sophisticated software platform. QuiO's fully integrated solution combines novel device concepts, software and services and is expected to take patient care to the next level.

"SHL has pushed to stay at the leading edge of advanced drug delivery for more than 20 years. As the healthcare industry embraces digital and people increasingly take their treatment into their own hands, our natural next step is connectivity that seamlessly captures high-quality data to form a detailed picture of the patient to improve clinical decision-making," SHL Group founder and CEO Roger Samuelsson said.

QuiO CEO Alexander Dahmani said: "QuiO is excited to contribute hardware technology and provide the full software-stack for SHL's connected devices. Our ConnectedRx solution captures data directly from medical devices, structures and stores it in a secure cloud environment, and serves it to a suite of powerful applications that enable patients, clinicians, and customers to benefit from the data."

For SHL, partnering with QuiO is an important milestone that will provide entrepreneurial spirit and excellent capabilities to support its ambitions to lead the digital healthcare industry.

About QuiO

QuiO is a connected therapeutics company that provides software and services enabled by smart medication devices. The company's solution helps chronic disease patients succeed on long-term therapies, and helps stakeholders track the real-world performance of these therapies. To learn more about QuiO, please visit www.quio.com.

About SHL Group

SHL is a world-leading solution provider in the design, development and manufacturing of advanced drug delivery devices such as auto injectors and pen injectors. With locations in Taiwan, Sweden, China and the U.S., it develops product enhancements and breakthrough drug delivery solutions for pharma and biotech clients globally. Visit shl.group for more information.

SOURCE SHL GROUP

Related Links

http://shl.group


MODESTO, Calif., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LUX Wines, an importer and purveyor of fine wines within an independent division of E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo), announced today that it has been awarded the exclusive rights to distribute Sicily's Tornatore wines in the United States, effective January 1, 2018.

Tornatore is the latest addition to LUX Wines, a growing portfolio of elite brands from the most noteworthy appellations in the world. Tornatore is a family-owned winery located in the Sicilian town of Castiglione di Sicilia on the northeastern slopes of Europe's largest and most active volcano, Mt. Etna. Benefiting from the region's unique growing conditions and native varieties, the local Tornatore family produces very complex and distinctive wines.

Mt. Etna is an exceptional terroir. Located in northeastern Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and Italy's fourth largest wine producing region, there is abundant sunshine and warmth. There is also a cooling effect from sea breezes and high elevation, which together preserve acidity, enhance structure and bring complexity to Tornatore wines. The region's volcanic soils are both fertile and well drained and therefore ideally suited to viticulture.

Many grapes thrive on Mt. Etna's slopes, but it's the native red Nerello Mascalese and white Carricante grapes that produce the region's most special wines. Tornatore relies almost exclusively on these two varieties for their single vineyard and regional blends.

"Although the number of wineries on Mt. Etna continues to rise due to the region's increasing popularity, the Tornatore family has been there for generations. Their deep understanding and respect for the land is evident in their beautifully structured and balanced wines," said Joseph C. Gallo, Vice President in Gallo's Premium Wine Division. "My first commercial vintage was 2012," said founder Francesco Tornatore. "However, it was my great grandfather who was the first in our family to plant vines here in 1865."

Having grown up among the vines on Mt. Etna, Francesco had access to the best lots for planting, all of which today are within a few kilometers of his childhood home and the winery.

The national roll-out of Tornatore is scheduled for Q1 2018.

About LUX Wines

Founded in 2014, LUX Wines is an importer and purveyor of fine wines from around the world created by E. & J. Gallo Winery as a distinct selling and marketing division. LUX Wines hand-selects truly singular, terroir-driven wines from highly acclaimed wineries around the world that transcend time and are deeply rooted in tradition. LUX is led by Managing Director Giovanni Nencini, who has a profound understanding of the fine wine business with more than 25 years of high-level experience in sales, marketing and exporting. Nencini oversees an elite team of wine professionals who have lived, worked and traveled in the world's most renowned winegrowing regions. For discerning American wine enthusiasts, LUX offers a growing international portfolio of iconic wines.

About E. & J. Gallo Winery

Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world's largest family-owned winery and the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 90 countries around the globe. A pioneer in the art of grape growing, winemaking, sustainable practices, marketing and worldwide distribution, Gallo crafts and imports wines and spirits to suit a diverse range of tastes and occasions, from everyday offerings to boutique, luxury bottlings.

The Gallo portfolio is comprised of more than 80 unique brands, including Barefoot Cellars, Dark Horse, and Gallo Family Vineyards, as well as premium box wines The Naked Grape and Vin Vault. Premium offerings include Apothic, Carnivor, Chateau Souverain, Columbia Winery, Ecco Domani, Edna Valley Vineyard, J Vineyards & Winery, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Mirassou, Orin Swift, Talbott Vineyards, and William Hill Estate, along with highly acclaimed imports, such as Alamos, Brancaia, La Marca, Las Rocas, Martin Codax, Whitehaven, and LUX Wines, importers of Allegrini, Argiano, Jermann, Pieropan and Renato Ratti. Gallo Spirits offers New Amsterdam Vodka and Gin and E&J Brandy, in addition to imported Scotch whiskies from Whyte & Mackay, including The Dalmore, Jura Single Malt and John Barr Blended.

SOURCE E. & J. Gallo Winery

Related Links

http://www.gallo.com


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SiteLock today announced it was named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. The company also garnered recognition as Arizona's fastest growing software company for the third consecutive year, and earned distinction as the fastest growing company in Arizona overall, boasting a growth rate of 603 percent during a three-year period.

SiteLock President, Neill Feather, credits the company's continued growth and recognition to a deliberate focus on product innovation and targeted customer acquisition strategy, both driven by exceptional customer service and support. Software innovations include SMART  DataBase, a scanning tool designed to automatically find and remove known malware from WordPress databases, and the SiteLock Risk Assessment, a proprietary predictive model used to determine a website's likelihood of attack.

"We are honored to be included once again in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. Earning recognition as the fastest growing software company in Arizona for the third consecutive year is a direct result of our continued focus on addressing a growing need in the market, and delivering superior technology specifically designed to help small and medium sized businesses thrive on the internet," said Feather. "Our mission is to protect every website on the internet. As cyber threats and breaches continue to dominate headlines, helping website owners become proactive about website security has never been more important."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

"Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."

SiteLock was included on the 2015 and 2016 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and also recognized as the fastest growing software company in Arizona both years as well.

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About SiteLock

SiteLock, the global leader in website security solutions, is the only provider to offer complete, cloud-based website protection. Its 360-degree monitoring detects and fixes threats, prevents future attacks, accelerates website performance, and meets PCI compliance standards for businesses of all sizes. Founded in 2008, the company protects over 12 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit sitelock.com.

SOURCE SiteLock

Related Links

http://www.sitelock.com


GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 8th, a special ceremony was held in Guangdong International Financial Center to celebrate the official unveiling of the headquarters of Southern Finance and Economic Omnimedia Group. according to the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

Ren Xuefeng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Committee and Guangzhou Party Chief, and Shen Haixiong, a standing committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and head of Guangdong's publicity department, attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony, 8 MoUs were inked between the group and professional organizations including Guangzhou Tianhe District Government, Guangdong Branch of Poly Group, Guangzhou Industrial Investment Fund, Guangdong New Media Industry Fund, Shenzhen Press Group and so on.

Agreements were tailored to pave the way for the headquarters' moving into Guangzhou International Financial Center, as well as co-building the Southern Think Tank and also a subordinate enterprise for holding and financing. Besides, these will boost the group's data business, and help the group gain access to the capital markets.

Established in November of 2016, the group integrates premium finance and economics media resources and productive assets of Nanfang Media Group and Guangdong Radio and Television Station. The group is a key project for Guangdong to implement the central government's deployment and promote the supply-side structural reform in the field of media.

It is introduced that since its foundation, the group has focused on "Media + Finance" strategy, developing the media convergence and forming a media network covering the newspaper, television, radio and online websites.

Now the group has accelerated its data business with the core of Guangdong Free Trade Zone Information Port and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Institute, also the framework of its trading business has gradually been developed, laying importance to Guangdong South Cultural Equity Exchange and Hengqin International Commodities Exchange Center.

SOURCE Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Springfield High School & Junior High with the Energy Star Building Label, representing the school's achievement in placing among the most energy efficient K-12 school facilities in the United States and making it the only K-12 building in Summit County to have earned the distinction to date for 2017.

GARDINER presents Sprinfield's staff with Energy Star Award (L-R, Kevin Pugely from GARDINER, Mike Smith and Dustin Boswell from Sprinfield Local School District, and Nate Smik from GARDINER) A relatively new facility, GARDINER identified how to more efficiently operate Springfield High School & Junior High's existing HVAC systems

Representatives from GARDINER, the district's partner in identifying and implementing energy conservation strategies, were on hand to present district Business Manager Dustin Boswell and Maintenance Supervisor Mike Smith with the Award.

"When we opened this facility in 2014, our promise to the community was to be as efficient as we could with the operating dollars that we had," said Boswell. "Although the building was new, we identified early on that we weren't getting the most from our new systems. The Energy Star award really symbolizes that we've stayed committed to that promise for our students and the community."

"Anything we can do to make the environment better for students and save money at the same time, is a win-win. The superintendent and the board have really been supportive on this effort," added Smith. "It's great recognition for the district."

EPA's Energy Star energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA's 1-100 scale may be eligible for Energy Star certification. Springfield High School & Junior High has moved from a score of 69 a year ago to an 86 today, earning the Award. The GARDINER and Springfield teams worked closely together to identify both mechanical and control improvements, with Springfield's Smith and Gardiner's Nate Smik being particularly critical to the effort.

"The approach that GARDINER took was unique," said Boswell. "It was very customized and collaborative with our staff. We identified specific issues with our building and how we could operate it better and saw things improve in a gradual, systematic way."

"Dustin, Mike and the whole team were really committed to the program, working to improve both the learning environment for the teachers and students, as well as their energy efficiency," said Smik, an Energy Engineer with Gardiner. "The Energy Star Buildings label really illustrates for the community what Springfield Local Schools has been doing for a couple years now to save the district thousands of dollars while improving comfort in that facility."

About GARDINER

GARDINER is a full service HVAC, energy services and professional building services company serving Northern Ohio's commercial, industrial and institutional facilities, engineers and contractors since 1962. More than 2,500 clients in Northern Ohio trust GARDINER to solve their building comfort, reliability, energy, facilities planning, and project funding challenges. To learn more call 440-248-3400 or visit, www.whgardiner.com.

Media contact:

Dan Babic

[email protected]

440-248-3400

SOURCE GARDINER

Related Links

http://www.whgardiner.com


QUEENS, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- St. John's University School of Law announced today that it will accept Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores starting with applications for Fall 2018 admission to its J.D. program. St. John's and Columbia Law School are now the only two law schools in New York State accepting GRE scores.

In addition to the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), the School of Law will now accept the GRE, or both scores, for Fall 2018. The announcement was made by St. John's University School of Law Dean Michael A. Simons, who said the decision came after a Faculty Council discussion.

Vice Dean Larry Cunningham spearheaded the process for St. John's. "This decision follows an extensive review process we undertook with the ETS (Educational Testing Service), the educational testing and assessment organization that administers the GRE," noted Dean Cunningham. "After correlating GRE performance to performance in the first year of law school, we're confident that the GRE predicts student success in law school." Notably, while the ABA (American Bar Association) requires all accredited law schools to utilize a valid standardized test as part of the application process, it doesn't specify that the test must be the LSAT.

"The GRE also opens the Law School's doors to a broader, more diverse set of applicants, increasing access to legal education," Dean Cunningham added. "Not only is the GRE offered throughout the year at an extensive network of locations, it meets the needs of a growing number of applicants who pursue a law degree after obtaining a graduate or doctorate degree in another field, and who have already taken the GRE."

"Accepting the GRE and creating a more expansive and inclusive applicant pool is consistent with our mission," Dean Simons said. "St. John's Law has provided underserved populations access to a top legal education since we first opened our doors in 1925. Today, with our decision to accept the GRE, we continue that proud tradition."

About St. John's University School of Law

Established in 1925 and located on the beautiful Queens, NY, campus of St. John's University, St. John's School of Law prepares students with the skills and values required for global legal practice. Over 700 Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) students achieve academic excellence through rigorous teaching, scholarly research, and hands-on application of knowledge in clinics, externships, and other programs. The National Law Journal named St. John's Law the #38 "2017 Go-To Law School" for placing graduates in the 100 biggest law firms, and the Law School ranks #28 for placing graduates in full-time, long-term legal jobs (2016 ABA Employment Summary). St. John's bar passage rate for first-time July 2017 exam takers was 89.2%, exceeding New York's statewide average of 86%. St. John's Law has a strong, worldwide network of over 16,000 alumni, including distinguished public servants, leaders of preeminent international law firms and corporations, and pioneering global entrepreneurs.

For more information, please visit www.stjohns.edu/law.

SOURCE St. John's University

Related Links

http://www.stjohns.edu/law


"Global demand for bourbon continues to bring significant economic impact to Kentucky through jobs, investment and tourism," said Gov. Bevin. "This new project by Stoli Group in the heart of bourbon country will serve to accelerate this trend. Stoli Group will offer numerous employment opportunities and support many families in and around Nelson County. I congratulate the company and look forward to seeing this concept come to life over the coming years."

Stoli Group was established in 2013 and is responsible for the management, distribution and marketing operations of SPI Group's global spirits portfolio. One of the world's leading wine and spirits organizations, SPI Group is an independent company committed to a mission of building a respected portfolio of select premium brands, which it achieves by controlling and perfecting every stage of the process, from cultivation through distribution. Additionally, SPI Group develops large-scale real estate projects, including the Finos Tequila distillery in Jalisco, Mexico and the award-winning Bayou Rum distillery and visitors center in Lacassine, Louisiana, and farms 14,000 acres of agricultural land, including for its Stoli and elit Vodkas in Tambov, Russia.

"Stoli Group will put great resources into these endeavors  both the distillery experience and the growth of this very important category for our company. As master blender, Dixon Dedman will continue to manage the production of Kentucky Owl  the crown jewel of the new division, which will remain a small batch offering," said Dmitry Efimov, Head of Stoli Group's American Whiskey Division. "This site will be home to additional brands that we will create or acquire. With the continued strength and growth of American whiskies and bourbons, we are beginning to evaluate those opportunities."

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, of Lebanon, said Stoli Group promises to grow the state's strong reputation in the bourbon industry.

"I am so pleased to hear Stoli Group has chosen this Bardstown location to be Kentucky's newest bourbon-based economic development project," Sen. Higdon said. "Kentucky's signature bourbon industry has showed no sign of slowing, and with this huge investment in the region and the creation of new Kentucky jobs, I have no doubt that Stoli Group will join the ranks of great distillers."

Rep. Chad McCoy, of Bardstown, said the project will have a substantial impact on the already thriving local bourbon industry.

"Stoli Group understands the rich tradition of bourbon in the commonwealth, and we are thrilled the company is expanding a recently acquired family business to Bardstown," said Rep. Chad McCoy, who serves as vice-chair of the Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee. "The distillery is a boon for our community and will cement Bardstown's transformation into the premiere bourbon destination for Kentuckians and people from all over the world."

Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton said the company has found the perfect home in Nelson County.

"We are extremely happy to have Stoli Group's American Whiskey Distillery join our growing family of distilleries in Bardstown and Nelson County," Mayor Heaton said. "Bardstown is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World. This new investment is a testament that there is no better place to make bourbon, educate and entertain visitors than Bardstown, Kentucky. The announcement comes as a result of much hard work by many people in the public and private sector here. The City of Bardstown is proud to be a part of this exciting project."

Nelson County Judge-Executive Dean Watts said the project will have a positive impact on the community.

"The announcement of Stoli Group's American Whiskey Distillery coming to Nelson County is excellent economic news," Judge-Executive Watts said. "We appreciate their investment in our community and look forward to helping with their success."

About Stoli Group

Part of SPI Group  one of the world's leading premium spirits businesses  Stoli Group was established in 2013 as the division responsible for the management, distribution and marketing of SPI's global spirits portfolio.

SOURCE Stoli Group

Related Links

http://www.spi-group.com


MIAMI, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TIKD, an innovative technology company transforming how people handle traffic tickets, today sued The Florida Bar and a law firm in federal court for conspiring to restrain trade in the market for legal services. In its lawsuit, TIKD charges that The Florida Bar, which licenses attorneys and enforces their legal monopoly on legal services, is conspiring with a private ticket defense law firm to drive TIKD out of business.

"The Bar appears to be a willing participant in reducing competition, limiting consumer choice, and denying consumers access to affordable and convenient legal help," said Chris Riley, founder and CEO of TIKD. "All TIKD wants is a level playing field to compete, but The Florida Bar and The Ticket Clinic are preventing that. TIKD is good for drivers, good for lawyers, and is operating within the rules defined by law. We hope the Bar will come to its senses, end its 'investigation,' and let TIKD operate without interference. But if not, this is an important fight and we look forward to presenting our case to a jury."

Traffic citations are common in America. More than one in five registered drivers will receive a ticket each year, with speeding being the most common violation. Only five percent of tickets are challenged in Court. The national average ticket fine amount is more than $150, nearly all of the monthly discretionary income of 60 percent of U.S. households. Unable to meet the debt obligation and placing drivers at odds with a system in which poverty is criminalized, unpaid traffic tickets result in suspended drivers licenses in 43 states and the District of Columbia. A simple unpaid traffic ticket can place drivers in a debt spiral accumulating late charges, license suspension, and even jail time.*

TIKD, which has served more than 5,000 Floridians since it launched there in February 2017, offers drivers financial protection from traffic fines with ticket defense provided by independent lawyers. For a one-time charge that is always less than the face amount of a ticket, TIKD provides drivers access to a private attorney and guarantees they will pay no more money for fines, costs or other fees. If the ticket is not dismissed, TIKD pays any fines imposed, and if the driver gets "points," TIKD provides a full refund. The lawyers do the lawyering; TIKD helps drivers avoid the hassle, distraction and embarrassment of dealing with the ticket and provides a financial guarantee and administrative convenience.

TIKD's innovative service has drawn the ire of a competitor, The Ticket Clinic, which also provides speeding ticket defense. The Ticket Clinic's attorneys complained to The Florida Bar, which began "investigating" TIKD for "the unauthorized practice of law" in January 2017, even before its official launch. Ten months later, the Bar's "investigation" is still going on, with no end in sight. In the meantime, The Ticket Clinic's lawyers have filed grievances against every lawyer who has represented a TIKD customer, threatening to have them disbarred. The Florida Bar has abetted this anti-competitive conduct by dragging out its "investigation," secretly issuing an unauthorized and incorrect "opinion" that suggests TIKD is violating Florida law, and refusing to dispel claims that The Bar has "decided" TIKD's business is illegal  even though the Bar has no authority to make such a decision.

TIKD has repeatedly tried to meet with The Florida Bar to explain that its service is perfectly legal and is good for both consumers and lawyers. To date, The Bar has shut TIKD out. TIKD has been forced to file the lawsuit to stop the illegal and anti-competitive actions.

"TIKD is challenging the legal profession, which has an unfortunate history of putting the interests of its members ahead of the interests of consumers," said TIKD's lead attorney Ramon Abadin, himself a recent past president of The Florida Bar. "The Florida Bar has an obligation to help make legal services accessible and affordable to everyone, but its treatment of TIKD is reducing access, not increasing it. We had to file this lawsuit because The Bar has refused to engage in meaningful dialogue with TIKD." Abadin noted the lawsuit is filed on behalf of TIKD, but it is also for consumers and companies that are trying to modernize the delivery of legal services.

"We are using technology to make it easier and cheaper for drivers to handle their traffic tickets right from their phones and computers," said Robert Garvy, TIKD's chairman. "We are providing a superior service and are working with local lawyers who are already handling traffic cases for clients who walk into their offices."

State bar associations are no longer immune from antitrust lawsuits. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that professional associations that regulate their own monopolies can be made to pay treble damages under the Sherman Antitrust Act, just like any other person or company that monopolizes a market. LegalZoom sued The North Carolina State Bar in 2016 for $10.5 million for violating the Sherman Act. That bar association quickly stopped interfering in LegalZoom's sale of legal plans in North Carolina. TIKD's legal team includes Pete Kennedy, the architect of LegalZoom's lawsuit against The North Carolina State Bar, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero, and another former Florida Bar president. Greenberg Traurig's Tim Kolaya helps lead TIKD's national efforts, but neither he nor the firm is involved in the litigation against The Florida Bar.

"When I launched TIKD, my goal was to help people handle their traffic tickets and save time and money," said Riley. "It is ironic that TIKD  like many other tech startups  is now wasting time and money defending itself against the very legal profession it seeks to support with its technology platform."

About TIKD

TIKD is a Florida startup providing drivers with a simpler, more cost-effective way to handle traffic tickets directly from their smartphones and computers. TIKD uses technology, big data and the law of large numbers to offer customers a multitude of benefits including convenience, cost savings on the face value of their traffic ticket, affordable access to legal services and the opportunity to minimize the negative financial impact of getting a traffic ticket. TIKD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. It is available in select counties across Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Washington DC and California. In other locations, customers can simply pay their traffic ticket fine using BetterPay by TIKD, the first of its kind online payment plan for traffic tickets. More than 7,000 customers have used TIKD since it launched in February 2017. Find out more at TIKD.com and on our fact sheet.

* Sources: Statistic Brain Research Institute, Princeton Survey Research Associates International, Legal Aid Justice Center, How Stuff Works, Pew Research Center

SOURCE TIKD

Related Links

http://TIKD.com


CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forecasting critical changes to the foodservice industry over the next five years will be the central topic of discussion at Technomic's upcoming 2018 Foodservice Planning Program conference. Set to take place Jan. 8-10, 2018, in Newport Beach, Calif., the conference will analyze its theme, "The Power of Change," through three new exclusive and comprehensive Technomic studies:

The Changing Menu Development Process Within Chains

Noncommercial 2022: Outlook and Opportunities

Critical Strategic Issues Facing Foodservice Manufacturers to the Year 2022

Foodservice leaders from across the nation will converge to hear findings from Technomic experts and senior-level peers. "Our Foodservice Planning Program brings together prominent influencers from across the industry to share important Technomic insights and individual learnings," says Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic. "It is a valuable conference for those engaging in strategic business planning over the next several years."

Top executives imparting their knowledge and experience at this year's conference include:

Liz Matthews , Chief Food Innovation Officer, Taco Bell Corp.

, Chief Food Innovation Officer, Taco Bell Corp. Brian Todd , Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Sysco Corp.

, Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Sysco Corp. Patti Oliver , Director of Nutrition, UCLA Healthcare

, Director of Nutrition, UCLA Healthcare James Howland , CDM, CFPP, Dining Services Director, Watermark Retirement Communities

, CDM, CFPP, Dining Services Director, Watermark Retirement Communities Kris Klinger , Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Services, University of Southern California

, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Services, Rick Mariam , Director of Nutrition Services, San Dieguito Union High School District

To learn more or register for this year's Technomic Foodservice Planning Program conference, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts:

Press inquiries and program details: Bernadette Noone, (312) 506-3853, [email protected]

Purchasing details: Patrick Noone, (312) 506-3852, [email protected]

About Technomic

Technomic Inc., a Winsight company, delivers a 360-degree view of the food industry. It impacts growth and profitability for clients by providing consumer-grounded vision and channel-relevant strategic insights. Its services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Its clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry. Visit Technomic at www.technomic.com.

About Winsight LLC

Winsight LLC is a recognized leader in business-to-business media and information services for the convenience-retailing, foodservice and grocery industries. Winsight has an extensive media portfolio, including five publications: CSP, Restaurant Business, FoodService Director, Convenience Store Products and Winsight Grocery Business. Winsight also offers a suite of digital products, including websites, e-newsletters, webinars, video products, mobile and tablet apps, and custom marketing solutions. In addition to more than 12 major EduNetworking conferences and advisory meetings, Winsight also produces seven exclusive, large-scale executive-level conferences: Restaurant Leadership Conference, Global Restaurant Leadership Conference, Outlook Leadership Conference, Convenience Retailing University, FSTEC, MenuDirections and Restaurant Directions. Winsight acquired Technomic Inc., a provider of primary and secondary market information and advisory services for the food industry. For more information on Winsight and its brands, go to www.winsightmedia.com.

SOURCE Technomic

Related Links

http://www.technomic.com


During the charity luncheon, guests heard a young mother's heart-wrenching story of her seven-year-old daughter's two-time fight against a rare and aggressive blood cancer, underscoring the continued need for supporting what St. Jude provides to children and families facing health crisis.

"This little girl and her mother have experienced unimaginable challenges and they bravely stood in front of our guests to share their struggle, emphasizing how financial support for the service and care provided at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital can give others the opportunity for life-saving treatment," says Salim Asrawi, Chief Operating Officer at Texas de Brazil. "We are grateful for the generosity shown by our guests and committed to continued support of this cause in the future," he adds.

This year, Texas de Brazil partnered with St. Jude in a campaign that allowed guests to donate directly to the cause at the bottom of guest checks. No purchase was required, and for every $5 donated Texas de Brazil provided a $5 bounce-back certificate as incentive. The finale luncheon and funds from a silent auction of items donated by vendors and hospitality associates were also added to the final tally to support St. Jude in its life-saving mission: Finding cures. Saving children. Since 2013, Texas de Brazil has donated nearly $400,000 to St. Jude.

St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 to 80 percent since the hospital opened nearly 50 years ago, and they won't stop until no child dies from cancer. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

Watch for details about the 2018 Texas de Brazil fundraising campaign at www.texasdebrazil.com.

About Texas de Brazil

Texas de Brazil is an authentic churrascaria featuring a continuous dining experience that blends the unique culture of Brazil with the generous hospitality of Texas. The menu features a vast selection of grilled meats, a 50-item salad area, an award-winning wine list and a la carte dessert selections. Founded as a family-owned business in 1998, Texas de Brazil now has 54 domestic and international locations. Stay connected. Follow @texasdebrazil on Instagram and Twitter and like Texas de Brazil on Facebook. For more information, visit www.texasdebrazil.com.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

SOURCE Texas de Brazil

Related Links

http://www.texasdebrazil.com


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Angiogenesis Foundation announced today the release of the white paper, Improving Long-Term Patient Outcomes for Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The Foundation, leading retina specialists, AMD patient advocacy groups, AMD patient advocates, and caregivers contributed to the white paper. It identifies current barriers to and solutions for improving the long-term vision outcomes of people living with exudative age-related macular degeneration, more commonly known as wet AMD.

"Before angiogenesis-based medicines, wet AMD meant almost certain blindness," said Dr. William W. Li, President and Medical Director of the Angiogenesis Foundation. "Today, people living with wet AMD are able to maintain their vision while receiving these medicines. But we must raise awareness of the importance of early detection and intervention, receiving these medicines on a regular schedule, and the very real danger of undertreatment, so that patients get these medicines as promptly as possible and at appropriate intervals over the long term to preserve their vision."

"The research shows long-term clinical outcomes in patients with wet AMD vary based on the frequency and consistency of treatment," said Dr. Rishi P. Singh, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Staff Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. "This white paper is a pivotal step toward helping people with AMD achieve even better vision outcomes."

Age-related macular degeneration, which primarily affects people over the age of 50, is the leading cause of blindness in the world. An estimated 11.2 million Americans are affected by AMD, and that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years as the U.S. population continues to age. Thus, the solutions for optimal patient-centered outcomes outlined in the white paper are critically important.

Recommendations in the white paper include promoting AMD awareness in the general population, developing evidence-based treatment guidelines, promoting the use of home-monitoring for early detection of wet AMD, addressing undertreatment in the clinical setting, encouraging treatment of the "whole patient" including offering access to low-vision support services, and developing a real-world, late-stage research agenda for the treatment of exudative AMD.

The white paper was developed by the Angiogenesis Foundation with the following co-authors:

Mark G. Ackermann, M.S. (Lighthouse Guild International); Andrew N. Antoszyk, M.D. (Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates); Odysseus Argy, M.D. (Patient Advocate); Carl W. Baker, M.D. (Paducah Retinal Center); Dan Berkery (Patient Advocate); Elizabeth Berkery (Patient Advocate); W. Lloyd Clark, M.D. (Palmetto Retina Center); Pravin U. Dugel, M.D. (Retinal Consultants of Arizona); Roger A. Goldberg, M.D., M.B.A. (Bay Area Retina Associates); Juan Grunwald, M.D. (University of Pennsylvania); Jeffrey S. Heier, M.D. (Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston); Allen C. Ho, M.D. (Wills Eye Hospital); Michelle Jenney (Patient Advocate); Peter Jenney, M.D. (Patient Advocate); Matthew Levine, M.F.A. (American Macular Degeneration Foundation); Vincent W. Li, M.D., M.B.A. (The Angiogenesis Foundation); William W. Li, M.D. (The Angiogenesis Foundation); Quan Dong Nguyen, M.D., M.Sc. (Byers Eye Institute); Sunil S. Patel, M.D., Ph.D. (West Texas Retina Consultants); John S. Pollack, M.D. (Rush University Medical Center); Diana Saville (The Angiogenesis Foundation); Rishi P. Singh, M.D. (Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute); Michael W. Stewart, M.D. (Mayo Clinic); Ivan J. Suner, M.D., M.B.A. (Retina Associates of Florida); Demetrios G. Vavvas, M.D., Ph.D. (Massachusetts Eye and Ear); Charles C. Wykoff, M.D., Ph.D. (Retina Consultants of Houston).

The white paper will be officially released at the American Academy of Ophthalmology's annual meeting in New Orleans on November 11, 2017, and is also available online. The Angiogenesis Foundation is focused on optimizing the clinical benefits of antiangiogenesis therapies. To learn more about the Angiogenesis Foundation, please visit angio.org.

Established in 1994, the Angiogenesis Foundation's mission is to improve global health through angiogenesis-based treatment and prevention. For more information, visit angio.org.

SOURCE The Angiogenesis Foundation

Related Links

http://www.angio.org


The award recognizes a citizen who, in the spirit of Barbara Bush, has tirelessly worked to help our nation's heroes. The inaugural recipient is Dava Guerin, an author, former president of her own communications firm, and advocate for wounded warriors and their families. She is the coauthor , along with Kevin Ferris, of Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed and their newest book, Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal , both published by Skyhorse Publishing.

"Even though I am not with you today in Largo, I am there in spirit. It's such an honor that you not only named an award for me, but chose Veterans Day to present it," said Mrs. Bush. "George and I have known Dava for years, and she's always been a giving, generous person. But she truly touched our hearts with the two books she recently coauthored with Kevin Ferris: Unbreakable Bonds and Vets and Pets. Dava, along with Kevin, have inspired millions of Americans with their stories of true sacrifice and undying love among veterans and the peopleand animalswho love and care for them," she added.

Vets and Pets tells fifteen emotional and inspirational stories of the bonds between wounded warriors, veterans, and other service members and their service and companion animals. A portion of the proceeds of the book will be donated to Pets for Patriots, a nonprofit that places shelter dogs and cats with veterans across the country. Unbreakable Bonds told the stories of mothers who spent years aiding the recovery of their children who have suffered severe injuries during the War on Terror.

The 2017 Veterans Day event hosted wounded warriors and veterans featured in Vets and Pets. The ceremony also included a video tribute by actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, whose Gary Sinise Foundation has helped build homes and rebuild lives for severely injured veterans and first responders. "Veterans Day holds a very special place in my heart. I've devoted much of my time to helping veterans like you and will never forget your service and sacrifice. Congratulations to the current and future recipients of this award. Happy Veterans Day and God bless," said Sinise.

"We salute the veterans here with us today and congratulate Dava Guerin as the first recipient of our annual Barbara Bush Citizen Patriot Award," said Greg Brown, head of Largo's Parks Division. "We thank Mrs. Bush for being part of this meaningful award, as well as Congressman Clement, who is also a veteran, and the great Gary Sinise. We look forward to recognizing future American volunteers who have helped others in the spirit of Mrs. Bush," Brown added.

For more information or to nominate a 2018 Barbara Bush Citizen Patriot Award nominee, call Greg Brown at (727) 586-7415 or visit LargoParks.com.

Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal

By Kevin Ferris and Dava Guerin

Forewords by Barbara Bush and Andrea Arden

Skyhorse Publishing hardcover, also available as an ebook

September 26, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-5107-2193-7

$21.99

Book press requests: Tony Lyons

[email protected]

SOURCE Skyhorse Publishing; The City of Largo

Related Links

http://skyhorsepublishing.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults, and The Steve Fund, a nonprofit created to address the mental health needs of young people of color, today announced the Equity in Mental Health Framework (EMH Framework) to help colleges and universities support and enhance the mental health of students of color.

Research indicates that students of color at American colleges and universities are almost twice as likely not to seek care when they feel depressed or anxious compared to white students. Additionally, a recent online Harris Poll of 1,000 college students conducted by JED and the Steve Fund (with equal samples of African American, Latinx, white and Asian American students) found that students of color (in comparison to white students) are significantly less likely to describe their campus as inclusive (28% to 45%) and more likely to indicate that they often feel isolated on campus (46% to 30%). These statistics indicate a need for a more tailored approach to protecting the mental health of students of color.

The EMH Framework provides academic institutions with a set of ten actionable recommendations and key implementation strategies to help strengthen their activities and programs to address the mental health disparities facing students of color such as mentioned above. With expert input from the College Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital, the EMH Framework was developed using the national Harris Poll of 1,000 college students, a scientific literature review, a national convening of higher education leaders, and an electronic survey of higher education administrators.

"The Equity in Mental Health Framework fills an urgent gap at colleges and universities, and across our society" said Evan Rose, President of the Steve Fund. "Inequity in mental health is a dire national problem which impedes well-being of communities of color. Our young people face daunting challenges as they transition to adulthood, including those fortunate enough to pursue higher education. These expert recommendations build understanding of the challenges while equipping colleges and universities to better address our students' needs. This effort is critical to the mental health, college completion, and life chances of the nation's most rapidly growing demographic and the population which drives our workyoung people of color."

The investigative efforts behind the EMH Framework included a comprehensive examination of studies on the unique mental health challenges students of color face and a number of current interventions and programs aiming to meet their needs.

"We created the Equity in Mental Health Framework to provide colleges and universities across the country with accessible information, ideas and examples to inform and strengthen their mental health supports and programs for students of color," said John MacPhee, JED Executive Director. "Our goal is to stimulate discussion and new research while helping more schools prioritize these efforts in order to ensure mental health equity for our nation's college students."

Videos on the EMH Framework site feature supportive statements by higher education leaders from Morehouse College, the University System of Maryland and Trinity Washington University.

"I favor increasing the level of support available to students of color at our national college and university campuses," says John J. DeGioia, President of Georgetown University "This is a very special moment and we need to seize the opportunities present here to provide the best communities for all of our students. I think every college and university president must understand how urgent it is to tend to these dynamics."

Please visit equityinmentalhealth.org to access the EMH Framework and other valuable resources.

About JED

JED is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. JED partners with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and systems; equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other; and encourages community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health. Learn more at jedfoundation.org.

Check out JED's programs including: JED Campus (jedcampus.org), Set to Go (settogo.org), ULifeline (ulifeline.org), Half of Us (halfofus.com) and Love is Louder (loveislouder.com).

Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

About the Steve Fund

The Steve Fund (TSF) is the nation's only organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. The Steve Fund works with colleges and universities, non-profits, researchers, mental health experts, families, and young people to promote programs and strategies that build understanding and assistance for the mental and emotional health of the nation's young people of color. The Fund holds an annual conference, Young, Gifted & @Risk, and offers a Knowledge Center with curated expert information. With multicultural mental health experts, it delivers on-campus and on-site programs and services for colleges and non-profits, and through tech partnerships it provides direct services to young people of color.

Learn more: Steve Fund Website | Young, Gifted & @Risk Conference | Programs and Services | Facebook | Twitter

About the Survey

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll between January 26 and February 21, 2017 among 1,056 students who were US residents, 17-27 years old, identified as Black/African American (n=260), Hispanic (n=283), Asian (n=255), or white (n=258), currently attends a 2-year or 4-year college in the U.S., and currently attends the majority of their college classes in-person. Data are weighted where necessary by age within gender, race/ethnicity, income, enrollment status, year in school and region to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

For More Information:

Andrea Morgan

917-213-5506

[email protected]

Ryan Daniels 202-466-8585

[email protected]

SOURCE The Jed Foundation
SAN ANTONIO, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

TransAct Energy Corp (OTC: TEGY) announced today that they were a presenter at the International Conference on Proper Disposal of Urban Solid Waste ("Seminario Internacional Destinacao Adequada dos Residuuos Solidos Urbanos") on November 6th, 2017 at the OAB/DF (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil Seccional Distrito Federal) Headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil. The Conference was focused primarily on the rapidly growing problem of urban waste, including innovative solutions to combat the issue.

Brazil is the largest country, by population, in South America, and it is recognized for being a newly industrialized nation that has taken a lead in environmentally friendly initiatives. With a large population and rapidly expanding industrialization, waste optimization strategies are being lauded as an alternative to the use of traditional landfills. The 2016 Summer Olympic Games were held in Rio, Brazil, with the primary themes being sustainability and environmental protection.

"We are honored that TransAct Energy was asked to speak at the Conference, specifically regarding our zero-emissions waste optimization plant (Z.E.W.O.P.[TM] ) as the solution to the global epidemic of urban waste. Brazil and the city of Brasilia are both regionally and globally recognized as leaders in the international commitment to waste optimization," said TransAct Energy President & CEO, Rod Bartlett. "Our South American team has developed an excellent working relationship with the Brazilian government at all levels, and we recognize the unique opportunity that Brazil represents to our Company."

About TransAct Energy Corp.

TransAct Energy Corp. is a Nevada organized company that owns proprietary technology called Zero Emissions Waste Optimization Plants (Z.E.W.O.P[TM]) which takes Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and produces multiple products without any residuals returning to the environment. These by-products include 18 different product streams including potable water, fuels, heavy metals, scrap metals, aluminum, glass, waxes, sugars and carbon which may be resold back into the marketplace at a profit. The Company intends to develop its ZEWOP[TM] technology in conjunction with municipalities globally who are facing waste-management growth while trying to alleviate environmental impacts. Please visit http://transactenergycorp.com for more information or follow us on twitter at [email protected] .

Safe Harbor This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified using forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipate," "optimistic," "intend," "will" or other similar expressions. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov . All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.



Contact:

Phone +1-210-888-0785

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SOURCE TransAct Energy Corp
VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX, NYSE-MKT: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or "the Company") has filed a National Instrument 43-101 technical report with the Canadian securities regulators relating to the Arctic Project which supports the resource estimate previously announced on April 25, 2017 which is of sufficient quality to support the Arctic pre-feasibility study ("PFS"). The technical report is entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Arctic Project, Northwest Alaska, USA and prepared by Bruce Davis, Robert Sim and Jeff Austin, all of whom are "Qualified Persons" under NI 43-101 (the "Technical Report"). The Arctic Project is estimated to contain at a base case of 0.5% copper equivalent cut-off grade, an in-pit indicated resource of approximately 36 million tonnes of copper grading 3.07% (see Table 1) that are expected to form the basis for the PFS and the Company's first reserves in the Ambler Mining District. The PFS is on target to be released in the first quarter of 2018.

Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals, commented, "We are excited in the progress made to date towards finalizing the pre-feasibility study for our high-grade Arctic Project in Q1 2018. Arctic is pretty special  we predict it will be one of the highest grade open pit copper projects in the world. Arctic is also located in the geographic center of a 100 Km long belt containing over two dozen known grade polymetallic deposits and occurrences. It is not hard to envision a central milling concept with the other deposits potentially feeding the mill beyond the mine life at Arctic. With the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project ("AMDIAP") now in the formal permitting process and public scoping meetings taking place, it is exciting to see the Ambler Access Road finally taking shape."

Table 1. Estimate of Mineral Resources for the Arctic Deposit





Average Grade: Contained metal: Class M

tonnes Cu % Pb% Zn% Au g/t Ag g/t Cu Mlbs Pb Mlbs Zn Mlbs Au koz Ag Moz Indicated 36.0 3.07 0.73 4.23 0.63 47.6 2,441 581 3,356 728 55 Inferred 3.5 1.71 0.60 2.72 0.36 28.7 131 47 210 40 3

Base Case cut-off grade of 0.5% CuEq.

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. See "Cautionary Note to United States Investors."

Resources stated as contained within a pit shell developed using metal prices of US$3.00 /lb copper, US$0.90 /lb lead, US$1.00 /lb zinc, US$1300 /oz gold, US$18 /oz silver, mining costs of US$3.00 /tonne, milling and G&A costs of US$35 /tonne, metallurgical recoveries of 92% for copper, 77% for lead, 88% for zinc, 63% for gold, 56% for silver and an average pit slope of 43 degrees.

Inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It is expected that a majority of the inferred resources will be converted to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration.

The sensitivity of mineral resources, contained within the resource limiting pit shell, is demonstrated by listing resources at a series of cut-off thresholds as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Sensitivity of Mineral Resources to Cut-off Grade





Average Grade: Contained metal: Cut-off CuEq% M

tonnes Cu % Pb% Zn% Au g/t Ag g/t Cu Mlbs Pb Mlbs Zn Mlbs Au koz Ag Moz Indicated 0.25 36.0 3.07 0.73 4.22 0.63 47.61 2,441 582 3,356 729 55 0.5 36.0 3.07 0.73 4.23 0.63 47.62 2,441 581 3,356 728 55 0.75 35.9 3.08 0.73 4.23 0.63 47.72 2,440 582 3,355 728 55 1.0 35.7 3.09 0.74 4.26 0.63 47.97 2,436 581 3,353 728 55 1.5 35.5 3.11 0.74 4.28 0.64 48.22 2,432 580 3,349 727 55 Inferred 0.25 3.8 1.58 0.56 2.52 0.34 26.76 133 47 212 42 3 0.5 3.5 1.71 0.60 2.72 0.36 28.69 131 47 210 40 3 0.75 3.0 1.93 0.65 3.04 0.36 31.99 129 44 203 35 3 1.0 2.5 2.29 0.73 3.52 0.37 37.04 124 39 192 29 3 1.5 2.3 2.46 0.76 3.71 0.39 39.32 122 38 184 28 3

Base Case cut-off grade of 0.5% CuEq is highlighted in table.

Mineral resource estimates are made from a 3D block model based on geostatistical applications using commercial mine planning software (MineSight v11.60-2). The block model has a nominal block size measuring 10 x 10 x 5 m and utilizes data derived from 152 drill holes in the vicinity of the Arctic deposit. The resource estimate was generated using drill hole sample assay results and the interpretation of a geological model which relates to the spatial distribution of copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver. Interpolation characteristics were defined based on the geology, drill hole spacing, and geostatistical analysis of the data. The effects of potentially anomalous high-grade sample data, composited to two metre intervals, are controlled by limiting the distance of influence during block grade interpolation. The grade models have been validated using a combination of visual and statistical methods. The resources were classified according to their proximity to the sample data locations and are reported, as required by NI 43-101 (as defined herein), according to the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Model blocks estimated by three or more drill holes spaced at a maximum distance of 100 metres are included in the Indicated category. Inferred blocks are within a maximum distance of 150 metres from a drill hole. The estimate of Indicated and Inferred mineral resources is within a limiting pit shell derived using projected technical and economic parameters.

A copy of the Technical Report is available on the Company's website at www.trilogymetals.com and under the Company's profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Qualified Persons

Mr. Bruce Davis, FAusIMM, the president of BD Resource Consulting Inc., and Mr. Robert Sim, P.Geo., of Sim Geological Inc., have reviewed the technical information related to the Arctic deposit in this news release and approve the written disclosure contained herein. Messrs Davis and Sim are independent "qualified persons", within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Neither Bruce Davis of BD Resource Consulting Inc., nor Robert Sim of Sim Geological Inc., nor any associates employed in the preparation of the Arctic Project resource estimation have any beneficial interest in Trilogy Metals. Messrs Davis and Sim are not insiders, associates, or affiliates of Trilogy Metals. The information in this press release is not dependent upon any prior agreements concerning the conclusions to be reached, nor are there any undisclosed understandings concerning any future business dealings between Trilogy Metals and Messrs Davis and Sim who were retained by Trilogy Metals to prepare the Arctic Project resource estimate and are to be paid a fee for their work in accordance with normal professional consulting practices.

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements related to the timing of completion of the PFS, anticipated activity and development at Arctic and the Ambler Access Road are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various 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 include the uncertainties involving the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2016 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Arctic Technical Report have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource and reserve information contained therein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth in this press release or the Bornite Technical Report may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.trilogymetals.com


SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Triple-S Management Corporation (NYSE:GTS), a leading managed care company in Puerto Rico, today announced its third quarter 2017 results.

Quarterly Consolidated and Other Highlights

Net income of $21.9 million , or $0.91 per diluted share, versus net loss of $1.9 million , or $0.08 per diluted share, in the prior-year period;

, or per diluted share, versus net loss of , or per diluted share, in the prior-year period; Adjusted net income of $18.7 million , or $0.77 per diluted share, versus adjusted net loss of $6.3 million , or $0.26 per diluted share, a year ago, reflecting ongoing improvements in our Managed Care operations and the negative impact on the Company's 2016 third quarter results from unfavorable prior-period reserve developments. The results also reflect, to a lesser extent, the net impact of the recent hurricanes, which represented approximately $0.09 of the improvement in the third quarter diluted earnings per share;

, or per diluted share, versus adjusted net loss of , or per diluted share, a year ago, reflecting ongoing improvements in our Managed Care operations and the negative impact on the Company's 2016 third quarter results from unfavorable prior-period reserve developments. The results also reflect, to a lesser extent, the net impact of the recent hurricanes, which represented approximately of the improvement in the third quarter diluted earnings per share; Total revenues of $738.2 million , a 0.9% decrease, compared with $744.7 million in the prior-year period;

, a 0.9% decrease, compared with in the prior-year period; Operating revenues of $731.1 million , a 1.0% decrease from the prior-year period, reflecting lower premiums in the Managed Care segment;

, a 1.0% decrease from the prior-year period, reflecting lower premiums in the Managed Care segment; Consolidated operating income of $28.3 million ;

; Consolidated loss ratio of 81.7%;

Medical loss ratio (MLR) of 82.4% and

The establishment of a $30.0 million Class B share repurchase program, under which

Class B share repurchase program, under which 539,034 shares were repurchased during the quarter at an aggregate cost of $12.6 million and 322,000 shares were subsequently repurchased at an aggregate cost of $7.7 million .

"The impact of two major hurricanes on Puerto Rico within a two-week period during the quarter was a historic event with significant economic and social impact," said Roberto Garcia-Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Seven weeks after Maria, basic infrastructure is not yet fully functional, with power generation at 42% of average, potable water at 83% of its capacity and telecommunications bandwidth still limited in many parts of the island. Despite the hardship, however, the residents of Puerto Rico have demonstrated tremendous resolve, working tirelessly to help their neighbors and communities recover. We are particularly grateful to our employees and business partners who made it possible for Triple-S to resume operations within days after Maria landed, our medical groupsmany of whom are providing services despite challenging conditionsand the many volunteers who have crisscrossed the island by our side to reconnect patients with doctors.

"We have focused our efforts on ensuring the well-being of our employees, helping our providers resume operations, enabling access to healthcare services, and promptly processing property insurance claims to accelerate the rebuilding of our economy," continued Mr. Garcia-Rodriguez. "Healthcare services are steadily returning to normal, although still somewhat tied to the recovery of Puerto Rico's infrastructure. Over 87% of our primary medical groups are now operational, but utilization of healthcare services overall is below average, reflecting the general population's continued focus on relief and recovery. It is still too early to tell how utilization patterns, the acceleration of outward migration, and reconstruction efforts will impact future results.

"Our third quarter was also characterized by ongoing improvement in our Managed Care operations, reflecting continued strides with our clinical and contracting initiatives. Capitation agreements in home health care, vision care, and durable medical equipment, as well as the re-contracting of our ESRD network, are yielding meaningful savings, and additional initiatives will be implemented as we enter 2018.

"Hurricanes Irma and Maria have, of course, caused an unusual quarter for our P&C segment as well, with a spike in claims in the quarter for property damage. Given the composition of our catastrophic coverage portfolio, current modeling estimates and our robust reinsurance program, however, we believe the financial impact of these storms has been fully recognized in the third quarter.

"As Puerto Rico concentrates on its recovery, our goal is to enhance its health and well-being through the development of value-based, integrated healthcare delivery models. Our multi-year transformation is on track, and we have both the management team and capital resources necessary to support this strategic agenda," concluded Garcia-Rodriguez.

Selected Consolidated Quarterly Details

Consolidated premiums earned were $714.3 million , down 1.0% from the prior-year period. The decrease reflects lower premiums in the Managed Care business, primarily due to the impact of the Medicaid profit sharing accrual recorded in 2016, the suspension of the HIP fee pass-through and lower additional Medicare risk score revenue, partially offset by higher average premium rates in the segment's Commercial and Medicaid businesses. With the Medicaid contract extension that became effective July 1, 2017 , the average premium rates for this business increased by approximately 9%. In addition, premiums earned were impacted by approximately $3.0 million of estimated reinsurance related costs, including estimates for catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement costs for the rest of the year.

, down 1.0% from the prior-year period. The decrease reflects lower premiums in the Managed Care business, primarily due to the impact of the Medicaid profit sharing accrual recorded in 2016, the suspension of the HIP fee pass-through and lower additional Medicare risk score revenue, partially offset by higher average premium rates in the segment's Commercial and Medicaid businesses. With the Medicaid contract extension that became effective , the average premium rates for this business increased by approximately 9%. In addition, premiums earned were impacted by approximately of estimated reinsurance related costs, including estimates for catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement costs for the rest of the year. Consolidated claims incurred were $583.6 million , down 7.2% year over year, mostly due to lower claims in the Managed Care segment and partially offset by an increase in claims in the Property and Casualty business. The decrease in Managed Care claims primarily reflects lower claims incurred across all businesses in the segment, mostly driven by favorable fluctuations in prior-period reserve developments in the Commercial and Medicare businesses, as well as by the estimated utilization decrease stemming from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Estimated gross Property and Casualty losses related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria were $5.0 million and $613.0 million , respectively; however, after the application of reinsurance, the segment's estimated net retained losses related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria were approximately $3.5 million and $10.5 million , respectively. At 81.7%, the consolidated loss ratio improved 550 basis points from the prior-year period.

, down 7.2% year over year, mostly due to lower claims in the Managed Care segment and partially offset by an increase in claims in the Property and Casualty business. The decrease in Managed Care claims primarily reflects lower claims incurred across all businesses in the segment, mostly driven by favorable fluctuations in prior-period reserve developments in the Commercial and Medicare businesses, as well as by the estimated utilization decrease stemming from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Estimated gross Property and Casualty losses related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria were and , respectively; however, after the application of reinsurance, the segment's estimated net retained losses related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria were approximately and , respectively. At 81.7%, the consolidated loss ratio improved 550 basis points from the prior-year period. Consolidated operating expenses decreased $4.2 million , while the operating expense ratio improved 40 basis points year over year, to 16.6%. The reduction in operating expenses reflects the $11.6 million decrease in the HIP fee due to the 2017 moratorium, partially offset by an increase in personnel costs, hurricane-related expenses, provision for doubtful accounts, and other general administrative expenses totaling approximately $7.3 million .

, while the operating expense ratio improved 40 basis points year over year, to 16.6%. The reduction in operating expenses reflects the decrease in the HIP fee due to the 2017 moratorium, partially offset by an increase in personnel costs, hurricane-related expenses, provision for doubtful accounts, and other general administrative expenses totaling approximately . Consolidated other income increased $2.7 million in 2017, mostly due to a special distribution of $2.4 million , net of tax, received from the Puerto Rico Joint Underwriting Association.

in 2017, mostly due to a special distribution of , net of tax, received from the Puerto Rico Joint Underwriting Association. Consolidated income tax expense was $11.8 million , an increase of $19.7 million from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting a significant increase in the Managed Care segment's taxable income, which has a higher effective tax rate than other businesses.

, an increase of from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting a significant increase in the Managed Care segment's taxable income, which has a higher effective tax rate than other businesses. As of September 30, 2017 , the consolidated balance sheet reflects approximately $614 million within claim liabilities of unpaid estimated gross losses related to the aforementioned hurricanes, as well as $604 million within premiums and other receivables of catastrophe-related losses recoverable from the Property and Casualty reinsurance program.

Selected Managed Care Segment Quarterly Details

Managed Care premiums earned were $654.1 million , down 1.0% year over year.

, down 1.0% year over year. Commercial premiums were down 3.6% when compared with the third quarter last year, to $198.9 million , resulting from lower fully-insured member month enrollment offset by higher average premium rates. Also contributing to the premium decline was the suspension of $3.6 million in HIP fee pass-throughs in 2017.

, resulting from lower fully-insured member month enrollment offset by higher average premium rates. Also contributing to the premium decline was the suspension of in HIP fee pass-throughs in 2017.

Medicare premiums of $264.3 million rose 3.5% year over year, largely reflecting an increase in member month enrollment of 24,000 lives, offset, in part, by a $6.1 million decline in additional risk score revenue adjustments and a reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates.

rose 3.5% year over year, largely reflecting an increase in member month enrollment of 24,000 lives, offset, in part, by a decline in additional risk score revenue adjustments and a reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates.

Medicaid premiums fell 4.3% from the prior-year period to $190.9 million . The decrease primarily reflects the 2.5% excess profit sharing accrual that increased last year's premiums by $15.6 million , a membership decline, and $2.8 million associated with the 2017 HIP fee suspension; partially offset by the impact of the new rates that became effective July 2017, which increased average premiums by approximately 9%.

. The decrease primarily reflects the 2.5% excess profit sharing accrual that increased last year's premiums by , a membership decline, and associated with the 2017 HIP fee suspension; partially offset by the impact of the new rates that became effective July 2017, which increased average premiums by approximately 9%. Managed Care MLR of 82.4% improved 810 basis points from the prior year, mostly reflecting the estimated decrease in utilization caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and favorable prior-period reserve developments. Excluding the impact of prior-period reserve developments, and moving the Medicare risk score revenue adjustments and other premium adjustments to the corresponding period, the Managed Care MLR would have been 83.8%, 260 basis points lower than the comparable metric a year ago. The estimated decrease in utilization related to the aforementioned hurricanes lowered the segment's claims incurred and adjusted MLR by approximately $28 million and 430 basis points, respectively.

and favorable prior-period reserve developments. Excluding the impact of prior-period reserve developments, and moving the Medicare risk score revenue adjustments and other premium adjustments to the corresponding period, the Managed Care MLR would have been 83.8%, 260 basis points lower than the comparable metric a year ago. The estimated decrease in utilization related to the aforementioned hurricanes lowered the segment's claims incurred and adjusted MLR by approximately and 430 basis points, respectively. Managed Care operating expenses were $89.0 million , down $4.8 million , or 5.1%, year over year, primarily reflecting the HIP fee decrease, partially offset by an increase in personnel costs, hurricane-related expenses, provision for doubtful accounts and other general administrative expenses, as discussed above.

Consolidated Nine-Month Recap

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, consolidated operating revenues decreased 2.2% year over year, to $2.2 billion, primarily reflecting a $52.8 million decline in Managed Care segment premiums. The premium decrease is mainly due to lower membership in the segment's Medicaid and Commercial businesses, the impact of the suspension of the HIP fee pass through, and lower Medicare risk score adjustments. Consolidated claims for the nine-month period were $1.8 billion, down 3.3% over last year, mostly due to lower claims in the Managed Care segment offset by increased claims in the Property and Casualty segment. The decrease in Managed Care claims primarily reflects lower claims incurred in all of the segment's businesses, driven by an enrollment decline in the segment's Commercial and Medicaid businesses and the estimated decrease in utilization caused by the two hurricanes, as well as favorable fluctuations in the prior-period reserve developments in the Commercial and Medicare businesses.

The Property and Casualty segment's estimated net retained losses related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria were approximately $3.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively, after the application of reinsurance. The consolidated loss ratio and MLR were down 90 basis points and 160 basis points, to 84.9% and 87.2%, respectively. Consolidated operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $348.8 million and the operating expense ratio was 16.2%. Adjusted net income for the nine-month period was $23.4 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 24.2 million, compared with a $0.2 million adjusted net loss, or $0.01 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 24.6 million, at the same time last year.

2017 Outlook

Triple-S has previously provided directional guidance for its Commercial and Medicare businesses and last quarter also provided directional guidance for its Government Health Plan (GHP), since the contract extension gives the Company more visibility into the outlook of that business. The directional guidance provided below was prepared considering the economic situation in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as the expected impact in the Company's Managed Care and Property and Casualty segments:

Commercialexpect full-year at-risk member month enrollment to be approximately 4.0 million, plus or minus 5%, reflecting some attrition as well as the addition of new groups. Full-year MLR is revised from a range of 83% to 85% to between 79% and 81%.

Medicare Advantageanticipate full-year member month enrollment of about 1.5 million, plus or minus 5%. Full-year MLR is unchanged remaining between 90% and 92%.

GHPexpect member month enrollment of 4.6 million, plus or minus 5%. Full-year MLR is expected to be between 91% and 93%.

Full-year Life insurance and Property and Casualty premiums have been revised and are now expected to reach $160 million and $81 million , respectively, plus or minus 5%.

and , respectively, plus or minus 5%. Full-year investment income is expected to be approximately $50 million and full-year administrative expenses are revised to a range of $468 million to $472 million .

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast on November 9, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2017. To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada should dial 1-855-327-6837 and international callers should dial 1-631-891-4304 about five minutes before the call.

To listen to the webcast, participants should visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.triplesmanagement.com several minutes before the event is broadcast and follow the instructions provided to ensure they have the necessary audio application downloaded and installed. This program is provided at no charge to the user. An archived version of the call, also located on the "Investor Relations" section of Triple-S Management's website, will be available about two hours after the call ends and for at least the following two weeks. This news release, along with other information relating to the call, will be available on the "Investor Relations" section of the website.

About Triple-S Management Corporation

Triple-S Management Corporation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It is one of the leading players in the managed care industry in Puerto Rico. Triple-S Management has the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross Blue Shield name and mark throughout Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Costa Rica. With more than 55 years of experience in the industry, Triple-S Management offers a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid markets under the Blue Cross Blue Shield marks. It also provides non-Blue Cross Blue Shield branded life and property and casualty insurance in Puerto Rico. For more information about Triple-S Management, visit www.triplesmanagement.com or contact [email protected].

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents information about the Company's adjusted net income, which is a non-GAAP financial metric provided as a complement to the results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). A reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, is provided in the accompanying tables found at the end of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future sales, results of operations, developments, regulatory approvals or other circumstances. Sentences that include "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "may", "will", "shall", "should" and similar expressions, whether in the positive or negative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this news release reflect management's current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed here as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed and identified in public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Company operates in a highly competitive, constantly changing environment, influenced by very large organizations that have resulted from business combinations, aggressive marketing and pricing practices of competitors, and regulatory oversight. The following factors, if markedly different from the Company's planning assumptions (either individually or in combination), could cause Triple-S Management's results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements shared here:

Trends in health care costs and utilization rates

Ability to secure sufficient premium rate increases

Competitor pricing below market trends of increasing costs

Re-estimates of policy and contract liabilities

Changes in government laws and regulations of managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance

Significant acquisitions or divestitures by major competitors

Introduction and use of new prescription drugs and technologies

A downgrade in the Company's financial strength ratings

A downgrade in the Government of Puerto Rico's debt

debt Litigation or legislation targeted at managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance companies

Ability to contract with providers consistent with past practice

Ability to successfully implement the Company's disease management, utilization management and Star ratings programs

Ability to maintain Federal Employees, Medicare and Medicaid contracts

Volatility in the securities markets and investment losses and defaults

General economic downturns, major disasters, and epidemics

This list is not exhaustive. Management believes the forward-looking statements in this release are reasonable. However, there is no assurance that the actions, events or results anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In view of these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. In addition, forward-looking statements are based on information available the day they are made, and (other than as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States) the Company does not intend to update or revise any of them in light of new information or future events.

Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the various disclosures in the Company's SEC reports.

Earnings Release Schedules and Supplementary Information Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Exhibit I Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings Exhibit II Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Exhibit III Segment Performance Supplemental Information Exhibit IV Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Exhibit V

Exhibit I

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (dollar amounts in thousands) Unaudited





























































September 30,

2017

December 31,

2016 Assets



































Investments

$ 1,468,794

$ 1,433,392 Cash and cash equivalents



269,942



103,428 Premium and other receivables, net



930,972



286,365 Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired

201,467



194,787 Property and equipment, net



73,609



66,369 Other assets



142,008



134,658























Total assets

$ 3,086,792

$ 2,218,999











































Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



































Policy liabilities and accruals

$ 1,835,042

$ 1,102,237 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities



322,150



219,191 Long-term borrowings



32,870



35,085























Total liabilities



2,190,062



1,356,513



















Stockholders' equity:













Common stock



23,902



24,272

Other stockholders' equity



873,507



838,891























Total Triple-S Management Corporation stockholders' equity

897,409



863,163























Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary



(679)



(677)























Total stockholders' equity



896,730



862,486























Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 3,086,792

$ 2,218,999





















Exhibit II

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) Unaudited





















































For the Three Months Ended

For the Nine Months Ended















September 30,

September 30,















2017

2016

2017

2016 Revenues:































Premiums earned, net

$ 714,325

$ 721,187

$ 2,139,489

$ 2,188,770

Administrative service fees



3,391



4,146



12,318



13,749

Net investment income



12,395



12,337



37,109



36,570

Other operating revenues



941



871



3,027



2,598

































Total operating revenues



731,052



738,541



2,191,943



2,241,687





































Net realized investment gains (losses):

























Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities



-



-



-



(1,434)

Net realized gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities



3,753



5,376



8,143



8,388







































Net realized investment gains on sale of securities



3,753



5,376



8,143



6,954







































Other income, net



3,409



734



6,521



5,468

































Total revenues



738,214



744,651



2,206,607



2,254,109



































































Benefits and expenses:

























Claims incurred





583,625



629,169



1,815,785



1,877,950

Operating expenses



119,145



123,406



348,811



367,498

































Total operating costs



702,770



752,575



2,164,596



2,245,448







































Interest expense



1,709



1,893



5,116



5,729

































Total benefits and expenses



704,479



754,468



2,169,712



2,251,177

































Income (loss) before taxes



33,735



(9,817)



36,895



2,932





























Income tax expense (benefit)



11,824



(7,873)



6,622



(2,457)





























Net income (loss)





21,911



(1,944)



30,273



5,389































Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest



1



3



2



6





























Net income (loss) attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation $ 21,912

$ (1,941)

$ 30,275

$ 5,395





































Earnings per share attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation:





























































Basic net income (loss) per share

$ 0.91

$ (0.08)

$ 1.25

$ 0.22

Diluted net income (loss) per share

$ 0.91

$ (0.08)

$ 1.25

$ 0.22







































Weighted average of common shares



24,142,192



24,386,076



24,177,344



24,534,647

Dilutive weighted average of common shares



24,208,022



24,386,076



24,231,708



24,605,279







































Exhibit III

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (dollar amounts in thousands) Unaudited





































For the Nine Months Ended













September 30,













2017

2016























Net cash provided by operating activities

$ 191,849

$ 83,011



















Cash flows from investing activities:













Proceeds from investments sold or matured:















Securities available for sale:

















Fixed maturities sold



287,223



227,631





Fixed maturities matured/called



15,503



32,308





Equity securities sold



38,318



67,054



Securities held to maturity - fixed maturities matured/called



1,546



1,220

Acquisition of investments:















Securities available for sale:

















Fixed maturities



(260,538)



(258,378)





Equity securities



(75,507)



(153,399)



Securities held to maturity - fixed maturities



(1,550)



(1,124)

Increase in other investments



(2,207)



(1,939)

Net change in policy loans



(696)



(471)

Net capital expenditures



(15,949)



(3,517)



























Net cash used in investing activities



(13,857)



(90,615)



















Cash flows from financing activities:













Change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances



8,371



(1,035)

Repayments of long-term borrowings



(2,028)



(1,230)

Repurchase and retirement of common stock



(12,553)



(21,371)

Proceeds from policyholder deposits



12,130



12,488

Surrender of policyholder deposits



(17,398)



(13,543)



























Net cash used in financing activities



(11,478)



(24,691)



























Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents



166,514



(32,295)























Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period



103,428



197,818



















Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 269,942

$ 165,523





















Exhibit IV

Segment Performance Supplemental Information





















(Unaudited)

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30, (dollar amounts in millions) 2017 2016 Percentage

Change

2017 2016 Percentage

Change Premiums earned, net:















Managed Care:

















Commercial $ 198.9 $ 206.3 (3.6%)

$ 607.4 $ 636.8 (4.6%)



Medicare 264.3 255.3 3.5%

788.5 789.4 (0.1%)



Medicaid 190.9 199.4 (4.3%)

560.3 582.8 (3.9%)





Total Managed Care 654.1 661.0 (1.0%)

1,956.2 2,009.0 (2.6%)

Life Insurance 40.9 38.9 5.1%

121.4 116.8 3.9%

Property and Casualty 19.9 22.0 (9.5%)

63.4 65.0 (2.5%)

Other



(0.6) (0.7) 14.3%

(1.5) (2.0) 25.0%







Consolidated premiums earned, net $ 714.3 $ 721.2 (1.0%)

$ 2,139.5 $ 2,188.8 (2.3%) Operating revenues (loss): 1















Managed Care $ 663.0 $ 669.8 (1.0%)

$ 1,984.6 $ 2,037.5 (2.6%)

Life Insurance 47.0 45.3 3.8%

139.9 135.5 3.2%

Property and Casualty 22.0 24.3 (9.5%)

69.6 71.6 (2.8%)

Other



(0.9) (0.8) (12.5%)

(2.2) (2.9) 24.1%







Consolidated operating revenues $ 731.1 $ 738.6 (1.0%)

$ 2,191.9 $ 2,241.7 (2.2%) Operating income (loss): 2















Managed Care $ 34.8 $ (22.0) 258.2%

$ 19.2 $ (26.4) 172.7%

Life Insurance 4.5 4.2 7.1%

13.4 14.9 (10.1%)

Property and Casualty (11.1) 4.0 (377.5%)

(5.2) 9.5 (154.7%)

Other



0.1 (0.2) 150.0%

(0.1) (1.8) 94.4%







Consolidated operating income (loss) $ 28.3 $ (14.0) (302.1%)

$ 27.3 $ (3.8) (818.4%) Operating margin: 3















Managed Care 5.2% (3.3%) 850 bp

1.0% (1.3%) 230 bp

Life Insurance 9.6% 9.3% 30 bp

9.6% 11.0% -140 bp

Property and Casualty (50.5%) 16.5% -6,700 bp

(7.5%) 13.3% -2,080 bp

Consolidated 3.9% (1.9%) 580 bp

1.2% (0.2%) 140 bp Depreciation and amortization expense $ 3.4 $ 3.3 3.0%

$ 9.8 $ 10.6 (7.5%)



























1 Operating revenues include premiums earned, net, administrative service fees and net investment income. 2 Operating income or loss include operating revenues minus operating costs. Operating costs include claims incurred and operating expenses. 3 Operating margin is defined as operating income or loss divided by operating revenues.





















Managed Care Additional Data Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

(Unaudited)

2017 2016

2017 2016

Member months enrollment:













Commercial:















Fully-insured 994,409 1,039,842

3,009,252 3,199,546





Self-insured 495,616 534,653

1,504,283 1,617,900







Total Commercial 1,490,025 1,574,495

4,513,535 4,817,446



Medicare Advantage 368,102 344,167

1,095,086 1,059,702



Medicaid

1,138,162 1,205,792

3,480,525 3,634,029









Total member months 2,996,289 3,124,454

9,089,146 9,511,177

Claim liabilities (in millions)





$ 356.3 $ 349.1 * Days claim payable





57 54 * Premium PMPM:













Managed Care $ 261.57 $ 255.23

$ 257.91 $ 254.52





Commercial 200.02 198.40

201.84 199.03





Medicare Advantage 718.01 741.79

720.03 744.93





Medicaid 167.73 165.37

160.98 160.37

Medical loss ratio: 82.4% 90.5%

87.2% 88.8%



Commercial 73.1% 87.4%

79.1% 86.4%



Medicare Advantage 83.3% 93.6%

89.3% 90.0%



Medicaid

91.0% 89.7%

92.9% 89.7%

Adjusted medical loss ratio: 1 83.8% 86.4%

88.2% 88.6%



Commercial 75.7% 81.2%

80.0% 84.9%



Medicare Advantage 85.0% 87.5%

90.4% 90.4%



Medicaid

90.6% 90.1%

93.3% 90.1%

Operating expense ratio:













Consolidated 16.6% 17.0%

16.2% 16.7%



Managed Care 13.5% 14.1%

13.2% 13.8%

*Information provided as of December 31, 2016.































1 The adjusted medical loss ratio accounts for subsequent adjustments to estimates, such as prior-period reserve developments and Medicare premium adjustments, and presents them in the corresponding period.















Managed Care Membership by Segment As of September 30,











2017 2016 Members:









Commercial:







Fully-insured 328,777 344,311



Self-insured 163,721 177,683





Total Commercial 492,498 521,994

Medicare Advantage

123,194 113,950

Medicaid

379,199 402,358







Total members 994,891 1,038,302

















Exhibit V

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures













Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

Three months ended

September 30, Nine months ended

September 30, (dollar amounts in millions) 2017 2016

2017 2016 Net income (loss) $ 21.9 $ (1.9)

$ 30.3 $ 5.4 Less adjustments:











Net realized investment gains, net of tax 3.0 4.3

6.5 5.6

Private equity investment income, net of tax 0.2 0.1

0.4 -



Adjusted net income (loss) $ 18.7 $ (6.3)

$ 23.4 $ (0.2)



Diluted adjusted net income (loss) per share $ 0.77 $ (0.26)

$ 0.97 $ (0.01)























Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial metric and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that the use of this adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share provides investors and management useful information about the earnings impact of realized investment gains and other non-recurring items impacting the Company's results of operations. This non-GAAP metric does not consider all of the items associated with the Company's operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, one should not consider these measures in isolation.

SOURCE Triple-S Management Corporation

Related Links

http://www.triplesmanagement.com


ATLANTA, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading fast casual cafe concept known for its better-for-you food and smoothies with a tropical twist, announced today that two industry veterans have signed multi-unit franchise agreements for development in Texas, which will bring eight new locations to markets throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's accelerated growth in Dallas County emphasizes the brand's aggressive development efforts in the market and nationwide, having signed more than 140 franchise agreements this year alone for continued expansion across the country.

Industry veteran Steve Milam signed an agreement to develop three Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants over the next few years. His first cafe is slated to open in early 2018 in Frisco, located at 5110 Eldorado Parkway. Milam has plans for additional development in the market and is looking to open two more restaurants by 2019. An experienced multi-unit operator, Milam is also a Wingstop franchisee and owns four locations throughout Texas.

Furthering the brands statewide momentum is new franchisee Smit Shah of SP Tropical Investments, LLC, who, along with the company's chief financial officer, Prachee Patel, will develop five new units throughout Dallas County. Shah is a foodservice industry veteran and has operated both Subway and Bahama Bucks restaurants throughout Texas. From the group's very first visit to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, they recognized the brand's vast potential in this growing health-conscious market and plan to open a total of 10 to 15 locations throughout Dallas and Houston over the next five years.

"We believe the potential for success in Dallas is unlimited and we are thrilled to be expanding our presence with partners like Steve Milam and Smit Shah who bring decades of franchising and food service experience to the table," said Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. "We have no doubt that their diverse and impressive backgrounds will be a valuable resource in driving our momentum and growing our footprint throughout Texas. With nearly 30 additional new locations in the pipeline for the market, we're excited to tap into the wealth of opportunity that still lies ahead for our brand in the Lone Star State."

The food and smoothie franchise currently has franchise opportunities across the U.S. in markets such as Indianapolis, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Cincinnati and Minneapolis, among others. Fueled by its ongoing product innovation and consistent positive comp sales, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has experienced a surge of franchise development throughout the state that reinforces the brand's role as a leader in the fast casual segment. By 2020, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to have 1,000 stores open across the U.S.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is looking to add qualified franchisees to its growing brand. Candidates should have business experience; $125,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $350,000; and an initial investment of between $222,770 and $525,400. The better-for-you food franchise currently boasts an average unit volume (AUV) of more than $662,000  the highest in the company's 20-year history  with the top 50 percent reporting an AUV of more than $846,000.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe's aggressive franchise growth is backed by the entrepreneurs at the BIP Franchise Accelerator, a division of venture capital firm BIP Capital, which invested in the brand in 2010. BIP Capital has invested more than $250 million in emerging, high-growth brands across the franchising, software, and technology and consumer products industries. BIP Capital created the BIP Franchise Accelerator to leverage its leadership team's deep franchise experience to help emerging brands accelerate their growth. In addition to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the BIP Franchise Accelerator's portfolio includes Tin Drum Asian Kitchen, which has grown to 11 locations in Georgia.

For more information about opening your own Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, please visit www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com.

About Tropical Smoothie Caf e

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant concept inspiring healthier lifestyles across the country, with more than 600 locations nationwide. With snack and meal options for any time of day, Tropical Smoothie Cafe serves better-for-you smoothies, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads. Upgraded app technology and enhanced mobile ordering capabilities further elevate the digital and dine-in cafe experience and emphasize the brand's focus on convenience. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including being ranked on Entrepreneur's 2017 Franchise 500, 2016 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers, Franchise Times' Top 200+ and Nation's Restaurant News' 2016 Top 200.

About the BIP Franchise Accelerator

The BIP Franchise Accelerator is a division of BIP Capital, an Atlanta-based venture capital firm with over $250 million invested in over 26 companies in emerging, high-growth brands across the franchising, software, technology and consumer products industries. BIP Capital created the BIP Franchise Accelerator to leverage its leadership team's deep franchise experience to help emerging brands accelerate their growth. The BIP Franchise Accelerator not only provides investment capital, but also uses proven strategies to help companies evolve into mature, thriving brands. From fast casual and QSR concepts to service brands and healthcare and education concepts, the BIP Franchise Accelerator has invested in emerging brands driven by people with an entrepreneurial spirit that have a great growth potential. Its current portfolio includes Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Tin Drum Asian Kitchen and BIP Franchise Finance. For more information on BIP Franchise Accelerator, visit www.bipfranchiseaccelerator.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Fish Consulting

Courtney Whelan

[email protected]

954-893-9150

SOURCE Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Related Links

http://www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com


"Donna is an expert in the transportation field and her ability and willingness to always help solve problems makes her the perfect recipient for this award," said Senior Vice President and Unit Manager Matthew Payne. "This award is a testament to her commitment to the trucking industry, her clients, colleagues and community."

When Cook started with Lockton in 1998, the company was much smaller but the culture of outstanding client service was the same.

"I was honored to be recognized because there are so many passionate and outstanding people in the transportation arena," Cook said. "Everyone is very down to earth and always willing to share any information that will make the industry better as a whole."

This was the first time TIDA recognized a broker since the award was created in 1994 to honor late TIDA charter member John T. Biezup. TIDA honored Cook, who has been a part of the professional organization for more than a decade, during the 25th Annual Transportation Industry Defense Association (TIDA) Meeting in Las Vegas.

They honored her commitment to the trucking industry and her eagerness to help clients and colleagues alike. Cook is very active in the transportation industry and recently chaired the 2014 Annual TIDA Conference. She has also spoken at the Defense Research Institute Conference and participates in charitable work whenever given the opportunity.

Cook services transportation clients with renewals, contract reviews, language clarification, and anything else they may need. She says that no two days at Lockton are alike but her commitment to her clients remains the same.

About the Award

The John T. Biezup Memorial Service Award was created to honor John Biezup, a charter member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) who died suddenly in 1994. John was a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Palmer, Biezup and Henderson. He was a tireless and innovative lawyer who was constantly trying to find new ways to protect his clients' interests. His clients were as dedicated to him as he was to them. It was to honor that spirit of service that TIDA created an award bearing his name. Annually, the TIDA Board of Directors chooses a member of TIDA whom they believe best exemplifies John's spirit of service, not only to TIDA, but to his or her clients and the trucking industry.

About Lockton

Lockton is a global professional services firm with 6,500+ Associates who advise clients on protecting their people, property and reputations. Lockton has grown to become the world's largest privately held, independent insurance broker by helping clients achieve their business objectives.

For nine consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." To see the latest insights from Lockton's experts, check Lockton Market Update.

SOURCE Lockton

Related Links

http://www.lockton.com


AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unique Fabricating, Inc. ("Unique" or the "Company")(NYSE MKT: UFAB), which engineers and manufactures multi-material foam, rubber, and plastic components utilized in noise, vibration and harshness management and air/water sealing applications for the automotive and industrial appliance market, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended October 1, 2017.

Third Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights

Revenue of $41.2 million in the third quarter 2017, down 7.9% compared to $44.8 million in the third quarter 2016

in the third quarter 2017, down 7.9% compared to in the third quarter 2016 Net income of $0.7 million , or $0.07 per basic and diluted share in the third quarter 2017, compared to $2.5 million , or $0.26 per basic and $0.25 per diluted share in the third quarter 2016

, or per basic and diluted share in the third quarter 2017, compared to , or per basic and per diluted share in the third quarter 2016 Adjusted EBITDA of $3.7 million in the third quarter 2017, including $1.6 million for non-cash charges specifically related to depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock awards, compared to $5.9 million in the third quarter 2016, including $1.5 million for non-cash charges specifically related to depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock awards (1)

in the third quarter 2017, including for non-cash charges specifically related to depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock awards, compared to in the third quarter 2016, including for non-cash charges specifically related to depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock awards Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.10 in the third quarter 2017 versus $0.26 in the third quarter 2016 (1)

in the third quarter 2017 versus in the third quarter 2016 Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share payable on December 7, 2017 for stockholders of record as of November 30, 2017

(1) For a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted diluted earnings per share please refer to the financial tables below.

"The third quarter highlighted the continued shift in customer preference from passenger cars to light trucks and SUV's,", commented John Weinhardt, Chief Executive Officer. "The shift resulted in a larger than anticipated decline in overall production levels in the third quarter as production capacity was adjusted to align with this new sales trend. Our financial results are trending with the broader automotive industry, and our outlook has been adjusted to account for the most recent revisions in independent forecast projections that reflect a further production decline this year and a return to growth in 2018. Our third quarter results were also negatively impacted by the shutdown of an automotive assembly plant due to a labor impasse in Canada where we provide a significant amount of content for a major SUV."

"While we were not satisfied with our top-line sales, we booked a significant amount of new business in the third quarter," added Weinhardt. "We expanded our customer base and much of our new business was our higher value-added molded products. We anticipate that these new bookings will positively impact our performance in 2018 & 2019. These bookings also give us increased confidence and visibility in our growth prospects over the next 18-24 months."

"The underlying fundamentals of our business remain strong, and we are well-positioned to grow in excess of the automotive market, while continuing to generate cash and pay a healthy dividend," Weinhardt added. "The ongoing and increasing desire of automakers to elevate the driving experience with quieter, more comfortable vehicles, while reducing vehicle weight is bolstering our business, creating robust demand for our solutions. I am very encouraged by our recent business awards that incrementally add to our book of business for 2018 and beyond and reinforce our confidence over the next two years."

Third Quarter Financial Summary

Total revenue for the quarter ended October 1, 2017 declined to $41.2 million, down 7.9%, or $3.6 million from $44.8 million during the same period last year. The decrease was primarily driven by a decline in North American auto production of almost 12% quarter compared to the same quarter last year, partially offset by increased market penetration.

Gross profit for the quarter period ended October 1, 2017 was $9.0 million, or 21.8% of total revenue, compared to $11.3 million, or 25.1% of total revenues, for the corresponding period last year. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales was primarily a result of lower than planned revenues due to the less than anticipated vehicle production volumes during the third quarter, manufacturing inefficiencies caused by excessive turnover at some plant locations, and an increase in direct and temporary labor hours incurred as a result of an unfavorable product mix.

Net income for the quarter ended October 1, 2017 was $0.7 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to $2.5 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share, in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in net income was primarily due to lower sales quarter over quarter as well as lower gross profit as a percentage of sales as described above.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended October 1, 2017 was $3.7 million compared to $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease is primarily a result of lower sales and gross margins described above. Please refer to the financial tables below for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended October 1, 2017 was $0.10 compared to $0.26 in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease is primarily a result of lower earnings, as described above. Please refer to the financial tables below for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results.

Further non-cash purchase accounting impacts associated with the Company's acquisitions are detailed in the Purchase Accounting Impacts and Other Effects table below accompanying this release.

Year to Date Financial Summary

Total revenue for the first nine months of 2017 increased to $133.6 million, up 5.4%, or $6.8 million from $126.8 million during the same period last year. The increase was driven by the acquisition of Intasco which closed on April 29, 2016, as well as from the introduction of new products and increased market penetration, but was offset by an almost 4% drop in overall North American auto production levels during 2017.

Gross profit for the first nine months of 2017 was $30.7 million, or 23.0% of total revenue, compared to $29.9 million, or 23.6% of total revenues, for the corresponding period last year. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales was primarily the result of lower revenues due to lower than anticipated vehicle production volumes during the first nine months, and the manufacturing impacts described above.

Net income for the first nine months of 2017 was $4.4 million, or $0.45 per basic and diluted share, compared to $5.0 million, or $0.51 and $0.50 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in the comparable period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2017 was $14.1 million compared to $14.7 million in the same period last year. The decrease is primarily a result of lower gross margins described above. Please refer to the financial tables below for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2017 was $0.52 compared to $0.61 in the same period last year. The decrease is primarily a result of the margin decrease described above. Please refer to the financial tables below for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results.

Further non-cash purchase accounting impacts associated with the Company's acquisitions are detailed in the Purchase Accounting Impacts and Other Effects table below accompanying this release.

Balance Sheet Summary

As of October 1, 2017 the Company had approximately $1.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, as compared to January 1, 2017 when the Company had $706,000 in cash and cash equivalents. Total debt outstanding as of October 1, 2017 was $53.9 million compared to $50.6 million as of January 1, 2017.

As of October 1, 2017, the Company had $7.6 million of available unused capacity, further subject to borrowing base restrictions and outstanding letters of credit, under its $30.0 million revolving credit facility.

2017 Outlook

For the full year 2017, Unique Fabricating is updating its outlook based on revised industry production projections of 17.2 million light vehicles for the year, based on independent industry research published in October, and the mix of production by light vehicle platform contained in such research. This production estimate compares to a July industry projection of 17.55 million light vehicles:



Previous Guidance

Updated Guidance Revenue $177 million to $181 million

$173 million to $177 million Adjusted diluted earnings per share $0.76 to $0.80

$0.64 to $0.68 Adjusted EBITDA $19.5 million to $20.5 million

$18.0 million to $19.0 million

Declaration of Dividends

Unique's Board of Directors approved payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on November 9, 2017. The dividend will be paid on December 7, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 30, 2017.

Quarterly Results Conference Call

Unique Fabricating will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss these results today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To access the call, please dial 1-877-705-6003 (toll-free) or 1-201-493-6725 and reference conference ID 13672929. The conference call will also be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the company's website at http://uniquefab.investorroom.com.

Following the conclusion of the live call, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website for at least 90 days. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available from 12:00PM ET on November 9, 2017 until 11:59PM ET on November 16, 2017 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (United States) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and using the pin number 13672929.

About Unique Fabricating, Inc.

Unique Fabricating, Inc. (NYSE MKT: UFAB) engineers and manufactures components for customers in the automotive and industrial appliance market. The Company's solutions are comprised of multi-material foam, rubber, and plastic components and utilized in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) management, acoustical management, water and air sealing, decorative and other functional applications. Unique leverages proprietary manufacturing processes including die cutting, thermoforming, compression molding, fusion molding, and reaction injection molding to manufacture a wide range of products including air management products, heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), seals, fender stuffers, air ducts, acoustical insulation, door water shields, gas tank pads, light gaskets, topper pads, mirror gaskets and glove box liners. The Company is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.uniquefab.com/ .

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share in this press release to provide a supplemental measure of our operating performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash stock award, non-recurring integration expense, non-recurring step-up of inventory basis to fair market value, transaction fees related to our acquisitions, restructuring expenses, and one-time consulting and licensing ERP system implementation costs as we implement a new ERP system at all locations. We calculate Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share based upon earnings before non-cash stock awards, non-recurring expenses, transaction fees, and restructuring expenses, including the tax impact associated with these adjusting items. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are useful performance measures used by us to facilitate a comparison of our operating performance and earnings on a consistent basis from period-to-period and to provide for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than measures under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) can provide alone. Our board and management also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations, and as a performance evaluation metric in determining achievement of certain compensation programs and plans for Company management. In addition, the financial covenants in our senior secured credit facility are based on Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this press release, subject to dollar limitations on certain adjustments and certain other addbacks permitted by our senior secured credit facility. These non-GAAP financial measures may have limitations as analytical tools, and these measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for analysis of Unique Fabricating's results as reported under GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's or the Company's industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements including statements relating to the Company's 2017 Outlook to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by this press release. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, our expectations about revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcome of events, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended January 1, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in particular the Section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Unique Fabricating does not intend to update this information, unless required by law. Reference to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this press release.

Investor Contact:

Hayden IR

Brett Maas/Rob Fink

646-536-7331/646-415-8972

[email protected]

UNIQUE FABRICATING, INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)



Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016 Net sales $ 41,231,366



$ 44,753,565



$ 133,606,501



$ 126,784,289

Cost of sales 32,256,440



33,503,217



102,858,323



96,842,757

Gross profit 8,974,926



11,250,348



30,748,178



29,941,532

Selling, general, and administrative expenses 7,268,812



6,949,034



22,455,833



20,668,621

Restructuring expenses 











35,054

Operating income 1,706,114



4,301,314



8,292,345



9,237,857

Non-operating income (expense)













Other income, net 39,673



(1,511)



83,748



(25,203)

Interest expense (770,149)



(525,167)



(2,089,056)



(1,739,243)

Total non-operating expense, net (730,476)



(526,678)



(2,005,308)



(1,764,446)

Income  before income taxes 975,638



3,774,636



6,287,037



7,473,411

Income tax expense 260,532



1,254,437



1,856,684



2,520,389

Net income $ 715,106



$ 2,520,199



$ 4,430,353



$ 4,953,022

Net income per share













Basic $ 0.07



$ 0.26



$ 0.45



$ 0.51

Diluted $ 0.07



$ 0.25



$ 0.45



$ 0.50

Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.15



$ 0.15



$ 0.45



$ 0.45



UNIQUE FABRICATING, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)



October 1,

2017

January 1,

2017 Assets





Current assets





Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,016,308



$ 705,535

Accounts receivable  net 28,972,129



26,887,945

Inventory  net 17,031,955



16,731,608

Prepaid expenses and other current assets:





Prepaid expenses and other 3,771,880



2,087,069

Refundable taxes 900,767



783,139

Total current assets 51,693,039



47,195,296

Property, plant, and equipment  net 22,959,606



21,197,922

Goodwill 28,871,179



28,871,179

Intangible assets net 20,666,921



23,758,342

Other assets





Investments  at cost 1,054,120



1,054,120

Deposits and other assets 312,913



266,369

Deferred tax asset 399,405



193,577

Total assets $ 125,957,183



$ 122,536,805

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity





Current liabilities





Accounts payable $ 13,404,097



$ 13,451,816

Current maturities of long-term debt 3,506,248



2,405,446

Income taxes payable 84,383



610,825

Accrued compensation 3,195,607



2,734,155

Other accrued liabilities 1,117,899



1,065,740

Other liabilities 



168,880

Total current liabilities 21,308,234



20,436,862

Long-term debt  net of current portion 28,364,454



28,029,041

Line of credit-net 22,065,563



20,176,058

Deferred tax liability 3,964,663



3,836,281

Total liabilities 75,702,914



72,478,242

Stockholders' Equity





Common stock, $0.001 par value  15,000,000 shares authorized and 9,757,563 and 9,719,772 issued and outstanding at October 1, 2017 and January 1, 2017, respectively 9,758



9,720

Additional paid-in-capital 45,677,445



45,525,237

Retained earnings 4,567,066



4,523,606

Total stockholders' equity 50,254,269



50,058,563

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 125,957,183



$ 122,536,805



UNIQUE FABRICATING, INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)



Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 1, 2017

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 2, 2016 Cash flows from operating activities





Net income $ 4,430,353



$ 4,953,022

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization 4,703,909



3,996,472

Amortization of debt issuance costs 113,412



94,537

Loss on sale of assets 12,442



13,867

Loss on extinguishment of debt 



60,202

Bad debt adjustment 96,531



(168,830)

(Gain) loss on derivative instrument (188,054)



183,402

Stock option expense 115,245



126,733

Deferred income taxes (77,446)



(509,408)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:





Accounts receivable (2,180,715)



(6,777,982)

Inventory (300,347)



269,870

Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,829,809)



(194,521)

Accounts payable 758,356



3,186,895

Accrued and other liabilities (12,831)



209,308

Net cash provided by operating activities 5,641,046



5,443,567

Cash flows from investing activities





Purchases of property and equipment (3,466,432)



(2,443,251)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 29,347



12,181

Acquisition of Intasco, net of cash acquired 



(21,030,795)

Working capital adjustment from acquisition of Intasco 



212,823

Net cash used in investing activities (3,437,085)



(23,249,042)

Cash flows from financing activities





Net change in bank overdraft (806,075)



846,220

Proceeds from debt 



32,000,000

Payments on term loans (2,574,545)



(1,839,212)

Debt issuance costs 



(514,441)

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net 5,837,324



7,716,220

Pay-off of old senior credit facility term debt 



(15,375,000)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants 37,001



103,989

Distribution of cash dividends (4,386,893)



(4,354,106)

Net cash provided by financing activities (1,893,188)



18,583,670

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 310,773



778,195

Cash and cash equivalents  beginning of period 705,535



726,898

Cash and cash equivalents  end of period $ 1,016,308



$ 1,505,093

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow Information  cash paid for





Interest $ 1,953,206



$ 1,304,890

Income taxes $ 1,793,316



$ 2,519,010

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow Information  non cash activities for





Common stock issued for purchase of Intasco USA, Inc. $ 



$ 890,726



UNIQUE FABRICATING, INC. Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA



Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016 GAAP Net income $ 715,106



$ 2,520,199



$ 4,430,353



$ 4,953,022

Plus: Interest expense, net 770,149



525,167



2,089,056



1,739,243

Plus: Income tax expense 260,532



1,254,437



1,856,684



2,520,389

Plus: Depreciation and amortization 1,596,272



1,488,722



4,703,909



3,996,472

Plus: Non-cash stock award 40,229



40,736



115,245



126,733

Plus: Non-recurring integration expenses 27,415



35,744



30,794



104,913

Plus: Non-recurring step-up of inventory basis to fair market value 



39,352







318,518

Plus: Transaction fees 



10,437



23,235



858,688

Plus: Restructuring expenses 











35,054

Plus: One-time consulting and licensing ERP system implementation costs 276,312







$ 815,307





Adjusted EBITDA $ 3,686,015



$ 5,914,794



$ 14,064,583



$ 14,653,032



UNIQUE FABRICATING, INC. Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share



Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016 GAAP Net income $ 715,106



$ 2,520,199



$ 4,430,353



$ 4,953,022

Plus: Non-cash stock award 40,229



40,736



115,245



126,733

Plus: Non-recurring integration expenses 27,415



35,744



30,794



104,913

Plus: Non-recurring step-up of inventory basis to fair market value 



39,352







318,518

Plus: Transaction fees 



10,437



23,235



858,688

Plus: Debt extinguishment costs 











60,202

Plus: Restructuring expenses 











35,054

Plus: One-time consulting and licensing ERP system implementation costs 276,312







815,307





Less: Tax impact (91,850)



(39,531)



(290,766)



(437,502)

Adjusted Net income $ 967,212



$ 2,606,937



$ 5,124,168



$ 6,019,628

















Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 9,898,273



9,918,956



9,903,240



9,885,949

Net income per share













Diluted - GAAP $ 0.07



$ 0.25



$ 0.45



$ 0.50

Diluted - Adjusted $ 0.10



$ 0.26



$ 0.52



$ 0.61





































UNIQUE FABRICATING, INC. Purchase Accounting Impacts and Other Effects



Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirteen Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 1,

2017

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Ended October 2,

2016 Non-cash purchase accounting impacts













Customer relationships amortization $ 837,522



$ 837,520



$ 2,510,570



$ 2,208,223

Trade name amortization 72,926



72,926



218,779



196,204

Non-compete amortization 44,162



44,162



132,486



132,486

Unpatented technology 76,529



76,529



229,587



129,511

Less: Tax impact (272,326)



(322,481)



(896,001)



(861,745)

Net income effect $ 758,813



$ 708,656



$ 2,195,421



$ 1,804,679

















Net income per share impact













GAAP - Basic $ 0.08



$ 0.07



$ 0.23



$ 0.19

GAAP - Diluted $ 0.08



$ 0.07



$ 0.22



$ 0.18



SOURCE Unique Fabricating, Inc.

Related Links

http://uniquefab.com


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Franchise Group (UFG) is pleased to announce the dedication ceremony for the new Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University, in West Palm Beach, FL. The event will be held on Nov. 15 at the university's Rinker School of Business, which is located at 901 South Flagler Drive. The Center will be officially dedicated by Robert Cresanti, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association, at 10:00 a.m.

Last year, UFG's CEO, Ray Titus, made a $1.5 million endowment to fund the Titus Center for Franchising, which enables the university's business management students to elect a concentration in franchising. Students who are looking to one day own and operate their own business can be educated and trained in franchising and entrepreneurship at the Center, which is part of the university's Rinker School of Business.

Veteran franchise practitioner and educator, Dr. John P. Hayes, will serve as director of the center and as a professor in the Rinker School of Business. Hayes is responsible for the development and implementation of the franchise curriculum. As the first of its kind in Florida, the Center's academic coursework will include internship programs and training opportunities at UFG's headquarters in West Palm Beach. UFG's 50,000 square foot headquarters includes mock stores where franchisees can train in real-life learning labs, gaining valuable experience about owning, operating, and working for a franchise business.

"The Titus Center for Franchising is an opportunity to help create future experts in the franchising industry," said Titus. "Through this center, we're passing valuable knowledge and experience on to the next generation of professional franchisees. I expect many graduates to eventually become employees in the UFG family of companies and even own their own franchise."

UFG is a global leader in entrepreneurship, with over 1,400 franchise locations spanning 80 countries, including the brands Signarama, Jon Smith Subs, Fully Promoted, Transworld Business Associates, Experimac, Accurate Franchising, SuperGreen Solutions, Venture X and Paramount Tax. Titus has been interested in the franchise business since he was a child, and launched Signarama when he was 23. Franchising is truly a family business for Titus. His father began the Minuteman Press International Inc. franchise in 1972, and all three of Titus' children work at UFG.

Palm Beach Atlantic University offers over 50 degree programs. The franchising concentration is part of the university's Bachelor of Science in Management program.

About the Titus Center for Franchising

The Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the only academic center of its kind in Florida, offers academic coursework, internships, job shadowing and training at area franchises, including the global headquarters of United Franchise Group in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Center, based in the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. School of Business, was established in 2016 through a gift from Ray Titus, founder and CEO of United Franchise Group. Dr. John P. Hayes was appointed the Center's director. Contact the Titus Center at www.pba.edu/titus-center.

About Palm Beach Atlantic University

Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in West Palm Beach, Orlando and online. The University is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for lifelong learning, leadership and service. For additional information, visit our website: http://www.pba.edu.

About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 57 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and nearly 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development. Learn more Franchise.org.

About United Franchise Group

Led by CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group is home to a variety of internationally recognized brands including Signarama, Fully Promoted, Experimac, Jon Smith Subs, Venture X, SuperGreen Solutions, Transworld Business Advisors and Paramount Tax. With over three decades in the franchising industry and more than 1,400 franchisees throughout the world, United Franchise Group offers unprecedented leadership and solid business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Media Contact

Ashley Soto

305-631-2283

[email protected]

SOURCE United Franchise Group

Related Links

https://unitedfranchisegroup.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Investments by North American utilities in green and renewable energy, as well as digital technologies, have the potential to reduce carbon emissions, and provide greater energy choices and lower costs to consumers, according to Capgemini's World Energy Markets Observatory (WEMO) report. Despite the United States' decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement and uncertainty around other government initiatives, utilities and consumers are driving a significant transformation of the energy system.

There is a great deal of uncertainty and contradiction on the future of climate action in North America, driven by the United States' announcement to pull out of the Paris climate agreement. Not only does this decision have implications for North America's climate action targets, it will also impact climate aid programs in the developing nations, as the U.S. reduces its commitment to help fund these programs.

Additionally, the report projects that coal may become the leading source of electricity generation by 2019, potentially retaining that position through 2032, if the Clean Power Plan is not approved or stripped down. These impacts may be offset by the natural course of political compromise that occurs in the U.S. between the two dominant political parties and the Federal and State governments.

Despite this political uncertainty, utilities have increased investments in green and renewable energy. Within the power and utilities sector, efficiency program spending has almost tripled since 2007, from US$2.2 billion to $6.3 billion in 2015. 2016 was a record year with renewable energy capacity additions of over 22GW.

With the growth in renewable energy, enhancing infrastructure and grid modernization will be instrumental in the future of the North American electricity infrastructure and adequacy of supply. For example, advanced grid analytics platforms can utilize big data from SCADA, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, weather forecasting, and IoT sensors to provide actionable information in support of daily operations and intelligent planning of future investments. This is just one promising technology that is essential for the success of the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Modernization initiative.

As investment and adoption of green and renewable energy increases, a significant transformation of how utilities deliver energy, and consumers receive it, has begun. As renewable energy sources grow, so will the risk of congestion-driven outages. In the longer term, achieving grid stability will likely require big data, analytics, and automation versus human-based processes and procedures to allow the electric grid to remain stable.

"The North American utilities market is exposed to several significant, global variables in play  those not only impact how we consume and source energy in the near-term, they ultimately factor into our ability to achieve success during this time of transition," said Bart Thielbar, Vice President, North America Utilities Practice Lead, Capgemini. "The U.S. energy market has shown growth in renewable energy projects and an increase in new technology investments  which shows a focus on building a successful future, despite uncertainties in today's climate."

These findings are included in the 19th edition of Capgemini's WEMO report that highlights the main indicators of the global electricity and gas market, and analyzes the developments and transformations in these sectors. This is the first year Capgemini's annual study has published a detailed, region-specific analysis of the energy landscape for North America.

The authors examined: uncertainty around climate change; how the generation, consumption and delivery of energy is shifting; the impact of infrastructure on energy supplies; costs for residential consumers; the benefits and risks of technologies such as IoT, big data, machine learning and robotics; and the financial performance of utilities.

Link to infographics: North America

For more information:

To download a full copy of the report, go to: www.capgemini.com/wemo

Links to other regional infographics: Global, Europe, South-East Asia, Australia

Global findings of WEMO: here and in appendix below

The World Energy Markets Observatory is an annual publication by Capgemini that monitors the main indicators of the electricity and gas markets in Europe, North America, Australia and South-east Asia, and reports on the developments and transformations in these sectors. This 19th edition, which is drafted mainly from public data combined with Capgemini's expertise in the energy sector, refers to data from 2016 and winter 2016/2017. Special expertise on regulation, climate challenges and customer behavior is given respectively by De Pardieu Brocas Maffei, the I4CE  Institute for Climate Economics  and VaasaETT research teams.

About Capgemini

A global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients' opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. It is a multicultural company of 200,000 team members in over 40 countries. The Group reported 2016 global revenues of EUR 12.5 billion.

Visit us at www.capgemini.com. People matter, results count.

APPENDIX

Globally the three main findings of the 2017 edition of the World Energy Markets Observatory are:

1. Rapid evolution of generation technologies makes the renewables penetration unstoppable, thanks to their competitiveness gains, and despite the end of feed-in tariffs in Europe

During the past 12 months, the costs of renewable energies have continued to fall: onshore wind and utility scale photovoltaic (PV) costs are becoming competitive in some countries, compared to traditional electricity generation resources (nuclear, coal, gas). A recent auction for solar PV generation plants recorded a lower cost in sunny Saudi Arabia, with only 17$/MWh. Battery storage costs decreased also by about 20%. The ingredients now gathered favor Energy Transition with limited political intervention.

According to Colette Lewiner, Energy and Utilities senior advisor at Capgemini, "Efforts in R&D and industrialization are boosting renewable energy development, even when considering extra network investments linked to intermittence and energy generation distribution. Today, their intermittency coupled with the absence of pricing reforms, mean the impact of renewable energy on the wholesale markets prices threatens electricity supply and impacts negatively utilities' finances."

2. Empowered Smart Energy consumers are pushing Utilities to deliver new energy services.

All customers (residential, tertiary or industrial) now expect from their suppliers' offerings better management of their energy (examples include self-consumption, Smart Home, Smart Building, Smart Plant, electric mobility). With the participation of the customer in energy communities, the way energy is purchased or managed collectively is also now evolving.

For Perry Stoneman, Head of the Energy and Utilities sector at Capgemini, "We observe many Utilities creating new customer divisions that are focused on chasing the Holy Grail: the differentiating services valued by the customer, allowing the development of new revenue streams with better margins. With variations from one country to another, the vast majority of players are moving in that direction, but very few, for the moment, have found the appropriate recipe. Innovation capabilities and agility for a rapid and successful go to market are generally missing."

3. Established Utilities, heavily hit by Energy Transition and customers' evolving expectations, have started large transformations. It's now time to accelerate by leveraging Digital Transformation.

Most of the big players have launched transformation plans that they are executing with a particular attention. This is also the case in North-America, where the Utilities' finances are less challenged than in Europe, thanks to a lower pace of Energy Transition and different market rules. In addition to simplifying their internal processes, these transformation plans generally focus on the downstream business (networks, green energy and customers' energy services), designing and managing new operations and business models. Gains could also be sought in the generation side of the value chain. Digital technologies are evolving continuously to provide new solutions (for example Robotic Processes Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, or Blockchain were not available a couple of years ago). The value of managed data  Analytics - remains also largely unexploited.

SOURCE Capgemini

Related Links

http://www.capgemini.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipreo Private Capital Markets (PCM), the premier provider of portfolio data collection, analysis, valuation, and communications solutions for the private capital industry, announced today that Vinci Partners, a Brazil-based alternative investment platform specializing in asset management, equity management, and financial advisory services, has chosen Ipreo's iLEVEL platform to help them streamline data collection and deliver new levels of transparency and reporting efficiency to their investors.

Vinci is one of the leading Private Equity companies in Brazil, focused on growth equity, control oriented transactions. The focus is in Brazilian companies in sectors with competitive advantage, promising growth rates and in which Vinci Partners' experience and capacity to execute will drive substantial productivity gains and value creation.

"We chose iLEVEL to replace an existing solution, because we wanted to enhance our reports and controls," said Bruno Zaremba, Head of Private Equity at Vinci Partners. "iLEVEL will be very helpful in increasing the availability and quality of information to our LP community, while at the same time freeing up valuable time for our investment team to focus on driving operational change in our portfolio, which is our core competence."

Vinci Partners was also impressed with iLEVEL's usability, which makes portfolio data more accessible to everyone in the firm. The firm singled out iLEVEL's investor reporting as a key capability, because it supports a higher degree of transparency and trust between the firm and its clients. For Vinci Partners, the fact that iLEVEL is recognized as a leading reporting platform among the investor community and that a number of their clients were already using iLEVEL was also a significant advantage.

"We are proud to welcome Vinci Partners to the fast-growing community of fund managers in Brazil and across Latin America," said Melissa Ferraz, Managing Director, Ipreo Private Capital Markets. "Vinci Partners is clearly dedicated to demonstrating the highest levels of investor alignment in their operations, and it is a privilege to be able to support Vinci Partners in delivering exceptional levels of service and transparency to their clients."

iLEVEL streamlines and consolidates portfolio data in the cloud, making it easier for both Limited Partners and General Partners to access, update, analyze, verify, and share it with colleagues, auditors, investment boards, and clients. iLEVEL dramatically reduces the time and effort expended by front and back offices while supporting enhanced levels of integrity, insight, and responsiveness.

Headquartered in New York, Ipreo PCM also has offices in Nashville, San Francisco, London, and Hong Kong. Since 2014, the number of clients outside of North America has increased by 400%.

About Vinci Partners

Founded in 2009, Vinci Partners is one of Brazil's leading alternative investment and asset management firms. Vinci's extensive knowledge of the Brazilian economy, complementary backgrounds and wide ranging relationship network distinguish the expertise of its more than 180 professionals. Strong ethics, a holistic approach to the market and complete alignment of client and shareholder interests continue to strengthen the reputation that Vinci has built from the outset.

Vinci's separate divisions could easily operate independently, but their integration produces significant synergies for both company and clients. The business platform, product offerings and close collaboration have fueled an increase in assets under management from USD 2.32 billion at inception to approximately USD 6.5 billion in seven years of operation. For more information, please visit www.vincipartners.com

About Ipreo

Ipreo is a leading global provider of financial services technology, data, and analytical services, supporting all participants in the capital-raising process including sell-side professionals, finance officers at private and public companies, institutional investors, and asset managers. Ipreo's Private Capital Markets' solutions are the premier choice for the private capital industry to address growing pressures for transparency and regulatory compliance. Our full range of products offers solutions for portfolio assessment, valuations, investor reporting, operating metrics, or investment performance. Ipreo is private-equity held by Blackstone and Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division, and has more than 1,700 people serving clients in every major financial hub around the world. Learn more at PCM.Ipreo.com.

SOURCE Ipreo

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NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global luxury travel network Virtuoso has determined 2018 will be the year for discovering less-visited destinations. Virtuoso's 2018 Luxe Report, which forecasts what to expect in travel for the year ahead, shows the desire for unspoiled natural beauty continuing to motivate travelers. The annual report, which has firmly established Virtuoso as a recognized trend spotter, reveals consumer preferences in high-end and experiential travel, as discerned from a comprehensive survey of the network's travel advisors worldwide.

Five must-take trips for 2018, according to Virtuoso advisors:

Cold is hot. Seasoned travelers in search of fresh destinations are setting their sights on chillier climes. Iceland continues to surge in popularity, placing high in several Luxe Report categories this year. Cruisers are enthusiastic about Alaska , and adventurers about Antarctica and the Arctic. One trip of a lifetime mentioned by Virtuoso's expert advisors: seeing the Northern Lights. Exploring new destinations is the year's top trip motivator, and travelers are embracing the opportunity to push beyond their comfort zone. Virtuoso advisors suggest that people check out at least one new place a year, and challenge themselves to try something unexpected during their sojourn: swim with marine life like dolphins or mantas, go zip-lining or ballooning, or take a helicopter tour. Connecting with family through travel. After topping the list of trends since 2010, multigenerational travel has firmly established itself as a travel niche. Following close behind is travel with immediate family, also a consistent trend that will carry forward in 2018. Whether renting a European villa for a celebration with loved ones, cruising to the Galapagos Islands, or snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, a family trip creates lifelong memories, strengthens bonds, and plays a pivotal role in childhood education. Experience Africa . From culturally rich South Africa , also 2018's top adventure destination, to the wilds of Botswana and Kenya , to the souks of Morocco , Africa is one of the world's most diverse continents. Virtuoso's advisors say a safari is an integral part of the African experience, particularly with wildlife preservation a priority for today's sustainably savvy travelers. Be a traveler rather than a tourist. Immersive experiences not found in a guidebook or brochure, opportunities to meet locals, wandering neighborhoods and making spontaneous discoveries are the best ways to experience a destination, according to Virtuoso advisors. Whether it is wine tasting, or learning a traditional craft or a new language, travelers will be seeking out the true culture of that area they are visiting.

The desire for experiences that foster genuine human connection is a key driver for today's travelers. No activity is too unusual for the clients of Virtuoso travel advisors, as some of the more surprising requests show. Travelers are asking for everything from reaching the edge of space in a MiG-29 flight in Russia, to herding cattle in Australia, to hosting a celebration in a private capsule aboard the London Eye. They also seek rare accommodations such as an igloo in Norway, a private castle all to themselves, and sleeping under the stars in the desert  no tent required.

With the focus on far-flung exotic destinations in 2018, it is not surprising that luxury travelers are embarking on international trips of two weeks or longer, which are seeing strong demand. Week-long international trips and three- to five-day domestic trips continue to be popular as well. What is surprising, though, is that Virtuoso advisors also noted more interest in shorter international trips, such as Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands in less than a week. Conversely, some travelers are requesting longer trips of three to five weeks.

Key findings from the 2018 Virtuoso Luxe Report:

Top Travel Trends Top Emerging Destinations 1. Multigenerational travel 1. Iceland 2. Active or adventure trips 2. Croatia 3. River cruising 3. Japan 4. Food and wine travel 4. Cuba 5. Celebration travel 5. Portugal



Top Global Destinations Top Adventure Destinations 1. Italy 1. South Africa 2. Iceland 2. Iceland 3. South Africa 3. New Zealand 4. France 4. Costa Rica 5. Australia and New Zealand (tie) 5. Antarctica



Top Millennial Destinations Top U.S. Destinations 1. Thailand 1. New York, NY 2. Italy 2. Maui, HI 3. Iceland 3. Miami/South Beach, FL 4. Costa Rica 4. Las Vegas, NV 5. Australia and South Africa (tie) 5. Napa Valley/Sonoma, CA



Top Family Travel Destinations Top Honeymoon Destinations 1. Italy 1. Italy 2. Mexico 2. Maui, HI 3. Orlando, FL 3. French Polynesia 4. Hawaii 4. Maldives 5. Costa Rica 5. Bali



Top Cruise Itineraries Top Travel Motivations 1. Mediterranean 1. Exploring new destinations 2. Alaska 2. Crossing off bucket-list items 3. European river 3. Seeking authentic experiences 4. Caribbean 4. Rest and relaxation 5. Greek Isles 5. Personal enrichment

Advisors from Virtuoso-affiliated travel agencies in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East were polled, drawing on their expertise and client requests to offer insight into 2018's biggest trends.

About Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the leading international travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 800 travel agency partners with more than 16,000 elite travel advisors in over 45 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with 1,700 of the world's best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. More than (U.S.) $21.2 billion in annual travel sales makes Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Media Contacts: Misty Ewing Belles Lauren Wintemberg Managing Director, Global Public Relations Account Director Virtuoso Alice Marshall Public Relations Phone: 202.553.8817 Phone: 212.861.4031 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Virtuoso

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According to the Orange County Health Profile, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Orange County, Calif. Roughly 70 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside a hospital, occur at home and 90 percent of those victims do not survive due to people around them not knowing how to administer CPR. Education and CPR training is the best defense in preventing the devastating effects of heart disease. By providing Anaheim high school students with CPR training, the hope is that more lives could be saved in Anaheim and Orange County.

"Visit Anaheim's 'Heart-to-Heart' campaign is a way we can directly giveback to our local Anaheim community, which is a fundamental part of what we do as an organization," said Jay Burress, president & CEO, Visit Anaheim. "The idea for the campaign was inspired by American Heart Association's decision to host their 2017 Scientific Sessions at the Anaheim Convention Center after a 16-year absence. The program celebrates them and their mission to help educate and train our future to fight heart disease."

Today, "Heart-to-Heart" was launched at Katella High School in Anaheim, one of two schools to receive CPR Kits in the program's first year of implementation. The event was attended by Anaheim City Council Member, Stephen Faessel; Visit Anaheim President & CEO, Jay Burress; Anaheim High School Superintendent, Mike Matsuda; Executive Director of the American Heart Association, Orange County Division, Danielle Sapia and celebrity/actress Jennie Garth, who is an advocate of heart education.

"This training could not be possible without the incredible generosity of Visit Anaheim," said Danielle Sapia, Executive Director of the American Heart Association, Orange County Division. "Our goal is to double, or even triple, the survival rates of people experiencing cardiac arrest."

Heart-to-Heart Campaign Details

In collaboration with American Heart Association, Orange County Division, eight CPR in Schools Training Kits will be delivered to Anaheim High School and Katella High School by the end of 2017. AHA will also facilitate a CPR demonstration to each school's faculty to ensure proper CPR training is offered to students. Each CPR kit includes 10 mannequins to train up to 70 students at one time. By 2021, Visit Anaheim pledges that all eight Anaheim Union District High Schools are equipped with enough CPR kits to train each student in each school.

Jennie Garth Participation in Heart-to-Heart Launch Event

Jennie Garth, 90210's Kelley Taylor, is no stranger to heart disease and the devastating effects it can have on one's family. Jennie's own father struggled with heart disease before his death in 2008. In her 30s, Jennie was also diagnosed with a leaky heart valve and has made it her mission to educate and prepare herself should her current condition develop into something worse.

CPR in Schools Training Kit Information

The American Heart Association's CPR in Schools Training Kit enables students to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR in just one class period. Plus, the kit teaches AED use and choking relief. The easy-to-use kit is designed specifically for the needs of schools. The kit's brand new wheeled bag allows for convenient movement from classroom to classroom and easy storage. It's also reusable  one kit can train hundreds of people.

Visit Anaheim Giveback Efforts

Anaheim is a premier destination for meetings and conventions attracting nearly one million convention attendees per year. Many of the events and trade shows hosting meetings at the Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding hotels incorporate give-back programs that positively impact the community. Engaging in philanthropic projects that serve the residents of Anaheim and surrounding Orange County continue to benefit the local community long after convention attendees and visitors return home.

Images will be available after 1:00 p.m. PST here: http://bit.ly/2ykc7Oc

For more information on Visit Anaheim's giveback efforts, please visit: www.visitanaheim.org.

About Visit Anaheim

Founded in 1961, Visit Anaheim is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit destination marketing organization. Visit Anaheim's mission is to develop, promote, market and sell the destination as a premier visitor destination benefiting the economic vitality of the local community. In 2017, the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the West Coast, is celebrating its 50th anniversary and ACC North, a 200,000 square foot expansion. To learn more about Visit Anaheim, visit: www.visitanaheim.org follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke  the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Visit Anaheim

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ISNES, Belgium, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE American: VNRX) today announced financial results and a business update for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. Volition management will host a conference call tomorrow, November 10, at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time to discuss these results. Conference call details may be found below.

Mr. Cameron Reynolds, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volition, said, "We have made fantastic progress this quarter, moving our clinical product development strongly forward in Asia, Europe and the U.S, and broadening our potential revenue base with our recently announced research kit sales. We have further expanded our talented scientific team, with four new hires to the R&D team, financially supported by the local government in Belgium." Mr. Reynolds added, "We continue to announce large trials at very affordable costs in our efforts to gain worldwide adoption of our products. We look forward to achieving our upcoming clinical and commercial milestones, while continuing to keep close control on our cash burn, which has remained relatively stable."

Third Quarter 2017 and Recent Company Highlights

Clinical

As the cornerstone of our frontline screening colorectal cancer test for the all-important U.S. market, we entered into an agreement to participate in a large, multi-center study with the Great Lakes New England Clinical Validation Center, funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Research Network.

The objective is to validate Volition's Nu.Q Colorectal Cancer Screening Test in a large, asymptomatic population for U.S. regulatory purposes.



The study provides approximately 13,500 asymptomatic screening samples of people aged 50 or over who have not previously undergone screening or a diagnostic colonoscopy.



The study will come at a cost of no more than $3 million , paid in equal, quarterly installments.

Intellectual Property

We secured four additional patents, in the U.S., Europe , Mexico and Australia , further solidifying Volition's intellectual property portfolio worldwide.

, and , further solidifying Volition's intellectual property portfolio worldwide. The patents are complementary to those previously granted. Volition now has 5 granted patents in the U.S. and 8 more patents in other territories.

Operational

In line with our goals to best utilize our Nucleosomics  platform and to broaden our revenue base, we announced the initial order of a bespoke Nu.Q TM clinical research use only kit from a large multi-national pharmaceutical company together with plans to launch a range of Nucleosomics  clinical research use only kits in the first half of 2018.

platform and to broaden our revenue base, we announced the initial order of a bespoke Nu.Q clinical research use only kit from a large multi-national pharmaceutical company together with plans to launch a range of Nucleosomics clinical research use only kits in the first half of 2018. The kits based on our proprietary Nucleosomics  technology are expected to:

technology are expected to:

allow researchers to explore patterns of epigenetic modifications in circulating nucleosomes across a broad range of clinical applications including cancers, inflammatory and infectious diseases. The kits can be used for many purposes, for example as an aid to drug development and treatment selection.





represent the first revenue from the Nu.Q TM platform and potentially provide an additional licensing revenue stream beyond the commercialization of our blood-based cancer tests on the same platform of assays.

platform and potentially provide an additional licensing revenue stream beyond the commercialization of our blood-based cancer tests on the same platform of assays. We commenced a project to investigate the use of Nucleosomics  to purify or enrich nucleosomes from cancer. This aims to provide purified circulating tumor DNA to help address the main technology barrier in this emergent field of cancer diagnostics.

to purify or enrich nucleosomes from cancer. This aims to provide purified circulating tumor DNA to help address the main technology barrier in this emergent field of cancer diagnostics. We were awarded $1.5 million in non-dilutive funding from SOFINEX and the Walloon Region of Belgium , bringing the total amount of non-dilutive funding from various agencies in the region to nearly $2.5 million

Third Quarter 2017 and Other Financial Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, Volition reported a net loss of $3.89 million, or $0.15 per share. This compares to a net loss of $3.48 million, or $0.15 per share in the third quarter of 2016.

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2017 totaled $13.84 million, compared with $12.53 million as of September 30, 2016.

Upcoming Milestones

Volition is targeting several important clinical and commercial milestones, including:

Selection of the panel for our frontline Nu.Q TM Colorectal Cancer Screening Test by the end of 2017. This panel will be subject to validation in a 4,300-subject trial in the first quarter of 2018 followed by a more than 10,000 subject cohort in second quarter of 2018. It is expected that the product will have CE marking by the third quarter of 2018, which would allow the sale of the product in all 28 European Union countries (where there is a total screening market of over 150 million persons). Regulatory approval will follow in Asia in early 2019.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Test by the end of 2017. This panel will be subject to validation in a 4,300-subject trial in the first quarter of 2018 followed by a more than 10,000 subject cohort in second quarter of 2018. It is expected that the product will have CE marking by the third quarter of 2018, which would allow the sale of the product in all 28 European Union countries (where there is a total screening market of over 150 million persons). Regulatory approval will follow in in early 2019. In line with our strategy to launch colorectal cancer products worldwide through working with world-class collaborators on large, cost effective trials, we hope to announce our clinical trial program in Asia .

. Completion of the Logistics and Pathway design study currently underway in Denmark .

. Launch of the Total Nucleosome Assay Research Use Only kit with an extended range in the first quarter of 2018, with increased revenue expected commencing in the second quarter of 2018.

Update on our progress utilizing Nucleosomics  to purify or enrich nucleosomes of tumor origin.

to purify or enrich nucleosomes of tumor origin. Obtaining additional non-dilutive funding.

Conference Call

Volition will host a conference call tomorrow, November 10, at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, to discuss its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2017, and to provide an update on recent developments. To participate in the call, please dial 1-877-407-9716 (toll-free) in the U.S., 0-800-756-3429 (toll-free) in the U.K., and 1-201-493-6779 (toll) internationally. A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available via link from the investor relations page of Volition's corporate website at http://ir.volitionrx.com/. The conference ID is 13673016.

The call will be hosted by Cameron Reynolds, President and Chief Executive Officer, along with David Vanston, Chief Financial Officer and Scott Powell, Executive Vice President.

About Volition

Volition is a multi-national life sciences company developing simple, easy to use blood-based cancer tests to accurately diagnose a range of cancers. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present.

As cancer screening programs become more widespread, Volition's products aim to help to diagnose a range of cancers quickly, simply, accurately and cost effectively. Early diagnosis has the potential to not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life.

Volition's research and development activities are currently centered in Belgium, with additional offices in London, Texas and Singapore, as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the U.S. and ultimately, worldwide.

For more information about Volition, visit Volition's website (http://www.volitionrx.com) or connect with us via:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/volitionrx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volitionrx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolitionRx/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VolitionRx

The contents found at Volition's website address, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are not incorporated by reference into this document and should not be considered part of this document. The addresses for Volition's website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are included in this document as inactive textual references only.

Media / Investor Contacts

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "aims," "targets," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "optimizing," "potential," "goal," "suggests," "could," "would," "should," "may," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the effectiveness of Volition's bodily-fluid-based diagnostic tests as well as Volition's ability to develop and successfully commercialize such test platforms for early detection of cancer. Volition's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. For instance, if Volition fails to develop and commercialize diagnostic products, it may be unable to execute its plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include Volition's failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products in the clinical IVD market; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in Volition's development pipeline or any other diagnostic products Volition might develop; Volition will face fierce competition and Volition's intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics market and its rapid technological change; and other risks identified in Volition's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that Volition files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Volition's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, Volition does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Nucleosomics, NuQ, Nu.QTM and HyperGenomics and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, all references to "$" refer to the legal currency of the United States of America.

SOURCE VolitionRx Ltd

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MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VOTI Detection received a Companies-to-Watch award that recognizes early-stage companies with strong growth potential. As part of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program, the Companies-to-Watch Award category honours Canadian technology companies that demonstrate promising potential to be a future Technology Fast 50 candidate.

VOTI Detection(TM)

VOTI Detection's CEO Rory Olson credits the innovative 3D Perspective technology and its software-first approach with the company's record growth, greatly exceeding the current industry rate. Olson said, "Bringing technology innovation to an industry that has not seen any in over 50 years and the ability to utilize the vast x-ray security screening data to optimize detection enables us to save lives, protect people and assets."

Companies-to-watch winners are a class of companies that possess effective management experience and superior technology. They must also be headquartered in Canada and devote a significant portion of their operating revenues to creating proprietary technology or intellectual property. Recipients exemplify common traits of Deloitte Technology Fast 50 award winners.

"Companies-to-Watch winners deserve recognition for their early achievements and future potential," said Erica Pretorius, partner and National Leader for the Technology Fast 50 program at Deloitte Canada. "They demonstrate courage to take calculated risks. These outstanding companies are key to the future success of the technology sector."

About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 - The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program is Canada's pre-eminent technology awards program. Celebrating business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, the program features three distinct categories including the Technology Fast 50 Ranking, Companies-to-Watch Awards (early-stage Canadian tech companies with the potential to be a future Deloitte Technology Fast 50 candidate) and the Leadership Awards (companies that demonstrate technological leadership and innovation within the industry.) Program sponsors include Deloitte, Aequitas NEO Exchange, Bank of Montreal, Bennett Jones, CBRE, OMERS Ventures and Wellington Financial. For further information, visit www.fast50.ca.

About VOTI DETECTION

Established in 2008, VOTI DETECTION is a leading-edge technology company that develops latest-generation x-ray security systems based on breakthrough 3D Perspective technology. VOTI's technology produces remarkably sharp and more-revealing x-ray images that are competitively superior while delivering enhanced threat detection capabilities and a vastly improved user experience. Since its inception, VOTI DETECTION has consulted heavily with government agencies and security specialists worldwide to develop feature-rich and easy-to-use scanners that meet the sophisticated needs of modern security screening operations. For more information about VOTI, visit www.votidetection.com.

Contact: Catherine Boules

VOTI Detection

[email protected]

Related Files

Deloite 50 pr-2017-11-09.pdf

SOURCE VOTI Detection(TM)

Related Links

http://www.votidetection.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) urges Congress to quickly pass the Fair Access to Insurance for Retired (FAIR) Heroes Act. The FAIR Heroes Act will provide the most severely injured warriors the ability to choose between Medicare and TRICARE, a choice they've earned through their service that could save their families over a thousand dollars each year in premiums alone.

TRICARE is a low-cost health insurance program available to service members, retirees, and their families. Many of the most severely injured warriors qualify for both Medicare and TRICARE. They earn TRICARE upon medical retirement and qualify early for Medicare if they cannot work for a sustained period of time. Although these veterans earned TRICARE through their service, they lose the chance to remain on this plan if they cannot work and have to purchase Medicare Part B, which is more costly.

"Wounded Warrior Project thanks Senators Bill Nelson and Richard Blumenthal for recognizing this problem and introducing the FAIR Heroes Act," said Rene Bardorf, WWP senior vice president of government and community relations. "For far too long, some of our most severely injured veterans have been forced to participate in more expensive Medicare coverage instead of being allowed to use the TRICARE they have earned. This new legislation will finally help our warriors choose which health care plan works best for them and their families."

An estimated 29,000 veterans could be affected by this issue, according to a recent report by the Center for New American Security, who would benefit from the financial relief provided by the FAIR Heroes Act.

"It is our hope that this legislation will move quickly through the process to fix this issue for our warriors. They and their families deserve a choice between TRICARE and Medicare, rather than having that decision made for them," Bardorf said.

To support the FAIR Heroes Act, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/FAIR.

About Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project

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The HRC's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is based on a number of principles for equality and inclusion, including workplace practices and programs aimed to support a fully inclusive workplace for all. Wyndham Worldwide's score reflects the Company's continued commitment to diversity and inclusion, with full leadership support, to its employees, partners and customers.

"For over ten years, Wyndham Worldwide has been an employer of choice among the LGBTQ community, and one that encourages associates to bring their whole selves to work," said Patricia Lee, senior vice president of Human Resources and chief diversity officer, Wyndham Worldwide. "This recognition shows that we continue to do the right thing in ensuring the environment we're cultivating is in the spirit of hospitality."

Recognizing that embracing inclusivity is simply good business, Wyndham Worldwide appeals to diverse consumers, cultivating welcoming environments in its hotels and resorts, in addition to supporting its associates. An important element of this culture is WYNPride, an associate business group dedicated to fostering a culture of acceptance and equality within Wyndham Worldwide. With local chapters in each corporate location, WYNPride members raise awareness of LGBTQ issues, lead community support activities, and drive a positive impact on business practices and goals.

Supporting all associates is an important aspect of Wyndham Worldwide's commitment to diversity and inclusion. "Hospitality is our business, but welcoming people is our mission," said Mary Falvey, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Wyndham Worldwide. "In order to ensure the Company's diverse and inclusive culture is reflected in its benefits decisions, Wyndham Worldwide continuously assesses the needs of the LGBTQ community and provides medical, dental and life insurance benefits to both same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried/domestic partners, as well as their children, regardless of adoption finalization."

The CEI rates companies on specific LGBTQ-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Over the past 15 years, the CEI has become the gold standard for corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ employees and their families. For more information on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Wyndham Worldwide:

Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) is one of the largest global hospitality companies, providing travelers with access to a collection of trusted hospitality brands in hotels, vacation ownership, and unique accommodations including vacation exchange, holiday parks, and managed home rentals. With a collective inventory of nearly 130,000 places to stay across 110 countries on six continents, Wyndham Worldwide and its 38,000 associates welcome people to experience travel the way they want. This is enhanced by Wyndham Rewards, the Company's re-imagined guest loyalty program across its businesses, which is making it simpler for members to earn more rewards and redeem their points faster. For more information, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

SOURCE Wyndham Worldwide

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SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- YouCaring, the world's trusted leader in free crowdfunding for personal, medical, and charitable causes, today released its first State of Compassion Report, uncovering new geographic, demographic, and social trends in fundraising across the platform.

YouCaring is uniquely positioned to spot trends in online giving as the leader in Compassionate Crowdfunding since 2011 and a certified B Corporation that has helped Americans faced with hardship raise over $900 million to date. In contrast to other fundraising platforms, YouCaring does not take a cut of each donation, but instead relies on voluntary donor tips to fund operations.

While the report shows the range and depth of Americans' compassion, it also highlights the increasing social, economic, and environmental challenges of modern-day America. Most fundraisers are launched by people in need or by those close to them, yet many others address larger issues, raising funds for social or environmental causes. The report is based on the rigorous analysis of aggregated and anonymized data from almost 350,000 YouCaring active campaign profiles and provides a unique snapshot into a society's generosityand its struggles.

Trending: Gender Reassignment and Social Justice Fundraisers

In a year in which issues of gender, race, immigration, social justice, and the environment stand at the forefront of the national conversation, YouCaring crowdfunding campaigns reflected these topical issues. The number of campaigns addressing gender reassignment increased by 78 percent year over year, while fertility treatments increased by 36.5 percent and social justice causes by 34 percent. Strikingly, the number of fundraisers with "immigration" as a key topic increased by 117 percent in the last year, and those with "climate change" by 112 percent, though both represent a relatively small proportion of all YouCaring fundraisers.

Overall, campaigns that raise money to cover medical expenses make up the largest and fastest-growing category of fundraisers on YouCaring. Within this category, the number of fundraisers aiming to help those fighting cancer grew the fastest, 67 percent year over year.

Most Compassionate Cities and States

The District of Columbia, Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington, California, and New York top YouCaring's quarterly "10 most generous" list of states that donated the largest amounts of money per household average. In Q3 2017, they were joined by Texas, Wisconsin, and Illinois, all of which moved into the top 10, largely thanks to fundraisers for Hurricane Harvey relief. One such fundraiser, initiated by the Houston Texans' JJ Watt, raised a record-breaking $37 million. Meanwhile, Texas and Florida, hardest hit by Harvey and Irma, were among the 10 most active organizer states.

Houston, TX, tops the crowdfunding platform's list of the most compassionate cities in the US for Q3 2017. The list of cities from which most YouCaring fundraisers were launched this past quarter was also topped by Houston, and includes Tampa and Miami, both hit hard by Hurricane Irma.

Gender "Giving Gap": Highest in South Carolina; Lowest Among Millennials

According to YouCaring's data for 2017, women are on average two times more likely to donate money online than men, with younger generations displaying a smaller gap between genders. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that when they do donate online, men tend to give larger sums than women.

The smallest giving disparity between genders was for those 1824, with one male for every four female donors, and the largest disparity is for those aged 55 and older, one male for every seven female donors. On a state-by-state basis, the smallest giving disparity between men and women was in New York state, with one male likely to donate money on YouCaring for every three females. The largest difference was found in South Carolina, where only one male donated for every 32 females.

Download the State of Compassion report and infographic.

About YouCaring

YouCaring, currently the home of the largest crowdfunding campaign in history, JJ Watt's Houston Relief Fund, has been the trusted leader in free online crowdfunding since 2011. With a focus on Compassionate Crowdfunding, YouCaring believes no one should have to face hardship alone. Our users have raised over $900 million in support of personal, medical, and charitable causes. Unlike other crowdfunding sites, YouCaring does not charge fundraisers a fee and relies on voluntary contributions from donors to fund operations. As a Certified B Corporation, YouCaring is committed to consumer advocacy and advancing social good.

Press Contact:

Camelia Gendreau

[email protected]

415 686 2120

SOURCE YouCaring

Related Links

http://www.youcaring.com


"We built the franchise by focusing on convenience, affordability and a friendly, supportive atmosphere," said Chuck Runyon, the CEO and a co-founder of Anytime Fitness. "That will never change. But we've sustained and, in many areas, accelerated our growth by expanding our programming and benefits for members. Specifically, our new group training sessions and our mobile app  which serves as a personal trainer in your pocket  have been wildly popular and will contribute to our future growth."

GROUP TRAINING Video

Last year alone, Anytime Fitness opened 388 new gyms. The franchise expects to top that number this year, opening more than 400 new facilities by the end of 2017, including its very first gyms in Thailand and Bahrain.

System-wide sales for Anytime Fitness exceeded $1 billion for the first time in 2016. Total revenues for Anytime Fitness, its parent company, Self Esteem Brands, and its master franchisees are expected to top $2 Billion in 2018.

"Our purpose, very simply, is to help people get to a healthier place," said Dave Mortensen, the president and co-founder of Anytime Fitness. "To help as many people as possible, we're constantly striving to provide our franchisees with the support, the tools and the technology they need to best serve their members. We've been successful because we work hard, not merely to meet the ever-changing preferences of fitness consumers, but to anticipate them."

JOIN IN SEATTLE, WORKOUT IN SYDNEY  OR SHANGHAI

One of the benefits of an Anytime Fitness membership, and a contributor to the company's rapid growth, is the franchise's "Anywhere Access" policy: Join one Anytime Fitness gym and you can use any of the chain's 3,700 gyms worldwide  at no additional cost. That gives members the option of exercising not only whenever they choose (Anytime Fitness gyms are open 24/7/365), but virtually wherever they like. And with gyms in all 50 states and nearly 30 countries (including Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain, China and Japan), the "Anywhere Access" policy can be a real cost-saver  especially for frequent travelers.

FITNESS INDUSTRY LEADER

During the 15 years since Anytime Fitness opened its first gym in Cambridge, MN, countless other fitness fads and concepts have come and gone. A primary reason Anytime Fitness has thrived in such a competitive industry is its efficient business model, which benefits gym members and owners alike, regardless of where the gyms are located.

"The diversity of the places where Anytime Fitness gyms are flourishing is truly amazing," said Jay Ablondi, the Executive VP of Global Products for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. "Qatar, India, the Netherlands, Mexico, Malaysia  not to mention Des Moines, Denver and Little Rock. Clearly, members appreciate what the gyms have to offer, while many Anytime Fitness owners are doing well enough financially to open multiple gyms."

PEOPLE, PURPOSE, PROFITS AND PLAY

The co-founders of Anytime Fitness believe that another key to their success has been a constant focus on workplace culture, based on what they refer to as "The 4 P's"  People, Purpose, Profits and Play. In a nutshell, Runyon and Mortensen believe the best way to foster an engaged, productive workforce is to help employees grow as individuals, celebrate your company's positive impacts, re-invest to evolve the business, and have fun while you're at it. In fact, they believe so strongly in the importance of a positive work environment that they recently published a book about how to inspire a high-performing work culture.

TATTO LEVEL BRAND LOYALTY

The net result of all this positivity is that an incredible number of Anytime Fitness corporate staffers, franchisees, gym managers and members have expressed an unusual level of loyalty to the brand. Nearly 4,000 brand advocates care so deeply about Anytime Fitness that they have tattooed themselves with the company's Runningman logo. Each has his or her own personal reason for doing so. But they all share one thing in common: A heartfelt love and appreciation for the world's fastest-growing gym.

OTHER RECENT ANYTIME FITNESS NEWS: http://anytimefitness.com/press

About Anytime Fitness

Ranked #1 on Entrepreneur's prestigious Top Global Franchise list, Anytime Fitness is the fastest-growing gym franchise in the world, with more than 3,700 gyms serving 3,000,000 members on five continents. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness prides itself on providing its members with convenient fitness options and friendly, personal service in well-maintained facilities which feature top-quality exercise equipment. Gyms are now open in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, The Republic of Ireland, Wales, Grand Cayman, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, Qatar, India, Chile, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Belgium, Italy, Sweden and the Philippines. All franchised gyms are individually owned and operated. Join one gym and use them all.

SOURCE Anytime Fitness

Related Links

http://www.anytimefitness.com


"Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham's reception to Zeel's massage service has been incredible," says Zeel's founder and CEO, Samer Hamadeh. "It became clear that we needed to provide in-home massages to even more cities in North Carolina, and so we made that happen fast. We're looking forward to delivering massage therapy's wellness benefits with the ultimate convenience to the residents and visitors of Greensboro and Winston-Salem."

Zeel's in-home massage membership is the only one of its kind in the country. Member benefits include a discounted massage each month, discounts on all other massages booked, and a free massage table with a deluxe sheet set. There's no initiation fee to join, and a 90-day trial option is available. Discounts can be shared with household members at the customer's location.

Massages delivered through Zeel are competitively priced compared to high-end spas in the area. The cost of a 60-minute Zeel massage in North Carolina  tip and tax included  is $105. Customers can also take advantage of Zeel's membership savings and pay only $87. An 18% gratuity is always included in the payment so there's no need for a customer to have cash available.

Zeel massages are personalized by choosing the time, length, and location for the massage; the preferred gender of the massage therapist; the massage technique; and the option of adding notes such as a reflexology request or special attention to an injury. Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal, couples, and sleep massages can be scheduled with start times as early as 8am and as late as 10:30pm, 365 days a year. Massages are booked on the iPhone or Android app, or on zeel.com.

Massages booked with Zeel are delivered by one of the nearly 10,000 vetted, licensed, insured, and experienced massage therapists in Zeel's network. Massage therapists bring the massage table, music, and everything needed for the highest quality massage experience at home. Zeel guarantees standard-setting security, reliability, award-winning customer service, and a fully customized massage experience, in as little as an hour.

Zeel is also home to Zeel Spa, the award-winning staffing solution for spas; Zeel Concierge, which enables hotels to provide in-room massage bookings for guests; and Zeel Corporate Wellness, which brings chair massages to companies, events, and workplaces.

About Zeel

Zeel created the Massage On Demand category in 2012 and was the first company to bring same-day, in-home massages to customers. Ranked #167 on Inc. Magazine's 2017 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S., Zeel is the leading and largest on-demand massage provider with nearly 10,000 licensed massage therapists in its network of over 70 U.S. cities. Zeel offers the most reliable on-demand massage service in as little as an hour, 365 days a year, with start times as early as 8am and as late as 10:30pm. Zeel delivers the highest quality, five-star massages from licensed, vetted massage therapists to homes, hotels, workplaces, and events. With best-in-class security protocols and white glove customer service, Zeel customers enjoy massages in the comfort, convenience, safety, and privacy of the place and time of their choosing. Booking, scheduling, and payment are made easy with the Zeel app for iPhone and Android. Zeel is also home to Zeel Spa, the on-demand staffing solution for spas; Zeel Concierge, which enables hotels to provide in-room massage bookings for guests; and Zeel Corporate Wellness, which brings chair massages to companies, events, and workplaces.

SOURCE Zeel

Related Links

http://zeel.com


AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets has completed the acquisition of a Grade-A office building, located in the dynamic Bicocca business district of Northern Milan for c. 44 million. Acquired from Effepi Real Estate, a fund managed by Generali Real Estate S.p.A. - Societa di Gestione del Risparmio, the acquisition

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Stage Capital, advised by the JLL Capital Markets team, has sold their logistics portfolio located in Plzen region, totalling approximately 150,000 sq m. The assets were acquired by CBRE Global Investors. The portfolio comprises two income producing logistics parks with further development potential. At the moment the parks are 100%

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Core Logic measures housing affordability in four different ways, the methodologies of which are detailed below:

The ratio of median dwelling prices to median gross annual household income. Utilising median household income data which has been modelled by the Australian National University Centre for Social Research and Methods (ANU) and median dwelling price data from CoreLogic we determine the ratio of dwelling prices to household income over time.



For example, a dwelling price to income ratio of 5 implies that the typical household will spend five times their annual gross income to purchase the typical dwelling outright within the same region.





For example, a dwelling price to income ratio of 5 implies that the typical household will spend five times their annual gross income to purchase the typical dwelling outright within the same region. The number of years of gross annual household income required for a 20% deposit. Using the ANUs modelled household income data we provide a measure of affordability for those households that dont yet own a home. This analysis looks at how many years of a households annual gross income is required to pay a 20% deposit, based on the median priced dwelling.



For example, a city where the median dwelling price is $600,000, a 20% deposit would equate to $120,000. If the median household income was $100,000, the deposit would comprise 1.2 years of the gross annual income for the household.





For example, a city where the median dwelling price is $600,000, a 20% deposit would equate to $120,000. If the median household income was $100,000, the deposit would comprise 1.2 years of the gross annual income for the household. The proportion of household income required to service an 80% loan to valuation ratio (LVR) mortgage. This measure is based on mortgage serviceability and is more applicable for households that already servicing a mortgage. Assuming the owner has borrowed 80% of the median selling price (i.e. they had a 20% deposit) and are making their mortgage payments based on the discounted variable mortgage rate for owner occupiers (4.5% as at June 2017), we measure the proportion of annual household income required to service the mortgage.



For example, for a region with a median dwelling price of $600,000, the typical loan amount based on an 80% LVR would be $480,000. Based on the current discounted variable mortgage rate and annual household income of $100,000, the household would be dedicating 32.0% of their gross annual household income to servicing the mortgage.





For example, for a region with a median dwelling price of $600,000, the typical loan amount based on an 80% LVR would be $480,000. Based on the current discounted variable mortgage rate and annual household income of $100,000, the household would be dedicating 32.0% of their gross annual household income to servicing the mortgage. The proportion of gross annual household income required to pay the rent. Utilising household income data and the median weekly rent we measure what percentage of household income is required to service their rental payments.



For example, a household with $100,000 annual gross income who is paying $600 per week in rent would be dedicating 31.2% of their annual gross household income to pay their rent.

The latest data to June 2017 indicates that, despite the cash rate remaining stable at record lows, housing affordability has generally worsened over the most recent quarter. The changes in affordability at a national level are detailed below:

Dwelling price to household income ratio The national dwelling price to household income ratio was recorded at 6.8 in June 2017, with a higher ratio for houses (7.0) compared with units (6.3).



The ratio increased over the quarter for houses and units however, 15 years ago the ratios were much lower at 4.5 for houses and 5.1 for units. The measure for houses is currently at an historic high while for units it has moderated slightly from a high of 6.5 in early 2015.





The ratio increased over the quarter for houses and units however, 15 years ago the ratios were much lower at 4.5 for houses and 5.1 for units. The measure for houses is currently at an historic high while for units it has moderated slightly from a high of 6.5 in early 2015. Years of household income required for a 20% deposit A 20% deposit was equivalent to 1.36 years of gross household income at the end of June 2017, with the figure recorded at 1.40 years for houses and 1.26 years for units.



At the same time in 2002 it took 0.92 years to save a 20% deposit, 0.89 years for houses and 1.02 years for a unit. As the cost of housing has increased and household income growth has slowed it has become increasingly challenging for some segments of the market to raise a 20% deposit which has required a longer period of savings in order to enter the housing market.





At the same time in 2002 it took 0.92 years to save a 20% deposit, 0.89 years for houses and 1.02 years for a unit. As the cost of housing has increased and household income growth has slowed it has become increasingly challenging for some segments of the market to raise a 20% deposit which has required a longer period of savings in order to enter the housing market. Proportion of household income required to service an 80% LVR mortgage At the end of 2016-17 financial year it took 36.2% of the median gross annual household income to service a mortgage, with the proportion higher for detached houses (37.2%) and lower (33.7%) for units.



Although mortgage rates have fallen over the past year, the ongoing increases in dwelling prices and low level of household income growth means serviceability has deteriorated. Despite the higher reading over the June quarter, mortgage serviceability is currently at similar levels to what was recorded in early 2004, highlighting how lower interest rates have made it easier for home owners to service and pay off their mortgage debt.





Although mortgage rates have fallen over the past year, the ongoing increases in dwelling prices and low level of household income growth means serviceability has deteriorated. Despite the higher reading over the June quarter, mortgage serviceability is currently at similar levels to what was recorded in early 2004, highlighting how lower interest rates have made it easier for home owners to service and pay off their mortgage debt. Proportion of gross annual household income required to rent a home Over the past 15 years there has been very little movement in the proportion of household income required for rent. This highlights that increases in rental costs are constrained by movement in household incomes.





At the end of June 2017, 27.6% of the median gross annual household income was required to pay rent with the figures similar for houses (27.2%) and units (27.6%) across the country. The data also highlights that despite historic low interest rates, it generally remains cheaper to rent than to take out a mortgage in many areas.

For the purposes of this analysis we have just focussed on two metrics, the dwelling price to household income ratio and the proportion of household income required to service an 80% LVR mortgage.

Dwelling price to household income ratio

The above charts highlight how much of the deterioration in housing affordability, based on a dwelling price to household income ratio, is occurring in Sydney and Melbourne. Five years ago Sydneys ratio was 6.7 times and Melbournes was 6.5 times, fast forward to June 2017 and the ratios sit at 9.1 times and 7.5 times respectively.

Over the past five years, median dwelling prices in Sydney have increased by 59.6% and Melbourne prices are 29.9% higher. Meanwhile, Sydney household incomes are 18.4% higher and Melbourne household incomes are up 13.2%.

Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, most other capital cities have actually seen very little change in affordability over the past five to ten years based on this metric. This highlights that while deteriorating housing affordability is viewed as a national problem, Sydney and Melbourne (where 40% of the population live) is very much the focal point.



Proportion of household income required to service an 80% LVR mortgage

This analysis takes into consideration mortgage rates and the impact of changes in them over time. Keep in mind that this analysis relates more to the cost of servicing a mortgage so is related more so to someone that already owns a property whereas the price to income ratio is more about the cost of entering the housing market.

This analysis highlights that not only is it more expensive to enter the market in Sydney and Melbourne but once you own a home the mortgage currently eats up a much larger chunk of household income than it does elsewhere.

Mortgage rates for owner occupiers are at historic lows however, someone buying under these conditions would still be spending 48.4% of their gross annual household income to service that debt in Sydney and 39.9% in Melbourne. Of course, these figures have been higher peaking at 54.4% in Sydney in March 2008 and at 49.1% in June 2008 in Melbourne.

Importantly, in March 2008 mortgage rates sat at 8.7% and in June 2008 they were 8.85% compared to rates of 4.5% in June 2017. Outside of Sydney and Melbourne the cost of servicing a mortgage is much lower but again, it is important to remember that mortgage rates for owner occupiers are at historic lows and likely to start moving higher at some stage, potentially in 2018 or 2019.

The data presented highlights that housing is expensive across the country and that over recent years housing affordability has deteriorated however, much of that deterioration has occurred in Sydney and Melbourne where the pace of capital gains has far exceeded growth in household incomes.

The latest CoreLogic Home Value Index data shows that dwelling value growth is slowing however, moderate falls are unlikely to result in a significant improvement in housing affordability. As mentioned, despite mortgage rates for owner occupiers tracking at record lows, servicing a mortgages is taking-up a large proportion of household incomes in Sydney and Melbourne.

Should mortgage rates start to rise without a commensurate rise in household incomes it will mean that households will have to spend an increasingly greater proportion of their household income to service their mortgage. If that was to occur it would likely impact on other areas of the economy, particularly with regards to areas of expenditure such as retail trade.
Many council areas within Adelaide have undergone zoning changes in recent times, the valuation firm, Herron Todd White recently noted.

"This is encouraging higher density in-fill development in many areas, it noted.

"Smaller projects involve the demolition of an older style dwelling and construction of at least two courtyard style dwellings on the site.

"There is increasing developer activity in areas where higher density developments are being approved."

The report pinpointed suburbs such as Magill, Tranmere and Prospect as experiencing good demand from developers as a result.

"There are increasing numbers of dwellings being constructed on smaller allotments which will eventually change how many residents live in these areas."

A two-bedroom unit at 2/2A Camroc Avenue, Tranmere sold for $322,500. The selling agents were Tom Hector and Jarred Stamoulis of Harris.

But HTW noted the majority of larger households in Adelaide are still not very accepting of unit living.

"It is typically still the domain of smaller households and renters.

"Given the increased developer activity in many suburbs around Adelaide, this may one day begin to change, but it is not something that will occur in the short term," the HTW report noted.

In Adelaide, many householders constructing on smaller allotments are still building substantial dwellings.

They are seeking lower maintenance allotments but still want large living areas and space to entertain.

The average allotment size in Adelaide continues to decrease to counteract the already far reaching urban sprawl.

"Although there will be smaller properties built by investors for rental accommodation, households with families will continue to seek larger accommodation.

"This will be a continual balancing act for local councils and developers in the market place," it advised.
The Sydney auction clearance rate was now approaching levels associated with prior price declines, AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver has suggested.

Oliver tweeted the Domain weekend's result of 66 percent for Sydney, and its prior weekend result being revised after late results to 56 percent, was at levels similar to when there were price declines in 2008-09 and 2011-12.

But Gaby Kennard, the first Australian woman to fly around the globe by airplane, scored the nation's top auction result when her Woolloomooloo Wharf apartment sold for $5.55 million.

The three bedroom, two bathroom harbour front apartment was snapped up pre-auction having had $5 million to $5.5 million price guiduance through BresicWhitney Darlinghurst agent Nic Krasnostein.

Kennard, who had renovated after paying $3.31 million in 2013, is remembered for her accomplishment taking 99 days to complete a journey circling the world in the late 1980s.

She covered 29,000 nautical miles (54,000 kilometres) and followed Amelia Earhart's route as much as possible.

Adelaide had the cheapest weekend sale when $222,500 was paid for a one bedroom house.

The 340 sq m Waite Street, Ethelton offering was marketed as set for demolition.

There were significantly fewer homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities on the weekend, after last weekend's year-to-date high of 3,713.

There were a total of 2,019 auctions held returning a preliminary auction clearance rate of 66.8 per cent, a tad up on last weeks final clearance rate of 64.5 per cent, CoreLogic advised.

Over the corresponding weekend last year, 73.6 per cent of the 2,517 auction held were successful.

Melbourne saw a notable decrease in volumes given the spring racing festivities, with only 309 auctions.

CoreLogic calculated 77.3 per cent sold across Melbourne with its dearest result unusually in Wheelers Hill at $2.82 million. The 2 Latrobe Court home was a modern rendered 60 square residence.

Sydneys preliminary auction clearance rate sat at 67.4 per cent, according to Coreogic, who put last weeks final auction clearance rate at 58.3 percent, its lowest recorded since early 2016.

There were 1,217 homes taken to auction across Sydney last week, including 900 plus on Saturday, virtually unchanged from prior week.

Performances across Sydneys sub-regions were mixed, with Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury recording a 78.8 percent success rate across 41 auctions, while the outer South West region of Sydney recorded a much lower clearance rate of 33.3 per cent across 18 auctions.

The south west results included Sydney's cheapest notified sale when $470,000 was paid at Rosemeadow. The three bedroom Tamora Street offering was a 1960s brick veneer home on its 442 sqm Campelltown district block.

The preliminary auction clearance rate in Brisbane was 53.5 per cent, increasing from 44.8 per cent over the weekend prior.

Auction volumes were lower this week across Brisbane with 169 auctions held, down from 190 last week.

Brisbane's top price was a modern three level riverfront that fetched $4,125,000. The 29 Laidlaw Pde, East Brisbane offering was five bedroom, three bathroom house, which Ray White agent Dean Yesberg said was "one of only 25 homes that enjoys this irreplaceable position."

Brisbane's cheapest result was a loss taker near Goodna. The sale of the three bedroom home at 5 Drysdale Avenue, Collingwood Park at $240,000 was down on its prior $293,000 sale in 2009, and just above its $232,000 sale in 2005.

Adelaide saw an auction clearance rate of 65.5 per cent, across a total of 125 auctions, increasing from the previous weeks 62.5 per cent, and similar to the 65.6 per cent one year ago.

Adelaide's dearest sale was $1.32 million when a three bedroom house at 21 Northgate Street, Unley Park was sold. The sandstone house on 890 sqm had $1,295,000 price guidance through Scarce Real Estate.

Canberras preliminary auction clearance rate of 68.2 per cent was down on the weekend prior when the final auction clearance rate was 72.6 per cent.

Its top sale was a Forrest house designed in 1927 by Oakley & Parkes, who had previously designed The Lodge. The home on its 1500 sqm Barkly Crescent block last sold in 1997 at $525,000.

There were 48 Perth auctions this week with only 30 per cent clearing.
The real estate industry is set to shed up to 25 percent of its workforce, according to the REIA, as the property market rebalances after five years of strong conditions especially in Melbourne and Sydney.

Real Estate Institute of Australia president Malcolm Gunning said the shedding of jobs was inevitable.

What we see is a lot of opportunists come into the market when its a bull market, and yes we will see jobs shed because we will see less turnover of property, Mr Gunning told The Australian.

This is really a market for experienced real estate agents and I would expect about 20-25 per cent of our residential agents will leave.

Mr Gunning predicted that low-cost operators would be among the first to go as the momentum swung back to full service agencies.

Low-cost operators really cant afford to put a lot of resources behind them, and people will quickly get sick of paying a fee up front and getting no results, he said criticising the low-cost operator as one "who lists and waits for the inquiries.

Mr Gunning said this weeks earnings downgrade by the McGrath agency could be seen as a reference point to the shift in the property cycle when the agency issued a downgrade based partly on the market slowdown.

John (McGrath) floated at the pinnacle of all the hype surrounding the property market; he picked the sweet spot very well, Mr Gunning said.

That will always be a reference point as to what was the high water mark for that period.
Gayla Currie, who worked for Century 21 Max Comben real estate agency in Perth, has been caught presenting more than 20 fake contracts for fake property sales.

The real estate agent has been banned from working in the industry for life after being found guilty of fabricating purchase offers on numerous properties.

The forged contracts pretended to be prospective buyers.

The punishment was imposed by the State Administrative Tribunal on Currie, who worked as a sales representative in 2015 and 2016.

Ms Currie began working for the agency as a sales representative in February 2015 and was supervised by Mr Comben. Ms Currie held a sales representative certificate from October 2012 to October 2015 but failed to renew her certificate of registration until February 2016. She continued her sales activities with the agency between October 2015 and February 2016, despite not holding a certificate of registration.

Curries employer and sales supervisor Maxwell Comben were also fined by the SAT for breaching the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.

The SAT found as supervisor, Comben had failed to notice that signatures on the offers were in Curries handwriting, finance letters from banks were forged, phone numbers were made up and none of the sales ever settled.

Consumer Protection commissioner David Hillyard said there had been a serious lack of proper supervision on Combens part.

"Property owners who put their trust in the agency have endured great inconvenience and financial disadvantage, he said.

Max has been selling in the Real Estate industry for over 41 years and all of these 41 years have been in the local area.



Max Comden commenced selling in 1975.



Max has been inducted into the prestigious Century 21 Hall Of Fame which is the highest individual award offered by Century 21. He is a "Centurion" level salesperson putting him in the top 2% if sales people in the largest real estate system world wide.

Curries employer Sakar Pty Ltd, trading as Century 21 Max Comben, was fined $2,000 and sales supervisor Maxwell Comben was fined $3,000 by the SAT for breaching the Real Estate and Business Agents Act by failing to exercise due care, skill and diligence and continuing to employ a sales representative in the time period that the sales representatives certificate of registration had expired and was therefore no longer valid. The agency and Mr Comben were reprimanded and ordered to also pay costs of $1,200.

The SAT findings:
Pat Hutchins, author-illustrator of such beloved picture books as Rosies Walk and Good-Night, Owl!, died on November 8 at age 75, at her home in London.

Hutchins was born in Yorkshire, England, on June 18, 1942, and grew up in the surrounding countryside with her six siblings. Her passion for art was fostered from an early age by a local couple, the Bruces, who gave Hutchins her first sketchbook and rewarded her with chocolate in return for her drawings. At the age of 16, Hutchins received a scholarship to attend a nearby art school, Darlington School of Art, where she trained for three years. She went on to enroll at Leeds Arts University, studying illustration.

Following graduation, Hutchins moved to London in hopes of launching her career in childrens books, but she was met with rejection by publishers. Discouraged, she began work as a junior art director at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. It was there that she met her husband, Laurence Hutchins, a fellow artist. When Laurence was offered a job at the companys New York office, the two married and relocated to the U.S.

The move turned out to be a fortuitous one. In New York, Hutchins met Susan Hirschman, then editor-in-chief of the childrens department at Macmillan. Hirschman encouraged her to write and illustrate her own story, and in 1968 Hutchins published her debut picture book, Rosies Walk, which garnered international acclaim. Hutchins later returned to England with her family, but continued to publish with Hirschman, who in 1974 had launched Greenwillow Books at William Morrow (in 1999, the imprint was absorbed into HarperCollins with its purchase of Morrow).

In all, Hutchins created more than 40 books for young readers, many of which are considered classics and six of which were named ALA Notable Books. Titch (1971), which stars a boy inspired by the authors sons Morgan and Sam, was adapted into a popular television series in the U.K. Hutchins earned the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1974 for The Wind Blew. Other titles by Hutchins, including Dont Forget the Bacon! (1976), 1 Hunter (1982), and The Doorbell Rang (1986) have become staples in classrooms around the world.

In an interview with Communication Arts, Hutchins said of her writing, I like to build my stories up, so the reader can understand what is happening and, in some cases, anticipate what is likely to happen on the next page. I think one can get quite complicated ideas across to small children as long as they are presented in a simple, satisfying way.

Throughout her career, Hutchins frequently visited the Greenwillow offices in New York City, along with her husband. Virginia Duncan, v-p and publisher at Greenwillow, said, We loved working with Pat; her visits were lively and memorable, and her carefully constructed and irresistible books were a joy to work on and publish.
New stores open in Illinois, New York and Kentucky; North store sold to employees; the Paris bookstore on a barge; and more.

Chicago Gets a New Bookstore: The Dial Bookshop opens tomorrow.

Bookstore Opens in Upstate New York: Bookburgh Books has opened in Plattsburgh.

North Carolina Store Sold to Employees: The co-owners of Durham's The Regulator bookstore are retiring next March and are selling the store to two long-time employees.

Kentucky Bookstore Opens this Weekend: Brier Books in Lexington is having its grand opening on Saturday.

France's Floating Bookstore: LEau et Les Reves, or Water and Dreams, is a bookstore on a barge in a Paris canal. It been open for business since 2014.

New Morocco Museum Contains Bookstore: The new Yves Saint Laurent museum in Marrakech houses a bookstore and library dedicated to fashion.
THE second day of strikes by RMT conductors has begun, and three operators are affected today.

Of these, Greater Anglia and Southern expect to run almost normal services, but South Western Railway is likely to lose 40 per cent of services during the day, and 30 per cent in the peaks.

Two other operators, Merseyrail and Northern, were affected by 24-hour strikes yesterday, along with Greater Anglia, SWR and Southern.

The industrial situation remains mixed, because ASLEF drivers on Southern have accepted a five-year deal while the RMT is standing firm, repeating its call for the government to intervene.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: On behalf of RMT I repeat the demand that Theresa May and Chris Grayling call off the centrally imposed blockade on serious talks in these disputes and allow us to get on with genuine negotiations with their contractors."

If the Government allows normal industrial relations to recommence it would free the union up to negotiate deals like the ones we have successfully struck in Wales and Scotland that guarantee a guard on the trains.

The RMT has also described the settlement with ASLEF drivers on Southern as shoddy.

The result of a drivers' ballot has confirmed by 731 to 193 a deal recommended by the ASLEF executive. This includes a five-year pay settlement worth a total of 28.5 per cent between 2016 and 2020, and therefore covers the rest of the present Govia Thameslink Railway franchise. Recent reports have suggested that the GTR contract, which includes Southern, may not be awarded again in its present form.

ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan said: The agreement means we will have a second safety-trained person on every train covered by this agreement except in exceptional circumstances. That person will have all the relevant safety competence  including the skills to evacuate passengers in an emergency.

"The agreement also confirms the terms and conditions under which our members at Southern are employed."

ASLEF also emphasised that the new settlement only applies on Southern. Mr Whelan added: "Its important to stress that this deal is company-specific and does not have implications for any other train operating company."

Mick Cash of the RMT, meanwhile, claimed that the settlement had been achieved partly because of the threat of growing legal costs. GTR took a dispute with ASLEF over longer trains to the High Court in April last year, preventing walkouts on Gatwick Express.

Mr Cash described "a massive financial stick that the Courts had handed over to beat the union and its members with. RMT believes that threat had a decisive impact on this result."

A spokesman for ASLEF told Railnews: "We have had three ballots, and the most recent was a vote by our members to accept. The legal costs position has not changed since the beginning of 2017 and was not a factor contributing to this settlement."

Nick Brown, who is chief operating officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: "This dispute has been difficult for our passengers in particular and we are pleased that we can now move ahead and deliver stability by finally concluding this deal with ASLEF.

"Our trains will be planned to have a second person on board and this has been the arrangement we have operated over the last year. More on-train staff are on more trains with more passengers than ever before. The on-board service concept has been welcomed by our passengers across the board.

"Should, in certain circumstances, a train not have that second person on board then it will still be able to run until a replacement can be provided. Avoiding cancellations is key to delivering a resilient and reliable service."
The European integration process has been motivated by political and economic concerns. The EU Single Market, which has led to the removal of barriers to trade in goods and services, as well as capital and people, across the European Union, aimed to promote intra-European trade, increase competition, create more jobs and make Europe more attractive to foreign direct investment.

However, despite allowing greater competition and boosting trade between EU member states, an argument exists that the Single Market has still not yet reached its full potential. There are still many regulatory barriers within the EU that means the Single Market remains incomplete and fragmented.

Several studies have highlighted the huge economic gains from a complete Single Market. The overview report from the European Parliament has shown that these range from between 650 billion and 1.1 trillion per year, the equivalent of between 5 and 8.6% of the EU's GDP.

More recently, a RAND Europe study for the European Parliament investigated the economic impact of lower trade barriers on the Single Market. According to the study, the impact of improved trade flows, economic growth and job creation due to lower trade barriers would lead to economic benefits of between 183 and 269 billion per year. The end result would be a more integrated and complete Single Market.

Looking beyond the free trade of goods and services, one area where significant financial gains could be achieved is through the EU's digital economy. A fully functional and integrated EU Digital Single Market would bring many benefits to European businesses and consumers. The European Commission states that it would promote innovation, contribute 415 billion to the EU economy each year and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

The size of the potential economic benefits leads to questions about why the EU is not doing more with the Single Market and more specifically, the Digital Single Market.

Challenges Remaining

Ultimately, there are still many barriers which make the full integration of the Single Market challenging. These are mainly associated with regulation, private law issues, tax issues, logistics and other more nuanced differences across EU member states.

Another challenge is that the economic benefits linked with a more closely integrated Single Market may not be equally distributed across EU member states. It is likely that the newer member states will gain disproportionally. The potential benefits and effects will also vary across different sectors and different companies, depending on their size.

There are many policy measures that could help to overcome these barriers and help retrieve some of the potential economic gains. For example, further harmonising product market regulation across EU member states would help the free movement of services and goods.

In unlocking the potential of the Digital Single Market, significant financial gains could be made by increasing the use of online services and improving digital infrastructure within the EU. An overview report from the European Commission recommends moving towards a fully functional e-procurement regime and e-invoicing. For example, estimates suggest that a full transition to e-procurement could generate 50 to 75 billion a year, if all public procurement was managed online.

There is still enormous potential in the Single Market. Numerous studies have made a robust case for it to be more fully integrated. The growing digital economy in Europe provides yet more opportunities, with the potential economic gains being realised through a greater integration of digital services across EU member states.

The economic benefits are clear, but closer integration requires political buy-in from individual member states and the EU. Ultimately, it is up to both sides to make the most of the many opportunities within the Single Market and emerging Digital Single Market.

Marco Hafner is a senior economist at RAND Europe. He led the research project The Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market: Free Movement of Goods.

This commentary originally appeared on Open Access Government on November 8, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
xG Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding with Argentinas Tesacom for the resale of video communications and mobile broadband solutions in Latin America.





The partnership will focus on the defence, security and commercial markets, particularly for use in remote and challenging environments. Buenos Aires-based Tesacom provides integrated telecommunications solutions in Latin America, supplying technology to many government and commercial sectors, including military, maritime, oil and gas, mining and transportation.George Schmitt, executive chairman and CEO, xG Technology , said: This agreement represents a major endorsement of the xMax system as one that is compelling in environments where traditional systems have limitations. We are to work together with Tesacom to identify opportunities to develop and deploy solutions that allow the leverage the benefits of the xMax, IMT and Vislink product lines in Latin American markets.The partnership will see the deployment of xMax mobile broadband system projects, and the sale of IMT and Vislink equipment in Latin America. IMT and Vislink are well established brands in the delivery of secure video communications and solutions for law enforcement, defence and homeland security.This agreement will allow us to offer rapidly-deployable communications services that deliver the maximum security and interference resistance for events and situations that demand these features, added Jose Sanches Elia, CEO of Tesacom.
Thanksgiving travel: What to expect at the Indianapolis airport

Thanksgiving at the Indianapolis International Airport will be defined by inflated prices, nearly pre-pandemic crowds and competitive seat booking.
Crimean Tatar leaders Ilmi Umerov and Akhtem Chiygoz were unexpectedly released from custody in their Russian-occupied homeland in October. Both are deputy chairmen of the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatar self-governing body that has been outlawed by Russian authorities. Immediately after their release, they were flown to Turkey on October 25, thanks partly to an intervention by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They have vowed to return to Crimea to campaign for the release of other prisoners. Kateryna Nekrecha, a correspondent with RFE/RL's Crimea Realities service, spoke with Chiygoz about his detention.
BISHKEK -- During a visit to Bishkek, Europe Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has expressed the blocs readiness to start negotiations on a new bilateral agreement between the EU and Kyrgyzstan.

Mogherini held talks on November 9 with Kyrgyzstans President-elect Sooronbai Jeenbekov, outgoing President Almazbek Atambaev, and Prime Minister Sapar Isakov in the Kyrgyz capital -- the first leg of her two-day Central Asian trip that will also take her to Uzbekistan.

During her meetings, she reiterated the European Union's continued support to the reform processes in the Kyrgyz Republic in the area of electoral reform, as well as in the rule of law and the reform of the judiciary, according to a statement issued by her office.

Mogherini's visit to Bishkek comes one month after an EU decision to launch negotiations on "a new, ambitious, and comprehensive" bilateral agreement between the 28-member bloc and Kyrgyzstan to replace one that was adopted in 1999.

The EU and neighboring Kazakhstan concluded a new agreement last year. Both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have close ties to Moscow and are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, a grouping of ex-Soviet republics that is dominated by founding members Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.

Speaking to RFE/RL ahead of the visit, a spokeswoman for Mogherini, Maja Kocijancic, said that the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan is among the issues Mogherini will discuss in the meetings.

"We believe that...respect for human rights is a very important aspect of our relations and for the Kyrgyz Republic as a democracy. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are all values enshrined in the country's constitution and its international commitments," Kocijancic said.

On November 10, Mogherini is set to attend the 13th annual EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where she will meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev and foreign ministers of Central Asian countries.

Relations between the EU and Central Asia's most populous nation of more than 30 million people were strained in 2005, when Uzbek government forces shot and killed hundreds of mostly peaceful protesters in the eastern city of Andijon. The bloc reacted to the crackdown by imposing sanctions and an arms embargo against Tashkent.

However, the EU and Uzbekistan have engaged in fence-mending moves in the past years.

The EU and Tashkent signed an agreement on energy cooperation in 2011 and the bloc set up a diplomatic representation in Tashkent the following year. And in 2013, Mogherinis predecessor, Catherine Ashton, visited Uzbekistan and held talks with then-President Islam Karimov.

In July of this year, the EU-Uzbekistan council held its first session since 2015. Ahead of the gathering in Brussels, EU officials told RFE/RL of their hope for "renewed engagement" with Uzbekistan and said they had been encouraged by some liberal steps taken by Mirziyoev, who came to power after Karimov's death was announced in September last year.

Before leaving Brussels for Kyrgyzstan, Mogherini said that Central Asia was a very important region for the EU.

"From security to countering radicalization and extremism, from trade to the support of civil society, the EU and the countries of the region are strong partners. Our annual meeting gives us a chance to review what has been achieved over the past year and to look ahead to a new agenda to foster growth, security and stability in our regions, for the benefit of our citizens," Mogherini said.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz and Uzbek services and Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking Chinas resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Im RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish.

Before we get started, a few announcements: The newsletter is now biweekly, rather than going out only on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. To subscribe, click here.

And I will also be launching Talking China In Eurasia, a new podcast. It will air live on Twitter Spaces and later be available on RFE/RLs website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts. We will be taking questions live starting at 2 p.m. CET/8 a.m. EST on November 16. Ill be joined by the Royal United Services Institutes Raffaello Pantucci to talk about Xi and Putin. Tune in here.

Xi Gets Pragmatic About Russia At The G20

It was light on optimism, but U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping injected a healthy dose of pragmatism back into the U.S.-China relationship with their meeting in Bali at a time when global anxiety is rising over Russias war against Ukraine.

Finding Perspective: The meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit was far from a breakthrough, but it did repair some damage from the recent backslide in relations between both countries and send some signals that the world isnt necessarily destined for Cold War 2.0.

The more than three-hour talks saw some blunt exchanges over contentious issues like Taiwan and North Korea, but the two leaders also pledged more frequent communications and decided that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Beijing for follow-up talks in 2023.

Of particular note, Biden raised Russias invasion of Ukraine and threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons. Both leaders reiterated their agreement that a nuclear war should never be fought, according to a White House readout.

While far from a sea change for Chinese policy, thats notable. The credibility of Beijings claims to be neutral on the Ukraine war continue to come under scrutiny, and China has shown discomfort of late with the Kremlins nuclear saber-rattling.

Xi made similar comments after a November 4 summit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and during another G20 meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the French readout.

Why It Matters: Xi is not abandoning Putin, but this marks the latest shift for Beijings balancing act over Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Four Chinese officials briefed on the February 4 meeting between Xi and Putin, where they declared a no-limits partnership, told the Financial Times that Putin didnt tell Xi the truth about the invasion and that Beijing was caught off guard by it.

What Xi knew about Putins war plans has been a topic of debate, and there is evidence to support both the idea that Xi was aware and that he was caught off guard.

Many analysts are of the opinion that Xi knew about Putin's decision to invade but expected a quick victory, which perhaps was what Putin believed at the time.

Others point to a steady stream of dismissals from Chinese officials and experts about the likelihood of an invasion in February and the fact that Beijing did not evacuate its citizens from Ukraine  like Western nations did  as evidence that China was not expecting a war.

China certainly has its own interests in keeping a distance from Moscows war and using that space to do some upkeep with the West. But perhaps the most important point here is that even if Putin did blindside Xi, China has stuck with Russia despite its battlefield failures, political isolation, and the atrocities its troops are accused of committing.

Again, this is pragmatism more than anything else. As Chinese experts often say, even if Russia is looking unattractive these days, why would Beijing abandon its main anti-Western partner as China continues to be in the crosshairs of rising American pressure?

Read More

 Want to hear more about Russia and Chinas complex relationship amid the Ukraine war? Then tune in to the debut of Talking China In Eurasia today at 2 p.m. CET/ 8 a.m. EST. You can listen live here and find the episode on RFE/RLs website and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

 Condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and its global fallout is shaping up to be the key theme of the G20, with the Financial Times reporting that a joint communique from the summit takes aim at Moscow.

Expert Corner: The Future Of The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Readers asked: Did Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs recent trip to Beijing breathe new life into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)? How do Islamabad and Beijing really feel about the project after all these years?

To find out more, I asked Filippo Boni, an expert on China-Pakistan relations at the Open University in Britain:

Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China was high on symbolism and relatively low on substance. While the two sides were keen to reaffirm and emphasize the strength of their strategic partnership, no significant new commitment was made. Apart from a few memorandums of understanding and attempts from the Pakistanis in the run-up to the trip to address some of CPECs issues  including payments to Chinese independent power producers  nothing major came from the visit. This is despite Sharif's attempts at revitalizing CPEC since April and the very close ties he enjoys with the Chinese leadership.

The outcome of this visit is not entirely surprising, especially if interpreted against the backdrop of Pakistan's current domestic predicaments. The security situation for Chinese nationals has deteriorated, the economy is struggling, and political instability is at one of its highest points in recent years. All these dynamics, coupled with the global scaling down of Belt and Road Initiative financing, have likely impacted Beijing's lack of commitment to new projects.

After almost 10 years and $25 billion worth of projects, there seems to be a general consensus on both sides that the first phase of CPEC  the one focused primarily on energy projects  was largely successful. The same cannot be said for the second phase, including the slow progress on the development of Special Economic Zones, and for the port of Gwadar, where little progress has been made for the ports full commercial functioning.

Do you have a question about Chinas growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and Ill get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. 'Sweep It Under The Rug'

Recent allegations of China operating 54 overseas police stations have fueled controversy around the world and sparked investigations, but in Hungary and Serbia the new findings are being met with swift denials by authorities, despite growing evidence.

The Details: My colleagues Akos Keller-Alant from RFE/RLs Hungarian Service, Mila Durdevic from RFE/RLs Balkan Service, and I reported on the fallout from these revelations and the slew of probes launched in many European countries recently.

The stations are overseas operations of the public security bureaus from two Chinese provinces and are used to persuade citizens to return to China, including through pressure on family members at home. While most of those involved appear to be suspected of crimes such as telecommunications fraud or corruption, dissidents have also reported that the stations have been used to monitor and threaten them.

Fourteen governments have already launched investigations into the overseas police stations, and the Dutch and Irish governments have ordered China to shut down the facilities in their countries.

But in Hungary and Serbia  two countries where Beijing is said to operate such facilities and whose governments prize their warming political and economic ties with China  officials appear to be trying to sweep it under the rug, as one analyst characterized it, despite growing scrutiny from opposition lawmakers in each country.

2. Global Ripples Hit Central Asia

Political and economic shocks from Moscows war in Ukraine, coupled with added strains from tensions between Beijing and Washington, are taking their toll around the world, especially in Central Asia, where countries in the region are closely tied to both China and Russia.

What It Means: As RFE/RLs Uzbek Service reported, Vladimir Norov, the countrys foreign minister, warned about geopolitical tensions affecting stability in the region and beyond while addressing his counterparts at an Organization of Turkic States meeting in Samarkand.

The breakdown in global cooperation is felt particularly strong in Central Asia. While some economies have been able to benefit by becoming a new home for businesses and capital relocated from Russia, others are seeing investment dry up and their economies coming under strain.

World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde recently warned that Uzbekistan needs to continue with its market reforms in order to withstand the global economic shocks that are to come.

RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service also reported that the countrys government is trying to court more investment but that questions remain from investors about Kyrgyzstans stability and investment climate. According to official statistics from January to June of this year, China is the leading source of foreign investment, with $129 million during that span.

3. The Tech In Moscows Iranian Drones

A new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, looked into electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 drone, which Russia has used in its war in Ukraine, and found that theyre far from homegrown.

What You Need To Know: The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

The investigation also found drone components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm.

The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China.

The international tech in the drone not only highlights the complex ecosystem that allows firms and buyers to circumvent sanctions slapped on both Iran and Russia, but also the close networks between Chinese and Western tech companies that still exist, despite a recent push to break some of those linkages.

Across The Supercontinent

On The Mainland: The watchdog group Freedom House recently launched a new project called the China Dissent Monitor, which tracks protests and other forms of dissent inside China. Read it here.

Censored: Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by European Council President Charles Michel that was set to criticize Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and call for reduced European dependency on China, Reuters reported.

Backtracking: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has softened his countrys stance toward China, moving away from his predecessor Liz Trusss decision to label it a threat.

One Thing To Watch

How long will Chinas stringent COVID policies stay in place?

New infections are rising as a winter wave hits and popular frustration continues to boil over inside the country as investor confidence stays dented over the measures. New footage also showed crowds of residents in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou escaping a compulsory lockdown and clashing with police.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your in-box on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
The blast in NATO-member Poland that killed two people was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile but it was Russia that was ultimately responsible because it started the war, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg has told a news conference in Brussels.

The Polish Foreign Ministry said a Russian-made missile fell on November 15 on the village of Przewodow, a village in eastern Poland about 6 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, killing two people and raising global alarm that the Ukraine war could spill into neighboring countries.



"Our preliminary analysis suggests that the incident was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile fired to defend Ukrainian territory against Russian cruise missile attacks," Stoltenberg told a news conference after an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors on November 16.



"An investigation into this incident is ongoing and we need to await its outcome. But we have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack," Stoltenberg said.



"But let me be clear. This is not Ukraine's fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine," he added.



Stoltenberg said the incident proved the risks of the war in Ukraine but added that there was no indication Russia was preparing offensive military actions against NATO allies.



The preliminary findings came after U.S. President Joe Biden, citing information about the trajectory of the projectile, said November 16 that it was "unlikely" that Russia fired the missile before adding, "I'm going to make sure we find out exactly what happened."

Poland, meanwhile, signaled it may in the end not invoke NATO's Article 4, which provides for consultations among allies in the face of a security threat, since the blast was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile and not by Russia.



"From the information that we and our allies have, it was an S-300 rocket made in the Soviet Union, an old rocket, and there is no evidence that it was launched by the Russian side," Polish President Andrzej Duda said. "It is highly probable that it was fired by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense."

WATCH: Russia launched a barrage of missiles against Ukraine on November 15, hitting energy infrastructure facilities in regions across the country and plunging Kyiv and other cities into darkness.

The incident occurred during what Kyiv said was Russia's most intensive wave of missile attacks on cities across Ukraine since the start of the war in February.



Ukraine says it shot down most of the incoming Russian missiles with its own air-defense missiles. Ukraine's Volyn region, just across the border from Poland, was one of the many Ukraine says was targeted by Russia's attacks.

Russia has denied its missiles hit Polish territory, saying the reports were "a deliberate provocation" to escalate the situation.

Biden, speaking after convening emergency talks with leaders of Western allies in Indonesia on the sidelines of a G20 summit, pledged support for Poland's investigation into what it had called a "Russian-made" missile.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Biden stressed that investigations into the incident were still ongoing, but said there was "total unanimity" among world leaders in supporting Poland in its efforts to establish the circumstance of the incident.



"It is unlikely in the lines of the trajectory that it was fired from Russia, but we'll see."

The Kremlin on November 16 hailed Washington's "measured" response to the incident.



"In this instance, attention should be paid to the measured and more professional response from the American side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.



Peskov said that, as opposed to the U.S. response, a number of countries had made "baseless statements" about Russia's involvement "without having any idea of what had happened."



"We have witnessed another hysterical, frenzied Russophobic reaction, which was not based on any real data," Peskov told reporters.



The Russian Defense Ministry said on November 16 that its strikes on Ukraine on the previous day were no closer than 35 kilometers from the Polish border, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Biden spoke by phone with Duda, offering "full U.S. support for and assistance with Poland's investigation," the White House said.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron -- all leaders of NATO member states -- voiced solidarity with Poland.

The incident came as Russia unleashed one of the heaviest missile attacks since the start of the war on sites across Ukraine aimed at crippling the country's energy infrastructure.Ukrainian officials said that more than 90 missiles were fired in the attacks.

Biden on November 16 called those attacks "barbaric," and Zelenskiy described them as a "slap in the face" for the G20 summit.



The summit has been dominated by the Ukraine war, with members struggling to find common ground on Russia's unprovoked invasion of its neighbor.



In a joint statement issued November 16, leaders came together to condemn the war's effects but remained divided on assigning blame.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and BBC
BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Ministry says a former senior member of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) who was expelled in August has asked for political asylum in the United States.

The ministry said on November 9 that the Kyrgyz Embassy in Washington had been informed that Renat Samudiniov and his wife, Elnura Moldokadyrova, were detained by U.S. Customs officers on October 18 after arriving without proper entry documents.

According to the ministry, the couple asked for political asylum and were in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities.

Samudinov and U.S. authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

Samudinov, who headed the SDP's youth wing, was expelled from the SDP in August for what the party said was a "violation of the party's charter and discipline." It did not give details.

After he was kicked out, Samudinov publicly accused the party of "betraying democratic principles and serving oligarchs."

Moldokadyrova, a journalist, was fired by state television channel OTRK, also in August. She claimed that her dismissal was politically motivated, which OTRK denied.

President Almazbek Atambaev and President-elect Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who takes office on November 24, are SDP members.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says NATO defense ministers have agreed that Russia has "violated" a key nuclear arms-control treaty and have discussed ways to bring Moscow back into compliance.

"The discussion included a consideration of the Russian Federation's violation of the Intermediate[-Range] Nuclear Forces Treaty and our collective efforts to bring Russia back to compliance, Mattis told reporters on November 9 in Brussels following a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers.

This is absolutely necessary to sustain confidence in the arms-control agreement," he added.

Signed in 1987, the treaty, known as the INF, eliminated an entire class of cruise and ballistic missiles in Europe and is considered a bedrock treaty for U.S.-Russian arms control.

The U.S. State Department's annual arms-control compliance report, issued in April, asserted for the fourth consecutive year that Russia had developed a ground-launched cruise missile in violation of the treaty.

Moscow rejects the U.S. accusations and says the United States deployment of antimissile systems in Romania and Poland contradicts the treaty provisions -- something Washington denies.

"The bottom line is -- you have to have respect for other nation's security when you make agreements, when you sign treaties, you have to live up to those treaties, and we have a firm belief now over several years that the Russians have violated the INF and our effort is to bring Russia back into compliance, it is not to walk away from the treaty, Mattis said in Brussels.

The U.S. defense secretary said that many NATO nations have their own evidence that Russia is violating the INF treaty, adding that the United States and the alliance would be engaging with Moscow to try and resolve the issue.

Speaking at a news briefing in Brussels on November 8, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the NATO allies stressed -- just as they did at the Warsaw summit in 2016 -- that the INF treaty is very important and that a strong and viable INF treaty is a pillar of European security."

Russian legislators denied that Russia has violated the treaty and said the United States itself has plans to develop an intermediate-range missile that would be in violation and would prompt Russia to design a similar weapon, Russian news media reported.

Although Mattis said the United States does not intend to "walk away" from the treaty, Russian legislators also said the United States is accusing Russia of treaty violations to create an excuse to withdraw from the agreement.

"Russia has not violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty," the Russian news agency Interfax quoted Viktor Bondarev, the chairman of the Russian Federation Council committee on defense and security, as saying on November 9.

"The United States has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the INF Treaty," the legislator was quoted as saying. "If the threats eventuate, then Russia, of course, will respond in a prompt and tit-for-tat manner."

"Russia should struggle to the end to preserve the treaty...But if and when the Americans pull out of this treaty, certainly Russia won't be bound by any obligations under this treaty... We will be free to act," Russian news agencies quoted RussianFederation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Konstantin Kosachyov as saying in Moscow on November 9.

On the broader issue of NATO's new command structures announced at the Brussels meeting, Aleksandr Grushko, Russia's envoy to NATO, told Russian news agencies on November 9 that the new arrangements amount to a return to Cold War defenses.

"NATO members were apparently inspired by Cold War-era strategies," and have adopted "a copy of the structure which existed until 2002," Grushko was quoted as saying.

Besides discussing military strategy, Mattis said on November 9 that NATO defense ministers also discussed at length Russia's now-constant efforts to intercede in our sovereign democratic processes."

The U.S. Justice Department and lawmakers are investigating alleged Russian interference in last years presidential election in the United States. Moscow has also been accused of trying to influence votes in France, Germany, and other European countries.

More recently, Spanish media have accused Russian state-funded media of playing a destabilizing role in the crisis triggered by Catalonia's controversial October 1 independence referendum.

Asked about the claims, the commander of NATO forces in Europe, U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, said, "It is something that we've seen in the United States, we've seen it in a number of countries here."

"It should stop meddling in other nations, [in] what is their sovereign right to determine their government and how it works," he told reporters in Belgian capital on November 9.

Russia denies trying to influence foreign elections.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, TASS, and Interfax
BRUSSELS -- NATO has announced it will increase the number of troops in Afghanistan from the current 13,000 to 16,000 to aid the Kabul government in its fight against the Taliban.

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement on November 9 at the end of a two-day meeting of the alliance's defense ministers in Brussels.

Stoltenberg reiterated that the extra troops would not be involved in combat missions but would be part of NATO's Resolute Support mission, whose aims is to train, advise, and assist the Afghan government forces.

"Currently, around 13,000 troops from 39 different countries serve in our Resolute Support mission," Stoltenberg told a news conference after the meeting.

"Allies welcomed the United States briefing on the implications of the new South Asia strategy on our mission. This has already led to an increase in the U.S troop contribution, and 27 other nations have also committed to increase troop numbers in the coming months," Stoltenberg said.

"So the size of our Resolute Support mission will increase, from around 13,000 to around 16,000 troops."

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis lauded the commitment shown by most NATO member states toward beefing up the Afghan mission.

"Over two dozen nations have stated that they intend to raise the troop numbers that they have on the ground there now, including some very small nations for whom this is the largest overseas deployment they have been engaged in," Mattis said after the meeting. "We appreciate their commitment to stabilizing the South Asia region."

However, the alliance's pledge still falls short of commitments, U.S. commanders said November 9. They told the defense ministers' meeting that nearly three months after Trump announced his South Asia strategy, the promised troop numbers don't expand the NATO training presence as much as hoped.

They declined to say what percentage had been filled after the meetings, but acknowledged that there was still a shortfall. NATO officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed after the meeting that there would be a shortfall approaching 10 percent.

"We have made it very clear to the allies that we really need their help in filling these billets that we have identified," General John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan and head of Resolute Support, said after the Brussels meeting.

The gap, Nicholson said, has contributed to the lowest level of capabilities and the "highest level of risk we faced" in the 16-year war.

U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, NATO's top military officer, also stressed that the level of troops was still not high enough. "Coming out of today, it won't be at 100 percent today," he said.

"We're still in discussion with more than a few nations that are looking at an increase above the initial one.... So, I'm encouraged," he added.

Two unnamed diplomats told Reuters that at this stage, the United States is likely to provide 2,800 troops, while non-U.S. NATO allies and partners will send an additional 700 troops, potentially making up a 3,500-strong personnel increase.

The United States led an invasion to drive Taliban extremists from power after Al-Qaeda militants whose leaders were sheltering in Afghanistan killed nearly 3,000 people in the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The United States, NATO, and other partners had more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan for a time, but the Taliban has been resurgent since NATO ended combat operations in 2014. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has also stepped up attacks.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, dpa, and AP
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says the Pakistani government has told the international charity to close its last remaining facility in the violence-plagued tribal region along the Afghan border.

MSF on November 9 said that the Interior Ministry refused to issue it a no-objection certificate," leaving it unable to provide medical services in the Bajaur Agency of the impoverished Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

It said the closure will bring to an end four years of MSF working in the agency.

The move comes less than two months after the Geneva-based charity, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, was told to close its facilities in FATA's Kurram Agency following 14 years of operation.

The aid group said it has 120 staff members, all Pakistani nationals, in Bajaur, which has a population of 757,000.

"Health care services are very limited in the area, and most of our patients cannot afford to pay even for basic medical care," said Azaad Alessandro Alocco, the group's representative in Pakistan.

"As the only major hospital providing free, quality health care in the area, the closure of MSFs activities will leave a major gap and have serious negative implications for the health of people living in Bajaur," he added.

Reuters news agency reported that Pakistan's Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Much of FATA has been subject to attacks by militant groups battling Pakistan's army the past decade, devastating health care, education, and housing services.

On September 17, Pakistani officials said a roadside bomb blast killed a government administrator and six tribal police officers in Bajaur. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

With reporting by Reuters and The Express Tribune
Four Pakistani police officials, including a senior inspector, were killed on November 9 in a Taliban suicide bombing in the southwestern city of Quetta, officials say.

The suicide bomber targeted a vehicle carrying Deputy Inspector General Hamid Shakeel, who was leaving his residence, police said.

Three other officers who were traveling with Shakeel were also killed, Pakistani officials said. Nine people, including police officers, were wounded in the attack.

Shakeel played a key role in arresting militants and members of small separatist groups in recent years, police said.

Hours after the attack, the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility.

In a statement, police said the attacker used 15 kilograms of explosive material.

TV footage showed badly destroyed police vehicles and rescuers transporting victims to hospitals.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a statement praised the slain officers for sacrificing their lives.

Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, which has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by Baluch separatist groups. Islamic militants also operate in the region.

Based on reporting by AP and Dawn.com
Russian President Vladimir Putin is to meet with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk on November 9.

Putin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters in Moscow that the two leaders would a gathering called the 14th Forum of Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation.

Several documents related to development of economic, cultural, educational, and political ties will be signed during the Nazarbaev's visit, Ushakov said.

Before travelling to Chelyabinsk, Nazarbaev visited Kazakhstans Qostanai region, which borders Russia's Chelyabinsk region, on November 8.

At a meeting with foreign investors in Qostanai, Nazarbaev said: "We have to support Russia when it finds itself under harsh international sanctions."

Western governments imposed sanctions on Russia after it seized the Crimean Peninsula and fomented unrest in eastern Ukraine, where more than 10,000 people have been killed in a war between Kyiv's forces and Russia-backed separatists since April 2014.

Russia and Kazakhstan share the world's second largest border, which stretches almost 7,000 kilometers, and are leading members of the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union.

Kazakhstan has close ties with Moscow but also cultivates relations with others including China and the West.

Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, Tengrinews, and informburo.kz
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Ilnaz Pirkin, a young man in the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk, committed suicide on October 19 after being held nearly a day by police. He left a gruesome final video in which he alleged horrific police brutality. (RFE/RL's Russian Service)
A court in Moscow has ordered the seizure of property belonging to theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov, who has been charged with embezzlement in a case Kremlin critics say is politically motivated.

Basmanny district court spokeswoman Yunona Tsaryova told reporters on November 9 that the court froze bank accounts, containing $79,500 in rubles, dollars, and euros, and seized control of Serebrennikov's Moscow apartment and a car.

Serebrennikov is under house arrest, confined to the apartment.

He was charged in August with using fraud to organize the embezzlement of 68 million rubles ($1.1 million) in state funding allocated for a creative project.

The case has drawn international attention and prompted accusations that Russian authorities are targeting cultural figures who are at odds with President Vladimir Putin's government.

Serebrennikov has taken part in antigovernment protests and voiced concern about the increasing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has close ties to the state.

Putin has dismissed concerns about Serebrennikov's case, claiming on October 30 that it had nothing to do with politics.

Based on reporting by Rapsinews and Interfax
BRUSSELS -- A group of security and foreign-policy experts says Western governments have been "limited and weak" in their response to the Kremlin's barrage of "hostile actions" toward democracies.

In a declaration initiated by the Prague-based think tank European Values titled How The Democratic West Should Stop Putin, some 70 experts said steps need to be taken to halt what they called Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan to play "divide and rule in the Euro-Atlantic area."

"Vladimir Putin has decided to intimidate and harass democracies and a large part of the Western political establishment has not realized it yet," the declaration, published on November 9, states.

"Some countries get intimidated by threats, others are given promises such as seemingly sweetheart energy deals if they adopt a more anti-Western, antidemocratic and antiliberal posture," it continues. "Regardless, almost all countries are attacked with a mixture of espionage, corruption, organized crime, and unceasing multilevel and multichannel disinformation campaigns."

The declaration comes ahead of a November 13 meeting at which European Union foreign ministers will take stock of how the bloc's strategic communication with its eastern neighbors is working.

The think tank's declaration urges political leaders to acknowledge the threat Russia poses to Western democracies and to investigate and expose its hostile activities.

"Putin's Russia poses a major threat to Western democracies. Its use of subversive tools to project hostile foreign influence in the internal affairs of democratic countries is unacceptable and should be countered with resolute defensive actions to deter further hostile conduct," the declaration says.

EU leaders responded to Russia's disinformation campaign in 2015 by creating the East Stratcom task force aimed at promoting the bloc's values and policies in the "Eastern neighborhood."

'Call It Out By Name'

The task force also aims to increase public awareness of disinformation activities by external actors such as Russia and improve EU capacity to anticipate and respond to such activities.

The EU has also imposed asset freezes and visa bans on more than 150 people after Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, but only a handful of those are high-ranking officials in Moscow.

But the group of signatories says these efforts have fallen short, creating an "urgent need to deliver basic knowledge concerning threat assessment, understanding the modus operandi and reasonable policy options to people outside the specialist community."

"There is comparatively limited understanding of Russian subversive methods in Western European countries; therefore, Central and Eastern European governments and civil society groups need to actively engage in delivering lessons learnt from countering Moscow's hostile influence operations," the statement says.

The declaration comes after eight of the bloc's foreign ministers, mainly from Central and Eastern Europe, sent a letter to EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini asking her to enhance the capabilities of East Stratcom.

Mogherini is criticized in the declaration, which claims she has "spent the last two years trying to avoid naming Russia as the main source of hostile disinformation."

"If Europe wants to defeat this threat, its leaders need to call it out by name. Russian leaders need to hear from European representatives that these hostile subversive efforts against our democracies must stop," the declaration says.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized Washington's alleged demand for state-funded Russian television channel RT to register as a foreign agent in the United States as "an attack" on Russia's media and vowed a "tit-for-tat" response.

However, Putin said that a plan being discussed by Russian lawmakers to retaliate by declaring U.S. media operating in Russia as foreign agents might be a little too harsh.

Putin said on November 11 that the Kremlin was still formulating its exact response to measures adopted by Washington towards Russian media in the United States.

RT, which used to be known as Russia Today, said in a statement on its website on November 9 that it had been given a November 13 deadline by the U.S. Justice Department to register under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). RT said it would go to court to challenge the measure.

The U.S. Justice Department, which has repeatedly refused to either confirm or deny ordering RT to register under FARA, declined to comment to RFE/RL on November 9. RT says it received a letter demanding registration in September, but it has not made that document public.

RT and the state-owned news agency Sputnik have been accused by U.S. intelligence of spreading misinformation during last year's presidential campaign and election which may have influenced the vote's outcome.

"An attack on our media is an attack on freedom of speech," Putin told journalists at the APEC summit in Vietnam.

"We are disappointed, as they say in these situations," Putin said.

"There is not and cannot be any confirmation that our media was meddling," he said.

"Media express a point of view," Putin said. "You can contest it but not by closing them down or creating conditions in which they cannot continue professional work."

"They went the route of de-facto closure [of RT]," Putin said. "There will be a proper tit-for-tat response."

On November 10, Russian officials said Moscow will adopt new legislation targeting U.S. media in the country as soon as next week.

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the legislature would amend its existing law on "foreign agents" to include foreign media. Deputy Duma speaker Sergei Neverov said the changes could also affect Western social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

With reporting by AP and TASS
Russia's communications regulator has said that it will soon check whether Facebook is complying with a Russian law requiring social networks to store the personal data of Russian citizens on Russian servers.

Roskomnadzor has repeatedly warned Facebook and other social networks that they could be banned next year unless they comply with the law.

"In the near future Roskomnadzor will plan a series of supervisory activities aimed at analyzing the activities of the administration of Facebook in terms of the processing of Russian users' personal information," it said in a statement carried by the Russian news agency Interfax on November 8.

Russian authorities say the law, introduced in 2014, is aimed at protecting Russians' personal data.

Critics, however, see it as an attempt to tighten control over social-media networks that have been particularly popular with Russian opposition activists.

Last year, Roskomnadzor blocked access to LinkedIn to comply with a court ruling that found the networking service guilty of violating the same data-storage law.

LinkedIn has yet to come to an agreement with Russian authorities to restore public access to the service.

Roskomnadzor said on November 8 that Twitter had agreed to comply with the storage law. Twitter did not comment on the assertion, however, and AFP quoted an anonymous source as saying that Twitter was still reviewing the matter.

The AFP source said that Twitter wanted to ensure that using storage sites in Russia "does not create a security risk or any vulnerability for Russian users and their accounts."

Last month, Twitter banned advertisements from Russia's state-controlled RT and Sputnik media outlets in response to U.S. intelligence findings that they sought to spread misinformation during the 2016 presidential election.

Facebook has also taken steps to banish ads and posts placed by Russian operatives on its U.S. network.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
The last time that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met, four months ago, both the U.S. and Russian presidents reiterated that they were committed to shifting the tone of relations between the two nuclear powers, relations that were already spiraling downward.

The White House and the Kremlin discussed scheduling a second meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of a November 10-11 Asian-Pacific leaders' summit in Vietnam, but that was ruled out by the White House as Trump arrived in Danang early on November 10.

Still, both the Kremlin and the White House said a less formal encounter was still possible or even likely if Putin and Trump "bump into" each other in Danang or later at another regional conference in the Philippines.

Since their first encounter, relations have deteriorated significantly.

The Trump administration faces a drumbeat of U.S. investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election and interactions between Trump campaign staff and Russian officials. A Justice Department probe resulted recently in two criminal indictments and a guilty plea from former Trump advisers.

Congressional pressure has also mounted on Trump to punish Moscow for the suspected election interference, including through sanctions signed into law in August that target Russian military and intelligence services. The Pentagon has also proposed providing lethal aid to Kyiv as it battles Russia-backed separatists that control swaths of Ukrainian territory, a plan that would anger Moscow if it went forward.

For his part, Putin's grip on power at home remains unrivaled. But even with a Russian presidential election four months away and the expectation that he'll win a fourth term in office, the Kremlin might be nervously eyeing the country's continuing economic malaise, rampant corruption, and other issues that could erode Putin's popularity. A former KGB officer whose tenure atop Russian government has spanned four U.S. presidencies, Putin has sought to assert Russian relevance in international affairs from Eastern Europe to Syria and the Korean Peninsula.

"There are things to discuss and we are ready for it," Putin's lead foreign affairs adviser, Yury Ushakov, told reporters in Moscow on November 8 in connection with a possible Putin-Trump face-to-face.

What "things"? Here are a few that could top the agenda of any eventual Trump-Putin meeting:

North Korea

Trump has made the issue of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs a top priority for his administration. In his diplomatically unorthodox approach, he has exchanged insults and threats with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

During the Cold War, Moscow was a stalwart supporter of the North Korean regime, providing subsidies and critical economic support. That assistance dried up with the Soviet collapse, and longstanding personal ties between Russian officials and North Korea's leadership are also said to have withered.

Still, there are those who believe that Russia, which shares a border with North Korea, may be the only country after China that Pyongyang will at least listen to, and Trump is hoping Putin can help bring additional pressure on the North.

In a speech to South Korea's parliament on November 8, Trump signaled that he will press Putin, and China's leadership. He said he wants Moscow and Beijing to fully implement United Nations sanctions, severing trade and technology ties, and downgrading diplomatic relations in order to squeeze Pyongyang.

"You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept," Trump told South Korean lawmakers.

Syria

The fight against international terrorism, and against Islamic State (IS) militants in particular, is an area of potential Russian-U.S. cooperation that Trump has repeatedly heralded. In Syria and Iraq, both U.S. and Russian forces have pounded IS fighters for months now, rolling back their territorial gains, and putting them on the verge of battlefield defeat. But Russian bombardments have also targeted U.S. allies who oppose President Bashar al-Assad's leadership in Damascus.

And competing units on the ground, backed by the two powers and their allies, have operated in close proximity as they consolidate their holdings, and skirmishes have again raised the prospect of an inadvertent clash between U.S. and Russian forces, "de-conflict" efforts notwithstanding.

Moscow and Washington are also on opposite sides of the question of the Syrian government's alleged use of chemical weapons, reported by UN-backed international monitors. The United States and its allies have repeatedly condemned such weapons' use and sought to use the UN Security Council to further pressure Damascus. Moscow, meanwhile, has used its influence to deflect more aggressive UN investigations and condemnation of Syria.

In a statement released on November 9, about a week after international monitors confirmed the use of sarin gas by Syrian forces in an April attack, the White House called Moscow out explicitly in an effort to nudge Russia and other Security Council members to hold Assad's government accountable.

"Those countries that do not support renewal or are attempting to water down the JIM's mandate -- such as Russia -- are protecting the Assad regime and the terrorists who continue to use chemical weapons," Trump's administration said in a reference to the investigation, the so-called UN/Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM). "We urge Russia to change course before the JIM expires, and we believe all responsible nations must vote in favor of extending this critical body."

In Iraq, meanwhile, as Islamic State fighters have been routed, Russia moved quickly to sign major oil deals in the restive Kurdish north, which has historically been closely allied with Washington. Those deals could give Moscow bargaining power at a time when already-tense relations between the Kurds and the central Iraqi government have worsened, and Washington has tried to prevent all-out conflict.

Ukraine

Fighting in Ukraine's east has returned to a slow simmer, with daily exchanges of gunfire but no large-scale fighting. At least 10,000 people have been killed since April 2014, when the conflict erupted between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian government troops, and Russia maintains its occupation of the Crimean Peninsula.

To date, the only reasonably successful efforts at a political settlement have been the so-called Minsk agreements, but they have gone largely unfulfilled.

In September, Putin floated the idea of UN peacekeeping forces deploying to eastern Ukraine. But Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has insisted that such peacekeepers should patrol the two countries' international border, where Russian forces, mercenaries, and materiel are routinely shipped in and out. The Russians, however, have pushed for peacekeepers to monitor the unofficial cease-fire line near the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, and suggested changing how violations are logged and reported.

Critics of Russian actions in Ukraine, including former U.S. Ambassador to Kyiv Steven Pifer, have warned that Moscow's peacekeeping proposals appeared aimed at maintaining a "frozen conflict," similar to unresolved disputes in other parts of the former Soviet Union where a lack of resolution gives Moscow leverage over the region.

Trump has been publicly cautious in his statements on Ukraine, though he appointed veteran diplomat Kurt Volker as a special representative for resolving the crisis, and Volker has been blunt in his criticism of Russia's actions.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have suggested that the White House may be close to heeding Kyiv's request for more defensive weaponry like antitank missiles.

Bilateral Relations

The Kremlin is openly scornful of Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama. Before and after Trump's election, Moscow made no secret of its hopes that a Trump administration would be less antagonistic and more conciliatory. That included the return of two diplomatic compounds that had been ordered seized by Obama in December in retaliation for Russia's alleged meddling in last year's election.

Those hopes have been dashed -- or at least put on hold -- as the Trump administration has continued its refusal to return the compounds. Congress added its heft by passing new sanctions legislation to further punish Russia, over the White House's objections.

Moscow eventually responded by ordering a sharp cut in U.S. diplomatic staffing in Russia, which was followed by similar moves by Washington, including the outright closure of the Russian consulate in San Francisco.

Adding further to the tensions are suspicions that have hung over Trump regarding his associates' contacts with Russian officials before and after the U.S. election.

Aside from the criminal indictments of former campaign manager Paul Manafort and a business partner, a guilty plea by former foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, and other indictments said to be expected soon, congressional investigators have been scrutinizing a salacious report compiled by a former British spy on Trump known as the Steele Dossier.

They've also been digging into Russian-controlled social-media accounts on Facebook and Twitter that appear to have sought to influence Americans on hot-button social issues and topics that arose during the campaign.

Russian officials have appeared eager to deflect attention from the allegations of interference in internal U.S. politics, instead blaming holdovers from the Obama administration for a poisonous bilateral atmosphere. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov echoed that approach in remarks shown on state-run TV this week, predicting that any agreement the two might reach would be undermined by "political infighting."

"They will immediately become an element of internal political fighting, internal political games aimed at making President Trump's life and activities as difficult as possible," he said.


U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shook hands and exchanged greetings as leaders gathered for a group photo at an Asia-Pacific economic summit in Vietnam.

The brief encounter on November 10 followed days of back-and-forth over whether Trump and Putin would meet on the sidelines of the November 10-11 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Danang.

It also came hours after the White House said that there would be no formal meeting between the two presidents, whose only previous face-to-face meetings since Trump's January inauguration took place at a G20 summit in July.

"Regarding a Putin meeting, there was never a meeting confirmed, and there will not be one that takes place due to scheduling conflicts on both sides," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters before Air Force One landed in Danang.

Sanders said at the time that they could have a less formal encounter, either in Danang or later in the Philippines when Trump and Putin attend another regional conference.

"Now, they're going to be in the same place. Are they going to bump into each other and say hello? Certainly possible and likely," she said. "But in terms of a scheduled, formal meeting, there's not one on the calendar and we don't anticipate that there will be one."

'Little Bureaucrats'

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 10 that attempts to arrange a meeting at APEC summit were continuing.

Peskov said later that Russia was receiving "contradictory" statements about a possible meeting and added: "To put it simply, both presidents are in town and will meet one way or another."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lashed out when asked whether there would be a meeting, saying in televised comments: "Ask the Americans, because we are not talking about this issue."

Lavrov said that Russia had heard comments "from Trump himself" indicating that he wanted to meet with Putin, adding: "What the rest of his little bureaucrats are saying, I don't know -- ask them."

Strained Relations

U.S.-Russian relations are badly strained over issues including Moscow's aggression in Ukraine and its alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The only face-to-face meetings between the two presidents since Trump's inauguration in January took place during a Group of 20 (G20) summit in Germany in July.

At those talks in Hamburg, Trump and Putin discussed accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election but indicated that they agreed to focus on moving forward rather than arguing about past actions.

Relations have been further strained since then, however, amid multiple U.S. investigations into the alleged election meddling and whether associates of Trump colluded with Moscow. Putin denies that Russia interfered, and Trump says there was no collusion.

Under pressure from Congress, Trump signed a bill strengthening sanctions against Russia in early August. Moscow ordered the United States to make major cuts in its embassy and consular staff in Russia, and Washington took retaliatory steps.

Meanwhile, tensions over Russia's seizure of Crimea and support for separatists fighting Kyiv's forces in eastern Ukraine -- as well as Russia's role in the devastating war in Syria -- persist.

Trump said on November 5 that he expected to meet with Putin during his current Asia trip, and Peskov said on November 8 that there was a "high probability" they would meet.

With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, dpa, RIA Novosti, FP, and TASS
U.S. President Donald Trump, who is on a state visit to China, has urged Beijing to use its influence to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and stressed that bilateral trade had been unfair to the United States.

Trump spoke on November 9 alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, announcing the signing of about $250 billion in commercial deals between U.S. and Chinese firms.

In recent months, Pyongyang has tested intercontinental ballistic missiles and carried out its sixth nuclear explosion, prompting Trump to warn in August of "fire and fury" in response to the North's moves.

Trump, who wants Xi to put further pressure on North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons, said that "China can fix this problem quickly and easily," calling on Beijing to cut financial ties with North Korea and also calling on Russia to help.

China is Pyongyang's main ally and trading partner.

Xi said China's economy -- the world's second-largest after the U.S. economy -- would become increasingly open and transparent to foreign firms, including those from the United States.

Trump has said he would use the three-day China visit to press Xi on Beijing's massive trade surplus with the United States, which was valued at $26.6 billion last month according to official Chinese data.

Trump made clear that he blamed his predecessors, not China, for the trade imbalance, and repeatedly praised Xi, calling him "a very special man."

In unprecedented treatment offered to a foreign leader, the welcoming ceremony outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People overlooking Tiananmen Square was broadcast live on state television.

Earlier on November 9, Xi said he had a thorough discussion with Trump and reached consensus on numerous issues of mutual concern. "For China, cooperation is the only real choice, only win-win can lead to an even better future," he said.

Trump blasted China's trade practices during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and threatened to take action once in office.

But he has since refrained from any major trade penalties, making clear he was giving Beijing an opportunity to make progress on the North Korea issue.

Trump is to travel on November 10 to Vietnam, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech to leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had also been scheduled to address the 21-country forum on November 10, but his speech has reportedly been canceled.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on November 9 that Putin and Trump were "most likely" to hold a meeting on November 10 on the sidelines of the summit.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said no decision had been made on whether Trump will have formal talks with Putin at the summit.

Tillerson, who is accompanying Trump on his Asia tour and spoke to reporters in Beijing, said the question was whether a Trump-Putin meeting would have sufficient substance.

Trump said earlier that he expected to meet with Putin during his Asia tour, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on November 8 that Putin was "ready" for such a meeting and "the Americans know that."

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, Interfax, and RIA Novosti
Major Western powers have set up a showdown with Russia before the UN Security Council by demanding the renewal of a UN mission charged with determining who staged chemical-weapons attacks in Syria.

In a joint statement on November 8, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Britain, and the United States said they have "full trust" in the "professionalism and independence" of the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and called for renewal of its mandate.

The Western demand came one day after Russia rejected the investigative team's conclusion that the Syrian government was behind a sarin-gas attack that killed dozens in April in the town of Khan Sheikhun and called for an overhaul of the investigation process.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on November 8 that Moscow opposed the Western resolution to extend the UN team's mandate for another 18 months past its expiration on November 16. Russia last month vetoed a similar resolution.

Later on November 8, the White House called on Russia to "change course" and vote with "responsible nations" to keep the investigation alive.

Russia is the biggest backer of the Syrian government in a more-than-six-year civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has denied using chemical weapons, despite the UN team's findings that the Syrian government was responsible for the majority of toxic-gas attacks it has investigated in Syria.

Syria agreed to destroy its stockpile of chemical weapons in a 2013 deal brokered by Russia and the United States after a nerve-gas attack killed hundreds of people in the Damascus suburbs. It maintains it has abided by that agreement.

In their joint statement, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Syria to finally end all use of poison gas and disclose to the world all the chemical weapons it possesses.

"There is more work for the JIM to do" and "it is vital for the international community to continue to investigate cases where chemical weapons have been used in Syria," the foreign ministers said.

The April 4 attack in Khan Sheikhun was the most deadly of recently reported attacks, killing nearly 100 people including many children, and prompting U.S. missile strikes days later against a Syrian air base Western governments said was used to launch the attack.

The UN team had previously found that Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine-gas attacks in 2014 and 2015, and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas in a 2016 attack.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
A former Yahoo executive has blamed "Russian agents" for a massive data breach in 2014 at the Internet company and said no company is immune from such threats.

At a U.S. congressional hearing on growing cyberattacks on major U.S. companies on November 8, former Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer said that the company put in place numerous safeguards to prevent such breaches, but "Russian agents" who were later prosecuted by the FBI found a way to overcome them.

"Unfortunately, while all our measures helped Yahoo successfully defend against the barrage of attacks by both private and state-sponsored hackers, Russian agents intruded on our systems and stole our users' data," she told the Senate Commerce Committee.

"As we all have witnessed, no company, individual, or even government agency is immune from these threats," Mayer said.

In March, U.S. prosecutors charged two Russian intelligence agents and two hackers with masterminding the 2014 theft of 500 million Yahoo accounts, the first time the U.S. government had criminally charged Russian spies for cybercrimes.

Those charges came amid controversy relating to alleged Kremlin-backed hacking of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible links between Russian figures and associates of President Donald Trump. Russia has denied trying to influence the U.S. election.

Meanwhile, Yahoo disclosed a second, larger breach in 2013 that last month it said had affected all 3 billion of its e-mail accounts.

The FBI has said the 2013 breach was unrelated to the 2014 one, and that an investigation of the larger incident is continuing.

Mayer told the Senate committee under questioning that she did not know if Russians were responsible for the 2013 breach.

Mayer said even "robust" defenses were not enough to defend against such state-sponsored attacks and compared the fight with hackers to an "arms race."

"We now know that Russian intelligence officers and state-sponsored hackers were responsible for highly complex and sophisticated attacks on Yahoo's systems," Mayer said.

She said a "really aggressive" pursuit of hackers was needed to discourage the efforts, and that even the most well-defended companies "could fall victim to these crimes."

With reporting by AP and Reuters
Kentucky-based MosquitoMate will infect the males, which dont bite people, with Wolbachia pipientis bacterium. The hope is the males mate with female Asian tiger mosquitoes, which do bite humans, and are carriers of dangerous viral diseases, such as yellow fever and Zika. Technically and proved in laboratory, eggs fertilized this way dont hatch, because the bacteria frazzles the dads genetic contribution. This a better alternative to pesticides, the scientists say.



Mosquitoes in laboratory

Its a non-chemical way of dealing with mosquitoes, so from that perspective, youd think it would have a lot of appeal, University of Maryland entomologist David OBrochta told the media. The company could start selling its infected mosquitoes this summer via government contracts, or direct to consumers. EPA on Nov. 3 registered MosquitoMates mosquito as a biopesticide, with a five-year license. In April, the MosquitoMte company began a 12-week field trial that involved releasing 20,000 male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Stock Island, in the Florida Keys. In Chinas southern city of Guangzhou, scientists used a similar method to control the insects population by building a mosquito factory that produced millions of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes last year.
Notes: What if Navy blitz becomes blueprint? Notre Dame 'would welcome that'
A report by NASA's inspector general warned budget reserves for key NASA exploration programs like the SLS were far below recommended levels.

WASHINGTON  As NASA prepares to update the schedule for the first flight of its Space Launch System, a report by the agency's inspector general warns a lack of budget reserves could lead to more delays in the future.

The Nov. 6 report by the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG), addressing what it considers to be the agency's top management and performance challenges, also identified potential cost and schedule issues with a pair of science missions scheduled for launch in 2018.

In the report, OIG noted that SLS had budget margins far below what is usually mandated for programs under development. Citing procedures established at the Marshall Space Flight Center, the lead center for SLS, "the standard monetary reserve for a program such as the SLS should be between 10 and 30 percent during development," the report stated.

"The SLS Program did not carry any program reserves in fiscal year (FY) 2015 and only $25 million in FY 2016  approximately 1 percent of its development budget," the report stated. "Moving forward, the SLS Program plans to carry only minimal reserves through 2030, which in our view is unlikely to be sufficient to enable NASA to address issues that may arise during development and testing."

The Orion crew vehicle program also has budget reserves of less than one percent, the report noted. NASA, though, plans to increase the reserves "to a more appropriate level" starting in 2019 or 2020 in advance of the first crewed Orion flight in the early 2020s.

How those limited budget reserves will affect the schedule for future missions remains to be seen. NASA has yet to announce a new launch date for the first SLS mission, named Exploration Mission (EM) 1, but notified Congress this summer that the launch would take place no earlier than October 2019, 11 months later than previously scheduled.

Agency officials said last month at the American Astronautical Society's Wernher von Braun Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, that they expected a revised EM-1 launch date to be finalized within the next month. Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations,testified about the status of NASA's exploration programs at a House space subcommittee hearing Nov. 9

The OIG report identified issues with the October 2019 launch date, such as welding problems with the core stage of the SLS. "Notwithstanding the 1-year launch delay, testing and delivery of the core stage remains on the critical path with little schedule margin available to manage problems that may arise during the integration and test phase before an integrated SLS/Orion launch," the report stated.

Schedule concerns extend to EM-2, the first crewed mission, which will also be the first flight of the SLS with a more powerful upper stage called the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). That will require changes to both the SLS itself as well as ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center. The OIG warned in its report that the Ground Systems Development and Operations program, responsible for the SLS/Orion ground systems, "has identified a budget shortfall associated with EUS upgrades that will need to be addressed."

The report separately raised questions about the status of some NASA science missions. Among them is Parker Solar Probe, a mission to travel closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft. The spacecraft is in the final stages of assembly and testing for a launch in mid-2018 during a 20-day window.

According to the OIG report, issues with both instruments and spacecraft subsystems had consumed some schedule reserve, as well as budget reserves held by NASA Headquarters. "As the Project begins spacecraft-level environmental testing, solving any remaining technical issues in time to meet the launch window is imperative if NASA is to avoid a minimum 10-month launch delay," the report concluded.

NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot, in a response included in the report, remained optimistic that Parker Solar Probe would launch on schedule. "The Project currently holds adequate schedule and cost reserves to achieve an August 2018 launch," he said.

OIG also warned of potential cost increases in Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), which has already suffered problems during its development. Difficulties with its single instrument, a laser altimeter, delayed its launch by more than a year from May 2017 to September 2018, and increased its cost by nearly 25 percent to $1.06 billion.

In the report, OIG said that a failure of one of the two lasers built for that instrument during tests last year caused a three-month schedule slip from June to September 2018, "and costs may increase to support the additional work."

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
A new NASA competition, the Earth and Space Air Prize, will reward the best aerosol-sensor design, intended to help protect astronauts on the International Space Station.

Aerosols are tiny particles suspended in the air. They constantly surround us in everyday life, but they can become a health hazard at high concentrations, according to a new NASA video about the competition.

The crew and experiments aboard the space station constantly release tiny particles into the air. Fortunately, the space station's robust filter system keeps these aerosol levels low. But NASA wants to know more about the air the astronauts breathe, and the agency is looking for help from the public. That's why NASA sponsored its new Earth and Space Air Prize.

"We cannot put a full-sized aerosol instrument on the space station," NASA engineer Marit Meyer said in the video, so the agency is seeking compact new designs.

NASA has partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a health-focused philanthropy organization, to launch a $100,000 prize to "promote development of robust, durable, inexpensive, efficient, lightweight and easy-to-use aerosol sensors for space and Earth environments", according to the video's description. NASA and the RWJF said they hope the innovations spurred by the competition will find uses in the space station and aboard future deep-space missions, as well as down on Earth.

Registration for the competition closes on Dec. 13, and designs are due by Jan. 31. Three finalists will be awarded $50,000 each to build a prototype sensor based on their proposals and compete for the $100,000 grand prize. Visit the competition website for more information.

Email Harrison Tasoff at htasoff@space.com or follow him @harrisontasoff. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
It stood taller than the Statue of Liberty, was more massive than six Boeing 747 jetliners and generated more thrust than two dozen of the jumbo jets. The tallest, heaviest and most powerful rocket ever successfully flown launched for the first time 50 years ago Thursday (Nov. 9).

NASA's Saturn V booster, which carried 24 astronauts to the moon and lofted the United States' first space station into Earth orbit, is now instantly recognizable as an icon of the U.S. space program. It made its debut in flight on Nov. 9, 1967, launching the Apollo 4 mission on an "all-up" test of the vehicle.

"[If] we shall send to the moon ... a giant rocket ... capable of withstanding heat and stresses several times more than have ever been experienced, [and] fitted together with a precision better than the finest watch  then we must be bold," stated President John F. Kennedy in a 1962 address at Rice University in Houston.

[10 Surprising Facts About NASA's Saturn V Moon Rocket]

Five years later, that bold rocket stood poised to be the first booster to launch from NASA's Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Designed by a team led by rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, and assembled from more than three million parts furnished by an army of workers at 20,000 companies, universities and government facilities, the 363-foot-tall (110-m) Saturn V rocket was an unprecedented feat of engineering.

The towering booster leapt off Earth on its maiden mission at one second past 7:00 a.m. EST (1200 GMT), as its five, first-stage F-1 engines pushed the rocket slowly skyward.

"We have lift-off!" announced NASA's launch commentator Jack King. Fifteen seconds later, he noted the vehicle had "cleared the tower."

Despite being more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) away, King witnessed firsthand the effect of the launch. "The vibration from the Saturn V showered us with dust and debris from the ceiling of the Launch Control Center, which was brand new at the time," he said.

At CBS's mobile studio, where anchor Walter Cronkite was broadcasting the launch on live television, they had to hold a large picture window from being blown in by the Saturn V's shockwave. [How NASA's Saturn V Moon Rocket Worked (Infographic)]

Launch of the Apollo 4 (AS-501) mission, on NASA's first test flight of the Saturn V rocket, from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 9, 1967, at 7:00 a.m. EST. (Image credit: NASA)

"It's terrific, the building is shaking!" stated Cronkite. "Look at that rocket go into the clouds at 3,000 feet! Oh, the roar is terrific!"

The Saturn V, with what is now its familiar black and white roll pattern, continued to climb until about two minutes and 20 seconds into the flight, when the S-IC first stage cut off its five F-1 engines and, depleted of its fuel, dropped away. The S-II second stage then ignited, continuing to push the vehicle beyond the 50 miles downrange (80 km) that the rocket had already traveled.

The launch placed the Saturn V third stage, the S-IVB, and the Apollo 4 command and service module that rode atop it into an almost circular, 100-mile-high (190 km) orbit. The S-IVB stage was later reignited to boost the spacecraft to an apogee of 11,234 miles (18,079 km) above Earth. [NASA's Gutsy First Launch of the Saturn V Moon Rocket]

The 8 hour, 36 minute and 59 second mission ended with the Apollo 4 spacecraft re-entering Earth's atmosphere at almost 25,000 miles per hour (40,1000 k/ph), simulating a return from the moon and splashing down to the northwest of Midway Island in the northern Pacific Ocean. The Apollo 4 capsule was recovered by the carrier USS Bennington.

NASA declared the first flight of the Saturn V a resounding success.

"It was really an expert launching all the way through from lifting off exactly on time to the performance of every single stage," said von Braun, then director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

"The maiden [flight] of the Saturn V dramatically increased the confidence of people across the nation," stated George Mueller, NASA's associate administrator for manned space flight at the time.

The Apollo 4 mission (also known as AS-501, the Saturn V designation number) was followed by a second and final uncrewed test flight of the mighty rocket, Apollo 6 (AS-502) in April 1968. Despite that mission encountering significant issues, the Apollo 8 crew became the first to launch atop a Saturn V and fly to the moon just eight months later.

An early moment of the first Saturn V test flight, photographed by a ground tracking camera on the morning of Nov. 9, 1967. (Image credit: NASA)

In total, NASA launched 13 Saturn Vs between November 1967 and May 1973. The final flight of the booster lofted a modified S-IVB stage into orbit to become Skylab, the first U.S. space station.

Two more Saturn V rockets, and a facilities demonstrator, were built but not flown. Today, they are on public display at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Johnson Space Center in Texas and U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama.

The Apollo 4 command module, the only part of that first Saturn V mission to be recovered, is now on exhibition the Infinity Science Center in Mississippi.

NASA is now working toward the first flight of the Space Launch System (SLS), a heavy-lift rocket that in advanced configurations will stand taller and be more powerful that the Saturn V. The maiden SLS flight on NASA's uncrewed Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) is targeted for late 2019 or early 2020.

Watch a vintage NASA film about the first launch of the Saturn V rocket at collectSPACE.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
H ere's a test for you: what was the last interesting thing the Prime Minister said? The thing we noticed, that stood out, that took a stand and risked controversy in pursuit of a cause?

The answer is: you cant recall. Since the general election debacle earlier this year she has been largely irrelevant to the political conversation in this country.

That is because she lost her authority when she lost her majority. So instead of doing things, things are done to her. That now includes the composition of her Cabinet.

The loss of two Cabinet ministers, Sir Michael Fallon and Priti Patel, in one week confirms the old rule in politics that when it rains it usually pours.

They could be followed out of the door by Damian Green if the Cabinet Office inquiry finds against Mrs Mays deputy, or just possibly  Boris Johnson, if the situation facing Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Iran materially deteriorates as a result of the Foreign Secretarys incompetence.

As we report today, and contrary to Johnsons claims to Parliament, his remarks are being used by the Iranian regime to justify its imprisonment of this British citizen.

Precarious situation

But what is more revealing is the inability of the Prime Minister to use these Cabinet departures for a wider reshuffling of her team. For the clue to reshuffles is not whos arriving but whos leaving.

The new appointments, beaming as they walk up Downing Street in the gaze of the cameras, generate all the excitement on the day.

But its the disappointed, queuing up outside the Prime Ministers parliamentary office to be fired in private the night before, who generate all the trouble.

Strong premiers take that in their stride  being willing to be a good butcher is required by the job. Weak prime ministers dont have the option. Theyre stuck with the team theyve got.

At present theres lots of breathless commentary about promoting the stars of recent Tory intakes  and it is right that there is considerable talent there. Some of it has already been put to service in the front line.

Those who call for the advancement of the 2010 intake seem to have forgotten that the Home Secretary, Communities Secretary, Defence Secretary, Culture Secretary, Welsh Secretary, Chief Secretary and Chief Whip were all elected in 2010  as was the outgoing International Development Secretary, Ms Patel.

Yes, it would be good to see more now of the 2015 intake and, in time, the 2017 cohort.

But the arrival of one or two fresh faces into the junior ministerial ranks isnt going to change the ailing fortunes of the Government.

For every new arrival there has to be a departure. And the truth is that Mrs May simply cannot get away with firing a load of existing ministers.

If she does, they may turn around and fire her instead. Such is the precariousness of her situation. Thats what happens when you have  as the Evening Standard pointed out first in June  a Prime Minister in office but not in power.

Theres only one kind of reshuffle that will change that.

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Time to remember

Big Ben has been silent for almost three months for repairs but it will chime again at 11 oclock on Saturday for Armistice Day  the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month  the time at which hostilities ceased in the Great War, in 1918.

It was the end of that historic carnage, but not, alas, the last of the casualties visited on British and other troops in wars since.

Today, Prince Harry visits the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey to lay a cross of remembrance at the graves of unknown soldiers from the world wars; after that he meets more recent veterans.

Remembering the sacrifice of soldiers in war is a task for each new generation, now as much as ever.
BBC Children in Need has today launched its first ever collection of designer Pudsey Ears.

Joining forces with a host of top models and high-end designer brands, the one-off pieces have been created by some of the biggest names in fashion for the collection curated by Katie Grand.

Burberry, Fendi, Gigi Hadid x Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Louis Vuitton x Supreme, Miu Miu, Prada and Selena Gomez x Coach are the brands behind the designs which will be auctioned off online here and available to the highest bidder from 9am November 9 to November 19 with all proceeds going to Children in Need.

In addition to the Pudsey Ears, Louis Vuitton x Supreme have created a one-off 28 inch version of Pudsey Bear from denim fabric from the iconic collaboration.

Designer Pudsey Ears - in pictures 1 /13 Designer Pudsey Ears - in pictures Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Burberry Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Prada Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Louis Vuitton X Supreme Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Gucci Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Fendi Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Miu Miu Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Gigi Hadid X Tommy Hilfiger Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Selena Gomez X Coach Children in Need Pudsey Ears by Fendi Children in Need 28 inch version of Pudsey Bear by Louis Vuitton X Supreme

Modelling the collection are the new face of British Vogue Adwoa Aboah, Thylane Blondeau, Edie Campbell, Kaia Gerber, Neelam Gill, Selena Gomez, Taylor Hill, Georgia May Jagger, Iris Law, Amber Le Bon, Erin O'Connor, Eric Underwood and Suki Waterhouse.

Speaking of the collection, Katie Grand said: "I am delighted to be involved in this year's BBC Children in Need Appeal and to have curated the 2017 Designer Pudsey Ears Collection."

"What an incredible collection of exquisite designs! Each designer has surpassed themselves in adding their own unique identity to their headpiece."

"I hope fashion fanatics across the UK and beyond are encouraged to get bidding on these fabulous creations."

"All money raised will go on to help support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, so what are you waiting for?"

To bid or in finding out more information on the 2017 Designer Pudsey Ears Collection visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

And if you miss out on the Designer Pudsey Ears Collection you can still get your hands on a pair of original Pudsey Ears priced from 2.50 via bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
She is a Spice Girl, designer, mother-of-four and icon for many, but Victoria Beckham credits her entire success to the devotion of her family.

Speaking on film to British Vogue, Beckham said: "My Mum and Dad used to really give me a lot of confidence, I believed that I could achieve anything."

"The support of my family has always been incredible. Whenever I said that I can't do it my Dad just wouldn't hear it."

"'What do you mean you can't do it, why can't you do it?'," she recalls him saying. "And I do that to our children as well. I've never been the sort of person to give up."

Posing for the magazine's December issue - the first under the direction of new Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful - Beckham was photographed by Paul Wetherell wearing a pink check pyjama-inspired two-piece from her Resort 2018 collection.

Victoria Beckham SS18 at New York Fashion Week 1 /32 Victoria Beckham SS18 at New York Fashion Week Victoria Beckham at NYFW David and Brooklyn sit alongside the new British Vogue editor Edward Enninful Reuters Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway as David and Brooklyn watch on Rex Victoria Beckham at NYFW David and Brooklyn await the start of the show REUTERS Victoria Beckham at NYFW David and Brooklyn take their front row seats AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW David and Brooklyn Beckham arrive at the runway venue together REUTERS Victoria Beckham at NYFW David heads to his seat AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Brooklyn poses for photographers ahead of the show REUTERS Victoria Beckham at NYFW David smiles as the show gets underway Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Models walk the SS18 runway Getty Images Victoria Beckham at NYFW Victoria greets her runway audience Getty Images

Perched on a bed with toys to one side, the British fashion designer revisited her roots as she opened up about her childhood bedroom.

"When I was a child my bedroom was very pretty. I had Laura Ashley wallpaper and it was very girly."

"My mum's friend used to give me her empty bottles of Coco Chanel and I used to put them on my dressing table."

Joining Beckham in the video entitled Back to my Roots are fellow designers Christopher Bailey, Simone Rocha, Jonathan Anderson and John Galliano.

The video comes as Edward Enninful revealed his debut for the magazine featuring Adwoa Aboah on its cover.

See the full shoot in the December issue of British Vogue, on sale Friday.
S uffragete shop assistants who plotted their campaigns in the cafes of the West End are among the forgotten figures being brought back to life in a new exhibition.

The Museum of Londons show will tell the untold stories of women who took the campaign for votes into their own hands. It includes items used for research by Carey Mulligan, star of 2015 film Suffragette, and its director Sarah Gavron. The actress visited the museum before playing Maud Watts, a laundry worker caught up in the struggle.

Curator Beverley Cook said she wanted to move away from the stereotypical image of the suffragette smashing windows, being arrested and being sent to prison ... I wanted to look under the skin of some of those women. They were amazing organisers, inspirational speakers and really good at fundraising.

Among those featured is Vera Wentworth, who joined the secretive Young Hot Bloods, who took orders directly from campaign leader Christabel Pankhurst. Ms Cook said: They met every Saturday at 4.30pm in a tea room in Oxford Street where they would plot activities.

These women were using the West End, which had become much more female-friendly by then. We have her name embroidered on this amazing banner  every woman who served a period of imprisonment and hunger strike in 1910 had made their signature on this.

Also on show are surveillance photos of women exercising at Holloway jail, used to try to track them after release. One shows Grace Marcon, alias Frieda Graham, who was jailed for six months after damaging five paintings at the National Gallery in the militant campaign for votes. Another, Mary Richardson, slashed the gallerys Rokeby Venus.

The Votes For Women exhibition, from February to January 2018, includes a new documentary, a bus tour, and a festival to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, when about 40 per cent of women were given the vote.
S ince its 2012 makeover, Stratford has become the home of Olympic glory, Westfield and West Ham United.

If none of those tantalising prospects quite float your boat, then there are a few considerably tastier reasons to tempt you to the former Olympic Village.

In and around E20 (no, not the Eastenders set, this postcode is a real place now) you can find a growing number of foodie delights, from Italian bakeries to Iberian-influenced menus. Take a look at our pick of the bunch.

Darkhorse

Darkhorse is exactly that  a thoughtful, ambitious and ultimately impressive food and drink spot in an entirely unassuming part of London. This hidden gem can be uncovered in the newfound suburbia of the former Olympic Athletes Village  it may only be a 10-minute walk but this is a world away from the hipster hangouts of Hackney Wick.

A mixture of the best-loved and under-explored bits of both Italian and Spanish cuisine, Darkhorse's food is low on cliches, high on ingredient-led intrigue. Its fresh burrata is served with Bertha grilled grapes and Pedro Ximenez sherry balsamic vinegar  a prime example of Darkhorses penchant for marrying an Italian light-touch with a delicious Iberian twist. It takes little encouragement to accompany this with a well-chosen wine and spirits list, served by knowledgable, passionate staff.

16-19 Victory Parade, East Village, E20 1FS, thedarkhorserestaurant.com

Hand

Its easy to overlook Hand: its red plastic primary school-style chairs dont scream must-try London restaurant and the pastry counter in front of a mammoth barista machine plonks the vibe firmly in the cafe category. Hand even calls itself a cafe and this East Village outlet does very good Square Mile coffee (they're the people behind 46b Espresso), yet its all a cunning (and faintly baffling) cover for the excellent kitchen out the back.

Hand serves up really good Greek food (see above). Pungent Mediterranean-meets-north-African flavours are in abundance, bedecked with lashings of olive oil and oregano. Warming pots of fragrant Gigantes bean and lentil stews, shakshuka-style eggs star alongside the aforementioned pastries  including filo rolls stuffed with spinach, feta and a fragrant hint of lemon (a nod to Greek favourite spanokopita) or sausage rolls (less Greek but still good) made with Hill & Szrok meat.

10-11 Victory Parade, East Village, E20 1FS, eastvillagelondon.co.uk/shop-eat/hand

Village Vanguard

Village Vanguard is the restaurant for the eternally indecisive. If you and your better half regularly find yourself in a crushing food-choosing dilemma, then you can be pretty sure youll find something to satisfy that elusive craving in this corner of Stratfords East Village. This restaurant-meets-bar sees friendly staff serve up good beers and reasonably-priced cocktails (with 2-4-1 deals aplenty), as well as a surprisingly wide range of dishes. A restaurant that serves both eggs benedict and lamb shawarma may worry some, but Village Vanguard does a darn good job at both. Its buttermilk fried chicken is a winner (particularly when served up dirty, rolled in honey and sriracha sauce), crunchy on the outside and silky on the inside. A close second is its chicken shish kebab, perfectly chargrilled juicy chicken thighs served up on a fresh hearty tomato salad and khobez flatbread. Village Vanguard isnt fine dining, but its just what you want to eat right now.

Village Hall, 1 Liberty Bridge Road, East Village, E20 1AS, villagevanguarde20.com

Signorelli

Theres little to doubt around the freshness of Signorellis fare when you can see flour-flecked bakers elbow deep in dough in the next room. This Italian bakery is at the heart of East Villages newfound suburban cafe culture (read: prams everywhere), and puts an emphasis its produce. Bread is Signorellis star bake and what they put on top of it makes it a favourite foodie pitstop.

Brunch is slight on the portion size, but high-quality ingredients matched with sourdough means you cant lose  and getting one of its Florentine style focaccias, topped with egg and spinach, is never a bad decision. At Signorelli, order anything with Italian sausage  either with scrambled eggs for breakfast or stuffed inside one of their paysan rolls with goats cheese, rucola and black pepper. Sweet treats litter the delectable (and ever-changing) counter at Signorelli, with low-sugar options sneaking their way on  keep your eye out for a marvellously moist fruit-filled yoghurt cake.

7 Victory Parade, East Village, E20 1FS, signorelli.co.uk

Fish House

Every neighbourhood needs a chippie. Fish House has found its second home in Stratford but hails originally from the other side of Victoria Park, and both locations live something of a double life. For feet-up-on-the-sofa Friday nights, flaky battered cod and proper chip-shop chips can be picked up in a soothingly straightforward cardboard box, or eaten in. All the trimmings are on hand including some very worthy tartare  and yes, even curry sauce.

If your Friday fish fancy requires a little more finesse, Fish House has plenty more in the sea. The flipside of its menu features an array of ethically sourced seasonal seafood cooked with flavours from around the world. Its fried fish tacos are a hit, served with a lime and coriander slaw, avocado and pickled jalapenos, or look out for whole roasted sea bream dishes  served with changing accompaniments but always perfectly cooked.

36-39 Victory Parade, East Village, E20 1FS, fishouse.co.uk

Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse

Its been more than 10 years now since Jamaican-born Levi Roots appeared on BBC Ones Dragons Den with his Reggae Reggae sauce and a little song that made everyone love him a little bit. Roots is now serving up the Caribbean cuisine that he has so passionately championed in his Westfield Stratford restaurant (yes, its technically in a shopping centre, but you can only just tell so just dont think about it) and the food is as joyous as Rootss sunny disposition.

Get your jerk just how you like it: simply smoked, Levis BBQ Reggae glazed or smokehouse jerk-style (the spiciest and the best). If youre a saltfish fan, then its Bajan fishcakes are lightly spiced delight, seasoned with scallion and scotch bonnet (the super spicy chilli with a signature Caribbean sweetness). If youre feeling the cold, a warming portion of curry goat is in order, served with a light and flaky roti, or get in the sunshine spirit with the hands-on Beach Shack Food menu of filled wraps and rotis.

Westfield, The Street, Montfichet Road, E20 1EJ, caribbeansmokehouse.com
F orget stickily warm Kopparberg sloshed down your back at teen music festivals, or the existential hangover-inducing scrumpy of post-exam celebrations  and please, please dont mention snakebite. Cider is being redeemed, one pint of single variety at a time.

Starting in Bermondsey. While Druid Street is known among craft beerophiles as the start of the Bermondsey Beer Mile, packed with blood orange double IPA-producing microbreweries, there is a new craft pint puller in town. Hawkes Cidery bills itself as the first urban cider maker, and founder Simon Wright is on a mission to get us sinking good cider. For years, mainstream cider has been mass produced, and of mostly poor quality, he says. Craft cider has been a thing for a very niche group of people in places such as Somerset or Herefordshire. But British apples are wonderfully varied, theyre also cheap and provide nuanced flavour profiles when you play with them. Weve had the craft gin revolution, and craft beer just gets bigger and better, so I truly believe its high time that cider has its day in the sun.

Ciders in the taproom are ranked by their various levels of sharpness, sweetness and tannin, with some of the super-dry, super-tannic tasting almost like Syrah. Brothers Toffee Apple this is not. Its own brand, Hawkes Urban Orchard, is not challenging cider  its simply very crisp, alcoholic apple juice, easy sipping at 4.5 per cent and, when I visited on one hungover Sunday, blissfully revitalising.

There is an apple donation scheme for anyone with an overloaded fruit tree dropping Granny Smiths quicker than you can say Newtons law of universal gravitation. You are given one bottle of Urban Orchard for every 3kg (about 15 apples) donated  and on 11 November you can even brew your own Bramleys at its Urban Cider Making Masterclass.

Rose outlook: Sassy Cidre

The revival of cider is long overdue  the UK has for some time been pipped to the post by the States, where craft cider is big business. Still, London is finally getting aboard the apple cart. Scandi-inspired restaurant Rok is pouring its own brewed ciders at its new pop-up spot in Old Spitalfields Market, while at the new Farm Girl cafe in Sweaty Betty Carnaby Street, you can chase your in-store Paolas Body Barre with a glass of hydrating Hoila, an Alpine cider made in South Tyrol and served in an extremely Instagram-friendly bottle. The same can be said of French brand Sassy Cidre and its admirable determination to make cider cool again with graphic bottles and a rose variety.

Need something to soak up the juice? The Cider Box, campaigners for real cider, hosts regular cider and cheese evenings  most recently at Kenningtons Old Red Lion  to encourage consumption of Braeburns in booze form and Brie. And if youre steering clear of the booze but need to keep warm this season, sip yourself silly on Dominique Ansels hot cinnamon apple booze-free cider while insulating yourself for the winter with a cronut or six. What are you waiting for? Get some cider inside ya.
T here's a danger in declaring any new technology the greatest innovation of the 21st century.

Were only 17 years in. We have a habit of overstating the importance of the novel. We never know when the Back to the Future hoverboards might finally be with us. And yet, here it is  what many have decreed the greatest innovation of the 21st century: animoji karaoke.

Many iPhone X owners will not have been at peak productivity in the office this week. Instead they have been mastering the phones biggest advance  an advance we never knew we needed  to create virtual catnip, marrying much-loved songs with the animated emoji menagerie.

A cynic might note that this is Apple showing its greatest strength as a tech company: persuading customers to advertise its products for free. It is certainly an entertaining advert, though.

One user gave us the animoji barbershop quartet: the chicken, alien, rabbit and unicorn singing the ballad Sweet Adeline. Another made the pig, the cat and the chicken shake their heads to Solomon Lindas The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

The chicken is clearly the superstar, the Justin of the emoji world  his solo of Taylor Swifts Look What You Made Me Do used wiggling wattles to stirring effect. Perhaps the best of all these tracks, though, was a version of Queens Bohemian Rhapsody, with the fox playing Freddie Mercury and a chorus of cats.

Put on a happy face: trying out the new animoji feature, which turns you into a live, moving emoji / AP

These have all been posted to Twitter and gone viral, so those of us who didnt shell out almost $1,000 for a phone can at least be passive consumers, even if not active creators.

Other users have been even more inventive. Derek Duncan, a father based in St Louis, tweeted that he had spent entirely too long on his Star Wars animoji karaoke. It begins with the famous phrase A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... before turning into a nine-part a capella group singing the theme.

People have also used animojis to add animal heads to famous scenes from both film and TV screen. The best, by YouTube user Braziliandanny, has a fox head on Dustin Hoffman as he looks through Mrs Robinsons legs in The Graduate, the chicken proclaiming This is Sparta! in 300 or the poo emoji delivering Ricks line in Casablanca, Heres looking at you, kid. He also includes a clip from 2016s presidential debates: Hillary Clintons robot head declares her rival a puppet, while Donald Trumps face is replaced by the poo emoji. Of course.

iPhone X - in pictures 1 /9 iPhone X - in pictures iPhone X is water resistant Apple The home button has been removed to allow for a full-screen look Apple The black 'notch' at the top of the display has proved a controversial design for some long-time Apple fans Apple The dual-lens back-facing camera has been redesigned with a vertical configuration Apple iPhone X is compatible with Qi wireless chargers Apple Face ID on the iPhone X unlocks your handset just by looking at it Apple The iPhone X, front and back Apple

Initially, animoji was supposed to be for Apples messaging app. It meant users could have their audio iMessages delivered by the smiling monkey or the sparkly unicorn. Having a rabbit say your message makes an anodyne missive like, Im running late more exciting. So, like many a great technological leap forward, animoji karaoke came about by accident.

Users realised they could save the animojis, edit them and transform them into animoji karaoke. For those with iPhone Xs, once you have sent someone an animoji you can use the phones sharing feature to save it as a video, meaning you can then upload it to social media.

So how does it work? The feature identifies a users facial expressions and the way their mouths move and copies them onto the emojis face. There are currently a dozen animoji options, with more to be added soon too.

The genius who first tested this idea was Fast Companys Harry McCracken, who decided it might be fun to lip-sync a song to an animoji and have it mimic my performance. He wrote that some people said that it redeemed animoji or justified buying a thousand-dollar phone.

McCracken advises that if you want to get beyond the animoji 10-second limit, you should use iOS 11s new screen-recording feature instead of recording yourself inside the messages app, and that while you can record your soundtrack with the iPhone Xs microphone as you lip-sync, you can also use iMovie to give a better version of the audio and line it up with your lip movements in post-production.

To get the animoji to seem properly animated, you also have to exaggerate your facial movements. It makes you gurn. In acting terms, you need to over-emote. A half-raised eyebrow is not enough  you need to go for the full arch. But if you can manage that, your phone is your animoji karaoke booth.
A n acid victim who took his own life at a euthanasia clinic after he was left paralysed identified his ex-girlfriend as his attacker with his tongue and an alphabet, a court has heard.

Mark Van Dongen, 29, was paralysed from the neck down, "grotesquely scarred" and all but blinded by the attack in September 2015.

The alleged victim's father Cornelius told a jury at Bristol Crown Court that it was four months after the attack before he was able to communicate with his son by using an alphabet. It was another five months before he regained his speech.

"He stuck his tongue out and he spelt out 'Berlinah'," he said.

His ex-girlfriend Berlinah Wallace, who is on trial for murder and applying a corrosive fluid, was said to have told him before the attack: "If I can't have you, no one else can."

The alleged victim later took his own life at a euthanasia clinic because "he had nothing left to live for", his father told the court.

A courtroom sketch of Mr Van Dongen's father testifying (Elizabeth Cook/PA ) / Elizabeth Cook/PA

He ran out into the street screaming in pain in the Westbury Park area of Bristol before a neighbour took him to a nearby flat, put him in a shower and called 999 after the alleged attack on September 23.

Dutch-born Mark Van Dongen suffered 15 months of pain before he travelled to the euthanasia clinic in Belgium to die in January, his father said.

Giving evidence for the prosecution, his father told the court that at the time of the attack: "He was lying in his bed and she was suddenly behind his bed and she shouted 'she couldn't have my life. If I can't have it nobody else will get it'.

"These are the words I remember he said. He stepped outside and shouted really loudly for help."

Cornelius Van Dongen, giving evidence through a Dutch interpreter, said his son was transferred from a care home in Gloucester to the hospital in Belgium in November last year because he was distressed and could not settle.

"He wanted to return to a normal life - that's what he wanted...The fact that he couldn't move his arms was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"He completed his application for euthanasia. He said that, 'My life has come to nothing and there is nothing left...He said, 'All I have is a different ceiling to look at'."

The court heard that Mark Van Dongen had developed an acute lung infection which would require a tube being inserted in his throat and a 95 per cent chance of him losing his voice.

Adam Vaitilingam QC, prosecuting, asked Cornelius Van Dongen: "What did he say about not wanting the tube in his throat?"

The witness replied: "He didn't want any more pain and didn't want any more surgery and wanted to be able to talk to me until the last seconds. He didn't want to go on any further and he just wanted to die."

He confirmed he was present when his son died on January 2. He also told the jury his son was scared of Wallace and had called the police "several times" about her but "received no support".

"He was scared and he was afraid of her. You can see what happened," he said.

Wallace, of Ladysmith Road, Westbury Park, Bristol, denies charges of murder and applying a corrosive fluid. She claims she thought she was throwing a glass of water at Mark Van Dongen.
A "callous" hit-and-run driver who paralysed a young mother and left her needing round-the-clock care has been jailed for two and a half years.

Pascoe Petgrave, 21, ploughed his grey BMW into Chanelle Higgins, 30, and her friend as they walked along the pavement in West Norwood on their way home from a night out.

The pair were thrown into the air and crashed to the ground on Norwood High Street in the horrific crash before driver Petgrave sped off.

Ms Higgins was paralysed from the chest down in the crash and is now confined to a wheelchair. Her friend, Nikisha Cox, 29, was hurt but not seriously injured.

Petgrave, from Croydon, claimed he was innocent of dangerous driving and told jurors he mounted the pavement as he sped away from two men who he believed were armed with weapons.

Wheelchair-bound: Chanelle Higgins was left with life-changing injuries after the crash

CCTV footage shows the moment the car mowed down the two women, leaving them laying on side of the pavement.

He was caught when his grey car with a smashed windscreen was spotted by a local police officer. The car was seized and Petgrave was arrested when he reported a stolen vehicle to the police.

Petgrave was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in the crash, which happened at 4.30am on May 29, 2016. He was convicted after a three-day trial at Inner London Crown Court.

He was jailed for two and a half years on Thursday. When he is released from prison, he will be disqualified from driving for two years and must take an extended driving test if he wants to get behind the wheel again.

Jailed: Pascoe Petgrave, 21, was jailed after being found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving

Petgraves defence lawyer claimed he drove along the pavement to speed away from two men who were threatening to hurt him.

The jury were read a letter from a PC to Croydons police gang task force recommending that Petgrave be moved out of the area for his safety.

The letter read Petgrave had previously been chased by men armed with knives and he was at risk of gang violence.

Ms Higgins sat in court in a wheelchair with her body covered with a blanket just a few feet from Petgrave.

Ms Higgins paralysed on the ground in the aftermath of the crash, in CCTV which was shown to jurors

Claudette Hamilton, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: This callous individual, who was uninsured at the time, drove into both women from behind and fled the scene.

He did not report the collision to police, forcing the victim to take part in media appeals to identify him.

We used CCTV footage to demonstrate to the jury the total disregard Petgrave took for his actions.

Ms Hamilton added: This incident has had profound consequences for one victim. Her life has changed dramatically and she will now require round-the-clock care as a result of Petgraves actions.

Dangerous driving can shatter lives and I hope this successful prosecution goes someway in bringing comfort to the victims and their families.
N early 860,000 calls to Scotland Yards non-emergency 101 number were abandoned in the past 12 months, figures revealed today.

They also show that more than 42,000 people dialling the emergency 999 number and asking for a police response failed to complete the call.

The number of uncompleted 101 calls in September was 78,008  a rise of more than a third on the 57,734 for October last year. The figures were revealed to Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore after a question to the Mayor.

It raises fears that Londoners trying to report low-level crimes could be giving up in frustration. Separate figures obtained after a Freedom of Information request show the number of 101 calls taking longer than 16 minutes to answer rose from 435 in January to 30,746 in June. The number answered within 30 seconds fell from 142,322 in January to 60,197 in June.

The worst month for uncompleted 101 calls was also June, with 151,147  more than half the total of 284,704 calls received. There were also 7,908 uncompleted 999 calls that month, though this was only 3.5 per cent of the total 205,382 received that month.

Police point out that June was the month of the London Bridge terror attack and the Grenfell Tower fire, which put emergency services under huge pressure.

Scotland Yard also said there were many reasons why callers hang up. One is that people dialling 101 decide to report crimes online after hearing a recorded message about this service. An abandoned call can also be due to a mobile phone losing its signal.

Londoners turn to the internet to report crime Thousands of Londoners are reporting crimes online as Scotland Yard says that fewer people are choosing to go to police stations over minor offences. The Met released figures today showing that 9,000 crimes were reported online in June compared with 900 in February when this internet service was launched. In total there have been 51,000 crimes or incidents reported online in London in the past six months. The Met said about eight per cent of crime reports were now done using a computer or smartphone. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mark Simmons said: Research shows that while most people want to contact us by phone, the second preference is to contact us online. Since February, officers have dealt with 85 crimes reported online which needed officers to attend. These included reports of burglaries, sex offences, domestic abuse and a historical rape. Mr Simmons said: I want to reassure people that this is not an automated service  each report will be handled by one of our experienced call handlers, the same ones who take 999 and 101 calls, within 45 minutes of a report being submitted. Police say most crimes can be reported online unless there is a suspect on scene and a risk to life or property. They still want people to call to report a missing person or antisocial behaviour.

However, senior officers admit that the Mets call handling centre has been short-staffed. In August, the force advertised for 190 new call handlers.

The figures come as the Met faces 400 million of cuts. The force plans to close more than half its 73 police stations and sell the buildings to raise 165 million.

Mr Dismore said he had received numerous complaints about long waits on the 101 service. People are hanging on for half an hour and then giving up. I think the Met are trying to sort it out but people do not expect to call police and be kept waiting for 20 minutes or half an hour, he said.

There is a real concern about what happens to the reporting of some so-called low-level crimes if Londoners inevitably give up and abandon efforts to get through to an operator due to delays in call-answering.

He added: With plans to close stations across London, theres a risk that some people who would use 101 as an alternative, as suggested by the police, will struggle to report crimes and other problems. Until the 101 number is operating as it should, plans to close stations should be deferred.

He said Londoners such as pensioners who might not use online services and those on low incomes without computer access would struggle most.

Chief Superintendent David Jackson, head of the Mets Command and Control department, said there had been a 12 per cent rise in the number of calls to the Met in the past year, which had had an impact on services, particularly for 101 calls as 999 calls are given priority at times of high demand. He added that June was the Mets busiest month for 999 and 101 calls in two years.

He said: I know that our staff and officers really appreciate the support that all emergency services have received from the public following some awful events, and the public can help us by only using 999 in an emergency.

If you need to contact police in a non-emergency, then visit our website to see if your matter can be dealt with on there, or if you call us on 101, then please bear with us at this time.
T housands of cancer patients a year are to be offered game-changing treatment at a London hospital using one of the worlds most advanced radiotherapy machines.

The Royal Marsden will be the first hospital in Britain to use a 10 million MR Linac, which delivers precision blasts of radiotherapy to 3mm accuracy while scanning patients in real time to ensure the tumour is targeted.

Doctors hope this could lead to major advances in treatment and survival rates for prostate, breast, lung and pancreatic cancer - the deadliest of all major cancers.

Professor Robert Huddart, consultant oncologist at the Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer Research, said the machine was able to deliver higher bursts of radiation at greater precision than other equipment  treating the tumour more effectively without the risk of damaging healthy tissue.

This could mean prostate cancer might require only several treatments while breast tumours could be eradicated in a single session. We hope it will be for many, many patients a game-changer, he told the Standard.

The giant machine is built in a bunker dug into the Sutton campus shared by the Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). It was funded by the Medical Research Council after a 230 million investment in UK science announced by the Treasury in 2014.

Just don't get an itch... Evening Standard reporter Ross Lydall tried out the machine Youre not claustrophobic, are you? asked Professor Robert Huddart. For the first time I felt uneasy about being entombed in a radiotherapy machine for up to an hour. I had been given the chance to be the first healthy volunteer to test the Marsdens MR Linac. Id taken some convincing. What if they found something? Clad in scrubs, with earplugs and ear defenders protecting me from the grinding noise of the imaging magnets, I was slid backwards into the tunnel. I closed my eyes and tried to stay focused, wondering if this is what life is like for astronaut Tim Peake. Try to stay still, advised lead research radiographer Helen McNair. The magnets whirred and beeped. After 10 minutes came the urge to scratch my upper lip. After 30 minutes my feet cramped. It was painless and thankfully nothing was detected. For patients, this machine could be the difference between life and death.

A second machine is being installed at The Christie hospital in Manchester. The Marsden will be the first to treat patients, starting by next summer.

Magnetic fields created by the Linacs MRI scanner detect signals sent out by the bodys water molecules to create detailed images of internal organs.

This locates the tumour and enables the radiation beams to be tailored to the target. Lung tumours move as a patient breathes, while tumours in the kidney, bladder and prostate can move even during a 30-minute scan, for example as the patients bladder fills. Unlike CT scans, there is no radiation.

Professor Uwe Oelfke, head of physics at the Marsden and ICR, said the Linac used adaptive radiation therapy to provide maximum benefit to patients. He said: The fresher the images, the more valuable they are. Its almost like eating fruit: the fresher, the better.

Healthy volunteers are helping radio-graphers test the Linacs imaging capabilities. Cancer patients will join tests by the end of the year. Prostate patients are expected to the first to be treated with eight or nine cancer types eventually targeted, including cervical, abdominal, bladder and rectal. The plan is to treat 20 to 25 intermediate or high-risk patients a day.

The machines are also being trialled at five sites in Europe, Canada and the US, where early work suggests success with pancreatic cancer.
C ity Hall has stepped up efforts to end its controversial deal with fossil fuel firms, but it still invests almost 70million in companies that drive up carbon emissions.

Sadiq Khan last year pledged to strip back his authoritys investment in the fossil fuel industry, which new data suggests until earlier this spring amounted to more than 200m.

Amid fierce pressure from campaign groups, a spokesman for the London mayor said a significant amount of cash invested in the industry has now been pulled.

According to the mayors office, the figure now stands at 69m.

But campaigners said City Halls approach to this process  known as divestment  has been inconsistent compared to other cities across the globe.

Pollution seen hanging over the city of London. Campaigners say controversial investments in fossil fuel industry pose a threat to climate (Evening Standard / eyevine) / Jeremy Selwyn

"London should be making a proud public statement about its intentions to cut ties with the industry driving climate change, said Ellen Gibson, of the UK Divestment campaign.

While other world cities have committed to meaningful divestment, City Hall has chosen an inconsistent approach, which lets big polluters off the hook. London should be a climate leader - but on this, we've fallen behind.

City Hall invests in the industry through the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA). Mr Khan and the LPFA have agreed on a policy to - where possible - pull its funds from fossil fuel companies.

London Pollution - In pictures 1 /20 London Pollution - In pictures PA Sunrise: Pollution lingered over London on Tuesday morning Jeremy Selwyn A cyclist wearing a face mask rides between taxis taking part in a protest to highlight congestion and air pollution Getty Images A smog filled traffic rush hour in the East End of London Jeremy Selwyn Pollution detector App 'Blue Air' near the Houses of Parliament Blue air Thick smog hangs over London's Docklands PA Traffic pollution in North London Jeremy Selwyn Air pollution surrounds The Shard in London Jeremy Selwyn Getty Images Sunrise over a misty polluted London from Primrose Hill Jeremy Selwyn St. Paul's Cathedral is seen among the skyline through the smog AFP via Getty Images A thick layer of smog was visible above London William Smith/@williamsmithorg A cold layer of air can be seen trapping pollution close to the ground and across the London skyline Pete Buckney This image taken near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich shows a thick layer of fog hanging over London Anna Rolls The City of London covered in smog seen from Hampstead Heath Getty Images

On the campaigners claims, a spokesman for the mayor said: Sadiq believes that the new LPFA climate change policy is one of the strongest and most sophisticated of any city in the world and will help to fulfil his manifesto commitment to take all possible steps to divest the fund of its remaining investments in fossil fuel industries.

He particularly welcomes the LPFAs commitment to implement all necessary divestment by 2020 and is pleased that the fund has already successfully divested many of its assets.

Research carried out by City Hall has also revealed that the scale of divestment is on a far bigger scale than other cities and is of a more complex nature.

According to data compiled from a series of Freedom of Information requests by divestment groups, until March this year, London local authorities together invested a total of almost 2billion in fossil fuels.

Campaigners say the investments pose a huge threat to climate, and contradict Paris Agreement pledges made by the UK government.

Martin Watters, of Divest London, said: The fact that London funds continue to invest in the companies responsible for the crisis flies in the face of this agreement, and of all the citys efforts being made to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

Sadiq Khan: The London mayor has moved to cut City Hall's ties with fossil fuel firms / PA

Almost all councils in London, like City Hall, invest in the industry through pension funds of which they manage. The returns on these investments are then paid out as pensions.

While the majority of local authorities in the capital continue to invest in the industry, several have made commitments to lower their fossil fuel exposure.

Waltham Forest and Southwark councils became the first in the UK to commit to a divestment of funds. Hackney and Haringey have made partial commitments.

Simon Miller, former chair of Waltham Forest councils pension fund committee, said: Given current pressures on Local Authority budgets, our pension funds have a key role to play, not only in making our economy greener and our communities healthier, but as driver of sustainable, future focused investment in local areas.

While two local authorities have made firm commitments to divest, other London councils continue to invest significantly in the industry.

Hammersmith and Fulham, until at least March this year, invested 9 per cent of its pension fund into fossil fuel companies - the highest of all of the capitals boroughs, according to the campaign groups figures.

A spokesman for the council said it had in March committed to end investments in fossil fuel companies, but did not provide a date for when this is likely to happen.
S adiq Khan joined tearful mourners at a vigil to remember the victims of the Croydon tram crash a year after seven people were killed in the tragedy.

Victims relatives, emergency crews and officials laid floral tributes following an emotional service marking the first anniversary of the crash.

Some 51 people were injured when a speeding tram derailed at a sharp junction outside Sandilands station last November.

Philip Logan, 52, Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, Robert Huxley, 63, Mark Smith, 35, and Donald Collett, 62, all died in the disaster which occurred at 6.07am.

Emotional speech: The Mayor of London speaks at the vigil / Mayor of London

Passengers were ejected or partially ejected through shattered windows as the tram overturned and slid 25 metres, having been travelling at 46 miles per hour on a bend which had a 13 miles per hour speed limit.

A private service was held for victims and family members at a newly unveiled memorial at Sandilands today.

A public ceremony was held at a second newly created site in Central Parade, New Addington.

The Mayor of London, Croydon Council leader Tony Newman, emergency service leaders and relatives of those killed made moving speeches ahead of a one minute silence.

Mr Khan said: "Our public transport system should be a place where people are always safe.

"I've demanded reassurances from Transport for London and First Group that changes have been made to the network, and I'll ensure that lessons are learnt and acted upon.

"We owe this to the victims, the families and to all Londoners."

Consultant Paramedic Paul Gates, who managed the ambulance service's response on the day, said: "Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident and the wider community in Croydon."

Sergeant Chris Morbey from the British Transport Police struggled to hold back tears during a speech.

The granddaughter of victim Philip Logan, who died in the crash, ran to comfort him, the Croydon Advertiser reported.

Emergency services took to Twitter to send messages of support to those affected by the crash.

The London Fire Brigade wrote: Our thoughts are with the victims of the #Croydon Tram Crash & their friends & family on the first anniversary. Firefighters who worked so hard to rescue as many commuters as possible will attend a memorial service today.

The London Ambulance Service added: Today we'll be standing with the #Croydon community to remember the seven people who died and over 50 people who were injured in last year's tram crash.

Devastated survivors today told the Standard that lessons must be learned to prevent another disaster.

Matthew Parnell, 44, lost his HGV licence and his job after suffering a brain injury in the crash.

Seven people died and 51 were injured when the speeding tram derailed / PA

He said: The anniversary is a difficult time as it is a reminder of the cause of loss to so many people, for my own part the accident has changed my life.

An interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Bureau (RAIB) said the late application of the brakes, and the absence of emergency braking, suggested the driver, 43-year-old Alfred Dorris, from Beckenham, had lost awareness.

Dorris was arrested at the scene and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter.

He was questioned again by police two months ago and released under investigation as officers prepare a report for the Crown Prosecution Service.

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Since the crash, four drivers have admitted to falling asleep while operating trams at the same location.

Following the interim RAIB report, TfL installed devices in tram cabs that monitors drivers eyes for distraction or fatigue and alerts them with a noise and vibration if they appear to be falling asleep.
A major search has been launched for a three-year-old girl from east London who has gone missing with her schizophrenic mother.

A High Court judge has asked the public to help find Elliana Shand, also known as Elliana Richards, who is believed to be in the UK with Jessica Richards.

Mr Justice Hayden said in London on Wednesday that he was "very concerned indeed" for the safety of Elliana, who turns four next month.

"In optimum circumstances, the mother's capacity to meet her daughter's needs was barely satisfactory, he said.

"But, it is abundantly clear that under stress, perhaps not taking her anti-psychotic medicine, perhaps in the grip of auditory commands which are hallucinatory, she poses, despite her love for her daughter, a very real risk to her safety."

The judge said that, in May, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham concluded that Elliana's placement with her mother no longer provided her with the essential safety and security that she needed and was her right.

During court proceedings, which were likely to see Elliana taken into care, her maternal grandmother, Sharon Shand, also known as Richards, took matters into her own hands and flew with the child to Jamaica to spend time together on a "farewell final holiday".

Mrs Shand maintained that she handed Elliana over to her mother on her return to the UK in September and did not know where they are now.

The judge said his assessment of the family was that Mrs Shand would not let Jessica, who also has severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Elliana out of her sight for one minute more than was necessary.

"I have utterly no doubt that she is in contact with her daughter and, almost certainly, her granddaughter."

The judge said the "very significant" risk which Jessica posed to her child was one that Mrs Shand was unable to accept or acknowledge.

It was very clear that, for all her difficulties, Jessica Richards had a warm and affectionate relationship with Elliana and Mrs Shand was similarly close to the child, he added.

"This is a very much loved little girl. In that she is immensely fortunate."

He said it was easy to see from Elliana's photo why Mrs Shand was so proud of her.

"She is a strikingly beautiful little girl."

He said he hoped that putting the information into the public domain would facilitate the return of Elliana to "circumstances where she is safe".

The local authority's plan was for her to remain within her family but on the paternal side.
S prinklers should be fitted to all council and housing association high-rise blocks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Chancellor should set aside money to pay for the measure, Jeremy Corbyn said.

The Labour leader is launching a campaign in an attempt to force Philip Hammond to use his Budget to announce 1 billion of funding to retrofit sprinklers in residential blocks.

Mr Corbyn will also hit out at Government cuts to fire services and the "dangerously neglected" state of social housing.

Ahead of a major speech, Mr Corbyn said: "Five months on from the Grenfell Tower fire, still only 2% of tower blocks have sprinklers and councils claim they have been denied funding for these vital measures.

Labour is calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget to retrofit sprinklers in council tower blocks / AP

"The Government is failing to learn the lessons from this tragedy. I urge the Chancellor to use the Budget to urgently provide the funds needed to retrofit sprinklers, ensuring people in thousands of tower blocks across our country are living in safety and with peace of mind.

"The Grenfell Tower fire was an entirely avoidable human disaster that must not be repeated."

Labour is calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget on November 22 to fund the retrofitting of sprinklers in all council and housing association tower blocks, starting with buildings that are 30 metres - 10 storeys - or higher.

Mr Corbyn said: The Grenfell Tower fire was an entirely avoidable human disaster that must not be repeated / Paul Hackett/Reuters

Mr Corbyn will use his speech in London to hit out at the "staggering" cuts to fire services.

He will say: "Firefighters across the country have faced the harsh reality of politically driven austerity. Along with the other emergency services across the country they have been forced to deal with repeated budget cuts since 2010.

"In the last seven years, 10,000 frontline firefighter jobs have gone - equivalent to one in six positions."

He will add: "Because of the continual loss of firefighters' jobs, if the fire at Grenfell had occurred outside of London, there would not have been enough firefighters in the vicinity to tackle a blaze of that size."

Following the Paradise Papers revelations, Mr Corbyn will also step up his calls for action to tackle tax avoidance.

"While people are living in potential death-trap homes without essential safety protections such as sprinklers, it is an obscenity that we have super-rich elites and major corporations who are allowed to avoid paying their taxes," he will say.
A nine-year-old London schoolboy stood up in class to declare his support for the Islamic State after watching execution videos online, the Home Office revealed today.

The boy was among thousands of British children - including more than 500 girls under the age of 15 - identified as a potential extremists, the Home Office revealed today.

He said he had seen beheadings and the burning of people by IS after searching the internet for terrorist material following the Paris attacks two years ago.

The disclosure - which came as Home Secretary Amber Rudd met tech giants in the US to raise her concerns about extremist material online - was made as the government published the most detailed figures so far about the number of people referred to its Prevent counter-radicalisation programme.

The statistics, which cover the 12 months up to the end of March last year, show that 7,631 were referred to the scheme.

Of these, just under 5,000 were reported by schools, health staff, social workers or others over suspected Islamist sympathies, with a further 10 per cent referred over right-wing extremist fears.

Concerns about 381 people were so serious that they were placed onto a specialist programme, known as Channel, to address their radicalisation.

One in six of these withdrew before their courses were complete, with the remaining risk that they posed being left to police to address.

Amber Rudd met tech giants in the US to raise her concerns about extremist material online / REUTERS

The most striking feature of the figures is the proportion of children and young people being reported over suspected extremist sympathies.

They include 2,127 children aged under 15 - equivalent to 28 per cent of all Prevent referrals - and another 2,147 aged between 15 and 20.

Across all age groups, females accounted for 1,597 referrals to Prevent, representing a fifth of the overall total.

Officials said that more and more cases involved children seeing extremism material online and gave the disturbing example of the nine-year-old London boy, given the pseudonym Haroon.

He stood up in class and said I support Islamic State, a senior Home Office official said. He had seen execution videos, beheadings and burning people.

Officials added that 2,000 pieces of online terrorist propaganda are currently being removed each week by police.

The disclosures will heighten concern about the ongoing threat posed by extremist content on social media and the danger that young minds, in particular, are being polluted by online violence.

The figures published today also show that a quarter of those referred to the Prevent programme during 2015/16 were from London.

Of these 1,915 people, a total of 1,386 were referred over concerns about Islamist extremism. Another 483 were referred over unspecified or other concerns. The remaining 46 were referred because of fears about right wing extremist sympathies.

More than a third of the 759 referred over right wing extremism were aged between 15 and 20.

Right wing referrals were highest in the North East, which accounted for 21 per cent of the total.

Security minister Ben Wallace said the government was publishing the statistics to improve transparency and insisted that the scheme was working.

He added: The voluntary Channel scheme has seen real results in helping divert people away from terrorism and violence.

There is still a way to go to improve the approach and awareness of how to better safeguard our children and vulnerable adults, but the policy is going in the right direction.

Since 2015, teachers, university staff, health and social workers, and other public employees have a statutory duty to refer people about whom they have extremist concerns to the Prevent scheme.

After assessments are made, no further action is taken against most of those referred. But those about whom there are continuing concerns are asked to go on the voluntary Channel programme.

Some refuse and others withdraw before completion but Home Office officials insist that most cases price successful and lead to the person abandoning their extremist sympathies.

The nine-year-old boy who watched the IS videos is understood to have returned successfully to mainstream education and to be no longer viewed as an extremist risk.
B oris Johnson today faced new calls to step down as Foreign Secretary after Iranian state TV reportedly claimed he had publicly confessed that jailed London mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists.

The Cabinet minister came under fresh pressure to quit amid fears the Iranian regime was using his remarks to justify the imprisonment of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, who has a three-year-old daughter.

Mr Johnson wrongly told a Commons committee last week that the Hampstead mother, who has dual British-Iranian citizenship, was simply teaching people journalism during a visit to the country last year.

He clarified his statement on Tuesday, saying that he was referring to Iranian allegations that she had been training journalists. He backed her family and employer, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, in saying she had been on holiday when she was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016.

But Iranian state TV seized on his words in a report yesterday, which Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband Richard Ratcliffe believes she is likely to have watched in prison. BBC Persian journalist Hadi Nili highlighted the report, tweeting: #Iran stateTV welcomes @BorisJohnsons remarks about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe as an unintended confession of the UK gov ab the real plot behind her trip to Iran & a proof of #IRGCs (Iranian Revolutionary Guard) accusations against her.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella / PA

The broadcast is also reported to have said that Mr Johnson had retracted his words about teaching journalism.

His original comments are also believed to have been cited when Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was summoned back to court on November 4, raising fears that her sentence could be lengthened from five years to 16.

The broadcast could have stemmed from regime hardliners seeking to reassert themselves over the case.

Boris Johnson: Remarks 'had no impact' on jailed British-Iranian woman

In Britain, it sparked fresh anger against Mr Johnson. Former Tory minister Anna Soubry said: His words were wholly inaccurate. If they are continuing to damage this womans well-being and putting her in more peril of continuing unlawful incarceration, then the Foreign Secretary must step down and he must go immediately.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry called on Mr Johnson to admit he had got his facts wrong and to apologise unreservedly to Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes family.

If he does not have the basic gumption to do that, he deserves to lose his job immediately, she added.

Mr Johnson, who spoke to Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif on Tueday, has insisted his remarks have not hampered efforts to free Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Her family have always said that her 2016 visit was for her daughter, Gabriella, to meet her grandparents.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: The Iranian foreign minister assured the Foreign Secretary that his earlier remarks at the Foreign Affairs Committee will have no bearing on Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes case and that he remains committed to working with the UK government to secure her release on humanitarian grounds.

The Foreign Secretary made clear in Parliament that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was visiting Iran on holiday and that was the sole purpose of her visit.

Her local MP, Tulip Siddiq said the Foreign Secretarys role was to protect British citizens abroad and that he had failed in the gravest way. She added: This is about a young mothers life, and he must now resign.

Another MP said: Remember who the true villains are here.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is serving a five-year sentence for allegedly plotting to topple the government in Tehran, although the official charges have never been made public.

Mr Ratcliffe said the state broadcast was a clear hardening from authorities over his wifes case.

He now wants Mr Johnson to step up his efforts over her release and wants the British Embassy to try harder to visit her in jail. Mr Ratcliffe said: I think he [Mr Johnson], and the Government, need to be aware of the gravity of the situation and make it completely clear to Iran that Nazanin is innocent and making it clear in Iran and make this a personal priority of the Foreign Secretary to bring her home.
A minister who once appeared on a reality TV show was appointed as Priti Patel's Cabinet replacement this afternoon.

Work and Pensions minister Penny Mordaunt, a Brexit supporter, was named as International Development Secretary by Theresa May in the second emergency Cabinet reshuffle in a week.

The 44-year-old MP for Portsmouth, who is a Royal Naval Reservist, became best known to the public through appearing on Splash!, the TV contest where celebrities were taught to high dive.

The appointment of the only female Minister of State who was a strong Brexit backer became inevitable when Brexit backers warned Mrs May not to appoint a Remainer to succeed Ms Patel, a passionate pro-Leave campaigner.

Ms Mordaunt became best known to the public through appearing on Splash! / Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Renowned at Westminster for her ripe sense of humour, Ms Mordaunt once raised eyebrows by confessing to making a Commons speech packed with innuendos to win a bet with a group of Royal Navy officers.

Penny Mordaunt appeared on the ITV show Splash / PA

Her 2013 address, ostensibly on poultry welfare, contained the word cock six times.

The paratroopers daughter also joked during her TV appearances that her bosom would not pass the so-called pencil test, saying: I could probably hold Her Majestys Stationary Office under my bosoms.

Ms Patel resigned last night after admitting to more unauthorised meetings with Israeli government figures. She had been accused of trying to change foreign policy via backchannels and was ordered home from Africa to be dismissed.

Her downfall came a week after Sir Michael Fallon quit over allegations of improper conduct, and with Mrs Mays deputy Damian Green still under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct.

Friends of former International Development Secretary Ms Patel revealed she may speak out in next weeks critical Commons debates on the EU Withdrawal Bill  confirming she intends to be an outspoken pro-Brexit force on the backbenches.

Rumblings about Mrs Mays leadership intensified, with one ex-minister saying she could be gone within weeks because at least 40 Tory MPs felt they were in a leadership crisis.

Under party rules, 48 names would trigger a confidence vote.

Resigned from the Cabinet: Priti Patel / Getty Images

The former minister said more MPs felt Mrs May should depart. There is a crisis of leadership in the party, he said. It is inevitably going to end only one way, and I would prefer her to go with dignity.

Sir Craig Oliver, who served at No 10 under David Cameron, said Tories were crying out for someone to take a firmer grip.

He urged Mrs May to take the risk of a full reshuffle and assert her authority. Theres nothing to lose now, he said. Be on the front foot and show you are in charge.

Earlier, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith warned that only a minister with strong Brexit views would be acceptable to MPs.

The balance on having strong Brexit views is one that in all probability the Prime Minister will certainly look for, he told the BBC.

The former party leader, a figurehead for pro-Brexit MPs, backed Mrs Mays continued leadership. Theresa May is the one person that can actually unite the Cabinet, unite the party, he said.

Ms Patel was in her Witham constituency this morning after being summoned back from Africa yesterday and resigning over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials. She said her conduct had fallen below the standards required of her post.

Priti will be speaking up for our amazing country and our people next week, said a friend. Sources indicated that plans for a wider reshuffle are on hold.
P riti Patel has thanked supporters in her first tweet since she resigned from her Cabinet position amid growing fears in Europe that the government could collapse after a series of scandals.

Ms Patel quit her post as International Development Secretary after she was ordered to return home from an official trip by the Prime Minister in farcical scenes yesterday following revelations about her undocumented meetings with Israeli politicians.

In her first public message since her resignation, she thanked her friends, colleagues and constituents for the support they showed her.

She wrote on Twitter: An enormous thank you to friends, colleagues, constituents & the public for the support & kindness you have shown me over the last few days.

Priti Patel: She resigned after recent revelations about her meeting with Israeli officials / REUTERS

It comes amid reports EU leaders are putting plans in place in the event Theresa May is ousted as PM.

One European leader told the Times: 'There is the great difficulty of the leadership in Great Britain, which is more and more fragile.

'Britain is very weak and the weakness of Theresa May makes negotiations very difficult.'

Brussels is reportedly preparing for two eventualities - a change in leadership in the UK or elections which could lead to Labour coming to power.

Ms Patel had only been in Kenya for a matter of hours before the Prime Minister ordered she make the return trip.

It was revealed Ms Patel held 12 undisclosed meetings with Israeli politicians - including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - while on a "family holiday".

Ms Patel was said to have broken the ministerial code by failing to report these meetings to the Foreign Office or the Government.

In her resignation letter she offered a "fulsome apology" and said her actions had fallen below the standards of "transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

Mrs May's said that "it was right" that Ms Patel had decided to resign.

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Her resignation is the second in the space of seven days, after Sir Michael Fallon quit as defence secretary last week.

He was replaced by Gavin Williamson.

A replacement for Ms Patel - who was a key figure in the Vote Leave campaign - is expected to be announced on Thursday.

The Prime Minister could be keen to replace Ms Patel with another Brexit-backer in order to placate Eurosceptic MPs on the Conservative benches and maintain the current balance within the Cabinet.

Iain Duncan Smith said his instinct was that the PM would seek to keep the balance in the Cabinet but that her number one consideration was to "find the person she thinks is most able to do the job".

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Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Tory MP played down suggestions that the Cabinet was in chaos or that Ms Patel's departure would spark a reshuffle.

"Theresa May is in full charge of this Cabinet and I have no doubt at all her appointment today will reflect the nature of that.," he said.

Responding to reports that EU officials were preparing for a possible change in government, Mr Watson said: "If Theresa May collapses, then the country is in a very bad place and would require a general election.

"It does seem to me that we are in a very unstable situation at the heart of government and that random events could bring the Government down. We are ready with our manifesto, we would be prepared to go into a general election with a bold set of policies."
T heresa May is facing a make or break month after Priti Patel became the second minister forced to quit the Cabinet within a week.

She is expected to pick a new International Secretary today as European leaders question whether the UK government is in a fit state to continue Brexit negotiations.

Ms Patel resigned in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night after flying back from Africa to confront Mrs May about a series of secret meetings held with Israeli officials.

It comes just seven says after Michael Fallon resigned as Defence Secretary amid the sexual harassment scandal sweeping Westminster, saying he had fallen below the high standards required.

Priti Patel leaves no 10 Downing Street after quitting the cabinet / AFP/Getty Images

Her decision to appoint Gavin Williamson as his replacement was openly criticised by some of her MPs and Mrs May will be anxious to avoid creating further unrest in her fragile administration.

The Prime Minister could replace Ms Patel with another Brexit-backer in order to placate Eurosceptic MPs on the Conservative benches and maintain the current balance within the Cabinet.

Possible contenders Sir Alan Duncan - Boris Johnson's deputy in the Foreign Office, a Remain supporter Penny Mordaunt - The Work and Pensions Minister is another female Brexit-backer Rory Stewart - A former soldier, diplomat and writer, the Penrith and the Border MP backed Remain Anne Milton  Has held frontbench roles since 2006, rising to Minister of State in the Department for Education Alistair Burt - A veteran who is currently a joint DfID-Foreign Office minister. Backed Remain Theresa Villiers - Resigned from government when Mrs May took office and replaced her as Northern Ireland secretary. A prominent Brexit-backer

Prominent Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested that disgruntled Remainers could have been behind the leak which led to Ms Patel's downfall.

He said that generally "conspiracy theories are wrong" because "people aren't behaving according to some grand Marxist plan".

"But nonetheless there are still some people who are still very bitter about the result a year ago and inevitably that colours their behaviour," he told BBC's Newsnight.

"If you go into how did Priti Patel's visit come out in the first place, was it leaked by the Foreign Office, was it leaked by somebody at the Foreign Office who resented her and probably the Foreign Secretary's role in Brexit, you may find something."

With Brexit talks resuming in Brussels, Mrs May's domestic difficulties are having repercussions in European capitals, with preparations reportedly being made in case her administration collapses.

An unnamed European leader told the Times: "Britain is very weak and the weakness of Theresa May makes negotiations very difficult."

A senior Conservative MP told the Independent: There is cumulative effect and there is a danger for the Prime Minister that she could be perceived as having lost control of events.

He added: This next month to six weeks is make-or-break time. Not just domestically, not just with the EU withdrawal Bill and the Budget, but with the European Council in December and whether we get sufficient progress in Brexit talks.

Witham MP Ms Patel was forced to cut short an official trip to Africa and return home for a showdown with Mrs May on Wednesday at which it was made clear her Cabinet career was over.

Priti Patel travels back to London

Her downfall came after it emerged she had a series of 12 engagements with senior Israeli figures - including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - during a holiday in the country in August.

She then held two additional meetings, one in the UK and one in the US, following her return from Israel.

In a further development, the Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported that during her stay in the country she visited an Israeli military field hospital in the occupied Golan Heights.

Britain, like other members of the international community, has never recognised Israeli control of the area seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Priti Patel and Theresa May at a meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York / PA Wire/PA Images

The meetings, without officials and in relation to one of the most sensitive areas of foreign policy, led to Ms Patel apologising and being given a dressing down by Mrs May on Monday.

But subsequent disclosures added to pressure on Ms Patel, culminating in the meeting in Downing Street which lasted around 30 minutes.

In her resignation letter Ms Patel said: "I accept that in meeting with organisations and politicians during a private holiday in Israel my actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a Secretary of State."

In a possible indication that she could be a standard-bearer for Brexiteers on the backbenches she vowed to "speak up for our country, our national interests and the great future that Britain has as a free, independent and sovereign nation".

In her letter to Ms Patel, the Prime Minister said: "As you know, the UK and Israel are close allies, and it is right that we should work closely together.

"But that must be done formally, and through official channels.

"That is why, when we met on Monday, I was glad to accept your apology and welcomed your clarification about the trip to Israel over the summer.

"Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated."
P rince Charles today warned that humanity seemed hellbent on testing this beautiful and singular planet of ours to destruction, in a major speech in the Indian capital.

He said the one-size-fits-all approach to globalisation cannot be the answer and will, I am convinced, lead us into a sterile, monocultural homogeneity that creates ever greater problems.

Such a society would rob the planet of solutions to climate change and resource depletion, he said, as water, energy and food insecurity stalk our most vulnerable populations.

In his speech at the British High Commission in New Delhi, the prince also hailed the extraordinary cultural, religious and geographic diversity of the Commonwealth.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive for a wreath laying ceremony at the All India War Memorial at the India Gate in New Delhi / EPA

He said it offered an unparalleled means to build bridges between our countries and fairer societies within them so that understanding and aspiration might be the inheritance of the generations that follow us.

Charles will play a leading role, alongside the Queen, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London and Windsor in April.

His mother was invited to be head of the Commonwealth on her ascension to the throne and the leaders of the 52 member states will decide if Charles follows her.

The prince, who had dinner with Indian PM Narendra Modi last night, said in his speech: The world can learn so much from India today, as indeed it has done through history and as I have done through my own life.

Earlier, Charles and Camilla laid a wreath at the India Gate war memorial. They arrive back in Britain today after their 11-day tour, which also took in Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.
T he last Paddington Bear book written by the late Michael Bond is set to be published.

The English author, who penned more than 150 books, died in June, aged 91, following a short illness.

He was inspired to write Paddington At St Paul's, a picture book, after getting involved in the National Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

His Reflection On The Passing Of The Years was read at the service in St Paul's Cathedral by Sir David Attenborough, who, like Mr Bond, was born in the same year as the Queen.

Paddington stars in this year's M&S Christmas advert / Marks and Spencer

In Paddington At St Paul's, chaos ensues when the bear is mistaken for a choirboy during a visit to the London landmark.

The announcement of the new book was made days before a memorial service is due to take place for the author at the cathedral.

Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, said: "If the outpouring of wonderful messages of condolence we received from my father's fans is anything to go by, there will be many people who will be delighted to learn there is another Paddington book to look forward to.

"Our family feel immensely proud that we will be honouring his life at St Paul's Cathedral and the fact that this is the setting for his final story makes it very special indeed."

HarperCollins Children's Books executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh said: "We are deeply honoured to be publishing the final Paddington story from our most cherished author, Michael Bond.

"Paddington At St Paul's is Michael's parting gift to all his fans - a simply classic Paddington story, brimming with curiosity, charm and affectionate exuberance."

She added: "It is illustrated by Bob Alley, who worked closely with Bond for many years and, in a beautiful serendipity, is set in St Paul's Cathedral where we will be celebrating Michael's life and works next week."

Bond became a beloved giant of children's literature after his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958, about the bear from Peru who loves marmalade.
A n upskirting victim campaigning for changes to sexual offence laws is a step closer to success after a group of MPs backed her petition.

Gina Martin, 25, was appalled that the man who took a photo up her skirt at a music festival in Hyde Park this summer faced no consequences, so set up a petition calling for upskirting to be added to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

It has now amassed more than 71,000 signatures.

Ms Martin, a writer, was told that despite the picture potentially falling under the offence of outraging public decency in England and Wales, it did not qualify as a sexual offence because she was wearing underwear.

The Met closed her case five days later.

However, under Scottish law upskirting is a sexual offence and today all 12 Scottish Conservative backbench MPs announced their support for Ms Martins campaign.

Gina Martin set up a petition online

Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson has also written to Secretary of State for Justice David Liddington about the issue.

Mr Thomson said: Gina is one of thousands of women who are abused in this way every year.

Stamping down harder on this type of offending will send a message that womens bodies are not property and sexual assault is not a prank.

Ms Martin told the Standard: I think women in general are told to brush off something like having a pervy photo taken of you as if its not a massive deal, but its harassment and its happening all the time.

I am delighted to have secured support from Scottish Conservative MPs, and were looking forward to securing support from their English counterparts in the days ahead.

It is important that the law recognises this as a sexual offence and not a public nuisance, so that women of England and Wales are supported just as Scottish women are.

Ryan Whelan, of Gibson Dunn, representing Ms Martin, added: While it may take time to work through the detail of law reform, we see no reason why the Government should not make a decision in principle immediately.

The 12 Scottish Conservative MPs who have backed the campaign are: Andrew Bowie, Colin Clark, David Duguid, Luke Graham, Bill Grant, Kirstene Hair, Alister Jack, Stephen Kerr, John Lamont, Paul Masterton, Douglas Ross and Mr Thomson.

View the petition here.
T he husband of a jailed British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has begged Boris Johnson to take him to Iran so he can see his wife and young child for the first time in 18 months.

Richard Ratcliffe has not seen his partner or three-year-old daughter Gabriella since his wife was imprisoned on suspicion of propaganda charges in April last year.

She denies the charges and claims she was taking her daughter to visit her grandparents in Tehran.

The Foreign Secretary wrongly said the charity worker, from Hampstead, was simply teaching people journalism during her trip  which is now being used as jurisdiction to extend her jail term.

Mr Johnson was forced to apologise to MPs on Tuesday for the mistake, and faced calls to quit.

Boris Johnson: Comments he made were reportedly being used in Tehran as a justification to extend the jail sentence imposed on a Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe / PA

He promised to fly out to the country following his gaffe, but her husband is now eager to join him so he can see his family for the first time in more than a year.

The Foreign Office is now understood to be planning a visit before Christmas, and Mr Ratcliffe wants to accompany Mr Johnson.

He said: "I think it would be a way of being able to get there and see Nazanin and certainly my daughter Gabriella."

Gabriella, now three, was with her mother when they were stopped by guards as they boarded a plane to leave Iran on April 3 last year. She has since been looked after by her grandparents.

"I've been struggling for months, not being able to get a visa to Iran. This would also show the Foreign Secretary is showing personal interest in solving Nazanin's case now.

"One thing she has picked up on, even in an Iranian prison, is that he was coming to visit and she was very pleased with that. She put in an application with the Iranian authorities to accept the request. So we are waiting for the Foreign Office to make it happen finally.

"That's what I wanted our government to do all along  offer her more protection."

INazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella / PA

The couple's MP Tulip Siddiq said: "Richard has tried for the last 19 months to get a visa to Iran - but it hasnt been successful so far.

"He is desperate to see his daughter, as any parent would be when they havent seen their child for 19 months.

"Richard has become a Skype parent - thats the only way he can communicate with his daughter, and shes forgetting her English and now only really speaks Farsi.

"If Boris could take my constituent with him to Iran, Richard could see Gabriella.

"I acknowledge Boris cant guarantee that Richard will see his wife, but going on an official delegation with the foreign secretary would enable him to see his daughter.

"It is the least Boris could do about his damaging comments last week - it would be a very appropriate gesture from the Foreign Secretary.
E mergency services have joined in taking advantage of Twitters new 280 character limit by imitating the sounds their vehicles make, weeks after police were criticised for putting gimmicks ahead of fighting crime.

London Ambulance Service sparked the bizarre display of banter among response teams by tweeting NEE-NAW, NEE-NAW.

Retweeting the post, their Air Ambulance colleagues replied: We go WOKKA-WOKKA WOKKA-WOKKA, alongside several helicopter emoji icons.

It quickly became a trend as emergency services teams, including Metropolitan Police units and British Transport Police (BTP) accounts, all joined in the fun.

It comes weeks after police forces across the country were criticised for a series of pointless stunts and time-wasting which included officers going on fairground dodgems while on duty, painting their nails and wearing Halloween masks.

Police were criticised for the gimmicks by senior officers. A stunt in South Wales saw police wearing high heels on duty to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman wrote online: The issues are serious and real, but this is an embarrassment. He added a thumbs down symbol.

BTP London took the phonetic fun to the next level, by tweeting a step by step emoji-based guide to how they respond to calls  all within 280 characters.

It comes after the social media giant introduced a new rule that allows twice the usual 140 characters in every post.

Shocked social media users were quick to show their appreciation for the unusual posts  which have been shared thousands of times.

One delighted Twitter user wrote: Now this is what the internet was invented for. Another said: Absolutely hysterical.

Another said: If there is a better use of 280 characters then I will have to see the proof.

Others urged their local emergency services to get involved, with one Twitter user posting to Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance: Are you going to sit on your helipad and say nothing?
P rince Harry fuelled speculation of an engagement to Meghan Markle as he joked with a war veteran about bringing her to a Westminster Abbey event next year.

Harry, 33, looked relaxed as he chatted and laughed with Matt Weston, a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan, who asked where his US actress girlfriend was during the Remembrance event on Thursday.

Mr Weston, 28, said: I took the Mickey and asked where his missus was and he said she wasnt here.

"I asked if she would come next time because she's awesome, and he said he couldn't hide her anywhere, but I said you wouldn't have to hide her.

"I would love to meet her - I think she's very cool. He's a very lucky man and she's brilliant."

Prince Harry lays poppies at Westminster Abbey 1 /17 Prince Harry lays poppies at Westminster Abbey Prince Harry fuelled speculation over a possible announcement between himself and Meghan Markle AP Harry speaks to veterans as he attends the official opening ceremony of The Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP The Prince laid a poppy at the ceremony Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP He shared a joke with an onlooker which fuelled speculation about his plans to marry Meghan Markle Neil Hall/EPA Getty Images Harry salutes during his visit to the Field of Remembrance Neil Hall/EPA Thumbs up: Prince Harry smiles for cameras at today's ceremony Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Harry joked he couldn't hide Meghan Markle anywhere in response to a cheeky question by a well-wisher Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Prince Harry pets Staffordshire Bull terrier Watchman V, the former mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment, at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance where he honoured the fallen ahead of Armistice Day Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry meets veterans at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry salutes to a child at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance where he honoured the fallen ahead of Armistice Day Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry shakes hands with a child at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance where he honoured the fallen ahead of Armistice Day. Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry salutes, during a ceremony ahead of Armistice Day, at the Fields of Remembrance Jeremy Selwyn

Prince Harry has been dating the star of legal drama Suits since about May last year. There have been reports that Harry and Meghan, who holidayed in Botswana in August, are already engaged.

Rumours went into overdrive in mid-October when it was reported that Meghan and the Queen had met and spent an hour together in Buckingham Palace drinking tea.

Prince Harry was at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance to lay a cross during a service ahead of Armistice Day, in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured together for the first time at Invictus Games / Getty Images for the Invictus Ga

He looked relaxed as he chatted and laughed with veterans from past and present conflicts.

Mr Weston, from Taunton, Somerset, lost both his legs when an improvised explosive device exploded in 2009 while he was serving with the Royal Engineers 33 Regiment.

Prince Harry lays a wreath at the event (EPA) / Neil Hall/EPA

"It was great seeing him again, I met him before at the Afghanistan and Iraq memorial unveiling," he added.

Harry also stopped to talk to seven-year-old Harrison Degiorgio-Lewis, who he recognised after meeting him at the Abbey last year.

Harrison's uncle, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in Afghanistan in December 2008 when insurgents attacked a forward operation base he jointly commanded with Danish troops.

Harrison, who was accompanied by his grandmother, Helen Lewis, was wearing his uncle's campaign medals and beret.

"He has been coming here for four years now to represent his uncle," said Mrs Lewis, 61, who lives near her grandson in Rochford, Essex.

She added: "Harry recognised him - they have a bond, as they share a birthday. Harry asked him about his uncle Aaron, and he said how proud he was."

The Prince, dressed in his Household Division frock coat and peaked cap, laid a cross in the grounds of Westminster Abbey when he arrived.

He solemnly saluted and stood in silence with hundreds of veterans as the Last Post was played.

Harry later stopped to talk to Joan De-Vall and Diana Lidstone, who served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army, during the Second World War.

Mrs Lidstone, 93, from Luton, said: "He asked how we were and if we're staying down over the weekend."

Mrs De-Vall, 92, added that was "wonderful" to meet Harry on the 100-year anniversary of women serving in the British military.

The Prince shared a joke with D-Day veteran George Chandler, 93, who has been coming to the event for 15 years.

Mr Chandler, who served with the Royal Navy Coastal Forces, said: "Last year he asked me what's in my bag and I said a bottle of water and a machine gun.

"This year I told him I didn't bring them and he laughed at that."

Around 70,000 tiny crosses, many carrying handwritten messages, are laid on 380 plots in the Abbey grounds representing military regiments, units, organisations and other groups.

Harry served for 10 years in the Army, and was twice deployed to Afghanistan.
N ew proposals could see the Scottish government allow adults and children to legally change their gender at the age of 16.

Currently in Scotland, an individual must be 18 to apply to a panel for a gender recognition certificate.

The new proposals plan to offer legal recognition of non-binary people for individuals who identify as neither male nor female.

It also plans to make it legal to self-declare which gender they want to be. This means that people who want to change gender will no longer have to provide medical evidence of diagnosis or treatment.

The new proposals also include legal recognition for non-binary people such as gender-neutral passports.

Speaking to the BBC, Scottish National Party Equalities Minister Angela Constance said: Scotland rightly has a reputation as one of the most progressive countries in relation to LGBTI legal and human rights equality in Europe  but we need to do more to progress equality for trans people,

She said: Both our Fairer Scotland action plan and this years programme for government commit to renewing the 2004 Gender Recognition Act.

This act was once considered ahead of its time but it now needs updating so we can ensure we are creating a fairer Scotland for those who are transgender and non-binary, she added.

Scottish Trans Alliance manager James Morton described the current gender change process in Scotland as "humiliating, offensive and expensive".

Mr Morton told the BBC:"Being able to change the gender on their birth certificate to match their other identity documents is important primarily to uphold trans people's privacy and dignity but also to ensure that their pensions, insurance policies, civil partnerships and marriages are all administered correctly.

"We urge the Scottish government to also provide legal gender recognition for non-binary trans-people so that all trans people can have equal inclusion and acceptance within Scottish society."
A ctor Corey Feldman has filed a report with police claiming he was sexually assaulted by Hollywood figures as a youngster.

The eighties child star, now 46, has previously alleged industry figures molested young actors including himself and Corey Haim.

The Los Angeles Police Department said it is investigating the claim and that no arrests have been made.

Feldman appeared on 'The Dr. Oz Show' last week to discuss his claims of widespread harassment in Hollywood.

He said he was sexually assaulted as a young actor and witnessed the sexual abuse of other young performers.

Feldman said in a lengthy online post Wednesday that he is "forever grateful" to the women who came forward with sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein because the story has resurrected interest in Feldman's claims of abuse.

The actor also defended his plans to make a film about sexual abuse in Hollywood and is seeking $10 million (7 million) in funding.

A spokeswoman for Feldman did not immediately respond to a request seeking further comment.
H undreds of New Yorkers collectively screamed at the sky in a protest to mark a year since Donald Trump was elected president.

Similar protests were held in cities across the US including Philadelphia, Dallas and Austin on Wednesday, although pictures suggested fewer people than expected turned up.

In New York, anti-Trump protesters gathered in Washington Square Park holding placards and signs. Footage from the scene showed the crowd howling up at the sky in anger.

Manhattan resident John Eng told the Patch: "I'm here to protest everything our president stands for. I believe the whole year has been a nightmare.

When you wake up one day, you believe it can't get any worse, you can't get any more angry. Then something happens the next day."

Eva Sahana, from the group Refuse Fascism, added: "We are screaming in rage, we are screaming in pain, but we are screaming in unity and solidarity cause we have a plan and a way forward.

A group of Trump supporters also reportedly attended the protests, handing out ear plugs to passers-by.

In Austin, Texas, reports on social media suggested just six people had turned up. In Philadelphia, footage from the scene showed a small group of around 10 people at one point.

Pictures suggested a similar number of people attended the protest in Dallas.

Demonstrations have taken place since Mr Trump was elected in 2016, including the Women's March after his January 20 inauguration and protests at airports in opposition to his controversial travel ban.

A poll by CNN revealed that only 40 per cent of Americans think he is doing a good job, while another 40 per cent believe he can bring the change the county requires.

Among Republicans, impressions of Mr Trump have worsened, with just 30 per cent saying they think he can unite the country, down 13 percentage points from last November.
P lans to sell off swathes of Americas last great wilderness to oil and gas developers have sparked outrage among environmentalists.

The move is expected to generate more than 763 million ($1 billion) in federal revenue.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), home to polar bears, moose and hundreds of species of migratory birds, could soon see corporations drilling for resources on its land.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation on Wednesday that would designate a portion of the 19 million acre area of Alaska to energy production.

If passed in the senate, the bill would allow 400,000 acres of the ANWR to be sold off to energy companies.

Demonstrators protest the threat to Alaskan polar bears during a hearing of the House Select Energy Independence and Global Warming Committee / Getty

Ms Murkowski said the legislation would put Alaska and the entire nation on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and businesses, generating new wealth, and strengthening our security.

She added it would reduce federal deficit not just by $1 billion over ten years, but tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars over the decades to come.

But the plans have sparked backlash among conservationists. Adam Kolton, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, said in a statement that nothing in this bill can magically make these fantastical revenue assumptions materialize."

The reserve covers a 19 million acre area / Getty

What this bill would do is turn Americas last great wilderness into a lost wilderness, Kolton said.

Democrats have also recoiled at the idea of drilling in the pristine natural landscape. Senator Maria Campbell said: If you want to open up the Arctic refuge, you should just admit youre going to destroy the wildlife refuge.

A measure to prevent the ANWR bill from moving forward was blocked by Senate Republicans last month.

Ms Murkowski defended the bill against claims lawkmakers are prioritising short-term economic gains over environmental protection.

This is not a choice between energy and the environment, she said. We are past that.

A committee hearing on Murkowskis bill is scheduled for 15 November.
B oris Johnson has dubbed Donald Trump a great global brand in an interview on American TV channel Fox News.

The Foreign Secretary was himself praised for being a great guest and made for television by the interviewer, who quizzed Mr Johnson on his opinion on US relations with Russia.

Asked about the perception of President Trump abroad, Cabinet minister Mr Johnson lavished praise on the billionaire businessman and said: I think youve got to realise the American president is just one of the huge great global brands.

He is penetrating corners of the global consciousness that I think few other presidents have ever done.

So his method of tweeting early in the morning - no matter how rambunctious those tweets may be - theyre communicating with people and yes, a lot of people dont like it but a lot of people relate to it.

And in an age when people have been turned off politics its more direct and its more communicative than a lot of previous presidents have managed.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

At the end of the interview, the TV host thanks Mr Johnson for his time and tells him: Boris, you were made for television.

I like the way you turned in the middle, thought about things. You are just a great guest.

The Foreign Secretary appeared on the President's favourite news channel. / FoxNews

His interview, in which he urged the US to keep the pressure on Russia to act over Syria and North Korea, was on Fox News  President Trumps favoured news outlet which often portrays him in a good light.

It comes as Boris Johnson faced growing calls to quit after his most serious blunder yet. It emerged Mr Johnson had told the Foreign Affairs Committee that jailed mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran.

The innocent holidaymaker is serving a five-year prison in the country over allegations of being involved in propaganda against the regime. Mr Johnsons comments sparked fears her sentence could be doubled.

Theresa May was the first foreign leader to pay a visit to Mr Trump after he was inaugurated in January.
T his was the moment Barack Obama stunned members of the public when he turned up for jury service in Chicago.

The former US president was ultimately dismissed from jury duty at the Richard J. Daley Centre, but only after having caused a major commotion.

He was photographed outside by people who had read news reports that he had been summoned.

In the courthouse lobby, people craned their necks for a glimpse of him and took mobile phone pictures.

As Mr Obama arrived in the room, mobile phone footage recorded by another nominee, Angel Martinez, shows him smiling and raising a hand.

He asks: "How's everybody doing?" He then quickly tells the other nominees to stay seated as they begin to rise for him.

He adds: "Thanks to everybody for serving on the jury, or at least being willing to. This looks like Chicago right here, I like that!"

People rush to take photos of the former president / AP

Mr Obama was not the first former president to be called for jury duty.

In 2015, former president George W. Bush answered the jury duty call in Dallas. He was not selected to sit on a jury.

In 2003, Mr Bush's predecessor in the White House, Bill Clinton, reported for jury duty in federal court in New York City. He also was not selected.

TV star Oprah Winfrey was on a Chicago jury that convicted a man of murder in 2004.
A former US newsreader has accused Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting her teenage son.

In a tearful press conference, Heather Unruh said the actor had bought her son "drink after drink" after they met at a restaurant in Massachusetts in July 2016.

She then accused him of sticking his hand down the 18-year-old's trousers and touching his genitals.

It is the latest accusation made against Oscar-winning Spacey, who is being investigated by police in the UK over an alleged sexual assault in Lambeth in 2008.

Accused: Kevin Spacey has faced a backlash after allegations of sexual assault / AFP/Getty Images

Ms Unruh told reporters: "To Kevin Spacey, I want to say this: Shame on you for what you did to my son.

"Nothing could have prepared my son for how that sexual assault would make him feel as a man."

She said her son had not reported the alleged assault at the time because he was embarrassed.

He filed a report with police last week, she added.

Nantucket police chief Bill Pittman said that Massachusetts law does not allow them to confirm or deny a report of sexual assault.

Netflix has cut ties with the House Of Cards star and suspended the show's sixth season indefinitely since allegations first emerged.

It comes after Spacey was sensationally accused of making a drunken sexual advance towards Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp

Rapp says he was just 14 at the time of the alleged assault.

Since then, three more men have spoke out against Spacey, including a West Sussex barman who alleged the actor offered him a 5,000 watch when he was 19-years-old to keep him quiet after exposing himself.

A lawyer for Spacey has been contacted for comment.
A merican man John Lewis is warming up for an annual onslaught of Twitter messages as the retail chains Christmas advert comes out.

The father-of-four is frequently confused for the high street brand on social media, as customers tweet him at the handle @johnlewis instead of @johnlewisretail.

And each year the long suffering teacher calmly responds to scores of users who message him in error.

The retail company will release its much anticipated promo, hailed by many as the start of the festive season, on Friday morning,

What are believed to be teasers for the trailer are already out there, along with plenty of speculation around the content of the advert.

And Mr Lewis, from Blacksburg, Virginia, has already started his trademark responses.

Referring to a hashtag widely believed to be associated with the advert, he tweeted on Tuesday: Trust me, no one wants to know what's under my bed. #UnderTheBed.

When mistakenly asked by one Twitter user when the famous advert would be released, he responded: "Any moment now, or so I'm told by 1.79 quadrillion people."

When Mr Lewis was asked by one Twitter user: Where is your contribution to the Christmas advert wars?! @marksandspencer had #PaddingtonBear lets see yours," he responded: "I'm more like Winnie the Pooh, truth be told.

Meanwhile another person said: Ironically #UnderTheBed is where the eternally patient @johnlewis is planning to spend the coming weeks of @johnlewisretail advert hysteria.

Mr Lewis profile reads: Computer science educator, father of four, social liberal, atheist, and not a retail store.

Last year after being inundated with tweets, he was sent a Christmas package by shop bosses.

He wrote: "Received a huge package from @johnlewisretail including this amazing embroidered cushion. So cool! Thank you very much!"
U S Vice President Mike Pence has said the American Air Force is partly to blame for the mass shooting at a small church in Texas which left 26 dead.

Mr Pence spoke at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon outside the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where the shootings happened.

He criticised the Air Force for failing to record information about gunman Devin Kelleys criminal history that could have blocked him from buying a gun.

He said: We now know it was a crime that the assailant was ever able to purchase a firearm in the first place.

Investigators at the scene of the mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs / AP

He lied on his application, had a history of mental illness and there were bureaucratic failures.

Im informed by Sec. Heather Wilson that the Air Force is moving aggressively to review why this error occurred and that review will be completed in days, not weeks.

Mr Pence began his trip to Texas by visiting Brooke Army Medical Centre at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to meet with victims wounded in the shooting.

Devin Kelley

Then he, his wife and Texas officials met with victims' families, first-responders and two men who pursued the gunman.

Mr Pence said President Donald Trump had authorised a full complement of federal resources to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

Ex-airman Kelley killed 26 people and injured another 20 when he attacked a church outside San Antonio.

Trump argues that tougher gun laws might have led to more deaths in Texas

It has since been revealed he was court-martialled for domestic violence in 2012 and barred from owning or buying guns.

However, last year he was able to purchase the rifle he used in Sundays attack, which was reportedly motivated by a row with his in-laws.

He was found dead in his car after being chased from the church by armed bystanders. Police said he died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound.

The Air Force said in a statement: "Initial information indicates that Kelley's domestic violence offense was not entered into the National Criminal Information Center database by the Holloman Air Force Base Office of Special Investigations."

It said an investigation had been launched into the failure, in conjunction with the Department of Defense.

Kelley is believed to have been dishonourably discharged from the Air Force for allegedly assaulting his spouse and child, and was sentenced to 12 months' confinement after a 2012 court-martial.
T he Prince of Wales showed off his romantic side today, by calling the Duchess of Cornwall his mehabooba.

Charles used the phrase, which means darling or beloved in Urdu, during his speech at the British High Commission.

An official said: He was planning to refer to Camilla as his darling in the speech but asked for the Urdu translation.

You would not call your wife mehabooba every day - only on special occasions, so today was the perfect opportunity for him to use it.

The prince also undertook his first interview of the Commonwealth tour when he was quizzed by children for his plans when he is king.

Primary school children aged from seven to nine were given the chance to ask him questions on his final day in New Delhi.

Asked by a pupil for his favourite book, Charles replied: Have any of you read the Harry Potter books yet? They are very good books.

A second child then asked for his favourite actor, with the prince saying: Gracious me, when I think about it there are so many of them.

There is a very good actor called Sir Antony Sher who is a brilliant Shakespearean actor, and everything else.

There are lots of others though.

The prince spent time with children from Lajpat Nagar-III School at the British Council, as the thick New Delhi smog forced a change of venue.

A third pupil, a nine-year-old girl named Pragya, had a more specific question, asking: When you become king, will you build a fort?

Exclaiming I will! to make the children laugh, he went on to to clarify he had no serious plans for a fort-building.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall gave her royal seal of approval to a womens taxi service as she hopped in one of their cars for a drive.

Camilla was learning more about "Women on Wheels", an award winning social initiative that enables women from disadvantaged backgrounds to be trained as drivers in the bustling Indian capital, while also offering safe transport options to female travellers.
A photo of the last northern white rhino in the world capable of breeding has won the heart's of the internet amid claims he is 'waiting for extinction'.

The death of Sudan, a male white rhino, will mark the extinction of the sub-species unless artificially assisted reproduction efforts are successful.

The 42-year-old is one of three rhinos of his sub-species left on the planet. All three remaining rhinos are housed at the Ol Pejeta reserve in Kenya.

Biologist Dan Schneider posted a picture of Sudan on Twitter this week to raise awareness of the northern white rhinos' plight. He was retweeted more than 40,000 times.

Sudan is the last hope for the species as his two fellow remaining female rhinos are incapable of natural production.

Northern white rhinos have been driven to extinction in the wild after their home range of Uganda, Chad, Sudan the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo was ravaged by poachers and civil war.

In 2009, the price of rhino horn was approximately $3,000 (2,288) per kilogram. In some places it fetches up to $60,000 (45,764).

Sudan, who was born in the wild in Southern Sudan in 1973, was captured and put in the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic at the age of two. In 2009, he was moved to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in a project to save his species.

He even appeared on Tinder earlier this year as part of the Most Eligible Bachelor campaign, where users could donate to the cause if they swiped left.

Conservationists say artificially assisted reproduction is the only hope for the sub-species.

Sudan entering a transport box on his way from a Czech zoo to the Ol Pejeta reserve (Getty / Michael Cizek ) / Getty / Michael Cizek

Its future depends on the development of in-vitro fertilisation techniques and stem cell technology to help the females get pregnant.

These procedures are costly, and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is trying to raise $9 million (6.87m) to go towards Assisted Reproductive Techniques.

Mathieu Plassard, the Regional Managing Director of Ol Pejeta Conservatory, said in a statement: "We are in a race. A race against the extinction of the northern white rhino species. We urgently need to raise awareness and funds for Sudan.

To donate to Sudans GoFundMe page here.
A US family on a five-year campervan tour of South America have told of their traumatic ordeal after surviving an attack from pirates.

The young family-of-four from California set off in October 2012 and since then have been documenting their thrilling adventures to tens of thousands of social media followers.

But couple Adam and Emily Harteau and their two daughters, aged six and three, went missing in Brazils Amazon rainforest, sparking fears they had been kidnapped.

Last week they were rescued by a ferry captain who heard shouting and saw the desperate family pleading for help.

Recounting their ordeal, Adam and Emily Harteau told how a gang of pirates had taken over a riverboat they were travelling on and held the terrified family hostage at gunpoint.

The family were missing for days after pirates attacked their boat. / AP

In the dead of night as the pirates were busy offloading cargo, Mr and Mrs Harteau took their daughters into the river and swam a mile and a half to the opposite river bank.

They used a surfboard to keep afloat and, once on the other side of the river, hid in the jungle for the next three days.

On their fourth day living in the forest, which is home to jaguars, poisonous spiders and anacondas, and after covering a distance of six miles, the family decided to flee for help and swam towards a passing ferry.

Dinei dos Santos, the manager of the boat which rescued them, told the Wall Street Journal: They were very, very scared, hungry and covered by insect bites.

The family with police and residents in Para, Brazil, after being rescued. / AP

They climbed onboard and rushed to a corner. I think they only wanted to feel safe.

The family posted a photo to Instagram of them safe and well next to the surfboard which helped bring them away from danger.

We couldnt be more ecstatic to say that WE ARE ALIVE! the family wrote.

The afternoon of Sunday, October 29th marked the beginning of a gruelling and terrifying 100-hour nightmare.

Armed pirates boarded the vessel we were on, taking our family hostage in the remote Brazilian Amazon.

We escaped on a surfboard and were on the run for our lives until we chose to be spotted by a large passenger ferry on our fourth day in the wilds.

Our ransacked van remains in Brazil, but we have returned stateside and are in the loving embrace of our family and friends.

The couple added: As we process these traumatic events, we will be looking inward to focus on the healing of our family.

We are so grateful for all of your well wishes in these difficult times and want to relay our love for Brazil, which remains even after the hell we survived.

To the Brazilian authorities and the US Embassy for their recovery efforts and assistance in our safe passage back to the USA: our deepest gratitude will not sufficiently address the mark these kindnesses have stamped in our hearts. We bow in deepest thanks.

According to the Wall Street Journal, piracy and drug trafficking are frequent in the mammoth Amazon forest.

In the Para state, where the family were ambushed, there have been 641 pirate attacks from 2011 to October 2017.



The Amazon jungle is the world's largest tropical rainforest and covers part of Brazil, Colombia and Peru.
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The presidents of Sudan (Bashir) and South Sudan (Kiir) met for two days of meetings on the 1 st and agreed to settle their border dispute and begin reopening the ten closed border crossings and enforcing the demilitarized zone. The two leaders also reaffirmed their earlier agreement not to support rebels from the other Sudan. South Sudan also agreed to begin repaying $3.2 billion in oil pipeline fees for moving oil to foreign customers via Sudanese pipelines. The initial payment of $262 million will be made using oil (which South Sudan has), not cash (which it has little of). Continued payments apparently depend on Sudan preventing smugglers from moving weapons to South Sudan. Oil revenue supplies nearly all the South Sudan government income. But the oil cannot be easily sold unless Sudan allows that oil to move through Sudan to an export facility via a pipeline.

Foreign diplomats stationed in South Sudan report that all remained calm in the capital while the president Kiir was negotiating in Sudan. Despite the continuing unrest throughout the South Sudan and anger at the Kiir government there is still a lot of South Sudanese who want peace and change.

Rebel leaders have been urging that peace talks be revived by ignoring Salvaa Kiir and Riek Machar and seeking other South Sudan leaders to negotiate a peace deal. This suggestion has some appeal. South Sudan president Salvaa Kiir is Dinka. The senior rebel (SPLM-IO) leader, Riek Machar, is Nuer. The civil war, from the beginning, was a very personal feud between Kiir and Machar made worse by the traditional rivalry of those two tribes. It is generally agreed that Kiir is corrupt and mainly out for himself and his Dinka supporters. Machar has opponents within the SPLM-IO and that is one reason why he remains in exile in South Africa. Back in South Sudan the government finds that the main cause of the rebellion, corruption, was still widespread and causing more pro-government groups to rebel or become neutral. What this proposal comes down to is persuading Kiir and Machar to go into exile, with an amnesty and help with their financial security. Kiir has already stolen and exported a lot of cash while Machar (who is more outspoken and hostile about corruption) does not. Removing these two men from the scene has a certain appeal but is unlikely to happen. Kiir still believes he can prevail, which is possible in the short run. But that would produce a lasting blood feud between the Dinka and most of the other tribes of South Sudan.

In South Sudan refugees in camps around the capital complain that foreign aid groups running the camps are working with the government to conceal the wretched living conditions most of the refugees (nearly all South Sudanese) have to endure. Another example of the culture of corruption that prevails in Sudan and South Sudan. Up north Sudan leader Bashir, under indictment for war crimes in Darfur, accuses foreign aid groups of exploiting the misery in Darfur to keep locals dependent on the refugee camps. Bashir has been playing nice lately, trying to generate some good will in the UN to get the war criminal business dismissed and the peacekeepers out of Sudan.

Corruption is a problem on both sides of the civil war and the UN has had some success on freezing bank accounts and finding stolen funds belonging to senior leaders on both sides who have had individual sanctions imposed. But the aid donor nations are not happy with the endless calls for more money to keep refugee camps growing and going on what seems to be a permanent basis. Everyone wants change but doesnt quite know how to go about it.

Meanwhile the neighbors are not pleased with the continuing chaos in Sudan, particularly South Sudan. In eastern Congo (North Kivu province) there are at least 400 South Sudan rebels taking refuge from their civil war across the border. The chaos in South Sudan makes it easier for all manner of outlaws to move around and do what they want (as long as they can bribe or intimidate the locals).

November 7, 2017: In South Sudan the army lost another dozen or so Dinka officers to the rebels along with about 200 troops. This group switched allegiance to SPLM-IO rebels because of the corruption and mismanagement in the capital. The defectors complained of troops not being paid and favoritism shown to tribal affiliation when it came to promotion. Most of the defectors were also unhappy at how the former chief of staff Paul Malong was being treated.

November 6, 2017: In Sudan the president declared a state of emergency for Gezira state (100 kilometers southeast of the capital) because political factions in the state were escalating their disputes and chaos was becoming common.

November 5, 2017: In Sudan the government revealed that last week, in western Sudan (South Darfur) RSF paramilitaries seized 19 tons of hashish after a brief gun battle with the smugglers. RSF received a tip that the smugglers would be moving the drugs (from South Sudan and Ethiopia) to Khartoum, the Sudan capital.

November 3, 2017: In the South Sudan capital the government encountered resistance when they ordered general Malong to give up most of his 30 bodyguards. Since the end of August former army chief of staff General Paul Malong has been "confined to his home for security reasons." If it sounds like house arrest, it probably is, even though the government denies Malong is under arrest. Malong was fired as chief of staff in May after other generals accused the army of tribal bias. Malong is a Dinka and has many supporters in the army.

November 2, 2017: The South Sudan the government admitted that it was broke and that, not corruption, was the reason may troops (and other government employees) had not been paid on time.

In southern South Sudan (Yei River state) army and SPLM-IO rebels fought over control of the town of Ombachi Payam.

November 1, 2017: In South Sudan (Northern Liech state) rebels clashed with soldiers blocking the way to a UN refugee camp where the rebels were bringing some of their wounded. The rebels apparently withdrew before suffering any more casualties. Refugee camps frequently become informal bases for the people responsible for the violence. In this case the government forces are guarding the main roads and other routes refugees would use to reach the camp.

October 31, 2017: In western Sudan (Darfur) RSF militiamen ambushed some armed smugglers headed east towards the capital (Khartoum) and seized two truckloads of hashish (19 tons of it). The RSF were operating in Darfur as part of a major security operation that began in mid-October. Some 20,000 paramilitary (Janjaweed) fighters of the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) were sent, under army and police supervision, to forcibly disarm 8,000 former Janjaweed fighters belonging to the SRAC (Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council) and led by a prominent local tribal leader Musa Hilal. The RSF was also told to crack down on all sorts of criminal behavior as well. The RSF was formed in 2013 from members of Janjaweed (pro-government tribal militias) that participated in some of the more notorious operations in the Darfur region. In 2013 some pro-government Arab tribes had turned to fighting each other because subsidies (for fighting black African tribes) from the government have been cut in the last few years because the government lost control of the oil in the newly independent South Sudan. For more than a decade the government has been trying to deal with the side effects of using the Janjaweed. One aspect of this was imposing more discipline on the RSF and improving their pay and benefits. The fact that the RSF turned over 19 tons of smuggler hashish is a good sign. Several more tons of hashish may also have disappeared along the way but that wont be clear for a while. Meanwhile president Bashir is using the better behavior of the RSF to support his call for the refugee camps in Darfur to be closed and the refugees, as well as the non-Sudanese foreign aid workers, to all go home along with all the other UN personnel, including the peacekeepers. The UN is inclined to go along with this, under right conditions, because there are more pressing need for foreign aid and peacekeepers (both in limited supply) elsewhere.

October 30, 2017: In the south (Maridi State) there were several clashes between the army and rebels over the weekend, leaving at least six dead.

October 26, 2017: In the northwest (Aweil State) some 70 rebels from the SSPA/SSPM rejoined the government forces.

October 25, 2017: The South Sudan government ordered tribes that move their herds of animals freely along the southern states of Jubek, Yei River, Imatong, Maridi and Amadi must no longer cross state borders seeking pasture and water for their animals. This order is in response to growing complaints from farmers in all those states because herders from other states come around and destroy crops while seeking pasturage for their animals.

October 23, 2017: In central South Sudan (Gok state) the state governor has asked the national government to discourage members of parliament from Gok state encouraging more fighting between factions of the Dinka tribes. This violence has been more frequent this year and in the last week over a hundred have died and many more wounded. The violence is getting worse and it is generally over ownership of cattle and access to territory.

October 20, 2017: In South Sudan a rebel faction (SSDF, South Sudan Democratic Front) has left the main rebel alliance (SPLM-IO) and joined another rebel organization. This is becoming more common because SPLM-IO negotiated a 2015 peace deal that fell apart and the SPLM-IO leader, former vice-president Riek Machar is stuck in South Africa. He arrived there in late 2016 when he feared for his life in the South Sudan capital. Machar soon found himself confined to a house outside of Pretoria, though that is disputed by South African authorities. Nevertheless Machar is not available in South Sudan.

October 18, 2017: In southern South Sudan (near the White Nile River and the Ugandan border) two rival rebel factions have been fighting for nearly a week and at least three people have been killed and many more wounded. The fighting was apparently over control of a supply route from Uganda that many rebel factions depend on.

October 16, 2017: In South Sudan an army officer accused of leading 2016 attacks on foreign aid workers was found dead in his cell, where he was awaiting trial. Doctors, after about a week, concluded it was natural causes and at that point the media was told.

October 14, 2017: In southeastern South Sudan Toposa tribemen crossed the border into Kenya and attacked a high school, killing a teacher and six students. This was part of a feud between Kenyan and South Sudan students at the school. The Toposa are herders and have long feuded with other tribes in South Sudan and Kenya.
Amazon on Wednesday began shipping its latest smart home product, a security camera that works with its Alexa personal assistant and Echo speakers.

The Amazon Cloud Cam allows customers to live-stream activity inside their home 24/7. It features 1080p full HD resolution, two-way audio for communicating with family members or pets, night vision technology, and sophisticated algorithms that use machine learning to figure out if the stranger entering your house is the building super or a possible burglar.

The smart cam, which retails for US$119.99, is incorporated into Amazon Key, which raised a ruckus upon its introduction late last month. The system allows drivers to open the doors of Prime members who want to have packages left inside their homes.

Delivery Watch

Customers using the Amazon Key program will need a compatible smart lock from Yale or Kwikset that allows delivery drivers to enter the home during a specified delivery time window. Users can watch as the driver opens the door, sets the delivery inside, and closes the door.

Amazon plans to coordinate the secure home entry system with more than 1,200 different service and delivery companies, including Merry Maids and Rover.com dog walkers.

Intelligent home security devices are likely to disrupt the traditional home security monitoring industry over the next few years, said Andrew Howard, chief technology officer at Kudelski Security.

Paying for remote physical security monitoring may soon be a relic of the past, as consumers can save money and often receive better service while maintaining the same piece of mind with many of the same home security devices being offered by companies like Amazon and Google, he told TechNewsWorld.

The Amazon Cloud Cam uses the Alexa voice technology to connect with smart speakers like the Echo Show and Echo Spot, as well as Amazon Fire TV devices and Fire tablets, to let users see who is inside or entering their home.

Users can watch the video feed from anywhere in the home using one of those devices, or they can watch remotely on their mobile devices using an iOS or Android app. When users are away from home, the Cloud Cam can be set up to send notifications to their phones, alerting them when motion is detected.

For an additional subscription, Amazon will support additional cameras in the home and provide increased storage and unlimited downloads. The subscription also allows for person detection, a way to flag human activity inside the home.

The machine learning technology can tell when the motion is caused by something expected, like a pet, or by something unexpected  like an intruder.

There is a growing market for automated home security cameras, with more than 90 different makers around the world shipping about 10,000 units per year, noted Blake Kozak, principal analyst for smart home and security technology at IHS Markit.

The market in the U.S. is currently estimated to be worth about $460 million, and has grown about 13 percent from a year ago, he told TechNewsWorld.

Amazon introduced the Cloud Cam as a way to build out its home automation ecosystem, Kozak said. Given the companys expanding grocery business and the $13 billion acquisition of Whole Foods, this likely is just the beginning of the process.

Thats really going to really let Amazon deliver a more customized home experience, he said.

Featured Rivals

Rival devices from Nest and other firms offer higher-end technology than the Amazon Cloud Cam. For example, the Nest Cam IQ includes SuperSight technology, a 4K sensor with HDR, close-up tracking, familiar face alerts with a NestAware subscription, noise cancellation and echo suppression.

Integration with Google Home is slated for this winter, and the company plans to introduce Nest Hello video doorbells by 2018.

Nest recently introduced the Nest Secure alarm system, which includes motion detectors, voice control, and optional remote security monitoring.

Despite the increasing activity, the smart home cameras impact on the home security market likely will be limited until the devices capabilities expand, suggested William Malik, vice president for infrastructure strategies at Trend Micro.

Amazons weakness in the home security market is the absence of a real person to speak with, he told TechNewsWorld.

Intrusive Tech

Despite the increasing interest in these devices, privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the risk to consumers  who might lose control over their private information  versus the benefit of having these devices in their home.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center two years ago asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Alexa voice technology, and asked the Department of Justice whether such listening devices violated provisions of federal wiretapping laws. Some privacy advocates feared Alexa was monitoring users everyday activities.

A lot of tech experts are expressing serious skepticism about [Internet of Things] in the home, Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told TechNewsWorld. The benefits are overstated, and the risks are substantial.
The size of the 2013 hack on Yahoo was incredible. After initially announcing that one billion users had been affected, the company later admitted that every one of its 3 billion+ accounts had been compromised, making it one of the biggest tech fails of the last decade. Four years after the incident, former CEO Marissa Mayer has apologized and said the details are still a mystery.

Speaking before the Senate Commerce Committee after being subpoenaed last month---she had previously denied multiple requests to testify---Mayer said: "As you know, Yahoo was the victim of criminal, state-sponsored attacks on its systems, resulting in the theft of certain user information. As CEO, these thefts occurred during my tenure, and I want to sincerely apologize to each and every one of our users."

"Unfortunately, while all our measures helped Yahoo successfully defend against the barrage of attacks by both private and state-sponsored hackers, Russian agents intruded on our systems and stole our users' data."

Mayer stepped down from her position as Yahoo CEO just after the company was acquired by Verizon in June. Last month, it was revealed that every Yahoo account was affected by the 2013 hack. Verizon said it learned the new information after the purchase and disclosed it within a week.

Back in March, the Department of Justice indicted two Russian intelligence agency officers, along with two others, in connection to a 2014 cyberattack on Yahoo that compromised 500 million of its accounts. Mayer has said that she doesn't know if Russian operatives were also behind the 2013 hack.

Exactly how the attacks were carried out is still unknown. "To this day we have not been able to identify the intrusion that led to this theft," Mayer said. "We don't exactly understand how the act was perpetrated. That certainly led to some of the areas where we had gaps of information." Yahoo did not know about the breaches until US agencies presented it with evidence in November 2016.
The 2016 San Bernardino iPhone controversy resulted in a very public feud between the FBI and Apple, and it looks as if the animosity from that incident still remains. Earlier this week, the feds indirectly blamed the company for not being able to access Texas gunman Devin P. Kelley's iPhone, but Apple said it would have happily helped if it had been asked. It even contacted the FBI to offer its assistance.

At a press conference on Tuesday, FBI special agent Christopher Combs said the phone, since identified as an iPhone, that belonged to the deceased Kelley had been transported to the agency's Quantico headquarters in the hope of obtaining some important information. "Unfortunately, at this point in time, we are unable to get into that phone," he said.

"It highlights an issue that you've all heard about before, with the advance of the technology and the phones and the encryptions, law enforcement, whether that's at the state, local or federal level, is increasingly not able to get into these phones," Combs added.

But Apple told Business Insider that the FBI still hasn't asked for its help. In a statement, the company said it reached out to the agency after the press conference to offer assistance and "expedite our response to any legal process."

The Washington Post reports that the FBI didn't ask anything of Apple at this point as it was trying to determine other methods of accessing the phone's data, a process that could take weeks.

The fact the FBI never accepted Apple's assistance within 48 hours of the shooting, which left 26 dead and many injured, means it missed a vital window of opportunity to access the handset. Assuming Touch ID was enabled, Kelley's fingerprint may have been able to unlock the device. But Touch ID is disabled 48 hours after it was last activated or when the phone is powered off.

The FBI will now need to find other ways to access the information, which could involve serving Apple with a court order for Kelley's iCloud data.

Apple's refusal to create a backdoor so the FBI could access San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone 5c led to a nationwide privacy vs. security debate. The agency eventually turned to a third party for assistance, suspected to be Israeli firm Cellebrite.
PC cooling specialist Cryorig turned to Kickstarter earlier this year to fund production of Taku, a retro-inspired Mini-ITX PC chassis that doubles as a monitor stand. Solid effort aside, the campaign came up well short of its $100,000 funding goal with just $48,051 raised from 138 backers.

It looked like the end of the road for the case but this story will have a happy ending after all.

In what can only be viewed as good news for interested parties, Cryorig has elected to move forward with production despite the setback.

The company said the response from the PC community and media outlets was enough to encourage them to continue with the project alongside co-developer and manufacturing partner Lian Li.

The chassis, if you recall, is meant to house a high-end Mini-ITX machine in a space-saving design. It utilizes a slide-out hardware tray with support for two 2.5-inch drives, a single 3.5-inch hard drive and a graphics card measuring up to 280mm in length. CPU coolers up to 48mm tall are also compatible.

Cryorig, which has been working on the case for over two years, will launch Taku in the US, Japan and Taiwan in December at an MSRP of $299. Kickstarter backers will have the option to pre-order the case with delivery guaranteed by the end of the year. Backers will also receive a complementary Cryorig C7 cooler.

Cryorig will bring the case to additional markets in the first half of 2018, we're told.
A tour guide in Hawaii lost his GoPro camera in a lava flow but when he fished it out later, he was surprised to find that it had survived.

Eric Storm runs a guide business called Kilauea EcoGuides which tours the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii. He was guiding a group about 16 months ago when he decided to place his GoPro in a fissure to film the lava flowing down the crack.

He was telling a story to the tourists and had forgotten about the camera - until it caught on fire.

He told PetaPixel, "[Later] I used a geology rock hammer to pull it out of the lava and thought it was a total loss."

However, after getting the camera back home and chiseling off the hardened rock, he noticed the Wi-Fi light was blinking. He pulled out the SD card, and the video was fully intact, even up to and after being covered with molten lava.

"The camera even still worked although not a well as it did before," he said. "Truly amazing it survived!"

GoPro cameras have always been known for their rugged nature. They are the go-to choice for anybody that needs a camera that can survive a tumble down a snowy mountain or a plunge into a lake. I don't think engineers intended for it to ever have to face off with a volcano but the fact that it survived does say a lot about the camera's durability.

Video and Image courtesy PetaPixel
Tuesday's polling was not just about politicians being voted in or out. There were also plenty of referenda on the ballots that voters got to pass or nix.

In Fort Collins, Colorado, citizens were asked to approve or decline a measure that would allow the city to create a city-run broadband utility to provide Internet services. The official results show Ballot Question 2B passing with over 57 percent of the vote.

The passage of the measure does not require that the city council create the utility but instead gives it the option to do so and authorizes it to enter into partnerships with private companies to get it done. The Coloradoan reports that the council is leaning toward building a fiber network and has already scheduled a work session for later in the month to discuss how to move forward with the plan.

The adoption of 2B was a huge slap in the face to Comcast and other big-telecom special interests that lobbied against the measure.

"I was very encouraged with the passage today, and particularly with the headwinds of incumbents trying to misinform the electorate," said Mayor Wade Troxell. "And also, I was very disappointed in the (Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce) playing an active role in misinformation. I think there is some accountability that has to come out post-election."

Telecoms campaigned against the proposal through the local political group Priorities First Fort Collins and the Chamber of Commerce. The group reportedly spent $451,564 opposing the measure. That total is 50 times what grassroots efforts spent supporting 2B.

The Fort Collins Citizens Broadband Committee only spent a little over $9,000 promoting the ballot question, mostly through social media.

"The city could do a better job of delivering fast and affordable Internet service than private service currently available in the city," the group maintained.

Local business owner Bob Carnahan said, "This to me is the tip of the iceberg when we have such a population in this country that believes bigger government is better government."

Bigger government is not always the best solution to a problem. However, there is a widespread issue of big telecoms coming into an area and buying up local providers, then providing sub-standard service to customers at premium prices only because they have no other competition in the area. In this particular instance, a governmental solution might be the best answer, especially considering that Fort Collins residents are not happy with the current service being provided.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, was in a similar situation last spring, only to have the state step in and forbid the will of the people. Fort Collins residents can only hope that special interests don't petition the state to subvert their wishes as well.
Vice President Rodriguez reiterated that the 1966 Geneva Agreement is the only legal instrument in force to achieve a solution on the dispute over the Essequibo. | Read More
Bob Lutz Confirms The Auto Channel's Vision On The Possible Demise of The Auto Industry

SEE ALSO: Silicon Valley On Its Way To Disrupt The Auto Industry and The Historic Need For Traditional Car Companies

SEE ALSO: Autonomous Driving May Kill The Automobile Industry And Our Freedom Of Mobility

Michael J. Coren writing for MSN COMPLETE ARTICLE) reported in an interview with Bob Lutz the ultimate car guy that its not every day a titan of industry predicts the demise of his own. But Bob Lutz, the former chairman of General Motors, believes the auto industry is not long for this world.

It saddens me to say it, but we are approaching the end of the automotive era, he writes this month for Automotive News. Our daily travel, he predicts, will migrate to standardized passenger modules as the demolition of the traditional auto industry accelerates. Within five years, he expects, people will start selling their cars for scrap or trade then in for autonomous passenger modules as self-driving cars take over transportation. Within 20 years, human-driven vehicles will be legislated off highways. Companies like Lyft, Uber, Google and other technology companies will take charge of an industry now centered in Detroit, Germany, and Japan.

The end state will be the fully autonomous module with no capability for the driver to exercise command, he writes. You will call for it, it will arrive at your location, youll get in, input your destination and go to the freeway.

Fleet owners like FedEx and UPS will be the first to defect to self-driving vehicles. Cost savings from autonomous (likely electric) vehicles are just too great. Others have predicted the same thing: RethinkX, a Bay Area think tank, expects shared autonomous electric vehicles will account for almost all road travel by 2030 thanks to their low maintenance and fuel costs, as well as their ability to work around the clock.

Lutz started his automotive career at GM in 1963, then went on to have senior leadership roles with BMW, Ford, and Chrysler until retiring in 2010. His view of legacy car companies is nothing short of apocalyptic.

He predicts the companies that actually manufacture cars will become less valuable as the importance of those that own fully autonomous fleets grows. Expect the relationship between companies like Ford and Uber to resemble the one between Foxconn and Apple: manufacturing companies make products in obscurity, while technology companies grab most of the visibility and profits. Premium-car makers and dealerships are doomed. As transportation is commodified into an on-demand service, the market for individually owned cars will shrink, and be kept afloat by only a few car fanatics.

This death sentence could be premature, argues Sven Beiker, who spent 13 years at BMW before joining Stanford University. The auto industry that has anchored the US economy for generations with about 4 million jobs from manufacturing to retail in the US, and as much as $953 billion in economic activity. Its transformation will not happen overnight.

Typically, we extrapolate a lot: I know what an automobile is, therefore I know what an autonomous car is, he says. Thats just not true. Silicon Valleys tech giants, while adept at bits and bytes, have not yet proven themselves as successful at rearranging atoms for something as large and sophisticated as a car. Even Tesla, Silicon Valleys standout in the industry, has only manufactured about 250,000 vehicles during its 14-year lifetime. Volkswagen, Toyota, and GM each sell about 10 million cars per year.
AUTO LAB TALK RADIO LIVE FROM NYC SATURDAY MORNING! 7-9 AM November 11, 2017







Auto Lab Talk Radio

The Auto Lab Radio Show LIVE every Saturday 7 to 9 AM On New York City's WNYM Radio AM 970 and Streamed Worldwide On The Auto Channel

This Weeks Show Broadcast Date: November 11, 2017

Car Question or Concern? Call Toll Free 888-692-7234

Auto Lab is a 28 year old interactive automotive-focused New York area radio call-in show hosted by Professor Harold Wolchok. Each week a cadre of experienced hands-on automotive experts are in-studio with advice for the New York area's 12 million people, providing listeners with honest, practical and street-smart car repair and buying advice.

Auto Lab is also about the automotive industry, its history, and its culture, presenting the ideas and advice of leading college faculty, authors, and automotive practitioners in a relaxed, conversational interactive format.

Listeners can hear the past 18 years of archived Auto Lab shows as simulcast on www.theautochannel.com.

Listen - Auto Lab Page (Includes Audio-on-Demand Archives, Auto Programs at Community College Database, Guests Pictures

This Weeks Show: November 11, 2017

IN STUDIO: Auto Lab's Real World Experts Answer Your Questions; Discuss: Repairs, Second Opinions, Regular Maintenance, How To's, Safety, Used and New Car Buying, Ombudsmen Suggestions

Harold Bendell - Major Auto

Fred Bordoff - Bronx Community College Automotive Technology Department-CUNY

Libby Demarco-Broadway Sunoco AAA NJ

Howard Lepzelter - Retired, Bronx Community College's Automotive Technology Department,CUNY

Jerry Pastore-D & J Diagnostic

Johanna Pastore-D & J Diagnostic

Joanne Porcelli, Esq

Michael Porcelli - Auto Mobile Services

Nicholas Prague- MTA and Rockland Community College, SUNY

Broadcast Date: November 11, 2017;

Auto Lab Correspondents Remote Interviews: Featuring Auto Safety News, New Car Reviews, Technology and Latest Auto World Information That Will Effect You!

Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England

PICKUPS PICK UP IN EUROPE

John Russell and Sharon Sudol, Senior Correspondent

TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME

Russ Rader, Vice President Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

REDESIGNED VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK AWARD"

Robert Sinclair- AAA NORTHEAST

DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER
Ed Westwick. Photo: 2017 Getty Images

Days after actress Kristina Cohen alleged that Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick raped her at his home, a second actress has come foward. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, former actress Aurelie Wynn (known professionally as Aurelie Marie Cao) claimed that Westwick raped her in 2014. Westwick has denied the allegations.

In her post Wynn wrote, [A]nd like Kristina, I said no and he pushed me face down and was powerless under his weight. I was wearing a one piece bathing suit that he ripped, I was in complete shock, I am also very tiny.

Wynn wrote that she told her boyfriend at the time, Glee actor Mark Salling, about the incident. Salling, who has since pleaded guilty for possession of child pornography, allegedly broke up with her and blamed her. She also wrote that she was encouraged by friends to stay quiet and that people would think she was just out trying to get my 10 seconds of fame.

Westwick responded to Cohens claims on Tuesday in an Instagram post saying he did not know Cohen and had never raped anybody.

A post shared by Ed Westwick (@edwestwick) on Nov 7, 2017 at 8:46am PST

Cohen filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department, which is now investigating if the suspect forced victim to have sexual intercourse inside his residence  three years ago.

Following Wynns allegations, Westwick posted a second denial on Instagram on Thursday.

A post shared by Ed Westwick (@edwestwick) on Nov 9, 2017 at 9:52am PST

This post has been updated to include Westwicks second statement.
In 1998 designer Polly Fawcett and her former husband sold their home. The seven-bedroom 13,077-square-feet La Loma, one of the great historic mansions in Palm Beach, was designed in 1929 by John Volk and Gustav Maass. The Mediterranean-style house boasted a double staircase with wrought-iron railings, seven bedrooms, arched windows with leaded glass, a regal fireplace in the living room, a coffered ceiling, and Cuban floor tiles. It was grand, but tempered with comfort.

Since then, after a series of downsizing moves, Fawcett has happily landed in a pint-sized 300-square-feet studio in Brooklyn Heights, where shes near her daughters growing family. Fawcett grew up around women who designed: her mother, Claire Ellingwood Osborn, started her own design firm in 1953, and Fawcett joined in 1989. My sisters and I grew up surrounded by beautiful things and loving parents, Fawcett says. My mother created beauty wherever she lived. Fawcett has the same talent as her epic downsizing illustrates.

The trick to downsizing, according to Fawcett, is to only take your favorite things (no Kondo-ing necessary). The Staffordshire dogs were part of her mothers vast collection, and they remain among her treasures today. Photo: Wendy Goodman.

Prewar apartments typically come with a graceful entry hall and foyer, instead of landing you smack in the middle of a room. Here, Fawcett has maxed out the charm of a tiny alcove between the entrance hall and living room with a needlepoint hunting scene in a gilt gold frame, hung over a family heirloom gilt console. Right now theyre paired with two branches leftover from Christmas, until she finds the right sconces. Photo: Wendy Goodman. A pair of Brunschwig & Fils curtains flank Bibliotheque wallpaper on a paneled screen, giving the impression that the space is much larger than it is. The painted portrait of Fawcett is by her sister Susannah Talley, also a decorator. Photo: Wendy Goodman.

The sitting area of the studio features a family sofa with The Orchard by Herbert Barnett found in Childs gallery, hanging above. This doubles as a dining area for dinner parties where Fawcett serves her famous stew. The Portuguese needlepoint rug was found at a consignment shop in Manchester, Massachusetts, 20 years ago. Photo: Wendy Goodman.

Every surface is used for hanging art, including a closet door featuring Marguerite Kirmses signed and hand painted, The Fox and The Hound. Photo: Wendy Goodman.
Look 12 from Birds of Paradise, Duro Olowu, fall/winter 2013/2014. Photo: Courtesy of Collection of Vitra Design Museum

In 1964, while the U.S. rivaled the Soviet Union during the Cold War and the Space Race, a Zambian elementary-school science teacher named Edwuard Makuka decided to send the first African astronauts to the moon. He began training a 17-year-old girl, one of the crews first members, and established the Zambia National Academy of Science. But the program was denied funding by UNESCO and several other countries and never moved past initial stages  their only donation came from a young boy in India, who gave ten rupees.

Decades later, director Frances Bodomo detailed the powerful story in her 2014 short film The Afronauts. The film is one of more than 120 works of art featured in the traveling art exhibition Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design, which recently debuted in the U.S. at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, after stops in Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. It examines Africas cultural influences by showcasing entrepreneurs, artists, architects, and fashion designers, featuring innovative work by the likes of fashion designer Duro Olowu and a Wale Oyejide handkerchief that portrays the Madonna as a black woman. Click ahead to preview the exhibition, on view until January 7.

Photo: Keith Franklin Photographic Pro

The Madonna

Ikire Jones, from The Untold Renaissance Series, 2014, wool and silk. Collection of Vitra Design Museum.  Wale Oyejide.

Look 12 from Birds of Paradise

Duro Olowu, fall/winter 2013/2014. Cape: Embroidered pure silk; trousers: silk and viscose; top: viscose, georgette and silk.

Skhayascraper, Rendering (Limited Edition of 20)

Justin Plunkett, 2013,  Justin Plunkett, Kapstadt/Cape Town.

Vigilism,  Where Theres Gold: Mining Way Station

2014, Three-Dimensional Model.  Olalekan Jeyifous, Vigilism, New York www.vigilism.com.

Ponte City, Windows

Mikhael Subotzky, 2009, Duratran Print.  Mikhael Subotzky & Patrick Waterhouse, Johannesburg.

Lethabo Tsatsinyane

Chris Saunders, photographed for Dazed Magazine from the Smarteez Series, 2010, archival inkjet print on Hahnemule Museum etching paper. Collection of the artist.  Chris Saunders, Kapstadt/Cape Town.

Taali M

Pierre-Christophe Gam, 2012, image from website for the French-Congolese. Collection of the artist.

Africas Legends

Image from Game by Leti Arts (Eyram Tawia and Wesley Kirinya), 2013, Digital Comic and Mobile Game Series.  Leti Arts.

African Sun

Cyrus Kabiru, 2012, Image from the C-Stunners photography series,  Cyrus Kabiru
Photo: Teddy Kwok/EyeEm/Getty Images

For years, Ellen, a former staffer for a Republican on Capitol Hill, worked with a serial sexual harasser. His methods were myriad: Hed make sexually explicit comments in the middle of meetings. Hed come up behind her desk chair and grind himself against it. The staff offices on Capitol Hill can be snug, and he would take advantage of this, coming into her workspace while she was meeting with constituents and standing so close that his penis was touching her arm through his pants. Once, at a work function they both were attending, he walked up to her, interrupted the conversation she was having, and slapped her on the butt. Both Ellen and the person she was talking to were too stunned to say anything about it.

She was far from his only target. He was notorious for getting too drunk at after-work events and then kissing or groping other women. He made aggressive passes at the younger aides in the office, including interns. Those he slept with were quickly discarded; those who rebuffed him were punished: their projects would be withheld, hed lodge complaints with their superiors.

Ellen and her female colleagues tried to stop him. They reported him, repeatedly, to his supervisor. Each time, they were told something would be done, but nothing ever changed. The best they felt they could do was look out for each other and try to warn new co-workers.

If Ellens story were to follow the trajectory of other high-profile sexual-harassment stories that have been in the news for the last month, this would be the part where the serial harasser was named, shamed, and drummed out of his position. But thats not going to happen. Ellen, who like most of the women in this story asked for anonymity because of fear of retribution, has come to the same conclusion as a lot of women in Washington: Its not safe to speak up.

Theres an anti-snitch thing  you dont air your dirty laundry. It gives the other side power.  Anne Gregory Teicher, Democratic campaign manager

I dont want publicity. I dont want trouble, she told me. Im sorry Im so paranoid. This town is so damned small, and no one can keep a secret.

The sexual-harassment revolution is coming more slowly to Washington. Even the four female lawmakers who recently told the Associated Press of sexual harassment they faced from their male co-workers didnt feel comfortable sharing the names of their harassers. Im not sure women in D.C. would be rewarded for their bravery [if they came forward], its just a different business, Ellen says. The thing about this town is that everyone is connected. The people who get ahead keep the peace and angle everything to their advantage.

Add to that the tribal nature of politics: Most aides are terrified of doing anything that might bring bad press for their boss, or their side. Theres an anti-snitch sorta thing  you dont air your dirty laundry, says Anne Gregory Teicher, a Democratic campaign manager. It gives the other side power.

And it doesnt stop when the campaign is over. Staffers are told from day one that they do not talk to press, full stop, says Travis Moore, a former legislative director for the now-retired representative Henry Waxman, a California Democrat. As a Waxman aide, he says, I spoke to a reporter once, on background, and I was incredibly nervous going into it  people are socialized not to ever talk about whats wrong in the institution because it could reflect poorly on their member of Congress. Theres a culture that doesnt accept criticism unless youre talking about partisanship. Its really bad for the institution.

I heard similar rationales from the other women I reached out to. Were all a bit more scared. We dont have platforms like big-name actresses do, says Alyssa, a public-policy expert who regularly interacted with politicians through her job at a think tank. Once, she remembers, a former GOP White House official came up behind her at work and started rubbing her shoulders. At a work dinner on another occasion, a now-former senator rubbed her legs beneath the table until she got up and hid in the bathroom.

Men who work in less-visible positions of power seem to operate with the knowledge that they will likely never be exposed. Daniela, who started working at a D.C. think tank before moving into the federal sector, remembers a male mentor regularly asking her to lunch, under the guise of offering her career advice. At the end of each meeting, hed inevitably stick his tongue in her mouth. It took her years to even acknowledge to herself that it wasnt a mistake. And when she did, the most she could think to do was cut him off. The fear of retribution is the first thing you learn when you move here, she says. Connections are everything, and if your connection, or a connection of your connection, has heard a story about you, or that youre a problem, or that you tend to go over peoples heads, then thats going to really impact your ability to move up and go higher in this incredibly insular city. For the vast majority of women I know, thats why theyve never spoken up, unless theyre leaving D.C. for good. They worry it would come back to haunt them.

When Miryam, another Hill staffer, was 22, two older male staffers from a neighboring congressional office invited her out for drinks after work. What she thought would be a networking experience soon turned sexually threatening: The men drove her to a bar in Georgetown, where they sat close to her and tried to give her shoulder rubs. When she asked to be driven home, one of them jumped in the back seat beside her and groped her, attempted to kiss her, and asked her to join him for one last drink in a hotel room. I remember thinking, What if he hadnt driven me home? she says. It was an education, of sorts, into the power dynamics on Capitol Hill. She still sees the men all the time at her job.

The sexual dynamics of politics arent limited to Washington. In statehouses, especially, the power of male lawmakers is often less scrutinized by the press and public than it is inside the Beltway. Sexual harassment exists in every sort of profession that has a transactional component to it  I need something and they have the power  its like being a waitress, says Kirsten, a lobbyist working in a statehouse in the Northeast. For me and my young peers that are lobbyists, weve all been grabbed, weve all been solicited, weve all been asked to trade sex for bills. Thats just how it is, thats the way it works. We all have these conversations that we cant be the ones to say that, other men should be the ones who are holding other men accountable. We shouldnt be in a position where we have to put ourselves and our ability to work within this mans industry out there in order to make a change.

The reporting process for sexual harassment varies by statehouse, but its often woefully inadequate. The system depends too heavily on the character of those in leadership and puts too much of the burden on the victim who reports, says Missouri House of Representatives Democrat Lauren Arthur. The same is true on Capitol Hill. As Slate reported last week, staffers with sexual-harassment complaints are, in theory, supposed to report them to the Office of Compliance. Most arent aware it exists. Even when they are, the reporting system is byzantine and complicated. Theres no formal requirement that all members and staff take training on workplace harassment  as a result, many offices dont have any training at all.

But the national sexual-harassment reckoning that the Harvey Weinstein allegations produced may yet reverberate in Capitol Hill. The House Administration Committee announced a hearing on sexual harassment in Congress next week, following Speaker Paul Ryans email to staff requesting that every office participate in prevention training. Before the hearing, the chairman and all leaders of the House and Senate will receive a letter demanding Congress reform its sexual-harassment training and prevention programs. The letter was written by Moore, the Waxman aide, who says he was inspired to start circulating it after watching Representative Jackie Speier, another California Democrat, recount being forcibly kissed by a chief of staff when she was a young congressional aide. Current staff cant speak out on this, Moore says, but for those of us that are out here, theres an obligation to stand up for them.
Photo: Elena Garcia/Getty Images

Cuffing season is upon us  a time of flannel, soups, and curling up next to whatever suitable mate you found for the cold, dark months ahead. But once cuffed-up, an important question arises: how to navigate sex when its too cold to be naked?

One minute youre eating Thai food and watching Top Chef together on your couch and the next, boned up on Tom Colicchios icy blue eyes and stern but fair criticism of an overcooked risotto, you begin to fool around. When it comes time to disrobe, though, you both falter, cowed by the frosty air. You look at each other sadly, apologetically, and turn back to the TV  defeated and horny, but warm.

But fear not! Winter doesnt have to be a time of cooking showinduced sexual frustration. Here are some outfits that will keep you warm on your visits to Bone Town (population, TBD).

Long johns: Lumberjack lingerie allows you to enjoy the toasty embrace of fleece while still providing easy access to your sex parts. Just unclip and go!

Photo: Design Pics / Darren Greenwood/Getty Images/Design Pics RF

A baggy hoodie from college: Comfortable, sentimental, and loose enough that your partner can still feel you up. The truly experimental among you can even try wearing a hoodie as pants. Not only is there a hole between your legs, any partner capable of staying aroused while you look like some kind of bizarre, cotton beaver is a keeper for sure.

Photo: Cathy Crawford/Getty Images

Ski masks: A face sweater that allows you to kiss while keeping the rest of your head warm, ski masks can also add drama and intrigue for a sexy role play where youre both freezing 20-somethings who forgot to pay their gas bill.

Photo: Evgeniy Anikeev/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Shapewear: A full coverage pair of Spanx with a hole in the crotch lets you enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, keeps you warm, and smooths out your figure.

Photo: Beeldbewerking/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A down coat: Sexy trench coats get all of the attention, but what about a floor-length hooded puffer jacket that you keep fully zipped? Wear nothing underneath, lie in the middle of the bed like a snow angel, and let your partner find their way.

Photo: DOMINIK PABIS/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A hat, gloves, scarf, socks, and fleece sweater (no pants): Like a sexy, wintertime Porky Pig.

Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Getty Images/Blend Images

Whatever the heck this thing is: Finally, the sweatpants of lingerie. When things start to heat up (pun intended!!) tell your partner youre going to slip into something more comfortable, and come back out in this little number. For some kinky foreplay, ask your partner to undo the crotch snaps with their teeth.
3-Year-Old Boy with Dairy Allergy Dies After School Served Him Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Family Says

A 3-year-old boy died after a New York City school served him a grilled cheese sandwich despite knowing that he was severely allergic to dairy, the childs family said.

Elijah Silvera went into anaphylactic shock after eating the sandwich at Seventh Avenue Center for Family Services in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on Nov. 3, PIX11 reported.

Elijah was rushed to the pediatric emergency room at Harlem Hospital, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family. Doctors at the hospital could not save the boy.

Authorities in New York shut down the school following the tragic incident. The school failed to follow its written safety plan and failed to adequately supervise the child, both of which are in violation of the health code, authorities said.

The boys family is heartbroken. He leaves behind his father, Thomas, mother, Dina, and 5-year-old brother Sebastian. The parents are taking time off from work to rest, grieve, and heal.

Our family is only beginning the long and painful process of adjusting to a world that does not include Elijah in it, the familys GoFundMe page states.

The family said that Elijahs death was preventable, citing that 1 in 13 children in the United States has food allergies.

We can and must do more to protect our children from life-threatening allergic reactions in U.S. schools, the familys GoFundMe page says.

According to a family member who spoke to PIX11, the school called Elijahs mother instead of an ambulance when the boy went into shock. The mother then rushed the boy to a hospital 10 blocks away from the school.

The family said they are not sure where exactly the blame falls, the pre-K program or the hospital.

We want to find out exactly where, if any, breakdowns may have occurred, at either the school or the hospital, they wrote on GoFundMe.

The parents hope to use the funds donated to GoFundMe to fund an independent autopsy. The family is also looking to hire a therapist who can help Elijahs brother with the shocking loss.

I went there when I was a kid, Michelle Daniels, a woman who attended Elijahs school as a child, said. That person should be really investigated. Really they should. Because if that was my child, I would be all over the place.

If Im sending my children someplace, and Im entrusting my children in your care, youre supposed to follow those guidelines, Daniels added.

After Elijahs story was carried by a local television station, his parents received an outpour of messages from families who lost children with allergies.

Our hearts are breaking for your struggles and losses, the family wrote on GoFundMe.

After hearing from all the parents, the family decided to donate part of the proceeds from their GoFundMe page to a nonprofit working on behalf of the food allergy community.

From NTD.tv
Alleged Bank Robber Caught After Giving Interview to Local TV

A Georgia man sits in jail after he failed to resist the allure of appearing on TV.

Eric Rivers, 24, allegedly robbed two banks in Gwinnett County, Georgia in recent weeks.

Shortly after he allegedly robbed a Chase Bank in Lawrenceville on Tuesday, Nov. 7, he was approached by a CBS46 reporter Ashley Thompson at a local shopping center.

She wanted to ask about the local traffic situation and Rivers was willing to oblige, taking off his hat and a du-rag before the interview.

Gwinnett County doesnt really have its own transportation, he said according to CBS46. So MARTA coming out here will really help out a lot.

Around that time, the police were interviewing a manager of a BB&T Bank, who told them the robber was seen exiting a Fifth Third Bank in Lawrenceville and walking towards a CBS46 news truck.

Police then called the reporter and asked whom she interviewed. Since Rivers gave her his real name, police were able to track him down and arrest him that day.

I think you caught him off guard. I think you surprised him, Det. Scott Pendergrass of Lawrenceville Police Department told Thompson.

Police said Rivers hit up five banks and managed to rob two by handing the tellers a note with demands and a claim hes armed.

He kind of has a skit that he plays, said Pendergrass. He goes into them and spends an extended amount of time in the banks.

Rivers was busy that day, according to police. Right after he allegedly robbed the Chase Bank and was interviewed, he went into a nearby Fidelity Bank.

As a reporter, I speak with all types of people from all over, but I never thought an alleged bank robber would let me interview him in between his hits, Thompson said.

Rivers was charged with two counts of robbery, according to Gwinnett County Jail online records. Police said he acted alone.

Last year, 4,251 banks were robbed or burglarized, a 4-percent increase since the year before, according to the FBI.

The payoff, however, continues to decline, with just about $3,500 per heist in 2016down from over $4,200 in 2004.

You see, in todays society it is actually very very difficult to be a successful bank robber, Lawrenceville Police Department wrote on Facebook. It is with almost certainty that you will be caught. It may take us little while to find you, but we will find you and you will go to prison. Please take our advice and stay away from the bank robbery business.

Police catch almost 80 percent of bank robbers, NewsNet5 reported in 2015.

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Former prime ministers Brian Mulroney (front L) and John Turner, with Joe Clark (rear L) and Paul Martin as they mark the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of the first Parliament of Canada, in Ottawa on Nov. 6, 2017. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Canada in Brief, Nov. 9-15

Canadas Parliament marks 150th anniversary

Federal politicians and former prime ministers of all partisan stripes gathered in the House of Commons on Nov. 6 to mark the 150th anniversary of Canadas first Parliament.

Former prime ministers John Turner, Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney, and Paul Martin were among those who watched and listened from the Commons visitors gallery as tributes were read into the official record, with speeches from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, and Green party Leader Elizabeth May.

Earlier in the day, the four men sat together and shared a few memories with House Speaker Geoff Regan and former Commons speakers as they celebrated the moment.

New Quebec laughs fest organized in response to Rozon scandal

The recent sex-assault controversy involving the founder of the Just For Laughs festival has prompted the creation of a new comedy bash.

Several dozen mainly francophone Quebec comedians have joined forces to put together an alternative festival, expected to be launched in 2018.

Organizers admit its being created as a direct response to the scandal that recently shook Quebec.

Just For Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon recently stepped down as president of the organization following allegations from at least nine women he either sexually harassed or sexually assaulted them.

Canadas immigration attitudes hardening, poll suggests

A newly available internal government survey suggests Canadian attitudes toward immigration could be hardening.

The federal Immigration Department conducts a public poll every year prior to putting together its annual immigration plan.

This years survey, which collected input from 2,503 people, shows a modest increase in the number who think the country is letting in too many immigrants. The survey also showed a slight decline in the number of people who believe they, their province, or the country benefits from immigration.

Edmonton couple says adoption nixed over their views on sexuality

A Christian couple from Edmonton is accusing Alberta of discrimination, claiming their application to adopt a child was rejected over their religious views on gay marriage and homosexuality.

The married couple say they submitted their application last year and passed a required course for potential adoptive parents. But during a follow-up by officials this year, they ran into trouble when they answered questions about sexuality, according to an affidavit filed in support of an application for a judicial review of the governments decision.

The couple, who arent named, say they accept that same-sex marriage is a legal reality, but they dont support it and believe that homosexuality is wrong.

Angelina Jolie to give keynote address at Vancouver peacekeeping summit

Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie is expected to lend her star power to next weeks peacekeeping summit in Vancouver.

A draft program for the two-day meeting leaked to The Canadian Press says Jolie will deliver a keynote address at the event, appearing as a special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and co-founder of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.

The other keynote address will be delivered by Patrick Shanahan, the U.S. deputy secretary of defence.

Representatives from 80 countries are expected to attend the summit, which kicks off Nov. 14.

With files from The Canadian Press
A North Korean man (bottom R) sells items to Chinese tourists on the Yalu river near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong in Liaoning Province on September 5, 2017. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images)

China Halts Tourism Into North Korea

Move strikes a blow at source of hard currency for the beleaguered regime

In Chinas latest attempts to rein in North Korea and its expanding nuclear program, China has halted all tours into the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

Chinese tour operators based in the Chinese border city of Dandongwhere most tours bringing Chinese tourists to North Korea start outwere informed by the Dandong Tourism Bureau on Nov. 7, the day before U.S. President Donald Trumps first official visit to China, according to anonymous sources who spoke with Reuters.

During Trumps two-day trip to Beijing, talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping about North Koreas development of nuclear weapons is expected to top their agenda. The U.S. has been pressuring China to do more to rein in its neighbor and ally.

Tourism is one of the few remaining ways North Korea earns hard currency, as the United Nations has ramped up sanctions on the country over the past year, curbing key exports such as coal, iron, and textiles. China had signed onto the latest round of United Nations sanctions in September, which included oil restrictions. According to energy news website Oilprice.com, close to 90 percent of North Koreas documented crude oil supply comes from China.

Within the same month, in a move that China said was to strictly enforce U.N. sanctions, the countrys central bank gave orders to Chinese banks to wind down loans with existing North Korean customers and not provide any future financial services to new customers. Chinese banks have been known as conduits for funding to and from North Korea.

Days later, Chinas Ministry of Commerce instructed North Korean companies doing business in the country to close down within 120 days. The orders applied to China-North Korea joint ventures as well.

Dandong-based tour companies were told that, as of Nov. 8, they were only permitted to run one-day tours to Sinuiju, the North Korean city opposite Dandong, which is a popular destination for Chinese tourists making day trips.

Longer trips to Pyongyang and other parts of North Korea were banned until further notice, the sources told Reuters. Many Chinese tour operators run multi-day tours into North Korea.

Chinese tour operators were surprised at the announcement. It was very unexpected, we had no idea this was going to happen until we received the notification today, one told Reuters. This is devastating news for us, he said.

The sources Reuters interviewed all requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. The sources said Chinese authorities had not given any official explanation for the changes.

The Korea Maritime Institute, a think-tank in South Korea, estimates that tourism generates about US$44 million in annual revenue for North Korea. About 80 percent of all North Koreas foreign tourists are Chinese.

In light of Trumps Beijing visit, the timing of the instructions seems like the Chinese are looking to cooperate with the United States a bit.

Reuters contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping arrive at a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People on Nov. 9, 2017 in Beijing. (Thomas Peter - Pool/Getty Images)

China Unequivocal on North Korea Not Getting Nuclear Weapons: Tillerson

Trump and Xi affirm position on North Korea during state visit

The United States and China may struggle to resolve ongoing trade disputes, but are in complete agreement on North Korea, according to the leaders themselves and a more detailed account by the U.S. Secretary of State.

Neither the United States nor China will accept a nuclear-armed North Korea, President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping affirmed during their public and private meetings in China this week.

All nations must come together to ensure that this rogue regime cannot threaten the world with its nuclear weapons, President Trump said at a business gathering in Beijing on Thursday, Nov. 9, with Xi beside him.

We must act fast, and hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone, he added.

Xi affirmed the Chinese regimes position at a joint press conference on Thursday.

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, we reiterated the firm commitment to achieving denuclearization of the Peninsula and upholding international nonproliferation regime, Xi said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson gave a more detailed account of their talks at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, saying the Chinese leadership was in full agreement about North Koreas nuclear program.

They will not accept a nuclear-armed, nuclear-weaponized North Korea, he said. Theyre unequivocal in that statement.

Tillerson said that Trump and Xi had a very, very detailed exchange on what each side was doing, with Xi sharing specific actions the Chinese have taken, including blocking North Korea from accessing Chinese banks.

If there was a difference of opinion, it was in the timeline.

Tillerson said Xi took the view that sanctions would take time and would not have immediate results, though the North Korean regime was feeling the pressure.

Tillerson appeared to echo that view, saying it has taken five months just to get the sanctions passed by the United Nations.

Sanctions themselves always require some time for inventories to be used up, for alternatives to be closed off, he said.

Trump, however, left no room to relax in his public remarks.

While complimenting Xi often throughout his public statements, Trump also maintained his position on Chinas role in bringing the Kim Jong Un regime to the bargaining table to discussion denuclearization.

China can fix this problem easily and quickly, and I am calling on China and your great President to hopefully work on it very hard, Trump said.

I know one thing about your President: If he works on it hard, it will happen. Theres no doubt about it.

Tillerson said the United States had been gratified by the Chinese position, saying everyone was in agreement.

Theres no space between both of our objectives, said Tillerson before adding that there were distinct views on the tactics and timing, which was a focus of much of the talks.

Our President has been very clear with President Xi that he takes the view that you are a very powerful neighbor of theirs; you account for 90-plus percent of their economic activity; youre a strong manyou can, Im sure, solve this for me,' Tillerson said. And so he was very clear with him and said he believes it can be solved.

While Kim has yet to indicate any willingness to negotiate denuclearization, there are signs that pressure on the North Korean regime is mounting.

Recent reports from inside North Korea reveal that the military is struggling to maintain food supplies and security has been increased at monuments and sites glorifying the Kim family.

There has also been a more concerted effort to stifle foreign media and opinions from entering the country.

Tillerson said there were clear signs that the impact of sanctions was taking hold.

It is creating some stress within North Koreas economy and with some of their citizens, potentially even within some of their military, he said.
Corey Feldman Officially Opens Hollywood Pedophilia Case With LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department has opened a case on the Hollywood pedophiles that Corey Feldman has alluded to for years, Daily Mail reported.

Feldman has shared that he experienced and witnessed sexual abuse as a child actor for years. He has also claimed that police didnt take his claims seriously. But now the LAPD is officially opening a case.

After allegations against Harvey Weinstein poured in, there has been an endless stream of accusations of various types of sexual abuse in Hollywood. Revelations of Hollywood pedophilia are nothing new, but Corey Feldmans claims became particularly relevant after Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of inappropriately touching him.

Corey Feldman had a series of recent TV interviews after announcing a crowdfunding campaign to make a movie about his life and expose his experiences with pedophiles in dramatic form. He was grilled in interviews with Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer. But in an interview with Dr. Oz, the host said he was just speaking on the phone to police.

IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN UPD8: I JUST COMPLETED A FORMAL SIT DOWN INTERVIEW W @LAPDHQ SPECIAL DIVISION, & GAVE THEM ALL THE INFO I KNOW! THIS WAS  Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) November 7, 2017

OFFICIALLY THE 1ST FORMAL REPORT EVER TAKEN ON ANY OF MY CASES, AS SBPD NEVER FOLLOWED UP BACK IN 1993, & HAS NO RECORD OF MY COMPLAINTS.  Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) November 7, 2017

THE LAPD WILL BEGIN AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION NOW! THINGS R HEATING UP, IM PRAYING 4 SAFETY! PLEASE HELP: https://t.co/wU3kV0cBOI  Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) November 7, 2017

The world came away with the names of two convicted pedophiles from those interviews. Jon Grissom, Feldmans former assistant, was revealed as the pedophile he calls Ron Crimson in his book Coreyography; and Marty Weiss, previously openly named in the book and in the 2014 documentary movie An Open Secret, was named again as a Hollywood pedophile.

Feldman announced his success in opening a case in a series of tweets dated Nov. 6. His Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign had raised over $217,000 towards Feldmans goal of $10 million by end of day Nov. 7.
A naked man running through rush-hour traffic thats backed up for miles jumpstarts Wonder Valley, author Ivy Pochodas enthralling look at people mired in a nomadic existence, anonymous to most, yet longing for a connection with another.

With its large cast of characters and unconventional storytelling, Wonder Valley works as the literary version of the Oscar-winning film Crash. Not every character is sympathetic, but the increasingly heightened drama that surrounds each characters life never falters. These are people who are alone, even when surrounded by those to whom they should be closest. Adding to the feeling of anonymity, the novel is nearly two-thirds finished before a last name is evoked.

Married lawyer Tony becomes obsessed with that naked man that he leaves his car to run after, feeling a tingling sense of freedom in the mans unburdened stride. There is Ren, who has traveled to Los Angeles to find his mother, who refuses to leave her little corner of Skid Row. Britt is running from her past when she ends up at a ranch in Twentynine Palms before eventually making it to Los Angeles. And there are Blake and Sam, two violent drifters in search of Wonder Valley where they plan to settle. For these two, Wonder Valley is the stuff of dreams, a near-mythical place thats really just a half-abandoned community of run-down cabins.

Pochoda deftly moves each of these characters together, making their connection realistic while pulling Wonder Valley from the past to the present to illustrate what led each to this particular moment. Los Angeles and Southern California emerge as vital characters, too, showing how the area affects each person. This look at a broad segment of people imbued Pochodas last novel, Visitation Street, which was one of the bright spots of 2013.

Pochoda delivers a compassionate look at the displaced that treats each with respect and humanity in Wonder Valley. Oline H. Cogdill, AP
Florida Couple Shoots Themselves to Fake Insurance Claim

A Florida couple shot themselves in an elaborate ploy to claim insurance money, according to police.

The couple, from Volusia County, was hospitalized with gunshot wounds on Oct. 26, which they said occurred during a home robbery.

Nearly two weeks later, however, the police were no longer looking for the phantom masked attackers, they were arresting the couple for providing false information to law enforcement, a misdemeanor charge.

They shot themselves for the purpose of committing insurance fraud, Volusia County Mike Sheriff Chitwood said on Nov. 7, announcing the arrests. They were going to sue the homeowner to collect money.

Chitwood told the Daytona News Journal that the couple even had retained an attorney for the insurance proceedings.

Their story was that two guys entered the house.  But we were able to determine no one broke into their home, Chitwood said.

If this incident just occurred and they called police right away, why would you have dried blood and why do we have bleach all over the house, Chitwood said.

Police were called to the house of Doug Teixeira, 35, and his wife Lindsey Pelton, 36, on Oct. 26 to investigate a shooting and home invasion.

In a media interview at the crime scene, Sheriff Chitwood appeared to take at face value the initial account provided by the couple.

The couple told deputies two men entered their home through a back sliding glass door. After a brief exchange with the suspects, the husband was shot in the leg and the wife was shot in the arm. The suspects then fled in an unknown vehicle, said the initial police report.

The victims were transported to Central Florida Regional Hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

The couple claimed the intruders had made off with a small safe containing $7,000 and jewelry.

During the course of the nearly two-week investigation, detectives learned Teixeira and Pelton had no money, and Peltons father was paying their living expenses.

The crime scene appeared staged, said the Nov. 7 report posted on Facebook.

Although the couple claimed to have been in the shower when the intruders came in, the shower and bath mat were completely dry. There were no signs of forced entry or tire-spin marks outside.

Bloody footprints appeared to have been cleaned up, and there was a black hat that contained a sock that contained .22 caliber bulletsthe same size round used in the shootingsaid the report

Surveillance footage in the area revealed no sign of any vehicles stopping near the house, other than a school bus. There were no signs of any suspects coming to or going from the house.

Lindsey Pelton, 36, has a criminal past, including a history of frauds and scams, according to Chitwood.
File photo shows Priti Patel, now Britain's Home Secretary, leaving after a cabinet meeting in Downing Street London, on June 27, 2016. (Reuters/Toby Melville)

In New Test for British PM, British Aid Minister Resigns

LONDONBritish aid minister Priti Patel was forced from office on Wednesday over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials after Prime Minister Theresa May sought to reassert her diminished authority as she negotiates Brexit.

Patel, a Brexit campaigner who is popular in the ruling Conservative Party, had to abandon a trip to Africa earlier on Wednesday after being summoned by May to answer questions on more unsanctioned meetings that breached diplomatic protocol.

Over 22,000 people used flight tracking website, Flightradar24, to watch Patel fly back to London, expecting her to be sacked when she landed.

More than 22,000 users are currently tracking flight #KQ100 en route to London. According to media #PritiPatel is on board this flight.https://t.co/3GXUkQw0e3 pic.twitter.com/8uzL9usnRc  Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 8, 2017

After a hastily arranged meeting not long after Patel landed in London, Mays office released her ministers letter of resignation, in which Patel said her conduct in Israel had fallen below the high standards required of her post.

While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated, Patel wrote in the letter to May.

I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation.

Priti Patel says her actions fell below the standards of transparency and openness in her resignation letter to Theresa May pic.twitter.com/jjVBdvOHgq  Press Association (@PA) November 8, 2017

May responded in a letter, saying: Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated.

In her response, Theresa May says it is right that you have decided to resign but commends Patel for her work as International Development Secretary pic.twitter.com/o94nLkIKfJ  Press Association (@PA) November 8, 2017

It was not clear who would replace Patel, who held the meetings during a holiday in Israel earlier this year.

Under British protocol, a cabinet minister would normally organize meetings through the foreign office and be accompanied by officials, and visits with Israelis would typically be balanced with meetings with Palestinians.

It is the second resignation in Mays top team in a week, underlining her weakness at a time when she faces the complicated task of unravelling more than 40 years of ties with the European Union and holding a deeply divided party together.

Patels meetings with Israeli officials, which Mays office said they were not aware of, and a reported visit to an Israeli army field hospital in the Golan Heights, have increased the pressure on the prime minister, who depends on a Northern Irish party in parliament to pass legislation.

Friend or Foe

But while acting quickly to force Patel to resign, the loss of an enthusiastic Brexit campaigner from her cabinet team of top ministers could mean that May faces greater pressure from lawmakers to pursue a clean break from the EU.

Priti is more popular than Theresa, and has more contacts and influence overseas, a senior Conservative source said.

If I was May, I wouldnt want Priti unleashed on the back benches, the source said, using a term to describe lawmakers.

Patel was sacked a week after Mays ally Michael Fallon, her defense secretary, resigned in a sexual harassment scandal that was also caught up two other ministers, including her deputy, Damian Green.

In a week of crises, her foreign minister, Boris Johnson, on Tuesday was pressed to apologize over remarks he made about a jailed aid worker in Iran, which critics said could prompt the Islamic Republic to hand her a longer jail term.

With Brexit talks all but hamstrung over how much Britain should pay to leave the European Union, opposition lawmakers and other critics are now openly questioning whether May can continue as prime minister.

There are times when a government has the stench of death about it, Pat McFadden, a lawmaker from the main opposition Labour Party, told parliament on Tuesday.

By Elizabeth Piper and Andrew MacAskill
US President Donald Trump (R) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) prepare to shake hands during dinner at the Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Flo., on April 6, 2017. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

Lets Make a Deal: US Natural Gas May Be on Chinese Regimes Shopping List

Trade is top of the agenda during U.S. President Donald Trumps visit to China.

Trump wants to tackle the enormous trade deficit with Chinatotaling $347 billion last year, according to the U.S. Department of Commercebut will Beijing concede?

Judging from an article that has been republished by the state mouthpiece Xinhua, it appears the Chinese could be interested in buying up American natural gas.

The article was originally published in National Business Daily, a Chinese publication, but appeared online on Xinhuas website, which communicates the Chinese regimes official viewpoint.

Quoting a research expert from Chinas Ministry of Commerce, the article notes that about half of Chinas energy resources come from imports.

The U.S. needs a big international market for its energy exports, and China is an ideal choice, said Bai Ming, deputy head of the Ministrys research institute tasked with studying international markets.

Currently, Chinas main source of energy comes from coal, which makes up 64 percent of the countrys total energy productioncompared to 31 percent in the United States. Natural gas makes up less than 6 percent of the nations energy production, according to official data from Chinas National Energy Administration.

In the article, another research expert, at the state-affiliated think tank Chinese Academy of Social Sciences called a potential natural gas sales deal with the U.S. advantageous, noting too that Americas desire for Sinopec, the Chinese state-run oil company, to invest in American petroleum, would be a favorable outcome for China.

The two countries are currently negotiating a $7-billion investment plan with U.S. firms and Sinopec to build a pipeline in Texas and expand an existing oil storage facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Indeed, many of the 29 business executives who are accompanying Trump in Beijing are big players in the U.S. energy sector. Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is also tagging along; the state is home to large deposits of natural gas.

Meanwhile, the article remarked that Chinese experts believed the United States should loosen restrictions on U.S. high tech exports if the United States wanted more headway on the trade deficit issue.

The United States probably wont budge on this, though, as the Chinese regime has consistently made doing business in China difficult for foreign high-tech firms.

China recently adopted intellectual property rules that would force foreign firms to enter partnerships with local companies in order to gain more access to the Chinese market, while the regime has banned products by companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Cisco from being used in government offices, giving local brands a competitive edge.

In August, Trump signed a memorandum to investigate whether Chinas trade policies encourage the theft and forced transfer of American intellectual property.

When Uber tried to launch in China, for example, it lost against domestic rivals like Didi Chuxing (Beep Beep Travel in English). Uber lost roughly US$2 billion in China in two years. In August 2016, Uber sold its China business to Didi in exchange for a 17.7 percent, or US$7 billion, share.
David Byers, 35, faces up to 20 years in prison for a string of robberies in the northeast United States. (Yuma Police Department)

Male Fitness Model Could Face 20 Years for Multiple Robberies

David Byers had a good career as a fitness model, but he wanted to branch out a little.

He decided that a part-time job as a robber would be just what his resume needed.

The 35-year-old Californian traveled to the Northeast and set out on his new career.

He started small, wrapping a bandana around his face and showing a gun in his first holdup at a gas station in Nesconset, Long Island, on April 19. He got away with $300.

Byers then headed to Stony Brook, New York, where the next day he hit up a Chase Bank for $2,107.

Four days later, he hit up another gas station, this one in Greenwich, Connecticut, for $223. While still in Greenwich, he robbed another Chase Banktwice, on consecutive days.

More of David Byers A post shared by Michael Stokes (@stokes_photo) on Jun 2, 2015 at 12:16pm PDT

Instagram removed my photo of David. I hope this one is okay. Jeez! A post shared by Michael Stokes (@stokes_photo) on Jan 25, 2015 at 5:27pm PST

He netted $8,722 on his first bank robbery on April 25, and $3,391 from his second holdup there on April 26, according to the Justice Department.

Byers went to the same teller for both robberies. The second time he told the teller, You know why Im here, reported the New York Daily News.

At all these robberies he showed what looked like the butt of a handgun.

As part of his plea deal, he will have to pay nearly $15,000 in restitution, according to the Daily Mail.

Looking for Love and Money

A friend of Byers told CBS8 News that the former model traveled across the country from his home in Solana Beach to try to meet up with an old girlfriend who now lives in New York. He emailed the woman after starting his crime spree, allegedly sending her a photo of himself with stacks of stolen money, a criminal complaint says, according to Greenwich Time.

Police nearly nabbed Byers in Greenwich when they saw him driving, but he drove away at a high rate of speed, according to the Justice Department, and fled on foot, evading capture.

3 Robberies in 48 hours, no injuries. Call our tipline if you have information 1 (800) 372-1176 or tips@greenwichct.org pic.twitter.com/LSo98N4rTb  Greenwich PD PIO (@GreenwichCTPD) April 26, 2017

Chase Bank Robbery suspect image was obtained from a nearby establishment. Contact tipline with info 1(800)372-1176 or tips@greenwichct.org pic.twitter.com/HegPBkuUn5  Greenwich PD PIO (@GreenwichCTPD) April 29, 2017

He traveled about three miles to Port Chester, New York, where he pretended to be a valet parking lot attendant and drove off in a black Range Rover after he changed the license plates.

After Pennsylvania State Police tried to stop him using a tire deflating device, the Justice Department said he abandoned the vehicle and continued his escape on foot into a residential neighborhood. There he stole a truck that had the keys in it, later disguising it with Maryland license plates he stole at a rest stop.

He made it as far as Arizona in that vehicle, but Arizona police noticed it was stolen and gave chase. He was again able to evade capture through aggressive driving, and again ditched the vehicle and fled on foot.

Somehow Byers made it all the way back to his home in San Diego, where he was arrested outside a convenience store on May 2 by a team of FBI agents.

He was extradited in August, Greenwich Time reports, and on Nov. 7, faced a judge in Hartford, Connecticut, where he accepted a plea deal after pleading guilty to charges of first-degree robbery and felony reckless endangerment.

Byers faces as many as 20 years in prison for his crimes. Sentencing is set to begin on Jan. 30.

David Byers A post shared by Michael Stokes (@stokes_photo) on Jun 13, 2015 at 10:33am PDT

Decent and Respectful

A friend of the heavily tattooed model and personal trainer was shocked to hear about his criminal escapades.

Photographer Michael Stokes featured Byers in his Instagram portfolio, which has 158,000 followers.

I know hes an unusual guy, but bank robbery doesnt seem like his thing, Stokes told the Greenwich Time. Hes always been so decent and respectful with me.

Besides being a fitness model and a personal trainer, Byers was also part-owner of a gym, Greenwich Time reports. He faced several charges for stealing gym equipment in California, and his extradition had to be delayed while San Diegos justice system dealt with those charges.

He eventually pleaded guilty to burglary in that case.

He had prior arrests for resisting arrest and driving under the influence, Greenwich Time reports.

It's David's day today A post shared by Michael Stokes (@stokes_photo) on Jun 13, 2015 at 12:15pm PDT

From NTD
Man Seen in UK Repeatedly Throwing Greyhound Into Sea

A man in the United Kingdom was seen throwing his greyhound into the cold sea.

The RSPCA is now searching for the identity of the man, who witnesses say grabbed the dog and threw it into the water in Hartlepool, County Durham, according to The Telegraph.

GREYHOUNDS THROWN INTO ROUGH SEAS IN HARTLEPOOL IN CRUEL EXCERCISE PRACTICE All information we have received regarding the identity of the greyhound trainer has been forwarded to Pete Rosney of the @gbgb and the @RSPCA_official pic.twitter.com/S8htt2I8rk  C.A.G.E.D.NationWide (@CAGEDnw) November 9, 2017

The man pulled the dog back on a leash and threw it back into the sea again.

The incident took place last week.

Witnesses said they saw three men with nine muzzled greyhounds on the pier.

RSPCA search for man who appeared to repeatedly throw 'terrified' greyhound into freezing sea https://t.co/FjmoHKPcM0  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 9, 2017

They were being carried out to the end of the structure and unceremoniously flung in from a height of about 4ft and a distance, through the air, of 6ft, one witness said. The waves were quite strong and my first thought was, once they had surfaced, what if they were propelled by the crashing waves into the rusting sides of the pier?

There was a significant number of dogs in the group and it appeared that they were being taken out one by one.

HARTLEPOOL U.K. Just in, a man has thrown a greyhound into the sea. (source: Hartlepool News) pic.twitter.com/NDcjsqKNC1  stop dog racing aus (@AusStop) November 9, 2017

John Stephenson, the head of Greyhound Rescue North East, told the Daily Mail: I have never heard of anything like this before, there is just no logic to it.

Why on earth would anyone throw a dog into the sea like this in freezing cold conditions, it is just stupid.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said the agency is still making inquiries after we received a concerning report that a group of men with a number of dogs were seen in Hartlepool repeatedly throwing one of the dogsa greyhoundinto the water.

RSPCA release photo of man appearing to throw greyhound into the North Sea https://t.co/jVVpYXZ8k3 pic.twitter.com/nZ5fmUAK9w  Breaking News (Tees) (@BNTeesside) November 9, 2017

An inspector launched an investigation and attended the scene, but the group were no longer there.

Since then we have been contacted by a member of the public who provided photos of what appears to be a man throwing the dog into the water.

These images are very distressing and we would urge anyone who may have witnessed this, or may have more information which could help an investigation, to contact us on 0300 1234 999.
Mexican Citizen Executed in Texas for Killing Cousin

A Mexican man on death row in Texas was executed on Wednesday night, Nov. 8, in the murder of his 16-year-old cousin who was abducted from her familys apartment and fatally beaten. Mexicos President Enrique Nieto weighed in.

Ruben Ramirez Cardenas, 47, was administered a lethal injection after several federal court appeals. He was convicted in the 1997 murder of Mayra Laguna, the 16-year-old.

When he was asked to make a final statement, Cardenas told the warden: No, sir.

About 21 minutes after the execution began, he was pronounced dead, CBS reported.

But the move drew ire from Nieto. I express my firm condemnation of the execution of the Mexican Ruben Cardenas Ramirez in Texas, which violates the decision of the International Court of Justice. My deepest condolences to the mourners, he tweeted.

Cardenass attorney, Maurie Levin, said that the testimony against him was sketchynoting that there was little physical evidence that linked him to Lagunas murder. Levin also said a confession that he gave to police was done after 22 hours of police questioning and isolation.

The lawyer also said that officials didnt act correctly when they didnt tell him that he could get help from the Mexican Consulate.

I am extraordinarily disappointed with this outcome and at the same time overcome with pride at the efforts made by his lawyer, Maurie Levin, and her team of lawyers, said Gregory Kuykendall, an Arizona attorney speaking on behalf of Mexico, according to MySanAntonio.com. And Im equally proud of the Mexican government for so diligently pursuing every avenue of defense conceivable.

Cardenas thanked his family and the Mexican Consulate for their help.

Now! I will not and cannot apologize for someone elses crime, but, I will be Back for Justice, Cardenas wrote. You can count on that!

Prosecutors, however, said that Cardenas led investigators to the girls body, tossed in a canal.

This guy is guilty as sin, Hidalgo County prosecutor Ted Hake said weeks before the execution.

According to Fox News, Cardenas said in a statement to police that he was high on cocaine. He and friend Jose Antonio Lopez Castillo drove around with Laguna in his mothers car. When he untied her, she came at him and attacked him.

I then lost it and started punching her on the face, he told detectives, adding that he hit her in the neck and she started to cough up blood. After trying to revive her, he tied her up and rolled her down a canal bank.
Condemnation of Organ Trafficking Crimes Continues Momentum for Resolution That the Chinese Consulate Wants Silenced

Panels at San Diego universities feature Nobel Peace Prize nominees speaking of an unprecedented evil, the atrocity of forced organ harvesting

SAN DIEGOThe state senator spoke with passion about what really gives meaning to public service. There are very few issues in our lives that we can stand strong and really make a difference, said California State Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon). And standing up for human rights, no matter where they are in the world, I believe is that issue.

Anderson had acted on his words by sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 10 (SJR 10) in July. In speaking at a panel on human organ trafficking at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Nov. 1, he was working to gain support for his resolution.

He and his fellow panelists also spoke at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) on Nov. 2, with both events hosted by the International Coalition to End Organ Pillaging.

Hon. David Kilgour, Canadas former Secretary of State, and international human rights lawyer David Matas, joined Senator Anderson to raise public awareness about an unprecedented form of evil on this planetforcibly extracting vital organs from innocent human beingsan extreme form of organ trafficking that has been industrialized by the Chinese communist regime.

SJR 10 would condemn any government-sanctioned persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including forced organ harvesting, in China or elsewhere. After it received bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee, it was tabled by the Senate leadership immediately after a three-page letter from the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco was received. With the legislature in recess, SJR 10 remains stuck in the Rules Committee.

Consequences to the crimes against humanity

When the allegation surfaced in 2006 that innocent Falun Gong practitioners in China were killed for their organs, Mr. Matas and I were asked to conduct an independent investigation, Kilgour said.

I was a prosecutor for 10 years, so I know something about evidence. Our investigation found evidence of large-scale organ seizures from unwilling Falun Gong practitioners. Their vital organs, including kidneys, livers, corneas, and hearts, were seized involuntarily for sale at high prices, sometimes to foreigners, who normally face long waits for voluntary donations of such organs in their home countries, Kilgour said.



Kilgour and Matas published their investigation report, Bloody Harvest, in 2006. Because of their work, Kilgour and Matas were both nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. They have since lectured in over 55 countries about their findings.

In 2016, along with Ethan Gutmann, investigative journalist and author of The Slaughter: Mass Killings, Organ Harvesting, and Chinas Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem, Kilgour and Matas published An Update to their original report. The updated report is 680 pages long with 2,400 footnotes, 80 percent of which came directly from Chinese sources, according to Matas.

Kilgour said, In our update last year, we concluded there were a minimum of 60,000-100,000 transplants taking place in China every year. And if you take the lower figure of 60,000 and divide it by 365 days in the year it works out to 164 people a day in China are being killed for their organs.

Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a traditional Chinese spiritual practice that adherents say strengthens and improves mental and physical health through meditation, gentle exercises, and living according to the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Taught for free and spread through word of mouth, the practice attracted over 70 million people in China by early 1999, according to a state survey; practitioners say 100 million had taken up the practice by then.

The Chinese communist regime, fearing the number of people doing Falun Gong and the attractiveness of its teachings, launched a massive eradication campaign against the practice in July 1999, which continues today.

Its important that the Chinese government knows that theres consequences to the crimes against humanity, which theyve been committing. They shouldnt be granted impunity, and people shouldnt be turning a blind eye. said Matas.

Systematic Screening of Healthy People

Other panelists included China scholar Dr. Shizhong Chen and former judge Grace Li.

Ever since the crime of murderous organ extraction from live Falun Gong practitioners was first exposed in 2005, China has been categorically denying it. One fact that not even the Chinese communist regime can deny is that as of today, China still does not have a database of patients who need organ transplantation, Chen said.

The U.S, Canada, Europe and most parts of the world that perform ethical organ transplantations maintain and even share databases of organ transplantation patients. The people in these databases are benefited in times of unpredictable tragedies. Yet China builds a completely different kind of database by systematically screening healthy people. What predictable tragedies wait for those who are in such databases?

All these should send a chill down our spines, and our innate response should be an outrage. Yet, Sen. Anderson just gave us an example of how even our outrage is suppressed by the very regime that caused our outrage in the first place. This should send a second chill down our spine, Chen said.

Once a highly respected judge in China, Li was jailed and tortured for her belief in Falun Gong. I was sent to a forced labor camp without a trial. I worked 16-17 hours a day.

She witnessed other jailed Falun Gong practitioners being tortured and blood tested. Although at the time, she said, no one knew why. Only after did I realize that they were harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners.

Support for SJR 10

In an interview with NTD, Matas said What we see in China is something we havent seen before. We do see organ transplant abuses elsewhere but it isnt institutionalized, industrialized, used as a state policy anywhere else but in China.

Anderson urged the approximately 200 attendees to sign his petition in support of SJR 10. I want legislators to unite and stand against this holocaust, as we have always come together to stand against other genocides.

Thats what I am going to be remembered for, Anderson said. It wont be whether I raised your taxes or lowered your taxes, or fixed your roads or didnt fix your roads, it will be because I stood on the righteous side of humanity and so I am asking people, if you agree with me, sign this petition to support our resolution. If you sign up and support, my colleagues will see there is great momentum for this.

Mr. Eric Frost, director of the Homeland Security Graduate Program at SDSU, gave opening remarks at the Nov. 1 panel. He encouraged the audience members to keep an open mind and really think about what each one of us can do.

Upon hearing about the SJR 10 story, many audience members were shocked. One SDSU Senior majoring in Computer Science and Political Science said, I was wondering why China was singled out on the organ trafficking issue. Now I know.

Another recent graduate said, We cant allow the Chinese government to dictate our own state affairs.

Dr. Manuel Belandres, the man behind the 2013 Medical Society of Virginia Resolution condemning forced organ harvesting by the Chinese regime, said, SJR 10 should receive bipartisan support. I would want to know where my State Senator stands on this issue.

Retired Judge Quentin Kopp: I should like to testify

A few days prior to the panels, retired judge Quentin L. Kopp, who served as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and in the California State Senate, wrote a letter to Sen. Anderson regarding SJR 10.

Kopp wrote, I know the subject matter well. I have expended time and effort to secure rights of public assembly in San Francisco for members of Falun Gong, and am aware of the suppression of their rights by undue influence of the Peoples Republic of China upon the Mayor and other San Francisco public officials. As a member of the CA First Amendment Coalition Board of Directors, I am indignant about the discrimination against Falun Gong members in the use of public spaces and the persecution of members in China by the national government. I surmise SJR 10 is now a two-year bill. I should like to be notified of further committee hearings during the recess and next year regarding SJR 10 so that I may try to testify in support.

The letter was also sent to the Senate President pro tem Kevin de Leon, Governor Brown, and other public officials.
A young girl does her homework in her dining room in Centreville, Md., after class at Centreville Elementary on April 30, 2013. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

Mother Leaves Internet Baffled After Sharing Her Daughters Third Grade Math Problem

A third graders math problem has left the internet stumped after the students mother went online to ask for help.

Last Tuesday on Oct. 31, mother of two, Dusty Sappington posted a photo on Reddit showing the strange question in her 8-year-old daughters homework, HuffPost reported.

In the photo, Sappington circled the problem which asked: Janell had 15 marbles. She lost some of them. How many does Janell have now?

Her daughter, Izzy, left a question mark in the answer field.

According to the Daily Mail, Sappington, 40, is a native of Terry, Mississippi.

Sappington told HuffPost that Izzy has dyslexia. She said her daughter currently attends a private school that offers both traditional cases and also specializes in learning disabilities.

Later the mother posted a comment, If someone can answer this correctly, my child will be done with her homework!! In a reply to another user, Sappington wrote that the homework did not come with additional instructions and that it was not multiple choice. Nope, no instructions, just a really confused 3rd grader, Sappington commented. I havent found out the answer, but hope to see her graded paper soon, Sappington told HuffPost. To be honest, Im unsure if it was printed in error or was a question to test her knowledge of less than and greater than, which she has touched on in the past. Redditors were just as confused as the mother and could not come up with a numerical answer. But they did offer her some different solutions to the confusing question. The top answer to Sappingtons post was a Reddit user that wrote: < 15 but I dont think thats a fair 3rd-grade question. Others suggested 15 -x, but that answer did not seem to match the worksheets content, which only included straightforward questions with numerical answers. Another wrote that the answer could be somebut a reply to that answerif some are lost, then most remain seemed to further muddy the waters. In an updated post the mother said the answer was revealed after she talked to her daughters teacher. Sappington said she only posted the question on Reddit mainly for amusement.

Being the mother of a third-grader and a fifth-grader, I have seen a lot of homework over the years that has our family laughing at the absurdities, scratching our heads and relying too much on Google, she told HuffPost. The mother hopes that the moment can encourage people about the importance of education and the need for better teachers wages. I hope this adds more fuel to the fire to better fund our educational systems, she said. From NTD.tv
Conservative MP Scott Reid in the foyer outside the House of Commons on Nov. 7, 2017. (NTD Television)

MP Asks Trudeau to Seek Release of Canadian Detained in China

Scott Reid makes repeat of similar request in 2002 to then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien

OTTAWAConservative MP Scott Reid is hoping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will raise the issue of a Canadian citizen detained in China during the APEC summit, following a tradition where Reid made a similar request when then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien attended APEC 15 years ago.

Reid recently wrote a letter to Trudeau suggesting that when he meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in Vietnam, he should press for the release of Vancouver resident Sun Qian, who is currently detained in China for practicing Falun Dafa.

Sun is a China-born businesswoman who immigrated to Canada as an investor and became a Canadian citizen. She founded the Beijing Leadman Biochemistry company and was on the Hurun Reports list of Chinas top wealthiest people from 2012 to 2016. According to her relatives, Sun began practising the Falun Dafa self-improvement and meditation discipline in 2014, which helped her recover from chronic health conditions.

Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong, is a spiritual meditation discipline that has been severely persecuted in China under the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Many years ago, in 2002, I made a similar request to your predecessor, Jean Chretien, shortly before his departure to another APEC meeting, Reid wrote Trudeau.

At that time, Reid tabled a parliamentary motion asking Chretien to call for the release of about a dozen imprisoned Falun Dafa adherents who had relatives in Canada when he met with the Chinese leadership during that years APEC summit. The motion passed with unanimous support.

All of the adherents were eventually released and allowed to come to Canada.

Cross-party goodwill

In an interview, Reid recalled his 2002 parliamentary motion and how it got unanimous support from different parties.

That spirit of cross-party goodwill towards Falun Gong practitionersrecognizing that these are peaceful people who simply want to practice their spiritual beliefsthat spirit continues to exist today, he said. As far as I can see, Canadians, parliamentarians of all parties, continue to be very supportive of Falun Gong practitioners.

Irwin Cotler, a former Liberal MP and minister of justice, says its important that the Chinese authorities realize they cannot violate the rights of a Canadian citizen with impunity.

I think that the prime minister has expressed himself that theres no contradiction between pursuing trade and protecting human rights, and this is a case study of how we can go to a conference and promote trade, but not at the expense of human rights, he said.

Peter Kent, a Conservative MP and former environment minister, said Trudeau should make a point of raising Canadas concerns about the detainment of Sun and other Falun Dafa adherents.

We know that with regards to [Sun], she has been detained, she has suffered what can be properly characterized as torture, mistreatment, Kent said.

I think the prime minister should make a point of raising Canadas legitimate concerns not only about this single case, but about the infringement of the rights of other Chinese Canadians, or of the families of Chinese Canadians, who are being persecuted merely for their beliefs, he said.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May also expressed hope that the prime minister can pursue diplomatic means to ensure Sun is released.

The treatment of practitioners of Falun Dafa or Falun Gong is an egregious violation of human rights and rights of religious freedom, rights to speak freely, and most of the MPs in the ParliamentI know whenever I raise the issue, we have a lot of support on all sides of the House, she said.

NDP MP Helene Laverdiere agreed that Trudeau should raise the issue of human rights during APEC, including all consular cases.

I know that the prime minister is going to Vietnam, and I think it will be very important for him to raise human rights concerns, she said.
New Looks for Snapchat, Twitter in Bid for More Users

SAN FRANCISCOStruggling social-media darlings Twitter and Snapchat are taking on new looks as the services seek wider audiences from under the shadow of Facebook.

Twitter has rolled out a 280-character limit for nearly all its users, abandoning its iconic 140-character limit for tweets. And Snapchat, long popular with young people, will undergo a revamp in hopes of becoming easier to use for everyone else.

Both services announced the moves on Nov. 7 as they look for ways to expand beyond their passionate but slow-growing fan bases.

Twitter has said that 9 percent of tweets written in English hit the 140-character limit. People ended up spending more time editing tweets or didnt send them out at all. By removing that hurdle, Twitter is hoping people will tweet more, drawing more users in.

German bureaucratsnotorious for their ability to create lengthy tongue twisters consisting of one single wordcelebrated on Nov. 8.

Germanys justice ministry wrote that it can now tweet about legislation concerning the transfer of oversight responsibilities for beef labeling.

The law is known in German as the

Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz.

In Rome, student Marina Verdicchio said the change will give us the possibility to express ourselves in a totally different way and to avoid cancelling important words when we use Twitter.

Others were not impressed, including at least one who quoted Shakespeare: Brevity is the soul of wit.

And, as Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel noted, change does not come without risk.

We dont yet know how the behaviour of our community will change when they begin to use our updated application, he said. Were willing to take that risk for what we believe are substantial long-term benefits to our business.

Snap, Snapchats parent company, did not provide details on the upcoming changes.

During the third quarter, Twitter averaged 330 million monthly users, up just 1 percent from the previous quarter. Snapchat added 4.5 million daily users in the quarter to 178 million, which amounts to a 3 percent growth. The company does not report monthly user figures.

Those numbers pale next to social media behemoth Facebook, which reported that its monthly users rose 16 percent to 2.07 billion.

The one thing that we have heard over the years is that Snapchat is difficult to understand or hard to use, and our team has been working on responding to this feedback, Spiegel said. As a result, we are currently redesigning our application to make it easier to use.

His comments came on a conference call with industry analysts after the company posted the lacklustre user-growth numbers and revenue that fell well short of Wall Street expectations. Snaps stock was bludgeoned on Nov. 8, falling almost 15 percent to close at $12.91. The Venice, California, company went public in March at $17 a share.

As for Twitter, the move to 280 characters was first started as a test in September.

People in the experiment told us that a higher character limit made them feel more satisfied with how they expressed themselves on Twitter, their ability to find good content, and Twitter overall, said project manager Aliza Rosen in a blog post.
Authorities say workers digging in the western German city of Aachen have uncovered an ancient Roman road.

Aachen city archaeologist Andreas Schaub told the dpa news agency the road is about six meters wide and is thought to possibly date back to the second century.

Schaub says the road could have connected the important settlement in Aachen to what is today the Dutch city of Maastricht.

Experts are now trying to determine how long the road might have been in use.

The road was discovered as workers dug to install security barriers to secure the citys annual Christmas market. A dozen people were killed in Berlin last year when a man drove a truck into a crowded Christmas market in the capital.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in this undated photo released by state media. North Korea threatened South Korea on Nov. 9, 2017.

North Korea Threatens South Korea Following Trump Visit

Communist North Korea is threatening South Korea just two days after Donald Trump visited Seoul.

North Korean state media described the South as suicidal for considering new sanctions on the North.

Earlier this week, South Korea announced new sanctions against a number of high ranking North Korean officials. The officials are linked to North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, as well as its financial institutions.

Targeting the financial flows to North Korea has been a key part of Trumps efforts to increase pressure on the regime to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

We expect this will contribute to blocking North Koreas main sources of foreign exchange and its developing of weapons of mass destruction, a South Korean government official told Reuters.

Defense Secretary Gen. Jim Mattis (L) and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrive to speak to the press about the situation in North Korea at the White House in Washington on Sept. 3, 2017. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

The North Korean regime, which is increasingly straining under sanctions, threatened South Korea, saying they would pay a dear price.

In recent months the regime in Pyongyang has threatened the United States, South Korea, and Japan repeatedly with the use of nuclear weapons.

While the North has not been successful yet in developing a nuclear weapon that can be delivered on a ballistic missile, military and intelligence experts believe its just a matter of months before that is the case.

Whether its three months, or six months or 18 months, it is soon. And we ought to conduct ourselves as though its just a matter of time and a matter of a very short time before North Korea has that capability, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. said before Congress on Sept. 26.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan conducts joint drills with the South Korean navy at sea Oct. 19, 2017. REUTERS/Tim Kelly

During the Japan and South Korea legs of his Asia tour, Trump reaffirmed Americas commitment to working with its allies in the region to counter the North Korean threat.

The United States has sharply increased its military presence in the region in recent months. Three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups are currently deployed in the Western Pacific for military drills. The United States also has at least one nuclear-powered submarine in the region.

It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three, said U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift in a statement.

It is the first time since 2007 that three carrier strike groups operated together in the Western Pacific.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) carrier strike groups steam in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) during the Valiant Shield exercise on Aug.14, 2007.

In a speech before the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea in Seoul on Nov. 7, President Trump described the stark contrast between a free and prosperous South Korea, and a repressive and poverty-stricken North Korea.

What you have built is truly an inspiration. Your economic transformation was linked to a political one, Trump told the National Assembly.

President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-In walk towards a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on Nov. 7, 2017. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Trump underscored in his speech the importance his administration places on free and prospering societies that have freedom of religion versus the death and destruction brought by communist ideology.

The Korean miracle extends exactly as far as the armies of free nations advanced in 195324 miles to the north. There, it stops, it all comes to an end. Dead stop. The flourishing ends, and the prison state of North Korea sadly begins, Trump said.
Oslevar boat listed on UNESCO's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' list

The Oselvar boat was selected in 2016 for inscription on UNESCOs Register of Good Safeguarding Practices, part of the effort to maintain traditional learning procedures.

Previously, western Norways main method of transportation was the wooden oselvar boat, also used for recreation. The introduction of modern boats in the 1940s, however, as well as government price restrictions, forced builders to find other work. Greater access to better roads also made the building of wooden boats fall into disfavour.

Interest in the Norsemen, the name used by Europeans in former times for the Scandinavian Vikings who raided the coasts of Europe in the 9th and 10th centuries, has been revived by the fascinating exhibition Vikings which opened Nov. 4th at the Royal Ontario Museum. I was fortunate to see it in Gatineau at the Museum of History last year. According to museum notes, the Vikings who were skilled shipbuilders and seafarers, were capable of navigating the seas without instruments and navigational calculations using knowledge about winds, tidal currents, weather phenomena, and travelling times by many generations of ancestors.

To help safeguard the traditional practice of boat building, the Os Batbyggjarlag boat-builders guild of the Os Municipality of and Hordaland County, supported by the Arts Council of Norway, founded the non-profit boatyard and workshop foundation named Oselvarverkstaden.

This foundation has operated since 1997. It recruits boat builders as well as transmitting the expert know-how on building techniques (normally passed down from father to son). It attracts active builders, provides them with infrastructure and supports the entire oselvar manufacturing process.

To date, more than 85 boats have been made and 40 repaired. Five of the six apprentices are active and four builders participate. They have access to a workshop where skills sharing is encouraged, as well as materials and tools.

Constructing the 5m to 10m boats which are made for racing, freighting, or fishing is a 500 to 600-hour process. It includes negotiating with material suppliers to rigging and testing the final product. The builders also conduct field studies, demonstrations and participate in seminars and exhibitions, both locally and internationally.
Dai Xianglong, Chairman of China's National Council of Social Security Fund, speaks during the International Finance Forum (IFF) 2011 Annual Conference at China World Trade Center Tower 3 on Nov. 9, 2011 in Beijing. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Paradise Papers Reveal Son-in-Law of Former Bank of China Governor Had Murky Stock Dealings

This is version 2.0 of the Panama Papers. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has published findings from another batch of leaked documents, called the Paradise Papers, showing how the richest in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have used offshore accounts to hide their wealth or shift their money around in secretactivities that are considered legal, but are a slap in the face to their respective countries taxation systems.

In China, the Paradise Papers revealed that Che Feng, son-in-law of Dai Xianglong, the former governor of Chinas central bank, had, through a complicated set of transactions, ended up with HK$114 million (about US$14.6 million) in preferred stocks through his offshore company registered in the British Virgin Islands, between 2009 and 2013.

Hong Kong newspaper HK01, as one of 100 media companies that have partnered with ICIJ in the investigation, published the report on Che.

The investigation into Che Fengs finances exposed his ties to Chinese officials in the finance sector and state security apparatus.

Ches stock dealings were traced to the Charoen Pokphand Group, a Thai conglomerate located in Bangkok and run by Dhanin Chearavanont, CEO and chairman of the company and its subsidiary C.P. Pokphand, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

In December 2009, C.P. Pokphand bought a portion of assets under Orient Success International Limited (OSIL), also a subsidiary of the Charoen Pokphand Group, by offering up to 6.62 billion preferred stocks at the price of HK$0.3255 per stock (US$0.04). The price was a 40 percent discount since the stock price that day was HK$0.62 per stock (US$0.08).

About 190 million shares of those preferred stocks were later transferred to Ever Union Capital Ltd., a company registered in the British Virgin Islands on July 22, 2010, according to the Paradise Papers, even though the stock price for which they got sold off was never publicly disclosed. Then, on July 28, 2010, these transferred shares were converted to common stocks at the price of HK$0.60 per stock (US$0.08).

In other words, Che had come into possession of stocks that were worth HK$114 million.

HK01 also reported that Ever Union, with businesses in telecommunication, energy, commerce, and financial sectors, had Che as the only director and stockholder.

Ches whereabouts have long been a mystery, ever since he was taken away for investigation in Beijing in June 2015, according to Hong Kong newspaper Oriental Daily, which also reported that he was found guilty of money laundering and asset transfers.

The investigation into his finances exposed his ties to Chinese officials in the finance sector and state security apparatus, leading to those officials being investigated as well, according to the newspaper. The most notable mention was Ma Jian, the former executive deputy minister of Chinas Ministry of State Security, who was sacked in 2016.

News of Che resurfaced in January 2016, when Chinese news portal NetEase reported that he was being detained in Changsha, the capital of central Chinas Hunan Province. A recent investigation by HK01 revealed signs of him showing up in Hong Kong, where he is based.

Che was also connected to Xiao Jianhua, the abducted businessman who was a key money launderer for former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin and his political faction. Che and Xiao bought Digital Domain, a visual effects studio based in Los Angeles, for US$30 million in 2012, according to South China Morning Post.

Dai, the 10th governor of Chinas central bank from 1995 to 2002, was reportedly taken away in April 2015, under Chinese leader Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign, according to Bloomberg. However, Chinas anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection, has yet to make a formal announcement. His current whereabouts are unknown.
The B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. A system geared to meet the needs of victims would do a lot to counteract court delays, says the federal ombudsman for victims of crime. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Reduce Court Delays by Supporting Victims of Crime: Ombudsman

OTTAWAMaking sure those who experience the biggest impacts of crime have the support they need would do a lot to speed up the wheels of justice, says the federal ombudsman for victims of crime.

We have to have a criminal justice system that is effective and efficient, Sue OSullivan said in an interview ahead of the Nov. 7 release of a set of reports on how the Liberal government could keep victims in mind as they prepare to introduce reforms.

Lets look for a system that is going to meet the needs of victims instead of looking for alternatives when the system isnt working.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould the mandate to review changes to the criminal justice system and sentencing reforms the previous Conservative government brought in as part of its tough-on-crime agenda, including mandatory minimum penalties.

The need to improve the criminal justice system has been given an increased sense of urgency since last summer, when the Supreme Court released its groundbreaking ruling R v. Jordan, which came down hard on serious delays that can mean years pass by between the laying of charges and the conclusion of a trial.

The top court imposed strict new ceilings on the amount of time a case could take to make its way through the system18 months in provincial courts and 30 months in superior courts. The only remedy for going over the limit is a stay of proceedings, no matter how serious the charge.

The impact that court delaysand having cases tossed as a resultcan have on victims of crime was one of the issues that came up over the summer as OSullivan held cross-country consultations to gather perspectives from victims and advocacy groups on criminal justice reforms.

Court delays are typically cast in terms of the rights of the accused but not the rights of victims, said one of the five reports released Nov. 7.

Yet victims also have an important interest in a criminal justice system that is not delayed, the report said. Having charges stayed as a result of delays hurts victims. Remedies that emphasize both the rights of the accused and the rights of the victim must be found.

In an interview, OSullivan argued that giving victims of crime the resources and information they need can cut down on judicial delays.

She pointed to a pilot program in England and Wales that boosted support for victims and witnesses, including with basic needs such as child care, addressed concerns such as fear of intimidation and provided them with greater communication throughout the process.

There was an increase in the number of victims and witnesses that could testify, she said. There was an increase in early guilty pleas.

OSullivan said those who took part in her engagement process understood systemic root causes of crime often blur the line between victim and perpetrator, but they would like to see a greater balance between their rights and the rights of the accused.

One of the reports focused on bail reform, including the Liberal campaign promise to create a reverse onus on bail for those who have previously been convicted of intimate partner violence. A commitment to toughen bail conditions in domestic assault cases was also in the mandate letter.

The report urges the federal government to act on this, but also recommends ensuring victims are considered in all aspects of bail reform, such as by requiring judges to ask whether a victim has been consulted about their safety and security needs as they decide whether to grant bail.

The mandate letter for Wilson-Raybould said sentencing reform should result in greater use of restorative justice. Many of those who participated in the consultations expressed apprehension over this, including the concern it could be a way to reduce penalties, or avoid them altogether.

There were also concerns about restorative justice being used for gender-based violence, given the power imbalance these cases can involve.

A common theme throughout the reports is that victims need stronger and better enforced rights, but also more information about what those rights are in the first place.

OSullivan said that could be helped by involving everyone in the justice system, from police officers to the federal government, in doing more to create awareness of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Wilson-Raybould said in a statement that she has included victims groups in her consultations on criminal justice system reform, including a roundtable devoted to these issues.

From The Canadian Press
US Begins $4.05 Billion Madoff Fund Payout, Thousands to Recoup Losses

NEW YORKThe U.S. government said it has begun distributing $772.5 million from a $4.05 billion fund to compensate victims of Bernard Madoffs Ponzi scheme, ending a nearly nine-year wait for thousands of people to start recouping their losses.

A total of 24,631 checks from the Madoff Victim Fund are being mailed to individuals, government entities, schools, charities, and pension and retirement plans in 49 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and 119 other countries.

More than two-thirds of the recipients, or 16,557, had received no prior compensation for their losses. They will receive about $545 million from the payout, which is structured to cover 25 percent of recipients losses.

Rod Rosenstein, the deputy U.S. attorney general, in a statement on Thursday called the payout, from the Department of Justices victim compensation program, the largest restoration of forfeited property in history.

NEW: Dept. of Justice begins compensating 24,631 Madoff victims with funds acquired from asset forfeitures, calling it the single largest distribution of forfeited funds in the history of the Departments victim compensation program. pic.twitter.com/7d3NLlpsSl  ABC News (@ABC) November 9, 2017

Richard Breeden, a former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, oversees the $4.05 billion fund, which was set up in November 2013. He declined to comment.

Madoff, 79, is serving a 150-year prison term for running what prosecutors called a $65 billion Ponzi scheme, which was uncovered in December 2008.

Payouts from the Madoff Victim Fund are eventually expected to go to 37,214 claimants from 124 countries, and whose losses exceeded $7.5 billion. Nearly all had invested indirectly with Madoff, such as through feeder funds.

In a separate recovery effort, Irving Picard, a trustee liquidating Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, has recouped $12.74 billion for the swindlers victims.

Picard, however, is making payouts to people who invested directly with Madoff, not indirectly, and has approved just 2,625 claims. He has said customers with approved claims lost about $17.5 billion.

The Justice Department and Breeden had drawn criticism over the lack of payouts from the government fund, in part fueled by reports over bills by Breedens firm for its services.

Most money in the fund came from settlements with the estate of Jeffry Picower, a Madoff investor from Florida, and JPMorgan Chase & Co, once Madoffs main bank.

Im pleased the government is finally beginning to compensate the victims, Vern Buchanan, a Florida congressman who had complained about delays, said in an email. These people were cheated out of their life savings and have been waiting years to get some of their money back. Its long overdue.

By Jonathan Stempel
Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels shout slogans during a gathering to mobilize more fighters to battlefronts to fight pro-government forces, on June 18, 2017, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. (Mohammed Huwais/AFP/Getty Images)

US Calls for Investigation Into Whether Iran Is Fueling War in Yemen

After an Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen fired a ballistic missile into Saudi Arabia, the White House condemned the attack, in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and called for an investigation into whether Iran is fueling the war in Yemen.

These missile systems were not present in Yemen before the conflict, and we call upon the United Nations to conduct a thorough examination of evidence that the Iranian regime is perpetuating the war in Yemen to advance its regional ambitions, said the White House, in a statement.

It also called on all nations to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its repeated violations of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 2216 and 2231, which ban arms transfers to the Houthis and prohibit Iran from exporting all arms and related materiel and specifically ballistic missile-related items.

The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against the Iranian regime, which fuels sectarian violence in the Muslim world and is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. The regime also calls for the destruction of Israel and the United States.

The new strategy on Iran, released on Oct. 13, says that the United States will prevent Iran from destabilizing other nations and from supporting terrorist and militant groups. The U.S. strategy will also revitalize alliances to build bulwarks against Iranian subversion.

We call upon the United Nations to conduct a thorough examination of evidence that the Iranian regime is perpetuating the war in Yemen to advance its regional ambitions.  From a statement by the White House

It also states it will deny funding to the Iranian militarys Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. (IRGC), which Iran uses as a weapon for subversion and terrorism.

Iran is under the control of a fanatical regime that seized power in 1979 and forced a proud people to submit to its extremist rule, President Donald Trump said on Oct. 13 when he announced his strategy on Iran.

This radical regime has raided the wealth of one of the worlds oldest and most vibrant nations, and spread death, destruction, and chaos all around the globe, he said.

The stance is a sharp break from the Obama administrations policy on Iran, which provided Iran with $1.7 billion in 2015 in exchange for the Islamist regime agreeing to delay its nuclear weapons development until 2026.

The Obama administration also paid Iran $400 million as part of a deal to release American hostages in August 2016.

In Yemen, the situation is growing more dire, as Iran continues to back Houthi rebels in a fight against the local government. This has led to extreme famine, as 70 percent of Yemenites now rely on humanitarian aid for survival, and Houthi rebels have been targeting civilians and aid workers.

The situation of the civilian population is dire, and millions of people face starvation, stated ReliefWeb, a service of the humanitarian branch of the United Nations, on March 20.

During an Oct. 19 press briefing, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said the United States views the crisis in Yemen as one thats manmade, noting that 21 million of Yemens people are in need of humanitarian aid and 842,000 may be suffering from cholera.

Nauert addressed the conflict again during a Nov. 7 press briefing, stating: Weve seen the activities of Iran in Yemen. Weve seen the hand of Iran in Syria. Weve seen the hand of Iran elsewhere.  Where they show up, trouble tends to follow.

The recent White House statement said the Houthi missile attack against Saudi Arabia was enabled by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and that the attacks threaten regional security and undermine U.N. efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.

The United States seeks a negotiated settlement to the conflict and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people, it stated. The United States will continue working with other like-minded partners to respond to these attacks and expose the Iranian regimes destabilizing activities in the region.
United States President Donald Trump speaks to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as First Lady Melania Trump and Xi's wife Peng Liyuan look on, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

During Trump Visit, China Agrees to $250 Billion Worth in Trade Deals With US

While President Donald Trump was in Beijing, he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced that $250 billion worth of business deals were signed between the two countries, though some were long in the making before Trumps visit, and many of the deals were non-binding.

Most of the deals involved Chinese investment in American energy and agricultural products, or American energy companies doing business in China.

The move was Chinas way of showing it was willing to address the U.S.China trade deficit, which reached $347 billion last year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce statistics.

The deals included a memorandum of understanding with Chinese state-owned energy company China Energy Investment Corp. to invest $83.7 billion in shale gas, power, and chemical projects in West Virginia. Meanwhile, state-owned oil company Sinopec agreed to help develop a $43 billion natural gas project in Alaska.

The American soybean industry also signed letters of intent to sell $5 billion worth of soybeans to China, and major Chinese online retailer JD.com agreed to buy over $2 billion worth of U.S. food products.

In his public remarks in Beijing, Trump was careful with his words, noting that he wanted a fair and reciprocal trade relationship with China. He stopped short of blaming the country for the trade imbalance.

After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit, he said, adding that past U.S. leaders failed to do their part. In actuality, I do blame past administrations for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and to grow.

Despite the massive business deal, greater problems with Chinas policies remain unaddressed.

State Secretary Rex Tillerson acknowledged as much when he addressed the press in Beijing, noting that theres still a lot more work to do and that the Chinese side was also aware of that.

One of the looming problems is intellectual property (IP) theft. According to the U.S. Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, the annual cost of IP theft could reach as high as $600 billion.

And China is the worlds biggest culprit. The Commission found that Chinas industrial policies maximize the acquisition of foreign technology and information. Also, China continues to steal trade secrets from U.S. companies operating within its borders, often through pressuring them to transfer IP.

In August, Trump signed a memorandum to investigate whether Chinas trade policies encourage the theft and forced transfer of American intellectual property.

Personal Relationship

The two leaders seem to hit it off well. Trump called Xi a very special man, and noted that their dinner on Nov. 8 was supposed to last about 25 minutes, but they ended up chatting for about two hours. We enjoyed every minute of it, he recalled to the press before a meeting with Xi on Nov. 9.

Meanwhile, Xi was courteous and diplomatic with his words, noting that the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the United States in a joint press statement.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Berlin Wall has been breached after nearly three decades keeping East and West Berliners apart.

At midnight East Germanys Communist rulers gave permission for gates along the Wall to be opened after hundreds of people converged on crossing points.

They surged through cheering and shouting and were be met by jubilant West Berliners on the other side.

Ecstatic crowds immediately began to clamber on top of the Wall and hack large chunks out of the 28-mile (45-kilometre) barrier.

It had been erected in 1961 on the orders of East Germanys former leader Walter Ulbricht stop people leaving for West Germany.

Since 1949 about 2.5 million people had fled East Germany.

After 1961, the Wall and other fortifications along the 860-mile (1,380-kilometre) border shared by East and West Germany have kept most East Germans in.

Many of those attempting to escape have been shot dead by border guards.

The first indication that change was imminent came earlier today when East Berlins Communist party spokesman, Gunther Schabowski, announced East Germans would be allowed to travel directly to West Germany.

The move was intended to stem an exodus into West Germany through the back door which began last summer when the new and more liberal regime in Hungary opened its border.

The flow of migrants was intensified last week when Czechoslovakia also granted free access to West Germany through its border.

West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has hailed the decision to open the Wall as historic and called for a meeting with East German leader, Egon Krenz.

Courtesy BBC News

In

context

The opening of the Berlin Wall was preceded by a series of momentous events in East Germany.

They included the removal of the countrys hardline Communist leader, Erich Honecker, and the resignation of the entire cabinet.

East Germanys new leader, Egon Krenz, called for free democratic elections.

But it was not enough to turn the tide and once the Berlin Wall was breached, East Germany disintegrated.

On 3 October 1990 the two Germanys merged to form a new united country.

In 1997 Egon Krenz received a six-and-a-half year jail sentence for the manslaughter of people killed by border guards when trying to escape to the West.
Most students in Macao are now halfway through their first semester, or in some high schools, have probably completed their first term. This is a time when the hustle of the beginning of the school year is over and everyone is settled in their new class, or new school for some students. For graduating classes, aside from preparing for all the external examinations, the soon to be high school graduates are being bombarded with information about universities as they decide where and what to study. Unless one is determined to pursue a licensed profession such as doctor, social worker, lawyer or psychologist, students choice of university major does not really matter in Macao.

In countries where the unemployment rate is high, choosing a major with high employability is an important consideration. However, there are more vacancies than available candidates in Macao. On top of that, there is ample support for young entrepreneurs to create an alternative career if they are not able to find the right job. There are also many kinds of scholarships and interest-free tuition loans that provide opportunities for most students to attend the institution or university of their choice. Most young people in Macao have the advantage of being able to enjoy their undergraduate lives studying something they like, be it philosophy, fine arts or even theology, and they do not need to worry about not being able to find a job after graduation.

In fact, there are more important things to do during the four years of university life, such as networking, partying and falling in love. Yes, these are more important than what ones major is if the plan is to find a well-paid job in a large international organization. Why? Because these activities help develop the qualities that most employers are looking for.

According to different human resources professionals from large organizations, one of the most important qualities they look for in candidates is their attitude to work. But what constitutes a good attitude? The general replies are willingness to take on more tasks and pro-activeness in helping other colleagues. But good work attitude cannot be learnt in any major, it is rooted in the upbringing of a person. Someone who is not used to doing anything at home or fending for himself may not be willing to do much at work either. But meeting more people and seeing how others interact may change this attitude. Thats why its important to get out of ones home, go meet new people and party in college. Whats more, having a fun time can develop a more positive attitude in life which would contribute to a better work attitude too.

Another important quality that managers look for in candidates in Macao is a strong communication skill set; more specifically the ability to carry on a conversation clearly and showing confidence when speaking to people. Even for back office jobs that do not require staff to communicate with guests or customers, the ability to convey information clearly between departments is considered an important trait. Surely communication skills can be learnt in the classroom, but it is better developed through practice. Participating in networking activities and accumulating experience in talking to strangers is a better way to improve ones communication skills than taking a class in communication.

Finally, fluency in English is also in high demand, but one does not need to major in English to be fluent in the language. Most high school graduates from Macao have already gone through years of English lessons and what is needed is the opportunity to practice. And the best way to practice is, of course, to talk with non-Chinese speakers, or better yet, to date one.
Defense lawyers in the trial of two women accused of killing the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sought yesterday to establish there was a political motive in the brazen airport assassination, with many key suspects linked to the secretive state.

Siti Aisyah of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam are the only two suspects in custody. They are accused of smearing the banned nerve agent VX on Kim Jong Nams face at a Kuala Lumpur airport terminal on Feb. 13. They pleaded not guilty at the start of their trial on Oct. 2 and face a mandatory death sentence if convicted.

Prosecutors have accused four North Korean men, who fled Malaysia on the day of the killing and remain at large, of conspiring with the women to plot the murder.

We are able to establish that it is not a simple murder. There are a lot of political connotations. All the suspects are North Koreans and the North Korean Embassy was not cooperative in helping police, Aisyahs lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng, told reporters after the court session. In this case, the motive appears to be political more than anything else [] and the girls would not have any political motive whatsoever.

Key parts of yesterdays session that tried to show the North Korean connection:

CAR USED

Police investigating officer Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz told the court that the car used to ferry three of the North Korean suspects to the airport on the day of the murder was bought by a North Korean Embassy official known as Chal Su four months earlier. But he said the vehicle was registered under the name of Ri Jong Chol, a North Korean man.

Ri, a chemist, was arrested four days after Kim was killed. He was later released due to a lack of evidence and deported because he did not have valid travel documents. Wan Azirul said Ri did not drive the suspects to the airport and told police before he was deported that Chal Su used his name to buy the car in October last year. He said he couldnt verify Chal Sus status because the North Korean Embassy refused to cooperate.

N. KOREA OFFICIALS

Airport security video showed that Hyon Kwang Song, then the second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Kim Uk-Il of Air Koryo, North Koreas national carrier, arrived at the main airport terminal 40 minutes before Kim was attacked. The two men were later seen meeting with the North Korean suspects, and Wan Azirul said they assisted the four in leaving the country.

Wan Azirul said police had issued arrest warrants for the two but couldnt interrogate them because they were hiding at the North Korean Embassy. The two were later allowed to leave Malaysia in exchange for nine Malaysians stranded in North Korea, in a deal to end a diplomatic row. Wan Azirul said police interviewed the two suspects before they left but didnt seize their cellphones or laptops to obtain further information. He has said the two claimed it was their duty to assist North Korean citizens flying off.

Wan Azirul said three of the four suspects flew to Indonesias capital, Jakarta, right after Kim was killed, but couldnt confirm a defense assertion that they then flew to Dubai and to Vladivostok in Russia before landing in Pyongyang  routes that the defense said are through countries with friendly ties with North Korea. Wan Azirul said he didnt know if the three men worked for the North Korean Embassy. When asked by the defense whether the fourth suspect flew to Phnom Penh, Cambodias capital, and stayed there for two days before flying to Bangkok, he said he did not know.

CONSTRAINTS

Wan Azirul said his investigation into the North Korean suspects has been partly hampered because its a case involving another country, and that he needed approval from his superior before he could take any action involving the men. He also said he had sought to take a statement from another North Korean suspect, Ri Ji U, known as James, but didnt receive the green light. Defense lawyer Gooi has said James is believed to have recruited Aisyah. Eileen Ng, Shah Alam, AP
A Senate committee unanimously approved legislation that would impose mandatory sanctions on Chinese banks and other financial institutions if they are found to be helping North Korea evade existing penalties from the U.S. and U.N. Security Council.

Members of the Republican-led Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee voted 23-0 for the bill named after Otto Warmbier, the college student from Ohio who was imprisoned by North Korea for more than a year before he returned home in June with brain damage and died days later.

The legislation also would punish companies that knowingly import coal, iron, lead and seafood products from North Korea. Those goods are estimated to be worth more than USD1 billion, about one-third of the countrys estimated $3 billion in exports in 2016.

President Donald Trump would be required to notify Congress before terminating or suspending the sanctions, according to the bill. Proponents said that provision is similar to a mechanism in Russian sanctions legislation that Congress passed this year and Trump signed into law.

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the committees top Democrat, said the bill forces banks to make a choice: either do business with North Korea or the United States, but not both.

Approval of the bill comes more than a month after administration officials asked the committee not to pass any legislation that would undercut their push for a diplomatic resolution with North Korea.

When our hands are tied in different ways, it keeps us from being agile in the way that you would want us to be agile in order to maximize that economic pressure, Sigal Mandelker, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, told the committee in late September.

But Republicans and Democrats on the committee said they aimed to fill holes in existing North Korean sanctions by isolating Pyongyangs enablers.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the committee chairman, said the bill will further restrict North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and the long-range missiles needed to deliver them.

Trump, who is in China, urged the North to come to the table and make a deal on its nuclear weapons program. He stopped short of saying whether he wanted direct diplomatic talks. AP
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Responding to what one travel expert categorized as a wake-up call, TripAdvisor has begun placing symbols next to hotels and resorts that have been identified as locations of sexual assault and other major concerns.

Based on news reports as well as comments from the TripAdvisor community, the warnings are designed to identify health, safety and discrimination issues in all of the websites travel categories, said a company spokesman, Kevin Carter.

These badges will remain on TripAdvisor for up to three months. However, if the issues persist we may extend the duration of the badge, he said. These badges are intended to be informative, not punitive.

Decisions to add or remove a badge will be made by an employee committee, he said. Listings will not be removed from the TripAdvisor website regardless of the number of complaints. We want consumers to see good and bad reviews of businesses, Carter said. Comments from users will continue to be posted on the site.

Three resorts in the Playa del Carmen region of Mexico were those flagged by TripAdvisor, including the hotel ranked at No. 2 by users, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya; the hotel ranked at No. 4, the Iberostar Paraiso Maya; and the fifth-ranked hotel, the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo. Each had received thousands of reviews.

TripAdvisor issued a public apology a week ago to Kristie Love, 35, of Dallas, after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that TripAdvisor had repeatedly deleted her 2010 forum post about the Paraiso Maya resort, where she said she had been raped by a security guard.

TripAdvisor said it had run afoul of a former policy that allowed only family-friendly language.

A subsequent guest at the same resort told The Journal Sentinel that she tried to write about a sexual assault that occurred there in 2015, but eventually gave up because TripAdvisor said parts of her review relied on information that wasnt firsthand.

In that review theres a line about a doctor making a medical diagnosis. Because it was a third-party medical diagnosis, it constituted hearsay, a TripAdvisor spokesman, Brian Hoyt, told The New York Times last week.

As part of its new policy, TripAdvisor will try to be more clear about why reviews are rejected. Our new email communications will clearly articulate the phrase or sentences that are in violation of our policy, inviting the reviewer to make edits and resubmit their review, Carter said.

Thousands of women are identifying themselves as victims of sexual harassment or assault following a call to action propelled by Alyssa Milano in the wake of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's downfall over of allegations of sexual misconduct. (The Associated Pre

I think its a good thing that TripAdvisor is warning people of difficulties at these hotels, Simona Jellenik, senior partner at Jellenik Law, told the Star. It should make hotels more pro-active in their security, not only in terms of hiring people but in their ongoing security for guests in the hotel.

The badge that will appear on TripAdvisor does not explicitly reference sexual assault, but says that the company has been made aware of media reports or events concerning the hotel or resort, and advises readers to perform additional research before making travel plans

Gil Zvulony, a libel lawyer at Zvulony & Company, told the Star that the vagueness of the badge helps to protect TripAdvisor from being sued for defamation.

That statement is very vanilla, said Zvulony. Theyre not saying anything defamatory, theyre saying buyer beware.

Reviews that allege sexual assault also pose legal challenges to TripAdvisor, said Zvulony. Under Canadian law, the platform where a comment is published can be held responsible if the comment is defamatory. This law does not exist in America.

Complaints of sexual assault on travellers are not new, and there are many posts on TripAdvisor written by travellers who say they were raped in various countries.

The U.S. government also identifies locations where sexual assaults occur. For instance, under Country Information for Mexico, the State Department cautions that, Rape and sexual assault are serious problems in resort and other areas. Many of these incidents occur at night or during the early morning hours, in hotel rooms, or on deserted beaches, or through drugging of drinks.

The Journal Sentinel reporting about TripAdvisor came at a time of a national conversation around sexual assault that was brought about by the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the #MeToo social media campaign.

The confluence of those events served as a wake-up call to TripAdvisor, said travel analyst Henry H. Harteveldt, the president of San-Francisco-based Atmosphere Research Group.

Its 100 per cent true that in 2017, and certainly going forward, no travel website can arbitrarily censor or remove posts just because they may address an uncomfortable topic or be awkward, he said, noting that the travel sites have a responsibility to businesses to ensure that the allegations are accurate and verifiable.

The health, safety and discrimination badge is the third that TripAdvisor is using to mark businesses with potential concerns.

A badge is used to identify a listing that may be violating posting guidelines; for instance, by putting up fake reviews. Another badge is used to note when TripAdvisor freezes reviews during major news events where posts may not reflect the opinions of actual guests. That was used next to the Mandalay Bay listing in Las Vegas last month after a gunman killed 59 people and injured more than 500.

Harteveldt said he believes that TripAdvisor should link to government warnings as well. I think that travel websites have a responsibility to be an advocate for their customers. It is helpful, and adds frankly to the trust, if they were to provide links to State Department advisories, he said.

Carter said that TripAdvisor thinks that its 455 million users provide the necessary checks and balances. As always, we encourage consumers to do additional research outside of TripAdvisor.

With files from Star staff

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Its got a heck of a long title, but Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri just might be the movie of the moment.

The new film from Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), in theatres nationwide on Dec. 1, roots itself in the fury of a mother, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), whose daughter has been raped and killed and seemingly forgotten by laconic local police. Dissatisfied with a seven-month-long investigation thats going nowhere, Mildred sends the authorities up in flames by renting three billboards outside her small town.

In block letters, the caustic mom takes on the police chief (Woody Harrelson), demanding to know why more isnt being done. They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but Mildred Hayes would put the fear of God in the devil himself, wrote USA Todays Brian Truitt in his four-star review.

By the way, its also a comedy.

Now industry observers are wondering if increased topicality may send Three Billboards cresting a wave of indignation past best picture favourites that focus on stories of white men, like Second World War tales Dunkirk and Darkest Hour.

This was going to be a best-picture contender anyway, says Anne Thompson, editor at large for film news site IndieWire, noting the films equally deft storytelling around mens confusion and frustration about sexual violence. This is just adding wind to the sails.

After a strong debut on the fall film festival circuit and a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film arrives in cinemas as conversations around sexual harassment and assault are hitting a national high, with allegations in every sector, including restaurant owners, high-profile journalists, fashion photographers and Hollywood giants like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.

Thats not necessarily enough to push it to the top of the best-picture race at the Oscars, says Tom ONeil, founder of awards prognostication site GoldDerby.com. I dont think its a realistic rival to win at this point. But that can change, he says.

Whats notable this year and in this fraught climate, he says, is a best-picture category that looks stacked with films about the female experience, from The Shape of Water and Three Billboards to I, Tonya and Lady Bird.

Its rare that films shot from a female perspective are welcomed to the Oscar race in the best picture contest, he says. When you look down the list, its very noticeable that were seeing a lot of girl power in the mix.

So far, audience reaction has been telling. In September, Three Billboards was a surprise winner of the audience award at Toronto International Film Festival, the festivals top prize. More recently, Fox Searchlight moved the film from a comedy contender to the more competitive best-drama category at the Golden Globes.

In the thick of the sexual harassment scandal, you cant help but bring real life into the theatre, says Amy Nicholson, film critic for Variety and Uproxx, who witnessed whoops and cheers inside a L.A. industry screening last week.

The atmosphere in the room, whenever Frances dug in her heels and refused to back down, was really electric and cathartic, she says. It felt amazing to watch a woman who had passed her breaking point, passed her threshold of dealing with nonsense. It feels were in a time where people are forced to take extraordinary measures.

And historically, voters like to send a message on Oscar night, says ONeil.

Oscar voters are not all the time voting for the best movies, but the most important ones, he says. Movies that make a statement.

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Its been just over a year since Ottawa native Eliza Reid became the first lady of Iceland after her husband, Gudni Johannesson, won the countrys presidential election in June 2016.

Since then, Reid, a writer and editor, has taken on championing Icelands literary culture.

Reid is in Toronto to host a free literary talk at the Spoke Club at 6 p.m. on Nov. 9, part of the annual Taste of Iceland festival which runs until Nov. 12.

Shortly after she landed Tuesday, we talked over the phone about her role as first lady, Reykjaviks burgeoning food scene, Christmas culinary traditions and, of course, Bjork sightings.

How has the past year been as a first family?

Going from regular family life  I was working as an editor and my husband was a professor  to being heads of state with no experience in public life, I think in any other country the change would have been much more significant.

There have been changes; we have four young children and we had to move to the official residence in a new neighbourhood and they had to go to a new school. We get recognized when we go out. But we try to maintain a regular lifestyle as much as possible. Theres nothing that keeps you in reality more than waking up in the morning and changing bed sheets and tidying up after your kids.

And youre still running the writers retreat you founded before becoming first lady.

My friend and I co-founded this event called the Iceland Writers Retreat. To paraphrase another Canadian, its 2016 and Im not going to change my job because my husband got a new job.

Youre here to promote Icelandic culture, but what other roles do you have as first lady?

There is no handbook. The advantage of that is that I can make it my own. Just last week, for the ninth year in a row, Iceland was voted the most gender-equal country in the world, and Im keen on working on issues of gender equality and empowering girls and women. Within the country I try to do a lot of events whether its delivering remarks or a speech. Its important that as a spouse, when the two of us are often seen together, that I also have my own voice and opinions and not be a silent accessory.

How would you describe Icelandic cuisine?

Broadly speaking within the Nordic family of food, its about simplicity and food at the source. There arent a lot of bells and whistles. Its flavourful from the herbs youll find on the landscape, but its not a spicy cuisine. The cuisine builds on centuries-old techniques of pickling and dairy-making. Reykjavik is actually a great destination for foodies and I recommend just going there for a weekend to eat, even if you dont want to climb a glacier or see a volcano. There are very fresh ingredients, the vegetables are grown in greenhouses, the lamb is free-range and (fed on) moss and seaweed. My parents have sheep here in Ontario and they say Icelandic lamb is better.

How is Reykjaviks food scene?

Its a burgeoning food scene and we have visitors to thank for that simply because the size of the local population wouldnt support the number of restaurants that are there now. Theres a restaurant called Dill that got Icelands first Michelin star earlier this year and it uses almost exclusively local ingredients so you wont find chocolate or olive oil, but they do wonderful things with herbs, fish and dairy.

The trends overall are simplicity and sourcing locally, just like with global trends. Ten years ago I used to write restaurant reviews for a local paper and it was all about how much dry ice you can have at the table or imported kangaroo that was barbecued.

There isnt as much what youd call international cuisines so youll have a harder time finding Korean food, but theres a fabulous Indian restaurant I take people to.

People often think of three foods when it comes to Icelandic cuisine  skyr, hotdogs, fermented shark. What is your honest opinion of them?

Skyr: Love it. Its very Icelandic and very old. Its high in protein, low in fat, not piled with sugar and great for kids lunches. If theres one thing thats unique and versatile that can be eaten alone or used in cooking, this would be it.

Hotdogs: Overrated. Oh, if the Icelandic media reads this thats going to be the story: First lady says Icelandic hotdogs are overrated. But Im going to stand by that. Hotdogs are an inexpensive meal and are different because they have crispy-fried onions on top and the hotdogs are boiled, but I wouldnt go out of the way to try it.

Fermented shark: Tourist food. Ive had it several times and you will meet Icelanders of a certain generation or one of my sons, who love it, and think its amazing. If you want to tick off a box, then you should do it.

Is there anything in Icelands food scene you think should get more attention?

Like I mentioned before, the lamb. We also have a great beer scene.

Every restaurant will have a Christmas buffet menu on offer and everyone goes to at least one. There are all kinds of salads, Danish-influenced crackling pork, lamb, risalamande (Danish rice pudding), this thin fried flat bread called laufabraud that you put butter on, potatoes cooked in sugar. The sweet tooth really comes out around this time.

Is there such a thing as Icelandic hospitality? If I were to come to your house for dinner, what should I expect?

First youll have to take your shoes off; people always do that when they enter a home. If youre really trying to showcase food for guests, you would never serve fish as the main course because fish is so common. Lamb would usually be the main unless youre a vegetarian. There would be vegetables and a sauce on the side, and some sort of a shellfish like a lobster soup or a fish starter. There may be a skyr cake for dessert.

Now that youre in Toronto, is there anything youre dying to eat?

When I come to Toronto I try to eat international cuisines so I hope to get in some dim sum, some Ethiopian food, I might grab some Korean for lunch. Im going to see my parents in Ottawa so I hope mom makes her roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Youve said in past interviews that in Iceland youll see Bjork at a restaurant or the community pool. Is it accurate to say the country has a small-town vibe?

Its not a large population; its 340,000 people in the whole country so statistically you end up running into people. I used to joke that you know youve arrived in Iceland when youve had your first Bjork sighting.

So if I spend a week there, what are my odds?

Theyre not that small. I had dinner with my brother in his first week visiting here and there she was at another table.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

The Taste of Iceland festival is running until Nov. 12. Visit icelandnaturally.com for information.

karonliu@thestar.ca

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China pulled out all the stops for President Donald Trumps Beijing airport arrival: honor guard, marching band, jumping children.

The ceremony accompanying Trumps arrival yesterday afternoon was elaborate even by Chinas lavish standards. Heads of state are usually given a low-key reception at the airport, with the real pomp and circumstance reserved for his or her arrival at the Great Hall of the People in the center of Beijing.

As they exited Air Force One, Trump and first lady Melania Trump were met by Chinese and American dignitaries, soldiers standing stiffly at attention, a band playing martial music and smartly attired children waving miniature Chinese and American flags while chanting, Welcome, welcome.

The president and first lady appeared pleased, smiling and accepting flower bouquets, with Trump at one point throwing his arms open and appearing to exclaim, Wow.

As Trumps motorcade pulled away, the tempo increased, with children jumping up and down while they waved and chanted.

Protocol is extremely important in Chinese governance and diplomacy, and such events are always carefully choreographed down to the smallest detail. Spontaneous interactions between visiting leaders and ordinary Chinese are rare, although visiting U.S. presidents have in the past been permitted to deliver speeches and meet with university students.

Welcoming ceremonies have grown increasingly elaborate under Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has lavished more time and energy on advancing Chinas diplomatic agenda than any of his predecessors.

Thats included devoting hundreds of hours a year to welcoming ceremonies, meetings and receptions, in addition to hosting major multilateral events such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting and the G-20 summit.
OTTAWAThe Liberal government says it extended a year-long search for a new ethics watchdog last spring because it was unhappy with the result of a search that produced an insufficient pool of qualified candidates, according to a document filed in federal court.

That search is ongoing, now into its 19th month, as Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson is in the midst of handling several sensitive cases that touch the governments two most powerful officials: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

Democracy Watch released Wednesday an affidavit filed by the federal government in answer to the groups court challenge of the interim reappointments of Dawson and Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd.

The groups lawsuit claims the two commissioners  whove seen their terms in office extended repeatedly  are weak lapdogs and biased in favour of the Liberal government that keeps renewing their contracts.

But the government denies that, saying it just cannot come up with the right people for either job under its rigorous selection processes.

The affidavit quotes a Privy Council official who says the selection process to replace Dawson that began in May 2016 did not yield a sufficient pool of qualified candidates. In April 2017, the Privy Council office  the central department that supports the Prime Ministers Office  launched another selection process all over again.

In the case of the ethics watchdog, the affidavit blames rigorous statutory requirements for the job for the governments failure to find Dawsons replacement. It quotes PCO special advisor Kathleen McKillop who said the application period will remain open until a qualified candidate has been identified and an appointment has been made.

A separate affidavit about the search for a new lobbying commissioner says that selection process ran from May 2016 to January 2017 and yielded nobody up to the job. While a significant number of candidates submitted their applications, at the end of the process there were no candidates judged to be qualified for recommendation for appointment to the position, the affidavit says. In June 2017, that search was also re-launched.

Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch and an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawas political science and law schools, dismisses the governments claim in both cases, especially given that I and likely other fully qualified candidates applied for the lobbying commissioner position.

As for the ethics watchdog, Conacher said the Liberals decided that it wasn't a sufficient pool of qualified candidates but that doesn't change the fact that they had a pool of qualified candidates. And instead of consulting with opposition party leaders to determine if one of the candidates was acceptable to them, they chose to reappoint Dawson for another six months.

Trudeau recused himself in May from the decision on Dawsons replacement because her office is investigating his 2016 Christmas trip to the Aga Khans island.

Contacted Wednesday, PCO refused to say whether it had one or more qualified candidates for ethics job last spring, or to say why no names were put to the Opposition parties. (Under the Parliament of Canada Act, the appointment of the ethics commissioner is made after consultation with leaders of all recognized parties in the Commons.)

PCO spokesman Stephane Shank said the government is committed to identifying the most qualified candidates through an open, transparent and merit-based selection process, and will take as long as is required to find the right person for this important position. He declined further comment, saying the matter is before the court.

NDP ethics critic Nathan Cullen calls the Liberals selection process to replace several parliamentary watchdogs a total sham.

Dawsons performance as ethics watchdog is under increasing scrutiny precisely because she has several high-profile sensitive files on her desk.

The prime minister is the subject of two probes by her office, after he came under fire in January for his holiday to the billionaire Aga Khans private island in the Bahamas. Dawson recently said she hoped to be done before her current term ends on Jan. 8.

Dawsons office also declined to say how she is proceeding on the NDP complaint about Finance Minister Bill Morneaus involvement in a pension bill. She is looking into the matter, said spokesperson Jocelyne Brisebois.

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HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAMPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Burma leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Vietnam.

Suu Kyi is an honorary Canadian citizen and Nobel laureate who has faced widespread international criticism for not speaking out against the violence against her countrys Muslim minority.

This will be their first meeting since a crackdown by security forces that began in late August and has forced 900,000 Rohingya Muslims into exile in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Read more:

Canada wont be rushed into signing revived TPP, Trudeau says in Vietnam

Trudeau satisfied with response by fundraiser Stephen Bronfman to Paradise Papers

Trump met with praise, pomp and pageantry in Asia, particularly in China

Canadian officials, who have spoken on the condition of anonymity, have said Ottawa has been reluctant to overtly blame Suu Kyi for the violence against Muslims in her country because it believes Myanmars military is using it to undermine her celebrated global reputation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and the United Nations have said the violence against the Rohingya amounts to ethnic cleansing.

Before his meeting with Suu Kyi, Trudeau will be briefed Friday by Bob Rae, Canadas special envoy for the Rohingya crisis, on his findings in Burma.

Rae is also expected to use the 21-member APEC summit to meet other regional players to push for a co-ordinated solution to the crisis.

Trudeau has said hes reached out to Suu Kyi about the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya.

He spoke with her in September and also wrote her a letter to outline what she and the government of Burma must do to protect innocent lives and act according to the expectations of Canada and the world.

The Liberal government has come under pressure to strip Suu Kyi of her honorary Canadian citizenship.

Trudeau continued his visit to Vietnam today by taking part in a roundtable with business leaders in Ho Chi Minh City.

Many of the leaders in attendance already have business connections to Canada. Trudeau was also a guest at the city's stock exchange where he rang a gong three times to get the trading day started.

His itinerary also includes an armchair discussion with the chairman of the Ho Chi Minh People's Committee, a visit to a university and an evening reception before he heads to Da Nang for Friday's Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will not be pressed into signing an updated version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement if it doesnt align with Canadas best interests. (The Canadian Press)

One of the key issues facing APEC members is the future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

U.S. President Donald Trump has pulled his country out of the pact and the remaining TPP economies are trying to keep it alive. There has been speculation that some kind of deal could be reached by the end of the summit.

However, Trudeau said Wednesday that he will not be pressed into signing an updated Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty too hastily, even if some of Canada's partners are keen to secure a quick agreement.

He will travel to Danang on Friday for the APEC summit, where participants will include Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Its not just that they were all tangled up in ruinous lies.

Who loves whom and whos sleeping with whom and whos seducing whom  like characters in a trashy pulp novel.

The outright savagery and self-absorption  complete lack of empathy  is what drips like poison from the social media record.

Before one of them ended up dead, another charged with first-degree murder, and a third, well, shes an elusive protagonist, a peek-a-boo presence flitting across the slag heap of evidence at a trial now into its third week.

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She found Laura Babcock on a park bench days before Babcocks death and took her in. Would you have?: Mallick

Laura Babcocks final cellphone call connected with cell tower near Dellen Millards home, court hears

Accused killer Dellen Millard appears to be getting comfortable acting as his own lawyer: DiManno

Theres been no indication that the Crown intends to call Christina Noudga to testify, a curious strategic decision.

But shes certainly in the courtroom, in spirit and in bile.

Noudga, who, the jury has heard, sent a skanky text message to Laura Babcock a couple of months before the 23-year-old was last seen alive, boasting about the first time shed had sex with Dellen Millard  on the evening, a year previously, of Babcocks birthday party.

And from the there, the prosecution maintains, were sown the seeds of murder, because two mutually hostile women  Babcock, the girlfriend past; Noudga, the girlfriend present  were engaged in a toxic wrangle for Millards affections, an accused who has described himself in court as chronically, unrepentantly unfaithful. A man who, says the Crown, killed Babcock because she had become too much of an aggravation, threatening his relationship with Noudga.

Did you have sex with Laura? Noudga demands to know, in a text message sent to Millard on April 16, 2012.

Millard: Nope.

Noudga: Are you being honest?

A useless question to put to her feckless boyfriend, as even Noudga must have known by that point in their relationship, as all the principle players  these three and an assortment of their clique insiders  coupled and uncoupled and gossiped endlessly about each other, lurid bulletins zinging back and forth. Because thats where they appeared to really live their lives out loud, in internecine around-the-clock dispatches, using a fistful of phones and avatar designations.

Millard insisted he hadnt been intimate with Babcock since long before he became involved with Noudga, years before, when theyd dated briefly and remained friends afterwards.

I have higher standards than Laura, Millard assured, vainly.

Noudga remained troubled and upset.

She actually managed to annoy me to the point where my blood pressure went up. I was all shaken and heart pounding.

Its unclear which incident Noudga was referring to specifically. But the jury has heard that Babcock responded to Noudgas birthday shot with a tit-for-tat thats fine, I slept with him a couple of weeks ago.

Babcock, who disappeared just after Canada Day, 2012  her body has never been found and the Crown says Millard burned it in an incinerator with co-accused wingman Mark Smich  had spent the previous months couch-surfing, at odds with her parents and working for an escort service. Court has heard shed been suffering from mental illness and had been variously diagnosed as bipolar, depressive and a borderline personality.

Millard, according to texts, had grown weary of the burden that Babcock had become. From her dealings with me, I pity her . . . she really is mentally ill . . . but mental illness is no defence, he told Noudga. Im going to hurt her.

Allegedly, he meant that literally.

Im just telling her, you know, she knows your p---- smells better than hers.

Every act of kindness, he complained, had drawn him only further into Babcocks psychosis and his patience had run out.

Noudga was even more fed up with the whole psychodrama, although simultaneously  from the tone of her texts  revelling in it.

F--k, shes like a virus, like herpes. Always there but only shows up once in a while with a whole lot of annoying lesions.

Millard: Theres a difference. Herpes you cant really get rid of. It just feeds off you until you die. First Im going to hurt her, then Ill make her leave.

A few weeks later, in a middle-of-the-night exchange, Millard and Noudga returned to their favourite metaphors, likening Babcock to a parasite, and that removal of the parasite should accelerate riddance of her.

Noudga was only slightly conflicted  its not clear she grasped malice intent as a reality  but also rather thrilled by it.

I dont know but when you say things . . . I feel really loved and warm inside. Its not cause Im sinister or sadistic and want her hurt. Its just, I dont know how to explain it, it feels like you want to protect me and I feel safe, in a sense.

Many of these implicating social media missives had already been referenced by the prosecution and recounted by earlier witnesses. But on Wednesday, Crown attorney Ken Lockhart went through the material methodically  a trove of texts and messages, data retrieved from three computers seized by police at Millards home, which included backup copies of his phone texts. Much of the correspondence had been erased but Jim Falconer, recently retired detective sergeant with the OPPs technical crime unit, indicated that recovering nearly all of them off the hard drive hadnt been difficult.

For hour upon hour, Falconer provided a forensic narrative, reading each message out loud, noting the phone numbers from which they originated and the phone numbers which received them, the date and the time.

Footprints we leave behind.

From inside that hoard emerged compelling evidence that Babcock, whatever her mental health issues, was not the crazy girl, the stalker, as shed been depicted in exchanges between Millard and Noudga.

It had been established, already, that Millard was having sex with Babcock  however insignificant the intimacy had been to him  during those months, after her breakup with boyfriend Shawn Lerner, when she was clearly feeling fragile and lost.

Babcock had written to Millard in December: He wants to end it. We arent officially over but now all these thoughts are here . . . I love Shawn. Hes my best friend. I feel sometimes I want other people. But I always want Shawn . . . . My anxiety level is abnormally high.

Later, after theyd definitively called it quits: Oh well. Im out. Wooohoo. F--k, I wanna get laid.

And: I want you to hurt me as you f--k me.

Millard was at least initially cool to the idea.

Going to Naked F--ksville with you not happening. Dont get me wrong, it would be fun. I just dont want the drama that would come out of it.

But he did embrace the drama, after all.

Did you tell her? Babcock afterwards asked, meaning Noudga. I assume so since youre so open with each other.

Millard: Tell what to who?

In those final months, Laura Babcock was living slapdash, haphazardly. She was using drugs heavily and, with her engaging personality, coaxing many kindnesses from many strangers. She bragged to Millard  and this was probably a fanciful invention  about having taken up with a rich guy and that they were maybe getting married; she was supposed to pick out an expensive ring.

A part of her still believed in happy endings. A part of her believed in Dellen Millard.

You already know, but I really do love you,

Millard wrote back: Love is a wonderful & terrible thing. I am thankful for your feelings. It would be better for you if you found someone else to love.

Rosie DiManno usually appears Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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A large demonstration at Queens Park called on Canadian governments to phase out nuclear power and opt for renewable energy sources, instead.

First Nations people and environmentalists from around Ontario joined in solidarity on Thursday

Initially, they had gathered to attend a panel discussion on Wednesday at the University of Toronto.

Some held placards baring the words Protect the sacred.

They formed a drum circle at one point.

Activists say waste generated by nuclear energy must be regulated more efficiently, and that future production of nuclear power will only lead to more waste, so it should be terminated in order to safeguard human and environmental health.

Collectively, were addressing the nuclear industry and what is to be done with the waste afterwards, said Quinn Meawasige, 24, a member of Bawating Water Protectors, a grass-roots organization. Were raising awareness. We dont want to burden our future generations with this problem.

We need to act now.

Before settlers arrived in what was to become Canada, all land belonged to Indigenous people, Meawasige said. Now its home to industry, he added.

First Nations remain steadfast in their opposition to a waste repository at the Bruce nuclear facility, located near Lake Huron. The federal government has yet to sign-off on the project proposed by Ontario Power Generation.

Theres no burial or transportation of radioactive waste without the free, prior and informed consent of the Indigenous communities, the First Nations who would be impacted, Meawasige said. We need to be working toward a renewable future.

Radioactive waste disposal is tightly regulated and is safe, said a spokesperson from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the federal agency tasked with monitoring and regulating the nuclear industry, and issuing licenses to producers.

CNSC imposes rigorous reporting requirements on the operators of nuclear waste management facilities, and verifies that facilities comply with established safety requirements through inspections and audits, said spokesperson Aurele Gervais, adding that current, licensed radioactive waste facilities do not adversely affect bodies of water.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee is focused on the solution, he said, which starts with individual environmental stewardship.

You can write letters to the editors of papers. You can write letters to your member of parliament, petition environmental ministers, he said.

Would you poison your mother?

Thats really what were doing when we poison mother earth.

Were saying we got to stop this nonsense.

Dr. Gordon Edwards, the president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, takes aim at the federal and Ontario governments, saying they do not have adequate policies in place to manage nuclear waste.

Both levels of government have been basically abdicating responsibility to the nuclear industry, said Edwards.

Edwards said that the nuclear commission spearheads environmental assessments for these projects.

But it has never refused to grant licenses to industry players, he said.

Were concerned about their lack of objectivity. Now, were getting to the point where the industry wants to abandon this waste, he said, adding that storage locations are mainly located near major rivers and lakes, which can have an impact on First Nations and municipalities.

Its scary prospect, because many of these wastes remain dangers for hundreds of thousands of years, he said.

Angela Bischoff, outreach director for the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, said it is high time Ontario switches to renewable energy entirely.

The Pickering nuclear plant was supposed to shutdown a decade ago, she said, but it keeps getting license extensions. She added that its current operating license is set to expire in 2018.

It starts with making a deal with Quebec, she said. They have surplus water power and (they are) offering it to Ontario at a fraction of the cost of keeping our aging nuclear fleet alive.

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A former patient, who refuses to testify at the discipline hearing of the doctor accused of sexually abusing her, wants to stop Ontarios medical regulator from forcing her to attend.

A lawyer for Patient A, whose name is covered by a publication ban, told a five-member discipline panel of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario on Thursday that he will be bringing a motion to quash the colleges summons for the woman to testify.

Lawyer Neil Perrier said the patient maintains shes being coerced by the college into testifying against Toronto doctor Suganthan Kayilasanathan, and refuses to appear.

The hearing was adjourned until Nov. 20 for legal arguments on the motion.

The college certainly does not agree that there has been coercion with respect to this patient, college lawyer Carolyn Silver told the panel.

She said the patient previously consented to the college accessing her medical records and was co-operative in the early part of the colleges investigation.

Silver said the college has begun the process of asking a Superior Court judge to enforce the summons and issue what is known as a bench warrant.

If granted, my client will be arrested by the police and forced to attend this hearing, Perrier told the panel.

The college alleges Kayilasanathan wrote the patient two doctors notes within the span of a week in 2010 to avoid taking exams, and that the two had sex one night during that week at a Mississauga hotel.

He denies the allegations. If found guilty of sexual abuse, Kayilasanathan will automatically be stripped of his licence.

The patient never complained to the college; the regulator became aware of her case from another doctor. Physicians are required by law to report to the college when they become aware of doctors and patients having sex.

The colleges position on the summons is different than in a previous case involving Kayilasanathan this past spring.

Along with another doctor, Amitabh Chauhan, he was facing a discipline proceeding on professional misconduct charges for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman. (The pair had been acquitted of the same allegations in 2014 following a high-profile judge-alone criminal trial. The burden of proof at the college level is lower than in criminal court.)

But the alleged victim in that case also did not appear to testify, and in that instance, Silver, who was also the colleges lawyer on that case, said the college would not be enforcing the summons and withdrew the allegations against the two doctors.

The process of testifying has been gruelling and has had a significant detrimental impact on Ms. X, said a letter from the womans lawyer that Silver read into the record in May. She is simply not able to subject herself to the psychological, emotional and physical harm of another hearing.

In that case as well, the woman had not complained to the college. The regulator launched its own investigation in the wake of the criminal trial.

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One of two men accused of killing Laura Babcock and burning her body ordered a large animal incinerator  called The Eliminator  days before the young woman disappeared five years ago, a Toronto court heard on Thursday.

The Eliminator was operational a few weeks after Babcock disappeared, according to text messages recovered by police.

Retired forensic officer Jim Falconer guided jurors through a lengthy presentation about the haul of data found on three computers seized at the home of Dellen Millard.

What temperature is cremation done at? read a screen capture of an online search taken from Millards phone at 10:38 p.m. on July 23, 2012.

Best answer: 1700 degrees and it takes about 1 hour for the first 100 pounds and  hour for each 100 after that.

Read more:

Millards texts reveal savagery, self-absorption, lack of empathy: DiManno

Trial hears about bitter feud in alleged love triangle involving Laura Babcock

Babcocks father, Clayton, who sat in the courtroom, held his hand to his mouth as he listened to the testimony.

The Crown contends Millard and his friend, Mark Smich, killed Babcock and then incinerated her body.

Falconer, a former detective sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police, showed court a series of photographs and videos taken from Millards phone at a hangar he owned at the Region of Waterloo International Airport on the same night.

One photo, taken at 11:14 p.m., shows Smich standing in front of the incinerator, smiling and holding a black pole.

Another photo, taken at 11:20 p.m., shows flames inside the incinerator.

A video recorded at 11:45 p.m. shows embers floating in the air, a streetlight in the distance and a rumbling sound in the background.

About an hour later, a note was created on Smichs iPad. It read:

The bitch started off all skin and bone,

Now the bitch lay on some ash stone,

Last time I saw her was outside the home,

And if u go swimming u can find her phone

WARNING: Contains profanities. Video showing Mark Smich rapping is among evidence shown at the first-degree murder trial of the Ontario man, who is accused with Dellen Millard of killing Laura Babcock in 2012. Both men have pleaded not guilty. (The Canadian Press)

The jury then saw a video of Smich rapping those lyrics, which was recorded on Sept. 25, 2012, at Millards home.

The Crown alleges Millard, 32, of Toronto, and Smich, 30, of Oakville, Ont., killed Babcock because she was the odd woman out in a love triangle with Millard and his girlfriend.

Prosecutors say Millard and Smich burned the 23-year-old womans remains in an incinerator that was later found on Millards farm near Waterloo, Ont.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges.

Falconer told court that back on June 18, 2012, Millard asked a man named Shaner to order an animal incinerator that could burn a 250-pound animal.

Cost on small 250 lb incinerator is 11390. Next model is 500 lb and sells for 13440. Tax and shipping extra, Shaner wrote to Millard.

Put an order in for the larger one. Use the red Visa, Millard wrote.

The total cost of the incinerator, which Millard and Shaner referred to as the BBQ, came to more than $15,000 after taxes, according to texts from Shaner.

Millard struggled to get the incinerator operational, according to a slew of texts between he and Shaner.

But they got it working by July 23. At 3:07 p.m. that day, Millard wrote to Smich: bbq has run its warm up, its ready for meat.

On July 3, court has heard, Babcocks phone pinged off the same cell tower as Millards phone at the same time  near Millards house in Torontos west end. Her final outgoing phone call came at 7:03 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m., Millard texted Smich: Im on a mission, back in 1 hr.

Court has heard that Babcocks phone stopped connecting with cell towers at 11 a.m. on July 4.

At 2:40 p.m., an image from Millards phone showed a dog sitting beside an object wrapped in a large blue tarp, with the GPS co-ordinates showing it was taken at Millards farm near Waterloo, Ont.

On July 7, a calendar event was created on Millards phone with the note: Barn smell check.

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It took four years battling her estranged husband in German and Canadian courts before Kate Baggott was finally allowed to settle with her two children in Canada.

On Thursday, the St. Catharines woman hopes to begin the final chapter of her struggle when the Supreme Court of Canada examines the workings of an agreement that determines the fate of children caught up in international child custody and abduction cases.

Ultimately, the courts ruling could change the way Canadian authorities decide what country these children should live in and result in a more child-centric approach.

In Baggotts case, the years of legal wrangling meant that her children lived in limbo, moving back and forth between Germany and Canada, disrupting their education and making it impossible to put down roots.

Ultimately nothing was gained from having gone through this process, Baggott told the Star in an interview.

She described the experience as surreal and said the court process was too focused on legal arguments instead of what is best for the children.

The Supreme Courts ruling will have no effect on Baggotts case, after a German court finally awarded her full custody of her son, 15, and daughter, 11, from their father John Paul Balev and let the three return to Canada in April. But the court decided to proceed anyway with the appeal of Ontario Court of Appeal ruling as it recognized the importance of the issue.

All the parties at Thursdays hearing hope the high court can provide guidance on the definition of habitual residence under the Hague Convention, an international child protection agreement recognized by 98 countries.

The designation determines where a child in a custodial dispute should temporarily stay while the case is ongoing and which country has the authority to adjudicate the case.

This comes down to how we figure out where a childs habitual residence is. Right now, there is no national consistency on this, said Patric Senson, a co-counsel for the Baggott, one of eight parties with standing before the Supreme Court.

Whatever comes out, it will provide some clarity for everybody involved in this situation so everyone will be working from the same page . . . reduce the amount of litigation and stress for the child and litigants.

In Canada and elsewhere, different courts have different interpretations of habitual residence, with some defining it as the last place of the residence agreed upon by the parents prior to the removal of the child by one party, while others base it on the childrens best interests.

The appeal to the Supreme Court was brought by the Office of the Childrens Lawyer (OCL), a Ontario body that represents children under age 18 in court cases involving custody, access and child protection, as well as in civil, and estates and trusts cases.

Baggott, a writer, and Balev, a computer programmer, married in Toronto in 2000 and moved to Germany on work permits the following year for his job. Their two children were both born there but were not eligible for German citizenship.

The couples relationship fell apart but the family still lived together in the same house when the mother and their two children moved back to Canada in 2013 after the father agreed to let the children stay with their mother in Canada for 16 months.

However, according to Baggotts submission to the high court, Balev later went to German authorities claiming Baggott abducted their children, sparking the four-year legal battle.

Last September, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the childrens objections to returning to Germany and ruled that the mother breached the Hague Convention and they must all go back because Germany was their habitual residence.

In its factums to the Supreme Court, the OCL said the appeal court decision to return Baggotts two children to Germany was wrong because it failed to consider the best interests of the minors, who at that point had lived in Canada for three years, were in school and had friends and support in the community.

The goal of deterring abduction and protecting the interests of children generally was prioritized over the rights of the individual children before the courts, said the OCL in its submission.

As a result, (the children) were harmed by the operation of the very Convention that was meant to protect them. In this appeal, the OCL urges an interpretation of the Convention that is child-centric, consistent with Canadas obligations.

However, the attorneys general in Ottawa, Ontario and British Columbia argue the current approach in determining the childs residence offers an objective guide for Canadian authorities to follow.

The Convention is intended to combat international child abductions, including the wrongful retention of children in foreign states and to protect children from their harmful effects, said the submission from the federal attorney general.

The submission said the prompt return of the child to the state of habitual residence best protects the interests of children by respecting rights of custody under domestic laws. The Convention is not intended to determine the custody arrangement that is in the best interests of the child.

Ontario warns in its submission that the child-centric approach proposed by the appellant would incentivize parents to subject their children to harmful manipulation  developing artificial attachments to their new environment  in order to influence the childs perspective about their habitual residence.

While the case is still up in air, both Baggott and Balev said in their submissions the fight has exhausted their financial resources.

The Hague Convention is meant for genuine cases of abduction when one parent disappears with the child in the night, said Baggott, who is still struggling to turn a new page of her life with her two children. It is not meant for cases like ours.

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What started out as a justifiable strike to protect the rights of vulnerable college teachers has spiralled into an unjustifiable power struggle over whos right.

Four weeks later, as many as 500,000 paying students are paying a disproportionate price. And learning a disappointing lesson in how far teachers and college administrators will go to prove a point  right down to the last student.

From the first, the union rightly stressed the plight of precarious workers  contract teachers who form the vast majority of staff at Ontarios 24 colleges. OPSEU reminded us that piecework professors are the dirty little secret of the provinces sprawling educational-industrial complex.

This strike has remained surprisingly below the radar. Unlike the bitter work stoppages that play out on the front pages when schoolchildren are involved, hundreds of thousands of students have suffered in silence, their petitions largely ignored by a hands-off government.

On the Liberals watch, our community colleges have strayed from their original mandate of offering functional, applied schooling for young people trying to navigate an increasingly precarious job market. Shortchanged by provincial funding, todays colleges make up the difference by exploiting instructors while expanding into the terrain of universities.

The resulting paradox of precarity  instructors ghettoized into unstable short-term contracts while trying to equip students for steady employment  proved profoundly embarrassing for the colleges. OPSEU demanded that the number of part-time and contract teaching faculty rise to 50 per cent  a battle worth fighting, as I argued in a column last month.

To its credit, the union shamed college employers into recognizing their hypocrisy at the negotiating table. With new legislation requiring employers to pay part-timers on the same scale as full-timers, the colleges grudgingly agreed to a provincial task force to examine the issue in depth.

At that point, compensation negotiations came to within a quarter of a percentage point of resolution. Then the talking stopped.

And the rhetoric took over, with both sides digging in on the more vexing issue of academic freedom. OPSEU sought what amounts to a power-sharing arrangement that would effectively give teachers veto rights over what and how they teach.

Ontario college students lent support to striking faculty members Oct. 25 at a rally outside the provinces advanced education ministry in Toronto. One student says the length of the strike, which began Oct. 15, is nerve-wracking. (The Canadian Press)

Under the guise of academic freedom, such lofty demands disguise more mundane workplace disputes. Employees in all workplaces are sometimes subject to seemingly arbitrary demands and capricious interventions by employers.

But management rights (right or wrong) are normally vested in management  with disagreements resolved in the grievance process or human rights tribunals. For college instructors to elevate their disputes to the realm of academic freedom is a conceit borrowed from cutting-edge professors in the rarefied world of research universities.

Perhaps OPSEU has been infected by the same university-creep that has animated college administrators seeking to expand their empires. But colleges are not collectives, nor are they universities. Workplace disagreements on their campuses are not conceptually different from the clashes in Ontario high schools, where academic freedoms are not codified in such a way.

While the union got bogged down in an ivory tower war of attrition, the College Employer Council plotted a sneak attack of its own. It invoked the employers one-time right to force a vote by the union membership on its final offer  a controversial and potentially poisonous move in labour relations.

Now, we are stuck with a strike for at least another week until members can cast ballots. Even more mischievously, the employer asked OPSEU to end its work stoppage immediately, knowing full well they had put the union in an impossible position.

OPSEU is vulnerable, having won a strike vote of barely two-thirds in September  a relatively modest mandate in the posturing game of labour negotiations. No union wants to see its own members cross a picket line, nor refuse their own advice to reject a final offer  and no one wants to see a union undone.

Labour dynamics are always unpredictable, but disputes in the public sector cause collateral damage. This strike has gone on far too long, with neither side knowing when to quit  and seemingly oblivious to the impact on students with the clock ticking on their term.

Making the best of a bad hand, OPSEU has countered by asking the employer council to return to the table immediately. And its hard to imagine why the colleges wouldnt agree, having exacerbated an already pointless confrontation.

Kathleen Wynne has taken a hands-off approach until now, but times up. The premier needs to remind the colleges that talking is better than attacking. And the union needs to remember that bargaining is about compromising  not just for the sake of students in the classrooms, but teachers in the membership.

If they dont, all sides will have to live with the long-lasting consequences for our colleges: the Liberal government, college presidents, union leaders, and  not least  the nearly 500,000 students now missing classes.

Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca, Twitter: @reggcohn

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A chemical plant near Sarnia evacuated workers Wednesday afternoon after a hydrogen sulphide leak, a plant worker said.

Staff at the Nova Chemicals site in Corunna, south of Sarnia, were told to evacuate at about 4:45 p.m., the plant source, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal, told the Star and Global News. An alert issued by the nearby First Nations community of Aamjiwnaang stated the chemical spilled was hydrogen sulphide.

Its not clear when the leak began. The same source said Nova staff were told Wednesday morning that a leak happened last (Tuesday) night and (was) still not contained.

The company, which employs about 500 people at the plant, called an all-clear just after 6 p.m. A spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, which must legally be told about any chemical spills, didnt say if Nova notified the government of the incident but said its now aware of an alarm at the plant.

The ministry has reached out to Nova Chemicals, Environment spokesperson Gary Wheeler said via email.

Nova will provide information to us as soon as possible if there are any environmental issues that require ministry involvement. Ministry staff will respond as soon as possible, if necessary.

Nova didnt respond to questions about when the leak began, if the leak affected the surrounding community, whether it has done air monitoring, or what results that air monitoring may have shown.

Last month, a joint investigation by the Star, Global News, National Observer, the Michener Awards Foundation and journalism schools at Ryerson and Concordia universities revealed a troubling pattern of secrecy and potentially-toxic leaks in the Sarnia area. There are 57 polluters within 25 kilometres of the city registered with the Canadian and U.S. governments.

The investigation also raised questions about whether companies and the provincial government are properly warning residents of Sarnia and Aamjiwnaang when potentially toxic substances are leaked.

Hydrogen sulphide, also known as sour gas or H2S, has a rotten-egg odour. At high enough concentrations, it can paralyze the human sense of smell and cause death.

Workers at Novas plant in Corunna received written instructions to wear half- and full-respirator masks in certain areas when they arrived Wednesday morning, the source said. Nova didnt answer questions about how high H2S levels typically reach before staff are asked to wear protection.

These communications are shared twice a shift with the Corunna Site workforce (by email, safety meetings, etc.) to ensure they are aware of the changing personal protective equipment requirements in isolated areas during the shutdown and restart of facilities, said Nova spokesperson Meaghan Kreeft via email.

Aamjiwnaang sent out a public alert about the leak 5 p.m. The City of Sarnia didnt send notice of the incident to its residents.

With files from Carolyn Jarvis, Global News

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LONDONOne of the men tortured in Sri Lanka said he was held for 21 days in a small dank room where he was raped 12 times, burned with cigarettes, beaten with iron rods and hung upside-down.

Another man described being abducted from home by five men, driven to a prison, and taken to a torture room equipped with ropes, iron rods, a bench and buckets of water. There were blood splatters on the wall.

A third man described the prisoners as growing accustomed to the sound of screaming. It made us really scared the first day but then we got used to it because we heard screaming all the time.

Raped, branded or beaten repeatedly, more than 50 men from the Tamil ethnic minority seeking political asylum in Europe say they were abducted and tortured under Sri Lankas current government. The previously unpublished accounts conjure images of the countrys bloody civil war that ended in 2009  not the palm-fringed paradise portrayed by the government.

One by one, the men agreed to tell their stories to The Associated Press and to have the extensive scars on their legs, chests and backs photographed. The AP reviewed 32 medical and psychological evaluations and interviewed 20 men. The strangers say they were accused of trying to revive a rebel group on the losing side of the civil war. Although combat ended 8 years ago, the torture and abuse occurred from early 2016 to as recently as July this year.

Sri Lankan authorities deny the allegations.

Piers Pigou, a South African human rights investigator who has interviewed torture survivors for the past 40 years in the worlds most dire countries, says the sheer scale of brutality is nothing like he has heard before.

The levels of sexual abuse being perpetuated in Sri Lanka by authorities are the most egregious and perverted that Ive ever seen.

Most of the men say they were blindfolded as they were driven to detention sites. They said the majority of their captors identified themselves as members of the Criminal Investigations Department, a police unit that investigates serious crimes. Some, however, said it appeared their captors and interrogators were soldiers based on the types of uniforms and insignia they were wearing.

In an interview last week in Colombo, Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake denied the torture allegations.

The army was not involved  and as for that matter  Im sure that police also were not involved, he said. Theres no reason for us to do that now.

The Sri Lankan government minister in charge of the police agreed to an interview with the AP last month but did not follow through.

Despite its denials that widespread torture still persists, Sri Lanka has repeatedly failed to investigate war crimes allegations stemming from its 26-year civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who were fighting for an independent homeland, and the Sinhalese-dominated government. The Tigers, as they were known, were designated as a terrorist organization after a wave of suicide bombings. The governments forces were accused of targeting civilians, which is considered a war crime under international law.

At the end of August, human rights groups in South America filed lawsuits against Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Sri Lankas ambassador to Brazil and other South American nations. He is accused of overseeing military units that attacked hospitals and killed, disappeared and tortured thousands of people at the end of the war.

Upon the ambassadors return to Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena vowed that neither Jayasuriya nor any other war hero would face prosecution  a pledge that rights groups said illustrates the governments refusal to investigate its own soldiers accused of war crimes.

Nevertheless, Sri Lankas international profile is on the rise.

In May, the European Union restored the special trade status that Sri Lanka lost in 2010 after the country had failed to implement key international conventions. Sri Lanka is also paid to participate in UN peacekeeping missions and was recently asked to sit on a UN leadership committee trying to combat sexual abuse. An AP investigation earlier this year found that 134 Sri Lankan peacekeepers participated in a child sex ring in Haiti that persisted for three years  and no one was ever prosecuted.

Zeid Raad al-Hussein, one of the UNs top diplomats who has pushed for accountability in Sri Lanka, was aghast at the APs accounts of the 52 tortured men.

While the UN is unable to confirm this until we mount an investigation, clearly the reports are horrifying and merit a much closer inspection from our part, especially if they occurred in 2016 and 2017, said Zeid, the UNs High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The International Truth and Justice Project has gathered testimony from more than 60 Sri Lankans across Europe  52 of whom were part of the APs investigation. The group has been lobbying governments and international organizations to get justice for victims. Staff assigned the men witness numbers to protect their identities and the AP agreed to share their stories on condition of anonymity because the men fear that they or their families in Sri Lanka could face reprisals.

The men said they were accused of working with the Tamil Tigers, but the government insisted in its interview with the AP that the rebel group is no longer a threat. Nearly all of the men were branded with tiger stripes. One man had nearly 10 thick scars across his back.

Most of the men said they were sexually abused or raped, sometimes with sticks wrapped in barbed wire. Though rape carries a significant social stigma, the victims said they felt obligated to tell their stories.

I want the world to know what is happening in Sri Lanka, a 22-year-old known as Witness #205 told the AP during an interview in July. The war against Tamils hasnt stopped.

A white van abduction

Unlike most of the victims, Witness #249 admits to having been a member of the Tigers nearly a decade ago, joining up when their ranks had been depleted in the final stages of the war. He walks with a limp, caused when a piece of shrapnel left in his leg from a battle in which nine of his friends were blown up.

After the war, he returned to the family farm, helping his father. Last year, he married his high school sweetheart, and began collecting donations for victims of the war.

Soon after his wedding in 2016, he said, he was snatched off the streets, arriving at a torture room hours later.

They heated up iron rods and burned my back with stripes, he told the AP, closing his eyes and rocking back and forth. On another occasion, they put chili powder in a bag and put the bag over my head until I passed out. They ... raped me.

His father eventually bribed the security officers to free him. He was hospitalized for 10 days after his release. Most of the men said their families paid an average bribe of around $3,250 (U.S.) and up to $20,000 to be smuggled into Europe  hefty sums that sometimes forced their families to sell parcels of land.

Many of the other victims said they had never worked for the Tamil Tigers. But all told similar tales: they were abducted at home or off the streets by men in white or green vans, they were tortured for days or weeks or months, a family member often secured their release through a bribe, and they made their way to Europe using smugglers.

I didnt even get a chance to say goodbye to my wife before I fled for England.

Now, after all he has endured, Witness #249 relates to the tragic characters in the works of his beloved Shakespeare: broken and cursed.

Last year, Sri Lankan authorities were called to Geneva to testify before the UN Committee against Torture. When questioned about allegations of continued use of torture against suspects in police custody and impunity for alleged perpetrators, Sri Lankas Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya said the countrys constitution prohibited torture and that strengthening human rights was a cornerstone of its current agenda. He also said strict action would be taken against perpetrators of human rights violations.

But advocates say that hasnt happened.

Unless those responsible for these crimes are tackled head on and held accountable, this will not end, said Frances Harrison, project manager for the International Truth and Justice Project.

Many Tamils contend that the government continues to target them as part of a larger plan to destroy their culture. Tamils speak a different language and are largely Hindu, unlike the largely Buddhist Sinhalese majority.

More than 100,000 people were estimated to have died in the war, including at least up to 40,000 civilians in its final months, according to UN estimates. Sri Lankan authorities have denied targeting civilians and dispute the toll.

Witness #205, who reported that he was held for 21 days and tortured, said he was accused of belonging to the Tamil Tigers.

He, like the majority of the other victims, said one of his captors identified himself as a member of Sri Lankas Criminal Investigations Department.

These survivors are the walking wounded of an invisible war in which rape has become the ultimate covert weapon, said Harrison.

Sixty cigarette burns

Many of the victims meet each week at a London church for English classes and counselling sessions.

In July, a new member of the group stepped forward revealing at least 60 cigarette burns on his legs and chest. At 19, he was the youngest victim of the group and trembled when speaking of his sexual abuse.

Whats striking is that Im seeing men who are younger and younger, meaning that they would have had very little to do with the war, said Dr. Charmian Goldwyn, who has seen nearly 200 Tamils who say they were tortured. Some of the cases occurred before 2015 but she has also seen men who have described more recent abuse.

She assesses their mental and physical health and often testifies in their asylum hearings. Branding and scars often make it easier to prove torture for an asylum claim but it becomes more difficult to prove sexual abuse.

Gary Anandasangaree, a Tamil lawmaker in the Canadian government, said there is a large degree of distrust from asylum seekers who fear for the families they left behind. He said people who sought asylum in Canada had calls to their families intercepted. The families in Sri Lanka were then questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department.

The reports of recent torture are not surprising, he said. I heard similar stories on a visit last year.

Though the men are relieved to be in Europe, asylum can take years, and even if granted it isnt necessarily permanent. Britain, like many countries, is buckling under pressure from anti-immigration groups.

For a 34-year-old taxi driver known as Witness #199, the fear of being rejected for asylum is crippling.

In 2014 while still in Sri Lanka, he visited his wife in the hospital after she gave birth to a son. With the war behind him and a new life ahead, he was overjoyed to be starting a family in his homeland  where he finally felt safe.

After leaving the hospital, a man standing next to a white van started calling my name, he said. I wasnt scared at that point so I just got in.

The men asked him to pay a bribe and when he told them he couldnt, they released him on the condition he pay in two weeks, he said.

My uncle said the men would keep coming back to ask for money so he advised that it would be best if I left the country.

He fled to Switzerland, but was rejected for asylum eight months later.

Back home, he said, he was visiting friends when he was abducted again.

This time, he was held 23 days, branded with iron rods and raped after a group of men entered his cell and forced him to drink a bottle of alcohol, he said. Some forced him to perform oral sex on them and beat him when he refused. He lost consciousness. When he woke up, he was naked, covered in semen and bleeding from his rectum.

Seeing the bottle left in his cell, he broke it and tried to slash his wrists.

Two days later, he was released and made his way to the U.K.

Within days of arriving and applying for asylum, he tried to kill himself again, this time by drinking bleach.

He hasnt seen his baby boy since he was born.

The torture room

Some have cast doubt on the mens stories, saying that the marks could have been caused during the war or even that the men could have inflicted the injuries themselves to gain sympathy on asylum applications  an assertion that that medical and academic experts say is not credible.

Witness #203 said he was forced to join the Tigers as a child soldier at 16. He was studying to be a teacher when he found himself on the battlefield. For four months, he was tasked with collecting the body parts of fallen fighters killed in the extensive shelling soldiers so they could be buried.

Then, last year  seven years after the war ended  he said he was abducted in a white van and driven for two hours.

From his location, he believes he could have been taken to the notorious Joseph Camp, a military installation in the north of Sri Lanka that has been the source of numerous torture claims over the years.

For 11 days, he says men stripped him, touched his genitals and forced him to touch theirs. The 12th day was worse.

I was put on a bench face down with my hands tied under it and my feet tied to it, he told the AP.

After refusing to sign a confession written in Sinhalese, the majoritys language, he said his torturers threw a rag soaked in petrol into a bag and shoved the bag onto his head. He passed out. When he awoke he was in a torture room.

It was there that the soles of his feet were thrashed and his back was beaten with a metal pipe. His captors then heated up long metal rods so they could brand him with the marks of a tiger.

He was released on the 13th day after his father paid a bribe and found a Muslim trafficker to arrange for a fake passport for passage to the U.K. In the same month after he arrived, he tried to hang himself with a wire rope. More than a dozen of the victims have tried to kill themselves.

From all of the beatings, especially on the soles of my feet, the pain had taken over. But what haunted me the most is all of the sexual torture that went on.

Many of the men said they signed false confessions after the torture.

The road to recovery will be no easy journey for the men, acknowledges Caroline Roemmele, who supervises some of their counselling.

A mixture of antidepressants, sleeping pills and pain medication brings comfort to some. Others find solace in telling their stories even though each word awakens memories of their traumas.

Its a long process, said Roemmele. But the human race wouldnt have survived if we couldnt survive trauma.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte stopped construction work on a newly formed sandbar in the disputed South China Sea after China protested, the defense chief said yesterday, disclosing details of the territorial spat for the first time.

The dispute over a string of sandbars called Sandy Cay emerged in August and prompted China and the Philippines to consider negotiating some sort of arrangement to prevent such incidents from spiraling out of control, Lorenzana said.

The rift over the tiny sandbar, where Filipinos planned to erect fishermens shelters, in the group near Philippine- occupied Thitu island in the Spratlys archipelago remains unresolved but both sides pledged not to occupy any new territory, he said.

Chinas claims to most of the South China Sea overlap those of the Philippines and four other governments. Despite that, tensions have eased since Duterte took over as president last year and took steps to thaw once-frosty relations with Beijing.

Duterte has courted Chinese trade and assistance and taken a nonconfrontational approach to their territorial disputes. He has refused to immediately take up with China a ruling by a U.N.-linked tribunal that invalidated Beijings sprawling claims in the South China Sea, sparking criticism from nationalists and left-wing groups, which wanted him to demand immediate Chinese compliance with the landmark decision.

We tried to put some structures in one of the sandbars near our island and the Chinese reacted, Lorenzana told a diplomatic and security forum in Manila, adding that Duterte later ordered, Lets pull out.

Duterte made the decision after Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano advised him of an agreement involving China and the Philippines for a halt on new construction in the disputed waters, Lorenzana later told a news conference.

We brought up people there to occupy, to put up structures for our fishermen, Lorenzana said. He said the Chinese complained that we are occupying a new feature.

Philippine foreign affairs and military officials refused to divulge details of the dispute at Sandy Cay in August.

A government security report seen by the AP in August said three Chinese navy ships, a Chinese coast guard ship and 10 Chinese fishing vessels took positions off Sandy Cay after spotting the Filipinos on the barren sandbar. The nearest sandbar in Sandy Cay is about 4.6 kilometers from Philippine-occupied Thitu Island.

On Aug. 15, a blue Chinese helicopter flew low off Thitus southwest coast, the report said.

The Chinese military presence off Sandy Cay sparked concerns in Manila.

Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who has studied the disputes extensively, said then that the Chinese navy ships and other vessels encroached in the Philippine islands 22-kilometer territorial waters. In short, Sandy Cay is a Philippine land territory that is being seized, to put it mildly, or being invaded, to put it frankly, by China, Carpio said.

The long-unresolved disputes are among issues expected to get the spotlight at an annual summit of Southeast Asian nations and their Asian and Western counterparts in Manila next week.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes four governments involved in the sea feud, agreed earlier this year on a framework for a long-proposed nonaggression pact in the disputed waters. The framework is to serve as a roadmap for negotiations on a so-called code of conduct in the often-volatile waterway.

ASEAN, currently led by the Philippines, has come under criticism for failing to take more effective steps to rein in aggressive behavior in the disputed waters, including Chinas transformation of seven disputed reefs into islands with landfill. Many of the 10-nation blocs members depend largely on China for trade, investment and aid.

If ASEAN pursues an over-abundance of caution, it risks becoming only a bystander to the events within its own region, former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told the Manila forum. Jim Gomez, Manila, AP
Our latest episode in our never-ending series on airplane trips gone astray because of human frailty comes from east Asia  though it could just as easily have happened in the skies over Los Angeles or Australia or anywhere else on the planet.

It begins in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday morning, when a married couple boarded a Qatar Airways flight for what the Hindustan Times reported was supposed to a holiday in Indonesia.

Youll notice we said couple. This should immediately create a sense of tension and foreshadow trouble to come.

Will our holidayers find the kind of trouble that a man and woman got into on a Delta Air Lines flight in last months story, when police accused them of having oral sex in their seats? Or will they wind up like a Citigroup vice president and his girlfriend last year  jailed for disorderly conduct on a flight to California?

Not quite. The husband on Qatar Airways Flight 962 fell asleep about an hour after takeoff, according to India Today.

As he drifted into upholstered oblivion, his wife picked up his phone.

(A brief reminder that sleep is no guarantee against calamity. Never forget the bedbug infestation on board British Airways Flight 84.)

The wife carefully lifted up her sleeping husbands index finger and pressed it against the scanner on the phone, according to the Times of India.

She was a few drinks down by then, the outlet wrote, as she began to read what on her husbands private screen and realized that he was allegedly cheating on her.

Some reports about the Qatar flight say the wife began to hit her sleeping husband, while others describe shouting and some unspecified misbehaviour that proved beyond the flight crews ability to control.

In any case, Indian federal police told the Times that the pilot had to make a sudden landing at an airport in Chennai, where the couple and their young child were kicked off.

The arrival of a misbehaving passenger into the arms of airport authorities is often the climax of sad plane stories. In May, a sort of rally formed inside a Shanghai airport, as dozens of put-out passengers chanted Lock him up! while police escorted a belligerent man off their flight.

Our married couple was in fact locked up in Chennai, the Hindustan Times reported, though only because they didnt have Indian visas.

The woman sobered up, discussed who-knows-what with her husband, and the family were eventually returned to Doha without further incident.

A little anti-climactic, as such stories go. But theres always the next one.

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WASHINGTONNAFTA has helped fuel the comeback of the big American automakers, and those three companies are very concerned that the renegotiation will collapse because of President Donald Trumps extreme demands, a representative said Thursday.

Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents the policy interests of General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, said the North American Free Trade Agreement has been important to the companies transition from dire straits to booming sales.

Killing the deal would impose a $10-billion (U.S.) tariff cost on them, he said, equal to, essentially, the capital investment were making on an annual basis. He did not detail how he arrived the figure.

Blunt said he retains some optimism. But he made clear that the automakers believe the negotiations are going poorly because of Trumps proposals  think there is a real risk Trump will follow through on his frequent threat to terminate NAFTA entirely.

Given the U.S. demands, and the Mexican and Canadian response, were very concerned that the negotiations could break down, collapse. We think other people ought to be concerned about that. Because the ramifications for not having a NAFTA are severe, he said at a Washington International Trade Association panel discussion.

The U.S. auto industry is vehemently opposed to the Trump auto proposal that Canada and Mexico consider a non-starter. Though the U.S. government usually enters trade negotiations bearing auto proposals that are favoured by the powerful domestic industry, the Trump administration has so far dismissed the industry outcry and pursued the protectionist agenda on which the president campaigned.

Trumps team has proposed that a car should not qualify for tariff-free treatment unless 50 per cent of it is made in the U.S. itself  there is no U.S. content requirement at all in the current agreement  and that the requirement for North American content be raised from 62.5 per cent to 85 per cent.

Blunt, former Republican governor of Missouri, called this an extreme proposal and totally counter to the objectives of the Trump administration. As independent industry experts have explained, Blunt said it would likely cause automakers to do more of their manufacturing outside the NAFTA zone rather than prompt them to hire more U.S. workers  simply paying the tariff rather than eating the larger cost of complying with the requirement.

The business decision here is not very difficult, he said.

Blunts words add to the gloom surrounding the state of the negotiations as the fifth round of talks approaches. The fourth round ended in public acrimony between Canada and the U.S., with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland accusing the U.S. of trying to undermine the agreement and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer calling Canada and Mexico overly resistant to change.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland criticized others at the negotiating table for what she called unconventional proposals after the latest round of NAFTA talks ended in Washington. The talks are now being pushed into 2018. (The Canadian Press)

Lighthizer also railed against trade deficits, one of Trumps main focuses even though economists say they are a poor way to measure the health of a trading relationship. Blunt predicted that killing NAFTA would actually cause U.S. trade deficits to increase.

Kevin Dempsey, senior vice-president of the American Iron and Steel Institute, said the same, and he called NAFTA a success for the steel industry Trump campaigned on championing. Dennis Darby, chief executive of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, said the death of NAFTA is probably our worst nightmare.

The fifth round is scheduled to officially begin next Friday, Nov. 17, in Mexico City, with some additional talks in the two days prior. .

Read more:

Another Trump poison pill for NAFTA? Ottawa slams demand for 50% U.S. content in cars

Top Trump official says U.S. isnt offering anything to Canada in exchange for NAFTA demands

Ted Cruz warns of profound damage to U.S. economy if Trump kills NAFTA

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Suppose you spent a week throwing rocks through your neighbours windows, and then you spent the following week selling everyone burglar alarms and vandalism insurance. Once they knew what you were up to, nobody would pat you on the back for saving the neighbourhood.

Yet a pat on the back is exactly what Airbnb is hoping to get from politicians in Vancouver and Toronto in the next few weeks. Even though the multinational company is a huge contributor to both cities housing crises, Airbnb now calls itself an economic lifeline for the middle class and a housing market solution to everyone who will listen.

This month, the cities of Vancouver and Toronto will send their draft short-term rental bylaws to their city councils for approval. Vancouver has already held public hearings on its own proposed bylaw.

Not coincidentally, both cities are suffering from severe housing crises. In Vancouver, the CMHC expects that vacancy rates might rise to 1.1 per cent by 2019, but until then, rates well below 1 per cent are more routine. Torontos vacancy rate is a little higher thanks to a large number of condo rentals, but its still brutally tight.

In the preliminary hearings in Vancouver, Airbnb and its hosts pushed the idea that selling rooms on a short-term basis is a lifeline for those who cant afford high-priced mortgages on one or more homes that they own. Its a line theyve used in other cities before. No one admitted that prices are high and lifelines are needed because investors are hoarding units zoned, approved and built for long-term residents and selling them as ghost hotels instead.

Airbnb is telling every legislator it can that the majority of Airbnb hosts are individuals renting out their principal residence while theyre on vacation, or homesharers renting out a spare room. And thats true. But this carefully-chosen stat sidesteps the real picture.

In Toronto, while only 16 per cent of Airbnb hosts rent out more than one unit, those 16 per cent control 38 per cent of Airbnbs total unit inventory. Over half of Airbnbs local revenue comes from those ghost hotel operators. And to give you a sense of the scale of these ghost hotels that take homes off the market, the largest Toronto operator has more than 60 listings on the platform.

This is the pattern around the world. Homesharing was once a cute, authentic way to set up an occasional B & B in your spare room. Now, measured by room-nights sold, Airbnb is the largest hotel operator in dozens of cities around the globe. Airbnb attacks pro-housing coalitions like Fairbnb.ca for accepting modest financial support from hotel unions (to date, we havent got one dime from an actual hotelier). But Airbnb itself is a multinational that has deployed vast sums of money in paid lobbyists in Toronto in the last month alone.

Thats why the Fairbnb.ca coalition  and the bylaws and ordinances in so many global cities  focuses efforts on allowing short-term rentals only for principal residences.

Thats why Fairbnb.ca is pushing hard to make sure government ID is needed to register a principal residence for short-term rental  just as Airbnb requires government ID for its own guests before theyre allowed to rent units in the Neptune towers in Toronto under an agreement announced last month. And thats why Fairbnb.ca wants condo boards to be able to exclude entire towers from short-term rental licensing if they choose to, since thats where so many of the ghost hotel and investor units are taking out housing supply in both cities right now.

Housing long-term residents is the most basic point of having a city at all. Despite the claim that Airbnb can help individuals solve the housing crisis it helped to create, mayors and councilors in both Metro Vancouver and Toronto have so far been open-minded on regulations to protect our housing supply. Most support reasonable regulation, just as we do. But its telling that many councillors on both the political left and right have asked us why Airbnb hasnt been banned completely already, given current laws.

Theyre asking that question because existing laws, if enforced, would put hundreds of ghost hotel units out of business already. In public hearings on the proposed Vancouver bylaw, many Airbnb hosts insisted that the rules were unfair because they had already bought secondary suites, second homes or condos solely to rent them on Airbnb or other platforms.

They insisted the units werent lost to the rental market because they had no interest in renting them to long-term tenants in the first place. Remember, these were units zoned for residential use  and in a tough housing market, were supposed to believe changing laws to accommodate this is fair or a lifeline because it helps these hosts get a faster return on their risky investment.

This is why youre going to start hearing Airbnb talk about how its a lifeline as the debate ramps up in the coming weeks  to build sympathy for those who can afford to take a mortgage risk on big home, or a second or third home, when our sympathy should be for those who cant even afford to rent their first home because of a shortage of rental supply.

If you listen carefully, that ambulance-chasing sound you hear is the sound of a rock going through your housing markets window. And when the doorbell rings, just remember who threw that rock before you buy that lifeline insurance policy.

Thorben Wieditz is a researcher with Unite Here Local 75, which represents hotel workers in the Greater Toronto Area, and a member of the Fairbnb.ca coalition.

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Climate Barbie and the art of the insult, DiManno, Nov. 8

It was sad to read Rosie DiMannos column about Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. It is hard to understand why a female journalist would criticize another woman for standing her ground against an insensitive, chauvinistic male. We need many more McKennas in this still-paternalistic society. Calling McKenna a snowflake was the final insult to a brilliant, accomplished woman.

Ruth MacLean, Richmond Hill

Rosie DiManno takes aim at Environment Minister Catherine McKenna for calling out a Rebel reporter for referring to her as Climate Barbie. DiManno says politics is a rough and tumble business and argues against powerful, accomplished women who present themselves as delicate flowers who should be protected from mean men.

All right, yes, she probably doesnt need that kind of protection. But isnt she allowed to criticize back?

Mike Allen, Burlington

What I understood from Rosie DiMannos column is that women should not take name calling personally and should suck it up and make return jokes.

The reference to Catherine McKenna being a Climate Barbie sends the message to all of us that she is a Barbie doll airhead and should not be taken seriously. This includes all women.

I dont believe there is anything wrong with her defending herself rather than accepting the idea that her brain works like that of a sexy, plastic toy model.

Hurray for Catherine, I am on her side.

Barbara Bowes (I am no Barbie!), Toronto

Hooray for Rosie and yet another brilliant and entertaining article  this time encouraging common sense, practicality and realism. There are too many journalists who seem to only see the dark side of everything we say and do. Thank you, Rosie. You made my day.

Maurice Sacco, Toronto

Rosie is one of the best journalistic wordsmiths in the business and I usually grasp the meaning of some rarely used words by the context of the writing. But today, when she used pestiferous flibbertigibbet, I had to run to my computer. Keep writing, Rosie.

Bill Marsh, Burlington

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One hundred years ago, youd have to bypass Toronto to get to Hollywood North.

In Trenton is all the Hollywood we have in Ontario  the only fully equipped motion-picture studio in Canada, wrote Merrill Denison in a column in The Toronto Weekly Star on Feb. 26, 1927.

For a considerable time, the town about 170 km east of Toronto was the motion picture-making capital of Canada as Trentons Film Plant studio churned out more than 1,500 silent films from 1917 to 1934, employing locals in jobs from extras to crews.

A stone cairn with a film strip-inspired plaque was erected in 1992 to mark the studio site on Film St. and theres a growing awareness of Trentons starring role in Canadian movie history.

The Hollywood North Film Festival is named with a nod to the regions past. The third edition of the fest, runs Nov. 10-12 in Belleville, Trenton and Picton with the theme: Celebrating 100 years of film in Quinte.

And the inaugural 2017 Quinte Canadian FilmFest, which wrapped in October, launched with an acknowledgement of Trentons rich film history.

How many small towns on Ontario can boast that? said Trenton writer Peggy Dymond Leavey, whose book The Movie Years has just gone into its second printing with publisher Kirby Books. (kirbybooks.ca)

While much has been written on Canadian filmmaking, the Trenton chapter was so tiny, said Leavey, who has also written a book about Toronto-born silent film star, producer and studio head, Mary Pickford.

When she learned about Trentons movie past in the 1980s, Leavey began interviewing locals who had been part of the towns film industry.

When the Trenton Film Plant opened 100 years ago, it operated under different owners in a challenging fledgling industry, she said.

Rented by various filmmaking companies, the studio was the birthplace of several commercial silent films in its early days, including The Great Shadow, starring Tyrone Power Sr.

The Ontario government purchased the building in 1923 as a production hub for the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau and to rent out to other moviemakers. The OMPB made educational documentaries and travelogues, as well as feature-length drama, Cinderella of the Farms.

With the popularity of Talkies, the Film Plant struggled to compete with studios better equipped for making movies with sound. Ontario Premiere Mitchell Hepburn announced the province had no reason to be in the movie business anyway, shutting the studio in 1934 and ordering the film reels destroyed.

The silent films that were saved are now in the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.

In Trentons movie heyday, shoots went on in main studio on Film St. and secondary studio space, including a cold storage warehouse where the roof had partially collapsed in a fire, making it ideal for night shoots. It was even used to recreate a Paris street.

The nearby forests, fields and farms, Sandbanks beaches, the lakefront and Kingston, Belleville and Trenton city streets and hotels made for varied locations.

Hollywood North Film Festival director, filmmaker and photographer Jacob Cote, said he didnt know much about Trentons filmmaking backstory initially. As he learned more, it seemed fitting to honour that legacy with a film festival.

The festival has grown to 64 films, from features to experimental shorts.

We have a lot of history regarding the early days of film and nobody seems to know a lot about (Trenton) and to me that was intriguing and theres a story there that needs to be told, Cote said.

Before each screening at this weekends festival, audiences will see a vignette from Belleville filmmaker Doug Knutsons documentary Hollywood of the North.

Knutson said he became aware of Trentons moviemaking past in a film history class at Queens University in Kingston the 1980s.

I lived in Belleville my whole life and it just blew me away when I heard that story, he said.

Inspired, Knutson filmed the 1992 unveiling ceremony for the commemorative cairn outside the Trenton Film Plant.

Locals who had appeared in or worked on the movies were there for the occasion and Knutson interviewed seniors who recounted the thrill of their fleeting film careers as $4-a-day extras.

Gordon Sparling, then age 92, had a lengthy career as a filmmaker and appears prominently in the documentary. He was the assistant director on Carry on, Sergeant! a silent film about Canadians in the First World War, billed as Canadas first epic production.

Not to be confused with the similarly named 1958 British comedy, Carry on, Sergeant! it had its gala world premiere at Torontos Regent Theatre on Nov. 10, 1928.

Hollywood of the North includes archival footage of men in silk top hats and women in furs exiting limousines beneath the marquee outside the brightly lit theatre.

British Empire Films rented the Trenton studio in 1927-1928 to make Carry on, Sergeant! as part of a government mandate that required British movie houses to screen Empire-made films.

British Empire Films hired popular First World War cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather to be writer-director on his first movie. There were rumours there wasnt much of a script for the film, which cost $500,000.

Locals shared stories in Hollywood of the North of how dirt was trucked into the cold storage warehouse to build battlefield trenches and the enthusiastic use of explosives.

Lying in the cold mud for hours playing dead in a battle scene was made more tolerable by the shot of rum everyone got after Bairnsfather called cut!

The movie ran in Toronto briefly, as well as in a few theatres around the province. But it never made it to Great Britain  or Hollywood.

Knutson explained Trentons moviemaking past when he sought permission to use a vintage clip of the original Hollywoodland sign in Hollywood of the North.

They were floored and said this is a fascinating story, he said. Coming from the real Hollywood, I take that as a compliment.

Share your story suggestions at OnceUponACity@thestar.ca. To read more stories on Once Upon A City, click here. Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/TorontoStarArchives or on Twitter: @StarHistoricPix

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Here are five things you must know for Thursday, Nov. 9:

1. -- U.S. stock futures pointed to a weaker start for Wall Street on Thursday, Nov. 9, following Donald Trump's two-day visit to China and amid lingering questions over the fate of domestic tax reform.

European stocks traded lower while Asian shares finished Thursday's session mostly to the upside. Japan's Nikkei 225 bucked the trend, however, and fell 0.2%.

Trump criticized U.S.-China trade relations, describing them as "unsustainable."

"As we all know America has a huge annual trade deficit with China, a number beyond anything that anyone would understand," the president said. "Both the United States and China will have a more prosperous future if we can achieve a more level playing field."

As for tax reform in the U.S., Senate Republicans are set to unveil their version on Thursday with billions in tax cuts for people and corporations, repeal of the federal deduction for state and local taxes, and a likely compression of the personal income tax brackets to four from seven, according to a report from the Associated Press.

The tax plan from the House, meanwhile, is nearing approval by the tax-writing committee after last-minute changes by Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Kevin Brady.

The economic calendar in the U.S. on Thursday includes weekly Jobless Claims at 8:30 a.m. ET.

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2. -- Donald Trump capped his visit to China on Thursday with a litany of new commercial contracts for some of America's biggest companies even as he continued to criticize trade relations between the world's two biggest economies.

Around $250 billion in new and existing deals between U.S. and Chinese companies were touted by the president and his team as they departed from the third leg of Trump's 11-day Asia tour and celebrated the anniversary of his shock election victory last November.

Boeing Co. (BA) - Get Free Report , General Electric Co. (GE) - Get Free Report , Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) - Get Free Report , Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) - Get Free Report and Ford Motor Co. (F) - Get Free Report were just some of the names on the list of deals and contracts linked to the Trump visit and the broader ambitions of an economic policy he began trying to coordinate with China President Xi Jinping earlier this year.

Boeing was perhaps the biggest recipient of what China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan called a "miracle" of trade deals, agreeing to terms on the sale of 300 jets with a list value of around $37 billion to China Aviation Suppliers Holding Co. Some of the orders, however, could have been blended into past agreements, analysts said, making it difficult to judge how much the announcement will change Boeing's order book.

Boeing shares rose slightly in premarket trading on Thursday.

General Electric is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells GE? Learn more now.

3. -- Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (FOXA) - Get Free Report reported fiscal first-quarter revenue that beat analysts' expectations, while earnings of 49 cents a share were in-line with Wall Street forecasts.

Fox's better-than-expected results came as investors continued to wonder what to make of a CNBC report earlier this week that said Fox executives recently spoke with their counterparts at Walt Disney Co. (DIS) - Get Free Report about selling their film and TV production studio along with their Star India networks and 39% stake in Sky PLC, the enormous European satellite-TV operator.

The two parties currently aren't holding discussions, according to reports.

CEO James Murdoch said he wouldn't respond directly to deal speculation but did say that Fox has "a great set of brands and businesses that we really like."

4. -- Speaking of Disney, the media giant is expected to report earnings after the closing bell on Thursday. Other companies scheduled to issue reports Thursday include Kohls Corp. (KSS) - Get Free Report , Macy's Inc. (M) - Get Free Report , Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) - Get Free Report , D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI) - Get Free Report , DISH Network Corp. (DISH) - Get Free Report , Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (HTZ) - Get Free Report and Office Depot Inc. (ODP) - Get Free Report .

Nvidia is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells NVDA? Learn more now.

5. -- Retail giant Walmart Stores Inc. (WMT) - Get Free Report kicked off the holiday shopping season, saying that select deals via its website would kick off on Thursday.

Walmart's Black Friday deals will begin on Walmart.com at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. The majority of Black Friday deals found in Walmart's brick-and-mortar locations also will be available online. The in-store event begins at 6 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving day. Walmart stores will be open all day on Thanksgiving.

Here's Walmart's full plan to win the holiday season:

This story has been updated from 6:07 a.m. ET.

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Panera Bread CEO Ron Shaich has created one hell of playbook on a how to achieve greatness in the restaurant industry and reward shareholders in the process.

And now, he is ready to take his message -- one rooted in long-term investing -- to wage a war with short-term minded activist investors.

The JAB Holdings owned salad and sandwich chain said Wednesday that Shaich, 63, will step aside as CEO on January 1, 2018 while remaining on the board. Replacing Shaich will be restaurant industry veteran Blaine Hurst, who before joining Panera Bread as president in 2010 had executive level stints at Papa John's (PZZA) - Get Free Report and Boston Chicken. It was also announced that JAB Holdings will acquire 304 store sandwich chain Au Bon Pain.

"I have a limited time in life, and there is a limited time in a day -- I would like to pursue some of my personal interests in addition to Panera," Shaich told TheStreet in an interview. One of those interests is in getting the word out on the importance of long-term investing if a public company wants to truly win and create shareholder value.

Shaich says investing has become too short-term focused, in large part to the rise of activists and the overall trading environment. "Are activists really good for the economy? I think they inhibit GDP growth," Shaich explained.

Panera Bread found itself in the crosshairs of activists twice: in 2007 with Shamrock Activist Value Fund LP and in 2015 with Luxor Capital, Fortune reported. The latter battle led Panera to issue $500 million in new debt to buy back shares to appease Luxor.

To be sure, Shaich is coming to war with an impressive resume.

At age 27 and a only few years removed from Harvard Business School, Shaich (pronounced 'shake') opened a cookie store in Boston called the Cookie Jar in 1980. Ever the people watcher, Shaich began ordering baguettes and croissants for his store from a nearby Au Bon Pain after observing that many folks weren't buying cookies before noon.

Sensing an opportunity to sell more exotic sandwiches than the standard ones on whole wheat or rye, Shaich approached venture capitalist Louis Kane, who was running Au Bon Pain at the time, about joining the bakery chain. The two formed a partnership in 1981.

By 1993, Au Bon Pain, which went public in 1991, had spread across the U.S., and purchased St. Louis Bread, a regional restaurant chain known for its fresh ingredients and inviting environment. Shaich wanted the company to shift its attention toward St. Louis Bread instead of Au Bon Pain and after he prevailed in a board fight, Au Bon Pain was sold to a private-equity firm in 1999.

Shaich then took the helm at St. Louis Bread and changed its name to Panera, which is Latin for "bread basket" or "bread bowl," in order to appeal to a wider audience. From there, Shaich led an aggressive roll-out of Panera Bread restaurants across the country that led its stock to return more than 1,500% under his leadership.

In 2010, Shaich chose to step aside as CEO but retain the role of executive chairman so he could pursue philanthropic interests such as driving awareness of hunger in America. At the request of long-time friend and CEO Bill Moreton, however, Shaich returned to Panera as chairman and CEO in 2013 (Moreton is now executive vice chairman), in a move similar to Howard Schultz's return to the helm at Starbucks (SBUX) - Get Free Report .

Today, Shaich hands off the baton to a restaurant chain with more than 2,000 locations, under new owners in JAB Holdings and with a ton of momentum in digital ordering. Hat tip to an American success story.

Starbucks is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells SBUX? Learn more now.

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Billionaire Carl Icahn's investment firm is cooperating with an inquiry by federal prosecutors into the activist's work for President Donald Trump, an unpaid advisory post he relinquished after questions over whether he improperly benefited from energy policies he recommended to the White House.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan "has not made any claims or allegations against us or Mr. Icahn," Icahn Enterprises LP (IEP) - Get Free Report said in a regulatory filing this month. "We maintain a strong compliance program and, while no assurances can be made, we do not believe this inquiry will have a material impact on our business."

A representative for Icahn didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The prosecutor's subpoena was disclosed about six months after Democratic senators including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts regulators to investigate whether Icahn's "actions in the market for renewable fuel credits" had violated any laws.

As the majority owner of CVR Energy Inc. (CVI) - Get Free Report , Icahn had bet in 2016 that the price of renewable fuel credits would decline, the senators said in the May 5 letter. Afterward, while serving as Trump's unpaid adviser, he recommended policies and personnel appointments -- including that of Environmental Protection Agency Director Scott Pruitt, a critic of the credits program -- that led to a drop, netting $50 million, they wrote.

"We have no way of knowing at this time whether Mr. Icahn made any of his renewable fuel credit trades or decisions about trades based on material, non-public information or otherwise manipulated the market," the senators said. "But the publicly available evidence is troubling."

Three months later, Icahn sent a resignation letter to Trump, saying he didn't want "partisan bickering" about his role to cloud the administration. "I sincerely regret that because of your extremely busy schedule, as well as my own, I have not had the opportunity to spend nearly as much time as I'd hoped on regulatory issues," he added.

Less than two months later, however, Warren and another Democrat were raising more questions about Icahn's work with the White House, asking Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin whether the investor had influenced the Financial Stability Oversight Council's decision to lift American International Group Inc.'s (AIG) - Get Free Report designation as a systemically important financial institution.

The label, applied after the insurer received a $182 billion bailout during the height of the 2008 financial crisis, subjected AIG to stricter regulatory oversight and required executives to maintain higher capital reserves.

Icahn, who holds a stake in the company, had urged former CEO Peter Hancock to break it up in order to escape that designation, though he stopped doing so publicly when Hancock stepped down and was replaced by Michael Duperreault, a lieutenant of legendary AIG chief Maurice "Hank" Greenberg.

In letters written to each of the council's members individually, Warren and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, asked whether Icahn had a role in the decision, which was made in a hastily convened meeting and with scant explanation.

Queries in a previous letter to Mnuchin about Icahn's communications with council members weren't answered, she noted, "meaning the existence of or precise extent and nature of any contacts is still unclear."

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President Donald Trump capped his two-day summit in China Thursday with a litany of new commercial contracts for some of America's biggest companies even as he continued to criticise trade relations between the world's two biggest economies.

Around $250 billion in new and existing deals between U.S. and Chinese firms were touted by the President and his team as they departed from the third leg of his 11-day Asia tour and celebrated the anniversary of his shock election victory last November. Boeing Co. (BA) - Get Free Report , General Electric (GE) - Get Free Report , Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) - Get Free Report , Goldman Sachs (GS) - Get Free Report and Ford Motor Co. (F) - Get Free Report were just names on the list of deals and contracts linked to the Trump visit and the broader ambitions of an economic policy he began trying to co-ordinate with China's Xi Jinping earlier this year.

"Addressing the imbalance in China trade has been the central focus of collaborative discussions between President Trump and President Xi," said Trump's Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross. "Achieving fair and reciprocal treatment for the companies is a shared objective."

Boeing was perhaps the biggest receipient of what China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan called a "miracle" of trade deals, agreeing to terms on the sale of 300 jets with a list value of around $37 billion to China Aviation Suppliers Holding Co. Some of the orders, however, could have been blended in to past agreements, analysts said, making it difficult to judge how much the announcement will change Boeing's order book.

Boeing shares were marked 0.2% lower in pre-market trading in New York, indicating an opening price of $265.03.

Another major announcement from the ceremony linked GE to three separate deals with China-based firms valued at around $3.5 billion while chipmaker Qualcomm, which is the mulling a $103 billion bid from Broadcom (AVGO) - Get Free Report , inked $12 billion in non-binding agreements to sell semiconductors to China-based firms Oppo, Vivo and Xiamoi over the next three years. Ford also announced a $756 million Joint-venture with China's Anhui Zotye Automobile to build electric cars.

Goldman Sachs also said it would establish a $5 billion investment vehicle with China Investment Corp., the country's sovereign wealth fund.

The deals may soften the blow of data published yesterday showing China's trade surplus topped the $300 billion mark over the first ten months of the year, a faster pace than in 2016, amid a stronger U.S. dollar and robust global economic growth.

China's customs office said total exports from the word's second largest economy grew an annual 6.9% last month, slowing from the 8.1% pace recorded in September. Import growth, however, was impressively strong at 17.2%, although again slower than the 18.1% pace notched in the previous month.

The figures also reveal a 37.8% increase in China exports to the United States which, when set against an 11.1% rise in imports translates to a trade surplus of $26.6 billion. That's down from last month's record high of $28 billion but still puts the year-to-date tally at just over $300 billion - more than $12 billion head of last year's pace, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

"As we all know America has a huge annual trade deficit with China, a number beyond anything that anyone would understand," the President said "Both the United States and China will have a more prosperous future if we can achieve a more level playing field."

However, Trump was quick to note, on Xi's home turf, that he didn't blame China for the historic imbalance.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens," he reasoned. "I give China great credit, but in actuality I do blame past administrations for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place."

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A Taiwanese fighter jet has gone missing while flying above the East China Sea north of Taiwan during a routine training exercise, the air force said yesterday.

The Mirage-2000 disappeared from radar screens just over a half-hour after taking off Tuesday evening from an air base in Hsinchu, south of the capital, Taipei, according to an air force statement.

Navy and coast guard ships and more than a dozen aircraft have been dispatched to search the area but with no result as yesterday afternoon, the air force said. It said the pilot, Ho Tzu-yu, joined the air force more than a decade ago and had 227 hours of flight time in Mirages.

Air Force Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Chang Che-ping told reporters there had been no abnormal transmissions from Hos plane before it dropped off the radar screen at 6:43 p.m. Tuesday while flying at an altitude of 1,585 meters. He said there was no indication Ho had ejected.

The military will continue searching day and night until the person is safely rescued. There is no so-called golden 72-hour limit, Chang said, referring to the time frame after which finding a pilot alive becomes increasingly unlikely.

Taiwan purchased 60 Mirage-2000 jets from France during the 1990s, despite stiff opposition from China, which claims the island as its own territory and threatens to use military force to bring it under its control.

The planes have experienced mechanical problems in the past due to the harsh environment and high usage rates, but those problems were believed to have been largely overcome through technical upgrades. AP
Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) - Get Free Report is on every street corner in the U.S., but you should see it in China.

The ubiquitous coffee chain's founder and executive chairman Howard Schultz said at the DealBook Conference Thursday, Nov. 9, that Starbucks opens a new location in China every single day.

China, Schultz said, is the company's most profitable region at the store level currently. Starbucks is currently undertaking major expansions in the region, even as competitors fall flat on similar aspirations.

"There is going to be a big consolidation of all brick and mortar retailers. Starbucks is going to be a big winner," Schultz said.

In the same appearance, Schultz reiterated that he is not considering running for President at the moment.

But Schultz added that he is "deeply concerned about the direction of the country, our standing in the world and the number of Americans who are not participating in the economy," according to reports on Twitter.

Schultz, who served as CEO of Starbucks until April 2017, pointed out the flaws in contemporary bipartisan politics that isn't reminiscent of the "spirit" of America.

"I don't think any company or CEO should take a political position for personal vanity or personal gain," Schultz added.

Schultz tacked on comments about proposed tax reform currently working its way through Washington.

"I don't believe that corporate America needs a 20% tax cut ... when so many Americans live paycheck to paycheck," Schultz said. "This is not tax reform. This is a tax cut. This is fool's gold," Schultz added.

Starbucks stock fell 1.3% to $57.17 in mid-morning trading Thursday.

Starbucks is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells SBUX? Learn more now.

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Britains international development secretary cut short a trip to Africa yesterday amid demands she be fired over unauthorized meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians.

Britains Press Association news agency and other media reported that Priti Patel was flying back to London after Prime Minister Theresa May ordered her to return. She had been due to attend events in Uganda.

Patel has been under pressure since it was revealed that she held 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials, including Netanyahu, during a vacation in the country in August  and that she hadnt told the prime minister or colleagues about it.

Patel later discussed with her department the possibility of British aid being given to the Israeli army to support medical assistance for refugees from the Syrian civil war arriving in the Golan Heights.

Israels Haaretz newspaper reported yesterday that Patel visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights during her August trip. Britain regards Israel as illegally occupying the territory, which it captured from Syria in 1967.

Patels situation has been made worse by her contradictory statements about the meetings.

When news broke about the August trip, Patel insisted that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson knew about the visit. Her department was later forced to clarify the statement, saying the foreign secretary did become aware of the visit, but not in advance of it.

Patel apologized, saying the meetings did not accord with the usual procedures.

It has since emerged that she also met in September with Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan and a foreign ministry official, without any other British officials present.

If May fires Patel, she will be the second member of the increasingly unstable Cabinet to leave their job in a week. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon resigned Nov. 1 after sexual harassment allegations against him emerged.

Several lawmakers have been suspended by their parties amid a growing scandal over sexual harassment and abuse in British politics. Mays deputy prime minister, Damian Green, is facing a civil service investigation after a young party activist accused him of unwanted touches and text messages.

In another headache for the government, Johnson apologized Tuesday for saying a British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran had been training journalists when she was arrested. The family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe says she was on vacation, and accused Johnson of putting her at risk of a longer prison sentence with his misleading comments.Jill Lawless, London, AP
U.S. and Chinese companies yesterday signed business deals the two sides valued at USD9 billion during a visit by President Donald Trump in a tradition aimed at blunting criticism of Beijings trade practices.

Chinas biggest online retailer said it pledged to buy $1.2 billion of American beef and pork but no other details of the 19 agreements signed at a ceremony attended by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were immediately released.

Such contract signings are a fixture of visits by foreign leaders to China and often involve agreements negotiated weeks or months earlier that Beijing saved to showcase its importance as a market.

Trump has made narrowing the multibillion-dollar U.S. trade deficit with China a priority of his administration. He is due to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Addressing the imbalance in China trade has been a central focus of collaborative discussions between President Trump and President Xi. And achieving fair and reciprocal treatment for the companies is a shared objective, said Ross. Todays signings are a good example of how we can productively build up our bilateral trade.

Online retailer JD.com said it would buy beef from the Montana Stock Growers Association and pork from Smithfield Foods Inc. over the next three years. Smithfield is owned by Chinas WH Group, the worlds biggest pork packer.

JD.com said it would buy $2 billion of U.S. goods over three years.

Chinas trade surplus with the United States in October widened by 12.2 percent from a year earlier to $26.6 billion, according to Chinese customs data released yesterday. The total surplus with the United States for the first 10 months of the year rose to $223 billion.

The chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, William Zarit, expressed hope ahead of Trumps arrival that the signing of business deals wouldnt draw attention away from structural issues including Chinese limits on foreign activity in finance, health care and other industries.

China is the No. 3 export market for the United States after Canada and Mexico. U.S. exports to China rose 77 percent from 2007 to 2016 but Washington reported a $347 billion trade deficit with China last year. AP
Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence give Bloomington South a hard time

No. 4 BNL shows off all its weapons to go to 4-0 on the season
Second Progress Report on the Implementation of the Africa Climate Business Plan

This report provides an overview of the progress made in 2017 in implementing the Africa Climate Business Plan (ACBP), a blueprint for climate action in Sub-Saharan Africa that the World Bank launched during the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris in November 2015.

Since the launch of the ACBP at COP21 in November 2015, significant progress has been made:

The World Bank has worked with client countries, development partners, and the private sector to flesh out the ACBPs program of work.

As of June 30, 2017, the number of projects contributing to the ACBP reached 204, a net increase of 57 over 2016.

The World Banks Board had approved $8.8 billion for 107 projects by June 30, 2017.

The implementation of projects started generating concrete results and outcomes.

This report provides an update on resource mobilization, describes the climate co-benefits provided by the ACBP portfolio, and details implementation progress by ACBP cluster and component. In addition, to better measure and monitor results and inform future project design, it reports on two new pieces of analysis undertaken this year: a review of the ACBP contribution to implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Sub-Saharan Africas countries; and a review of the ACBP portfolio from the perspective of its contribution to resilience building (following the resilience pathways approach).

Context and scope of this update

The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016. As of October 31, 2017, 169 parties had ratified it, marking the first time governments agreed to an overarching framework to combat climate change. Countries and observers around the world hailed the passage of the accord  the fruit of more than two decades of often tortuous international negotiations on combating climate change.

Forty-eight countries in Sub-Saharan Africa communicated their post-2020 climate commitments and priority areas through their (I)NDCs, demonstrating their resolve to address climate change. Their commitment is critical, because resilience to climate variability and change is vital to the regions ability to reduce poverty and protect the hard-earned development progress made in recent decades.

Indeed, climate drivers are involved in most of the shocks that keep or push African households into poverty. The funding needed to address climate change, particularly adaptation, in the region is massive, and it will increase as climate change unfolds in the coming years. According to the World Bank Group Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), more than 60 percent of countries in Africa have estimated and reported adaptation financing  more than twice the share in other regions  suggesting national policy makers recognition of the urgency of adaptation action.

The ACBP aims to build a pipeline of innovative and transformational projects to tackle climate change across sectors and establish a platform to mobilize investments, thereby contributing to filling the climate financing gap in the region. Including the transport component, which was added after the Paris launch, the plans goal is to raise $19.3 billion by 2020, for investments that will strengthen, power, and enable resilience in the region.

The plan focuses on more than a dozen priority areas, clustered in three groups. The first cluster (strengthening resilience) includes selected initiatives aimed at boosting the resilience of the regions assets, including its natural capital (agricultural land, landscapes, forests, inland bodies of water, and oceans); physical capital (cities, physical assets in coastal areas, and roads); and human and social capital. The second cluster (powering resilience) relates to opportunities for scaling up low-carbon energy sources in Sub-Saharan Africa, thereby contributing to increasing access to energy (a key ingredient for resilience) and mitigating climate change. The third cluster (enabling resilience) provides data, information, and decision-making tools for promoting climate-resilient development across sectors, by strengthening the regions hydro-meteorological systems at the regional and country levels and building the capacity to plan and design climate-resilient investments.

Fundraising targets of the ACBP

The ACBP is expected to mobilize $19.25 billion by 2020, including $8.48 billion in World Bank funding. According to the results framework included in the original plan, one indicator of the plans financial performance is the share of resources mobilized at various stages of implementation. The targets are for 25 percent of funding to be mobilized by June 2017 (end of the IDA17 cycle), 50 percent by December 2018 (mid-term of the IDA18 cycle), and 75 percent by June 2020 (end of IDA18). Applied to the World Banks share of the financing plan, these shares yield targets of $2.11, $4.22, and $6.33 billion, respectively.

ACBP contribution to NDC implementation

As of October 30, 2017, 169 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change had ratified the Paris Agreement, thereby formalizing their commitment to pursue the goal of the agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In Sub-Sharan Africa, 48 countries have communicated their post-2020 climate commitments and priority areas through (I)NDCs. As one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts, Sub-Saharan Africa has shown remarkable ambition in setting up its NDC commitments, particularly in adaptation.

To assess the extent to which the ACBP provides support to NDC implementation and to identify opportunities for further assistance, this progress report reviewed the development objective and components of every ACBP project; assessed whether they align with one or more NDC sectoral and sub-sectoral commitment (policies, targets, plans, actions) at the country and regional level; and determined whether the project directly contributes to NDC implementation. The analysis covers all 38 countries in which ACBP projects are being implemented. It does not include Botswana, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Namibia, Somalia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, where no ACBP projects have yet been launched.

In any given country, ACBP projects are considered to contribute to NDCs if their development objectives correspond to priority areas identified in that countrys NDCs. As of October 2017, 163 of 204 ACBP projects (80 percent) met this criterion. Commitments for these projects totaled $18.3 billion  83 percent of the Banks total financial commitment under the ACBP. The number of projects that contributed to NDC implementation rose from 101 in October 2016 to 163 in October 2017, an increase of 63 percent. Financing of these projects more than doubled, from $9.1 billion to $18.3 billion.

The ACBP project makes contributions to NDCs in the following sectors: agriculture; cross-cutting areas (capacity building and knowledge transfer, disaster risk management, and climate services); energy; the environment; land use; land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); social development; transport; urban; and water. It shows that the ACBP portfolio contributes to a significant percentage of Sub-Sahara African countries NDC implementation efforts in the following sectors: transport agriculture, cross-cutting areas, energy, social development, LULUCF, and the environment.

The ACBP portfolio supports NDC commitments in the transport sector in 90 percent of countries. It supports NDC commitments in agriculture in more than 80 percent of countries. It contributes to NDC sectoral commitments in cross-cutting areas and energy in more than half of the countries in which it has projects (57 percent in cross-cutting areas, 53 percent in energy).

At the subsector level, the ACBP portfolio makes important contributions to NDC implementation and targets related to development of infrastructure and roads (ACBP presence in 20 countries, i.e. 91 percent of all countries identifying the subsector as an NCD priority), climate-smart agriculture practices (22 countries or 85 percent of all countries), establishment of social safety nets (9 countries or 75 percent of the total), enhanced capacity building and knowledge transfer (16 countries or 73 percent), sustainable land management practices (11 countries or 69 percent of the total), and deployment of solar power initiatives (18 countries or 55 percent).

Opportunities for future progress

Current ACBP projects already provide significant support to the implementation of NDC commitments in Sub-Saharan Africa, and there is significant potential for enhancing efforts to scale up NDC implementation at both the country and regional level.

Current and upcoming ACBP projects will continue to make explicit linkages to NDC sectoral / subsectoral priorities at critical stages of the project planning and design process. New projects will take into consideration country-specific NDC implementation support needs, including the need to establish an institutional framework and coordination mechanism; develop Measuring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems; craft NDC implementation and investment plans; and mobilize climate finance.

Note: The full progress report will be posted on-line by the World Bank before the end of 2017.
African trade and development policy events underway in Abuja:

(i) Fourth Meeting of the Technical Working Groups of the Continental Free Trade Area (6-17 November). It will be followed by the 8th Meeting of the CFTA Negotiating Forum (20-25 November, also in Abuja).

(ii) 9th Steering Committee and Experts Meeting for the Abidjan-Lagos Highway Corridor Development Programme: road infrastructure experts from Benin, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo will review progress on the implementation of the Technical Design and Preparatory Studies for the corridor.

(iii) The 2017 CEO Forum of African DFIs

In Kampala today: EASSI workshop on enhancing the capacity of CSOs to advocate for gender responsive trade policies. The workshop is based on the EAC Gender Equality and Development Pilot Barometer, released earlier this year.

In Brasilia today: The Fifth BRICS Competition Conference. The conference marks the culmination of the first cycle of competition policy conferences held under the BRICS banner.

Featured African trade commentaries, from the latest Bridges Africa compendium on the theme The WTOs Buenos Aires Ministerial  what is at stake for Africa and LDCs?:

(i) Chiedu Osakwe: Strengthening the WTO  on the strategic and welfare necessity of addressing new and traditional issues. Ahead of the WTOs Eleventh Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, some WTO members have expressed interest in including aspects of the so-called new economy, in particular investment facilitation and e-commerce, in multilateral trade talks. Why should African countries engage on those topics? [The author is Chief Trade Negotiator for Nigeria, Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, and Chairman of the Negotiating Forum for the CFTA]

(ii) Carlos Lopes: Give Africa policy space for structural transformation. Ahead of the WTOs Eleventh Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, some WTO members have expressed interest in including aspects of the so-called new economy, in particular investment facilitation and e-commerce, in multilateral trade talks. Why should African countries engage on those topics? [The author is Professor, Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice, University of Cape Town, and Visiting Fellow, Oxford Martin School, Oxford University]

Ten years on, ICBC Standard deal starts to show its worth (Euromoney)

In the 10 years since ICBCs $5.5bn acquisition of a 20% stake in South Africas Standard Bank Group, there has still been no bigger single China-Africa investment. Looking back now, the deal was remarkable for the speed and relative ease with which it came together. But has it worked? [The author: Chris Wright]

Mozambique: Sharp fall in imports during 2016 (Club of Mozambique)

The economic crisis that hit Mozambique in 2016 was so severe that the countrys foreign trade declined by more than 27%. According to the latest trade data, published on Wednesday by the National Statistics Institute, the total value of trade declined from $11.747bn dollars in 2015 to $8.334bn in 2016, a fall of 27.35%. Despite the fall in commodity prices, Mozambican exports were not that badly hit, falling from $3.413bn in 2015 to $3.328bn in 2016, a decline of 2.49%. The steep fall came in the countrys imports, which declined by an enormous 37.53%, from $8.334bn to $5.206bn. When the foreign investment mega-projects are excluded from the figures, the fall is even sharper  38.46%, a fall from $7.372bn to $4,537bn. [Downloads: INE report Volume 1 - Imports, Volume 2 - Exports]

Zimbabwe: Import bill drops 11,2% June-Sept (The Herald)

The countrys import bill has dropped by 11.2% between June and September to $439,6m, trade figures from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency show. According to latest figures released by Zimstat, the import bill during the period under review has been on a downward trend from $495,1m in June. In July, the import bill went down to $482m before going down further to $448m in August. Since last year, the countrys import bill has been dropping largely driven by tight policy interventions the Government adopted to control imports. Despite the drop on the import bill, the country was still affected by a trade deficit as exports amounted to $326,5m in August. In January, the value of exports was $292m. Zimbabwe largely exports goods such as minerals and agricultural produce to countries such as Singapore, China, Zambia, South Africa, Belgium, Mozambique and the United Arab Emirates. [Export incentive set to increase]

Kenyas sugar imports rise threefold as cane harvests drop (The East African)

Kenyas sugar imports increased by more than 300% in the first nine months of this year, at a time the countrys cane production has fallen to its lowest in nine years. The latest market data from the Sugar Directorate shows that the volume of imported sugar rose to 933,844 tonnes from 219,118 over the corresponding period last year  a 3%. The increase in table sugar imports is attributed to an amplified shortfall due to low production in the country and the drought, the directorate said. According to the latest figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the countrys production has fallen to 2.1 million tonnes over the past six months compared with 3.2 million tonnes over the same period last year. Mays production of 231,000 tonnes was the lowest the country has recorded in nine years.

Ghana records $7.4m in exports to Morocco (Business Ghana)

Ghanas exports to Morocco stood at $7.4m as of 2016, representing less than 1% of the countrys total exports, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Carlos Kingsley Ahenkora, has said. However, imports from Morocco for the same period amounted to $87.9m, he said. It is obvious that the trade potential of the two countries remains largely untapped, hence there is the need to deepen bilateral relations to reverse the less than satisfactory trend, Mr Ahenkora said at the first Africa Power Road Symposium in Accra. Ghana and Morocco have had trade relations with trade and investment countries visiting both countries at various times. However, trade flows between our two countries have not been favourable over the past five years, Mr Ahenkora said.

South Africa: IMF statement

South Africas slow growth and inefficiencies in public enterprises have taken a toll on public finances by generating a substantial revenue shortfall and prompting unplanned expenditure, as described in the 2017 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. Against this background, IMF staff welcomes the National Treasurys candid acknowledgement of the challenges and its call to the Presidential Fiscal Committee to implement reforms to unlock the economys potential. Specifically, IMF staff urges the Presidential Fiscal Committee to approve, in a timely fashion, fiscal measures to avoid undue increases in the debt-to-GDP ratio, including by strengthening tax revenue compliance and cutting unproductive outlays. The economy will also benefit from expeditious action from the Presidential Fiscal Committee to signal the political will to tackle long-standing issues that have led to deteriorating market sentiment. Reforms to improve governance and procurement practices and remove any obstacles to investment are essential.

Mozambique: Chinese companies worried about limits on wood processing and exports

Chinese entrepreneurs involved in the purchase, processing and export of timber in Sofala province are worried about the extent to which activity will only be carried out by forest concessionaires from next week. About 30 companies affiliated with the Chinese Merchants Association in Sofala expressed concern yesterday during a meeting with provincial governor Maria Helena Taipo to discuss the operation and the contribution of firms to the Governments Five Year Programme, especially to economic growth in this part of the country. Figures indicate that 80% of milling and timber exports are concentrated in Sofala and involve around 5,000 Mozambican workers, hence their importance to the national economy. Other concerns presented by the Association of Chinese Merchants in Sofala related to delays in licensing processes, which, they said, jeopardised activities.

Ghana: Heavy duty truck drivers cautioned on excess loads (Ghana News)

Mr Emmanuel Adongo Awuni, the National Coordinator of Axle Load of the Ghana Highways Authority, has commended heavy duty truck drivers for their effort to reduce the weight of goods being conveyed to acceptable levels. He said a recent survey has revealed that out of ten trucks weighed, only two or three of them would be found to have excess load which ranged between one to five tonnes as compared to the previous period where over ten tonnes of excess load were even found on some trucks.

Food Outlook: Biannual Report on Global Food Markets (FAO)

While food commodity prices have been generally stable, the cost of importing food is set to rise in 2017 to $1.413 trillion, a 6% increase from the previous year and the second highest tally on record according to FAOs latest Food Outlook report (pdf) published today. The higher import bill is driven by increased international demand for most foodstuffs as well as higher freight rates. Of particular concern is the economic and social implications of the double-digit increases in the food import bills for Least-Developed Countries and Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries.

Accelerating climate-resilient and low-carbon development: second progress report on the implementation of the Africa climate business plan (World Bank)

This report provides an overview of the progress made in 2017 in implementing the Africa Climate Business Plan (ACBP), a blueprint for climate action in Sub-Saharan Africa that the World Bank launched during the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in November 2015. This report provides an update on resource mobilization, describes the climate co-benefits provided by the ACBP portfolio, and detail implementation progress by ACBP cluster and component. In addition, to better measure and monitor results and inform future project design, it reports on two new pieces of analysis undertaken this year: a review of the ACBP contribution to implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions of Sub-Saharan Africas countries; and a review of the ACBP portfolio from the perspective of its contribution to resilience building (following the resilience pathways approach). [AfDB approves its second Climate Change Action Plan for 2016-2020]

Ghana to host third Green Financing for Sustainable Development conference (ITC)

The conference (21 November) will provide an opportunity to review the current status of green finance in Ghana and the countrys efforts to green its economy. Ministers and representatives from the Ghanaian public sector will share their experience and lessons learnt from implementing the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda II, and the National Climate Change Policy. Participants from other countries will explore the perspectives of regulators and finance providers and the changes required to spur the development of new products and services.

EU trade agreements deliver tangible benefits (Europa)

The EU has today published a report assessing the implementation of its existing trade agreements. This horizontal report is the first of its kind and sheds light on what happens after trade agreements are negotiated and have entered into force. Overall, EU agreements are shown to lead to more EU exports and growth, with major export increases to, for example: Mexico (+416% since 2000), Chile (+170% since 2003), South Korea (+59% since 2011), Serbia (+62% since 2013). The report shows that it is often the EU agricultural and motor vehicles sectors that benefit the most. For example, exports of cars to South Korea have increased by 244% since 2011, and in the case of the agreement with Colombia and Peru there was a 92% and 73% increase, respectively, in the exports of EU agricultural goods. [Various downloads are available]
A transgender candidate defeated an incumbent Virginia lawmaker who sponsored a bill that would have restricted which bathrooms she could use.

Democrat Danica Roem, a former journalist, is set to make history as the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature in the United States. She unseated Republican Del. Bob Marshall, one of the states longest serving and most socially conservative lawmakers. The race was one of the years most high profile, drawing international attention and big money to the northern Virginia House of Delegates district outside the nations capital.

Its historic. [] It sends a message to politicians everywhere that the politics of bigotry is over, Democratic House Caucus Chair Charniele Herring said.

Roem will be the first transgender member of the House of Delegates and will become the first out transgender person to win and serve in a state legislature, according to the Victory Fund, a political action committee that works to get openly LGBTQ people elected and has supported Roem.

Roem openly discussed her gender identity during her campaign, but it was far from her focus. Instead, she focused on jobs, schools and, with particular fervor, northern Virginias traffic congestion.

She started pursuing therapy to begin her gender transition when she was 28, and said in an interview with The Associated Press during the campaign that politics should be inclusive of all.

No matter what you look like, where you come from, how you worship or who you love, if you have good public policy ideas, if youre qualified for office, you have every right to bring your ideas to the table, she said.

She also argued that Marshall, who has served in the House since 1992, has spent too much time on social policy.

A lightning rod for controversy, Marshall often drew the ire of even his own party.

In addition to this years bathroom bill, Marshall was also the author of a now-void constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman, and sponsored a bill banning gay people from openly serving in the Virginia National Guard.

On the campaign trail, Marshall and other Republicans repeatedly misidentified Roems gender.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Marshall said: For 26 years Ive been proud to fight for you, and fight for our future. Though we all wish tonight would have turned out differently, I am deeply grateful for your support and effort over the years.

Roem, who sings in a metal band in her spare time, said she learned to listen to different perspectives and digest complicated policy as a reporter for the Gainesville Times and Prince William Times, skills she would bring to bear as a delegate.

Roem wasnt the only transgender candidate elected yesterday. Tyler Titus, who is openly transgender, won a seat on a western Pennsylvania school board, The Erie Times-News reported.

2017 will be remembered as the year of the trans candidate  and Danicas heroic run for office the centerpiece of that national movement, Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, president & CEO of Victory Fund, said in a statement. AP
VIETNAM The scenic Vietnamese city of Hoi An rushed to dig itself out of mud and debris yesterday after major flooding just days ahead of a regional summit in the nearby city of Danang.

INDONESIAs top court has overturned a law that denied recognition and legal rights to followers of indigenous faiths in a surprise advance for religious freedom in the worlds most populous Muslim nation.

SRI LANKA Raped, branded or beaten repeatedly, more than 50 men from the Tamil ethnic minority seeking political asylum in Europe say they were abducted and tortured under Sri Lankas current government, according to an investigative report by The Associated Press. Sri Lankan authorities deny the allegations.

IRAN-SAUDI ARABIA Irans President Hassan Rouhani criticized Saudi Arabia yesterday over what he called unprecedented interference in Lebanese affairs, adding his voice to those who suspect the Gulf kingdom forced Lebanons prime minister to resign.

TANZANIA An official says at least five children have been killed and 24 others injured in a bomb explosion at a primary school in Tanzania. Police in the East African nation are investigating the source of the bomb.

EGYPTs highest appeals court yesterday upheld a five-year prison sentence for Alaa Abdel-Fattah, an iconic figure of the countrys pro-democracy movement convicted for taking part in a peaceful demonstration in 2013.

EU-TURKEY European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says he wants some of the funds earmarked for Turkeys EU membership process to be shifted to bolster the countrys judiciary.

POLAND The Polish government is encouraging citizens to go forth and multiply like rabbits. The health ministry of Poland, which has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe, has put out a short video praising rabbits for producing many offspring.

SPAINs Constitutional Court has ruled illegal the ousted Catalan parliaments recent vote to declare the region independent from Spain. The ruling yesterday came as pro-independence protesters blocked roads and stopped commuter trains in the northeastern region as part of a strike to protest the jailing of ousted Catalan government officials and secessionist activists.

BRITAIN In the latest crisis for Britains beleaguered government, the international development secretary cut short a trip to Africa yesterday amid demands she be fired over unauthorized meetings with Israeli politicians, including the prime minister.

VENEZUELA A journalist said Tuesday that he had been released following two days of captivity and torture after photographing criminal gang activities inside a prison.
Most if not all these questions have been answered in other various posts. I have replied and posted a few times in both the Jamaica and St Lucia forum.

I think basically sky is the limit. Whatever you want they will " try " to accommodate. At 1 visit I knew a couple who hated the El Dorado rum that was served ( when they switch from Appletons a few years back ). Butler went to the store and bought some for the guest for in the room. IF you really don't like the Red Stripe, they " may " go to the store and get something else you like for the room.

You can order full meals from the restaurants during their operating hrs and even 2 different if you really want to. Breakfast I would say no, just off the room service menu. Unless you have an OTWB butlers usually start working for the guests about 9am till about 10pm, give or take so you won't have them at 3am for them to get you a snack.

If you have a special day ( anniversary or BD ) they will do what you like - flowers, bubble bath, room decorated, special cake, maybe even get a Happy Birthday song sung by the staff ). If you can think it, it just might be possible.
Hello, Guys!

It's been only two years since our last trip to Australia with my girlfriend (now future wife) and we are currently thinking about another one. (honeymoon) :)

In August 2015 we visited the eastern coast - Sydney, Brisbane, Port Douglas, Cairns and the region. (2 weeks)

This time we will have some more time, around 18-19 full days and want to see different parts of the country during the Aussie summer - sometime in December.

Our plan is to Fly into Perth and then fly out of Melbourne with an open jaw ticket from Europe. And this is all, which we have planned for now - the period, the fly in city and the fly out city. All in between is to be discussed, but the information here and on the internet in general is so much, that I don't know where to start. Some main points, which we have:

1. Road trip from Perth to Esperance - Are 6-7 days enough? Should we take a one-way rental or drive back to Perth and catch our next flight from there? Looking for the cheaper option. Also - are there some other options for a trip out of Perth? I chose Esperance, since from what I read on the internet the beaches there are great and also the Pink lake looks very different and interesting thing to see.

2. What should we include for the rest of the days after we fly into Melbourne. We don't want to spend much time in the city, just to see the highlights. The Great Ocean Road is a must. Will we have enough time to include Tasmania ? I suppose if I fit in Tasmania, then Adelaide will be out of the question...

I would like to start with these two questions and then work our way further. Preferably, we would like to feel and see more diverse nature (not only beaches for example) That is why I want to include Tasmania, because I feel it will be somewhat different down there.

During our first trip we saw the GBR, the Daitree Rainforest and the cities (Brisbane and Sydney), which was a great expirience. For this trip I fell like 1 full day for Perth and 1-2 for Melbourne will be enough. The rest we would like to spend in small towns, exploring the nature etc.

Hopefully you understand my point and I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

Edited: 5 years ago
Hi there, I've been reading several posts in this forum, did some homework and just need to check if I'll reach my destination as this is a first time visit to NY! Plan to take the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica station where we'll take the subway (E line) to head to Manhattan. We will be staying at "The Manhattan at Times Square", so closest station according to what I can see will at 7th Ave / 53rd Street? Am I correct?
I think it really depends on what you want to do. I just returned from a week at Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste and did not rent a car. We were fine without it there because we spent most of our time on the beach and were able to easily walk to restaurants and the supermarket. We did get a cab one day to visit Playa del Coco. It was $15 each way from Playa Hermosa to Playa del Coco for the cab.
I apologize, Im still trying to get my bearings regarding the different areas. Would it be more helpful (or accurate) to say the central pacific beaches of Costa Rica?? All we know for sure, is that we would like to stay on the west coast of Costa Rica, and would like a hotel on beautiful white sandy beach, and preferably an area nearby some good snorkeling (or maybe CR is not really the place for good snorkeling??) We do enjoy all sorts of water activities - paddle boarding, snorkeling/diving, sailing, kayaking, etc. and would are interesting in other outdoor activites that may be nearby.
If you are asking about this airline, just google, plenty of reviews. E.g., http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/volaris/ .

There are plenty of the reviews on TA, too. You can filter them by clicking on Tijuana among the key words listed above the most recent review. .
I am meeting my 75 year old mother in Hanoi in February 2018, right after Tet. Timing is not my choice and I know traveling around Tet can be complicated. We are stuck with that timing. That said, I've drafted an itinerary and would love some feedback:

Day One: Arrive Hanoi late pm. Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Days 2-3: tour Hanoi

Day 4: Leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay 2D 1N cruise (not yet arranged)

Day 5: HLB to Ninh Binh transfer (not yet arranged), arriving mid afternoon, tour one sight (Hoa Lua or Trang An or Tam Coc). Maybe the Hidden Charm Hotel

Day 6: AM tour of what we didn't see the day before; check out and head straight to Noi Bai for flight to Da Nang (9pm flight)

Day 7: Da Nang (not sure which beach area hotel)

Day 8: Da Nang until later afternoon then transfer to Hoi An (Vinh Hung Riverside Hotel)

Day 9-10: Hoi An

Day 11: midday flight to Saigon

Day 12-13: Saigon (seeing family)

Day 14: Fly back to US

A few questions:

- Given my mother's age and mobility, what should be try to see/do in Ninh Binh?

- Instead of doing the Hanoi-HLB-Ninh Binh-Noi Bai loop, should we consider doing a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi on Day 3 instead? Hanoi for Day 4 and then do HLB on Day 5? Would that spread out the travel/transfers in a good way?

- Any suggestions for Da Nang hotel around $100 USD per night?

Thank you.
>> I was wondering if we need to pre-reserve our shinkansen/train tickets or if we can buy them at the station day-of?

I think you should be fine to buy Hikari Shinkansen tickets on the go on 25th Dec from Nagoya to Odawara. If you're worried, buy them in JR Ise station on the day.

If I were you, I'd visit Nikko earlier when in Tokyo to avoid EOY crowds travelling on long distance trains. OTOH, Kamakura and Yokohama can be visited as easy day trips from Tokyo by frequent commuter trains in less than 1 hour.

My rough estimation is that no JR Pass can payoff in your itin. Just buy tickets.

Consider the Tobu Nikko city pass travelling from Tokyo.

http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/twoday.html

use hyperdia.com to check train fares.
Hello everybody,

we will spend 14 days in Japan from 27th december to 8th january. Since this is our third trip to Japan, we'd like to find new places to visit. We will flight to/from Tokyo.

We have already visited Kyoto, Kamakura, Kusatzu, Hakone, Osaka, Shirakawago, Odawara.

I'd like to visit some onsen around Tokyo, because we want to relax and take it easy. Maybe the weather will be bad, so I'm not making tight plans of travel.

Can you suggest typical onsen? Can we live without JRpass? Surely we will spend 4-5 night in Tokyo, because we have a lot of fun even watching people passing by ;)

Thank you in advance for your precious help!
Hello!

I will be travelling to Japan with my wife this April and we have a night at Hakone between our trip from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka on 5-6 April and we are looking for an authentic experience of a japanese Ryokan. We dont mind if it is a bit westernized but essentially what we are looking for is a room with a private hot spring bath (open air would be great), kaiseki dinner and to be friendly to first timer westerners!!

Budget is around 300-350 eur for the night.

We are litteraly overwhelmed with all the options and we are looking for some suggestions if possible. We did find some rooms in Mizunoto and Hotel Okada but there are so much more and aince its one night only we want to do it right.

Thanks!
How do I get from the airport (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to Manhattan?

What To Do During Layovers?

Vacation Apartment Rentals Violate NYC Laws

Hotels: Kitchenettes and kitchens in 100+ Manhattan Hotels

Hotels: Two queen beds plus a kitchen/kitchenette

Hotels: Guests under 21 years old (but at least 18)

Hotels: Which ones charge an additional Resort or Facilities Fee

Hotels: When is the best time to go for cheaper rates?

What are the Must-See's and Must-Do's?

How Do I Ride the Subway (UPDATED)?

Tips, Hint and Suggestions for First Timers

SCAMS to avoid in NYC

What Will the Weather Be Like During My Trip?

Any Good Websites for Researching My Trip?

How Safe is New York?

Where to Eat in NYC

Where to eat in NYC - Part 2

Celiac in the City? (gluten free)

Which Area Should I Stay In?

Is There Cheaper Lodging Outside Manhattan?

How Much Do I Tip People?

Are the New York Pass, Explorer Pass or CityPass worth it?

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Public restrooms/toilets. Where do you go when you GOTTA GO?

Where are the best areas for shopping?

How do I find Discount Tickets for Broadway Shows?

What are the NYC Halloween events for 2021?

Thanksgiving 2021 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat

Christmastime in NYC 2021: Dates for the Trees-Windows-Markets-Ice Skating+MORE!

Christmas Day 2021 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat

What Should I Do on New Year's Eve?

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Where are the Farmers Markets and Street Fairs?

What is there to see and do near WTC/SOL/Brooklyn Bridge/SI ferry?

What should I know about visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

What Is There to See and Do in Brooklyn?

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Exploring neighborhoods - where should I go and what should I see?

Which is the best? ESB or TOTR or OWO?

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Hidden Gems in the city - not so touristy

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I'm Getting Married in NYC...what do I need to do?

Should I Buy Knock-Off Purses?

What to Do with Kids and How to Do It?

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Places to eat (and drink) with a view

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- The National Super Alliance has called off its peaceful protests in Nairobi scheduled for Friday,November 10 2017

- The cancellation which came on the eleventh hour is owed to the on-going debate in the county Assemblies to allow the formation of a Peoples Assembly

- The Alliance said it will announce a new date in due course

The National Super Alliance (NASA) has cancelled the peaceful protests it had called for in Nairobi on Friday ,November 9, 2017.

As reported by TUKO.co.ke earlier,the Alliance had called on its supporters to resume street protests from Friday, November 10.

The NASA,through its top officials claimed the protests aimed at shunning electoral injustice and ending electoral impunity in the county.

READ ALSO: Benki za humu nchini zamjibu Babu Owino kwa kutishia kususia

NASA cancels planned street protests. Photo: Nation

READ ALSO: Inside NASA's People's Assembly Motion which has caused jitters in Jubilee govt

TUKO.co.ke understands that NASA,through its resistance wing dubbed National Resistance Movement (NRM) even wrote to Nairobi Police Commander Japhet Koome to notify him of the planned demos.

However,in a fresh turn of events,the Alliance has called off the peaceful protest at eleventh hour.

Breaking the news to the public through an official statement,Siaya Senator James Orengo said the cancellation is owed to the on-going debate in the county Assemblies to allow the formation of a Peoples Assembly.

READ ALSO: NASA governors approve formation of People's Assembly

NASA cancels planned street protests at the last minute. Photo: Nasa Coalition/Facebook

READ ALSO: NASA's Peoples Assembly will do Kenyans more harm than good

According to Orengo,the creation of Peoples Assembly is way important since it will help Kenyans find solutions to electoral stalement in the country.

The National Super Alliance wishes to notify its supporters that the peaceful protests for electoral justice that had been scheduled to take place in Nairobi tommorow,November,10 2017 ,have been postponed until furthe notice.Orengo said in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.

NASA cancels planned street protests at the last minute. Photo:Facebook

'This is to enable the Coalitions leaders and supporters to concentrate on and support the initiative that is intended to have the people exercise their sovereignty directly and chart their future through a Peoples Assembly.Orengo added.

READ ALSO: Vihiga county becomes third to rubber-stamp Raila Odinga's push for People's Assembly

Orengo assured NASA supporters that a new date will be announced in due course.

''A new date will be announced in due course. NASA in the meantime wishes to congratulate the County Assemblies that have so far debated and passed the Motion on Peoples Assembly and encourages those yet to do so to move with speed and give Kenyans a chance to decide their destiny.''concluded the statement.

ALSO WATCH:Uhuru Kenyatta nursery teacher tells it all -On TUKO TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
The Ministry of Health is reminding the public of the dos and donts when it comes to dealin
Russian-backed militants launched 19 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas in last day.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

"Over the past day, illegal armed groups violated the ceasefire 19 times. The Ukrainian Armed Forces opened fire on the enemy 13 times. As a result of fighting, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, one was wounded and two more sustained injuries," the statement reads.

In Donetsk direction, illegal armed formations used anti-tank grenade launchers to shell Ukrainian positions near Zaitseve (67km north-north-east of Donetsk).

In Mariupol direction, militants opened fire from 120 mm and 82mm mortars and weapons on infantry fighting vehicles on the defenders of Pavlopol (30 km northeast of Mariupol).

In Luhansk direction, Russian-backed militants fired at positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine outside Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk), Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk), Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk) and Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), using infantry weapons.

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Lithuania unconditionally supports Ukraine, and it is ready to supply lethal weapons to the state.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis said this in comments to an Ukrinform correspondent at the NATO Headquarters.

"As for the lethal weapon, we already provided it several years ago. Our position remains unchanged: we are ready to supply lethal weapons in the future, but, of course, on the basis of our capabilities," the Lithuanian defense minister said.

He recalled that Lithuania gave all possible assistance to Ukraine.

"First of all, our priority is training of Ukrainian servicemen and assistance in carrying out defense reform. We are included into the advisory group on the defense sector reform," he said.

Karoblis also stressed that Lithuania accepted Ukrainian wounded soldiers for treatment.

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Ukraine has fulfilled two key requirements to receive a 50 million tranche for the Energy Efficiency Fund from the European Union.

Yevhen Chervyachenko, the advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities of Ukraine, said this at a press conference in Ukrinform.

"Yesterday the Government introduced the first transition to money relations between suppliers and companies providing services. This is a leap to an open gas market," Chervyachenko said.

In addition, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law on housing and utility services today.

"This was a condition for allocating 50 million for the Energy Efficiency Fund. These were two conditions, and I can tell my colleagues from the European Union today that they have been fulfilled," he stressed.

ish
Former Prime Minister of Lithuania, MP Andrius Kubilius initiates an appeal from the Seimas of Lithuania to the Hungarian deputies with a request not to block decisions that would allow Ukraine to get closer to the European Union.

This is reported by the Delfi portal.

"We are unpleasantly surprised and even shocked by the Government's ultimatum statements threatening to block Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU or NATO if Ukraine does not change its new education law at the request of Hungary, which stipulates specifics of the education of persons belonging to national minorities," the statement reads.

The appeal initiated by Kubilius was signed by 37 members of the Seimas.

"Such ultimatums are categorically unacceptable; they are absolutely not European and even more incomprehensible when it comes from one of the states of Central Europe. We all know very well that our own integration into the EU was geopolitically important for us, the states of Central Europe and the Baltics," the Lithuanian MP said.

ish
The New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) supports the introduction of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens.

This was said in the response of the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, to the request of the author of the petition for visa-free travel, Nicholas Krawetz, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"As a leader of the New Democratic Party, I pledge our continued support for short-term visa-free travel to Canada by Ukrainian citizens," Singh responded to Krawetz's request.

According to him, the cancellation of visas for the citizens of Ukraine by Canada is beneficial to both states.

As reported, last summer, a private e-petition to lift visas for short-term (90-day) stays for the citizens of Ukraine traveling to Canada was submitted to the Canadian Federal Parliament by Nicholas Krawetz from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

ish
The initiative of the Ukrainian side to hold a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Presidents of Ukraine and Poland in the near future is positive, and such a meeting should help discuss recent events in Polish-Ukrainian relations, the office of the Polish president has reported.

"The Chancellery of the President has already handed over to the Ukrainian Presidential Administration the information about the readiness of Minister [at the Chancellery of the President of Poland Krzysztof] Szczerski to accept the Ukrainian co-chairman with the delegation," the statement reads.

It notes that this will be another attempt to "present to the Ukrainian side the Polish expectations regarding the most important issues in Polish-Ukrainian relations."

"President Andrzej Duda also counts on the personal actions of President Petro Poroshenko in the context of the current state of bilateral relations," the report says.

As reported, Poroshenko initiated an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland. According to presidential press secretary Svyatoslav Tsegolko, this is necessary to strengthen strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland and avoid further escalation of tension in bilateral relations.

The co-chairmen of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents are Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yeliseyev and Minister at the Chancellery of the President of Poland Krzysztof Szczerski.

op
Ukrainians will now need fewer documents to obtain a long-term visa to Canada, the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine has told an Ukrinform correspondent.

According to the report, the simplification concerns the requirements for confirming the applicant's financial condition.

When applying for a Canadian visa, Ukrainian applicants who have travelled to Canada in the last ten years or currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa and can provide proof (entry stamps in passport, proof of the valid visa), no proof of financial support is needed.

This was made possible by including Ukraine in the global CAN + program, which includes a number of other states, including Mexico, India, and China.

The new changes came into force on November 1 and apply to all Ukrainian applicants who file applications at visa centers in Ukraine or online. However, they do not apply to work and study visas. The changes will also not lead to changes in the cost of applying for a visa to Canada.

Last year, Canada started issuing multiple-entry visas to Ukrainian citizens for a period of ten years and gradually increasing the share of applicants receiving such long-term entry visas.

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President's wife Maryna Poroshenko and Head of Rivne Regional State Administration Oleksiy Muliarenko have signed a Memorandum on Rivne regions joining the all-Ukrainian project on developing the inclusive education system.

This has been reported by the press service of Rivne Regional State Administration.

Rivne region has joined the Poroshenko Charitable Foundations All-Ukrainian project on the development of inclusive education. President's wife Maryna Poroshenko and Head of Rivne Regional State Administration Oleksiy Muliarenko signed the corresponding Memorandum of Cooperation," reads the report.

The Rivne Regional State Administration also informed that ate present there are 158 inclusive schools in Rivne region, where 368 pupils with special educational needs study. Also, special training courses on inclusive education are available for Rivne teachers.

iy


Talking nutrition

Northern Province has a high prevalence of stunting among children under 5, according to WHO standards. Stunting, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a childs life, can have very serious long-term effects, including impaired cognitive development, a lower IQ, a weakened immune system and, later in life, greater risk of such diseases as diabetes and cancer.

Awas mother-to-mother support group, organized by local NGO Association Solidarite et Entraide Mutuelle au Sahel (SEMUS) in partnership with UNICEF, is one way to help mothers like her avoid the trap of stunting. Awa joined when she was three months pregnant.

As Awa settles the twins, a community health worker is talking about food diversity. The group meet on a monthly basis to work on topics related to nutrition. Todays topic is complementary feeding.

Awa listens carefully and answers the questions the health worker asks. Like Awa, the mothers are here to make sure that they are providing their children with the best nutrition possible, and practising good hygiene, so the children will have the best start in life.



Nurturing Sakinatou and Abdoul Latif

The practices she has learned through the group have helped Awas children thrive, but it has not always been easy. She married into a polygamous family when she was 20 years old and, when she gave birth, had pressure from her new family on how to nurture the babies.

My mother-in-law was insisting on giving infusions and water to my children, she says, but the community health worker taught us the importance of exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months.

With the learning from the group, Awa did her best to breastfeed the twins exclusively.

But feeding the babies wasnt without its own challenges. Abdoul wasnt willing to take her breast as often as Sakinatou. Awa says her familys pressure made breastfeeding even more difficult; her mother-in-law would taunt her when she would breastfeed the babies: You were given water when you were born, and here you stand, alive and married to my son.
Prime Minister Hun Sen will attend the Asean summit in Manila, the Philippines, this weekend with an entourage of top ministers as political tensions at home continue to prompt concern from the international community.

Accompanying Hun Sen to the meetings in Manila, held between November 12 and 14, will be Prak Sokhon, foreign minister, Pan Sorasak, commerce minister, and Hang Choun Naron, education minister.

The meetings come as Cambodia is experiencing a period of political instability as observers say is unprecedented in its modern history. The government has jailed the leader of the opposition, Kem Sokha, and most Cambodia National Rescue Party MPs have left the country, also fearing arrest. The CNRP is expected to be dissolved after a forthcoming Supreme Court decision in a case widely seen as politically motivated.

Hun Sens government has also targeted independent and U.S.-funded media outlets for closure and expelled the democracy promotion group, the National Democratic Institute, from the country.

Chheang Vannarith, a research associate at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said in an email that it was unlikely that human rights and concerns over political freedoms would be on the agenda at the Asean meetings.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the gathering after a visit to Vietnam.

Phay Siphan, a government spokesman, said: They can meet on the sidelines of the meetings in a bilateral manner, because the [official] agendas have to be implemented as a plural meeting, which cannot touch on each countrys affairs, he said, adding that no informal meetings had been arranged in advance.

During his visit to Manila, Hun Sen plans to meet with the leaders of Laos, Vietnam, China, Australia, India, and Russia, as well as Antonio Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations, according to officials.

He is also scheduled to tour the Clark Freeport Zone at the invitation of former Philippines president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meas Ny, a political analyst, said he was skeptical that the U.S. would mention the Cambodian crisis because the Cambodian government has targeted the U.S.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced it would tighten travel and business restrictions for Americans traveling to Cuba. The policy shift is part of President Donald Trumps pledge to cancel what he has called a one-sided deal between Cuba and the United States. VOAs Elizabeth Cherneff looks at what this announcement means for Americans and Cubans going forward.
The state of Alaska took a major step toward realizing a long-sought pipeline to move natural gas from the North Slope to Asia, siding with interests from China after major oil companies stepped back from the project.

The agreement Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed Thursday in Beijing with Sinopec, China Investment Corp. and the Bank of China does not guarantee a pipeline will be built, but it gives the lingering liquefied natural gas project a jolt of life.

Having the largest LNG buyer in the world participating in this project means the Alaska LNG project has favorable market engagement at the highest level, Walker said in a release.

The agreement was signed as both U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping watched. No financial terms were released, but it's been estimated that the project could cost $43 billion.

The agreement means all parties will work on various aspects of the project, including marketing and financing with a status check in 2018.

Today's agreement brings the potential customer, lender, equity investor and developer together with a common objective of crafting mutually beneficial agreements leading to increased LNG trade between Alaska and China, said Keith Myer, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., a state-sponsored entity advancing the project.

The pipeline as envisioned would rival the famed trans-Alaska oil pipeline, a major building project of a generation ago.

The natural gas pipeline is intended to tap into the rich natural gas reserves on the North Slope. Similar in length to the oil pipeline, it would transport the gas 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) to the coast on the Kenai Peninsula, where it would be liquefied and shipped to Asia.

Such a pipeline has been a dream for Alaskans for years, seen as a way to provide economic certainty as oil production from the North Slope declines.

Estimates have put proven gas reserves on the North Slope overall at 35 trillion cubic feet. Alaska could provide a generation's worth of liquefied natural gas to China, Walker told the Chinese president when Xi stopped in Anchorage on a layover in April.

Millions have been spent a pipeline project, which has been marred in recent years by changes in direction, waning interest among state legislators and low natural gas prices.

The state took lead on the project with the blessing of major oil companies, who plan to provide gas to the project from their leased North Slope fields but focused priorities elsewhere. Walker has said this would be a make-or-break year for the proposed project, and he's been working to secure commitments from countries in Asia to buy the gas or be partners in the project.

The state opened an office in Tokyo to help market its gas, and Walker himself has traveled abroad looking for commitments.

This comes on the heels of a June announcement that the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corp. signed an agreement with the Korea Gas Corp., establishing a cooperative framework for the development of Alaska's natural gas infrastructure.
Serbian and U.S. paratroopers will jump side-by-side during a joint exercise aimed at strengthening military ties with Serbia, the U.S. general in charge of NATO's Allied Air Command said, a move that could trigger protests from Moscow.

In the exercise, which is taking place at the invitation of the Serbian government, paratroopers from both countries will jump side-by-side from 2 C-130J transport planes built by Lockheed Martin in a so-called insertion exercise.

About 100 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army personnel will participate in the event, General Tod Wolters, who also oversees U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, told Reuters.

"They will actually get their paratroop wings as a result of these activities. These are confidence-building activities - relationships that will last for a lifetime. And they will certainly enhance the technical expertise of the Serbs," he said.

It was not immediately clear how many Serbian forces would participate.

Wolters said tensions in the Balkans remained a challenge for NATO and the U.S. military, but engagement was key.

"It will continue to be a challenge, but we've got the right command focus. We've got the right resources. We've got the right dialogue and time will tell what unfolds," he said.

Any NATO-related activities in Serbia are a red flag for Russia, which worries about NATO expansion in the former communist east.

Moscow has also sought to bolster military ties with Belgrade with the donation of six MiG-29 fighter jets.

Serbia has been performing a delicate balancing act between Russia and the West, rejecting calls by U.S. officials to pick a side.

The largest of the states to emerge from the collapse of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Orthodox Christian and Slavic Serbia has natural affinity with Moscow, but it is keen to join the European Union.

Although the EU is Serbia's single largest trade partner and investor, Russia controls its oil and gas supplies.


The author of a South African book that sheds light on the unpopular president's illegal dealings has attracted anonymous death threats and spawned demands by the state security apparatus for it to be withdrawn.

Unsurprisingly, that sent the book's popularity soaring in a nation plagued by high-level corruption scandals, leading it to quickly sell out and go into reprint just weeks after hitting the shelves.

More than 1,000 people crowded into the mezzanine of a high end Johannesburg mall late Wednesday, full wine glasses in hand, to meet the author of South Africas latest literary sensation.

Dishy details

Journalist Jacques Pauws The Presidents Keepers sold out just two days after hitting shelves. That wasnt only for the books content -- though it reads like hardboiled fiction, with Pauw, the intrepid investigator, digging into a South African underworld of sleaze and skulduggery, ruled by nightmarish mobsters and ruffians.

Barely a week after its release, the book got a boost from two unlikely sources: the state security agency and the tax authority. The security agency last week sent a cease-and-desist letter to Pauw demanding that he withdraw his book in two days. When that deadline expired - and the book was breaking sales records -- they reissued the letter. The nations tax authority also said that they may seek to investigate Pauw for releasing confidential taxpayer information. Pauw also says he received a death threat this week.

Thats because the targets of Pauws book are no ordinary mobsters and ruffians. Among the many explosive claims in the book are allegations the nations spy chief set up a parallel, shadow spy agency and poured nearly $100 million into it. Pauw also takes on scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma, who Pauw alleges drew a monthly income of $100,000 during his first term, and did not report it to authorities.

Pauw stands by his claims. The books popularity, he says, stems from South Africans growing hunger for the truth.

Scandal has dogged Zuma for years, and he has weathered eight no-confidence votes in parliament, due to the majority held by his ruling African National Congress. There are signs, however, that the powerful party, too, is turning on him, and all eyes are on the partys political conference next month in which Zuma may be sidelined.

I think a tide has started, and I dont think anybody is going to stop it, is that people want the truth to be released, Pauw said. And whether its me or whether its anybody else, I think the pomegranate has burst open, the pips are falling out, and its going to continue to fall out.

Publishers, booksellers resist

Pauws publisher and booksellers are refusing to give in, calling the government agencies' demands censorship. They have also made light of the demands.

I must also thank our marketing agency, the state security organization, for what they have done to help us sell the book, said Benjamin Trisk, CEO of the popular Exclusive Books chain, who hosted this weeks well attended launch, which ended early after the malls power suddenly went out and a backup generator also failed to work.

Nicky Stubbs, sales and marketing manager for NB Publishers, says the books runaway popularity has shocked even the publishers. In its first days on the shelves, the title sold more than 16,000 hard copies and more than 5,000 e-books - a South African record. And, she told VOA, its not letting up.

Its a reprint to the scale that we ran out of paper in South Africa, Stubbs said. And weve had to reprint the second reprint, I think, on different paper, while we wait for extra paper to be shipped in.

VOA called the ANC and the presidents office seeking their thoughts on the book. They did not answer our calls, and have not commented publicly.
When Wilmot Collins knocked on doors across Helena, Montana, residents wanted to know what he would do to address homelessness, affordable housing and other municipal issues.

They didnt once ask me if you think a black person can win a race in this town, the Liberian immigrant told The Associated Press a day after his election.

Fifty years to the date after the nations first black mayor was elected to lead a large American city, voters in more than a half-dozen large and small cities chose black candidates as mayors Tuesday. Most of the mayors are Democrats, but some of the races were nonpartisan. Political experts say the results could have national political consequences as the Democratic Party looks to build its bench with a more diverse pool of candidates and the mayors seize opportunities to bring about change at the local level in an era of gridlock in Washington under President Donald Trump.

Vi Lyles was elected mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, becoming the first black woman to run North Carolinas largest city. City Councilman Melvin Carter was elected the first black mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota. Voters in Cleveland and in Flint, Michigan, re-elected black mayoral incumbents. The result in Ohio came 50 years after Carl Stokes made history in Cleveland in becoming the nations first big-city black mayor.

Stephanie Mash Sykes, executive director of the nonpartisan African American Mayors Association, said there are about 30 black mayors of U.S. cities with more than 100,000 residents. The 2010 Census lists more than 200 cities and regional areas that size.

Those 30 black mayors include Randall Woodfin, who defeated black incumbent William Bell last month in Birmingham, Alabama. New Orleans will be on that list as two black women are in the runoff for mayor. Atlanta City Councilwomen Keisha Lance Bottoms, whos black, and Mary Norwood, whos white, are headed to a runoff for Atlanta mayor.

Not all black candidates found success. Tito Jackson, a black city councilor in Boston, was defeated Tuesday by incumbent Mayor Marty Walsh, whos white. And in Detroit, Coleman Young II, the son of the citys first black mayor, lost to incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan, who first was elected in 2013 as Detroits first white mayor since 1973.

Well win some. Well lose some, Sykes said, but voters are looking for a leader thats effective in developing innovative solutions for jobs, access to affordable housing.

The victories could translate to national politics, according to Paul Watanabe, political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

For most of these mayors from the Democrat party, they may provide an answer to the question: Is there any new leadership on the Democratic side? Watanabe said. Perhaps one might look to governors or to mayors, particularly, for candidates of color who might be new or fresh on the scene.

To some political observers, Tuesdays general elections also were a referendum on the divisive politics and policies emanating from Washington, where Republicans control the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Helena voters shut all that down, said Collins, a psychology instructor at Helena College who left West Africa as a refugee about two dozen years ago.

The people of Helena told (Washington) that they are an accepting community, said Collins, who will become the citys first black mayor since the 1800s. We want diversity.

Sykes, who didnt have a historical record showing if the number of black mayors was the most ever, said the candidates elected Tuesday have an opportunity to play a large-than-usual role in setting the agenda with Washington leaders struggling to get much done.

We dont see much of anything to impact local communities, particularly communities of color, she said. These mayors are the hopes and opportunities to create solutions on the ground.

Tuesdays elections also saw Ravi Bhalla, a Sikh, win the mayors race in Hoboken, New Jersey.

In Flint, Karen Weaver fended off a recall effort and beat a number of challengers to complete the last two years of her term.

The recall focused on Weavers decision to hire a trash hauler that became connected to a federal corruption investigation. It didnt refer to Flints lead-tainted water crisis.

The city was under state control when it switched from Detroits water system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money. But the river water wasnt properly treated, causing lead from pipes to leach into drinking water.

Weaver made the water problems a focus of her successful 2015 mayoral campaign and said she believes her win Tuesday gives a voice to an urban agenda.
Boeing Co said it signed an agreement on Thursday to sell 300 planes to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company worth $37 billion at list prices, one of several deals announced during a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing.



General Electric Co said it had signed jet engine deals worth $2.5 billion and a $1 billion agreement for power plant equipment and services.



State-run China Aviation Supplies, which leases planes to Chinese airlines, said the Boeing agreement covered 260 B-737s and 40 B-777s and B-787s. The breakdown between firm orders and non-binding commitments was not immediately available.



Analysts said, however, that some of the orders may be among more than 300 from undisclosed buyers posted this year, and it was not clear how much of the China deal was new business.



The new agreement also may overlap substantially with a similar, 300-plane agreement Boeing signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2015 visit to the United States.

.

That deal, valued at $38 billion at the time, included orders and commitments for 190 B-737s and 50 Boeing wide-body planes, as well as leases for an additional 60 B-737s.



A spokesman for the planemaker declined to comment on what proportion of the new China agreement represented new or existing orders, but it was believed that some of the orders were already in Boeing's backlog. Boeing typically lets plane buyers determine what details to reveal about orders.Boeing shares were down 1.4 percent at $260.30.



Strong demand



Boeing says one out of every four jetliners now rolling off its assembly lines is being delivered to Chinese customers, suggesting Chinese demand is strong, despite vagueness about how many actual Chinese orders it has won.



Plane makers also acknowledge a multi-step wooing process with customers such as China. The government first determines how many airplanes its airlines will need, allowing detailed contract discussions to take place. After talks conclude, the government must give final approval to the contracts before the orders become firm.



Some customers ask Boeing to not identify them as buyers even on firm orders, and China is typically among those, according to industry experts. Boeing had 323 orders by unidentified customers as of Nov. 7, of which 282 were for its737 narrow body family.



Separately on Thursday, Boeing said it had received orders for 42 B-737 MAX jets and 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners from CDB Aviation, a unit of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. The order was worth $7.4 billion at list prices.



Boeing and European rival Airbus have been jostling for market share in China, the world's fastest growing aviation market, with both opening assembly plants in the country.



China's owned aircraft fleet is currently equally split between Boeing and Airbus, but going by order book trends, Boeing seems to have gained a big lead in terms of the number of aircraft orders from China, said Corrine Png, chief executive of transport research firm Crucial Perspective.



China Aviation Supplies has also played a prominent role in deals announced during previous government exchanges. In July, it agreed to buy 140 aircraft from Airbus in a deal worth $23 billion at list prices during a visit by Xi to Germany. It also was among three Chinese companies involved in the 2015 Boeing order.



Boeing's latest signing in China follows an order for 39 wide-body jets from Singapore Airlines last month. Earlier on Thursday, General Electric said it had signed deals worth $3.5 billion in China.



They included a $1.4 billion agreement for GEnx engines for 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners, signed with Juneyao Airlines Co Ltd and ICBC Leasing, the leasing arm of state bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd.



It also included an order valued at $1.1 billion for 80 LEAP engines made by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran SA of France. GE's power division also signed a partnership agreement with China Datang Group to provide gas- and steam-powered turbines and components, plus services and digital technology for power projects in China. It valued that deal at $1 billion.



A GE spokesperson said its engine orders were new, and deferred to Boeing on how much of aircraft order was new.
A Supreme Court judge in Spain had ruled Catalan parliament speaker can be released on bail, pending an investigation into her role in the push for independence.

But, Carme Forcadell will remain in custody until she can post the $175,000 bail.

Four other Catalan leaders were granted $29,000 bail and one was set free.

Forcadell reportedly told the court the independence vote was declarative and symbolic  an apparent step to minimize liability if she is charged with disobeying the Constitutional Court.

Forcadell's spokesman said as Catalan parliamentary speaker she did not "have the freedom to stop a vote" in the chamber on independence.

Within hours of the parliamentary vote, the Madrid government disbanded the Catalonian parliament and removed its president, calling for new elections to be held on December 21.

The independence declaration was annulled Wednesday by Spains Constitutional Court, which had initially suspended the declaration last month.

Ousted Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and four of his ministers have fled to Belgium, where they are challenging Spain's arrest and extradition orders.

Eight of Puigdemont's former ministers and two activists were jailed while the Spanish court considers possible charges of rebellion against them.
It was heartbreaking for Jennifer Berrones to explain to her 7-year-old daughter Kaylee that her friend and classmate Emily was not coming back to school after Sunday's church massacre in rural Texas.

"At first my daughter didn't understand what had happened," said Berrones, 36, an assistant at Floresville South Elementary School, where her daughter and Emily Garcia were in second grade. "She asked me if Emily was sleeping, and I had to tell her that she was never going to wake up. I told my daughter that Emily is now with God in heaven."

Floresville is about 11 miles (18 kilometers) southwest of Sutherland Springs, where Devin Kelley opened fire on a Baptist congregation on Sunday, killing 26 people and wounding 20 in Texas' deadliest mass shooting. At least 14 of those killed were children.

Many of Sutherland Springs' children go to school in Floresville, and no school was harder hit than Floresville South Elementary, which lost two students and had three wounded, according to Floresville's school superintendent.

On the school's Facebook page, smiling students wearing black T-shirts saying "Strength through Hope" in comic-book script put on defiant superhero poses next to their teachers.

But inside the school, the mood has been grim.

"The first few days were rough. Teachers, students and the principal were crying," Berrones said Wednesday.

The school has brought in counselors to help students and staff deal with the grief and trauma.

"There are a lot of caring people here, and that is going to help us get through this," Berrones said.

Floresville High School hosted a memorial service Wednesday for the victims; Vice President Mike Pence attended.

It was part of a long and painful healing process for a group of tightly knit rural communities about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio.

Sutherland Springs lost about 5 percent of its population of 400. The town's children go to school in nearby communities.

The official release of the names of the dead on Wednesday changed rumors to facts and brought more pain, residents said.

"We may need more grief counselors," Stockdale Independent School District Superintendent Daniel Fuller said.

Mary Beth Fisk, chief executive of the San Antonio-based Ecumenical Center, brought about 20 counselors to Sutherland Springs.

"It will be a long process of recovery. Often people take one step forward and three steps back," Fisk said.

Sandy Phillips knows that process. Her daughter Jessica was one of 12 people killed when a gunman opened fire in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, on July 20, 2012.

Phillips set up a support group for survivors of mass shootings and plans to visit Sutherland Springs next week to help families.

"What they don't understand is that their whole community has been damaged and traumatized," said Phillips, who traveled to Las Vegas and Orlando in the wake of mass shootings in those cities.
Hows this for awkward? The United States has a delegation at international climate talks in Bonn that will be telling other nations what they should do on a treaty that the president wants no part of.

President Donald Trump has promised to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Paris climate pact where nations set their own goals to reduce the emissions of heat-trapping gases, but because of legal technicalities America cant get out until November 2020.

Its like having a guest at a dinner party who complains about the food but stays anyway, said Nigel Purvis, who worked climate issues in the State Department for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and dealt with a similar situation.

In 2001 Purvis was a climate negotiator for the U.S. State Department when the new president, George W. Bush, pulled out of a landmark global warming agreement the previous administration had championed.

The U.S. position is not just awkward, its potentially bad for the environment, scientists say.

Weaker rules

Most of the Bonn meeting will be coming up with rules on how countries report emissions of heat-trapping gases and how transparent they are. The United States used to be the leading force in pushing for tougher rules and more openness, Purvis and other experts said. The rules probably wont be as strong now, Purvis said.

If its left to Chinese leadership, which is whats left, you will have less transparency, said Massachusetts Institute of Technology management professor Henry Jacoby, who co-founded the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.

The United States government is becoming increasingly isolated on climate change. On Tuesday, the Syrian government, mired in war and the last United Nations country not to sign the Paris accord, announced it would sign the pact. That means the United States will be alone when it pulls out.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert responded to the Syrian decision by attacking its government.

If the government of Syria cared so much about what was put in the air, then it wouldnt be gassing its own people, she said.

In a not-so subtle jab at Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron plans a separate One Planet Summit in Paris to push his Make Our Planet Great Again agenda on Dec. 12, the anniversary date of the climate accord. He invited more than 100 world leaders to his event, but not Trump. Instead, he invited lower level U.S. diplomats.

The rest of the world needs to get on and negotiate ... and treat the U.S. as more of an observer in the process and the U.S. should act that way, said Greenpeace International Director Jennifer Morgan, who has been at these negotiations for more than 20 years.

Thats not what the U.S. plans.

US will engage

As meetings started Monday, U.S. negotiator Trigg Talley said, The president has made clear that we will engage countries on energy and climate change related issues and we look forward to working with colleagues and partners to advance the work here over these two weeks and beyond.

The administration is hosting a panel on the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels and nuclear power, White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said Tuesday. It is undeniable that fossil fuels will be used for the foreseeable future, and it is in everyones interest that they be efficient and clean.

Of the major fossil fuels, coal is by far the biggest climate change culprit. In 2014, coal accounted for 46 percent of the globes carbon dioxide emissions, but was only 29 percent of its energy supply, according to the International Energy Agency.

Other Americans

Three U.S. governors, some mayors, corporate leaders and students will also be attending the Bonn talks.

We have one major major player who is on the sidelines, California Gov. Jerry Brown told The Associated Press. The rest of us will do everything we can to keep advancing efforts and keep doing what is needed to reduce carbon emissions. There is no time to wait.

Nashville, Tennessee, Mayor Megan Barry said, the power lies within cities ... we know that we can make a significant difference with or without the federal government.

If the U.S. remains out of the Paris accord and tries to dismantle President Obamas initiatives to curb emissions, the Earth will warm by an additional one or two tenths of a degree, said Glen Peters, a Norwegian scientist who is part of the Global Carbon Project.

Scientists say that even a few tenths of a degree of warming can have dramatic impacts on ecosystems and day-to-day life for people.

Purivs said countries will be frustrated and resentful toward the Trump administration at the negotiations. But he added: Many nations will understand the rules of the Paris agreement are going to be more important and more durable than any U.S. administration and there will be a strong desire to get it right.
Executives from Google, Facebook and Twitter faced anger from lawmakers last week over their platforms' roles in Russian interference into the 2016 election. But for Silicon Valley, the biggest challenge lies ahead as tech companies look for ways to work with a U.S. Congress intent on closing legal loopholes before 2018 midterm elections.

Congressional scrutiny showed U.S. law has fallen behind the rapid growth of social media. Without rules governing paid political advertising on social media, foreign agents were free to post false or inflammatory material in an attempt manipulate public opinion. But lawmakers remain optimistic about the opportunity to learn from the past.

"If there is a place that has ever understood change, it's Silicon Valley. It is based on disruption. It's based on people taking risks," Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat, told VOA.

Greater transparency

Eshoo, whose congressional district covers part of Silicon Valley, has been a longtime advocate for greater transparency in the more traditional fields of TV and print political advertising.

"When citizens know who has paid for something, it has an effect on their thinking," Eshoo said. "It doesn't mean that there wouldn't still be Americans that would like that divisive ad. But at least they'll know where it comes from, and you can have a much clearer debate about who is saying what and what they are attempting to do."

The HONEST Ads Act, a legislative proposal recently introduced in both houses of Congress, follows along those lines.

If passed, the bill would regulate online political ads under the same rules as broadcast advertisements, requiring companies to keep a public database storing those ads and providing information about their funding.

"Americans deserve to know who's paying for the online ads," Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a co-sponsor of the bill, said last month. "Even if the Russian interference hadn't occurred, we should still be updating our laws. Our laws should be as sophisticated as those who are trying to manipulate us."

"Creating a database like that is going to be hard and complicated and messy. It's a good idea that's going to have a tough execution," Dave Karpf, a professor of political communication at George Washington University, told VOA.

Karpf said that while there are no perfect solutions, it's important to recognize the tech companies for what they've become.

"Facebook and Google are media companies  they're just different media companies then we're used to seeing," he said. "They're not broadcasters, but they are information platforms. And they're quasi-monopolies  even a benevolent monopoly is a bad thing for public discourse and public knowledge."

But none of the social media heads would fully commit to support of the bill as it now stands during their congressional testimony, appearing instead to favor a self-policing approach.

Battling fake news

Addressing paid political advertisements on social media platforms is just one part of the puzzle. The 2016 election revealed a vast ecosystem of fake news that will be almost impossible to police.

"What's an even greater problem is that the Russians and others are setting up sites to deliberately disseminate misinformation  false news, fake news, what have you  they are not identifying themselves as Russian-sponsored," said Mark Jacobson, a professor at Georgetown University and co-author of an October 2017 report on Russian cybermeddling.

"This is the larger problem for Facebook and other social media companies  how to handle the deliberate disinformation  and I'm not so sure the solution is legislative," Jacobson said.

Eshoo downplayed talk that these challenges signal a downturn for tech innovators, saying it's time lawmakers, companies and citizens took on a shared responsibility.

"We need to do a much better job with this," she said. "We're going to need them to cooperate with us. I don't think that there has to be a slugfest on this." She said the social media companies need to tell Congress how, in terms of their engineering and their algorithms, they can best accomplish what lawmakers set forth.
Cuban opposition leaders said they failed to get anyone nominated as a candidate for municipal elections, falling at the first hurdle as the Communist-run island embarks on a political cycle that will end 60 years of Castro brothers' rule.

This month's municipal elections are the first stage in a process that will conclude with a new national assembly voting in February for a president to replace 86-year-old Raul Castro, who has promised to step down after two five-year terms.

Some Cubans hope the handover of power from the leaders of the 1959 revolution to a new generation will bring more political openness. Others neither expect nor want much to change, pointing out that Castro will remain head of the Communist Party, the only legal party in Cuba.

In the one part of Cuba's political cycle where dissidents stand a chance of winning, neighborhood nomination assemblies have in recent weeks chosen candidates for elections to 12,515 ward positions in towns across the nation of 11 million people.

Several hundred dissidents had sought nomination - an unprecedented number - although none made it through to the list of 27,221 candidates, according to opposition electoral platforms Otro18 and Candidates for Change.

Dissident leaders blamed their failure partly on repressive tactics by authorities, but said they had shown there were viable political alternatives.

"The process of democratization from below has started," said Manuel Cuesta Morua, spokesman for Otro18.

The government did not reply to a request for comment.

Reuters was unable to verify the opposition's figures and their efforts were not reported by state-run media, meaning most ordinary Cubans did not hear about them.

In Cuba's provincial and national votes, candidates are nominated by commissions composed of representatives of Communist Party-controlled organizations such as the trade union federation.

Cuba's leaders say the country's elections are more democratic than western models, which they say are characterized by big business and corruption. The fractured opposition has traditionally called Cuban elections a farce and boycotted them.

Even so, opposition electoral platforms have emerged over the past few years, saying the time is ripe to change Cuba from within the system.

Security threatened me

The election comes at a delicate time, as Cuba battles to keep a detente with the United States alive and its economy afloat as aid from key ally Venezuela dwindles.

Several dissidents told Reuters that authorities prevented them from attending or speaking at neighborhood nomination assemblies, shifting the dates or seeking to intimidate them.

"State security threatened me," said Abdel Legra, who decided against nominating himself as he did not want to get his neighbors, most of whom work for the state, in trouble by backing him. "The problem is that the vote is by hand count, it's public."

The postponement of the electoral cycle by a month, which authorities said was due to damage caused by Hurricane Irma, put a spanner in the works for several dissidents, who had already planned trips abroad.

The Communist Party says it does not intervene in the elections. But in a leaked video, First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Castro's probable successor, said the party would seek to discredit "counter-revolutionary" candidates.

Cuba brands all dissenters as mercenaries funded by foreign governments and exiles, out to topple the government.

In 2015, two dissidents managed to get nominated but said election officials altered their autobiographies to say they had ties to "counter-revolutionaries" based or financed abroad.

One of those, Hildebrando Chaviano, said he did not attend his assembly this year, saying he felt it would be a "circus."

Authorities visited his neighbors days before, he said, warning them not to vote for him.

That assembly ended up nominating the current municipal delegate, a party veteran.

Many dissidents said they would continue taking part in grassroots politics to get their voices heard. Chaviano said he was giving courses on leadership and economics.

"This is just the beginning," he said.


One of Britains most celebrated dancer-choreographers, Akram Khan, is tackling the rise of xenophobia in his latest work, which he says will be his last as a leading performer.

The production, Xenos, is Khans tribute to the Indian soldiers of the British Empire who fought in World War One. It focuses on the story of a shell-shocked Indian soldier, but also tackles contemporary political issues.

Xenos means a foreigner or alien or stranger in Greek, i.e. xenophobia, and it just seems apt and relevant to my reflection of the world today and how xenophobia is growing, he told Reuters.

Khan, 43, will dance a segment from Xenos at the opening night of the Darbar Festival, an annual festival of classical Indian music, on Thursday in London.

Following its full premiere next year in Athens, Xenos will tour Australia, North America, and Europe, with a staging at Sadlers Wells theater in London in 2018.

Born in London to Bangladeshi parents, Khan was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to dance. His style is a hybrid of Indian classical, traditional Indian kathak and contemporary dance.

Khan says he is going to step down from dancing in full-length productions as a lead, but will still dance smaller roles. Besides wanting a respite from physical demands of dancing, he wants to focus on other areas.

I want to focus more on choreography. Im working a lot on film. Im fascinated by film and that medium and what movement, how you can tell stories through the camera, he says.

There just came a time where I felt: OK, enough is enough. You know, Ill keep training but not to the severity or the intensity that I do to prepare myself for a full-length solo.
President Donald Trump suffered a political setback Tuesday when Democrats won easy victories in governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey. In addition, Democrats cheered a turnout that could have major implications for next year's congressional midterm elections, when all 435 House seats and one-third of the Senate will be on the ballot.

Democrats are pointing to exit polls in both Virginia and New Jersey that showed that anger at Trump was a major factor in stimulating Democrats to get to the polls. They also note Democratic gains in the battle for state delegate seats in Virginia, another sign of grass-roots enthusiasm that could help Democrats in races for lower-level offices across the country.

Sending a message

In New Jersey, Governor-elect Phil Murphy, a Democrat, saw his election as a direct rebuke of the Republican president.

"New Jersey sent an unmistakable message to the entire nation. We are better than this!" Murphy told cheering supporters at his victory rally.

In Virginia, Democrat Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie in a campaign that focused, in part, on Trump and his policies, especially on immigration. At a news conference Wednesday, Northam said his victory showed that Virginians had a message for the country and the world.

"The divisiveness, the hatred, the bigotry, the politics that is tearing this country apart, that is not the United States of America that people love and it certainly not the Commonwealth of Virginia that they love," he said.

Political analysts said Democratic enthusiasm and a focus on Trump were clearly on display in both states.

"We have heard for months and months about all this energy on the left. It had not materialized until tonight," said Steve Peoples of the Associated Press. "A big night for Democrats and, really, it was a repudiation of sorts of the Trump nationalist message."

Even some Republicans saw the results as a rejection of the Trump political brand. Representative Scott Taylor of Virginia told the New York Times that he believes the president's "divisive rhetoric" helped the Democrats on Tuesday.

"I do believe this is a referendum on this administration," Taylor said.

Embracing the president

During his trip to Asia, Trump tweeted that Gillespie lost in Virginia because he didn't "embrace me or what I stand for." Divining why Gillespie lost is likely to spark a resurgence of the Republican debate as to how closely members of Congress should back the president as they look toward next year's elections.

If Democrats continue to use Trump as a motivator to boost turnout, it could spark trouble for Republicans in next year's midterms.

"I think the danger signs are that it looks like Democratic voters are energized and it is easy to mobilize them and turnout, particularly in swing states, is going to favor Democrats," said Rutgers University political scientist Richard Harris via Skype.

Harris also noted that both Murphy in New Jersey and Northam in Virginia emphasized the importance of governance in their campaigns, which he believes shows Democrats are willing to go beyond simply positioning themselves as anti-Trump.

Alternative agenda

Democrats must be prepared to offer real alternatives to Trump and Republican policies, argues Jim Kessler with Third Way, a center-left public policy advocacy group.

"If voters believe the Democrats are focused on jobs and the economy, even if they don't know the details, then that will give them more wind at their back in the 2018 elections, so I think they are inching in the right direction," Kessler said.

In the short term, the Democratic wins in Virginia and New Jersey are likely to put greater pressure on congressional Republicans to pass tax reform reasonably soon so that they have something to show voters next year.

"The pressure on them was probably about a 9.5 on a 10-point scale, and now it is probably 9.9, so it was high already and it is just going to get more intense," said Richard Harris.

The election results dominated the one-year anniversary of Trump's election, and Tuesday's Democratic victories could signal a shift in the political fortunes of a president whose public approval rating has remained near or below 40 percent for much of his presidency, a historic low for a new president.
An Egyptian lawmaker is introducing a draft bill that would imprison those engaging in or promoting same-sex relations, a copy of the draft seen by Reuters on Thursday showed.

Amnesty International said the bill is another nail in the coffin for sexual rights in Egypt and should be scrapped.

It would introduce sentences of to up to 10 years in prison for people engaging in or promoting same-sex relations.

The law is part of a wider crackdown against homosexuality that started in September when a group of people were seen raising a rainbow flag at a concert, a rare public show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in the conservative Muslim country.

If passed, this law would further entrench stigma and abuse against people based on their perceived sexual orientation, said Najia Bounaim, North Africa Campaigns Director at Amnesty International.

The Egyptian authorities must urgently scrap this draft law and put an end to this alarming wave of homophobic persecution, Bounaim added.

The crackdown comes as Egypt, a main Western ally in the Middle East, is under fire for its human rights record and the United States has withheld some of its $1.3 billion in annual military aid.

At least 70 people have been arrested and some have been subjected to anal examinations that amount to torture since September.

Homosexuality is not specifically outlawed in Egypt but discrimination is rife. Gay men are frequently arrested and typically charged with debauchery, immorality or blasphemy.

Egyptian authorities do not deny going after gays.

Gay men and rights activists say the LGBT community has been facing an aggressive crackdown since 2013, when general-turned-President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi as military chief ousted Egypt's first freely elected civilian President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Emerging nations pressed developed countries Wednesday to step up cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to kick-start the Paris climate agreement, saying the rich were wrongly focused on 2030 goals.

"We came here needing to hit the accelerator, not the brakes," Brazil's chief negotiator Antonio Marcondes told Reuters on the sidelines of the November 6-17 negotiations in Germany on limiting global warming.

In 2015, almost 200 governments agreed on the Paris accord to end the fossil fuel era by 2100 and remained united last year in declaring action "irreversible" after Donald Trump, who has called man-made climate change a hoax, won the U.S. presidential election.

But that unity is fraying.

Under the Paris Agreement, most governments set targets for cutting emissions by 2030, with little focus on shorter-term milestones.

Brazil and nations including India, China and Iran now want to fill the gap with more action by 2020 to cut greenhouse gas emissions, especially by the rich, which have burned the most fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution.

"While action on [the] post-2020 period under the Paris Agreement has gained momentum, the discussions on pre-2020 actions have lagged behind," India's chief negotiator Ravi S. Prasad said this week.

Actions defended

Developed nations say they are acting. European Union officials pointed to proposals on Wednesday for tougher car emissions targets, including a credit system for carmakers to encourage the rollout of electric vehicles.

Nazhat Shameem Khan, chief negotiator for Fiji, which is presiding at the meeting, said: "Clearly, there is strong appetite for a constructive and focused discussion on pre-2020.

"I think it's a generalized view ... that there hasn't been enough discussion" about what to do before 2020, she said.

Overall, she said, the talks, also working on a detailed rule book for the Paris Agreement, were advancing well and that the United States delegation was being "constructive and helpful."

Trump said in June that he would pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a process that will take effect in 2020, and instead promote coal and oil.

A pullout will isolate the United States since Syria, the only other nation outside the pact, said Tuesday that it would join.

Under the Paris Agreement, the period to 2020 is a gap partly because backers of the 2015 pact assumed it might take years for parliaments to ratify it. The deal entered into force in record time last November.

Camilla Born, of the E3G think tank, said the Paris Agreement was now a victim of its own success. "It's right now to shine the spotlight on more action by 2020," she said.
European Union negotiators are readying themselves for the collapse of Prime Minister Theresa Mays government as it lurches from one crisis to another, say officials in Brussels.

And Britains Opposition Labor Party is eagerly standing by, with its deputy leader warning Thursday that the ruling Conservative government is so fragile random events could bring it down.

Another Day, Another Crisis, was the Daily Telegraphs headline Thursday in the wake of May having to fire two key Cabinet ministers in a week  Michael Fallon as her defense secretary over sexual harassment claims, and the ambitious International Development Minister Priti Patel late Wednesday over 14 unauthorized meetings with Israeli ministers, business people and a high-profile lobbyist during a family vacation to Israel.

Weakened government



Britains beleaguered prime minister and her aides are dismissing suggestions her government is near collapse, saying her ministers are getting on with the job.

Weakened by her gamble last year to hold snap parliamentary elections, which led to the Conservatives losing their majority in the House of Commons, May has been able to hold on to her job because a split Conservative party has been fearful of what would follow her departure and which party faction would win a leadership competition, say analysts.

The ruling party is divided between those who want a clean and total break with the European Union and those who want Britain to maintain close ties with the economic bloc, the countrys biggest trading partner.

This weeks ministerial departures add pressure on Mays minority government following a string of controversies that she appears unable to contain  from a burgeoning sexual harassment scandal that is affecting all parties, but the incumbent Conservatives the worst, and could lead to the departure of her deputy, Damian Green  to rebelliousness among her ministers as they maneuver for political advantage and plot their own policies without paying much heed to Downing Street.

Along with all of that, several ministers have triggered alarm with gaffes that have real-life consequences. Demands have been mounting across the political spectrum for May to dismiss Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson after he misspoke, when he said a British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran had been training journalists when she was arrested.

Johnsons critics say the ill-advised remarks risk Tehran lengthening the five-year sentence handed to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, purportedly on national security grounds. Her employer, Thomson Reuters, says the characterization that she was in Iran to teach people journalism is false. Johnson has since said he "could have chosen his words more carefully."



Its hard to remember a time when a British government was so racked by crisis after crisis, acknowledged political writer Sonia Sodha of Britains leftist The Guardian newspaper.

Few replacement candidates



Sodha believes May could survive until 2019, when Brexit talks are scheduled to have concluded, if for no other reason than no one else in the Conservative party wants to take up the poisoned chalice of navigating the country through its exit from the European Union.

And some Conservative lawmakers concede privately that the only reason they want May to continue is that a leadership upheaval could trigger an early election which Labor would likely win.

Other Westminster-watchers arent as confident that May  a virtual prisoner of warring party factions over Brexit  can survive much longer.

Governments often survive sleaze scandals, recessions and even the most disastrous of wars. Few, if any, ever recover when they become laughing stocks, objects of pity and ridicule. That, tragically, is the direction in which Theresa Mays rudderless government is fast heading, according to Conservative commentator Allister Heath.

More challenges ahead



Much will likely depend on whether the sexual harassment crisis rocking Westminster claims other officials. The government also risks defeat in the coming days on amendments to EU withdrawal legislation. Additionally, another key factor in May's survival is likely to come when later this month, the government reports on the state of the public finances  they could be worse than expected and require further unpopular cuts.

Some analysts are likening Mays position to that of a Conservative predecessor, John Major, whose 1992-1997 government was in disarray almost from the start due to scandals, divisions over Europe and a recession. Major was enraged by the disloyalty of his Cabinet and in an outburst picked up by a television microphone he thought was switched off, labeled three of his ministers bastards. Despite its instability, Major's government managed to soldier on for nearly five years.

EU leaders arent so sure May can repeat Majors achievement.

For EU, many unknown



Officials say Brussels is preparing contingency plans for May leaving before the new year and Britain holding early elections months later. An unnamed European leader told the British newspaper The Times, There is the great difficulty of the leadership in Great Britain, which is more and more fragile. Britain is very weak and the weakness of Theresa May makes negotiations very difficult.

Talks between British and EU negotiators were resuming Thursday in the sixth round of talks over Brexit. May is hoping her negotiators can secure a breakthrough and persuade the EU to start moving on to talks about a future trade deal even before there is a final deal on the rights of EU citizens living in Britain, what will become of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the divorce bill.

London has suggested that since an agreement is near on the divorce terms, trade talks should start immediately, but the Europeans have a different take.

Speaking Thursday, a top EU lawmaker, Sophie in t Veld, warned there has been little progress, saying, A year-and-a-half has passed since the Brexit vote and we havent moved an inch and the situation is getting very, very worrying. She accused the British government of not being clear about its negotiating position.

Fears are mounting that Britain will crash out of the EU without a trade deal with its neighbors. On Monday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warned that losing access to Europes financial markets after Brexit would damage Britains chances of negotiating a successful trade agreement with Washington. His warning came after the heads of U.S. banks told him they were preparing plans to move staff from London and relocate them to other European cities.


The European Commission said Wednesday it wants to cut emissions of carbon dioxide from cars by 30 percent by 2030 and boost the use of electric vehicles by making them cheaper and easier to charge.



The proposal stops short of imposing fixed quotas for emission-free vehicles and is more modest than goals already set out by some EU members. Still, European automakers said the commission's targets were too drastic, and Germany's foreign minister warned against the proposal.



Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic insisted that the plan is the most realistic compromise between Europe's ambitions to blaze trails on clean energy and the costs that the continent's powerful car manufacturers will have to bear to overhaul workforces and production.



Current targets require automakers to achieve the average permitted emission for new models in the European Union of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer for cars, or 147 grams for light commercial vehicles by 2021.



The new proposal foresees a further reduction of 15 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, compared to 2021 levels.



Car companies that fail to meet those targets face substantial fines of 95 euros ($110) per excess gram of carbon dioxide - per car. Automakers that manage to equip at least 30 percent of their new cars with electric or other low-emission engines by 2030 will be given credits toward their carbon tally.



The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, an industry body, criticized the 2025 target, saying it does not leave enough time to make the necessary technical and design changes to vehicles, in particular to light commercial vehicles given their longer development and production cycles.



The lobby group also said the targeted cut of 30 percent by 2030 was overly challenging and called for a 20 percent reduction instead, saying that was achievable at a high, but acceptable, cost.



The current proposal is very aggressive when we consider the low and fragmented market penetration of alternatively-powered vehicles across Europe to date, the group's secretary general, Erik Jonnaert, said.



Germany's foreign minister wrote to the commission last week to say the new rules shouldn't suffocate the ability of automakers to innovate.



In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said all European countries benefit from the jobs the auto industry creates and warned that the time frame for emissions cuts mustn't be too restrictive.



The letter caused friction within the German government, which is currently hosting a two-week United Nations meeting on implementing the 2015 Paris climate accord.



The contents of this letter weren't coordinated within the Cabinet, a spokeswoman for Germany's environment ministry, Friederike Langenbruch, told reporters in Berlin.



Germany is predicted to fall short of its own climate goals, in large part due to continued high emissions from coal-fired electricity plants and vehicle traffic.



The European executive's plan also includes 800 million euros in funding for the expansion and standardization of electric charging stations Europe-wide.


A former television news anchor is accusing Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey of sexually molesting her son last year when he was 18 years old.

An angry Heather Unruh told reporters Wednesday that the alleged incident occurred in a restaurant on Nantucket island, a popular Massachusetts tourist spot.

"Kevin Spacey bought him drink after drink after drink, and when my son was drunk, Spacey made his move and sexually molested him," she said.

Unruh said her son panicked and could not remove Spacey's hands from his pants. He ran out of the restaurant to his grandmother's house when Spacey left the bar to go to the bathroom.

Unruh described her son as being "starstruck" by Spacey, but also too embarrassed to call the police at that time and waited until just last week.

She said a criminal investigation was underway. But Nantucket police would not confirm or deny an investigation, saying Massachusetts law barred them from discussing sexual assault allegations.

"I just want to see Kevin Spacey go to jail," Unruh said. "Not just for my son but for the many others."

At least two other men accuse Spacey of sexually molesting them when they were teenagers.

British news reports say London police are also looking into an alleged sexual assault there in 2008.

The actor, who recently came out as gay, said he did not remember an alleged encounter with actor Anthony Rapp when Rapp was just 14. But he apologized if there was such "drunken behavior."

Netflix has fired Spacey from its hit television series House of Cards.

The show-business newspaper Variety also reported that Sony Pictures had pulled a new film starring Spacey, All the Money in the World, from the upcoming American Film Institute film festival.
South Sudans former army chief of staff, General Paul Malong, who has been held under house arrest by the Kiir administration since May, has been freed.

His wife, Lucy Ayak, told VOA's South Sudan in Focus program that Malong was released Thursday. My husband has been released and has been allowed to go for a medical checkup in east Africa, she said.

Recently, dozens of tanks and troops were deployed along the road leading to Malongs home in Juba after Malong refused a presidential order to release a platoon of 30 soldiers guarding him. Ayak told VOA on Monday that some of the men deployed to her husbands home were police while some were from military intelligence.

They came and surrounded all of the house, Ayak said.

Ayak said she would hold President Salva Kiir responsible if anything happened to her husband. Ayak also said she had written Kiir several times pleading with him to release her husband, but received no response.

Lual Dau, the former deputy governor of Lol state, told South Sudan in Focus on Tuesday that most soldiers in the South Sudan army hail from Malongs home area of Aweil and were not happy about the way in which President Kiir was treating Malong. Dau resigned his position in May after accusing the Lol state governor of being corrupt.

Talks continued all week to peacefully resolve the standoff between Malong and the Kiir administration. The U.S. Embassy in Juba on Monday posted a security alert on its web site to American citizens regarding the deployment of soldiers.

Although there is an increased military presence in a number of locations, the security situation in Juba is unchanged, read the message. But the embassy also advised U.S. citizens to review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, and monitor local news stations for updates.

Order to surrender bodyguards

On Wednesday, Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters in Juba Malong was informed several days ago that he must surrender his bodyguards to authorities.

When he came back here, he was allowed to go into his house and stay with his forces, but being a former chief of staff, you cannot be allowed to continue with your platoon in your house, Makuei said.

At the same time, Makuei said he was confident the standoff would be resolved peacefully.

Garang defects



Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Chan Garang said this week he has joined the SPLA-in Opposition, but a government spokesman says he left the army to escape prosecution for crimes including rape and murder.

Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang said in Juba Thursday he learned of Garangs defection on South Sudan in Focus.



The news of his defection came to us not long ago. We heard about his defection on Voice of America, said Koang.



Koang accused Garang of committing several crimes since 2003, such as murder and rape. Garang is accused of looting and cattle rustling. Koang says Garang was sentenced to death by firing squad in the past but escaped detention and later joined a militia under the command of Abdul Bagi Ayii in former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State. Koang said when Garang joined the SPLA in 2006, he was given amnesty, but Koang said Garang continued to commit crimes, noting that fewer than two months ago, Garang stole a truck from a civilian.



All these crimes he had committed reflected in the verdict and a decision was made that he would be dismissed from the SPLA without post-service benefits. He disappeared, only for us to hear on the Voice of America, South Sudan in Focus that he had defected, Koang said.



Garang told the program earlier this week he defected because he believes President Kiirs regime is unjust and has wronged many people.



Garang is said to be a close ally of Malong, but Garang told the program he has no connection with the former army chief.
Visiting Berlin in the midst of sensitive coalition talks, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire urged Germany to seize a historic window of opportunity to reform Europe, warning that the bloc could succumb to nationalism if they failed.

The visit comes six weeks after a German election forced Chancellor Angela Merkel into negotiations with parties, including the Free Democrats (FDP), that are sceptical of French President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious vision for Europe.

By holding talks with leading members of those parties, including FDP leader Christian Lindner, Le Maire said he hoped to convince members of the next German government to leave the door open to a European deal with France as they hammer out a coalition blueprint for the next four years.

We are of the view that there is a unique window of opportunity to improve the situation and make the eurozone stronger, Le Maire said.

I hope that they will take into account the necessity to

preserve a room of maneuver for negotiation, he added.

Because if everything is already decided in the German coalition agreement, what should we negotiate? This is one of the key reasons for my trip to Berlin.

After nearly a decade of economic and financial crisis, and following Britains decision to leave the EU, Macron is pushing for a leap forward in European integration, including the creation of a budget for the eurozone and closer cooperation in defense and migration matters.

Merkel has welcomed many of his ideas, but members of her own conservative bloc and the FDP are sceptical, particularly on French plans for the eurozone, fearing Germany will be asked to pay for the policy failures of reform-wary southern states.

Europe faces choice

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Lindner, Le Maire said he believed that the differences could be overcome.

None of the difficulties are insurmountable. I found a man who is conscious of his political responsibilities, conscious of his historic responsibilities, he said.

Earlier in a speech to a Franco-German business forum, Le Maire likened the current situation in the eurozone to standing in the middle of a strong-flowing river where the currents were most dangerous.

He said Europe faced a choice: turn back to the shore from where they came, embracing nationalism and isolation, or say now is the time and press on to the opposite bank by pursuing closer integration of the eurozone.

That status quo is not an option, Le Maire said.

He spelled out four steps for a reform of the 19-nation single currency bloc. In the first, Europe would complete its banking union, capital markets union and harmonise its tax regimes, particularly in the area of corporate taxes.

Second, Europe would bolster its rescue fund, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), and third, it would introduce a budget for the eurozone to fund investments in areas such as transport, energy and artificial intelligence, and help the bloc cope with economic shocks.

In a last step, member states could appoint a finance minister for the eurozone, he said.

Switching between fluent German and French, Le Maire said Franco-German working groups should be created to discuss reform on a weekly or even daily basis. He said other countries should be brought into the process, naming Spain and Italy.

In his speech to the business forum, Le Maire urged the bloc to unite in pushing back against powers like China and the United States that he said were determined to shape the world according to their national interests.

German politicians have been sceptical of Macron's lEurope qui protege (Europe that protects) pledge, fearful of a return to old-fashioned French protectionism.

But Le Maire said Europe should no longer be naive in the face of economic challenges from abroad, accusing the Chinese of killing off the European solar panel industry and the Americans of using extra-territorial sanctions to shape global trade rules in their favor.

Europe needs to stop being scared of its own shadow, Le Maire said. Divided we are nothing. Together we are everything.
The House intelligence committee is preparing to interview a Russian-American lobbyist who attended a meeting last year with President Donald Trumps son as part of its probe into Russian election interference. The panel is also expected to interview Attorney General Jeff Sessions in coming weeks, according to people familiar with the interviews.

The House interview with Rinat Akhmetshin is scheduled for next week, and Sessions interview is planned for Nov. 30, according to one of the sources. Dates for witnesses have often been pushed later.



Congressional investigators are probing the June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower with Donald Trump Jr, as is special counsel Robert Mueller. Akhmetshin already has been interviewed by the Senate intelligence panel, according to a person familiar with that interview.

All of those disclosing the interviews spoke on condition of anonymity because the meetings are not publicly announced.

The interviews come as the House panel has ramped up its schedule in its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election sometimes holding two-hour interviews in one day. Some Republicans have expressed interest in wrapping up the probe by the end of the year, though it likely will spill into 2018.



Lawmakers have been interested in Sessions knowledge about interactions between Trump campaign aides and Russians. Sessions did not attend the Trump tower meeting.

Sessions recused himself from overseeing an investigation into the Trump campaign in March after acknowledging two previously undisclosed conversations with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign. Since then, he has downplayed his own knowledge about communications between campaign aides and Russian officials and intermediaries. But former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page testified last week that he alerted Sessions of a trip he was taking to Moscow last summer.



Sessions testified publicly before the Senate intelligence committee earlier this year. At that hearing, Sessions called any implication that he colluded with Russians a detestable lie.

Akhmetshins testimony is part of an effort by both the House and Senate intelligence panels to talk to all of those who attended the Trump Tower meeting. In emails ahead of the meeting, Trump Jr. enthusiastically agreed to the sit-down with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya and others after he was promised dirt on his fathers rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton. He has since denied such material ever materialized.



Akhmetshin is a former military officer who has attracted congressional scrutiny over his political activities and has been shadowed by allegations of connections to Russian intelligence.

The House panel last week interviewed Ike Kaveladze, also known as Irakly Kaveladze, who was also at the meeting as a representative of a Russian developer who once partnered with Trump to bring the Miss Universe pageant to Moscow.

Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his then-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, were also in the meeting. Kushner met with both intelligence panels privately this summer and Manafort met with the Senate panel. Trump Jr. had a private interview with the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, but hasnt met with the intelligence committees.



North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, has said that he wants to wait to interview Trump Jr. until after committee staff has interviewed other participants in the meeting. Asked this week if the committee has interviewed all of those other people, Burr said, I think all but one.



Also attending the Trump Tower meeting were publicist Rob Goldstone, who set it up with the promise of dirt on Clinton, and a translator.



Also next week, the House intelligence panel will interview Glenn Simpson, a co-founder of a political research firm behind a dossier of allegations about President Donald Trumps connections to Russia. Simpson struck a deal with the committee this week to testify after initially balking.
Amid global efforts to crack down on sex harassment in the workplace, India is reaching out to women in the private sector, urging them to report sex pests via an online portal previously restricted to government staff.

Activists dismissed the change, saying a portal would not stamp out sexism at work, be it the lewd comments, stalled promotions or unwanted advances that women routinely face.

"This is a proactive step taken by [the ministry] in the wake of the worldwide social media campaign #MeToo," Maneka Gandhi, minister for women and child development, said in a statement released Tuesday.

"The government is completely committed to provide a safe and fair environment to working women," she said.

The SHe-box, or sexual harassment e-box, was launched earlier this year for women in government offices to register complaints of sexual harassment at work.

The online portal will now be available to women in private companies, too.

Floodgates

Tens of thousands of women across the world recounted tales of sexual harassment or assault with the hashtag #MeToo on social media last month, in the wake of claims against movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

The scandal soon leached to other sectors  be it Britain's parliament, the global fashion industry or India's film sector.

India in 2013 passed a law to tackle sexual harassment of women at the workplace. Employers were required to set up grievance councils to investigate all complaints.

But India has an uphill climb when it comes to equal treatment for women in the home, as well as the workforce.

India's capital New Delhi and Brazil's Sao Paulo were paired as the world's worst megacities for sexual violence against women in a poll published last month by Reuters.

Unsafe workplaces keep educated women out of the labor force in India, where nearly two-thirds of women with college degrees are without jobs, leading to among the worst rates of female labor force participation in the world.

Since the launch of SHe-box in July this year, nearly 350 complaints have been recorded, Gandhi said.

When a complaint is submitted, it is sent to the employer's internal complaints committee. The ministry, as well as the complainant, can monitor the progress of the inquiry.

Complaints can range from lewd jokes and intimidation to denial of promotion after a spurned advance, Gandhi said.

But activists said simply registering a complaint will not curb sexual harassment at work.

"Most offices do not even have a committee to look into sexual harassment, as mandated by law. So who will follow up on these complaints?" said Flavia Agnes, a co-founder of women's rights organization Majlis in Mumbai.

"The focus should be on implementing the 2013 law and improving the workplace environment for women, rather than setting up more avenues to complain," she told Reuters.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday NATO defense ministers are considering ways to bring Russia into compliance with a key arms control treaty.

The U.S. has maintained that Russia has deployed cruise missiles in violation of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, which prohibits the deployment of land-based U.S. and Russian short- and intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

"We have a firm belief now over several years that the Russians have violated the INF and our effort is to bring Russia back into compliance," Mattis told reporters as he met with Thursday in Belgium with his NATO counterparts.

Mattis said NATO's discussions about Russia were held with an eye toward sustaining other arms control pacts as well.

"This is absolutely necessary to sustain confident arms control agreements and were doing so in a substantial, transparent and verifiable fashion.

Russia has repeatedly denied the claims and accused the United States of violating the treaty. Moscow contends the U.S. Patriot missile systems deployed in Poland and Romania could be customized to launch missiles at Russia.

Mattis, who added that several other NATO nations also had evidence Russia was not in compliance, said he and the other NATO defense ministers would have discussions with Russia to try to resolve the issue.

The treaty was signed in 1987 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the then leader of the Soviet Union.
The first presidential election to allow independents on the ballot was supposed to be a step forward for Mexico's costly, unwieldy electoral system, which has long been dominated by widely resented political parties.

But independent candidates are being forced to use a smartphone app to collect the 866,000 signatures they need to get on the ballot in a country where coverage is spotty and only a minority can afford smartphones.

Independents from all ends of the political spectrum are calling the app faulty at best, and downright racist at worst.

Mexico's registered political parties get on the ballot automatically and are supposed to be almost completely funded by taxpayer money. The National Electoral Institute, or INE  which designed the app  will spend $1.3 billion for the July 1 presidential elections and other races next year. Critics say the institute is bloated, out-of-touch and in thrall to the political fat cats.

The app is designed to take a photo of a person's voter ID card and upload it, along with other data, to the National Electoral Institute's databases. But it's so buggy that independent candidate Margarita Zavala, the wife of former President Felipe Calderon, issued a mocking video pretending to demonstrate how to use it.

"I'm going to show you in two easy steps how to collect a signature," she says on the video as upbeat music plays.

But the app bogs down with error messages, and the video shows her  supposedly a half-hour later  still trying to make it work as the background music slows down to a dirge and she finally gives up.

And that was recorded on a terrace in Mexico City. Imagine trying to do the same in the mountains of rural Chiapas state, where homes are still lit with candles and heated with fires.

That is what bothers Maria de Jesus Patricio, known by her nickname, MariChuy. Support for the Nahua woman, the first independent indigenous candidate, runs deepest among the Zapatista rebels who staged a brief armed uprising for indigenous rights in Chiapas in 1994. Many of their communities lack phone lines, much less good cell coverage.

"Maybe they designed the process with another country in mind that isn't Mexico," a group of her supporters said in a statement Tuesday. They suggested the app "might work in countries like Switzerland or Sweden."

Paper option

The electoral institute says the app is meant to avoid situations like those in past elections where candidates signed up dead people, or registered the same person multiple times. But it requires a speedy data connection and will work only on more expensive models of smartphones.

The institute says that it has approved allowing campaigns to gather signatures on paper  the way it was previously done in local races  in about 5 percent of Mexican townships that comprise the country's poorest areas.

But campaigns have had to file for individual exemptions to use paper, and everyone in Mexico knows that cellphone coverage is faulty in far more than 5 percent of the country. Even the most extensive cellphone data network doesn't claim to cover a majority of Mexico. Patricio's campaign noted that the average cost of smartphones that will work with the app is about three times the minimum monthly wage.

"Are there problems with the app? Yes," acknowledged electoral chief Lorenzo Cordova in an interview with the Televisa network. He promised an update or patch for the software.

That promise  and the pledge of a one-week extension to the Feb. 12 deadline for gathering signatures  rang hollow among the indigenous candidate's supporters.

'Deep Mexico'

"Our campaign is being run primarily in the 'deep Mexico,' where no other candidate goes, where there is no cell coverage, where there are no copy machines, where there often isn't even electrical power," the campaign supporters wrote. "We are not complaining about their rules. We knew them and decided to compete under them, even though they are racist, classist and discriminatory."

Zavala on Wednesday suggested the electoral institute should make its 300 district offices nationwide available as signature-gathering centers for independent candidates.

So far there has been no official response.

It's not the first time that Mexico's political elites, often educated abroad, have erred by behaving as if they were still in the First World.

In 2003, the administration of then-president Vicente Fox drew a storm of criticism when it opened consultations with farmers and farm workers on agricultural policy  but said proposals had to be submitted in the PowerPoint presentation program, even though few farm workers  who often struggled to earn enough to eat  had computers.
Americas national parks are a popular destination for tourists and vacationers from across the country and around the world. More than 330 million people visited them in 2016, enjoying the spectacular scenery and natural wonders and increasing the need for road repairs, additional park staff and habitat restoration.

For over a century, the federal government has paid to protect the parks through subsidies, plus entry fees at the most popular parks, fees that have remained relatively low and unchanged for more than 50 years. That may change next year, when the National Park Service plans to more than double the cost of a day pass at 17 of the most popular parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

The great outdoors

Although not as well-known as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park is the fourth most visited park in the country, with more than 4.5 million visitors last year.

An entry fee of $30 lets a carload of visitors in for a week. Many pay just for an afternoon to drive through the 100,000 hectare wilderness and admire the snow-capped mountains and pristine meadows. The park includes a huge network of hiking trails and an abundance of wildlife.

As children from Pueblo, Colorado, skip through a pine forest back to their car, their father says hes enjoyed their visit. We just came, like I said, to tour around a little bit."

But when he learns that next year, the entry fee might jump to $70 a car, this dad lets out a gasp. That's pretty pricey. . . . Just to drive up and down and just look at a view. But increasing it? I think that's a little bit too much.



It would also be too much for a Houston, Texas, couple, who are finishing their first-ever mountain hike. The husband says a fee of more than $30 or $40 "would start scaring me away.



Money for the parks, nearby businesses

What's scaring park officials is the prospect of budget cuts. Next year, federal funding for the parks is expected to drop 10 percent, a cut of $300 million. The plan to raise entry fees at 17 of the nations most popular parks wont replace that money, but it might generate an additional $70 million a year. The parks plan to use those funds to slowly help with an $11 billion backlog in overdue maintenance for aging roads, bridges, campgrounds, waterlines, bathrooms, and other wear and tear caused by visitors who sometimes love Nature to death.



The increased fees will also impact businesses in towns near those parks, where tourism is the economic engine. In Estes Park, Colorado, just up the road from Rocky Mountain, large crowds amble in and out of picture-perfect shops that offer everything from fancy jewelry to year-round Christmas ornaments and candied apples.

Jewelry shop manager Norma Wiggins gives a thumbs up to higher entry fees. We're thinking it will be a good thing," she says, predicting that people will not be upset with the rate hike "because you can pack up a car, a full car, and I believe the amount is $70. Correct? And I think people will pay it.



Down the street, coffee shop owner Richard Mazza wonders whether higher entry fees are a strategy to increase revenue while reducing overcrowding. Disney World, I guess it was maybe about a year back when they had raised the prices from wherever it was to about $100 a day to get in. And I think it was part of a control mechanism to decrease the amount of people coming into the park so that it would increase the experience. Over the years, we're moving up to five million visits in the Rocky Mountain National Park. And you know I think it's being used quite heavily.



Back inside Rocky Mountain National Park, a reduction in visitors is exactly what a nature lover from Fort Collins Colorado fears. Coupled with the administrations proposed budget cut, she worries that the nations commitment to the parks will weaken. The National Parks are the soul of this country. Truly so. And it almost makes me cry.



But a couple from Pennsylvania is more optimistic, at least about themselves. "Whatever it takes, I'm willing to pay to enjoy the scenery and nature, the husband says. But his wife has a different perspective. "We're able to do that," she points out. "But I'm a little concerned it would be cost prohibitive, for families that can't afford $70 to come into the park." Her husband admits, "That's a good point, as she nods knowingly.



The National Park Service is taking comments on their website about the proposals until Thanksgiving. It notes that there are no plans to raise the price of the $80 annual pass, which provides entry to all federal lands, including parks, and that all but 118 of the 417 national park sites have no entrance fee.
The U.S. military says a formal investigation into last months deadly ambush in Niger is not expected to be completed until January.



The military investigation team, led by Army Major Gen. Roger Cloutier, will travel to the U.S., Africa and Europe to collect information needed to determine what happened during the October 4 attack, according to a Pentagon statement issued late Wednesday.

Family members of the deceased Americans have been notified of the investigation timeline, the Pentagon added.

Pentagon and Nigerien defense officials said Islamic State fighters ambushed their forces on October 4, killing four American soldiers, four Nigerien soldiers and a Nigerien interpreter.

A group of 12 members of a U.S. Special Operations Task Force accompanied 30 Nigerien forces on a reconnaissance mission from the capital, Niamey, to an area near the village of Tongo Tongo.

Members if the team had just completed a meeting with local leaders and were walking back to their vehicles when they were attacked, U.S. officials told VOA.

The soldiers said the meeting ran late, and some suspected the villagers were intentionally delaying their departure, one of the officials said.
It will soon look a lot like Christmas in New York City thanks to a tree from Pennsylvania.

Workers on Thursday will cut down a 75-foot (23-meter) Norway Spruce at the State College home of Jason Perrin that was chosen as the 2017 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.



The tree, which weighs between 12 and 13 tons, will be hoisted onto a trailer and arrive Saturday in New York City. There it will be decorated with more than 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski star.



It is the 86th tree to adorn the plaza and the third from Pennsylvania.



The tree will be illuminated on Nov. 29 and remain on display until Jan. 7. It will then be recycled and donated to Habitat for Humanity to be transformed into lumber for building homes.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte have some things in common. Both rose to power by vowing to shake up their political establishments. They refuse to back down, no matter how hot the controversy. They attack critics with blistering insults, and they have shown a strong dislike for Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama.

Now the two mavericks will meet face to face Monday amid questions about whether they will get along or something will set off a conflict between two alpha males that will further fray strained U.S.-Philippine relations.

Trump arrives Sunday for a summit to mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Duterte recently issued a terse warning to Trump to avoid criticism of the draconian measures he has imposed to tackle the Philippines' many problems. But it seems unlikely the U.S. leader will jab at the most sensitive subject, Duterte's war on drugs, considering that Trump already has praised the effort.

'Lay off'

"You want to ask a question, I'll give you an answer: Lay off," Duterte told reporters in Manila. "That is not your business. That is my business. I take care of my country and I will nurture my country to health."

Riding an anti-crime, anti-corruption platform that resonated with voters weary of holdups, kidnappings for ransom and terror attacks, Duterte has been in office about half a year longer than Trump. He has maintained a strong approval rating, despite the bloody war on drugs that by most counts has left nearly 4,000 people dead.

There appears to be an understanding by much of the public that the country had to suffer some pain to roll back the steady decline that left investors and tourists hesitant to commit to the sprawling archipelago, despite its beaches, diving and a populace of 100 million where English is widely spoken.

Duterte has acted decisively, setting curfews that left the country's lively nightlife businesses groaning, cutting soaring crime rates, and telling police he would back them if they killed drug dealers and addicts.

He has brusquely, and vulgarly, lashed out at those who claim his methods amount to widespread human rights violations, including the United Nations and the United States, specifically Obama.

The Philippines' relationship with the United States is best described as complicated. The United States was the colonial power for decades after Spain departed, and while Washington has provided significant aid, including humanitarian assistance for the disaster-prone country, many bristle at the perception that Washington still treats it like a colony.

Duterte has plugged into that sentiment by threatening to break ties completely and cozy up to China. He has courted Chinese aid and investment, and he has managed to play Beijing's desires to spread its clout against U.S. concerns of losing influence in the region.

Chinese spending

The result has been billions of dollars in commitments from China and a rise in business confidence in the country without the severing of U.S. security ties that Duterte had threatened. Only two of dozens of annual joint exercises and engagements with U.S. forces have been eliminated. Others have been shifted to other parts of the country to avoid possible conflict with China over his buildup in the disputed South China Sea.

And while polls show that perceptions of U.S. importance have slipped and those of China have risen, the changes have been considerably less than Washington had feared.

One of the key areas of cooperation with Washington, the war on terrorism, has been left untouched. American military counterterror trainers flowed in after the then-al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group carried out mass kidnappings and terror attacks in the early 2000s.

In what the U.S. called the second front in the war on terror after its invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington in 2001, that aid has continued and the format has been used by Washington as a model in Indonesia and elsewhere. The training and donations of American arms, ships and aircraft have bolstered the underfunded Philippine military and raised its professionalism.

Duterte most likely will have a wish list for Trump as he continues to play his balancing act between Washington and Beijing. With the United States eager to maintain a presence in the region amid Chinese expansionism and North Korea's threats, it's likely the deal-making Trump will have an open mind and try to cultivate a lasting friendship.
The pace of deaths quickened on Puerto Rico immediately after Hurricane Maria  well beyond the number of deaths officially attributed to the Category 4 storm.

Officials in the U.S. territory on Wednesday reported the island had an average of 82 deaths a day in the two weeks before Maria hit Sept. 20. The average increased to 117 deaths a day through the rest of the month, but the rate then fell below usual in October.

The truth is, thats not normal, said Jose Lopez Rodriguez, a demographer with the islands Demographic Register. We saw a difference, and it was a significant difference.

The territorys government has said 55 people died during the hurricane or later as a direct result of the storm, which knocked out power across the island.

The overall daily death figures hint that the storm could have caused other, harder-to-detect fatalities as well, though officials at the governments forensic institute said they did not have evidence to attribute them to Maria. They also rejected some media reports that suggested hundreds of people had died as a direct result of the hurricane.

Those figures of 200, 400, 1,000  no. Those deaths have not been reported to the institute, said Edwin Crespo, director of the island's Bureau of Forensic Science. The institute has no reason to hide bodies.

Crespo said death certificates sent to his agency involving natural deaths didnt state whether a lack of power could have been a factor. If the hospital or doctor didnt make the connection, he said, then paused before adding: We werent there.

Hector Pesquera, secretary of Puerto Ricos Department of Public Safety, acknowledged that some deaths classified as natural possibly might have been linked to the hurricane.



Yes, they could have occurred, he said. We cannot deny that categorically.

Wanda Llovet, director of the Demographic Register, said a total of 2,838 deaths were reported for September, a 20 percent increase from the 2,366 deaths reported for the same month in 2016 and up from 2,242 in September 2015.

But, she said, the number of deaths last month totaled 2,119, which was down about 10 percent from 2,353 in October 2016 and 2,379 in October 2015.

Pesquera said the government does not plan to investigate whether any deaths should have been classified as having a link to the hurricane.

Why would there be an investigation? he asked, saying a doctor would not risk losing his license by signing an erroneous death certificate.
Disguised Russian agents on Twitter rushed to deflect scandalous news about Donald Trump just before last year's presidential election while straining to refocus criticism on the mainstream media and Hillary Clinton's campaign, according to an Associated Press analysis of since-deleted accounts.

Tweets by Russia-backed accounts such as "America_1st_" and "BatonRougeVoice" on October 7, 2016, actively pivoted away from news of an audio recording in which Trump made crude comments about groping women, and instead touted damaging emails hacked from Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta.

Since early this year, the extent of Russian intrusion to help Trump and hurt Clinton in the election has been the subject of both congressional scrutiny and a criminal investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. In particular, those investigations are looking into the possibility of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians.

AP's analysis illuminates the obvious strategy behind the Russian cyber meddling: swiftly react, distort and distract attention from any negative Trump news.

The AP examined 36,210 tweets from Aug. 31, 2015, to Nov. 10, 2016, posted by 382 of the Russian accounts that Twitter shared with congressional investigators last week. Twitter deactivated the accounts, deleting the tweets and making them inaccessible on the internet. But a limited selection of the accounts' Twitter activity was retrieved by matching account handles against an archive obtained by AP.

"MSM [the mainstream media] is at it again with Billy Bush recording ... What about telling Americans how Hillary defended a rapist and later laughed at his victim?" tweeted the America_1st_ account, which had 25,045 followers at its peak, according to metadata in the archive. The tweet went out the afternoon of Oct. 7, just hours after The Washington Post broke the story about Trump's comments to Bush, then host of Access Hollywood, about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women, saying, "when you're a star, they let you do it."

Within an hour of the Post's story, WikiLeaks unleashed its own bombshell about hacked email from Podesta's account, a release the Russian accounts had been foreshadowing for days.

"WikiLeaks' [founder Julian] Assange signals release of documents before U.S. election," tweeted both "SpecialAffair" and "ScreamyMonkey" within a second of each other on Oct. 4. "SpecialAffair," an account describing itself as a "Political junkie in action," had 11,255 followers at the time. "ScreamyMonkey," self-described as a "First frontier.News aggregator," had 13,224. Both accounts were created within three days of each other in late December 2014.

Twitter handed over the handles of 2,752 accounts it identified as coming from Russia's Internet Research Agency to congressional investigators ahead of the social media giant's Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 appearances on Capitol Hill. It said 9 percent of the tweets were election-related but didn't make the tweets themselves public.

That makes the archive the AP obtained the most comprehensive historical picture so far of Russian activity on Twitter in the crucial run-up to the Nov. 8, 2016, vote. Twitter policy requires developers who archive its material to delete tweets from suspended accounts as soon as reasonably possible, unless doing so would violate the law or Twitter grants an exception. It's possible the existence of the deleted tweets in the archive obtained by the AP runs afoul of those rules.

Earlier activity

The Russian accounts didn't just spring into action at the last minute. They were similarly active at earlier points in the campaign.

When Trump reversed himself on a lie about Barack Obama's birthplace on Sept. 17, declaring abruptly that Obama "was born in the United States, period," several Russian accounts chimed in to echo Trump's subsequent false claim that it was Clinton who had started the birther controversy.

Others continued to push birther narratives. The Russian account TEN_GOP, which many mistook for the official account of the Tennessee Republican Party, linked to a video that claimed that Obama "admits he was born in Kenya." But the Russian accounts weren't in lockstep. The handle "hyddrox" retweeted a post by the anti-Trump billionaire Mark Cuban that the "MSM [mainstream media] is being suckered into chasing birther stories."

On Sept. 15, Clinton returned to the campaign trail following a bout with pneumonia that caused her to stumble at a 9/11 memorial service.

The Russian account "Pamela_Moore13" noted that her intro music was "I Feel Good" by James Brown  then observed that "James Brown died of pneumonia," a line that was repeated at least 11 times by Russian accounts, including by "Jenn_Abrams," which had 59,868 followers at the time.

According to several obituaries, Brown died of congestive heart failure related to pneumonia.

Racial discord also figured prominently in the tweets, just as it did with many of the ads Russian trolls had purchased on Facebook in the months leading up to and following the election. One Russian account, "Blacks4DTrump," tweeted a Trump quote on Sept. 16 in which he declared "it is the Democratic party that is the party of slavery, the party of Jim Crow & the party of opposition."

TEN_GOP, meanwhile, asked followers to "SPREAD the msg of black pastor explaining why African-Americans should vote Donald Trump!"
Saudi Arabia has asked its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country as soon as possible.

A foreign ministry source quoted Thursday by the Kingdom's official news agency said, "Due to the circumstances in the Lebanese Republic, the kingdom asks its citizens who are visiting or residing" there to leave as soon as possible.

Riyadh has also discouraged its citizens from traveling to the neighbor country in the wake of Lebanon's prime minister announcing his resignation Saturday during a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia supported Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his allies during years of political conflict in Lebanon with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Hariri's departure is widely seen as imposed by his backers in the Saudi Arabian monarchy in reaction to the growing influence of Shiite Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah in the region. Riyadh denies the claims it forced Hariri to resign.
Sheikh Mohammed Hussein al-Amoudi is a billionaire, and by most estimates, one of the richest African-born people in the world. He travels the globe managing his businesses and meeting with heads of state.

But he now finds himself in the midst of an anti-corruption sweep in Saudi Arabia. He was arrested in the Saudi kingdom last Saturday, and he is one of dozens of elite detainees sleeping on mattresses on the floor of a well-guarded ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, awaiting the next steps by Saudi authorities.

The exact charges are unclear, but in an email to VOA, Tim Pendry, al-Amoudis London-based spokesman, insisted the arrest would not affect al-Amoudis international business empire.

As inquiries take place in Saudi Arabia concerning certain allegations, which the Sheikh strongly refutes, this is an internal matter for the Kingdom, Pendry said. We have no further comment to make other than to say that the overseas businesses owned by the Sheikh remain unaffected by this development.

The Saudi government released a statement on Tuesday aimed at reassuring investors with ties to any of the individuals arrested. It said that only personal bank accounts have been frozen, and related businesses would not be affected.

Ethiopian origins

Al-Amoudi was born in Dessie, Ethiopia, in 1946 to an Ethiopian mother and a Saudi father. He immigrated to Saudi Arabia in the mid-1960s and made his first billion two decades later with a construction contract to build an underground oil storage facility.

Since then, his empire has grown across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and it includes Swedens largest petroleum refiner. According to Bloomberg, his net worth is just shy of $10 billion.

Ethiopians are closely watching developments in the case. Henok Gabisa, a visiting academic fellow at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, Virginia, has tracked al-Amoudis career, and says al-Amoudi has invested a large portion of his portfolio - $3.4 billion - in Ethiopia, where he holds interests in oil, gold mines, agriculture and cement.

Gabisa questions al-Amoudis legal ownership of these investments. Saudi Arabia doesn't recognize dual citizenship, so al-Amoudi would have given up his Ethiopian passport when he emigrated.

Even though he was born in Ethiopia, hes a Saudi citizen, Gabisa said. Ethiopian law is very restrictive as to how foreign citizens can invest in Ethiopia, but this guy has an opening. He literally has a blank check as to how he invests in Ethiopia.

Oromia difficulties

In recent years, al-Amoudi has run into difficulties in his country of birth. He is invested heavily in the restive Oromia region, where his Derba MIDROC company operates a pumice mine for cement, along with a gold mine.

Following protests and attacks on local businesses by unemployed youth, local governors stopped work at his mine and demanded that al-Amoudi allow local youths to operate the mine, according to Bloomberg.

Recently he had a falling out with the Oromia regional governors because they were trying to take away some of these businesses and redistribute them to the youth, said Gabisa.

Gabisa said that people from Oromia have not, for the most part, benefited from al-Amoudis investments.

If you see the livelihood of some of the people in Lega Dembi - they dont have any school, access to clinic or employment, Gabisa said, speaking of the billionaire's gold mine in the region. But most of the fortune of this billionaire comes from this area. He harvests about 5,000 kilograms of gold [annually] from that area.
The mounting allegations of sexual assault involving Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey are taking a mounting toll on his career.

Sony Pictures says it will remove Spacey from its upcoming feature film, All the Money in the World, and replace him with another veteran Oscar winner, Christopher Plummer. Director Ridley Scott is rushing to reshoot the new scenes with Plummer in order to make the films scheduled release date of Dec. 22.

Spacey played the late oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in the film, which dramatizes the 1973 kidnapping of his grandson, John Paul Getty III, and the elder Gettys refusal to pay a ransom for his release.

Sony had announced it was pulling All the Money in the World from the upcoming American Film Institute film festival in Los Angeles.

Spacey has suffered a rapid fall from grace since actor Anthony Rapp, who starred in the 2005 musical Rent, accused Spacey of making sexual advances toward him in 1986 when Rapp was 14. Spacey announced he was gay in a statement apologizing to Rapp, while claiming he did not remember the alleged incident.

The actor has since been accused by more than dozen men of either sexually harassing or assaulting them. The allegations have led to his firing from the hit television series House of Cards by the streaming service Netflix, which has also refused to release a film in which Spacey stars as the late American writer and critic Gore Vidal.

The latest accusation against Spacey came Wednesday, when a former television news anchor accused him of sexually molesting her son last year when he was 18.

Heather Unruh told reporters Wednesday the alleged incident occurred in a restaurant on Nantucket island, a popular Massachusetts tourist spot.

She says a criminal investigation is under way. But Nantucket police will not confirm or deny an investigation, saying Massachusetts law bars them from discussing sexual assault allegations.

British news reports say London police are also looking into an alleged sexual assault there in 2008.
A suicide blast in southwestern Pakistan has killed a senior police officer and his two subordinates.

The anti-state Pakistani Taliban claimed credit for plotting Thursdays deadly attack in Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province.

Police said slain deputy inspector general Hamid Shakeel was traveling to work from home when a suicide bomber struck his vehicle on a busy road of the city.

The blast wounded at least nine people, including passers-by, with some receiving life threatening injuries, according to doctors.

The slain officer had played a key role in arresting militants and members of separatist groups operating in Baluchistan, senior police official, Naseeb Ullah, told reporters.

A provincial government spokesman, Anwar-ul Haq Kakar, condemned the attack, saying it demonstrates the sacrifices police is making in the war against terror outfits in Baluchistan.



The largest Pakistani province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has long been in the grip of a low-level separatist insurgency.

Islamist and sectarian militants also operate in Baluchistan and often claim attacks on security forces and government installations. The Afghan Taliban is allegedly also sheltering in the province and planning insurgent attacks in Afghanistan.

In recent years Islamic State has emerged as a new threat for the authorities in Baluchistan. The terrorist outfit has taken credit for some recent attacks targeting security forces and worship places of the minority Shiite community.

Separately, the Pakistan military reported Thursday one of its soldiers was killed when terrorists fired from across the Afghan border in the remote Rajgal valley of the Khyber tribal district.

Pakistani officials have blamed the absence" of government control on the Afghan side of the porous frontier for such attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says there is no disagreement on North Korea between the United States and China following talks in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Tillerson, who is in the Chinese capital with Trump, spoke with reporters Thursday after the two leaders held bilateral talks focused on North Korea and trade. He said the two men also had frank exchanges on human rights and maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

Concerning Pyongyang, he said the Chinese have been clear and unequivocal over two days of talks that they will not accept a North Korea with nuclear weapons.

Theres no space between both of our objectives, Tillerson said. We have our own views of the tactics, the timing and how far to go with pressure and thats what we spend a lot of time exchanging views on.

Trump, according to Tillerson, told Xi: Youre a strong man, Im sure you can solve this for me.

WATCH: Trump: Civilized World Must Unite Against North Korea

North Korea

Earlier President Trump said the United States and China must work together to liberate the region and the world from what he called the very serious threat posed by the murderous regime in North Korea.

Trump made the comment as he stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping as they delivered successive prepared remarks, but did not take questions from journalists.

Trump added that Washington and Beijing agreed not to repeat the mistakes of the past in dealing with Pyongyang, which over the years has managed to rapidly advance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Trump earlier said excellent progress was made in his talks with Xi.

The entire civilized world must unite to confront the North Korean menace, he added.

In his prepared remarks, Xis tone was more muted regarding North Korea, saying, We reiterated the firm commitment to denuclearize the peninsula.

I believe there is a solution to that, as you do, Trump told Xi during an extended bilateral meeting on Thursday morning in the Chinese capital.

Later, while he and Xi spoke to a meeting of business leaders, Trump said, I thank President Xi for his recent efforts to restrict trade with North Korea and cut off banking ties. China can fix this problem easily and quickly.

Bilateral trade

The talks between Trump and Xi are also dealing with bilateral trade, a touchy subject because Trump has long complained about the trade imbalance between China and the United States.

Tillerson said, The things that have been achieved thus far are pretty small, despite long hours of trade talks between the U.S. and China, adding the U.S. concerns about the pace of progress was communicated to Chinese officials Thursday.

For the first 10 months of the year, Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. was $223 billion, according to recent data released by Chinas General Administration of Customs.

Trump said the U.S. trade deficit with China is, shockingly hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Past administrations allowed it to get so far out of kilter. But I dont blame China. I give China great credit, Trump said.

WATCH: Trump: US Is Very Behind on Trade With China

President Xi said there is a wider and prosperous future for U.S.-China cooperation on trade, adding that $250 billion worth of business deals were signed during President Trumps visit to China and that, Chinese investment in the United States is rising rapidly.

But the roughly 15 agreements unveiled in Beijing are mostly non-binding memorandums of understanding and, according to Bloomberg News could take years to materialize  if they do at all.

Derek Scissors, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute is pessimistic that such deals will do much to address the real hindrances to trade relations with China.

The president likes deals, and he likes big numbers, but were not going to change something he doesnt like, like the trade deficit without changing Chinese trade practices, Scissors said. China has to have a different approach to trade in the world than it does.

Scissors said that more than the deficit, it is what is behind the numbers, such as the fact that Chinese state owned enterprises never go out of business.

Which means American goods and services cant ever win in the China market, he said.

WATCH: Xi: The China-US Relationship Is at a New Starting Point

In his joint statement, Xi said there needs to be in-depth discussions on the trade imbalance with the United States, among other issues.

The Chinese leader predicted there will be a wider and prosperous future for cooperation on trade, specifically mentioning the oil and gas sector, beer, agricultural products, education and service contracts. He also invited more American companies to participate in Chinas One Belt One Road initiative, an effort to create the worlds largest platform for economic cooperation, inspired by the ancient Silk Road trading network.

The United States and China, respectively, have the worlds largest economies and most powerful militaries.

The two leaders walked side by side on a red carpet at a welcoming ceremony early Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The U.S. and Chinese national anthems were played by a military band and ceremonial cannon fire from Tiananmen Square saluted Trump. An exuberant crowd of school children waved U.S. and Chinese flags.

Business deals

The Trump administration is showcasing several business deals signed during the China trip, including a deal for Chinas biggest online retailer to buy $1.2 billion of American beef and pork.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said such business deals are a good example of how the United States can productively build up our bilateral trade.

Trump also met Thursday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, whose position is similar to that of a prime minister.

Trump and his wife, Melania, were received with great pageantry on their arrival to China. The Trumps were also treated to a private visit to the Forbidden City, Chinas ancient imperial palace. They also viewed an outdoor opera featuring costumes, music and martial arts.

WATCH: Trump Message to North Korean Leader

The U.S. president arrived in Beijing a day after delivering a speech in Seoul, South Korea, in which he called on other nations to unite and isolate the brutal regime of North Korea. You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept, he added.

In that speech to South Koreas National Assembly, Trump had a forceful message for Pyongyang. He called on leader Kim Jong Un to give up all his nuclear weapons for a chance to step on to a better path.

Trump warned the North, Do not underestimate us and do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity and our sacred liberty.

Backing the presidents words was the presence of three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups and nuclear submarines, which the president said are appropriately positioned near the Korean Peninsula.

VOA's Bill Ide and Marissa Melton contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump is more popular with likely voters than he is with the general public, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that underscores why Republican lawmakers have largely stuck with the polarizing president despite his plunging approval ratings.

The poll, released Wednesday, shows he polls better among people who voted in the 2016 presidential election than with the overall U.S. adult population - a group that includes both voters and non-voters. Only about 60 percent of the voting-age public took part in last year's election.

In October, for example, 44 percent of 2016 voters said they approved of Trump's performance in office, compared with 37 percent of the general population.

Among Republicans, 82 percent of voters approved of Trump in October, compared with 75 percent of all Republicans. Some 85 percent of those who voted for Trump in 2016 said they would do so again, the poll found.

The findings suggest that Republican candidates in the 2018 congressional elections who shun the president risk alienating his followers, Republican strategists and political scientists said. At the same time, those who embrace him in the early primary races that choose party candidates risk losing moderate voters in the general election.

"It's very difficult for any Republican candidate to distance themselves from Trump," said Michael McDonald, an expert on voter turnout at the University of Florida.

That dilemma played out in Virginia on Tuesday, when Ed Gillespie, the Republican candidate in the governor's race, was soundly beaten by his Democratic opponent. Gillespie had adopted some of Trump's hardline positions but had avoided campaigning with the unpopular president.

Gillespie's strategy had been closely watched within the party to see if it could provide a template for other Republican candidates in 2018, when control of the House of Representatives and the Senate will be up for grabs.

Gillespie's loss sparked debate among Republicans on the way forward on Wednesday. Trump suggested in a tweet that the outcome could have been different had Gillespie fully embraced him, but critics pointed out that exit polls showed that a third of Virginian voters had turned out to signal displeasure with Trump, double the number who cast ballots to express support for the president.

Tuesday's results clearly signal that opposition to Trump has grown, even though he remains popular among 2016 Republican voters, said Elaine Kamarck, an expert in presidential politics at the Brookings Institution.

For Republicans, "the hurdle won't be with getting out the base," Kamarck said. "It will be in getting anyone else to vote for you" in elections where Republican voters are outnumbered.

Trump's demographic

Reuters/Ipsos was able to compare the opinions of voters with the general public by creating two separate surveys: a poll of voters and a poll of the public.

For the voter poll, Reuters/Ipsos reconnected with people who took its exit poll on November 8, 2016, the day of the U.S. presidential election. Those voters were sent additional questionnaires in May, July and October that asked if they approved or disapproved of the president.

Their responses were then compared with the results of a separate survey - the Reuters/Ipsos national tracking poll - that surveys all adults in the United States.

In May and July, the results of both polls were nearly

identical, with about 40 percent of voters and the general adult population expressing approval for the president.

The two polls diverged in October, however, with voters expressing stronger levels of approval than the general public.

Jan Leighley, an expert on political behavior at American University, said it makes sense that Trump is more popular among people who voted in the 2016 election. They were more likely to be white and less likely to identify with Democrats than the general public, she said.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll is conducted online in English throughout the country. Some 1,206 of those 2016 voters took the survey between May 10-12, followed by 1,296 who took the July 11-12 survey and 1,195 who took the survey between October 18-19.

Individual responses were weighted so they would reflect the latest population estimates, as well as the support their presidential pick received in the election. Each of the voter polls had a credibility interval, a measure of accuracy, of 3 percentage points for the entire group and 5 percentage points for Republican voters.
Theres nothing official yet, but sources close to President Donald Trump are hinting he is likely to hold talks Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific economic summit in Vietnam.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, traveling with the president on his 12-day Asian tour, kept the rumor mill going Thursday. "Clearly the leaders are going to be at the summit together. It wouldnt be at all unusual if they ended up with some kind of a pull-aside, he told reporters.



At the same time, the U.S.'s top diplomat suggested the meeting might not be a full-blown bilateral discussion, wondering aloud whether such a formal meeting would be worthwhile.

"When the two leaders meet, is there something sufficiently substantive?" he asked rhetorically. "No conclusion has been made on that. If we're going to have a meeting, let's make sure it's a meaningful meeting, Tillerson said.



The Russian side is talking as if a bilateral chat is in the works.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian news agencies that the two leaders would meet while they are both in Danang for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Later, however, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said only that the possibility of a meeting was being discussed, according to Reuters. Peskov predicted that the two men would cross paths one way or another.



Tillerson acknowledged that Moscow and Washington are working behind the scenes on a "number of difficult areas." But less than 24 hours before the summit is to begin, he cautioned that U.S. officials have not decided whether it's the right time for a follow-up to the first Trump-Putin meeting at the G-20 summit in Germany last July.



That meeting in Hamburg lasted more than two hours, more than twice as long as scheduled. Trump was reported to have pressed Putin at that meeting on the question of alleged Russian meddling in U.S. elections. Later in the day, the two men were reported to have spoken again informally during a dinner for G-20 leaders, with only a Russian interpreter present.



Since then, however, ties between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated. In August, Trump grudgingly approved new congressionally mandated sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin responded by ordering Washington to substantially cut its diplomatic staff in Russia.



Trump himself mentioned the possibility of a follow-up meeting last weekend, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that he expected to meet Putin in Vietnam to ask for help in reining in North Korea's nuclear weapons development. He made a similar comment Thursday in Beijing after meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping.

Tillerson said officials from the two countries also are discussing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, while Trump also said that Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election also remains on the table for discussion.



Several scholars of U.S.- Russia relations are leery of direct Putin-Trump talks at this delicate time in the relationship.



Kremlin critic Andrei Piontkovsky, a visiting fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, says Putin stands to gain much more from the meeting than Trump.



It would be better if the United States and Russia have good relations, but the fact is, Putin is challenging the U.S. everywhere in the world, including on their own turf, and Trump doesnt seem to consider that is hostile to western values, democracy and human rights, Piontkovsky told VOA. Its very strange because Trump declines to notice these worrisome facts.



Piontkovsky considers it foolish to ask for the Kremlins help in lessening the North Korean threat. That ignores the fact that the tremendous progress of the North Korean nuclear program is enabled by Russian help, Piontkovsky argued. Putin is much more an enthusiastic supporter of Kim Jung Un than Xi Jinping. He demands that the U.S. reconcile itself with the idea of a new nuclear power.



Charles Stevenson, associate director of the foreign policy program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, called a Trump-Putin meeting risky for U.S. interests.



Presidential-level meetings can be helpful in smoothing over misunderstandings and allowing exchanges beyond the glare of publicity or even the knowledge of subordinates, Stevenson said in a written reply to VOA. But they can also be extremely risky if not coordinated in advance in order to achieve some agreed communique. I have real doubts that President Trump is skilled and knowledgeable enough to reach any substantive agreements with President Putin.
President Donald Trump struck a markedly softer tone on touchy subjects like North Korea and trade with President Xi Jinping of China Thursday, and highlighted his "incredibly warm" feeling toward his counterpart.



During joint statements after talks in Beijing, Trump expressed optimism the U.S. and China will resolve the North Korea nuclear crisis. "I do believe there's a solution to that, as you do," Trump said.



Trump said he has "great respect" for Xi's leadership on trade and noted the U.S. must change its policy.



"It's too bad that past administrations allowed it go get so far out of kilter," Trump added. "But we'll make it fair, and it will be tremendous for both of us."



Trump concluded remarks by touting his "great chemistry" with Xi.



The Chinese leader said Beijing's relationship with Washington "now stands at a new starting point" and vowed to "enhance communication and cooperation on the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula" and other key topics.



"For China and the United States, cooperation is the only viable choice, and win-win cooperation can take us to a better future," said the Chinese president.

Trump is on a 12-day, five-nation tour of Asia that will take him to Danang, Vietnam, on Friday, where he will speak at a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

North Korea

Much of Trump's Asia tour has focused on North Korea, which is developing a nuclear and missile program in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Trump pressed Xi privately on the North Korea nuclear issue, according to Trump administration officials. According to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Trump told Xi, "You're a strong man, I'm sure you can solve this for me."

Speaking in Beijing, Tillerson noted "there is no disagreement on North Korea" between the United States and China. The diplomat pointed out the Chinese have been clear and unequivocal over two days of talks that they will not accept a North Korea with nuclear weapons.

"There's no space between both of our objectives," said Tillerson. "We have our own views of the tactics, the timing and how far to go with pressure and that's what we spend a lot of time exchanging views on."

Later, Trump and Xi spoke to a meeting of business leaders. Trump said, "I thank President Xi for his recent efforts to restrict trade with North Korea and cut off banking ties. China can fix this problem easily and quickly."

Bilateral trade

The shift in Trump's rhetoric on trade was especially notable because the U.S. leader has long complained about the trade imbalance between China and the United States.

For the first 10 months of the year, China's trade surplus with the U.S. was $223 billion, according to recent data released by China's General Administration of Customs.

Trump said the U.S. trade deficit with China is, "shockingly hundreds of billions of dollars" annually.

Xi said there is a wider and prosperous future for U.S.-China cooperation on trade, adding that $250 billion worth of business deals were signed during Trump's visit to China and that, "Chinese investment in the United States is rising rapidly."

But the roughly 15 agreements unveiled in Beijing are mostly non-binding memorandums of understanding, and according to Bloomberg News, "could take years to materialize  if they do at all."

Derek Scissors, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, is pessimistic that such deals will do much to address the real hindrances to trade relations with China.

"The president likes deals, and he likes big numbers, but we're not going to change something he doesn't like, like the trade deficit, without changing Chinese trade practices," Scissors said. "China has to have a different approach to trade in the world than it does."

Scissors said that more than the deficit, it is what is behind the numbers, such as the fact that Chinese state-owned enterprises never go out of business.

"Which means American goods and services can't ever win in the China market," he said.

In his joint statement, Xi said, "there needs to be in-depth discussions on the trade imbalance" with the United States, among other issues.

After the trade talks, Secretary Tillerson said the accomplishments were "pretty small," adding the U.S. concerns about the pace of progress was communicated to Chinese officials Thursday.

Human rights

Trump and Xi also had a "frank exchange" on human rights, according to Tillerson, though human rights did not appear to be a major part of Trump's agenda.

The U.S. president made no public mention of China's alleged human rights abuses during his stop in the country, which is ruled by a one-party, authoritarian government that severely restricts dissent.

That is in contrast to many of Trump's predecessors, including Barack Obama, who on his trips to China would often bring up human rights concerns during addresses to students or other members of the Chinese public.

While Trump has not forcefully and publicly raised human rights concerns in authoritarian countries such as China, White House officials have suggested that he is doing so in private  a strategy they say is more effective than public shaming.

"Show me the money," said Sophie Richardson, China director for Human Rights Watch. "All I see is a half-sentence reference in Tillerson's remarks from yesterday that he and Trump discussed human rights. I have no idea what those were, or if anybody actually suggested that one side improve."

But it was unclear how effective such a public condemnation would be coming from Trump, who at various times has referred to Xi as a "terrific guy," a "great leader," and a "very special man," Richardson said.

No questions taken

Many rights activists also were concerned after Trump did not take questions from reporters during an appearance alongside his Chinese counterpart on Thursday.

Such a move reinforces China's "authoritarian impulses," according to Richardson, even while noting that Obama also did not take reporters' questions during his first visit to the country in 2009.

"It is a catastrophically stupid thing to do in China, where the press is already deeply limited, and in fact, Chinese journalists get locked up for honest reporting all the time," she said.

When asked why Trump did not take questions from reporters, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "It was at the Chinese insistence," according to CNN.
U.S. President Donald Trump is holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in which the U.S. leader has said he intends to press Beijing to get North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

At a welcoming ceremony early Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the two leaders walked side by side on a red carpet. The U.S. and Chinese national anthems were played by a military band and ceremonial cannon fire from Tiananmen Square saluted Trump. A crowd of jumping and gleeful schoolchildren waved American and Chinese flags.

The two leaders began talks behind closed doors. In the early afternoon, they are to appear jointly before journalists and make statements.

It is the first visit by Trump to China, which is North Koreas closest and only remaining significant ally. The U.S. president is expected to request China expel North Korean workers from the country and eliminate some of its other significant remaining dealings with Pyongyang.

In remarks made during their extended bilateral talks, Trump said to Xi, regarding North Korea: "I believe there is a solution to that as you do."

The talks between Trump and Xi will also deal with trade, a touchy subject because Trump has long complained about the trade deficit between China and the United States.

Chinas trade surplus with the United States has widened by 12.2 percent in the past year, reaching a total of $26.6 billion, according to Chinese customs data.

"Past administrations allowed it to get so far out of kilter," Trump said.

Business deals

Yet, the Trump administration is showcasing several business deals signed during the China trip, including a deal for Chinas biggest online retailer to buy $1.2 billion of American beef and pork.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said such business deals are a good example of how the United States can productively build up our bilateral trade.

Trump is also to meet Thursday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, whose position is similar to that of a prime minister.



Trump and his wife, Melania, were received with great pageantry on their arrival to China. The Trumps were also treated to a private visit to the Forbidden City, Chinas ancient imperial palace. They also viewed an outdoor opera featuring costumes, music and martial arts.

After touring the Forbidden City, Trump told reporters, Were having a great time.

The U.S. president arrived in Beijing a day after delivering a speech in Seoul, South Korea, in which he called on other nations to unite and isolate the brutal regime of North Korea, Trump said in his speech. You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept, he added.

In that speech to South Koreas National Assembly, Trump had a forceful message for Pyongyang. He called on leader Kim Jong Un to give up all his nuclear weapons for a chance to step on to a better path.

Trump warned the North, Do not underestimate us and do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity and our sacred liberty.

Backing the presidents words was the presence of three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups and nuclear submarines, which the president said are appropriately positioned near the Korean peninsula.

'Total failure'

The U.S president referred to North Korea as a total failure, and a twisted regime ruled by a cult and a tyrant who enslaves his people  a characterization certain to provoke a harsh rhetorical reply from Pyongyang.



The world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens it with nuclear devastation, said Trump in his speech. All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea  to deny it any form of support.

The U.S. leader had effusive praise for South Korea, contrasting its economic success with the dark situation in the North.

The more successful South Korea becomes, the more decisively you discredit the dark fantasy at the heart of the Kim regime, said the U.S. president.

WATCH: Trump Message to North Korean Leader

The speech ended on a hopeful note, which is the Korean dream: the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. But with Kims weapons of mass destruction posing a greater threat, Trump warned, the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the few the options become.



President Trump generally took a more optimistic view of diplomacy during his visit to Seoul, which included meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He said progress has been made to diffuse heightened tensions in the region, a striking departure from the tone of his tweets in recent weeks suggesting talks with Pyongyang to resolve the nuclear crisis were a waste of time.

Speaking on Air Force One on the approach to Beijing Wednesday, a senior White House official said President Trump and the South Korean leader had reaffirmed their commitment for a coordinated global pressure campaign to bring North Korea back to authentic denuclearization talks, while also remaining committed to use a full range of military capabilities to defend South Korea and Japan.

Authentic talks, the U.S. official said, would be without preconditions and would entail North Korea agreeing to reduce the threat, end provocations, and move toward sincere steps to ultimately denuclearize. Preconditions like refusing to put nuclear weapons on the table, the official said, is a nonstarter for the United States. The U.S. also maintains that any agreement would need to include verification of denuclearization efforts  a key sticking point in multi-nation negotiations that have been attempted in the past.



In a statement issued separately, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump would also make a determination on whether the United States will designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism before the end of his visit to China.



It is likely the president will continue to send out tweets while in China, despite a Chinese block on Twitter. Thanks to communications gear aboard Air Force One, the official said The president will tweet whatever he wants.

VOA's Bill Ide and Marissa Melton contributed to this report.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States and China must work together to liberate the region and the world from what he called the very serious threat posed by the murderous regime in North Korea.

Trump made the comment as he stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping as they delivered successive prepared remarks, but did not take questions from journalists.

Trump added that Washington and Beijing agreed not to repeat the mistakes of the past in dealing with Pyongyang, which over the years has managed to rapidly advance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Trump earlier said excellent progress was made in his talks with Xi.

The entire civilized world must unite to confront the North Korean menace, he added.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is accompanying the president, told reporters after the meetings that the Chinese, have been clear and unequivocal over the two days of talks that they will not accept a North Korea with nuclear weapons.



Theres no space between both of our objectives, said Tillerson. We have our own views of the tactics, the timing and how far to go with pressure and thats what we spend a lot of time exchanging views on.



Trump, according to Tillerson, told Xi: Youre a strong man, Im sure you can solve this for me.

In his prepared remarks, Xis tone was more muted regarding North Korea, saying, We reiterated the firm commitment to denuclearize the peninsula.

I believe there is a solution to that, as you do, Trump told Xi during an extended bilateral meeting Thursday morning in the Chinese capital.

Later, while he and Xi spoke to a meeting of business leaders, Trump said, I thank President Xi for his recent efforts to restrict trade with North Korea and cut off banking ties. China can fix this problem easily and quickly.

Bilateral trade

The talks between Trump and Xi are also dealing with bilateral trade, a touchy subject because Trump has long complained about the trade imbalance between China and the United States.

For the first 10 months of the year, Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. was $223 billion, according to recent data released by Chinas General Administration of Customs.

Trump said the U.S. trade deficit with China is, shockingly hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Past administrations allowed it to get so far out of kilter. But I dont blame China. I give China great credit, Trump said.

President Xi said there is a wider and prosperous future for U.S.-China cooperation on trade, adding that $250 billion worth of business deals were signed during President Trumps visit to China and that, Chinese investment in the United States is rising rapidly.

But the roughly 15 agreements unveiled in Beijing are mostly nonbinding memorandums of understanding and, according to Bloomberg News could take years to materialize  if they do at all.

Derek Scissors, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute is pessimistic that such deals will do much to address the real hindrances to trade relations with China.

The president likes deals, and he likes big numbers, but were not going to change something he doesnt like, like the trade deficit, without changing Chinese trade practices, Scissors said. China has to have a different approach to trade in the world than it does.

Scissors said that more than the deficit, it is what is behind the numbers, such as the fact that Chinese state owned enterprises never go out of business.

Which means American goods and services cant ever win in the China market, he said.

In his joint statement, Xi said there needs to be in-depth discussions on the trade imbalance with the United States, among other issues.

The Chinese leader predicted there will be a wider and prosperous future for cooperation on trade, specifically mentioning the oil and gas sector, beer, agricultural products, education and service contracts. He also invited more American companies to participate in Chinas One Belt One Road initiative, an effort to create the worlds largest platform for economic cooperation, inspired by the ancient Silk Road trading network.

The United States and China, respectively, have the worlds largest economies and most powerful militaries.

Welcome to Beijing

The two leaders walked side by side on a red carpet at a welcoming ceremony early Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The U.S. and Chinese national anthems were played by a military band and ceremonial cannon fire from Tiananmen Square saluted Trump. An exuberant crowd of schoolchildren waved U.S. and Chinese flags.

The Trump administration is showcasing several business deals signed during the China trip, including a deal for Chinas biggest online retailer to buy $1.2 billion of American beef and pork.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said such business deals are a good example of how the United States can productively build up our bilateral trade.

Trump also met Thursday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, whose position is similar to that of a prime minister.

Trump and his wife, Melania, were received with great pageantry on their arrival to China. The Trumps were also treated to a private visit to the Forbidden City, Chinas ancient imperial palace. They also viewed an outdoor opera featuring costumes, music and martial arts.

South Korea

The U.S. president arrived in Beijing a day after delivering a speech in Seoul, South Korea, in which he called on other nations to unite and isolate the brutal regime of North Korea.

You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept, he added.

In that speech to South Koreas National Assembly, Trump had a forceful message for Pyongyang. He called on leader Kim Jong Un to give up all of his nuclear weapons for a chance to step onto a better path.

Trump warned the North, Do not underestimate us and do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity and our sacred liberty.

Backing the presidents words was the presence of three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups and nuclear submarines, which the president said are appropriately positioned near the Korean Peninsula.

Total failure

The U.S president referred to North Korea as a total failure, and a twisted regime ruled by a cult and a tyrant who enslaves his people, a characterization certain to provoke a harsh rhetorical reply from Pyongyang.

The world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens it with nuclear devastation, said Trump in his speech. All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea, to deny it any form of support.

The U.S. leader had effusive praise for South Korea, contrasting its economic success with what he characterized as the dark situation in the North.

The more successful South Korea becomes, the more decisively you discredit the dark fantasy at the heart of the Kim regime, Trump said.

The speech ended on a hopeful note, which is the Korean dream: the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. But with Kims weapons of mass destruction posing a greater threat, Trump warned, the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the few the options become.

President Trump generally took a more optimistic view of diplomacy during his visit to Seoul, which included meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He said progress has been made to diffuse heightened tensions in the region, a striking departure from the tone of his tweets in recent weeks suggesting talks with Pyongyang to resolve the nuclear crisis were a waste of time.

VOA's Bill Ide and Marissa Melton contributed to this report.
The United Nations has warned that unless a Saudi Arabia-led military coalition allows humanitarian aid access into Yemen, it will lead to the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims.

Since Monday, all humanitarian operations to Yemen, including U.N. aid flights, have been blocked after Saudi Arabia forced every single air, land and sea port in the country closed. The move came in response to the interception of a missile fired toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Saturday.

'There will be a famine'

Saudi Arabia justified the blockade, saying Houthi rebels were being supplied with weapons from Iran, and has accused Tehran of direct military aggression. But Iran denies arming the rebels, who have fought the coalition for more than two years.

United Nations aid chief Mark Lowcock told reporters Wednesday, I have told the council that unless those measures are lifted ... there will be a famine in Yemen.

The country relies on imports for virtually everything civilians need to survive, but now neither food, fuel nor medicine can get in.

Guterres talks with Saudi Arabia

Lowcock said the U.N.s World Food Program is feeding 7 million people a month in Yemen. What we need is a winding down of the blockade ... so that we can save the lives of those people.

He added that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had spoken with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir earlier on Wednesday and called for an immediate resumption of humanitarian access.

According to the U.N., more than 8,670 people, most of them civilians, have been killed and 49,960 injured in airstrikes and fighting on the ground since the coalition intervened in Yemen's civil war in March 2015.
U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia on Thursday, killing "several militants," according to the U.S. military.

The drone strike hit targets in the Bay Region of Somalia, about 160 kilometers west of the capital, Mogadishu, Pentagon spokeswoman Audricia Harris told VOA.

No civilians were killed in the strike, Harris said.

According to a statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the strike occurred about 3 p.m. local time in Somalia in coordination with the Somali government.

"U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats," AFRICOM said.

The strike came less than a week after U.S. airstrikes targeted Islamic State fighters in the country's north.

Jama Mohamed Qurshe, the chairman of the town of Qandala, told VOA Somali that the U.S. strikes last Friday hit a base for IS militants at Buqa village, about 60 kilometers south of his town, in the semiautonomous region of Puntland.

An AFRICOM official told VOA those two strikes killed "fewer than five" IS fighters. They were the first U.S. airstrikes against IS militants in Somalia.
U.S. military personnel are taking part this week in the largest international army operation ever held deep in the Amazon jungle of northern Brazil, in a sign of closer U.S.-Brazil defense ties.

Troops from Brazil, Colombia and Peru will set up a temporary military base in their tri-border region for a weeklong logistics exercise in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Brazilian army officials said.

About 50 U.S. personnel will be present for the exercise, including 19 observers and 31 members of the Montana Air National Guard who will be based out of Manaus, providing air transportation, a U.S. Embassy statement said.

The United States will provide a Hercules C-130 transport plane to move personnel and equipment, the Brazilian army said.

The presence of U.S. military personnel in Brazil's Amazon region underscored improving defense relations between the two most populous countries in the Western Hemisphere after more than a decade of distancing under leftist Brazilian governments.

In March, Major General Clarence K.K. Chinn, who was then the commander of the U.S. Army South, visited military installations in the Amazon and was decorated in Brasilia. Bilateral agreements on defense cooperation and information security have taken effect recently after years of stalling in Brazil's Congress.

Crisis preparation

General Guilherme Gaspar de Oliveira, a Brazilian army logistics commander, told local media it was the first time such a large military exercise had been held in the Amazon. He said the exercises helped prepare armed forces for a humanitarian crisis such as mass migration.

Brazil has kept a close eye on economic and political upheaval in neighboring Venezuela that could trigger such an exodus. More than 30,000 Venezuelans have already fled over the border into the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, according to federal police.

The Brazilian army said Venezuela was one of the 19 countries sending observers for the November 6-13 United America Operation.

Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann will attend the jungle exercises on the weekend and then fly to Washington for three days of talks with Pentagon officials, his press representative said.
Proposed sanctions against the Myanmar military should move quickly through the U.S. Congress due to strong bipartisan support, lawmakers told VOA.

The Burma Sanctions Bill in the House of Representatives and a companion bill in the Senate would apply economic pressure on military generals with the aim of ending the ongoing violence inflicted on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

"This sends a very strong message to the Burmese military that we're not going to tolerate business as usual while they reap economic profits at the same time as they are perpetuating ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya people," said Representative Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

In a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the crisis last month, Chairman Ed Royce called on Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to be more forceful in condemning the crisis that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Many have fled to neighboring Bangladesh.

"Those responsible for these atrocities must face justice. She and the military generals must rise to this challenge," Royce said. "This is ethnic cleansing."

Engel said it is important for Aung San Suu Kyi to speak out about the crisis, "but we also have to take it in the context where her hands are tied because she's not able to do things because of the way the constitution was written."

A spokesman for Myanmar's leader told the Reuters news service, "We need internal stability to improve the country's economy. Imposing international sanctions directly affects the people in travel and in business investments, and there are many bad consequences."

The House bill's Republican co-sponsor told VOA the sanctions are meant to give Aung San Suu Kyi more leverage with the military.

"We would be able to work with her perhaps to relieve sanctions once in place if the military does reform itself and does certainly cease the hostilities and the atrocities that have occurred," said Representative Steve Chabot, a Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

If passed, the legislation would stop U.S. military cooperation with Myanmar in training and regional exercises, as well as reimposing bans on the country's lucrative gem trade that then-U.S. President Barack Obama lifted by executive order last year.

If hostilities do stop, the bill also provides economic assistance to foster development in Myanmar and encourage the return of Rohingya.

"The goal here is to get those who have been displaced and in general have gone to Bangladesh to allow them to return to Burma to return to their homes, although a lot of those homes have been burned to the ground by the military, so there's an awful lot of economic development that's going to be necessary," Chabot told VOA.

Senate support

The Senate version of the sanctions bill is co-sponsored by Republican John McCain and Democrat Ben Cardin. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is a longtime supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi, dating back to her time under house arrest.

McConnell told reporters in September that he does not support a congressional resolution calling on Aung San Suu Kyi to be more forceful in condemning the crisis.

WATCH: US Congress Weighs Tough Sanctions on Burmese Military for Rohingya Crisis

"I think she's the greatest hope that we have to move Burma from where it has been, a military dictatorship, to where I hope it's going," McConnell said.

Even with time running short for Rohingya, the lobbyists who have mounted years of effort on their behalf are hopeful.

"This is one issue where everybody across the political spectrum comes together in support of human rights in Burma," said Simon Billenness, executive director of the International Rohingya Campaign.

"We think that bodes very well for the progress of this bill and getting it to the president's desk."

Engel said he hopes to see the bills pass Congress by the end of this year.

"There's no reason why it shouldn't happen  what's happening with the Rohingya is documented; it's not as if we have a question about it; we know the military are the perpetrators of it and the United States cannot just do business as usual," he said.
The U.S. State Department is ending the Central American Minors (CAM) refugee program established to stem the flood of children attempting to enter the United States from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The program, established in 2014 by the Obama administration, allowed certain parents lawfully residing in the U.S. to request a refugee resettlement interview for their children and eligible family members. But the Trump administration said it would end the program as part of its overall review of the refugees admissions process.

The State Department said the deadline to apply for the program is Thursday. While people from those countries seeking refugee status may still be eligible, they must use the normal refugee screening process, the department said.

Since 2014, more than 1,500 children and eligible family members have arrived in the United States as refugees under the CAM program, and another 13,000 have applied for refuge, the State Department said.

The decision to end the program comes the same week that the administration announced that it was ending the immigration benefits for nearly 2,500 Nicaraguan nationals living and working in the U.S. under a program called Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

The Department of Homeland Security gave the Nicaraguan TPS recipients 12 months after the Jan. 5 expiration of their protected status to arrange their affairs and either leave the country or obtain legal status through a different visa category.

Another 195,000 Salvadorans and 46,000 Haitians are awaiting the decision on their fate, as DHS must decide in coming weeks what to do with TPS recipients from those countries whose legal residency will expire early next year.
The federal judge overseeing the upcoming criminal trial of two top former Trump aides has imposed a gag order in the case.

Judge Amy Berman Jackson Wednesday ordered defendants Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, their lawyers, and all possible witnesses to refrain from making statements to the media or in public settings that could pose a substantial likelihood of material prejudice.

In all criminal cases, it is always possible that making statements for or against the defendants in the media could make it very hard to find an impartial jury  one whose members have not already made up their minds.

Former Trump campaign chairman Manafort and his associate Gates have been charged with 12 criminal counts over Manaforts financial dealings with Ukraines former pro-Russian government.

The charges include money laundering, failing to register as agents of a foreign government, and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts.

Manafort and Gates have both pleaded not guilty and are under house arrest.

The charges stem out of special counsel Robert Muellers probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to steer the 2016 election in Trumps favor.

The White House has strongly denied the allegations and the Kremlin said it did not interfere in the election.
House and Senate negotiators have agreed on an annual defense policy bill that authorizes $700 billion for the Pentagon in the 2018 fiscal year, a dramatic increase over the amount President Donald Trump sought as lawmakers aim to restock what they say is a depleted U.S. military.



The bill allots just over $634 billion for core Pentagon operations and nearly $66 billion for wartime missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, according to summaries of the legislation released Wednesday by the House and Senate Armed Services committees. The funding boost pays for more troops, jet fighters, ships and other weapons the bill's backers said are needed to halt an erosion of the military's combat readiness.



Trump's 2018 request sought $603 billion for basic functions and $65 billion for overseas missions. Republican defense hawks in particular were surprised the president didn't seek more given his bullish campaign talk about rebuilding the armed forces. But they kept their criticisms largely to themselves as they set about boosting the Pentagon's budget to a level higher than at any point during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Yet the lawmakers pushing the hardest for the big increase still face an uphill battle. For the billions of additional dollars to actually materialize, Congress first will have to agree to roll back a 2011 law that set strict limits on most federal spending. But that won't be easy. Lifting the budget caps will face resistance from Democrats who also are seeking to increase the budgets for domestic agencies.



The policy bill would give U.S. troops a 2.4 percent pay raise, which is slightly higher than the wage increase the Pentagon had proposed.



The blueprint calls for 7,500 additional active-duty Army soldiers and 1,000 more National Guard and Army reserve troops. The Navy would get 4,000 more active-duty sailors and 1,000 additional reservists. The Marine Corps will see an increase of 1,000 active-duty Marines, and the Air Force is due for 4,100 more active-duty airmen, 900 National Guardsmen and 800 reservists.



The defense bill provides money for 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 20 more than Trump asked for, as well as 24 F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters, 10 more than requested.



The budget also includes three Littoral Combat Ships, two beyond the budget request. The ships are new to the fleet and operate in congested areas near the shore against small boats and mines. Overall, the bill provides $6.3 billion more than Trump sought for five additional battle force ships, according to the Senate summary.

The legislation folds in the nearly $6 billion Trump requested Monday for urgent missile defense improvements to counter the threat from North Korea, increased U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan and speedy repairs to Navy ships in the Asia-Pacific theater.



A large chunk of the money would be used for the construction of an additional ground-based interceptor field at Fort Greely, Alaska; the initial procurement of 20 new ground-based interceptors; ship-based missiles; and interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, a U.S. mobile anti-missile system. Many of these specific increases had already been addressed in earlier versions of the bill.



The bill also covers the $1.2 billion Trump sought to allow the Defense Department to deploy an additional 3,500 U.S. troops to Afghanistan as part of the president's new strategy for the country where the U.S. has been fighting since 2001.



The legislation also fully pays for repairs to the USS John S. McCain and USS Fitzgerald. Both ships from the Pacific-based 7th Fleet were damaged in deadly collisions that led to eight top Navy officers, including the 7th Fleet commander, being fired from their jobs.



The legislation is expected to be released as soon as Thursday. The defense bill is essentially silent on Trump's proposal to exclude transgender people from military service, according to congressional staff members who weren't authorized to discuss the legislation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.



Trump had ordered a reinstatement of the long-standing policy that barred transgender individuals from joining the military; service members who were revealed to be transgender were subject to discharge. A federal judge last month barred the Trump administration from proceeding with the plan.
The Trump administration on Thursday hit another 10 current and former Venezuelan officials with financial sanctions over corruption and abuse of power allegations related to President Nicolas Maduro's ruling partys crackdown on opposition.

The Treasury Department said the penalties were imposed following what it called flawed regional elections last month in Venezuela. Those elections were marred by irregularities that strongly suggest fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of governorships, it said.



The sanctions freeze any assets that the affected officials have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them. Among the officials named are the countrys former communications and food ministers, Ernesto Villegas and Carlos Osorio, along with others involved in organizing elections. Treasury said the officials all had a role in undermining electoral processes, media censorship, or corruption in government-administered food programs.

As the Venezuelan government continues to disregard the will of its people, our message remains clear: the United States will not stand aside while the Maduro regime continues to destroy democratic order and prosperity in Venezuela, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

We will maintain our vigorous efforts to sanction Venezuelan government officials who are complicit in Maduros attempts to undermine democracy, violate human rights, inhibit the freedom of expression or peaceful assembly, or engage in public corruption, unless they break from Maduro's dictatorial regime.

The U.S. has targeted dozens of current and former Venezuelan officials and companies with sanctions since the government in August set up a constitutional assembly that has been given virtually unlimited powers.
Pope Francis has ordered a ban on the sale of cigarettes inside the Vatican from next year because of health concerns, a spokesman said on Thursday.

"The motive is very simple: the Holy See cannot be cooperating with a practice that is clearly harming the health of people," spokesman Greg Burke said in a statement.

He cited World World Health Organization (WHO) statistics that smoking causes more than seven million deaths worldwide every year.

Cigarettes have been sold at a discounted price to Vatican employees and pensioners.

Vatican employees are allowed to buy five cartons of cigarettes a month. Many Italians ask their non-smoking friends who work in the Vatican to buy cigarettes for them because they cost much less than in Italy, where they are subject to heavy taxes.

Burke acknowledged that the sale of cigarettes has been a source of revenue for the Holy See, adding, "However, no profit can be legitimate if it is costing people their lives."

The spokesman said the sale of large cigars would continue at least for the time being because the smoke is not inhaled.

The Vatican, a tiny walled city-state surrounded by Rome, is one of the few states to ban smoking. Bhutan, where smoking is deemed bad for one's karma, banned the sale of tobacco in 2005.
President Donald Trump suffered the sharpest political setback of his presidency Tuesday when Democrats swept to easy victories in governors races in Virginia and New Jersey. Tuesdays results have major implications for both political parties as they look ahead to next years midterm elections.
A number of female members of Congress told the Associated Press on Friday they had been sexually harassed by male colleagues in incidents that occurred years or even decades ago. They declined to identify the men responsible.

When I was a very new member of Congress in my early 30s, there was a more senior member who outright propositioned me, who was married, and despite trying to laugh it off and brush it aside, it would repeat. And I would avoid that member, Rep. Linda Sanchez told the news organization.

Sanchez said a different male colleague stared at her once and, she said, touched her inappropriately, but tried to make it appear accidental. Sanchez refused to name either man because she said she doesnt think it would be helpful.

The problem is, as a member there's no HR (human resources) department you can go to, there's nobody you can turn to. Ultimately they're employed by their constituents, she said.

Another congresswoman, Mary Bono, told the AP a male colleague told her hed been thinking about her in the shower. Bono said she confronted the colleague and he didnt make any more suggestive comments.

It is a man's world, it's still a man's world, Bono said. Not being a flirt and not being a bitch. That was my rule, to try to walk that fine line.

She declined to name the colleague, but said he is still serving in Congress

Former Rep. Hilda Solis said she received from a male colleague what the AP referred to as repeated unwanted harassing overtures. She, too, declined to name the colleague or detail exactly what those overtures included.

It's humiliating, even though they may have thought they were being cute. No, it's not. It's not appropriate. I'm your colleague, but he doesn't see me that way, and that's a problem, Solis said.
The International Criminal Court on Thursday gave prosecutors the go ahead to investigate alleged war crimes committed by the government of Burundi against its political opposition between April 2015 and October 2017.

In a statement, judges said there is "a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation in relation to crimes against humanity." The war crimes, judges said, include murder, rape and torture that led to the deaths of more than 1,000 people and prompted 400,000 to flee the country.

The decision was handed down on October 25, just two days before Burundi made the decision to withdraw from the criminal court. The decision was kept under seal until Thursday, but the court will still have jurisdiction over crimes committed while Burundi was a member.

Burundi erupted into protests and violence in 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term. Critics said he was defying term limits in the constitution and the agreement that ended Burundi's civil war.

Soldiers put down a coup attempt while Nkurunziza was out of the country.

Burundi protests executive order

U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed a continuation of a 2015 executive order that declared a national emergency to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the security in Burundi.

In an interview this week with VOA's Central African service, Burundian Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe took issue with the executive order, saying no one in Burundi, including Americans, feels unsafe.

He said Burundi has made tremendous strides from the political chaos that started in May 2015 and that peace and security in all parts of the country have been restored.

Burundi is now peaceful. The people of Burundi have defeated those who wanted to seize power by force, and the entire country is now peaceful. We are really puzzled when we hear reports that Burundi threatens the security of the region and the security of Americans, he said.

Nyamitwe also said that the continuation of the 2015 executive order  which the government had objected to from the outset  stems from the fact that the U.S. and some European countries continue to receive wrong information about what is really going on in his country.

"The only thing that may trigger such a decision is the disinformation campaign spread by those who have their own agenda," he said.

Burundi has called for the refugees who fled in 2015 to return; but, residents of camps in Rwanda and Uganda recently told VOA that killings of perceived government opponents in Burundi continue, and they would not feel safe returning home.
The "Paradise Papers, millions of confidential documents on offshore investments that were leaked this week, have shed light on the financial affairs of world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II and the president of Colombia.

They also cite several prominent politicians in the worlds fourth largest country, Indonesia, including children of its famously corrupt late dictator Suharto, who skimmed over $30 billion in his lifetime.

The documents cite Suhartos daughter Mamiek and son Tommy, a playboy businessman and convicted murderer; Sandiaga Uno, an entrepreneur and the current deputy of Jakarta; and Prabowo Subianto, a businessman, former army general, and current opposition coalition leader who narrowly lost the 2014 presidential election.

We found 215 Indonesian names in total, said Wahyu Dhyatmika, who was the only Indonesian member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) team that shared the documents. He said the remaining names  200 individuals and 15 companies  would become public as the complete documents are shared in coming weeks. The Indonesian names that have been released so far are only a small, albeit prominent, sample.

The documents are drawn from the offshore law firm Appleby in Bermuda, corporate services providers Estera and Asiaciti Trust, and business registries in 19 tax havens worldwide. They list over 120,000 names of people engaged in offshore investments.

Prominent names

According to the documents, Prabowo was director of a company called Nusantara Energy Resources that opened in Bermuda in 2001 and closed in 2004. Tommy Suharto was director of a company registered in Bermuda called Asia Market Investment, which opened in 1997 and closed in 2000.

Sandiaga, whose name also came up in last years Panama Papers leak in relation to shell companies in the British Virgin Islands, was shown to have worked with a Canadian oil and gas exploration company called NTI Resources.

It is difficult to penalize the offshoring of assets as it is rarely illegal. But in Indonesia, the revelations have come during a year of aggressive crackdowns on tax evasion from the Finance Ministry.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani told reporters this week that she would examine the records of everyone named in the Paradise Papers, although a spokesperson for the ministry said they could not comment on their findings until the remaining 215 Indonesian names have surfaced.

Tommy Suharto showily declared over $910 million last year in the ministers flagship tax amnesty program to recover overseas assets, more than doubling the revenue at that point.

As a journalist, I just want people to know how the world works, said Drew Sullivan, one of the leaders of the ICIJ effort. Countries like Russia, China. Brazil and Indonesia have too much of their economies, their industries, their wealth and assets moving through opaque structures that hide corruption and wealth. That is not good. You cant do business in the dark because its dangerous and helps corruption thrive.

We will try to obtain more comprehensive and detailed data on the individuals named in the Papers as part of efforts to ensure taxpayer compliance, said Hestu Yoga Saksama, spokesman for the Directorate General of Taxation.

Were not shocked by the names that have surfaced, said Firdaus Ilyas of Indonesia Corruption Watch. Particularly for the Suhartos  there have historically been very few consequences for that family. And Prabowo and Sandi are prominent figures, but they usually campaign on identity politics, he said, so corruption allegations are unlikely to seriously impact their image or electability.

The challenge of accountability

The offshoring implied by the Paradise Papers is very typical of Indonesian business, said Wayne Forrest, who leads the American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce. The companies registered probably were established in the 1990s keeping money offshore is standard practice when your currency can devalue, as it did during the Asian financial crisis and the fall of Suharto.

Frankly were not sure the Directorate General of Taxes is brave enough to investigate the Paradise Papers further; we still havent even heard any follow-up to the Panama Papers, said Firdaus. [Finance Minister] Sri Mulyani is the best hope for now.

But there are high costs to investigating the claims: Tommy Suharto once plotted the murder of a judge who served him a corruption charge in 2000; Prabowo organized the kidnappings of pro-democracy activists in 1997 and 1998.

There is low incentive for Indonesian journalists to follow up on these figures, even though it is the crucial next step said Andreas Harsono, a former journalist and current researcher with Human Rights Watch in Jakarta. We need to connect the companies cited in the Papers with the acts they did within Indonesia. Otherwise they are just names.

Harsono cited the example of Goerge Aditjondro, a journalist who made it his mission to surface the details of Suharto family wealth in the late 1990s.

It was a lonely quest, and he died with hardly a penny to his name, said Harsono. The fact that he did it is amazing. But working on asset recovery in Indonesia is usually a thankless task.
The United States says it is monitoring the political situation in Zimbabwe amid stern warnings from President Robert Mugabes government for accredited diplomats to desist from interfering in the countrys 2018 general elections.

In a statement, the U.S Embassy Harare said, This week Zimbabweans were inundated with false social media reports regarding the Embassy following political developments in Zimbabwe. We are following the developments taking place in all sectors closely and will continue to monitor the situation.

The recent developments in the government of Zimbabwe are a matter of internal party politics, in which the U.S. Government does not take sides. We encourage all parties to follow democratic, transparent and peaceful processes, both in internal party matters and in general elections.

Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi told heads of diplomatic missions in Harare that they should stay out of the current political processes in the country, including the proposed 2018 general polls.

He is quoted by the state-controlled Herald newspaper as saying, I want to inform you that the election season beckons and l would urge you not to become referees and players in the same. Instead, I exhort you to remain steadfast in your dignified roles of impartial observers as has been already pronounced by His Excellency the President, Cde R.G. Mugabe.

As with previous elections, the Zimbabwe government has always guaranteed a peaceful environment, before, during and after elections. Its zero tolerance to violence policy as we approach 2018 elections, is a matter of public record.

The internal strife in Zimbabwes ruling party is pitting President Mugabes sympathizers and others loyal to former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was expelled from Zanu PF on Wednesday by a faction of the party said to be led by First Lady Grace Mugabe known as Generation 40 or G40.

Zanu PF activists affiliated to another party faction, Team Lacoste, which was allegedly led by Mnangagwa, are fuming saying his ouster is designed to elevate Mrs. Mugabe to the post of Zanu PF vice president.

They claim that the first lady does not have the liberation credential to occupy that position, noting that it is reserved for people who fought in the 1970s guerilla war.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa is claiming that he will remove Mr. Mugabe from power within weeks when he returns home.

In a hard-hitting statement, he said,   You (Mugabe) and your cohorts will, instead, leave Zanu PF by the will of the people and this, we will do in the coming few weeks as Zimbabweans in general now require new and progressive leadership that is not resident in the past and refuses to accept change.

As I leave this post for now, I encourage all loyal members of the party to remain in the party, to register to vote, as we will, very soon, control the levers of power in our beautiful party and country. Let not your hearts be troubled for peace, love, unity, development and prosperity are around the corner. I will be communicating with you soon and shall return to Zimbabwe to lead you.

But Morgan Tsvangirai, founding president of the Movement for Democratic Change, immediately rubbished Mnangagwas claims, saying the former vice president has been part of the machinery that has completely destroyed Zimbabwe and therefore he cant lead any opposition movement.

Observers say it still remains to be seen whether Mnangagwa will remove Mr. Mugabe from his post through the ballot or other means as former Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa has warned that a coup cannot be ruled out in the southern African nation.
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The 2016 presidential election inspired fierce partisanship in Hollywood, whose executives and creatives often deployed for Hillary Clinton.

But a group of independent filmmakers had a different response: Document the many types of U.S. voters, on the day they were doing the voting.

The result is one of the more unusual nonfiction film projects in recent history: 11/8/16, a snapshot of the lives of scores of people across the country as the historic day unfolded.

The movie highlights how the film industry is looking for ways to reflect the views of a diversity of Americans at a time when it often seems unabashedly liberal, whether due to Meryl Streeps anti-Trump speech at the 2017 Golden Globes or films like George Clooneys new identity-politics-infused Suburbicon.

Because what we hear on the news is about groups as voting blocs, we dont understand the people who make up those groups, said the projects curator, Jeff Deutchman, describing an approach at odds with the current moment. And because we tend to gravitate to like-minded people and media, the perception is that we live in a country more similar to ourselves than it really is.

What we wanted with this film, he added, to cut through all that.

Made for less than $1 million, 11/8/16 required the involvement of 50 documentarians. Deutchman commissioned the directors, many of them award winners, and had them follow a variety of Americans on Election Day. He and a team of editors then chose 16 submissions and threaded them together in a single feature  a two-hour look at 320 million people (or at least their avatars).

A coal miner in West Virginia, a radio reporter in Pennsylvania, a DACA dreamer from California and an entrepreneur in Massachusetts  all are captured on camera emoting about presidential politics.

Some of those feelings are visceral: The dreamer worries about being deported after more than 25 years in this country and seeks to mobilize others to support Clinton.

Others are practical: The entrepreneur, because of employer health-care costs, believes he will not be able to run his business unless Donald Trump changes the system.

A few are muted: The public-radio reporter, filmed by the free-speech-minded director Alison Klayman, must keep his emotions at bay as he becomes one of the first journalists to report on a potential Trump upset.

And sometimes they are unexpected: A Latino man from Miami supports Trump because he felt let down by Clinton during his time in the military.

Its very rare to have a film that tries to survey an entire national mood, said Yung Chang, who directed a story line about the fringe Vermont lieutenant governor candidate Boots Wardinski. You almost imagine a new model in which you can describe how a lot of different people are feeling at once by sending directors to every corner of a country.

That said, Chang noted, I was happy I didnt have to be a part of the editing process.

Whether the movie can succeed in a world where preaching-to-the-converted equals ratings remains to be seen. Executives at The Orchard, the independent distributor that has made the film available on iTunes and Netflix in addition to a small theatrical run, say the early answer is yes.

We released three trailers  one only with subjects on the left, one only with subjects on the right and one nonpartisan trailer with both, said the companys executive vice president, Paul Davidson. And what was interesting is that the most animated Facebook comments were on the nonpartisan trailer. With the other two everyone kept quiet, like they just watched what they agreed with and had nothing more to say.

The approach seems to be working according to at least one metric: 11/8/16 has become the No. 1 documentary on iTunes.

Though many of the filmmakers  including Deutchman  acknowledge opposing the president, he said he had no qualms about omitting political broadsides.

Just making an anti-Trump movie was not interesting to me, said Deutchman, a veteran of Paramount Pictures and IFC Films. I dont want to live in a world where we can only make movies about ourselves.

Part of the films charge comes from watching subjects emotions as they fluctuate throughout the day. A Clinton volunteer goes gradually from joyous to crestfallen at the candidates election-night rally in New York. Meanwhile, a coal miner and his family watch with growing triumph at Trumps victory and a liberal demise. The West Virginian rolls his eyes as the progressive Van Jones gives his famous tearful speech on CNN.

But the movie also plays differently through the prism of news events many months later. The DACA subplot, for instance, takes on a different tint as Congress debates the Dream Act.

Whats incredible about the document, said Klayman, the director, is that it keeps changing. I dont even think we understand whats in it yet.
Columnist

There are times that you run across something thats so preposterous that its hard to believe its true. But in this case, it is.

Im talking about the multiple  and permanent  set of tax breaks that some of the Trump administrations mega-wealthy appointees and their heirs stand to get if the estate tax repeal in the House GOP tax bill becomes law.

The appointees Im talking about are those with a net worth above $11 million (which is a lot of them) who sold assets that the Office of Government Ethics said would pose conflict-of-interest problems in their new gigs.

Combine the rules that cover such sales with terms of the proposed estate tax repeal, and these people get a multi-level, multi-generational bonanza. A gift that would keep on giving (and giving and giving).

[A tax cut bill only Donald Trump could love]

I couldnt believe what I was reading, and figured that I might be overly eager to uncover gifts to the ultra-rich in the House tax cut bill, which is by no means tax reform because it hurts millions of taxpayers in my home state of New Jersey and other places that arent reliably Republican, but bestows plenty of breaks on big businesses and the rich. So I asked tax expert Bob Willens of Robert Willens LLC, whom Ive consulted for decades, to show me where I was making a mistake.

It turned out that Willens couldnt believe what he was reading, either, when he parsed the proposed estate tax repeal provisions. I had to read that about eight times, Willens told me. It defies description. Its unheard of. Its unbelievable.

Now, let me show you why. And why mega-wealthy Trump appointees and their heirs would get level after level after level of tax goodies, even more than regular rich people would get.

Under Section 1043 of the tax code, enacted in 1989, eligible federal appointees (such as an energy secretary who owns oil stocks) who sell conflict-posing assets and reinvest the proceeds in something permissible, such as an index mutual fund, dont owe any tax until the replacement asset is sold. At that point, they pay taxes on the gain between, to use our example, the mutual fund shares they bought compared with the cost of the assets they had to sell. In other words, the only benefit they get under current law is a deferral in their capital gains taxes. They dont get to permanently escape taxes.

I have no problem with this tax deferral, by the way. I dont think people should have to shell out serious money in order to work for the government. If they happen to benefit by being able to diversify their portfolios on a tax-deferred basis, the way former ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson could diversify out of his Exxon stock and long-time Goldman Sachs executive Gary Cohn could diversify out of his Goldman holdings, that doesnt bother me, either.

Besides, until now people who have gotten very large Section 1043 tax deferrals have been almost certain to be wealthy enough to trigger estate tax  no, its not a death tax, it applies to only about 1 in 500 estates  when they die. Some 99.8 percent of estates dont pay tax because about $5.5 million of assets are exempt from estate tax for a single person, and about $11 million for a married couple.

Now, watch where the outrageous part comes in. Under current law, heirs have to pay estate tax based only on the value of the inherited assets on the day the person who bequeathed them died. They dont have to pay a penny on the assets gains while the dearly departed owned them. (The adjustment is known as a basis step-up in tax jargon.) But of course, the estate has to pay estate tax of 40 percent of the amount by which the inherited assets exceed the $5.5 million/$11 million threshold. The tax-free basis step-up allows heirs to avoid having to pay both capital gains tax and estate tax on the assets they inherit, which strikes me as a reasonable thing.

However, under the Republican plans estate tax repeal, not only would heirs collect everything tax-free, but they would also get a tax-free basis step-up in the assets they inherit. By contrast, when the estate tax was repealed for a year in 2010 as part of the George Bush tax cut bill, the step-up in basis was largely negated, which stopped heirs from getting a mega-windfall.

[How the GOP could repeal the estate tax  and rip off 99.8 percent of us]

I assumed that would be the case in whatever plan the Republicans proposed this time. In fact, I predicted that in a January article that I wrote with Cezary Podkul, then a ProPublica colleague, currently a Wall Street Journal reporter.

We felt that even if the estate tax were repealed, the heirs of Donald Trumps appointees would be subject to capital gains tax when they sold the assets their benefactors had acquired to solve conflict-of-interest problems.

Besides, even Trump, who campaigned on eliminating the estate tax, wasnt proposing that heirs get a totally free ride. He was proposing something  details of which were never made clear  that seemed to involve estates paying capital gains tax on unrealized gains above $10 million.

That idea of taxing estates in any way seems to have disappeared entirely from Trumps public statements these days. And I realize now that I was naive to think that Trump might ever promote anything that might cost him or his family any money.

To return to where I started, Im just astounded by the multiple tax breaks Trump appointees and their heirs stand to get if the House version of estate tax repeal becomes law. So is Bob Willens, the tax expert.

You get to diversify tax-free, he said, a tone of wonder in his voice. Then you get to bequeath your portfolio tax-free. And the most amazing part is that your heirs get to step up their basis in the inherited assets tax-free.

A great deal for these people. A terrible deal for the rest of us, who would have to pick up the tab for it.
FEDERAL AGENCIES

Senate panel advances Trumps NASA pick

A Senate committee on Wednesday narrowly backed President Trumps nominee to serve as the next NASA chief.

Republicans on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee used their slender majority to overcome objections from Democrats to advance the selection of Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.). The party-line vote was 14 to 13.

Bridenstine, 42, is serving his third term representing a conservative district in northeast Oklahoma. Democrats criticized comments he made in which he appeared skeptical that global warming is primarily caused by humans. They also raised concern about Bridenstines harsh criticisms of Democratic lawmakers and fellow Republicans over the years, and questioned whether he would keep the space agency from becoming mired in political battles.

Bridenstine appeared before the committee last week and promised to run the space agency on a consensus agenda driven by science.

 Associated Press

FUEL INDUSTRY

Icahn subpoenaed in federal probe

Federal investigators have issued subpoenas for information on Carl Icahns efforts to change biofuel policy while serving as an informal adviser to President Trump, according to regulatory filings.

The U.S. attorneys office for the Southern District of New York is seeking production of information pertaining to Icahns activities regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard, according to a document Icahn Enterprises filed Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The investigators also want information on Icahns role as an adviser to the president, the document says. Icahn left that post in August.

We are cooperating with the request and are providing information in response to the subpoena, Icahn Enterprises said in the filing.

Icahn, the majority owner of oil refiner CVR Energy, has drawn criticism for pushing a change in U.S. biofuel policy that would benefit the company. Specifically, he wanted the Environmental Protection Agency to change who must comply with annual biofuel quotas, shifting the burden away from fuel refiners.

 Bloomberg News

federal courts

Tenn. governor says hes not on witness list

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R) said Wednesday that he is not on the list of potential witnesses at the federal fraud trial of former executives and sales representatives at the truck stop chain owned by his family.

Pilot Flying J was founded by the governors father, Jim Haslam, and is run by his brother, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. None of the Haslams have been charged in the investigation that has led to guilty pleas by more than a dozen former members of the Pilot sales team and to the ongoing trial of the four former Pilot employees, including its onetime president.

Bill Haslam has not held an active role at Pilot since he was elected mayor of Knoxville in 2003. He said he was not aware of whether his brother will testify. Im not involved at all, the governor said.

Fourteen former members of the Pilot sales team have pleaded guilty to charges related to ripping off trucking company customers they deemed too unsophisticated to realize they werent receiving the rebates they had negotiated.

Pilot ultimately agreed to an $85 million settlement with most of the defrauded customers as well as a $92 million penalty to the government.

 Associated Press

Also in Business

The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit against Freedom Debt Relief, the largest U.S. debt-settlement services provider, and its co-chief executive Andrew Housser, alleging they deceived consumers. The CFPB alleges "that Freedom charges consumers without settling their debts as promised, makes customers negotiate their own settlements, misleads them about its fees and the reach of its services and fails to inform them of their rights to funds they deposited with the company."

 From news reports

Panera Bread said Wednesday it is buying bakery chain Au Bon Pain to boost its presence in airports, hospitals and colleges. The two chains were part of the same company in the 1990s until Au Bon Pain was sold in 1999 to a private equity firm and Panera became the focus. Panera did not say how much it will pay for Au Bon Pain, which operates more than 300 locations. Panera has more than 2,000 restaurants.

Coming today

8:30 a.m.: Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims.

10 a.m.: Freddie Mac releases weekly mortgage rates.

10 a.m.: Commerce Department releases wholesale trade inventories for September.

Earnings: Macy's.


From left, Caroline Dubberly, Jessica Lefkow, Alexandra Maria Palting, Amanda Forstrom and Karina Hilleard play women across the centuries in Top Girls. (Cameron Whitman)

Theater critic

The opening act of Caryl Churchill's 1982 "Top Girls" is still breathtaking as women ranging from the ninth-century Pope Joan to 13th-century concubine Lady Nijo and Victorian-era explorer Isabella Bird gather for a vivacious dinner party hosted by a modern employment agency manager who is celebrating a promotion. The final act of Thatcher-era class warfare knifes into our Trumpian divisions as sharply as anything in Jon Robin Baitz's absorbing new "Vicuna." It's a masterful work.

In the new Keegan Theatre staging, director Amber Paige McGinnis guides her cast through the choppy waters of that sometimes hilariously busy and fantastical first act. These women all have vivid stories to tell and no shortage of opinions.

The give-and-take has a musical swing as Susan Marie Rheas bold Isabella Bird charges into conversations, Alexandra Maria Paltings Lady Nijo gets interrupted a lot and Caroline Dubberly  reliably getting laughs with grunted one-liners  quietly pillages the table as the warrior Dull Gret, swiping full wine bottles and hiding the bread. The party is rounded out by Jessica Lefkows smooth, commanding Pope Joan and Amanda Forstroms meek Patient Griselda, who seemingly lets her husband put their two children to death.

Thats a theme: the outrages perpetrated by men that in some cases were fatal. Things seem better for modern women as Churchill pivots to the 1980s, but then you get an earful of the prickly interviews at the London job placement agency. Shrewdly, the plot zeros in on the newly promoted Marlene (a brusque Karina Hilleard) and her poor suburban sister Joyce (Rhea, shrugging off the bravado of the explorer Bird for an all-too-real single mothers exhaustion). Dubberly persuasively changes from Dull Gret to Angie, Joyces Visigoth-like 15-year-old; Angie slowly emerges as the real object of Churchills attention.

The plaintively designed production doesnt look as good as it could, and two Helen Reddy songs during transitions are notably awkward. But the acting is sensitive and intelligent, especially in the imaginative opening act and during the earthy, realistic sisterly showdown of Act 3, which crackles with surprisingly up-to-the-minute political friction.



Suzanne Edgar, foreground, and Erin Lee Hanratty in Venus Theatres The Ravens. (Mike Landsman)

The job in Alana Valentines The Ravens is the oldest profession, and like Top Girls, the play explores women exploiting women against a large misogynist backdrop. Kira is trying to quit the life and hard drugs; Marg is a bird of prey angling for the money Kira just won in some sort of settlement.

Nina is a new social worker who takes up for Kira; we learn about the struggles of sex workers through Ninas naive eyes. Its a straightforward drama, blunt about Margs violence and clear-eyed about how frightened and manipulative people like Kira can be. As Kira, Suzanne Edgar keeps you hooked in Venus Theatres intimate storefront production, which features a pole for pole dancing in the middle of the small stage.

Directed by Deborah Randall, Edgar does the good-girl-bad-girl thing well enough to have you rooting for her and then despairing. Valentine laces her play with one of Shakespeares poems, but the dramas strength is how clearly, especially in Edgars understated contradictions, it depicts this victims dilemma.

Top Girls, by Caryl Churchill. Directed by Amber Paige McGinnis. Set, Matthew J. Keenan; costumes, Alison Samantha Johnson; lights, Laura J. Eckelman; sound design, Justin Schmitz and Gordon Nimmo-Smith. With Daven Ralston. About 2 hours and 45 minutes. Through Dec. 2 at Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets $45. Call 202-265-3767 or visit keegantheatre.com.

The Ravens, by Alana Valentine. Directed by Deborah Randall. Lights and set, Amy E. Belschner Rhodes; costumes, Deborah Randall; sound, Neil McFadden. With Erin Lee Hanratty, Alison Talvacchio and Ashley Zielinski. About 100 minutes. Through Nov. 26 at the Venus Theatre Play Shack, 21 C St., Laurel. Tickets $40. Call 202-236-4078 or visit venustheatre.org.


Hummingbird Cake from Succotash. (Goran Kosanovic/For The Washington Post)

From the first moment he tried it, when his girlfriend (now wife) made it for him, chef Edward Lee was hooked on hummingbird cake. The Southern staple is served in a giant wedge at his Succotash restaurants in the District and National Harbor. "The cake itself is pretty standard," explains Lee, with spices, oil and mashed banana creating a dense, moist crumb. But thanks to its ingredients, the dessert is packed with flavor and character.

You may know hummingbird cake as the most requested recipe from Southern Living magazine, where it was first published in February 1978. Consumers of The Washington Post might even remember a nearly identical recipe from May 19, 1977, printed by reader request. While that recipe's headnote calls the cake's derivation "baffling," late food historian Gil Marks writes in a post on ToriAvey.com that the dessert stems from 1960s Jamaica, where it was known  among other names  as doctor bird cake. (The doctor bird, or swallow tail hummingbird, is Jamaica's beloved national bird.)

Around Washington, youll find several interpretations of the cheery cake.

1. Topping

Chopped pecans, walnuts or, as at Succotash, shredded coconut provide the finishing touch.

2. Cake

Typically, oil (rather than butter) is the fat of choice; cinnamon is the main spice, but you might find nutmeg and others in the mix. Chopped pecans or walnuts add texture; at Succotash, Lee adds chopped dates and sweetens the batter with molasses.

3. Frosting

As with carrot cake, hummingbird cake is most often layered with cream cheese frosting, perhaps in an attempt to achieve a tangy-sweet balance.

4. Fruit

Here the cakes tropical origins shine: Bananas  chopped or mashed  add moisture and flavor, while crushed pineapple adds sweetness and a bit of acidity.
Keith Heard, a DC lobbyist and president of Key Impact Strategies, is often mistaken for Steve Bannon. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

Keith Heard, former chief of staff for Sen. Thad Cochran, is a lobbyist and president of Key Impact Strategies. Heard, who is 61 and lives in Mississippi, keeps an apartment on Capitol Hill, not far from his doppelganger, Breitbart chairman and former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon.

When did you realize you are a dead ringer for Steve Bannon?

I didnt know for a while. But on election night my text messages started blowing up: Saw you in New York. What are you doing up on the stage? I texted back, Everybodys gotta be somewhere. But I didnt pay much attention. It didnt hit me that it was Bannon they were talking about.

Bannon has compared himself with Dick Cheney, Darth Vader and Satan. How does that make you feel?

Prettier than him. Its interesting  a friend and I, we were at a meeting here in Washington, standing outside the Hyatt on New Jersey [Avenue NW], and a union was having a meeting there. Some guys were looking at us, staring at us. We went inside and a couple came up and wanted to know [if I was Bannon]. I said, No, Im not. They were nice to me, but they were giving me some tough looks at first.

One night, we were at the National Building Museum for a big fundraiser that the president always comes to. My table happened to be up front, to the side of the podium. A congressman comes over, gives me his card and asks me to meet some of his constituents. When I told him, Im not who you think I am, he reached over, grabbed his card out of my hand and walked off.

Whats interesting is that its not just political people. Its all demographics. A homeless man told me, You looked good on 60 Minutes the other night. At the Capital Grille, a Democratic congressman wanted me to meet his constituents. When I told him, he said, Oh, hell, come on anyway. They wont know the difference.

You said you move in the same circles as Mr. Bannon. What are those circles?

Just Republican political circles. But I walk every morning, about 2 miles, [and] going down the street I saw a guy going by, and hes a pretty good-looking fellow. And then it dawned on me: [Bannon]. I would have liked to say hello and see if we do look the same. I guess its kind of vain that I thought he looked good.

Whats the biggest difference between you and Bannon?

We have a lot of similarities. Im a populist conservative, but Im a big supporter of the Republican Party. Our biggest difference would be in tactics. I dont think beating [establishment Republicans] and potentially having a Democrat take their place is good for the country.

Now that Bannon has left the White House, would you agree to becoming Trumps chief strategist?

I would enjoy that. I was a Trump delegate from Mississippi.

What advice would you give him?

Work with Congress and get something passed.
NOV. 13, 1982 On this date, thousands of Vietnam veterans marched down Constitution Avenue to a spot along the Mall not far from the Lincoln Memorial, to dedicate the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Etched into the V-shaped granite wall were nearly 58,000 names of the dead and missing in action. "It was a day of flags and tears and stirring music, of marching Green Berets in jungle fatigues and Gold Star Mothers in cream-colored capes," Phil McCombs wrote in The Washington Post. Jan C. Scruggs, a wounded former specialist, led the group that built the memorial. The minimalist design, by then-student Maya Lin, had been controversial. Opponents included Jim Webb, H. Ross Perot and Pentagon lawyer Tom Carhart, who called it "a black trench that scars the Mall." As a compromise, a statue of three soldiers was added nearby. In 1993, another sculpture featuring a trio of female figures caring for a wounded soldier was erected to recognize the 265,000 women, including military nurses, who served in the conflict. (A total of roughly 9 million U.S. military personnel served on active duty in Vietnam between Aug. 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.) Today, the entire site is one of the most-visited monuments in Washington.

 Annys Shin


Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall in New York earlier this year. (Mathieu Bitton)

Comedian Dave Chappelle's mention of the D.C. Public Schools during the 2017 Emmy Awards in September was the sort of absurd eruption that live television and the Internet love. As he and Melissa McCarthy strayed off script before presenting an award  after Chappelle himself had already scored an Emmy a week prior for his post-election appearance on "Saturday Night Live"  Chappelle told the audience, "Now I'm going to read this teleprompter. Please forgive me. Shout-out to D.C. Public Schools." John Oliver soon picked up on the random reference ("Like Dave Chappelle, I would like to unexpectedly thank D.C. Public Schools because I think it would be great if it started trending on Twitter for no reason tonight whatsoever")  and the next thing America knew, #DCPublicSchools was indeed trending across social media. The school system deftly responded with its own tweet of a little girl looking cutely astonished.

The aside may have seemed casual, but Chappelle, 44, is in fact deeply devoted to the D.C. public school that he graduated from in 1991: the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Less than two weeks after the Emmys, when he was in town for a series of stand-up shows at the Warner Theatre, Chappelle took the opportunity to visit Ellington. I thought it was a good chance to explore how a D.C. school may have helped shape one of the great comic artists of our time.

Chappelle has been returning to Ellington since early in his career. From his first breaks in television and film through the creation of the groundbreaking Chappelles Show in the early 2000s and his periodic comedy specials since, he has stayed in touch with teachers and classmates. Hes a financial supporter of the school, which must raise $500,000 a year for its specialized arts curriculum. Two years ago, he gave the commencement address.

[Dave Chappelle gets serious about his alma mater]

This time, students filled the state-of-the-art theater of the newly remodeled building, waiting for Chappelle. They started scream-cheering as he pulled up a stool onstage. Im not going to lie to you: I hated school, he said. The students hooted appreciatively at this off-message crack in the presence of star-struck school and city officials, who had just handed Chappelle the key to the city.

However, he continued, after he graduated and almost immediately enjoyed success, he began to appreciate what Ellington did for him. And as a token of thanks, he said he had brought a gift. The students screams exploded again when they saw the golden trophy: Chappelles Emmy. I want you guys to have this, just so you know that even though the odds are wildly against it, this can happen for you, he said. And every once in a while, you guys take a look at it, and just know that I started earning this Emmy at this school.



Chappelle presents his alma mater, Washingtons Duke Ellington School of the Arts, with the Emmy he won this year. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Chappelle's path to Ellington was indirect. He grew up in Silver Spring, Md.; Yellow Springs, Ohio; and Capitol Hill, spending time in his parents' separate homes after their marriage ended when he was young. His late father, William David Chappelle III, was a music professor and social activist, and his mother, Yvonne Seon, was a pioneer in establishing African American studies as a university discipline. When he moved back to Washington to attend high school, he started at Eastern, but he was having trouble adjusting. And he wanted to get out.

His mother bought him a Time magazine with Bill Cosby on the cover, which inspired him, at 14, to plot a career as a comedian. For him it was a calling, Seon told me. I knew that was the direction he wanted to go in, and I was going to support him to find his way. She urged him to visit comedy clubs, where an older comedian told him that to become a comedian he should study acting. After less than a year at Eastern, he and his mother decided he should transfer to Ellington. He almost blew his audition for the theater department, though, when he forgot parts of his monologue. As he recalled during his recent visit to the school, one of the audition judges asked why he wanted to act. I dont want to act, he replied. I want to be a comedian.

When young Chappelle crossed the portico of the historic school for the first time, he found himself in a new world. This was the pinnacle of my formal education, Chappelle told me after his address to the students. He never attended college. I was really oddly prepared for what I faced once I got out of high school. A lot of it just had to do with them cultivating confidence in taking risks in artistic expression, which is not an easy thing to do, and in the context of today is becoming increasingly more difficult. To express yourself freely without fear of repercussions.

Chappelle mentioned classes that had an impact, including non-arts courses in subjects such as D.C. history and street law, and a workshop on how to engage with police officers. He took classical acting, modern acting, improvisation, technical theater and script analysis. But rather than detailing specific life-changing epiphanies, he circled back to a broader spirit of support that he felt in the Ellington environment.

Just becoming more broadly culturally aware, he said. It kind of unpacked me out of whatever box that I was in and put me in proximity with different walks of life. ... There was an idea that people were very invested and interested in our well-being that was ingrained in the culture of the school. And I think the students were actually invested in one anothers well-being.

One factor in his Ellington preparation seems mundane, yet he referred to it both in his speech and during a tour of the building, as if it might be key: the long hours. Students take traditional high school courses until early afternoon, then pursue one of eight arts majors until about 5 p.m. Rehearsals, exhibitions and productions typically keep them at school into the night. "Years later," he said in his address to the students, "when I had my own television show and I was working 16-hour days, it felt easy to me because I had school days longer than that."

Former teachers and classmates are left to sift for their own clues as to how Ellington helped mold Chappelle. The image of the tall and skinny teen donning tights to play a prancing horse in a daring production of "Macbeth" set in Haiti remains vivid. "He did not delude himself to believe he was going to be the next Macbeth," says Tia Powell Harris, who taught in the theater department at the time and now is chief executive of Ellington. "After all, he was the horse. But he knew that the training and preparation that came out of that experience were going to serve the thing that he did want to do. And he was very clear about what he did want to do. He was very good about taking what he needed and leaving the rest behind."

After full days at Ellington, Chappelle spent many nights at clubs such as the Comedy Cafe and Garvins. These were like internships that the self-starter arranged for himself. His mother chaperoned. He joked about Jesse Jackson running for president and ALFs spaceship landing in a black neighborhood.

Harris caught his act one night. It was these kernels of ideas made big, she recalls. I thought I was going to be rolling over laughing ... and I wasnt, because half the time I was thinking. She saw a certain professionalism, a command of the stage and a rapport with the audience that she considered an Ellington stamp.

By day, Chappelles teachers could sense an idiosyncratic mind at work. He was interested in the thing that makes something happen, the motivation behind things, says Donal Leace, whose theater history class was a freewheeling forum for students to try out monologues and scenes. Years later, in tribute to one of his favorite teachers, Chappelle brought a camera crew back to Leaces classroom to film a scene for Chappelles Show.

One of Chappelles chores as an underclassman was to sweep the stage. I noticed him because he was paying attention, says Tracie Jenkins, a senior at the time. Usually when youre the freshman in there, youre sweeping the stage to get it over with and goodbye. But he was checking in and listening and observing. So you felt him when you were in rehearsal.

Chappelle has the same memory, from his point of view: I used to watch the seniors dance and all that stuff. It inspired me. And made me want to do better. And we all pushed each other in a real friendly and loving way.

Jenkins, who is now director of arts at Ellington, saw Chappelle when he hit New York, where, just months after graduation, he made it into some of the hottest comedy clubs. "He owned the stage and everybody in the room," Jenkins recalls. "From sweeping the stage to owning the stage."

We dont make the stars here, Harris says. They come with something, and we give them the technique and creative freedom and the humanity to do that thing. ... Dave came with something, and we gave him what we could. I would tend to believe that he would have kept going in that direction even if he hadnt come to Ellington. But we readied him for an immediate jump into that place.



On his tour through the school, Chappelle views a painting by student Jada Michelle Logan Smith, center. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

A few hours after seeing Chappelle speak at Ellington, I watched him perform at the Warner. In the tradition of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, he is fundamentally a storyteller. "We learned a particular way of doing it at Ellington," Jenkins would tell me. "There are all of these pieces and parts that you have to have in building a story that I have definitely seen in his work."

He started the show by saying that, for inspiration, he writes punchlines on scraps of paper and keeps them in a jar. When he needs new material, hell pull out a punchline and write a joke to go with it. To illustrate, he gave an example so unprintable and disturbing that it was inconceivable to imagine what the setup could possibly be.

Nearly an hour later, the performance reached its emotional peak when Chappelle asked for those not born in the United States to raise their hands. He was about to give a history lesson, probing the motivation behind the things that happen  just as Leace remembered him doing in high school. Addressing himself to a Pakistani woman, he proceeded to tell the story of Emmett Till, whose murder and legacy he got around to relating in a mind-bending Chappellian way to the election of Donald Trump. He ended not just the lesson but the entire show with the same profane punchline that he had planted in the beginning  and it worked, in its own shocking way. Only then did it become clear that the entire evening was one long story about making comedy, inlaid with smaller stories about Chappelles America.

Earlier that day, after his speech, Chappelle had strolled through Ellingtons light-filled atrium. Groups of students representing the schools artistic disciplines were stationed around the room to give quick demonstrations of their work. As he proceeded from station to station, Chappelle was treated to literary media students riffing on James Baldwin; theater majors updating Edgar Allan Poe; dancers fluttering in the spirit of Alvin Ailey; musicians jamming to Brahms, Miles Davis and (of course) Duke Ellington. More than once during these performances, Chappelle seemed transfixed, and I watched his face relax into a tender smile, as if he were seeing himself in these young people getting ready to make their own bold leaps.

David Montgomery is a staff writer for the magazine.

Email us at wpmagazine@washpost.com.

For more articles, as well as features such as Date Lab, Gene Weingarten and more, visit The Washington Post Magazine.

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Theres a new sign over the door at Hillyer Art Space. But an even bigger change is afoot inside the Dupont Circle carriage house where the gallery  now called IA&A at Hillyer in a nod to its parent organization, International Arts & Artists  is located. David Furchgott, IA&As president and founder, is retiring.

Im 70, says Furchgott, who created the nonprofit arts organization 22 years ago. Thats the record thats playing in the back of my mind. Im not 32 anymore. I cant operate on four hours of sleep anymore.

IA&A is poised to begin the search for its new president, which could take 18 months or more. Im not leaving tomorrow, Furchgott allows. But if somebody great popped up tomorrow, whos ready to go, and the board decided they wanted to do that, I would step aside, hopefully with a good amount of graciousness.

Conceived as a venue for organizing museum-scale traveling art exhibitions, IA&A also runs an international cultural-exchange program and operates a design studio that supports its own activities and those of other arts groups. It has arranged almost 100 shows at more than 400 museums worldwide.

Few of IA&As shows ever get seen in the Washington area, in part because theyre too large for the groups 1,040-square-foot exhibition space. Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair was recently on view at the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum. Another exhibition, spotlighting Filipino artist Luis Lorenzana, is scheduled to be shown at the American University Museum in 2020. But the ground-floor gallery, operating since 2006 in a courtyard behind the Phillips Collection and the Cosmos Club, is better known in local art circles than IA&A, whose offices are one flight up.

Were doing a lot of things that we havent tied tightly together, in the publics eye, Furchgott says of IA&As work. People who come here, by the hundreds, dont know what the organization is, and what our focus is.

Theres more to redefining the gallery than simply changing its name. The venue is known for exhibiting local artists, which will continue, but in recent months it has featured shows of Italian and Iranian art. The international focus was always planned, Furchgott notes, but curtailed by recession-era economic pressures.

In 2009, he recalls, we saw museums dropping off the face of the Earth, virtually  some of them on occasion with exhibitions that we had booked. We owed money because other people owed us money. Now were in very solid shape. Its a good time for passing on.

The new name also is compatible with potential expansion, Furchgott says. If we decide to open another exhibition space around town, which is always possible, it could be IA&A at wherever.

Hosting international exhibitions, and the larger crowds they draw, required a few of IA&As unseen changes: renovating the buildings exterior and the imminent replacement of its air-conditioning and humidity-control systems. Both were partly funded by grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Recently, weve gotten a huge increase in the people who are showing up for the First Fridays. Ranging over the course of an evening from 500 to 800 people, Furchgott says. Nearly 1,400 people attended the event the gallery staged as part of Septembers citywide Art All Night program.

Furchgott admits with a laugh that hes not sure whats driving the bigger turnouts. One of the reasons its time for me to retire is that I havent figured out millennials yet. Im not sure that other people have either.

We get a large number of young people, he adds. If I engage them individually, they are interested in art . . . and they seem to be somewhat knowledgeable. But when I look at the crowds  not just here, any openings I go to  people are engaged with each other.

Furchgott says he wont leave an agenda for his successor. But among the things he thinks IA&A might do is create support systems for local artists and acquire a warehouse so the organization could add to its own holdings. It now owns only the 374 tool-related artworks collected by John Hechinger, whose family started what was once Washingtons leading building-supply retailer.

Potentially, IA&A might operate a sort of art bank that would support its touring shows and contain pieces available for loan to other institutions. Too many museums, Furchgott suggests, have too much of their art in storage rather than on display.

If IA&As next president doesnt begin an art bank, though, Furchgott says thats fine with him.

My legacy is the creation of the organization, not what its going to be doing in the future. And Im happy with that.


So many people think that Washington D.C. is broken, said Rep. Pete Aguilar D-Calif.), right, talking with Rep. Scott Taylor R-Va.), center, at Anheuser-Buschs Brew Across America event on Capitol Hill. But what they dont see is that we actually do get along with each other. (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post)

They mingled in a stately hall near Capitol Hill, a sea of dark suits and lanyards and sensible heels under glowing strands of white lights. Staffers, journalists and Beltway insiders grazed on elegant appetizers (date-and-gorgonzola-stuffed pears, anyone?) and sipped craft beers created by the nights celebrity brewmasters: nine sitting members of Congress  five Republicans and four Democrats.

It was an oddly festive scene Wednesday night at the inaugural Brew Across America hosted by Anheuser-Busch: Just one day after Democrats claimed key electoral victories across the country that were viewed as a referendum on a Republican president, once again exposing the deep divide between and within the political parties, here was a vast crowd of lawmakers and political staffers clinking glasses in seeming harmony.

Then again, it did seem as if everyone on the Hill was ready for a drink.

Im feeling great! Im excited, said Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), co-creator of a fruity IPA dubbed the Oh Beatty Berry Brew, hours before the competition was to take place.

Ive had better nights, said Rep. Scott W. Taylor (R-Va.), whose staffers helped him craft an oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookie-flavored stout that he said was sure to be the winner of the competition.

In a capital rocked by scandal, federal investigations, combative tweeting and contentious elections, there are still certain lighthearted, lobbyist-sponsored bipartisan traditions that have carried on seemingly unscathed: The Animal Health Institutes Pet Night reception. The American Meat Institutes hot dog lunch. The International Dairy Foods Associations Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party. And now, an aisle-crossing brewing contest that organizers hope will join the ranks of those annual festivities. The beer conglomerate used the event to help promote one of its favored charities, Folds of Honor, a scholarship fund for relatives of fallen or disabled service members.



Rep. Joyce Beatty's D-Ohio) serves up her Oh Beatty Berry Brew at the event, organized to promote one of Anheuser-Buschs favored charities, Folds of Honor. (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post)

Hey, this might be the only safe, shared terrain we have left. Who doesnt like hot dogs? Or actual dogs? Or booze?

Looking for some deeper meaning here? Well, Anheuser-Busch touted a poll it conducted last year that showed that two-thirds of U.S. voters think the political system would work better if lawmakers discussed serious issues facing the country over beers in a friendly setting.

Thats a dreamy idea, right? said Doug Bailey, the companys vice president of industry affairs. But thats at our core. Beer is all about bringing people together, and who needs coming together more than folks in Washington, D.C., right now?

Beatty liked the idea  even if she couldnt resist a jab at the commander in chief.

If you have a country thats going to be mean-spirited and is going to be controlled by one person without engaging in bipartisan politics, people understand that thats just not right, she said. So I think events like this, I think theyre great. It allows you to see a different side of another member, it allows you to learn about their district and the people they serve, and even the type of beers that they like to drink. . . . And then maybe we can find at least one or two things to work on together.



Brayden Murphy and Haley Brady taste the Oh Beatty Berry Brew by Rep. Joyce Beatty. (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post)

Taylor agreed, though with a slightly different take.

"Considering the division in the country and the divisive rhetoric on both sides," he said emphatically, "there's probably nothing better than to have a fun event like this, with a little beer."

He paused, then laughed: "Not too much beer, because then it might turn into something bad. But just a little beer, that's great."

By the time the judging was underway shortly before 7 p.m., the hall was packed with staffers sipping beers and snapping selfies in front of banners emblazoned with the hashtag #BrewDemocracy.

Roland Foster, senior policy adviser for Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), stood near a table of hors doeuvres with Andrew Dockham, staff director and chief counsel of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Joe Donoghue, veteran legislative director for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

We need more of these things, Donoghue said.



Susan Davis, a judge for the competition, samples the Stars and Stouts beer brewed by Rep. Barry Loudermilk R-Ga.) (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post)

I think beer is the only thing we have bipartisan agreement on at the moment, Foster said.

Its much easier to talk about things over a beer, Dockham added.

But Donoghue, a Senate veteran of 30 years, insisted that things arent really as bad as theyre made out to be.

I have friends who are Democrats and Republicans who Ive known a long time, and Im as close to them now as I was five, 10 years ago, he said. There is plenty of disagreement in Washington, he allowed, but the conventional wisdom about it is a little overblown, a little overhyped.

Meanwhile, as the judging panel of beer industry savants and journalists (including a Washington Post reporter, but not this one) made its way through the nine tasting stations, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) raised objections to the gentleman from Virginias brew branding approach.

Hes trying to buy peoples love by giving away chocolate chip cookies, Aguilar said of Taylors entry. I disagree with that. I think the beer should speak for itself. The two congressmen laughed and joked together in front of the cameras; the jabs remained focused on the contest at hand.

So many people think that Washington, D.C., is broken. But what they dont see is that we actually do get along with each other, Aguilar said. And events like this really reinforce that.

The upshot of this camaraderie? Aguilar hinted that maybe Taylor can co-sponsor the Dream Act with me. Really? He shrugged. But thats not the main reason Im here tonight. And giving him a hard time is just fun.



Rep. Al Lawson D-Fla.), left applauds Rep. Jason Smith R-Mo.) for his first-place finish. Lawson competed with his Florida Sunshine Stout. (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post)

Ultimately, Beattys brew came in third place. Aguilars IPA finished second. And, to enthusiastic applause, Rep. Jason T. Smith (R-Mo.) walked away with the inaugural Brew Democracy Brewing Cup for his Gateway IPA. The contestants congratulated one another onstage as cameras flashed, capturing a brief glimpse of across-the-aisle cheer.

And then  though the music kept blaring, and the beers were free until 10 p.m.  the crowd gradually began to thin. It was a weeknight, after all. They grabbed their coats and headed for the doors, the fading strains of Journeys Dont Stop Believin  trailing behind them into the cold night.
Puerto Rico Education Secretary Julia Keleher, left, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello, middle, and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos tour the Loaiza Cordero School in San Juan, one of many that remains shuttered because of storm damage from Hurricane Maria. (Puerto Rico Education Department)

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday visited schools in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands where Hurricanes Maria and Irma battered schoolhouses and shut students out of classes for weeks.

Federal education officials have been in communication with administrators on the island territories, aiding with logistical issues and helping them connect with schools on the mainland that are receiving their students.

DeVos met with Puerto Rico Education Secretary Julia Keleher and Governor Ricardo Rossello to discuss how the Education Department might help the schools there, some of which have been closed since Hurricane Maria made landfall in mid-September.

The trio visited Loaiza Cordero Elementary in San Juan, a school badly damaged by the storm. Rainwater seeped into classrooms and sewage backed up onto an outdoor patio, leaving a dark stain, Keleher said. She said she hopes DeVos recognized the challenge of opening all of the islands schools when so many face critical damage.

Its a significant challenge to overcome, Keleher said. But the spirit is there.

The islands education department has opened 614 of the 1,113 schools in Puerto Rico, but the vast majority do not have electricity. The department said 44 of the schools are so badly damaged they will probably be shut down. Their students, at least for this year, will be transferred to other schools.

The school system faces other challenges: The storm spurred many more families to leave the island, taking their children with them. Keleher estimates about 14,000 students have left. About 6,000 have enrolled in Florida schools alone.

The island is home to one of the nations largest and poorest school systems. Before Hurricane Maria landed, 347,000 students attended schools scattered across the island.

The school system was beleaguered by financial difficulties long before Hurricane Maria hit. As an economic crisis deepened, families left Puerto Rico, taking their children with them, and the school system has lost about 18,000 students over the last year. As the island grappled with a deepening debt crisis, Keleher moved to close 179 schools to save $7 million.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, DeVos visited Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas and the University of the Virgin Islands. Schools on the islands only started to reopen in early October, when they were able to get generators.

In 2014, about 14,000 students were enrolled in schools on the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The U.S. Virgin Islands suffered some of the worst damage on American soil from the storms, taking significant hits from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Princeton University in New Jersey has one of the nations largest endowments. (Mark Makela for The Washington Post)

Higher education leaders are mobilizing against a House Republican proposal to tax the endowments at dozens of private schools, including Ivy League universities and liberal arts colleges in the nations heartland.

A provision in the sweeping tax-overhaul bill expected to come to a vote soon in the Republican-led House would impose a 1.4 percent excise tax on investment income at private schools with endowments worth at least $250,000 per full-time student.

About 60 to 70 private schools could be affected, analysts have found. They include big names such as Princeton, Harvard and Stanford universities and some that are lesser known, including Agnes Scott, Berea and Grinnell colleges.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) said this week that the provision aims to put endowments of those nonprofit colleges and universities on equal footing with private foundations that are also taxed. College and university leaders say that comparison is unjustified because colleges and foundations have different missions. They fear that a new tax could drain essential funds and deter potential donors.

[House GOP trims total of colleges targeted for new endowment tax]

Were deeply concerned about it and think it could be very damaging to the excellence of higher education in America, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber said. He said Princetons $22 billion endowment is a crucial source of funding for financial aid and other operating expenses. Theres a basic principle at stake here. You should not tax charity to raise revenue.

Congressional analysts estimate that the proposal would raise nearly $3 billion over a decade.

From time to time, Congress has scrutinized the endowments that colleges have amassed through generations of fundraising and investment. Skeptics often ask why wealthy schools hoard cash while middle-class families strain to cover ever-rising tuition bills.

Colleges have a ready answer: They say their endowments actually help contain the cost of higher education, providing a steady source of money for salaries, research, financial aid and other expenses. Large portions of endowments are restricted to uses that donors stipulate. The money also helps colleges weather ups and downs in economic cycles. And, of course, endowment values can be volatile. Some plummeted in the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

At Grinnell, the $1.6 billion endowment provides more than half of annual operating funds. The liberal arts college in rural Iowa spends $50 million a year on financial aid and has an economically diverse student body. Federal data shows that 90 percent of its 1,700 undergraduates receive grants or scholarships. The proposed tax could siphon away at least $1.5 million a year, Grinnell President Raynard S. Kington said.

Its a crude instrument thats going to have a lot of collateral damage, he said. Kington said he has written Iowas congressional delegation  mostly Republicans  to urge them to drop the endowment tax.

At Berea, the $1 billion endowment enables the Kentucky college to cover tuition for all of its roughly 1,600 students. More than four-fifths of Berea students have enough financial need to qualify for federal Pell grants. The college estimates it would have to pay the federal government about $1 million a year if the excise tax is approved, enough to cover tuition for about 30 students.

The unintended consequence of some of the proposed revenue provisions, if enacted, would represent very appreciable burdens on the college and its commitment to providing a no-tuition education to students who could not otherwise afford to attend college, Berea President Lyle Roelofs said. He has made his case against the tax to the Kentucky congressional delegation, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), a Ways and Means committee member, applauds Bereas model. He said he would support an exception to the tax for schools that use a large percentage of endowment funds for financial aid.

This is a start to the process, he said Wednesday of the tax proposal. There needs to be some accountability with where the money is going. There is a culture of excess, a culture of abuse, and we really need to put a spotlight on it. People deserve to know where the money is going. This is tax-free money were talking about.

Many colleges oppose the endowment tax and other provisions in the tax bill that they say are likely to deprive colleges of revenue or drive up costs for students, including a proposal to eliminate a student loan interest deduction. The American Council on Education and 45 other education groups sent the Ways and Means Committee a letter this week expressing "grave concerns" with the bill. The committee plans to send the bill soon to the House floor.

Officials at several affected schools were reluctant to speak publicly against the endowment tax, aware that perceptions about their wealth can be a political disadvantage. Some said they are working behind the scenes to block the proposal in the GOP-led Senate.

Susan I. Fitzgerald, associate managing director at credit rating agency Moodys Investors Service, said the proposed tax could prove painful for some schools.

It really adds budgetary pressure to those schools that are dependent on endowment income, she said. If the tax were to go through, the question becomes how will those schools make up the difference. Would they raise tuition? Cut spending?
A look at what became of the corridors in the city that saw the most riot damage in the aftermath of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Pictured, a view toward the northeast corner of Seventh and P streets NW. (Unknown/The Washington Post)

Columnist

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the riots that erupted in Washington after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It also will mark the 50th anniversary of a fascinating, if ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to rebuild some of the frayed bonds between the city's black residents and its police officers. Or maybe it was trying to build some nonexistent bonds.

It was called the Pilot District Project, and if you remember it, a District museum wants to hear from you.

"I know there are people in town who were around then who either remember the Pilot District Project because they thought it was helpful, maybe, or because they remember it as a joke," said Sarah Leavitt, curator at the National Building Museum.

In March, the building museum and the Historical Society of Washington will open an exhibit on the PDP.

What was the PDP? Well, Washington has often been used as a policy petri dish, and this $2 million experiment grew out of the Office of Economic Opportunity, one of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society projects.

It was obvious that a pervasive mistrust between residents and the police permeated many D.C. neighborhoods. The PDP aimed to involve citizens in policing, get more cops out of their cars and onto the sidewalks, institute sensitivity training and encourage black candidates to enter the police academy. The PDP was planted in what was then the 13th Precinct, a large swath of downtown that included the 14th Street corridor.

From the start, problems arose. The plan called for an elected citizens board, and this process was fraught with tension.

As part of the project, the OEO commissioned a documentary and several training films. The documentary  "The People and the Police"  was shelved, but you can find it on the National Archives website. It makes for fascinating, if at times uncomfortable, viewing. Some white police officers come across almost as invaders. Some black residents describe the police as "pigs."

As a dashiki-wearing community leader in the film puts it: Everybody and his mother knows that the police is the number-one problem in America.

Less than a decade later, that man would oversee the city's police department. He was Marion Barry.

If you have firsthand memories of the PDP  or if your attic or basement holds material like fliers or posters  send an email to Sarah at sleavitt@nbm.org.

The golden bowl

People feel strongly about their breakfast cereal. I know, because I heard from many of them after Tuesdays column on new Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios. Some readers said they miss the sweet cereals of their youth  Puffa Puffa Rice, for example. Others are happy with their All-Bran Original.

Or would be if they could find it. Joe Keyerleber of the District reports that the Kellogg's brand is impossible to find. "[It] seems to be completely out of stock, and has been for at least several months," he wrote.

[Et tu, Cheerios? The breakfast cereal now comes in chocolate peanut butter flavor.]

Online, boxes of All-Bran Original fetch as much as $15. On its website, Kelloggs explains that the company is experiencing a disruption in our production schedule.

I wondered whether the vast bran mines of the Midwest are tapped out. Should we turn to the Strategic Bran Reserve? Kelloggs says All-Bran Buds and All-Bran Complete Flakes are still around.

Kellogg's spokeswoman Kris Charles would not divulge exactly what's going on, but in an email she wrote that the shortage began over the summer, adding that "we are so glad to report that we are replenishing supplies now and should be back on [shelves] at normal levels before the end of the year."

Meanwhile, Jim Zaiser of Bowie, Md., pines for his cereal of choice, Grape-Nuts Flakes. His local Giant stocks regular GN, but not GNF. Jim is convinced that the myriad flavors of Honey Bunches of Oats are crowding out his beloved Grape Nut Flakes, like an invasive species.

I have complained to my local Giant store and also sent several emails to Post imploring them to provide at least one row of Grape-Nuts Flakes among the myriad rows of HBoOs, all to no avail, he wrote. He has to drive several miles to another Giant that is in the flake zone.

Finally, my old colleague Steve Fehr of Reston, Va., has a theory why manufacturers such as General Mills are coming out with chocolate and peanut butter versions of old favorites. Wrote Steve: "Part of me thought that the company is responding to the growth in legal weed and trying out new flavors for late-night snacks."

Is it only a matter of time before we see Marijuanios?

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
THE DISTRICT

Man is found deadin burning SUV

A man who was found dead in a burning sport-utility vehicle in Northeast Washington on Tuesday night is believed to have been reported missing in Maryland, D.C. police said.

Authorities said they had tentatively identified the victim but did not make his name public, saying they are awaiting confirmation from forensic tests by the medical examiners office.

A D.C. police spokesman said that foul play is not suspected.

Police and firefighters found the 2013 Toyota Highlander about 11:30 p.m. on railroad tracks east of Route 295 at Benning Road, behind the Deanwood Metro Station.

According to a police report, the vehicle was on fire and a man was found inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the fire was under investigation Wednesday.

 Peter Hermann

VIRGINIA

Man jumps out of bush, grabs woman

A woman was walking in Woodbridge when a stranger jumped out of a bush and grabbed her, authorities said.

The assault happened just before 7 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Walnut and Sycamore streets in Prince William County.

The woman broke away from the assailant and ran to a business. Police were called, and the women was taken to a hospital.

Police are investigating the incident.

 Dana Hedgpeth

THE REGION

Mystery of Md. zoos

baby giraffe is solved

Four months after a baby giraffe died at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, scientists said they now have a clue as to why its health was so troubled in its short life, officials said.

A necropsy done by doctors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital found that the giraffe calf, named Julius, had lesions on the left side of his brain.

Juliuss health worsened shortly after he was born in mid-June. Zookeepers found that he could not nurse, meaning that he was unable to get needed antibodies from his mothers milk to build his immune system. Zookeepers tried other ways to help and care for him, even using a bottle.

About a month after Julius was born, veterinarians decided to euthanize him.

Experts knew that something was wrong with Julius shortly after he was born and had trouble nursing and gaining weight. They didnt know of the lesions on his brain until the necropsy.

He would never be a healthy giraffe, Mike McClure, general curator at the Maryland Zoo, told the Baltimore Sun, which first reported on the lesions.

 Dana Hedgpeth
Former Prince Georges County state delegate Aisha N. Braveboy on Thursday launched her campaign to become the suburbs next top prosecutor, setting off a head-to-head contest with another longtime elected official in the June 2018 Democratic primary.

Braveboy, who ran unsuccessfully for Maryland attorney general in 2014, declared her candidacy for states attorney at a District Heights union hall.

She will compete for the nomination  which in Prince Georges is tantamount to winning the general election  against state Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-Prince Georges), 43, who announced his run in September.

Incumbent Angela Alsobrooks (D), who has served two terms as state's attorney, is running for county executive.

Braveboy, 43, is a native Prince Georgian who graduated from county public schools, attended the University of Maryland at College Park and obtained her law degree from Howard University School of Law.



State Sen. Victor Ramirez is also seeking the Democratic nomination for states attorney. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

She won her first political race in 2006, filling the House of Delegates seat vacated by Anthony G. Brown after he was tapped to serve as lieutenant governor.

During her time in Annapolis, Braveboy shepherded legislation to combat domestic violence, curb mass incarceration, and protect homeowners from lending practices that led to the foreclosure crisis and contributed to the collapse of the Prince George's housing market. She also chaired the Legislative Black Caucus.

In 2014, Braveboy  who was not well funded or well known outside Prince George's  jumped into a three-way Democratic primary for state attorney general, along with then-Del. Jon S. Cardin and then-state Sen. Brian E. Frosh, the eventual winner.

Although Braveboy won just 1 in 5 votes statewide, she was immensely popular in her home county, carrying Prince George's with 46 percent of the vote. After the 2014 elections, she said many Democrats stayed home and did not participate because they felt disconnected from the political process.

Braveboys primary rival, Ramirez, is also an attorney who was raised in Prince Georges County. He has served in the state legislature since 2003 and was the first Latino elected to the senate.

Ramirez, who was born in El Salvador, has spent his career advocating legislatively for immigrants, pushing for measures that provided drivers licenses to undocumented residents and extended in-state tuition to students who are in this country illegally.

He most recently helped lead a failed attempt to pass the Maryland Trust Act, which would codify limits to the states cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The 40-foot World War I memorial cross in Bladensburg, Md. A ruling by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit concluded the memorial "excessively entangles the government in religion." (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun/AP)

A cross-shaped monument, known as the Peace Cross, in Prince Georges County has created anything but peace between Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and Democrat Brian E. Frosh.

On Wednesday, Frosh said in a letter to the governor he had not decided whether to file an amicus brief, as directed by Hogan, in the federal court's ruling that the monument, which sits on public land, is unconstitutional. Instead, he said he would continue to monitor the situation.

Froshs letter resulted in a strong rebuke from Hogan.

Frosh also took a swipe at the governor for not responding to his multiple requests seeking his advice and comment on legal actions the attorney generals office has taken against President Trumps administration on health care, education, immigration and the environment.

All of these actions by the Trump administration, as well as many others brought to your attention by this office, are illegal, Frosh wrote. Yet you have not responded to any of my letters seeking your comment or input. Nor have you lifted your voice in any meaningful way to protect our constituents from President Trumps reckless, lawless actions. We would welcome your support in these matters in which the health, safety and well-being of Marylanders are at stake.

Hogan, who has called the court's decision "an affront to veterans" that "should not be allowed to stand," directed Frosh last month to support a legal challenge against the ruling.

In a letter responding to Frosh on Wednesday, Hogan said the filing deadline for the brief was Wednesday.

The state of Maryland may have lost its only opportunity to be heard in this case, which has implications beyond the Peace Cross, Hogan wrote. It is fundamentally inconsistent with your constitutional and ethical duties to the State to wait until the day of a deadline to suggest that you do not intend to perform as instructed. Your failure in this instance is a dereliction of these duties and a disservice to all Marylanders.

Raquel Coombs, a spokeswoman for Frosh, said nearly 40 briefs have been filed in the case and Frosh will continue to review the matter. She added that Hogan has filed briefs on his own in other legal actions and could have filed it himself if it was that important to him.

Hogan spokeswoman Amelia Chasse dismissed Frosh's criticism that Hogan has not weighed in on issues dealing with the Trump administration. She pointed out that Hogan has vocally opposed several efforts by Trump and congressional Republicans, including the elimination of President Barack Obama's federal health-care law. Chasse also noted that earlier this year, the Democratic-majority General Assembly gave Frosh the authority to move forward in federal lawsuits without needing the governor's approval.

Asking the governor to weigh in on something he no longer has any authority over shows that this entire action was about politics, not substance, Chasse said. The governor will continue to speak out against actions he believes will hurt Marylanders, whether at the federal or state level.
Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Thursday that he plans to propose legislation during the 2018 legislative session to eliminate state taxes on all retirement income for military veterans.

Not only is this a deserved benefit for those who have served our country, this bill will also make Maryland more competitive with other states in our region that already offer this benefit, Hogan said in a news conference the day before the federal holiday for Veterans Day.

The proposal would be an expansion of a current tax credit for veterans. Two years ago, the General Assembly passed legislation that increased the tax exemption on military pensions from $5,000 to $10,000.

Hogan proposed exempting all military retirement income from state taxes in 2015 and 2016, but the General Assembly did not approve those bills.

In 2018, the governor said he plans to push the heck out to get it done.

Hogan declined to say how much the tax cut he was proposing would cost. Legislative aides say previous proposals were projected to cost $100 million over four fiscal years.

At the news conference, Hogan said he was "outraged" over what he called "disturbing" results in a recent audit of graduation rates in Prince George's County.

An investigation found that nearly 5,500 students in the school district during the past two years had their grades changed in the days before graduation.

The 211-page report pointed to problems in grading and student absenteeism but did not find that tampering was ordered by the school districts leadership, including schools chief executive Kevin Maxwell.

Maxwell has called the probe political but also said the school system would take appropriate disciplinary action as needed and problems would be corrected with a sense of urgency.

Hogan said the countys response so far doesnt seem urgent enough.

I was frankly not only outraged at the report findings but I was somewhat outraged at the response again by Prince Georges County that doesnt seem to want to take it seriously, Hogan said, answering a reporters question. They better start taking it much more serious.
Montgomery County Police at the scene of a homicide in the White Oak section of Silver Spring. (Dan Morse/The Washington Post)

A 50-year-old man accused of killing his fiancee in their Maryland townhouse choked her and, after seeing one of her hands move, held a pillow on her face for at least 30 seconds, a Montgomery County prosecutor said in court Wednesday.

He described himself as having snapped, Montgomery County Assistant States Attorney Deborah Feinstein said.

The defendant, Anthony Strong, was ordered to remain in jail on no-bond status. He is due in court again Dec. 1.

The victim, Chaunya Michalyn Blackwell, 43, was a native Washingtonian and real estate broker, according to friends and her Facebook profile. She died of blunt force trauma and asphyxia, the state medical examiner ruled Thursday.

She was always friendly, always laughing, always smiling, a close friend, Teresa Mozie, said Wednesday, adding that she never had the same feeling about Strong. He didnt have the happy spirit she had. He seemed controlling.

Strong and Blackwell lived together on Bradbury Manor Court in a tidy townhouse community in the White Oak section of Montgomery County, north of Washington.

It was from there, at about 6:46 a.m. Tuesday, that Strong called 911 and asked for police to come out because he had killed his fiancee, according to arrest records filed in the case.

A 911 dispatcher sent out a priority alert, describing the limited information provided by the caller. All he said is Its bad and then said, I killed her,  according to a recording of scanner traffic captured by Broadcastify.com.

The dispatcher added that authorities called Strong back and that he said where police could find him outside the home.

He said hes outside with his hand on the truck, that she spent all the money and that he snapped, and that he is crying now, the dispatcher said, adding that Strong was wearing a gray shirt and gray sweat pants. He is saying he doesnt have access to weapons. That he is outside, and then it looks like shes upstairs.

Officers arrived and handcuffed Strong without incident.

A neighbor, three doors down, recalled a surreal scene: The swarm of police cars in a neighborhood shes always known to be safe  with Strong hardly moving while handcuffed. He was completely calm, said the neighbor, Carol Gurin.

Police took Strong to their headquarters in Gaithersburg, where detectives interviewed him. He told them that the couple had argued the previous evening and that he had killed Blackwell, according to court papers filed by detectives.

In court Wednesday, Feinstein argued that he be held in jail  without bond  as his case proceeds through the court system. She described the extreme violence of the attack.

Strong strangled Blackwell, then put his thumbs in the victims eyes and gouged her eyes and, wanting to be certain she was dead, smothered her with the pillow, Feinstein said.

Theres an element of suffocation in addition to the strangulation, she said.

In court, Montgomery County Assistant Public Defender Leonard Addison did not address the allegations against Strong. But he spoke about Strongs limited record of violence and his work history, saying they should be weighed when considering whether Strong should receive a bond that would allow his release pending further court actions.

The only previous case that could possibly qualify as violent in Strongs history, Addison said, was a charge of battery from more than 20 years ago.

Addison said Strong had been working in the construction business for 29 years, most recently trying to launch his own business.

He had just started a new home renovation business that he had been getting off the ground for about a year and a half, Addison said.

Strong has five children, between the ages of 14 and 28, and pays child support, Addison said.

But District Judge Patricia Mitchell said there were too many factors weighing against Strong being released.

If indeed this was some incident where you just snapped because you were angry, she said, then I am concerned that something could happen again to another victim.
A 23-year-old Prince Georges County man has been arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Maryland state police said they charged Austin Whyte of Accokeek, Md., with nine counts of distribution and possession of child pornography. Whyte was arrested Wednesday at his home without incident, according to police.



Austin Whyte of Accokeek, Md., faces several charges related to child porn. (Courtesy of Maryland State Police)

The state polices Internet Crimes Against Children task force had a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child pornography from a specific Internet address. After an investigation, authorities found the home and issued a search warrant.

Authorities searched the home and electronic devices that belonged to Whyte and found multiple files of child pornography, police said in a statement.
D.C. police on Wednesday arrested a suspect in connection with the death of a 42-year-old woman who was found shot in March inside her residence in Southeast Washington.

Jordan Smith, 30, of no fixed address, was charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Police said the victim, Yashika Green, was found injured about 12:35 a.m. on March 1 in her residence in the 200 block of Wayne Place SE. She was taken to a hospital where police said she died on July 21.

Police announced the arrest on Thursday but did not offer any details about the suspect or a possible motive. Smith could make an initial appearance in D.C. Superior Court later Thursday, at which time additional details will be made public.
A second Libyan militant brought to the United States to face charges in the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, that killed ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans pleaded not guilty Thursday in Washington.

Mustafa al-Imam, 45, captured by U.S. Special Operations forces in Misurata, Libya, on Oct. 29, was ordered to remain in custody by U.S. Magistrate Deborah A. Robinson, as he has since being flown to the federal courthouse in Washington on Nov. 3.

Imam was indicted Thursday and faces up to life in prison if convicted on one count of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists resulting in death in the Sept. 11-12, 2012, attacks on a U.S. diplomatic compound and nearby CIA post. He was initially charged by sealed complaint on May 19, 2015.

[Thirteen days in the history of the accused leader of the Benghazi attacks]

Ahmed Abu Khattala, an accused ringleader of the attacks, is on trial in Washington, where an FBI agent said that while in custody after his capture in June 2014, Abu Khattala said he knew Imam from when both were imprisoned by Moammar Gaddafis regime.

The FBIs lead Benghazi agent, Michael M. Clarke, testified that Abu Khattala said Imam was carrying a map stolen from the U.S. diplomatic mission when both left the area after the attacks in the same vehicle.

Imams court-appointed defense lawyer, Matthew Peed, said Imam was a simple looter who knew Abu Khattala because they lived in the same neighborhood.

[U.S. captured Benghazi suspect in secret raid]

At least a dozen others are known to have been charged in sealed U.S. criminal complaints in connection with the Benghazi attacks, although none before Abu Khattala and Imam are known to have been apprehended.

[Meet Ahmed Abu Khattala, alleged ringleader of the Benghazi attack]
Brock Stone, a transgender sailor based out of Ft. Meade, speaks to reporters outside of federal court in Baltimore with his legal team. (Jason Andrew/For The Washington Post)

President Trumps proposed transgender military ban stigmatizes an entire group of people and probably is already having a negative effect on active-duty service members trying to plan for future military assignments, a federal judge said Thursday.

The comments from U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis came during a court hearing in Baltimore in one of four cases across the country brought by transgender service members challenging the administrations policy slated to take effect in March.

They are certainly suffering a stigma that exists by virtue of the presidents statements, Garbis said, later also referring to the order.

Attorneys for the six active-duty service members in Maryland are asking the judge to block the order, which would prohibit transgender men and women from enlisting, possibly subject current service members to discharge and deny certain medical care. The order reverses an Obama administration policy allowing transgender men and women to serve openly and to receive funding for sex-reassignment surgery.

Government lawyers said in court filings that the challenge is premature because the presidents policy is not yet in effect and is still being reviewed by the Defense Department. In the interim, the government said, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has made clear that no service members will be discharged or denied reenlistment solely because they are transgender.

The president did not decide to discharge all transgender people after March 23, said Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate. It is speculation built on speculation.

More broadly, Shumate said the court should not second-guess the president when it comes to military affairs.

The Maryland lawsuit initially was filed days after Trump formally ordered the Pentagon to ban the recruitment of openly transgender people. He had surprised military leaders and members of Congress in July when he abruptly announced the proposed ban in several tweets. In announcing the change, Trump said he was doing the military a great favor by coming out and just saying it.

As in other lawsuits challenging the presidents policies, Trumps words were used against him in court Thursday.

Taking the president at his word in his tweets and in his memo is not speculation, said American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Joshua Block, the lead attorney for the transgender service members. If you read the presidents words, it is clear what he means.

The hearing in federal court came one week after a judge in Washington sided with a separate group of transgender service members in issuing a preliminary injunction against the policy and saying that it does not appear to be supported by any facts.

Garbis rejected the governments request to put the Maryland case on hold pending its appeal in the D.C. lawsuit and focused his questions on the section of the presidents order that would halt government funding for sex-reassignment surgery.

Garbis did not indicate when he would rule, but he repeatedly used the word negative to characterize the impact of the order, particularly on service members seeking long-term assignments who have to worry that they may be canned under the new policy.

[Federal judge in D.C. blocks part of Trump's transgender military ban]

In the D.C. case, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote: There is absolutely no support for the claim that the ongoing service of transgender people would have any negative effect on the military at all. In fact, there is considerable evidence that it is the discharge and banning of such individuals that would have such effects.

Kollar-Kotelly, however, did not rule specifically on the provision that bars funding for medical care because she said none of the plaintiffs had shown they were likely to be affected.

In the Maryland case, Block told the court Thursday that two plaintiffs are in the process of trying to schedule transition-related surgical care and will not be able to receive surgery before the policys March start date.

Seated in the front of the courtroom Thursday was Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brock Stone, who is based at Fort Meade and has served in the Navy for 11 years, including a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. Stone has been receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is trying to schedule surgery related to sex reassignment in 2018, according to the lawsuit.

People have medical plans. They need to move forward with their lives, Block said.

But the government lawyer told the court that no one has yet been denied treatment and that it is too soon to say whether exceptions in the policy that allow for funding certain surgical procedures already underway would apply to the plaintiffs.

They may very well fall in that exception, Shumate said. I cant make any commitment.

Garbis seemed dissatisfied with the governments answer.

Youre not willing to say they will meet the exception? he asked.

[Trump directs Pentagon to implement ban on transgender service members]

Estimates vary widely about the number of transgender military members.

One recent study by the Rand Corp. put the number on active duty at about 2,500, while another from the Williams Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law estimated that there were 15,500 on active duty, in the National Guard and in the reserves. Eighteen other countries allow transgender troops to serve.
The latest version of President Trumps entry ban will face a pair of legal challenges in the span of a few days next month in federal appeals courts on opposite coasts.

The Richmond-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit announced this week it would consider the third iteration of Trumps travel order sitting with a full complement of judges on Dec. 8. Those arguments will come two days after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit is set to hear a separate challenge to the restrictions on U.S. entry before a three-judge panel in Seattle.

The third version of Trumps policy bars certain travelers who are citizens of Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. The administration said the revised restrictions came after a thorough review in which officials identified eight countries that were unwilling or unable to provide information needed to vet those seeking to travel to the United States.

Before the policy could take effect last month, a federal judge in Hawaii halted the ban for various immigrants and travelers from all but two of the countries  North Korea and Venezuela. U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson said the president had likely overstepped his authority when it comes to setting immigration policy.

The appeal at the 4th Circuit follows a more limited ruling last month from a federal judge in Maryland. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang stopped the administration from enforcing the ban only for those with close family or professional ties to a person or business in the United States. Chuang said that despite the revisions, the presidents own words  on the campaign trail and on Twitter  meant the policy was still effectively an unconstitutional ban on Muslims.

[Federal judge blocks Trump's third travel ban]

The twin cases being heard in December are the latest challenges to the administrations attempts to bar entry it says is needed for national security. Government officials rewrote the policy after judges found the ban to be discriminatory, based on religion in part by targeting travelers from majority-Muslim nations.

Both appellate courts have already ruled against the administration in challenges to the second version of the travel ban. The Supreme Court, however, vacated the decisions by the two appeals courts, meaning that the rulings are no longer on the books as precedent.

Even with the review and the revisions, Chuang wrote last month that the government offered no evidence, even in the form of classified information submitted to the Court, showing an intelligence-based terrorism threat justifying a ban on entire nationalities, and he asserted that even the new measure generally resembles President Trumps earlier description of the Muslim ban.

Justice Department lawyers said in court filings that Chuangs ruling threatens to disable the president permanently from addressing immigration-related national-security risks in countries that pose the greatest concern.

[Justice Department files notice of appeal to judge's block of travel ban]

At the 4th Circuit, the court announced Monday that it would again bypass the traditional three-judge panel and have a full set of judges review the challenge. Two judges  J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a Ronald Reagan nominee, and Allyson K. Duncan, a George W. Bush nominee  will not participate. Wilkinsons son-in-law, Jeffrey B. Wall, is a deputy solicitor general and argued the governments case last May. Duncan did not publicly elaborate on her recusal.

At the 9th Circuit, the case will be heard Dec. 6 by a panel made up of three judges  Michael Daly Hawkins, Ronald M. Gould and Richard A. Paez, who all were nominated to the court by Bill Clinton.

Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report.
A closed meeting of Task Group 1 in July, in Reston, Va. On Wednesday, in Seattle, the group offered a view into its work at a public meeting of the federal Drone Advisory Committee. (Reza A. Marvashti for The Washington Post)

Federal advisers met Wednesday to try to advance U.S. drone policy, with some offering concrete suggestions for opening the nations skies and others decrying months of dysfunction and mismanagement they say has tainted the advisory process and some of the materials being presented.

The meeting of the Drone Advisory Committee  whose charge is to advise the Federal Aviation Administration on the burgeoning industry  comes two weeks after President Trump signed a memorandum intended to broadly expand how drones are used in the United States using a new pilot program.

San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee (D), in a sharply worded letter distributed to the group headed by Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich, cited the lack of transparency and poor management of one of the committees subgroups. In January, the FAA gave that panel, known as Task Group 1, the difficult job of determining what role federal, state and local officials should play in regulating drones buzzing over communities at low altitudes.

There is a stark imbalance of perspectives and viewpoints favoring industry interests at the expense of local and state governments and members of the public, Lees letter said. Because the process was flawed, the recommendations produced by that process are also flawed.

[San Francisco mayors letter on drones]

The Washington Post reported last month that Task Group 1 has held months of confidential meetings, which some critics said could violate the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and that the proceedings had been riven by distrust and accusations of outsize industry influence.

A presentation prepared for Wednesdays meeting, posted on the advisory committee website and marked final, listed nine common principles developed by Task Group 1. But there was no consensus on four of those principles, participants said.

Those four  covering how drones could impact private property rights, how takeoffs and landings should be regulated, how altitude measurements might be taken, and the role of local governments in overseeing safe drone equipment and operations  were each, confusingly, listed a second time in the presentation as a common principle with an alternate opinion response.

That prompted Lee to allege that the work has been misrepresented.

A representative of RTCA, a contractor that manages the group for the FAA and bills itself as a public-private expert in developing consensus on aviation, declined to answer questions.

But responding to an outpouring of criticism from members of Task Group 1, RTCA created a second version of the final slide presentation for display at the session Wednesday, with clearer language listing Option 1 and Option 2 on principles where there was disagreement.

The damage was done, however.

[A U.S. drone advisory group has been meeting in secret for months. It hasnt gone well.]

This is not what a consensus process should be, Lee wrote. The ability to reasonably regulate to ensure public safety, privacy, and to minimize public nuisance are cornerstones of the role of local government, and the principles presented do not protect that cornerstone, he said.

After a top Lee aide read parts of the letter, Brendan Schulman, a lobbyist with Chinese drone manufacturer DJI who co-chairs Task Group 1, rejected the mayors critique. Schulman describes his leadership role as constructive and inclusive. The mayors letter couldnt be more wrong about the task group process, Schulman said in a statement. We have been welcoming of broad participation from the beginning.

The issues at stake are vast, touching on questions of federalism, surveillance and security  and an industry worth billions. While the federal government controls the nations navigable airspace, local officials have long had police powers over such crimes as voyeurism and control over land-use issues. Finding the balance between those without suppressing innovation or undercutting public safety has been a major challenge.

FAA Deputy Administrator Dan Elwell told the advisory committee, which was hosted by Amazon in Seattle, that Task Group 1 had been given a seemingly impossible task.

The lack of consensus with Task Group 1 was neither unexpected nor a fatal flaw. Congress itself couldnt reach agreement on many of the questions we asked of you, Elwell said.

Elwell said Task Group 1 will be reconstituted and given a new job away from policy and politics. Instead, it will be asked to provide the technical and operational recommendations we need to implement the pilot program Trump administration officials announced last month.

Under the pilot, states and localities, teamed with industry, can apply to do things with drones that are not generally allowed under FAA rules. Those include flying at night, over people or out of the range of what the operator can see.

[Trump administration to allow quick and dramatic expansion of drone use]

Elwell said the pilot will create a mechanism for the private sector and state, local and tribal governments to make experience-based and data-driven contributions to integrating drones.

An FAA official said Wednesday that 633 entities  among them cities, counties, academic institutions and emergency responders  have indicated they plan to apply for the pilot program.

Task Group 1 members have included Amazon, which is pursuing drone package delivery; Facebook, which is developing drones as part of an Internet service; American Airlines; which has assorted aviation industry interests; and representatives of state and local governments. (Amazon chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

One point of agreement amid the discord on the group was that a public process, including things such as hearings and notices, should be used to make sure any possible regulations are reasonable.

A second Drone Advisory Committee panel, Task Group 2, pushed forward Wednesday with its recommendations that the FAA create a program easing the way for companies to fly drones far beyond a controllers line of sight. Such operations are required for the kind of delivery services and other commercial efforts that have captured the imagination of industry.
STERLING, VA. - OCTOBER 30: Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) stumps for Virginias GOP on Oct. 30 in Sterling, Va. Gillespies loss, part of a Democratic wave, increases Comstocks re-election challenge next year. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

One year. Thats how long Rep. Barbara Comstock has to figure out how to protect herself from her constituents disdain for President Trump, borne out by a blue wave across Virginia during Tuesdays elections.

The only Northern Virginia Republican in Congress watched her friend Ed Gillespie lose the governor's race. Next, the Democrats wiped out seven GOP-held state delegate seats with whom she shares territory.

No one who knows Comstock is counting her out  shes a relentless campaigner and operative  but as the polls closed Tuesday night, a new reality set in: She could do everything right and still lose at the hands of Democratic voters bent on defeating anyone who shares a party affiliation with Trump.

"If I'm Barbara Comstock, I'm very worried, absolutely," Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in an interview during the Democrats' election night celebration. "Look at the turnout! I think every Republican is on notice tonight. This is what Donald Trump has done to their party."

Comstocks campaign points to her six-point win last year while sharing a ballot with Trump as evidence of her staying power. She also won more votes in 2016 in precincts that overlap with six of her GOP House of Delegates colleagues than they did Tuesday, according to her campaign. Democrats have continually underestimated and discounted Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and her accomplishments and depth and knowledge of her district and their priorities, said Ken Nunnenkamp, a campaign spokesman. Barbara has always overperformed, and that wont change in 2018.

Her district spans Washington suburbs, extends into rural counties along the West Virginia border and includes all of bellwether Loudoun County, where roughly half of the Democratic voters in the district reside.

Gov.-elect Ralph Northam won the county by 20 points, far more than McAuliffes four-point margin of victory in 2013, making it hard for some to see a path to reelection for Comstock if Democrats stay engaged.

[Reverting to quiet bedside manner, Northam says Virginia rejected Washingtons divisiveness]

The political environment would have to improve a lot for Republicans or the Democratic candidate would have to implode, said David Wasserman, who analyzes House races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Right now, shes a clear underdog.

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) surveyed the list of seven Northern Virginia Republicans who lost Tuesday and wondered how Comstock could survive what he termed a realignment election that could deliver Democrats the House of Delegates majority. Four of the contests are too close to call and will undergo a state-funded recount.

Democrats would make a big mistake underestimating my colleagues staying power and political skills, including her survival skill, he said. But sometimes, he said, the numbers you just cant deny.

Advice for Comstock poured in from Northern Virginia GOP observers, who agreed Tuesday's result is a warning shot to members of Congress from wealthy suburban districts.

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

Hold town halls, said Tom Davis, a former GOP congressman from Northern Virginia.

Comstock has avoided unscripted public forums with constituents who have spewed venom at her colleagues, such as Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.)

Face the music, Davis said. Youve got to let people scream at you a little bit, let them get it off their chest.

Del. Dave Albo (R-Fairfax), who did not seek reelection in part because he couldnt afford to support his family and put in the work needed to win in a competitive year, said Comstock should continue focusing on local issues and attending every ribbon cutting she can find. I dont think theres anything else she can do, he said. Shes just got to stay the course.

Pete Snyder, Gillespies campaign chair, said Comstock can combat the epic tsunami of this election by diving in heart first and working harder than anyone else.

Chris LaCivita, a GOP strategist, put it this way: One thing Barbara wont be is ill-prepared.

Republican supporters give Comstock credit for voting no on the House health-care bill and voting yes on maintaining an Obama-era practice of government funding gender-transition surgery. And she called the "Access Hollywood" tape "disgusting, vile, and disqualifying" for Trump.

Thats not enough for Democrats, including those in the nine-way contest to challenge her. Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-Loudoun), the only elected official running for the nomination, noted Comstock missed two recorded votes to join Trump in the Oval Office when he signed a bill she sponsored.

I have yet to hear Barbara Comstock stand up against Donald Trump on anything, she said Tuesday night from the Democrats victory party, where shellshocked volunteers struggled to absorb their unexpected gains. Taking a particular vote out of political expediency isnt the same as standing up for your constituents.

Alison Friedman, a McLean Democrat who is competing for the chance to challenge Comstock, debuted a new line of attack linking Comstock to Gillespie, who lost by nine points and turned off some voters by failing to criticize some of Trumps most provocative tweets and musings.

It was a bad night for Gillespie, and it was a bad night for Gillespies best friend, Barbara Comstock, she said. That race has proven that you cant equivocate on Donald Trump, and thats what shes done.

Activists galvanized by Trump's win rejoiced online and on Facebook pages.

Comstock, this district is going blue by big points . . . you are so screwed next year!

Where can we see the results? I have never been more interested in an election.

Fake news this.

Hard-right conservatives didn't overtly attack Comstock, who faces a nomination challenge from little-known candidate Shak Hill.

Asked about Comstocks 2018 fate, Del. Dave LaRock, one of the few Northern Virginia GOP delegates to survive Tuesday, said he was too busy to follow her record but spoke generally about federal lawmakers.

Promises made, results delivered, he said. Any member of Congress that deviated from that is probably going to have to answer for that.

Ominous warnings aside, Davis, the former congressman, said a year is a long time in politics. The landscape will change, he said. It could be better. It could be worse. I guarantee you it will be different.
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Corey Stewart speaks at his primary election watch party in Woodbridge, Va., June 13, 2017. Ed Gillespie's narrow victory against former Trump state campaign chairman Stewart provided the night's biggest surprise. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Corey Stewart, the bombastic Prince William County Board chairman and disciple of Donald Trump, is calling for the resignation of the Virginia state Republican Party chairman after the Tuesdays widespread GOP losses at the polls.

Stewart, whose hard-edged attacks on illegal immigration and support for Confederate monuments led him to almost beat eventual GOP gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie in the June primary, said Wednesday that Republicans will keep losing unless they embrace the populism that propelled Trump into the presidency.

If I had been the nominee or if Ed Gillespie had embraced the president, Republicans would have won, Stewart said at a small press conference in Washington Wednesday afternoon. Ed treated the president as if he had typhoid.

[Steve Bannon on Stewart: I was a Corey Stewart fan]

Stewart, who often boasted he was "Trump before Trump was Trump," said the Republicans, Democrats and media are incorrectly assuming Tuesday's election was a repudiation of Trump.

Both state Sen. Jill Vogel (Fauquier), the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, and John Adams, the Republican nominee for attorney general, had outpolled Gillespie by 50,000 votes and 30,000 votes, respectively, he noted.

Both campaigned with Stewart, hired former Trump strategists and talked up President Trump on the campaign trail. Gillespie struggled to strike the right approach to Trump and did not want the prefind

The losses of the top ticket, as well as the Democratic takeover of at least 15 seats in the House of Delegates, means that state party chair John Whitbeck should surrender his post, Stewart said.

Whitbeck could not be immediately reached for comment.

Stewart, who is planning to run for the GOP nomination to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine (D) next year, pointed to himself as the answer.

I think that Republicans arround the state are looking to me for leadership at this point, he said, adding that Gillespie and Whitbeck had failed to inspire the party faithful.

[Virginia politicians of all stripes condemn white nationalists - except one]

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

Gillespie struggled to strike the right approach to Trump. He needed to attrach white, rural Trump supporters in the southern part of the state who voted for Trump without alienating moderates and independents in northern Virginia who oppose Trump.

He studiously tried to avoid reacting to the daily barrage of Trump controversies, largely bypassing the mainstream press in favor of appearances before friendly groups he could later trumpet on social media.

But from his initial emphasis on the economy and taxes, Gillespie steered toward illegal immigration and Confederate statues  a strategy that Stewart promoted and polling suggests helped Gillespie firm up support among Trump voters.

He rolled out a series of controverisal ads in September that appeared to link Northam to violent Latino street gangs.

But it was clear that the candidate never really believed in that message, Stewart said.

[Ed Gillespie went from big tent Republican to culture warrior]

If Eds stump speech had reflected what he was saying in the ads at the end, it would have changed the result, Stewart asserted. Its very different when the top of the ticket is weighing down the rest of the ticket.

Stewart said he didnt believe he will face competition within the party to become the GOP Senate nominee next year.

When your house burns down, its a bad thing, but I think its also an opportunity for rebuilding, he said.
Supporters of Democrat Ralph Northam erupt in joy as it is announced he won the governorship over Republican Ed Gillespie, at a rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., on Tuesday. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

The sweeping gains won by Democrats in Tuesday's elections complete Virginia's transformation into the only blue state of the old Confederacy. Where the Harry Byrd machine once conspired to keep black students out of white schools, now a transgender delegate will take her seat alongside Latino women, a socialist and only the second African American elected statewide since Reconstruction.

The old edifices are falling faster than the state's Confederate statues  but those are under scrutiny in Richmond these days, too. Even Virginia's most politically powerful corporation  Dominion Energy  is being rattled: Some 14 of the newly elected Democrats have pledged to refuse contributions and challenge the priorities of a company that's known as the state's shadow government.

Change has been coming to the increasingly diverse state for years, but the evolution was turbocharged by the provocative influence of Donald Trump.

[Her opponent used male pronouns to describe her. Tuesday, she made history]

The presidents victory last fall and subsequent knife-twisting tweets inspired a surge of Democratic candidates to run for office and pushed many voters to the polls.

This election, more than anything else, was a Trump-effect election, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Democrat Ralph Northam won the governors race over Republican Ed Gillespie by a comfortable nine-point margin, but Farnsworth said the outcome could have been much tighter if not for highly motivated anti-Trump voters.

So many people in this election told pollsters they were voting against Trump more than for or against the actual candidates for governor, Farnsworth said.

That was particularly evident in the states suburban regions, where Northam racked up wide margins and Democratic challengers unseated Republican incumbents in the House of Delegates.

The sentiment turned up in voices across the state. In Fairfax Station, where Pam Rodriguez, 44, showed up in the chilly evening rain to vote for Northam partly because she is not a fan of Trump . . . I loved the commercial where Northam called him a narcissistic maniac, she said.

It was in eastern Henrico County outside Richmond, where a few days before the election Nick Hall was all set to vote for the Democrat for governor even though he wasnt sure of his name. Hall just wanted to strike back at the party of Trump. Trump is an idiot, he said.

In exit polling, more than a third of voters said they came out to the polls to express opposition to Trump. Half that many said they voted to support Trump.

An especially striking aspect of that anti-Trump fervor was that most of those new candidates he inspired were women. Of the 15 Democrats who were on track to flip Republican seats in the House of Delegates, 11 were women.

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

All of the delegates they will replace are men.

There were only 17 women among the 100 members of the House of Delegates in its most recent session. Tuesdays gains will bring that total to 28  its highest level in history.

Make no mistake about it: 2017 is the year of the woman in Virginia politics, Farnsworth said.

The election stunned both sides. Republicans had enjoyed a seemingly untouchable 66-34 majority in the House of Delegates and even designated a new speaker of the House for next year  Del. M. Kirkland Cox (Colonial Heights)  who has been assembling a staff and preparing his office.

Northam drew ire from fellow Democrats just a few weeks ago, when he told Cox during a moment of bonhomie that he looked forward to working with him as speaker.

That role is in question now as Democrats appear headed for at least a 50-50 split in the House, pending the resolution of a handful of close races.

[Potential chaos ahead as control of Va House of Delegates hangs in balance]

Some Republicans saw Tuesdays result as a tsunami that couldnt have been avoided  thanks, of course, to Trump.

Im for 90 percent of what President Trump wants to do, but Im against 90 percent of what comes out of his Twitter, said former Republican delegate Dave Albo, who stepped down this year and on Tuesday saw his seat in Fairfax County go to a Democrat.

The president whipped Democrats into a frenzy, Albo said. One of the rules of politics, he said, is pissed-off people show up.

He said its not accurate to call Virginia more Democratic in the wake of the election. This is not a purple state. Its like, dark red and dark blue spots, Albo said.

[How Northam gained in a more polarized Virginia]

The results did, in fact, amplify the states divisions. Blue regions got bigger, as more suburbs flipped for Democrats  especially in the outer D.C. suburbs and around Richmond and Hampton Roads. But rural red areas went for Gillespie in great numbers, sometimes even more than for Trump last year.

And the Democratic Party itself, for all its huge gains, is going to have serious issues to resolve.

Were not unified in Virginia yet. We just made this momentary historic gain because we were strategically unified, said Josh Stanfield of the progressive group Activate Virginia, which worked for many of the new Democratic House of Delegates candidates. That should not imply that the party is not fractured.

Some of the progressive candidates  such as democratic socialist Lee Carter, 30, who defeated incumbent Del. Jackson H. Miller in Manassas  were not aided by the Democratic Party of Virginia and are nursing grievances, Stanfield said.

Whats more, it was Stanfields group that came up with the anti-Dominion pledge signed by so many of the new candidates. Other Democrats, including Northam, have taken large contributions from Dominion, the states largest corporate political donor, and favor the controversial natural gas pipeline it is building in rural parts of the state.

The new Democratic wave could lead to chaos. Pipeline protesters disrupted several of Northams campaign appearances, and protesters who favor sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants briefly halted Northams victory speech Tuesday night.

One thing thats for sure: This should not be interpreted as a kumbaya moment, and from now on, theres some sort of unified Democratic Party, Stanfield said.

On Wednesday, Northam said he thought Democratic voters had turned out in such force to call for just that  a more unified and cooperative approach to government. He invoked "the Virginia way," the old idea that the state's lawmakers govern through civility and cooperation.

It was an anachronistic reference at a time when the state seems to have put on a fresh face.

Im not convinced we have that old Virginia way left anymore, said Quentin Kidd, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University. But theres something else that might still limit the pace of change.

A lot of these candidates were novice candidates, Kidd said. So when they get to Richmond, theres going to be a massive learning curve. . . . There is something to be said for institutional inertia.

Rachel Chason, Jenna Portnoy and Scott Clement contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 26: Committee chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) questions witnesses during a House Judiciary Committee hearing concerning the oversight of the U.S. refugee admissions program, on Capitol Hill, October 26, 2017 (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Two days after Republicans suffered sweeping defeats up and down the ballot in Virginia, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced Thursday he will not seek reelection.

The 13-term congressman from Roanoke will end his congressional career after much contemplation and prayer, he said in a statement.

With my time as chairman of the Judiciary Committee ending in December 2018, he said, this is a natural stepping-off point and an opportunity to begin a new chapter of my career and spend more time with my family, particularly my granddaughters.

House rules bar Goodlatte from serving another term as chairman of the influential committee. He was previously chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Goodlatte joins more than a dozen mostly Republican members of the House and Senate who plan to retire at a time when the GOP-controlled Congress has struggled to pass major legislation, such as a repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

On a call with reporters, Goodlatte said the political climate didnt play a role in his decision.

If he ran again, he could have faced a tough fight for the GOP nomination. As an elected official for more than a quarter-century, he has been a target of activists with disdain for entrenched politicians.

There are a lot of legitimately angry people out here who are frustrated with the inaction of Washington generally and are focusing their anger on incumbents who they perceive as being part of the problem, said state Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), a Goodlatte ally whose district overlaps his. If you have been there as long as Bob has been, you rightly wear part of that criticism.

[Waiting for Goodlatte: Some residents frustrated by congressmans absence]

Within hours of his announcement, two Republicans  a conservative state delegate who once worked for Goodlatte and a GOP national committeewoman  announced they would compete for the nomination. Both are setting themselves as Washington outsiders.

Goodlatte, 65, the most senior Republican in the states congressional delegation, is known as a student of policy who closely follows state and local GOP politics.

Over the next 14 months, he said, he hopes to bolster enforcement of immigration laws and overhaul the legal immigration system as well as simplify the tax code, enact criminal justice reform and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

He would do this while advancing protections of the freedoms and liberties enshrined in our Constitution, he said.

The congressman made news in January when his plan to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics prompted public outcry and critical tweets from the incoming President Trump, whose policies Goodlatte has publicly supported.

Last year, Trump easily carried his district, which stretches from the Shenandoah Valley to the Roanoke Valley and east to Lynchburg, the home of Liberty University. Ed Gillespie, the Republican candidate for governor, won 61 percent of the vote in the district this week, despite losing the state by 9 points.

Despite a solid conservative voting record, Goodlatte has drawn the ire of Republican activists in his district, including those who run the influential party apparatus.

Cynthia Dunbar, a GOP national committeewoman, and Del. Benjamin L. Cline (R-Rockbridge), Goodlattes former chief of staff, said Thursday they are running for the GOP nomination.

Dunbar said she has witnessed firsthand the disarray and dysfunction inside Congress which is crippling our Republic when it comes to the national debt, taxes and immigration policy.

As constitutional conservatives, we can no longer allow career politicians to focus on the next election as opposed to current problems facing our nation, she said.

Cline announced his campaign with similar rhetoric, saying he was fed up with the dysfunction gripping Washington.

For far too long, Washington insiders have ignored families outside their insular Beltway. Again and again they have proved they are out of touch and tone deaf to our struggles, he said, while thanking his former boss for his service.

Democrats Sergio Coppola and Peter Volosin are running, and Andy Parker, the father of a broadcast journalist who was killed on live television two years ago, said he is considering joining the Democratic field.

[Andy Parker, the face of gun control in Virginia]

Eric Cantor, the former House majority leader who was beaten in 2014 in the Republican primary by Rep. Dave Brat, said Goodlatte dispatched with past primary challengers with what looked like relative ease.

But it wasnt something that just came by chance, he said. He always was deliberate about making sure he was there for the people of Roanoke Valley and the 6th District.

[Cantor resurfaces, feeds buzz about possible comeback]

Virginia Democrats Rep. Robert C. Bobby Scott, who entered Congress the same year as Goodlatte, and Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine noted they didnt often agree with his policies but thanked Goodlatte and his wife, Maryellen.

The son of a manager of Friendlys restaurants in Massachusetts, Goodlatte studied government at Bates College in Maine and earned a law degree from Washington and Lee University. He likes to visit the homes of former presidents of both parties.

He ran for Congress in 1992  with the help of Tim Phillips, now president of Americans for Prosperity  on a promise to serve only 12 years. He later abandoned the pledge, saying everyone must agree to term limits for the policy to work.

As Judiciary Committee chairman, he rejected calls from within his party to try to impeach President Barack Obama and the IRS commissioner, saying there was insufficient evidence.

Goodlatte said he was proud of his work on the USA Freedom Act, which kept phone data out of government hands and revised federal government surveillance practices, and the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act, which affirmed the ban on Internet taxes.

He recently co-sponsored a bill introduced by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) that would expand the authority of the federal government to deport or detain noncitizen immigrants who are gang members or suspected of gang activity.

The legislation, a response to an increase in killings perpetuated by the MS-13 gang, was panned by the American Civil Liberties Union and immigrant right groups.

In a speech on the House floor, Goodlatte said whether immigrants are here illegally or have visas or permanent resident status, it is time to send the message that this behavior simply will not be tolerated.

Surveying Goodattes service, Mark J. Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, said the political climate is discouraging incumbents at the state and federal level.

Members not only have to worry about challenges from the opposing party but a growing level of opposition from within their party if they are not complete purists on every issue, he said. For that reason, he said, its understandable if members become frustrated and say, I dont need this anymore. 

The Virginia delegation has been losing clout in recent years through the retirement or defeat of senior members. In addition to Cantors loss, Democrat James P. Moran and Republican Frank R. Wolf retired in 2014. Reps. Scott Rigell (R) and Robert Hurt (R) declined to seek reelection last year, the same year Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R) lost his seat in a primary after switching districts.

Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), who has been friends with Goodlatte since the 1980s, said hell miss his colleague but that the job isnt meant to last a lifetime.

Every politician has a shelf life, he said, its just different for everybody.
Residents in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties will soon see changes in their water bills as their utility seeks to make them more predictable and fair to larger households.

Whether customers of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will pay more or less will depend on how much water they use and which pricing system the utilitys board adopts in June.

Under three proposals that the WSSC staff recommended to the board Wednesday, households with one or two people generally would see higher bills while those with nine or more would pay less. Under one option, a three-person household with average water consumption would pay about $4.60 more per quarter. That same household would pay $4.80 or $21.30 less per quarter under the other two options.

The Maryland Public Service Commission ordered WSSC in March to change its pricing system after ruling that it is unduly discriminatory and unreasonable because it can cause larger households to pay more per gallon.

[Md. commission rules WSSC rates discriminate against larger households]

WSSC provides water and sewer services to nearly 2 million people in the Washington suburbs.

WSSC officials say they also need a more stable revenue stream to upgrade aging pipes, pumps and other infrastructure. Those costs are mounting even while water consumption drops as more homes are renovated with low-flow toilets, shower heads and appliances.

Carla A. Reid, WSSCs general manager, told board members the utility believes very strongly that any of the three proposals would meet the public service commissions order that WSSC come up with a reasonable pricing system.

She said the proposals also reflect what WSSC heard from customers at 20 public meetings and hearings.

A new rate structure will take effect in July 2019, after WSSC can update its billing system, officials said.

All three options would keep a tiered system that seeks to encourage conservation by charging more per gallon as customers use more water. However, all three would come with a big change.

[Water utilities charge more to offset losses from low-flow faucets, toilets]

WSSC is believed to be the only U.S. water utility to charge the highest-tier rate for the entire bill, going back to the first drop  and that can lead to drastic fluctuations in bills depending on water usage. Under the new proposals, WSSC would follow the industry standard of charging customers for water usage that falls within each tier.

The proposals also would reduce the number of pricing tiers from 16 to three or four.

WSSC officials say the changes will keep customers bills more stable.

While some customers will pay more and some less, WSSC officials say, the changes are designed to bring in the same amount of money overall that WSSC collects now.

We still want to encourage conservation, but this is a more fair and sensible way to do it, said Joe Beach, WSSCs chief financial officer.

However, Richard Boltuck, the Montgomery resident who filed the pricing discrimination complaint that led to the public service commissions order, said keeping a tiered system would still leave larger households paying more per gallon.

Under one of the proposals, he said, seven people in one home would pay $523 more per year than if each of them lived alone.

[Meet the Maryland man who took on one of the largest U.S. water utilities]

Boltuck, a retired economist, said he believes WSSC wont do more to even out the costs because it doesnt want to face political pushback from customers who live alone or with one other person.

Theyre making it better, but they still want to avoid complaints from smaller households, Boltuck said. Theyre really just locking in an inequity.
Illinois

Juror No. 44 shows up but is not selected

Former president Barack Obama showed up at a courthouse in downtown Chicago for jury duty on Wednesday morning. Then he heard the words that many prospective jurors hope to hear: Youre dismissed.

The 44th presidents motorcade  considerably smaller than the one he had when he lived in the White House  left his home in the Kenwood neighborhood on the citys South Side and arrived at the Richard J. Daley Center shortly after 10 a.m.

Obama  wearing a dark sport coat and dress shirt, but no tie  waved to people who had gathered outside.

Shortly before noon, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans told reporters that the former president had not been selected for jury duty. But Obama was ready to serve if told to do so, Evans said.

 Associated Press

Kentucky

Paul says his injuries include 6 broken ribs

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he ended up with six broken ribs after he was attacked by his neighbor last week while he was mowing his lawn.

Paul wrote on Twitter Wednesday: I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion.

A pleural effusion is excess fluid around the lungs.

It remains uncertain when Paul will return to the Senate. His longtime neighbor, Rene Boucher, 59, was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

 Associated Press

THE SENATE

Changes to decency act to face little opposition

A bill that would amend the Communications Decency Act to allow prosecutors and victims to pursue action against websites engaged in online sex trafficking unanimously passed the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday and appears to have little opposition as it heads to a floor vote.

The bill was launched because sites such as Backpage.com have evaded prosecution and civil liability by citing the Communications Decency Act, the 1996 law that protects websites from liability for content posted by third parties. The bill would amend that act and a federal anti-sex-trafficking statute to allow state and federal prosecutors to target such sites if they are knowingly assisting or facilitating trafficking. The bill, known as the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, drew opposition from big Internet companies such as Google and Facebook, but they backed down in recent weeks. Facebooks chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, endorsed the bill Tuesday.

 Tom Jackman

Menendez jurors deliberate a second day: Jurors finished a second full day of deliberations without reaching a verdict Wednesday in the bribery trial of Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). They gave no indication as to which way they might be leaning or what legal issues they are pondering in the jury room.

 Associated Press


Twenty-six crosses, one for each person killed in Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, stand in Sutherland Springs, Texas. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

A few dozen families gathered in the yard of the First Baptist Church on Tuesday, Oct. 31, their children dressed as Dalmatians and pirates as they ran through a bounce house and crowded around a metal tub to fish for rubber duckies.

The modest fall fest gathering aimed to provide an alternative to Halloween  an attractive innovation in a deeply conservative region.

For Michelle Shields, the event included a positive development: Her son-in-law, Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, was in the crowd. Thered been recent tension in the family, so she hoped Kelleys appearance with her granddaughter meant things were on the upswing.

The next night, Kelley and his wife, Danielle, seemed fine as they joined another couple for dinner at the other familys home.

He was happy, laughing, giggly, holding his kids, holding my kids. Smacking his wife on the butt, you know, I love you, baby kind of stuff, said the husband, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he and his wife have received threats. I have no clue as to what really happened.

He was fine, and that was Wednesday.

On Sunday, Kelley returned to the church, this time dressed in all black, wearing body armor and a mask and carrying an assault-style rifle. He shot the associate pastor, and the church secretary, and children as they cried for their parents. He killed about half the people in the church and shot many of the rest. His intention, according to his own declaration during the rampage, was to kill everyone.

Authorities have not offered an official explanation of Kelleys motive but have revealed that he was in the midst of a domestic quarrel with, and had sent threatening text messages to, his mother-in-law. But she wasnt even there that day.

The mass murder came at the end of a turbulent period for Kelley, whose adulthood was filled with marriages and children but also troublesome signs of mental health problems, domestic violence, a stint in jail and a bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force.

Some friends who interacted with Kelley recently said hed become erratic. Hed told at least one friend that he had begun taking a panic disorder drug and wanted to borrow money to pay for a psychiatrist.

His final Facebook posts consisted of complaints of headaches and gripes about lingering neck and head pain from a motorcycle accident in 2014.

Damn, my heads been hurting for three days now, he wrote in one of his last posts.

Ah f---. Im a wreck, he added in another, ultimately his final public statement before he headed to the church, where many of the same families and the same children who had attended the fall fest gathered to pray, where he would commit one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

This account of Sundays mass shooting is based on interviews with witnesses, survivors, law enforcement officials and a review of other news accounts.



An "incident ahead" sign is seen outside Sutherland Springs, near the site of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs shooting. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)

The shooting

No one knows precisely how many people live in Sutherland Springs, a tiny town outside of San Antonio, only that there are fewer now. There are maybe 600 people within a half a mile or so of the crossroads of U.S. Highway 87 and Farm Road 539, the center of town, with a Valero gas station on one corner, the post office on another, and the First Baptist Church just a couple hundred feet off U.S. 87, buffered by a grassy field that hasnt been mowed in a long time.

Terrie Smith, 54, and her fiance, Lorenzo Flores, 56, had just walked into the Valero gas station that houses the small Mexican food kitchen that she runs and where he works as a cook.

When theyd parked next to gas pump No. 3, just a few moments before, the soft singing of a hymn was drifting across the street from the church. Now, the singing had gone silent. The sharp sound of gunshots pierced their ears.

They ran outside, and thats when they saw him: Kelley, dressed in all black, carrying a long rifle and standing across the street, beneath the tall, blue sign that reads First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.

A few houses away, Kevin Jordan was changing the oil on his Ford Focus when he heard the gunshots. He stood up and turned his head, spotting a man wearing body armor, a vest and a mask walking down the sidewalk toward the church.

Jordan, 30, ran into his house and grabbed his son as he screamed to his wife to take cover. As they all hid in the bathroom, Jordan dialed 911.

When he reached the church, Kelley began moving rapidly around the exterior in a crouch, like a G.I. Joe character. For about two minutes he quickly circled the building, firing through its walls, wielding his weapon just below his chest as the horrified worshipers inside began to scream and duck beneath pews as bullets burst through sanctuary windows.

Kelleys body shook as he sprayed the outside of the church. Smith and Flores scrambled on all fours back into the gas station, screaming to the few customers there to find cover.

Then, for a moment, the shooting stopped. Kelley walked into First Baptist. Then the gunfire started anew.



This undated file photo provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety shows Devin Kelley, who shot and killed 26 people at a Texas church. (AP)

Bryan Holcombe, 60, the church's associate pastor, had just walked up to the pulpit to begin preaching when he was struck. His wife, Karla, 58, was also hit. By the time the shooting stopped minutes later both of them, along with six other family members and a pregnant woman's unborn child, would be dead.

Most in the sanctuary tried to hide, and Kelley shot at those who ran. Then he made his way up and down the aisle through the small room, firing into prone bodies. When the children clustered near the front of the sanctuary began to wail, he fired at them. If Kelley saw someone reaching for a cellphone hed shoot at it.

[The lives lost in Sutherland Springs, Tex.]

Farida Brown, 73, a member of the church for the past decade, was struck four times in her legs as she lay hiding in the back row. Four shots hit the woman to her right. Brown held her hand, assuring her that it would be over soon, that she was headed to heaven.

With every shot, she was crying, David Brown, Faridas son, said of the woman. She was just staring at my mom while she tried to comfort her.

Lying a few pews away, all Rosa Solis could see was the stalk of the killers black boots. Next to her lay a young boy who had been shot and was crying out for his mother. But she didnt speak. She held her breath, hoping the man in the mask would think she was already dead.



Rosanne Solis and Joaquin Ramirez, who were both shot in the church massacre and survived. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

He was mostly shooting at the children, recounted Sue Soto, Rosas sister, who drove Solis  who had a gaping shoulder wound  and Joaquin Ramirez, Soliss boyfriend, to the hospital.

A single, blood-covered man emerged near the side of the church and sprinted across a grassy lot to the gas station, desperately pounding on the glass door.

He started killing everybody, the man blurted out, collapsing to his knees. My familys in there.

They all looked out the window. No one else was leaving the church.

All I could think about was that my friend Joann was in there with her kids, Smith recalled. I knew everybody in there. They were all my customers and friends.



Terrie Smith, in the kitchen at the Valero gas station in Sutherland Springs, prays. She witnessed the start of the massacre when she heard shots outside the church. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

Smiths friend, Joann Ward, was among those killed. Shed shoved her eldest daughter away from the shooting before throwing herself on top of her three youngest children. Two of them died there with her. The third, her 5-year-old son Ryland, was shot in the stomach, groin and arm and remains hospitalized.

There had been between 50 and 60 worshipers that morning. The number who remained unharmed when the gunfire finally stopped could be counted on one hand.

Kelley turned his back on the bloody carnage and walked out the front door.

The confrontation, chase

Stephen Willeford, 55, was at his home on Fifth Street, a block from the church, when his daughter told him she could hear gunfire. A certified shooting instructor, Willeford grabbed an assault-style rifle and ran out of the house so fast that he didnt have time to put on shoes. He approached the church on Farm Road 539, barefoot, just as Kelley was exiting.

The two men made eye contact.

"It was surreal to me. It couldn't be happening. I could not believe it," Willeford, still shaken a day later, said in a TV interview with a local Texas station.

Willeford, a former NRA instructor, took up a protective position behind a pickup truck and fired at Kelley, hitting him twice. Kelley returned fire, then dropped his rifle and got into his Ford SUV, using a handgun to fire another couple of rounds at Willeford through his side window. Willeford kept firing. Kelley sped away, northeast on 539, through the blinking light at the crossroads.

Johnnie Langendorff, 27, had been on his way to visit his girlfriend when he spotted a barefoot man in what looked and sounded like a shootout with a man in all-black clothing. As Kelley drove away, Willeford ran up to Langendorffs white pickup truck and jumped directly into the passenger seat.

He just shot up the church! Willeford shouted. We have to get him!

Lets go, Langendorff replied.

The strangers sped behind Kelley, calling 911 and staying on the line with the dispatcher.

We blew through this intersection, we were doing about 90, 95, going up 539, Langendorff said later. I was trying to calm the gentleman, stay on the phone with dispatch and keep up with this other guy.

When they finally caught up to Kelley, about 11 miles away, his SUV had veered off the road and crashed into a ditch.

Both men jumped out of the truck.

Get out! Get out! Willeford screamed at the gunman. There was no movement. Willefords hands clutched tightly around his rifle as Langendorff waved his arms to try to keep other vehicles away from the scene.

There was no movement in Kelleys car. At some point during his final flight hed called his father. Hed been shot, he said. He wasnt going to make it. Then Kelley shot himself in the head. He was dead by the time police arrived.



A tarp hangs in front of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after the shooting. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The aftermath

Ted Montgomery had skipped church that morning because his wife, First Baptists Sunday school director, wasnt feeling well. When he heard about the shooting he rushed to the sanctuary, helping carry seven or eight of the wounded children out on stretchers.

A single bloody body lay in the churchs front yard and another to the side of the building, both eventually covered with yellow tarps. Wounded churchgoers wandered the lot, drying blood covering their arms and legs. Some victims were being whisked away in the back of helicopters.

I havent seen anything like this since I left Vietnam, Montgomery told reporters at a vigil on Sunday night. It was a slaughter.

David Casillas, 55, who lives nearby, said he raced to the scene immediately after the shooting and was horrified. People were dazed: Most of them couldnt even talk.

Church leaders began discussing what comes next. Pastor Frank Pomeroy had been in Oklahoma City that morning when his phone began ringing. His 14-year-old daughter was among the dead. Updating the church website with information would have to wait  the webmaster was in the hospital taking care of his daughter. Theyd both been shot.



The Rev. Van Jordan, of Port Arthur, Texas, leads a group prayer while setting up crosses to honor the shooting victims along the edge of a field next to the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

Its unclear if what remains of First Baptists sanctuary will ever host another worship service.

My gut instinct says that probably ought to become a memorial site and we build a new sanctuary elsewhere, said Mark Collins, 57, who spent 12 years as the associate pastor before moving on to his own church six years ago.

Tambria Read, 59, a high school art teacher who is heavily steeped in town history, would like people to know that Sutherland Springs is a beautiful place with a proud past. We dont want the world to remember Sutherland Springs for this, she said.

Read had raced into action when she heard about the shooting. She opened the towns historical museum so that first responders could use the copier machine. Then she drove to the community center, a modest building two blocks from the church. Inside, family members of people killed or wounded were meeting with police.

As Read stood outside next to two county officials, Michelle Shields, Kellys mother-in-law, emerged from the community centers front door. Shields own mother, Lula White, 71, the church secretary, had been slain.

Shields saw Read and approached, and the two embraced in a tight hug.

Then, Read recalled, Shields looked at her, then at the two county officials, and declared: I know who did it.



A pile of flowers, gifts and notes lays under police tape near the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Tex. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

Read more:

Texas church gunman escaped mental health facility in 2012 after threatening military superiors

The persistent crime that connects mass shooters and terror suspects: Domestic violence

Inside the Texas church, she thought it was her turn to die. Then outside, a man appeared.

Holley, Rosenberg and Achenbach reported from Texas; Lowery reported from Washington. Abigail Hauslohner and Eva Ruth Moravec in Texas and Samantha Schmidt, Mark Berman and Julie Tate in Washington contributed to this report.
Regarding the Nov. 6 front-page article "In search of Trump country" :

I hope the Swedish ambassador and her entourage get a full understanding of the Trump phenomenon, but her tour guide, a former aide to President Barack Obama, may not be much help. Apparently, opponents of President Trump see his followers condescendingly as weird zoo creatures: Do Trump voters go to libraries? Indeed.

What we have here is a rebellion. A large-enough fraction of the population felt ignored, abandoned and held in contempt by the power elite. They had tried voting responsibly before and ended up with more of the same.

The Democratic campaign helped by choosing to focus on minority rights and liberal cultural issues that are irrelevant or even antagonistic to the mainstream. Instead, they should have focused on the perception that our economy was being sold overseas, with fat cats pocketing the proceeds.

Revolutions are messy things, and the results often are counterproductive. So Trump voters sacrificed their own economic interests to address their frustration at being culturally marginalized. Thats what really happened.

Stephen Parks, Derwood

It is unseemly for any foreign ambassador to examine American voters' formulation of their views. It is particularly offensive that this is being done by a politician of a country that arrayed itself against the United States and all Europe in World War II, when instead of joining the war against Nazi Germany, Sweden chose to supply it with iron ore essential to the Nazi war machine.

The ambassador should be sent packing, and Sweden should be required to apologize before another ambassador is received.

William H. Kuehnle, Alexandria
Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, is majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. Steny H. Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland, is House minority whip.

We recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys to survey the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and to bear witness to the suffering of families and communities still without the basic necessities of power, water, fuel and access to health care. Only once we had arrived could we fathom the full scale of destruction wrought by the storms  and understand that smart rebuilding will require not only significant federal funding but also key changes in federal law to help protect these vulnerable areas from future damage.

Our bipartisan group was fortunate to be joined in St. Croix by U.S. Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett (D), who took us to a condemned school and a hospital that experienced severe damage and was limited in its ability to care for patients. As we drove from the school to the hospital, we passed home after home that had been completely destroyed and others with piles of clothes, furniture and other water-damaged belongings heaped in front. Virgin Islanders are doing everything they can to rebuild their lives, but they are counting on Congress to ensure that they have the resources necessary to do so.

In Puerto Rico, 3.4 million Americans continue to live in a state of frenzied recovery. We joined Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R) in Utuado, a municipality in the mountainous interior of the island. Ours was the first bipartisan, multi-member congressional delegation to visit the interior, and on the way we saw how lack of access to clean drinking water continues to be an issue. Cars lined the road where people had stopped to collect untreated stream water from a PVC pipe. As we walked through a barrio in Utuado, electrical lines hung low and debris was piled along nearly every road. Many residents spoke of how landslides devastated their property. They still had no access to electricity. Food and medicine were scarce, hope for a swift recovery even scarcer.

We had departed Washington as Democratic and Republican members on a mission to see for ourselves the devastation caused by the hurricanes. We returned as fellow Americans imbued with a shared sense that Congress must work together to do more to help the people we met  and uplifted by their extraordinary resilience in the face of hardship.

One way we can provide this help is by changing the law to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies to rebuild damaged infrastructure  including buildings, roads, bridges and the power grid  not merely to the vulnerable state they were in before but to modern, 21st-century standards that can withstand future storms.

Amending the law will ensure that we can better prepare communities for future risk and use taxpayer dollars as wisely as possible. It makes little sense to require, as under current law, that buildings and infrastructure be rebuilt in the ways that made them so vulnerable to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Instead, we ought to work across the aisle to give these communities the chance to come back stronger. Making those investments now will save taxpayer dollars in the long run. Both of us are committed to advancing this issue and working to bring our colleagues on board in this effort.

Furthermore, we are determined to ensure there is strong bipartisan support for the next supplemental emergency funding package so that affected areas such as those we visited have the resources they need.

As part of our visit to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Florida Keys, we distributed aid to struggling families. Perhaps, though, the most important resource we brought with us was the reassurance to all those affected by these storms that their fellow Americans on the mainland have not forgotten them  and that we will not leave them vulnerable to the next storm.
SAUDI ARABIA has charged that a missile launched from Yemen toward Riyadh's international airport on Saturday was supplied by Iran and assembled by Tehran's Lebanese client, Hezbollah. It says this could be considered "an act of war" and claims the right to "respond to Iran in the appropriate time and manner." Yet the only action taken so far by the de facto Saudi ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, has been to besiege some of the world's most desperate people  the cholera-stricken and literally famished civilian population of Yemen.

The press of multiple international crises and President Trump's monopolization of media attention have helped obscure the severity of the humanitarian emergency in Yemen, a poor country of 28 million that has been devastated by civil war and a Saudi-led military intervention. According to the United Nations, it is suffering the fastest-growing cholera epidemic ever recorded, with about 895,000 cases and nearly 2,200 deaths since April. At the same time, it is facing the world's biggest food emergency, with 7 million people requiring urgent assistance.

Children have been disproportionately afflicted. According to U.N. figures, 27 percent of the cholera victims are under the age of 5. Officials estimate that juvenile cholera cases will reach 600,000 by the end of the year. Meanwhile, hunger has left half of children under 5 stunted, and 2.2 million are affected by either moderate or severe malnutrition.

Saudi Arabia bears heavy responsibility for this suffering. For 2 years, it has pursued a ruthless but unwinnable war against ethnic Houthis who have captured much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa, and the largest port, Hodeida. Bombing raids have repeatedly struck hospitals and food markets. Worse, in the name of preventing Iran from delivering weapons to the Houthis, the Saudis and their allies have blockaded the country by sea and air, closing Sanaas airport to commercial traffic and slowing food imports at Hodeida.

Now, in reaction to the missile firing, the Saudis have announced a more thorough closure of "all Yemeni ground, air and sea ports." Though a government statement said it would take "into consideration the continuation of the entry and exit" of humanitarian supplies and aid workers, U.N. officials say that aid flights have been blocked. The World Food Program warned that hundreds of thousands of children would be "on the brink of starvation" if the blockade lasted even for two weeks.

Saudi officials say the siege is meant to prevent what they claim was the smuggling of missile parts into Yemen from Iran. It has offered no proof of the rocket's origin, and experts point out that Yemen is known to have imported Scud missiles from North Korea before the war. In any case, the blockade will not deter either Iran or the Houthis, but it could trigger a full-blown famine among innocent children. The Trump administration, which has blithely backed Crown Prince Salman in his reckless adventures, should consider the cost.
An earlier version of this op-ed incorrectly stated that the South Dakota legislature repealed a ballot initiative on campaign finance and political corruption in an emergency session. The measure was passed in regular session under an emergency clause. This version has been updated.

Josh Silver is founder and director of Represent.Us.

Less than a day after voters in Maine voted to expand Medicaid in their state, Gov. Paul LePage (R) moved quickly to subvert their democratic will, announcing Wednesday that he will not implement the expansion until it is "fully funded by the Legislature."

This is not the first time that elected officials in the state have blatantly ignored voters in this way. Last year, Mainers approved an innovative reform known as "ranked-choice voting," as an effort to ensure that their governor wins with a majority of the vote. But the state legislature did not agree with that decision, so it recently voted to delay and potentially repeal the initiative. In fact, it brazenly meddled with every single ballot measure passed by the state's voters in 2016.

The news out of Maine is part of an ominous pattern: state legislators across the country resisting the will of the people by gutting or even repealing citizen initiatives. This is a shockingly undemocratic trend at a time when U.S. voters are already deeply unsatisfied with their elected leaders.

The citizen initiative  in which a group of voters brings a proposed law or constitutional amendment to the ballot for the public to approve or reject  exists in 26 states and the District. It has long been a critical tool for advancing key issues that are popular with the public but unlikely to make it through legislatures or city councils.

But more and more legislators have been willing to effectively deny their constituents' political voices. Perhaps the most egregious repeal of a voter-approved initiative in modern history took place this year in South Dakota, where voters passed a suite of ethics and campaign finance reforms aimed at eradicating political corruption endemic to the state's politics. The state's legislature swiftly declared a legislative emergency and repealed the citizen-approved measure intended to regulate their own corrupt behavior.

Unfortunately, South Dakotans and Mainers are not alone. In Massachusetts, the legislature amended and delayed implementation of a 2016 voter-approved ballot measure to legalize marijuana sales. The Missouri legislature has repealed measures covering a range of issues, from school funding to gun safety to animal cruelty. Missouri lawmakers are also exploring new rules to make it harder to get an initiative on the ballot. Lawmakers in Michigan have the same objectives, but they employ different tactics. They have specialized in undercutting or superseding a proposed initiative before it has a chance to even pass  a process known as preemption.

And a year before the October massacre in Las Vegas, Nevada voters approved a ballot initiative to require background checks for gun purchases. A month later, the state's attorney general said the measure could not be enforced.

This pattern of legislative tampering should alarm all Americans. When our elected officials repeal voter-approved laws designed to improve the very nature of our democracy, it hurts voters from across the political spectrum.

Thankfully, there are better paths: In 1996, Arizona voters approved a measure to legalize medical marijuana by a margin of 30 points, only to have it gutted by the legislature the next year. Enraged, Arizonans went back to the ballot in 1998 to pass Proposition 105, which blocks politicians from meddling with voter-approved laws if legislative changes do not "further the purpose" of the measure. We also find hope in places such as California, where the legislature is completely prohibited from changing the text of an initiative that has been enacted by voters. Nebraska requires a legislative supermajority to change or repeal a ballot initiative.

Borrowing from these examples, we can support efforts to pass anti-tampering laws in the two dozen states that allow the initiative. We can advocate for supermajority requirements to amend or repeal any initiative, or better yet, we can forbid all tampering that fails to further the purpose of an initiative.

One such campaign, which my organization has led, has taken shape in South Dakota. Last week, grass-roots activists submitted more than 50,000 signatures to the secretary of state to place an amendment on the ballot. The proposal would finish what last year's now-overturned initiative started by restricting lobbyist gifts to politicians, creating an independent citizen ethics commission, making political bribery a felony and  perhaps most important  preventing the state legislature from changing any initiative unless that change is first approved by the voters.

If voters across the political spectrum can stand up in the face of this legislative resistance, theyll ensure that the true protectors of our democracy  the people themselves  have their voices heard in the fight against corruption.
PRESIDENT TRUMP has made his rapid appointment of federal judges a point of pride. But in the president's rush to appoint nominees and the Senate's rush to confirm them, lawmakers risk giving too little scrutiny to potential judges whom the American Bar Association has rated unqualified for the job.

With the exception of the George W. Bush administration, previous presidents have used recommendations by the nations largest professional association of lawyers to screen out potentially problematic nominees before seeking Senate approval. Mr. Trump, following in Mr. Bushs footsteps, departed from that process by cutting the ABA out of the loop. The ABA instead has provided its views on nominees qualifications after candidates have been unveiled.

Many conservatives feel that the ABA, which often takes liberal positions on policy issues, is unfair to Republican nominees. While some ABA ratings have provoked controversy, the organization provides valuable professional evaluations of nominees' competence and temperament. Shutting out the ABA risks embarrassment when the group makes the rare decision to deem a candidate "not qualified"  as it has now done for several of Mr. Trump's nominees.

At issue are three candidates for federal district judgeships in Oklahoma, Kansas and Alabama, along with Leonard Steven Grasz, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. The ABA found all four unqualified, unanimously in the cases of Mr. Grasz and Brett Talley, the Alabama nominee. In Mr. Talley's case and that of Holly Lou Teeter, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, the Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings before the ABA had announced its ratings. Now, only days after receiving the ABA's vote of no confidence in Mr. Talley and Ms. Teeter, the committee is still planning to move forward briskly with their nominations.

At Mr. Grasz's hearing, the senators from his home state of Nebraska sought to discredit the ABA's evaluation as liberal distaste for a deeply conservative candidate. There might be truth to this if Mr. Grasz's judicial philosophy were all that was at stake. The ABA points to an article in which Mr. Grasz described court decisions on abortion as "a word game"  but the judge whose ruling Mr. Grasz critiqued has himself written that this essay should not be disqualifying. Far more worrying, however, is the ABA's reporting that Mr. Grasz's colleagues found him to be "gratuitously rude." Some allegedly feared "adverse consequences" from speaking out against the nominee due to his connections in Nebraska politics.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) has promised to hear testimony from ABA representatives next week before the committee votes on Mr. Grasz's nomination. Republican senators as well as Democrats should take the opportunity to ask serious questions about the concerns raised over Mr. Grasz's temperament  a matter of professional qualification, not partisan one-upmanship. And the committee should slow down and ask more questions about Mr. Talley and Ms. Teeter before endorsing them for lifetime appointments to the bench.
Cristobal Alex is president of Latino Victory Fund.

A week before Virginia voters went to the polls, Latino Victory Fund, of which I am the president, released "American Nightmare," a television ad highlighting how Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie's use of harmful stereotypes and defense of racist symbols hurt communities of color. The spot attracted plenty of criticism not only from conservatives but also from the mainstream media.

We understand the backlash. Never had a Latino organization been so aggressive in its defense of our community. When facing vicious, racist attacks, we usually turn the other cheek or point our finger at the bully. This time we threw a jab to the throat. And we will continue to stand up to these attacks in the future.

After months of failing to gain momentum as a Romney Republican, Gillespie decided to borrow the Trumpian tactics of his primary challenger, Corey A. Stewart. This new plan involved maligning Latino immigrants, demonizing the formerly incarcerated and defending racist symbols.

In September, he released his first ad linking "sanctuary city" policies, which allow undocumented victims and witnesses to report crimes to police, to the MS-13 street gang. Gillespie claimed that the Democratic nominee, Ralph Northam, had "increas[ed] the threat of MS-13" by voting against banning sanctuary cities, even though there isn't a single sanctuary city in the commonwealth. The images used in the ad were taken not in Virginia but a few thousand miles away in a Salvadoran jail. Yet Gillespie continued to air his xenophobic spots, trying to deceive Virginians into believing gang members were around every corner, ready to "kill, rape, control."

Gillespie also appealed to voters worst instincts with ads defending the same Confederate monuments whose removal incited racial violence on the streets of Charlottesville. The message was simple: He was for keeping racist symbols up, and Northam was for taking them down.

Our communities had been slandered, insulted and attacked for far too long, and we could not remain silent. It was our moral imperative to raise awareness about Gillespies tactics and help increase Latino turnout against bigotry in a tight race.

Latino Victory Funds 60-second ad depicted a white man in a pickup truck with a Confederate flag and a Gillespie bumper sticker chasing a group of minority children. We wanted to send the message that, by borrowing the lexicon of white supremacists and refusing to disavow racist symbols, Gillespie made his campaign a haven for hate. Furthermore, the powerful ad portrayed the stress and worry haunting immigrant families in an increasingly hostile political and social environment.

Our ad elicited strong reactions on the left and right. Advocacy organizations and other liberal groups praised our ad, saying it reflected the fear of their communities under the Trump administration. The far right exploded in anger. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said we were "stoking political racism" while Rush Limbaugh mobilized his listeners to call our office. Gillespie and the Virginia GOP responded with crocodile tears. Some conservatives expressed personal offense that we were calling Gillespie's campaign racist. Not one condemned or questioned Gillespie's tactics.

But the criticisms from the mainstream media stung. The Post's editorial board called the ad "vile," arguing that just because Gillespie used controversial tactics, it didn't give others license to do the same. But we never intended to paint all Gillespie voters as racist; rather, we set out to show that the candidate had embraced the underbelly of the Republican Party and how that embrace endangered our communities.

The editorial board also rightly noted that Gillespie had been tougher on the white supremacists who marched on Charlottesville than President Trump had. That's true, but it's also true that Gillespie did not criticize the president's assertion that there were "very fine people" on "both sides." Then Gillespie turned around and threw his full support behind statues rooted in the pain of millions of American citizens, and he continued to paint immigrants as criminals.

The message behind our ad was undeniably effective. An election-eve poll by Latino Decisions found that once white voters saw ads or discussions of Gillespie as anti-immigrant, half became less enthusiastic about Gillespie. That preference was similar among Latino voters. Unsurprisingly, Republican voters turned out for their candidate.

Theres a lot to be learned from our experience  about how far weve come as a country and the work that still lies ahead. There are things we could have done differently, better. But it has also reaffirmed that we cant pull punches when it comes to fighting hate. If other Republicans seek to replicate Gillespies approach, dont expect us to sit on the sidelines.
Columnist

Such is the federal government's sprawl, and its power to establish new governing precedents, mere Washington twitches can jeopardize venerable principles and institutions. This is illustrated by a seemingly small but actually momentous provision of the Republicans' tax bill  a 1.4 percent excise tax on the endowment earnings of approximately 70 colleges and universities with the largest per-student endowments. To raise less than $3 billion in a decade  less than 0.005 percent of projected federal spending of $53 trillion  Republicans would blur important distinctions and abandon their defining mission.

Private foundations, which are generally run by small coteries, pay a "supervisory tax" on investment income to defray the cost of Internal Revenue Service oversight to guarantee that their resources are used for charitable purposes. In 1984, however, Congress created a new entity, an "operating foundation." Such organizations  often museums or libraries  are exempt from the tax on investment earnings because they apply their assets directly to their charitable activities rather than making grants to other organizations, as do foundations that therefore must pay the supervisory tax.

Most university endowments are compounds of thousands of individual funds that often are restricted to particular uses, all of which further the institutions educational purposes. Hence these endowments are akin to the untaxed operating foundations. Yet the Republicans, without public deliberations, and without offering reasons, would arbitrarily make university endowments uniquely subject to a tax not applied to similar entities.

Are Republicans aware, for example, that Princeton University's endowment earnings fund more than half its annual budget and will support expansion of the student body? They also enable "need-blind" admissions: More than 60 percent of undergraduates receive financial assistance; those from families with incomes below $65,000 pay no tuition, room or board; those from families with incomes below $160,000 pay no tuition. No loans are required. PhD candidates receive tuition and a stipend for living costs. Furthermore, the endowment has funded a significant increase in students from low-income families: Princeton has recently tripled to 22 percent the portion of freshmen from families with the most substantial financial needs. The idea that Princeton is largely populated by children of alumni is a canard slain by this fact: Such "legacies" are only 13 percent of this year's freshman class.

For eight centuries, surviving thickets of ecclesiastical and political interferences, the worlds great research universities have enabled the liberal arts to flourish, the sciences to advance and innovation to propel economic betterment. Increasingly, they foster upward mobility that fulfils democratic aspirations and combats the stagnation of elites. It is astonishingly shortsighted to jeopardize all of this, and it is unseemly to do so in a scramble for resources to make a tax bill conform to the transitory arithmetic of a budget process that is a labyrinth of trickery.

Great universities are great because philanthropic generations have borne the cost of sustaining private institutions that seed the nation with excellence. Donors have done this in the expectation that earnings accruing from their investments will be devoted solely to educational purposes, in perpetuity. This expectation will disappear, and the generosity that it has sustained will diminish, if Republicans siphon away a portion of endowments' earnings in order to fund the federal government's general operations.

Its appetite whetted by 1.4 percent, the political class will not stop there. Once the understanding that until now has protected endowments is shredded, there will be no limiting principle to constrain governments  those of the states, too  in their unsleeping search for revenue to expand their power. Public appetites are limitless, as is the political classs desire to satisfy them. Hence there is a perennial danger that democracy will degenerate into looting  scrounging for resources, such as universities endowments, that are part of societys seed corn for prosperous tomorrows.

Government having long ago slipped the leash of restraint, the public sectors sprawl threatens to enfeeble the private institutions of civil society that mediate between the individual and the state and that leaven society with energy and creativity that government cannot supply. Time was, conservatisms central argument for limiting government was to defend these institutions from being starved of resources and functions by government. Abandonment of this argument is apparent in the vandalism that Republicans are mounting against universities endowments.

This raid against little platoons of independent excellence would be unsurprising were it proposed by progressives, who are ever eager to extend governments reach and to break private institutions to the states saddle. Coming from Republicans, it is acutely discouraging.

Disclosure: George F. Will is a former Princeton University trustee.

Read more from George F. Will's archive or follow him on Facebook.
THERES A long list of issues on which the Trump administration, and Republicans generally, are out of step with most Americans, yet on few of them is the chasm so broad or so deep as on health care.

On Tuesday, voters made that clear in a pair of purple states, Virginia and Maine, while for the past week Americans across the country have been surging to sign up for health-care coverage under the Affordable Care Act, which the White House and congressional Republicans have tried to repeal and, failing that, sabotage.

The health-care message was hammered home in Virginia and Maine by huge electoral margins. In exit polls across the Old Dominion, 2 out of 5 voters identified health care as their top concern  more than twice as many as named any other issue. Among those health-care voters, 77 percent favored the Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who supports Obamacare and expanding Virginia's Medicaid program under the law; just 23 percent backed the Republican, Ed Gillespie, who opposes both.

In Maine, a referendum to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, which would extend health insurance to some 80,000 low-income adults, won in a landslide, 59 percent to 41 percent. That was a direct rebuke to the Republican governor, Paul LePage, who vetoed Medicaid expansion five times after it was approved, also five times, by the state legislature.

The outcome in Maine, which would become the 32nd state to expand Medicaid under Obamacare but the first to do so by referendum, may prompt similar ballot measures in other GOP-dominated holdout states. Nationwide, some 2.5 million uninsured adults who could gain access to Medicaid live in the remaining states that have balked at expansion; about 15 million Americans have signed up for Medicaid under the expansion.

Its not that Americans havent heard Republican arguments that expanding health coverage to vulnerable adults will translate into a long-term expense for states  although under Obamacare the federal government will cover at least 90 percent of the cost. In fact, voters have taken into account those warnings  as well as the likelihood that expanded Medicaid will create jobs and bolster the finances of some hospitals  and decided they favor expansion anyway.

The Trump administration and Capitol Hill Republicans are deaf to the fact that too many Americans lack health insurance. Even after Congress's attempts to repeal Obamacare; even after the administration slashed outreach and marketing efforts for the open-enrollment period; and even after Mr. Trump killed subsidy payments to insurers, threatening higher premiums for some policies, sign-ups through HealthCare.gov had roughly doubled in the enrollment period's first week, through Nov. 7, compared with the previous year.

No matter how often Mr. Trump and the GOP call for a federal retreat from ensuring decent health care and insurance, Americans are plainly unconvinced. In fact, there is every indication, including rising approval ratings for Obamacare itself, that the public has rejected the Republican health-care agenda in favor of an active government role. They delivered that message about as clearly as imaginable on Tuesday. Will Republicans in Virginia and around the nation finally pay heed?
A wave of Democratic victories ignited a ferocious debate across the Republican Party on Wednesday over whether President Trumps unorthodox behavior and polarizing agenda are jeopardizing the GOPs firm grip on power in Congress, governors mansions and state legislatures.

The recriminations sparked by Tuesdays results  a decisive rebuke of Trump and his policies in Virginia and elsewhere  threatened the fragile GOP push to pass sweeping tax cuts by the end of the year and raised deeper questions about Republican identity and fealty to a historically unpopular president.

A year ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, Republicans are increasingly uncertain about keeping their majorities on Capitol Hill and are worried about how damaging Trumps jagged brand of politics may become to the party.

Donald Trump is an anchor for the GOP, said veteran party strategist Mike Murphy, a Trump critic. We got that message in loud volume in Virginia. The canary in the coal mine didnt just pass out; its head exploded.

The unease was palpable among vulnerable lawmakers, especially in suburban districts with the kind of voters who roundly rejected Ed Gillespie in Virginia. The Republican gubernatorial nominee ran on countering gang crime and illegal immigration and protecting Confederate history  cultural issues that Trump has made a touchstone of his presidency  but lost to Democrat Ralph Northam, 54 percent to 45 percent.



Establishment Republicans are blaming Trump and talking about Armageddon, but what is their alternative? one Republican strategist asked. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said Tuesdays contests were a lesson to Republicans that catering to the partys conservative base with hard-line appeals and incendiary language turns off the moderate voters they need to win in states like his own. He said his party must choose between a political message of blaming and scapegoating or a more hopeful pitch centered around everyday issues such as health care and the economy.

This is a repudiation of the politics of narrow, Kasich said. In an apparent reference to Trumps 2016 victory, the governor added, The politics of anger may work for a moment in time, but it does not last, thank goodness.

[Election results suggest ground is shifting beneath GOP]

But other party leaders warned against drawing overly broad conclusions about Trump and his political strength from defeats in a handful of states  including two, Virginia and New Jersey, that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in last years presidential election.

Democrats say this is a repudiation and this is an anti-Trump vote, but to me the case doesnt stick, said Robin Hayes, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. Donald Trump is extremely popular in a lot of places. His promise to drain the swamp resonated and still does.

Said Gov. Bill Haslam (R-Tenn.): When you see one night of elections, you see one night of elections. There is always natural wind at your back if youre not in the White House, and wind in your face if you are.

Still, even among Trumps allies, there were complaints about the White House being disengaged and unready to deal with the partys mounting challenges.

The White House isnt paying attention to the suburbs, and there has never really been a political operation there, said Edward J. Rollins, the strategist for the Great America Alliance super PAC, a pro-Trump group. They have to develop a strategy where its not just Trump alone winning, where the whole party is able to win.

Andy Surabian, an adviser to the group and an associate of former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, said blame cast upon Trump and Bannon for lurching the GOP to the right was misplaced.

Establishment Republicans are blaming Trump and talking about Armageddon, but what is their alternative? Surabian asked.

White House officials defended Trumps efforts to help fellow Republicans, noting that he has held numerous fundraisers and other events to help the party. And they argued that the best way for incumbents to navigate the political turbulence would be enacting tax cuts and other Trump policies.

[Her opponent used male pronouns to describe her. Last night, Danica Roem made history.]

The American people expect Republican majorities to deliver on their promises of boosting our economy, cutting taxes and repealing the disastrous Obamacare law, said Raj Shah, a White House spokesman. Nothing would help the political standing of Republicans in Congress more than delivering on the presidents agenda.

Trumps friends at the Capitol said the divisions are more about style than substance. The difficulty is, we have a president who didnt come from the Washington structure, so its really hard for people inside the structure or outside the structure to evaluate him, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) said.

The fresh discord comes after weeks of escalating tensions inside the GOP. Three prominent Republican senators  John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee  have publicly condemned Trumps leadership and questioned his fitness for office.

It also comes amid an exodus of House Republicans. This week alone, Reps. Frank A. LoBiondo (N.J.) and Ted Poe (Texas) announced they would not seek reelection next year, joining a list of more than two dozen colleagues who are retiring or running for a different office. Democrats see many of those vacancies as ripe territory as they look to win back the House majority. Democrats will need to capture 24 additional seats next year to reach the 218-seat threshold to control the House.

Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) conceded that the election results present challenges for incumbents like him. He represents a suburban Philadelphia district that Democrats are targeting aggressively in a region where Democrats won some local and county races for the first time in more than a century.

We dont know if itll be a wave. What we saw yesterday suggests that hypothesis has some merit, but remember, congressional districts are still one by one, Costello told reporters on Capitol Hill. Im very confident that Ive given 110 percent effort to this job.

Democrats are grappling with problems of their own. As celebratory and cathartic as Tuesdays victories were for a party demoralized by Trumps victory, Democratic leaders know Northams success in Virginia does not necessarily mean there will be a nationwide upswing next November.

Virginia is a microcosm of a large portion of the nation, but it doesnt represent every community or every state, said Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.). We have to make sure that we are fighting for the people where theyre at  in the rural and urban communities  and reflect their struggle to have better lives.

Ruiz added, Running purely against Trump is not the full picture.

[GOP handed an old-fashioned thumping in Virginia]

Democratic leaders have echoed that sentiment, saying the party must develop its own affirmative message and must strive to connect with voters everywhere, in particular regions where Trump remains popular.

There remains a lot of work to do in reaching those small-town or rural Democratic voters, Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) said. They are the ones who need to hear from us, too. Those are the voters our party has had a problem with over the years. We need to speak to them about the lack of wage growth and the opioid crisis. We may not even win in those areas, but we could narrow the margins.

Republican strategists said the partys image has suffered from nearly a year of stalemates, fits and failures to govern, despite the partys control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. That is one reason the proposed tax code overhaul has taken on such urgency among GOP leaders.

Robert J. Dole, a former Republican Senate leader and presidential nominee, said that it was premature to assess the political environment for the midterms and that his party could improve its standing if it manages to pass major legislation.

While I am disappointed in the overall results of yesterdays election in Virginia, I dont believe we can measure the full impact on the GOP just yet, Dole said. If Congress passes the tax bill this year, this will help the presidents popularity. As a party, we should have a better sense of where things are headed in six months or so.

Republican consultant Josh Holmes, a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), said Tuesdays losses should prompt the partys lawmakers to act quickly on taxes.

It provides all the motivation they need to get something done, Holmes said. In part, what happened on Tuesday is a reaction to whats not being done and a warning sign that they need to move. They dont have any choice but to do the tax plan.

[Women racked up victories across the country Tuesday. It may be only the beginning.]

But with aspects of the tax plan fluid as Republicans squabble over its details, Murphy and other Republicans said lawmakers will have to make decisions that allow them to appear independent from Trump in case the tax legislation fails to pass or the presidents approval ratings decline further.

Republican members of Congress in swing districts cannot be Trump lemmings. They have to create their own strong identities, Murphy said.

In the states where Republicans have won control of a majority of gubernatorial offices and state legislatures over the last decade, GOP leaders said the path forward was much the same: protect yourself.

People get in trouble when they try to wear someone elses clothes, Haslam said. Each candidate has to decide for himself or herself whether [Trump] is something to focus on or if theyre running for governor of their state and saying, Im going to run my race. Good candidates rise or fall on their own.

Ed OKeefe contributed to this report.
 A man who allegedly attacked Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in his yard last week and broke at least six of his ribs pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge Thursday.

Rene Boucher, 59, a retired anesthesiologist, appeared in Warren County District Court on Thursday morning with his attorney. He faces a possible 12-month sentence and a $500 fine if he is convicted of fourth-degree assault, according to County Attorney Amy Milliken.

It remains unclear whether more serious federal and state felony charges are on the way, with Kentucky State Police and FBI investigations continuing.

New details emerged Thursday about the day of the attack, when five hours apparently elapsed from the time police responded to Pauls home to the moment they arrested Boucher.

But the mysterious nature of the attack remained unsolved. Police, and Paul himself, were unaware initially just how serious his injuries were  and Paul did not immediately seek medical attention, police said. In addition, no new evidence emerged Thursday to help explain a motive for the altercation.



Rene Boucher, center, appears in court for an arraignment hearing with his attorney Matt Baker, left, on Thursday. (Austin Anthony/DailyNews/AP)

During the initial investigation, all indications pointed toward a minor injury to the Senator, Trooper Jeremy Hodges, a spokesman for the Kentucky State Police, said in a text message, explaining why it took five hours to arrest Boucher. He had not been checked by a doctor. We cant arrest for a misdemeanor assault without a warrant in Kentucky unless its domestic violence-related or it happens in an officers presence.

Pauls Senate office offered no comment Thursday.

Fourth-degree assault is the most serious charge prosecuted by the Warren County attorney. More serious state charges would come from Commonwealths Attorney Christopher T. Cohron. Federal charges, in turn, would fall to the U.S. attorneys office in Louisville. Stephanie Collins, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys Office in Louisville, offered no information on the likelihood of a federal prosecution.

Matthew J. Baker, Bouchers attorney, said that his client had not been home since the incident. Baker also told reporters that the incident was unequivocally not about politics. Earlier in the week, he had characterized the incident as a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial.

Doug Stafford, a senior adviser to Paul, on Thursday disputed Bakers characterization of the incident.

The senator was vigorously assaulted by someone in his neighborhood. This is a serious criminal matter involving serious injury, and is being handled by local and federal authorities, Stafford said in a statement. As to reports of a long-standing dispute with the attacker, the Pauls have had no conversations with him in many years. The first conversation with the attacker came after Sen. Pauls ribs were broken. This was not a fight, it was a blindside, violent attack by a disturbed person. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply uninformed or seeking media attention.

A political motivation would drastically increase the likelihood of federal charges under a law that makes it a crime to assault a member of Congress on account of the performance of official duties. That charge comes with a possible sentence of eight years  20 if a weapon is involved  as opposed to the 12-month sentence and $500 fine Boucher faces.

The potential for federal charges are a concern. I hope that doesnt happen, Baker said. But based on his research and understanding of the case, he does not think federal charges will be warranted.

Boucher has no criminal history, and prosecutors are not aware of any previous incident between the two men, Milliken said.

The courtroom was packed for the arraignment with out-of-town reporters there to see for the first time the man who allegedly attacked Kentuckys junior senator, who also ran unsuccessfully for president in 2016.

The scene was so out of the norm for locals that the judge and prosecutor both pulled out their cellphones to take pictures of the large crowd, marveling that theyd never seen the courtroom so full and possibly never will again.

According to Baker, Paul has retained personal injury lawyer Thomas N. Kerrick of the Kerrick Bachert firm in Bowling Green. A message left at Kerricks office had not been returned as of late Thursday morning, and a receptionist said the attorney was traveling.

Boucher often frequented Spencers Coffee, a popular spot on the square in Bowling Green, said barista Ben Fox-Ezell, 29, of Auburn, Ky. Bouchers habit of wearing a beret and ascot made him conspicuous, Fox-Ezell said. Boucher often brought a chessboard and played with a friend.

Hes always really nice and super soft-spoken, said Fox-Ezell, who added that while Boucher used to talk with staff and customers, he never heard Boucher discuss politics.

Dominic Lanphier, 51, of Bowling Green and a mathematics professor at Western Kentucky University, does not know either man but noted t hat it is peculiar that the reported details of the attack have shifted from Paul suffering only minor injuries, to revelations that he has several broken ribs and is unable to travel to Washington.

Its one of those things that I think you only get the whole story as it leaks out bit by bit, Lanphier said.

OKeefe reported from Washington.
Jennifer Carroll Foy won an open seat in the Virginia House of Delegates previously held by a Republican. Foy gave birth to twins during the campaign. She defeated her Republican opponent by 26 points. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Until yesterday, only 17 of the 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates were women. Now, the number will surge to nearly 30.

Women racked up victories across the country on Tuesday, and are being credited with the Democrats big night overall. It is a testament to the remarkable explosion of women candidates who have entered the political stage since Donald Trump was elected president one year ago.

The wave is likely to continue. In 2018, 40 women are already planning to run for governor. Dozens more are considering congressional and other statewide office bids. And Tuesday's result has already become a rallying cry for activists seeking to draw even more women into the public square.

This is huge, said Stephanie Schriock, president of Emilys List, the political group that backs female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights. This is how we build momentum for 2018. Women are going to lead the way.

It was a night of historic wins for women and minorities across the nation. In Helena, Mont., a refugee from Liberia became the first black mayor. Seattle elected its first female mayor in almost a century, and in Charlotte, a black woman won for the first time.



Danica Roem, the first transgender member of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeated a long-serving conservative Republican in what happen been the Republican-leaning outer suburbs of Washington. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

All of it revealed a dramatic election night fueled by opposite forces to those at work in 2016: A surging coalition of women, minorities and immigrants angered by Trumps election and presidency  and eager for their voices to be heard in politics.

I am stunned, said Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University.

[Tuesdays elections offer fresh evidence that the ground is shifting beneath GOP]

It is not just the number of women running, but their success rate.

The Democrats new strength in the Virginia legislature  moving up from 34 seats to at least 49  was build on a strikingly diverse range of candidates, including a woman who immigrated from Peru, a female refugee from Vietnam, an openly gay woman and a transgender woman. Many of the ousted Republicans were white men who had held office for years.

With four races still too close to call, 11 of the 15 Democratic challengers who won in districts held by Republicans were women. Two of victors will be the first Hispanic women to serve in the House of Delegates.

In 2016, Emilys List had discussions with a record 920 women interested in running for office, part of what was called the Hillary bump. Since that election, nearly 20,800 women have expressed an interest in running for office, according to its own tally.



Ashley Bennett defeated a Republican incumbent for a seat on the Atlantic County, N.J., board. The Republican, John Carman, had shared a meme on Facebook asking whether participants in the Womens March in January would be home in time to cook dinner. Angered, Bennett ran against him  and won. (Wayne Parry/AP)

Many of the newly elected women heading to the statehouse had never run for office before.

In New Jersey, Ashley Bennett, a first-time candidate and hospital employee, defeated Republican John Carman for a seat on the Atlantic County board. Carman had shared a meme on Facebook during Januarys Womens March in Washington asking whether the protest would be over in time for them to cook dinner. Bennett, outraged, decided to run  and won.

Jennifer Carroll Foy, a public defender and former foster mother gave birth to premature twins during her campaign for the Virginia House. She won an open seat in the Washington suburbs by 26 points.

The fear and anger and frustration she felt after Trumps victory pushed her to run, she said. She also was angry about what she considered the anti-women proposals coming from the legislature, such as a bill that would have made the anniversary of Roe v. Wade a day of mourning in the state. Such a waste of time and energy, she said.

The slow trot to gender equity sprinted a solid half-mile last night, said Geoffrey Skelley, a political analyst at the University of Virginias Center for Politics.

Many Democratic groups, such as the Latino Victory Fund, have put new focus on state legislative races, adding funding and staff to help candidates.

Elizabeth Guzman, an immigrant from Peru who ran for a state House seat in what had long been the Republican-leaning outer suburbs of Washington, trounced Scott Lingamfelter, a retired Army colonel who had served since 2002.

Guzman campaigned as an immigrant who like so many others had juggled several jobs to pay for her apartment and education. She ran, she said, to protect the American Dream and because she was saddened to hear children say that the president of the United States does not like people who speak Spanish.

Hala Ayala, a single mom who had helped organize buses to go to the Womens March, beat an incumbent Republican who had run unopposed in 2015. Her district, near Manassas has grown increasingly ethnically diverse.

I built my campaign on the promise of fair and equal representation of our community in all of its wonderful diversity, Ayala said in her victory statement.

Democrats were far more aggressive at fielding candidates this year. In the past, many GOP incumbents had gone unchallenged.

In 2013, for instance, Democrats fielded candidates in only 67 House races, compared to 88 in 2017, Skelley said. There was a noticeable uptick this year, he said  and notable success by women.

Lawless, from American University, said the lesson from Virginia, where so many usually safe incumbents lost, is to mount more challenges and not merely go for open seats.

In the four Virginia races still contested as of Wednesday evening, two of the Democratic candidates are African American men. A third, Shelly Simonds, is a school board member from southeastern Virginia who trailed the incumbent Republican by 12 votes.

Women voters were key in Ralph Northams resounding gubernatorial victory. The Democratic candidate won women by a 61 to 39 percent margin. Among black women, he won against Republican Ed Gillespie by 91 to 8 percent, according to exit polls.

Its pretty simple. We have had a very divisive president, and women in particular are fed up, Schiock said. They got mad and they got active.

Kathy Tran, who was a baby when she and her parents fled Vietnam in a boat, won an open seat in the Washington suburbs against Republican Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, an immigrant from Ecuador.

Danica Roem, a journalist who has written for local newspapers and sings in a rock band, will be the first openly transgender person to serve in the Virginia legislature. She unseated Robert Marshall, 73, who advocated against same-sex marriage, allowing gay people in military and other issues that the LBGT community supported. He has served since 1992.

[Danica Roem of Virginia to be first openly transgender person elected, seated in a U.S. statehouse]

Kelly Fowler, a former schoolteacher and real estate agent who won a Republican-held seat in Virginia Beach, is the granddaughter of immigrants from the Philippines.

Lawless said that when Democrats have a good night, women do well. But that means that in the future, if Republicans have an upswing, these gains may not be permanent, she said.

Lawlesss research has found that women continue to show more reluctance than men to run for office  and to doubt their qualifications. One big difference, she said, is the effort that the Democratic Party is putting into recruiting more women to run.

That can mitigate your doubts substantially, she said.
Democrats gained a majority in Washingtons state Senate this week, securing control of all branches of governments in the three states along the West Coast.

With most mail ballots counted, Democratic prosecutor Manka Dhingra won the race in Washingtons 45th District over Republican Jinyoung Lee Englund, a former Capitol Hill staffer, after a campaign that cost both candidates and a swarm of outside groups nearly $9 million. The Associated Press called the race on Thursday afternoon.

Dhingras victory puts Democrats firmly in command of a state that had been trending bluer and will allow the party to pursue a progressive agenda that had been bottled up by Republicans.

Democrats have won at least 27 state legislative seats across the country since the start of the year, marking a turnaround after losing more than 1,000 legislative seats during the Obama years.

Weve put the last brick in the big blue wall against the Trump agenda, across the whole West Coast, said Washington Democratic Party Chairwoman Tina Podlodowski. We have $4 billion in projects that were held up by the Republican senate  19,000 jobs that can now get started. We can fully fund K-12 education. Well look at affordable housing, health care and making voting fairer.





Dhingra had run specifically on enabling Democrats to pass that agenda, telling voters in one of her last debates with Englund that they could change the fact that were not governing. The Republican warned that total Democratic control of the state would lead to surging tax rates; her TV ads showed smug Seattle residents getting ready to impose their values on the suburbs.

But the surge of outside money into the race largely benefited Dhingra. Democrats attacked Englund over her support from Republican groups and publicized a tweet in which the nominee had praised President Trump. Dhingra largely avoided a backlash for her outside support; Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer, billionaires who have upped their investments in progressive causes, each gave $250,000 to the Democrat.

Manka Dhingras critical win means the Washington state Senate will be led by strong supporters of important environmental protections, opening the door to legislative action on climate change  something that will benefit . . . Washingtons economy and the health and safety of everyone who resides there, Steyer said in a statement.

Tuesdays victory made Washington the eighth state run by a Democratic trifecta, with the party in control of the governors mansion and both houses of the state legislature.

Read more at PowerPost
After an election night that surpassed their wildest hopes, Democrats returned to a familiar squabble: How should they run to win in 2018?

Ralph Northams victory in the Virginia governors race, part of a blue wave that spread across the country, gave Democrats confidence they had not known since the hours before Hillary Clinton lost the presidency. Some Democrats even saw an end  or at least a pause  to infighting between a much-derided establishment and their left-wing base.

Jobs, health care and education for all  we run on the basics, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who stumped across his state for Northam and successful House of Delegates candidates. We avoid stupid infighting.

Its not quite that peaceful. In interviews, memos and a flurry of conference calls, left-wing groups created or rebuilt since the 2016 election claimed the electoral wins as a victory for their philosophies and gave little ground in the battle over what direction the party should take or which issues win.

But a larger conclusion also emerged for many Democrats  that the litmus tests of a restive base can linger without unraveling campaigns or keeping voters at home. Tom Steyer, a billionaire whose environmental group, NextGen America, poured money into Virginia, said the race was too important to stay out of despite disagreements about pipelines. Many more voters than expected agreed this week  a model for more victories next year, even for candidates who dont fit every Democrats vision of perfection.



Danica Roem, a Democrat who won a House of Delegates seat in Virginia on Tuesday, falls to her knees after getting a congratulatory call from former vice president Joe Biden. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

I think the reason people are voting for them is that they want to say, Were going to elect everybody that we think would upset Donald Trump,  said Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.).  We think Donald Trump would be upset to see Latinos and women and gays and different people from different religions. Anything that isnt white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant? Well vote for that.

For NARAL, an abortion rights group, Northam proved that pro-choice candidates can run and win on their support for reproductive freedom. Run for Something, founded by Clintons 2016 email director, helped first-time down-ballot candidates across the country outperform the top of the ticket. Democratic Socialists of America celebrated the victory of Lee Carter, a Marine veteran who won a Virginia House of Delegates seat in a race the state party considered unwinnable.

We saw a lot of reverse coattails in Virginia, driven by inspiring candidates, said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. At least 13 of the 15 delegate candidates backed by the PCCC were victorious.

Most Democrats dodged the argument altogether. Tuesdays victories were broad, pulling Democrats into power in once-conservative suburbs and helping far-left candidates in cities win landslides.

[Republicans seek new path after failure of Trumpism without Trump]

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), a moderate from southern Illinois who is helping Democrats craft an economic-focused campaign message next year, said she was especially heartened by Virginia Democrat Danica Roem, who became the first openly transgender person to win a seat in the House of Delegates, defeating one of the states most conservative, divisive lawmakers.

Look what she was talking about, Bustos said. She wasnt talking about the fact that she was transgender  other people were talking about that. She was talking about transportation. No matter who our candidates are or what their candidates are, the number-one lesson is, focus on the economy.



Vi Lyles, the next mayor of Charlotte, celebrates her victory with her granddaughters Tuesday. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/AP)

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that national political dynamics were beginning to look like they did in late 2005, a year before Democrats retook control of Congress. President Trumps unpopularity seemed to have stoked what Schumer expected last year  a suburban rejection of Republicans who are stumbling over how to handle their president.

We are getting our best candidates to run. We are unified like the party was in Virginia. We are winning in places we didnt think possible, and the other side is busy fighting with each other, Schumer told reporters Wednesday. Our Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate, while they grumble about him to us privately, are afraid to change course.

Until Tuesday night, it had been the Democrats, roiled by fresh arguments about the 2016 presidential primary, who were grumbling privately. Their victories, like Trumps, suggested that party infighting was not necessarily important to voters seeking change.

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) said that his suburban Philadelphia district saw more first-time candidates whod never thought about running this cycle than all the other cycles Ive been in politics  and that most of them won.

Over the summer, Boyle delivered a keynote speech at a fundraiser for Democrats in Delaware County, Pa., a county outside his congressional district that had been dominated by Republicans for more than a century. At the fundraiser he met Brian Zidek, a man who woke up the morning after the election in 2016 and decided to run for a County Council seat. On Tuesday, Zidek was one of two Democrats elected to the five-member council, breaking a century-long Republican grip.

Until Tuesday night, that was one of the question marks I had in my mind: To what extent would voters treat their local Republicans the same way they view Trump? Boyle said. It was clear Tuesday night they made no distinction.

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), who watched his Fairfax County turn deep blue on Tuesday, called the president the gift that keeps on giving for local Democratic candidates.

I dont think theres any simple formula, and I dont think it mattered, he said. What mattered is that they were Democrats.

[They got mad and they got active: Female candidates make history]

Other Democrats argued that the party had won by sharpening voters focus on why government had stopped working for them. Former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., who leads a well-funded campaign to end legislative gerrymandering by electing Democrats, said he was pleased to see that Northam campaigned on a pledge not to approve new legislative and congressional maps unless they are drawn up by an independent commission.

I think that ultimately resonated with people looking for fair line-drawing after the census in 2020, Holder said. Thats something, and particularly out of Virginia, about which Im very optimistic.

[Anti-Trump backlash fuels a Democratic sweep]

Democratic centrists, meanwhile, argued that the Virginia race proved that the party needed to tack away from the left. In a tweet, former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford Jr., who once led the moderate Democratic Leadership Council, said that Northams victory was a win for Blue Dog moderates, a dwindling element in the party.

Matt Bennett, a spokesman for the center-left Third Way, also emphasized that Northam had won after defeating progressive primary challenger Tom Perriello, a former congressman who had been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Democrats in Virginia took a look at both approaches, and they rejected rigid ideology and litmus test politics and chose a broad, inclusive path, Bennett said in a statement. The general election voters of Virginia ratified that choice in a resounding fashion.

Perriello, reached Wednesday evening, was amused by the Third Ways analysis.

If weve reached the point where Third Way is celebrating a $15 minimum wage, free college and criminal-justice reform, Ill take it, Perriello said. We saw Ed Gillespie spend a couple of months trying to make the classic tax and spending attacks stick, and they didnt, either with swing voters or base Republicans.

Northam had faced criticism from the left, something Republicans attempted to exploit. His first debate with Gillespie, the Republican nominee, was interrupted by a protester decrying Northams neutral stance on building energy pipelines. His victory speech was delayed by protesters heckling him for opposing sanctuary cities in the commonwealth. In the campaigns waning days, reporters asked why Sanders had not campaigned for Northam, and a left-wing group condemned his sanctuary-city stance as racist.

But Northam, running in a state that has trended away from Republicans, made few other concessions to the center. In a memo to reporters after Northam won his primary, Gillespies campaign warned that his endorsement of a $15 minimum wage and stiff pollution controls opposed by friends of the coal industry would make him unelectable.

Ralph Northam is far to the left of the incumbent Democratic governor, previous Democratic governors and gubernatorial nominees, and, most importantly, the Virginia electorate, wrote Gillespies campaign manager, Chris Leavitt.

In an interview Wednesday, Sanders said the reason he did not stump for Northam was that he was not asked to, and he dismissed the idea that the election validated centrist politics at the expense of the populist left.

Northam won because people today, more than perhaps any time in my lifetime, realize that you cant sit it out, Sanders said. Whether Tom Perriello would have done better than Northam  nobody knows that.

Read more at PowerPost
A growing chorus of Republicans, including President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have called on Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from a special election in Alabama if allegations prove true that the former judge initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was accompanying Trump as he traveled from China to Vietnam on Friday, said, Like most Americans, the president does not believe we can allow a mere allegation, in this case one from many years ago, to destroy a persons life. However, the president also believes that if these allegations are true, Judge Moore will do the right thing and step aside.

McConnell, in a formal statement on behalf of all Republican senators, said, If these allegations are true, he must step aside.

Other Republican senators weighing in included Jeff Flake of Arizona, David Perdue of Georgia, John Thune of South Dakota, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Richard C. Shelby of Alabama and Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called on Moore to step aside as well  and without couching his statement with if true language.

The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying, McCain said. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.



Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn R-Tex.) quickly makes comments to journalists about Senate candidate Roy Moore on Thursday. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Vice President Pence also found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office, said spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

[Woman says Roy Moore initiated sexual encounter when she was 14, he was 32]

Moore has denied the allegations and given no indication that he will exit the race. "Our children and grandchildren's futures are on the line," he tweeted Thursday. "So rest assured  I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!" Moore also emailed a fundraising pitch off the revelations. "I believe you and I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values," he wrote.

The state Republican Party has the power to disqualify Moore from the election, according to the Alabama secretary of state. If that happens, McConnell and other Republicans would face the challenge of figuring out which candidate would run in Moores place  and how to win an election in which it is too late to replace the former judges name on the Dec. 12 ballot.

Under Alabama state law, the ballot cannot be changed within 76 days of an election. However, in the event of either disqualification or withdrawal, votes cast for Moore would not be certified.

In addition, state law allows write-in votes to be cast in general elections, as long as the names are for living people and written in without using a rubber stamp or stick-on label. Despite a state law barring candidates from appearing twice on ballots in the same election cycle, Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.), who lost in the primary to Moore, would be an eligible write-in candidate, said John Bennett, an official at the state secretary of states office.

Several state Republicans suggested Thursday that the party is unlikely to disqualify Moore.

Samuel H. Givhan, the senior vice chairman of the state party, described The Washington Post story as allegations from somebody who has been silent for over 40 years who was speaking out just weeks before an election. When asked about the Senate majority leaders call for Moore to step aside if the accusations are found to be true, Givhan said, Im not sure Sen. McConnell has any say so in this.

Jonathan P. Gray, a Republican consultant in Alabama who is not working with any of the Senate candidates this year, was more pointed: I think it was already perfectly well stated that no one in Alabama gives a s--- what Mitch McConnell or John McCain thinks we should do.

A group close to McConnell that spent millions of dollars to oppose Moore in the primary called on Gov. Kay Ivey (R) and the state party to investigate the allegations. If theres even a shred of evidence to these accusations, Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Republican Party need to do everything in their power to remove Judge Moore from the ballot, said Steven Law, chief executive of the Senate Leadership Fund. There is no place in our party for sexual predators.

Strange avoided reporters questions in the Capitol on Thursday, but Shelby, his Alabama colleague, said: Luther Strange is a good senator, hes a friend, and I support him. I dont know what hes going to do, but well see what develops.

In an extensive report published Thursday, The Post detailed the allegations against Moore by the then-14-year-old and three other girls who were between the ages of 16 and 18 when they said the incidents occurred.

None of the women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moores Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls.

Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they dont know one another.

The news struck the Capitol with a thunderbolt Thursday afternoon. As senators headed in for an afternoon vote on a Transportation Department nominee, reporters swarmed Republicans in a bid to get their reaction.

McConnell was hounded more than usual as he headed to the Senate Chamber, with reporters shouting questions at a lawmaker they know usually stays mum when asked questions in the hallway.

Once he stepped onto the floor, McConnell quickly voted and conferred with aides. Moments later, Strange came to the floor and headed straight for McConnell. They conferred for several moments before McConnell asked an aide to track down his top spokesman, Don Stewart.

You cant make this up, mouthed one of McConnells aides to another colleague.

Stewart came to the floor and told McConnell and Strange that a statement was being sent to reporters. In it, McConnell called on Moore to step down if the allegations are true.

Strange, seemingly unsure of what to do, was instructed to vote and leave the chamber as quickly as possible.

McConnell then conferred with other senators, including Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Thune. Stewart also assured the senators that a statement was out but then, realizing that reporters were watching from above, instructed McConnell, Please go.

He walked toward the back door of the Senate Chamber, paused momentarily and stepped out. Several reporters were waiting for him in the Ohio Clock Corridor.

McConnells inner circle spent late Thursday morning discussing the repercussions and how Republicans should move forward  and grousing that if Strange, their preferred candidate in the primary, was still the nominee, they would not be answering questions about Moores conduct.

If its true, the Republican Party doesnt have any place for pedophiles and he should step down immediately, said Josh Holmes, a McConnell confidant and his former chief of staff. Steve Bannon is responsible, he added about the McConnell foil and former White House chief strategist, for enabling candidates such as Moore who are out of the GOP mainstream.

That view was shared by Scott Reed, a political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who opposed Moores nomination. Here we go  another Steve Bannon special, Reed said.

Ed OKeefe, Karoun Demirjian, Paul Kane and David Weigel contributed to this report.

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Brick semidetached duplexes shaded by old oaks and elms are a hallmark of Michigan Park. (Kathy Orton/The Washington Post)

1 of 15 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Where We Live | Michigan Park in Northeast Washington View Photos Residents appreciate the return of families, but lament the potential loss of some cherished open space. Caption Residents appreciate the return of families, but lament the potential loss of some cherished open space. Kathy Orton Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

The quiet residential streets in the Districts Michigan Park neighborhood are lined with brick semidetached duplexes  what my Mom calls half-a-double,  said David Conrad, president of the Michigan Park Citizens Association.

Built mostly in the 1920s and 30s, they are framed by porches and front yards and in the summer are shaded by old oaks and elms.

This Northeast neighborhood in Ward 5 is crisscrossed by two major traffic corridors  South Dakota and Michigan avenues  and blessed with some sprawling private institutions in or near the neighborhood that provide open green space, as well as facilities such as Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.

These include Providence Hospital, St. Josephs Seminary, St. Anselms Abbey Benedictine Monastery and St. Anselms Abbey School, Whitefriars Hall, and the Howard University School of Divinity, once the Franciscans Holy Name College. The community is a jewel because of these large properties that are amenities to the residents, said John J. Feeley Jr., one of four Michigan Park advisory neighborhood commissioners.

[Good location, good schools, amenities abound in Arlingtons Glebewood]

The neighborhood seems like a throwback to earlier times because it does not have the preponderance of new construction, development and pop-ups common in nearby Brookland, Bloomingdale and Petworth.

Lavinia Wohlfarth, one of the old-timers, has lived there her whole life. My grandfather built my house in 1935, she said. The neighborhood always had a lot of stability and has always been family-based.

Gentrification helped us because it brought back people who wanted to have families. Thats what we had in the past, and now we have them again. There was a big exodus after the riots [in the late 1960s] when the city government didnt redo what needed to be redone, said Wohlfarth.

Today, theres a friendly energy. People here speak to one another on the street. Itd be odd if someone doesnt, she said.





Loss of open space: But there is development, and mixed feelings about it.

St Josephs wants to develop the north end of its property with townhouses. It has sold the property to EYA, a real estate developer. Besides upheaval across the land, a line of statuesque evergreens would be cut down.

The grassy eight-acre site has been a neighborhood asset for a long time. The citys comprehensive plan calls it the lungs of the neighborhood, said Conrad. Thats why itll be a big loss. This is where my son, Simon, and I played ball, ran the dog and met a lot of friends, he recalled. Simon, 25, has since flown the nest.

In its place, the seminary proposes a permanent public easement on its south end that it would maintain as open space in addition to building a playground and conferring historic landmark status on the building.

[Low key, eclectic and community-minded: Cabin John, Md., has its own vibe]

The Divinity School is also considering developing part of its property, and development of the hospital site is under discussion. It has been kind of quiet here, but now the pace of development has found us, said Conrad, an architect and resident since 1994.

Feeley, born and raised there, said he sees increasing concern about development, something we never had to worry about.

The proposed development at St. Josephs is huge and contested, he said. Some citizens hired a lawyer to argue that the development isnt in keeping with the neighborhood. Theyre considering a lawsuit. A case brought against the zoning commission was successful two years ago in D.C. Appellate Court and overturned a planned unit development in Brookland.

The people I meet are some of the young families who bought here in the past 10 years in part because of the open space. People are beginning to wake up to the fact that these institutions are considering development and the city isnt making any moves to take over the property and protect it as open space, said Feeley.

I believe the city should make a commitment to work with the institutions to set aside some space for parks. If nothing is preserved by the city, well be in a very bad way because open parkland in Ward 5 doesnt exist. I believe that if intensive development is shoved down peoples throats, well see more lawsuits, he said.

What's nearby: Conrad and his wife, Kaye Brubaker, a University of Maryland professor, shop in Brentwood, often at Giant and Yes! Organic Market. Adjacent Brookland has galleries, shops and restaurants.

Wohlfarth founded Wohlfarth Galleries 29 years ago. She is showing the landscapes of a local oil painter, Lisa Farrell, in November.



WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 11/4/17: Districts Michigan Park neighborhood in Washington, DC on {month name} 11/4/17, 2017. (Kathy Orton/The Washington Post)

Living there: Michigan Park, Zip code 20017, sits between Fort Totten and North Michigan Park. It is bounded by Gallatin Street NE on the north, South Dakota Avenue on the east, Taylor Street NE to the south and Puerto Rico Avenue to the west. Housing includes duplexes, triplexes and single-family dwellings.

Four properties are for sale, according to Larry Bivins, a sales associate for Long & Foster, ranging from a four-bedroom, four-bathroom single-family home for $639,997 to a three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit in a building zoned for mixed use for $729,900.

Six properties are under contract, ranging from a four-bedroom, four-bathroom single-family short sale for $375,000 to a four-bedroom, four-bathroom single-family home for $674,900.

In the past year, 21 homes sold, ranging from a three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family house for $425,000 to a five-bedroom, five-bathroom single-family home for $869,000.

Schools: Bunker Hill Elementary, Brookland Middle, Theodore Roosevelt High.

Transit: The Brookland-CUA Station on the Red Line is the closest Metro stop. Several bus lines  the 80, E and R  run through the community. Residential streets offer parking spaces.

Crime: According to the D.C. police, there were six burglaries, eight assaults with a dangerous weapon and nine robberies in the neighborhood in the past year.
When President Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday, he was whisked through quiet streets to the Forbidden City, where he got a history lesson from President Xi Jinping and caught an opera at the Pavilion of Pleasant Sounds.

It was an apt opener. After twice tweeting out his gratitude, Trump on Thursday met Xi at the tightly guarded Great Hall of the People, where, surrounded by corporate chief executives, he oversaw the signing of $250 billion in trade deals and continued to praise his authoritarian host.

The two-day trip was orchestrated to project the image of remote and absolute power that Xi enjoys and Trump admires. There were no protests, no questions from the press, no ordinary people  nothing but pleasantries and soothing tones.

Trump brought up North Korea but said Xi could solve it. He raised the trade deficit but said it was not Chinas fault. He said the Chinese people are very proud of Xi.

After all the sweet talk, the United States is expecting a lot in return from Beijing  but Xi, in the ascendant, may not budge. That could lead to disappointment in the United States and friction down the road in the relationship.



From left, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Andy Wong/AP)

While both sides were pleased to see a high-stakes visit end without incident, there are questions about what was gained and what, perhaps, was lost.

"Talk about embracing the Leninist political system," said Evan S. Medeiros, who heads the Eurasia Group's coverage of the Asia-Pacific region and was the National Security Council's Asia director in the Obama administration. "In Trump's effort to ingratiate himself with Xi, is he inadvertently ceding American primacy to China?"

The United States, Medeiros argued, is the anchor power in Asia because of the rules, institutions and values it represents. Trump fundamentally calls that into question when hes praising the Chinese political system  and not getting much in exchange.

Xi, said analysts, may have calculated that the really tough negotiations with the United States, on a range of issues, still lie ahead  and that China can play a strong hand. Until then, he can sit tight.

My expectation is that not much will come from China, said Max Baucus, until the beginning of this year the U.S. ambassador to China. And that is going to put Trump in a bit of a box.

William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, applauded the trade deals but also wondered what comes next, whether the Trump administration would be able to use the momentum to tackle tougher issues in the U.S.-China economic relationship, such as market access for U.S. firms in China.

The question remains: What is being done about these structural issues? he asked. We hope to see proactive measures by the Chinese to address the imbalances in the relationship, as pressure is building in the U.S. to take reactive reciprocal actions.

As a candidate, Trump often lashed out at Beijing, blaming the Chinese economy for a host of U.S. ills.

But when Trump hosted Xi at the presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, his tone changed.

In an apparent effort to secure Xis help on North Korea, Trump has curtailed his criticism and shifted his focus to areas where he thinks he can win.

The focus on signing deals in front of the cameras  as opposed to, say, hammering out solutions to long-standing economic issues  makes some sense, experts said.

Trump lacks diplomatic experience and has been slow to make appointments to several key Asia roles.

We havent yet had the bandwidth in the U.S. administration or the time to have detailed conversations with the Chinese side on market access and other systemic issues, said Timothy P. Stratford, managing partner of Covington and Burlings Beijing office and a former assistant U.S. trade representative.

Unless youve had time to discuss these very difficult and complicated issues in some detail, you cant expect the two presidents to announce anything that is concrete and detailed and meaningful, he said. I fully expect these very tough discussions to begin in the next few months.

Chen Dingding, a professor at Guangzhous Jinan University, said the visit was a starting point  a first offer on the way to the next deal.

Whats the alternative? No trade deals? Often you cant get your best deal  you can get your second best, get your third and move from there.

Both the Chinese and U.S. sides, of course, are casting Thursdays agreements as first rate. At a briefing after the meeting, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said the deals were a miracle.

Chinas Communist Party-controlled press seems pleased, for now, with Trumps visit, for what he said and didnt say.

The Global Times, a newspaper known for its nationalist rhetoric, ran an editorial Thursday headlined, What do most Chinese people like about Trump?

The piece noted Trumps frank character and pragmatic approach to U.S.-China ties, mentioning specifically that he does not bring up human rights.

One of the main reasons China likes Trump is that Trump likes Xi, the paper argued. He respects our head of state and has repeatedly praised President Xi Jinping in public.

The paper noted in particular that Trump had been quick to call Xi after the recent 19th Party Congress. This is respect for the Chinese system.

The question is what happens if the friendly rhetoric changes  if Trump, for whatever reason, stops being so positive about Xi. With the mood in the United States turning increasingly skeptical about China and the benefits of the bilateral relationship, that has to be a real possibility, experts said.

President Xi and the Chinese leadership will think that they have done an awful lot to give President Trump face: Theyve done a state visit plus, theyve rolled the red carpet out with all the pomp and ceremony, they did all these business deals, and they come away thinking the relationship is on a solid footing, said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing.

But President Trump may go home to a domestic political environment where people are disappointed he hasnt achieved more progress on trade and economics and North Korea, he said, and you may see a shift towards a much harder line.

Amber Ziye Wang and Yang Liu in Beijing contributed to this report.

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As Spanish leaders and Catalonia's separatists battle over the fate of the would-be breakaway region, a shadow from the past is looming over the conflict: Francisco Franco, the dictator who held his nation in an iron grip from 1939 to well into the 1970s.

With Catalan leaders exiled and locked behind bars, Catalan media outlets under threat and national police using truncheons to break up last month's independence referendum, many here in Catalonia say that their repressive history is making an ugly return.

They point to the no-negotiation stance of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who they say has sought to quell separatism not by persuasion but by force and fear. And they say his center-right Popular Party never fully purged itself of its past after having been founded by Franco-era officials.

Rajoy and his allies dismiss the criticism, saying they are democratically elected leaders operating within the bounds of Spains constitution and that they long ago repudiated Francos dictatorship. Any comparison is unfair, they say, as the nations leader takes legal action to hold the country together.

Ahead of Dec. 21 regional elections, Rajoy said this week that he hoped they would open a new political era of coexistence, in which the rules are respected.

But Spanish leaders, too, have occasionally reached toward the opposite side in their nations bitter history. Pablo Casado, a spokesman for Spains ruling party, recently warned that if former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont declared independence, he could wind up with a fate similar to a previous Catalan leader during the Spanish Civil War who was executed by firing squad in 1940.

[Catalonias leaders are jailed a week after the region declared independence]

For many Catalans, Rajoy's takeover of Catalonia last month and the dismissal and imprisonment of its leaders "represented a return to Francoism," said Pelai Pages, a historian of the Spanish Civil War at the University of Barcelona. "History is not so far away."

He said the chilly climate was visible not just in the streets but even in his university classrooms, where he said administrators have pressured him to teach according to their lesson plans, not his.

I began teaching in the Franco years, and I never have been questioned as much about what Im teaching as now, Pages said.

Bitter memories of Francos rule are just beneath the surface in Catalonia, where their language, a cousin to French and Spanish, was banned from schools and people were forced to adopt Spanish given names. Many Catalans hold special contempt for Spains national police force, which they see as an heir to Francos repression. The group reinforced its negative image during the Oct. 1 independence referendum when its officers plunged into peaceful crowds and beat up elderly voters who were taking part in a vote that the national government deemed illegal.

Many in Catalonia say that vestiges of the Franco era never fully went away, even if Spain made a transition to democracy in the years after the 1975 death of the man known as the Generalisimo. In Germany, a reckoning with its Nazi past has been pursued with such fervor that it has its own multisyllabic word, Vergangenheitsbewaltigung. But in Spain, the Franco era was handled with a pact of forgetting that left painful history unsettled.

Francos tomb outside Madrid is a place of pilgrimage for those who miss his law-and-order, no-dissent approach to civil life. Inside the capital city, pro-Franco advocates last month successfully stymied an effort by the left-wing mayor of Madrid to rename 52 streets that commemorate Franco-era events and officials. The country is scattered with mass graves from the Franco period, many of them unexcavated and unexamined.

Small groups of far-right activists waving Franco-era flags and showing fascist salutes have sometimes been on the fringes of pro-independence demonstrations. They also have taken part in pro-union rallies, although they remain a tiny fraction of the half of Catalans who want to remain part of Spain, most of whom loathe Franco.

We want to make sure were present on the street to get across the idea that there is another Catalonia, said Josep Alsina, the leader of a far-right activist group called Somatemps, or Minutemen, which has staged counterprotests at pro-independence rallies and also marched on Catalonias pro-independence regional radio station.

Since the death of Franco, the state in Madrid has gradually been emptied of its powers, and it has also lost power on an international basis, said Alsina, a retired high school science teacher, who said he wanted to help rebuild the country as a robust democratic force.

[Catalan separatists counted on support from the E.U. But they got the cold shoulder.]

Even more worrisome to those fearful of the Franco past, the countrys top military commander wrote last week that probably the biggest challenge of our democracy was the situation in Catalonia.

Let no one doubt it: We are always prepared when we are called upon to respond, General Fernando Alejandre wrote in an editorial marking a Spanish military holiday.

Catalans say reminders of the ugly past are everywhere. In a crowded military-antiques shop in a leafy Barcelona neighborhood, owner Xavier Andreu said that Francos enduring appeal could be measured even through market forces. Busts of the ex-dictator are still manufactured and a popular item in Madrid and elsewhere, he said.

This is what is not a market mover: Artifacts of the losing, anti-Franco Republican side of the Spanish Civil War or of the Catalans that were a big part of the fight.

I used to go to a military fair in Madrid once a year, Andreu said. Now I wont go. I took a Republican flag and people said, Thats a provocation. I took a Catalan flag, and they wouldnt let me take it out.

The ideological split has alienated Andreu from fellow military buffs in the rest of Spain, he said.

Catalan society thinks that the Popular Party is a carry-over from Franco, said Andreu, 58, who said that the Spanish authorities tortured him for his Catalan nationalist views during the waning days of the dictatorship.

Right-wing activists revel in the revival of Spanish nationalism that has been the flip side to the independence effort.

Here in Spain, nationalism is a kind of taboo, said Jordi de la Fuente, a leader of the anti-immigrant Platform for Catalonia political party. We think that it was a mistake that patriotism was demonized 40 years ago.

Several historians said that the finger-pointing about Franco risks misdiagnosing the source of the conflict.

The real problem is the crisis of the democratic system built after Francos death, said Xavier Casals, a historian at Barcelonas Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University who focuses on far-right movements. At this moment in Spanish politics, there are no rational messages, just emotional ones.

Rajoy has embraced the post-Franco constitution as the source of most of his authority as he quells the Catalan breakaway effort. But some say that constitution is overdue for a revision.

The writing of the constitution was an unequal negotiation in that power was on the side of the ex-Francoists, said Sebastian Balfour, an emeritus professor of contemporary Spanish studies at the London School of Economics. Anti-Franco forces, including those who wanted more autonomy for Catalonia, had to make most of the compromises, he said.

I dont think that were seeing the response of an old Francoism in the present, Balfour said. What were seeing is a sort of repressive constitutionalism: This is the constitution, and were not negotiating it. 

But some Catalan nationalists say the situation is far less complicated: The Spanish government is using fear tactics, just like in the Franco years.

They want to alienate the Catalan population from the Spanish government. And they want to impose it through fear, said Ermengol Gassiot, the head of the Barcelona branch of the hard-line CGT trade union. Given the legal repercussions, they hope people will cease to push for independence. This is a return to the strategy employed by the Franco years.

Braden Phillips contributed to this report.

Read more

How Catalonias independence went from dream to defeat in just a month

The world has nearly 15,000 nuclear weapons. This years Nobel Peace Prize honors the quest to abolish all of them.

Latvias cellphones stopped working. Russias war games may be to blame.

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Iraqi forces stand guard near the al-Qaim border crossing between Syria and Iraq on Nov. 8, 2017. (Suleiman Al-Anbari/AFP/Getty Images)

Syrian government forces said Thursday they have recaptured the Islamic State's former border stronghold of Bukamal, shrinking the group's remaining territory and leaving the militants with only a few enclaves.

The move into Bukamal, also called Abu Kamal, in eastern Syria choked off a key route for the Islamic State across the border with Iraq. The Syrian state news agency said Wednesday that pro-government forces had linked up with Iraqi troops to clear what remained of the collapsed militant group in the area.

The Islamic States self-declared caliphate, announced three years ago, once stretched across Syria and Iraq to occupy an area the size of Belgium. Now, after a series of defeats, the militants have been penned into a string of Syrian towns and villages along the Euphrates River.

In a message read aloud on Syrian state television, the militarys general command described the recapture of Bukamal as the victory that marked the fall of the Islamic States project in the region.

Despite the Islamic States promise to fight to the last man, the group has appeared to withdraw from its former Syrian bases without a major fight.

Read more:

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When Saad Hariri's jet touched down in Beirut early Thursday, Lebanon hoped it would bring an end to a crisis spurred by his abrupt and mysterious resignation as prime minister, delivered in a speech from Saudi Arabia last week.

But he was not aboard, according to local media and an airport employee.

For five days, Hariri has been in the shadows, his whereabouts and status the subject of fevered speculation in this fragile state. Aides said they have hardly spoken to him. His own political party has anxiously demanded his return.

A growing conviction that Saudi Arabia is restricting his movements has shaken Lebanon, fueling fears that the country, yet again, was becoming a battleground for destructive regional rivalries.

When Hariri resigned on Saturday, during what appeared to be a routine trip to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, he blamed Iran, saying it had created a "state within a state" in Lebanon, a reference to the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement that is the country's dominant political force. But the resignation  a dramatic gesture that seemed to come out of nowhere  blindsided Lebanon, including Hariri's supporters.

It was perhaps better explained by the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a feud that has simmered for decades and, in the past few days, left the region fearing the outbreak of new wars.

Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf allies fumed in recent years as Iran reached a deal over its nuclear program with Western countries and expanded its influence in the region, including in Syria and Iraq.

[Saudis accuse Iran of possible act of war as regional tensions rise]

The 32-year-old crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has helped lead an aggressive gulf effort to counter the Iranians  most visibly, by mustering a military coalition to fight in Yemen against a rebel group that the Saudis regard as an Iranian proxy force. And President Trump has emerged as one of Saudi Arabias closest allies, repeatedly praising the kingdom and its anti-Iranian stance.

In Lebanon, there was immediate suspicion that Hariri  whose speech echoed Saudi Arabias own combative rhetoric  had in fact been forced to step down by the Saudis, and become a pawn, along with his country, in the Saudi-Iranian feud.

Global struggles and antagonisms are often reflected in small countries, and Lebanon is one of them, said Imad Salamey, a professor at the Lebanese American University. It is a complicated place because there are multiple confessional groups aligned with regional powers and trying to coexist. We are seeing that reflected back onto the country now, with more confrontation than peace.

On Tuesday, a few days after his speech, Hariri was seen in the United Arab Emirates, a close ally of Saudi Arabia. Hariri, who has also long been backed by the Saudis, met an Emirati leader, Mohammed bin Zayed, who wished him all the success in his endeavors to ensure Lebanon overcomes its ordeals and achieves the aspirations of the Lebanese people, according to the Emirates News Agency.

It seemed a strange thing to say to a politician who had just resigned.

By Wednesday, Hariri was back in Riyadh, according to a statement from his office, which said he met with diplomats from the United States, Britain and the European Union. On Thursday, the statement said, Hariri received the French ambassador.

There was speculation that Hariri was among scores of people detained by the Saudi authorities in the last week, including princes, officials and some of the most prominent businessmen in the country. While Saudi officials insist the arrests  of more than 200 people so far  are part of an aggressive anti-corruption campaign, the sweep is also widely seen as an effort by the crown prince to eliminate rivals and consolidate power.

[What the royal purge means for Saudi Arabia  and its oil]

Many analysts agreed it amounted to a radical restructuring of Saudi Arabias political order, a spectacle that riveted the Middle East.

But back in Lebanon, the anxiety only grew.

We are still in the phase of the unknown, a senior Lebanese official said Thursday. We have been meeting with foreign ambassadors and no one has any relevant information. No one was able to talk to Hariri beyond: Hi, how are you? Im fine. 

The Saudis had forced the prime minister to resign, said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive political crisis. Its not voluntary. The Reuters news agency, citing two anonymous U.S. officials, said the Saudis had encouraged Hariri to leave office.

In a statement on Thursday, Hariris Future Movement political party said his return was a necessity.

Saudi Arabia ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, citing the situation there, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Other gulf states allied with the Saudis, including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, did the same.

If anyone tells you he knows what is going on, then hes lying, said Misbah Adnan Eid, an official in the Beirut district of Basta. There is a sense of loss, a sense of the unknown. We dont know when this ends.

Fahim reported from Istanbul.

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In an effort to stem the increasing opioid-related overdose deaths, the Justice Department announced Thursday that anyone who possesses, imports, distributes or manufactures any fetanyl-related substance can be criminally prosecuted.

Justice officials said that overseas chemical manufacturers, aided by domestic distributors, try to evade regulatory controls by using analogues  or structural variants  of fentanyl that are not directly listed under the controlled-substance law. That has forced prosecutors to overcome difficult evidentiary hurdles to convict traffickers under another law, Justice officials said.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the departments action to include all fetanyl-related substances on the Drug Enforcement Administration drug schedules will give his prosecutors an important tool amid the nations opioid overdose epidemic.

By scheduling all fentanyls, we empower our law enforcement officers and prosecutors to take swift and necessary action against those spreading these deadly poisons, Sessions said.

[Fentanyl linked to thousands of urban overdose death]

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, sometimes mixed into heroin or cocaine. Most illicit fentanyls come into the United States through the mail or express shipping systems or are imported across the southwest border, according to the Justice Department.

Every day, 55 Americans die from overdoses of synthetic opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The overdose death rate from synthetic opioids approximately doubled between 2015 and 2016 when more than 20,000 people died of overdose deaths, a Justice official said.

Last summer, the DEA warned police officers, firefighters and other first responders who might come into contact with fentanyl to be careful about touching or inhaling any powdery white substance. In a case in Ohio, an officer passed out about an hour after brushing the substance off his shirt. He was revived with four doses of naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids.

In October, federal prosecutors charged two Chinese nationals who sold fentanyl to Americans over the Internet in a large international conspiracy case.

When Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein announced the charges, he said that one of the men charged, Xiaobing Yan, operated websites that sold fentanyl to U.S. customers and also ran at least two chemical plants in China that could produce tons of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Rosenstein said then that fentanyls chemical structure can be modified to create analogues inside the bounds of U.S. and Chinese law.

Thursdays action is aimed at targeting those modifications. A Justice official described the effort as way to stop the dangerous Whac-A-Mole game being played when manufacturers and distributors tweak the chemical structure of fentanyl to evade the law.

[Justice Department reveals charges against Chinese fentanyl distributors]

DEA is seeing new fentanyl-related substances crop up at alarming rates, said a DEA official. This ... action gets us ahead of the chemists, ahead of the dealers, who would engage in this mad chemistry to avoid controlled substances.

The Justice Departments action on fentanyl variants is a temporary change to the DEAs drug schedule and will last up to two years, with a possible one-year extension.

I also urge the many members of Congress who clearly share our concern and alarm over fentanyls role in our opioid overdose epidemic to do their part by permanently scheduling these lethal substances, Sessions said.
RT, a Moscow-headquartered website and television channel that the U.S. government says is a propaganda outlet for the Kremlin, will register with U.S. authorities as a foreign agent, its editor said Thursday.

The registration follows a months-long back-and-forth between RT and the Justice Department over whether it was required by U.S. law to register as an agent of the Russian government.

The American Justice Department has left us with no choice, RTs editor in chief Margarita Simonyan said in a statement posted on the organizations website. Our lawyers say that if we dont register as a foreign agent, the director of our company in America could be arrested, and the accounts of the company could be seized. In short, in this situation the company would not be able to work. Between those consequences and registering as a foreign agent, we are forced to choose registration.

She added: We will continue to work and continue to fight this as long as its possible.

Formerly known as Russia Today, RT disputes that it is an agent of the Russian government, arguing that it offers alternatives to mainstream news coverage. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the network and website push relentlessly anti-American propaganda at the behest of the Russian government.



Russian state-owned television station RT logo is seen at the window of the company's office in Moscow on Oct. 27, 2017. (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

[Facebook temporarily blocked RT]

The Russian Embassy in Washington suggested Thursday that U.S.-based news organizations with reporters in Moscow could face retaliation. In a statement, the embassy said RT was given an ultimatum to register as a foreign agent by Nov. 13 and if the company doesnt comply, the U.S. government is threatening to start arresting staff and freezing bank accounts.

The embassy warned that restrictions on the activities of Russian media would inevitably entail immediate and reciprocal measures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about the controversy at a foreign policy event last month. In response to a question from Simonyan, Putin said, As soon as we see any efforts to limit our mass media, we will reciprocate immediately.

Russian news media reported in October that the upper house of the Russian parliament had drawn up a blacklist of at least five U.S. media outlets whose activities in Russia could be restricted in response.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.

A January assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies described RT America TV as a Kremlin-financed channel operated from within the United States, (which) has substantially expanded its repertoire of programming that highlights criticism of alleged US shortcomings in democracy and civil liberties.

The assessment also said RT America has positioned itself as a domestic US channel and has deliberately sought to obscure any legal ties to the Russian government, but behind the scenes, The Kremlin staffs RT and closely supervises RTs coverage, recruiting people who can convey Russian strategic messaging because of their ideological beliefs.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), passed in the run-up to World War II as a means of exposing pro-Nazi propagandists in the United States, requires that Americans working on behalf of foreign governments register as such with the government.

The requirements are enforced by the Justice Department, but some critics, including the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), have said the department has a poor track record of making firms and individuals follow the law.

The issue of Russian propaganda in the United States has become a hot topic in the wake of the 2016 presidential election, as lawmakers and intelligence officials have pointed to thousands of social media accounts directed from Russia that posed as Americans voicing their opinions on domestic political issues. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia sought to interfere with the U.S. election to help Donald Trump get elected.

As RTs work has come under greater scrutiny from the Justice Department, the company has accused the United States of trying to infringe on the rights of a free press. Other foreign news organizations operating in the United States have filed under FARA with little observable impact on their business.

Read more:

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Putin says Olympic disqualifications are sign of U.S. meddling in Russias elections
Strained relations between the United States and Turkey will not improve unless Washington takes steps to address Turkish concerns over its actions in Syria and its failure to extradite a Turkish cleric sought by Ankara on terrorism charges, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in Washington on Wednesday.

Yildirim said he would take up these and other issues in a meeting Thursday with Vice President Pence, in hopes that the two countries can start a new era of cooperation.

But there were no signs that the Trump administration is moving toward addressing Turkeys demand that it extradite Fethullah Gulen, a U.S. permanent resident who Ankara says was the mastermind behind a coup attempt in July 2016 in which hundreds were killed.

The Justice Department has said it is still studying evidence presented by Turkey, which so far has not been deemed sufficient to present to a federal court that must make the final decision on extradition.

They have not given any answers. No steps have been taken, Yildirim said in a meeting with American reporters.

Turkey considers the coup attempt akin to the September 2001 al-Qaeda attacks in the United States, the prime minister said, and the Turkish public increasingly views American failure to act on its request as an indication of U.S. involvement in a Gulenist plot.

The head of a terrorist organization  Gulen  is being hosted by our ally, our friend, and nothing is being done, Yildirim said. That is the biggest obstacle to improvement in relations.

When President Trump met at the United Nations in September with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said the NATO allies were as close as they have ever been.

Just a month later, the two suspended issuing visas to each others country following the arrest of two local employees of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Turkey, part of a massive post-coup crackdown that has led to the arrests of tens of thousands of Gulen followers and ordinary critics of the government.

The crackdown has brought widespread international criticism.

This week, both countries announced they would resume limited visa issuance.

But Yildirim said that Turkey remains disappointed in the Trump administration. Its sad, he said. Nothing has changed since relations nose-dived under former president Barack Obama.

In addition to the Gulen situation, Turkey was outraged when Trump decided in the spring to provide U.S. weapons directly to Syrian Kurdish forces the United States has used as its main ground force in offensives against the Islamic State in Syria. At the time, Turkey intimated that it might refuse U.S. access to Turkeys Incirlik Air Base, from which airstrikes are launched against the Islamic State.

Turkey considers the Kurdish force an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a separatist group that both Turkey and the United States have designated a terrorist organization.

Unfortunately, an ally of Turkey, the United States, resorted to the Kurds to lead the fight against ISIS, Yildirim said, using an acronym for the Islamic State. This was wrong.

The Americans, he recalled, said it was a necessity, and that the United States would part ways with the Kurdish force once the militants had been defeated.

Instead, the Syrian Kurds have expanded the territory they control inside Syria, and weapons provided by the United States have been used in attacks against government forces inside Turkey, Yildirim said.

They are a greater threat now that they have all sorts of weapons, thanks to our American friends, he said. These weapons need to be taken back.

Turkeys recent agreement to buy a sophisticated antimissile defense system from Russia came only after the United States refused to address Turkeys needs, Yildirim said.

We wanted to do it with the Americans, he said. We are obliged to defend our country.

We will tackle all of these issues in an open manner with Pence, Yildirim said. We have a positive outlook. We are hopeful.
Elaine Duke, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, meets with Britains home secretary on Oct. 20. Duke refused to bow to pressure from White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly to expel tens of thousands of Hondurans living in the United States under protected status, officials said. (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)

On Monday, as the Department of Homeland Security prepared to extend the residency permits of tens of thousands of Hondurans living in the United States, White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly called acting secretary Elaine Duke to pressure her to expel them, according to current and former administration officials.

Duke refused to reverse her decision and was angered by what she felt was a politically driven intrusion by Kelly and Tom Bossert, the White House homeland security adviser, who also called her about the matter, according to officials with knowledge of Mondays events. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

As with many issues, there were a variety of views inside the administration on a policy. The Acting Secretary took those views and advice on the path forward for TPS and made her decision based on the law, DHS spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement, referring to a form of provisional residency called temporary protected status. He added that it was also perfectly normal for them to discuss the issue before she had reached a decision.

[DHS ends protected immigration status for Nicaraguans, but Hondurans get extension]

A White House official confirmed the calls to Duke on Monday but said Kellys frustration had to do with Dukes lack of decisiveness.

With the extension of the Hondurans residency permits, Kelly told her that the TPS decision keeps getting kicked down the road and that the additional delay prevents our wider strategic goal on immigration, the White House official said.

Duke, who was confirmed by the Senate in April, has informed Kelly that she plans to resign, the officials said. Hoffman said there is zero factual basis to the claim that Duke has said she will step down, and he disputed the claim that Kelly called to pressure Duke, insisting she had reached out to him to solicit advice on the TPS decision.

DHS had until the end of the day Monday to announce its plans for some 57,000 Hondurans and 2,500 Nicaraguans who were allowed to remain in the United States under TPS after Hurricane Mitch hit Central America in 1998.

An additional 50,000 Haitians and 200,000 Salvadorans were nervously awaiting the decision, as their residency permits will expire early next year. Trump administration officials have repeatedly cited the TPS program as an example of what they say is U.S. immigration policy gone awry, because a program designed to be temporary should not be used to grant long-term residency in the United States.

[A Haitian woman asks, How would I survive back there?]

Duke had decided to end the TPS designation for the Nicaraguans, giving them until January 2019 to leave the United States or change their immigration status. But Duke felt that she did not have enough information for the much larger group of Hondurans, so she deferred, granting them a six-month extension, administration officials said Monday when they announced the TPS decision.

As DHS officials prepared to make that announcement, Kelly made an urgent call from Japan, where he was traveling with President Trump. He was "irritated," administration officials said, and did not want his handpicked nominee for DHS secretary, Kirstjen M. Nielsen, to face potentially uncomfortable questions about TPS during her confirmation hearing.



White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly listens as President Trump speaks during a meeting on tax policy with business leaders in the White House on Oct. 31. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

He was persistent, telling her he didnt want to kick the can down the road, and that it could hurt [Nielsens] nomination, one administration official said.

Duke held her ground, the official said. She was angry. To get a call like that from Asia, after shed already made the decision, was a slap in the face.

They put massive pressure on her, said another former official with knowledge of the call.

Duke wanted to proceed cautiously, because the Central Americans have lived in the United States for two decades or more, and she had been contacted by former U.S. diplomats who implored her to weigh the decision carefully.

Congress created the TPS designation in 1990 to refrain from deporting foreign nationals to nations too unstable to receive them following natural disasters, civil strife or a health crisis. Previous administrations have repeatedly renewed the residency permits every 18 months, and over the years TPS has become a target of immigration hard-liners who say the law has been abused.

Trump wants to overhaul the U.S. immigration system, replacing a model based in part on family reunification with a merit-based approach to favor skilled labor.

The White House official said Kelly did not mention Nielsen by name during the calls with Duke but told her that this shouldnt be a problem for the next secretary to deal with.

The pressure from the White House ended up delaying Mondays announcement, which DHS officials did not make until an 8 p.m. conference call with reporters, just hours before the deadline, as tens of thousands of immigrants and their families remained in suspense.

In public, at least, the White House has deferred questions about TPS, calling the decision a prerogative of Homeland Security officials, in consultation with the State Department.

Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sent a letter to Duke essentially giving DHS a green light to send the Nicaraguans and Hondurans back, telling her that conditions in Central America had improved.

White House officials said Kelly acknowledged during the call that the decision was Dukes to make. But she felt the pressure amounted to a direct intervention in the process, administration officials said.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the White House had given assurances that it would not interfere in the TPS decision-making process. They told us one thing and turned around and did something completely different, Van Hollen said in an interview. Im glad the acting secretary stuck to her professional opinion.

Maryland has 22,000 TPS recipients, he said.

Duke, a DHS veteran, has informed Kelly that she will resign once Nielsen takes over, according to several officials, even though Trump has publicly asked her to remain in the deputy role.

Nielsen, who is Kelly's deputy at the White House and was his chief of staff when he ran DHS between January and July, appeared to breeze through her Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday and did not face especially tough or contentious questioning.

No one asked her what she planned to do with the 300,000 TPS recipients who will lose their legal status and face deportation if their residency is not renewed. Their families include an estimated 275,000 U.S.-born children.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs postponed a vote on her nomination scheduled for Thursday, citing "a large number of questions" about Nielsen's testimony to the panel Wednesday.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), the committee chairman, said members had submitted 197 written questions for Nielsen, far more than any previous nominee. He rescheduled the committee vote for Monday.

Senate aides say the White House is pushing for a full vote on Nielsen to get her confirmed before the Thanksgiving recess.

Duke, who returned to DHS to be Kellys deputy earlier this year, was never among the top candidates for the secretary job, lacking the law enforcement and counterterrorism credentials typically associated with that role. But she is considered a skilled manager and has earned praise for her stewardship of the massive federal agency, which has 240,000 employees, 22 subagencies and a $40 billion budget.

Nielsen, a cybersecurity expert, began her career as a Senate staffer, then crafted legislation and policy at the Transportation Security Administration. She was a White House adviser for emergency preparedness and disaster management under President George W. Bush, a job that put her at the center of the administration's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina.

Kelly brought Nielsen to the White House to be his deputy, and she earned a reputation as a disciplinarian , with unwavering loyalty to the retired Marine Corps general.

Read more:

Protected status no longer justified for Central Americans and Haitians in U.S., State Dept. says

These are the 11 countries whose refugee applicants the U.S. considers too high risk
Striking Sri Lankan elephant safari

Thumping along a muddy track, not a wild thing moving under the hot Sri Lankan sun, a big pungent pile of steaming dung sends everyone in our jeep into a giddy state of excitement. Necks craned, cameras poised, for just around the bend  perhaps over the next rise  we are finally about to encounter our first Sri Lankan elephants in the wild.

And suddenly, there they are: four enormous females, bristly infants at their feet, grazing silently on tall lime grasses in a tiny pocket of Sri Lankas Hurulu Eco Park, rendering us awestruck with each nonchalant flap of their big wrinkled ears. As our jeep slows a silent stop, the elephants patiently ignore us, turning their backs and carrying on grazing while we gaze on mere metres away with the inevitable rapture of first-timers.

The intimacy of the encounter has me transfixed, drawn to tiny details: eyes staring out beneath big, curling eyelashes, the pinkish tinge of unexpectedly mottled blue-grey skin, a trunk curled around an equally wrinkled infant, coaxing it gently and safely underfoot. I cant say just how long we watched that first little matriarchal unit but, of all the marvellous elephant scenes we witnessed that afternoon, this elephant encounter is the one most vividly imprinted in my memory.

The gap between our jeep and the herd closes; they graze and watch, graze and watch, until quite suddenly I realise Im eyeballing an elephant thats so close I could reach out and touch her.

As the afternoon sun shifts slowly overhead, our expert local guide navigates on, detouring along unmarked trails to encounter more and more elephants that amble across our path, shepherding infants along invisible routes to join great grazing herds of 20 or 30 beasts.

Only when we have clicked a thousand images and our expectations have been blown sky-high do we make our most amazing discovery: an enormous male, close enough to see the mating musk glistening on his cheeks in the afternoon sun. He mills around a group of females on the ridgeline above us and then, to our amazement, the mating begins.

Its a brief, noisy scene that lacks longevity but afterwards, when the females move on, they head straight for us: four mothers, one grandmother and three infants, the smallest bundle of bristles just four or five months old. As we watch, the elephants wariness wanes and they move closer, slowly bringing their remarkable physical individualities into clear view.

The gap between our jeep and the herd closes; they graze and watch, graze and watch, until quite suddenly I realise Im eyeballing an elephant thats so close I could reach out and touch her. Immobilised by her presence, no one speaks and no one moves, but I spy our guides hand poised on the ignition, ready to flee if the elephants flex their significant muscle.

Eventually the herd shuffles on, leaving us reeling as we watch them disappear into towering grassland. We climb a granite knoll to catch our breath and capture ourselves in beaming photographs, standing above the plains where distant herds have come to graze in the golden hour before sunset.

Covering more than 10,000 hectares in the heart of central Sri Lankas Cultural Triangle, Hurulu Eco Park is part of a much bigger forest reserve and biosphere declared in 1977 to provide sanctuary primarily for Sri Lankan elephants. Female-led elephant herds migrate seasonally between Hurulu and neighbouring Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, as well as Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve and other nearby sanctuaries, in search of water and food.

Immediately sensing our presence, the leopard stretches and yawns, revealing its spectacular dentition and long, slender limbs, then rolls onto its back and resumes its slumber.

When water levels at Kaudulla and Minneriya Tanks are high, covering the tasty fresh pick that elephants love, the beasts move on. Frequently, they head for Hurulu Eco Park, which was officially opened on the edge of Hurulu Forest Reserve in 2008 to cater for visitors. Although the elephants share Hurulus dry evergreen forests with endangered Sri Lankan leopards and rusty-spotted cats, they are undoubtedly the parks biggest drawcard and what drives a popular safari business.

From the town of Habarana, a 20-minute drive from the parks entrance, open-top jeep safaris set out in the cool of the afternoon, spending three to four hours locating and observing the elephants. The simplicity of this adventure  one jeep, one driver and a prompt hotel pickup  is matched only by its affordability. In all, our afternoon with the elephants, including jeep hire and park fees, set us back less than AU$60 for three, a fraction of what youd expect to pay in Sri Lankas more famous Yala National Park.

Despite its undeniable shabbiness, Habarana makes a convenient base for adventures into Hurulu and neighbouring wild lands, including Sigiriyas World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, located on the summit of an imposing, flat-topped mesa, and the sacred caves at Dambulla that house 2000-year-old Buddha relics and vast rock art canvases. Online digging will direct you to quality hotels in the hills that surround Habarana, all providing meals and transport to nearby cultural attractions.

Ritigala Ruins

On a rugged rainforested hill outside Habarana, Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve provides an intriguing escape and a rigorous uphill stroll to discover monastic ruins and meditation caves that date back to the 4th century BC. Abandoned for almost a thousand years, this ancient refuge is a tumbledown affair but several eye-catching structures remain, including a magnificent pond at the park entrance, monastic buildings complete with stone urinals, a hospital with grinding stones and stone baths, and a palace.

Poking through the forest, we follow a path to a chiselled stone lookout providing views down the river valley and marvel at enormous quarried stone foundations and fantastic staircases, all but hidden among the undergrowth. Entrance fees and mandatory guides have both been abandoned at Ritigala, leaving travellers free to enjoy an amazing walk and the forest wildlife.

Cheeky macaques are easily spotted on the climb and, while driving through the lowlands, we sight mongoose, peacocks, jungle fowl and enough elephant poo and tracks to raise our hopes. Make a donation and hire a park guide if you please and allow about two hours to hike and explore. Beat the heat by setting out early from Habarana, an immensely scenic AU$10 return trip away by three-wheeler.

Wilpattu National Park

For travellers keen to tick off a more diverse species list, you cant beat a safari into Sri Lankas largest national park, the freshwater wetland of Wilpattu. Located far off the beaten track on the countrys northwest coast, the park, whose name means natural lakes, supports an incredible ecosystem dominated by elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, mugger crocodiles and that most sought-after creature of all: Sri Lankan leopards.

Protected since 1938 and closed during Sri Lankas long, war-torn years, Wilpattu reopened in 2003 and rapidly gained a reputation as one of the best places in the country to spot elusive leopards. This fact alone should lure the kinds of crowds that seek out the utterly overrun Yala National Park in the islands far south. Yet travellers who make it to Wilpattu regularly report the serenity of sharing their visit with only a handful of other jeeps, as was the case on our recent adventure.

Difficult public access and the lack of a tourist scene in the neighbouring towns of Saliyawewa and Kala Oya keep this destination off the radar of many short-stay visitors. It guarantees a great wildlife experience  but youll need to be pretty motivated to get there yourself.

Our epic journey from Negombo is an all-day affair, spent riding a trio of local buses to a tiny two-room guesthouse at Saliyawewa, a 20-minute drive from the park entrance. Despite significant language issues, the friendly guesthouse owner manages to find us a jeep and driver for the next day and puts together a humble menu; his spacious but spartan rooms might well be recommended if it were not for the bed bugs that devour us overnight.

Our safari begins under the cover of darkness and, after handing over pricey park entry fees and picking up our compulsory guide, we bounce off into the wilderness. At 1317 square kilometres, about the size of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Wilpattu is an enormous destination to explore in a single day, so theres no telling what you might encounter.

Jungle fowls kick-start our spotters list, a proud and attractive looking bird that Sri Lankans love to point out is their countrys national bird. We stop counting them when our tally hits 15, hungry to see creatures that look a little less like a chicken.

A hush falls over the jeep when we spy our first pair of spotted deer grazing in the undergrowth and, soon, a promising pile of elephant dung and footprints across the track. We follow these into the scrub, spooking a big herd of wild boar and sending monitor lizards scrambling up trees.

Theres a big, solitary sambar, tiny, flighty barking deer that disappear quickly into the scrub and lots of birds  serpent eagles, pond herons and black hooded oriels  but no prized leopard in the hours before we pull over for breakfast.

Stopping at a scenic lakeside clearing alongside a handful of other tourist jeeps, we unpack our Sri Lankan breakfast of steamed hoppers, dunking the little nests of thin, rice noodles into still-warm bowls of curried potato and coconut soup while gazing across the lake, hoping to spy elephants on its distant shores.

Our safari begins under the cover of darkness and, after handing over pricey park entry fees and picking up our compulsory guide, we bounce off into the wilderness.

With plenty of ground to cover and a rather slim spotters list so far, our driver eagerly moves us on, searching down track after track for that one creature everyone silently yearns to see. Suddenly our jeep is buzzing, arms are pointing and we jump up to catch sight of a big, lazy cat sleeping out the mid-morning heat under a nearby bush.

Immediately sensing our presence, the leopard stretches and yawns, revealing its spectacular dentition and long, slender limbs, then rolls onto its back and resumes its slumber. When it finally rises to its feet and stalks slowly away, we gush, awestruck by its brilliant spotted physique: the defining moment of our Wilpattu wilderness experience.

Lost in the exhilaration of our leopard encounter, we exit the national park past distinctly rural scenes of farmers drying corn and grains on the hot bitumen road and green rice in soggy fields. Past bungalows that might provide a convenient base for safaris, we return to our guesthouse to recount the experience over cold Lion beers.

Some naturalists say Sri Lankas once war-torn interior can offer wilderness experiences that rival any East African safari. That might be raising expectations a little far, but these two wild destinations do provide ultra-affordable, utterly memorable safaris that can be organised with ease and shared with few.

What really shines about a visit to Wilpattu in particular is what you dont see: the hundreds of jeeps that compete for wildlife sights elsewhere in the country and the carnival atmosphere this invariably creates. Theres no denying the diversity and density of animals and birds you can discover at Wilpattu, but what really thrills is the sheer pleasure of exploring its pristine lakes and grasslands in perfect near-solitude.

Elephants under threat?

An extensive Sri Lankan government-led survey conducted across the country in 2011 put the elephant population at around 6000 in the wild, with numbers predicted to be on the rise. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) paints a less optimistic picture, currently listing Sri Lankan elephants as endangered, numbering between 2500 and 4000 and with mortality rates due to elephant-human conflict of 6 per cent per year.

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canadas first tri-modal inland port  CentrePort Canada  has marked another milestone with the announcement of its first new industrial development offering fully serviced land.

The new 100-acre development is located within the existing Brookside Industrial Park, and will be ready for development by next summer.

Unlike the other land that already has been developed on the 20,000-acre CentrePort site, the new lots can be connected to a central water and sewer system. Some of the other lots had a water hookup, but required their own septic fields, and others required both a septic field and a well.

CentrePort Canadas announcement of its first 100 acres of fully serviced land  which will be ready for development by next summer  is a milestone for the dry port, and good news for businesses that have been waiting for water and sewer hookups. The land will be located within the existing Brookside Industrial Park.

Heidi Spletzer, vice-president of Crystal Developers  the Winnipeg company that co-developed the second phase of the Brookside Industrial Park and is the lead developer for the third phase that was to be announced today  said most of the companies that didnt require fully serviced land have already made their purchases. And the ones who do require fully serviced land have had to wait on the sidelines for several years until some became available.

So this is something that was needed, she said.

CentrePort president and CEO Diane Gray said the introduction of fully serviced land is an important milestone for CentrePort, and should lead to more new investment on the CentrePort site, which is located on the west side of the city and in the neighbouring Rural Municipality of Rosser.

The park will be a major draw for companies in key sectors like advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and transportation and logistics, Gray said, noting that since 2009, 52 new businesses employing more than 1,400 people have set up shop in the port, which has direct access to truck, rail and air cargo services.

The exciting part about this is that now that we have fully serviced industrial land available for private industries to locate on, there will be more jobs created going forward, she said.

Lee Garfinkel, deputy reeve of the R.M. of Rosser, said municipal officials have a good working relationship with Crystal Developers, and are excited to now have fully serviced land available in the municipality.

The new land is being marketed by Cushman & Wakefield Winnipeg. Associate vice-president Stephen Sherlock said new, fully serviced industrial land is hard to come by in Winnipeg, particularly in the northwest quadrant of the city.

So this land becoming available in the Brookside Industrial Park will provide much needed inventory, Sherlock said. With all of the pent-up demand, we anticipate this land will sell quickly.

He said they already have a conditional deal with the National Research Council (NRC) for a 9.8-acre parcel of land in the Phase III development. As earlier reported, the NRC hopes to build a $60-million Factory of the Future research centre on the site.

Sherlock said that although Cushman & Wakefield Winnipeg is only now beginning to market the development, thanks to word of mouth, it has already been getting calls from a number of interested companies. While many of them are looking for land for their own use, its possible some investors may be looking to buy a parcel of land with the idea of developing leasable space.

Our vacancy rates are low, so definitely there is an opportunity for an investor to buy land either to put a multi-tenant building on there, or a build-to-suit (single-tenant building), he said.

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ive been reflecting on how individual citizens speak to people with political power, and how those at the top get their message.

Other than at the ballot box.

The question occurred to me again this week, when a retired Winnipeg Transit driver contacted the Free Press because Mayor Brian Bowmans office hadnt acknowledged receiving his email about the citys treatment of veterans on Remembrance Day.

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES Retired transit driver George Morrison at a bus stop near the St James Legion.

As I wrote Tuesday, George Morrison had complained for years about Winnipeg being one of the few large Canadian cities that doesnt offer military veterans free bus rides on Nov. 11.

(Just up the road, theres a smaller city that has been doing so for veterans and others for years. Selkirk provides free service every Nov. 11 to anyone wearing a poppy, and poppy boxes are placed on the buses in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.)

I queried the citys media handlers, and late Monday they finally answered by saying its a question for the mayor and council.

The next day, I emailed a spokesperson for Bowman, asking for the mayors position on honouring veterans with complimentary transit rides  the way Winnipegs two largest cab companies, Unicity and Duffys, are by giving them free round-trip rides to Remembrance Day services, and Applebees Grill & Bar is by offering free meals to veterans and active-duty military members on Nov. 11.

The response from the mayors office was not only prompt, but positive: Mayor Bowman certainly supports providing free transit to veterans and their families on Remembrance Day.

The response went further.

Mayor Bowman has asked the public service to determine whether this is something that can be implemented in time for Remembrance Day this year. He is also supportive of making this recognition permanent on a go-forward basis beginning next year, if it cannot be implemented in time for Remembrance Day this year.

Thats all Morrison wanted to hear. So what took so long?

It brings us back to the broader issue of how do those with little political power get the ear of people with great power?

Late last summer, another reader, with a couple of different issues, ran into the same problem as Morrison when she tried to contact Bowman and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, via a Canada Post-delivered letter.

Retired school principal Aurise Kondziela didnt receive a response.

As it happened, her city councillor, Brian Mayes, would take care of the matter about the snow-removal mess left on a boulevard near her home.

But in the meantime, Kondziela had contacted someone she thought might listen to another concern.

Good evening Mr. Sinclair, she began the Aug. 23 email.

I note from your columns that you often deal with personal queries. I merely wanted to ask if you are aware that our elected representatives do not respond to personal letters. I have written to mayor Bowman on July 6, and to our premier (copied to our health minister) on July 19. I am quite surprised that I have not even received an acknowledgment of my letter. In the past, I have often dealt with the health minister, Dave Chomiak, with the justice minister, Gord MackIntosh, as well as with the judicial council. I have always received a response to my letters. Is this the new trend? That is, to ignore letters received from the constituents?

My first thought was to contact the offices of the mayor and premier and ask for an explanation. Just how many letters and emails do they deal with?

Or, perhaps more to the point, how many dont they deal with?

If letters arent the way to reach the mayor or premier, what is?

Mayor Bowman is very committed to being accessible and available to Winnipeg residents, while also balancing the reality that he is a father with two young children, a spokesperson answered in an email.

The mayors office strives to respond to invitations, meeting requests, questions or concerns arriving in the office through email, fax, Canada Post, telephone, social media or via websites. From time to time, correspondence can be missed. We are not perfect!

The spokesperson didnt say how much correspondence the mayors office receives, instead saying Bowman is connected with almost 80,000 people via social media.

The spokesperson said Kondzielas letter was received and forwarded to the public works department.

The mayors office will be following up with the department to see what has been done to respond to their concerns.

As for the premiers office, his press secretary reported that he received 7,000 forms of correspondence in July and all are logged, tracked and responded to.

She appeared to qualify that answer later, saying: It is the goal of the premiers office that all forms of correspondence be addressed in some cases, letters may be referred to the appropriate responsible minister to respond.

Again, thats what happened with Kondzielas letter to the premier; it was forwarded to the health ministers office because it concerned health care. When I asked if Kondziela could anticipate a response, the premiers spokesperson said: A reply was sent this morning.

The public doesnt anticipate their concerns will be personally read, and much less answered by the mayor or premier.

But every citizen has the right to expect at least an acknowledgement from their offices that their concern has been heard and will be answered by someone.

It may not be democracy 101 to Brian Bowman and Brian Pallister, but it should be courtesy 101 for their offices.

As for how individual citizens speak to people with political power, other than the ballot box?

Youve just read one answer.

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 08/11/2017 (1834 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A diverse range of businesses are enthusiastically accepting the Manitoba governments invitation to apply to operate legal marijuana stores in the province.

Tuesdays announcement that the private sector will be responsible for retailing cannabis in Manitoba attracted immediate interest from would-be weed-store operators. Those hopefuls have already been excluded from operating retail cannabis sales in Ontario, Canadas most populous province, which plans to restrict the sale of legal marijuana exclusively to government-owned stores. New Brunswick is taking a similar approach and Quebec is expected to adopt a public-sector sales model as well.

I had a feeling Manitoba was going to go against the grain, said Clint Younge, CEO of MMJ Canada dispensaries, who plans to respond to the request for proposals.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Alan Gertner CEO of Tokyo Smoke, a cannabis-lifestyle brand that operates four marijuana accessory stores in Toronto, plans to respond to the request for proposals by the provincial government for would-be weed-store operators.

MMJ Canada operates retail marijuana dispensaries in British Columbia and Ontario. Some of the companys B.C. locations are municipally licensed to sell cannabis, Younge said. The Ontario locations are not.

Were fighting for regulations in a grey market, Younge said.

If Manitoba were to allow MMJ Canada to operate as a private retailer, Younge said, Manitobans could expect wellness-focused dispensaries with a focus on compassion and mental health.

Tokyo Smoke, a cannabis-lifestyle brand that operates four marijuana accessory stores in Toronto, also plans to respond to the RFP, CEO and co-founder Alan Gertner said.

Manitobas decision open up marijuana sales to the private sector gives me comfort that we have the opportunity, as Canadians, to lead the world in cannabis retail, Gertner said, describing potential Tokyo Smoke cannabis stores as a unique, engaging, approachable, delightful retail experience.

National Access Cannabis, which operates a medical cannabis clinic on Broadway and has partnered with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, will also be throwing its hat in the ring.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the Manitoba First Nations community to build out and operate these legal retail dispensaries on both urban and First Nations sites throughout the province, Chief Christian Sinclair said in a press release.

Winnipegs Delta 9 Cannabis, a federally licensed producer of cannabis for medical users, has announced a partnership with Canopy Growth Corp. to pitch retail cannabis stores to the Manitoba government. (Ontario-based Canopy Growth, which holds a number of cannabis-production licences through its subsidiary companies, is Canadas most valuable legal marijuana producer by market capitalization.)

Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot said the stores would be clean, well-appointed and certainly professional.

The stores would sell marijuana sourced from Delta 9, Canopy Growths subsidiaries and Canopys other partners. Under the terms of the deal, Canopy would also distribute Delta 9s product to other provinces.

The Canadian Cannabis Co-op, a collaboration between 12 federally-licensed marijuana producers that includes Winnipeg-based producer Bonify, will also be responding to the RFP with its own retail vision, co-op co-chair Darren Karasiuk said.

Manitobas request for proposals appears to be geared towards large players, according to Trina Fraser, who practices business law with a focus on cannabis as a partner at Brazeau Seller Law in Ottawa.

You have to either have an established network of retail stores, or demonstrate the potential to establish a network of stores, said Fraser. So clearly theyre saying, If youre just intending to be a mom-and-pop stand-alone shop, dont bother applying.'

Because the RFP isnt based on an existing licensing regime with clear requirements, added Fraser, respondents will have their work cut out for them.

Theres a lot of work that would have to go to putting a compelling package together to respond to this, because it is asking you to develop policies, procedures, standards, et cetera, and all of those things involve a detailed understanding of the law at all levels of government, she said.

solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca

@sol_israel
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The federal Liberals say theyve acquiesced to Manitoba senators push to eliminate sex discrimination in the Indian Act. But some in the Red Chamber are pushing Ottawa to go even further.

After a dramatic standoff led by Sen. Marilou McPhedran and supported by Sen. Murray Sinclair, the Liberals effectively rewrote a bill they tabled a year ago, pledging Tuesday the legislation would now enshrine in law the removal of all gender discrimination in the Indian Act.

Ottawa introduced Bill S-3 a year ago, to restore Indian Act status to women who lost it by marrying non-Indigenous men, as well as their descendants. The bill came in response to an August 2015 court ruling, saying the Indian register would have to shut down if it didnt stop such discrimination.

Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press files Sen. Murray Sinclair

The Liberals wrote the original version of Bill S-3 to deal with those who lost their Indian status from 1951 onward. But in May, McPhedran amended the bill at the request of First Nations activists. Dubbed the all-the-way amendment, the change would restore status to all cases dating to 1869.

Proponents claimed it would rectify discrimination against women, and possibly extend federal mental-health and dental benefits to numerous Manitobans. McPhedran and two Indigenous senators convinced most of their colleagues to support that change.

This spring, the Liberals warned of apocalyptic scenarios, causing as many as two million Canadians to flood First Nations band rolls and exhaust their services. They claimed their original bill would make 35,000 people eligible for status, and start a consultation process, an idea many Indigenous groups met with cynicism.

This summer saw a dramatic showdown involving sobbing MPs, rare procedural moves and a stinging court rebuke, before a judge gave Parliament until Dec. 22 to pass the bill.

On Tuesday, the governments representative in the Senate, Peter Harder, introduced multiple changes, which would bring the original bill into force, but also hold the Liberals feet to the fire to deal with those who lost their status prior to 1951.

The changed bill would have the government consult with First Nations groups on how to bridge the gap, and report to Parliament on that process within five months, a year, and then three years of the bill becoming law.

Harder urged his Senate colleagues pass the bill Thursday, before a 10-day break.

The Liberals changed prompted applause from the Red Chamber, and support from some of its fiercest critics.

I almost broke down and cried, Sen. Lillian Dyck told the chamber, her voice shaking. Its a giant leap forward for First Nation women, and their descendants.

On Wednesday, Sen. Sinclair cautioned parliamentarians will have to hold the government to its opened-ended pledge to rectify earlier discrimination, but voiced his support for the new bill.

Any attempt to amend it, or delay debate on it, is simply going to make things worse, he said.

Justin Tang / The Canadian Press Senator Patrick Brazeau speaks to reporters as he arrives at the Senate on Parliament Hill.

But others are pushing for a deadline to implement the changes, with Sen. Patrick Brazeau fretting a new government might not take the consultation process as seriously.

Sen. Serge Joyal, a constitutional lawyer, said the new bills phrasing wouldnt pass muster if it came out of a human rights settlement, because it has no deadline.

If the government is moving forward in good faith, why rely on the role of parliamentarians to push the government, instead of the government taking upon itself the responsibility? he asked.

Sen. Kim Pate said she was deeply worried the motion before us asks Indigenous women and their descendants to take another risk, to settle for smaller victories now.

The Free Press has learned at least one senator will ask the Red Chamber to convene a committee of the whole, in the hopes of amending the bill to implement a two-year deadline.

Harder also publicly tabled demographic research Tuesday, which did not do much to clarify how many people could be eligible for status under McPhedrans amendment.

Over the summer, the Free Press revealed Ottawa had commissioned Winnipeg demographer Stewart Clatworthy to tabulate how many people would be eligible for Indian status under four iterations of the bill.

The government is making this demographic data public in the interest of transparency, but does not believe it is a reliable way to estimate its potential impacts, Harder told the Senate after tabling the $28,000 research.

As of 2016, there are 1.02 million Canadians eligible for Indian status. The original bill seems to add an extra 34,355 people, while McPhedrans bill would likely raise that number to 86,917 people becoming eligible for Indian status.

But that option seems to include members of the Metis Nation, who are not eligible for Indian status, and have resisted being folded into general First Nations categories. It includes all people who describe themselves as First Nations or Metis, and Harder stressed not all of them would necessarily apply for Indian status.

Clatworthys reports outline four options of varying complexity.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Marilou McPhedran

Ottawa could not make anyone available Tuesday or Wednesday to explain the various categories, and has told Clatworthy to stop giving media interviews. Clatworthy referred the Free Press to senior bureaucrat Eric Guimond, who did not returns voicemails either day.

His reports cites ambiguity in McPhedrans amendment, which hampered estimating how many people it would effect.

Clatworthy took a look at the 2016 census data released this month, and found the number of Manitobans eligible for Indian status could double under the amendment  but that number would include Metis people (whose leadership suspect many Canadians are falsely claiming Metis roots).

In a stricter scenario, the all-the-way amendment would increase the number of Manitobans with Indian status to 89,897 from the current 66,211.

On Tuesday, the office of Carolyn Bennett, minister for Crown-Indigenous affairs, said its hopeful the Senate passes the bill, which would sidestep these complex calculations.

Our government is committed to working with First Nations, parliamentarians, impacted individuals and experts to ensure all gender-based discrimination is eliminated from registration under the Indian Act, wrote a spokeswoman.

The Liberals and most Indigenous senators have the end-goal of ending the Indian Act, but for now its seen as one of the few tools for enforcing First Nations treaty rights.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca

Stewart Clatworthy's demographic reports on Bill S-3
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  More than a week after raising the alarm about hundreds of fuel trucks travelling the icy highway to Thompson, the northern Manitoba citys mayor said hes still waiting for assistance from federal officials.

I havent heard anything, Thompson Mayor Dennis Fenske said Wednesday.

In recent weeks, Hudson Bay Railway owner Omnitrax has halved its rail service to Thompson to once a week, saying its no longer profitable to operate its line from The Pas, where the company has also laid off staff.

ALEX DE VRIES-MAGNIFICO photo Glen Behl of Fluey Trading says a deal to repair the rail line could increase Chinese interest in the Port of Churchill.

That has led local suppliers to opt for fuel trucks  as many as 250 per month  despite torturous driving conditions along Highway 6 from Winnipeg. The Omnitrax cuts appear to have started after Ottawa ratcheted up its rhetoric around the Denver-based companys refusal to repair flood-damaged sections of the rail line leading to Churchill.

Federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, a Winnipeg MP, said officials are keeping an eye on the situation.

We are very concerned for the people of northern Manitoba, Carr said from a conference in Paris. We are working very diligently on both the short term and the long-term answers to the transportation issue.

Fenske said Transport Canada told him 10 days ago it was going to review regulations on dangerous goods, to see whether there was any way to mitigate the risks posed by an increase in fuel trucks on Highway 6.

In The Pas, Mayor Jim Scott said Omnitraxs locomotives are still sitting unused in the rail yard. Though the town is still served by the CN Rail tracks from Winnipeg, hes worried about local businesses that ship north, and said Ottawa hasnt reached out.

It just seems ridiculous that we have a railroad, and someone owns that railroad, and theyve just walked away from it, he said.

When asked about the two communities, Transport Canada instead sent a statement regarding economic problems in Churchill. The government is exploring all options toward the repair and long-term operation of the rail line, wrote spokeswoman Annie Joannette.

She also said Omnitrax has not responded to an Oct. 13 legal threat, asking to repair the line by Nov. 12 or face a $18.8-million clawback of federal funds invested in 2008 to rehabilitate the rail line.

Both Fenske and Scott said they believe their communities transport woes started as a result of that legal threat.

A local entrepreneur said hes struggled to get any official interest on a Chinese state-owned company thats offered to fix the rail line.

Glen Behl, operations manager of Fluey Trading, is behind hundreds of shipments of canola oil, fish and other Canadian products to China. He recently helped shepherd a Chinese firms attempt to get its cold-weather pothole sealant onto Winnipeg roads.

However, he said he has had far less success with the feds, the province and Churchill itself.

Behl said Qilu Transportation Development Group was looking in late August for infrastructure projects the company could invest in, make a profit from a decade-long levy and return to local hands. Based in Shandong province, the state-run company reportedly has a mandate to invest US$7 billion of government funds abroad.

Traditionally, China loves Canada; its just a historical thing, Behl said.

Sources familiar with the towns operations said Churchill has been approached by dozens of foreign companies, proposing everything from airships, pipelines and tunnels, to new types of rail tracks.

Behl feels his idea is more trustworthy.

Thats a head-scratcher, he said. You think youd want to call back someone from your own province.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Author Frank MacKinnon once persuasively argued that the Governor General provides Canadians with a non-partisan figure to identify with, even when they strongly disapprove of the prime minister and government of the day. Because the Governor General is unelected, Canadians can continue to see her as a focus of loyalty in her largely symbolic role as the head of states representative. while still vigorously opposing the party in power.

Opposing the government in Canada doesnt necessarily entail opposing the regime or the country.

This seems like a banal point until you compare our politics with those of our southern neighbour. In the U.S., the head of state, presently U.S. President Donald Trump, is elected and deeply involved in the political battles of the day. Unlike in Canada, there is no impartial head of state for Americans to identify with when they become disenchanted with and alienated by the actions of the president. In this situation, opposition to the government can lead to dangerous opposition to the regime.

Ill take the Canadian system, thank you very much.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus recent decision to appoint Julie Payette as Governor General was, I thought, one of the most inspired and thoughtful choices ever made by a prime minister. Surely a former astronaut was well positioned to inspire near universal support from Canadians.

So my jaw hit the floor last week when Payette used the occasion of a speech to dismiss religious Canadians who think there was a divine role played in the creation of humanity.

In her speech, Payette expressed wonderment that we are still debating and still questioning whether life was a divine intervention or whether it was coming out of a natural process let alone, oh my goodness, a random process. Payettes exasperated mockery was met with agreeing laughter from her sympathetic audience.

Who exactly was Payette making fun of? A 2011 Ekos poll found that 33 per cent of respondents thought that Canadians were either created in their present form or that there was some divine role played in the process of evolution. So, Payettes mockery was aimed at about a third of all Canadians.

So much for the Governor General as a point of loyalty and pride for all Canadians. Turns out that its hard to feel loyal toward someone who mocks you and your beliefs.

In a liberal democracy, we want governments to make decisions that are in accordance with the wishes of the majority, but not in such a way that the rights of minorities are violated. Elections empower governments to act on behalf of the majority, but the Charter of Rights and Freedoms limits the extent to which they can do so out of a recognition that governments can quickly tread on the rights of minorities.

As citizens, the challenge can be to square this with our own beliefs and interests. Its easy to champion minority rights when our views align with theirs. Its a lot harder when their interests or beliefs diverge from ours, and even harder still when minorities seem eccentric or even alien.

Thats an important point to make because, to outsiders, the most deeply held beliefs of religious Canadians may indeed seem eccentric. A lack of public support for religious minorities has meant that its traditionally been easy for governments to run roughshod over their rights.

It doesnt take much effort to find examples from Canadian history.

In 1919, the government banned the immigration of Mennonites into Canada in part as a result of opposition to their religious doctrine of conscientious objection. In the lead-up to the ban, newspaper editorials condemned Mennonites as draft-dodgers and shirkers, and a member of Parliament called them cattle. Public opinion seemed to support the ban. The order-in-council that banned Mennonites referred to them as undesirable, owing to their peculiar customs Conrad Stoesz, from the Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives in Winnipeg, argues that Mennonites were seen to be lacking in Canadian values.

The ban was finally lifted in 1922, which allowed Mennonites who had been experiencing targeted oppression and violence following the Russian Revolution to flee to Canada.

Now, its not much of a stretch to imagine the proponents of the historical bans on Mennonites expressing the same mocking incredulity about the beliefs of these religious groups as Payette expressed about people who believe in creation. And that matters in part because citizens take cues from political elites. For example: in a response to Payettes comments, a media commentator tweeted that not believing in natural selection is as ridiculous as horoscopes.

The Governor General is supposed to be an impartial point of loyalty and pride for all Canadians. Instead, Payette has incited others to equate the most deeply held beliefs of religious Canadians with reading a horoscope. Truly, what a shame.

Royce Koop is an associate professor and head of the department of political studies at the University of Manitoba.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I have to admit, I spent much of Saturday watching on repeat the video clip of federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in a scrum after meeting with her provincial peers. No, it wasnt because I was in awe of the Manitoba governments plans for carbon tax (Im not), but McKennas single-handed slicing and dicing of a Rebel reporter for using a sexist nickname to reference her was a sight to behold. Here we have a strong minister of the Crown, holding a reporters feet to the fire for an offensive name that is crass and does nothing to help the debate on an important topic.

But the Twitterverse was also interesting last week because Globe and Mail health columnist Andre Picard said no to a manel and started another discussion about women, representation and empowerment in this post-Harvey Weinstein fall.

Whats a manel? A manel is an all-male discussion panel and Picard was asked to participate on such a panel for the 2017 Trottier Public Science Symposium at the end of October at the McGill faculty of science in Montreal. When he found out it was an all-male panel, he said no and did so publicly, saying: Regretfully, Ive withdrawn from the #TrottierSymposium roundtable, because it consists of 10 men. #NoMoreManels.

When I asked Picard why he took this stand he was straight up: I believe in equity; Im tired of attending, and embarrassed to participate in, panels that are non-representative of conference audiences; and because the excuse no women are available is lazy and tiresome.

Reports have suggested women are under-represented on television as experts as well. To explore that further, and to find out just how many female experts our local television stations used in Winnipeg, I sat down in front of my TV with a loaded PVR and calculator in hand.

Last Friday night, I counted how many times experts were used to comment and whether the expert was male or female. I didnt count victims, people who were the topic of the story such as patients in a hospital or the anchors or reporters, unless they were acting as pundits. I was interested in who the media relied on to put the story into context, to explain and provide information.

Now this is hardly a scientific undertaking because it took place in just one night and it doesnt go into details such as how much time experts of each gender were allowed to speak and the order in which they appeared. But it still provided some insight.

First, lets look at Winnipegs No. 1 TV newscast: CTVs News at Six, hosted by Gord Leclerc and Maralee Caruso. For the six stories in which there was an expert who commented, CTV relied on five men and four women  statistically a pretty even representation.

Compare this with CBCs Winnipeg at 6:00 newscast anchored by Janet Stewart. The Friday newscast used experts in seven stories, plus it had a political segment that provided an overview of the week. Overall, eight of CBCs experts were male and two were female.

Perhaps it was an off night for the CBC, but the gender differences were surprising. And its one story where CTV provided a female expert and the CBC failed that was also most interesting: the lead story.

On Friday, both television stations opened with the story about an Elmwood physician charged with a number of sexual assaults. While both stations interviewed the victim and the male police officer (which counted as an expert), CTV went the extra step and interviewed a female Klinic sexual assault counsellor who talked about why women would wait to report a sexual assault.

That could have been an easy way for the CBC to provide a womans voice as an expert, particularly on a story in which women too often are seen as only the victims.

Look, I get it. Its easy to sit on a couch watching recorded news programs or reading through lists of panel names at conferences and complain about the lack of womens representation. Its tough slogging sometimes when youre in the midst of it all, desperate to get the work done and fill the news hour and go home.

But, we do need to be careful about the picture were painting for a little girl watching in the wings. That girl can hear whats being said about McKenna and then hear her stand up for herself. Or hear Picard say no to manels. Or hear a harried political science professor say broaden your scope and make women the experts.

And wont that take some of the power away from Harvey Weinstein forever?

Shannon Sampert is an associate professor in the department of political science at the University of Winnipeg and the director and editor in chief of EvidenceNetwork.ca.
Tens of thousands of people protested yesterday in Catalonia against the detention of Catalan nationalists as political prisoners by the Spanish central government after the October 1 Catalan independence referendum.

The protestcalled as a strike by the small, Catalan-separatist Intersindical-CSC unionpointed to wider opposition to the suspension of Catalonias elected government by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and Rajoys moves towards authoritarian rule. It came the day after the central government took the unprecedented step of seizing control of the finances of the capital city, Madrid, to impose more austerity by fiat.

Protesters set up roadblocks in downtown Barcelona, blocked highways and high-speed train lines, and joined a large march for the freedom of Catalan nationalists Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart. Spanish police, who have received thousands of reinforcements as Rajoys Popular Party (PP) government imposed direct rule of Catalonia by invoking Article 155 of Spains 1978 Constitution, charged and assaulted protesters manning roadblocks and pickets in the city.

The protest proceeded despite a torrent of attacks from politicians, Catalan business figures, and the Spanish trade union bureaucracy and the stepped-up police presence across Catalonia. The Catalan Foment del Traball business federation took legal action to try to obtain an injunction banning the strike. Nevertheless, in Barcelona, La Vanguardia reported that 40 percent of public administration personnel joined the strike, together with significant sections of university students.

In the Spanish Congress in Madrid, the leader of the Citizens party, Albert Rivera, attacked the PP for not suppressing the strike, which he denounced as an act of blackmail by strikers. What are you doing so that Catalonia does not become lawless territory? he asked Treasury Minister Cristobal Montoro at a questions session, adding: What are you doing so that Catalan citizens can go to work today?

The main Spanish trade unions opposed the strike and came out in barely veiled support of the PP governments drive towards authoritarian rule. The Stalinist Workers Commissions (CCOO) and social-democratic General Union of Labor (UGT) unions denounced the November 8 strike call. They published a joint communique explaining their refusal to support the strike by boasting that they are politically plural spaces independent of any political force.

CCOO General Secretary Unai Sordo came out against any intervention of the working class into the political crisis in Spain, claiming that such issues cannot be brought into the sphere of labor. He denounced the strike for its extremely scant support.

Echoing the language of Rajoy, CCOO General Secretary for Catalonia Javier Pacheco attacked the strike, which he called divisive and ever more opposed to our ability to live together. He added that only CCOO and UGT have legitimacy to call strikes.

Protesters marching in Barcelona booed UGT General Secretary for Catalonia Camil Ros as he tried to address the crowd.

The protest came amid signs of a growing radicalization of workers across Spain. Even though the unions stifled and rapidly wound down major strikes in the Spanish national port system and by Barcelona airport security workers this year, strike activity is rapidly rising in Spain. According to the Spanish Confederation of Employers Organizations (CEOE), the number of man-hours lost to strike activity this year has risen 70 percent from the same period in 2016, to 6,479,156. The number of striking workers has more than doubled, increasing 124 percent to 199,759.

The Spanish trade union bureaucracy and its political allies, the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and the various Stalinist and petty-bourgeois tendencies in and around the Podemos party, have reacted to this by tacitly backing the PP, even as it invoked Article 155. They remained silent on the dictatorial implications of Madrids policyeven after army chief of staff General Fernando Alejandre declared last week that the army was planning possible military action against Catalonia.

The only way forward in the struggle against the drive to authoritarian rule in Spain and across Europe is the independent political mobilization of the working class. After a decade of European Union (EU) austerity policies since the 2008 Wall Street crash, with tens of millions unemployed across Europe, there is explosive social and political anger. The only way to combat the strategy of the ruling class, which reacts with police build-ups and states of emergency across Europe, is to a revolutionary struggle of the working class for power on a socialist, internationalist program.

Workers can only carry out such a struggle in revolutionary opposition to the social-democratic, Stalinist, and petty-bourgeois forces. This includes not only the forces around the PSOE and Podemos who have adapted to Rajoys policies, but the Catalan separatists, whose perspective of building an independent Catalan capitalist state oriented to the EU is bankrupt. Reflecting the interests of layers within the Catalan bourgeoisie and petty-bourgeoisie, it serves only to divide the workers of the Iberian peninsula.

Despite the significant support it obtained, yesterdays protest in Catalonia highlighted the political bankruptcy of the Intersindical-CSCs call for a general strike against Rajoy. Not only does its Catalan-nationalist appeal offer nothing to workers in the rest of Spain, in southern France and across Europe who are opposed to Rajoys onslaught, it has limited support within Catalonia itself. Industrial workers in Catalonia, among whom there is little support for Catalan separatism, did not respond to the Intersindical-CSC strike call.

The PP, which runs a fragile and unpopular minority government in Madrid, is exploiting the bankruptcy of its opponents and pressing its advantage, moving to consolidate control of the state machine. In an unprecedented move Tuesday, it announced that it would exercise weekly control of finances of Podemos-backed Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena.

Even though Carmena and Podemos carried out a reactionary austerity policy, imposing 2 billion in social cuts to repay the citys debts to the banks, the PP demanded more cuts. Spanish budget ministry officials insisted that budget overruns allowed their ministry to impose coercive measures on this administration. There are calls from the PP and the Citizens party to impeach and remove Carmona as mayor, as was done against Catalan regional premier Carles Puigdemont.

Podemos General Secretary Pablo Iglesias reacted Tuesday with a reactionary whitewash of his partys anti-worker record in Madrid, blaming the decision on the PPs alleged opposition to parties that save money and carry out social policy.

Yesterday, Madrid escalated its offensive by announcing that it is also preparing charges against the Podemos-backed mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, on sedition charges apparently related to the October 1 referendum. Such charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The charges underscore that the December 21 elections in Catalonia called by Madrid under Article 155 are a reactionary fraud. Held at gunpoint, amid a massive Spanish police presence, and with threats of prison sentences for peaceful political activity hanging over many candidates, they are designed to provide a fig leaf for dictatorship and austerity imposed by the PP and the EU.

By appealing yesterday to the EU for assistance in running in these elections from exile in Belgium, Puigdemont is simply doing his part to give democratic credentials to this political fraud. In Brussels, together with officials of the far-right separatist Vlaams Belang of Belgium and Northern League of Italy, he pledged to respect the outcome of the poll. Addressing EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Parliament President Antonio Tajani, he asked: Would you accept the Catalans vote or continue to support Rajoy and his coup detat?

In fact, PP spokesman Rafael Hernando had made clear the day before that Madrid does not intend to respect the outcome of the December 21 vote unless it produces a defeat for the separatists. If the independence movement returns to its old ways, there will be a new 155, Hernando said.

Inside the European bourgeoisie, there is no support for backing Puigdemont in a confrontation with Madrid. Berlin, London and Paris have repeatedly issued statements stressing that in Spain, they will negotiate only with Rajoy. Yesterday, the Flanders regional parliament in Belgium decisively voted down a Vlaams Belang motion to unequivocally condemn Spanish repression and ask the federal government to recognize Catalonia as an independent sovereign state. The motion received no support from outside the Vlaams Belang.
Chinas feting of US president Donald Trump this week speaks volumes about the class interests being served by the regime headed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its paramount leader, Xi Jinping. Trump, a billionaire chauvinist and advocate of trade war and military confrontation with China, has been accorded the highest state honors by the corrupt representatives of the Chinese capitalist oligarchy.

Yesterday, children waving American and Chinese flags greeted Trump at the Beijing airport. Along with First Lady Melanie Trump, he was driven immediately to the Forbidden City, the former palace of the Chinese emperors, for a private, guided tour with Xi and his wife, along with staged photographs and an afternoon tea. In the evening, following a banquet and a performance of Chinese opera, a child actor, swept up in the adoration of the US president, exclaimed to him, I love you!

Today, Trump was accorded an open-air welcome ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, complete with a military guard of honor, the presence of dozens of the highest ranking CCP officials, and more children waving the Stars and Stripes.

This official obsequiousness has been duplicated in the state-controlled media. The Global Times, which often publishes Chinese nationalist denunciations of US foreign policy, wrote in its editorial today:

Trump is one of the most popular heads of state on the Chinese internet, and generally the Chinese public holds a positive attitude toward him It wasnt until his election victory that the Chinese public realized they had been cheated by the American media. Many leading US media outlets are now discredited among the Chinese public, partly because of their fake reports during the elections and subjective opposition against Trump. Chinese appreciate his directness, which is sharp contrast to Hillary Clinton, who always puts on airs He has also showed his respect for Chinas leader, publicly praising President Xi Jinping several times

The Chinese publicthat is, the countrys multi-millioned working class and rural poorhas been left largely in the dark about Trumps ultimatum, delivered just hours before he arrived in Beijing, that the US will attack North Korea if it fails to dismantle its nuclear and missile programs.

Preparation for war with North Korea, on the pretext that it poses a worldwide threat, has been at the forefront of Trumps 12-day tour of the Asian region. It was the key issue discussed during his visits to Japan and South Korea, and will be a main agenda item in the behind-closed-door talks in China. It will also dominate the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), which convenes in Vietnam on Friday, and the East Asia Summit (EAS), which will take place in the Philippines on Monday.

The signal emanating from Beijing is that, despite its formal military alliance with North Korea, it is prepared to throw the Pyongyang regime to the wolves. The response of the Chinese foreign ministry to Trumps speech in South Korea was to declare that China was committed to realising the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation.

It is likely that Beijing is applying immense pressure on North Korea to bow down to US dictates and strip the Trump administration of its pretext for war. Thus far, the response from Pyongyang has been to denounce Trump as a mad dog, and call for the lunatic old man to be ousted as US president.

The strategic orientation of the Chinese regime is to avoid an open clash with Washington for as long as possible, combined with concerted efforts to expand its economic and diplomatic influence at the expense of US imperialism.

In what appears to be an attempt to forestall Trumps protectionist threats, Chinese conglomerates have committed, during his visit, to large-scale investments in the US and purchases of American products.

According to Bloomberg sources, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross gloated yesterday to the American business heads accompanying Trump to China, that up to $250 billion in US-based projects and trade agreements could be signed.

Bloomberg has reported the details of some of these deals. The state-owned Chinese Investment Corp will contract with Goldman Sachs to invest as much as $5 billion in American energy company stocks. Mobile phone corporation Xiaomi will partner with US-based Qualcomm. Sinopec, the massive state-owned Chinese energy corporation, will invest as much as $7 billion in Texas oil and gas fields. Chemical company Sinochem will partner with Alaska Gasline Development. General Electric will receive investment funds from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Other deals include Chinese online retailer JD.Com entering into contracts to purchase up to $2 billion in US beef, pork and other commodities; the US Soybean Council has been granted additional exports; US transnational Honeywell International has reportedly signed a service agreement with Spring Airlinesthe largest Chinese budget airlineand a memorandum of understanding to process ethane with Oriental Energy; Bell Helicopter and Caterpillar are receiving additional orders from Chinese companies.

The underlying conflict between the US and China over hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region, will nevertheless emerge sharply at APEC and the EAS.

At both summits, the Trump administration, which has repudiated the planned Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trading bloc, to the dismay of its allies such as Japan and Australia, is issuing threats of trade war if Asian countries do not purchase more American exports.

China, in contrast, will be offering regional states expanded trade and investment opportunities, through the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a rival bloc to the TPP, which excludes the United States. It is also seeking to draw countries into its orbit through involvement in its massive One Belt One Road projects, aimed at developing a network of energy and transport links between Asia and Europe, which likewise marginalises the US.

The US is being propelled toward military confrontation with China by the struggle over dominance of resources, markets and profits. War against North Korea is viewed, in American strategic circles, as a means of both changing the balance of forces in the region, and of positioning Washington for what it views as inevitable war with China itself.
Around 200 workers formerly employed to maintain Esso Australias onshore and offshore oil and gas operations in Victoria are continuing an around-the-clock protest outside the Longford gas plant in Gippsland.

The demonstrations are part of an ongoing dispute that erupted after EssoExxon-Mobils Australian armawarded a five-year maintenance contract to UGL, an engineering and mining company, in February.

Under the new contract, UGL will provide maintenance and other related services to Essos onshore oil- and gas-processing plants at Longford, the Long Island Point fractionation plant and Barry Beach Marine Terminal, offshore oil- and gas-producing platforms in Victorias Bass Strait and crude oil, LPG and gas pipelines.

Announcing the deal, the CIMIC Group, UGLs parent company, declared, Securing this contract reflects UGLs commitment to delivering cost effective, innovative solutions which optimally maintain our clients critical asset.

In May, UGL made clear what it meant by cost effective. It issued an ultimatum to workers that to keep their jobs, they would have to sign up with one of its subsidiaries, MTCT Services, under an enterprise agreement (EA) that substantially reduced wages and working conditions.

MTCTs work agreement would see workers rehired as casuals, meaning they would lose a raft of permanent-employee entitlements. Pay will be slashed by between 15 and 35 percent, depending on workers trade classifications. Week-on, week-off rosters are to be replaced with fortnightly rotations, meaning workers will spend longer blocks of time away from their families. Annual leave arrangements are reduced along with a number of other allowances.

The MTCT agreement, which Esso and UGL are now attempting to impose, was not negotiated with the workers concerned. It was approved by five MTCT employees in Western Australia, who are not involved in Essos oil and gas operations, and then transferred to the companys Victorian employees.

The manoeuvre is fully in compliance with Fair Work industrial laws introduced by the federal Labor government in 2009, with the support of the unions. It is designed to circumvent a three-year bargaining dispute over new EAs between UGL and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), the Australia Workers Union (AWU) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU).

The unions are seeking to maintain their position as labour bargaining agencies and an industrial police force to deliver UGLs demands. They are dismayed that UGL, backed by Esso, decided in this instance to dispense with their services and move to a more direct means of imposing the cuts.

The unions willingness to assist the companys cost-cutting drive was made clear in a letter written by Gippsland ETU organiser Peter Mooney to the Gippsland Times.

Published in the October 24 edition, the letter confirmed that throughout the EA negotiations, the unions offered to freeze wages for a number of years and to look at other offsets to support the new contractor (UGL). Mooney pointed to the unions record in suppressing wages, noting that The UGLK offshore workforce has not had a pay rise since 2014.

The attack on the UGL workers is part of a sweeping offensive by Esso to slash costs across its entire operations. Last December, around 600 workers at the companys offshore and onshore gas operations in Victoria threatened to strike indefinitely after the breakdown of two-year EA negotiations.

The strike, which could have affected gas supplies across four states, was blocked by the federal Fair Work Commission (FWC) acting on a termination application by the Victorian state Labor government of Premier Daniel Andrews.

Under Fair Work legislation, the FWC has the power to terminate industrial action it decides would cause significant damage to the Australian economy or part of it. This is just one of a raft of provisions that can be used to ban strikes and industrial action.

The AMWU, the ETU and the AWU all hailed the strike-breaking intervention by the FWC and the Andrews government as the only way to resolve outstanding issues, including the companys regressive changes to rostering and shift arrangements, through arbitration.

Any claim that FWC-enforced arbitration would ensure a favourable result for workers is a fraud. Since its creation in 2009, the FWC has repeatedly intervened in disputes to impose the dictates of the employers. Last year, for instance, rulings brought down by the commission cleared the way for mass sackings at Energy Australia in New South Wales and at Anglo-Americans German Creek coal mine in Queensland.

In reality, the unions supported the FWCs termination of the Esso strike as a means of strait-jacketing workers while resuming closed door negotiations to broker a sell-out deal. As early as August last year, the AWU declared it was willing to consider one week rotation rosters, opposed by the workforce.

In April, the unions pushed through a regressive enterprise agreement covering production workers. It provided for ongoing changes to shift times, based on the demands of the company, to be secured through company-union negotiations. Underscoring its pro-business character, the deal stated that this was to ensure that production and business targets are met in Essos changing and competitive business environment, i.e., through continuous cuts to workers conditions.

In other words, the unions cleared the way for the current attack on maintenance workers. The unions have restricted all action to an impotent protest outside the Longford plant, which has no impact on Essos production.

The unions are working to prevent any unified industrial and political action by workers across Essos operations and the entire gas and oil sector. If the company, with the assistance of the unions, is able to inflict a defeat on the UGL workers, the same type of operation will be carried out against other sections of the Esso workforce.

The record shows that the UGL workers can only take forward a struggle in defence of their jobs and conditions by breaking with the corporatised unions, and establishing new organisations of struggle, including rank-and-file factory committees. Above all, what is required is a socialist program, aimed at establishing a workers government that would place the major oil and gas corporations under public ownership and workers control.

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[1 December 2016]
Sixteen years of war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria have drained $5.6 trillion from the United States economy, according to a new study entitled Costs of War released by the Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs at Brown University.

This staggering figure, which is more than triple the estimate offered by the Pentagon itself, factors in huge costs that the US military does not include when tallying up the bills for its wars. These include medical expenses for wounded and disabled veterans, war-related spending by the Department of Homeland Security, and the increased cost of borrowing money to pay for military operations.

The Costs of War report does not include spending on US military operations elsewhere in the world, including the escalating intervention in Chad, Niger and throughout the African continent, US participation in the genocidal Saudi-led war against Yemen, and special operations interventions on virtually every continent.

The cost of the wars dealt with in the report is over and above the annual Pentagon budget of nearly $700 billiona level of military spending that outstrips the worlds next 10 largest military powers combined.

The authors of the report readily acknowledge that the eye-popping $5.6 trillion figure does not begin to cover the immense slaughter, destruction and human misery caused by Washingtons wars. They write:

Moreover, a full accounting of any wars burdens cannot be placed in columns on a ledger. From the civilians harmed and displaced by violence, to the soldiers killed and wounded, to the children who play years later on roads and fields sown with improvised explosive devices and cluster bombs, no set of numbers can convey the human toll of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, or how they have spilled into the neighboring states of Syria and Pakistan, and come home to the US and its allies in the form of wounded veterans...

These are, of course, ledgers that are not kept and figures that are not entered into any columns by those responsible for these wars. We dont do body counts, was the way the Gen. Tommy Franks, the US commander of the invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq put it.

Credible estimates, however, have put the number of lives destroyed by the US war in Iraq alone at over one million, while another 175,000 have reportedly been killed in Afghanistan. Many millions more have been wounded and turned into homeless refugees.

The trillions of dollars worth of destruction wrought by US wars that have decimated entire societies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Yemen are not the subject of the Brown University report. It does, however, provide a sober view of the vast social wealth of the United States itself that has literally gone up in smoke as a result of American militarismresources that could have been invested in education, health care and raising the living standards of the working class.

Among the steepest long-term costs not included in the Pentagon estimate of war spending are those associated with the damage inflicted on the people sent to fight these wars, who return with physical and mental problems that are woefully underestimated and underserved.

The report cites a Veterans Administration report from May which states that the demand for services from veterans of the US wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan has increased by 215 percent over the past seven years. While officially the number of troops wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan totals 52,000over 1,700 of them suffering limb amputations and 6,500 of them severe penetrating brain injuriesthis figure vastly underestimates the real toll. More one million veterans of these wars are receiving disability payments, with roughly 875,000 of them classified as 30 percent or more disabled.

Fully 327,000 of these veterans had been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury as of August of this year, while roughly one third of those returning from the wars have been diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or other mental health issues.

Reflected in these wars, both in the criminality with which they were initiated and fought, and in the way they were funded, are the financial parasitism and socially destructive forms of speculation that pervade the workings of American capitalism.

The $5.6 trillion figure given by the Brown study as the cost of US wars is almost exactly the equivalent of the US national debt in 2001, on the eve of Washingtons launching of its global war on terror. In the intervening 16 years, that debt has more than quadrupled, attributable in no small part to the ever-growing cascade of military spending.

In an attempt to quell popular opposition to US militarism, successive administrations and Congress have avoided any taxation to pay for the wars, which are fought using all volunteer armed forces, consisting in large part of economic conscripts, and with borrowed cash. Instead of including them in the Pentagons budget, the wars are classified as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), treated as unforeseeable emergencies after more than a decade-and-a-half of continuous combat.

The price of keeping these military operations off the books is a steady rise in the US national debt, whose full weight will be imposed on the backs of the working class through a redoubled attack on living standards and social rights.

According to the report: Future interest costs for overseas contingency operations spending alone are projected to add more than $1 trillion to national debt by 2023. By 2056, a conservative estimate is that interest costs will be about $8 trillion.

The American oligarchy rakes in billions in profits from the business of war. The Brown University report came out at the same time that Donald Trump was in Asia combining war threats against North Korea with the hustling of arms sales in behalf of US military contractors. Among the retinue of more than two dozen corporate heads accompanying the president were the CEOs of such defense industry giants as Boeing and Bell Helicopter, Textron.

The wars have been initiated and continued by Democratic and Republican administrations alike. Both parties in Congress have maintained this method of funding them, while voting in lock-step for whatever gargantuan budget the Pentagon demands.

Meanwhile, there is the continuous refrain that there is no money for health care, public education, infrastructure and Social Security. The victims of so-called natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Mariawhose toll in terms of human suffering is the product of pre-existing conditions stemming from spending cuts, neglect of infrastructure and mass povertyare left to fend for themselves. Nearly 60 percent of Puerto Ricos 3.5 million people are still without power six weeks after Hurricane Maria struck, and 20 percent lack access to safe running water.

The nearly $6 trillion squandered by Washington on its wars of aggression over the past 16 years is also roughly equal to the combined wealth of the worlds billionaires, almost half of which is concentrated within the US.

The threat of Washingtons multiple military interventions coalescing into a nuclear third world war is driven by this immense concentration of wealth in the hands of a parasitic oligarchy, which relies on militarism abroad and increasing repression at home to defend its power and privileges.

Only the working class can answer these threats through the mobilization of its independent strength, independently of the Republicans and the Democrats and in opposition to the capitalist system and its state.

The demand must be raised for the dismantling of the vast US military and intelligence apparatus and the redirection of the trillions wasted on slaughter and destruction to meet the social needs of working people in the US and internationally. This must be coupled with a redistribution of the wealth of the super-rich to solve the pressing problems of housing, education, health care and infrastructure, and the placing of the banks and corporations under public ownership to serve human needs rather than the demand for profit.
Several thousand planned job cuts by Siemens Group will hit the companys sectorsPower Generation, Oil and Gas (PG) and Process Industry and Power (PD)as well as its subsidiary, Siemens Gamesa, which manufactures wind turbines.

On October 19 Manager Magazin, citing corporate circles, reported extensive plans for job cuts at PG involving the closure or selling off of eleven of 23 plants worldwide. PG has a total global workforce of 30,000 including 12,000 in Germany. When one includes the organizationally independent service sector, then the PG dependent workforce totals 14,200 employees.

Some 2,200 jobs have already been lost following the end of a program launched at the end of 2014 and now another 3,000 to 4,000 jobs are due to go.

In the PD sector the workforce is currently been trimmed down by 2,500 jobs, including 1,700 in Germany. Now, according to press reports more jobs are at risk due to the companys weak order books in the oil and gas industry.

This week Siemens Gamesa announced the slashing of up to 6,000 jobs in 24 countries. In the next three years, one in five of the sectors 26,000 employees are expected to lose their jobs. The company was formed just in April by the merger of the wind energy business of Siemens with its Spanish competitor Gamesa. Siemens holds a stake of 59 percent and the second largest shareholder is the Spanish energy utility, Iberdrola. Since the merger, sales have plummeted by 12 percent.

The savings plans at PG affects all sites in Germany, including Gorlitz (Saxony), where currently a total of 800 employees build small steam turbines, Erfurt (generators, 500 employees), Mulheim an der Ruhr (steam turbines and generators, over 4,000 employees), Berlin (dynamos, 3,700 employees), Erlangen (sales, engineering and project management, 2,300 employees), Duisburg (compressors, 1,800 employees) and Offenbach (sales and project management, 600 employees).

Although Siemens itself has not yet issued concrete numbers, the job cuts have been confirmed indirectly. On 3 November, Siemens head of personnel Janina Kugel told the news agency dpa that massive changes were imminent. Kugel reported that the market for large gas turbines had shrunk by 40 percent and steam turbines had fallen by 70 percent and she could not rule out redundancies. One tries to find socially compatible solutions, she declared, but one must also honestly state that this will not be possible for everyone everywhere.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commented, The company wants to break two taboos: plant closures and redundancies. There have been no such comparable major cuts in the past few decades in the company despite frequent restructuring.

More detailed information about Siemens plans is expected from CEO Joe Kaeser at the companys annual press conference in Munich on Thursday 9 November. In mid-November, representatives of the works council and IG Metall are to be officially informed about the companys plans.

The background of the redundancy plans in the Power & Gas division is the slump in the market for large gas-fired power plants and expensive gas turbines due to the increase in renewable energy sources.

Siemens is still sitting on an order backlog of nearly 40 billion euros, not least thanks to a major Egyptian contract, struck by CEO Kaeser in 2015 with the Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. At the same time orders are falling rapidly across the globe. In 2011 more than 250 gas turbines with a capacity of more than 100 megawatts were sold worldwide, compared to 120 this year. Siemens major international competitors, General Electric and Mitsubishi, are also bidding for the same contracts.

Siemens also bought the US oil and gas supplier Dresser-Rand for a record $ 7.8 billion in 2014. Shortly afterwards oil prices collapsed and the purchase proved to be a loss-maker. Now the Siemens workforce has to pay the price.

The IG Metall trade union and its works councils, which have collaborated closely with Siemens management on all previous rounds of austerity, are now preparing to neutralise and suppress any opposition to the latest job cuts. The union is adhering to its usual policyfirstly expressing its surprise and indignation, and then organising a few harmless protests while its prepares a sell-out behind closed doors.

We find it intolerable that once again thousands of employees are made so insecure in this way, commented IG Metall, after Manager Magazin reported the Siemens plans on 19 October.

In the Augsburger Allgemeine IG Metall board member Jurgen Kerner, who also sits on the supervisory board of Siemens, criticized the fact that the workforce first learnt of the job cuts through the media. He expects the company executive to pay heed to employees and explain why there is a need for new action.

In fact, Kerner had been informed of the plans long before the media reports. This was confirmed by Siemens CEO Kaeser in a letter to the federal Economics Minister Brigitte Zypries (SPD), in which he denied claims that the representatives of the union and works councils had not been informed in advance. Initial discussions with the employee representatives had already started over a year ago and continued in May, Kaeser wrote.

On 25 October, the IG Metall shop stewards organised so-called five to twelve protest actions in front of several Siemens factories aimed at emphasising the merits of the individual plant, i.e., that one plant was more competitive and profitable than all others and therefore should not be closed. The action was supported by local and state politicians.

One day later, on October 26, union representatives left a meeting of the Siemens Economic Committee claiming that they had not been given adequate information. In particular, they were upset that Siemens had violated the Radolfzell Agreement reached in 2008. In the agreement IG Metall and Siemens had agreed to refrain from plant closures and compulsory redundancies. Instead jobs were to be shed in a socially acceptable manner.

In a leaflet of October 24, the union leaders bitterly complained that their close cooperation with the management in the destruction of thousands of jobs was not being sufficiently recognised: In the areas of PG and PD in the years 2015 and 2016, far-reaching reorganisation began and is still ongoing. In both cases, employees have made significant sacrifices to ensure the future of their factories.

Personnel boss Kugel, however, declared that Radolfzell Agreement remained in force and that she foresaw close cooperation with union representatives when economic conditions necessitated redundancies and plant closures. We want to maintain good dialogue, she said. We also expect unions to undertake the turn around with us.

On Tuesday, Manager Magazin reported that Siemens management wanted to reach out to employees. It cited a high-ranking manager as follows: Maybe you have to give up a percentage point margin, if you can then give people a perspective.

Apparently, Siemens is considering relocating some jobs in plants located in structurally weak regions, such as Gorlitz in Saxony, to avoid closures. In return, major locations such as Berlin, Mulheim or Erlangen would have to make more sacrifices commented the Wirtschaftswoche.

This form of solidarity will undoubtedly win support in trade union circles. It serves exclusively to play off individual plants against each other and prevent a joint struggle to defend all jobs.

The perspective of the union is thoroughly nationalistic and reactionary. It translates the slogan of US President Trump, America first, into Germany first.

On October 21, the works councils and representatives of many Siemens plants met in the Frankfurt headquarters of the IG Metall and adopted a statement, Future for Germany as an industrial location. It appeals to the executive to work together with union representatives to develop a long-term strategy for Germany. This nationalist orientation divides Siemens workers from their colleagues in other countries and subordinates them entirely to the profit interests of company shareholders.

Using the same nationalist rhetoric, IG Metall supported the recent merger of Siemens rail technology division with the French Alstom groupa fusion which also endangers numerous jobs.

IG Metall executive member Kerner demanded the active support of the German government in waging international trade war: In Europe we need a potential mobility group vis-a-vis growing Asian competition. He continued: France has an industrial policy geared to national job interests. It should be the same in Germany. But our state railway has opened an office in China and wants to buy trains there.

In their function as handsomely paid co-managers, IG Metall officials and its works councils are working to ensure that the attacks on workers jobs and conditions are carried out as smoothly as possible. The chair of the joint works council and deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Siemens, Birgit Steinborn, is one of the ten highest paid supervisory board members in Germany. For her work on the company supervisory board she receives 463,500 euros from Siemens annually.

Workers must break with trade unions and works councils and build their own independent rank and file committees. The defence of jobs requires an international socialist perspective, which unites workers at all plants in all countries and places workers interests above shareholder profit.
A new study, published in the journal Science (Loci associated with skin pigmentation identified in African populations, 12 October 2017), elucidates the genetic mechanisms controlling human skin color and demonstrates that racial conceptions regarding skin color and its supposed marking of distinct groupings of human beings have no scientific foundation.

The traditional view has been that early humans had dark skin as an evolutionary adaptation to protect themselves from the dangerous ultraviolet radiation of the harsh African sun. As humans spread to other continents and higher latitudes, where solar input was less intense, lighter skin developed to permit greater production of vitamin D, an essential nutrient, which is produced in the skin using sunlight. However, the actual geographic distribution of populations with varying skin tones does not neatly fit this simple scenario. The new research, while not denying this mechanism, reveals a much more complicated picture.

Until recently, while the basic factor leading to variation in skin tone due to differing concentrations and kinds of the pigment melanin was known, there was very little understanding of the biological basis of how an individuals skin color was determined, and most of that was based on studies of European populations, providing only a very narrow view of the total range of variation. As the birthplace of humanity, Africa has the most diverse human gene pool (populations there having had the longest time for genetic variation to develop) and is, therefore, likely to provide useful data on genetic variation, including that influencing skin color.

The data used in the new research, conducted by a team of nearly 50 co-authors from more than a dozen different institutions in the US and several African countries, was derived from a study of 2,092 volunteers in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Botswana, of diverse ethnic and genetic backgrounds. Their skin color was measured and the genomes of 1,570 people were analyzed in detail. This resulted in the identification of six genetic regions (genes) that are, in combination, significantly associated with determination of an individuals skin color, collectively accounting for 29 percent of the observed variation. Each of the gene loci has variants (alleles) associated with different skin tones, ranging from relatively lighter to darker. The results were then compared with existing genetic data from West African, Eurasian, and Australo-Melanesian populations.

The fact that 71 percent of the variation is unaccounted for by the genes identified so far strongly suggests that the genetic determination of skin color is even more complicated than the current research has disclosed. Significantly, most of the variants, for both light and dark skin, were found to have originated in Africa. It is also important to note that the identified genes are located on several different chromosomes, indicating that their transmission is not closely linked in reproduction.

The actions of the various genes were tested by introducing them into lab mice and zebrafish, and observing the results.

The finding that skin color is controlled by multiple genes, each with a range of variants, demonstrates conclusively that any individuals coloration is the result of a complex mix of multiple factors, dialectically interacting with each other. Each persons exterior appearance (phenotype) is the expression of a balance resulting from the combination of this genetic color palate (genotype). Furthermore, this may not simply be an additive process. As with so many other biological characteristics, some gene variants, singly or in combination, may be dominant in their expression over others, known as recessive, making the outcome even more complex.

In addition to clarifying the genetic mechanisms controlling skin color, the analysis also provides insights into the evolutionary history of these mechanisms. According to the study, at least some of the variants are quite old, having evolved hundreds of thousands of years ago. With regard to variants associated with lighter skin color, seven are at least 270,000 years old and four are over 900,000 years old. One of the latter is found both in Europeans and San hunter-gathers of Botswana.

Among the significant implications of this finding is that these variants either coincide with or substantially predate the appearance of modern humans, which occurred 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. In other words, a complex variation in skin color has been part of human evolution for a very long time.

Another finding is that at least some skin color genes have changed significantly over time. Three of the variants that produce the darkest skin appear to have evolved from lighter color versions. Another variant, which originated relatively recently among people in Europe and the Middle East, has spread into Africa, possibly in association with migrations of early agriculturalists.

It is likely that the wide range of skin color variation originally evolved as small early human populations adapted to a myriad of local environments, influenced by many different selective factors. Subsequent population movements, spanning hundreds of thousands of years, including interbreeding between modern humans, Neanderthals and perhaps other local populations, mixed and remixed the genetic pool, creating an array of physical characters that often were only partly reflective of the environmental settings where they wound up.

As one of the studys authors, Sarah Tishkoff, points out, chimpanzees, our closest living evolutionary relatives, are light-skinned below their body hair. So, it is likely that early hominins were similarly light-colored and that darker skin developed later, once they moved from forested areas onto the savannah.

The multiplicity of genetic controls over skin color means that there are no fixed categories based on this essentially superficial characteristic. The myriad array of skin tones that currently exists across the globe merely reflects a moment in the constantly changing variation that has typified human evolution over millions of years.

As with numerous other scientific studies, this latest research confirms, yet again, that the concept of race among humans is a social construct without any objective biological basis. Those who view skin color as a marker of distinct racial groupings, associated with other characteristics such as intelligence, choose, consciously or unconsciously, to ignore the vast range of variation that exists among contemporary humans. The study published in Science demonstrates forcefully that the genetic control over the color of a persons skin is extremely complex and, therefore, not susceptible to simplistic classification.

That is not to say, however, that racism has no objective basis, although it is social and not biological. In capitalist society, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic distinctions have been and continue to be a weapon in the hands of the ruling class to keep workers divided in the face of class-based oppression.

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[3 August 2016]
New Zealands Labour Party Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited neighbouring Australia on November 5. It was her first overseas visit since Labours coalition government with the Greens and the right-wing NZ First Party was officially sworn into office on October 25.

Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull emphasised that the change of government in New Zealand, after nine years of conservative National Party rule, would not alter the close relationship between the two countries, above all their military alliance. Turnbull told the media the fact the two leaders came from different political traditions was irrelevant.

Arderns warm discussion with Turnbull was particularly significant because Canberra has established itself as one of Washingtons most strident allies. It has supported the US encirclement of China, as well as President Donald Trumps threats of war against North Korea. The visit further confirms that the Labour-NZ First-Green government represents a shift toward more open support for US warmongering.

The anti-Asian populist NZ First Party decided to form a coalition with Labour, rather than National, following extraordinary public comments by US ambassador Scott Brown, who criticised the National governments hesitancy to fully endorse the US drive to war. The Labour-led government is already seeking to whip up anti-Chinese xenophobia, nationalism and militarism.

NZ First, backed by much of the media, has demanded an inquiry into Chinese influence in New Zealand politics, similar to what Australias intelligence agency ASIO has advocated.

Turnbull opened a joint press conference by glorifying the two countries shared military history. He declared: Weve been partners in freedoms cause for ever. We saw in Israel just a few days ago the commemorations of the Battle of Bersheeba, the way in which Anzacs [Australian and New Zealand forces] fought in freedoms cause there, bringing to an end the Ottoman domination of the Middle East.

The bloody World War I campaign, in which tens of thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Ottoman forces died, had nothing to do with freedom. It was part of the effort to cement British imperialist rule over the Middle East.

Turnbull praised the Australian and NZ forces currently in Iraq as part of the US-led war to dominate the region. Ardern has committed to keeping more than 100 New Zealand soldiers there for at least another year.

Turnbull said he and Ardern reconfirmed our commitment to ensuring the North Korean regime ... stops its reckless and illegal destabilisation and threats of nuclear war. In reality, it is Washington that is threatening nuclear war.

Ardern made no criticism of the Australian governments embrace of Trumps threats to totally destroy North Korea with fire and fury like the world has never seen.

During the New Zealand election campaign, the danger of war was barely discussed and Ardern refused to say whether Labour would support a US attack on North Korea. Her posture alongside Turnbull, and her commitments to New Zealands military relations with the United States, leave little doubt about that.

Media coverage of Arderns visit focused on New Zealands standing offer to resettle 150 refugees from Australias detention centres on Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island. The Australian governments brutal treatment of asylum seekers on Manus Island provoked significant protests over the weekend.

Arderns attempt to project a humanitarian concern for refugees fell flat. She made clear that her government supports Australias flagrant violation of legal and democratic rights through its border protection regime.

Ardern raised no objection to Turnbulls preposterous claim that Australia was a very generous nation when it comes to refugees. Instead, she defended Canberra, telling Radio NZ: New Zealand is not in this situation. We are not having to deal with boat people making it to New Zealand.

After Turnbull rejected New Zealands offer, Ardern ruled out bypassing Australia to take refugees directly from Papua New Guinea. She said: I absolutely understand the priority being placed around the agreement with the United States. The Obama administration agreed with Canberra to resettle some refugees in the US, subject to extreme vetting. One year later, only about 50 have been accepted.

A New Zealand Herald editorial praised Arderns stance, stating: While it is easy to sympathise with people so desperate to escape poverty and perhaps personal danger, it is not as easy to suggest solutions that would not compromise Australias immigration control.

The Green Party, a partner in the Labour-led government, made no criticism of Arderns support for Australias anti-refugee policies. As recently as October 30, Green MP Golriz Gharhraman hypocritically denounced the former National government for being complicit by its silence in one of the worst human rights violations... indefinite detention which is defined as torture in international law.

Self-styled left columnists, such as Bryce Edwards and Chris Trotter, lamented Arderns capitulation to the Turnbull government. This undermines the progressive image they sought to cultivate for Labour during the election campaign. Trotter nevertheless defended Ardern on the Daily Blog, asking rhetorically, what, realistically, could she have done?

Successive governments, led by Labour and National, have been complicit in Australias border protection regime. In 2013, the National government signed an agreement with Australias Greens-backed Labor government for asylum seekers intercepted while trying to reach New Zealand to be taken to Australias detention centres.

Labour has promised to gradually increase New Zealands tiny annual intake of refugees, but only from 750 to 1,500 by 2020. Ardern emphasised that any refugees taken from Nauru and Manus Island would be taken out of this quota.

In June, the United Nations refugee agency reported that the number of people displaced by war and persecution throughout the world almost doubled from 33.9 million in 1997 to 65.6 million in 2016, the highest number ever recorded.

The Ardern government intends to cut immigration by as much as 40 percent, or 30,000 people per year. For years Labour and NZ First have waged a nationalist campaign to scapegoat immigrants, especially Chinese people, for the housing crisis, low wages and underfunded public services. The chauvinist campaign has dovetailed with a push for more open alignment with Washington against China.

In line with the global trend of governments stoking nationalism, the once relatively free movement across the Tasman Sea has been restricted. Since 2001, New Zealanders living in Australia have lost access to welfare services and the path to Australian citizenship has become more difficult. Now the Turnbull government is threatening to dramatically increase university fees for New Zealand students. Ardern responded with a threat to increase fees for Australians studying in New Zealand.

Arderns visit to Australia underscores the fraud perpetrated by Labours liberal and middle class pseudo-left supporters, who hailed the new government as an emissary of hope and change. This layer is politically complicit in the Labour-NZ First-Green coalitions right-wing policies, including its attacks on immigrants and the boosting of the military in preparation for war.

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[11 August 2016]
President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump attend the closing ceremony of the US-China Business Exchange in Beijing on Thursday. The two presidents delivered speeches at the event. WU ZHIYI/CHINA DAILY

China's oil major China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, Bank of China and CIC Capital Corp have agreed to help develop Alaska's liquefied natural gas sector by providing assistance to building a pipeline project.

The three State-owned companies signed a joint development agreement with Alaska Gasoline Development Corp and the State of Alaska on Thursday to jointly build an integrated LNG system including a long-distance gas pipeline connecting a gas treatment plant at the North Slope of Alaska with a liquefaction plant in Nikiski Bay in south-central Alaska. The system, rated at 20 million metric tons a year of production, would include other interconnecting facilities.

Sinopec said it will participate in later commercial discussions on the Alaska LNG project to contribute to China-US energy cooperation.

The agreement was signed on Thursday in Beijing during US President Donald Trump's state visit to China.

Xiao Lian, director of the Center for US Economic Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Sino-US energy cooperation will be a win-win for the world's two largest economies.

"It will create employment for the US while ensuring a long-term oil and gas supply for China, while having a significant role in global oil and gas stability," he said.

"With more players on the global oil and gas market, the sector will be no more monopolized by a few players, which plays a significant role in price stabilization and energy security."

While China is the world's largest oil and gas importer, the United States is expected to become one of the top oil and gas exporters with its increasing exploration of shale oil and shale gas, he said.

Li Li, an energy research director at ICIS China, a consulting company that provides energy market analysis, said the US is expected to become a major export hub of liquefied natural gas.

The US already has energy cooperation with South Korea and Japan, and it is believed the cooperation will soon extend to China, the biggest potential market for natural gas, she said.

Platts Analytics forecasts that China will surpass South Korea to become the world's second-largest LNG importer next year. While South Korean LNG demand is expected to remain under 40 million tons in 2018, Chinese LNG imports are expected to continue to grow aggressively, reaching nearly 50 million tons in 2018.
Chance the Rapper often shouts out his native Chicago in his music (You cannot mess with the light/ look at little Chano from 79th, he famously rapped in fellow Chicagoan Kanye Wests Ultralight Beam), but he doesnt limit his Windy City advocacy to song form.

On Wednesday, Chance (real name Chancellor Bennett) showed up unannounced to Chicagos City Hall for a city council meeting, arguing that the assembled aldermen should vote against Mayor Rahm Emanuels proposal for a new $95 million police academy. Chance said the city government should instead invest such funds in Chicago Public Schools.

My name is Chance the Rapper. Im here representing the city of Chicago: The students, principals, parents, and teachers of Chicago, Chance began. I think you guys are familiar with the work that Ive been doing. Were doing a lot of work with Orr Academy, which is just down the street from where this proposed police academy is gonna be at. This school, with just $100,000 in 3 years, is about to make some transformative changes. Itd be awesome, though, if we could get pools at their school, or a new library, or a museum, or any of the things that are proposed in the budget for this $95 million cop academy  There are a lot of different services that need to be funded. Obviously schooling is my big thing, but there are a lot of ways to transform the city without policing.

This is not the first time Chance has publicly advocated on behalf of CPS. Back in March, Chance even met with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner amid a high-stakes budget negotiation to convince him not to withhold funding from Chicagos schools. When that didnt work, he personally donated $1 million to CPS, and called for others to follow suit. The difficulty of that struggle influenced his stance on the proposed training facility, as he made clear on Wednesday.

What are we doing? Ive been asking for money for over a year now to fund these classrooms, Chance told the aldermen. But on the Fourth of July weekend, they announced theyre proposing a $95 million cop academy. What is yall doing? It doesnt make sense, and Im very confused. You guys have a lot of power here, and thats the reason why I showed up at 8 am. I feel like, maybe if you guys hear me say it

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When Chance showed up to City Hall on Wednesday, he was joining a crowd of protestors who had already gathered. Unfortunately, their efforts did not make much of a difference, at least on Wednesdays vote. The city council overwhelmingly voted to acquire land for the proposed academy, with only Alderman Carlos Rosa voting against.

A set back for now, but theres a grassroots army rising up to break every chain, end racist policing, and put working and poor Chicagoans of all backgrounds first, Rosa tweeted after the vote. There will be other votes and this is just the beginning.

A set back for now, but there's a grassroots army rising up to break every chain, end racist policing, and put working and poor Chicagoans of all backgrounds FIRST. There will be other votes and this is just the beginning. https://t.co/3oAo5IQnYd  Ald. Carlos Rosa???? (@CDRosa) November 8, 2017

City Council aldermen voted to approve $10 million in spending to buy land for the mayors new state of the art police training facility  Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) November 8, 2017
#BREAKING Former Boston TV anchor Heather Unruh says Kevin Spacey sexually abused her son in 2016. https://t.co/fiVykDe25F pic.twitter.com/2ANrScyjBd  WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) November 8, 2017

Since October, when actor Anthony Rapp claimed Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted him when he was a minor, the once-celebrated Hollywood star has found himself seemingly cut off. Netflix and House of Cards have cut ties with him, his scheduled appearances at various events have been canceled, and additional alleged victims have come forward with their stories. If all of this werent enough in and of itself, however, Spacey found himself accused of sexually assaulting the teenage son of a former Boston-area TV journalist during a press conference on Wednesday.

Im here not as a journalist today, but as a mom, Heather Unruh tearfully told reporters. In July 2016, actor Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted my son. It happened late [at] night inside the Club Car restaurant and bar on Nantucket island. The victim  my son  was a starstruck, straight 18-year-old young man who had no idea that the famous actor was an alleged sexual predator. Or that he was about to become his next victim. Her son, whose name was not given during the press conference, filed a police report last week.

Former TV news anchor Heather Unruh delivers message to Kevin Spacey, who she alleges sexually assaulted her son. https://t.co/2zNeLyyCQS pic.twitter.com/xtvFF3O1QL  NBC Boston (@nbcboston) November 8, 2017

Kevin Spacey bought him drink, after drink, after drink, and when my son was drunk, Spacey made his move and sexually assaulted him, Unruh continued. She then praised an unknown witness who, after seeing what was happening between the actor and the young man, encouraged the latter to leave the restaurant. I dont know how much she saw. I dont know if she saw Kevin Spacey put his hand in my sons pants. That much I dont know, Unruh said while pleading with the witness to come forward. What I do know is that she saw my son was very shaken.

As for Spacey himself, Unruh referenced his initial response to Rapps accusations, which were vilified on social media and elsewhere. Shame on you for what you did to my son, and shame on you for using your apology for Anthony Rapp to come out as a gay man, she said. That was an appalling attempt to turn attention away from what you actually are: a sexual predator.

(Via WCVB and NBC Boston)
Actress Kristina Cohen says she was raped three years ago by former Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, who has denied the allegation.

Cohen posted the claims yesterday on Facebook, and her manager  who did not know about the allegations until contacted by Deadline last night  later confirmed it was Cohen who authored the post.

Westwick today vehemently denied Cohens allegation. I do not know this woman, the England-born actor tweeted. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape.

Cohen, who says she remained silent until now out of fear of reprisal, wrote that a producer she was dating three years ago took her to Westwicks home, where the actor allegedly suggested that they all have sex together. She says she declined the offer and wanted to leave, but her boyfriend, not wanting to make their host feel awkward, asked her to stay just a little while longer, and Westwick suggested she take a nap in the actors guest bedroom. She agreed and soon fell asleep, but awoke, she says, with Westwick on top of her.

The producer, whom she did not identify, reportedly now lives in Australia, and Cohens publicist said the only person she told of the rape  her mother  since has died of cancer.

Even now, I grapple with feelings of guilt, she wrote on Facebook (see the full post below). Unfounded worry that in some way I was to blame. I dont know where these feelings come from. Social conditioning that everything is always the womans fault? That a mans inability to keep himself off of our bodies is somehow because of us, not him?

Ive grown considerably in the three years since my assault, so to revisit is painful. To dig in and relive this night in order to accurately share the events, feels like a continued violation. My stomach is in knots, scared as hell to share this publicly, as even fully reconciling with myself has been a tough process.

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Heres her full post:

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The fallout from the allegations swirling around Kevin Spacey continues: CBS is cutting the actors appearance from an upcoming Carol Burnett Show anniversary special, according to our sister site Variety.

RELATEDHouse of Cards: Kevin Spacey Fired

In the special celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beloved variety show, taped last month in Los Angeles and set to air on Dec. 3, Spacey performed a musical number with Carol Burnett, Kristin Chenoweth and Bernadette Peters. Spacey will no longer be featured at all in the special, though parts of that musical number may still make it to air.

Spacey was fired from his Netflix series House of Cards last week in response to multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault directed at the actor, including several from House of Cards crew members. The Emmy-winning drama is reportedly planning to write out Spaceys character, former President Frank Underwood, for its sixth and final season.

RELATEDKevin Spacey Created Toxic House of Cards Environment Through Sexual Assault/Harassment, Staffers Allege

NBCs This Is Us even had to change its plans due to the Spacey scandal: A mention of the actor was removed from last Tuesdays episode in light of recent events.

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Getty Image

Following an intense month of allegations of sexual assault, harassment and rape made against Harvey Weinstein, and the more recent claims levied against Kevin Spacey, Corey Feldman entered the fray with his own accustations on Megyn Kelly Today. Somebody tried to kill me the other day. Ive been arrested. This is no joke, he claimed, saying he feared his life was in danger because of his forthcoming documentary about Hollywoods pedophilia ring. Whether or not the actor turned musicians story about being nearly killed by two speeding trucks on a highway proves true, the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating.

According to BuzzFeed News, Feldman took his first official action by filing a report with the LAPD earlier this week. On Tuesday, the department confirmed Feldman had filed a report with them, and that they were investigating the Goonies actors claims, though no details were given regarding the reports specific contents. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, LAPD detective Ross Nemeroff confirmed they were investigating Feldmans child sexual abuse accusations: When a report is filed on something as severe as this, an investigation is opened by the robbery/homicide division (which also handles sex crimes).

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(Via BuzzFeed News and The Hollywood Reporter)
A 34-year-old man has been arrested in Illinois on murder charges out of Pennsylvania, where he is accused of snapping the neck of a woman who did not accept his marriage proposal, PEOPLE confirms.

Christopher Tucker, of Albany Township in Pennsylvania, has been charged with murder and criminal homicide for allegedly killing Tara Serino, 19, on Halloween night.

Authorities describe the two as friends, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE  but police believe that didnt stop Tucker from popping the question last month inside his home.

When Serino declined, Tucker allegedly lost it, grabbing the young woman by the neck and strangling her until her spine popped. Court papers further claim that Tucker poked the womans eyes out and used a hatchet to then pummel her body.

He is also accused of using a 25-lb. weight plate in the brutal slaying.

Tara Serino

Once he believed her to be dead, Tucker allegedly wrapped Serino in a rug and fled to Illinois, where he was picked up by officers from the Urbana Police Department.

Under interrogation, Tucker allegedly told Urbana investigators that after rejecting his proposal, Serino told him she was sleeping with other men and said that he should just kill her, court records show.

Tuckers alleged account of the killing was consistent with Serinos injuries, the court documents state.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Christopher Tucker

In addition to homicide and murder, Tucker also faces two counts each of aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime.

He remains in the custody of the Champaign County Sheriffs Office in Illinois. He will soon be extradited to Pennsylvania where he will face a judge.

It was unclear Wednesday if Tucker has a legal representative who could comment on his behalf. He has not entered a plea.

Efforts to reach Serinos family were unsuccessful.

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The Allentown Morning Call reports that Tucker was arrested for allegedly driving drunk just days before the killing after being pulled over for speeding in Pennsylvanias Indiana County.

According to the paper, he was also charged with several traffic offenses and for allegedly possessing both marijuana and another controlled substance. He was released from jail the next day, after posting bail.

The disposition of those charges was not immediately clear.
Crystal Holcombe, a devoted mother who was reportedly eight months pregnant with her sixth child, had high hopes for her familys future when she went to church on Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Widowed and left with five children in 2011, Crystal, 36, had met John Holcombe at the church, where he taught Sunday school and managed the audio system. They married in 2012.

United in their faith and love of family, they forged a happy new life together. It was about to become even richer because they were expecting their first child together next month.

All that ended on Sunday, when Crystal, three of her five children  Greg, Emily and Megan  and her unborn baby were among the 26 worshippers fatally shot in a massacre at the very church that had brought them together.

John married [Crystal,] a widow with 5 children, took them as his own family friend L. David Givler wrote online. Now, as he and Crystal were preparing to have their first together, this horrific murder took his wife and unborn child.

Crystal Holcombe

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Twenty other worshippers were wounded when a lone gunman, identified as former Air Force member 26-year-old Devin Kelley, began firing from outside the tiny church before entering its doors and spraying terrified families, children and a baby with gunfire.

Four other members of the Holcombe family died in the worst shooting in the states modern history: Johns father, Bryan Holcombe, the churchs associate pastor, his mother, Karla, his brother Marc and his toddler, Noah, who was 17 months old.

The Holcombe family

People are distraught, Tambria Read, a high school teacher and longtime Sutherland Springs resident, tells PEOPLE. We have lots friends. Our friends have lost family members and community members. That church was so accepting of everybody.

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Johns grandfather, Joe Holcombe, tells PEOPLE that his grandson is in good health physically but is not well emotionally.

Crystal was wonderful, Joe says. She was a beautiful, devoted mother, and she homeschooled all of her children.

A Wholesome Lady and an Amazing Mother

No stranger to tragedy, Crystal had finally found happiness with John, say family friends.

In April 2011, her husband of 12 years, Peter Hill, died of a heart attack at age 30, leaving her a young widow with five small children.

When she married Peter, he knew he had heart trouble, says Read. It got worse over his lifetime. I think she knew he wasnt going to live as long as she would.

Leaning on her faith, she attended church with her children at the First Baptist Church, where residents of the tiny town often gathered for church services and family-centric events, such as socials, holiday parties and picnics.

It was at church where she met John, an incredibly good guy, as his friend Givler, described him in an online post.

He always has a smile on his face, says Read.

The Holcombe family

John and Crystal were well-matched, say friends and family. Like John, who teaches Sunday school and runs the audio for church services, Crystals faith was everything to her, says Read.

She had very strong Christian beliefs, she says.

 PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: 35 Real Cases That Inspired the Show Law & Order is on sale now.

She was known for being traditional and old-fashioned, as one friend described her online.

Read describes her as a very wholesome lady and an amazing mother. She was full of spunk and wanted to raise very smart children.

Crystal worked in the home and took pride in homeschooling her children. She was homeschooled and that is what she wanted to do, says Read.

John, says Read, is a good provider and a loving stepfather.

As John prepares for life without Crystal, residents are still reeling from a tragedy they never thought would happen in their town.

 With reporting by CHRISTINE PELISEK and DIANE HERBST
Scotland Yards investigation into Harvey Weinstein over alleged sexual assault continues to grow after an eighth woman made a formal complaint, the Met Police confirmed to Deadline. The latest accusation was made to the UK police force on October 31 and states that an allegation was received that the man sexually assaulted a woman outside the jurisdiction of the UK in 1991. The allegation will be passed to the local police force in due course.

The victim has not been named. However, Laura Madden, an Irish production assistant who worked at Miramax, has previously alleged that starting in 1991 Weinstein had prodded her for massages while he was staying at hotels in Dublin and London.

Madden, who was from County Monaghan, told the New York Times: It was so manipulative. You consistently question yourself  am I the one who is the problem?

There are now a total of 12 allegations of assault made by women that are being investigated as part of Operation Kaguyak, which is being overseen by Scotland Yards Child Abuse and Sexual Offences unit.

Police are looking into allegations from women ranging from the early 1980s to 2015.

It is the third allegation to have been made outside of the UK. No arrests have been made, and Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

It comes after a report yesterday in the New Yorker that Weinstein hired a private investigation firm to collect information about the women who accused him of sexual misconduct and reporters who were investigating his past.

According to the New Yorker, the disgraced Hollywood producer employed Black Cube, which is run mostly by former officers of Mossad and other Israeli intelligence agencies. With offices in Tel Aviv, London and Paris, the firms operatives are highly trained when it comes to intelligence. He also hired Kroll, one of the worlds largest corporate-intelligence companies.

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Terry Crews has filed a report to the Los Angeles Police Department almost a month after he made sexual assault allegations against a high level Hollywood executive.

On Wednesday, Crews, 49, met with officers in the LAPD Hollywood Station, an LAPD spokesperson told PEOPLE.

Crews confirmed to TMZ that he filed the report and said of his reasoning, People have to be held accountable. He also revealed that he is planning to file a lawsuit against his perpetrator: Were going to go all the way.

In early October, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star revealed on Twitter the details of an incident in which he alleges a high level Hollywood executive groped him. He cited the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault and harassment scandal as his motivation for coming forward.

This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME, he tweeted, revealing the alleged ordeal in a series of further posts.

Crews said the incident happened at a Hollywood function in 2016 and claimed the executive came over to him and groped my privates.

Terry Crews opens up about his experience with sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood. This is why telling these stories is important. pic.twitter.com/Dv2UCwUDLD  Katie Barnes (@katie_barnes3) October 10, 2017

Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk, alleged Crews, adding in another tweet, I was going to kick his a right then but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear.

The 6-foot-3 star said,  240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho would be the headline the next day, adding, Only I probably wouldnt have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.

Crews said he spent the rest of the evening and the next day speaking to everyone I knew that worked with the exec about what happened, and added that the man behind the alleged assault called him and apologized.

But [he] never really explained why he did what he did, said Crews, adding, I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didnt want 2b ostracized par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go.

Crews declined to name the executive, and said he has empathy for those who have remained silent.
Ed Westwick is being investigated by the LAPD after actress Kristina Cohen accused him of rape

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the LAPD is officially investigating Ed Westwick for rape. On Monday, November 6th, actress Kristina Cohen accused Ed Westwick of rape in a candid Facebook post, writing that she finally felt comfortable coming forward in the wake of so many victims sharing their stories in recent weeks.

Westwick denied the allegations in a post to both Instagram and Twitter the following day, claiming that he has never met Cohen and has never forced himself on anyone. However, THR reports that Cohens sister, Catalina Colgate, and close friend, Blaise Godbe Lipman, have since corroborated her story and told authorities that they heard about the incident directly after it happened in 2014.

The last month has been incredibly difficult. Like so many women I too have a story of sexual assault, and the... Posted by Kristina Cohen on Monday, November 6, 2017

A post shared by Ed Westwick (@edwestwick) on Nov 7, 2017 at 8:46am PST

Cohens description of what happened that night is highly disturbing. She claims Westwick invited her to take a nap in his guest room, and she later awoke to him on top of her.

I was woken up abruptly by Ed on top of me, his fingers entering my body, she wrote. I told him to stop, but he was strong. I fought him off as hard as I could but he grabbed my face in his hands, shaking me, telling me he wanted to f*ck me. I was paralyzed, terrified. I couldnt speak, I could no longer move. He held me down and raped me.

The actress wrote that in the following days, the producer she was dating blamed her for the rape and advised her to not come forward and be that girl. Aside from her ex-boyfriends toxic influence, feelings of fear, blame, and shame ultimately kept Cohen quiet. After Westwicks denial, Cohen filed a police report with the LAPD. Both parties have not further commented about the incident.

We sincerely hope that the LAPD conducts a thorough investigation into this matter and that Cohen receives the justice she deserves.
They say a dog is mans best friend. When its time to say goodbye and a loved one is bedridden at a hospital, even with hospitals strict no-pets policy, families sometimes go to great lengths to make sure that the person and pup have a few moments together before saying goodbye forever.

Ellie Miguels grandfather, David King, was losing his battle with cancer. He was at a hospital in Missouri without knowing if hed be able to go back home and say goodbye to his beloved pup. His wife, Cindy, took matters into her own hands, and with the help of the nurses, she was able to sneak their Yorkie mix in for one last goodbye.

Grandfather says goodbye to his dog with the help of nurses and his family. (Photo: Twitter/@elliemigueel)

Ellie, 17, captioned her tweet, My grandpa is losing his battle with cancer so the nurses helped my grandma sneak their dog into the hospital to say goodbye. Her tweet quickly gathered the sympathy of family, friends, and strangers with more than 500 likes.

My grandpa is losing his battle with cancer so the nurses helped my grandma sneak their dog into the hospital to say goodbye pic.twitter.com/9EW7QGoCtZ  El (@elliemigueel) November 7, 2017

Ellie tells Yahoo Lifestyle, My grandpa loved his dog Lil Fee; she would follow him around everywhere. He would bring her everywhere he could, she says. My grandpa had been battling cancer for the past couple years, but last week it took over his whole body.

He spent about a week in the hospital, and my grandma brought pictures of the dog to hang up.

Ellies grandfather died last night, but not without saying goodbye to Lil Fee. With the help of nurses, Ellies aunt was able to bring Lil Fee to her human.

The nurses always heard my grandma talking about Lil Fee. So they encouraged her and helped her get the dog in. They had my aunt carry the dog in a really big purse, she says.

Ellie says it was very emotional for all the members of the family. For the first time that day, he moved his arm in attempts to pet his Lil Fee, she says. It was a moment Ill never forget.

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Ellies family is not the only one who has sneaked in pets to bring comfort to loved ones at a hospital. This past summer, Shelby Hennick, 22, from California, smuggled her grandmothers beloved dog into the facility, disguising it as a baby, as her grandma wanted to see her dog.

My grandma is in the hospital right now and wanted to see her dog. So I made it look like I was carrying a baby and we made it  pic.twitter.com/oKxNBlJEEL  Shelbae (@HennickShelby) June 11, 2017

Shortly after Hennick shared the photos, her tweet went viral with more than 540,000 likes and more than 2,500 comments. It prompted others to share their stories of bringing pets to the hospital to see their owners when they are ill.

Did the same thing for my grandpa when he was in the hospital but ours wasn't as easy to sneak in pic.twitter.com/g4aBfQ2BVL  micah (@micah0510) June 12, 2017

I did the same but a nurse helped us smuggle him in!! pic.twitter.com/pY8JWioBBr  Mariah (@ryescaf) June 13, 2017

There is nothing like having your best friend comfort you during your time of need.

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Olivia Wilde is no stranger to making big statements. In just the past few years, the Vinyl and House actress has waded into absurdist parenting controversies over breastfeeding and lip kissing, spoken out against the Trump administration and sexism in Hollywood, and starred in 1984, a Broadway play so disturbing it reportedly made Jennifer Lawrence puke.

And then there are the documentaries shes executive produced, on heavy topics from the Ebola crisis in Liberia to post-earthquake Haiti.

Now Wilde adds this stunner to that list: Fear Us Women, a documentary short (viewable in its entirety at the bottom of this story) that explores the woman-led ISIS military resistance in Syria through the eyes of one volunteer soldier, Canadian citizen Hanna Bohman.

The film, directed by David Darg and produced by Ryot (part of the Oath brands, as is Yahoo), packs a hard punch in just 27 minutes, as a mind-bogglingly brave Bohman takes viewers into the violent, traumatizing world of an all-female Kurdish army, YPJ (which stands for, in translation, Womens Protection Unit), on the front lines of terrorism.

Hanna is such an incredible protagonist, Wilde tells Yahoo Lifestyle. I can do my own part as an activist, but Im not doing anything nearly as dangerous as these women in putting their actual lives on the line. I was really moved by that.

Bohman, 48, explains in the film that she was inspired to leave her comfortable life  as a model-turned-sales worker in Vancouver  to go into battle, in 2014, for the rights of women and children who are frequently kidnapped, raped, enslaved, and killed by ISIS. Ive been called crazy by a lot of people, she says in the film, made of woven-together footage documented by both herself and Darg over the course of a year. For me to go back and do nothing, and pretend that there isnt a war here and people arent being murdered? To me, thats crazy.

She speaks to the camera with an astonishing calm, her AK slung over her shoulder, about how her marksmanship quickly made her a sniper, and about how she basically lives with the other soldiers in the dirt, shooting, and that its no big deal. Its just camping with guns, she says at one point, and hunting people instead of deer. She later adds, We all die one way or another.

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Bohman tells Yahoo Lifestyle she came to that acceptance after a series of health scares in Canada  a head injury, a motorcycle accident, and a heart issue. It just kind of made me rethink living and dying. We spend our life thinking of death as some faraway, intangible thing when really it could happen at any time.

In her life, precipitating her going to Syria, she says she felt lost. Her job was boring, her accident shook her, and shed been dating a man who went on a trip to his native Lebanon and came back with a bride (though the breakup was a very small part of the picture, she emphasizes).

Regarding her lack of fear about going into battle, Bohman insists that its not bravery, its just commitment, and notes that perhaps her relative comfort with such violent situations is a product of her difficult upbringing.

I grew up with violence. Every male role model in my life up until the age of 18 was an abuser. So thats probably why its not scary so much, she says. We also lived on a horse ranch and had guns to chase off animals. But Im not a fan of guns. I bought my first one when I was in Iraq [her first stop being smuggled into Syria], and then I left it there.

Shes currently back in Vancouver, trying to help get a former comrade safely to Canada. Memories still haunt her, but she says it gets easier with the passage of time.

When Darg learned about YPJ, he was intrigued, and was soon led to Bohman, who was perfect as a subject, he tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Not only because of her insights from front-line experience, but also because shed been documenting a lot of it with her own camera.

Darg had merged his past as a humanitarian aid worker with his love of storytelling by cofounding Ryot with Bryn Mooser; this is the third film theyve worked on with Wilde. Regarding this one, he says, My big takeaway was a positive note, because Id seen so much misery over there but here you have young people willing to stand up and fight. So Im very encouraged to know there are people like Hanna and like the locals, who are willing to put themselves in harms way.

Wilde says she sees Bohmans story as a crystallization of the many acts of political resistance on the part of women, from the Womens March to the more recent #MeToo movement in response to sexual abuse in Hollywood.

Its like weve hit a breaking point, and what I find so fascinating is that Hanna now seems like the perfect illustration of that, Wilde says. Shes a woman who decided she could no longer stand to sit at home in Canada and read about these stories in the news, and that she had to go put her body in danger in order to stand up for whats right. In a certain sense, that seems to be whats happening to a lot of women  to step out into dangerous situations, whether its Im going to come forward with my story of being raped, or Im going to come forward and run for office even though Im terrified, or Im going to come forward and step into roles that are traditionally held for men. So I feel like theres a groundswell.

Even though the story is specific to a very intense, high-stakes, and unusual situation, she adds, as a kind of metaphor of whats happening to women around the world, it feels really appropriate.

Watch the full 27-minute film, Fear Us Women, below.







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President Donald Trump is making his first official visit to Asia this week with stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The 11-day journey will mark the longest stay in Asia for any president in the last 25 years.

Along the way, Trump will stop to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam, where he will take part in the Economic Leaders Meeting alongside alongside other world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping at the five-star InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.

Related: Donald Trump Is Visiting Pearl Harbor on His Way to Asia

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for us to host such an important and significant event at the resort, Juan Losada, GM of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, told Conference and Meeting World. For months, our team has been working hard under the instructions and guidance of the APEC Committee, Danangs Government and Sungroup management team to make sure everything is perfect.

While we are sure there will be plenty of hard work and tough discussions at the meeting, there will also be some inevitable monkey business thanks to the resorts peculiar features.

Related: The Lawsuit Over the Monkey That Took a Selfie Is Finally Settled

You see, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is well known not only for its luxurious amenities but also for its unique decor  including monkey heads mounted on the walls, monkey sculptures, monkey paintings in every room, a banana-themed movie theater, a monkey-themed nightclub called Cheeky Monkey, and even real monkeys swinging from the trees outside the hotels windows. And its those monkeys, the staff says, that are the real stars of the show.

These forests are full of monkeys, Bill Bensley, the U.S.-born resort architect, told Travel + Leisure. They're docile, elegant, beautiful animals and they almost never come down from the trees.

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Related: Hang Out With Howler Monkeys at This Nicaragua Resort

Indeed, all the decor and the hotel itself is an homage to Bensleys favorite local primate, the douc langur.

During construction we had to enforce very strict rules for the construction guys not to touch the monkeys, because they're endangered, but also the natural food for some people in the area, Bensley said.

As the South China Morning Post explained, the doucs are currently listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. In total there are fewer than 300 left in the wild. And what makes them so unique, according to Van Hong Hia, a researcher with the Douc Langur Foundation, is just how peaceful these monkeys really are.

We haven't recorded any cases of them fighting, even when different families stay and eat at the same place, he told T+L. They are so different to other monkeys.

And as Bensley added, the hotel is more than happy to host anyone, including world dignitaries, as long as they understand that we are the guests here in the home of one of the world's most beautiful, docile, quiet, and endangered species.

Perhaps the world leaders will learn a thing or two from these primates and bring that peace, love, and silent energy to the world stage.
Syria has promised to join the Paris climate agreements, leaving the U.S. as the only country in the world refusing to be part of the deal.

The accords, which were struck in 2015, are a set of non-binding agreements that aim to slow the effects of climate change worldwide. One of the agreement's main goals was to prevent the world from warming by 2 degrees Celsius, and each country set goals based on their consumption of fossil fuels as well as their financial limitations.

Climate change affects many of travelers' most beloved destinations, including islands in the Caribbean, the Statue of Liberty, and Venice, Italy.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to pull the country out of the deal in June, citing potential disadvantages for U.S. businesses. Dozens of companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft, countered this claim and called for the U.S. to stay in.

Technically, the U.S. cannot pull out of the agreement until 2020, but the U.S. was not invited to the climate summit set to take place in Paris in December, according to the BBC.

At the time of Trump's announcement in June, the only other two countries who had refused to participate were Nicaragua and Syria. Representatives from Nicaragua said that they would join in October.

Trump is currently on a five-nation diplomatic trip to Asia and did not immediately comment on the development.
5 ways to help victims, survivors, and families after the mass shooting in Texas

Communities across the nation are still mourning as details unfold about the mass shooting that took place in Sutherland Springs, Texas on November 5th. This shooting comes only a month after the Las Vegas shooting, the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Here is what we know so far: Dressed all in black and outfitted with a ballistic vest and military-style rifle, a single gunman, identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, opened fire on parishioners at First Baptist Church. 26 people were killed and dozens more injured. After fleeing the scene, Kelley was found dead in his car after being chased down by two heroic bystanders.

In the wake of a tragedy of this magnitude  in a society where so many politicians avoid taking action  it can be difficult to feel like, as an individual, you can help. If you want to rally around the victims and their families in order to offer support and assistance, here are a few ways to do so.

A post shared by ADRP (@adrpgiveblood) on Nov 6, 2017 at 12:51pm PST

1. Donate blood

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) has provided more than 200 units of blood to hospitals in South Texas in order to treat Sundays shooting victims. If you are in or around the Sutherland area and able to donate blood, STBTC is asking for donors with O-positive or O-negative blood types. The center is also asking for platelet donations to help replenish the bank.

Sutherland Springs shooting

2. Donate to GoFundMe pages for the victims

Among those who lost their lives were eight members of the Holcombe family, including associate pastor Bryan Holcombe. A GoFundMe account has been established to help with medical and funeral expenses incurred by the Holcombe family. In addition to Bryan Holcombe, other family members who died in the shooting were Bryans wife, Karla, the couples 36-year-old son, Marc Daniel, Marc Daniels daughter, Noah Holcombe, and daughter-in-law Crystal Holcombe, who was pregnant. Three of Crystals children, Emily, Megan and Greg, were also killed.

Another affected family, the Wards, have also established a GoFundMe account. Joann Ward and her two daughters were among the victims of the shooting, while her youngest son was wounded. Their aunt set up the account to help with funeral expenses for the daughters, as well as medical bills for Joanns son as he recovers in the hospital.

3. Donate directly to the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs

First Baptist Church is accepting donations to help pay monthly bills and keep its doors open to those seeking solace in the senseless shootings aftermath. You can donate via their website  just look for the yellow Donate button on the lefthand side of the page.

Americans should be able to worship without the threat of gun violence. Join the movement for common-sense gun safety: Text ACT to 64433 #sutherlandsprings #texas A post shared by Everytown for Gun Safety (@everytown) on Nov 5, 2017 at 2:48pm PST

4. Contact your elected officials

Perhaps the step with the most lasting impact is calling and writing to your elected officials to inform them we need better gun laws. Some officials try to discourage these discussions after a mass shooting, asking for time to heal first. However, with a total of 377 mass shootings recorded in the United States this year alone, we cannot feasibly wait for these discussions to happen next week or next month.

If you are unsure of how to contact your officials, check out this form from Everytown for Gun Safety that will easily and quickly help you find the number to call. You can also visit the following pages to search for contacts of U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, and Governors. If we truly want to stop seeking out articles explaining how to help victims and survivors of countless mass shootings, we need to speak up and hold our officials accountable for the legislation they do (or do not) pass.

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez just repeated the well-known 4chan hoax that the shooter's name was Sam Hyde. That name is circulated EVERY shooting pic.twitter.com/Aa6juBf8oM  Brandon Wall (@Walldo) November 5, 2017

5. Double check what you share

The past few months have seen increased scrutiny of social media rumors and irresponsible reporting. We need everyone  reporters, political officials, social media users, ourselves  to double check their facts. Accuracy is needed to ensure public safety and to respect the gravity of the situation.

In response to the Texas shooting, Texas Rep. Vicente Gonzalez told CNN anchor Ana Cabrera that he had been told that the shooter was a man named Sam Hyde. Not only is this incorrect, it is a common hoax repeated time and time again after these kinds of tragedies.

Processing your emotions after these recurring atrocities is important for your health and for your ability to help others.

It is okay to first take a step back in order to work through what has happened and what continues to happen in such quick succession. It is  and will continue to be  difficult, but together we can move forward by creating a community of support.
By Jon Herskovitz and Lisa Maria Garza

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (Reuters) - The man who carried out one of the deadliest U.S. mass shootings escaped from a mental health facility in 2012, the same year he was convicted by a U.S. Air Force court-martial of domestic abuse, according to a police report.

Devin Kelley, who massacred 26 people at a church in rural southeastern Texas on Sunday, was convicted of assaulting his first wife and stepson while serving in the U.S. Air Force in 2012, according to the Pentagon.

That same year he briefly escaped from a mental health facility in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, according to an El Paso, Texas, police report.

The person who reported Kelley's escape warned police that he could be a danger to himself and others and had been caught sneaking weapons into Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where he had been stationed, according to the police report.

He had attempted to "carry out death threats that (Kelley) had made on his military chain of command," the report stated.

Police found Kelley in El Paso and turned him over to New Mexico police to return him to the facility, according to the police report.

The attack at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, ranks as the fifth deadliest by a single gunman in U.S. history.

The dead ranged in age from 18 months to 77 years and including the unborn child of a pregnant woman who was killed. Twenty others were wounded, with 10 still in critical condition on Tuesday, officials said.

Kelley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his getaway vehicle, where authorities found two handguns, said Freeman Martin, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety.

Kelley was also wounded by a resident of the town of about 400 people who heard the gunshot, grabbed his rifle and raced to the church, shooting the 26-year-old twice as he fled.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE

Kelley was involved in a domestic dispute with the parents of his second wife, whom he married in 2014, authorities said, and had sent threatening text messages to his mother-in-law before the shooting.

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"We have some indication of what the conflict was between the family," Martin told a Tuesday press conference.

Although Kelley's in-laws occasionally attended services at First Baptist, they were not there on Sunday.

Kelley's cell phone has been sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's crime lab at Quantico, Virginia. Specialists have been unable to get into the device to see if it holds details on the cause of his attack, said Christopher Combs, the FBI's special agent in charge in San Antonio.

The Air Force said it had failed to transmit information about Kelley's conviction into the National Criminal Information Center system, a federal database used by gun dealers to check prospective buyers for criminal backgrounds.

The Republican chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee called the failure to enter Kelley's record "appalling."

"The failure to properly report domestic violence convictions may be a systemic issue," Representative Mac Thornberry of Texas said in a statement.

The Air Force opened an inquiry into how it handled the former airman's criminal record, and the U.S. Defense Department has requested a review by its inspector general to ensure other cases have been reported correctly, Pentagon officials said.

Firearms experts said the case involving Kelley, who spent a year in military detention before his bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force in 2014, has exposed a previously unnoticed weak link in the system of background checks.

It is illegal under federal law to sell a gun to someone who has been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence against a spouse or child.

The massacre stirred an ongoing debate over gun ownership, which is protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Guns are part of the fabric of life in rural areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he believed stricter reviews of gun purchases would not have stopped Sunday's massacre.

"There would have been no difference," Trump said during a visit to South Korea. He added that stricter gun laws might have prevented the man who shot Kelley from acting as he did. "You would have had hundreds more dead."

(Additional reporting by Andrew Hay in New York, Patricia Zengerle in Washington and Idrees Ali traveling with U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis; Writing by Scott Malone and Steve Gorman; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe, Lisa Shumaker and Paul Tait)
As expected, deer harvests appear to be down so far this year and elk harvest is tracking similar to last year, but theres plenty of season left and whitetail hunting is moving into its prime season.

Hunters have been reporting the progress of their seasons at Fish and Games check stations and through harvest reports.

Fish and Game collects data from a number of sources, but game manager Jon Rachael warns that although they are an indicator of trends around the state, theyre not completely reliable.

We do make some inferences as to how the harvest is going, but we have to be cautious, he said. Check station data dont always track real well with end-of-the-season harvest data from harvest reporting.

Having said that, harvest data from the 17 check stations around the state, some which were run several times, indicated were going to be down considerably for deer harvest, thats the early feel. Rachael said.

Harvest reports submitted by hunters online and by phone also back that up, but theyre also inconclusive because most hunters who reported have already harvested, while those who havent harvested, but may still, are waiting until their seasons ends.

Through Nov. 2, hunters reported killing 5,605 deer, which compares with 6,993 by that date last year.

Elk harvest is tracking closer with 3,376 elk reported killed by hunters, which compares with 3,672 last year through Nov. 2.

To put the early numbers in perspective, hunters killed 66,923 deer and 22,557 elk last year.

While many general, any-weapon elk hunts are wrapping up, there are lots of seasons left, and hunters have 10 days to report after they harvest, or 10 days after their season ends.

Part of the drop in the deer harvest is fairly easy to explain. Most of southern Idaho had an abnormally harsh winter and many areas lost a large portion of the mule deer fawn crop. The male fawns lost last winter would have been spikes and two-points this fall, and that age class usually makes up the majority of the deer harvest.

Along with that, Fish and Game cut back on controlled hunts for antlerless deer, and either-sex hunting opportunity for youth deer hunters. Antlerless hunts tend to have a higher success rate than buck hunts, so thats another portion of last years harvest that wasnt available this year.

Reducing opportunities to harvest does was intentional to preserve them and increase the number of deer available after the hunting season to produce the next generation.

We cut back a lot of does harvest to aid deer herds in bouncing back more quickly, Rachael said. Deer are very capable of bouncing back quickly after one bad winter.

Of course, theres no guarantee this winter will be mild, but if its closer to normal, deer herds are likely to increase.

Rachael also pointed out the states mule deer herds were growing for several straight years previous to last winter, and there has also been a corresponding increase in hunters. More hunters and fewer deer means success rates are likely take a hit.

While Fish and Game biologists knew many fawns were lost last year, they also knew there was a good carryover of mature deer, which have been reflected in the harvest this year.

Weve seen some fantastic bucks taken, Rachael said.

Although hunters can typically take whitetails during October, November is when whitetail bucks start the rut. Whitetails account for about 40 percent of Idahos deer harvest, and the most popular whitetail hunting areas in the Clearwater and Panhandle regions saw winter weather that was closer to average.
BEIJING (Reuters) - A top Chinese coal miner, Yankuang Group, and U.S. industrial gas supplier Air Products and Chemicals Inc on Thursday said they planned to build a $3.5 billion coal-to-synthesis gas (syngas) plant in China. The announcement on the facility in the province of Shaanxi comes as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to China, the world's biggest consumer of coal. The deal is yet to be finalised, although the companies said in a statement that they would look to do this as soon as possible. Syngas is a combination of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and some carbon dioxide that is typically manufactured by gasifying a solid hydrocarbon fuel. It can be used to create energy or to help churn out products such as methane or methanol. Under the agreement, Air Products and Shaanxi Future Energy Group Co (SFEC), a subsidiary of Yankuang, will form a joint venture, in which Air Products will have a majority stake. It will build, own and operate an air separation, gasification and syngas clean-up system in the city of Yulin to supply SFEC, the firms said in a statement. The air separation units are expected to produce about 40,000 tonnes per day (TPD) of oxygen to support the production of about 2.5 million normal cubic meters an hour of syngas. SFEC will supply coal, steam and power and receive syngas under a long-term, onsite contract. Air Products currently supplies SFEC's Phase 1 project in Yulin with 12,000 TPD of oxygen. The addition of Phase 2 would make the complex one of the largest coal-to-fuel and chemicals facilities in China, with SFEC Phase 2 producing 4 million tonnes per year of liquid fuels and downstream chemicals, it said. The companies expect the overall project to come onstream in 2021. (Reporting by Muyu Xu and Josephine Mason; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Joseph Radford)
Just over four years ago, Amazon introduced Smile, a new way to donate to charitable organisations. Instead of visiting the normal Amazon.com website, customers load up the special AmazonSmile address and shop as they would normally. The company then gives 0.5% of the total net spend to the charity of their choice.

With $62 million raised for 230,000 charities, the company has decided to bring it this side of the Atlantic. It's now giving Brits the opportunity to generate a little extra money for Cancer Research UK, The British Red Cross, Royal British Legion and other charitable organisations.

Amazon's UK initiative works the same as it does in the US: 0.5% of purchases (excluding VAT, shipping fees and returns) are donated to UK-specific charities when bought via smile.amazon.co.uk. At launch, Cancer Research UK, The British Red Cross, Royal British Legion, Magic Breakfast, Marie Curie, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity, RSPCA, Save the Children, Scottish Women's Aid and Stonewall are on board.

Amazon said it will extend the programme to all UK registered charities regardless of size or locality in "early 2018."
Danica Roem (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images): AFP/Getty Images

The sister of the conservative politician defeated by Danica Roem  the first openly transgender person to be elected to Virginias state legislature  has roasted her brother for his treatment of Ms Roem during the campaign.

Bob Marshall, who has referred to himself as Virginias chief homophobe, refused to debate Ms Roem in person and only used male pronouns to describe her.

That was my brother who lost his seat in the House of Delegates race in Va, wrote Paula Nucci on social media. He wouldnt debate her. He wouldnt call her her or she. Maybe if werent so judgmental and homophobic, he could have lost with dignity. Im not happy my brother lost his job, but all I can say is, karma brother.

Ms Nucci had posted her comments on her private Facebook account. It appears that someone then screenshotted her words and posted the image on Twitter.

Once Ms Roem is sworn in January, she will also be the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature in the US, according to the Victory Fund, a political action committee that works to get openly LGBTQ people elected, and has supported Ms Roem.

Actress Paula Marshall Nucci, whose brother Bob Marshall just lost his seat in the VA House of Delegates to #Danica Roem. #VirginiaElections pic.twitter.com/KQ8m2cqwid  Almost Kevin (@almost_kevin) November 8, 2017

While Ms Roem openly discussed her gender identity during the campaign, the topic was not her main focus. Instead, she campaigned on issues regarding jobs, schools and  with particular fervour  northern Virginias traffic congestion.

Discrimination is a disqualifier, Ms Roem said after her victory. You can serve if you have good public policy ideas, youre well qualified and you have a commitment to do the work of the people youre running to represent.

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On the campaign trail, Ms Roem said that Mr Marshall, who has served in Virginias House of Delegates since 1992, spent too much time on social policy.

Mr Marshall had recently proposed legislation for a bathroom bill similar to what passed with great controversy in North Carolina last year. His bill would have required people to use the restroom that corresponds with the gender on their original birth certificates.

He later toned down the language on the bill, to remove the word original  but blasted the Republican committee that stuck the revised bill down as disgusting. Back in 2006 he had also labelled himself Virginias chief homophobe when defending his views on gay marriage.

In addition to this years so-called bathroom bill, he was also the author of a now-void constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman, and sponsored a bill banning gay people from openly serving in the Virginia National Guard.
The New York Times

PHOENIX  Kari Lakes defeat in the governors race in Arizona has set off a high-stakes tug of war within the Republican Party, as Lakes right-wing allies pushed her to mount a Trump-style challenge to the results, while some establishment leaders  including a former Republican governor  urged her to concede her loss and move on. Lakes next move could prove a turning point for her party and the far-right faction of election deniers that propelled her rapid rise this year. Lake stands as the
A New York woman who pleaded guilty in the death of her fiance has been sentenced to up to four years in state prison but may be released as early as next month, her defense attorney said.

Angelika Graswald, 37, was ordered on Wednesday to serve 16 months to four years for the April 2015 death of 46-year-old Vincent Viafore, who prosecutors said drowned in the Hudson River after Graswald tampered with his kayak, News 12 Westchester reported.

A defense attorney for the Latvia native, who spoke to reporters after the Orange County court hearing, said she may be paroled late next month, with her having already served two-and-a-half years toward her sentence.

Angelika Graswald, who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in July, may be paroled as early as December, her defense attorney said. (Photo: Handout . / Reuters)

Viafores family is suing Graswald for wrongful death, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported. And they are furious about what they consider to be a soft sentencing.

Four years for taking someones life? No way, Viafores mother, Mary Anne Viafore, told reporters. Justice was not served for my son.

In court, Viafores sister also had urged the judge to lock Graswald away for a much longer term.

My brother did not deserve to have his life end this way, Laura Rice said, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Our family feels Angelika should be held accountable for the actions she has admitted to  a short, four-year-sentence does not seem just. Serving a portion of that sentence seems even more unjust.

Vincent Viafore died during a kayaking trip on the Hudson River in April 2015 after his boat took on water and capsized. (Photo: Handout . / Reuters)

Graswald, who was initially charged with Viafores murder, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in July.

Authorities said she admitted to removing a plug from Viafores kayak before they went into the water. She also said that she knew one of his paddles was missing a locking clip, that he wasnt wearing a life vest or wetsuit, and that their trip along the river was during dangerously low temperatures and rough water.

Viafores boat capsized, but instead of quickly calling for help, prosecutors said Graswald waited for him to drown. Her alleged plan was to collect his life insurance, of which she was listed as the primary beneficiary.

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Authorities testified that Graswald admitted to wanting her fiance dead and that she was unhappy in their relationship.

In a statement read by defense attorney Richard Portale, Graswald defended that she is not a murderer, that she still loves and misses Viafore, and she would bring him back if she could.

I dont believe I was treated fairly. This entire process has been entirely one-sided and unjust, she said.

Related...

Kayaker Rescues Naked Skinny Dipper Clinging To Riverside Tree

'Kayak Killer' Accused Of Drowning Fiance Pleads Guilty

2 NYPD Detectives Quit After Being Charged in Rape Investigation

Trooper Sues After Being Forced To Alter Arrest Report Of Judge's Daughter

Also on HuffPost

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
If you know just one Stranger Things fan, then you won't be surprised to hear that thousands of them crashed a science museum's website in an attempt to buy replicas of a sweatshirt worn by Gaten Matarazzo on the show.

Per a report from Newsweek, folks at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul were delighted to see Matarazzo's character Dustin donning a sweatshirt featuring one of the museum's vintage merchandise designs  a print of a Brontosaurus skeleton. "Yes, we want one too," a museum representative wrote in a Facebook post from October 27. "Working on it!"

SEE ALSO: These 'Stranger Things' waffles are super easy to make

By Nov. 1, it was official. "We're rereleasing our '80s Brontosaurus apparel in a few days," a Facebook post from the museum read. "Say no to knockoffs!"

In a press release, the museum said demand for the sweatshirt came quickly.

But how, exactly, did old Science Museum of Minnesota apparel end up on a major Netflix show? As Stranger Things costume designer Kim Wilcox told the Star Tribune, she spotted the original design on an old sweatshirt while searching for '80s apparel online. She purchased the sweatshirt and had a smaller size printed to fit Matarazzo. His character Dustin wears the design in the first episode of Season 2.

When the Science Museum of Minnesota finally put new sweatshirts up for sale on Tuesday, thousands of fans rushed online to buy merch for themselves, crashing the museum's website in the process.

"Orders are thundering in for Brontosaurus apparel," a museum Facebook post from Tuesday reads. "Due to demand, our website is slow. We have an unlimited supply online  be patient!"

But despite the all-out chaos  including a few snippy Facebook comments from eager prospective buyers  the Star Tribune reports the museum had sold a whopping $400,000 worth of merchandise by Tuesday afternoon.

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A selection of six items  all featuring the dinosaur print and offered in both adult and child sizes  are available for purchase at the museum's website, and range in price from $14.95 to $36.95.

Now, if we could just get our hands on Nancy's amazing collection of sweaters...
These reactions = priceless. #SaveTheMusic A post shared by VH1 Save The Music (@vh1savethemusic) on Sep 25, 2017 at 2:16pm PDT

Sway Calloway knows firsthand the life lessons kids receive while learning to play instruments.

Mastering the song flute, clarinet and alto saxophone fostered a love for music that he eventually turned into a career as one of the most well-known hip-hop journalists today.

What I learned from music is a lot about melody and thats how I communicate, the Oakland native told HuffPost, citing his interview strategy. I learned a lot about rhythm and as I got older, I learned how to make that translate into social skills, how to communicate with people, how to talk to folks, when you talk to folks, when you jump out, when you interject.

Sway Calloway speaks onstage at VH1 Save The Music 20th Anniversary Gala in New York City. (Photo: Jason Kempin via Getty Images)

He may not professionally play an instrument today, but music education opened up doors for Calloway  whose family was on public assistance when he was younger  that he may not have found otherwise. Music programs in schools have been proven to keep students engaged in the classroom; improve early cognitive development, math and reading skills; develop critical thinking skills; and foster confidence among students, according to the National Association of Music Merchants.

But despite the lasting impact music education has on students, many children in low-income communities still dont have access to it. Thats why Calloway and the board members and team behind VH1 Save The Music Foundation have been working to bring music programs to underserved schools.

Since the nonprofit was founded in 1997, VH1 Save The Music Foundation has allotted grants to more than 2,000 public schools in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. These grants have benefited more than 2 million kids. Recently, students in Newark, New Jersey, and Berkeley and Jefferson Counties in West Virginia received $45,000 worth of musical equipment from the program.

Replacement strings are important for elementary orchestra teachers to have on hand. If one breaks, or an instrument needs to be restrung, a ready supply ensures the violin is ready for the next rehearsal  . Get these and other items for schools in Chula Vista, CA through our @amazon wish list! http://bit.ly/STMWishlist A post shared by VH1 Save The Music (@vh1savethemusic) on Oct 11, 2017 at 10:59am PDT

Chiho Feindler, senior director of programs and policy, said the foundation has not only benefitted students and their communities by bringing marching bands and orchestras to their cities, but also by improving graduation rates and reducing absenteeism.

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[Rewards vary from] a student telling us that in his home life, its just such a chaos that being able to play flute on his stoop for his young siblings just brings a peace into his home to better graduation rates to the student whos now interning to go to college studying music education, Feindler said. Stuff like that and just ... giving them the reasons to thrive.

She added that the nonprofit is looking to give schools tech grants in the near future as well.

Calloway, who hosted VH1 Save The Music Foundations 20th Anniversary Gala in October, said that its especially necessary for children today to have a creative outlet that they can lean on during times of trauma.

I think its therapeutic for a lot of kids to learn how to play instruments and give you a chance to vent, give you a chance to release some of the dark energy that were all surrounded by right now, he said. I think music just allows another way to escape it or another way to process it.

And a lot of times, we feel bad in a day and we put on our favorite music to make us feel better. And so imagine if youre somebody who can make the music, he continued. You and others feel better so its just extremely gratifying. I think it helps our kids therapeutically, I think it helps our kids intellectually and not only that, its fun to do.

Learn more about VH1 Save The Music Foundation by visiting its website.

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Lorde

Nicki Minaj

Demi Lovato

Hailee Steinfeld

Katy Perry

Kesha

Millie Bobby Brown

Lil' Yachty

Jack Antonoff

Jack Lawless, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee and Cole Whittle of DNCE

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Jack Lawless, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee and Cole Whittle of musical group DNCE attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

21 Savage and Amber Rose

Chanel West Coast

Pink

Tomo Milicevic, Shannon Leto and Jared Leto

Tiffany Haddish

Noah Cyrus

Cardi B

Laura Perlongo and Nev Schulman

Heidi Klum

Vanessa Hudgens

Mel B

Alessandra Ambrosio

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Apple's free coding curriculum, which launched for high schools and community colleges in May, has been growing in popularity over the last few months. It had six community college systems on board at launch and in August, the company announced that over 30 had worked the curriculum into their course offerings for the 2017-2018 school year. Now, Apple has gone global with its coding instruction and over 20 colleges and universities outside of the US have now adopted the App Development with Swift Curriculum.

Universities in Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK are among those that have signed on. RMIT University, Australia's largest higher education institution, has adopted the year-long course as well, which it will be offering online, and its students will also be able to enroll in a new on-campus vocational course. Additionally, RMIT is offering scholarships for school teachers who want to take courses in coding and will host a free summer school course for high school students.

Apple has been working on providing coding learning tools to all age ranges, with the Swift Curriculum geared towards older students and its Swift Playgrounds app aimed at the youngest aspiring coders. Other in-school coding initiatives have also been developed by the BBC and Code.org while earlier this year, GM gave Girls Who Code a grant to bring after-school STEM clubs to underserved areas of the US.

"We launched the Everyone Can Code initiative less than a year ago with the ambitious goal of offering instruction in coding to as many people as possible. Our program has been incredibly popular among US schools and colleges, and today marks an important step forward as we expand internationally," Apple CEO Tim Cook, said in a statement. "We are proud to work with RMIT and many other schools around the world who share our vision of empowering students with tools that can help them change the world."
FBI special agent Christopher Combs complained how the agency couldn't get into the Texas shooter's phone during a press conference. Turns out all they had to do was ask Apple for help. In a statement the tech titan has released to the media, it said it "immediately reached out to the FBI after learning from their press conference on Tuesday that investigators were trying to access a mobile phone." Cupertino offered its assistance and even promised to "expedite [its] response to any legal process." It added that it "work[s] with law enforcement every day" and "offer[s] training to thousands of agents so they understand [its] devices and how they can quickly request information from Apple."

The company told Business Insider that the FBI has yet to ask for help accessing the phone. That pretty much confirms Reuters' report that officials missed the 48-hour window that would have allowed them to unlock the device simply by using the shooter's fingerprint. If the gunman had fingerprint access enabled, Apple could've told authorities that they had 48 hours to use his prints to unlock the phone before the feature ceased to function.

Now that it's past 48 hours, the agency has to find a legal means to get to the phone's contents. Officials will now have to serve Apple with a court order to be able to get their hands on his iCloud data. It's unclear if the FBI is already securing a court order, but it might have decided not to work with Apple after having a tough time convincing the company to unlock the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone. Apple refused to open the device for the agency even after the FBI took the company to court. In the end, the feds paid big money for a third-party company's tool that was able to unlock the device.
Apple has released its first diversity and inclusion report since naming Denise Young Smith as VP of diversity and inclusion in May. It's also Apple's first report since Donald Trump took the office of president of the United States.

Let's get into the numbers, which are as of July 2017. Apple is still 32 percent female worldwide. In the U.S., Apple is 54 percent white (down two percentage points from last year), 13 percent Hispanic (up one percentage point), nine percent black (no change), 21 percent Asian (up two percentage points), three percent multiracial (up one percentage point) and one percent other (no change).

From July 2016 to July 2017, Apple says half of its new hires in the U.S. were from historically underrepresented groups in tech (women, black, Hispanic, Native American, Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander). Apple's new hires also reflect more diversity than its current employees. For example, 11 percent of Apple's new hires were black compared to its current black employee population of nine percent.

While Apple has a larger percentage of black and Hispanic employees than many other tech companies, it's important to note that some of them are in lower-paying retail roles. Eighteen percent of Apple's retail employee base is Hispanic, 13 percent are black, 7 percent are Asian and 57 percent are white.

At the leadership level, Apple is still predominantly run by men who make up 71 percent of the leaders at Apple worldwide. And white people make up 66 percent of the leaders at Apple in the U.S. Only 3 percent of Apple's leaders in the U.S. are are black, only 7 percent are Hispanic and just 1 percent are multi-racial.

Diversity at the leadership level is a bit of a heated subject. Apple shareholder Tony Maldonado has called on Apple several times to implement an accelerated recruitment policy in order to increase diversity at the senior management level and board of directors.

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But Apple's board of directors has repeatedly shot it down. In January, the board said the policy is not necessary or appropriate because we have already demonstrated our commitment to a holistic view of inclusion and diversity and made detailed information about our inclusion and diversity initiatives, and the progress we have made with respect to these initiatives, available on our website at apple.com/diversity.

Apple, of course, is a large company, with 130,000 employees worldwide and 83,000 in the U.S. It's a large company with high retention rates, sources say. That means change may happen slowly.

[gallery size="medium" ids="1565667,1565666,1565665,1565664,1565663,1565662"]

Apple laid out the information on an updated diversity and inclusion site, which now prominently features a video with a female Muslim employee wearing a hijab as the still image. This is notable given Trump's racist policy attempts against Muslim people. Above the video, the text reads:

Humanity is plural, not singular. The best way the world works is everybody in. Nobody out.

The video goes on to talk about how Apple celebrates differences, and embraces different faiths and cultures.

Some data that's missing from this report includes people with disabilities, age, veterans, LGBTQ status and intersectional identities. According to Apple's 2016 EEO-1 report, we do know that 9 percent of employees at Apple were women from underrepresented racial groups in tech.

As I mentioned, this is the first report under Smith's leadership. Smith previously served as head of worldwide human resources at Apple for three years, but had been involved in diversity programs at Apple for years.

Last month, Smith came under fire for some comments she made during a panel at the One Young World Summit in Bogota, Colombia. She later apologized, saying she regretted her word choice in her answer to a question regarding whether or not black women were a priority for her in her role. Moving forward, the spotlight will remain on Apple, especially as the company approaches a trillion-dollar market valuation.
PHOENIX (Reuters) - An Arizona man was found guilty on Wednesday of murder and other charges in the death of a 10-year-old girl who was locked in a small bin for taking a Popsicle without permission, a court official said.

The verdict by the Maricopa County jury allows the trial of John Allen, 29, to move to the penalty phase, in which the panel will determine if he should face the death penalty, court spokesman Vincent Funari said in a statement. That phase begins on Thursday and could take weeks, he said.

Sammantha Allen, John Allen's wife, was sentenced to death in August after she was also convicted of murder in the 2011 death of 10-year-old Ame Deal, who was her cousin.

Police said the child, who was left in the Allens' care, was forced to exercise intensely for hours in the summer heat as punishment for taking the frozen treat.

The couple then ordered her to get a hinged, plastic container and climb into it, police have said. Sammantha Allen watched as her husband padlocked the girl in the box and the couple then fell asleep, police said.

The dead girl's body was found inside the small container, which only had tiny air holes at its handles.

The jury found John Allen guilty of first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse and conspiracy to commit child abuse, officials said.

Family members initially told police Deal died in a hide-and-seek game that turned tragic. Police unraveled that story during their investigation.

In John Allen's trial, jurors watched a video of him confessing to locking the girl in the box and going to sleep.

Arizona has not executed an inmate in three years. The state's last execution took nearly two hours, and resulted in a lawsuit by several inmates who claimed the state's lethal injection protocol caused prolonged suffering.

John Allen's attorney argued that his client took full responsibility and did not intend for the girl to die.

Maricopa county prosecutors and Allen' attorney, Gary Beren, could not be reached for comment late on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and David Schwartz in Phoenix; Editing by Paul Tait)
Montreal (AFP) - The Canadian government is making a significant diplomatic push to secure the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force in Ukraine, the foreign minister announced on Thursday.

"Around the world Canada has been leading conversations with a number of countries about the viability and utility of peacekeeping and policing in Ukraine," Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pressed the issue with his German counterpart, Chancellor Angela Merkel, she added.

Freeland also said she "personally explored the feasibility and prospects of such a mission" with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, with US Special Envoy Kurt Volker, and with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week.

"Our government has been at the heart of international efforts to support Ukraine and we are working hard to ensure any peacekeeping effort guarantees Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Freeland said.

Proposals have been floated at the United Nations in recent months for a peacekeeping force in eastern Ukraine but failed to get unanimous agreement, with Russia -- which has a veto on the Security Council -- preferring a small UN force to protect international observers monitoring the conflict zone.

About 1.2 million Canadians, including Freeland, have Ukrainian ancestry, and consecutive Canadian governments have sided with Kiev in its conflict with Moscow since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Like other Western nations, Canada has imposed sanctions on Russian officials -- the latest round last week provoking reciprocal sanctions from Russia.

Earlier this year, Ottawa also announced the extension of a military mission to train Ukrainian soldiers until 2019, and the two countries formalized a defense cooperation pact.

In September, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said during a visit to Canada to expect more stability in eastern Ukraine with the Canadian presidency of the G7 in 2018.

Canada is also leading a NATO multinational battle group in Latvia, on Russia's doorstep, described in March by Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan as "a strong message of deterrence" to Russia.
Hong Kong (AFP) - Chinese investors' penchant for Hong Kong real estate is well-known and as they take aim at the city's most prestigious buildings and office space, mainland cash is driving one of the world's priciest markets to break new records.

With the Communist Party's hand seen behind the latest record purchase, some analysts raised questions about where the enormous cash flows would go as the Chinese government strengthens control over the former British colony.

Beijing's growing restrictions on overseas investment including in property have held back some Chinese conglomerates as the country's leaders seek to stem capital flight and counter a weak yuan.

But the sale last week of a landmark skyscraper by Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing to a China-led consortium for a record of more than $5 billion indicates the citys property sector continues to boom.

"(Chinese companies) want to let the world know, 'we are going international, we have establishments in Hong Kong and have been able to buy such good assets'" says Antonio Wu, deputy managing director of Colliers International.

"Trophy assets always help to build a brand."

Li's sale of The Center was the world's largest commercial property deal for a single building, according to data from services firm CBRE.

The city's fifth-tallest building, it was featured in Hollywood blockbuster The Dark Knight.

- 'The best place' -

Chinese companies often use the office towers and floors they have snapped up as their headquarters and as a base for expansion -- in some instances kicking out other tenants as they grow -- while benefiting from limited supply and climbing prices.

Mainland firms occupation of Hong Kong offices surged 52 percent in the decade to 2015, according to real estate firm JLL.

"To grow your business offshore, Hong Kong is still the best place," said Denis Ma, head of research for Hong Kong at JLL.

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The city remains the most "attractive gateway" as a first step for Chinese companies to expand their global reach, he added.

Cash-rich Chinese firms have targeted highly visible buildings in urban neighbourhoods -- most prominently Evergrande's purchase of a harbourfront tower -- and office space in the prime Central district.

The Center was seen as an especially rare commodity, combining both the sought-after Central location and an iconic asset available en bloc.

Meanwhile, a number of foreign banks have been priced out of Central, and housing across the space-starved city remains unaffordable for many, an issue growing increasingly political.

Some analysts say the shopping spree in Hong Kong is also part of Beijing's strategy to tighten its grip on the territory.

State-owned enterprises began to buy up properties to boost their businesses in Hong Kong in the 1980s, ahead of the 1997 handover from Britain, says Victor Shih, associate professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego.

"It's to integrate the economies of Hong Kong and that of China, to make the whole process of reunification smoother," he argues.

- Cash flows -

Corporate filings reveal a Chinese Communist Party organisation is at the top of the ownership chain of The Center.

A statement from Li's CK Asset Holdings named the buyer as C.H.M.T. Peaceful Development Asia Property Limited, incorporated under the British Virgin Islands and set up as a "special purpose vehicle" specifically for the acquisition.

Its largest shareholder is Beijing-based China Energy Reserve and Chemicals Group, according to the South China Morning Post and Wall Street Journal.

The energy behemoth links back to the party -- one of its four major shareholders, China Hualian International Trade Company, is owned by the China Economic Cooperation Center, corporate filings show.

The entity, according to various Chinese government sites, is controlled by the International Liaison Department, a Communist Party arm known for handling its foreign affairs.

Shih said such big deals could challenge the party's internal governance at a time when President Xi Jinping is warning against corruption and profligate spending.

He points out The Center will generate millions of dollars of rent each year.

"The challenge for (the party) is whether they have the personnel and the framework to audit and monitor what must be enormous cash flows going through them," says Shih.

Numerous mainland officials, their family members and businesses have set up shell companies in Hong Kong to siphon wealth to an off-shore location to diversify their risks, Shih added, creating a mutual dependency between the two economies.

"Hong Kong remains one of the biggest loopholes in China's capital control," he said.
Beijing (AFP) - While media coverage of Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping Thursday focused on trade and North Korea, it was the wide-eyed crooning of the US leader's granddaughter that stole Chinese netizens' hearts.

In a video that Trump showed Xi during their stroll through the historic Forbidden City Wednesday, his granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, greets "Grandpa Xi and Grandma Peng (Liyuan)" with several Mandarin ballads and a recitation of ancient Chinese poetry.

China's Xinhua state news agency, which circulated the clip widely on social media, reported that Xi said the six-year-old girl's Mandarin skills deserved an "A+".

The Chinese public agreed, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

"As a little ambassador of Chinese-American friendship, Arabella has already received the love of a vast number of Chinese people," Hua said during a regular press briefing Thursday.

"This kind of special arrangement is actually very sweet and warm-hearted. We believe that this has helped to further bring closer the affection and distance between the Chinese and American people."

Arabella also played a starring role at the state dinner organised by Xi in Trump's honour at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday night.

The full video, which Trump brought as a gift for Xi, was played on screens in the room, earning her a mention in her grandfather's toast.

"Our children so often remind us of our shared humanity and true dignity," Trump, 71, said.

Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, was filled with praise for Arabella's performance Thursday, though it was unclear how many comments related to Trump's visit had been censored.

"She's too cute!" users gushed. "Let's hope that she marries into a Chinese family."

Others made light of the fact that apparently no one can avoid the arduous task of memorising ancient Chinese poetry -- not even the US president's granddaughter.

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It's not the first time Arabella has played a role in Sino-American diplomacy.

When Xi visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida resort in April, Arabella recited for Xi the "Three Character Classic", a time-honoured text from the Song Dynasty that was also included in her latest clip.

Ivanka Trump, Arabella's mother and a White House adviser, has said in interviews that her children have a Chinese nanny who teaches them Mandarin.

Ivanka Trump frequently posts videos of Arabella speaking or singing in Chinese to her social media accounts, and she brought her daughter to a Lunar New Year event organised by the Chinese embassy in Washington.

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View.
Volunteers  The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program needs volunteers to provide tax assistance and preparation services for seniors and low-income taxpayers from Feb. 1 through April 15. Volunteers with good computer skills are needed to assist with electronic filing tax returns in Glenns Ferry, Gooding, Hagerman, Hailey, Jerome, Shoshone, and Twin Falls which has a need for at least 12 volunteers. Free tax law and computer training, followed by completion of an IRS Certification Test for volunteers, is scheduled for two weeks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning Jan. 2 to Jan. 12, at the CSI Evergreen Building, Room C93. Some evening and Saturday classes will be scheduled for those that work but are willing to volunteer Saturdays during tax season. Preregister so sufficient training materials can be provided. Register at aarp.org/taxaide or aarp.org/giving-back. Information: Jim Simpson, 208-733-1808 or simpsonjim@cableone.net.

Drivers  The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteer drivers for its Road to Recovery program. Volunteers are needed to drive cancer patients to and from medical treatment facilities, especially for appointments in Twin Falls. The Cancer Society trains volunteer drivers and schedules rides for patients for free. Drivers must have a current and valid drivers license, a good driving record, a reliable car, and proof of car insurance. Volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their vehicles. The program is flexible for volunteers to provide as many rides as they want. Information: 1-800-227-2345.

Volunteers  Idaho Home Health and Hospice needs volunteers who will bring compassion, support and dignity to those facing a serious, life-limiting illness and their families. Volunteers can choose between offering respite to family caregivers or provide support with administrative tasks. Information: Heidi Walker, 208-734-4064 or Heidi.Walker@LHCgroup.com.

Volunteers  Horizon Home Health and Hospice is looking for volunteers to join their team to provide quality compassionate care to patients through the following activities: companionship, socialization, respite, and support for patients and families and much more. Information: Cynthia Nixon, 208-800-8085 or cnixon@horizonhh.com.

Volunteers  St Lukes Home Health and Hospice is looking for new volunteers to join its team to share compassion and increase the quality of life for patients and their families. This program is designed to offer companionship and socialization to patients as well as respite and support for the caregivers. Information: Marie Sharp, 208-814-7603 or sharpm@slhs.org.

Volunteers  Community volunteers are needed to become CASA volunteer advocates to represent the best interest of abused children during the court process. Volunteer candidates must pass a background check and receive training and continued support as they speak up and make the difference in the lives of abused children. The program covers all eight counties in south-central Idaho. Information: Tahna Barton, 208-735-1177.

Volunteers  Pomerelle Place Senior Living in Burley is looking for volunteers to play bingo, games and cards with the residents, complete crafts, cook, or help paint fingernails for the ladies. Information: Carla Thompson at Pomerelle Place, 208-677-8212.

Volunteers  The Twin Falls County Historical Society is seeking volunteers for various programs and general support. Volunteers are needed to paint, clean or work on docent projects and fundraising. No minimum amount of hours, commitment is flexible. Fill out an application at the Twin Falls County Historical Museum (Union School at Curry), open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Information: 208-736-4675.

Volunteers  The Jerome County Historical Society is looking for volunteers to help at the Depot Museum with duties to include answering the phone, some filing, and showing visitors the artifacts. Volunteers will receive training on duties. To volunteer, call 208-324-5641 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
One mans question for Christians about a transgender politician has quickly backfired.

After Democrat Danica Roem became Virginias first openly transgender elected official, defeating incumbent Del. Robert G. Marshall on Tuesday, one Nashville man took to Twitter with a question.

Andrew T. Walker, the director for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, appeared to voice concern about how Christian parents would prepare their children for the history-making news.

Christian parents, the nations first transgender elected official enters into American history tonight. What are you doing to prepare your children for this new world? he asked in a tweet Tuesday night.

Christian parents, the nation's first transgender elected official enters into American history tonight. What are you doing to prepare your children for this new world?  Andrew T. Walker (@andrewtwalk) November 8, 2017

Christians parents and non-parents, people of the cloth, priests, rabbis and plenty of believers had answers. One theme stood out: resounding love for everyone.

Walkers tweet quickly spread on the wings of critics blasting him for his question, as many of the responses invoked scripture. His original tweet has garnered nearly 6,000 responses and 289 retweets as of Wednesday.

Were celebrating, one Christian parent shared, continuing, Were preparing our son to embrace difference, not fear or discriminate against it.

Another user, turned to Bob Dylans iconic 1964 song The Times They Are A-Changin' that explored progress of the times.

See below for a sampling of the many responses.

Good question. Here's a possible answer: everyone, no matter who they are or what they look like, is a beloved child of God, with infinite dignity and beauty, and should be reverenced as a beautiful creation. https://t.co/nCHX0bmZpe  James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) November 8, 2017

Christian parent here. We're celebrating. We're preparing our son to embrace difference, not fear or discriminate against it. https://t.co/1dricxi1oR  Rachel Held Evans (@rachelheldevans) November 8, 2017

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you can't understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is

Rapidly agin'.

Please get out of the new one

If you can't lend your hand.

The times, they are a changing. https://t.co/x9UBOjMGEf  Michael Tisserand (@m_tisserand) November 8, 2017

Well, my trans wife and I high-fived each other. Then we told our trans daughter *3* trans people were elected last night. And today I'll probably call my Christian mom who will be just as excited as we all are because she's not a bigot.

Back to you, Andrew. https://t.co/OwfThNhMAq  Amanda Jette Knox (@MavenOfMayhem) November 8, 2017

Tell them that if they are trans, they too can run for elected office and beat transphobic bigots. https://t.co/fPhhCLUTJB  Broderick Greer (@BroderickGreer) November 8, 2017

Im a Christian Mom, and I can say this woman is not a threat to my family, but AR-15s with bump stocks sure as hell are. https://t.co/KGIicM65Ky  Eden Sarbanes (@EdenSarbanes) November 8, 2017

Im a Jewish parent. Ive already prepared my son by teaching him not to be a narrow-minded hate-filled bigot. https://t.co/dcLHljrj4Q  Charles GetCoveredBa (@charles_gaba) November 8, 2017

Teaching my surviving child that Christians should love everyone. Unequivocally. Like Jesus did. #WednesdayWisdom https://t.co/M4VG0sr9e5  Nelba Marquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) November 8, 2017

So like, I know it goes against every internet instinct you have, but I honestly recommend reading the comments to this post.https://t.co/p9PbcdzVD1  Rani?Something?Baker (@destroyed4com4t) November 8, 2017

I'd tell them: God is great. The diversity of our nation is its' strength, and that good people stand against small-minded bigotry. https://t.co/3Av72gMvsy  Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) November 8, 2017

As a Jewish parent, I've been talking with my children a lot about how God creates with intention and that every human is a gift. They get it. May you open your heart and love your neighbor as your self. Bible 101. https://t.co/tkcRGBlgBj  Rabbi Latz (@RavMABAY) November 8, 2017

Hi Andrew! This Christian parent will point her kids to scripture: in Christ, there is no male and female. Ill remind them that the most repeated scripture is: FEAR NOT. Ill remind them to rebuke fear mongers like you. Ill remind them that fear might get votes: but Love Wins. https://t.co/vWyh3sEGOx  Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) November 8, 2017

Cant wait to bring children into a world where differences are celebrated instead of osctracized. Last night was a beautiful moment, and praise God for it. https://t.co/QM6aM5JFWJ  Rev. Rob Lee (@roblee4) November 8, 2017

Even if you disagree. Even if youre confused. Even if you dont understand. Even if youre uncomfortable. Even if you think youre right. Love your neighbor as yourself. Thats what Ill teach them.



And thats what the new world needs. https://t.co/G5NmXYekxx  Nate Pyle (@NatePyle79) November 8, 2017

Warning them about people like you. https://t.co/81xFNAYDwM  Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) November 8, 2017
Danang (Vietnam) (AFP) - When President Donald Trump lands in Danang, once a key US wartime air base, he'll receive a mixed welcome from American veterans who fought on Vietnamese soil but now call the coastal city home.

Trump fans among Danang's community of war vets are keenly awaiting an "America First" clarion call by a man they are proud to have as president when he addresses the APEC summit of world leaders on Friday.

Others are strikingly less enthusiastic.

Former marine David E. Clark, 68, is convinced "Trump the chump", as he dubs him, will drive the United States into ruin.

"He's going to start a war, there will be a recession, he'll triple the national debt," Clark said, poring over meticulously-kept notes about previous presidents' economic records.

"It will be the greatest depression the United States has ever seen."

Clark left Danang in 1969 an angry young man after 13 months as a combat engineer, vowing to never return to the country he once thought of as "the asshole of the world".

Now, in a twist of history, he lives in the coastal city a stone's throw from Marble Mountain, where he was posted, during a bloody, bitter war that ended in 1975.

Today, the 68-year-old recovering alcoholic is married to a Vietnamese woman and some charity work with Vietnamese victims of the war.

He says he knew he wanted to move to Vietnam soon after his first trip back in 2007, in an effort to "make amends" with the people he once considered an enemy.

- 'He's not a wimp' -

The city he now calls home looks nothing like it did nearly 40 years ago as Vietnam's economy surges and its people embrace consumerism -- much of it American-tinged.

Budweiser is on offer in the fast-growing city's many bars, and five-star resorts dot the coast where the first American marines landed in 1965 to fight communist-backed Viet Cong soldiers from the north.

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On the outskirts of the city, the US launched phase two of a dioxin clean-up campaign last year, an area where millions of litres of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange were stored.

Not all vets share Clark's acerbic views on the president.

He knows one fellow vet back in the US planning to travel to Danang hoping to catch a glimpse of Trump.

Former marine Chas Lehmann is equally happy to see Trump in Danang, a city he's lived in since 2012.

"He's got backbone, he's not a wimp, and he's not obligated to (political) parties," said Lehmann, who arrived in 1965 as a serviceman and spent 18 months in the conflict.

The billionaire businessman has come under fire for deferring the Vietnam draft five times -- including once reportedly for bone spurs.

Neither of the Danang-based veterans would be drawn on Trump's draft dodge.

So far, the president is not scheduled to speak about the war on his visit, which will also include a stopover in Hanoi to meet with Vietnam's top communist leadership.

He also sparked controversy for saying US veteran John McCain, whose bomber was shot down in Hanoi in 1967, is not a war hero because was captured.

And during a 1998 interview with radio shock jock Howard Stern, Trump compared avoiding sexually transmitted diseases from his active love life to the travails of fighting in Vietnam.

"It's Vietnam," he said. "It is very dangerous. So I'm very, very careful."

To Vietnamese vets, Trump is not as easy to love as some of his predecessors.

"He seems odd, he doesn't pay much attention to Vietnam unlike Clinton or Obama," former Vietnamese soldier Nguyen Thu, 72, told AFP.

But none of that phases Lehmann.

He offered to drive Trump in his war-era American Jeep that sits in his driveway in Danang.

The White House still hasn't replied to him.
WASHINGTON  Allegations that Roy Moore, the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama, sexually assaulted a 14-year-old and sought or maintained relationships with other teenage girls when he was in his early 30s has prompted calls from his fellow Republicans for him to step aside. But with the election only about a month away, options to replace Moore are limited.

Alabama election law prohibits a candidate from withdrawing from the ballot within 76 days before an election. The Senate special election between Moore and Democratic Party nominee Doug Jones is set for Dec. 12, or 33 days away. This means Moore cannot be replaced on the ballot with another Republican; not easily, at least.

Here are a few of the options for Republicans, based on information discussed by Pepperdine University election law professor Derek T. Muller on his blog and Twitter:

Moore withdraws

Moore can technically withdraw from the race, but he cannot be replaced on the ballot with a different candidate. If Moore were to withdraw, votes for him would not count. In that case, the Republican Party would not have a candidate who could receive votes on the ballot. If Moore withdraws from the race and still receives the most votes, the second-place finisher would be elected. Unless...

Someone launches a write-in campaign

Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.) was appointed by the former governor (who has since resigned over a corruption scandal) to fill the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore on Sept. 26. Strange was supported by President Donald Trump and some Senate Republicans. The main super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to endorse or spend money to help Moore.

Its no surprise that Senate Republicans dont really like Moore even though many of them have endorsed him since his primary victory. That sets up an easy change of heart for Republicans to back a write-in candidate. In fact, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has already spoken to Strange about a write-in campaign.

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That is a process Murkowski knows well. She is one of three Americans to win a U.S. Senate seat by running a write-in campaign. In 2010, she lost the Republican primary to tea party challenger Joe Miller. This was a very similar situation to Moores defeat of Strange. Both Miller and Moore were backed by far-right groups railing against the Republican establishment.

Murkowski waged a write-in campaign and won the general election with 39.5 percent of the vote. The other two write-in winners were Sen. William Knowland, a Republican from California, in 1946 and Sen. Strom Thurmond, a then-Democrat from South Carolina, in 1954.

While Alabama technically has a sore loser law forbidding primary losers from running in the general election under the banner of another party, it allows a primary campaign loser to participate in the general election as a write-in candidate. Further, Alabama has no prefiling requirement for write-in candidates. That means Strange is eligible.

Strange could run regardless of whether Moore withdraws from the race. If Moore does not withdraw and Strange runs a write-in campaign, it sets up a race among Moore, the Republican; Jones, the Democrat; Strange, technically an independent; and any other write-in candidates. If Moore withdraws, the recipient of the most votes among Jones, Strange and other write-in candidates would win.

A replacement name goes on the ballot (which appears unlikely)

After winning the Democratic Party nomination for Senate in 2002, then-Sen. Bob Torricelli (D-N.J.) pulled out of the race on Sept. 30 among accusations of a string of ethical abuses. Democrats sued to put a different candidate on the ballot even though the legal time frame to replace Torricelli had passed.

The New Jersey Supreme Court ultimately issued a unanimous ruling allowing Democrats to put Frank Lautenberg on the ballot. Rick Hasen, an election law professor at the University of California-Irvine, wrote a defense of this decision for providing a real democratic choice to voters, which he calls the Democracy Canon. He said that canon could apply when the replacement of a candidate expands the ability of voters to properly choose elected representatives without disenfranchising other voters. (Not everyone agrees with this.)

In a blog post, Hasen initially said that he believed the same principles behind the New Jersey decision should apply in Alabama (i.e., Republicans should be able to replace Moore on the ballot with another candidate). But absentee ballots have already been sent out, most importantly to members of the military serving overseas. If those overseas voters have already cast ballots for a person who will no longer be a candidate, then they have essentially been disenfranchised.

It may be too late to get them new ballots, making it much less likely Alabama courts would allow a replacement following a withdrawal, Hasen wrote to HuffPost in an email.

Nothing

Moore stays on the ballot. No one wages a write-in campaign. Voters will decide between Moore and Jones.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Danica Roem (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images): AFP/Getty

Danica Roem has made Virginia history by being the first openly transgender person to be elected to the House of Delegates  ousting one of the commonwealths longest serving and most socially conservative lawmakers.

Once Ms Roem is sworn in January, she will also be the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature in the US, according to the Victory Fund, a political action committee that works to get openly LGBTQ people elected, and has supported Ms Roem.

To every person whos ever been singled out, whos ever been stigmatised, whos ever been the misfit, whos ever been the kid in the corner, whos ever needed someone to stand up for them when they didnt have a voice of their own, Ms Roem said. This one is for you.

The former newspaper reporter unseated Republican delegate Bob Marshall, who had sponsored a bill that would have restricted which toilets she could use. Mr Marshall had proposed legislation for a bathroom bill similar to what passed with great controversy in North Carolina last year. His bill would have required people to use the restroom that corresponds with the gender on their original birth certificates.

He later toned down the language on the bill, to remove the word original  but blasted the Republican committee that stuck the revised bill down as disgusting. Back in 2006 he had also labelled himself Virginias chief homophobe when defending his views on gay marriage.

Althea Garrison, elected in Massachusetts, was the first openly transgender person to serve in a state legislature, but did not campaign as an openly transgender person during her race in 1992.

The race between Ms Roem and Mr Marshall drew international attention and big money to the district in northern Virginia, located not too far from the Democratic bulwark of Washington, DC.

Democratic House Caucus Chair Charniele Herring called Ms Roems victory historic.

It sends a message to politicians everywhere that the politics of bigotry is over.

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Aisha C Moodie-Mills, president and chief executive of Victory Fund, said that 2017 will be remembered as the year of the trans candidate  and Danicas heroic run for office the centrepiece of that national movement.

Ms Roems supporters celebrated after the result came in having raised nearly $500,000 in donations, much of it coming from LGBT advocates and supporters from across the US.

But conservative groups denounced her win. This is what happens when the radical transgender lobby pours more than $600,000 into a small state race and conservative donors largely sit the race out  Democrats cruise to victory and claim a mandate on an issue they were too afraid to outwardly campaign on, said Terry Schilling, executive director at the Washington-based American Principles Project, which supported Mr Marshall.

Ms Roem was not the only openly transgender candidate elected on Tuesday. Tyler Titus won a seat on a western Pennsylvania school board, according to the Erie Times-News.

While Ms Roem openly discussed her gender identity during the campaign, the topic was not her main focus. Instead, she campaigned on issues regarding jobs, schools and  with particular fervour  northern Virginias traffic congestion.

Discrimination is a disqualifier, Ms Roem said after her victory. You can serve if you have good public policy ideas, youre well qualified and you have a commitment to do the work of the people youre running to represent. She also promised that she would definitely fix the traffic congestion issue.

She has thanked her grass-roots supporters, saying they made it possible for her to run without relying on campaign contributions from corporations.

Ms Roem said she refused to accept money from Dominion Energy, which she argues has too much influence over politicians.

We have got to change the culture in Richmond, she said in a TV interview.

The 33-year-old spoke publicly about being transgender in 2013, after having begun her gender transition when she was 28.

She emphasised on the campaign trail that politics should be inclusive of people from all backgrounds.

Ms Roem, who sings in a heavy metal band in her spare time, said she learned to listen to different perspectives and digest complicated policy as a reporter for the Gainesville Times and Prince William Times  skills she could utilise as a commonwealth delegate, she said.

She won awards from the Virginia Press Association seven times.

No matter what you look like, where you come from, how you worship or who you love, if you have good public policy ideas, if youre qualified for office, you have every right to bring your ideas to the table, she said.

Ms Roem also argued that Mr Marshall, who has served in Virginias House of Delegates since 1992, spent too much time on social policy.

During his 13 terms, Mr Marshall became a lightning rod for controversy.

In addition to this years so-called bathroom bill, he was also the author of a now-void constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman, and sponsored a bill banning gay people from openly serving in the Virginia National Guard.

On the campaign trail, Mr Marshall and other Republicans repeatedly misidentified Ms Roems gender.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Mr Marshall said: For 26 years Ive been proud to fight for you, and fight for our future. Though we all wish tonight would have turned out differently, I am deeply grateful for your support and effort over the years.
A dangerous warning posted by a police department in Arkansas about fentanyl on shopping carts quickly went viral, but has since been deleted over concerns the guidance was overblown and not a genuine threat.

Earlier this week, the Leachville Police Department shared an alert urging the public to wipe down their shopping cart handles before using them. In the post, the department said deadly drugs, namely fentanyl, could be left behind on the handle and enter the next persons body through skin contact.

"All you'd have to do is rub your nose or touch your child's mouth," the department wrote. "Children just being exposed to the powder or residue is a bad situation that can turn deadly."

However, while some experts say the accidental ingestion is technically possible, most say it would be highly unlikely to occur from a person touching a cart handle.

RELATED: Learn more about fentanyl



Dr. Christopher Hoyte, associate medical director for the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center and faculty member for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, told CBS News he can't say it's "impossible," but said that the claim is "very improbable."

"I never say never, but it is highly, highly, highly, unlikely someone could become that systemically ill just from having fentanyl touch their skin," Hoyte told the outlet. "It's not absorbed just touching it."

"I will say if they touched it and then rubbed their nose and breathed it in through that way that would be a possibility," he added.

Franklin County Lt. Scott Reed from the Multi-County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Unit told WKYC that the chances of being poisoned by fentanyl from touching a grocery cart are highly unlikely.

He further told the outlet, that if a user had enough of the drug in their system to the point that it could transfer to another, they would be unconscious.

The police department has since deleted that post and apologized for the confusion.
Republican party faces first major electoral defeat of Trump presidency



Democrats presented race as referendum on White House



The Democrat Ralph Northam won a decisive victory on Tuesday as the Republican party suffered its first major electoral defeat since Donald Trump took the White House.

With 88% of precincts reporting, Northam had bested Republican Ed Gillespie by a margin of 53% to 46% to win Virginias governorship, in a wave election that saw a Democratic landslide in the state.

The race had long been framed by Democrats as a referendum on Trump, who tweeted copiously about it but did not appear on the campaign trail with Gillespie. Northam ran a television ad in which he called Trump a narcissistic maniac in the primary and then often tried to put the race in a broader context. He told the Guardian in an interview the night before the election: Virginia is a bellwether for this country and the world.

In contrast, while Republicans ran television ads focused on Trump-associated issues such as Latino gangs and Confederate monuments, Gillespie stayed focused in campaign appearances on bread-and-butter issues such as economic development and taxes.

After Gillespies concession speech, Republican congressman Scott Taylor described the election as a referendum on the administration and said Trumps divisive rhetoric prompted and helped usher in a very high Democratic turnout in Virginia. He expressed his shock that unknown no-name Democrats had won state legislative seats despite running weak campaigns.

Northam, the states lieutenant governor, managed to win despite a campaign that was heavily criticized by many Democrats in recent weeks for its halting response to Republican attacks and the backlash to a campaign ad run by a supportive Super Pac that featured a man in a pickup truck with a Gillespie bumper sticker and Confederate flag chasing after Hispanic and Muslim youths.

Despite those pitfalls, voters swarmed the polls in well-educated parts of northern Virginia that have swung heavily Democratic in recent years, where they overwhelmingly supported Northam. Exit polls showed the Democratic candidate outperforming Hillary Clinton in key demographics including female voters and college graduates.

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Nor did Northam suffer any significant dropoff among African American voters, a key demographic in the state. Herbert Williams Jr, a 46-year-old African American business owner and navy veteran, said that he supported Northam in an attempt to combat extremism. In his opinion, Virginias election would penetrate across the country as a referendum against extremism.

However, Gillespies embrace of a Trump-like message struck many as inauthentic. A former chair of the Republican national committee and George W Bush White House staffer, the Republican nominee was a pillar of the Republican establishment. Andy Surabian, a close ally of Steve Bannon and senior adviser to the Great America Pac, said Gillespie was hurt because he came across as inauthentic.

Ed Gillespie proved tonight that the way forward for the Republican party is to run authentic candidates who can believably connect with voters on issues they care about like illegal immigration, Surabian said.

Trump also rushed to blame the losing Republican. In a tweet from his foreign trip in South Korea, the president wrote: Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for. Dont forget, Republicans won 4 out of 4 House seats, and with the economy doing record numbers, we will continue to win, even bigger than before!

Gillespie had pushed towards more populist positions after nearly suffering an embarrassing primary loss to Corey Stewart, a local elected official who campaigned on the issue of Confederate monuments and his steadfast support for Trump.

Taylor told the Guardian that Trumps tweet was profoundly wrong and that the results would have been a lot worse if Ed wasnt the candidate, a lot worse. Instead, he emphasized that candidates should be authentic and be explicit about when they agreed with Trump and when they didnt.

Gillespies results lagged far behind those of two other statewide candidates from his party, who were on the ballot for lieutenant governor and attorney general. However, Democrats held on to both positions as Justin Fairfax became the second African American to win statewide office in the commonwealth and the attorney general, Mark Herring, won re-election to a second term.

Gillespies poor performance was a boost for local Democrats, who picked up at least 14 seats in the state house of delegates, potentially giving them a chance to flip the chamber. Among the winners was Danica Roem, who became the first transgender woman elected to a state legislative seat in American history, besting the conservative firebrand Bob Marshall in the outer suburbs of Washington DC.

Democrats did well in other key races on Tuesday night as well. In New Jersey, the Democrat Phil Murphy romped to victory against the states incumbent lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, in a race that national Republicans had long written off. In neighboring New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio won re-election as expected.

In Maine, a referendum pushed by Democrats to expand Medicaid in the state passed. The Republican governor, Paul LePage, had previously vetoed six bills passed in the state legislature to expand the healthcare program for low-income Americans under the provisions of Obamacare. In Washington, Democrats won a special election for the state senate that gives them total control of the state. Democrats also won competitive mayoral races in Charlotte, North Carolina, St Petersburg, Florida, and Manchester, New Hampshire.

The big Democratic night bodes well for 2018 as signs of backlash against Trump, whose approval rating is mired under 40% grow. Republicans currently have a 24-seat majority in the House of Representatives. When asked if his party could hold on to the House of Representatives if Trumps rhetoric and tweets remained the same in the next year, Taylor said thats an interesting question. I think it will handicap the ability for that to happen.
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump suffered a triple defeat as Democrats won high-profile state and mayoral elections to underscore his unpopularity on Wednesday's first anniversary of his dramatic election win.

The Tuesday night results amounted to a sweeping repudiation of what critics have called Trump's politics of division, and a test of his influence ahead of electoral battles looming on the state and national level.

The most damaging defeat was in Virginia, a state bordering Washington seen as a bellwether for national politics with the country gearing up for 2018 congressional elections and the next presidential contest in 2020.

The Virginia governor's race had all the makings of a nailbiter, but in the end, Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam trounced his Republican rival Ed Gillespie by an unexpectedly wide nine percentage points in the southern battleground state.

In New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy reclaimed the governorship with a victory of about 13 percentage points over his rival following eight years of Republican Governor Chris Christie, a onetime ally of Trump.

And in New York, progressive Mayor Bill de Blasio rode a wave of hometown distaste for Trump to cruise to re-election in America's most populous city.

Murphy and Northam painted their wins as rejections of the polarization that to a large extent characterized Trump's 2016 campaign and much of his first year in the White House.

"Tonight, New Jersey sent an unmistakable message to the entire nation: we are better than this," Murphy declared.

The results mark a revival of political fortunes for the Democratic Party, which had failed to win a number of previous special elections in several states this year triggering concern about how to counter Trump's influence in US politics.

"This is a referendum on American values," Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said on CNN, speaking of the Tuesday night sweep.

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In a statement, the Committee said it had won not just in Virginia and New Jersey but "up and down the ticket across the country" by maintaining or flipping mayoral and state house seats in six other states.

In Virginia, Democrat Danica Roem, 33, made history by becoming the state's, and possibly the nation's, first openly transgender state legislative delegate.

A victory for Gillespie would have served to validate Trump's aggressive style, and form a blueprint for how mainstream Republicans can embrace Trump issues without necessarily embracing the controversial man himself.

Now they might be forced to rewrite their playbooks.

In his typically combative style, Trump swiftly sought to distance himself from Gillespie, who did not campaign with the president in Virginia.

"Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for," Trump wrote in a scathing tweet from South Korea, where he is in the midst of a tour through Asia.

- 'Bloodbath' -

The president insisted that with the US economy doing well, "we will continue to win."

But some analysts said the results suggest a Democratic wave might be on the horizon.

Virginia was a "bloodbath" for Republicans, Michael McDonald of the University of Florida told AFP.

Even though Gillespie aired ads that fueled a debate on race, guns, illegal immigration and the fate of Confederate statues, his attempt to distance himself from Trump specifically just did not work.

"Trump sucks up a lot of the air in American politics, so it's difficult for any Republican to run away from Donald Trump," he said.

If Trump had not proven a drag on Virginia voters, it would demonstrate his overwhelming power to draw Americans to polls despite poor approval numbers.

Compounding the Republican woes in Virginia, Democrats also won contests for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

The party gained several seats in the 100-member House of Delegates, putting Republicans under threat of possibly losing control of the state legislature.

"There will be a lot of Republicans who are concerned" about how such a development might translate into losses in 2018's congressional mid-term elections, McDonald said.

"If they can lose control of a legislative chamber, they can certainly lose control of the US House of Representatives," said the professor.

All 435 seats in the US House are up for re-election every two years.

Republicans currently hold a comfortable majority, but if they lose that advantage, Trump's legislative agenda, including his longstanding effort to repeal and replace the existing health care law, would come under threat.
New York (AFP) - New York's Bill de Blasio on Tuesday became the first Democratic mayor in 32 years to cruise to re-election in America's financial capital, a progressive politician riding a wave of disgust for Donald Trump.

The former city councilor from Brooklyn quashed his Republican challenger, 36-year-old state assembly member Nicole Malliotakis, in the largely Democratic city where a woman has never served as mayor.

With 90 percent of votes counted, he was propelled into office for another four years, on a commanding lead of 65.5 percent compared to 28.7 percent for Trump-voting Malliotakis, The New York Times reported.

Even with a low turnout, that was no mean feat in the most populous US city, where the left-leaning de Blasio presides over an annual budget of $85 billion, a payroll of 295,000 and 8.5 million New Yorkers.

The vote was seen as a ringing endorsement for de Blasio's anti-Trump stance in a city where 80 percent of the electorate voted for Hillary Clinton and Trump, a real-estate Manhattan billionaire, is despised.

"Tonight, New York City sent a message to the White House," de Blasio told his victory party in Brooklyn.

"Our message was this: you can't take on New York values and win, Mr president. If you turn against the values of your hometown, your hometown will fight back," he said to cheers and applause.

Since Trump swapped Fifth Avenue for the White House, the mayor has emerged as a strident opponent, fighting his attempts to restrict immigration, repeal Obamacare and exact tax cuts on the wealthy.

With a fresh victory in hand, de Blasio pledged to continue his progressive agenda.

"We've got to become a fairer city and we've got to do it soon and we've got to do it fast," he said. "You ain't seen nothing yet."

He has won praise for achieving his signature campaign promise of launching universal pre-kindergarten education for four-year-olds, and already rolling out a phased induction of three-year-olds.

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- 'Bluer tonight' -

He has pledged to impose a millionaire's tax to fix the city's decrepit subway. The economy is doing well and crime is at record lows, yet enthusiasm for the man has always been lackluster.

"He ain't the greatest but we have to have a Democrat," said voter Peter Schnieder, 71, in de Blasio's home district of Park Slope, an uber wealthy, progressive enclave of Brooklyn.

The mayor, physically imposing at six foot five (nearly two meters) has been criticized for schlepping out to his Brooklyn gym, lateness and for lacking charisma of his billionaire predecessor Michael Bloomberg.

Despite investigations into his fundraising, no charges have been brought. An early confrontation with police -- having warned his biracial son to take "care" with officers, has long since dropped off.

De Blasio lacks a cozy relationship with Wall Street -- his politics too center-left for comfort when it comes to the wealthiest powerbrokers, and he has come under fire over the rising homeless population.

Yet the mayor has consistently defended immigrants, and in a city where 38 percent of the population is foreign-born, that counts. He was also bolstered by strong support among Latinos and African Americans.

"We may not have won this race but we have made our voices heard," said Malliotakis, the daughter of Cuban and Greek immigrants.

Besides the mayoral election, two gubernatorial elections also took place Tuesday, in what could be bellwethers of sentiment a year after Trump's election and a year before the 2018 mid-terms.

In Virginia, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam defeated his Republican rival Ed Gillespie in the southern battleground state, a rejection of Trump's policies and his scorched-earth 2016 campaign.

With a Democrat also projected to win the governor's mansion in New Jersey, replacing outgoing Trump ally Chris Christie, the results are being interpreted as a revival of political fortunes for the party.

"I bring you tidings of joy this evening because America got a little fairer tonight, America got a little bluer tonight," de Blasio said.

Ed Koch was the last Democratic incumbent mayor to win re-election in New York. De Blasio's two immediate predecessors were the Republican-turned independent Bloomberg and Republican Rudy Giuliani.
Critics say Trump does not understand the consequences of military strike



Trump repeats warnings and points out array of US military hardware nearby

Donald Trump in the conservation science lab of Chinas Forbidden City on Wednesday. Briefings from the administration seemed to put an emphasis on military options. Photograph: Andy Wong/AFP/Getty Images

Democrats in Congress say they are concerned that Donald Trump does not understand the consequences of a pre-emptive strike on North Korea and believes there is a military solution to the nuclear standoff.

On his visit to Seoul on Tuesday, Trump repeated his warnings to Pyongyang and pointed to the array of US military hardware gathering around the Korean peninsula. In doing so, he took the unusual step of revealing the presence of a nuclear submarine in the region, without clarifying whether he meant a nuclear-armed or nuclear-powered vessel.

But in his remarks in Seoul, Trump also left the door open for possible talks. It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and to make a deal thats good for the people of North Korea and the people of the world, he said.

The comments marked a reversal of his earlier insistence that talks with Pyongyang were a waste of time but Democratic critics of the president expressed concern that Trumps apparent conversion to diplomacy might be fleeting and illusory.

The presidents rhetoric during his trip has been uncharacteristically diplomatic but lets not kid ourselves. The braggadocio and the loose talk is going to come back the minute that he is alone inside the residence upon his return, Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, told reporters.

Members of Congress have been unnerved by briefings from the administration on North Korea that appeared to put an emphasis on possible military options and downplay the potential for dialogue.

It frightens me that they think there is such a thing as a limited strike on North Korea, Ruben Gallego, a marine combat veteran and Democratic congressman from Arizona.

Gallego and fellow congressman Ted Lieu wrote to the Pentagon in September to ask for its assessment of the impact of any North Korean retaliation for a US strike. The reply, signed by Rear Admiral Michael Dumont, vice-director of the joint staff, pointed out: The only way to locate and destroy  with complete certainty  all components of North Koreas nuclear weapons programmes is through a ground invasion.

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Dumonts response did not try to estimate a consequent casualty figure but a new report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service said a conflict could affect upwards of 25 million people on either side of the border, including between 100,000 and half a million US citizens.

Even if the DPRK uses only its conventional munitions, estimates range from between 30,000 and 300,000 dead in the first days of fighting, given that DPRK artillery is thought to be capable of firing 10,000 rounds per minute at Seoul, the report said.

Senator Tammy Duckworth said she was confident that US military leaders understood the risks of any attempt of a preventive strike against North Korea, but worried that Trumps past threats raised questions over whether the message was getting through to the Oval Office.

I am not confident that the president has looked at all the options and fully understands the consequences of all the options and what would happen, even with a limited military strike. And I worry that the folks with that information will not be allowed to present those options to him when he makes that decision, Duckworth, a Democratic senator from Illinois, said.

It sounds like he is listening to his advisers today but I have no idea whether next week he is going to listen to them.

Lieu, a Democratic congressman from California and a former air force officer, said: The problem is we cant control whether its a limited strike or not because we cant control what they would do. And in every scenario, theres nothing that guarantees North Korea doesnt just escalate immediately and go berserk.

Thae Yong-ho, a senior North Korean defector has said that an overwhelming response to a preventive or pre-emptive strike is programmed into Pyongyangs military doctrines.

North Korean officers are trained to press their button without any further instructions from the general command if anything happens on their side, Thae told the House foreign affairs committee last week.

Trumps recent remarks have also given the impression that he has an exaggerated appreciation of missile defence systems and their ability to shield the US and its allies from a North Korean attack or counter-attack.

In October, Trump boasted: We have missiles that can knock out a missile in the air 97% of the time, and if you send two of them its going to get knocked down. And this week he questioned why Japan a country of Samurai warriors did not simply shoot down the missiles that North Korea test-fired over Japan.

The various missile defence systems arrayed against North Korea in the region have a mixed record in exercises and have never been tested in battle.

This myth that we have some kind of technology that can shoot nuclear missiles out of the air  we do not, said Joseph Cirincione, the head of the Ploughshares Fund, an arms control advocacy group. But the president thinks we do.

Cirincione said he was also worried that the progress of the special counsel investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow, and which has already led to the indictment of a former campaign manager, could panic Trump into war as a diversionary tactic.

As this Russian investigation intensifies  and it is just getting started  how does that affect the calculations of the president of the United States or his mental condition? he said. He would not be the first president to be tempted by using a military adventure to distract from domestic difficulties.

Asked about the possibility of such a wag the dog scenario, Senator Murphy said: I certainly dont want to speculate that would ever be the presidents motivation but the uncertainty about the factors that would go into the presidents decision to launch a military strike against North Korea is a big reason why Republicans and Democrats should make it clear that he has got to come to Congress first.

Democrats have drafted two bills aimed at limiting Trumps capacity to go to war without congressional approval. The first would prohibit him from launching a nuclear first strike on his own, and the second would prevent him ordering unilateral action against North Korea.

The two bills so far have attracted little overt Republican support, but Murphy argued that, as nervousness over Trumps behaviour spreads, they would eventually get passed.

Weve got a lot of support on the Democratic side of the aisle, the senator said. Ill say we have a lot of quiet support from our Republican friends, who are not necessarily willing to sign on to our legislation but I imagine would support if it ever came to the Senate or a Senate committee on a vote. And we are going to exercise all our options to get it to a vote.
HAILEY  A former Blaine County Sheriff's deputy who was convicted by a jury of stealing from a police program for children could spend up to 14 years in prison.

Chad Schiermeier was sentenced Tuesday to six to 14 years in prison for a charge of felony grand theft.

Schiermeier, 40, was employed by the sheriffs department between 1999 and 2015, working as the Wood River Middle School resource officer and director of the Police Activities League, a non-profit summer program for children aimed at preventing juvenile violence and crime by building relationships among police, children and the community.

After Schiermeiers arrest, Sheriff Gene Ramsey released a statement saying his office uncovered discrepancies in the PAL account and possible thefts committed by the deputy. Schiermeier was suspended by the sheriffs office in November 2015 and fired a month later. In October 2016, he was indicted after an investigation by the Idaho State Police.

Prosecutors said he spent about $80,000 of the program's money on personal items including high-end outdoor equipment like binoculars and truck accessories.

Schiermeier was originally indicted by a Blaine County grand jury on six felony counts of misuse of funds over $300 by a public employee. Those charges were dismissed, but in September a jury found him guilty of grand theft.

Schiermeier and his lawyer contended he was authorized to make every transaction he made. They claimed that Blaine County leaders failed to provide Schiermeier with any financial oversight or training and that Blaine County Sheriff Gene Ramsey neglected the PAL program until 2015, when he worked with the prosecutors office to press charges to cover up his own neglect of the program.
Democrat Ralph Northam won the closely watched race for Virginia governor by a comfortable margin. Given the stakes of the contest, its not surprising that the victory dominated headlines.

But the more stunning news came down ballot in the Virginia House of Delegates, where Democrats flipped 16 Republican seats  nearly seizing control of the chamber. The scale of the House victories was a shock to even the most dedicated partisans, one of whom predicted, days before the election, that picking up six to eight House seats would count as a success.

Asked on a Wednesday call with reporters which individual wins surprised him the most, House Democratic Leader David Toscano joked, How bout 16?

What surprised me was how many there were, Toscano continued. All of these people ran very good campaigns, and you could see how they could win, you just didnt think they would all win.

The final results are in flux. In five races, the victor won by a margin of 1 percentage point or less, which is the threshold for a candidate to request a recount. Democrats won two of those races, while Republicans won three.

(Photo: Alissa Scheller/HuffPost)

If the current count of 16 Democratic pickups sticks  an effective 32-seat swing  the parties would be tied 50-50 in the House, prompting an unusual power-sharing arrangement in which they divide committee chairmanships and other key posts.

Either party may yet pick up an additional seat through the examination of provisional ballots or a recount. The most promising opportunity for Democrats is in the 94th District, where Republican David Yancey defeated Democrat Shelly Simonds by just 12 votes.

Even if Democrats total gain were to decline by a seat or two in the coming days, it is impossible to overstate how much the election will shift the Houses balance of power. Republicans now hold a 66-34 majority that they had solidified through partisan gerrymandering conducted in 2011. With a tie, or even less, Democrats could approve major legislation by swinging just one or two Republicans, Toscano noted.

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Some priorities that Toscano suggested are now in reach include expanding Medicaid to cover 400,000 more low-income Virginians, passing a bill providing paid family leave for state residents and raising the states minimum wage.

There is no doubt the dynamic is going to change dramatically this January, Toscano predicted.

Democrat Danica Roem is set to become the country's first transgender state lawmaker. She was part of the wave of Democratic victories in the Virginia House of Delegates. (Photo: J. Lawler Duggan/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The Democratic caucus itself is due to become more progressive as well, especially when it comes to issues of monopoly power and corporate influence.

Thirteen Democratic candidates who made the progressive group Activate Virginias pledge to refuse donations from the state-regulated power companies Dominion and Appalachian Power were victorious.

The party is now likely to have a livelier debate about a bill introduced by a Democratic state senator that would prohibit lawmakers and candidates from accepting contributions from any state-regulated utility, which includes power providers and telecommunications companies.

That bill is going to come up, and there is going to be a lot of support for it. Well just have to see how much support there is, Toscano said.

Of course, if major legislation passes the House, there is no guarantee that it will become law, since Republicans hold a 21-19 majority in the state Senate. But there is also no telling whether that Senate majority, which faces reelections in 2019, will march in lockstep now that Democrats have pulled off such a stunning performance in the House.

The single biggest factor behind the success of House Democrats at the polls is the same one that propelled Northam to victory in the governors race: President Donald Trump.

Democratic rival Hillary Clinton defeated Trump by 5 percentage points in Virginia last year. And, notwithstanding the GOPs gerrymandering of the state legislative districts, voters in 17 GOP-held House districts voted for her as well. (As of Wednesday afternoon, Democrats had flipped 15 of those 17 seats and one seat in a district where Trump won.)

The math provided Democrats with a prime candidate recruitment opportunity. But, for the most part, the candidates came to them, galvanized by anger over Trumps election to become civically engaged.

They were teachers, lawyers, techies, veterans, civil servants and at least one former TV news anchor; they were black, white, Latino and Asian; they were cisgender and transgender; and they hailed from all corners of the state, rural, suburban and urban alike.

At one point in March, months before the Democratic primaries, the party had reeled in 74 candidates to contest 47 GOP-held districts. In the end they were able to run candidates in 88 out of 100 House districts, more candidates than they have had since anyone in the party can remember.

We found that the enthusiasm we had was unprecedented, and we began to see Virginia as a potential bellwether election as a test of the Trump presidency, Toscano recalled.

Women were especially motivated to jump in the race, thanks in no small part to the Jan. 21 Womens March. Hala Ayala, delegate-elect in Virginias 51st District, organized a massive contingent of participants in the main Washington, D.C., march from Virginia. Kelly Fowler, delegate-elect in the 21st District, took her daughter to the march on her 8th birthday and came away from the experience inspired to run.

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HUGE WIN in VA Beach! Kelly Fowler went to the women's march in January and ended up on the ballot. @VoteforFowler is an inspiration. https://t.co/oj0p0AePSb  Tom Perriello (@tomperriello) November 8, 2017

In the end, 11 more Democratic women were elected to House seats, bringing the total number of House Democratic women to 23, or nearly half.

When you look at the margins of victory, it speaks to the strength of these womens candidacy and their ability to connect to both male and female voters, House Democratic Caucus Chair Charniele Herring said on the call with reporters.

Voter excitement mirrored that of the abundant pool of candidates. Democrats were not only more motivated than Republican voters, but they consolidated behind Democratic candidates earlier in the cycle, according to Joshua Ulibarri of Lake Research Partners, who conducted polling for the caucus.

Ten to 15 percent more Democrats were saying they were voting for Democrats than two years ago, Ulibarri said on the Wednesday press call. In the past, in these districts, [some Democrats] would hold out before they decided or they would vote for Republicans.

Given the Republican bent of many of the gerrymandered districts and the reality that not even Republican-leaning voters disdain for Trump would be enough to get them to vote out Republican delegates, however, the party needed more than just anti-Trump fervor, according to Ulibarri. Ulibarri devised district-specific ways to define these Democrats as separate from other Democrats, and to define these Republicans as exceptionally worse than any other Republican.

For example, to boost Ayalas bid, Ulibarri worked early on to emphasize her background as a cybersecurity specialist for the Department of Homeland Security.

It was really hard ... to say Hala is weak on crime or immigration or MS-13 [gang activity] when weve defined her as a cybersecurity specialist, Ulibarri said.

In terms of specific policies that helped Democrats politically, expanding access to affordable health care was consistently a top-three issue in Virginia, in a way that it hadnt been in previous cycles, according to Ulibarri.

In 2015, Ulibarri recalled, expanding health care access resonated moderately with voters, mainly as a pragmatic question of creating health care jobs and taking advantage of the federal funding for Medicaid expansion.

This year, however, in the wake of Republican efforts in the U.S. Capitol to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Virginians were much more receptive to arguments that giving people more access to affordable health care, period, was an intrinsically positive value, Ulibarri said.

Not jobs ... not something formulaic like that  but the value, he said. We really boiled this down to the values.

Democrat Chris Hurst campaigns for a state House seat in southwest Virginia. The former TV anchor unseated a three-term Republican on Tuesday. (Photo: Jay Westcott/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Individual Democrats who won in swing districts also emphasized the importance of an aggressive bricks-and-mortar ground game in generating high turnout among key voter groups in the states notoriously quirky off-year elections.

Lee Carter, delegate-elect in the 50th District, which includes the outer Washington suburb of Manassas, knocked on about 20,000 doors in the last four days of his campaign.

Carter, a former Marine and outspoken leftist, had a dispute with the state party that resulted in it cutting off assistance to him. Carter also raised less than half of the funds of his opponent, Del. Jackson Miller, the GOP majority whip. But with the help of his fellow members of the Democratic Socialists of America, who Carter estimated knocked on half of the doors in the final stretch, he won by nearly 10 percentage points.

The things that we were talking about were things that were immensely popular with the Democratic Party voter base and the Democratic Party coalition as a whole, Carter told HuffPost. We were going out and talking about making lives better for working people, making Virginia the kind of place where anyone can live and work and not worry about how theyre going to put food on the table or how theyre going to make the rent.

The result is a stunning electoral performance that produced a class of Virginia House Democrats that will be the most diverse in the partys history.

The newcomers include many people who are the first of their minority group to hold the office.

Danica Roem, delegate-elect for the 13th District, is the states first transgender state lawmaker. Roem dispatched Republican Bob Marshall, whose social conservatism is so notorious that LGBTQ groups dubbed him Bigot Bob. Marshall introduced a bill banning public school students from using the bathroom of their choice and refused to call Roem by her preferred pronoun of she during the campaign.

Elizabeth Guzman, delegate-elect for the 31st District, and Hala Ayala will be the chambers first Latina members. Fowler, delegate-elect for the 21st District, and Kathy Tran, delegate-elect for the 42nd who came to Virginia as a Vietnamese refugee when she was a child, will be the first Asian-American women in the lower chamber.

Dawn Adams, delegate-elect for the 68th District, will become the states first openly lesbian lawmaker.

The new batch of Democrats also features its share of lawmakers with compelling personal stories. Chris Hurst, delegate-elect for the 12th District, is a former TV news anchor inspired to run for office by the tragic on-air shooting death of his girlfriend.

The partys performance was so strong that there is even evidence the House races boosted Northams numbers for governor. Its the reverse of the top of the ticket typically helping candidates farther down the ballot.

In Republican-held precincts with a Democratic House challenger, there was a 20 percent jump in votes for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate relative to 2013, according to an analysis of voter data conducted by Reed Shaw, a former Barack Obama presidential campaign data specialist, and shared with HuffPost. In GOP precincts without a Democratic House challenger, there was no change from the 2015 gubernatorial numbers, Shaw found.

The state Democratic Partys coordinated campaign, in which it pooled efforts to elect Northam, other statewide candidates and House candidates, knocked on more doors at the behest of House Democratic operatives, according to Ulibarri.

The staffers thought that more canvassing was necessary to clinch races for House Democrats, but it likely had the effect of increasing Northams margin as well, Ulibarri posited.

I dont think we take credit for [Northams win] for sure, but from a 5- to an 8-point lead, I think there is a lot going into that on the House side.

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Donald Trump - seen here with beauty pageant contestants on September 15, 2014 in Briarcliff Manor, New York - was allegedly offered women when he was in Moscow promoting Miss Universe, a separate pageant: Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

A Russian involved in a 2013 Moscow beauty pageant offered to send five women to Donald Trumps room, according to NBC News.

The account flowed from testimony Mr Trumps former bodyguard Keith Schiller gave to the House Intelligence Committee, the news network reported, and Mr Schiller said he promptly shot down the offer.

We don't do that type of stuff, Mr Schiller reportedly replied.

In a statement to NBC, Mr Schillers attorney Stuart Sears decried partisan insiders who he said leaked details of Mr Schillers testimony to the media.

The Chairman and Ranking Member should investigate and hold accountable whoever is responsible for leaking false and misleading versions of Mr Schillers testimony, Mr Sears said.

The House panel is conducting one of multiple investigations into potential interactions between the Russian government and Mr Trumps presidential campaign.

Among other things, investigators are looking into a controversial dossier that makes salacious claims about Mr Trumps conduct when he was in Moscow to stage a Miss Universe contest there.

The President has rejected the dossiers contents as false, and according to NBC Mr Schiller emphatically did the same.

The NBC story does not identify the Russian who allegedly offered to send women to Mr Trumps room. But a July story by the Associated Press stated that Emin Agalarov  a Russian pop star who helped arrange a campaign meeting between Donald Trump Jr and a Russian lawyer  offered to send prostitutes to Trump's hotel room during his 2013 trip to Moscow but was rebuffed by Mr Schiller.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stand with Chinese President Xi Jinping - AP

Donald Trump has flouted the Chinese government's ban on Twitter by sending a series of tweets to his 42 million followers during a visit to the country.

The US president marked his arrival in Beijing on Wednesday by tweeting: "thank you for the beautiful welcome China!" but the message openly disregards the country's firewall, which blocks its citizens from using the social media site.

Observers have seen Mr Trump's tweets as a mark of showmanship during his visit to the country.

"The president will Tweet whatever he wants," a senior US official told reporters aboard Air Force One shortly before Trump landed in Beijing.

"That's his way of communicating directly with the American people. Why not? So long as he can access his Twitter account because Twitter is banned in China along with Facebook and most of the other social media."

Looking forward to a full day of meetings with President Xi and our delegations tomorrow. THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it! pic.twitter.com/sQoUWIGAiQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2017

Mr Trump will most probably be connected to a US-based service provider, leaving him outside reach of China's heavily monitored service providers.

The president's aircraft also has its own secure wifi system, the US official told reporters: "I'm sure we've got the gear aboard this airplane to make it happen".

The US president spent Wednesday afternoon at Beijings Forbidden City before attending a private dinner with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president.

Chinese nationals can be imprisoned for posting political messages on social media while a number of news and blog sites are completely blocked.

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U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City with China Credit: Reuters

The US president also has a secure cell phone and has sent at least two dozen tweets in the first four days of his trip to Asia.

Chinas cellular network is believed to be entirely compromised by its security services.

The White House declined to say whether Trump would be bringing his phone on the trip, but tweets sent by him since hes departed Washington are marked as being sent from an iPhone.

Chinese officials appeared to recognize Mr Trump's love of tweeting.

Asked whether Trump would be able to tweet from Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang told reporters: We take everything into account on receiving foreign heads of state so you should have no reservations about Mr. Presidents ability to keep in touch with the outside.
The American Civil Liberties Union argues the Pentagon has yet to present any evidence

Donald Trump's administration has detained an American citizen at a secret jail in Iraq for nearly two months, denying him access to a lawyer and refusing to release his name.

The unidentified American, who has not been charged, surrendered to US-backed fighters around 12 September and allegedly fought with Isis militants in Syria.

He has been detained as an unlawful enemy combatant, although the American Civil Liberties Union argued the Pentagon has yet to present any evidence.

"An American citizen has been locked up for nearly two months and repeatedly asserted his constitutional right to a lawyer. But the Trump administration is doing all within its power to deny him that basic protection," said Jonathan Hafetz, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU in New York.

Last month, the ACLU filed a petition in the US District Court in Washington, DC, challenging the man's detention and seeking to provide him legal counsel.

In a response filed last week, US attorneys argued the ACLU is asking to represent and provide legal counsel to an individual it does not know, has never met and does not officially represent.

The government said the ACLU's "attempt to interject itself as the advocate for an individual who came into US military custody less than seven weeks ago, was identified as an enemy combatant and is currently detained in Iraq pending a determination of his further disposition is improper, unnecessary and should be dismissed."

The government said the International Committee of the Red Cross had visited the detainee. The Red Cross could contact his relatives, who could seek legal representation on his behalf, it added.

The ACLU countered by saying the Red Cross' mission is not to obtain legal counsel for detainees it meets.

Mr Hafetz said there is no indication the detainee wants to or can contact relatives or whether they would be willing to risk reprisal by seeking a lawyer for him.

The ACLU and other civil rights groups have claimed the detainee has been held too long without access to counsel.

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But the government argued that the Supreme Court has recognised that in the case of military operations, the executive branch should be given a reasonable period of time to determine a detained individual's status.

The Defence Department "is still within that initial reasonable period" of time, the government attorneys wrote.

Steven Dalbey, director for the Defence Department's office of detainee policy, which receives and reviews all reports filed by the Red Cross, said the American surrendered to Syrian Democratic Forces on or around 12 September. Those US-backed forces turned him over to American forces which identified him as an enemy combatant and detained him in Iraq.

"This location is within an armed conflict zone with restricted civilian access based on military operational concerns, security concerns and political sensitivities of the host nation," Mr Dalbey said.

"As a known security risk, there is no capability to provide this detainee with an unclassified system for a video-teleconference in a private setting to discuss legal matters."

He said the Red Cross was granted access to the detainee on 29 September and 23 October. The Red Cross has not commented on the individual's identity, location or conditions of his detention.

In a blog post about the ongoing case, the ACLU said: "By opposing the ACLUs efforts in this case, the Trump administration is taking a very dangerous step: It is blocking an Americans citizens access to his own countrys courts. It is also undermining the bedrock guarantees of habeas corpus, which for centuries has served as the greatest check on unlawful government detentions.

"Now, were fighting to stop the governments unconstitutional attempt to create a new rights-free zone."

Additional reporting by AP
President Donald Trump, who once called China an economy enemy whose trade relationship with the United States amounted to rape, put forth a notably softer stance when visiting the country on Thursday.

I dont blame China for trade imbalances, Trump said during a joint signing of new business deals worth $250 billion with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit.

Trump instead blamed his predecessors for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and grow.

Calling Xi a very special man, Trump described their relationship as very warm and having great chemistry. The Chinese leader, who is more powerful than ever, did not offer the same level of effusive praise.

Of course there are some frictions, but on the basis of win-win cooperation and fair competition, we hope we can solve all these issues in a frank and consultative way, Xi said.

Later on Thursday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did some damage control during his own Beijing news conference, telling reporters that Trumps remarks were a little bit tongue in cheek. He emphasized Trumps point that the blame lies with past administrations, who left the door open for China  a developing nation  to trample over the U.S.

Trump attends a welcoming ceremony on Nov. 9, 2017. (Photo: Thomas Peter / Reuters)

Trump said the new business deals with American companies such as Boeing, General Electric and chip giant Qualcomm would be fair and tremendous for both of us.

Trumps approach to dealing with China has been full of surprises from the start. After repeatedly attacking the country during his campaign, vowing to rebalance the trade deficit, he hosted Xi at his Mar-A-Lago resort in April. It was then that Trump began to scale back his rhetoric, expressing his personal affinity for Xi and outlining a strategy for dealing with North Korea  which placed China front and center. China, hes said, holds the key to de-escalating tensions with the rogue regime.

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Trump is about halfway through a 12-day visit to Asia, where the focus has so far been on the North Korean nuclear threat. His next stop is Vietnam, where he will attend an economic conference, followed by the Philippines, where he will meet with strongman president Rodrigo Duterte.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Donald Trump has praised China for carrying out the unfair trade practices which he had previously lambasted after enjoying an official welcome to Beijing filled with pomp and pageantry.

Mr Trumps comments on the second day of a state visit to China seem far removed from the rhetoric he used when he rode a nationalist wave to win the US presidency last year, accusing Beijing of raping our country and destroying American jobs.

Speaking in the Chinese capital on Thursday he shifted the blame for the huge trade deficit between the worlds two biggest economies to previous administrations.

"I don't blame China," he said. "After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?"

To applause from officials and business leaders from the US and China, Mr Trump added: "I give China great credit."

Donald Trump's in Asia tour, in pictures

Mr Trump also described the US-China trade relationship as very one-sided and unfair, and said the deficit between the two countries was shockingly" large.

The US president was speaking after a colourful welcome ceremony in Tiananmen Square, where children waved US and Chinese flags at the two leaders and a military band played the national anthems.

Mr Trump also held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, at Beijings cavernous Great Hall of the People on Thursday.

Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping (not shown) make a joint statement at the Great Hall of the People on November 9, 2017 in Beijing Credit: Getty Images

He urged the Chinese leader to step up efforts to rein in North Korea, which has alarmed the world this year by testing a series of missiles and carrying out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

"We must act fast, Mr Trump said. And hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone.

The day included announcements that the US and China had signed agreements valued at more than $250 billion (191 bn) for products including US-made jet engines, auto parts, liquefied natural gas and beef.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, and Donald and Melania Trump pose for group photos at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China Credit: Barcroft Media

Many of the contracts appeared to represent purchases that Chinese businesses would have made anyway, but were saved for Mr Trump's visit.

China's trade surplus with the United States in October widened by 12.2 percent from a year earlier, to $26.6 billion, according to Chinese customs data released Wednesday. The total surplus with the United States for the first 10 months of the year rose to $223 billion.

Mr Xi pledged to improve the business environment in China, saying that China will not close its doors and will open them "even wider".

He also said US-China relations were at a "new historic starting point," in comments which seemed to underline what many see as a developing bromance between the two leaders.

Mr Xi also sought to allay fears that Beijing is becoming increasingly assertive in foreign affairs and a growing threat to peace as it continues to expand its military reach.

"The Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the United States," he said.

Mr Trump is visiting China as part of a mammoth five-nation tour of Asia which has already seen him make trips to Japan and South Korea.

President Xi, thank you for such an incredible welcome ceremony. It was a truly memorable and impressive display! https://t.co/J9x51h1LBepic.twitter.com/g4Z7mO5cV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2017

He stepped up his warnings to North Korea on Tuesday and called on China to further sever its trade links with the country to help pressure the regime to give up its nuclear weapons.

Mr XI also addressed Pyongyang during his speech on Thursday, reiterating his desire to see the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Mr Trump is clearly enjoying the highly-choreographed welcome he has received in China.

US First Lady Melania Trump and China's First Lady Peng Liyuan are surrounded by students after a cultural performance during a visit to Banchang Primary School in Beijing on November 9 Credit: AFP

He described his visit to the Forbidden City with Mr Xi on Tuesday as an unforgettable afternoon and evening, while he Tweeted that his welcoming ceremony was a truly memorable and impressive display.

The US president attended an official banquet in his honour on Thursday evening after he met with Li Keqiang, the Chinese prime minister.
Tucker Carlson, Donna Brazile (Photo: Fox News)

Fox Newss new favorite author, former interim Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile, was interviewed on Tucker Carlson Tonight Wednesday. Because of remarks she makes in her new memoir, Hacks, that are critical of Hillary Clinton and her 2016 campaign, Brazile is suddenly being lionized as a fearless truth-teller on Fox News. Well, not entirely: Shes also being laughed at. Carlson asked her about the widely reported leak of a debate question to the Clinton campaign, which she is accused of doing. When Brazile responded with a feeble excuse  I didnt want them to be blindsided  Carlson guffawed loudly, momentarily stopping the show. Then he semi-apologized, saying, I dont typically laugh in the middle of an interview. This is, of course, not true: Its one of Carlsons regular devices; when hes overwhelmed with contempt for his guest, he often erupts in gales of laughter, as can be seen here, here, and here.

An hour later on Hannity, Sean Hannity was having his rabid nervous breakdowns over what he called Wednesday night the fake-news-anti-Trump-Russian-propaganda-lying dossier. He wiped the froth from his jaw momentarily, however, to sing the praises of Brazile for the Tucker appearance she had just made: Donna Brazile continues to spill the Democrats dark secrets! he crowed, playing excerpts from the Tucker set-to. Its amazing, the gall the Fox News zoo-crew displays in embracing Brazile now that shes airing her grudges against their common target: Hillary. During the campaign, Brazile was not considered a brave spiller of beans  she was constantly pilloried by Fox News hosts, as a devious sneak who leaked debate info. Megyn Kelly, then at Fox, grilled her grimly here. Watch The Fives Eric Bolling say, What Donna Brazile did was shameful and treasonous, to nods of agreement from four Five hosts here. The hypocrisy, whenever its convenient, is perpetually shocking.

Less shocking was the appearance of former Donald Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon on Wednesdays Hannity. Booked to post-mortem the Republicans Election Day loss in Virginia, Bannon looked like someone had thrown an open can of tomato sauce at his face. Blaming the Democratic victory on an insufficiently Trumpian candidate, Ed Gillespie, Bannon soon veered off topic to start babbling randomly. The Clintons have been corrupt for so long, he said  not that Sean had asked a question about the Clintons. To bring unity to the party, Mitch McConnell should tender his resignation tomorrow, he said. In fact, he liked the phrase tender his resignation so much, he said it two more times in the same segment.

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And, ye gods, Bannon started in again on Hannitys super-favorite topic: the Uranium One deal. Kids, have I ever shown you Joy Reids brisk demolition of that pseudo-scandal? I have? Well, enjoy it again here. We are one year into the Trump presidency as of yesterday, friends, and Fox News is doing its best to keep reminding you of two things you already know: Donald Trump won, and Hillary Clinton lost. Sometimes you watch Fox and realize they wish the reverse was true, so theyd have their favorite person around to hate 24/7.

Tucker Carlson Tonight airs weeknights at 8 p.m. on Fox News. Hannity airs weeknights at 9 p.m. on Fox News.

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Theresa May has been accused of lying about her knowledge of Priti Patels undisclosed meetings in Israel (Getty Images)

Downing Street has been accused of lying about their knowledge of Priti Patels secret meetings with high-ranking Israeli officials.

The International Development Secretary is thought to be facing almost certain dismissal after being ordered to cut short an official visit to Africa following the apparent disclosure of further unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians.

She has been reportedly summoned by Theresa May to explain herself amid claims she failed to disclose a series of meetings with senior Israeli figures during a family holiday to Israel in August.

Ms Patel admitted on Monday that she had held 12 meetings. But on Tuesday night, it emerged she had held two additional meetings, one in the UK and one in the United States.

Downing Street initially said it had been left in the dark over these meetings.

But, according to bombshell claims made by the Jewish Chronicle, Number 10 instructed Ms Patel not to include at least one of those meetings  with Israels foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem held in New York  on her list of unauthorised meetings, which was made public on Monday.

Downing Street has denied the claims. A spokesman said: Its untrue that Number 10 asked DfiD to remove any meetings from the list that was published.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Theresa May earlier this week.

The Jewish Chronicle says this was done so as not to embarrass the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The paper has also claimed Mrs May may have been made aware of Ms Patels unsanctioned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just hours after it occurred. A spokesperson for Mrs May previously claimed the PM knew nothing about the meeting until Friday.

These claims are also denied outright by Number 10, according to BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

No 10 has just flatly denied the Jewish Chronicle story that said PM knew about some of the Patel-Israeli meetings  Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) November 8, 2017

On August 24  the day of Ms Patels meeting with Netanyahu  notes from a meeting between Middle East minister Alistair Burt, British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey, and Michael Oren, Deputy Minister at the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, refer to a successful meeting between Ms Patel and Mr Netanyahu.

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Information about the meeting was said to have been passed to Number 10.

It was reported earlier this week that the Prime Minister only found out about the meeting on Friday after it was reported by the BBC.

The disclosure of the two additional meetings have left Ms Patel clinging to her job by her thread  one which may be terminally cut before the day is out.

It is understood she met Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in Parliament on September 7, and foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on September 18, following the August meetings in Israel.

No British officials were present and like her meetings in Israel, she did not report them to the Foreign Office or Government in the usual way.

She was accompanied at all the meetings bar one in Israel by honorary president of the Conservative Friends for Israel lobbying group Lord Polak.
SHOSHONE  For a second time, Shoshone voters rejected a school bond.

During Tuesdays election, the $6 million ballot measure received 307 yes votes and 173 no votes, falling short of the required two-thirds supermajority.

Right now, were just kind of processing emotionally what happened yesterday and havent really gotten down into the details about what the next steps would be, Shoshone School District superintendent Rob Waite said Wednesday.

The school district first attempted a $6 million bond in August.

Both times, the bond was slated to pay for remodeling the existing school, constructing a new multipurpose building  including a stage and gymnasium  and a new vocational building and small building with a couple of alternative-school classrooms.

The measure would have cost taxpayers $6.67 each month per $100,000 of taxable value.

Waite said he expects school officials will move forward in the next few weeks with deciding what to do next.

In informal discussions, the general consensus is the overwhelming majority of voters wanted to do the building project, but not two-thirds, he said, and school leaders want to be sensitive of that fact.
Las Vegas first driverless shuttle hit the streets on Wednesday and was promptly hit by a truck.

The shuttle was performing a test ride with passengers downtown when it was grazed by a delivery truck around noon, the city said.

The human driver of the truck, who was backing out at the time, was cited by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for the crash, which KSNV-TV reported occurred within the first hour of the shuttles operation.

The shuttle did what it was supposed to do, in that its sensors registered the truck and the shuttle stopped to avoid the accident, the city said in a statement. Unfortunately the delivery truck did not stop and grazed the front fender of the shuttle. Had the truck had the same sensing equipment that the shuttle has the accident would have been avoided.

This driverless vehicle was involved in a fender bender during its first ride around Las Vegas on Wednesday. (Photo: City of Las Vegas)

Passengers onboard the vehicle confirmed that the shuttle did stop  but in the path of the truck.

The shuttle just stayed still and we were like, Oh my gosh, its gonna hit us, its gonna hit us! and then, it hit us! passenger Jenny Wong told KSNV. And the shuttle didnt have the ability to move back, either. Like, the shuttle just stayed still.

Fortunately, no humans were injured in the crash, the city said.

The eight-passenger shuttle is currently offering free rides to people along a half-mile loop in the citys Fremont East Innovation District. The operation is part of a 12-month pilot program, the city said.

Its touted by Las Vegas as the countrys first autonomous shuttle thats able to communicate with traffic signals and surrounding smart infrastructure.

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Quito (AFP) - Ecuador's attorney general on Thursday accused Vice President Jorge Glas of unlawful association in the giant corruption case involving Brazilian constructor Odebrecht.

Glas is in pre-trial preventive custody and has not been formally charged, but attorney general Carlos Baca said on Twitter he was seeking an indictment on "charges against the vice president and 12 others in the crime of unlawful association."

The crime carries a penalty of three to five years in prison. The prosecution has previously warned that Glas and other defendants in the case could also be charged with more serious crimes, such as bribery and illicit enrichment.

Glas was taken into custody on October 2, the highest-ranking politician to be connected to the multi-million Odebrecht kickbacks case, which has cast a cloud over politicians in several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Peru, Panama and Venezuela.

He told AFP in an October 14 interview in Quito's Penitentiary 4 prison that he was a victim of the construction giant's revenge after he was instrumental in kicking the company out of Ecuador in 2008 following a dispute over repair of a hydroelectric plant.

Glas, who was minister of strategic sectors before becoming vice president in 2013, has denied any link to the Odebrecht scandal, though his uncle, Ricardo Rivera, has been arrested for his alleged involvement.

Under investigation by the US Justice Department, Odebrecht agreed in December to pay a record $3.5 billion fine after admitting to paying $788 million in bribes across 12 countries to secure contracts.
The LAPD is reportedly investigating Kristina Cohen's claim: AFP/Getty

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is reportedly investigating an allegation of rape against Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick.

Mr Westwick has publicly denied the claims actress Kristina Cohen made in a Facebook post on Monday.

On Twitter, he said: I do not know this woman. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape.

Ms Cohen filed a complaint with the LAPD, whose sex crime unit is now investigating, according to The Los Angeles Times.

She claimed she was attacked as she slept at a house party three years ago.

A British-born actor living in Los Angeles, Mr Westwick gained fame as a main character in The CW drama Gossip Girl which ran between 2007 and 2012.

He made his film debut in 2006s Children of Men and is currently starring in the BBC Two comedy series White Gold.

The LAPD is also investigating Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood mogul whose downfall has precipitated a wave of claims of sexual misconduct against public figures.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating seven claims against Mr Weinstein.
By Ahmed Aboulenein and Malak Ghobrial SHARM AL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Wednesday he was against military strikes on Iran or the Tehran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, saying there was enough turmoil in the Middle East. In a meeting with a group of journalists, Sisi also pledged support for Saudi Arabia in its stand-off with Iran. Asked about the prospect of attacks on Iran and Hezbollah - two days after Saudi Arabia had accused Lebanon of declaring war because of Hezbollah's "aggressive actions", Sisi stressed the importance of de-escalation. "I am always against war," Sisi said, without spelling out who might be involved in military action. Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia called for sanctions against Hezbollah this week and accused Iran of supplying Yemen's Houthis with missiles used to target it. "I have said it once and I will say it again, Gulf national security is Egyptian national security. I have faith in the wise and firm leadership of Saudi Arabia," Sisi said. Sisi said the situation in the kingdom was "reassuring and stable" following last weekend's arrests of 11 princes, former and current ministers and a group of elite businessmen on corruption allegations. They face allegations of money laundering, bribery, extortion and exploiting public office for personal gain. Sisi stressed his backing of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states, which have showered Egypt with aid ever since the general-turned-president led the military's ouster of former President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 following mass protests. Lebanon has been thrust to the center of regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran since the Saudi-allied Lebanese politician Saad al-Hariri quit as prime minister on Saturday, blaming Iran and Hezbollah in his resignation speech. Hezbollah is both a military and a political organization that is represented in the Lebanese parliament and in the Hariri-led coalition government formed last year. Its powerful guerrilla army is widely seen as stronger than the Lebanese army, and has played a major role in the war in neighboring Syria, another theater of Saudi-Iranian rivalry where Hezbollah has fought in support of the Syrian government. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein and Malak Ghobrial; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein and Amina Ismail; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)
Beijing (AFP) - Donald Trump showered Chinese leader Xi Jinping with praise during talks in Beijing Thursday, but prodded his host to work fast to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, warning "time is quickly running out".

Speaking on the second day of a trip to Beijing marked by pomp and pageantry, the US president also decried China's "one-sided and unfair" trade surplus with the United States but told Xi "I don't blame China", as the two countries signed more than $250 billion in business deals.

Xi hosted Trump at the imposing Great Hall of the People, next to Tiananmen Square, for the main event of the US president's five-nation tour of Asia.

While the two leaders exchanged pleasantries in keeping with their professed friendship -- with Trump calling Xi a "very special man" -- the former property magnate made clear that he expected China to do more to rein in North Korea.

"We must act fast. And hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone," Trump said.

"China can fix this problem easily and quickly, and I am calling on China and your great president to hopefully work on it very hard," the US leader said.

"I know one thing about your president: If he works on it hard, it will happen. There's no doubt about it," he said, while thanking Xi for his efforts to restrict trade with Pyongyang.

The US administration thinks China's economic leverage over North Korea is the key to strong-arming Pyongyang into halting its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Xi said the two countries reiterated their "firm commitment" to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and the implementation of UN resolutions.

He also repeated his plea for the issue to be resolved through negotiations, saying China was ready to discuss the "pathway leading to enduring peace and stability on the peninsula".

Story continues

Though China has backed UN sanctions, US officials want Chinese authorities to clamp down on unauthorised trade along the North Korean border.

But China has resisted taking more drastic steps, such as halting crude oil exports to the North. Beijing fears that squeezing Pyongyang too hard could cause the regime to collapse.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said there are signs that sanctions are "creating some stress within the North Korean economy" but that Xi told Trump they could take "a little while" to make a dent.

Trump, who may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Asia-Pacific summit in Vietnam on Friday, also urged Russia to "help rein in this potentially very tragic situation".

- Trade deals -

Washington has made no secret of its frustration at China's massive trade surplus with the United States, but at a signing ceremony for over $250 billion in US-Chinese business deals -- including $37 billion worth of planes from Boeing -- Trump said he did not blame Beijing.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the sake of its citizens?"

He blamed past US administrations "for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and to grow".

The Trump administration has aggressively pursued trade remedies in commercial relations with Beijing -- investigating Chinese trade practices on intellectual property and in aluminium and steel.

"There has been some friction on bilateral trade," Xi acknowledged, while pledging to open up China's economy "wider and wider".

While US and Chinese officials played up the deals, several of them were nonbinding memorandums of understanding, which can take years to materialise or never become firm contracts.

Tillerson downplayed the outcome of the trade talks: "Quite frankly, in the grand scheme... the things that have been achieved so far are pretty small".

- 'Beautiful welcome' -

The trip comes as Trump faces the lowest approval ratings for a US president in seven decades, and with the one-year anniversary of his election Wednesday spoiled by big Democrat wins in state and mayoral votes.

Xi, by contrast, cemented his status as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation at a Communist Party congress last month, when his name was inscribed into the constitution.

On Trump's first state visit to China, ceremonial cannon fire erupted and the two leaders reviewed a military honour guard just across from Tiananmen Square -- the site of the army's deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989.

Xi later hosted Trump to a lavish state dinner, during which screens played a video of the US leader's six-year-old granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, singing ballads in Mandarin.

"China and the United States, once involved in animosity, have grown into a community with our interests converging," Xi toasted.

Bonnie Glaser, China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said "emphasising pomp over substance is the Chinese way", hoping it will impress Trump "and buy China some goodwill".

Trump circumvented China's internet censorship system to thank Xi for the "incredible welcome ceremony" on Twitter, which is banned in the country.

"My feeling toward you is an incredibly warm one. As we said there's great chemistry and I think we're going to do tremendous things for both China and the United States," Trump told Xi during their meetings.

Despite the public bonhomie, Chinese history expert Sam Crane said the "flattery will not have significant substantive effect."
Electric cars are set to become an increasingly lucrative investment target, if they continuing enjoying the strong support of global initiatives to lower emissions and put clearer vehicles on roads. So expect more funding like the reported $1 billion that Niobium's (formerly NextEV) has raised from a host of investors led by Tencent, per Reuters.

The Chinese carmaker has already set a launch window for its first all-electric car, a seven-seater SUV which is going to be available in the middle of next month. Nio is hoping to then also bring an autonomous EV to U.S. shores by 2020, and it raised $600 million in a round that closed just this past March.

The Shanghai based company added some new investors during this round, according to Reuters, including U.S. hedge fund Lone Pine Capital, and the round values the young automaker at around $5 billion. Niobium's is working with Chinese automaker Chongqing Changan Automobile on a joint venture focused on development and sales of EVs, too.
Will Ferrell really wants LeBron James to make a play for the White House.

On Wednesdays Late Night with Seth Meyers, the actor recalled how he recently bumped into the Cleveland Cavaliers star at a Boston hotel gym  and encouraged him to run for office.

Youre from the Midwest, youre very famous, youre very popular, and youre very articulate, please run for office, Ferrell reportedly told James.

On Meyers show, Ferrell stared intently into the camera and doubled down on his plea. LeBron, Im telling you now. We need you, he said.

The Daddys Home lead appeared uncharacteristically serious with his appeal for James to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. He couldnt help make light of the situation soon after, however, by trying to score some free shoes as part of a joke that ran throughout the segment.

Its unclear whether James was moved by Ferrells plea. He hasnt commented on the TV appeal. But with actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson also being urged to run, a James candidacy could make for a star-studded Democratic primary.

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Police are issuing a warning to owners who take their dogs to the park after an incident at a Florida dog park left owners terrified.

Local authorities said at least seven fish hooks were found placed in nine meatballs at the Bicentennial Park in Ormond Beach Tuesday, WFTV reported.

Two park-goers told the local station they discovered the hooks after one of their dogs started eating a meatball.

RELATED: Click through some of the most outrageous mugshots and crimes



There were fish hooks inside the meatballs and I got very concerned because the meatball that my dog had dropped when I called him was just half of one, one owner, identified as Rita, told the outlet. So I was afraid that he had ingested something.

Shortly after, Rita rushed her pup to the veterinarian, where it was determined it had fortunately not ingested any of the hooks.

I was very stressed out, she said. I was livid. I could not imagine something happening to him.

SEE ALSO: Cops find creepy 'coat hook' hidden cameras in public bathrooms

The Volusia County Parks and Recreation has since closed the park while authorities investigate the incident.

Fair to say that the miserable excuse for a human being who did this has a cold lump of meat for a heart!! Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood wrote on Twitter
RUPERT  Minidoka County Joint School District are celebrating after voters approved a two-year, $2.25 million-per-year plant facilities supplemental levy on Nov. 7.

The levy is an increase of $600,000 over the existing levy. The measure received 622 votes in favor and 433 against.

This means that we can start making better progress with our building projects, Superintendent Ken Cox said. Some of these projects have been on hold for a long time.

Cox said the district would like patrons who voted no to weigh in with their reasons.

Was it the money or something were doing? Cox said.

Eight hundred thousand dollars of the levy money will be used for technology, $50,000 for bus leases and the remainder for maintenance throughout the district.

Projects will include buying more laptops for high school freshmen, repairs on school playgrounds, asphalt and paint and renovating the food service building and replacing the roof. The money will also be used to update doors and locks on buildings and update video and security systems at schools along with other projects. Cox said the district plans to hold a series of town-hall meetings in the spring to discuss future needs at the district.
Former Boston news anchor Heather Unruh has accused Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting her son in 2016 at a Nantucket restaurant.

Unruh, together with her attorney, held a press conference Wednesday in Massachusetts to allege how Spacey put his hands down her then 18-year-old sons pants. An unidentified woman apparently saw Unruhs son after the assault and encouraged him to run away.

I want to see Kevin Spacey go to jail, Unruh told reporters. I want to see Kevin Spacey have the hand of justice come down on him, not just for my son but for the many others who have yet to speak their truth.

Unruh, who previously worked for WCVB, is repped by attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represented victims of the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal. She and Garabedian thanked the mystery woman who intervened on her sons behalf.

I dont know how much she saw. I dont know who she is. She saw Kevin Spacey put his hand in my sons pants, said Unruh. What I do know was that she saw that my son was very shaken and I would guess that she probably knew he was underage. He didnt look 21, and I know that she had presence of mind and was disturbed enough by what she had seen to approach this young man whos almost 6-feet tall and ask if hes okay.

Since first tweeting about the incident on Oct. 13, Unruh said she has heard from other victims of Spacey  some of whom arent ready to share their story, she says. Since Anthony Rapp revealed on Oct. 29 that he was allegedly assaulted by the House of Cards actor, at least 13 men have come forward with accusations of sexual misconduct. The torrent of allegations has prompted Netflix to halt production of the sixth season of House of Cards and to boot the actor from the drama. Spaceys talent agency, CAA, has also dropped him.

A community is developing. Ive been contacted by a lot of them, Unruh told reporters. They feel a connection to me and my family because I came forward and spoke and a lot of them feel like they havent been able to speak. Some of them want to but there are some who have been suffering for decades and havent told anybody until they told me. Theyve got a long way to go. I think what this did was open up a wound and a lot of people are feeling it. I think thats what happened with the Harvey Weinstein case.

Story continues

Unruh also said she believes there is at least one more victim of Spacey from the Nantucket area.

Garabedian didnt rule out civil action.

A rep for Spacey did not immediately respond to a request for comment from EW.

Spacey has faced multiple allegations recently that he made unwanted sexual advances toward young male actors. Last week, he announced that he is seeking treatment. Following Rapps report last month, Spacey issued a statement on Twitter saying he didnt remember Rapps alleged incident and apologizing for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.
Paris (AFP) - France will oppose a European Commission proposal to renew authorisation for controversial weedkiller glyphosate for five years instead of 10, saying Wednesday the new cutoff should be three years.

"France's position is three years," Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot, a celebrity green activist, told French media ahead of a vote by the 28 EU member states in Brussels on Thursday.

The Commission, the EU's executive arm, had originally recommended approving the herbicide's use for another decade from December 15 but experts balked amid growing uproar over its alleged dangers.

Monsanto, the US agro giant that makes weedkiller Roundup, insists glyphosate meets the standards required to renew its European licence.

Glyphosate critics, led by environmental campaigners Greenpeace, are calling for an outright ban in Europe and last month activists handed the EU a petition signed by more than 1.3 million people backing such a move.

They point to a 2015 study by the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer that concluded it was "probably carcinogenic".

However, the European Food Safety Authority and the European Chemicals Agency both say glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans, in line with a 2016 review carried out by WHO experts and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

"The big change is that we are talking about an end, not simply a renewal," Hulot told French television BFMTV. "France is in the vanguard on this issue."

The minister said he sympathised with farmers "who are a bit overwhelmed by all the constraints imposed on them (but) over these three years we will be able to work towards alternatives" to glyphosate.

The current licence for using glyphosate expires on December 15.
PARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was taking accusations by the United States that Iran had violated two U.N. Security Council resolutions seriously and urged Iran to comply with all its international commitments. The United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley accused Iran on Tuesday of supplying Yemen's Houthi rebels with a missile that was fired into Saudi Arabia in July and called for the U.N. to hold Tehran accountable for violating two U.N. Security Council resolutions. "We take these American indications seriously and attach utmost importance to Iran's compliance with all of its international obligations, including the weapons' transfer bans provided for in UN Security Council Resolutions 2216 and 2231," deputy foreign ministry spokesman Alexandre Georgini told reporters in a daily briefing. He did not respond when asked whether Paris supported potential measures at the Security Council. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said that he expected a "challenging" meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran when he travels there later this month. He is due to discuss Iran's ballistic missile program, which Paris says goes against U.N. Security Council resolutions, and its regional activities. "We have deep disagreements with Iran (on the ballistic issue) ... and the way in which Iran is discreetly or through proxies trying to create a direct channel to the Mediterranean," he said after a Security Council meeting at the United Nations on Oct. 31. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Ingrid Melander)
By Geert De Clercq PARIS (Reuters) - A cloud of radioactive pollution over Europe in recent weeks indicates that an accident has happened in a nuclear facility in Russia or Kazakhstan in the last week of September, French nuclear safety institute IRSN said on Thursday. The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, saying it was likely to be in a nuclear fuel treatment site or center for radioactive medicine. There has been no impact on human health or the environment in Europe, the IRSN said. IRSN, the technical arm of French nuclear regulator ASN, said in a statement it could not pinpoint the location of the release of radioactive material but that based on weather patterns, the most plausible zone lay south of the Ural mountains, between the Urals and the Volga river. This could indicate Russia or possibly Kazakhstan, an IRSN official said. "Russian authorities have said they are not aware of an accident on their territory," IRSN director Jean-Marc Peres told Reuters. He added that the institute had not yet been in contact with Kazakh authorities. A spokeswoman for the Russian Emergencies Ministry said she could not immediately comment. It was not immediately possible to reach authorities in Kazakhstan or the Kazakh embassy in Moscow. Peres said that in recent weeks IRSN and several other nuclear safety institutes in Europe had measured high levels of levels of ruthenium 106, a radioactive nuclide that is the product of splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor and which does not occur naturally. IRSN estimates that the quantity of ruthenium 106 released was major, between 100 and 300 teraBecquerels, and that if an accident of this magnitude had happened in France it would have required the evacuation or sheltering of people in a radius of a few kilometers around the accident site. The ruthenium 106 was probably released in a nuclear fuel treatment site or center for radioactive medicine, Peres said. Because of its short half-life of about a year, ruthenium 106 is used in nuclear medicine. The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, as that would have led to contamination with other radionuclides too. It also ruled out the crash of a ruthenium-powered satellite as an IAEA investigation has concluded that no ruthenium-containing satellite has fallen back on earth during this period. Measurement from European stations showed high levels of ruthenium 106 in the atmosphere of the majority of European countries, at the beginning of October, with a steady decrease from Oct. 6 onwards. The IRSN said that the concentrations of ruthenium 106 in the air that have been recorded in Europe were of no consequence for human health and the environment. The institute also said that the probability of importation into France of foodstuffs, notably mushrooms, contaminated by ruthenium 106 near the site of the accident is extremely low. (Reporting by Geert De Clercq in Paris, additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Riham Alkousaa BERLIN (Reuters) - The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party called on Thursday for the repatriation of half a million Syrian refugees living in Germany, saying the war there was nearly over and that President Bashar al-Assad had urged refugees to return home. Earlier on Thursday, Syria's army declared victory over Islamic State, saying its capture of the jihadists' last town in the country marked the collapse of their three-year, hardline reign in the region. However, fighting is continuing in many areas, the United Nations says, in a complex civil war in which millions have been killed or forced to flee their homes, many to neighboring countries or to Europe. The AfD's proposal for repatriating Syrian refugees is its first since it swept into Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, in September's federal election on an anti-immigrant platform. It is the third largest party in the new Bundestag but the proposal is very unlikely to win approval as mainstream parties including Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, the biggest bloc, have refused to work with the AfD. In its proposal, the AfD said the new German government should immediately start talks with Syrian authorities over a deal to repatriate the refugees. "This deal should ensure that the returnees will be accepted in Syria and accommodated only in safe areas," the AfD said in a statement adding that Damascus must guarantee not to persecute citizens who escaped the military draft. The proposal said Syrian refugees' children in Germany should now be taught the Syrian school curriculum, either by Syrian teachers already resident in Germany or by teachers sent by the Syrian government for this purpose. "HEARTLESS" The statement, signed by the two party leaders Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel, said the Syrian government should work with Germany to finance the repatriation, which they said should be free for the individual refugees. The Greens party, which is expected to join Merkel's new conservative-led coalition, said the AfD proposal showed the party to be "irresponsible, inhumane and heartless". "No subject is too abysmal, no populism is too dirty for you. Shame on you!" Greens politician Luise Amtsberg said on her Facebook account, commenting on the proposal. Immigration is one of the difficult issues where Merkel's conservative bloc, the left-leaning Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) are struggling to forge a common stance in their coalition talks. Since the beginning of the year, some 156,000 people have applied for asylum in Germany, more than 25 percent of them from Syria, making them the biggest national group, data from the Federal Interior Ministry showed on Thursday. (Reporting By Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Michael Nienaber and Gareth Jones)
WASHINGTON  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and a slew of other Republicans called on Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama to step aside if new allegations that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl  in 1979, when he was 32  are true.

Less than an hour after the Washington Posts bombshell report, Republicans were disavowing Moore, who ran as an outsider and defeated the more establishment Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., in a recent primary. The special election to fill the seat, previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is scheduled for Dec. 12.

If these allegations are true, Roy Moore should step aside for all the obvious reasons  very disturbing allegations, McConnell told reporters.

The Post story is based on an account by a woman named Leigh Corfman, now 53. According to the story, she supports Republicans and voted for Donald Trump last year.

McConnell and other Republicans did not specify what would convince them that the allegations are true.

Three other women accused Moore of pursuing them, according to the Post. All four were quoted under their full names by the newspaper, and other witnesses confirmed they shared their stories with them at the time.

Roy Moore, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, at a campaign rally on Sept. 25 in Fairhope, Ala. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the Senates No. 2 Republican who recently endorsed Moore, said the conduct described in the story was deeply disturbing and troubling. He said the next steps for the race are up to the governor of Alabama and its people.

Asked whether Moore should represent his state, Alabamas senior senator, Richard Shelby, replied: I supported Senator Strange  you all know that.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called the report horrifying.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., released a statement calling upon Moore to step down immediately.

The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying, McCain said. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.

Story continues

Moore denies allegations that he had sexual contact with the 14-year-old and that he pursued relationships with other teenage girls while he was in his 30s. This garbage is the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation, his campaign said in a statement.

Republican senators have been slow to endorse Moore, with just five  including Cornyn  backing him so far. Moore espouses more extreme views than most U.S. senators, arguing that consensual sex between adults of the same gender should be outlawed and suggesting that the 9/11 attacks could have been punishment for the country distancing itself from God.

Moore is questioned by the media in the Capitol on Oct. 31. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)

The judge made a trip to Washington at the end of last month to court senators, telling reporters in brief remarks that they werent telling the truth about him in their newspapers. I dont hate people, he said.

Its unclear what will happen to Moores candidacy if he seeks to pull out before the special election against Democrat Doug Jones. Alabama law appears to say that it is too late to replace his name on the ballot even if he files a notice of withdrawal. The state GOP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At this point ballots have already been printed and absentee voting has begun in our 67 counties, said Brent Beal, the deputy attorney general in Alabamas secretary of state office. Because of this, no change to the ballot can be made for the Dec. 12 election.

Gabby Kaufman contributed to this report.

Read more from Yahoo News:
On Thursday, hundreds of students across the country walked out of class to demand that Congress take swift action to protect young undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Just over two months after President Donald Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program  putting nearly 700,000 young undocumented immigrants at risk of losing jobs and being deported when their protections expire  hundreds of students in the D.C. area left their schools and gathered with other members of the public at the Hart Senate Office Building to call for Congress to pass the Dream Act.

The legislation, which protesters were demanding be passed by the end of the year, would provide legal status to young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

At the rally on Thursday, organized by immigrant advocacy group United We Dream, protesters filled the building, chanting and holding banners that read: Congress pass the clean Dream Act now.

Every floor of the Hart Senate Office Building has been occupied by hundreds of local high school and college students who have walked out today to call for a Clean #DreamActNOW! pic.twitter.com/NIiTswoV80  CWS (@CWS_global) November 9, 2017

By a clean Dream Act, organizers mean that the legislation should not be attached to other policies that would potentially harm immigrants, United We Dream field communications manager Sheridan Aguirre told HuffPost.

The rally drew around 500 students from four D.C. colleges and at least one high school. They joined around 350 young, undocumented members of United We Dream who had traveled from across the country. Students at a dozen schools in a handful of cities across the country, including New York City, San Diego and Houston, also staged local walkouts in solidarity.

Story continues

Happening now: GW students walking out to join @UNITEDWEDREAMs rally calling for a clean Dream Act. #DreamActNOW pic.twitter.com/sgxaqHUA0E  Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) November 9, 2017

While United We Dream regularly organizes rallies in support of immigrants, Aguirre said Thursdays rally was the largest group of undocumented youth they had ever gathered in the nations capital.

When Trump chose to terminate DACA, what he didnt know was he was awakening a sleeping giant, Aguirre said. U.S. citizens across the country who werent as vocal before [are now] coming out in support of DACA. Im excited to continue seeing that support.

As people tweeted about the walkouts on Thursday, the hashtag #DreamActNow trended on Twitter.

Proudly support all of the young people protesting and demanding that the Senate pass a clean DREAM Act. #DreamActNOW pic.twitter.com/JE8I3QeXig  Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) November 9, 2017

Dreamers and allies flooding the Senate building to make our voices heard. We need a clean #DreamActNow pic.twitter.com/ibl2Y49K4K  Nat'l Imm Law Center (@NILC_org) November 9, 2017

During Thursdays rally, several Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) tweeted in support of the student rallies for the Dream Act. Harris joined protesters at one point and raised a fist in the air in solidarity.

After Trump rescinded DACA in September, he left it up to Congress to pass legislation to protect undocumented youth.

On Wednesday, over two dozen House Democrats threatened a government shutdown, saying they wouldnt approve a year-end spending bill unless it included deportation relief for the more than 1 million undocumented youth brought to the U.S. as children, The Hill reported.

Early on Thursday, a group of House Republicans said they wanted a vote on a bill to help Dreamers as soon as possible, at the very least by the end of the year.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) later told reporters that discussions about a Dreamer package were underway, but he said he wouldnt commit to acting before the end of the year.

We have until, I believe, March is the deadline we have with the president, he said at a press conference. So I dont think theres really any need to have artificial deadlines within the one we already have.

But organizers are trying to pressure Ryan to move faster, Aguirre told HuffPost. Although the speaker, Trump and other Republicans have been referring to March as the deadline, the decision to end DACA is already having an effect. Trump allowed DACA recipients whose protections were set to expire before March 6 to apply to renew them, but about 21,000 of the people who were eligible didnt apply in time, according to the government.

Immigrant youth want this Dream Act passed  and we want it to happen with urgency, Aguirre said, citing data from the liberal Center for American Progress that estimated that close to 8,000 undocumented people have already lost their protections since Trump ended DACA in September.

Thats why its important for us to have this bipartisan, clean legislative solution by the end of the year, Aguirre added. We already have people experiencing the threat of deportation.

Elise Foley contributed reporting.

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Also on HuffPost

April 2015

At an event hosted by Texas Patriots PAC: Everythings coming across the border: the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. Its like a big mess. Blah. Its like vomit.

June 2015

At a speech announcing his campaign: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

August 2015

On NBC's "Meet the Press": Were going to keep the families together, we have to keep the families together, but they have to go."

September 2015

On CBS's "60 Minutes": Were rounding em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And theyre going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesnt sound nice. But not everything is nice.

November 2015

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe": You are going to have a deportation force, and you are going to do it humanely."

February 2016

At a GOP primary debate: We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back  some will come back, the best, through a process.

March 2016

At a press conference when asked if he would consider allowing undocumented immigrants to stay: "We either have a country or we dont. We either have a country or we dont. We have borders or we dont have borders. And at this moment, the answer is absolutely not.

April 2016

At an event hosted by NBC's "Today Show": Theyre going to go, and were going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, OK? But it has to be done legally. ... Theyre going to go, and then come back and come back legally.

July 2016

At the Republican National Convention: "Tonight, I want every American whose demands for immigration security have been denied  and every politician who has denied them  to listen very closely to the words I am about to say. On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced."

September 2016

At a rally: Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country. Otherwise we dont have a country.

September 2016

On "The Dr. Oz Show": Well, under my plan the undocumented or, as you would say, illegal immigrant wouldnt be in the country. They only come in the country legally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Rome (AFP) - Italian screen legend Gina Lollobrigida has called on victims of sexual abuse to report it immediately, saying she was assaulted twice but was too afraid to say anything.

The 1950s star, now 90, initially told an interview on a television show broadcast late Wednesday that unearthing old episodes of misconduct, from harassment to rape, felt a bit like "looking for publicity".

But she then quietly revealed she herself had been the victim on two occasions of "fairly serious" assaults.

"You must have the courage" to speak out when it happens, she said, but "I lacked that courage, I kept quiet, I said nothing."

The actress, once a famous Italian pin-up, is perhaps best known for her performance in the 1953 comedy "Bread, Love and Dreams" and the 1956 US movie "Trapeze", in which she starred alongside Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis.

She said she was assaulted by an Italian and a foreigner, but did not identify them by name.

"The first time, I was innocent, I did not know love, I knew nothing. So it was serious. And the person was very well known. I was 19 years old, I was still in school," she said.

"The second time, I'd rather not talk about it," she said, revealing just that it happened after her marriage in 1949 to Slovenian doctor Milko Skofic, with whom she had a son. The couple divorced 20 years later.

"Sexual abuse, when it's serious, it stays with you and marks your character. It's something you can't cast off, it stays with you. Your actions are always subject to that terrible memory," she said.

Accounts of abuse by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein that were published last month have sparked a cascade of allegations engulfing film, politics, finance and journalism.

Weinstein has denied the allegations.

In Italy, several actresses have leapt to the defence of director Giuseppe Tornatore, the man behind the 1988 classic "Cinema Paradiso", who has been accused of assaulting a showgirl 20 years ago -- a claim he has denied.
TWIN FALLS  Many government offices and other facilities will be closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day.

Most city offices will be closed, including those in Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, Rupert, Gooding, Hailey, Ketchum and Kimberly. The Shoshone City Hall will be open.

County, state and federal offices will be closed along with the College of Southern Idaho.

The Twin Falls Public Library and the Herrett Center for Arts and Science will be closed Friday but open Saturday.

The Twin Falls City Pool is closed for installation of a new bubble dome.

Post offices will be open Friday and there will be no mail delivery on Saturday.

Most banks will be open Friday and many will be closed Saturday.

The Times-News offices in Twin Falls and Burley will be open Friday.

Magic Valley Mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Trash collection will follow the regular schedule.
President Donald Trumps tenure in office has reportedly been a rocky time for daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, whom one family insider has said are in a world of s**t.

He may seem cool, but hes sweating, and shes like her father," a source close to the family told Vanity Fair in a new story looking back at the couple's first year in D.C. "Shell never acknowledge it and [will] blame the media. But shes been working on her reputation forever, and now its going to suffer horrifically. And for what?

As the piece points out, their initial ascent in Washington was marked by a hope that they would provide a moderating perspective within the administration, but they have since been dogged by a lack of big victories, constant criticisms, and legal woes.

In fact, Ivanka has spoken about the backlash she has experienced.

Some people have created unrealistic expectations of what they expect from me, she told the Financial Times in September. That my presence in and of itself would carry so much weight with my father that he would abandon his core values and the agenda that the American people voted for when they elected himIts not going to happen.

Her father has since defended her, saying earlier this month that Ivanka has been treated very unfairly.

Ivanka and Jareds path into politics has also reportedly affected many of their prior relationships.

SEE ALSO: Someone photoshopped President Trump to see what he would look like with 'normal hair'

Kushner appears to have even cut ties with some friends who expressed their dismay about the election. He told Forbes late last year, I call it an exfoliation. Anyone who was willing to change a friendship or not do business because of who somebody supports in politics is not somebody who has a lot of character.

But an earlier Vanity Fair piece from October suggested he and Ivanka may be the ones getting snubbed by the D.C. elite and their former New York associates.

Despite the challenges both of their brands have faced since joining the administration, and the Russia investigation which looms over Kushner, they are reportedly continuing to work on key issues like child tax credits and others.
A film due out next month is being reshot to remove Kevin Spacey from a key role amid sexual assault allegations against the actor.

He will be replaced by Christopher Plummer in the role of J. Paul Getty in All the Money in the World, directed by Ridley Scott, according to Deadline.

The website reported that the cast, including Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams, and crew unanimously agreed to reshoot the scenes to remove Spacey.

Variety cited sources as saying that work would be completed in the coming weeks and that the film would still be released as planned on Dec. 22.

The film was complete and had been set to close the AFI Fest next week, but it was pulled from the schedule after the accusations against Spacey emerged, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A statement from Sonys TriStar Pictures at the time said the film would still be released as planned.

"[A] film is not the work of one person, the statement said. There are over 800 other actors, writers, artists, craftspeople and crew who worked tirelessly and ethically on this film, some for years, including one of cinemas master directors. It would be a gross injustice to punish all of them for the wrongdoings of one supporting actor in the film.

Last month, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of sexual harassment when he was 14 years old. Since then, a number of others have also come forward.

On Wednesday, former Boston TV news anchor Heather Unruh said the actor sexually assaulted her son last year after giving the 18-year-old alcohol.

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Federal student loan borrowers who cannot work due to an illness or injury may have their loans discharged due to total and permanent disability. Borrowers can qualify for this discharge in one of three ways: with doctor certification, Social Security benefits or certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This last scenario recently made headlines when a wounded veteran had $223,000 of federal student loans discharged -- and then received a $62,000 tax bill in its place.

How did this happen? It has to do with how the government treats forgiven and discharged student loans.

[Explore three ways a student loan could be discharged.]

Forgiveness vs. Discharge

Federal student loans offer a variety of means to eliminate your remaining balance, which is one of the many reasons the Student Loan Ranger recommends them over private student loans. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, for instance, gets a lot of positive media coverage for forgiving the remaining balances of nonprofit and public service employees after 10 years.

But federal student loans can be discharged if borrowers suffer unfortunate personal circumstances or when schools improperly handle the loans.

The major difference between forgiveness and discharge is the amount forgiven under federal forgiveness programs like PSLF is considered tax-free. That means you won't have to claim the forgiven amount as taxable income on your federal tax returns. But this isn't the case with discharge programs.

[Learn to prepare wisely for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.]

Tax Consequences

While the Department of Education offers discharge programs to alleviate borrowers' student debt, the Internal Revenue Service sees this discharged amount as taxable income. What are the consequences of this?

Your lender will issue you a 1099-C form indicating the amount of your discharge. This amount is considered income for tax purposes, and you can estimate a tax bill of 25 to 30 percent of the forgiven amount.

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If you make $40,000 the year of your discharge and have a $50,000 student loan balance discharged, you can expect a tax bomb of $12,500 just for the discharged amount.

But if you're approved for a TPD discharge, you're deemed unable to work. So how can the IRS expect you to pay such a large tax bill?

[Find out about new help available for disabled student loan borrowers.]

Relief Options

The only way to avoid the tax ramification of a student loan discharge is to apply for an insolvency exclusion. For the IRS to consider you insolvent, you need to show that your debts exceeded the value of your assets at the time of the loan discharge. You also need to complete IRS Form 982 to apply for this exclusion.

Keep in mind that if you are eligible for an insolvency exclusion, it may not be for the full amount of your loan discharge. You can estimate the value of the exclusion using the worksheet in IRS Publication 4681.

Anyone who has had his or her student loans canceled due to TPD or other taxable discharges can seek relief with the insolvency exclusion. However, the Student Loan Ranger is not a tax professional and recommends borrowers considering this option to speak with one.

If you're ineligible for an insolvency exclusion or only partially eligible, you are responsible for your IRS bill. The IRS does allow short- and long-term installment plans, though, if you cannot afford to pay your bill immediately, and you can apply for these online or by mail or phone.

A short-term installment plan -- up to 120 days -- has no associated fees, but fees are assessed on long-term plans, with lower fees for direct-debit plans.

Ashley Norwood, consumer and regulatory adviser, regularly advises consumers on planning and paying for college. She provides training and guidance regarding financial aid and student loans, works with individuals to resolve student loan issues, and recommends improvements to federal financial aid policies. Norwood worked in higher education financial aid prior to joining American Student Assistance and holds a bachelor's in economics from College of the Holy Cross.
Los Angeles (AFP) - Police in Los Angeles announced Tuesday they are investigating a rape allegation made against British "Gossip Girl" actor Ed Westwick.

Los Angeles Police Department official Drake Madison told AFP there was an "ongoing investigation" taking place, after actress Kristina Cohen accused him of rape Monday in a Facebook post.

"I do not know this woman. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape," Westwick, 30, wrote on Twitter.

Cohen alleged Westwick raped her three years ago at his house, shortly after propositioning her and a producer she was dating.

"Ed insisted we stay for dinner. I said I was tired and wanted to leave, trying to get out of what was already an uncomfortable situation," she wrote, adding she was then persuaded to stay by the producer and went to rest in the guest room.

"I eventually fell asleep, I was woken up abruptly by Ed on top of me, his fingers entering my body. I told him to stop, but he was strong," she said. "I was paralyzed, terrified. I couldnat speak, I could no longer move. He held me down and raped me."

Cohen -- who has played roles in series such as "Californication" and "The Middle" -- added the producer blamed her and suggested accusing Westwick would ruin her career.

The accusation is the latest in a string of allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood, which follow the publication of an expose on movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in early October.
By Laila Bassam and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon believes Saad al-Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia, from where he resigned as Lebanese prime minister, two top government officials in Beirut said, amid a deepening crisis pushing Lebanon onto the frontlines of a power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran. A third source, a senior politician close to Saudi-allied Hariri, said Saudi Arabia had ordered him to resign and put him under house arrest. A fourth source familiar with the situation said Saudi Arabia was controlling and limiting his movement. In a televised statement indicating deep concern at Hariri's situation, his Future Movement political party said his return home was necessary to uphold the Lebanese system, describing him as prime minister and a national leader. Hariri's resignation last Saturday, read out on television from Saudi Arabia, came as a shock even to his aides and further embroiled Beirut in a regional contest between Riyadh and Tehran. Hariri's exit fueled wide speculation that the Sunni Muslim politician, long an ally of Riyadh, was coerced into stepping down by Saudi Arabia as it seeks to hit back against Iran and its Lebanese Shi'ite ally, Hezbollah. In his resignation speech, Hariri denounced Iran and Hezbollah for sowing strife in Arab states and said he feared assassination. His father, a former prime minister, was killed by a bomb in 2005. Saudi Arabia has denied reports he is under house arrest. But Hariri has issued no statements himself to that effect, and has not denied that his movements are being restricted. RESTRICTED FREEDOM "Keeping Hariri with restricted freedom in Riyadh is an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. Our dignity is his dignity. We will work with (foreign) states to return him to Beirut," said the senior Lebanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the government had yet to declare that position. Saudi Arabia says Hariri resigned because Hezbollah, which was included in Hariri's coalition government, had "hijacked" Lebanon's political system. Hariri aides had until Thursday denied he was under house arrest but took a dramatically different tone after a meeting of the Future Movement convened at Hariri's Beirut residence on Thursday. A statement read by former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said his return was "necessary to recover respect for Lebanon's internal and external balance, and in the framework of full respect for Lebanese legitimacy". Hariri's aunt, Bahia, sat next to Siniora as he read the statement. The party stood behind his leadership, it said. Hariri came to office last year in a political deal that made the Hezbollah-allied Christian politician Michel Aoun head of state and produced a coalition government grouping most Lebanese parties including Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia blessed the government at the time, but has been fiercely critical of the Hariri-led government since he stepped down, saying it failed to act against Hezbollah, whose guerrilla army is far more powerful than the weak state. Saudi Arabia had wanted Hariri to take a tougher stance toward Hezbollah, and he failed to do so, the fourth source said. "He was functioning as if it is business as usual, so the Saudis had to accelerate the process and to force a resignation." Saudi Arabia this week lumped Lebanon together with Hezbollah as parties that are hostile to it, breaking with a long-established policy that has drawn a line between them and raising concerns of further Saudi measures. SAUDI ARRESTS Hariri flew to Saudi Arabia last Friday. The top Lebanese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Lebanon is heading toward asking foreign and Arab states to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to release Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri." The official said Hariri was still Lebanon's prime minister, echoing other Lebanese government officials who say his resignation had not been received by Aoun, and his government therefore remained in place. The resignation of Hariri, a business tycoon whose family made its fortune in Saudi Arabia, happened at the same time as a wave of arrests of Saudi princes and businessmen accused of corruption by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The senior Lebanese politician close to Hariri said: "When he went (to Saudi Arabia) he was asked to stay there and ordered to resign. They ordered him to read his resignation statement and he has been held under house arrest since." Two U.S. officials said the Saudis, led by Crown Prince Mohammed, had "encouraged" Hariri to leave office. The fourth source said: "He is under controlled movement by the Saudis, limited movement." Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc said Saudi Arabia must halt its interference in Lebanese affairs. He made a one-day flying visit to the United Arab Emirates, a close Saudi ally, earlier this week before returning to Saudi Arabia. Hariri's office said in a statement he had received the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia at his Riyadh residence on Thursday. He had also met the head of the EU mission to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, and on Tuesday the British ambassador and the U.S. charge d'affaires. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert confirmed U.S. Charge d'Affaires Chris Henzel met with Hariri. Asked about reports Hariri was being held in Saudi Arabia, Nauert declined to elaborate on his status or what was discussed, calling the talks "sensitive, private, diplomatic conversations." Nauert indicated the United States would not treat the Lebanese government any differently as a result of the uncertainty over Hariri. Saudi Arabia warned its citizens on Thursday against travel to Lebanon and said those already there should leave. It has issued similar advice about Lebanon to its citizens before. Lebanon's Maronite patriarch will visit Saudi Arabia next week and has received "a positive response" from Saudi officials over the possibility of seeing Hariri, his spokesman said. Patriarch Beshara al-Rai's visit "had been decided on a long time ago. In light of the developments, his mission has become national," Walid Ghayyad said. The patriarch will take a message to the kingdom that "Lebanon cannot handle conflict." (Additional reporting by Samia Nakhoul, Tom Perry, Ellen Francis, Sarah Dadouch and Lisa Barrington in Beirut and John Walcott in Washington; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Toby Chopra and Peter Cooney)
Beirut (AFP) - Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of prime minister Saad Hariri from Saudi Arabia, where he announced days ago his shock resignation.

"Today we demand the return to the nation of our Prime Minister Saad Hariri," tweeted Bassil.

The foreign minister is the son-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who has not yet accepted Hariri's resignation and is awaiting his return before taking any decision.

Hariri announced in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia on Saturday that he was stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life.

The shock announcement raised fears that Lebanon -- split into rival camps led by Hariri and the Iranian-backed movement Hezbollah -- could once again descend into violence.

It also raised questions about the fate of Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality, as it coincided with the announcement in Saudi Arabia of an anti-corruption purge in which dozens of princes, ministers and businessmen have been rounded up.

Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to Hezbollah, has suggested that Hariri was being held "hostage" in Saudi Arabia.

"We have no information (concerning Hariri). We just want him to return" home, Moustapha Allouch, a member of Hariri's Al-Moustaqbal (Future) party told AFP, commenting on that report.

The party itself issued a statement on Thursday saying Hariri's return was "necessary" and essential for "total respect of Lebanon's sovereignty".

On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri announced his resignation from Riyadh because it had been imposed by Saudi authorities, and wondered what would happen to the prime minister.

"Is he at home? Will they let him return? These are legitimate concerns," he said, referring to the anti-graft sweep in which Saudi Arabia now says 201 people were held.

As questions about Hariri's fate mounted, the resigned premier's media office on Thursday said he had met at his "Riyadh" home with the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia Francois Gouyette.

Two days earlier he had met in Riyadh with the US charge d'affaires and with the British ambassador Simon Collins.

On Tuesday, official media in the United Arab Emirates said Hariri visited Abu Dhabi where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
(SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico)  Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda made sandwiches, took selfies and announced a partnership with a nonprofit group for a $2.5 million hurricane recovery fund during a trip Tuesday to Puerto Rico.

Miranda said seven local groups already have received grants from the New York-based Hispanic Federation, which helps Latino agencies. The organization said it will award at least 25 grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 for reconstruction projects. A portion of a grant can be used for emergency relief efforts including food, water or shelter, officials said.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20 as a Category 4 storm, destroying homes and power lines and leaving tens of thousands of people without work. Nearly 40 of Puerto Ricos 78 municipalities are still without power and nearly 20 percent of the island remains without water.

The road to recovery in Puerto Rico is not a simple one nor is it one that relies solely on aid from the American government on the mainland, Miranda said. Together, we will cultivate, fund and execute practical and actionable solutions to kick-start and continue the islands road to recovery for years to come.

Miranda also is scheduled to meet with students on Wednesday at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras.
A polar bear and two cubs are seen on the Beaufort Sea coast within the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Reuters)

WASHINGTON  Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation Wednesday night that would open a portion of a pristine wildlife refuge in her state to oil and gas development, a move expected to bring in slightly more than $1 billion in federal revenue over the next decade.

The bill would open up part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), described by some as Americas Serengeti, which covers more than 19 million acres in northeastern Alaska. The region is home to polar bears, caribou, moose and hundreds of species of migratory birds. Its considered one of the states crown jewels.

In a statement, Murkowski called it a tremendous opportunity for the country.

The legislation ... will put Alaska and the entire nation on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and businesses, generating new wealth, and strengthening our security  while reducing the federal deficit not just by $1 billion over ten years, but tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars over the decades to come, she said.

Will put AK&nation on path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable & reducing deficit. https://t.co/0DTGH8mRHQ  Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) November 9, 2017

The bill comes just days after Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, held a hearing to discuss allowing oil and gas production in the refuges 1.5 million-acre coastal plain, also known as the 1002 Area. The Senate budget plan includes a provision that requires the committee to find $1 billion in additional revenue over the next decade to help pay for tax reform.

Murkowski said the Congressional Budget Office estimates the ANWR legislation would raise $1.092 billion over the next 10 years from the sale of leasing rights.

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The legislation requires just a simple 51-vote majority, rather than the 60 typically needed to avoid a filibuster, to pass in the Senate because it is part of Congress 2018 budget plan, which is being considered under special reconciliation provisions. Efforts by Democrats to bar such a bill from moving forward were voted down by almost every Senate Republican last month.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski's bill would open up an area of the Arctic wilderness to oil drilling in hopes of bringing in about $1 billion in federal revenue. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)

In 1980, with the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Congress expanded ANWR but opted not to give wilderness status to the 1002 Area, setting it aside for potential oil and gas development. Granting leases for that purpose, however, requires an act of Congress.

During last weeks hearing, Murkowski said Alaskans have waited decades for the right technologies to come along in order to ensure the environment would remain protected. And she swung back at accusations that she and other Alaska lawmakers are putting short-term economic gains over environmental protection

This is not a choice between energy and the environment, she said. We are past that.

As written, the bill would require Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to approve at least two lease sales  each no less than 400,000 acres  in the first 10 years. The first sale would be required within four years, with the second having to be finalized within seven years. The royalties from those sales would be split in half between the state of Alaska and the federal government.

The bill allows for 2,000 acres of the coastal plain to be developed with wells and support facilities.

Opening the refuge is also on the Trump administrations wish list. In May, Zinke signed an order to jump-start Alaskan energy production. He said at the time that the move was an important first step in a smart and measured approach to energy development in ANWR. Additionally, the administrations 2018 fiscal year budget calls for allowing oil and gas production in the coastal plain.

While Murkowski and the administration are confident about the economic benefits that would come from drilling in the refuge, their estimates have been highly disputed.

Adam Kolton, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, said in a statement Wednesday that nothing in this bill can magically make these fantastical revenue assumptions materialize.

What this bill would do is turn Americas last great wilderness into a lost wilderness, Kolton said. Senator Lisa Murkowski had promised some kind of new and improved directional drilling, but thats just a talking point. What we got was simply misdirection and deception. The fact is that the entire 1.5 million acres could be offered up in two massive lease sales.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the committees ranking minority member, was among many Democrats last week who blasted the idea of drilling in the unspoiled Arctic landscape. If you want to open up the Arctic refuge, you should just admit youre going to destroy the wildlife refuge, Cantwell said.

In 50 years whats going to matter most is whether weve preserved a place as unique as the #ArcticRefuge #ProtectTheArctic https://t.co/nd7J8qaI27  Sen. Maria Cantwell (@SenatorCantwell) November 9, 2017

Environmentalists have said moves to open up such a pristine part of the country to energy companies represent an assault on American conservation.

This is a really big deal, Niel Lawrence, Alaska director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, told The New York Times in September. This is a frontal attack in an ideological battle. The Arctic is the holy grail.

A committee hearing on Murkowskis bill is scheduled for Nov. 15.

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By Justyna Pawlak WARSAW (Reuters) - Lithuania said a growing rift between some eastern and western European Union states over issues such as migration posed a threat to the bloc at a time of increased Russian military assertiveness. Frictions between ex-communist states in Europe's East and the wealthier West have increased since the 2015 migration crisis and Britain's decision to leave the bloc, as leaders try to quell popular disenchantment with the EU. Nationalist politicians in Poland and Hungary have called for sweeping reform to bring more power back to member states at the expense of Brussels bureaucracy and refused to take part in efforts to relocate migrants from the Middle East. "I believe it's a worry," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Reuters on the sidelines of a security conference in Warsaw, when asked about Polish and Hungarian assertiveness within the EU. "We would like to see more cohesion," he said. "I know who is gaining. Those who are not happy with our cohesion," Linkevicius said, adding that he was referring to Russia. "We are taking it very seriously not to help those who would like to divide East and West." Lithuania, alongside Poland, has been particularly worried about Russia since Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. NATO has sought to reassure allies in the region by sending troops to the Baltics, Poland and the Black Sea, setting up a network of NATO outposts, holding more exercises and preparing a rapid response force. Some western officials have expressed concern that parts of the Baltic states, which have large ethnic Russian minorities, could be seized by Moscow, much as Russia took control of Crimea. Linkevicius said good relations with EU powerhouses Germany and France within the EU were crucial because of their ability to help militarily. Poland, in particular, has seen ties with Paris and Berlin deteriorate since 2015, when the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party took power, over issues such as military procurement, wartime reparations and the EU's single market rules. (Reporting by Justyna Pawlak; editing by Ralph Boulton)
A law enforcement officer helps a man change a flag to half-staff near the scene of a shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs to honor victims, Nov. 6, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. (Photo: Eric Gay/AP)

Just two days after the horrific mass murder in a Texas church Sunday, Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., introduced legislation to close the background check loophole exploited by the Sutherland Springs, Texas, shooter.

Their bill, the bipartisan Domestic Violence Loophole Closure Act, is intended to ensure that any individual convicted of domestic violence  whether it is in criminal or military court  cannot legally purchase a firearm, the two senators said. It immediately received praise from the pro-gun-control group Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety, which pointed to its own analysis of FBI data and media reports from every mass shooting between January 2009 and December 2016, finding that 54 percent of mass shootings are related to domestic violence or family abuse.

The link between domestic abuse and gun violence has been well documented, and long before Devin P. Kelley opened fire on a small Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, killing at least 26 people and injuring several more, federal restrictions were already in place to ensure that convicted perpetrators of domestic violence do not have access to guns. But in this case, they didnt work.

The federal Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, better known as the Lautenberg Amendment, grew out of efforts to strengthen the Gun Control Act of 1968 by expanding the governments tools to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which became law in 1993, generally banned convicted felons from owning firearms.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., listens as Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice, Oct. 18, 2017. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)

In 1994, Congress passed an amendment to the Gun Control Act prohibiting anyone subject to a restraining order from obtaining a firearm. But once the order was lifted or expired, the ban on gun ownership was lifted as well. That loophole prompted Lautenberg in 1996 to propose a broader amendment, which sought to ban anyone whod ever been convicted of a domestic violence offense, even a misdemeanor, from buying or owning a gun.

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The act was opposed by the National Rifle Association, which argued, according to an article in the Associated Press at the time, that the proposal denies the constitutional rights of those convicted of misdemeanors. The organization said legislators should make domestic abuse a felony if they really want to stop violence.

But Lautenberg and his allies objected that in most states, domestic violence cases are either charged as a misdemeanor or reduced to one in a plea agreement. Years later, Lautenberg, who died in 2013, would tout the law as plain and simple: If you are convicted of assaulting your wife or beating your child, we are not going to allow you to arm yourself with a gun.

Lautenbergs amendment passed with near-unanimous support and was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1997. It wasnt until after its passage, though, that it began to really draw scrutiny  particularly from the military and law enforcement communities.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., center, leads a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 24, 2012, to criticize the sale of high-capacity magazines for assault rifles that are sold to the public. He is joined by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., left, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Prior to Lautenberg, federal gun laws exempted police officers and military personnel  even those with felony convictions  under the public interest exemption. Lautenberg, however, included no such exemption, creating what Alison J. Nathan, now a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of New York, described as a felon-misdemeanant anomaly.

Nathan wrote in the Cornell Law Review in March 2000 that police and military personnel with felony convictions of any kind are permitted, via the public interest exception, to possess weapons, while under the Lautenberg Amendment those with domestic violence misdemeanor convictions are not. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., with the backing of the National Association of Police Organizations and the Fraternal Order of Police, proposed a bill to add a public interest exemption to the Lautenberg Amendment. The bill failed, but in succeeding years, law enforcement organizations and individual officers mounted a series of legal challenges to Lautenberg.

Police and military members argue that the gun control provisions should exclude them because enforcement will result in the firing or dismissal of a substantial number of officers and soldiers, Nathan wrote in 2000. However, according to advocates of the Lautenberg Amendment, this argument merely suggests that a large number of police and military are committing acts of domestic violence.

In case after case, federal judges ruled that the amendment does not violate police officers constitutional rights to equal protection under the law, nor does it infringe upon their Second Amendment right to bear arms. Challenges to the Lautenberg Amendment have also come from outside the law enforcement world. In 2016, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the amendment in a case brought by two civilian men from Maine, who argued that they should not be prohibited from owning guns because of misdemeanor convictions for acts of domestic violence theyd committed recklessly, or in the heat of the moment, rather than intentionally. The court ruled that reckless or not, all assaults resulting in a domestic violence misdemeanor are subject to the federal Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban.

A memorial is seen at the site of the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, Nov. 7, 2017. (Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Reuters)

And yet, after withstanding all these challenges over two decades, the Lautenberg Amendment failed to prevent Kelley  who had a court-martial conviction for assaulting his then-wife and infant stepson while he was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico  from obtaining at least two assault rifles and perpetrating one of the worst mass shootings in modern history.

The Air Force has admitted that it failed to properly report Kelleys 2012 conviction. But Flake and Heinrich argue that Kelleys ability to pass more than one background check in order to purchase guns as recently as this year is indicative of a troubling loophole in the system: the military, unlike civilian courts, doesnt recognize domestic abuse as a separate category of crime.

Currently, the Uniform Code of Military Justice does not have a specific charge of domestic violence, instead charging such cases as general assault, read a statement released by Flake and Heinrich Tuesday. This can complicate the enforcement of the domestic-violence ban on gun purchases, as happened with the shooter responsible for the deaths of 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas, this week, whose crime of domestic violence did not disqualify him from purchasing a firearm.

The statement went on to highlight part of the most up-to-date records index from the FBIs Criminal Justice Information Services Divisions National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), stating, Despite the Lautenberg amendments intentions, since the NICS database was modernized in 2007, only one case of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction has been reported by the U.S. Department of Defense (PDF).

Graphic: Yahoo News, AP

The Flake-Heinrich proposal has already received some initial pushback from conservatives who argue that it was simply the Air Forces error, not a major loophole, that allowed Kelley to slip through the cracks.

But Gary Barthel, a retired U.S. Marine and attorney at the Military Law Center in San Diego whos written about the implications of the Lautenberg Amendment on members of the military, told Yahoo News that he thinks adding a specific category for domestic violence to Article 128 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which broadly covers assault, is a good idea.

Not only would such a categorization accurately label the type of assault the individual was convicted of, but, Barthel said, it would promote more accurate reporting and would ensure the requirements of the Lautenberg Amendment are met.

Of course, he added, the reporting requirements and the enforcement of the Lautenberg Amendment are only effective if someone actually makes the required report.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The White House has condemned a missile attack by Yemen's Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia and said Iran "enabled" the attacks which had threatened stability in the Middle East."Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, enabled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, threaten regional security and undermine UN efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict," it said in a statement, reported by Reuters Wednesday morning. The statement comes after Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind a ballistic missile attack on Saturday carried out by Houthi rebels in Yemen . Iran has been accused of backing the militias and supplying missiles, but Iran's UN Ambassador Gholamali Khoshrou described the allegations as "unfounded," according to the Tasnim News Agency . Saudi Arabia said the missile on Saturday was intercepted as it headed towards the Saudi capital Riyadh.The ongoing civil war in Yemen is akin to a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran and their competing ideologies of Sunni and Shia Islam, respectively. While Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia backs the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, its rival Iran backs the pro-Shia Houthi movement that is loyal to the country's former president Ali Abdulla Saleh. Saudi Arabia said it viewed the missile attack as an "act of war" by Iran, increasing the possibility of a military clash between the two regional rivals.Allies and enemies The White House's comment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump gave his backing to Saudi Arabia and called on the Kingdom and its allies to isolate Iran and counteract its influence in the Middle East. It also comes amid action from Saudi Arabia's royal leadership to reform the country and crack down on corruption , actions that have been praised by Trump . Timothy Ash, a strategist at BlueBay asset management, said in a note Wednesday that for the Trump administration "the threat from Iran remains and is rising" and that it was likely to ally itself more with Saudi Arabia."The U.S. needs to return to old, tried and tested relationships, with Israel and Saudi Arabia being cornerstone U.S. allies in the region," he said.Ash believed Saudi Arabia's reform plan was "meant to make U.S. re-engagement with Saudi Arabia easier as (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) is offering a reform vision for Saudi Arabia and a reform vision for Islam, to counter the risks of religious extremism."The ramping up of bellicose rhetoric from Saudi Arabia has prompted concerns that a military conflict with Iran could be on the horizon, although not all analysts share that view."Saudi Arabia is not going to be entering into any hypothetical war while it is purging senior members of its own military nor while it seeks to carry out its Vision 2030 (economic reform) strategy," James Pothecary, a political analyst at global risk consultancy Allan & Associates, said in a note Wednesday."Likewise Iran, reintegrating into aspects of the world economy, will make no such move. This kind of rhetorical saber-rattling occurs regularly  just this May, Iran's defense minister threatened to leave 'only Mecca and Medina' untouched. A distinction must be made between rhetoric aimed at appeasing domestic populations and genuine intention to launch large scale military operations," he said. The White House has condemned a missile attack by Yemen's Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia and said Iran "enabled" the attacks which had threatened stability in the Middle East. "Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, enabled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, threaten regional security and undermine UN efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict," it said in a statement, reported by Reuters Wednesday morning. The statement comes after Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind a ballistic missile attack on Saturday carried out by Houthi rebels in Yemen . Iran has been accused of backing the militias and supplying missiles, but Iran's UN Ambassador Gholamali Khoshrou described the allegations as "unfounded," according to the Tasnim News Agency . Saudi Arabia said the missile on Saturday was intercepted as it headed towards the Saudi capital Riyadh. The ongoing civil war in Yemen is akin to a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran and their competing ideologies of Sunni and Shia Islam, respectively. While Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia backs the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, its rival Iran backs the pro-Shia Houthi movement that is loyal to the country's former president Ali Abdulla Saleh. Saudi Arabia said it viewed the missile attack as an "act of war" by Iran, increasing the possibility of a military clash between the two regional rivals. Allies and enemies The White House's comment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump gave his backing to Saudi Arabia and called on the Kingdom and its allies to isolate Iran and counteract its influence in the Middle East. It also comes amid action from Saudi Arabia's royal leadership to reform the country and crack down on corruption , actions that have been praised by Trump . Timothy Ash, a strategist at BlueBay asset management, said in a note Wednesday that for the Trump administration "the threat from Iran remains and is rising" and that it was likely to ally itself more with Saudi Arabia. "The U.S. needs to return to old, tried and tested relationships, with Israel and Saudi Arabia being cornerstone U.S. allies in the region," he said. Ash believed Saudi Arabia's reform plan was "meant to make U.S. re-engagement with Saudi Arabia easier as (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) is offering a reform vision for Saudi Arabia and a reform vision for Islam, to counter the risks of religious extremism." The ramping up of bellicose rhetoric from Saudi Arabia has prompted concerns that a military conflict with Iran could be on the horizon, although not all analysts share that view. "Saudi Arabia is not going to be entering into any hypothetical war while it is purging senior members of its own military nor while it seeks to carry out its Vision 2030 (economic reform) strategy," James Pothecary, a political analyst at global risk consultancy Allan & Associates, said in a note Wednesday. "Likewise Iran, reintegrating into aspects of the world economy, will make no such move. This kind of rhetorical saber-rattling occurs regularly  just this May, Iran's defense minister threatened to leave 'only Mecca and Medina' untouched. A distinction must be made between rhetoric aimed at appeasing domestic populations and genuine intention to launch large scale military operations," he said.



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It was a good night to be a Democrat, as the party's candidates won a slate of closely watched races stretching from Virginia to Washington state on Tuesday. At the gubernatorial level, Democrat Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie in a hotly contested race in Virginia , which many analysts viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump . The victory was "a backlash to Trump and Trumpism, pure and simple," wrote Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. Larry Sabato tweet: Dear Pundit Friends, please stop attributing this D landslide in VA to "changing demographics". VA hasn't changed that much since last Nov. 8 (Hillary by 5%). The bigger explanation is a backlash to Trump and Trumpism, pure and simple. # VAGov In New Jersey , Democrat Phil Murphy won a gubernatorial race against Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who struggled to get out from under the shadow of the deeply unpopular outgoing governor, Republican Chris Christie. Moving down the ballot, Democrats in Virginia also won competitive races for lieutenant governor and attorney general. In January of 2018, Democrat Justin Fairfax will be sworn in as lieutenant governor, making him the first African American elected to statewide office in Virginia since 1989. And the state's attorney general, Democrat Mark Herring, was reelected after a bitter campaign. In Virginia's legislature, Democrats flipped at least 10 seats in the Republican controlled House of Delegates, and it was still unclear late Tuesday night which party would control the chamber, which has been under a Republican majority since 1999. Razor thin margins in at least five races Tuesday made it likely that provisional and absentee ballots would need to be counted, potentially delaying results. The party's victories in Virginia energized Democrats across the country, as Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe (D) told The Washington Post. "This, what a sparkplug," he said. "This is the revitalization of the Democratic Party in America. This isn't just about Virginia tonight." In Washington state, control of the state senate also went to Democrats, when Manka Dhingra won a special election, giving the party a one-seat majority, and putting the state government fully under the control of Democrats, who hold the governorship and the majority in Washington's House of Representatives. Mayoral races, too, produced a swath of Democratic victories, most notably in New York City , where mayor Bill de Blasio cruised to victory over Republican Nicole Malliotakis. Voters in Charlotte, N.C. elected the city's first African American female mayor, Democrat Vi Lyles. In Hoboken, N.J., City Councilman Ravi Bhalla (D) beat five other candidates to become the city's first Sikh mayor, according to The Associated Press. Democrats attributed much of their success Tuesday to an energized party base that is deeply opposed to Trump's policies and his rhetoric. Former Vice President Joe Biden captured what many in the party were feeling: Joe Biden tweet: "A resounding defeat tonight for President Trump. Voters around the country rejected the ugly politics we have seen this past year. Instead, they chose candidates who unite and inspire us." WATCH: Eric Cantor: Virginia's GOP has 'bigger problems' following election loss



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Times are tough for Idahos working people. Our wealth and wages are among the lowest in the nation. Our schools do not have the resources they need to help our children succeed. And tens of thousands of our friends and neighbors do not have access to basic health care. While my colleagues and I fight every day to change that state of affairs  to bring opportunity to all Idahoans  the threat of dark money from corrupting special interests casts a shadow over the progress we want for Idaho. Its time we shine some light into those shadows.

Democratic state lawmakers have been pushing campaign and ethics reform for the better part of a decade. Ive introduced or co-sponsored several bills myself to make sure everyone qualified to do so can register to vote and has ample time to cast their ballots. I represent four rural counties in my legislative district  Gooding, Lincoln, Camas and Blaine  so I know my constituents often have to travel long distances to their polling places. Furthermore, you should have confidence that the people you are voting for are not bought and paid for by special interests and dark money. I bring those principles to the Campaign Finance Reform Legislative Work Group which continues its efforts to reform Idahos moribund campaign finance laws.

Given the values I try to bring to the committee, you can imagine my shock when  at our very first meeting this summer  Idahos Secretary of State Lawerence Denney said, If some company wants to buy a legislator, from my point of view, thats all right as long as I know whos paying for that. I was surprised to hear this coming from our states top election official  a man charged with making sure your elections are fair and above board. I was equally dismayed when it was suggested at our last meeting to eliminate the limits on campaign contributions to candidates. My colleague, Rep. Mat Erpelding, posed the obvious question to the committee: If there are no limits, then what is there to investigate? The suggestion to eliminate contribution limits was quickly voted down.

Despite these fits and starts, I believe the committee is making real headway in reforming our state campaign finance laws. Consensus is building around the idea of transparency by shining light on who donates to political campaigns  the opposite of dark money. Members of the bipartisan committee are pushing for online reporting standards that will make it easier for candidates to disclose contributions and expenditures and  more importantly  easier for you to see where candidates money is coming from and how theyre spending it. I am also pushing for tougher penalties for those caught violating campaign finance laws. Right now, the fine is as low as $250. With penalties that skimpy, breaking Idahos campaign finance laws is almost part of the cost of doing business. Not only do we need to modernize our campaign finance laws, we must ensure those who violate them are held accountable in a meaningful way.

At the same time, I know the challenges that rural candidates have that our urban counterparts do not. Whether they are running for state or local office, rural candidates spend a lot of time in their vehicles traveling from town to town and even house to house. In the city you can travel a couple of miles and meet with dozens of voters. In our legislative district it can be just the opposite  you can travel dozens of miles just to meet a couple of voters. While I will continue to fight for more transparency when it comes to campaign contributions and expenditures, I think it is important the committee consider the plight of rural districts when it comes to implementing and enforcing any new campaign finance laws. Idaho has the slowest internet speeds in the country. Many of the small towns and counties in my district are not equipped to handle fundamental changes to our reporting rules as quickly as urban districts. All candidates and the people who enforce our campaign laws should be held to the same standard. However, I will continue to urge the committee to take into account the challenges rural districts face when building the infrastructure for any new campaign finance system. We can bring reform while being fair at the same time.

The committee meets later this month  perhaps for our last time before the 2018 legislative session. We hope to have recommendations and even draft legislation before the year is out. While my colleagues and I in the state Senate will be pushing bills to bring more prosperity to all Idahoans, I also will support legislation that brings more transparency to our campaign process. Money should not  and cannot  be allowed to influence good policy. As elected lawmakers, our guide should be working for a better  and brighter  Idaho for everyone.
By Sylvia Westall and Stephen Kalin DUBAI/RIYADH (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Thursday for hastily scheduled talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, notably over Lebanon and Yemen. Macron, who flew in from a visit to the United Arab Emirates, had earlier declined to discuss a wave of high-level arrests for corruption in Saudi Arabia, but said it was vital to work with the kingdom for the stability of the region. He told a news conference in Dubai that the decision to go to Riyadh had been made on Thursday morning, and that his first face-to-face talks with the prince would focus on "regional questions, in particular Yemen and Lebanon". Two top Lebanese government officials said on Thursday that Riyadh was holding Lebanon's Saad al-Hariri captive and a third told Reuters that the Saudi authorities had ordered Hariri to resign while he was in Riyadh last weekend, and put him under house arrest. Saudi Arabia has denied that he is under house arrest, but Hariri himself has not denied that his movements are being restricted. France has close ties with Lebanon, a former colony, and with Hariri, who has a home in France after spending several years in the country. Macron said there had been informal contacts with Hariri, but no request to transfer him to France. Two French diplomats also said they were unaware of any plans to bring Hariri to France. Macron said he would "emphasize the importance of Lebanese stability and integrity" in his talks in Riyadh, adding: "My wish is that all Lebanese political officials live freely in Lebanon ... which means having a very demanding stance on those who could threaten any leader." Television pictures showed a smiling Macron being met at Riyadh airport by the crown prince. In recent years, France has been able to nurture new links with the Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab states due to its tough stance on Iran in nuclear negotiations, and the broad similarity of their policies on conflicts across the Middle East. However, the 32-year-old crown prince has emphasized closer ties with U.S. President Donald Trump at a time when Macron has in turn sought to improve relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite rival for regional influence. "STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT IRAN" In Yemen, the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthi movement said on Monday it had closed all air, land and sea ports to stem the flow of arms to the Houthis from Iran. The United Nations said the move risked causing "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims". Macron said he would insist to Prince Mohammed that Riyadh must open the borders to allow humanitarian access. On Iran, Macron repeated that he wanted to keep the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, which U.S. President Donald Trump has challenged. But he said he was "very concerned" by Iran's ballistic missile program, mentioning a missile fired from Yemen and intercepted by Saudi Arabia on Saturday, and raised the prospect of possible sanctions with regard to those activities. "There are extremely strong concerns about Iran. There are negotiations we need to start on Iran's ballistic missiles," he said. "Like what was done in 2015 for the nuclear activities, it's necessary to put a framework in place for Iran's ballistic activities and open a process, with sanctions if needed, of negotiation that would enable (that)." Iran has denied providing ballistic missiles to Yemeni Houthi rebels and says its missile program is purely defensive and should not be linked to the nuclear deal. Macron reaffirmed his intention to go to Iran as part of efforts to talk to all the actors in the region, but warned about decisions that could destabilize the region further. "Iran is a regional power ... there should be no naivety in terms of Iran, it is about standing beside our allies, in particular the United Arab Emirates, but it is about not having any policy that could create imbalances, conflicts in the region." (Additional reporting and writing by John Irish; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Can the Marburg virus kill you? 5 reasons why its one of the deadliest illnesses in the world

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement yesterday confirming that the Marburg virus has claimed three lives in the Kween District of Eastern Uganda. Marburg is an extremely rare and contagious virus, and is similar in symptoms and deadliness to Ebola.

The current outbreak of Marburg has a fatality rate of 100%, considering that all three reported cases (within the same family) have resulted in death. In an effort to contain it from spreading, health workers are currently tracking the virus.

Based on past outbreaks of Marburg (such as the 1967 Marburg, Germany episode that prompted the viruss name), the fatality rate usually ranges between 23-90%. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for Marburg and coupled with its contagiousness, the virus can cause an epidemic if left to spread beyond initial outbreak areas.

A Marburg outbreak in a single district of Uganda is global news because of the viruss deadliness. Although outbreaks are rare and the virus has claimed less than 10 lives in the past 10 years, Marburg has the potential to spread quickly and become a worldwide pandemic.

Below, weve listed reasons why Marburg can be considered one of the deadliest illnesses in the world, and have also noted whats being done to stop its progression.

1. The virus acts quickly when introduced into the blood stream.

According to WHO, Marburg takes anywhere from two to 21 days to show symptoms. Those infected will begin to exhibit high fevers, intense headaches, muscle pains, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Patients faces begin to look gaunt, and ghost-like, as WHO describes, as they show little expression and act lethargic.

Image of health workers

Those in more advanced stages of the illness will begin to experience hemorrhaging from locations like the gums, nose, or, for women, vagina. They will also become confused or irritated due to the high fever. In fatal cases, death occurs about eight days after symptoms begin to show.

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2. Its extremely contagious.

The virus was initially transmitted to humans by infected fruit bats and/or monkeys, like in the original 1967 outbreak when lab workers were infected by African green monkeys imported from Uganda. However, human-to-human transmission can be the most deadly. Humans can spread the disease through contact with infected blood, secretions, mucus, skin, and even by touching surfaces or materials that an infected person has touched.

3 people in Uganda died from the Marburg virus. What's that? https://t.co/V4plCCrsa9 pic.twitter.com/UXEVaeIcJt  TIME (@TIME) November 8, 2017

Ugandan burial ceremonies often include touching dead bodies, which is one of the biggest threats when it comes to the Marburg virus spreading.

3. The virus can stick around in those who have recovered from past Marburg infections.

Some cases show that women who became infected with Marburg while pregnant had traces of Marburg left in their placenta, amniotic fluid, and fetus. Similarly, women who were infected while breastfeeding may still have traces of the virus in their breastmilk after recovery.

The Marburg virus may also persist in the testicles and inside the eye of previously infected patients.

WHO states that relapse-symptomatic illness in the absence of re-infection in someone who has recovered from MVD is a rare event, but has been documented.

4. It can be hard to diagnose patients infected with Marburg.

Because the symptoms of the Marburg virus are so similar to those of malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, meningitis, and other viral haemorrhagic fevers, WHO states that diagnosis can be delayed, thereby increasing dissemination time.

A series of tests must be run on a patient thought to be infected, and the samples taken to run these tests are considered biohazard material. Special precautions must be taken to run the tests and transport the samples.

5. The virus can spread to domesticated animals.

WHO reports that experiments have shown pigs are susceptible to filovirus infections (including Ebola and Marburg) via fruit bats and said pigs can spread the infection. Because of this, farmers could easily contract the virus from their animals and, as a result, precautionary measures must be taken during outbreaks to contain the virus.

As of right now, health workers are doing their best to track the current outbreak. They are working closely with Ugandan and Kenyan locals to educate them on how to stay safe.
npr

If theres one abiding passion in Chance The Rappers life, its his efforts to make sure that the children of Chicago receive a proper education through the citys public school system. Hes done more than just talk about this issue. Time and again, Chance has reached into his own wallet, putting up $1,000,000 of his own money, while raising millions more through outside sources.

Today, he showed up to a city council meeting to speak to some of Chicagos leaders about the importance of funding education. Well, he tried to talk to some of the citys leaders anyway. Chicagos mayor, Rahm Emanuel walked out on Chance before he even had the opportunity to open his mouth.

Specifically, Chance was on-hand to oppose Emanuels efforts to invest $95 million into a brand new police academy for the city, citing the huge gap in education funding. I guess the mayor had to step out, but its cool, its cool because Im here to talk to you guys right now, he said near the top of his speech. Its a very simple thing you guys have to do, we should understand financially that this proposed plan doesnt make sense. We dont have $95 millionthere are a lot of different services that need to be funded.

You can watch Chances full remarks in the video above.
Melania Trump made a bold fashion statement as she arrived in South Korea Tuesday wearing a deep plum coat with enormous sleeves.

Read: Barron Trump's Fashion Turns Heads as First Family Visits Camp David

The shoulders had a large pleat and the back was equally sculptural.

It was designed by Jesus Del Pozo and it was specially ordered from Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. The coat retails for $4,100.

The coat is tea-length and Mrs. Trump wore contrasting, vivid purple Christian Louboutin pumps.

"First ladies are supposed to represent our country  they have to look their best," Fashion expert Katrina Szish told Inside Edition. "Sometimes paying the price for fashion is a way to do that."

For the state dinner, she was stunning in a sheer lace dress with appliques.

The first lady's been a fashion plate since she and the president landed in Asia over the weekend.

Read: Ivanka and Melania Trump Raise Eyebrows With Fashion Choices at Congressional Speech

She wore a Fendi coat in Japan and a midnight blue Dior dress. She was the lady in red for the state dinner in a Valentino frock, which cost $4,900.

"What I love about Melania's wardrobe choices is that they are appropriate for the occasion," Szish told Inside Edition.

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Melania Trump is flawless in floral!

The first lady has stepped out in one stunning outfit after another during her 5-day tour of Asia alongside President Trump, but it was her custom Dolce & Gabbana gown (which is thought to have cost at least $3,975) that has stood out from the pricey pack of designer ensembles.

The 47-year-old arrived at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning wearing the custom black look that featured intricate pink floral designs, a little detail that is perhaps a nod to her hosts' cultural heritage. She kept her long brunette tresses in a blown out style despite opting for intricate updos for most her time in Asia.

Just a couple of hours later, Melania risked ruining her designer gown as she tried her hand at the art of calligraphy with her Chinese counterpart Madame Peng Liyuan at Banchang Primary School. The two first ladies were photographed smiling and clapping as a huge group of young schoolchildren surrounded them.

RELATED: Melania Trump's outfits as FLOTUS:



It's safe to say that Melania has bolstered her reputation as one of the most stylish first ladies in American history with her stunning sartorial show during her tour of Asia. Her arsenal of looks included pieces from high-profile designers like Fendi, Dior and J. Mendel.

Melania will end her time in Asia on Thursday, making one last appearance at a state dinner, complete with a cultural performance, later this evening.

For all the looks Melania has worn during her time in Asia, click through the slideshow above.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinas first lady, Peng Liyuan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP)

Melania Trump played the sartorial diplomacy game at a state dinner in Beijing on Thursday. The first lady attended the event at the Great Hall of the People wearing a satin floor-length gown in a traditional cheongsam silhouette.

From Alessandro Micheles fall 2016 Gucci ready-to-wear collection, the black piece features pink and green floral embroidery as well as other figures throughout the nature-inspired motif. For some extra flair, the dress has magenta mink cuffs as well as a high leg slit.

President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan, arrives for a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People on Nov. 9, in Beijing. Trump is on a five-country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. (Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

She paired the dress, the same design Margot Robbie wore at the Legend of Tarzan premiere in June 2016, with a pair of bubble=gum-pink Manolo Blahnik heels.

First lady Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinas president, Xi Jinping, arrive at a state dinner in honor of President Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9. (Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

The origins of the cheongsam, also known as a qipao or a mandarin dress, trace back to the 17th century, but the modern version originated in the 1920s and is formfitting.

Trumps fellow first lady, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinas President Xi Jinping, opted for something similar with her black sheer topper embroidered with poppies overlaying a deep red satin dress.

First lady Melania Trump attends a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9. (Photo: Reuters/Damir Sagolj)

First lady Melania Trump and Chinas first lady, Peng Liyuan, are escorted by a student after a cultural performance during a visit to the Banchang Primary School in Beijing on Nov. 9. (Photo: Greg Baker/Pool photo via AP)

First lady Melania Trump and Chinas first lady, Peng Liyuan, are surrounded by students after a cultural performance during a visit to Banchang Primary School in Beijing on Nov. 9. (Photo: Reuters/Greg Baker/Pool)

Earlier in the day, the pair visited the Banchang Primary School after being greeted at a welcoming ceremony. FLOTUS opted for a black Dolce & Gabbana gown with light pink floral lace applique. The piece was custom made for her (alterations included adding sleeves and a longer hemline), but a similar version retails for $2,475.

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Washington (AFP) - The US state of Texas on Wednesday executed a Mexican convicted of murdering his teen cousin, sparking condemnation from President Enrique Pena Nieto and adding to tensions between the two countries.

Ruben Cardenas Ramirez, 47, received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 10:26 pm (04:26 GMT Thursday) despite last-minute intervention by his lawyers and concerns raised by the United Nations.

"I will not and cannot apologize for someone else's crime, but, I will be back for justice!" Ramirez said in a written final statement.

He was found guilty of the 1997 kidnap, rape and murder of a 16-year-old cousin, Mayra Laguna.

In his statement, he thanked "every government official" who tried to assist him.

The Mexican president expressed his "strongest condemnation" of the execution on Twitter, saying it violated a ruling by the International Court of Justice.

Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2005 and had asked the United States not to carry out the execution.

The case came alongside tensions over President Donald Trump's plan to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it as part of his administration's broader efforts to restrict the flow of immigrants and refugees.

Trump has also threatened to scrap a free trade pact between the US, Mexico and Canada if renegotiation doesn't work.

One of Ramirez's lawyers, Greg Kuykendall, had filed in vain a series of last-minute appeals, including to the US Supreme Court, in hopes of a stay of execution.

Mexican officials insist that Cardenas was not promptly given access to an attorney or the consular assistance that is allowed under the 1963 Vienna Convention.

- US breached 'human rights' -

"For the government of Mexico this is not an issue about culpability or innocence, but about respect for human rights and due process," said Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, the Mexican consul general in the Texas capital Austin.

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Since the start of the case Cardenas "was denied the right to due process of law, as he was not granted prompt access to consular assistance," he wrote in an opinion piece in the Austin-American Statesman newspaper.

UN human rights experts had also urged the US government not to carry out the execution.

"The US government will have implemented a death penalty without complying with international human rights standards," wrote Agnes Callamard and Elina Steinerte, two UN human rights experts.

"(Cardenas) did not have access to a lawyer for the first 11 days of his detention," they said. "Some of the statements he made during this period were relied on by prosecutors during the trial."

Neither was Cardenas informed of his right to seek consular assistance, the experts said.

In 2004 the UN's International Court of Justice found that the United States had "breached its obligations under international law by not notifying Mexican authorities about the arrest of 51 of its nationals," including Cardenas, "thus denying them the right to consular assistance from their government."

Washington at the time rejected the court's ruling.

For the family of Laguna, the murdered high school sophomore, the execution of Ramirez brought "true peace," her sister said in a statement.

Fifty-four Mexican nationals have been condemned to death in the United States and another 75 are being prosecuted for crimes that could result in a death sentence.

Also on Wednesday in Florida, Patrick Hannon was put to death for a double homicide in 1991.
The Florida Christian School sells ballistic panels for bags to protect children against mass shootings (Google)

A school in the United States has started selling bulletproof panels for backpacks so students can be better protected in case of a mass shooting.

The Florida Christian School in Miami has put up the 90 panels on their website in order to give pupils another level of protection in the event of an active shooter.

The news of the panels comes just days after gunman Devin Kelley killed 26 people at the First Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas.

George Gulla, head of security at the school, described the panels as a tool.

He told the Miami Herald: Id rather be prepared for the worst than be stuck after saying Wow, I wish we wouldve done that.

Parents can buy the 90 panels from the school website (Grab)

We thought, yeah, lets offer it to anyone who wants it. Its not required. But it gives you extra peace of mind.

He added: Its out of the norm, but what is the norm?

The school encourages children to wear their backpacks on their chest for maximum protection.

MORE: Teenager, 19, convicted of trying to import explosive from dark web  that police replaced with dummy device

MORE: Brexit pledge of 350m for the health service must be honoured, says NHS chief

Parent Alex Cejas, who runs a body armour company, began putting the panels in his childrens backpacks when they started school.

He argued: While books and stuff in your backpack may stop a bullet, theyre not designed to. I wouldnt bet my life on it.

The private school also has security guards patrolling the gates to ensure student safety.
Devin Patrick Kelley shouldnt have been able to buy the gun he used to kill 26 people and wound at least 20 others at a Texas church on Sunday.

The U.S. Air Force, of which Kelley was a member for four years before receiving a bad-conduct discharge in 2014 for assaulting his wife and infant stepson, admitted as much on Monday. The military branch acknowledged it failed to report Kelleys domestic violence conviction to a federal database used for background checks on gun sales.

This glaring breakdown allowed Kelley to pass multiple background checks and purchase firearms  even though, under federal law, he couldnt legally own them.

Now, four days after the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history, it remains unclear exactly how Kelley fell through the cracks.

Requests for comment from the Air Force, Department of Defense, FBI and Department of Justice failed to provide much clarity about whether the military is routinely submitting domestic violence records to the background check system, as they are required to do under federal law.

As a result, its unclear whether Kelleys case was an anomaly, or if there are potentially hundreds or thousands of other convicted domestic abusers whose records were not entered into the background check system by the military.

The responses HuffPost received  or did not receive  as well as a review of military procedural documents, lay bare a lack of cohesion in protocol across federal agencies and a bureaucracy that may be preventing the federal background check system, known as the National Instant Background Check System, or NICS, from performing effectively.

What Should Have Happened

Under federal law, certain categories of people are prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms. A full list is here.

It includes people with domestic violence convictions. In 1996, Congress passed the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, which bars individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from owning or purchasing firearms.

Story continues

States and federal agencies are expected to report relevant convictions to the FBI, which operates the federal background check system. When a person tries to purchase a gun from a licensed dealer, their name is run through the National Instant Background Check System, which checks records in three databases  the Interstate Identification Index, the National Crime Information Center, and the NICS indices  to determine if they are disqualified from accessing firearms.

Applicants with a domestic violence conviction should be rejected. This happens all the time: From 2006 to 2015, an estimated 89,000 individuals with domestic violence records were stopped from purchasing a gun because of background checks.

But it didnt happen with Kelley.

After he was court-martialed in 2012 for assaulting his spouse and cracking his stepsons skull, his conviction should have been entered into the background check system by someone at the Air Force. It wasnt.

Its unclear what protocol the Air Force failed to follow  or even if there is one.

Devin Kelley Patrick killed 26 people when he stormed First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday and opened fire. (Photo: HuffPost/Reuters/Getty)

What Actually Happened

The Air Force said in a press release Monday that Kelleys domestic violence conviction should have been entered in the National Crime Information Center, one of the databases searched by NICS.

The statement said inspectors general for the Air Force and the Department of Defense would conduct a complete review to understand what happened, and to ensure that records in other cases have been reported correctly.

Based on comments from Air Force representatives on Tuesday, the review is needed. Email correspondence with these representatives suggested there isnt a clear understanding of Air Force protocol for reporting domestic violence convictions or how it may have broken down in Kelleys case.

An Air Force spokesperson said it wasnt clear which database the service should enter domestic violence convictions into. Another Air Force spokesperson, as well as a Defense Department spokesperson, referred HuffPost to a Department of Defense instruction from July 2010 that governs the militarys process for reporting domestic violence convictions. But the 13-page directive fails to mention domestic violence or the Lautenberg Amendment.

Department of Defense Instruction (July 9, 2010) by Hayley Miller on Scribd

This likely is because there is no defined domestic violence charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In domestic violence cases, abusers are charged with other crimes, such as assault.

The Department of Defense still recognizes these crimes as domestic violence. Another instruction notes that any crime involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or threatened use of a deadly weapon, is to be considered domestic violence for the purposes of the Lautenberg Amendment if it is committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent or guardian of the victims.

Rachel E. VanLandingham, a national security law expert and former Air Force judge advocate, described the omission of domestic violence in the 2010 directive as a really big problem.

Its really shocking, VanLandingham told HuffPost in an email. An example of a huge bureaucracy where everyone is assuming someone else is doing what needs to be done.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), along with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is spearheading legislation that would require the military to promptly report members of the armed forces convicted of domestic violence offenses to the background check system.

While that already appears to be the law, Flake pointed to an online FBI report that shows that the Department of Defense has only entered one domestic violence record into the background checks system since 2007. It is unclear if the chart he was referring to accurately represents all reports by the military to the federal background check system.

NICS Indices Statistics as of December 31 2016 by Hayley Miller on Scribd

The possibility that Air Force reporting failures extend beyond Kelley isnt far-fetched.

According to a 2014 Defense Department inspector generals report, from August 2012 to January 2013, the Air Force failed to submit any information about criminal convictions into the background check system.

The report blamed the failure on Defense Incident-Based Reporting System program administrators leaving their jobs before replacements were trained on their responsibilities. It added: The reporting lapse was immediately corrected based on our observation.

Its unclear whether Kelleys conviction was part of this lapse, or if the correction meant records of convictions that had been left out of the database were retroactively submitted.

In the end, the only thing crystal clear is a lack of transparency in how the Air Force is following the law to report domestic violence convictions to the database. While the Air Force conducts its review, Americans are left to wonder how many other offenders like Kelley are buying guns.

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Related...

Devin Patrick Kelley's Former Classmates Say Texas Gunman Seemed 'Off' In Recent Years

Air Force Failed To Enter Church Shooter's Domestic Violence Record In U.S. Database

Also on HuffPost

Haley Krueger, 16, was among those killed in the shooting. Krueger's mother, Charlene Marie Uhl, said that her daughter dreamed of being a neonatal nurse.



"She was a vibrant 16-year-old that loved life," Uhl told CNN.



A GoFundMe page has been set up by family friend to help Uhl handle the financial burden of losing her daughter.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
A North Carolina mother has been accused of taking her 2-year-old daughter along for the ride as she broke into a home and posted video of the unlawful entry on YouTube.

Read: Scantily Clad Thief Admits to Stealing From Uber Driver's Tip Jar: 'It Made Me Relevant'

The video starts with the mom, Ashley Ball, her 13-year-old sister and the toddler carefully scoping out the house, which appears to be under renovation. The little girl is seen wearing only a diaper as the three survey the property.

They got in through an unlocked window and began exploring the inside the house with the toddler in tow. Other videos on Ball's YouTube page show her inside other buildings.

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office later posted video of her arrest after getting an anonymous tip about her YouTube videos.

I probably shouldn't have took along my daughter, but she goes everywhere with me and I didn't feel there was any danger, Ball, 22, told Inside Edition while cuddling her daughter, Crystal.



She added that she believed the house was abandoned.

Ball told Inside Edition she didn't take anything from the house, and was only urban exploring, the act of touring vacant structures.

Another video Ball had posted was taken inside a now-abandoned hospital.

Read: Hungry Bears Break Into Pizzeria, Feast on Salami and Dough

When asked if she should be breaking into homes, she denied any wrongdoing, saying: Well, that's what Im being charged with, but I wouldn't necessarily call it that.

Ball has been charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.



Related Articles:
Liz LeBrun (right) with her children, adopted siblings Maria and Andy, and her husband. (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

When Heidi Pritchard Payne brought home her son from South Africa nine years ago, people shocked her with one question repeatedly: how much did you pay for the child?

Pritchard Payne, who now works with Adopt4Life , an organization for adoptive parents in Ontario, says that while adopting internationally was costly, it should never be thought of as paying for a child.

Youre not paying for the child, youre paying for the process, says Pritchard Payne. Its a big commitment, if thats the route you want to go.

In addition to being a huge emotional and physical commitment, adopting internationally can be a costly endeavor, depending on where the child is from. But international adoption isnt the only option for parents in Canada looking to grow their family through adoption, and some of the other options cost almost nothing.

There are three kinds of adoption available to Canadians:

 Private infant adoption is defined as an infant being adopted through an agency or adoption attorney within the country;

 Foster care adoption is the adoption of a child who is no longer being cared for by his or her parents due to the termination of their rights;

 International adoption is when a child whose birth parents are from a different country is adopted.

A study conducted earlier this year by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption looking at some of the preconceived ideas people have about adoption found that Canadians thought adoption was more expensive than it actually is, in some cases.

Overall, Canadians tended to assume that adoption is either somewhat expensive or very expensive; 76 per cent thought international adoption was expensive, 71 per cent thought private infant adoption was expensive, and 30 per cent thought foster care adoption was expensive.

People believe that no matter what kind of adoption, its expensive to adopt, says Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

The reality is that the price of adoption can range from $0 (for the actual adoption process) to more than $35,000, depending on the kind of adoption parents are interested in.

Story continues

Common needs

Regardless of the kind of adoption you pursue, there are a few costs adoptive parents will face.

A police check is mandatory for all forms of adoption, and runs about $20-$70, depending on the region.

Depending on the province of adoption, you may also require a mandatory training course. In Ontario, parents must complete nine weeks of PRIDE training, which costs about $1,500 per couple, or $900 for a single person. If you are adopting through the foster care system, the cost of the training is likely covered. If you opt to do a private course, however, youll be paying out of pocket.

Theres a public option for everything, says Kimberly Sanzo, a mother of two who adopted her children through the foster care system in Ontario. But if you want to expedite it, itll cost you.

All prospective parents also require a home study, when a public social worker or representative from the private adoption agency will assess the appropriateness of a familys home and life. The process takes places over three or four visits as part of the home study, during which the worker studies your home, your parenting style and identifies an age group that would best fit with your lifestyle.

Sanzo and her partner opted to expedite their home study, and paid $3,500 to do so. For international adoption, the home study is arranged through the adoption agency, and can cost more due to the file management fees and associated expenses.

Parents must also undergo a medical exam, which can cost about $50-$150 and is also only valid for two years.

International adoption costs

The most expensive route for adoption is international. According to Soronen, international adoption can cost $20,000-$30,000, or more depending on the situation.

When I talk about these individual differences, its not to say that one [form of adoption] is better, its simply the structure under which these children exist and the embedded cost, says Soronen.

The international adoption process must be done through an agency that works within the country the prospective parents wish to adopt from.

For Pritchard Payne, the costs began with exploring other avenues to having children first. After a failed private adoption match and looking into fertility treatments, her family elected to grow through international adoption instead. She brought home her son in 2008, and her daughter in 2013, both from South Africa.

The fee Pritchard Payne paid of around $26,000 to the agency covered the agencys fee, lawyers fees and the adoption fee. It also covered line items like the $2,500 registration fee (which includes a one-day mandatory seminar) and the child proposal coordination, a meeting with a private adoption practitioner from the agency to determine the child that would best fit with your family, which ran about $3,500 in 2013. Other miscellaneous costs include file forwarding, care for the child while youre out of the country and administration fees for the program.

Once the initial costs of the adoption were covered through her fee to the agency, Pritchard Payne had to pay out of pocket for actually traveling to South Africa. Depending on the country parents are adopting from, the requirements for how long they must stay in the country varies. For her first adoption, Pritchard Payne was required to be there for three weeks, but for her daughter, she needed to be there for six. She estimates that for their six-week stay, she and her family spent about $9,000 on airfare, accommodations, attractions, food and souvenirs  and that was a pretty budget-conscious trip, she says.

With international adoption, depending on the country, there are also costs when the child comes home. Follow-up reports must be conducted by a representative of the agency twice a year for the first three years, then an annual report for the next two years. Parents need to cover the cost of the worker visiting the country.

Pritchard Payne says that while it was a costly undertaking to adopt overseas, it was well worth it, both for connecting with her children and for the experience overall.

We were paying for this amazing trip is the mindset we had going into it, Pritchard Payne says.

Yes we took on some debt to be able to do that, but well look after that in the coming years.

Private adoption costs

In Canada, private adoption often runs parents about $10,000-$20,000, depending on the agency, the counseling involved and other factors.

That fee paid to a private agency covers the agency fee, attorney fees and support for both the adoptive parent and the parent surrendering the child.

The huge variance in cost depends on how long it takes for a successful placement to occur, according to Canada Adopts. Most of the fee you pay goes towards the administration fees and legal fees for the adoption, with a portion going towards the travel costs and accommodation for the mother. In Canada, no money can be paid directly to the mother, nor can the adoptive family give her any gifts.

Timelines in the private adoption process are hard to predict, ranging anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years, depending on how many infants are available for adoption and how picky the prospective parents are. Mothers carrying the babies up for adoption also have the option to change their mind during the process and keep the child, which can extend the timeline for prospective adoptive parents, too.

Sanzo says the significant cost deterred her from pursuing private adoption in Canada, because she knew there would be other costs she would incur later.

If we went the private route, wed use a lot of our savings to bring a child home, Sanzo says.

Foster care adoption costs

Sanzo, who also works for Adopt4Life, opted to expand her family by adopting a sibling pair in 2015 through foster care.

We thought, why do it twice when you can only do it once? says Sanzo.

According to ABBA Canada, about 2,000 children were adopted in Canada last year, most of them internationally. Right now, there are an estimated 30,000 children waiting to be adopted in Canada.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which focuses on promoting foster care adoption, stresses that many of the costs which people associate with adoption can be paid for by the adoption agencies.

Because these children are crown wards, the costs to adopt tend to be absorbed be the agencies, says Soronen.

The cost ranges from nothing to, quite honestly, about $3,000.

Parents who want to expedite any of the required checks or mandatory training will be paying out of pocket to do those things privately, instead of through the agency.

Lisa Lebrun, who adopted her two children eight and three-and-a-half years ago, says she only spent about $200 on the whole process.

The only other expenses that would come up are the cost of going to visit, I had some driving to do, but it was within an hour, says Lebrun. I dont know how it would work if you were adopting out of province. For me it was within a reasonable travel time.

Lebrun said she was pleasantly surprised to discover just how insignificant the financial barrier would be to expand her family.

Its not an expensive process at all, says Lebrun. If thats a myth people are dealing with, that piece shouldnt be a worry at all.





For parents who are adopting through foster care, many of the costs come after the actual adoption is finalized. Because parents dont know the age of the child they will be adopting, chances are theyll have to buy age-appropriate toys, furniture, clothes and other necessities in short order.

There may also be special needs that the child will need to have addressed, too.

Particularly when were talking about foster care adoption, there may be some structural things that people dont think about, Soronen says. [For example] if its a child with special needs, they may need a special van.

Sanzo says the best thing to do is prepare to have those unexpected costs and have money set aside for when they inevitably come up.

Financial Assistance

Regardless of the form of adoption, parents in Canada qualify for assistance from the federal and provincial governments.

At the federal level, adoptive parents can claim up to $15,453 of eligible adoption expenses for any child under the age of 18 (but the amount you can claim changes annually). This is a one-time tax credit available in the tax year that the adoption process concludes.

Financial support bursaries are also available to families who adopt, and these often follow children throughout their childhood, offsetting the cost of raising a child. To find out about what bursaries are available, contact your provincial adoption agency or a national organization like the Adoption Council of Canada.

The reality is, no matter what kind of adoption a family chooses to pursue, a lot of the real costs come once that child comes home, just like when parents who give birth to their children bring them home from the hospital.

Its sort of like pregnancy and birth, theyre so focused on those nine months, says Soronen. I think its the same thing with adoption. Getting through the cost of adoption, youre then presented with the cost of a child.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Brussels (AFP) - NATO countries have still not agreed how many extra troops they will send to Afghanistan to boost local forces in their fight against the resurgent Taliban, the alliance's chief admitted Thursday.

NATO this week announced it wanted to send around 3,000 extra troops to Afghanistan, bringing the Western military footprint up to about 16,000 soldiers to help the Afghans break the stalemate in the 16-year fight against the Taliban.

But after talks with the alliance's 29 defence ministers in Brussels, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged there were still "gaps" in the roster that needed to be filled.

"We are now in the process of increasing the troop level," Stoltenberg said.

"We haven't finalised that so it's not possible to provide any final figures when it comes to how much different countries are going to contribute."

The additional troops, most of them American, will help train and advise local Afghan forces who have struggled to hold Taliban and Islamic State extremists at bay while suffering heavy casualties.

Washington has asked NATO allies to contribute 1,000 extra troops for Afghanistan to add to 2,800 US forces, but diplomatic sources say they may have to be content with just 700.

Stoltenberg said NATO had made progress but was still in the process of gathering troop commitments.

"We got some new announcements from some nations during the meeting today but we staill have some gaps that we will continue to work on," he said.

NATO leaders are optimistic that 2018 could see Afghan forces start to gain momentum against the Taliban, thanks to renewed training efforts, a growing air force and thousands of extra Afghan commandos.

Plus US President Donald Trump has given American forces greater leeway in how and when they can hit the Taliban, and Afghan forces are increasingly going on the offensive.

But the Taliban poured scorn on NATO claims of success.

Story continues

"The Taliban are those who, in defence of their belief and country, forced the half-million NATO-led world forces equipped with modern weaponry and technology to kneel down," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

- IS fight -

Immediately following the summit, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis hosted a separate meeting with partners from the coalition fighting the Islamic State group in the Middle East, where the jihadists continue to lose territory.

Mattis said coalition partners are looking to the United States for a clear plan about what follows the physical defeat of IS.

"Maybe three-quarters of the questions I am getting asked now is (about) going forward. It's not about are we going to be able to stop ISIS, are we going to be able to overcome ISIS. They are now saying: 'What's next? How is it looking?'" Mattis told reporters this week using another acronym for the group.

Following back-to-back losses, including of their Syrian and Iraqi strongholds of Raqa and Mosul, IS fighters are down to defending their last holdouts along the Euphrates River valley.

America's military involvement in Syria has until now been focused solely on fighting IS, but with the jihadists on the ropes, Washington must articulate its longer-term interests and what role, if any, US forces will play in Syria.

A French source said allies were keen to hear what Mattis had to say about the role of Iran -- a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- following Trump's tough rhetoric against Tehran.

"We are wondering how the speeches by top US officials on the need to push back the Iranian presence in the region is going to manifest itself in real terms in the military strategy," the source said.

- Cyber role -

NATO members agreed Wednesday to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations, with the alliance also upgrading other capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia.

The changes are part of NATO's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe.

The North Korean nuclear crisis has also been high on the agenda in Brussels.

Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test -- its most powerful to date -- and Stoltenberg said the crisis demanded a united international effort.
Producer Ram Bergman, left, writer-director Rian Johnson, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy on the set of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. (Photo: Lucasfilm)

We might be down to the last Jedi, but that galaxy far, far away still has plenty of stories to tell. Lucasfilm announced Thursday afternoon that Rian Johnson, the writer-director behind the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi, will create a completely new trilogy that wont focus on the extended exploits of Luke Skywalker but will instead introduce characters from a corner of the galaxy that Star Wars lore has never before explored.

Johnson, who turned down a chance to direct 2019s Episode IX, the final film in the Skywalker Saga, which will wrap up the story that George Lucas started in 1977, will team with his longtime producing partner, Ram Bergman, for the new venture. No plot details have been announced, nor have any release dates for the films, but all parties are predictably stoked.

We all loved working with Rian on The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. Hes a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career. Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy.

We had the time of our lives collaborating with Lucasfilm and Disney on The Last Jedi, Johnson and Bergman added in a joint statement. Star Wars is the greatest modern mythology, and we feel very lucky to have contributed to it. We cant wait to continue with this new series of films.

Thursday has proved to be momentous for Force fanatics. In addition to the announcement of the Johnson-helmed trilogy, Disney boss Bob Iger revealed that a live-action TV series set in the Star Wars universe would arrive on the studios forthcoming streaming service in 2019 to coincide with the release of Episode IX and the opening of the Star Wars: Galaxys Edge lands at Disney theme parks.

The Last Jedi is due in theaters Dec. 15.

Watch the cast of The Last Jedi demonstrate their best blaster noises:



Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Managua (AFP) - Nicaragua's government said Wednesday its consulates in the United States will provide assistance for 5,300 of its citizens soon to lose temporary protection status under the termination of a US program.

The diplomatic missions in Florida, New York, Washington DC, California and Texas "are at the disposition of our compatriots" to help with their US migration status before the end of the program on January 5, 2019, the presidency said in a statement.

The US government on Monday announced it was ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program extended to Nicaraguans. The decision came as President Donald Trump's administration tries to restrict the flow of immigrants and refugees on many fronts.

Nicaragua said it was working with migrant support groups in the United States to contact its citizens and establish their plans in light of the announcement.

The program will not end for more than a year, a deadline intended to give eligible Nicaraguans time to seek alternative legal status in the US or arrange their departure.

Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Salvadorans were granted temporary protected status in the US after Hurricane Mitch slammed Central America in 1998, with renewals granted following other natural disasters. Thousands of Haitians later also received TPS following the 2010 earthquake that devastated their nation.

Most TPS migrants arrived in the United States without legal papers, but were allowed to stay and work because of instability in their home countries.

The US Department of Homeland Security was renewing TPS status for Hondurans for another six-month period, until July 2018, while it makes a final decision on whether to end the program for them, too.
Lagos (AFP) - Nigeria's government was urged on Thursday to order the release of the leader of a pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group who has been in custody for nearly two years since clashes with soldiers.

Ibrahim Zakzaky, who heads the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife should be freed "on health grounds", lawyer Femi Falana said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The cleric lost the sight in his left eye during two days of unrest in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015 in which soldiers allegedly killed more than 300 IMN members.

Now he risks losing the sight in his right eye as a result of "the brutal treatment meted out to him by the armed soldiers", Falana wrote.

Zakzaky's wife, Zainab, was said to be in a "far worse" state, according to the lawyer, who said he visited the couple in secret police detention in Abuja a few days ago.

"For reasons best known to the State Security Service, some of the bullets lodged in her body during the brutal attack of December 14, 2015 have not been extracted," he wrote.

"In the circumstances, she has been subjected to excruciating pain and agony on a daily basis," he said, adding that her life was in danger unless she received urgent medical attention.

Nigeria's government has previously ignored a court order to release the couple. Hundreds of IMN were arrested during the military crackdown in Zaria.

Zakzaky has long been at loggerheads with Nigeria's secular authorities because of his repeated call for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria.

Northern Nigeria is predominantly Sunni Muslim.

On Sunday, at least three people were killed in the northern city of Kano when police shot at an IMN procession marking Ashura, the Shiite day of mourning.

The march, which begins in Kano and heads to Zaria, has been a regular flashpoint. Last year, the IMN claimed police had shot and killed at least 30 without provocation.

Story continues

Hundreds of IMN supporters were arrested and detained during the 2015 protests and put on trial for charges including breach of the peace, unlawful assembly and rioting.

But on Thursday, 10 of them were acquitted and released after a judge at the Kaduna state high court approved a defence submission that they had no case to answer.

It was not immediately clear how many IMN members were still in custody and on trial but in February 2016, police charged 161 with illegal possession of firearms and public disturbance in connection with the clashes.

All the suspects pleaded not guilty.
Photographer Pete Souza has reflected on eight years looking at former President Barack Obama and throwing shade at President Donald Trump through his Instagram account.

His new book Obama: An Intimate Portrait showcases some of Mr Souzas favourite images from the nearly two million he took during the Obama presidency.

Some have become posts on his Instagram account, usually timed with Mr Trumps often-controversial tweets.

Mr Souza told National Public Radio that he is aware of his reputation for throwing shade at Mr Trump and joked he had to look up the term because he was not sure what it meant.

I kind of laughed I guess, he said.

However, he does his best to be somewhat subtle and respectful in the words that I write and said he feels his feed, compared to what some people write on Twitter, is very respectful.

I think people can interpret them [however they want to], Mr Souza said.

Some of his more popular posts include responding to Mr Trump's comment in the wake of four US soldiers' deaths in an ambush in Niger when he said previous presidents, particularly his predecessor, had not called or spent time with Gold Star families.

This was Mr Souza's response to the President's tweets criticising fellow Republican and Senator Bob Corker for disagreeing with him after Mr Corker said the White House resembled a "day care".

President Obama talks with Sen. Bob Corker inside The Beast after arriving at an event in Tennessee in 2015. The President often disagreed with the Senator but at least talked to him in person or on the phone. A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Oct 8, 2017 at 10:05am PDT

During the first week of Mr Trump's presidency he signed the travel ban executive order, barring travellers from six Muslim-majority countries including Syrian refugees fleeing violence in that country, Mr Souza posted this picture of Mr Obama smiling and speaking with a child refugee.

Story continues

Talking with a young refugee at a Dignity for Children Foundation classroom in 2015. A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Jan 29, 2017 at 5:16am PST

He also reflected on trying to be a piece of the woodwork during his years at the White House, as he was a silent presence at sensitive national security meetings, briefings about national tragedies, and the more light-hearted moments Mr Obama often shared with children visiting the Oval Office.

Mr Souzas book includes now-iconic images ranging from the moment in the Situation Room just ahead of the assassination of terrorist Osama bin Laden to when Mr Obama leaned over to a staffers young African-American son to let him touch his head so the boy could see they had similar hair.

"I was there all the time.I wasn't talking to [Obama] all the time, but I was always in every meeting and pretty much every situation that he had as president, Mr Souza noted.
BOSTON (Reuters) - One person was dead and one in critical condition following a morning car chase in Providence, Rhode Island, officials said, after the state police said a patrol vehicle was stolen during a Thursday morning traffic stop.

"We had an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect," Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare told reporters near the scene of the shooting.

Pare did not identify the male suspect who was slain and said that a woman, whom he also did not identify, was critically wounded. The shooting occurred on Interstate 95, which passes near the Providence Place mall.

The pair was stopped in a pickup truck that police had chased. Television images of the scene showed the truck was riddled with what appeared to be bullet holes.

Pare said it was not immediately clear if the people involved in the shooting were tied to the theft of the patrol car, which had been recovered.

Live television video showed large numbers of police vehicles as well as a truck from the state medical examiner's office parked around the Providence Place mall.

(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Dan Grebler)
BUILD, Go90 and RYOT invite you to "Fear Us Women," from Oscar-nominated director, David Darg. The film follows Hanna Bohman, a Canadian civilian who has spent the last three years in Syria as a volunteer soldier battling ISIS. A member of the YPJ, an all-female Kurdish army, Hanna gives an inside look at the brave women fighting for liberation in the world's most dangerous country. The film is executive produced by Olivia Wilde. Join Wilde, director David Darg and Bohman as they take the BUILD stage to discuss the film.
What do you see in the Opel logo? That's right, a lightning bolt. As the German automaker dramatically restructures its future plans, electric cars are in the core of Opel's survival.

With attempts to stop leaking money, Opel is speeding up its secession from GM technology, launching nine new models by 2020 with the aim to complete transition to PSA hardware by 2024, leaving only two Opel platforms. This is all part of Opel's freshly announced PACE turnaround plan, which is crucial for the company's survival, according to CEO Michael Lohscheller.



"PACE will unleash our full potential. This plan is paramount for the company, to protect our employees against headwinds and turn Opel/Vauxhall into a sustainable, profitable, electrified, and global company," says Lohscheller. Competitiveness will be improved by reducing per-car costs by 700 euros, and by cutting marketing costs by 10 percent. Regarding Vauxhall's future, the statement still includes the British brand.



When the Opel sale agreement was reached between PSA and GM in March, the plan was to start implementing PSA technology in 2019, completing the transition in eight years, as Automotive News says. The new business plan is noticeably faster. By 2020, with full access to PSA's electric tech, Opel would have a fully electric next-generation Corsa hatchback and a PHEV version of the Grandland X SUV, which is already based on Peugeot's 3008 model.



Currently, there are nine Opel platforms and 10 engine families. By 2024 there should be two platforms and four powertrains; the number of diesel engines in use remains to be seen, and all product lines would include an electrified model. There would be an SUV and a midsize vehicle based on PSA's EMP2 architecture, with the former built in Eisenach  formerly known as the town that built East German Wartburg cars before its Opel era  and the latter built in Russelsheim, where Opel HQ is located. The Russelsheim hub will become PSA's global "competence center," where all Opel/Vauxhall vehicles would be engineered  not Paris. Plans include avoiding any factory closures or personnel layoffs.



The PACE statement also mentions Opel's entrance to all of 20 new export markets, with a specific mention of China and Brazil, countries which have traditionally seen Opels sold as Chevrolets. Will the United States be included in that export plan? While current Regals are still very much "Buick Opels," it was decades ago when anything with an Opel badge was last sold in the USA.



Related Video:

Opel to electrify all model lines by 2024, speeding PSA transition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2017 10:30:00 EST.
By Miriam Berger and Ali Sawafta RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's administration said on Wednesday it had resumed security coordination with Israel in the occupied West Bank, frozen in July, and sought sole security control of the Gaza Strip, where Hamas Islamist forces dominate. The remarks, by the Palestinian police chief, left open the question of how Abbas might bring his former rivals in Hamas to heel given their refusal to disarm as demanded by Israel and the United States. An Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal last month formally restored Abbas's administrative control of Gaza after a 10-year schism with Hamas, though the details of implementation have yet to be worked out fully. Palestinians hope the pact will ease Gaza's economic woes and help present a united front in their drive for statehood. The vision includes the West Bank, where Palestinian security forces have tried to tamp down violence, often sharing intelligence and cooperating across jurisdictions with Israel, despite a three-year impasse in diplomacy between the sides. Under interim peace deals with Israel, Abbas' Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank. Abbas halted security coordination with Israel on July 21, demanding it remove metal detectors it had installed outside a Jerusalem compound housing Al-Aqsa mosque in response to the killing of two of its police guards by gunmen holed up there. Amid Palestinian and Jordanian unrest, and U.S. mediation efforts, Israel dismantled the walk-through gates within days and said it would install less obtrusive security measures. SECURITY COORDINATION Police chief Hazem Attallah told foreign reporters in a briefing that the suspension of ties had ended two weeks ago. "Security coordination between Palestinian and Israeli services have resumed as it used to be before it stopped," Attallah said, adding that he was referring to joint efforts to prevent militant attacks, as crime-fighting police cooperation between the sides had never stopped. Attallah said his police forces were ready to impose order in Gaza, likening the situation there to the West Bank a decade ago, where the Palestinian Authority set about disarming and dismantling Hamas and other armed factions. "We will have 'one gun' in Gaza," Attallah said. "How can I do security when there are all these rockets and guns? This is possible? This doesn't work." In Gaza, Hamas has a guerrilla army believed to include tens of thousands of fighters and rockets. Hamas continues to police Gaza with nearly 13,000 security personnel. Fatah plans to discuss security responsibility further in talks with Hamas and other factions in Cairo on November 21. (Additional reporting by Nidal Almughrabi; Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Gareth Jones)
By Colin Packham and Tom Westbrook

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Papua New Guinea began dismantling a shuttered Australian-run immigration detention centre on Thursday and warned it will use force if necessary to evict nearly 600 men if they refuse to leave within two days, according to a notice posted at the camp.

The asylum seekers have barricaded themselves inside the Manus island centre for the past nine days, defying attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea to close the camp in a standoff the United Nations describes as a "looming humanitarian crisis".

The men fear violent reprisals from the Manus island community if they move from the camp to three transit centres, pending possible resettlement to the United States. The camp was closed on Oct. 31 and water and power have been cut off.

"You may become very sick under these conditions of overflowing sewerage, heaps of rubbish, no clean running water, no electricity and no food," Papua New Guinea's Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority said in a two-page notice reviewed by Reuters.

"You are therefore instructed to vacate this compound immediately...if necessary, force may be used to relocate those who refuse to move voluntarily for your own sake."

The men inside the camp, who include asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Syria, said they will continue to defy attempts to shut the camp.

They said they had exhausted their food supplies and were relying on rainwater to drink. Several of the men told Reuters that nearly 100 of them had fallen sick.

The notice added that demolition of fences would begin on Thursday. Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish journalist from Iran who has been detained on Manus island for more than four years, said on Twitter that workers had begun that task.

"The refugees are watching them fearfully...(they) are extremely scared by immigration threat but still saying we will not leave this prison camp for another prison camp," he said.

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"Using force against ppl who've been suffering nearly 5yrs is no solution. If you're going to solve this problem send us to safe third country."

Australia has used the Manus island centre, and another on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru, to detain asylum seekers who try to reach its shores by boat. It says boat arrivals will never enter Australia, even if they are found to be refugees, as this would encourage people smugglers in Asia.

Papua New Guinea's High Court ruled last year that the Manus centre, first opened in 2001, was illegal and the camp closed on Oct. 31, when Australian-funded security staff withdrew.

Thursday's PNG government notice said the camp will soon revert to the control of the nation's military and anyone there unlawfully will be liable for arrest. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Wednesday said "appropriate means" would be used to apprehend those responsible for "disruption".

Australia's Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Thursday that the situation was "unacceptable...but the government won't be backing down".

The PNG Supreme Court rejected an application by one of the men to restore services on Tuesday, despite pleas from the United Nations to make food, water, medical supplies and power available. Lawyers for the asylum seekers are due to lodge an appeal against later on Thursday.

(Reporting by Colin Packham and Tom Westbrook; Editing by Paul Tait)
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear an expedited argument in a case challenging the states congressional map, setting the stage for a potential decision on the constitutionality of the map ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

The League of Women Voters and nearly 20 Pennsylvania voters filed the lawsuit against the state in Commonwealth Court in June. They claim the states Republican-drawn congressional map violates the state constitutions protections on freedom of expression and equal protection, because it deliberately dilutes the influence of Democratic voters in the political process. The Brennan Center for Justice has described the map as one of the most egregious examples of a political party drawing a map for its own benefit  a process often called gerrymandering. In 2012, Republicans were able to win 13 of the states 18 congressional seats, and were able to retain a similar share of seats in 2014 and 2016 even though the partys share of the statewide vote only went up by a few points.

The plaintiffs in the state want the court to block officials from using the plan in future elections and require the legislature to draw a new plan.

We will leverage this expedited process to ensure the map is struck down and a new map that complies with the constitution is created in time for the 2018 election, Mimi McKenzie, legal director of the Public Interest Law Center, one of the groups representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

The case is one of two redistricting lawsuits challenging Pennsylvanias congressional map. The other suit is moving through federal court.

In October, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a challenge to Wisconsins state electoral map in which plaintiffs alleged that the map violates the U.S. Constitution. The case is being closely watched because the high court has never articulated a standard for judging whether a map is unconstitutional. The case moving through the Commonwealth Court does not depend on the outcome of that case, because it deals with alleged violations to the Pennsylvania constitution, not the U.S. Constitution.

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Globalisation has pressed the brightest workers from poor Southeast Asian countries to move overseas in a brain drain that must be reversed if real development is to be achieved, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday.

In an impassioned appeal by a leader better known for expletive-flecked outbursts, Duterte said the efforts of poorer countries to rise up the value chain are being undercut by mass migration of skilled workers.

"Globalisation to a certain extent has really damaged poor economies," he said in a speech to CEOs gathered in Danang, Vietnam, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

By way of example he said, "the best of our young (Filipinos)... tend to go to the places where the economy is thriving," such as the United States.

More than 10 million Filipinos work overseas, around 10 percent of the population, remitting billions of dollars back to the country each year.

He acknowledged Donald Trump's complaints that globalisation has also sent American manufacturing jobs to cheaper countries such as China.

But Duterte said poorer nations faced the hardest edge of global commerce as they are stripped of labour and raw materials to fuel a world economy they can not compete in.

He urged ASEAN -- the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc of nations -- to speed up economic integration to power the region up the manufacturing chain, retain its skilled workers and educate those "left behind".

"We only provide the raw materials" which are then sent back by richer manufacturing countries for "four times the price", he said, adding "that is globalisation."

He vowed to "forcefully" carry the message of unity to the ASEAN summit which he is hosting in Manila from Monday.

Globalisation and the rules of trade are under the microscope in Vietnam this week, where world leaders including Trump, China's Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are set to converge from Friday for the APEC summit.

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When Mount Vesuvius in southwestern Italy erupted in A.D. 79, it engulfed the city of Pompeii so quickly that residents barely had time to react to the impending disaster before it killed them. Their final moments were frozen in time as people were buried in layers of hot ash, their lives snuffed out in moments.

But even before the volcanic eruption, Pompeii was harboring another hidden and potentially deadly threat, one that flowed through its water system and into its homes.

Recent tests of a lead water pipe fragment from the ancient city show evidence of antimony, a highly toxic metallic element that was historically mixed with lead to strengthen it. [Preserved Pompeii: Photos Reveal City in Ash]

Lead pipes, which were widely used as water conduits throughout the Roman Empire, are now known to be a poor choice for carrying drinking water. Though lead is less prone to corrosion than other metals, lead particles leach into water and can build up in the human body, causing lead poisoning. Over time, accumulation of lead in adults can harm the kidneys and the nervous system, and can even cause strokes or cancer, Live Science previously reported. Children and babies are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can lead to developmental delays.

But the metallic element antimony may have posed an even greater threat to the health of the ancient Romans, according to the new analysis of the pipe fragment from a home in Pompeii. Based on the amount of antimony found in the fragment, the city's water supply system would have contained sufficient quantities of the metal to cause daily bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, potentially resulting in severe dehydration and even liver and kidney damage over time, the researchers reported.

Toxic infrastructure

Since the early 18th century, historians have argued that the systems of lead pipes branching through Roman cities would have led to chronic lead poisoning that eventually caused the empire's fall.

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But lime in the water likely prevented that, the study authors wrote. In recent decades, other researchers suggested that the inner surfaces of Roman pipes would have quickly calcified with limestone after a few months at most, shielding the water from harmful lead particles thereafter.

However, antimony is much more toxic than lead. Before protective calcite layers formed in the pipes, even small amounts of antimony that seeped into the water would have sickened people very quickly, leading to cardiac arrest in severe cases, the scientists wrote.

To identify the compounds in the pipe fragment, the researchers used a method capable of detecting even small amounts of metallic and nonmetallic elements. They dissolved a sample in concentrated nitric acid and then heated it to 10,832 degrees Fahrenheit (6,000 degrees Celsius) to ionize the elements  adding or removing electrons to change their charge  so they could be identified and analyzed within a mass spectrometer.

Based on their analysis, the antimony concentration in the pipe was about 3,680 micrograms, approximately 0.0001 ounces. This may not sound like much, but in actuality it's an "alarming level" to find in proximity to drinking water, and would have been sufficient to cause serious symptoms of antimony intoxication, the study's authors wrote.

And Pompeii's nearness to the volcano may have made their antimony problem worse than other Roman cities with similar water systems. Antimony occurs naturally in the groundwater close to volcanoes, and Pompeii's proximity to Mount Vesuvius could have provided toxic antimony concentrations in the water that were even higher than in a typical Roman city at the time, according to the study.

As their tests were carried out on only a small fragment of pipe from Pompeii, further tests would be needed to confirm how widespread this problem may have been throughout the Roman Empire, investigating more lead pipes as well as human remains from the period for traces of antimony in their bones and teeth, the researchers noted.

The findings were published online Nov. 5 in the journal Toxicology Letters.

Original article on Live Science.

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By Lidia Kelly and Pawel Sobczak WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland wants to be sure that Christian traditions are not subject to "ideological censorship" in the European Union, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said on Thursday, emphasizing her party's opposition to Muslim immigration. Along with Hungary, Poland has refused to take in any of its quota of the wave of refugees from Syria and elsewhere who have come to Europe since 2015, on the grounds that Muslim immigrants are a threat to their national security and stability. Szydlo's eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party appeals directly to the more socially conservative sections of Poland's overwhelmingly Roman Catholic population. In a foreign policy speech marking the midpoint of the parliamentary term, Szydlo said Christians in Europe should not need to feel uncomfortable or ashamed about their faith and traditions. "We are in favor of (an EU) where Christian traditions are not subject to ideological censorship," she told a conference organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Opinion polls in Poland - one of the most ethnically and religiously homogenous countries in Europe - indicate that about three-quarters of Poles are against accepting refugees. Apart from refusing its quota, Szydlo's government has triggered a series of disputes with the EU executive, the European Commission, over policies that Brussels says undermine democracy and the rule of law. In a veiled criticism of France and Germany, the traditional motors of EU integration, Szydlo said that countries such as Poland should be a greater part of the bloc's decision-making process. "The EU's principle of respect for the rights of its citizens will cease to be an empty one only when the debate about the future of the European Union takes place with the participation of all concerned, not in three or four capitals," she said. Opinion polls suggest up to 80 percent of Poles back EU membership, though many are also opposed to deeper EU integration and joining the euro currency. Szydlo reiterated that Poland would stay in the EU, but said that growing euroscepticism in several countries was a sign that "some politicians" were unwilling to recognize the problems within the bloc. "It's not enough to stigmatize tens of millions of Europeans in different countries as immature and dangerous populations, or to put Poland in a corner," Szydlo said. (Writing by Lidia Kelly)
Ashley Bennet was aghast after New Jersey politician John Carman posted a meme during the Womens March this January, asking if the protest would be over in time for them to cook dinner; however, she put her anger to good use, running against Carman and defeating him to win his seat as an Atlantic County freeholder.

According to the AP, the sexist meme was the catalyst for the first-time candidates Bennetts decision to run.

I was angry about (the Facebook meme), because elected officials shouldnt be on social media mocking and belittling people who are expressing their concerns about their community and the nation, she said.

Carman, who said that the meme was a bad choice but felt that the women he knew were strong and confident enough not to be offended by its sexism, was running for a second term.

This isnt the first time that Carman has made headlines for controversial behavior; in October, he was criticized for sporting a motorcycle jacket with a patch that had a Confederate flag on it.
(MOSCOW)  Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have a full agenda for their likely encounter on the sidelines of a Pacific nations summit this week, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the Russian leader will meet Trump during sessions of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting that opens Friday in Danang, Vietnam.

Ushakov said the U.S. and Russian leaders may also have an extensive one-on-one meeting, although a specific time has not been set.

There are things to discuss and we are ready for it, Ushakov said, adding that the agenda would include the Syrian war, the standoff over North Koreas nuclear and missile programs and a crisis in bilateral ties.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian and U.S. officials are trying to carve out a time slot for Trump and Putin to meet separately. The probability for a face-to-face meeting of the two presidents is quite high, Peskov said.

He said Putin discussed preparations for the summit with members of the presidential Security Council on Wednesday.

Moscows hopes for an improvement of Russia-U.S. relations under Trump have been scuttled by the ongoing investigations into alleged collusion between Trump campaign officials and Russia.

Trump and Putin first met in July at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. Since then, dealings between the two countries have become more strained, with Congress imposing new sanctions on Russia, Moscow capping the number of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia, and the closure of Russian diplomatic offices by the U.S.

Putin has blamed Trumps political foes in the U.S. for preventing him from fulfilling his campaign promise to forge a better relationship and said Russia remains open to cooperating with Washington.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov struck a similar note, saying Wednesday in Vietnam that the effort to improve bilateral ties fell victim to U.S. political infighting.

We may reach agreements, but regrettably they immediately become an element of internal political fighting, internal political games aimed to make President Trumps life and activities as difficult as possible, Lavrov said in televised remarks.
Nchelenge (Zambia) (AFP) - Recounting horrific stories of rape and murder allegedly by government soldiers, thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have sought safety on the Zambian side of Lake Mweru.

About 6,000 Congolese residents have fled across the border since late August, triggering an emergency response from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) which has struggled to provide basic food rations and shelter.

DR Congo's huge eastern region has long been wracked by violence, but fighting between government soldiers and militia groups, as well as inter-ethnic clashes, has increased this year.

The UNHCR said that the unrest had caused the largest influx into Zambia for the past five years, with many refugees blaming DR Congo President Joseph Kabila's troops for the worst of the violence.

"I witnessed an incident where one pregnant woman was raped, her stomach ripped open and the baby killed before they killed her," Kaimba Kazili, 39, a former subsistence farmer, told AFP at the Kenani transit camp in Nchelenge, northern Zambia.

"It is not safe to live in Congo any more because government soldiers are killing people," she said.

On her journey to the camp, Kazili gave birth to triplets Ari, Kalangila and Kanaila -- two boys and a girl -- who were born on August 20, before she finally arrived in Zambia on September 14.

- 'Never go back' -

"It was not an easy thing but luckily we found a man driving a minibus who gave us a lift," said Kazili, originally from the Kivu region of DR Congo.

The triplets were shown to Zambian President Edgar Lungu when he visited the camp last week accompanied by UNCHR officials and reporters.

But Lungu had an uncompromising message for the refugees.

"You have run away from lawlessness, so don't bring lawlessness here," he told them.

"We have laws which should be obeyed by everyone. If we jail you, when you finish your jail, we will send you back to Congo."

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Despite Lungu's harsh words, Pierrine Aylara, the UNHCR head in Zambia, told the president that she wanted "to applaud your hospitality towards those displaced by war and conflict."

For those in the camp, the only priorities have been the safety of their lives and getting enough to eat.

"Thank God that we all arrived safely as a family with my husband and all the four children," said Mauno Rukogo, 42.

"I will never go back to Congo because war is tough. Kabila's government was supposed to protect citizens but is killing its people."

Rukogo said she had been repeatedly displaced inside DR Congo, where the eastern region has been roiled by conflict for more than two decades, before she fled to Zambia on September 9.

The UNCHR said the refugees have fled inter-ethnic violence and clashes between the army and myriad militia groups, particularly in Haut Katanga and Tanganyika provinces since end of August.

Earlier this year, security worsened sharply in the Pweto area of Haut Katanga, which shares a border with Zambia.

Many refugees said that they feel safer in Zambia but that food rations were scarce and children were not getting enough to eat.

"We are also asking for medical clinics for the children," Rukogo added, with rampant malaria and diarrhoea posing major health problems.

- Wife 'killed by troops' -

The UNHCR has set up tents and grass-thatched shelters at the 56-hectare (140-acre) site, as well as sunk two boreholes and nearly 300 pit latrines.

An agency official said that they provide 400 grammes of maize (14 ounces) and 60 grammes of rice a day for each family, as well as other food supplies.

"I saw my wife be killed by government troops and I only just managed to run away with my three children," said Minga wa Minga, a 40-year-old school teacher.

"I had to keep going until I found some Congolese heading to Zambia," he added.

"The UN have described the situation as a humanitarian crisis but let them do something to stop Kabila from destroying the country."

Kabila failed to step down after his second and final term last December.

Elections were re-scheduled for this year, but have now been announced for December 2018.

DR Congo's military spokesman in Kinshasa could not be reached for comment on the refugee's accusations.
Every year, thousands of Catholic pilgrims trek for 30 days along the long, dusty Camino de Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain  the Way of Saint James  hoping to pay their respects at the burial place of the beloved saint. Irreligious folks might scoff at the hordes, dismissing them as childish and irrational for believing in the Churchs old tales, but research on these pilgrims published Wednesday in Scientific Reports suggests its wrong to jump to those conclusions.

In the study, scientists from Coventry University and the University of Oxford show that having religious beliefs has nothing to do with how rationally a person thinks, or how much they prefer to trust their gut instincts. Their findings contradict research trends over the past 20 years, which suggested that people with strong religious beliefs naturally think less analytically and more intuitively, supporting broad stereotypes that religious people think irrationally and that people are born believers.

The new research, which involved the UK scientists actually going out to northern Spain and conducting experiments on 89 pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago, shows that the levels of rational thought in religious people arent unusual at all. So, the researchers conclude, fervent religiousness must come down to other, non-cognitive factors.

Religious belief is most likely rooted in culture rather than in some primitive gut intuition, said lead author Miguel Farias, Ph.D., in a statement

Religious pilgrims walk along the Camino de Santiago, which leads to the burial city of Saint James.

The researchers set out to test whether there was actually a relationship between the way people think and their belief in the supernatural along the Camino de Santiago. On the path, the team first asked pilgrims about the strength of their supernatural beliefs then had them play a game designed to measure a persons tendency to think intuitively (making decisions based on a gut feeling) or rationally. Their observations suggested there was no link between the two, and furthermore, there was no relationship between the amount of time a person had been on pilgrimage and their level of intuitive thinking. Older theories would have suggested that, a person who had been on pilgrimage for a long time would have naturally spent more time engaging with supernatural ideas, leading them to think more intuitively (rather than rationally), but the teams observations suggest that simply isnt the case.

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The follow-up experiment was designed to test whether the pilgrims faith could be decreased by decreasing their intuitive thinking. The researchers had the pilgrims do an extremely rational exercise  solving math puzzles  then tested their belief in the supernatural. Still, there was no relationship between the two.

In the last experiment, the researchers went straight for the pilgrims brains, stimulating a part of the brain thats involved in suppressing supernatural ideas in atheists. Perhaps, they thought, if this part of the brain was extra-active, then the pilgrims religiosity would decrease. It didnt.

The researchers stimulated the inferior frontal gyrus (red), which is associated with suppressing supernatural thoughts.

All of their observations point to the fact that theres no relationship between a persons belief in the supernatural and the way their brains are wired to think. This is not to say that there is not something different about people who are religious  it just points out that the difference may not lie in their cognitive processes.

Most likely, the researchers write, its a persons upbringing, together with the social and cultural environment they were raised in, that ultimately influences their belief in the supernatural. While it seems unlikely that humans are naturally wired to seek out gods, it remains unclear whether human societies could have formed and thrived without collectively believing in a higher power  and whether well still need religion in the near future.

Photos via Flickr / Staffan O Andersson, Wikimedia, Flickr / echiner1

Photos via Flickr / Staffan O Andersson, Wikimedia, Flickr / echiner1

Written by Yasmin Tayag

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GOP senators call on Moore to drop out of race as aides say report that he had inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32 is fake news

Roy Moore has long been a controversial figure in Alabama politics. Photograph: Brynn Anderson/AP

Roy Moore, the Republican Senate nominee in Alabama, has been accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32.

A Moore campaign adviser, Dean Young,told the Guardian: For the next 33 days, Alabamians are going to be tested whether they can be tricked by fake news and the establishment.

If they pass the test, our nation has hope. But if they can beat Judge Roy Moore in Alabama, they can beat anybody, anywhere, anytime and our nation will continue to go down in a spiral.

The Post reported that Moore took Leigh Corfman to his house in 1979, stripped down to his underwear and made her touch his genitals. Under Alabama law, such conduct would be sexual abuse in the second degree, although the statute of limitations would have long passed.

Corfman told the Post: I wasnt ready for that  I had never put my hand on a mans penis, much less an erect one.

The story also details allegations from three other women about Moore dating them when they were underage. Although one told the Post that Moore had ordered her cocktails when she was below the legal drinking age, there were no other accusations of illegal behavior.

The report comes five weeks before Moore faces off against Democrat Doug Jones in the fiercely competitive special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became US attorney general. He won the Republican nomination in September, besting the appointed incumbent, Luther Strange, by a margin of 55%-45% despite Stranges support from Donald Trump and the entire machinery of the Republican party. Moore, though, did receive the support of the former White House strategist Steve Bannon.

Moores campaign used the allegations to fundraise in an email sent out hours after the Washington Post article was posted. The email said the campaign was in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil and characterized the Posts reporting as an attack: The Obama-Clinton Machines liberal media lapdogs just launched the most vicious and nasty round of attacks against me Ive EVER faced.

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Shortly before the Washington Post article was published, Breitbart, the conservative website run by Bannon, published an article featuring the Posts request for comment to the Moore campaign, which detailed the accusations against him, and the Alabama Republicans response to the allegations.



Top Republicans immediately took steps to distance themselves from Moore. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who actively supported Strange, said in a statement: If these allegations are true, he must step aside. Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado, who runs the National Republican Senate Committee, also put out a statement saying: The allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore are deeply troubling. If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election.

Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, said bluntly in a statement that Moore should drop out. The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying, said McCain. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.

Among the handful of Senate Republicans who have endorsed Moore, only Mike Lee of Utah weighed in on the allegations. Lee said in a statement: If these allegations are true, Judge Moore should resign.



The Alabama state auditor, Jim Ziegler, a Moore ally, came to the embattled Republicans defense, telling the Washington Examiner: There is nothing to see here.

Ziegler went on to compare the allegations to biblical stories. Also take Joseph and Mary, he said. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus.

Moore has long been a controversial figure in Alabama politics. He has been twice removed as chief justice of the state supreme court, first for refusing to remove a monument to the Ten Commandments from the grounds of his courthouse and more recently for refusing to implement the US supreme court ruling legalizing gay marriage.

Moore also has a long history of incendiary comments on social issues. He has argued that homosexual conduct should be illegal, said the United States could be described as the focus of evil in the world for promoting bad things like gay marriage and that a Muslim congressman should be prohibited from serving in the House of Representatives.

The campaign for Moores opponent, Jones, said: Roy Moore needs to answer these serious charges.

Although recent polling gave Moore a steady lead in the high single digits, the scandal gives Democrats even more of an opening in the deep red state.

The Montgomery-based Democratic pollster Zac McCrary said Jones was already running a strong campaign but this report could push Democrats over the edge. McCrary said: A majority of Alabamians were looking for a reason to not elevate Roy Moore to the Senate and not make him the face of Alabama.
By Amanda Becker and Susan Heavey WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives forged ahead on Tuesday with legislation to reshape the federal tax code, while a top credit-ratings agency said the bill would balloon the budget deficit and give only a temporary boost to the economy. As the House tax committee weighed amendments to a bill that Democrats have blasted as a give-away to corporations and the rich, the Washington tax reform debate was fast shifting to the Senate, where Republicans hold only a slim majority. Senate Republicans are expected to unveil their own tax bill at the end of the week, and early indications suggest it could differ significantly from the House legislation. The House is aiming to vote on its bill next week, a senior Republican said. Tax reform has been a priority for President Donald Trump, who says it will stimulate economic growth. But Republicans have yet to score a major legislative accomplishment since Trump took office in January, even though the party controls both chambers of Congress as well as the White House. Trump made another pitch for Democratic support on Capitol Hill, where his top aides met with about a dozen Senate Democrats and Trump himself phoned in from his Asia trip. "He said, 'Look  I want to do it in a bipartisan way,'" Senator Joe Donnelly told reporters. Fitch Ratings predicted that a Republican tax plan would win passage in both chambers, but did not see it offering long-term benefits. "Such reform would deliver a modest and temporary spur to growth. ... However, it will lead to wider fiscal deficits and add significantly to U.S. government debt," Fitch said, revising up its medium-term U.S. government debt forecast. The U.S. national debt now exceeds $20 trillion. Republicans once firmly opposed adding to the debt, but their emphasis has changed. Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) said the House bill would add nearly $1.5 trillion to the national debt from 2018 through 2027. Trump and congressional Republicans say the proposed tax cuts would boost economic growth enough to generate new revenues that would offset the tax cuts. Few economists agree. The House bill slashes tax rates for large corporations, small businesses and wealthy Americans, while sharply reducing or eliminating tax breaks that benefit many middle-class Americans such as deductions for state and local taxes, college tuition and home mortgage interest. JCT estimates that the House bill could raise taxes on as many as 38 million people who earn between $20,000 and $40,000 per year, beginning in 2023. House Republicans, who have an overwhelming majority, drafted their bill in secret, ignoring Democrats. But the House bill is unlikely to be taken up in the Senate, where Republicans have a 52-48 seat majority and they need to pay heed to moderates within their own ranks as well as Democrats, lobbyists and analysts said. Two conservative Republican senators, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, have already voiced concern that the House tax bill could raise taxes on some middle-class Americans. The Senate bill could delay the proposed corporate tax cut by one year, may not allow any deductions for local property taxes, and may not collapse the current seven individual brackets to the four proposed by the House, according to the Washington Post. PRESSURE TO DELIVER Republican leaders have pushed for the House to vote on the tax bill before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 23. My donors are basically saying, get it done or dont ever call me again, Republican Representative Chris Collins said. U.S. tax legislation must begin in the House. "We'll bring it to the floor next week," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady told Fox News. In party-line votes on Tuesday, Bradys tax committee voted down eight Democratic amendments that would have preserved or expanded tax breaks for the middle class, nullified the tax legislation if it increased the deficit in future years and maintained taxes on foreign profits of U.S. corporations. Brady offered a sweeping amendment on Monday that tweaked at least half a dozen provisions of the 425-page bill. One related to carried interest income, a share of an investment fund's profits paid out to the fund's general partners and which represents a large portion of many fund managers' incomes. Carried interest currently is taxed at the capital gains rate, which is substantially lower than the personal income tax rate for higher earners. Brady's amendment would lengthen to more than three years from one the time period assets must be held in order to be eligible for the capital gains tax rate. The amendment would also reduce the amount of carried-interest income eligible for the lower rate. (Additional reporting by David Morgan and Susan Cornwell in Washington, Richard Leong and David Randall in New York; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Leslie Adler)
A restaurant owner in Memphis is accused of attacking and choking a customer who complained about her fries being cold.

The alleged incident happened on Nov. 3 at Crumpys Hot Wings when the victim, Rinesha Moore, came in to pick up an order.

I saw that my food was kinda. its usually smoking but it wasnt smoking this time, it was kinda dry so I said, Can I get some fresh fries? Moore told local station WREG.

Crumpys owner Donald Crump told her she was late picking up her order, which made Moore angry.

He was just like, naw, being nonchalant like he didnt care, just bad customer service right off the back, she told the station.

Still, she admitted that she was late for the pick-up.

I was probably a little bit late but they told me 25-35 mins over the phone and usually they dont have the food ready when I get there, so I gave them just a little extra time, Moore explained.

The two argued over the fries for minutes, according to four witnesses who said they saw Moore throw her food on the floor, according to Memphis station WHBQ.

Thats when Moore says 61-year-old Crump allegedly came out from behind the counter, grabbed her by the neck and started strangling her.

He pushed me with his two hands and like pushed me into the fish bowl then I laid back, and he came like this with his two hands, Moore told the station.

Crump told WMC that he never choked Moore, but did grab her, trying to remove her from the business.

He told the station that he will release surveillance video later this week that vindicates him.

Meanwhile, Crump was charged with aggravated assault and was later released on bond.

Also on HuffPost

Donald Crump

Police in Memphis charged Donald Crump, 61, with aggravated assault after he allegedly strangled a customer who complained of cold fries.

Mitchell Harris Feinberg

Mitchell Harris Feinberg, 39, is accused of shattering the front door of a Waffle House restaurant in Brookhaven, Georgia, because he was mad they raised the price of sausage biscuits by 50 cents.

Natasha West

Natasha West, 27, is accused of assaulting a Denny's waitress who wouldn't let her share her all-you-can-eat pancakes with her friends.

Thomas Washburn

Washburn was a 54-year-old kindergarten teacher in Mesa, Ariz. when he allegedly punished a crying 6-year-old girl by taking off her shirt and leaving her half-naked for 10 minutes. The student started crying because Washburn had allegedly shouted at the two dozen kids in his class in January, 2014.

Delbert Huber

Delbert Huber, 82, shot Timothy Larson, a local teacher, after their argument over a missing $50 and farm equipment escalated. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Shirley Nunez

Oregon woman Shirley Nunez, 47, was charged with attempted murder for allegedly running over her cop-husband with a Ford F-150 after pointing a gun at a woman he suspected him of cheating on her with.

Randy Zipperer

This Floridian was so angry at his brother during an argument about missing macaroni and cheese that he allegedly stabbed him. Or, as Zipperer allegedly told cops, "I poked him a little with the knife, but I didn't mean to." Read the whole story here.

Deborah Burns

Burns allegedly threw a kitchen knife at her boyfriend, cutting his abdomen, because he farted in her face.

Jillian Martone

Martone is accused of punching a man and threatening him with a knife after he refused to call her his girlfriend following their first date.

Holly Solomon

Solomon is accused of running over her husband in her SUV because he didn't vote in the 2012 election.

Allen Casey

Casey was accused in October, 2012 of hitting his boyfriend with a plate for listening to nothing but Alanis Morissette music.

Charlene Idelle Hunziker

Hunziker is accused of causing a disturbance at a P.F. Chang's in West DDes Moines in October, 2012. She allegedly told police they didn't need to be there because "she was a Republican," according to a police report.

Zachary Davis

This 15-year-old boy will be charged as an adult in the sledgehammer murder of his mother in August, 2012. Davis allegedly killed his mother and then lit his home on fire in an attempt to kill his older brother while he slept. Read more

Disturbed Sleeper

Justin Michael Byars, 21, allegedly was so unhappy about being woken up that he assaulted the guy in the head who did it, punching the man in the head before throwing him into a fish tank. Read the whole story here.

Lluvia Rodriguez

Rodriguez is accused of biting her sister's nose off during a fight. The nose was successfully reattached.

Couple's Orgy Goes South

Tina Norris and James Barfield, a Florida couple, had an orgy at their house in August 2012. Mid-way through, they apparently agreed that they didn't much care for orgies. They started beating on one another, and not in the good way. Both were charged with domestic battery and locked up.

Sheriff officers examine crushed cruisers at the Orleans County Sheriff's Department in Newport, Vt., Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. Authorities say 34-year old Vermont farmer Roger Pion, angry over a recent arrest last month on charges of resisting arrest and marijuana possession, used a large tractor like a monster truck, destroying seven police cruisers. (AP Photo/Northland Journal, Scott Wheeler)

Robert Gernot

Germot was accused of threatening his neighbor by saying, "When I get done taking a s--t, I'm gonna kick your f---ing a--!"

Christopher Dabney

Christopher Dabney, 22, allegedly attacked a US Army veteran in a wheelchair on Halloween, knocking the 35-year-old out of his chair. Dabney reportedly believed that the victim's Army uniform--and wheelchair--were fake, and was angry at what he perceived as an offensive Halloween costume. Read the whole story here.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Mr Spencer has rose to prominence with the rise of Donald Trump: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Alt-right figurehead Richard Spencer has been taken to task for his white supremacist views during an interview that was cut short by the reporter, who said Spencer didn't know what he was talking about.

During an interview with British journalist Gary Young, the American insisted that the United States was built by white people, and laughed off the fact that the White House was built by black slaves, justifying his ancestors' involvement by saying they'd ordered the slaves to build it. At one point, Mr Spencer seemed to admit that he supports America's history of slavery, because he embraces "all of it."

Mr Spencer, who was visibly surprised to find out that his interviewer was a black man, later attempted to tell Mr Younge that he would "never be an Englishman" because of his race. At that point, Mr Younge ended the interview, calling Mr Spencer a "ridiculous man" who had failed to explain the intellectual movement behind America's modern right-wing ethno-nationalist movement.

"You don't get to tell me what I will be," Mr Younge objected. "You, sorry, you're a ridiculous man. This interview is over."

"I was looking for someone who could give some intellectual ballast into whats going on in this country in terms of race, in terms of white people, but I found the wrong guy. Because you dont know what youre talking about," Mr Young continued before walking away.

Mr Spencer has been one of the most prominent figures in the far-right movement that has found a leader in President Donald Trump, who Mr Spencer has described as a nationalist.

On a personal journey across white America, writer Gary Younge came face to face with alt-right leader Richard Spencer @Channel4 Thurs 10pm pic.twitter.com/25f0gHWmjO  Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) November 7, 2017

Just after the 2016 election, Mr Spencer was captured in a video giving a passionate speech accompanied by the Nazi salute and shouts of "hail Trump", in an apparent reference to the salutes of soldiers during Nazi Germany during Adolph Hitler's reign.

Story continues

During the interview between Mr Younge and Spencer, the alt-right figurehead argued that African Americans who were enslaved in the US were better off than their counterparts who now live in Africa, pointing toward high life expectancy rates in the United States, a developed country, compared to those in Africa, where many countries are still developing.

Mr Younge took issue with the comparison, noting that the US benefited from the practice of forcibly removing Africans from their communities and bringing them to America.

"Its such a ridiculous notion that people forcibly removed from their homes and taken to this country to work for nothing for a couple of centuries and that benefited them," Mr Younge said. "Have you ever for a second considered that if they were able to stay in the countries where they were born and lived and werent forcibly removed that those continents might be in a better state now?"

"I seriously doubt that," Mr Spencer responded.
The explosive allegations of sexual misconduct against Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore may have an unintended casualty: Steve Bannon, the former adviser to Donald Trump who is leading an insurgency against the GOP establishment.

At least, thats what Bannons chief target, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is hoping.

When Bannon first backed Moore in the Republican Senate primary in Alabama, it looked like a shrewd move. Moore led in the polls by double digits in the runoff with Sen. Luther Strange, whod been appointed to fill the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

And Bannon was looking for a way to establish himself as a kingmaker, after leaving his post as senior White House adviser to President Trump.

When Bannon endorsed Moore, he told allies that he wasnt opposing Strange  whom Trump backed  to spite the president.

Former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore greets supporters, Sept. 26, 2017, in Montgomery, Ala. (Photo: Brynn Anderson/AP)

His real target was McConnell, he said, and he expanded on this theme in a highly publicized interview with 60 Minutes in early September.

Days before Moore beat Strange in the primary runoff, Bannon said that those who wished to defeat Moore cannot take the righteousness  people like Judge Moore represent.

Moores decisive primary win helped cement the idea that Bannon was now a powerful figure on the right whose endorsement would be key for Republican candidates. It was a step toward wresting control of the GOP from McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc.

McConnells allies hit back in late October. An outside group that supports the Senate leader, the Senate Leadership Fund, began criticizing Bannon on Twitter and said it planned to run ads in Republican primaries against Bannon-endorsed candidates, such as Kelli Ward in Arizona.

Bannons well-documented, toxic views and alt-right paper trail could become a liability for candidates who are perceived as closely tied to him, SLF President Steven Law told the Washington Post at the time.

On Thursday, McConnell and his Republican Senate colleagues were quick to distance themselves from Moore after the Post reported on four women who allege that Moore pursued them and initiated sexual contact when they were teenagers. One woman was 14 at the time, another 16.

Story continues

If these allegations are true, he must step aside, McConnell said in a statement on behalf of all Senate Republicans.

Moore will face off against Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 special election.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., didnt qualify or hedge his comments; he said unequivocally that Moore should drop his candidacy. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of, McCain said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters about allegations made against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, Nov. 9, 2017. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters)

McConnell allies wasted no time in piling on to make sure that Bannons name was dragged into the uproar over the allegations against Moore.

Dear GOP, send your thank you cards to the Breitbart embassy attn: Steve Bannon, tweeted Josh Holmes, a former McConnell chief of staff.

Holmes went further in a comment to the Post: If its true, the GOP doesnt have any place for pedophiles and he should step down immediately.

And the SLF foreshadowed a possible line of attack in future campaign ads, contrasting Senate Republicans with Bannons Breitbart News, which defended Moore against the allegations.

SLF linked to a clip of Breitbarts Joel Pollak downplaying the allegations against Moore.

Hes being accused of relationships with teenagers. Now to me thats not accurate, Pollak said. The 16-year old and the 18-year old have no business in that story because those are women of legal age of consent.

SLF tweeted: While Senate Republicans fight for @realDonaldTrumps tax reform, Bannons @BreitbartNews is arguing the age of consent for teens.

Bannon did not respond to a request for comment.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The Saudi administrations crackdown on alleged corruption is about to include a massive asset seizure, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal quoted unnamed sources as saying the government was planning to seize up to $800 billion in cash and assets, on the basis that they were amassed through corruption.

The kingdoms reform-minded young crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman al Saud, has in recent days moved to consolidate his power by taking on a variety of potential threats. Having already cracked down on critics, including those in the clergy and media, in September, the government last weekend arrested some of Saudia Arabias richest men, including the prominent investor Alwaleed bin Talal.

Prince Mohammeds power play comes with the endorsement of U.S. president Donald Trump, which many have theorized is tied to the potential flotation of Saudi oil giant Aramco on the New York Stock Exchangean uncertain outcome, given the transparency requirements that would accompany it.

Apart from helping the crown prince secure the throne, the crackdown could also bring a much-needed financial boost to the state coffers, which have been hit by low oil prices.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority said Tuesday that it had frozen some peoples bank accounts, while their corruption charges run their course. The WSJ reported that the government may be able to reclaim as much as $800 billion in assets.

However, a lot of those assets are abroad, which will make it more difficult to pull them in. The government has banned many people, including royals, from leaving Saudi Arabia for the moment.

Apart from Prince Alwaleed, an investor in the likes of Apple aapl and Twitter twtr , the crackdown also nabbed Bakr bin Ladin, the chairman of the Saudi Binladin construction group (and the half-brother of Osama bin Laden). According to the WSJ, he faces bribery charges connected with his firms contract for expanding the grounds of the Great Mosque in Mecca.
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia said Thursday 201 people are being held for questioning over an estimated $100 billion in embezzlement and corruption, after the biggest purge of the kingdom's elite in its modern history.

Princes, ministers and a billionaire business tycoon were among dozens of high-profile figures arrested or sacked at the weekend, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidates power.

The purge comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia and Iran facing off over a missile attack from Yemen and a political crisis in Lebanon after prime minister Saad Hariri's shock resignation announced from Riyadh.

"A total of 208 individuals have been called in for questioning so far... Seven have been released without charge," the Saudi information ministry said in a statement, quoting attorney general Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb.

Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned that assets related to the alleged corruption cases would be seized as state property, as the government appears set to widen the crackdown.

"The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large," the statement said.

"Based on our investigations over the past three years, we estimate that at least $100 billion has been misused through systematic corruption and embezzlement over several decades."

High-profile figures, including billionaire tycoon Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, were arrested or sacked in the crackdown -- just after an anti-graft commission headed by the crown prince was established.

- Rising tensions -

Prince Mohammed, the son of 81-year-old King Salman, is already seen as the country's de facto ruler controlling all the major levers of government.

With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, the crown prince has centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history.

The crackdown comes as he moves to accelerate his Vision 2030 programme to modernise the conservative kingdom, but also as Riyadh takes a more aggressive stance in its wider region.

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After a failed missile attack against Riyadh airport on Saturday, which was claimed by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, the kingdom has accused Tehran of "direct aggression".

Iran vehemently dismissed the charge that it supplied missiles to the Huthis and warned Saudi Arabia of its "might", prompting fresh acrimony between the regional heavyweights.

French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Riyadh on Thursday to discuss the rising regional tensions in his first face-to-face talks with Prince Mohammed.

The tensions appear to be playing out in Lebanon, a former French colony and the latest front line of the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

On Saturday, Hariri cited Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life when he announced his resignation in a televised speech from Riyadh, precipitating a new political crisis in Beirut.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible" and also called on them not to travel to the country, without specifying any threat.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of Hariri from Saudi Arabia, amid media reports that he was being held in the kingdom.

The regional tensions could escalate the proxy conflict between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in wars and power struggles from Yemen to Syria.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Three Gulf states advised their citizens against traveling to Lebanon on Thursday and asked those already there to leave as soon as possible, amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over Lebanon and Yemen. The official Saudi Press Agency, citing an official Foreign Ministry source, said the kingdom was asking citizens who were visiting or residing in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also warned nationals against travel to Lebanon via official news agencies later in the day. Bahrain had urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on Sunday. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on Saturday while in Saudi Arabia, accusing Iran and the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah of sowing strife in Arab states and saying he feared assassination. On Thursday, two top Lebanese government officials accused Riyadh of holding Hariri captive. A third told Reuters that the Saudi authorities had ordered Hariri to resign and had put him under house arrest. Saudi Arabia and members of Hariri's Future Movement have denied reports that he is under house arrest. The Saudi minister for Gulf affairs has accused Lebanon of declaring war against the kingdom, and alleged that the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah was involved in firing a missile at Saudi Arabia from Yemen on Saturday. Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to stop interfering in Lebanese affairs. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would make a previously unscheduled trip to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to see Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss "regional questions, in particular Yemen and Lebanon". (Reporting by Dahlia Nehme and Katie Paul; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Kevin Liffey)
Dubai (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's arrest of prominent royals and businessmen under the banner of battling corruption could in fact be more a case of internal power politics, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

Late Saturday, authorities in the Gulf powerhouse launched what they said was an anti-graft drive which netted dozens of high-profile businessmen and politicians.

Those detained included billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and the head of the national guard, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah.

Powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind the arrest orders after he became head of the Anti-Corruption Committee created earlier the same day.

"The middle-of-the-night simultaneous establishment of a new corruption body and mass arrests over corruption raise concerns that Saudi authorities detained people en masse and without outlining the basis of the detentions," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at the New York-based HRW.

"While Saudi media are framing these measures as Mohammed bin Salman's move against corruption, the mass arrests suggest this may be more about internal power politics," she said.

HRW said the mass arrest of princes, current and former government ministers and officials as well as prominent businessmen raises human rights concerns.

Saudi authorities should immediately reveal the legal and evidentiary basis for each person's detention and ensure that each can exercise due process rights, it said.

Riyadh has defended the arrests as legal, saying that the suspects had been subjected to extensive investigation.

The authorities also said they were freezing the bank accounts of the accused and promised they would be tried in a court of law.

"It's great that Saudi authorities are declaring that they want to take on the scourge of corruption, but the right way to do that is through diligent judicial investigations against actual wrongdoing, not sensationalistic mass arrests to a luxury hotel," Whitson said.

The Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh is rumoured to be the site where many of those arrested are being held.
Self-described "alpha male" Sebastian Gorka will be joining Fox News. (Photo: Mary F. Calvert/Reuters)

Sebastian Gorka, the endlessly controversial former aide to President Donald Trump, has been hired by Fox News.

Host Sean Hannity announced Wednesday that Gorka, who left his White House job in August under disputed circumstances, will serve as a national security strategist for Fox.

Gorka is known for espousing aggressively anti-Islamic views during his numerous TV appearances on behalf of the president both before and after the election. In August 2016, while also advising Trumps campaign, he told law enforcement officials at a FBI course that all Muslims are either already radicalized or soon to be radicalized, the Daily Beast reported. (The FBI subsequently terminated his gig as a lecturer.) And in August of this year, he was reportedly upset that Trump did not use the phrase radical Islam or radical Islamic terrorism in a speech about Afghanistan.

Yet for all his self-professed knowledge on the topic, Gorka has spent little time in the Middle East and does not speak Arabic.

Also troubling are Gorkas ties to Nazi sympathizers. In January, he wore a medal given to him by his father that signified his fathers membership in Vitezi Rend, a Hungarian group that had collaborated with Nazis during World War II.

Im a proud American now and I wear that medal now and again, British-born Gorka told Breitbart News. He said it was to remind him what his parents had suffered.

An investigation by Forward magazine found that Gorka had worked with anti-Semitic groups and public figures between 2002 and 2007. When he was asked about those people, Gorka deflected by noting that his parents had lived through the nightmare of WWII and the horrors of the [Hungarian] Nyilas puppet fascist regime.

After Trump won the election, Gorka boasted that the alpha males are back. Shortly before the Charlottesville protests that turned violent, he insisted that white supremacists are not the problem.

So it seems Gorka will be a perfect fit for Fox News.

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Al Franken has again raised alarms about how Facebook and Google are misusing the "unprecedented power" they wield over how the public gets information. In a speech yesterday, he pointed out that while the firms control 75 percent of all news traffic referrals, both allowed Russia to interfere in US politics despite obvious signals. "The government has a responsibility to ensure that these corporations do not endanger our national security, our democracy or our fundamental freedoms," Franken said.

The Minnesota Senator noted that news publishers spend money, time and talent chasing down stories, but are beholden to companies concerned with revenue, not informed public discourse. "The content creators that rely on [those] platforms to reach consumers have lost all their leverage," he said. "Google, Facebook and Amazon have used their algorithms to extract unfair terms and fees from those dependent on their platforms."

With this unprecedented power, platforms have the ability to redirect into their pockets the advertising dollars that once went to newspapers and magazines. No one company should have the power to pick and choose which content reaches consumers and which doesn't.

A recent example of that is Facebook's recent "pay to play" experiment that relegated publisher's articles in six markets from the main News Feed to a harder-to-reach area called the Explore Feed. That caused a stark drop in organic traffic for sites in those countries, something that would force publishers to make up the deficit by buying ads instead. Facebook said that it wasn't planning on releasing the service globally, but many publishers found the mere presence of the test alarming.

The speech came just a few days after US Congress grilled laywers from Facebook, Twitter and Google about their role in Russian meddling and abuse on the platforms. Franken participated in one of the three hearings, and was particularly critical over Facebook's inability to detect Russian-based ads. "People are buying ads on your platforms with rubles ... you can't put together rubles with a political ad and go, hmm, those two data points spell out something bad?" he asked.

Facebook recently said that it would sacrifice profit to tackle the problem of fake news, but that doesn't address it (and Google's) outsize influence over the publishing industry. That could turn into an anti-trust issue, and with that, much closer government scrutiny. "With this unprecedented power, platforms have the ability to redirect into their pockets the advertising dollars that once went to newspapers and magazines," he said. "No one company should have the power to pick and choose which content reaches consumers and which doesn't."
By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Democratic Senator said on Tuesday he wants answers from top Justice Department officials about why a career prosecutor was asked to resign days before a special counsel unveiled the first criminal charges in an investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election. Dana Boente was asked to quit in late October as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, whose district has played an important role in the investigation. Just days later, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators charged President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort and another aide, Rick Gates, with conspiring to launder money and other charges. It was also announced on Oct. 30 that a third former Trump adviser, George Papadopoulos, had pleaded guilty earlier in the month to a charge of lying to the FBI. U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he was writing to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to ask if Boente's departure was "normal or justified." "I'm concerned about the abrupt departure of Dana Boente after a career as a federal prosecutor ... There's a lot of circumstances that connect the ongoing Mueller investigation to the Eastern District," Coons said in an interview. A Department of Justice spokesman said the agency does not comment on personnel matters. Boente could not immediately be reached for comment. Investigations into whether Republican Trump's campaign associates colluded with Russia last year to help him defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for the presidency arose after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia carried out a campaign of hacking and propaganda to interfere in the election. Russia has repeatedly denied meddling allegations and Trump has denied any collusion. A Justice Department veteran, Boente has stepped in to help stabilize the law enforcement agency in frequent periods of turmoil during the first year of the Trump administration. Boente has also been temporarily serving as the acting assistant attorney general for the department's National Security Division. He previously was acting attorney general after Trump fired the prosecutor in that post, Sally Yates. After that, Boente also briefly was acting deputy attorney general. A person familiar with the matter confirmed that Sessions, a former Alabama Republican senator and close Trump ally, asked Boente to tender his resignation in late October. Boente will step down as head of the National Security Division once Trump's nominee John Demers is confirmed by the Senate. After that, Boente will continue as head of the Eastern District in Alexandria, Virginia, until he is replaced. Trump has not yet nominated anyone for that post. The Eastern District post is the fourth most powerful position in the department's line of succession. A judge in the district approved the search warrant for the Alexandria, Virginia home of former Trump campaign manager Manafort in July. A grand jury in the district earlier this year became part of Mueller's probe of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who is under scrutiny for his work as a lobbyist for a Turkish businessman. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Grant McCool)
South Park acknowledged Trumps election anniversary this week by bringing back President Garrison and welcoming Mike Pence, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell to the show.

Mr. President, you need to be a little more careful, said the parodied Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan as he told Garrison that a worker with ties to Russia was found raped and executed. The shows Mitch McConnell also chimed in, saying, Mr. President, people are starting to question your oath to the office, to which Garrison basically stated that his oath to the office was that he would screw everyone to death. He then told them to be quiet and just go out and put a positive spin on everything. How are we supposed to put a positive spin on it? asked Ryan. Its getting pretty hard to keep defending you. Maybe its time we put our foot down. However, that was definitely not the right answer and, later, when a reporter asked Ryan how he thought the President was doing on his election anniversary, Ryan shared, Hes great. Were doing great. A lot of people judge him and just see the negative. People dont know how great the President can be behind closed doors. They dont get to see all his good qualities.

Pence, Ryan and McConnell were later seen in a dark room colluding over President Garrisons latest approval ratings, hoping that if the President tanks, theyd have an out. Ive been researching our own independent poll. The president is tanking. These numbers are so low that we might just have an out, said Ryan to McConnell and Pence. It means that the swing voters are turning against him. Its those people who matter. Those are the ones who can finally turn this thing around!

However, in the end, despite learning of his numbers, Garrison said Everythings gonna be fine, as the Republican leaders apprehensively looked ahead to the future.

South Park airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.

Check out South Park tackling the opioid crisis in a bizarre way:

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Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government could again revise down the country's 2018 economic growth forecast due to the political crisis in Catalonia, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Thursday. "It is affecting tourism, it is affecting some entities and it is affecting trade. We have seen some worrying figures. And it could be that next year effectively this will lead to a cut to growth," Rajoy told reporters in the city of Salamanca. The government already revised down 2018 growth from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent last month. Rajoy said he would respect the decision of the Spanish Supreme Court which on Thursday is hearing sedition allegations from state prosecutors against the Catalan parliament speaker and five other Catalan lawmakers. (Reporting by Jesus Aguado; Writing by Angus Berwick)
Sometimes simple is best. But that doesn't mean boring; this engagement shoot is far from that. It's just simply stunning. With a view as gorgeous as this one, with the sea literally sparkling, and a couple as stylish as these two, there is no need for extra fluff. Keep it simple. Rebecca Yale captured all the sweet moments, the laughter and the love, making this engagement shoot, well, pretty perfect. It's as simple as that.

From Rebecca Yale... Kate and Andre, who are San Francisco dwellers, chose to have their engagement sessions in one of their favorite places - the beaches of Santa Cruz where Kate's family has a vacation home. They're getting married in the city and wanted the contrast between the two locations for these photos. We started at a beautiful cove with giant rock formations that the Northern California coastline is famous for and finished up walking along the water near Santa Cruz Harbor at sunset. From the Bride-to-be... We met at a friends birthday party in Santa Cruz in July of 2009. There was a spark (and some banter) but the timing wasnt right  I was moving to Chicago the next week! Almost a year later, Andre and some other friends came to visit me in the Windy City. After a long night of dancing and deep dish, we were the last two standing. We walked to Oak Street Beach and watched the sunrise. Little did he know, I would be waking him up to watch the sunrise hundreds of times over the next seven years. Within the next six months, we had both moved to San Francisco. The following years were a blur of friends, travel, Giants Games, hiking, concerts and exploring northern California (typically in search of spicy food and the perfect Old Fashion). Growing up, I spent my summers in Santa Cruz. Andre (or Dreamy Dre as my friends call him) proposed on a cliff overlooking Seabright Beach - it was perfect! Our wedding planner, Kate Siegel, introduced us to Rebeccas work and we fell in love! I love that she shoots on film and the way she captures light. Andre suggested Santa Cruz (a location he now calls one of his favorite places in the world) for engagement pictures and it just seemed right. We dont typically go to the beach in cocktail attire, but Rebeccas photos makes us want to do it again!

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Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Event Planning: Kate Siegel Fine Events | Pink Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA | White Pants: Topshop
Stocks slammed as details of the Senate tax plan come out, and huge after hours earnings await. Plus  Big earnings reports with Disney and Nvidia coming up, well have those for you. And  Sean Parker says social media sites are exploiting you  is Washington listening? Plus  despite todays jitters, does the current bull market have more room to run? We check the charts. Catch The Final Round at 3:55 p.m. with Jen Rogers and Yahoo Finance markets correspondent Nicole Sinclair.

Winners and losers

Stocks getting hit today include IAC/Interactive Corp as the College Humor and Daily Beast parent missed on profit as expenses rose in the quarter, Canadian Solar as the panel maker missed on the bottom line, and Snap  shares of the Snapchat parent down again as Morgan Stanley downgrades the stock to underweight citing monetization challenges.

Stocks getting a boost include 21st Century Fox as higher ad sales led to a revenue beat, specifically in its cable unit, Macys as earnings beat forecasts, and did not lower its holiday forecast as some expected, and Roku  shares popping here as the streaming device maker reported a much lower loss than expected with revenue beating as well.

Searching for yield

Fixed income, as an asset class, especially high quality government debt has been over-loved according to our next guest. Henry Peabody is a Portfolio Manager at Eaton Vance and joins us now.
A former New York City resident was arrested in Florida on Wednesday in connection with two separate, decade-old cold case murders, according to WPIX.

Christopher Gonzalez, 36, was discovered by police working at a Toys R Us in Naples after a fingerprint left behind during a 2000 murder in the Bronx borough of Manhattan was linked back to him 17 years later.



Photo: WPIX

Gonzalez's first alleged victim, 19-year-old Dora Delvalle Almontaser, was found by her mother on Dec. 2, 2000, strangled to death with a phone cord in her familys Bronx apartment.

Although bodily fluids were recovered from the young victim and one fingerprint was left behind at the scene, they could not be identified at the time, WPIX reported.

On Sept. 3, 2005, state police found the body of Angel Serbay, a 25-year-old mother from Yonkers, New York, wrapped in a blanket and dumped on the shoulder of a state parkway.

The victim has been strangled, and bodily fluids recovered from her contained the same unknown DNA profile that was found on Almontaser.

Both cases went cold until this year when NYPD detectives decided to resubmit the fingerprint taken from the murder scene where Almontaser's body was discovered.

The print matched with one on file that belonged to Gonzalez, who had been arrested in April 2017 by the Collier County Sheriffs Office in Naples, Florida, for driving without a license.

Gonzalez, who is now married, was served a murder warrant for the killing of Almontaser and is reportedly fighting extradition to New York.

State police are currently leading an investigation into whether Gonzalez is connected to the second murder.

A law enforcement source also told WPIX that Gonzalez lived within blocks of each victim's New York homes.

RELATED: Notable cold cases through history:
Stockholm (AFP) - Sweden announced Tuesday it has chosen the US Patriot missile defence system over that of a Franco-Italian rival, in an estimated one billion-euro deal.

The choice is in line with 2015 strategy to avoid "the degradation" of regional security, and boost the country's armed forces operational capacity after years of austerity, the Swedish defence ministry said in a statement.

No details of the deal were given by the ministry, but the body in charge of military acquisitions has valued the contract at 10 billion krona (1 billion euros, $ 1.3 billion).

The deal is also in line with an accord signed by Stockholm and Washington last year to boost bilateral military cooperation.

Washington and top US political figures have been demanding that the allies share more of the defence burden since NATO was set up in 1949 to hold back the Soviet Union.

The Swedish decision to choose the Patriot system, manufactured by US defence contractor Raytheon, means Franco-Italian rival Eurosam's SAMP/T missile system misses out.

The Swedish announcement came just hours after NATO said it is set to create two new command centres, including one protecting Atlantic shipping lanes, as it revamps its structures to better counter the threat posed by Russia.

Sweden hopes to receive the ground-to-air missiles between 2020 and 2025.

The longer-range Patriot system will replace the US Hawk missile system employed in Sweden.
A Syrian pro-government forces member patrols in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor on November 4, 2017 - AFP

The last major town held by Islamic State in Syria was reported to have fallen to government forces on Wednesday night, leaving the terror group near complete collapse.

The offensive to retake Albu Kamal in eastern Syria was launched several days ago after regime troops and allied militias, under the cover of Russian airpower, captured the last Isil-held city of Deir Ezzor.

On Wednesday fighters from the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Unit (PMU) crossed the frontier to squeeze the group from the east.

Its commander announced the complete liberation late last night, but there was no immediate confirmation from the Syrian government.

Isil, which once controlled a caliphate the size of Britain spanning Iraq and Syria, has lost more than 95 per cent of its territory.

Isil map

They are now confined to a small pocket of desert inside Syria along the border, where they are putting up a final stand.

Omar Abu Layla, director of Deir Ezzor 24 news agency, told the Telegraph he believed the jihadists now numbered in the low thousands and many of them were foreign.

Isil was preserving the foreign fighters for the biggest battle at the end, he said. They are fighting for their life in the desert, they wont give up easily like they did in Deir Ezzor.

Displaced Syrians collect water from a tank at a camp housing people who fled the fighting in Deir Ezzor, Mayadeen and Albu Kamal, on October 14, 2017, in the town of Arisha in the neighbouring province of Hasakeh Credit: AFP

The Syrian government has sworn to recapture the whole of Syria, including Islamic States former capital Raqqa and oil and gas fields lying east of the Euphrates which is currently being held by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

On Tuesday, Bouthaina Shaaban, a senior adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, described the US forces aiding the SDF in Syria as illegal invaders. Washington has not spelled out how its military support for the SDF would evolve after Islamic States defeat.
By Laila Bassam and Angus McDowall BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's army and its allies, spearheaded by Lebanon's Hezbollah, captured Islamic State's last stronghold in Syria on Wednesday, a commander in the alliance said, bringing the self-declared caliphate close to complete downfall. "The last stronghold of Daesh (Islamic State), Albu Kamal, is free of the Daesh organization," said the commander in the military alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Islamic State has been all but destroyed over the past two years. At the height of its power in 2015, it ruled an expanse of Iraq and Syria, eradicating the border, printing money, imposing draconian laws and plotting attacks across the world. On Wednesday, after a months-long advance through central and eastern Syria, the Syrian army and allied Shi'ite militias encircled and attacked Albu Kamal. Hezbollah was "the foundation in the battle of Albu Kamal", said the commander, adding that hundreds of the elite forces of the Iran-backed Shi'ite group took part in the battle. Syrian state television declared "Albu Kamal is liberated". But a war monitor, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said it was not true that Albu Kamal was taken and there was still fighting in the area. Albu Kamal is located on the border with Iraq on the bank of the Euphrates. During the battle, Hezbollah forces entered Iraq and the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces crossed into Syria to help capture the town, the commander said. Islamic State retains control over some areas of desert and villages nearby, as well as a town and some other villages in adjacent areas of Iraq, and in scattered pockets elsewhere in both countries. CONTINUING THREAT Despite its losses, Islamic State still has a territorial presence in Libya and elsewhere, and many governments expect it to remain a threat even after it loses the caliphate it declared from Mosul, Iraq, in 2014. It has already carried out guerrilla operations in both Iraq and in Syria, and has continued to inspire lone militants to attack civilian targets in the West. In Syria, the end of major operations against Islamic State may only prefigure a new phase of the war, as the rival forces which have seized territory from the jihadists square off. The Syrian army, alongside Hezbollah and other Shi'ite militias, and backed by Iran and Russia, have seized swathes of central and eastern Syria in the advance against Islamic State this year. Russian official media have in recent weeks reported a surge of strategic bombing and cruise missile strikes on Islamic State targets in eastern Syria as the army advanced. A U.S.-backed coalition has supported a rival campaign by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias that have pushed Islamic State from much of the country's north and east. NEW PHASE OF WAR The Syrian government has sworn to recapture territory held by the SDF, including Islamic State's former capital Raqqa and oil and gas fields east of the Euphrates. In areas controlled by the SDF in northern Syria, Kurdish-led groups have established autonomy, announcing elections and setting internal policies. On Tuesday, Bouthaina Shaaban, a senior adviser to Assad, described the U.S. forces aiding the SDF as illegal invaders. Washington has not spelled out how its military support for the SDF would evolve after Islamic State's defeat. Shaaban also pointed, in a television interview, to the example of Iraq, where the government retaliated against an autonomous Kurdish region after it held an independence referendum. Iraqi military officials say small groups of Islamic State militants are still entrenched in the town of Rawa and the border desert strip with Syria. Scattered villages near al-Qaim, close to Albu Kamal, are still under militant control in an area called Rummana. The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an alliance of militias, earlier on Wednesday denied it had crossed the Syrian border and was attacking Albu Kamal. "Our movements are carried out under orders from the commander in chief of the armed forces and our key objective is to liberate Iraq's territories from Daesh. We have no orders to cross the borders," PMF spokesman Ahmed al-Asadi said. (Reporting by Laila Bassam, Angus McDowall and Sarah Dadouch in Beirut, Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad and Raya Jalabi in Erbil; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
Berlin (AFP) - Syrian refugees in Germany backed by human rights groups said Wednesday they had filed new criminal complaints accusing President Bashar al-Assad's regime of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The 13 Syrian men and women named 17 suspects they considered "most responsible for Assad's brutal policies of repression", said non-profit legal organisation the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR).

The latest complaint in Europe seeking international arrest warrants was filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows German courts to handle cases where neither the victims nor the perpetrators are German citizens.

Among the accused are top officials of Syria's National Security Bureau, Air Force Intelligence Directorate, defence ministry and military police.

"For me, the criminal complaint in Germany is currently the only way to fight for justice," said one plaintiff, Yazan Awad, 30, who recalled being tortured for months at the al-Mezzeh Air Force intelligence investigation branch.

"It's not just about me, it's about all those who are still being held in Assad's torture prisons."

- Beatings, electric shocks -

Awad said he was arrested for anti-regime activism in November 2011 with three friends and, while in custody, beaten with cables and nail-studded sticks by guards who also broke his jaw.

"I can still hear their voices now, their screams," he told AFP about his fellow inmates, his voice shaking. "I can hear the sound of the hits on their bodies".

"We need justice now," Awad said. "It's my dream to free all the detainees."

Shappal Ibrahim, 40, who said he was held for one-and-a-half years at the Saydnaya military prison, said he wanted "to help ensure that the German authorities issue arrest warrants for the people responsible".

The Syrian Kurd and father of four told AFP in fluent German that in captivity he suffered "beatings without interruption for three to four hours" at a time and was also tormented with electric shocks.

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"We were naked when it was very cold, we had almost nothing to eat, we were sometimes deprived of water for three days, and we were blindfolded," said Ibrahim, who claimed he lost nearly half his weight during his detention.

The prison near Damascus had become "a synonym for unimaginable torture, systematic degradation and mass executions", said the ECCHR, which cooperated on the case with Syrian lawyers Anwar Al-Bunni and Mazen Darwish.

Rights group Amnesty International has accused the Assad regime of carrying out up to 13,000 hangings in five years in the prison.

- 330,000 dead -

More than 330,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the six-year-old war between the Assad regime, backed by Russia and Iran, and rebels who have been supported by Turkey and other countries.

German and French prosecutors are already looking into claims of torture committed under Assad since 2011.

A Syrian defector code-named "Caesar", who says he is a former military police photographer, has handed tens of thousands of digital images that he says show 11,000 dead detainees and handed them to investigators, including in Germany.

In an earlier case in Germany last March, seven Syrian torture survivors backed by the same initiative filed a complaint seeking international arrest warrants against six Syrian secret service officials.

According to witness testimony, the prisoners were beaten with pipes, sticks and meat hooks on chains, given electric shocks, burnt with cleaning chemicals and stabbed with pencils.

The ECCHR's Wolfgang Kaleck said the legal complaints might yield results years down the road, citing the case of Chile's 1973-90 dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Pinochet was arrested in London in 1998 under an international arrest warrant for human rights abuses, although he was released on grounds of ill health and returned to Chile in 2000.
One of the most prestigious honors at the annual Country Music Association Awards is the Song of the Year. This year, the accolade went to the 2016 single Better Man, which was made famous by Little Big Town.

However, the Song of the Year award goes to the songwriter, not the performing artist, so Taylor Swift  who wrote Better Man  was the recipient of the honor.

As the story goes, Swift wrote the song and, given its harmonies, thought of her friends in Little Big Town as prime candidates for it. Swift isnt one to let her compositions go to other performers, which makes this a very special instance.

Swift was not able to attend the show, so the members of Little Big Town accepted the award on her behalf.

We didnt write this, clarified the groups Karen Fairchild. Were really grateful Phillip [Sweet] checked his email one night, and that song was in his email!

She couldnt be here tonight  but Taylor, wherever you are, thank you for this song and loving songs, and loving Nashville, Fairchild concluded.

As for Swift, she was in New York City preparing for her eagerly anticipated upcoming appearance on Saturday Night Live, but she took a moment to post her gratitude to social media.

In NYC for SNL rehearsals. I LOVE YOU @littlebigtown and CMAs, she tweeted.

In NYC for SNL rehearsals. I LOVE YOU @littlebigtown and CMAs. pic.twitter.com/3QT7bX6yOe  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 9, 2017

The 2017 CMA Awards were aired live from Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8. Little Big Town additionally won the Vocal Duo of the Year award at the 2017 CMA Awards.
Tears for Fearss Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith (Photo: Universal Music)

Tears for Fears Everybody Wants to Rule the World deservedly remains a favorite pop anthem today, a singalong smash in concert and a staple on every radio stations best-of-the-80s playlist. The groups Curt Smith, who is revisiting that song with the release of TFFs new greatest-hits compilation, Tears for Fears Rule the World, (out Nov. 10), says the 1985 chart-topper is as politically relevant today as it was three decades ago, and maybe even more so.

I think a lot of these songs, now that Ive listened back to them, are kind of just as poignant as they were then, but just towards different people, different areas of the world. Back when we were doing Songs From the Big Chair and Everybody Wants to Rule the World, we were really discussing the Cold War, he says. But it was the U.S. and Russia then, and now the concern is more the U.S. and Korea. I find that fascinating.

Smith, whos lived for almost 30 years in the States  10 in New York, and 19 in L.A.  is among the many musicians out there who are not fans of Americas current president. I am one of those people that as soon as I hear Trump talk on the radio, I have to turn it off, he says. I feel like I am in a different reality when I hear him and realize he is president of the United States. I feel like Im in the upside-down world of Stranger Things.

Still, Smith, who grew up in England and was not a fan of the Brexit vote for the U.K. to leave the European Union, finds room for optimism in these trying political times.

I say this about America and I say this about England, which are the two groups I obviously have close ties to  looking at the younger generation here and the younger generation in Britain, my optimism comes from the fact in my demographics of voting in the U.S. and in Britain, the younger generation overwhelmingly here voted for Hillary, and in Britain voted to stay in Europe, he points out. I think that most of these things  the whole build-a-wall, keep-the-Mexicans-out, white nationalist fervor in America and Brexit in England  are driven in large part by old white men desperately trying to keep the power and scare-mongering. And I think you can fool people once, but now that theyve seen what the consequences are, certainly directly in America, and how they will feel on the consequences, things will change.

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Smith is also heartened by the election results in much of the United States this week, which included wins for five transgender candidates. When I was watching CNN, as one does, or listening to the news in the car to find out what all the results were, yeah, it was cause for optimism, he says. Its a little too soon to extrapolate from that yet, but there was a certain joy in the fact [Danica Roem] won in Virginia. I certainly felt more optimistic than I have in a long time. But of course, [the next day] you read the news and see that Trump said they lost because they did not embrace him. I feel he lives in a different reality than everyone else.

Looking back on Tears for Fears catalog, Smith says they were never an overtly political act, but realizes, I think that consciously or subconsciously, [politics] always affect you. A lot of songs weve written have been political, but theyre also personally political.  Obviously, a lot of our songs are kind of political, Seeds of Love or Mad World, even though thats kind of personally political. I think people do relate to them more. And were finding a younger generation live that relates to our music. Thats something new for us thats happened over the last few years, and thats very gratifying and wonderful.

Like so many songwriters whose music has endured for decades, Smith and musical partner Roland Orzabal have crafted songs that capture a universality by blending the political with the personal. So when Smith listens to their new compilation, which also includes two new songs, he hears more than 30 years of his life. That brings up many memories of TFF mingling with their heroes, whether its David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder (with whom Smith sang at Wonders 40th birthday at Londons Wembley Arena), or the duos very surprising place in hip-hop and R&B, something Smith did not expect at all when he moved to the States initially.

When I first moved to America, what I was shocked by and amazed by [was] the amount of people in the R&B world that were fans, he says. And I guess you noticed that when you see Kanye [interpolate] Memories Fade from The Hurting, or Nas sample Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Even meeting the hardcore rap groups like Gang Starr in New York, [who are] huge Tears fans, was just weird and wonderful.

However, Smith knows that it is not always a blessing to meet ones heroes. Thats why, when asked who hed like to tour with  similar to the trek Tears for Fears did this year with Daryl Hall and John Oates in America, and will do next year in the U.K. with Alison Moyet  he is unsure how to answer.

Oh God, I dont know. Its hard to really know when it comes to touring, because it could be one of your favorite ever bands and they could be a**holes. So you dont really know, and Im very aware of that, because some of your heroes you meet, youre like, Oh wow, wish I never met you, its ruined everything.

So, did Smith ever meet Kanye West or Nas and get a chance to ask them about what makes TFFs music so sample-worthy?

No, I have not met them, he says. Kanye, I fear, would be on that list of people you dont want to meet.
Tencent, the Chinese internet giant valued at $470 billion, may have a hand in rebooting the Snapchat app to make it more competitive with Instagram and Facebook.

Off the back of some very poor financials announced this week, parent company Snap said it is retooling the messaging app "to make it easier to use."

Now Tencent, which upped its stake in Snap with the purchase of 12 percent of the company -- forking out around $2 billion in the process -- may be on hand to help. It said is positioned to enable Snap to dig into its experience of growing WeChat, China's dominant messaging app which boasts 800 million monthly users worldwide, and potentially tap into other business lines, including its games business which includes Clash Of Clans maker Supercell.

"The investment enables Tencent to explore cooperation opportunities with the company on mobile games publishing and newsfeed as well as to share its financial returns from the growth of its businesses and monetization in the future," a Tencent spokesperson told Reuters in a statement.

Tencent first invested in Snap in 2013 although the size of its stake in the company is not public information. As backers go, the company brings considerable clout and know-how in the messaging space. Most impressive is the manner in which it turned WeChat from a messaging app into a social 'Swiss army knife' that users in China turn to for a range of services including payment, e-commerce, local services, investments, banking and more.

Tencent also has a long-standing interest in U.S. tech companies, and it hasn't been shy backing a number with investments. Its U.S. portfolio includes chat app Kik, Tesla and games firm Activision, while it has invested in global messaging apps like Hike in India and South Korea's Kakao.

This experience is likely to be welcomed by Snap as it looks for what trends will come next in messaging and alternative ways it can engage users to compete with Instagram.

[Update: Snap confirms to TechCrunch that this purchase of shares by Tencent was done on the open public market for non-voting Class A shares, so Tencent will not have direct influence on Snapchat's roadmap.]
Photo credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

From Esquire UK

Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews has reportedly spoken to police over claims that he was once groped by a Hollywood executive.

The actor filed an incident report with the Los Angeles Police Department on the grounds of sexual assault on Wednesday (November 8), law enforcement sources told TMZ.

After leaving the LAPD's Hollywood precinct, Crews spoke with the news outlet about why he filed a police report and also confirmed that he also planned to pursue a civil lawsuit against this executive.

"People have to be held accountable," he insisted. "We're going to go all the way."

Crews went public last month with allegations that an unnamed executive "groped [his] privates" in front of his wife and others at a Hollywood party back in 2016.

The actor shared his disturbing story with fans on Twitter in hopes of encouraging others to come forward with their own experiences with sexual harassment and assault.

"I love what I do," he wrote. "But it's a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who've been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength."

Crews went on to write: "Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless."

Over the last few weeks, a number of male celebrities have joined a chorus of top Hollywood actresses like Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon, Anna Faris and Riverdale's Lili Reinhart in sharing their stories of experiencing harassment.

Among those who've spoken out include Dawson's Creek's James Van Der Beek, Simon Cowell and Star Trek Discovery's Anthony Rapp.

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Crime scene tape remains stretched along a road near the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs: Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Texas church where 26 people were killed in a mass shooting will not reopen its doors, its pastor has said.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy of the First Baptist of Sutherland Springs told the Wall Street Journal that services would continue as usual in a community centre down the road.

Theres too many [people] that do not want to go back in there, he said of the church building, where a lone gunman opened fire on Sunday. Mr Pomeroys daughter was killed in the shooting.

The pastor added that the church may be turned into a memorial, but were playing it day by day right now.

Temporary memorials have already sprung up around the church. Dozens of stuffed animals, flowers, and candles lay under the police tape that currently cordons off the building. Twenty-six white crosses were arranged in a field nearby, representing the 26 dead.

Outside a gas station next door, someone placed a candle, a flower, and a teddy bear on the ground in an impromptu tribute to the victims.

An impromptu memorial has popped up outside a gas station in Sutherland Springs (Emily Shugerman/The Independent)

Some outlets have reported that the church building will be torn down, but a spokesperson for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) told The Independent this had yet to be confirmed.

Frank Page, president of the SBCs executive committee, and Steve Gaines, SBC's president, visited Mr Pomeroy recently to discuss the shooting. During the conversation, Mr Pomeroy expressed his personal desire that perhaps the church would be raised, said Roger Oldham, SBCs Vice President of Communications.

Mr Oldham emphasised that the church itself would continue operations  no matter what happened to the building.

The church didn't close, he said. The church is the people.

An anonymous donor has already agreed to fund the construction of a new building, Mr Page told the National Catholic Reporter. But Mr Pomeroy has said it is too soon right now to tell whether the building will be rebuilt.

I want to get through all the funerals before I do anything, he told the Journal.

Story continues

Several organisations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, have offered to pay for the funeral services. One funeral home in San Antonio has already offered free caskets. Several GoFundMe pages have also been started to help survivors pay for the funerals of their family members and friends. One such fundraiser has already raised nearly $237,000.

It is unclear how much it would cost to rebuild the church, or turn it into a memorial. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where nine people were killed in a church shooting in 2015, raised almost $42,000 for the construction of a memorial this year. Architect Michael Arad, known for creating the World Trade Centre Memorial in New York, has agreed to design it.

But other memorials to mass shootings have proved controversial. Adam Lankford, a professor of criminology at the University of Alabama, said memorials can sometimes become a pilgrimage site for other potential mass shooters.

If you have something that specifically marks the site, that could be something that these copycats and at-risk individuals want to visit, Mr Lankford previously told The Independent. It creates a landmark.

The best option, Mr Lankford said, is to let the locations fade into history, in the same way we hope the memory of these offenders do.
The smartphone in our pockets has redefined how we interact with people, engage with the world and get ourselves around. A constant connection to the world may be making some of us miserable, however, with a recent South Korean study suggesting that more than 10 percent of internet-using teens are at risk for depression. This may explain the explosion in the number of services, like Talkspace, that enable people to seek help with a mental-health professional online.

Rather than trek to a lavishly-appointed therapist's office uptown, users can simply reach into their pocket and get help. These e-therapy platforms offer a variety of options, from a Skype-esque video and phone calls through to a more instantaneous, text-based chat protocol. Talkspace claims to have around 500,000 users engaging with more than 1,000 professionals.

In fact, you can expect to hear more from Talkspace in the very near future, as it recently signed a deal with medical giant Magellan Health. At some point soon, Magellan's clients will be able to access on-demand psychotherapy, provided by Talkspace, through its own assistance program. That means if Magellan runs your employer's health-care provision, you'll have the option of contacting a therapist online as part of your package.

Talkspace emphasizes the benefits of online therapy, including the pros of having an on-demand, asynchronous relationship with their caregiver. Time-poor folks who struggle to carve out a couple of hours each week to journey to a clinic can still get the help they need. Plus, it's cheaper: An hourlong session in the real world could cost hundreds of dollars and may require wrangling with your insurance provider.

By comparison, Talkspace's plans begin from $32 a week, for which you can talk to a therapist once per day via text. For $39 a week, you're entitled to two check-ins per day, while for $49 a week, you can get that, plus an additional half-hour "live session" with your therapist each month. Other services charge similar prices, with rivals 7Cups charging $150 a month and Betterhelp asking $280 monthly.

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Talkspace's Scott Christnelly believes that this push online has been beneficial. As well as overseeing therapist performance for the service, he is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. Before joining Talkspace, Christnelly worked at a community organization offering therapy to individuals with chronic physical and mental illness. "The job became more about paper and chart compliance and less about the healing relationships I formed with clients," he said. Talkspace enabled him to quit his job and build up an independent practice by going directly to individuals.

The challenges are different when offering therapeutic services online, especially when compared to the real world. Face-to-face, therapists are able to read a person's nonverbal cues in order to understand the subtext of what they're saying. "It's definitely a unique experience," says Christnelly, adding that "there is a learning curve in figuring out how to bridge that gap." For his part, he says that experts also need to "learn how to communicate warmth and empathy and understanding through the written word."

Another issue is the belief that, because it's online, the client's journey toward gratification or success is shorter. Christnelly says clients make more progress when they drop their need for an instant response or an ostensible cure. "It takes time for some clients to adjust to asynchronous communication," although he believes that the delay is actually "beneficial." The extra time between missives "gives the therapist and client time and space to explore their actions."

Technical issues aside, Christnelly doesn't believe that there's a big difference between therapy online and in the real world. "The issues are the same that I saw when working with clients face-to-face," he explained, and the clients are the same, too. "Everyone has different life circumstances," says Christnelly, "but share the same internal struggles as everyone else."

Woman having a conversation with her therapist

One of the benefits of online therapy is that the interactions can be instant, but also asynchronous, and you ultimately have the ability to choose how engaged you are. But when your motivation flags, or life gets in the way, it's easier to walk away from the project than a real-world therapist. Much like that gym subscription you bought January 3rd, a Talkspace account may be left fallow for long periods of time. Neglect could, over a year, amount to the better part of $2,000-worth of wasted money. Talkspace will only unsubscribe you if a therapist marks you as absent -- unless it's related to a complaint.

Then there are the risks and dangers inherent with switching from a direct doctor-patient model to an Uberized marketplace. In 2016, former Talkspace therapists blew the whistle, telling The Verge about the company's apparent failure to properly safeguard those who may be at risk. Whereas traditional mental-health professionals have a duty of care to notify law enforcement when individuals could be in danger, Talkspace users are anonymous to their therapists.

Other controversies have also hurt the service somewhat, including cutting off a therapist from clients when the therapist filed a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services. Todd Essig, a prominent critic of TalkSpace, wrote in Forbes that the company behaved in a "hasty, ill-advised and hurtful," way. Essig has also said that online therapy platforms are no substitute for the real thing, creating "momentary feelings of being understood, which should never be confused with actually being understood."

Talkspace CEO and co-founder Oren Frank says that the platform has remedied a lot of these issues, revising and updating its approach as it goes. He told Engadget that it has been a process to "learn and improve our understanding of how remote delivery of therapy is different." Frank, a former advertising creative, founded the site with his wife in 2012 with the aim of making therapy cheaper and accessible "to all." The CEO says that the service has received "overwhelmingly good feedback,"

For all of Talkspace's potential pitfalls -- of which some therapists may believe there is many -- the company's success may not be tied entirely to its business. In fact, online therapy platforms more generally may be helping to make mental health care more accessible to more people. Talkspace even cites an extensive study concerning almost 99,000 veterans with mental-health issues before and after exposure to long-distance psychiatric help. It claims that online therapy managed to reduce instances of hospitalization by around 25 percent.

There are still, however, caveats, like the sort found by Gabrielle Moss when she tried Talkspace out for Bustle back in 2015. Moss, who has lots of experience using real-world therapy, found it far too easy just to ignore the app's requests for contact. "I hadn't realized that much of what I was paying for," she wrote, "was the accountability." "Since there was no appointment," she added, "and since I could erase those push notifications without even reading them [...] I fell off the web-therapy wagon almost as quickly as I started."

Talking to Engadget two years later, Moss said that, on reflection, "in-person therapy is the gold standard for a lot of reasons -- not least of all because you can easily ignore an email from an online therapist." "The fact that it's hard to cut and run on an in-person therapist is positive," because, she added, "when you feel the urge to flee, it's tied to the fact that it's bringing up scary feelings or memories that you don't want to deal with."

The distance created by online therapy, as Moss says, makes it "just too easy to end things because I was being pushed even slightly out of my comfort zone." That's not to say that online therapy has no value, however, and she believes that it can be a "great tool" for people who "can't physically access a therapist." Be it because of cost, geography, mental health or any other barrier, online therapy "can bring therapy to people who would not have been able to access any other form." Although, in her mind, it remains a useful but not entirely satisfying substitute for the real thing.

In the future, the service's sheer availability could well help reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage more folks who need help to seek it. Not to mention that having ubiquitous access to a calm, helpful voice on the other end of your smartphone or computer should reduce potential crises.

Online therapy cannot replace more direct interventions that are required in serious cases. If a person is in direct risk as a consequence of their own feelings or those of others, then the platforms discussed in this article are not a suitable place to seek help. In those instances, people are advised to reach out to agencies like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or the emergency services.

Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
New Delhi (AFP) - Schools closed across large swathes of north India on Thursday as a hazardous fog of toxic pollution cloaked the region for a third day, with growing calls for urgent government action to tackle what doctors are calling a public health emergency.

Punjab's government said it was closing all 25,000 schools in the state for the rest of the week due to the acrid air blanketing north India and parts of neighbouring Pakistan.

The decision came a day after Delhi authorities ordered all 6,000 schools in the capital to shut until Sunday.

Low winds and the annual post-harvest burning of crop stubble in Punjab and neighbouring areas have caused the levels of dangerous pollutants in the air to spike to many times the levels considered safe.

Air quality typically worsens before the onset of winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground and prevents them from dispersing into the atmosphere, a phenomenon known as inversion.

Figures on the US embassy website showed levels of PM2.5 -- the smallest particulates that cause most damage to health -- spiked at over 1,000 on Wednesday afternoon in Delhi, though by Thursday they had fallen to 590.

The World Health Organization's guidelines say 25 is the maximum level of PM2.5 anyone can safely be exposed to over a 24-hour period.

Doctors say the microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

"Delhi once again has become a veritable gas chamber with denizens finding it difficult to breathe," The Times of India said Thursday, joining growing calls for government action to curb the chronic pollution, which the Indian Medical Association this week termed a public health emergency.

"Air pollution during winter months has become a catastrophe for large parts of north India," the country's most read English-language newspaper said in an editorial blaming "political apathy".

"It's high time the question is asked: why can't authorities enjoying jurisdiction over the national capital of an aspiring great power... come up with concrete measures to tackle the world's worst air pollution."

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As pressure mounted on the government, authorities in Delhi ordered a ban on all construction work and barred lorries from entering the city.

Around 50,000 mostly diesel-fuelled lorries pass through India's capital every night and they are a major contributor to the pollution plaguing the city.

- Struggling to respond -

It is the second year running that Delhi -- now the world's most polluted capital with air quality worse than Beijing -- has faced such high levels of PM2.5.

Media reports said the thick smog had also led to a series of road accidents in north India.

Eight students were killed late Wednesday when a truck ploughed into them as they waited for a bus on a roadside in Punjab.

Since 2014, when WHO figures showed the extent of the crisis, authorities in Delhi have closed power plants temporarily and experimented with taking some cars off the road.

But the temporary measures have had little effect.

Under pressure to respond, Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sought to blame stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states.

"We we will continue facing this every year until the neighbouring state governments resolve the issue of crop burning," he told reporters in Delhi.

The practice of burning crop stubble remains commonplace in north India despite an official ban.

Kejriwal said his government would decide in the next day or two whether to reintroduce restrictions on driving cars in the city.
(Photo: HuffPost)

(Photo: Jonathan Ernst / Reuters)

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GOP PUSHES FORWARD ON TAX PLAN FOLLOWING ELECTION LOSSES Despite a growing sense that a Democratic wave could be coming in 2018, House Republicans showed little sign of letting up on their tax proposal Wednesday, with a bill set to move out of committee on a party-line vote Thursday and onto the floor as early as next week. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the current GOP tax plan would add $1.7 trillion to the national debt. [HuffPost] [Tweet | Share on Facebook]

HOW DEMOCRATS WON SO BIG IN THE VIRGINIA STATEHOUSE And why it matters. [HuffPost]

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER WAVE OF REVELATIONS AND ACCUSATIONS A second woman has accused Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick of sexual assault. Portia De Rossi says movie star Steven Seagal unzipped his pants during an audition. Jeffrey Tambor has denied acting improperly with a former assistant. Prison Break star Robert Knepper has been accused of sexual assault while filming a 1992 movie. And Kevin Spacey has been accused by a former news anchor of sexually assaulting her son. [HuffPost]

THE YEAR WOMEN FOUND THEIR RAGE But in 2017, saccharine slogans have been replaced with a flood of righteous anger. Turns out, hell hath no fury like thousands of women treated as disposable by their country. [HuffPost]

TRUMP SIGNS $250 BILLION IN DEALS WITH CHINA Boeing Co., General Electric Co. and chip giant Qualcomm Inc. all walked away with major deals. [Reuters]

TWITTER VERIFIED THE ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANIZER OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE WHITE SUPREMACIST RALLY The company says its to mark authenticity, not an endorsement, but people are not happy  to say the least. [HuffPost]

WE HAVENT SEEN THE FULL RETAIL APOCALYPSE YET But the mountain of debt is catching up with the retail industry, and there will be displaced low-income workers, shrinking local tax bases and investor losses on stocks, bonds and real estate. [Bloomberg]

Story continues

WHATS BREWING

KEVIN SPACEY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CUT FROM ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD Spacey, who had been seen as an Oscar contender in the role of J. Paul Getty, has been recast by Christopher Plummer in last-minute reshoots amid growing allegations of sexual assault. [HuffPost]

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KATE MIDDLETON ROCKED SOME FALL SHADES To complement her growing baby bump. [HuffPost]

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Topshop has changed its policy on gender-specific changing rooms. (Photo: Getty Images)

Topshop has made a big move to promote gender equality: Stores will have gender-neutral changing rooms.

The retailer did not return Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment; however, on Wednesday, a representative told the Daily Mail, All TOPSHOP TOPMAN customers are free to use any of the fitting rooms located within our stores.

The news dropped only days after customer Travis Alabanza, a performance artist who, according to BuzzFeed, identifies as trans feminine and uses the pronoun they, was prevented from entering a Topshop womens changing room.

More from @officialtskenya , a new, Black owned, high heel company working with size 7-14 feet. Fuck yes to gender inclusive shopping A post shared by Travis (@travisalabanza) on Nov 3, 2017 at 5:22am PDT

I normally online shop for this reason, Alabanza told the publication. But we were going in a group [to an event] so I thought it would be fun to go shopping in a group. We were in quite a good mood and all found outfits that we all wanted to wear.

That day, Alabanza was wearing a dress and makeup and after waiting in line for the womens room, was told by a store clerk and a manager to use the rooms one floor down at Topman. I said, Im not going to be safe down there. What do you want me to do? and they just kind of shrugged, Alabanza told BuzzFeed.

Hey @Topshop just experienced transphobia in your Manchester store. Not letting me use the changing room I decide is shit, sort it out.  Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017

Gendered changing rooms , effect and put queer and trans shoppers at risk from harassment from other shoppers. It's dated and dangerous  Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017

Who made you in charge of deciding who is woman enough to use ur changing room? U just lost an easy sale and money.  Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017

Later that day, Alabanza tweeted the following note. Hey @topshop, I just experienced transphobia in your Manchester store. Not letting me use the changing room I decide is s***, sort it out.

Story continues

Many of Alabanzas supporters offered their support, with one sharing a photo of all-gender fitting rooms at Urban Outfitters, as a positive example.

Here's an example @TopShopUK of @UrbanOutfitters not being shitty with their changing rooms  look how easy it is??? pic.twitter.com/mqkHkfkP2A  Travis (@travisalabanza) November 6, 2017

However, theres been confusion over how long Topshop has maintained gender-neutral changing rooms. One Twitter user responded to Alabanzas tweet with a screenshot of a July email from the store, which read in part, We do not tolerate discrimination in any form in response to an unspecified incident.

@Topshop @TopshopHelp why is this still happening if you've reviewed your policy? Honestly there are only so many times you can apologise  pic.twitter.com/k1tHEa6kzO  terfs r all uglie (@B00B_DYLAN) November 5, 2017

Another follower posted a note in what appears to be from Topshop, stating that, At this time, our changing rooms are gender-specific. However, we expect our staff to be sensitive to the needs of our customers

this is the bullshit reply i got  clearly they need some actual lgbt+ (especially t) training at some level ffs pic.twitter.com/7wsU81Teus  shit face (@pipsuxx) November 5, 2017

Yahoo Lifestyle reached out to Alabanza for comment but did not hear back.

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Danica Roem - AFP

American voters have elected one of their first openly transgender lawmakers in one of the year's most high profile election races.

Democrat Danica Roem, a 32-year-old former journalist, unseated one of the US state of Virginia's most socially conservative politicians to win election to the House of Delegates.

Republican Bob Marshall who had served in the House since 1992, had led a combative campaign, describing himself as Virginia's "chief homophobe".

The race between Ms Roem and incumbent Mr Marshall has drawn national and international attention to the northern Virginia district, which includes outer suburbs of Washington D.C., the nation's capital.

Ms Roem is set to make history as the first openly transgender person elected and then seated in a state legislature.

Danica Roem, center, who ran for house of delegates against GOP incumbent Robert Marshall, is greeted by supporters as she prepares to give her victory speech Credit: Jahi Chikwendiu

She has championed gay, transgender and immigrant rights during the election race but her campaign focused on a promise for more jobs, schools and to improve the district's traffic congestion.

Mr Marshall had a strong record of opposing equality legislation and co-sponsored a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage in Virginia in 2006.

Danica Roem has been elected to the House of Delegates Credit: AP

A vocal supporter of US president Donald Trump, Mr Marshall has regularly courted controversy throughout his career, even at times drawing criticism from members of his own party.

Earlier this year the veteran Republican proposed a bill that would have banned transgender school students from using the bathrooms of their choice.

Ms Roem's election will make her the first openly transgender seated in the House. Her only known predecessor is Althea Garrison, won a seat in the Massachusetts legislature in 1992 but only came out as a transgender woman after she had been elected and was defeated in all her subsequent bids for office.

Transgender woman Stacie Laughton won a seat in New Hampshire's legislature in 2012 but resigned before taking office.
Ralph Northams victory over Ed Gillespie for governor in Virginia headlined a triumphant election night for many Democrats. But Trevor Noah saw beyond the voting results.

You know who really won big in last nights elections? Karma, the host said on The Daily Show.

Noah proceeded to highlight races in which incumbents were defeated by the very things they were being dicks about.

They included Republican John Carman, who lost his freeholders seat to Democrat Ashley Bennett in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Carman had posted a meme to Facebook during Januarys Womens March asking, Will the Womens March protest be over in time for them to cook dinner? Angered by the move and Carmans refusal to apologize at a meeting, Bennett decided to run  and won.

He was worried about women having time to make dinner, Noah said. Now karma has given him all the time he needs to make his own dinner. Enjoy your Hot Pockets, byotch!

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TripAdvisor rolled out a new label identifying businesses where claims of sexual assault and other serious safety issues occurred, but the language used in the new badge lacks any keywords that would clearly warn travelers or indicate the nature of the claims.

After an investigative report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found the review site removed posts from travelers alleging rape and sexual assault at a Mexico resort, the company responded by rolling out a badge that would warn travelers of health, safety, and discrimination issues in all of the websites travel categories.

But the warning, which was affixed to the review pages of three Mexico resorts this week, does not include the words health, safety or discrimination.

The new badge reads:

Message from TripAdvisor: TripAdvisor has been made aware of recent media reports or events concerning this property which may not be reflected in reviews found on this listing. Accordingly, you may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans.

The message appears in a big red box at the top of the review page, indicating a warning, but a traveler would not necessarily know the label refers to events as serious as alleged rape, sexual assault, injuries, health concerns or discrimination issues.

Additionally, TripAdvisors highest recognition, the 2017 Travelers Choice award badge, remains on clear display directly below the red message, which could add to potential confusion or perhaps downplay the intended severity of the new badge.

A screenshot of the new warning TripAdvisor is affixing to some businesses' pages. (Photo: TripAdvisor)

When asked about the messages language, TripAdvisor spokesman Kevin Carter said the label is a first version of the badge, which the company considers consistent with other examples in the market.

As with any product development in the Internet industry, there will always be continued iterations as we work to improve how we provide travel information to consumers, he added. We do believe the first version of this badge is designed to be a catalyst for consumers to do additional research outside of TripAdvisor if our reviews may not readily communicate issues related to health, safety and/or discrimination issues, and spur a traveler to do a keyword search in TripAdvisor reviews. If a business is receiving this badge, a simple Internet search should present relevant information that is necessary when making a travel decision.

Story continues

Last week, the Journal Sentinel published its report on TripAdvisors removal of reviews in which travelers claimed they had been raped and sexually assaulted at Iberostar Paraiso Maya, a resort located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

TripAdvisor issued a public apology to one of the women, Dallas native Kristie Love, whose 2010 post was removed because it violated the sites former family friendly content guidelines. The site has maintained that the post was not removed because it alleged rape, and it republished her original post (where it falls chronologically, behind thousands of other posts).

Also on HuffPost

Colima Volcano, Mexico

"Powerful eruption of Colima Volcano in Mexico on December 13th, 2015. That night, the weather was dry and cold, friction of ash particles generated a big lightning of about 600 meters that connected ash and volcano, and illuminated most of the dark scene. On [the] last part of 2015, this volcano showed a lot of eruptive activity with ash explosions that raised 2 to 3 kilometers above the crater. Most of night explosions produced incandescent rock falls and lightning."  Sergio Tapiro Velasco (Grand prize winner)

General Carrera Lake, Patagonia

"My dad and I traveled to Patagonia this year, and we wanted to see something off the beaten path. After a 10-hour drive and traversing a long, dirt trail, we finally came upon the marble caves in General Carrera Lake. We chartered a boat to take us closer, and I waited for the perfect light to capture these intricate blue swirls. The extra effort it took to reach the caves was worth it."  Clane Gessel (Honorable mention, Nature)

Lofoten Islands, Norway

"This football field in Henningsvr in the Lofoten Islands is considered one of the most amazing fields in Europe, and maybe even in the world. The photo was taken during a 10-day sailing trip in Norway in June 2017. We arrived to Henningsvr after a week of sailing through the cold and rainy weather. Upon our arrival, the weather cleared up. I was really lucky that the conditions were suitable for flying my drone, and I managed to capture this shot from a height of 120 meters."  Misha De-Stroyev (Third place winner, Cities)

Tavarua, Fiji

"I recently traveled to Tavarua, Fiji to do some surf photography with pro surfer Donavon Frankenreiter at Cloudbreak. I'm always looking for new angles and perspectives. The usual surf shots have all been done, so we decided to get a little creative. Makes you look twice."  Rodney Bursiel (Third place winner, People)

Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia

"Mount Bromo volcano is a small but active volcanic cinder cone on Java, Indonesia. Early [in] 2016, I happened to be in Mount Bromo during the increase of seismic activity [which] triggered the alert status to the second highest."  Reynold Riksa Dewantara (Honorable mention, Nature)

New Delhi, India

"A beautiful photo of a father and son sitting in white traditional attire with beautiful blue sky on the day of Eid al-Fitr in a mosque in New Delhi, India. The photo shows the beautiful bond which these two generations have been building up in a very simple and lovable manner."  Jobit George (Honorable mention, People)

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

"New buildings rise from the desert floor near Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates."  Andrzej Bochenski (Honorable mention, Cities)

Kabukurinuma, Osaki, Japan

"Swans glide over the water in Kabukurinuma, Osaki, Japan, a protected wetland. Since many of Japans wetlands have been lost, this area has become a rare wintering place for birds and may be a last paradise for them. I was particularly impressed by the swans, and careful not to disturb them when taking pictures. I took into account wind direction and shutter speed to capture the strength and elegance of their flapping wings."  Hiromi Kano (Second place winner, Nature)

Tongi Railway Station, Gazipur, Bangladesh

"The photo was taken on 23rd of July 2016 at Tongi Railway Station, Gazipur, Bangladesh. I was there taking photos and waiting for a moment. A train from Dhaka toward another district had reached and stopped at the platform for 5 minutes for lifting passengers. It was raining. Suddenly I found a pair of curious eyes looking at me through the window, and on his left an umbrella had been put to protect from the rain. I got the moment."  Moin Ahmed (Honorable mention, People)

Rio Tarcoles, Costa Rica

"This image was captured in Costa Rica when I was traveling from Monteverde to Playa Hermosa. As you cross over this river, you can stop and peer over the edge of the bridge. Below reside over 35 gigantic crocodiles, relaxing on the muddy banks of the river. I wanted to capture the stark difference between the crocodiles on land and in the water. In the murky waters, the body contours of these beasts remain hidden, and one can only truly see their girth as they emerge from the river."  Tarun Sinha (Third place winner, Nature)

Whampoa Garden, Hong Kong

"The Kowloon Walled City was the densest place on Earth. Hundreds of houses stacked on top of each other enclosed in the center of the structure. Many didnt have access to open space.This notorious city was finally demolished in 1990's. However, if you look hard enough, you will notice that the city is not dead. Part of it still exists in many of the current high-density housing apartments. I hope this series can get people to think about claustrophobic living in Hong Kong from a new perspective."  Andy Yeung (Second place winner, Cities)

Tamba, Japan

"This photograph was taken in the evening hours of a humid early summer day in the forest of a small remote village in the Tamba area of Japan. It beautifully captures the magical atmosphere of princess fireflies carpeting a stairway leading to a small shrine revered by the local people."  Yutaka Takafuji (Honorable mention, Nature)

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

"Museum visitors curiously watch Rembrandt's painting 'Syndics of the Drapers' Guild' [which gives] the illusion that the people on the paintings too are curiously watching the visitors."  Julius Y. (Second place winner, People)

Stuttgart, Germany

"The modern interior of the city library in Stuttgart. With its wide-open space in the center, where natural light comes from through the windows on the top, it has a very unique atmosphere where you can broaden your knowledge."  Norbet Fritz (First place winner, Cities)

Gardens of the Queen

"Gardens of the Queen is a remote marine area south of Cuba. Caribbean reef sharks are usually shy, so I placed my camera on a rock where I know they frequent and used a remote trigger to click away as they came in and bumped my camera around."  Shane Gross (Honorable mention, Nature)

Konya, Turkey

"Willing Dervish in an historical place of Sille Konya, Turkey. The 'dance' of the whirling dervishes is called sema and is a symbol of the Mevlevi culture. According to Mevlana's teachings, human beings are born twice: once of their mothers and the second time of their own bodies."  F. Dilek Uyar (First place winner, People)

Gifu Prefecture, Japan

"This building is a 20-minute drive from my office -- it's a functioning apartment complex in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, where people live. The modern style of the building is a strange contrast to my sleepy country town, and for a long time I couldnt quite capture its character. The woman dressed in red was perfectly consonant with the mood of this image. Without her, I couldnt have made this image."  Tetsuya Hashimoto (Honorable mention, Cities)

Besakih Temple, Bali

"Besakih Temple has been known as Bali's 'mother temple' for over 1,000 years and is perched 1000 meters high on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung. Here, Balinese often come to offer up prayer and take blessing from the temple priests, or 'pemangku,' who reside there."  Michael Dean Morgan (Honorable mention, People)

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US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping make joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing: REUTERS

Donald Trump did not to take questions from reporters during a key press conference on his first state visit to China.

It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, later said.

Most of Mr Trumps predecessors  including Bill Clinton and George W Bush  agreed with their Chinese counterparts to take questions at official press conferences, according to CNN.

While he also did not take questions on his first China trip, Barack Obamas 2014 conference with Xi Jinping became particularly awkward when a US reporter asked the leaders about press freedom  a thorny issue in Chinas atmosphere of censorship.

Thursdays appearance by Mr Trump and Mr Xi was billed as a news briefing, and constituted a reduction of already minimal press interaction during previous visits by American leaders.

At the event Chinese companies signed contracts to buy American jetliners, soybeans and other goods.

The visit comes at a time when Mr Trump faces uncomfortable questions at home about Russia and possible gun control following deadly mass shootings.

Mr Xi almost never takes questions from reporters.

Meanwhile, as Chinese television showed Mr Trump and Mr Xi visiting the imperial palace in Beijing, censors scrubbed comments about Mr Trumps visit from Chinas lively internet forums.

Reports by propaganda outlets including the ruling Communist Partys main newspaper, the Peoples Daily, dominated posts on the popular Twitter-like microblog service, Sina Weibo.

The comments function on most posts, which can attract witty remarks from Chinese internet users, appeared to have been disabled or limited. Only a few dozen carefully chosen comments with positive messages were allowed.

According to Free Weibo, a site that tracks online censorship, posts that were deleted include humorous comments about the remarkable lack of traffic congestion in Beijing as Trumps motorcade passed Tiananmen Square.

Additional reporting by agencies
By Christine Kim and Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - By the time Donald Trump departed Seoul on Wednesday, the sometimes bellicose American president seemed to have mollified South Koreans who had been bracing for more confrontational rhetoric over North Korea, trade, and defense spending. Throughout his 24-hour swing through South Korea, Trump, who in a September speech at the United Nations had threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea and had dismissed dialogue with Pyongyang as a "waste of time", took a more restrained tone. In his first trip to South Korea as president, Trump also significantly toned down his criticism of what he once called a "horrible" free trade deal with South Korea. He says now he will "find a fair and reciprocal" deal after earlier threatening to terminate the pact. The apparent newfound bond between Trump and liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and the U.S. Presidents willingness to make a deal with North Korea - albeit on his terms - could begin to assuage fears of a catastrophic war with nuclear-armed North Korea. Trumps willingness to talk about revising the bilateral trade agreement, rather than scrapping it entirely, could also reassure markets worried about the fallout on major exporters such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG Electronics. Trump's speech to South Korea's National Assembly on Wednesday, interrupted by applause about 20 times with a standing ovation at the end, praised a "free and flourishing" South, in contrast to "the horror of life in North Korea." On South Korea's largest internet portal, Naver.com, some of Moon's supporters welcomed the address. They said Trump displayed a greater knowledge of the two Koreas than his previous statements had indicated. "Far from the 'madman' the media portrays, Trump came across as perfectly normal, smart, and well-mannered," read one of the more than 1,200 posts on Naver.com. Another wrote: "Wow, best speech ever. I feel so safe to have such a great U.S. president who is so determined to resolve North Korean issues." Naver.com blocks out the usernames on comments to keep them anonymous. DEEP U.S. PRESENCE South Koreans were feeling a little less safe earlier this week when the Pentagon, in a letter to U.S. lawmakers, gave a blunt assessment of what war on the Korea peninsula would look like. A ground invasion would be the only way to locate and secure all North Korea's nuclear weapons with complete certainty, and Pyongyang could use biological and chemical weapons in any conflict, it said. Seoul, the densely populated capital with some 25 million residents, lies an hour's drive from the border. The U.S. military presence in South Korea has long been seen as a bulwark against the North and its nuclear threat. The United States decisively intervened in the 1950-53 Korean War, which has left the two Korea's technically still at war, since it ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. While the sprawling U.S. military bases housing some 28,500 troops have not been without controversy - some critics contend they undermine the country's sovereignty - the U.S. security umbrella is also deeply embedded in the national psyche. Underscoring the importance Seoul attaches to the alliance at a time of increased tensions with Pyongyang, South Korean officials rolled out a reception fit for the first state visit by an American president in 25 years, according to the presidential Blue House. Moon, who took office in May, had campaigned for more dialogue with North Korea. He appeared to be the target of criticism from Trump, who said after North Korea's nuclear test in September: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" But Moon led a charm offensive, proclaiming a "special bond forged between President Trump and myself" after a lengthy meeting at the presidential Blue House. He personally joined Trump during a tour of a U.S. base, as well as during an ultimately aborted visit to the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea. "I wouldnt say we didnt have any concerns, a South Korean government official said. But the fact that he received a standing ovation (for his speech) could mean that he dispelled such concerns, delivered the message we wanted him to deliver, and wrapped up his trip successfully," said the official who asked for anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the matter. 'NO WAR' In his speech to the National Assembly, where several lawmakers brandished signs reading "No war, we want peace", Trump paid homage to the 67-year-old alliance that "divides the oppressed and the free". He noted that in "less than one lifetime, South Korea climbed from total devastation to among the wealthiest nations on earth". Trump also reassured South Koreans the Korean War would not be repeated. "We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. We will not be intimidated. And we will not let the worst atrocities in history be repeated here, on this ground we fought and died so hard to secure," he said. And while Trump painted a dystopian picture of life in North Korea, he refrained from any threats of pre-emptive action against the North. On Tuesday, Trump said it would in the North's interest to "come to the table and to make a deal". It all seemed reassuring to an anxious South Korean public. "I think people might have felt they got to see the real Trump after he visited South Korea," said Kim Jun-seok, a political science professor at Dongguk University. "And we heard many things that were positive about South Korea. It was all enough for people to think, 'Is this the Trump we know?'" (Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang and Hyonhee Shin in Seoul, Editing by Soyoung Kim and Bill Tarrant)
Seoul (AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un what he called "a path towards a much better future" as tensions soar over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

"The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer," Trump said in an address to the South's parliament, in what he described as a direct message for Kim.

"They are putting your regime in great danger," he added. "Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face."

Trump denounced Pyongyang as a "cruel dictatorship" and told Kim, who is the third generation in the country's ruling dynasty, that: "North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned. It is a hell that no person deserves."

But "despite every crime you have committed against god and man," he went on, "we will offer a path towards a much better future".

It would have to start, though, with North Korea stopping its development of ballistic missiles and "complete verifiable and total denuclearisation", Trump said.
President Donald Trump broke with tradition during his Asia trip on Thursday as he refused to take reporter questions during or after his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The decision makes him the first president since George H.W. Bush to not take questions during a visit to China in more than two decades.

While Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed each other, the U.S. president turned a cold shoulder to the press as they both declined to take reporter questions.

Unlike the United States, which guarantees a free press through the First Amendment, China has no protections for the press, and the government has severely limited restrictions on publishing. President Xi visited the important state-controlled media outlets as recently as 2016 to demand they follow the Chinese Communist Party agenda.

Chinese Presidents havent wanted to do it with those 3 US presidents either. But the White House made a point of insisting they take at least one question each in the past," CNN reporter Jeremy Diamond said in a tweet.

Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that it was at the Chinese insistence that there were no questions.

SEE ALSO: Japan's prime minister falls over and rolls into a bunker while playing golf with Trump

It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today," Sanders said, according to reports.

Former press secretary under President Obama Jay Carney blasted the decision.

"The Chinese try this every time. Its a test of will and principle. Letting them dictate press access is an embarrassing capitulation," Carney said in a tweet.

Trump's next stop is Vietnam where he'll attend the APEC summit that brings together all major countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.

SEE ALSO: Trump and Putin to meet on Friday

He will then head to the Philippines where hell sit down with controversial President Rodrigo Duterte.
BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping would be focusing "very strongly" on the U.S opioid crisis, which he has declared a public health emergency. Trump said shortly before arriving in Beijing he would discuss as a "top priority" stopping the "flood of cheap and deadly" fentanyl "manufactured in China" when he meets Xi. "Every year drug trafficking destroys millions and millions of lives," Trump said in Beijing, standing next to Xi at the end of formal talks between the two. "Today President Xi and I discussed ways we can enhance coordination to better counter the deadly drug trade and to stop the lethal flow of poisonous drugs into our countries and into our communities," he added. "A special emphasis will be placed on the new phenomenon - fentanyl - destroying lives by the millions. We're going to be focusing on it very strongly, the president and myself," Trump said, without elaborating. Speaking later to reporters, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump and Xi agreed to take new steps. "On the critical issue of opioids, we made some good progress to curb the flow of harmful narcotics into the United States in order to save American lives," Tillerson said. "The president committed to taking new actions including agreements to control the export and movement of fentanyl precursors, sharing intelligence on drug trafficking, and exchanging trafficking information," he added, referring to Xi. China's drug control agency last week disputed Trump's claim that most of the synthetic drug fentanyl at the heart of the U.S. opioid crisis was produced in China. Opioids include prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic drug 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The Centers for Disease Control estimated that 20,000 Americans were killed by fentanyl last year, surpassing common painkillers and heroin for the first time. American law enforcement agencies and drug control experts say most of the fentanyl distributed in the United States, as well as precursor chemicals, originate from China. While Chinese officials dispute these claims, Beijing has taken steps to crack down on the production and export of synthetic drugs, and has placed fentanyl and 22 other related compounds on its list of controlled substances. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Philip Wen; Writing by Ben Blanchard)
By Steve Holland and Christian Shepherd

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump pressed China to do more to rein in North Korea on Thursday and said bilateral trade had been unfair to the United States, but praised President Xi Jinping's pledge that China would be more open to foreign firms.

On North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, Trump said "China can fix this problem quickly and easily", urging Beijing to cut financial links with North Korea and also calling on Russia to help.

Trump was speaking alongside Xi in the Chinese capital to announce the signing of about $250 billion in commercial deals between U.S. and Chinese firms, a display that some in the U.S. business community worry detracts from tackling deep-seated complaints about market access in China.

Xi said the Chinese economy would become increasingly open and transparent to foreign firms, including those from the United States, and welcomed U.S. companies to participate in his ambitious "Belt and Road" infrastructure-led initiative.

Trump made clear that he blamed his predecessors, not China, for the trade imbalance, and repeatedly praised Xi, calling him "a very special man".

"But we will make it fair and it will be tremendous for both of us," Trump said.

Xi smiled widely when Trump said he does not blame China for the deficit and also when Trump said Xi gets things done.

"Of course there are some frictions, but on the basis of win-win cooperation and fair competition, we hope we can solve all these issues in a frank and consultative way," Xi said.

"Keeping opening up is our long-term strategy. We will never narrow or close our doors. We will further widen them," he said. China would also offer a more fair and transparent environment for foreign firms, including U.S. ones, Xi said.

MODEST PROGRESS

Trump is pressing China to tighten the screws further on North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons in defiance of U.N. sanctions. At least modest progress is hoped for, although there are no immediate signs of a major breakthrough, a U.S. official said earlier.

Story continues

Referring to Xi, Trump said: "I do believe there's a solution to that, as do you."

Xi reiterated that China would strive for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but offered no hint that China would change tack on North Korea, with which it fought side-by-side in the 1950-53 Korean war against U.S.-led forces.

"We are devoted to reaching a resolution to the Korean peninsula issue through dialogue and consultations," Xi said.

Briefing reporters after the talks, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump told Xi: "Youre a strong man, Im sure you can solve this for me."

Tillerson said both leaders agreed they could not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea but he acknowledged they had some differences over tactics and timing.

Tillerson pointed out that Trump, in a speech in Seoul, had "invited the North Koreans to come to the table," in line with the Chinese desire for a negotiated solution. He added, however, that Trump was prepared for a "military response" if he deemed the threat serious enough, but "that's not his first choice".

"We are going to work hard on diplomatic efforts as well," he said, but did not elaborate.

In a show of the importance China puts on Trump's first official visit, Thursday's welcoming ceremony outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People overlooking Tiananmen Square was broadcast live on state television - unprecedented treatment for a visiting leader.

Earlier on Thursday, Xi said he had a deep exchange of views with Trump and reached consensus on numerous issues of mutual concern.

"For China, cooperation is the only real choice, only win-win can lead to an even better future," he said.

Xi said China and the United States strengthened high-level dialogue on all fronts over the past year and boosted coordination on major international issues, such as the Korean peninsula and Afghanistan.

"Relations between China and the United States are now on a new historical starting point," Xi said.

Trump and Xi hit it off at their first meeting in April at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and continued their "bromance" on Wednesday with an afternoon of sightseeing together with their wives. However, divisions persist over trade and North Korea.

And while Xi is riding high after consolidating power at a twice-a-decade Communist Party Congress last month, Trump comes to China saddled with low public approval ratings and dogged by investigations into Russian links to his election campaign.

'HORRIBLE' TRADE SURPLUS

Trump has ratcheted up his criticism of China's massive trade surplus with the United States - calling it "embarrassing" and "horrible" last week - and has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices.

For its part, China says U.S. restrictions on Chinese investment in the United States and on high-tech exports need to be addressed.

Several corporate chief executives were in Beijing as part of a delegation led by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, with General Electric and semiconductor maker Qualcomm Inc among those announcing billions of dollars in sales to China. [L3N1NF2IA]

But Qualcomm's agreement to sell $12 billion worth of components to three Chinese mobile phone makers over three years is non-binding, and critics say such public announcements are sometimes more show than substance.

"This shows that we have a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship, and yet we still need to focus on levelling the playing field because U.S. companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China," said William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Trump railed against China's trade practices during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and threatened to take action once in office. But he has since held back on any major trade penalties, making clear he was doing so to give Beijing time to make progress reining in North Korea.

A U.S. official said both sides were "in sync" about wanting to minimise friction during the visit and recreate the positive tone of the April summit.

Trump was not expected to put much emphasis in his talks with Xi on thorny issues such as the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, claimed by China as its own, although the leaders' aides may deal with those matters privately, the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

China has repeatedly pushed back at suggestions it should be doing more to rein in North Korea, which does about 90 percent of its trade with China, saying it is fully enforcing U.N. sanctions and that everyone has a responsibility to lower tension and get talks back on track.

(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Matthew Miller, Philip Wen and John Ruwitch; Writing by Ben Blanchard and Tony Munroe; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Nick Macfie)
President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for his first official visit to China, with North Korea and billions of dollars in trade deals high on the agenda.Trump and First Lady Melania will spend two days in China's capital, hosted by China's President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, which senior Chinese officials are describing as a "state visit plus."Analysts said the summit would feature plenty of pomp, ceremony and corporate deals, but likely little substantive progress on trade and investment imbalances between the world's two largest economies. Likewise few are expecting much progress on tackling the problem of North Korea.Trump has signaled that this trip would be unlike previous U.S. presidential visits to China, which usually include meetings with human rights representatives, much to the annoyance of Chinese hosts.Trump's schedule included no reference to any such meetings. Shen Dingli, a professor of American studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said: "Such meetings are very unlikely to happen. Such a move would hinder [Trump's] agenda to make American great again. This would annoy China, and it doesn't look like Trump will do this." More from Financial Times: Wall Street warns Trump team of Brexit 'point of no return' Bill Clinton's oratory marries argument and passion Venezuela's debt struggle poses more questions for investors Instead, Trump congratulated Xi on his re-anointment as paramount leader by the 19th Communist party Congress last month, tweeting before his flight to Beijing: "I very much look forward to meeting with President Xi, who is just off his great political victory." The first item on the itinerary was a tour of Beijing's Forbidden City, the former imperial residence in Beijing. Trump and First Lady Melania are scheduled to attend a private dinner with Xi and Peng, with more substantive meetings between the two presidents scheduled for Thursday. The famously smoggy skies in Beijing were uncharacteristically clear for the occasion, while Beijing was under virtual lockdown  the Forbidden City had been shut to tourists since late on Tuesday to prepare for Trump's visit, many roads were closed, and Beijing was blanketed with a heavy police and military presence.ChinaUS deals agreed during Trump visitJD.com, the Chinese e-commerce group, agreed to buy $1.2 billion of U.S. pork and beef over the next three years, one of the biggest deals signed during the state visit on Wednesday.The agreement includes buying at least $200 million of beef over three years from the Montana Stockgrowers Association, a deal made possible after China lifted a ban on beef exports from the United States in May, one of the few concessions granted to the Trump administration during its first 100-day period of talks with China.JD will also invest $100 million to build the first beef-processing facilities in Montana to build up its supply chain there.Separately, Minnesota-based wastewater treatment company Viroment also signed $800 million of deals, to build plants with various partners in China. Aside from individual business deals, many of which were agreed separately to the state visit, no broader trade deal was announced.Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, said that $9 billion in new corporate deals had been signed on Wednesday between Chinese and U.S. companies, with more to come on Thursday. The U.S. trade delegation accompanying Trump is dominated by manufacturing and industrial companies, such as Boeing and DowDuPont."Addressing the imbalance in China trade has been the main focus of collaborative discussions between presidents Trump and Xi. Achieving fair and reciprocal treatment for the companies is a shared objective," Ross said.However, observers are skeptical that the contracts can make a dent in the US' $347 billion annual trade deficit in goods with China."We are hoping the contracts do not overshadow the need for structural changes in the economic relationship," said Bill Zarit, a former U.S. diplomat who now heads the American Chamber of Commerce in China. "There are ways for the Chinese to show they are addressing the deficit without addressing the structural issues."Mark Duval, president of Terex China, said of the deals: "I imagine these are mostly memoranda of understanding being signed today, but [the state visit] does increase the speed and the scale of deals."Just ahead of Trump's 11-day, five-nation tour of Asia, U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer promised a tougher approach. "We have tried it [China's] way for 25 years," Lighthizer told Fox News. "The result of their way [will be] a $750 billion goods deficit and an overall goods-and-services deficit of $500 billion. These are staggering numbers. We ought to try something else."But Trump has also been the first U.S. president to link economic and strategic goals in his dealings with China, implying that he will soften trade demands in return for Xi's help in reining in North Korea's nuclear program.According to Chinese analysts, this approach has made it difficult for Beijing to work with the Trump administration. "Trump's foreign policy is instinctive and fragmented," said Teng Jianqun, an American expert at the China Institute of International Studies. "It is very difficult for us to guess what he wants."A high-level Sino-U.S. "comprehensive economic dialogue" established in April to tackle contentious issues has produced few concrete results. During the first meeting, the Chinese offered the United States a deal to cut steel overcapacity that was endorsed by Ross but subsequently vetoed by Trump.While the United States championed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact under former President Barack Obama, only for Trump to scrap it on his first day in office, Xi last month consolidated his grip on power and outlined a 30-year vision for China. Some Chinese analysts agree that Beijing can do more to open its markets. "China has lagged behind a little on trade, tax and investment reforms since joining the World Trade Organisation [in 2001]," said Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. "We are a much larger entity now and should open up faster."But they also warn that a more confrontational U.S. approach on trade issues will backfire. "China will become the world's largest importer by 2020," said Liang Hong, chief economist at CICC, a Chinese investment bank. "Any country that uses trade protectionism to deal with China risks losing access to the world's largest fast-growing consumer market. Cooperation is the only answer." By Tom Mitchell, Demitri Sevastopulo, Charles Clover and Yuan Yang, of the Financial Times. Additional reporting by Xinning Liu and Sherry Fei Ju. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for his first official visit to China, with North Korea and billions of dollars in trade deals high on the agenda. Trump and First Lady Melania will spend two days in China's capital, hosted by China's President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, which senior Chinese officials are describing as a "state visit plus." Analysts said the summit would feature plenty of pomp, ceremony and corporate deals, but likely little substantive progress on trade and investment imbalances between the world's two largest economies. Likewise few are expecting much progress on tackling the problem of North Korea. Trump has signaled that this trip would be unlike previous U.S. presidential visits to China, which usually include meetings with human rights representatives, much to the annoyance of Chinese hosts. Trump's schedule included no reference to any such meetings. Shen Dingli, a professor of American studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said: "Such meetings are very unlikely to happen. Such a move would hinder [Trump's] agenda to make American great again. This would annoy China, and it doesn't look like Trump will do this." More from Financial Times: Wall Street warns Trump team of Brexit 'point of no return' Bill Clinton's oratory marries argument and passion Venezuela's debt struggle poses more questions for investors Instead, Trump congratulated Xi on his re-anointment as paramount leader by the 19th Communist party Congress last month, tweeting before his flight to Beijing: "I very much look forward to meeting with President Xi, who is just off his great political victory." The first item on the itinerary was a tour of Beijing's Forbidden City, the former imperial residence in Beijing. Trump and First Lady Melania are scheduled to attend a private dinner with Xi and Peng, with more substantive meetings between the two presidents scheduled for Thursday. The famously smoggy skies in Beijing were uncharacteristically clear for the occasion, while Beijing was under virtual lockdown  the Forbidden City had been shut to tourists since late on Tuesday to prepare for Trump's visit, many roads were closed, and Beijing was blanketed with a heavy police and military presence. ChinaUS deals agreed during Trump visit JD.com, the Chinese e-commerce group, agreed to buy $1.2 billion of U.S. pork and beef over the next three years, one of the biggest deals signed during the state visit on Wednesday. The agreement includes buying at least $200 million of beef over three years from the Montana Stockgrowers Association, a deal made possible after China lifted a ban on beef exports from the United States in May, one of the few concessions granted to the Trump administration during its first 100-day period of talks with China. JD will also invest $100 million to build the first beef-processing facilities in Montana to build up its supply chain there. Separately, Minnesota-based wastewater treatment company Viroment also signed $800 million of deals, to build plants with various partners in China. Aside from individual business deals, many of which were agreed separately to the state visit, no broader trade deal was announced. Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, said that $9 billion in new corporate deals had been signed on Wednesday between Chinese and U.S. companies, with more to come on Thursday. The U.S. trade delegation accompanying Trump is dominated by manufacturing and industrial companies, such as Boeing and DowDuPont. "Addressing the imbalance in China trade has been the main focus of collaborative discussions between presidents Trump and Xi. Achieving fair and reciprocal treatment for the companies is a shared objective," Ross said. However, observers are skeptical that the contracts can make a dent in the US' $347 billion annual trade deficit in goods with China. "We are hoping the contracts do not overshadow the need for structural changes in the economic relationship," said Bill Zarit, a former U.S. diplomat who now heads the American Chamber of Commerce in China. "There are ways for the Chinese to show they are addressing the deficit without addressing the structural issues." Mark Duval, president of Terex China, said of the deals: "I imagine these are mostly memoranda of understanding being signed today, but [the state visit] does increase the speed and the scale of deals." Just ahead of Trump's 11-day, five-nation tour of Asia, U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer promised a tougher approach. "We have tried it [China's] way for 25 years," Lighthizer told Fox News. "The result of their way [will be] a $750 billion goods deficit and an overall goods-and-services deficit of $500 billion. These are staggering numbers. We ought to try something else." But Trump has also been the first U.S. president to link economic and strategic goals in his dealings with China, implying that he will soften trade demands in return for Xi's help in reining in North Korea's nuclear program. According to Chinese analysts, this approach has made it difficult for Beijing to work with the Trump administration. "Trump's foreign policy is instinctive and fragmented," said Teng Jianqun, an American expert at the China Institute of International Studies. "It is very difficult for us to guess what he wants." A high-level Sino-U.S. "comprehensive economic dialogue" established in April to tackle contentious issues has produced few concrete results. During the first meeting, the Chinese offered the United States a deal to cut steel overcapacity that was endorsed by Ross but subsequently vetoed by Trump. While the United States championed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact under former President Barack Obama, only for Trump to scrap it on his first day in office, Xi last month consolidated his grip on power and outlined a 30-year vision for China. Some Chinese analysts agree that Beijing can do more to open its markets. "China has lagged behind a little on trade, tax and investment reforms since joining the World Trade Organisation [in 2001]," said Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. "We are a much larger entity now and should open up faster." But they also warn that a more confrontational U.S. approach on trade issues will backfire. "China will become the world's largest importer by 2020," said Liang Hong, chief economist at CICC, a Chinese investment bank. "Any country that uses trade protectionism to deal with China risks losing access to the world's largest fast-growing consumer market. Cooperation is the only answer."  By Tom Mitchell, Demitri Sevastopulo, Charles Clover and Yuan Yang, of the Financial Times. Additional reporting by Xinning Liu and Sherry Fei Ju.



More From CNBC


Beijing (AFP) - Donald Trump toured the Forbidden City with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday as the US president began the crucial leg of an Asian trip intended to build a global front against North Korea's nuclear threats.

After warning the North's "cruel dictatorship" in a speech in Seoul against testing the United States, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were met by Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan for tea at the former imperial palace.

The genial gathering will be followed on Thursday by a full day of thorny talks, with Trump looking to prod Xi into doing more to squeeze North Korea economically and to address China's massive trade surplus with the United States.

The Trump administration sees Beijing as the key to controlling Pyongyang, which depends on China for its economic survival and for 90 percent of its trade.

Earlier, Trump congratulated Xi on his reappointment as China's Communist Party chief, tweeting: "I very much look forward to meeting with President Xi who is just off his great political victory."

Trump's use of the term "political victory" for the outcome of last month's Communist Party congress was seen by analysts as a conciliatory move before tough talks.

"He's laying it on thick to put Xi in a good mood because he will have unpleasant things to tell him," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, China politics specialist at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Xi has prepared an extravagant "state visit-plus" for Trump, who was greeted by children waving US and Chinese flags at the airport. He was treated to a Peking Opera performance at the Forbidden City.

- Tweet inside Great Firewall -

Xi said during the Forbidden City tour that he expected Trump's visit to yield "positive and important" results.

Trump later posted his first messages on Twitter since arriving China, breaking through the country's "Great Firewall" which blocks the social media website.

Story continues

"THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it!" wrote Trump, who also posted an AFP photo of his visit.

He also tweeted another warning against North Korea, saying Pyongyang "has interpreted America's past restraint as weakness. This would be a fatal miscalculation. Do not underestimate us. AND DO NOT TRY US."

In addition to discussing North Korea, Trump plans to prod Xi over trade but the two leaders are also expected to oversee the signing of $20 billion in deals between US and Chinese companies.

- North Korean cult -

Hours earlier, in an address to the South Korean parliament, Trump gave a preview of what he will ask Beijing to do regarding North Korea.

"You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept," he said, urging China and Russia to fully implement UN sanctions, downgrade diplomatic relations and sever all trade and technology ties.

A senior White House official said China is doing "much more than it's ever done in the past" but it could try harder to curb trade at the border with North Korea.

"There are still some financial links that exist that should not under those (UN) resolutions... We're going to work closely with the Chinese to identify that activity and end it," the official said.

Trump will also decide at the end of his Asian tour next Monday whether to re-designate North Korea as a "state-sponsor of terrorism", the White House said.

In his speech, Trump painted a dark picture of North Korea as "a country ruled as a cult".

"At the centre of this military cult is a deranged belief in the leader's destiny to rule as parent protector over a conquered Korean peninsula and an enslaved Korean people."

South Korean lawmakers applauded as the US president, whose tour of Asia has been dominated by the nuclear-armed North, vowed not to be intimidated and warned Pyongyang it should not test American resolve.

The North carried out its sixth, and most powerful, nuclear test in September, and has fired dozens of missiles in recent months.

Two have overflown Japan -- which Trump visited at the start of his Asian tour -- and Pyongyang says it can mount a nuclear warhead on a rocket to bring the US mainland within range.

"We will not permit America or our allies to be blackmailed or attacked," Trump said.

But Trump made overtures to leader Kim Jong-Un, who has overseen rapid advances in North Korea's weapons technology.

In what he said was a direct message to the young leader, Trump told him: "North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned. It is a hell that no person deserves."

"Yet despite every crime you have committed against God and man, we will offer a path towards a much better future."

It would have to begin, though, with the North stopping ballistic missile development, Trump said, and "complete verifiable and total denuclearisation".

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President Donald Trump has made no secret of his animosity toward CNN. Using it as a stick in any federal approval of an AT&T-Time Warner merger would not be a healthy sign. (Photo: LEE JIN-MAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The only encouraging ideological trend in the United States over the past two years has been the nations steady awakening to the political problems posed by monopoly power.

Corporate mega-mergers, once viewed as an inevitability carrying, at most, modest implications for consumer prices, are coming to be understood as a threat to the foundations of democracy. Companies that control access to information  Facebook, Google, telecom giants and media conglomerates  are suddenly receiving a level of scrutiny from politicians and the general public they have not experienced in decades.

The proposed $85.4 billion merger between AT&T and Time Warner should be intolerable. AT&T already controls a huge swath of the broadband market. It also owns DirecTV, a television distribution network that carries hundreds of channels. The Time Warner deal would add the Warner Bros. film studio, the Warner Bros. Television empire and DC Entertainment (a vehicle for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other superheroes), along with HBO, Cinemax and the array of Turner Broadcasting properties: TNT, TBS, TruTV, Turner Classic Movies, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, HLN and CNN. No single entity should have that much power.

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Al Franken (D-Minn.) and several other Senate Democrats have raised serious objections to the deal. Anti-monopoly experts have been attacking it ever since it was announced. This merger would give one bad company way too much power, wrote Candace Clement, free press campaign director for the advocacy group Free Press.

The federal government has been greenlighting mergers like this for years. In 2011, the Obama administration approved Comcasts acquisition of NBCUniversal, allowing allowing the cable provider to swallow CNBC and MSNBC. Nevertheless, there are established legal theories that indicate these deals should not go through. AT&T would have an incentive to create problems for competitors of TNT, TBS, TruTV and CNN either over its DirecTV television network or through its broadband and wireless services.

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On Wednesday afternoon, The New York Times, Politico and The Financial Times published reports declaring that the Department of Justice was holding up the deal. The stories, all posted within minutes of each other, indicated that the DOJ was considering forcing AT&T to sell off CNN as a condition for approval. CNBC and The New York Times indicated that the Justice Department had told AT&T it would have to sell off either DirecTV or the entire Turner broadcasting suite. But anonymous quotes to FT and Politico were more ominous: The only reason you would divest CNN would be to kowtow to the president because he doesnt like the coverage, one source told Politico. It would send a chilling message to every news organization in the country.

The Justice Department told CNNs Brian Stelter that AT&T privately offered to sell CNN during talks, an allegation AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson denied. DOJ insisted to HuffPost that it does not comment on any pending investigation and that it is committed to carrying out its duties in accordance with the laws and the facts.

Its no secret that President Donald Trump loathes CNN. He has assailed the network all year as fake news, ridiculed its reporters at press briefings and even posted video online of himself body-slamming a man with a CNN logo superimposed over his face. Trumps consistent attack on the press has had obvious authoritarian overtones, and interfering in the business operations of a network he doesnt like is not a healthy sign.

But neither is the prospect of a duopoly governed by AT&T-CNN and Comcast-MSNBC, even if Trump-friendly Fox News might end up getting the short end of the stick.

We have four decades with nonpolitical scientific merger control, and look at the economy were living in, noted Columbia University law professor Tim Wu at an antitrust event in Washington on Wednesday. We really need to get serious about this problem.

The anti-monopoly movement in the United States is ascendent. Silicon Valley behemoths are targeting groups like the Open Markets Institute for a reason. But the fact that Trump has explicitly assailed just about every major media enterprise except Fox News and Breitbart makes him a uniquely terrible messenger for a gospel concerned with free speech.

The AT&T-Time Warner deal should die. Not, however, without some skepticism about the motivations behind its execution.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misidentified Randall Stephenson as the chief financial officer of AT&T. He is the chief executive officer.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
In his ads, Ed Gillespie hit all the same notes as Donald Trump. He argued that his Democratic opponent was soft on MS-13, a brutal gang with origins in Central America. He criticized sanctuary cities, even though Virginia doesnt have any. He argued for keeping up Confederate monuments.

But unlike Trump, he lost.

In a race closely watched by Democratic and Republican operatives from across the country, the former Republican National Committee chairman spent millions on ads that sounded Trumpist themes of the risks of immigration and the need to protect Americas heritage.

But Democrat Ralph Northam, the states not-particularly-inspiring lieutenant governor, roundly defeated Gillespie, 54 to 45 percent, as Democrats rode a wave of victories in other statewide offices and the states House of Delegates.

The nations foremost expert on all things Trump, one Donald J. Trump of New York City, had an explanation: Gillespie just wasnt Trumpy enough. Taking advantage of Twitters new 280-character maximum, the president of the United States explained Tuesday night that Gillespie did not embrace me or what I stand for.

Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for. Dont forget, Republicans won 4 out of 4 House seats, and with the economy doing record numbers, we will continue to win, even bigger than before!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2017

Its somewhat true that Gillespie did not embrace Trump. The president did not campaign for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, even though its a short drive from the White House, making him the first president since Richard Nixon not to do so. And Gillespie missed other opportunities to play up his connections, even as the president tweeted his praise.

But he more than embraced what Trump stands for, as evidenced by his campaign ads.

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Theres another explanation. Trump was the ultimate outsider: a reality TV personality and billionaire developer who had never run for office or served in an elected position who pledged to drain the swamp. Gillespie was a creature of the swamp, a former party official who advised George W. Bush and Mitt Romney, worked as a lobbyist and ran unsuccessfully for Senate.

When Trump attacks MS-13, voters hear a guy who launched his campaign by going off-script to argue that Mexico is sending rapists to the United States. When Gillespie attacked, it was clear he was singing from a borrowed hymnal.

And then theres the views of political scientists. For all its history as the heart of the Confederacy, Virginia is a state whose demographics are trending blue. Trumps approval rating is lower than any modern president. And Virginia has tended to vote for governors from the opposite party of the incumbent president in recent years. Maybe a loss was baked in.

All of these explanations hold some truth to them, but most of them are not good news for Donald Trump.

If Trumpism only works with Trump on the ticket, the president is going to find his Republican allies thinning out.

If Trumpism only works when the candidate is a true believer, the president may find there arent enough people who fit the bill and have the wherewithal to win a race. (Thats one reason former Trump advisor Steve Bannons potential picks for 2018 included several wealthy people who could self-fund.)

And if Trumpism is subject to the usual rules of politics  something Trump managed to evade in his unlikely 2016 campaign  then the president will find his party losing seats in the upcoming midterm elections.

There were other signs on Election Night that Trump could be in trouble.

Elsewhere in Virginia, Democrat Danica Roem defeated the states most socially conservative lawmaker, Del. Robert G. Marshall, to become one of the first openly transgender elected officials in the U.S.

The win was doubly sweet for LGBT advocates, as Marshall was the author of a failed bathroom bill, once called himself the states chief homophobe and referred to Roem using male pronouns.

That could be bad news for Trump, who has taken moves to bar transgender troops from serving in the military.

In New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy decisively defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, second-in-command to Trumps erstwhile ally, Chris Christie, in a campaign in which he called on the blue state to turn an even deeper shade of blue.

A one-time Goldman Sachs executive who has never held elected office before, Murphy advocated for legalizing marijuana, raising the minimum wage to $15 and fighting the Trump Administration. Basically every part of the preceding sentence is bad news for Trumpism.

In Maine, voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to expand Medicaid under terms set by the Affordable Care Act, a move that Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed five different times. Thats not a positive sign for Trump, who vowed to repeal Obamacare as president.

And while each of these races can be explained away by local factors, the accumulation of results matters. Democrats have already begun citing Tuesdays results to prospective 2018 candidates, while more Republican incumbents may be looking to join their colleagues who have already exited stage right.

The future of Trumpism remains an open question. But after Tuesday, the future of Trump looks much more cloudy.
By Matthew Tostevin DANANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - Whether they like President Donald Trump or not, the U.S. veterans who gather at Hoa's Place in Danang show little concern that he avoided the war that marked their lives. Trump flies into the Vietnamese resort of Danang on Friday for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders, landing in a city that for many Americans of his generation was their first sight of Vietnam - and of war. "Hell finally be able to put on his resume that he was in Vietnam," said David Clark, 68, who is originally from Akron, Ohio and calls Trump "a joke". After serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 with the Marine Corps, he has now returned to help with projects to address the legacy of the war. Trump never served in the military. He received five deferments during the Vietnam War, including one for bone spurs in his heel, the New York Times reported last year. The paper quoted Trump as saying the bones spurs had been "temporary". "Everyone I know tried to avoid it," said draftee Keith Soukkala, sipping a beer at Hoa's Place, a favored bar of veterans near Danang's "China Beach". "I stayed out as long as I could but I didnt have any bone spurs," said Soukkala, who splits his time between Vietnam and Alaska and said he voted for Trump. At 73, he is two years older than Trump and recalls landing in Danang to the humid heat and "a certain smell in the air" at the start of a 13-month tour with the Marine Corps dodging bombs hidden by the communist Viet Cong guerrillas. TROOPS CAME ASHORE The seaside resort of Danang has a special place in U.S.-Vietnamese history: it was here that the first U.S. ground troops disembarked in 1965 in the escalation of a war that would last another decade before the communist victory. Close to some of the heaviest fighting in central Vietnam, Danang had a big U.S. air base. China Beach was a relaxation spot for U.S. soldiers back from combat. Now, Danang's beachfront hotels draw tourists from around the world. Gleaming office towers mark it out as one of Vietnam's most modern cities and one the communist government sought to showcase with the hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit which Trump will attend. It's also home to a community of U.S. veterans who returned to a country where a recent Pew Research survey showed the United States was viewed favorably by 84 percent of people. Clark came back in 2013 for a year and is still in Danang, busy with projects to destroy unexploded U.S. bombs and help families affected by the Agent Orange defoliant linked to illness and deformity. Mark OConnor, 67, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and once part of a helicopter assault team, visits as often as he can to provide bicycles to children in hill villages. On this visit, though, he said he had come back in the hope of seeing Trump - his support unaffected by the fact the president had not served in Vietnam. "You know, more power to him," he said. "You cant feel bad about him and not feel bad about everyone who went to Canada to avoid the draft." (Editing by Ralph Boulton)
Jason Kessler, the organizer of the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August that left one person dead, was verified on Twitter. The Daily Beast reports that the white supremacist got the official badge next to his name Tuesday.

The social media company, which recently made public statements about fighting hate speech on its platform, says the blue check mark is used to inform people that an account of public interest is authentic.

A verified badge does not imply an endorsement by Twitter, the sites policy states.

Still, the verified status caused a swift backlash from other users on the platform.

Hey @jack: very active user, 2.1M followers here: this is disgusting. Verifying white supremacists reinforces the increasing belief that your site is a platform for hate speech. I don't want to give up Twitter, but I may have to. Who do you value more, users like me or him? https://t.co/5ymcNfFvH0  Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) November 9, 2017

Hi @Twitter,



Hope you realize there's no such thing as being neutral when it comes to Nazis. Verifying Jason Kessler is a political act -- and one that puts you on the wrong side of history. https://t.co/VlvDaMwQO3  Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) November 9, 2017

Oh wait my bad @jack my bad. Nazis are ok for another couple weeks. Ill follow-up w/you about your verification of Jason Kessler, known Nazi & organizer of rallies that end in murder, on the 22nd. pic.twitter.com/qyprrCRWYq  Feminist Porg Queen (@missykaybm) November 8, 2017

Twitter just verified Jason Kessler, the organizer of the Charlottesville neo-Nazi rally. Why do they do this shit? https://t.co/mSeCckeNeB  Matt Novak (@paleofuture) November 8, 2017

A day after @Twitter verifies Jason Kessler, who created the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, he tweets "Rose McGowan should be held accountable for being a thot that will do anything for attention." pic.twitter.com/tAWBu79IfQ  Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) November 8, 2017

@twitter, get Jason Kessler off of Twitter. Youve banned others for violent tweets. This is a dangerous man.  ejwbooth (@enidjanebooth) November 9, 2017

.@Twitter, @TwitterSupport: is there a reason why that you decided to verify Jason Kessler? Look how he celebrated it? pic.twitter.com/IqwqQRDdgI  Jack Sinclair (@jacktweetslife) November 9, 2017

Kessler previously called Heather Heyer, the woman who was killed when a car plowed into the crowd demonstrating against the white supremacists that descended on Charlotesville, a fat, disgusting Communist. He added that her death was payback time.

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This is the organizer of the Unite the Right rally where Heather Heyer died. pic.twitter.com/MVnJHecLOt  Matt Pearce  (@mattdpearce) August 19, 2017

Police identified James Alex Fields Jr., a white supremacist, as the driver who hit Heyer and others at the protest. He has been charged with multiple felonies, including one count of second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and one count of failing to stop at an accident resulting in a death.

Last month, Kessler was indicted on a felony perjury charge after video surfaced showing that he had lied to a judge about the reason he punched a man in the face in January. Kessler claimed the man he assaulted had been the aggressor, but video showed otherwise.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey responded to the backlash on Thursday, saying that the company needed to reconsider its verification process, a system he described as broken.

We failed by not doing anything about it, he wrote.

We shouldve communicated faster on this (yesterday): our agents have been following our verification policy correctly, but we realized some time ago the system is broken and needs to be reconsidered. And we failed by not doing anything about it. Working now to fix faster. https://t.co/wVbfYJntHj  jack (@jack) November 9, 2017

As a result, Twitter will halt its verification process while it examines how it authenticates users on the platform. The social media company acknowledged that the blue check mark is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance.

We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it, the company said in a statement.

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Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon  Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 9, 2017

Still, Kesslers account remains verified.

A screenshot of Kessler's account page, captured Friday morning. (Photo: Twitter)

Also on HuffPost

Neo-Nazis and white supremacists encircle and chant at counter-protesters at the base of a Thomas Jefferson statue on Aug. 11, 2017, after marching with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Neo-Nazis and white supremacists take part in the "Unite the Right" rally.

The group marched through the University of Virginia campus with torches.

A man wears Nazi regalia before the "Unite the Right" rally.

Counter-protesters arrive at the "Unite the Right" rally.

White supremacists carry Nazi flags on Aug. 12, 2017.

A white supremacist carries the Confederate flag as he walks past counter-demonstrators.

White nationalists march through the street.

A sign on a business in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.

Police arrive at the scene of protests after a state of emergency is announced in Charlottesville, Virginia.

A man is down during a clash between white nationalist protesters and a group of counter-protesters.

White nationalists and counter-protesters clash.

A protester receives first-aid during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.

A man makes a slashing motion across his throat toward counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists and neo-Nazis during the "Unite the Right" rally.

A white supremacist stands behind militia members after he scuffled with a counter-demonstrator.

Virginia State Police use pepper spray as they move in during a clash between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters.

Hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally.

A smoke bomb is thrown at a group of counter-protesters.

Virginia State Troopers stand under a statue of Robert E. Lee. White nationalists descended on Charlottesville to protest the statue's removal.

Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Lee Park to hurl insults as white nationalists and neo-Nazis are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering.

A group of counter-protesters rally against white nationalists.

A man is seen with an injury during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.

Protesters and counter-protesters after being pepper-sprayed and/or maced.

David Duke (C), participates in the white nationalist rally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Two suspected human smugglers were arrested in Italy this week after the bodies of 26 Nigerian women and girls, all of them believed to be teenagers, were found dead on the Mediterranean Sea.

The Guardian reports that the two suspected smugglers, identified as Al Mabrouc Wisam Harar from Libya and Mohamed Ali Al Bouzid from Egypt, are accused of trafficking at least 150 people, but prosecutors have not directly linked them to the deaths.

It is still unclear exactly how the women and girls died, but autopsy results are expected soon.

Investigators suspect that the women and girls, some as young as 14, may have been murdered while attempting the dangerous smuggling route between Libya and Europe. The bodies were reportedly discovered by an anti-trafficking rescue boat called the Cantabria at the site of two separate shipwrecks.

By the time aid workers arrived, survivors were clinging to the mostly sunken remains of a rubber dinghy while deceased floated nearby, an Italian police official told CNN. The recovered bodies were brought to shore Sunday in Salerno, Southern Italy, along with an unknown number of survivors who were among almost 400 migrants rescued in recent days.

Read more: This is Hell on Earth. Eyewitness to a Harrowing Rescue on the Mediterranean

While deaths are common along the migrant sea route to Europe, it is unclear why the victims from this crossing all appear to be young women. Salerno police chief Lorena Ciccotti told CNN that investigators were still trying to determine if the girls had been tortured or sexually abused.

More than 150,000 migrants and refugees have survived the journey over the Mediterranean Sea and entered Europe this year as of Nov. 1, according to the International Organization for Migration. Most, or about 75%, have arrived in Italy, with the rest ending up in Greece, Cyprus or Spain. More than 2,800 people have died while attempting the crossing this year, down from 4,150 in 2016.
BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States and China had a frank exchange of views on the disputed South China Sea during a visit to Beijing by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.

China claims almost the entire strategic waterway through which about $3-trillion worth of goods pass every year, building and militarising artificial islands. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have conflicting claims.

The issue is likely to feature prominently at two regional summits starting this week, one in Vietnam and the other in the Philippines, which Trump and several leaders will attend. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Vietnam meeting.

"We had a frank exchange here in China on maritime security issues and the South China Sea. The U.S. position remains unchanged," Tillerson told reporters.

"We insist on upholding freedom of navigation, that claimants be consistent with international law and that claimants should stop construction and militarisation of outposts in order to maximise prospects for successful diplomacy," he added.

Both Xi and Trump expressed support for the protection of peace and stability in the South China Sea, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the leaders' talks.

Both leaders also support the peaceful resolution and management of the dispute via talks and in accordance with "accepted international law", it added.

"Both sides support the protection of freedom of navigation and overflight for all countries, in accordance with international law," it said.The United States has angered China with freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-controlled islands in the South China Sea, which have been continued by the Trump administration.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in an apparent policy shift, said on Wednesday he planned to ask China to make clear its intentions in the South China Sea, during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Vietnam.

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Since coming to office 16 months ago, the firebrand leader has been conciliatory to Beijing, despite a ruling by an international arbitration court favouring the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China.

In the past, Duterte has repeatedly said he will raise the sea dispute at the proper time and avoided the issue when Manila hosted two regional meetings this year.

(Reporting by Philip Wen and Matt Spetalnick; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard and Christian Shepherd; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
By Pablo Garcia

TABATINGA, Brazil (Reuters) - U.S. military personnel are taking part this week in the largest international army operation ever held deep in the Amazon jungle of northern Brazil, in a sign of closer U.S.-Brazil defense ties.

Troops from Brazil, Colombia and Peru will set up a temporary military base in their tri-border region for a week-long logistics exercise in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Brazilian army officials said.

About 50 U.S. personnel will be present for the exercise, including 19 observers and 31 members of the Montana Air National Guard who will be based out of Manaus providing air transportation, a U.S. embassy statement said.

The United States will provide a Hercules C-130 transport plane to move personnel and equipment, the Brazilian army said.

The presence of U.S military personnel in Brazil's Amazon region underscored improving defense relations between the two most populous countries in the Western Hemisphere after more than a decade of distancing under leftist Brazilian governments.

In March, then-commander of the U.S. Army South, Major General Clarence K. K. Chinn visited military installations in the Amazon and was decorated in Brasilia. Bilateral agreements on defense cooperation and information security have taken effect recently after years of stalling in Brazil's Congress.

The Brazilian general in charge of the operation said he was "astounded" by criticism of the U.S. involvement in the exercise in a globalized world where Brazil maintains good relations with China, Russia and the United States.

"It's a senseless conspiracy theory raised by leftist parties," General Guilherme Theophilo Gaspar de Oliveira, the Brazilian Army's logistics commander, told reporters, as he praised deep U.S. experience and know how in disaster relief.

The Brazilian Army said it was the first time such a large military exercise has been held in the Amazon and would help prepare the armed forces of the three neighboring countries for a humanitarian crisis such as mass migration.

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Brazil has kept a close eye on economic and political upheaval in neighboring Venezuela that could trigger such an exodus. More than 30,000 Venezuelans have already fled over the border into the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, according to federal police.

The Brazilian Army said Venezuela is one of the 19 countries sending observers for the so-called United America Operation.

Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann will attend the jungle exercises on the weekend and then fly to Washington for three days of talks with Pentagon officials, his press representative said.

(Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Diane Craft)
UberEATS, Uber's standalone app for on-demand food delivery, has added in-app restaurant reviews in order to help people make more informed decisions about what to eat.

"We had heard from our consumers for a long time that they were interested in more information in general to help them make a decision of which restaurant to eat at," UberEATS Product Manager Ambika Krishnamachar told me at Uber's SF headquarters earlier this week. "In particular, users are looking for a vote of confidence, given what other people in their community think. We saw it was effective on the rides side, so we wanted to bring it over to EATS as well."

Now, in addition to being able to rate their delivery person, consumers can also rate the restaurant on a scale from one to five stars and the particular menu items they received from that restaurant on thumbs up/thumbs down basis. For those browsing through the app for places to eat, the restaurant rating reflected will be based on the last 90 days of data.

"Ratings as a concept through the transparency it provides is not only just good for the consumer it also benefits the marketplace as a whole," Krishnamachar said.

With ratings, restaurants can have a better idea of what their consumers like, what they dislike and how the restaurant can improve.

Unlike Uber's rating system for drivers, there is no particular rating restaurants need to maintain in order to remain on the platform. However, restaurants do need to meet certain standards around quality, inappropriate behavior, not complying with food regulations and other elements laid out in Uber's community guidelines.

Uber is also launching personalized menu recommendations for each restaurant and an easier way to see the restaurants you've favorited.

"Through this type of work and exploration of this data, we've started to gather really interesting insights on consumer demand patterns -- what are people looking for, what are the elements that are going into this decision-making and choice," Krishnamachar said. "We started to think about how we can use this information to sort of shape the marketplace and improve selection and quality overall for people."

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This is where the idea of virtual restaurants comes in. Virtual restaurants, which UberEATS has been testing for a little while, are restaurants that exist only within the UberEATS app. UberEATS does this by first looking at specific neighborhoods within cities and analyzing what people are searching for. Imagine, Krishnamachar said, that there's a neighborhood where people are frequently searching for mexican food, but there's no restaurant nearby that offers that.

"We can take that demand insight and go to restaurants in that area who maybe don't serve Mexican good but have similar ingredients or equipment that might work," Krishnamachar said. If the restaurant is interested, they could put up another business on UberEATS and brand it separately.

The virtual restaurants concept is still in its early days, but there are some restaurants already doing this with UberEATS. One is Chicago pizzeria Si-Pie Pizzeria. UberEATS realized people were searching for chicken nearby Si-Pie Pizzeria but there wasn't much available. So the owner of Si-Pie Pizzeria, who already had a fryer on hand, decided he could also make fried-chicken. But instead of adding that to his pizza menu, he branded it as Si's Chicken Kitchen, which is only available via UberEATS.

It turns out that move was good for business. In October, after running the virtual kitchen for about year, the owner's sales of chicken surpassed delivery sales of pizza.

"It's an opportunity to increase selection overall for consumers but also an opportunity to really optimize and maximize the potential of each restaurant," Krishnamachar said.
Washington (AFP) - It will have to wait until President Donald Trump has finished his tour of Asian capitals, but the United States is expected to return North Korea to its list of state sponsors on terror.

In itself, the designation will not have much practical impact on a pariah state already facing an array of US and international sanctions and intense diplomatic pressure.

But the imminent decision marks another turn of the screw as Washington ratchets up rhetoric designed to convince Kim Jong-Un he will not win his latest nuclear stand-off.

It will also add Pyongyang to a very exclusive list. Only Iran, Syria and Sudan are still blacklisted as terror sponsors, and Sudan is expected to be relieved of the title soon.

- When will it happen? -

Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday that no decision will be made before the president returns from his Asia trip, on which he is rallying opposition to Pyongyang.

This would imply no sooner than November 15 after the Southeast Asian summit, but for some in Washington that is already late.

While the White House has been mulling a decision on the designation since coming to office in January, in July Congress passed a bill demanding an answer by October 31.

Lawmakers have been chivvying the State Department for a ruling since then, but officials privately argue Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson needed time to consult allies.

- Why now? -

The United States and North Korea have been enemies since the 1950 to 1953 war that split the peninsula between the communist North and the westward-leaning South.

In 1988, Pyongyang was added to the US list of state sponsors of terror after Korean Air Flight 858 exploded in midair on a flight between Baghdad and Seoul in November 1987.

Some 115 people were killed and a North Korean agent later confessed to the bombing.

In 2008, then US president George W. Bush's administration removed North Korea from the list as an incentive to join a round of negotiations on its nuclear program.

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Those talks eventually failed and, since Kim Jong-Un took over as dictator from his late father Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have made rapid progress.

Foreign policy hawks in Washington now want to tag the North again, citing in particular Pyongyang's presumed implication in the murder of Kim's older brother and rival, Kim Jong-Nam.

The elder Kim died in February after suspected agents of his brother's regime sprayed a nerve agent in his face in an airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"North Korea was removed from the list in 2008 in part because Pyongyang had promised to end its nuclear weapons program, another promise the Kim regime did not keep," said Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert with the Federation for Defense of Democracies.

"The determination should make it easier for the Trump administration to draw a line with countries, noting that continued business with Pyongyang aids a state sponsor of terrorism."

- Which decision? -

All signs point to Trump deciding that North Korea deserves to return to the list.

"The president's cabinet is looking at this as part of the overall strategy on North Korea," National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told reporters last week.

"But a regime who murders someone in a public airport using nerve agent and a despotic leader who murders his brother in that manner, that's clearly an act of terrorism that fits in with a range of other actions, so this is something that's under consideration. You'll hear more about that soon."

In addition to the assassination, US officials have been infuriated by the death of Otto Warmbier, a young US student who was arrested in North Korea for a petty offense and held for more than a year before he was released in a comatose state.

Warmbier died, aged 22, shortly after his unconscious body was flown home and, although North Korea claimed he had contracted botulism in detention, Trump has since alleged that he was tortured in custody.
Jeff Flake condemns egregious oversight after Texas shooting suspect was able to buy gun despite domestic assault conviction

The investigation continues in the mass shooting at the First Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Photograph: via Zuma/Rex/Shutterstock

Two senators said on Tuesday that the US military had a widespread problem that went far beyond the failure to report the Texas church shooting suspects domestic violence records to the nations background check system for gun sales.

Domestic abusers are prohibited from owning guns under federal law, but Senator Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican, said at a news conference on Tuesday evening that a systemic failure had allowed the alleged Texas church shooter to purchase guns despite domestic violence convictions he received while in the air force.

This egregious oversight has allowed individuals such as the Texas shooter, who otherwise should not have been able to legally purchase a firearm, to do so, Flake said.

The air force said in a statement on Monday night that Devin Kelley, the alleged Sutherland Springs gunman, should have been legally prohibited from buying or owning firearms. But the Holloman air force base office of special investigations had failed to enter the record of Kelleys conviction for domestic abuse into the national background check system, according to initial information.

The air force and defense department said on Monday that they had launched investigations into this failure, as well as whether other criminal records had been properly reported.

A 2015 report from the defense departments inspector general found the navy, air force and marine corps had made many errors in reporting criminal record conviction records to the FBI. The report found that 30% of the records that should have been reported were missing.

Spokespeople for the air force, the defense department, and the FBI were not able to clarify on Tuesday whether and to what extent military domestic violence records were being submitted to the background check system.

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At the press conference, Flake said there had been only a single domestic violence record submitted from the armed services to the background checks system since 2007.

Unless were to assume theres been only been one case of domestic violence in the military over that point of time, we have a problem. We have a loophole here that needs to be closed, said Flake, who, with Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, announced they were co-sponsoring legislation to close the loophole.

But Flake referenced a chart from a 2016 FBI report, which cautions that the chart only refers to a subset of records within the entire background check system, and that some records might be submitted through other databases.

Flake and Heinrichs offices did not immediately respond to requests to clarification on whether the chart had been misinterpreted.

I dont know if [the chart] paints a full and accurate picture of the Department of Defense total reporting on these issues, Thomas Crosson, a defense department spokesperson, told the Guardian before Flakes press conference.

In response to Flakes press conference, some experts questioned whether new legislation was needed. The military is already required to report domestic violence records to the background checks system under federal law, and under a previous instruction from the Department of Defense, said Geoffrey Corn, a military law expert at the South Texas College of Law.

Im not sure the answer here is another statute, he said. I dont think this is a case of malice. I think its just a case of too many cooks in the kitchen and nobody knows whos doing what.

After high-profile mass shootings in the past decade, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (Nics) has repeatedly come under scrutiny for faulty reporting, missing records and bad procedures, including after the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting and the 2015 white supremacist attack on a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Advocates have led campaigns to correct failures to report the appropriate state mental health records to the background check system.

In 2012, the Texas gunman Devin Kelley, an airman at the Holloman air force base in New Mexico, was convicted by a court martial on two charges of domestic assault and sentenced to a year of confinement. He left the air force in 2014 with a bad conduct discharge.

Law enforcement officials said Kelley went on to buy at least four guns, two in Colorado and two in Texas, in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. On Sunday, officials said, Kelley opened fire on a tiny church during morning services, killing 26 people, many of them children.
New York (AFP) - A Massachusetts mother on Wednesday accused Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting her 18-year-old son on the holiday island of Nantucket last year and said police had opened a criminal investigation.

Former television news anchor Heather Unruh told a news conference in Boston that the double Oscar winner assaulted the teen after plying him with alcohol late at night in a Nantucket bar in July 2016.

Police told AFP that they could not confirm or deny any such report was filed. "Reports of sexual assaults are confidential under Massachusetts General Law," a spokesperson for the police department said.

Unruh described her son at the time as a "star-struck, straight" 18-year-old.

"Kevin Spacey bought him drink after drink after drink, and when my son was drunk, Spacey made his move and sexually assaulted him," she told a news conference in Boston.

"Spacey stuck his hand inside my son's pants and grabbed his genitals," Unruh said. Her intoxicated son, whom she did not name, panicked and froze.

When the "House of Cards" star left briefly to use the bathroom, he allegedly fled to his grandmother's house, where he allegedly told his sister what had happened.

"Last week my son filed a police report and handed over evidence, and now a criminal investigation has begun," Unruh told reporters.

The scores of women who have accused Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, and actor Anthony Rapp levelling the first public accusations against Spacey had motivated them to speak publicly now, Unruh said.

"I want to see Kevin Spacey go to jail," she said. "Not just for my son but for the many others," she added.

Unruh said her son did not report the incident at the time "largely because of embarrassment and fear."

The family lawyer also told reporters Wednesday that his client had spoken to Nantucket police, who were investigating.

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Unruh previously alleged via Twitter on October 13 that Spacey had "assaulted a loved one," but had not previously identified that person as her son.

Netflix late week dropped Spacey, its star actor on hit series "House of Cards" whose career is in free-fall over spiraling assault accusations. According to British media, London police are also investigating him for an alleged assault in 2008.

He has been publicly accused of attempting to rape a 15-year-old boy in New York and of making advances on actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14 years old, 31 years ago.
USS Ronald Reagan is one of three aircraft carriers involved in display of military might: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images

The US Navy is set to carry out a rare military exercise involving three aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific.

Timed to coincide with the last leg of Donald Trump's Asia tour, it will be the first time in a decade the USS Ronald Reagan, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Nimitz have operated together.

The display of military might comes amid heightened tensions in the region over North Korea's nuclear missile programme.

The operation will take place over the weekend and into early next week, the US Navy said in a statement. It is thought the drills will take place in the Sea of Japan, which borders the secretive communist state.

"It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three," said US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift.

"Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the US Pacific Fleet's unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region."

The strike force plans to conduct air defence drills and defensive air combat training, the navy said.

It is the first time that three carrier strike groups have operated together in the Western Pacific since exercises in 2006 and 2007 off the coast of Guam.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump issued a stern warning to North Korea, repeating his vow that the US will defend itself and its allies against Pyongyang's nuclear aggression.

He directly addressed the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, telling him the weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger.

Mr Trump is currently in China on 12-day tour of five Asian countries. Earlier this week he was forced to scrap a surprise visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea because of bad weather.
April the giraffe captivated the world this spring when millions of viewers tuned in to a livestream to anxiously watch the birth of her fourth calf, Tajiri, who came into the world on April 15 at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York.

Now, seven months after one of the most viral births in history, everyone's favorite giraffe mom might be pregnant again.

During a Thursday morning appearance on "Good Morning America," Animal Adventure Park owner Jordan Patch was asked by host Amy Robach how soon the world could expect another April pregnancy.

After taking a long pause, Patch replied "I cannot confirm nor deny the possibility of another pregnancy," which was met by wild reactions from the hosts and the show's live audience.

"If it is going to happen, will we be able to see it online?" co-host Michael Strahan asked once the cheering died down.

"Are we ready for another giraffe cam, world? You tell me," Patch said, fueling speculation.

Is April the Giraffe pregnant again!? "I cannot confirm nor deny the possibility of another pregnancy!" @AnmlAdvntrPark owner says.  pic.twitter.com/XCYSdyqYHE  Good Morning America (@GMA) November 9, 2017

April's 2017 pregnancy, which lasted 65 days, went viral after a live-stream of the pregnant giraffe was posted on YouTube by Animal Park Adventure.

Interestingly enough, the zoo took to Facebook again in October to say that "love is in the air" for April and her mate, Oliver, and that the mom of four had been cleared for another pregnancy.

So, will we be treated to another April livestream in 13 - 15 months? Only time will tell.

See photos of April and her baby:
AMMAN (Reuters) - The top adviser to Iran's supreme leader said he expects the Syrian army to soon recapture rebel-held Idlib province, as well as eastern Syria, an area where U.S.-backed militias hold swathes of territory. Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Iranian official, Ali Akbar Velayati, was speaking in Aleppo, from which the Syrian army drove rebels after a siege last year with help from Tehran. The military alliance backing Assad, which also includes Russia and Shi'ite Muslim militias, has this year focused on the war in central and eastern Syria against Islamic State (IS) militants. But Damascus is now setting its sights on territory held by Kurdish-led forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition that has also been fighting the Sunni Muslim IS in northern and eastern Syria. "Soon we will see the eastern Syria cleared, and then the Idlib area in west," said Velayati, the top aide to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in comments reported by Mehr news agency. He also hailed the success of Iranian allies across the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, in remarks likely to infuriate Tehran's main regional foe Saudi Arabia, lauding a "resistance line" from Tehran to Beirut. Assad's forces have also made some advances into rebel-held areas in northwest Syria adjacent to Idlib, a region that represents the insurgents' biggest remaining stronghold. Visiting Aleppo, Velayati was quoted by a military news outlet run by Hezbollah as saying Tehran's involvement in the Syrian civil war had averted wider violence. "The resistance line starts from Tehran and passes through Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut to reach Palestine," he was quoted as telling a group of Shi'ite militia volunteers by a military news outlet run by Hezbollah. Irans role, first by providing military advisers and then by training and arming Shi'ite militia in support of Assad, has not only helped shape the Syrian conflict, it has strengthened Tehran's own hand across the region. REVOLUTIONARY THEOCRACY For the first time, Iran's revolutionary theocracy is exerting decisive authority in an arc of influence that Sunni Arab powers, particularly Saudi Arabia, have been warning about for years. The Hezbollah news outlet said the fighters Velayati was addressing had come to defend the Sayeda Zeinab shrine in Damascus, a magnet for thousands of Iraqi and Afghan Shi'ite militia recruits who go there before being assigned to front lines to fight Sunni rebel groups opposed to Assad. Almost every Shi'ite militiaman bears insignia on his combat fatigues with the words "For your sake, Sayeda Zeinab". Velayati's visit was the second by a senior Iranian official to the war-torn country in nearly two weeks, showing how Tehran is openly raising its support for the Syrian government. Irans military chief of staff paid a rare visit to Syria last month in which he warned Israel against breaching Syrian air space and territory a day before he visited a frontline position near Aleppo. Saudi Arabia, its Arab allies and regional powerhouse Israel accuse Iran of seeking to expand its influence in the Arab world with the goal of carving out a land route through Iraq and Syria to the Mediterranean. The Syrian opposition also say Shi'ite Iran's military presence in Syria stokes sectarian conflict and blames its militias for demographic changes that have uprooted Sunnis. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London; editing by Mark Heinrich)
The Trump backlash has begun. One year after their stinging defeat, Democrats bounced back in the off-year elections on Nov. 7 with a surprise sweep from coast to coast, delivering an ominous rebuke to an unpopular President and his party.

By resounding margins, Democratic candidates took the marquee gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. But those triumphs were only the start of a blue wave that crashed across the map. Democrats won control of the Washington state senate and ushered in the first Democratic mayor of Manchester, N.H., in 14 years. They passed progressive ballot measures in Maine and New York; won key local races in Georgia and Florida; and elected a slate of candidates that mirrored the diversity of the party, from Ravi Bhalla, the first Sikh to become a mayor in New Jersey, to Virginias Danica Roem, the first person to run and win a legislative seat as an openly transgender individual. We are taking our country back from Donald Trump, one election at a time, crowed Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

For the beleaguered party, it was the first proof that the anti-Trump fervor that has galvanized the Presidents opponents could be channeled into significant election victories. Until this week, despite Trumps abysmal approval rating and a gridlocked GOP Congress, the opposition had failed to notch a win at the ballot box. Throughout 2017, Democratic candidates running in congressional special elections in red states had narrowed margins but fallen short of victory. Democrats have yet to show they can win in GOP strongholds. But the off-year election wave was a sign that antipathy to the Trump Administration is a force powerful enough to shake the nation in 2018 and beyond.

The election returns reflected surging enthusiasm among college-educated suburbanites, minorities and women. Turnout was up 16% over four years ago in Virginia, where Democrat Ralph Northam, the commonwealths lieutenant governor, won an unexpectedly easy nine-point victory over Ed Gillespie, a Republican lobbyist and former national party chairman. The moderate Northam had ended his campaign on a messy note, with progressive organizations denouncing his pledge to sign legislation barring the establishment of so-called sanctuary cities that do not enforce federal immigration laws. But just as a divided and rudderless GOP succeeded in the Obama era, the Democrats internal dramas may not matter if public opinion keeps cresting in their favor.

The elections also were a testing ground for tactics the left hopes to take national in next years midterms. In a bid to rebuild the partys bench, new grassroots groups like Indivisible, Run for Something, Swing Left and Flippable poured money, volunteers and tech savvy into low-profile contests. Last December, a prosecutor in suburban Seattle named Manka Dhingra, disturbed by the presidential election, attended her first Democratic Party meeting. On Nov. 7, she won a Republican-held seat in the Washington state senate, flipping control of the chamber. She called her win a rejection of the politics of tribalism, misinformation and mistrust.

In Virginia, more than 30 different organizations coordinated to contact more than a million voters. The partys 88 state legislative candidates nearly doubled the previous field. The resultmore than a dozen delegate seats flipped from Republican to Democratcould, pending local recounts, swing the chamber from a Republican supermajority to narrow Democratic control.

It is these down-ballot races that have given Democrats hope of taking back the U.S. House of Representatives with next years elections. Republicans had dominated the Virginia House of Delegates in part by drawing legislative maps that aided their candidates. Democrats will have to overcome similar obstacles to defeat congressional incumbents in Republican-friendly territory. That prospect, once improbably, looks brighter now. For the first time since last November, one giddy Democratic strategist says, the sky is above us and the ground is below us.

Beyond the results themselves were even graver signs for the GOP. Only 40% of Virginia voters said they approved of how the President was doing his job, and 34% said they cast their ballot to send a signal of their opposition. Six in 10 voters said they had an unfavorable view of the Republican Party. Health care was the top issue of Virginia voters, according to exit polls, and those concerned about it overwhelmingly voted for Democratsa sign that Republicans are taking the blame for their failure to reform the health-care system. In Maine, a ballot measure calling for the expansion of Medicaid won easily, over the objections of the states Republican governor and an ugly campaign that cast it as a welfare handout.

Despondent Republicans worry that their predicament may only get worse. They fear that the voters who said Trump needed some time to get his sea legs are beginning to go wobbly on him. Special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russias involvement with the President and his campaign may continue to dog the GOP all the way to the midterms. Strategists are comparing the looming threat to the ethics scandals that hobbled the party in the 2006, helping hand Democrats majorities in the House and Senate. The rage Trump channeled to win the White House doesnt translate naturally to governing, and lawmakers have struggled to deliver on their promises to an angry base. The challenge is one reason the GOP is seeing a wave of retirements: already 29 current House Republicans and three GOP Senators have left or are leaving their jobs.

All this is especially bad news for the Republicans running in the 23 districts that also supported Hillary Clinton last year. Each of them will have to make the tough call next year of whether to strike the same edgy chords that carried the President into office. For his part, Gillespie, despite his establishment credentials, ran TV ads castigating immigrants for job losses and blaming Hispanic gangs for violence. In the weeks after a white-nationalist march on Charlottesville, Va., erupted in violence, he defended Confederate monuments as the last vestiges of tradition. At the same time, he sought to differentiate himself from the President, rarely uttering his name on the campaign trail. Gillespie learned you cant be half-pregnant when it comes to the President.

Moments after the loss, Trump weighed in from Asia, blaming the candidates defeat on his unwillingness to fully embrace the President and his brand of politics. But if this weeks results are to be believed, there is indeed a Trump effectand its helping the Democrats.
Its been five weeks since the mass shooting in Las Vegas, the worst in U.S. history, and little has changed. A brief conversation about banning bump stocks  the devices used by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock that allow semiautomatic rifles to essentially function as automatics  fell out of the headlines and nothing was done.

Now, in the wake of another grisly shooting, which left 26 dead in a Texas church on Sunday, those in the Republican-controlled Congress who support stricter gun control  Democrats, namely  are bitterly cynical about the prospect of change.

It just strikes me that we see tragedy after tragedy and no action because of the power of the [National Rifle Association], Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin told TIME while waiting for the Senate subway on Tuesday. Its just heartbreaking.

It is very nearly certain that no comprehensive gun control legislation will surface in Congress in the aftermath of Sundays shooting. When measures are proposed in the wake of mass shootings, they tend to be partial and patchwork: efforts that target one marginal component of firearm safety that relates specifically to the tragedy that just transpired. After Las Vegas, it was bump stocks. Now, after the massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Republican lawmakers are saying they would be open to repairs to the federal background check system, noting that the shooter, 26-year-old former Air Force member Devin Patrick Kelley, might not have been able to buy a gun had the Air Force properly noted his domestic violence conviction in the national background check database. (One convicted of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm.)

I believe that theres an opportunity here to work together on a bipartisan basis to come up with a way to address this solution to a very real problem, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas told reporters on Tuesday. Cornyn has introduced a bill that would incentivize federal agencies to upload criminal conviction records into the background database. Theres enormous problems with the background check system. Thats one of the areas of consensus on a very contentious topic.

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But recent history suggests that doing so will not prove a particularly high legislative priority. After the Las Vegas shooting, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who has long been a vocal supporter of gun control, introduced a bill that would ban the sale and use of bump stocks. That was a month ago. Though several Republicans have criticized bump stocks, even writing to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to inquire why they were legal, they have not pressed the matter.

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Iowa Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Politico on Monday that he would soon convene a hearing on the matter of bump stocks, but that it had not been finalized.

Senate Republican leadership could not offer any more specifics on Tuesday. I think that hearing will occur, Cornyn said. He also declined to say whether he would support Feinsteins bill, saying the current moment was premature.

On Tuesday, NPR reported the Texas-based gun accessory vendor Slide Fire would resume its sale of bump stocks on its online store after indefinitely suspending them after last months shooting.
A woman in Manchester, New Hampshire, is facing an animal cruelty charge after she allegedly killed her roommates pet ferret by cooking the small animal the oven.

Ivana Clifford, 26, was arrested early Wednesday morning after officers responded to a report of smoke in an apartment building.

The smoke detector woke us up, her roommate, Cara Murray, told CBS Boston.

The smoke was coming from the apartments oven. When her boyfriend, James Klimavich, opened the appliance, he found a dead ferret inside, she said.

The ferret was Angel, one of three belonging to Murray.

Angel was very friendly, she was so cute, she was very energetic, she would run around with the other ferrets, Murray told CBS Boston.

An angry roommate allegedly put this ferrets sister in the oven & killed it #7News pic.twitter.com/4mJeKmusHr  Kimberly Bookman (@KimberlyBookman) November 8, 2017

How can someone be so cruel to put an animal in your oven? Cooking it alive? Murray said in an interview with WHDH.

Firefighters confirmed to the station they found a ferret covered in burn marks in the apartment.

We love our animals so much. It was just devastating, Murray said.

Murray and Klimavich fingered Clifford as the suspect, and told police she was staying with them because she was 8 months pregnant, according to New England Cable News.

Clifford was charged with one count of animal cruelty. She pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Wednesday.

Ivana Clifford in a police booking photo. (Photo: Manchester Police Dept)

Clifford allegedly told police she killed the pet because Murray had stolen her clothes, but Murray believes did it because Angel bit Clifford a few hours earlier.

Just nipped her, didnt even draw blood, and thats why she killed our ferret, Murray told New England Cable News.

Judge Gillian Abramson said the allegations against Clifford display a profound sense of sadism and set bail at $10,000, according to WMUR TV.

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Murray is worried about Cliffords ability to mother a child once she gives birth.

If she can throw a live ferret in the oven, what makes you think she wont throw a baby in the oven if it cries? Murray told NH1 News.

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"Young L.A. Girl Slain; Body Slashed in Two"  L.A.'s Daily News

On Jan. 15, 1947, the remains of Elizabeth Short were found in a vacant lot in Los Angeles. What made this discovery the stuff of tabloid sensation, however, was the Glasgow smile left on the aspiring actress' face  made with 3-inch slashes on each side. This, coupled with Short's dark hair, fair complexion and reputation for sporting a dahlia in her hair, led her to be dubbed "The Black Dahlia" in headlines. What followed was a media circus filled with rumors and speculation about the 22-year-old's checkered past. What haunts theorists to this day, apart from the victim's uniquely nightmarish visage, is that the case remains unsolved after some 200 suspects were interviewed and ultimately released, making it one of Hollywood's most lurid legends.

"I Am Not Guilty - Thus Lizzie Borden Pleads Before Judge Hammond at New Bedford."  Boston Journal

"Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother forty whacks. And when she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one." So goes the lurid nursery rhyme to one of the most mystifying crimes ever. The nature of the deaths of Andrew J. Borden and his wife, Abby, are trumped only by the identity of the alleged perpetrator: their daughter Lizzie. Inexplicably found "not guilty" in contrast to the era's more usual swift justice, Lizzie's legacy was to be immortalized as one of the most perplexing cases of parricide in history.

"Texas Mother Charged with Killing Her 5 Children"  CNN

In a case of mother-gone-mad that startled a nation, Andrea Yates appeared to her few friends and family to be a recluse suffering from postpartum depression leading up to the birth of her fifth child. That all changed on June 20, 2001, when she drowned five of her children in their home's bathtub. She was convicted in 2002 of capital murder, carrying a sentence of life in prison with possible parole. In a 2006 retrial, however, a Texas jury found her not guilty by reason of insanity. She was committed to a mental health facility.

"Buttafuoco Admits to Sex with Amy Fisher"  New York Times

Known as the "Long Island Lolita," Amy Fisher became involved with Joey Buttafuoco in May 1991. Shortly after the two began a sexual relationship (she was 16, while he was 35 and married with two children), his presence and influence in her life became all she cared for. Although he's since denied this, Buttafuoco would go on to help Fisher plan the murder of his wife, culminating in Fisher putting a bullet in Mary Jo Buttafuoco's head, but failing to kill her. In the highly publicized trial that ensued, Fisher accepted a plea deal for 15 years in prison in exchange for a testimony against Joey, who served out charges of statutory rape.

"Murder of a Little Beauty"  People Magazine

With her face gracing the covers of nearly every news and gossip rag during the winter of 1996, it's hard to suggest that the death of child beauty pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey had little effect outside the city of Boulder, Colorado. She was found dead from a blow to the head and strangulation in the family's basement. There was a ransom note left on the staircase asking for $118,000 (conveniently or coincidentally, nearly the same amount Mr. Ramsey received as a bonus that year) and no obvious signs of forced entry into the house. The evidence appeared to be stacked against parents John and Patsy, who maintained their innocence throughout the investigation. The case reopened in 2010, but critics cite poor handling of the crime scene as why the mystery of the events of that Christmas day continues.

"F.B.I. Joins Probe in Slaughter of 8 Nurses"  Nashua Telegraph

Tattooed with "Born to Raise Hell" on his arm, Richard Speck made good on his mantra through a history of violence, theft, alcoholism and spousal abuse. He achieved infamy when, on July 13, 1966, he walked into a dormitory armed with a knife and left eight student nurses dead in his wake. Only one, Cora Amurao, was spared, hiding under a bed until 6 a.m. Speck was found guilty of murder and died of a heart attack in prison. As one of the most press-worthy crimes of the decade, the grim events were used as the backdrop for an episode of "Mad Men."

"Sharon Tate, Four Others Murdered"  Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the most terrifying figure in American crime to have never actually killed anyone himself, Charles Manson founded a "family" of wayward individuals who hailed him as a prophet. So strong was his manipulation that on the night of Aug. 8, 1969, he ordered four of his followers to kill everyone at the residence of 10050 Cielo Drive  including movie director Roman Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, and her unborn child. Tate was stabbed 16 times, and her blood was used to write "pig" on the house's front door. The next night, Manson accompanied six of his family to the residence of supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, helping to bind them before ordering their deaths. In 1971, Manson and three of his fellow defendants were found guilty of murder in the first-degree and several other crimes. At the time, it was the longest murder trial in American history, spanning nine and a half months, as well as the most expensive, estimating $1 million. Manson was died in prison in 2017 at age 83.

"Lindbergh Baby Kidnapped from Home of Parents on Farm Near Princeton; Taken from His Crib; Wide Search on"  The New York Times

Used as the basis for an Agatha Christie novel (Murder on the Orient Express) and dubbed "the biggest story since the Resurrection" by famed journalist H.L. Mencken, the kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh's infant son continues to fascinate theorists today. Charles Jr. was discovered missing from his second-floor bedroom on March 1, 1932, along with a note demanding a then-unimaginable $50,000, igniting a media frenzy like no other. The tabloid pandemonium prompted many tips and leads, but none as concrete as a package containing the boy's pajamas and another message demanding the ransom. After some misdirection from the presumed kidnapper, Lindbergh's child was discovered in the woods along a road near the family residence. Notwithstanding the evidence stockpiled against the easily vilified illegal German immigrant Bruno Hauptmann (who was sentenced to death), speculation prevails as to the true identity of the individual responsible for this tragic tale.

"Not Guilty as Sin"  New York Post

Still fresh in the minds of many and not to be easily forgotten, the trial of Casey Anthony turned Orlando, Florida, into anything but the "happiest place on earth." Following a series of lies, misdirection and manipulation by then-22-year-old Casey, her daughter Caylee's skeletal remains were found five months into the investigation, setting the stage for what could only be described as the most incessantly publicized and shocking trial in recent memory. The media had a field day that went on for months, highlighting the young, pretty party-girl image used against Casey Anthony in court as the prosecution tore apart an aimless defense  or so it seemed. After throwing her own family under the bus, incriminating people entirely made-up ("Zanny the Nanny"), and fabricating elaborate stories for the police, Anthony was found not guilty of murder due to evidence deemed mostly circumstantial and not meeting the burden of "beyond reasonable doubt," inciting much debate regarding whether true justice was served.

"An American Tragedy"  Time

It was heralded as the "trial of the century." Former football star and actor O.J. Simpson found himself in the middle of the nation's biggest, most-televised trial following the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, but not before fleeing an all-points bulletin in his Ford Bronco with 20 units in tow, interrupting game 5 of the NBA Finals. With a dream legal team including Johnnie Cochran, Robert Shapiro, and Robert Kardashian, the defense claimed Simpson was merely a victim of police fraud with regard to contaminated DNA evidence. Cochran famously quipped, "If it [the glove] doesn't fit, you must acquit." On Oct. 3, 1995, an estimated 100 million people from around the world tuned in to watch the jury hand down a verdict of not guilty, costing an estimated $480 million in lost productivity. The case incited a discussion of race in the judicial system that continues to this day.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
A New York woman who admitted to causing her fiances drowning death during a kayaking trip on the Hudson River has been sentenced to up to four years in prison.

Angelika Graswald, 37, received the maximum sentence allowed Wednesday after pleading guilty to negligent homicide in the death of Vince Viafore, who was killed when his kayak capsized and disappeared on April 19, 2015.

Viafores kayak began sinking during the expedition after investigators say Graswald secretly removed a drain plug.

He was not wearing a life vest or a wetsuit during the trip. His body was recovered more than a month later, on May 23, 2015.

Graswald was arrested and originally charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in what prosecutors called a plot to kill her fiance to collect some of the $250,000 from his life insurance policies.

During a 12-hour taped police interrogation 10 days after Viafore disappeared, Graswald repeatedly denied killing him. She also said she was OK with Viafores death and wanted him dead.

Read: Could Woman Who Admitted Sabotaging Fiance's Kayak Before His Death Be Deported?

Graswald in July agreed to plead guilty to the lesser felony charge of negligent homicide.

The plea deal came weeks before Graswald was set to go to trial and in it, she admitted she should have perceived the risks and dangers of going out on the water that day.

Viafores family was in court for the sentencing hearing and shared how much they loved their relative and how his death has affected their lives.

"My brother did not deserve to have his life end this way," Viafore's sister, Laura Rice, said. "Our family feels Angelika should be held accountable for the actions she has admitted to where a short four year sentence does not seem just... The world lost a truly amazing person and we can never get him back.

Read: Drunk Driver, 70, Sentenced to Just 30 Days in Jail After Fatally Striking 5-Year-Old

Graswald has always maintained that she never meant to kill Viafore.

Story continues

I loved Vince very much and miss him terribly, Graswald said in a statement to the court through her lawyer, Richard Portale. I dont believe I was treated fairly. This entire process was incredibly one-sided and unjust.

Graswald has been in prison since her arrest in 2015.

She may be out of prison as early as this December, The Poughkeepsie Journal reported.

After completing 16 months of parole, Graswald, a native of Latvia and a permanent U.S. permanent resident, may face deportation, prosecutors said. That would fall to the discretion of a federal judge.

Related Articles:
A woman says GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 14.

Leigh Corfman, now 53, told The Washington Post in an article published Thursday that Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, took off her shirt and removed his clothes in the 1979 incident. He touched her over her bra and led her hands to touch him over his underwear, she said.

I wanted it over with  I wanted out, Corfman told the paper. Please just get this over with. Whatever this is, just get it over.

Three other women said Moore also made sexual advances to them when they were teenagers around the same time, according to the newspaper. Wendy Miller said she was working as a Santas helper at a mall when she was 14 when Moore first approached her. By the time she was 16, she said Moore was asking her out on dates.

The age of consent was and continues to be 16 in Alabama.

Moore, in a written statement to the Post, denied doing anything inappropriate.

These allegations are completely false and are a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign, Moore said.

In a series of tweets Moore posted on Thursday evening, he blamed the Obama-Clinton Machines liberal media lapdogs for launching a vicious and nasty round of attacks, and vowed not to back out of the Alabama race.

We are in the midst of a spiritual battle with those who want to silence our message, Moore said. Rest assured, I will never give up the fight.

A Moore spokesman called the accusations garbage and fake news.

Judge Roy Moore has endured the most outlandish attacks on any candidate in the modern political arena, but this story in todays Washington Post alleging sexual impropriety takes the cake, campaign chairman Bill Armistead told HuffPost in a statement. National liberal organizations know their chosen candidate Doug Jones is in a death spiral, and this is their last ditch Hail Mary.

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This garbage is the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation, Armistead added.

A special election for the U.S. Senate seat in Alabama vacated by now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions takes place Dec. 12. Moore is up against Democrat Doug Jones.

In a statement released to HuffPost, Jones said, Roy Moore needs to answer these serious charges.

Its unclear whether the allegations will affect Moores candidacy. The Alabama GOP didnt immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Alabamas Republican secretary of state, John Merrill, had no comment on whether Moore should withdraw, but noted Moores name will still appear on the ballot in December. He called the allegations just another piece of information voters will have to consider.

Other Moore supporters in the state were more direct. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle  whos running for governor and recently came under fire for offering his support to Moore  told HuffPost, The allegations made against Roy Moore are very serious. If the allegations are true, then he does not need to be the Republican candidate for Senate.

Senate Republicans quickly moved to distance themselves from Moore. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called the report disqualifying, saying in a statement that Moore should immediately quit the race. Other GOP senators called on Moore to withdraw if the allegations are true, including Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, David Perdue of Georgia, and in Moores home state of Alabama, Richard C. Shelby.

The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 9, 2017

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), meanwhile, told reporters Moore should step down if these allegations are true.

James Lomax, an Alabama Republican who has attended party functions supporting Moore, told HuffPost that if the allegations are true, Moore should be removed from the race.

If Roy Moore has had a bosom in one hand and a Bible in the other, he needs to immediately remove himself from this race and go find the God that he is always peddling, Lomax said. No amount of pithy campaign slogans can cover up these sins if real. Alabama politics have reached the height of hypocrisy.

Moore has railed against same-sex marriage, referred to Islam as a false religion, and said the Sept. 11 terror attacks were punishment for the United States godlessness. He rose to chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court before being kicked off the bench for telling judges to defy federal court orders allowing gay marriage.

I have prayed over this, Corfman told the Post. All I know is that I cant sit back and let this continue, let him continue without the mask being removed.

According to Alabama reporter Beth Shelburne, Corfman told WBRC Friday she stands by her claims.

I stand by my comments. The article is very detailed, anyone with questions should please re-read it. And I want to say thank you to my friends and others who have supported me and my story.

This article has been updated with quotes from Twitter posts from Moore and comments from Corfman.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Mr Mugabe speaks at his party headquarters to show support to Grace Mugabe, right, becoming the party's next vice president - AFP

Zimbabwes former vice president yesterday vowed to return home to fight for democracy as he revealed he had fled the country after being sacked and labelled a traitor.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, left his government office on Monday, several hours before Robert Mugabe, 93, the president, dismissed him and accused him of being deceitful and disloyal.

The ex-vice president, reported to be in either Mozambique or South Africa, released a five-page statement via his family in Harare in which he said he would return to Zimbabwe to campaign against Mr Mugabe in elections next year.

I will fight tooth and nail against those making a mockery of Zanu-PF founding principles, ethos and values, he said.

Mr Mugabe yesterday told thousands of supporters that Mr Mnangagwa was a deviant, adding that he the deposed official had told supporters the president would retire in March.

Upon realising that I wasnt, he started to consult traditional healers on when I was going to die. At some point, he was told that he would die before me, Mr Mugabe said.

Emmerson Mnangagwa was labelled a 'traitor' by Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe Credit: AFP

The move to sack Mr Mnangagwa clears a path to the presidency for Grace Mugabe, Zimbabwes first lady, who on Sunday labelled the ex-vice president a traitor.

Mr Mnangagwa, who served the government for 37 years, was one of the first to launch armed attacks against white-minority Rhodesia and served 10 years in prison before going into exile in Mozambique. He then served at Mr Mugabes side as his personal assistant and bodyguard.

Yesterday, the countrys War Veterans Association, which is loyal to Mr Mnangagwa, said it had expelled Mr Mugabe as its leader and formed a revolutionary council to take over Zanu-PF.

Mr Mnangagwa addressed the president in his statement: This party is not personal property for you and your wife to do as you please... I have been accused of treasonous acts dating from 1980. This is not only fake but laughable  the president knows this.

He said Zanu-PF had been captured by minnows and the first family, but said he had never previously criticised Mr Mugabe.

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He accused Mrs Mugabe of corruption, said the country was undeveloped and that he hoped to transform Zimbabwe according to the original values of Zanu-PF.

Let us bury our differences, and build a new and prosperous Zimbabwe, a country that is tolerant of divergent views, that respects opinion of others, that does not isolate itself from the rest of the world, because of one stubborn individual who believes he is entitled to rule this country until death, Mr Mnangagwa said.

Mrs Mugabe is expected to be appointed to fill Mr Mnangagwas position as deputy to her husband at a Zanu-PF special congress next month.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired by President Robert Mugabe this week, is safe and will travel to South Africa "very soon", the head of the war veterans Chris Mutsvangwa said on Wednesday. Mnangagwa's removal on Monday was a boost for Mugabe's wife, Grace, who has been a vocal critic of the former vice president and is seen as a potential successor to her husband. Mutsvangwa, a close ally of Mnangagwa, told reporters in Johannesburg that Grace was behind the purge of Mnangagwa and his allies. (Reporting by Ed Cropley; Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by James Macharia)
By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe said on Wednesday the route to leadership was long and full of "pitfalls and death", as he accused his fired deputy and former protege of showing impatience in his bid to succeed him.

Addressing supporters at the headquarters of his ZANU-PF party in Harare, 93-year-old Mugabe accused Emmerson Mnangagwa of consulting witchdoctors and prophets as part of a campaign to secure the presidency.

Mnangagwa, who was sacked by Mugabe on Monday and expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party on Wednesday, said he had fled Zimbabwe because of death threats and was safe.

"My sudden departure was caused by incessant threats on my person, life and family by those who have attempted before through various forms of elimination including poisoning," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

The head of the influential war veterans association, Chris Mutsvangwa, said that Mnangagwa, 75, would travel to Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa "very soon".

Mugabe said Mnangagwa, nicknamed "Crocodile", had made the same mistakes as Joice Mujuru, who was the president's deputy for 10 years until she was fired in 2014.

"You should not try to say because the journey is long, then I should take a short cut to arrive quickly. The road has lions. There are pitfalls. There is death, beware," he said.

"There is no short cut to being the leader of the people. Just as there was no short cut to our independence."

ZANU-PF would move to discipline Mnangagwa's "co-conspirators", Mugabe added.

Mnangagwa has not been seen in public since his dismissal from government but his ally Mutsvangwa said he was "safe and beyond the reach of the assassins".

Mutsvangwa ruled out trying to remove Mugabe by force and said war veterans, who had publicly backed Mnangagwa and broke ranks with the president last year, would form a broad front with the opposition in elections next year.

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"We don't want to abuse the military to resolve a political problem. We don't want them to become the arbiter of political power," Mutsvangwa said.

He was critical of Mugabe's wife Grace, who looks set to become vice president after a special ZANU-PF congress in December. "This is a coup by marriage certificate ....and it will be resisted," he said.

(Additional reporting by Ed Cropley and Joe Brock; Editing by James Macharia and John Stonestreet)
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The UN and the Red Cross said a catastrophic situation threatened millions who rely on life-saving aid after Saudi Arabia decided to seal off all Yemens land crossings as well as ports and airports.

Saudi Arabia decided to proceed to the closings of Yemens outlets in retaliation for a missile strike intercepted near the Saudi capital last week and fired by the Shia Houthi militia in Yemen.

The United Nations on Tuesday urged the Saudi authorities to reopen the air routes and ports, fearing the blockade would sharply exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis in a country that has suffered through more than two years of a civil war, according to Reuters news agency.

We are in touch with our counterparts and were trying to see whether we can get our normal access restored, and were hopeful that we will be able to continue our normal operations, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.

Meanwhile, The International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday it was unable to get clearance to ship chlorine tablets used to prevent cholera from Saudi Arabia into Yemen, where a massive outbreak of the disease has affected more than 900,000 people.

A spokeswoman for the Red Cross, Lolanda Jaquemet, said the shipment of chlorine tablets, while not huge, was critical, given the scale of the cholera outbreak. She also expressed concern about a shipment of 50,000 vials of insulin that were being shipped to the southern Yemeni port of Aden and due to arrive next week.

According to the UN, more than 8,670 people  60% of them civilians  have been killed and 49,960 injured in air strikes and fighting on the ground since the coalition intervened in Yemens civil war in March 2015.
King Mohammed VI who was among the heads of state attending the opening Tuesday of the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi offered the Museum artworks dating back to the 19th century, namely a Holy Quran manuscript, a rifle, a sword and a cedar wood door from Fez.

Moroccos King who is on a visit to Abu Dhabi took part in unveiling the Louvre Museum alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who was accompanied by his spouse Brigitte macron, the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa President of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in addition to UAE rulers and scores of other guests.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice Pres-dent of the UAE and Governor of Dubai, underlined in an inaugural address that the Louvre Abu Dhabi is an additional asset to the human heritage, and that the museum is a work of art that brings together the East and the West.

The message of Louvre Abu Dhabi is that we draw our strength as humans from our interaction our strength is in our cultural exchange and in learning from each others experiences. Our strength is in thinking alike, in amity among peoples and in the alliance of civiliza-tions. The Museum is an inter-civilizational bridge, he said.

A symbol of tolerance and communion, this museum stands for our capacity to fight evil forces of violence and hatred, said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, calling for a genuine inter-civilizational coalition to preserve human civilization.

Echoing him, President Emmanuel Macron said the Louvre Abu Dhabi stands as a universal museum which ambitions to fight obscurantism. This Louvre of desert and light is a bridge between generations, cultures and East and West.

By bringing together these masterpieces with other masterpieces from Arab antiquities, Islamic art, pre-Columbian art, and Chinese art, with artists from beyond ages as contemporary artists from Morocco, UAE and China, we are contemplating an epic fresco of civilizations coming together, said the French president.

President Macron also congratulated the architect of the museum, Jean Nouvel, for having built a temple for beauty.

Beauty builds a bridge between continents and generations, he said. This museum had a universal message, he added, referring to the UAEs role as pivotal and at the heart of a region with some of the worlds greatest challenges.

The project was built under an agreement between France and Abu Dhabi in 2007 at the initiative of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Its opening was initially set for 2012 but was delayed because of the global financial crisis and plummeting oil prices, sending the final cost soaring over its original $654 million budget to about $1 billion.

The Abu Dhabi building, topped by a huge silver dome that weighs around 7,500 tons, is designed like an Arab medina (an ancient quarter of a city). It features a geometric structure of 7,850 stars and as the sun passes above, its light filters through the perforations in the dome to create an inspiring effect within the museum known as the rain of light, inspired by the palm trees of Abu Dhabi.

First universal museum in the Arab World, the Louvre Abu Dhabi reflects through its 12 galleries (First Villages, First Great Powers, Civilizations and Empires, Universal Religions, Asian Trade Routes, From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, The World in Perspective, The Magnificence of the Court, A New Art of Living, A Modern World, Challenging Modernity, A Global Stage) the shared history of humankind via the different cultures and civilizations, embodies the dynamism of the contemporary Arab World and celebrates the regions multicultural heritage.

The new museum, which boasts a permanent rich collection of over 600 artworks ranging from antiquity to present time, in addition to some 300 artefacts loaned from French museums, includes also a temporary exhibition area and other facilities.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Wednesday warned Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed ben Salman not to try warfare with his country.

The warning came after Riyadh accused Iran of direct military aggression following the landing of a missile launched by Iran-backed Yemen Houthi rebels in Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

Besides the firing of the missile into Saudi Arabia by the Yemeni rebels opposed to Saudi-backed President Abd Rabbuh Hadi, tensions between the two countries further flared up after Riyadh-backed Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri accused Iran for sowing tensions in the region in his resignation statement aired from Saudi Arabia.

Rouhani, responding directly to Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, said Iran has overcome more powerful forces.

You know the might and place of the Islamic republic. People more powerful than you have been unable to do anything against the Iranian people, Rouhani said.

The United States and their allies have mobilized all their capabilities against us and achieved nothing.

Rouhani was seemingly referring to the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988, in which the Revolutionary pushed off Iraqi invasion led by Saddam Hussein who enjoyed the support of western powers and Gulf Arab states.

The Iranian leader reiterated that the Islamic Republic seeks peace with rivals in what could bring stability to the entire region while rejecting claims that it equips the Yemeni rebels.

We want the welfare and development of Yemen, Iraq and Syria, and of Saudi Arabia too. There are no other paths forward than friendship, brotherhood and mutual assistance, he said.

Rouhani also indicated that Riyadh is making a strategic mistake by becoming too cozy with the United States and Israel.

Riyadh late last month denied reports that Crown Prince in September secretly travelled to Israel to meet with Jewish authorities.

If you think that Iran is not your friend and that the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel) are, you are making a strategic and analytical error, the Iranian leader said.
An Egyptian cassation court Wednesday lowered the prison sentence against activist Alaa Abdel Fattah to five years and dropped an accompanying term of hard labor.

The defendant had been previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for challenging a protest ban in February 2014.

Abdel Fattah, who has already been imprisoned for three years and half in prison, will have to serve the remaining year and half. The court verdict also put him on probation for five years after serving his term.

Aged 35, Alaa Abdel Fattah, is a political activist who stood out for his fight for the independence of the judiciary under autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak.

Known as a leading voice of liberal young Egyptian activists, he made a name for himself in the 2011 revolution that ousted Mubarak.

A previous court ruling sentenced him for 15 years for staging an unauthorized protest in defiance of a 2013 law banning protests not green-lighted by the police.

Abdel Fattah is still facing another charge for insulting the judiciary and a verdict is scheduled for December. If guilty, the activist may be given up to three years in jail.

Abdel Fattah was represented in court Wednesday by his lawyer Khaled Ali, another prominent right activists and critic of President Fattah al-Sisi.

Ali Monday announced his candidacy for 2018 presidential election.

Thousands of activists have been hauled in prison since 2013 on fabricated charges. Some have been subject to forced disappearance.

Al-Sisis regime on grounds of the war against terrorism has rolled back the gains of the 2011 revolution, which millions of Egyptians believed would bring prosperity, development and freedom.
Palestinian Airlines is making its return in the skies of the Middle East once more after its first flight from Amman in Jordan to EL-Arish in Egypt was completed. It was the first flight of the airline since it was grounded in 2005.

The company operated four airplanes under its possession but they have been reserved to the airports hangar due to the conditions imposed by Israel. The runaways of the airport were bombed in 2001 and torn by Israeli forces to make it inadaptable neither for landing nor takeoff. It also imposed restrictions on the airport thereby forcing the airline to suspend all its operations in Gaza. The airport, Yasser Arafat International Airport, is named after the 1st President of the Palestinian National Authority, chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the leader of the Fatah political party, the late Yasser Arafat.

Palestinian Airlines, founded in 1995, is the countrys national carrier. It flew to several destinations in the Middle East from Gaza international airport before 2005. It is now hoping to build on it again.

After its first flight to Egypt, destinations such as Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates will soon start according to the airlines director general, Zayed Albad. He also added that the operations of the airline will ease the travel burden on the Palestinian population because the nearest airport is an average journey of 400-500 kilometres.

Of their fleet, two Fokker airplanes are now active with two flights a week to El-Arish. Plans are also being made to serve pilgrims as the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia is approaching.
The dispute over Western Sahara took a new turn when Rabat withdrew its confidence from United Nations envoy, Christopher Ross. He was sent as the UN Secretary Generals personal envoy to mediate between the two sides and help in finding a sound solution.

In an official government statement, Christopher Ross was accused of being biased and having an unbalanced guidance in his decisions. He was also criticized for going against the conditions and guidelines for a neutral negotiation set at the UNs Security Council. Due to these reasons, Morocco has decided to withdraw its confidence in the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Sahara, the statement mentioned.

A UN report released last month about the dispute didnt escape criticism too. Moroccos Foreign Minister told Ban Ki Moon earlier last week that its contents were worrying. The official government statement went on further to insist that the abuses identified in the latest report of the U.N Secretary General on the Sahara, the worn out process of negotiations which still offers no prospects or opportunities for progress and finally paradoxes raised in the actions of the Secretary Generals personal envoy Christopher Ross . The UN report accused Morocco of implementing strategies that undermined efforts of the UN to report on events in the Sahara. The UN stood firm beside Christopher Ross saying that the Secretary General has complete confidence in Christopher Ross.

Annexed by Morocco after the departure of the Spanish in 1975, the territory has witnessed conflicts between Morocco and the Polisario Front, whom are fighting for independence. In a move to settle their differences, the Kingdom has decided to give the Sahara an autonomy status under Moroccos sovereignty. The Polisario Front and Algeria have rejected the proposal while it is gaining more support worldwide.
France has renewed its backing to Moroccos plan to grant autonomy status to Western Sahara in a bid to resolve the decades-old territorial dispute opposing the North African Kingdom to Polisario front.

Morocco has offered to make Western Sahara largely autonomous while keeping it under its sovereignty but the Polisario, which is supported by Algeria, has rejected the proposal.

Paris firm stand on this issue was voiced by French development minister, Pascal Canfin at a joint press conference held in Rabat.

French position has not changed, said Mr. Canfin. We support Moroccos autonomy plan which remains for us the only realistic proposal on the negotiating table, added the French official during his trip to Morocco. He also said that his country backs efforts seeking a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict within the frame of the United Nations and relevant resolutions.

The same view was expressed lately by former French foreign minister Alain Juppe and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, describing Moroccos plan as serious, credible and realistic. But the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which is fighting for independence for Western Sahara, continues to turn down the Moroccan offer, putting UN-brokered talks on this issue in a deadlock.
In a report released by the United Nations, the lack of necessary infrastructure in water, health, education and sanitation will make the Gaza Strip not to be a liveable place by 2020 if required actions are not implemented. The population is also set to past the 2 million mark in the same year as it stands at 1.6 million presently, according to estimates.

The report also warned that Gaza is being affected by a housing shortage. It also needs twice the number of schools in eight years. However, its unique source of fresh water, the coastal aquifer, might become unusable as early as 2016.

The reported claimed that the blockade of Gaza as a major contributor to the situation. UN officials point to the difficulty of improving the situation given the closure of the Gaza Strip, violent conflict, and the pressing need for Palestinian reconciliation. Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza after the Islamist movement Hamas came to power in the territory in 2007 saying it will help limit weapons reaching Hamas. The blockade is in collaboration with Egypt.

UNs humanitarian chief in Gaza, Maxwell Gaylard, said an urban area cannot survive without being connected, and Gaza has neither sea nor air ports. Its economy relies heavily on outside funding and smuggling through tunnels under the Egyptian border but the recent assault on the Egyptian army in the Sinai region has brought a halt to such activities.

Even though Gaza has experienced some economic growth in recent years, the report says it does not seem to be sustainable and finds that population is worse off now than in the 1990s.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco is undertaking a new tour to Gulf countries that started by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he arrived on Tuesday.

The sovereign is expected to spend five days in the UAE, the first leg of his Gulf tour before he heads to Qatar on November 12.

The king visit coincides with the official inauguration Wednesday of the Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum, the first universal museum in the Arab world to promote tolerance against fanaticism.

The Monarch is accompanied during this visit by an official delegation composed of three of his advisors as well as minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

The Gulf crisis opposing Qatar to a quartet, made up of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, is expected to top the kings talks with his hosts.

At the outbreak of the Gulf last June, Morocco announced it would remain neutral in the conflict and King Mohammed VI offered to mediate among the conflicting countries.

Experts say Moroccos decision to play the card of neutrality in the Qatar-GCC rift is strategic as it is preserving the balanced relationship between King Mohammed VI and the Gulf rulers.
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has granted a $70 million loan to Burkina Faso to support three priority projects of the West African nations National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES).

The loan will allow the country to develop its infrastructure. It will fund the feasibility study of three dams; the development of 600 hectares of land on the Faga river; and the maintenance of the interconnected electricity grid, according to the Lome-based bank.

These three loan agreements bring to more than $898 million the total commitments of the sub regional bank in Burkina Faso.

President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in 2015, has announced an infrastructure development plan that aims to create jobs and boost economic growth of the landlocked nation.

According to Kabore, Burkina needs to improve access to water, healthcare and education.

The government has committed $819 million for infrastructure projects earlier this year to prioritize the building of schools, roads, medical facilities, and water infrastructure.

The country of 19 million produces cotton and gold but remains impoverished. Its economy has slowed due to lower global commodity prices and reduced investment during a democratic transition between 2014 and 2015.
President of Botswana Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama will step down as president in April next year when his term officially ends.

In an address to the nation, Khama who was re-elected for a second term in 2014 said he will leave the office to the Vice-President Mokgweetsi Masisi in April 2018. The late will serve as interim president until the elections in 2019.

President Khama, who also leads the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), said the country can achieve its vision by coming together to build the country.

The 64 year-old leader who is also the son of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswanas first post-independence leader, took over as president in April 2008. He was re-elected for a second term in 2014.

Botswana is one of Africas most stable countries and the continents longest continuous multi-party democracy. The landlocked nation boasts one of the highest rates of income per capita in the world.

Under Khamas leadership, the diamond-rich nation was relatively free of corruption and has a good human rights record. However, critics describe him as an authoritarian leader.

According to Reuters, the wealthy southern African country, whose main exports are diamonds and beef, has struggled to grow its economy at faster pace since 2015 when commodity prices collapsed.
Five students at Algiers 3 University have been handed jail terms ranging from 12 months to 18 months for physically assaulting lecturers in an incident early this year.

A court in the city of Bir Mourad Rais pressed the terms against the students who were accused of aggressing lecturers from the school of Political Science and Information after breaking into the National Council of Higher Education Teachers (CNES)s meetings in February.

The students, according to one teacher, interrupted a meeting and physically assaulted their lecturers.

The lecturers also accused the University Rector Rabah Cheriet of involvement in the aggression.

Reports say the incident took place in connection with a case of falsification of the results of the doctoral study competition in European Studies in which the director was implicated.

The court ruling sentenced three of students to 18 months in prison on absentia. The other two were handed 12-month jail terms.

A security officer reportedly involved in the incident was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence.

The students may also face immediate dismissal from the university, one teacher further noted after indicating that the case has been brought to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will strengthen links between EU, Eastern Partners, says EU

The European Union (EU) has welcomed the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and said it is a major step in transport connections linking the EU, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia."The European Union welcomes the new rail corridor which, coupled with investments, improved infrastructure and logistics coordination will provide for better connectivity, new business opportunities and increased trade. This is at the heart of its Eastern Partnership as well as of its Central Asia strategy, the EU said in a statement.It added that the EU has always supported projects aiming at improving connectivity with its neighbouring partner countries.It said that with further improvements of transport links between Turkey and Bulgaria as well as between Azerbaijan and Central Asia, this project will provide fast and reliable land connection between Europe and Asia along the ancient Silk Route."We are also supporting the Southern Gas Corridor which will provide similar energy interconnection, the statement added.Azerbaijani and Turkish presidents, prime ministers of Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, and ministers of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, participated in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway opening on Monday.Initially the railway is expected to carry nearly 1 million passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight annually before unlocking a freight transportation potential of up to 50 million tons per year.The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is a key link in the modern Silk Road Railway that aims to carry goods between Beijing and London.
Saakashvili does not intend sit quietly in Georgian prison

By Messenger Staff

Georgias ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is now in Ukraine, talked about his possible extradition to Georgia in his interview with TV Company Rustavi 2, saying he is not going to sit quietly in a Georgian prison.Saakashvili, who currently has no citizenship, claims the Ukrainian authorities will not be able to extradite him under legal procedures and the only chance is to "kidnap" him and transfer him to his home country, where he is wanted for four charges.He underscored that the scenario will accelerate the end of the ruling of both Petro Poroshenko, Ukraines President, and Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream coalition, who is described as a real ruler of the country by Saakashvili and the Georgian opposition."Although they made some maneuvers - our three boys were kidnapped by the special forces, a completely unprecedented case. They are creating problems, this is their style, Saakashvili said referring to the body guards who have been extradited from Ukraine to Georgia under rough conditions several days ago.It is nonsense that they will extradite me. They are not able to do this either politically or legally, Saakashvili added.There are many people in Georgia, especially those supporting the United National Movement party, who hope that Saakashvili will return and change the current state leadership.However, the other significant part of the population believes that the former president will never come back and in case he does, most likely he will be incarcerated.
@NewsbySmiley

In South Florida, where exile politics still weighs heavy, Tuesday's election in the city of Miami had a surprising result.

Not the mayoral election of Francis Suarez, born the son of Cuban exiles and a lock to win the election. But the 1,393 votes cast for his closest competitor, Socialist Workers Party candidate Cynthia Mason Jaquith.

That's 5.5 percent of the vote.

Jaquith, 70, ran a bare-bones campaign that reported just $102 raised the Friday before the election. During a candidates' interview with the Miami Herald Editorial Board, she suggested the city look to communist Cuba for inspiration on good governance.

So, is Miami slowly warming to big government? Or did Jaquith get votes as the only woman on the ballot and a candidate eligible for all anybody-but-Suarez votes.

In an interview Thursday, Jaquith said she got a good reception while door-knocking during the campaign, but isn't making a big deal of the results, which still amounted to less than 1 percent of Miami's registered electorate.

"The great majority of workers we spoke to said 'Yes, we need a different party, not Democrat or Republican.' We talked about building a workers party," she said. "But I wouldn't say this now proves something."
@alextdaugherty

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson is a member of the Senate Finance Committee tasked with drafting the chamber's tax overhaul after the House of Representatives released their version last week.

He isn't happy with how things are going.

When asked if there are any areas of potential compromise for Democrats and Republicans on a tax bill, Nelson chuckled.

"How can I answer that when I don't know that they're going to do?" Nelson said, adding that Finance Committee chairman Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, "doesn't seem to be cooperating at all."

"They're cutting out the members of the Finance Committee who happen to be Democrats," Nelson said. "They're accelerating saying that they're going to file it (the tax bill) today or tomorrow and that we're going to markup on Monday. That's no hearings, nothing. This is not the way to make complicated tax law."

Nelson, who often touts the benefits of bipartisanship, is one of 12 Democrats on the Finance Committee.

A leaked memo of the Senate tax plan released Thursday sets the child tax credit at $1,650, $50 higher than $1,600 House proposal but lower than the $2,000 proposal championed by Sen. Marco Rubio. Rubio has said that he will not vote for a tax plan if the current $1,000 child tax credit tax credit doesn't at least double.

Nelson, Florida's only Democrat holding statewide office, is up for reelection in 2018 and is likely to face a challenge from Gov. Rick Scott.
@alextdaugherty

Miami Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo had a Capitol Hill sitdown with Ivanka Trump on Thursday, as the president's daughter has become a fixture in Congress while the House and Senate debate a proposal to overhaul the nation's tax code.

Curbelo, who did not support Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, is a member of the House tax writing committee responsible for drafting the details of a tax proposal.

"Great to have Ivanka Trump in the Capitol today to discuss the pro-family Tax Reform being considered by the Ways and Means GOP Committee," Curbelo tweeted.

Great to have @IvankaTrump in the Capitol today to discuss the pro-family #TaxReform being considered by the @WaysandMeansGOP Committee. pic.twitter.com/AdZmEkJAhZ  Rep. Carlos Curbelo (@RepCurbelo) November 9, 2017

Trump met with Sen. Marco Rubio on multiple occasions to discuss an expansion of the child tax credit to at least $2,000 in recent months, though Rubio isn't happy that the initial House proposal only expands the current $1,000 credit to $1,600.

The House tax plan, dubbed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, can pass with a simple majority of Republicans in the House and Senate.
@PatriciaMazzei

Philip Levine, the newest entrant into Florida's Democratic race for governor, collected more than $1 million for his political committee in October, according to his campaign.

Levine, a multi-millionaire who formally launched his candidacy last week, raised a little less than $900,000 and donated a little more than $100,000 to his All About Florida committee, his campaign said Thursday, touting his total haul so far: about $5.8 million.

None of the candidates' monthly financial reports, either for their campaign or committee accounts, have yet to be posted by to the Florida Division of Elections' website, because they're not due until Monday. Levine didn't have a campaign account yet because he wasn't officially in the race.

"In the year ahead -- as more Floridians learn about Philip and his progressive vision for our state -- we believe voters will continue to provide us with the necessary resources to take our message to every corner of the state, from the Panhandle down to the Keys," Christian Ulvert, a Levine senior adviser, said in a statement.

The only other Democratic candidate who has announced his October fundraising, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, said Tuesday that he drew about $80,000. Gillum brought in a new finance director last month after losing his campaign manager and deputy campaign manager. Gillum's fundraising languished over the summer after an FBI investigation into City Hall became public.

"With under one year until Election Day 2018, Mayor Gillum and our entire team around the state are thrilled about our grassroots fundraising momentum," Gillum's campaign said in a statement. "Everyday Floridians are giving us the resources we need to communicate with our voters through the primary and general election next fall, and we're excited for the road ahead."

Gillum, who has said he's not the target of the investigation, took in a single contribution in October, for $2,500, to his Forward Florida committee, according to its website.

Last month, former Tallahassee Rep. Gwen Graham brought in more than $180,000 for her campaign and about $165,000 for her committee, Our Florida, her campaign said Thursday, bringing her total raised thus far to more than $4 million.

"From Pensacola to Key West, Floridians are fed up with Trump-style politics and they are engaged like never before," Graham said in a statement that added she has received contributions from more than 10,000 individuals, a "milestone." "Our campaign is building a coalition of Floridians from every part of this state and every community. That's how we won in 2014 and that's how we're going to turn Florida blue in 2018."

Orlando entrepreneur Chris King's campaign said it raised nearly $152,000 in October. His committee, Rise and Lead, Florida, raked in about $55,000 during the month, for a total of about $2.7 million since launching the campaign. The committee has about $1.6 million cash on hand, the campaign said.


@PatriciaMazzei @FrancoOrdonez

Denouncing last months regional Venezuelan elections as irregular, the Trump administration imposed new individual sanctions Thursday against 10 Venezuelans it accused of undermining democracy, censoring the news media and engaging in the corrupt administration of government-run food programs.

The Treasury Department froze U.S. assets, banned U.S. travel and prohibited Americans from doing business with top allies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including his chief of staff, two sitting ministers and one of the all-powerful Constituent Assemblys vice presidents.

As the Venezuelan government continues to disregard the will of its people, our message remains clear: the United States will not stand aside while the Maduro regime continues to destroy democratic order and prosperity in Venezuela, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement obtained by the Miami Herald ahead of its planned release.

The Constituent Assembly swore in the winners of an Oct. 15 election the Treasury Department said was marked by numerous irregularities that strongly suggest fraud that helped Maduros ruling socialist party win a majority of governorships. The government ignored opposition calls for an independent audit of the results.

Thursdays penalties brings to 40 the total number of Venezuelans sanctioned by the U.S. for undermining the South American countrys democracy  including Maduro himself, whom Mnuchin has labeled a dictator. All four pro-Maduro members of Venezuelas five-member National Electoral Council are now on the list.

More here.

Photo credit: Ariana Cubillos, Associated Press
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has struck a $300 million beef deal with the Montana Stockgrowers Association, including $100 million for a new packing plant.

JD.com signed the agreement with Montana's largest livestock organization in mid-October, but kept it quiet until President Donald Trump's visit Wednesday to China. JD.com is the world's third largest Internet retailer, behind Amazon and Google.

Stockgrower's Executive Vice President Errol Rice and Miles City Rancher Fred Wacker were in Beijing for the signing ceremony.

"JD.com is wanting these cattle from the great state of Montana, known for its fresh water and its clean air and tasty, tender beef," Wacker said. "We're now at the point where we go to ranchers and get them signed up."

Ranchers will supply $200 million worth of Montana-sourced beef to JD.com beginning in January 2018 and continuing through 2020. At a minimum, JD is expected to buy 80,000 to 90,000 cattle, Wacker said.

The agreement is expected to increase 2018 Montana beef exports by almost 40 percent, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. The agreement is nonbinding.

The $200 million beef buy will be progressively stepped in over three years, topping out at $80 million in 2020.

Construction on a packing plant and feedlot is expected to begin next spring, according to the terms in the October memorandum of agreement. The location for the slaughterhouse hasn't been announced.

The deal stems from a Sept. 9 meeting with Chinese officials in Maudlow arranged by U.S. Sen Steve Daines, R-Mont. At the meeting, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Cui Tianka, flanked by representatives from the China Chamber of Commerce U.S., laid out terms Montana ranchers would have to meet to do business in China.

Daines scored the meeting after traveling to China in April to talk beef with China Premier Li Keqiang. On that trip, the senator presented Li with a small Coleman cooler containing Montana steaks.

"Its just remarkable to think that its gone from Maudlow to Beijing in the course of a couple months, and I give all the credit to Fred Wacker and Errol Rice, who are out there advocating on behalf of Montana beef, Daines told The Gazette. And I dont want anyone to forget that when we took those steaks to the premier of China back in April, those were steaks that I hand-carried from Fred Wackers ranch in Miles City.

From the beginning, Wacker said he wanted Montana to break away from the processing herd by butchering its own beef and selling it under the Montana brand. That's a tall order in a country where cattle from multiple states are funneled into a few large meatpacking plants where the animals' state identity is lost.

At the September meeting, Cui suggested that acquiring Chinese investors would give Montana beef a leg up in China. By October, that investment focused on creating a feedlot and packing plant in Montana.

Bank of China has signed onto the memorandum of agreement as financier.

Montana's agriculture community is no stranger to foreign investment. Many grain elevators in the state are owned by Japanese companies determined to secure supply and control quality of U.S. wheat.

U.S. beef trade with China only recently thawed after a 13-year ban stemming from a 2003 Washington state case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, better known as mad cow disease.

During the 13-year ban, China's demand for beef grew with the nation's burgeoning middle class. American ranchers watched with their noses pressed up against the glass as Chinese restaurants and supermarkets served up increasing amounts of beef from other countries. China imported 825,000 tons of beef in 2016.

Wacker's Cross Four Ranch raises antibiotic-free, implant-free Angus cattle for Whole Foods. The Miles City ranch is already marketing the kind of cattle sold in China's high-end beef market. Wacker said most Montana ranchers are very close to meeting the same requirements.

There are other nations selling beef into China that can out-compete U.S. producers on sales in lower- and mid-range quality grades. Shipping costs put U.S. producers at a disadvantage when competing against competitors like Australia, which by ship is 10 days closer to the nearest Chinese port.

To turn a dollar, Montana producers have to target the high-end market. Wacker said Montana can meet the order.

"The rules are very simple. They have to have source and age verification. They have to have and EID tag in their ear, a branch that says this is the ranch they were born and raised on. And they have to not have had any implants," Wacker said.

Ranchers would be assured the highest market price on the day their cattle were sold, Wacker said.

Because the contract with JD.com is with the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the group will be taking on more of a cooperative role with members committed to delivering on a sale. MSGA traditionally focuses on state and federal policy issues.

"We want to focus on policy advocacy as kind of our core business in the state Legislature and in Washington," Rice said. "But we also want to focus on how can we create value for our cow-calf sector in Montana through efforts that can commoditize beef through the supply chain," Rice said. "Obviously this discussion has been around, 'Can we create infrastructure in Montana that can grow our feeding capacity and we actually invest in processing to put attributes on cattle that fit a unique and dynamic market like China?'"

Montana sells about one million head of cattle annually.

The Chinese are already investing in Montana, to the tune of $17 million, according to Cui.

Beijing-based Goldwind, the world's second-largest manufacturer of wind turbines, built a 14-turbine wind farm near Shawmut in 2012. The turbines are made in China. The wind farm will supply electricity to NorthWestern Energy into the 2030s.

The beef agreement announced Wednesday would be China's first direct investment in Montana agriculture production.

Its been nearly 33 years since Montana had a meatpacking plant of significant size. Among the last, Pierce Packing Co., tore a 500-job hole in the Billings economy when it closed in 1984. Pierce was a regional giant, but the consolidation in the U.S. meatpacking industry pushed the 50-year-old company to extinction. Midland Packing Co. closed in Billings in February of 1985.

There have been several attempts to revive Montana meatpacking, but most production is small scale.

"When you think about what we need to do in Montana over the next 10 years to make sure we keep growing our operations, getting production up, getting prices up, this could be a game changer," Daines said.
The Montana Wilderness Associations Shining Mountains Chapter hosts a free presentation on grizzlies in the Gobi desert by Douglas Chadwick, wildlife biologist, natural history journalist and author of 14 books, including The Wolverine Way, and numerous articles on subjects from snow leopards to great whales to grizzly bears in the Gobi desert.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Thursday that Roy Moore, the conservative GOP candidate for Alabama's empty Senate seat, should withdraw from the race if allegations that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl are true.

These are very serious allegations and if true he should step down, said Daines, who had endorsed Moore earlier this week.

The Washington Post on Thursday reported that Moore sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in 1979, when he was a district attorney in Alabama. The newspaper also reported three other women said Moore pursued them when they were between 16-18 years old and Moore was in his 30s, but said he did not force them into a sexual relationship.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, also called on Moore to withdraw.

If these allegations are true, he must step aside, McConnell said in a statement.

In September, Moore defeated Luther Strange, who was appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated when Jeff Sessions became attorney general. Strange was supported by Republican President Donald Trump.

Moore is running against Democrat Doug Jones, a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. The special election is Dec. 12.

Moore released a statement Thursday calling the Post's story a "baseless political attack," claiming if the allegations were true they would have been made public earlier.

In endorsing Moore earlier this week, Daines called him "a principled conservative, and he will help reform Washington and return power to the people of America. I look forward to working with Judge Moore on ideas to cut taxes, rein in the national debt, and boost job growth.

As a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I welcome Judge Moores perspective on strengthening the military and protecting American soil. Roy Moore served honorably in Vietnam as an Army officer, and he has the mud-on-the-(boots) experience we need in the U.S. Senate. I am proud to endorse his candidacy.

Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court judge who was removed from the bench for refusing to remove a carving of the 10 Commandments, was also endorsed by Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah; Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas.
BEIJING  Montana already has a hoofprint in the Chinese restaurant world, even if the burger comes from Australia.

The Blue Frog restaurant chain features a Montana hamburger piled high with onion rings, bacon strips and barbecue sauce on its menu in high-end shopping malls throughout the Chinese capital city. Harlowton native Bob Boyce started the business in 1999, and had franchises in almost every major Chinese city by 2015.

Whether the chain will be able to capitalize on a new deal between Montana beef producers and the Chinese online retailer JD.com remains to be seen. U.S. beef faces several hurdles even though it won access to the Chinese market in 2016.

The most obvious is price: Chinese retailers charge nearly twice as much for American beef as they do for the same cuts of steak from Australia or South American suppliers. Part of that has to do with more favorable import tariffs those older trade partners enjoy, and part is the relative scarcity of the American supply. Overall, beef is a premium ingredient at Chinese grocery stores, with choice cuts selling for $20 a kilo or more.

Custom will be another challenge. Chinese diners consume lots of pork in a fantastic variety of forms, but have significantly fewer beef recipes. Hamburgers and steaks fall in the category of foreign food in China; a novelty for special occasions rather than a routine meal. The Montana burger at Blue Frog costs $15.

Then theres the meat itself. Several Chinese shoppers told the Missoulian that U.S. beef looks different  more reddish  than the Southern Hemisphere beef theyre accustomed to. And American expatriates said they despaired of finding a steak in Beijing that had the mouth feel and richness they enjoyed back home.

Sen. Steve Daines, who worked in China for Proctor and Gamble earlier in his career, said the new market will take some time to find its steady state, and Montanans have to be patient as it develops.

Were just in an early stage, said Daines, a Republican. It will take some time to adjust to Chinese requirements. But as I was joking with the Chinese premier, Australian beef has a distinct kangaroo taste.
Veterans Day in Missoula will have a different feel to it this year.

For one thing, the county courthouse lawn is fenced off and under renovation. American Legion Post 101s annual program of speeches and tributes under the World War I doughboy statue wont take place there Saturday morning but at the pavilion of the new Fort Missoula Regional Park across town.

For another, Dan Gallagher and Dan Krieg will be there in memory only.

The Dans, both Vietnam veterans, were leaders of Forgotten Warriors Post 101 and movers behind its Veterans Day ceremony since they helped start the post and the November tradition 36 years ago.

They died last December within 12 days of each other, and their absences are profoundly felt in the days leading up to Nov. 11.

To my knowledge they pretty much put it all together, said Clinton Decker, Post 101s Junior Vice Commander. Were trying our best to fill some tall shoes.

Gallagher was ailing last November and his children, two of whom are members of Post 101, helped organize the ceremony.

Colin Gallagher lives in Las Vegas and he stops in every time hes in Missoula, Decker said from Post 101 headquarters at the Old Post Pub on West Spruce Street. Hes got a wealth of knowledge. Were still trying to pick his brain.

The losses of the Dans created another, deeper void.

It kind of left the post in question about what was going to happen to it, said Decker. With their passing they hadnt really passed the torch.

The Montana American Legions District 5 leaders held an emergency meeting in January to address the situation.

Thats when we all joined, said Decker.

Hes 35 years old. New post commander Sergej Michaud is 34, and a Purple Heart winner from the Iraq war. The Forgotten Warriors post was established for Vietnam veterans, and there are still those, including chaplain Keith Jensen, among its 43 members.

But Michaud, a graduate student at the University of Montana on the GI Bill, said most are veterans of the Iraq-Afghanistan war era are in their 20s and 30s. Thats far younger than the average Legionnaire age of 64.

Were actually one of the youngest posts, at least in Montana, so its been kind of a short period of time revamping it, restructuring it and reorganizing it where it can be, No. 1, more efficient and, No. 2, do its primary job giving back to veterans and families in the community, said Michaud.

That doesnt mean forgetting Veterans Day and Post 101s traditional role in its observance.

We are going to continue as we always have, Michaud said. Our main goal is continue the legacy.

The post committee agreed the speeches should be kept short and, considering the weather, the whole ceremony will limited to an hour, tops.

That will keep it more fluid, but still touching, Michaud said. Its going to be our first one for the younger guys, so itll be kind of like a trial. Well have an after-action to see what can be improved on next year.

He misses Gallagher, Michaud said.

He was the one who recruited me four years ago. He and I used to sit at the Old Post and talk about history. Wed sit down for a 20- or 30-minute lunch and talk for three or four hours about Missoula history, the history of his family, his Irish heritage. Wed trade stories between Vietnam and Iraq.

As usual, Mayor John Engen is on Saturdays slate of speakers. So are representatives from the Missoula County Commission and the offices of U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines. As post commander, Michaud will speak in the role so many times assumed by Gallagher, who in 2006 closed his address by thanking attendees for enduring the cold November wind. It provided, he said, a small taste of the sacrifices war veterans made for them.

They need to hear of the pride and love that's held for them," Gallagher said that day. "No amount of pride and honor at a ceremony can replace the warmth of a simple thank you."
The new University of Montana president will be paid a $313,845 annual salary as proposed in contract terms the Montana Board of Regents will consider next week.

However, deferred compensation  such as $500,000 packages earlier given to flagship presidents  is not included in the contract, according to the agenda item posted Wednesday.

This fall, Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian announced General Electric executive Seth Bodnar would be UM's next president. The news followed a national search for candidates, visits to campus by four finalists, and public input.

The Regents will take up the hiring contract at their November meeting.

Bodnar, considered the nontraditional candidate because his career has been spent mostly outside academia, will receive a salary that, if approved, is at the same level as interim UM President Sheila Stearns' and Montana State University President Waded Cruzado's, according to the Commissioner's Office.

"We were able to complete this recruitment without having to make any commitments or arrangements on deferred compensation," said Kevin McRae, deputy commissioner for communications in the Commissioner's Office.

It is possible that Bodnar and Christian will discuss deferred compensation over the course of the next year, McRae said. But he said the university system has never been able to hire a new president at the same salary level as its current presidents.

"The good news is that the salary is certainly a deal," he said.

Engstrom was paid a few thousand dollars less in his final year as president.

This summer, a national Chronicle of Higher Education survey put the pay at Montana's flagships at 73 percent of the median. The average salary was $501,398, up 5.3 percent from the previous fiscal year, according to the Chronicle.

McRae did not know the reason deferred compensation was not part of Bodnar's contract, but he said it typically has been used as a retention tool.

***

In 2010, when former UM President Royce Engstrom and MSU's Cruzado took their campus leadership posts, Montana University System salaries were low compared to those in surrounding states, according to the Commissioner's Office at the time.

The difference was around $60,000 a year, and to offer competitive compensation without having to fund a higher salary up front, the Regents agreed the presidents each would qualify for $500,000 in deferred compensation after five years' service.

The presidents would receive annual $50,000 installments paid from age 65 to 75, according to the Commissioner's Office.

In November 2015, the Regents approved another $500,000 in deferred compensation for Cruzado. One year later, Engstrom gave up the chance at a second round himself; he said he did not believe it would be appropriate for him to request another contract given the stressed financial situation at UM.

An enrollment decline has continued to affect the UM budget.

Other items in the incoming president's contract include the following:

University-owned residence "with the expectation that a reasonable amount of university-related events and university business shall be conducted there,"

A monthly vehicle allowance; the contract does not specify an amount but does note it will be provided in accordance with the Regents' policy,

Retirement, health, life and disability insurance benefits, and

An initial term through June 30, 2020, with a start date to be finalized between the commissioner and next president.
A committee to search for the University of Montana's next provost is seated, incoming UM President Seth Bodnar and Dean Chris Comer announced this week.

"In building the committee, we worked with shared governance leadership with the goal to assemble a representative group of thoughtful individuals who can bring a wealth of perspectives in making this important selection," wrote Bodnar and Comer in an email to campus.

"The committee is a mix of members from the previous provost search, the presidential search, representatives from our shared governance senates, and students, faculty and staff."

The members are:

Christopher Comer , dean, College of Humanities & Sciences (search committee chair)

, dean, College of Humanities & Sciences (search committee chair) David Beck , professor, Department of Native American Studies

, professor, Department of Native American Studies Jason Begay , assistant professor, School of Journalism

, assistant professor, School of Journalism Mary-Ann Bowman , associate professor and BSW Program director, School of Social Work

, associate professor and BSW Program director, School of Social Work Richard Bridges , Regents professor, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

, Regents professor, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Alex Butler , ASUM Ssnator

, ASUM Ssnator John Cech , deputy commissioner  Academic, Research, and Student Affairs, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education

, deputy commissioner  Academic, Research, and Student Affairs, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education John DeBoer , associate professor, School of Theatre and Dance

, associate professor, School of Theatre and Dance Stephanie Domitrovich , academic advisor, Department of Health & Human Performance

, academic advisor, Department of Health & Human Performance Doug Emlen , professor, Division of Biological Sciences

, professor, Division of Biological Sciences Stacey Gordon , associate professor and director of the Jameson Law Library, Alexander Blewett III School of Law

, associate professor and director of the Jameson Law Library, Alexander Blewett III School of Law Terri Herron , professor and MAcct Program director, School of Business Administration

, professor and MAcct Program director, School of Business Administration Marci Lewandowski , Graduate & Professional Student Association

, Graduate & Professional Student Association Brenna Love , ASUM vice president

, ASUM vice president Shannon OBrien , dean, Missoula College

, dean, Missoula College Andrea Rhoades , program coordinator, Office of Academic Enrichment

, program coordinator, Office of Academic Enrichment Matt Riley , chief information officer

, chief information officer Sara Rinfret , associate professor and MPA Program director, Department of Political Science

, associate professor and MPA Program director, Department of Political Science Hillary Stowell, director of Academic Fiscal Affairs, Office of the Provost

UM hopes to name the next provost before the end of the academic year, according to the email. Updates will be posted online here.

The campus currently has interim officials in three top cabinet posts. Although he already is involved in UM operations, General Electric executive Bodnar officially will take the helm in January from interim President Sheila Stearns.

In a text this week, Bodnar said he wants to ensure a smooth transition from interim Provost Beverly Edmond to the permanent provost once hired, but UM officials haven't yet decided whether Edmond will continue in an interim capacity through the search. She's served as interim provost since summer 2016.

Rosi Keller has been serving as interim vice president of administration and finance since the start of this semester, and Bodnar said the timeline for this search has not been determined.

In their email update to the campus, Bodnar and Comer said the search for a provost will be expeditious and thorough. The committee plans to bring finalists to campus in early 2018 and will invite the campus community to participate.

"We're excited about the provost search and look forward to finding an excellent and accomplished academic leader and scholar to help chart the course ahead," Bodnar said in a text.
After finishing its categorization Wednesday of all the academic programs and administrative services at the University of Montana, the prioritization task force chose not to publicly release any of the vote counts or the reports it used in making decisions.

Following significant discussion, task force members said they would only release the reports and the final votes to people on campus with a UM digital login, but wouldnt post them for the public to see.

It has no value for people outside of the university community, said Scott Whittenburg, vice president for research and creative scholarship.

Professor Paul Haber, another task force member, had pushed for everything to be posted online for public review.

Its a public institution. I think its the law actually. Thats called transparency, he said.

UM legal counsel Lucy France said members of the public could make individual public information requests if they wanted to see reports or votes, which would subject the reports that will be easily accessible to students and faculty to a lengthy review process.

Theres no legal requirement that it has to be instantaneously available, she said.

The task force categorized the final 17 administrative services Wednesday to wrap up this stage of the schools process to bring its budget in line with falling enrollment.

The panel placed programs into four potential categories: priority for development and growth, consider for development and or modification, priority for substantial modification, or insufficient evidence.

None of the administration programs graded on Wednesday were put in the bottom category for potential cuts or elimination.

The heads of each of the academic or administration programs that were ranked will have the chance to formally respond to the category they were put in before the task force puts together final recommendations to send to President Sheila Stearns.

Haber also clashed with the panel after the categorization process ended about what form their recommendations to the schools administration will take. He said in order to make recommendations that can withstand stakeholder scrutiny, the task force must acknowledge the limitations of its methodology and be transparent about its strengths and weaknesses.

Were launching into a recommendation phase thoughtlessly. And Ill have no part of it, he said.

Some members said they should provide specific recommendations of what should be done with programs, while others said just the categorizations alone were sufficient. No firm decision was reached.

***

The academic advising center at Missoula College was one of the administration services categorized for potential growth. The vote was initially tied, with some panelists saying that growing the advising center while Missoula College enrollment was trending down seemed out of order. But other panelists in favor of expansion argued that the service was already understaffed, and a subsequent vote pushed it into the category to be considered for more investment.

The Campus Writing Center also received universal praise from the task force members and was put into the growth category, as was the Math Learning Center.

Success in math is one of the primary factors determining whether students keep going, said task force member Elizabeth Putnam, chair of the department of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Staff professional development received enough votes to be put in the top category. Task force member Stephanie Domitrovich, academic adviser and adjunct in the department of health and human performance, said the service has slowly been drained to the point that this year, there was no funding.

Theres no professional development for staff occurring on this campus currently, she said.

This story has been corrected to properly characterize Haber's comments about the task force.
A lot of people talk about the important role federal and state lands play in protecting wolves.

But Diane Boyd, a wolf and carnivore specialist, said those public landscapes often are at high elevation and don't harbor wintering populations of deer and elk.

In fact, the scientist said Wednesday that wolves need both private and public lands protected, and the private swaths are critically important.

"They hold the key, in addition to the federal lands, to maintaining grizzly bears, wolves, elk, deer, everything," Boyd said.

Boyd made her remarks at the University of Montana W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation at a seminar to honor the late Bob Ream. Ream, who died in March 2017, was a UM professor, state legislator, and chair of both the Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Montana Democratic Party.

To a standing-room-only audience in a large classroom in the forestry building, Dean Tom DeLuca said many people in attendance knew Ream as a faculty member and dean of the college.

"Bob was a very influential researcher and teacher here at Montana," DeLuca said. "His work with wolves left a legacy that Diane is going to share with us today."

In her talk, Boyd discussed her hope that conflicts among interest groups will decrease. She outlined the incredible trajectory of wolf recovery in Montana, and she shared her suspicion that human harvest is having an impact on the wolf population.

***

Ream was Boyd's mentor starting in 1979, she said. She was a misanthrope who spent most of her time in the field with wolves, and some time sleeping on the couch upstairs.

"This is home for me," she said of the forestry building.

She kicked off the seminar with a brief review, or "wolf ecology 101." They're social carnivores, obligated to hunt as a pack, "terrific" at dispersing, highly territorial, and "breed like rabbits if conditions are right."

Most importantly, though, they're highly adaptable, Boyd said. At one point, wolves had the largest distribution of any mammal on the planet with the exception of humans.

By the 1930s, though, wolves were mostly wiped out in North America, and the last of the loners was gone by maybe 1950, she said. Then, in 1973, the Endangered Species Act passed and granted them protection, and with it came Ream's vision for the Wolf Ecology Project to track the animals' recovery.

In 1979, Boyd said a lone female wolf trotted south from the Canadian border, and no one but Ream knew she had arrived. He and a couple of researchers captured her and put a radio collar on her, and the wolf, Keshnina, eventually mated and produced a litter of pups in 1982.

Wolf recolonization occurred in Northwest Montana through dispersal, and not through human reintroduction, Boyd said. In a short time, the population began to expand, and in 1986, researchers found the first den in the western United States in 50 years.

"We got the gold nugget," said Boyd, with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

***

The wolf recovery plan called for reintroduction in central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. But Boyd said she and Ream opposed reintroduction, noting wolves were already dispersing well on their own.

"If wolves get there on their own, they're better tolerated by local communities instead of the government shoving it down their throats," she said.

Nonetheless, in 1995, 1996 and 1997, scientists introduced 31 wolves in Idaho and 35 in Yellowstone, she said: "It was successful beyond belief."

The recovery goals were met in 2002, and wolves were delisted in 2011 in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Utah.

At the end of 2016, Montana counted at least 477 wolves, compared to the 150 it had as a recovery goal, she said. The state counts 109 packs, and 50 breeding pairs compared to the recovery goal of 15. It counted 255 wolves harvested that year, and 57 livestock confirmed killed by wolves. It paid out $60,000 in livestock losses.

The growth, from one wolf in 1979 to 109 packs in 2016, is significant.

"We're way above what is federally and statewide mandated, but the trend has been going down," Boyd said.

***

Wolves need three things to survive, she said: wild ungulates; large, undeveloped landscapes and freedom from persecution.

"Truly, wolves would live anywhere that we would tolerate them," Boyd said.

Since 2011, though, wolves have been hunted in Idaho and Montana, and Boyd said she believes it's having an impact. She said an estimated 80 percent to 85 percent of wolf mortality is human-caused, some legally.

"I believe that the human harvest is significant enough it's causing a slow and steady decline," she said.

For one thing, killing alphas changes pack dynamics, she said.

Much information from the field is coming from hunters. A hunter that's been in one area for 30 years might have observed one large pack in the past with 10 or 14 animals, but now may see three smaller packs instead, for example.

"Everywhere you go, you see wolf tracks, but they're smaller packs," she said.

To survive, she said, wolves need large, undeveloped land, and private landowners are key, as is a livestock reimbursement program. Generally, she said, she wants to see less conflict among interest groups.

"I don't want to make bad guys out of anyone," she said. "There is a middle ground, and there is a way to make it work."
President Donald Trump's long-time confidant Keith Schiller privately testified that he rejected a Russian offer to send five women to then private-citizen Trump's hotel room during their 2013 trip to Moscow for the Miss Universe pageant, according to multiple sources from both political parties with direct knowledge of the testimony.

Schiller, Trump's former bodyguard and personal aide, testified that he took the offer as a joke, two of the sources said. On their way up to Trump's hotel room that night, Schiller told the billionaire businessman about the offer and Trump laughed it off, Schiller told the House intelligence committee earlier this week.

After several minutes outside of Trump's door, which was Schiller's practice as Trump's security chief, he said he left.

Members of the committee raised the matter because of salacious allegations laid out in a dossier compiled by former British agent Christopher Steele, an opposition research document funded by Democrats detailing alleged ties between Trump and his associates with Russians.

During this week's closed-door hearing, House lawmakers walked through a Daily Caller article, which raised some of the allegations about Trump's Moscow trip from the dossier and discussed an alternative story involving Schiller's role in rejecting the Russian offer of sending prostitutes to Trump's room.

The dossier's claims about Trump's activities in Moscow are some of the most incendiary claims in the memos compiled by Steele, which claimed that Russia obtained "kompromat," or dirt, on Trump to use as blackmail. Trump has long denounced the dossier and flatly denied its assertions.

Stuart Sears, an attorney for Schiller, said the chairman and ranking member of the committee should investigate individuals leaking "misleading versions" of Schiller's testimony, calling the conduct "indefensible" and questioning the credibility of the House inquiry.

"We are appalled by the leaks that are coming from partisan insiders from the House Intelligence Committee," Sears said in a statement. "It is outrageous that the very Committee that is conducting an investigation into leaks - purportedly in the public interest - is itself leaking information and defaming cooperative witnesses like Mr. Schiller."

During the testimony with the House investigators, Schiller denied knowing about the salacious allegations contained in the dossier. He was also asked about a wide-range of issues, including meetings between Trump associates and Russians, and he denied having knowledge of many of those interactions, sources said.

Moreover, he denied knowing about the deliberations around the firing of FBI Director James Comey, saying he was only called into deliver a letter with the news to the FBI.

White House officials declined to comment.

While Trump and the White House have long rejected the dossier as an attempt to discredit the presidency, the FBI has corroborated some information in the dossier and used it as justification to obtain a surveillance warrant on Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page, CNN has reported.

But federal investigators have not verified the most salacious allegations regarding Trump's activities on his 2013 trip for the Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow.

Schiller was asked about the Daily Caller article, and he confirmed a Russian made the offer to send the women to Trump's room which was raised around lunch-time, sources said. He was asked who made the offer, but he could not recall the identity of the individual, sources said.

Multiple sources said the offer to send women to Trump's room came from a Russian who was accompanying Emin Agalarov, a pop star whose father is a billionaire oligarch close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and who worked with Trump to bring the pageant to Moscow. But Schiller said the offer did not come from Agalarov himself, the sources said, disputing the Daily Caller report on that matter.

"Emin has no knowledge of that ever happening," said Scott Balber, an attorney for Agalarov.

Dossier subject of controversy

Trump has vehemently denied the allegations in the dossier since it was made public in January. At a press conference weeks before taking office, Trump said that he tells his staff before overseas trips, including to Russia, to "be very careful" in their hotel rooms because "you're gonna probably have cameras," and that they could end up on the news if they weren't cautious.

Trump has also ramped up his attacks after it became public that the Hillary Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee, through the law firm Perkins Coie, paid opposition research firm Fusion GPS to compile the material that led to the dossier.

"Clinton campaign & DNC paid for research that led to the anti-Trump Fake News Dossier. The victim here is the President," Trump tweeted last month.

Yet before Trump was inaugurated, Comey briefed Trump and outgoing President Barack Obama about the existence of the dossier.

Additionally, Comey testified that Trump personally denied to him, on two occasions, that he participated in the salacious activities alleged in the dossier. This all came before Trump fired Comey in May.

"The President returned to the salacious material I had briefed him about on January 6, and, as he had done previously, expressed his disgust for the allegations and strongly denied them," Comey said about a dinner with Trump in late January. "He said he was considering ordering me to investigate the alleged incident to prove it didn't happen."

Comey said Trump gave a more explicit denial in a March phone call. "He said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia," Comey testified.

A fateful Moscow trip

Investigators probing potential Russia collusion asked Schiller to detail what happened during the 2013 Moscow trip when Trump was in charge of the Miss Universe pageant there.

Trump brought the pageant to Moscow with the help of Aras and Emin Agalarov, the Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire oligarch and his pop-star son. The November 2013 event was held at one of their properties in Moscow.

Video obtained by CNN in July shows Trump, Schiller, the Agalarovs and music publicist Rob Goldstone attending a July 2013 dinner in Las Vegas. The day after that gathering, the Trump Organization announced it would bring Miss Universe to Moscow. In June 2016, Goldstone connected with the President's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., at the request of Aras Agalarov to set up the meeting at Trump Tower with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya.

Close confidant to Trump

Schiller, who is one of Trump's closest confidants, left the White House in September after serving as director of Oval Office operations.

As a longtime adviser to Trump, Schiller has been present for some of the most controversial moments of Trump's political career.

Trump dispatched Schiller in May to hand-deliver a letter to the FBI headquarters informing Comey of his termination, although Comey was in Los Angeles at the time.

UPDATE: This story has been updated with comment from Emin Agalarov's attorney.

CNN's Marshall Cohen contributed to this story.
DARBY  A contentious mayoral race here became even more heated after a last-minute dispute arose over what Mayor JC McDowell said was a get-out-the-vote effort.

McDowell said he heard that some people hadnt received ballots through the post office, and others who filled them out and sent them to the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorders office said their ballots werent showing up as having been returned.

He also worried that Darby residents might not realize that it was a mail-in ballot only, and that they would show up at their typical polling place, only to learn they couldnt vote.

Based on these concerns, McDowell offered to provide rides to Hamilton, so that anyone who wanted to vote at the last minute would be able to do so. He said he personally wouldnt drive people, but he had friends who would do so. Voters just needed to come to his business, Bandit Brewery, by 5 p.m. to catch a ride.

We offered to help carpool people up there so they wouldnt have to drive, McDowell said. I never personally said I would take their ballots up there. This was just a get-out-the-vote campaign

But if you called Town Hall and explained you had no way to get your ballot to Hamilton, you were told you could drop it off at Bandit Brewery or at the post office, and the ballot would be delivered to the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorders office in Hamilton.

While that wouldnt cross any line legally in Montana, it did create at least the perception of impropriety, said Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg.

Theres a perception if you collect ballots or the spouse of a candidate does, that somethings going on. I discourage it, Plettenberg said. But in big elections, for absentees, a lot of times non-partisan groups will go out and collect ballots for people and turn them in. Sometimes the parties will do it as well.

But other people collecting ballots has been a concern.

In Colorado in 2014, unease ran high over what is called ballot harvesting, when campaign workers went door to door asking voters for their mail-in ballots. In Arizona in 2016, a federal court judge upheld a ban on ballot harvesting in that state.

Plettenberg said she cautions voters against giving their ballots to anyone they dont know.

If you call my office, we tell you not to give it to strangers, she said.

Turns out that in this case, it was a moot point.

Officially, no one came to carpool or hand in a ballot at Bandit Brewery, McDowell said.
Montana may have chipped in an easy trade win as President Donald Trump begins his visit to China on Wednesday after Sen. Steve Daines announced a $200 million beef deal with a Chinese retailer.

In what some observers called a tweetable deliverable, the agreement between JD.com Inc. and the Montana Stockgrowers Association was signed in Beijing with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang in attendance.

It was part of a larger move where JD.com, Chinas second-largest online retailer, agreed to buy about $2 billion in U.S. goods over the next three years. Stockgrowers Association Executive Vice President Errol Rice and Cross Four Ranch owner Fred Wacker represented Montana at the signing.

The deal caps several years of trade diplomacy by Daines and former Montana senator and ambassador to China Max Baucus. In addition to the $200 million in Montana beef purchases, JD.com also sealed a memorandum of understanding to invest another $100 million in a new slaughterhouse facility in Montana.

The ability to ship beef there is a huge opportunity, Daines said in an interview with the Missoulian in August. This agreement was 14 years in the making. Youve got to keep in mind the size of the prize. China is the second-largest beef import market in the world.

It also presents a unique challenge for Montana ranchers. Most of them raise calves that are born in winter or early spring and then shipped out of state for fattening and slaughter in the fall. The resulting steaks and burger get mixed into the national beef commodity market.

It would take a lot of work, but somebody can find a niche market for Montana beef, Baucus said in an August interview. The Chinese think of Montana as Yellowstone Park, open spaces and the Big Sky. We could have cachet as providers of Montana beef.

That means marketing the meat by its Montana provenance, just as Japanese cattle dealers brag about their premium Kobe or Wagyu steaks. And thats likely to take a lot of face-to-face dealing even after the JD.com ink dries.

A lot of it is just showing up and being there, Baucus said. The Montana governor would have to go over many times, and set up some kind of plan to market Montana beef, similar to what weve done with Japan and Korea.

Baucus made opening the Chinese beef market one of his priorities as ambassador after he retired from the Senate in 2014. China had banned U.S. beef since 2003 after a Washington state producer reported a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, better known as mad cow disease. Baucus helped negotiate a re-opening of the Chinese beef market in 2016, but the door barely cracked because of Chinese restrictions on hormone use in U.S. cattle production.

Daines rode the issue as well, on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

I hand-carried four tenderloin steaks from Fred Wackers ranch to the vice- premier when I went to China in April, Daines said. We put them in a Coleman cooler, which was probably made in China, but the steaks were made in Montana. They want to see the quality and traceability. I showed them the pasture where the calf was born and tagged to slaughter.

He followed up with a personal barbecue dinner with Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai at Daines home in Bozeman in September. Chinese business representatives met with Montana agricultural producers at a Belgrade roundtable to discuss future trade deals.

Ranchers have watched with their noses pressed up against the glass as Chinese restaurants and supermarkets served up increasing amounts of beef from other countries. China imported 825,000 tons of beef in 2016. Most of that came from Australia and South America.

When export of Montana beef to China is more or less stabilized, and channels are established, we could find your main buyers in China, Chinese companies that import a lot of Montana beef, Cui said during his Montana visit. And maybe with the help of some Chinese banks, like China Bank in New York, they could invest in the infrastructure here, insure a stable and long-lasting supply.

Wacker also raises antibiotic-free, implant-free Angus cattle for Whole Foods. He told the Chinese delegation how state ranchers could provide a rare, Montana-specific beef sale to China.

We have the land, we have the cattle, we have the quality, we have the water, Wacker said. We have the interest in putting in a major processing plant here, and we also have a very high-quality product.

That makes the second part of the JD.com deal crucial for Montanas local branding effort. The state hasnt had a major meatpacking plant for 33 years, since Billings Pierce Packing Co. closed in 1984. The slaughterhouse employed 500 people before national consolidation of the meatpacking industry pushed the 50-year-old company to extinction.

Its something we are lacking in Montana, and something wed like to see happen, Montana Stockgrowers Association spokeswoman Kori Anderson said. It would provide infrastructure to process beef here in state. We only have a couple of very small feedlots as it is, and the vast majority of our cattle is heading out of state for processing.

Montana shipped almost 1.5 million calves to slaughter in 2016. Nationwide, U.S. beef producers raised about 35 million beef calves. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates Montanas contribution to $6.3-billion beef export market was worth about $132 million in 2015. But that relatively small share could be an advantage for Big Sky ranchers.

The Chinese want to know where that calf has come from, Anderson said. Its a lot more paperwork, but we are able to make those adjustments a lot quicker. We produce some of the finest beef in the world. We just have to work through a process for marketing Montana-raised cattle.

Billings Gazette Reporter Tom Lutey contributed to this story
BOZEMAN  A Gallatin County District Court judge has scheduled a two-week trial for a Bozeman man accused of killing his wife with a frying pan.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Wednesday that 33-year-old Jake Collins' trial is scheduled to start Aug. 13. He is charged with deliberate homicide and felony tampering with evidence in the death of his 32-year-old wife Crystal Collins.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in the Gallatin County jail on $750,000 bond.

Crystal Collins' mother reported her missing Jan. 2, prompting police to interview Jake Collins. Officers say Collins acknowledged killing his wife, saying he was intoxicated and hit her in the head with a cast-iron frying pan and cut her throat.
As Missoula Countys sheriff, my No. 1 priority for my community is public safety. This goes for all the brave men and women who put on their uniform every day to respond to emergencies and keep families and kids safe. We are in the process of implementing the recently-adopted Jail Diversion Master Plan, which will get folks the mental health and/or substance abuse help they need early on, reducing the pressure on our overcrowded jail and the Montana State Hospital.

Overcrowded county jails across the state hamper our ability to serve  in many communities, they are the largest mental health providers. This spring, Gov. Steve Bullock and legislators joined together to address this issue. They passed sweeping bipartisan legislation from the Sentencing Commission to help transition offenders successfully back into our communities, reduce the risk that these folks will end up back in our jails, and allow us to do our jobs to keep Montanans safe.

These pieces of legislation were all data-driven and designed to relieve pressure on our county jail holds and save taxpayers an additional $69 million over the next six years. And while I applaud the efforts of legislators and our governor to invest in criminal justice reform, we can say goodbye to this ever happening if deep budget cuts are enacted at the Montana Department of Corrections.

If Governor Bullock is forced to make the proposed 10 percent budget cuts at the Montana Department of Corrections, efforts to increase the number of alternative beds through transition centers or provide offenders with substance abuse treatment will be reduced. Additionally, we will see the following programs cut or eliminated:

Funding for forensic interviews of child victims of abuse or neglect

Funding for domestic violence shelters

Youth crisis diversion to keep kids out of the system and with their families

Chemical dependency treatment services

County jail diversion programs, like the one currently in the Missoula County Detention Facility

Crisis intervention funding, providing ongoing training to law enforcement on how best to respond to those in crisis

Legislators need to be serious about working with Governor Bullock to find alternative solutions to these harmful cuts that do not put an increased burden on county property taxpayers. We saw bipartisanship in the making when 10 pieces of legislation to reform Montanas criminal justice system were signed into the law. I believe that we can see it again if legislators put the same mind to it.

We are all better off when we work together and find long-term solutions to best serve Montanans. We cannot afford to forsake all of the progress that we have made on the issue of jail crowding and diversion.
State Sen. Pat Connell (guest column, Nov. 3) offers the timeworn, and simple, solution for dealing with a budget imbalance: raid the piggy bank!

The piggy bank is Montanas coal severance tax endowment fund. Coal mining, while benefiting many current Montanans, depletes a natural resource. The coal severance tax endowment ensures that the depletion of coal reserves provides permanent benefits to Montanans. Without income generated from the endowment, still higher future taxes will be needed to deliver state public services. Fifty percent of the coal severance tax is currently spent in a variety of areas, and 50 percent flows to endowment funds that generate income to benefit future as well as current Montanans.

In 1980 I hosted a symposium on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund (AHSTF), a fund established by Montanas Canadian neighbor. A 1976 Alberta law required 30 percent of the provinces non-renewable resource revenues (mainly from oil and gas) to be saved. The AHSTF quickly grew to U.S. $7.5 billion and would now be over U.S. $100 billion had Albertans the patience and discipline to follow the 1976 policy. But fiscal discipline broke down. The value of the AHSTF is now less than in the 1980s. It was easier to raid the piggy bank than to raise taxes or cut spending.

Bad habits often persist. Once broken, a piggy bank is difficult to reassemble. Adequate levels of state spending require tax increases, or even new taxes such as a sales tax or carbon tax. That is reality. The alternative is a level of state services and infrastructure not worthy of this great state.

Yes, cut spending where warranted (this is always desirable), but Senator Connell and his colleagues should face the reality that increased state tax revenues are needed for good government  now and in the future.
This year, a staggering 1,600 Montanans will die from tobacco use  the leading cause of preventable death. Montana also faces a staggering $220 million budget shortfall, forcing the state to cut vital health programs and/or seek ways to raise new revenue.

Theres a proven solution to save money, raise vital revenue and most importantly, save lives. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Heart Association and American Lung Association urge lawmakers to pass a permanent cigarette tax increase of $1.50 per pack this upcoming special session.

A $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase is projected to save 3,900 Montanans from premature smoking-related death and reduce youth smoking rates almost 16 percent. Its can also help 7,200 current smokers quit. And, it saves Montana money. Smoking alone costs Montana $440 million in annual health care costs. With state budget woes, shouldnt we permanently try to improve our economy?

We pushed for a $1.50 cigarette tax increase this year. Big Tobacco spent $200,000 killing our efforts because they knew it would hurt their profits. This special session, we again urge lawmakers to side with public health and say no to Big Tobaccos attempts to lure future tobacco users.

Regular, significant tobacco tax increases are proven to prevent youth from starting and prompt current users to quit. It only works if price increases are significant enough to offset Big Tobaccos ploys. The temporary 50 cents per pack tax thats currently being considered is grossly inadequate and bad for Montana.

Heres why small tobacco tax increases dont work:

 Big Tobacco regularly uses coupons and discounts to minimize the sticker shock price increase for consumers. In 2015, Big Tobacco spent more than $8.2 billion on cigarette marketing. Nearly 73 percent of that money went to price discounts and coupons intended to reduce cigarette prices.

 After a tax increase takes effect, tobacco companies often discount prices 40 to 50 cents. After Louisiana raised its tax by 50 cents per pack, some companies distributed 50 cent coupons, effectively eliminating the taxs impact and health benefit.

To account for price discounting, we need a $1.50 per pack increase to ensure a meaningful impact on reducing tobacco use and improving public health. This tax increase must be permanent and implemented all at once, not phased in over months or years.

To protect our kids, we must significantly increase the price of all tobacco products  something Montana hasnt done since 2005. Every state thats significantly increased its tobacco tax has seen tobacco sales decrease, leading to fewer kids starting to smoke and less preventable death and disease. This revenue must be used to fund programs that improve public health, help people quit and protect kids from tobacco use.

An ACS CAN poll shows increasing tobacco taxes to address revenue shortfall is strongly supported across party lines with 77 percent of Montana voters favoring a $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase with revenue used to fight tobacco use and fund state health programs.

When our legislators meet for the special session, they must find $229 million in revenue and/or cut programs. Our proposed $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase will generate roughly $44 million in new annual revenue.

Please pass this permanent tobacco tax to save lives, save money and generate revenue. Dont let Montanas fiscal and physical health go up in smoke!
In this troublesome era of anger, violence and blame, its well to look back to a kinder time, and the good and heartwarming story of a remarkable Montana character.

Dorothy Johnson grew up in poverty in Whitefish, and despite a life of crushing adversity, her achievement as a writer has been compared by some critics to that of Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, Mary Austin, Willa Cather and Mari Sandoz. She has been described as possibly the greatest writer of western fiction who ever lived.

Johnsons tough trail to the top is illustrated by a photo taken by later Pulitzer Prize winner Mel Ruder of the Hungry Horse News, which she found hilarious and used on her personal stationary. It shows her from the backside struggling to mount a horse in a maneuver that even Mels dog found embarrassing.

From her early years Dorothy Johnson showed great promise as a writer, but her life was always a struggle. Her father died on Christmas Eve when she was 10 years old. In her teens Dorothy survived by finding work as a telephone operator and the stringer covering Whitefish for the Kalispell Daily Inter Lake.

Inspired by University of Montana Professor H.G. Merriam, Dorothy graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in English. On her meager salary as a stenographer, she paid off the gambling debts of the deadbeat husband who had deserted her. A short story she wrote at that time was published by the Saturday Evening Post. Encouraged, Dorothy soon moved to the great publishing center of New York City.

Dorothy was able to support herself and her mother primarily as a proofreader and editor. Writing at night in her tiny Greenwich Village apartment, she sent literally scores of beautifully crafted short stories to dozens of publishers. For an agonizing 11 years, she did not sell a single story. Steadfastly believing she was the greatly talented writer Professor Merriam had assured her she was, determined Dorothy resolutely refused to give up. In her papers from that period, though, was found, It always breaks my heart when I get turned down. It doesnt get any easier to take. You should be able to get calluses on your soul.

Mostly male editors and publishers who received her stories couldnt believe their readers would accept that the author of these powerful and often violent stories was a woman. When her stories finally began to be published in the World War II years, her bylines usually appeared as D.M. Johnson.

Returning to her beloved Whitefish in 1945, Dorothys story sales again slumped. When her work at the Whitefish Pilot newspaper couldnt support her and her aging mother, she accepted a faculty position in the University of Montana School of Journalism and as manager of the Montana Press Association.

Her never-ending night writing continued in Missoula, and sales again picked up. Her big break suddenly happened when her story The Hanging Tree was made a movie in 1959. Starring fellow Montanan Gary Cooper, it was a blockbuster. No longer disguised as D.M., Dorothy Johnson was suddenly and dramatically recognized for who she was.

"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," staring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart, soon followed on the silver screen, with similar blockbusting success.

Dorothy Johnsons life was a tough struggle in a mans world before there was a womens movement. She bravely broke the barriers of her time.

Looking back, Dorothy noted that her characters were purely imaginary. She commented, no doubt with a twinkle in her eye, that she regrets this because I would like to meet some of them.
We have read about cuts to the state library, cuts to the university system, cuts to the departments of Commerce and Labor. But the brunt of the cuts affect human services  the poor, the disabled, people who depend on government assistance to live their lives.

This de facto attack on the disadvantaged was not the intent of the Legislature when it approved the budget. Nobody wants people to suffer. The suffering is the result of the budget that was passed, and the state law that stipulates that if tax revenue is not sufficient, there will be cuts. And now the most vulnerable in our society are once again pawns in a political battle the have no part in.

Jesus stood with the poor and the disadvantaged, with the outcasts and the disabled. He healed the sick, he taught the crowds, and he admonished his followers to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the imprisoned, care for the stranger.

Montana is a place of many faith traditions, all of which teach compassion and care for those who are in need. As a Christian faith leader, I join my interfaith and ecumenical colleagues in urging the Legislature to find ways to care for the most vulnerable.

As a person of faith and as a citizen, I believe that we have a responsibility towards our neighbors. Our communities and houses of worship have food pantries and homeless shelters, and we work hard at finding ways to serve our neighbors in need. We pray for the poor. And we pray for those who govern. It is not an easy task, with increased demands and decreased revenue. We can also make our priorities known, and stand with the poor and the broken, as Jesus did.

As citizens and people of faith, we have the right and the opportunity to make our priorities known to the legislators, to the governor, to the people who are in a position to make decisions on where and how to balance the needs of the most vulnerable people in our society with the decisions of a Legislature determined to cut spending.

We can do better. And we must do better. It is a moral imperative.
The public spoke and the county commissioners listened.

Recently, south Bitterroot Valley legislative Rep. Theresa Manzella scheduled a meeting with the commissioners to ask them to meet with Karen Budd-Falen.

Westerners are certainly familiar with Budd-Falen, or if theyre not, they should be. She is a Wyoming attorney who never met a national forest or national grassland she could love. Shes made a legal and political career of fighting conservation groups and by representing Cliven Bundy, another anti-public lands zealot whose name is well known to those who love our public lands.

Budd-Falen rejects the very concept of public lands and works around the West supporting the transfer of public lands to state and local control, which is just a euphemism for the ultimate goal of selling off our public lands to private buyers.

Manzellas pitch to the commission was confusing and not particularly well thought out, and it seems she was relying on her status as a Republican legislator to make her case for her. It appeared that she wanted the commission to meet with Budd-Falen publicly for four hours on Nov. 17 to write a growth policy or write amendments to the five-year-old natural resource policy. It was not really clear what she wanted and the commissioners, understandably, were a bit baffled. But to their credit, they were also skeptical. They asked probing and thoughtful questions that Manzella seemed unable to answer coherently.

In fact, Manzella, and other fellow travelers in the just say no to public lands movement fail to answer a lot of questions. She simply cannot make a case that the costs or owning and managing public lands in the West can be borne by state or local taxpayers. She cannot explain how local or state ownership of federal public lands is even constitutional  probably because it isnt. She doesnt explain whether the odious public lands transfer idea extends to all public lands in the U.S. Or is it just the Bitterroot National Forest she wants taken out of public hands?

More importantly, she cannot answer this simple question: Who supports the transfer of our precious public lands into some other ownership, be it local, state or private? The answer to that one is easy: No one, except ideologues who oppose all things public, including schools. The American people certainly do not support turning over their public lands to anyone.

In the end, the commissioners listened to the 20 or so people, all members of Bitterrooters for Planning, who attended and urged their elected representatives to reject a meeting with Budd-Falen.

Manzella was not prepared for the questions the commission had for her, and had no allies in her support. Ultimately, she agreed to extend personal invitations to the unnamed local individuals who she said agreed to fund Budd-Falens trip here, and to hold the meeting at an unidentified private residence. She extended invitations to the commission, but she had no takers.

The commissioners did the right thing and they deserve public recognition for it.

I hope the voters recognize that in Theresa Manzella, Ravalli County has an elected representative to the Montana Legislature who supports transferring national forests to, ultimately, private ownership. If you support the notion of keeping public lands in public hands, then please dont support Theresa Manzella.
Montanas Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services is in crisis.

Since March 2017, no new services have been offered due to budget constraints. Clients with open cases are still receiving services, but new clients are put on a two-year waiting list in the hopes that when a category for which they are eligible for services opens up, they will be first to receive them. In the meantime, they must put their educational and vocational plans on hold. The National Federation of the Blind of Montana thinks this is unreasonable.

The National Federation of the Blind of Montana acknowledges that in order to deal with this budget crisis, changes will need to be made. However, we feel that the current and proposed budget cuts target the elderly and disabled, including the blind, disproportionately.

We strongly urge Gov. Steve Bullock and our state legislators to find other ways to balance the budget that do no harm to the blind, elderly and disabled, and to maintain and preserve the quality of services for the blind of Montana, so that we can continue to be contributing, taxpaying citizens of our state and nation, and live the lives we want.

Joy Breslauer,

president,

National Federation

of the Blind

of Montana,

Great Falls
Most children dont imagine themselves becoming economic development advocates when they grow up, and as a child Joe Willauer was no different.

Today, however, Willauer would likely tell you that helping businesses thrive is what gets his blood flowing in the morning.

Willauer took over as Butte Local Development Corp. executive director in August after the former director Pam Haxby-Cote left in March to become Montanas commerce chief.

Willauer holds an undergraduate degree in geography from Central Washington University and a masters in urban and regional planning from Eastern Washington University. He has about four years of experience in economic development.

He took his first position in the field in 2013 when he headed the Food and Agriculture Development Center at Headwaters RC&D  an economic development organization that serves entrepreneurs and businesses in southwest Montana  and later became its executive director.

Willauer said the best part of his experience at Headwaters was getting to work one-on-one with clients, helping them compose business plans and come up with financial projections  what he calls the dreaming phase of starting a business.

Its really satisfying both personally and professionally meeting with someone, especially early in their business, and hearing what their dreams are, said Willauer.

Although Willauers new role will mainly be about recruiting new businesses to Butte and retaining existing ones, he said working with clients on the dream phase gives him an understanding of the challenges  and the successes  that small business owners experience.

Willauer says he has high hopes for the BLDC in the years ahead, including continuing relationships with existing businesses. Priority number two, he said, will be getting more entrepreneurs to set up shop in Butte.

But doing so is easier said than done in a state like Montana that has seen marked population growth in recent years.

Theres just a lot of places (to locate a business in Montana) and its all about selling our community. And that parts easy, said Willauer. The best thing about Butte is just how passionate people are about Butte. Ive lived a lot of places and theres nowhere that has the sense of pride and the sense of community that Butte does. Period.

Willauer said navigating expectations can be a challenging aspect of a leadership role in economic development. He pointed out that some wanted to see Butte put in a bid for Amazons new headquarters, but that the company is looking to locate in a city of more than one million people, roughly the population of the entire state of Montana.

For him, Willauer said, economic development isnt about going for the biggest fish in the sea. Instead, he said, its about recognizing where we are and taking advantage of existing assets.

Theres so many opportunities we have here, be it our geographic location on the I-90 interchange or just being in Montana in general with the great natural resources, said Willauer.

Willauer cited sectors important for economic development in Butte as manufacturing, education, health care and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, among others.

As you know, Montana four years running is the best state in the country to be an entrepreneur in, said Willauer, referring to the Kauffman Index of Startup Activity.

And thats just the Montana way, the executive director said.

I think it speaks a lot to just the people of Montana and the mentality of I want to do my thing and make my own job, he said.

The Montana Standard asked what it would take for Butte to take an economic step forward. Willauer said doing so means telling a new story about Butte.

I think so much of it is how we represent ourselves, said Willauer. Changing that narrative and talking about the great things we have here. Talking about the concerts and the film festival and how close we are to fishing, hiking and hunting. Talking about all the cool food we have and talking about how you can walk between breweries Uptown  (to) just really celebrate our successes instead of dwell on the negatives of the past.
With $77 million left to remove metals from the Clark Fork River, the Department of Environmental Quality is in danger of running out of money to finish the Clark Fork Superfund cleanup, DEQ officials said during a meeting in Deer Lodge Tuesday.

This has led to a slowdown on the 44-mile planned removal of the rivers heavy metals  arsenic, lead, copper, zinc and cadmium  left behind from more than 100 years of mining and smelting in Butte and Anaconda.

The original settlement of $134 million came out of the Environmental Protection Agencys lawsuit against Atlantic Richfield Company, the corporation responsible for the damage, in 2008.

Of that, DEQ received $95 million to take the lead and get the work done. EPA provides support to the project.

An additional $12.5 million went into a reserve account to protect against cost overruns and the Natural Resource Damage Council got $26.5 million to do restoration work along the 44-mile stretch.

With eight miles of the river cleaned up, DEQ is now putting the brakes on the project and extending its life so its not expected to be finished until 2032.

Previously, DEQ estimated the cleanup would be complete around 2026, said state project manager Joel Chavez.

Because of the slowdown, DEQ did no work beyond minor matters, such as weeding and replacing temporary culverts, during the 2017 construction season, Chavez told The Montana Standard Tuesday.

By putting off any significant construction in 2017, DEQ gained $250,000 in interest on the principal.

But at this point, thats only a drop in the bucket. DEQ hopes to resume the cleanup next spring, getting started with removing metals from Grant Kohrs Ranch, a national historic site commemorating western cattle ranching downstream of Deer Lodge. Chavez estimates that DEQ's tab to ship dirty dirt by truck from Grant Kohrs Ranch to the Opportunity ponds toxic waste repository alone will be around $4 million. The work at the ranch was supposed to have begun this year.

The 44-mile cleanup of the Clark Fork River, from Warm Springs Ponds to Garrison, has been ongoing since 2011. The work began along the river in Deer Lodge and included pasture removal of soils along East Side Road where ranchers had irrigated with metal-laden water from the river.

Since then, DEQ has removed around 1.3 million cubic yards of contaminated soils.

Rancher William Pauley, who has riverfront property, was among the approximately 45 residents who attended the meeting at the Elks Lodge in Deer Lodge Tuesday evening. Pauley said that for the local ranchers, this news comes as no surprise.

A lot of ranchers thought theyd run out of money, he said. They shouldve planned better.

Chavez said that in addition to slowing down the work, DEQ is considering creating toxic waste repositories along the way instead of shipping the dirty dirt all the way back to Opportunity ponds north of Anaconda.

Chavez said the public will have ample opportunity to weigh in on that decision and DEQ wont resort to that measure unless there is public buy-in.

Chavez said the areas DEQ is going to study for potential toxic repositories would be state-owned land halfway between Deer Lodge and Opportunity on the east side of Interstate 90 and state-owned land halfway between Deer Lodge and Garrison on the west side of Interstate 90.

Chavez is also asking NRD to contribute more toward restoration. So far, NRD has put between $2 and $3 million toward revegetating the cleaned-up sections of the river, NRD environmental science specialist Tom Mostad said.

Mostad said NRD is putting in a fishing access site this winter in Racetrack Creek as part of its restoration efforts on the Clark Fork. Mostad said NRD has talked a lot about pitching in more, with DEQ.

The slowdown doesn't appear to be good news for fish any more than it is for the ranchers along the river waiting for the work to get done. Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist Nathan Cook said hes seeing an increase of copper showing up in trout as fish move downstream.

Copper is showing up in the gills, stomachs and livers of the fish. Cook has been conducting studies on the fish to monitor the amount of metals accumulating in their bodies since 2008.

Cook said the fish can deal with it to a certain point.

But the cumulative effect is contributing to high fish mortality. The copper could also be impacting their growth and reproduction, but thats hard to measure, Cook said.

Another elevated metal FWP is seeing in trout in the Clark Fork is zinc, which is also toxic to fish.

Chavez said DEQ hopes to get to work at the beginning of construction season next spring, but an agreement with BNSF Railroad has not been signed yet. DEQ has to travel across the railroad tracks for the project.

BNSF Railroad public affairs director, Ross Lane, said, via email, from Billings Wednesday that BNSF is currently discussing the terms of the agreement with DEQ.

The agreement would enable DEQ to install a haul road and establish a temporary private crossing across BNSF track. BNSF wants to ensure safety while evaluating DEQs request, according to Lane.

Rancher Paul Relf, whose land includes river frontage, has been going to meetings on the Clark Fork cleanup for 20 years. He has mine and smelting waste on his property.

With the slowdown, he estimates it will take DEQ another five to six years before the agency can get to his land.

Relf said he tried to do work himself to remove the toxins but the major flood in 2011 washed away the dirt hed brought in and brought more toxins to the surface, killing the brush that had been perfectly healthy and growing along the bank.

Im really affected by whats going on, he said.
Many of us are keeping an eye on tax reform legislation and considering how federal changes could impact our livelihoods here at home. I want to help make Montanans aware of one federal program that has been working under the radar for the past 10 years to improve local economies, create good jobs and stimulate growth in large and small communities across our state. The tax bills proposed repeal of this program would deprive our communities  and the hardworking people who live here  of crucial funds needed to revitalize and bolster Montanas economy.

If youve ever sought medical care at the Bullhook Community Health Center in Havre, seen a film at the Cinemark Theater in Helena, toured the historic Sears Building in Uptown Butte, shopped for groceries at Town & Country Foods in Bozeman, attended a swim meet at Mission Valley Aquatics in Polson, stayed at the Home2 Suites in Billings or picked up food from the new Missoula Food Bank, you have seen the direct impact of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), a federal program that incentivizes investment and economic growth in low-income urban and rural communities.

Since 2008, Montana & Idaho Community Development Corporation has used this program to support the development of 23 catalytic projects in Montana, totaling over $270 million. They range from nonprofits and community facilities to commercial and mixed-use buildings, hotels and community health centers. The projects have created and retained nearly 2,000 jobs, provided vital resources to the people who need them most, and generated development in economically underserved areas. None of these projects would have been possible without the financing provided by New Markets Tax Credits.

NMTC is not a partisan program; rather, its one of those rare federal programs that has been supported by Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The current legislation has received strong, bipartisan backing among House and Senate lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines, who have both co-sponsored legislation multiple times to make the tax credit permanent. However, the current tax bill has omitted this program entirely.

Whatever the broad benefits of tax reform to the economy, Montanans will continue to need access to flexible capital to promote revitalization and foster economic growth in our rural state. The NMTC is the most cost-efficient way to deliver this financing; in fact, the repeal of NMTC represents a savings of just a tenth of a percent of the $1.5 trillion in the current tax plan.

New Markets Tax Credits are a powerful tool that allows us to redirect federal tax dollars back into our Montana communities  generating jobs, financing businesses and community facilities and boosting local economies. This repeal is a serious misstep that would be felt by communities across our state.

Please act now by contacting Congressman Greg Gianforte (202-225-3211) and telling him to fight to keep NMTC in the tax code to help ensure a thriving and inclusive economy in Montana. Please also call Senator Tester (202-224-2644) and Senator Daines (202-224-2651) to ask them to include NMTC in the Senate bill.
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MUSCATINE  Two people residing in Columbus Junction were sentenced to prison Wednesday after being charged with selling identification documents and aggravated identity theft.

Ari Hernandez-Chacon, 47, was a native and citizen of Mexico, illegally residing in Columbus Junction. In a plea agreement, he admitted that on Feb. 25, 2016, he sold three real Social Security cards and three real birth certificates to an undercover agent, while knowing the documents belonged to U.S. citizens, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Magali Marroquin-Garcia, 38, who is also a citizen of Mexico illegally residing in Columbus Junction, admitted in a plea agreement that on May 12, 2016, she also sold three Social Security cards and three birth certificates to an undercover agent, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in a news release.

Hernandez-Chacon and Marroquin-Garcia were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade. Both suspects were sentenced to 43 months in prison and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment, according to a news release.

There is no parole in the federal system, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The suspects are being held in the U.S. Marshal's custody until they are transported to a federal prison, according to a news release.
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $392,139 final design contract for the County Highway 99 replacement bridge at Wapello.

The new contract with HR Green of Johnston, Iowa, will cover a variety of work, including geo-technical studies, final bridge designs and cost estimates. HR Green also received an initial contract of about $650,000 in 2015 to conduct a variety of environmental studies, preliminary design and planning and other work.

Although some of that work still remains, company representative Stan Stallsmith told the board that he expects work under the new contract will be completed in time to begin construction next year.

(This will) take the project up to bidding, he said, adding there could be a bid letting in June and construction could start in July or August.

Stallsmith indicated the construction will take about one year to complete. That would include demolition of the current bridge, because the new structure would be constructed in the same place.

A key issue will be completion of soil borings where the replacement bridge piers will be placed. Stallsmith said boring equipment could be placed on the existing bridge and holes punched in its deck to access the river bed. County Engineer Larry Roehl said that will make a barge unnecessary.

Both said one-lane traffic could continue to use the existing bridge while that work is completed.

Supervisors Randy Griffin and Brad Quigley initially questioned whether they should approve the new contract or wait until Supervisor Chair Chris Ball, who did not attend the meeting Tuesday, was present.

After they agreed they want the project to move forward, they approved the contract.

FEMA - Puerto Rico

In other action, Roehl said he is waiting for the Federal Emergency Management Administration to contact him about traveling to Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief.

An email from last week indicated monitoring workers will be used until Thanksgiving. After their work is completed, Roehl said, he will join other road and bridge inspectors sometime after Christmas.

New lanes - Highway 61

During his report to the board, Roehl said the new lanes on the realigned US Highway 61 at Grandview are expected to be open Nov. 20. He said shoulder work is being finished, with striping and signage next.

Farm access?

Griffin told Roehl about the need for a field entrance south of 145th Street. Griffin said a resident who farms in the area had made the request. Roehl said the resident should follow the DOTs permitting regulations to get access.

Grandview bypass

Assistant County Engineer Adam Shutt also reported a pre-construction meeting with Coles Construction, Keosauqua, is scheduled for next week. He said once communication lines in the area are relocated, the company could begin grading and other work to upgrade the dirt road to a gravel bypass around Grandview.

In other action, the board:

 Approved requests from Interstate Power and Water and Eastern Iowa Light & Power to construct new utility services on county right of way to a rural residence on S Avenue, Morning Sun, and for a site on 125th Street, Columbus Junction;

 Agreed to transfer $17,375 from sales tax to debt service to cover an interest payment for the Louisa County Jail construction bond, which expires in 2022.
MUSCATINE  In the presence of their new families, two judges, and rows of Beanie Babies, seven children were officially adopted on Wednesday afternoon in conjunction with National Adoption Day.

The day is a collective effort to raise awareness for the more than 110,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent and loving families. Since its inception, nearly 65,000 children have been adopted through the event. Last year, 4,700 youth were adopted by families as part of the day's celebration.

Judge Nancy Tabor, district court judge of the 7th judicial district, has worked in juvenile court since 1989, first as an assistant county attorney in Clinton County and then as a juvenile court judge.

"I feel really passionate about the fact that we all celebrate Thanksgiving and count our blessings as a family and these children, that's just their dream to have a 'forever family.'" Tabor said. "And some of them it never happens so that's why days like today are so important."

A forever family is just that; a permanent home that a child can join and remain a part of.

"For them it is having a place that is consistently their home," Tabor said. "A place they can always go back to and the same people will be there. A lot of these kids go from foster home to foster home, and they've never had what we call a forever home."

The eldest of the seven placed in homes today was 18-year-old Alexandria Love LaPlant Bishop.

"I'm pretty excited and thankful to just be adopted and finally have a family that accepts me for who I am," Bishop said. "It's been about 2 and half years. It's just positive energy. I'm feeling really happy and ecstatic."

"Obviously, it is one of the nicest things we do," said Judge Gary Strausser. "Helping children find their forever families, it's just a joy to be a part of it. I handle most of the cases involving children here in the county and to see the final day in the process, it's just a really nice feeling."

Strausser said that for several of these cases, he has been with the child since the beginning.

"The goal is to keep the kid safe with their biological family," Strausser said, "but when that is no longer possible, they still need a childhood. They still need parents who are going to take care of them."

According to Tabor, finding that forever home often means more than just a consistent environment to grow up in.

"The other thing you will see is that they don't have stability in education either," Tabor said. "They go from school to school to school and so they are always kind of behind. That impacts our community as well because we don't have kids that our getting the benefits of our education system."

Tabor brings it back to community. By joining these families, towns like Muscatine get a little bigger.

"Not only does it enrich the family and the individual but different persons come into our community. It enriches us," Tabor said. "They bring another perspective. They broaden our world view. I think they enhance our community. Not only are the children blessed by having parents, but the parents in the community that they are exposing these kids to will come back to give back to Muscatine."
Shanghai police on Nov 8 detained three suspects in a child abuse case that took place at online travel agency Ctrip's in-house day care center.

The suspects - a cleaner, a child-care worker and the teacher in charge of the class  have been charged with child abuse. The head of the day care center, who is not detained, is being charged with dereliction of duty.

Video evidence of the child abuse went viral on the Internet on Nov 6. Ctrip alerted police to the incident on Nov 7.

The footage shows that teachers at the day care center were rough in their handling of the children, causing some to fall and suffer injuries. Some children were also forced to swallow items which was later identified as mustard. According to the police, the children involved in the case are aged between 18 and 24 months.

All classes in the kindergarten have been suspended since Nov 9.

The operations of the day care center is managed by a company called Modern Family Magazine. The Shanghai Women's Federation, which is the shareholder and direct supervisor of the company, announced on its official Weibo account on Thursday that it will "deal with the incident seriously and strengthen management of its subordinate units."

The federation also said that the day care center has sacked the four suspects and apologized to the families of the affected children.

On Nov 8, the top management of Ctrip apologized over the incident and said it would continue assisting the police in their investigations.

"On behalf of the company, I extend my sincere apologies to the involved families and children," said Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip.

According to Sun, Ctrip has also set up an investigation team which will review the day care center's surveillance footage in the past three months.
MUSCATINE  Current Muscatine city council members, candidates and residents agreed the results of Tuesday's city election were largely impacted by contention between the city council and mayor over the past two years.

Previously ousted Muscatine Mayor Diana Broderson won re-election with 59 percent of the votes, and three newcomers won seats on the city council. Since Broderson first took office in 2015, tensions have been high between her and the city council.

After a year of claiming Broderson was willfully violating city code and making false accusations, the council voted unanimously to remove her from office in May. She was then reinstated by a district court judge, and last month, a judge ruled the council's removal is vacated, claiming the proceedings violated Brodersons right to due process.

With record-breaking voter turnout Tuesday, candidates and residents said the mayor's removal was a main driving force behind the voter participation and final results of the election.

"Of course it did; it had a lot to do with it," said current 2nd Ward Councilman Michael Rehwaldt, who was unseated by newcomer Osmond Malcolm. "It's all related to the mayor. Everything."

Current At Large City Councilman Santos Saucedo, whose seat will be up for election in two years, said the mayors removal encouraged more people to go to the polls this year.

I think the media had a lot to do with how that perception of what that process was and a lot to do with the publics view, Saucedo said. I think there was a lot brought into the question of was [the mayors removal] done correctly or if it wasnt, or if it should have been done at all. People wanted to voice their opinion and get out and vote.

Broderson said her win was affirmation that residents want their views represented in city government.

"Since the people elected me, all I have done is try to fulfill their wants and their needs, and that did not play well," Broderson said Tuesday. "I think the people want to be heard. They want their agenda to be the priority ... It certainly has not been the priority of local government. They are stepping up to say, 'Hey, wait a minute. You work for us.'"

A supporter of Broderson, resident Roger Strong, said he voted for the mayor because "her platform was excellent."

"Family, kids, bullying ... she just seemed to be for the little man," Strong said. "We are Muscatine. And I think she has the biggest heart for everybody in Muscatine and I really think she can do a lot of good if they'll just maybe listen to her. And work with her."

Resident Chris Clark said she was in favor of three new faces on the city council.

"I was not so happy with things going on right now and the amount of money spent on this fiasco," Clark said. "If (council members) were unhappy with the mayor, there were a lot of things they could have done, but they didn't do that. They weren't being prudent."

A resident of the 4th Ward, Clark said she supported winner Nadine Brockert, and hopes Muscatine's Southend will receive the same care other parts of the city do.

"I wanted to see Nadine win and I'd want to see more women on the board," Clark said. "And she's qualified. There were more qualified people and quality candidates this time than I've ever seen."

Newcomer Kelcey Brackett's winning of the at-large seat was one of the closest races, with him earning 1,855 votes, incumbent Scott Natvig winning 1,439 votes and newcomer Kerry Denison receiving 786 votes.

Denison took a stronger approach than Brackett when it came to the need for change in city government. In campaigning, he spoke about the need for the city to restore its city code and make elected officials' roles clearer.

Brackett said he believes it is still safe to say voters were working to replace the three incumbent council members.

"Natvig got 35 percent of the vote and the rest of the vote was against him," Brackett said. "Denison's 20 percent was 20 percent against Natvig... The existing council should see the writing on the wall. The residents made a big statement [Tuesday] night and if they want to retain their seats in two years, they may need to rethink their actions."

Current and newly elected council members agreed, however, it will take more to make change in Muscatine's city government than just electing new faces to the council.

"The change is going to happen gradually and it's not going to happen overnight," said Brockert, who won in the 4th Ward with nearly 49 percent of the votes. "We have to figure out what's going on and figure out what's best for the city."

Saucedo, whose seat was not up for election this year, said he is optimistic the remaining councilmen will be able to work with the incoming members.

"I've always sincerely been interested in just the success of our community and I hope they have the same interest as well," Saucedo said. "I hope that's a goal for them as well and we can move forward because people have wanted to see that."
People across the United States marked the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trumps election by screaming at the sky on Wednesday night.

Anti-Trump protesters took to the streets in cities such as New York and Philadelphia to "scream helplessly at the sky on the anniversary of the election."

Protesters gathered at Washington Square Park in New York City and at Philadelphia City Hall, among other locations across the U.S.

One year ago on Nov. 8, 2016, Trump was victorious in the U.S. presidential election by winning the Electoral College vote by a comfortable margin despite losing the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million votes to Hillary Clinton.
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
Charles E. Chuck Adkins, 78, passed away on October 13, 2017. He was born in Missoula, Montana. Chuck spent most of his childhood in Woodland, California until he moved to Napa in 1966. After high school he joined the Navy and served a four year term. Chuck met his wife, and married on September 7, 1968.

Chuck worked 30 years for Chevron as a welder. He enjoyed camping, fishing, playing his guitar, riding his motorcycle and mostly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Margie Adkins of Napa; daughters, Leann Adkins of Napa, Jennifer Moser (Darrell) of Washington; brother, Roy Beals of Marysville; and 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his mom, Velma Beals; stepdad, Roy Beals.

For friends considering memorials to Mr. Adkins, the family suggests donations to the American Red Cross or Salvation Army. Memories may be shared at www.tulocaycemetery.org.
Cherri was born in Napa Valley. She passed peacefully on October 28th, 2017 after a long illness. She is survived by her husband Michael Bliton, aunt Diana Johnsen, sister Rose Florence and her niece Jessica Blaylock whom she helped raise.

Cherri loved the Napa Valley and was always proud to say she was from there. She graduated Vintage High School and attended Napa Junior College. Cherri worked several jobs including real estate, running a tanning salon and her own small business.

Fashion was a big part of her life, everything had to match head to toe. She collected more clothes and shoes than she could ever wear. Cherri enjoyed traveling especially to tropical places. She loved all animals, cats meant the world to her, and she always had one or two that she would spoil and dress up.

Services will be held November 11, 2017 at Tulocay Funeral Home in Napa, California. Visitation will be held from 10:00AM12:30PM followed by a graveside service at 1:00PM. Words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

Cherri wished all donations to be make to the SPCA.
Maybe its because it is a Wednesday morning or because this is a screening of three documentary shorts, but Chuck and I are easily the youngest people at the Copia Theater. No matter. Our Napa Valley Film Festival experience has officially begun.

I like the Copia Theater. We saw a film here last year. Its cozy. Not too big, not too small. Its recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before a screening, but Chuck and I managed to slip in 5 minutes before showtime. Wednesday morning probably had a lot to do with that as well.

Before I go into my thoughts about the documentaries we watched, I have to offer this disclaimer: There will by typos. Im going to try to make these entries as coherent as possible, but Im writing on the fly in between screenings and attempts at balanced meals. It may get weird. It may get sloppy, but hold tight.

The Napa Valley Film Festival is grouping together short films in blocks so that you see two or more in one viewing. Short Features 2, which will screen again on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Freemark Abbey in St. Helena at 5:15 p.m., includes Standing/Still Standing, Little Warriors, and Love 99.

Standing/Still Standing was the least polished of the docs, but it packed the most heart. We meet paraplegic yoga instructor Matthew Sanford as he offers his healing strategies to three people who have lost control of their bodies in one form or another. Bruce has lost most control of his body due to ALS, Britt was injured in an IED attack while serving as a Marine in Afghanistan, and Angie was injured when she fell from a trapeze. All three were in good physical form, living active lives, when fate had a different plan. Each of their stories are heart-wrenching on their own, but their determination, guided by Sanford, is so inspiring.

You meet these people in their darkest time, but Sanford is able to use yoga as a spark that lights this internal flame of perferverance. Its raw, but incredibly beautiful.

I would have rather seen a full length documentary about this and skipped the other two. Not that Little Warriors and Love 99 werent good, but I just didnt feel connected to them.

Little Warriors is a look at how a group of Indiana school children lead an effort to get a Climate Recovery Resolution passed in Indianapolis. It is inspiring to see young people so passionate about the well being of the Earth, but the viewing experience is passive. Perhaps it is because the film description spoils that they succeed, so I wasnt as invested in the process. But perhaps I wasnt the target audience. This film would have more impact if it is shown to school-aged children to show them that they do have a voice, and that if they band together, they can accomplish great things. I wouldnt mind seeing kids here in Napa take on such a task.

Love 99 follows theater actors in Los Angeles as they battle with their stage actors union to save the creative spaces in the city known as the 99-seat theater community. Its far more complicated than that but that is what it boils down to. Academy Award winner Helen Mirren is the narrator. This is a film about artists striving to save art. It is a struggle that we see all over the country, but this story didnt move me much. Then again, I dont live in L.A. I dont know of these theaters. I dont know what these theaters mean to the community as well as the actors who bring the stories to life. Again, Im probably just not the right audience. Im not an actor. I thought I wanted to be an actor when I was a kid. This film made me glad I didnt, and that was clearly not the point.

4:38 p.m.

After the documentary shorts, we grabbed lunch at Filippis Pizza and then killed time exploring the Oxbow before returning to Copia for a culinary demo. Anyone with a film pass has dibs on a seat in the CIA culinary theater, but you need to show up early because the theater seats about 70 people. Sponsors, Patrons and Pass Plus folks get first seating and then everyone else in line is allowed to enter until all the seats are full.

Ive taken a few classes at CIA at Copia, but this is the first time Ive seen a full culinary theater. And it makes sense. When we sat down, there were three glasses of wine for sampling, a bamboo plate with three gorgeiously stacked fritters and a chocolate-wine candy treat already waiting for us. I have a feeling the culinary demos will grow in popularity as the Festival continues and word-of-mouth spreads. Chuck and I are already considering rethinking our schedule based on our expereince.

The demo we attended was called Next Level Food and WIne For Film. Translation movie snacks for adults. The chirizo and shrimp fritters rested on a white bean puree. We were given a fork and knife, but the fritter made for perfect finger food. I dont like shrimp, but I didnt mind these fritters. I crispy golden crunch with a burst of flavor and a swirl of cheese. Heaven!

Chef Sandy Sauter walked us through the preparation and we got a recipe card so that we can try the recipe out at home. The Film Festival is only 5 days, but the classes at Copia happen every week, so I recommend you check these out.

Maryann Woriec from The Wine Spectator offered commentary about pairing wines with movie snacks. She had some great tips, but I was too content sipping my wine and snacking to write any of them down.

Robin Akhurst representing Swanson Vineyards, based in Rutherford, delivered the details about the rose, merlot and sweet Angelica we were offered. We tried the wines and snacked on gourmet popcorn. I know I was feeling spoiled and the Ooohhs and Mmmms coming from my fellow demo attendees makes me think that everyone was having a good time, even if you dont like wine.

There will be celebrities visiting the CIA culinary theater later in the festival. Elijah Wood is supposed to be there tomorrow. I wouldnt mind sipping wine with Frodo Baggins, even if he is across the room.

Chuck and I are headed to the Uptown Theater in the heart of downtown Napa in hopes of catching The Upside and The Year of Spectacular Men. Ill be checking in after the shows to share my thoughts and give you a wrap up of day one. Ill even sprinkle in some hyperlinking and other online magic.

11:34 p.m.

I was a little concerned that Chuck and I weren't going to make it into the screening for "The Upside" when we saw that the line move up Third Street and turned the corner at Franklin Street. However, since the Uptown seats more than 800 people, I was feeling hopeful.

As we inched our way to the front of the line, I caught a glimpse of actor Tate Donovan. First celebrity sighting: check! Donovan would be the only high profile representative for the film, which stars Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman and Kevin Hart, but that's OK. It's flattering that any big names come out for our young and evolving film festival -- especially if they aren't being celebrated at any of the tributes or fancy dinners being held across the valley in conjunction with the festival.

"The Upside" was the big premiere of the day, so it felt pretty cool to have a seat to the show when half the theater was blocked off from "reserved" seating. The film was scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., but when you've got VIPs making their way into your theater, you hold the show.

It was worth the wait. "The Upside" is delightful. It's the story of a paralyzed billionaire (Cranston) and the friendship he forms with an unlikely caretaker (Hart). Bryan Cranston can do no wrong in my book. I even liked him in "Godzilla". He delivers another quality performance in "The Upside", but it is Hart who shines. Naturally, the comedian offers comic relief in a story that could easily be a depressing, woe-is-me tale, but he offers levity that you don't expect from this story. There is a buddy comedy undertone that feels organic, and the bromance is what carries the film.

You can catch "The Upside" at Cameo Cinema in St. Helena on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8:15 p.m. The film is flagged under "Award Season Screenings." I didn't get award season vibe from this film, but I was charmed and would recommend it.

Even though Chuck and I planned to see the next film playing at the Uptown, we were ushered outside to line up again, only this time it was raining. We joined a mass of people forming an umbrella shield against the heavens. All seemed well until word in the crowd spread that the lines had been changed from the previous showing. If we have to stand in the rain, we'd better be in the right line .... right? We were getting a lot of mixed information, so I left the cover of umbrellas to confirm that the lines had indeed switched so the "blue" line was now against the wall instead of on the far end of the sidewalk just a few hours ago.

People were not pleased about this inconsistency. They seemed more upset by the line switch then the fact that it was starting to rain pretty steadily. Chuck and I took it in stride. Hopefully "The Year of Spectacular Men" would be worth the wait and the wet.

"The Year of Spectacular Men" is Lea Thompson's directorial debut. The film was written by her daughter Madelyn Deutch, and sister Zoey stars in the film with Lea and Madelyn. The movie is a true family affair, and Lea and Madelyn giddily welcomed film festival guests to the screening and were kind enough to hang out after the show for a Q&A.

"The Year of Spectacular Men" isn't about the men but about adorably flawed Izzy as she tries to figure out her life post college. Part of this journey includes falling in and out of love with a variety of men who seem to bring out her worst and best sides.

The film is about growing up, and the struggles you encounter when you're technically an adult and yet you have no idea how to be an adult or a functioning member of society.

But what I love about this film is that it is about family -- family that you are born into and the family you forge along your way through life. And its about how your love for these two types of families help make your life make sense even when life is messy.

This is an indie flick you want to watch with your girlfriends while drinking wine and eating chocolates. There is something cathartic about it for the millennials who have already run the gauntlet and made it to the other side. We identify with Izzy. She's a mess, but you know she's going to be OK.

"The Year of Spectacular Men" screens Friday, Nov. 10, at Cameo Cinema in St. Helena at 5:15 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 11, at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena at 1:30 p.m.
His voice hoarse from talking to claim adjusters, Napa insurance executive Kent Imrie on Tuesday afternoon addressed a gathering of local business people interested in information about financial assistance and other opportunities as a result of the October wildfires.

There is no rule book, per se for settling insurance claims from a disaster like this, he said.

It can be a daunting process.

Imrie was one of several speakers who presented information about insurance, claims, disaster loans and other capital resources for those impacted by the fires.

The event was hosted by the Napa Chamber of Commerce and held at the Silverado Resort and Spa. That property was itself threatened by the Oct. 8 wildfires that destroyed more than 500 homes and a number of businesses in Napa County.

One thing that makes this community so special is how we all try to assist each other in these situations, said Travis Stanley, Napa Chamber president and CEO. There are opportunities and resources people probably arent fully aware of and thats what we hope to help them with.

Imrie said one common question is whether a business that suffered a loss of revenue from cancelled reservations, bookings and appointments can receive any kind of insurance benefits via a business interruption policy.

The quick answer is that there is no insurance for that kind of loss, he said. In most cases, There has to be a direct physical loss to your premises for any such business interruption insurance coverage to apply, he said.

A forced evacuation, such as occurred in Calistoga, is different, according to Jeff Erickson, an insurance broker with ISU Sander Jacobs in Napa. In that case, because the entire town was evacuated, some insurance benefits from a business interruption policy may be applicable.

Talk to your agent, turn in your claim and see where it goes from there, Erickson advised.

Sally Xu-Plants, the owner of the Inn on Randolph, said she attended the meeting to find out about available resources.

Its always good to know whats out there, she said. Perhaps some of her staff might benefit from available aid.

While her Inn didnt have any fire damage, cancellations from guests caused her off season to start a little earlier than normal, she said. However, Its a short set back, said the inn owner. Were not going anywhere.

RE/MAX Gold Realtor Bob Frappia said he came to the event so he could inform his clients about options when it comes to cost recovery or financing.

Frappia said a lack of inventory for buyers is one concern for the Napa real estate market.

For example, after the fires, we had four listings that got pulled and turned into rentals, he said.

Frappia said the owners of those homes saw an opportunity to help people who have been displaced and at the same time improve their cash flow. But that also means four less homes are listed for sale in an already tight market.

Bill Koontz, who works in disaster assistance for the U.S. Small Business Administration, recommended that business owners consider an SBA loan and register with FEMA even if they dont think they need assistance right now.

Ive talked to a lot of business owners who four weeks in have thought, Ive got enough insurance to rebuild, said Koontz.

However, In my experience, you really dont know whats ahead and how much youll have to pay. You may not know what your insurance settlement will be. That process will take time, he said. The SBA can give you a short term cash solution.

As for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, There could be later some kind of assistance that we dont know about today, such as new grant programs. How will they know to call you if you havent registered with FEMA?

Koontz also pointed out that due to other disasters, including the recent string of hurricanes, there is a backlog in the SBA application process.

We help folks on a first come, first serve basis, he noted.

Getting a loan can take up to four weeks. There is no fee to apply and if approved, you dont have to accept the loan, he said.

Dan Aguilar, senior vice president, Mechanics Bank, said the bank was already helping clients in different ways including waving some ATM fees, offering free cashier checks and providing access to safety deposit boxes after keys are lost due to the disaster.

Now were starting to plan for the future, said Aguilar. Specifically, We know capital will be needed for rebuilding.

Construction loans will be critical. Unfortunately, since the great recession fewer banks are offering such loans.

That has got to change, said Aguilar. There needs to be cooperation that is almost unprecedented between regulators, governments and banks so we can be more helpful to our clients. Its a real tall order and something that will be sorely needed.

Michael Cummings, a FEMA spokesman, applauded the coordinated relief efforts already implemented in the area. Those include efforts by the Napa Valley Community Foundation, the California Governors Office of Business and Economic Development and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank)  other agencies also represented at the Chamber event.

In the other disasters hes been involved with, Ive seen many times when this kind of conversation doesnt happen for months or years down the road, Cummings said.

Take advantage of these people up here, he said of the program participants. They are here to help you.

Cummings also noted one silver lining. Sometimes rebuilding after a disaster like the fires can lead to unanticipated improvements.

Ive seen many (areas) come back even stronger after such a disaster, by adding innovation, critical infrastructure improvements, different construction techniques and other technology, he added.
A south Napa County park-to-be with several miles of planned trails looks like it will be as large as its creators envisioned.

The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District is poised to buy an additional 298 acres for Suscol Headwaters Preserve. That will boost the preserve to a total of 709 acres.

Various funding pieces to buy the additional land for $2.6 million came together in time for the Oct. 31 deadline. What remains is for the checks to clear and escrow to close.

District officials say Suscol Headwaters has that classic real estate attribute of location, location, location. Most county residents wont have to travel far to reach it. It includes hills north of Highway 12 at the entrance to Jameson Canyon, near both the city of Napa and American Canyon.

Eighty percent of the population lives within 10 minutes of what will be the trailhead, District General Manager John Woodbury said.

Its unclear when Suscol Headwaters might open to the public. Woodbury said the optimistic view might be a year, if everything falls in place. The preserve could open in phases.

When we open, well make a lot of noise, Woodbury said. Well be so excited its open, well make sure everyone knows.

About half of the property burned in backfires set by firefighters to battle the recent Atlas Fire, Woodbury said. That includes a ridge with sweeping views of the Bay Area.

It was rangeland, he said. A few trees burned. But other than that, the fire was probably a good thing for the environment  chaparral was designed to burn.

People probably wont notice the burned areas as rains turn the land green, he said.

Napa County in one sense owes the Suscol Headwaters expansion to the official state amphibian, the California red-legged frog.

In 2014, Caltrans finished building a wider Highway 12 through the frog habitat of Jameson Canyon. Under endangered species laws, it had to protect frog habitat at another location. The agency is meeting this obligation by contributing $2.1 million toward the Suscol Headwaters expansion purchase.

But the frogs need a pond to live in. The Open Space District will create one at a cost of about $172,000 and has found the site on the preserve.

Its already a natural spring, Woodbury said. Its sort of a pond already. We have to make it a little deeper and larger and get some exclusionary fencing.

No red-legged frogs have been found at the site. Woodbury said the pond might attract them. Also, he said, it might be possible to bring red-legged frogs to the pond.

On Sept. 28, the state Coastal Conservancy contributed another $400,000 needed for the purchase of the additional 298 acres for Suscol Headwaters. The property includes prime steelhead habitat and potential habitat for 63 rare species, an agency report said.

In addition, Suscol Headwaters trails will allow hikers to link with trails to the north, on the Tuteur Ranch and in Skyline Wilderness Park, the report said. The expansion purchase in particular closes a small gap in this system.

The Napa Valley Transportation Authority, Solano Transportation Authority and Open Space District also contributed money to the Suscol Headwaters expansion purchase.

Suscol Headwaters was once part of a large ranch owned by Kirkland Cattle Co., the Coastal Conservancy report said. In 2008, an agricultural investment group bought 2,100 acres.

The investment group now known as Suscol Mountain Vineyards, LLC, has a county permit allowing vineyards to be planted on much of the property. The group agreed to sell part of its land to the Open Space District to become Suscol Headwaters Preserve.

In 2015, the Open Space District bought 411 acres from Suscol Mountain Vineyards for $900,000. Woodbury said the second phase purchase of 298 acres is costing more at $2.6 million because part of this land has vineyard approvals, though no vineyards.
Yountville leaders were poised on Tuesday to order the founder of an Old Town restaurant to replace lettering that was removed from its historic storefront five months ago. But a last-minute letter to the town has put that demand on hold for at least two weeks.

The Town Council was scheduled to vote on a demand that Frank Altamura, co-creator of the Ciccio restaurant at 6770 Washington St., put back the word MARKET that once adorned the century-old building when it housed the Tonascia Market.

A vote in favor would have compelled Altamura to restore the six white block letters to the red wooden facade within 10 days, despite his assertion that the masthead was not original but a much later addition from as late as the 1970s.

However, the vote never took place. Instead, Mayor John Dunbar announced a postponement after a lawyer for Altamura sent the town an eight-page letter  two minutes before the meetings 6 p.m. opening  alleging legal roadblocks to a forced restoration of the grocery-themed signage at Ciccio, which has operated since 2012 as a dinner-only, table-service Italian eatery.

The council then voted to move back discussion of Ciccios future to Nov. 21, although Dunbar suggested those talks would take place in closed session, as state law allows for matters of litigation.

Altamura has fought Yountvilles efforts to return the MARKET lettering to the building, where Tonascia Market, which operated from 1916 to 1983, spent most of its existence.

In August, he convinced the town zoning board to accept the change after the fact after arguing not only that the masthead was added decades after the storefronts opening but also that the signage had been taken down and replaced various times in the last 40 years  and that its continued existence still confuses visitors expecting to find a grocery where none exists. (The building has functioned exclusively as a restaurant since 2000.)

The dispute came to a head during a testy Oct. 17 Town Council meeting in which Altamura accused Yountville leaders of ignoring historical research to justify a popular, if inauthentic, symbol of the towns past  a claim Dunbar angrily denied.

Councilmembers stood firm, saying the removal of the MARKET lettering violated the town permits Altamura had agreed to, whatever his justifications.

I would have been open to that conversation had you been willing to follow the rules the way they are set out for everybody, Dunbar told him last month. I dont feel like you did that.
That sigh you hear is Antonio Villaraigosas relief that Eric Garcetti wont be running for governor next year.

Garcetti, the current mayor of Los Angeles, would have been a strong contender vis-a-vis Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the frontrunner in all polls. But the most immediate beneficiary of Garcettis recent announcement of non-candicacy is Villaraigosa, his predecessor in the mayors office, who has been running second in the polls.

Thats especially true because of the unique dynamics of the states top-two primary system.

Had Garcetti made the run, he would have siphoned not only Southern California voter support, but Southern California money, away from Villaraigosa, who was already having trouble raising the many millions of dollars a California gubernatorial campaign requires.

For both reasons, a Garcetti candidacy would seriously erode Villaraigosas chances  perhaps even erased them  of finishing in the June primarys top two and thus securing a place in the November runoff.

A September poll of potential voters by the Public Policy Institute of California confirmed that Villaraigosa needs strong support in Southern California, and among Latino voters, to have a shot at the November ballot.

Could Garcetti have won it all had he run?

Well never know. While Los Angeles mayors have never done well in their bids for the governorship  Tom Bradley lost twice in the 1980s  Garcetti would have been a formidable candidate.

A mano-y-mano duel with Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco, would have been a high-stakes, high-dollar interregional shootout by two relatively young, ambitious and infinitely glib California politicians that would have elevated the survivor into the ranks of presidential contenders.

So what now for Garcetti?

Hes just 46 and a change in dates for Los Angeles city elections gives him an extra year and a half in the mayors office, allowing him to serve until 2022.

I am passionate about my city and my family; both are here in Los Angeles, he said in one of his tweets announcing his decision. We have a lot of work left to do to build a stronger city, state, and nation and I know I can best build on our progress here in LA.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinsteins declaration for re-election closed out that option for Garcetti  and opened the door for another ambitious young Los Angeles politician, state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, to challenge her for the seat.

Garcetti quickly declared support for Feinstein and could be in the mix for her seat in 2024 if she wins re-election and serves out her six-year term. And he could be in the mix for a Senate appointment by the next governor should Feinstein give up her seat before then, as many political insiders believe is possible or even probable.

Finally, Garcetti may be exploring a presidential run in 2020. Hes visited key primary states, had discussions with key Democratic donors and will travel to South Carolina  site of an early 2020 primary  next year.

I think all the rules are off, he said when asked by a Wisconsin television interviewer in June about a potential presidential run. No African American could be president until one was. No reality star could be president until one is.

Villaraigosa  and Newsom  dont care what Garcetti does next, as long as its not seeking the governorship of California.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - The crumpled hills that cup this southern Ozarks city are dressed in russet, and the hollows are steaming in the chilly dawn. Deer season is here. That's no incidental fact in a place where the forest exerts a primal pull; where men, women and children alike dress in camo at school, Hobby Lobby and the public library; where a scan of the FM radio band finds tips on field-dressing a trophy buck to ensure that the taxidermist has enough skin to work with.

The annual youth hunt was this past weekend, when children 15 and under had shooting privileges. This weekend, the adults take over.

Even after a massacre in a Texas church -- on the heels of a bloodbath in Las Vegas not long after an attack on members of Congress in Virginia while memories were still fresh of a slaughter in Orlando and so on, so horribly on - you won't find much support for new gun-control laws around here. The cultural foundations beneath that sentiment trace through generations. But one essential element is a sense of simple justice: People don't like the idea that they should pay for the offenses of others.

What we have here is a failure to communicate, fueling mistrust and feeding on misunderstanding. Many millions of safety-conscious and law-abiding gun owners don't accept that their rights are to blame for mass murder. They see themselves as living, harmless proof that the gun is not the problem; it's the person holding the gun. "This isn't a guns situation," President Donald Trump said for them after the Texas massacre. ". . . This is a mental-health problem at the highest level."

Think of drunken driving, which kills some 10,000 Americans per year. Is the problem in the driver or the car? The answer seems every bit as obvious to people in places like Mountain Home as the need for more gun laws seems to editorial writers in America's newsrooms. So obvious, in fact, that a lot of them are convinced that gun-control advocates must have some larger, more ominous, agenda in mind.

But suspicion runs both ways, as it so often does. The reflexive shift to mental health has come to feel more like a dodge than a diagnosis. Trump and his supporters would be more credible if they delivered a plan of action worthy of a "problem at the highest level." Instead, from Trump on down, the United States falls short in this department - as any family that has tried to access treatment for a suffering loved one can tell you.

More than half of American adults with mental illness do not receive care, according to Mental Health America's 2017 annual report. This is due in part to widespread shortages of mental-health professionals, who are - due to skewed priorities - among the lowest-paid specialists in the health-care sector.

The problem runs deeper, though. While advocates rightly stress that the vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent, the insidious nature of mental illness dictates that many of the sickest individuals are among the least likely to seek help; the Texas killer, it turns out, escaped from a mental-health facility in 2012. Deficiencies and delusions that make a person dangerous can also blind him to his own madness.

And what if the trouble is even deeper still? The mental malfunctions that can metastasize in mass murder are varied and complicated - killers have shown signs of schizophrenia, sociopathy, depression, bipolar disorder and so on. But almost by definition they betray the self-pity, self-absorption, grandiosity and lack of empathy that define narcissistic personality disorder. As the late Christopher Lasch argued, narcissism may be the defining pathology of the modern age. Our atomized, individualized society, focused on self-fulfillment and drunk on celebrity, brews narcissism as lavishly as $5 coffee and pours it out freely from Rodeo Drive to Pennsylvania Avenue.

In Texas, local law enforcement and the FBI took a small but important step by deciding, after initial briefings, not to speak the name of the Sutherland Springs church killer. Media outlets should join this nascent movement to limit the amount of celebrity conferred on mass murderers. Perhaps fewer narcissists would be motivated to turn their personal pain and failure into deadly spectacles.

But dimming the spotlight won't by itself solve the epidemic of mass shootings. A problem of such an American nature needs a response that brings Americans together, rather than drive us apart. And that will require a change of heart on both sides of the gun-rights divide.

From gun owners, we need a real commitment to safety and responsibility: closing loopholes, respecting background checks, beefing up databases and supporting adequate mental-health funding. With rights come responsibilities, gun rights included.

And from gun controllers, we need a new spirit of genuine respect for the fact that Americans who own firearms are not doing anything wrong. Until they trust you on that fundamental score, you'll get nowhere.
I was born and raised in Napa. When I was 8 years old, two years after I went to live with my grandparents, my grandfather won a baby turkey as one of his prizes for coming in first at a Whist Card Tournament at the local Grange.

The turkey was just a little fluffy, peeping thing in a shoe box when my grandfather handed him to me and said, Violet, I want you to feed and raise this turkey so we can have him for Thanksgiving Dinner. I remember thinking that I had been given a very important task. This turkey would be part of the Thanksgiving Dinner the same way that chickens were often part of our Sunday dinners.

On the Sundays when we were having chicken, Grandpa took one of the chickens from his flock of 1,500. After he killed it, he brought it into the house. That is when Betty and I went into action. Betty was my aunt who had some special physical and mental needs and she was my best friend and helped me with the chicken plucking chore. Betty held the chicken and I pulled its feathers off. When we finished plucking the chicken we put it in the savory pan for Grandpa to prepare it for roasting. When the chicken was cooked, our family enjoyed a very special meal.

As far as I could tell, this turkey I was going to raise with Bettys help would make our Thanksgiving Dinner a very special meal. That meant I could not make any mistakes in raising him. I knew that the first thing I needed to do was to prepare a home for him.

I found a cage that would serve as his home. I put some newspapers on the floor of the cage and I found a couple of dishes I could use for his chicken mash and his water.

When I finished preparing his cage, I put him it. He did not move toward his food or water. He just stood there. Grandma, who had been observing my actions, suggested that I bring the turkeys head down to the water so he would know he was to drink it and then to bring his head down to the mash so he would know he was to eat it.

I was a little nervous about doing that, but I gently put his beak in the water several times. Finally, he drank some water. I did the same for the mash and finally he began to eat. I remember feeling very proud of myself for teaching the little turkey how to eat and drink.

I wasnt sure if I was supposed to keep the turkey by my bed at night so I asked Grandma. She said No, the turkey cannot stay in the house. He needs to be outside. Now that I knew I was raising the turkey outside, I realized I had to find a place for his cage. Grandma suggested that I put his cage somewhere in the garage. That way, the little turkey would have a place to sleep indoors and I would not have to go very far in the morning to feed him and clean his cage. That made sense to me.

All I had to do was find a place in the garage where I could put his cage. As I pondered this issue, a picture of the perfect place flashed before my eyes. The cowboys sleeping room. That room was in the middle of our garage behind the third stall and at the time, we had no cowboys sleeping there. I brought the cage over there and put the cage on one of the cots. Perfect, I said to myself. Then I told the little turkey that this would be his house and that I would come see him in the morning. Every morning after that, before I left for school, I changed his newspaper and gave him clean water and mash. He soon outgrew his cage so I prepared a bigger one for him. When I changed out his cage, Grandpa told me to start giving him regular chicken grains instead of mash. When he outgrew his bigger cage, Grandpa told me I could take him out of the cage and just let him walk around the yard. He said the turkey was used to us by now, so he wouldnt run away.

So I took him out of the cage and put him on the ground. He not only didnt run away, he didnt walk away. He just stood there and looked at me. I wasnt sure what that meant, so I started walking away from him. As soon as I did that, he ran right up to me, like a little dog. From then on, whenever I was outside, the turkey followed me everywhere. It was like I was his mother.

When I went inside the house in daytime, he would lie down outside the washroom door and wait for me to come out. For the first few nights after I let him loose, I had him follow me back to the cowboys sleeping room. I pushed him inside and closed the door so he could stay there overnight. He soon learned, that after I went into the house for the night, he was to go back to the room by himself and find a place there to spend the night. As soon as I went outside in the morning, the turkey ran up and attached himself to me again.

Grandma told me I should ask Auntie Margaret (her sister) to help me straighten out the turkey. Auntie Margaret was a turkey expert. She raised turkeys on her ranch.

Soon after that when we visited Auntie Margaret, I told her about the turkey following me everywhere and asked her what was going on with him. She told me that the turkey had imprinted on me. Violet, she warned me, That is not a good thing for a Thanksgiving Turkey or for you. Now that your Thanksgiving Turkey has become a pet, it is going to be very hard on you when Grandpa kills him for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

I think I understood what she was telling me, but Thanksgiving was still far away. I was mostly interested in the fact that I now had a pet. Since he had become my pet, I needed to give him a name. The only name I could think of for a turkey was Gobble so that became his name. Soon after that, summer came and school was out.

Gobble and I began to spend more time with each other. Gobble literally became my shadow. When I had to go to town with Grandpa, he would watch me get in the car. When we returned and he saw the car coming up the driveway, he would run up to the car and wait for me to get out. Then he would waddle up to me and follow me around everywhere until I had to go into the house for the night.

Gobble became so attached to me that when Grandpa wasnt looking, Grandma would let Gobble follow me into the house. On those occasions, when I saw Grandpa walking toward the house, I would take Gobble out the front door before Grandpa got inside from the washroom door.

When school began in the fall, Gobble learned to walk down the road with me, He watched me get on the bus then walked back up the road to where Betty was waiting for him. In the afternoon, when he heard the bus coming down Vichy Avenue, he would run down the road to greet me when I got off the bus.

Everything was fine with Gobble until November came and I began to hear talk in the family about our upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner. That talk frightened me. Now that Gobble was my pet, the thought of Grandpa killing Gobble became almost unbearable. I was lying awake in bed at night thinking about it. Finally, one day after school I got up enough nerve to talk with Grandma about my fear for Gobble. I explained to Grandma that since he had become my pet, I didnt want us to eat him. She said she understood. I asked if maybe we could get Auntie Margaret to give us one of her turkeys for Thanksgiving. Grandma said she would talk to Grandpa about it. That eased my fears a little, but I kept worrying about it until Thanksgiving Day.

Finally, on Thanksgiving Day, I stopped worrying. That morning Grandma told me that Grandpa had decided that we should eat a different turkey. Gobble remained my pet for several years. Then one day, we noticed that Gobble was limping. His left foot was swollen and infected. Grandpa said he had to put the turkey out of its misery.

I dont know how Grandpa put Gobble out of his misery but I do know that afterward Grandpa had me look in a wheel barrow. Gobble was lying peacefully in there, head intact.

Grandpa told me to get a shovel and wheel Gobble down to our Flat and bury him. I wheeled Gobble down to the Flat and over to the shore of Sarco Creek. It took me a little while but I finally dug a hole large enough to fit Gobble. I gently laid him in it and covered him with the dirt I had dug up. I sat there for a while and cried. Then I said good-bye to him and pushed the wheel barrow back up the hill.

Our family ranch has since been sold and re-sold. Homes have been built and vineyards have been planted where chickens and prune trees had been. Lots of activity has occurred since Gobble was laid to rest there almost 70 years ago. But to this day, I cannot drive down Vichy Avenue without stopping at La Grande Avenue and looking over the Sarco Creek Bridge and wondering if Gobbles bones ever flowed under it.

Violet Hover

Yountville
A Napa Superior Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by neighbors of a McCorkle Avenue housing project who claimed the city wrongly exempted the project from an extensive environmental review.

On Nov. 8 Judge J. Michael Byrne rejected claims by David and Vickie Bradshaw, suing on behalf of the McCorkle Eastside Neighborhood Group, that St. Helenas Planning Department had improperly declared the eight-unit housing project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and that the Planning Commission and City Council had been denied the opportunity to challenge the exemption.

The Bradshaws said they intend to appeal the decision to the First District Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

If you stay with your tentative (ruling in favor of McGrath and the city), were going to be in the appellate court for two to three years, David Bradshaw told the judge during the hearing.

In the meantime, applicant Joe McGrath can continue working on the project. Hes also responsible for paying for the citys legal defense. In a letter to the Star, he said he has spent nearly $250,000 in legal fees.

In a separate statement to the Star, McGrath said hes pleased with the ruling and called the lawsuit a gross perversion of justice.

The Bradshaws never intended to win this case on the merits, he said. Their strategy all along was to send a warning shot to all small, sensitive developers to go elsewhere by effectively attempting to bleed me dry financially until I abandoned the project. Their indication today that they will take this Petition up through the Court of Appeals is further testament to that.

City Attorney Tom Brown declined to comment, saying the ruling speaks for itself.

During public hearings on the project in late 2016 and early 2017, the Bradshaws and other neighbors raised various environmental concerns, including toxic contamination caused by a previous property owner whom neighbors described as a hoarder of old cars and junk.

The county required McGrath to haul away the contaminated soil before starting construction. At the time the project was under review, the cost of the clean-up was estimated at $100,000. Clean-up work costing less than $1 million may still be considered exempt from CEQA.

During public hearings, Planning Director Noah Housh and City Attorney Tom Brown said the project was exempt from CEQA under a provision that exempts infill housing projects. As a result, they said the Planning Commission and City Council should only consider the projects design review, not the broader environmental concerns raised by neighbors.

In his ruling, Byrne agreed that since the project qualified for a CEQA exemption and was considered a permitted use under the citys Municipal Code, staff and the council were correct in limiting their review to matters involving design review.

Byrne also ruled that it was too late for the Bradshaws to introduce new evidence suggesting that the cost of cleaning up the contaminated soil might be higher than previously anticipated.

Even after McGrath excavated 4,500 square feet of contaminated soil to a depth of two feet, samples of the remaining soil still showed elevated levels of chromium-6 and lead, according to an Oct. 30 letter from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, which is monitoring the clean-up.

The cost of the clean-up will still be well under $1 million, according to Amanda Monchamp, McGraths attorney. In a statement, McGrath said the detection of chromium-6 was due to a flawed testing process.
- UN says Millions of people in Yemen are set to die of famine.





- Calls for the coalition blockade to be lifted to allow aid pass through.





- Researchers want world leaders to do more rather than express their concerns in words.

The United Nations has warned that millions of people in war torn Yemen will die as it prepares to face the world's worst famine crisis in decades unless the current blockade set by the Saudi-led military coalition is lifted.





After briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Mark Lowcock, the UN's humanitarian chief, said the move will worsen a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis that has pushed millions to the brink of famine and has caused a mass cholera epidemic.





"I have told the Council that unless those measures are lifted ... there will be a famine in Yemen," Lowcock, who visited Yemen late in October, told reporters on Wednesday.





"It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year, where tens of thousands of people were affected. It will not be like the famine which cost 250,000 people their lives in Somalia in 2011," he added.





"It will be the largest famine the world has seen in many decades, with millions of victims."





Kristine Beckerle, Yemen researcher at Human Rights Watch, said it was "far past time" the members of the UN Security Council "made it very clear" to Yemen's warring sides that there will be "concrete consequences" in cases of obstruction to humanitarian assistance.





"The Council already has a mechanism for sanctioning people in Yemen who are committing gross violations," she told Al Jazeera.





Beckerle said government officials in countries such as the US, UK and France are typically "issuing broad recitations of concern", without, however, acting upon it.





"It's not enough for the US or the UK to say we are worried about famine in Yemen.





"At this point, it's up to the Security Council members, and particularly those allied with Saudi Arabia, to be using all the leverage at their disposal to be pushing these people to actually make changes to the ways in which they are fighting this war and certainly for them to stop impending access to aid."
Southern Illinois Dance Company to showcase many styles

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill.  A blend of distinct elements to form a beautiful conjunction of style  thats Synergy: Southern Illinois Dance Company in Concert.

The dance company started at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1975. This dance concert highlights the companys evolution, spurred as its been by hard work and artistic expression. The concert is 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10, and 2 p.m., Nov. 11, in Shryock Auditorium.

This showcase presents diverse dance styles, including contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop and tribal fusion belly dance. Dancers from the Willow Street Studios Dance Company in Carbondale join as featured performers along with several brand-new members of the SIDC.

SIDC has remained committed to its mission for more than 30 years  promoting and elevating the art of dance by showcasing student, community and faculty dance artists, Lori Merrill-Fink, co-artistic director and director of the University Honors Program, said. The diversity of the show and the powerful performances will keep the audience on their toes.

Darryl Clark is co-artistic director.

Tickets are $12, with student and senior tickets priced at $7, and tickets for those under 15 years old and younger priced at $5. Tickets are available at the door beginning one hour before the performance.
Be it the iconic villain who communicated by tapping on a glass in Karz (1980) or the terrifying saint in Sanyasi (1975), when one heard the name Prem Nath, terror struck every house during the 70s and 80s. The legendary actor, Prem Naths versatility saw him don many hats  he was a frightening villain and a formidable comedian. Dedicating the month of November (which happens to be the month of his birth & death anniversary), Zee Classic, with its proposition Woh Zamana Kare Deewana, will air a four-week festival titled Prem Nath Film Festival starting 11th November 2017. As a part of this special initiative, Zee Classic will showcase an iconic Prem Nath film followed by a special feature created by his son, Monty Nath, titled Amar Prem Nath every Saturday. Amar Prem Nath boasts of never seen before rare interviews of Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Jeeetendra, Shatrughan Sinha, Subhash Ghai, Amrish Puri amongst many others.

View Schedule for the Prem Nath Film Festival

With over 150 movies to his credit, Prem Nath showcased a different style with every movie. While many actors prefer to become heroes, Prem Nath opted to be the dreaded villain. Prem Nath shot to fame with Raj Kapoors directorial debut Aag in 1948 as its parallel lead. However, he preferred to thrill audiences as an antagonist.

The special feature, Amar Prem Nath is a tribute to the actor by his son Monty Nath. A filmmaker himself, the feature is a retelling of his fathers journey in the film industry, and his rise as Indias much-loved villain.

Commenting on the airing of this feature, Monty Nath said, Even in his time, Dad was a visionary. His approach towards movies was very different. He didnt want to be the hero, he just wanted to entertain everyone. He soon realized that playing the antagonist brought him a real thrill. Amar Prem Nath is my way of showing the world what kind of person my father was, and I am really thrilled to be able to share this film with the younger generation and everyone. I would like to sincerely thank Zee Classic for celebrating my fathers life journey!

A little-known fact is that the icon was the maternal uncle of the Kapoor family  Randhir Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor.

Reminiscing the time spent with his maternal-uncle, Randhir Kapoor said, I am very honored, elated and thrilled that Zee Classic is airing a movie on my uncle, Prem Nath. There never was and will never be a replacement, at least not yet, to the kind of entertainer my uncle was. The fondest memory of my uncle was working with him in Bobby. I have done several movies with him but this one, in particular, is very close to my heart. As an uncle, he was very loving and extremely fond of me. I will always be grateful to him.

Shashi Kapoor said, He would work as an extra for Rs.75. His lunch usually comprised of sugarcane juice and ground nuts. I still remember that he and my elder brother, Raj, would travel in a rickshaw with loudspeakers to publicize the play in small towns. Raj Kapoor and Prem Nathji were not only related but also enjoyed each others company; they were young and full of enthusiasm. They would say, Come on people, come watch the play presented by Prithvi theatres with famous actors  Raj Kapoor and Prem Nath. They would seldom mention the name of Prithviraj Kapoor. After getting his first break in the movie Ajit, he had to return to where it all began. When RK films was being conceptualized, it comprised of the theatre group members like Shankar Jai Kishan, Ram Ganguly and Prem Nath himself.

Rishi Kapoor said, I havent seen any actor emote so well in my entire career. When the tailor brought the clothes for the role of Jack Breganza in the movie Bobby, Prem Nath uncle looked extremely disappointed and said that it wouldnt go well with the character. In a huff, he stepped into the car and drove off. Everybody on the sets thought that he was upset until he returned an hour later. He was carrying a bag with a very old suit of his and said, This is the suit that will go well with the character of Jack Breganza. To essay the role of Jack Breganza, he lived among the fishermen to learn and understand the way they live and behave and observe the way they dress. He would really immerse himself in the character he was playing.

View Schedule for the Prem Nath Film Festival

Shatrughan Sinha said, I have seen many of his films and admired his work like Barsaat, Rustom Sohrab and Aan have been terrific films. What made him stand out was that whatever he did, he was original. He was a very daring, authoritative powerful and an excellent man. He never aped anyone and neither was he jealous of any actor, in fact, even the greatest actors would feel inferior to him. They say nobody is indispensable but with Prem Nathji that holds no truth.

Dharmendra said, His manliness was often the talk of the town and as college students, we would always say that one should have a physique like Prem Nathji. Prem Nathji would do his stunts himself and never used a body double. For the fight scene with him in the movie Loafer, he asked me not to use a stuntman and that we would do the fight scene ourselves. I agreed although I was afraid that he is older to me and may get hurt.

Dilip Kumar said, He had the facility to do many different roles. Everybody was elated that Bina Rai and Prem Nath got married.

Manoj Kumar said, He played the role of a villain opposite his closest friend. The villains role overshadowed the heros role and left a lasting impression. He was not jack of all traits but the master of all traits. He knew 72 raagas. In the film industry, there is no actor who even knew 12 raagas.

Parikshit Sahni said, He had written three books in Hindi and English. One was titled Tears of the Heart, and in Hindi he had written Shraddhanjali. The books reflected his maturity.

Subhash Ghai said, He had perfect timing and a fabulous knowledge of music. He had become so famous that producers would shiver at the thought of approaching him. Prem Nathji has played a very big role in my career. For my first movie, Kaalicharan, I did not know whom to cast for the role of the Inspector General, which was the most difficult role of the movie. My director refused to speak to Prem Nathji and asked me to convince him. My director also said that he may not like to work with a newcomer. After narrating the script to him at 4 am, he shook hands with me and said that the movie will be a super hit and thats when I asked him to essay the character of IG.

Prem Chopra said, He was highly knowledgeable; you could discuss any topic with him. He was a very dedicated and devoted actor. Whenever given a role, he would research thoroughly to understand that character.

Along with these celebrities, the documentary will also feature inputs from other celebrated actors who have spoken about the actor at length. These include actors Shammi Kapoor, Amrish Puri, Ajit, Pran, Vinod Khanna, Dara Singh, Feroz Khan, Beena Rai, Sunil Dutt, Om Prakash, etc.

Schedule for the Prem Nath Film Festival

Date Day Time Movie Time Documentary 11-Nov Saturday 8:30 AM Kaalicharan 11:30 AM Amar Prem Nath Part 1 18-Nov Saturday 8:30 AM Kabeela 11:30 AM Amar Prem Nath Part 2 25-Nov Saturday 8:30 AM Gautam Govinda 11:30 AM Amar Prem Nath Part 3 2-Dec Saturday 8:00 AM Johny Mera Naam 11:30 AM Amar Prem Nath Part 4

To reminisce Prem Naths incredible film journey, tune in to watch Prem Nath Film Festival followed by a special feature Amar Prem Nath at 11:30 AM on Zee Classic every Saturday starting 11th November
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 02:11:32|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Marios Blanas and his companion dog start hunt truffle in Peloponnese, southwest Greece on Nov. 5, 2017. At an altitude of 1,500 meters, 51-year-old Marios Blanas and his companion dog Lacta, an Italian Griffon, start their routine day hunting "black diamonds", the valuable delicacy of truffles in Menalon Mountain, in Peloponnese, southwest Greece. (Xinhua/Lefteris Partsalis)

by Alexia Vlachou

ATHENS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- At an altitude of 1,500 meters, 51-year-old Marios Blanas and his companion dog Lacta, an Italian Griffon, start their routine day hunting "black diamonds", the valuable delicacy of truffles to be found in Menalon Mountain, in Peloponnese, southwest Greece.

Known to the French as the "black diamonds of gastronomy", while Greece does not have a truffle hunting tradition like France and Italy, the situation has changed radically over the last ten years.

As an alternative activity during the economic crisis that hit Greece, many turned to truffles, one of the most expensive foods in the world, especially in the mountains of central and northern Greece.

According to Blanas, in Peloponnese and in the mountainous Arcadia region, there are only two or three truffle hunters. Not many know that these treasures are buried in the fertile soil of Menalon mountain, and truffle hunting is not an easy job.

First, the truffle hunter has to find the right place, then he lets the dog do the rest by guiding it properly. Truffles grow wild, underground, usually at the base of a tree.

"The dog can detect the truffle smell that comes out only from those truffles that are mature enough," Blanas told Xinhua in a recent truffle hunting demonstration with his trained dog Lacta.

Trained to sniff this rare underground treasure, the dog starts digging the ground to bring it up to the surface. As soon as Lacta finds the truffle, the hunter takes it away before she can ruin it.

Before becoming a truffle hunter, Blanas ran his own company in the construction sector in Athens, but he lost everything after the outbreak of the debt crisis in late 2009.

Moving to Kalamata with his wife, he decided to start over. To support his family, Blanas began to explore truffle hunting five years ago.

As his great grandparents' origins were a traditional village located in a fir tree forest in Menalon Mountain, he rented a small house there and started his truffle venture.

He stays up to four days a week on the mountain, hunting with his dogs for truffles around six to eight hours every day. On the other days, he supplies the special delicacy to his customers, mainly restaurants in Athens, Kalamata, and Greek Islands like Mykonos and Santorini.

How much does truffle cost? "800 euros per kilogram," he said.

A restaurant orders up to around four kg per month. Blanas can collect up to 100 kg of truffles in an year, but this year has not been good for him due to long periods of drought.

"It is not easy, that's why there are not so many truffle hunters in the region and in Greece in general," he told Xinhua.

Truffle hunting is not a low-cost activity.

When Blanas started, he had a dachshund named Clio. Later, he got Lacta for 8,000 euros from Italy, and now he has a total of six dogs that help him in hunting. He trained all of them himself to save on costs.

During autumn and winter, he hikes up to an altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 meters to find wild truffles called tuber melanosporum, while in spring and summer he starts from sea level up to 500 meters to collect the tuber aestivum truffle.

Despite the difficulties, he enjoys every second he has with his companions in nature.

In the future, he would like to combine truffle hunting with providing small seminars or demonstrations to visitors, Blanas said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 02:36:44|Editor: yan

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OSLO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Norwegian Fishermen's Association has asked the authorities to legalize the fishing of "endangered" porbeagle sharks, a move strongly criticized by the world's leading organization in wildlife conservation, public broadcaster NRK reported Wednesday.

According to the association, there are more porbeagles in the sea and that is why the fishermen asked the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to allow fishing of this species of mackerel shark.

"We want, of course, to take care of all the species in the ocean. But when we see that it is a resource that is not exploited, we must take the opportunities that the ocean gives," said Kjell Ingebrigtsen, leader of the Norwegian Fishermen's Accociation.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reacted strongly against this preposition, calling the porbeagle an endangered species.

"It is very sad that people want to fish more of an endangered shark kind. The fishermen's association believes the stock is most likely on the way up, but the knowledge and international red list show that stocks throughout Europe are endangered and in decrease," said Fredrik Myhre, advisor for fisheries and marine conservation at WWF-Norway.

"If the stock should show signs of improvement, that does not automatically mean that people should fish more. It is not the case that we should keep the porbeagle stock at an artificially low and critical level," Myhre said.

The porbeagle can be three meters long and around 200 kg heavy. Although it is the most common mackerel shark in Norwegian waters, it has not been caught much since 1970.

Viable porbeagle can, according to the Institute of Marine Research, only be taken as bycatch and set free during recreational fishing. There is little tradition of eating porbeagle in Norway, and in the past it was exported mostly to central Europe as a delicacy.

According to Ingebrigtsen, the market asks for this type of fish, whose catch was so large before that the fishermen had their own sales team in Norway.

The fishermen's team wants a regulation and the leader of the Norwegian Fishermen's Association said the amount of bycatch shows that this is not an endangered species.

"The regulation does not allow fishermen to fish it. This means that we miss important value creation along the coast. The Norwegian Fishermen's Association and the fishermen would never suggest fishing fish for which there is no biological fundament," Ingebrigtsen said.

Myhre, however, believes that it is the fishermen's association that creates a market for the fish.

"This is an attempt to create legitimacy to fish such highly endangered species. WWF expects Norwegian fisheries authorities to continue to take care of the porbeagle in line with international obligations," he said.
File Photo: A United Nations chemical weapons expert, wearing a gas mask, holds a plastic bag containing samples from one of the sites of an alleged chemical weapons attack in the Ain Tarma neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria, Aug. 29, 2013. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a joint statement with his British, French and German counterparts on Wednesday that "robust international response" and actions are needed so that "those responsible for the use of chemical weapons" in Syria "will be held accountable."

FOUR NATIONS: ROBUST INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE, ACTIONS

In a statement with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Tillerson said the four countries "have full trust" in the findings of a report released on Oct. 26 by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM).

The report concluded that the Syrian government is responsible for the use of sarin in Khan Shaykhun on April 4 of 2017, and that the Islamic State was responsible for a sulfur mustard attack on the town of Um Housh in September 2016 on two consecutive days.

"We have full trust in the JIM's findings, its professionalism and independence," said Tillerson. Adding Syria "violated international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention."

"We condemn this heinous act and demand that the Syrian regime immediately cease any and all use of chemical weapons and finally declare to the OPCW all chemical weapons that it possesses," said the U.S. top diplomat. "We condemn the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere."

The four nations said that "it is vital for the international community to continue to investigate cases where chemical weapons have been used in Syria" and urged the UN Security Council to "maintain the JIM's investigative capacity."

"We also call on the OPCW Executive Council to take action in response to the JIM report to send an unequivocal signal that those responsible for the use of chemical weapons will be held accountable," he added.

"A robust international response is now essential to hold those responsible to account, seek justice for the victims of these abhorrent attacks and to prevent such attacks from happening again," said the four foreign ministers. "After such a report, the Security Council and all its members have a common responsibility to protect the international non-proliferation regime and live up to their previous commitments."

RUSSIA: INVESTIGATION "UNPROFESSIONAL"

Last week, Russia blocked a UN Security Council draft resolution on the extension of the JIM mandate, citing the need to examine its latest report which the Foreign Ministry called "superficial and unprofessional."

Moscow also said on Nov. 2 that it will agree to continue a UN investigation into use of chemical weapons in Syria if the quality of the group's work drastically improves.

"We are for the extension because the very fact of using chemical substances as a weapon is a totally unacceptable phenomenon for us, and I hope, for our many partners in the UN Security Council," said Mikhail Ulyanov, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Nonproliferation and Arms Control Department.

But the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) created to investigate chemical attacks in Syria "should really start working, not as it is doing now," he said at a press conference.

Ulyanov and experts from Russia's Defense Ministry and Industry and Trade Ministry provided at the press conference technical proof that the Syrian government was innocent of perpetrating the chemical attack, contrary to the report's allegation.

They said that members of the JIM based their conclusions on secondary and unconvincing evidence, without personally visiting the location of the incident.

Ulyanov said that Russia later on Thursday would present its own draft resolution at the UN Security Council on the extension of the JIM mandate with recommendations for the UN General Secretary and the OPCW head.

A chemical attack was reportedly launched on Khan Sheikhoun in Syria on April 4 and killed dozens of people. The Syrian government has repeatedly dismissed Western accusations of its responsibility.

The Khan Sheikhoun attack prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to launch missile strikes on Syria's air base in Shayrat, which Western governments say was used to launch the gas attack.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 03:37:07|Editor: liuxin

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Priti Patel delivers her keynote speech during the Conservative Party Annual Conference 2017 in Manchester, Britain on Oct. 3, 2017. Priti Patel resigned on Nov. 8, 2017 as UK international development secretary amid controversy over her undeclared meetings with Israeli officials, local media reported. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Priti Patel resigned Wednesday as UK international development secretary amid controversy over her undeclared meetings with Israeli officials, local media reported.

Patel become the second cabinet member who resigned within a week.

She was ordered back from an official trip in Africa by the prime minister and summoned to Downing Street, amid questions about earlier private meetings.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 04:32:25|Editor: yan

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LUANDA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Angolan Public Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday called for sentences of three to four years for four of six Angolans accused of belonging to terrorist organizations and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group.

The call was made by prosecutor Jose Henriques during presentation of final allegations at the trial of the six Angolans, five of whom have been in custody for almost a year.

However, the defense called for the acquittal of all the defendants, aged between 23 and 39, whose sentence is scheduled for Nov. 22.

The Public Prosecutor's magistrate said that the trial, which has been held since Oct. 16 in Luanda Provincial Court, "reiterated most of the accusations" on those involved.

According to the magistrate, the remaining defendants "must be acquitted and set free."

Sebastiao Assurreira, one of the defense lawyers, said "all defendants should be acquitted and not just two."

The six, including a woman awaiting trial in freedom, face charges under the 2011 Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.

According to the indictment, the suspects founded a "radical Islamist group called 'Street Da Was'" in 2015, disseminating "issues of a radical nature" through social networks.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 05:17:35|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senator Steve Daines and ranchers from the northwestern state of Montana on Wednesday applauded a 300-million-U.S. dollar beef deal between Chinese commerce giant JD.com and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA).

"This landmark agreement has the potential to substantially increase Montana opportunity and agricultural exports to the fastest growing overseas market for beef," Daines said in a statement.

JD signed the agreement with Errol Rice, executive vice president of MSGA, on Wednesday in Beijing as U.S. President Donald Trump began his three-day state visit to China.

According to the terms in the memorandum of agreement (MOA), JD intends to import Montana-sourced beef from member companies of MSGA to China and directly sell to Chinese consumers through its e-commerce platform. Bank of China will provide financial services to facilitate these imports and settlement process.

The procurement agreement is for an initial three years starting from Jan. 1, 2018, with a minimum commitment of 200 million dollars in beef to be imported by JD from MSGA members. It is estimated that JD's purchase will increase Montana beef export sales by as much as 40 percent in 2018.

JD also intends to invest up to another 100 million dollars to build a brand-new slaughter house and feedlot infrastructure in Montana to help set up its supply chain there, with construction beginning as early as the spring of 2018.

Following reopening Chinese markets to U.S. beef earlier this year, ranchers in Montana are eager to tap the huge potential of Chinese markets, which have around 300 million middle class consumers.

"While there's a lot of work that needs to be done, this MOA represents a great step in the right direction for selling more U.S. beef in China and developing productive relationships between Montana ranchers and Chinese consumers," said Rice.

The agreement follows an agricultural roundtable meeting in early September between a Chinese delegation and Montana farmers and ranchers, hosted by Daines at the Morgan Ranch House, near downtown Bozeman, Montana.

Fred Wacker, owner of Cross Four Ranch in Miles City, Montana, said at the meeting that it would cost him about 80 dollars a head to send cattle to feedlots and processing plants in the Midwest, so as to ship beef products to China and other overseas markets. He would like to seek partnership with Chinese companies to build a world-class processing plant in Montana.

"It's a really smart place for China to put in investment and to partner with Montana to have a really good packing industry and processing plant here," Wacker said, arguing that would help bring down logistic costs and guarantee stable supply of high quality beef to China, a win-win deal for both sides.

Officials and staff from China's embassy in the United States, China General Chamber of Commerce - U.S.A., and Bank of China (USA) all offered advice for identifying potential Chinese companies to partner with Montana on the processing plant and build brand awareness.

"The MOA shows how much interest there is in China for high quality cattle and beef from Montana," said Wacker, adding "China's market has the potential to be a game-changer for Cross Four Ranch and Montana ranchers more broadly."

"If we're going to grow our economy in Montana, we need to grow our agricultural community. China is the second largest beef import market in the world. This is a tremendous opportunity for Montana," echoed Danies.

The agreement is also a part of an overall commitment by JD to purchase two billion U.S. dollars of goods across a wide range of categories, including pork from Smithfield Foods, over three years.

"These groundbreaking agreements bring together two of America's most trusted and in-demand meat suppliers with China's leading e-commerce platform, to the benefit of both U.S. producers and Chinese consumers," said Richard Liu, chairman and CEO of JD.com.

The beef and pork will be cold-chain transported from the United States and stored in JD's own warehouses in China, according to the commerce giant. JD's extensive cold chain logistics capabilities will ensure the U.S. meat products arrive at customers' doors safely and rapidly.

Chinese consumers have a mounting appetite for fresh and high-quality meat products. In the first half of 2017, volume from direct sales of meat on JD increased more than 780 percent year-over-year, with imported meat accounting for more than 30 percent of those sales. The beef agreement reflected that economic cooperation between China and the United States could bring win-win results to companies and peoples of the two countries, experts said.

"As long as both sides have the intention of creating a win-win solution, respect the issues each is facing, and proactively and constructively resolve them, this will push the U.S.-China trade relation to be more fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial," said Dominic Ng, chairman and CEO of East West Bank.

China has become the largest trade partner of the United States, while the U.S. is China's second largest. Bilateral trade surged to 519.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2016 from 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 1979 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 05:32:40|Editor: yan

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RABAT, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The MEDays International Forum has kicked off on Wednesday in the Moroccan city of Tangier to tackle global economic, political upheavals.

Themed "From defiance to challenges: the era of upheavals," the forum brings together more than 3,000 participants and 150 high-level speakers, including current and former heads of states and government representatives, ministers, political decision-makers, business leaders, academics as well as civil society and media representatives.

The four-day forum receives the Chairperson of the African Union and Guinean President Alpha Conde as the guest of honor of its 10th edition.

The new economic power of Africa, sustainable development priorities, and the current geopolitical world order, are among the topics of the MEDays 2017 Forum.

Sessions dedicated to sustainable development will examine among others world energy policy and social topics such as sustainable smart cities as well as the health sector and education system in Africa.

As for the geopolitical discussions, the forum will also be focused on relations between the United States and the Islamic world in the era of President Trump, cyber-war and transnational threats as well as the European Union challenges due to Brexit.

Finally, the forum will look at national and regional concerns such as the sessions dedicated to Morocco's membership to Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, challenges of the energy independence in western Africa.

The forum has become one of the main international geo-strategic events in Africa and in the Arab World.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 06:48:01|Editor: liuxin

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HELSINKI, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- People in Finland could in the future get married on the internet, without having to go to meet a civil servant at a Magistrates Office. The vista came on Wednesday from the Finnish Innovation Fund, SITRA.

The digitization of "tying the knot" was part of a report about the future of magistrates offices, made by former member of parliament Jouni Backman.

There are currently nine magistrates in Finland, giving employment to 600 people. Backman concluded that the advancement of digitization has reduced the importance of the physical existence of the magistrates offices.

In Finland, the law requires that people notify their addresses, but these days citizens give the information via the internet.

"Need for magistrates offices would be further reduced, if people could get married on the internet as well," Backman concluded. He suggested that magistrates would merge with the Finnish Population Registry in 2020.

Besides magistrate staffers, also priests of religious organizations continue to have the right to confirm marriages. Backman did not take a stand on the future use of the internet in marriages administered by religious organizations.

On receiving the report from Backman, Minister for Municipal Affairs and Reforms Anu Vehvilainen promised "rapid decisions" about the future. Also the Finnish Population Registry welcomed the plan and said it would improve customer service and the development of digital service.

There was no immediate comment from religious organizations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 07:03:03|Editor: liuxin

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MEXICO CITY, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Mexican negotiators in North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks will defend the country's stance on maintaining current automotive rules of origin requirements, said Eduardo Solis, president of the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA), on Wednesday.

"Our proposal is unique and we are not preparing any other," said Solis at a press conference after revealing Mexico's automotive statistics for October.

Negotiators from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will meet from Nov. 17-21 in Mexico City for the fifth round of NAFTA renegotiation talks, which is set to tackle some of the most controversial topics.

The fourth round finished in Washington on Oct. 17, with new challenges facing Canada and Mexico over differences concerning U.S. proposals.

In terms of automotive rules of origin, Mexico and Canada have stood firm on their desire to maintain them at their current levels, 62.5 percent for vehicles and 60 percent for autoparts.

However, the U.S. government is seeking to raise this to 85 percent, including 50 percent reserved for the United States.

Solis said the U.S. demands were unacceptable, and said that current levels had proven to be successful for all three NAFTA partners.

Besides rules of origin, the fifth round will tackle other hard topics such as local content for the textile industry, government purchasing, agricultural trade, and the elimination of a chapter on dispute resolution.

"It seems to me that the serious negotiation is just starting," explained the AMIA chief.

Mexico, Canada and the U.S. have been renegotiating NAFTA since August, at the request of Trump, who feels the agreement has hurt American interests.
Photo taken on Nov. 2, 2017 shows a local resident marinating beef that imported from the United States, in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senator Steve Daines and ranchers from the northwestern state of Montana on Wednesday applauded a 300-million-U.S. dollar beef deal between Chinese commerce giant JD.com and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA).

"This landmark agreement has the potential to substantially increase Montana opportunity and agricultural exports to the fastest growing overseas market for beef," Daines said in a statement.

JD signed the agreement with Errol Rice, executive vice president of MSGA, on Wednesday in Beijing as U.S. President Donald Trump began his three-day state visit to China.

According to the terms in the memorandum of agreement (MOA), JD intends to import Montana-sourced beef from member companies of MSGA to China and directly sell to Chinese consumers through its e-commerce platform. Bank of China will provide financial services to facilitate these imports and settlement process.

The procurement agreement is for an initial three years starting from Jan. 1, 2018, with a minimum commitment of 200 million dollars in beef to be imported by JD from MSGA members. It is estimated that JD's purchase will increase Montana beef export sales by as much as 40 percent in 2018.

JD also intends to invest up to another 100 million dollars to build a brand-new slaughter house and feedlot infrastructure in Montana to help set up its supply chain there, with construction beginning as early as the spring of 2018.

Following reopening Chinese markets to U.S. beef earlier this year, ranchers in Montana are eager to tap the huge potential of Chinese markets, which have around 300 million middle class consumers.

"While there's a lot of work that needs to be done, this MOA represents a great step in the right direction for selling more U.S. beef in China and developing productive relationships between Montana ranchers and Chinese consumers," said Rice.

The agreement follows an agricultural roundtable meeting in early September between a Chinese delegation and Montana farmers and ranchers, hosted by Daines at the Morgan Ranch House, near downtown Bozeman, Montana.

Fred Wacker, owner of Cross Four Ranch in Miles City, Montana, said at the meeting that it would cost him about 80 dollars a head to send cattle to feedlots and processing plants in the Midwest, so as to ship beef products to China and other overseas markets. He would like to seek partnership with Chinese companies to build a world-class processing plant in Montana.

"It's a really smart place for China to put in investment and to partner with Montana to have a really good packing industry and processing plant here," Wacker said, arguing that would help bring down logistic costs and guarantee stable supply of high quality beef to China, a win-win deal for both sides.

Officials and staff from China's embassy in the United States, China General Chamber of Commerce - U.S.A., and Bank of China (USA) all offered advice for identifying potential Chinese companies to partner with Montana on the processing plant and build brand awareness.

"The MOA shows how much interest there is in China for high quality cattle and beef from Montana," said Wacker, adding "China's market has the potential to be a game-changer for Cross Four Ranch and Montana ranchers more broadly."

"If we're going to grow our economy in Montana, we need to grow our agricultural community. China is the second largest beef import market in the world. This is a tremendous opportunity for Montana," echoed Danies.

The agreement is also a part of an overall commitment by JD to purchase two billion U.S. dollars of goods across a wide range of categories, including pork from Smithfield Foods, over three years.

"These groundbreaking agreements bring together two of America's most trusted and in-demand meat suppliers with China's leading e-commerce platform, to the benefit of both U.S. producers and Chinese consumers," said Richard Liu, chairman and CEO of JD.com.

The beef and pork will be cold-chain transported from the United States and stored in JD's own warehouses in China, according to the commerce giant. JD's extensive cold chain logistics capabilities will ensure the U.S. meat products arrive at customers' doors safely and rapidly.

Chinese consumers have a mounting appetite for fresh and high-quality meat products. In the first half of 2017, volume from direct sales of meat on JD increased more than 780 percent year-over-year, with imported meat accounting for more than 30 percent of those sales. The beef agreement reflected that economic cooperation between China and the United States could bring win-win results to companies and peoples of the two countries, experts said.

"As long as both sides have the intention of creating a win-win solution, respect the issues each is facing, and proactively and constructively resolve them, this will push the U.S.-China trade relation to be more fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial," said Dominic Ng, chairman and CEO of East West Bank.

China has become the largest trade partner of the United States, while the U.S. is China's second largest. Bilateral trade surged to 519.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2016 from 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 1979 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 07:58:10|Editor: liuxin

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HOUSTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Some members of the Texas Legislature on Wednesday pushed for their fellow legislators and other top officials to examine whether the state's gun laws need to be changed.

At a news conference organized by Texas Gun Sense at the state capitol, State Reps. Poncho Nevarez and Nicole Collier urged state leaders to declare gun violence a public health issue and reform existing gun regulations.

According to the Houston Public Media, Collier urged state leaders to declare gun violence a public health issue, comparing it to other health crises such as obesity and the opioid epidemic.

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa spoke at the same news conference, offering a list she authored of steps to prevent gun violence. Her suggestions include increasing public education on safe gun usage and requiring a license to carry for long guns.

The press conference came a day after state Rep. Jason Villalba urged state leaders to create a bipartisan commission tasked with recommending "common sense" gun reforms ahead of the next scheduled legislative session in 2019.

Nevarez and Hinojosa stressed that they did not advocate eliminating Texans' access to guns. Nevarez did, however, criticize state leaders for not offering "anything that amounts to any real solution" to gun violence.

Texas public safety officials said 26 people were killed after gunman Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire on Sunday at a church in Sutherland Springs, a community of fewer than 400 residents and about 300 km west of Houston.

The gunman was later found dead nearby in his car, apparently of a gunshot wound, after he fled the scene.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 08:33:14|Editor: liuxin

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SYDNEY, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have discovered a new type of cell in the eye of a deep-sea fish, offering a new understanding of vision in low-light conditions.

The team from the University of Queensland found the new type of cell in pearlside fish, a tropical species usually found deep in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Pearlsides are different from most deep-sea fish in that they are mostly active at dusk and dawn compared to most fish living at depths greater than 200 meters which are active in the dark.

Fanny de Busserolles, a researcher from the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland, said that the retina of most vertebrates are made up of rods for vision in dim light and cones for daytime vision.

"Previously it was thought that pearlsides had retinas composed entirely of rods, but our new study has found this isn't the case," Busserolles said in a media release on Thursday.

"Humans use their cones during the day and rods at night, but during twilight, although not ideal, we use a combination of both.

"Pearlsides, being active mainly during twilight, have developed a completely different solution.

"Instead of using a combination of rods and cones, they combine aspects of both cells into a single and more efficient photoreceptor type."

The research discovered that the cells, which they named "rod-like cones," were perfectly suited for the unique light conditions the fish experience.

"(The study) improves understanding of how different animals see the world and how vision might have helped them to conquer even the most extreme environments, including the deep sea," lead researcher Justin Marshall said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 09:18:24|Editor: liuxin

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by Faird Behbud

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- War-weary Afghans continue to face numerous adversities originating from militancy and terrorist activities in addition to widespread corruption, intense poverty and devastating addictions.

The recent internal clashes between two rival militant groups of the Taliban and Islamic State (IS) have added considerably to the miseries of the Afghan villagers.

"Our living conditions are becoming intolerable following clashes between Taliban insurgents and IS fighters," Abdul Quddos, a displaced villager, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"The clashes forced villagers to flee their homes despite the harsh winter drawing near. We are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance to survive the upcoming bone-chilling winter," said Quddos.

More than 2,000 families have recently been displaced and fled to neighboring provinces.

This has been as a result of IS-affiliated militants, during a ferocious two-month campaign, repelling the Taliban and taking control of their key bases held for eight years in the restive Qushtipa and Darzab districts of Jawzjan province, in northern Afghanistan, according to local officials.

Hundreds of internally displaced families are now living under tents in the vicinity of the provincial capital Shiberghan city and surrounding villages, with the mercury plunging daily as winter approaches.

While both IS and the Taliban have suffered heavy losses following the clashes in the troubled districts, it is the local people who are predominantly paying the price, since the skirmishes began two months ago.

"After eight years of dominance, the Taliban lost control of their key bases to the IS militants in the Darzab and Qushtipa districts, following the two-month clash, forcing more than 2,000 families to leave their houses," deputy provincial Governor Abdul Rahman told Xinhua Monday.

After taking control of the two strategic districts from the Taliban, the IS militants stripped the local people of their possessions.

The IS fighters took more than 500 livestock by force from the residents during the mass exodus, it was reported.

Quddos, who is barely existing in a poorly erected tent in the Shiberghan locality, said that when the battle started between the two rival groups, only women and children managed to escape the conflict zone, along with the elderly.

"When IS came, they checked my pockets and even took a five afghani (about 7 U.S. cents) banknote and then angrily asked under whose rule were we happy? But we couldn't respond out of fear," he said.

Shah Wali is another victim displaced by the protracted conflicts in the Qushtipa district who said IS fighters torched his harvest after he refused to repay the levies, as he had already paid taxes to the Taliban.

"The brutal IS fighters, soon after entering the district, burned my harvest to ashes and beat me almost unconscious," Wali said.

Up to 10 children and three elderly people have so far lost their lives due to cold and hunger in Jawzjan in past weeks, according to local reports.

The deputy governor, who has pledged to launch a clean-up operation in the two districts, however, while confirming that some children and elderly people had died, did not provide exact figures.

The Islamic State, since its emergence in 2015, in some eastern border provinces of Afghanistan, not only began fighting against the Afghan security forces, but also opposed the Taliban hardliner outfit.

Hundreds of fighters from both sides have been killed or wounded in the two key rivals' conflicts, in the areas under both groups' control.

More than 1.1 million people have been displaced by the conflict over the past 16 years in militancy-plagued Afghanistan, with over 250,000 people being displaced so far this year, according to statistics released by Afghan officials.

The government has been providing humanitarian assistance and temporary shelters to displaced families across the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 09:28:27|Editor: liuxin

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TOKYO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's core private-sector machinery orders declined 8.1 percent in September from a month earlier to 810.5 billion yen (7.11 billion U.S. dollars), the Cabinet Office said in a report on Thursday.

Private-sector machinery orders, excluding volatile ones for ships and from electric power companies, decreased a seasonally adjusted 8.1 percent in September, the Cabinet Office said.

The total value of machinery orders received by 280 manufacturers in Japan dropped by 10.2 percent in the recording period from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Cabinet Office said.

For the July-September period, orders increased by 7.3 percent compared with the previous quarter, the government report showed.

Looking ahead to the October-December period, the total amount of machinery orders is expected to fall by 1.9 percent and private-sector orders, excluding volatile ones, are projected to retreat by 3.5 percent from the previous quarter, according to the Cabinet Office.

Machinery orders are a key advance indicator for corporate capital spending and the government uses the data to predict the strength of business spending in a six to nine months period ahead and such business investment accounts for roughly 15 percent of Japan's gross domestic product.

Types of machinery included in the monthly government survey comprise engines and turbines, heavy electrical machinery, electronic and communication equipment, industrial machinery, machine tools, railway rolling stock, road vehicles, aircraft, ships, water crafts, as well as sub types in the aforementioned categories.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 10:08:41|Editor: liuxin

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) official warned on Wednesday that there will be a devastating famine in Yemen unless the current air, sea and land blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition is lifted.

"It will be the largest famine the world hasn't seen for many decades, with millions of victims," Mark Lowcock, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, told reporters after he briefed the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Lowcock asked for five steps to avert the imminent humanitarian tragedy, including a resumption of flights by the UN and partners to Yemeni cities Sanaa and Aden, assurances that the air services will not be disrupted, and an agreement on the pre-positioning of the World Food Program vessel in the waters off Aden and assurances that its functions will not be disrupted.

The rest of the steps are a resumption of humanitarian and commercial access to all seaports of Yemen, especially for essential supplies, and a scaling back of interference with all vessels that have passed UN inspection so that they can proceed to ports in Yemen as rapidly as possible.

The humanitarian chief was asked to brief the Security Council, which held a closed-door meeting over Yemen at the request of the Swedish Mission to the UN.

Yemen has been in civil war since 2015, pitting Sanaa-based Houthi forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against forces of the incumbent government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, based in Aden. A Saudi-led coalition uses airstrikes to restore the Hadi government.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 10:33:47|Editor: Mengjie

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by He Jing

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of 21 Pacific rim economies are set to renew their endeavors to advance regional integration and forge stronger partnership at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Chinese initiatives that emphasize the concepts of openness, cooperation and sharing in global economic governance are believed to steer APEC members toward achieving their development goals and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

LEADING ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

The Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), a manifestation of China's steadfast pursuit for globalization, has been envisioned as a major instrument for ensuring an open economy in the Asia-Pacific amid worries over trade protectionism and lack of growth momentum.

Hailed as "a strategic initiative critical for the long-term prosperity of the Asia-Pacific" by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit in Lima, Peru, last year, the FTAAP has been gaining steam especially after a collective study on the trade bloc was approved at the 2016 APEC Summit in Lima, the first substantial step toward its eventual realization.

"We need to stick to our agenda and take more effective actions to realize the FTAAP at an early date, thus bringing about an Asia-Pacific economy with greater openness," Xi stressed.

By encompassing all 21 APEC economies through trade liberalization, the FTAAP, once established, will become the world's largest free trade zone, covering 57 percent of the global economy and nearly half of world trade.

"The FTAAP, being highly inclusive, can embrace economies at different levels of development and fully accommodate their development needs and comfortability, and once established, will deliver economic gains dwarfing any existing regional FTAs," Zhang Jun, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, has said.

Promoting the FTAAP on the basis of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a very ideal plan as the TPP is in an impasse and the RCEP also faces big challenges due to different levels of development in its member economies, Wang Jiangyu, associate professor at Faculty of Law of National University of Singapore, opined.

The RCEP is a free trade pact involving the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and six other countries -- China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

China can carry out bilateral free trade negotiations with countries willing to open their markets within the RCEP framework and upgrade existing bilateral free trade deals to promote the formation of the RCEP, he elaborated.

REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY

While all 21 members have demonstrated leadership in one way or another, China has shown strong leadership in APEC on a whole range of initiatives, Alan Bollard, executive director of the Singapore-based APEC Secretariat, told Xinhua recently.

The APEC Connectivity Blueprint 2015-2025, which promises tangible action on physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity, was adopted at the 2014 APEC meeting in Beijing to bring the APEC region closer.

As a significant action plan for the Asia-Pacific's long-term development, the blueprint also reflects the common aspiration of APEC economies for improved connectivity.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has also contributed in this regard, Wu Hongying, director of the Latin America office of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, noted.

With a focus on connectivity, the Belt and Road Initiative has been aligned with many regional and national development strategies and produced tangible results after being launched in 2013.

By May 2017, China's overall investment in the Belt and Road countries had surpassed 50 billion U.S. dollars. Chinese companies had set up 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in over 20 countries, generating some 1.1 billion dollars in tax revenue and 180,000 jobs.

China had also signed cooperation agreements with over 40 countries and international organizations, and established industrial capacity cooperation mechanisms with more than 30 countries.

Between 2014 and 2016, total trade volume between China and other Belt and Road countries exceeded 3 trillion dollars.

"It is a very big project, which is different from a trade agreement so we see it as a whole series of infrastructure projects and economic connectivity. The economic connectivity part is much in line with the APEC's connectivity blueprint. It's interesting to see what it can produce," Bollard has said.

Besides, China has played a positive role in creating shared interests for regional economies along with its own development through such proposals as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund.

The AIIB had provided 1.7 billion dollars in loans to nine projects carried out in the Belt and Road countries by May this year while the investment from the Silk Road Fund had amounted to 4 billion dollars.

INNOVATION & STRUCTURAL REFORM

In the midst of a slow and fragile global economic recovery, reform and innovation are being heralded as a recipe to the lackluster economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

"China's stance is incredibly important at this particular time. To realize its full economic potential, it'll have to take significant reform and move forward on that," Peter Drysdale, head of the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research of Australian National University, told Xinhua.

The ongoing supply-side structural reform and supportive policies for innovative entrepreneurship in China have produced positive effect on economic growth. It has led to a retreat of overcapacity and flourishing high-tech, service and other new industries.

China meanwhile aims to boost high-standard, two-way opening-up to push for shared and green development to make life better for its people.

The Chinese innovation is inspiring for many Asia-Pacific economies, according to Zhong Feiteng, a research fellow on Asia-Pacific and global strategy from the Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS).

In Drysdale's view, if the APEC members press ahead with their own reform agendas together in a collective way, it will reinforce each other's liberalization and reform programs.

In this context, "Asian countries must lead in global economic governance because they are the focus of the world's attention. They are the ones that have to deliver," he said.

(Xinhua reporters Xu Haijing in Canberra and Wang Lili in Singapore also contributed to the story.)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 10:43:49|Editor: Mengjie

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Ambassador Zhang Ming (L), new chief of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU), presents the credentials to European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 8, 2017. (Xinhua)

BRUSSELS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday hailed the "clear and important message" conveyed by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Tusk made the remarks when he received the credentials presented by Ambassador Zhang Ming, the new head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU).

The CPC congress conveyed a clear and important message that China will maintain its stability and predictability for quite a long time, Tusk said, stressing that it has a significant impact not only on China, but also on the world.

The EU attaches great importance to China and prioritizes EU-China relations in the bloc's foreign policy, said Tusk, adding that he sets a premium on the good working and personal relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

"I believe that the EU and China will cooperate in broader areas with brighter prospects," said Tusk.

Tusk was briefed by Zhang on the CPC congress held on Oct. 18-24 in Beijing.

In his report to the CPC congress, Xi said that the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a "new era." He spelled out a two-stage development plan for the country to become a "great modern socialist country" by the middle of the century.

In the first stage from 2020 to 2035, China will build on the foundation created by the moderately prosperous society with another 15 years of hard work, to ensure that socialist modernization is basically realized, according to the plan.

By the mid-21st century, China will become a global leader in terms of composite national strength and international influence, Xi said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 10:58:52|Editor: liuxin

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SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Three U.S. aircraft carriers planned to stage joint maritime drills in waters near the Korean Peninsula from this weekend, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday.

Without elaborating on sources, Yonhap reported that the U.S. carriers would conduct joint exercises in international waters near the peninsula and that the strike groups also planned a joint drill with the South Korean Navy in waters off the east coast of South Korea.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said in a press release on its website that the USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt will commence a three-carrier exercise in the Western Pacific from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14.

The strike groups will conduct coordinated operations in international waters, the Pacific Fleet said.

"It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three," said U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Scott Swift.

The strike groups planned to conduct air defense drills, sea surveillance, replenishments at sea, defensive air combat training, close-in coordinated maneuvers and other training, according to the press release.

South Korea's defense ministry spokesman Moon Sang-kyun told a press briefing Thursday that the joint exercise between the U.S. aircraft carriers and the South Korean Navy was in consultation.

The spokesman, however, said there has been no plan to conduct a trilateral maritime drill, including Japan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 11:09:01|Editor: liuxin

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CANBERRA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Senator of Australian Tasmania state is the latest politician to be embroiled in Australia's political citizenship saga.

Jacqui Lambie, leader of the Jacqui Lambie Network, on Thursday insisted that she does not hold a Scottish citizenship despite her father being born there.

Under Section 44 of the Australian Constitution, anyone who is a citizen of a country other than Australia is ineligible to be elected to federal parliament.

The saga has seen six parliamentarians disqualified from their positions by the High Court with as many as three others also under pressure to provide documents relating to their status.

Lambie said that she discovered in recent weeks that her father had migrated to Australia from Scotland as an infant.

"I'm happy to put on record that I'm satisfied that my parents are both Australian citizens and I have no concerns about me being a dual citizen because of where they were born or came from, in the case of my father, as an infant," she told News Limited on Wednesday night.

"His father, my grandfather, came to Australia to enlist in the Army in fact. As far as I'm concerned all their affairs are in order as are mine.

"A citizenship audit of all parliamentarians will clear the air once and for all which is why I'm supporting such a move 100 percent."

Under United Kingdom (UK) law, the offspring of a British-born father automatically assume British citizenship.

Fiona Nash, a Senator for the Nationals Party, was ruled ineligible to serve in parliament by the High Court after it was found she held a British citizenship on account of her father also being born in Scotland.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has refused to enable an audit of all 221 remaining federal politicians, instead opting for new laws that will force all parliamentarians to declare their citizenship status by Dec. 18.

Turnbull requires the support of the Opposition Australian Labor Party to pass the bill, however, and opposition leader Bill Shorten has not budged from his position that all documents should be declared by Dec. 1.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 11:14:03|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni attends the ceremony marking the 64th anniversary of independence in Phnom Penh Nov. 9, 2017. Cambodia commemorated the 64th anniversary of its independence from France at the Independence Monument on Thursday. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia marked the 64th anniversary of its independence from France in a one-hour-and-a-half ceremony at the Independence Monument here on Thursday.

King Norodom Sihamoni, accompanied by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, laid a wreath and lit the ceremonial victory fire inside the Independence Monument to symbolize the country's independence from the French colonial rule.

The victory flame will be kept burning for three days.

Live televised on the state-owned National Television of Cambodia (TVK), the celebration was attended by about 15,000 people, who are senior officials, foreign diplomats, armed forces, civil servants, residents and students.

At night, there will be a firework display over the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace.

The Southeast Asian nation gained full independence from the French protectorate on Nov. 9, 1953.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 11:14:04|Editor: liuxin

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SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating fell this week on media reports that prosecutors' investigation into Moon's senior secretary was launched, a pollster said Thursday.

According to the Realmeter poll, support for Moon was 69.3 percent this week, down 1 percentage point from the previous week.

It was based on a survey of 1,516 voters conducted from Monday to Wednesday. It had 2.5 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level.

Moon's senior secretary for political affairs was suspected of being involved in embezzlement charges, levied against his three former aides who were arrested earlier this week.

Moon's approval rating, however, was bolstered by U.S. President Donald Trump's two-day state visit to South Korea.

The daily support for Moon tumbled to 67.3 percent when the arrest of three former aides of the senior presidential secretary for political affairs was reported on Tuesday.

It rebounded Wednesday to 70.4 percent as Trump closed out his state visit by delivering a speech in the National Assembly to praise the fast development of South Korea.

Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party declined 2.9 percentage points over the week to 48.8 percent this week, but it kept the top post by a wide margin.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party gained 19 percent of support, up 2.2 percentage points from the previous week.

The centrist People's Party garnered 6 percent in approval scores, with the minor progressive Justice Party and the minor conservative Righteous Party winning 5.2 percent and 5.3 percent respectively.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 11:34:09|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said cooperation is the "only correct choice" for China and the United States.

Xi made the remarks during talks with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People Thursday morning.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 11:49:12|Editor: Xiang Bo

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by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- At a time when tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at a decades-long high, U.S. President Donald Trump took a more measured tone in Wednesday's speech from South Korea, U.S. experts say.

Trump was "far more measured" in his remarks than some of his previous statements on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center, and Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, in recent interviews with Xinhua.

MORE DISCIPLINED APPROACH

"Trump seems to continue stepping back from previous hints and threats of preventive attack" against the DPRK over that nation's nuclear program, Klingner said.

Klingner spent 20 years with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency, and has testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

"If Trump's new tone and approach continue, then American allies will be less nervous... But everyone is now waiting for the other Tweet shoe to drop," Klingner said, referring to Trump's tendency to make outrageous statements via social media platform Twitter.

On Wednesday morning, Trump spoke before South Korea's National Assembly, highlighting the 70-year alliance between the two nations, at a time when tensions between Washington and Pyongyang are at a high not seen in decades.

In the first state visit to South Korea by a U.S. president in 25 years, Trump praised the relationship. He warned the DPRK not to continue on its path toward nuclear weapons, but avoided any bombast.

Recent months have seen much sabre-rattling between Washington and Pyongyang, with Trump vowing "fire and fury" if the DPRK threatens the United States.

In August, Pyongyang's official daily Rodong Sinmun put out a statement, saying: "The day the U.S. dares tease our nation with a nuclear rod and sanctions, the mainland U.S. will be catapulted into an unimaginable sea of fire." The DPRK also threatened the U.S. territory of Guam.

Mahaffee said Trump's speech "highlighted the importance of the alliance" between the United States and South Korea.

"This is significant given that he has often questioned the value of alliances to the United States," Mahaffee said.

Trump carefully avoided direct confrontation or provocation, such as hurling insults at DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un and mocking him with names. Instead he focused on laying out the continued danger of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, said the experts.

"Overall, his speech reflected a more disciplined approach to (the DPRK) compared to past statements," said Mahaffee, adding that Trump also called for diplomacy and a united international front to end the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs.

Klingner said there had been great trepidation and concern as to what tone and message Trump's speech would have, before Wednesday's address.

The speech saw "no faux pas and his less bombastic tone will be appreciated by his (South Korean) hosts. The bar was set low and Trump far exceeded it," Klingner said.

A RETURN TO TALKS WITH DPRK?

Klingner said Trump's comments during the South Korea leg of his Asia trip, which suggest a greater willingness to return to talks, will be dissected for whether they reflect a flip-flop in policy, or were all part of a strategy.

However, in a broader context, when the speech is stripped of all its rhetorical flourishes, Trump seems to have articulated what is basically a continuation of successive administrations' DPRK policy, Klingner said.

"Consistent messages across administrations, though stated differently, are: You attack the U.S. or its allies, we will respond firmly, resolutely, and overwhelmingly; the international community must increase pressure but the path is open to negotiations; and the objective must remain comprehensive, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement" of nuclear weapons, he said, referring to a concept also known as CVID.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 11:59:18|Editor: Xiang Bo

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SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday that he is against any military action against Iran and its Shiite ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"The region has had enough turmoil in the past seven years... I believe that any new problems related to Iran or Hezbollah should be dealt with cautiously," Sisi told a group of Egyptian and foreign reporters at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on the sidelines of the ongoing week-long World Youth Forum.

The Egyptian president urged cooling the tensions in the region, "but not at the expense of the security and stability of the Gulf."

He stressed that the security of the Gulf is part and parcel of Egypt's security.

"Gulf security is a red line for us and others should not interfere in their affairs," he said.

The tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran has hit a new high after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday accused Iran of direct military aggression against his country by supplying missiles to the Houthi militia in Yemen.

After Saudi air defenses intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile heading toward Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi militia in Yemen said Iranian support resulted in a dangerous escalation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 12:04:21|Editor: Xiang Bo

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SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday that his country has always supported a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sisi made the remarks at a meeting with the press at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on the sidelines of the ongoing week-long World Youth Forum.

The president noted that the end of the decade-long internal split in Palestine is an important step for efforts to advance peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

"We believe that achieving an internal Palestinian reconciliation will help pave the way for the resumption of peace talks," he said.

In October, Palestinian rival movements Fatah and Hamas agreed to end their long-time rift following talks mediated by Egypt in Cairo.

Under the agreement, the consensus government under Fatah will have full control of Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip by Dec. 1.

Their reconciliation will also reduce pressure in the Gaza Strip and curb extremism there, added Sisi.

Sisi also reaffirmed that Egypt will not give up any land in the Sinai Peninsula as part of the so-called deal of the century, a proposal promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Several senior Egyptian officials have expressed objection to the idea of ceding part of Sinai for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Egypt has been working with other international players to bring the Palestinians and the Israelis to the negotiation table to end their seven-decade conflict.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 12:24:30|Editor: Xiang Bo

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MUMBAI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indian markets opened higher Thursday after correction seen in previous two consecutive sessions, backed by positive global cues and a bit of short covering in beaten down stocks.

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex opened at 33,374.15, 155.34 points or 0.5 percent up compared to its previous close at 33,218.81.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 13:44:49|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- New occupations, such as blogger, jogging buddy and drone trainer, are making employment more flexible in China.

According to a survey by China Youth Daily, 58.7 percent of the 2,010 people interviewed would be willing to choose a new occupation.

"It is enough for me to make a living as a jogging mate," said Cui Jian in southwest China's Kunming city, "I can earn 100-200 yuan (15-30 U.S.dollars) just running for two hours."

"People are more interested in living a free life as the economy grows, so it is inevitable to have new occupations," Jiang Jianrong of Nankai University was quoted as saying.

The new occupations enable young people to work for their dreams, not only for money, according to Jiang, while Cui believes the new occupations will create more jobs when they link interests and work.

A total of 71.8 percent of the people interviewed thought the new occupations would change employment structure.

However, as new occupations emerge, their future remains obscure, said Huang Wan, a graduate student in Beijing.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 13:49:52|Editor: Mengjie

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HANOI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam need to "deepen cooperation and foster new prospects for our interconnected interests," Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday in a signed article published prior to his scheduled trip to Vietnam.

The Chinese leader called on the two sides to enhance the complementarity of their development strategies and work for substantive progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, trade, industrial capacity, cross-border economic cooperation zones and agriculture.

Xi will pay a state visit to Vietnam and also attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 13:59:57|Editor: liuxin

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia supports the idea of establishing a free trade area (FTA) in the Asia Pacific region, which is believed to enhance the country's position in the Asia Pacific market, President Vladimir Putin said in a signed article published here on Thursday.

"We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions" in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific markets, Putin said in an article entitled "The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang: Together Towards Prosperity and Harmonious Development."

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Summit will be convened on Nov. 10-11 in Vietnam's central Da Nang city.

Over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 percent, and from 17 to 24 percent in exports, according to Putin.

"And we have no intention of stopping there," reads the article.

The Russian president suggested that the large-scale project to create the APEC FTA be carried out with due account of the experience gained from implementing key integration formats in the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasia, including the Eurasian Economic Union in which Russia cooperates with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

On a related note, Putin mentioned the Russian idea to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership, suggesting forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

As comprehensive development of infrastructure will serve as the basis for effective integration, Russia is actively modernizing its sea and air ports in its Far East, developing transcontinental rail routes, and building new gas and oil pipelines, the article saidEnditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 14:10:01|Editor: Mengjie

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CHICAGO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. soybean industry is very optimistic about the future relationship with the Chinese soybean processing and utilization industries, a business official said in an email interview with Xinhua.

"We expect China's economy to grow, consumers' income to increase and urbanization to expand," Paul Burke, North Asia regional director of U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), said.

Those trends, along with China's goals to eliminate poverty, will lead to increased demand and consumption of animal protein and vegetable oil, resulting in increased imports of U.S. soybeans, he added.

USSEC Chairman Jim Miller is in the delegation accompanying U.S. President Donald Trump on his visit to China that started on Wednesday. Burke disclosed that USSEC just signed a letter of intent about soybean purchase deal with Chinese counterpart during the visit in Beijing.

"Through participation in this trade mission, USSEC will highlight to both the Chinese and the USA governments the importance of the bilateral trade in soybeans," Burke said.

Burke pointed out that U.S. soybean exports to China generate 14.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenue for U.S. soybean producers. China also needs soybeans to meet its growing consumer demand for meat and vegetable oil.

Soybean is a staple product China imports from the United States. "In those 35 years U.S. soybean farmers invested over 150 million dollars in projects that transferred technology and management expertise to modernize China's soy processing, feed manufacturing and livestock, poultry and aquaculture production," he said.

U.S. soybean producers are proud that their strategy of "win-win" industry development has contributed to China, Burke said, adding that they "intend to continue to invest in the programs in the future to further its relations with the Chinese soy processing and utilization industries."

Burke told Xinhua that U.S. soybean producers had their fourth record exports to China in 2016, as China purchased and imported nearly 30 percent of the soybeans produced in the United States.

China is the world's largest soybean importer. According to statistics of China Customs, China imported 83.91 million tons of soybean in 2016, rising by 2.7 percent from 2015 and hitting a historical high. Some 38.2 million tons of the amount came from the United States, accounting for 40 percent of the total.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 14:20:03|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Investigators inspect the site of a suicide attack in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of north Afghanistan's Balkh Province, Nov. 9, 2017. A prominent businessman was killed and two people were wounded when the attack ripped through a hotel in Mazar-i-Sharif on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yaqoub Azorda)

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A prominent businessman was killed and two people wounded after a suicide bomb attack ripped through a hotel in Mazar-i-Sharif city, capital of Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh on Thursday, local police said.

"Hajji Abdul Ghani was killed after a terrorist detonated his suicide vest roughly at around 7 a.m. local time at a hotel near the Blue Mosque in central neighborhood of the city," Sayyed Sarwar Housaini, police spokesman of 707 Pamir Police Zone based in the region, told Xinhua.

"The assailant was also killed on the spot. Ghani's son and one of his guests were injured in the explosion," Housaini said.

The blast also damaged several shops and nearby vehicles. Earlier, a local official told Xinhua that four people, including the attacker, were killed in the blast.

The Taliban outfit and Islamic State (IS) militant group often target civilians and religious clerics as well as local leaders for their support to the Afghan government and the U.S.-led forces stationed in the country.

More than 650 Afghans were killed and over 560 others wounded by the targeted attacks in 2016 across the country, according to official figures.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 14:30:11|Editor: liuxin

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YANGON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Trade between Myanmar and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached 5.7 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of the current fiscal year 2017-2018, official Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday.

During the period, Myanmar's export shared with 2.29 billion dollars while import amounted to 3.42 billion dollars.

Among the country's ASEAN trade partner countries, neighbouring Thailand topped with 2.45 billion dollars, followed by Singapore with 1.86 billion dollars and Malaysia with 534 million dollars in FY 2017-2018.

The country's trade with ASEAN trade partner countries was 9.6 billion dollars in last FY 2016-2017.

The country mainly exports agricultural products, fishery products and minerals.

Food and beverages, electronic devices, capital goods, automobile vehicles and consumer goods are usually imported into the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 14:35:12|Editor: Mengjie

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PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia had exported 142,768 tons of milled rice to China in the first 10 months of 2017, a 59-percent rise over the same period last year, according to the latest report on Thursday.

The report released by the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export showed that China is the top buyer of Cambodian rice, followed by France and Poland.

Export to China accounted for 29 percent of the country's total rice export, the report said, noting that the total export was 492,115 tons during the January-October period this year, up 17 percent over the same period last year.

The Southeast Asian nation is expected to export 200,000 tons and 300,000 tons to China in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Cambodia produces more than 9 million tons of paddy rice a year. With this amount, it has over 3 million tons of milled rice for annual export.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 14:55:19|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- John Rice, vice chairman of General Electric (GE), said the experience in China has made GE a better company and China's opening up is creating great opportunities.

"China's opening up drive is also encouraging companies like GE to participate in the development of markets outside China," said Rice, who is accompanying US President Donald Trump on his visit to China.

He pointed to the Belt and Road as an example of how GE can benefit from China's opening up.

"In many cases, we are well equipped in being a great partner along the Belt and Road and we can also benefit from that," Rice told Xinhua.

To date, GE has partnered with over 30 Chinese EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) companies in more than 70 markets across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe.

On the role of Chinese market in GE global strategy, Rice said, "In many aspects, our experience in China made us a better global company."

The veteran U.S. entrepreneur, who made his first visit to China nearly 30 years ago, said he had been impressed by the changes in the country.

"There are always new chapters and new things to think about. And the lesson for us as a global company is you cannot stand still, you have to observe what's changing in your markets and respond to that," he said.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, GE was one of the first multinational enterprises to enter the Chinese market over a century ago.

During the visit, GE is expected to sign deals with Chinese partners, concentrating on power and aviation sectors, said Rice, adding that the deals would be "in the billions."

On China's economic slowdown , Rice said, "When the world's second largest economy grew at 11 or 12 percent, everyone was excited about that. This year, China's growth at 6 percent or so is orderly and planned. I I believe it's more sustainable and predictable, and will lead to better outcomes."

The slower but still robust economic growth of China is of great significance to investors, Rice said.

"The world economy is growing at about 3 percent while the second largest economy is growing at over 6 percent, which is very attracting under any circumstances," he said.

"If you look around the world, when the economy of that size grows at that speed, it's very significant. Even though it's lower than five years ago, it's still very healthy and good for investors," he added.

Asked about his take on China-US economic and trade ties, Rice said it is of great importance for the world's two largest countries to work together.

On trade imbalances, Rice said, "There are understandable reasons for the frictions to be resolved in a constructive way. I don't think either country is at advantage if there's a trade war."

Questions can be resolved in a productive and constructive way, Rice said, adding that companies like GE can be a part of that solution.

GE is working with Chinese partners in infrastructure projects which incorporate goods made in the U.S. and other countries. "These both show as our exports to China, but they are created by the work we do with Chinese partners as well as partners along the Belt and Road," he said.

On industrial internet that GE is good at, Rice saw China as one of the potential leaders of the new sector, as the country is doing well in "combining the power of data and the industrial side like manufacturing."

"If you look at human capital and what China has done on the consumer side, there's no reason to think that China won't be a leader in industrial side," said Rice, citing the fact that half of the global top ten digital e-commerce companies are in China.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 15:10:25|Editor: Zhou Xin

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DA NANG, Vietnam, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh inaugurated here a theme park of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Thursday during the ongoing APEC Economic Leaders' Week.

Minh and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh as well as ministers and heads of delegations from the 21 APEC economies unveiled a stone-carved APEC 2017 logo, planted trees and enjoyed the artistic sculptures.

The piece from China, "A Common Vision of A Shared Future" made up of 21 colorful intertwined ribbons, is emblematic of unity, harmony and win-win cooperation among the APEC members.

"This APEC Park is an effort to expand and deepen understanding of APEC, connecting people-to-people and advancing cultural exchange," Minh said at the ceremony.

He highly valued the support from APEC members, who contributed selected works of art showcasing the Asia-Pacific region's rich culture and highlighting the theme of APEC 2017 of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future."

"Located by Han River, at the heart of the dynamic city of Da Nang, the APEC park is dedicated to you, your economies and your people. I hope it will be a symbol of APEC's innovation, vigor and spirit of cooperation, and one of the must-visit attraction for any traveller in Da Nang," Minh said.

APEC leaders and more than 2,000 trade officials, delegates and entrepreneurs are gathering in the central Vietnamese port city for the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Week.

Established in 1989, the 21-member APEC is Pacific Rim's premier economic forum aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 15:20:29|Editor: Zhou Xin

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia supports the idea of establishing a free trade area (FTA) in the Asia Pacific region, which is believed to enhance the country's position in the Asia-Pacific market, President Vladimir Putin said in a signed article published here on Thursday.

"We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions" in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific markets, Putin said in an article entitled "The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang: Together Towards Prosperity and Harmonious Development."

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Summit will be convened on Nov. 10-11 in Vietnam's central Da Nang city.

Over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 percent, and from 17 to 24 percent in exports, according to Putin.

"And we have no intention of stopping there," reads the article.

The Russian president suggested that the large-scale project to create the APEC FTA be carried out with due account of the experience gained from implementing key integration formats in the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasia, including the Eurasian Economic Union in which Russia cooperates with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

On a related note, Putin mentioned the Russian idea to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership, suggesting forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

As comprehensive development of infrastructure will serve as the basis for effective integration, Russia is actively modernizing its sea and air ports in its Far East, developing transcontinental rail routes, and building new gas and oil pipelines, according to Putin.

Russia also pays special attention to integrating its Siberian and Far Eastern territories into the network of the Asia Pacific region economic ties.

"These efforts include a whole range of measures to enhance the investment appeal of our regions, and to integrate Russian enterprises into international production chains," Putin said.

For Russia, the development of our Far East is a national priority for the 21st century, which includes creating territories of advanced economic growth in the region, pursuing large-scale development of natural resources and supporting advanced high-tech industries, as well as investing in human capital, education and healthcare, and forming competitive research centers.

The Russian president, in this regard, calls for foreign partners, primarily from APEC economies, to play an active role in implementing these program and projects.

Meanwhile, Russia has an equally serious approach to involving small and medium-sized businesses in APEC economic integration processes, and supporting female entrepreneurship and start-up companies run by young entrepreneurs, the article reads.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 15:50:35|Editor: Lu Hui

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HANOI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday reviewed the China-Vietnam friendship "forged with blood" by the older generation of leaders and the two peoples and called on both sides to make greater efforts to promote bilateral ties.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article published in Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The Chinese leader is expected to pay a state visit to Vietnam and also attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

Describing the two countries as "close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers," Xi said that China and Vietnam have had a long history of exchange and mutual learning dating back to ancient times.

In modern times, the two peoples fought shoulder to shoulder and forged a special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood" in their struggle for independence and liberation, the article wrote.

"In the new era, our two peoples have worked closely to pursue reform and renewal, and advance the cause of socialism. We have explored socialist development paths suited to our own national conditions, created miracles in our respective development, and achieved marked progress in our bilateral ties," Xi said.

Noting that the two sides face many identical or similar new problems and challenges amid evolving global and regional situation, Xi said China and Vietnam need, more than ever, to work in joint efforts in their pursuit of dreams of national strength and prosperity.

The Chinese leader called for deepening cooperation and exploring new prospects for "our interconnected interests."

The two sides need to enhance the complementarity of their development strategies and work for substantive progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, trade, industrial capacity, cross-border economic cooperation zones and agriculture, Xi said.

He also urged the two countries to "stay committed to seeking a fundamental and durable solution to their maritime issues acceptable to both sides through friendly consultation."

"We need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and jointly uphold peace and stability there," he said.

The Chinese president also wished Vietnam a great success hosting the upcoming APEC meeting, saying that China looks forward to a "highly productive meeting that contributes to the common development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 15:55:38|Editor: Liangyu

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TOKYO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Six people were arrested on suspicion of possessing a record quantity of what the health ministry has described as "dangerous drugs" with a similar composition to banned narcotic substances, anti-drug authorities said Thursday.

According to the health ministry's anti-drug officials, 20 kg of the drugs, comprising herbs and chemicals, were found in a house belonging to a 50-year-old man in Kawasaki city, south of Tokyo, in September.

Anti-drug enforcement officers in a subsequent search of the house also uncovered 180 kg of the drugs, which included other ingredients such as powder, along with 1.6 tons of herbs, in the largest-ever seizure of such dangerous drugs.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, the street value of the drugs is estimated to be over 3 billion yen (in excess of 26.36 million U.S. dollars).

The officers also uncovered equipment likely used to produce or mix the drugs including centrifuges, NHK reported.

Of the six that were arrested, 50-year-old Manabu Iwamura has admitted the charges and was quoted as saying that he began the illicit business three years ago and over the past two years had been netting a monthly revenue of 180,000 U.S. dollars.

In total, the suspects are believed to have sold 9 million U.S. dollars-worth of the drugs through online sales, with investigators currently trying to determine more information about the sizable operation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 16:10:45|Editor: Liangyu

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HARBIN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Universities in China and Russia have signed an agreement to set up a joint school for translation and interpretation with the aim of cultivating language talent.

Heilongjiang University and Lomonosov Moscow State University will offer a joint master's degree at the new school, according to Zu Xueqing, deputy head of the Sino-Russian School at Heilongjiang University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Students will complete their first year in Harbin and those who pass a test will study in Russia for their second year.

Students who complete the two-year program will receive diplomas from both universities, according to Zu.

The new school aims to train bilingual Chinese and Russian translators and interpreters. "We look forward to the cooperation and how it can serve exchanges between China and Russia," said Liu Dequan, Party chief at Heilongjiang University.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 16:15:51|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and U.S. companies signed deals worth more than 250 billion U.S. dollars during President Donald Trump's state visit to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday revealed the figure after he and President Trump witnessed the signing of the agreements.

China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, Xi said.

Deals include purchases of Boeing aircraft, Ford automobiles, U.S. soybeans and joint development of liquified natural gas in Alaska.

Being the world's biggest developing economy and developed economy, China and the United States are highly complementary rather than competitive, Xi said when meeting with business delegates from both countries.

"We are willing to expand imports of energy and farm produce from the United States, deepen service trade cooperation. We hope the U.S. side will increase exports of civil technology products to China. We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in the United States. We also welcome U.S. companies and financial institutions to participate in the 'Belt and Road Initiative'," he said.

Given the rapid growth of bilateral trade, it's unavoidable to have friction, said Xi. The two sides should uphold the principles of equality and mutual benefit, mutual understanding and accommodation, and handle disputes through dialogue and consultation, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 16:20:52|Editor: Liangyu

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XIAMEN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- With her fingers dancing along a four-tier keyboard and her head swaying with the rhythm, Fang Site sits in front of a four-storey high pipe organ, the audience watching her in awe.

The instrument is the largest pipe organ in the Chinese mainland. It is currently being restored but Fang, 34, played it for guests at BRICS Summit held in September in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

Now that the restoration is nearly complete, Fang will share stories about both the well-known organ and her hometown with musicians from all over the world.

Standing 13 meters tall, 12.5 meters long and weighing 35 tonnes, the Casavant Opus 700 pipe organ was built in 1917, under the supervision of American organist Lynnwood Farnam.

"The organ is very famous in the United States," said Justin Berg, an American organist. "Many well-known organists have played with it or have listened to music played on it."

Berg first saw the organ when it was at the Emmanuel Church in Boston, which still holds many famous concerts.

In 2007, Hu Youyi, an Australian-Chinese pianist, bought the organ from the church and donated it to his ancestral home, the island of Gulangyu in Xiamen, where a museum was specifically built to house the instrument.

The organ was dismantled and packed into five containers which took around three weeks to travel from Boston to Xiamen.

Next month, Fang, curator of the museum, will host an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the organ, inviting musicians from all over the world to Gulangyu.

"Guests will not only experience the music of the majestic organ, but also the local musical culture," Fang said.

Gulangyu was listed as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in July this year, due to its varied architecture and multi-cultural history. It is also famed as an "Island of Music" as it is the hometown of many accomplished Chinese musicians.

"Music has always been part of Gulangyu's history," said Fang. "That has inspired many older generations of musicians, like Hu, to play their part."

Hu, who died in 2013, spent most of his money collecting pianos and organs, which he ultimately donated to Gulangyu to set up China's first piano and organ museums.

"An older overseas Chinese brought the precious organ here, now we, the younger generation, are obligated to share its story with the world," said Fang.

Organs are less commonly seen in China than in the United States, but Fang said she considers it a good way to improve mutual understanding.

Berg visited Gulangyu in September, on Fang's invitation. "Seeing the Casavant in Gulangyu was like seeing an old friend," he said.

To further promote cultural exchange, Fang plans to invite organists from Boston to share stories about the Casavant, and wants to adapt the story of Hu purchasing the organ into a musical.

"Chinese and American cultures are very different," said Berg. "But we can always create new room for communication and understanding."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 16:46:07|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NAIROBI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Over 100 delegates are expected to attend an International Film Conference in Kenya next week to seek ways of promoting and accelerating development of film industry.

The Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario said the conference will help create a platform for actors in the region to exchange ideas and network with others from different parts of the globe.

"The conference will help harness the potential of the creative arts in East Africa region," Wario said in a statement on Thursday.

The Nov. 15-17 meeting is a collaborative effort between the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), the European Union (EU), the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the French Embassy in Kenya.

Wario noted that the convention will lead to better understanding of the opportunities available in the industry by promoting co-productions to further shared values.

"The wide range of participants will provide a rare opportunity for Kenyan film makers to exchange ideas with some of the best actors from the global arena," Wario added.

The theme of the convention is "Taking the audio visual and film industry in Eastern Africa to the next level."

Franch Ambassador to Kenya Antoine Sivan revealed that there is growing international interest in the potential of the cultural and creative industries to drive sustainable development.

"The industry contributes to economic growth with estimated revenue of 250 billion U.S. dollars a year besides creating 29.5 million jobs globally," he added.

Sivan observed that the industry is a potential and important contributor to social cohesion and nation building through the promotion of intercultural dialogue, understanding and collaboration.

Delegates are expected to come from France, United States of America, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Established film makers from Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood are also expected to attend.

Delegates from France will present the various government measures, laws and regulations that govern and oversee the audio-visual and film sector in France.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 16:51:09|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TAIYUAN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese restorers have selected 89 original fresco paintings, some centuries old, for what will be the largest fresco exhibition to be held in China.

The exhibition will run for three months at the Shanghai Museum starting from Nov. 30 and will be open to the public free of charge.

The fresco paintings dating back to the Northern Dynasties (386-581) and Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) were all recently restored by the Shanxi Museum.

Among the paintings is China's oldest Zodiac chart, the largest fresco painting depicting hunting, a Yuan Dynasty religious painting and the largest Taoist temple fresco.

The original works will be on display for the public for the first time, Chen Fenxia from Shanxi Museum told Xinhua on Thursday. They were all either cut from temple walls or unearthed from ancient tombs in north China's Shanxi Province.

The largest piece selected for the show is the hunting fresco dating back more than 1,500 years. It is 13.2 meters tall and 3.5 meters wide and was unearthed from the Jiuyuangang Tomb in Xinzhou.

The piece was a part of a 200 square meter colored mural found in the tomb, which depicts scenes of hunting animals such as tigers, bears, goats and deer during the Northern Dynasties.

Zhang Qing, a relic restorer at Yongle Palace, a Yuan Dynasty Taoist temple in Ruicheng County, said to restore fresco paintings they must cut the paintings along with peeling walls piece by piece and join them again after reinforcing each section and treating it for erosion.

She said the paintings are like picture books, with 286 supernatural beings, each wearing different costumes and adornments.

Restoring damaged murals is the best way to prevent them from being destroyed. After restoration they must be stored in temperature- and humidity-controlled rooms, said Chen.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 17:11:15|Editor: Liangyu

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday announced new restrictions on U.S. business and travel with Cuba.

Under the new rules announced by U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. people-to-people nonacademic educational travel to Cuba will have to be carried out as part of groups licensed by U.S. Treasury Department.

"Individual people-to-people nonacademic educational travel will no longer be authorized as announced by the president," said U.S. Treasury Department in a statement.

U.S. citizens will also be banned from staying at over 80 Cuban hotels which U.S. State Department has designated as being owned by or benefiting Cuban government officials.

The new rules unveiled on Wednesday offered detail to a presidential memorandum signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in June, in which he pledged to toughen U.S. policies toward Cuba that had been relaxed by his predecessor Barack Obama.

In December 2014, in the most sweeping change in U.S.-Cuban relations in five decades, Obama announced plans to normalize ties with Cuba in a move that quickly sparked much controversy in the United States.

Since then, improvements have been made in U.S.-Cuban diplomatic, social and commercial ties, with the United States opening an embassy in Cuba, increasing flights to Cuba, and some U.S. businesses expanding into the island nation for the first time in five decades.

United States severed ties with Cuba in 1961, shortly after Fidel Castro launched a revolution that toppled a U.S.-friendly government, and the two countries had been at loggerheads ever since.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 17:16:16|Editor: Liangyu

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KIGALI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The trial of former Rwandan Mining Minister Evode Imena, who is accused of nepotism and favoritism, started in an intermediate court here on Wednesday.

Prosecutors allege that Imena committed nepotism and favoritism in illegally awarding a mining concession to Mwashamba Mining Company, ignoring standing concession by another firm, Nyaruguru Mining Company, in 2013.

Imena denied all charges against him and argued that the former Minister for Natural Resources Stanislas Kamanzi had already revoked Nyaruguru's concession before he took office.

In his defence, the former minister slammed the holes in prosecution evidence, arguing that some letters presented as evidence in court were dated before his appointment as minister.

Imena's lawyer denied any relationship between his client and any of the two companies in contention. He requested the court to absolve his client of any criminal liability.

The court adjourned the hearing to Dec. 7.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 17:21:19|Editor: Liangyu

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BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The 2017 Antique Book Fair featuring rare and old books, some dating to the 15th century, kicked off here Wednesday.

The five-day book fair, organized by the Argentine Association of Antique Booksellers (ALADA), is held in the Kirchner Cultural Center, a cultural center in downtown Buenos Aires.

"This year, we have a very wide spectrum (of books) at different stands as always. You can see a variety of books ranging from the 15th and 16th centuries to the 20th century," Lucio Aquilanti, owner of the same-named bookstore, told Xinhua.

"Books are defined as antique for a variety of reasons. It could be the paper or the signatures," he added.

Among the valuable antique pieces is the first edition of "Facundo: Civilization and Barbarism," written in 1845 by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1868-1874), former Argentine president, journalist and writer.

Other notable volumes include a limited-edition print of "Six Scandinavian Poems" by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, which has only 84 copies, and a print of "In Praise of Folly" by Dutch theologian Desiderius Erasmus in 1641.

Javier Moscarola, bookseller of Libros La Teatral, displayed a notebook dating to 1831 that belonged to Rufina de Cambaceres, mother of Argentine writer and politician Eugenio Cambaceres.

"There are her drawings in the notebook, from which we could also know that she took French classes and, most interesting of all, (there is) a series of cooking recipes ... History is not only about major battles or big political events, but it's also about everyday lives of people who lived in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the 19th century," said Moscarola.

The ALADA gathers more than 40 antique booksellers and specialty bookstores.

The fair attracts mainly collectors of rare and vintage books, maps, photographs and other published materials.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 17:21:20|Editor: Liangyu

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by Tao Jun, Le Yanna

DA NANG, Vietnam, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming state visit to Vietnam by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his attendance at the APEC Leaders' Week "is a significant event with historic meaning to Vietnam-China relations," said a dignitary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

"We believe that the visit will be a milestone for the development of the relations between the two parties as well as the two countries," Hoang Binh Quan, head of the Commission for External Relations under the CPV Central Committee, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Vietnam looks forward and attaches importance to the approaching visit by Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Quan.

This will be Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress.

At present, Vietnam and China are on a crucial stage of their renewal, reform, opening-up, national construction and socialism development, Quan said.

Within this context, he said, it is the historic mission and objective requirement for the stability and development of the two countries to consolidate the Vietnam-China traditional friendship and to promote the sustainable, healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations, bringing about practical benefits to the two peoples, the region and the world.

Exchanges between the CPV and the CPC have helped push forward the development of bilateral relations, said Quan.

The two parties have had close relations since their establishment and forged solidarity, assisted each other, and worked shoulder-by-shoulder to overcome many hardships and challenges during their causes for revolutionary struggle and national liberalization.

"Exchanges and cooperations between the two parties are crucial to the socialism construction and development of the two countries, acting as a political foundation and overall guidance for the relations between the two countries," said the CPV official.

Over the past years, the traditional friendship and consensus reached by top leaders of the two parties and the two countries have created new driving forces and new positive changes for Vietnam-China relations, he stressed.

The ties between the two parties have recently developed broadly and deeply, and gained many significant achievements.

First and foremost, high-ranking contacts between the two parties have reached important consensus on many issues, while the two parties have established exchange and cooperation mechanisms of different levels among their departments, broadening the scope and the field of cooperation, said Quan.

Activities such as theoretical seminars, experience exchange, and cooperation on training cadres have also been deepened, while people-to-people exchanges, especially those between the young people, have been fostered, said the Vietnamese official.

In addition, the CPV and the CPC have always had close coordination on international forums regarding political parties, he said.

The ties between the two parties are an important channel to enhance political trust and bolster the healthy and stable development of the Vietnam-China relations. The CPV Central Committee is ready to work with its Chinese counterpart to bring the Vietnam-China relations to a new high, said Quan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 17:31:22|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi meets with the press on the sidelines of the ongoing week-long World Youth Forum in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh Nov. 8, 2017. (Xinhua/Meng Tao)

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Wednesday that he has not decided if he will run for a second term yet.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum being held at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, Sisi said he respects the Egyptian constitution that limits the president's number of terms in office to two.

Sisi, a former army chief who ousted his Islamist predecessor Mohammed Morsi in 2013 and was elected president a year later, stressed that he is against amending the constitution to allow the president to run for a third term.

The 2018 presidential elections will be held in March or April as scheduled, he added.p Sisi's remarks came as some parliament members called for amending the constitution to change the eight-year limit of presidential terms in his favor.

Though the Egyptian president has not officially announced an intention to run for reelection, he is widely expected to do so and to earn a landslide victory due to the absence of real challengers in the presidential bid.

The constitution of Egypt requires that election proceedings shall not begin earlier than 120 days from the end of the current presidential term, which falls on June 7, 2018, and the results shall not be announced later than 30 days before that date.

Meanwhile, Sisi said he will submit the achievements done throughout the last four years, adding he will let the Egyptian people judge his government's performance, and then he will decide whether he can run for a second term.

Some lawmakers and independent figures have launched nationwide petition campaigns to urge Sisi to run again for president, saying they garnered so far some 3 million signatures to support his second presidential run.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 17:41:27|Editor: Liangyu

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles denied Wednesday that the government gave up on submitting the entire the social security reform bill to vote.

According to the minister, the "mistaken" information caused a sharp fall in the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange during the day.

"What upset the markets was the mistaken information that the government threw in the towel on the matter of the congressional approval of the social security reform," he said.

Earlier in the day, local media reported that the government had given up on trying to approve the entire reform, and was instead focusing on approving a much simpler bill.

Meirelles did not deny that a simpler version of the reform is a possibility. He reiterated that the government still intends to submit the reform to vote in 2017.

The social security reform bill is a constitutional amendment proposal that requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate to be approved.

However, the reform is deeply controversial and the congress has only a month before the end-of-year recess, so there is little time to approve a broad reform bill which is likely to stir up a lot of discussion.

While the government says the reform will help tackle a huge deficit in the social security system, ensuring that the next generations are able to collect their retirement pensions, the opposition holds that the calculations showing a deficit in the system are fraudulent.

Rodrigo Maia, head of the House of Representatives, whose Democrats party is part of President Michel Temer's coalition, said Wednesday he will not submit the reform to vote as there is no chance for approval.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:11:37|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ISTANBUL, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkey believes the new leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will continue the country's path toward "a better and productive future" and put forward new ideas for international cooperation, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Commenting on the 19th CPC National Congress and the report Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered at the opening session in an email interview with Xinhua earlier this week, he said, "The strategic vision set by President Xi in the Congress is an indicator of the following stages of this journey."

"The Party has demonstrated a resolute stance in harmonizing continuity and renewal, which is reflected in the composition of the new leadership," added the minister.

"The Congress also affirms that emerging challenges require new perspectives," he said. "The emphasis on the concept 'new era' in the opening speech of President Xi Jinping in the 19th Congress underlined the importance of this approach."

Xi's report has provided a "comprehensive picture" on the future of China, he said, noting that the Chinese government is committed to deepening the reform process.

"The synthesis of discipline, authority, planning on the one hand, and creativity, innovation and openness on the other underlines the Chinese characteristics toward development," he said. "We wish the CPC and the Chinese Government success in their efforts to build a prosperous future."

The minister said he believes that China will continue to put forward "new and fresh ideas" toward international cooperation. "Building new partnerships, focusing on development, prioritizing mutual respect are all key factors for the future," he added.

"The emphasis on the win-win approach also continues to be a key aspect for the 'new era'. We believe that China would take into consideration the expectations of all its partners to be able to realize the potential set by this approach," he noted.

"From this perspective, recent large-scale initiatives such as 'Belt and Road' are important for the benefit of all participants," he said.

Turkey has agreed to align its Middle Corridor project with China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

On Turkey-China relations, Cavusoglu said the two countries "share a common will for the peaceful resolution of conflicts as part of their foreign policy visions."

He noted that bilateral relations have been "elevated to a very positive and constructive level" in recent years, which features regular bilateral meetings through various consultation mechanisms and multiple meetings between Xi and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Our strategic cooperation is strong; our economy and trade relations are stable and still offer a huge potential for further improvement," said the minister.

"Turkey is also enthusiastic about playing a more active role in regional and global cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank," he added.

"We have been able to develop our bilateral relations through mutual confidence, respect and understanding," he said. "Globalization is pushing us toward new approaches to cooperation."

Describing bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism as "a significant aspect of our relations," he stressed that "we should not forget that there are global threats requiring common responses."

"We are well aware of each other's sensitivities," he noted. "It is important that we keep communication channels open."

He also expressed hope for more people-to-people contacts, expecting the Turkish Year of Tourism in China in 2018 to give the relations "a huge boost."

"There is an increasing interest in Turkey about China and Chinese culture. We see the same trend in China," he said.

"President Xi's sincere approach toward Turkey is matched by President Erdogan's strong will to improve our ties with China," said Cavusoglu. "I have no doubt that this vision and determination would continue to yield positive results."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:11:39|Editor: Mengjie

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Graphics shows the value of deals signed by Chinese and U.S. companies during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to China. (Xinhua/Ma Yan)

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and U.S. companies signed deals worth more than 250 billion U.S. dollars during President Donald Trump's state visit to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday revealed the figure after he and President Trump witnessed the signing of the agreements.

China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, Xi said.

Deals include purchases of Boeing aircraft, Ford automobiles, U.S. soybeans and joint development of liquified natural gas in Alaska.

Being the world's biggest developing economy and developed economy, China and the United States are highly complementary rather than competitive, Xi said when meeting with business delegates from both countries.

"We are willing to expand imports of energy and farm produce from the United States, deepen service trade cooperation. We hope the U.S. side will increase exports of civil technology products to China. We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in the United States. We also welcome U.S. companies and financial institutions to participate in the 'Belt and Road Initiative'," he said.

Given the rapid growth of bilateral trade, it's unavoidable to have friction, said Xi. The two sides should uphold the principles of equality and mutual benefit, mutual understanding and accommodation, and handle disputes through dialogue and consultation, he said.

Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to opening up and reform and said China will not close its door to the world, and it will only become more and more open.

Overseas-invested companies, including the U.S.-invested firms, will enjoy a more open, transparent and standard market environment in China, he said.

Xi said China's economic outlook will look bright for a long time. The Chinese economy has been transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development with improving economic structure. It has the foundation, condition and impetus to sustain the good momentum.

China is the United States' largest trading partner while the U.S. is China's second largest. Bilateral trade surged to 519.6 billion U.S.dollars in 2016 from 2.5 billion dollars in 1979 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.

Over the past decade, U.S. exports to China increased 11 percent annually on average, while China's exports to the United States only rose 6.6 percent.

China holds a surplus in goods trade with the United States while the United States maintains service trade surplus with China.

Two-way investment is gaining steam. Jobs created by Chinese-invested firms across America had jumped ninefold since 2009 to 140,000 last year, according to a recent report by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and Rhodium Group.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:16:40|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era, the country's journalists are encouraged to tell its stories well and spread its voice.

It will be an era that sees China moving closer to center stage and making greater contributions to humanity, Xi Jinping said at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October.

China never lacks stories about how the country has achieved an economic miracle and accomplished impossible missions under the leadership of the CPC.

"A community of shared future for humanity," "Belt and Road Initiative," "socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era"... These phrases are frequently heard in media reports around the world.

China is receiving unprecedented attention from the rest of the world. Last Friday, Time magazine declared "China won" on its cover in both English and Chinese.

For Chinese news workers, a better understanding of the country itself is required to convey its stories.

Journalists should strengthen their confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, said President Xi Jinping Wednesday in a congratulatory letter to the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) on its 80th anniversary.

Xi also said he expects journalists to maintain close connections with the people, record the events of the great times, tell China's stories well and spread China's voice.

Media workers must create people-oriented content and be creative in expressing them.

A four-minute video "Four Great Modern Inventions" was a good example which was applauded by both domestic and overseas viewers after being shared on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in August.

The clip, produced by China's official Xinhua News Agency, featured how shared bikes, e-commerce, mobile payments and high-speed railway have changed people's lives in China. A Facebook user commented, "Thanks guys you are giving me a totally new perspective on China!"

China is expanding its media presence worldwide.

On Oct. 10, 2017, the China Global Television Network News Center was established, producing media products for TV, mobile applications, the Internet, social media and news agencies in multiple forms, languages and channels.

The People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the CPC, launched an English-language app on Oct. 15.

Xinhua now operates around 180 overseas bureaus, reaching over 200 countries and regions.

The media outlets enable more China's voice to be heard and increase the country's soft power.

With new content, tools and channels for telling China's stories, the country's journalists are ready to present China's stories in multi-dimensional manner and from overall perspective in the new era.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:16:41|Editor: Liangyu

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by Xinhua writers Gu Zhenqiu, Wen Xiqiang

SHEFFIELD, Britain, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The whole world is eyeing China now for new development opportunities following the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October, a Chinese global credit rating expert told Xinhua.

"After the successful conclusion of the CPC national congress, the whole world is turning its eyes to China to see new development trends in China and the country's response to what is going on in the outside world," Guan Jianzhong, chairman of Dagong Global Credit Rating Group, told Xinhua in a recent interview on the sidelines of the 2017 Horasis China Meeting, a two-day forum kicked off here on Sunday.

"This is totally different from what happened in the previous years," said Guan, head of the 23-year-old credit rating agency based in China. "In the past, we Chinese worked very hard to brief foreigners on the new situation in China, but the efforts were not very much effective."

"At present, foreigners no longer passively receive our information. Instead, they ask us for China-related information very actively," he said.

He noted that the positive change took place after many countries found that relevant Western theories failed to create new impetus for global economic growth.

"Instead, the new experience and concepts which emerged from China's development practice over the past years are worth being promoted across the world," he said.

The effective implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative will play a great role in boosting economic development in participating countries and regions, Guan said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, comprises an overland Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aims to revive and expand cooperation and exchanges along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, which nurtured trade between Asia and the outside world in the past.

The blueprint for sustainable development, which was hammered out at the CPC national congress, is conducive to spurring economic growth in China and worldwide, he added.

About 300 businessmen, scholars and government officials attended the above-mentioned two-day forum. They are from countries including Belgium, Britain, China, France, Germany, Haiti, India, Mozambique, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and the United States.

Introduced in 2005, the forum has become one of the foremost global business gatherings on China.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:21:46|Editor: Zhou Xin

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations' (UN) humanitarian chief warned on Wednesday of an appalling famine in Yemen unless the current air, sea and land blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition is lifted.

Mark Lowcock, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, told reporters about the issue after he briefed the Security Council on the situation in Yemen.

"It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier this year when tens of thousands of people were affected. It will not be like the famine that caused 250,000 lives in Somalia in 2011. It will be the largest famine the world hasn't seen for many decades, with millions of victims," he said.

Lowcock asked for immediate steps to mitigate the imminent humanitarian disaster, including a resumption of flights by the UN and its partners to Yemeni cities Sanaa and Aden, assurances that the air services will not be disrupted, and an agreement on the pre-positioning of the World Food Program vessel in the waters off Aden and assurances that its functions will not be disrupted.

The rest of the steps are a resumption of humanitarian and commercial access to all seaports of Yemen, especially for essential supplies, and a scaling back of interference with all vessels that have passed UN verification and inspection so that they can proceed to ports in Yemen as rapidly as possible.

Lowcock, who visited Yemen at the end of last month, was asked to brief the Security Council, which held a closed-door meeting over Yemen at the request of the Swedish Mission to the UN.

Before the briefing, Carl Skau, deputy permanent representative of Sweden to the UN, noted Yemen faces the worst humanitarian situation in the world.

About 7 million Yemenis are on the verge of famine, and 21 million people need humanitarian assistance. There are also almost 1 million cases of cholera, he said.

"I don't even want to imagine what the consequences would be should the current closure continue," Skau told reporters.

After the late-afternoon briefing, Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi of Italy, president of the Security Council for this month, said the council was concerned about "the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen."

The Security Council stressed the need to keep all seaports and airports functioning, including the seaport of Al Hudaydah, a critical lifeline for humanitarian aid and other essential supplies, Cardi told reporters.

The council demanded parties provide "full, safe, rapid and unhindered access" for humanitarian supplies and UN personnel to all affected governorates in the war-torn country, he said.

Yemen has been in civil war since 2015, pitting Sanaa-based Houthi forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against forces of the incumbent government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, based in Aden. A Saudi-led coalition uses airstrikes to restore the Hadi government.

Cardi said the Security Council condemned Saturday's missile attack against the Saudi capital Riyadh, which Saudi Arabia claims was launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The missile, which allegedly targeted a densely populated area in the city, was shot down.

The United States indicated Tuesday that the missile, together with one launched by the Houthis into Saudi Arabia in July, might be of Iranian origin, and demanded action on Iran from the UN.

Cardi said Wednesday that the provision of weapons to Houthis in Yemen violates UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

He said the council supports a political solution to the Yemeni issue and asks all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:31:48|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MANILA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine military said on Thursday that six soldiers have been killed and four others wounded in fierce fighting with Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan, an island province in southern Philippines.

The military said the fighting broke out around 12:41 p.m. on Wednesday in a remote village while government security forces were conducting "strike operation" in the area.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, a spokesman for the military in the Western Mindanao, said an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf extremists have also been killed or injured.

"As they edged towards the circumstantial road, operating troops were met with heavy fire by lawless elements believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf bandits," Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of the military's joint task force operating in Basilan.

Western Military Commander Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez vowed to intensify combat operations against the extremists to totally defeat the terrorists.

The Abu Sayyaf group was set up in the early 1990s. The militants are notorious for kidnapping-for-ransom, bombings and killing their captives when their multi-million-dollar ransom demand is not paid.

The group helped the fully-armed IS militants in taking over the southern Philippine city of Marawi in May.

The Marawi conflict, which had lasted five months, claimed the lives of more than 1,100 people, including more than 900 extremists and 165 soldiers and policemen.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:31:49|Editor: Zhou Xin

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JAKARTA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Soldiers and policemen would pursue a group of gunmen who has killed a policeman and taken hostages over 1,000 civilians in Papua province, National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said here on Thursday.

The group has also attacked policemen who were in charge at a subsidiary of U.S. Freeport McMorant in Tembagapura of the province, and used more than 1,000 gold miners there as shield, the general disclosed.

"One of our personnel has been shot dead. The group has applies a hit-and-run method, using gold miners as shield. We and armed forces will jointly chase them,"Karnavian said at Jakarta metropolitan police headquarters.

However, the general also said a soft approach would also be undertaken to address the problem.

According to Police Chief in Papua province Inspector Gen. Boy Rafly Amar, the group comprises about 100 persons.

Papua province is situated in eastern Indonesia, home to separatist group of Free Papua Movement, also known as the OPM, which has been using guerrilla wars to achieve the independent goal.

Soldiers, policemen and workers of the U.S. subsidiary firm have been frequently targeted by the group, leaving dozens of casualties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:41:52|Editor: Liangyu

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China's large passenger aircraft, the C919, are seen on the tarmac in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 9, 2017. The Chinese-produced large passenger jet, C919, will make its first long-distance flight on Friday, leaving Shanghai for Yanliang base in northwest China's Shaanxi Province where it will undergo further testing. It will remain at the Yanliang base to undergo more complicated testing in order to acquire its airworthiness certificates. With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the C919 jet is comparable to the updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737 planes. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-produced large passenger jet, C919, will make its first long-distance flight on Friday, leaving Shanghai for northwest China's Shaanxi Province where it will undergo further testing.

The plane will take off in Pudong Airport in Shanghai and fly to Yanliang Testing Base in Xi'an, according to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Shanghai-based manufacturer of the jet.

The company plans to produce six test planes, with the second expected to make its maiden flight at the end of this year.

The first C919 completed its maiden test flight in May and has now made a total of five test flights. It will remain at the Yanliang base to undergo more complicated testing in order to acquire its airworthiness certificates.

Cai Jun, captain of the maiden flight, said the aircraft will fly at a height of 7,800 meters and complete the 1,400-km journey in around three hours.

"We have prepared a detailed work plan to ensure the safety of the flight from Shanghai to Yanliang," he said.

COMAC has received orders for 730 C919 planes from 27 domestic and international clients.

With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the C919 jet is comparable to the updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737 planes.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:41:53|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NEW DELHI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As the Indian capital has come under the grip of suffocating smog this week, the lack of political will and refusal to act on this public health emergency with a sense of urgency have caused people extreme suffering.

The deteriorating air quality in Delhi, which emerges unfailingly around this time every year, is clearly the doing of the governments that have failed its people, environmental experts said.

Through its indifference and inaction and political blame-game instead of a coordinated action with necessary agencies and environmental non-governmental organization, the state and the central governments brought the situation to where it stands today, the experts say.

A similar smog engulfed Delhi last year as well due to the burning of biomass and other farm residue in the neighbouring northern states of Punjab and Haryana.

Last year, the Delhi government had shut schools and imposed measures like the car rationing schemes and also called upon people to use public transport. But once the situation improved, issues like air pollution, climate change and increased warming were pushed to the sidelines.

While activists and environmentalists kept trying to keep the impending situation warm, the governments showed no interest in taking a comprehensive measure before it was too late.

This was at the time when world leaders were mulling on the Paris Accord that deals with climate change and unites all nations in committing themselves to deal with it.

"Construction dust, vehicular pollution, and domestic and industrial emissions as other major factors besides burning of biomass cause smog in Delhi. This was brought to the attention of the government. Unfortunately, they fail us," said environmentalist Harsh Aggarwal.

"Some positive measures like ban on crackers in Delhi and its adjoining cities before Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) were only enforced due to the whip cracked by India's Supreme Court but in itself, governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, along with the central government, totally failed to take any comprehensive measures before we reached this point where it has become impossible to breathe in the national capital," he added.

Several world studies clubbed the Indian capital among most polluted cities in the world last year.

"This should have been an enough nudge to take proper actions," said K.P. Singh, a former Delhi University professor.

"However, it is unfortunate that we did not learn from last year. And whatever is happening now is even worse. While we choke and expect strong and stringent measures, the government is only responding in a lukewarm manner. The chief ministers of Delhi and Punjab are engaged in a war of words over smog when they should be working hand-in-hand towards the welfare of the citizens," he added.

While Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought time from his Punjab counterpart, Amrinder Singh to discuss the issue, the latter put the responsibility on the central government to allot funds to farmers for stubble burning even as he referred to the situation as one with national implication.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party also issued a statement, blaming the Delhi government for failing to maintain a working relationship with the neighbouring chief ministers.

Doctors, however, believe it is too late to act and some sections of senior pulmonologists even called for evacuation of the national capital.

"Even at this time I am seeing no strong action. In such a situation, the city should be shut down. We are worried for children and elderly but the government doesn't seem bothered," said Jayant Prakash, a lung surgeon working with a private hospital.

The National Green Tribunal has, however, taken cognizance of the sorry state of the situation.

Slamming the Delhi government, the green court has said, "You have made a mess of Delhi. You have done what you had to, now we will decide what you have to do. Why didn't you issue any direction for shutting down polluting industries and construction?"

While schools have been shut in Delhi, construction halted and parking fees raised, the important thing now is what can be immediately done concretely to improve the situation in the coming years.

It is time for the political leaders to be react to the situation with urgency.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:59:22|Editor: Jiaxin

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Staff members work on China's large passenger aircraft, the C919, at the assembly line in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 9, 2017. A second C919 jet had its engines switched on for the first time on Nov. 2, before taxiing test and a maiden flight. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 18:56:59|Editor: Zhou Xin

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WELLINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's decision to continue whaling in the Southern Ocean is "out of step" with international opinion and defies scientific advice, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Thursday.

Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research announced on Thursday that the Japanese whaling fleet had departed Japan for the Southern Ocean.

"While the world calls for greater protection of the ocean's ecosystems, Japan's whaling vessels will be heading to the Antarctic to hunt over 300 minke whales," Peters said in a statement.

New Zealand has long been opposed to whaling and has repeatedly urged Japan to end its whaling program, Peters said.

Japan's decision to conduct whaling in the Southern Ocean "flies in the face of the clear recommendations of the International Whaling Commission, its Scientific Committee and its expert panels," he said.

"Japan can achieve its stated research objectives without killing whales," the foreign minister said, adding that this is an outdated practice and needs to stop.
A video recording from Xinhua showing Arabella Kushner, US President Donald Trump's granddaughter, singing Chinese songs and reciting Chinese literary classics caused another internet sensation in China Wednesday night.

In the video clip, Arabella, wearing a traditional embroidered Chinese dress, greets President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.

The six-year-old sings two songs Our Fields, Beautiful Fields, and My Good Mom. The former, written in 1953 and adored by Chinese teenagers for decades, expresses one's love and affection for the motherland and nature. The latter is a popular nursery rhyme widespread in China.

She also displayed knowledge about Chinese literature by reciting Three Character Classic, a Confucianist volume to educate young children, and two ancient poems of Li Bai, Watching the Fall of Lushan Mountain, and Departing from Baidi City in the Morning.

Xi spoke highly of the child's Mandarin abilities and said her performance deserved an "A Plus". He said Arabella was already a star in China and hoped she would visit China one day.

Numerous media websites and netizens reposted the video. It has received 2.3 million clicks on Sina Weibo, China's popular social media platform, as of press time.

"What a talented and smart girl she is!" Weibo user Yumeiren said. "I hope she can make more contributions to fostering China-US friendship in the future."

"Bravo, kiddo!" Alvin Valeriano said on Youtube. "Good ambassador of goodwill, you are Arabella. JIA YOU!"

Earlier this year, during President Xi's visit to the United States, Arabella has already performed for the president and his wife at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 6. Standing alongside her parents, Arabella sang Jasmine, a Chinese folk song with her brother Joseph.

Following are two ancient poems recited by Arabella Kushner.

Watching the Fall of Lushan Mountain

Sunlight streaming on incense

Stone kindles a violet smoke,

Far off I watch the waterfall

flunge to the long river,

Flying waters descending

straight three thousand feet,

Till I think the Milky Way has tumbled

from the ninth height of Heaven.

Departing from White King City at Dawn

At dawn I left the walled city of White King,

Towering among the many-colored cloud;

And came down stream in a day

One thousand li to Jiangling.

The screams of monkeys on either bank

Had scarcely ceased echoong in my ear

When my skiff had left behind it

Ten thousand ranges of hills.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:07:02|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NEW DELHI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The local government in New Delhi Thursday announced it would roll out "odd-even" formula of private cars in the capital city from next week, officials said.

The announcement was made by local transport minister Kailash Gahlot.

"Odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in Delhi for a five-day period from Monday," Gahlot said.

The decision to impose the formula was made in the wake of rising air pollution levels in the national capital.

Under the arrangement, private cars with odd registration numbers are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars would ply on even dates.

Last year the scheme was enforced twice, from Jan. to Jan. 15 and April 15 to April 30.

Since Tuesday morning, Delhi was covered with thick smog, following which health officials issued advisory to elderly and children to avoid venturing out.

All schools in Delhi, adjoining areas and Punjab were closed until Sunday in view of the pollution.

The entry of trucks except those carrying essentials has been banned in the national capital, besides work on civil construction sites was suspended.

The deadly smog chocks air causing breathlessness and lung difficulties, besides badly affecting the visibility.

Delhi is considered to be the most polluted city in the world. Last year the city's high court described the capital as "gas chamber".

Air pollution is a leading cause of premature death in India. Pollution in Delhi gets aggravated during winter months. Ahead of winters people burn agricultural waste to clear cropland, which contributes to the choking of already polluted air.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:17:06|Editor: Liangyu

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Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, pose for a group photo with students after watching their performances at Banchang Elementary School in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 9, 2017. Melania Trump, accompanied by Peng Liyuan, visited the school on Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday morning visited Banchang Elementary School in Beijing, accompanied by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a high-spirited atmosphere, Peng and Trump joined the students in their English, astronomy and Peking Opera classes, and watched their singing and dancing performances.

Peng told Trump that Banchang is a public school. Teaching facilities have been improving in recent years, and the standard of education has been rising.

The students showed their self-designed Qipao, a kind of traditional Chinese dress, and invited the guests to help finish their wash painting of a little panda.

In a cookery class, Peng and Trump joined the pupils in making a famous Beijing snack and apple pie.

The students also presented their calligraphy and handicraft to the ladies, and gave performances at the school auditorium.

Peng and Trump agreed that Chinese and American children could and should know more about each other and make friends.

Melania Trump is in Beijing with U.S. President Donald Trump for a three-day visit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:22:09|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ATHENS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) --- Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades reiterated on Thursday a joint call for the resolution of the Cyprus issue without guarantees and military presence on the divided island.

"Greece continues to seek a solution, but one that respects international law and the European acquis, and has no occupation troops or guarantees," Pavlopoulos made the remarks when welcoming Anastasiades in Athens, according to Greek national news agency AMNA.

"There can be no solution to the Cyprus problem with the parameters set by Turkey ... Turkey's insistence on guarantees and a military presence on the island prevents a solution," Anastasiades said for his part.

"We remain committed to the need to find a solution, but within the framework of international law and the European acquis," he stressed.

Anastasiades made the visit to Athens to attend a forum aimed to boost dialogue and cooperation between European and Arab countries.

The latest UN-mediated bid to put an end to the 43-year-long division of the Mediterranean Sea Island failed in July in Switzerland when the Greek and Turkish sides did not agree on security arrangements. Each side blamed the other for the failure.

Turkey maintains troops in Cyprus since it occupied its northern part in 1974, in reaction to a coup by the then military rulers of Greece.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:22:10|Editor: Zhou Xin

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by Justice Lee Adoboe

ACCRA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The way Ghana handled its energy bond, which failed to raise the target amount despite extension, could suggest a state of desperation to borrow which may alienate investors, John Gatsi, an economist and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, has said.

At the end of the extended period for the bonds backed by the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA), the government raised 4.71 billion Ghana cedis (1.06 billion U.S. Dollars), still short of a targeted 6 billion cedis.

"At the first closure date, we could not get our target; we extended for one week, yet we could still not get it. Now you have issued another statement that you will issue a three-year domestic bond. You are signaling desperation to borrow which by itself can also create a problem," the economist told Xinhua in an interview late Wednesday at the end of a two-day seminar by Bank of Ghana and regional bank, ECOBANK.

The Ghanaian government is set to issue a three-year domestic U.S. Dollar Bond on Thursday in an amount yet to be specified which analysts believe is to compensate for the shortfall in the ESLA Bond.

Gatsi attributed the weak response to the bonds issuance to the lack of clarity in the process and the instrument.

Since the law says part of ESLA should be used to finance energy sector infrastructure, and part of it should be used to pay off energy sector debts, the investor will be interested in knowing whether the purpose of the government borrowing on the back of levy is in line with the law, according to him.

"If the investor has the feeling that part of the money will be used to pay off part of the debt and the rest will be used to finance other activities that are not captured in the Energy sector levy then that becomes a risky investment for the investor and the investor may advise himself," Gatsi said.

Another point of lack of clarity he said is about the terminal point of the ESLA conflicting with the tenor of the bonds.

"ESLA is not a levy forever so if the ESLA will end for example the next four years and you are issuing seven-year bond, a 10-year bond and a 15-year bond, the understanding is that you will be using the ESLA to be paying the coupon, but what happens after the exit period? Are you going to ask the people of Ghana to extend the sunset clause to cover the 15 year period?

"If that is not clear to the investor then the investor thinks that there is some risk element that he will not be able to accommodate, so the investor will be very selective in dealing with the bond that you are issuing," he added.

Gatsi also attributed the low interest in the ESLA Backed bond to the associated political risk due to the way affairs are managed by the ruling class in Ghana.

If parties in power think only people who belong to their parties can hold public positions, that won't help generate much interest in such long-dated instrument, according to him.

The economist said the situation where people who are closer to economic management of the country in recent times talk about revising all previous contracts and agreements also creates apprehension that should government change power again with a different party coming to power, a similar thing might be repeated.

"So anything happening in the economy sends signals as to how people should behave towards us when we need their assistance by buying into our bonds," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:27:13|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- China will significantly ease market access to the financial sector, reduce tariffs on cars, and try out lifting foreign ownership restrictions in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, a senior diplomat said Thursday.

Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang made the remarks when briefing the media on the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting U.S. President Donald Trump during their talks earlier Thursday.

"In accordance with its timetable and roadmap for further opening up, the Chinese side will significantly ease market access to the financial sector, including the banking, securities and fund, and insurance industries," Zheng said.

The government will also "gradually and properly" reduce tariffs on automobiles, he said.

On a trial basis, restrictions will be lifted on foreign ownership in utility vehicle and NEV industries in pilot free trade zones by June 2018, said Zheng.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:37:18|Editor: Zhou Xin

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WINDHOEK, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has the potential to light up Southern Africa, given its strategic location and ambitious plan for private investments in the power generation sector, according to the Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein.

The public sector alone cannot respond to the enormous investment needed to meet the growing demand for electricity in the country, the minister said on Thursday at a Publi Private Partnership (PPP) Conference held in Windhoek.

"We must therefore leverage on private sector resources to finance, build and operate power infrastructures, in order to help take electricity to all corners in Namibia where households and businesses are presently deprived of this enabling facility," he said.

According to Schlettwein, as per the country's Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), the majority of the upcoming electricity generation projects are expected to be developed through private sector investments.

"Namibia is fortunate to be endowed with many natural resources that we can exploit to become power self-sufficient. We have one of the highest solar radiation resource, for free and suitable for PV and concentrated solar power (CSP) installations. We also have suitable locations and available space for wind energy generation," he added.

Schlettwein said for the country to champion in the renewable energy sector, Namibia must take learning from the success of renewable energy program in South Africa, which has paved the way for renewable energy investments in Southern Africa.

Currently Namibia is a net importer of electricity and imports power from South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:42:21|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RABAT, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Morocco will set up a new seawater desalination factory in the southern city of Chtouka to meet increasing demand for drinking water, local media reported on Thursday.

The project, which will serve the southern region on the kingdom, will be built with nearly 400 million U.S. dollars, the financial daily L'Economiste pointed out.

The project will be implemented by partnership between the Moroccan government and private operators and will be ready by 2020, the same source noted.

The factory will also serve to support local agriculture, which has been affected by recent drought, and whose products are being exported to Europe and Russia.

Morocco has revealed recently that it is planning to set up another factory for seawater desalination, which will supply water to the northeastern provinces of Al Hoceima and Nador.

Morocco is suffering from recurrent drought. To ensure the country's water security, the Moroccan government worked in 2015 a National Water Plan which aims at providing universal access to drinking water, improving the output of drinking water supply networks and water use efficiency.

It also seeks to enhance water storage, boost desalination projects, encourage the reuse of treated wastewater, and the possibility of transferring water from areas having excess to those suffering shortage.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 19:52:24|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Twelve militants were killed and six others wounded in a cordon operation in northern Afghanistan's Balkh province, a local official said Thursday.

"Among the killed militants were Taliban shadow district governor of Chamtal -- Mullah Gulnabi, an insurgents' commander Sardar Subhani, and a member of the Taliban military commission," Sayyed Sarwar Housaini, police spokesman of 707 Pamir Police Zone, based in the region, told Xinhua.

Afghan air force supported the ground forces during the raid launched by army, police and intelligence agency in Chamtal district.

The security forces also confiscated three vehicles, arms and ammunition during the raid, the source said, adding that security forces have suffered no casualties in the incident.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants as the militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions ahead of the winter in the mountainous country.

The Taliban militants, who are fighting the security forces in some distant districts of the province, have yet to make comment on the incident.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:02:27|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- China Aviation Suppliers Holding Company (CASC) Thursday signed an agreement with Boeing for 300 aircraft, valued at more than 37 billion U.S. dollars at list prices.

The agreement was part of the U.S. trade mission to China, according to Boeing.

It includes both orders and commitments for 300 Boeing single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft, made up of planes from the 737, 787 and 777 families.

China has seen a surge in the civil aviation transportation market in recent years. The CASC has undertaken bulk purchases of Boeing aircraft to allow aviation transport companies to continuously expand their capacity and fleet structure, the CASC said in a press release.

The agreement is a result of an overall consideration of the country's air transport market and the production schedule of Chinese-produced passenger aircraft, said the CASC.

"China is a valued customer and key partner, and we are proud that Boeing airplanes will be a part of its fleet growth for years to come," said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"Boeing and China have a strong history of working together based on great mutual respect, and these orders build on that foundation," he said.

Boeing and China will continue to work on mutually beneficial ways to grow and support the aviation market, according to Boeing.

These efforts include industrial cooperation, the development of technologies to reduce the environmental impact and enhance sustainability of the aviation industry. Both sides will continue cooperation to support the safety, efficiency and capacity of China's air transport system.

In May, Boeing started construction of the first overseas production center for its most popular 737 family of aircraft in the east China port city of Zhoushan, including a completion center and delivery center.

According to Boeing's latest market outlook, China is expected to need 7,240 new aircraft over the next 20 years, valued at nearly 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars. Of these, 5,420 would be single-aisle aircraft.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:02:28|Editor: Zhou Xin

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HARARE, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's flagship airport, the Harare International Airport, was on Thursday renamed Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in honor of the country's veteran leader Robert Mugabe.

The airport was built in the 1950s during the colonial era and was later upgraded and commissioned in 2001. It has one of the longest runways in Africa, measuring 4,725 kilometers.

It has a handling capacity of 2.5 million passengers per year and the government is planning to further upgrade and expand it to increase its capacity to 6 million passengers per year and turn it into a regional air transport hub.

Officiating at the event, President Mugabe thanked the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for honoring him through renaming the airport after him.

"I want to thank most sincerely for the honor bestowed on me by renaming the Harare International Airport to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport," Mugabe said. "It is indeed a great honor for me and it is indeed a great gesture."

He said the honor was a source of pride not only for him but his family and the entire nation.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to the development of the country's air transport systems to facilitate economic development.

His government, he added, was taking steps to liberalize the country's air space in line with the Yamoussoukuro Decision of 1999.

The airport becomes the second to be renamed after the country's leaders following the Bulawayo Airport which was upgraded from domestic to international airport and renamed Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport after the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo in 2001.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:17:32|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KAMPALA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military on Thursday said it is ready to deploy 5,000 troops in Somalia outside the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) mandate for an all-out offensive operations against the Al-Shabaab militants.

Brig. Richard Karemire, the military and defense spokesperson, told Xinhua that Uganda as a Pan-Africanist country is ready to send the troops as long as the international community commits resources for the operation.

"We are always ready to deploy such a number and even more as a country and Pan-Africanists. We need some support somewhere," said Karemire.

Karemire said there are many rules to operate under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which sometimes may hinder the elimination of the militants.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is reported to have told Donald Yamamoto, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs in September that Uganda is ready to deploy additional 5,000 troops to strengthen the military operations of the AMISOM.

Museveni told Yamamoto that the east African country would only send more troops to Somalia if the international community commits to regular funding, donates military equipment, force enablers and multipliers such as attack helicopters for the operations against the insurgents.

The comments by the Ugandan military come shortly after the Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson for Somalia, Francisco Madeira announced on Tuesday that some 1,000 soldiers from the 22,000 strong force will be withdrawn from Somalia by Dec. 31.

AMISOM is comprised of troops drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Uganda provides the bulk of the force.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:32:38|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TOKYO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's environment ministry confirmed Thursday that a wild swan found dead in western Japan was infected with a highly pathogenic bird flu.

The dead swan was found near Lake Shinji in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture Sunday and tested positive for bird flu in a simple test.

Further tests at the Tottori University confirmed that the swan was infected with the highly pathogenic H5N6 influenza strain.

It was the first bird flu case confirmed in Japan this season, according to the ministry.

The environment ministry has since Sunday strengthened monitoring of wild birds within 10 kilometers of the place where the dead swan was found.

It also raised on Thursday the country's bird flu alert from one to two on a scale of three.

In March, hundreds of thousands of chicken at poultry farms were culled in Miyagi and Chiba prefectures due to the outbreak of a highly pathogenic bird flu.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:37:41|Editor: Zhou Xin

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by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Dimitris Koufodinas, a leading "November 17" (17 N) terrorist group member who is serving 11 life sentences for murder, was granted his first prison furlough in 15 years, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Thursday.

The exit of Koufodinas from Korydallos maximum security prison on a 48-hour leave has sparked strong reactions by opposition parties in Athens.

Koufodinas has been identified as "17 N"'s main hit man during the trial that followed his arrest and the dismantling of the group in 2002.

He was convicted in 2003, along a dozen other group members, for their roles in more than 100 attacks carried out between 1975 and 2000 that killed 23 Greek, U.S., British and Turkish nationals.

Among the victims were businessmen, politicians, diplomats and citizens who were considered "collateral damage" such as Thanos Axarlian, a 20-year-old student who was killed in 1992 during an attack against then finance minister.

Koufodinas had requested a temporary leave many times in the past, but his request had been rejected.

Government sources told AMNA on Thursday that the decision to grant furlough was reached unanimously by the Appeals Justices' Council.

The Greek Federation of Prison Guards noted in a press statement that Koufodinas could have received the temporary leave sooner should Christodoulos Xiros, another leading "17 N" member had not vanished during a similar furlough in January 2014.

Xiros was arrested again a year later. While he was on the run he had threatened with more attacks and police discovered in his hide out weapons and explosives.

Koufodinas must report twice a day to the police station near his residence.

Koufodinas' release was criticized by parties from the Right to the Left of the political spectrum.

"Granting any furlough to Koufodinas is inconceivable. Not only for his heinous actions against Democracy, but also because he has never expressed any remorse for them and remains the ideological leader of the new generation of terrorists," main opposition New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted.

The decision was also slammed by Athens Mayor Yorgos Kaminis, a centre-Left lawyer and former ombudsman, and centrist River Party leader Stavros Theodorakis.

They argued that criminals like Koufodinas who have not shown remorse should not be allowed out of prison.

In books written from prison, Koufodinas defended his actions.
Soldiers stand guard during the formal inauguration ceremony of the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU), a defensive military enity mandated to protect UN staff and installations in Mogadishua, capital of Somalia, May 18, 2014. The UNGU is made up of troops provided by the Uganda People's Defence Forces. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

KAMPALA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military on Thursday said it is ready to deploy 5,000 troops in Somalia outside the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) mandate for an all-out offensive operations against the Al-Shabaab militants.

Brig. Richard Karemire, the military and defense spokesperson, told Xinhua that Uganda as a Pan-Africanist country is ready to send the troops as long as the international community commits resources for the operation.

"We are always ready to deploy such a number and even more as a country and Pan-Africanists. We need some support somewhere," said Karemire.

Karemire said there are many rules to operate under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which sometimes may hinder the elimination of the militants.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is reported to have told Donald Yamamoto, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs in September that Uganda is ready to deploy additional 5,000 troops to strengthen the military operations of the AMISOM.

Museveni told Yamamoto that the east African country would only send more troops to Somalia if the international community commits to regular funding, donates military equipment, force enablers and multipliers such as attack helicopters for the operations against the insurgents.

The comments by the Ugandan military come shortly after the Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson for Somalia, Francisco Madeira announced on Tuesday that some 1,000 soldiers from the 22,000 strong force will be withdrawn from Somalia by Dec. 31.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:47:44|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday rejected NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's recent remarks that Taliban still have bases in Pakistan, which he had described as a "big challenge" to efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan.

"We have to address the big challenge that the Taliban, the insurgents are working also out of bases in Pakistan. And we have raised that several times," Stoltenberg told reporters at NATO's headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry's spokesman Muhammad Faisal dismissed the charges at his weekly briefing.

"We completely reject baseless allegations of bases in Pakistan. There are no organized bases of any terrorist organizations anywhere in the country. Such fallacious assertions are counter-productive and detrimental," the spokesman said when asked about his comments on NATO secretary general's accusations against Pakistan of harbouring terrorists and terrorist safe havens in its territory.

"Pakistan has made unmatched sacrifices, both in blood and treasure in fighting terrorism. No country has done more than Pakistan, or suffered more than Pakistan in combating the menace of terrorism," the spokesman said.

To a question on the issue of troops surge in Afghanistan by NATO, he said Pakistan has previously made many statements on this issue.

"Pakistan believes that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict, and a political solution is imperative for lasting peace and stability. It is very important for Afghanistan to be at peace with itself and its neighbours," he said.

The spokesman said Pakistan has undertaken comprehensive and successful counter-terrorism operations in the last four years in line with its own national resolve to rid the country of terrorism.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 20:47:45|Editor: Liangyu

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COLOMBO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Over 21,000 Chinese tourists arrived in Sri Lanka last month, resulting in a 6.2 percent growth when compared to the same period last year, statistics from Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau showed here Thursday.

So far this year, over 230,000 Chinese tourists have visited the island country, with the government recently stating that they were expecting higher numbers during the peak months starting October.

Sri Lanka has become a famous tourist destination among Chinese travelers and the government hopes to attract at least 1 million Chinese tourists per year by 2020.

Sri Lanka's tourism industry has witnessed a boom since the end of the country's three-decade long civil war which ended in May 2009.

Over 1.5 million tourists have arrived in the country so far this year and the government is expecting to achieve a 2.5 million arrival target by the end of 2017 and a 5 million arrival target by 2020.

According to the central bank, Sri Lanka has earned over 2 billion U.S. dollars from tourism so far this year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 21:02:52|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NAIROBI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- An international expert on Thursday challenged African governments to embrace inclusivity to avoid losing out in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Belay Begashaw, East Africa's Director General of Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa (SDGCA), a regional body that manages the UN development goals, said that to achieve growth, countries must minimize trade-offs, maximize synergies, and ensure that guidelines of SDGs are followed.

"We have to plan, execute, evaluate and value impacts and significantly change behaviors and mindsets in the implementation of SDGs," Begashaw said during a Bioeconomy symposium in Nairobi.

He observed that economic growth, environmental protection and social inclusion are the key pillars of achieving the goals, warning that there should be no trade-offs amongst the three pillars, instead their synergies should be exploited to the maximum.

"We have to do everything possible to minimize or even remove trade-offs amongst the three pillars in order to achieve strong sustainable development as aligned in the SDG Agenda 2030," Begashaw added.

He said governments focus on investing in infrastructure and national and international non-governmental organizations efforts in environmental conservation are doomed to fail if the poor and marginalized groups of our societies are not included in the programs.

He warned that if not guarded, the SDG agenda runs the risk of being hijacked if attention is given to the ecological lobby by politicians as well as other development interests of the rich, which mainly focus on economic growth at the cost of the other aspects.

Begashaw said it is unfortunate that the continent still imports food and also has the highest number of poorest people in the world yet its potential to produce for export is huge.

Out of 800 million people suffering from chronic hunger globally, 230 million live in Africa while it spends about 68 billion U.S. dollars per year on food imports.

The continent largely exports primary and semi-processed agriculture and minerals products with minimum benefits due to lack of value addition.

"Africa must increase its usage of irrigation since rain fed agriculture in drylands is extremely risky, yet three-quarters of the agricultural land area in Sub Saharan Africa is on drylands," he said.

He attributed lack of agricultural transformation in the continent to low investment in agriculture system yet in most of the countries; drought has become a new normal business.

"Water has to be considered as a critical and determining input component for agriculture transformation to succeed since studies have shown that irrigation is capable of increasing yields by 91 percent in the drylands," he added.

Begashaw called for change of focus to make agriculture profitable for the African small scale farmers and to transition from subsistence farming to a commercial venture.

"Let's run farms as businesses by raising the productivity of the farms and add value to the produce through strengthening their link to the manufacturing sector in the international markets," he said.

He called on agricultural researchers to engage farmers at early stage when developing improved seed varieties, introducing fertilizers and irrigation since agriculture presents the easiest path to kick-start industrialization and economic transformation.

He said modernization of agriculture coupled with right marketing policies that integrates small holder farmers into value chains and connects them to the international markets.

"Let's attract the youths into the sector by introducing the use of technology and innovations and develop clear policies," he added.

According to the expert, Africa's youth are currently not interested in agriculture yet academically equipped with education systems that do not prepare them for farming.

The contribution of agriculture to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Sub-Saharan Africa is less than 25 percent. Agriculture's higher share in employment than in GDP reflects the sector's low productivity and explains the high poverty levels.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 21:07:53|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NAIROBI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to reduce its fiscal deficit in order to achieve public debt sustainability, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Cabinet Secretary in the National Treasury Henry Rotich told journalists in Nairobi that the country's fiscal deficit is expected to close at 6.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the 2017/2018 financial year, down from 8.5 percent the previous year.

"Our goal is to maintain government borrowing at levels that are consistent with sustainability parameters," Rotich said.

The National Treasury is seeking to lower the fiscal deficit to less than six percent for the 2018/2019 financial year and thereafter maintain it at less than four percent in the medium term.

Rotich said Kenya's public debt currently stands at approximately 50 percent of the GDP. "This is well below the International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt distress levels," he added.

Rotich said the country will only contract debt to fund priority sectors such as infrastructure. Rotich noted that the government is implementing austerity measures in order to achieve its fiscal deficit targets.

He said the economy is expected to expand by 5.1 percent in 2017, down from the six percent projected earlier in the year.

"The economic slowdown is largely due to drought and the prolonged electioneering period occasioned by the repeat presidential polls," Rotich said.

He noted that the drought in the first half of the year negatively affected agricultural output which contributes a quarter of GDP.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 21:17:55|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KIEV, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's conflict-hit eastern region of Donbas has received 273 tons of humanitarian aid from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Ukraine State Border service said Thursday.

A total of 14 trucks have delivered relief supplies to people living in Donbas, which falls beyond the government's control, the agency said in a statement on its website, adding that the aid included food sets, hygienic kits and office materials.

This year, the ICRC plans to allocate a total of 60 million U.S. dollars to help civilians in eastern Ukraine, who have been affected by the conflict between the government troops and pro-independence insurgents.

The United Nations has estimated that the confrontation, which started in April 2014, left some 3.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 21:58:07|Editor: Liangyu

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NEW YORK, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an "indispensable economic forum" for the Asia-Pacific, the world's powerhouse for economic growth amid rising protectionism in the West, said a renowned U.S. scholar.

"APEC does not get the credit that it deserves but it is an indispensable economic forum for the Asia-Pacific. Especially at a time when the ugly head of protectionism has reared itself," Sourabh Gupta, resident senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

APEC provides a "common umbrella" under which parties can "gather and move ahead on the basis of consensus" as rival trade liberalization initiatives are under discussion or re-negotiation in the Asia-Pacific and trans-Pacific region, he said.

"If a future Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) is to formally take shape, APEC is the platform where such liberalization discussions will be initiated," he said.

By encompassing all 21 APEC economies through trade liberalization, the FTAAP, once established, will become the world's largest free trade zone, covering 57 percent of the global economy and nearly half of world trade.

"Even if the momentum on FTAAP flags in the near-term due to the U.S.reluctance, APEC still can play a valuable role in setting high standards and best-practices in a number of new areas of cross-border commerce, such as digital trade," Gupta noted.

The vision to build FTAAP, proposed at the APEC meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2006, was translated into reality at the 2014 APEC meetings in Beijing with the endorsement of a roadmap. The FTAAP was finally approved at the APEC meetings in Lima in 2016.

"This is what APEC excels at -- creating 'pathfinder' groups among its membership that draw up best practices in a number of cross-border and 'beyond-the-border' areas of commerce, such as the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules system, which are then endorsed by the full membership," he added.

A report from the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council has estimated that the FTAAP, when realized, will add 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars to the global economy.

The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang on Nov. 10 and 11.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 22:03:10|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Journalists from across China have said they were inspired by Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks on journalism and would endeavor to spread China's voice.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, called on journalists to "strengthen their confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics."

He made the statement in a congratulatory letter to the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) on its 80th anniversary Wednesday.

"We are lucky to work as journalists in the new era and we will strive to present new aspects in our work," said Zhang Tie, deputy director of the commentary department of the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the CPC.

In the letter, Xi said he expected journalists to "maintain a close connection with the people, record the events of the great times, tell China's stories well, spread China's voice, herald the message of victory and raise national morale, for the realization of the Two Centenary Goals and national rejuvenation."

"Xi has repeatedly emphasized that journalists should care for the people," said Hou Kaidi from China Central Television. "We need to focus on the stories of the ordinary people."

"In order to tell stories of the Chinese people, journalists from Chongqing Daily have spent three years reporting on more than 500 people, recording their love for the country and home as well as their endeavor to make a better life," said Jiang Chunyong, deputy editor in chief of the newspaper.

"We will continue to improve media convergence and reach Internet audience and young people through integrated media products," said Qian Tong, executive deputy director of Xinhua All-Media Service.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 22:08:12|Editor: Lu Hui

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Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday agreed on maintaining the strategic leading role of head-of-state diplomacy in developing bilateral relations.

"Both sides should draw the future roadmap for the development of China-U.S. ties, and increase trust and defuse doubts on major and sensitive issues in line with the goal set by the heads of state," Xi said during their talks in Beijing.

Trump also pledged to maintain close communication with Xi and promote the development of bilateral ties and cooperation on international affairs.

The two sides agreed to increase exchanges at various levels, give a full play to the four high-level dialogue mechanisms initiated by Xi and Trump -- the diplomatic and security dialogue, the comprehensive economic dialogue, the law enforcement and cyber security dialogue, and the social and people-to-people dialogue.

DEFINING THE RELATIONS

"We believe Sino-U.S. relations concern not only the well-being of both peoples, but also world peace, prosperity and stability," Xi said during the talks.

The presidents agreed that cooperation is the "only correct choice" for China and the United States, and a better future would only be achieved through win-win cooperation.

Xi noted that the Sino-U.S. relations are "at a new historic starting point" and China is willing to work together with the United States to respect each other, seek mutual benefit and reciprocity, focus on cooperation, and manage and control differences.

Trump said the two countries have a great relationship and their cooperation accords with fundamental interests of both and is crucial to resolving world problems.

HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUES

During their talks, the two presidents were briefed on the progress of the four high-level dialogue mechanisms, which were initiated by them during their first face-to-face meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Florida in April this year.

Before Trump's state visit to China, they also met in Hamburg, Germany on the sidelines of the G20 summit in July.

The dialogue mechanisms should not only focus on issues of overall and strategic significance, but also on individual cooperation projects, expand mutual interest and remove disruptions in a timely and proper manner, said Xi.

The mechanisms should play an important role in serving as accelerators for increasing mutual trust, incubators for fostering cooperation and lubricant for managing and controlling differences, according to Xi.

DIPLOMACY & SECURITY

Xi stressed that diplomacy and security concern the overall development of bilateral ties and strategic mutual trust.

The Taiwan issue is the most important and most sensitive issue at the core of Sino-U.S. ties, which concerns the political foundation of bilateral relations, Xi said.

He urged the United States to continue to abide by the one-China principle to prevent disturbance to the overall situation of Sino-U.S. ties.

Military relations should serve as a stabilizing factor in China-U.S. ties. "The Pacific Ocean is vast enough to accommodate both countries," Xi said.

Stating that common interests of China and the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific far exceed differences, Xi said the two sides should cooperate actively in the region so that more regional countries can work with them to jointly contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Trump said the U.S. government adheres to the one-China policy.

During the talks, the presidents stressed that the two countries have common goals in eventually solving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation, and reiterated the commitment to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Xi said the two sides should draw up and launch economic and trade cooperation plans for the next stage as soon as possible and push for "larger scale, higher level and broader fields" of cooperation.

He called for advancing healthy development of Sino-U.S. economic ties in the direction of "a dynamic equilibrium, mutual benefits and win-win results."

"Economic and trade cooperation is the stabilizer and ballast of Sino-U.S. relations," Xi said.

He noted that the Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial in nature, saying that cooperation brings huge gains to both countries and their people.

China will break new ground in pursuing opening up on all fronts and implement policies for high-level liberalization and facilitation in trade and investment, according to Xi.

The Chinese president also wanted the two nations to coordinate and cooperate more in multilateral mechanisms, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Group of 20 and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, to jointly work for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the world economy.

In addition, the presidents agreed to make bigger the "cake of economic cooperation" to solve the problems arising from the rapid development of economic relations between the two countries.

CULTURE & LAW ENFORCEMENT

People-to-people exchanges are a long-term cause and crucial to the development of China-U.S. relations in the long run, Xi noted.

He called for the two sides to implement cultural cooperation programs and exchanges between young people, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and American people, to inject fresh impetus into the sustainable development of bilateral ties.

Noting law enforcement and cyber security are vital to the security and happiness of the people in both countries, Xi said that he is looking forward to more cooperation in drug control, illegal immigration control, crackdown on online crime and cyber terrorism, and cyber security protection.

Xi and Trump agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in hunting fugitives and repatriation of illegal immigrants and promote exchanges in education, science and technology, culture and healthcare.

DEALS SIGNED

After the talks, Xi and Trump witnessed the signing of agreements between Chinese and U.S. companies in sectors including energy, manufacturing, agriculture, aviation, electronics and automobiles.

The contracts and two-way investment agreements are worth more than 250 billion U.S. dollars.

Prior to the talks on Thursday morning, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Trump at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People.

Other senior officials including Vice Premier Wang Yang also attended Thursday's activities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 22:13:14|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump Thursday, saying the two countries should further open up to each other and create a fair business environment for their companies.

Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon for a three-day state visit to China, and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping early Thursday.

Li said the talks were "fruitful," with important consensus reached on plans for bilateral cooperation.

"By maintaining high-level exchanges and close communication, the two countries will inject new impetus into their cooperation and push their relations to a new level," he said.

The Sino-U.S. relations were moving forward steadily, the premier said, noting that a pattern of economic cooperation with deeply intertwined interests had been formed.

"The positive trend in the Chinese and U.S. economies is good news for both countries and the rest of the world," Li said.

He told Trump that the two nations had huge potential for cooperation as China was the biggest developing country, with a vast market and rich human resources, while the United States was the biggest developed country, with advanced technology and experience.

"It is inevitable that there are differences and frictions, such as the trade deficit issue the U.S. side is concerned about," Li said.

"China never pursues a trade surplus with any country, and the rapid development of Sino-U.S. economic and trade ties over the past decades since the establishment of their diplomatic ties has proved that their cooperation is highly complementary and relatively balanced," the premier said.

He said he welcomed the United States expanding service trade with China, increasing high-tech exports and achieving mutually beneficial results through cooperation.

Li told Trump that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and important countries in the Asia Pacific region, both China and the United States had a responsibility to maintain regional peace and prosperity.

He said China was ready to strengthen work with the United States on international and regional issues.

The premier said he hoped the upcoming leaders' meetings for East Asia cooperation would realize positive signals for the stability and development of the region.

Li plans to attend a series of high-level meetings: the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, and the 12th East Asia Summit in the Philippine capital Manila from Nov. 12 to 16.

Trump spoke positively about the outcomes of his visit, saying he hoped the two countries would work together closely to tackle challenges, and promote fair and balanced economic ties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 22:23:18|Editor: Liangyu

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- India is overtaking China as the world's largest emitter of human-caused sulphur dioxide (SO2), a toxic air pollutant that causes haze and acid rain, a new study based on satellite data showed Thursday.

Emissions in China have declined by 75 percent since 2007 while those in India have increased by 50 percent, according to the study published in the latest edition of journal Scientific Reports.

OPPOSITE TRAJECTORIES

"The rapid decrease of SO2 emissions in China far exceeds our expectations and projections," first author Can Li, an associate research scientist at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua.

Li and colleagues examined data from the U.S. space agency NASA's Aura spacecraft to study SO2 pollution changes in China and India from 2005 to 2016, with results verified by aircraft measurements.

The emissions from China, it showed, peaked at about 37 megatons in 2007, and have since been on a generally decreasing trajectory.

At 8.4 megatons in 2016, the level was just 26 percent of that in 2005, the study said.

Previously published studies, which relied on inventory data and published policies, projected that China's sulfur dioxide emissions would not fall to current levels until 2030 at the earliest.

The estimated emissions for India, on the other hand, indicated relatively steady growth during the same period.

For 2016, the emissions from India were at about 11 megatons.

"This could be the first time in almost 20 years that a country is surpassing China in SO2 emissions," said Li, who is also a research associate at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

CHINA'S EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROLS

China and India are the world's top consumers of coal, which typically contains up to three percent sulfur.

Most of the two countries' sulfur dioxide emissions come from coal-fired power plants and coal-burning factories.

In particular, Beijing suffers from severe haze problems because of the many coal-burning factories and power plants located nearby and upwind.

Starting in the early 2000s, China began implementing policies such as fining polluters, setting emission reduction goals and lowering emissions limits.

According to the results of the current study, these efforts are paying off, though coal usage in the country increased by about 50 percent and electricity generation grew over 100 percent during the study period.

"The rate of the SO2 emission reduction in China is staggering, demonstrating how effective China's pollution control measures are," said Li.

By contrast, the emissions from India, which has yet to implement emission controls like China, increased by 50 percent over the past decade.

"Right now, India's increased sulfur dioxide emissions are not causing as many haze problems as they do in China because the largest emission sources are not in the most densely populated area of India," Li said. "However, as demand for electricity grows in India, the impact may worsen."

MORE EFFORTS NEEDED

Despite the large drop in SO2 emissions, haze remains a severe environmental issue in China.

"The persistent haze events in China indicate that other species, in addition to SO2, need to be controlled," Renyi Zhang, an atmospheric science professor at Texas A&M University, who was not involved in the study, told Xinhua.

"Those compounds include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ammonia (NH3), which have been demonstrated to contribute importantly to the major constituents in (forming haze)," said Zhang.

Since VOCs and NOx have major sources in traffic, while ammonia is mainly from agricultural activities, Zhang said "the traffic and agricultural emissions would need to be focused on in China."

Another expert, Qiang Zhang, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Tsinghua University in Beijing, called the study "very significant."

"The ultimate goal of air quality improvement would be reached as the result of coordinated multi-pollutant emission reductions," Zhang said.

"In the future, we should pay more attention to NOx and VOCs emission reductions while effective SO2 control should be continued."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 22:58:28|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As Ethiopia strives to become the manufacturing hub of Africa, more and more Chinese companies are showing an interest in investing in the east African country.

The latest Chinese company that will soon establish a presence in Ethiopia is the Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Mill, which is part of the Guolian Development Group and one of the largest textile manufacturers in China, according to the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC).

The company has signed an investment agreement with the Ethiopian government to establish an integrated textile industry in Ethiopia's second largest city Dire Dawa, some 446 km east of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

According to the EIC, Chinese companies, with close to 379 projects that were either operational or under implementation in 2012-2017 period, are on top of Ethiopia's investment landscape, both in number and financial capital.

Among these companies, 279 were operational in Ethiopia with projects that worth over 13.16 billion Ethiopian birr (over 572 million U.S. dollars) during the reported period, while the remaining 100 are under implementation.

In terms of employment creation, Chinese companies have created more than 28,300 jobs in various sectors in Ethiopia during the reported period, of which over 19,000 were created in Ethiopia's manufacturing as it is the leading sector in attracting companies from China.

In a statement sent to Xinhua on Thursday, the EIC indicated that the Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Mill and the Guolian Development Group will bring state-of-the art manufacturing technology, knowhow and excellence accumulated over a span of 100 years to Ethiopia.

Noting that the company currently has a weaving capacity of 26,000 tons of yarns and 30 million meters of gray fabrics yearly, the EIC expects Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Investment Company to play a big role in Ethiopia's ambition in putting its export industry in the map.

As part of the investment agreement, which was signed in Wuxi City in China on November 2 between the EIC and officials of the company, the Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Mill has agreed to invest in a large scale and integrated fabric mill and spinning plant in Dire Dawa, targeting the export market.

The Ethiopian government also envisages that high profile companies, such as Wuxi No.1 Cotton Mill which is said to be known for supplying leading global brands where 75 percent of its products are mainly exported to Europe, America, Japan, and Southeast Asia, will help push Ethiopia to be the leading player in Africa's apparel and textile manufacturing sector.

Abebe Abebayehu, Deputy Commissioner of the EIC, believes the arrival of such investors in the country will help Ethiopia realize its target.

"This investment would contribute immensely to our government's vision to build a sustainable, vertically integrated and export-oriented, apparel and textile manufacturing hub in Ethiopia. Indeed, our vision is to make Ethiopia the leading manufacturing hub in Africa," the statement quoted Abebayehu as saying.

According to the EIC, in addition to creating direct employment opportunities and boosting Ethiopia's foreign exchange reserves through exports, this investment is expected to create significant backward and forward linkages in the country's fast growing textile and garment industry.

In a bid to create better market opportunities for large scale cotton production in the country, the project plans to purchase raw materials such as cotton from local sources, it was noted.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 23:18:35|Editor: yan

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LONDON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pension Minister Penny Mordaunt has been appointed as the new International Development Secretary following the resignation of Priti Patel, local media reported Thursday.

The work and pensions minister, 44, was a prominent Brexit supporter during the EU referendum campaign.

Local media reported she had a meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday afternoon at Downing Street and then left for her new department.

Patel quit on Wednesday, admitting unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials had "lacked transparency".

Her resignation was the second major blow within days for May following the resignation of defense secretary Michael Fallon in the so-called "sex pest" scandal currently engulfing British politics.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 23:48:43|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Central Military Commission (CMC) has ordered all units of the People's Liberation Army and armed police to "carefully study and implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)."

"Studying and implementing the CPC congress spirit should be a primary political mission for the armed forces," the CMC said in an instruction made public Thursday.

"The armed forces should inform all servicemen and women, veterans and civilian staff of the Party congress spirit, officers in particular," the document said.

By the end of next year, officers at regiment-level and above should all receive education courses, and the CMC would conduct inspections "in appropriate time."

From now to June next year, the CMC will dispatch lecturers to major military command areas, while the headquarters of different forces will also send out lecturers to lower units.

Media and academic institutes attached to the military are also required to take an active part in the education campaigns.

Such efforts matter to the overall situation of the work of the Party and the country, the long-term development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the fundamental interests of the general public, according to the CMC document.

It asked Party committees at all levels within the military and armed police to strengthen the organization and leadership in this regard with a "clear political attitude" and "strong political responsibility."

The CMC instruction requires "comprehensive and precise studying and understanding, scientific and prudent publicity, as well as concrete implementation."

"Party committees must strictly perform their duty in ideological work, allowing no channel for wrong ideas and messages to spread," the document said.

It urged the military and armed police forces to seek profound comprehension of the congress's theme, the historic status and rich connotations of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the historic changes over the past five years.

It also required a "profound understanding of the change in the principal contradiction facing Chinese society, the CPC's mission in the new era, Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military and major policies national defense modernization."

The armed forces should firmly regard Xi's miliary thought as the guideline in strengthening national defense and military, and safeguard the authority and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, said the document.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 23:48:43|Editor: Yamei

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RIYADH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia on Thursday warned its citizens against travelling to Lebanon and asked those who are in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible.

"Due to the situation in Lebanon, the kingdom calls on its citizens, visitors and residents to leave Lebanon as soon as possible," said a brief statement by Saudi Foreign Ministry.

On Saturday, Lebanese outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation in Riyadh. He accused Iran, a major foe of Saudi Arabia, of interfering in Lebanese internal affairs through the militant group Hezbollah, and said his life is in danger.

But Hezbollah accused Saudi Arabia of forcing Hariri to resign and putting him under house arrest.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said he would not consider Hariri's resignation until he returns to capital Beirut to make explanations.
A worker goes about her work at Bole Lemi Industrial Park in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, April 6, 2017.(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As Ethiopia strives to become the manufacturing hub of Africa, more and more Chinese companies are showing an interest in investing in the east African country.

The latest Chinese company that will soon establish a presence in Ethiopia is the Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Mill, which is part of the Guolian Development Group and one of the largest textile manufacturers in China, according to the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC).

The company has signed an investment agreement with the Ethiopian government to establish an integrated textile industry in Ethiopia's second largest city Dire Dawa, some 446 km east of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

According to the EIC, Chinese companies, with close to 379 projects that were either operational or under implementation in 2012-2017 period, are on top of Ethiopia's investment landscape, both in number and financial capital.

Among these companies, 279 were operational in Ethiopia with projects that worth over 13.16 billion Ethiopian birr (over 572 million U.S. dollars) during the reported period, while the remaining 100 are under implementation.

In terms of employment creation, Chinese companies have created more than 28,300 jobs in various sectors in Ethiopia during the reported period, of which over 19,000 were created in Ethiopia's manufacturing as it is the leading sector in attracting companies from China.

In a statement sent to Xinhua on Thursday, the EIC indicated that the Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Mill and the Guolian Development Group will bring state-of-the art manufacturing technology, knowhow and excellence accumulated over a span of 100 years to Ethiopia.

Noting that the company currently has a weaving capacity of 26,000 tons of yarns and 30 million meters of gray fabrics yearly, the EIC expects Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Investment Company to play a big role in Ethiopia's ambition in putting its export industry in the map.

As part of the investment agreement, which was signed in Wuxi City in China on November 2 between the EIC and officials of the company, the Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Mill has agreed to invest in a large scale and integrated fabric mill and spinning plant in Dire Dawa, targeting the export market.

The Ethiopian government also envisages that high profile companies, such as Wuxi No.1 Cotton Mill which is said to be known for supplying leading global brands where 75 percent of its products are mainly exported to Europe, America, Japan, and Southeast Asia, will help push Ethiopia to be the leading player in Africa's apparel and textile manufacturing sector.

Abebe Abebayehu, Deputy Commissioner of the EIC, believes the arrival of such investors in the country will help Ethiopia realize its target.

"This investment would contribute immensely to our government's vision to build a sustainable, vertically integrated and export-oriented, apparel and textile manufacturing hub in Ethiopia. Indeed, our vision is to make Ethiopia the leading manufacturing hub in Africa," the statement quoted Abebayehu as saying.

According to the EIC, in addition to creating direct employment opportunities and boosting Ethiopia's foreign exchange reserves through exports, this investment is expected to create significant backward and forward linkages in the country's fast growing textile and garment industry.

In a bid to create better market opportunities for large scale cotton production in the country, the project plans to purchase raw materials such as cotton from local sources, it was noted.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-09 23:58:50|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Thursday his country's commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He made the remarks during his speech at the UAE-French Business Forum in Dubai, the Dubai Chamber of Business, Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

Macron highlighted the need to "create a new world for the young generation, based on respect, tolerance and reason," adding that business and education are important to achieve the goal.

He stressed the shared values of culture, civilization and economy between the UAE and France, hailing the progress that the two countries have made in terms of promoting innovation and building smart cities.

Earlier this year, Dubai media reported that bilateral trade between the two countries was estimated at 5.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2016.

Around 80 percent of UAE's exports to France was crude oil, according to reports quoting figures provided by the Abu Dhabi Chamber.

The UAE-French Business Forum was attended by ministers, key decision makers and business leaders from the UAE and France.
Technicians check solarenergy equipment on a roof in Cixi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- India is overtaking China as the world's largest emitter of human-caused sulphur dioxide (SO2), a toxic air pollutant that causes haze and acid rain, a new study based on satellite data showed Thursday.

Emissions in China have declined by 75 percent since 2007 while those in India have increased by 50 percent, according to the study published in the latest edition of journal Scientific Reports.

OPPOSITE TRAJECTORIES

"The rapid decrease of SO2 emissions in China far exceeds our expectations and projections," first author Can Li, an associate research scientist at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua.

Li and colleagues examined data from the U.S. space agency NASA's Aura spacecraft to study SO2 pollution changes in China and India from 2005 to 2016, with results verified by aircraft measurements.

The emissions from China, it showed, peaked at about 37 megatons in 2007, and have since been on a generally decreasing trajectory.

At 8.4 megatons in 2016, the level was just 26 percent of that in 2005, the study said.

Previously published studies, which relied on inventory data and published policies, projected that China's sulfur dioxide emissions would not fall to current levels until 2030 at the earliest.

The estimated emissions for India, on the other hand, indicated relatively steady growth during the same period.

For 2016, the emissions from India were at about 11 megatons.

"This could be the first time in almost 20 years that a country is surpassing China in SO2 emissions," said Li, who is also a research associate at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

CHINA'S EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROLS

China and India are the world's top consumers of coal, which typically contains up to three percent sulfur.

Most of the two countries' sulfur dioxide emissions come from coal-fired power plants and coal-burning factories.

In particular, Beijing suffers from severe haze problems because of the many coal-burning factories and power plants located nearby and upwind.

Starting in the early 2000s, China began implementing policies such as fining polluters, setting emission reduction goals and lowering emissions limits.

According to the results of the current study, these efforts are paying off, though coal usage in the country increased by about 50 percent and electricity generation grew over 100 percent during the study period.

"The rate of the SO2 emission reduction in China is staggering, demonstrating how effective China's pollution control measures are," said Li.

By contrast, the emissions from India, which has yet to implement emission controls like China, increased by 50 percent over the past decade.

"Right now, India's increased sulfur dioxide emissions are not causing as many haze problems as they do in China because the largest emission sources are not in the most densely populated area of India," Li said. "However, as demand for electricity grows in India, the impact may worsen."

MORE EFFORTS NEEDED

Despite the large drop in SO2 emissions, haze remains a severe environmental issue in China.

"The persistent haze events in China indicate that other species, in addition to SO2, need to be controlled," Renyi Zhang, an atmospheric science professor at Texas A&M University, who was not involved in the study, told Xinhua.

"Those compounds include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ammonia (NH3), which have been demonstrated to contribute importantly to the major constituents in (forming haze)," said Zhang.

Since VOCs and NOx have major sources in traffic, while ammonia is mainly from agricultural activities, Zhang said "the traffic and agricultural emissions would need to be focused on in China."

Another expert, Qiang Zhang, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Tsinghua University in Beijing, called the study "very significant."

"The ultimate goal of air quality improvement would be reached as the result of coordinated multi-pollutant emission reductions," Zhang said.

"In the future, we should pay more attention to NOx and VOCs emission reductions while effective SO2 control should be continued."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 00:59:09|Editor: yan

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NICOSIA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Cypriot government approved Cyprus' participation in the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) mechanism, an EU tool aiming to increase defense cooperation among members, an official statement said on Thursday.

According to an announcement by the Defense Ministry, the Cypriot cabinet has authorized Defense Minister Christoforos Fokaides to notify the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels of Cyprus' intention to participate in the establishment of PESCO.

PESCO is an initiative promoting the establishment of a European defense policy, to assist member states in undertaking additional commitments within the EU's Common Foreign and Defense Policy.

Member states participating in PESCO have to increase defense budgets, invest in research and technology and enable the deployment of European formations by making available means, capabilities and infrastructure.

After notifying the EU, member states also need to submit a national implementation plan regarding their commitments.

Fokaides said in remarks to the press that this was a very important decision with "obvious" benefits for Cyprus.

"The more the EU enhances its capabilities to defend Europe's common security, the more Cyprus should feel secure," he said, adding Europe's defense presence in Cyprus increases deterrence against any intervention.

He said that Cyprus will make available the military base in Pafos and the naval base in Mari, on the south shores of the eastern Mediterranean island, which will undergo extensive development.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 01:34:20|Editor: yan

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LONDON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A bird once extinct in Britain has been rescued from the brink, with numbers reaching a record high, it was announced Thursday.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) described a drive to save the bittern as one of Britain's biggest conservation success stories.

Related to the heron family, male bitterns are the noisiest birds in Britain. Unlike the sweet, singing tweets of many species, they have a foghorn-like call.

It's that call that has enabled the RSPB to announce that there are now at least 164 males recorded at 71 sites across the country.

The society said the once extinct bird has enjoyed its best year since records began, according to the latest survey.

Bitterns are highly secretive wetland birds and live most of their time within dense stands of reed, making them very difficult to survey. Scientists count bitterns by listening for the male's foghorn-like booming call, and this year numbers increased to at least 164, recorded at 71 sites, a positive sign that bitterns are back from the brink and thriving.

The annual monitoring, organized by the RSPB, found that the number of booming males in Somerset increased to 49 boomers, although there was a slight drop this year in the core areas in eastern England; Suffolk Coast, Norfolk Broads and The Fens. Booming was also reported from three new sites, and there was an increase in Wales this year.

Bitterns were considered extinct as a breeding species in Britain by the 1870s. Following recolonization early in the 20th century, numbers of bitterns increased, but by 1997 there were only eleven booming male bitterns in Britain, mainly in Norfolk and Suffolk and Lancashire.

Simon Wotton, Senior Conservation Scientist at the RSPB, said: "In the late 1990s, the bittern was heading towards extinction once again in the UK. But, thanks to conservation efforts to restore and create its preferred habitat of wet reedbed, the bittern was saved and we're delighted to see another record year for this amazing bird."

Almost half of Britain's breeding bittern population occurs within Special Protection Areas (SPAs), however more than half of the still vulnerable population is at sites with have no protection.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 01:44:24|Editor: yan

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MADRID, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Mobile World Congress (MWC), the biggest event of the mobile phone industry, is thinking about leaving Barcelona due to political instability in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia, local media reported on Thursday.

John Hoffman, from GSMA, which represents the interests of over 800 mobile operators and over 250 firms in the mobile ecosystem, visited Barcelona on Wednesday when a general strike was taking place, which had an impact on public services and some roads and streets were blocked by protestors.

Hoffman admitted to be thinking about moving the MWC, scheduled to be held in Barcelona between Feb. 26 and March 1 next year, to somewhere else if there is not enough political and social stability in the city.

Meanwhile, the local government said to be confident that Barcelona had the resources and capacities to hold the MWC beyond the political crisis happening in the region.

Barcelona's mayor, Ada Colau, said the city council would work to solve the political crisis in the best and the fastest way possible.

GSMA calculates that the MWC has an economic impact of 465 million euros (541.4 million U.S. dollars) and creates around 13,200 temporary jobs in the city.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 01:44:25|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Thursday ruled out the possibility of resuming a process to write a new constitution in the near future.

"The focus of the fifth phase government is on the provision of social services and the development of an industrial economy," Majaliwa told the National Assembly in the political capital Dodoma.

He said billions of shillings was needed in order to restart the constitution-writing process and the government was not ready to use such colossal amount of money on the remaking of the constitution instead of serving taxpayers.

The prime minister was responding to a question posed by Abdallah Mtolea, a Member of Parliament for Temeke constituency on the ticket of opposition Civic United Front (CUF), who had wanted to know the government's plan to revive the constitution-writing process.

Majaliwa said the government was aware of the importance of having a good constitution but that was not among its priorities now.

"We will revive the constitution writing process after we had stabilized the economy and after we had provided social services to people across the country," said Majaliwa.

He said the government will continue using the current constitution since it had key instructions on how the country should be managed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 01:54:29|Editor: yan

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BANJUL, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Gambia's Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang took her oath of office at a swearing in ceremony on Thursday at the president's office in Fajara.

Speaking at the ceremony, the vice president affirmed her commitment to combating the past two decades of "bad governance and mismanagement."

"Gambian women are working towards gender parity. My signing here today is a confirmation that women will continue to be part of your Excellency's government," she said.

"Therefore my aspiration for this nation is to provide all the required support to you Your Excellency Adama Barrow, for you to realize your national development objective," she said after signing the oath book.

She said that the Gambians in the public and private sectors are working hard to support the government in achieving its visions in peace, unity, private sector-led inclusive growth, sustainable development by 2021 within the framework of the national blueprint.

Jallow was first appointed in January amid controversies regarding her age as she exceeded 65 years, which is against the Constitution. As a result, her appointment was rescinded.

However, she was later appointed on September 8 following the National Assembly's amendment of the upper age limit in the Constitution.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:14:35|Editor: yan

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LONDON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Britain supports European Commission's proposed tougher restrictions on the use of neonicotinoids pesticides due to their effects on bees and other pollinators, a British official said on Thursday.

Tougher restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides are justified by the growing weight of scientific evidence that they are harmful to bees and other pollinators, said Britain's Environment Secretary Michael Gove in a statement.

Unless the scientific evidence changes, the British government will maintain these increased restrictions post-Brexit, according to the statement.

Since December 2013, the EU has banned the use of three neonicotinoids, namely Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam, on a number of crops attractive to bees, such as oilseed rape.

The European Commission has proposed restricting the same three neonicotinoids to only allow their use on plants in glasshouses. Currently, their use is banned for oilseed rape, spring cereals and sprays for winter cereals, but they can be used to treat sugar beet and as seed treatments for winter cereals. Should this proposal be adopted, Britain would have the right to consider emergency authorizations.

Previously, British government's advisory body on pesticides said that scientific evidence now suggests the environmental risks posed by neonicotinoids, particularly to bees and pollinators, are greater than previously understood, supporting the case for further restrictions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:19:37|Editor: Lifang

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Ferrari cars are displayed during an exhibition for the 70th anniversary of Ferrari at the Motor Museum in Athens, capital of Greece, on Nov. 9, 2017. The Motor Museum collects 110 car models covering a history from the late 1800s to the end of the 20th century. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

by Alexia Vlachou

ATHENS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Strolling in the Motor Museum in Athens is like travelling in time. Its collection of 110 car models covers a history that begins at the late 1800s until the end of the 20th century.

The oldest exhibit is a 1895 Hunnia horse drawn carriage with water pump which was used as a firetruck, while among the most recent ones in the collection is a 1980 Ferrari 308 GTSi.

At a short distance from the National Archaeological Museum in the center of Athens, the "Capitol" complex, which houses the museum, has a collection of cars which emerged over time as milestones in the history of automotive industry, the general director of the Museum, Marina Filipoussi told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Visitors can admire unique exhibits of famous brands from the past that no longer exist such as Avion Voisin, Adler, Delage and Dino, models of famous brands such as Bentley, Bugatti, Astron Martin, Bristol, Ferrari, Maserati and other historical models of highly popular manufacturers.

"The idea behind the museum belongs to Theodoros Charagionis, founder of the museum. Everything started from his love for automotive industry and car races," Filipoussi said.

He acquired among others a Maserati Mistral, a Rolls Royce Wraith, a couple of Jaguar of E-type, a couple of Austin Healey 3000 and three Dino cars of which one was a Ferrari, so since the early 1990s he had a collection of 25 cars.

Dedicated to technology and four wheels evolution, the museum opened its doors in March 2011 in an area of 4,000 square meters in the last three floors of the building.

Each exhibit has a different story to tell.

"Among the popular cars of the collection is the pink colored Imperial Crown Convertible Chrysler which belonged to the front man of the rock group 'Led Zeppelin', the legend Robert Plant," Filipoussi noted.

It was built in 1959 and only 555 units of this model were produced at a price tag of 5,774 U.S. dollars which was considerably high for the period.

"The Bugatti models are also very important, since they were very unique and custom made. Also, Ettore Bugatti, the former owner, would sell his models only if he liked the buyer," she explained.

Acquiring through auctions abroad or in Greece, all the models belong to the museum.

Every exhibit is priceless, as Filipoussi highlighted. "You can say that they are like paintings. Their price depends on how much anyone is willing to pay in order to acquire it. But, in the last years many wealthy markets have emerged, willing to pay a lot of money in auctions to have them," she said.

The significant size of the collection allows its continuous renewal, not only by way of thematic exhibitions, but also by replacing the museum pieces, she added.

"For the 70th anniversary of Ferrari, the museum hosts an exhibition of 14 Ferrari cars, also we celebrate the 60 years of FIAT 500 and the 50 years of NSU," Filipoussi marked.

In a special place in the museum, visitors can also find the permanent exhibition "MADE BY HELLAS" for cars manufactured, assembled or designed in Greece.

As a private funded organization, the museum cannot be supported only by the tickets, Filipoussi said. "We lease the areas of the museum for company and social events. Since 2011, we have had over 30,000 visits through special events, not including school and individual visitors," she stressed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:39:43|Editor: yan

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JERUSALEM, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police investigators questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening as part of criminal investigations into two corruption affairs in which Netanyahu is a suspect, local media reported.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri declined to comment, citing a police policy not to divulge information about ongoing questionings.

According to the Hebrew-language Ynet news site, officers with the police 433 Lahav anti-corruption unit were seen arriving at the official prime minister's residence in Jerusalem in the afternoon.

It was the fifth time that police investigators arrived at the residence to question Netanyahu in this pair of long-run graft investigations.

One of the affairs involves suspected receiving luxury gifts from Israeli-U.S. Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan, and the other involves alleged secret deals to receive favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot, one of Israel's largest daily newspapers.

The current questioning comes about three months after Netanyahu's former aide, Ari Harow, had signed an agreement to become a state witness.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:44:44|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Higher Council of State on Thursday condemned the country's representative to the United Nations for "defending criminals" in a speech before the UN Security Council.

"We express our strong protest and condemnation against the speech of the Libyan representative to the UN, which did not sufficiently stress the horrific crimes committed in eastern Libya recently," said Head of the Higher Council of State Abdurrahman Swehli.

"We expected the Government of National Accord to officially address the UN Secretary General to look into this matter, however, we were surprised to see the Libyan representative defending the criminals without condemning them," said Swehli.

Addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Mehdi Al-Maghrabi said that the Libyan judiciary and the Office of the Attorney-General are "capable of fulfilling their obligations to conduct fair and impartial trials, despite difficult circumstances in the country."

"Despite the integrity and capacity of the Libyan judiciary, it remains unable to play its role in the absence of an internationally-recognized legitimate executive authority in some parts of the country, leading to a policy of impunity," said the head of the council.

"This is why we seek help from the Security Council and the International Criminal Court to reduce such crimes and violations," he added.

Libyan army has denied responsibility for an airstrike by an unknown warplane on the eastern city of Derna last week, which killed and wounded dozens of civilians. The army also confirmed starting an investigation into the attack.

In July 2016, 14 handcuffed bodies were found near the headquarters of Benghazi Social Security Fund.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:49:46|Editor: Lifang

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanction against 10 current or former Venezuelan government officials, who it said "are associated with undermining electoral processes, media censorship, or corruption in government-administered food programs in Venezuela."

The sanctioned officials included Freddy Alirio Bernal Rosales, Venezuela's minister of urban agriculture, Ernesto Emilio Villegas Poljak, the newly appointed minister of culture and the former minister of communication and information, and Julian Isaias Rodriguez Diaz, ambassador to Italy.

As a result of the actions, all assets of these individuals subject to U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and U.S. persons will also be generally prohibited from dealing with them.

The sanction followed the Venezuelan national elections on Oct. 15. The U.S. Treasury Department said in an announcement that they were marked by "numerous irregularities that strongly suggest fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of governorships."

"Despite calls for an independent audit of the election results, the Venezuelan government proceeded to swear in the winning candidates through an oath of office," said the department.

"Our message remains clear: the United States will not stand aside while the Maduro regime continues to destroy democratic order and prosperity in Venezuela," said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin in the announcement.

The United States in June announced sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan government officials. The sanctions came ahead of the planned July 30 election of the controversial National Constituent Assembly (ANC), which the U.S. Treasury Department says "will have the power to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution and may choose to dissolve Venezuelan state institutions."

In response, Venezuela rejected the U.S. sanctions.

"We emphatically reject the pretensions and intentions of the U.S. Treasury Department against eight people, among them citizens who have had the privilege of being elected by their own people to the ANC," said Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza on Aug. 8.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:49:46|Editor: yan

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by Lidia Moise, Lin Huifen

BUCHAREST, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Modernizing old infrastructure, balancing the energy mix and moving towards interconnectivity in the region are common goals of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries grouped in the "16+1" cooperation format, top officials said Thursday.

Representatives at the "16+1" ministerial conference on energy welcomed China's interest in CEE's energy sector and expressed the need to obtain financing, eventually from Chinese banks or by including energy projects into the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Energy isn't a national affair anymore, is a regional business. This is why we have to act together. With financial support of projects from China, we can change the future of energy in the region," said Serbian Minister of Energy Aleksandar Antic.

On its side, China is willing to learn more about the needs and to clarify the projects advanced by CEE partners, said Nur Bekri, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, and director of the National Energy Administration.

"In this respect, there is need for studies, for establishing creative think tanks and for strengthening strategic cooperation," Nur added.

The region's countries resuscitated plans to enhance their nuclear power plants in the coming years, a strategic move which reflects the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and diversify production.

At the 16+1 Energy Fair held together with the conference, Romania's Nuclearelelctrica company stand was facing that of China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), a sign of the cooperation between the two partners in the 7.2 billion euro (8.36 billion U.S. dollars) nuclear project for construction of two new units at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania.

Renewable energy is high on the agenda of CEE countries, which are hoping to cooperate with Chinese companies in smaller projects.

Balkan countries are focusing on clean energy, as they need to recalibrate the energy balance. "Smart grids are a sector of interest into the 16+1 group and we are looking for investments into projects that address properly the issue of decarbonizing energy in the future. Clean energy is in the center of preoccupation of Slovenia," said Slovenia's Minister of Infrastructure Peter Gaspersic.

Albania is planning to develop solar and wind farms with Chinese know-how, said Deputy Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Dorina Cinari.

Croatia's commitment to reduce pollution and enhance the clean energy is looking for Chinese investments into geothermal energy projects, added Marijan Krpan, head of energy sector in the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

"We see a potential in cooperation with China's companies in the construction of solar and geothermal power plants," said Mile Vasic, the Bosnian Ambassador to Romania.

Hydro power plants are the most efficient investments in clean energy, but is an expensive exercise, and should be attentively evaluated, Dorin Badea, president of Hidroelectrica, told Xinhua.

However, the modernization of coal plants is also high on the regional agenda. "We are partners with China Huadian Engineering for developing a thermoelectric project in Rovinari. We believe that the investment in new technologies will provide cleaner coal energy," Sorin Boza, board member of the Oltenia Energy Complex, said.

Serbia's minister of energy Antic said long-term energy projects are worth the effort. "I invite other countries to cooperate with China's companies because they are really good organizers and they deliver excellent results," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 02:54:49|Editor: Yamei

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HANOI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese scholars and experts have highly lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article titled "For a New Vista in China-Vietnam Friendship," published Thursday on mainstream Vietnamese media Nhan Dan.

The article was published ahead of Xi's state visit to Vietnam, where he will also attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang.

In the article, The Chinese president reviewed the China-Vietnam friendship "forged with blood" by the older generation of leaders and the two peoples and called on both sides to make greater efforts to promote bilateral ties.

"It is a nice surprise that before his visit, President Xi sent messages to Vietnamese public via such a friendly channel," noted Tran Viet Thai, deputy general director of the Institute for Foreign Strategic Studies at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

"His words recalled unforgettable memories when we two peoples stood side by side as comrades, supporting each other in our fight for liberty and independence. That is really touching," Bui Tri Dung, editor at Vietnam's Investment newspaper told Xinhua.

Luu Bich Ho, former director of the Institute of Development Strategy under the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, also said that he was impressed by Xi's article.

President Xi expressed the hope that the two countries jointly create a new vista in China-Vietnam relations. "These words are remarkable," Ho noted to Xinhua on Thursday afternoon.

According to the expert, the vista is being driven by three factors. Firstly, Vietnam and China are both entering new periods of pursuing development, reform and innovation. Secondly, China and Vietnam are making great efforts to lift cooperation to a higher level which will bring more practical benefits for peoples of both sides. Thirdly, given changing global context, cooperation is crucial to ensure stability and development not only for Vietnam and China, but also for the region and the world.

Do Tien Sam, former director of the Institute of Chinese Studies under Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, told Xinhua that he strongly agreed with Xi's thoughts on deepening cooperation and foster new prospects for "our interconnected interests."

In his article, Xi said that the two sides need to enhance the complementarity of their development strategies and work for substantive progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas, including infrastructure, trade, industrial capacity, cross-border economic cooperation zones and agriculture.

"Xi's words stressed the need to bring more practical benefit to peoples," said Sam, noting that this is a long-awaited direction.

The article also stressed that two countries should strengthen coordination and create new highlights in multilateral cooperation.

Sam noted that Vietnam and China have huge potential to work together on this aspect as both countries are members of several multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the United Nations, APEC, China-ASEAN cooperation frameworks and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism.

Like other experts, Sam is looking forward to the success of Xi's visit to Vietnam. "I hope that the visit will mark a milestone in Vietnam-China friendship, creating new momentum for pragmatic development of our bilateral relations," he told Xinhua.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 03:04:55|Editor: Yang Yi

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The launching ceremony of the Lao language version of the book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" is held in Vientiane, Laos, on Nov. 9, 2017. "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" is a book outlining the full political ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the top leadership. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)

VIENTIANE, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Lao language version of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book on governance has been officially launched Thursday in Lao capital Vientiane.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Guo Weimin, deputy director of the State Council Information Office of China, said the publication of the book's Lao version is of great significance on the occasion of the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the upcoming visit by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping to Laos.

The Lao version of the book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" will help Lao people learn more about Chinese development concept, development path as well as domestic and foreign policies, he said, adding that this also helps promote the exchange of experiences in governance between the two parties and two countries.

According to Guo, the book, together with its newly published second volume, features the rich contents of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and offers an important window for the international community to fully, objectively and rationally understand contemporary China.

At the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Wang Wentian said the publication of Lao language version of the book will strengthen mutual trust and respect between the two parties and the two countries, enhance understanding of Lao people about China, promote people-to- people connectivity, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, constantly consolidate the traditional friendship, and further build a solid foundation for the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Laos.

For his part, Kikeo Khaikhamphithoune, member of Secretariat of the Central Committee of Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Head of the Party's Commission for Propaganda and Training, said the publication of the book is a valuable gift for the Lao party and people on the occasion of the upcoming visit of Xi Jinping to Laos.

The Lao language versions of Xi Jinping's report at the 19th CPC National Congress and his book on governance are of practical significance for the Lao side to study and learn from China's theory and experience, said Kikeo.

The book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" collects 79 speeches, talks, interviews, notes and letters of the Chinese leader between November 2012 and June 2014. Since its first launch in September 2014, the book has been translated into 24 languages, 27 versions and over 6.6 million books have been published worldwide.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks at a daily briefing to address sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the White House in Washington D.C., United States, on July 31, 2017. The United States on Monday slapped sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after Venezuela held its National Constituent Assembly (ANC) on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanction against 10 current or former Venezuelan government officials, who it said "are associated with undermining electoral processes, media censorship, or corruption in government-administered food programs in Venezuela."

The sanctioned officials included Freddy Alirio Bernal Rosales, Venezuela's minister of urban agriculture, Ernesto Emilio Villegas Poljak, the newly appointed minister of culture and the former minister of communication and information, and Julian Isaias Rodriguez Diaz, ambassador to Italy.

As a result of the actions, all assets of these individuals subject to U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and U.S. persons will also be generally prohibited from dealing with them.

The sanction followed the Venezuelan national elections on Oct. 15. The U.S. Treasury Department said in an announcement that they were marked by "numerous irregularities that strongly suggest fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of governorships."

"Despite calls for an independent audit of the election results, the Venezuelan government proceeded to swear in the winning candidates through an oath of office," said the department.

"Our message remains clear: the United States will not stand aside while the Maduro regime continues to destroy democratic order and prosperity in Venezuela," said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin in the announcement.

The United States in June announced sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan government officials. The sanctions came ahead of the planned July 30 election of the controversial National Constituent Assembly (ANC), which the U.S. Treasury Department says "will have the power to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution and may choose to dissolve Venezuelan state institutions."

In response, Venezuela rejected the U.S. sanctions.

"We emphatically reject the pretensions and intentions of the U.S. Treasury Department against eight people, among them citizens who have had the privilege of being elected by their own people to the ANC," said Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza on Aug. 8.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 03:50:15|Editor: yan

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PARIS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- French Defense Minister Florence Parly on Thursday hailed United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s order of two Gowind-class corvettes from the state-owned shipbuilder Naval Group, calling it "a new success for French exports".

"This decision further strengthens the strategic and military partnership between France and UAE," the minister said.

"Exports of military equipment are part of France's defense and security policy. Vital to our defense industry and the equipment of our armed forces, they also contribute to our country's strategic autonomy and influence," she added.

Defense is one of France's key businesses with reported orders worth 14 billion euros (16.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016.

Currently, the sector employs 165,000 workers. The figure is expected to increase to 200,000 in the next decade, according to defense ministry data.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 03:55:17|Editor: yan

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By Keren Setton

JERUSALEM, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli air forces are in the middle of a strategic change to seek for global partners instead of looking inward.

Hundreds of pilots from eight different countries gathered recently in Israel's Uvda air base to join the largest international air force exercise ever conducted in the country.

Countries participating in the exercise include Israel, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, India, Poland and the United States.

The drill is held in Israel's unpopulated desert, which compromises about 60 percent of its territory but only 30 percent of its population, and is expected to last until the end of next week.

The event signals a major shift from the isolationism policy that Israeli air forces adopted traditionally.

"This is a change in our mindset. We always perceived ourselves as alone," said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht of the international affairs branch of the Israeli air forces.

"We were very insular. Now we understand that we need to build a common language with others," he added.

Hecht said the Israeli air forces are now engaging in "aerial diplomacy."

"As challenges are becoming global, the exercise creates an option to form a coalition against threats," said a senior air force commander.

While often criticized for its stance in the Arab-Israeli conflict and its policy on Palestinians, Israel has used the opportunity to showcase that its bilateral relations remain unharmed.

Walking in the air base, pilots with mixed nationalities can be witnessed everywhere.

Italian pilots sit on benches, as Israeli soldiers also take a break on the grass.

"It is a real privilege to take part in the exercise," says Cpt. B., a young Israeli F15 pilot. "It is incredible to see others, to learn from other countries and them learning from us."

Dubbed the "Blue Flag," a total of 61 aircraft participated in the drill.

According to several officers at the base, there is no specific target or enemy that the forces are practicing against throughout the drill.

"We are using generic scenarios and we are very careful to stay away from specific targets. We put these things aside as they are very sensitive and try to stick to the common ground of each air force," said an Israeli pilot who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We have a common goal - fighting terrorism," said Hecht.

The exercise provides an opportunity of exchanging experience for every air forces.

For example, European forces have to deal with air traffic congestion in their home countries that does not exist in the skies above the Israeli desert.

The open skies allow pilots to train at a low altitude, something difficult to do in a crowded air space.

Flying at a lower altitude is riskier but benefits from avoiding sophisticated radar systems.

For German forces, their first time participating in the drill is symbolic.

It conveys the message of a strong relation between Israel and Germany despite a complicated history between the two.

"On a strategic level, we are interested in cooperation and on an operational level, we are interested in learning how other air forces plan their operations," said Lt. Cl. Von Fritschen of the German air forces.

"It is an excellent and very intense playground, hi-tech and cutting-edge," said a senior Israeli commander.

It is also a new type of playground for the Israeli forces - a change from an introvert elite air force, to a force actively learning from the outside world and to cultivate multilateral cooperation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 04:00:18|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassador Wang Ke on Thursday said that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Tanzania and contribute to the east African nation's industrialization drive.

Wang said China's cooperation with the east African nation will become stronger and opener, bringing more opportunities for bilateral cooperation and the development of Tanzania.

"I believe that in the future, under the leadership of President Magufuli and the fifth phase government, with the common efforts of Tanzanian people, the 'Tanzanian Dream' of turning into an industrialized and middle income country will surely become true," she told her maiden news conference in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

The envoy said Tanzania enjoyed many unique advantages like geographic location, rich natural and human resources, and the long traditional friendship with China.

She said: "Tanzania lies in the natural extension of 'Belt and Road' initiative in Africa, and is among the pilot countries for China-Africa capacity cooperation."

"As the new Chinese Ambassador, I will spare no efforts in fulfilling my mission... and strive to achieve more real results through cooperation..." said Wang.

She said Chinese companies have built a number of mega projects in Tanzania, including roads and bridges, creating 150,000 jobs.

"Their work have made remarkable contribution to the development of infrastructure, job creation and human resource training in Tanzania," said Wang.

The diplomat added that China has been the largest trading partner of Tanzania for many years with 350,000 Tanzanians engaging in jobs relevant to trade with China.

"There is no excuse for China-Tanzania cooperation to fall behind. Joint efforts are needed... Enterprises should enjoy support and policy facilitation from governments," said Wang.
File photo taken on Feb. 26, 2015 shows German former male nurse Niels H. hiding his face behind a folder as he waits next to his lawyer Ulrike Baumann (R) for the opening of another session of his trial at court in Oldenburg, northwestern Germany. (AFP/DPA/CARMEN JASPERSEN/ Germany OUT)

BERLIN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The former German nurse Niels. H was responsible for the murder of around 100 patients, a toxicological assessment published on Thursday by the Oldenburg State Prosecution Office finds.

Niels. H has already been sentenced to life in prison on six separate charges for having injected patients with lethal doses of medication. The perpetrator confessed seeking to reanimate his poisoned victims in an attempt to be seen as a hero at the Oldenburg and Delmenhorst clinics where he was employed.

An assessment on Thursday has now come to the conclusion that at least 100 patients were killed by the nurse in this fashion. A special commission established by police to investigate the case had to exhume more than 130 deceased former patients of Niels H. to conduct toxicological tests.

According to the investigators, a large number of murders could have been prevented.

Despite the availability of statistics which showed that the number of deaths and reanimations rose suspiciously during shifts of Niels. H, the Oldenburg clinic did not warn the Delmenhorst clinic which he subsequently transferred. Instead, the murderer received a positive professional reference upon his departure.

As a consequence, two doctors and a head nurse now face trial for manslaughter.

The German Foundation for the Protection of Patients (Deutsche Stiftung Patientenschutz) has described the case as a large-scale failure on the part of healthcare authorities and complained that screening mechanisms at hospitals in Germany were still inadequate.

The Oldenburg State Prosecution Office is expected to formally file charges against Niels H. for the outstanding murder cases early next year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 04:35:29|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's top court cancelled on Thursday the seven-year jail verdict against a former minister and ordered his retrial over corruption charges, official MENA news agency reported.

The Court of Cassation accepted the appeal presented by former Irrigation Minister Mohamed Nasr El-Din Allam against the seven-year sentence issued by a criminal court earlier in February.

Allam and fugitive businessman Ahmed Abdel-Salam Qura were convicted of selling vast areas of agricultural lands in Giza's Ayyat district for construction and wasting public funds of over 37 billion Egyptian pounds (2 billion U.S. dollars).

The case is part of a large-scale anti-corruption campaign launched by Egypt over the past few years that led to the arrest and imprisonment of several officials and senior employees and the retrieval of large amounts of money.

In April 2016, Egyptian former Minister of Agriculture Salah Helal and his deputy minister were sentenced to 10 years in prison over receiving bribes to grant state-owned land licenses to a prominent businessman. They both were fined a total of 1.5 million Egyptian pounds.

Likewise, former Supplies Minister Khaled Hanafy resigned in August 2016 amid sharp criticism over using millions of dollars allocated for subsidies to purchase wheat that existed only on papers; Egypt is the most populous Arab state and the world's largest wheat importer.

Hanafy was also accused of costing 7 million Egyptian pounds to stay at a luxurious hotel in Cairo since he took office in 2014, yet the minister denied the charges.

In December 2016, a court confirmed a three-year jail term against former Housing Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Suleiman and ordered him to refund over 255 million Egyptian pounds to the state over selling vast areas of state-owned lands in new cities to a real estate mogul below market prices.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 04:35:31|Editor: yan

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CAPE TOWN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday urged citizen to face the reality that radical economic transformation is critical for inclusive growth.

In any country, the majority of the population must play a key role in the economy, but in South Africa this has not happened due to the legacy of apartheid that many still choose to deny, Zuma told the National Council of Provinces, the Upper House of Parliament.

He emphasized that radical economic transformation is a government policy and arises from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), and not from outside the country as many rumor mongers claim.

The ANC decided in 2012 that economic transformation takes center stage as the next phase of liberation, characterized by more radical policies and decisive action to effect socio-economic and continued democratic transformation.

Radical socio-economic transformation was then declared a priority for 2017/18, Zuma said.

"We defined radical economic transformation referring to fundamental change in the structure, systems, institutions and patterns of ownership, management and control of the economy in favor of all South Africans, especially the poor, the majority of whom are African and female," Zuma said.

The government is already busy with the implementation of radical economic transformation to ensure that work should be done in the priority sectors that have been targeted for attention in order to reignite growth, include the meaningful participation of black people who were excluded in the past, said Zuma.

These sectors include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism, ICT (information, communication and technology), water and sanitation, industrialization and others, Zuma said.

South Africa has introduced programs such as promoting and supporting black industrialists and black small businesses so as to change the patterns of ownership of the economy.

"This is an example of what we mean by radical economic transformation," Zuma explained.

Accounting officers in the government have been informed that small businesses must be paid on time, within 30 days of submitting legitimate invoices so that they are not disadvantaged further, Zuma said.

Paying suppliers on time will contribute immensely to radical economic transformation, he added.

"In this way, this program is not just rhetoric, it is about changing the status quo in order to promote growth, expansion and sustainability in our economy," Zuma said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 05:20:47|Editor: yan

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GAZA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has officially invited on Thursday Palestinian factions and political powers to a broader Palestinian reconciliation dialogue that is scheduled to be in Cairo on Nov. 21, officials said.

Ismail Haneya, Islamic Hamas movement's chief, said in an official press statement that Egypt invited his movement to the broader national Palestinian dialogue that will be held in Cairo later this month.

"Hamas is to form a high-ranking delegation that will include leaders from inside and outside the Gaza Strip to join the dialogue and carry on with finalizing the Palestinian reconciliation," it said.

Holding a comprehensive dialogue, which will include leaders of all Palestinian factions and powers, was decided in an agreement reached in Cairo between the two rivals in Oct. 12.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced that it has also received an official invitation from Egypt to send a delegation to Cairo on Nov. 21 for a comprehensive dialogue.

Sources close to the dialogue said the factions are to discuss implementing a reconciliation agreement reached in Cairo in 2011, including the formation of a unity government and setting up a date for holding the general Palestinian elections.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 06:11:06|Editor: Yamei

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A boy rides his bicycle in a ravaged neighborhood in al-Qarayatayn Town, Homs Province, central Syria, on Oct. 29, 2017. The Syrian army liberated the town on Oct. 21, 2017 after the Islamic State (IS) militants stormed it for the second time last month. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The self-declared caliphate by the Islamic State (IS) is falling apart so fast, and their very existence is close to becoming a history or a catchy scenario for a Hollywood horror movie as the terror-designated group becomes stripped of its major strongholds in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, the group's large swathes of control started shrinking rapidly and they lost their de facto capital of Raqqa last month to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and this month they lost their major stronghold of Deir al-Zour city to the Russian-backed Syrian government forces.

The Syrian army continued to advance after wresting control over the capital city of Deir al-Zour province, capturing several areas to liberate finally the city of al-Bukamal, which was the last IS stronghold in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border.

The Syrian army captured al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province on Wednesday and officially declared its victory on Thursday.

In a statement Thursday, the army said the liberation of al-Bukamal constitutes a "strategic achievement and a base for eradicating remnants of the terrorist organizations with its various names along the Syrian territories."

"The liberation of the city is of great importance since it represents an announcement of the fall of IS terrorist organization project in the region, in general, and a collapse of the illusions of its sponsors and supporters to divide Syria," the statement said.

The army also hailed what it described as "the continuous coordination" between the Syrian and Iraqi armies," saying it has played a big role in clearing large swathes of the border area and in preventing the infiltration of IS militants across the border.

Such coordination between both forces is what made it possible for the army to swiftly strip IS of the city, as the Syrian forces and Iraqi troops met at the border on Wednesday and that's when the city was fully besieged before the declaration of full liberation on Thursday.

The Iraqi forces recently captured the city of al-Qaim, where there is a border crossing with Syria under the same name near al-Bukamal.

Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said Thursday that the victory in al-Bukamal "is a victory for anyone fighting terrorism and an irrevocable downfall of the myths and illusions of IS."

The speaker of the Syrian parliament, Hamoudeh Sabagh, said the liberation of al-Bukamal has a strategic importance as it brought down the foreign-backed schemes to fragment Syria.

He referred to the U.S. as having a project to divide Syria by "planting terrorist cells" in the country.

Meanwhile, Sabagh hailed the Iraqi forces for liberating border areas between Syria and Iraq and securing roads between both countries.

He said the victory in al-Bukamal proves that the Syrian army is "at the height of his power."

After losing it, the IS militants have lost all of their strongholds in Syria, maintaining just a few pockets in different parts of Syria, mainly in northeastern and eastern parts.

A source based in Deir al-Zour told Xinhua on Thursday that the IS still holds areas in the desert and between the cities of al-Bukamal and al-Mayadeen in eastern Deir al-Zour as well as some towns on the northern bank of Euphrates River.

But no major strongholds are left, he said.

The total defeat of IS will help boost the political talks to resolve the crisis, analysts say.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 06:36:14|Editor: yan

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QUITO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's Prosecutor General Carlos Baca on Thursday officially charged Vice President Jorge Glas and 12 others of conspiracy in relation to a bribery scheme involving Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

During the hearing held on Thursday morning, Baca presented evidence linking the vice president to the scheme. Glas, who has been in jail since Oct. 2 awaiting trial, has denied any wrongdoing.

The accused include the former comptroller Carlos Polit, who had fled to the United States, as well as former executives of Odebrecht.

At the hearing, Baca said Glas' uncle Ricardo Rivera, acting on behalf of Glas, requested and received more than 13 million U.S. dollars from Odebrecht.

Brazilian citizen Jose Conceicao Santos, former superintendent director of Odebrecht in Ecuador up to 2016, was initially among those charged, but will not face trial here because he has already been convicted and given an eight-year sentence by the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court.

However, Baca made it clear that Santos was the key operator of the scheme, bribing government officials to secure lucrative public works contracts.

The scheme was Odebrecht's modus operandi in some 12 countries from 2007 to 2016, arranging payouts of more than 33.5 million dollars in Ecuador alone, said prosecutors.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-10 06:41:17|Editor: yan

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A 32-year-old Chinese man, voyaging from U.S. California to Asia in an ocean rowboat, was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard near Hawaii after his friend reported that the boat had developed a communication failure, the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles confirmed on Thursday.

Amanda Lezvasseur, spokeswoman of the U.S. Coast Guard, told Xinhua late Wednesday night that Yu Ruihan, a Chinese national, had been rescued Tuesday morning approximately 35 miles (about 56 kilometers) northeast of Maui island, and 26 miles (42 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu.

"We talked with him today, He wants to stay in Maui, waiting for repair parts and a new Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, so he can repairs his boat and continue his trip," she said, adding "his final destination is Australia."

According to a press release of the Coast Guard Wednesday, watchstanders at Sector Honolulu first learned of Yu's situation at 8:16 a.m. local time Tuesday, via a relayed call from Coast Guard Sector San Francisco stating a friend of Yu's reported him in a potentially distressed situation due to a text message received from Yu on a two-way satellite communication device.

Watchstanders launched a HC-130 Hercules to the scene and established communication with Yu one hour later by dropping him a VHF radio.

Then the Coast Guard sent a fast response cutter in Honolulu to take the vessel in tow and transited it to harbour in Maui.

"It's always a good feeling to save someone at sea, and yesterday was no different," the press release cited Peter Driscoll, executive officer of the cutter, saying "we were able to assist Mr. Yu and he can now attempt repairs and completion of his voyage safely."

Yu, who departed from California on June 9 in a 18-foot (about 5.5 meters) green vessel, has not any health issue or danger now, the Coast Guard said.
The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, to be held in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday and Saturday, has elicited much international attention. It is the first APEC meeting hosted by Vietnam, as well as the first to be attended by US President Donald Trump, as part of the longest trip to the Asia-Pacific taken by a US president since 1992. The world's eyes will be focused on Da Nang, especially on what transpires at what is usually described as one of the most significant annual summit meetings.

Regional integration and free trade have been high priority areas for quite some time. In fact, the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has made considerable headway over the past few years and shown much promise. Unfortunately, it does not include any country from the Americas, which limits its potential to enhance trans-Pacific trade, although there is no reason why this could not be remedied in the future, say, by opening it up to "non-regional" members.

Then there is the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, APEC's grand project, whose feasibility study was submitted to the members at the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, in November last year. But still there is a long way to go before it is realized. Another is the "TPP 11", a variant of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, minus the United States. A fourth includes the four members of the Pacific Alliance (a Latin American integration scheme), that is, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, plus Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore, whose joining the alliance as associate members is currently being negotiated.

As can be seen from the veritable smorgasbord of alternatives on free trade and regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region, neither is particularly easy to implement or all-encompassing in its reach. Yet that is no reason not to keep pushing for them or for not exploring their complementarities.

Beyond these mega-regional agreements, which seemed to be the wave of the future only a few years ago, but now face serious obstacles, we should keep in mind that the cause of free trade can also be propelled bilaterally, one FTA at the time, as it were.

That is exactly what Chile and China did when they signed their FTA way back in 2005, the first such agreement China inked with any single country. Bilateral trade has increased fourfold since then, reaching $31 billion last year, and is widely considered a great success.

Yet much has happened in these 12 years, and the FTA text has been upgraded to widen its focus from just trade in goods to also cover services which is fast moving closer to center stage (in fact, services already represent more than half of China's GDP). This upgrading was done in the course of four negotiating sessions this year, and a protocol dealing with such cutting-edge disciplines as e-commerce, government procurement and competition policy has been agreed on and will be signed in the presence of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Da Nang during the APEC meeting, thus deepening and strengthening the FTA.

There is a lesson here for all those who want to see it. At a time when protectionism and isolationism have raised their ugly heads in a number of countries, China and one of its leading trade partners in Latin America are moving forward to further liberalize trade and open themselves up to trans-border commerce.

Starting in the 1990s, Chile has been at the forefront of developing what has come to be known as a "lateral" international trade policy, based on the pursuit of bilateral or "plurilateral" FTAs with as many economies as possible, and today it has the largest number of FTAs of any country (25 with some 64 countries). In the early 2000s, this was new terrain for China, but it has been catching up fast, as subsequent FTAs with New Zealand, Australia and the Republic of Korea show. However that may be, China and Chile both are considered to be among those that have made the most of globalization by opening up their economics and seizing the many opportunities offered by the global economy.

Yes, we must continue to push for inter-regional trans-Pacific agreements that facilitate and promote more trade and investment across the world's largest ocean, and APEC is a critical forum for this purpose. But we should not forget that free trade should be propelled on all frontsbilateral, "plurilateral" and multilateraland no instance is too small for that.

The author is the ambassador of Chile to China.
A World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel in Geneva, Switzerland has ruled in Japan's favor in a dispute over South Korean restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The panel notified the two sides of the result on 18 October.

Japan lodged a complaint at the WTO in 2015 against South Korea's import bans on fish caught from eight prefectures near Fukushima, imposed in 2013. The ban applies to all fisheries products from Fukushima prefecture as well as the prefectures of Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Iwate, Tochigi, Chiba and Aomori, as well as on additional testing requirements for seafood from other prefectures.

The ban was put in place in September of 2013 after large releases of contaminated cooling water from the damaged reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was released into the ocean. Japan made inconsistent statements about the amount of radiation being released, which caused Korea to doubt the reliability of Japanese data. Prior to the ban, in 2012, South Korea imported 5,000 tons of fishery products from the eight affected prefectures, out of a total of 40,000 tons of seafood imports from Japan.

Details of the final result will be available to WTO member nations in January and will be open to the public afterwards, but the Japanese government said it was "consistent with Japan's position."

The WTO dispute settlement process lets parties appeal panel decisions. Ryu Young-jin, South Korea's minister of food and drug safety, told lawmakers in the National Assembly that the country would appeal any ruling against it by the panel "in the interest of public health," according to a Yonhap News Agency report. Under WTO rules, South Korea has 60 days to appeal to an appellate body, which could delay imports of Fukushima-related seafood for another two years during the deliberation period. Accordingly, the ban -- even if ruled to be counter to WTO rules -- could stay in place until 2019.

The ruling could affect similar restrictions on Japanese seafood by other counties. For example, in 2016, when a new government took office in Taiwan, it proposed keeping the ban on products from Fukushima while imports from Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba prefectures would be allowed after inspection. The government began public hearings, as required for changes to regulations, but it did not observe the legal requirement that all such meetings be announced at least 10 days in advance, instead announcing the hearings only one or two days prior to their being held. The hearings were violently disrupted by opposition lawmakers and consumer safety campaigners, who overturned tables in an effort to halt the proceedings, saying that safety and public opinion were being ignored. The protests forced them to delay any moves for an early lifting.

Taiwan's original ban, preventing imports of food from Fukushima and nearby Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi and Chiba prefectures, was put in place in 2011 by the administration of Ma Ying-jeou of the Koumingtang (KMT) Party over radiation concerns following Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. This is similar to the current Korean ban, except that the number of prefectures was fewer.
Japan will spend roughly 800 billion yen ($7.01 billion) to expand its free preschool program, part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to increase human resources investment.

The expansion will render all 3- to 5-year-olds eligible for assistance, regardless of their parents' income, making preschools free for an additional 2 million children. Currently, 2.5 million children in that age group attend either nursery school or kindergarten in Japan.

The Abe government has put together a 2 trillion yen package -- around $17.5 billion -- for what he calls "revolutions in productivity and human resources development," promising programs such as free university education for students in low-income households.

Nearly 1.7 trillion yen in revenue expected from a consumption tax increase in October 2019 will finance the package, with the corporate sector contributing the remaining 300 billion yen.

Japan's consumption tax rate is scheduled to rise to 10% from 8% currently. As the higher rate will apply during only part of fiscal 2019, the free preschool program will cover only 5-year-olds in that fiscal year, before expanding to 3- and 4-year-olds the following year.

High-income earners who enroll children in a private kindergarten still will pay at least part of the cost. Japan already provides free preschool for low-income parents and will maintain the current method of paying the average fee, which currently stands at 25,700 yen a month.

Care for children up to age 2 will be free for households that make less than 2.6 million yen a year and are exempt from municipal residency tax. Nearly 10 billion yen will be earmarked to fund this effort.
As sad as these tales are, they do little to deter people who are hell-bent on escaping Africa. Many more people will leave, convinced they are better off taking their chances than staying back to whittle away with despair and frustrating idleness. No injunction can stop such resolve; it is an imperative of the human soul to drift towards lights especially when they live in circumstances where their sun never rises. Why worry about dying on a ramshackle boat when death is coming for you at home anyway?

They do have a point. If one runs through the news articles in the Nigerian media in the past few months, one would have to be a foreigner to ever be shocked how cheap death is in our country. If people are not dying in hospitals due to the poverty of their folks who cannot afford medical care, they die of snake bites. Or, capsized boats! Or suicide! Right here in Nigeria, people who do not leave her shores still died at sea. Between August and October alone, there were a recorded 72 deaths in Lagos and Kebbi states when passenger boats capsized. Some other victims were declared missing. Add to those figures the number of those who have been victims of Boko Haram and sectarian violence. Again, add to all those are the Nigerians who have been failed in one way or the other and, left as the walking dead, move between cycles of realistic and surrealistic wants.

People do not see gold at the end of the rainbow and are fleeing the country cannibalising them. Those who have the means will go by visas they have planned to overstay even before they are granted one; others will take hazardous routes through the desert and the sea. If Nigerian leaders are paying attention, they will hear the groan of pain and despair pervading the land. People are tired, hungry, and desperate. The future does not seem to hold many promises.

The annual assurances our leaders make when they read joyless budgets, like the one read yesterday by the President, they have labelled with fanciful names to our weary ears are unconvincing. The hope and faith that drove Nigerians to the polls to demand change two and half years ago have mostly waned. The Promised Land we thought we glimpsed now seems like a mirage. After going through various cycles of repetitive dysfunction, come 2019, Nigerians may get too disillusioned to care. The prospect of being continuously saddled with an unimaginative government that can galvanise Nigerians energies is a frightening one.

Over the weekend, I read an article by the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, where he mentioned that President Muhammadu Buhari took his time to read through the report of the panel of inquiry submitted on Babachir Lawal and Ambassador Ayo Oke before they were dismissed from service. Adesinas claim that Buhari took his time to pore through the documents which, according to him, was written in six hefty volumes was alarming! Nowhere in the world does a president read through such reports in detail, they rely on advisers who give them a brief and advise them on various decisions and their consequences. The president then chooses which to execute.

Adesina thinks Buharis snails pace is a virtue and cannot be stampeded no matter how much impatient Nigerians try to harry him.

Unfortunately, he fails to acknowledge that Nigerias case requires an adrenalin shot and Nigerians destinies cannot wait for Baba to pore through hefty texts just because he needs to take a single decision. When will he start reading and acting on the multitude and hefty volumes on issues such as economic and political reforms? Why does he have advisers and ministers if he still needs to wade through documents himself?

At this point, the Nigerian government, at the federal level and equally critically, at the state government where they run a far less inspiring mode of governance needs to wake up to reality and create a new governing order that arrests our drifting. Regardless of the present propaganda that Nigeria was bled out by previous governments, the truth is that we have consistently failed to establish a socio-political order with a moral vision that can inspire a more productive habit of thinking, acting, governing, and which ultimately promotes social flourishing. For now, what we seem to have, are mainly policies and ideas that gnaw at the base of enormous problems, none of them delivering many tangible results in either the short-term or long-term.

The government and their minions are the only ones who, looking through their rose-tinted glasses, see reasons to be optimistic. Most people are not, and that is because they choose not to live in a self-deluded reality. Some of those who are tired of waiting for the goodies that never trickle down are taking the death trips to Europe while others are helping themselves in every way possible. Nigeria and her leaders need to realise that they are hurting the most vulnerable among us and we cannot continue this way. I have lived through different stages of the Nigerian dysfunction but I cannot remember the last time it was this bad.

In the meantime, Nigeria owes it to those who died on the Italian ship to do right by them, whatever it costs, however large, and however late. For starters, they should cooperate with the Italian government in investigating the circumstances of these womens deaths, request their bodies from them, and at least give them a decent burial right at home. We know it will not right the wrongs that led to their deaths but at least, they deserve better than they got. Whatever this diplomacy and burial cost the Nigerian government, they need to be done. They were Nigerians, after all.
Teodorin Obiang Nguema, the son of the Equatorial Guinean president is not moved by the confiscation of his assets in France where he was sentenced for three years in absentia for embezzling public funds.

The vice president of the oil-rich country flaunted his lavish lifestyle on an Instagram Live video a week after the sentencing as he flew in a private jet and vacationed at an unknown water slide.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139023361@N07/24378877888





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He was convicted for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his government and laundering the proceeds in France. The Paris court also seized his assets in France valued at over $115 million.



The 47-year-old plundered the public funds between 2004-11 when he was agriculture minister under his father Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979.

The country failed to stop the Paris court from trying him in the case that was opened in January this year.

Other countries including the United States, The Netherlands and Switzerland have seized millions of dollars of his property believed to have been acquired with state funds.

Obiang handed over $30m worth of properties to U.S. officials including a large villa in Malibu, California, and a dozen luxury cars, but kept his $38 million private jet and Michael Jackson memorabilia.

His 76-metre yacht, $200 million mansion in Paris, $2.8 million Swedish-manufactured vehicle and a $2 million Bugatti Veyron were all seized in Europe.
Ibrahim Zakzaky, who heads the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife should be freed on health grounds, lawyer Femi Falana said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The cleric lost the sight in his left eye during two days of unrest in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015 in which soldiers allegedly killed more than 300 IMN members.

Now he risks losing the sight in his right eye sequel to the brutal treatment meted out to him by the armed soldiers, Falana wrote.

Zakzakys wife, Zainab, was said to be in a far worse state, according to the lawyer, who said he visited the couple in secret police detention in Abuja a few days ago.

For reasons best known to the State Security Service, some of the bullets lodged in her body during the brutal attack of December 14, 2015 have not been extracted, he wrote.

In the circumstances, she has been subjected to excruciating pain and agony on a daily basis, he added, warning her life was in danger unless she received urgent medical attention.

Nigerias government has previously ignored a court order to release the couple. Hundreds of IMN were arrested during the military crackdown in Zaria.

Zakzaky has long been at loggerheads with Nigerias secular authorities because of his repeated call for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria.

Northern Nigeria is predominantly Sunni Muslim.

On Sunday, at least three people were killed in the northern city of Kano when police shot at an IMN procession marking the Shiite day of mourning, Ashura.

The march, which begins in Kano and heads to Zaria, has been a regular flashpoint. Last year, the IMN claimed police had shot and killed at least 30 without provocation.
He said despite the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, criminal cases were still moving at a snails pace in the courts largely due to poor case management.

A statement on Wednesday quoted Osinbajo as saying this at a symposium organised last week in Abuja by a group, Initiative for Socio-Cultural Fairness and Equity, in conjunction with the Conference of Western Attorneys General Africa Alliance Partnership.

The Vice-President, according to the statement, was represented on the occasion by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye.

He maintained that once ministers in the temple of justice show more commitment to proper case management, the problem of delayed justice would have been largely solved, and this would in turn inspire confidence in the Nigerian legal system.

A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adolphus Karibe-Whyte, who was chairman on the occasion, urged defence lawyers in criminal cases to shun dilatory tactics, including application for unnecessary adjournments.

He said judges must always stand their ground and reject such request for adjournments.

Karibe-Whyte said judges must take advantage of the Plea and Case Management Hearing, which, he said, was specifically designed to enable the court to deal, before hand, with all the issues about the case that may derail or cause delays of the trial.

The Director, CWAG-AAP, Markus Green, harped on continuous training for judicial officials, noting that the symposium was aimed at improving justice delivery in Nigeria, in line with CWAG AAPs mandate of promoting the rule of law and international cooperation.
Nigeria has successfully traced and recovered $2.9 billion or N738.9 billion from looters between May 2015 and October 2017, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has said.

According to Magu, who spoke at the ongoing 7th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption holding in Vienna, Austria, disclosed that the amount did not include smaller currencies such as Dirham and British Pounds.

Giving a breakdown of the recovered cash, Magu listed the sources as: $43 million recovered from Diezani Allison-Madueke, Nigerias former Minister of Petroleum and N2 billion spread in seven accounts in three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Salary Accounts.

Magu also said that employing the mechanism of the non-conviction-based forfeiture provided under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, the EFCC has also made a lot of recovery locally.

The acting chairman boasted, Within this year alone, the commission recovered stolen assets running into several millions of US Dollars and billions in naira.

This include the sum of $43 million recovered from Diezani Allison-Madueke, Nigerias former Minister of Petroleum and N2 billion spread in seven accounts with three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Salary Accounts. Apparently bolstered by the recovery effort, the international community has begun to rte Nigeria as one of the countries now taking serious steps to tackle financial crimes and corruption.

The commendation was made during a meeting between the Acting EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu and Dr. Nassar Abaalkhail, Head of International Collaboration, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Saudi Arabia. The meeting was sequel to a paper delivered by Magu yesterday, at the ongoing 7th Session of Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption holding in Vienna, Austria.

The 10-page paper entitled, International Cooperation in Relation to Technical Assistance: The Nigerian Experience, gave detailed account of efforts by the Commission at tracing and recovering all stolen treasures from the countrys coffers. Dr. Abaalkhail said, From what I have heard, Nigerias effort at asset tracing is remarkable. Nigeria is indeed a role model for countries, including developed countries. We have so much to learn from Nigeria.

Iranian National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, Dr. Mohsen Mardal, also commended the Nigerian presentation. The Commissioner, Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Agency, Ady Macauley, also said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ably represented by Mr. Magu, is not only formidable, but a pride to the African States. My men were in Nigeria a fortnight ago to understudy your operations, I must confess, we have a lot to learn in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery. In his presentation, Magu who was a panellist at the Implementation Review Group attended by over 100 delegates, detailed the Nigerian efforts in asset recovery, including the progress made in the specific cases related to Abacha loot, Malabu Oil, Diezani and associates and the Arms procurement scandal. These efforts, he said, cut across Switzerland, USA, UK, UAE, Jersey Island and Panama.

According to him, EFCC monetary recoveries from May 2015 to October 20, 2017 were in excess of N738.9 billion, which is equivalent to over $2.9 billion. This does not include smaller currencies like Durham, CRA and British Pound, he added.

Magu also said that employing the mechanism of the non-conviction-based forfeiture provided under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, the EFCC has also made a lot of recovery locally. Within this year alone, the commission recovered stolen assets running into several millions of US Dollars and billions in naira.

This include the sum of $43 million recovered from Deziani Allison-Madueke, Nigerias former Minister of Petroleum and N2 billion spread in seven accounts within three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Salary Accounts, he explained.

In his recommendations, Magu sought for improved coordination and cooperation among State parties in asset recovery through the consideration and adoption of measures that will remove traditional barriers such as bank secrecy consistent with Article 46(8) and dual criminality Article 46(9) as well as simplify legal technicalities in the recovery and repatriation of stolen funds. The EFCC boss in his paper, further sought for measures to reduce cost of recovery of assets for developing countries and ensure speedy return of all stolen assets to victim States in line with the current resolution sponsored by Nigeria.

He also urged for sanction and prosecution of any financial institution that violates AML/CFT measures and the maintenance of a public register on beneficial ownership.
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King Mohammed VI was among the heads of state attending the opening of the 1 billion dollar Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi.

Moroccos King who is on a visit to Abu Dhabi took part in unveiling the Louvre Museum alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who was accompanied by his spouse Brigitte macron, the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa as well as President of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

On this occasion, King Mohammed VI offered the Museum gifts namely artworks dating back to the 19th century, such as a Holy Quran manuscript, a rifle, a sword and a cedar wood door from Fez.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Governor of Dubai, underlined that the Louvre Abu Dhabi is an additional asset to the human heritage, and that the museum is a work of art that brings together the East and the West. It is an inter-civilizational bridge.

A symbol of tolerance and communion, this museum stands for our capacity to fight evil forces of violence and hatred, said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, calling for a genuine inter-civilizational coalition to preserve human civilization.

Echoing him, President Macron said this Louvre of desert and light is a bridge between generations, cultures and East and West.

By bringing together these masterpieces with other masterpieces from Arab antiquities, Islamic art, pre-Columbian art, and Chinese art, with artists from beyond ages as contemporary artists from Morocco, UAE and China, we are contemplating an epic fresco of civilizations coming together, said the French president.

Addressing the museums architect, Jean Nouvel, President Macron told him: You have built a temple for beauty.

Beauty builds a bridge between continents and generations, he said. The museum had a universal message, Macron added, referring to the UAEs role as pivotal and at the heart of a region with some of the worlds greatest challenges.

Earlier, Macron hailed the museum as a decisive turning point in ties with the UAE in an interview with local daily Al-Ittihad published on Wednesday.

The project, agreed between France and Abu Dhabi in 2007, was initially intended to open in 2012 but was delayed by the global financial crisis and plummeting oil prices, sending the final cost soaring over its original $654 million budget.

The Paris Louvre is a landmark in the French capital and the worlds largest art museum, with millions of visitors a year.

The Abu Dhabi building that brings to mind an Arab medina (an ancient quarter of a city) features a geometric structure of 7,850 stars. As the sun passes above, its light filters through the perforations in the dome to create an inspiring effect within the museum known as the rain of light, inspired by the palm trees of Abu Dhabi.
The giant mosque that is being built to stand as a hallmark of President Bouteflikas legacy has come to represent all that is wrong with financial governance in Algeria. The mega project, initially launched with a price tag of $1 billion, has drawn funds exceeding $2 billion so far.

The monument is becoming a black hole consuming funds at a time Algeria braces for austerity measures to curb the impact of the slump in oil prices, the countrys main source of revenue.

Works to achieve the project were launched in 2012 with the aim to be complete in 2017. Yet, this goal seems distant as the mosque, like several infrastructure projects in the country, is left behind schedule. Construction firms estimate that the project will be ready in 2020 at best.

Besides financial challenges, a set of technical issues are also casting doubt on the resilience of the Algerian mosques minaret to earthquakes. These concerns are fed by Algerias location sitting astride two major plates regularly hit by earthquakes, especially along the Mediterranean coast.

The fund-consuming mosque raises the issue of graft in Algerias infrastructure projects. Algerias East-West highway worth $13 billion highway project is one of the most expensive in the world due to several graft scandals involving local officials and foreign firms.

The highway mushroomed into a major scandal as it ran into repeated delays because of corruption investigations.

In another graft scandal involving foreign suppliers, a group of former top officials from the Algerian state oil company Sonatrach were indicted on corruption charges.

Algeria sank in the 2016 corruption perception index established by Amnesty International from 100th position to 108th out of 177 countries.
The cost of US wars in the Middle East and Asia was estimated at $5.6 trillion said The Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs at Brown University in a newly released study.

The cost covers the US wars since 2001 in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. According to the Wall Street Journal, that cost is more than triple the Pentagons narrow estimate of $1.5 trillion, which was released by the Defense Department this year.

The Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs deemed that the Pentagons estimates failed to consider the costs that were not taken on by the Defense Department in the first place.

War costs are more than what we spend in any one year on whats called the pointy end of the spear, the studys author, Neta Crawford, told the Journal. There are all these other costs behind the spear, and there are consequences of using it, that we need to include.

The study estimates include recurring expenses such as long-term medical care for veterans and war costs incurred by the State Department.
Roy Moore in the Capitol last month. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call,Inc.

Vice-President Mike Pence and more than a dozen Republican senators on Thursday called for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from next months special election if recent allegations of sexual misconduct with minors are true.

Moore, a far-right demagogue whose rise to prominence was based in part on his homophobia, is accused of pursuing relationships with underage women while he was in his 30s. Four women went on the record for the Washington Post, three of them telling the paper of advances Moore made when they were between 16 and 18. A fourth accused him of initiating sexual contact with her when she was 14. Moore, who would have been 32 at the time and is 70 now, denied the allegations.

If these allegations are true, he must step aside, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon.

If thats true, then he wouldnt belong in the Senate, Alabama senator Richard Shelby told reporters.

Arizona senator Jeff Flake echoed the sentiment: If there is any shred of truth to the allegations against Roy Moore, he should step aside immediately.

Im horrified and if its true he should step down immediately, Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski said. She also told reporters that she has spoken with Alabamas current senator, Luther Strange, who lost the GOP primary to Moore, about mounting a write-in campaign next month.

A handful of other senators made similar statements, most with the caveat that Moore should step aside if the allegations are true. Two GOP senators were willing to go further.

Ohio senator Rob Portman made a similar statement as those above but added that Moores accusers are on the record, so I assume their allegations are true.

On Thursday evening, Vice-President Mike Pence expressed similar sentiments in a statement issued by his press secretary. President Trump, who is in Asia, has yet to comment.

From @VPPressSec on ROY MOORE: The Vice President found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office.  Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 10, 2017

Then there was Arizona senator John McCain, who is apparently willing to take Moores accusers at their word and unequivocally called on him to step down.

The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 9, 2017

This post was updated to include Vice-President Pences statement.
South Carolina Supreme Court chief justice Donald Beatty. Photo: Mary Ann Chastain/AP

In the United States, many municipalities rely on fines from traffic violations and other misdemeanors to fund basic government services. The upside of this means of revenue generation, from a political perspective, is that its invisible to most voters, and painless for rich people (who are often campaign donors).

But the policys downsides are considerable.

For one thing, you generally need to milk those fines from the most disempowered community in your area (any police chief who aggressively cracks down on every little misdemeanor rich, well-connected people commit wont be in office for long). But the thing about disempowered people is, they dont have a lot of money. So it can be a real hassle to get them to pay up. And then, if they wish to contest their fine in court, youve got to provide them with an attorney. Pretty soon, youre spending more on collecting the fines than theyre even worth.

South Carolina found a pair of elegant solutions to this conundrum:

(1) Intimidate poor people into dutifully paying their fines by imprisoning those who dont (debtors prisons may be a tad costly, but youve gotta spend money to make money).

(2) Dont inform poor defendants that they have a constitutional right to an attorney.

This worked really well for a while. As the American Civil Liberties Union demonstrated in a 2016 report, the South Carolina municipalities of Beaufort and Bluffton were able to extract fines from thousands of poor people every year, without ever providing them access to a public defender. Meanwhile, South Carolinas Lexington County sent a strong message to its fine-evading poor, by sending hundreds of impoverished people to modern-day debtors prisons.

Alas, on November 1, South Carolina Supreme Court chief justice Donald Beatty informed summary court judges that the Constitution requires them to honor poor defendants rights to an attorney, and prohibits debtors prisons  and as judges, they actually do kinda need to adhere to that document.

The instructions came during a training session, and followed studies and lawsuits from the ACLU, drawing attention to the myriad due-process violations in the states court system. The chief justice told the summary judges that violating someones constitutional rights is an offense and that there are consequences for an offense, according to the Post and Courier.

After learning that they could face legal consequences for violating the Constitution, these summary judges decided that they may have issued an improper arrest warrant or two  thousand. As the Post and Courier reports:

Tens of thousands of South Carolinians wanted for arrest for skipping court dates or blowing off fines might be breathing a sigh of relief as judges have stopped jailing some of these low-level offenders under instructions from the states chief justice  Many summary courts, which include county magistrates and municipal judges from the Lowcountry to the Upstate, have suspended all arrests on bench warrants as they scramble to figure out which cases are affected.

 Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said the victims are her primary concern. But she was startled to learn, she said, that even defendants who had bond hearings on magistrate-level offenses were not told of their rights.

By recalling all those bench warrants, it seems the judges are admitting that failure, she said. It is a positive step that the chief justice is correcting this huge flaw in the magistrate court process.

And they would have gotten away with it too, if it wasnt for that meddling ACLU.
Trump and Putin at the G20 Summit in July. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet once again at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, Kremlin officials said Thursday.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to Russian news agencies that the meeting will happen and said the timing is still being discussed. Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the format of the meeting is still up in the air. A formal meeting could still happen, or they may just run into each other and have an informal pull-aside. As for the content of the meeting, there is no agreed agenda, Peskov said.

In his most recent comments on the meeting, which is expected to include discussions of North Korea, Syria, and Ukraine, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seemed sour on the idea of a formal meeting between the two leaders. Were in contact with them and the view is that the two leaders are going to meet if theres something sufficiently substantive to talk about that would warrant a formal meeting, Tillerson said Thursday in Beijing. He added that a less formal meeting on the sidelines of the summit is likely.

Trump has made it clear that he wants to sit down with Putin in Vietnam. On Sunday, he told White House reporters that he will want Putins help in dealing with North Korea. Some of Trumps aides, however, are not so sure its a good idea for him to be seen with the man thought by some to be his puppet master, especially with special counsel Robert Mueller starting to hand out indictments.

As BuzzFeed reports, White House aides had hoped the Asia trip would provide a reprieve from the wall-to-wall coverage of the Russia investigation. But as long as there are cameras in Vietnam when Putin and Trump come face to face, that reprieve wont come.
Paul Ryan professes to think all those Democratic voters on November 7 really want Congress to move on tax cuts. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Polls, focus groups, and strategic thinking by smart people can all be useful tools in charting a political partys course. But theres nothing like actual elections to provide crucial feedback, particularly for the party in charge of everything in Washington. So you would think November 7s very bad results for the Republican Party might provide a teachable moment, and persuade GOP leaders to think twice about implementing their not-very-popular agenda. But instead, for a variety of reasons, most leading Republicans are treating their poor public standing as a reason to more urgently press that agenda.

House Speaker Paul Ryan set the tone by claiming that the off-year election just puts more pressure on making sure we follow through with tax cuts, and keep our promises. This echoes the year-long conservative claim that Republicans are betraying the base and their principles if they dont keep returning to the poisoned well to repeal Obamacare.

Interpreting Democratic victories as providing a mandate for Republican policies is a sign that the GOP is a party whose leaders dont want to listen to feedback at all beyond the ranks of hungry donors and angry ideologues. So far the tax-cut package (and particularly its central feature, the big corporate tax-rate reduction) has anemic support, despite being described relentlessly by its sponsors as an incredibly tasty, sugar-free, no-carb dessert.

The bill is only going to get more unpopular as the various interests the bill hurts pound it relentlessly in the days ahead. Obamacare became more popular the more Republicans tried to repeal it. The presidents approval ratings are stubbornly very low despite the good economic news for which he keeps taking credit. And now there are the 2017 election results, which cannot be spun as anything other than a bad sign for Republicans, and a strong indicator that a Democratic wave election could be forming for 2018.

The danger indicators on the console are blinking red, but the people driving the GOP seem determined to ignore them.

There are certainly multiple reasons for this willful refusal to change course.

Sheer inertia is one factor. The GOP legislative agenda was set before Donald Trump even took office, and the failure to deal with health care, cut spending, or stay on schedule has naturally intensified the determination of Republican leaders to get something done by the end of this incredibly disappointing year. Pausing for reflection at this point is the last thing Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell want to do.

In addition, the tax bill is very important to GOP donors, who are already furious at their hirelings for their legislative incompetence. The more Republicans pay attention to the demands of donors that they defy public opinion, the more they need those donors to finance campaigns that swim upstream against public opinion: Its truly a vicious circle.

The demands of the base matter, too, particularly given the possibility of right-wing primary challenges to members of Congress who are too accommodating to mainstream public opinion. It is often forgotten that the vast majority of Republicans in both chambers of Congress are personally invulnerable to the general elections that could destroy their majorities and their power.

Blind ideology drives some of them as well. And theres nothing inherently wrong with doing something politically dangerous as a matter of principle. Republicans, after all, tend to think tax and spending cuts are the answer to every problem facing the nation, in good times and bad. And that is why they often think tax and spending cuts are what the people really want and need, no matter what they say.

That can lead to some really delusional thinking. Heres an example: Maine voters approved a referendum by a landslide 59/41 margin to force their state to accept the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid-expansion option, which atavistic GOP governor Paul LePage has repeatedly blocked. Some congressional Republicans are viewing that as a sign they should keep trying to repeal the Obamacare law that made the expansion possible. As Talking Points Memo reports:

Despite polls showing that more Americans approve of Obamacare than at any time since its implementation, and the vast majority disapprove of Republican bills to repeal it, GOP members said the message they got from Tuesdays elections was that their failure to deliver results is what is hurting Republicans, not their repeated attempts to gut the ACA.

And how about that Maine vote?

Asked about Maines resounding endorsement of Medicaid expansion, [Rep. Mario] Diaz Balart insisted that voters arent concerned with health care policy specifics.

They dont care whether its Medicaid expansion or whatever. Thats Washington talk, he said. When I go home people dont tell me specifics about a bill, they tell me to solve problems. People want a health care system that works for them, and if Republicans dont have answers, theyre going to seek other answers.

Keep in mind that the Medicaid expansion has been debated incessantly in Maine for years; thats why the expansion referendum was on the ballot. We are supposed to believe that the voters who supported that measure didnt know what they were voting for, and might have been just as happy with a GOP health plan.

Under this construction of events, Republicans can interpret any bad news from the electoral front as good news for what they want to do anyway.

Meanwhile, at the White House, the prevailing sentiment is that if Republican candidates had spent most of their time singing hymns of praise to Donald J. Trump, Tuesdays bloodbath would not have occurred.

So the two most common lessons Republicans are taking away from November 7 is that they need to double down on Trump, or double down on Trumps agenda. Electoral signals may be wasted on these people, unless a really big wave crashes down on them in the midterm elections a year from now and sweeps Paul Ryans gavel right out of his hand.
Marked man? Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call

Earlier today, the Washington Post released a story alleging that Alabamian GOP nominee for U.S. Senate, Roy Moore, molested a 14-year-old girl and dated three other underage girls. The allegations are dated back to the late 70s and early 80s. Immediately after the story broke, many of Moores future-would-be Republican colleagues in the Senate began to release statements calling for Moore should step aside  should the allegations prove true.

Your intrepid journalists at the Daily Intelligencer began to break down the political implications of the news. Now we join the DI politics chat, already in progress.

Jon: Can Republicans stick with this whoa, if true position?

Eric: I think they can stick with it, but it may limit their ability  including, possibly, Trumps ability  to rally around his candidacy in the home stretch.

Ezekiel: I think a lot depends on what happens next. Moores blanket  non-denial (?) is not convincing. He doesnt distinguish between any of the allegations in his denial, which strikes me as particularly damning. Is he really denying that he took some of these girls on multiple dates with the blessing of their mothers?

Olivia: By any normal standard, step aside, if true couldnt be a viable long-term position, but by current Republican standards, I think its completely possible for any Senator or Congressman to just say that, refuse to comment further, and wait it out. Its not the right response, but politically, I dont think itll get anyone into trouble.

Eric: Is Trump capable of toeing that line? Hard to believe there wont be a tweet condemning the Fake News medias attacks on Loyal Roy.

Jon: fyi:

Alabama elections division spox tells me it's "too late" to replace Moore on the ballot. Ballots already being printed; absentees already sent out.  Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) November 9, 2017

Jon: I am happy to role play how I think Republican Senators will handle this.

Ezekiel: Lets have it.

Olivia: NSFW.

Jon: I am Senator Mitch McConnell. I am here to talk about the issue the American people care about.

Olivia: Hello, Mitch.

Jon: I am ready for your questions. Seems like mah friends in the liberal media are a little tongue-tied, heh heh.

Eric: Senator McConnell, now that 15 women have all said that Roy Moore tried to date them as teenagers, do you believe its time for him to drop out of the race?

Jon: I have said that if true, he should not be a senator, but this is a matter for the courts to decide. We have a legal system in this country. Now, we are working very hard to create jobs.

Eric: But senator, the statute of limitations bars any legal action on these allegations.

Jon: If a credible investigation finds that there is truth, then he should step aside. Old hazy allegations that a judge denies should not end a mans career.

Olivia: I dont think McConnell would say that, Jon. That last part.

Eric: Yeah, me neither.

Jon: Hmmm.

Ezekiel: [throws popcorn]

Jon: The Washington Post is not going to play judge and jury on this important question?

Eric: Better.

Ed: What does step aside mean? Isnt it too late to substitute another Republican candidate?

Olivia: Well thats the thing, step aside is meaningless here. Or it seems to be, anyway, based on whats been reported about the process.

Eric: Can the Senate refuse to seat him?

Ezekiel: Its not meaningless, right? He cant get his name off the ballot, but he can say hes no longer running.

Olivia: But they cant install anyone else in his place.

Ezekiel: It would mean a write-in campaign.

Olivia: Am I wrong that that would be like the Republicans just opting to sit this one out altogether? Theres no way a write in would work, right?

Ed: Part of the political problem here is that theres no obvious substitute, unless Sessions quits and comes back.

Olivia: Trump might like that actually.

Ed: Write-ins worked for Murkowski in Alaska.

Olivia: But there are like eleven people in Alaska

Jon: Murkowski won by consolidating a big chunk of the center-left vote. The Democrat got under 12%. Thats how she won. I dont see Doug Jones disappearing like that.

Ezekiel: I feel pretty confident that its going to be a mess.

Olivia: lol. Im with Ezekiel.

Eric: If tax reform didnt hang in the balance, better two years of Doug Jones than a lifetime of Roy Moore would be a compelling argument.

Jon: Tax reform, hell, Jones could give Democrats 51 seats after the midterms. I expect them to pick up Nevada and Arizona. Decent shot of holding every incumbent seat.

Ed: Yeah, as I pointed out in a post on the politics of this, Moores RCP lead over Jones is just 6 percent.

Ed: So its like Akin in 2012.

Olivia: But back to the initial question: what would make if true politically untenable for someone like McConnell? I dont see it.

Jon: Im guessing several more on the record accusers.

Ezekiel: And collapsing polls.

Jon: Yeah.

Ezekiel: I think the GOP can stomach anything if it looks like hes going to win anyway. If it looks like the voters are going to abandon him, though, under the bus he goes

Eric: That is the lesson of grabem-by-the-pussygate.

Olivia: I guess what Im most curious about is, does Trumps ability to survive politically despite a dozen accusations of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct mean that Republicans more broadly can survive this now? Or is Trump, as he often is, an anomaly?

Jon: What Trump does will matter a lot, too.

Ed: With every day that goes by, any option other than taking a dive or backing Moore anyway begins to vanish.

Jon:

Jon: Big thumbs down.

Ed: Wow, is this ever moving fast.

Eric: Republicans werent saying If this is true about Trump in the last weeks of the campaign.

Ezekiel: You know, I think the if true is really bad news for Moore. The way to inoculate the public against the allegations would be to rally around with fake news, etc.

Olivia: But Republicans also thought Trump would lose the last weeks of the campaign. His own staff thought hed lose. I think he thought hed lose.

Jon: Yup.

Eric: But they thought he had a chance.

Ezekiel: Right. What matters is the polls.

Eric: Right after the Access Hollywood thing broke, they expected a landslide. Paul Ryan told his caucus he wouldnt support Trump. Then Trumps polling remained competitive. And they just moved on. My point is: I dont think you can say on the eve of the Alabama election We dont know for certain that the GOP candidate is a child sex predator, so please go out and vote for him.

Jon: Not sure if weve gone over this, but Strange cannot run as a write-in:

Big Luther cannot run as a write-in candidate. 'Bama's got a sore-loser law:

"This provision basically allows every candidate only one opportunity to run for an elected position in any given year."https://t.co/b1K0xE2eUJ  Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) November 9, 2017

Olivia: But so what is their option? Just stay quiet and let him die slowly and painfully?

Eric: I think they need to decide this is fake news, that Doug Jones is just as bad because he once watched a film produced by Harvey Weinstein, or just forfeit their ability to discuss the race at all.

Olivia: I think the latter is the only viable option.

Eric: Yeah.

Ed: Unless some deus ex machina like Sessions appears.

Eric: Or, unless theyre able to discredit some small part of the story. So Sessions can reclaim his seat at any time?

Ezekiel: Yeah, whats the Sessions path?

Ed: Write in. Hes the only person who could pull it off.
The minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafiire has said changes in the Constitution including lifting of the age limits are inevitable.

Otafiire was responding to Bishop Robert Muhiirwa's comments on the amendment of the Constitution to remove the presidential age limits.



Bishop Muhiirwa used his sermon in a mass for Catholics from Mbarara Archdiocese on their annual pilgrimage to the Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo on Sunday to remind leaders about the oath they take while holding the bible.



"The word of God must not be played with. The leaders of this country must not joke with the Bible. They held a bible in their right hand and swore to defend the Constitution," he said.

Minister Otafiire (R) arrives for a meeting with NRM leaders

However while meeting National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders from Fort Portal municipality and Kabarole district on Monday in Fort Portal town, Otafiire said that although he respects Muhiirwa's opinion on the age limit, amendments and changes in society are inevitable.



According to Otafiire, Jesus left only one church under St. Peter but now there are many churches with different religious leaders implying that the constitution of the church was changed which led to the emergence of different religions and bishops.



He added that since there is change in religion, the same should apply in politics.



"Jesus left only one church under St Peter but there are four bishops in Kabarole. If they had not changed the constitution of the church, how would the different denominations have arisenSo like theres time for change in religion there is also time for second thoughts in politics", Otafiire said.



Muhiirwa and Reuben Kisembo, the Bishop Ruwenzori Diocese have been consistent so far on their stance against removing the age limits. They have spoken at different functions and written letters urging President Yoweri Museveni to retire and allow another leader to take over.



Otafiire also criticised some NRM members of parliament who are against the amendment of the constitution. He said that as party members, they are supposed to support and respect decisions taken by the party's organs.



After speaking to the leaders, Otafiire then ordered journalists out of the hall, saying that the leaders were going to discuss internal matters of the party. He also ordered his army escorts to ensure the journalists were not in the vicinity of the venue.



Margaret Muhanga, the member of parliament for Burahya county and a supporter of removal of the age limit, said that some NRM members of parliament and members of the opposition are wasting time opposing the proposed amendment of the constitution.



Displaying a list of names, Muhanga claimed that 330 NRM MPs and all the 10 Uganda People's Defence Forces-UPDF representatives are in favour of amending the constitution.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
Yesterday saw one of the more bizarre episodes in modern politics as journalists tracked the International Secretary's plane in real time, all the way from Uganda to the UK on social media and then followed her ministerial car from a camera on a helicopter as it travelled back to Westminster from the airport. It was the event of the day and took journalistic stalking to a new level.The summoning of a minister back from an overseas trip so she can be handed her resignation letter is in itself unprecedented. The media attention that surrounded that journey turned it into a Monty Pythonesque circus.The loss of two cabinet members within a week, with another one under pressure to go because of an unforgiveable gaffe and a fourth under investigation has put tremendous position on Theresa May's already precarious position. It is little wonder that metaphorical knives are being sharpened all around her.The Independent reports that the Prime Minister faces a make-or-break month with Tories giving her until Christmas to turn things around. One minister told the paper that the loss of her ministers does not in itself pose a terminal threat to Mays Government, but argued that the direction of travel had to change. S/he believes that there is cumulative effect and there is a danger that May could be perceived as having lost control of events.The paper adds that the Prime Minister's authority will be under intense scrutiny as she handles difficulties faced by other ministers. They add that she cannot be seen to be letting ministers get away with mistakes or misdemeanours, but can ill-afford to further destabilise her administration by sacking more of her cabinet.It is a difficult tightrope to walk not least because the Brexit talks continue to stall due to the government's own cluelessness and with the impossible job facing May of balancing her cabinet to reflect an increasingly divided Tory Party adding to her problems.Her one salvation is the incompetence of the main opposition party, who seem determined to prop up her Brexit strategy no matter how disastrous it proves to be.
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephen Fee, media relations manager, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR); sfee@phr.org; +1 917 679 0110 Today, in the small village of Kavumu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 18 defendants are set to go on trial for the systematic rape of 46 young children over a period of four years. The case represents a landmark step in the fight against rape in Congo, a country marked by widespread sexual violence for decades. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)  along with TRIAL International, Panzi Hospital, and a host of Congolese partners  has worked to ensure evidence as well as survivors testimony will come to light in an open justice proceeding. A few years ago, a trial like this would have been unthinkable, said Karen Naimer, director of PHRs Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones. For too long, perpetrators of rape in Congo have believed they were invincible, shielded from accountability because the country lacked the forensic and legal infrastructure to prosecute difficult cases of sexual violence. Slowly, signal cases are beginning to demonstrate that impunity is not inevitable. Alongside our national and international partners, PHR has worked to ensure doctors, nurses, police officers, judges, lawyers, and community members have the tools and expertise they require to effectively secure justice. Absolute desperation Nestled in the countrys eastern South Kivu province, Kavumu has been overwhelmed by the abduction, rape, and mutilation of at least 46 young children, some as young as eight months old. The pattern emerged in April 2013, when a five-year-old girl was admitted to Dr. Denis Mukweges Panzi Hospital in nearby Bukavu with significant injuries related to sexual violence. Over the course of many months, as more patients with similar injuries presented at Panzi Hospital, it became clear this was not an isolated case. Children were apparently being spirited from their homes in the dead of night, raped and often mutilated, and left in the fields outside the village. As the toll mounted over months and years, the communitys suffering, the hospitals pleas, and the urgent appeals of human rights organizations were met with silence and inaction by government authorities. I think its hard for people to comprehend the absolute desperation this campaign of rape inflicted on the people of Kavumu, said Susannah Sirkin, PHRs director of international policy and partnerships. Theres an abject terror that comes from seeing a communitys youngest and most vulnerable be subjected to such unthinkable violence that has continued unchecked for years. No matter the outcome of the trial, the justice process is a clear signal to communities across Congo and indeed across the region that such violence is intolerable and must be met with a coordinated response from the medical, legal, and law enforcement communities, as well as civil society, which demands the political will to prosecute these cases and support the survivors and their communities. After the first cases were identified in 2013, PHR convened its local partners to look for patterns, collect information and evidence, and establish a working group alongside the UN mission in Congos Joint Human Rights Office, civil society activists, and medical and legal professionals. PHRs medical, legal, and justice experts helped analyze records of the case, categorize injuries to help establish a pattern of criminality, and assisted in the collection of physical and psychological evidence. A priority case In March 2016, PHR and its partners urged Congolese authorities to deem the crimes a priority case and pursue these crimes as a single matter, constituting crimes against humanity. In March 2016, military justice assumed jurisdiction of the case and began its investigation. In June of that year, after intense pressure from national and international advocates and media, Congolese national authorities arrested several individuals believed to be responsible for these crimes, as well as a string of murders in the area. This process has been painstaking, and it would not have resulted in the trial were witnessing today had it not been for the Congolese experts who risked their lives to ensure these survivors would have a chance to obtain justice, said PHR legal and justice expert Georges Kuzma. These first responders have endured threats to their lives and the lives of their families, yet they insisted on doing the arduous work of collecting evidence and advocating on behalf of survivors. Its a testament to the commitment that health professionals and other partners in Congo have to ensuring crimes of sexual violence are effectively prosecuted. The 18 suspects standing trial, including a local member of parliament, face charges of murder, as well as broader charges of crimes against humanity by rape, crimes against humanity by murder, and the organization of an armed group. The trial is expected to last three weeks and is being in conducted in a mobile court, a mechanism in which Congos military justice system conducts public trials in the communities where crimes have been committed. Judges are expected to hear testimony and will consider monetary and other reparations for survivors. When we started the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones in 2011, our goal was to ensure that sound, unimpeachable evidence would be used to prosecute offenders of horrific crimes, said PHRs executive director, Donna McKay. While we dont know exactly how this trial will proceed, the fact that it is happening sends a signal to perpetrators not just in Congo, not just in central and eastern Africa, but globally that human rights advocates, empowered by science and medicine, will not let your crimes go unpunished. PHRs Work in Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has witnessed some of the worlds highest levels of sexual violence over the last two decades, and, as a result, has been a focus of global initiatives to prevent, stop, and punish rape in armed conflict. PHRs Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones launched a training and advocacy initiative in eastern DRC in 2011 to help improve skills for forensic documentation and the collection and preservation of evidence of sexual violence. Over the last six years, we have trained more than 1,100 clinicians, police officers, lawyers, and judges in the DRC to collect and document forensic evidence of sexual violence to support local prosecutions of these crimes. A Timeline of the Kavumu Cases In April 2013, PHR was notified of a series of sexual violence cases coming into Panzi Hospital in Bukavu. Young children were presenting with significant abdominal and pelvic injuries related to sexual violence. In May of that year, a PHR medical advisor worked alongside doctors in Panzis sexual violence clinic to conduct the first forensic medical evaluations of survivors. In the subsequent months, PHRs network of medical and legal experts convened and traveled to Kavumu to gather more information on the emerging pattern of cases. Georges Kuzma, PHRs police and justice expert based in Bukavu, led PHRs efforts to track the cases. More than a dozen cases emerged with a similar pattern: children kidnapped at night from families houses and then assaulted nearby. By April 2014, PHR began working with the UN mission in Congos Joint Human Rights Office to establish a working group to investigate these cases as a single criminal campaign, with PHR taking on the role of principal technical advisor. PHRs medical and justice experts began assisting in collecting data gathered by the provincial police as well as Panzi Hospital, analyzing forensic medical forms and records to identify similar cases. Working alongside local investigators previously trained by PHR, PHR experts put together a full case review in May 2014, and in June of that year organized a crime scene investigation. Meanwhile, members of civil society organized demonstrations against child rape and accompanied security patrols in the community. By August 2014, officials had identified 26 cases fitting the overall pattern of attacks. PHR continued to provide technical support to investigators. PHRs expert medical consultant, Muriel Volpellier, MA, MD, trained health professionals in the sexual violence unit at Panzi Hospital on how to conduct comprehensive forensic medical evaluations  and how to document their findings using a form developed by PHR. She mentored the two clinicians responsible for responding to the Kavumu cases. In late 2014, PHR facilitated contact between civil society leaders in Kavumu and the DRC presidents special representative on sexual and gender-based violence, Jeannine Mabunda Lioko Mudiayi, based in the countrys capital of Kinshasa more than 1,000 miles away. At the same time, the Congolese national police appointed a former PHR trainee to lead the sexual violence unit. In November 2014, a PHR delegation traveled to Kinshasa to meet with diplomats and raise concern about the Kavumu cases. Kavumu receives international attention After PHR and partners began calling attention to these cases in multiple international venues, journalists began reporting on the Kavumu story. By July 2015, a total of 33 cases had been identified. PHR continued working closely with health professionals at Panzi Hospital and among civil society leaders in Kavumu on the preservation of biological evidence to be used in the event the cases moved forward. Under the leadership of a PHR-trained police officer, the investigation was renewed in the last quarter of 2015. The Congolese police sexual violence unit deployed two new investigators to Kavumu in November 2015. Evidence emerged of the involvement of a provincial deputy, Frederic Batumike, allegedly the leader of an armed militia. As a parliamentarian, he had some degree of criminal immunity. By March 2016, PHR and partners approached military justice officials and convinced them to deem the matter a priority case and to pursue charges of crimes against humanity because the patterns of violence had widespread and systematic elements. Military justice officials assumed jurisdiction over the matter because militia members were allegedly involved and because the military justice system is well-positioned to pursue charges of crimes against humanity under international standards. Also in March 2016, a PHR delegation traveled to Kavumu to meet with civil society leaders and families of survivors. PHRs Susannah Sirkin published an op-ed on the cases with CNN. In subsequent months, political pressure began to grow to revoke Batumikes immunity and urge the prosecution of the Kavumu cases. In June of that year, military justice officials arrested Batumike along with dozens of suspected militants in Bukavu and Kavumu. They were held in Bukavu Central Prison and charged with crimes against humanity by rape, crimes against humanity by murder, organization of an armed group, and other charges. Since the arrests, there have been no reports of similar rapes in the area. In a major setback in late 2016, unknown assailants burned down the Kavumu Justice Hall, destroying numerous records on the Kavumu cases from 2013. Nonetheless, by years end, PHR, TRIAL, Panzi Hospital, and the UN Joint Human Rights Office in Congo launched a comprehensive review of the physical and psychological evidence being gathered for trials. As of December 2016, there were 42 total cases. Putting together a case At the end of 2016, PHR pediatric psychological consultant Dr. Jacqueline Fall and a Panzi psychologist conducted three dozen interviews of young survivors and worked together to document the psychological findings. PHR set up a secure video link to the interviews so that investigators could observe the proceedings. PHR expert medical consultant Dr. Volpellier and a physician at Panzi Hospital together examined survivors to establish additional medical findings and take DNA samples, which were then transferred into police custody. The Panzi physician took the lead and Dr. Volpellier provided support in writing up the forensic medical findings for the court. In early 2017, PHR experts analyzed mobile phone data to provide mapping information to military justice officials preparing their case. PHRs police and justice expert, Georges Kuzma, traveled to Bukavu Central Prison to take forensic photos of 14 alleged perpetrators and to collect DNA samples to pass along to military prosecutors. By early summer, Panzi Hospital transmitted its final medical findings from the December 2016 case review. In September 2017, the case was scheduled to go to trial under case number RMP1653/BMG/NSK/WAV/2016. PHR and partners worked to organize a mobile court setting at a local church. Proceedings began in November 2017 against 18 alleged perpetrators with 46 victims and 20 witnesses (though many of the survivors will not need to testify). PHR and partners are set to observe the full proceedings. As many of the defendants still have sympathizers in the region, security is expected to be heightened. With the trial now getting underway, PHR continues to express our hope that the families of Kavumu can obtain justice for these crimes and that the community can ultimately live in peace. We also believe that the extraordinary collaboration between the medical and legal communities, as well as the involvement of national and international NGOs, can sustain a system of effective response to prevent or support investigations into future incidents of sexual violence.
The impending release of prison escapee Joel OKeefe has prompted police in Washington County to organize a summit of past and present local law enforcement to talk about his possible role in unsolved homicide cases in which he was considered a person of interest.

OKeefe has served nearly 23 years in state prison for numerous felonies committed in 1994, followed by three more prosecutions for crimes in prison. He is most well-known for a September 1994 escape from State Police, which led to a massive, 13-day manhunt around the region.

He could be released as early as Nov. 25, which has caused concern among officers who investigated his violent past crimes.

Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy said his office is pulling old files for a fresh review of cases that may be connected to OKeefe. He said the creation of a cold case squad to review unsolved homicides was also under consideration.

Were going to sit down and discuss the past and present so that everyone knows his background, Murphy said. We have a lot of guys here who werent working then and dont know about him.

Murphy acknowledged that open homicide cases, in which police in the mid-1990s acknowledged that OKeefe was a person of interest, were among those to be reviewed.

OKeefe has long been under suspicion for the unsolved double homicide of two men in Hartford during the summer of 1988. Fredrich J. Pauling, 56, and James Checkush, 37, were slain near Paulings part-time residence on Dick Hill Road.

One was shot, the other bludgeoned. Checkush was reputed to be involved in marijuana trafficking, as was OKeefe, who had a 1990 felony marijuana possession conviction and lived a short distance from Paulings seasonal home.

One of the men had written OKeefe a $1,500 check days before his death, authorities said. OKeefe, though, has maintained he was not involved in the deaths, and he was never charged.

The killings were among three unsolved homicides that occurred that summer in Washington County, with a man shot to death in Cambridge weeks before the Hartford case.

Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said police are doing the right thing by taking proactive steps to look at the prior cases.

Police and prosecutors discussed offering a plea deal to OKeefe in 1995 that would have packaged his pending escape/burglary/sodomy case charges with manslaughter charges for the killings.

Robert Winn was Washington County district attorney at the time. He did not consent to the deal, because, he said at the time, he believed the sentence was not long enough for a double murder.

The Post-Star reported on the plea discussions in November 1995, after the Hartford investigation became a focus of the county sheriffs race, because claims were made that evidence and the investigative file had not been properly preserved. The paper withheld OKeefes name at the time, in light of the ongoing investigation and the fact that he had not been charged.

Winn said Thursday he had no comment on the case and referred questions to Jordan.

Local police were notified Monday that the 57-year-old Argyle native was nearing his release date, which has caused concern among officers and former officers who knew OKeefes history. He was seeking to live in Washington County upon his release, but his address has not been determined.

Jordan said he and Murphy have been discussing OKeefes release with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. They are trying to figure out how the agency determined OKeefes good time, which makes him eligible for release 6 years before completing his maximum sentence, and what supervision will occur by parole officers. He was prosecuted for three different attempted escape and contraband cases while in prison.

The point we want the public to know is local law enforcement is working hard to make sure that when he does get out, his supervision is significant and adequate, Jordan said.
Republicans in Congress have passed a budget resolution. But in the Senate, it cleared only narrowly, 51-49, with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the only Republican vote against it. Total price tag for the budget? $4 trillion. Even by todays standards, thats hefty.

For now, it seems, the party of fiscal responsibility is gone. But established Republicans worried about the death of what was once a marquee feature of GOP politics shouldnt be quite so concerned. Fiscal responsibility will never go fully out of style.

This is a period of transition for the Republican Party. Although its still too early to be quite sure what the national party is going to transition into, one thing has stayed the same over the past several decades. Vice President Dick Cheney once quipped that deficits dont matter. He was speaking somewhat narrowly about the cost of fighting a war to win  with the memory of Americas deficit-financed Cold War win still fresh.

Today, the constituency for a balanced budget has become very small, and the constituencies who in effect depend on deficit spending for their share of subsidies, entitlements or other federal benefits is quite large. It encompasses Americans at every economic level, in both parties. It includes corporations and business interests. For the time being, there just isnt enough of a coalition to impose fiscal responsibility as we knew it toward the end of the 20th century.

To be honest, deficit hawks havent always helped burnish the reputation of budget-cutting. Sometimes it has appeared that the importance of the position was primarily to unify Republicans around something they could all agree on because it looked good but would never really have to happen.

Then along came President Donald Trump, well attuned to the fact that many Republican voters had a broadly nationalist and populist interest in protecting some massive government outlays, and only a narrower ideological interest in paring back other kinds of government expenditures and programs. These voters wanted their share, too  and, inevitably, it would not come entirely out of revenues.

Finally, Republicans this year have strained to notch a legislative win, which they sense is important both for matters of pride and for electoral purposes. Congress remains less popular than the president. But with the repeal and replace of Obamacare a lost cause, attention has focused on tax relief, which, in turn, required the passage of the budget resolution to smooth the way. Republicans are now scurrying to determine how revenues and tax cuts will be squared in the new budget. For sheerly political reasons, which shouldnt be mocked in a democracy going through political change, it makes sense for the GOP to have dialed down the volume on fiscal responsibility.

Nevertheless, Republicans ought to know  like it or not  that they can run from budgetary prudence for a time, but they cant hide. Democrats will never take a stronger line, ensuring that the GOP owns the basic idea of keeping federal deficit spending manageable at a minimum, and hopefully steadily shrinking. Thatll take much better economic times, however. Most Americans, including the many saddled with their own debts, cant see a way to get there without more deficit spending. That may be the case for now. But it wont always be.

This editorial appeared in the Orange County Register on Oct. 28.
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DES MOINES -- Republicans have complete lawmaking control in the nations capital, and they want that arrangement to last longer than two years.

So theres no letting up, the partys national chairwoman said Wednesday night in Iowa.

This is not a time to rest, Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, told reporters Wednesday night before speaking at the Iowa GOPs annual fall fundraiser. Theres no saying, Hey, we won, now we can sit back. Weve got to keep driving forward if were going to protect our majorities.

McDaniel and former White House press secretary Sean Spicer were the main speakers at the Republican Party of Iowas Reagan Dinner, which was attended by roughly 550 party faithful at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines and held, coincidentally, on the one-year anniversary of the 2016 election that put Donald Trump into the White House.

Spicer happily noted that anniversary with Iowa Republicans, who played a critical role in the outcome. Iowa went for Trump by 9 percentage points after going twice for Democratic President Barack Obama.

Spicer drew laughter when he said he would not stand behind the podium after being parodied on network television during his stint in the White House. He mirrored McDaniels message that Republicans have to fight to keep their majorities from unraveling in the 2018 mid-term elections.

We cannot let our success get to us, Spicer said. It is our party that has the better ideas. There is a stark difference between the worst Republican and the best Democrat.

McDaniel acknowledged that, historically, a political party suffers losses in the first non-presidential election after taking power.

But she said she does not think the results of gubernatorial and statehouse elections this week in Virginia, New Jersey and Washington -- which featured strong Democratic performances -- represent a prediction of what is to come in 2018.

She noted previous special elections this year in Congressional districts that stayed in Republican hands, and said Virginia is a state that has been trending to favor Democrats and that the New Jersey gubernatorial election was not a surprise given how unpopular Republican Gov. Chris Christie had become there.

It means that were at the status quo, and I think it means that were going to go into a very competitive 2018, McDaniel said. Those races were very state specific. I dont think you can put everything at the presidents feet when it comes to these elections.

Democrats, naturally, saw this weeks election results differently.

(Tuesday) night was a referendum on our values and the American people spoke loud and clear that their values are the Democratic Partys values, Tom Perez, chairman of the national Democratic Party, said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning. (Republicans) paid the price for their disastrous agenda last night. ... Our values were on the ballot, and they won. Republicans attempted to put fear and division on the ballot, and voters rejected them.

Democrats are framing their victories this week as voters repudiating Trump; McDaniel said Republicans have and the GOPs candidates should embrace the president despite his low approval numbers -- just 33 percent in a Quinnipiac Poll in August and a 38.2 percent average in polls tracked by Real Clear Politics. As evidence, McDaniel said the national GOP has experienced record fundraising this year, surpassing $100 million for the first time in a non-presidential year.

Thats enthusiasm for the president, McDaniel said. Theres no problem running as the party of Donald Trump.

State party chairman Jeff Kaufmann said Iowa Republicans are not shying away from the president.

We are staunchly for Donald Trump, Kaufmann said. We dont bend here and were not going to bend here.

McDaniel also said she expects Iowas presidential caucuses to remain first in the nation. She said the national party will go through its normal process, but she does not anticipate any changes in the order of early voting states.

I dont see anything changing, McDaniel said, recalling the time she spent in Iowa during the 2012 caucuses with her uncle, Mitt Romney. I saw firsthand how seriously the voters took it here when I came in for the straw poll. I think its an important state that takes that role very seriously, and I dont see any changes happening.
CLINTON  In the fall of 2015, Ted Cruz boldly predicted Hillary Clinton would lose Clinton County, Iowa.

At the time, it seemed absurd.

The last time a Republican won a presidential election in Clinton County was 1984.

Of course, Cruz was pursuing the Republican nomination himself at the time, surely thinking that he would be the one to win this Democratic stronghold.

Then, and for months afterward, few dreamed it would be Donald Trump.

But on Nov. 8, 2016, as Trump shocked the world by winning the presidency, Clinton County Democrats watched as Cruz's not-so-absurd prediction came true.

Drew Kelley, a young engineer who previously lived in the Republican strongholds of Texas and South Dakota  and who counted among the blessings of his move to Clinton that he'd settled in a state whose politics more closely aligned with his own  it was a shock.

"It was heartbreaking," he said.

A year later, Democrats have dusted themselves off and set their sights on making 2018 different.

Change follows change

There will be no presidential race next year, of course. It will be another three years before Democrats here and across the state get another chance to pull Iowa back from the abyss that, to many, is implied with the label "red state."

But there is a race for governor at the top of next year's ticket, along with the knowledge the Republicans didn't win the Statehouse and three of Iowa's four congressional seats overnight.

The change took place over several elections, and if the tide is going to turn again, it is likely to happen over time.

If there is a shift to take place at all, it's places like Clinton County, along with other Mississippi River counties, that will be a key to stitching back together a winning coalition.

It's not just Clinton County that voted for Trump. Nine of the 10 counties bordering the Mississippi River did the same. In 2012, all 10 went with Obama.

The idea that places like Clinton County have gone irreversibly red is in dispute. Bill Jacobs, chairman of the Clinton County Democrats, is quick to point out that there are Democrats who won last year in Clinton County  U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack and state Rep. Mary Wolfe, to name two.

Not in dispute is that Democrats here have work to do.

Jacobs became the new chair this spring, succeeding Jean Pardee, who for years led the county Democrats and was looking to hand over the reins.

A soft-spoken man who was a teacher at Ashford College, Jacobs jumped back into the Iowa caucuses in 2016 for the first time since the early 1990s. Bernie Sanders' ideas on the economy and health care were attractive to him.

"I just felt connected to Bernie's message," Jacobs said. When Clinton won the nomination, Jacobs took charge of the local Democrats' absentee ballot program in the fall.

Now, he and others are seeking to improve connections with Democrats, updating voter lists and finding out the best way to make contact. They're encouraging Democrats already active in the party to talk to like-minded people around them. "I call it the love-your-neighbor campaign," Jacobs said.

The party also is ramping up its social media presence. Facebook and Twitter accounts that previously served merely as platforms for spreading the word about fundraisers and meetings now are pushing out news articles and opinions. "Republicans drive the nail into the coffin of the 'Party of fiscal responsibility' myth," reads a recent Tweet related to the GOP tax plan.

"My hope is people will see these tweets; they'll like them or retweet them," said Kelley, the engineer who has taken the helm of the party's social media accounts.

But party leaders across the state acknowledge it will take a change in approach to turn losses to wins next year. Already, the party's candidates for governor are trying to make greater appeals to rural areas. And much of the message has to do with the economy, health care and kitchen table issues some believe were lost in last year's election.

"We've got to have an economic message about jobs and wages that speak to peoples' concerns," said Joe O'Hern, who managed Loebsack's 2016 campaign and now is heading state Sen. Nate Boulton's run for governor.

Improving the economy can be complicated

Growing jobs in smaller communities and rural Iowa isn't easy.

Iowa's unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country, at 3.0 percent in September. In Clinton County, it was 3.9 percent. That's better than what it was a year ago, when it was 4.8 percent. But that dip hasn't happened because more people have jobs. Iowa Workforce Development figures say 22,120 people were employed in the county in September, 430 fewer than the year before. Essentially, the unemployment rate is down because there are fewer people in the labor force, which is defined as those who are employed or are looking for work. That fell from 23,680 to 23,010.

On a chilly, drizzly November evening, state Sen. Rita Hart, a Wheatland Democrat, convened the first of a half dozen forums she's holding across the county to talk about jobs.

About 15 people showed up at the DeWitt Community Center. Hart acknowledged her meeting had some heavy competition. Game 7 of the World Series was on at the same time, and there was a meeting nearby about expanding the public library.

"It's a nasty night out there, so I appreciate you coming in," Hart began.

Over the next 80 minutes, all of the people in the room introduced themselves and brought up their set of interests. A range of topics was aired, including homelessness, the need to bring wages up, complaints about the availability of housing and the difficulty in navigating the cumbersome tax-credit system.

Over coffee the next morning, Hart said the forum showed her that myriad issues are entangled in growing an economy. "It's complicated," she said, adding that she's eager to find a way to promote more partnerships between area manufacturers and school districts.

Hart, who represents the 49th district, is likely to face a stiff election challenge in 2018. The district, like Clinton County itself, is one that blends large tracts of farmland and small towns.

The district stretches from Lost Nation and Delmar in the north to DeWitt and Grand Mound, then on to northern Scott County, where LeClaire and Princeton are folded in along with a handful of rural precincts. There were 11,748 Democrats, 10,903 Republicans, 121 Libertarians and 17,549 independents registered to vote in the 49th at the end of October.

Hart won the seat in 2012, but, because of redistricting, had to run again in 2014. Even with a Republican wave coursing through the country, she narrowly edged out her opponent with 52 percent of the vote.

However, Trump won the district by 9 percentage points over Hillary Clinton last year.

That was a change from 2012, when Barack Obama won the district, largely on the strength of the 15,141 votes he pulled out of Clinton County  about 5,000 more than Hillary Clinton got last year.

Hart said last year's election has caused the party to reassess. For her, she said, "It's always been about the economy" and trying to find ways to improve peoples' lives.

Still, she acknowledges that elections, especially ones like last year's, can get chaotic.

"We have to lay the groundwork and make sure that we are being accountable to people and that we are listening to them and doing everything we can to make it reality for them that the Democrats are interested in your best interests," she said. "If they believe that, if we can prove that to them, were going to do just fine."

Republicans 'steeling' themselves for 2018

To get to the Vista Grande banquet hall, you go up an unpaved driveway just off Mill Creek Parkway in Clinton. This week, close to 100 people got together there for the county GOP's fall fundraiser.

It was just two days short of the one-year anniversary of the presidential election. The featured speaker, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, praised the county party.

"I don't worry about Clinton County," he said. "You're doing things right here."

But that was about as far as the self-congratulations went.

For much of the evening, party leaders warned of a tough fight in 2018 and the need to stay vigilant and engaged against a political swamp centered in Washington, D.C., and an East Coast that doesn't understand the way of life here.

Kaufmann urged that any doubts about Trump's manner be pushed aside in order to fight a bigger threat  a veer toward socialism linked to Sen. Bernie Sanders' rise in popularity.

"We have a Republican president for the first time in eight years, and we're worried about tweets affecting us? I've got students who no longer know what socialist means, folks. Seriously," he said. "We all remember the Soviet Union. We all remember Tiananmen Square. We all remember that in here. Your grandkids don't. And we all of a sudden have a party that almost elected a socialist, and it's becoming mainstream," he said.

Kaufmann later softened his remarks, saying the U.S. would not actually end up resembling the Soviet Union. But if the other side is victorious, "We are not going to be able to understand what our country stands for anymore. We are going to have a Supreme Court where Ruth Bader Ginsburg is mainstream if we don't win this thing and we don't look at the big picture," he said.

There appeared to be few Trump doubters in the room, and some said they are as energized now as they were prior to last year's election. Brian Schmidt, who ran unsuccessfully against Hart for the state Senate seat four years ago, said he believes Trump would win Clinton County if he were on the ballot today.

"President Trump is doing exactly what he said he'd do," Schmidt said.

Another Republican, Harold Stansbarger, a retired truck driver from Camanche, blamed the media for hamstringing the president. "If the news media would leave him alone, he'd get a lot done," he said.

Governor's race at top of the ticket

There may be no race in Iowa as important next year as the contest for governor. Seven Democrats are running, and the candidates are eagerly courting places where Trump did well last year.

In Clinton County, Jacobs, the Democratic chair, said he's neutral.

He said its important that candidates present a strong economic message. He also believes they should counter the idea that immigration and bad trade deals are the major drivers of Clintons economic ills. Jacobs said he believes automation in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors are doing more damage.

"I think a bigger factor is businesses don't need as many people," he said.

Earlier this year, in the immediate aftermath of Trump's victory, Democrats saw thousands of people turn out for rallies and marches. And during the legislative session, weekend forums also drew large crowds.

The turnout, party leaders said, was a sign of a more engaged and active Trump opposition, eager to put the 2016 election behind them and turn things around in the next elections.

As the year has worn on, there have been fewer of those big, media-attracting events. Instead, party leaders are going about the day-to-day work of rebuilding the party.

The 2018 election still is a year away. Even the primary is seven months down the road. But, on Feb. 5, the party's precinct caucuses will be held.

Of course, nobody expects the turnout will be like it was last year, a presidential year. But Jacobs says much of what is being done to organize the party and bring people together is aimed at that date. The candidates for governor also will be eyeing that date carefully, because it's the first step in determining delegates to the state convention, which could decide the party's nominee for governor if no one gets 35 percent of the primary vote.

As a result, pundits will be watching closely what happens on that day.

"What the caucus turnout will be," Jacobs said, "that will be the first real test."
Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch's duties have taken on an international flair this week as he and St. Gabriel, Louisiana, Mayor Lionel Johnson are representing the mayors along the Mississippi River at the United Nations Climate Challenge Conference in Bonn, Germany.

Klipsch and Johnson, co-chairs of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, are taking part in the climate conference for four main reasons:

working with the international community on food and water security issues as most of the world's food production and freshwater withdrawals come from river basins

speaking out against disengaging from the Paris Accord because it jeopardizes jobs and the economy

emphasizing the need to protect the $164 billion in commodity trade

profiling Mississippi River region partnerships on a global level

Klipsch noted that the region has sustained more than $200 billion in disaster impacts since 2005 and no state has endured less than $5 billion in impact over the same period.

"It is imperative we take action to make our corridor more resilient and keep our commodities economy strong," Klipsch said in a news release. "One of the reasons we're going to COP23 is to present to the international investment community on the partnerships necessary to meet the challenges we're facing at scale."

On Friday, Klipsch and Johnson will make presentations to various international organizations and national leaders on the importance of reinforcing natural infrastructure.

As a sign of commitment, both mayors will participate in the signing of the Bonn Declaration to support "restoring, protecting, and enhancing the environmental services of water-based systems, and promoting the international food and water security agreement negotiated in Paris during COP21."

On Saturday, Klipsch and Johnson will join former Vice President Al Gore in presenting financing options for infrastructure renewal projects.

One of projects they will present together with Walmart is regarding a sustainable agriculture partnership to improve water quality along the 20 million acres running through the Mississippi River Basin.

Water quality of the Mississippi River has a profound impact on both the health of residents and businesses in the region. Twenty million people depend on the drinking water from the Mississippi River. The top seven economies in the region depending on freshwater generate $500 billion in annual revenue in addition to providing 1.5 million jobs.

'America First should not mean America Alone," Johnson said. "The mayors of one of the worlds most important rivers stand united to pursue solutions to the dramatic and persistent disaster challenges we are facing together. Count us in."
Found Objects

Patrick Nagatani, 1945-2017

Nagatani once wrote of his work and unique tapist process that, the Zen of the material and process moves me to spiritual happiness. I've been in the zone off and on for over 30 years with this work. Most things seem to now have a place in the cosmic meaning of things  I believe that the pieces have a life of their own and will change very slowly in time, much like mummies from ancient Egypt have lasted through the centuries but nevertheless have changed. The work of Nagatani, a longtime faculty member of UNM's renowned photography program, will certainly endure, though it is with great sadness that friends, family, students, admirers and the art community at large marked his passing during the last week of October.

Nagatani was born in Chicago in 1945 to Japanese-American parents who had survived internment during World War II. Nagatani later moved to Los Angeles, where he earned his MFA in 1980. He produced numerous photographs during his storied careerkeen inquiries into staged scenes and studio set-ups. These images, and much of his work, often explored the topics of Buddhism, nuclear power, history and the multitudes of identity. In 1982 he began his tapist workthat is, transforming found printed photographs into icons, relying heavily on the often disregarded material of masking tape. In 1987, Nagatani joined the UNM Departments of Art and Art History, where he was a much admired educator, receiving many accolades and awards during his tenure, which ended when he retired in 2007.

Through his photography and teaching, Patrick devoted his life to finding and sharing the deep generosity of the soul. His art revealed the location where creativity, interior life and the life of the spirit are mysteriously woven together, Director of the UNM Art Museum, Arif Khan wrote in an announcement last week. For those of us who will continually return to Nagatani's work, through all the years and all its inevitable changes, what will never be altered is its abiding soulfulness.
The Iowa Board of Medicine has issued an emergency adjudicative order suspending the medical license of cosmetic surgeon and obstetrician Dr. LeRoy L. Yates Jr., saying in its order that Yates continued treatment of patients constitutes an immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare.

A hearing on the adjudicative order will be held Dec. 14-15 at the Iowa Medical Boards office in Des Moines.

Yates is the director of Diamond Medical Spa and Vein PC.

According to the adjudicative order issued Oct. 27, on July 29, 2016, the board filed charges against Yates alleging that he violated the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa when he failed to provide appropriate cosmetic surgical care to multiple patients in Davenport between 2013 and 2015.

Among its charges the board alleges that Yates had inappropriately delegated anesthesia services to unqualified medical staff, as well as performed cosmetic surgical procedures under intravenous sedation in an unsafe office setting and failed to establish or document appropriate safety measures.

The board also alleges that Yates performed cosmetic surgery on patients who were not appropriate candidates for the procedures, failed to maintain appropriate monitoring during procedures and failed to maintain appropriate medical and anesthesia records, as well as failed to obtain appropriate informed consent.

Yates also is charged with failing to provide appropriate follow-up care and experienced excessive postoperative infections and complications by failing to diagnose and treat postoperative complications.

The board also has charged Yates with failing to obtain appropriate hospital privileges, and that he performed a large volume of liposuction procedures under intravenous sedation in an office setting without appropriate monitoring or hospital privileges to manage patients postoperatively.

Yates also is charged with performing a cosmetic surgical procedure on a member of his family to whom he prescribed controlled substances.

The board also is accusing him of making misleading representations regarding his competency to perform cosmetic surgery, as well as his complication rates and his success rates.

The board also accused him of making untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements.

According to the Iowa Board of Medicine, Yates agreed to undergo a clinical competency evaluation at the Center for Personalized Education for Physicians. That evaluation concluded that Yates medical knowledge was marginally adequate with some significant deficiencies.

The evaluation found that Yates most significant weaknesses were in the area of postoperative patient evaluation and counseling, current surgical procedures for liposuction and fat transfer procedures, and the ultrasonography and management of varicose veins, according to the Iowa Board of Medicines list of charges.

The evaluation also found that Yates' clinical judgement and reasoning were inadequate, with significant weakness in areas such as his ability to gather information in a logical and complete manner, understanding his own limitations, and in the appropriate application of knowledge of clinical practice.

The Iowa Board of Medicine also stated that it had received information that indicates Yates suffers from a medical condition that impairs his ability to independently practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety at this time.

Yates was issued a license to practice medicine in Iowa on April 23, 1990. Before being suspended, his license is next set to expire May 1, 2019.

Genesis Medical Center spokesman Craig Cooper said that until recently Yates had medical privileges with Genesis.

Cooper said that Yates has not been with Genesis Health Group since 2012.

Efforts to reach Yates by the Quad-City Times were not successful.
The tax reform proposal currently in the U.S. House eliminates a number of tax credit programs, including new market credits that began to be offered in 2001 as a way to spur community and economic development.

In the Quad-Cities, the Kone Centre, in Moline, became "the first deal in the country done with new market tax credits, coupled with disaster bonds," developer Rodney Blackwell said in 2012.

The credits also were used to help finance renovation of Davenport's Adler Theatre and are being used for the construction of the Urban Campus of Scott Community College in the block between Brady and Main streets, facing 3rd Street.

A nonprofit called Central States Development Partners, an offshoot of Economic Growth, based in Rock Island, was awarded $45 million in new market tax credits in late 2016.

Some of those credits have been used to expand Hill & Valley bakery in Rock Island, creating 50 new jobs. (Hill & Valley since has been sold to J&J Snack Foods Corp.)

This money also has financed projects in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana focusing on manufacturing, distribution and education that created 1,400 new jobs, Brian Hollenback, president/CEO of Central States, said.

The bill states that elimination of the credit would increase federal revenues by $1.7 billion over 2018-27.

Hollenback said he is working with elected officials to try to retain these credits. Eliminating them would be "a significant change as it relates to jobs," he said.

The Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce also is concerned about the elimination of the new market tax credits, but it is focusing its mobilization efforts on another section of the reform bill that would eliminate federal historic tax credits.

"The historic tax credits is really the big one," Henry Marquard, the chamber's director of government affairs, said.

The historic credits have helped transform downtown Davenport, as well as communities across the country, he said. In addition to Davenport, historic tax credits have been used to help finance projects in Rock Island, Muscatine, LeClaire and Maquoketa, Iowa.

While the new market credits have ben an important tool, "we understand that to do reform, some things have got to go," Marquard said. "New market tax credits are good but they are expensive. We would like to see some reform. They are high on overhead. We think that's a program that could use a good cleaning."
At least one teenage girl and her mother in the Quad-Cities celebrated Boy Scouts of Americas historic decision last month to expand its opportunities for young females.

We were really excited because I have a lot of sister siblings who want to do Boy Scouts, said Claire Lilius, whose mother, Kristy, accompanied her to a scouting seminar Saturday in East Moline.

But the mother-daughter duo wondered if there will be any stipulations  whether girls may attempt to earn the same merit badges as boys, for example, to achieve the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.

I really hope they dont change anything because that just means they dont value girls as much as boys or they dont think theyre as capable, Kristy said. As a mom of five (girls), I know they are.

Tom McDermott, CEO of the Illowa Council, which oversees 82 Boy Scout troops in Iowa and Illinois, reassured them and others the organization plans to use its traditional curriculum for its future girls program. He addressed a crowd of about 125 people during the councils recent leadership training event, called University of Scouting, at United Township High School.

Theyre not going to water down or change any of the requirements, said McDermott, director of the Davenport-based council for the past 11 years. A young lady making Eagle Scout will have to do the exact same things as a young man.

Family-friendly plan

Beginning in 2018, families may begin enrolling their daughters, age 6-10, in Cub Scouts. Further details about girls earning the Eagle Scout rank, for scouts age 11-17, will be announced in 2018, with a projected launch date of early 2019.

Under the new guidelines, existing Cub Scout packs are not required to allow girls into their groups, known as dens. The chartered organization that sponsors the pack may make that decision, establish a new all-girl pack or create one that consists of separate boy dens and girl dens.

McDermott, a father of four former Girl Scouts, predicted sisters of current Boy Scouts will make up the majority of the first registrants.

I meet so many parents and leaders who have sons and daughters, and I see their pride when their son makes Eagle Scout, he said. I know those parents would be just as proud to see their daughters reach that pinnacle.

Orion, Illinois, resident Damon Seys hopes his 9-year-old daughter becomes the first female Eagle Scout from their small town in Henry County, about 20 miles south of the metro Quad-Cities. Seys serves as the chartered organization representative for United Methodist Church in Orion, which sponsors Boy Scout Troop 123.

Girl Scouts really wasnt for her, he said of his daughter, who witnessed her older brother participate in various outdoor adventures as a Boy Scout. She was very disappointed when she went into Girl Scouts because she thought it was going to be different.

Seys brought his daughter with him to the Illowa Councils annual Halloween campout last month at Loud Thunder Scout Reservation in Illinois City, where they endured torrential rains and muddy terrain.

Were ready, he said.

Girl Scouts: 'We know them better'

During a phone interview Wednesday, Diane Nelson, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, touted the range of opportunities her organization offers, including the ability to pursue the distinguished Gold Award.

Its very difficult to get, she said of the highest achievement in Girl Scouts, noting it presents just as much or more of a challenge than the Eagle Scout rank.

This past weekend, McDermott referred to the Gold Award as a tremendous accomplishment, adding, This is not a move to steal any youth away from Girl Scouts.

Nelson also stressed the importance of learning in a single-gender setting, advantages McDermott acknowledged as well.

Research shows theyre more willing to raise their hand, speak up and feel more confident in an all-girl environment, she said. Its unfortunate that the Boy Scouts have gone in this direction, but I also know that our families are very dedicated to Girl Scouts."

After leading a class on boy behavior at University of Scouting, Chris Wulf, a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, said integrating boys and girls may lead to both problems and benefits.

For the most part, boys socialize much more physically and girls socialize much more verbally, said Wulf, who works as a high school guidance counselor in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Boys and girls will learn how to communicate and interact with each other on a much different level than they do at school.

The Bettendorf-based Girl Scouts council, which operates several other offices throughout the region, has about 16,000 youth members and 4,000 adult members.

"We're going to stick to growing our girls," Nelson said. Girl Scouts is built by girls for girls, so we know them better than anyone.

This 'isn't anything new'

After two years, Claire Lilius of Silvis dropped out of Girl Scouts. At 14, she signed up for Venturing, a co-ed youth development program for outdoors enthusiasts, age 14-21, introduced by Boy Scouts of America in 1998.

It means a lot to me, she said. I get to hang out with other people, which is what I needed because Im home-schooled and it helps me make friends and connections with people."

Claire, now 16, especially enjoys camping and hiking and organizing outings involving those activities. This past summer, the member of Venture Crew 119 in Moline attended the National Scout Jamboree, a 10-day celebration of scouting held every four years in West Virginia.

Camping for me is a break from reality, said Claire, who hopes to inspire her younger sisters to follow suit.

Venturing is one of four co-ed programs offered by the Boy Scouts. In 1971, the organization allowed girls to join Exploring, which focuses on building life and career skills.

Having girls involved in our programs isnt anything new, McDermott said, calling the recent shift in policy a product of evolution. If any young girl in our area wants to join, well do everything we can to find her a home in scouting,

Between sessions at University of Scouting, Gabe McKinley, a 14-year-old member of Boy Scout Troop 383 in East Moline, pledged his support for the changes.

"They (girls) deserve the same opportunity as us," he said. "I think it will be exciting to see more people in Boy Scouts."
The YWCA raised more than $72,000 in net donations  the largest fundraiser in the organizations history  during its Nov. 3 luncheon, according to a news release from the Rock Island organization.

The luncheon featured Jill Biden, educator and wife of former Vice President Joe Biden. It also celebrated the organizations 100 years in the Quad-Cities, and 100 influential Quad-Citians who have inspired change and given freely and unselfishly to improve the lives of others, specifically in the areas of racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement and health and safety.

The organization credits the generosity of the attendees along with sponsors for the success of the fundraising event.

It is overwhelming to see the response of our community, said Julie Larson, president, YWCA. Everyone in the audience took Dr. Jill Bidens words to heart and stepped forward in such a profound way. We couldnt believe the generosity in the room, and we are grateful.

We are on a mission to level the playing field for every family in our community, said Amy Balensiefen, member of the YWCA Board of Directors. To do this, we need to start with our youngest children.

Within five miles of our center, two in every five children live in poverty, she said. We know we can help more children, and we are working up plans now to change the story for our youngest community members.

Sponsors included:

 Royal Neighbors of America, presenting sponsor

 UnityPoint Trinity, VIP sponsor

 Quad-City Bank and Trust, QCR Holdings and Arconic, gold sponsors

 Modern Woodmen and Rhythm City Casino, silver sponsors

 Local 4 News, the Quad-Cities CW, the Quad-City Times, Event Solutions Group and Shenea Brockman Designs, media and event promotion sponsors

 Crown Trophy, Deere Employees Credit Union, the Doris & Victor Day Foundation, Mel Foster Co., MWA Bank, One Step Printing, Per Mar Security, the Quad-Cities River Bandits, RSM US LLP, Stern Beverage, Total Solutions and Tri-City Electric were Friend of the YWCA QC-level sponsors.

For more information and to see the full list of honorees, visit www.ywcaqc.org.
Another mass shooting, and once again America mourns the victims of violence. On almost a daily basis, our own local news media shares reports of shootings and domestic abuse in our own community. When will this violence end? Not until we stand up, and continue to stand up, until effective action is taken at every level of government, from local to national.

It pains me to report that this past summer, One Human Family QCA failed in its attempt to launch a program in our community which we called "Violence Isn't the Answer." Our initial goal was to hold mini-events in significant local venues, which would introduce the program and invite others to join in our efforts.

Much to our surprise and disappointment, when we approached those in charge of those venues, seeking permission to hold these events on their property, our requests were rejected. While there were various reasons given, the most common, and disturbing, was that "It is too political." Standing against violence is too political?

Do they mean to say there is a political party that actually endorses violence? Are there elected officials that mourn the shooters rather than the victims? That is hard to believe. Until we stop viewing standing up against violence as a partisan political issue and start viewing it as a moral imperative and a pressing matter of public safety, the latest victims in Sutherland Springs, Texas will not be the last we will find ourselves mourning. When will we say "enough is enough?"

Rabbi Henry Jay Karp

Davenport

Editors note: Karp is a member of One Human Family QCA
How many Americans have to die at the hands of radical Christian terrorism? The most recent case as of Sunday, of the shooting of the church congregation in Sutherland Springs, Texas, is only one in a long, long, series of radical Christian terrorism attacks stretching back many decades, taking the lives of more Americans than terrorists from any other country in the world.

Where is the outcry for Christian pastors to acknowledge the problem and to speak out against radical Christian terrorism to their congregations? Also, of course, the presidents administration and Congress have done little or nothing to solve the problem of radical Christian terrorism and need to be equally encouraged to take some meaningful action.

Since all of the radical Christian terrorists so far have been radicalized while in the United States, the problem is likely to spread very rapidly. Maybe lawmakers and the administration can work to identify such radical Christian terrorists and deport them?

Kenneth D. Sherman

Blue Grass
Students at Black Hills State University are honoring the service of local veterans and their families with the Veterans Legacy Program, an online collection of public history materials telling the story of Americas veterans buried in the five national cemeteries in the Black Hills region.

In early 2017, BHSU faculty began working on the project with the National Cemetery Administration under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The project has developed into a website ready for use by educators, students, and visitors.

The goal was to come up with ways to not only research these cemeteries, but also make that research readily accessible to the public, said Kelly Kirk, instructor of history and primary investigator for the project.

Kirk, along with over 20 BHSU faculty and students, curated 37 biographies of veterans interred at the five national cemeteries in South Dakota: Black Hills National Cemetery, Fort Meade National Cemetery, Hot Springs National Cemetery, Lakota Freedom Veterans Cemetery, and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Veterans Cemetery. Walking tours with veteran biographies are now available at each cemetery. The project website  bhveterans.omeka.net  includes lesson plans for educators and complete veteran biographies for use in the classroom.

Each one of these veterans is very much a part of history, Kirk said. We ask, how did their experiences in the service change their life? What did they do after coming home? We want to connect that local, personal story to much larger world events.

There is still an opportunity for veterans to be included in the project. Kirk encourages those interested in having their family members' biographies included on the website to contact her at Kelly.Kirk@BHSU.edu or call 605-642-6935.

BHSU has a long history of serving veterans. More than 60 years ago, BHSU first began offering classes at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The university has repeatedly been recognized nationally for service to military students.

In 2014, BHSU President Tom Jackson Jr., who currently serves in the National Guard Reserve, debuted a reduced-tuition rate for military at BHSU-Rapid City. The reduced-tuition rate covers the full cost of a military students education when taking into account the federal governments tuition assistance for military personnel. The program has since been expanded throughout South Dakota.

David Dodson, veterans resource coordinator at BHSU, said the university accepts up to 32 credit hours of nontraditional coursework and training that veterans can apply toward a degree.

We are committed to helping veterans use their education benefits. We have a Veterans Center in both Spearfish and Rapid City. Its a place on campus where vets can study and share their military experiences, Dodson said.

Current members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, dependents, and military personnel who are new to college, transferring to BHSU, or current students are eligible for the services provided by Veterans Affairs at BHSU.
In Dr. Brad Wilburns Philosophy classes at Chadron State College just about anything can get questioned. And for every question, there are many possible answers.

Wilburn, English and Humanities Professor and Department Chair, who has taught at CSC since 2005, challenges students to think broadly about ideas and questions during his philosophy and logic courses.

The interesting thing about philosophy is that it is a combination of deep, open ended questions that humans have asked for thousands of years and philosophers still wrestle with. Thats one aspect, but the other aspect of philosophy is how philosophers focus on reasons and arguments, Wilburn said. For philosophy its not just spinning an answer, its what sort of argument you can give for that answer. Philosophy methodology is important in terms of reason, logic and argumentation. So theres a deep, open-ended aspect in terms of the questions, but theres a very rigorous analytic side to philosophy.

Aspects of the analytic side of philosophy is conveyed in Symbolic Logic (PHIL 333), which Wilburn will teach in the spring 2018 semester. Wilburn said symbolic or formal logic teaches students how to get at the form of an argument and learn the procedure themselves to prove complex arguments.

A logical argument can take several forms, but Wilburn shared a common example he uses in his class:

All humans are mortal.

Socrates is human.

Socrates is mortal.

Wilburn said that if first two sentences are true, then its logically impossible for the third sentence or conclusion to be false. He also said that when the first two sentences are presented, many people are able to fill in the final sentence because they innately possess logic.

We all have the ability to use logic and process arguments, its part of our mental tool kit. Philosophy teaches you to use both sides of your brain, Wilburn said.

The Symbolic Logic course is rooted in the Humanities because it helps students make sense of the world while broadening their intellectual curiosity.

Philosophy goes back to the idea that this is what humans do  we think about stuff. Our evolutionary advantage is the brain we have. All the activities we engage in and everything we create is the result of a lot of human thinking. Thinking is fundamental to whom we are as humans, Wilburn said. What philosophers are engaged in is thinking about thinking. We are examining this fundamental aspect of how we operate.

Symbolic Logic isnt the only Philosophy course CSC offers. Introduction to Philosophy, Classical Chinese Philosophy, Ethics, Biomedical Ethics and Environmental Ethics, among others, are offered to students. In order for a student to earn a minor in Comparative Philosophy, he or she must complete three Philosophy courses and 12 other credits from a list of 11 classes.

Wilburn said students have expressed a renewed interest in obtaining a minor in Philosophy. He also said its a recommended minor by CSCs Legal Studies department because Philosophy students do well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

If you take a philosophy course youll have better skills at thinking, writing carefully and evaluating arguments, he said. If you go through a class questioning your assumptions, you get good thinking about the questions that are out there. That is a genuine job skill. Any sort of job that youre going to get with a college degree, the employer wants the employee to think for themselves.

Philosophy at CSC is also part of the Essential Studies Program and fosters an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

Philosophy will help teach you to think outside the box, question assumptions, ask for arguments, and evaluate arguments. These are really basic skills that are important to learn they work so well with every other discipline, he said.
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. | A B-52 Stratofortress from the 419th Flight Test Squadron is sporting new nose art to commemorate its storied past.

Renowned aviation artist Mike Machat completed the artwork earlier this month on B-52 #60-0036. Machat recently completed nose art on an Edwards B-1B Lancer and was again commissioned by the 412th Test Wing for this project.

About 50 years ago, the bomber was used in a top secret test program named Tagboard. The program, which has since been declassified, involved testing the D-21, which was a ramjet-powered reconnaissance drone that could reach Mach 3 speed. The new nose art is a re-application of the original work, which has since been painted over following routine maintenance, according to Master Sgt. David Peralta, 912th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bomber Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent.

Lt. Col. Middleton (419th FLTS commander) brought the original artwork on the nose of aircraft 0036 to the maintenance units attention, said Peralta. Since we had recently went through the process of getting approval and the painting completed on the B-1 to honor Desert High School, our AMU sought approval to restore the original artwork from the 60s and 70s because of its historical significance.

According to Air Force Test Center History Office documents, all manned flights over the Soviet Union were discontinued by President Dwight Eisenhower after Francis Gary Powers U-2 spy plane was shot down May 1, 1960. While the U.S. government was planning on using satellites for reconnaissance, the technology was still a few years away and the Central Intelligence Agency determined unmanned drones could fill the gap until satellites became viable.

The D-21 required a mothership to launch given its ramjet engine, which needed to be air-launched at a certain speed to activate. Initially, Lockheed testers used an M-21 (essentially a modified SR-71 Blackbird) to air launch the D-21 drone. The D-21 would be launched from the back of the M-21. Ideally, after conducting its reconnaissance mission it would eject a hatch with photo equipment to be recovered either mid-air or after the hatch landed.

However, on the fourth flight test, the D-21 experienced an asymmetric unstart as it passed through the bow wake of the M-21 causing the mothership to pitch up and collide with the D-21 at Mach 3.25. Crewmembers Bill Park and Ray Torick ejected from the M-21, but Toricks flight suit became ripped and filled with water when he plunged into the ocean where he drowned.

Nose art pays tribute to B-52s top secret past

A D-21 reconnaissance drone is on display at Blackbird Air Park at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The D-21 was a ramjet-powered reconnaissance drone that could reach Mach 3 speed. The drone required a mothership to air launch it. (Courtesy photo by Danny Bazzell/Flight Test Historical Foundation)

After the accident, the M-21 launch program was cancelled but testers still believed the D-21 would make a valuable reconnaissance vehicle and decided to launch the drone from B-52Hs, one being #0036. The new code name for the D-21 project became Senior Bowl.

After several failed launch attempts, the first successful D-21 launch from a B-52 occurred June 16, 1968. The drone flew 3,000 miles at 90,000 feet. After a few more flight tests, the CIA and the Air Force decided to conduct four operational launches that all ended in failure in some way. Two flights were successful, however the imagery could not be recovered from the D-21s hatch. The other two operational flights ended with one being lost in a heavily defended area and the other D-21 simply disappeared after launch.

The D-21 program was cancelled July 15, 1971, and both B-52s used for the program were returned to operational Air Force units.

The B-52 #60-0036 currently assigned to the 419th FLTS at Edwards, arrived in 2001 where it has been used as a test bed ever since.

Most of these maintenance and operations units, and many of these old planes, have a storied past. It is great to be able to embrace that heritage and history, while sharing it with the next generation, Peralta said.

Peralta added that the artwork also was done in conjunction with the 419th FLTS 75th anniversary of existence.

 Information for this article provided by the Air Force Test Center History Office
Slow down and research Councilwoman Laura Armstrong's suggestion to finance a new civic center by a public/private partnership and do not squeeze it into the middle of town. Update the Barnett Civic Center now and at a later time explore the sale to a private company.

Thank you South Dakota DOT for having reflectors at the edge of the road. When a small snowstorm hit after dark while on my way home through Nebraska, the snow covered the lines and with no reflectors showing the edge of the road I had to spend the night in a small town causing me to miss some work.

What does the cost of operating parks, pools, skating rinks in Rapid City have to do with what it costs in other cities? Does no one in management in Rapid City know how to determine operating costs?

Even though several U.S senators are outraged that the Air Force failed to prevent the domestic abuser from buying assault weapons, the issue will soon disappear as the NRA demands the 11,000 additional abusers retain their "gun rights." Same thing happened with the bump-stock outrage once the NRA decided they won't allow any ban.
The Catholic Church celebrated Respect Life Month in October. Building a culture of life goes beyond this one month a year, or specific events or initiatives. It happens through our daily actions, how we treat one another, and through policies we value and promote.

The greatest failure in our society today is the lack of respect for the human dignity of others from conception to lifes natural end. Human life is valued less now than ever  abortion on demand, increase in all types of violence, racism, the rise in assisted suicide laws and the continued use of capital punishment.

In his 2015 address to Congress, Pope Francis spoke of his mission to end the death penalty: The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development. This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty.

The death penalty violates the sanctity of life. It is contrary to the Gospel because it promotes the inhumane treatment of a person created in Gods image and likeness as we all are.

Yes, the state has an obligation to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions and to protect society from those who are a threat. Non-lethal means to defend and protect are sufficient in South Dakota. Violence in response to violence doesnt relieve personal anguish or result in societal protection, but only adds to the cycle of violence that plagues our country. State-sanctioned executions do not heal or redress wounds. Only forgiveness can do so.

The death penalty disproportionately impacts people who are vulnerable and marginalized. These individuals are the ones whom Jesus so loved  and whom we are called to love in spite of what they may have done.

In South Dakota, we depend heavily on the Department of Corrections to care for individuals with severe mental illness who have committed crimes. But according to a 2017 report from the Office of Research and Public Affairs, those living in South Dakota with a severe mental illness who are convicted of felony crimes are not sent to the state hospital for treatment. They are sent to the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

This misguided policy is tragically compounded by the death penalty because those condemned to die disproportionately suffer from severe mental illness. A 2016 report from the Death Penalty Information Center reveals that at least 60 percent of those executed in the U.S. showed significant evidence of intellectual disability, mental illness or brain impairment. This significant overrepresentation of our mentally vulnerable brothers and sisters forces us to confront the fact that some of the most marginalized members of society have been put to death.

The death penalty is always an inhumane and inappropriate punishment. In condoning capital punishment we greatly diminish our capacity to embrace Christs command to "love all" and respect the dignity of every human life.

All life is sacred. Instead of death, should we not create solutions which are restorative and allow Gods grace and mercy to transform our society into one that is holy? I pray that South Dakota joins the many other states that respect the dignity of life by ending the death penalty  in particular for those with severe mental illnesses.
Three new mayors will take the reins in the Bitterroot valley at the beginning of 2018, and while some incumbent council members were ousted, others retained their seats.

Dominic Farrenkopf led the race for Hamilton mayor for most of Tuesday night over Travis Martinez, with a final vote of 894 to 362. Farrenkopf pulled in 71 percent of the vote compared to 29 percent for Martinez. Current Mayor Jerry Steele decided not to seek another term.

"I'm very pleased with the results," Farrenkopf said. "I'm very grateful to everyone who supported me, and I thank them for their confidence to elect me as mayor."

In Darby, Willard "Buck" Titus upset incumbent Mayor JC McDowell 176 to 67 votes, with Titus getting 72 percent of the vote to McDowell's 27 percent. Although it's typically difficult to beat an incumbent, Titus said he didn't feel like it was an upset.

"Living here in Darby nearly 50 years, you get to know people and I think that was the main thing," Titus said on Wednesday. "I think people are excited to get the team concept going again."

In the three-way Stevensville race, Mayor Jim Crews garnered 174 votes (35 percent), while Brandon Dewey ousted him with 221 votes, or 45 percent of the ballots cast. Mark Adams was a distant third with 98 votes (20 percent).

Dewey said he's eager to start a transition and open the channels of communication among the town and the community, but also between himself and the council. As part of that, he's also hopes to employ more social media and improve the town's website.

"I think we'll see some customer service improvements not only in how people deal with the town, but also opening some social media channels that we haven't in the past," Dewey said.

In the Hamilton Ward 1 race, incumbent Kristi Bielski won with 54 percent of the vote over challenger Eric Monson, at 233 to 194. No one opposed Rod Pogachar in Ward 2, and challenger Claire Kemp took 62 percent of the vote over incumbent Ken Bell in Ward 3, with 264 votes to 155.

Bielski said she's thrilled to build upon her four years of experience, and Kemp said she's excited to take on her new role.

In the Darby council race, Bill De Spain had 120 votes to Pamela Hart-Schlapman's 103 for the council's at-large seat. Bret Rider led the Ward 2 unexpired term race over Jason Lewis 67 to 39; George Costello was running unopposed for the Ward 2 full term and George Cuff was unopposed for the Ward 1 seat.

In the Stevensville council races, incumbent Robin Holcomb beat challenger Laura Miller 122 to 88 for the Ward 1 seat, and Ray Smith was elected with 121 votes compared to 106 for Jerry Phillips for the open Ward 2 seat.

The actual vote count for all races won't be official until next week's canvass.
Leaders of the Hamilton-based MAPS Media Institute are in Washington, D. C., today to be honored by federal arts and culture agencies as one of the best after-school and youth development programs in the nation.

The awards for MAPS effectiveness in engaging youth in the arts or humanities come from National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

MAPS, the brainchild of the Irwin and Florence Rosten Foundation, Inc., will be recognized for achieving a wide range of positive outcomes, including increases in academic achievement; growth in graduation and college enrollment rates; and improvements in literacy and language abilities, communication and performance skills, and cultural awareness, according to the press release.

Clare Ann Harff, executive director for MAPS, said the award is quite an honor.

It recognizes the dedicated work of the entire MAPS community: founders Peter and Susan Rosten, students and families past and present, funders, clients, and our community supporters, Harff said. It reinforces MAPS core belief that investing in our youth is investing in our future. By creatively engaging students through relevant media arts, MAPS better prepares them for success in school, in their careers and in their community.

Media Arts in the Public Schools teaches life skills around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) using technology, design, film, music, and entrepreneurship. The classes are free to students in grades 812.

MAPS founder Peter Rosten began the program in 2004 as an in-school class at Corvallis schools. MAPS is now an after-school program in Ravalli County and has expanded to three reservations, with a goal of developing a statewide educational program.

Peter Rosten passed away in April 2017, leaving a legacy of curiosity, learning, humor, and hope. He retired from a successful behind-the-scenes Hollywood career to Montana and, according to his wife, Susan Rosten, He was enamored at the honesty and sincerity of the people here, especially teenagers. MAPS is his proudest accomplishment.

Peter Rosten was a 2016 Silver Circle inductee of the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. A 2015 New York Times article presented Rostens vision and work for Montana's rural youth.

Chosen from 285 nominations, MAPS is one of 12 national awardees recognized as leaders in creative youth programming. Some of the other after-school programs selected are from Florida, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Canada.

Its a big deal, Harff said. We are the second organization from Montana to ever receive this award. The first one was the Orphan Girl Theatre years ago.

Samentha Moore, associate of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program, said the youth programs that are being honored are inclusionary.

The majority of the thousands of kids each organization serves are predominantly African American, Latino, and other students in communities of color; teens in rural areas in the West and some Native American reservations; children and teens with disabilities and special needs; and youth in economically disadvantaged communities throughout the country, Moore said. Most of the 14 students coming this year to receive the award or perform at the ceremony are students of color.

The ceremony on Thursday will include a live performance by vocalist Lourde Childs and pianist Michael Rodriguez, from the Phoenix Conservatory of Musics College Preparatory Program and remarks by youth speaker, Samantha Joseph from the Newark Museum Explorers Program.

The ceremony will be live streamed today at 1 p.m. EST: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUp7ViZEhp786dPOmJn0rsQ

MAPS was among the top 50 finalists for this award in 2014 and 2016. In addition to national recognition, MAPS will receive $10,000 to support its programming end engage more Montana youth.

The MAPS team has recorded Montana leaders congratulating them on their award. Those videos featuring Governor Bullock, Superintendent Arntzen, Montana Arts Council, and the Montana Film Office can be seen at https://www.mapsmediainstitute.com/

Cinda Holt of the Montana Arts Council said the MAPS Media Institute has become not only an exemplary organization, but also is considered the Gold Standard of arts-driven youth education of youth in the Treasure State.

MAPS turns under-served students into capable media artists and communicators, and is truly a life-changing program for its participants, Holt added.

In a press release from MAPS, Gov. Steve Bullock said the organization makes a positive difference.

MAPS better prepares our Montana students for the jobs of the future while they explore their passion in the media arts, he said. While this award is for everyone, without Peter Rosten, there would be no MAPS. Peter was always willing to share his talents and make the world around him a better place.

Sen. Jon Tester visited MAPS last year.

I was impressed with both the high quality of their work and the enthusiasm of the students, Tester said in the MAPS press release. Investing in the arts makes our communities stronger and more vibrant and it opens the doors to new ideas and innovation.

MAPS student Myles Smith said MAPS is where he gets to be creative and work with students from all over the valley.

We learn about making art, but we also learn how to communicate and gain confidence by bringing our ideas to life," Miller said. "All high school kids should have a place like MAPS.

For more information about the MAPS Media Institute, visit mapsmediainstitue.com. For more information about the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, visit nahyp.org/.
HAMILTON  Alexis Deborah Wagner, born June 3, 1954, passed away in search of farther trails, forests, and waterways on October 26, 2017. She was born in Nagoya, Japan, the daughter of Al and Sis Smith, joining her older brothers Philip and Jerry in mischief.

As an Air Force brat, Alexis spent her early years living in various countries such as Japan and France. Eventually the family settled in Redlands, California, where she went to high school and met her first husband, Mike Wagner. They were married in 1972. Alexis gave birth to her first and only biological son, Joshua Philip, in 1975. She gave him his middle name to honor her brother, who she loved deeply, and lost to the Vietnam War.

The family lived a year in Hawaii as part of YWAM before Alexis went to nursing school at Loma Linda University, then moved to Scotts Valley, California, in 1979 where she attended Stanford University Medical School. She was awarded two degrees, on as a nurse practitioner and the other as a physicians assistant.

In 1986 Alexis and her family moved to Hamilton, Montana. She worked at Marcus Daily Hospital and the Bitterroot Clinic before opening her first clinic in 2004.

After spending some time back in California with her mother, Alexis returned to Hamilton and married her second husband, Steve Wilcox, in 2010. She worked in sleep medicine for a couple years, sharing an office building with her son in Missoula by complete coincidence. She started a new clinic in Hamilton in 2013, which will remain open as her legacy. She touched and healed countless hearts and lives throughout the Bitterroot Valley. Her passion for medicine and love for the community manifested in many ways, not least of which was the undivided attention she offered to anyone she encountered.

In 2012 her husband Steve was diagnosed with Carcinoid Cancer. From that day on her life became a crusade to understand this obscure illness, seek out the best treatment for Steve, and support the broader community of those who battled alongside him.

All her life, Alexis expressed a profound love of nature. She enjoyed silent hours with oceans, forests, and fields. Her brother once worked on MGs, and she felt connected to his memory by cruising around in her own. She was obsessed with the movement involved in discovering the natural worldwhether her mode of transportation was driving, riding motorcycles, airplanes (and even jumping out of one), scuba diving, cruise ships, and often simply on foot. She loved to seek out beauty and tranquility of nature, but she also had a hankering for shooting guns and blowing things apart. Paper targets were never good enough and insisted on replacing them with soda cans, pumpkins, or anything else that would explode.

She loved to read, learn, and discover. Always interested, always curious.

Alexis is survived by her husband Steve, his children Melissa, Jason (and Tiffany), Tanya, Cody (and Marie), Steves 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, her first husband Mike, and her son Josh.

Memorial services will be held at the Corvallis United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com

The family recommends the Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (http://netcancerawareness.org/) for friends desiring to make memorial contributions. The fight against this devastating illness was near to Alexis heart.
Comments and links to reports on science, and its applications.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The dream of having railway service in Nepal would be materialized if the recent initiation taken by the Chinese government to link Nepal with its railway service comes into implementation.

The high-level technical team of the Chinese government that had arrived here for the site visit of the Kyirong-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway Project on last week has prepared initial report regarding the railway service in Nepal by linking with the Chinese railway service.

It is said that the Chinese technical team accompanied by the officials at the Department of Railways (DoRW) visited Rasuwagadi, the entry point from Kyirong to Nepal, Pokhara and Lumbini as part of the site visit.

Following the site visit, the technical team would hold discussions with the officials of the Nepal government to prepare a report, which would be submitted to the Chinese government to conduct further study of the project.

Chinese government has given high preference to link Nepal with its railway service. Earlier, another technical team had arrived here for the preliminary study of the project.

The government of Nepal and the Chinese government had agreed on economic and technical assistance for the railway project on March 21, 2016.

The imitation taken by the Chinese government to link Nepal with its railway service is taken cautiously by the southern neighbor India even though it has not made any official comment in this regard.
BEIJING: After a brief truce with China to cooperate on North Korea, President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday amid mounting US trade complaints, with limited prospects for progress on market access, technology policy and other sore points.

The strains between the worlds two biggest economies are fueling anxiety among global companies and advocates of free trade that they could retreat into protectionism, dragging down growth.

Washington accuses Beijing of backsliding on market-opening promises, and Trump said last week that the US trade deficit with China  $347 billion last year  is so bad that its embarrassing.

I dont want to embarrass anybody four days before I land in China, but its horrible, said Trump.

His government has raised import duties on Chinese aluminum foil, stainless steel and plywood, and is investigating whether Beijing improperly pressures foreign companies to hand over technology.

If they discuss trade during the two-day visit, Chinese President Xi Jinpings government is unlikely to offer enough to appease US negotiators, said John Davies of BMI Research.

That is likely to lead to more protectionist measures on the part of the US, said Davies.

While Trump is looking to boost sagging public approval ratings, the Chinese leader enters their meeting on a political high.

The ruling Communist Party added Xis name to its constitution at a twice-a-decade congress last month, giving him status equal to Mao Zedong, founder of the communist government, and Deng Xiaoping, who launched economic reforms in 1979.

At the congress, Xi promised to open the economy wider but affirmed plans to build up state-owned companies that dominate industries including finance, energy and telecoms. That, along with plans for government-led development of electric cars and other technology, makes foreign companies worry that Beijing is squeezing them out of promising fields.

The chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, William Zarit, expressed concern that Trump appears to have done too little to prepare and said some companies worry his focus on trade in goods will mean he does too little about such structural issues. Zarit said those include limits on access to finance, health care and other industries.

In contrast to advance work for previous presidential trips to Beijing, there really hasnt been much of that for this visit, which makes us a bit concerned that there may not be much discussion on the structural issues, said Zarit, a former American diplomat.

A senior administration official who briefed reporters in Washington denied that Trump hasnt adequately prepared.

Weve analyzed this probably more than most administrations, said the official, who spoke on condition that he not be identified further.

The official said Beijing has shifted to moving away from market-based principles and Washington wants movement toward a market-oriented system.

That echoes complaints by foreign companies that despite a 2013 pledge by the ruling party to give market forces a decisive role, restrictions on them in some industries are increasing. That led to a 1.2 percent fall in foreign investment in China in the first seven months of this year, breaking a series of annual double-digit gains.

Business groups have warned that Beijings efforts to shield its fledgling competitors in electric cars, clean power and other fields are fueling a backlash against globalization.

A possible US response might be closing down certain industry sectors that are now open to Chinese investment, said Zarit. I know we do not want to see any kind of a tit-for-tat, which could end up in a trade war.

For its part, Beijing is pressing Washington and the European Union to grant market economy status to its state-dominated system. That would make it harder for trading partners to bring anti-dumping and other cases against China.

China says that when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, it was promised that status would take effect last December. The United States, Europe and Japan reject that and say Beijing has yet to meet market-opening goals to qualify.

Chinese economists argue their country isnt to blame for US problems. They say global companies benefit from low-cost Chinese labor and a growing consumer market.

The loss of American factory jobs is due not to Chinese exports but to US manufacturers moving to lower-wage countries, said Sun Lijian, an economist at Shanghais Fudan University.

In the end, it is US companies that have gained large profits, said Sun.

Trump temporarily set aside trade complaints in April after meeting Xi for the first time in Florida and said he hoped Beijing would help discourage North Korea from pursuing nuclear weapons. They issued a 100-Day Plan under which Beijing agreed to discuss expanding market access for electronic payments and financial services.

Despite renewed criticism on trade, the US needs continued Chinese cooperation over North Korea, economist Rajiv Biswas of IHS Markit said in an email.

That means Trump will feel compelled to negotiate instead of using blunt bilateral trade measures that could endanger the overall bilateral geopolitical relationship, said Biswas.

Potential options for a possible new package of immediate measures include raising Chinese ownership limits in fields including securities, in which foreign firms can own only 49 percent of a venture, said Zarit.

If you raised it to 51 percent, I think that would be progress, he said.

China criticized Trumps order in September to investigate whether Beijing violates its free-trade commitments by pressing foreign companies to hand over technology in return for market access. They complained that Trump was jeopardizing the global system by launching the probe under US law instead of the World Trade Organization.

Few American companies have provided evidence for the investigation, possibly due to fear of Chinese retaliation.

The US Commerce Department also is investigating whether Chinese exports including metal tubing, industrial resin and polyester fiber benefit from improper subsidies.

Trade is a smaller share of Chinas economy than it was a decade ago and the US market is losing importance for its exporters as sales to other developing markets grow. That blunts the potential impact of American tariffs or other sanctions, but the United States still accounts for about one-third of Chinas trade surplus, and export industries employ millions of workers.

The US does have leverage to realistically threaten to damage Chinas economic prospects, said BMI Researchs Davies.
LOS ANGELES: Friends star Jennifer Aniston is coming back to television and shes partnering with Reese Witherspoon.

The Apple streaming service said Wednesday the actresses will star in and produce a behind-the-scenes drama series about a TV morning show.

Aniston came to fame as Rachel on the hit NBC comedy Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. She then focused on films, including Office Space, Bruce Almighty and Marley & Me.

The Oscar-winning Witherspoon (Walk the Line) made a TV splash last season with HBOs Emmy-winning series Big Little Lies, which she starred in and produced with Nicole Kidman.

The new series marks a TV reunion for its stars: Witherspoon and Aniston played sisters on an episode of Friends.

Landing the buzzed-about project represents a coup for Apple, which said its ordered two seasons but didnt announce the shows title, release date or whether the shows will be distributed on iTunes or a different platform.

The series was described by Apple as an inside look at the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning, exploring the unique challenges faced by the women (and men) who carry out this daily televised ritual.

It will draw on Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV by Brian Stelter, CNN senior media correspondent. The 2013 book relates the rivalry between NBCs Today and ABCs Good Morning America.

Stelter is a consultant on the drama, and Jay Carson (House of Cards) is writing the pilot and is an executive producer along with Witherspoon and Aniston.

The show and Steven Spielbergs reboot of his Amazing Stories 1980s anthology series are the first two original dramas ordered by Apple and follow the hiring earlier this year of Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht to oversee video content.
Guwahati : As the biggest move against corruption by the Sarbananda Sonowal-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam, the Assam police on Wednesday had arrested 15 officials of Assam Civil Service (ACS), Assam Police Service (APS) and other allied services in connection with the cash-for-job scam in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).

According to the reports, the scam was took place during the previous Congress regime.

Dibrugarh police had arrested the 15 officials from different parts of the state in the wee hours of Wednesday, who were declared successful in the 2013 APSC examination and appointed by the state government in 2015.

A top police official said that, 10 more officials are likely to be arrested soon.

"All the officials were arrested after forensic reports confirming that, they have been involved in illegal process to get jobs under APSC. The investing team of Dibrugarh police led by Additional SP SS Panesar had collected handwriting samples of 25 officials on June 9 last and the samples were sent to the forensic laboratory. The investigating team collected handwriting samples of the officials after their answer scripts found doubtful," the top police official said.

Earlier, Dibrugarh police had seized 1265 answer scripts of the APSC examination held in 2013 and 2015 from the strong room of the commission office in Guwahati.

The arrested officials are Harshajyoti Bora, DSP (Border), Guwahati, Sabira Imran, DSP, 12th Assam Police Battalion, Sonitpur, Jayanta Kumar Nath, 7th Bn DSP, Kokrajhar, Sudipta Goswami Bhattacharya, Employment Officer, Karimganj, Debajit Bora, Election Officer, Hamren, Pallabika Sarma Choudhury, Circle Officer, Darrang, Hemanta Hillol Saikia, DSP, Special Branch, Jorhat, Dipankar Khanikar, ACS, Sivasagar, Anirudha Rai, Circle Officer, Lakhimpur, Himangshu Choudhury, Circle Officer, Agamani, Amarjit Das, Employment Officer, Sonitpur, Raju Saha, Labour Inspector, Barpeta, Kunal Das, Circle Officer, Nalbari, Dithun Borgoyari, Circle Officer, Margherita, Jatindra Prasad Baruah, DSP.

Meanwhile, Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay said that, few more officials on charges of allegedly bribing their way to get job would likely to be arrested soon.

On the other hand, the Dibrugarh police had grilled the arrested officials at the head quarter of Assam police Special Branch, Kahilipara in Guwahati.

Earlier, Dibrugarh police had arrested three ACS officers Bhaskarjyoti Dev Sharma, Bhaskar Dutta and Amit Sharma in connection with the scam and later the state government had dismissed their services.

The BJP-led Assam government had unearthed the scam in 2016 and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had directed the Assam police to probe into the scandal.

The cash-for-job scam in the APSC took place during the previous Congress government tenure led by Tarun Gogoi.

Police had already arrested former chairman of APSC Rakesh Paul, his two associate members Samedur Rahman, Basanta Doley, Pabitra Koiborta, Nabakanta Patir.

On August 31 last, the Gauhati High Court had granted bail to 10 accused, who were arrested in connection with the cash-for-job scam of Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal appreciated police action of arresting 15 ACS, APS and allied service officers from different parts of the state in APSCs cash for job scam.

In a press statement, Chief Minister Sonowal reiterated state governments commitment of zero tolerance against corruption and asserted that the fight against this social evil will continue unabated.

He also reaffirmed that no accused in the scam could evade arrest by hiding and mentioned that no one would be spared. Sonowal further directed the police to speed up operation to nab all the accused officers.

The Assam CM also expressed confidence that administration would be more transparent as a result of governments steps against corruption and asserted that full authority has been given to police for carrying out operation against graft cases.

He also appealed to the people of the state to stand up against corruption and report all graft cases to the anti-corruption wings of the government for appropriate action.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati: The sleuths of Assam Chief Ministers vigilance on Wednesday had arrested a contractor in connection with the multi-crore rupees scam in Labour department, which took place in the previous Congress regime.

A top official of the investigating agency said that, following directive by CM Sarbananda Sonowal, CM vigilance had registered a case (no 9/2017) in connection with Rs 121 crore scam in the Labour department took place during 2013-16.

On Wednesday, the investigating agency had arrested a contractor named Priangsu Boiragi and produced him before a local court in Guwahati.

The top official said that, CM vigilance has also registered case against erstwhile Commissioner of Labour department Sohan Doley and Director Gautam Baruah.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Security forces on Wednesday had apprehended two militants belonging to the banned outfit NDFB-S in Assam's Chirang district, officials said.

Chirang district SP Shankar Raimedhi said that, based on intelligence input, army and police had launched operation under the leadership of SDPO, Bijni and OC, Panbari police station at Dwimuguri village under Panbari police station in the BTAD district and nabbed two militants.

The nabbed militants were identified as Sukron Basumatary alias B. Saorailang and Badam Goyari.

Security personnel had recovered one Country made Pistol with live rounds and large amount of rations and logistics support stores in possession from them.

According to recent intelligence inputs it has come to light that, B. Saorailang was inducted into Chirang to probably meet Bedai group to provide much needed administrative and logistics support and strengthen the dwindling number of cadres active in the area.

"The apprehension of B. Saorailang with his accomplice has given a severe jolt to the efforts to revive logistics support network of NDFB-S and has further degraded the morale of cadres attempting various unlawful activities," the top cop said.

They have been brought to Panbari police station for thorough interrogation.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Deputy Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar

INARUWA: Deputy Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar asserted that his partys victory was a must for democracy in the country.

Leader Gachhadar said this while addressing the election assembly held at Duhabi of Sunsari on Wednesday.

There is no alternative of NC win for safeguarding democracy and realising the dreams of freedom fighters and martyrs of the country who fought for the sake of democracy and civil liberty.

The country will see economic prosperity only when democracy becomes stronger, he said, calling for the voters to cast votes to NC for democracy.

He also said that the communist alliance is opting for bringing authoritarian regime in the country which would never be acceptable for them.RSS
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This Novembers election will mark Lompocs first under a district-based format, so to help voters prepare for the new system, the city has sc
Toni Weitzel is the owner of the Best of Everything, featuring unique gifts and gift baskets, and a former president of the Nipomo Chamber of Commerce. Nonprofit and other community organizations may submit items for this column by contacting her at 343-0283 or toniweitzel3@gmail.com.
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 House members reintroduce the Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective (SAFE) Justice Act | Main | Florida and Texas carry out executions on same night 

The title of this post is the headline of this notable new New York Times piece, which gets started and ends this way (with inks from the original):

Most theories for the great crime decline that swept across nearly every major American city over the last 25 years have focused on the would-be criminals.

Their lives changed in many ways starting in the 1990s: Strict new policing tactics kept closer watch on them. Mass incarceration locked them up in growing numbers. The crack epidemic that ensnared many began to recede. Even the more unorthodox theories  around the rise of abortion, the reduction in lead or the spread of A.D.H.D. medication  have argued that larger shifts in society altered the behavior (and existence) of potential criminals.

But none of these explanations have paid much attention to the communities where violence plummeted the most. New research suggests that people there were working hard, with little credit, to address the problem themselves.

Local nonprofit groups that responded to the violence by cleaning streets, building playgrounds, mentoring children and employing young men had a real effect on the crime rate. Thats what Patrick Sharkey, a sociologist at New York University, argues in a new study and a forthcoming book. Mr. Sharkey doesnt contend that community groups alone drove the national decline in crime, but rather that their impact is a major missing piece. This was a part that has been completely overlooked and ignored in national debates over the crime drop, he said. But I think its fundamental to what happened....

As Mr. Sharkey publishes his findings, crime rates are now diverging after a generation in which violence fell reliably year after year nearly everywhere. Its not clear yet whether the great crime decline he writes about will continue. But he argues that its time for a new model of violence prevention, one that relies more heavily on the kind of work that these community groups have been quietly doing than on the aggressive police tactics and tough sentencing that the Trump administration now advocates.

The model that weve relied on to control violence for a long time has broken down, Mr. Sharkey said. If communities want police to step back, he is pointing to some of the people who can step in. This gives us a model. It gives us another set of actors who can play a larger role.
Liem said that Vietnam and Japan have enjoyed encouraging educational cooperation, including the Hanoi-based Vietnam-Japan University. He expressed his belief that this cooperation will be fostered, particularly when the two countries mark the 45th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2018.



The number of Vietnamese students in Japan has risen by almost 20 times over the last decade, reflecting Vietnamese peoples demand for and respect of the education quality of Japan, the official noted.



Local authorities are ready to provide favourable conditions for Soshi to set up a representative office in HCM City, he said, pledging optimal conditions for foreign companies to do long-term business.



Tetsuya asked HCM City to help the group open an office here to connect families with their children studying in Japan and help Vietnamese graduates find jobs.



He noted that Soshi, which has opened offices and universities in many countries, wants HCM City to help it establish an international university to share more tertiary education experience, support foreign students in HCM City and help attract foreign investment into the city.



Soshi is a major education group of Japan that owns more than 120 educational establishments from the preschool to tertiary levels in Japan and New Zealand, serving about 30,000 students, including some 700 Vietnamese.

Vietnamplus


The pangolins were seized on November 6 in two separate raids in Malaysias northern state of Kedah.



In the first incident, a Malaysian man was caught with 85 pangolins in the town of Changlun near the border with Thailand. Later, Malaysian officials stopped a Thai man at a roadblock near a crossing into Thailand and found 55 sacks, each containing a live pangolin, and bags full of scales.



Officials did not give an estimate for the value of the seized animals.



As the world's most heavily trafficked mammals, pangolins fetch a high price on the black market as their meat is prized as a delicacy and their body parts are used as ingredients in traditional medicine in parts of Asia and Africa. By Vietnamplus.
SIOUX CITY | United Way of Siouxland announced Thursday that "Good Morning America" anchor Amy Robach will be the keynote speaker for the 18th annual Womens Power Lunch in April.

Robach has been anchor of ABC's morning show since 2014. She has crossed the globe covering major news events, including the terrorist bombings in Brussels and the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. She contributed to network-wide coverage on election night 2016 from Donald Trump headquarters.

Robach is author of Better: How I Let Go of Control, Held On To Hope, and Found Joy in My Darkest Hour," which is a New York Times bestseller about her journey with breast cancer.

The Womens Power Lunch will be held April 25 at Delta Hotels Center.

The 11:30 a.m. lunch will be preceded by a VIP reception at 10:30 a.m., where guests will be able to meet Robach and have a photo taken with her.

Individual tickets and table sponsorships are available at: www.WPL2018.eventbrite.com
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SIOUX CENTER, Iowa | An elementary teacher at Sioux Center Christian School arrested last month for committing a lascivious act with a student at the school has been charged with an additional 84 counts of sexual abuse involving "numerous" children, police said Wednesday.

Curtis Van Dam, 35, of Sioux Center, was arrested Oct. 23 after a complaint was lodged against him five days earlier for inappropriate conduct with a student.

The latest charges are tied to incidents that occurred over a four-year period, between August 2013 and last month. Van Dam now faces 101 felonies and 39 misdemeanors.

The felonies include 72 counts of second-degree abuse, 12 counts of third-degree sexual abuse, 14 counts of sexual exploitation by a teacher, and three counts of lascivious acts with a child.

The alleged acts took place at various locations, including the private school, the release said.

Police Chief Paul Adkins said the investigation is continuing, and additional charges are possible. Adkins declined to identify the number of alleged victims or their ages.

Van Dam, a fifth-grade teacher at the school, was fired following his arrest last month.

Police searched Van Dam's residence on Oct. 21, two days before his arrest. He is booked into the Sioux County Jail.

Van Dam started teaching at the school after he graduated from Dordt College in 2004.

Sioux Center Christian School was founded in 1905. According to the school's website, the school has 509 students in grades K-8 for the 2017-18 school year.

In a statement, the school said it removed Van Dam from the school immediately after hearing the initial complaint and terminated him on Oct. 19. The case, the school said, is now "in the hands of our criminal justice system and we trust that justice will be served.

"Though the number of charges do not necessarily reflect the number of students, we are grieved again as we hear the extent of the charges," the school said in the statement. "Weve wept, now its time to weep again. Weve prayed, now we need to continue praying. Weve brought our anger and fears to the Lord, and now we need to lay those feelings again at His feet."

The school also encouraged students and their parents to contact authorities if they have more information regarding Van Dam.

"If this news especially hurts because you have suffered or are suffering abuse, we encourage you to bring it out of the realm of secrecy, so that it loses its powerful grip on you. We encourage you to talk to a professional Christian counselor," the statement said.

The school said it is providing "daily support and guidance to students as needed through their teachers and professional counselors." A group session for parents with All Things New Therapy Services was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school. Another session for parents and 5-8 grade students is scheduled for Nov. 15.
SIOUX CITY | Sioux City's Parks and Recreation Department will hold the fourth annual Rock On! Climbing Competition Dec. 2 at the Long Lines Family Rec Center.

Open to climbers ages 5 and above, the competition will include four divisions:

--Youth (under 18).

--Beginner (5.7 to 5.9 and VB-V1).

--Intermediate (5.9+ to 5.11a and V2-V4).

--Advanced (5.11b and up, V4 and up).

Climbers under 18 are not required to sign up in the youth category if they do not want to.

Registration is $30 before Dec. 2 and $35 the day of the competition. Those who register prior to Nov. 18 will be guaranteed a free T-shirt. Registration is open online at webtrac.sioux-city.org, as well as in-person at the Long Lines, 401 Gordon Drive, or by calling the Parks and Recreation administrative office at 712-279-6126.

All participants must sign a waiver and photo release prior to competing. These can be signed upon arrival at the competition. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver and photo release.

Check-in begins at 11 a.m. The competition will be noon to 3 p.m. Those wishing to be belay qualified can come at 10 a.m.
SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department will hold a public meeting Nov. 30 to seek feedback on the development of the Sioux City Riverfront project.

At the meeting, which will begin 7 p.m. on the fifth floor of City Hall, 405 Sixth St., designers will share an overview of the current Riverfront Master Plan, and community members will have an opportunity to participate in the schematic design process.

"We want to make sure we give everyone an opportunity to provide input toward the development of such an important part of our community," Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore said in a city news release.

Sioux City kicked off the design phase for the riverfront development earlier this year. Madison, Wisconsin-based SmithGroup JJR Inc. will complete surveying, schematic design and administration services connected to the planned project at the former site of the Argosy casino.

The city has set a budget of about $12 million for the development project, according to the agreement.

Amenities could include an interactive fountain, sport courts, overlooks, a dog park, a yoga lawn, restrooms, added parking and other amenities. Other suggested features have included a pedestrian bridge and Ferris wheel.

A steering committee is fund-raising for the park and has identified potential grants to help with the project.

The schematic design process is anticipated to be complete by the start of 2018.
SIOUX CITY | A Castana, Iowa, man was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for having sex with a teenage girl against her will while she was babysitting.

Colby Mauch, 25, had pleaded guilty in Woodbury County District Court to one count of assault with the intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor.

In addition to the prison sentence, Senior Judge Mary Jane Sokolovske placed Mauch a 10-year special sentence in which he will be on parole after completing his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent to prison.

Sokolovske also ordered Mauch to register with the Iowa Sex Offenders Registry and pay a $625 fine and $250 civil penalty.

According to court documents, on Sept. 3, 2016, Mauch traveled to the then-17-year-old girl's Morningside home, where she was babysitting six children. While the children were in the back yard, Mauch grabbed the girl, started to kiss her and forcibly pulled her pants and underwear down and had sex with her.

The girl told a friend what had happened, and the friend notified a school resource officer, who told the victim's mother.

Mauch later texted the victim's mother and apologized. During police questioning, Mauch admitted to initiating and having sex with the victim, but claimed the sexual activity was consensual.
SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Police Department is warning people to monitor their credit card activity daily, after likely cloning incidents where about 20 local residents reported unauthorized transactions on their cards.

Lt. John Horton in a Thursday release said the department on Nov. 2 began receiving multiple reports of unauthorized activity on cards. He said while the investigation is in early stages, it appears some card information was obtained from data breaches at a Sonic Drive-In and the Kmart before it closed earlier this year.

National reports in recent years show cyber criminals have gained access to the point in a retailer's system where customers make purchases. The thieves install malicious software to collect and retrieve data from the magnetic stripes on the backs of debit and credit cards.

"We are seeing a new trend in credit card cloning and the theft involved. The cloners can see the location the card was issued from, then they travel to that location. They make an Internet transaction, then cancel it to insure the card is active, then make a small purchase, usually for a prepaid card," Horton said.

He explained such small-dollar purchases don't get detected, since they don't meet the requirements for many fraud alert systems.

Horton said if people see strange card activity, they should contact both the police department and the financial institution that issued the card.

He said the data breach at the former Kmart took place from September 2016 to April 2017. The breach at Sonic happened from April through October this year.
SIOUX CITY | A host of activities and events will be held in Sioux City and nearby to commemorate Veterans Day through the weekend.

FRIDAY

9 a.m., Hinton, Iowa -- A Veterans Day assembly will be held at Hinton High School, under a project created by senior student Laura Brighton. The event is the first such assembly held at the school in at least 15 years, and Brighton said it is important to honor military veterans on the special day. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

10 a.m., Lawton, Iowa -- Veterans Day assembly, with display of World War II Army uniform, medals and other military memorabilia from Ernest Christiansen, at Lawton-Bronson High School building in Lawton. Christiansen is a 1936 graduate of L-B.

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sioux City -- Western Iowa Tech Community College, Room L416-417 of the Dr. Robert E. Dunker Student Center. Josh Knaack, a graduate of Western Iowa Tech and a probation officer with the 3rd District Department of Correctional Services, is the guest speaker. The event will also include a complimentary lunch.

SATURDAY

11 a.m., South Sioux City -- American Legion Post 307 and VFW 10753 will hold its traditional observances at Siouxland Freedom Park. The event timing coincides with the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the signing of the World War I armistice. What was once called Armistice Day eventually became Veterans Day.

There will also be an orientation tour of the new Siouxland Freedom Park Interpretive Center. The day's events will culminate at 4:30 p.m. with the return of a large U.S. flag to full staff.

11 a.m., Sioux City -- The Woodbury County Commission of Veteran Affairs is sponsoring a Veterans Day observance at the downtown Woodbury County Courthouse. The speaker will be Vietnam veteran John Mansfield.

Several military groups will take part, and there will be a special presentation for Korean veterans who never returned home.

SUNDAY

2 p.m., Sioux City -- Serving Her Country: Women in the Military, a photo exhibit honoring women veterans, will open at the Betty Strong Encounter Center in partnership with the Sioux City Journal. Admission is free and a reception will follow.

The exhibit and opening program by Journal feature writer Tim Gallagher will culminate The Journals 20-part series, Serving Her Country: Women in the Military, produced by Journal newsroom staff.

Gallaghers illustrated program will explore stories and images in Serving Her Country and their impact on readers.
Todays top picks from our online calendar. Find more events at siouxcityjournal.com/calendar.

One Book, One Sioux County

Community-wide reading event. Public invited to attend a free panel discussion based on the book "The Boys in the Bunkhouse" by Dan Barry 7 to 8 p.m. at B.J. Haan Auditorium, Dordt College, 98 Fourth Ave NE, Sioux Center, Iowa. Visit www.facebook.com/OneBookOneSiouxCounty for more information.

FAFSA assistance

Morningside College is offering students and families free assistance to complete the 2018-2019 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 5 to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. This application is used to determine a students financial aid eligibility for higher education. Held in Weikert Auditorium on the second floor of Buhler Rohlfs Halls on the Morningside campus, 1701 Morningside Ave. Visit www.morningside.edu for more information.

Morningside College Jazz Band

The Morningside College Music Department will present a jazz band concert 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Eppley Auditorium, 3625 Garretson Ave. The concert is free and open to the public. Visit www.morningside.edu for more information.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa  Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are among a bipartisan group that has introduced a resolution that would mandate sexual harassment prevention training for all employees of the U.S. Senate.

Elected officials should meet the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, according to Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Last week, he wrote to the Senate Rules Committee asking it to make sexual harassment prevention training mandatory for all Senate employees. Grassley was a sponsor of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 that required Congress to follow the same civil rights, labor, workplace safety and health laws that applied to other government agencies.

Sexual harassment training is important to maintain a respectful, productive and safe workplace environment, Grassley said recently.

For quite a while now, everyone who works for me has been required to complete this sort of prevention and anti-discrimination training, he told reporters. He requires members of both his Judiciary staff and his personal staff to take anti-harassment training. The executive branch and some private employers have instituted similar training requirements for their employees.

A lot of this should go without saying, but obviously its something that needs to be addressed, he said.

Grassleys letter and the resolution introduced along with Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark.; and Ernst follow a cascade of revelations of sexual harassment complaints against businessmen and elected officials.

As a body of elected officials, we senators have an obligation to set an example, Grassley said in announcing the resolution. Establishing a healthy and productive work environment should be no exception to that obligation. We should do everything possible to make sure our colleagues and staffs dont have to endure harassment if we can prevent it.

There is no place for sexual harassment on our college campuses, in our workplace, our gyms, our military  or anywhere else, Ernst added. It is critical that Congress has zero tolerance for such inappropriate behavior and action in our society.

The Senate Training on Prevention of Sexual Harassment or STOP Sexual Harassment resolution requires all Senate members, staff, interns, fellows and detailees to complete the sexual harassment prevention training offered by the Office of Compliance or the Office of the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment. The training must be completed no later than 60 days after starting work in the Senate.

The resolution also calls for an anonymous survey to be administered by the sergeant-at-arms to gather information about instances of sexual harassment or related behavior in the Senate.

This is not an onerous requirement, and its one thats long overdue, Grassley said. Training materials on harassment already exist.
Sen. Chuck Grassley wont say if he would support legislation banning bump stocks  devices that dramatically accelerate a semi-automatic weapons rate of fire  but the Iowa Republican says it would make sense.

Grassley has scheduled a Judiciary Committee hearing on firearms accessories for Tuesday and expects bump stocks, the device infamously used by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock to shoot more than 500 people, to be part of the discussion.

Grassley also predicted that the Air Forces failure to send the name of Sutherland Springs mass shooter Devin Kelly to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System will come up at the hearing, too.

The database, known as NICS, lists those prohibited from buying guns because of crimes or other circumstances.

Kelly received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force after being court-martialed for assaulting his wife and injuring his stepson. His discharge, conviction and year in jail should have been reported to NICS and could have made it more difficult to legally buy a gun.

This is something that will come up in the hearing, for sure, Grassley said during a conference call Wednesday with reporters. This is very embarrassing to them. Theyre studying what went wrong. I presume that if they dont take action, we will.

Legislation to ban bump stocks has been introduced in Congress. Nine senators, including Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and Judiciary Committee members Republicans John Cornyn of Texas and James Inhofe of Oklahoma, have asked the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms bureau of the Department of Justice to review its Obama administration rule allowing bump stocks. The devices allow a semi-automatic rifle to be shot faster than a person can pull the trigger.

Inhofe suggested that bump stocks should be illegal if they are used to simulate automatic weapons, which are regulated. Grassley seemed to agree.

I dont understand why it would be right for ATF to issue such a regulation when submachines have been outlawed since the 1920s or 30s, he said, adding that 1986 legislation made automatic weapons illegal.

It seems to me that common sense would say they ought to restrict it, I mean, do away with the rule, Grassley said.

Grassley warned that the hearing may have to be rescheduled because the Department of Justice may not be prepared.

He also noted that in 2013, after the Sandy Hook, Conn., school shooting, his legislation to require states and local governments to submit the names of people who should be barred from buying guns to NICS got 57 votes  three votes shy of the 60 needed to send it to the Senate floor for a vote.
With AmeriHealth Caritas Iowas departure  one of the three private insurers managing the states Medicaid program  only three weeks away, legislators expressed concerns regarding the transition during an oversight meeting Wednesday.

Iowas Department of Human Services announced at the end of October that it could not reach an agreement with AmeriHealth  the Medicaid insurer that not only has the highest number of members, but the highest concentration of special-needs members. It will raise the remaining two managed-care organizations capitation rates  the per-member, per-month fees  by 3.3 percent.

The state said Tuesday that is would move all 214,000 AmeriHealth members to UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley plans. Consumers who would rather switch to Amerigroup Iowa can do so by Nov. 16 and be eligible for coverage Dec. 1, the state said.

Medicaid members have until March 1 to finalize their choices.

What happened? Why are you leaving? asked State Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Robins, during a five-hour Health Policy Oversight Committee meeting, which included members from both the Senate and House.

It comes down to very simple statement, AmeriHealths Cheryl Harding said. Not to minimize this because it was not an easy decision. But after months of much negotiation, we really couldnt get to an agreement on future rates and terms  it is not about our commitment to the members we serve, its not about the running of the program.

We couldnt get to an agreement to rates and terms.

While the companys exit means hundreds of its employees soon will be out of work, Harding said AmeriHealth workers will remain in Iowa for the next year to pay outstanding provider claims, resolve member appeals and work with DHS.

Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare and Amerigroup Iowa are working to hire additional staff, especially case managers; to contract with providers that may only be part of AmeriHealths network; and to evaluate staffing needs.

Weve had over 300 applications come through the door and interviewed 50 people yesterday, UnitedHealthcares Kim Foltz said. We are certainly working with a sense of acceleration and a sense of urgency.

The state and insurers promised a smooth transition, but providers told legislators on Wednesday that plenty of questions and concerns remain.

So with the Dec. 1 deadline rolling around ... there are some significant issues involved with that, said Craig Syata, policy director for the Iowa Association of Community Providers. We are not here to complain about managed care or anything, but we are here to work productively.

The group represents 150 health care providers around the state that work with Iowans who have disabilities, mental health issues or brain injuries. About 80 percent of the clients the organizations serve are on AmeriHealth, he added.

Syata proposed extending authorizations for client services, waiving reimbursement penalties for out-of-network providers and extending a grace period to providers working to get credentialed  the collecting and verification of provider qualifications.

More recently, Democratic legislators have floated the idea of carving out the long-term services and supports population  the most complex and costly Medicaid group  and moving it back into a traditional fee-for-service program outside of managed care. And several attempted to get the insurers to admit that putting this group into managed care was a mistake.

AmeriHealth has more than 23,300 beneficiaries receiving long-term services and supports, compared with Amerigroups 7,700 and UnitedHealthcares 6,500.

Long-term enrollees include elderly Medicaid beneficiaries as well as those with disabilities receiving waiver services.

Amerigroup and UnitedHealthcare responded by saying that other states are beginning to move those populations into managed-care plans, and the insurers appropriately manage these populations elsewhere.

The specifics of should we or shouldnt we have to lie with the state, AmeriHealths Harding said. It can be very successful with all the right situations.
DES MOINES - Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday she hopes 2018 is the year the state can eliminate "the disconnect" between high-demand jobs and the educational and skills training it takes for many Iowans to land them.

The Reynolds administration has a Future Ready Iowa goal for 70 percent of Iowa's workforce to have education, training or recognized certification beyond high school by 2025 and an alliance of leaders in business, industry, education and other fields have formulated a strategic plan to achieve the desired result.

"I really feel like everything is starting to coalesce," Reynolds told participants at an Excellence in Education Summit hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and United Way of Central Iowa. "There's been a lot of great efforts happening across the state over the past several years and they're really all starting to align."

To achieve the goal, Reynolds said an additional 127,700 Iowans need to earn post-secondary degrees and other credentials so they have the qualifications for jobs that are in demand and pay a living wage - given that careers now and in the future require advanced knowledge and technical skills beyond what is learned in high school.

Among the strategies the alliance recommended was the establishment of a "Last-Dollar" Scholarship and Future Ready Iowa Grant Program to help bridge the financial divide with money for Iowans seeking up to an associate degree at Iowa colleges and universities or for Iowans seeking a bachelor's degree who already have earned more than half the credits in a major leading to a high-demand job.

Other ideas called for better aligning and expanding the existing "ecosystem of support" for Iowans who are beginning or returning to complete college or career training with a focus on low-income Iowans and Iowans who are underrepresented minorities, and expanding high-quality work-based learning experiences in high-demand careers to all students with employer-based pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and internship programs.

"We talk a lot about growing the economy and right now that means workers," Reynolds said after the meeting. "I believe there is an opportunity for us to build on some of the programs that are already in place" along with public-partnerships and better coordination for what business groups, educators and others already are doing.

Reynolds said she won't know until next month how much new state money will be available for fiscal 2019 when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets but she expects money for education and the workforce initiatives will get priority consideration.

"I don't know how much but I definitely want to put some money behind it because it's one of my No. 1 priorities," she said. "We're going to have to be strategic about where we're putting it."
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska's attorney general has chosen Norfolk killer Jose Sandoval as the next condemned prisoner to die, after a 20-year hiatus in executions in this state.

No request to the Nebraska Supreme Court for an execution warrant has been made, but Corrections Director Scott Frakes served notice to Sandoval Thursday of the lethal injection drugs that would be administered to cause his death if an execution takes place.

State regulations require the prisons chief to notify condemned inmates 60 days prior to the attorney general requesting an execution warrant.

Attorney General Doug Peterson said he is prepared to request the Supreme Court issue Sandoval's execution warrant after at least 60 days have elapsed from the notice.

Corrections officials have chosen a new protocol for administering lethal injection drugs and have purchased diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracuriam besylate and potassium chloride.

The drugs were purchased in the United States and received into the department's inventory Oct. 10, said Dawn-Renee Smith, spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

She would not name the company or suppliers from which they were purchased, or say whether the supplier was local or a compounding company. The Journal Star is pursuing the answers to those and other questions.

Nevada has a similar drug protocol, but uses three drugs: fentanyl, diazepam and cisatracurium. That protocol is in question after a judge said Wednesday she may cut a paralytic (cisatracurium) from the states previously untried lethal injection plan, after hearing that it could mask movements reflecting awareness and pain, according to The Associated Press.

The Nebraska department has tested its drugs for quality, according to a Corrections news release.

Sandoval, 38, is housed on death row at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. He was convicted and sentenced to death 13 years ago for killing five people at the U.S. Bank branch in September 2002.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, a longtime opponent of the death penalty, said in spite of the notice he doubted an execution was going to be carried out any time soon.

He and others need to know where the drugs came from, and whether there was a private compounding company manufacturing them, he said.

Other issues that have to be resolved, he said, include whether or not this combination of drugs has been used anywhere else, even though that would not bind Nebraska; whether or not the combination of drugs would be effective in accomplishing an execution; and whether they were designed to be used to take someone's life.

The Associated Press reported in April that a German pharmaceutical company spokesman said potassium chloride the Nebraska Corrections Department had purchased in 2015 was not intended to be sold to a state corrections department. A distributor had tried unsuccessfully to get the department to return the drugs.

The fact that the department is withholding certain information, Chambers said, indicates it is not fully transparent and may feel there are weaknesses in what they are doing.

Chambers charged that the notice of intended execution drugs is timed to coincide with Gov. Pete Ricketts re-election campaign.

Ricketts responded saying: "Last year the people of Nebraska reaffirmed that the death penalty remains an important part of protecting public safety in our state."

Thursday's announcement is the next step to carrying out the sentences ordered by the court, he said.

ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad said the organization was horrified" that the department planned to use Sandoval as a "test subject for an untested and experimental lethal injection cocktail."

"This rash decision will not fix the problems with Nebraskas broken death penalty and are a distraction from the real issues impacting Nebraskas Department of Corrections: an overcrowded, crisis-riddled system," she said.

America is a nation turning away from the death penalty, Conrad said, with more and more states seeing that ending capital punishment means improving public safety. Fiscal conservatives, faith leaders and public safety officials are increasingly leading efforts to replace the death penalty.

The ACLU will continue to discuss the states misguided plan with experts locally and nationally and evaluate the grave constitutional, legal and policy questions associated with this untested protocol, she said.

The attorney general said in a statement he agrees with the notice that was given to Sandoval.

"Sandoval planned the Sept. 26, 2002, Norfolk bank robbery when, in less than a minute, five innocent people were brutally shot and killed," Peterson said in a news release.

The dead included bank employees and customers. Sandoval personally killed three people, two more people were killed, and three more were in the midst of the gunfire that day. Sandovals crimes were captured on video.

The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld Sandovals convictions and death sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court then denied further review of the sentence. Sandoval never filed any challenges to the Supreme Court decisions, Peterson said.

The last execution in Nebraska was Robert Williams in December 1997. It was carried out with an electric chair.
We want to know what you think about the movies. You can Tweet us your reviews @scweekender or share them on Facebook, facebook.com/siouxcityweekender. We'll pick the best comments on Monday before the next Weekender. Here are this week's movies:

Thor: Ragnarok

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett

Story: A villain threatens to destroy Asgardian civilization while Thor is busy fighting for survival in a gladiatorial contest.

Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

A Bad Moms Christmas

Starring: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell

Story: Our foul-mouthed and under-appreciated mothers rebel against the challenges and expectations their families have during Christmas.

Rated: R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some drug use

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

Jigsaw

Starring: No one you know

Story: Bodies start turning up around the city and their gruesome demises point to the killer known as Jigsaw.

Rated: R for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, and for language

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

Suburbicon

Starring: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore

Story: A home invasion rattles a peaceful and quiet community, revealing the town's dark underbelly.

Rated: R for violence, language and some sexuality

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

The Snowman

Starring: Michael Fassbender and some snow people

Story: Detective Harry Hole (snicker) investigates the disappearance of a woman whose scarf is found on a spooky snowman.

Rated: R for grisly images, violence, some language, sexuality and brief nudity

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

Same Kind of Different as Me

Starring: Renee Zellweger, Greg Kinnear

Story: An art dealer struggling to save his marriage befriends a dangerous homeless man, leading the three on a unique journey.

Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements including some violence and language

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

Marshall

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad

Story: Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, battles through one of this career-defining cases.

Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexuality, violence and some strong language

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

The Foreigner

Starring: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan

Story: When a humble businessman's daughter is killed in an act of terrorism, his buried past catches up to him as he seeks justice.

Rated: R for violence, language and some sexual material

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender

Blade Runner 2049

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford

Story: After discovering a long-buried secret, a young blade runner comes across former blade runner Rick Deckard, who was missing for 30 years.

Rated: R for violence, some sexuality, nudity and language

Verdict: Blade Runner 2049 offers dark, thoughtful sci-fi & top-notch cinematography, but the ending leaves more questions than answers. -@sizynski

My Little Pony: The Movie

Starring: A bunch of colorful ponies

Story: When an evil force threatens Ponyville, the Mane 6 team up with new friends and conquer exciting challenges using the power of friendship.

Rated: PG for mild action

Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender
'Murder on the Orient Express' (Rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements) -- The Agatha Christie novel is brought to life as one man attempts to solve a crime aboard a train with 13 stranded passengers.

'Daddy's Home 2' (Rated PG-13 for suggestive material and some language) -- Brad and Dusty have settled their differences from the first film but must now deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays.

'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' (Rated R for violence, language throughout, and some sexual references) -- When the culprit of her daughter's murder isn't found, an angry mother personally challenges local authorities to solve the case.

New DVD Releases for this week:

'Atomic Blonde'

'Aquarius'

'The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature'

'Wind River'
Defense sector analysts see a growing market for warplanes among Middle East nations over the next five years despite slumping oil prices in recent years.



During the Dubai Airshow, which runs from November 12 to November 16, plenty of aircraft manufacturers will be angling to sell their aircraft to attendees.

In recent years, Bahrain, Morocco, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been shelling out cash left and right to grow their air forces.



"A lot of these contracts have come to completion," Derek Bisaccio, analyst at Forecast International, tells Defense News. "They've started signing orders. They've been approved. So that does limit what they need to be purchasing for the time being."



To name a few, In March, US President Donald Trump lifted an arms embargo on Bahrain based on state-sponsored human rights abuses, thus allowing a deal for 19 F-16 jets to move forward. In June, Qatar and the US signed off on a $12 billion deal for F-15s.



"What I think is notable is that a lot of these countries feel they need to get more.

They definitely have the budgets for it, the resources for it, even with the collapse of energy prices," Bisaccio told Defense News.



The Teal Group's Richard Aboulafia expects Middle East nations to buy at least 245 "new-build," versus modernized or refurbished, aircraft in the next five years.



The question is who will supply them. The biggest suppliers of combat aircraft are overwhelmingly the US and Russia. In descending order, the F-16, F-18, Su-27, F-15, MiG-29, MiG-21 and Su-25 have been the top 7 sellers worldwide since production started for each plane, according to Motley Fool.



France has carved out an interesting niche in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region too. Jordan flies French-made Mirages, and Dassault Rafale fighters are "top contenders" for the next UAE, Bahraini, Jordanian and Kuwaiti contracts, according to a Defense News infographic. Further, Egypt and France held discussions October 24 regarding the potential sale of 12 new Rafales, according to Bisaccio.



Israel is on pace to buy 50 fifth-generation F-35s, and the first F-35I Nadirs are slated to become operational in just under a month. The UAE may become the first Middle East partner not named Israel to get approval to buy F-35s after the Trump administration decided to "consider" a longstanding request from Abu Dhabi.



Since January 20, the Pentagon and State Department approved aircraft sales of F/A-18 Super Hornets to Canada, F-16Vs to Bahrain, A-29 Super Tucanos to Nigeria, C-17s to India, MD 530 choppers and weaponized Air Tractors to Kenya, P-8A Poseidons to New Zealand, Bell 429s to Slovakia, CH-47Ds to Greece, and Apache attack helicopters to Kuwait, according to a Global Security review of public filings.
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
The Ad POPs (Pride in Online and Print) reward the best representations of LGBT individuals in online and print advertising in regional LGBT media.

Ad POP is a production of the National Gay Media Association, a group of the nations leading LGBT newspaper publishers, located in New York (Gay City News), Washington, D.C. (Washington Blade), Boston (Bay Windows), Philadelphia (Philadelphia Gay News), Detroit (Between the Lines), Chicago (Windy City Times), Dallas (Dallas Voice), Los Angeles (The Pride), San Francisco (Bay Area Reporter), Atlanta (Georgia Voice), Ft. Lauderdale (SFGN) and Orlando (Watermark).

Winners were selected from both the national and regional levels.

Here are the winners from Ad POPs local contest.

Outstanding International LGBT Support

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

101 NE 3 Ave. # 100

Fort Lauderdale

Sunny.org

954-765-4466

A new destination brand initiative by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau [GFLCVB] aims to make all international visitors to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, including LGBT individuals, feel welcome and accepted.

Released in September, the initiative includes a video highlighting various individuals, including LGBT couples, at locations around Broward County. The YARD in Wilton Manors and Funky Buddha in Oakland Park are two of the locations featured in the #GreaterTogether video. It ends with We are all human. We are all one. We are all welcome.

The GFLCVB calls it an unprecedented campaign.

In Broward County, we are making sure that we let the traveling public understand that we are a welcoming destination to all people across the world regardless of the color of their skin, whom they choose to love, or what religion they believe in. We want to make sure that our message gets through despite the negative clutter they see on their nightly news, every day, said Stacy Ritter, President/CEO of the GFLCVB, in a press release.

Best Local LGBT Outreach

JM Lexus

5350 W. Sample Road

Margate

JMlexus.com

954-972-2200

In naming JM Family Enterprises one of the 50 best places to work, Great Place to Work highlighted the companys diversity, which included written policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. LGBT employees who are parents are also given parental leave.

But JM Lexus, which is under Family Enterprises, its parent company, also values its LGBT customers and the LGBT community in South Florida.

JM Lexus has participated in local LGBT events, including placing one of its vehicles in the parade of the Stonewall Street Festival in Wilton Manors. Writing on the car read Its A Pride Thing. More recently, JM Lexus was the presenting sponsor for the art-centric ARTOPIA.

Held at the Galleria Mall on Nov. 2 and organized by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerces Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange, ARTOPIA is an LGBT fundraiser for the arts. There was art, music, film, and fashion, all in service of raising money for the Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida, The Stonewall National Museum & Archives, Island City Stage and OUTshine Film Festival.

Best Small Business Campaign

Oakland Park Dental

3047 N. Federal Hwy.

Fort Lauderdale

OaklandParkDental.com

954-719-0305

Dr. Howard Cunningham was recently asked, When are you going to bring back the ads with the hot guys? He said those ads are par for the course at Oakland Park Dental. Weve always tried to do things that were a little fun, and a little edgy.

Its an outward sign of the LGBT-friendly nature of Cunninghams practice, which he bought in 1999. When he bought it, he says it was a very traditional, very old Fort Lauderdale practice.

Cunningham, who is gay, said he encountered patients who still had not come out to their doctors. I had patients who were gay who didnt want to admit it within the office because they didnt want to be treated differently.

But now, he says its a place where gay and straight patients feel equally at ease and comfortable. So am I, he said to LGBT patients who come out.

That environment, he says, also extends to patients with HIV/AIDS.

There were a lot of people not being treated kindly or well because of their HIV status. With us, they knew they could be honest and no one was going to treat them badly. No one was ever going to judge them.

Best Non-Profit Campaign

Poverello

2056 N Dixie Hwy.

Wilton Manors

Poverello.org

954-561-3663

Getting people to understand the link between Poverellos food pantry and thrift shop is the key to getting them to donate, said Poverello CEO Thomas Pietrogallo.

People dont realize that when they donate something we sell it and convert it to cash, Pietrogallo said. That cash is used to fund the food pantry, which serves both LGBT and non-LGBT individuals in need. People can see what theyre donating to, he said, when they park in the back of Poverello to buy something from the thrift store and see clients walking out of the food pantry with groceries.

Around 50 percent of our clients arent LGBT. Some LGBT organizations exist to serve the LGBT community. We exist to serve our community, the whole community. Its really a gift from the LGBT community to the straight community, Pietrogallo said.

The money raised also funds Poverellos other programs, including the Live Well Center.

Poverello provides a gym, cooking classes, massages, acupuncture, haircuts, anger management, help to those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer, and more. Live well, eat well, and be well, Pietrogallo said. We try to help people live well.
Here are SFGN's "Best of 2017" winners in the places category in Broward County.

Best Beach

Sebastian Beach

Intersection of A1A and Sebastian Street

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Parking: City of Fort Lauderdale Sebastian Lot

3031 Sebastian Street; $2.50 2 hours

MyFortLauderdaleBeach.com

What can be said about Fort Lauderdales Sebastian Street Beach that hasnt been said before? Like the City of Wilton Manors (see Best City to Live), Sebastian Beach has won its category every year since 2011, when SFGN began its annual Best of issues.

And while Wilton Manors now faces some competition from the likes of Oakland Park and Palm-Aire in Pompano Beach, Sebastian is still the only gay beach in Broward County.

At Sebastian, women and children are scarce and male bathing suits are noticeably shorter than elsewhere on the Beach. Aficionados of the male form will find all ages, races and body shapes represented on Sebastian Beach.

In addition to its eye-candy appeal, Sebastian Beach is conveniently close to many of our LGBT guesthouses and resorts, which only serves to draw tourists from all over the world. We can only agree with Out Traveler, which in 2014 named Sebastian Beach the Hottest U.S. Gay Beach.

 JM

Best City to Live

Wilton Manors

www.wiltonmanors.com

When Wilton Manors chose its tagline Lifes Just Better Here in 2015, the city had already been named Best City to Live five times. Since the tagline was chosen, the city has won Best City to Live twice more, including this year.

I want to be braggadocios, said Commissioner Tom Green at the time the tagline was approved.

Theres no shortage of residents who say theres plenty to brag about.

Josue Diaz recently celebrated his fourth year living in this Gayborhood and says hes glad he moved here. I must say, Ive had an amazing time here. Its a community. I have built new friendships and strengthened others. I have been able to build a life I love to live here.

Bill Woeppel has lived here with his partner, Kevin Knorr, since 2006 and said he certainly would agree with the city winning the award.

It's an easy place to live in without a lot of the bothers of living in some of the other cities in South Florida. It is rated as walkable as some of the big Northeastern cities, and we have the benefits of being in Florida and having this climate.

 MDO

Best Museum/Best Art Gallery

Stonewall National Museum & Archives

2157 Wilton Drive

Wilton Manors

Stonewall-Museum.org

954-530-9337

That the Stonewall National Museum & Archives was chosen by SFGN to be the Best Museum in Broward County is no surprise. No other local Museum does as good of a job as this one to promote understanding through preserving and sharing the proud culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their significant role in American society.

But Stonewall was also chosen the Best Art Gallery, which is often defined as a small business that sells the art that it exhibits, unlike a Museum. If Stonewall is a Museum  and not a business - can it be an Art Gallery?

Chris Rudisill, Stonewalls Executive Director, does not see a contradiction here: This question often comes up when defining our space in Wilton Manors. The museum believes artists tell a unique story through their art, and many of our exhibitions feature contemporary artists who are documenting LGBTQ lives, their personal experiences, and history through a variety of medium. While we dont sell artwork through the museum, we celebrate artists through our Mona Pittenger Gallery at the Stonewall National Museum in Wilton Manors and thank the community for recognizing us as a cultural destination.

Meanwhile, the Stonewall Museum and Art Gallery continues to strengthen our collection and examine LGBTQ history and culture through an exciting season of exhibitions in the coming year. A few to mention include Mascara, Myth & Mayhem: Independence Day on Fire Island; the Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals in partnership with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum; and Nightbirds: A Retrospective of Michael Fazakerlys photography.

There is enough going on to make any museum proud. Or any art gallery.

 JM
Astronaut Joe Acaba works on U.S. spacesuit gear inside the Quest airlock. Credit: NASA. NASA

The Expedition 53 crew explored ways to protect astronauts from space radiation as well as dust particles floating inside a spacecraft. The residents of the International Space Station also worked on cosmic ray gear, a U.S. spacesuit and audio equipment.

European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli tested a personal radiation shielding garment today. Water, used for its shielding properties, is placed in garment containers that cover organs that are especially sensitive to cosmic radiation.

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei studied how gases and dust in the stations atmosphere impact breathing aboard a spacecraft. He set up ultra-sensitive monitors that analyze exhaled air to detect crew health impacts. Results will help doctors and engineers improve conditions for future astronauts traveling longer and farther into space.

NASA astronaut Joe Acaba worked on a U.S. spacesuits water system before changing out a hard drive and installing new software on a support laptop for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer cosmic ray detector. Commander Randy Bresnik replaced faulty electronics gear inside the Harmony module restoring power to an internal audio speaker unit.

On-Orbit Status Report

Personal Radiation Shielding for Interplanetary Missions (PERSEO): Today the crew performed an initial checkout of a radiation shielding garment for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) PERSEO Project. They filled the garment with water, donned the garment, and later doffed the garment before draining the water. PERSEO evaluates the efficacy of a personal radiation protection system, easily wearable by the astronaut and aimed at risk reduction for exposure to cosmic radiation, particularly in case of solar particle events. The garment has containers that are positioned to shield the more radiosensitive organs. Water is used because of its shielding properties and its ready availability on the ISS. The radiation protection strategy will be tested with dedicated measurements of shielding efficacy.

Airway Monitoring: The crew set up the Airway Monitoring system in the US Laboratory module today and powered on the Enhancement Unit and the Portable Pulmonary Function System (PFS) for a software upgrade from the ground. With dust particles present in the ISS atmosphere, Airway Monitoring studies the occurrence and indicators of airway inflammation in crewmembers, using ultra-sensitive gas analyzers to analyze exhaled air. This will help to identify health impacts and support maintenance of crewmember well-being on future human spaceflight missions, such as to the Moon and Mars, where crewmembers will have to be more self-sufficient in identifying and avoiding such conditions.

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS)-02: On Sunday the AMS-02 laptop hard drive failed. Today the crew changed out the drive and installed software on the new hard drive. AMS-02 has collected and analyzed billions of cosmic ray events, and identified millions of these as electrons or positrons (anti-matter). The number of high energy positons increases steadily rather than decaying, which is different than projections from theoretical models and indicates a yet to be identified source of positrons. Researchers have also observed a plateau in the positron growth curve and need additional data to determine why. Results suggest that high-energy positrons and cosmic ray electrons may come from different and mysterious sources. Solving the origin of cosmic rays and antimatter increases understanding of our galaxy.

Story Time From Space: A crewmember participated in the Story Time from Space project by reading I Wonder Why Stars Twinkle today while being videotaped. The recording will be downlinked and used for educational purposes. Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the ISS. Crew members read science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related childrens books on orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials.

Remote Power Controller Module (RPCM) N21B4A-B R&R: This morning, the crew replaced RPCM N21B4A_B via a Hot Demate/Mate (HDMM). No powerdowns were required during this operation. A new RPCM was installed and successfully established communication with the MDM. Downstream loads have been successfully powered on. This R&R has recovered the Node2 ATU1.

EVA Mobility Unit (EMU) Maintenance: Today the crew performed EMU maintenance, replacing the water line vent tube assembly on EMU 3003 and refilling water tanks.

Node 2 Overhead InterModule Ventilation (IMV) Reconfiguration: The crew reconfigured the N2 Overhead IMV by replacing ductwork and installing a new high speed fan. This will provide airflow to Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 (PMA-3).

Todays Planned Activities

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry  Subject

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Social Media Event

Setup N1 camcorder to downlink view

?????????-2. ?????????? ??????? ?? ???-? ? ?????????? ?? ???. ?? 1 ? ??? ????????

Sensor Changeout

ARIS Hardware Consolidate

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Hard Upper Torso (HUT) Water Line Vent Tube Assembly (WLVTA) Remove and Replace

On MCC Go, Regeneration of Micropurification Unit (???) ?1 Cartridge (start)

AIRMON Setup and Power On

Photography of the ??-2 treadmill belt edge and screen form of Belt tab

PROBOY. Connecting cable 17??.600? 8260?47-10

??? maintenance

PROBOY. Acoustic Signal Converter Unit (????) activation and Software Update.

CONSTANTA-2. Preparation and Execution 6. Tagup with specialists

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Water Recharge

ESA Nutritional Assessment EveryWear Application Conference

Rotate Rack Down at NOD2S4 Location Down for RPCM R&R Access

Node 2 RPCM (Remote Power Control Module) R&R at NOD2S4 Location

Return N1 camcorder to its nominal location

Rotate Rack Back Up at NOD2S4 Location after RPCM R&R

MELFI 3 Ice Brick Insert 3

Earth Imagery from ISS Crew Preference Target Operations

Cleanup Operations from Node 2 Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) Operations

PROBOY. RS?1 Laptop Ops

PROBOY. Penetration Simulator Ops

Node 2 IMV (Intermodule Ventilation) Diffuser Photos at NOD2OP3 and NOD2OP4 locations

Robotic Workstation (RWS) Setup

AIRMON Power Off

Robotic Workstation (RWS) High Definition (HD) Monitor Downlink

PROBOY. Copy and Downlink Data

On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Self study Session

PROFILAKTIKA-2. ???-01-? Health Check. Tagup with specialists

AMS Hard Drive Changeout

AMS Software Load

Laptops RS2, RS3 Inspection and Cleaning

Node 2 Forward Endcone Stowage Relocation

On-Orbit Hearing Assessment (O-OHA) with EarQ Software Setup and Test

Radiation Shield Garment Prep and Fill

Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Reconfiguration at Node 2 Overhead Location

On MCC Go RS1 Laptop Inspection and Cleaning. Tagup with specialists as necessary

Story Time Book I Wonder Why Stars Twinkle Read

Robotic Workstation (RWS) High Definition (HD) Monitor Deactivation

Water Recovery and Management Condensate Pump Gather

Radiation Shield Garment Drain and Stow

VIZIR. Experiment Ops

URAGAN. Observation and Photography using VSS

Node 2 Camcorder deactivation.

Crew Discretionary Event

Regenegation of Micropurification unit (???) ?1 cartridge (finish)

Completed Task List Activities

EVA Tool Stow

EVA Wipe Audit

EVA Zip Tie Audit

ECG Device relocation

PMM Rack Front Cleanup  Part 2

Polar Desiccant Swap

VEG-03 Plant Pillow Water

VEG-03 Plant Pillow Water

Ground Activities

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Standard commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Wednesday, 11/08: Airlock RPCM R&R, Airway Monitoring

Thursday, 11/09: Lab CDRA Maintenance, IWIS TAA R&R, ITCS FSS Refill

Friday, 11/10: Cygnus OBT, Stowage Consolidation, Earth Imagery, CBCS Install, HRF Operations

QUICK ISS Status  Environmental Control Group:

Component  Status

Elektron  On

Vozdukh  Manual

[???] 1  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV1)  On

[???] 2  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV2)  Off

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab  Standby

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3  Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab  Idle

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3  Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)  Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)  Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab  Full Up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3  Off
When he was a young child, John Como, Jr. would sit on his fathers shoulders to see over the crowd and share in the excitement of watching horses battle down the stretch. As an adult, Como has enjoyed the exhilaration of seeing his own horses, such as stakes winner Bolt The Duer, charge to victory.

Now he hopes the future will be filled with more trips to the sports big dances with Astaire.

Como bought Astaire, a New York-eligible pacing colt by American Ideal out of the stakes-winning mare Dancinwiththestarz, for $115,000 during Wednesdays session of the Standardbred Horse Sale at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. It was the third and final yearling session at the sale, which will begin its two-day mixed sale on Thursday.

Astaire was Wednesdays second-highest priced horse, following only trotting filly Amanda Blue Chip, who sold for $130,000 to Ken Jacobs.

We liked his look and I like American Ideal, said Como, who competes under the name All Star Racing. And we wanted a New York-bred. We tried for a few others and didnt get them, so I got lucky and got (Astaire) today.

Hes a really nice-looking colt, well built. And (consignor) Concord Stud does a great job with their yearlings. Im real happy to get him.

Amanda Blue Chip and Astaire were the only horses to bring six figures on Wednesday, but 10 others sold for at least $70,000, which helped produce a near-record yearling average for the sale. The three days averaged $39,675 for 851 horses, a 2.64 per cent increase over last years $38,652 for 867 horses. The top average came in 2007, when 1,048 yearlings sold for an average of $40,824.

Trotting colts (196 sold) led the average, at $42,069. They were followed by pacing colts (251) at $41,984, trotting fillies (186) at $38,546 and pacing fillies (216) at $35,938.

This years gross of $33.76 million surpassed last years $33.51 million.

We certainly made a great recovery from a somewhat slow Monday, Standardbred Horse Sales Company President and CEO President Pete Spears said, referring to a 4.28 per cent dip in the first days average compared to 2016.

Were very pleased with the results. I think the entire day today was very strong. Most Wednesdays have some fairly significant lulls in the action, but I think it was quite strong throughout the day. If anything, it seemed to pick up as the day went on.

Now, of course, were hoping for an equally strong mixed sale. The momentum should carry through. If everything is dictated by supply and demand, not only are yearlings in relative short supply, but broodmares and broodmare prospects are in fairly short supply too. I would hope the very attractive broodmares and broodmare prospects offered (Thursday) and Friday will be in big demand.

Como knew he would have to pay a price for a potential stakes-calibre yearling. He hopes Astaire, who will be trained by Pete Foley, can find his way to success.

Quality was going for good money; it really was, Como said. My father started this business in 69, and one thing he told me all along was that you have to buy top breeding and quality if you want to have a chance in stakes races. I had a taste with Bolt The Duer, and once you have that taste, you want to get it back again.

Como and his father, who passed away in 2013, saw Bolt The Duer win the 2012 Adios and several years earlier also enjoyed stakes victories with female pacer Shanghai Lil.

I love the horse business, said Como, who has 15 horses. Ill always have horses. I basically grew up with it and its always a thrill to have a good one. You always have something to shoot for. Ive been lucky. Ive always had a few horses that can compete at the higher levels. Thats what makes it fun.

Jacobs Amanda Blue Chip is a daughter of Chapter Seven out of the mare Cantata. Her family includes stakes winners Creamy Mimi, Pizza Dolce (a Dan Patch Award winner) and Mars Bar.

Two horses brought $85,000 on Wednesday: colt pacer Woodside Cody, purchased by Linda Toscano, and filly pacer Highmoon Sunshine, purchased by Paul Reid, as agent.

Woodside Cody is a son of American Ideal out of the mare Filly Buster. His second dam is multiple Dan Patch Award winner Loyal Opposition. Highmoon Sunshine is a daughter of Sunshine Beach out of the mare Ozone. Her family includes stakes winners Wind Me Up and Northern Sky.

A total of 170 Ontario-sired yearlings sold for an average $32,703 over the past three days. Progeny of trotting stallions E L Titan and Kadabra commanded average prices of $62,500 and $50,538 respectively. Bettors Delight yearlings averaged $39,510, Sunshine Beach offspring averaged $36,066, and Mach Three rounded out the top five top-yielding Ontario sires at an average purchase price of $30,385.

This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.

Important Links:
After having bore the winter months with his horses for the last 40 years, Richard Remillard is enjoying his new setup south of the border.

Remillard has made his first trip to Cal Expo from Canada this season with 11 performers in tow, and he relates hes having a great time.

Everybody here has been treating us great, he has told Cal Expos publicity arm. Its nice to get away from the cold and I cant remember the last time Ive enjoyed the driving and training so much.

The 62-year-old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has always been around horses. He fell in love with the trotters and pacers when he was introduced to harness racing by his brother-in-law as a teenager.

Remillard has spent most of the last 40 years dividing his time between his day job  as a meat cutter and market manager  and driving and training horses, all while maintaining a ranch in Winnipeg.

It was only about two years ago that I decided to concentrate solely on the horses, he explained. My partner, Val, recently retired, and after taking to Quentin Schneider, we decided to come down and give California a try before we get too old.

When asked about his all-time favourite performers, Remillard mentioned Incognito Chris, Elkinin and Baylor Out, the latter being one of the pacers who made the trip down with him for this Cal Expo invasion.

(With files from Cal Expo)
It's Election season and our editor's mailbox is overflowing. Who do your neighbors support? Read about it here.
Tubby earns Eagle Scout

Ethan Walter Tubby, the grandson of Mel and Marge Ofstun of Longview recently received his Eagle Scout rank with bronze and gold palms.

He also earned 31 merit badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood.

A member of Troop 728, the Court of Honor was held at Oak Hills Church in Beaverton on Nov. 4.

The scout is the son of Ronald and the late Annie (Ofstun) Tubby of Portland.

Kelso grad enrolls at Knox College

Kelso High School graduate Kaitlyn Haase has enrolled for the first term at Knox College in Galesburgh, Illinois.

Hallett earns Eagle award

Brett Charles Stockton Hallett was awarded his Eagle Scout Award on Oct. 7 at the Kelso United Methodist Presbyterian Church, which sponsors his troop, No. 695.

With that honor, he is a third-generation Eagle Scout in his family.

Brett earned his rank of Eagle shortly after graduating from Kelso High School in June 2017. For his Eagle project, Brett performed and organized work at the Oregon Primate Center. Part of that work involved building a jungle gym-type apparatus inside one of the large monkey cages.

Brett also received a Silver Palm at his Eagle Court, which represents the 15 merit badges he earned beyond the 21 badges required for the Eagle Scout Award. He finished his Scouting trail with 39 merit badges, but he many other unfinished badges were close to completion.

During his journey to earning his Eagle, Brett had many scout adult leaders, according to information his father, Richard Hallett, submitted to The Daily News. They included Elton Doc Strange, who was his first Cub Scout master and then Scout Master; former Scout Master Dr. Michael Grubbs; Dr. Chris Shaw; and the bishop in his church, John Mansfield.

Brett is the son of Richard and Cindy Hallett.

Sudar receives doctorate degree

Sam Sudar received a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) degree in computer science from the University of Washington in August.

His thesis was on building technology for the developing world.

Sudar is a 2009 graduate of the U of W with a bachelor degrees in English, philosophy and neurobiology. He was a Gates Cambridge Scholar at the University of Cambridge in England where he earned a master of science degree in neurobiology in 2011. Sudar returned to the UW in 2011 to study computer science.

The 2004 graduate of Mark Morris High School is the son of Robert and Lisa Sudar of Longview.

Fullmer is an award winner

Kirk Fullmer of Educational Maps and Globes, who has over the years sponsored Rainier Revisited hosted by members of the Rainier Junior/Senior High School History Club, won the Friend of Social Studies award at the recent Oregon Council for the Social Studies Conference.

KSCA welcomes new members

Three Kelso residents recently joined the Kelso Senior Center Association. They are Donald Chris Bornstedt, Randy Forrest and Jo M. Frazier.

The KSCA annual membership fee is $12, payable by cash, check or debit/credit card at the front desk of the center, 108 N.W. Eighth Ave., Longview.

Woman attends award ceremony

Carol Amundsen-Lane recently attended a medalists luncheon and award ceremony in Portland honoring Medalists, people who have lived with Type 1 diabetes or juvenile onset diabetes for 50 years or more. Amundsen-Lane has had diabetes for 56 years.

The event is sponsored by the Joslin Diabetes Center, the American Diabetes Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington and the Oregon Health Science University Harold Schnitzer Endocrinology and Diabetes Health Center.

The Medalist program, founded a few years ago, was named by the Joslin Diabetes Center.

 The Daily News
RAINIER  Rainiers sewage treatment plant has violated seven state environmental laws over the past few years, according to a report the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality sent to the city last week.

Among the most serious allegations are that the city falsified monthly reports about sewer plant operations to the DEQ and that city discharged raw sewage into the Columbia River and did not report those episodes to the state.

The state is giving the city until Nov. 30 to answer the allegations, and the state will issue a final enforcement notice afterward.

It was not immediately clear Wednesday what penalties the city may face, but possibilities are fines and orders to improve the plant operation.

Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole and City Manager Debra Dudley released the DEQ report at a press conference Wednesday. They said theyve been aware of troubles at the plant since May, when a Daily News report based on documents and interviews with former employees highlighted mismanagement and performance troubles at the plant.

Cole said Wednesday he was shocked by the May allegations, but he vowed that the city will looked into them.

Heres the thing about any allegation, I dont care what it is: All allegations are taken seriously by myself, by staff, by council, Cole said.

The city already has taken some steps to solve the problems, he and Dudley said.

DEQs Nov. 6 letter to the city makes these allegations, based on a review of city documents requested for sewer plant operations for a three-year period between August 2014 and August 2017.

The city fabricated reports for the plants operations. DEQ noted that data were identical in April and June 2013; Sept. 1-24 in 2012 and 2013; February and March 2014; and June and July 2014. The probability that legitimate monitoring would produce identical data to the degree reported  is extremely low, DEQ noted.

The city failed to maintain required records, as there are significant data gaps for the period from August 2014 to August 2017.

The city discharged raw sewage into the Columbia River 36 times in 2016 and 2017. Most were not reported to the state, as required by law.

The telephone line used to alert operators of problems did not work before Feb. 18, 2016; and a control system that would have detected the sewage overflow system was not monitored until November 2016.

The city failed to monitor turbidity levels in treated wastewater before January 2016.

An RV dump station and a hauled waste (septic tank waste) receiving station were added at the plant without DEQ approval. All modifications to a sewer plant must be state reviewed and approved.

The plan exceeded its limits on total suspended solids released to the river by double the allowed rate during the week of July 23-29 this year.

Six of these seven violations were ruled as Class I violations, which are the most serious.

Cole and Dudley said the city in May hired Sue Lawrence, an independent consultant, to review sewer operations. Her June report found problems such as solids found on walls of the plant, grass and other plants found growing in the effluent launders and incomplete record keeping.

Lawrences reports did not document any cases of discharging untreated wastewater, nor did she find any evidence that ultraviolet lights used to disinfect sewage were off for a two-year period, as the former operators had alleged.

Dudley and Cole said the city is cooperating with DEQ and giving the agency all the data it has requested.

If there was something wrong (done) by our employees, we wanted them to know. We were totally cooperative with DEQ, Cole said.

However, they pushed back at DEQs allegation that records have been falsified. Its possible for monitoring data from two different time periods to be identical, they said. In addition, they noted that one of the periods in question dates from 2013 and early 2014, which is beyond a three-year statute of limitations.

We were somewhat surprised to see that in the report, because its not in the period that they asked for records, Dudley said.

By Jan. 15, DEQ wants Rainier to make sure the sewer plants monitoring system is fully operational. It also wants the city to submit plans for the already-built hauled waste receiving station and RV dump station.

Dudley and Cole said the first was already addressed a couple months ago with the help of Sue Lawrence.

Dudley and Cole said they have hired Lawrence to do an unbiased, independent study of DEQs allegations to see if they are legitimate.

There appears to be some supposition in DEQs report, Dudley said. We deal in facts, so well be reviewing that information to see if we can ascertain what is the fact of the matter, not what their guess is.

Dudley and Cole said theyre trying to clean it up and keep it clean. Cole said the city hired an inspector from Clackamas Countys South Fork Water Board to perform a surprise review on the water plant in early October. The mayor said the inspector was pleased with what he saw.

Dudley added that the city plans on having an independent consultant inspect the water and sewer plants every year or every other year, just to prevent another disaster like this year.

Were not ever going to take a chance that something like this happens again, Dudley said.
Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her Cabinet post over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians while on a holiday in the Jewish country.



Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed through the proper procedure.



The 45-year-old minister resigned late last night after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May.



In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".



It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.



[...] A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).



She must have hoped that the storm around her undisclosed meetings in Israel would die down after a formal apology before she flew out to Africa for an official tour of Uganda and Ethiopia yesterday.

In addition to her unauthorized meetings with Israeli government officials over which she resigned yesterday, former British Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel also visited the Golan Heights during her trip to Israel in August, Haaretz reported.



[...] On Tuesday, Downing Street officials confirmed that Patel had discussed during her meetings in Israel the possibility of granting British aid to IDF-run field hospitals in the Golan Heights providing humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.

As sadly expected, Patel paid the price for something honestly petty:The UK leftists - and even the pretentious rightists - would not let it go, alas.Interestingly, Patel, if it wasn't clearly reported before, visited the Golan Heights Even that wasn't enough for the British left, nor her own Tory colleagues.

Labels: Israel, Knesset, londonistan, Moonbattery, political corruption
Bir Protik Habibur grilled at RAB office

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Thursday interrogated freedom fighter Bir Protik Habibur Rahman here about a global extortion racket.

Commanding officer of Rab-1 Lt Col Sarowar Bin Kashem said they asked Habibur to pay a visit to the Rab battalion office in the afternoon as they found his telephonic connection with the racket.

A victim earlier filed a complaint with the elite force that an international extortion gang, "Kalu Bahini", comprising mostly of Cameroon citizens conned him out of Tk 2.5 crore, said the Rab officer.

At one stage of investigation into the complaint, Rab found that Habibur had telephonic conversations with the racket, he added.

During interrogation, the gallantry award winning freedom fighter told the elite force that the racket also embezzled $ 11,000 from him, Sarowar said, adding that but he did not file any complaint in this regard.

"Habibur's statement seemed to be confusing. Further details will be disclosed later as we're now probing the matter," he added.
Indigenous Comic Con is returning for year two, bringing all things Indigenerd to Albuquerque Nov. 10 through 12 at Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE). The expansive weekend-long festival features everything you'd expect of a comic concelebrities, cosplay, panels, vendors and moviesbut this one also has robots, puppetry, a maker space and so much more! Indigenous Comic Con, which celebrates the expansiveness of Indigenous comic culture, is bringing to Albuquerque the likes of Eugene Braverock best known for his role in 2017's Wonder Woman, the actresses/ models/ gamers/ entrepreneurs The Baker Twins and a myriad of local and regional artists, like Jason Garcia, creator of Tewa Tales of Suspense!, who hails from Santa Clara Pueblo.

Looking to his upcoming appearance at the second annual Indigenous Comic Con, where he will display work and deliver a talk on Pride and Power: Reimagining Indigenous Identity, Garcia took some time out of his preparations to answer some questions about his history, inspirations and work.

Alibi: Tell me about your first introduction to the arts and the arts your family practiced?

Garcia: I come from a family of artistspotters, painters, jewelers and various crafts people. I grew up in a very immersive, creative artistic environment. My parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles all work with pottery in some way. I grew up by attending various gallery shows and exhibitions that my parents were involved in and in a sense, didnt know anything else.

What was your first introduction to comic books?

Through my older brother. I learned a lot from him, [he] exposed me to different types of music, movies and comic books. While my parents were participating in gallery shows ... we would research comic book stores in different cities and visit them. Also the local barber shop was next door to a grocery store and we would often stay for an hour after our haircuts and read comics and buy some with the leftover change. I've always been immersed in popular culture and have interests in movies and collecting comics and action figures.

What appeals to you about the medium?

I've always loved the graphic format of comic books and the stories that they tell [and] the ability to take you to different worlds and universes.

When did you develop of the idea for Tewa Tales of Suspense!?

I began developing the idea for Tewa Tales of Suspense! around 2005, when I was visiting multiple sites related to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, plus I knew that I wanted to document and research this important story/historical event related to my own Tewa culture. Plus, also creating a way to visually tell this story and make it easier for a younger audience [was important to me]. Children, including my own, that have learned their history and choices made by their ancestors that have allowed us to maintain, sustain and keep our Tewa and Pueblo cultural identities intact despite 500+ years of contact.

The first clay tile piece was created in 2007 and since then I've created multiple pieces in the series using different mediums. Traditional clay tiles mimic the size of comic books. I've also created pottery that tells stories in a circular manner. The exhibition Tewa Tales of Suspense! is currently at the Poeh Museum in Pojoaque Pueblo and runs until January 2018 and is a seven serigraph print suite illustrating the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. This work was part of my MFA in printmaking work at the University of Wisconsin.

How do you translate Native culture and stories into imagery like this?

The majority of the work comes from personal research which includes reading various historical documents, books and other writings regarding the Pueblo historical events. I also speak with Pueblo elders and people to gain the Native/Puebloan perspective, I visit ancestral sites and places to see on the ground the area where this history took place, along with researching museum collections to see artifacts associated with the event.

What is your highest hope for readers and viewers of your work?

That younger Native audience members become interested in their own tribal histories, family lineages, and culture and want to investigate and share their own stories with the world.

What excites you about Indigenous Comic Con?

That there are more and more Indigenous/Native people/ artists/ creators/ writers that are expressing themselves with the comic and graphic novel format. Plus, that there will be other artists that I personally know and others that I do not know personally, but I enjoy and am inspired by their work.

What will you discuss in your talk at Indigenous Comic Con?

I will be discussing and explaining my background, influences, creation of the work in all types of media and my exhibition [at the Poeh Museum].
Trump sees `solution` to NKorea crisis in talks with Xi Jinping

China\'s President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Donald Trump attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.

AFP, Beijing :

US President Donald Trump said he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping believe the North Korean crisis can be solved as the two men held talks in Beijing on Thursday.

Trump made his remarks as the two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for talks focused on North Korea's nuclear threats and China's huge trade surplus with the United States.

"Our meeting this morning... was excellent in discussing North Korea and I do believe there's a solution to that, as you do," Trump said as he sat across from Xi.

He did not elaborate but Trump is likely to press Xi to further restrict trade between China and North Korea, whose economic well-being depends on its commerce with the world's second largest economy.

Xi, who has repeatedly urged the United States and North Korea to hold negotiations to resolve the crisis peacefully, told Trump that their nations should "strengthen communication and coordination in major international and regional issues including the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan".

On trade, Trump said previous US administrations had let the trade imbalance get "out of kilter".

"We will make it fair and it will be tremendous for both of us," Trump said. The US leader heaped more praise on Xi, whom he first met at his Florida resort in April.

"My feeling toward you is an incredible warm one. As we said there's great chemistry and I think we're going to do tremendous things for both China and the United States."

Xi, who spoke first, told Trump: "For China and the United States, cooperation is the only correct choice and only a win-win (situation) can lead to a better future."

"At present, the Sino-US relations are at a new historical starting point. China is willing to work with the United States to respect each other, offer mutual benefits, focus on cooperation, manage and control differences."

Meanwhile, three US aircraft carriers will stage joint drills in the western Pacific for the first time in a decade, the US Navy said Thursday, as tensions in the region over North Korea reach fever pitch.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt will conduct "coordinated operations in international waters", the navy said, as US President Donald Trump's high-stakes trip through Asia takes him to China.

The operation shows Washington's "ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region," said Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, in a statement.

On Wednesday, Trump warned North Korea not to "try" the United States but appeared to moderate his bellicose tone somewhat, offering Pyongyang's young leader Kim Jong-Un a "path to a better future."

The president meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for talks dominated by the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programme.

Beijing and Washington have also been at odds over Chinese naval operations in the South China Sea.


UN spl envoy in BD to assess trends of sexual violence against Rohingyas

United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten is now visiting Bangladesh to better understand the patterns and trends of the sexual violence related to the conflict in Myanmar. The Special Representative has already visited several field locations, including the Bangladesh-Myanmar border itself.

She will meet relevant Bangladeshi authorities in Dhaka and Cox's Bazar, including the security services, to discuss strengthened collaboration and coordination with the UN to respond to sexual and gender based violence, as well as potential protection concerns arising from the unprecedented influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.

The scope of this mission is to bring greater and more focused attention on the patterns and trends of sexual violence in the affected communities; and to foster a coordinated and enhanced response in terms of services to survivors as well as fact-finding and documentation of violations, said an official on Thursday.

Ultimately, the aim of the Special Representative is to carry the voices of Rohingya women and children to the Bangladesh authorities, the United Nations Security Council and the international community.

She will also meet media before concluding her Dhaka visit. The mandate of the Special Representative is focused on protection and prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, with particular emphasis on fostering accountability for such crimes as a critical aspect of deterrence. The mandate stresses a 'survivor cantered approach' in every aspect of work, and encourages national ownership and responsibility in addressing sexual violence.
Catalan secessionist parties fail to agree on unity ticket for December vote

Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont (2nd L) and former cabinet members Antoni Comin (L), Clara Ponsati Meritxell Serret (2nd R) and Luis Puig Gordi stand during a meeting with Catalan mayors in Brussels.

Reuters, Madrid ;

Catalan secessionist parties on Tuesday failed to agree on a united ticket to contest a December snap regional election, making it more difficult to rule the region after the vote and press ahead with their collective bid to split from Spain.

Catalonia's secessionist push has plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in four decades, triggered a business exodus, forced Madrid to cut its economic forecast and reopened old wounds from Spain's civil war in the 1930s.

Pro-independence groups have called for a general strike in the restive region on Wednesday.

Catalan political parties had until midnight on Tuesday to register coalitions ahead of the Dec. 21 vote, but the two main forces which formed an alliance to rule the region for the last two years did not manage to agree on a new pact in time.

While they could still find an agreement after the vote, political analysts say the lack of a deal on a joint campaign may also trigger a leadership fight at the top of the movement.

This is because center-right PdeCat (Catalan Democratic Party) of sacked Catalan president Carles Puigdemont is expected to be overtaken by leftist Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) of former regional vice president Oriol Junqueras.

Puigdemont and Junqueras are the two main leaders behind the current secession bid that last month led to a unilateral declaration of independence which Spain thwarted by imposing direct rule on the region.

Junqueras is currently in custody pending a potential trial on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds. Puigdemont, who faces the same charges, is currently in self-imposed exile in Belgium and has said he would oppose extradition.

An opinion poll released on Sunday by Barcelona-based newspaper La Vanguardia showed Junqueras' ERC could garner between 45 and 46 seats in the 135-strong regional assembly while Puigdemont's PdeCat would win between 14 and 15 seats.

In order to reach the 68-seat threshold for a majority, they would then have to form a parliamentary alliance with anti-capitalist CUP, which is expected to get seven or eight seats.


Palestinians resume security ties with Israel

Reuters, Ramallah :

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's administration said on Wednesday it had resumed security coordination with Israel in the occupied West Bank, frozen in July, and sought sole security control of the Gaza Strip, where Hamas Islamist forces dominate.

The remarks, by the Palestinian police chief, left open the question of how Abbas might bring his former rivals in Hamas to heel given their refusal to disarm as demanded by Israel and the United States.

An Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal last month formally restored Abbas's administrative control of Gaza after a 10-year schism with Hamas, though the details of implementation have yet to be worked out fully. Palestinians hope the pact will ease Gaza's economic woes and help present a united front in their drive for statehood.

The vision includes the West Bank, where Palestinian security forces have tried to tamp down violence, often sharing intelligence and cooperating across jurisdictions with Israel, despite a three-year impasse in diplomacy between the sides.
UK aid minister resigns over undisclosed meetings in Israel

London (Reuters) :

British aid minister Priti Patel resigned on Wednesday, saying her actions had fallen "below the high standards that are expected" of her position when she failed to disclose meetings with Israeli officials during a holiday.

After meeting Theresa May, the prime minister's office released Patel's resignation letter in which she apologized for causing "a distraction" from the work of government. May responded in a letter to say she believed Patel's decision was "right".
UN, aid groups warn of `starvation and death` in Yemen

A girl scavenges at a garbage dump in a street in Sanaa, Yemen. The United Nations and more than 20 aid groups said on Thursday that the Saudi-led coalition\'s tightening of a blockade on war-torn Yemen could bring millions of people closer to \"starvatio

AP, SANAA, Yemen :

The United Nations and more than 20 aid groups said Thursday that the Saudi-led coalition's tightening of a blockade on war-torn Yemen could bring millions of people closer to "starvation and death."

The announcement comes a day after the U.N.'s humanitarian chief warned that unless the coalition lifts its blockade the nation will face "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims."

About two-thirds of Yemen's population relies on imported supplies, said the aid groups, which include CARE, Save the Children and Islamic Relief. Over 20 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 7 million facing "famine-like" conditions, they said. Food supplies are expected to run out within six weeks while vaccines will last only a month.

They urged an "immediate opening" of all air and seaports.

"If I have to compare Yemen to a person, I would say that this person is very sick, this person is very weakened, and is being drip-fed, so if you want to keep the patient alive, we need to reactivate drip-feeding as soon as possible," International Committee of the Red Cross Regional Director for the Near and Middle East Robert Mardini told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The blockade has already led to a fuel crisis in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, where hundreds of cars lined the roads Wednesday after the Houthis ordered the closure of fuel stations. The rebels said they closed the stations after merchants refused to fix prices. The price of fuel has risen by 50 percent since the coalition tightened the blockade.

Mark Lowcock told reporters after briefing the U.N. Security Council behind closed doors Wednesday that there must be an immediate resumption of regular air flights to the cities of Aden and Sanaa by the U.N. and its humanitarian partners.

"What we need to see is a reduction of blockages on all sides, not an increase on them," he said.

The coalition closed all ports and halted humanitarian shipments after Yemen's Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile over the weekend that was intercepted near Riyadh. Saudi Arabia blamed the strike on Iran, which supports the Houthis but has denied arming them.

The U.S. has also accused Iran of supplying advanced weapons, including ballistic missiles, to the Houthis.

On Thursday, the Houthis rejected the U.S. allegations, saying they built the missile themselves and fired it in response to coalition bombings that have killed civilians and the ongoing blockade.

"Washington aids the forces of aggression, politically and militarily, and has pushed them into dangerous pitfalls," Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdul Salam said on the group's Al-Masirah TV channel.

AFP adds: - Yemen is facing a mass famine that will affect millions of lives unless the Saudi-led coalition ends its blockade and allows aid deliveries into the country, the UN aid chief warned Wednesday.
HC rules on legality of shutting Lakehead School

Staff Reporter :

The High Court (HC) on Thursday issued a rule asking the government to explain why suspension of academic activities of three branches of Lakehead Grammar School in Dhaka on charges of patronizing religious extremism and militancy would not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Hosain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order after hearing three writ petitions challenging the legality of the government's decision.

Respondents, including Education Secretary, have to comply with this rule. The court fixed November 12 to hold hearing on the rule.

During hearing the HC said, "Why the Education Ministry shuts school and college? They will make complain to the Home Ministry. More than one thousand and 100 students study there. What will be happen to their future? Why they shut a school suddenly?" Former Attorney General A F Hasan Ariff and Barrister Akhter Imam took part in the hearing in favour of the school while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam stood for the State.

AF Hasan Ariff told the journalists that the HC issued the rules on the grounds that the government stopped functioning of the school branches without issuing any prior notice to the authorities concerned of the institution.

The government can take action against any person of the school if he or she is involved any criminal activities, but, the educational activities of its students cannot be stopped, he said.

The district administration of Dhaka on November 7 sealed three branches of Lakehead Grammar School, shutting all its activities for alleged links to extremism and militancy.

On November 6, 2017, Education Ministry directed Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka through a notification to stop all education activities of Lakehead Grammar School -- one branch at Dhanmondi and two branches at Gulshan.

The school did not take permission of the government, read the notification. It was also said in the notification that the school was patronizing religious extremism and militancy.

Earlier, three writ petitions were filed with the High Court (HC) on Thursday challenging the legality of the government's decision to stop the functions of three branches of Lakehead Grammar School in Dhaka.

Proprietor of the school Khaled Hasan Matin and guardians of 12 students submitted the petitions praying to the High Court to stay the government decision.

In the petitions, they said, the educational activities of the school have been hampered due to the government decision and therefore the education of the students has become uncertain.

Lakehead Grammar School was established in 2006 at Dhanmondi. It has two branches in Gulshan.


Rohingya row to BD as Suu Kyi runs summit gauntlet

Cox'S Bazar/Yangon (Reuters) :

Blessed by calmer seas, several hundred more Rohingya Muslims on Thursday joined a multitude of refugees in Bangladesh, as calls grew for upcoming regional summits to exert more pressure on Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to stem the crisis.

Rohingya refugees sit on a makeshift boat as they wait permission from Border Guard Bangladesh to continue after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, at Shah Porir Dwip near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A Myanmar military operation has driven out more than 600,000 Rohingya since late August and the latest refugees to find sanctuary in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh say many thousands more are still trying to leave.

Ariful Islam, of Bangladesh's Border Guard, said about 200 people arrived on Thursday morning on the stretch of coast he commands at Teknaf, at the southern tip of Cox's Bazar district.

More than 200 Rohingya have drowned in the strong currents and high surf trying to reach Bangladesh from Buddhist-majority Myanmar over the past two months.

But the sea was fairly flat on Thursday morning as Abdus Sabir came ashore at Shamlapur along with a large group of Rohingya after a six-hour boat journey to complete an escape begun weeks ago.

"We fled because the military is still burning our houses," Abdus, who had abandoned his home in the Rathedaung region of Myanmar's Rakhine State, told Reuters.

Nearby, Husain Shorif, from the Buthidaung region, said he had rowed for four hours to help bring across 56 people on a raft cobbled together from bamboo and plastic jerrycans.

"Some boatmen were asking for huge money we didn't have. So we made our own boat and came," Shorif said, adding that thousands more Rohingya were still stranded at Pa Nyaung Pin Gyi at the mouth of the Naf river.

Reuters was unable to verify that claim as Myanmar's military has restricted access to northern parts of Rakhine, where it launched a clearance operation it says was aimed at Rohingya militants behind attacks on 30 security posts on Aug. 25. UN officials described the operation as "ethnic cleansing", an accusation Myanmar has denied.

The storm of opprobrium over the humanitarian crisis will expose Myanmar to more diplomatic pressure, at least from leaders of Muslim-majority countries and the United States, during three summits hosted by Vietnam and the Philippines.

Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar's less than two-year-old civilian administration, left on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam's central seaside resort of Danang.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for standing up to the generals who had ruled the country for nearly half a century, Suu Kyi now has to share power with them, under a constitution drawn up in 2008 when junta was still in control, and has little control over what they do.

After Friday's APEC gathering, Suu Kyi will meet leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping in Manila on Sunday, followed by an East Asia Summit in Angeles, just north of the Philippine capital.

Setting up a regional trade block, and concerns over North Korea's ambitions to become a nuclear-armed state are priorities, but New York-based Human Rights Watch beseeched the Asian leaders to ensure stronger action by Myanmar to end the crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will meet Suu Kyi on Nov. 15 for talks on the Rohingya crisis, and they are expected to hold a joint news conference.

"World leaders shouldn't return home from these summits without agreeing to targeted sanctions to pressure Burma to end its abuses and allow in independent observers and aid groups," Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that referred to Myanmar by its old name.

Desperate for help to cope with the massive influx of people, Bangladesh is lobbying furiously for pressure to be put on Myanmar.

"We want international communities to continue building pressure on Myanmar. Otherwise, they won't resolve the crisis," a foreign ministry official in Dhaka told Reuters, adding that ministers from Germany, China, Japan and Sweden were expected to visit both countries later this month.

HRW's Adams said leaders meeting Asia should discuss how to investigate alleged rights abuses and atrocities in Rakhine, and refer them to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

The rights group also urged the Security Council to impose an arms embargo, economic sanctions and travel bans targeting Myanmar military officials.

Some U.S. senators are pressing for the United States to impose its own sanctions, also targeting the military.

The Security Council this week opted for a strongly worded statement scolding Myanmar, as diplomats said China and Russia would have vetoed any resolution.

China has publicly supported the Myanmar government's efforts to "maintain stability" in Rakhine. The stance taken by China and other Southeast Asian governments fighting insurgencies by Muslim militants should spare Myanmar from any harsh spotlight in the summits' final communiques.

"On the Rohingya, the leaders will agree that there is no quick fix to the long-standing inter-communal problem with deep historical roots that needs to be carefully managed," an ASEAN diplomat told Reuters, adding that the group aimed to deliver $500,000 of relief supplies to Myanmar.
Rohingya return still a far cry

Myanmar`s attitude towards formation of joint working group not positive: Terms of reference likely to be fixed during FM's Myanmar visit this month

Taking life risk, the displaced Rohingyas are now using makeshift rafts made of plastic jerrycans and bamboos to cross waterways in a bid to enter Bangladesh. The above picture shows several Rohingyas, mostly women and children, reached the coastal villag

Sagar Biswas :

Dhaka is now putting hope in formation of a joint working group with the involvement of Naypyidaw to repatriate the displaced Rohingyas who have entered Bangladesh following an aggressive cleansing operation conducted by the Myanmar army.

Diplomatic sources think, it would be a major breakthrough in Rohingya repatriation process, if the joint working group was formed within the desired timeframe - by November 30.

But at the same time they fear, the repatriation of Rohingyas would be a far cry until the Myanmar authorities would not change its present negative attitude towards the ethnic minorities of the Rakhine state and consider them as their nationals.

Expressing hope, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday said the joint working group would be constituted in line with an agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar and it would take all decisions about the repatriation.

A 12-member delegation led by Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal visited Myanmar in an official visit on October 23 and met his counterpart Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe and the state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar to discuss the Rohingya issue.

"The joint working group will be formed with equal number of representatives from both countries. They will decide how and which way the repatriation will begin Development of their lifestyle will also be considered by the group," Kamal said after attending a meeting at Nalitabari in Sherpur.

But Naypyidaw's attitude towards Rohingya repatriation seems not positive at all. Myanmar's permanent secretary of Foreign Affairs Kyaw Zeya has said his government prefers to ensure the repatriation process to be in line with international standards by 'following a step-by-step approach'.

"Of course, their side [Bangladesh] would like to repatriate quickly, if possible, but there are certain procedures, the terms of references, to follow," he told the media recently.

Significantly, there is no timeframe for repatriation of Rohingyas. Besides, Myanmar authorities still did not clear whether they would also take back the 500,000 Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh before August 25.

It is not the end. Though the refugees would be verified by the joint working group, Myanmar has strong reservation not to involve United Nations in the procedure.

It is also uncertain where the Rohingyas would go if they were returned to Myanmar while many of their villages have been burned down in a military operation which the United Nations has called a "textbook case of ethnic cleansing".

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been severely criticised for her failure to curb the military crackdown on the Rohingyas, recently said that Myanmar would take back only the 'verified' refugees. "And this would be done according to the criteria set between the two countries in 1993," she said.

In this backdrop, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister A. H. Mahmud Ali is likely to visit Myanmar on Nov 22-23 for finalization of the 'terms of reference' of the proposed joint working group in accordance with a bilateral 'arrangement' on Rohingya repatriation.

Earlier, the decision of forming a joint panel for the repatriation of Rohingyas came in a meeting between Foreign Minister A. H. Mahmud Ali and Myanmar's Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor Kyaw Tint Swe held in Dhaka on October 1.

The draft of the treaty was also handed to the Myanmar delegation. "As Myanmar proposed taking back Rohingya refugees, we've agreed on forming a joint working group to oversee the repatriation process," Mahmood Ali said after the meeting.

Over 7,00,000 Rohingya people - an estimated 80 per cent of them women and children - have crossed into Bangladesh since 25 August, when ethnic Muslim militants attacked 24 police posts and one army base. Apart from them, about 5, 00,000 Rohingya refugees are staying in Bangladesh since 1982, officials said.

"In fact, the Rohingya crisis has appeared as a big challenge before us. We've given shelter to them seeing their intolerable sufferings. The Rohingya population is almost three times more than the local population of Teknaf and Ukhiya. So, we're facing various challenges. The ecological balances along with hills and trees have been damaged by the new settlers," Asaduzzamn Kamal said.
Fourth industrial revolution and its dramatic impact on society

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General :

I am an engineer and, for the time being, I am also Secretary-General of the United Nations and we are all here because we believe in the force of Science, Innovation and Technology.

From my perspective, what is important is to combine innovation and technology, innovation and public policy to make sure that innovation works for the good of humankind. But let's look a little bit in the recent past to be able to project the near future.

For the past few decades, we have witnessed the enormous impact of innovation, science and technology combined with globalization in our world, our economies, our societies, our lives. That impact was essentially good. Enormous increase in growth of trade and economy, huge growth of the global middle class, and drastic reduction in the number of absolute poor.

Very meaningful improvement in the living conditions of the overwhelming majority of the population, growth in life expectancy, decrease of child mortality, soaring literacy rates - globally, it is clear that our world has been moving for the good. But there was some collateral damage to this enormous growth, and I will like to notice two points: first climate change, second growing inequality.

I believe climate change is a defining threat of our times, and climate change, combined with a different set of megatrends, population growth, chaotic urbanization, food insecurity, water scarcity, being climate change the main accelerator, and this interrelation in creating - as we all see- what is probably the biggest threat to our planet today.

We see hurricanes and other natural disasters becoming more and more frequent, more and more intense, and with more devastating humanitarian consequences. We see, at the same time, desertification making progress, human environment being destroyed, people having to flee, massive movement of populations, refugees and migrants, and at the same time we see a larger competition for resources that triggers instability or conflict and makes climate change also a security problem in today's world.

At the same time, growing inequality - eight men (because they are men, not women), own as much wealth as the poorest half of humanity. As we live in a time of global prosperity, it is more difficult for people to feel that they are left behind, people, but also sectors and regions in the rust belts of this world, [..] looking at the rest of the world, what's going on, feel sometimes discriminated, they feel angry, and these are factors of instability and conflict. It is undermining the trust of people in relation to institutions.

The trust of people in relation to government, in relation to international organizations, in relation to political establishment. These have also helped the development of forms of populism and xenophobia and racism that undermine the social cohesion of our societies. This means we need to be aware that globalization is a force for good, that the development of new technologies is a force for good, but we need to be attentive to be able to respond to the eventual collateral damage that exists.

There is a way to respond. To respond to climate change with climate action, to respond to increasing inequality with a struggle for a fair globalization. The international community was able to come to two historic agreements, one is the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the second is the Agenda 2030, approved by all nations in the world with a perspective of inclusive and sustainable development with the so called Sustainable Development Goals with the objective of leaving no one behind.

The problem, as you can imagine, is a problem of implementation. It's very good to have the Paris Agreement on climate change, but first of all, the Paris Agreement is not enough. Even if the Paris commitments are met, the temperatures in the world will be rising over three degrees by the end of the century and this will be catastrophic and on the other hand, it is also clear that not all countries are abiding by the commitments made in Paris, which means that we need to have an enhanced ambition in relation to climate change.

The same applies to fighting for a fair globalization. We need to be able to combine efforts of governments, companies, the business sector, financial markets and civil society in order to make sure that we are able to eradicate poverty, bring education for all, clean the oceans, and do a number of other things that are essential for the life in our planet to be sustainable and to be inclusive.

Again, this is difficult. The problem is implementation. But the good news is that science is in our side. Look at climate action. Today it's clear that thanks to new technologies, thanks to green technologies, the green economy is the economy of the future. The green business is the good business and you can at the same time, make money and do good.

The same applies to the combination of new technologies that represent what we call today, the fourth Industrial Revolution in relation to information and communication technologies, and namely artificial intelligence that has been so many times mentioned tonight. But also, biotechnologies, nanotechnologies, and other forms of innovation, that will allow us to create the conditions to be able to have indeed, a growth and development that benefits everybody and to create the conditions to combine simultaneously what was the spectacular development we witnessed in the last decades, but with taming the climate and being able to make sure that the benefits of development are distributed by all.

Science is on our side. I am a true believer that this fourth Industrial Revolution can be the answer to the main questions that we are putting ourselves today facing the enormous difficulties that we are still facing in the different aspects of social inequality, of the deterioration of the environment and other threats to our collective life.

As in relation to the past, we need to be able now to look into the near future with the strategic vision and combining the actions of governments with the private sector, with researchers, academia, the civil society, in order to be able to make sure that this fourth Industrial Revolution, is indeed in all its aspects a force for good.

It is clear that this fourth Industrial Revolution will have a dramatic impact in our societies, in our way of life, but also in labour markets. It's very important to anticipate the potential net negative impacts of this technological evolution. For example, in the country where I live today in the US, the profession that has more people working in it is driving. Now very probably in a few years' time, we will not need drivers for cars, driver for trucks, and drivers for the majority of the equipment we have to handle.

We risk having massive unemployment, both in the developed and the developing world with the development of some of the new technologies that we are facing. The answer is not of course to stop development, the answer is to be able to adapt the way we work in our societies in order to be able to anticipate these trends instead of responding to it when it comes, and doing it too late as it sometimes has happened in the past.

That means a revolution and the massive investment in education and training. The education we need for future is different from the education we are used to discuss. It's not how to learn to do things but to learn how to learn not to learn because the things we do will not be done tomorrow.

The way we think our educational systems need to be essentially rethought. Safety nets, social safety nets also need to change and even the way we look at work and leisure, the way we divide our times, the way we divide our lives, will have to change quite dramatically. It is absolutely essential that governments, the civil society, the business sector, the academia work together, discuss together, raise these issues that have been ignored in the public debate because those are the issues that will allow us to be able to face the future and to avoid the mistakes of the past.

My appeal those that are in this web summit, again governments, businesses, academia, researchers, scientists, is to start seriously discussing the impacts of the fourth industrial revolution in the societies of tomorrow. Then, as it was said in several of the interventions we heard, science and technology are not value neutral.

We can use genetic engineering to get rid of diseases and that is fantastic, but we can use genetic engineering to produce monsters, and that is terrible. We can use the cyberspace to facilitate our lives in everyday work that we do and in all other aspects of the way we live in a community, but we can also use the cyberspace to facilitate the recruitment of terrorists for terrorists organizations.

When we are aware of this fact, I think it's important to think how we can make sure that innovation is a force for good. And there are I think two things really to avoid. First, the stupid reaction to say: let's stop innovation. It is stupid because it is impossible, and because it will not allow to take benefit of all the positive aspects of innovation, so those that say "this is too dangerous, too complicated, it's better to stop it," I think that they have no point.

Second thing is to avoid the naive approach to think that traditional forms of regulation like the ones we have today for energy or for the financial system or the insurance system can solve the problem. The truth is that those forms of regulation that are usually managed by governments or by inter-governmental organizations take time, they are complex, they are one-sided and obviously they are not able to respond to the fast-changing world we are now facing with these new technologies and new forms of innovation.

Which means that the only way to be able to establish mechanisms of regulation for the future will have to be different, will have to combine all stakeholders, will have to bring together governments, companies like the ones we heard today, scientists, like Stephen Hawking that spoke to us, but also the civil society, the academia, and again establish platforms of discussion, how to do norm-setting, how to establish regulatory frameworks that are flexible, that allow to combine the freedom of innovation that is absolutely essential for the future of humankind, but to combine it with the protection of human rights that is absolutely essential also to preserve the social cohesion of our societies. Governments cannot do it alone.

Inter-governmental organizations like the UN cannot do it alone. This needs to be done by all actors coming and discussing it together, and this is why the Web Summit is so important here today. To do it properly we need to make sure that we combine our energies to make sure that we are able to put all experiences together, and that we use opportunities like these to seriously discuss the problems that we face and at the same time to maximize the potential of the enormous advantages that the innovations we are discussing can provide to our world.

I do believe that this Web Summit is an opportunity for us to come together and coming together to make sure that the power of science, the power of technology and the power of innovation are a power for good to make a better world and for the benefit of us all.
`A Delightful Journey` by Art Stories

Sheikh Arif Bulbon :

Art Stories is a platform for artists with the primary aim to facilitate its artists realise their ideas and conceptions that

consequently can be

transformed into intriguing pieces of art. The artists of Art Stories make use of their own unique ways to express their

distinctive style through a

variety of media. This

exploration begets characteristic artworks that are sure to

provide a fillip to the viewers.

Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (AFD) organised a week-long group art exhibition by Art Stories titled A Delightful Journey from November 3 to 10 at its La Galerie last Friday in the citys Dhanmondi area.

Noted actor, stage director and theatre producer Ramendu Majumdar attended the

ceremony as the chief guest and eminent artist Prof Nisar Hossain appeared as the special guest on the occasion.

The group exhibition

A Delightful Journey is the title of the first group exhibition by Art Stories. Artists Bitap Shavan Bachhar, Dewan Nazrul Bappe, Didarul Alam Dipu, M R Deedar, Md Elias Hossain,

Md Habib Ullah Bahar, Nasima Khanam Queenie, Rokhsana Akhter Banu, Selina Chowdhury Mili, Shammy Yasmin, Tanjila Siddiqye, and Umme Tania - who all happen to be cherished friends - have come together to exhibit their artworks which, as the title suggests, recount the delightful journey they have shared together. n
Yemen facing massive famine if blockade not lifted

UN Aid Chief warns that seven million people are already at risk of famine in Yemen as a result of the conflict.

BBC Online :

Millions of people will die in Yemen, in what will be the world's worst famine crisis in decades, unless a Saudi-led military coalition ends a devastating blockade and allows aid into the country, the United Nations has warned.

The Saudi-led alliance fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels tightened its air, land and sea blockade of the country after a ballistic missile was fired on Saturday towards the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Since then, the country's already inflated food and fuel prices have skyrocketed, while flights delivering much-needed humanitarian aid have been prevented from landing.

After briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Mark Lowcock, the UN's humanitarian chief, said the move will worsen a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis that has pushed millions to the brink of famine and has caused a mass cholera epidemic.

"I have told the Council that unless those measures are lifted ... there will be a famine in Yemen," Lowcock, who visited Yemen late in October, told reporters on Wednesday.

WATCH: 'Situation is catastrophic' as Saudi tightens blockade on Yemen (1:59)

"It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year, where tens of thousands of people were affected. It will not be like the famine which cost 250,000 people their lives in Somalia in 2011," he added. "It will be the largest famine the world has seen in many decades, with millions of victims."

Despite Lowcock's stark warning, the Security Council, which strongly condemned the firing of the missile by the Houthi rebels,

announced no immediate action over the blockade.

Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, who holds the council's presidency, expressed concern about the "dire humanitarian situation in Yemen" and stressed "the importance of keeping all Yemen's ports and airports functioning," added Cardi.

Al Jazeera's James Bays, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York, said the Council's response "seemed very guarded".

He said the comments by Lowcock, who visited Yemen late last month, had brought some of the "reality from Yemen to the Security Council, but for now, they've responded with very carefully chosen words rather than any concrete action".

Kristine Beckerle, Yemen researcher at Human Rights Watch, said it was "far past time" the members of the UN Security Council "made it very clear" to Yemen's warring sides that there will be "concrete consequences" in cases of obstruction to humanitarian assistance.

"The Council already has a mechanism for sanctioning people in Yemen who are committing gross violations," she told Al Jazeera.

Beckerle said government officials in countries such as the US, UK and France are typically "issuing broad recitations of concern", without, however, acting upon it.

"It's not enough for the US or the UK to say we are worried about famine in Yemen.

"At this point, it's up to the Security Council members, and particularly those allied with Saudi Arabia, to be using all the leverage at their disposal to be pushing these people to actually make changes to the ways in which they are fighting this war and certainly for them to stop impending access to aid."

WATCH: Saudi Arabia blames Iran for missile attack (2:49)

Yemen has been devastated by more than two and a half years of war after Houthi rebels, believed to be backed by Iran, captured the capital, Sanaa, and overthrew President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government.

A Saudi-led coalition was formed in 2015 to fight the Houthi rebels and army troops allied with them.

According to the UN, the conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and left over seven million in need of food assistance. Millions of others do not have adequate access to health, water and sanitation services.

The country has also been hit by a cholera outbreak, with some 900,000 suspected cases since April.

Calling for a five-point action plan, Lowcock on Wednesday urged the Saudi-led coalition to reopen the airspace for humanitarian flights into Yemen and provide assurances that access would not be disrupted again.

He also called for an agreement to allow a World Food Programme ship to anchor off the Yemeni coast, the re-opening of all seaports, to allow food, fuel and medical supplies to enter the country, and a "scaling back of interference" with vessels that have "passed inspection by the UN verification and inspection mechanism".

WATCH: 'Saudi Arabia's blockade is a death sentence for all Yemenis' (3:04)

Earlier on Wednesday, 15 humanitarian agencies expressed deep concern about the Saudi-led blockade, demanding that humanitarian operations are allowed to resume immediately.

"In less than a day, this blockade already hiked up fuel prices in some governorates by as much as 60 percent as people scramble to stock up, and led to disruption of public transportation," the groups, including Oxfam, Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee, said in a statement.

"The closure of all sea and land ports means urgently-needed lifesaving medical supplies have ceased, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people."

Saudi Arabia said the closure of was aimed at preventing the smuggling of weapons into Yemen and accused its regional rival Iran of providing the missile that was launched by the Houthis on Saturday.
Khaleda's plea for permanent bail rejected

Court Correspondent :

The Special Judge Court-5 of Dhaka on Thursday rejected the permanent bail petition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases lodged against her.

Judge Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman of the special makeshift court in city's Bakhshibazar area

rejected the bail plea after hearing on it yesterday noon.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia arrived at the makeshift court around 11:45am. Earlier, on October 12 the issued arrest warrant against Khaleda Zia cancelling her bail petition in the two cases in her absence. Later, on October 19, the BNP leader surrendered before the court and the court granted her bail in the cases.

The BNP Chief yesterday told the court that she would not indulge in politics of vengeance against her political rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in spite of her abusive remarks against the several members of former President Ziaur Rahman.

The former PM said this while delivering her self-defence statement before the makeshift court in connection with the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Later, the court fixed November 16 for delivering further self-defence statement of Khaleda Zia.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case for embezzlement of over Tk 2.1 crore forming a "fake" Trust which existed only on paper.

In 2011, the anti-graft watchdog filed another case, accusing four persons, including Khaleda Zia, on charges of abusing power in setting up Zia Charitable Trust.
Noor Hossain Day today

UNB, Dhaka :

The Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, commemorating the martyrdom of a young pro-democracy activist during the anti-Ershad movement in the late 80s, will be observed today in a befitting manner.

Different socio-political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Awami League and BNP will pay tributes to the martyr by placing wreaths at the Noor Hossain Square in the morning.

The 'Zero Point' in the capital's Gulistan area was renamed as 'Noor Hossain Chattar' (square) after the young man was gunned down near it by police on November 10, 1987.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion. In his message, Abdul Hamid recalled with gratitude the supreme sacrifice of Noor Hossain to restore democracy in the country. He also said the Shaheed Noor Hossian's sacrifice did not go in vain as democracy was restored in the country in 1990. The President expressed the hope that all will continue their efforts to uphold the advancement of the country's democracy, which was achieved through the sacrifices of lives of courageous people like Noor Hossain.

In her message, Sheikh Hasina said Noor Hossain had joined a procession of the Awami League-led 15-party Okyo Jote as part of the anti-autocracy movement on this day in 1987. On November 10, 1987 Noor Hossain, a leader of Awami Jubo League, was killed in police firing when he had staged protest against the autocratic rule of then Lt Gen HM Ershad at the capital's Zero Point near Gulistan by painting the historic slogan 'Gonotantra Mukti Pak, Swairachar Nipat Jak' (Let democracy be freed, down with autocracy) on his back and chest.
Qatar accuses blockading countries of fragmenting GCC

Al Jazeera News :

Qatar has accused the blockading countries of being responsible for the dissolution of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The comments were made by Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Doha on Wednesday.

"The developments in the region that resulted in the actions undertaken by the blockading countries against Qatar has backfired and caused a crisis in international diplomacy for them," Al Thani said.

The Qatari minister added that international efforts to combat terrorism and resolve crises in the region have been affected by what he called obstinacy of the embargo countries.

For his part, Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that his country believes that dialogue is the best course of action in case of a disagreement, adding that Iraq was against "isolating and besieging" any other country.

Al Jazeera's correspondent Imran Khan said that the press conference between the two countries was a "strategic one". "It was a much friendlier and much more positive press conference we've seen with Iraq and Qatar in the past," he said.

The conference reviewed ways of boosting bilateral relations and the reconstruction of Iraq post-Islamic State.

"They touched upon the GCC crisis and talked about Iraq's potential role in any mediation that might take place," he said.

The two countries had real problems during the first Gulf War in 1991 and broke off diplomatic relations. It was not until 2015 that the new Qatari embassy in Baghdad was opened.

In June, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar and imposed a land, sea and air blockade after accusing it of supporting terrorism.

Qatar has strongly denied the allegations.
BNP calls Inus diatribes against govt honeymoon break

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inus diatribes against the government have exposed that there is a break in the honeymoon of the Awami League-led alliance.

We cant understand the reason behind the interruption of honeymoon. Lavishing praising on the government and always criticising BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia were once the menace of Hasanul Haq Inu to remain as a minister, he said.

Rizvi came up with the comment at a press conference at BNPs Nayapaltan central office as reporters sought his comment on Inus remarks against Awami League.

Rizvi said Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader explained a bit about the reason behind the interruption of honeymoon of Awami League and the information minister. You (journalists) can seek further explanation from him as he often runs boat above the hill.

At a programme in Kushtia on Wednesday, Inu said Awami will not be able to return to power even in thousand years without the support of his party, Jatiya Party and other major partners of the 14-party alliance.

Rizvi also voiced concern over the sudden rise in the incidents of enforced disappearance, killing and abduction.

He said a private university teacher and a BNP leader were made disappeared in the capital while a businessman fell victim of it in Khulna recently. The incidents of enforced disappearance and killing have turned epidemic.






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CAIRO  The following political leaders have visited Cairo since the public housing crisis in Illinois southernmost city came to a head:

 Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson

 U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats

 U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro

 Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill

 State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg

 State Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie, D-Elizabethtown

 Former State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Eldorado

 Former Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, of Lemont

 State Treasurer Mike Frerichs

 Democratic gubernatorial candidates J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss and former candidate Ameya Pawar

Meanwhile, one prominent Illinois political leader has not visited Cairo since HUD announced in April its decision to relocate about 400 people from two derelict public housing complexes that have been deemed beyond repair:

 Gov. Bruce Rauner

Its also been difficult for The Southern to get much detailed information about what Rauners administration is doing alongside the federal government to assist public housing residents and the city through this housing crisis, or to address the related health and economic issues facing southernmost Illinois. A shortage of affordable housing in Cairo and access to basic amenities and jobs means most residents are relocating to other communities, generally in excess of an hour away.

Rauner has said the situation involving the nearly bankrupt Alexander County Housing Authority is largely a federal issue. But as HUD officials have noted, the underlying economic crisis facing the Cairo region is not the sole, nor primary, responsibility of HUD. Also, housing authorities are entities of state and local government. And across the country, many state leaders also are tackling issues of affordable housing as they recognize that solutions to the housing problems facing struggling rural regions and fast-growing urban cities must be multifaceted and require long-term planning.

Since July, The Southern has discussed the situation with at least seven different officials in Rauners communications office. There have been numerous staff changeovers since that time, and many of those people are no longer in the governor's employ.

Patty Schuh, Rauners current spokeswoman, who recently transitioned from her role as spokeswoman for the Senate Republicans, said that though the governor himself has not been to Cairo since April, the office is plugged in to the situation. She said the issue for the governors office at this time is that state officials have not been able to obtain the information it needs from HUD to develop the appropriate state response.

Schuh said the governors office is seeking information on how many people want to stay in the region who have been unable to locate housing, and what financial needs related to the relocation that the families may have that are not being covered by HUD, such as deposits or replacement furniture.

As well, she said the governors office needs a clear timeline of when HUD intends to close the McBride and Elmwood complexes, and more overall information on HUDs relocation plans. Then we can review our options, she said. She added that the governor's office does not want to give false hope about what it can do once it receives the information it seeks from HUD, but stressed that the fact-finding mission is the first step.

Of note, The Southern has published dozens of stories about the housing crisis in Cairo dating back to the fall of 2015, including numerous updates on the relocation effort that began in April.

The governors office has been actively involved in the discussions about Cairo but there very clearly is federal action that has to take place. We need information, she said. We dont feel like were getting the full story yet.

Asked about the comments from the governor's office, HUD spokesman Jereon Brown said HUD stands ready to work with any public officials in Illinois to provide whatever information is needed. He offered to reach out to the governors office directly.

In a follow-up interview, Schuh said that wasnt necessary because during a task force meeting on Cairo in July, which a representative of the governors office attended, it was decided that the federal delegation would handle the communication with HUD so as not to duplicate efforts or create confusion.

Therefore, Schuh said that the governors office has not directly reached out to HUD, and isn't requesting HUD reach out to Rauner's office to provide the information they are seeking. Rather, she said, Rauner's office has been working through Bost's office to seek the information.

I know that request has been made to HUD. I know Congressman Bost did it last. Hes (Bost) still pursuing a clear timeline, she said. As of press time, the newspaper was unable to obtain clarity on why the governor's office would not speak with HUD directly for the information it needed when the offer was made, given that's what Schuh said is holding up the administration's response.

Meanwhile, HUD is moving forward with relocating families from the complexes that have been deemed unsafe and unfit for habitation.

In a letter dated Oct. 19 that Secretary Carson wrote to Mayor Coleman, Carson noted that after his visit to the city in early August, he instructed his staff to re-examine the possibility of salvaging some of the buildings within Elmwood and McBride. Unfortunately, our latest analysis confirms our prior assessment  rehabilitation is not a viable option and both developments must be vacated and demolished.

While the department has not yet established a definitive date for everyone to move from these properties, at some point in the very near future, we will have to set a date certain for all families to vacate Elmwood and McBride, Carsons letter to Coleman stated. Brown has said that if the boilers that heat the units break during the winter months, the agency may have to relocate families temporarily while they continue to look for housing. Brown said the housing authority, which HUD is operating in receivership, cannot afford to spend excessive amounts of money on repairs of complexes slated to be torn down while there are other developments within the ACHA's portfolio also in need of rehabilitation.

Carson told the mayor that the passion and commitment the people of Cairo show for their hometown, coupled with the citys location at the confluence of two major rivers, suggests that brighter days may indeed lay ahead for the city. The solution for Cairos future must be driven by more than the rehabilitation of federally assisted housing and must harness the private market.

It also requires creative thinking at the local, regional, state and national levels, the letter continued.

As it relates to the state's response to the dire economic situation facing Cairo and the surrounding region, Schuh theres no one-size-fits all solution. She said the governors office has been involved in numerous ways in trying to help where it can in the short term, as well as in developing long-term strategies.

She said a representative of the governor's office was part of the delegation that toured the site of a potential port operation in Cairo in May with Masingill, the DRA federal co-chairman. Local officials have been seeking funds to begin engineering work and environmental studies for the port, but no money has been identified to date. The state's budget woes have dramatically slowed infrastructure projects.

Schuh also said representatives from Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity helped local officials write grant proposals to the Delta Regional Authority, which were recently awarded. A $161,560 grant was awarded to the city to support road improvements to Bunge, an oilseed production facility and one of the towns largest employers. A $118,489 grant was awarded to strengthen the local health clinics information technology infrastructure to support an Electronic Health Record system.

Shuch said that representatives of the Illinois Housing Development Authority also visited in the spring to survey the existing private housing market and provided a study to the city about whats available for rent.

Asked why Rauner has not been among the many regional and statewide officials to visit the city and meet directly with the residents, Schuh said he's been tethered to Springfield as session ran long this summer, and for the current veto session.

"Given the distance, I'm not sure he's gotten that far down in Southern Illinois in recent months," she said. Since April, when HUD announced the relocation decision, Rauner has traveled on trade and research missions to China, Japan and Israel and announced his 2018 re-election plans.
CARBONDALE  The decline in enrollment at Southern Illinois University has had a wide range of effects on Carbondale, and one consequence on the distant horizon is the potential loss of the citys home-rule status.

Municipalities containing at least 25,000 people are automatically granted home rule, a legal standing first introduced in Illinois in 1970 that allows communities more control in financial engineering and privatization of services.

Historically, Carbondales population has hovered right around or just above the 25,000 mark. In 2010, the United States Census Bureau counted 25,509 people in Carbondale, but the city has since lost residents, according to City Manager Gary Williams.

One of the questions folks always have for us is How many (SIU) students are counted in the census? Williams said. And the answer is we really dont know, but we would assume a lot of them. So with the decline in enrollment, we havent really seen other housing growth here. We obviously have a concern that in the 2020 census, well be below the 25,000, and that puts our home-rule status at risk.

Home rule gives municipalities, villages and counties freedom from reliance on state statutes to deal with management of day-to-day operations. Such units have greater autonomy to craft laws and ordinances pertaining to the municipality and to establish new revenue streams.

Carbondales home-rule sales tax is currently 2.5 percent, and that revenue funds a number of city services necessary to a university town, Williams argued. Home-rule authority also provides the ability to have building code enforcement; Carbondale inspects rental properties every three years.

Were a university town and we have a high daytime population, so that alone calls for more law enforcement, and more law enforcement requires more pension obligation. Theres more wear-and-tear on our streets, which requires more street department people. Because were a university town, we have a lot of rental housing, so people have an expectation of having code enforcement. Theres a cost of that, Williams said.

Outside of population, municipalities can obtain home-rule authority by referendum. If the 2020 census indicates that Carbondales population is below 25,000, the city will have to bring the item to a vote in the 2021 general election.

The good thing about doing a referendum is you always have it, Williams said.

But anti-tax sentiments and general mistrust of local government could prompt voters to reject the measure.

Our fear would be that there certainly would be an anti-home rule lobby, as there are in all cities that try this, but at the same time, we have a lot of services we know we need to provide, because were a service center for the region, and theres a cost to be in that service center, Williams said.

Illinois Realtors, a private property advocacy group, opposes home rule because it allows municipalities to put more red tape and taxes on real estate transactions and to impose new inspections and fees, according to the organizations website.

But losing the home-rule sales tax would mean the city would need to make up the revenue for services, likely by raising taxes on real estate.

If we lose the ability to collect home-rule sales tax, were going to have to make up for it in real estate tax. So I would think that argument alone would incentivize people to understand the value of home rule and how important it is to Carbondale, Williams said.

Although the possibility of a referendum is still a long way off, the matter has been on the citys radar for some time.

Its a concern of ours. Its definitely a risk, and SIU is making a lot of attempts to turn things around, but its going to take time, Williams said.
PINCKNEYVILLE  Once upon a time, Pinckneyville Community High School was listed as one of the "lowest performing schools in the state," with a "very small percentage" of its students being considered college ready.

The release of a State Report Card last week on this district and others, reflects that Pinckneyville has made great strides in preparing its students for their next educational pursuit, said the school's principal, Dustin R. Foutch.

"We are very pleased with the growth that has been demonstrated in our student achievement over the last several years," he said via email. "In 2012, we were listed as one of the lowest performing schools ...

"I am very proud to say that in 2017, our students performed right with the state averages in reading and math and we also performed very well when compared with schools of similar demographics in our geographical area. I was also very pleased that we have reduced the number of our graduates that are required to take remedial coursework when they enter college."

This marks the first year that the report card reflects the state-administered results of the SAT, which state officials opted to use to measure proficiency in language arts and mathematics. Results from that test are used to indicate whether 11th grade students "partially meet," "approach," "meet" or "exceed" academic performance standards. The percent of the SAT deemed proficiency is a combination of a school's percent of students who "meet" and "exceed" performance standards.

Overall, students' scores improved in English language arts achievement on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment, the four-year graduation rate, college enrollment rates, Advanced Placement participation and success, the community college remediation rate, ninth-grade students on track to graduate, and eighth-grade students passing Algebra I, according to a news release from The Illinois State Board of Education.

The state averaged 39 percent of its 11th graders "meeting" or "exceeding" academic standards on the ELA and math tests, based on results from the new SAT testing. Statewide, 87.1 percent of freshmen were on target; 87 percent graduated from high school within four years; and 51 percent of graduating seniors were college ready (meaning they scored a 21 or higher on an ACT test).

In 2015, more than 50 percent of Pinckneyville High School students were enrolled in remedial post-secondary coursework, he said; that rate has now been reduced to 25 percent, with only 2 percent of the district's students needing to take remedial reading courses after they graduate.

"When our remedial coursework percentage is compared with the state average of 47 percent," Foutch said, "it shows that we are doing an excellent job of preparing our students for post-secondary success."

In Benton, students have the opportunity to dual-enroll in college courses through a partnership with Rend Lake College, the school's superintendent, Aaron Mattox, said.

The high school's college readiness rate is 42 percent and its graduation rate is 82 percent. Some 81 percent of its freshmen were on track.

"The challenge that the district has faced is improving academic achievement while trying to balance the resources that are available to promote college and career readiness for all of the districts students," Mattox said. "Benton High School has implemented SAT preparation courses to help prepare students for testing and has put in place a student incentive program to help maximize academic achievement."

He said the district also partners with the Franklin County Vocational Cooperative to offer students more vocational opportunities.

For other districts, the college readiness of their student body is reflected at:

 Anna-Jonesboro HS: 42 percent college readiness; 91 percent of freshmen on track; 91 percent graduation rate; and 32 percent proficient, SAT.

 Benton Consolidated HSD 103: 42 percent college readiness; 81 percent of freshmen on track; 82 percent graduation rate; and 23 percent proficient, SAT.

 Cairo USD 1: 16 percent college readiness; with 83 percent of freshmen on track; 73 percent graduation rate; and 6 percent proficient, SAT.

 Carbondale CHSD 165: 71 percent college readiness; 87 percent of freshmen on track; and an 85 percent graduation rate; 40 percent proficient, SAT.

 Carterville HS: 73 percent college readiness; 90 percent of freshmen on track; 94 percent graduation rate; and 54 percent proficient, SAT.

 Du Quoin: 36 percent college readiness; 91 percent of freshmen on track; 92 percent graduation rate; and 32 percent proficient, SAT.

 Harrisburg: 24 percent college readiness, 88 percent of freshmen on track; 81 percent graduation rate; and 20 percent proficient, SAT.

 Herrin HS: 40 percent college readiness; 89 percent of freshmen on track; 88 percent graduation rate; and 33 percent proficient, SAT.

 Marion: 61 percent college readiness; 76 percent of freshmen on track; 84 percent graduation rate; and 29 percent proficient, SAT.

 Murphysboro HS/CUSD 186: 40 percent college readiness; 89 percent of freshmen on track; 85 percent graduation rate; and 28 percent proficient, SAT.

To view your district and other school's results reflected on the state's Report Card, visit the documents online at illinoisreportcard.com.
ENFIELD  With Woolsey Operating Company walking back its efforts to frack for oil in Enfield, what was seen as a potential boon to the states rural economy has been dashed.

Citing onerous rules and regulations, Woolsey, a Kansas-based oil and natural gas company, earlier this month terminated its hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, permit with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The reasons for terminating were explained in a company statement.

The process we have gone through to receive a permit was burdensome, time consuming and costly due to the current rules and regulations of the State of Illinois and it appears that this process would continue for future permit applications, the statement read.

Mark Sooter, vice president of business development for Woolsey, said the company received a letter Nov. 6 from the IDNR, releasing them from the permit.

When asked why the nature of regulatory process was news to the company after it got going, Sooter said the company knew about the process broadly, but wanted a live trial to fully understand the process.

We thought it would be best to go through the process with this first one to see just exactly what it entailed, Sooter said. We also see that even though we got the permit on this first one  the realization is that future permits were going to be difficult to obtain as well.

Woolsey was the first company to be approved for a fracking permit under the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. It was approved in September.

Fracking is an oil and natural gas cultivation process that relies on high-pressure use of water and chemical injections to break up deep-rock formations, releasing oil and gas.

When asked what portion of the law specifically gave Woolsey trouble, Sooter deferred to the companys statement.

The drilling and completion requirements under the Act are stringent which will make future development costs of the New Albany Shale excessive and the obligations for compliance on our staff demanding, the statement reads. That's the most specific the statement gets in terms of citing specific regulatory problems.

Enfield Mayor Tom Harbour was disappointed by the news. He said while there was little the village would directly receive from the wells, there would have been positive residual effects for the community.

I hated it for our local economy, Harbour said of the news. They had a local drilling contractor, they are from Carmi, and they used local people for their rigs. So thats another low downfall of it.

Sooter said the company's plan is to let existing land leases expire.

In the companys statement, it said Woolsey was still of the opinion that the New Albany Shale has potential however, Sooter said until laws change and oil prices improve  the company statement also said low oil prices were a factor in their decision  their fracking operation in Illinois was likely to stay in the abstract.

Maybe there needs to be some legislation changes, he said, adding that Woolsey itself does not currently have lobbyists working on the issue, nor have they reached out to any potentially sympathetic law makers.
Orangeburg County Council has denied a rezoning request for Highway 33, citing neighbors complaints.

Councilman Willie B. Owens, who represents the area, said Twice, my constituents have turned this down.

I am with my constituents. We do not want a Dollar General located there.

Council voted unanimously Monday to deny Greg Googers rezoning request.

Googer wanted to build a new Dollar General store near the intersection of Highway 33 and Old Cameron Road, where the old gas station used to be. The land is zoned Residential General.

Neighbors claimed that Googer had not even met with them to see if they would agree to the store, but Googer said he arranged a community meeting with them.

Unfortunately during that meeting I was interrupted so many times, I didnt even get through my presentation, he said.

Property owner Daisy Orr said her mother purchased the property around 30 years ago but no one expressed any interest over the years until Googer. She and her sisters have been paying taxes on the property.

Nothing has been on that property but the trees and whatever it is now. No residential, no store, no nothing, Orr said. There are several homes in that area, but no one has ever shown an interest in that until this gentleman came.

Councilman Harry Wimberly asked what the biggest opposition to the rezoning seemed to be.

They just dont want it period, Googer said. They dont want any development along 33, which Im concerned for Orangeburg under those statements because thats a main corridor for you.

He noted the countys comprehensive plan designates Highway 33 as a growth corridor with the possibility of it being entirely commercialized.

Owens said, Its not along 33. They welcome your development farther up on 33.

Owens said even if the store was built, residents have said theyll boycott the business.

Owens made the motion to deny a related resolution and ordinance.

In other business:

 Concerned citizen Robert Decelles spoke during the public comments section of the meeting, saying the county has a problem with EMS services.

He said four or five medic crews work double shifts. The outcome is overworked employees and long response times that can be up to and over an hour.

Decelles claimed that Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Youngs grandmother had to wait more than an hour for service.

Young said, To the men and women who work in this county as first responders, I cannot sit here and let him say that it took them an hour to get to my grandmother.

They gave her the best care she could have her last days in life, he continued. She passed away at the hospital after months of fighting through. They did not take an hour to get to my grandmother.

Wimberly said, This council realizes that we do have an EMS situation in this county that needs to be addressed.

This council sits up here and we took more heat over imposing a business license to raise money to fix EMS than any council in the state of South Carolina took, he added. If there had been money in this county, wed have fixed it, but we had to find a way to fix it.

 Council gave first reading by title only to an ordinance authorizing a fee-in-lieu of taxes agreement with a company operating anonymously as Project Huntley. The ordinance also places the project in a multi-county industrial park.

The business is a solar farm that will be constructed on approximately 550 acres.

Project Huntley promises a minimum investment of $150 million in machinery and equipment.

County Attorney Jerrod Anderson said there are no new jobs promised but there will be long-term employment related to the ongoing operation of the facility.

 Council passed first reading by title only of an ordinance authorizing tax agreements for a company operating anonymously as Project MB.

The company promises a minimum investment of $10 million, with $250,000 in buildings and $9.7 million in machinery and equipment.

Anderson said it comes with the promise of 100 new jobs. He said 50 jobs have been created since Jan. 1 of this year.

The location is already included in the multi-county industrial park.

 Council passed first reading of an ordinance authorizing an agreement to buy and sell real estate between the county and Mark Linder.

After doing a study throughout the county, we have looked at certain situations in the county where we had a company come in and analyze a lot of the facilities, Young said. This was one of the facilities we felt like could be refurbished or sold.

The contract price is $55,000. The property would be used by Linder as a storage warehouse for his construction company.

 Council passed two ordinances in first reading authorizing an infrastructure credit agreement between the county and F I of Santee, LLC and placing the project in the multi-county industrial park.

The company promises an investment of $5 million and 15 new jobs in the town of Santee.

 Council passed second reading of an ordinance rezoning property on North Road from Forest and Agriculture to Commercial General.

Two nearby churches, Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, have opposed the rezoning, stating they do not want a business near the church disturbing their normal proceedings. Also, if the property is rezoned to Commercial General, any business could potentially locate there.

 Council passed a resolution to restate the authorization for an installment purchase plan for certain capital projects in the county, including the new detention center.

Young said the resolution is for the sole purpose of supporting the issuance of tax incentives. He said it was passed last year but needs to be renewed to move forward.

 Council passed second reading of an ordinance rezoning property at 782 Lake Edisto Road from Residential General to Forest and Agriculture for a dog grooming business.

 Council approved a request for an exemption from the procurement code for Edisto River Debris Removal Phase I.

County Attorney DAnne Haydel said they will go with the second-lowest bidder for the contract.

Young said the original company did not meet the delivery or start time and another storm impacted the river even more.

 Council approved the low bid of $442,807 from Skip Welch Construction for the rebuilding and relocation of the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Department storage and K-9 facility.

 Council read a resolution honoring Bishop Paul J. Jenkins.

 Council went into closed, executive session to discuss economic development updates for projects operating anonymously under the names Project Huntly, Project Recycle, Project Arrow, Project MB and Project 01.
The Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help identifying the gunman who robbed a Vance-area convenience store on Wednesday.

Investigators were called to the First Stop Food Mart just after 9 p.m. when a clerk reported the robbery, according to Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.

The clerk told investigators a male wearing a grey hoodie and dark grey pants entered the Old Number Six Highway business while pointing a weapon at him.

After the gunman took a small amount of cash, he fled out of the front door. Security video shows he ran to a waiting vehicle parked across Old Number Six on Camden Road.

If anyone has any information on the robbery, they are asked to call the sheriffs office at 803-534-3550 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
ROCK HILL  Southern black residents are more likely to be religious than white residents but are less likely to believe that America was founded as an explicitly Christian nation, according to the latest Winthrop Poll conducted in 11 Southern states.

Three-fourths of blacks surveyed said religion is important in their lives. Yet fewer blacks than whites agreed on the religious principles that the United States was founded on.

Poll Director Scott Huffmon suggested several possible interpretations. African Americans, who tend to be more devout in their Christianity, may not connect their religious beliefs to their historical beliefs, or they may see the United States as founded on slavery, which is inherently unChristian. Irrespective, this finding warrants more research.

The latest Winthrop Poll asked residents about their attitudes toward race, religion, Confederate monuments and the economy, among other issues. The Southern state residents contacted were Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Race

Overwhelmingly, Winthrop Poll respondents of all races across the South said all races should be treated equally, and that America should protect and preserve its multi-cultural heritage.

Yet both whites and blacks felt uneasy regarding their relative safety and position in the country. When asked if white people were under attack, 46 percent of whites agreed or strongly agreed. And more than three-fourths of black respondents said racial minorities are currently under attack in the United States.

When asked if America must protect and preserve its White European heritage, 30 percent of all respondents agreed, while more than half disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Interracial marriage seems to have grown in acceptance across the region. Half of the respondents strongly disagreed that marriage should only be allowed between people of the same race. Southerners also were united in saying that people of different races should be free to live wherever they choose.

Respondents seem frustrated that political correctness threatens the liberty of Americans to speak their minds. Around two-thirds of residents said they agreed or strongly agreed.

Confederate

monuments

With hundreds of monuments standing across the country in parks and outside government offices, the majority in the South, many politicians have pushed for the removal of statues, memorials, and other monuments that celebrate Civil War era figures. The Winthrop Poll asked residents what should be done with the statues commemorating Confederate War heroes, or memorials to Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War.

Forty-three percent of Southerners said to leave the memorials to those who died in the Civil War just as they are, while one-fourth said add a plaque for context and historical interpretation, while another one-fourth said to move them to a museum. Half of the black respondents said they should be moved to a museum.

As far as statues honoring Confederate war heroes, residents were less supportive. Forty percent said to leave them where they are, 24 percent said add a plaque and 27 percent said to move them to a museum. Nearly half of blacks said to move them to a museum, while a fourth said to remove them completely.

Southern attitudes

When poll respondents hear someone referred to as Southern, almost three quarters imagine that person to be close to their family. More than half think of the hypothetical Southerner as religious, though whites were more likely to say that than blacks. They also dont think of Southerners as racists  only 15 percent said yes. A fourth of black respondents said they think of Southerners as racists.

Economy

More than 60 percent of Winthrop Poll respondents in the South said our country is headed in the wrong direction. Yet more than two thirds of Southern residents said our countrys economy is very good or fairly good.

More than half (54 percent) think the economic conditions in the country as a whole are moving in a positive direction, though 63% of blacks said they were getting worse and 57% of all respondents described their own financial situation as good or excellent.

Southerners said the most important problem facing our country is racism, followed by politicians/government, President Donald Trump, and the economy. Black residents were more than twice as likely to list racism as the most important problem, followed closely by Trump.

Black Southerners also think that all people in the United States do not have an equal chance to succeed if they work equally hard: 61% of whites said yes, while 65% of blacks said no. And 60% of blacks strongly agreed that generations of slavery and discrimination make it difficult for blacks to work their way out of the lower class.

The Winthrop Poll is paid for by Winthrop University with additional support from The West Forum on Politics and Policy at Winthrop University.
The City of Bamberg will observe Veterans Day with a program at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Bamberg Civic Center.

Co-chairs for this year's event are Douglas and Lisa B. Stokes. All veterans, their families and friends are invited to attend this patriotic celebration.

South Carolina Adjutant General Robert Livingston Jr. will be the guest speaker. Maj. Gen. Livingston serves as the head of the Military Department of the state of South Carolina. He administers the affairs of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard, the Emergency Management Division, the State Guard and the Youth Challenge Academy. The governor, by law, is the commander-in-chief, and the adjutant general is a constitutional officer with the rank of major general.

Livingston graduated from Hampden-Sydney College, earning his Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in electrical engineering. He also earned a master's in business administration from the University of South Carolina. Livingston completed United States Army War College in 2001, earning a Master of Science in strategic studies.

He is president, CEO and owner of Gregory Electric Company Inc. headquartered in Columbia. Gregory Electric Co. is a provider of complete commercial and industrial electrical, utility and telecommunications services with operations in nine states.

Livingston and his wife, Barbara Flora Livingston, have four children and five grandchildren.

Douglas Stokes, a retired master sergeant in the South Carolina Army National Guard, said the city will honor several local veterans. The late Kenneth Carter Sr. and Lillie Marie Smith had five children who served in the military. Stokes said noted that Kenneth Carter Jr., Bryan O. Carter, Aaron D. Carter, Bridget M. Franklin, Yolanda L. Davis and Charlene M. Smith (deceased) all served in some branch of the military.

If Bamberg has a ... family who has more siblings that have served than these five, we would certainly like to know about it, Stokes said.

Along with Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster, Livingston will also honor the late Brig. Gen. Jasper B. Varn Jr., who was one of the founding members of the Bamberg National Guard Unit.

Nancy Kemp Watson and Karen Herndon are spearheading a patriotic essay and poster contest in Bamberg School District 1. Those winners will be recognized at the Veterans Day Program.

Other program participants will include: Craig Walker, director of the Bamberg County Veterans Affairs Office; Paul Eubanks, presentation of the White Table and Military Memorabilia; Bo Griffin, who will make presentations to essay and poster winners on behalf of Home Federal Savings and Loans of Bamberg; Nancy Kemp Watson, who will recite patriotic poetry; the American Legion of Bamberg, which will have a display and Bruce Watson, who will preside over the program and sing the National Anthem.

After the program, guests will be served heavy hors d'oeuvres while listening to patriotic music provided by Stokes.

At 1 p.m. guests are invited to meet downtown at the corner of U.S. 78/301 for the citys Flag Ceremony.

For more information, contact Douglas or Lisa B. Stokes at 803-682-3379/0538 or Bamberg City Hall at 803-245-5128. The Stokes may also be contacted at stok1156@bellsouth.net.
By Trend





Azerbaijani presidents assistant for public and political issues Ali Hasanov met with a delegation of heads of municipalities of the Cukurova Municipalities Union of Turkey in Baku on November 8.

At the meeting, Hasanov said that Azerbaijan and Turkey are two fraternal states with common national and moral values and historical roots.

"The expression we are one nation, two states by Azerbaijans national leader Heydar Aliyev and the statement Azerbaijans joy is our joy, its sorrow is our sorrow by Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, are the thoughts defining the philosophy of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations," noted Hasanov.

He said that as a result of joint efforts of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the relations between the two countries have strengthened and reached the level of strategic partnership.

The cooperation between the relevant government agencies and local self-governing bodies of Turkey and local executive authorities of Azerbaijan is of great importance in further development of mutual trust between Azerbaijan and Turkey, added the Azerbaijani top official.

In this sense, it is essential to organize mutual visits, said Hasanov.

Noting the support of local municipalities in the effective activity of Azerbaijans diaspora organizations in Turkey, Hasanov noted that exhibitions, concert programs, scientific-practical conferences and other events held regularly are followed with great enthusiasm in Azerbaijan.

It was noted that the feeling of love and respect for the Azerbaijani peoples national leader Heydar Aliyev in Turkey is also observed in the activities of municipalities. Construction of the Heydar Aliyev park and monument complex in Adana Provinces Ceyhan City, Adana Metropolitan Municipalitys decision on giving the name of the national leader to one of the existing parks, plans on establishing a university named after Heydar Aliyev, construction of parks named after Heydar Aliyev in the Mersin Provinces Tarsus City and Hatay Provinces Payas town, and others once again confirm this.

Moreover, monuments, parks, museums dedicated to Azerbaijan have been created and other works have been done at the initiative and organization of Turkish municipalities.

It was noted that the establishment of relations of sister cities between different cities of Azerbaijan and Turkey is of great importance for sharing local self-governance experience.

Currently, Azerbaijans Ganja and Turkeys Izmir, Kars, Bursa, Ordu, Ankara, Elazig, Eskisehir, as well as Azerbaijans Sumgayit and Turkeys Ceyhan, Bakus Khatai District and Tarsus, Nasimi District and Izmit, Shaki City and Meram, Mingachevir City and Golbasi, Shamakhi and Sharur cities and Igdir are sister cities.

Hasanov said the relations between the municipalities of Azerbaijan and Turkey are also developing within various conferences and exhibitions.

It was noted that memorials on graves of Turkish soldiers killed in the battles against Armenian Dashnak armed units in Azerbaijan in 1918 were reconstructed or repaired and that memorial ceremonies are held in front of the Turkish Martyrdom monument on September 15 every year.
















By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

The U.S. administration is determined to consistently and proactively implement the law on tightening the regime of unilateral sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

This was stated by U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker at a hearing in the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress on November 8, TASS reported.

"We are very consistent in our sanctions efforts against Russia... We are also working steadfastly to fulfill the requirements of "Law on Counteracting America's Enemies through Sanctions"... and we are making essential guidelines for action [for the business community] which will continue to tighten the sanctions regime against Russia. This is an effort in which we will need to maintain consistency in order to enforce [business sanctions], and we are extremely committed to it," she said.

Mandelker oversees financial intelligence and issues of combating the financing of terrorism.

The law mentioned by her actually shackled the hands and feet of U.S. President Donald Trump in terms of using the powers that enable him to soften and abolish the already existing restrictive measures against Russia, Iran and North Korea. The law provides that the head of the U.S. administration will be able to take such steps only with the permission of the Congress.

It is possible to completely eliminate the toughened sanctions regime only by adopting a separate law for this purpose, which will require considerable effort.

The current executive branch of the U.S. government, led by Trump, was categorically opposed both to such attempts on his authority, and to giving the new power of anti-Russian sanctions to the law.

Meanwhile, a new meeting of Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is expected to take place soon. They will meet in Vietnam on Friday, November 10, according to Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov.

Ushakov earlier said that Putin and Trump could discuss at the meeting in Vietnam on the sidelines of the APEC summit the situation in Syria and on the Korean Peninsula and bilateral relations, which have reached a low point.

President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, saying he wanted to improve ties with Russia. Putin also spoke favorably of Trump.

However, the ties have been damaged by accusations from U.S. intelligence officials that Russia interfered in the presidential election. Moscow has denied the accusations.

Trump in August grudgingly signed off on new sanctions against Russia, a move Moscow said ended hopes for better ties.

At the same time, Moscow ordered the U.S. to reduce the number of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia to 455 people. In response, the U.S. embassy in Moscow announced that non-immigrant visas will no longer be issued in the three U.S. consulates across the country, beginning on August 23.

At the moment, visas in these three consulates are issued with restrictions - only to those citizens who do not need to pass an interview, according to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) intends to allocate another $300 million to Uzbekistan by the end of next year.

This was stated by the first vice-president of the European Bank, Philip Bennett, at the opening of the EBRD representative office in Tashkent on November 8.

He noted that the bank could resume its work in Uzbekistan in a very short time.

"Since the EBRD shareholders decided to resume work in Uzbekistan, we managed to prepare a number of projects that will be signed before the end of this year and next year. This allows us to look to the future with confidence," the banks representative said.

However, he noted that the activities of the bank are aimed not only at providing financial resources.

"We will also do things in areas where we have great experience, for example, in public-private partnership, renewable energy and preservation of cultural heritage," Bennett said.

The current and future work of the financial institution in the country is directly related to the reforms that are being led by the leadership of Uzbekistan, and their success will affect the financing of certain projects, according to the banks official.

"This week we will sign three projects worth $120 million. In addition, before the end of 2018 we plan to allocate another $300 million to Uzbekistan. We were able to develop a large number of projects in various sectors of the economy, which we intend to implement in the coming years. They are about municipal infrastructure, support of financial institutions, agriculture, commerce and other areas," Bennett said.

At the same time, according to the European bank representative, the EBRD does not have such a concept as the distribution of a fixed budget for the country.

Therefore, if there is market demand, if the situation permits, the bank intends to continue investing money, attracting investors to work in Uzbekistan, he added.

Previously, the bank approved a $120 million credit line to the republic for three projects.

Of these funds, $70 million will be used by the Uzbek National Bank to finance final borrowers of small and medium-sized businesses while the remaining $30 million - to support trade finance. The purpose of this loan is to improve the possibility of medium-term financing of representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, including in the regions of the country.

The remaining amount will be shared between Agromir Juice JV LLC and the pharmaceutical company Jurabek Laboratories.

Currently, the Bank together with the involved ministries and departments of Uzbekistan is in the process of development a draft of the EBRD country program for Uzbekistan, which will further expand the Bank's interaction with the Central Asian nation.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to approve a new country program for Uzbekistan next summer.

"If we talk about the next stage of our work, we plan to develop a comprehensive plan, where our priorities will be described, we call this document the country strategy, and we expect that the first preliminary document will be ready by the end of March next year," Bennett said.

After that, he added, a series of consultations with partners in Uzbekistan will begin, where, in addition to government structures, the private sector will also be involved.

"Approximately in mid-summer, we expect that the final version of this country strategy will be adopted," the vice president stressed.

Uzbekistan joined the EBRD in 1992. According to the EBRD, the bank invested almost 900 million euros in the country and implemented about 54 projects in energy, entrepreneurship, transportation, construction, development of mineral resources, etc.
Happy Birthday Roy! This toy blog post is a blast from the past. I posted it on June 29, 2010 and almost six years on it has become releva...
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first museum to bear the Louvre name outside France, was yesterday inaugurated.

The UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and President of France Emmanuel Macron, opened the museum.

In attendance were King Mohammed VI of Morocco, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, President Mohammed Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, and a host of guests representing several countries, Wam news agency said.

An iconic architectural masterpiece designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, Louvre Abu Dhabi took over a decade in the making.

The contract for the project was awarded to a joint venture led by UAE builder Arabtec along with partners Constructora San Jose and Oger Abu Dhabi in 2013.

The museum is topped by an enormous signature dome (180-m-diameter) of overlapping geometric lattices that weighs more than 7,500 tonnes. The design of the cladding of the dome, which is the museums main feature, is inspired by the interlaced palm leaves traditionally used as roofing material in the UAE.



The roofs complex pattern is the result of a highly studied geometric design, repeated at various sizes and angles in eight different layers, giving the dome a delicate form that leads to a magnificent rain of light effect.

On the iconic project, designer Nouvel said: "Louvre Abu Dhabi embodies an exceptional programme in the literal sense of the word. Its vocation is now to express what is universal throughout the ages. Its architecture makes it a place of convergence and correlation between the immense sky, the sea-horizon and the territory of the desert."



"Its dome and cupola imprint the space with the consciousness of time and of the moment through an evocative light of a spirituality that is its own," he added.



The massive dome is made up of four outer stainless steel layers and four inner layers, supported by a steel structure 5 m in height. These layers consist of 7,850 star-shaped pieces of aluminium and stainless steel, of various sizes and angles  the largest of which measures 13 m in diameter and weighs 1.3 tonnes, he stated.



The dome, which was constructed over the span of 10 months, was originally built on top of 120 temporary towers as a way to support its weight during the construction process.

It was then lifted atop its final position supported by only four concrete piers in a first-of-its-kind technique in the world of construction for a permanent structure of this scale and size, he added.



It will open to the public this Saturday (November 11), with a spectacular week-long series of celebrations, stated the report.

The museum offers a new perspective on the history of art in a globalised world. It will have on display a rare collection that spans the history of humanity, arranged on a chronological journey from prehistory to the present day, encompassing 12 chapters including the birth of the first villages; universal religions; cosmography; the magnificence of the royal court; and the modern world.

Ahead of the opening, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, received the heads of state upon their arrival to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The guests toured the different sections of the museum and marvelled at the rare pieces on display of ancient masterpieces, including Bactrian Princess created in Central Asia at the end of the third millennium BCE, a Grecian sphinx from the sixth century BCE, a Gothic Bible, as well as a winged dragon statue from China.

They also stopped at other ancient and contemporary pieces from the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and France and other countries.

The inaugural installation in its spacious collection galleries will present 600 works of art, half from its own holdings and half consisting of loaned works from its 13 partner museums in France. The museum will also begin an ongoing programme of special exhibitions in December.



Located on the waterfront in Abu Dhabis cultural district on Saadiyat Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi is the result of a unique collaboration between the UAE capital and France.



The museums collection spans the history of humanity and will explore a universal narrative through artworks and artefacts from all over the world.



The inaugural installation will take visitors on a chronological journey from prehistory to the present day, encompassing 12 chapters including the birth of the first villages, universal religions, cosmography, the magnificence of the royal court, and the modern world, said the Wam report.

"It is a true example of how culture can bridge the histories and stories of two different nations," remarked Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, on the launch.



Noting that its 180-m-wide dome by prize-winning architect Nouvel is set to become "an iconic image of Abu Dhabi and its cultural scene," she said the museum "brings together cultures and civilisations bridging East and West."



Describing herself as having been "honoured to be a part of this momentous occasion," Al Kaabi pointed out that the 10-year journey from conception to opening "reiterates Abu Dhabis commitment to culture and development, placing the UAE as a regional leader."



Mohamed Al Mubarak, the chairman of the Department of Tourism and Culture Department - Abu Dhabi, and the Tourism Development and Investment Company, TDIC, said: "Each visitor will encounter extraordinary artworks and artefacts from global cultures that are both familiar and surprising. Louvre Abu Dhabi is the UAEs gift to the world, and we look forward to welcoming our first visitors."



Manuel Rabate, the director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: "It sets a benchmark for the region, attracting the next generation of talented museum professionals. It has reinvented the 18th-century premise of the universal museum for a demanding contemporary audience. In a complex multi-narrative world, these ideas are more important than ever."



"By exhibiting works from diverse cultures in the same space, our curation shows the interconnectedness of different ideologies, aesthetics and artistic techniques. The museum story transports visitors through a history of humanity illuminated by our collection of exceptional treasures," noted Rabate.



Commenting on behalf of Musee du Louvre, Jean-Luc Martinez, the president-director of Musee du Louvre and chairman of the Scientific Board of Agence France-Museums, said: "Louvre Abu Dhabi is a museum like no other, which could be considered as the most ambitious cultural project of the early 21st century. It carries a message of openness, which is critical for our era."



Presented across 6,400 sq m of galleries, the museums growing collection includes more than 600 important artworks and artefacts, approximately half of which will be presented for the opening year. It includes ancient archaeological finds, decorative arts, neoclassical sculptures, paintings by modern masters and contemporary installations.



Ancient masterpieces from the collection include a Bactrian Princess created in Central Asia at the end of the 3rd millennium BCE, a Grecian sphinx from the 6th century BCE and an Iranian gold bracelet in the shape of a lion.



Highlights from later periods include an ancient astrolabe, part of a display showing the science of cosmography, a red Chinese lacquer chest of drawers produced in France by Bernard II van Risenburgh, which shows the cross-cultural inspirations born from global trade routes, and Giovanni Bellinis 'Madonna and Child', representing the emergence of religious art and iconography, said the Wam report.



Works such as a Bronze Oba head from the Benin Kingdom and Jacob Jordaens 'The Good Samaritan' demonstrate the magnificence of royal courts around the world.



A series of iconic paintings captures the emergence of the modern world, including Gustave Caillebottes 'Game of Bezique', Edouard Manets 'The Gypsy', Paul Gauguins 'Children Wrestling', Osman Hamdi Beys 'A Young Emir Studying', Piet Mondrians 'Composition with Blue, Red, Yellow and Black', Rene Magrittes 'The Subjugated Reader' and Pablo Picassos 'Portrait of a Lady', it stated.



Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, the chairman of Agence France-Museums, said: "What more stimulating challenge could there be for the French museums and cultural institutions than to invent, in partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi, a museum entirely unlike any other in existence?"



"Committed all together, they remind us with Louvre Abu Dhabi that culture and education remain invaluable foundations that this museum, now open to one and all, embodies in so many ways," he stated.



At the opening, 300 works from French partner museums are on display. Additional works from regional and UAE institutions will be on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi.



The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah provides key objects including a pendant dating back to 2000-1800 BCE and a painted Neolithic vase, discovered on the 8000-year-old settlement on Marawah Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi.



The other highlights are a prehistoric stone tool dating back to 350,000 BCE, a milestone indicating the distance from Makkah in Kufic inscriptions and a funerary stele dating back to 700900 CE from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, a collection of over 400 silver Dirham coins from the National Museum  Sultanate of Oman, and an 8,000-year-old, two-headed figure from Jordans Department of Antiquities called the Ain Ghazal Statue.



The Childrens Museum at Louvre Abu Dhabi will also open to the public, and its inaugural special exhibition, 'From One Louvre to Another: Opening a Museum for Everyone', opens on December 21.



The museum galleries and exhibitions will be open on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 8pm and on Thursday and Friday from 10am to 10pm.
Conex Banninger, a global leader in the design and manufacture of fittings, valves and accessories for domestic, commercial and industrial applications, including air-conditioning and refrigeration, will be showcasing the innovative new additions to its product portfolio at the upcoming Big 5 expo in Dubai, UAE.



The company, which boasts solid bases in six continents across the globe, recently opened its office and warehouse in Dubai to consolidate its growing presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and other part of the Middle East.

Conex Banninger is a brand belonging to IBP Group, a globally focused business encompassing the design, manufacture and supply of plumbing fittings, valves and bathroom products.



Richard Franks, the business unit director for the Gulf, said: "As well as being the largest construction event in the Middle East, The Big 5 presents us with a terrific platform to meet our current customers in the region as well as exploring potential business opportunities with new persons."



"It is a very worthwhile and productive four days, which is why IBP Group has chosen to exhibit Conex Banninger products here for a number of years," stated Franks.



"Im particularly excited to be able to introduce the >B< MaxiPro range, which has proven successful since its adoption in Australia and which is making significant advances following its introduction earlier this year in the UK and Europe," he added.



According to him, the >B< MaxiPro is an innovative flame-free press fitting solution developed by Conex Banninger for air-conditioning and refrigeration applications.



"As a mechanically strong joint, there is no need for a hot works permit, the risk of fire is eliminated, it can be used in confined spaces and the speed of connection is significantly faster than for traditional brazing," he explained.



The product can be used up to a maximum operating pressure of 48 bar, with a permanent maximum operating temperature of range of -40 deg C to 140 deg C. To produce a permanent tight connection, the fittings are pressed over three points, one on each side of the bead and one compressing the O-ring, he added.



Each fitting comes with an industry-standard 12-month warranty, extended to five years when the official training programme is undertaken and the installation is made in line with Conex Banninger guidelines.



Franks said the other flame-free solutions to be promoted at The Big 5 will include >B<Press, Copper Push-Fit, >B<Push, Conex compression and Conex Push-Fit.
Estimates indicate an expected rise in the proportion of the elderly in the UAE from 6 percent to 29 percent by 2050, according to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

''These figures underline the urgent need for the development of an elderly care system to include health services and all related medical and social care services," Humaid Al Qutami, chairman of the board and director-general of the DHA, was quoted as saying by Wam news agency.

He was speaking during his opening speech at the Mena Geriatric Summit 2017, which was launched on Thursday by the DHA in partnership with the Swiss Business Council.

He added that the two-day summit seeks to provide an interactive platform to discuss and highlight numerous health-related issues and challenges when it comes to the care and treatment of the elderly.

''As the region's healthcare delivery improves, mortality numbers are dropping and there is an increasingly ageing population that we as healthcare professionals must take care of. The conference aims to provide an intensive and comprehensive review of the most important changes in elderly healthcare and geriatric medicine by bringing together specialists in the field to exchange ideas and knowledge between different disciplines,'' Al Qutami said.

The conferences scientific programme will showcase new developments and share international views on different topics in elderly care, which will cover healthy ageing, nutrition for the ageing, geronto-psychiatry, sensory, neuro disorders of the ageing, non-communicable diseases, anti-ageing medicine and chronic diseases to name a few.

Peter Harradine, president of the Swiss Business Council - Dubai and Northern Region, said the DHA and the Swiss Business Council realise that the world, as a whole, is facing difficulties in providing the correct care for the elderly. More than half the adults over the age of 65 have three or more medical problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, dermatology, osteoporosis, obesity, kidney disease, prostate enlargement, eye diseases, Alzheimers disease, or high blood pressure and that is just to name a few.

He added that geriatrics has become an issue, which is why hosting such a conference that focusses on geriatric care is important.
Re:Cognition Health, a leading UK clinic is offering help to Middle Eastern patients who suffer with memory loss and other symptoms of cognitive impairment.



Re:Cognition Health is located in the Harley Street Medical Area, London - an area famed for its medical excellence in treating complex and life threatening conditions. The area, managed by long term landlord The Howard de Walden Estate, brings together a community of world renowned medical professionals.



Dementia, including Alzheimers disease, is one of the biggest global public health challenges facing our generation. Over 35 million people worldwide currently live with the condition and this number is expected to double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050 to 115 million.



Re:Cognition Health, which is attending Arab Health 2018, provides education, clinical excellence and access to the most advanced treatments available, worldwide.



The pioneering brain and mind clinic say results from international clinical trials are bringing us ever closer to treatments to slow down or, ideally, halt the progression of the disease and to improve its symptoms.



Involvement in clinical trials enables individuals, with residency in the country where the trials are taking place, to get early access to the next generation emerging medications, free of charge, before these medications are licensed for global use.



Those participants enrolling at a Re:Cognition Health Centre receive outstanding medical care and are monitored, regularly, throughout the study by a team of cognitive experts. As the pharmaceutical company covers all medical costs, the very best care and medical facilities are provided at no cost to the individual.



Dementia, including Alzheimers disease, is one of the biggest global public health challenges facing our generation. Over 35 million people worldwide currently live with the condition and this number is expected to double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050 to 115 million.



In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared dementia as a priority condition through the Mental Health Gap Action Programme and revealed that Mena will see a 125 per cent increase in cases by 2050. Almost 6 per cent of people over 60 are suffering from Alzheimers.



Dr Emer MacSweeney, CEO and medical director of Re:Cognition Health said: With the introduction of new biomarkers to detect evidence of Alzheimers disease at its earliest stage, there is reason for cautious optimism that new generation medications will delay progression of disease and also boost cognition.



Just as research through clinical studies has improved our outlook for numerous diseases including previously fatal infections and certain forms of cancer; the same action is being taken today for Alzheimers disease. With every study conducted we understand more about the disease and become closer to finding treatments, and ultimately, a cure.



At Re:Cognitions premises, behind the Georgian facade lays the latest in cutting edge medical technology. The Harley Street area is proud to offer unique and complex surgeries performed by renowned surgeons, and many world class practitioners for the overall management of recovery and health of patients.



The Arab Health Exhibition & Congress is the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East. It is taking place from January to February 1, 2018, at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre.  TradeArabia News Service
The UAE has launched the first report of the Urban Mobility Innovation Index (UMii) that features 30 global cities including London, New York, Munich, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.



Launched by Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the report was approved by the Board of International Association for Public Transport.



Dubais participation in the Index is in line with the Dubai Innovation Strategy, which includes about 20 initiatives to be implemented over three years with the aim of making Dubai the most innovative city in the world. Transport is one of the key pillars of the Strategy.



The report outlines mechanisms to calculate the index of innovation in urban mobility and the results of cities in the components of the index, along with the most practical recommendations that can be applied by cities to implement innovative solutions in the development of the transport system. The report also features the Innovation Wheel in urban mobility, which focuses on engaging stakeholders in the development and implementation of transport plans.



It also focuses on analysing the source of mobility challenges and providing innovative solutions as well as benefiting from the large data, and the potential of the community. It aims to promote flexibility in policies and legislation to keep pace with rapid developments in the sector.



The benchmark criteria of the Index were determined by conducting standard comparisons at the level of transportation authorities around the world, and identifying areas of innovation in this sector. The pilot version of the Index was applied in five major cities, London, Helsinki, Singapore, Sao Paulo and Dubai in 2016.



Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said that International Association of Public Transport (UITP) selected Dubai to launch the first report of UMii.



The Index was also applied in Dubai. Results of the Index in Dubai showed that the city is very advanced in this domain.



Al Tayer said that Dubai executes mobility projects with high efficiency and proficiency, and always focuses on the integration of the transport system.



UMii aims to provide insights into urban mobility and innovation in cities across the world, and deliver a guide for cities to foster innovation in their urban mobility services and systems. Data is collected globally from cities invited to participate in the index. UITP will collect the data of the participating cities every three years. Five new cities will be added each year to the Index.  TradeArabia News Service
Reignwood International Investment Group has signed an agreement with Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, to purchase an additional 50 Bell 505s over a previous order, and act as the exclusive reseller for the Bell 505 in China and establish a Bell 505 delivery and maintenance centre.



The new contract follows previous purchase agreements signed earlier this year with Reignwood for 60 Bell 505s, which leads to a total of 110 Bell 505 aircraft, said a statement from the company.



The signing was witnessed by US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross as part of US President Donald Trumps trade mission to China, it said.



Signing for Bell Helicopter was president and CEO, Mitch Snyder, who was also a member of President Trumps trade mission, and Reignwood Aviations chairman, Zheng Gang, it added.



Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter, said: Between Shaanxi Helicopters order for 100 Bell 407GXPs and Reignwoods purchase agreements for 110 Bell 505s, demand for our helicopters in China has surged this year.



This signature solidifies our relationship with Reignwood and our commitment to develop the commercial rotorcraft industry in China, he said.



Zheng Gang, chairman of Reignwood Aviation, said: We are pleased to have finalised this agreement with Bell Helicopter.



We look forward to bringing the Bell 505 to customers in China and growing the use of helicopters in the corporate, tourism and utility sectors, he added.



The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is Bell Helicopters new five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability through advanced avionics technology.



It incorporates proven dynamic components, advanced aerodynamic design, a dual channel Fadec Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine and best-in-class value, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Sadara Chemical Company has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) establishing industrial training partnerships with Jubail Industrial College (JIC) and Jubail Technical Institute (JTI).



The MoUs with the two Jubail educational institutions constitute a strategic Learning and Development (L&D) initiative by Sadaras Human Capital Development department designed to add value to Sadaras employees by providing them with the best technical training and development opportunities, and access to highly-sought local and international professional and technical certifications.



The open-ended agreements, which promote the development of engineers, operators and technicians, seek to encourage an exchange of knowledge and best practices in the following areas: Academic, Scientific, Technical, Engineering Development, Research & Development (R&D) and L&D.



The MoUs also seek to customize training and educational solutions to meet Sadaras specific requirements, and to collaborate on mutual community outreach initiatives in the area of Learning and Development.



Dr Faisal Al-Faqeer, Sadara CEO said, We are immensely pleased to partner with them on strategic learning and development initiatives that will help add value to Sadaras professional and technical workforce. The proximity of the two institutions to Sadara and their value propositions as leading, non-profit educational organizations, make them a clear choice for partnership.



Vice-president of Industrial Relations Farhan Al-Qahtani, said: These agreements are the next step in Sadaras human resource development journey. It gives us great pleasure to be partnering with some of the best learning and development organizations in the region. JIC and JTI are pioneers in learning and development in Jubail, and Sadara is honoured to be establishing a strong partnership with each of them today.

Both JIC and JTI are subject matter experts in the chemical and petrochemical industry, with global educational accreditation in various fields, who offer reliable access to well-known, global education and certification bodies such as Munich Technical University and the American Welding Society.



Sadara is a joint venture developed by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and The Dow Chemical Company.  TradeArabia News Service
The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) has signed an agreement with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), a leading exploration company in the sultanate, to build a planetarium in Qatar.



As per the MoU, the duo will also set up a first-of-its-kind observatory in the country, reported The Gulf Times.



This agreement is a significant step in co-operation, exchange of experiences, workshops and training between the two parties in the astronomy field, stated the report.



In 2000, PDO had built the sultanates first planetarium as an annex to the Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre as a gift to the Omani nation.



Under this deal, PDO will train some employees from Katara on relevant aspects regarding the facility in Oman, it added.


Shell Aviation, a unit of UK-based Royal Dutch Shell, has signed a fuelling concession agreement to operate the new into-plane and fuel farm facilities as the sole jet fuel supplier at Salalah International Airport in Oman.



Shell Aviation now supplies jet fuel at the two largest airports in the country  Muscat (MCT) and Salalah (SLL).



We see significant potential in Salalah and we aim to support their growth by providing our extensive expertise in fuel supply, said Anne Anderson, vice president Shell Aviation, said during the signing ceremony. We are pleased to add Salalah to our global network as we also mark 55 years of operations in Oman.



Salalah International Airport was expanded in 2015 to enable it to serve 1 million passengers per year as part of Omans strategy to further develop the area as a tourist destination. The airport has also been designed to allow for further expansion that could enable it to cater for up to six million passengers annually.



Salim Awadh Said Al Yafaey, general manager, Salalah International Airport, said: Shell Aviations operational and safety capabilities were decisive factors for us. Efficiency and supply security will be key in achieving our ambitious vision for the airport and Salalah. We believe Shell Aviation is the right choice to help us get there.



Shell Aviation customers at Salalah will benefit from fuel supply security backed by Shells integrated supply chain; product quality assurance via Shells Fuel Quality Assurance System; professional account management providing a single focal point for fuel requirements across Shells global network; and access to local expertise by leveraging Shell's aviation experience in Oman.  TradeArabia News Service
Omans Ministry of Oil and Gas will sign four agreements with oil companies for concession areas, a report said.



The agreements will be signed with Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP), Occidental Oman for concession area No 30, reported Oman Observer.



Another agreement will be signed with ARA Petroleum for the concession area No 31. The third agreement will be signed with Tethys Oil Oman for the concession area No 49, while the fourth agreement will be signed with INA of Italy and OOCEP for the concession area No 52, according to the report.




Saudi Aramco has signed $4.5 billion worth of agreements with several oil and gas service contractors for mega energy projects designed to enhance the companys energy sustainability, diversify the economy, expand gas production, and localise domestic content.



Eight agreements were signed, including three with Madrid-based Tecnicas Reunidas under the Gas Compression Program in the Southern Area. The project will improve and sustain gas production from Haradh and Hawiyah fields for the next 20 years by bringing an additional 1 billion standard cubic feet per day (scfd).



The Hawiyah Gas Plant (HGP) Expansion Project will provide additional gas processing facilities to process raw sweet gas, to efficiently meet the kingdom's energy demand, said a statement from Aramco.



The contract will be awarded to the Italian firm Snamprogetti (Saipem). Other agreements signed today cover the Free Flow Pipeline Contract for Haradh and Hawiyah (with China Petroleum Pipelines Company); engineering and project management services for the Zuluf Field Development Program (with Jacobs Engineering Inc.); the Pipeline and Trunk line Project of Safaniyah Field (with Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC); and the Slipover Platforms and Electrical Distribution Platform Project in Safaniyah Field (with McDermott Middle East).



Announcing the mega projects, Saudi Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said: "These agreements we signed are part of our natural gas expansion, as we add about 1 billion scfd. This reflects our commitment to introducing new supplies of clean-burning natural gas."



"These new supplies will help reduce domestic reliance on liquid fuels for power generation, enable increased liquids exports, provide feedstock to petrochemical industries, and reduce carbon emissions," he noted.



Nasser pointed out that investments like these help secure Saudi Aramcos preeminent position as a reliable supplier of energy domestically and to the world.



"They also reflect our concerted effort, as stated in Saudi Vision 2030, to diversify our economy, promote local manufacturing, support a sustainable environment, and strengthen our business and investment climate with the domestic private sector through fruitful international partnerships," he added.



*North, South and Satellite Gas Compression Plants

The Gas Compression Program in Southern Area provides for improving and sustaining gas production from Haradh and Hawiyah fields by reducing choke pressure at the wellhead to 300 pounds per square inch gauge.



The program will extend plateau life at the same production rates for both fields for the next 20 years. The program will also provide for boosting the production by around 1.3 billion scfd supplementing sales gas and condensate production.



The scope of work includes installation of gas compression facilities, liquid separation stations and transmission lines to Haradh and Hawiyah Gas Plant along with expanding the existing gas gathering pipeline network. The execution of all three contracts will be awarded to Spanish group Tecnicas Reunidas on an LSTK basis. Engineering and Procurement services will be carried out from the contractors headquarters in Madrid, Spain.



*Hawiyah Gas Plant Expansion

Hawiyah Gas Plant (HGP) Expansion Project will provide additional gas processing facilities to process 1,070 million scfd of raw sweet gas to efficiently meet the kingdom's energy demand. The scope mainly includes inlet facilities, two new gas treatment trains, dehydration and dew point control facilities, two sales gas compression units, high and low pressure flare and flare recovery systems, steam turbine generation unit, expansion of electrical and non-electrical utilities in addition to four new Industrial support buildings.



The LSTK contract will be awarded to the Italian EPC firm, Snamprogetti (Saipem). The new gas processing facilities will be on stream by June 2021. Once completed, the project will increase the total production at HGP to approximately 3,860 million scfd, and will make it one of the largest gas processing facilities in the world.



*Free Flow Pipeline Contract

The Free Flow Pipelines Packages allows for an early start of the Haradh Gas Increment Program. It provides for installing around 450km of pipeline network by early 2019 in order to allow for free flowing 290 million scfd from Haradh field to Hawiyah Gas Plant to ensure a sustained gas production from Haradh and Hawiyah fields until the completion of the compression plants.



The scope of this contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipelines (CPP) Company based on a Lump Sum Procure Build (LSPB) basis.



*Engineering & Project Management Services (PMC) for Zuluf Field Development Program

The Zuluf program will provide facilities to process 600 MBCD of Arab heavy crude oil from Zuluf offshore field. The scope of work includes water injection and oil wellhead platforms, tie-in platforms, trunk lines and flowlines in addition to 600 mbcd Onshore Central Processing Facilities which will contain aq new Gas/Oil Separation Plant, Gas Compression Facilities and new water injection plants.



The stabilized crude oil will be transported to Juaymah terminal via new downstream pipelines. The separated gas and condensate streams will be transported to the proposed Tanajib Gas Plant via new pipelines. The contract for engineering and project management services for the Zuluf program will be awarded to Jacobs Engineering.



*TP 21, Trunklines 14 & 15 in Safaniyah Field

This project provides for EPCI of one Tie in Platform (jacket and deck) to serve as an additional gathering hub for future oil wellhead platforms in Safaniyah field. It will also provide an additional power supply for the Safaniya Field via 20 kms of subsea cable.



Also, the project will install 30 x 25.5 km long concrete weight coated trunk line (TL), 14 pipeline between the new TP-21 and the onshore Safaniya GOSP-1. The Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) will be executing the two-year work under the guidance of Saudi Aramcos Offshore Project Department.



*Slipover Platforms and Electrical Distribution Platform in Safaniyah Field

The project provides for EPCI of 10 new Slipover Platforms in the South Safaniya Field. This project is designed to enhance the production of crude oil in Safaniyah Field.



The project will also install a new Electrical Distribution Platform (EDP) which will serve as an offshore power substation, and will supply the 10 new slipover platforms with electricity to power the electrical submersible pumps on each facility. McDermott Middle East (Dubai) will be executing the three-year project under the guidance of Saudi Aramcos Offshore Projects Department.



A world leader in integrated energy and chemicals, Saudi Aramco said these projects reflect companys continued commitment to increasing gas production.-TradeArabia News Service
Sennheiser, one of the worlds leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and wireless transmission systems, has appointed Fadi Costantine as its new technical sales manager in the Middle East region.



In this role, Costantine will primarily focus on supporting customers and growing Sennheisers footprint in the Business Communication, System Integration and Audio Recording segments, said a statement from the company.



As a part of the technical sales and application engineering department, he will help deliver technical support for the system solutions channel across all of Sennheisers target verticals.



Costantine's skills and experience working with system integrators will be integral in getting the firm's business communication products into some of the exciting projects taking place in the region in the coming months and years, said the audio specialist in its statement.



Prior to this, he held the position of audio division manager at Venuetech, Sennheisers long standing distributor in the region. As a result, he already has a wealth of experience and knowledge on the technical and commercial aspects of Sennheisers range of audio solutions.



During the tenure with Venuetech, he led project design and client support efforts on high-profile projects such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, King Saud Stadium in Riyadh, Basra Stadium in Iraq, and the Lusail and Khalifa Stadia in Qatar.



In his new role, Costantine will be working closely with Ryan Burr, the head of technical sales and application engineering at Sennheiser Middle East.



"A certain amount of confidence has returned to the market in 2017 and weve been running at above 20 per cent versus the previous year. This is clearly the time for us to reinvest in our regional presence to capitalize on new opportunities," remarked Burr.



"Costantine is the ideal candidate to help us drive further growth as he brings with him wide-ranging knowledge of our customer base and pertinent skills that will be invaluable to our team and our customers," he added.



He is a diploma holder in audio-visual and sound engineering from the Academie Des Sciences Cinematographiques Et Theatrales in Lebanon, and has achieved several certifications from vendors including Electro Voice, Dynacord, Extron, AMX, Datasat, Biamp, and Audinate.



On his new position, Costantine said: "Joining Sennheiser presents me with the opportunity to drive innovation and the uptake of best practices in the Middle East industry."



"Over the duration of my career in the UAE and Lebanon, I have established professional relationships with key industry figures which I will now leverage to help Sennheiser penetrate into new customer accounts," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
On June 3, 2015, J.R. Hunter, beloved son, grandson, brother and friend, took his life. He was 36. He suffered from depression. Shortly thereafter, his family began to host grassroots support group meetings that continue today. They have also embraced the national semicolon tattoo movement, as well as rubber bracelets, which they purchase 4,000 at a time and distribute worldwide for free, and a Facebook page with more than 15,000 members.

Jersey Mikes hosts a fundraiser for the family effort from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, with a portion of sales from that time going to J.R.s Hunt; for life. Here, Jenny chats about the family effort.

Can you tell us your story? When this happened, we were obviously at a loss and it demolished our lives. Our daughter, my husband and I, we knew that we needed help but we did not know how to find it or where to find it. We needed to be around people who were like minded, people that got it. We started this support group. We intended for it to just go through the holidays. We didnt know how we were going to live through the holidays. We realized that we had to be around these people to begin to heal, and the people who came, they found out they needed to be around all of us also. And now, two years later, we have the same people, new people, people come and go. Its a very confidential setting, they are safe, they say what they need to say. That group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the 12/24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott. Anyone who is grieving a suicide or death or considering suicide is encouraged to attend.

And then a second group was formed? Then we wanted to start pursuing prevention, how to offer that, so its a peer-to-peer depression support group that meets right after the survivors group at 6:45 p.m., on the second and fourth Wednesday, same day, same place. The survivors group is people who are grieving the loss of their loved one. The depression group is a prevention group, people who have suicidal ideation and have these thoughts. Talk saves lives. Its a great way to talk it out and get the thoughts out and be safe for a little while longer. They come to the group because they havent found that understanding from a counselor and they dont want to be in front of a counselor and feel like they are being analyzed, so they come to peer to peer and everybody understands.

And now there is a Facebook page? About a year and a half ago, I started our Facebook page, which is about prevention and support for losses. We have almost 15,000 people on that page to date. Many of them wouldnt leave their house to come to group and speak out what they need to speak out, and thousands of people support them on this page.

Do you worry that you dont have the professional training to deal with some of them? We have done intervention. We find out where theyre from, where they live, we have a way to message them or their friends will message us, so we can help everybody. We have called authorities for welfare checks, we have called family members and have them do the contacting, well do whatever we have to do. Yes, we do save lives. We have many, many testimonies.

Does the good you do outweigh the feeling youre not doing enough? Its a little bit of both of that. Its like they are my family. I do worry that Im not doing enough. They support me too. They will tell me that good things are happening, and that we need to keep this up. Were all survivors helping each other survive.

And you have bracelets? We started making bracelets about a year or so ago. We give 4,000 a month away free, by request. Its global. It costs around $600 a month to order them, then we pay for the shipping. You cant put a price on a life. In Casper, the bracelets are free at Goodwill, Rescued Treasures, Salvation Army, Bradleys and Peaches.

Whats with the semicolon? It was started by Amy Bluel in 2013 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, after her father took his life. In literature, a semicolon means theres more to that sentence, a period means that the sentence has ended. A semicolon means theres more to your story. After J.R.s funeral, we had gotten some memorials, so the Inkspot charged $25 for a semicolon tattoo and we paid for them. It was supposed to be just one Saturday, and it was so popular it went Saturday and Sunday for four weeks. And at the Inkspot, it was like a giant support group, people would come in and cry and tell their stories. It was absolutely amazing and very healing for those people. I got my semicolon on the palm of my hand, so when Im missing him, I close my hand and I can hug him.

J.R. was certified in CPR and hes credited with saving lives. He was very verbal about his struggles. He doesnt have to be here to be helping people, he is still helping thousands of people.

(To contact Jenny, attend a support group, message her through the Facebook page or email her at jlh35@hotmail.com.)
A Natrona County District Court judge on Wednesday declined to throw out the October sex assault conviction of a Casper resident.

Judge Catherine Wilking offered only a brief explanation of her ruling Wednesday, citing prior case law as she dismissed Miguel Martinezs motion for a new trial.

A jury convicted Martinez on Oct. 18 of first-degree and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Martinez appealed the conviction, saying prosecutors had withheld evidence that would have swayed the jury.

During the 15-minute hearing, defense attorney Dylan Rosalez mostly relied upon arguments made in the written motion for a new trial. Rosalez argued that documents created by the Department of Family Services would have allowed him to question the reliability of a witness in the case. Rosalez has not reviewed the documents, he said.

Rosalez said his knowledge of the documents came from another witness who appeared at trial.

Prosecutor Michael Blonigen spoke forcefully when he said there was no legal basis for producing the documents. The witness who referenced the documents had not actually reviewed them and was relying on second-hand accounts when characterizing the documents, Blonigen said.

I cant just willy-nilly produce reports, he said.

He said that the defense had plenty of time to request documents from the Department of Family Services prior to trial and did not do so.

When Wilking asked Rosalez why he had not questioned the witness with second-hand knowledge of the documents at trial, the defense attorney said he thought doing so could have run afoul of rape shield laws.

After the judge adjourned the hearing, Martinez was led away by bailiffs. He will return to Natrona County Detention Center while he awaits sentencing. He could face up to 70 years in prison on the two charges.

Police began investigating the case when a 10-year-old girls mother reported in March that her daughter said Martinez sexually assaulted her in the bathroom of a residence.

The girl told investigators that Martinez, who is a family friend, sexually assaulted her. Nurses at the Wyoming Medical Center completed a sexual assault exam and found evidence shed been sexually assaulted.
RIVERTON  The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will not revisit its February ruling that Riverton is not within the boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation.

The denial of the re-hearing was announced Tuesday.

A panel of three judges had ruled against an Environmental Protection Agency opinion that said Riverton was on the reservation.

That prompted the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes to ask for an en banc hearing, meaning all judges on the 10th Circuit would weigh in on the case, not just three. The en banc hearing could have included more than a dozen judges.

The petition was circulated to all of the courts judges, but not one asked for a rehearing to be considered.

The tribes had retained a high-profile panel of attorneys to handle the re-hearing request.

Only one hope now remains to have the February decision overturned: a writ of certiorari that would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case.

The Supreme Court denies the vast majority of certiorari requests it gets each year. However, the requests are more likely to be granted in cases where a circuit courts judges are split on the case. That happened in the Riverton boundaries case, with Carlos Lucero the dissenting judge.

In the courts Tuesday announcement, both majority and minority opinions were revised slightly.

The tribes had argued that the internal conflict, along with the rulings conflicts with rulings from other appellate courts, merits further judicial review. They had also argued that the consequences the case could have in Fremont County, as well as the impact on similar boundary disputes, further necessitates a rehearing.

Attorneys for the state of Wyoming called the arguments for a rehearing overblown but agreed that this case is of exceptional public importance to the thousands of Wyoming residents whose lives and livelihoods would have been disrupted had the panel upset the status quo.

The states attorneys said the opposition misrepresents the practical effect of the decision in a flourish of hyperbole.

(The 10th Circuit decision) infringes the sovereignty of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, hindering the tribes power to tax, exercise criminal jurisdiction over tribal members, resolve child-welfare issues, and claim water rights, wrote Seth P. Waxman, legal counsel for the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, in requesting the rehearing after last winters decision. Finally, it has far-reaching implications because many other Indian statutes contain similar language.

Waxman in particular argued that although the majority noted many conflicting precedents in passing, the judges down-played  and sometimes ignored  the relevance of certain case law.

The panels approach to many of these myriad pieces of contrary textual evidence was to dismiss each on the ground that it is insufficient by itself to preclude diminishment, Waxman said. That divide-and-conquer strategy ignores the Supreme Courts directive that surplus-land statutes be read as a whole.

The tribes have argued that internal conflict, along with the rulings conflicts with rulings from other appellate courts, merits further judicial review. They also argued the consequential nature of the case in Fremont County, as well as the impact on similar boundary disputes, further demanded a rehearing.
A variety of meat, fish and cheese are for sale at the Grant Street Grocery and Market in Casper, but none of it was raised or produced in the state, according to co-owner Lindsey Grant.

Salsa and a honey-vinegar sauce are the only Wyoming items are sold by the specialty market, but Grant said she hopes that will change. She would actually prefer to stock food from local farms and ranches  provided they follow all the proper regulations  because she wants to support the states economy.

I am very interested in locally-made products, if we increase their availability, she said.

Grant isnt the only one intrigued by this idea.

The demand for local products is growing, which is why the Wyoming Business Council recently launched Grown in Wyoming, according to a press release from the council. Local producers who join the program will receive market exposure through consulting, promotion and brand campaigns, and will be featured in materials directed toward grocery stores and restaurants.

The council also encourages retailers and restaurants looking to purchase locally-sourced foods to use the program to connect with producers.

Briana Tanaka, the councils agriculture and international trade coordinator, said Wednesday that the state has plenty of local products to offer.

Beef is one of our greatest commodities, she said. We also produce a lot of sugar, and we have distilleries and wineries and breweries coming into the state that are using local wheat and grain in their products.

The ultimate goal of the program is to keep more money in the state, which fits in with the councils mission to increase economic prosperity in Wyoming, said Tanaka. The council has already received positive feedback on the program, which started two weeks ago.

Jim Magagna, the executive vice-president for the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, said he thinks many local producers could benefit from having their products promoted.

I think we are very excited to see [this program], he said. So much has changed in marketing products today.

Magana said theres no question that the demand for locally produced food is growing, especially among the younger generations. Many people like to know where their food is coming from, and appreciate the fresher quality of local products.

Annual membership fees are currently $35, but will increase to $100 in August, according to the programs website. Those interested in becoming members can visit the website at www.growninwyoming.org
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Nov. 9 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages.
Whats happenin and hoppin across N.M.

Being the dedicated readers that you are, you know that within the metro area of N.M. there are literally hundreds of events going on each week, but we wanted to share all the holiday and winter-related events that are happening across the state. From north to south and east to west, we scoured through the towns of our great state.
Johanna Eubank is an online content producer for the Arizona Daily Star and tucson.com. Contact her at jeubank@tucson.com

About Tales from the Morgue: The "morgue," is what those in the newspaper business call the archives. Before digital archives, the morgue was a room full of clippings and other files of old newspapers.
Five people were sent to the hospital Wednesday night after an explosion at a building in central quickly turned into a two-alarm fire, officials said.

Shortly before 11:45 p.m., several 911 calls were received reporting heavy smoke, flames and explosions from a jojoba oil processing facility in the 2100 block of East Beverly Drive, in the area of East 22nd Street and East Aviation Parkway, said Captain Andy Skaggs, a Tucson Fire Department spokesman.

The first unit arrived at the scene within five minutes, and saw heavy fire involvement with a partial building collapse and multiple victims, Skaggs said.

Firefighters and paramedics began treating the victims, while other firefighters began to battle the blaze from the outside of the building. Additional resources were needed and a second alarm was called in, Skaggs said.

Three aerial ladder trucks were used to fight the fire from above and multiple hose lines were used, flooding the fire with water.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby building, but dealt with access problems, including power lines in the way, a broken gas line, a broken fire sprinkler line and the partial collapse of the building, Skaggs said.

Six employees were working at facility when the explosion occurred. Five of the employees were taken to the hospital and the sixth didn't need treatment, Skaggs said.

It took 19 units consisting of 46 firefighters nearly two-and-a half hours to bring the fire under control. No firefighters were injured.

Employees from Southwest Gas, Tucson Electric Power and Tucson Water helped control utilities while firefighters worked to control the blaze.

Crews remained on scene through the night to put out any hot spots and flare ups that may occur, Skaggs said.

Fire investigators are looking into the cause and origin of the explosion. A damage estimate was not yet available.
PHOENIX  House Speaker J.D. Mesnard launched multiple investigations Wednesday into reports of sexual harassment at the Legislature as three lawmakers and a lobbyist came forward with new allegations, naming Rep. Don Shooter as the offender.

The inquiry was triggered by Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Scottsdale Republican, who had previously said an unnamed legislator harassed her. On Wednesday, she publicly accused Shooter, a Yuma Republican, of multiple incidents stretching over several years.

Ugenti-Rita detailed three specific incidents for Capitol Media Services, including one where she said Shooter, at the time a senator, came to her office, commented about her figure and asked her whether her breasts were real.

She said he showed up at her hotel room with a six-pack of Corona beer when both were at an out-of-state conference; and that in 2011, Shooter said some very inappropriate things to her, to the point where she was so unnerved that she decided to write them down.

The decision by Ugenti-Rita to go public triggered others to come forward later Wednesday.

Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, filed her own complaint Wednesday against Shooter. She told Capitol Media Services that he approached her during the first week of this years legislative session and told her she would be a nice view to look at.

It definitely made me uncomfortable, she said. But Salman, a first-term lawmaker, said she was unsure enough of herself at the time to report it to anyone.

And Rep. Wenona Benally, D-Window Rock, said she witnessed Rep. Shooter using suggestive and sexually inappropriate language in my presence this year.

Separately, the Arizona Capitol Times reported that lobbyist Marilyn Rodriguez said Shooter made inappropriate advances, putting his hand on her knee, when she was talking with him at a restaurant about legislation.

Shooter said through a spokeswoman that he would not comment on any of the allegations.

The issue of sex harassment at the Capitol apparently goes beyond Shooter.

House Majority Whip Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, said Wednesday she has been on the receiving end of both unwanted sexual advances by more than one person as well as intimidating behavior and retaliation by another in a position of power in years past.

I was able to handle one such situation, she said. But Townsend said she had to get the top House Republicans to intercede in another.

In both cases, she provided no names.

Townsend also said she has personally witnessed sexist comments and maltreatment of Ugenti-Rita, though not by Shooter.

Mesnards inquiry will not end there.

Shooter, in a response to Ugenti-Ritas comments, made his own statement questioning the propriety of a relationship she and a House staffer started years ago.

That relationship effectively was a little-guarded secret, with even the speaker being aware of the situation. But now that Shooter has raised the issue, it has to be investigated, said Mesnard press aide Matt Specht.

Ugenti-Rita would not comment on Shooters complaint.

Her initial allegations in late October  before she named Shooter  came on the heels of national publicity about sexual harassment and abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The Weinstein news story led to a flood of complaints against other alleged harassers in various professions.

As to the decision to name Shooter, Ugenti-Rita acknowledged that the incidents are not new. But she said this seemed to be the right time to go public.

I knew that there were other women out there, she said. And I knew that I had a responsibility to do something about it, for myself and for others.

Mesnard said in a prepared statement: All allegations of sexual harassment will be taken seriously in the House. A bipartisan team of investigators will be conducting thorough reviews of all allegations made.

He promised the inquiry will expand if more information is gathered.

Townsend noted that Mesnard, in the wake of Ugenti-Ritas initial complaints  before she named names  put a written policy in place last week to deal with allegations of harassment. But she said more may be needed.

It could definitely be fortified and made better in an effort to prevent such behavior, she said. In fact, Townsend said she is crafting legislation to put any strengthened policy into law.

Some of the allegations against Shooter date to when he was a senator from 2011 to 2016.

But Senate President Steve Yarbrough said his chamber wont conduct its own probe. He said the Senates power to discipline Shooter  if he is guilty of anything  ended when he ceased being a member of that chamber. Shooter has been in the House since January.

Gov. Doug Ducey pointed out Wednesday afternoon that the executive branch of government, including his office, has its own policies.

Theres zero tolerance of sexual harassment, he said It has no place in the workplace, whether youre in the public sector or the private sector.

Ducey noted that the Legislature is a separate and co-equal branch of government, with his office  and executive department policies  having no sway over what happens in the chambers or to their members.

The governor said he supports Mesnards decision to investigate.

Lets get the facts, and they can conduct next steps, he said.
Tucson voters will have to wait a little longer to find out whether two propositions related to funding Reid Park Zoo upgrades have passed.

Pima County election officials are expected to count roughly 10,000 ballots Thursday, Nov. 9, with a majority cast by city voters  the only ones who could vote on the zoo tax propositions.

Proposition 202, which would adjust the city charter, was on track to pass, ahead by 3,182 votes at last count. However, Prop. 203 was a much closer race, with voters opposed to the one-tenth-of-a-cent increase in the city sales tax ahead by only 350 votes.

The propositions, or the Future of Your Zoo initiative, would raise between $8 million and $10 million annually by increasing the citys sales tax.

The bigger issue is what would happen to the zoo measure if Prop. 202 passes and Prop. 203 fails.

Despite assurances that both propositions needed to be approved by voters to pass the tax hike benefiting Reid Park Zoo before the election, a new legal analysis suggests the Tucson City Council might have the authority to approve the tax hike even if Prop. 203 is rejected by voters.

The devil is in the details of the official language of Prop. 202, the one that seems likely to pass.

Inside the language of Prop. 202 is the following sentence: This Act should be liberally construed to ensure that the will of the people of the City of Tucson is carried out as described above.

City Attorney Mike Rankin said the council might be asked to consider how to implement Prop. 202 with this clause but said that ultimately would be a political decision for the elected body.

He acknowledged such action could result in a lawsuit filed against the city, and a judge would decide how to untangle the complicated issue.

Councilman Steve Kozachik faulted the organizers of the zoo measure, saying the group should have followed the example of Prop. 101 earlier this year. In May, Tucson voters overwhelmingly supported a temporary half-cent sales-tax increase to pay for road repairs and public safety equipment and facilities. That increase was passed with one question on the ballot.

They got bad legal advice when they did it with two separate questions, he said.

However, he does think the council should discuss the issue if there is a split vote because he believes many voters were confused about the measure.

It deserves a conversation, he said.

Councilman Paul Cunningham also supports a council discussion but telegraphed he wasnt sure he could support passing the tax increase if one of the propositions fails at the ballot box.

I think any type of dialogue to ensure that voters are heard is important, he said. I am not sure I would vote the tax in, but I would definitely be in favor of discussion.

Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, who is retiring, disagreed and picked up on the fact that thousands of voters left the Prop. 202 measure blank on their ballots.

At last count, 3,346 fewer people weighed in on the charter amendment proposition than the one raising the sales tax.

I would not support mayor and council stepping in. I believe the will of the voters is explicitly expressed by the votes cast on each item on the ballot, she said. It is possible that voters support the zoo plan but that fewer are ready to vote for the tax at this time.

Nancy Kluge, the president of the Reid Park Zoological Society, said she was aware of the issue but has not received legal advice on it.

For now, she said, her group would wait until all of the ballots are counted before deciding what to do.

County officials said they need a full day to process all outstanding ballots from Tuesdays election and opted to wait until all the uncounted ballots  including votes cast at polling locations in the Oro Valley park bond issue  were ready to be counted.

The process of counting ballots requires on-site supervision from both political parties.
PHOENIX  Mexicos ambassador to the United States says those concerned about deteriorating relations between his country and ours need to speak up.

At a Phoenix event Wednesday organized by the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez said his attendance shows how his country and its government value its relationship with Arizona and especially with the governor.

Gutierrez is reaching out not only to Gov. Doug Ducey and Arizona but also to leaders of other border states, with recent trips to California and Texas, as he attempts to deal with what he said is a critical state of U.S.-Mexico relations.

Unless we do the right thing, the status quo is going to be different, Gutierrez said, telling his audience: This is a good time for those of us who believe in the importance of a good relationship between Mexico and the United States, its a good time to be vocal.

Its a good time to raise our voices. Its a good time to educate about what the relationship between Mexico and the United States is  and what its not  about.

Gutierrez had no direct criticism of President Trump, who has lashed out at Mexico and Mexicans for everything from sending drugs and criminals across the international border to taking U.S. jobs through the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Its no secret that the Trump administration and President Trump has what I would say is a basic concern about employment and investment in the United States, Gutierrez said, taking pains to to say thats not necessarily a bad thing.

Let me just be clear: Its a perfectly legitimate concern to be preoccupied about employment in the manufacturing sector, he said.

However, Gutierrez said its not as simple as the Trump administration makes it out to be.

The thing is that every country, and almost every government, has the same concern, he said. There has to be a recognition that much of the problem of lost manufacturing jobs is caused not by trade but instead by technology, he said. So we need to think about the ways, together, we can address that.

But we need to be careful about the diagnosis and the solutions, he continued. If not we could very well end up shooting ourselves.

The ambassador said the relationship for the last few decades had been built on basic assumptions that people need to be reminded about going forward.

The first one is, we are going to be better off working and listening to each other on a lot of the things we have to deal with instead of pointing fingers at each other, he said.

Gutierrez said that includes issues of Trumps rhetoric like drug trafficking and organized crime, as well as questions about trade and water rights.

He also said the United States should recognize that its security concerns after the 2001 terrorist attacks are linked to similar concerns in Mexico, rather than U.S. officials seeing their southern neighbor as part of the problem.

What 9-11 made very clear ... is that if youre really concerned about nonstate security threats and nontraditional security threats ... you really have to be working with your partners throughout the globe to deal with security matters, especially with your neighbors, he said.

Finally, he said, the two countries, along with Canada, made the decision to better integrate their economies through things like NAFTA.

What happened is these assumptions have recently been questioned, he continued, leading to a major disruption in the bilateral relationship.

Gutierrez said if theres any doubt about the benefits of that relationship, all anyone needs to do is see whats happening elsewhere. The world is a very messy place, he said, noting the European Union is under strain and NATO is also under stress.

You do have a resurgent China that is competing militarily, politically and economically with the United States, albeit peacefully, he said.

Why complicate North America? he asked. We have had something pretty good going.

The ambassador said he was not saying that no changes and updates need to be made to NAFTA. We do have to take into account the e-economy is here, he said. That means addressing things like intellectual property rights and more modern concerns about the environment.

Ducey, speaking to the same group, underlined the ties he has made directly with the national government in Mexico, citing the $8.3 billion in exports from Arizona to that country and $7.4 billion in imports.

A safe, secure and efficient trade relationship is critical to Arizonas jobs and our future economy, the governor said. And were going to build on this progress together.
FLAGSTAFF  Officials say a Glendale school teacher whose body was found in Mayer last month had been stabbed several times.

KTVK-TV reported Wednesday the Yavapai County medical examiner released the cause of death of Cathryn Gorospe.

According to the report, she suffered multiple stab wounds and "blunt force injuries" to the chest.

The 44-year-old Gorospe went missing on Oct. 6 after posting bond for 27-year-old Charlie Malzahn, a man she had dated for about a month.

Authorities say Malzahn was seen driving Gorospe's blood-stained SUV on Oct. 9 in Phoenix and arrested after fleeing from law enforcement.

Flagstaff police have recommended Malzahn be charged with murder.
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David Powell became an eyewitness to war while in Vietnam, and it played a big part in forming his current life. The experience, coupled with other events, including caring for his dying mother, has now led him to comfort fellow veterans in their final days.

Through the organization, We Honor Veterans, he honors them by listening to their stories, giving them comfort, praying at their side and, at times, standing vigil over them.

It was my spiritual upbringing that had to do with my being more aware of people that are hurting or are in crisis, he said.

Born in Chicago but raised in Tucson for his health, Powell graduated from Amphitheater High School in 1968.

Even as a youth, Powells family considered him a spiritual person: My parents wanted me to become a chaplains assistant.

The U.S. Army, in its characteristic way, had other plans for him.

Drafted in 1969, Powell found himself with the 4th Army refueling helicopters around Vinh Long Airbase in the Mekong Delta.

Powell arrived in the country around the time of the 1969 Tet attacks involving North Vietnamese and Viet Cong assaults in the Saigon area and in Da Nang, farther north.

When Powell returned to Tucson, he found himself working for his fathers business, Canyon State Industries, which at the time provided sanitation supplies throughout Arizona, including all the Native American lands.

My travels, especially on Native American reservations, opened my eyes to the relationship between the different cultures, Powell said. Many Native Americans are into honoring their veterans in any fashion. They are very proud of them and he came to appreciate how they were treated.

It was heartwarming to experience their memorial services, he said.

He quit his business in 2012 after caring for his mother, Betty, at her home the last 10 days of her life. He managed her medications and made her life as comfortable as he could. It was then she told him, You missed your calling.

That statement changed my life, he said.

Powell took an online divinity course through the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary for two years, graduating in 2015.

He became a commissioned lay pastoral minister through St. Albans Episcopal Church and started to work with Tucson Medical Center Hospice as well as all the hospitals in Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Powell, now 68, first began working with We Honor Veterans in 2014 and volunteered as a former military person who wanted to honor vets at TMC Hospice.

We Honor Veterans is a program under the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and works in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It provides an avenue where Powell can help veterans toward a more respectful and peaceful end to life.

On his arrival, I show up in my uniform and have a plaque made ready for them with their name.

It helps them that he always wears his olive drab military flight suit.

They always start talking about their service when I arrive in uniform. Its almost like I provide a safe comfort zone for them to talk.

The plaque acknowledges the military branch in which the veteran served, and it has the inscription: We thank you for your service, for serving America and for advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all.

He also places an American flag in the room or on a stand next to their bed. They receive a hatpin that shows their military branch  it is something the veterans really like the most, Powell said.

The spouse also receives a pin, which is an American flag in the shape of heart, and they are honored for caring for the veteran through the years.

Then, he gathers as many other veterans as he can at the facility and together they give the dying veteran a final salute.

He often works with WWII veterans and has had as many as eight honor ceremonies in one week. They make up for about half of his visits, he said.

It is not uncommon that they tell him they dont deserve any recognition, but he usually tells them, Respectfully, sir, if I can speak for myself and all Americans, we enjoy our freedoms every day because of people like you who have honorably served your country.

He feels fortunate to hear their stories.
Help India!

By Amit Kumar, TwoCircles.net

Over the past few years, the Indian state has faced increasing resistance from Adivasis across the nation over land acquisition and rehabilitation programmes. Even the most cursory look at the conditions of Adivasis across the nation lays bare the claims of the government that the Adivasis have been adequately compensated for their losses. This three-part series looks at how tribal regions; lives and homes in Gujarat have been left in disarray in the name of development, both new and old. The first part looks at a small dam project in Dahod district, where the Bheel community has been fighting for 35 years to claim rightful compensation.

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Bhimabhai Pandor is a man in his 80s. He has trouble hearing, but if there is one thing that he has realised in his life, it is that the government has far more difficulty in hearing the voice of the people, especially if it comes from marginalised communities like the Bheels. Sitting in a government office near Jhalod, Pandor is a well-known Bheel leader who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the local resistance movements, says that he realised long ago how difficult it is to seek justice for Adivasis in the state. No matter which government it is: Congress or the BJP. Here (in Gujarat) or at the Centre. Tribals in this state just cannot expect justice. After all, what kind of justice is denied for 35 years? In which tribal region have they addressed the issues of the community? They want us as cheap labour, that is all, he says. We are in the region of Jhalod, a town in Dahod district of Gujarat.

Pandor is talking about how over 600 families from seven villages were displaced by the construction of the Machannala Dam near Jhalod, and now even after over three decades, the wait for adequate compensation remains an elusive dream. Pandor headed the movement during its heydey and today is left with hundreds of stories of how the Bheel community was backstabbed and made to sacrifice in the name of development.

In fact, it would not be wrong to say that apart from old-timers like Pandor, few even remember the days when the Bheel community fought tooth and nail against the construction of the dam. The reality now is so stark, and so old, that a different life seems more of a fantasy. And the locals have little time for rhetoric and promises, especially when the daily life is a struggle.

The Machannala Dam is not a large dam by any stretch of the imagination, even in Gujarat. It is an earthen dam built primarily for the purpose of irrigation and unlike the humongous Sardar Sarovar Dam (catchment area 88,000 km sq), Machannala Dam is much smaller (catchment area 245 km sq). In fact, located in a village called Nan Salai-about 3 km from Jhalod town and towards the end of a narrow, broken village road, even finding the office of the dam can be quite a task. What is easy to spot, is the large area that is currently underwater given the ongoing monsoon season. The spillway from the dam extends well beyond what the eyes can see and a visit to Sampoi, a village next to Nan Salai, shows the true extent of the spillway. Of the 200 families living here, about 70 families lost large chunks of land to the dam in the early 80s. During the monsoon season, the water from the dam almost reaches the homes of the local residents, giving the village a marshy feel.

You cant see the water, but walk 20 metres from here and your shoes will be soaked in water, says a local resident. For at least three months of the year, we are surrounded by water from three fronts which make it impossible to grow any crop. Even if we plant some crop, the spillway from the dam ensures that the entire crop rots, he says. But how they came to be trapped in a marsh, surrounded by dead maize crops is the point that Bhimabhai was trying to make when we met him in Jhalod.

The making of a dam and the minor relocation

In 1978, the Gujarat government decided to construct a dam on the Machhan River and as a result, close to 600 families were uprooted and relocated. The relocation, at least in theory, did not look that bad in the beginning. Dhuliabhai, a man in his late 90s and a resident of Sampoi, narrates the story of relocation. You see that tree? he points to one corner, about 1.5 km from where we are standing, Our village was near that area. I had about 10 acres of land that time. We were told that due to the dam, we would have to move inwards by about 2 km and that a) we would be given money at the rate of Rs 2,000 per acre, and b) land as compensation. By 1982, we had been uprooted and all our land was now under water. We got the money but never got the land. We were promised some land in Kalitala (forest area about 10 kms before Dahod on the Godhra-Dahod Highway), but the forest officials blocked that move. As a result, we became landless and have remained landless since.

Dhuliabhai added that their lives worsened ever since they were made to relocate. We sit here and watch the land that we lost. We had no option but to become labourers after we lost our farmlandoverall, about 400 families lost a little over 300 acres of land with no land given in compensation. When we moved inwards, we realised that because of this dam, the area under water had increased massively and there was no way we could farm around our new homes too.

But the government was not done yet. Although the Machannala Dam is categorised as an irrigation dam, the water for irrigation never reached the villages where the displaced people live. None of the affected villages: Sampoi, Raniar, Varod, Nan Salai, Chansar and Tandi, received many benefits from the irrigation water. When the time to sow comes, the land around us is under waterso of what use is the irrigation water? And when the water recedes, then there is hardly any water left for irrigation. So what do we farm? asks Rameshbhai, 45, whose father owned close to 15 acres land. Rameshbhai, like almost all the male members of Sampoi, now works as a wage labourer. I remember my father having landas for me, I have never had the money to buy land, he adds.

It is a story of almost all the families here. Unable to farm, unable to get the government to give them land in a better place, this relocation of merely 2 km has ensured that an entire generation of Bheels has grown up working as daily wage labourers. Anandbhai, a man in his early 20s, works in Ahmedabad for a daily income of Rs 300. Speaking with TwoCircles.net, he said, I studied till Class 12 but had no means to continue studying after that. The children here suffer from severe infections during monsoon season; there is no running water in the homes and half the houses get flooded during monsoons. What did we benefit by this dam? If anything, it has ruined our lives.

No wonder then, that talks of upcoming elections are met mostly with cynicism and pessimism. Our candidates are from our communities, but they listen to their masters. This issue is not new, but what have they done to rectify it? We will vote, but we dont expect much to change. They will come to ask for votes and we will oblige. Beyond that, there is not much to do, adds Dhuliabhai.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

On the occasion of the first anniversary of demonetisation, journalists and activists assembled at Press Club of India to protest against the decision.

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The event was jointly organised by under the banner of Peoples Campaign Against Demonetisation, and had Thomas Franco, Arbind Singh, Ambarish Rai, Gauhar Raza, Abhishek Srivastava, Pankaj Srivastava, Prof Arun Kumar, Sunita Rani and Sanjay Krishna as speaker of the event.

Thomas Franco, the general secretary at All India Bank Officers Confederation, said, In English newspapers alone, 119 cases of huge caches of new currency being seized were reported at the time when banks could only issue Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. Till date, no case has been solved.

More than 10 bank employees died while working to exchange notes. Not one of their relatives was given a job on compassionate grounds, claimed Franco.

Demonetisation resulted in chaos among the general public and the public was forced to stand outside banks for hours to get the hands on their own money, said the statement issued after the event.

The statement released on the occasion claimed, BJP, RSS and their affiliate organisations succeeded in managing their cash much before the demonetisation, and this act has been registered as one of the biggest scams in the Indian history.

The statement also mentioned the RBIs submission in the SC that most of the currency came back to the banks, leaving infinitesimal chances of return of black money in the banks.

Journalist Abhishek Srivastava tried to link infant deaths in various states and the scheme of demonetisation. He said, Women were malnourished and most the infants are dying because of asphyxiation which happens if the mother is malnourished. The lower class was unable to feed itself during and after the demonetisation period.

A 114-page-long report on the effects of demonetisation was also issued, which was dedicated to the people who died in different events related with demonetisation.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Popular Front of India has filed a criminal complaint against the editors and a reporter of news channel Times Now and officials of Ministry of Home Affairs at New Delhi Parliament street police statiofor leakingng the official secrets of an NIA report and airing the same in an attempt to defame the organisation.

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In his complaint, Mohammad Perwez Ahmed, the Delhi State President said that Times Now telecast defamatory news against Popular Front of India two months ago. He further stated that Popular Front of India is ready to face any investigative agency including NIA and prove its innocence.

From the contents telecasted in the channel, it is evident that Times Now has either stolen the official secrets from the MHA or it was leaked by somebody in the MHA to TIMESNOW and the same was aired in the public, which is an anti-national activity that attracts the penal provisions of the law as it has been very serious violations of the administrative protocol, secrecy and media ethics, he wrote in the complaint.

Last month, Popular Front of India Chairman E. Abubacker had submitted a memorandum to the Home Ministry, National Security Adviser and National Investigation Agency seeking objective and fair treatment on the part of the concerned authorities and withdrawal of the alleged moves to restrict the activities of the organisation.

The memorandum denied all charges levelled against the organisation in the alleged NIA dossier reportedly submitted to MHA. He called the media reports part of the smear campaign to tarnish the image of Popular Front of India among the common public.

The organisation has also sought opportunities to directly interact with these authorities to give its explanations and clarifications with regard to the reported allegations.

On September 12, 2017, an NIA report alleged that the Popular Front of India (PFI) had links with terror activities and called for banning the Muslim organization.

The report, which gathered the attention of the national media, was submitted to the Union Home Ministry, claiming that the group has been involved in terror acts, including running terror camps and making bombs, and was a fit case to be declared banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The agency, according to The Indian Express, has cited PFIs alleged involvement in four cases to support its claimchopping off a professors palm in Keralas Idukki district, organising a training camp in Kannur from where the NIA reportedly seized swords, country-made bombs and ingredients for making IEDs, murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru and plans to carry out terror attacks in South India by involving the outfit Islamic State Al-Hindi.

In an interview with TwoCircles.net last month month, the PFI chairman had rebuked all the charges and had alleged that NIA was being misused as a weapon against the organisation by the BJP government.
Pulp Fiction producer Harvey Weinstein has found himself in a lot of hot water recently as many actresses have come forward with allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour, abuse of power, and taking advantage of budding young performers. Its lost him his job at his own company, and all the other power players of Hollywood have publicly expressed their disgust at his actions.

Jessica Chastain, Mark Ruffalo, Meryl Streep, and more have spoken out

Jessica Chastain, now an actor with the power to get her own passion projects made, said that she was warned from the beginning about Weinsteins behaviour.

Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo has called Weinsteins actions a disgusting abuse of power and horrible, and expressed his hopes that this is the beginning of the end of these abuses.

Meryl Streep condemned Weinsteins actions as disgraceful and appalling, and said that the victims of his abuse who spoke out to put an end to it are heroes. Judi Dench, who won an Oscar for Weinsteins production of Shakespeare in Love, said that what he did was horrifying. Meanwhile, director Kevin Smith, whose career was championed from the get-go by Harvey Weinstein, said he feels ashamed that while he made money from Weinsteins business, many women were in terrible pain at the same hands.
Incidents like the sexual assault scandals being leaked from Westminster and Southampton Itchen Conservative Association's attempt to prevent an ethnic minority candidate from standing in local elections do not reflect what the Conservative Party stands for. The people who engage in this inappropriate behaviour are in a minority in the party and do not represent the entire Tory Party.

"Labour talks about equality, but they do not demonstrate it"

Socialists love to preach that they believe in equality and diversity. They claim to have a monopoly over these issues.

What they put into practice is completely different to what they believe in given the current state of the Labour Party. In 2015, they had an opportunity to elect a female leader. Though they were not the most formidable politicians, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall would have made much better leaders than Jeremy Corbyn. Instead, Labour activists chose to elect the latter. Since then, a culture of discrimination has been actively encouraged at a grassroots level. The party has had its reputation damaged by claims of antisemitism. Photos of Labour meetings being separated by gender have gone viral throughout social media. Labour talks about equality, but they do not demonstrate it.

The Conservative Party's record is not perfect as the news over the last two weeks has proven.

But it is one all Tories can be proud of. In 1867, Conservative prime minister Benjamin Disraeli provided working men with the vote under the Great Reform Act.

When women over the age of 30 were awarded with voting rights in 1919, the party produced Britain's first female MP: Nancy Astor. Under Tory prime minister Stanley Baldwin in 1929, the franchise was extended to women over the age of 21.

"Labour and the Liberal Democrats have consistently failed to elect a female leader"

Whilst Labour and the Liberal Democrats have consistently failed to elect a female leader, the Conservatives have already produced two: Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.

The party has a diverse range of MPs: Nadhim Zahawi, James Cleverly, the first Asian business secretary in Sajid Javid and Priti Patel.

Ms Patel may have resigned yesterday, but like Mr. Javid, she still had the privilege of serving as a government minister, regardless of her race.

It is easy to forget the Conservative Party is the party of aspiration when stories like Southampton Tories actively encouraging racism are leaked to the press. These incidents deserve exposure, but they must not detract from what the Tories are about: equality of opportunity.
Those bastions of decency the Guardian and the BBC are among 96 news outlets that have been given access to papers leaked by a German newspaper who will not reveal its sources. They are being called The Paradise Papers and relate to a huge corporate service provider and law firm called Appleby and millions of files leaked from it relating to financial investment. Many Rich And Famous people headed by the Queen, through the Duchy of Lancaster and Prince Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall and including actors, famous companies, the Tory donor Lord Ashcroft, U2 frontman Bono, Labour councils and many thousands more have had information leaked about their investments.

The two organisations have come under criticism from some for allegedly briefing Labour figures before the Inland Revenue, as Corbyn seemed to be aware of tax issues around private aeroplanes and the Isle of Man considerably earlier than anyone else. Both organisations deny this. The BBC did at least state front and centre that there was no evidence of illegality in what the Queen or almost all the others had done and that caveat could probably also be found if you searched diligently enough through the Guardian (a Hellish task I agree). Both, however, felt it be lead news even though in America a nutcase had murdered at least 26 people and in the UK a father had murdered his adopted child.

The facts the left will not tell you

Tax is a favoured issue of Socialist and Liberal outlets. They delight in painting the rich and businesses as the wicked hiding their cash, avoiding paying their due. They want to raise the tax on all of them. It is an easy sell to ordinary struggling people, it is also envious and destructive, not least to the poor who would suffer the most if these people upped sticks and left.

The wealthiest 10% in this country pay about 60% of the total income tax and national insurance. When those two taxes plus company tax and business rates on companies which many wealthy people began, run and own, are added together, they account for well over half of the total income for any UK government (the rest comes from VAT, fuel duty, stamp duty, excise duty etc).

That 10 % of people can leave the country, many already have done and companies can choose where to base themselves. It is the main reason why high taxation always leads to lower revenues and vice versa.

The real issue with tax is the difference between tax avoidance (legal) and tax evasion (illegal). Those laws are set by governments, not companies or individuals. UK tax laws are incredibly complex and enforced by HMRC - AKA the Taxman. An organisation with an appalling reputation for bullying the little people, caving to the multinationals and imposing their own rules often retrospectively to suit themselves. This means that people with money can hire tax experts and challenge HMRC; the rest of us can't.

Tax law is the responsibility of Governments

Therefore, these things are the responsibility of Governments, not individuals. Anyone who has started a company in the UK knows that one of the first things to establish is the Articles of Association. These are the legal roadmaps for anyone directing companies. Those Articles invariably and correctly put making a profit as a high priority. As soon as possible a company needs to make a profit to survive. Those profits provide the tax the Governments use to provide services. Once profits are taxed the individual or company can invest the remaining money anywhere that it is legal to do so - because it's their own money! It seems harsh to me that those already taxed investments are then taxed again when they make any return, (minimised anyway since the banks pay virtually no interest to savers).

Everybody, not just the rich and famous, tries to maximise returns on those investments.

I have just listened to the Labour equalities spokesperson, Dawn Butler, give an interview on Radio 5 stating that avoiding tax is abhorrent as it means there is less money for Government to spend. What she is saying is that anyone who does not pay more of their own money to the Government that is required by law is morally wrong. What tut! In the same interview, it emerged that both Sefton and Warrington Labour Councils have saved millions in tax avoidance, and she could not say if that money will be paid back. Awkward? I wonder if Ms Butler has written a cheque for say 10,000 of extra money from her own bank account for the Government to spend as it wishes?

No! Is that abhorrent of her? Think of the extra services the Government could have provided.

The way forward

Governments know there is a balance. If they make tax too punitive people and companies leave for more competitive regimes, that is the real reason tax avoidance does not become tax evasion overnight. The way forward is for governments to make tax rules as simple as possible and keep rates as low as possible. That will encourage people and companies to work here, make as much profit as possible and make it pointless to hire accountants and consultants to avoid tax. Evading tax is wrong, there are severe punishments for people who do it. Avoiding tax is perfectly legal and trying to pontificate on what is or is not moral is a game for saints or, more often by far, for fools!
Facebook users that believe they are at risk of being victims of revenge porn are being told to send in their nude photos and videos, so Facebook can block them before they are uploaded.

With the evolution of Social media came the emergence of this new crime. Revenge porn was categorised as a crime in England and Wales in 2015 and holds the maximum sentence of two years. It is where an explicit and intimate photo or video is shared without the consent of the subject. This is usually done via social media.

Using hashing technology

The Facebook software will work is by creating a 'hash', a digital footprint of the image which is kept on file.

If it is uploaded in the future the software will recognise the hash and prevent it from being uploaded. Currently, if an explicit image is shared you need to report it to Facebook and then wait for it to be taken down. Often during that time, it has been shared again, with major damage caused. The hashing technology has been used previously to Stop The Spread of child porn and terrorist images.

Alex Stamos the Chief Security Officer at Facebook said they were improving to be resilient to such changes against tricking the hashing technology by cropping or resizing the image. He has not commented on how they prepare to combat the images being intercepted in transit or accessed before they are deleted.

Trials in Australia

Trials of this unique approach are available In Australia with plans for the UK, USA and Canada to follow suit. Australias e-Safety Office advises that one in five Australians have been victims of having an unconsented image shared.

The way it works in Australia at present is that if someone is worried they need to contact the e-Safety Commissioner via an online form.

They are then likely to be advised to send the image to Facebook via Messenger. A blurred copy of the image is then viewed to check it is explicit and a hash is created. The blurred images are, however, kept on file to ensure that the tech is working correctly before they are deleted.

Australia's e-Safety commissioner Julie Inman Grant has joined forces with Facebook to trial the scheme.

She advises Facebook does not store the images and only keeps the hashes. She goes on to say, 'If somebody tried to upload that same image which would have the same digital footprint or hash value it would be prevented from being uploaded.'

In April, Facebook announced the use of artificial intelligence to help keep users safe, however, it is yet to be seen if people are indeed willing to send compromising photos of themselves to the social media giants.
There are two kinds of foreign countries in the world: those that the U.S. can attack and expect to be attacked back, and those that the U.S. can attack with confidence that the target country will not attack back. Most of the world is in the second category, which is why American politicians and pundits openly demand that the U.S. attack various countries when those countries do stuff we don't like. A decade and a half ago, people across the U.S. debated whether the U.S. should invade Iraq with no thought to whether they, sitting in their houses in the States, would be in any danger of retaliation. In the 1990s, Clinton bombed Serbia and sent forces into Somalia and even critics of those operations never warned of a Serbian or Somalian retaliatory attack. Obama decided not to attack the Syrian government over its use of chemical weapons, but not because he thought such an attack would cause Assad's forces to bomb America back. Everyone knows there was no danger of that. Syria is on the bombable list, and its place on that list was reaffirmed when President Trump shot a bunch of cruise missiles into a Syrian military base and American military bases did not experience any retaliatory attack. The Syrians were expected to just take it. And they did. They did not have a choice.That's the dilemma of North Korea in a nutshell. North Korea is a rare example of a country that is not in the elite first world club, but nevertheless is able to punch back against members of that club. It is not clear whether North Korea could hit the U.S. back, but both its ability to develop weaponry and geography mean that Pyongyang could hit back hard against South Korea and Japan, both members of the first world club and U.S. allies. The fact that it can hit back means that North Korea is treated differently from all the other non-first world countries that give the first world countries grief. If it were on the "can't hit back" list, the U.S. would have bombed North Korea long ago.Because geography has a role in whether a country is able to hit back or not, the Americans' list of countries that can't hit it back is a little different from the list of other nations in its first world club. Yemen, for example, is on the U.S. list. Sure, AQAP or some other non-state actor, might try something to retaliate. But the Yemeni government, including the currentHouthi-run government really can't hit the U.S. back (and they didn't ). But that is not the case for Saudi Arabia. The Saudis border Yemen. It doesn't take a lot of technical sophistication for Houthis to retaliate against the KSA.Saudi Arabia has been bombing the hell out of Yemen for 2.5 years. They have killed hundreds if not thousands of Yemeni civilians , hitting hospitals and schools, not just military targets. Because of the Saudi war, Yemen has been hit with starvation and disease . So, the Houthis struck back . Frankly, the Saudis' outrage over this is absurd I wonder if their surprise and anger stems from a simple misclassification. The Saudis probably thought that Yemen was on the can't strike back list when actually they are on the other list of countries that can. Rather than revise their list, they are blaming Iran instead, which is another symptom of the Saudis conviction that Shiites have no agency unless they are Persian I guess a short version of this would be: what Hassan Rouhani said.
Earlier this week, Donald Trump and Republican Sen. Bob Corker engaged in a war of words. During his latest round of tweets, the president decided to go back on the attack, but made a basic spelling mistake in the process.

Trump on Corker

It's become commonplace for Donald Trump to sound off on a variety of issues regardless of whether or not it makes many people uncomfortable. Since the early days of his campaign for president, the former host of "The Apprentice" has come under fire for his controversial, and often reckless, remarks. Whether it's attacks on Hollywood celebrities or the mainstream media, to targeting Democrats and even members of his own Republican Party, Trump has made it a habit to make headlines.

Earlier this week, Trump ripped into Sen. Bob Corker who has been increasingly critical of the administration since announcing his plans to retire at the end of his term. Trump accused Corker of "begging" for his endorsement, to which the senator responded by comparing the president to a child living in an "adult daycare center." The two have continued to go back and forth in their war of words, with Corker sitting down for a recent interview with the New York Times to elaborate further. As seen on his Twitter account on October 10, Trump is back in attack-mode.

The Failing @nytimes set Liddle' Bob Corker up by recording his conversation. Was made to sound a fool, and that's what I am dealing with!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017

During one of his several tweets on Tuesday morning, Donald Trump turned his attention back to Bob Corker who recently accused the president of pushing the United States towards "World War 3" due to his rhetoric and decision making.

"The Failing @nytimes set Liddle' Bob Corker up by recording his conversation," Trump tweeted, before adding, "Was made to sound a fool, and that's what I am dealing with!" While Trump gave the senator an insulting nickname, he misspelled "little" as "liddle"

Twitter reacts

Not long after Donald Trump's latest social media rant against Bob Corker, critics wasted no time lashing out in return.

"That failing NYTimes has their best ratings ever!! Thanks to you!" one tweet read.

I honestly don't know if you spell simple words wrong on purpose to be inflammatory, but it makes our country look weak & ignorant when you do that #Liddle  Alt Fed Employee (@Alt_FedEmployee) October 10, 2017

Are you really saying that Corker sounds like a fool, when you have attacked him like you are a kindergarten bully? Wake up! You are the FOOL!  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) October 10, 2017

"Mr IQ Genius, it's 'Little' not "Liddle,'" another Twitter user wrote, while adding, "Are you really saying that Corker sounds like a fool, when you have attacked him like you are a kindergarten bully?

Wake up! You are the FOOL!" "Liddle Bob Corker is probably going to be the reason you get Impeached. So keep attacking. Go right ahead Mr. 'Liddle Hands'" another tweet noted.

You lack insight into your own narcissism (not surprising) and you WILL get us into a war with fewer allies than we ever had before.  (((Howard Forman))) (@thehowie) October 10, 2017

The only person who he made look like a fool is DONALD J. TRUMP  Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) October 10, 2017

That failing NYTimes has their best ratings ever!! Thanks to you!  IR.net (@IRdotnet) October 10, 2017

"You lack insight into your own narcissism (not surprising) and you WILL get us into a war with fewer allies than we ever had before," Howard Forman noted. The negative reaction continued as the feud between Donald Trump and Bob Corker shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Ever since joining her father's administration as special assistant, First Daughter Ivanka Trump has spent time speaking out for ending Sex Trafficking around the world. After sending out a tweet on the matter, Ivanka was quickly met with backlash from critics of the White House.

Ivanka on Twitter

In the year and a half that Donald Trump was on the campaign trail, many wondered if he would have what it takes to actually win the general election and become president. After surprising many by locking up the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention last summer, the likelihood that Trump would defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton still appeared slim.

Just one month prior to Election Day, the now infamous "Access Hollywood" tape was made public, revealing the private sexual remarks Trump made about using his fame to be able to convince women to let him touch them. Over the next four weeks, nearly a dozen women came forward to accuse the former host of "The Apprentice" of various acts of sexual assault and harassment. Despite this, the allegations were never confirmed and Trump went on to defeat Clinton and win the election. Over the next few months, Trump added his daughter, Ivanka Trump, to his administration, in a possible attempt to appeal to female voters and improve his poll numbers. Since then, Ivanka has focused on women's rights issues, including ending human trafficking around the world, which was seen in a November 8 tweet on the subject.

Thank you @senrobportman for your leadership. Great to see the public & private sector come together in support of this bipartisan legislation to stop sex trafficking online. We must combat human trafficking in all its evil forms. #EndHumanTrafficking #SESTA https://t.co/YiFKy4CCps  Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 8, 2017

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday night, Ivanka Trump gave a shout out to Republican Sen.

Rob Portman for co-authoring and helping move forward the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act which aims to prevent the spread of human trafficking on the internet. One of the bill's main goals is to make it easier to penalize website operators who take part in online sex trafficking, and will soon make it to the Senate floor.

U.S. Senate panel advances crackdown on online sex trafficking https://t.co/u4IPkb6SJD pic.twitter.com/qbS8y3jgFS  Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) November 8, 2017

"Thank you @senrobportman for your leadership. Great to see the public & private sector come together in support of this bipartisan legislation to stop sex trafficking online," Ivanka Trump tweeted. In conclusion, Ivanka added, "We must combat human trafficking in all its evil forms."

Twitter responds

Not long after Ivanka Trump sent out her tweet, those who oppose Donald Trump and the current administration decided to fire back. "Hey Ivanka, hows it feel to know the country just rebuked your daddy last night??" one tweet read.

What's your stand on sexual harassment ? Your daddy dearest thinks it's okay to grab YOU or any woman by their private area.  KellyAnn (@HelloTootsie) November 8, 2017

Can't wait to how many Trump's go to jail... I am hoping you're one of them.  Jeffery Conn (@conartist69) November 8, 2017

Hmmm...I dont think you want to go there. A little too close to home, no? #DaddyIssues  Grandma Muses (@GrandmaMuses) November 8, 2017

After a tweet asked what Ivana Trump actually does in the White House, another Twitter user responded, "No one really know.

We do know that she produces a line of crappy clothing in China & pays the women in the sweatshop $62 weekly.Daddy's girl alright." "I believe them. 16 women have come forth saying Trump assaulted them. Sexual predation is never acceptable," an additional tweet added.

Hey Ivanka, hows it feel to know the country just rebuked your daddy last night??  Meg Sawicki (@holdenbeachgirl) November 8, 2017

It is a good cause but better served with someone who actually knows more and brings more to the table. Lets face it, the Trump stamp not very good. Plus you werent elected and shouldnt even be in the WH  Nancy killgore (@legalluv) November 8, 2017

"What's your stand on sexual harassment ?

Your daddy dearest thinks it's okay to grab YOU or any woman by their private area," yet another Twitter user rhetorically asked. As the reactions continued, it was clear that many Americans are still not thrilled with Donald Trump in the White House.
When a deranged gunman entered a church in the small town of Southerland Springs, Texas and started to shoot people, including pregnant women and crying babies, a lot of people on social media were quick to place blame on people and entities beyond the shooter. TV personality Chelsea Handler was pretty sure it was the Republicans. Former Star Trek child actor Wil Wheaton cursed the NRA, a narrative that fell apart when the news broke that a former NRA instructor stopped the shooting and put the monster to flight with his personal weapon.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas has another group of people in mind who allowed the shooter to buy a firearm.

Cruz points the finger of blame at the Senate Democrats.

Senate Democrats? Please explain

Cruz explained on Fox News, that in 2013, in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, he and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R, Iowa introduced a piece of common sense gun safety legislation of the sort that the Democrats keep talking about. The bill would have mandated that federal agencies, including the United States Air Force, update the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database that is used to track convicted criminals during gun purchase background checks. However, the Democrats filibustered the bill to death.

The shooter got his firearms due to a clerical error

When the shooter who perpetrated the Texas church massacre purchased the weapons he used to kill 26 people and wound another 20, the clerk at the Academy store duly ran a background check, as required by law.

The check did not raise any red flags, so the future mass murderer was able to acquire his instruments of death without a fuss.

However, the shooter had been court-martialed while in the Air Force for domestic violence, choking his wife and cracking his babys skull. He served a 12-month sentence before being given a bad conduct discharge from the service.

Either circumstance should have prevented him from obtaining a firearm.

However, for whatever reason and the matter is still under investigation, the Air Force failed to enter this information onto the NCIC database. Had the Cruz-Grassley legislation passed, it is more likely that the shooter would have been prevented from buying a firearm and, indeed, would be subject to arrest and prosecution for attempting to do so.

So, in a way, Cruz is correct. The Senate Democrats, by filibustering the bill to death, put the gun in the hands of the Southerland Springs murderer. Of course, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California is so distraught that she is raising her oldy-but-goody legislation, a ban on so-called assault weapons that has no chance of passing.
Texas executed Ruben Ramirez Cardenas last night for the 1997 murder of his cousin, 16-year-old Mayra Laguna. He was pronounced dead at 10:26 PM, the National Post reported. Cardenas responded to the warden, No, sir, when he was asked whether he had a final statement.

Administering the lethal injection protocol in the death house located in Huntsville, TX, on Wednesday night was delayed approximately four hours while the United States Supreme Court weighed the decision of whether to issue a stay of execution, according to the Houston Chronicle.

U.S. highest court refuses reprieve from death

The nations highest court determined not to grant Cardenas a reprieve from death, despite his lawyers giving it their best effort. His defense attorneys asserted that multiple confessions were coerced, the Chronicle noted.

Contrary to law enforcement vowing that the now-deceased Cardenas led them to where Lagunas body was dumped, his lawyers also asserted that police led their client to where his cousins body was discovered.

Condemned inmates cousin kidnapped, murdered

On February 22, 1997, Mayra Laguna was kidnapped from her familys apartment in McAllen, TX. She was beaten to death and her body was taken to a canal and dumped in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, the Daily Mail (UK) wrote.

Cardenas, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico, was a prime police suspect within hours following Lagunas abduction. Her younger sister, Roxanna, said she saw a man enter through a window and take Mayra from their bed, according to the Chronicle.

Law enforcement took Cardenas and Tony Castillo, his friend, in for questioning. The duo initially stated that they only had a wild night out, the Chronicle reported.

Their night was one of drinking and using cocaine. Hours later, however, they confessed to interrogators that they killed Laguna.

Prosecutor says death row inmate guilty as sin

Prosecutor Ted Hake, Hidalgo County, TX, strongly asserted that Cardenas was guilty as sin the weeks leading to his execution, according to the Chronicle.

Rene Guerra, who prosecuted Cardenas, is the former district attorney for Hidalgo County.

The day prior to delivery of capital punishment, Guerra said that he would not be able to live with himself if Cardenas conviction was inappropriate or improper, ABC News relayed. He affirmed that Cardenas deserved the death penalty and said that he never would have authorized a case that was not there or was a flimsy investigation.

Lawyers lose appeals before U.S. Supreme Court

Cardenas attorneys appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing for new DNA testing. In a separate legal challenge before the nations highest court, the condemned inmates lawyer, Maurie Levin, asserted that she was excluded as a witness in the execution chamber, ABC wrote.

Levin also wanted to phone access throughout the execution, claiming that she needed the access to stay in communication with the courts and with Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Jason Clark, a spokesman for Texas prisons, assured that Levin could have witnessed the execution but her client, Cardenas, did not specify or designate her to attend until the day of his execution. According to Clark and ABC, prison rules would not have allowed Levin to take a phone into the death house as a witness to the execution. Not only is it prohibited by prison policy and the states law, there is no landline available to witnesses, according to Clark and ABC.

Attorneys argue Mexican consulate not informed after arrest of suspect

In addition to arguing respective of DNA testing and phone access as a witness to the execution, Levin also claimed that that law enforcement did not act accordingly. She asserted that Mexican-born Cardenas couldnt obtain legal assistance from his native country since the Mexican consulate was not informed of his arrest.

Her contention centered on facets of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Because Mexico does not have the death penalty, Cardenas was eligible for legal aid from the countrys consulate, according to Levin.

In the past, however, courts did not block the executions of death row inmates in Texas hinging on whether the 1963 international agreement was breached.

Capital punishment was carried out in those cases.

Mexican officials assert international law disregarded

Mexican officials held the position that executing Cardenas evolved from Texas disregarding international law, expressed during press statements issued in Houston and in Mexico City on Tuesday. The United Nations, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Amnesty International all denounced Texas imposing capital punishment.

Gregory Kuykendall is an attorney in Arizona who is sanctioned to speak for Mexico. He stated that he was extraordinarily disappointed with this outcome, according to the Chronicle. At the same time, though, Kuykendall said he is proud of Levin and the Mexican government, which he attributed as having diligently pursuing every avenue of defense conceivable.

Executed inmate left written statement

Though Cardenas declined to verbalize a final statement, a handwritten statement that was released after his execution expressed his gratitude to his family, to his lawyers, and to the Mexican consulate. He also stated that he will not and cannot apologize for someone elses crime, according to the National Post. He further conveyed that he will be Back for Justice and You can count on that!
US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, is currently on a visit to countries in Asia. The visit started with Japan followed by South Korea, and his third port of call was China. The former two are allies of America, and he is keen to have China on his side to checkmate North Korea. This is an important issue on his agenda.

Trump entertained Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida Mar-a-Lago club in April after taking over the office. At that time, Trump had wanted China to exert its influence on Pyongyang, and wean it away from pursuing its nuclear ambitions.

The grand welcome

Daily Mail UK reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Madame Peng Liyuan extended a hearty welcome to Donald Trump and Melania Trump in a ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People as a ceremonial cannon fired shots in Tiananmen Square. The two presidents are scheduled to take part in official talks in which North Korea would be discussed. Subsequently, the leaders are expected to make a joint press statement.

On his arrival at Beijing in Air Force One, the president was met by US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Then there was a military guard of honor presented by China. A state dinner is also planned with a cultural program in honor of the visitors.

Importance of China

President Donald Trump landed in China after his visit to South Korea, and observers predicted that North Korea would be in focus. The countrys adamant attitude, coupled with its defiance of economic sanctions, has led to instability in the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang wants to carry on with its nuclear ambitions irrespective of consequences, which could give rise to an unwanted situation.

American warships are in the region, and Kim Jong-un has kept his ICBMs ready to strike the United States. He must realize that such an action would lead to a warlike scenario, and its effects would be felt all over the world because nuclear radiation knows no boundaries. Therefore, Trump must convince Xi Jinping to pressure Kim.

He must put his nuclear programs on hold, and agree to sit across the table to resolve the issues through dialogue.

All concerned leaders must ensure that the finger is kept away from the button. Hiroshima is an example of the destructive power of a Nuclear Bomb. No one, in his right mind, would want a repetition with the loss of thousands of innocent lives, and destruction that would take decades to recover.
Jill and Derick Dillard seem to be doing great, but something that Derick just shared has fans wondering how well he follows the same rules as the Duggars. Radar Online shared all about how Derick shared a video of a large group of people dancing, which is something Michelle Duggar has made it very clear she doesn't agree with people doing. Derick seemed to think it was a great time and obviously didn't see anything wrong with the dancing going on or he wouldn't have shared it.

What did Derick Dillard share with fans?

derick dillard shared a video of a very large group of people dancing and along with it he said, "Had a blast getting to hang out with international friends at the international bonfire last night." It looks like Derick was right in the middle of this having a blast.

Michelle shared in the past that she doesn't agree with dancing because it encourages "sensual" feelings. Then Jessa even said that new music is known for "promoting sex, drugs all that type of stuff." The thing is Jessa's husband is good friends with a guy who does rap, but it is the Christian kind of music, which could be what was going on at this dance party.

What do fans think of it?

The Duggar fans went a bit crazy in the comments actually and aren't happy. They first off want to know where his wife Jill is at while he is dancing. They also want to know what Jim Bob Duggar would think of this and if all is well between them all. Jill and Derick seem to be doing well, now have two children together and are living back in Arkansas by her family.

They are more than likely still living in a house that Jim Bob owns because they haven't shared if they have moved into another home of their own.

There is one more thing that has everyone curious. Derick posted a video of a group of people dancing to Despacito. This is not a Christian song and Derick should know what the words mean since they are in Spanish.

He later deleted that video for some reason. This song actually has some pretty wild lyrics. It really doesn't seem like the kind of thing that the Duggar Family would be okay with him listening to or dancing to and that could be part of why he took it down.

Are you shocked to hear that Derick Dillard was out dancing? Do you think that the Duggars think any less of him because of this? Sound off in the comments below, and don't miss new episodes of "Counting On" when they air on Monday nights on TLC. Maybe Jill and Derick will share some about this new church and the dancing.
Lauri Peterson's troubled son, Josh Waring, is back in the headlines. After being accused of attempted murder several months ago, Waring is now in the news for an allegedly violent encounter with his wife, Hannah Jade Kiefer, during which the former Real Housewives of orange county guest star reportedly threatened to stab her.

As Waring continues to appeal his attempted murder trial in Southern California, he is being faced with shocking allegations from his estranged wife, who filed bombshell documents against him in the Orange County Superior Court on September 25.

Ironically, Kiefer was incarcerated at the Orange County Sheriffs Department for second-degree robbery at the time she filed her divorce papers and on the documents, she listed their date of separation as March 2015. She also cited irreconcilable differences as the reason behind their split and requested that the court restore her name to Hannah Jade Kiefer, as opposed to Hannah Waring, in the court papers, which were obtained by Radar Online on October 10.

Lauri Peterson adopted Josh Waring's daughter years ago

As fans of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" may recall, Lauri Peterson and her husband, George, agreed to adopt her grandchild, four-year-old Kennady Kaydence, years ago due to Waring and his now-estranged wife's ongoing struggles.

So, when it comes to Waring and Kiefer, the parents have no legal rights to their child at all.

According to Radar Online, Kiefer first filed for an annulment or dissolution of her seven-month marriage to Josh Waring in September 2011 and also requested a temporary restraining order against him. At the time, she said, Im terrified.

I fear my family, myself, or my belongings will be hurt or destroyed. She also said that Waring threatened her and her family and had even gotten physical with her and "threatened to stab [her] family.

Josh Waring was accused of attempted murder in 2016

Last summer, the 28-year-old former reality star was arrested after allegedly shooting a man outside of a sober living home.

The following month, Lauri Peterson's son pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charges that were ultimately brought against him. Since then, as he remained behind bars, Waring received a felony drug charge after reportedly being found with drugs in his possession while incarcerated.

The Blast was first to confirm the news of Lauri Peterson's son's impending divorce.
A shocking new report has allegedly outed Charlie Sheen as the Hollywood A-lister who sexually assaulted actor Corey Haim when he was only 13 years old. The new report reveals that disgraced actor Charlie Sheen's disturbing acts go back many more years and are even more shocking than first believed. Radar Online and Perez Hilton are reporting this breaking news.

Charlie Sheen shocker revealed

It is claimed that Charlie Sheen took advantage of the very young and naive child star Cory Haim while the two actors were filming the 80s movie "Lucas." Charlie, who was 19 at the time of filming, is alleged to have introduced Haim to drugs and then reportedly raped the young teenage actor on set.

According to Haim's close inside friends, who have come forward speaking out on the late actor's behalf, following the non-consensual sex crime, Charlie became very cruel and mentally abusive to Corey.

Corey Haim's friends unite, revealing star's abuse

Former actor and close pal of Cory Haim, Dominick Brascia, stated during an open interview with a national tabloid magazine that Corey had described in detail his interaction with Sheen, stating that they had "smoked pot and had sex." Brascia also reveals that Corey had confided to him that he had made later attempts to hook back up with Sheen for sex, but Charlie had avoided his advances.

However, Haim and Sheen did hook up a few years later and reportedly had sex again, but this time it was Corey who had decided after the physical fling that he was not interested in Sheen, calling Charlie a "loser."

Brascia is not the only one who has come forward on Haim's behalf revealing the same information.

The report states that dozens of other sources connected to Corey Haim have also stepped forward revealing that just before his death in 2010, Haim named Charlie Sheen as one of the Hollywood big names who took advantage of him.

Haim's best friend and child actor co-star in films including "License to Drive" and "The Lost Boys," Corey Feldman, has been stating for years that he and Haim were both sexually abused by men in Hollywood as children.

Feldman has kept the names of the actor's abusers under wraps for several years, but, did reveal the abuse in his 2013 memoir book. Feldman never mentioned Charlie Sheen by name, but, only his treatment of Haim. However, Feldman has revealed over the years that he was "not a fan" of Charlie's because his behaviors had affected other people he knew.

So far, Charlie Sheen's reps have not responded to the shocking allegations, however, this is not the first time these types of accusations have been made about the former "Two and A Half Men" star. During Sheen's nasty divorce from former wife Denise Richards, she stated that on more than one occasion she had found Charlie viewing disturbing websites that featured underage boys and girls.

Richards, fearing for the safety of her daughters, signed an official declaration to stop Charlie Sheen from being permitted overnight visitations with the couple's daughters. As far as Corey Haim's friends, especially Corey Feldman are concerned, Charlie Sheen's abuse is what he believes sent Haim spiraling out of control with drug addiction, and is partly responsible for the actor's early death.

Finally, the report reveals that Charlie Sheen will never have to face criminal charges over his past crimes due to the Illinois (where "Lucas" was filmed) statute of limitations laws.

Sheen's wild and disturbing ways did not cease throughout his life. Over the years, Charlie has made news headlines numerous times with his addiction, legal issues, and bizarre behaviors. Past Charlie Sheen top media headlines include accidentally shooting former-fiance Kelly Preston, multiple trips to rehab for addiction issues, testifying against Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, and numerous domestic violence charges with multiple women.

However, it was Charlie Sheen's bizarre "tiger-blood warlock rant" and openly public battle with "Men" producer Chuck Lorre, and most recently his HIV reveal, that most recall.

One day, Charlie Sheen's life story is going to make for one interesting and shocking mini-series / TV series because, at only age 52, Charlie Sheen's dramas thus far could be only the tip of what appears to already be a massive iceberg.
China's imports from the United States are likely to grow substantially in the high-end sector with scope for further cooperation in sectors such as aerospace and new energy research, a top expert said.

Wei Jianguo, vice-president of the Beijing-based China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said: "Beyond traditional goods like beef and aircraft, China would increase imports from the US in life sciences, new materials and healthcare sector in the next five years."

Wei's comments come at a time when US President Donald Trump is making a state visit to China this week amid mounting trade friction between the two sides.

The two sides are also expected to further collaborate in the services, cross-border e-commerce and outsourcing sectors, he said.

Such efforts will allow the Sino-US trade to grow "from single-track to multi-track pattern," he said, which would decrease the US' trade deficit with China.

Healthy economic and trade ties are considered pillars of Sino-US relations. Bilateral trade in goods surged from $2.5 billion in 1979 to about $519.6 billion in 2016, an increase of over 200 times, according to Zhong Shan, the Minister of Commerce.

In April, China and the US agreed to establish a comprehensive economic dialogue and initiate a 100-day economic cooperation plan. About a month later, the two countries announced initial results in areas like agriculture, electronic payments, financial services and energy.
A villager arranges tiger-head shoes in her store in Sanbeizhang village of Renxian county, North China's Hebei province, Nov 7, 2017. It's still customary in many rural areas to dress infants in embroidered tiger-head shoes with the hope that they will become as robust and dynamic as tigers. [Photo/Xinhua]
Marcel Fuchs, vice-president of Atlantic and Pacific sales at the United Airlines. Photo provided to China Daily.

United Airlines is cashing in on China's rapid development and the fast-growing number of outbound tourists, according to a senior executive.

United is now the dominant carrier between China and the United States, providing more services than any other airline, with direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Sichuan province, and Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

"United continues to pioneer new transpacific routes from China, and is ready to add capacity where we see sufficient demand," Marcel Fuchs, vice-president of Atlantic and Pacific sales at the airline, said in an interview on Tuesday.

He added that the growing number of Chinese tourists is playing a major role.

"China is a very important market for United, and it's growing rapidly," he said.

The country now accounts for approximately 10 percent of United's international business travelers.

According to the US Department of Commerce, 2.97 million Chinese tourists traveled to the US last year, a rise of 15 percent from the previous year, and they spent a combined $33 billion, a rise of 9 percent from 2015.

The US has enjoyed 13 consecutive years of rising visitor numbers from China, 12 of them attracting double-digit growth.

"We will continue to encourage tourism, and we see tremendous growth opportunities between China and the US," Fuchs said.

The flights to Chengdu and Xi'an, plus an additional service to Shanghai, were all added in the past few years.

All services from Chengdu and Xi'an connect with San Francisco, which is a major business and leisure destination in its own right, Fuchs said.

From San Francisco, United operates about 260 flights daily to more than 90 destinations in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Fuchs cited the direct transpacific services from Chengdu and Xi'an as demonstrations of both the airline's commitment to the market and its biggest strengthits unmatched network between China and the US and beyond.

"China's social and economic reforms have transformed and reshaped the industrial, commercial, and regulatory landscapes of its developing non-Tier-1 cities," he said.

"As living standards and the business environment improve, these cities have enormous market potential and people's purchasing power is rising. United sees huge business potential in these non-tier-1 markets."

In addition to services to the US, United operates a twice-weekly service from Shanghai to Guam, the only scheduled direct flights between the Chinese mainland and the unincorporated US territory, along with four flights a week from Hong Kong.

"We are constantly evaluating additional destinations throughout China and beyond. We will continue to solidify our footprint as the No 1 US carrier to China in the future," Fuchs said.

He added that United is eager to engage with the Chinese market, a move signalled by the airline's growing presence on WeChat, one of China's most-popular social-media apps.

"(It) allows us to engage with and interact with our Chinese customers," he said.
HOUSTON - Some members of the Texas Legislature on Wednesday pushed for their fellow legislators and other top officials to examine whether the state's gun laws need to be changed.

At a news conference organized by Texas Gun Sense at the state capitol, State Reps. Poncho Nevarez and Nicole Collier urged state leaders to declare gun violence a public health issue and reform existing gun regulations.

According to the Houston Public Media, Collier urged state leaders to declare gun violence a public health issue, comparing it to other health crises such as obesity and the opioid epidemic.

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa spoke at the same news conference, offering a list she authored of steps to prevent gun violence. Her suggestions include increasing public education on safe gun usage and requiring a license to carry for long guns.

The press conference came a day after state Rep. Jason Villalba urged state leaders to create a bipartisan commission tasked with recommending "common sense" gun reforms ahead of the next scheduled legislative session in 2019.

Nevarez and Hinojosa stressed that they did not advocate eliminating Texans' access to guns. Nevarez did, however, criticize state leaders for not offering "anything that amounts to any real solution" to gun violence.

Texas public safety officials said 26 people were killed after gunman Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire on Sunday at a church in Sutherland Springs, a community of fewer than 400 residents and about 300 km west of Houston.

The gunman was later found dead nearby in his car, apparently of a gunshot wound, after he fled the scene.
US President Donald Trump uses a picture taken at the Forbidden City as the cover of his Twitter account.

For those who have never visited China's Forbidden City, they can see it now - through the tweets of US President Donald Trump, who is using a picture taken at the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the cover of his Twitter account.

Trump, who is having a "state visit-plus" in China, sent a slew of tweets on Wednesday, calling his first couple of hours in Beijing "unforgettable" and the lavish welcome he received "beautiful".

"On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and I, THANK YOU for an unforgettable afternoon and evening at the Forbidden City in Beijing, President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan. We are looking forward to rejoining you tomorrow morning!" Trump wrote.

The US president flew to Beijing from Seoul on Wednesday afternoon.

On the morning before delivering a speech at the National Assembly in South Korea, Trump tweeted that he would "be headed to China where I very much look forward to meeting with President Xi who is just off his great political victory", referring to Xi's re-election as the Party general secretary at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China late last month.

Upon arriving at the Chinese capital, the Trumps had afternoon tea with President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Hall of Embodied Treasures in the Forbidden City, before a tour of the ancient imperial palace, including a performance by young Peking Opera students.

Their picture with the performers dressed in ornate traditional Chinese costumes is apparently one of Trump's favorites during the afternoon tour. He used it as the cover of his Twitter account. He also posted or retweeted four other pictures of his tour in the Forbidden City.

Trump wrote in another post that he was "looking forward to a full day of meetings with President Xi and our delegations tomorrow. THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it!"

David Shambaugh, professor of political science at the George Washington University, said he is a great admirer of the collections at the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum.

"It is a very important heritage for Chinese civilization, and (it's) very important for President Trump on his first visit to Beijing be shown this 5,000 years of history," Shambaugh told China Daily. "That I'm sure will leave a big impact on him and his wife."

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
To coincide with US President Donald Trump's visit to China, the America China Public Affairs Institute launched programs to collect thoughts of overseas Chinese on boosting US-China relations and to help Chinese Americans amplify their political voice.

One is called "One Thousand Reasons to Enhance US-China Relations" and the other is a training program for Chinese Americans who want to run for political office in the US.

When President Xi Jinping met with Trump at the latter's Florida resort in April, he said there were "a thousand reasons to make the China-US relationship work, and no reason to break it", said Fred Teng, president of the America China Public Affairs Institute.

Fred Teng, president of the America China Public Affairs Institute.

"Thus, ahead of President Trump's visit to China, we plan to launch a website that collects Chinese people's thoughts about why we should enhance China-US relations," Teng said at a press conference in New York on Friday. The reasons were collected through an online platform starting Nov 5 and will be presented later online.

"We want to hear voices from businesspeople, teachers, doctors, lawyers, workers - people from different industries and backgrounds, to know what they care about and why they think it's (enhancing China-US ties) important," Teng added.

"There aren't enough outlets for Chinese people in the US to voice their ideas, suggestions and thoughts about what happens between the US and China," said Henry Tang, co-founder of the Committee of 100.

Teng said "the Chinese community in the US should play a more important role in China-US relations; now we have strong economic power, but we still lack strong political power. That's why we also launched the training program, a congressional campaign workshop, which we called future candidates school, to help those Chinese people who want to run for office learn more about developing the attributes of effective candidates, building a strong base of grassroots support, raising funds and so on."

Teng said the workshop would be Dec 4-8 in Washington.

"This is very important, and we [Fred Teng and I] both have a long history in New York City's public affairs, and it has been very difficult in the last thirtyish years to get any effective candidate - what's very frustrating is we have put up many candidates, but winning candidates have been very, very few," said Tang.

Dewey Fong, membership chairman of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police who served on the NYPD for 30 years, rising to the rank of deputy chief, said that there are areas where "Chinese-Americans are not being paid attention to so we want to be on the map, and one of the ways to get us on the map, is through participation, not only in economics, computer skills and technologies, but also in American politics, community service and civic duty."

ruinanzhang@chinadailyusa.com




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BANGKOK  Thai Vietjet on Wednesday got recertified the air operator certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

The new certificate, bestowed to the airline by Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit, is in line with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards.

The transport minister of Thailand said the new AOC is a remarkable milestone for Thai Vietjet to further prove its safety and services as it spreads its wings and continues to fly further and higher on this journey of sustainable development.

During the ceremony with the theme Lets Enjoy A New Journey, the airline also announced a new international route from Bangkok to a Lat  known as the City of Flowers and a much-loved mountainous retreat for local and international travellers, particularly from Thailand.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh, Thai Vietjet president and CEO, said she believed the recertification will further reassure the confidence of travellers across the globe of our services and the Thai airline industry as well.

She said the opening of Thai Vietjets new international route from Bangkok to a Lat City in the central highlands of Viet Nam delivers the airlines promise to contribute to the growth of Thai tourism.

The new flight will be launched just before the International Flower Festival of a Lat, which will be held in December this year. People from these two countries can now enjoy their neighbouring country even more through the expanding flight network, she added.

Commencing on December 18, the new Bangkok-a Lat route will be operated by an Airbus A320 with four return flights per week, flying every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. One-way fares which start from only 99 Thai bahts (US$3) are now available for booking at www.vietjetair.com.

With the recently-launched route to a Lat, Thai Vietjet and Vietjet Group will operate a total of six direct routes between Thailand and Viet Nam. These are Bangkok to Ha Noi, Hai Phong, HCM City and a Lat, and Phuket and Chiang Mai to HCM City.

Thai VietJet was established in Bangkok in late 2014. It is a joint venture between Vietjet Group and Thai airline Kan Air. In which, Vietjet holds a 49 per cent share while the remainder owned by the Thai partner. VNS
A NANG  An overwhelming majority of Vietnamese business heads are confident about growing revenues and profits in the coming years and preparing to adapt to the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), a new survey has found.

Done by auditing firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the survey found 92 per cent of CEOs of Vietnamese businesses expected higher earnings and profits.

The survey covered over 1,400 business leaders in each of the 21 APEC economies in the run up to the annual APEC CEO Summit in Viet Nam.

The findings were revealed by PwC at a press conference during the 2017 APEC Summit yesterday.

The survey found 26 per cent CEOs finding it difficult to find high-quality human resources in Viet Nam to execute their development strategies, as well as poor automation.

PwC Viet Nam General Director, inh Thi Quynh Van, said 50 per cent of the Vietnamese CEOs said they had invested in technology and automation in preparation for the 4th industrial revolution and digitalisation, but it was still slower than the other countries in the region.

While most CEOs agreed that that automation will be a major progressive development in the future, they also saw that preparations in Viet Nam were lagging, she said.

Vietnamese businesses should train and develop skillful manpower by themselves and invest more in technology to keep pace with the world, she added.

Confidence levels are high among business leaders in Viet Nam. Half of foreign business investors in Viet Nam (47 per cent) plan to increase their investments in Viet Nam over the next 12 months.

Positive sentiments can be seen in three areas; an expanding domestic economy, expectations of new growth from trade agreements and export expansion (both regional and intra-regional export growth), along with a positive outlook on innovation in key sectors of opportunity.

But sustained economic reform, coupled with a strengthening of public institutions and an emphasis on education and skills development will be crucial to make Viet Nam fit for the future.

She said despite poor traffic infrastructure, Viet Nam is seen as among the fastest growing nations in information technology, and this is an advantage for boosting investment in automation.

Sridharan Nair, Territory Senior Partner for PwC Malaysia/Viet Nam.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

According to the Ministry of Information and Communication, 58 per cent of Viet Nam population uses smart phones, while 50 million citizens use the Internet. Viet Nam also ranks 7th in the world in Facebook use.

Sridharan Nair, Territory Senior Partner for PwC Malaysia/Viet Nam, said Viet Nam should do more to speed up changes in its institutions and legal regulations to attract investment from APEC members and other countries.

Nair also said: Automation is a key recurring theme in strategies for building the workforce of the future, with 58 per cent automating certain functions, 40 per cent investing in machine learning and emerging technologies, while 41 per cent identifying workers that are skilled at using new automation tools.

For ASEAN businesses, automation is high on the agenda as a key building block in their strategy to develop a digital workforce, he added.

The survey also showed that 63 per cent of APEC CEOs expect global footprints to expand in next three years, while confidence in revenue growth is at its highest level for three years amongst business leaders in 21 APEC economies, Nair noted.

He said the survey revealed 37 per cent of APEC CEOs were very confident of revenue growth during the next 12 months, up from 28 per cent in 2016, despite trade policy uncertainty and related political tensions in many of the economies that make up the bloc.

In the next year, a net 50 per cent of businesses surveyed by PwC will increase their global investments (including those outside the APEC region), up from 43 per cent last year, as APEC businesses increase their foothold and influence on the global economy.

The survey showed that 71 per cent of those who are raising investment will direct those increases into APEC economies in 2018.

The biggest domestic investment winners will be Viet Nam, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Five members, Viet Nam, China, Indonesia, the US and Thailand, are the top APEC targets for business leaders overseas investment.

The survey also found that 89 per cent of Malaysian CEOs and 86 per cent of Vietnamese CEOs expect to expand globally. As a result, a majority of CEOs expect to rely more on business partnerships and joint ventures in response to the changing trade environment.

PwC Global Chairman Bob Moritz said: APEC economies could be a test bed for the integration of automation with the workforce of tomorrow. Businesses know best what skills they need, and now public and private sectors need to work together to create practical ways to train, develop and access those skills.

According to PwC, Viet Nam could be among the top 20 economies in the world, surpassing several more advanced economies, such as the Netherlands in 2030 and Australia in 2040.  VNS
HCM CITY  Investment opportunities in the food processing industry and technology transfer from foreign investors will be among the key topics to be discussed at a conference in HCM City next week.

According to the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, despite developing strongly in recent years the food processing industry has not met domestic demand, meaning a huge opportunity exists for investors.

Viet Nam is one of the worlds largest exporters of many kinds of farm produce, but it mainly exports raw products with low added value.

Therefore, attracting investors with modern processing technologies would be among the keys to developing the food processing industry, Vietrade said.

The Investment Promotion Conference on the Food Processing Industry, held by Vietrade, the Foreign Investment Agency and others, is among a series of activities by the Viet Nam International Food Industry Exhibition (Vietnam Foodexpo 2017) to be held in HCM City from November 15 to 18.

Vietnam Foodexpo, the countrys top trade promotion event for agricultural products, seafood and food, will have 600 booths set up by more than 450 exhibitors from 31 Vietnamese cities and provinces besides over 20 countries and territories.

On display will be fruits and vegetables, seafood, beverages, tea and coffee, food ingredients, processed foods, and food processing technologies and equipment.

With France being the Country of Honour, 33 French companies and industry groups will introduce some of their finest products and brands from the processed meat, dairy, farm produce and food processing machinery sectors.

Speaking at a press briefing in HCM City yesterday, Ta Hoang Linh, Vietrade deputy director, said the exhibition would contribute to the development of the food industry, promoting brands, products and services and enabling Vietnamese foods to expand market share in both domestic and export markets.

The exhibition would also serve as a catalyst for technological innovation, thereby increasing productivity, quality and safety, he said.

There would also be a Vietnam Food Forum, the Saigon International Cooking Contest and an exclusive area for large supermarket chains such as Hapromart, Lotte Mart and Big C to directly meet with local suppliers, he added.  VNS
HCM CITY  The industrial production index (IIP) of HCM City in the first 10 months recorded the highest year-on-year growth at 7.75 per cent over the past five years.

The HCM City Department of Industry and Trade said the citys IIP in the last two months of 2017 will increase sharply over the previous months and the IIP in 2017 may increase about 8.4 per cent in comparison with the IIP in 2016.

The manufacturing industry will continue to be the engine for growth of the municipal industry because it has now accounted for 75 per cent of the total production value in HCM City.

In terms of industry structure, the department said four major industries, food processing, chemicals - rubber, mechanics and electronics - information technology saw a year-on-year increase of 12.67 per cent in the first 10 months, higher than the average growth rate of the IIP in HCM City.

Nguyen Phuong ong, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, said the department had offered support to local industrial enterprises in accessing preferential capital, improving competitiveness, expanding the market, and connecting with foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises.

In December, the Support Industry Development Centre under the Department of Industry and Trade would organise an event to hunt for suppliers in the support industry 2017, he said.

"This is an opportunity for local industrial enterprises to find suppliers and connect with domestic enterprises, FDI enterprises and end-user enterprises in the fields of electronics and mechanical engineering of automobiles, motorcycles and trucks," he said. - VNS
The APEC business community needs to help tackle serious challenges facing the world today, including widespread poverty and unprecedented impacts of climate change, President Tran ai Quang said yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo

A NANG  The APEC business community needs to help tackle serious challenges facing the world today, including widespread poverty and unprecedented impacts of climate change, President Tran ai Quang said yesterday.

He praised the community for being crucial contributor to the bloc becoming a driving force behind global growth and integration.

The APEC business community has taken the lead in developing new technologies and energy sources as well as new forms of investment and commercialisation, bringing prosperity and improving the peoples living standards, he said.

Addressing some 2,000 top regional business leaders attending the three-day 2017 APEC CEO Summit in a Nang City, he also spoke highly of their contribution to regional cohesion that has made many significant achievements possible.

As the top regional economic co-operation mechanism, APEC has achieved important socio-economic progress, bringing hundreds of millions people out of poverty. It has proven to be the most important co-operation mechanism, making the Asia Pacific region the driving force behind global growth and integration, and a ground for new ideas for the future, the President said.

Thanks to crucial contributions from top global business to micro small, small and medium sized enterprises [MSMEs] and those led by women, the Asia Pacific region accounts for 50 per cent of total trade and nearly 60 per cent of global GDP, he noted.

After nearly three decades of growth, not only has APEC witnessed many fundamental changes in the world, it has itself been part of these changes, he said.

The President also mentioned challenges facing the business community.

Nearly 10 years after the last global economic crisis, world economic growth has stabilised, but there are hidden mid-term and long-term risks, he said.

Our region still has millions living in poverty, and many are suffering from never before seen impacts of climate change and natural disaster.

He urged the APEC business community to continue playing an important role in solving these urgent issues, with top priority given to maintaining the pace of global economic co-operation and revitalisation.

The community should further pioneering open trade and investment, facilitate he completion of Bogor goals in 2020, push private and public co-operation, and improve investment and trade value chain linkages, he said.

Describing the summit as a largest scale event for the regional business community, President Quang said he believes this years meeting will open new doors to co-operation and development.

Meeting of giants

Vu Tien Loc, Chairman and President of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the events host, meanwhile, called the summit a meeting of giants and think-tanks.

The summit welcomes President Tran ai Quang, US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with leaders from APEC member economies who account for 60 per cent of the worlds GDP, Loc said.

It is expected that the visions of these leaders will determine the future path of APEC and the world, Loc said.

Future trends

The future of globalisation, threats and opportunities of automation and the outlook for APEC are among major topics that will be discussed across 15 or so sessions during the three-day summit.

The three sessions on Wednesday featured nine speakers, including Victoria Kwakwa, the World Banks vice president for East Asia and Pacific Region; Philipp Rosler, managing director of the World Economic Forum; Robert E.Morits, global chairman of PwC; and Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Group president.

In The Future and Globalisation session, Morits mentioned the results of a PwC survey showing 75 per cent of the CEOs around the world were interested in investing and doing business in the APEC region, maintaining its status as a global growth hub. (For more on the survey, visit www.vietnamnews.vn).

The risks posed to jobs by automation was highlighted in the The Future of Work session by Masamichi Kono, Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

He said 14 per cent of all jobs have high a risk of being automated and an additional 35 per cent of jobs are at some risk of having parts or most of their tasks done by machines.

However, Nicolas Aguzin, Chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Asia Pacific, said that all the jobs that are automated will be replaced with new jobs.

And though we have yet to know where these jobs will come from, we believe that the amount of employment resulting from technological development will definitely go up, he said.

Nguyen uc Thuan, chairman of the TBS Group with 45,000 employees engaging in textile and leatherwear production, expressed concern about labour productivity.

Foreign brands outsourcing in Viet Nam demand a production rate that is 25 per cent higher. This is an opportunity for more than 500 leather footwear producers in the country to recognise the problem and find a way to improve productivity by applying new technology, especially autonomous production lines, Thuan said.

In the final session, Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler, an online news site based in the Philippines, spoke about the social media being a game changer in many areas including business.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver the keynote addresses on Friday, the last day of the summit.  VNS
HA NOI  Representatives from Spanish energy company Repsol on Tuesday met with leaders of the Binh Son Refinery and Petrochemical Co Ltd (BSR) to seek opportunities to invest in the Dung Quat Refinery.

During the meet, Repsol said the company not only wants to own shares of Dung Quat Refinery, but also wants to participate in the plants management, operation and trade.

Leaders of BSR, which operates the Dung Quat Refinery, agreed with Repsols proposal to set up two negotiating teams to further discuss co-operation between the two sides early.

Dung Quat Refinery, which holds one-third of the petroleum market share in Viet Nam, plans to sell 4-6 per cent of its stake in January next year.

Following the IPO, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) plans to continue transferring 49 per cent stake to strategic shareholders in 2018, which means the States ownership ratio in Dung Quat will be lower than 50 per cent. This will allow private investors to control the No.1 oil refinery in Viet Nam.

Under the current law, foreign investors are not allowed to distribute petrol products in Viet Nam, unless they have oil refineries in the country. Therefore, analysts predict foreign conglomerates will buy stake in Viet Nams oil refinery to obtain the right to distribute petrol products.

The Vietnamese energy market is witnessing the highest growth rates in the region. The total demand for petroleum products in Viet Nam in 2015 was 17.5 million cu.m. According to the World Bank, average petroleum consumption per capita in Viet Nam has increased by 5 per cent per year. The demand mostly comes from three sectors  transport (65 per cent), industrial production (20 per cent) and peoples consumption.

Dung Quats business performance is impressive. It posted revenue of VN74 trillion and net profit of VN4.492 trillion last year, which means a rate of return on equity (ROE) of 14 per cent.

By the end of October, the revenue of the oil refinery reached VN63.3 trillion and its ROE rate was 16.09 per cent. - VNS
HA NOI  Brand Finance, the worlds leading independent branded business valuation and strategy consultancy, has valued Viet Nam nation brand at US$203 billion.

This makes the country among the top 50 most valuable nation brands in the world.

The Viet Nam nation brand value has moved up five places from the 2016 ranking, to rank 45th this year.

Topping the worlds most valuable nation brands of Brand Finance this year was the United States (US) with a value of $21.1 trillion, followed by China ($10.209 trillion), Germany ($4.021 trillion), Japan ($3.493 trillion) and the United Kingdom ($3.129 trillion).

With a big jump of 43 per cent in value from last year, Viet Nam also ranked fifth among the fastest growing nation brands of 2017, with Iceland, which saw an increase of 83 per cent in nation brand value to reach $26 billion, topping the list, followed by Cyprus, Spain and China.

Brand Finance gave the A+ rating to Viet Nam nation brand, which meant strong. Singapore maintained its position as the strongest nation brand with rating AAA+.

According to London-based Brand Finance, thanks to the efforts of the national mark program called Viet Nam Value, Viet Nams processed food industry now contributed upwards of $17 billion of the countrys exports and the apparel industry made up over $22 billion of exports. These economic contributions are absolutely crucial for Viet Nams overall growth and would not have been entirely possible without the concentrated efforts by the Vietnamese government, the report said.

Viet Nam has implemented the national programme Viet Nam Value since 2003.

Brand Finance, which was present in over 20 countries, also said that in the international marketplace, consumers had a much wider choice of products from different countries and sought a higher assurance of quality than what they simply got through the place of origin. Gone are the days when just saying Made in XYZ was enough. Clearly everything manufactured in Viet Nam, Thailand, India and Australia, as well as Turkey, China or America could not all be great and vice versa.

Consumers need a warranty and assurance from the governments about the quality of products the country is exporting, the report said, adding that building a strong national quality mark is a solution which will endorse the quality and authenticity of the products from the country.

The report further said, A well-managed national quality mark is the key to nation brand success and doing it right can bring great benefits.

Brand Finance measures the strength and value of the nation brands of 100 leading countries using a method based on the royalty relief mechanism employed to value the worlds largest companies.  VNS
HA NOI  The Republic of Korea (RoK) will provide US$1.5 billion in official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam for 2016-2020 via the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

A framework agreement to this effect between the two governments was signed by Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and RoK Ambassador to Viet Nam Lee Hyuk in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

With 10 articles, the agreement specifies lending conditions, disbursement and Viet Nams incentives for projects using the RoK-funded ODA. The sum will be reserved for projects chosen by the two governments.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dung said the RoKs ODA had been used in important and priority fields in Viet Nam for more than two decades.

He also lauded the RoK government for considering Viet Nam a top priority partner in ODA supply.

Ambassador Lee vowed to work closely with Vietnamese agencies to realise the agreement which creates a legal framework for the process.

Since 1993, the RoK has offered $2.7 billion in ODA to Viet Nam to execute nearly 60 projects, mostly in transport infrastructure, urban development, healthcare, water supply and drainage.  VNS
By Nhu Hoa & Hoai Nam

A NANG  The 2017 APEC Summit is shining the spotlight on Viet Nam and highlights its economic development. It has also produced comments about simplifying the nations laws to encourage more business.

In spotlight: VinaCapital CEO Don Lam says Viet Nam is in the spotlight.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

This is the opinion of VinaCapital CEO Don Lam. He was speaking to Viet Nam News on the sidelines of the APEC CEO Summit at a Nangs Ariyana Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday.

They (CEOs) give the Government a unique platform to meet a large number of international business leaders, and highlights how they foster sustainable growth through reforms," he said. "They broadly communicate the message that Viet Nam is open for business, thereby encouraging more foreign investment, Lam said.

The APEC Summit is a great way for us to build relationships that lead to further investment in Viet Nam. Additionally, when Viet Nam receives positive international attention that comes from events like these, we tend to see an increase in interest in products we offer investors, he added.

When I attended the first APEC Summit in Ha Noi in 2006, VinaCapital had US$50 million in assets under management, but today we manage well over $2 billion. Like Viet Nam, weve come a long way in a decade. We are proud to have long been the largest private investor in central Viet Nam, especially around a Nang and Hoi An.

"Over the past decade, VinaCapital has co-operated with many international partners to invested about $5 billion across a range of projects, including the Hoiana integrated resort currently under construction."

President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, Duong Tri Thanh.  VNS Photo Hoang Nhu Hoa

This years APEC CEO Summit is extremely important for Viet Nam, according to Duong Tri Thanh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines.

Foreign investors can hear about Viet Nams business environment, but when they arrive here they would have their own perspective, Thanh told Viet Nam News after being live-broadcasted by the Bloomberg on Thursday on the sidelines of the three-day summit, which will end on November 10.

For a company, the CEOs vision has a high significance. So, when they [CEOs] come here, they have a great chance to share their experiences, and review their visions and works, Thanh said.

With a plan to list shares on Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange next year, the national carrier expects a 10 per cent passenger growth in 2018 from 22 million this year. It is also considering a route to Los Angeles by late 2019 or early 2020.

The Bloombergs interview focused on the connectivity and growth of Vietnam Airlines, through that bringing the latest information of the company to the foreign investors, he said.

Chairman and CEO of JP Morgan, Asia Pacific, Nicolas Aguzin.  VNS Photo Hoang Nhu Hoa

Nicolas Aguzin, chairman and CEO of JP Morgan, Asia Pacific, said he is optimistic about APEC and the future, saying that technology and automation is a big issue of this dynamic point in time when there are many issues related to trade, labour mobility, outsourcing, immigration, capital mobilisation, and the related issues.

We have created a lot of efficiency, increased productivity, made things better, faster and cheaper. So we all need to be learning about what the different technologies can bring for our businesses, Aguzin said.

He told Viet Nam News that technology and automation leave a lot of people without jobs and that needs to be managed carefully.

There needs to be a lot of training, education, and creating the right environment so the supply and demand of labour can meet.

Regarding the banking sector, he said it was also affected by everything that is happening around technology.

We have to prepare and we are investing a lot, the CEO said.

Trade reformer: CEO of FedEx Express, David L. Cunningham.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Addressing the APEC CEO Summit, president and CEO of FedEx Express, David L.Cunningham said: Expanding global trade is in the best interest of all APEC members, including the United States. The annual event is an opportunity to discuss trade reforms among 21 trading partners, most of whom are Asias fast-growing markets. Viet Nam is a prime example of the benefits of APECs vision of economic reform, open markets and regional integration. Experience shows that open markets are the best path to prosperity.

What the fast-growing number of small and medium customers in the region need is simplified and efficient trade rules that support the digital online economy, said Karen Reddington, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express.

FedEx has long been a strong advocate for the lowering of trade barriers to make it easier for our customers to ship internationally. FedEx remains committed to the Asia Pacific region. We have been at the forefront of the extraordinary expansion of global access by helping businesses build stronger and more nimble supply chains."

Local insight: CEO of Coca-Cola Viet Nam, Sanket Ray.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

During panel discussion on the topic of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Start-ups and Innovation, CEO of Coca-Cola Viet Nam, Sanket Ray said the success of a company was reflected in the prosperity of the surrounding community. He said the soft-drink company was focused on developing sustainable business not just profits.

The success of Coca-Colas global initiatives come from local market insights. We focus on creating shared values in the three main pillars of our corporate sustainability strategy, which are water, women, and quality of life for the community. We are committed to long-term investment to make positive changes in the delivery of innovation transfer that fosters an effective value chain alliance and strong economic development in countries where Coca-Cola -Cola operates," Ray said.

IT promoter: Kozaburo Yazawa, chairman of Japanese Digital Ship IT company.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Kozaburo Yazawa, chairman of Japanese Digital Ship IT company and the owner of a Japanese restaurant in a Nang said: The APEC Summit is a good chance for our company and other FDI companies in a Nang City. I am doing business with an information technology company, a restaurant company, a consulting company and a real-estate company. Most customers of IT businesses in a Nang are from Japan.

In the restaurant business, tourists will be increasing in the future, so foreign tourists will increase more. Local customers will also use plenty of money for dining out as the economy improves, so this will also be positive. Relating to real estate, we are selling a Nang real estate to Japanese people. If a Nang becomes famous, it will be easier to sell more. Regarding consulting, APEC has a lot of great meaning for us in attracting more investment from Japan, Yazawa said.

He said the world media would spread APEC Summit information to many people, and a Nang would be well-known throughout the world as a pleasant place to visit.

He suggested that APEC leaders should help a Nang become popular among investors.

So, Viet Nam and a Nang City should explain investment concretely. Vietnamese laws have many parts that are not clear, and there are many difficulties for foreigners regarding licensing as well. I believe that if we have more improvement in such things as transportation, electricity and the internet and overseas transaction money are simplified, I think big investment will increase.  VNS
HA NOI  A new 20-minute animation on a popular historic legend has gone viral among Vietnamese internet users in the past few days.

The cartoon features the legend of Lac Long Quan (a holy dragon) and Au Co (a fairy bird) and their children (50 boys and 50 girls), who hatched from 100 eggs. The couple together fought various evils to gain peace for the country. Their children then settled down throughout the regions to build and protect the country.

Uploaded to YouTube on November 4, Con Rong Chau Tien (Offspring of Dragon and Fairy), produced by Bitis footwear company, has been viewed more than 5,250,000 times.

The cartoon was produced by 100 artists under the guidance of director Leo Dinh (inh Kieu Anh Tuan) and took 10,000 working hours over 180 days to make.

The team spent two months brainstorming and searching for historical documents with consultancy from historian Duong Trung Quoc.

Then, the team spent four months to animate the cartoon, with the combination of 2D and 3D techniques to create a cartoon of 20 minutes.

Mystical: Lac Long Quan (Dragon) and Au Co (Fairy) in the cartoon.

The theme song for the animation is Cung Nhau Ta Thap Sang (Together We Shine) composed by Thanh Bui and performed by Bich Ngoc.

In legends, Dragon and Fairy is the start of Vietnamese people with their core values, commented historian Quoc, All peoples want to understand their origins.

Con Rong Chau Tien is a folk legend, which has been scored in official historical documents to explain the origin of Vietnamese people and why we formed a nation, he said.

However, Quoc said that the legend has not been placed in its deserving position in Vietnamese literature and in the heart of Vietnamese people.

He worries that in the next 10 to 20 years there may not be any young people interested in folk legends, which inspired the team to make a cartoon that appeals to the young.

We have done serious research on the appearance of characters, their costumes and landscapes in the cartoon so that audiences can see vivid moving images, said director Leo Dinh, Im proud to say that this is a cartoon was made totally in Viet Nam with Vietnamese identities.

Beside interesting content, the soul of the cartoon lies in images and visual effect, he said, Thus, dozens thousands of scenes have been drawn by leading cartoon makers of RedCat Motion.

The cartoon is a very special project, Leo Dinh said, It challenged us not only technically but also pushed us overcome limits in telling stories with images and techniques we have never used.

For simply the image of the pile of 100 eggs, we thought over and over on how to create the eggs, which looks like sparkling light, said creative director of the cartoon Kieu Thien Van.

Team effort: The cartoon was made by 100 artists under the guidance of director Leo Dinh.

Van also said the team encountered some obstacles, including limited historical data and technology when combining 2D and 3D images.

I think this is the first short cartoon by Vietnamese artists with proper investment and sophisticated implementation, which meets international standards of cartoons in terms of images and moving effects, noted artist Linh Nguyen.

I strongly believe not only children but also adults like us want to see such cartoons, commented Hoang Thu Huong under the cartoon on YouTube.

According to Hung Vo, an official from Bitis company, who is in charge of the project, the cartoon is the second of its kind in a 20-year-long series of projects makings cartoon from folk literature run by Bitis company between 2017 and 2037.

He said next year, the company will invest in a bigger project.

We will co-ordinate with schools and parents to transmit the love for folk culture among children, he said, We will bring cultural tales to our footwear products to make children proud of their shoes and Vietnamese tales, so they can step forwards as offspring of dragons and fairies.

The cartoon is availbale at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CI52V3lQTA  VNS
Opening: Chairman of the National APEC Committee, Pham Binh Minh (third from right), at the opening of APEC Park in a Nang yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo

A NANG  APEC Park was opened on the west bank of the Han River in the central city of a Nang yesterday.

Shipping: This sculpture of an old trading dhow was donated by Indonesia. VNA/VNS Photo

The park, which covers on 3,000sq.m, displays 18 sculptures from APEC economies that express the deep understanding and cultural exchanges among members.

A swirl: These rings of colour reflect the Korean national dress. VNA/VNS Photo

Chairman of the National APEC Committee, Pham Binh Minh, and other deputies of APEC economies attended the event.

Jungle-like: This Malaysian work reflects the jungle. VNA/VNS Photo

The park will host delegates, visitors and businesses attending the 2017 APEC Summit in a Nang until November 11.

Tree-like: A statue from Chinese Taipei. VNA/VNS Photo

The opening is a prelude to the APECs economic leaders meeting today and tomorrow and other inter-related forums.

Also there: A Russian sculpture in the park. VNA/VNS Photo

In the future, the park will be a destination for visitors.

Mushroom-like: This piece from Viet Nam has visitors intrigued. VNA/VNS Photo

More than 10,000 delegates, CEOs, business people, journalists and visitors are taking part in the summit.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau agreed to establish the framework of a comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Canada during their talks in Ha Noi yesterday.

This marks an important milestone in bilateral ties, serving as a driving force to promptly step up friendship and extensive and productive cooperation at a time when the two countries have increasingly been sharing interests bilaterally, regionally and globally, they said.

They agreed that the two sides will co-ordinate to realise contents in the comprehensive partnership framework across politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development, education-training, national defence-security and science-technology.

Both sides showed their appreciation at the positive development of bilateral ties across many fields. PM Phuc spoke highly of the immense contribution to relations between the two countries made by late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeaus father, affirming that Viet Nam treasures and wants to further its relationship with Canada.

He said over the past two decades, Canada has always been among the top suppliers of official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam, and asked for the countrys further supply of this capital source, especially for poverty reduction, climate change response, agriculture and sustainable growth, and support for Viet Nams access to preferential loans after 2017.

The host suggested Canada recognise Viet Nam as a market economy soon, further open its market to Vietnamese goods and provide more support for the Vietnamese community.

Trudeau, who is paying an official visit to Viet Nam from November 8-9, described Viet Nam as an important partner of Canada in the region and wished to foster bilateral friendship and long-term co-operation.

He committed to supporting Viet Nam in climate change response and promotion of sustainable development via the implementation of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The guest pledged to expand academic exchange via establishing partnerships and student exchange programmes between the two countries educational establishments.

The two leaders promised to continue working closely together at regional and global forums such as the UN, APEC, Francophonie, as well as on issues of shared concern.

On regional and global issues, the two leaders expressed support to ensuring maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea, the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea, full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, and international law, as well as promotion of ocean use for peaceful purposes, environmental and marine ecological protection.

Following the talks, the two PMs attended a joint press conference.

Later the same day, the Canadian PM was received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Party General Secretary Trong spoke highly of the bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed his delight that relations had been lifted to a new level  a comprehensive partnership  on this occasion.

He proposed the two countries actively implement signed agreements and continue promoting relations more deeply, practically and effectively for the benefits of people of the two countries and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

Canadian PM Trudeau affirmed that Canada attached great importance to relations with Viet Nam and committed to strongly promoting co-operation in economy, science and technology and education.

Later the same day, President Tran ai Quang received Canadian PM Trudeau, lauding progress in bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment and education.

PM Trudeau hailed Viet Nams socio-economic development achievements and said the country is Canadas top trade partner in Southeast Asia.

On the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received Canadian PM Trudeau, hailing the establishment of the countries comprehensive partnership as an important milestone.

She took the occasion to thank the Canadian Government for its new projects worth more than US$43 million in total to help Viet Nam cope with climate change, ensure food safety and increase co-operatives capacity.

PM Trudeau said on the basis of the fine relations between the two countries over the years, the two sides should continue developing co-operation, particularly as Canada and Viet Nam have established a comprehensive partnership framework.

A joint statement between Viet Nam and Canada on the historic deal was issued yesterday after the talks held between PM Phuc and his Canadian counterpart Trudeau. VNS
National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) receives new UNDP Country Director in Viet Nam Caitlien Weisen in Ha Noi yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Trong uc

HA NOI  National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan lauded the assistance of the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Viet Nams socio-economic development, particularly in poverty reduction, climate change adaptation and administrative reform.

She made the appreciation while receiving new UNDP Country Director in Viet Nam Caitlien Weisen in Ha Noi yesterday.

She also spoke highly of UNDPs co-operation with the NA over the past two decades, focusing on improving capacity of NA deputies in law building and supervision.

The UNDP has helped in policy analysis and proposed recommendations for important draft laws, she said.

She said she believed that the new UNDP Country Director would help promote relations between Viet Nam and the UN and deepen ties between Viet Nam and the UNDP.

For her part, UNDP Country Director Weisen praised Viet Nams efforts in poverty reduction and gender equality promotion.  VNS
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a bilateral meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who is in Viet Nam for the APEC Economic Leaders Week in central a Nang City, yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a bilateral meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who is in Viet Nam for the APEC Economic Leaders Week in central a Nang City, yesterday.

Bishop extended her sympathy for victims of typhoon Damrey, while lauding the Vietnamese Governments efforts to overcome the consequences of the storm and to ensure the best conditions for the APEC Economic Leaders Week.

The two sides expressed their delight at growth of the enhanced comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Australia, especially in trade, defence, security, education and development co-operation.

Both sides agreed to continue maintaining close consultation between the two foreign ministries, especially in dealing with difficult and sensitive issues.

They will co-ordinate closely in preparing for high-level visits to mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2018, aiming to soon lift the two countries relationship to a strategic partnership.

Bishop affirmed that Viet Nam plays an important part in Australias foreign policies, adding that her country hopes to foster a practical, effective and in-depth partnership with Viet Nam. She appreciated Viet Nams co-operation in implementing Australias New Colombo Plan. So far, about 1,500 Australian students have arrived in Viet Nam for study and exchange.

Deputy PM Minh highly valued Australias official development assistance (ODA) projects which have helped improve the socio-economy, environment, support startups and promote gender equality in Viet Nam.

Both sides underscored support to each other during the running for seats in international organisations and important agencies of the United Nations.

They also shared viewpoints on regional security challenges, agreeing to work closely at ASEAN meetings.

On the occasion, Minh and Bishop attended the signing ceremony of an agreement implementing a AU$37 million project to promote gender equality in Lao Cai and Son La provinces using non-refundable ODA from Australia, aiming to assist local women in agricultural production and tourism development.  VNS
JOINT STATEMENT

BY THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM AND CANADA ON

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP

Canada and Viet Nam have decided to enhance their cooperation and friendship towards a comprehensive, substantive, effective, stable and sustainable relationship both bilaterally, regionally and internationally, to meet their interests and to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia Pacific and the world, based on respect for the Charter of the United Nations, basic principles of international law, and their respective national law.

Founded on the fruitful and multifaceted relationship they have developed since establishing their diplomatic relations in 1973, Canada and Viet Nam have jointly decided to establish a Comprehensive Partnership encompassing the following areas:

Political and Diplomatic:

1. Canada and Viet Nam will continue the exchange of high-level visits and and regular senior-level dialogues between their respective governments, including Bilateral Consultations at Deputy Minister level, and welcome interactions between entities associated with their political parties and their parliaments.

2. Canada and Viet Nam will continue to cooperate closely in multilateral institutions, including the United Nations (UN), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and La Francophonie. Canada and Viet Nam reaffirm their shared commitment to maintain world peace, security and stability, uphold the UN Charter and principles of international law, and will cosider cooperation in relevant areas of mutal interest bilaterally and multilaterally in a respectful and constructive manner, in order to contribute to the promotion of their relationship.

3. Canada and Viet Nam emphasise the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region; supporting the maintenance of a rule-based order for the seas and oceans, including the South China Sea. This approach will be based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); supporting the assurance of freedom of navigation, aviation, trade and the use of oceans for peaceful purposes, protecting the environment and maritime ecosystem.

4. Canada and Viet Nam affirm their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes and in accordance with international law.

5. Canada and Viet Nam underscore the important role of ASEAN in the regional architecture, support efforts to build a strong and prosperous rule-based ASEAN Community, and welcome ASEANs initiatives to maintain regional peace, security and prevent confrontations, such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

6. Canada and Viet Nam will continue to work together to address global challenges, including counter terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and non-traditional challenges such as transnational crimes, climate change, maritime security, food security, water security and to safeguard the enviroment. Canada and Viet Nam will work to protect biodiversity and habitats from illegal exploitation and trafficking as well as support actions to implement the Ha Noi Statement on the Illegal Wildlife Trade.

7. Canada and Viet Nam recognise the importance of protection and promotion of human rights in conformity with their own consitutions and respective international commitments, including to uphold the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and express willingness to enhance mutual understanding.

Trade and Investment:

8. Canada and Viet Nam are committed to reciprocal trade and investment as an important driver of their relationship. Canada and Viet Nam will continue to maintain their interest in each other as important markets and promote bilateral trade and investment in key sectors.

9. Canada and Viet Nam will facilitate trade transactions and promptly resolve issues that may arise in the trade and investment relationship based on a principle of equality, mutual benefit and cooperation; and enhance collaboration in multilateral economic, trade and financial cooperation mechanisms inlcuding the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).

10. Canada and Viet Nam will examine the potential for a Canada  ASEAN free trade agreement and promote implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

Development Cooperation:

11. Canada and Viet Nam note the contribution of development cooperation to their overall relationship over the past decades, and will continue their strong partnerships for sustainable development in their bilateral relations. Canada recognises Viet Nams outstanding achievements in poverty reduction since the 1990s and its current development aspiration under Viet Nam 2035. Viet Nam highly appreciates the official development assistance that Canada has provided and the long-standing partnership underpinning bilateral development cooperation.

12. Canada and Viet Nam renew their commitment to fulfilling the terms of their 1994 General Agreement on Development Cooperation, as the basis of their continued partnership. Canada and Viet Nam commit to continuing their long-standing policy dialogue on enhancing development effectiveness and efficiency as mutually beneficial goals and as fundermental prerequisites for continued cooperation.

13. Canada recognises the need for a new, more strategic approach to development cooperation and will seek to allocate available resources to programs that align with Canadas feminist International Assistance Policy, and respond directly to Viet Nams developmental challenges, such as poverty reduction, rural development as outlined in Viet Nams Socio-Economic Development Plan 2016  2020. In this regard, Canadas development cooperation will suport Viet Nams efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development through the implementation of the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Defense and Security:

14. Canada and Viet Nam share common interests for peace and security in the Asia Pacific region and will continue to engage in multilateral and bilateral dialogue and cooperation on national defence and security matters, capacity building and training.

15. Canada and Viet Nam will explore and advance cooperation in the areas of peacekeeping, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among other areas of mutual interest and benefit. Canada and Viet Nam will continue to explore ways to enhance cooperation on national defence through the Military Training and Cooperation Program, as well as training programs led by Viet Nam.

16. Canada and Viet Nam have decided to explore new areas of cooperation to enhance security, including capacity building in areas of mutual interests.

Cultural and Academic Exchange:

17. Viet Nam notes favourably Canadas continued efforts to attract growing numbers of Vietnamese students to pursue studies at Canadian educational institutions, and Canada welcomes the growing number of Vietnamese students pursuing educational opportunities in Canada.

18. While recognising that education is under the jurisdiction of Canadian provincial governments, Canada and Viet Nam have decided to promote and facilitate enhanced academic cooperation, mobility, including through the establishment of partnerships and student exchange programs between educational institutions.

Science, Technology and Innovation:

19. Canada and Viet Nam will promote and strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy, clean and sustainable technologies, agriculture and agri-food, Information and Communications Technology and marine and environmental research, including climate change adaption and mitigation. The aim will be to facilitate engagement of various innovation stakeholders to share information, experience and topics of mutual interest. Both countries further endeavor to explore potential opportunities to collaborate in respect to R&D, deployment and commercialization of innovative, forward-looking clean technology to address global climate challenges.

People-to-people ties:

20. Canada and Viet Nam welcome the strong and growing people-to-people links that already exist between them across all levels of society and across a broad spectrum of business, academic, media, cultural, sport, tourism and non-governmental organisations. Canada and Viet Nam will work to strengthen these links, through cooperation in various fields, provincies and territories. Canada and Viet Nam recognise the contributions of the Vietnamese community to Canada. Canadas policy of multiculturalism welcomes the Vietnamese culture and values, and this promotes friendly relations between their peoples. Canada and Viet Nam encourage people-to-people ties that will foster friendly bilateral relations.
A NANG  Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng in the central city of a Nang today.

The ministers expressed their delight at growth of the two nations relations over the past years, hailed the outcomes of the second meeting of the Viet Nam  Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Ha Noi in February and agreed on the third meeting in Brunei in 2018.

The two sides affirmed to work closely with each other to deepen the cooperation in the fields of politics, security, national defence, maritime cooperation, and education.

FM Minh suggested the two sides maintain the current cooperation mechanisms and study new cooperation agreements in potential fields, such as tourism, labour, aviation, agriculture and fishery.

Minister Lim Jock Seng agreed that the two sides will accelerate negotiations on a memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation, study a direct flight between Brunei and Ha Noi, and cooperate in halal food.

He pledged to continue working closely with Viet Nam to address issues related to fishermen and vessels, and ensure legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens living and working in Brunei.

The two sides exchanged international and regional issues of common interest and agreed to strengthen cooperation at multi-lateral forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia  Europe Meeting (ASEM), the United Nations.

The Brunei Minister spoke highly of the initiatives and efforts of Viet Nam in hosting the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Week and pledged that his country will support Viet Nam to successfully accomplish its APEC Year 2017 host, as well as to raise the role and reputation of APEC for peace, prosperity, and cooperation in the region and the world.VNS
HA NOI -- Dumping waste mud into Quy Nhon Citys sea must not harm natural protection and aquaculture production areas, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said yesterday.

The minister was answering complaints related to dumping of 439,000cu.m of waste mud from the dredging canals of Quy Nhon Port of Binh inh during his visit to the province.

The area for dumping mud must be inspected carefully to avoid damaging the seas diverse environment and aquaculture production, he said.

Moreover, impact of the dumping must be monitored, he added.

Dredging canals at Quy Nhon Port was necessary, but environment impact had to be considered, Ha said.

So far, dredging canals and dumping waste mud into the sea is normal all over the world. However, the waste was processed before being dumped, the minister said.

In fact, the waste mud was also a kind of natural resource, he said, and could benefit the sea.

Speaking on the matter, Ho Quoc Dung, chairman of Binh inh Provinces People Committee, said dredging canals in Quy Nhon Port was carried out every two years.

The activities were evaluated by the provincial authorities.

Recently, Viet Nam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) submitted a request to Binh inh Province Peoples Committee for a licence to dump 439,000cu.m. of waste mud into Quy Nhon Citys sea.

If approved, the waste mud would be dumped near buoy number zero, at least 2.5km from the coast.

Binh inh Provinces Department of Natural Resources and Environment had collaborated with Vinamarine and other related forces to investigate and evaluate dossiers.

According to the department, Quy Nhon Ports inlet is getting clogged, obstructing the arrival and departure of large vessels. To receive 50,000DWT (deadweight tonnage) ships, Vinamarine proposed a plan to dredge 439,000cu.m of mud to the Ministry of Transport, which was granted approval. -- VNS
KHANH HOA  Stories are coming in of unsung local heroes in the coastal Khanh Hoa Province who braved the wrath of Typhoon Damrey last Saturday to take their boats out sea to rescue scores of victims.

After hearing about some men from floating aquaculture farms being marooned off Van Gia fishing village, Ho Thanh Phi, 40, of Van Ninh District, took his motorboat out on Saturday night to look for them.

He coaxed friends and relatives to take other motorboats owned by his family and look for the unfortunate people marooned at sea.

Scouring the area until after 10pm, they managed to rescue and bring to shore nearly 150 people who had been working on floats with fish and shrimp cages.

They were drifting at sea or had managed to reach the islands of Hon Ga, Hon Nung and Bai Gao, which are four nautical miles from the mainland, after their floats were destroyed by the storm.

Nguyen Ba Luan, 29, director of Son Nam Tourism Joint Stock Company, also braved the storm to go out to sea in his companys boats with seven colleagues to save more than 200 marooned men from aquaculture farms, Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper reported.

They divided themselves into three groups and went in different directions off Van Ninh District.

After struggling with fierce waves for more than one hour they found eight men clinging to a plastic barrel to survive.

PM Phuc praises Luans bravery acts HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has praised the heroism of Nguyen Ba Luan, who saved hundreds of fishermen stranded at sea during typhoon Damrey.

In a letter written to Luan, a tourism worker, yesterday, the PM said that he was moved to learn that Luan and some of his colleagues, despite the danger, bravely took his boat out to sea to save the citizens. On behalf of the Government, I sincerely applaud and highly appreciate the heroic, responsible and humane spirit of Nguyen Ba Luan and his colleagues, Phuc wrote. Phuc also called on everyone to keep supporting citizens affected by the storm and the floods in recent days.  VNS

The rescued men said more of their colleagues were stranded at sea, and Luan and his colleagues managed to find a dozen exhausted men from aquaculture floats clinging to a tree trunk in the pitch darkness near an island off Van Thanh Commune.

Having saved nearly 20 men, Luan began to feel exhaustion set in, but he did not stop and continued to search for more victims.

His phone was constantly ringing with calls from desperate trapped farmers and their families  his company is well-known in the area since its vessels transport people between the mainland and a nearby island -- asking for help.

He and his colleagues ended up at sea for dozens of hours looking for victims.

At 5am some of Luans team had to be hospitalised for exhaustion, but the rest continued with their heroic efforts.

Hoang Quoc Truong, one of the latter, said when they heard about the aquaculturists being trapped at sea, they did not worry about the risk to their own lives but were worried more about the victims.

They had to remind each other to be careful and make sure they survived because their own families were waiting for them, he said.

If the stranded men were not saved in time, what would have happened to them if they had lost contact in the storm and heavy rain? he told Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper.

Nguyen Thi Nhung, whose husband and his workers had been managing a floating fish farm at sea, had asked Luan to look for him.

Luan managed to rescue her husband, a grateful and relieved, Nhung said.

Vo Luc Pham, deputy chairman of the Van Ninh District Peoples Committee, said local authorities had commended Luan.

Many of Luans brave colleagues had their houses damaged by Typhoon Damrey. Luan also had three motorboats damaged.

Phi and Luan were awarded the Ban ong Hanh Quanh Toi (Fellow-passenger Around Me) Prize and VN14 million (US$614). They donated a part of the money to storm victims.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has written a note to Luan praising his and his colleagues bravery.

Le Van Qua, 35, of Binh Son District in Quang Ngai Province, which was also affected by the storm, rowed his boat to rescue 15 people from flooding.  VNS
The transport ministry should consider the possibility of cost overruns and prepare accordingly as it prepares to build a 654km section of the North-South expressway, NA deputies said yesterday.  Photo dantri.com.vn

HA NOI  The transport ministry should consider the possibility of cost overruns and prepare accordingly as it prepares to build a 654km section of the North-South expressway, NA deputies said yesterday.

Their comments came during discussions in the afternoon about the construction project that is to be implemented over a four-year (2017-2020) period. The construction will take place in the eastern part of the country.

Transport Minister Nguyen Van The said that the expressway project has a total investment of over VN118.7 trillion (US$5.27 billion) for the 2017-2020 period, covering 654km of roads. It will have 11 sub-projects, three of which will get public investment of VN55 trillion ($2.4 billion). Eight others will be Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects.

After land clearance, private investors will be called on to invest in the project, he said.

The selection of private investors for the eight BOT projects will be through an open bidding process. The previous practice of appointing investors will no longer be applied, the minister said.

According to the Government proposal, BOT projects will collect toll for 24 years at average fee of VN2,500 (11 US cents) per km. The current toll rate on the North-South expressway is VN1,500 per km.

The said that the ministry has proposed rates for different periods of toll collection. When the BOT projects are completed, the initial toll fee will be VN1,500 per km. It will be increased gradually to reach VN3,400 per km two to three years later, so as to minimise public inconvenience.

Tran Hoang Ngan, a deputy from HCM City, agreed on the necessity to construct some sections of the expressway, saying that it will contribute to overall infrastructure development, improving national competitiveness, meeting travel demand and boosting tourism.

The report submitted by the transport ministry is feasible, given budgetary constraints and high investment demands, he said.

However, he also proposed that the Government estimates and prepares for cost overruns as the project will be implemented over a large area for a long time.

The land clearance involving the resettlement of more than 8,000 households should also be open and transparent, he added.

Ngan also said that the estimated toll fees should be publicised early so that the public can give their feedback.

Furthermore, the transport ministry must report to the NA lessons learned from previous BOT projects so as to avoid failures in the North-South expressway project, he said.

Pham Phu Quoc, another NA deputy from HCM City and general director of the State-owned Finance and Investment Company in HCM City, said that investment rate of VN181.5 billion ($7.9 million) per km for the expressway project was low compared to other completed projects like the Hai Phong-Ha Long (VN650 billion per km) and HCM City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay (VN479 billion per km) roads.

We must take into consideration the possibility of cost overrun. In case this happens, there needs to be additional funding sources, he said.

We must also avoid slowness in investment disbursement. Many public-invested projects have encountered this problem, leading to sluggish progress, he said.

Quoc said that open bidding for the expressway project was a good idea, but the process should also eliminate incapable investors and select experienced, capable ones.

The National Assembly (NA) discussed the draft amended denunciations law yesterday morning, debating whether authorities should look into complaints against retired officials.

HCM City deputy Major General Ngo Tuan Nghia, also the Political Commissar of HCM City High Command of the Peoples Army, said that the handling of complaints against retired officials would be very complicated, and might be taken advantage of to defame prominent ex-officials.

I think we should not have regulations regarding violations at work of retired officials in the denunciations law, Nghia said.

Many public servants act correctly during their time in office, Nghia explained, but what they do might be deemed wrong at a later time.

Receiving such denunciations will have a bad influence over the retired, he added.

The NA Committee on Legal Affairs did not necessarily agree.

The committee head Nguyen Khac inh argued that anyone who notices a legal breach can make a denunciation to the State to stop such violation, fix the damages if there are any, and to handle the violators.

Therefore, regardless of whether the denunciated is still in office or retired or in another line of work, the authorities with jurisdiction are responsible for receiving and addressing all complaints in line with the Law on Denunciations and other relevant laws, inh said to the NA.

It was suitable to have a clear regulation on the jurisdiction to handle complaints against ex-public servants for their violations when they were still in office, he added.

Deputy Hoang Thanh Tung from Soc Trang Province agreed, saying that in principle, even ex-officials are subject to the law.

The regulation also matches the general policy of the Party and the Government to handle any former officials if they are found breaching the law, Tung said.

Denunciation deadline

According to the draft amendments, the deadline for denunciating violations of organisations and individuals is five years from the day of wrongful acts and three years for breaches in State management work.

A majority of NA deputies argued against such fixed time limits, as several violations might never be reported and handled due to exceeding the deadlines.

The denunciations law should not regulate a denunciation deadline but use the already in place statute of limitations as a deadline for whatever the denounced is accused of, the NA said.  VNS
Although access to credit is seen as a key factor in ending poverty, just 29 per cent or so rural households have received loans, a new report says. Photo giaoducthoidai.vn

HA NOI  Although access to credit is seen as a key factor in ending poverty, just 29 per cent or so rural households have received loans, a new report says.

Released on Tuesday, the report, titled Characteristics of the Vietnamese rural economy: Evidence from a 2016 rural household survey in 12 provinces of Viet Nam was compiled by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), World Institute for Development Research under the United Nations University (UN-WIDER) and Institute of Labour Science and Social Affairs (ILSSA).

The report says that a survey of 2,669 families found improvement in rural households living conditions but a low percentage of access to credit.

Finn Tarp, director of UNU-WIDER, said that the report showed an increase in the poverty percentage under criteria developed by Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs (MoLISA) for monitoring short-term poverty.

The report also found that gaps in education and healthcare among surveyed localities have been widening with the northern mountainous provinces of Lai Chau and ien Bien still being left behind.

Poverty was significantly higher in areas populated by ethnic minority communities, it said.

The signs of improvement in living conditions seen in rural areas had to with improvement in toilets, waste management and the use of gas instead of firewood for cooking.

Tarp recommended that the countrys policymakers concentrate on narrowing existing gaps and addressing inequalities to make sure the vulnerable in society have the support they need to better their lives.

On the other hand, Thomas Markussen of Copenhagen University, representative of the land research group, appreciated Viet Nams efforts in improving the land tenure situation and accelerating investments.

He emphasised the positive correlation between good land management and investment choices, a decrease in the disadvantages women experience in land ownership. He also made the surprising statement that there was no indication of a relationship between poverty and landlessness.

Nguyen inh Cung, head of CIEM, pointed to the significance of individual business households in attracting investment.

In comparison to the 2014 report, households with business licenses increased by 29.5 per cent while household production decreased by 56.2 per cent. More than 58 per cent of land was used for rice plantation and the surveyed families typically sold 30 per cent of their rice yield, the survey found.

Feasible plans

The poorest and most vulnerable groups still found it very difficult to access credit, the report said, adding that there were noticeable differences among localities in this regard.

Only 768 households of the 2,669 surveyed had obtained loans, a little over 28 per cent. It also found that credit access of ethnic minority groups was increasing, while that of the second-tier wealthy group (classified on the basis of criteria set by the Labour Ministry) was decreasing.

Cung said that rural households had to take present feasible plans to access loans.

Credit is not only an approach to eradicate poverty in the short term. It is the momentum for better production and specialisation in agriculture. Therefore, social organisations like the Womens Union or Farmers Union should carefully study rural households demands and instruct them on efficient use of credit to end poverty and boost prosperity.

These organisations should also be a bridge connecting farmers with investors for better access to credit, said Cung.  VNS
President Tran ai Quang has written to President Vladimir Putin thanking him, the Government, and people of Russia for the prompt and valuable aid sent to the Vietnamese people affected by typhoon Damrey.  VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI  President Tran ai Quang has written to President Vladimir Putin thanking him, the Government, and people of Russia for the prompt and valuable aid sent to the Vietnamese people affected by typhoon Damrey.

On Tuesday, the Russian President instructed the Government of Russia to provide emergency aid worth US$5 million to help affected regions recover from the severe damage caused by Damrey.

An aircraft belonging to the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Affairs for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters landed at the Cam Ranh Airport in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa yesterday with relief goods for the storm victims.  VNS
A NANG  Australia will invest AU$33.7 million (US$25.6 million) through the new Aus4Equality programme, focusing on Son La and Lao Cai provinces in the north-west of Viet Nam.

The new initiative to support womens economic empowerment was announced by the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 29th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM).

The mountainous north-west region of Viet Nam is home to a diverse ethnic minority population and has some of the highest levels of poverty and inequality in the country, according to a press release from the Australian Embassy in Ha Noi.

Women in these areas are particularly disadvantaged, experiencing challenges such as isolation, lower levels of education and lack of decision-making power in their households and community, which prevent them from accessing economic opportunities, it said.

The five-year programme will help improve the lives of women, their families and local communities, and contribute to improved productivity and economic growth in the region.

Aus4Equality expects to increase the incomes of 40,000 self-employed female farmers and small entrepreneurs; create 4,000 full-time positions for women, achieve a 15 per cent increase in the number of women leading or co-managing formal businesses; and increase womens profit and roles in policy, management, strategic decision-making and resource allocation in the agriculture and tourism market sectors.

Of the amount, some AU$7 million will be leveraged in private sector investment for business opportunities and approximately AU$17 million will be used to help women in the provinces better engage in agriculture and tourism sectors at all levels.  VNS
SEOUL  Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for efforts to establish a system of comprehensive economic co-operation encompassing the Asia Pacific and Eurasian regions, asking South Korea and other countries to actively join the vision.

Putin made the appeal in his op-ed piece to Yonhap News Agency ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit to be held in Viet Nam on November 10 and 11.

"As a major Eurasian power with vast Far Eastern territories that boast significant potential, Russia has a stake in the successful future of the Asia Pacific region, and in promoting sustainable and comprehensive growth throughout its entire territory," the Russian president said.

"We believe that effective economic integration based on the principles of openness, mutual benefit and the universal rules of the World Trade Organisation is the primary means of achieving this goal," he added.

In a related move, Putin mentioned the Russia-led idea of creating a "Greater Eurasian Partnership."

"We suggested forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and Chinas Belt and Road initiative. To reiterate, this is a flexible modern project open to other participants," he said.

Putin hoped to integrate Russias Siberian and Far Eastern territories into the Asia Pacific market. In particular, he attached importance to developing the countrys Far East.

"We are talking about creating territories of advanced economic growth in that region, pursuing large-scale development of natural resources, and supporting advanced high-tech industries, as well as investing in human capital, education and healthcare, and forming competitive research centers," he said.

He also espoused the idea of building comprehensive infrastructure, saying that it would serve as a "basis for effective integration" and noting that Moscow is open to participation by other countries in related projects.

"Today Russia is actively modernizing its sea and air ports in the Russian Far East, developing transcontinental rail routes, and building new gas and oil pipelines," he said.

"We are committed to implementing bilateral and multilateral infrastructure projects which will link our economies and markets. Among other projects, I am referring to the Energy Super Ring that unites Russia, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and the Sakhalin-Hokkaido transport link," he added.

The Energy Super Ring is a project aimed at building a huge electricity transmission grid in Northeast Asia. Attending a forum in Vladivostok in September, South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed support for the project, saying it would help the creation of "the worlds largest energy community."

Mentioning Russias growing economic ties with APEC countries and expressing hopes for deeper relations going forward, Putin put forward the idea of creating an Asia Pacific free trade area.

"We support the idea of forming an Asia Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions in the rapidly growing APR markets," he said. APR stands for Asia Pacific region.

"I want to note that over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russias foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 per cent, and from 17 to 24 per cent in exports. And we have no intention of stopping there," he added.  YONHAP
BRUSSELS  Britain and the European Union resume Brexit talks on Thursday with little hope of a breakthrough and fears that the fragility of Theresa Mays government threatens further progress before the end of the year.

The sixth round of negotiations is the first since EU leaders warned May at an October 20 summit that Britain had made insufficient progress to move on from divorce issues to discussions of a future trade deal.

They said they planned to start internal preparations soon with the aim of kicking off trade talks with Britain in December, but officials warned that that deadline now seems increasingly shaky.

"More progress needed on three key topics," EU negotatior Michel Barnier said on Twitter on the eve of the talks, along with a graphic showing the terms the remaining 27 EU states expect Britain to agree to.

This weeks talks feature a stripped down two-day schedule, with Frenchman Barnier and his British counterpart David Davis only set to meet on Friday morning, sources said.

Do they have strength?

The EU demands progress on three key divorce issues -- Britains exit bill to meet its commitments to the EU budget, the fate of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and the rights of EU citizens in Britain.

The British premiers government however looks increasingly distracted, with the resignation of its aid minister over meetings in Israel on Wednesday adding to the sense of chaos since Mays disastrous showing in elections earlier this year.

"I see a strong willingness to come to a deal. I am confident that everybody understands what has to be done on both sides," an EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

"The question is do they have the strength? And will the moves be made in time by the end of November, first week of December?"

Britain must show progress by then if it wants the bloc to move to talks on a future relationship and a post-Brexit transition period at the next summit on December 14, European sources said.

Failure to do so would likely push back the move to February or even March, leaving only around six months to reach a deal by October 2018, the timeline Barnier has set in order for the withdrawal agreement to be ratified by Brexit day in March 2019.

Major issues

The EU says it wants Britain to provide written guarantees of a pledge to honour its financial commitments that May made in a speech in the Italian city of Florence in September.

"We dont need speeches, we need commitments," the diplomat said.European Parliament chief Antonio Tajani -- whose institution will have the final vote on any Brexit deal -- last month set the bill at around EUR50 to 60 billion (US$58-70 billion), and said that the 20 billion proposed by London was "peanuts".

The parliament also rejected fresh proposals by Britain this week on protecting the rights of the three million EU nationals living in Britain after Brexit.

"We dont recognise reports suggesting that a deal on citizens rights is almost finalised. There are still major issues that have to be resolved," said the parliaments Brexit steering group, chaired by former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt.

EU ambassadors on Wednesday had their first internal "brainstorming" session looking at a working paper on future relations and a transition, expected to last two years, sources said.

"It was very theoretical because we havent dealt with phase one yet," a diplomatic source added. "There was a recognition of the limits of any internal preparation exercise until we have a clearer idea of what future relationship London wants."  AFP
Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2018. Read them in this 10th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.

Contributed by Joseph Carson, Chief Security Scientist, Thycotic

2018 Predictions: The Future of Cybersecurity

Cyber security is quickly becoming part of everyone's daily life and can no longer be separated between personal and work life. In the past, cyber-attacks were typically only a concern for the workplace; however, today that is no longer the case with cyber-attacks becoming more common - effecting everyone connected to the internet.



Cyberattacks are going to be the biggest threat to everyone and businesses on earth and will be the trigger for future wars and political instability.



Cyberattacks do not care about the age, gender, race, culture, beliefs or nationality of its victims. They attack based on opportunity and/or financial gain, irrespective of whom the victim is.



The question then becomes: Why is it that we continue to see so many cyber breaches? If we look at why many of the breaches in recent years have occurred, it comes down to three major factors that can be categorized into the human factor, identities and credentials, and vulnerabilities. With the digital social society, we are sharing more information publically, ultimately causing ourselves to be much more exposed to social engineering and targeted spear phishing attacks. When our identities are stolen, it provides the attacker with the ease of bypassing the traditional security perimeter undetected, existing security technologies, and if that identity has access to privilege accounts, they can easily carry out malicious attacks under your name.



Here are some predictions for the future of the internet as it relates to cybersecurity - are you ready?



#1 Privacy may be gone, but not forgotten - is it even reversible?



Yes, the end of privacy as we know it is closer than you may think. Privacy definitions are very different between nation states and cultures - though one thing in common is that privacy is becoming less an option for most citizens. In public, almost everyone is being watched and monitored 24/7 with thousands of cameras using your expressions, fashion, walk, directions, interactions and speech to determine what you need, what you might be thinking, who you are going to meet, who is nearby and even algorithms determining what your next action might be. All of this to help provide a custom experience unique to everyone, as well as predict and prevent security threats. The saying "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" is becoming reality.



#2 Ransomware will evolve to cross platform and payments will be single click



Ransomware is going to be platform agnostic and can lock people out of any device or system. The financial payment for ransomware is going to evolve significantly so that it will be as easy as clicking once to pay the ransomware. It will target time sensitive systems and events, so watch out if you are taking part in the World Cup next year as cyber-crime will always be looking for major events to trick and take advantage of people wanting to get access to their favourite sport or concerts. RansomScare will also be the next threat which will become a life and death situation unless a ransom is paid.



#3 Blockchain will become an important cybersecurity control



Most people are familiar with blockchain being the building blocks for cryptocurrencies and transactions; however, many are not familiar with its ability to provide non-repudiation or data integrity when related to cybersecurity. Blockchain used heavily in the early digital systems within Estonia are primarily used to ensure history could not be re-written. This mind-set can be repeated in security when it comes to the integrity of systems and data. Blockchain can be used for multiple different attributes - ensuring data is not poisoned, used for digital forensics to ensure chain of custody does not manipulate the data and for security log integrity. Blockchain is an ever-increasing trend in cybersecurity.



#4 Governments and Encryption will come head to head



Governments hate not being able to spy on people and encryption is making it even more difficult for them to gather intelligence about other nation's foe or allies' activities either for political advantage, economic advantage or espionage. What is surprising is that while this was typically for intelligence on other nation states, it has become more common practice for nation states monitoring their own citizens as disclosed by Edward Snowden. With more people using VPN and encryption or messaging apps that have end to end encryption, we are going to see a head-to-head battle between governments and technology - especially when it relates to security and terrorism.



#5 Humans will be connected directly to the internet



Even today humans are almost entirely connected to the internet. Just like when our work and personal life separation disappeared, the next generation will only know of life continuously connected to the internet. And not just through fashion and technology getting intertwined along with our personalized internet experience, but they will literally be connected not through a device, but through their bodies.



#6 Behaviour analysis and reputation will keep trust



Behaviour analysis and reputation will continue to become a normal part of validating trusted users of the network. Rather than behavioural measurements like pressure or typing speed, behaviour analysis and reputation will be primarily based on our normal working predictions. For example, employees are predictable in the locations they work from, the systems they use, and the browsers or sequence in which applications and websites are opened.



#7 Cyber hygiene will become a priority



Almost all companies will increase the priority of cyber hygiene by rolling out cyber awareness/hygiene projects. People are the greatest risk of cyber incident, but can also be the strongest defence. What is true is that people are on the front-line of cyberattacks and a well informed and educated front-line can mean the difference between being safe or being a victim.



#8 Fake news will become the next major disruption



We have all heard about it, but sometimes struggle to grasp to the extent of it. With a lot of misleading news on social media, it is left up to the person reading to determine whether the information is true. With no indicators on the source or truth of the news on social media many countries, democracies and nation states will struggle with transparency and can in turn become politically unstable. It only takes one piece of fake news within a trustworthy source to devalue the entire news feed forcing us to question what is real. Fake news is a form of a cyberattack and will only grow significantly.

##

About the Author



Joseph Carson, Chief Security Scientist, Thycotic

A Cyber Security Professional with 20+ years' experience in Enterprise Security & Infrastructure, Joseph is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). An active member of the cyber security community and a frequent speaker at cyber security events globally, Joseph is also an adviser to several cyber security conferences.


HAWKEYE  A Hawkeye man has been arrested for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting another man in a Hawkeye home in September.

Fayette County sheriffs deputies arrested 25-year-old Thomas Allen Whitlatch on Nov. 3 for one count of second-degree sexual abuse. His bond was set at $20,000, and he is also being held for allegedly violating his pretrial release on an earlier drunken driving charge.

The incident happened Sept. 11 when Whitlatch allegedly placed some of his medications into the mans drink, and when the man lost consciousness he tied his hands and feet and sexually assaulted him, court records state. The victim would later tell police he remembered part of the assault while he was in and out of consciousness, records state.

Another person later found the victim tied up and freed him and took him from the house.

Court records state later that day, Fayette County deputies arrested Whitlatch for first-offense operating while intoxicated and interference. Around 11 p.m. on Sept. 11, he was driving on U.S. Highway 18 in West Union and allegedly weaved up to a stop sign. A deputy stopped him following a few more weaves, and Whitlatch began screaming inside his vehicle, records state.

The deputy ordered Whitlatch out of his vehicle at gunpoint and placed him in handcuffs. After a preliminary breath test indicated he was over the legal limit, he began to struggle with the deputy and slammed his own head into the squad car, records state.

Accidental shooting

results in 2 arrests

CEDAR FALLS  A Waterloo man who accidentally shot himself in the leg and his friend have been arrested.

Barry Eugene McLemore Jr., 20, of 1240 Black Hawk Road, was arrested Tuesday for carrying weapons and felon in possession of a firearm. His bond was set at $7,000.

Jesse Andrew Hall, 19, of 4749 Loren Drive, Cedar Falls, was arrested Friday for obstructing prosecution and accessory to a felony.

The charges stem from an Oct. 24 incident where McLemore turned up at Sartori Hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.

During the investigation, police determined McLemore had bought a Ruger .22-caliber revolver for $25 and was carrying it when it discharged while he was traveling in a truck in the area of Franklin and Nevada streets, according to court records. At the time, McLemore was prohibited from handling firearms because of a prior felony theft conviction, records state.

After the shooting, Hall allegedly misled police about the events, and he washed the trucks interior, cleaned McLemores clothing and power washed the gun to remove any evidence because he didnt want McLemore to get in trouble, records state.

Police later seized the revolver and another firearm during the investigation.

Hall was released from jail Friday shortly after his arrest, but he was then arrested Saturday on an unrelated charge. Cedar Falls police saw a truck run a stop sign on West 21st Street at 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The license plates didnt match the vehicle, and police determined the truck had been reported stolen from a Heritage Road address Oct. 10. He was arrested for second-degree theft, second-offense operating while intoxicated and driving while revoked.

Man sentenced

in I-380 robbery

INDEPENDENCE  A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison for robbing a motorist on Interstate 380 in 2016.

Eddie Lavar Wade, 38, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for second-degree robbery. The sentence carries and five-year mandatory minimum, and Wade was also ordered to pay restitution.

The sentence came Tuesday, days after Wade returned from a furlough to travel to Chicago to attend his fathers funeral.

Authorities said Wade rear-ended a Cedar Rapids resident on Interstate 380 in Buchanan County on Aug. 20, 2016. When they stopped to survey the damage, the 63-year-old driver was struck in the head with a tire iron or stick, and his wallet and cell phone were stolen. The victim had a cut on his forehead that required five stitches to close.

Wade was detained a short time later in Black Hawk County.

Waucoma man faces

sex abuse charge

WAUCOMA  A Waucoma man has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with a teenage girl in 2015 and again last month.

Cody John Mosher, 24, was arrested Nov. 3 for third-degree sexual abuse, according to the Fayette County Sheriffs Office. Mosher was released the following day after posting bond.

Authorities said Mosher had sexual contact with a girl who was 14 years old at the time at his home in the fall of 2015. Then in October, he fondled the now 16-year-old girls chest and groin against her will at his home, court records state.

Deputies began their investigation two weeks ago.
INDEPENDENCE  A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison for robbing a motorist on Interstate 380 in 2016.

Eddie Lavar Wade, 38, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for second-degree robbery. The sentence carries and five-year mandatory minimum, and Wade was also ordered to pay restitution.

The sentence came Tuesday, days after Wade returned from a furlough to travel to Chicago to attend his fathers funeral.

Authorities said Wade rear ended a Cedar Rapids resident on Interstate 380 in Buchanan County on Aug. 20, 2016. When they stopped to survey the damage, the 63-year-old driver was struck in the head with a tire iron or stick, and his wallet and cell phone were stolen. The victim had a cut on his forehead that required five stitches to close.

Wade was detained a short time later in Black Hawk County.
DECORAH  Lorraine Borowski said shes honored to be the first woman mayor in the history of the city of Decorah.

The former director of the Decorah Public Library was elected to the position in Tuesdays city election defeating longtime Decorah City Council member Gary Rustad by a vote of 1,403 to 611.

I am extremely grateful for the communitywide support thats been extended for myself as mayor but also for the new City Council people coming on in January, she said.

Borowski, who received 70 percent of the votes cast, will replace outgoing Mayor Don Arendt, who decided not to seek a fourth term.

Decorah business owner Ross Hadley was elected to Rustads at-large seat on the council, defeating Fareway meat manager Brett Robinson after receiving 61 percent of the votes cast, 1,202 to 751.

In the citys other contested council race, incumbent Ward 5 representative Chuck Lore was defeated by Johanna Bergan. Bergan received 190 votes, 54 percent, and Lore received 163 votes. Bergan is executive director of Youth Move National and works from her home office.

She said shes been energized by the response shes received while going door-to-door campaigning and in the reaction to the election results.

People are excited that theres an opportunity for this group of council people to really work together and talk to each other and be innovative with each other, she said.

Council members Randy Schissel, First Ward, and Andy Carlson, Third Ward, were both re-elected after running unopposed.
DES MOINES  Republicans have complete lawmaking control in the nations capital, and they want to keep it that way.

So theres no letting up, the partys national chairwoman said Wednesday night.

This is not a time to rest, Ronna Romney McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said at the Iowa GOPs annual fall fundraiser. Theres no saying, Hey, we won, now we can sit back. Weve got to keep driving forward if were going to protect our majorities.

McDaniel and former White House press secretary Sean Spicer were the main speakers at the Republican Party of Iowas Reagan Dinner. About 550 party faithful gathered at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on the one-year anniversary of Donald Trumps election as president.

Spicer happily noted that anniversary to Iowa Republicans, who played a critical role in the outcome. Iowa went for Trump by 9 percentage points after twice supporting Democratic President Barack Obama.

Spicer drew laughter when he said he would not stand behind the podium after being parodied on television during his stint in the White House. He mirrored McDaniels message that Republicans have to fight to keep their majorities from unraveling in the 2018 mid-term elections.

We cannot let our success get to us, Spicer said. It is our party that has the better ideas. There is a stark difference between the worst Republican and the best Democrat.

McDaniel noted historically a political party suffers losses in the first non-presidential election after taking power.

But she does not think the results of gubernatorial and statehouse elections Tuesday in Virginia, New Jersey and Washington  which featured strong Democratic performances  foreshadow what is to come in 2018.

She cited previous special elections this year in congressional districts that stayed in Republican hands and said Virginia has been trending Democratic. The New Jersey gubernatorial election was no a surprise given the unpopularity of Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

Democrats are framing those victories as a repudiation of Trump. McDaniel said Republicans should embrace the president despite his low approval numbers  just 38.2 percent on average in polls tracked by Real Clear Politics. She said the national GOP has experienced record fundraising this year, surpassing $100 million for the first time in a nonpresidential year.

Thats enthusiasm for the president, McDaniel said. Theres no problem running as the party of Donald Trump.

State party chairman Jeff Kaufmann said Iowa Republicans are not shying away from the president.

We are staunchly for Donald Trump, Kaufmann said. We dont bend here, and were not going to bend here.

McDaniel said she expects Iowas presidential caucuses to remain first in the nation.

I dont see anything changing, McDaniel said, recalling the time she spent in Iowa during the 2012 caucuses with her uncle, Mitt Romney. I saw firsthand how seriously the voters took it here when I came in for the straw poll. I think its an important state that takes that role very seriously, and I dont see any changes happening.
Editors note: The Couriers Pat Kinney is in New York through Sunday with Kelly Sullivan and others observing the 75th anniversary of the death of the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo. The Courier is publishing a special section marking the anniversary in todays paper.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Seventy-five years ago, George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert Sullivan of Waterloo sailed out of New York harbor on the USS Juneau. They and nearly 700 shipmates never returned. A Japanese torpedo sealed their fate just 10 months later.

On Thursday, the current U.S. Navy ship named for those five brothers, their only granddaughter and friends returned to that same harbor to remember and reflect on their sacrifice and that of countless others.

The USS The Sullivans returned for a special commemoration at the place where it was commissioned 20 years ago on a Staten Island pier. It is across the harbor from where the Sullivan brothers ship, the USS Juneau, was commissioned 75 years earlier in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The Juneau was sunk following the naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

Kelly Sullivan, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, the only brother who married, is the official Navy sponsor of the current USS The Sullivans, as her grandmother, Alleta, was of the first namesake ship, now decommissioned and docked at a Buffalo, N.Y., military park.

For Kelly Sullivan, the brothers spririt lives on. She found it in her own moist eyes and the quiver in her voice as she read a letter from her great-grandmother inquiring about the brothers fate.

She also sees it in the eyes and the spirit of the sailors who have served on their namesake ship.

I have years of special memories on this ship. And the most important thing to me is the crew. And I want you to to know how much you mean to me and how important you are, she said, her voice breaking. To all of you sailors you need to know theres so many people who honor and respect you. ... Being a sponsor of a ship is the best gig I ever had, and I hope I did you proud. This crew inspires me to be the best that I can be, because I want you to know how much I admire and respect you.

And when we honor the five Sullivan brothers, were not honoring just my family, were honoring all who have sacrificed, she said. And the Sullivans represent all veterans and all who have sacrificed.

Sullivan joked that she calls the USS The Sullivans her firstborn, much to the chagrin of her children, Kelcie and Luke. But the emotional tie is apparent. Her voice quavered again as she spoke of The Sullivans being the target of a botched 2000 attack by al-Qaida terrorists in Yemen. It was just prior to the attack that killed 17 sailors aboard a sister ship, the USS Cole, and less than a year before attacks that felled the World Trade Center across the harbor from Thursdays ceremonies.

Sullivans voice continued to tremble as she spoke of her great-grandmother.

She helped pave the way for me. And I know shes looking down from heaven and shes proud that I took over the reins for being the sponsor of the USS The Sullivans. And I know that the boys are proud, too, of all that these sailors do. I want you guys to know how much I honor and respect you. Keep up the great work. And just know theres always lasagna and cold beer for you in Waterloo!

Earlier Thursday, she welcomed the ship to port as it and the ship USS Hue City pulled into port to the strains of Frank Sinatras New York, New York.

Sully sailors in the house! Woohoo! she shouted at the crew, wiping back tears. This is your pier! Now and forever!

Current USS The Sullivans Cmdr. Russ Moore said the brothers motto, We stick together, has pervaded the crew throughout the ships 20-year existence. Its a legacy established by the Sullivan brothers valor during the Battle of Guadalcanal and the sacrifice of their deaths afterward. A flag with five gold stars, symbolizing the five brothers, flew overhead on the ship.

During that day there were not any celebrations. There was an abundance of violence and close-quarters vicious naval combat. The crew of the Juneau were thousands of miles away from home, fighting not only for their survival but for our countrys survival. On that day, five brothers put out to sea. The enemy they were facing in the Pacific was unrelenting, fanatical and merciless. But the Juneau and her crew headed to parts unknown, knowing most likely their safety was in jeopardy and likely not guaranteed.

More than 1,400 sailors were lost in the naval Battle of Guadalcanal, nearly half of them on the Juneau.

During Veterans Day week, Moore said, We need to reflect. And I hope we all reflect on the character it took for five brothers to step forward and head out to sea knowing they may not come back. Because it takes someone very special to do that and to continue to do that. They did that in a very uncertain age. And all of you do that now, he told his crew. And it is a character that is not common.

Kelly, Im glad youre here with us today, Moore told Sullivan. And I hope you, as we, are unbelievably proud of the high bar your family set for the best fighting organization in the world  thats as old as your nation.

The Sullivans crew also is anticipated to participate in the New York City Veterans Day Parade on Saturday in Manhattan.

Also attending Thursdays ceremony was Knute Swenson, the grandson of USS Juneau commander Lyman K. Swenson; retired U.S. Navy Capt. Gerard Roncolato, first commanding officer of the current USS The Sullivans; and Hal Burke of the USS The Sullivans Association, a group of Navy veterans who served on the first USS The Sullivans as well as the current ship. Staten Island residents involved in the 1997 commissioning also were there.
WATERLOO  A fund established at the Waterloo Community Foundation will help Waterloo firefighters pay for paramedic or EMT training.

The Greg Freshwater Education Fund honors a Waterloo firefighter fatally injured in an accident while jogging in south Waterloo in August.

Joining the departments ranks in 2016, Freshwater received an associate degree in fire science at Hawkeye Community College and at the time of his death was a paramedic/EMT student. The cost of such advanced training is borne by individual firefighters and often exceeds $10,000. The new fund will reduce the cost for future graduates. An application process is being established, and an initial award is expected next year. Several community fundraisers are being planned.

We appreciate the outpouring of support our department has received from around the state and nation," said Waterloo Fire Chief Pat Trealor. "The idea of an educational fund was brought to me soon after Gregs death. I cannot think of a better way to remember and honor Greg."

Tax-deductible donations are being accepted by the Waterloo Community Foundation, with the notation of Greg Freshwater Fund. For more information, contact Michelle Temeyer at Michelle.Temeyer@wloocommunityfoundation.org or 883-6022 or visit www.wloocommunityfoundation.org.
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 gunman is dead, but the number of red flags found in his past keeps growing.

We now know Devin Patrick Kelley escaped from a mental health facility after sneaking guns onto an Air Force base and threatening commanders. But it wasn't enough to prevent him from buying four guns afterward.

We also know he beat a former wife, abused his former stepson, posted about his rifle and his affinity for mass shootings, and recently disturbed his neighbor for several mornings in a row with rapid-fire gunshots from his property.

None of those facts will bring back the 25 people he killed, plus an unborn child. But survivors from Sunday's Texas church massacre want to make sure this never happens again.

Latest developments

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the names of all the victims killed. The list includes eight children and an unborn child, who was going to be named Carlin Brite "Billy Bob" Holcombe.

Eleven wounded victims remain hospitalized Wednesday, according to statements from Brooke Army Medical Center and University Hospital in San Antonio.

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, arrived in Texas on Wednesday to meet with victims' families.

The FBI has the shooter's cellphone, but has not yet accessed its content due to encryption, said Christopher Combs, FBI special agent in charge.

'A guy that just seemed miserable'

Days before Kelley carried out the largest mass shooting in Texas history, he was working as a security guard at Summit Vacation Resort in New Braunfels. One family who encountered him recalled very negative experiences.

Chuck Jackson said Kelley got short with him after he asked whether his two young children could use the swimming pool.

"He was not normal. He was very weird," Chuck Jackson told CNN affiliate KSAT. Jackson said Kelley appeared to be "a guy that just seemed miserable in life."

"He seemed angry. He seemed annoyed by us, and he seemed like he wanted to exert some authority," Jackson's sister Elizabeth Nitz told KSAT.

Jackson and Nitz said their relatives at the resort all commented how creepy Kelley seemed.

'How do I run him away from my church?'

Kelley had numerous ties to the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, which he shot up from both the inside and outside.

He had an ongoing dispute with his in-laws, who attended the church. Kelley's grandmother-in-law was among those killed. And Kelley had a history of texting threats to his mother-in-law, who was not inside the church at the time.

Kelley himself had attended the church in the past, but was not welcomed there, Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt said. The sheriff said church Pastor Frank Pomeroy saw Kelley at church events and described him as "not a good person to be around."

"He did not think that he was a good person and did not want him around his church," Tackitt said of the pastor. "But he said, 'How do I run him away from my church? '"

Warning signs

Kelley had a troubled past and was prone to domestic violence and animal cruelty, according to public records and those who knew him.

During his time in the Air Force, Kelley was involved in "multiple occasions of domestic abuse" against his ex-wife and stepson, said Don Christensen, a retired Air Force colonel.

Kelley was placed into pretrial confinement at a civilian facility, Peak Behavioral Health Systems, in New Mexico to wait for his court martial in 2012 but he managed to escape days later, according to documents from the El Paso Police Department obtained by CNN affiliate KVIA and two Air Force officials.

When officers were called to find Kelley, they were warned that he was a danger to himself and others and that he had sneaked firearms onto Holloman Air Force Base. He had reportedly threatened his commanders, the documents said.

He was given a "bad conduct" discharge after he pleaded guilty to assault charges, admitting he hit his then-wife and stepson, officials said.

After his release in 2014, he landed in El Paso County, Colorado, where he was arrested on an animal cruelty charge. A neighbor told police he saw Kelley punching a dog, grabbing it by the neck and then dragging the animal. Kelley denied the account and was issued a summons but didn't spend any time in jail.

Kelley's social media suggested a fascination with mass shootings, a law enforcement official said.

Families remember the victims

The local medical examiner has not identified all the slain victims, but families and close friends are sharing their stories.

Husband and wife Robert and Karen Marshall had recently moved to Texas from Pennsylvania and were visiting the church for the first time when the shooting took place.

Robert Scott Marshall was a veteran, and Karen was also in the service. She was planning on retiring, her husband's father, Robert Marshall, told CNN affiliate KDKA.

Church member Judy Green visited a memorial for all the victims. Some of her family members were among those killed, including 14-year-old Annabelle Pomeroy -- the daughter of the church's pastor.

"I don't have words for my loss for her, loss for everyone," Green told CNN affiliate KSAT.

So she brought roses to honor the teen.

"I know Annabelle loved roses in rose color and purple."

Church services will continue

Despite losing half its congregation in the shooting, which likely damaged the church beyond repair, First Baptist Church will host a service this Sunday at a community center next door.

Its members, often clad in T-shirts and jeans, have long been a stalwart of the community -- helping feed the needy and clean up neighbors' property after storms.

"They don't have a lot of money, but they are always willing to give," said Mike Clements, who pastors a nearby church.

Now, pastors from neighboring communities are teaming up to help organize First Baptist's upcoming service.

CNN's Ray Sanchez, Madison Park, Nicole Chavez, Doug Criss and Justin Lear contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  You may think politics in Washington is beyond the pale now. But imagine if Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, had followed through on her notion of removing Hillary Clinton as the partys presidential nominee in 2016 and replacing her with then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Brazile, in a newly published memoir, describes Clintons brief fainting spell and reported case of pneumonia during the campaign as grounds to depose her as the party nominee. The author writes that the DNC charter empowered her, in the event a nominee became disabled, to initiate a complicated removal process.

Even if Brazile had the power to do so  which is highly questionable  greater chaos and bitterness surely would have resulted.

For starters, millions of voters yearning to put a woman in the Oval Office for the first time would have been outraged.

Secondly, the idea a solitary party official, no matter how highly regarded, could substitute her judgment for the will of the electorate would have set Democrats aflame whether or not they had voted for Clinton in the primaries.

Finally, it is hard to see Biden, a party loyalist to the core, allowing himself to be so used. That was regardless of how much he admittedly still wanted to become president, how eminently qualified he was after nearly eight years in the vice presidency and how beloved he remains among the Democratic flock.

In the end, however, Brazile apparently thought better of the whole scheme and abandoned it. I thought of Hillary, and all the women in the country who were so proud of and excited about her, she wrote. I could not do this to them.

Much of the rest of the book cites her personal dissatisfaction with the way campaign staff members, including manager Robby Mook, treated her, and discusses what she describes as an impassive and lackadaisical pursuit of the presidency. Brazile also laments the cool treatment she received from the nominee.

Meanwhile, the man who defeated Clinton, Donald Trump, increasingly demonstrates his own disrespect and even disdain for the political norms of the American electoral process. Braziles notion of taking it upon herself to replace the prime pieces on the chess board seems particularly astonishing in retrospect, even if it was in the interest of enhancing her partys chances of victory.

She also writes of replacing the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, with Sen. Corey Booker of New Jersey, a well-regarded African-American, apparently in the hope of strengthening the tickets appeal to that voting bloc.

More substantially, Brazile contends she was motivated by disdain over what she saw as Clintons control over party finances. She cites a joint fundraising agreement between the DNC and the Clinton campaign in August 2015, long before the first Democratic primaries, that advantaged her over other contenders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, while starving the DNC itself.

Brazile also argues she inherited a Democratic Party apparatus that was in disarray because of three titanic egos  President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and previous DNC chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz  who stripped the party to a shell for their own purposes.

Such observations seem unlikely to enhance the partys chances to put itself back on its feet after the 2016 political disaster, let alone give Brazile a significant role in the effort. However, she has become somewhat of a media star as an insider talking head on the political analysis television circuit.

To right their own ship, Democratic Party operatives currently appear to be relying heavily on President Trumps falling poll numbers and on his failure to fulfill campaign promises.

They thus must focus on next falls midterm congressional elections to wrest control of the House and Senate. Only that will signify recovery from the defeat and the divisive aftermath of the Hillary Clinton candidacy, still the subject of an ongoing, bitter internal autopsy.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 08, 2017 | 09:34 AM | PADUCAH, KY

After a closed session at Tuesday night's meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners, Mayor Brandi Harless asked City Manager Jeff Pederson to submit his letter of resignation based on her belief that a majority of the City Commission feels the same.

"After listening to the comments of my colleagues, I have informed the City Manager that it is my opinion as Mayor that his resignation would be in the best interest of all concerned," said Mayor Harless. "Much has been accomplished in seven years because of the efforts of the City Manager and past Commissions, and for that, I am thankful."

Pederson informed the Mayor verbally that he will resign.

"I consider it a privilege to have served Paducah as City Manager and to have led this organization for the past seven years," Pederson said. "It has been an honor to work with such an impressive group of professional employees who share my calling for public service and organizational advancement. Furthermore, I am proud to see around the community the various public projects that I helped initiate and guide. I will always cherish my seven years in this amazing city."

Pederson has agreed to continue as City Manager through January 12, 2018, to assist the City of Paducah during this transition position.

"I'm dedicated to a quick and effective search and hiring of a new city manager," Harless said. "Next week, Commissioners, City Manager Pederson, and staff will participate in a strategic planning process to identify more clearly the goals of this Commission which will help clearly lay out the characteristics we will be looking for in our next city manager."

"While we are pleased with much that has been done, we are, nonetheless, excited about embracing new ideas and pursuing new opportunities. Sometimes, in public life, as in many other places, a change in leadership can produce astonishing results."

Upon receiving the official resignation letter from Pederson, the Paducah Board of Commissioners will take final action at an upcoming meeting.

Pederson began his employment as Paducah's City Manager in December 2010.
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Crystal clear skies and with that comes crystal cold temperatures

-8 this morning and so beautiful and crisp. Boza and I walked a short walk at 1 a.m. and it was wonderful. Getting ready to walk again in a few minutes. Going on 2 a.m. and that cup of coffee is perfect today

I found a link that really pissed me off and. well here it is

I just cannot get around how a country like America can allow her people to be so left at the bottom feeder level and not supply the basics of a good life, all because a few want to warmonger all over the world

What we (America) could have accomplished with that money?

I shake my head at the stupidity of our government and ourselves for accepting such a slap in the face. But then I am the evil one and the one who needs to shut up about such trivial issues as spending money for war!

What is it about America that we are suppose to be so proud of again?

Boza wants to go out again. Therefore, I will walk the little rotten doggy and will be back to put down some more thoughts about life over coffee

Back

The rotten doggy has had his medicine, eaten four more packs of food and is sleeping good after doing his doggy business. Dogs life is correct, at least for our doggy

I am still struggling with the cracked rib, but it is healing. Nothing like a cracked rib to slow you down

I am going to have to get to the Big Village, Boza is eating almost a case of food a day and at this pace, he will be out of food in two or three days. We found a Pedigree little doggy food and he loves it. It is cheaper somewhat and I mix it with some chicken. Boza eats like there is no tomorrow

Svetochka is still not feeling well, that makes Boza and I unhappy, well at least me! Looks like the flue

I just realized it is just 2:30 in the morning

Oh my days are long and the nights are so short. But Boza sleeps half the day and I try to ignore the pain of my rib. Does not always work and if I lay on the wrong side, that will wake you up quick. But still Boza is blind and I am not; so what should I complain about?

Yesterday I went to Vovas and had lunch. We had chicken and pasta. Vova loves to cook a skillet full of food and sit down with someone to eat. I should not eat the pasta, I am diabetic, but that is okay, I only do it once a week or so. If he does not fix pasta it is potatoes, that is the same effect on me

He gave me about twenty kilos of onions and some carrots and garlic. When Svetochka comes I will get beets and will make her some soup (borscht,) she loves it, just like 99% of all Russians. You will find that beet soup is in all Russian restaurants and everyone has that special recipe

[contentcards url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/three-ucla-basketball-players-detained-in-china-for-shoplifting-1510118535]

Seriously? I guess that answers all my allegations about the American mentality? What they think they were in Walmart or something? Good timing guys; Trump was in a visit with China!

Maybe Russia did it?

I want one of these mounted at the peak of the roof of the village home. This would be home security at its best

I would say a pest free 250 meter perimeter would be good to have

The weapons that Russia is developing are amazing. I write about very little that I read about and this time I just had to say something. For I know Russians and nothing is said about things like this until they are available

Kalashnikov Group, the producer of the famous AK-74 assault rifle  More: http://tass.com/defense/954894Neural Network the Russian future in weapons?

Hmm

I gotta go! No words of too much wisdom today. Just looking at the world and what is happening and really, I just want to keep my mouth shut for the most part. I do have to say one thing; I saw the main stream media worry can Trump Twitter from behind the Great Wall of Chinas Internet (Firewall of China)?I guess he did and could!

[contentcards url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-uses-special-equipment-to-bypass-chinas-twitter-ban-firewall-report-2017-11]

Seriously, I was very worried that he could not express himself to the Twitter world. That would have been a disaster on the magnitude of. Well nothing compares to that issue. Not even the debt problem that America has

Thank God; Well, that crises we reported on is over, go away now, nothing to see here

WtR
Nicht Ihr Computer? Dann konnen Sie fur die Anmeldung ein Fenster zum privaten Surfen offnen. Weitere Informationen
No one expected a Corn Crake. But, then, no one expected a Common Greenshanks in New Jersey. And, the message on the NYSbirds listserv this morning was clear:

A Corn Crake (this is no joke) is currently feeding on the north shoulder of the Ocean Parkway east of the Cedar Beach marina  Ken & Sue Feustel

Now, probably if I was Corey, my response would be to grab my car keys, bins, and camera and go go go. (That is assuming that Corey would not be at work, which he was, which is why I get to write this post.) Instead, I stare at my phone while my brain goes through something like this, Corn Crake? Is that even possible? Isnt it a Eurasian bird?.Have I seen a Corn Crake.maybe in France? No, Id remember that, I didnt see that many birds in France. What if its an escapee? Do people keep Corn Crakes?maybe theres a secret Corn Crake breeding farm out in Gilgo Beach. I should go. Can I go? I have a list of things to do.I need to prepare for class tomorrow, I need to pick up my lens .maybe I can see the bird and then pick up my lensno, that doesnt make any sense.

Thankfully, the ding of a text interrupted my useless inner monologue, a birding friend in the Bronx asking if I was chasing, and a plan instantly formed. Thank you, Richard! I grabbed car keys, bins, camera (yeah, Id have to make do without the longer lens), an apple, swished down the rest of my coffee, drove up to the Bronx to pick up Richard, and we were on our way.

Our Target Bird

Cedar Beach Marina is located on one of Long Islands barrier beaches, in Suffolk County. You drive towards Jones Beach then hang a left down Ocean Parkway, ignoring the birder sitting next to you pointing out a possible Merlin and newly arrived Brant because you need to drive at just the right speed. State police can be zealous around here. Parking is a challenge. The advice given on the listserv was to park in a nearby parking lot and walk over down the road, but as I started to pull in, I saw cars up ahead, parked on the median, pull out. Had something happened? Had the bird moved to a different area? Maybe it was eaten by that Merlin? Or by a cat!

I drove up to where now only two cars were parked, and saw Steve and Isaac, two New York birding friends, stood in the middle of the median. The bird was right there, they said, pointing vaguely north. Where? I looked around, wishing my head could spin around 360 degrees. I often feel that way when Im on a twitch. Oh, it just walked inside the bushes, they tell me. I still wasnt sure which bushes they meant.

It turns out that the crake had been feeding all morning along the westward part of Ocean Parkway, and birders discovered that the best place to observe it, being skittish to human presence, was from the wide, poison ivy infested median separating the eastward and westward lanes. It would walk and feed amongst the tall grass, then disappear, then appear again, its cryptic coloring making it seem like it came out of nowhere. And, so it did because all of a sudden there in front of me, across the median, across the road was a Corn Crake! In New York State!

The bird was much larger than I expected, both in size and in structure; Richard and I agreed that it appeared more gallinaceous than rail-ish. Its buffy face and chest identified it as an immature bird (thank you, 7th edition of the National Geographic Guide to Birds of North America, soon to be reviewed here). And, the feathers! Look at that beautiful design along the back and along the top of the head! Close-ups show that the design comes from dark feathers outlined broadly in buffy yellow.

I took a short video of the Corn Crake as it deliberately walked and poked and poked and walked. Later, as more birders gathered, many friends from Queens, Long Island and Staten Island, I caught the Crake with a worm. Many birders had dragged their scopes and tripods through the brambly scrub, but I could see it quite well with my binoculars. And, I only missed the longer lens for a few minutes. I never dreamed I would be so close for so long a time to a Corn Crake.

I was surprised to read that Corn Crakes are not marsh birds. They are found in meadows and other grasslands, habitats which have been attributed as a major reason for their steep decline in Great Britain and Europe. However, there appears to have been an upward change in their population, at least in Scotland, where a recent RSPB survey found that a cooperative conservation program has increased the population there from 400 singing males in the early 1990s to 1,289 calling males in 2014.

There has been some discussion about the history of Corn Crakes in North America, and I expect there will be more if the bird sticks. The last sighting in New York State was November 2, 1963 in Orient, Suffolk County, where the Crake was shot in a field of rye (Bulls Birds of New York State, 2002). More recently, in January 2016, a Corn Crake was found in the jaws of a cat in Pennsylvania; it died from its injuries. In Rare Birds of North America (PUP, 2014), Steven N.G. Howell and his co-authors theorize that Corn Crake is making regular landfall in e.N America but going undetected. Their reasoning is based on records from Canada and Bermuda in which the bird was found either dead in the road or in the claws or jaws of cats. No wonderour Corn Crake seemed oblivious to the cars speeding past it. Hopefully, its reaction to any feral cats in the area will be the same as its reactions to birdersrun!
ST. LOUIS, MO, November 09, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- At the 2017 CSforAll Summit, CodeHS announced its new initiative, Code Missouri, to help expand high-quality computer science programs across Missouri with a focus on rural school districts.



In a technology driven world, coding is now a foundational for students. In 2015-2016, only 14% of Missouri schools offered AP Computer Science courses. This percentage is even a smaller in rural districts despite the fact that there are over 8,000 open computing jobs across Missouri.



To kick start Code Missouri, CodeHS is committed to offering CodeHS Pro and professional development to rural school districts in Missouri for free. School districts can apply online today through December 6, 2017. Selected schools will be provided free 6-12th grade computer science curriculum pathway, professional development training for teachers, CodeHS Pro accounts for the district, and ongoing implementation support. To learn more and complete the application to bring CodeHS to your school district, go to CodeMissouri.com.



"Learning to code unlocks and connects the rural student to career opportunities that are seemingly 'invisible and unknown' in rural areas of the state. Even for the student not interested in pursuing a career in computer science, learning computational thinking provides the student the tools to understand, evaluate, and solve complex problems," says Roberta Carson, a Missouri School Counselor



CodeHS understands the challenges rural districts face and is committed to help close the opportunity gap between urban and rural districts. "The reason we're excited about the Code Missouri initiative is that there isn't enough being done to bring computer science opportunities to rural schools. With great online tools and excited teachers we think we can help shift the conversation and provide access to many more students," says Jeremy Keeshin, CEO of CodeHS.



The pilot school for Code Missouri is Fayette High School, where math teacher Kevin Pekkarinen is teaching the class. According to Kevin, "This was my chance to do more, by introducing rural students, who normally would not have the opportunity, to learn such an important skill and open the door for them to a plethora of career opportunities." These courses give students the opportunity to explore important topics in computing using their own ideas, problem solving skills, and creativity.



About CodeHS

CodeHS is a comprehensive teaching platform for helping schools teach computer science by providing web-based curriculum, teacher tools and resources, and professional development. There are over 500,000 students using the platform and 7,000 classrooms on CodeHS every month.



Visit codehs.com



Visit codemissouri.com



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Nov 8, 2017 | By David

Heres another round-up of some 3D printing news events you might have missed today. Stories include Nano Dimension opening a 3D printing customer experience center, SelfCAD giving away free licenses, and more besides.

1. Nano Dimension opens customer experience center for 3D printing

3D printed electronics expert Nano Dimension has announced the opening of its first 3D printing customer experience center, located in Israel. It will also serve as customer and reseller training facility and sales support centers, and is to be the first of several worldwide. Nano Dimension's CECs will also serve as customer and reseller training facility and sales support centers.

''Companies that are engaged in computing and actuating hardware products are under pressure to speed up their concepts into market-ready products quickly while meeting the need for small, faster and more functional electronics," said Amit Dror, CEO of Nano Dimension. "We are making agile hardware development immediately accessible through our Customer Experience Center, which will serve as a one-stop shop for advanced additive manufacturing technology."

A key part of the CEC will be a demonstration of the companys commercially available DragonFly 2020 Pro. This revolutionary machine allows for 3D-printing of a multilayer circuit boards overnight, which allows users to rapidly test and iterate resulting in better workflow efficiencies.

2. SelfCad announces free licenses for all students and teachers for 3 years

3D printing and design software expert SelfCAD has announced that it will be giving away licenses to its products for free, to teachers and their students. The licenses will last up to three years, and give free access to the companys range of products, which are specially designed for the 3D printing process. They feature advanced 3D modelling capabilities including drawing and sculpting, a huge library of over 25,000 3D objects, and a built-in slicer to prepare the digital designs for physical 3D printing.

"This is a natural next step for teachers who have maximized their usage of TinkerCad for younger students and want or need something more advanced for 6th-12th graders," explains Jonathan Gross, the Chief Marketing Manager. SelfCAD is currently being used in over 100 schools nationwide and we will be expanding that number by the end of the year, he said.

SelfCAD will also be introducing a $39 yearly membership, which will allow regular users to benefit from its 3D modeling platform, as well as various tutorials and design exercises to improve their 3D modeling and overall 3D printing skills.

3. 3D printing materials company Victrex opens new facility

Victrex New Polymer Innovation Center

Victrex has recently opened a new facility that is intended to develop its portfolio of 3D printing materials further, pioneering pro-active research for the next generation of additive manufacturing. Approximately $13 million (10 million) was invested in the construction of this new Polymer Innovation Center, which is now fully operational. Research and development is currently focused on Victrex PEEK polymers and other differentiated grades within the PAEK family of high-performance thermoplastics. Victrex is currently leading a consortium backed by Innovate UK to focus on 3D printing.

Around 60 new jobs should be created in the local area over the next 10 years, which is located at Victrexs UK headquarters. According to Jakob Sigurdsson, the new CEO at Victrex, "This new facility is another important step for us, particularly as we anticipate around 10-20% of our overall sales will come from new differentiated PAEK polymer grades and our mega-programs in the medium term.''

4. 3D printer on sale at UK budget supermarket Aldi

Aldi, one of the UKs more well-known budget retailers, has announced that it will be selling a desktop 3D printer alongside its frozen foods and other cheap goods. It will be the first UK supermarket to offer a 3D printing system, which will be a Balco.

The Balco 3D printer is available on the Aldi website for 300, and is part of a new range of consumer electronics offered by the retail giant. Stocks could be limited for the machine, which is over three times cheaper than the least expensive 3D printer offered by rival electronics retailer Currys PC World. Despite the relatively low price, print quality is promised to be of a high standard, and the product includes step-by-step wizard guides , touchscreen controls, and SD card support. Aldi's Balco 3D printer is available to order online from November 19 but won't be shipped until November 23. Around this upcoming Christmas season, many people could be tempted to take the plunge into 3D printing for the first time.

5. LPW partners with Apworks to strengthen 3D printing materials portfolio

LPW Technnology Ltd, the UK-based provider of quality materials for 3D printing, has announced a strategic partnership with Apworks. This will enable the company to sell Apworks Scalmalloy metal powder, a high-performance material in demand throughout the AM sector. LPWs already impressive metal powders range will now be expanded, and the company can now build on its experience in the aerospace sector to reach even greater heights of success.

Scalmalloy is the worlds first material specifically developed for AM and, due to its high cooling rates and rapid solidification, it possesses a unique microstructure which remains stable at high temperatures. It offers exceptionally high fatigue properties, weldability, strength and ductility compared to other aluminium alloy powders, which makes it particularly well-suited to aerospace, transportation and defence applications.

Apworks is a subsidiary of Airbus that provides holistic 3D printing solutions, including software, materials and technology, to a broad range of industries.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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Nov 9, 2017 | By Tess

To kick things off this Thursday, weve got more exciting news for this years formnext exhibition, as scientists from the Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT have announced they will be presenting their latest development there: a new, large-scale SLM laboratory system.

The new selective laser melting 3D printing system, which was developed at the Fraunhofer facility in Aachen, has an impressive build volume of 1,000 x 800 x 500 mmmuch larger than existing SLM systems on the market. The researchers say it is capable of producing large metal parts quickly and with high process reliability.

Of course, with a build volume that large, the printers overall footprint is substantial, so the Fraunhofer ILT team will be showcasing their new technology at formnext 2017 through videos and presentations. The scientists goal is to demonstrate that SLM additive technology is scalable in terms of build size.

Selective laser melting is a process for metal 3D printing which consists of using a high-power laser to melt and fuse layers of metal powder into a solid object. Like most metal 3D printing processes, the technology incorporates a build chamber which has an inert gas atmosphere, which enables the right manufacturing conditions for the laser and metal.

Christian Tenbrock, a scientist in the Rapid Manufacturing group, explained: The focus of development work is on new strategies for exposure and shielding gas flow. That is, one of the main challenges of scaling up SLM processes was that the inert gas suction strategy typically used in SLM could not be adapted for larger build volumes.

To overcome this challenge, the Fraunhofer team has focused its efforts on finding a new solution for inert gas flow which would be adaptable. And ultimately, it seems that it was successful.

M.Sc., M.Sc. Christian Tenbrock, researcher at Fraunhofer ILT

As the team explains, it has developed a system that relies on small, movable processing heads with a local shielding system which ensures a constant stream of inert gas at every processing point for build volumes of any size.

The Fraunhofer ILT scientists also say theyve been experimenting with and testing various fiber laser systems as well as different exposure concept with more cost-effective diode lasers. Notably, they have been developing a mobile processing head that has highly dynamic linear axes and several individually controllable diode lasers.

Having a moving processing head, they explain, could potentially improve the 3D printing systems build-up rate in a cost efficient way by opening up the potential for multiple beam sources. It could also increase the build volume capacity by extending the travel length of the axis system without changing the optical system.

The researchers have also addressed issues in parameter process management surrounding SLM 3D printing in their work, and are aiming to find solutions to such problems as internal stresses and distortions in SLM 3D printed parts.

Ultimately, the Fraunhofer ILT scientists hope their SLM 3D printing research will encourage and enable 3D printer manufacturers to develop large-scale, next-gen SLM systems.

We hope that the system concept will lead to a breakthrough in the successful use of this technology in series manufacturing, commented Tenbrock. We create process conditions that are constant and easy to control, thereby improving process robustness.

Above all, the new system concept shall make it possible to manufacture functionally optimized SLM structural components on an XXL scale for demanding sectors such as the aerospace, automotive and tool and mold making industriesin accordance with the new trends in lightweight design and functional integration, concludes a release on the SLM project.

Posted in 3D Printer

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Nov 9, 2017 | By Tess

Sembcorp Marine, a Singapore-based marine and offshore engineering company, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) through which it will aim to collaboratively develop 3D printing, drone, and digital twin technologies which could impact the offshore and marine (O&M) industry and provide the company with a competitive edge in the field.

(Image: Reuters)

The MOU signals a partnership between Sembcorp Marine with Singapores National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), A*Star's Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), and risk management firm DNV GL.

Additive manufacturing will be implemented by Sembcorp Marine and its partners for the development and production of large-scale parts for O&M projects. These will include 3D printing replacement parts for ship repairs (something that is already being explored by the Dutch RAMLAB), as well as manufacturing large-scale structures for newbuild vessels.

Sembcorp Marine is hoping 3D printing will enable it to benefit from material cost savings, and faster production lead-times. It adds that it will be ready to launch the 3D printing projects by the end of this year.

Through the MOU, NAMIC has agreed to provide grants for the first two 3D printing initiatives, while SIMTech will work with Sembcorp Marine to additively manufacture the parts locally, and DNV GL will provide its testing and certification expertise.

The Singapore O&M company will also be exploring drone technologies, specifically for the purpose of inspecting newbuilding structures and ships which are undergoing maintenance and repairs. For this initiative, Semcorp Marine will be working closely with DNV GL and says the project will already be launched later this month.

Using drones for inspection and surveillance will allow the company to bypass more rudimentary inspection processes, which typically require large-scale scaffolds and manual inspections. That is, rather than erect scaffolding around a ship for it to be inspecteda process which even risks damaging the shipthe company plans to fly drones around the ships to capture the necessary data.

The company also adds that in the future, it wants to explore the use of drones for security monitoring and for unmanned monitoring of hazardous works.

Last but not least, Sembcorp Marine will also be honing in on applying digital twin technologies for O&M applications. If you havent heard of digital twin technology yet, it is basically the process of producing a digital replica of a physical asset.

Sembcorp Marine's Tuas Boulevard yard

(Image: Sembcorp Marine)

For its own purposes, Sembcorp Marine will be working with DNV GL to develop digital twin technologies for the pre-commissioning of vessels, which it says would eliminate the need for building an actual ship before testing its installation systems. Evidently, this technology could help cut back significantly on cost and time for design and commissioning processes.

"The developmental areas we are investigating all have promising potential to bring about transformational improvement to the O&M industry," commented Sembcorp Marine president and CEO Wong Weng Sun.

The three new areas of research for the company will be undertaken at Sembcorp Marines flagship yard at Tuas Boulevard. Spanning 108 hectares (1.08 km), the yard is home to six drydocks for new mega-size vessels, one drydock for the construction and repair of offshore builds, and a covered facility which reportedly produces about 144,000 tonnes of steel parts a year.

In recent years, Singapore has become a strong force within the additive manufacturing field, with government-supported programs such as NAMIC and SIMTech encouraging companies to invest in and adopt 3D printing technologies. Sembcorp Marine is the latest Singapore-based group to sign on.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Ann Gibbons in Science:

Ever since Alex Pollen was a boy talking with his neuroscientist father, he wanted to know how evolution made the human brain so special. Our brains are bigger, relative to body size, than other animals', but it's not just size that matters. "Elephants and whales have bigger brains," notes Pollen, now a neuroscientist himself at the University of California, San Francisco. Comparing anatomy or even genomes of humans and other animals reveals little about the genetic and developmental changes that sent our brains down such a different path. Geneticists have identified a few key differences in the genes of humans and apes, such as a version of the gene FOXP2 that allows humans to form words. But specifically how human variants of such genes shape our brain in developmentand how they drove its evolutionhave remained largely mysterious. "We've been a bit frustrated working so many years with the traditional tools," says neurogeneticist Simon Fisher, director of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, who studies FOXP2.

Now, researchers are deploying new tools to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the unique features of our brain. At a symposium at The American Society of Human Genetics here last month, they reported zooming in on the genes expressed in a single brain cell, as well as panning out to understand how genes foster connections among far-flung brain regions. Pollen and others also are experimenting with brain "organoids," tiny structured blobs of lab-grown tissue, to detail the molecular mechanisms that govern the folding and growth of the embryonic human brain. "We used to be just limited to looking at sequence data and cataloging differences from other primates," says Fisher, who helped organize the session. "Now, we have these exciting new tools that are helping us to understand which genes are important." Most of the talks focused on the development of the cerebral cortex, the wrinkled outer layer of the brain that orchestrates higher cognitive functions such as memory, attention, awareness, language, and thought. The human cortex is special, with three times as many cells as that of chimps, and deeper folds that help pack in those extra cells. These differences begin to unfold in the earliest phase of fetal development, but researchers know little about the genes that direct this transformation and the molecules they encode.

More here.
The Borealis Alliance, the leading voluntary collaboration of Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), is one step closer to offering full Free Route Airspace (FRA) across the airspace managed by its nine members, after new successful implementations by the Irish and Icelandic ANSPs.





The Borealis Alliance has already delivered one of the largest cross-border areas of FRA in the world, meaning airlines are able to plan and fly the routes they wish to take without having to follow fixed Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the airspace managed by the ANSPs. This enables airlines to save time, fuel and money, helping to reduce costs and improve environmental performance.



This year, three new implementation steps have been delivered on route to the final Borealis vision of FRA, which will see a continuous, seamless area of FRA covering the airspace over Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and the UK.



Since December 2009, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) ANSP has operated FRA in the Shannon Upper Information Region (UIR), Shannon Oceanic Transition Area (SOTA) and Northern Oceanic Transition Area (NOTA), though a route structure remained in Shannons lower airspace below flight level 245.



Building on the success of FRA in the UIR, SOTA and NOTA and as part of the overall Borealis Alliance FRA vision, the IAA ANSP commenced plans to remove the route structure in the Shannon FIR lower airspace and extend the FRA down to flight level 75. A local project group, managed by Mr. Declan Mangan, Operations Manager Shannon Enroute, was created which fed into the wider Borealis Alliance FRA Project Group. The route structure was successfully removed in October 2017.



Alongside this, Isavia, the Icelandic ANSP has also built on its existing area of FRA. With the implementation of Borealis Step 2 and 3, additional exit/entry points became available for traffic entering/exiting the Reykjavik Flight Information Region (FIR) to/from Norway FIR and Scottish FIR. In addition NATS implemented additional routing options to and from Reykjavik FIR. This offers greater flexibility in flight planning and adds more routing options for our users, both for flights departing/arriving within the Reykjavik FIR as well as flights transiting through the FIR.



Commenting on the completion of the latest three implementation steps of the Borealis FRA programme, Executive Director Branka Subotic said: The work delivered by Isavia and the IAA takes us even closer to the final vision of seamless Free Route Airspace across all nine Borealis members, which will enable airlines and other airspace users to make significant fuel and time savings. The ongoing collaboration between Borealis members to further refine and improve their airspace for the benefit of customers and the flying public demonstrates our continued commitment to make the vision of a Single European Sky a reality.



The Borealis Alliance FRA programme will enable airline and business aviation customers to plan and take the most cost effective, fuel efficient and timely routes across the entire airspace managed by Borealis members saving time, money and fuel. Once the final Borealis Free Route Airspace vision is realised, fuel burn could be reduced by up to 46,000 tonnes per year, saving 146,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and reducing total annual flying distances by up to seven million nautical miles.
Sources within the Malian army have indicated that 11 soldiers who have been held captive by Jamaah Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) were likely killed in a French raid late October.

A senior officer in the Malian defense ministry who did not want to be named said that they have evidence; pictures confirming the death of the 11 soldiers, reports say.

The operation which involved around 4,000 French forces took place in the night of October 23.

JNIM mid-October released a recording of the soldiers who were captured in separate attacks in 2016 and 2017.

The soldiers in the video recording gave their names and detailed circumstances of their capture.

They appealed to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to help secure their release.

The French troops known under the name Barkhane stroke the jihadist groups position around Kidal.

The troops admitted that they destroyed a jihadist camp but did not say whether the soldiers were killed during the air operation.

However local news sources pointed out last week that the French troops apologized to the defense ministry.
The opposition and the civil society have rejected the announcement by the national electoral commission to hold long waited presidential election in December 2018, allowing therefore incumbent and disputed President Joseph Kabila to exceed December 31, 2017 deadline agreed in a recent political deal.

The announcement by Corneille Nangaa, President of Electoral Commission on Sunday to organize presidential to replace President Joseph Kabila December 23, 2018 has caused shockwaves in Congo and overseas.

The predatory regime wants to prolong the instability and misery of the people. We do not accept this fantasy calendar, exiled opposition leader Moise Katumbi tweeted from Belgium.

The rich man who is wanted in his country by the justice added that Kabila must step aside end of this year in favour of a transition. Katumbi also announced his return for December.

A civil society movement, Lucha also protested as it called for the unification of the opposition and the entire nation to force Kabila out at end this year.

In power since 2001 following the assassination of his father, Kabilas two-term mandate ended December last year but political accords between the regime and opposition set end of December for his departure with the organization presidential elections.

Nangaa last month said he could not organize the election in line with the accords, setting the new date not earlier than April 2019.

He Sunday told a press conference that the new date was designed with pressure from the international community and the opposition.

The future elected president will be inaugurated on January 13, 2019.

Nangaa also noted that around 43 million people have registered so far for the process in the largest African country.

The announcement of the new date comes following the visit to the country late last month by US permanent UN envoy Nikki Haley. Haley called on the Congolese government to set the elections for before end 2018.
BJP, the party of cadres that always boasted about the importance of cultivating an ideological footprint, but in the recent past, BJP has been divided on every part; there is rat race among karyaakartas and everyone is in hurry to please their master by all means. In the case of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, the popularity ratings have gone down, once upon a time, people trusted in his leadership. But the inclusion of other party leaders to BJP and sidelining ground workers somewhere have gone against the party interest.

BJP is in the middle of the most noteworthy transition of a political party in present-day India. Never before has a party, other than the Congress, commanded such dominating presence across the country. And thats noteworthy since the BJP comes from an entirely opposite ideological camp of the all-inclusive political philosophy of the Congress. On the surface, this may appear like an ideological victory, where one way of thinking has stamped out the other. Quite often, we underestimate the hubbub and alteration that have happened within the party in the last three years, which, in many ways, is central to this massive shift.

The BJP, as a party, has had to reconfigure itself into an effective and ruthless power machine. Here everyone in rush to gain some or the other thing by creating some or the other hype. The remake of the BJP under Modi and Shah has happened along broad lines. Internally for the BJP, its by now clear that theres no better political mantra than the PMs personal popularity. Which means: find a way to tie any campaign to Modi, from the panchayat and civil polls to national polls and the partys chances improve. He, as PM, was never so active in last three years than campaigning for the party, he remained just a campaigner first, and without Modi the party has nothing to gain. BJP would go to scratches without Modi. He is the saleable commodity of party at this moment.

Just Modi, as the face of the party, has achieved but ground reality is that, Modi has not changed the fate of people. He has once again proven to be mass murderer after demonetisation disaster and now GST. Common public is not at peace, there are accusations about jobless growth, breakdown in law and order after high-profile cases of public lynchings by cow vigilante groups and the continuing implosion of the Bharatiya Janata Partys coalition government with the Peoples Democratic Party in Kashmir havent managed to dent Modis approval ratings. Once BJPs staunch supporters now started attacking the party and its policies quite openly, media has gone berserk, and no one has its own voice. If someone dares to speak against the establishment, they are harassed to the core by all means. The social network group of BJP is all hell bent on damaging and trashing the image of a journalist who criticizes party and its politics.

MP Varun Gandhi, once a wanted leader in BJP, but looking at his mothers aspiration to make him CM of Uttar Pradesh, very own BJP got to leak his videos and shrunk all his chances in politics. They have snubbed many such leaders and absolutely centralised the powers. He was missing from his partys electoral campaign in his own constituency of Sultanpur. The firebrand leaders remarks at a programme in Indore have not gone down too well with the top leadership.

Speaking at an event, he alleged that his party had failed to address the development of minorities. He even raised the issue of Rohith Vemulas suicide and remarked that he was moved to tears after reading Vemulas suicide note.

Concerning the issue of farmer suicide, he alleged discrimination in debt recovery. The rich are given concessions while the poor are killing themselves, he said. More importantly, his name was struck out of the partys star campaigners list soon after the speech was made. Actually, the BJP is going through a contradictory phase. On the one hand, it claims to be against dynastic politics and keeps targeting the Nehru-Gandhi clan, but on the other, within its own ranks it practices such politics.

In Karnataka, Yeddyurappa was sidelined by BJP but when they realised Lingayat votes are must to win, they somehow patched up with him. Yeddyurappa, who belongs to the Lingayat community, and Eshwarappa, a leader of the Kuruba caste, began during the BJPs first term in 2008. It resurfaced in April 2016 when the central leadership of the party appointed Yeddyurappa as the chief of the state BJP. Though many believe that the choice of chief ministerial candidate in Yeddyurappa is unlikely to change, the fight between the two could lead to a loss of votes from either communityLingayat and Kuruba. The Kuruba community has been demanding to be brought under the Scheduled Tribe category. When Eshwarappa launched the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, a movement based on an 18th century freedom fighter from the Kuruba community, to mobilise backward class votes, Yeddyurappa saw this as a threat and objected to BJP members joining the Brigade. Yeddyurappa won many elections for the BJP in Karnataka and it was during his tenure that the party first came to power in 2008. It was also the first time that the BJP was in power in any of the southern states.

From Lal Krishna Advani to the lower strata leaders, all have some or the other rift and disappointment within. No one is happy in the party, as they pretend to be.

In terms of policies, especially economic and foreign policy or in terms of structure and behaviour, BJPs growth has similarity with the Congress, in the manner in which the party machinery functions and is controlled, raising eyebrows even among a section of its staunchest supporters. Indeed the BJP is UPA-3 in the making when it comes to policies. Anyways, if we come to Maharashtra, other than PM, local leaders have nothing much to display or boast. Very lethargic government bodies, giving challenges to each other, none of them want to be united. The internal party hierarchy is beyond control, but people still stuck to Modi with hopes, lets see how it goes ahead.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
BJP corporator Rita Makwana has alleged that infighting is prevailing among BJP corporators of Colaba constituency. She said that Makrand Narvekar and Harshita Narvekar are erecting hoardings of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in other wards. Rita asked why they are installing posters of rival parties at other areas when they should concentrate on their own wards work. She added that Harshita Narvekar and Makrand Narvekar, whose hoardings are already installed on their ward no 227, are visible on ward no 222 too. How can traitors represent their own party, she asked? As a result of this, citizens are confused and it is affecting the partys image. Thus internal rift is prevalent within BJP which can hamper the partys growth.

Rita also said that both Makrand and Harshita should concentrate on the development of their own ward instead of interfering in the work of ward no 222. She has urged the BJP leadership to take strict action against these corporators. According to her, BJP has always followed nationalism over individuals. The party doesnt believe in family politics. When AV spoke to Vishwas Mhambre, President of BJP Colaba, he said, BJP president will take appropriate action against Makrand and Harshita Narvekar. I have filed a complaint with Ashish Shelar in this regard. Till now leaders used to concentrate on the development work of their ward only. Rita Makwana has already filed a complaint in this regard. Ashish Shelar should intervene in this matter. Aakash Purohit, BJP corporator said, This issue is concerned with the protocol matter. A complaint has already being filed in this matter. Makrand and Harshita should refrain from installing banners in other wards and should focus on their work. They should not sideline local corporators. This is a controversial matter and our Mumbai president will resolve it amicably. Siddharth Gamre, President of BJP South Mumbai, said, Senior leaders will look into this matter. We will take necessary steps from our side.

When we tried to contact Makrand Narvekar and Harshita Narvekar they remained unavailable for comment.

Under the condition of anonymity, one of the Maharashtra BJP leader said These are trivial issues and dirty politics is prevailing within the party. One leader is sabotaging the other. Senior leaders are least interested and they pay attention to only those who collect funds for the party. They are not bothered about those who are working for development.

With inputs from: Amit Bhadricha
In todays world of technological advancements, the question of security and safety is something that hugely concerns the property owners. Be it a personal property or a commercial property, the best way to prevent it from technically advanced modern day burglars and other sources of threat can be installing CCTV surveillance systems. CCTV subsystem consists of cameras and other digital recording equipment and devices that are used to monitor people, places, processes and the properties. It is a form of visual security which can be recorded by transferring the data to other devices like computers, mobile phones etc using IP i.e. Internet Protocol solutions.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. Closed circuit TV system, otherwise known as CCTV, is a type of video monitoring system that has been around since the 1940s, when it was first used by Siemens AG to observe rocket launchings in Peenemunde, Germany. CCTV systems are based on strategically-placed video cameras, which capture footage and then broadcast it to either a private network of monitors for real-time viewing, or to a video recorder for later reference.

There are some restrictions on installation, with cameras not being installed in an area where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, gym locker areas and private offices. Cameras are generally accepted in hallways, parking lots, front offices where students, employees, and parents gather, gymnasiums, cafeterias, supply rooms and classrooms. The installation of cameras in classrooms might get objected by some teachers.

Recent spate of traffic offences, Bank robberies, Housing society thefts, school murder, all send wrong signals and the need for having a safe and secured system of security needs to be undergone with utmost care with eye catching methods of CCTV cameras and other related gadgets to give full security for sensitive places. Gurugram school murder widened the scope for increasing the security measures in all schools with an approved security agency covering the sensitive places.

Schools are experiencing an increased need for security surveillance, especially at the Junior High and High School levels. Many school systems have taken to using CCTV as a way monitor student flow in hallways, classroom conduct, and potential incidents in cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums and parking lots. Security cameras have become a tool to curb offenses like graffiti, fights, vandalism and drug use on school grounds, as well as protect students by monitoring individuals entering and leaving the campus. Parental care and need for creating awareness are of utmost importance in a school atmosphere having children of nursery and above.

The safety of school children assumed with greater importance after a series of offences committed on children especially against girl child. School bus poses the first security aspect. Even though I-card system is established, still there is inherent risk. School surroundings should come under surveillance as the children are attracted and dragged to different bad vices by outsiders. School security should be beefed up to provide full protection to children of all ages. After all security of the citizens is to be guaranteed by the government and other public services will have to update the security measures on war footing and not to give scope for lapse on their part. And there lies the real success.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
by John Stone

The really scary news is the news you do not see reported. If eyebrows were raised last week that GSKs head of Research and Development, Patrick Vallance, was to leave his highly paid position to become Chief Scientist to the British government, it was barely reported the same day that the British government has also appointed his former boss, Sir Andrew Witty, to head a new agency to fast track the licensing of pharmaceutical products. Witty left his post as CEO of GSK earlier this year and has already taken up a role with North Carolina biotech company, G1 Therapeutics. Witty became CEO of GSK in 2008, having joined Glaxo in 1985, while GSK was formed in a merger with SmithKline Beecham in 2001.

As reported in Wikipedia:

On 2 July 2012, GSK pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to a $3 billion settlement of the largest health-care fraud case in the U.S. and the largest payment by a drug company.[12] The settlement is related to the company's illegal promotion of prescription drugs, its failure to report safety data, bribing doctors, and promoting medicines for uses for which they were not licensed. The drugs involved were Paxil, Wellbutrin, Advair, Lamictal, and Zofran for off-label, non-covered uses. Those and the drugs Imitrex, Lotronex, Flovent, and Valtrex were involved in the kickback scheme.

In July 2013, the People's Republic of China announced that they were investigating allegations of fraud perpetrated by GSK going back to 2007 and involving thousands of millions of renminbi Four GSK executives have already been arrested in China. It is alleged that the money was used, inter alia, to bribe around 25 travel agencies that organize conferences for doctors, in order to encourage the agencies to host GSK events. Witty later claimed that he knew nothing about the China fraud and tried to pass the blame onto subordinates

In November 2015 Witty's leadership of GSK was criticised by Neil Woodford, who said that "hes not doing a very good job". Woodford called for GSK to be split into four companies In March 2016 Witty announced that he was to stand down as chief executive

In April 2017 GSK lost a $3m action when Wendy Dolin sued them for her husbands suicide after taking the anti-depressant Paxil (which is the same as Seroxat), after presenting a technical defence. Among GSKs other products are the controversial vaccines Cervarix, Infanrix Hexa and Pandemrix. The Cervarix vaccine was marketed without any certainty that it could prevent cervical cancer and is associated with a high level of injury. Infanrix Hexa has been implicated by Jacob Puliyel in excess infant deaths, and the Pandemrix swine flu vaccine has caused narcolepsy. An early trial for Pandemrix left a trail of unexplained deaths. The pre-cursor to GSK, SKB also manufactured the Pluserix MMR vaccine which was withdrawn in Canada and later the UK because of cases of mumps meningitis.

Witty has for a long time enjoyed close relations with the British government: he was lead non-executive board member of the Department of Trade (BIS) between 2011 and 14, and is a business ambassador for the present Prime Minister.

Slow or fast, licensing is already over deferential to the industry, but even if GSK had had an unimpeachable record - instead of a nightmare one - the appointment would still be outrageous.

With acknowledgments to Truthman's blog.
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Nineveh -- Heart of an Ancient Empire

The National Museum of Antiquities is bringing Nineveh to life for its visitors. Some 2700 years ago, Nineveh was the largest city in the world. The exhibition Nineveh - Heart of an Ancient Empire takes you back to the heyday of the New Assyrian capital in what is now northern Iraq, around 700 BC. You will see more than 250 objects from Dutch and international museums such as the Louvre and the British Museum, including reliefs, statues, clay tablets, and cylinder seals. Of particular interest are the large reliefs from the city palaces and the reconstruction of one of the rooms in the palace of King Sennacherib.

Reliefs from Nineveh in the limelight

Reliefs play a leading role in the exhibition: not only as consummate examples of craftsmanship, but also as carriers of valuable information about the history of Nineveh and everyday life in the city. Reliefs are images carved in stone in meticulous detail. They were the artworks of the Assyrian royal palaces. Virtually every palace wall was covered with picture stories carved in stone. It is estimated that Nineveh contained over fifteen kilometres of wall reliefs. The panels depict historical and fictional stories, starring the king as the heroic protagonist.

Read more about the history of Nineveh

Clay tablets, cylinder seals, and a gold death mask

In the exhibition rooms, besides dozens of reliefs you will find statues of gods and winged creatures, rare ivory marquetry, cylinder seals, glazed pottery, weapons, and a gold death mask. Clay tablets from the first library in the world, the brainchild of King Ashurbanipal, provide an abundance of information about the Assyrians' way of thinking as well as their language and script.

Nineveh: capital of an empire

Around 700 BC Nineveh had a population of over 100,000, and was for a time the largest and most important city in the world. Walls stretching for kilometres and punctuated by majestic gates encircled the city with its impressive palaces, temples and monuments, its countless little streets and lush parks. It was from here that the immense Assyrian Empire was ruled, by kings with exotic names such as Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal.

Before and after the Assyrian era

The story told by this exhibition includes the first habitation of this site as well as the period following the destruction of Nineveh and the fall of the Assyrian Empire. You will also learn a great deal about the exciting rediscovery of the city's remains in the nineteenth century. We shall also touch on the quest for the classical and Biblical Nineveh. The story ends with the recent destruction of the ruins and dwells on the importance of world heritage.

Relief with Assyrian soldiers and the wheel of a royal carriage. ( Musee du Louvre)

The exhibition Nineveh enjoys the patronage of UNESCO.

Computer animations and the reconstruction of reliefs

Nineveh devotes special attention to heritage in times of crisis and to ways of preserving the past for the future. In addition to life-sized computer animations of the ancient city, the exhibition also displays a number of reliefs from a palace interior that have been reconstructed with great accuracy using 3D techniques and a projection of the original colours. An international research team (including researchers from Delft University of Technology) relied in part on photographs taken before the recent devastation to create the reconstruction. Two life-sized replicas of winged bulls flank the entrance to the palace interior, so that you can briefly imagine yourself a king in Nineveh.
Donauworth  Airbus Helicopters has recently completed a ballistic development test of an HForce weapon system on a H145M on Papa Airbase in Hungary. The tested system included guns (FN Herstal HMP400), unguided rockets (Thales FZ231) and cannons (Nexter NC621) as well as an electro-optical targeting system by Wescam (MX15) and a helmet mounted sight display by Thales (Scorpion). All planned and required tests were performed in a tight and demanding time schedule.

This is an important milestone towards the qualification of HForce on the H145M, which is planned for end 2018, said Axel Humpert, Head of H145 Programme. The positive results of this first ballistic development test are the outcome of a very good and professional cooperation between all parties involved, especially with the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.

Next steps prior to the qualification of HForce on the H145M are the development testing of laser-guided rockets in Sweden before the end of the year as well as additional live-firing trials in summer 2018.

HForce is an innovative, incremental and integrated high performance weapon system that can easily be fitted (plug and play) into Airbus Helicopters military platforms such as H125M, H145M and H225M for ambitious and smart military operations where flexibility of mission equipment is a vital criterion. It is designed to meet the requirements of defence agencies seeking light attack mission capabilities or a complement to their existing fleet of specialized attack helicopters. Meanwhile, qualification of the core HForce system is on track for end 2017, following an extensive flight-test campaign carried out on a H225M testbed.

The H145M is a proven military helicopter, derived from the H145, a rugged workhorse and best in its class for rough EMS and police missions. First delivery of the H145 took place in 2014. The entire H145 fleet has now clocked up more than 80,000 flight hours. With a maximum take-off weight of 3.7 tonnes the H145M is an agile light attack helicopter. It perfectly matches the needs of Special Forces, can be used for a wide range of tasks, including armed reconnaissance, ground fire support, anti-tank warfare, escort, tactical transport, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC. Customers for the H145M include Germany  which in June received their 15th and final H145M LUH SOF helicopter on time and on budget  as well as the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Thailand.

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats and business aviation products. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the worlds leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
November 11 marks Armistice day, the anniversary of the end of World War I.That bloody conflict drew to a close as Winston Churchill famously described, at 11am, the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month in 1918.

Amid the ceremonies marking this day around the globe, few, if any, will remember the courageous band of Jewish spies who formed the top-secret organization NILI, based in the Israeli town of Zichron Yaakov, who spied for Britain during the War. British intelligence official Baron William Ormsby-Gore said that NILI was admittedly the most valuable nucleus of our intelligence in Palestine during the war. A secret letter thanking the NILI network acknowledged that Britain could not have won the War without the aid of the NILI spies.

The heroes who made up NILI are all but forgotten. As we recall World War I a century later, lets reclaim the legacy of the Jews of NILI and proclaim their decisive contribution to the Allied victory to the world.

Zichron Yaakov: First Flowering of the Desert

The story of the NILI spy ring begins in Zichron Yaakov, a town settled by Jewish immigrants from Romania in 1882. They were part of a group of idealistic Jews who were beginning to buy land in the Land of Israel, then controlled by the Ottoman Empire, and establish Jewish farms and towns. When Romania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878, it effectively stripped most of its Jews from citizenship and began a system of anti-Semitic persecution. Many Romanian Jews fled to the United States. Others turned to the Land of Israel as a haven.

Life wasnt easy for these idealistic, young Zionists. Historian Howard M. Sachar writes, Eaten alive...by flies, periodically robbed of their livestock by Bedouins, the settlers and their families quickly began to wilt under disease, heat, and sheer exhaustion.

Edmond de Rothschild, the ennobled French Jew who had amassed a fortune in banking, supported the struggling Jewish towns and farms. Zichron Yaakov is named for Edmund de Rothschilds father, Jacob. (Zichron Yaakov means memory of Jacob in Hebrew.)

The Remarkable Aaronsohn Family

A hundred Jewish families moved from Romania to Zichron Yaakov in the 1880s. Among these were Ephraim and Malkah Aaronsohn and their six children.

One of the Aaronsohns sons, Aaron, became one of the worlds foremost agronomists. In 1906, he discovered the genetic forebear of wheat and in 1909 he established the Jewish Agricultural Experiment Station, where he experimented with adapting new growth to the arid conditions of the Middle East. A passionate Zionist, he travelled the world, explaining to people how Jewish farmers were transforming the Land of Israel, making the desert bloom.

Aaron was often assisted by his younger sister Sarah, an exceptional woman who spoke Hebrew, Yiddish, Turkish, French, Arabic and English.

Sarah Aaronsohn

In 1914, Sarah married an older man, a Jewish immigrant from Bulgaria, and moved with him to Istanbul. The marriage was an unhappy one, and the following year, as Turkey was in the midst of fighting in World War I alongside Germany, Sarah left her husband and travelled home by train to Zichron Yaakov.

The sights that Sarah saw from her train carriage as it moved through the Ottoman countryside horrified her. Ottoman Turks were in the midst of conducting what would be known as the Armenian Genocide, which saw the murder of one million men, women and children during World War I. Sarah later described seeing hundreds of bodies being loaded onto trains, and witnessing the brutal murder of up to 5,000 Armenians, whose bodies were then piled in a pyramid with kindling, and set on fire.

Aaron Aaronsohn

The Ottoman Turks who administered the Land of Israel made no secret of their hatred of Jews, and Sarah feared that the genocide shed witnessed against the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire would next be directed against Jews if the Ottomans won the war. When she returned to Zichron Yaakov, she was determined to do all she could to aid Great Britain, which was fighting Ottoman Forces across the Middle East.

A World at War

With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Ottoman Empire had joined with the Central Powers  Germany and Austria  to fight the allies, led by Britain and France. The Jews living in the Land of Israel, which was then under Ottoman rule, found themselves the target of anti-Semitism. The Ottoman Empire ruled that Jews and Christians must be drafted to fight  or else pay ruinous taxes to be exempted from military service.

In 1914, Sultan Mehmed V announced that that the Ottoman Empire was joining the Great War  and also declared that this was a jihad, a religious war against non-Muslims as well. As historian Eugene Rogan recounts, On 14 November ... the call for holy war (was) read out in public to a large crowd gathered outside the Mosque of Mehmed the Conqueror in the sultans name. The crowd roared its support.

Inside the Jewish settlements, panic ensued. Were the Jews, like the Ottoman Empires Armenians and other minorities, going to become target of hate and violence?

The God of Israel Does Not Lie

The Aaronsohns decided to do what they could to support Britain in the war against the Turkish Ottomans. They founded a secret group, aided by their brother-in-law Avshalom Feinberg and close friend Joseph Lishansky. About 40 other young Jews joined the group, which was dubbed NILI, an acronym for the Biblical phrase Netzah Yisrael Lo Yeshaker, The Eternal One of Israel does not lie (Samuel I 15:29).

Sarah Aaronsohn and Avshalom Feinberg, 1916

NILI wanted to help Britain invade the Land of Israel from their bases in Egypt, but at first British forces rebuffed NILIs top-secret overtures. Finally, in late 1916, Aaron Aaronsohn managed to cross Turkish lines and traversed the Sinai Peninsula to reach Cairo, and convince British forces there to trust the Jewish spy ring.

Sarah took over leadership of NILI. Together, the spies of NILI gathered intelligence on Turkish troop movements, fortifications, railroads, water locations, troop movements, and weather patterns. Sarah encoded messages and communicated with British headquarters by sending secret codes to the British warship Managam anchored off the coast of Palestine every two weeks. At first, the NILI spies used light signals to convey information to the ship.

When British troops stopped sending the frigate to pick up NILIs messages, the Jewish spies used homing pigeons, sending Britains General Edmund Allenby valuable information that would enable him to traverse the Negev Desert and attack Turkish troops in Beersheva.

NILI also received funds from supporters in America and helped distribute money to the Jews in Ottoman-controlled Israel who were near starvation due to Turkish anti-Semitic policies and ruinous taxes on the Jewish community. The Ottoman forces had no idea that Sarah was leading the Middle Easts largest spy ring.

Torture and Death

In September 1917, one of NILIs homing pigeons landed on a house belonging to the Turkish governor of Caesarea. Ottoman officials found the message the bird carried and decoded it, realizing that a large pro-British spying ring was operating with impunity somewhere in northern Israel. They made finding the spy rings members and leaders their priority.

One by one, Ottoman forces rounded up members of the NILI spy ring, using torture to extract information about other members. Finally, on October 1, 1917, Sarah Aaronsohn was arrested and taken to a makeshift Turkish prison in Zichron Yaakov. For several days, she watched her father being tortured. Then she was brutally tortured herself. Drawing on near-superhuman reserves of strength, Sarah refused to divulge information about NILI. Instead, she taunted her captors, assuring them they would lose the war and be punished for their oppression of Jews and their massacre of Armenians.

Betar Jewish youth movement salutes at Sarah Aaronsohns grave in Zichron Yaakov, circa 1942

After nearly a week of agony, Sarah was informed that she would be transferred to prison in Damascus where she would face even greater torture. She asked if she could be allowed to visit her family home one last time to bathe and change her clothes. Early one morning, as most of Zichron Yaakov slept, Sarah was led down the towns main street to her family home, which stood abandoned, its inhabitants imprisoned. As Sarah walked, she sang a song about a little bird that flies away. This was no innocent tune; it was her final signal to her surviving NILI comrades that the ring was broken and they were to cease any further activity in order to save themselves.

Once in the house, Sarah opened a secret compartment in a wall and retrieved a hidden handgun. Concealing the gun in the folds of her dress, she entered the bathroom and turned on the water. She scribbled a hasty note, tossed it out of the window and then shot herself in the mouth. Instead of dying instantly, she lingered for three excruciating days before passing away on October 10, 1917.

Marching Into Jerusalem

On December 11, 1918, British troops entered Jerusalem. One year earlier, Britain had issued the landmark Balfour Declaration, throwing its support behind the establishment of a Jewish state in the ancient Land of Israel.

Ten months later, after brutal fighting, the Ottoman Turks finally surrendered to Britain near Megiddo, ending 400 years of Ottoman rule over the Land of Israel.

The Aaronsohn House in Zichron Yaakov

Today, the Aaronson house is a museum dedicate to the amazing accomplishment of the NILI spy ring. Among other documents and artifacts, it houses a letter from British Captain Baron William Ormsby-Gore acknowledging that Britain could not have won without the aid of the NILI spies. There is also the last letter that Sarah Aaronsohn wrote, moments before she shot herself. In it, she asks us to describe all our suffering to those who shall come after we have passed away, and tell them about our martyrdom and let them know that Sarah has asked that each drop of blood be avenged.

As we commemorate the Allies' victory in World War I nearly a century ago, lets heed her words and restore the name of the valiant NILI spy ring to our memories of the Great War.

For more information, read Spies in Palestine: Love, Betrayal and the Heroic Life of Sarah Aaronsohn, by James Strodes.
A worker's compensation case, which resulted in a Jefferson County circuit judge striking down Alabama's workers' compensation law earlier this year, has been settled.

The settlement was reached in the case of Nora Clower v. CVS Caremark Corp., which dates back to November 2013. Clower stated she had injured her back on the job and was entitled to workers' compensation benefits.

According to court documents filed today, CVS agrees to pay a settlement amount to Clower and provide an annuity.

Circuit Judge Pat Ballard on May 8 found two provisions in the state's workers' compensation act - the $220-a-week cap in compensation and the 15 percent cap on attorney fees - unconstitutional. However, because one or more provisions were found unconstitutional, the entire act was nullified, according to his ruling.

A week later, Ballard stayed the ruling indefinitely, in order to give the Alabama Legislature time to act. Legal experts at the time said his earlier ruling was only binding on this particular case, and any larger effect on the law would have to come from legislators.

Attorney Lawrence King, speaking for the plaintiff's attorneys, said Clower had reached "maximum medical improvement," or the point when an injured employee's condition can no longer be improved, or when treatment has done all it can. This meant that her weekly benefits could have been suspended.

"That trigger confronts claimants with the prospect of instantaneous and severe financial hardship," he said. "At that moment, we must being the process of identifying whether an amicable settlement is preferable from our client's perspective to what well may be involved years of ongoing litigation."

Even though this case has been settled, King said he remains hopeful that Alabama's 30-year-old workers' compensation law will be updated.

"In practical effect, regarding the law itself, we are back to square one in terms of an antiquated and outdated system unfair to wounded workers, and our work to push the modernization effort will continue on behalf of working Alabamians statewide," he said.

Under the current law, workers hurt while on the job are eligible for $220 a week in compensation for a disability once their condition has stabilized. Lawyers for the plaintiff in the CVS case argued that the law dated to 1987, and $220 per week was above minimum wage level and the poverty level at that time. However, living costs and wages far exceed that number now. Attorneys argued a similar cap would total just under $500 today.

In his order back in May, Ballard also said the grouping of compensated injured workers into two classes which basically received the same benefit "makes no rational sense."

"There is little credibility in telling two injured workers, both of whom are 99 percent disabled due to work injuries, that they both get $220 per week... when one earns $8.50 per hour for a 40-hour work week, and the other earns an annual salary of $125,000," he wrote.

King said Scott Roberts, the lawyer representing CVS, "achieved a resolution that protects both his client and the law as it is written, at least for the moment."
As Amazon begins picking through 238 proposals from parts of North America to choose a home for its second corporate headquarters, observers say there is one thing that may help winnow out hopefuls.

And it has direct bearing on Alabama. Birmingham and Huntsville were among the cities making a pitch, which could mean 50,000 jobs and $5 billion of investment for the lucky location.

CNNtech is reporting that Austin, Texas and Atlanta, Ga., are among cities with a good chance, but both may be discounted from the selection process because of legislation debated in their state houses.

In Austin's case, Texas debated a "bathroom bill" that would have required people to use school restrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates. The bill was eventually defeated.

But Amazon was among dozens of companies that knocked the bill for discriminating against transgender people.

Alabama had its own version of the bill, which was blasted by business and economic development groups for its potentially "devastating economic impact."

Among those groups: the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, the Business Council of Alabama, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and the Coastal Alabama Partnership.

SB1, titled the "Alabama Privacy Act," which regulated access to public restrooms inside businesses, never made it out of committee in the 2017 session.

In Georgia's case, CNN cited the state's "religious liberty bill" that would have given religious organizations the option to deny services to LGBT people. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican.

Alabama had its own version of the legislation, a bill allowing adoption agencies in Alabama to follow faith-based policies, such as not placing children with gay couples. Gov. Kay Ivey signed it into law in May.

Amazon has been vocal in its support of protections for LGBT people. The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights organization, gave Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos its National Equality Award.
A 31-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting two men to death in a car on Gadsden's Meighan Bridge in 2013.

Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction of Cedric Orlando Young for the murders of Jabari Player, 35, and Billy Baker, 53. Young, initially charged with capital murder, pleaded guilty in Etowah County Circuit Court to two counts of the lesser charge of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison for each count. The life sentences were imposed consecutively.

Young shot and killed Jabari Player and Billy Baker in Etowah County on August 7, 2013 on the West Meighan Bridge in Gadsden. The incident happened at 12:20 a.m. The men were driving westbound over the bridge when a car, passing alongside them, fired into their car.

Authorities said rounds were recovered in the area of East Meighan Boulevard and Hood Avenue at the foot of the bridge, where investigators believe the shooting began. The rounds appeared to have come from an AK-47. Player was driving, while Baker was the passenger.

Their car jumped the median on the bridge and eventually came to rest in the eastbound lanes. The men were pronounced dead on the scene shortly after 1 a.m.

Investigators said Baker was not involved in any criminal activity and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Baker was a longtime employee of Riverview Regional Medical Center.

The Attorney General's Criminal Trials Division accepted the case for prosecution earlier this year, handling the case at the request of the District Attorney's Office, which recused due to a conflict.

"I am pleased that we have been able to deliver a measure of justice for the victims' families," Marshall said. "It is appropriate that the defendant will serve the rest of his life in prison for the murders he committed."
A 70-year-old Fairfield woman is recovering after she was hit by a stray bullet while at stop sign, simply just looking both ways before she crossed the intersection.

Annie M. Finch didn't see anything coming and was about to proceed when, seemingly out of nowhere, a bullet bore through the driver's side door of 1996 Toyota Corolla and into her left hip.

"I heard this 'Bam' and my car kinda shook,'' Finch said from her UAB Hospital bed. "Then I had this sensation. It was an excruciating pain. I put my hand down there and then held it up and it was covered with blood. I said, 'Oh Lord, I've been shot.'''

Finch was on her way home after dropping off her adult daughter at church choir practice. It was shortly after 6:30 p.m. and she was heading home on Avenue E near Lloyd Noland Parkway when the shooting happened. She then drove to the nearby Mobil service station on Gary Avenue searching for help.

"I was afraid to stay where I was,'' she said. "So, I drove on over there."

She pulled into the parking lot looking for anyone to assist her. "I was yelling, 'Help me, help me, I've been shot,''' she said. "They all came running over then. They stayed with me."

Finch borrowed someone's cell phone to call her daughter, Kijeka Finch, to tell her what happened. Her daughter said she doesn't usually answer unknown numbers, but this time she felt prompted to do so. "I heard someone saying, 'I've been shot, I've been shot,' and I said, 'That sounds like my mama.'''

She rushed to the Mobil where paramedics by then had arrived and were treating Finch. "I panicked,'' Kijeka Finch said. "I'm an only child and my dad passed away. My mom is all I've got."

Finch said she regularly goes to the store to buy her newspaper, and she also regularly goes to the fire station to get her blood pressure checked, so everyone on the scene knew her and was taking good care of her. "They kept me calm,'' she said.

She was taken to UAB, where scans showed the bullet was lodged near her tailbone. Doctors have decided not to remove the projectile.

Finch said she'd been to her doctor earlier in the day for her bronchitis and was given injections in her right hip. "So, I got shot in the hip three times in one day,'' she said with a chuckle.

Fairfield Police Chief Nick Dyer said investigators don't yet know who fired the shot that struck Finch. Detectives are pulling surveillance tape from nearby businesses.

There were reports of gunfire in Fairfield Wednesday night, but most came in from a different part of town. "Sadly, it's become so commonplace, people don't often even call anymore,'' Dyer said.

Finch said she's still shocked about what happened to her. "I wasn't scared. I was just so dumbfounded that I got shot,'' she said. "I just couldn't believe it. I still don't believe it. I tell you, it was something else."

Finch has lived in Fairfield since 1984. She worked at Miles College for 13 years, and then the Department of Human Resources for 24 years. She retired in 2011, and said and her daughter have no plans to leave Fairfield, though they say they hear gunfire repeatedly while they're in their home. "We live with God on our side,'' Kijeka Finch said. "We're not going to let the devil run us off."

Both women said they're fed up with gun violence. Asked what they would say to the person who fired the shot, Kijeka Finch said, "I forgive them, but at the same time I'm angry. They could have killed her, but I'm very thankful God spared her."
Hundreds of North Alabama residents turned out at Huntsville International Airport Wednesday to welcome wounded veterans, their families and caregivers for the 11th Annual Semper Fi Task Force of North Alabama Heroes Week.

Often, these warriors have not received the welcome home that so many of our military are given after returning home. These American heroes were in hospitals, recovering from injuries received in the line of duty while their units completed deployments and returned to a heroes' welcome.

This event allowed our Tennessee Valley/North Alabama communities an opportunity to show deep appreciation and recognition to these service members, their spouses and caregivers.

During Heroes Week, these wounded veterans and guests will be honored at a Veterans Day breakfast and parade, Marine Corps Ball, fishing tournament, yacht cruises on Lake Guntersville, aerial tours of North Alabama by private pilots as well as numerous lunches and dinners hosted by local organizations and businesses.

For more information on Heroes Week visit the Semper Fi Community Task Force of North Alabama Website at http://semperfictf.org/heroes-week/.
The child sexual abuse case against a former Madison County sheriff's deputy is heading to a grand jury for consideration of indictments.

Roland Campos

Roland Campos appeared in the county's district court this morning for a preliminary hearing. After just minutes of testimony, Judge Claude Hundley ruled prosecutors have probable cause for the first-degree sexual abuse charge against the 64-year-old.

Campos resigned after being accused in August of sexually abusing a 12-year-old family member. The sheriff's office asked Huntsville police to investigate possible criminal charges.

HPD investigator William McDonald testified today that the case began Aug. 18 when the victim reported sexual abuse to Kevin Brodt, the guidance counselor at Meridianville Middle School. The victim was taken to the National Child Advocacy Center for a forensic interview, in which she said Campos had touched her genitals and breasts, McDonald told the court. The abuse allegedly happened in February.

The child reported that she had been sitting on Campos' lap in the living room of his New Market home when incident happened, McDonald testified.

As the investigation continued, authorities learned the child also had disclosed the sexual abuse allegations to her mother and a local pastor, according to McDonald. The pastor, Michael Walker, of Southside Baptist Church, has been charged with a misdemeanor and accused of failing to report to the abuse. McDonald testified that Campos attended Walker's church.

The mother told police Campos has admitted to molesting the victim, McDonald testified. Further details about the circumstances of the alleged confession weren't revealed in court.

McDonald said he contacted Campos after the child and her mother were interviewed.

"He did not want to talk to me," McDonald told the court.

AL.com isn't publishing further details about the allegations to protect the identity of the victim.

The case is being prosecuted by Brittney Bucak and Christopher Moore of the Alabama Attorney General's Office. Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard recused his office from the case because of Campos' former post as a local investigator. Huntsville lawyer Richard Jensen is representing Campos.

Campos was arrested the day of the disclosure on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Bucak, an assistant Attorney General, asked that one of the counts be dismissed during this morning's hearing. She called it a "duplicate" charge. The judge granted the request. If convicted of the remaining charge, Campos faces up to 10 years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender.

The longtime investigator resigned before the sheriff's office could complete an internal investigation, authorities have said. Campos worked for Madison County for 10 years.

Campos isn't the first person in his family to be charged with sex crimes. His son, also named Roland, was sentenced to two terms of life in prison without parole in 2014 for sodomizing a 5-year-old girl while he was reportedly dating the victim's mother.

Campos' brother, Russell Leland Campos, was charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 in 2011. Those charges were dropped in 2014 when the alleged victim in the case was unable to testify due to the "ongoing effects of psychological trauma."

The next step in the former investigator's case is presentation to a grand jury. The grand jurors will be asked to issue indictments if prosecutors have enough evidence to send the case to trial.

Updated Aug. 21, 2018 to show Walker's charge was dropped after Campos pleaded guilty.
According to a regulatory filing from Bombardier, a proposed aircraft assembly line in Mobile could create 400 to 500 direct jobs in the area, and would represent an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Airbus and Canada-based Bombardier announced in October that they had agreed to form a partnership to build Bombardier's C Series passenger jets. Airbus CEO Tom Enders said "we intend to build a second Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama, serving U.S. customers."

Many details of how that will play out were unclear at the time and remain so a month later. A timetable for construction hasn't been revealed, nor have financing arrangements for the project.

The publicly available portion of Bombardier's recent filing with the U.S. International Trade Commission doesn't answer a lot of questions, but it does provide some projected numbers.

According to the document, "current Bombardier estimates predict that the agreement with Airbus, if approved, would create over 2,000 permanent jobs in the United States ... The breakdown of 1,950 to 2,450 permanent jobs is as follows: 400 to 500 direct jobs, 550 to 700 indirect jobs, and 1,000 to 1,250 induced jobs." (Direct jobs would be people employed by the plant, and indirect jobs would be people working for companies that provide materials or services to the plant. Jobs created as those people spend money in the community are induced jobs.)

The report additionally estimates that establishing "the necessary C Series facilities" would create 1,900 direct jobs, 1,000 indirect jobs, and 3,000 induced jobs during construction.

The filing adds that "According to estimates by Bombardier, the creation of those facilities would contribute over $300 million of foreign direct investment into the United States." A Montreal Gazette story on the filing interprets that as meaning that Bombardier plans to spend $300 million to build the assembly line. Attempts to reach a representative of Bombardier for additional detail were not immediately successful.

When the project was first announced, the general impression in Alabama was that, essentially, Airbus planned to build another assembly line beside its existing one.

"There is no greater example of confidence than when a company of Airbus' caliber decides to reinvest in Mobile," Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said at the time. "Airbus choosing Mobile to grow its new market and to build a second Final Assembly Line exemplifies our strong partnership. It was that strong partnership that brought Airbus to Mobile in the first place."

Likewise, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne issued a statement saying he wanted to "share my deep appreciation with Airbus for their continued investment in Mobile and our community."

Enders himself said "we have a lot of experience in setting up a Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama, it can be done in a relatively short period of time."

If the latest news seems to suggest it's more a Bombardier facility than an Airbus factory, that impression too may be premature. The reality likely is somewhere in between. The name Alabama might need to get familiar with is CSALP - C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership.

According to Bombardier's 2016 financial report, it closed a $1 billion (U.S.) investment deal with the government of Quebec in June of that year. Quebec got a 49.5 percent equity stake in CSALP, which was created to assume "the assets, liabilities and obligations of the C Series aircraft program."

Bombardier said in October that when the Airbus deal closes, Airbus will have a 50.1 percent interest in CSALP, Bombardier will own about 31 percent and Quebec will hold 19 percent. Airbus reportedly paid no cash for that stake, but will "provide procurement, sales and marketing, and customer support expertise" to the project.

"As far as I understand, this would be a partnership between Airbus and Bombardier to build the C-Series aircraft," said Kristi Tucker, director of communications for Airbus Americas.

Tucker said Thursday that the reason many details haven't been clarified is simply because they haven't been worked out yet. And they likely won't be until the Airbus-Bombardier partnership gets regulatory approval, which could happen late next year.

That's consistent with what Enders said a month ago: "As far as timing is concerned, the Mobile line ... we need to go through various approvals in the coming months, so it's not like we can jump right into the joint venture and start acting there."

Bombardier is in a trade battle with Boeing, which won a preliminary ruling that Bombardier has illegally sold C Series jets below cost. That dispute is ongoing. Assembling jets in the United States could circumvent a punitive import tariff, though Boeing has argued that the tariff still should apply to imported components.

Bombardier's new C Series is similar to the A320 family that Airbus already assembles in Mobile, in that it's a single-aisle, twin-engine plane designed for medium-range routes. But CS100 and CS300 span a lower range of seating capacity, making them complimentary to the larger A320 and A321.

According to Bombardier, benefits of the C Series program would extend far beyond Alabama.

"More than half of each aircraft's content, including its engines and major systems, is sourced from U.S. suppliers," according to information provided by the company. "Going forward, the C Series program will generate more than $30 billion in business for U.S. suppliers and support more than 22,700 jobs in the United States."
With just a little over a month before the Alabama Senate election, allegations of sexual assault against candidate Judge Roy Moore going back decades have placed his candidacy in doubt. Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has asked the two-time Alabama Chief Justice to step aside if the allegations are true, leaving Alabamians and others across the nation asking what would happen if Moore were to step down.



While many might think that the obvious replacement to Moore running against Democrat Doug Jones On Dec. 12 would be his Alabama GOP runoff rival and incumbent of the Senate seat Luther Strange, they'd be wrong.

Moore cannot be replaced on the ballot.

Alabama law prohibits the replacement of a party candidate up to 76 days before the election.



"Any amendment filed after the 76th day before a primary or a general election shall be accepted by the judge of probate or the Secretary of State but shall not be cause for reprinting of the ballots," according to the statute. "The name of a candidate who is the subject of the amendment and who is disqualified by a political party or who has withdrawn as a candidate shall remain on the ballot, not be replaced by the name of another candidate, and the appropriate canvassing board shall not certify any votes for the candidate."

While the law may appear confusing as to what can be done, John Bennett, a spokesman for the Alabama secretary of state's office told the Washington Post Thursday that he believed "it was too late" to replace Moore on the ballot.

And while some may suggest that Strange should run as a third party or mount a write-in campaign. There's reason to believe that may be unlawful as well.



In fact, a 2014 memorandum written by Luther Strange, who was the Alabama Attorney General at the time, states that a political candidate may only get "one opportunity to run for an elected position in any given year."

In addition, "it prevents a candidate from having his or her name placed on a general election ballot as an independent in the same year he or she lost in the party primary," said the memo.



The memo deals specifically with the names printed on the ballot. It remains unclear if the law prohibits a write-in campaign for Strange.

The allegations in the Washington Post Thursday contend that Moore groomed a 14 year-old child before sexually assaulting her mutiple times in 1979. Moore, then 32, was an assistant district attorney.

Three additional women who were teenagers at the time have also accused Moore of pursuing them, but said Moore did not attempt to initiate sexual conduct with them.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, and several other Republican senators called on Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from the race if a report that he initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl in 1979 is true.

Leigh Corfman, now 53, says Moore began chatting with her on a bench by the Etowah County Courthouse and asked for her phone number. She claimed Moore later picked her up at her house, drove her to his home, took off her shirt and pants and touched her through her bra and panties while he was only wearing his underwear.

Three other women, who were teenage girls at the time, said Moore took them on dates but physical contact did not go beyond kissing. Moore was in his 30s at the time of the alleged incidents.

"If these allegations are true, he must step aside," McConnell said, according to Politico.

Shelby, who backed Luther Strange in the primary but did not go on to endorse Moore in the general election, agreed.

"If these allegations are true, there is no place for Roy Moore in the United States Senate," he said in a statement.

The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC with ties to McConnell that initially supported Strange but is now backing Moore, said the Republican candidate should be removed from the ballot "if there's a shred of evidence to these accusations."

"If there's even a shred of evidence to these accusations, Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Republican Party need to do everything in their power to remove Judge Moore from the ballot. There is no place in our party for sexual predators," the group said.

Arizona Sen. John McCain tweeted that the allegations were "deeply troubling and disqualifying."

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of," he said.

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake shared that sentiment in a tweet:

If there is any shred of truth to the allegations against Roy Moore, he should step aside immediately.  Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 9, 2017

Another potential future colleague of Moore's, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, said she was "horrified" by the allegations and also called for Moore to withdraw if the reports are accurate.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Roy Moore allegations:



"I'm horrified and if it's true he should step down immediately."  NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) November 9, 2017

Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado says, "The allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore are deeply troubling." Gardner chairs the Republican senatorial campaign committee.

He adds, "If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election." Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania echoed those comments, and No. 2 Senate Republican John Cornyn of Texas, who endorsed Moore, calls the report "deeply troubling."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 21-year-old certified nursing assistant is accused of sexually assaulting an elderly person at a Florence nursing home, police said.

Reeves (Lauderdale County Detention Center photo)

Zachariah Lee Reeves was arrested today on charges of first-degree sodomy and second-degree elder abuse, Florence police said in a news release. Reeves is held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center with bail set at $60,000.

Reeves, a CNA at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, was working when the victim was assaulted this past Thursday, said Sgt. Greg Cobb. The Center is at 805 Flagg Circle.

Further details about the case haven't been made public. Police weren't immediately available to provide further details.

If convicted, Reeves faces up to life in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender.
By Connor Sheets and Anna Claire Vollers

An attorney for Leigh Corfman, whose story of a sexual encounter with Roy Moore when he was 32 and she was 14, broke today, said Corfman stands by her story.

Hoover attorney Eddie Sexton told AL.com that Corfman has wanted to publicly talk about the time in 1979 when Moore dated her, but never felt like it was the right time.

"Her kids are out of the house now, grown, and I think she felt like it was the right time to do it," said Sexton. "I'm sure she was scared to death."

Corfman had been talking with reporters from the Washington Post for several weeks, he said.

In a Washington Post story published today, Corfman told how Moore had approached her and her mother outside a courtroom in Etowah County in 1979 and offered to watch Corfman, then 14, while her mother went inside for a custody hearing.

Moore later picked her up a few times, once taking her to his home and having a sexual encounter with her that included his removing her clothes.

Sexton said Corfman's decision wasn't affected by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, in which numerous women have publicly accused the movie producer of sexual harassment and assault.

"She really thought about it before she (decided to speak publicly)," Sexton said, in part because Gadsden is a close-knit community.

The Washington Post story also detailed three other women, ages 16-18, who said Moore tried to date them when he was in his 30s.

Debbie Wesson Gibson, who lives in Birmingham, told The Washington Post that she was 17 when Moore spoke to her high school civics class and asked her on a date shortly after.

"I stand by the interview I did with (reporters) Stephanie (McCrummen) and Beth (Reinhard)," Gibson told AL.com, saying she had no further statement beyond what she told the Post reporters.

Corfman's son, Garner Polston, referred AL.com to Corfman's attorney but said, "I can say that my mom has no reason to lie about this."
Auburn University

Bears are now at home in two places

An Auburn University study published this month says black bears now call two parts of Alabama home. In north Alabama near Fort Payne, the estimated population is 35. In Mobile and Washington counties, the number could be as high as 165.

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Auburn University

Professor Todd Steury led the study

Professor Todd Steury of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and graduate students Christopher Seals and John Draper conducted the multi-year study. They collected bear hair from "bear snares" (barbed wire) to study DNA and used game cameras and radio collars in their work.

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Auburn University

What's new about Alabama bears

Ambling through the woods with his radio collar on, this bear and others like him provided a trove of data about the movements and habits of Alabama's bear population. Researchers say north Alabama's bear colony migrated over time from Georgia, and south Alabama's bears are their own distinctive group with no genetic connection to other bear populations. That could be bad for their long-term survival, but that remains to be seen.

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Lots of baby bears

One interesting finding of the Auburn study is that mother bears in north Alabama often have three or four cubs in a litter. The normal number is two. Scientists think this reproductive ability may explain why north Alabama's black bear population has more than doubled in the past four years. The Mobile area bear population's rate of growth isn't known at this time.

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Professor Steury explains it all

Professor Steury talks about his research and its findings in this YouTube video.

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Steury and his team conducted the multi-year study with the help of Munford High School students, the National Park Service and the Birmingham Zoo. Studies like this are important, Steury said, because increasingly fragmented modern landscapes isolate wild animals into smaller and smaller populations. This was the first study to collect valuable genetic data on Alabama's black bears, and the researchers say this work needs to continue over time.

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Bear science by the numbers

Auburn University researchers gather data from a tranquilized black bear.

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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Thinking about a bear hunt? Forget it

There is no hunting season for bears in Alabama because their numbers are too low, Steury said. It is illegal to kill a bear in Alabama at any time. Illegal. Anytime.

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How big are Alabama black bears? Steury says most of the ones studied were 150 to 250 pounds. But the team did trap and collar a bear weighing 318 pounds. The average age - determined by dental study - was 6 years old, and the oldest bear studied was 12 years old. Bears generally live an estimated 18-20 years in the wild and can live 20-30 years in captivity, Steury said.

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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

If you see a bear up close

This video contains a lot of helpful information about seeing black bears in your back yard, at your wildlife feeder or walking in the woods. If you encounter a black bear, you should stay calm, make yourself big and loud, and back away slowly, Steury said. A black bear will almost always run away, but, if you are attacked, you should fight back. That differs from a grizzly bear, which, in that case, you should play dead if attacked.

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Hibernating in winter? Not in Alabama

Winter is coming and that might seem like a time you won't have to worry about bears in the woods. After all, they hiberate, right? Wrong. At least in Alabama. Steury says bears in the South don't really hibernate. They will make nests on the ground and take long naps, but they can be active at any time.

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Where the bears are, roughly

This map from Auburn's research shows the rough location of the bears in northeast Alabama (shown in red) and in the Mobile area (shown in green). North Georgia (rust colored markings) has a good bear population and is thought to be the origin of the north Alabama bears.

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Oh, never mind, they're everywhere

The Auburn study is recent and scientific, but bear sightings in Alabama have been reported and reported on for years. This 2014 map - compiled by Alabama Black Bear Alliance and Alabama Natural Heritage Program and created by Michael Barbour of Auburn University - shows bear sightings across Alabama through 2014. It has been cropped for this slide to focus on the middle part of the state, but the full map and a 2014 story are available here.

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Male bears roam widely, Steury said. At two years old, they leave their mother and find a new place to live. Females settle close to the mother bear and expand their range slowly, thus the area occupied by the breeding population is slow to expand. A lot of females dont cross roads or powerline right-of-ways. Males will cross them as well as rivers.

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Auburn University

Decline of the forests

Black bear ranges have declined 55 percent over historical levels and 80 percent in the Southeast. It affects the animals' genetic diversity and potentially the future of bear populations.

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Auburn University photo

A closing thought about bears

Alabama Media Group and its three newspapers have been reporting on bears in Alabama for years, and one thing seems consistent. They don't want much to do with humans and probably won't be seen unless they're looking for food in a campground or backyard trash can or simply don't know you're there. One park ranger has worked in an area with bears every day for 21 years and never seen one.
Sheriffs from 13 of Alabama's 67 counties publicly endorsed Roy Moore in the special election for the U.S. Senate today, saying he has a record of strongly backing law enforcement.

"With the opioid crisis we've got, church shootings, violence and crime on the rise, our budgets are in trouble in our small counties, and in our entire state our budgets are in trouble," Clarke County Sheriff Ray Norris said at a press conference in Montgomery. "If we can get Judge Moore in Washington D.C. to funnel some money back our way to help us as sheriffs protect our citizens -- that's our No. 1 goal in life is protecting our citizens.

"Judge Moore will stand for what's right. He has proven that in the past. You can read any paper, watch any news show you want, if he believes in it, he stands for it. And he believes in law enforcement and he will pass laws that will help us protect the citizens of Clarke County."

Moore joined the sheriffs for the press conference after making an earlier stop today in Tuscaloosa. Moore thanked the sheriffs for their endorsement and mentioned his law enforcement background as a military police company commander in Vietnam and a deputy district attorney.

Moore said that if he's elected he would do what he could to help local law enforcement but did not mention any specifics.

Besides Norris, the sheriffs who endorsed Moore were John Samaniego of Shelby County, Blake Dorning of Madison County, Matt Gentry of Cullman County, Bill Franklin of Elmore County, Dennis Meeks of Covington County, Jody Wade of Bibb County, Jimmy Kilgore of Talladega County, Ron Abernathy of Tuscaloosa County, William Maddox of Henry County, Jeff Shaver of Cherokee County, Todd Entrekin of Etowah County and Tony Helms of Geneva County.

Republican nominee Moore faces Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 special election.

Moore was asked today how he would respond to criticism that he has not taken a stand on the Children's Health Insurance Program. CHIP covers or funds health insurance for 160,000 children in Alabama. Federal funds have covered 100 percent of the cost the past two years but Congress has not voted to renew it.

"If there is a bill up before the Senate I'll take it up with my colleagues and discuss it," Moore said. "It's something that I'm not familiar with a bill being up about that. Before I vote on anything I'll discuss it with my colleagues. Just like in the judicial branch, we hear all the facts before we make a decision in a case. That's the same thing you've got to do as a legislator."

Moore was also asked if he was concerned about Democrats prevailing in governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday and about whether there are signals the political mood in the country is tilting toward the Democrats.

"Not at all," Moore said. "I'm not running for governor, one. This isn't a Democratic state. This is a Republican state. Those were Democratic states before and they remain Democrat as far as I know. Now I know (New Jersey Gov. Chris) Christie was a Republican, but it was a Democrat state, supported Hillary Clinton."

Jones, meanwhile, was also in Montgomery today and met with college students and representatives from the Equal Justice Initiative to discuss criminal justice reforms.

In a press conference after the meeting, Jones said they talked about bipartisan ways to protect communities and reduce the incarceration rate. He said an emphasis on community policing is important.

"We've got to restore some trust between law enforcement and communities," Jones said. "Police officers used to be known as peace officers. It was the neighborhood cop that would walk through and people could talk to him and you would know him by his first name. We've got to get back to that where all segments of society trust the police and we try to get rid of the divisions.

"I think we can do that and I think there can be a number of alternatives to prison and to keep people out of the system. It also goes back to education. Making sure that we have a good educational system to make sure that people make the right choices."

Updated at 6:14 p.m. to add comments from Doug Jones.


After months of back-and-forth over whether the U.S. Navy should issue contracts for one, two or maybe three new Littoral Combat Ships in 2018, the answer appears to be: Three.

On Wednesday U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, an advocate of the trimaran LCS variant built in Mobile by Austal Inc. and an overall advocate of a bigger navy, touted his role in settling on the bigger number, as did Sen. Luther Strange.

According to information provided by Strange's office, the same bill "includes a number of other key Alabama priorities, including full funding for Stryker lethality upgrades and supplies for the Civilian Marksmanship Program, both at Anniston Army Depot, and an increase in funding for missile defense programs developed in the state (THAAD, ground-based interceptors)."

"Securing the authorization for three more Littoral Combat Ships is a big win for Southwest Alabama and the thousands of people who work at the Austal shipyard in Mobile," Byrne said in a statement released Wednesday by his office. "Just as important, it is good news for the U.S. Navy because it means we will have more highly-capable ships added to the fleet."

The conference-committee draft of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act hasn't yet achieved final approval. Assuming it does get President Donald Trump's signature, it's not yet clear who will build the ships. Austal won two of three contracts handed out in 2017; the other went to Lockheed Martin for one of the monohull LCS variants it builds at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin. The most recent contract, for LCS 30, was awarded to Austal in early October.

At least in part, the contracts are driven by a need to keep the two shipyards healthy as the Navy develops plans for a frigate construction program that will follow the LCS.

A July article in Defense News described a battle over the Navy's fiscal 2018 budget request. With plans to issue three LCS contracts in 2017, the Navy floated the idea of just issuing one contract in 2018. According to the Defense News story, "The White House estimated that one ship in 2018 could trigger more than 1,000 layoffs between Marinette and Austal -- not a good look for an administration that rode a populist wave into office months earlier on a message of preserving and growing the manufacturing and industrial sectors, and who flipped Wisconsin red for the first time since 1984. Concerns were mounting that continuing a tepid buying strategy could even lead to the closure of one or both shipyards ahead of the Navy's planned shift from LCS to a new, more deadly frigate by the end of 2020."

As with so many debates in the history of the LCS program, the outcome was messy. On June 29, the USNI News reported that the Senate's Armed Services Committee had opted to stick with one LCS contract in its 2018 defense bill. Just a day later it reported that the Trump administration had shuffled some priorities - among other things, pushing back a new nuclear reactor core needed for a future carrier overhaul - to free up money for a second 2018 LCS contract.

The Senate passed a version of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act that provided for two LCS contracts, but the House passed a version calling for three. The compromise version released Wednesday by a conference committee calls for three.

A release from Strange's office gave the senator credit for pushing for the increase from one ship initially proposed to the two in the Senate version of the NDAA.

"As the saying goes, 'there is no limit to what a man can do when he does not mind who gets the credit.' Finalizing the NDAA with key wins for our state was a long process with many hands at work," Strange said in the release. "I was proud to be the only representative for Alabama and its brave men and women in uniform in NDAA conference negotiations on naval readiness, and I will continue to support their critical role in keeping America safe."

"My office is constantly working to maintain and support our shipbuilding industry, and I could not be prouder that we were able to overcome challenges in the Senate to get three ships authorized," Byrne said in his statement. "I want to thank Chairman Mac Thornberry for his help and support of the LCS program, and I look forward to supporting the bill when it comes before the House for a vote."
An Alabama woman has come forward with allegations of a sexual encounter with now Senate candidate Roy Moore, an incident she said occurred when she was 14 and he was 32.

Leigh Corfman, now 53, told her story to the Washington Post. She claims Moore first approached her while she was attending a child custody hearing with her mother at the Etowah County Courthouse. He later asked for her phone number and arranged several dates, including one encounter in which he allegedly removed her clothes and touched her over her bra and underpants and guided her hand to touch him over his underwear.

Corfman said the encounter made her uncomfortable and she asked to leave. She avoided Moore in the future, she said.

Moore, the current Alabama Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, has denied the claims. You can read Moore's full statement here.

Who is Leigh Corfman?

According to the Post, Corfman currently works as a customer service representative for a payday loan business. She has voted for Republicans in the past three presidential elections, she said, including for Donald Trump in 2016. Her Linked In page has apparently been removed as has her Facebook page.

Corfman said she did not come forward with complaints about Moore earlier over concerns for her children and fears her past - she's been divorced three times and has a history of financial issues - would undermine her credibility.

Heavy.com reports Corfman has a son and a daughter with country musician Dave Polston, who plays in the band "2 Lazy 2 Ranch."

In 2013 she was interviewed by WBRC after an incident at Southside High School's prom, which her son was attending. Police had reportedly shut down the prom while conducting a search.

Corfman described the prom incident as a "total nightmare."
A Phenix City man was awarded $7.5 million after he fell getting a watermelon at a local Walmart store.

A Russell County jury decided Thursday that Henry Walker should receive the payout from Walmart Stores Inc. after a days-long negligence trial.

Court records state Walker was visiting the Phenix City Walmart, located at 3700 Highway 280, in June 2015. Walker reached for a watermelon in a container, but tripped and his foot got stuck in a wooden pallet on the floor. He fell and suffered several injuries, including a broken hip.

According to one of Walker's attorneys Shaun O'Hara, the watermelon container was on top of the pallet and wasn't visible when Walker had to reach inside for his fruit. Walker did not step on the wood, but his foot slid in a side opening on the pallet. When he tried to turn towards his buggy, Walker's foot got stuck and he fell.

Jurors viewed security footage from the Walmart store and saw several other people have their feet caught in the side opening of the pallet, O'Hara said.

Walker sued Walmart on both a negligence claim and a wantonness claim-- the jury was in favor of Walker on each. Walmart had a duty to "exercise reasonable care, to maintain and keep its premises in a reasonable safe condition, and to warn the public of unsafe and hazardous conditions," the negligence claim in the complaint states. The store should have known the hidden pallet was likely to cause an injury, it states regarding wantonness.

Yesterday's jury verdict states Walker will be awarded $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, totaling a payout of $7.5 million.

O'Hara said before the fall, Walker played basketball three days a week with several of his friends. Now, the Army veteran has to use a walker.

"You don't expect to go into a grocery store walking fine on your two feet and come out on a stretcher," O'Hara said.

He said the award was reasonable and hopefully will encourage the retailer to use pallet guards, like other grocers in the area. "The jury of twelve members of this community certainly thought it was a fair verdict after hearing all of the evidence...this fall completely changed Henry Walker's life as he is no longer able to do everyday activities that many of us take for granted."

Randy Hargrove, a spokesperson for Walmart, said to AL.com, "We are disappointed in the verdict and believe that the damages awarded were excessive in light of the facts in this case. We plan to appeal."

Walker was represented by attorneys O'Hara, Charles Gower, and David Rayfield; Walmart was represented by Paul Russell Jr. and Stanley Sasser.

Representatives from Walmart had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication. This post will be updated.
MOORE

Judge Roy Moore pauses for a closing prayer of blessing over his campaign at a "Faith and Family Rally" in Florence Alabama at Shoals Christian School on Sept. 17, 2017. MUST CREDIT: Photo by Nathan Morgan for The Washington Post

(Nathan Morgan)

Roy Moore won the Republican nomination for the Senate seat in Alabama this year on the strength of his long-standing position as an advocate for hard-right conservative and evangelical values.

Twice elected chief justice of Alabama's Supreme Court, he left that role both times for his activism on behalf of his religious beliefs. In 2003, he was removed from office for refusing to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from a state building. In 2016, he was suspended for refusing to uphold the Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriages.

When challenged by Luther Strange for the nomination to the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Moore never trailed.

On Thursday afternoon, The Washington Post published a story detailing allegations from four women who say they were pursued by Moore when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One, Leigh Corfman, described how Moore had initiated sexual contact with her when she was 14 and he 18 years older.

Republicans on Capitol Hill - many of whom supported Strange in the primary, it's important to note - quickly called for Moore to drop out of the Senate race, a move that seems unlikely. (Moore tried to get ahead of The Post's story by denying it in advance to Breitbart.) The question then becomes whether Moore can win the general election race against Democrat Doug Jones in light of the allegations - particularly given that nearly half of the state identifies as evangelical, suggesting that a moral question might dampen his support.

Recent history, though, suggests that he might not lose substantial evangelical support. That recent history is Donald Trump.

On Oct. 7, 2016, The Post had another scoop: Donald Trump had been recorded casually talking about sexual assault while preparing for a segment on "Access Hollywood." When he denied having actually assaulted anyone during a presidential debate, a number of women came forward to say that he'd done to them precisely what he described in those audio recordings.

The result for Trump? He won more support from evangelical voters than any Republican since the question of religious identification began being asked.

Nearly half of Trump's support - 46 percent - identified as white evangelical Protestant.

In the wake of the "Access Hollywood" tape, PRRI released data showing that, for evangelical voters, moral rectitude had faded in importance since 2011. More than any other religious group, evangelicals said that someone who acts immorally in their personal lives can still serve morally in office.

Part of this is certainly a response to what was known about Trump. Evangelical voters supported Trump, so they were willing to say that any indiscretions were irrelevant.

But why did they support him so fervently? One factor is that Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, was fervently opposed by evangelical voters. Our Sarah Pulliam Bailey wrote about that last October.

"She symbolizes much that runs against their beliefs: abortion rights advocacy, feminism and, conversely, a rejection of biblical ideas of femininity and womanhood. Perhaps even more significantly, Hillary Clinton, as an outspoken and activist first lady, is inextricably tied in the minds of conservative Christians to their loss of the culture war battles beginning with Bill Clinton's first term in 1993.

That last point, about the culture wars, is important. In June, Politico's Tim Alberta explained why evangelicals continued to stand by Trump.

"Yet for Christians who feel they are engaged in a great struggle for the identity of America - and fear that their side has been losing ground - the most important question is not whether Trump believes in their cause, but whether he can win their wars. 'Jimmy Carter sat in the pew with us. But he never fought for us,' Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, told me after the president's speech. 'Donald Trump fights. And he fights for us.'"

Ergo: Support for Trump. In August, Pew Research reported that half of those who approve of Trump approved of his performance in office not because of his policies, but because of his approach and personality: his leadership, his willingness to "speak his mind," that he wasn't a typical politician. It was the style that appealed, not what he stood for.

Which brings us to Moore. Moore's political background is predicated on engaging in the sorts of fights that evangelical voters would like to see fought.

Moore is aware of this. He tweeted this in early October.

"But I've been on the frontlines of the fight against the liberals' all-out war on Conservative values for years. (3/6) #ALSen

- Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) October 6, 2017"

Last week, he looped Clinton into the fight.

"Now, we're locked in the ultimate fight for the future of our nation with the Obama-Clinton Machine. (3/5) #ALSen

- Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 2, 2017"

How Trump stumbled onto the right message for evangelicals isn't clear, but it probably stems in part from tracking conservative media. Moore, on the other hand, was steeped in it.

The allegations against Moore are decades old and, for those interested in dismissing them, dismissible as pitting his word against the women's. It seems unlikely, then, that evangelical voters would, at this point, reject his candidacy, especially with Moore denying the charges as fervently as he is.

If Donald Trump - a one-time New York Democrat on his third wife with little connection to religious faith before his political run - can keep the support of the evangelical community, it seems unlikely that a conservative Alabama judge who lost his job in defense of the Ten Commandments is at much risk of seeing that support evaporate.

Philip Bump is a correspondent for The Post based in New York City.
See the newest data sent from Mars and experience scientific history in the making in a low-key, one-on-one discussion with Dr. Crumpler who is working on the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Mission.

Curators Coffee

A Cafe Style Program

Join us for a casual discussion with museum scientist. Limited to 15 people and includes coffee, light refreshments, and Museum admission.

Opportunity is exploring a valley on Mars and at Dr. Crumplers suggestion, rocks and targets are being named for placenames on El Camino Real. In fact, the rover just passed Albuquerque and is sitting on La Bajada! See the new data sent from Mars and experience scientific history in the making in a low-key, one-on-one discussion with Dr. Crumpler.

Dr. Larry Crumpler is Research Curator of Volcanology and Space Science at the NMMNHS. He is a scientist on the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Mission, served on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, and is Co-I on an instrument proposal for the 2020 rover. He serves as long-term planning lead (LTP) for the daily telecons that define the ongoing activities of the Opportunity Rover, and continues to have a great time being a field geologist on Mars. He earned his M.S. in Geology from UNM, Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the University of Arizona, and is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.
Autumn is here and a huge blast of fall color is covering many parts of Alabama! In the past week, I've traveled the backroads with my camera in search of good places to see the color. Here is what I found.

I was not disappointed! This year the fall foliage color arrived at the normal time, the first week of November and the the color was a good as I've seen in several years. Last year, the drought muted the color in many areas around the state as it lasted well into the normal time for peak color.

This year we had normal rainfall with some well placed precipitation a couple weeks before the leaves began to turn. The area also had cooler temperatures 10 days ago with some areas getting some mild frost. All of these factors really helped the fall color pop this year.

I saw the best color at DeSoto State Park, Cheaha State Park and Little River Canyon. But, there are many great places that had beautiful color. The rain in the last couple days is beginning to knock the leaves from the trees, but it should be pretty good for the next couple days.

Do you take some nice photos of the autumn color? If so, we'd love to see them so we can share them! Email them to me at jsonger@al.com or share them on Facebook here.
Smog in and around the cities of Lahore and New Delhi has reached new stretch over the past few days.

The recent burning of crops in northern India, combined with fog, dust and air pollution from vehicles and factories, has resulted in a thick layer of smog covering several cities in India and Pakistan.

Its one of the worst cases of air pollution in India and New Delhi has declared a public health emergency, closing down schools and offices.

The following graphic shows satellite imagery of the smog in contrast with the aerosol optical thickness (AOD) in the affected areas, which reflects the amount of pollutants available in the air.

How is smog formed?

Smog results when photochemical reaction takes place between air pollutants from crop burning, vehicles and others sources, and sunglight and heat. The resulting thick haze  also known as ground level ozone  gets trapped near the earth due to warm air in atmosphere.

The following graphic reflects the process of smog formation.
Blaming Iran and Hezbollah for sowing strife in the region, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned on Saturday during a visit to Saudi Arabia. The following day the Saudis accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of being behind the firing of a missile towards their capital Riyadh, calling it an act of war. As the regional divide between Iran and Saudi Arabia widens, Lebanon has suddenly found itself on the front lines.

While this escalation has been brewing for some time now, its intensification could already be detected a week earlier in a series of laws passed by the US House of Representatives. Among these was a bill that mobilised international laws human shields clause to deepen US sanctions against Hezbollah. The bill, however, does much more than simply expand sanctions and should thus be understood within the context of the changes in US foreign policy under US President Donald Trump.

Introduced by Republican Representative Mike Gallagher, the Sanctioning Hizballahs Illicit use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act, stipulates that the mere placement of military assets in the vicinity of civilians fulfils [the international laws] requirement for war crimes. It then provides a brief history of Israels wars in Lebanon, claiming that since the 1980s many civilian houses and public facilities in South Lebanon and Beirut have been used by Hezbollah to conceal weapons.

Echoing a report published by an Israeli think-tank, the bill goes on to note that during the 2006 war with Israel, Hezbollah forces deployed human shields to protect themselves from counterattacks by Israeli forces. Finally, it observes that a recent State Department report cites Israeli estimates that Hizballah [sic] has a stockpile of 100,000 rockets and missiles, including advanced anti-air and anti-ship missiles.

President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are the outliers, scrambling, as it were, to find new weapons to unravel the Iran deal. by

The missiles were principally provided by the Iranian Government and are concealed in Shiite villages in southern Lebanon, often beneath civilian infrastructure. This, the bill stresses, is in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollahs disarmament.

The bill requires the president to identify and impose sanctions on foreign people or entities affiliated with Hizballah that he determines have used civilians as human shields or have provided, tried to provide, or facilitated the provision of material support to that terrorist group.

Two points are particularly noteworthy about this bill.

First, Israels signature is everywhere. The bills rationale for deepening the sanctions is Hezbollahs potential threat to Israel and its citizens rather than to the United States. The information about Hezbollahs weapons and ostensible use of shielding strategies was supplied by Israeli intelligence, which, as we have shown elsewhere, has played a crucial role in spreading the accusation of human shielding in the region.

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Second, the unprecedented use of human shields as a foreign policy tool has a duplicitous character. Even if one were to take the bills human shielding argument at face value, Hezbollahs alleged use of human shields is not new, and there is no apparent political reason to add a new layer of sanctions against the organisation at this historical juncture. A close reading of the bill reveals that its main target is actually Iran and not its Lebanese ally.

The use of the human shields argument by the House of Representatives to deepen sanctions must be understood within the context of an international consensus  which includes both the US and Israeli militaries  that the Iran deal is good and that the Islamic Republic is fulfilling its obligations towards the deal.

President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are the outliers, scrambling, as it were, to find new weapons to unravel the Iran deal. This time their supporters in the House have pulled international laws human shield clause out of the hat.

Their objective is to inject a new moral argument against Iran, one that insinuates that the Islamic Republic promotes the violation of the laws of war and therefore the deals fifteen-year prohibition from enriching uranium and engaging in, or research on, spent fuel reprocessing is insufficient.

Human shields are thus being put to use by warmongers who wish to open the door to military confrontation.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Tension grips residents of Lebanons capital amid fears of escalation in regional divide between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Beirut, Lebanon  A large banner hangs in between two buildings on a main road close to the centre of the Lebanese capital.

The people of Tariq el-Jdideh are loyal, and our loyalty is only to Saad al-Hariri, it reads, delivering a strong message of support for Lebanons ex-prime minister who on Saturday announced his sudden resignation in a televised speech from Saudi Arabias capital, Riyadh.

Five days on, such political posters keep springing up across the neighbourhood of Tariq el-Jdideh, a Beirut stronghold of the Sunni Muslim leader.

Hariri, who has not returned to Lebanon since his announcement, stepped down after only 11 months in office, implicitly blaming Iran and its main ally in the country, Hezbollah, for his decision.

The move has raised the risk of an open-ended political conflict, stoking fears of an escalation in the struggle for regional dominance between rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Previous attempts to weaken Hezbollah has led to violence.

Symbol of Lebanon

In Beiruts microcosm of regional politics, residents of Tariq el-Jdideh and of Hezbollahs stronghold Dahieh attempted to make sense of the latest political developments.

Can you believe that a prime minister is being held outside his country? Jamal Chaqqif, a retired 60-year-old, told Al Jazeera while sitting at a cafe on one of Tariq el-Jdidehs main traffic arteries.





On both sides of the political divide, the theory that Hariri may be under house arrest in Saudi Arabia has gained a large consensus. Hariris own entourage expressed doubt as to when he would return to Lebanon.

In the meantime, his supporters affection seems to be unfazed.

The love for Hariri has increased, said Chaqqif. He is the symbol of the whole country.

Hariri, who heads the Future Movement, gained political support after his father, Rafiq, was killed in truck bomb blast in Beirut in 2005. His critics, however, argue he is inexperienced and less charismatic than his father.

In Tariq el-Jdideh, many admit things have not been the same since Rafiq Hariris murder, including social support for the Sunni community.

Yet, loyalty to the late leader and the lack of a credible alternative option, however, is widely seen as guaranteeing Hariri a large support base.

We dont have another Sunni leader, said Bilal Issam, a 45-years-old jewellery owner in Tariq el-Jdideh, urging Hariri to return to Lebanon.





The constitutional process to appoint a new prime minister has been put on hold, and Lebanese government officials have said there will be no action taken until Hariri returns to the country.

But should things move forward, Lebanon would need to navigate the complicated reality of finding another Sunni prime minister  in accordance with the countrys constitution  who could weather the regional power dynamics.

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Speculation over the possibility of a conflict fuelled by yet another political deadlock has loomed large. On Monday, Saudi Arabia ratcheted up the rhetoric, accusing Lebanon of having declared war against the kingdom because of what it described as acts of aggression committed by Hezbollah.

Looking out onto the street from the entrance of his shop, Issam said Tariq el-Jdideh had largely emptied out of fear something might happen. However, he says no one knows what that would be.

They fear an Israeli strike, or a Saudi strike, said Issam. The problem is that you dont know what is underneath all of this, what they [regional powers] are planning.

Issam said, however, that another civil war is unlikely. Who is gonna fight who? We [the Sunni Muslims] dont have weapons, only Hezbollah has weapons. And to fight you have to be two, he said.

E very one of us is Hezbollah

Just a 10-minute drive away from Tariq el-Jdideh lies the neighbourhood of Dahieh, where Hezbollahs headquarters are located.

Represented in government and parliament, Hezbollah is not just an armed group, but also a political party with strong popular support. In recent years, it has extended its influence beyond Lebanons borders, having sent forces to Syria to fight alongside President Bashar al-Assads troops.

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In the speech delivered from Saudi Arabia, Hariri accused the Iran-backed party of having staged an attempt on his life last week, drawing a comparison with his fathers murder. Hezbollah called Hariris resignation a Saudi-imposed decision.

Despite Lebanon being increasingly divided along two camps, Dahieh residents  similarly to those of Tariq el-Jdideh  also see their leaders as being representative of the whole country.

Hezbollah is not a party, its the Lebanese people, 35-year-old Brahim told Al Jazeera. We are dispossessed people, we have been fighting Israel every day. Every one of us is Hezbollah.

The Dahieh resident, who did not want to disclose his full name, said the Shia community in Lebanon does not fear a potential war with Israel because of Hezbollah acting as a deterrent.

Israel tried to wipe out Hezbollah in 2006 and did not manage, he said, referring to a 34-day conflict that took place 11 years ago. Now the party is even stronger than back then, after six years of war in Syria.

Shortly after Hariris resignation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the development a wake-up call to the international community to take action against Iranian aggression, adding that Hezbollahs empowerment endangers not only Israel but the entire Middle East.

But Nisrin Nasereldin, a 45-year-old journalist and Hezbollah supporter in Dahieh, said that a possibility of a military confrontation with Israel was distant, arguing that Tel Aviv would think twice before making such a move.

Iran, Syria and Lebanon have formed one front in the region, far from terrorism, she said.

However, Nasereldin said tension in the neighbourhood was palpable.

Everyone talks, but no one knows what the likely scenario might be, she said. There is a general fear for the future of the region. Something is being cooked up outside the country.
A general strike in Catalonia on Wednesday saw crowds taking to the streets in defiance of Madrid on the same day that Spains Constitutional Court officially annulled the Catalan parliaments independence declaration.

A general strike in Catalonia on Wednesday saw crowds taking to the streets in defiance of Madrid on the same day that Spains Constitutional Court officially annulled the Catalan parliaments independence declaration.

The ruling was issued as pro-independence protesters blocked roads and stopped trains in Spains northeastern region to protest the jailing of ousted Catalan government officials and secessionist activists.

Al Jazeeras Jonah Hull reports from Barcelona.
Algerian Djamel Ameziane says Canada was complicit in his detention and torture at US-run Guantanamo Bay prison.

Djamel Ameziane wants his dignity back.

The 50-year-old former prisoner says thats why he filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the Canadian government, alleging it was complicit in his detention and torture at the US-run military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Ameziane was detained without charge or trial at Guantanamo from early 2002 until December 2013, when he was forcibly returned to his native Algeria, despite fears for his safety.

I want people to know what happened to me, and I want them to know that Canada was partly to blame, Ameziane told Al Jazeera in an email interview.

I dont think Canada should be involved in torture of anyone else.

A $40-million claim

In a statement of claim filed in the Ontario Superior Court on November 6 and seen by Al Jazeera, Ameziane is seeking damages totalling almost $40m.

Between 1995 and 2000, Ameziane lived in Canada, where he was seeking political asylum after fleeing Algeria during a bloody civil war in the early 1990s.

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He alleges that Canadian officials exchanged information with their US counterparts that contributed to his mistreatment at the prison camp.

Amezianes Canadian lawyer, Nathan Whitling, told Al Jazeera that Ameziane is seeking a public inquiry or a trial to look into Canadas role in what happened.

We want Canada to be held to account, Whitling said.

We want their role in this whole process to be brought to light.

A spokesperson for Canadas Department of Public Safety said the government could not comment on Amezianes case since it is now before the courts.

However, Ottawa issued new directives in September that aim to avoid complicity in mistreatment or torture by foreign entities going forward, Scott Bardsley told Al Jazeera in an email.

The directives strengthen the rules overseeing Canadas spy agency (CSIS), its national police force (RCMP) and its border security agency (CBSA).

Canada must avoid knowingly contributing to mistreatment by foreign entities, Bardsley said.

The road to Guantanamo

Canadian officials began collecting information about Ameziane and other members of the Muslim community in Montreal in late 1999, the lawsuit alleges, and they shared that information with US intelligence officials.

The information-sharing process began after Ahmed Ressam, another Algerian man living in Montreal at the time, was caught with a stash of explosives in the boot of his car as he crossed the Canada-US border.

In what became known as the Millenium Plot, Ressam had planned to attack Los Angeles airport and was later sentenced to 37 years in prison.

After his asylum request in Canada was rejected in 2000, Ameziane said he went to Afghanistan because he feared what would happen if he returned to Algeria.

However, when fighting began there in 2001 after the US invasion, he fled to Pakistan.

That is where he was captured by local police and handed over to US forces in exchange for a bounty, the lawsuit states.

Ameziane says he was then shipped to a US military base in Kandahar; he further claims he was beaten while in custody.

Finally, in February 2002, he was flown  hooded, shackled and chained to the floor of a plane for the duration of his 15-hour journey  to Guantanamo.

Canadian interrogations held at Guantanamo: lawsuit

According to Whitling, Canadas cooperation with US intelligence officials was heightened in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Canada was just all too willing to participate in this torture and interrogation system that the US had created in Guantanamo, he said.

And in the years since then, its been gradually made clearer and clearer that these constituted very serious human rights violations and that Canada was complicit with the US in everything that happened down there.

Canada reached a $24m settlement last March for the role it played in the detention and torture of three men in Syria and Egypt in the early 2000s and publicly apologised to Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin.

In Amezianes case, Canadian officials travelled to Guantanamo to interrogate him in February and May 2003, according to his claim.

Canadian officials received and used information that their US counterparts obtained from Ameziane through the use of torture, the lawsuit alleges.

Information obtained by Canadian officials during their interrogations of Ameziane was also handed back to the US and used during subsequent abusive interrogation sessions at the prison, it states.

The Canadian officials interrogated Omar Khadr on those same trips, said Whitling.

Canadian-born Khadr, who was detained at age 15 in Afghanistan and spent a decade at Guantanamo, was awarded $8m in a settlement with the Canadian government in July.

Ameziane says he was interrogated hundreds of times by US officials.

According to his claim, he was beaten, exposed to severe cold, deprived of sunlight and fresh air, deprived of sleep, and prevented from exercising his religion while in detention.

On one occasion, his jaw was dislocated after guards slammed his head onto the floor of his cell. He was then pepper-sprayed and waterboarded several times, before having his feet chained to the floor in an interrogation room.

He was left writhing in pain and shivering under the cold air of the air conditioner, his clothes soaked and his body burning from the effect of the pepper spray, the lawsuit states.

Demanding a US apology, compensation

Ameziane is also waiting for a decision in a claim he first filed in 2008 with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a human rights body that is part of the Organization of American States.

There, Ameziane has asked for a ruling that would call on the US government to provide him with financial compensation, access to medical care and a public apology, among other measures.

His New York-based lawyer, Wells Dixon, told Al Jazeera the commission issued a precautionary judgment in 2008 ordering the US not to return Ameziane to Algeria. The US did so anyway, in violation of the order.

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Dixon said the case also asks the commission to push OAS member states to resettle the more than three dozen men who remain at Guantanamo but, like Ameziane, do not want to be repatriated to their home countries for fear of persecution.

As of September, 41 men remained in detention at Guantanamo.

Its critically important that OAS member states remain involved and resettle men like this. Its too late for Ameziane, but its not too late for some of the men [in Guantanamo], Dixon said.

Dixon added that the real unknown today is Donald Trumps administration.

Last month, Trump said he would consider sending the suspect in a deadly vehicular attack in Manhattan, Uzbek national Sayfullo Saipov, to Guantanamo.

During his campaign for president, Trump also promised to load [Guantanamo] up with some bad dudes.

Dixon said Trump has a total disregard for human rights [and] a visceral hatred for people who are Muslim.

What will his administration do vis-a-vis these detainees? he asked.

Getting his dignity back

For his part, Ameziane told Al Jazeera hes been literally struggling to survive since he returned to Algeria four years ago.

He currently lives in near-homelessness and cant find a job because of the Guantanamo stigma, he said.

He also still suffers from depression, nightmares and chronic migraine headaches as a result of [his] torture in Guantanamo, he said.

He said he hopes his lawsuit in Canada will help him pay for medical care and ultimately, get [his] dignity back.
At least 1,700 bank accounts have reportedly been frozen since the crackdown began, with the number expected to rise.

Saudi Arabias central bank has moved to allay investor fears amid an ongoing campaign of arrests targeting some of the countrys richest people, including members of the royal family.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency said the round-up, which is ostensibly aimed at ending corruption, would not affect businesses associated with those arrested.

Bank accounts that have been frozen for individuals involved in corruption cases do not include the bank accounts of the companies in which they have ownership, the statement said.

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On Saturday, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman launched a purge of his rivals within the royal family and the countrys business elite.

Those arrested include: his cousin (and Saudi Arabias richest man) Alwaleed bin Talal; at least 11 other princes; four ministers; and several more ex-ministers.

Waleed al-Ibrahim, chairman of the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC), one of the regions largest media companies, and construction magnate, Bakr Binladin of the Saudi Binladin group, were also arrested.

The purge was later expanded to include others and at least 1,700 bank accounts have been frozen so far, with the number expected to rise, according to the Reuters news agency.

Former crown prince, Mohammed Bin Nayef, who has not been seen publicly since June and is believed to be under house arrest, also had his accounts frozen.

According to the Wall Street Journal journal, the newly formed anti-corruption committee is aiming to seize up to $800bn in assets from those arrested.

Saudi Arabias close ally, the United Arab Emirates, has also ordered its banks to provide details of accounts held by the detained princes and other Saudi nationals.

Diminishing reserves

If successful, the money raised from the sale of those assets could help to replenish the countrys diminishing foreign currency reserves, which stood at $487bn in July this year, down from a high of $737bn in August 2014.

Since the oil price crash of mid-2014, Saudi Arabias GDP growth has contracted from 3.7 percent growth that year to a predicted growth of just 0.1 percent in 2017.

Saudi Arabias benchmark stock index, Tadawul, does not seem to have been significantly impacted by the events of the last week, with losses and gains well within the bounds of everyday trading.

However, how much of that is down to government intervention is up for debate.

A Reuters report on Wednesday citing asset managers in the country said government-linked investment funds were buying shares to support the market.

In terms of long-term affect, Bin Salmans consolidation of power creates a previously unseen level of political instability that could affect the Saudi economy.

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In an opinion piece published November 8, Fitch Ratings said the arrests of members of the Saudi royal family, current and former ministers and prominent businessmen increase political uncertainty in Saudi Arabia.

The ratings agency explained the concentration of power in the crown princes hands would bolster economic and social reform efforts but came with the risk of backlash from within the royal family and from Saudi citizens unhappy with the changes.

Reforms

Bin Salmans political consolidation has come coupled with an ambitious programme of social and economic reforms aimed at modernisation the country.

Socially the crown prince has promised to return to a moderate form of Islam and end the countrys infamous prohibition against women driving.

Fiscally, the prince has pledged to transform the countrys economy by ending its dependence on oil, develop new technologies, cut welfare costs, introduce taxes, and privatise state-owned assets.

The plan, dubbed Vision2030, is seen as Mohammed Bin Salmans flagship policy and his success will likely be tied to that of the reforms he is implementing, according to analysts.

A Chatham House paper published in August warned that if the plan was unsuccessful existing criticisms of his individual leadership style are likely to deepen among those who resent his rapid rise.

According to financial experts the flagship public flotation of the Saudi state-owned oil company, Aramco, also comes with a degree of difficulty for the crown prince, especially given the ongoing purges.

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A recent Financial Times editorial suggested potential investors in the company would be put off by the arrests of senior Saudi royals.

() foreign investors will have qualms about the governance of the state oil company, it said, adding: Any ruler who arrests his relatives will not listen much to minority shareholders.
The economy in the Kurdish region of Iraq has taken a hit after the referendum on secession.

The economy in the Kurdish region of Iraq has taken a hit after the referendum on secession.

The central government in Baghdad has closed international airspace, tourists are staying away, and theres been fighting between Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga.

And while a ceasefire is now in place, uncertainty continues to affect the region and its economy.

The Kurds are disappointed in the people they thought were their allies, especially the US.

Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker reports from Dohuk, Northern Iraq.
American citizen was arrested and taken into police custody over a tweet that described President Mugabe as a goblin.

Harare, Zimbabwe  A Zimbabwean High Court judge has granted bail to American journalist Martha ODonovan who is facing charges of subversion and insulting President Robert Mugabe on social media.

The ruling, which was made in her absence on Thursday afternoon, granted a $1,000 bail on the grounds that the state failed to exhibit the contents of the alleged tweets calling on people to protest against the government.

Her lawyer Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal NGO, told Al Jazeera he was pleased with the outcome.

I am very happy that justice has been done, Im glad that my client has been vindicated because we have always argued that she was a perfect candidate for bail, he said outside the court.

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ODonovan, employed as a programme associate of Magamba TV, an online channel that describes itself as Zimbabwes leading creator of political satire, was arrested and taken into custody last week over allegations she published a tweet that described the 93-year-old president as a goblin.

Charges of attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government were later added to her docket and upheld by the courts.

A subversion charge carries a 20-year prison sentence in the Southern African nation.

Farai Munroe, a local comedian (also known as Comrade Fatso) and cofounder of Magamba TV told Al Jazeera that he was very pleased with the courts ruling.

We are all very ecstatic with the bail ruling, everyone at Magamba and everyone that has supported the process.

I think the judge showed the state lacked a strong case, lacked evidence and we are ecstatic that step one has been achieved in this struggle to free Martha and that is that she has got bail.

Munroe added: We are hopeful and confident in going to the next step, that is her getting the charges dropped and getting her out of Chikurubi maximum security prison where shes been put over a couple of tweets.

Very hopeful

The 25-year-old journalist has spent at least three days in Chikurubi Prison, a maximum security facility on the outskirts of the capital that has gained notoriety among locals for its squalid conditions and frequent food shortages.





However, according to David McGuire, the Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy in Zimbabwe, representatives from the consular service have maintained direct and daily contact with ODonovan.

She is reportedly in good health.

McGuire added that while he was unwilling to speculate on the overall outcome of the case, the US embassy was encouraged by the bail ruling and was hopeful of a positive result in the end.

The US Embassy is watching [this case] very closely, and we will stand by the process every step of the way, we are very hopeful for a positive outcome, he said in a telephone interview.

ODonovans arrest marks the first internet abuse case since the creation of a cybersecurity ministry in a cabinet reshuffle last month.

The Mugabe government says the ministry is designed to monitor cybersecurity, detect possible threats and breaches of future laws governing social media use.

ODonovan is expected to report to the police on a bi-weekly basis and submit her travel documents to the clerk of court until the trial, which is set to continue later this month, is over.

Follow Tendai Marima on Twitter and Instagram @i_amten.
Analysts say Kurds have little leverage in negotiations with central government due to Baghdads politicised agenda.

An Iraqi courts decision ruling against secession following a Kurdish bid for independence was highly politicised and part of a wider set of vengeful policies imposed by Baghdad, officials in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region told Al Jazeera.

Iraqs Supreme Federal Court said on Monday that the constitution did not allow for the secession of any part of the country, stressing the preservation of unity and territorial integrity.

We have not committed any illegal steps, Mohammed Ali, the spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), told Al Jazeera. We believe that this has been politicised.

The court is responsible for settling all disputes between Baghdads central government and regional provinces. Its rulings cannot be contested.

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In fact, all the reactions in the post-referendum period have been highly politicised, and it is very unfortunate to see an entity such as the constitutional court is taking sides, said Ali.

The court decision came after Masoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), decided not to extend his presidential term past November 1, and quit his position after being in office for 12 years, though his tenure had officially ended in August 2015.

The 71-year-olds powers have now been distributed among the KRG, headed by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani  Masouds nephew  the parliament, and the judiciary council. The office of the presidency has since been abolished.

Masoud Barzanis departure came just over a month after the secession referendum he spearheaded. The vote, which was held on September 25, saw 93 percent cast ballots for independence, despite lacking regional and international support.

The vote heightened tensions with Baghdad, which had declared the move as illegal. Days of fighting between Iraqi government and Kurdish Peshmerga forces followed.

It is against the constitution for the Iraqi army to use arms against its own people, which also exactly what happened, unfortunately, said Ali.

The Iraqi army, backed by Shia-dominated paramilitaries, captured oil-rich Kirkuk province on October 21 after a rapid advance in the wake of the referendum. Since 2014, Peshmerga forces had controlled key oil reserves in the city, after they pushed out fighters from the ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS) group.

The operation saw Baghdad retake five oil fields from the Kurdish forces, which heavily affected the KRGs finances as it had depended on revenues from the citys oil exports.

Economically speaking, the Kurdistan region is going through a very hard time, and if Baghdad continues these policies of revenge we will face serious problems, Ali added.

Constitutional violation

Earlier, the KRG deemed drafting Iraqs 2018 monetary budget without Kurdish participation as a constitutional violation and appealed to the federal government.

The draft includes reducing the Kurdish regions share of the federal budget from 17 percent to 12 percent.

The drafting of the budget has been done with a mentality of revenge  even the budget has been politicised, Ali said, as he decried the central governments sanctions, including an international air embargo on the Kurdish region.

Several parties in the KRG had opposed the referendum, fearing a backlash.

Sadie Pier, a senior KRG official and member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party (PUK), told Al Jazeera that with Masouds resignation, several issues have been solved.

Masouds presidential term was problematic internally, and with that resolved, I would say the region has one main problem at the moment, said Pier.

The only problem persisting is the one between the KRG and the central government in Baghdad.

Last month, the KRG offered to freeze the results of the referendum in order to resume negotiations with Baghdad  but Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi rejected the proposal and insisted on an annulment.

For every action, there is a reaction, and I believe this applies to all parties involved, said Pier.

They cannot reach a decision on whether the referendum was constitutional or not  without even consulting us, he said of the court decision. Given that Iraq is a signatory to several international agreements, the right to self-determination should be granted to us  meaning the constitutional results are surely reflective of the Kurds wishes.

Weaker bargaining position

While the KRG faces political and economic instability, analysts say that it is now in a much weaker bargaining position since the referendum.

And with the new structure implemented in the semi-autonomous region, the leadership vacuum casts doubt over the possibility of carrying out negotiations with Baghdad.

I would question the courts independence; I dont think its independent, Chatham House fellow Renad Mansour told Al Jazeera. Its hard to view these as legal matters because its all politics, so even something like the court is politicised.

At the moment they need to find proper leadership to negotiate on their behalf  I think Nechirvan Barzani is coming out to be the lead negotiator.

The sectarian nature of Iraq has at times allowed for the political emergence of non-state actors, such as the Popular Mobilization Forces  dubbed the countrys second and stronger army.

Its also important to note that institutions dont mean power in Iraq  just because you dont have an institutional role, doesnt mean that youre not powerful, Mansour said, adding that this model exists both in the Kurdish region and in Baghdad.

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You can stop being prime minister for example, but still be very powerful, he said. So I dont think its a complete loss of power, and I think he [Masoud] will still remain an influence.

Similarly, Ranj Alaaldin, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institute in Qatars capital, Doha, said that since the court has not ruled on the referendum itself, it provided Erbil and Baghdad with a face-saving ruling and that opens up the space for dialogue.

After that [budget] was cut by Baghdad and oil prices declined, austerity measures helped the region withstand the fallout as did control over Kirkuks oilfields.

In the short and medium term, Kurdistans economy will be heavily, if not wholly dependent on its share of the national budget, Alaaldin explained.

A way in which the Kurds can reclaim their full share of the national budget is to maintain a unified front in Baghdad, says Alaaldin.

Nechirvan by Ranj

adopted a much-needed conciliatory approach to politics and governance that will be critical to remedying the political tumult]

Despite the KRGs crises of internal sovereignty, Nechirvan Barzani appears to be the leading figure in the negotiation process with Baghdad.

Nechirvan adopted a much-needed conciliatory approach to politics and governance that will be critical to remedying the political tumult, said Alaaldin.

Whether Erbil and Baghdad succeed in taking the necessary steps towards reconciliation, negotiations will likely involve the United States and other actors.

The reason were calling for international support for these talks to happen is because there is no way for both of us to continue like this  we are still a part of Iraq, with all of this punishment and treachery this will not lead Iraq to a peaceful solution, said Ali, the KDP spokesman.

Meanwhile, he added, the Kurdish regional parliament may examine a proposal to amend the Kurdish presidency law, which discusses the possibility of introducing a semi-presidential system to the northern region.

Either way, Chatham House fellow Mansour noted that ongoing sanctions from Baghdad might lead to negative consequences for both sides.

Its very dangerous if Abadi is unable to control how much punishment is given to the Kurdistan region, he said. He cannot go too far.
Saudi Arabia is making it clear it intends to take action against Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, as the crisis in regional politics deepens.

Saudi Arabia is making it clear it intends to take action against Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, as the crisis in regional politics deepens.

The resignation of Lebanons Prime Minister Saad Hariri was the first step. But it is not yet clear what further action Riyadh intends to take, as people in Lebanon fear the worst.

Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut.
Qatar has appointed 28 new members to one of its most important consultative bodies, including four women, a royal decree announced.

The women will sit on the 45-strong Shura Council, which is responsible for discussing draft laws, general government policy and the states draft budget, state media said on Thursday.

Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued an emiri decree renewing the membership of some Shura Council members and appointing 28 new members to include women for the first time in the history of the  council, Qatar News Agency reported, citing a statement.

The women appointed are Hind Abdul Rahman al-Muftah, Hessa Sultan al-Jaber, Reem al-Mansoori and Aisha Yousef al-Mannai.

The announcement comes as Qatar continues to deal with a five-month long diplomatic crisis in the Gulf, which has seen the country politically and economically blockaded by neighbouring countries  Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt.

Since the crisis began, Doha has made several notable social policy changes, including changes to its residency laws and labour laws to protect the two million-plus migrant workers in Qatar.

The four newly elected women are not the first to enter politics in Qatar; in 2015, two women were voted on to the countrys only directly elected body, the 29-strong central municipal council.

Previously, Jaber became only the third woman appointed to the cabinet, when she was selected as communications minister in 2013.

Qatar announced it would hold elections to the Shura Council in 2007, but the vote was subsequently postponed. A new date for the election has yet to be announced.
At least 15,000 refugees in Greece want to reconnect with family members, many of whom are in Germany, but bringing them together is a slow process.

Refugee families who were separated during their journeys to Europe over the past few years are starting to be reunited by immigration officials.

At least 15,000 refugees in Greece want to reconnect with family members, many of whom are in Germany, but bringing them together is a slow process.

Greek authorities are sending refugees to be reunited with family members in other European countries at a rate of about 300 per month. But there is a backlog of about 4,000 approved cases, many of whom have waited more than six months.

Some have gone on hunger strike in a bid to urge authorities to expedite their family reunions.

Al Jazeeras John Psaropoulos reports from Athens.
Parwiz Sapy went on air to read bulletin just moments after Tuesdays ISIL attack on Shamshad TV station in Kabul ended.

An Afghan journalist stunned viewers by appearing on television to present the news, moments after an attack by ISIL fighters at his stations premises in Kabul came to an end.

Defiant Parwiz Sapy appeared calm and collected on Shamshad TV as he announced to viewers on Tuesday: The attack has ended.

Earlier, fighters with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) had stormed the station in the Afghan capital.

A security guard was killed by the attackers, who were disguised as policemen. At least 24 others were wounded.

Asalamualikum [Peace be upon you] Shamshad TV viewers, all staff members inside the building have been rescued, Sapy said in Pashto, his hands bandaged after breaking a window in the newsroom so his colleagues could flee the attack.

We have all resumed our work, all our journalists are back on duty.

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The station reported in a live broadcast that at least one attacker had blown himself up at the gate while another ran inside.

Afghan security forces battled the fighters and conducted a rescue operation that lasted almost four hours.

Broadcasting briefly stopped during the attack, pulling the channel off air.

We were in the middle of our daily morning meeting when we heard gunfire, Sapy told Al Jazeera.

The only escape route was a tiny window in our newsroom, so I ran towards it and punched it.

I took out the bits and pieces of glass with my hands and shouted everyone get out from here! and that is where most of us managed to escape from.

Shamshad has large audiences in areas where members of Pashtun ethnic groups are based, including areas of Afghanistan dominated by the Taliban.

The station had not received threats in the past.

Several social media users praised Sapys response.

In case you missed it. This journalist stands for true resilience #ShamshadTV https://t.co/oPBcQZn4Kk  Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi (@WasHasNaz) November 8, 2017

Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin, former EU ambassador and EU special representative for Afghanistan, tweeted: Must admire Afghan journalists resilience and determination.

Twitter user Naimat Khan said: A very loud message to terrorists. You can beat armies but not journalists.

Carmen Fernandez, a Spanish journalist, wrote on Twitter: Much respect.

Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi, a journalist with Deutsche Welle, said: This journalist stands for true resilience.

Hamid A Saboory tweeted: Moments after attackers were killed, Shamshad TV journalist back to work. High spirit and resilience cant be terrorised.

Tears of happiness

Sapy explained that at the time of his first live broadcast after the attack, he understood the power of media and that the experience made him adamant to continue his job as a journalist.

We all had tears of happiness and were as motivated as ever to continue doing our jobs as journalists, he told Al Jazeera. After this attack by militants, we knew we were doing something right.

Sapy and his colleagues refused to go home and waited outside the station until the operation was over.

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My family kept calling me over the phone asking me to return back home, but like my other colleagues, I did not leave, he said.

Shamshad TV broadcasts a variety of programmes including news and current affairs and it is one of the BBCs partner stations.

With a decade of experience in Afghanistans media, Sapy believes that journalists are constantly under threat.

Afghan Journalists Safety Committee reported a surge in attacks against journalists with 73 cases recorded in 2017, an increase of 35 percent compared with 2016.

This makes Afghanistan the second most dangerous country for reporters in the world after Syria.

In May, ISIL claimed an attack targetting an Afghan state television building in Jalalabad that killed six people.

In January 2016, after threats from the Taliban, a minibus carrying TOLOnews employees was bombed, killing seven people during the evening rush hour.

The Taliban had openly threatened to target the television channel after it reported allegations of summary executions, rape, kidnappings and other abuses by Taliban fighters during the battle for Kunduz.

The armed group said at the time that the reports were inaccurate and threatened unspecified consequences.

It is one of the most difficult countries to report from, but such attacks can only make us stronger, Sapy said. My message to all young reporters is to continue doing your job. If they are attacking you, attack back with your journalism.

Follow Shereena Qazi on Twitter: @ShereenaQazi
Governments of three Gulf states urge citizens to leave as soon as possible and warn against travelling to Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have advised their citizens not to travel to Lebanon and urged those who are in the country to leave as soon as possible.

Saudi Arabias official news agency SPA quoted a source in the foreign ministry on Thursday as saying: Due to the situations in the Republic of Lebanon, the official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Saudi nationals visiting or residing in Lebanon are asked to leave the country as soon as possible.

The Kingdom advised all citizens not to travel to Lebanon from any other international destinations.

Only hours later, Kuwait and the UAE also urged its nationals to leave Lebanon immediately.

Bahrain  an ally of Saudi Arabia  had already ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon on Sunday, with the Bahraini foreign ministry issuing a travel advisory that cited safety considerations.

Leave of absence

Lebanon has been on edge after the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who announced his departure while on a visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

His whereabouts have since been unknown. However, officials told Al Jazeera on Thursday that Hariri may be under house arrest or temporarily detained in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

Lebanons Future Movement party, which is headed by Hariri, demanded on Thursday that the prime minister returns from the kingdom immediately in its sharpest statement yet over his leave of absence.

The return of the Lebanese prime minister, the national leader, Saad al-Hariri, and the head of the Future Movement, is necessary to restore the dignity and respect to Lebanon at home and abroad, said a former prime minister, Fouad Siniora, in a statement read on TV.

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Al Jazeeras correspondent in Lebanon said that the countrys President, Michel Aoun, would soon call for assistance from the international community, the Arab League, the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Russia  to help uncover the reason behind Hariris unexpected resignation.

Reuters news agency reported on Thursday, citing a senior Lebanese official, that the Lebanese government has not received Hariris official resignation papers, and as such still considers him as prime minister. The official added that the restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia act as an attack on Lebanons leaders.

Riyadh has denied that the prime minister is under house arrest.

War declaration

In his November 4 resignation, Hariri implicitly blamed Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, for his decision. In his speech, he said that he suspected there were plans to target his life.

His father, Rafik Hariri  who also served as prime minister  was killed by in a bomb attack in 2005. Many of Hariris supporters blamed the bombing on Hezbollah, which denies it was involved.

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In his address from Riyadh, Saad al-Hariri said Iran planted disorder and destruction in the country and meddled in the internal issues of Lebanon as well as other Arab countries.

Referring to Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, Hariri said, Irans arm  has managed to impose a fait accompli on Lebanon through the power of its weapons in the last few decades.

They have built a state within a state, Hariri said from Riyadh.

His unexpected move also stoked fears of an escalation in the regional divide between Iran and the Gulf states, primarily Saudi Arabia, with Lebanon on the front lines.

Thamer al-Sabhan, the Saudi minister for Gulf affairs, said on Monday that Lebanons government would be dealt with as a government declaring war on Saudi Arabia because of what he described as acts of aggression committed by Hezbollah.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Sabhan said Hezbollah was involved in every terrorist act that threatened Saudi Arabia.

The Lebanese must choose between peace or aligning with Hezbollah, he added, without offering details about what action Riyadh might take against Beirut.

Hariri, a leading Sunni politician, has been in office for less than a year, but previously served as prime minister between 2009 and 2011.
Doctors say hundreds of patients face death unless urgently needed medical supplies are allowed into besieged ports.

Hundreds of sick and elderly Yemenis will die within the next week unless Saudi Arabia lifts its blockade and allows urgently needed medical supplies into the country.

Doctors in the capital told Al Jazeera pharmacies across Sanaa that were already struggling with a critical shortage of specialist drugs, would be unable to treat cancer, diabetes and renal failure patients by the start of next week.

Were running dangerously low on medical supplies and wont have anywhere near the necessary vials of pain-relief medication, insulin, and other specialist medicines for our patients, said Abdulrahman al-Ansi, a doctor at Sanaas al-Mutawkil hospital.





Ali, a two-year-old boy with acute lymphocytic leukaemia died last month as a direct result of the absence of cancer medications, he said.

Unless Saudi Arabia eases its restrictions and allows food and medical supplies, I could end up losing all of my cancer patients  even those suffering from diabetes  [a treatable disease] will die. Hundreds will perish in the next week alone.

Saudi Arabia, which has been at war with Yemen since 2015, tightened its air, land and sea blockade of the country on Sunday, after Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile towards the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The Houthis, a group of fighters that controls the capital and large expanses of the country, justified the missile attack, blaming Saudi-led air strikes  which have killed thousands of people  of ravaging large parts of north Yemen.

The kingdom has defended the blockade, which bars aid groups like Doctors without Borders, Oxfam and UN agencies from delivering aid, claiming it is aimed at preventing weapons being smuggled into Yemen by its regional rival, Iran.

Tehran has rejected allegations of arming the Houthis, calling them malicious, irresponsible, destructive and provocative.

The by Mohamed

al-Assads playbook. They think this siege will break us and well accept their plan for the country. I may not live to see the end of this war, but I pray the Saudis lose.]

Fatal consequences

Aid organisations in Yemen said they were greatly alarmed by Saudi Arabias decision, warning it could bring millions of people closer to starvation and death.

The current stock of vaccines in the country will only last one month. If it is not replenished, outbreaks of communicable diseases, such as polio and measles, are to be expected with fatal consequences, particularly for children under five years of age and those already suffering from malnutrition, said Oxfam, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and 19 other aid groups in a joint statement.

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The 22 humanitarian groups also warned Yemen had only six weeks of food aid remaining for about seven million Yemenis who are facing famine-like conditions.

The humanitarian situation in Yemen is extremely fragile and any disruption in the pipeline of critical supplies such as food, fuel and medicines has the potential to bring millions of people closer to starvation and death, they added.

Since the start of Sundays siege, the countrys already inflated food and fuel prices have skyrocketed, while flights delivering much-needed humanitarian aid have been prevented from landing.

Assads playbook

I havent received my salary in months, Mohamed Aboubakr, a 62-year-old civil servant, who was undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital, told Al Jazeera.

How am I going to pay my medical bills? he asked. Prices have soared since the start of the siege  what am I supposed to do?

Aboubakr said he had borrowed more than $2,000 from friends and family to pay for the treatment, but with the tightening of the siege, suggested it could have all been in vain.





The Saudis have taken a page from [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assads playbook. They think this siege will break us and well accept their plan for the country. I may not live to see the end of this war, but I pray the Saudis lose.

The streets of Sanaa were almost free of cars on Thursday due to a fuel shortage, with locals saying public transport fares have doubled.

Azzubair Abdullah Hasan, a medic at a cholera centre in Sanaas Aljiraf neighbourhood, said even wealthy Yemenis were beginning to feel the pinch.

Everything has gone up in price, Hasan told Al Jazeera.

Cooking gas has spiked and filling up my car with petrol now costs YR10,000 ($38) [it cost YR6,000 before the start of the siege], how can people continue with their lives. The situation is unbearable.

Saudi Arabia entered the conflict in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthi rebels took over the capital, Sanaa, and forced Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee.

Together with a coalition of other Arab states, and with logistical support from the United States and other western powers, Saudi Arabia has pushed the Houthis from the southern port city of Aden, but has failed to dislodge them from Sanaa and their northern strongholds.

According to the UN, the conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and left over seven million in need of food assistance.

Millions of others do not have adequate access to health, water and sanitation services.

The country has also been hit by a cholera outbreak, with some 900,000 suspected cases since April.
In interview, Adel al-Jubeir urges new sanctions against Iran and backs kingdoms decisive action against corruption.

Saudi Arabias foreign minister has called for new international sanctions to be imposed on Iran for its support for terrorism, as an escalating war of words between Tehran and Riyadh sends ripples across the region.

Adel al-Jubeir said Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism in an interview with US television network CNBC that aired on Thursday.

He condemned Iran for its ballistic missile programme and its support for Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah.





We would like to see sanctions on Iran for its support of terrorism and sanctions on Iran for violating the ballistic missile resolutions of the United Nations, al-Jubeir said.

Asked whether Saudi Arabia was headed for a direct confrontation with Iran, he responded: We hope not.

The comments come as Saudi Arabia faces accusations that it forced Saad Hariri, Lebanons prime minister, to resign as a way to put pressure on Hezbollah and the groups Iranian backers.

Hariri announced his resignation from Riyadh last Saturday, plunging Lebanon into political uncertainty.

Rumours abound that Hariri is being held under house arrest in the kingdom, a claim Riyadh has denied.

Thumb of Hezbollah

Asked whether the Saudis would directly confront Hezbollah, al-Jubeir said only that the kingdom was looking at various options about how to deal with the group.

We cannot allow Lebanon to be a platform from which harm comes to Saudi Arabia, he told CNBC.

He said Saudi Arabia wants to help the Lebanese people come out from under the thumb of Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on Thursday advised their citizens not to travel to Lebanon and urged those who are in the country to leave as soon as possible.

Al-Jubeir said the Saudis position vis-a-vis Hezbollah is in line with that of the Trump administration and other regional allies, including Egypt.

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He would not comment, however, on rumours that Saudi Arabia will work with Israel against Hezbollah.

We are urging the Lebanese and the Lebanese government in particular to take firm and resolute actions against Hezbollah, al-Jubeir said.

With regard to the ongoing campaign of arrests targeting some of Saudi Arabias richest people, including members of the royal family, al-Jubeir was asked about the possible consequences of the lack of transparency.

I think that this will increase investor confidence in Saudi Arabia because it shows that we have adopted a zero-tolerance policy on corruption just as we have adopted a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and extremism and terror financing, he said.

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced more than two and a half years ago that it will fight corruption and fight it robustly.

Ongoing purge

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Saudi Arabias Monetary Agency said the detentions, which are ostensibly aimed at ending corruption, would not affect businesses associated with those arrested.

Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, launched on Saturday a purge of his rivals within the royal family and the countrys business elite.

Al-Jubeir said the crown prince has made it very clear that no prince and no minister and no high-ranking official is immune from corruption charges.





The public prosecutor started an investigation two and a half years ago and unearthed a large number of cases of individuals who are involved in corruption and the decision was made to bring these people in for questioning and to confront them with the evidence and to deal with this issue in a very resolute manner.

Al-Jubeir went on to say: A sizeable percentage of our budget, we discovered, was being stolen and this cannot stand. Where you have corruption, you cannot have justice; you cannot have investment, you cannot have efficient and transparent government.

I believe that the international community will be very, very pleased that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not only transparent, not only firm, but has actually taken decisive action against individuals who robbed public goods.

And the reason the names have not been announced is that, under our legal system, we dont publicise names until after the verdicts are out.  this is a hugely important step for Saudi Arabia.

Now foreign investors can come into Saudi Arabia and compete on an equal footing with everybody else.
Mohammed bin Nayef, Saudi Arabias ex-crown prince who was removed as next in line to the throne in June, has reportedly become the latest royal family member to be targeted in the kingdoms expanding anti-corruption crackdown.

According to Reuters news agency and the Wall Street Journal, bank accounts linked to Mohammed bin Nayef and some of his immediate relatives were frozen by Saudi authorities.

Both reports on Wednesday cited sources familiar with the matter. The Reuters report was also carried by Saudi state-owned media.

The freezing of Mohammed bin Nayefs accounts came as Saudi authorities launched a new arrest campaign as part of the widening purge that began on Saturday, according to Reuters.

Dozens of royals, government officials and influential entrepreneurs have already been detained, facing a number of allegations, including money laundering and bribery.

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Among those held are 11 princes, four ministers and several former ministers, in what is seen as an unprecedented crackdown that has shaken the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the number of domestic bank accounts frozen as a result of the purge is more than 1,700 and increasing, according to the reports.

High-profile detentions

The steps were the latest in a series of policies widely seen as an effort by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to assert power over the country and its political and business elite.

On Saturday, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud announced that his son, the crown prince, would oversee a newly formed anti-graft commission that would purge the country of corruption.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman who owns investment firm, Kingdom Holding, was among those held. The list of detainees also included senior ministers who were recently sacked, such as Prince Mitaab bin Abdullah, the head of the National Guard, and Adel Faqih, the economy minister.

Mohammed bin Salman replaced his cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as the kingdoms crown prince in June.

Mohammed bin Nayef made his first confirmed public appearance since his removal at the funeral on Tuesday for Prince Mansour bin Muqrin Al Saud, deputy governor of Asir province, according to Saudi media.

Mansour bin Muqrin died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. No cause has been given for the crash.

Rights concerns

On Wednesday, US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement that the mass arrests carried out by Saudi Arabia raised human rights concerns.





The middle-of-the-night simultaneous establishment of a new corruption body and mass arrests over corruption raise concerns that Saudi authorities detained people en masse and without outlining the basis of the detentions, Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW, said.

While Saudi media are framing these measures as Mohammad bin Salmans move against corruption, the mass arrests suggest this may be more about internal power politics, she added.

The rights group noted that arbitrary detention is in contravention of international human rights law, and demanded those arrested be informed of the specific grounds for their arrest and  be able to fairly contest their detention before an independent and impartial judge.

Saudi authorities have not disclosed the specific reasons for the detention of the dozens of other people since mid-September. But the detentions fit a pattern of human rights violations against peaceful advocates and dissidents, including harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns, travel bans, detention, and prosecution, its statement added.
Northern India, including the countrys capital New Delhi, and neighbouring Pakistan are facing a major air pollution crisis.

Northern India, including the countrys capital New Delhi, and neighbouring Pakistan are facing a major air pollution crisis that has disrupted the daily lives of many people and threatened their health significantly.

New Delhi has temporarily closed 4,000 schools and will start to ban cars on certain days in a bid to combat the problem.

A recent study found that pollution was linked to 2.5 million deaths in India in 2015 and New Delhi is its most polluted city. The air quality in the Indian capital is sitting at 40 times the World Health Organizations safe limit. Doctors say it is the same as smoking 50 cigarettes a day.

How is smog formed?

Smog results when a photochemical reaction takes place between air pollutants from crop burning, vehicles and others sources, and sunlight and heat. The resulting thick haze  also known as ground-level ozone  gets trapped near the earth due to warm air in the atmosphere.

The following graphic reflects the process of smog formation.
Senior officer Hamid Shakil and his driver were killed in latest attack to hit restive province of Balochistan.

Islamabad, Pakistan  A roadside bomb explosion in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta has killed at least two police personnel, including a senior police officer, authorities say, the latest in a series of attacks on police in the restive province of Balochistan.

Senior officer Hamid Shakil and his driver were killed, while at least three others were wounded, in the explosion on Thursday morning, which targeted Shakils vehicle, Quetta police chief Abdul Razzaq Cheema told Al Jazeera.

Local police official Naimatullah confirmed the death toll, although he said it was not immediately clear whether the explosion was caused by a roadside IED or a suicide attacker.

He was going from his home in Chaman Housing Scheme [area of the city] to his office when the blast occurred, said Naimatullah, who goes by only one name.

Shakil was serving as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), the second highest rank in the provincial police force.

Images from the scene showed the mangled remains of his pick-up truck, the front and passenger side of the vehicle appearing to have borne the brunt of the blast.

Series of attacks

The explosion took place in the heart of the provincial capital of Balochistan, which has seen a series of attacks on police personnel and others in recent days.

On October 18, seven police officers were killed and 22 wounded when their vehicle was targeted in a roadside suicide bombing in the Saryab road area of Quetta.

Earlier in October, five people were killed in an attack aimed at the citys sizeable Hazara Shia Muslim community.

Days earlier, a suicide bomber killed at least 18 people at a shrine in the town of Jhal Magsi, about 165km south of Quetta.

Balochistan has been at the centre of attacks by both armed religious groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (also known as the Pakistani Taliban) and armed ethnic Baloch separatists fighting for independence from Pakistan.

Increasingly, it has come under fire from local affiliates of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, such as the Lashkar-e-Jhangvis Al-Alami faction.

The province has also been at the centre of much of the transport infrastructure development related to the $56bn China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a trade corridor linking southwestern China to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan that culminates in the Gwadar port in southern Balochistan.

Baloch separatist fighters have often claimed responsibility for attacks on security and police personnel deployed to protect construction projects along the corridor.

Follow Asad Hashim on Twitter: @AsadHashim
Anti-government protesters in the West African country of Togo have been on the streets of the capital, Lome, to call for constitutional change and the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has been in power for 50 years.

Anti-government protesters in the West African country of Togo have been on the streets of the capital, Lome, to call for constitutional change and the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has been in power for 50 years.

A coalition of 14 opposition parties says it wants to honour the 1992 constitution that stipulates a limit of two five-year terms for the president and a two-round voting system.

At least 16 people have been killed and more than 200 others injured in clashes between protesters and police since August.

Al Jazeeras Charles Stratford reports.
The United Nations says Yemen, which is facing the worlds worst case of famine in decades, will suffer more unless the Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi rebels, who are based in the capital Sanaa, allows aid into the country.

The United Nations says Yemen, which is facing the worlds worst case of famine in decades, will suffer more unless the Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi rebels, who are based in the capital Sanaa, allows aid into the country.

Food and fuel prices in Yemen have skyrocketed since Saturday, when the coalitions blockade was tightened in response to a Houthi missile attack that reached Saudi Arabias capital Riyadh.

Air and sea ports sit abandoned while citizens express outrage in Yemen. Sanaas international airport has been completely brought to a halt due to the blockade.

Al Jazeeras Mohammed Jamjoom reports.
President Joseph Kabila, who has ruled for 16 years, is unable to seek third term in office under constitution.

Rights groups and opposition politicians have issued concern as DRC President Joseph Kabila looks set to remain leader for another 14 months, having held power for the past 16 years.

After delaying a presidential vote because of violence, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) on Sunday set a date for the election  December 23, 2018.

Elections were meant to take place in November 2016, but officials said the vote was postponed because of deadly violence in the Kasai region and logistical hurdles.

The country has seen widespread anger over what some see as President Kabilas refusal to relinquish power after his second full term ended in December 2016.

He had taken power after his father was assassinated in 2001, and was elected in 2006 and 2011.

According to the constitution, Kabila cannot seek a third term.

It appears they made that change just to satisfy donor pressure, with few guarantees whether this schedule will be respected by Jason Stearns, head of Congo Research Group

Shortly after Sundays announcement, Felix Tshisekedi, opposition leader, called for protests.

The election commissions calendar will sound the death knell of the regime, Tshisekedi said, writing on Twitter.

The announcement came little more than one week after US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haleys visit to DRC, who before meeting Kabila said elections should take place by the end of 2018.

We knew elections would not be held this year. What is more surprising is the relatively arbitrary change in dates: the commission had initially said it would take them exactly 504 days after voter registration to hold elections, Jason Sterns, head of the Congo Research Group, told Al Jazeera. Then suddenly, after Nikki Haley asked them to hold elections in 2018, they somehow cut that period down to 300 days.

It appears they made that change just to satisfy donor pressure, with few guarantees whether this schedule will be respected.

Fanciful election calendar

The new president is expected to take oath on January 12, 2019. The electoral cycle, including local elections, should be completed by February 16, 2020.

Fight for Change (LUCHA), an activist group, said CENIs calendar was fanciful and called on the Congolese people to protest peacefully against the shameful manoeuvre to save more time in Kabila and its regime in order to fulfill their will to remain indefinitely in power.

But US State Department spokesmen Heather Nauert said setting the date marks a significant step toward realising [the DRCs] first peaceful, democratic transfer of power, and called on Kabila to respect the constitution, withdraw from the election and not seek a third term.





While some diplomats could see in this calendar a sign of progress, a large number of Congolese are, rightly, sceptical, said Ida Sawyer, Human Rights Watch director for Central Africa. Kabila entrenched his hold on power through corruption, large-scale violence, and brutal repression against the opposition, activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters.

Security force officers went so far as to implement an apparently deliberate strategy of chaos and orchestrated violence, especially in the southern Kasai region, where up to 5,000 people have been killed since August 2016.

Some have warned of more violence following the announcement of a new election, with protests expected.

There could be tensions, possibly skirmishes  Radical opponents are not going to leave this time without making noise, said Nkere Mutanda, political analyst and professor of political science at the University of Kinshasa.

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Some 80 million people live in DRC, one of Africas most volatile nations and one rich in mineral resources.

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About 7.7 million are on the verge of starvation in the DRC, of whom 3.3 million are in Kasai, an eastern province where 1.4 million have been forced to flee their homes over the past year after clashes broke out between the Kamwina Nsapu armed group and security forces.

Olivier Kamitatu, spokesman to the exiled tycoon Moise Katumbi, told Al Jazeera that the opposition will drive President Kabila from power by applying Article 64 of the constitution.

We are going to have a short transition without Mr. Joseph Kabila before going to the elections, Kamitatu said.

For its part, the government attempted to quell dissent which it blamed on foreign agents.

Our compatriots of the so-called radical opposition and their friends in civil society should never lose sight of the hecatombs in which the internal tensions provoked by the instigation of ill-intentioned foreign agents, said Lambert Mende, communications minister and government spokesman.

Our duty to all, beyond our differences, is to adopt a citizen and republican attitude towards the difficulties our nation is facing.

He also on Wednesday blamed foreign greed for the countrys resources, such as rubber and copper.
There are hundreds of thousands of Rohingya child refugees in Bangladesh who arrived mentally and physically traumatised. Now, they are receiving much-needed psychological therapy in safe spaces where they can enjoy their childhood.

There are hundreds of thousands of Rohingya child refugees in Bangladesh who arrived mentally and physically traumatised.

Now, they are receiving much-needed psychological therapy in safe spaces where they can enjoy their childhood.

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is working with partners in Bangladesh to create an environment where children express themselves and feel safe.

Al Jazeeras Hannah Hoexter reports.
Yemen to be hit by mass famine crisis if Saudi-led alliance does not allow aid into the country, top UN official warns.

Millions of people will die in Yemen, in what will be the worlds worst famine crisis in decades, unless a Saudi-led military coalition ends a devastating blockade and allows aid into the country, the United Nations has warned.

The Saudi-led alliance fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen tightened its air, land and sea blockade of the country after a ballistic missile was fired on Saturday towards the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Since then, the countrys already inflated food and fuel prices have skyrocketed, while flights delivering much-needed humanitarian aid have been prevented from landing.

After briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Mark Lowcock, the UNs humanitarian chief, said the move will worsen a catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has pushed millions to the brink of famine and has caused a mass cholera epidemic.

I have told the Council that unless those measures are lifted  there will be a famine in Yemen, Lowcock, who visited Yemen late in October, told reporters on Wednesday.





It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year, where tens of thousands of people were affected. It will not be like the famine which cost 250,000 people their lives in Somalia in 2011, he added.

It will be the largest famine the world has seen in many decades, with millions of victims.

Guarded response

Despite Lowcocks stark warning, the Security Council, which strongly condemned the firing of the missile by the Houthi rebels, announced no immediate action over the blockade.

Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, who holds the councils presidency, expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and stressed the importance of keeping all Yemens ports and airports functioning, added Cardi.

Al Jazeeras James Bays, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York, said the Councils response seemed very guarded.

He said the comments by Lowcock, who visited Yemen late last month, had brought some of the reality from Yemen to the Security Council, but for now, theyve responded with very carefully chosen words rather than any concrete action.

I briefed Member States today on my mission to #Yemen. My statement: https://t.co/ycepe6hC63 pic.twitter.com/h05IC0UAvq  Mark Lowcock (@UNReliefChief) November 6, 2017

Kristine Beckerle, Yemen researcher at Human Rights Watch, said it was far past time the members of the UN Security Council made it very clear to Yemens warring sides that there will be concrete consequences in cases of obstruction to humanitarian assistance.

The Council already has a mechanism for sanctioning people in Yemen who are committing gross violations, she told Al Jazeera.

Beckerle said government officials in countries such as the US, UK and France are typically issuing broad recitations of concern, without, however, acting upon it.

Its not enough for the US or the UK to say we are worried about famine in Yemen.

At this point, its up to the Security Council members, and particularly those allied with Saudi Arabia, to be using all the leverage at their disposal to be pushing these people to actually make changes to the ways in which they are fighting this war and certainly for them to stop impending access to aid.





Yemen has been devastated by more than two and a half years of war after Houthi rebels, believed to be backed by Iran, captured the capital, Sanaa, and overthrew President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadis government.

A Saudi-led coalition was formed in 2015 to fight the Houthi rebels and army troops allied with them.

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According to the UN, the conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and left over seven million in need of food assistance.

Millions of others do not have adequate access to health, water and sanitation services.

The country has also been hit by a cholera outbreak, with some 900,000 suspected cases since April.

Dire situation

Calling for a five-point action plan, Lowcock on Wednesday urged the Saudi-led coalition to reopen the airspace for humanitarian flights into Yemen and provide assurances that access would not be disrupted again.

He also called for an agreement to allow a World Food Programme ship to anchor off the Yemeni coast, the re-opening of all seaports, to allow food, fuel and medical supplies to enter the country, and a scaling back of interference with vessels that have passed inspection by the UN verification and inspection mechanism.





Earlier on Wednesday, 15 humanitarian agencies expressed deep concern about the Saudi-led blockade, demanding that humanitarian operations are allowed to resume immediately.

In less than a day, this blockade already hiked up fuel prices in some governorates by as much as 60 percent as people scramble to stock up, and led to disruption of public transportation, the groups, including Oxfam, Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee, said in a statement.

The closure of all sea and land ports means urgently-needed lifesaving medical supplies have ceased, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

Saudi Arabia said the closure of was aimed at preventing the smuggling of weapons into Yemen and accused its regional rival Iran of providing the missile that was launched by the Houthis on Saturday.

Iran has denied the accusation.
Zimbabwes President Robert Mugabe has renamed the Harare International Airport after himself amid tension within his ruling Zanu-PF party.

Zimbabwes President Robert Mugabe has renamed the Harare International Airport after himself amid tension within his ruling Zanu-PF party.

On Monday, Mugabe fired his longtime ally and former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa for being disloyal, and now critics are accusing him of trying to purge his rivals.

An opposition spokesman told Al Jazeera that there are plans to catapult his wife Grace Mugabe to be vice president, not only of the party but of the state.

Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa reports from Harare.
There are various accounts of Fridays protest, in which a 10-year-old girl was among those killed. Heres what we know.
What does the future hold for the Rohingya in Bangladesh, one of the worlds poorest countries?

The UN calls it a textbook example of ethnic cleansing  more than 600,000 Rohingya have fled their homes in Myanmar, seeking sanctuary in Bangladesh.

Theyve brought stories of burning villages, murder, rape and babies being thrown into fires. This human catastrophe is happening under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Those whove made it to the squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh may have escaped with their lives, but they now face an uncertain future in one of the worlds poorest countries.

101 East investigates the plight of the Rohingya.
In November 2016 Indias government withdrew several high denomination banknotes as a way to combat corruption.

One year ago, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to withdraw several large denomination banknotes from circulation in India.

The surprise move meant that Indians were suddenly left without being able to use nearly 86 percent of the countrys currency.

The government said it was a way to crack down on so-called black money, a term used to describe any earnings from money laundering, terror financing or other illegal means.

But a year after the sudden decision, it is not clear if the policy has worked.

Opposition parties organised protests to mark the one year anniversary of the withdrawal of the notes.

So, whats been the fallout for the economy?

Presenter: Jane Dutton

Guests:

Mihir Sharma  Political Economist and author of Restart: the Last Chance for the Indian Economy.

Jayati Ghosh  Professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Nalin Kohl  National Spokesman for Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
UN issues warning millions could die in Yemen if the Saudi-led coalition does not lift its blockade.

Millions will die  that is the stark warning from the UN humanitarian chief over the crisis in Yemen. Out of sight and out of mind for most of the world, millions of children, mothers and fathers are struggling to find food.

Now the UN warns that Yemen could face the largest famine the world has seen for many decades. It is urging the Saudi-led coalition to end its devastating blockade and allow aid into the country.

So what are world leaders doing to stop this catastrophe?

Presenter: Jane Dutton

Guests:

Akshaya Kumar  Deputy UN Director, Human Rights Watch, and ex-Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Centre

Hussain Al Bukhaiti  Journalist and ex-Editor, News of Yemen website.

Helen Lackner  London Middle East Institute, SOAS, University of London
A teenage brother and sister take on the responsibility of raising their young siblings when their mother is imprisoned.

Editors note: This film is no longer available to view online.

When their mother is sentenced to 10 years in a Mexican prison on questionable charges, teenagers Rocio and Ale are left with no choice but to play the role of mother and father to their two younger siblings, David and Yami.

As Honduran immigrants living in Mexico, they lack work papers, making opportunities for employment scarce.

While 18-year old Ale tries his best to make rational decisions for the good of the family, the pressure mounts. Finances are tight, his girlfriend is expecting and his 13-year old sister Rocio is testing her teenage boundaries, wanting less responsibility and more freedom. Fearing she may get herself into trouble, Ale clamps down and tensions between them escalate.

As apprehensions about the future intensify, Ale must make the difficult decision between keeping the family together in Mexico or breaking them apart so he can cross the US border for work.

FILMMAKERS VIEW

By Pau Ortiz

In December 2013 I travelled to Mexico on a one-way ticket. At home in Barcelona, things around me no longer motivated me.

In Mexico, I came into contact with tough realities. I saw how people were discriminated against based on their place of origin, the colour of their skin, their gender, their language, etc. Mexican society was living in a context that to me was wildly different. A lot of people live in the present because they dont really know what can happen tomorrow.

At the same time, I discovered a strong sense of community. Something that made people look after each other as if they were one big family. I met some people who had a great ability to get by and be deeply connected with family, friends, joy and sadness in the face of structural and direct violence.

This astonished me and encouraged me to collaborate with some NGOs that were working with these people, to get to know more about their lives and learn from their wisdom.

In March 2014, I met the people from Colectiva Cereza, an organisation that helps women in prison with their court cases and reintegration in society.

It is at that point that I met Rocio and Alejandros mother. She is a strong woman who, despite being in prison, would shine her light on the other prisoners. She had a great mom spirit and usually cooked for everyone.

When I met her children, I was equally surprised. From the moment I first interviewed them, I had the feeling I could communicate in a very intimate way with them, with a special kind of honesty and maturity.

Soon I started to learn more about their story. They had faced a life full of obstacles and difficult situations from a very young age, but they had always been able to carry on with a lot of dignity, sensitivity and a sense of humour.

After the first months of shooting with them I realised I wanted this film to be the first film in a long-term and ambitious audiovisual project, which aims to find and learn from people like the protagonists of this film: wise people living on the edges of society who share their stories so other people can learn and be inspired by them.

I am still in touch with the protagonists of The other side of the wall every few weeks. They have work papers by now and some money to study and put towards their future. The film won several awards and 50 percent of the prize money goes to them.
UF is going head-to-head with Florida State University to see who can collect the most canned food donations.

The UF Student Government Greek Affairs Cabinet began collecting donations for the annual Beat FSU  Beat Hunger Food Drive Tuesday at 1 p.m., said Savannah Hardeman, the Greek Affairs Cabinet Director. The drive will continue until Nov. 17, she said.

Donations go directly to UFs Field and Fork Pantry, which directly benefits students, faculty and staff who may find themselves in a time of financial instability, Hardeman said.

The Field and Fork Pantry is open to anyone with a valid Gator 1 Card, regardless of financial background or any other factors, she said.

Donations can be dropped off to the SG table in front of the Field and Fork Pantry, located at 520 Newell Drive, on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Hardeman said.

Hardeman said the organization is trying to collect items on the pantrys donation wish list, including canned soup, nuts, cereal, rice and crackers.

Last year, UF beat FSU in the food drive, but this year they are hoping to double the donations received and win by a greater margin, the 20-year-old UF East Asian languages and literature/business administration junior said.

I see this food drive as an opportunity to get our students involved, while giving back to the student body as a whole, Hardeman said. My hope for the Beat FSU  Beat Hunger Food Drive is that it will grow every year, starting this year.

Katelyn Hernandez, an 18-year-old UF agricultural communications freshman, said she plans to donate to the food drive on Friday.

It is important to donate because even a small donation can make a big difference for someone in need, Hernandez said. As UF students, we should support our fellow Gators.

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English News China, US presidents to map out future relations

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 8 Novembre 2017



China and the United States share broad common interests and shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity, he said.

By Mu Xuequan From:People's Daily app Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said Friday that the meeting between Chinese and US presidents in Beijing next week is expected to map out a blueprint for the development of bilateral ties in a new era.

China and the United States are working to ensure U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit a success, Zheng said at a press briefing.

Trump, who will visit China from Nov. 8 to 10, will be the first head of state to visit China since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Apart from formal activities commensurate with a state visit, "informal interactions" will be arranged for the presidents of the two countries, Zheng told a press briefing.

Using this opportunity, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump will have strategic communication on significant issues of common concern to build new consensus, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and promote bilateral relations in all spheres, Zheng said.

The core of Sino-U.S. economic and trade is mutual benefit. Solving the trade imbalance between China and the United States requires expanding U.S. exports to China and increasing two-way investment, rather than restricting imports from China, he said.

Zheng said that a trade war would harm both countries, noting that the two economies are highly complementary and have great potential for cooperation.

China has always worked for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and for peace and stability on the peninsula, said Zheng, adding that the issue should be settled through dialogue and consultation.

China always strictly implements UN security council resolutions. At present, all parties should refrain from action that may escalate tensions and work to bring the issue back to the negotiating table, he said.

China and the United States share broad common interests and shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity, he said.

China is ready to work with the US side to respect each other, pursue mutual benefit, focus on cooperation and properly manage differences, he said.





Dans la meme rubrique : < > China sees prosperous development of offshore wind power generation China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways 'First-store economy' leads consumption upgrade Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News Chinese market remains a source of prosperity and growth: Honeywell

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 9 Novembre 2017



China is our biggest market outside the US, and our biggest growth opportunity. Last year, Honeywell committed $100 million to increasing the scale of its R&D facilities and office space in Shanghai by more than 50 percent to accommodate continued and consistent business growth throughout China. This new investment is well aligned with China's efforts to further improve competitiveness through scientific and technological innovation. Honeywell employs approximately 13,000 people in China, including more than 2,600 in Research and Development.

By Wu Lejun From:People's Daily app Washington (People's Daily) - In an exclusive interview with People's Daily, Honeywell President for Global High Growth Regions Shane Tedjarati, who will accompany US President Donald Trump in his trip to China, shared with us his views on China-US cooperation and the prospects for the Chinese economy. He lived in China for 20 years and received the "Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award" which honors significant contributions made by foreigners to Shanghai's development.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: You have lived in China for many years. How important was China-US cooperation in your personal experience? What are the prospects for China-US cooperation?

Tedjarati: China-US ties will continue to grow, and should focus more on trade and economic cooperation, which will be beneficial for the two countries. China should encourage Chinese investors to invest in the US, and vice-versa.

China and the US should collaborate to address common issues. It is important for the two countries to establish reciprocal trade and economic cooperation, which is also important to the world.

I believe that business and trade cooperation can be a great conduit to build long-term trust and relations between not just between nations, but also between people. The more solid China-US business relations become, the more they will understand each other and will contribute to a sense of unity and oneness with each other.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: China is implementing its "Made in China 2025" strategy. In your opinion, how does Honeywell fit in to this?

Tedjarati: Honeywell, as the world's leading manufacturing company, is speeding up its digital evolution to become a "Software Industrial Company, which is well aligned with China's national strategy of "Made in China 2025" and highlights the integration of industrialization and information technologies.

Honeywell has accumulated knowledge and enjoys a broad and strong connected portfolio across B2B and B2C in China, with wide offerings across key verticals: buildings, industries, homes and transportation, among others.

Earlier this year Honeywell set up the Connected Enterprise unit as well as a dedicated team in China, the only regional team beyond the US market. This is testament to the importance Honeywell attaches to and confidence in the Chinese market. Honeywell hopes that the connected solutions can deliver tangible contributions to the "Made in China 2025" strategy.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has just ended, which stressed the importance of innovation and openness. How do you think Honeywell, and even the US.manufacturing sector, should respond to China's economic development to promote enterprise transformation and innovation?

Tedjarati: We strongly support innovation in China. And Honeywell is well-positioned to be a partner in that process.

Honeywell has been maintaining sustainable development in China by riding on China's macro trends. The macro trends arouse a rising middle class, smart manufacturing, energy efficiency and environmental protection. They offer a host of opportunities for Honeywell to play a bigger role in this dynamic market.

China is our biggest market outside the US, and our biggest growth opportunity. Last year, Honeywell committed $100 million to increasing the scale of its R&D facilities and office space in Shanghai by more than 50 percent to accommodate continued and consistent business growth throughout China. This new investment is well aligned with China's efforts to further improve competitiveness through scientific and technological innovation. Honeywell employs approximately 13,000 people in China, including more than 2,600 in Research and Development.

Honeywell is well positioned to seize China's opportunities through its unique China growth strategy, which includes:

 East-for-East: Honeywell identifies China-specific needs and meets them with locally-developed innovation.

 East-to-Rest: We have been promoting China developed products and technologies for the rest of the world  especially High Growth Regions, to support China's Belt and Road initiative.

 Becoming The Chinese Competitor: By benchmarking the leading Chinese companies, we hope to become a top global company in China with good products, good quality, good value and fast speed. This approach has proven to be very successful.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: Honeywell has been investing in China for many years. Where does China need to improve to further open its markets?

Tedjarati: Honeywell is optimistic in the Chinese market, which will remain a source of prosperity and growth.

Instead of talking about improvements, I would like to share with you my observation of two biggest changes in China's market.

1) Digital economy

In recent years, China has undergone an amazing digital revolution, which is transforming the way we live and work with exciting new products that connect us and incorporate software and data in new ways.

2) Rise of local private enterprises

The rise of China's outstanding private enterprises is another profound change that we have felt. This rise will be beneficial to both China's consumers and China's innovative ecological environment.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: You have won the "Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award." What is your favorite aspect of Chinese culture? Can you share some stories to People's Daily readers?

Tedjarati: To me, China has a unique culture. For example, if Chinese people would like to do something, they will definitely get it done. Chinese people attach much importance to networking. You need to build up trust first before doing business.





Dans la meme rubrique : < > China sees prosperous development of offshore wind power generation China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways 'First-store economy' leads consumption upgrade Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
On 31 October 2017, the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, today officially handed over new boreholes and a piped water scheme to ten schools in Makonde. These were provided through the Project for Supplying Safe Water at Educational Institutions in Makonde District. The Government of Japan extended a grant of over USD 90,000 []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...
Zimbabwe is heading for crucial elections in 2018 amid a growing economic crisis and fierce infighting in the ruling Zanu-PF. President Robert Mugabe (93) is eligible for re-election, but there are moves behind the scenes to determine his eventual successor. The PSC Report spoke to Derek Matyszak, Senior Research Consultant for the Institute for Security []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...










English News Success for one means an opportunity for the other: Dow Chemical CEO

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 9 Novembre 2017



President Xi is a remarkable leader, with a strategic mind and a clear vision of where he wants China to be in the near- and long-term. His China Dream vision and Belt and Road initiative are examples of his extraordinary mind.

From:People's Daily app Andrew Liveris, Executive Chairman of DowDuPont and Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company, sat down for an interview with the Peoples Daily and discussed about a range of topics, from US-China collaboration to corporate cooperation.

On US-China cooperation: Both countries have seen that success for one means an opportunity for the other.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: How important is China-US cooperation in your experience? What are the prospects for China-US cooperation?

LIVERIS: The US and China have obviously grown into important partners in trade and other areas. While the two countries have been competitors in certain respects, over time, both countries have seen that success for one means an opportunity for the other, and vice-versa.

I think both presidents are building a solid foundation from which to build a stronger relationship. The US.and China have an unprecedented opportunity to quickly improve on the most critical commercial impediments to enhanced trade  investment restrictions, discriminatory regulatory practices, and inefficient licensing procedures, to name a few. Bilateral solutions to these issues will benefit both countries by creating jobs and economic value on both sides of the Pacific.

We are clearly working together on an action plan for progress, removing artificial barriers to trade and investment. I am hopeful we can continue to advance these efforts to ensure that both of our economies will grow on the basis of collaboration and constructive competition.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has just ended, which stressed the importance of innovation and openness. How do you think the US manufacturing sector should respond to China's economic development to promote enterprise transformation and innovation?

LIVERIS: All kinds of evidence show that the US benefits when Chinese businesses prosper  when Chinese companies create innovations that benefit us all, provide lucrative opportunities for partnerships with American companies, and help build greater domestic consumption in China for our products and services. And the same is true in return: American business success is good for China, too.

With that in mind, there are a few areas we can work closely together on: First, we need to streamline regulations across the world so that procedures are fair, governments or companies cant discriminate or cut corners, so no company becomes a casualty of a needlessly complex global regulatory environment. Regulations should be simple and transparent, based on sound science, and efficient enough to prevent cross border divergences. Only when this is done will we have true balanced and fair trade between economies.

Second, we need businesses and governments to work together to craft policies that incentivize innovation and collaboration. It is not only natural resources and financial capital we should be drawing on; intellectual resources and human capital are even more important. For instance, when Dow built our presence in China, we did not simply import the brainpower we have at our headquarters in Midland, Michigan. We have approximately 1,300 scientists across the Asia-Pacific  almost half of them in China  and have partnered with major Chinese firms like Vanke and Haier to contribute to Chinas growing innovation ecosystem. We need both nations to build a policy environment that encourages not only imports and exports, but more comprehensive cross-border partnerships. We need efficient enforcement to ensure that intellectual property is respected and protected.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, we need to invest in re-educating and re-training our workforces for the jobs of the 21st century. Jobs will continue to get more technical as globalization and digitalization advance. We are already seeing these jobs go unfilled because our populations are unprepared. Addressing this will require us to pursue unconventional solutions. In the US, we are looking into revamping apprenticeship programs, creating more technical two-year college programs, and developing a national skills certification so that employers have assurances that their workers are qualified, even without a four-year degree on their resumes.

On corporate cooperation with China: Chinese governments call for a higher level of technology and innovation, industrial upgrading, and environmental protection will bring more opportunities for Dow.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: China is implementing its "Made in China 2025" strategy. In your opinion, where does Dow Chemical Company fit in?

LIVERIS: Dow advocates advanced manufacturing around the world. We are driving innovation that extracts value from the intersection of chemical, physical and biological sciences to help address many of the world's most challenging problems. Dow is looking forward to becoming a partner of China in Made in China 2025 by enabling our customers in China to excel in domestic and global markets. China has been effective in supporting manufacturing by nurturing high-end manufacturing, building state-of-art infrastructure, developing engineers, and driving innovation. We are excited about Chinas Made in China 2025 strategy, which will accelerate the transformation of China from a BIG manufacturing power to a STRONG manufacturing power, from a high volume manufacturer to a high value manufacturer of goods that create a sustainable society.

We have taken note of the Chinese governments commitment to make the programs of Made in China 2025 equally accessible to foreign investors.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: Dow has been investing in China for many years. Whats has been your companys most significant investment? With regard to access and and an open market, what does China need to improve on?

LIVERIS: Dow entered the China market in the 1930s, and China has become the companys second largest overseas market. Dow operates 10 business centers, 17 manufacturing sites and has nearly 5,000 employees across China. The Shanghai Dow Center, which opened in 2009 in the Zhangjiang High-Tech Park in Shanghai, is the business and innovation hub for Dow in the Asia-Pacific. Its also Dows largest integrated R&D center outside of the US, bringing together R&D expertise with market-focused application development. The center has approximately 600 highly skilled scientists working at more than 100 world-class laboratories.

The Chinese government is calling for a higher level of technology and innovation, industrial upgrading, and environmental protection, which will bring more opportunities to industry leaders like Dow to work with companies based in China to innovate and grow.

President Trump has taken a similar approach in the US  even on the domestic agenda, you can see a clear focus on the most critical elements that hinder business growth  taxes, regulatory practices, energy security. Now that we are also focusing on trade, both sides should identify the most critical commercial impediments  investment restrictions, inefficient regulatory practices, discriminatory licensing procedures, and more.

Success breeds success  which means if we can achieve a few of these tangible wins for both the American and Chinese economies, we can then focus on the longer-term structural impediments that artificially constrain more cooperation in our commercial trade.

On China: China's efforts will generate opportunities for businesses throughout the globe.

PEOPLE'S DAILY: In 2015, you spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping. What's your impression of him?

LIVERIS: I was lucky to have a front-row seat thirty years ago when the late leader Deng Xiaoping opened China to the world. And in the decades since, I have had the privilege of participating as Chinas rise has transformed not only China, but the rest of the global conomy.

President Xi is a remarkable leader, with a strategic mind and a clear vision of where he wants China to be in the near- and long-term. His China Dream vision and Belt and Road initiative are examples of his extraordinary mind.

Overall, I think China is on a great trajectory under President Xi. Chinas economy is accelerating its pivot to the domestic sector, transitioning from being an exporter of basic materials to a creator and consumer of high-tech goods and products. These efforts will enable Chinas economy to continue to progress and grow, generating opportunities for businesses throughout the globe.

At Dow, we have chosen to be part of this transformation and are committed to supporting China with innovation while also demonstrating how to grow the demand side. Of course, innovation does not happen in a vacuum. Our ability to continue developing differentiated, sustainable solutions will depend on the governments willingness to create an atmosphere conducive to innovation - friendly to the entrepreneurial spirit and founded on mutual trust.

I have conveyed directly to President Xi that he can count on Dows partnership as China embraces regulatory reform, and as they develop clear, rational rules of the road. Because Dow, like China, is focused on the future we can build together.





Dans la meme rubrique : < > China sees prosperous development of offshore wind power generation China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways 'First-store economy' leads consumption upgrade Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
The country is shocked, shocked that the DNC colluded with the Hillary campaign to anoint her as their nominee. In her 2015 caper, Clinton made a backroom deal with the DNC. In 2008, Barack Obama used outright election fraud and thuggery, the tried and true Chicago methods. to steal the nomination directly from the voters. When he got far enough, the DNC pressured Hillarys pledged superdelegates to violate their voters wishes and award Obama an unearned victory.

Obamas illegal shenanigans in the 2008 Democrat primaries were far worse than Clintons  and will never be widely reported.

Its an odd experience to dig this information out of the memory hole. No Democrat cares: no party leaders, no members of Congress, no journalists, and no ordinary people. Democrats do not care about rule of law or fair elections. All of them feel morally entitled to win. That is the corrupting influence of their identity politics that tars political opponents as moral reprobates.

Democrat primaries show us who they are: their will to power trumps every other value. Progressives want permanent power, not a functioning republic. They dont accept fair and free elections  witness their dirty attempts to overturn the last one and deprive Trump voters of their victory.

As Hillary might say, Democrat corruption, Hollywood corruption - it takes a village.

Like the revelations of Harvey Weinsteins abuses, one big dog gets punished, while the even bigger dog - Bill Clinton for sexual abuse, Barack Obama for political abuse - remains untouchable.

A documentary by Hillary supporters on Obamas cheating and abuse was reported on Fox & Friends only in 2010; at the time of the election, no one would cover their complaints. Read about it here. In one documentary interview, civil rights activist Helene Latimer recounts seeing an elderly woman being intimidated at the polls. "As she approached the entrance way to go into the building, one of the young men said to her, 'If you're not voting for Obama, go home because you're not voting here today.'" "It's our right as Americans to be able to vote and everybody was alerted, we went to press, we went to Fox, we went to CNN, nobody wanted to hear the story (in 2008)," Gaston told Fox's Alisyn Camerota. "Nobody wants to deal with this."

From How Obama Used an Army of Thugs to Steal the 2008 Democratic Party Nomination:

 the Obama Campaign encouraged and created an army to steal caucus packets, falsify documents, change results, allow unregistered people to vote, scare and intimidate Hillary supporters, stalk them, threaten them, lock them out of their polling places, silence their voices and stop their right to vote.

Political junkies will recall that Obama gained crucial momentum after his surprise win of the Iowa primary. He won in Iowa by breaking the law and busing in supporters to vote. Everyone in Iowa could see it with their own eyes  and that includes the entire national press corps.

Dr. Long spent several months studying the caucus and primary results, published here.

After studying the procedures and results from all 14 caucus states my conclusion is that the Obama campaign willfully and intentionally defrauded the American public by systematically undermining the caucus process, she said.

In Hawaii, caucuses ended up with more ballots than participants. In Nevada, Obama supporters upturned a wheelchair-bound woman who wanted to caucus for Hillary. They flushed Clinton ballots down the toilets. Union members were told they could vote only if their names were on the list of Obama supporters.

Two thousand Texas Democrats filed official complaints, in outrage and total frustration, against Obamas lawless tactics. The party acknowledged that the Obama campaigns actions amount to criminal violations and ordered them to be reported to state and federal law enforcement. Nothing happened.

Thanks to these and other strong-arm tactics, Obama won victories in all but one of the caucuses, even in states such as Maine where Hillary had been leading by double digits in the polls.

Bernie Sanders supporters are justifiably angry that the superdelegates gave the nomination to Hillary. The Washington Post reports in 2008 Hillary won the popular vote in the nomination process. She was neck and neck with Obama in the delegate count. Yet the DNC pressured the superdelegates who were pledged to Hillary to flip their votes. From the Washington Post:

In 2008, the superdelegates became infamous  and essential. That year, as in this one, they helped the partys front-runner cross the threshold by releasing endorsements around the final primary. The irony was that the 2008 election, a near-tie, ended with pro-Clinton superdelegates flipping to support then-Sen. Barack Obama.

The Post makes it sound like the superdelegates flipped themselves. Hillary delegates tell us the DNC did the deed:

Basically, the delegations would meet and the leadership would say, We need to vote for Obama. You need to basically switch your vote from Hillary to Obama. Even though in some 16 or 14 states it was required by law that the delegation needed to vote for the candidate that they represented on the first ballot. Those state party chairs were still manipulating that delegation to break the law and vote for Obama.

As early as April, Virginias party leaders pressured their superdelegates:

Another Clinton superdelegate, senior Democratic strategist Mame Reiley, said she understood targeting undecided superdelegates, but including longtime Clinton supporters only created ill will. "If we wanted to have a nominee decided in June then we'd have scheduled the convention in June," Reiley said. "It sort of makes me wonder what they're afraid of."

In May 2008, Hillary wrote to the superdelegates, begging them to respect the popular vote.

As we reach the end of the primary season, more than 17 million people have supported me in my effort to become the Democratic nominee  more people than have ever voted for a potential nominee in the history of our party.  And with 40 and 35 point margins of victory, it is clear that even when voters are repeatedly told this race is over, theyre not giving up on me  and I am not giving up on them either.

Clinton trounced Obama by half a million Democrat votes in the 2008 Democrat primaries. She bettered him among women, seniors, Latinos, the working class, those earning less than $50,000 and first-time voters. Clinton won the primaries where it is harder to cheat; Obamas delegate count was based on his fraudulent caucus wins. Polls showed Clinton beating McCain and Obama losing. Rasmussen showed Clinton was more competitive than Obama by 16 points. Yet 100% of the superdelegates threw the nomination to the weaker, less popular candidate.

Senator Obamas win in Indiana was used by the Democratic leadership to call for the party to unify behind him. But Obama lacked the minimum number of signatures to legally run In 2013 two county election board workers were convicted on felony charges for forging hundreds of signatures to get Obama on the ballot. Separately, Acorn was caught turning in 5,000 fraudulent voter registrations.

In Lake County, home to the long-depressed steel town of Gary, the bipartisan Elections Board has stopped processing a stack of about 5,000 applications delivered just before the October 6 registration deadline after the first 2,100 turned out to be phony. "All the signatures looked exactly the same," Ruthann Hoagland, a Republican on the board. "Everything on the card filled out looks exactly the same."

As a Heritage Foundation expert on election fraud explains, Obamas Indiana victory was at a crucial juncture.

Had this fraud been discovered, Barack Obama would have been disqualified from the primary ballot in a major statethe course of the campaignand historycould have changed. 

The Indiana fraud was uncovered in 2011 by a Democrat Yale college student. The inquiring mind wants to know did anyone bother to check Obamas victories in other close primary states?

Nees said the fraud was easy to detect because page after page of signatures are all in the same handwriting.

Some of the Obama campaign abuses Democrat voters testified to in We Will Not Be Silenced, are disturbing in the extreme. The documentary is available in four parts on YouTube here. (hat tip canadafreepress.)

In Texas, Hispanic voters were told to go home before they got a chance to sign the caucus sheets, so their vote was not counted. In Indiana, parents were livid that their high school children were taken out of school, bussed to vote and told to vote for Obama.

The most emotional report is from a Civil Rights activist who had marched with Martin Luther King (Part 3, 3:54).

I got out of my car and there was this lady, probably about 80 years old, who was slowly walking up the street. As she was approaching the entranceway to go into the building, one of the young men called to her If youre not voting for Obama, go home, because youre not voting here today. She turned and walked away. The pain that I felt, because of the people who have fought for African Americans to have the right to vote While I was standing there, there were other people approaching, maybe four or five, and when they heard that they all turned and walked away.

In Texas, elderly Hillary voters were also turned away from voting:

Part 3, 7:20, The two women saw that these women had Hillary stickers on them so they werent going to let them caucus. They said Oh, you must be in some other caucus. I said Look lady, Im from Chicago and I know tricks like this. Let me see that book or were going to get the precinct captain over here and were going to look and find the names together. I guarantee this womans in here, because shes not a liar. Shes ninety years old and has been looking forward to this. Dont tell me shes not in the book. Well then, wouldnt you know it,  she magically found her name in the book and let her go be a part of the caucus I noticed that that was not happening for any of the Obama people, they were just getting waved right through.

Fixing the nomination for Obama didnt end with secret lawbreaking. There was the infamous ruling by the DNC to not count the primary votes in Florida and Michigan, where Clinton won. These two states were allotted 796 superdelegates. After their ruling, Clinton came up 137 delegates short.

The Democrat primary process is not this corrupt and ugly by accident. This is not a problem found in both parties. It is characteristic of our leftist party, and its leading politicians, because they feel morally entitled to hold power, and are given cover by the mainstream media. The Democrat lust for power destroys other civic virtues. They lie to voters about themselves, they lie to voters about this country, and they lie about their own elections.

In 2008, Obama used the obvious but unstated threat of black voters boycotting the election to silence even Clinton, who knew very well he was cheating. In 2016, Hillary adopted not only Obamas identity politics but his cheating in the primaries. She did it her own way, by buying the DNC, which had been cleaned out by Obama and left $24 million in debt. (President Obama, it turns out, did that non-stop fundraising for his personal foundation, Organizing for America, not the party.)

Obama, I suspect, is now busy destroying Clinton via his surrogates, trying to set her up as the fall guy for the administrations corruption of the FBI and spying on candidate Donald Trump. Neither Obama nor Hillary can reconcile themselves to honest elections, where there is a chance they lose.

President Trump won free and on the square, relying on his message and his voters. The Democrats are at their wits end. They cant scare Trump, they cant fool Trump voters, and they cant silence the conservative websites. What was done in the dark is coming to the light.
Hollywood, the celestial universe with stars that are cloudy rather than bright and are far from being angels until recently suffered from an Ostrich effect, oblivious or inattentive to reprehensible behavior, something akin to playing the piano in a bordello. The stars in the Hollywood firmament remained strangely unaware of what has long been apparent to even casual observers, the disgraceful behavior of their theatrical colleagues toward both women and men.

Revelations of unexpected behavior are often highly disconcerting. Would-be revolutionaries must have been puzzled that their idol and icon, Che Guevera, on his death in 1967, was found to be wearing two very expensive Rolex watches. The elite Hollywood club, for the most part ideologically left-wing conformist, pretends to be experiencing a similar puzzlement, while the show goes on. Allegations of unbecoming behavior in Hollywood, as elsewhere, are now evident, though the conspiracy of silence remains.

A prime example is Alec Baldwin, the self-made dramatic personality with strong left-wing views on every subject who adores his creator. After learning that 300 women claimed that his friend the film director James Toback has abused or harassed them, Baldwin explained he never knew any details of what Toback did that was an assault in nature or criminally accountable. By contrast, Baldwin is more articulate, assured, and knowledgeable about political opponents: he has called President Donald Trump a "sexual predator " and asserts that all kinds of evidence shows that Trump has behaved that way. A less political figure, the actress Uma Thurman, has confined her comment on Harvey Weinstein to an enigmatic contribution that, "when I'm ready, I'll say what I have to say."

Paradoxically, when Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 for unlawful sex acts with a 13-year-old girl in 1977, about 100 film people supported him and called for his release. Among them was Harvey Weinstein who called his arrest a "terrible mistake."

What should society and representative organizations do about the alleged sexual offenders? The offenders of course may be faced with possible criminal charges or legal action. Or they may apologize in some form, and, genuinely or otherwise, seek help, "treatment," whatever that means, or rehabilitation.

France has shown the right way to deal with the issue. President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern about the allegations of sexual misconduct, especially about Harvey Weinstein, and is interested in overhauling the Legion d'honneur system to deal with it and similar issues. One suggestion is reducing the number of people awarded the Legion d'honneur, France's highest decoration in five grades. This distinction was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802 to reward people, based on merit, not social status.

According to the Legion's Code, awards are given by the president in consultation with the National Order of the Legion d'honneur, for "outstanding merit in the service of the nation in a civilian or military capacity." There is no exact or exhaustive list of what constitutes "outstanding merit" or the quality of services or the nature of actions by the individual. Foreigners receive the honor for rendering service to France in cultural or economic activity or support for issues in which France is interested. There is no financial benefit, or material reward associated with the award, but all recognize its meaningfulness, and recipients are proud to have gained it.

The president of France has the prerogative to award the honor as he sees fit. It can and has been used for diplomatic reasons or reciprocity as one means to buttress French foreign policy. This has been done, sometimes controversially, in awards to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who got the highest honor the Grand Croix in 2006, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu, Tunisian President Zine Ben Ali, former President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, and former crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Nayef.

The pantheon of foreign honorees is formidable, ranging from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2016 for his efforts on behalf of the Paris climate change proposals, to U.S. movie stars and celebrities, among them Barbra Streisand, Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Miles Davis, Toni Morrison, and the four brave people, three American and one British, who were give awards for subduing a gunman on a high speed train going to Paris.

What is given by the French president can be taken away. The Legion award can now be withdrawn from a foreigner who was sentenced for a crime or to a prison term of at least one year, or if the individual has committed acts or behaved in such a way that was dishonorable or damaging, or does not have good character or has been guilty of abuses of human rights.

A number of notorious cases have come up in recent years. One concerned the celebrated cyclist champion Lance Armstrong who won seven rounds of the Tour de France and was awarded the Legion in 2005. It was withdrawn in 2014 because of accusations of the use of dope in his career. Another in 2012 was John Galliano, the fashion designer, because of his conviction for a drunken outbreak of anti-Semitism in the streets in Paris the previous year.

A third is the case of Panama dictator, Manuel Noriega who got the award in 1987, but who was extradited in 2010 from the U.S. to France to serve a prison sentence for money laundering and drug dealing. Another case involved Bob Dylan who was deemed unworthy and was criticized for his pot drug taking, and anti-war protests. Curiously, the award went to Paul McCartney, who was not immune from cannabis. But Dylan, internationally known for "Blowin' in the Wind," and thus considered culturally important made it in 2013.

The number of actresses who were or claimed to have been sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein mounts daily. Among them are four French actresses. President Macron has been quick to act declaring Weinstein guilty of "unbecoming behavior." He has started the technical legal process to strip Weinstein of the award of the Legion he received in 2012.

Now it is up to authorities in the U.S. to deal with Weinstein and others in similar fashion. Formal legal charges may be brought. But in the meantime, there are other alternatives. It is true that his membership of various organizations, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America have been revoked. There is no comparable Legion of Honor in the U.S., but the prized jewel in the film world is the Hollywood Oscar. The least compensation that world can make for its alleged transgressions is, as in the case of France, to strip Weinstein and similar offenders, of its highest honor. The Hollywood world is not full of angels, but it now knows it can get along without Weinstein very well.

Michael Curtis is a Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur.
The Republican Party got its butt kicked Tuesday night in the Virginia governor's race. To hear the Democrat media tell it, it was the bell tolling for thee, you disgusting, deplorable dullards who are supporters of that revolting MAGA maggot in the White House. But mind you now, we are seeing all these demonstrations of extravagant electoral glee from the very same folks who were all but suicidal a year ago this time, when their shoe-in winner got an unexpected shoe in her wide electoral fanny. Just as they were excessively overwrought then, so are they now far too giddily optimistic regarding the portents of these recent results. To hear them tell it, one could easily believe that the 2018 elections are all but a done deal for the Dems and that we deplorables may as well stay home on Election Day 2018.

Actually, I believe that's what happened in Virginia yesterday: the Republican establishment ran one of their favorites, an unfortunately lackluster lobbyist who was so uninspiring that he couldn't manage a simple majority in the party primary, pulling in only 43% of that vote. What percentage of that other 57% do you suppose stayed home yesterday rather than bother to go vote for this unexceptional party hack they had already rejected in the earlier race?

The Democrats, on the other hand, fielded a candidate of considerable accomplishment, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute who went on to medical school and service as an Army doctor for eight years. He then became a practicing physician, medical professor, and hospice medical director. That last would be enough to make me consider crossing over and voting for him, simply because I know that it requires a special kind of medical empathy to manage the end-of-life medical care of terminally ill patients. Mind you, that military service counted as well. Virginia has one of the largest active military and retiree populations in the nation. I'd wager that many of those usual Republican military voters either crossed over and voted for the former military doctor or stayed home.

Consider the folly of running a Washington lobbyist who's spent his entire life in politics as a fence-sitting, moderate Republican against a formidable candidate possessing a quite admirable curriculum vitae. You probably couldn't find a better example of Elite Republican Establishment stupidity than in that particular example of candidate selection. Unfortunately, not only did it cost the party a governorship, but the down-ballot effects were significant as well, likely giving the Dems control of the Virginia legislature.

This is a not unexpected political shift; it's been coming for some time as the burgeoning wealthy Virginia suburbs abutting the nation's capital expand their influence over the state's governance. If you look at a county voting map, it is evident that urban Virginia is increasingly blue, while the vast majority of rural Virginia remains conservative. Considering that population concentration around D.C., it shouldn't be surprising if Virginia becomes another blue state lining America's eastern shores, joining Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and so forth.

As I write this, I'm hearing some television pundit pronouncing that this election was a profound rejection of Donald Trump and everything he stands for. No, it wasn't. It was a classic example of poor politicking by the inept elitist establishment leadership. So buck up and get back out there, all you deplorables, and let's see if we can kick some sense into this Stupid Party that is the only hope we have to stop the madness of political correctness and racial pandering.
Closing arguments have been made in the trial of a Camp Lejeune drill instructor who was accused of "one charge each of drunk and disorderly conduct and dereliction of duty, and eight counts of violation of a general order in connection with hazing accusations," according to Military.com.

Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix is also accused of mistreating Muslim recruits, calling them "terrorist" and "ISIS" while mocking their religion.

Beginning Thursday morning, an eight-member military jury will deliberate over whether, among other charges, Felix forced recruits to choke each other, ordered them to drink chocolate milk until they vomited, and, on two occasions, loaded Muslim recruits in an industrial dryer in interrogation-style hazing rituals. The allegations that have drawn the most attention, however, surround the March 2016 suicide death of recruit Raheel Siddiqui, a Pakistani-American from Michigan who leapt to his death from the third floor of a Parris Island squad bay, according to military investigators. Felix, who at the time was already under investigation for the alleged dryer incident, is accused of calling Siddiqui a terrorist, slapping him and forcing him to run back and forth in the squad bay minutes before his death. Felix is accused of routinely calling Muslim recruits "terrorist," referring to a Kurdish recruit, Rekan Hawez, as "ISIS," and forcing another Muslim recruit to conduct a mock beheading of a platoon mate while shouting, "Allahu Akbar." The Marine's military defense attorneys, however, contend these accounts are overblown, contradictory and unbelievable. In addition, they allege a key government witness, Sgt. Michael Eldridge, is actually responsible for some of the malfeasance of which Felix is accused. Eldridge, a former drill instructor, testified as part of a plea deal that will result in a lower-level administrative proceeding for him, with a limited maximum sentence.

Drinking on duty and lying to investigators are serious charges, if they can be proved. But what about the rest?

I've heard enough stories about boot camp from those who survived it and read enough accounts to know that drill instructors constantly operate on the edge. Their job is to psychologically and systematically break down a recruit and then build him up so that at the end of the 13-week course, a United States Marine is born.

It is a brutal process that not all recruits can finish. Physically, emotionally, and psychologically, the drill instructors attack the weaknesses of recruits, exposing them, and then, hopefully, giving them the ability to overcome those weaknesses. In the end, they not only harden recruits, turning them into killers, but also develop esprit de corps and unit cohesion that is so much a part of the success of Marines on the battlefield.

There is a purpose to just about everything the drill instructors do. But does singling out Muslims, calling them "terrorists," contribute to making a good Marine?

That's only one of the charges facing Sgt. Felix. As for the rest, to a civilian, it sounds extreme. But is it illegal? That's what the jury in this case will decide.
The unprovoked attack on Senator Rand Paul at his Kentucky home last week was not politically motivated, according to the current media narrative. Instead, the perpetrator, Rene Boucher, went after the senator because of a "landscaping dispute."

The Hill:

A feud that allegedly resulted in Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) being assaulted at his home last weekend started due to a dispute over landscaping, The New York Times reported. Paul and his longtime next-door neighbor had disagreements over yard care, according to the newspaper, which cited neighbors and three Kentucky Republicans familiar with the issue. Paul was reportedly mowing his lawn and wearing ear plugs when he was attacked. "Rand never saw him coming or heard him coming," a friend, Robert Porter, who visited Paul on Saturday, told the Times. Paul's neighbor, Rene Boucher, was charged with fourth-degree assault. "They just couldn't get along. I think it had very little to do with Democrat or Republican politics," said Jim Skaggs, who developed the gated community, according to the newspaper. "I think it was a neighbor-to-neighbor thing. They just both had strong opinions, and a little different ones about what property rights mean."

It should be noted that Mr. Skaggs, a high-ranking Republican in the state, supported Jeb Bush for president and not his neighbor, Rand Paul.

Other neighbors say the "landscaping dispute" story is bogus.

Washington Examiner:

His lawyer said that politics played no part and it has been suggested that the two verbally tussled over lawn clippings, leaving the impression that the Republican Kentucky senator was a negligent landscaper. But seven neighbors in the Rivergreen gated community told Secrets Wednesday that the Pauls are friendly homeowners who kept their property tidy. "The Paul's landscaping looks just like everyone's place in Rivergreen. Wish I could get him to cut my lawn," said neighbor Robert Warner. "As a friend, neighbor and senator, Rand has been first class in every way. What I find amazing is the fact that he cuts his own grass. Our neighborhood is fortunate that the Paul's live here," he added. All seven neighbors expressed shock at the "scary" attack on Paul as he was doing yard work last Saturday and they dismissed reports that it was the result of poor landscaping. However, they are puzzled about why Boucher, 59, allegedly tackled Paul, 54, who was wearing ear plugs at the time. Boucher has been charged with assault. "The stories of a 'landscaping dispute' or a dispute of any sort between Rand Paul and Rene Boucher are erroneous and unfounded. The reason for Mr. Boucher's bizarre attack is known only to him. Statements to the contrary are irresponsible and unnecessary," said neighbor Travis Creed.

That leaves a mental breakdown by Boucher or a political motivation for the attack. The fact that Boucher was a huge fan of Bernie Sanders and expressed a virulent hatred for Donald Trump is a far more probable motivation for his assault than any nonexistent "landscaping dispute."

But the media are desperate to absolve Democrats and their rhetoric of inspiring such attacks on Republicans. As the number of unhinged attacks on Republicans continues to climb, Democrats don't want to lose their ability to wildly exaggerate and lie about Donald Trump and Republicans.

It certainly motivated a lot of Democrats to go to the polls on Tuesday.
As politicians make noises about tax reform, with media outlets following suit, literally millions of Americans around the world are looking for one simple change in the world's most onerous, punitive tax system. You can read the news and listen to politicians until your eyes fall out and your ears fall off, and you will find not one word about it.

We are looking for the abolition of America's absurd and larcenous practice of demanding taxes from its citizens living abroad.

Much is made of the reform's repatriation of international corporate profits, and one can even hear the term "territorial tax system" uttered now and then, but on the individual side, there is no mention of liberating 7 million Americans  plus their families, business partners, various visa holders, and others considered "U.S. persons"  from the worldwide clutches of the IRS.

If you are one of these many people, and you do not live in the United States  indeed, even if you have never been to the U.S.  the IRS requires that you nonetheless file American tax returns, along with a copy of your tax return from your country of residence, plus all your banking and investment accounts and the values thereof. Moreover, if it is deemed that you would have paid more under U.S. tax law, you are required to pay the difference.

This is the very definition of taxation without representation.

To those of us affected, this outrage is nothing new. But to listen to journalists and politicians banging on about "tax reform," it is as though we do not exist.

In a dozen years advocating on this issue, I have encountered precisely one politician who understands it: former congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), who currently serves as President Trump's budget director.

Senior as Mulvaney's position is, the OMB director does not write legislation.

Certainly, after I explain the problem, politicians have expressed generic concern. But, for all the action I have seen, I just get rolled into the amalgam of their made-up grocery store guy.

Every quarter, a new record is set for the number of Americans renouncing their citizenship. The reason we know this is that the U.S. Treasury Department publishes these people's names in a petty attempt to shame them for opting out of an unjust system.

The institutional assumption is that these former Americans have done something ignoble that should be brought to light. In fact, the opposite is true: it is unbecoming a nation that styles itself the "land of the free" to make financial prisoners of its citizens.

Until it liberates millions of people who neither live in America nor make use of its services, and who have already paid their taxes elsewhere, this supposedly simpler, fairer tax reform is nothing of the kind.

Theo Caldwell is a dual American-Canadian citizen living in Toronto. Contact him at theo@theocaldwell.com.
Audrey Azoulay was just recently elected to the post of the head of UNESCO. She is a Jew whose parents came to France from Morocco. Almost nothing is known about her personal political views. But the commitment of her family to socialist ideas is not a secret. Her father, Andre Azoulay, is wel -known in Europe as a leftist journalist who is a supporter of the Arabs in conflict with Israel. Audrey Azoulay proudly stated that she "grew up in a radical left-wing family."

She was minister of culture in the socialist government of Francois Hollande. Madame Azoulay is a member of the Socialist Party of France, which, in turn, is a member of the Socialist International. The current U.N. secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, is a member of the Socialist Party of Portugal and former chairman of the Socialist International.

Madame Azoulay is in good company. The list of her predecessors as director-general of UNESCO speaks for itself.

The predecessor of Audrey Azoulay was Irina Bokova (Bulgaria), a descendant of a high-ranking communist family. (The Communist Party of Bulgaria in 1990 adopted the name "socialist" and now is a member of the Socialist International.) It was under her leadership that UNESCO officially renamed Jerusalem "Al-Quds."

Irina Bokova's predecessor was Koichiro Matsuura (Japan), a professional diplomat with a typically leftist worldview. The predecessor of Koichiro Matsuura was Federico Mayor Zaragoza  a member of the center-left party of Spain, a supporter of the socialist Obama in the international arena to this day, and an ardent opponent of Israel.

The predecessor of Federico Mayor Zaragoza was Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow (Senegal), who supported the idea of the "New International Information and Communication Order" and turned UNESCO into the center of anti-capitalist, anti-American, and anti-Israeli propaganda. As a result, President Reagan announced the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO in 1984. President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO for the same reasons.

As it ever happens to socialists, in Audrey Azoulay's internal struggle, a Socialist, not a Jew, will always win.

Thus, do not expect any significant changes from the new head of UNESCO. As you know, Israel does not exist on the map of UNESCO's projects, and instead of Jerusalem, UNESCO enforces the Arabic name "Al-Quds."

The term "New International Economic Order" has long been forgotten, although the U.N. General Assembly in 1974 adopted a resolution on this "New Order." A gift to the Soviet bloc and the Socialist International was made on May 1  on the Day of Solidarity of Workers, popular among the leftists. The idea was as old as the world: "take away and redistribute," but on a global level.

The U.N. legalized the radical new principle of the world economy  a global redistribution of wealth from developed countries to third-world countries. Hence the name "globalism."

No one dares to mention this after the collapse of the Soviet Union, although the idea is undoubtedly alive. Its reincarnation occurred in the 1990s under the name of "global warming." Don't confuse "global warming" with scientific research. The term "global warming" has nothing to do with the temperature on the planet Earth. Instead, the U.N. talks about the political legalization of the global wealth redistribution.

The term "New International Cultural Order" was once the official doctrine of UNESCO  like the "New International Social Order" (newspeak for the globalists' utopia) and like the "New International Information and Communication Order" (newspeak for a censorship and political correctness at the global level).

All these "New World Orders" had turned UNESCO into the propaganda department of the Socialist International, and the United Nations into the ideological department of the Socialist International.

The Annual Presidium of the Socialist International for many years has been held at the same time as the U.N. General Assembly, and at the same place: at the U.N. building in New York. Not surprisingly, the Democratic Socialist Party of America (the party a young Barack Obama became a member of upon his arrival to Chicago) at its Congress in August 2017 announced its withdrawal from the Socialist International. Radicals from the DSA long ago transformed this party into a pitiful semblance of Stalin's Bolsheviks, and now they accuse globalists of being "not progressive enough."

In the 21st century, the reincarnation of the "New International Cultural Order" took the form of "multiculturalism." However, the real name of this "Order" is the "New International Marxist Cultural Order," because this idea was proposed by the Italian communist Antonio Gramsci.

After the Second World War, the world recoiled from the horrors of "National Socialism" (Nazism) and proclaimed the era of "International Socialism" (globalism), in which we live to this day.

A long time ago, historian Robert Conquest spotted the evolution of many organizations in the direction opposite direction from their original principles. He formulated this process in the form of Conquest's Second Law: "Any organization not explicitly right-wing sooner or later becomes left-wing."

The cemetery of organizations that proclaimed noble and humane goals at the dawn of their existence is littered with Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, Greenpeace, the World Health Organization, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, trade unions, and many others. It's not difficult to spot a monument to the UNESCO and the U.N. over there.

Dr. Gary Gindler, Ph.D. is a conservative Russian-American blogger at Gary Gindler Chronicles.
Near the village of Gergeti, outside the town of Stephantsminda, in Georgia, lies the isolated Gergeti Trinity Church. Also called the Holy Trinity Church, it sits on top of a mountain near Mount Kazbegi, one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of Caucasus, at an elevation of 2170 meters. The 14th century Georgian orthodox and apostolic church is a popular waypoint for trekkers in the area, and can be reached by a steep climb for 3 hours, or in half an hour by local taxi up a rough mountain trail.

The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century, and is the only cross-cupola church in Khevi province. During the invasion by Tbilisi Persians in the 18th century, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino's Cross were brought here for safekeeping. During the Soviet era, all religious services were prohibited, but the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is now an active establishment of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.

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(ANSA) - Rome, November 8 - A journalist and director who work for State broadcaster RAI have been assaulted by the suspected member of a criminal clan in the beach town of Ostia, near Rome, Rai said on Wednesday.

Journalist Daniele Piervincenzi and filmmaker Edoardo Anselmi, who work for Rai2's program Nemo Nessuno Escluso "were violently attacked by Roberto Spada, a member of the Spada family, well-known in the media for several investigations" on charges including corruption, racketeering and drug smuggling, and another man.

The Rai crew was in Ostia to report on the outcome of local municipal elections on Sunday.

The broadcaster said Piervincenzi has a broken nose and a prognosis of 30 days.

Spada accused the troupe of asking him the same questions for an hour and a half, ignoring his insistence that he had nothing to say, and then "forcing their way into a members-only club, disturbing a session and frightening my son".

"What would you have done?" he demanded on his Facebook profile.

"In the last 10 days at least 30 journalists have come to break our balls, patience has a limit," he said.

Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi called the attack "unacceptable" and vowed to rid Rome of crime and extremism.

"Spada clan violence unacceptable. Solidarity to journalist and filmmaker attacked in Ostia. We'll stop crime and extremism in Rome," Raggi tweeted.


(ANSA) - Rome, November 8 - A journalist and director who work for State broadcaster RAI have been assaulted by the suspected member of a criminal clan in the beach town of Ostia, near Rome, RAI said on Wednesday.

Journalist Daniele Piervincenzi and filmmaker Edoardo Anselmi, who work for Rai2's program Nemo Nessuno Escluso "were violently attacked by Roberto Spada, a member of the Spada family, well-known in the media for several investigations" on charges including corruption, racketeering and drug smuggling, and another man.

The RAI crew was in Ostia to report on the outcome of local municipal elections on Sunday.

The broadcaster said Piervincenzi has a broken nose and a prognosis of 30 days.

Spada, who headbutted Piervincenzi, accused the crew of asking him the same questions for an hour and a half, ignoring his insistence that he had nothing to say, and then "forcing their way into a members-only club, disturbing a session and frightening my son".

"What would you have done?" he demanded on his Facebook profile.

"In the last 10 days at least 30 journalists have come to break our balls, patience has a limit," he said.

Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi called the attack "unacceptable" and vowed to rid Rome of crime and extremism.

"Spada clan violence unacceptable. Solidarity to journalist and filmmaker attacked in Ostia. We'll stop crime and extremism in Rome," Raggi tweeted.

The deputy head of Fascist group CasaPound, Simone di Stefano, also condemned Spada's attack and said they had nothing to with the clan.

CasaPound scored an unexpectedly high 9% in Ostia's municipal elections Sunday.

"Roberto Spada is not a member of CasaPound. We share nothing with him, apart from attendance at a kid's party in a piazza 18 months ago," Di Stefano said.

"We certainly don't answer for his actions and violence is always deprecable," he said.

Piervincenzi said Wednesday Spada should apologise for attacking him and breaking his nose. "It was an unexpected thing, I was doing an interview. We were trying to understand the reasons for the (Spada clan's) endorsement for CasaPound", he said. "I have a compound fracture of the nasal septum," said Piervincenzi. "But we're still on our feet". He denied Spada's charge the crew had frightened his son, saying "I don't think I scared anyone, I'm the scared one. "If he apologises I'm ready to forgive him, but he should apologise to Ostia, where the high crime rate and the clans have spoiled the social fabric of a beautiful place".

Piervincenzi told ANSA: "I'm hurting, and I was hit only because I asked questions".

He said Spada "smiled at me, then hit me violently with a head butt to the nose, breaking it".

Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso on Wednesday condemned the "ignoble violence" of the attack. "A hug and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Daniele and Edoardo, victims of ignoble violence," Grasso tweeted. "Strong and authoritative journalism is a fundamental democratic safeguard for all of us". There are no "no go areas" where crime can run riot in Italy, Interior Minister Marco Minniti said after Spada's attack. Minniti was said to be personally following the incident. The minister said the police were working on the case because the principles of law and order "are fundamental, and there can be no no man's land in Italy".


BRUXELLES - "We can fully state Albania deserves negotiations" with the European Union "to be opened", Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said during a joint press conference with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn in Tirana. EU - Western Balkans Media Days are taking place today and tomorrow in the Albanian capital city.



"We will continue standing on our position towards the EU and we are fully encouraged by the improvements we've made", Rama explained. Albania has now "to prove" concrete progress, the Prime Minister stressed, "but I think the wind has turned in our favour to join the EU".



Edi Rama has accepted "with pleasure" the invitation made by the European Commission presidency and will meet the president Jean-Claude Juncker early in December this year in Brussels.


If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both
Zeitgeist Films

The personal is absolutely political, and idealistic revelations do make for terrific revolutionary metaphor. But something called peer pressure is often the most direct catalyst for truly meaningful social change. Swiss screenwriter- director Petra Volpe deftly illustrates the subversive power of communal coercion in the Swiss suffrage dramedy The Divine Order.

The films premise is absurda relatively utopic European union forbids the fair sex the right to vote through the early 70sbut the history behind this cinematic narrative is legit. The men of Switzerland first passed a referendum allowing women to vote in 1971, and it wasnt ratified throughout the country until the 90s. There, women still needed their husbands explicit consent to work outside the home until 19-freaking-84.

From the transcendently ugly 70s wardrobe (big ups, Linda Harper) to Annette Focks stellar soundtrackfeaturing Lesley Gores rendition of You Dont Own Me and Aretha Franklin on Respectto Volpes classicist indie dramedy script, The Divine Order earnestly portrays a muted version of whats possible. Traumatic events close to home lead stay-at-home mom Nora (the transfixing Marie Leuenberger) to lose patience with her marriage to handsome, sympathetic factory foreman Hans (Maximilian Simonischek).

Drowning in Hans normative machismo, her father-in-laws nostalgic misogyny and her cherubic sons mere compulsory sexism, Nora stumbles onto nascent second-wave feminism. One meet-cute with an activist in the city and a couple of late nights spent with a German translation of Betty Friedans The Feminine Mystique and some pamphlets on the patriarchy and Swiss marital law, and the hook is set.

Like the faintly smiling sun from a fable, The Divine Order gradually warms its audience to its purpose, persuading us to take off our coats and sit a while. Volpe skillfully builds the drama to a crescendo before ramping up the Chocolat meets Norma Rae vibe with a womens strike and significant subsequent personal and political drama.

The towns leading anti-suffragette, Dr. Mrs. Charlotte Wipf (Therese Affolter), convinces Hans brother Werner (Nicholas Ofczarek) that his teenage daughters sexuality is criminal. When Werner sends Hanna to prison, Theresa doesnt speak up. As apparent opposites, Werners wife Theresa (Rachel Braunschweig) and rebellious daughter Hanna (Ella Rumpf) play host to a veritable Russian nesting doll of gendered mores and norms.

Theresa has nearly willed herself out of independent existence while Hanna is downright aggressive in her allegiance to her own wants and needs. Given 10 seconds to assign Switzerland an adjective, many would likely choose some variant of neutral in tribute to Swiss foreign policy. After coming out (loudly) in support of womens right to vote, Nora finds her rural popularity threatened but also attracts unlikely comrades.

Feisty widow Vroni (Sibylle Brunner) and Italian divorcee Graziella (Marta Zoffoli) populate her cheering section. As for red wine, it certainly doesnt hurt the village recruitment numbers. After fits and starts embracing the Heidi of the non-gendered right to vote character, when Noras son is bullied because shes a womens libber, it seems certain that the campaign will lose her. Then a repentant Theresa reappears.

Change can be scaryand not just for the generation that feels left behind. At a protest in the city, Nora, Vroni and Theresa participate in a womens rights march and attend a speculum party; feminist consciousness- raising and examining your vagina as a group activity apparently went hand in hand in the 70s. Genitalia observation expert Eden (German TV star Sofia Helin) passes out mirrors and displays her naturalistic paintings of vulvas; some are the spitting image of a tiger or a butterfly, while others bear more than a passing resemblance to, say, a bunny or a wolf.

As for reasons to revisit the history of suffrage, what springs to mind is the sense of cultural agency and urgency fostered by a series of recent sexual harassment accusations, the various responses of those accused and the growing sense that public disclosure of harassment and assault can indeed be revolutionary acts. If you can, invite your spiritual grandmotherwhether thats actually your moms mom or notto go watch The Divine Order with you.
In the presence of President Emmanuel Macron and the Emir of Dubai, CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall and Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), signed a joint declaration of interest on tackling climate change.

CNES and UAESA had previously signed in 2015 a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful uses of outer space that now forms the framework for space cooperation between France and the United Arab Emirates.

The declaration signed today commits CNES and UAESA to:

- Support the proposal to create a Global Climate Observatory (GCO), which will be made through the Paris Declaration to be discussed by the worlds heads of space agencies at the One Planet Summit in Paris on 12 December.

- Deepen the cooperation on Earth observation between the two nations to increase the role of space missions in tackling climate change, as proposed by space agencies after COP21.

- Encourage closer exchanges between CNES and UAESA teams to consolidate the results of climate change research from both sides.

France and the United Arab Emirates have been very active in promoting international cooperation on space for climate, in particular through the Mexico, New Delhi and Marrakesh Declarations and through their support for COP21 decisions.

With the COP23 conference currently being chaired by Fiji in Bonn, Germany, this joint declaration of interest is a new illustration of the space sectors commitment to tackling global warming. And CNES is once again offering its expertise to serve the planet through close collaboration with UAESA ahead of the One Planet Summit to be organized in Paris at the initiative of President Macron.
Bank plans to invest USD 100 million capital into its Indian operations, Emirates NBD said.

The Mumbai branch, marks the bank's fifth international branch outside of its UAE network.

Dubai: Emirates NBD, the UAE's second-largest lender, has started operations in India with an aim to invest USD 100 million capital into its Indian operations, the bank said.

The Mumbai branch, marks the bank's fifth international branch outside of its UAE network. The branch will offer a range of services to corporate, SME and institutional clients including trade finance, treasury services, bilateral and syndicated loans in addition to supporting NRI (non-resident Indian) customers looking for cross-border wealth management solutions.

The bank plans to invest USD 100 million capital into its Indian operations, Emirates NBD said.

"We are delighted to expand our footprint to India, building on the UAE's strong historic, cultural and commercial ties with the country. As a key trading partner of the UAE and as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India represents an important and strategic growth market," Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD said.

"Emirates NBD is the only UAE-based bank with physical presence across all of India's important trade corridors from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) across to Asia and the United Kingdom (UK) and our aim is to be the bank of choice for Indian corporates and individuals looking to invest and do business in the MENA region," Nelson said.

Indians constitute the largest expatriate community in the UAE and a third of Emirates NBD's customer base is from India. The bank's 60 second online funds transfer service to India, DirectRemit, has facilitated nearly a billion dirhams of NRI remittance flows this year, the company said.

The bank has presence across all of India's key trade corridors from the Middle East and North Africa (UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia) across to Asia (Singapore, China and Indonesia) and the UK (London).
Tax rates on 80 per cent of items in the top slab is likely to be reduced to 18 per cent, said Bihar Chief Minister Sushil Modi.

The GST Council will be meeting on November 9 and 10 in Guwahati for its 23rd meet. (File Photo)

Guwahati: More relief seems to be on the cards for small and medium sized entrepreneurs as the GST Council is set to begin its 23rd meeting in Assams capital on Thursday.

Officers from finance departments of various states will convene on November 9 while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the meeting on November 10.

Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) have been facing the teething troubles of the Goods and Service Tax (GST), rolled out in July this year.

In its last meet in New Delhi, the GST Council had provided a major relief to SMEs in the form of raising the threshold for availing the composition scheme to Rs 1 crore. It was also decided that small businesses with annual turn over of up to Rs 1.5 crore will have to now file returns and pay returns quarterly, instead of monthly, to reduce compliance burden on them. These businesses cover around 90 per cent of the tax base but pay around 5-6 per cent of the total GST.

More tax relief is also expected in the case of items placed in the highest 28 per cent slab. "Tax rates on 80 per cent of 227 items falling in top slab is likely to be reduced from 28 per cent to 18 per cent in the next GST council meeting. The GST fitment committee has also recommended reducing tax rates from 18 per cent to 12 per cent on a number of goods", Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and member of GST Council, Sushil Modi had said earlier.

This means good news for those waiting to buy white goods or furniture as most of these are placed in the highest tax slab.
The pain from demonetisation is also being felt in Nepal, where thousands of migrant workers still have old currency notes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdrew Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from circulation on November 8 in 2016. (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi/Mumbai: Indian officials extolled last years shock ban on high denomination bank notes as a success on Wednesday, while opponents staged protests and Nepal said its citizens were still stuck with billions of rupees in old money.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdrew Rs 500 ($7.5) and Rs 1,000 ($15) notes from circulation on November 8 last year in a bid to flush out cash hidden from the tax man and push the country toward digital transactions.

Modi got broad support for the move and his party scored a landslide win in a crucial election that followed. But an economic slowdown and job losses that resulted have given the opposition ammunition to attack his administration.

In recent days, government ministers have come out in full force calling demonetisation a success, celebrating the anniversary as anti-black money day.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Facebook that Indias dependence on cash had fallen by nearly Rs 3.89 trillion. Cash to GDP ratio is now near 9 per cent of gross domestic product, compared with nearly 12 per cent before demonetisation.

About 5.6 million new taxpayers had been added to the tax net, the finance ministry said. And Reserve Bank of India data shows transaction volumes through mobile wallets, such as PayTM and MobiKwik, jumped after demonetization to a high of 320.87 million in April, from 99.57 million in October.

But the move is widely blamed for contributing to a broad slowdown of the economy, which has hit its lowest level in three years.

The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a Mumbai based think tank, estimated that about 1.5 million jobs were lost in the first four months of 2017 due to demonetisation.

On Wednesday, the opposition Congress party held protests in major cities.

It has ruined the lives of millions of hard-working Indians, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said in a message on Twitter.

The pain from demonetization is also being felt in neighbouring Nepal, where thousands of migrant workers still have old currency notes that they could not exchange before the window to do so closed.

Chinta Mani Shivakoti, deputy governor of Nepals central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank, said they were still waiting for Indian authorities response to exchange nearly 55 million Indian currency notes held by its citizens. Business associations estimate the value of the notes at 10 billion rupees.

This will gradually lead to the erosion of trust of the Nepali people in Indian rupees, Shivakoti told Reuters. Indian silence over the exchange of old notes is an injustice to Nepali people.

An Indian finance ministry spokesman declined to comment.
The GST Council will meet on November 9 and 10 in Assams capital Guwahati.

Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is also a member of the GST council, said on Wednesday that tax rates on 80 per cent items of top 28 per cent slab are likely to be slashed at the councils meeting starting tomorrow.

Tax rates on 80 per cent of 227 items falling in top slab is likely to be reduced from 28 per cent to 18 per cent in the next GST council meeting. The GST fitment committee has also recommended reducing tax rates from 18 per cent to 12 per cent on a number of goods, Mr Sushil Modi said at a function at the Bihar Chamber of Commerce here.

So far, tax rates have been slashed on more than 100 items, he added. The GST Council will meet on November 9 and 10 in Assams capital Guwahati.

Mr Sushil Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio, was interacting with representatives of associations formed by traders involved in businesses like food, textiles, consumer goods, real estate etc.

Noting with concern that GST returns had dropped in September to 46.4 per cent from 58 per cent in the preceding month in Bihar, Mr Sushil Modi said directions have been issued to conduct a survey and find out what are the problems that businessmen may be facing.

Like demonetisation, Mr Sushil Modi said GST too was aimed at achieving a clean, transparent and honest economy and claimed the common people have no problems with the new tax regime per se. Though there may be anxieties over procedural complexities.

The new generation of traders is rapidly moving towards digitisation. They want to change the way business is done and are not willing to continue with the kachcha bill system, the Bihar Deputy CM said.
Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex trimmed early leads, trading up by 60.22 points amid bouts of value- buying in energy, consumer durables, telecom, oil and gas, bank and capital goods sectors.

Earlier the Sensex surged nearly 245 points on hectic value buying in recently hammered shares. Investors focussed on the ongoing Goods and Services Tax Council meet in Guwahati on Wednesday expecting slash in indirect tax in some sectors.

The 30-share Sensex resumed higher at 33,376.62 and hovered between a high of 33,463.80 and 33.272.09 in morning trade. It was quoting at 33,279.03 at 1100 hrs, showing a gain of 60.22 or 0.18 per cent. The broader NSE Nifty trading at 10,320.65, up by 17.50 points, or 0.17 per cent.

Major gainers were Asian Paints 2.01 per cent, Reliance 2.00 per cent, ICICI Bank 1.59 per cent, HUL 1.54 per cent, NTPC 1.22 per cent and Tata Steel 1.05 per cent.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 3,838.27 crore on Wednesday, as per provisional data released by stock exchanges.

Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 3,038.16 crore. Asian markets mostly trading higher following decent gains on Wall Street.

US stocks ended higher yesterday as investors awaited updates on efforts to pass tax reform in Washington and as President Donald Trump toured Asia.
The actress says that it shouldn't be on women to cover themselves or to avoid creating a situation that can provoke men.

Los Angeles: Italian star Monica Bellucci thinks it is important now for women to come forward about harassment and assault as they have long been told to stay silent.

The actor said those criticising the women, who have come forward against Harvey Weinstein, for not speaking up earlier should understand that it takes courage to open up like that.

"I can say I am so happy that I have two kids, two girls, and they are born in this period of time. It's important that women now come out and have the courage to talk and to say things that surpass the fear, because our fear is something that is in our DNA," Bellucci told the Hollywood Reporter.

"People are asking, 'why didn't these women come out before? Why didn't they say something right away?' When a bird is in a cage for a long time, even when you open the cage, it doesn't go out. And so to come out from that is something that has to change inside. It takes so much time to come out and have the courage to talk."

Bellucci, who started working in her teens as a model and actor, said she also experienced harassment. The actor believes every woman faces harassment in some form or the other.

"Of course. I don't think there is one woman in the world who hasn't experienced this to some degree. So I think when you are a woman, you know from a very young age how to deal with those attitudes. In some cases, you think that it is almost normal because it happens so often. But it's not normal. What we have to teach our children is that it's not normal."

The actor said parents need to teach their children about these situations and how to face them.

"When we were kids, sometimes they didn't explain enough to us that it is not our fault. Because they teach us how to dress or how to behave in order not to provoke. But we have to explain to men that they can't act like that.

"It's not on women that we have to cover ourselves, or we have to avoid creating a situation that can provoke men. The men have to learn how to stay in their place."

Bellucci, 53, worked on several Miramax films over the years including 'The Brothers Grimm' and 'Malena', but said she did not "have to deal with those kinds of situations" because she already knew how to handle them.

"Because when you are a pretty woman and you are in a type of work where your image is part of the work, of course, you learn how to deal with situations," she said.

The actor, however, is hopeful about the future as she feels there is already a shift in the way people perceive women.
Doctor Karan Peepre, Superintendent of Sultania Women Hospital said the erroneous report was work of a new comer.

The medical reports of Bhopal gang-rape victim allegedly stated that she indulged in consensual sex with the accused. (Photo: ANI)

Bhopal: A senior doctor on Thursday clarified that the medical reports of Bhopal gang-rape victim stating that she indulged in consensual sex with culprits was incorrect and has been rectified.

Doctor Karan Peepre, Superintendent of Sultania Women's Hospital said the erroneous report was work of a new comer.

The medical reports of Bhopal gang-rape victim allegedly stated that she indulged in consensual sex with the accused.

Speaking to ANI, Dr. Peepre, said, "It was a mistake by a newcomer and now report has been rectified and issued again."

Assuring that such mistake would not be repeated, Peepre said, "It has also been directed that a senior woman doctor or her team will assist in the internal and external inquiry of such sensitive cases."

When asked as whether the report was made under some pressure, Peepre said that his medical department never works under anyone's pressure and added, "They are very learned and experienced people."

On Thursday, the 19-year-old civil services aspirant was abducted by four men and allegedly gang-raped near the Habibganj Railway Station in Bhopal.

All the four accused have been arrested.
Congress says note ban led to large-scale job losses, BJP says it created jobs.

New Delhi: The ruling BJP and the Congress-led Opposition locked horns on Wednesday over the contentious move by the government to demonetise high-value currency notes a year ago. While the Congress observed November 8 as a black day, the BJP marked it as anti-black money day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking the people for supporting the note ban.

In a decision that has been much debated ever since, the Prime Minister had announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes exactly a year back in a bid to curb black money and boost the digital economy.

BJP ministers, chief ministers and members of Parliament took to Twitter to celebrate anti-black money day. Mr Modi said he bows to the people of India for supporting measures taken by the government against corruption and black money. Demonetisation was a decisive battle where 125 crore Indians fought against black money and won, he said.

In a series of tweets, the PM posted short films on his Twitter handle to showcase demonetisations benefits. He said the move formalised the Indian economy and ensured better jobs for the poor, while cleansing the financial system.

The Congress, on the other hand, said demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had led to large-scale job losses, specially in the informal sector. In a hard-hitting article in Londons prestigious Financial Times, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wrote: Mr Modi has damaged India by converting anger created by joblessness and lack of economic opportunity into communal hatred. He has chosen to hide behind a shallow, hate-filled political narrative. Anger might have brought Mr Modi to power, but it will never create jobs or fix Indias institutions.

He said: The Prime Minister claimed his decision was aimed at wiping out corruption. Twelve months on, the only thing he has wiped out is confidence in our once booming economy.

Mr Gandhi, now camping in Surat, Gujarat, described demonetisation as an attack on the Indian economy.

Former finance minister P. Chidambaram said that in the interests of transparency, the government/RBI should release the RBI boards agenda, background note and (former governor) Raghuram Rajans note. If the government is confident of its decision, why does it fear releasing these documents?

The BJP was quick to target Mr Gandhi, saying the ex-serviceman whose photograph he has tweeted to pan demonetisation has publicly supported the note ban, and claimed that he is turning the Indian National Congress into the Indian Fake News Congress.

The government fielded I&B minister Smriti Irani to hit back, who said the note ban decision was definitely a tragedy for the Gandhi family.

At a press conference in Lucknow, she took a dig at the Congress vice-president, saying it was definitely a tragedy for the gentleman who had wanted to withdraw `4,000 just for show, and then took long breaks in overseas destinations unknown to many Indians.

The Opposition, led by the Congress, has made the issue of demonetisation, coupled with hasty implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a poll plank in the coming Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections.

Most Opposition parties held protests across the country on separate platforms in protest against the note ban. Lashing out at the Modi government, the Left parties said for the first time in Indias history, a government was celebrating death and suffering.

The Modi government has created two records in the world. One, it made people stand in queues and many people lost their lives; second, though Modi tried to tell the people and the world that by demonetisation he would stop black money, in reality he has helped hoarders change black money into white, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said at a rally on the first anniversary of demonetisation.

Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, in a Twitter post, asked people to turn their profile pictures black in protest against demonetisation.
The bench was hearing a PIL initiated by it in 2015 on the issue of poor air quality in the national capital.

The Delhi High Court asked the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government and the neighbouring states about the measures being taken to address the issue of 'stubble burning'. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

New Delhi: Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has been inhaling poison for three consecutive days now; the smog began to take its toll from early Tuesday morning. To make venturing outdoors less of a health hazard, the government came up with a list of emergency measures to curb pollution levels in the capital.

Barring the ones carrying essential items, the Delhi government banned entry of all trucks into the NCR. After Kejriwals request to Education Minister Manish Sisodia, schools in the capital remain closed till Sunday.

To beat the unbearable air pollution, construction and demolition activities have also been kept on hold till further notice.

The Delhi government further said, it would roll out the odd-even scheme if pollution levels persist in severe plus category for over 48 hours. A statement from the lieutenant-governors office, however, said the decision on odd-even would be taken on Thursday.

The government also issued a health advisory asking people to remain indoors. The advisory aims to counter health implications as the thick blanket of haze and smog can lead to long-term breathing problems like asthma attacks and bronchitis.

(Photo: Twitter | ANI)

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said stubble burning was the "main villain" behind the severe level of pollution in the capital and the neighbouring areas.

The court asked the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government and the neighbouring states about the measures being taken to address the issue.

A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva said, October to January is a "critical period" when the air quality in Delhi is poor due to the weather conditions.

Stubble burning during this period acted as the "trigger" or is the "main villain" which leads the situation to deteriorate, it said.

"This becomes critical at this time. It (air quality) is already loaded (with dust), but stubble burning is the trigger. It becomes the main villain," the court said, adding that besides stubble burning, dust and construction debris also contribute towards the poor air quality.

While bringing stubble burning to a complete halt "will take time", the governments should at least try to enforce the regulations like mitigating construction dust generation, which can be done easily.

The bench was hearing a PIL initiated by it in 2015 on the issue of poor air quality in the national capital.

The Centre, represented by advocate Ajay Digpaul, told the bench the Environment Ministry has held meetings with all stakeholders and the issue of stubble burning was reviewed.

It also submitted that it was monitoring the burning of agricultural waste through satellite imagery provided by the respective state governments.

The Punjab government, meanwhile, has filed an affidavit before the court, claiming it has prohibited indiscriminate burning of agricultural waste in the entire state.

It also said it was complying with all the directions issued by the court in its September 22 order.
Polling will take place on Thursday while the results will be out only on December 18, after almost six weeks.

New Delhi: With just a few hours left for Himachal Pradesh to choose whether to give another chance to the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress or to give a mandate to the P.K. Dhumal-led BJP this time, many political pundits are favouring the latter. Most opinion polls also predict that the BJP, which has issued a Mission 50+ slogan for the 68-member Assembly, is coming back to power. Polling will take place on Thursday while the results will be out only on December 18, after almost six weeks.

Confident of coming back to power, Mr Dhumal tweeted a hashtag Parivartan along with an earlier tweet by the partys star campaigner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi: My campaigns across Himachal convince me that the Congress will be defeated in the polls. People cant tolerate its corruption & misgovernance. Mr Singh, on the other hand, tweeted his angst against demonetisation, a decision taken by the Modi government last year on this day.

One year ago, on Nov. 8, one mans ego traumatised a whole nation. DeMon was an unprovoked attack on common man. #BJPMoneyLaunderingDay, tweeted the hill states incumbent chief minister. Other than his profile picture, his Twitter page had another photograph of him in the background with the couplet Kaise kahoon ki thak gaya hoon main... At 83, Mr Singh is said to be fighting his last political battle. He himself had said this shall be my last election. Facing strong anti-incumbency, Mr Singh is fighting from a new Assembly seat, Arki. His opponent, Mr Dhumal, is also contesting from a new constituency, Sujanpur, where his opponent is his former confidant Rajendra Singh Rana.

In all, 337 candidates, including 62 MLAs, are in the fray. Prominent candidates include the incumbent CM, 10 ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, deputy speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers.

Other than traditional rivals Congress and BJP, the Mayawati-led BSP is also contesting 42 seats. The CPI(M) is also contesting 14 seats, the Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI has fielded candidates from three seats.

The hill state saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners like Mr Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and Congress Rahul Gandhi. While the BJPs main poll plank is corruption, Congress leaders, including Mr Singh, hit out at the BJP over the issue of GST and demonetisation. The candidates also include 19 women and seven rebels each of the BJP and Congress.

At present, the Congress and BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively in the 68-member House, besides four Independents, while one seat is vacant.

As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel deputed for poll duty. Besides 17,850 police and home guard personnel, 65 companies of Central paramilitary forces have been deployed.

The Election Commission said webcasting would be used in 2,307 polling stations for live monitoring of polling activities. Polling would be held from 8 am to 5 pm. The commission said the state has 100 per cent voter ID card holders and 7,525 EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are being used.

The VVPAT machines are being used for the first time in this Assembly election and 10 per cent of total EVMs and VVPATs have been kept in reserve. Of the total polling stations, 983 have been declared vulnerable and 399 critical to ensure free and fair elections in the state.

The maximum numbers of vulnerable polling stations are 297 in Kangra district, and the minimum two in Kinnaur district.
However, the chamber said demonetisation had a positive impact on the use of digital transactions.

A Congress worker participates in a Black Day protest against demonetisation on the first anniversary of its announcement in Bhopal. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Even after one year, the negative impact of demonetisation continues to hurt the economy. The effects of demonetisation still persist as demand in the economy is still lacklustre and business firms are still not enthusiastic in the production process, said a survey by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.

Though demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes has completed one year today, the industries have still not recovered fully from the aftermath of demonetisation of 86 per cent of the total currency, said Anil Khaitan, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The chamber said that while it appreciates the efforts of the government to stamp out black money from the system, the demonetisation drive has impacted the businesses in terms of impact on demand and sales.

The impact of demonetisation is majorly seen on small businesses as they are highly driven by cash transactions, said Mr Khaitan.

PHD Research Bureau, the research arm of PHD Chamber, conducted a survey of 214 business firms covering 10 key sectors of the economy from MSMEs and large enterprises operating in different states to assess the impact of demonetisation in the last one year.

It has been observed that 65 per cent of the firms across all the sectors surveyed have registered a decline in their sales post demonetisation. Also, owing to less purchasing power, demand has not yet picked up fully in the economy, it said.

The survey revealed that 61 per cent of the business firms across all sectors have reported a decline in turnover post demonetisation due to low production and lower demand, said the chamber.

It said that majority of the respondents (56 per cent) have reported an increase in the transaction costs, particularly at the time of implementation of demonetisation, due to delays involved in payments.

Further, the impact of note ban has been more on contractual workforce than full time employees as the contractual primarily daily wage workers have to be paid in cash which had impacted their employment in almost all sectors surveyed, it said.

However, the chamber said demonetisation had a positive impact on the use of digital transactions as there has been a considerable increase with consumers prefering digital payments over cash post demonetisation.

Going ahead, it is essential to revive demand to give a boost to industry thereby refuelling the economic growth to higher trajectory in the coming times, said Mr Khaitan.

We look forward to revival of GDP growth in the coming quarters as anticipated at 6.7 per cent (real GVA) for the current financial year 2017-18 by the RBI in its latest fourth bi-monthly monetary policy statement 2017-18 released on October 4, 2017, he added.

The key sectors surveyed include agro and food processing, auto components and automotive, construction and real estate, drugs and pharmaceuticals among others.
The airline, however, claimed in a letter to the minister that it was the passenger who had attacked an employee.

The incident occurred on October 15 but it hit the headlines only Tuesday after a video clip was aired on some TV channels.

New Delhi: After the widely-reported Delhi airport incident in which a passenger was allegedly thrashed by the ground staff of IndiGo Airlines, civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told IndiGo promoter Rahul Bhatia that this kind of barbarous behaviour by airline staffers should not be allowed. The airline, however, claimed in a letter to the minister that it was the passenger who had attacked an employee.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Raju also said security procedures on the airside (where the violence occurred) were not followed. With the ministry monitoring the situation, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is issuing a notice to IndiGo. Mr Raju also ordered the DGCA to submit a report on the incident after an inquiry. The incident occurred on October 15 but it hit the headlines only Tuesday after a video clip was aired on some TV channels.

On Wednesday, IndiGo president and wholetime director Aditya Ghosh wrote to the minister acknowledging that IndiGo was at fault and apologising for this regrettable incident. However, at the same time, the IndiGo chief accused the passenger, Rajiv Katyal, of attacking IndiGo employee Juby Thomas while claiming that airline employees had not attacked the passenger. But Mr Ghosh claimed in his letter to the ministry that whatever may have been the provocation, whether verbal or physical abuse, we could have tried to display more restraint.

The government is coming under increasing pressure to act after incidents of high-handedness of airline staffers. It may be recalled that airline crew were kept out of the no-fly list rules put out by the government a few weeks ago.

In a civilised society, there is no place for fisticuffs. It has to be condemned. I want to condemn this incident. I have asked the DGCA to give an independent report. There are certain procedures in the security area where this has happened. These procedures have not been followed. The notice will go (to IndiGo) from BCAS. Any employee found to have misbehaved... with fisticuffs... will have to surrender his pass to the airport operator. What is all this?, a furious minister said.

Telling reporters that IndiGo promoter Rahul Bhatia had called on him, the minister said: I told him this kind of barbarous thing (violence on passengers) should not be allowed. He (Mr Bhatia) said he would send the video (of the incident) to me.

When asked why airline crew had not been included in the no-fly list rules, the minister said the government was balanced in its views, but added: If (you feel) no-fly list rules are not balanced, please let me know.

In his letter to Mr Raju, Mr Aditya Ghosh said: At the very outset, let me start off by acknowledging that we were at fault and we not only apologise for this regrettable incident, we have also taken action... Whatever may have been the provocation, whether verbal or physical abuse, we could have tried to display more restraint.

Mr Ghosh claimed: The moment the doors of the bus close, Mr Katyal (the passenger) reaches out and grabs Juby Thomas face. Even while (Indigo employee) Juby Thomas is being assaulted, Juby Thomas does not retaliate and Sahiv Sharma (the other employee) tries to separate the two individuals... One can see unfortunately that even after Mr Katyal was separated from Juby Thomas, he once again charges towards Juby Thomas and grabbed Juby Thomas face and tries to pull Juby Thomas towards himself and in the process both of them lose balance and fall to the ground.

On the alleged whistleblower employee Montu Kalra, who was subsequently sacked, the airline defended its action, saying: Montu Kalra was a cargo employee. He had no reason to approach the passenger area. He had no reason to prevent the customer from boarding the bus.
An alliance of key separatist leaders has termed his appoint as nothing more than a tactic to buy time and refused to meet him.

Srinagar: After spending two days at a government guesthouse, the Centres special representative Dineshwar Sharma on Wednesday had had a series of meetings with several key faces of Jammu and Kashmirs mainstream politics.

Mr Sharma, a 1979-batch IPS officer and former Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) who is on his maiden visit of twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu after being appointed as the Centres new interlocutor said he is also trying to meet separatist Hurriyat Conference alliance leaders.

Im also trying to meet Hurriyat leaders, he said after meeting the state CPIM secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and leaders of two regional parties. He asserted, I met many people. It was very good. I wish that peace return to Kashmir. I will also try to meet Hurriyat.

An alliance of key separatist leaders has termed his appoint as nothing more than a tactic to buy time and refused to meet him. Several likeminded political groups and social, trade and civil society groups including the Kashmir high court bar association have endorsed the view.

After spending three days in the summer capital, he will go to Jammu on Thursday to meet the leaders of different political and social groups. His first real engagement was with former chief minister and leader of opposition National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah, when it comes to discharging the difficult task of holding sustained dialogue with those who are considered movers and shakers of J&Ks politics and public life assigned to him.

The NC leadership was reluctant to meet Mr Sharma and, its president Farooq Abdullah said that he was not optimistic about the outcome of the same. But Mr Sharma chose to drive to the party working president and former chief minister, Omar Abdullahs, residence at Srinagars posh Gupkar Road.

After their meeting, Mr Abdullah tweeted, Mr. Dineshawar Sharma & I met at my residence in Srinagar this morning. We discussed the prevailing situation in the state and also steps that can be taken to make his visits to the state more meaningful.

Later, he said, He asked for my opinion on how to effectively go about the work assigned to him. I hope he will act on my suggestions, the NC leader said. He, however, also took dig at Mr Sharmas saying, Sitting in a guesthouse and waiting for people to come and meet him wont yield results.

Later during the day, Mr Sharma met CPIM leader Tarigami along with Ghulam Hassan Mir and Hakim Muhammad Yasin who head two regional political parties. Following this, the trio addressed a press conference to say that they reiterated their stance that Kashmir is a long pending complex issue which has generated untold sufferings.
The reports on these five issues will be presented to the PM.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet the members of his Economic Advisory Council (EAC) headed by Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy, on November 10 even as the panel has finalised five key issues. Each of its five members will be preparing their reports on the same.

Sources privy to developments said that it will be the first meeting of the EAC with Mr Modi after he had set up the council on September 25 amid sluggish economic growth and concerns over falling private investment in the country.

The council is said to have identified issues like job creation & employment, economic growth and agriculture as key focus areas among five topics they were supposed to finalise before their second meeting. The reports on these five issues will be presented to the PM.

The meeting also comes just before the EAC's second meeting which is expected to take place next week. During its first meeting held on October 11, the EAC had shortlisted apart from the three issues mentioned above, sectors like fiscal framework, patterns of consumption & production, social sector, public expenditure, informal sector, and institutions of economic governance.

With Mr Modi keen on job creation, sources informed that the meeting is likely to focus on how job creation opportunities can be enhanced, especially in various informal sectors and north-east region. Also economic growth and agriculture are some of the issues. Principal advisor Niti Aayog Ratan Watal, economists like Surjit Bhalla, Ashima Goyal and Rathin Roy are the other members of the EAC.

EAC was formed just days after Mr Modi in September first week formed a task force on employment and exports headed by Niti Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar.

The task force, which includes government and private sector representatives, will submit its report by November. Its objective is to propose a comprehensive plan of action to generate employment and alleviate under-employment in various services sectors.
Jaitly, former president of the Samata Party, was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of her book 'Life Among the Scorpions'.

The activist-turned-author also lashed out at the chief minister for his 'lack of humanity' towards elders, particularly his mentor George Fernandes, who co-founded the Samata party along with Nitish Kumar in 1994. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was prime ministerial material but was disappointing in terms of his democratic behaviour as a team person, his one-time colleague in the Samata Party, Jaya Jaitly has said.

The activist-turned-author also lashed out at the chief minister for his lack of humanity towards elders, particularly his mentor George Fernandes, who co-founded the Samata party along with Nitish Kumar in 1994. In 2003, the bulk of the party merged with the Janata Dal (United).

Jaitly, former president of the Samata Party, was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of her book Life Among the Scorpions.

She described Kumar as disappointing at best.

There was a time when I felt that he was prime ministerial material... he was trained and administratively keen.

But from the time we worked together I kept seeing more and more of a person who was disappointing in terms of his democratic behaviour while working as a team, she said.

But what she really cant forgive the JD(U) chief for is his lack of humanity towards elders, Jaitly said.

In 2009, then NDA convenor Fernandes, described by Jaitly as a politician par excellence, was denied a ticket by the JD(U) for the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.

When Fernandes fought the election as an independent candidate from Muzaffarpur, he was expelled from the party.

Jaitly also spoke out on the appointment of Jagmohan as governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

I remember sitting with George saab in Hauz Khas when Farooq Abdullah phoned him and said not to send Jagmohan as the governor of the state otherwise he will quit. George saab rang V P Singh in front of me and at that time he assured that they were not sending him as the governor, she said.

V P Singh was prime minister from December 1989 to November 1990.

But Fernandes, Jaitly said, was shocked to learn later that Jagmohan was appointed governor.

Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi told the prime minister to appoint Fernandes as special in-charge of Kashmir, she recalled.

But the sad thing was that every time George saab would try to phone the governor at Raj Bhavan telling them that he was coming to Kashmir nobody would answer the phone, Jaitly said.

She added during the freewheeling conversation that she was propelled into politics during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and decided to fight the forces and the party behind the carnage.

She couldnt bear it, she said.

Thats how I decided that I cant be just one of those drawing room people who will say that how terrible everything is in evening over a glass of whiskey.

In her book, Jaitly looks back at her journey as an Indian politician and recounts how the going got tougher with every success, perhaps because she was a woman.

Life Among the Scorpions includes the authors account of major events in Indian politics between 1970-2000, including her experience of dealing with the commission of inquiry and courts regarding Tehelkas sting Operation West End.
Seven-year-old Pradyuman was found dead with his throat slit in the washroom of his school on September 8.

The visit to the school and the knife shop was part of the CBI's exercise to recreate the crime scene, according to PTI sources. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: New Delhi: The class 11 student of Gurgaon's Ryan International School, apprehended by the CBI in connection with the murder of Pradyuman Thakur, was on Thursday taken to the place of crime, which is the school, to substantiate his statements on the activities before and after the crime.

Haven't made minor record statement in front of Magistrate, he was taken to place of crime, today. Only one knife is part of investigation, one that was recovered by Gurugram Police. Apart from teachers & students, ex-employees of Ryan also questioned: CBI Sources #PradyumanCase  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The juvenile is also expected to be taken to the shop that sold him the knife with which he allegedly slit Pradyumans throat in the toilet of the school on September 8.

The visit to the school and the knife shop was part of the CBI's exercise to recreate the crime scene, according to PTI sources.

A special crime team of the CBI, which was questioning him, remained tight-lipped about the exercise, saying it could affect the probe.

The student, who was apprehended by the CBI on Tuesday night, was kept at Sewa Kutir in Kingsway Camp in north Delhi.

On Thursday, the CBI told a Gurgaon court that the teen had confessed before his father that he killed his junior, Pradyuman.

Read: Class 11 Ryan student confesses to killing Pradyuman: CBI

"He has admitted his involvement in committing the murder of...in ground floor boys washroom of Ryan International School...in presence of his father..., independent witness, welfare officer of the CBI, etc.," the CBI told the court.

Seven-year-old Pradyuman was found dead with his throat slit in the washroom of his school on September 8.

Read: Sickening to find violence is cool nowadays: Renuka Shahane on Pradyuman murder

According to the CBI, the Class 11 student, believed to be weak in his studies, allegedly slit Pradyuman's throat to get the school to declare a holiday in order to defer a scheduled parent-teacher meeting (PTM) and an examination.

The agency did not find any evidence of sexual assault, a CBI spokesperson said on Wednesday.
As of now, the much sought after reforms of secretariat is not yet established.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL filed by a lawyer challenging the appointment of four judges to the apex courtjustices A.M. Kanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud, M.M. Shantanagouder and L. Nageswara Rao in July 2016.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A.K. Sikri and Amitav Roy dismissed a special leave petition filed by advocate R.P. Luthra who was aggrieved by the rejection of his petition by the Delhi high court.

On October 27 a bench of justices A.K. Goel and Uday Lalit had sought the assistance of the attorney-general K.K. Venugopal to examine the reasons for the delay in finalising the Memorandumof Procedure relating to judgs appointment. As CJI told the petitioner that its dismissed as these are not matters to be decided on the judicially side, Mr. Luthra said he had a right to be heard before the matter was dismissed.

The CJI told the petitioner that after the Constitution bench had upheld the collegium system of appointments and quashed the National Judcial Appointments Commission law, there was no need to go into these issues. Senior advocate K.V. Viswanathan, who was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court submitted that it was a matter of great concern that the MoP was yet to be finalised even after two years and there was a feeling that there was delay in judical appointments.

Justice Amitav Roy told Mr. Luthra your main grievance that you were not considered for appointment as a judge of this court. Mr. Luthra asked at the top of his voice your lordship what do you know about me. Do I have a right to be heard or not. This is a temple of justice. You dismiss my petition after hearing me.

Justice Sikri told the petitioner this is not a drama to be enacted in the court. Please maintain the decorum of this court. We have heard you and your petition is dismissed. In a brief order the Bench said there was no need to consider the petitioners prayer after the constitution bench had decided the matter.

In his petition, Mr. Luthra contended that the constitution bench judgment of October 2015 quashing the National Judicial Appointments Commission law and restoring the collegium system of appointment had envisaged finalisation of MoP by the Union government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. As of now, the much sought after reforms of secretariat is not yet established.

He said the transparency, as sought after for the appointments are not established. The mechanism to deal with the complaints against the selection and its objectivity is not established. No eligibility criteria for the appointment of judges to the apex court are laid down till date, and in absence of the same, the elements of nepotism, favoritism and arbitrariness cannot be ruled out. Further, such recommendations and the appointment based on such recommendations would be in complete violation of Articles 14,16, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

Though two years had elapsed the MoP is yet to be finalised and hence the recommendations made by the apex court collegium for appointment of the four Judges are void and could not be acted upon, he said and sought a direction in this regard.
Deputy election commissioner Sandeep Saxena said that the previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 Assembly polls.

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh on Thursday recorded its highest-ever voter turn-our of over 74 per cent in a possible indication towa-rds a regime change in the hill state. Counting will take place after 40 days on December 18 along with that of Gujarat where polling is scheduled to take place on December 9 and 14.

The hill state, which has largely witnessed a bipolar polity, has had a Congress government for the last five years and there are indications that the BJP might storm to power this time. According to pollsters, a high turnout indicates anti-incumbency.

Except in 1998, the hill state has always given a decisive verdict. That year both Congress and BJP were tied at 31 seats each in the 68-member Assembly.

In the outgoing Assembly, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively. There are four Independent MLAs while one seat was vacant.

While the Congress and the BJP are contesting all 68 seats, the BSP is contesting 42 seats, the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathban-dhan Party six each and the CPI 3.

In a high-voltage campaign which lasted nearly two weeks, star campaigners of both parties held over 450 rallies. Mr Modi and BJP president Amit Shah addressed six rallies each, while Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed three.

The BJP made corruption its main poll plank, targeting chief minister Virbhadra Singh, while the Congress focussed on the ill effects of demonetisation and hasty implementation of the Goods and Service Tax.

Among those who have thrown their hat in the ring are chief minister Virbhadra Singh, 10 state ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers.

The BJP declared Mr Dhumal as its chief ministerial candidate, a first for the ruling party which usually fights polls on Prime Minister Narendra Modis charisma.

The EC recorded 74 per cent voter turnout till 5 PM. The final polling percentage may be revised as some voting figures are yet to be tallied, the Election Commission said at a time when polling was still on in about 500 booths.

Deputy election commissioner Sandeep Saxena said that the previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 Assembly polls.

A total of 11,283 VVPAT units were used in polling booths across 68 constituencies out of which 297 were replaced, Mr Saxena said, adding this was well within the technical limits.
The message in the story so far is quite sad  surviving is not quite the same as entrepreneurial instincts.

The latest to join the list of important days in India is November 9, which has just been added to celebrate the National Entrepreneurship Day. Interestingly, it comes at a time when India has reported a significant improvement in World Banks Ease of Doing Business rankings even though the country is still ranked at a low 100th position. The day is also being celebrated at a time when both job and credit growth, some of the indicators of a healthy enterprise ecosystem, are abysmally low.

Be that as it may, it is a good thing that we are celebrating entrepreneurship. Not only is this a humble reminder of how far we have come from the days of controlled economy, where profit was a dirty word, it must also serve as a reminder of the distance that lies ahead.

It is perhaps also an opportune time to try and understand the complex phenomenon of entrepreneurship better. Lets begin with a well-established fact: essentially entrepreneurs are job creators but in any economy we have majority of job seekers than job creators  meaning thereby that entrepreneurship is a rather rare phenomenon. So why then is the government putting so much political capital and resources in promoting it? The obvious answer is that there is economic gloom and the government is desperate to kick-start the economy and create jobs. It is coaxing the entrepreneurial types to unleash their animal spirits.

However, there is also a less obvious side to it. Just look around and you will see that there are already far too many first generation entrepreneurs now than we had in decades prior to the 90s. Their numbers have been gradually increasing since the inception of liberalisation and the advent of advanced computing as we know it today. These enabling attributes were possible because of the policies that we adopted. So that settles at least one thing, policy-driven approach to boost entrepreneurship does work, at least to some extent.

A right set of policies can create an environment of high entrepreneurial activity which can wire the societal mindset towards high risk, high reward thinking. This behavioural aspect can be proven by a converse theory too. Take for example, rural women and farmers. These two categories are what we are inclined to think as natural entrepreneurs perhaps because both are instinctively good at working with limited resources to produce a certain output, but when evaluated against evidence, one will find that most efforts to turn them into thriving entrepreneurs have only sub-optimally worked.

More specifically lets look at farmers  they work with land, capital and labour and hence agriculture is similar to any industrial activity but our farmers are far from being the kind of entrepreneurs that we need in the economy. They are barely able to survive, let alone being job creators.

The message in the story so far is quite sad  surviving is not quite the same as entrepreneurial instincts. Majority of our farmers are small or marginal and perpetually in a debt trap, hence unable to make decisions about growth and expansion. The World Banks World Development Report 2015, which focuses on Mind, Society and Behaviour, reinforces this argument. It states that our policies are not based on an understanding of how everyday thinking works. Citing an example of sugarcane farmers in India, it makes a point that financial stress takes a toll on cognitive abilities and financial decision-making, and hence, in a sense poverty imposes a cognitive tax.

It is this element of cognition that is at the heart of the concept of entrepreneurship. Those who are innately entrepreneurial can succeed despite all odds but those who are not can perhaps succeed if their entrepreneurial cognition is allowed to develop. It is this aspect that we must be focusing on but unfortunately we only seem to be utterly oblivious of it. Yet another example from our farming community explains this better. Recently, a record of sorts was reported. For the first time the total value of milk production in the country exceeded the value of food grain production. This should have come as a good news for our small dairy farmers, but on the contrary it has spelt a new crisis for them. The dairy sector, which is dominated by large companies, is witnessing fierce competition thus leading to a fall in the price of milk. As a result, the margins of small farmers are being reduced further thereby turning them away from being the entrepreneurs that they would like to be. In the wake of this crisis, they are at best workers for large corporations.

Indian socialism (or the way it has been practised) did something similar to the DNA of our country. Generations after generations became dependent upon the state as the sole provider thereby draining a large chunk of entrepreneurial energy from our society. Excessive government control ensured that its strands are visible even many decades later and to top it all the damage that it brought in the form of corruption has affected the psyche of even a common man.

In all of this gloom though, sparks of political entrepreneurship gave us a hope to be optimistic about the future. Rajiv Gandhi articulated the vision for 21st century India; Narsimha Rao-Manmohan Singh duo led us to first generation economic reforms; Atal Behari Vajpayee and Dr Singh brought us out of nuclear apartheid and Narendra Modi is working overtime to make India look good to investors.

Unfortunately, what is still happening is that we are eliminating many natural entrepreneurs (our farmers) in a rush to create new. Whether it is our start up policy or EODB fetish, what we have seen is that the top level intent does not match the ground level realities and incidentally, it is from the ground that the entrepreneurs come.

The writers work for CUTS International
Economic issues including trade and investment are also expected to be discussed in detail.

New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Manila on Sunday to attend the Asean-India and East Asia Summits on November 14, there are indications that a meeting of foreign ministry officials at the joint secretary level between India, Japan, the United States and Australia is likely to be held on the sidelines. In the face of Chinas increasing military assertiveness, Japan has already proposed that a quadrilateral comprising the four nations be formed to discuss various issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

New Delhi has already indicated it is open to any opportunity to work with like-minded nations but sources warned that any such meeting should not be seen as an intention to join the quadrilateral as yet. India may, however, be inching towards joining such a consultation process, specially as it has already pointed out it is part of several trilateral discussions with various countries.

Prime Minister Modi will attend the 15th Asean-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on November 14. In the context of growing global religious extremism and terrorism, Mr Modi may discuss the issue of de-radicalisation with Asean leaders, sources indicated. Economic issues including trade and investment are also expected to be discussed in detail. Mr Modi will also have a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on November 13. He is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump, but it has not yet been officially announced.

Mr Modi is also expected to visit the International Rice Research Institute near Manila, an institute which has contributed to better quality rice yields. The institute is expected to open a regional branch in Varanasi, which is the PMs constituency. He will also visit the Mahavir Philippines Centre, which produces the famous Jaipur foot artificial limb.

Mr Modi is visiting Manila at a time when New Delhi is gearing up to receive top leaders of all the 10 Asean countries for a special Asean-India Summit in New Delhi in January this year to celebrate 25 years of Indo-Asean partnership. This will be followed by their presence as chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Various events celebrating the association will be held in the coming months, including a Pravasi meeting in Singapore.

In a statement, the MEA said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 15th Asean-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit to be held in Manila, Philippines on November 14, 2017, at the invitation of H.E. Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines. The summits will be attended by heads of state/government of the 10 Asean and 18 East Asia Summit Participating Countries respectively. During the visit, the Prime Minister (Mr Modi) will have a bilateral meeting with President Duterte. In the margins, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with several other world leaders. The MEA added, The East Asia Summit is the premier Leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. Apart from the 10 Asean member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia. India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges.

At the 12th East Asia Summit, leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation, irregular migration, etc. The leaders are also expected to accept declarations on Countering the Spread of Terrorist Narratives, Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism and Poverty Alleviation. The PM would be also attending a meeting on the Regional Compre-hensive Economic Partnership Negotiations which would follow the 12th East Asia Summit, it added.
The agency booked the six, along with three others, in its case against Hurriyat leaders

The agency said on Monday, an NIA team intercepted the gang members at Jai Singh Road near Connaught Place and found them carrying 28 cartons filled with demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. (Representational image)

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Wednesday suspended assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Bhagwan Singh who was held along with six people after the NIA seized demonetised currency worth Rs 36 crore from them in an alleged case of terror funding.

The agency booked the six, along with three others, in its case against Hurriyat leaders. On Wednesday, a special court sent all the nine accused to NIA custody till November 21. Mr Singh is the key accused in the case and has a vital role in movement of money, an NIA officer said.

According to the NIA, during questioning of the accused, the agency learnt that some people associated with top separatists were hoarding demonetised currency.

Surveillance was mounted on such persons/ entities. This led to unearthing of a conspiracy wherein a gang of such persons/ entities were attempting to convert the old currency notes into valid currency, an NIA spokesperson said.

The agency said on Monday, an NIA team intercepted the gang members at Jai Singh Road near Connaught Place and found them carrying 28 cartons filled with demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Over the past two days, the NIA has seized Rs 36,34,78,500 in demonetised currency. Initially, the agency apprehended seven people with the currency, but one was let off after questioning. Three others were arrested on Tuesday evening.

Those arrested have been identified as Delhi residents Pradeep Chauhan, Bhagwan Singh and Vinod Shreedhar Shetty, Deepak Toprani of Mumbai, Ejajul Hassan of Amroha, Jaswinder Singh of Nagpur, and Jammu and Kashmir residents Umar Mushtaq Dar (Pulwama), Shahnawaz Mir (Srinagar) and Majid Yousuf Sofi (Anantnag). The agency has also seized four cars  BMW X3, Creta SX, Ford EcoSport Titanium and BMW X1.
The gangster from Haryana was recently arrested by the Delhi police and is currently in Tihar Jail.

New Delhi: An extortion call made by notorious gangster Manjit Mahal has sent a Delhi-based businessman into fear and shock. The gangster from Haryana was recently arrested by the Delhi police and is currently in Tihar Jail. The call made allegedly by one Manjit Mahal has forced the police to look into the matter.

According to the complaint, the businessman identified as Kuldeep Sharma, a resident of Shivam Enclave, said that he received an extortion call on Oct. 24. While Mr Sharma, who runs a finance and construction business, was busy at work when he allegedly received a call where the caller introduced himself as Manjit Mahal.

In his complaint, Mr Sharma said that the caller after introducing himself demanded to hand over Rs 25 lakh to him, failing which the he would have to face dire consequences.

According to Mr Sharma, the caller also warned him not to inform police else he would kill him.

However, Mr Sharma took the threat lightly. But, another call on Oct. 31 sent him into a tizzy when the caller from the same number asked about the money.

The caller allegedly had given six days time to Mr Sharma to arrange `25 lakh. The caller went to threaten Mr Sharma that if he did not pay the demanded money, he would be eliminated.

Scared for his life, Mr Sharma immediately looked up Manjit Mahal on Google. Upon checking further, he also found that the gangster was cooling his heels in Tihar along with his gang members.

Mr Sharma informed the Vivek Vihar police and provided them the number from which the calls were made.

Mr Sharma also told the police that he suspected his business acquaintances, Yogender Mugrai and Rajiv Bhatt.

However, when things soured between them, they stopped talking to each other.

Based on his complaint, the Vivek Vihar police filed a complaint under Sections 387 and 507 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and took up the case. Police are trying to ascertain the identity of the caller.
The HC directed the Sessions Court to to expedite trial in the case and asked the petitioner to cooperate in the trial.

Majumdar was staying at her parental home for around two months before the killing of her husband. (Photo: File | Representational)

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail prayer of Monua Majumdar, accused of conspiring with her alleged paramour to kill her husband in May this year.

A division bench presided over by Justice Joymalyo Bagchi rejected the bail prayer of Majumdar, who has been in custody since May 17 on charges of conspiring with her alleged paramour Ajit Roy to kill her husband Anupam Singha.

The court directed the Sessions court at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district to expedite trial in the case and asked the petitioner to cooperate in the trial.

Praying for bail, Majumdar's counsel S Ganguly submitted that she had been in custody for 176 days and since investigation was complete, further custody was not required.

He also claimed that evidence against her in the case was flimsy and based on her telephonic conversation overheard by two witnesses.

The prosecution counsel opposed the bail prayer claiming that there was ample evidence to show that Majumdar had taken Roy to her husband's home in the afternoon and left alone after locking the house from outside after two hours at Barasat on May 3, when the crime took place.

Singha, who was a travel agency employee, was killed when he entered the house at around 10 PM on returning from work.

Roy was arrested on charges of killing Singha in his home with a blunt weapon.

Monua Majumdar, who was staying at her parental home for around two months before the killing of her husband, was also arrested for allegedly conspiring with Roy to kill her husband.

The prosecution also claimed that there was electronic and forensic evidence to indicate the complicity of Majumdar.

Hearing both the parties, the court rejected Majumdar's bail prayer.
The court also expressed displeasure when the nodal officer informed that he had received only 180 complaints in the last two months.

Mumbai: Chief Justice of the Bombay high court Manjula Chellur has set up a two-judge committee to look into complaints received by the nodal officer regarding potholes in the city. While hearing a suo moto PIL about potholes, the court observed that despite several orders in issues concerning potholes, implementation had not been done properly by the authorities. The court also expressed displeasure when the nodal officer informed that he had received only 180 complaints in the last two months.

A division bench of chief justice Chellur constituted a bench with two members i.e. Justice K. R. Sriram and Justice Girish Kulkarni to deal with matters. It seems that only lawyers have a problem with potholes and not the general public. After seeing the number of complaints received by the nodal officer, anyone can see that the public has no time. We were expecting a good response from the public, the court said.

The court directed the nodal officer to advertise in local newspapers, radio and television channels as to where and when to register complaints about roads in bad condition. The court further directed that those advertisements be produced in court at next hearing.

We do not want to run the administration. We can interfere but that is not good for you, the court said.
The committee will conduct special hearings, pass necessary directions and monitor the implementation of such orders.

The Chief Justice said the local ward officers in each district of the state must identify all roads in need of repair and inform the secretary of the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority (MLSA) of the same. (Photo: File)

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday constituted a two-member committee to look into the repair and maintenance of roads in Maharashtra, observing that despite its several orders, the civic authorities failed to fix potholes and bad roads.

Chief Justice Manjula Chellur said that while the HC did not wish to run the administration for the state government, it felt compelled to interfere in cases where the local authorities failed to discharge their duties.

The committee, comprising justices K R Sriram and G S Kulkarni of the Bombay High Court, will conduct special hearings, pass necessary directions for road repair, and also monitor the implementation of such orders, the bench led by Chief Justice Chellur said.

Despite several benches of the HC having passed detailed orders on improving the condition of roads in the city and elsewhere in the state, and on the urgent need to repair potholes ahead of each monsoon season, the civic bodies had done little to ensure their implementation, it noted.

The common man continued to suffer and each monsoon season brought along tales of civic apathy and public distress in the city, Chief Justice Chellur observed.

She also referred to the death of Dr Deepak Amrapurkar of Bombay Hospital in August this year, after he fell into an open manhole while wading through waterlogged roads to get back home from hospital.

"You (litigants and lawyers) ask for wonderful orders and we pass them too but what is the use if none of our orders are ever implemented. Despite one such detailed order (directing authorities to urgently repair potholes and improve the condition of roads in the city) the doctor still died," Chief Justice Chellur said.

"Try to imagine the state of mind of the common man who is trying to reach home, or to take a loved one to the hospital in heavy rains. You can't expect him to remember to be careful of potholes in such a situation, it is not easy. So the best thing is to avoid such circumstances and keep the roads in good condition," she said.

The problem of potholes and bad roads was not limited to Mumbai but was common across the state, the bench said. The Chief Justice said the local ward officers in each district of the state must identify all roads in need of repair and inform the secretary of the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority (MLSA) of the same.

The MLSA's secretary in-turn will prepare a report on the condition of roads, the need for repair, steps taken by civic bodies concerned and submit the same before the two-member committee.

On the last hearing on August 3 this year, the high court had appointed the MLSA secretary as the nodal officer to receive grievances related to bad roads and potholes from the public and ward officers across the state.

The court was informed today that since the last hearing, the MLSA has only received 180 complaints from citizens.

The bench directed MLSA to publicise the formation of such a nodal authority and to encourage citizens to share their grievances and complaints of bad roads. "I personally do not even commute on these roads that are potholed or in need of repair. But I have to take up the cause for the common man," she said.

"It is the duty and the obligation of the local authorities to repair and maintain roads. But when they fail to discharge this duty, this court feels very unhappy and is

forced to interfere," she further said.
Residents maintained that initial enthusiasm for digital mode of payments has died down and cash transactions are finding currency again.

'The ill-effects of unplanned demonetisation is going to hit the common man, industries and economy for two more years,' RTI activist Manoranjan Roy said. (Photo: File | Representational)

Mumbai: On the first anniversary of demonetisation, Mumbaikars have mixed feelings about the measure with a major section saying it will bring long-term gains though people faced hardships initially.

However, some residents of the financial capital were critical of note ban announced on November 8, 2016, following which then high value currency of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 ceased to exist as legal tenders.

The residents also maintained that the initial enthusiasm for digital mode of payments has largely died down and cash transactions are once again gaining currency.

Narottam Mishra, who runs a chartered accountancy firm in Kannamvar Nagar, suburban Vikhroli, said demonetisation is sure to bring long-term benefits.

"It's true that people faced hardships in the initial days of (demonetisation). Several people lost their jobs and industries faced financial problems. Demonetisation brought short-term pain for long-term gains. Its positive effects would be visible in the longer run as it has helped the Government know the cash flow in the system and also increased tax compliance," Mishra said, "The only wrong thing, according to me, was to introduce the Rs 2,000 note."

Shailendra Yadav, who works in a garments factory in suburban Andheri, said cashless transactions, which rose after the note-ban announcement, have lost momentum. "People had thought India would become a cashless economy. But unfortunately, nothing has changed and post-remonetisation use of cash has increased. Shopkeepers no longer insist on payments through Paytm or any digital mode. They prefer taking cash," Yadav said.

Pramod Harlalka, owner of a small packing unit at Kalbadevi, South Mumbai, hailed the note-ban as a "bold" measure and said in the last one year the country has moved towards becoming "corruption free". "The common man supported note bandi. Only those who had huge cash with them cried foul. We must give some more time to the Government to see the long-term effects of this (demonetisation)."

A banker employed with a cooperative bank in Ghatkopar said, "Soon after demonetisation, digital payments gateways (like mobile wallets, credit/debit cards, Unified Payments Interface or UPI) gained in popularity because ATMs had dried up and enough cash was not available in the market. But after the new notes were circulated, the cashless drive died down and cash use almost reached pre-demonetisation levels. Therefore, I do not see any substantial change in the overall pattern of consumer behaviour," he said.

RTI activist Manoranjan Roy, who has filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court against the RBI alleging discrepancy in printing notes, criticised the note-ban drive and called it "unplanned". "The ill-effects of unplanned demonetisation is going to hit the common man, industries and the economy for two more years," he said.

O P Sharma, a Bhandup resident who retired from the Railways, said, "Those who can't see the positive side (of demonetisation) should at least wait for sometime. (Post-note-ban) Over three lakh bogus companies have downed shutters. Corruption and terrorism have taken a hit. Tax compliance has increased and the government now has more money to fund infrastructural projects," said Sharma.

Vinod Harlalka, who runs a sub-broking firm in South Mumbai, said the capital markets have benefited from the move as key indices have posted gains in the last one year. "In one year of demonetisation, the Nifty is up 21 percent, the Sensex 21 percent, the Nifty Bank 30 percent, the mid-cap index 27 percent and the small-cap index is up 37 percent."
Maharashtra has been struggling to raise funds for various projects and schemes.

Mumbai: In a shocker, education minister Vinod Tawde has said that the state has cancelled its earlier plan to fund schools that completed 100 years due to paucity of funds. The state had declared Rs 10 lakh each to these schools, and a total amount of Rs 10 crore was kept aside for this purpose in the 2017 budget. Mr Tawde in a written reply to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLC Hemant Takle said that the government had dropped the scheme due to lack of money.

Mr Takle, who had demanded information about the implementation of scheme from the state government in the legislative council, lambasted the state government over the issue and called it insensitive. The government, which spent Rs 300 crore for advertisements does not have Rs 10 crore for schools that have contributed to the states development over the last 100 years, said Mr Takle.

The Asian Age could not reach Mr Tawde for his response at the time of going to print. The paper also contacted his PRO and PA, but couldnt get their response.

Mr Tawdes letter to Mr Takle reads, Looking at the states current economic status, resources to raise funds, the needs and current priorities of the state government, it has been decided that decision of this scheme stands cancelled.

Stating that education is a basic need for any state, Mr Takle said, If the schools have richly contributed in development of state for a century, it is duty of government to keep its word. The governments reply about priority is completely wrong. What is priority? Spending on marketing, asked Mr Takle.

Maharashtra has been struggling to raise funds for various projects and schemes, including the Rs 34,000 crore farmer's loan waiver. The states debt has crossed Rs 4.5 lakh crore and the government has come under fire from opposition parties over this. At the same time, the states public relations departments budget of around Rs 28 crore has been at the centre of controversy.
Xi praised Ivanka and Jared's daughter for her progress in mastering the language, and said she could get an

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday praised Ivanka and Jared Kushner's 6-year-old daughter for her progress in mastering Mandarin, and said she could get an "A+."

During his informal meeting with Xi inside the Forbidden City, President Donald Trump used a tablet computer to show Xi a video of his granddaughter Arabella singing in Mandarin.

Exclusive: #DonaldTrump's granddaughter #Arabella singing in mandarin, reciting part of Three-Character Classic and ancient Chinese poems pic.twitter.com/KwOyVeK6ZW  China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 8, 2017

Xi praised Ivanka and Jared's daughter for her progress in mastering the language, and said she could get an "A+," the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump and his wife Melania arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a three-day state visit, the first by the US president.

One of the ancient Chinese texts Arabella was shown reciting, Xinhua said, was the Three Character Classic - the same text she performed to Xi in person during the summit between Trump and Xi at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last April.

At that time, Xi applauded for Arabella for her performance and encouraged her Mandarin studies. A video of Arabella reciting a Chinese poem went viral in China shortly after Trump's election.

During the Chinese New Year, a video of Arabella singing "Happy New Year" with a Chinese marionette went viral after Ivanka posted it on Instagram.
Politics in India also has a nasty habit of turning from a perfectly normal run to something completely outlandish, more so when elections are due.

Our intelligence agencies deserve some praise. Europe has found it difficult to cope with a flood of recent attacks, and there have been marked terrorist successes with innovative strategies they adopted in the past two years or more. India has been at the receiving end of sponsored terror, or proxy war, for longer than we can remember, but the success rate by terror groups has been comparatively lower; particularly in areas away from conflict zones like Kashmir. That is largely due to the effectiveness of our intelligence agencies. There has been insufficient effort to document and record their successes, so this appreciation must be done by those aware of it.

Its quite possible, of course, that terrorist outfits targeting India could well be harboring innovative ideas and strategies to beat the effectiveness of the intelligence agencies. The transition worldwide from networked terror outfits with detailed logistics and financial support to self-sustaining, motivated and radicalised lone wolves has been faster than the trends indicate. The large-scale movement of personnel, finances, explosives and weapons to execute an act of terror now appears passe. The more intelligent and less obtrusive style of the lone wolf, using methods like driving trucks into crowds, has far lesser chances of early discovery as the electronic and digital footprint is far lower and stays under the radar much longer. Even after a successful terror attack of this kind, investigation is more difficult as the trails are often nonexistent.

Why should we be concerned about lone wolves in India? First, serious efforts have already been made in some of our cities which are not fully in public knowledge. Although ISIS efforts have led to over 100 youths going to Syria, this may not be a true reflection of the extent of influence it wields. It may be wise to recall the case of Shami Witness, one of the first Twitter handles working for ISIS. Mehdi Biswas, an Indian in Bengaluru, was found to be the man behind it, and he managed to stay under the radar and spew out jihadist propaganda for years. Although ISIS efforts have been on in many countries with sizeable Muslim populations, the degree of success in creating radicalised communities is not easily decipherable, except through statistics on the number of jihadi fighters who made their way to the badlands to fight on its behalf. ISIS new advisory that its followers should remain within their lands and launch attacks on its behalf may now be reinforced by the return of many fighters from Syria and Iraq.

The notion that Indian youth werent considered real jihadi fighter material and thus used mainly for logistics shouldnt give us a false sense of security. Lone wolves arent exactly known for their fighting prowess. They are just hugely radicalised people, brooders about imagined injustices, who ratchet up their antipathy against society through Internet chatrooms and self-motivation. Their need for any financial backing or technical expertise is virtually nonexistent.

However, its not all negative. The trend of suicide bombings by explosive vest-strapped youth, so common in our neighborhood from Afghanistan to Pakistan and even Sri Lanka, didnt really enter Indias terror environment, except briefly in the assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and a few attacks in Srinagar. But that shouldnt lull us into believing it will never happen. The ISIS will find its message reverberating as never before if an Indian Muslim is found involved in a suicide bombing or any lone wolf attack. We have great faith in Indias syncretism, but lone wolves are never part of the majority opinion even within minority communities. They may be alone  even within their families  in feeling victimised. The victim syndrome drives them to faith, seeing themselves as its protectors. Given recent developments worldwide, with radical ideology spewing unabated on the Internet, even Indias intelligence agencies cant have an accurate idea of the number of possible malcontents within the walls of walled city areas in northern and central India, or in villages in southern India. What is really felt by young minds who have religious instruction courses imparted to them every day is not easily decipherable.

It may also be a mistake to believe lone wolves will always operate on their own in future. Radical groups, particularly those with overseas sponsors, could well change tactics and instead of serial bombs, they could execute coordinated vehicle attacks or any other kinetic activity that leads to mass casualties. It takes just one lone wolf to start a trend, almost like a confidence-building exercise.

India could well be a lone wolf haven due to the fairly good Internet penetration into areas where people are reading without understanding too much about backgrounds; the dots, so to say, remain unjoined, leading to skewed ideas about history, victimisation and poor contextual capability. Foll-owing the social media makes it quite easy to glean how little depth is there in knowledge; but there is empowerment through expression. Pol-itics in India also has a nasty habit of turning from a perfectly normal run to something completely outlandish, more so when elections are due. What effect national trends have when mixed with local passions is hard to fathom. A readymade recipe is created for brooding individuals; and thats where the scope for lone wolves begins.

Whats the solution? It all depends on good intelligence, as discussed earlier, but traditional intelligence and surveillance may not work as the potential lone wolves hardly leave a footprint behind them. Society, therefore, must play a role, but there are just not enough moderates who wish to reach out, and if they exist, each negative political event pushes them further away from such a mission. The quantum of antipathy which some television channels are spreading is mind-boggling. Its not the news they report, but the way its put out that creates this. Theres a new television psyche evolving: a state of mind driven by channels; dangerous beyond repair. If our intelligence agencies can learn all this faster than the potential lone wolves, we can hope this new trend in terrorism, like many others earlier, will bypass India.
Mr Putin said he knew the Saudis controlled militant groups across the Caucasus.

My visit to Ooty some years ago coincided with the famous Ooty Hunt having been discontinued. This was in response to animal rights activists demands to end the cruel sport, exactly the reason for which it had been ended in England.

Just as well that the curtain was brought down on a sport inherited from the Raj, but what would happen to the hundreds of hounds of impeccable pedigree trained specially for the Hunt? They were being looked after in an expansive kennel. They looked cheerful when I saw them.

Strange the connections the mind makes. Trained hounds, when redundant, can be housed in kennels, walked, and distributed among dog lovers. What does mankind do with trained jihadis? They have been trained to kill kafirs and blow themselves up with promises of houris in paradise. After a jihadi has served his ghoulish purpose, what are his trainers supposed to do with him? Send him elsewhere on another jihadi expedition?

The late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia had given the Syrian portfolio to his flamboyant minister for interior, Prince Bandar bin Sultan. Among his various audacious expeditions was a secret visit to the Kremlin where he offered Russian President Vladimir Putin the moon if only he (Putin) could let him have Syrian President Bashar al-Assads head on a platter. His next offer, Prince Bandar thought, would be one Mr Putin would not be able to refuse. He (Bandar) would guarantee that the Winter Olympics in Sochi that year would not be interrupted by terrorists.

Mr Putin said he knew the Saudis controlled militant groups across the Caucasus.

An obvious question would arise in the readers mind: how did this top secret initiative become public knowledge? Well, it remained a secret until Prince Bandars multiple indiscretions caused the Kremlin to expose him by leaking the clandestine initiative to a Beirut newspaper.

To the terrorist groups Bandar bin Sultan claimed to control in the Caucasus must now be added so many from operations in Kobane, Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Palmyra, Mosul, Raqqa, Kirkuk, Deir ez-Zor, and so on.

I actually saw it all begin when I travelled to Homs, Hama, Daraa at the outset of the Syrian tragedy when US ambassador Stephen Ford was promoting democracy, meeting insurgents. It was an open roadshow.

Americans had said at the outset of their involvement in Syria that they would not have boots on the ground. The Russians had indicated no such squeamishness. In other words, the Russians would have a ringside seat at the Americans messy involvement with Nusra here or Al Qaeda there.

If you find my tone at variance from what you have seen or read on Syria, do please watch the US congressional hearings with US Army commanders managing the Syria show. Not to be missed is hapless former defence secretary Ashton Carter admitting before a full press contingent how a $500 million programme to train Syrians had to be abandoned as the trainees handed their weapons to Jabhat al Nusra and found safe passage to some unknown location.

Has the strategic community forgotten Blackwater founder Eric Princes idea of governing Afghanistan exactly as the British governed India in the early 20th century  under a viceroy. Yes, the written proposal was under active consideration by the US President last summer, with his adviser Steve Bannon grinning from ear to ear at the prospect of Afghan raw materials funnelled suitably into Mr Trumps America First kitty. The Atlantic magazine has details on that theme. The deal was almost done.

Never mind if they were not allowed to reinvent the British empire in Afghanistan. The worlds biggest provider of mercenary fighting units controls other fiefdoms. They are part of the core group advising the Abu Dhabi ruler. Thanks to Blackwater, Latin American soldiers are fighting for the Saudis in Yemen. How will countries like Colombia utilise their citizens trained and tested in combat when they return home? Bogota may not have the money to afford Blackwater, but surely Mr Trump may find battle-ready Colombians useful against a country on his hitlist  Venezuela.

The most sinister part of the post-9/11 wars inaugurated by the United States is their endlessness. In its first, experimental stage, this jihadism was able to push back Soviet power from Afghanistan in 1989. The carelessness with which the US turned its back on what it had unleashed was stunning. US strategist Zbigniew Brzezinskis terse comment was typical: We were focused on bringing down the Soviet Union; we were not worried about some stirred-up Muslims.

These stirred-up Muslims boomeranged in Kashmir, Cairo, Algiers. The post-9/11 wars, with jihadist foot soldiers, have left a rich crop of jihadists in platoon and company strength.

Robert Fisk, the authoritative British journalist who is regarded as a Middle East expert, has a telling piece in the Independent: ISIS has lost Raqqa  so where will its fighters head to next? The Syrian democratic forces, mostly Kurdish, backed by Americans, were supposed to be fighting ISIS.

What has actually happened is mind-boggling. US air power has flattened Raqqa on the scale of Dresden in the Second World War. But, by Fisks testimony, 275 ISIS fighters have been freed to go where they like. Deir ez-Zor is one destination. But they can be relocated far afield to unsettle any targeted society with a Muslim minority.

The Moscow initiative on Afghanistan had anticipated some of this. When China, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and eventually even India and several Central Asian countries met in Moscow in April, the main item on the agenda was that the Taliban, being an Afghan entity, should be incorporated into the Kabul power structure. It was claimed that this move would isolate ISIS, Al Qaeda and their affiliates and thus prevent them from unsettling countries in the region.

The Moscow initiative came after Mr Trumps announcement that he would drastically scale down in Afghanistan. But, true to form, Mr Trump changed his mind. He is now embarked on open-ended involvement in Afghanistan  with all accompanying dangers  including Afghanistan becoming a hatchery for multiples of ISIS and Al Qaeda. The Mujahideen will have come full circle.
Court formally indicts ousted PM in graft references; cases to be heard within 6 months.

Islamabad: Pakistans anti-graft court on Wednesday rejected ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs plea for clubbing together three corruption cases filed against him by the countrys anti-corruption watchdog in the Panama Papers scandal.

After the announcement of the judgement, Mr Sharif was indicted separately in each of the three graft cases stemming from the Panama Papers leaks.

Now, 67-year-old Sharif will have to face three separate trials with hearings stretching out for months.

The former Prime Minister pleaded not guilty to all the charges and contented that he was being deprived of the fair trial as the court was moving in a hurry to decide the case in six months as per direction of the Supreme Court.

Rejecting the plea, accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir said that Mr Sharif would be given fair trial under the law and then postponed the hearing till November 15.

Heavy security arrangements were made and hundreds of security personnel deployed around the court premises to deal with any untoward situation.

Following the judgement, Sharif told media that todays verdict would be written in black words in Pakistans history. I knew that review petition will not be decided in my favour because the judges (who issued the verdict in review petition) are full of vengeance and the decision reflects vengeance and anger. This will become part of black pages of history.

There are several black pages in the last 70 years of Pakistan history when there were dictators. This judgement (of review petition) will also be written in black words, he said.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has registered three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and finance minister Ishaq Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court.

The cases were registered after the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif as Prime Minister on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal.

Mr Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Muhammad Safdar were present in the court to hear the verdict.

The accountability court had reserved its judgement on Friday after hearing the arguments by both sides.

Judge Bashir in his verdict said that Supreme Court in its judgement had asked to institute three cases as they deal with different money trails and sources of money.

The court heard the case for the second time after an order by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which last week asked the trial judge to hear the cases and record the judgement in detail.

Mr Sharifs lawyer Khawaja Harris had argued that all three cases deal with assets beyond means and allegations and most of witnesses are same, so the references should be taken as one.

But NAB lawyer Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi opposed the move.

Former NAB prosecutor Raja Amir Abbas said that Sharif can challenge the rejection of application in the high court. Now the trial will resume from where it was stopped to decide the application by Sharif, he said.

The accountability court on October 19 rejected a similar application by Mr Sharif to convert three cases into one. The rejection was challenged in the IHC which referred the case to accountability court with direction to reconsider it.

It is not clear whether Sharif would be present during the next hearing as he has already filed an application to let him appoint his pleader to represent him in his absence.

The court has yet to decide the case.

Mr Sharif was also indicted last month through his representative Zaafir Khan as he was away in London to take care of his wife Kulsoom who is battling with throat cancer.
The signing of more than a dozen deals did little to quiet Trump's complaints about China's unfair trade practices.

Xi Jinping acknowledged there has been some friction in the trade relationship and called for more US companies to participate in China's signature Belt and Road Initiative. (Photo: AP)

Beijing: China and the United States announced more than $250 billion in business deals during US President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing on Thursday.

The deals range from billions in Chinese soybean and aircraft imports to major projects like the development and export of liquified natural gas from Alaska.

The signing of more than a dozen deals did little to quiet Trump's complaints about China's "unfair" trade practices.

President Xi Jinping acknowledged there has been some "friction" in the trade relationship and called for more US companies to participate in China's signature Belt and Road Initiative, a massive global trade infrastructure programme.

"To keep opening up is our long term strategy. We will not narrow or close our doors. We will open them wider and wider," Xi told an audience of business executives.

After the signing ceremony, China's commerce minister Zhong Shan praised the deals as "truly a miracle, not just in the history of US-China relations, but in the history of the whole world".

But some analysts say any large deals will do little to shift the overall balance of trade unless the structural barriers preventing US businesses from competing fairly in China are changed.

The gas deal between the state of Alaska, Alaska Gasline Development Corp, China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec), China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Bank of China involves a total investment of up to $43 billion.

Official said the joint development agreement will create up to 12,000 American jobs and reduce the trade deficit between the United States and Asia by $10 billion annually.

In turn, it will provide China with clean and affordable energy.
by Shafique Khokhar

The two were accused of blasphemy. The government has a duty to protect its citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution. Their orphaned children are supported with love and care by the Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation.

Lahore (AsiaNews) - Three years after the brutal killing of Shama and Shahzad Masih, a young Christian couple, the Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) held a week of prayer to remember them.

The Foundation also used the occasion to appeal to Pakistani authorities to ensure the "security and protection of all its citizens regardless of faith, caste or gender [. . .] as enshrined in the Constitution".

Since the death of the couple, the foundation has been responsible for the education of three of their orphaned children, whilst a fourth child was adopted by an uncle.

On 4 November 2014, at Kot Radha Kishan in Kasur District (about 60km from Lahore), a crowd of more than 400 people stoned Shahzad Masih and his wife Shama, then burnt them alive in a furnace. Shama was pregnant when the couple was accused of blasphemy.

A colleague of Shahzad, working at a kiln factory, claimed to have seen Shama burn pages of the Quran.

In the statement issued by the Foundation, President Michelle Chaudhry mentioned the horror that will remain in our hearts and minds".

[T]hey did not only burn two precious lives in that furnace; they burnt humanity, they burnt the teachings of Islam and they burnt Jinnahs Pakistan* and no amount of monetary reparations can atone for such extreme acts of violence.

The Christian couple left several young children, aged 18 months to eight years. The eldest, Suleiman, also saw the murder of his parents. Since their death, the Foundation has taken charge of them, funding their education.

It gives us immense joy and spiritual gratification to see these children happy, confident and doing so well in life, Chaudhry said.

"With love, care and a healthy environment they are now well adjusted in school, she added. What is more, they are not only doing well academically but they also eagerly participate in the schools extracurricular activities."

The foundation is a non-profit non-governmental organisation that deals with disadvantaged groups and is named after the late Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry, a former fighter pilot and Catholic activist.

* Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, envisaged a modern and secular Pakistan.
Colombo's archbishop wrote a letter to the president of Sri Lanka saying that children are too busy with classes and can no longer run and play.

Colombo (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, has called on the Sri Lankan government to ban Sunday tuition classes (private lessons) to save catechism.

Speaking at a meeting of Catholic teachers at St Joseph's College in the capital, he complained that "Children no longer have time to go to the temple or church on Sundays because of tuition classes."

The cardinal said that he wrote a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, asking him to have the government ban Sunday tuition classes "at least from 6 am to 2 pm".

Speaking to the teachers, the prelate explained: "I saw children in uniform at bus stands with their books even during late hours. Even small children in grade four or five.

We, during our childhood, used to run to the playground after school, he said. However, now children go to tuition classes. They dont get a chance to enjoy their childhood because of the busy lifestyles they lead today.

Ananda Rashown, a Buddhist teacher, agrees with the cardinal. "All religious leaders should put pressure on the authorities to stop classes on Sundays and on Buddhist holidays."
by Mathias Hariyadi

Tensions can be reduced through good communications and mutual respect. Fr Felix Supranto relates his experience, highlighting three steps: commitment, desire and respect. Socialising with others can defeat "distorted" views. Catholics are urged to be "creative" and to leave their own "comfort zone".

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  The Catholic Bishops Conference of Indonesia held a series of discussions this week to promote deeper relations with other religious groups and their leaders. Some 37 prelates were present at the gathering.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the bishops focused on how to define "a significant and relevant presence of the Indonesian Church in giving dignity to the world". The meeting included people from outside the Catholic community (picture 1).

Fr Felix Supranto (picture 2) yesterday spoke about his experience in reducing religious tensions through sound communication and mutual respect. In his view, every Catholic has three steps to take to develop good relationships.

"The first is a strong commitment to leave the 'comfort zone' of ones community, which always creates a sense of 'emotional insecurity'. This, however, leads to a second step, which is the growth of an eagerness to meet other communities. Lastly, the third step is the time when friendly encounters generate a sense of mutual respect and brotherhood."

For Fr Supranto, through socialising with members of non-Christian communities, "distorted" views and negative perceptions about Catholics "are drastically reduced."

"In the end, others recognise that we Catholics are good and simple people," said the priest, who is often invited and involved in interreligious meetings or classes in Islamic schools. Together with some Muslim groups, the clergyman is also involved in initiatives to protect the environment.

Expressing his views about the growing radicalism in todays Indonesian society, he said that this probably also happens because Catholics are inward-looking, enjoying our comfort zone, and never showing empathy towards others.

The clergyman urged Catholics to be "creative" in establishing relationships, especially when they are called to defend the nation's values as a secular state. "Let's get involved in such a social movement so that we all feel part of the nation and are proud of it," he said.

Allisa Wahid (pictures 3 and 4), of the GusDurian interfaith group, also attended the meeting, in which she expressed her support for Fr Supranto. She is also the youngest daughter of the late Abdurrahman Gus Dur Wahid, a former Indonesian president and an iconic figure for interfaith dialogue in the country.

In her address, she spoke of growing religious exclusivism in Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation. "What worries me, she noted, is the poor perception among government officials, who cannot differentiate between religiosity and religious extremism. The government still thinks that this is not a big deal to be addressed seriously".

According to a number socio-political analyses, the situation in Indonesia will become "hot" ahead of the 2018 regional elections and 2019 presidential elections.

"What we need now from religious leaders is greater commitment to get involved more intensively since our social conditions are not as peaceful as commonly perceived and expected," Ms Wahid said.

She is convinced that representatives of the various confessions, including bishops, have not yet fully exercised their influence to protect the nations pluralist values.

"We have to do more since these values are priceless, she explained. "The more Indonesian society believes in these values, the less people practice intolerance.
"We are all sinners: all. All of us". Therefore we must purify ourselves continually. We must also purify the community: the diocesan community, the Christian community, the universal community of the Church. To make it grow. "

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Building the Church, safeguarding the Church and purifying the Church", conscious that "we are all sinners". These were the indications offered by Pope Francis at Mass this morning at Casa Santa Marta, commenting on today's dedication of the Cathedral of Rome, "mother of all the Churches". A title that signifies, he said, not a "cause for pride but of service and love".

First of all, "building the Church": but what is the foundation of the Church? It is Jesus Christ. "He is the corner stone in this building. Without Jesus Christ there is no Church. Why? Because there is no foundation. And if you build a church - think of a material church - without foundation, what happens? It collapses. It crashes down to the ground. If there is no Jesus Christ living in the Church, it collapses. "

"And we, what are we?" Francis asked. "We are living stones", not the same, each one different, because "this is the Church's wealth. Each of us builds according to the gift God has given us. We cannot think of a uniform Church: this is not a Church. "

Therefore, "safeguarding the Church," being aware that the Spirit of God dwells in us. "How many Christians today know who Jesus Christ is, know who the Father is - because they pray the our Father? But when you talk of the Holy Spirit ... 'Yes, yes ... ah, it's the dove, the dove', and they end up there. But the Holy Spirit is the life of the Church, it is your life, my life ... We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we have to keep the Holy Spirit so much that Paul advises Christians to 'not grieve the Holy Spirit', that is not to have a conduct contrary to the harmony that the Holy Spirit makes within us and in the Church. He is harmony, makes this building harmonious."

Finally, "purify the Church," starting with ourselves: "... we are all sinners: all. All of us. If any of you is not, raise your hand, because it would be a curious thing. We all are. That is why we must purify ourselves continually. We must also purify the community: the diocesan community, the Christian community, the universal community of the Church. To make it grow. "
Nazrul Islam is from Bangladesh. Five other criminals sentenced to 10 years for theft. The superior of the convent of the Religious of Jesus and Mary of Ranaghat forgives the aggressors.

Calcutta (AsiaNews / Agencies)  Calcutta court has condemned Nazrul Islam, of Bangladeshi nationality, to life in prison for the rape of an elderly nun at the convent of the Religious of Jesus and Mary of Ranaghat in West Bengal two years ago. Judge Kumkum Sinha sentenced the other five criminals who on 13 March 2015 devastated and pillaged the chapel of the convent to 10 years in prison for theft.

The sentence was announced yesterday, one day after the court verdict that recognized the six accused as the perpetrators of aggression and robbery. Bishop Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta, said that what had happened to the religious "shook the people's consciousness and the Church took a long time to recover from the terrifying incident."

In March 2015, the armed group broke into the monastery looking for money. The superior tried to stop them but was raped. The attack was so brutal that the nun underwent several surgeries. She then left West Bengal and moved to New Delhi for security. Despite the trauma suffered, the superior had the courage to appear before the court and personally identify her attackers.

The Archdiocese of Calcutta welcomed the verdict. Vicar General, Fr. Dominic Gomes, reported that the victim, "in offering forgiveness, the nun did what she had learnt in her monastic life. But the law cannot be blind to crime. For societys sake, the guilty must face punishment."
By Allan Asher, Visitor, Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet) & Chair of Foundation for Effective Markets and Governance, Austr

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a public inquiry into the National Broadband Network (NBN). Already, Telstra and Optus have come forward, offering to compensate customers whose expectations of internet speed delivery were not met.

But its four years too late. The ACCC dropped the ball when it allowed Telstra, Optus and its competitors to launch their NBN services without specific rules concerning misleading and deceptive advertising, or an enforcement mechanism to hold the NBN company to account for connection delays, missing appointments and fault rectification.

Now were in a position where the problems with the NBN run deeper than what can be solved through an investigation or more monitoring. Bad decisions about the technology, lack of hard data on performance and a war of words by competing providers makes it hard to untie responsibility for the mess.

Read more: Like it or not, youre getting the NBN, so what are your rights when buying internet services?

The stated aims of the ACCC public inquiry are to determine whether NBN wholesale service standard levels are appropriate, and consider whether regulation is necessary to improve consumer experiences.

The data released this week by the ACCC Wholesale Market Indicators Report shows that:

NBN Co is supplying more than three million wholesale broadband access services

there are 26 NBN Co retail and wholesale internet service providers (ISPs - also known as access seeker groups) directly connected to NBN Cos network

the top four ISPs are Telstra, Optus, TPG Group and Vocus.

Optimism bias, and how we got here

In behavioural economics, optimism bias refers to the phenomenon that we think markets are going to work out well even when there is no rational basis for supposing so. A similar optimism bias is often seen in infrastructure projects.

In the case of the NBN there were a few strategic opportunities to reduce the chances of market failure, but optimism bias by policymakers let the opportunities slip by.

And now were in the position where  in common with energy retailers, deregulated providers of vocational education and financial services firms  ISPs have taken internet consumers and their regulators for a ride.

Read more: 5G will be a convenient but expensive alternative to the NBN

In 2013, when the NBN provided a Special Access Undertaking (setting out prices and terms of access to ISPs) to the ACCC, there was a great opportunity to require objectively verifiable disclosure of wholesale operating speeds. However, the government allowed NBN Co to negotiate the service level agreement with ISPs directly, and left the ACCC to watch from the sidelines.

Similarly, there should have been truth in advertising rules imposed on Telstra, Optus and their competitors to prevent false service speed claims.

The absence of enforceable regulation was taken as a green light for ISPs to continue to promise unrealistic and unattainable internet speeds, as they had done for years before in relation to price and package data allowances. Connection speeds have become the new wild west in communications.

In the case of the NBN, the failure by the government and the regulator to require an adequate transparency measure, or even to monitor wholesale services standards has allowed the deterioration to the current state of affairs.

Not all is lost

In relation to false and misleading claims about internet service speeds, the ACCC has established a broadband monitoring program to generate data about broadband speeds and performance.

Under the scheme (which is based on similar ones operating elsewhere), the ACCC will install monitoring equipment in 4,000 homes across Australia that are connected to fixed-line NBN services  including fibre to the node, fibre to the basement, fibre to the premises, and hybrid fibre-coaxial.









Various/The Conversation, CC BY-ND





FTTP = fibre to the premises; FTTN/FFTB = fibre to the node/basement;

HFC = Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial

Real-time data will determine average fixed-line NBN speeds at various times, and is expected to be published at least in part by the end of 2017.

A trickier task will be to sort out the real culprit in cases of service failure or performance shortfall. At present we see a culture of passing the buck, where complainants to ISPs are shunted off to the NBN, while the NBN just as vigorously points the finger at ISPs.

NBN argues (with some justification) that the ISPs are scrimping on the amount of capacity or bandwidth they are buying to on-sell to consumers. According to NBN Co, they are being criticised for something thats just not their fault. Sorting of this provisioning stoush will not be easy even with the panel data.

Read more: The NBN: how a national infrastructure dream fell short

Following the ACCC inquiry into the NBNs wholesale service standards, possible regulatory changes would include imposition of fines, and establishing a process through which consumers could seek compensation at a retail level when minimum whole service standards are not met.

Finally, in an attempt to control deceptive claims about the speed of networks, the ACCC has issued Broadband Speed Claims  Industry Guidance. This advises retailers how to advertise speeds for NBN broadband services, including clearly identifying typical minimum speeds during peak periods.

It is unclear whether the proposed measures are intended to solve the problems or just to be seen to be doing something and so reduce the clamour.

Sadly, its something we could have avoided if policymakers and regulators were just a little less optimistic.

Allan Asher has previously worked with the ACCC and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network

Originally published in The Conversation.


(vepar5/Shutterstock.com) (vepar5/Shutterstock.com)

Millions of people in Australia would be ineligible to run for a seat in the next Parliament at the next election because of the constitution ban on citizens from other countries taking office.Now Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has confirmed that he believes that the constitution should be changed but he also pointed out that it is currently up to individuals to check their family backgrounds before standing for public office.His remarks come after the High Court ruled that a number of high profile politicians were not Australian citizens because they had parents born abroad and inherited the citizenship of another country.Under the constitution as it currently stands they need to renounce any foreign citizenship connections as non-Australian citizens are banned from sitting in Parliament over allegiance concerns.'The law has been interpreted very strictly by the High Court and I don't think that was ever the way, frankly, that it was envisaged that the public would apply the law and millions of Australians would find themselves in a position at the moment where they wouldn't be eligible and I don't think that was the original intent of the law,' Dutton said in a radio interview.'So, it needs to be tidied up and that's why we've referred it off to the committee so that it can look at whether or not the law needs to be changed and my view is that it does,' he added.The matter is much more complicated than many people think. For example until 1949 there was no such thing as an Australian citizen. People born in Australia were British subjects.In a separate interview Dutton urged people looking to be elected to carry out family checks.'I think people know, at least to a limited degree, their backgrounds and their histories and if they need to do some research. this is across politics, it applies to candidates who have run and I suspect if you go back over the last couple of decades you'd find people, including Prime Ministers frankly, who weren't qualified,' he pointed out.'So there's a lot of work that needs to be done, but the onus is on the individual to demonstrate that they're eligible, that they're in compliance with that particular provision of the constitution,' he said.He also pointed out that it also depends on other country's laws. Some, for example, immediately convey citizenship on the children of their nationals born in another country even if that person does not take up citizenship, they are a citizen by default.'If you look back at some of the cases, that they were born here, their parents were born here, their grandparents were born here and yet in some cases people are still captured by a change in the law in Italy or in France or somewhere else,' Dutton said.'So people have to look at their individual circumstances and I think now it will be the case that people really dig deeper into their backgrounds and make sure that they're complying with the Australian law,' he added.
Hi guys,



Thanks in advance for your valuable opinions on my case. Here is the story.

I went through all immigration-RRT and finally MI stages and finally I have received an outcome that Minister will not intervene my case. I have an interview next Tuesday but before hand I would like to know my options.

I had a relationship back to 2012 and it was less than a year but now I have a 4 years old son. I always paid child support and my tax during last 4 years. My ex had a serious illness but she survived like 3 years ago. Even though we were separate during these years recently we came together for forming a family again. My ex and son Australian citizen by the way. I am not sure how many days I will be given to leave the country but apparently I need to know if there is any option to start a new visa or way. Thank you and have a good day.
Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC.
Harold Pierce covers education and health for The Californian. He can be reached at 661-395-7404. Follow him on Twitter @RoldyPierce
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Eric Williams Photography

Taking a cue from ancient Roman leaders, Albuquerque City Councilors made it a crime to give beggars a quarter along busy roadways, commissioned a new fresco Downtown and tweaked the proposed overhaul of the citys planning and zoning codes at their Nov. 6 regular meeting.

Revisiting IDO

About 25 Westside neighborhood associations came to together to ask the Council to put the brakes on approval of the citys proposed Integrated Development Ordinance. The groups asked for a pause of at least 90 days, but preferably 6 months. The IDO is a comprehensive rewrite of the citys 40-year-old development plan along with its associated zoning code. The proposed IDO consolidates dozens of separate zoning plans into one inclusive document. City planners and supporters say the update is needed to simplify and integrate the citys zoning regulations, to streamline the citys development review and approval procedures, and to improve economic development.

Those opposing the plan say the plan has not been vetted or explained completely and it pushes high density zoning across the city. It also does away with individual neighborhood sector plans, which protect many historic neighborhoods. The folks opposing the plan say the proposed ordinance reflects policies to restrict neighborhood associations and property owners in the administrative and approval process, elevating government and friendly developers above everyone else.

Joe Valles, from the Westside Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, said the IDO is not ready for approval due to too many problems. Valles said the rewrite imposes severe restrictions on peoples rights and gives preferential treatment to developers.

Councilors dealt with about 19 amendments to the plan, some of which were intended to ameliorate some of the issues of concern. Councilors approved some and others not.

There is one more public hearing at 5pm Monday, Nov. 13, before the Council gets set to vote on the massive document. Some of the Councilors have said they want this passed before Mayor Richard Berry leaves office. Valles has said that such a rush is not good governance. For more information log on to abc-zone.com, check out the project Facebook page or view the official project youtube video at https:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=YBih7OSfZW8.

An End to Handouts

Councilors approved a measure prohibiting pedestrians from soliciting motorists and banning motorists from interacting with pedestrians while in the traffic lanes. Councilor Trudy Jones sponsored the pedestrian safety ordinance that prohibits collecting or begging for money at intersections. This includes firefighters doing their boot brigades holiday funding drives or folks handing out flyers.

City law enforcement officers can now issue citations when motorists in the travel lanes physically engage with pedestrians along sidewalks and intersections. This means if you hand the down-and-out person on the corner a dollar, you could get a ticket and have to go to court.

The city previously had an aggressive panhandling ordinance, but it was found to violate free speech and due process rights. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico says that citizens have the right to stand in public places like sidewalks and street corners to solicit money.

Councilor Jones said the ordinance is not about stopping free speech, it is about safety for both drivers and pedestrians in a city where there is a high rate of pedestrian deaths. The Councilor, however, did not cite any specific examples of injuries arising from beggar/car interactions.

Downtown Fresco

On a more positive note, Councilors commissioned a new fresco illustrating New Mexicos deep agricultural roots. The mural, by local artist Frederico Vigil, will soon grace the citys downtown Convention Center. The 2,540-square foot mural will cost about $293,000 and will take about three and a half years to complete. In addition, Vigil will mentor up to 10 art students in the art of fresco.

When it is done, the finished work will reflect the richness of Rio Grande Valley agriculture and viticulture heritage from Las Cruces to Northern New Mexico. Vigil is also the artist of the fresco in the Torreon at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Stepping Up

Kudos go out to three Burquenos who are doing something to make a difference. The citys Arts Board welcomes Dorothy Stermer, the Affordable Housing Board greets Shawn Colbert, and Gary Van Luchene was reappointed to the citys Ethics Board.

Quick Hits

Councilors also got some other business done for Albuquerque citizens when they dealt with the following procedures:

 Accepted a Department of Justice Grant for about $294,000 for an opioid abuse program that will proactively address overdose survivors by connecting them with treatment and support immediately following the overdose. Currently, many overdose survivors have nowhere to go and are released back on the streets with no immediate support or treatment plan.

 Approved a real estate sale of about $750,000 for 113 acres of Burque-owned land in Dona Ana County. We owned the land through a prior land swap and the City of Las Cruces wants it for possible future animal welfare expansion. The land is upon a former landfill so Councilors wanted to make sure there will not be any future liability, satisfied themselves and approved the sale.
Kenya has been in grappling for sucessions from all corners that think they were united with Kenya for a purpose. A group from Western Region has also gone back to Court to file a petition to secede from Kenya.The group which has roots from Uganda as well called for a referendum in both countries as the Luhya community is in Uganda and Kenya.Just comes after another petition filed at the Constitutional Division of the High Court by Mr Mathew Okwanda Mwilitsa and Mr Alex Misigo Matisa asking the court to let the people of what used to be Eastern Province of Uganda under the colonial rule to decide their political future in a referendum.The petitioners are personally and on behalf of their community urging the honourable court to be pleased to grant the people occupying the territory formerly known as the Eastern Province of Uganda leave to hold a referendum so as to exercise their right to determine in terms of their rights to nationality, territorial integrity, economic, social and culture as a people, the petition states.They have sued the governments of Uganda, Kenya, and Britain for destabilizing the once united Abaluhya kingdom. Mr. Mwilitsa is from Kakamega County while Mr. Matisa lives in Vihiga County.The inhabitants of the former Eastern Province of Uganda were between the years 1895  1962 a distinct, cohesive, homogeneous and a united community under the able leadership of their King Nabongo Mumia, whose territorial jurisdiction spread from Jinja in present-day Uganda to Kijabe with the boundary being at Susua in the then British East Africa Protectorate (now Kenya), the petition further states.According to the petitioners, the colonial government declined to heed to demands by the Abaluhya community to have their own kingdom during the Lancaster House Talks in the United Kingdom that led to Kenyas Independence in 1963.It is the petitioners case that the Luhya community was part of Uganda and their land was given to the then British East African Protectorate, now Kenya, against their wish.The official representatives of the dominant group occupying the Eastern Province of Uganda being the entire Abaluhya Community comprising the Wanga Kingdom voiced their concern in writing of their planned merger, Mr. Mwilitsa states in an affidavit.The community has similarly been marginalized economically, socially, culturally and politically and in the end, the community has been given a derogatory tag as being professional cooks and watchmen.Due to Marginalization, the community had a hard time in Kenya as they are regarded worthless by the current governments. Only a few individuals prosper. The ones with roots and mixed family background excel in the community.The talks to secede from Kenya aroused fears from other regions as the method has been mentioned for long. The group also wants their fellow marginalized communities to look for an alternative as the current governments will not recognize them even in future.
Oklahoma State Rep. Tom Gann, one of the votes against the proposed tax increase package, analyzes the state budget crisis from his perspective as an auditor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: State Rep. Tom Gann

Office: (405) 557-7364

Tone at the Top

By Rep. Tom Gann



When referencing fraud prevention, auditors use the catchphrase tone at the top. It refers to an organization's ethical climate, its integrity - set by its leaders.

To set an effective internal control environment, auditors have to assess an organization's tone at the top. Do leaders show a commitment to honesty, integrity and ethical behavior, or do they pursue winning at all costs? Are they transparent, or do they hide what they are doing behind closed doors?

As a former auditor myself, I find myself now in government assessing the tone at the top as I learn more and more each day of the shell game being played with government money.

A perfect example of what I'm talking about is the state Department of Health. A recent news story says that the agency "employed a series of accounting tricks to provide the illusion of a balanced budget," but has in fact spent more than its annual revenues since 2011.

I'm afraid the health department is only the first indicator of a much deeper problem in our state. If this agency could get away with this for six years, how many other agencies are using similar tactics? We won't know until we begin an audit of each recipient of state appropriations.

First, however, we must examine our tone at the top. If the Legislature itself thumbs its nose at the rules it establishes and enacts legislation that is clearly unconstitutional, why would we expect more from our state agencies?

Laws lose effectiveness when people ignore them.

When the Legislature funds pet projects and protects special interests, why would we expect our agencies to perform differently?

On the other hand, if we set a tone of transparency, and we uphold ethical behavior from the top down, then our agencies would be more inclined to do the same. We as legislators need to be above board and set a tone of integrity. We should be able then to expect the same from our agencies.

We must raise the standard for ourselves as lawmakers first. If we're going to point fingers at our agencies, we need to first look at ourselves.

Once we can stop engineering the crisis, we can manage it.

Tom Gann serves Oklahoma House District 8. He can be reached by phone at (405) 557-7364 or by email at tom.gann@okhouse.gov.
As tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria continue to stream into Florida, a key Senate panel spent Wednesday exploring whether the state's affordable housing programs are being adequately funded.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund helps subsidize homes for low-income renters

More than $1 billion diverted from fund over past decade

Currently fund balance can only meet 1/5th of statewide demand



The question is more than academic. While many storm-weary Puerto Ricans whose homes have been destroyed are moving in with family members on the mainland, thousands of others are in search of housing.

With their finances unable to match the steep rents being charged in Florida's largest cities, the evacuees are turning to the state for help.

Florida's affordable housing trust fund is the state's primary vehicle for subsidizing homes and apartments for low-income renters in need. Over the past decade, however, state leaders have diverted more than $1 billion from the fund to pay for other priorities.

That has left the fund with a whittling balance, a reality that became the focal point of Wednesday's meeting of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development.

"Did we have sufficient workforce housing and affordable housing before these storms?" Sen. Perry Thurston (D-Ft. Lauderdale) asked a presenter.

The inferred answer was 'no.' Because the trust fund is now only capable of meeting one-fifth of statewide demand for affordable housing, even some low-income Floridians whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irma could find themselves on their own.

"This has been a problem all over the state for many years, but they were particularly hit very hard, and hopefully you'll bring us a plan that will be very aggressive on how to fund workforce and affordable housing in the Keys," said the committee's chairman, Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Spring Hill).

What the funding issue means for the Puerto Rican arrivals is still unclear. Some lawmakers are suggesting using money from the state's reserve account to replenish the affordable housing trust fund, calling the situation a qualifying emergency.

"We'll have to make it be enough, and if not, we'll have to figure out how we may have to use some other funds to put in the pot to make it work," said Sen. Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville). "We have to make it work. We cannot add to the homeless population."

But with the state almost certainly facing a deficit due to impacts from Hurricane Irma, much of the reserve funding could itself be diverted to other areas of the budget. That would make it exceedingly difficult for the state to offer additional relief to storm-weary Puerto Ricans struggling to reestablish their lives in Florida.
New travel and commerce restrictions on Cuba are now in effect, rolling back Obama administration policies.

New Cuba policy under Trump administration

Changes include rollback on travel, hotel stays, purchases

Cuban Foreign Ministry said the new regulations will have little impact

The new rules are causing concern over what they could mean for tourism and travel to the island.

The restrictions don't include the airlines, which will continue flying to and from the island. However, the flights are based on demand and if that wanes, the number of flights could drop.

The impact of President Donald Trump's roll back of Cuba policies is yet to be seen. But there is a lot of confusion over what Americans can and can't do if they travel to Cuba.



Also, the people-to-people visas are ending, along with educational visas being restricted.

The rollback on Cuba includes Americans being banned from giving any money to Cuban businesses that are owned by the government. That includes hotels, stores and even rum.

The White House's contention is that they want to hit the Cuban government with financial losses while not hurting American business with emerging private Cuban businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry said the new regulations will do nothing to influence Cuba's government to take any domestic actions for its people.

"This is the old speech," said Josefina Vidal, the Director General with the Cuban Foreign Ministry. "So lets sanction Cuba. Let's impose new measures on Cuba to provoke changes in Cuba.

"To force. To pressure. To put pressure on the Cuban government to make changes. Has it happened in the past? No. Never ever. So it hasn't worked, it doesn't work, it won't work."

It wasn't that long ago that the Obama Administration loosened restrictions on private travel to Cuba.

It would appear that is over - at least for now.

The US will now take a closer look at Americans traveling to Cuba. If they aren't sponsored or aren't traveling with a valid tour group or have no other valid reason to be going there, there's a high chance they will not be allowed to travel.
Florida regulators announced Wednesday that 23 nursing homes across the state have not responded to requirements put in place after residents died in a South Florida nursing home.

By October 31, all nursing homes were required to submit a detailed plan to AHCA or apply for a waiver. These facilities will be subjected to the fine of $1,000 per day or license revocation starting November 15 if they fail to come into compliance by the deadline.

Among those on the list: Braden River Rehabilitation Center Llc. in Manatee County and four others in Pinellas County.



Jacaranda Manor, Marion And Bernard L Samson Nursing Center, Masonic Home Of Florida and St Mark Village are the four Pinellas nursing homes on the list.

Florida regulators say 23 nursing homes yet to follow rules

14 residents at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills died in the days after Irma

Rules have been legally challenged

After Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott's administration pushed through emergency rules that require nursing homes to have generators capable of providing backup power for four days.

Scott called for the rules after 14 residents at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills died in the days after Irma wiped out power to much of South Florida.

The rules have been legally challenged, but the Agency for Health Care Administration has said nursing homes must still comply with them or seek a variance. The agency said the 23 homes will be subjected to the $1,000-a-day fine if they are not in compliance by Nov. 15.

LeadingAge Florida, a group that represents nursing homes, contends the number released by the state is incorrect. They also said there is still confusion over whether homes have to comply with the mandate.

"It is of the utmost importance that the nursing homes who have not responded do so immediately," said Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Justin Senior. "These rules were implemented with the safety of patients and residents in nursing homes in mind. Our Agency will continue to work to aggressively implement this life-saving rule.

"Our goal is compliance with the emergency rule, and we will continue working to bring facilities into compliance."
Oregon Coast Guided Walks, Science and History Events This Month

Published 11/09/2017 at 3:17 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  Get back to nature and get downright historical this month on the Oregon coast, as two separate towns do just that with distinctive flair. Up on the north coast, Seaside will look into its past in a special event at another historical landmark north of town, while Newport will feature two outstanding events covering science and nature. (Above: Siletz River marshes, photo courtesy Roy Lowe).

The Yaquina Birders and Naturalists group again hosts a talk and a guided field trip in November, this time in Newport. Both are free.

On Thursday, November 16, the naturalist presentation is "Sea Level Rise and Landward Migration of Estuarine Marshes" with Fran Recht. It happens at 7 p.m.

The talk will describe analyses done under contract to MidCoast Watersheds Council to assess the extent of inundation in Oregon coastal estuaries under different sea level rise scenarios, and implications for survival and upslope migration of estuarine marshes.

Fran Recht is a resident of Depoe Bay and is employed by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. She one of the founding board members of the MidCoast Watersheds Council and is a leader in conservation efforts on the Oregon coast, both in the marine environment and on land.

Location for the event is OSU Extension Lincoln County in Newport. 1211 SE Bay Blvd, Newport, Oregon.



Get down with nature by getting up close with a Guided Naturalist Walk on Saturday November 18. Raptors and Waterbirds of South Beach starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 11 a.m.

Chuck Philo will lead this Yaquina Birders & Naturalists field trip that begins at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC). Yaquina Bay and the woodlands of South Beach provide a wintering area for birds of prey along with many species of waterbirds including grebes, loons, great blue herons and a variety of ducks. This event is free and open to everyone.

Dress for variable weather and meet at 9 a.m. at the flagpole of the Hatfield Marine Science Center's parking lot. The field trip will last two hours. For more info, call 541-961-1307.

On November 19, Seaside gets deep into its own history with a presentation at the Lewis & Clark replica north of town, the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Clatsop. It's free and it starts at 1 p.m.

Part of the In Their Footsteps program, the event is called A Town Called Seaside. Gloria Linkey will share from her 2017 book, A Town Called Seaside, a decade-by-decade story of Seaside: from a summer resort town in the 1940s to the thriving tourist attraction and community it is today.

Gloria will discuss pre-World War II days, when people walked the Prom in fine attire or watched Lone Ranger serials at one of Seasides two movie theaters. She will also demonstrate how the town has grown and improved with the help of many dedicated people and organizations. A Town Called Seaside will be available for purchase at this event. There will be a book-signing following her presentation.

In Their Footsteps is a monthly Sunday forum sponsored by the Lewis & Clark National Park Association and the park. These programs are held in the Netul River Room of Fort Clatsops visitor center and are free of charge. For more information, call the park at (503) 861-2471, or check out www.nps.gov/lewi, or Lewis and Clark National Historical Park on Facebook. 92343 Fort Clatsop Rd. Astoria, Oregon. (503) 861-2471.

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San Antonio refinery Andeavor lost at the polls Tuesday as a candidate it backed in a small port commissioners race in Washington state was soundly defeated by a local businessman who wants to block the companys plans for a terminal there.

Kris Greene, who backed the facility, lost the hotly contested race to local businessman Don Orange. Orange, who won 64.3 percent of the vote, has vowed to cancel a land lease Andeavor shares with Utah-based Savage Cos. for a new terminal at the Port of Vancouver.

It marks the end of a bitter race between the two, who raised more than $1 million in campaign contributions for a commissioners seat that pays about $10,000 a year. Together they brought in more money than a pair of other port commissioner races in the much larger ports of Seattle and Tacoma combined.

Andeavor and Utah-based Savage Cos., pumped at least $370,000 into Greenes campaign coffers. Much of it was contributed by Vancouver Energy, the name of the joint venture that aims to build a $210 million crude-by-rail terminal at the port. Greene had raised more than $596,000 total in his campaign.

Orange raised more than $413,000, with the largest amount coming from a more than $290,000 contribution from the Washington Conservation Voters Action Fund.

This aint got nothing to do with me, ok  this has to do with all of us and its incredible, Orange said to supporters in a video recorded Tuesday night and posted to his Facebook page.

The next vote on Andeavor and Savage Cos. lease could come as early as December.

Rye Druzin is an energy reporter for the San Antonio Express-News. Read more of his stories here. | rdruzin@express-news.net | Twitter: @druz_journo
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Beaumont's Ninth Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the conviction of a Beaumont man for the 2012 murder of a church deacon should stand, turning down his claims of insufficient evidence.

Melvin Spikes III, 44, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in May 2016 for killing Emerson Franklin, a deacon at New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.

Franklin, 76, was a carpenter, and suggested that his employer hire Spikes for additional help on a job in the spring of 2012. On June 17, 2012, Franklin was found dead in his home, facedown in his bathtub with his hands bound by his side with an electrical cord. An autopsy ruled that he had been strangled, possibly with a belt found in the bathtub.

According to the Appeals Court's ruling, Spikes was identified through evidence including DNA on the belt, surveillance video of Spikes driving Franklin's truck, and through inconsistencies in his own statements to police.

In the appeal, defense attorney Douglas Barlow argued that the evidence presented at trial was "insufficient to support the conviction."

Barlow wrote that "at best," the evidence showed that Spikes "could have been the perpetrator," but did not provide facts that could have convinced a juror that he was guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt."

He argued that other logical suspects were "abandoned" by prosecutors after an incomplete investigation.

In the opinion, Appeals Court Justice Charles Kreger wrote that the "combined, cumulative force of the various incremental pieces of circumstantial evidence is sufficient to support the verdict."

He wrote that the jury could reasonably infer facts from the evidence, including that Franklin's home had been ransacked and that Spikes had pawned Franklin's necklace the day before his body was discovered. The jury could conclude that Spikes' false statements to police indicated that he participated in Franklin's murder, Kreger said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Krista Chandler/The Enterprise Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Krista Chandler/The Enterprise Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Jefferson County sheriff's deputies and Beaumont police officers have arrested a man after he fled from a traffic stop on Houston Street in Beaumont.

The JCSO Narcotics Division was doing surveillance in the area when they stopped a passing vehicle, officials said. The suspect immediately fled the vehicle and ran through neighboring back yards before he was caught at the intersection of Southerland Street and Usan Street.
An Orange man has been arrested in connection with a 2016 stabbing death.

Felix Guillory, 51, was arrested Wednesday at his residence in the 2100 block of Link Avenue, Orange police told BeaumontEnterprise.com. Guillory was indicted by a grand jury on a murder charge earlier that day, prior to his arrest.

On March 24, 2016 at about 2:30 a.m., police found a body lying in the 500 block of North Street. The victim, later identified as Shane Austin Cooper, had multiple stab wounds from a pocketknife.

Police said forensic evidence and DNA test results led to the recent arrest.

Krista.Chandler@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/KristasBeat
A former Beaumont nursing home employee was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury today for harming a disabled patient, court documents show.

Robyne Renai Mitchell, 50, was employed at The Oaks of Beaumont nursing home on Milam Street this past spring.

Mitchell was allegedly caring for the victim, who is paralyzed on her left side, on April 11. According to the affidavit from the Beaumont Police Department, Mitchell was aware of the victim's condition when she allegedly pushed the victim down onto the bed and hurt her.

Mitchell was formally charged with injury to a disabled individual, a second-degree felony. If convicted, she faces between two and 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

MGstalter@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/morgGstalt
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SUTHERLAND SPRINGS -- Just days before the killer opened fire killing 26 church goers he walked among them.

Five days before he would gun dozens of people down, Devin Patrick Kelley showed up at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs with his children for an annual fall festival. His appearance was unexpected because of the past family troubles, but people who saw him there thought it was a sign he was turning a corner.

SURVIVOR RECALLS: Killer shot crying babies point blank

Now Playing: The front of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs could be clearly seen Tuesday as Federal and state investigators scaled back their work in and around the main sanctuary. Video: Fox7

"And they thought, 'Oh, this is good. This is progress,' " said Tambria Read, a longtime resident of Sutherland Springs who is close with Kelley's mother-in-law - whom Kelley is said to have been targeting but who was not at church that morning.

The mother-in-law, Michelle Shields, told Read she was so excited to see Kelley there voluntarily with her grandchildren.

Read said people in the church and the community saw a potential to help Kelley.

"This church is very loving, nonjudgmental and if he had had concerns or issues and spoken with the clergy - they're nonjudgmental," Read said in an interview just two blocks from where Kelley killed 26 and wounded at least another 20 people, including children as young as 18 months old. "They would have helped him deal with his issues and helped him try to get focused."

On the church's Facebook page, more than 40 photos from the event show children in costumes playing games.

"Everything is free!" said a post a few days earlier promoting the event. "Bring your kids and join us for this fun evening!"

Read said Danielle Shields, the shooter's wife, had worked at the church for years.

While there was trouble in the family, Read said she's not sure exactly what was going on.

"You keep your family business to yourself," Read said. "She probably told Pastor Frank Pomeroy, she probably discussed that with him."

Police on Monday night confirmed that there was conflict within the family but would not provide further details.

AUTOPSY RESULTS: How the gunman died

Kelley altered the lives of people in Sutherland Springs forever when on Sunday, dressed in tactical gear, the U.S. Air Force veteran opened fire on unsuspecting worshippers.

Survivors of the shooting told a San Antonio TV station that they played dead and huddled on the ground as Kelley fired.

"Everybody started screaming, yelling," Joanne Solis told KSAT-TV. "Everybody got down, under wherever they could hide."

Kelley had a history of violence, public records show. In 2012 he was court martialed for abusing this then-wife Tessa Kelley and his infant stepson, whom he admitted beating so hard he fractured the boy's skull.

Jeremy Wallace writes about state politics and government for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter at @JeremySWallace
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A south Texas pastor is encouraging citizens with concealed handgun licenses to carry their weapons in public following the mass shooting at a Central Texas church.

Pastor Ron Smith of Church of the King in McAllen told Chron.com that people with concealed weapons licenses are "already vetted and trained" and "can save many lives."

HORRIFIC: Sutherland Springs survivors describe terror at church

"It only makes sense for people to get a license to carry a concealed weapon," Smith said. "I encourage it in all public places."

On Sunday, Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed 26 people and wounded another 20 people at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Since then, some Texas pastors and church leaders have been reevaluating safety procedures during their services.

Now Playing: The front of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs could be clearly seen Tuesday as Federal and state investigators scaled back their work in and around the main sanctuary. Video: Fox7

Smith sees having more people armed as a better alternative to banning guns. The pastor said church members will also discuss installing cameras and implementing procedures to report people exhibiting strange behavior, such as carrying large duffle bags into church.

"What good does it do to outlaw guns? That does more harm than good," Smith said.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS SHOOTER: Autopsy reveals killer sustained 3 gunshot wounds, including one to head

Less than seven miles away, Pastor Shannon Talley of First Baptist Church in McAllen said he doesn't have a problem with members conceal carrying during service. He does however, want them to be identifiable so other service members know they are carrying.

"Our church is wide open and we welcome people, but if you come in with an evil intent, we will be prepared to deal with that," Shannon told Chron.com. "I have my conceal carry license but as a general rule, I don't like to carry. If there are times that I feel I need to though, I certainly will."

Talley said church leaders also plan to put security in place at First Baptist Church, with people watching the doors so strangers can't walk in without being seen.

SHOCKING: Killer celebrated with Sutherland Springs churchgoers five days before the bloody rampage

Pastors outside of McAllen, which is 234 miles south of Sutherland Springs, have echoed similar viewpoints as Kelley and Talley. Pastor Jamie Chapa of the El Faro church in Sullivan City told tv station KRGV that services will have people who are armed with firearms. Service members with concealed weapons licenses will also be encouraged to carry.

"I think there are lots of pastors, lots of churches that feel the same way," Kelley said of having armed members during services. "This (feeling) is not isolated," the pastor said, adding that a "vast majority" of church leaders may feel the need for similar safety measures.

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.
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SUTHERLAND SPRINGS  When the shooting started, Roseanne Solis dove under a pew, terrified that she was about to die as screams filled the sanctuary.

She heard someone shout, Everybody get down! as bullets ripped through the carpet. Shots rained through the church, where up front, near the altar, youngsters sat together and older members sat together in another group.

Solis saw people bleeding, running, trying to hide. Her left arm grew hot as blood flowed out. She didnt even realize she had been shot.

RELATED: A year after son's death, Robert and Shani Corrigan perished in church attack

Now Playing: Latest updates: Sutherland Springs church shooting Video: San Antonio Express-News

When she saw black boots from her vantage point under the pew, she had a fleeting moment of relief, thinking it was a policeman. Seconds later, realizing it was the shooter, she was holding her breath, trying to play dead. He walked toward the front and the shooting began again.

Across from her, a boy covered his eyes and screamed for his mother. There was no reply; all was silent. Then the shooting began once more.

I knew if I moved I was going to die, Solis, 57, said as her husband, Joaquin Ramirez, 50, sat on a nearby stool. I didnt want to die.

Solis survived the ambush by Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, about 30 miles southeast of downtown San Antonio.

In the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history, Kelley killed 26 and wounded 20 others during the Sunday morning service.

RELATED: Remembering victims of the Sutherland Springs church shooting

Tuesday evening, in her home not far from the church, Solis sat on a sofa underneath a wooden cross, reliving the horror. On a nearby TV, law enforcement officials were giving updated information on the shooting.

She said Sundays service began as usual, with the congregation singing joyful hymns of worship. There was a reading of announcements about upcoming events and then the traditional moment when members greeted each other, talking and laughing.

She said the congregation members are honest and down to earth people, less concerned about how they dress than what they feel in their hearts. She likes that they serve breakfast before the service begins.

These are folks who always say hi when they see one another at the store or in the street. She likes that they have potluck suppers and holiday parties.

And she likes that the same scene plays out every week  until the shots shattered the peaceful worship at the country church on Sunday.

RELATED: Grandmother sacrifices self to save grandson in Sutherland Springs shooting

As the shooter went through the little church, Solis said she motioned for Ramirez to go get help.

Under the pew, she was squeezed in between two other women who also were wounded. They, too, survived.

When she saw a red splotch spread across her arm, she first thought it was someone elses blood. But shed been shot two times.

Ramirez received shrapnel wounds as he crawled on the floor from the gunfire.

Thoughts of dying in the church spun through Solis mind, until the gunman ran out of ammunition and she heard his guns fall to the floor. Things finally were silent, and the shooter must have left the building, she thought. But it seemed to be an eternity before anyone moved.

Solis said she doesnt know if shell ever be able to get over what she saw as she got up: the many small bodies lying motionless throughout the church.

Its going to stay in my heart a long time, the loss of all those innocent little babies, she said. I feel guilty that I survived and all these little children didnt have a chance and will never know what it feels like to get old.

The world is going to get worse, she said, seeing the mass shooting as a wake-up call. She said shes gotten closer to her sisters and the Lord.

RELATED: Uncle of Sutherland Springs church gunman calls him a 'coward'

As for returning back to First Baptist Church, shes not sure if shell ever be able to step back into the building. She even talked about maybe leaving the town where she has enjoyed living the tranquil, small town life. Shes not sure what she and her husband are going to do now.

Solis said she wishes that more could be done about gun control in America. She said she doesnt know what she can do about it, but something needs to be done.

Solis said she continues to send prayers to everyone who lost a love one in the attack.

I cant say any words that can make them feel better, she said. My hope is that nothing like this happens again.

Staff Photographer Jerry Lara contributed to this report.
Mubashar Hasan, a Bangladeshi professor respected for his work on Islamic extremism who went missing Tuesday night, poses for a photo in Rangpur city, Bangladesh, May 31, 2015.

Police in Bangladesh on Thursday said they were investigating the reported disappearance of a professor and scholar of Islamic extremism who was last seen by his family two days ago.

Mubashar Hasan, an assistant professor of political science at the private North South University in Dhaka, had feared for his safety in the days leading up to his disappearance on Tuesday night, according to human rights activists. They warned he could be the latest in a series of disappearances in the country since Aug. 22.

At least nine people have been reported missing since then, police records show.

We have been trying to find the missing teacher, Moshiur Rahman, the officer-in-charge of Khilagaon police station in Dhaka, told BenarNews, referring to the professor.

The authorities opened the investigation after Hasans father, Motahar Hossain, reported him missing at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to Dhaka police and Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The professor was last seen at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Bangladeshi capital, according to his father.

The law enforcement agencies have been providing assistance. We hope that we will soon get him back, Hossain wrote in a Facebook post. This is my fervent appeal to the government, try your best to trace my son. I would appeal [for] everyone to pray for my sons return unharmed.

Col. Emranul Hasan, a RAB unit commander, told reporters that investigators took Mubashars laptop computer from his home, but found no evidence regarding his disappearance.

He has done some research on Islamist extremism in Bangladesh. His disappearance could be linked to his work, rights activist Nur Khan Liton told Agence France-Presse.

Zayedul Ahsan, the CEO of a private TV station, said Mubashar had been fearful in the days prior to his disappearance.

In a Facebook post, Ahsan wrote that Mubashar had told him about two strangers who introduced themselves as students and came to his residence. He said he suggested that Mubashar install a closed-circuit security camera at his house.

The government must take action over the professor and other missing persons, said Mizanur Rahman, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.

The right to live a fearless life is the precondition to basic human rights. Every citizen has been in fear. The state cannot shrug off its responsibility in such a way, Rahman told BenarNews.

He was responding to a comment made a day earlier by the home minister. Rahman said that trust of the law enforcement agencies would plummet if officers failed to investigate reports of missing persons.

Some people have willfully gone into hiding to embarrass the government, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal had told reporters on Wednesday.

Political figures, journalists missing

Among the people reported missing is Sadaat Ahmed, a leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who was last seen in Dhaka on Aug. 22. His wife filed a missing persons report with police that day, claiming that plainclothes police officers had dragged him from his car.

Five days later, political party leader Aminur Rahman and Aniruddha Roy, went missing.

Only I know how we have been living. It is better to die than live like this. I have been running to the police, RAB and human rights groups from dawn to dusk, Shashwati Roy told BenarNews.

Others reported missing including a student from McGill University in Canada, an Islamic preacher and a journalist.

Mithun Chowdhury, president of the new Bangladesh Janata Party, and his aide, Ashish Gosh, went missing Oct. 27. Mithuns wife, Sumona Chowdhury held a press conference to demand her husbands return.
There are no links between Islamic State (IS) militants and insurgents in Thailands Deep South, according to a new study by the International Crisis Group (ICG).

Leaders in the countrys predominantly Muslim and Malay-speaking southern border region overwhelmingly reject the ideology espoused by IS, the Brussels-based group argues in the report, Jihadism in Southern Thailand: A Phantom Menace, which came out this week.

There is no evidence to date that the Middle East-based extremist organization has made any inroads into the Deep South, partly because insurgents there are nationalists who seek to create their own independent state, ICG said.

Fears of jihadist influence based primarily on the argument that things can change must be weighed against evidence that there is no appetite among the leadership of existing militant groups for affiliation with ISIS or like-minded groups, ICG stated, using another acronym for IS.

Such fears have sharpened with the decline of Islamic State as it loses territory in its traditional Middle Eastern strongholds, along with the advent of IS-linked violence in Southeast Asia that has revealed the possibility of a new era of transnational jihadist terrorism in the region, the ICG suggested in its report.

Indeed, the Malay-Muslim insurgency is distinguished by its parochialism. The militant organization pursues national self-determination over a specific territory, seeking to join, rather than destroy, the international system, the report said.

ICG also warned Thai government officials against complacency toward the decades-old separatist conflict in the south, in which nearly 7,000 people have died since 2004.

Impatience with an ongoing peace process involving the government and MARA Patani, an umbrella group representing militant organizations in the region, could encourage splinter factions among the rebels to take extreme action, said ICG, a Belgium-based organization whose stated goal is to prevent wars and shape policy to build a more peaceful world.

To create the 31-page report, ICG researchers interviewed members of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) and other southern Thai insurgent groups, Muslim leaders, academics, professionals, military and police officers, and several Malay-Muslim women in the Deep South and neighboring countries since mid-2016.

BRN power

BRN commands the overwhelming majority of fighters in the Thai Deep South. ICG reports that Malay-Muslim militants are suspicious of foreign operatives and have rejected proposals from outside militant groups to attack Thai tourist sites.

Our field of struggle is different from theirs, ICG quoted a senior BRN member. This man had turned down an invitation to meet Abu Bakar Bashir, the imprisoned Indonesian spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, the al-Qaeda linked group that carried out bombings that killed 202 people in Bali, Indonesia 15 years ago.

The director of Deep South Watch, a non-government organization that monitors conflicts in the region, agreed.

This side has Malay-Muslim nationalist ideology and is not focused on an international concept, Srisompob Jitpiromsri told BenarNews. The Islamic State identity is universal. The two ideologies are not connected directly.

The operations, violence, brutality, struggle and fighting of the Deep South are brutal, but will not harm civilians and innocent people because that would affect the feelings of people in the area.

Still, Srisompob said, the Deep South was not free of IS sympathizers.

While there might be some people in the area who believe in ideas of IS, it seems to be more toward individuals than the ideology, he said.

ICG said the Southeast Asian nation could be a special destination. ISIS reportedly has rewarded fighters with trips to Thailand for rest and relaxation.

A Deep South security officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was difficult to confirm reports of IS members in the border region.

IS members who entered the area have tried to instigate the young teens in this area, but locals here should not want to join because they have different ideologies, the officer told BenarNews.

Faith a firewall against extremism

ICG said an overriding concern of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-chas government is to shield the nation from damage that international terrorism could inflict on the tourism industry, which indirectly contributes 20 percent of the gross domestic product.

Because of this concern, the government must not only prevent attacks, but must play down threats, keeping terrorism out of the headlines.

The ICG report also praised the governments protection of religious freedom that does not interfere with Muslim practices in the Deep South for helping keep the IS ideology from taking root there.

Their faith is the firewall against extremists influence, a senior leader of the Patani United Liberation Organization, another rebel group in the south, told ICG, praising teachings at local Islamic schools for creating an immune system.

In its conclusion, ICG offered its suggestion for keeping the Deep South and the rest of Thailand free from IS incursions.

Malay-Muslim militants and the Thai state have a common interest in keeping out ISIS and other jihadist groups. While for now, the conflict has not led to the pervasive disorder that jihadists have exploited elsewhere, it could evolve in ways that generate more promising conditions for jihadist intervention, ICG said.

Stalemate or miscalculation could lead some militants to employ more spectacular violence, which in turn could lead to a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in Thailand, and a broader sectarian conflict, the report went on to say. To avert this, and to fulfill their obligations to the people of southernmost Thailand, Bangkok and the militant fronts should seek compromise and a negotiated end to the conflict.
For Immediate Release, November 9, 2017 Contact: Shaye Wolf (California), (510) 844-7101, swolf@biologicaldiversity.org

Jean Su (Bonn), +1 (415) 770-3187, jsu@biologicaldiversity.org New Report: California Oil Among World's Dirtiest Rampant Oil Production Undermines State's Climate Leadership BONN, Germany Three-quarters of Californias oil is as climate-damaging as Canadian tar sands crude, according to a Center for Biological Diversity report released today at the United Nations climate change conference in Bonn, Germany. Oil Stain: How Dirty Crude Undercuts Californias Climate Progress found that eight of the states 10 largest-producing oil fields produce very dirty crude with greenhouse gas emissions comparable to tar sands oil. The report detailed how the states dirty oil problem is compounded by policies that incentivize crude production. The analysis comes as California Gov. Jerry Brown prepares to address the U.N. conference. Brown arrives at the conference on Nov. 11. California is tarnishing its climate leadership by encouraging oil companies to extract millions of barrels a year of some of the planets dirtiest crude, said report author Shaye Wolf, the Centers climate science director. Our states huge reserve of dirty crude is a loaded gun pointed at our future. We cant let the oil industry pull the trigger. Using lifecycle emissions estimates and state oil field data, the Centers analysis found that three-quarters of oil produced in California is, barrel for barrel, as carbon-intensive as Canadas tar sands crude. Nearly two-thirds of remaining reserves in 18 of the largest oilfields in the San Joaquin and Los Angeles Basins is similarly climate-damaging, totaling 6.1 billion barrels of particularly polluting crude. Increasing use of extreme-extraction techniques like steam flooding and fracking has worsened the climate harms of the states oil production. Many of the oilfields evaluated in the report operate next to homes and schools, releasing toxic air pollutants that cause cancer, asthma and other health problems. Drilling occurs disproportionally in communities of color who already suffer from some of the worst air quality in the nation. Despite the climate and public-health harms of its oil extraction, California is currently the third-largest oil-producing state. Tax breaks, weak regulation and minimal oversight encourage aggressive oil development in the state. California regulators issued more than 3,300 drilling permits for oil and gas wells in 2015 alone. Gov. Brown needs to stop pandering to the oil industry. Oil-friendly policies are fueling climate change, endangering Californians and stifling our transition to clean energy, Wolf said. To be a true climate leader, California must phase out oil production within its borders.
For Immediate Release, November 9, 2017 Contact: Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org

Megan Mueller, (303) 704-9760, megan@rockymountainwild.org Petition Filed to Maintain Jumping Mouse's Endangered Species Protection Property-rights Group Continues Bogus Effort to Delist Tiny Mouse DENVER The Center for Biological Diversity and Rocky Mountain Wild filed a petition today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue protections for the Prebles meadow jumping mouse under the Endangered Species Act. The jumping mouse is currently protected as a threatened subspecies. But the extremist Pacific Legal Foundation, a private property-rights group, petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service in March to strip those protections, incorrectly arguing that new genetic information invalidates its status as a subspecies. Todays petition presents information showing that the jumping mouse still merits recognition as a subspecies. Should the agency determine this not to be the case, the petition requests protection for the jumping mouse as a distinct population. No matter how its categorized, the Prebles meadow jumping mouse is headed for extinction and needs protection, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Pacific Legal Foundations effort to strip the jumping mouse of protection has nothing to do with science and everything to do with its anti-wildlife, anti-nature agenda. This is not the first attempt to strip the jumping mouse of protection. In 2003 the state of Wyoming and other entities petitioned for delisting of the jumping mouse based on a study by Dr. Roy Ramey, then at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This effort stalled after a new study confirmed the jumping mouses status as a subspecies and raised serious concerns about Dr. Rameys methods, including potential for sample contamination. Dr. Ramey, who no longer works for the Denver museum, is a signatory to the new petition to strip the jumping mouse of protection. Protecting the jumping mouse means protecting the rivers and streams along the Front Range in Colorado and Wyoming that we all love, said Megan Mueller, a senior conservation biologist with Rocky Mountain Wild. We sincerely hope that even in a Trump administration, the Fish and Wildlife Service will follow the science and maintain protections for this unique little jumping mouse. The Prebles meadow jumping mouse is a small mammal that uses its 6-inch tail and powerful hind legs to escape from predators with massive leaps of more than a foot and a half in the air. It is limited to streamside habitats of the Rocky Mountain Front Range in eastern Colorado and Wyoming.
Elo Umeh, CEO of the Terragon Group, an African digital media company, was one of the speakers at this year's AfricaCom event, that was hosted at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town (CTICC) from 7-9 November.

Umeh presented at the Connectivity Stage on Tuesday, 7 November and explored the peculiarities of the African market, the pain points of the modern marketer and where the true value lies with regards to mobile advertising.

He started his talk with a bold statement; 1.2 billion people on the continent are difficult to find. Umeh continued and said that there are so many people (potential customers) but we don't know how to reach them, and this is strange because something that everyone has in common, especially in Africa, is a mobile device.

According to Umeh, the quality of connectivity continues to increase on a daily basis. He says with all the apps on our smartphones today, we're getting more and more connected and via those connections, we're getting access to a lot of data. So we need to ask the question, how do we make sense of this data?

Mark Casey, technology, media and telecoms (TMT) industry leader at Deloitte said:

"Owning the hearts, minds, and wallets of consumers is the end goal. Will telcos, who have laid the foundation for connectivity and access, be the winners; or will it be global technology groups, the banks, media, advertisers or retailer giants?"

Umeh says 70% of the connections currently on the continent are still not on the internet, and 50% of those people who have smartphones are also not connected to the internet. So how do we reach those individuals? Are we going to wait until everyone is connected? He says his company, the Terragon Group, has envisioned that about half of the 500 million connections that we have on the continent will be on the internet by 2020. However, people who are not connected via the internet are still on mobile networks exchanging valuable information that can be useful to a lot of African brands and businesses.

For the last six or seven years, Umeh and his company have been driving data monetisation and mobile advertising for many of these brands through a company called Twinpine. Through this, they have realised that copying and pasting the European or American business model for mobile advertising will not work in Africa. The scale of the kind of businesses that they can build via mobile advertising will not happen if they use those models. Because Africans use the mobile phone in a very different way, he says.

Utilise push elements from non-web channels

In Africa, people check their USSD, they check their account balance at least five times a day and only 4% of the connections on the continent are post-paid. So we need to start leveraging how Africans use the phone and make sense of that information. For example, after every call, end-of-call notifications and account balances are sent to users  these are all push notifications that Africans receive and it's super useful to them  but is there something else that we can use that channel for?

Umeh says they found that to reach Africans, they can continue to use the internet because the internet will continue to grow its dominance in Africa. However, he says non-web channels (SMS, USSD services) should not be ignored. He says we need to look at ways that we can start utilising the push elements of the existing pool of channels to the benefit of the African customer. He says that this is where he wants to make the case for mining data.

Challenges faced

Governments and institutions are unable to accurately plan, fund and evaluate development activities.

Businesses and brands are unable to effectively connect with their consumers across all socio-economic groups. Umeh says making sense of how people use their devices, both web and non-web, can potentially give these businesses and brands significant advantage over its competitors.

Exclusion of the larger majority especially from access to finance.

Redundant digital assets - not being monetised by telcos and other web publishers. Umeh says by using telcos information you can drive significantly more financial inclusion.

Pain points for the modern marketer

The complexities of using multiple data sources. These can potentially aid the marketer to reach the retail customer.

Difficulty keeping track of customers across different channels and on different devices. The connectivity that mobile phones and smartphones enable, can help to bridge the gap we have reaching the mobile customer in Africa.

Turning insights into actionable tactics to drive effective marketing.

Inability to create a single customer view. Because of the audience pockets, Umeh says they will be able to build by using the data they can mine from how people use their devices. We will eventually then be able to solve the problem of the single customer view.

The dearth of rich user profiles and optimised audience buckets.

What we see today

Access to mobile will further bridge the financial inclusion gap.

A paradigm shift from channel focus to audience focus yielding.

So where do the values lie and what is the way forward? Umeh says we need access to the brands and we need access to the telcos agencies, and these types of partnerships are the way forward.
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PARIS - Chinese tourists visiting Paris are now able to pay for their purchases in two of the city's famous department stores with their smartphones, thanks the adoption of the payment app of the popular Chinese social media network, WeChat.

The Galeries Lafayette group said Wednesday that shoppers at its flagship Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and BHV Marais stores could now check out with WeChat Pay.

The feature is integrated into Tencent-owned WeChat, which had more than 938 million active monthly users earlier this year, allowing payment via a linked bank card.

The service, available to Chinese merchants since 2014, has been expanding internationally since 2016.

Paris is a major draw for Chinese tourists, where surveys show they are top spenders.

The Galeries Lafayette group said its shops welcome 15 million foreign visitors per year and wanted to provide "its Chinese customers with a familiar, convenient and secure payment environment ... directly on their smartphone."

Another Parisian department store, Printemps, has opted for the rival Chinese payment service Alipay.

Well-heeled Chinese tourists have become targets for thieves, with Beijing urging France on Monday to "crack the case" of a Chinese tourist group which was tear-gassed and robbed in Paris last week.
The suspended head of Gauteng Health, who said he would fall on his sword for his role in the Esidimeni tragedy, is now trying his best to avoid testifying at arbitration hearings into the deaths of at least 118 mentally ill patients.

Barney Selebano, who had to be subpoenaed to testify, is trying to wriggle out of it through a High Court bid, saying he might incriminate himself if he testified.

In court papers, Selebano, head of the health department when the deadly move from Life Esidimeni homes to non-governmental organisations happened, says he only played a "limited role".

But he fears he might incriminate himself if he testified before former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke, who is chairing the hearings in which harrowing details of the patients' deaths have been heard.

Selebano says he is the subject of a criminal investigation and the constitution allows him the right to a fair trial and not to be compelled to give "self-incriminating evidence".

A subpoena will force him to answer questions on a witness stand. He says there is no "immunity granted from criminal prosecution for witnesses" called to testify.

Health ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba's report into the tragedy accused Selebano of being one of three officials whose "fingerprints were peppered throughout the process". In his interview with the ombudsman about the tragedy, Selebano repeatedly said he would "take the sword".

But now Selebano believes he will become the victim of a blame game if he testifies.

"It is plain that the predominant, if not sole purpose of summoning me to the hearing is to question me on my role ... and in doing so to attach blame."

Also, he argues that the hearings before Moseneke are technically not arbitration hearings, but rather a commission of inquiry; thus there is no lawful basis to subpoena him.

Selebano says he faced possible criminal investigation by the Special Investigating Unit and has a police interview lined up on November 21. He feels evidence given could be used against him and violate his right to a fair trial.

A family member of one of the patients who died said he was very upset at the turn of events.

"That's such an insult to the process. It shows someone who is obstinate. People have been wronged here. Evil has been done. And here is someone fighting the course of justice. Let me say something to him - justice will always prevail."

Selebano is one of three senior health officials who have ducked and dived the hearings. Makgoba Manamela, who led the project to move the patients, also objected to the first subpoena and is now set to testify on November 20. Both Selebano and Manamela have been suspended on full pay, earning R1.5m between the two of them since February, according to the DA's provincial health spokesman, Jack Bloom.

The health MEC at the time, Qedani Mahlangu, is in London. State advocate Tebogo Hutamo said the state could not serve a subpoena on Mahlangu because it did not know her residential address in England.

Mahlangu's lawyer, Angelo Christophorou, said: "Our client is not evading responsibility and has at all material times tendered to attend the arbitration."

Moseneke is determined to hear from all three of them.

"Hearings won't end " unless I die," he said recently.
Brait shares rallied more than 3% at one stage on Wednesday on its decision to value 2015's 780m acquisition of UK fashion retailer New Look at the princely sum of nothing.

Brait CEO John Gnodde | Credit: Financial Mail

Vele Asset Managers portfolio manager Imraan Jeeva said "most market participants were expecting a write-down" to nothing, "so yesterday's news was not a surprise".

But the decision, while expected, is also an astonishing come-down from the 2016 financial year when New Look had a carrying value of just under R35bn.

Brait's plan is to keep New Look valued at nothing "until such time as its turnaround strategy has taken shape", it said in a trading update on Tuesday.

Lentus Asset Management's Nic Norman-Smith said "the bigger question is whether [New Look's] value is zero or negative. In other words, are Brait going to have to commit more capital to it, or will they write the entire thing off for the long term?"

Jeeva said the main issue for the market was "how ringfenced this New Look disaster will be".

"To sink more to save face may be hugely value destructive to Brait shareholders."

He said it was also not fair to blame the "tough UK retail environment" as peers such as Primark had been growing sales in the UK. "So, New Look has been trading worse than its peers, even before adjusting for interest costs from its high gearing levels," he said.

New Look had debt of about 1.2bn at end-March, but Brait said on Tuesday that the retailer "retains an adequate liquidity position, with 242.5m total cash, liquidity and operating facilities available."

The New Look fiasco is largely responsible for Brait's crashing net asset value - which it expects to be between R65.50 and R67.50 for the period ended-September.

The plunge is reflected in Brait's share price, which has now shed about 71% since peaking at R170 in April 2016.
I recently sat down with OJ Van Jaarsveld, account director for Young Gun Films, in their classy office space where guests are welcomed by name on entry, to find out about their success in the niche world of car advertising and their recent foray into the music video space.

Team Young Guns Films: Producer OJ van Jaarsveld; director of photography (DOP) Fergus Hannah; director Rob Hannah.

Van Jaarsveld was just back from a four-day work trip to Frankfurt and Russelheim in Germany, with the Opel Unitrans Automotive team, part of the Steinhoff Group, when I met with him. The brand had sent the dealer principals from 35 dealers along for a brand immersion to renew energy for the old hats and spark passion in those who had not dealt with the product before.

It was the work trip those of us chained to our desks from 9 to 5 dream of, as Van Jaarsveld and co got to drive the vehicles through the German countryside, taking in the rolling green forests and fairytale castles in that gorgeous setting while also experiencing the ride. He didnt do any filming for Opel while there, but Van Jaarsveld did shoot a video on his phone, which was sent on to the team after the trip as a digital memento:

Van Jaarsveld confirms that Opel will use Young Guns for filming in South Africa going forward for two big wallet client wins. Firstly, is the obvious point that the exchange rate is favourable for SA-based Young Guns to work for them. Secondly, they now know Young Guns can do the work quite a lot more cost affective than their competitors  Van Jaarsveld reveals exactly how much more cost-effective below.

The collaborative music video moment

But its not just about vehicle visuals for the Young Guns team. In fact, they recently shot a music video for Francois van Coke for the song, My Hart, from the album, Hierdie is die lewe.

Van Jaarsveld says this was an exciting first for the Young Guns team as their director, Robert J Hannah, is very much into the music scene and even DJs in his spare time. Van Jaarsveld himself has known Van Coke since the early days of New World Inside.

Fast-forward to a few months ago, where Van Jaarsveld saw Van Coke had asked his fans to recommend what song he makes a music video for next on social media. Van Jaarsveld posted his choice of song and said, Let us shoot it for you! The rest is history, so to speak.

Brainstorming and bouncing ideas around

Van Jaarsveld reveals that Van Coke received a bit of funding from the Red Bull Studios in Cape Town, to shoot a music video for a song of his choice  thats where the budget came from. They then collaborated with him and the band on an idea for the music video, for which Van Coke gave a very blank canvas.

He gave very little direction in terms of how the story was crafted around the idea, but he wanted to end up singing karaoke at a local bar called Gringos in Bellville. The Young Guns team brainstormed, bounced a few ideas off Van Coke, got his approval and shot the video.

Asked if he prefers that unscripted, go with it as you will approach or if he prefers a little more guidance, Van Jaarsveld said its nice to add a bit of your own creative touch to a project. That said, Young Guns doesnt mind just being a production house, where they shoot an idea that someone else has come up with, but they do prefer shooting something content based on their own ideas.

As this was the first music video theyve shot, Van Jaarsveld shared that it differs from the automotive advertising they specialise in on a few levels: The budgets were a little smaller than those of the automotive guys but sometimes thats a challenge we enjoy. There was also lots of freedom shooting the music video vs the automotive stuff, where regulations are the norm. Its a bit more laidback, a bit more fun, and offers the opportunity for a bit more creative flair.

The long road to specialising in automotive advertising

Explaining how he personally got into this line of work, Van Jaarsveld explains that he studied account management and brand management at the AAA School of Advertising. From there, he started his career as a client service/account executive/account manager and eventually account director, working on the GMSA brands of Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu.

A few years ago, they shot a large brand TVC for Opel and were on set as the client  being pampered, fed fancy treats and shaded under a gazebo while looking at a screen. Van Jaarsveld says they sat looking at what they perceived as a fair deal of wastage on set that wasnt actually adding to the production value at the end of the day  it was merely adding to the production experience for the client.

This frustration with the South African film industry and overall is what led to the creation of Young Guns, as Van Jaarsveld says they thought to themselves, We can do this, and use young talent to boost the industry while were at it. The industry was rapidly changing at the time, a handful of years ago, so they followed through by jumping on board with a few young talents to produce their own content at a fraction of the cost.

Being there from the beginning, with most of their work being for the GMSA brands, they took the lead in managing the production and pre-production for their projects. The result is funny, professional and entertaining. See for yourself:

Having spun the wheel on vehicle film production for five years now, Van Jaarsveld says theyve got it down to a T, so can save even more on costs as they know whats unnecessary before even walking onto a set as they know exactly what needs to be done.

Saving production costs: In it for the work, not the perks

Young Guns has also built relationships with key suppliers in that industry while the key role players involved in pre-production, production and post-production are part of their permanent team. The fact that they love what they do as a bunch of petrol heads and film nuts, makes coming to work quite easy as theyre in this for the work, not the perks.

Without saying anything negative against the established production houses, which Van Jaarsveld says are brilliant at what they do, theres no denying some things become expected on those bigger sets, like fancy catering and reserved parking for the clients. Theres no lavish catering here either a team Young Guns is happy to chow McDonalds, for three days straight if need be, to get the job done. Its not all junk food-bingeing though as they have relationships with amazing food trucks that make the food fresh at a fraction of the cost, which people enjoy as part of the experience. And so, Van Jaarsveld shares that they build a cost strategy for each project in order to find the best way to make the best quality project for the smallest outlay. Thats because they believe your advertising money should be spent where people can see it  rather spend that money putting the ad on TV.

Previously, theyd give clients the option of weather insurance, but feel this is also wasteful at massive cost. Instead, they book their crew for tentative days and build that into their contingencies, so if they dont shoot on those days, they still pay them a small fee for not shooting.

Another standout factor is that they only shoot whats necessary, which can cut days off the overall shoot. Often a director and director of photography wont be involved in post-production, and a separate post-production company will handle it. At Young Guns its all handled in-house, which means they can see the final product before they even start rolling a camera.

Big idea to TV screen in a week

All of this saves an average of 40% to 50% consistently on the nearest comparative quote. But its not always an easy sell  just as the industry is set in its ways, so are some clients set in their ways. Thats why theyre warned upfront that all the fancies have been stripped away, theyve built relationships with young professionals, do the film production directly and have their own CGI department for rendering, motion graphics and animation, can do 360-degree VR shoots and even compose their own music when need be, as music usage rights are insane, and library music is a bit meh.

That cost-cutting to enhance quality and outcome may sound idealistic but it actually works. For example, Van Jaarsveld shares that on their first-ever shoot for Opel as Young Gun films, for the launch of the Mokka SUV, the consignment of cars was very late to arrive in the harbour. But, TV spots were booked, schedules signed off and penalties were to be had if it was late, so from when the cars arrived to when it had to be with TV stations was just over a week.

They got the job done by driving up to the PE harbour with a bakkie full of gear, flew the rest of the crew to PE, got temporary licenses and number plates that were cleared with the police and drove from PE back to Cape Town. They shot and edited along the way, and made it a little road trip story that won an Orchid advertising award from Brendan Seery.

Sounds like a winning strategy to me. Visit the Young Gun Films press office for more, and follow them on social media for the latest updates: Facebook | Youtube.
Eighteen families, who have been living in a building owned by the National Department of Public Works (NDPW), say they are constantly under threat of eviction. Many of the tenants are elderly, three are disabled, and there are a number of children.

104 Upper Darling Street, Cape Town, is owned by the National Department of Public Works. All photos: Tariro Washinyira

The families say they have been told they are squatters in 104 Upper Darling Street, Cape Town. People living in the buildng used to pay rent to a Fred Slaber, who managed the property from 1987 to 1999, and to a John Neels, who managed it from 1999 to 2008. GroundUp was unable to reach Slaber or Neels. Since 2008, residents have not paid rent.

The electricity was cut off in December 2016 without notice.

Susan [she did not wish to give her full name], who has lived in the building for 30 years and is now a pensioner, says, When I moved in, Slaber was renovating. Students rented rooms in the building. There was a caretaker and security workers. Public works used to visit monthly for inspection and the place was beautiful.

Then, she says, In 1999, Neels took over the management of the building and it then collapsed. All he wanted was money; never cared for the tenants...

When GroundUp visited there were rats rummaging in garbage. Most of the rooms were very dark. On the ground floor, a disused room, which the tenants said used to be a cafe, was strewn with litter and flooded with stinking water from blocked drains.

A resident for 19 years, Jonathan Karelse, lives with his wife, four children, pregnant sister-in-law, and his mother-in-law and her disabled brother. Outside his entrance, at the back of the building, there are piles of garbage. There were no wheelie bins.

The department [public works] told me they know nothing about us and will soon give us eviction notices. They never received any money we paid for occupying the building, says Karelse.

He showed GroundUp official letters from Elan Communication [Neelss company] dated 1999 and receipts for rent dating back to 1993. Some of the receipts were issued by a Patel, who residents say was a lawyer from whom they had sought legal assistance.

In an email to GroundUp, Lesiba Kgwele, spokesperson for Minister of Public Works, said, NDPW entered into a lease agreement with Neels for the coffee shop premises. Neels subsequently entered into sublease agreements with various parties.

Kgwele said, Neels failed to honour his lease agreement and was eventually evicted from the building on 13 November 2010. However, when he vacated the property he failed to terminate the subleases. This resulted in the tenants becoming illegal occupants. This department had no business dealings nor connection with Slaber.

He said, The building cannot be maintained while it is still illegally occupied. The department will issue eviction notices to all the current occupants and embark on rehabilitation of the building. Since the building is illegally occupied, the state could not pay for electricity usage.

The back entrance to 104 Upper Darling Street buidling where there is garbage and rats.

Karelse said the city told him that the building is in arrears for electricity and power could only be restored if the arrears were cleared. He also said the wiring is unsafe in the building.

The city told GroundUp there is a prepaid electricity meter linked to ERF 110472, therefore there could be other factors affecting the non-availability of electricity.

Ellen Visser has lived in the building for 19 years. She says, The problem is, when I come back from work, it is very dark and the neighbourhood is unsafe  I am a restaurant cleaner in Sea Point. I earn R3,500 per month.

She says she needs to live in an area close to work with easy access to transport. The building is close to the buses and taxis at the Grand Parade. I finish work at 11pm, she says.

I have been on the housing list waiting list for more than ten years. Every time I go to Civic Centre to check on the progress, I am told there are lots of people ahead of me. All I am asking is for Public Works to renovate their buildings surroundings and make them affordable to us, she said.

Visser said there are many problems in the building. There have been break-ins and muggings. There is only one usable entrance. She worries what will happen if a fire breaks out.

The entrance, looking out, at 104 Upper Darling Street.

Julian Sendin, a researcher at Ndifuna Ukwazi, said, Clearly the best use of this piece of land would be to refurbish this building and make it available to working class residents so that they can save on travelling costs and be close to economic opportunities. The fact that people are struggling in buildings infested with rats and sewerage shows that the benefits of living in the city are clearly very, very high.

This case speaks to governments inability to create safe dignified housing in the inner city of Cape Town. Despite a crisis and the fact that government owns land and buildings in the area, government has failed to provide a single subsidised house in the inner and surrounds since the dawn of democracy. It points to gross incompetence and a total lack of political will to create a just and sustainable city. All three spheres of government and both the current and previous ANC and DA administrations have failed and are continuing to fail on this, he said.
The V&A Waterfront recently announced the launch of its annual Ocean Life Festival - a new endeavour focused on fostering an appreciation and understanding of South Africa's ocean assets. The festival will see a curated programme of events and activations spread across the property between Monday, 27 November and Friday, 8 December.

The V&A Waterfronts Ocean Life Festival will be held on the property every year as one of the ways in which we are looking to celebrate all that is related to the ocean, said David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.

Volvo Ocean Race itself has been a catalyst for the evolution of the thinking around the potential of what the oceans economy can look like for the Western Cape, and South Africa. Supporting and developing South Africas oceans economy is a significant focus area for the V&A Waterfront, and the annual Oceans Life Festival will be but one of the ways we look to do this.

Plastics pollution

This year, the festival will have a strong sustainability message, with many activities focusing on the harm that plastics and other foreign materials do to the worlds maritime assets. The educational programmes that form part of the festival will highlight the deteriorating state of the worlds oceans, and explore innovative solutions to protect the future of our waters.

Partnered with the V&A Waterfront to create the festival is the Dutch Consulate, which has taken a keen interest in working with South African entities to create sustainable solutions to ocean pollution.

We are honoured to have partnered with the V&A Waterfronts Ocean Life Festival. Through #cocreateSA, the Dutch Consulate General aims to co-create sustainable solutions. The #cocreateDESIGN activation promotes collaboration between designers from the Netherlands and South Africa. Together, they will creatively engage on solutions to the rapidly growing and critical problem of plastic polluting the ocean. I believe that by working together we will create awareness, change behaviour and leave behind a lasting legacy, said Bonnie Horbach, Netherlands consul general.

View the full programme here.
Agriculture delivers more jobs per rand invested than any other productive sector . If the entire agriculture value chain is considered in South Africa, its contribution to GDP reaches approximately 12%

South Africa has the ability to meet national food requirements - yet more than seven million citizens experience hunger. A further 22.6% of households have inadequate access to food.

There are a number of reasons for this. Unsustainable food production practices have led to soil erosion, biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. There is also increased competition with other industries, like biofuels, for the use of arable land. Declined access to quality water and the failure to address land redistribution are also contributing factors.

Another major reason that the sector is unable to realise its full potential is the fact that education and training is in need of a very serious overhaul.

This is the core finding of a recently published consensus study I chaired for the Academy of Science of South Africa. The study identified three key areas in need of attention: substantial institutional reform, stimulating innovation in the sector and ending the fragmented way in which education and training in the sector is managed.

Fragmented system

There are only a few agricultural secondary schools in the country. At secondary school level, agricultural science as subject is a popular choice. The tertiary sector consists of 12 agricultural colleges that offer specialised training. Ten of the countrys 26 public universities also offer agricultural science degree programmes up to doctoral level.

But the current system of managing education and training is fragmented and in dire need of substantial reform.

For example, responsibility for agricultural education and training is split between research councils and various government departments. On top of this, agricultural colleges are administered at the provincial level and arent formally part of the national higher education system.

Postgraduate education, training and research at universities are supported by the Department of Science and Technology through the National Research Foundation. But theres no formal mechanism to coordinate the work of these various entities.

Recommendations for reform

Reform should be directed towards greater integration, cooperation and accountability.

The panel believes that its necessary to establish a National Council for Agricultural Education and Training. Its first responsibility would be to ensure the inclusion and participation of all of the linked departments and other critical stakeholders in the sector. Its work would be to coordinate their various policies and programmes. But, given the current moratorium on establishing statutory bodies, the recommendation is to appoint a Ministerial Committee to oversee this process.

In 2015 the cabinet took a decision to move agricultural colleges from provinces to the national Department of Higher Education and Training. A task team was appointed to investigate the implications of the transfer of authority. But theres been little progress.

The panel has made a strong recommendation that the task teams work should be expedited. And that sufficient resources should be allocated to make sure that there is progress.

Attention also needs to be given to institutional capacity and resources.

Exploring land-grant possibilities

The panel has also recommended that South Africa pilot test a land-grant system that links research, education, training and extension. Extension is the application of scientific research and new knowledge through farmer education.

Land-grant systems have been successfully implemented in countries ranging from the US to Brazil and India.

Over the past six decades the US has built 60 land-grant universities. Academics hold appointments with dual responsibilities for teaching, on one hand, and research or extension, on the other. In their capacity as extension officers, academics advise and assist farmers on the ground, with the goal of ensuring sustainable production and rural development. They then bring this experience back to the university. They facilitate the flow of information both ways - bringing new innovative research and technology to farmers, and feeding knowledge about field problems back into the university to inform the research and teaching agenda.

The US has managed to develop one of the most sophisticated agricultural innovation systems in the world using land-grant institutions.

India has also adopted a land-grant system called the State Agricultural University System. It now has a network of 41 institutions that have played a major role in lifting millions out of poverty. The system has also led to crop yield increases of 1.6% a year for 30 years.

Next steps

Some research entities, provinces and universities have already expressed an interest in taking part in the South African pilot.

The three national government departments involved in agricultural education  higher education and training, science and technology, and agriculture, forestry and fisheries all support the findings of the consensus study. And theyve made a commitment to ensuring support for the ideas to become policy.

The study has also been recognised by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture as having the potential to address challenges faced by agricultural education and training across Africa.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula says President Jacob Zuma is nearing the finalisation of the appointment of the National Police Commissioner and the head of the Hawks.

The Minister on Tuesday, 7 November 2017, addressed a media briefing on high-level interventions being made at the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Currently, the acting National Police Commissioner position is held by Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba. The term of the previous National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega ended in June, while she was on suspension with full pay.

Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane, who took over from Phiyega in an acting capacity, was removed from the post by President Zuma in June.

In June, the Supreme Court of Appeal rejected Berning Ntlemezas appeal to be reinstated as the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks). Ntlemeza wanted to be reinstated while his application for leave to appeal was considered. Ntlemeza had appealed against the North Gauteng High Courts decision, which found that his appointment was unlawful. He was declared unfit to hold any public office.

We are aware of the pending Constitutional Court challenge by Major General Ntlemeza and are duly advised that his matter remains without merit. As such, we hope to be in a position to move the country forward in this regard very soon, said Minister Mbalula at the briefing at the SAPS headquarters in Tshwane.

Addressing instability, SAPS management

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police has expressed concerns over instability and crises in top SAPS management.

The committee has also made various important inputs and directives in terms of members doing business with the organisation, the misallocation of resources, lack of security vetting of certain SMS [senior management service] members and the Auditor Generals findings, among others.

Minister Mbalula said he is working to iron out these problems.

It is up to me to weed out those members who act in a manner inconsistent with the law and their official duty as officers or those who exhibit traits of intransigency, unlawful insubordination, and lack of discipline of an officer in uniform.

The Minister said they are reconfiguring the way they work to make the most of the available resources.

Police hard at work

Minister Mbalula said the majority of police have shown bravery and innovation, are dedicated and professional in their conduct and love their community and country.

I work well with all of these members There is great work being done.

Minister Mbalula has approved the promotion of just over 4,800 constables to the rank of sergeant. One hundred sergeants will also be promoted in this process.

A further 1,000 promotions will be announced in a few weeks time, said the Minister.

Reducing crime

The Police Department now has a 2.4% crime reduction target for this current financial year in a climate of reduced resources and heightened violent criminality.

We are supposed to be reducing crime by 2% per year up to 2030, the Minister said.

He said the key objectives for the Police Ministry is that SAPS must remain accountable to elected representatives, not only the Minister of Police but also the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
The High Court in Pretoria has dismissed Solidarity Helping Hand's challenge to the Department of Basic Education's Funza Lushaka bursary scheme for trainee teachers, which the organisation had argued discriminated against white students.

The bursary scheme was established in 2007 to support students studying for a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate certificate in education.

It gives preference to students who intend to specialise in teaching the foundation phase of primary school in an indigenous African language, are from rural areas and intend to teach in rural areas, and are willing to commit to teaching at a public school.

Solidarity Helping Hand, which has its own bursary project, and third-year Cape Peninsula University of Technology Student Danel Venter sought a declaratory order that the selection criteria were unconstitutional. It argued that the criteria discriminated against white students in violation of section 9 of the Constitution because most white students neither speak an indigenous African language nor live in rural areas.

Judge Tati Makgoka found that the bursary scheme was consistent with the right to basic education as provided for in section 29 (1)(a) of the Constitution, as well as the right to receive basic education in the language of one's choice as contained in section 29 (2).

"Both these provisions require the state to take positive measures to ensure that learners have access to sufficient and well-qualified teachers who are able to teach them in their language of choice," he said.

"The bursary scheme is thus not only consistent with these rights but it operates to give effect to them as well.

"There is therefore no merit in the applicants' assertion that the bursary scheme infringes upon section 29. The scheme is not about the right to further education ... but a measure for the realisation of basic education," Judge Makgoka said.

Section 27 attorney Sheniece Linderboom said the judgment was important because it found the department's selection criteria for the bursary scheme were well-founded. Section 27 represented the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, which intervened as an amicus curiae. The department welcomed the judgment, saying it would enable it to continue to administer the bursary scheme to meet the specific needs of the education system.

Solidarity Helping Hand was disappointed with the judgment. "Helping Hand decided to contest the criteria of the Funza Lushaka bursary in 2015 because they felt that the criteria used by the Department of Education is illogical. As 95.3% of all schools in South Africa use either English or Afrikaans as a teaching medium, it is illogical for the state to give preference to African language students with their grant totalling R1.1-billion," it said in a statement.

"Poor students who want to contribute to our country's education system are now excluded because of their language," said Helping Hand's study fund centre head, Stefan Pieterse.

Helping Hand provided funds for students pursuing a variety of professions and had disbursed almost R40m in interestfree loans to more than 1,000 students in 2017, he said. Altogether, 6,981 students had been assisted in the past eight years with loans of R126m.

Source: Business Day
Industrial property was the top performing real estate type in the first half of 2017, as the sector continued to beat traditional leader retail, thanks to investors being able to lower the cost of managing warehouses and light manufacturing factories.

According to MSCIs IPD SA bi-annual property index, overall vacancies in the industrial sector also fell.

Direct and indirect industrial property, combined, achieved a 7% total return in the first half of this year, while combined, direct and indirect retail, managed a 6.7% return.

The index also showed that in 2016, industrial property had recorded a total return of 13.6%, while retail managed only 12.6%.

MSCI executive director Phil Barttram said the industrial sectors outperformance in the first half of 2017 was driven by an encouraging decline in its total vacancy rate from 4.9% to 3.5%.

Active management also played a positive role in the industrial sectors fortunes, as the ratio of operating cost to gross income declined by more than 2%, to 32.6%, which resulted in the sectors net income growth improving from -0.1% to 3.3% as at June 2017.

Greg Nafte, co-director of Nexus Property Group, said that the top performing segments for the first half of this year were warehousing and light manufacturing.

Source: Business Day
Fees need to be hiked regardless of whether education is free or not, to take account of the economic realities facing higher education institutions, Department of Higher Education director-general Gwebinkundla Qonde says.

"It has nothing to do with who pays the fees. It's an economic imperative," Qonde told Parliament on Wednesday.

While most universities have yet to announce fee increases for 2018 because they are awaiting the release of the Heher commission's report on funding higher education, Universities South Africa recently told Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize that universities needed an 8% increase in income.

University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Max Price told the Sunday Times last week that tuition fees made up about half of the institution's income and staff salaries would have to be cut if there was no fee increase.

Qonde ducked MPs' questions on the Heher commissions' report, saying he was not at liberty to discuss its contents. The report, saying fee-free higher education for everyone was not feasible, was leaked to the media two weeks ago, but has yet to be released by President Jacob Zuma.

"It is not our competence to talk about this. It is a matter that the president has assured us is receiving his utmost attention and quite soon pronouncements are going to be made," Qonde told Parliament's portfolio committee on higher education.

"The approach has always been ... to work towards finding a more lasting solution, which requires a bit of consideration, as well as processing of the issues. We are not just talking about fees, but the funding of the entire system. That's all we can say at this stage. It's not our report. It's the president's report," he said.

Qonde subsequently told Business Day that he had no knowledge of a plan Zuma reportedly had to announce free education across the board.

On Tuesday, TimesLive reported that Zuma had been presented with a plan crafted by his future son-in-law, Morris Masutha. The plan proposes cutting back departmental budgets across the government to free up R40bn for the 2018 academic year.

Source: Business Day
The Quarter 1 Tourism Figures (January to March 2017), released by South African Tourism, showed that 472,156 foreign tourist arrivals were recorded during this period, a 6% increase from the same time last year and resulting in a foreign direct spend of R5.7bn, a 1.2% increase from Q1 2016.

cocoparisienne via pixabay

The Western Cape came out tops for the number of formal bed nights, reaching 3,295,800. This was an 18.3% increase from the first quarter of 2016. The Western Cape was also the top province in terms of the average length of stay, with tourists spending an average of 12 nights in the province.

A breakdown of the share of international tourists to the Cape:

 35,3% of all African tourists arriving in South Africa by air visited the Cape;

 39,7% of all tourists from Asia and Australia visited the Cape;

 60,0% of all tourists from the Americas chose the Western Cape;

 61.7% of all European tourists visiting South Africa, opted to make the Cape their holiday destination.

All-in-all, the Western Cape accounted for 30% of South Africa's tourist spend during this reporting period.

The highest growth of source markets was recorded from Brazil, with a 147.8% increase in arrivals. Tourists from France, the Netherlands and Sweden all increased by double-digit figures.

The value of tourism to the Western Cape

These results show yet again why tourism is so essential to the Western Cape economy, especially during the more challenging economic times brought on by the drought.

Indeed, in 2016, the Western Cape tourism sector directly supported 319,227 jobs (direct, indirect and induced), up by 25,508 jobs in 2015. In the same period tourists spent R38.8bn in the local economy up by R10.2bn since 2014.

According to World Travel and Tourism, the sector employed 716,500 people (4,6% of all employment) nationally in 2016 while contributing R402bn to the national economy (9.3% of the entire economy). Tourism in the Western Cape also created a gross value add of more than R16.5bn. Exports as a result of tourism contributed R128bn while investment into the sector amounted to R68.9bn.

Stated differently, tourism presents nearly R1 in every R10 for the countrys gross domestic product.

Accutely aware of water restrictions

Judy Lain, Wesgro's Chief Marketing Officer said: We welcome these tourists to our beautiful province, and remind them to abide by water restrictions when visiting. Interviews conducted by Wesgro in Cape Town has made it clear that the vast majority of tourists are acutely aware of the water crisis, and are more than happy to be water wise.

Given that these tourists only stay in the province on average for around 10 days, and are not all here at once, at any given time, international tourists only add 3.4% to the population of the Western Cape. Tourists should therefore not be viewed as a risk to our province, but as an important economic benefit that will help us through these more difficult economic times.

A leading leisure destination

The Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde added: The Western Cape continues to be a leading leisure destination for travellers, recording the highest number of formal bed nights in South Africa in the past quarter. Our region also reported the longest average stay during the period under review. This is because innovative tourism entrepreneurs and major attractions keep reinventing their offerings, giving tourists more reasons to visit.

The latest report again demonstrates why we are focusing on tourism as part of our Project Khulisa growth strategy. Tourist spend totalled R5.7bn during the first quarter of this year, driving growth and job creation in our province. This is excellent news as we head into our traditional peak tourism season.
Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi is due to discuss the viability of the South African National Road Agency's (Sanral's) funding model with cabinet following resistance to electronic tolls (e-tolls), which has brought into question the agency's going-concern status.

Photo by Robin Pierre on Unsplash

This comes as Sanral is preparing for a bond auction next week.

Sanral Chief Financial Officer Inge Mulder said the agency had a bond auction coming up next week and was considering its options. "We have an auction scheduled for next week, but will also consider a private placement where an institution will fund and provide a price for " consider[ation]," she said.

Briefing the portfolio committee on transport on Tuesday, Sanral CEO Skhumbuzo Macozoma all but conceded that resistance to e-tolls had brought collections to the brink of collapse by billions of rands.

This effectively meant the new e-toll dispensation announced by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2015 had failed to gain traction among Gauteng motorists, who have resisted e-tolls since inception.

Sanral was late tabling its 2016-17 annual report because auditor-general Kimi Makwetu raised concern about the road agency's going-concern status, citing e-toll debt of more than R3bn, which the state-owned entity had no reasonable prospect of recovering and which the auditor-general had treated as an impairment.

Re-evaluating funding models

As a result, the road agency is re-evaluating its funding models for road development and maintenance and says the final call rests with the minister.

Maswanganyi would take up the discussion at cabinet level as a matter of urgency, with emphasis on the failure of the tolls, Macozoma said.

"The decision to continue or cancel e-tolls does not rest with us, as it is not an administrative matter. It is our principals that deal with it, so we have referred it to the minister," Macozoma told MPs.

Macozoma conceded that resistance to e-tolls had affected Sanral's going concern status. "We want to affirm that being a schedule three [state-owned entity] " National Treasury is our [primary] " source of funding to function. There is also a role for private finance in the upgrading of our roads."

Only 2,952km of the 22,197km road network was tolled. However, 57% of tolled roads were managed by Sanral and the other 43% was managed by private business, he said.

Transport department spokesman Ishmael Mnisi told Business Day the minister intended to discuss the national road funding system with cabinet, while Sanral conducted its investigations into alternative and potentially viable models.

He said this had "nothing to do with the GFIP [Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project], but funding for all roads in SA.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse said Sanral would probably need "increased funding from Treasury, as the investment houses [have been] absent at Sanral's auctions".

Source: Business Day
This week on the big screen: A woman is forced to revisit everything she knows about love, devotion, and sacrifice in Mother!, a pastor challenges his community to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to a group of refugees from Southeast Asia in All Saints, a woman indulges in a passionate affair with a struggling young artist to escape her unhappy marriage in Tulip Fever, things go bump in the night in Amityville: The Awakening, a family turns turn to blackmail, revenge, and betrayal in order to survive in Suburbicon, a soldier must leave his newfound peace behind and return to his duties as a soldier and protector in Wolf Warriors 2, and opera lovers will delight in The Met: Live in HD 2017-2018 Opera Season that launches with Norma.

Mother!

In the psychological horror, Mother (Jennifer Lawrence) and Him (Javier Bardem) live in a seemingly idyllic existence in a secluded paradise. But the couples relationship is tested when Man (Ed Harris) and Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) arrive at their home uninvited. Answering that knock disrupts their tranquil existence and as more and more guests arrive, Mother is forced to revisit everything she knows about love, devotion, and sacrifice. Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky.

All Saints

This inspiring true story tells of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Jeopardising his familys future by ignoring his superiors, Michael must choose between completing what he was assigned to do - close the church and sell the property - or listening to a still, small voice challenging the people of All Saints to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to their new community.

Tulip Fever

In 17th Century Amsterdam, an orphaned girl (Alicia Vikander) is forcibly married to a rich and powerful merchant (Christoph Waltz)  an unhappy arrangement that saves her from poverty. After her husband commissions a portrait, she begins a passionate affair with the painter (Dane DeHaan). Seeking to escape the merchants ever-reaching grasp, the lovers risk everything and enter the frenzied tulip bulb market, with the hope that the right bulb will make a fortune and buy their freedom.

Directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) from a screenplay by Sir Tom Stoppard (Anna Karenina, Shakespeare in Love) based on the Deborah Moggachs novel.

Amityville: The Awakening

When some footage dating back to 1976 is discovered, the case of the haunted house in Amityville is reopened in Amityville: The Awakening. An ambitious woman who is working as a television news intern seizes the opportunity to advance her career and is soon leading a team of journalists, clergymen, and paranormal researchers into the house, but she may have unwittingly opened a door to the unreal that she will never be able to close. Written and directed by French film director and screenwriter Franck Khalfoun.

Suburbicon

In the decade following the WW2, Americas emerging middle class was moving to the suburbs: idyllic, affordable homes in planned communities. For many, the American Dream of owning a home was becoming a reality for the first time.

Suburbicon is a picture-perfect 1950s suburb where the best and worst of humanity is reflected through the deeds of ordinary people. But when a home break-in turns deadly, a family must turn to blackmail, revenge, and betrayal in order to survive.

Wolf Warriors 2

In this Chinese action film, Chinas deadliest special forces operative settles into a quiet life on the sea. When sadistic mercenaries begin targeting nearby civilians, he must leave his newfound peace behind and return to his duties as a soldier and protector. Directed by Wu Jing, who also stars in the lead role.

Norma

Opera enthusiasts will delight in the 2017-2018 opera season from the Metropolitan Opera and it starts off with Vincenzo Bellinis Norma.

Norma will be screened on 14 and 15 November 2017.

Read more about the latest film releases: www.writingstudio.co.za.
The Liberty Radio Awards roadshow took place over the last three days across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town respectively, where CEO and convener of the Awards Lance Rothschild explained the new entry system for the 2018 Awards, among other things, to ensure applicants have a clear understanding of what's involved.

Introducing the 8th rendition of the Awards, Rothschild reminded that the point is to promote excellence in radio through acknowledging fine-tuned talent. Ultimately, its an independent, transparent and audited process that strives to acknowledge and reward excellence in the practice of radio, he said.

Its about making radio that people dont just listen to but befriend, he went on to say, referring to Commercial Radio Australias brand campaign that highlights the loyal relationship commercial radio listeners have with their favourite stations, illustrating that when you advertise on radio, it's like hearing from a friend. We want people to have that relationship with radio," and for radio to provide what listeners look for in a friend: companionship, knowledge, information, interest, debate.

Currently across the industry on a daily basis we reach about 93% of population of country, he said, referring to the actual Awards themselves.

Besides the new entry system, the PBS and commercial sectors have been combined into one Commercial Radio category, and two new categories including a new Internet-only category, namely Best Internet Radio Show and Best Podcast, as well as some online radio and My Station elements (more to be shared on this in January). Categories are divided between Commercial, Community and Campus.

Important to note when entering: your material must have been broadcast within the period 1 January to 31 December 2017 (otherwise youll be disqualified) and its advised that you give the judges your best material as youre only allowed one entry per presenter or show per category and a maximum of three entries per station, per category.

How to enter:



Online entries only



Register and create a profile on entry section of website



Upload entry and audio



Importance of motivation section of entry

As far as the judging goes, the judges are looking for excellent radio  creativity, presentation, value to the listener and production. They ask themselves, Is this compelling? Will it attract listeners and strengthen their loyalty to the show/station and the medium? Important to note is that the judges have to judge the material submitted and will not be able to take reputation and other factors into account.

The adjudication process involves the following:



Call for adjudicators



Allocation of tasks



Adjudication done independently and online



Scoring according to category criteria and scoring matrix



Scores averaged out



Audit process



Closes on 9 March

The 2018 programme will determine the best of the best in several categories including: Best Breakfast Show Presenter; Best Breakfast Show; Best Afternoon Drive; Best Afternoon Show Presenter; Best Business & Finance Show and many more, concluded Rothschild. So may the best fine-tuned talent win!

Key dates:



29 January - My Station voting opens



31 January  Entries close (no exceptions)



5 February  Adjudication commences



12 February  Ticket sales start



9 March  Adjudication cut-off



19 March  Announcement of finalists



30 March  My Station voting closes



14 April  Liberty Radio Awards Conference



14 April  Liberty Radio Awards banquet at Sandton Convention Centre



15 April  Sunday Times winners page



winners page 11 May  Financial Mail Redzone Radio Feature

Click here to enter and follow #LibertyRadioAwards on Twitter @Liberty_RadioA or Facebook.
South Africa's 9th annual Top 20 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Award winners were announced by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC), in association with World Famous Events, today, 9 November 2017.

2017 Small Business Award winners

With eight main categories, the awards serve to not only acknowledge the respective businesses, but to also assist them to prosper even more. Mike Anderson, Founder and CEO of the NSBC says that the entrants this year proved that there are business opportunities within different sectors: You just need to have an idea and the passion to make it a reality. All our winners today are fantastic examples of people who spotted an opportunity, believed in their skill and made it into a viable business.

He says that self-belief, above all else is the one attribute that sets winners apart. The NSBC is fortunate enough to work with over 127,000 SMEs and through its engagements have pinpointed what it takes to keep the business doors open.

Full list of winners are as follows:



2017 National Small Business Champion: My Online Presence



2017 National Entrepreneur Champion: Sylvester Chauke - DNA Brand Architects



2017 National Young Entrepreneur Champion: Bakani Ngulani - BN Solutions



2017 National Woman in Business Champion: Phillipa Geard - RecruitMyMom



2017 National Franchisor Award: The Daily Coffee Cafe



2017 National Innovation Award: Sylvester Chauke - DNA Brand Architects



2017 National Tourism Award: La Teranga Bed & Breakfast



2017 National Start-Up Award: Lewies Future Technologies

The 2017 National Small Business Champion is My Online Presence, an online design and development company. Co-founded by Andrei Dimitriu and Daleen Dimitriu, My Online Presence specialises in creating end-to-end solutions for brands looking to add some energy to their online presence or create one from scratch. Taking the 2017 National Entrepreneur Champion is Sylvester Chauke from DNA Brand Architects, a marketing and brand consultancy, which has an admirable goal to ultimately act as a catalyst to much needed economic development in South Africa.

Acknowledging the strength and potential of young business, the 2017 National Young Entrepreneur Champion is brand disruptor, Bakani Ngulani from BN Solutions. The sought-after 2017 National Woman in Business Champion is Phillipa Geard from online recruitment platform RecruitMyMom. This innovative business assists skilled moms who are looking for meaningful, part-time and flexible employment opportunities. RecruitMyMom has played a vital role within the recruitment industry, having created a trusted platform that connects employers to this specific group of job-seekers.

Inspired by the cafe life prevalent from Cape Town to New York and with a pleasing New-York-Meets-Karoo theme, the 2017 National Franchisor Award goes to The Daily Coffee Cafe. Renowned for their high standards in service, coffee, food and decor, this worthy winner already has 19 cafes across South Africa.

The 2017 National Innovation Award was given to Sylvester Chauke from DNA Brand Architects for the companys unstoppable hunger for brand greatness. The 2017 National Tourism Award is extended to self-made success, La Teranga Bed & Breakfast, known for its warm friendly and professional atmosphere. A new award and worthy winner of the 2017 National Start-up Award, goes to Lewies Future Technologies. Initially focused on the fuel industry, Lewies Future Technologies has completed more than 6800 training modules within five months.

Sponsors

This years awards are sponsored by MiWay Business Insurance, SAP Business One, Norton by Symantec, DHL, Ford, ABSA and MTN Business. All these brands are invested in the support and growth of SMEs, with each sponsor showing unwavering commitment to the growth and success of these important small businesses.
SYDNEY - Facebook is trying to combat "revenge porn" by encouraging users in Australia to submit their nude photos to a pilot project designed to prevent intimate images from being shared without consent.

Adults who have shared nude or sexually explicit photos with someone online, and who are worried about unauthorised distribution, can report images to the Australian government's eSafety Commission.

They then securely send the photos to themselves via Messenger, a process that allows Facebook to "hash" them, creating a unique digital fingerprint.

The identifier is used to block any further distribution on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger as a pre-emptive strike against revenge porn, a common method of abuse and exploitation online.

"We're using image-matching technology to prevent non-consensual intimate images from being shared," said Antigone Davis, Facebook's head of global safety.

A Facebook spokesman said Britain, Canada and the United States are also expected to take part in the project.

Australia's eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant told AFP the initiative empowers people to protect themselves against the unauthorised spread of intimate images.

"It removes control and power from the perpetrator who is ostensibly trying to amplify the humiliation of the victim amongst friends, family and colleagues," she said.

If successful, the Facebook trial should be extended to other online platforms, Inman Grant added.

"The precedent already exists for the sharing of child exploitation images and countering violent extremism online, and by extending to image-based abuse we are taking the burden off the victims to report to multiple online platforms."

Australia is among world leaders in efforts to combat revenge porn.

Its eSafety Commission launched an online portal last month, allowing victims to report cases where their photos have been shared on the internet without consent. The government agency then works with websites and search engines to have them removed.

A recent survey by the commission showed one in five Australian women aged 18-45 suffered image-based abuse, with Facebook and its Messenger app accounting for 53 percent of revenge porn, followed by Snapchat at 11 percent then Instagram at four percent.

Research by Melbourne's Monash University and RMIT University earlier this year found people were falling prey to abusive behaviour on a "mass scale", and that men and women were equally likely to be targeted.

RMIT legal studies lecturer Anastasia Powell said it was "positive" to see collaboration between social media companies and government -- a vital part of any strategy to tackle revenge porn.

"It requires a combination of legal reform, as well as policy, as well as additional services from victims, as well as these sort of responses from social media companies," she told AFP.

"There's very little consistency between laws internationally and police cooperation and processes to make sure that countries can work together, to make sure that images can be taken down, or to pursue a criminal response."

But with a proliferation of "predatory" third-party companies operating online, people need reassurance that a mechanism for sending sensitive photos to Facebook was secure, Powell added.

"It is really important to give that confidence that this is being dealt with appropriately and that images are being handled by reliable sources."
The 20th AfricaCom event, described as the biggest Africa focused technology, media and telecoms event in the world, kicked off on 7 November 2017 in Cape Town and this year welcomes over 13,000 delegates.

Several new exhibits were launched this year - making the event even bigger. These included a brand-new technology arena housing an Innovation Stage, AfricaCom 20/20, the AHUB and a host of technological solutions geared toward making our everyday work and play lives easier.

As borne out by a recurrent theme that permeated all keynote sessions on day one of the conference, Africa cannot hope to capitalise on all of the technology and digital advancement available to it if the people, in whose hands the power lies (in the shape of their mobile communication devices), lack the knowledge and expertise to use it appropriately, or to its fullest advantage.

Another hot topic of the day, and one South Africans are all too familiar with, was the cost of data, which should surely fall. However, it was not the only thing on the minds of those attending subsequent panels, as calls for more equitable access to products and connectivity were also a common anthem during the day. For example, a suggestion to remove roaming charges between African countries to promote continental economic growth was mooted.

Keynote session; 'Mapping Africas journey to the Fourth Industrial Revolution', provoked some strong responses. Panellist, Rapelang Rabana, founder and CEO of Rekindle Learning, is concerned that without the understanding of what technology can accomplish, the digital divide will actually widen. Digital literacy is paramount and should especially be geared to the younger generations (as they can teach their elders), a key point acknowledged by cohorts and echoed throughout the day. Its time to stop talking and start doing.

It not just about connectivity though. People living in rural areas, should have access to the same quality and range of technological solutions as their urban counterparts. Raj Wammiappa, founder and CEO of Future Horizon Technologies agreed, but also raised the point that there should be African solutions for African problems - another premise that dominated discussion today, as too the critical requirement for practical collaboration of public-private partnerships, as well as the provision of workable policy from Governments across the continent that will fast track these developments  without direction, we cannot hope to go anywhere.

Other top speakers of the day included the likes of Toby Shapshak from Stuff Magazine, Paul Michael Scanlan from Huawei Technologies, Chafic Traboulsi from Ericsson, Tom Jackson from Disrupt Africa, Reshaad Sha from SquidNet, and Justin Spratt from Uber, among others.

Get all the #AfricaCom coverage in our special section, sponsored by Macrocomm.
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Newscity State Proposes Changes for Medicaid During a public meeting held by the Human Services Department last week, healthcare authorities discussed a set of proposed changes to the state's Medicaid program that would result in patients having to pay copays and premiums. The meeting was held at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, and the proposal drew criticism from attending citizens, who voiced concerns over the ability of low-income patients to meet the financial demands of extended copays and the introduction of premiums. Some also opposed the elimination of transitional and retroactive coverage. Under the HSD's proposed changes, the state will charge monthly premiums ranging from $10 to $50 depending on household income, copays for doctor visits will cost $5, inpatient and outpatient surgery will cost $50 a day and prescription drugs would cost $2 to $8. If a recipient fails to pay premiums for 90 days, they risk losing coverage. Medicaid covers more than 40 percent of the population in New Mexico. According to reports, state Medicaid costs could grow to $82 million next year due to policy changes in federal funding.

APS to Appoint New Board Member Four candidates are looking to fill the vacant Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education seat. Last month, Analee Maestas resigned from her position on the board following allegations of embezzlement at a charter school she helped found. Earlier in the year, State Attorney General Hector Balderas threatened legal action against Maestas when an investigation into La Promesa Early Learning Center uncovered that Maestas' daughterLa Promesa's assistant business managerhad embezzled around $700,000 from the school. Some of the theft happened during Maestas' tenure as Executive Director at the school. The APS board will now have to select a new member on Nov. 13 after conducting public interviews with the candidates. The new board member will serve through 2019, the remainder of the term. They will officially take office Nov. 15 and will represent District 1.
Given the proliferation of mobile devices in Africa, it makes sense that digital tools would alleviate many of the healthcare issues in the out-of-the-way places on the continent. It has also created a booming market for innovators and entrepreneurs.

Photo: Seed

Vula Mobile

Even if you live in an urban area, it can take you ages to get an appointment with a specialist. Now imagine being a young doctor in a small clinic in the sticks with a difficult case that needs specialist help. The only link to the outside world is your cell phone.

This is the situation ophthalmologist, Dr William Mapham, found himself in at a small eye in Swaziland, and so the idea of Vula Mobile was born.

In a nutshell, the app gives rural doctors a set of digital tools  such as a vision test  to assess a patient. The case is then referred to the specialist on Vulas on-call system. Typically response time is about 15 minutes.

On the other side, the specialist receives a complete electronic patient record that includes pictures, a vision test result and the patients history.

For obvious reasons, the apps development started with ophthalmology, but has expanded into other specialties including orthopaedics, dermatology, burns, HIV, family medicine, internal medicine, neurosurgery, ENT, cardiology and oncology. Plans are afoot to add surgery, obs and gynae and paediatrics.

National digital strategy

Discussing integrating digital tools into the national healthcare strategy, Mapham says that unlike other sectors, the wheels turn very slowly when it comes to getting approval for a new drug or diagnostic tool. But he maintains this is a good thing. You dont want to experiment on patients, and you need to show evidence of the benefits.

Fortunately, by their very nature, digital tools produce lots and lots of data to back up their usefulness. However, he explains that despite support from hospitals and healthcare professionals, it still took us two years to get any recognition from the Department of Health.

South Africas healthcare structure is designed so a lot of the power lies with the provincial departments of health. The key decision makers are not who you think they are. Medicine is hierarchical, if you get the leaders on board, such as a head of department, things get done."
GL events South Africa was proud to provide exhibition infrastructure and hostesses in addition to its Silver sponsorship for the 84th International UFI congress.

UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry is an association of trade show organisers, fairground owners, national and international associations of the exhibition industry, and its partners. UFI directly represents around 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally and has 740 member organisations across 85 countries, it is truly a very impressive association.

From 1-4 November UFI held it's 84th Annual Congress at the Sandton Convention Centre, this was a great milestone for the association as it is the first time the congress was held on the African continent.

GL events South Africa took up a Silver sponsorship for the event, as well as the hostessing and construction of all the exhibition booths in the networking area.

GL events South Africa was well represented at the event as our hostessing teams were assigned to various stations throughout the Sandton Convention Centre, it was a great experience to interact with all the international delegates and see their excitement about visiting our beautiful country.

On the GL events SA stand we had many visitors inquiring about the local entity as most of them are more familiar with our Head Office in France, it was a proud moment to be able to represent not only the local version of the GL events brand but also showcase to all the international delegates that South Africa has the capability to deliver an event of international standards.

The sponsorship provided the opportunity to attend the insightful congress sessions and panel discussions. The congress covered a vast number of topics such as Digital disruption, Pressure, Profits and Opportunities in Emerging Markets, Exhibitor expectations, and the Global industry Review.

The topics all speak to an ever-changing industry and how companies within the event and exhibition space constantly have to evolve in order to meet consumer demands and keep this critical face to face marketing tool alive.

In addition to the above, the topics highlighted the size of the exhibitions and tradeshow industry. This industry and it's essential contribution to tourism is often misjudged. According to AAXO - The Association of African Exhibition Organisers, who conducted a study with Grant Thornton between August 2015 and February 2016, the direct, indirect and induced economic impact of the exhibitions industry is estimated at R75bn for South Africa as a whole with tourism impact amounting to R23bn and 47,000 sustained jobs.

It is clear that the exhibitions industry plays a key part in the local economy and we encourage companies to keep applying this very effective marketing tool in order to grow your brand image, generate new leads, launch new products and engage with existing customers.

GL events SA Hosting team - Conference Day 1 GL events SA Hosting team - Conference Day 2




AccorHotels has signed a hotel management agreement (HMA) with Noral, a private group in Ivory Coast, for a combined 200-room Novotel and 110-apartments Adagio complex in the capital city of Abidjan, expected to open in 2020.

Reda Faceh (Vice President, Development Northern and Western Africa, AccorHotels), Olivier Granet (Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Middle East and Africa), Ali Salhab (Shareholder, Noral), Hassan Salhab (Shareholder, Noral)

The announcement marks an important step for AccorHotels towards becoming the largest operator in Ivory Coast as well as expanding its footprint in the continent with the aim of doubling the network to reach 200 hotels in operation. The introduction of the first Adagio Aparthotel in Africa also demonstrates the capacity of the group to cater to medium to long staying guests through a midscale offering combining the brands international expertise in modular functionality, design and in-depth knowledge of the long stay market.

Commenting on the signing, Olivier Granet, managing director and chief operating officer, AccorHotels Middle East and Africa said: We are excited to announce Novotel and Adagio Marcory to our portfolio in Ivory Coast. This unique complex showcases our ability to provide all the facilities required by international travellers and is an important milestone in the development of Novotel and Adagio brands in the region.

He further added, While this project represents a lot of firsts, including the first complex of its kind in Africa as well as the first introduction of the Adagio brand, I am also proud that AccorHotels will continue being a leading hospitality employer in Ivory Coast, with hotels across all segments, from economy to luxury, representing more than 700 talented colleagues.

Ali Salhab, representative of Noral said: Historically focused on the plastics, food and cosmetics industry, our group has now embarked on a diversification process. The economic dynamism, tourism potential and special relationship we have with this beautiful country, the Ivory Coast, have encouraged us to start this new adventure.

Novotel and Adagio Abidjan

Expected to open in 2020, Novotel and Adagio Abidjan are located in the heart of the Marcory district, a suburban area within the capital of Abidjan. The complex is in close connection to the airport, ideal for international and regional business travellers in transit.

Novotel Abidjan Marcory will feature 200 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, sky-lounge and pool on the rooftop, meeting facilities, and a dedicated fitness area. With the renovation of Novotel Plateau in Abidjan over two years ago, this is the second hotel under the Novotel brand in Ivory Coast. Adagio Abidjan Marcory aparthotel will provide serviced accommodations with staff availability around-the-clock, combined with the flexibility of 110 modern fully-equipped apartments.

AccorHotels currently operates upwards to 100 hotels across 21 countries in Africa, encompassing more than 15,000 rooms. The network is expected to double in size, bringing over 25,000 in both operation and pipeline.
PR Newswire

LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon, Nov. 9, 2017

LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenbrier Europe hosted U.S. Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, during a visit to its Greenbrier-Astra Rail facility in Arad, Romania on November 8. Greenbrier-Astra Rail produces bogies and freight wagons for markets in Western and Eastern Europe.

During Ambassador Klemm's visit, he met with management and toured the production facilities. Greenbrier Europe showcased its growth to Ambassador Klemm as it approaches its 20th year in operation during 2018. Ambassador Klemm was joined by Matthew Jones, Political Section, U.S. Embassy, Alexandru Climescu, political specialist, U.S. Embassy, Lucian Crusoveanu, public affairs specialist, U.S. Embassy and Georghe Falca, Mayor of Arad.

Ambassador Klemm's visit follows the merger in June of Greenbrier Europe and Astra Holding GmbH, forming European-based Greenbrier-Astra Rail. The union creates Europe's largest end-to-end freight wagon manufacturing, engineering and repair business to reach markets throughout Europe, Eurasia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia. The creation of Greenbrier-Astra Rail is an important and positive example of investment by an American-headquartered business in Eastern Europe and Romania.

Greenbrier-Astra Rail has combined Greenbrier's European operations, headquartered in ?widnica, Poland and Astra Rail. The combination of the two companies, coupled with Greenbrier's recent investment in Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Mexico, opens a new chapter in Greenbrier's history, creating a larger international footprint and global network. Greenbrier-Astra Rail is capable of supporting many markets from its global facilities, including an expanded platform in Europe and developing markets within the GCC, Africa and Eurasia.

Bernd Boese, Chief Executive Officer of Greenbrier-Astra Rail, said, "We are proud to share this unique moment with Ambassador Klemm." Boese added, "We believe there are significant future opportunities in international markets and our integrated business model ensures we are well positioned to help customers globally with rail solutions."

About Greenbrier Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America. Greenbrier Europe is an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business with operations in Poland and Romania that serves customers across Europe and in the nations of the GCC. Greenbrier builds freight railcars and rail castings in Brazil through two separate strategic partnerships. We are a leading provider of wheel services, parts, railcar management & regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and related transportation industries in North America. Greenbrier offers freight railcar repair, refurbishment and retrofitting services in North America through a joint venture partnership with Watco Companies, LLC. Through other unconsolidated joint ventures, we produce industrial and rail castings, tank heads and other components. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of over 8,300 railcars and performs management services for 355,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600654/The_Greenbrier_Companies_Inc_GBX_Logo.jpg
by Ann O'Loughlin

The High Court has approved a scheme allowing the publishers of the Golden Pages exit examinership and continue to trade as a going concern and securing the jobs of 73 employees.

Mr Justice Robert Haughton today approved the scheme put together by examiner Neil Hughes in respect of Dublin based FCR Media Ltd, which publishes the Golden Pages directory, and a related firm FCR Tech UAB.

FCR Tech UAB is incorporated in Lithuania and is the Irish based company's sole shareholder and holder of the intellectual property rights to the Golden Pages.

Ross Gorman Bl for Mr Hughes told the court there were no objections to the examiner's scheme, which had secured the approval of the majority of creditors.

The trustees of the firm's pension scheme, who had at an earlier stage of the examinership process expressed their concern about the situation, were supporting the scheme of arrangement.

Revenue was adopting a neutral stance to the application, counsel added.

Counsel also said the publisher had secured fresh investment during the period it was in examinership.

The business had employed 103 workers.

However, as it has decided to cease publishing the print version and focus on its online business a number of employees that have been working in the printing section had been made redundant.

In total some 73 jobs have been saved, counsel said.

The two companies are part of the FCR media group which provides search and advertising services in 10 countries in Europe and has more than 1000 employees across its operations.

They sought the protection of the courts after FCR media group withdrew its interests in the Irish market meaning the firms could no longer pay their debts as they fell due.

Its debts to creditors, including revenue as of July 21st last were 5.5m. The alternative to examinership was a winding-up with a deficit of 8.9 million liabilities over assets.

The appointment of an examiner was sought after the court heard an independent expert had stated in a report that the company has a reasonable prospect of survival and the forecasts for 2017 and 2018 are positive.
The Porter House, Castlebridge, Wexford is celebrating after winning National Irish Pub of the Year and Best Local Pub at the Irish Pub Awards held last night at the RDS, Dublin.

Over 300 publicans from across Ireland were in attendance to applaud the owners of The Porter House, Myles and Sharon Doyle, who said they were shocked but delighted to win the awards.
Better oversight of Tusla and private foster care companies, beefing up HIQA's powers and a national emergency out of hours service.

Those are just three of twelve recommendations put forward by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs today.

It follows hearings earlier this year aimed at improving child protection in the wake of several foster care scandals including the Grace case.

The vulnerable woman with intellectual disabilities was left with a foster family in the south-east for almost 20 years despite concerns of sexual abuse.

In a statement, the Child and Family Agency said they welcome the publication of the 'Report on the Provision of Forster Care Services in Ireland'.

Fred McBride, Chief Executive, Tusla said: I welcome this important report from the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs. Many of the recommendations are already underway, and I look forward to reading the report in detail and working with the Committee and other key partners as we continue to develop this crucial service for children in Care.

Id like to express my admiration to foster carers who open their homes and dedicate their time to children who find themselves in very difficult circumstances and are unable to live with their family - they are the backbone of our child protection system.
Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has said she was disturbed and disappointed when she learned of Minister John Halligan's discriminatory question to a female official during an interview, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor.

Speaking during Leaders' Questions in the Dail on Thursday, Mrs Fitzgerald said the comments which have cost the taxpayer 7,500 by way of a settlement fee, were unacceptable and should not have been made.

She was responding to questions from Labour leader Brendan Howlin who wondered would Mr Hallligan be facing any further consequences over the matter.

In response to Mr Howlin, Mrs Fitzgerald said that Mr Halligan who is in Thailand has expressed his regret and she accepted that.

She offered a full apology to the female official in question on behalf of the department.

She said by law her department has to pay the 7,500 award to the official concerned adding that it is a matter for Mr Halligan to decide if he wants to offer to pay the department back.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night told the Irish Examiner that he has confidence in Mr Halligan.

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, where Mr Halligan is based, has been ordered to pay 7,500 in compensation to a high ranking official who was deemed to have been discriminated against after a Mr Halligan asked her in a job interview are you a married woman?.

Also at Leaders' Questions, Mrs Fitzgerald was challenged by Fianna Fail's Billy Kelleher of the unacceptable waiting lists in hospitals.

Mr Kelleher cited a number of individual cases including one of a 91-year-old man from West Cork who was forced to travel to Belfast to recieve cateract treatment.

In response, the Tanaiste said a huge challenge is facing the health service in terms of bringing waiting lists under control but insisted progress is being made.

Health Minister Simon Harris informed the Dail that waiting lists have fallen for the third month in a row.
by David Raleigh

A man has been rushed by ambulance to hospital after sustaining injuries in a suspected electrocution, at an Easons bookstore in Limerick.

Garda sources have confirmed the man was injured around 11.40am at the store, located on OConnell Street and Cruises Street, in the Treaty City.

The Munster Regional Fire Control command centre confirmed it received an alert about the incident at 11.46am.

The call was reported as a possible electrocution at Easons on OConnell Street, a source at the centre said.

Two fire brigade tenders attached to Limerick City and County Fire Service were dispatched to the store but have since left the scene.

A senior Garda source said the man was taken from the store by paramedics to University Hospital Limerick for injuries sustained in a suspected electrocution incident.

When asked about the incident management at the store declined to make any comment.

Power has been cut at the store, which has been closed pending further notice.

Its understood the ESB are liaising with management at the store.

A sign has been erected on the front door of the store stating: CLOSED DUE TO POWER OUTAGE. APOLOGIES.

Gardai at Henry Street Station are investigating the incident.
Update 10.55pm: Former US president Barack Obama has been dismissed from jury duty.

The former president arrived at the Richard J. Daley Centre in central Chicago for jury duty shortly after 10am local time today.

By noon, Cook County chief judge Timothy Evans told reporters that Mr Obama would not be serving.

Mr Obama's appearance at the courthouse created quite a stir.

He was photographed outside by people who heard on the news that he would be going to court.

In the courthouse lobby, people craned their necks for a glimpse of him and took mobile phone pictures.

Mr Evans said the former president shook hands with other would-be jurors inside the jury assembly room and signed copies of his books that some had taken with them to court.

Former Pres. Barack Obama reports for jury duty in Chicago, shaking hands and signing books along the way: https://t.co/w2TJvdBopG pic.twitter.com/B0zPPVuXga  Good Morning America (@GMA) November 8, 2017

Earlier:

Former US president Barack Obama has arrived at court in Chicago for jury duty.

Wearing a sport coat and shirt, but no tie, Mr Obama waved as he walked near the Richard J Daley Centre in Chicago city centre today.

Timothy Evans, the presiding judge of the Cook County chief judge, told county commissioners weeks ago that Mr Obama would serve in November, but would not say when.

On Tuesday, Secret Service agents were at the courthouse in anticipation of Mr Obamas appearance.

The former president is in line to be paid the same 17.20 dollars (almost 15) a day which others receive for reporting for jury duty.
Latest News On-time property sale settlements hit new heights Almost 90% finalised on first scheduled date, says PEXA

Regional hotspots record sharp falls in value, new data shows Value declines have become more geographically broad-based over the three months to October

There is one mortgage broker for every 1,500 Australians

The average value of new home loan settlements per broker equals $5.9m

The number of brokers writing commercial loans has risen by 11.5%

The average value of a brokers home loan portfolio is $38m per year

47% of all new lending from brokers goes to the smaller lenders

The number of women in broking remains stable at 27.0%

45% of brokers settled $2m or less between October 2016 and March 2017

Broker turnover rose to 10.2% during the reported period

The average pre-tax salary of mortgage brokers has decreased by $9,000 since September last year, a new report from the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia ( MFAA ) reveals.The industry bodys latest Industry Intelligence Service (IIS) Report found that brokers are earning a yearly average of $133,500 before costs from upfront and trail. This was down from the $142,500 found in the previous report Breaking this up, the average gross upfront commission per broker prior to costs is around $77,000 while the trail is around $56,500.Out of this gross commission figure, brokers have to pay their own salaries, all their fixed costs of doing business, premises, service provision fees paid to aggregators, marketing and communications expenses, telecommunications, entertaining clients, data services, market data subscriptions, insurance policies, travel costs, support staffs salaries and wages, the report said.The report also found that brokers now write 53.6% of all mortgages in Australia, a strong performance in the context of increased regulatory measures, said MFAA CEO Mike Felton However, he pointed to a number of industry warning signs to be aware of. While the number of finance brokers within Australia has increased by 3.3% to just over 16,000 between October 2016 and March 2017, this exceeded upturns in the value of broker-originated loan settlements which increased slightly by 0.1% to $94.6bn as well as the number of new loan applications through brokers which dropped by 4.5% to 303,300.These figures should be grounds for caution, Felton said.It is not a sustainable trend to have broker numbers continually rising faster than the value of new business written and could be part of the reason why the report shows the average income for brokers is down 6% nationally. When the pie stays the same size and theres more mouths to feed, the slices inevitably get smaller.This can be seen through lower levels of broker remuneration found in the IIS report.Other key figures found in the MFAAs paper include, but are not limited to, the following:The IIS Report is designed, produced and delivered by CoreLogic -owned Comparator using data from 14 major aggregators.
Latest News On-time property sale settlements hit new heights Almost 90% finalised on first scheduled date, says PEXA

Regional hotspots record sharp falls in value, new data shows Value declines have become more geographically broad-based over the three months to October

Sydney-based brokerage Citywide has celebrated ten years in the industry with a growing office network and loan settlements that are hoped to hit $1bn annually.In an interview with Australian Broker, Citywides managing director Rodny Ghalie said that the firm had been inducted into Vow Financial's $1 Billion Dollar Loan Book Club two years ago and was now aiming larger.These days, we write close to $1bn a year, he said. Our goal is to get it to a point where were writing over $1bn a year. We just want to continue to grow and continue to create value for our clients.Citywide does this through its expanding network, culture, and training programs which helps create value instead of providing clients with a mere home loan.Were very driven by the fact that we want to create solutions for our clients.Ghalie said that a lot of brokers were creatures of habit, sending borrowers to the same handful of lenders while ignoring some of the niche products in the market.What we try to do is tailor a package thats actually going to suit the client not just now but for the long term as well. I find a lot of brokers dont do that.Citywides team conducts in-depth fact finds around client goals and aspirations and then uses this to find the best deal, he said.Its more about being energetic, passionate, understanding what the client wants now and for the future, and staying in touch with them. What I find in the banking industry  whether its brokers or mobile lenders  is its very stale.The firm now has 15 offices across Sydney and hopes to open five more within the NSW metropolitan area. After this, it has sights on further expansion across Queensland, Victoria and beyond.With Citywides lending division in a strong position, the goal was to bolster its property management and insurance arms, Ghalie said. The insurance arm is the newest addition to the firm and will be publicly launched soon.Training is a key part of the firms success through weekly sales meetings and an in-depth sales workshop through each staff induction.That induction process and the sales workshops really drive the right attitude and the right culture in the group. And because weve got a lot of successful brokers in the group, I think it sets a benchmark.A rigorous training program gives brokers the confidence to succeed and allows them to envision themselves as a different calibre to someone whos simply passed through a short workshop, Ghalie said.Citywide currently has just under 100 staff with 35 to 40 brokers across its Sydney offices. Additional employees include the admin team, property management experts, strata managers, sales, etc.The firm was established in 2006 by both Ghalie and Jason Mikhail a few years before the GFC. The 10th anniversary celebrations were held this year on 3 November.
Latest News On-time property sale settlements hit new heights Almost 90% finalised on first scheduled date, says PEXA

Regional hotspots record sharp falls in value, new data shows Value declines have become more geographically broad-based over the three months to October

Residential mortgage arrears at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ( CBA ) have risen slightly due to financial pressures from the Western Australia property market.In a quarterly trading update released yesterday (8 November), the banks 90+ days consumer arrears in home loans were reported at 0.59% as of 30 September this year, an increase from 0.54% in June 2016.Excluding Western Australia, CBAs 90+ days arrears sat far lower at 0.48% remaining around the same level as in the middle of last year.On a quarterly basis however, 90+ days arrears actually dropped slightly from $2.24bn to $2.19bn between the June and September quarters.CBAs loan impairment expense levels have remained fairly steady over the past year, now sitting at 0.15% of the total gross loans and acceptances (GLAA) for the consumer sector.Finally, volumes of home lending rose by 2.7% during the September quarter while the unaudited cash earnings increased by 6% to approximately $2.65bn during the same reported time period.Australian Broker reached out to CBA for further elaboration, however the bank declined to comment.
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...
In season 13 episode 6 of Criminal Minds entitled, The Bunker, the BAU heads to Virginia to investigate a series of missing women. While at first, it seems like there is no connection between the victims, the team soon realizes that the time of the abductions, midnight, could be driving the unsub. Things get even more complex when a woman named Joanna comes asking about her missing runaway sister, who also disappeared five years ago. Can the team figure out the connection between these missing women and what is happening to them before its too late?

A Series of Missing Women



A woman is leaving work and talking on her cell phone in a parking garage. As she goes to get in her car, she notices a flyer on her windshield. The woman removes the flyer, but as she does, a hand covers her mouth and grabs her.

J.J. is helping Garcia find a new apartment. The team discusses the idea of living with only what you need and laughs when Garcia suggests she also lives by that philosophy. Emily rounds the team; they have a case.

Police in Virginia have called for the BAUs help about three young women who have all gone missing in the past five years. The night prior, a fourth woman named Allie Leighton also went missing. She disappeared from a parking garage just after midnight. The other victims, one in 2012, one in 2013, and one in 2015 all went missing from different locations in the same geographic area. No bodies have been found. The team wonders if the unsub is holding all of the women or if hes just good at permanent concealment.

Why It Was the Right Move for Criminal Minds to Add Matt Simmons from Beyond Borders in Season 13>>>

Allie wakes up to morning meadow playing on a sound machine. She is lying in a bed in a nice room, but the door is locked. She tries banging on the door and yelling for help. She goes to the window, but the window is blocked out by a screen. Two women open the door to reveal a hospital-like corridor and ask her how shes feeling. Allie runs out the door and through the halls, but with all the fake windows, she cant find a way out. She runs into a man in a hazmat suit and is trapped by a glass barrier between her and the two women.

Meanwhile, the team tries to figure out what the connection is between the victims. None of the women look alike and the unsub crossed racial lines. The women are all single, young professionals, but other than that (and the time of the abductions) Garcia cant find a connection. The team is going to work the case from D.C.

Prentiss and J.J. talk to the police who says that news coverage has surfaced of a woman named Joanna who is looking for answers about her missing sister, Chrissy. Joanna shows up whenever a missing persons case comes up, but since Chrissy was classified as a runaway, the officer doesnt think her case is related.

Allie tries to get out of the ward. Irene and the doctor say she is not a prisoner, she is there for her protection. Allie agrees to stop being violent and Irene wants to take her on a tour. It becomes clear that the doctor is Dr. Childs, the first woman who went missing five years ago.





Two Unique Groups of Missing Women

J.J. talks to Joanna about her missing sister. Joanna believes the police didnt want to look for her sister because she was a young drop out who was drinking and doing drugs. J.J., who knows what its like to lose a sister, agrees to look through Chrissys file. Simmons and Rossi head to the crime scene and find the flyer that was on Allies car. They theorize the unsub may have used the flyer as a rouse to grab her.

Irene and the doctor walk Allie around the facility. They want her to cook for everyone. She grabs a knife out of Dr. Childs pocket and threatens her. The doctor says Allie wont get out that way, she knows. Allie passes out.

After doing some digging, Garcia finds that another supposed runaway went missing right after Chrissy. Dr. Childs, the first victim, went missing right after Chrissy and the other runaway. Prentiss has Garcia expand her search criteria and they find two dozen missing women, a combination of the four professional women and teen runaways. Garcia finds out that all the teen runaways were pregnant, including Chrissy.

Allie wakes up with Dr. Childs caring for her. She tells Allie that this is her home now. Back at the BAU, the team tries to figure out why the unsub has been kidnapping all of these different women and how hes keeping them. They believe the unsub has assembled the team of professionals to take care of the runaways, now mothers, and their children and uses control to prevent their escape. Irene brings Allie back to her room as an alarm starts going off in the ward. She locks Allie in. Irene heads into a room where a man is watching surveillance cameras. The man says they need to get rid of her.

Prentiss and Luke arrive at a scene where a body has been found. They find Dr. Childs, wrapped in a blanket. Shes clean, fed, and they realize that shes been alive this whole time. They think that she may have committed suicide, based on the older scars on her wrist. Garcia calls in, saying another woman has been taken. Meanwhile, Irene and the man, whom she calls Lawrence, argue about Dr. Childs death. Lawrence doesnt want the others to get the same idea that Dr. Childs had.

The team meets to hear about the latest victim, a pediatrician named Paige, who was kidnapped from a busy parking lot. The abduction was captured on video by a witness and the team realizes that the man who took Paige has a partner. They also notice that he looks at the clock before grabbing her. Reid postulates that the numbers 11:57:30 might mean something to him. Due to the fact that Paige is a pedestrian, the team believes that the runaways and their children are still alive.

Doomsday



J.J. talks to Joanna again and admits that there might be a connection between Chrissys disappearance and the recent kidnappings. She asks if Joanna knew that Chrissy was pregnant; Joanna did not know. Reid calls the team together, saying he knows why the unsub is kidnapping the victims. The unsub is taking the women based on the counting down of the doomsday clock, which counts down to 12. The team hypothesizes that the unsub may be creating a doomsday cult, based on an obsession with doomsday prepping and building a society post-apocalypse. They believe the trigger for the kidnappings was the world doomsday clock starting five years ago.

Lawrence and Irene show Paige their doomsday brainwashing movie. Paige is then met by Chrissy, who gets all of the others, all of runaways and their children. J.J. asks Joanna about Chrissys ideas on Armageddon. Joanna admits that Chrissy was obsessed with doomsday after getting high and seeing some movies. She thinks she could have met someone who influenced her. In the kitchen, Allie is cooking and talks to Paige, who has returned from seeing the movie. Allie and Paige try to convince Chrissy and the others that the movie isnt real, that the world hasnt ended. The women wont believe Allie and Paige, but during the argument, Allie manages to steal a knife from the drawer.

The team has Garcia search through the internet for information on doomsday preppers. They look for a man who is obsessed with both survival and prepping. They find Lawrence Coleman, the man from the video who abducted Paige. They also find that in addition to his home and work, he also has acquired multiple storage locations in recent years. Meanwhile, Paige brings Irene into Allies room; Allie is seemingly sick. As Irene leans over to see whats wrong, Allie grabs her and holds the knife to her throat.

Quiz: Which Special Agent TV Hunk Would You Date?>>>

The BAU agents divide and conquer but find that Lawrence Coleman quit his job months ago and hasnt lived in his home for a long time. All of the storage locations also come up empty. The team realizes that his partner could be a woman and she might be the key. Garcia searches through online conversations and finds Irene Jacobs, who drives a black van like the one in Paiges abduction video. Irene, Garcia finds out, was a substance abuse counselor and Chrissy, as well as the other missing runaways, were all her patients. Irene was finding victims for Lawrence through her job. Garcia also finds that Irene owns acres of land and J.J. and Reid, who are closest, head to investigate.

An Underground Bunker



J.J. and Reid search the land, but cant find anything. They determine that Lawrence and Irene must have a bunker underground. Eventually, they find the bunker hatch and open it, which sets off an alarm underground. Lawrence leaves Irene, still being held by Paige and Allie, to move the others. Reid and J.J. head into the bunker and the door shuts behind them.

In the bunker, J.J. and Reid search for the women but become trapped in the hallway by two glass barriers. Prentiss, Simmons, and Luke arrive on the scene, and while they know J.J. and Reid are there, they cant reach them. J.J. and Reid realize they cant break through the glass nor crack the code. Luckily, Paige and Allie find them, but Irene wont reveal the code. Reid sees Coleman in an adjacent room and tries to convince him to let everyone go. J.J. spots Chrissy and appeals to her, telling her about her sister.

Reid and J.J. try to explain to the women that the world is not over, its all still there, and their families are still alive and worried about them. J.J.s appeal to Chrissy works and she attacks Lawrence. Irene gives Reid and J.J. the code. The FBI and SWAT swarm the bunker and arrest Lawrence and Irene. Joanna and Chrissy reunite and Joanna gets to meet her nephew. Back at the BAU, the team jokes about how they each would spend their last day if the world was going to end.

What did you think of the twist and turns of The Bunker? Did you figure out the connection between the missing professionals and the missing runaways? How would you spend your last day if the world were ending? Let us know in the comments!

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UB to hold Veterans Day celebration

UB will honor the universitys veteran and military service members with a two-part program on Nov. 10.

The eighth annual celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a flag ceremony at Flint Loop in front of Capen Hall on the North Campus.

Following the ceremonial procession and presentation of colors by the UB Police Color Guard and student cadets of the local ROTC Color Guard, the flag will be raised to full  then half-mast  in honor of all veterans who have served. The UB Thunder of the East marching band will play the national anthem while the flag is raised.

The invocation will be offered by U.S. Air Force veteran Tommie L. Babbs, pastor at Thankful Missionary Baptist Church and a senior academic adviser with Student Advising Services.

Following the flag-raising, the celebration will move to the Buffalo Room, 10 Capen Hall, for refreshments and remarks. UB Provost Charles F. Zukoski will welcome attendees. UB student Jesse D. Robson (U.S. Marines); UB Police Officer Christopher C. Fisher (U.S. Army) and UB alumnus Major Peter A. Nowak, senior intelligence officer with the 107th Operations Group, New York Air National Guard, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, each will reflect on what it means to be a veteran.

Robson served in the Marine Corps from January 2012 through January 2016, and started his academic studies at UB just a week after his service ended. A member of the 2nd Tank Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2013 and was awarded a combat action ribbon. He is majoring in media study.

Fisher served in the Army from October 1999 to September 2002. He started his military service with E Company, 1st Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His permanent duty station was at Fort Benning, Georgia, with the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. Following 9/11, Fisher assisted the first wave of Army Rangers to deploy from Fort Benning in September 2001, and assisted in their return that December. Upon his discharge, Fisher was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and two Army Achievement Medals. He was a New York City police officer from 2005-13, and joined UB Police in 2013. He currently serves on UBs Veteran Steering Committee.

In his position with the New York Air National Guard, Nowak serves as the senior uniformed intelligence officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping 55 Air National guardsmen, including intelligence personnel in the 136th Attack and 107th Operations Support Squadron. He joined the New York Air National Guard in 1996 as an airman basic-fuels systems specialist.

Nowak graduated from UB in 2001 with a BS in management information systems and a minor in economics. A combat veteran, he served in Operation Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Inherent Resolve. He is the recipient of numerous major service awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, visit the Special Events website.
Telecommunications major Limited, and Amdocs, a software and services provider on Thursday announced a strategic partnership creating an innovation foundry to bring new services to Airtel's customers in India. The partnership includes a long-term contract to introduce cutting edge technologies and practices to enhance Airtel's customers' service experience.

"We are delighted to have Amdocs as a part of our ecosystem of strategic business partners and look forward to collaborating with them to build a solid innovation pipeline for the future. Amdocs' sharp focus on telecoms and their DNA of cutting edge innovation will add immense value to Airtel's digital transformation journey and help us to deliver a world class experience to our customers," said Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India and South Asia), India.

By leveraging Amdocs innovation centres, delivery expertise, and its ecosystem of startups, Amdocs will deploy machine learning and advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies across Airtel's multiple lines of business to help pre-empt and self-heal operational issues, introduce smartbots into digital channels, and quickly launch and activate new services, thereby enabling a seamless customer experience.

"This program is at the epicenter of two innovation waves: India's fast growing and dynamic market and the communications industry's amazing pace of change. Airtel India is a pioneer and innovator, and our partnership will be an innovation engine to the industry and drive our joint success," said Eli Gelman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amdocs.

Airtel recently rolled out 'Project Next' - its digital innovation program aimed at transforming customer experience across all of its services and touch points. It plans to launch several exciting digital innovations to simplify and enhance interactivity of the Airtel customer experience. Project Next complements Airtel's massive investments in building a future ready network under Project Leap.

Airtel had previously deployed Amdocs for billing, and now they are augmenting it with Amdocs' advanced digital technologies.
Former Infosys executive has rejected an offer from the company to be its chief executive officer, an indication that efforts of its chairman Nandan Nilekani to lure its alumni working at global to head India's second-largest software exporter will be tough.
is evaluating a non-stop service between Brussels and Delhi to capitalise on the growth in air travel in India, the airline's chief executive officer Bernard Gustin said.



Brussels Airlines, part of Lufthansa group, had launched a service to Mumbai in March, its first destination in Asia. Encouraged by the response, the airline is now considering a service to Delhi. However, a final decision on the Delhi route is yet to be taken. is evaluating a non-stop service between Brussels and Delhi to capitalise on the growth in air travel in India, the airline's chief executive officer Bernard Gustin said.
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IT firm on Wednesday said it has received a Rs 312-crore tax demand notice from GST Commissionerate.

Besides, an additional interest and equivalent amount of penalty has also been imposed separately under the CENVAT Credit Rules, said in a filing to the BSE.

"...the company has received on November 7, an order dated October 30 from the Office of the Principal Commissioner, Central Goods and Services Tax Commissionerate, Noida raising demand of Rs 312.34 crore under Rule 14 of the CENVAT Credit Rules...," it said.

said it has obtained legal opinion, which support the stand of the company.

"The company will file an appeal before the Competent Authority," it added.
Over the past decade, Indias information technology (IT) industry has seen multiple attempts to mobilise the workforce to form an active trade union. The efforts have finally yielded results, with Karnataka recognising the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) as a workers body to protect their interests. The development comes at a time when the IT sector is facing its worst disruption in a decade. However, top executives have questioned the significance of a trade union in the sector.
Mobile phone manufacturer is expecting record sales this year, exceeding the sales in 2016, mainly driven by Pay offering in its mid- to high-end smartphones. The firm said it saw a 40 per cent growth in sales during the current festival season as against an industry growth of 25-30 per cent.


Metal and mining firm Vedanta seems to be in the pole position to grab stressed assets that are up for auction under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The Anil Agarwal-promoted company, which has built its iron ore mining to energy conglomerate through a series of acquisitions in the last decade and a half, could snap more assets in the metal space, thanks to the cash pile it inherited from Hindustan Zinc and erstwhile Cairn India.
Tata Motors, which had set a record by bagging the world's largest e-car order from Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) last month, on Thursday said it will make money from each unit it will sell to the government body, in sharp contrast to Mahindra, which had said it was stumped by the winning price.

The EESL order for 10,000 electric sedans is the single-largest in the world and Tata Motors, which has no e- car product so far, will have to begin delivery of the first batch of 500 cars by November 30.

Tata Motors today said it will be selling the electric version of its popular sedan Tigor to EESL. The car will be rolled form its Sanand plant on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Tata Motors had bid for Rs 11.2 lakh including annual maintenance contract, which was Rs 2.3 lakh lower than M&M's bid. Tatas also offered a substantially lower running cost of Rs 0.25/km compared to Rs 1.35/km by M&M.

Though Tata Motors was eligible to supply the entire 10,000 order, ESSL later asked Mahindra, the only domestic e- car maker, to match the pricing of the Tatas.

"We will be making enough money from each of the units that we will be selling to EESL. As of now, we will be selling 6,500-7,000 units and if the other company (Mahindra) opts out we will lap up the rest of the order as well," Guenter Butschek, MD & CEO of Tata Motors said.

When asked whether they will be able to meet the delivery deadline of November 30 for the first phase of 500 orders, of which Tata Motors will be selling 350 and M&M the remaining 150 units, Butschek answered in the positive.

"All I can tell you now is that we are capable of meeting all the order requirements," said Butschek who was addressing the media at the second quarter earnings presser.

In sharp contract, it can be noted that days after agreeing to match Tata Motors' order, Pawan Goenka, managing director of M&M, had said they would lose money on every unit of its fully electric sedans it had committed to supply to EESL and that he was stumped by the rival's pricing.

"It is difficult to comprehend the price quoted by the L1 bidder (Tata Motors) though we've been in the e-vehicle business for sometime and we know the cost structure and subsystems very well.

"We will not be making any money on the cars we supply to EESL. We will be losing money on every car," Goenka had said at a concall on October 9.

The EESL contract will be executed in phases and the first phase involves 500 cars. Tata Motors had initially opted for 250 cars but increased it to 350 after M&M chose only 150.

While M&M has a few products under its Verito label, which is essentially a souped down Renault Logan, which Goenka claimed is more powerful and bigger than the Tigor, the sub-4 meter compact sedan Tatas launched a few months ago.

"I don't know the specifications of the L1 car since it is not yet out in the market, unlike the Verito, which has been there for sometime. The Verito has a 20.5 kwh electric motor which can do 170-180 km on a full charge," Goenka said.

According to EESL tender, the sedan should have a range of 130 km on a full charge, can be fully charged in 6 hrs and should have a fast charge option of 90 minutes.

Goenka had also said they had not decided on bidding for the second phase saying, "will take a call if we are able to bring down the cost."



Mahindra is the only domestic company to have launched electric passenger cars though the EESL contracts saw Japanese giant Nissan too bidding.

(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.)
Income-tax officials have been raiding homes and companies belonging to the jailed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala and her relatives, including TTV Dhinakaran. Both Sasikala and Dhinakaran are rivals to the ruling AIADMK faction.
India today rejected China's objection to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country and Indian leaders are as much free to go there as to any other state.

"Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of India and Indian leaders have that much freedom to visit Arunachal as they have in visiting other states in the country," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

To a question on next round of talks between Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question, Kumar said both sides are in touch with each other.

"We do not have any confirmed dates for talks as yet. The two sides are in touch. Once we have some dates for it, we will let you know," he said during a media briefing.

On Monday, China had objected to Sitharaman's first visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday and Sunday, saying her tour of the "disputed area" was not conducive to peace in the region.

During her trip to the state, Sitharaman also visited forward army posts in the remote Anjaw district bordering China to take stock of defence preparedness.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet and routinely objects to top Indian officials' visits to the area.

Asked about China's comment yesterday that India's stand on the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is wavering, Kumar said New Delhi's position on the issue is "very clear" and "principled".

"We have seen the releavent remarks. India's position on connectivity is very clear, (it) is principled and is consistent....

"As regards the so called CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), it is also well known that it violates India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Kumar said.

China yesterday said India's stand on its BRI is wavering, and the CPEC, a part of the project, does not involve any territorial dispute as claimed by New Delhi.

China has been reiterating that the USD 50 billion CPEC which traverses through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a connectivity project and will not affect its stand that the Kashmir issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan through talks.

India has objected to the CPEC as it is being laid through the disputed territory and boycotted a high-profile Belt and Road Forum organised by China in May.

Kumar said India will always be open to any efforts which will address its legitimate concerns in this regard.
The Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday banned construction and industrial activities in Delhi-NCR till November 14. Further, it said that no trucks from outside or within Delhi would be permitted to transport any construction material.
Thousands of workers protested against Narendra Modi government's economic policies barely a kilometre away from the Parliament on Thursday, while a conglomeration of farmer organisations announced its plan to gather at the same location to highlight farm distress on November 20.
Union Environment Minister today said there was no need to panic over the poor air quality in Delhi and hoped the situation would return to normal in the "next few days".

Air pollutant touched calamitous levels in Delhi yesterday, as a thick grey smog hung low across the region, prompting the government to declare schools closed till Sunday, halt construction activity and ban the entry of trucks in the city.

Vardhan, who was here to participate in a function organised by the CSIR- Institute of Oceanography said, "From yesterday to today, things have become better (on the front in Delhi). All this actually got precipitated because of weather conditions."



"There was some moisture, which came from eastern Uttar Pradesh and due to wind speed this particulate matter got accumulated in the atmosphere," the minister said.

Vardhan, who also holds the portfolio of Science, Technology and Earth Sciences, said it was expected that in another 24 hours things would be under control due to measures being undertaken by various government agencies.

"I am hopeful that things would be under control. There is no reason for anyone to panic. We should be taking adequate amount of precautions to ensure that we by and large stay indoors and do not expose our children to too much of polluted air," Vardhan maintained.

"We should be performing a positive role and contributing positively to improve the situation," he said.

The minister said governments of Delhi and the neighbouring states should fulfil their respective responsibilities.

"Steps (to improve the situation) have to taken by the Delhi government, they should work with total sincerity. Similarly, neighbouring state governments will also have to fulfil their part of the responsibility," he said.

Vardhan said, "I am sure in the near future, in the next few days, things would return to normal."



The minister said the Centre is already in touch with all the state governments in the Delhi-NCR region.

"We have once again asked them to implement the graded action plan. There is a detailed action plan whenever such a situation on arises. Everybody has to get into action."



Vardhan said the Union government is monitoring the situation at its own level and considering a slew of steps to curb the air pollution, including closing the Badarpur Thermal Power Station (in NCT Delhi), and shutting down stone crushers.

"Similarly, we have asked the Delhi government to sprinkle water on roads or use mechanised ways for dust removal from roads," he added.

The minister said the neighbouring states have been instructed to stop crop burning.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday arrested a Class XI student of Ryan International School in connection with the murder of Pradyuman Thakur. The class 11 boy has been made the prime suspect in the case and was arrested on Tuesday night, CBI said on Wednesday morning.
on Tuesday became the first ever Sikh mayor of a US city when he won New Jerseys Hoboken city in a closely contested six-person mayoral race. Bhalla, an Indian-American born in New Jersey was endorsed by current Mayor Dawn Zimmer.



After winning the election, thanked his supporters and said: " Thank you for having faith in me, for having faith in our community, faith in our state, and faith in our country; this is what America is all about."
Ahead of the crucial goods and services tax (GST) Council meeting in Guwahati, ministers of the Congress pitched for a major overhaul in the indirect tax reform, suggesting that the meeting on Friday may be a stormy affair.
The Supreme Court recently directed the Centre to draft a scheme for setting up fast-track courts for dealing exclusively with criminal cases involving legislators and political persons. Sanjay Hegde and Pranjal Kishore explain why the apex court direction might fall in the realm of judicial overreach.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard.
The government is in the process of finalising the which will focus on making India's education system learner-centric instead of teacher-centric, said a top official of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) on Thursday.

While addressing the FICCI Higher Education Summit 2017 here, Dr. N. Saravana Kumar, Joint Secretary, MHRD, said, "The government is in the process of finalising the which will focus on making India's education system learner-centric instead of teacher-centric. Also, the highly regulated education sector is being liberalized and private sector participation is being encouraged for India to acquire global citizenship in education."

Sixty-seven countries are participating in three-day FICCI Higher Education Summit 2017. One thousand delegates, of which more than 247 are foreign delegates predominantly from Africa, SAARC, Middle East, CIS, Finland, New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia, USA, etc. are participating at the summit.

In line with the government's focus to reform the Indian education system to cater to the needs of the future, the theme for the summit is 'Leapfrogging to Education 4.0: Student at the Core'.

Speaking on the occasion, Sudhanshu Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said, "In the wake of protectionism, knowledge sharing and student exchange programmes become critical and gives a new hope for tomorrow. Around five million students move around the globe for education. India is among one of the nations with high outflow of students, the country spends more than $20 billion on students studying abroad and there is a need to make India the centre of education."

He further added that Pandey said that the student has been at the core of education and shall remain at its epicenter in future as well.

In his video message, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for HRD, said that the government had come out with learning outcomes and was providing greater autonomy to the institutes to pursue research and development and innovation.

Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, in his message, urged the stakeholders including industry and academic to recommend ideas to promote the business of education globally.

Nina Vaskunlahti, Ambassador of Finland to India; Prof (Dr) Rajan Saxena, Chair-FICCI Higher Education Committee; Prof Vinod Bhat, Co chair, FICCI Higher Education Summit; Dr Sanjaya Baru, Secretary General, FICCI; Shobha M. Ghosh, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI; and Sangeeta Godbole, Director General, Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) also spoke on the occasion, where FICCI-EY report 'Leapfrogging to Education 4.0: Student at the Core' and FICCI Report on Social Outreach in Higher Education were also released.
A year after demonetisation, Gurugram saw an 18 per cent decline in house prices in the first eight months of 2017, the biggest year-on-year drop among top 10 residential markets, said a new study.
At a time of tepid job growth and continuing income disparities, the major challenge is to make the youth of the country entrepreneurial and not job seekers, Vice President M. said on Thursday.

"Disparities continue to remain in India and so there is need for inclusive growth... there is the need to take care of the suppressed, oppressed and depressed," Naidu said at the Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust's (BYST) silver jubilee celebrations here with Britain's Prince Charles as the chief guest.

"The challenge for us is to make the youth entrepreneurial, and not become job seekers," he said pointing to the NDA government's various initiatives to encourage youth enterprise like Startup India, Standup India and the Mudra financing scheme for underprivileged sections.

Modelled on Prince Charles' Trust for business startups, BYST, founded by Lakshmi Venkatesan, daughter of former President R. Venkatraman, is engaged in building rural entrepreneurship -- "grampreneurs" -- as also enterprise among under-privileged sections, which includes business mentoring. The current BYST chairman is Bajaj Group chief Rahul Bajaj.

"Without mentoring, it would be very difficult to set up startups, with all the business, marketing and other vital issues involved in the first two-three years," Prince Charles said in his address at the International Mentoring Summit organised by BYST to mark its 25 years.

"What amazes me are the sheer number of jobs these young entrepreneurs had created. The aim of such a project should be to create a virtual cycle of creating entrepreneurs who can then invest in the future of business," Charles said referring to his trust.

BYST was officially launched in 1992 by Prince Charles and expanded its operations to six major regions of India.

Out of these six regions, four -- Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad -- run the urban programme while two regions -- Haryana and Maharashtra -- run the rural programme.
Punjab traders on Friday asked the GST council to consider bringing down the GST rate on dry dates to 5 per cent at par with raisins and cashew nuts from 12 per cent at present.

Traders raised this demand as the 23rd meeting of the GST Council started in Guwahati on Thursday.

"We are demanding from the GST council to reduce the GST on dry dates from 12 per cent at present to five per cent as in the case of raisins and cashew nuts," said All India Dry Dates Association, President, Anil Mehra said today.

Dry dates are imported from Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Mehra said about 20 lakh bags (70 kg per bag) of dry dates are imported annually from the neighbouring country.

"Currently, the landed cost of dry dates stands at Rs 42 per kg and if the GST on this item is reduced, its cost will drop by Rs 3 per kg," Mehra said.

He pointed out that GST on raisins and cashew nuts was charged at 5 per cent.

The imported dry dates are supplied in various states including Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

(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.)
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Ayog on Thursday stressed that Uttar Pradesh was its topmost priority as it was key to the countrys economic development goals.
Sixty-eight Assembly seats will on Thursday go to the polls in a single phase in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP is determined to take power. Officials said everything was in place for a smooth conduct of the polling in 7,525 booths.

A total of 5.025 million electorate, including 1.9 million women and 14 transgenders, will decide the fate of 338 candidates including 19 women. The vote count will be held on December 18 along with those of Gujarat.

The CPI-M has fielded candidates on 14 seats while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which made its debut in the hill state in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, has preferred to stay away.



ALSO READ: Himachal Pradesh goes to polls today

Political observers say the contest between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is neck and neck as there is no clear wave in favour of any party.

It is literally a do-or-die battle for both the Chief Ministerial faces. Both are struggling for their political survival.

One is veteran Congress leader and incumbent Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 83, who is pushing hard to get to the helm for the seventh time.



The other is the BJP's Prem Kumar Dhumal, 73, who is making a strong bid to ensure the party's win with a record margin to silence his detractors within the party.

For almost two decades, both the parties in the state have fought almost every Assembly and Lok Sabha polls under their leadership.

"This time, Virbhadra Singh is fighting on two fronts -- one is to establish his son Vikramaditya Singh, who is contesting his maiden Assembly election, and the second is to ensure the party's repeat as he forced the Congress to announce him as the Chief Ministerial candidate despite all odds," a political observer told IANS.



For Dhumal, it's simply the battle for "self-survival" after facing a humiliating defeat in the 2012 Assembly polls. Since then, he was almost marginalised by the BJP faction led by Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

After thwarting foes within, Virbhadra Singh donned the battle gear much ahead of his arch-rival Dhumal, whose name was cleared by the BJP as its Chief Ministerial candidate just days earlier.

Interestingly, both Virbhadra Singh and Dhumal are seeking re-election from new seats and that is not going to be easy for them.



The Congress leader is in the fray from Arki in Solan district, a BJP pocket borough that he chose himself. Dhumal is contesting from Sujanpur, the seat he was asked to contest from.

Virbhadra Singh, who knew the Assembly poll was a vote on the performance of his five-year-old government, single-handedly toured the state aggressively.

In the campaigning, Virbhadra Singh, popularly known as 'Raja Saab' as he was born into the erstwhile princely state of Bushahr, had no qualms about folding his hands and bowing his head before commoners when it came to seeking votes.



Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi held only three election meetings on a single day just a day before the campaigning ended.

But the BJP, desperate to win, lined up its entire top leadership in the campaigning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent three days in campaigning. So did BJP President Amit Shah and Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda, Smriti Irani and Thaawar Chand Gehlot.



Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also campaigned to woo the electorate.

From the Congress, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who is known for his "royal ways" owing to his erstwhile Patiala royalty and related to 'Raja Saab', campaigned in the state for two days.
With a Rs 2.11-lakh crore capital infusion plan in hand, top executives of (PSBs) will brainstorm with officials and experts at Gurugram over the weekend about governance issues, experience with insolvency cases, recoveries and credit demand revival.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh met the senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, here today. The officers are posted in various Central ministries of the Union Government in the National Capital.

While interacting with the officers, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Government led by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi accords high priority to the peripheral states and it has taken various initiatives for the development of these regions. He further said that this meeting is also an initiative of the Prime Minister and the purpose of this meeting is to provide a platform to the officers of the same state and give them an opportunity to share their views and experiences to expedite the various development projects in Jammu and Kashmir. He further said that this will help the officers in implementing the Central Government schemes in a much better manner for their state as they have the ground experiences of working there for a long time. Similarly, this initiative will motivate the J&K Government officials to work for the development of state in a more pro-active manner, he added.

During the meeting, various issues were discussed such as Prime Ministers scholarship scheme for students, connectivity issues including physical, broadband & aviation connectivity, intra-state and inter-state connectivity, setting up of India Institute of Management (IIM) in Jammu, renovation & upgradation of stadia, among others. The connectivity will help in boosting trade and commerce related activities in the state and thus create employment for people. The officers emphasized that there is a need to make more use of information technology in offices functioning in Jammu and Kashmir e.g. e-filing system in the offices. The officers also said that various initiatives of the Government have influenced the state in a great manner, demonetization being one of them.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the officers from J&K should sit together and discuss how best the Jammu & Kashmir Government can be benefitted from their experience of working in the Central Government.

The Minister emphasized upon the synergy between the officers posted in Delhi and the officers posted in Jammu & Kashmir. Both should supplement each others efforts, he added. He further emphasized that more youth-centric initiatives are required in the state to channelize the energies of youth in a right direction. He stressed upon the job creation for them based on skill development training as per their requirement and specific region.

The Minister said that the youth of J&K are very progressive and their potential should be explored. The Minister expressed happiness over the fact that many students from J&K are making to the IITs. Every year some students make it to toppers list of Civil Services Examination, he said. The Minister said that the construction of worlds largest railway bridge is on full swing over river Chenab. The Minister also highlighted various other initiatives taken by the Central Government such as self-attestation of documents and others.
Environment Ministry holds meeting to discuss situation arising out of Air Pollution Seven-member committee headed by Environment Secretary constituted to Monitor solutions

A seven-member committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been constituted to continuously monitor the short-term and long-term solutions to air pollution. The Committee will meet at regular, short intervals to draw up a plan and ensure enforcement. Other members of the committee include:

Secretary, Science & Technology;

Secretary, Department of Biotechnology;

Additional Secretary, Niti Aayog;

Chief Secretary, Delhi;

Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board and

Representative of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

Several other critical issues were deliberated upon at a meeting held in the Environment Ministry here today, to discuss and review the situation arising out of air pollution in Delhi and National Capital Region. Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Shri C. K Mishra, held a meeting with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) to assess the current situation of air quality and work out the future course of action.

Chairman, EPCA, Shri Bhure Lal, Member, EPCA, Ms. Sunita Narain and officers of MoEF&CC were among those who attended the meeting.

A decision was taken at the meeting to request respective State Governments to fully implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) including control of road and construction dust, garbage burning, control of power plants and industrial emissions, entry of vehicles and several other related factors. It was also decided to ensure that apart from other directions, closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants, stone crushers, intensification of public transport, sprinkling of water and mechanised sweeping of roads, ban on construction, ban on use of pet coke and furnace oil should be fully implemented and respective implementing agencies held accountable. CPCB has been asked to continuously monitor the situation.

As meteorological conditions have been a major factor for the current situation, the issues likely to impact it were also discussed at the meeting. It was also decided to ensure that the directions issued by the MoEF&CC/CPCB/EPCA are implemented by all the concerned agencies and the hotspots are visited regularly to assess the situation.
Prime Minister of India & Prime Minister of Bangladesh Jointly along with Chief Minister, West Bengal Flag off New Cross-Border Train between India & Bangladesh, Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express? from Kolkata through Video Confencing Two Rail Bridges in Bangladesh and International Rail Passenger Terminus at Kolkata Station also Inaugurated

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh & the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, in an historical event today flagged off Cross Border Train between India & Bangladesh, the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express through video conference from Kolkata station. The leaders unveiled jointly an e-plaque to inaugurate the following:

(i) Second Bharirab & Titas Railway Bridges in Bangladesh,

(ii) International Rail Passenger Terminus with End-to-End Immigration and Customs Clearance Facilities (for the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express) at Kolkata station.

Shri Sudip Bandyopadhya, Member of Parliament & Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, Smt. Mala Saha, MLA, Shri Harindra Rao, General Manager, Eastern Railway, Mr. Toufique Hassan, Dy. High Commissioner, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Kolkata were also present to grace the occasion at Kolkata station.

In his address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that the close connection and understanding between two countries requires connectivity between the people across the border and Maitree Express and Bandhan Express trains will further add to connectivity between India and Bangladesh and strengthen and strengthen our bonding. He underlined the fact that India has emerged as the most trusted partner of Bangladesh by undertaking and completing a series of developmental projects in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, lauded the initiative and expressed hope that there would be more such initiatives for increasing rail link & connectivity between the two countries. She also highlighted the fact that it would result in reducing the journey time for the passengers of Maitree and Bandhan Express trains with the introduction of International Passenger Rail Terminus with End-to-End Immigration and Customs Clearance Facilities.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said that this new Passenger Train link between Kolkata & Khulna will strengthen the ties between two countries. She expressed happiness on introduction of the new train between the two countries & recollected the traditional bonding with Bangladesh.

The Bandhan Express train is the second train to be flagged off after the introduction of Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment stations in April, 2008. It covers the distance between Kolkata and Khulna through Petrapole & Benapole route to cater to the demands of the people from both the countries to enhance the connectivity.

The Bandhan Express will be a weekly service on every Thursday.

The Kolkata - Khulna Bandhan Express (13129 Up) will depart from Kolkata at 07.10 hrs.(IST) and arrives at Khulna at 12:30 hrs.(BST) on the return journey the Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express ( 13130 Down) will depart from Khulna at 13.30 hrs. (BST) and arrive at Kolkata at 18.10 hrs.(IST) on the same day. The immigration and Customs checks will take place at Kolkata International Passenger Terminal for the Indian side and at Benapol border station for Bangladesh side.

The journey time of Maitree Express from Kolkata to Dhaka will be 08 hrs.25mts while from Dhaka to Kolkata it will take 08 hrs.15mts. The journey time would be reduced by 2 hours. It will depart from Kolkata at 7.10 hrs.(IST) (on Mon, Tue, Fri & Sat) and arrive at Dhaka at 16.05 hrs.(BST) instead of earlier arrival at Dhaka at 18.05 hrs.(BST). On the return journey it will depart from Dhaka at 08.15 hrs.(BST) (on Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun) instead of earlier departure from Dhaka at 08.10 hrs. (BST) and arrive at Kolkata at 16.00 hrs.(IST) instead of earlier arrival at Kolkata at 18.10 hrs.(IST).

In order to reduce the en-route journey time of the passengers of the existing Kolkata  Dhaka Cantt. Maitree Express and newly introduced Kolkata  Khulna Bandhan Express, Ministry of Railways, with the coordination of Department of Immigration & Customs has opened an International Rail Passenger Terminus at Kolkata station with proper infrastructure and facilities of end-to-end immigration. With this new facility at Kolkata Terminal, the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express will be immensely benefitted.

The second Bhairab Bridge and Titas Bridge in Bangladesh built under the assistance of Government of India are two of the most important projects in Bangladesh for infrastructure and rolling stock development. The one kilometer long second Bhairab Railway Bridge was built over the mighty Meghna river at a cost of around USD 75 millions by Indian contractors and consultants. Similarly, the Titas bridge over river Titas in Eastern Bangladesh was built with a cost of around USD 25 million. Both these bridges are on the main Chittagong to Dhaka Trunk Rail Line which will help in faster movement of both passenger and freight trains of Bangladesh.

Following is the text of the Prime Ministers address on the occasion: ?? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??, ?? ??????? ?????????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???????, ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????????? ?? ?? festival season ?? ?????????? ???? ???? ???? ????????? ?? ?? video conference ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ?????????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ????? ?? leaders ?? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?????, visits ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? protocol ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ???? South Asia Satellite ?? launch ?? ??? ??? ?????? video conference ?? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?? Petrapole ICP ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ?? ?? ????? connectivity ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????????? projects ?? ??????? ???? video conference ?? ?????? ?? ????? Connectivity ?? ???? ?????????? ???? ?? ????? people-to-people connectivity. ?? ?? international passenger terminus ?? ??????? ?? ???????-???? ?????? express ?? ?? ???? ??? ???????-????? ???? express ?? ????????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ? ????? customs ?? immigration ??? ????? ????, ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?? 3 ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????, ?? ????? rail ???????? ?? ??? ?? ????? shared vision ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?? connectivity ?? ??? ???? ???, ?? ???? ????? ???? pre-1965 connectivity ???? ???? ?? vision ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???-??-??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? rail ????? ?? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???? 100 million dollars ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? rail network ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ?? ????? 8 billion dollars ?? concessional (????-???) finance ?? commitment ?? ??????? projects ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? Development ?? Connectivity ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???, ?? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? links ???, ????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????????? ?? ????? ?? ???, ?????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ?? ????-???? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??????, ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???????????? ??? ????? ?? ??, ?? ??????????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????????
The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju has said that India need to prepare itself for moving towards Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) from an approach of traditional Disaster Management. He emphasised that Disaster Mitigation Strategy should be areas of priority for addressing Disaster Risk Management. Shri Rijiju was inaugurating the India Disaster Response Summit, organised jointly by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Facebook, here today on how best to leverage social media platforms to 'prepare, respond and recover' for, during and after a disaster. .

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Calling it a great example of execution on the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis ten-point agenda on Disaster Management, which has clearly listed harnessing technological innovations to create a culture of disaster resilience in the country, Shri Rijiju said, the world is moving towards partnerships, where people are proactively partnering with the Government in responding to disasters. This partnership is a benchmark and first of its kind we are the first Government to partner with Facebook on disaster response, he added. Shri Rijiju also invited other technology companies to create tailored solutions for disaster-related challenges. .

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Shri Rijiju said that reaching out to the people and communities is the primary responsibility of all stakeholders and efforts should be to make people aware, informed and to guide them during emergency situations. He urged community groups and stakeholders to find innovative ways to inform people on time in scenarios of Disaster Management. He said the efficacy of Disaster Management requires a well defined guideline and the role of media is vital when disaster strikes and even in executing rescue and relief operations. He exhorted the communities to come forward with new techniques of sharing information on real time basis for better handling of situation at disaster scenario. Technology can be leveraged in providing a quick response and information to people at time of need, he added. .

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Shri Rijiju said collaboration with various stakeholders including NGOs and private players could provide the necessary base for response with a vision towards Capacity Building to handle disaster risk situation for addressing emergency rescue situations. He said that Government will act as facilitator towards information and communication among various stakeholders by helping evolve new modes of communication for better contact between the Government and the People. .

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Shri Rijiju said that social media affects everybodys life and common sources of communication through social media has played a vital role in day-to-day information communication, which needs to be leveraged in proper direction. Mentioning about earthquake resistant technologies adopted by foreign countries, he said that efforts should be in the direction of better planning towards evolving technology in line with better communication tools for disaster response planning. .

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Speaking on the occasion, Shri R. K. Jain, Member, NDMA, said, the NDMA is proactively using social media for awareness generation. This collaboration is a milestone towards integrating social media with disaster response activities. He hoped this partnership will open new avenues for using mobile technology in disaster situations. .

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Later participating during a panel discussion on the need for effective data analysis and tools, Shri Kamal Kishore, Member, NDMA, said, social media can help shape a future where, on the one hand, vulnerable communities become increasingly self-reliant and on the other hand, Government agencies have more powerful tools to get real-time feedback and reach out to people whom they seek to serve. .

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Introducing the Disaster Information Volunteers (DIV) programme, wherein a network of trained volunteers would provide supplementary information on disasters in their local communities to assist Government relief efforts through the Facebook Workplace platform, Facebook Head (Policy Programmes) for South Asia, Shri Ritesh Mehta said we are aiming to empower communities by building products that connect people and create positive social impact. The programme will be piloted in two disaster prone states - Assam and Uttarakhand, he added. Facebook will now share its disaster maps, developed using aggregated, de-identified data, with NDMA. These maps can aid swift disaster response by providing real-time, actionable information. .

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Senior officials of MHA, NDMA, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Central Government Departments, representatives of Facebook and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) attended the event. .

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If the 2016 presidential election reflected a primal roar from disaffected white working class voters that delivered for President Trump and Republicans, Tuesdays results showed the potential of a rising coalition of women, minorities, and gay and transgender people who are solidly aligning with Democrats.
China, a rising power, has demonstrated its ambition to fill a leadership void left by a US retreat from global priorities, a top American economist has said, underlining that the is being challenged by "Beijing Consensus".

Lawrence H Summers, a former chief economist of the World Bank and ex-US Treasury Secretary, said that 25 years ago a third of the world lived in poverty, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the American model of market-led globalisation was widely regarded as the right mechanism to promote global development.

"Today, fewer people around the world live in extreme poverty, but the is being challenged by the Beijing Consensus, he said in his keynote address at the Center for Global Developments annual Global Development Changemaker Dinner.

The is a set of neoliberal economic policy prescriptions made by the Washington, D.C.based institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and the US Treasury Department to developing countries that faced economic crises. The term was first used in 1989 by English economist John Williamson.

With President Donald Trump visiting China, Summers addressed the changing power dynamics among key global leaders and discussed rethinking global development f r the 21st Century.

"China is a rising power, and has demonstrated its ambition to fill a leadership void left by a US retreat from global priorities and an America First brand of politics, said Summers, who served as the Treasury Secretary under former president Barack Obama.

Summers emphasised that while US Treasury has said that the World Bank, in which the US is dominant, should scale back its scope, the new China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank - of which the US is not a member is expanding rapidly, pursuing billions of dollars of investments in the developing world.

"And as the US plans to scale back its global economic engagement, China is doing the opposite recently going from an aid recipient to a net aid donor," the former treasury secretary said.

"In the past, if you were to discuss rich countries' commitment to helping poor countries, that conversation would have focused on foreign aid. But today, effective global development strategy is about so much more than just aid, he said.

The policies and programmes of governments across a range of areas including migration, climate change, trade and technology policy wield enormous influence on global progress, he said, underlining that domestic decisions made in a handful of wealthy countries can have an outsized impact on the developing world.

"What the US, Germany and Japan decide to do can lift millions of people out of poverty or not, he added.

"And effectively promoting global development is about not just policies but about actions as well, Summers said.

On the Paradise Papers leak, he said, it shows how disharmonious tax regimes can deprive already-starved governments of needed resources.

"These are solvable problems, but they take political will, domestic policy change, and global cooperation. Only one wont work, Summers said.
Priti Patel, Britain's overseas development secretary, resigned late on Wednesday after meeting Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street.

May had ordered Patel to cut short an official visit to Africa and return to London following reports she had held unauthorized meetings with Israeli officials, XInhua reported.

Her resignation was the second major blow within days for May following the resignation of the defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon in the so-called "sex pest" scandal that has currently engulfed British .

The fate of May's deputy, First Secretary Damian Green, has yet to be decided with an ongoing investigation into allegations made against him which he denies.

May has also faced calls this week from the main opposition Labor Party to fire Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over his handling of a case involving a British-Iranian national, jailed for allegedly spying in Iran.

Political commentators in London say the troubles surrounding May's front bench team could not have happened at a worst time. She heads a minority government with opinion divided in her own party over Britain's future relationship with the European Union.

Patel, seen as a rising star in Conservative and a future leader, caused anger at Westminster over a series of unauthorized meetings with officials of the Israeli government, including a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Before leaving on a three-day official visit to Uganda, Patel apologized to May and was reprimanded and reminded of protocols for such meetings with foreign officials.

During the last 24 hours, more information emerged about further unauthorized meetings Patel had been held, and her fate appeared to have been sealed.

It emerged that Patel had visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights even though Britain has never recognized Israeli control of the area seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to be questioned by police on Thursday in connection with two separate investigations into alleged corruption, media reports said.

Police refused to confirm the reports. Netanyahu has already been questioned by police four times as part of the investigations.

Netanyahu is suspected to have received luxury gifts from wealthy supporters, including Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, a longtime friend who reportedly sent boxes of expensive cigars and other items with a value of tens of thousands of dollars.

Milchan was again questioned in September.

The second affair over which Netanyahu has faced police questioning involves suspicions he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot.

The alleged deal, not believed to have been finalised, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.

Earlier in the week, Netanyahu confidants Yitzhak Molcho and David Shimron, partners in a law firm and both relatives of the premier, were questioned by police as part of a probe into suspected corruption around the purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu himself has not been named as a suspect in the submarine case.

(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.)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on wide-ranging issues, including North Korea's nuclear programme and trade ties.

The two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for talks following the US president's glitzy royal welcome in the Chinese capital. Trump said he and his counterpart believed that the North Korean crisis can be solved.

"Our meeting this morning... was excellent in discussing North Korea and I do believe there is a solution to that, as you do," Trump said.

China is the crucial stop in Trump's five-nation tour of Asia.

Earlier during the trip, Trump had asked North Korea to make a deal to end its nuclear weapons programme, while also warning it against further provocation against the US and the world.

He also urged China to sever ties with Pyongyang and reiterated calls for Beijing to ramp up pressure. China has maintained it is doing all it can and insists it is fully enforcing UN sanctions.

The two leaders also discussed China's huge trade surplus with the US.

"We will make it fair and it will be tremendous for both of us," Trump said.

US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated $648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lion's share with about $478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at $169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

Trump is being accorded a 'state welcome plus' by China after his arrival here on a three-day visit yesterday.

He was received this morning by Xi at the Great Hall of the People after which the two leaders attended welcome ceremony, telecast live.

Chinese troops from all the three services presented a guard of honour with a 21-gun salute.

Earlier, the two leaders introduced their official delegation to each other. Trump also introduced his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Xi.

Trump is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and attend a reception followed by a state dinner and cultural performances.

Xi, who has been described by Trump as 'King of China' after the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in its once- in-a-five-year Congress conferred him a second five-year term, also hosted Trump and his wife Melania at China's 15th century Forbidden City.

During his reception to Trump yesterday, Xi said he believed Trump's state visit to China would achieve "positive and important" results.

Since Trump took office in January, the two leaders have maintained close contact. They already have had two face-to- face meetings and eight phone conversations.
In the summer of 2013, I led a briefing with Attorney General Eric Holder on the F.B.I.s research on active-shooter incidents in the United States. Our meeting took place just months after a gunman massacred six adults and 20 children at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
Oil prices rose nearly 1 per cent on Thursday, supported by supply cuts by major exporters as well as continuing concern about political developments in Saudi Arabia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump will meet on Friday in Vietnam, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies today.

The meeting "will be on November 10," but the exact time is being decided, Ushakov told the official TASS agency.

Both leaders will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang.

The pair last met at the G20 summit in Germany in July.

On Sunday Trump said he thinks "it's expected we'll meet with Putin" to discuss North Korea.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have plummeted as a US probe has accused Trump's former campaign aides of secretly meeting Kremlin-connected officials.

Russia has vehemently denied allegations of interfering in the US election last year that brought Trump to power.

(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.)
on Thursday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible", days after Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation while visiting the kingdom.

A foreign ministry source, quoted by state news agency SPA, also called on Saudis not to travel to Lebanon because of "the situation" in the country, without elaborating.

(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.)
Yemen is facing a mass famine that will affect millions of lives unless the Saudi-led coalition ends its blockade and allows aid deliveries into the country, the UN aid chief warned.

Mark Lowcock, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, warned "it will be the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims."



The UN official spoke to reporters after briefing the UN Security Council during a closed-door session on the crisis in Yemen, where the coalition has been waging a military campaign against Huthi rebels since March 2015.

The council demanded that the Saudi-led coalition keep Yemen's air and sea ports open to aid deliveries in a country where seven million people are already at risk of famine.

Council members expressed concern about the "dire humanitarian situation in Yemen" and stressed "the importance of keeping all of Yemen's ports and airports functioning," Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, who holds the council presidency, told reporters after the meeting.

The coalition shut down Yemen's borders in response to a missile attack by Yemen's Huthi rebels that was intercepted near the Riyadh airport.

But the United Nations, which had already listed Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, responded to the decision with dismay, warning that the situation was already "catastrophic" in the country.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir by phone yesterday and received some "indication that they will be examining the reopening of entry points into Yemen," said Cardi.

Some 17 million Yemenis are in desperate need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine and cholera has caused more than 2,000 deaths.

On Tuesday, a Red Cross shipment of chlorine tablets, which are used for the prevention of cholera, was blocked at Yemen's northern border, the Committee for the Red Cross said.

The UN aid chief said humanitarian flights must be allowed to resume to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and to the government-controlled city of Aden.

He called for "immediate access to all sea ports" for deliveries of fuel, food and other vital supplies -- as well as assurances from the coalition that there will be no further disruption.

"What we need to see is a reduction of blockages on all sides, not an increase in them," said Lowcock.

The Saudi-led Arab military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after the Huthis forced him into exile.

The Arab world's poorest country, Yemen is almost totally dependent on imports for food, fuel and medicine.

UN aid agencies and other relief organizations have said the border closures have led to a surge in prices of many goods.

French medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Wednesday that the coalition had denied clearance for its flights for the past three days, directly hindering its ability to provide life-saving aid.

The war has had a heavy toll on civilians, killing thousands and destroying the already weak health system.
US President Trump heaped praise on President of China on Thursday, saying he was confident China would help defuse the threat from North Korea and reduce its trade deficits with the United States, which he blamed on his own predecessors, not the Chinese.
Priti Patel has been forced to resign as secretary of state for development. The move followed days of speculation and revelations in the wake of an apparently undisclosed meeting with the prime minister of Israel, during a holiday in the country. She also attended several other off-the-books meetings on the trip. The meetings, apparently held without the knowledge of Downing Street or the Foreign Office, have projected an image to the world of an uncoordinated British policy.
As a deputy assistant secretary for policy and economic development in the Department of the Interiors Bureau of Indian Affairs, oversees a small program that guarantees loans for Indian businesses. His expertise in the areas of law, finance and economic development are a valuable asset, noted Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke in a statement announcing the appointment, which took effect on June 11 and didnt require Senate confirmation.
At least 24 people have died and 67 others injured after a bus fell into a ravine near Dhoke Pathan village in Pakistan on Wednesday night.

"The bus was on its way to Raiwind from Kohat and the passengers were going to Raiwind to attend the annual religious congregation," the Dawn quoted the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station Muhammad Afzal as saying.

SHO Afzal confirming the caualities said all the passengers belonged to Kohat area.

Some of the passengers were taken to Rawalpindi as their condition was remained critical.

According to the SHO Afzal, the original route for the bus was Raiwind via Islamabad-Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route.

"The motorway is closed after 10 p m due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway. That's why the driver opted to go through GT Road," he said.

"The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was running the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least three police personnel have died and eight others injured after their convoy was targetted in a bomb attack in Quetta on Thursday.

According to the Geo news, the Quetta SSP operations said, three police officials were killed after their convoy was attacked.

The injured were rushed to Combined Military Hospital and Civil Hospital for treatment. However, the condition of two police officials remained critical.

Police has cordoned off the area and further investigating the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
August 22, 2022, Monday

Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai said that there will be pro and anti-beliefs and arguments on noted personalities, but it must ...
With an aim to end hunger in the state by 2030, Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is leaving no stone unturned to give a facelift to agriculture sector in AP.

Given that Andhra Pradesh is an agrarian state where approximately 62 percent people are dependent on agriculture and allied activities, AP has initiated lot of reforms in the sector.

As a result, in the first quarter of 2017-18, Andhra Pradesh has achieved a growth rate of 26.7 percent in agriculture and allied sectors.

Even during the Chief Minister's recent US tour, agriculture remained the prime focus as he participated in internationally renowned World Food Prize-2017 awards ceremony and met top agricultural scientists, food experts, and representatives from top seed and agro companies.

AP is leveraging latest technologies in the areas of seed quality, climate and soil management, crop genetics and farm productivity.

In continuing to encourage the use of latest technologies and implement best practices available in agriculture across the globe, Andhra Pradesh Government is hosting AP AgTech Summit-2017 in Visakhapatnam on 15-17 November 2017 in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalberg Advisors and Confederation of Indian Industry.

The summit will bring together over 1500 global leaders including business heads, start-up founders, leading policymakers, and technology experts to discuss innovative ideas for agricultural transformation in the state. Chief Guests at the event will be the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri N.Chandrababu Naidu, and the Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.

As part of the event, the government is also organising the Progressive Farmer-Smart Farming pitch competition to identify technology-based solutions that solve agricultural challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in AP. The winners will get an opportunity to sign a MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to roll out their solution in the state.

In the view of this global event and AP's efforts to technologically reform the agriculture sector, we need your support and cooperation to make this event a huge success.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Candle making industry in Tripura is generating employment opportunities for women, who are in turn contributing towards the upliftment of their families and the society at large.

Skill and entrepreneurship development in India's Northeast region over the recent years is helping the states, progress.

Tripura is fast becoming a business hub of many such entrepreneurial activities.

Candle making business in the state has opened new avenues for the state's women and helping boost the local economy. Many businessmen in the state are running candle production units and have employed several others.

"Eight to ten people work here every day and all those engaged in manufacturing are women. They, after completing their household chores, work here and earn well. Since there aren't many power cuts in the region, so the demand of candles is mainly for worshiping purposes," said the owner of a candle production unit Tapan Saha.

Tapan Saha added that the highest demand for candles comes during the time of 'Kali Puja.'

Meanwhile, the women workers say that once they finish their household chores, they did not have much to do and that this way they could earn extra bucks for their families.

"For the last 17 years I am working in this field and it is in addition to my husband's income. This helps with my family expenses, including the education of my children," exclaimed a candle worker Sampa Paul.

Most of the workers are not professionally trained but are working hard to thrive towards attaining excellence in their work.

This is also promoting Prime Minister's Skill India campaign which is thriving to train over 40 crore (400 million) people in India in different skills by 2022. It includes various initiatives of the government like " Skill Development Mission", " Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015", "Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)" and the "Skill Loan scheme".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior doctor on Thursday clarified that the medical reports of Bhopal gang-rape victim stating that she indulged in consensual sex with culprits was incorrect and has been rectified.

Doctor Karan Peepre, Superintendent of Sultania Women Hospital said the erroneous report was work of a new comer.

The medical reports of Bhopal gang-rape victim allegedly stated that she indulged in consensual sex with the accused.

Speaking to ANI, Dr. Peepre, said, "It was a mistake by a newcomer and now report has been rectified and issued again."

Assuring that such mistake would not be repeated, Peepre said, "It has also been directed that a senior woman doctor or her team will assist in the internal and external inquiry of such sensitive cases."

When asked as whether the report was made under some pressure, Peepre said that his medical department never works under anyone's pressure and added, "They are very learned and experienced people."

On Thursday, the 19-year-old civil services aspirant was abducted by four men and allegedly gang-raped near the Habibganj Railway Station in Bhopal.

All the four accused have been arrested.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached black money worth Rs 9,000 crore after demonetisation.

The department has also registered 3,700 cases under FEMA (The Foreign Exchange Management Act) and PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) and taken action against 1,000 shell companies.

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to demonetise Rs 500 and 1,000 banknotes.

Among the main objectives of demonetisation was the flushing out of black money and also the conversion of the non-formal economy into a formal economy to expand the tax base.

The FEMA is a civil law and the ED is empowered to conduct investigations into suspected contraventions of the foreign exchange laws and regulations, adjudicate, contraventions, and impose penalties on those adjudged to have contravened the law.

Under the PMLA, which is a criminal law, the ED is empowered to conduct investigations to trace assets derived out of the proceeds of crime, to provisionally attach/ confiscate the same, and to arrest and prosecute the offenders found to be involved in money laundering.

According to government data, as on August 31, there was a quantum jump in enforcement actions based on demonetisation data.

"There was 158 per cent increase in searches from 447 to 1,152 groups. Seizures increased from Rs 712 crore to Rs 1,469 crore. There was an increase of 38 per cent in the admission of undisclosed income- from Rs 11,226 crore to Rs 1,54,96 crore," said the government.

The Income Tax Department launched 'Operation Clean Money' (OCM) on January 31, 2017 to analyse the data of the persons who deposited large sums of cash and whose returns of income were not in sync with such deposits.

As per government data, 18,00,000 suspect cases were identified through use of data analytics where cash transactions did not appear to be in line with the tax profile of depositors in the first phase of OCM.

The government also says that demonetisation has widened the tax-base.

"The number of e-returns of Individual taxpayers filed till 5th August, 2017 (due date of filing) increased to 2.79 crore from 2.22 crore returns filed during the corresponding period of last year, registering an increase of about 57,00,000 returns (25.3%)," says the government.

According to the government, direct tax collections also registered quantum leap.

"Collection of advance tax under personal income tax (i.e. other than Corporate Tax) as on 05.08.2017 showed a growth of about 41.79% over the corresponding period in F.Y. 2016-2017. Collection of self-assessment tax under personal income tax showed a growth of 34.25 per cent over the corresponding period in F.Y. 2016-2017."

November 8 was the first anniversary of the demonetisation.

While the Congress and other opposition parties observed November 8, 2017 as 'black day' across the country to oppose demonetisation, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated it as anti-black money day.
Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn has expressed worries about the potential legal exposure of his son, Michael Flynn Jr., who, like his father, is under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller.

The special counsel is looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election campaign.

Interviews conducted by special counsel investigators have included questions about the business dealings of Flynn and his son, reported CNN.

Flynn Jr., who served as his father's chief of staff and top aide, was active in his father's consulting and lobbying work at their firm, Flynn Intel Group.

Flynn's business dealings have been the subject of federal investigation since November 2016.

Flynn is also under legal scrutiny by Mueller's team for undisclosed lobbying that he did during the presidential campaign on behalf of the Turkish Government, CNN reported.

Former Trump campaign officials Paul Manafort and Rick Gates already face charges relating to their undisclosed foreign lobbying, for Ukraine.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has interviewed several White House former and current officials, including former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and ex-White House press secretary Sean Spicer, according to the reports.

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At least four people were killed after a corner section of a nine-storey residential building collapsed in Russia's Izhevsk city.

According to Russian media reports, the collapse was due to domestic gas explosion.

Tass news agency quoted Deputy Director of the National Guard in the region, Nikolay Merzlyakov, as saying that the bodies of four people have been recovered from under the rubble.

The rescue operation was underway as more people could to be trapped under the rubble.

Four people were also injured in the incident.

More than 30 apartments have been affected by the collapse, said an official.

Izhevsk Mayor Yury Tyurin said that nearly 130 residents of the building, including 20 children, have been evacuated and they will be taken to temporary shelters.

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Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the killing of a Pakistan diplomat, Nara Iqbal, in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province and has ordered a probe into it.

According to the statement of the Office of the President, ARG Palace, "The Afghan government considers the attack and murder of a Pakistani diplomat in Nangahrar province a terrorist act and against all diplomatic principles," reported Khaama Press.

The government has instructed all the security officials to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident and introduce the perpetrators to the judiciary institutions, the statement added.

According to the reports, Iqbal, who worked in the consulate's visa section, was shot on Monday evening by two armed individuals who opened fire on him while he was out shopping.

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Traders, shopkeepers and various other people representing the working class of the Gilgit-Baltistan went on a complete shutdown against the Pakistan's immoral and unlawful imposition of taxes on people of the region.

The region, which has been given a step-motherly treatment by Islamabad, has been looted through the hefty taxes levied by the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan.

This has evoked widespread resentment against the Pakistani authorities who otherwise have not done anything in the welfare of the people of the region.

Masood Ahmad, a trader based in Gilgit, said, "Whatever business we do, tax is imposed on it. Be it transaction tax, withholding tax or crosscheck tax,; a number of taxes are being imposed on us that it has really become difficult to work for us. We cannot do any work. Due to these taxes, the poor people get affected. If we increase ten rupees of the shopkeeper, then they in turn increase it to twenty thus the poor people gets affected. We want that tax should not be imposed on the poor public."

Pakistan has consistently maintained its oppressive attitude towards people of the region and have even ignored their basic demands.

Pakistan's tacit policy has been to ignore the genuine interests of the region and never allow true democracy to thrive in the region.

Media, which has been working in collusion with Islamabad has muffled the issues of locals which has only emboldened Islamabad to further exploit the region through its draconian laws and policies.

Law fraternity believes that Pakistan has no right over the region to collect taxes.

Muzzafaradin, General Secretary, High Court Bar Association, "This 'Shutter down' strike announced by the traders, we are in full support with them because public has already been made aware about this issue and lawyers have been campaigning for a long time that there will be no illegal tax imposed in Gilgit Baltistan because we are not given the legal status , hence we will support traders' fraternity. It is the issue of our public and our region."

Islambad's growing apathy towards the region and adoption of high handed measures to suppress reasonable voices of the region is a major concern today.

People of Gilgit-Baltistan have now become increasingly intolerant of the Pakistani occupation and they have intensified their ante against the authorities who have done nothing except plundering the resources.

Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and now under forceful occupation of Pakistan.

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal on Thursday said that he is confident of the party's victory with majority, in the ongoing Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

Dhumal told ANI, "We aimed to get 50 plus seats, but now that we are receiving so much support from all sections of the society, we expect it to cross 60."

Meanwhile, BJP MP from Hamirpur and Dhumal's son Anurag Thakur launched an attack on the Congress Party by saying that the party has looted the hill state.

"Time has come, people have made up their mind to get rid of the Congress, who have looted Himachal Pradesh. The state needs a senior leader like Dhumal ji to look at the affairs of the state, which is under the debt of more than Rs 50,000 crore," Thakur said.

Dhumal and Thakur have already cast their votes that begun at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m.

Speaking about the Chief Ministerial candidates, Congress leader and incumbent Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is fighting against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prem Kumar Dhumal, two-time Chief Minister of the state, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting 42 seats, followed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), which is contesting 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each, and the CPI contesting three seats.

The main focus of the BJP campaigning was the corruption, while the Congress hit out at the Opposition regarding the issues of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) and demonetisation.

A total of 50, 25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote and the polling will take place at 7,525 booths with EVMs and VVPAT.

The counting will be done on 18 December.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed the voters of Himachal Pradesh to step out of their houses and vote in large numbers in the state assembly elections.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter and said, "Today is a day of polling in God's land Himachal Pradesh. I appeal all the voters to participate in the celebrations of democracy and cast their votes in large numbers. Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in record numbers. (?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in recrod numbers.)"

?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in recrod numbers.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2017

The polling in Himachal Pradesh for all the 68 constituencies begun at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m.

Speaking about the Chief Ministerial candidates, Congress leader and incumbent Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is fighting against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prem Kumar Dhumal, two-time Chief Minister of the state, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting 42 seats, followed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), which is contesting 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each, and the CPI contesting three seats.

The main focus of the BJP campaigning was the corruption, while the Congress hit out at the Opposition regarding the issues of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) and demonetisation.

A total of 50, 25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote and the polling will take place at 7,525 booths with EVMs and VVPAT.

The counting will be done on 18 December.

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The Kulgam police on Thursday arrested terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen's Over Ground Worker (OGW) Showkat Ahmad Lone, on Thursday.

"HM Divisional Commander Riyaz Naikoo had given Showkat Ahmad the task of snatching weapons from security forces," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sridhar Patil told media.

One Pistol and four rounds were also seized.

"The moment the police got to know about it, we activated our sources and on that basis arrested OGW Showkat Ahmad Lone," SSP Patil he said.

"After living in Pakistan for about eighteen years, he came back to India," he added.

The OGW has been associated with HM for a long time, where the police say that the former has done a "lot of work" for the terrorist organisation.

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The Embassy of India on behalf of the Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, will host a Commonwealth Remembrance Day Service at the Westduin Cemetery in The Hague on November 12, 2017 to honour the sacrifices of Commonwealth forces in the First and Second Wars.

Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of The Netherlands Venu Rajamony will lay a wreath on the graves of the soldiers along with the Ambassadors of the other Commonwealth countries. The Ambassador will read the poem 'The Gift of India' by Indian poet Sarojini Naidu which speaks about the contribution of Indian soldiers in War I.

A special photo exhibition showcasing the contribution of Indian soldiers in War I will also be displayed by the Embassy of India at the Westduin cemetery after the service. The photo exhibition will be moved to the City Hall in The Hague and will be displayed at the Atrium from November 13th to November 17th.

The forces of undivided India played a significant part in both World wars Her 163,000 dead are buried and commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in war cemeteries in 60 countries.

The Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee organises the Remembrance Day ceremony annually and different embassies host the event in turns. The event also pays tribute to The Stijkel Groep, a group named after Hans Stijkel, leader of a group of individuals actively involved in Dutch resistance to German occupation during the Second World War, after the invasion of the Netherlands on 10 May 1940.

The Westduin Cemetery in The Hague contains 87 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, majority of whom are airmen. Memorial stones in honour of The Stijkel group have also been erected at the cemetery.

There is a total of four Commonwealth cemeteries in The Hague. The Hague General Cemetery at Kerhoflaan and The Hague Roman Catholic Cemetery contain war graves of the First World War. The Hague (Westduin) Cemetery and The Hague (Oud Eik En Duinen) Cemetery contain war graves of the Second World War.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission set up the Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee in 1951 to express a join interest in the commemoration of the war dead of the Commonwealth and the Netherlands. The Commonwealth Graves Commission marks and maintains the graves of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars, maintains memorials to the dead whose graves are unknown and provides records of these 1.7 million burials and commemorations found in most countries throughout the world.

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It's a big day for actress Sonam Kapoor as today she has completed 10 years in films since her debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya' in 2007.

The 32-year-old actress thanked her fans for making her journey "so successful."

Since her debut, the actress has starred in movies like 'Neerja,' 'Aisha,' 'Khoobsurat,' and 'Delhi 6.'

Sonam, who is currently shooting for her upcoming flick 'Veere Di Wedding' in Bangkok, took to Instagram and put out posters of films that she has done so far starting from 'Saawariya' to 'Neerja.'

The pictures were captioned, "10 years and it's been one hell of a journey! I'm soo grateful for everything I have achieved! 10 years and counting..Can't believe it's been 10 years since my debut! I have learnt so many things, Gratitude , Patience , Acceptance, Perseverance, Love... Thank you all for making this journey so successful for me! 10 years and still learning everyday! ?? All these years would mean absolutely nothing if it wasn't for my fans and the way y'all supported me through thick and thin. Thank you so much for the love ?"

On the work front, her upcoming film 'Veere Di Wedding,' which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Tulsania, is all set to hit the theatres on May 18.

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The Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, after taking suo motu cognizance of media reports that on November 6, police personnel beat to death a young man in custody in Sangli, and burnt his body in order to destroy the evidence.

The DGP has been given four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter. The commission has also asked him to clarify why the police failed to inform about this custodial death despite the standing guidelines to report such incidents within 24 hours of the incident.

The commission observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, are disgusting, and added that law enforcing agencies are for the protection of the people.

Anyone who is a suspect of a crime, if taken into custody by police, is expected to be protected by his custodian. The gruesome act committed by the police personnel is the worst example of cruelty and lawlessness amounting to violation of right to life of the victim.

As per news report, one person was robbed of Rs. 2,000/- and his mobile phone at knife point, by two persons. Within 24 hours after the crime, the police arrested two suspects. Both of them were produced before the local court on November 6 and were remanded to police custody for three days.

On the night of November 6, both of them were reportedly taken from the lock up to the detection branch room where one of them was hung upside down from a ceiling fan, forcing his head in a bucket of water. He was, allegedly, beaten up so badly that he died in front of the other accused.

The body of the deceased and the other accused were then taken to the Civil Hospital and the doctors were reportedly told to give a favorable report.

As the doctors refused to toe their line, the policemen took Kothale's body along with the other accused to Ambaghat area in a private car.

On the morning of November 7, the other accused was kept at some spot near the Krishna River and the body of the deceased was set on fire at another spot by the police personnel by pouring kerosene. The body reportedly did not burn completely and they poured some petrol on it and burnt it again.

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The Pentagon officials have said that the investigation of the four U.S. soldiers killed in the ambush last month in Niger is likely to conclude in January.

The U.S. Army officials have contacted the family members of the four fallen soldiers "in order to provide a timeline on U.S. Africa Command's investigation into the incident," reported the Hill, quoting a statement from the U.S. Defence Department.

Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the U.S. Africa Command's chief of staff, is leading the investigation.

The team will be traveling to the areas in the U.S., Africa, and Europe to gather information, the statement added.

According to the reports, the group of U.S. soldiers and 30 Nigerien troops were ambushed coming back from a reconnaissance mission in the village.

The U.S. has approximately 800 troops in Niger and 6,000 conducting missions throughout Africa, the report said.

Once the investigation is completed, briefing the families of the fallen will be the department's first priority, read the statement.

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India's stand on talks with Pakistan remains unchanged, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

"Our stand remains unchanged. For the talks to go ahead there should be a conducive environment which has to be created - an environment has to be created which is free of terrorism and free of terrorists getting support from Pakistan," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Yesterday, a delegation of Pakistan Rangers led by Director General (Sindh Rangers) Major General Muhammad Saeed arrived in New Delhi for 44th Biannual DG-level talks.

Tensions have been running high between India and Pakistan since the Uri attack, with border skirmishes further aggravating the situation.

However, Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale, who was earlier the country's envoy to Pakistan, ruled out talks between the two countries unless Islamabad stops cross border terrorism.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Philippines on November 12 to attend the 15th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) India summit and the 12th East Asia Summit in Manila on November 14.

"This visit will be Prime Minister Modi's first official visit to Philippines and his fourth time participation in the annual ASEAN and East Asia summits," the secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Preeti Saran, said on Thursday.

Saran emphasised, "With this visit to Philippines, India would have undertaken visits at the highest level of our President, Vice-President and Prime Minister to all ASEAN countries in the last three years," adding, "This shows the importance the government of India attaches to its relation with the ASEAN region."

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, who is also the current chair of the ASEAN.

"It symbolises India's commitment to deepening the relationship with ASEAN member states, in particular, and with the Indo-Pacific region, in general, within the framework of our government's act east policy which was initiated by our Prime Minister at the India-ASEAN summit that was held in 2014," Saran added.

"The prime minister's visit takes place in a landmark year as we are celebrating 25 years of India-ASEAN dialogue partnership, 15 years of Summit level participation and five years of our strategic partnership with the ASEAN," she added.

The prime minister will also meet some of the other leaders, who are participating in the East Asia summit in Manila.

The MEA Secretary further mentioned that besides attending these two summits and the bilateral meetings with the leaders of the region, Prime Minister Modi would also participate in special celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.

The prime minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila, emphasising these meetings were important as they would further enhance India's trade and investment ties with ASEAN member states, which constitute a significant over 10 per cent of India's external trade.

"The ASEAN region, along with India together comprises a combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is 1/4th of the global population and a combined GDP of over 3.8 trillion dollars, creating one of the largest economic spaces in the world," Saran said.

"The investment from ASEAN in the last 17 years has been over 70 billion dollars, accounting for more than 17 per cent of our total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the Indian investment in ASEAN during the same period has been more than 40 billion dollars," she added.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines. He will also visit the international rice research institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

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The accused of the Pradyuman Thakur murder case confessed his crime in front of his father, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told a juvenile court.

Pradyuman was found dead inside the toilet of the Ryan International School, Gurugram, with his throat slit on September 8.

The cold-blooded murder case of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur took a new dimension on Wednesday after the CBI trashed the probe by the Gurugram Police and gave a clean chit to the bus conductor arrested with charges of murder and sexual assault in connection with the case, and arrested a juvenile.

The CBI then produced the accused juvenile, a class 11 student of the Ryan International School, Gurugram, before the Juvenile Justice Board and demanded his six-day custody.

The juvenile court, however, granted only three-day custody with a rider that the accused can only be questioned from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m. only.

ANI accessed the CBI remand copy, which it submitted before the Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday.

It says, "On the basis of minute inspection of crime, analysis of the CCTV footage and movements of the students near the scene of crime, and questioning of students, teachers and other staff of the school on 7.11.2017, the CBI has identified and apprehended juvenile in conflict with law at 2330 hours. He has admitted his involvement in committing the murder of Master Pradyuman Thakur on 08.09.2017 in ground floor boys washroom of Ryan International School, Gurugram in presence of his father, independent witnesses, welfare officer of the CBI."

The probe agency also told the juvenile court that the juvenile's father was informed about his son's arrest. The accused was also medically examined on November 8 at 0330 hours at the Safdarjung Hospital.

India's premiere probe agency has said the accused committed the crime in order to postpone the parents-teachers meeting and the exams.

Meanwhile, the victim's family has demanded that the juvenile student be tried as an adult and accordingly, be given a harsh punishment.

"The age of the arrested student falls in the category of 16 to 18. Therefore, there is an option with the board to try him as an adult. We demand a strict punishment for him, and we'll ensure he is tried as an adult and is hanged till death," Sushil Tekriwal, the advocate of Pradyuman's family, said on Wednesday during a press conference here.

The advocate, however, did not rule out the involvement of the school management in shielding the student.

"We still believe there is a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched on part of various people, including the student who has been arrested today. The CBI inquiry also indicates involvement of the Pinto family, and it has not ruled out that possibility," the advocate said, adding, "Wiping out all evidences could not have been possible without involvement of the top notches."

Varun Thakur, father of Pradyuman Thakur, said, "We request the CBI for further investigation and frame charges against everyone involved so that a strong message is conveyed and a criminal thinks twice before committing such a crime."

Earlier in the day, Pradyuman's mother also expressed agreement with the arrest, reasoning that the investigative agency must have found proof to apprehend the concerned student.

"If CBI has caught hold of that child then they must have had some evidence or proof. We have been saying this from the start that not only us, no one was able to digest the theory of the police," Sushma Thakur told ANI.

Thakur added she had faith in the CBI since the beginning and had therefore been demanding an inquiry by the agency into the case.

The CBI was handed over the case on September 22.

Meanwhile, Gurugram Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar on Thursday defended their investigation by saying that they handed over the case to the CBI at a very initial stage and it was not concluded that time.

The police commissioner said that they were not under pressure to save the culprit and asserted they made an "honest attempt to bring justice to the family".

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President Ram Nath Kovind launched the Bihar Krishi Road Map 2017-2022 in Patna on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said it was a moving and emotional experience for him to come to Bihar for the first time as President of India. He would always remember the regard and affection received from people of all sections and regions of the state during his tenure as the Governor of Bihar.

The President stated that the centenary year of the Champaran Satyagraha is being commemorated from April 2017. As such this was the best time to introduce the new 'Agricultural Road Map' in the interests of farmers. Mahatma Gandhi had emphasised through the Satyagraha that farmers are at the centre of Indian life and policy making. And this remains true even today.

The President said that the Government of Bihar had launched the first 'Agricultural Road Map' in 2008 after consulting farmers, agricultural scientists and other stakeholders.

The 2017 road map is the third. It provides comprehensive and coordinated plans for the development of agriculture. All concerned Departments have been directed to design their policies keeping the welfare of farmers in mind. This is a fundamental change. The President expressed confidence that the 3rd Agricultural Road Map' released today will further energise the agricultural sector's performance in Bihar and empower the farming community.

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Prince of Wales Charles Philip Arthur George, accompanied by Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles, paid tribute to the martyrs at Delhi's Amar Jawan Jyoti.

The Prince met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday and discussed a wide range of issues, including that of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will take place in April 2018 in the United Kingdom.

The royal couple is on a two-day visit to India.

The visit is part of their 10-day four nation tour to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and India.

This visit, the ninth of the Prince of Wales to India, is aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations.

India-U.K. trade is at USD 12.19 billion. India is also the third largest investor and the second largest international job creator in the U.K.

U.K. is the third largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of USD 24.37 billion for the period April 2000 - June 2017.

U.K. is the third largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of USD 24.37 billion for the period April 2000 - June 2017.

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Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking compensation for farmers for crop resident management, with a view to check stubble burning, one of the major contributors to the toxic smog currently enshrouding northern India.

Singh also requested the prime minister to convene a meeting of the chief ministers of the affected states along with the Union Ministers for Agriculture, Food and Environment on the issue.

Reiterating his earlier request, the chief minister sought a bonus of Rs. 100 per quintal as incentive to compensate the farmers to manage the crop residue scientifically, instead of burning paddy straw. He added that that the problem was essentially scientific and economic, and thus, could not be tackled through other means, including coercion.

Scientific management and disposal of paddy straw entails significant cost for the farmers and the cheaper and easy solution of burning the crop residue is 'naturally preferred', said Captain Amarinder, adding that there were no technical or biological systems for managing this farm operation that were economically attractive to the farmer.

Pointing out that the current pollution crisis was largely triggered by burning of paddy straw in the paddy-growing areas of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister called upon the prime minister to get the matter examined on priority and announce a compensation of cost management of crop residue at Rs. 100/- per quintal on wheat (above MSP), and later for paddy to incentivise the farmers to not burn their crop residue.

This could be released by way of Direct Benefit Transfer to farmers after due verification, he suggested in the letter.

Speaking to ANI, Captain Amarinder Singh said it was the third letter he had written to Prime Minister Modi on this issue.

On his request for providing compensation to farmers, he said the proposed move was essential as the Punjab Government was helpless in taking action alone unless the NGT or the Centre provided compensation.

He also refuted any possibly of a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying the issue of pollution crisis had "nothing to do with Mr. Kejriwal, as it is a much bigger issue involving all states contributing to pollution."

Kejriwal, in a Twitter interaction with the Punjab Chief Minister earlier in the day, had sought a meeting with him to discuss the issue of smog, to which the Punjab counterpart reasoned that the issue could only be solved by the Central Government.

The Delhi Chief Minister also stated that the Punjab Government should give subsidy on loans to farmers to tackle the issue.

"Mr. Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million tonne of paddy straw. Where do I ask the farmers to store it? So Mr. Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem," Singh said, in response.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on November 13 will hear a plea seeking quashing of the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as a special director of the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation).

Last Thursday, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)- Common Cause- filed the petition in the apex court and demanded to quash the appointment of Asthana.

The NGO said government's decision to appoint Asthana was "illegal" and "arbitrary".

The NGO claimed that the CBI was probing a matter in which the 56-year-old's name had appeared and demanded quashing of his appointment. It also urged the court to direct the government to produce the entire record relating to Asthana's selection and appointment as CBI Special Director.

On October 26, Central Vigilance Commissioner K. V. Chowdary said a committee headed by him unanimously cleared the elevation of Asthana as CBI special director.

According to Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE), the CVC-led committee recommends the names of officers for the appointment and extension of their term and following which the CBI director should be consulted by the committee before making any recommendation.

Asthana was earlier an IPS officer in Gujarat and has played important roles in his career and has been given important posts like the Special Investigation Team, which probed the Godhra Train Massacre in the year 2002. He has also served as the commissioner of the Police in Vadodra and Surat.

In his earlier stint, he also accused the Chief Minister of Bihar in the infamous fodder scam.

Asthana had also examined the case of Asaram Bapu and his son Narayan Sai. The absconding Narayan Sai was caught on the Haryana-Delhi border.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday tabled the judicial commission report related to solar scam case against former chief minister Oommen Chandy and others in Kerala Assembly.

According to the report, Chandy and his staff members - Tenny Joppen, Jikkumon Jacob and gunman Salim Raj - had allegedly helped the prime accused in the solar scam, Saritha S. Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan, cheat the clients.

It also states that then Home Minister T. Radhakrishnan made all efforts to ensure that Chandy is extricated from all the criminal liability.

The solar scam took place in 2013 when the United Democratic Front (UDF) government led by Chandy was in power.

On October 11, Vijayan directed an enquiry against Chandy and others in connection with the case.

The chief minister's directive came days after the Commission headed by Justice G. Sivarajan, which probed the multi-crore scam, submitted its final report to him.

The case relates to swindling of lakhs from several people by Sarith and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan after promising to set up solar panels.

They were business partners of Team Solar Renewable Energy Solutions Private Limited, a Kochi based firm.

They were arrested in October 2013 and in December 2016.

The Judicial Magistrate Court in Perumbavoor had sentenced the duo to three years in prison and a fine of Rs. 10,000 each.

During investigation, the former chief minister and some of his cabinet colleagues were accused of taking a huge sum of money as a part of the deal.

Chandy had deposed before the Commission in December 2016, saying that the charges against him were politically motivated.

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Three police officials, including an Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police were killed in a suspected suicide attack on Thursday morning in Quetta, Balochistan.

The Dawn quoted police sources, as saying that Additional Inspector General (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel and two others were killed, while four were injured.

Police sources further said that the blast was targeted at AIG Shakeel as he was leaving his residence and passing near the Chaman Housing Scheme in the city.

The injured are being treated at the Civil Hospital Quetta, where an emergency has been imposed.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri have strongly condemned the attack.

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The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Thursday announced that former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Professor Arvind Panagariya, and former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, have joined the organization as advisors to the Board of Directors.

Professor Panagariya will guide the board on economic development, international trade policy, and economic reforms in India.

Professor Panagariya was the founding Vice Chair of the National Institute for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the premier think tank for the Government of India. In this role, he worked extensively to promote Prime Minister Modi's priorities of prosperity for all. Professor Panagariya's expertise focuses on how industry can contribute meaningfully to this agenda.

"I am honoured to be able to serve this new organization, which is well positioned to bring about some of the most effective change. I look forward to working with USISPF's board, which is the best selection of leaders who are focused on U.S.-India relations. I believe we have the opportunity to contribute to the making of Prime Minister Modi's New India," said Professor Panagariya.

Ambassador Sibal joined the Indian Foreign Service in July 1966, eventually serving as the Foreign Secretary of India. He has served as Ambassador of India to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia besides having served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, D.C. with ambassadorial rank.

He is currently a member of the Executive Council of the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and is on the Board of the New York-based East West Institute. He writes prolifically on international affairs and is a Padma Shree awardee for 2017.

"This is a great opportunity to work with some of the most prominent leaders in the U.S.-India space. I look forward to making good progress on US-India issues with USISPF and its Board Members," said Ambassador Sibal.

"Professor Panagariya and Ambassador Sibal have vast knowledge and experience regarding recent history related to the Indian political economy and diplomacy efforts. USISPF has carefully selected them in anticipation of combining their knowledge with the great influence of our board members, in order to make the most drastic impact on U.S.-India relations," said President of USISPF, Dr. Mukesh Aghi.

Formed in 2017 by U.S. leaders, USISPF has carefully selected the most powerful and strategically positioned Board of Directors for US-India related matters. These members serve as both prominent leaders and global influencers with an ability to impact international relations and corporate affairs worldwide.

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More than 50 lakh people of Himachal Pradesh will today cast their votes to decide the fate of some of the biggest leaders of Indian democracy.

The Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contesting all 68 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

Talking about the Chief Ministerial candidates, Congress leader and six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is fighting against BJP's Prem Kumar Dhumal, two-time Chief Minister of the state.

Dhumal, who left his stronghold constituency of Hamirpur, is now pitted against Congress' Rajinder Rana in Sujanpur.

Once an independent candidate, Rana won the 2012 elections in the state from Sujanpur constituency on his own before shifting to Congress.

Things are not greener on the other side as well. As 83-year-old Singh, the longest serving Chief Minister of India, is contesting for a place in the 68-member legislative assembly for one last time, having announced his pre-planned retirement to the public.

The Chief Minister in the incumbent Congress government left his constituency seat in Shimla for the political debut of his son Vikramaditya Singh, while risking his victory in Arki, a stronghold of the BJP.

Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress President Vikramaditya Singh, who is contesting from his father's maiden seat, will face BJP's Pramod Sharma, another strong contender in the polls.

In another interesting competition in Palampur, Congress' candidate Praveen Sharma, a rebel BJP leader is contesting against the party's candidate Indu Goswami, who if reports are to be believed, has been handpicked by Modi.

The BJP too gave tickets to four rebel Congressmen, including former minister Anil Sharma.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, elected for the first time from Karsog in 1967, is in the fray for the eleventh time.

At present, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively in the 68-member House. Four of the remaining five seats belong to independents, while one of them is vacant.

The results of the polling will be announced after 40 days on December 18, in line with those of the Gujarat polls, scheduled in two phases for next month.

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Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, after holding a meeting with Patidar leader Hardik Patel on the politically sensitive issue of OBC quota for the community, revealed that they are going to meet again after three days to discuss the possible solutions.

"It was a very healthy meeting which went on for around two and a half hours. Both of us presented our concerns before each other," Sibal said in a Press Conference in the wee hours of Thursday, adding, "We will discuss the possible solutions in another meeting three days later."

The former Union Minister added, "We will do whatsoever possible if their demand falls under the constitution of India."

Hardik had earlier given the Congress Party an ultimatum to declare its stand on OBC quota for Patidars by November 7. Patel had said he will declare his stand on electoral support for the party on the basis of their stand on OBC reservation.

With just a few days left in the Gujarat elections, both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are trying to win the confidence of the Patidar community, which account for a major vote share in the state.

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The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Zeljana Zovko, has hailed Nepal's effort to hold back to back elections in the country.

Nepal is all set to hold the elections for the Parliament and the Provincial Council, shortly after holding the local polls.

Stating the challenges at the time of commencement of elections 'a universal phenomenon', Zovko said Nepal could not be exempted from it, but the government and the election commission's efforts have resolved it.

"Every election has their own challenges and the authorities that are preparing the elections have been facing lots of challenges and Nepal is not exempted from that," Zovko said, in an interview with ANI.

"Especially considering the fact that the local elections were held recently in September, I don't see any problem in the government's efforts," she added.

The EU Election Observation Mission has a core team of 10 election analysts based in Kathmandu. The mission has also deployed a total of 38 long term observers (LTOs) to different parts of Nepal, which have been assigned the tasks of observing the ongoing preparations and other logistic tasks.

Apart from the observers, additional short term observers are also set to be deployed, which the organisation has claimed that it will be over 100 in number. The total cost for the mission is estimated to 3.5 million Euros, the mission stated.

Nepal will go to polls on November 26 and December 7 to elect a total of 825 representatives in the Parliament and the Provincial Council.

Nepal has the constitutional deadline of January 21, 2018 to complete the election of local bodies, province and parliament which it promulgated on 2015.

The final round of local elections was held in September 2017.

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Of Rs 3 per share

Ingersoll-Rand (India) announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 8 November 2017, inter alia, have recommended the interim dividend of Rs 3 per equity Share (i.e. 30%) , subject to the approval of the shareholders.

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ICICI Bank rose 1.19% to Rs 309.45 at 9:20 IST on BSE after the bank said that the committee of executive directors of the bank approved the proposal for domestic fund raising.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 November 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 175.81 points or 0.53% at 33,394.62.

On the BSE, 34,815 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 9.74 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 310.60 and a low of Rs 306.05 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 320.30 on 2 November 2017 and a 52-week low of Rs 224.45 on 27 December 2016.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 8 November 2017, advancing 12.32% compared with the Sensex's 4.41% rise. The stock had, however, underperformed the market over the past one quarter, rising 3.71% as against the Sensex's 3.76% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market over the past one year, gaining 18.78% as against the Sensex's 20.4% rise.

The large-cap bank has equity capital of Rs 1283.67 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

ICICI Bank said that the committee of executive directors of the bank approved the proposal for domestic fund raising by way of issuance of senior unsecured long term bonds/Basel III compliant unsecured subordinated perpetual additional tier 1 bonds in single/multiple tranches on private placement basis.

ICICI Bank's net profit fell 33.7% to Rs 2058.19 crore on 17.6% decline in total income to Rs 18763.29 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

ICICI Bank is one of the leading private sector banks in India.

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Pidilite Industries gained 2.65% to Rs 787.70 at 10:55 IST on BSE after consolidated net profit rose 9.4% to Rs 252.92 crore on 7.9% increase in net sales to Rs 1529.87 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 November 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 42.87 points or 0.13% at 33,268.38.

More than usual volumes were witnessed on the counter. On the BSE, 47,763 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 27,136 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 794.25 and a low of Rs 780.75 so far during the day. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 867.40 on 20 September 2017 and a 52-week low of Rs 568.75 on 26 December 2016.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 8 November 2017, falling 3.99% compared with the Sensex's 4.41% rise. The stock had also underperformed the market over the past one quarter, declining 5.19% as against the Sensex's 3.76% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market over the past one year, advancing 10.96% as against the Sensex's 20.4% rise.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 51.28 crore. Face value per share is Re 1.

Commenting on Q2 results, Bharat Puri, Managing Director of the company said that in a challenging business environment, the company delivered strong overall performance. Q2 September 2017 saw double digit growth in underlying volume and mix. The company remains cautiously optimistic for the future and remain focused on driving profitable volume growth, he added.

Meanwhile, the board of directors of Pidilite Industries approved the appointment of P Ganesh as Chief Financial Officer of the company with effect from 16 November 2017 and accordingly A N Parekh, whole time director will cease to be the interim CFO.

Pidilite Industries is a leading manufacturer of adhesives and sealants, construction chemicals, craftsmen products, DIY (Do-It-Yourself) products and polymer emulsions in India.

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The Minister of Road Transport & highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that directions have been issued to Project Directors, Contractors and field level officials working on highways projects around Delhi NCR to take stringent steps to check pollution arising out of the construction work. The steps to be taken in this regard include sprinkling water at all construction sites and camp, covering of dumpers transporting construction material / waste including flyash, in the region, covering of exposed soil at the construction sites and adherence to air quality norms by all plants and machinery.

Field officials have been directed to inspect the construction sites regularly to ensure that all the pollution control measures are adhered to in a strict manner.

Shri Gadkari also said that thorough research needs to be done to find the cause of this pollution. He said this year the smog has descended despite the ban on crackers and restrain on burning of crops. The minister further said that the Road Transport & highways Ministry will offer all possible help for such research.

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Tata Motors was down 1.07% to Rs 434 at 14:01 IST on BSE, with the stock witnessing high intraday volatility after announcing Q2 September 2017 results during market hours today, 9 November 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 52.09 points or 0.16% at 33,166.72.

High volumes were witnessed on the counter. On the BSE, 22.94 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 5.74 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock was volatile. Ahead of results announcement, the stock had surged as much as 2.86% at the day's high of Rs 451.25 so far during the day. The stock lost as much as 2.89% at the day's low of Rs 426 so far during the day.

Tata Motors' consolidated net profit jumped 195.04% to Rs 2502 crore on 10.34% growth in revenue (net of excise) to Rs 70156 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

Guenter Butschek, MD & CEO, Tata Motors, said that after a challenging first quarter, Tata Motors has demonstrated impressive results with month-on-month growth in sales and market share, enabled by a slew of new product launches and customer centric initiatives. With the company's turnaround plan in full action, it is seeing encouraging results and it will continue to drive sustainable profitable growth to meet its future aspirations, Butschek said.

Tata Motors is a market leader in commercial vehicles in India. The company's British luxury unit Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sells premium luxury cars.

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Sales decline 3.81% to Rs 213.77 crore

Net profit of Vesuvius India declined 12.00% to Rs 22.51 crore in the quarter ended September 2017 as against Rs 25.58 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2016. Sales declined 3.81% to Rs 213.77 crore in the quarter ended September 2017 as against Rs 222.23 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2016.213.77222.2317.9819.3941.8246.3134.3139.2622.5125.58

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Sales rise 8.70% to Rs 899.23 crore

Net profit of Voltas declined 23.67% to Rs 96.11 crore in the quarter ended September 2017 as against Rs 125.91 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2016. Sales rose 8.70% to Rs 899.23 crore in the quarter ended September 2017 as against Rs 827.28 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2016.899.23827.285.867.57154.11179.37149.29174.8896.11125.91

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Five activists on Thursday scaled the Sydney Opera House to protest against Australia's treatment of refugees on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Whisteblower Activist and Citizens Alliance (WACA) said the climb began at 10.30 a.m. to highlight "the inhumane treatment on Manus Island of men seeking asylum".

Activists managed to climb the icon despite a recent security upgrade designed to bring the venue up to international standards, ABC News Australia reported.

The Manus Island Regional Processing Centre -- used to screen people seeking asylum in Australia -- officially closed on October 31. However, about 600 refugees are refusing to leave, citing fears for their safety in the local community.

Australia shut down the centre after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, urging asylum seekers to move to transit centres elsewhere on the island.

The five activists, two men and three women, were arrested after trying to unfurl signs calling for the refugees to be evacuated. Police prevented the protesters from displaying a large banner. Smaller placards read "evacuate Manus" and "Australia: world leaders in cruelty #BringThemHere".

The activists were taken to a police station and charged with trespass. No one was injured. They were granted conditional bail.

In a video posted to the social media, one of the protesters on top of the Opera House called on the Turnbull government and Labour Party to evacuate Manus Island and bring the refugees to Australia.

--IANS

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Any form of harassment, either sexual coercion or non-physical behaviour, may affect your mental health and cause trauma, reveals a new research.

Harassment applies to any derogatory sexual remark regarding appearance, behaviour and sexual orientation, unwanted sexual attention, being subject to rumour mongering and being shown sexually oriented images.

Girls and boys are equally exposed to all forms of harassment that increases the risk of anxiety, depression, negative body image and low self-esteem, the researchers confirmed.

"Teens who are harassed the most also struggle more in general. But girls usually struggle more than boys, no matter the degree to which they are being harassed in this way," said Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

"Girls are also more negatively affected by sexual harassment than boys are," said Mons Bendixen, another researcher of the same study.

The researchers questioned 3,000 high school students over their experiences of sexual assaults in two separate studies based on non-physical harassment and physically coercive sexual behaviour, such as unwanted kissing, groping, intimate touch and intercourse.

The study, published in the International Journal of Public Health, noted that physical sexual coercion can be characterized as sexual abuse and any derogatory comment can be confirmed as rape.

However, non-physical sexual harassment is the second most important factor, and is more strongly associated with the psychological well-being than being subjected to sexual coercion, at the same time.

--IANS

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An Iranian-born Australian Senator has been racially abused by members of a far-right group in Melbourne.

Sam Dastyari, the Senator representing New South Wales (NSW) for the Australian Labour Party (ALP), was abused by members of the Patriot Blue group in a city bar here on Wednesday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

A video of the incident posted on social media by Patriot Blue shows the men surrounding Dastyari while abusing him.

"You terrorist, you little monkey," they said.

"Why don't you go back to Iran, you terrorist?"

Dastyari fired back at the men, calling them racists to which they replied: "What race is Islam? We are the real Australians. Look at this terrorist."

Speaking about the incident on Thursday, the Senator said he would consult with his family before deciding if he would pursue legal action against the men.

"There is a rise in the extreme right and there is a rise of white nationalism and it needs to be called out," he said on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday said there was "zero tolerance" for racism.

"There is no place for racial vilification in Australia," Turnbull said on Australian breakfast television.

"We are the most successful multicultural society in the world and that is because... our society is built on a foundation of respect," said Turnbull.

"We should have zero tolerance for racism and racist abuse like that," he added.

Dastyari was at the bar for an event that provided young people with an opportunity to speak openly about .

--IANS

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An Australian senator on Thursday criticised "the rise of the radical right" after he was racially abused by a group of men at a pub in Melbourne.

Senator Sam Dastyari, who was born in Iran, was harassed on Wednesday night with taunts calling him a "terrorist" and "little monkey", reports the BBC.

The incident was filmed and posted on the Facebook page of a group describing themselves as "concerned patriots".

In the footage, the senator is surrounded at a bar and told by one man to "go back to Iran, you terrorist", among other taunts.

Dastyari says: "I think you guys are a bunch of racists. You are embarrassing yourself."

Footage taken later shows the men standing over the senator as he is seated with friends, who step in to help the senator.

One man who approached Dastyari, Neil Erikson, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the senator "called us rednecks, which is a racist term in fact".

In September, Erikson was one of three men found guilty by a magistrate of inciting contempt of Muslims after the men staged a mock beheading to protest against the building of a mosque.

The state of Victoria has laws making it illegal to vilify a person or group on the basis of their race or religion.

--IANS

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Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said "Blue Economy" was proving to be a catalyst in India's progress and the performance of major sea ports was a "clear indicator" of that.

Gadkari's remarks came as he reviewed in Goa the performance of all ports in the country earlier this week.

According to the Shipping Ministry, India's major ports had recorded a growth of 3.27 per cent during April-September period and collectively handled 383 million tonnes of cargo as against 371 million tonnes handled during the corresponding period of the previous year.

"The highest growth was registered by Cochin Port (17.66 per cent), followed by Kolkata, New Mangalore and Paradip with growth of about 12 per cent," the Ministry said in a statement.

During the April-September period, Kandla Port handled the highest volume of traffic (63.13 million tonnes), followed by Paradip with 55.78 million tonnes, JNPT with 37.90 million tonnes, Mumbai with 36.72 million tonnes, and Visakhapatnam with 35.74 million tonnes.

"Together, these five ports handled around 60 per cent of major port traffic," it added.

--IANS

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Sabit Subasic, Ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina, on Thursday called on senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq here.

A spokesman of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said: "Sabit Subasic today called on Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq at his Nigeen residence in Srinagar."

The Bosnian envoy and Mirwaiz discussed a series of issues.

The Hurriyat chairman briefed him about the historical perspective of the Kashmir dispute and the present extreme repressive situation prevailing here.

"Mirwaiz explained to the visiting dignitary the immense sacrifices and sufferings that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have gone through in the past seventy years in general and the last thirty years in particular for demanding their fundamental right to choose their destiny as guaranteed by the UN," the spokesman said.

Mirwaiz told the envoy that the fourth generation of Kashmiris is getting consumed by the raging conflict, as they are fed up of the repression and status quo and want a resolution.

"Mirwaiz said due to Kashmir dispute, which is primarily a political and humanitarian problem, the two nuclear powers India and Pakistan who have already fought three wars, are perpetually at loggerheads and in confrontational mode," the spokesman said.

"The routine border skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani armies are taking a serious toll on innocent humans on both sides of the border," said Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

--IANS

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India and Pakistan on Thursday discussed border-related issues such as infiltration, ceasefire violations and attack on civilians in bi-annual talks between the Director Generals of border guarding forces of both the countries, said sources.

The three-day 44th DG-level meeting started in the morning between a delegation headed by Director General BSF K.K. Sharma and 19-member Pakistan Rangers delegation led by Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saeed.

The talks have been kept low-key and the media has been kept out.

Ceasefire violation, attack on civilians especially targeting of schools at border, firing at BSF troopers, discovery of tunnels, smuggling, inadvertent crossing at border were the prime issues raised in the meeting, said the sources.

"They also discussed how to maintain cordial relations between the two border forces."

None of the BSF officials came on record to give any information abour the talks.

The talks between two forces is expected to keep the lines of communication open, in a bid to maintain peace and tranquillity at the international border, which Pakistan refers to as working boundary.

--IANS

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The union government on Thursday constituted a high-level team under Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to assess the crop loss due to pest attack in Odisha.

The team will visit the worst affected Bargarh district and other parts of the state on November 12.

The move came after Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh in New Delhi and discussed the crop damage situation in Odisha.

The Agriculture Minister blamed the state government for not implementing the advisory sent by the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI).

"An advisory was issued by the CRRI to the state government in the first week of October on how to use pesticides. However, the state government did not implement it, leading to the present crisis," said Singh.

Pradhan also attacked the state government for not taking any step to address the plight of farmers.

"It's a matter of concern that the apathy of Odisha Govt made things worse for farmers. Despite several advisories issued to the state by central government institutions, the Odisha government chose not to act. GoI on its part is committed to extend all possible support to mitigate farmers' losses," tweeted Pradhan.

According to the state government, about 1.78 lakh hectares of paddy farms in nine districts in western Odisha has been damaged in the massive pest attack.

In the last 10 days, nine farmers have allegedly committed suicide over crop loss due to the pest attack.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced that a six-member team led by Lok Sabha member Om Prakash Yadav would visit Odisha for four days starting from November 10. The team will start its journey from Bargarh, will meet the farmers and assess the present situation.

Following the direction of BJP President Amit Shah, the team will review the crop loss in districts like Nuapara, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Ganjam and Nayagarh by visiting the affected farmlands, said BJP Kisan Morcha's state secretary Surath Biswal.

--IANS

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Even as an "emergency" under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was officially imposed in Delhi-NCR on Thursday and the Delhi government announced the third phase of the odd-even traffic rule from November 13, a change in the wind direction is set to add further 'poison' to the capital's air on Friday, officials said.

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot announced the third phase of the odd-even scheme from November 13 to 17.

However, according to the members of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA), November 13 is too late as the "emergency or severe-plus" category under GRAP calls for immediate implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme.

"We had been telling them (Delhi government) to stay ready since last week and even during Tuesday's EPCA meeting... The Delhi government said it was prepared to roll out the odd-even right away... Now they are saying they can roll it out only on Monday (November 13). This won't help much," CPCB Member Secretary and EPCA Member A. Sudhakar told IANS.

The "emergency" or "severe-plus" situation arises after the major pollutants -- PM2.5 and PM10, or particles in air with diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm, remain above 300 and 500 units, respectively, for at least 48 hours.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Thursday informed that both PM2.5 and PM10 had been beyond the "safe limits" for the past 52 hours or since 7 a.m on Tuesday, November 7.

On Thursday (since Wednesday evening), all the 10 monitoring stations of the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar) recorded "beyond severe" or 500-plus units of PM10 and PM2.5. As per SAFAR, the average PM2.5 was 546 units and PM10 was 895.

According to the CPCB, at 5 p.m, the average PM2.5 reading on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR across 20 active stations (including Alwar in Rajasthan) was 478 units (on a scale of 0 to 500).

The safe limit for PM2.5 and PM10 as per international standards is 25 and 60 microgrammes per cubic meters, while as per standards it is 40 and 100 units, respectively.

Meanwhile, forecasting some relief for Delhi-NCR from November 14 onwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said rain in parts of Haryana, western Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab would help disperse the effluents, thereby normalising the air quality in Delhi.

"Relief is likely from Sunday, when the wind speed would increase. However, the western disturbance, which is expected to arrive in this region from November 14, would bring major relief as it could rain. This is so far the best hope under the present conditions," Charan Singh, weather forecast chief at IMD, told IANS.

However, the relief would come only after Delhi has seen its worse, as air quality in the capital, which is already "beyond severe", is set to deteriorate further since the light winds from Punjab and Haryana started entering Delhi on Thursday.

As the continues unabated in Punjab and Haryana, which is also a major cause of the present air quality situation in Delhi, the winds coming from there would further affect the air in Delhi-NCR.

According to the IMD and private weather forecasting agency Skymet, the wind speed is less -- five to 10 kmph, but this is enough to bring effluents and not disperse them due to its low speed.

"There would be a slight variation in the air quality tomorrow (Friday). The winds which were for now only westerly have changed into north-westerly coming from Punjab," Singh added.
A court here on Thursday sent businessman Gagan Dhawan, arrested on money laundering charges in an over Rs 5,000 crore bank fraud, to 14-day judicial custody.

Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma rejected the Enforcement Directorate's plea for extension of ED custody of Dhawan on the ground that he is required to be confronted with documents.

He was presented in the court on the expiry of his earlier two-day ED custody.

Dhawan was arrested from his south Delhi residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a case involving fraud of over Rs 5,000 crore by the Sandesara Group on November 1.

The ED alleged that he was involved in diverting the amount to purchase properties and other shell companies.

According to ED officials, Dhawan allegedly aided bank loan frauds related to the Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech company.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering following the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against Sterling Biotech, its Directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara, Vilas Joshi and several others in connection with the bank fraud case.

--IANS

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For long, digital teaching aids have been seen as nothing more than superficial add-ons to the process, but a school here is using them to prevent the ongoing smog from disrupting its schedule.

The Ardee School in New Friends Colony will be rolling out its E-Classroom programme for the next two days, to see how students respond. It will be rolled out across all other Ardee School branches in India soon.

"The E-Classrooms will be open at homes of our students, Grade 4 and up. The students will attend live online school and interact with their friends and teachers in real-time," said Shefali Varma, Chairperson, The Ardee Schools.

With pollution in the city reaching alarming levels, the administration has announced the temporary closure of all schools in the capital. Schools in neighbouring cities like Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad have also been shut.

Inclement weather, disease and unrest are all too common and the first to be affected are schools.

The decision to use E-Classrooms, keeping schools open via video, was born out of thinking that such incidents should not be allowed to disrupt school and affect children's .

"What we are demonstrating is that E-Classrooms not only help eliminate economic barriers to accessing education, but that it can also be used in events of natural or man-made calamities," said Varma.

The school also plans to offer this facility to students on medical leave or those travelling to participate in competitions. Students with special needs or those physically disabled will also be able to attend The Ardee School at-home classes.

"The world is changing and we must balance negative changes with positive advantages, find the silver lining, and prepare the children to deal with adversity pro-actively," said Varma.

Students are the heirs of this world and "they must be taught that the school must go on", added Varma.

--IANS

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Actor-filmmaker Dhanush says he continues to explore and learn as he shoots with director Vetrimaaran for their next venture, "Vada Chennai".

Dhanush on Wednesday night shared a photograph from the film's set and captioned it: "10 years ago this day 'Polladhavan' released. Our journey continues as a team to explore and learn together. From the sets of 'Vada Chennai' right now."

"Vada Chennai", a crime drama, marks Dhanush's third collaboration with Vetrimaaran. The two have previously worked in "Polladhavan" and "Aadukulam". The film also features the actress Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead.

Dhanush will also also be seen in "Maari 2", a sequel to his Tamil hit film "Maari".

In "Maari", Dhanush played a dhoti-clad, moustache twirling local rowdy and he was paired with Kajal Aggarwal, who won't be a part of the sequel. However, actors Robo Shankar and Vinod, who played Dhanush's sidekicks in the first part, will be part of "Maari 2".

--IANS

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has said that Cairo has always supported a "peaceful solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"The end of a decade-long internal split in Palestine is an important step for efforts to advance peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians," the President said on Wednesday at Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on the sidelines of the ongoing week-long World Youth Forum.

"We believe that achieving an internal Palestinian reconciliation will help pave the way for the resumption of peace talks."

In October, Palestinian rival movements Fatah and Hamas agreed to end their long-time rift following talks mediated by Egypt in Cairo, reports Xinhua news agency.

As per the agreement, the consensus government under Fatah will have full control of Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip by December 1.

"Their reconciliation will also reduce pressure in the Gaza Strip and curb extremism there," Sisi noted.

He also reaffirmed that Egypt will not give up any land in the Sinai Peninsula as part of the so-called deal of the century, a proposal promoted by US President Donald Trump for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Several senior Egyptian officials have expressed objection to the idea of ceding part of Sinai for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Egypt has been working with other international players to bring the Palestinians and the Israelis to the negotiation table to end their seven-decade conflict.

--IANS

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The European Commission has announced proposals for implementing the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement for a binding domestic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction of at least 40 per cent by 2030 through promotion of electric cars.

At the same time, as the international climate conference takes place in Bonn, the Commission is showing that the European Union is leading by example.

Experts say such action is designed to put further pressure on manufacturers to develop more electric cars.

They say this proposal would weaken the competitiveness of EU's car industry and hand the leadership in electric vehicles firmly to China.

"This package would also harm European consumers looking to make the best choice for their health and their wallets. A key reason to this lack of ambition from the Commission is believed to be the last-minute pressure from German politicians to weaken the package," an expert told IANS.

The step follows a joint announcement from the EU and the state of California that they will step up their cooperation on climate action, also working together to scale zero-carbon transportation solutions globally.

Unlike ambitions by California, the EU's proposal released on Wednesday does not contain a clear target on zero-emissions vehicles.

The EU's ambition also seems weaker than that of China, India, or indeed several European countries, who all have announced their own zero-emission vehicle targets.

The main reason, believe the experts, for this lack of ambition is thought to be the car industry lobby.

Research shows that transport accounts for nearly a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and is the main cause of air pollution in European cities.

The Commission's proposal will now be processed by the European Parliament and EU member states that can make sure of raising the ambition of the text and ensure the competitiveness of the EU's car industry.

A coalition of seven progressive EU member states has already called on the Commission to resist the lobbying efforts of Germany.

"Zero emission cars are good for the environment, our health and wallets. Research shows that ambitious EU action is needed to tackle the lack of consumer choice when it comes to electric vehicles. These are expected to become cheaper than petrol/diesel cars during the 2020s. But this will not happen with the current proposal, which lacks a quota for electric vehicles," said a statement quoting Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation.

"We now expect the Parliament and Member States to ensure that European consumers have more choice in the future."

Peter Mock, EU Managing Director, International Council on Clean Transportation, said: "Our analyses indicate that a more ambitious CO2 target value would foster the uptake of electrified vehicles and as a result would actually reduce overall compliance cost for vehicle manufacturers, compared to a scenario with a higher market share of combustion engine vehicles."

--IANS

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Banjul, Nov 10 (IANS/AKI) UN migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration, the Gambian government and the European Union have launched a multi-million euro project to help Gambian migrants, the IOM said on Thursday.

The three-year project is funded by the EU's Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) for a total of 3.9 million euros, the IOM said.

Fumiko Nagano, IOM's chief of mission in Gambia, said: "The initiative aims to ensure that migrant rights are respected, that returning migrants are able to contribute positively to their communities, and that the migration process is safer and better managed."

The project comes at a crucial time as a significant number of Gambians who have left the country become stranded on the migration routes to North Africa and Europe, with no means to continue their journeys.

With little hope of reaching their intended destinations, many of them decide to return home but lack resources to do so, IOM said.

The new project, part of a regional initiative addressing 14 countries in the Sahel and Lake Chad region as well as Libya, proposes to contribute to strengthening migration governance and to the sustainable reintegration of 1,500 returning migrants to the Gambia, IOM stated.

Other project objectives are to raise awareness in 250 communities and among 2,500 potential migrants of safe migration options and alternatives to irregular migration, and to help give national and local authorities and development partners access to data on migration triggers, flows and trends, according to IOM.

--IANS

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Weeks after joining the Renault racing team, Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz said here that he is paying no attention to speculation about a possible move to Red Bull for the 2019 season.

"I feel very good in Renault. They have made me feel at home from the very first day, they have helped me adapt very quickly to the team and the car. All of that on top of the eagerness I had to join the team and the eagerness to move forward," the Spaniard told EFE in Sao Paulo ahead of the upcoming Brazil Grand Prix.

"All that about 2019 and rumors of Red Bull doesn't interest me right now," the son of two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz Sr. said.

Originally set to join Renault in 2018, Sainz made the move last month, with four races left in the 2017 season, after Toro Rosso -- owned by Red Bull Racing -- agreed to release him early.

The arrangement includes a clause that gives Red Bull the option to incorporate Sainz, 23, into its team for 2019.

Sainz said he was confident that Renault would do well in the Brazilian Grand Prix, though he acknowledged the difficulty of the Interlagos track.

"I have a lot of enthusiasm after the first two races of adaptation to the team," he said, referring to the US and Mexico Grand Prix events.

"We continue adapting, we continue learning many things about the car and we arrive at a circuit where we ought to race well," Sainz told EFE.

--IANS

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday sought the help of Belgium in setting up a university in the state exclusively pertaining to diamond industry-related courses, officials said.

At a function in Raj Bhavan to honour the visiting Belgium King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Fadnavis said the state government has decided to set up such a university.

Highlighting the major infrastructure projects taken up in the state, he also sought help from Belgium in the state's infrastructure development and the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission.

Welcoming the royal couple, Governor C.V. Rao said the state was keen on greater cooperation with Belgium in areas of clean energy, infrastructure development, higher education, skill-development and film-making.

In his address, King Philippe said that the diamond trade overwhelmingly dominated Indo-Belgian commerce, accounting for more than 80 per cent of its (Belgian) exports.

He called for further strengthening the economic engagement between India and Belgium by diversifying the trade basket and expanding investment ties.

Later, Rao hosted a lunch for the visiting royal delegation in which his wife Vinodha, Fadnavis, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Chief Secretary Sumit Mullick and other senior officials were present.

Incidentally, Mumbai, the hub of the Indian diamond industry, besides Gujarat, enjoys strong relations with Belgium's historical centre of the diamond industry, Antwerp, with many diamond companies based here having their branches, offices or representatives there.

--IANS

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All private and government schools here have been shut for Friday and Saturday along with brick kilns amid rising pollution levels, it was announced on Thursday.

Gurugram authorities also decided to ban the entry of trucks and other heavy vehicles barring exceptions into the national capital.

The Gurugram Traffic Police has been told to divert heavy traffic away from Delhi, an official said.

"If the current situation persists for the next 48 hours, a decision will be taken to stop all construction activities in Gurugram," the official said.

Delhi Metro and Haryana Roadways have been directed to increase their trips, the official said.

"The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram has been told to do mechanized sweeping and sprinkling of water both during day and night on roads with high dust generation," he said.

The authorities may also decide, like in Delhi, to enhance parking fee by 3-4 times in a bid to persuade motorists to take to public transport.

"Police have been told not to tolerate visibly polluting vehicles," added the official.

The steps are part of efforts to fight a thick smog that has enveloped Delhi and adjoining areas, triggering serious health concerns.

--IANS

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Shyam Saran Negi, Himachal Pradesh's oldest voter aged 100, and his wife on Thursday cast their votes at a picturesque hamlet in Kinnaur district as elections were held to elect the 68-member assembly in the hill state.

"I have never missed an opportunity in my life to vote," Negi told reporters in Kalpa, some 275 km from the state capital.

Last time he cast his vote was on May 7, 2014, during the Lok Sabha elections.

After casting his vote on Thursday, the centenarian appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise.

"You must vote for a people-friendly government," he added.

His wife Hira Mani, 10 years younger to him, accompanied him to the polling booth, almost a km from their house.

The couple was among the first ones to vote, said an election official.

A government school teacher who retired in 1975, Negi was among the first to vote in independent India's first Lok Sabha elections in October 1951 in Chini constituency, later renamed Kinnaur.

At that time, balloting in the snow-bound area was held ahead of other places in the state and the country.

--IANS

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Himachal Pradesh witnessed a record 74 per cent polling in the assembly elections till 5 p.m. on Thursday, the Election Commission said here.

"The percentage is expected to go up further as there were voters in about 500 booths at that hour. This is the highest poll percentage recorded by the hill state in assembly polls," Dilip Sharma, Director General, Election Commission of India, told reporters here.

He said the polling percentage in the state was 64.45 per cent in 2012 and 73.5 per cent in 2007.

Sharma said 297 VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines were replaced due to technical problems - 218 before the start of polling and 79 during the poll.

The polling in the state was peaceful, he said.

--IANS

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US President Donald Trump lavished praise on Chinese leader Xi Jinping here on Thursday, touting "great chemistry" between them, while refusing to criticize his counterpart for the trade imbalance.

Speaking at a joint appearance with Xi in front of business leaders, Trump said the US trade relationship with China is "a very one-sided and unfair one".

But he quickly added: "I don't blame China. Who can blame a country that is able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit."

During the presidential campaign, Trump accused China of "raping" the US economy and threatened to label the country a "currency manipulator", the Washington Post reported.

In his remarks here, Trump reiterated that the US must "change its policies" but he offered no details about actions his administration will pursue.

"We've gotten so far behind on trade with China and frankly many other countries," Trump said ahead of a bilateral meeting with Xi, before adding he has "great respect" for Xi for "representing China".

Trump blamed past US administrations "for having allowed it to get so far out of kilter. We'll make it fair, and it'll be tremendous for both of us. My feeling towards you is incredibly warm. We have great chemistry. I think we'll do tremendous things, China and the US".

The two countries announced MoUs to increase trade by $253 billion, which the leaders said was a sign of greater cooperation.

In contrast to Trump's effusive praise, Xi appeared reserved and spoke in carefully scripted language about "win-win" cooperation and a "new starting point" for the bilateral relationship. He vowed to work together in the "spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit".

--IANS

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As smartphone players in India begin to infuse Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities into devices while looking at Cloud for safe and secure deposit of massive data, Chinese telecom giant Huawei will ramp up its efforts towards building devices with these capabilities for the Indian market, a top company executive has said.

"AI is the hot technology now. Huawei is making huge investments into this technology. We have the software and we have the chipset. It is important not only for consumer electronics but also for many other things as well. Thousands of engineers are working on this project," Peter Zhai, President, Huawei India Consumer Business Group, told IANS in an interview here.

Huawei unveiled its first mobile AI computing platform "Kirin 970" early in September in its bid to pack smart devices with powerful AI features to offer better user experience. The company is positioning it as an open platform for mobile AI, opening up the chipset to developers and partners who can find new and innovative uses for its processing capabilities.

In a benchmark image recognition test, the "Kirin 970" processed 2,000 images per minute which was faster than other chips on the market, according to Huawei.

Huawei also wants to be the biggest consumer electronics company in the world, Zhai said.

"The consumer electronics business constitutes around 27 per cent of Huawei's overall business. It is a very important part of our business and we will continue to work towards capturing greater market share in India's consumer electronics business," Zhai said, adding that the next focus for the technology giant is the Cloud enterprise market.

"India is very important for Huawei. The Indian smartphone market is now the second-largest in the world. It is bigger than the US market. In the next three to five years, it will become closer to China in size. So it will be a very fast-growing market and a very promising market," Zhai told IANS.

"Nobody can ignore India because this market will keep becoming bigger," he added.

In the third quarter of this year, the Indian smartphone market grew 37 per cent (quarter on quarter) and 18 per cent (year on year). The performance of Chinese brands remained strong and contributed to more than half of the total smartphone shipments, according to market research firm Counterpoint Research.

Huawei recently surpassed Apple to claim the second position in worldwide smartphone sales after Samsung.

How does Huawei plan to win the Indian market?

"The Chinese have one winning strategy -- put yourself in an undefeatable position and then start taking on the rivals. Huawei follows that," Zhai stressed.

"Huawei wants to win the Indian market with technology, word-of-mouth communication and good quality products. With this strategy, we can strengthen the base for long-term success," Zhai said, hinting that Huawei is looking for long-term gains rather than short-term success.

"In the past 30 years, Huawei has invested 10 per cent of its global revenue in R&D. We will continue this strategy which has helped us taste success all these years," Zhai said.

Huawei's R&D centre in Bengaluru is the company's second-biggest centre globally. It has contributed significantly to language customisation, software applications, and creating updates for its Emotion User Interface (EMUI).

"From my experience, the market ultimately allows only those to survive who offer technology-leading high-quality devices," Zhai said.

"Today, the only Chinese company to thrive in Europe is Huawei. Why? Some players may become popular one year, gain 10 to 20 market share and disappear next year, but we are not like them," he said, adding that with the introduction of 5G around 2020, Huawei will emerge as the leading technology company in the world.

"One generation network creates one generation company. With 5G we will start leading," he said.

(Gokul Bhagabati was in China at the invitation of Huawei. He can be contacted at gokul.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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Indian-origin International Development Secretary of UK Priti Patel, has resigned amid controversy over her unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials, media reports said.

Patel resigned on Wednesday night after being summoned back from a trip to Uganda and Ethiopia by Downing Street after it emerged that she failed to be candid with Prime Minister Theresa May about 14 unofficial meetings with Israeli ministers, business people and a senior lobbyist, reports the Guardian.

May and Patel met for just six minutes earlier on Wednesday evening.

In her resignation letter, Patel admitted that her actions "fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state".

"While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated.

"I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation."

In response, May said Patel's decision was the correct one. She argued in a letter to Patel that the UK and Israel were close allies and should work closely together.

"But that must be done formally, and through official channels. That is why, when we met on Monday, I was glad to accept your apology and welcomed your clarification about your trip to Israel over the summer.

"Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated," May wrote in the letter.

She added that Patel should "take pride" in what had been achieved during her time in office.

Patel had apologised to May on Monday after news about the unauthorised meetings in August with Israeli politicians including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuval Rotem, a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official, came to light, reports the BBC.

But it later emerged she had two further meetings in September without the presence of any government officials.

A replacement for Patel is expected to be announced on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the BBC: "Priti Patel has been a very good colleague and friend for a long time and a first class secretary of state for international development.

"It's been a real pleasure working with her and I'm sure she has a great future ahead of her."

Patel's resignation from the cabinet is the second in seven days, after Michael Fallon quit as Defence Secretary on November 1 amid allegations about his behaviour.

The Indian-origin politician was elected as Conservative MP for Witham in May 2010. She has served as Treasury Minister (July 2014 to May 2015), Employment Minister (May 2015 to July 2016) and was appointed as the International Development Secretary in July 2016.

Patel was a leading figure in the "Vote Leave" campaign during the European Union referendum.

--IANS

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Income Tax (IT) officials on Thursday raided 187 locations belonging to relatives of jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala, her nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran and organisations connected to them in several cities, said a senior IT official.

Ten groups of IT officials were involved in the "search exercise taking place across Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi and other places" which began at 6 a.m., the IT official, who did not want to be identified, told IANS.

Among the places raided were the residence of M. Natarajan, Sasikala's husband, in Thanjavur, Kodanad Tea Estate belonging to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Jazz Cinemas, Midas Distilleries, Sharada Paper and Boards, Senthil Group of Companies, Nilgiri Furniture in Coimbatore, Jaya TV and Namadhu MGR.

The IT official said the search is in connection with unexplained routing of cash post-demonetisation through shell companies connected to Sasikala and Dinakaran, adding that the IT department will look at routing of funds within India and there are other agencies looking at routing of funds outside India.

Jaya TV, a satellite channel, and Namadhu MGR, a Tamil daily, which is the mouthpiece of the AIADMK, are now under the management control of the Sasikala faction.

Prior to the death of Jayalalithaa, both showcased the achievements of the AIADMK and its state. However, after the party broke into three factions -- that of Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (who later became Deputy Chief Minister after merging his faction with Palaniswami's), and of Sasikala and Dinakaran, they highlighted only the Sasikala-Dinakaran faction.

Panneerselvam, after becoming Deputy Chief Minister, demanded takeover of the two media by the ruling faction.

In his response, Dinakaran dubbed the IT raids politically motivated and said he will not be frightened by such actions of the Central government.

He asserted that even if "he is arrested and jailed for 20 years, he will come out and serve the state at 74 years of age".

Queried about the IT raids, DMK Working President M.K. Stalin said there are no answers to the questions raised on the action taken on the raids conducted by IT department at AIADMK leaders and other organisations earlier.

--IANS

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The last session of the outgoing Tripura Assembly, prior to the state going to polls in February next year, will begin here on Monday, Deputy Speaker of the House Pabitra Kar said on Thursday.

"The session would be held for two days and it would be the last session of the outgoing assembly before the February (2018) elections," Kar told IANS after the Business Advisory Committee meeting.

The advisory committee, which is headed by Assembly Speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath, on Thursday finalised the schedule of the assembly session.

The Left-ruled Tripura would see elections in February next year, along with Congress-ruled Meghalaya and Naga People's Front-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland-governed Nagaland. The Democratic Alliance is supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The five-year terms of the Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura assemblies would expire next year on March 6, 13 and 14, respectively.

Ahead of the assembly elections, hectic political activities have already begun in the three northeastern states, with 60 assembly seats in each state.

--IANS

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Mariah Careys former bodyguard Michael Anello says the pop diva sexually harassed him by flouncing around in sheer lingerie while he was on the job. He has now threatened to sue her.

Carey also called Anello a "Nazi", according to a draft of the complaint obtained by tmz.com.

Carey labeled Anello and his colleagues skinheads, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members and white supremacists.

She "wanted to be surrounded with black guys, not white people," Anello has claimed.

Carey, a New York native, is of mixed race -- her father was black and Venezuelan and her mother is Irish.

In 1990, she lashed out at a Playboy reviewer who wrote that she was a "white girl who can sing".

Anello plans to sue over a $220,000 unpaid invoice for security his company provided to Carey from June 2015 through May 2017.

According to tmz.com, he is after another $511,000 for two remaining years on a security contract.

--IANS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday leave on a three-day visit to the Philippines where he will attend the Asean and East Asia Summits and hold a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, it was announced on Thursday.

This will be Modi's first official visit to the Philippines.

"He will be going there to attend the 15th Asean-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit," Priti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, told the media.

With this, India would have undertaken high-level visits at the level of President, Vice President and Prime Minister to all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - in the last three years.

"This shows the importance India attaches to its relations with the Asean," Saran said. "It symbolizes India's commitment to deepening relations with Asean member states in particular and with the Indo-Pacific region in general within the framework of our Act East Policy."

While Modi will meet Duterte, also this year's Asean Chairman, on November 13, the two leaders will participate in the two Summits the next day.

Modi will also attend the special celebrations to mark 50th anniversary of the Asean's formation, a meeting of the leaders of the countries of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and an Asean Business and Investment Summit.

RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement between the Asean member states and the six states with which grouping has free trade pacts - Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

Asean accounts for over 10 per cent of India's external trade. Asean and India together comprise a population of 1.85 billion, one-fourth of the global population, and a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion.

Saran said investments in India from Asean countries in the last 17 years had been over $70 billion, accounting for 17 per cent of FDI. Indian investments in Asean is over $40 billion.

Modi's visit assumes significance as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Asean dialogue partnership.

"Asean is central to India's Act East Policy. Therefore, our Prime Minister's participation in the Asean-India Summit and the East Asia Summit provides a very important opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the partnership," Saran said.

India also has 30 sectoral dialogue mechanisms and seven ministerial-level interactions with Asean.

Saran said India supported Asean's centrality in the regional security architecture, and enhancing physical, digital, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties was a key focus in the relationship.

New Delhi attached the greatest importance to the East Asia Summit, of which India is a founding member, she said.

The East Asia Summit is held annually by leaders of Asean countries and those of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US.

On the margins of the summits, Modi will hold bilateral meetings with some other leaders as well.

Modi and Duterte were expected "to set up the stage for a quantitative change in our bilateral relations with the Philippines", Saran said.

She said there was immense potential to enhance bilateral economic ties.

In the Philippines, Modi will meet members of the Indian community, visit the International Rice Research Institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation, an associate centre of the Bhagwan Mahavir Bikalang Sahayta Samiti of the Jaipur Foot fame.

--IANS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to come out and vote in "record numbers" for the assembly election underway in the state.

"Himachal Pradesh is polling today. I request every voter to cast vote...," the Prime Minister tweeted.

The main contest in the 68-seat assembly poll is between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress has projected incumbent Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as its chief ministerial candidate, while Prem Kumar Dhumal is the BJP's.

A total of 50.25 lakh electorate, including 19 lakh women and 14 transgenders, will decide the fate of the candidates.

The polling that began at 8 a.m. will continue till 5 p.m.

The vote count will be held on December 18 along with those of Gujarat.

--IANS

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Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who is on a friendship and working visit to the United Arab Emirates, took part in the opening ceremony of the 'Louvre Abu Dhabi' Museum, along with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, French President Emmanuel Macron and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.

On the occasion, the Morrocon monarch offered gifts to the Abu Dhabi Louvre including historical artworks dating back to the 19th century -- a Holy Quran manuscript, a rifle, a sword and a pair of cedar wood stable door from Fez.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum underlined that the Louvre Abu Dhabi is an addition to the human heritage, and that the museum is a work of art that brings together the East and the West, an inter-civilizational bridge.

A symbol of tolerance and communion, this museum stands for "our capacity to fight evil forces of violence and hatred," he said, calling for a genuine inter-civilizational coalition to preserve human civilization.

Later, President Macron in a speech said that the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the fruit of an agreement inked in 2007, is an exceptional architectural work of art. He said this "Louvre of desert and light is a bridge between generations, cultures and East and West," MAP news agency reported.

The new museum, which boasts a rich collection of over 600 artworks ranging from antiquity to present times, in addition to some 300 artefacts loaned from French museums, includes also a temporary exhibition area and other facilities.

The building is made up of a huge silver dome that weighs around 7,500 tons. It features a geometric structure of 7,850 stars and as the sun passes above, its lights filters through the perforations in the dome to create an inspiring effect within the museum known as the "rain of light", inspired by the palm trees of Abu Dhabi.

--IANS

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The first launch of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will carry the new Orion spacecraft, could be delayed until 2020, indicates a new review report of the launch schedule.

But NASA hopes that it would be able to launch the uncrewed mission by December 2019.

This mission, known as Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) is a critical flight test for the agency's human deep space exploration goals.

The review follows an earlier assessment where NASA evaluated the cost, risk and technical factors of adding crew to the mission, but ultimately affirmed the original plan to fly EM-1 uncrewed.

"While the review of the possible manufacturing and production schedule risks indicate a launch date of June 2020, the agency is managing to December 2019," said acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot.

"Since several of the key risks identified have not been actually realized, we are able to put in place mitigation strategies for those risks to protect the December 2019 date," Lightfoot said in a statement on Thursday.

NASA said its ability to meet its agency baseline commitments to EM-1 cost, which includes SLS and ground systems, currently remains within original targets.

The Orion spacecraft is designed to take astronauts to deep space destinations,

NASA said it now plans to accelerate a test of Orion's launch abort system ahead of EM-1, and is targeting April 2019.

Known as Ascent-Abort 2, the test will validate the launch abort system's ability to get crew to safety if needed during ascent.

Moving up the test date ahead of EM-1 will reduce risk for the first flight with crew, which remains on track for 2023, NASA said.

--IANS

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NATO will increase its training mission in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 16,000 troops, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday.

Underlining that Afghanistan's security situation remained "very challenging", Stoltenberg said NATO would increase its support for Afghanistan as part of its Resolute Support Mission.

Around 13,000 troops from 39 NATO and partner countries are in Afghanistan, training the Afghan forces within the framework of a NATO-led mission.

During the ministerial meeting, the US gave a briefing on its new South Asia strategy, under which its troop numbers in Afghanistan have increased. The NATO chief said 27 other nations have also agreed to increase their troop numbers in the coming months, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ministers from NATO allied countries and partners also confirmed they would continue to fund the Afghan security forces until at least 2020.

In addition to the financial support from the US, "other NATO allies and partners will continue to provide almost a billion US dollars each year to the Afghan defence and security forces," added Stoltenberg.

The ministers were joined by Afghanistan's Acting Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami.

The Resolute Support Mission is a NATO-led mission launched in January 2015 to provide training, advice and assistance to Afghan security forces and institutions.

--IANS

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India and Pakistan need to get together to find a sustainable solution to smog, the Pakistani Punjab Minister of Environment Zakia Shah Nawaz Khan has said.

The only proper forum to do this is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), Geo News quoted Khan as saying on Thursday.

"There are no two ways about it. Smog is not just an India or Pakistan issue, it is a regional issue. Both countries need to collaborate in order to find a sustainable solution. The only proper forum to do that is the Saarc," Khan wrote in an opinion piece.

"The nature of this emergency is such that let's say Pakistan effectively tackles smog and India is still struggling, we will, regardless of our efforts, still be affected by air pollution. Hence, it has to be a joint effort," she said.

Schools have been shut in parts of north India after pollution hit hazardous levels. The skyline in parts of Pakistan too has been shrouded in toxic smog for over a week. In both countries, experts have warned of dangers to health.

"Smog is pollution... and it is harmful to us... We have to clean our air... Punjab is already implementing some urgent, short-term measures," Khan said.

"Now, is the time for us to say, enough is enough. The developed world did this to us. We are a developing country. We did not pollute the planet's air. There is no turning back at this point. We have to, absolutely have to, find a way to save our future generations.

"As for India, the federal government can initiate contact across the border. The Punjab government cannot on its own. Parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh are also enveloped in smog... It is, and should be, on the state's agenda," she said.

--IANS

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Tamil actor Kamal Haasan, who has plans for a political plunge, has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise towards inclusion of Chennai in Unesco's list of Creative Cities for its contribution to music.

Unesco, the United Nations cultural organisation, on Wednesday, included Chennai in its list of Creative Cities for its contribution to music.

"The recognition and praise for Chennai from Unesco for music fans is long overdue. We prefer praise from others. Our honourable PM recognizing it affirms our hope that South will not diminish inspite of its detractors," Kamal tweeted on Wednesday night.

Modi had hailed the development by tweeting on Wednesday: "Congratulations to the people of Chennai on the city's inclusion in the Unesco Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition. Chennai's contribution to our rich culture is precious. This is a proud moment for India."

The Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004. It highlights its members' creativity within seven fields: Crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music.

The UCCN now counts a total of 180 cities in 72 countries. Alba city in Italy tops the list.

--IANS

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The political temperatures soared in West Bengal on Wednesday, as rival political parties clashed and scuffled on the streets as they brought out rallies, marches, held meetings and street corners in support or against the demonetisation exercise carried out exactly a year back by the Narendra Modi-led Central government.

In Kolkata, there were clashes between the state's ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP in south Kolkata's Rashbehari Crossing and Central Avenue in central Kolkata.

The Congress workers came to blows with the BJP activists in Asansol of Paschin Bardhaman district.

At Rashbehari, BJP leaders started a road blockade alleging that Trinamool supporters beat up their cadres, ransacked the stage and broke chairs.

Trinamool leader and Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya alleged that the BJP workers provoked her party activists by raising insulting slogans against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "But we never manhandled them. There were only verbal clashes..."

But state Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee was more forthright. "The BJP started abusing and hitting our worker, who retaliated. If they use their hands on us, they should not expect to get 'rosogollas'."

The BJP leaders later lodged a complaint at the Tollygunge police station.

The BJP, which celebrated Wednesday as "ullas divas" and anti black money day", brought out a rally near the Indian Airlines office on Central Avenue. Alleging that the rally was attacked by Trinamool-backed miscreants, the BJP cadres blocked Central Avenue and laid a siege outside Bowbazar police station.

As the BJP workers clashed with police, the Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in the area.

The Congress and BJP workers fought a pitched battle at Asansol City Bus Stand. Local BJP leaders alleged that when Union Minister Babul Supriyo was addressing the workers, Congress supporters came before the stage and started a demonstration. BJP cadres physically confronted the Congressmen, sparking violence which spread to some nearby areas as well.

Chief Minister Banerjee later slammed the BJP for "indulging in violence".

"Parties bereft of any issues resort to violence. But parties like Trinamool, who back people's issues, come out with rallies. For the BJP, it is very difficult to gather one lakh peple. They only know hooliganism," Banerjee told media persons at the state secretariat Nabanna.

Responding to the Trinamool chief, Supriyo challenged Banerjee to back her claim that his BJP indulged in hooliganism, adding that on the contrary, Banerjee was feeling disturbed because of his party's rising vote share.

Trinamool brought out a series of protest marches in the city and the districts with all ministers and important leaders participating in the programmes as part of observance of "Kala Divas" (black day).

In Kolkata, the marches were led by senior Trinamool leaders like Abhishek Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi, and several ministers including Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Firhad Hakim and Sovan Chatterjee.

The Trinamool workers sported kurtas on which were monogrammed slogans like "Modi hatao, desh bachao", and "BJP hatao, desh bachao".

The Left parties took out a protest march from central Kolkata's Moulali Ram Lila Park to the Reseve Bank of India office here.

Leaders of Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (Liberation) and Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) were among the participants.

The marchers raised slogans "against the sufferings of the common man across the country and the crisis in the Indian economy as a result of the note ban.

The Congress held as meeting close to the RBI office, where its state chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sharply criticised the Modi government for its "misconceived economic policies" like demonetisation which have aderailed' the Indian economy.

The BJP Mahila Morcha organised a amanav bandhan' programme in the city to show its solidarity with the demonetisation exercise.

--IANS

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President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday launched the much-awaited third phase of Bihar's Agriculture Road Map (2017-22) that will focus on increasing income of farmers among other things.

The road map of Rs 1.54 lakh crore will also focus on ensuring sustainable development of the agriculture sector by emphasizing on organic farming through development of organic corridors.

Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also attended the event at Bapu Savagar of Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre here .

It is Kovind's first official visit to the state after being elected President of India in July. He was Bihar Governor before he was nominated for the Presidential election.

Earlier, President Kovind arrived at Patna airport in a special place and was received by Satyapal Malik, Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

Nitish Kumar in his address said 76 per cent of Bihar's population was dependent on agriculture for livelihood. He claimed that Bihar had recorded growth and improvement in the agriculture sector since the first agriculture road map was implemented for 2008-12, followed by the second for 2012-17. "Our rice, wheat, maize, potato and vegetables production have remarkably increased."

"Now we are ready to implement the Third Agriculture Road Map for Bihar. A few months ago we invited hundreds of farmers from all the 38 districts of the state to provide them an opportunity to make suggestions. We have listened to their suggestions carefully and considered their views and finalised the road map," he said.

Organic farming is one of the focus areas of the agriculture road map. "We will promote organic farming and help farmers go for it in areas along the river Ganga for protection of the environment."

According to officials, the agriculture road map includes programmes by as many as 12 departments, including agriculture, animal husbandry and power. Among other objectives, the road map is aimed at setting up an exclusive 1,500 MW power network for the agriculture sector to reduce the farmers' dependence on diesel generator sets for farming. The plan also includes innovative idea of integrating solar power with fisheries.

The state government is also working on a plan to connect villages with a population of more than 250 people through road network to provide access to wholesale markets.

It has also targeted raising the irrigation capacity of the state through 14.64 lakh private tubewells.

--IANS

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Russia supports the idea of establishing a free trade area (FTA) in the Asia Pacific region, which is believed to enhance the country's position in the region's market, President Vladimir Putin said in a statement.

"We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area," Putin said in an article on Wednesday night entitled "The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang: Together Towards Prosperity and Harmonious Development".

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Summit will take place from Friday to Saturday in Vietnam's coastal Da Nang city, reports TASS News.

"We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions in the rapidly growing APR markets. I want to note that over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 per cent, and from 17 to 24 per cent in exports. And we have no intention of stopping there."

Putin said this sweeping project should be implemented with account of the experience of key integration formats in Asia Pacific and in Eurasia, especially the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) where Russia cooperates with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

"Our union has been developing dynamically, and we are eager to build relations with all countries and associations that are interested in doing so," he said.

Putin recalled that Vietnam, the host country of the current Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, was the first country in the region to sign a FTA with the EEU.

"As a result, our trade grew significantly and became more diversified. Talks on a trade and economic cooperation agreement with China concluded a short while ago. Talks with Singapore have begun, and we are working on the possibility of signing a free trade agreement with Asean (Association for Southeast Asian Nations)," he wrote.

He assured that Russia was interested in a successful development of Asia Pacific region.

"We believe that effective economic integration based on the principles of openness, mutual benefit and the universal rules of the World Trade Organisation is the primary means of achieving this goal," he added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Irrfan Khan's forthcoming movie "Qarib Qarib Singlle" will be releasing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

"It is really great to see your movies reach audiences all over the world. A romantic story like 'The Lunchbox' travelled around the world and with 'Hindi Medium' being appreciated across, it is encouraging as an actor to see your work being explored in new markets," said Irrfan in a statement.

Zee Studios International is releasing the film in the foreign markets.

Vibha Chopra, Head - Zee Studios International, Film Marketing, Distribution and Acquisition, said: "Unconventional films call for unconventional markets. We are delighted to take 'Qarib Qarib Singlle' to territories like Germany, Austria and Switzerland where Indian film releases aren't as common... 'Qarib Qarib Singlle' is a simple yet beautiful narrative that is bound to find an audience in these markets."

"Qarib Qarib Singlle" is a contemporary love story of two people who embark upon an unusual journey which becomes a mad adventure.

The Tanuja Chandra directorial will release in Germany and Austria on November 10 -- the same date the film is releasing in India. It will open in Switzerland on November 12.

--IANS

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Unfazed by opposition criticism, Indian Railways is working overtime to push ahead with the much-talked about the "Bullet Train" project, aiming to complete it ahead of the August 2022 deadline set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani, who has a reputation of a turnaround man, has taken up the task of monitoring and chairing the periodic review meetings of the project that is estimated to cost over Rs 1 lakh crore ($15 billion).

Lohani held a high-level meeting in Rail Bhavan last Thursday which was attended by Japanese Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar, Central government officials, Principal Secretary-rank officials of Gujarat and Maharashtra, officials of NHSRCL (National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited), officials of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the General Manager of Western Railway.

A senior railway board member, requesting anonymity, told IANS, "The railways is in no mood to delay the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project. Lohani will now hold a review meeting once every three months... And even on weekly basis, if required."

Emphasising on the government's intention, the official said, "The attendance of the Niti Aayog Vice Chairman, the Japanese Ambassador and the CRB in the review meeting is a clear signal that the government is taking the project seriously and there is no scope for any delay."

"The CRB wants Indian Railway officials to take lessons from their Japanese counterparts about meeting deadlines," he said.

The opposition has attacked the government for taking up a project at a huge cost instead of focusing on safety, a dire need of the time, and on schemes to improve passenger amenities.

The official said it was also decided at the meeting that "a road map for consultancy and civil engineering works will be prepared by January 2018".

A ministry official associated with the project said a report on the signalling system and electrical reports would be ready by April 2018. According to him, the tracks and most of the signalling system would be brought from Japan.

The foundation stone for the Rs 1.08 lakh crore ($17 billion) 508-km Ahmedabad-Mumbai was laid in Ahmedabad by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on September 14.

Of the Rs 1.08 lakh crore, Japan is giving a loan of Rs 88,000 crore at a minimal interest of 0.1 per cent for 50 years. And the repayment will begin only after 15 years.

The railway official said that to encourage the Prime Minister's ambitious 'Make in India' programme, "an appeal will be made to Indian and Japanese companies to make use the opportunity to work together".

Meanwhile, the officials of the government of Maharashtra and Gujarat assured the railways of their help in land acquisition and smooth shifting of raw materials to construction venues.

A three-level monitoring committee was also constituted, including the Vice Chairman of Niti Ayog and Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister.

A working group led by Managing Director of NHSRCL Achal Khare and consisting of representatives of the ministries concerned, and the representative of JICA, has been formed. Besides the two committees, a technical expert committee led by the Managing Director of NHSRCL has also been formed.Of the 508 km stretch, 92 per cent (468 km) of the route will be elevated, six per cent (27 km) will be in tunnels and the remaining two per cent (13 km) will be on the ground .

The high-speed train would also pass through the country's longest tunnel of 21 km, of which seven km will be under the sea.

Twelve stations have been proposed that include Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

The distance will be covered in two hours and seven minutes if the train stops at four stations -- Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Mumbai. If the train stops at all 12 stations, it will cover the distance in two hours and fifty-eight minutes.

According to Railway Ministry officials, the operating speed of the bullet train would be 320 kmph and the maximum speed would be 350 kmph.
In the clutter of cookery shows on TV here's one that aims to discover not just the best chef but the best restaurant idea, with the winner of "Grilled" pocketing a whopping Rs 1.5 crore ($230,000) for launching a dream eatery.

"Food is a uniquely delightful genre that elicits interest from everyone. There are many minds in the country, young and old, which are buzzing with novel ideas to take the food industry in India to a new level. This is where 'Grilled' comes in. The show offers budding food entrepreneurs a distinct opportunity to make their culinary dreams come true," Shruti Takulia, Creative Director, India Productions, Fox Networks Group, told IANS in an email interview.

With an enviable line-up of eminent judges and mentors -- leading restaurateur Riyaaz Amlani, globally renowned chef Sarah Todd and musician and foodie Vishal Dadlani -- "the show offers contestants a chance to learn from the best. The contestants are pushed to the limits, and are tested in high pressure situations, on creativity, business acumen, planning and, of course, their gastronomic talent", Takulia added of the 10-episode show, which is now at its half-way mark.

While the prize money is the ultimate reward for the participants, "the highlight is the valuable mentorship that they will receive during its duration, which will help them give life to their food dreams in the future", she said of the 12 contestants the show opened with, half of whom have been eliminated.

Initially, contestants were required to present their ideas on a plate, offering the judges a glimpse of the kind of food or restaurant they dream of building or growing. This was followed by the contestants presenting their business plans, capturing the uniqueness of their idea and expectations in terms of investments and how they see the investment panning out in the long run.

The eliminations are based on the contestants' performance in the challenges. Each challenge has a few weak links that are called out by the judges; the other contestants too have a chance to give an opinion on who they thought was the weakest in the challenge. A discussion and deliberation with the judges follow, and one contestant is eliminated at the end of every episode.

How were the judges picked?

"We were looking for a leading restaurateur who understands the business. Although there are a few names in the industry, Riyaaz Amlani tops the list. Sarah Todd is a globally renowned chef and a face on Fox Life. And, of course, we wanted some hungry rush in the show with someone who would be difficult with the contestant. So we approached Vishal Dadlani. He is a complete no-nonsense person and the most difficult to please customer for the contestants," Takulia explained.

The judges, of course, were thrilled to bits.

"Honestly, it was a little overwhelming for me as it brought back so many memories of being a contestant in MasterChef Australia. I truly felt the anxiety, the passion, the pressure that all the contestants were going through," said Sarah Todd, who has created a 250-cover Australian-themed "Antares" restaurant at Vagator in Goa.

"The show was not just about cooking but also about the various aspects that go into the restaurant business and that's like one of my favourite subjects," said Riyaaz Amlani, CEO & MD, Impresario Handmade Restaurants, and President of The National Restaurant Association of India, who contributed Rs 1 crore to the prize kitty.

"It felt great! It's nice to be in a new space, for a few days. Riyaaz and I were in college together and have been friends since; so we had a laugh! Sarah is lovely too; so it was a super fun vibe from the word go," said Dadlani.

"Grilled" airs on Fox Life at 9 p.m. on Mondays.

(Vishnu Makhijani can be contacted at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)

--IANS

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The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it may allow Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, to go abroad for four or five days as it studied documents submitted by the CBI to oppose his application.

Karti Chidambaram is seeking the apex court's nod to travel to Cambridge in connection with the admission of his daughter.

Asking Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta to take instructions on permitting Karti Chidambaram to go abroad, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud also asked the agency if it intended to further question Karti Chidambaram on the strength of papers it had shown to the court.

The court asked ASG Mehta to seek instructions from the investigating agency as it fixed the next date of hearing on November 16.

The court order came after senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, told the bench that his client was not afraid of anything and offered to be confronted with any document signed by him and was ready to face any question from the agency.

The hearing on Thursday saw both P. Chidambaram and Nalini Chidambaram being present in court and Chidambaram telling Sibal on the points he should advance.

Though Nalini Chidambaram is present in the court on every hearing, for the first time on Thursday, both the mother and father of Karti Chidambaram were present in the court room during the hearing.

The Supreme Court is hearing a CBI plea that challenges the Madras High Court's stay order on the lookout notice against Karti Chidambaram.

The apex court has since stayed the High Court order.

The agency had issued the lookout circular against Karti Chidambaram after investigations into alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media when P. Chidambaram was the Finance Minister in the UPA government.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it may allow Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, to go abroad for four or five days as it studied documents submitted by the CBI to oppose his application.

Karti Chidambaram is seeking the apex court's nod to travel to Cambridge in connection with the admission of his daughter.

Asking Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instructions on permitting Karti Chidambaram to go abroad, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud also asked the agency if it intended to further question Karti Chidambaram on the strength of papers it had shown to the court.

The court order came after senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, told the bench that his client was not afraid of anything and offered to be confronted with any document signed by him and was ready to face any question from the agency.

The Supreme Court is hearing a CBI plea that challenges the Madras High Court's stay order on the lookout notice against Karti Chidambaram. The apex court has since stayed the High Court order.

The agency had issued the lookout circular against Karti Chidambaram after investigations into alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media when P. Chidambaram was the Finance Minister in the UPA government.

--IANS

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Now, you can experience South Africa's wildlife and vicariously trek its national parks through the eyes and lenses of local wildlife rangers who have captured the essence of the nation.

All this thanks to a team of nature-loving South Africans in partnership with Google Street View and South African Tourism who have released a large collection of 360-degree imagery of the country's wildest areas.

Along with the main attractions from the African country, which include the Kruger National Park, Table Mountain and Cape Point (these three locations are also known as the The Mzansi Experience), viewers can now also look at 170 new trails from South Africa's national parks and reserves.

The e-trails, launched on November 9, extend the existing Street View imagery of South Africa's wilderness areas to include all 19 national parks, 17 previously 'un-trekked' nature reserves and many sites of natural, cultural and historical significance in all the nine provinces of South Africa.

It took more than 200 volunteers from across the country, and 12 months of mapping out the lesser explored parts of South Africa before the images could be put together. Wildlife rangers from SANParks, CapeNature and KZN Ezemvelo, along with guides, hikers, nature-lovers, and tech-enthusiasts worked on the project.

"The hundreds of volunteers who helped along the way proved to be truly passionate about showing the best of South Africa through their participation in the loan program," said Magdalena Filak, Programme Manager for Google.

The project is part of Google's Street View Camera Loan Programme, which encourages people to apply to borrow the 360-degree camera technology and map the planet.

The team of volunteers was coordinated by loan programme partner Drive South Africa. Andre Van Kets, outdoor enthusiast and founder of the Cape Town-based travel company, saw the potential in this technology to showcase South Africa to travellers around the globe.

The applicants to the program capture 360-degree view of the locations using a uniquely crafted multi-camera set up.

"The trekker camera is a 22kg custom-made backpack fitted with 15 cameras pointing in all directions. The on-board technology plots the camera's exact location on the trail. While recording, the camera takes a 360-degree photo every two-seconds. It's basically the off-road equivalent of Google's Street View cars," Van Kets said.

"For the first time, travellers and wildlife lovers from across the globe can explore the full spectrum of South Africa's diverse wilderness areas on Google Maps and Street View," said Sisa Ntshona, CEO of South African Tourism.

Through their gadgets, Street View users can now trace the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, climb seven new trails to the top of Table Mountain, hike the famous five-day Otter Trail, track cheetah on foot, and walk with elephants and other wildlife.

Additionally, seven of South Africa's eight Unesco World Heritage Sites are also on the e-list. Users can experience South Africa's treasured spots like the Mapungubwe Hill that is home to an ancient African civilisation, the Richtersveld that is known for its arid moonscapes, the Drakensberg Mountains that is known for its height, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park that is South Africa's oldest UNESCO site and a critical habitat for a range of species.

All this can be viewed at 'South Africa in 360', a micro-site launched by Drive South Africa. The website is inspired by a similar project showcasing the US National Parks, and is an immersive virtual-reality adventure to South Africa's four top tourist destinations and some of its lesser-known gems.

"This is the way in which we do tourism," said Sisa Ntshona. "Collaborations like this, with entrepreneurs and world-renown brands, Google, that will ultimately define the success of South Africa as a unique destination," he added.

(Surbhi Kapila is with the Media India Group, a global platform based in Europe and India, encompassing publishing, communication, consultation services and event management. She can be contacted at s.kapila@mediaindia.eu)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday urged all countries to stop arming, financing and trading with the "murderous" North Korean nuclear regime.

Addressing a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall, Trump, on a three-day visit, said both the leaders had agreed not to replicate failed approaches to resolving the North Korean crisis.

China is the North's ally and its biggest trading partner. Washington believes that Beijing has influence over Pyongyang because of the close ties. Mao Zedong's son died fighting in Korea against the US in the 1950s.

"Today President Xi, we discussed our mutual commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea," Trump said.

"We agreed not to replicate failed approaches of the past... We agreed on the need to fully implement all the Security Council resolutions on North Korea and to increase economic pressure until North Korea abandons its reckless and dangerous path.

"All responsible nations must join together to stop arming and financing and even trading with the murderous North Korean regime," he said.

China says it will do whatever possible to rein in North within the regulated framework of the UN but is not in favour of unilateral sanctions against the reclusive country.

"As long as we stand together with others, if necessary against those who threaten our civilization, that threat will never happen. It doesn't even have a chance," Trump said.

"As I said in my address in Seoul, the entire civilized world must unite to confront the North Korean menace and the entire world is watching us right now.

"Together we have enough power to finally liberate this region and the world from this serious nuclear menace. But it will require a collective effort, collective strength and collective devotion to winning the peace," Trump added.

Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have escalated after North Korea's test firing of missiles and conducting its most powerful hydrogen test in September.

North Korea fears the US wants it to be merged with South Korea.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday urged all countries to stop arming, financing and trading with the "murderous" North Korean regime even as he claimed that China had a solution to the Korean nuclear crisis.

Addressing a joint press conference with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Trump, on a three-day visit that began on Wednesday, said he and Xi had agreed not to replicate failed approaches to resolve the growing crisis.

North Korea figured majorly on the agenda when Xi and Trump held talks at the Great Hall of the People. Trump indicated that he wanted China to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear designs.

While Xi promised cooperation and coordination, Trump said China had the solution to the problem.

"Our meeting ... was excellent, discussing North Korea and I do believe there is a solution to that, as you do," Trump told Xi. "We have the capacity to solve world problems for many years to come."

Xi said: "China is ready to work with the US to enhance cooperation and properly manage the differences in a spirit of mutual benefit."

He said the US and China had "more coordination and cooperation in North Korea nuclear issue and other world challenges. Right now China and US relations are at a new starting point".

At the press conference, Trump said all responsible countries must join together to stop arming and financing and even trading with the "murderous North Korean regime".

"Today, we discussed our mutual commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.

"We agreed on the need to fully implement all the Security Council resolutions on North Korea and to increase economic pressure until North Korea abandons its reckless and dangerous path."

China is the North's ally and its biggest trading partner. Washington believes that Beijing has influence over Pyongyang because of the close ties. Mao Zedong's son died fighting in Korea against the US in the 1950s.

China says it will do whatever possible to rein in North within the regulated framework of the UN but is not in favour of unilateral sanctions against the reclusive country.

"As long as we stand together with others, if necessary against those who threaten our civilization, that threat will never happen. It doesn't even have a chance," Trump said.

"The entire civilised world must unite to confront the North Korean menace and the entire world is watching us right now.

"Together we have enough power to finally liberate this region and the world from this serious nuclear menace. But it will require a collective effort, collective strength and collective devotion to winning the peace," Trump added.

Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have escalated after North Korea's test firing of missiles and conducting its most powerful hydrogen test in September.

North Korea fears the US wants it to be merged with South Korea.

Trump also talked about the yawning trade deficit between two countries. He lavished praise on Xi, touting "great chemistry" between them. The US President blamed his predecessors, not China, for the problem.

"(The) US really has to change its policies because they've gotten so far behind on trade with China and frankly with many other countries. But it's too bad that past administrations allowed it to go so far."

He said: "I don't blame China. Who can blame a country that is able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit."

The two countries announced memorandums of understanding to increase trade by $253 billion, which the leaders said was a sign of greater cooperation. The deals include purchases of Boeing aircraft, Ford automobiles, US soybeans and joint development of liquified natural gas in Alaska.

Trump is in China on the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea. He will later go to Vietnam and the Philippines.

This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

(Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS. He can be reached at sharmagaurav71@gmail.com)

--IANS

gsh/soni/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday urged all countries to stop arming, financing and trading with the "murderous" North Korean regime even as he claimed that China had a solution to the Korean nuclear crisis.

Addressing a joint press conference with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall, Trump, on a three-day visit that began on Wednesday, said he and Xi had agreed not to replicate failed approaches to resolve the growing crisis.

North Korea figured majorly on the agenda when Xi and Trump held talks at the Great Hall of the People. Trump indicated he wanted China to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear designs.

While Xi promised cooperation and coordination, Trump said China had the solution to the problem.

"Our meeting ... was excellent, discussing North Korea and I do believe there is a solution to that, as you do," Trump told Xi. "We have the capacity to solve world problems for many years to come."

Xi said: "China is ready to work with the US to enhance cooperation and properly manage the differences in a spirit of mutual benefit."

He said the US and China had "more coordination and cooperation in North Korea nuclear issue and other world challenges. Right now China and US relations are at a new starting point".

At the press conference, Trump said all responsible countries must join together to stop arming and financing and even trading with the "murderous North Korean regime".

"Today, we discussed our mutual commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.

"We agreed on the need to fully implement all the Security Council resolutions on North Korea and to increase economic pressure until North Korea abandons its reckless and dangerous path."

China is the North's ally and its biggest trading partner. Washington believes that Beijing has influence over Pyongyang because of the close ties. Mao Zedong's son died fighting in Korea against the US in the 1950s.

China says it will do whatever possible to rein in North within the regulated framework of the UN but is not in favour of unilateral sanctions against the reclusive country.

"As long as we stand together with others, if necessary against those who threaten our civilization, that threat will never happen. It doesn't even have a chance," Trump said.

"The entire civilized world must unite to confront the North Korean menace and the entire world is watching us right now.

"Together we have enough power to finally liberate this region and the world from this serious nuclear menace. But it will require a collective effort, collective strength and collective devotion to winning the peace," Trump added.

Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have escalated after North Korea's test firing of missiles and conducting its most powerful hydrogen test in September.

North Korea fears the US wants it to be merged with South Korea.

Trump also talked about the yawning trade deficit between two countries. He blamed his predecessors, not China, for the problem.

"(The) US really has to change its policies because they've gotten so far behind on trade with China and frankly with many other countries. But it's too bad that past administrations allowed it to go so far."

Trump is in China on the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea. He will later go to Vietnam and the Philippines.

This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

--IANS

gsh/soni/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Turkish police on Thursday detained 101 suspected Islamic State (IS) militants in the capital Ankara.

The counter terror operation was carried out by the Ankara Public Prosecutor's office with 1,500 policemen, and detention warrants for 245 suspects were issued, according to the local media.

The police reportedly carried out raids at 240 different addresses in Ankara and confiscated digital and other material belonging to the IS group, reports Xinhua news agency.

Between October 22 and November 1, the police launched anti-IS operations in 25 provinces across Turkey detaining 283 IS militants and seizing 66 improvised explosive devices including some other weapons.

Since 2015, Turkey has suffered several deadly attacks that killed more than 300 people and the government accuses the IS of being the main plotter.

According to the Turkish Justice Ministry, at least 780 people, including 350 foreigners, remain in detention, some of whom have been convicted, for suspected links to the IS group.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US State Department on Thursday will end the Central American Minors (CAM) refugee programme established to help children fleeing violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The programme, established in 2014 by former President Barack Obama's administration, allowed certain parents lawfully residing in the US to request a refugee resettlement interview for their children and eligible family members, reports the Voice of America.

But President Donald Trump's administration said it would end the program as part of its overall review of the refugees admissions process.

On Wednesday, the State Department announced the decision, saying that people from those countries seeking refugee status may still be eligible but they must use the normal refugee screening process.

Since 2014, more than 1,500 children and eligible family members have arrived in the US as refugees under the CAM programme, and another 13,000 have applied for refuge, the State Department said.

The decision to end the programme comes the same week that the administration announced that it was ending the immigration benefits for nearly 2,500 Nicaraguan nationals living and working in the US under a programme called Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Voice of America reported.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gave the Nicaraguan TPS recipients 12 months after the January 5, 2018, expiration of their protected status to arrange their affairs and either leave the country or obtain legal status through a different visa category.

Another 195,000 Salvadorans and 46,000 Haitians are awaiting the decision on their fate, as DHS must decide in coming weeks what to do with TPS recipients from those countries whose legal residency will expire early next year.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"If anyone tells you he is never afraid, he is a liar or he is a Gurkha", Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw had once said. Years later, as the 9 Gorkha Rifles (9 GR), one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army, celebrates its bicentenary, the words ring true with over 32,000 Nepalese Gorkhas serving in the Indian Army, a display of the deep bonds of friendship between India and Nepal.

As the 9 GR began its three-day bicentenary celebrations on Thursday, the uniqueness of this bond between India and Nepal will be seen at its regimental centre in Varanasi, where hundreds of veterans and serving soldiers have gathered, with the army chief, General Bipin Rawat, being the chief guest.

Contrary to popular belief that it was the British who first raised the Gorkha or Gurkha battalions, the first was raised by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was impressed by their bravery and valour. In Nepal, soldiers serving with the Indian Army are still called "Lahoreys" one who serves in Lahore, which was the Maharaja Ranjit Singh's capital.

At present, apart from the large number of serving Gorkha soldiers, there are around 90,000 retired soldiers of the Indian Army in Nepal.

According to Brigadier S.P. Sinha (retired), the 9 GR descended from the Fatehgarh levy in 1817, which was raised by Maj G.S. Fagan. At the time of Independence in 1947, the Gorkhas were given the option of joining either the Indian or British Army. According to Brigadier Sinha, the British expected that a majority of Gorkhas would chose the Crown -- but the reverse happened.

"The result of the referendum came as big surprise to the British officers," said Sinha.

Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck, the Supreme Commander of all British forces in India and Pakistan post independence until late 1948, analysed it thus: "The pre-conceived idea held generally by British officers of Gurkha Regiments that there could be no question that the Gurkha soldier would opt to serve Britain rather than India, has been completely upset by the referendum to ascertain the wishes of the Gurkha soldiers."

Thus, the Indian Army took under its wings 1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR, 5 GR, 8 GR and 9 GR while 11 GR, into which General Rawat was commissioned, was raised after Independence. Each regiment comprises five or six battalions.

Personnel of the 9 GR have been awarded three Victoria Crosses, five Mahavir Chakras and 17 Vir Chakras. Each battalion of the regiment has also been awarded the Chief of Army Staff Citation and one or more Army Commander's Citation for exceptional services rendered, a unique distinction quite unparalleled in the Indian Army.

More than 300 soldiers of the regiment have laid down their lives post-Independence in various wars and counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

As a prelude to the celebrations, a motorcycle rally was flagged off by the army chief in January, which arrived in Pokhra, Nepal on February 4, when a massive rally, participated in by around 3,500 ex-servicemen, was held to celebrate the bicentenary. The event was also attended by the Nepalese army chief, General Rajendra Chhetri and the Indian DGMO, Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt, who is also the Colonel of the 9 GR.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Voting began on Thursday in the Security Council and the General Assembly for the election of world court judges in which Dalveer Bhandari of India is facing a Lebanese diplomat in his re-election bid.

The Assembly and the Council are holding separate ballots to elect five judges and candidates have to get an absolute majority in both chambers. Permanent members cannot veto a candidate.

Bhandari was elected to the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2012 to complete the remainder of the term of a retiring judge. He is now running for a full nine-year term. Lebanon's Permanent Representative Nawaf Salam, a jurist-turned-diplomat, is running against him for the judgeship representing Asia.

Salam was nominated by Lebanon and France and his candidacy was endorsed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation at its foreign ministers' meeting at Tashkent last year.

Bhandari has received nominations from Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia and Israel. Just before the voting began in the Assembly, President Miroslav Lajcik announced that Sri Lanka has also joined in nominating him.

There are six candidates left in the race for the five judgeships up for election this year after a Zambian candidate, Chaloka Beyani, withdrew from the race. The five candidates of the six remaining, who each get a majority of the votes in both the Assembly and the Council, will assume office next February.

Besides Bhandari, ICJ President Ronny Abraham of France, Vice President, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia, and Antonio Augusto Cancado Trindade of Brazil and Christopher Greenwood of Britain, whose terms end this year, are running for re-election.

Bhandari is the only one facing a challenge.

By tradition jurists from the permanent members of the Security Council have a seat in the ICJ assuring British and French candidates of their election, and no one from their regions are challenging the Somali and Brazilian judges.

The court does not officially have regional quotas but its statutes also say that the judges should represent the "main forms of civilization" and the "principal legal systems of the world" and this has in practice given rise to a regional distribution system.

Bhandari is currently representing a swathe of Asia from the Middle East to the Far East along with judges from China and Japan.

He was elected to succeed Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh of Jordan and he defeated a candidate from the Philippines. Therefore, he will essentially be facing Salam who is also from the region.

The Indian Mission to the UN held a reception for him last month to meet the delegates who will be voting in the election.

While Bhandari also received nominations from Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia and Israel, Salam

Bhandari, who is from Rajasthan, has been a Supreme Court judge and the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

This year and last, India's candidates won two other international election in the legal field. In June, Neeru Chadha was elected to International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) based in Hamburg, Germany.

Aniruddha Rajput was elected by the UN General Assembly to the International Law Commission last November.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)

--IANS

al/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday, saying that bilateral ties were at a "new historical starting point".

The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People here, reports Xinhua news agency.

Trump arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea.

Xi said cooperation was the "only correct choice" for China and the US to maintain healthy relations.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on issues including the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan.

This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the US trade deficit with China.

--IANS

ksk

(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.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday where they discussed the North Korean nuclear crisis.

The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People here.

While Xi promised cooperation and coordination on the worsening crisis, Trump said that China has the solution to the problem.

"Our meeting this morning in front of your representatives and in front of our representatives was excellent, discussing North Korea and I do believe there is a solution to that as you do," Trump told Xi.

"We have the capacity to solve world problems for many years to come," Trump, who is on a three-day China visit, said.

In response, Xi said: "China is ready to work with the United States to enhance cooperation and properly manage the differences in a spirit of mutual benefit."

He said that the US and China had "more coordination and cooperation in North Korea nuclear issue and other world challenges.

"Right now China and US relations are at a new starting point."

The tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have escalated after North Korea's test firing of missiles and conducting its most powerful hydrogen test in September.

North Korea fears that the US wants to the reclusive nation to be annexed in the South Korea.

The US wants China to do more to rein in its ally. But China has said that it is not the trouble-maker and has only limited ability to solve the crisis.

Power equations will be changed this time as Xi has become more powerful, because of exalted status in China, and Trump's popularity has taken a hit in the US.

The US President will also chair a business forum and there will be a signing of several bilateral agreements in the Great Hall of the People.

Trump arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea.

This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the US trade deficit with China.

--IANS

gsh/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Every species has a natural growth rate, determined by its genetics, metabolism and environment. Nature discourages a species growing artificially outside certain limits. Fruit flies dont try to become as big as cows and cows dont try to become big like elephants.
A big event this October was Chinese President Xi Jinpings address to the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China. While marking his attainment of cult status, Mr Xis speech, as widely reported, is also a definitive statement of Chinas ambition and vision to be centre stage in global power. Of special note, among other aspects, are the statements with respect to economic development. There is a clear recognition about what China needs to do to consolidate its economic might. Mr Xis speech points to further opening to global trade and investment, pushing ahead with economic reforms in the financial sector and foreign exchange rate management, and encouragement of innovation to make the Chinese industry move up the value chain. While the speech does not lay out a concrete action plan, the recent past provides evidence that it may not be hard for China to convert intent into reality. Some salient features of recent growth and reform in China may help in better understanding the context and forming realistic expectations about the countrys future economic trajectory.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was prime ministerial material but was disappointing in "terms of his democratic behaviour" as a team person, his one-time colleague in the Samata Party Jaya Jaitly has said.

The activist-turned-author also lashed out at the chief minister for his "lack of humanity" towards elders, particularly his mentor George Fernandes, who co-founded the Samata party along with Nitish Kumar in 1994. In 2003, the bulk of the party merged with the Janata Dal (United).

Jaitly, former president of the Samata Party, was speaking yesterday at the launch of her book "Life Among the Scorpions".

She described Kumar as "disappointing" at best.

"There was a time when I felt that he was prime ministerial material... he was trained and administratively keen.

"But from the time we worked together I kept seeing more and more of a person who was disappointing in terms of his democratic behaviour while working as a team," she said.

But what she really can't forgive the JD(U) chief for is his "lack of humanity" towards elders, Jaitly said.

In 2009, then NDA convenor Fernandes, described by Jaitly as a "politician par excellence", was denied a ticket by the JD(U) for the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.

When Fernandes fought the election as an independent candidate from Muzaffarpur, he was expelled from the party.

Jaitly also spoke out on the appointment of Jagmohan as governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

"I remember sitting with George saab in Hauz Khas when Farooq Abdullah phoned him and said 'not to send Jagmohan as the governor of the state otherwise he will quit'. George saab rang V P Singh in front of me and at that time he assured that they were not sending him as the governor," she said.

V P Singh was prime minister from December 1989 to November 1990.

But Fernandes, Jaitly said, was shocked to learn later that Jagmohan was appointed governor.

Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi told the prime minister to appoint Fernandes as special in-charge of Kashmir, she recalled.

"But the sad thing was that every time George saab would try to phone the governor at Raj Bhavan telling them that he was coming to Kashmir nobody would answer the phone," Jaitly said.

She added during the freewheeling conversation that she was propelled into during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and decided to fight the forces and the party behind the carnage.

She couldn't bear it, she said.

"That's how I decided that I can't be just one of those drawing room people who will say that how terrible everything is in evening over a glass of whiskey."



In her book, Jaitly looks back at her journey as an Indian politician and recounts how the going got tougher with every success, perhaps because she was a woman.

'Life Among the Scorpions' includes the author's account of major events in Indian between 19702000, including her experience of dealing with the commission of inquiry and courts regarding Tehelka's sting 'Operation West End'.
The government is promoting organic farming through many schemes and 22.5 lakh hectares have been brought under such cultivation so far, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.

He said organic farming has become a national and global requirement for providing nutritious food to people as well as to maintain sustainable production and soil health.

Addressing the Organic World Congress 2017 at Greater Noida, he said indiscriminate and excessive use of chemicals- based fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides is affecting soil health and environment as well as human beings.

"Food security is not an issue anymore in the country, but we still have the challenge of providing healthy and nutritious food to the growing population," Singh was quoted as saying in an official statement.

The minister noted that India is one of the oldest organic agricultural nations of the world and a large part of the country still practices traditional organic farming.

Singh highlighted that currently 22.5 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming and 3,60,400 farmers have benefited under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.

He said the government targets to bring 50,000-hectare area under organic farming in the northeast region and 45,863 hectares have been brought so far under such farming.

Singh said that in Uttar Pradesh, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana was launched in 2015-16 and so far 28,750 farmers have benefited from 28,750 acres of land.

For the marketing of organic products, the government is allocating Rs 5 lakh per district to set up sales outlets.

The event, organised by the International Federation of Organic Farming Movements (IFOAM) and other partners, is likely to see the participation of 1,400 representatives from 110 countries, and 2,000 Indian delegates.

He said the government acknowledges that indiscriminate and excessive use of chemicals during last several decades has posed a question- "how long can we continue to do farming like this?"



The environment and social and economic issues are linked to chemical fertiliser based farming and it needs our attention, he said.

"We have become dependent on chemical farming and the use of fertilisers, pesticides, and other chemicals have increased the production but at the same time excessive use of chemicals has led to the production of unhealthy crops," Singh said.

Talking about the adverse affect of indiscriminate use of these chemicals on the environment, the minister said that a large part of chemicals is absorbed by the soil, air, and plants. Spraying of chemicals pollutes faraway plants and they seep into the ground and pollute water sources.

Singh said the use of chemicals has led to climate change and created ecological imbalance and it is affecting human beings too.

"For the sake of soil health, sustainable production, and healthy and nutritious food for people, organic farming has become a national and global requirement," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Around 350 resident doctors at Kota and Jhalawar medical colleges today joined a strike by medical practitioners over their various demands, affecting health services in Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar districts in Rajasthan.

Authorities at the medical colleges said that to maintain normal services, alternative arrangements had been made. Heads of departments and teaching faculties will attend to patients.

Around 640 government doctors began the strike on November 6. Patients in district hospitals, community and primary health centres in rural areas had to be shifted to private hospitals due to the strike.

General Secretary of All Rajasthan In Service Doctors Association, Durga Shankar Saini, said they were forced to go on strike as the state government did not pay heed to their 33-point demand.

These demands are not in the interest of the doctors but for improvement of medical and healthcare facilities that would eventually be beneficial for the patients, Dr Saini claimed.

Kota district collector Rohit Gupta directed eight private hospitals of the city to provide free OPD services to patients. The patients with prescription slip from government hospitals would be able to avail free OPD services at eight major hospitals of the city during the strike period.

Meanwhile, Kota Private Dairy Federation today announced stopping the supply of dairy products to the residents of striking doctors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Chief Minister's Flying Squad along with health department officials today raided 147 places in Haryana and arrested 55 alleged quacks and their helpers, an official said.

The raids were conducted after authorities received complaints about quacks running clinics at various places in the state.

The police has also registered 54 FIRs. Some were found operating from thier homes and shops, an official spokesman said



The squad along with doctors also recovered some prohibited medicines and surgical items from these clinics, he said here.

The spokesman said that so far 54 cases have been registered against the quacks who were unable to produce their degrees or documents concerned to run clinics.

Thirty-one raids were conducted and as many FIRs were registered in Gurgaon and three persons were arrested, he said.

Eleven raids were conducted in Faridabad and as many persons were arrested, and nine raids each were conducted in Panchkula and Sirsa, the spokesman said.

One FIR was registered and a person was arrested in Panchkula, two FIRs were registered and as many were arrested in Sirsa, the official said.

Raids and arrests were also made at Sonepat, Narnaul Yamunanagar, Hisar, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Ambala, Rohtak, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Rewari, he said.

Raids were still on till the filing of this report.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today announced to extend the benefits of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) to the teachers of colleges and universities.

Khandu, while inaugurating a programme at Dera Natung Government College here, said the matter will be examined by the education department and implemented at the earliest.

Noting that faculty shortage was a common problem in several government colleges, he said, the state has created 130 new posts for teaching and non-teaching staff in 29 higher education institutes.

"The state government is putting emphasis on quality education and every effort will be made to address manpower shortage and infrastructure-related problems," the chief minister said.

Khandu also assured to sanction funds for building a boundary wall around the college campus and installing a transformer for power cuts.

He congratulated the editorial board members of a college research journal, which was released on the occasion.

In his advice to the students, the chief minister asked them to make good use of social media and participate in social welfare activities.

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Before settling down to the demands of parenthood, more and more pregnant women prefer to go on a 'babymoon' to relax, according to a survey.

As per the survey, about 82 per cent of the women covered by it said they wish to go on a 'babymoon' and the most preferred time is the second trimester.

The survey by travel company Cox & Kings was conducted in metro cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata, among 1,000 females comprising both pregnant women and new mothers.

Babymoon is a term that refers to a brief vacation taken by would-be parents to relax and travel before the baby is born.

About 72 per cent of the new mothers had opted for a babymoon during their pregnancy as they feel it offers a great window to have a child-free getaway, the survey revealed.

Given a choice, 65 per cent of women wish to take an international babymoon trip, it added.

A majority of the would-be mothers, 77 per cent, want to go with on a babymoon with their husbands and not the entire family, it said.

Further, it revealed that beach destinations are the most preferred for 88 per cent of the women as it offers leisure walks on seafronts and scenic views.

The topmost priorities for the couple while planning the babymoon trip are safety, duration of travel and medical help, it added.

Goa, Jodhpur, Maharashtra and Kerala topped the list of most preferred domestic babymoon destinations, whereas Seychelles, Thailand, Dubai and Sri Lanka were the most preferred international places, it found.

Cuisine remained one of the most important aspects of such a vacation with 65 per cent of the babymooners wanting to taste local food over carrying packaged food or taking a chef along, the survey said.

A majority of pregnant travellers (75 per cent) would choose custom-made tours over group trips mostly at all- inclusive resorts, it added.

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The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) today accused the ruling CPI-M in Kerala of having terrorist links and demanded the Centre get it probed.

Activists of the ABVP met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and MoS, Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, and submitted a memorandum and also demanded the Centre organise public hearings to collect evidence and complaints against "political violence" committed by members of the left party in the state.

"The linkage, complicity and assistance provided by the CPI (M) to Islamic extremist as well as jihadi terrorist, especially ISIS, be investigated and required actions taken," the memorandum read.

The ABVP made the demands two days before its awareness rally - Chalo Kerala - scheduled to be held in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on November 11.

A large section of students from across the country are expected to take part in the rally.

"An enquiry commission should be constituted to unravel the communist terrorism in Kerala. It should organise public hearings to document the pain of ordinary masses of Kerala as well as invite public to submit evidences and complaints regarding communist violence on nationalist activists," they demanded.

The activists of RSS-BJP and the CPI(M) have been allegedly targeting each other in the state with Kannur being the epicentre.

Two months ago, the RSS also had demanded a judicial probe into the "political killings" of its workers in Kerala, alleging that CPI(M) cadre were involved in the violence which was aimed at checking its expanding base in the state.

Other demands of ABVP included - releasing a white paper containing list of those allegedly killed by the left party, setting up of fast-track forums to take up trials of such cases and visit of a central team to the state to review the situation.

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Actor Robert Knepper has been accused of sexual assault by costume designer Susan Bertram during the filming for a movie in 1992.

Bertram, who was 31 and a newcomer in Hollywood at the time of the incident, told The Hollywood Reporter that the alleged assault happened during the filming for Allison Anders directed "Gas Food Lodging" in Deming, New Mexico.

She narrated that the "Prison Break" star Knepper sexually assaulted her when she went to his trailer to drop some clothes.

Bertram said Knepper "jumped up", reached under her dress and grabbed her crotch. He then shoved her against the wall.

"I flew out of that trailer as fast as I could. I just kind of fell out the door, and landed in the dirt on my knees," said Bertram.

Knepper, 58, who has starred in films like "Transporter 3", "Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" and plays the role of Theodore 'T-Bag' Bagwell on hit TV series "Prison Break", has denied the allegations.

"Over the past few weeks, my wife and I have discussed the pain women have experienced and the bravery they have shown in coming forward," the actor said in a statement posted on his official Instagram page.

"I am shocked and devastated to be falsely accused of violence against a woman. That's just not who I am. To those who have reached out today with words of support and encouragement, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," Knepper added.

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Union Minister of State for Water Resources Arjun Ram Meghwal today said the agriculture sector's contribution to the country's GDP has increased under the present government's rule.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of global agritech meet here, the minister also encouraged farmers to focus on growing horticulture and commercial crops to increase their income.

Meghwal said the role of agriculture sector in GDP has increased by 2 per cent and now the efforts will have to be made to further enhance it.

He said the state government is taking all steps and initiatives to double the income of farmers by the year 2022 and the farming community should also focus on horticulture and commercial crops to get more income.

Union Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary highlighted the steps taken by both the Centre and the state government for the welfare of farmers.

He said that more than seven crore soil health cards have been distributed and the government has taken steps to check black marketing of urea which has benefited farmers.

The state agriculture minister, experts of the farming sector, farmers and others were present on the occasion.

The event began on Monday which was participated by experts, farmers and companies.

The government also signed an MoU with companies in the area of food processing, cold storage and ware house, training and education, green house farming, among others.

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A suspected suicide bomber today killed an Additional Inspector General and three other police officers in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, officials said, in the latest targeted attack on security forces in the restive region.

The blast targeted the vehicle of Additional Inspector General (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel who was passing through a residential area in the provincial capital Quetta.

Shakeel was killed along with two police officials while six others, including three officers, were injured, police said.

One of the wounded officers later succumbed to his injures in the



hospital, taking the toll to four.

Hours after the attack, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, media reports said.

The TV footage showed that the vehicle was badly damaged in the attack.

Shakeel has served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) operations, acting DIG investigations and AIG operations, as well as holding a number of other key posts.

The injured have been shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Civil Hospital in Quetta, police said, adding that the initial probe showed that it was a suicide bombing.

The area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been launched in the surrounding areas.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri have strongly condemned the attack.

The culprits behind the attack would be brought to justice. The government will not bow down before terrorists, Zehri was quoted as saying by the local media.

Balochistan has been rocked by a series of attacks which raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including those affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the restive province.

The unrest has raised security concerns for projects in the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a transport and energy link from western China to Pakistan's southern Gwadar port.

At least six police commandos and a civilian were killed last month when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a security force's convoy on the Quetta-Sibi Highway.

In August this year, a massive suicide explosion, targeting Pakistan Army personnel in Quetta, left 15 people dead including seven civilians and injured at least 20 people.

In June this year, 14 people, including seven policemen, were killed and 21 others were injured in a suicide car bombing on Gulistan Road in Balochistan.

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The National Green Tribunal today issued a slew of directions to deal with the situation, including banning construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks, while lambasting the Delhi government and civic bodies over the worsening air quality in Delhi and neighbouring states.

"No construction activity will be carried out on structures until further orders... all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which are causing emmissions will also not be allowed to carry on their functioning" till November 14, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

An irked green panel also imposed a ban on the entry of diesel trucks more than ten years old and said that no vehicle from outside or within Delhi will be permitted to transport any construction material.

The tribunal told the authorities that holding meetings, writing letters and shifting responsibility from one to the other for non-performance can hardly be made an excuse for meeting "such a bad environmental emergency".

Noting flagrant violation of the prescribed limits of PM (particulate matter) 10 and PM 2.5, it banned construction and industrial activities causing emmissions till November 14.

"You (officials) go to the hospital and see what kind of trouble people are facing. You kept playing with people's life. Right to life has been infringed with impunity by the authorities and other stakeholders who have been mere spectators to such crisis," the bench said.

The NGT also directed the authorities and the civic bodies to sprinkle water where PM 10 is found to be in excess of 600 micrograms per cubic metre.

It further directed the authorities to implement EPCA's directions to improve ambient air quality while asking the civic bodies to constitute teams to ensure there is no burning of waste in Delhi-NCR.

The national capital is experiencing 'severe' air quality under a blanket of thick haze, as pollution levels have breached the permissible standards by multiple times.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recorded 'severe' air quality, meaning that the intensity of pollution was extreme.

The NGT had yesterday lashed out at the city government and the CPCB for not issuing orders to shut down construction and industrial activities in the capital despite the worsening air quality.

It had also ordered Punjab, UP and Haryana governments to spell out the steps have they taken to prevent crop burning in the states adjacent to the national capital.

The tribunal was hearing a plea for immediate action against the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR stating that it was an 'environmental emergency' that was affecting children and senior citizens the most.

The plea has also sought direction to Delhi and the neighbouring states to file a status report with regard to the steps taken to educate people regarding waste burning and the pollution caused by it.

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Maghreb neighbours Algeria and Mauritania are to open their first border post more than 50 years after independence from France, the Mauritanian agency AMI reported today.

Mauritanian Interior Minister Ahmedou Ould Abdallah and Algerian counterpart Noureddine Bedoui signed an accord Bedoui ended a visit to Nouakchott yesterday, according to AMI.

The two states have a common frontier stretching across 460 km of western Saharan desert.

However, the frontier has been declared a military zone on the Mauritanian side, and the movement of people is banned. Trafficking of weapons, oil, drugs and migrants, as well as clashes between armed groups, are rife in the area.

No date has yet been proposed for the crossing, which would be located at Chegga, in the far northeast of the country with Tindouf the nearest Algerian town.

Nor have details emerged on the extent the move is expected to boost bilateral trade.

Bedoui and Abdallah said the opening would make the area more secure, and Bedoui stressed the benefits for trade.

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Hours after the Meghalaya High Court quashed a 2005 Act for appointment of parliamentary secretaries in the state, all of them resigned today.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma accepted their resignation letters and said the state government would decide on further course of action after examining the verdict.

"Since the Act itself has been struck down and set aside, therefore, irrespective of what the government decides, all my friends holding the post of parliamentary secretary have collectively decided to submit their resignation which I have accepted," Sangma told reporters.

The Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005, is held invalid for want of legislative competence of the state legislature and is, therefore, struck down, a high court division bench said in the verdict.

The high court allowed the state governor to take a decision on the disqualification of the parliamentary secretaries as members of the Assembly.

"We have to look at the operational part of the ruling of the high court, based on which we will be able to say what is the future course of action," the chief minister said.

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Days after actor Kristina Cohen accused "Gossip Girl" star Ed Westwick of raping her, another woman has come forward with a similar story against the actor.

Aurelie Wynn posted her story on Facebook, narrating that Westwick allegedly raped her in 2014 during a party.

"Like Kristina, I said no and he pushed me face down and was powerless under his weight. I was wearing a one piece bathing suit that he ripped, I was in complete shock..." said Wynn.

After the incident, Wynn confided in her boyfriend about her assault, which ended her relationship.

"My other friends and people around me told me it was best not to say anything, to not be 'that girl' and that no one would believe me and think I was just out trying to get my 10 seconds of fame," she said.

Wynn said that after hearing the story of Kristina Cohen, who has alleged that Westwick raped her at his apartment, she decided to open up just to "reinforce Kristin Cohen's claim".

"I believe you Kristina Cohen and thank you for speaking up so eloquently and really encompassing what young female actresses have to go through at the hands of men like Ed Westwick. Without you I would not have had the strength to speak up publicly about my ordeal," Wynn said.

Yesterday, Cohen filed a complaint against Ed Westwick with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which is investigating her claims.

Westwick has denied the allegations of rape levelled against him by Cohen, saying, "I do not know this woman. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape," he added.

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The tenth session of Andhra Pradesh legislature will commence here tomorrow but it could well be a dull affair as the only opposition YSR Congress (YSRC) has decided not to take part in the proceedings.

The YSRC is the lone opposition party in the 176- member Assembly and, for the record, has 66 members.

But 21 YSRC MLAs have switched sides and joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over the last 22 months.

The Jaganmohan Reddy-led outfit has decided not to attend the legislature session in support of their demand that these legislators be disqualified forthwith.

"We are not boycotting the legislature sessions and are very much in favour of attending the proceedings. But the Speaker should first initiate action against the turncoats who crossed over to the treasury benches," said senior YSRC MLA G Srikanth Reddy.

The TDP has 103 members and its coalition partner BJP four MLAs, while an independent and another of Navodayam Party have "associated" with the ruling party. There is one nominated (Anglo-Indian) member in the House.

Senior legislators point out that it will be the first time the entire opposition will be staying away from the legislature proceedings though on some previous occasions only the Leader of Opposition abstained in protest against an issue.

In the absence of any opposition, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wants to run the House on the lines of Singapore Parliament.

"Opposition in Singapore is nominal but the ruling party takes the parliamentary proceedings very seriously. So, we too shall take the legislature sessions seriously and work for redressal of peoples grievances," Naidu told a meeting of the TDP Coordination Committee.

For the first time, the monsoon and the winter sessions of the legislature are being held together as the government skipped the monsoon sitting normally conducted in July-August.

"This will be a combined session and may likely be conducted for 10-15 days. Once the government gives clarity, we will decide on the exact number of days," Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said on the eve of the session.

The Speaker appealed to the YSRC to reconsider its decision and attend the House.

"I have read in newspapers about the YSRCs decision. It will be good if they attend and take part in the debates on all issues. I appeal to them to attend the session," Rao said.

The government, on its part, will take up some important legislative business to enact laws like the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Corridor Development Act and a modified law on land acquisition.

A few other bills are also being drafted for presentation to the House, government sources said.

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Hinduja group heavy commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland today said its manufacturing facility in Hosur has bagged the prestigious Deming Prize of Japan, given for total quality management.

The Hosur Unit II has been selected for the 2017 Deming Prize, a release from the city-based company said.

This is the second year in a row the company has bagged the award after its truck and bus facility at Pantnagar was chosen last year, becoming the only commercial vehicle manufacturer outisde of Japan to get the coveted honour.

The Deming Prize is given for Total Quality Management to companies that have established customer oriented business objectives and strategies, the release said.

"With the Hosur Unit II plant winning the award this year, Ashok Leyland becomes the only CV manufacturer outisde of Japan to achieve this feat," it said.

"Winning the Deming Prize consecutively for our second unit is a testimony to our efforts and our belief. All of us at Ashok Leyland are very proud to have achieved this.", company, Managing Director, Vinod K Dasari said.

"This (award) is indeed a big milestone in our journey and adds another feather to company's achievements of delivering industry firsts", he said.

Company Senior Vice-President, Manufacturing and Project Planning, Harihar P said it was a proud moment for bagging the Deming Prize for two manufacturing facilities.

The Deming Prize was established in 1951 by Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers to honour W Edwards Deming, who contributed greatly to Japan's proliferation of statistical quality control after World War II.

The selection procedure involves a tedious process with very intense and time consuming effort both for the company and the jury, the release added.

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Austrian emergency teams have rescued a German mountaineer who spent five days in a deep glacier crevice after slipping.

Officials say the man was found in the 30-meter-deep gap today after he succeeded in making an emergency call from his cellphone following numerous failed attempts because of poor reception.

State broadcaster ORF cites alpine rescue official Christoph Preimesberger as saying the man is only "relatively lightly hurt" considering the drop, with shoulder and foot injuries.

He was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital after the early morning rescue.

The man was reported missing by his father Saturday on the rugged Dachstein range southeast of the city of Salzburg.

He is not being identified due to Austrian privacy laws.

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Former US president Barack Obama answered a jury summons today, arriving at a Chicago courthouse to perform the civic duty asked of all Americans.

The former leader of the free world was the only juror to arrive by motorcade, however, accompanied by tight security and met by a throng of media.

As a prospective juror, Obama -- a former law professor -- will join fellow citizens at the courthouse, waiting to see if he is chosen to serve on a trial. He will earn the standard compensation of USD 17.20 per day.

Before heading to court, the former president took time to tweet about last night's high-profile state and mayoral election results seen as a sweeping repudiation of the politics of his White House successor Donald Trump.

"This is what happens when the people vote," Obama wrote. "Every office in a democracy counts!"



Obama is not the first US president to show up for service that some Americans either dread or find excuses to avoid. Obama's predecessor in the White House, George W Bush, responded to a jury summons in 2015.

Bush was not selected to serve as a juror, but images of the smiling former president posing with delighted citizens at the courthouse in Dallas, Texas quickly showed up on social media.

Chicago has some experience with high-profile jurors. In 2004, media titan Oprah Winfrey, who at the time produced her talk show out of the midwestern city, was a juror on a three- day murder trial ending in a conviction.

While the Obamas currently live in Washington, the former president and first lady Michelle Obama maintain a home in Chicago, the city where he got his political start.

Chicago is also where the future Obama presidential centre will be built, near the former leader's home in the southern part of the city.

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Actor Jon Bernthal has called Kevin Spacey a "bully" while recounting his experience working with him in "Baby Driver".

Bernthal had a brief role in the Edgar Wright directed film, also starring Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm, Lily James and Jamie Foxx.

"I remember being on that set and I remember him really rubbing me the wrong way," Bernthal told SiriusXM.

"I thought he was a bit of a bully... I didn't really care for the way he was behaving toward some of the other people on set," he added.

Bernthal said that he lost a "ton of respect" for the "House of Cards" star and it was uncomfortable for him to see the way Spacey talked to some of the crew.

"The kind of man he was when I saw him, working with, made me lose all respect for him and I was enormously disappointed," Bernthal said.

"I think he was acting toward people in a way that



where I remember, at the time, thinking, man if that was a woman that he was talking to, I would have done something, I would have said something. And I was really happy to sort of get out of there, for that reason," he added.

Actor Anthony Rapp first accused Spacey of making an unwanted sexual advance at him when he was 14-years-old.

Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos and American documentary filmmaker Tony Montana have also come forward with accounts of how Spacey allegedly made unwanted advances towards them.

Production on the sixth and last season of Netflix's "House of Cards," in which Spacey plays the lead role of Frank Underwood, has since been suspended.

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Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), a defence public sector undertaking (DPSU), handed over a cheque of Rs 157.22 crore to the defence ministry as dividend today, according to a statement.

BDL, a 'Miniratna' category1 DPSU and manufacturer of ammunition and missile systems, has recorded a record turnover of Rs 4,886.62 crore for the financial year 2016-17, registering a growth of 17.46 per cent over the previous year.

"Chairman and Managing Director, BDL, V Udaya Bhaskar presented a cheque of full and final dividend of Rs 157.22 crore for the financial year 2016-17 to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here today," the statement added.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said the state would give a boost to organic farming by forming a "corridor" along both sides of the river Ganges.

"Organic farming is the way forward. Many enterprising farmers in our state have taken initiatives on their own to take up this type of farming. We are going to promote it in a big way by building an organic farming corridor along both sides of the Ganges flowing through the state," Kumar said.

The chief minister was speaking after welcoming President Ram Nath Kovind who was here to launch the Bihar government's ambitious "third agricultural roadmap", for the period 2017- 2022, containing schemes worth Rs 1.54 lakh crore.

"One of our aims, through this roadmap, is to realise the dream of having at least one dish from Bihar on every Indian's plate.

"The state has already made huge progress in the production of paddy, wheat, maize and potatoes. In terms of per hectare yield of paddy and potatoes our farmers have surpassed their counterparts in China," he said.

But there is vast untapped potential as far as other vegetables, fruits and fisheries are concerned. Previous accomplishments in agriculture followed the first two roadmaps of 2008-2012 and 2012-2017. Future goals are earmarked in the third roadmap, he said.

The Chief Minister also said the roadmap envisioned use of treated sewage for the purpose of irrigation so that the water is not discharged into rivers.

"Another area of focus is production, storage and distribution of seeds for which our state has largely been dependent on outside help. In view of increasing mechanisation of farming, our government has also decided to incentivize manufacture of machinery used in farming," Kumar said.

The chief minister also claimed that during his tenure, green cover in the state went up "from nine per cent to nearly 15 per cent, thanks to planting of nearly 18 crore trees".

"Our aim is to reach the target of increasing green cover to 17 per cent," Kumar added.

"Measures will also be undertaken to ensure adequate power supply for irrigation purposes. Road connectivity will reach even smaller and more remote villages. Formation of cooperative societies will also be encouraged for better marketing of agricultural produce," he added.

The chief minister also said that "shrinking size of land-holdings is a factor that hampers agricultural productivity. In the third roadmap, there is a proposal for consolidation of land-holdings to arrest this trend".

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BJP MLA Raj Purohit today said he has written letters to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani seeking a ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film "Padmavati".

The legislator from Mumbadevi assembly constituency here, today held a press conference in the presence of the members of the Maharashtra unit of Karni Sena, which has already opposed the film.

"Bhansali has twisted the historical facts about the braveheart royal women of our country. It is nothing but an insult to our rich and glorified history. It has hurt the sentiments of the people of Rajasthan and the country," Purohit said.

"The legendary queen (Padmavati) has been reportedly portrayed in a bad light (in the film). Rani Padmavati never danced, rather all women from royal families lived a very dignified life and whenever they felt that their chastity is in danger, they would jump into fire, so that nobody can touch them. Rani Padmavati was one of them," he said.

A Rajput queen being shown as dancing in front of everyone is completely against the Rajput culture and pride. No community will be able to tolerate it and this is why distributors across the country have started giving the cold shoulder to this film, the BJP leader added.

Purohit, who is BJP chief whip in the Maharashtra Assembly, however, clarified that his support to Karni Sena was "personal" and it has nothing to do with his party.

Members of the Karni Sena, who were present alongside Purohit, raised slogans against Bhansali and demanded that the Censor Board should not clear the film.

Umed Singh Shekhawat, the convener of Maharashtra unit of Karni Sena, said, "We are going to oppose it tooth and nail. The Karni Sena and 36 other communities will hold a march on November 20 against the film. Nonetheless, if the film is released, then we will hold demonstrations outside the cinema halls."



"Bhansali should be booked on the charge of sedition as he has played with the dignity of the country. We tried our best to meet him, but he did not even bother to meet us and to listen our voice," Shekhawat added.

The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is set to release on December 1.

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Jharkhand IAS Officers Wives Association (JIASOWA) today donated books worth Rs 63,000 and magazines valued at Rs 37,000 to the state library situated here.

JIASOWA president and Principal Secretary of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Raj Bhasha Department, Nidhi Khare, said students would succeed in competitive examinations with disciplined study of books available in the library,



Libraries have a special contribution for students in making their future bright and move forward, she said.

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In an unprecedented development, the Supreme Court today referred to a constitution bench, comprising five senior-most judges, a plea claiming that alleged bribes were being taken using the names of apex court judges promising to secure favourable settlement of a case.

Terming as "disturbing" the allegations levelled in CBI's FIR that also made former Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi as one of the accused, the top court said the plea would come up for hearing before the constitution bench on November 13.

The decision that the five senior-most judges would be part of the constitution bench assumes significance in the wake of senior advocate Dushyant Dave's submission that the medical admission matter, the genesis of CBI FIR, was being heard by the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and hence, he should not be involved with it either on the judicial or on the adminstrative side.

A bench of Justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer issued notices to the Centre and the CBI on the plea seeking setting up of a special investigation team (SIT), to be headed by a retired Chief Justice of India, to probe the matter.

"Having regard to the totality of the circumstances, we deem it appropriate that this matter be heard by the constitution bench of the first five judges in the order of seniority of this court," the court said in its order.

Dave, appearing for petitioner lawyer Kamini Jaiswal, referred to the CBI FIR on the basis of which Justice (Retd) Quddusi was arrested and subsequently granted bail.

He argued that the facts of the case as alleged by CBI were "disturbing", as according to the probe agency, a conspiracy was hatched and huge illegal gratification demanded for procuring a favourable order in a matter relating to medical college admissions pending before the top court.

Asserting that the matter relates to the "integrity" of the highest judicial fora in the country, Dave told the bench that several incriminating documents were seized by CBI during investigation in the graft case and there was apprehension that these materials could be misused.

He sought the passage of an interim order to direct the CBI to hand over these documents, including the case diary, in a sealed cover to the registrar of the court.

"We deem it appropriate to direct the second respondent (CBI) to produce the entire material collected by the CBI in the course of investigation of the crime and keep it in a sealed cover and produce the same before the constitution bench on Monday, the November 13," the bench said.

Dave said the medical admission matter, on which the case was lodged by the CBI, was being heard in the apex court by a bench headed by Chief Justice Misra and hence the CJI should not be a part of the constitution bench.

The bench was, however, non-committal on this submission.

"This matter cannot be heard by the CJI, neither in administrative side, nor in judicial side," Dave said while urging the apex court to mention in its order that the constitution bench would not comprise the CJI.

He said Quddusi, along with some other accused, was arrested in connection with the case and granted bail but the CBI has not appealed against the order enlarging him on bail.

Dave also said that besides the six accused named in the FIR, CBI has also mentioned other unknown public servants and private persons alleging they had demanded huge gratification to induce public functionaries by corrupt and illegal means.

He claimed that the CBI had allegedly seized Rs two crore cash from an alleged aide of the retired judge and the money was to be given to a hawala operator.

"My first concern is that, has the CBI deliberately filed a false case so as to discredit and pressurise this great institution or is there something more to it? This needs a thorough and detailed investigation and truth needs to come out. I pray to the almighty that allegations levelled against this great institution are false," the senior lawyer said.

"People are arrested. They get bail in next 48 hours and then you (CBI) forget about it," he said.

Regarding the materials seized by CBI, Dave said an order should be passed for preservation and protection of these "extremely incriminating materials" and the court could direct the CBI Director to ensure its safe custody or hand it over in a sealed cover to the apex court registrar.

Initially, the matter was mentioned in the morning before the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar for an urgent listing of the petition today itself.

The court said the matter would come up for hearing before it at 12.45 pm after Dave said it should be heard today itself as the FIR contained serious allegations.

"The FIR contained certain allegations which are disturbing. The allegations pertain to the functioning of this court. On perusal of the FIR which was placed before us in the morning, we thought it necessary and proper to take up the matter immediately," the bench observed.

During the hearing, an officer of the apex court registry was spotted in the court room by Justice Chelameswar who asked him about the purpose of his visit.

The registry official handed to the bench a photocopy of a note purportedly issued by the CJI's office which was taken on record by the bench as annexure of its order.

"At the same time, we are also duty bound to place the developments that when the hearing of the matter was in progress, the officer of the Registry placed a xerox copy of the proceedings purportedly issued by the Chief Justice of India, a copy of which is annexed to this order," it noted.

Quddusi, who had also served as a judge in Chhattisgarh High Court, was arrested along with Lucknow-based Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences' chairman B P Yadav, his son Palash Yadav and three others, for allegedly trying to settle a matter relating to a medical college barred from admitting new students.

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Border Security Force troops seized four country made pistols along with eight magazines and 19 live rounds of ammunition from Churiantpur area in Malda district close to the Bangladesh border, according to BSF sources.

A BSF special ambush party observed suspicious movement on both sides of Indo Bangladesh Border fence near Border Outpost (BOP) Churiantpur Kaliachak police station on Tuesday night. One Indian miscreant came close to the fence. He tried to throw a packet (potla) over the fence and same was to be collected by Bangladeshi miscreants, a BSF release said.

Immediately, BSF ambush party challenged and tried to catch the miscreants but he managed to escape from the spot. After through search of the area, party recovered one packet containing four country made Pistols (calibre 7.65 mm) along with eight magazines and 19 live rounds of 7.65 mm.

The seized items have been handed over to Kaliachak police station for further investigation and legal action.

During this year the BSF South Bengal Frontier has seized 17 pistols along with 18 magazines and 40 live rounds and apprehended two smugglers, the release added.

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Burglars allegedly broke into AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj's office in southeast Delhi's Kalkaji area and decamped with electronic items, the police said today.

The burglary was discovered today when Bharadwaj reached his office, located inside a community centre, and found the door open, they said.

The accused fled with an LED TV, a computer and a digital video recorder of the CCTV cameras installed in the office premises, the police said.

The police do not have clues about the identity of the accused since they have taken the video recorder of the CCTV cameras.

Last week, a 58-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing canopies from the Aam Aadmi Party's office at Rouse Avenue in central Delhi.

Three scrap dealers, who were involved in buying the canopies, were also arrested in the case.

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Authorities in Cameroon have imposed a night-time curfew and ordered the closure of shops and public places in the main city in a region rocked by unrest among the country's anglophone minority.

The measure applies to the city of Bamenda, the hub of Northwest Region, where two policemen were killed on Tuesday, a day after an officer was gunned down in a nearby town.

Under a decree issued by the local prefect, obtained today by AFP, all movement of people and vehicles in Bamenda is being banned from November 8 to 23, from 10 pm to 5 am.

In a separate decision, the authorities also said that shops and public spaces would be closed during this period.

The measures threaten punishment against "any person or group" who violate the restrictions. The curb on freedom of movement does not apply to vehicles used by the government, security forces or emergency services.

Yesterday, two gendarmes were killed while on guard duty in Bamenda and a civilian killed, according to concurring sources.

The killings came a day after a fellow policeman was shot dead in Jakiri, about 70 km to the east, while he was pursuing men who attacked a school, according to local officials.

The assaults have been blamed on "secessionist terrorists" -- the government's term for armed militants demanding that Cameroon's two English-speaking regions break away from the francophone-majority country.

Cameroon has a large anglophone community which comprises about a fifth of its population of 22 million.

Gathered mainly in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, many English speakers say they suffer economic inequality and discrimination at the hands of the francophone majority, particularly in education and justice.

On October 1, a breakaway movement issued a symbolic declaration of independence for their putative state of "Ambazonia".

President Paul Biya fiercely opposes secession or a return to Cameroon's former federal structure.

The agitation began at the end of 2016 but has recently met with a crackdown that has alarmed human-rights watchdogs.

At least 14 people have died in clashes, as well as five prisoners who were killed while trying to escape jail, according to a toll compiled by AFP.

International monitors, in contrast, say at least 20 and possibly 40 people have been killed in clashes since late September.

According to the privately owned newspaper Le Jour, the Cameroonian authorities have issued international arrest warrants for 15 anglophone separatists who live abroad, including Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, the head of the putative state.

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Six Catalan lawmakers were testifying today before a Spanish judge over claims that they ignored Constitutional Court orders and allowed an independence vote in Catalonia's regional parliament.

The Catalan parliament's speaker, Carme Forcadell, was the first to be questioned by Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena and two prosecutors. Together with five other members of the parliament's governing body, she faces possible charges of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement.

Under Spanish law, the crimes are punishable with up to 30 years of imprisonment.

The judge is set to decide after questioning them if any preventive measures, including ordering them to be taken into custody, are to be applied while the investigation continues.

The October 27 independence declaration in the Catalan parliament was boycotted by most opposition lawmakers but held despite previous court rulings. It was passed by 70 votes to 10 in the 135-seat legislative body.

Shortly after, Spain's central authorities seized control of the wealthy northeastern region, making it the first time in four decades since the end of Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship that Madrid removed powers from any of the country's 17 regions.

Spain removed the regional government, dissolved the parliament and called a new regional election for December 21.

Catalonia's deposed regional president, Carles Puigdemont, and four of his dismissed Cabinet members fled to Brussels, where they are fighting Spanish arrest and extradition orders.

In a letter posted on social media today, the five made a call for support for pro-secession parties in Catalonia's upcoming regional election.

"It's time to drive away from the (Catalan) institutions those who want to own them with a coup d'etat," Puigdemont tweeted, referring to Spain's decision to take control of Catalonia's powers.

Puigdemont, who is likely to run as the candidate for his center-right PDeCAT party, says he went to Belgium to rally European support for the Catalan cause and that he's not trying to evade justice.

Although no country has publicly sided with them so far, their presence in the Belgian capital is sowing divisions among politicians. In today's letter, the Cabinet criticized the European Union for turning a blind eye to the Catalan plight.

"The time that we spend behind Spanish bars or in exile won't be in vain if we remain united in the defense of Catalonia and in denouncing the democratic decadence of Spain," the letter said.

Eight members of the now-dismissed Catalan Cabinet and two activists have already been jailed as the country's National Court studies whether to charge them with various crimes related to an alleged roadmap to achieve secession from Spain.

One more official was released on bail, but remains a suspect in the investigation.

Forcadell remains the parliament's president, heading a commission of two dozen lawmakers during the transitional period to next month's polls.

The Supreme Court judge delayed her questioning for more than a week after attorneys argued that they weren't given enough time to prepare the defense.

Around 100 supporters chanted "You are not alone" as the lawmakers entered the Supreme Court building in central Madrid today, while police kept at bay a handful of anti-independence protesters carrying Spanish flags and shouting "You don't fool us, Catalonia is Spain."



Fina Surina, 48, had traveled overnight for nine hours from the Catalan town of Besalu to accompany the lawmakers. They "are making a great personal sacrifice in the long-run struggle for independence," she said.

Catalonia, with 7.5 million people, represents a fifth of Spain's gross domestic product. Polls shows that Catalans are roughly evenly divided over whether to seek independence or remain part of Spain.

The



regional separatist authorities claimed a banned October 1 secession referendum gave them a mandate to declare independence.

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The former speaker of Catalonia's sacked parliament Carme Forcadell appeared today at Spain's Supreme Court over her role in the region's controversial independence drive.

A judge may decide to detain Forcadell and five former lawmakers on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds after Catalan lawmakers voted last month to split from Spain.

They are suspected of having followed a "concerted strategy to declare independence", before the official declaration of the Catalan parliament on October 27, deepening Spain's most serious political crisis in decades.

That declaration was annulled Wednesday by Spain's Constitutional Court.

The Supreme Court could decide to place Forcadell and the former MPs in pre-trial detention, joining some Catalan leaders who organised a referendum on independence last month.

Outside the court on Thursday a small group of protesters gathered, holding banners against independence and declaring Wednesday's general strike in Catalonia a "total fiasco".

A judge in Madrid last week ordered eight separatist politicians to be remanded in custody over their secession drive.

Catalonia, a region of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain's GDP, is deeply divided over independence.

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The Congress today accused the Centre and the Delhi government of failing to take effective steps to check the high pollution level in the city and asked how they intended to combat the situation in the long-run.

The party attacked the two governments saying they cannot shy away from their responsibilities by blaming farmers from neighbouring Haryana and Punjab.

Stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states has been cited as a key reason for the current high level of pollution in the city.

"The central and Delhi governments are responsible for the pollution (levels) in Delhi. They cannot shy away from their responsibilities by blaming farmers," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters here.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that India is committed to Paris Climate Change Accord, Surjewala asked if "he could see the change in climate in the national capital".

He sought to know what steps the Centre has taken to facilitate farmers so that they are able to dispose of stubble without burning it.

Surjewala said toxins emanating from vehicles and construction activities are major contributors to the Delhi's air pollution level and demanded to know what measures the two governments have taken to curb it.

The air quality declined to alarming levels over the last three days as a thick grey smog enveloped the region, prompting the city government to shut schools till Sunday, halt construction activities and ban entry of trucks in the city.

In the NCR, Ghaziabad and Noida were the worst affected locations.

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The Centre is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government for a second airport in Chennai required by 2030-2035, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said today.

Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey and AAI officials have held two meeting with the Tamil Nadu government in the last three months to discuss the matter.

"Eighteen months back, we were handling 28 movements per hour (at Chennai) and after making improvements in our air navigation system, we hope to reach 40. With this, we expect we will be managing Chennai till 2030 or 2035. But a city like Chennai will definitely require a second airport thereafter," Mohapatra told reporters.

According to a study carried out by aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), Chennai handled 18.4 million passengers in 2016 and is expected to reach its maximum capacity of 23-26 by 2020, if traffic grows at an estimated rate of 12.5 per cent.

The CAPA adds that while there are plans to expand capacity to 30 million passengers per year at Chennai airport, airside (hangars, runway, parking bay) constraints could pose a big challenge.

The think-tank estimates an expenditure of $500 million for a second airport in Chennai.

Mohapatra said that a decision will be taken later on whether the second airport will be a greenfield airport (new airport on unsused land) developed on public private partnership model or whether it will be developed by the AAI.

Another city that will need a second airport is Kolkata and the West Bengal government has suggested the Durgapur airport as an option.

But Mohapatra added that Durgapur is at a fair distance from Kolkata and many airlines have not shown interest in the airport so far and, therefore, the Centre has asked the state government to explore another location.

The Centre is also exploring land pool model of infrastructure development as an alternative to land acquisition.

"That is the way forward to plan airports in the future," the AAI Chairman said.

The civil aviation ministry has proposed this model to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for developing new airports in the state.

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Chana prices climbed 4 per cent to hit an upper circuit at Rs 4,836 per quintal in futures market today as participants enlarged positions following pick up in demand in the spot market against tight supplies.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, chana for delivery in January 2018 surged by Rs 186, or 4 per cent to Rs 4,836 per quintal with an open interest of 16,910 lots.

Chana for delivery in November rose by Rs 196, or 3.99 per cent to Rs 5,114 per quintal with an open interest of 14,480 lots, while delivery in December also climbed Rs 190, or 3.99 per cent to Rs 4,947 per quintal in 29,450 lots.

Analysts said building up of positions by traders, driven by pick-up in demand in the physical market against tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions, mainly led to rise in chana prices at futures trade.

Meanwhile, the government had yesterday imposed import duty of 50 per cent on peas to check cheaper shipments from countries like Canada.

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Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit today said it was a moment of pride and honour for the city, which was included in the Creative Cities Network by UNESCO.

Chennai has been included in the list of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday hailed the inclusion of the Tamil Nadu capital which is steeped in multi-layered history.

"It is a matter of pride and honour for the Chennaities that Chennai has been included in the UNESCO's Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition", he said in a Raj Bhavan release.

He said the recognition has come when the city was approaching the December Music festival.

"As the Governor of Tamil Nadu, the first citizen of the State and as a resident of Chennai, I am happy that Chennai has been promoting rich culture, tradition and nurturing Carnatic music, classical dance, drama..", he said.

"I congratulate all the artists, sabhas, connoisserus of art, rasikas and Chennaites on this historic occasion and wish Tamil Nadu adds many more diamonds in the Crown of India", he said.

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China has evinced keen interest in investing in Haryana in the fields of industrial infrastructure, steel industry, electronic and automobile projects.

These views were expressed by a delegation from Hubei Province of China, led by the Vice-Governor, Wang Xiaodong, which called on chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Lauding the state government for its achievement in the ease of doing business, in which Haryana is placed at second spot, Xiaodong said Haryana had emerged as one of the most preferred investment destinations for them in India.

Chinese entrepreneurs, especially from Hubei, are getting more opportunities with the change of policies for the flourishing industrial and investment sector in Haryana, he said in Delhi after meeting Khattar, an official release said here.

The chief minister told the delegation that the state government had implemented various new provisions with regard to the industrial policy to attract foreign investment in the state.

Principal Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, Anand Mohan Sharan; Managing Director, Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Raj Shekhar Vundru; Chairman, Foreign Investment and NRI Cell, Ashwin Johar; Director, Industries, Ashok Sangwan; and members of the Chinese delegation were also present at the meeting.

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China today signed a USD 37 billion agreement to buy 300 aircraft from US aerospace giant Boeing during President Donald Trump's maiden visit to the country.

The China Aviation Suppliers Holding Company (CASC) signed the deal to buy 300 Boeing single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft, made up of planes from the 737, 787 and 777 families.

The deal with Boeing was among the more than USD 250 billion agreements made between the US and China during President Trump's maiden visit amid his criticism of the Communist giant's unfair business practices and the whopping USD 370 billion trade deficit.

Boeing in a statement said the agreement was part of the US trade mission to China.

It said the agreement includes "orders and commitments" to buy the aircraft, but it did not give a further breakdown.

China has seen a surge in the civil aviation transportation market in recent years.

The CASC in a statement said that it has undertaken bulk purchases of Boeing aircraft to allow aviation transport companies to continuously expand their capacity and fleet structure.

The agreement is a result of an overall consideration of the country's air transport market and the production schedule of Chinese-produced passenger aircraft, the CASC said.

Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplane said, "China is a valued customer and key partner, and we are proud that Boeing airplanes will be a part of its fleet growth for years to come."



"Boeing and China have a strong history of working together based on great mutual respect, and these orders build on that foundation," state-run Xinhua agency quoted him as saying.

Boeing and China will continue to work on mutually beneficial ways to grow and support the aviation market, according to Boeing.

These efforts include industrial cooperation, the development of technologies to reduce the environmental impact and enhance sustainability of the aviation industry. Both sides will continue cooperation to support the safety, efficiency and capacity of China's air transport system.

In May, Boeing started construction of the first overseas production center for its most popular 737 family of aircraft in the east China port city of Zhoushan, including a completion center and delivery center.

According to Boeing's latest market outlook, China is expected to need 7,240 new aircraft over the next 20 years, valued at nearly USD 1.1 trillion. Of these, 5,420 would be single-aisle aircraft.

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China today signed deals worth more than USD 250 billion with the US during President Donald Trump's maiden visit, amidst his criticism of the Communist giant's unfair business practices and the "chronic imbalance" in bilateral trade.

The deals were signed at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump at the Great Hall of the People after the two leaders held wide-ranging talks.

In statements to reporters after their talks, Xi and Trump offered placatory views of US-China ties, and insisted that differences between the two countries would be cast aside in place of a cooperative partnership.

"We want a vibrant trade relationship with China," Trump said. "We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade and the concrete steps it will take to solve the problem of massive trade distortion."



Ahead of his visit, Trump has said the massive trade deficit in bilateral trade is a shame, and has been pressuring Beijing to open its markets more for US products and firms.

The US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated USD 648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lion's share with about USD 478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at USD 169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

In his remarks, Xi also offered a conciliatory view of the US-China ties, insisting that bilateral differences could be resolved.

"As two distinctive countries our two sides may have different views or differences on some issues. This is natural," Xi said. "They key is to properly handle and manage them."



Trump also said he does not fault China for taking advantage of differences between the way the two countries do business.

"I don't blame China," Trump said during remarks to business leaders of both countries.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens? I give China great credit."



Instead, Trump said previous US administrations were responsible for what he called "a very unfair and one-sided" trade relationship with China.

This, he said, allowed the trade deficit to take place and to grow.

The deals signed between Chinese and American companies included the purchase of 300 Boeing planes, US-made chip sets and soybeans.

Chinese and US companies signed trade and investment deals worth more than USD 250 billion, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Other official media reports put the figure around USD 253 billion. However, it is unclear how much of that figure is past deals being re-announced or simply the potential for future deals.

Facts have shown that China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, President Xi said.

Significantly, China also managed to push its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was earlier criticised by the US.

China's Silk Road Fund, a unit under the People's Bank of China to promote the Belt and Road international trade initiative, will set up a joint fund with the US, Hong Kong- based South China Morning Post reported.

China had set up a USD 40 billion Silk Road fund to assist the BRI projects.

Among a long list of agreements ranging from shale gas to car parts, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the state energy group, signed a USD 43 billion deal to jointly explore natural gas with the US in Alaska, the Post report said.

China's sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, will offer financial support. Bank of China, a Chinese state- owned bank, will help with finance, too.

Chinese phone makers, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo will sign deals to buy products from Qualcomm, the US telecom mobile chip-maker, the report said.

The US tech firm Broadcom made a USD 105 billion takeover bid for Qualcomm earlier this month.

China Investment Corp is to set up a joint fund with Goldman Sachs. Other deals include the Chinese purchase of planes from Boeing and the imports of Tesla cars into China, the report said.

Both sides inked deals worth USD 9 billion yesterday.

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The Congress today demanded removal of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani over the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) slapping fine on his firm for alleged manipulative share trade.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also took a dig at the ruling party on the issue, saying the revelation "was another tale of 'na khaoonga, na khane doonga'".

He was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of not allowing corruption under his watch.

Referring to allegations against BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah and NSA Ajit Doval's son Shaurya Doval, Gandhi said the case involving Rupani's entity belonged to the series of irregularities. Both Jay Shah and Shaurya Doval have denied the allegations against them.

"Na Khaoonga, na khane doonga ki kahani; Shah-zada, Shaurya aur ab Vijay Rupani (the tale of not allowing corruption; Shah-zada, Shaurya and now Vijay Rupani)," Gandhi tweeted.

Another Congress leader, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, accused Modi of being tight-lipped on the issue involving Rupani. He asked the prime minister to come clear whether the BJP would face the coming Gujarat Assembly polls under a chief minister fined by the capital market regulator.

Gujarat is going to poll in two phases on December 9 and December 14.

Speaking to reporters, Singh said, "The people who talk about zero tolerance against corruption should show zero tolerance in this case. We demand Rupani's resignation. If he doesn't, the prime minister should sack him."



According to media reports, the SEBI charged 22 entities, including Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), for "manipulative trade" in a little-known company, Saran Chemicals. The HUF has been asked to cough up Rs 15 lakh.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal's (SAT) order published on its website today, however, said that the Sebi will pass a fresh order in the case of alleged manipulative share trade involving Rupani's HUF and 21 others.

In its order, the SAT said "Sebi shall pass fresh order after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the parties".

The tribunal has "set aside" the penalty order, dated October 27, after hearing an appeal filed by Akash Harishbhai Desai, one of the 22 entities penalised by the regulator for alleged manipulative trading in the shares of Saran Chemicals Ltd during the January-June 2011 period.

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Dineshwar Sharma, the Centre's special representative for Kashmir, today began the second leg of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir and reached here for holding consultations with various groups and political parties.

Sharma called on state governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and discussed ways and means for reaching out to various stake-holders in the state, officials said.

The officials dubbed the meetings as a courtesy calls. Sharma had met both the leaders after his appointment as the Centre's special representative.

Before the meetings, Sharma, a former chief of the Intelligence Bureau, met a BJP delegation led by state president Sat Sharma.

"Our party representatives had sought an audience with him in Srinagar, but he told them that he will be meeting the party leaders in Jammu," the BJP state chief said, adding, "We will discuss with him the situation prevailing in both the Valley and Jammu region."



He arrived here this evening after spending four days in the Valley during which he met various delegations and political leaders which included former chief minister Omar Abdullah, state Congress chief G A Mir and CPM leaders among others.

He will be meeting various delegations and NGOs tomorrow before returning to the national capital on Saturday.

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Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra today deprecated the burdening of the judiciary with frivolous cases, saying one should approach court only when one feels "genuinely neglected".

Speaking at an event to celebrate the Legal Services Day here organised by National Legal Service Authority (NALSA), he hailed the high courts across the country for working on Saturdays and disposing of more than 2,100 criminal appeals, which were pending for over a decade.

"There were matters more than 10 years old and I had written to all the high courts to focus and to deal with criminal appeals which were more than 10 years old.

"I had requested the chief justices to work on Saturdays and list the matter of the legal aid lawyers and till today all the high courts put together have disposed of more than 2,100 criminal appeals on Saturdays," the CJI said.

Justice Misra, who shared the panel with Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, also said only genuine cases should be filed to ensure smooth functioning of the system.

"Do not file frivolous cases. Do not burden the system. When a man has a genuine case and when he feels genuinely neglected, he will file and a judge will adjudicate according to merits," he said.

The CJI also said that the motto of NALSA is to ensure that no man feels marginalised or underprivileged.

"Never feel that there are no people here to serve you. It's the motto of NALSA and others not to make a man feel that he is marginalised or underprivileged," Justice Misra said.

Prasad, who was the guest of honour at the event which recognised and rewarded the best para legal volunteers and state legal service authorities across the country, lauded the contribution of NALSA but said the work was still in progress.

"I compliment the NALSA movement but it is still a work in progress," he said, adding that para legal volunteers can be preachers of law only after adequate training.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court judge Ranjan Gogoi, who is also the Executive Chairman of NALSA, said the roaring GDP figures are of no use if they were not translated for the well being of underprivileged.

"It is a matter of grave concern that a significant number of people, deserving our reach, are not even aware of our existence. The challenges posed are literacy, social backwardness and natural inclination to suffer in this otherwise economically thriving country of ours are distressing.

"What is the use of roaring GDP figures if they are not being translated into practical well being of the underprivileged," Justice Gogoi asked.

Expressing a similar opinion, Supreme Court judge M B Lokur, also the chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), said there are large number of litigants who are unaware of such legal aid services.

He also focused on the need to make prisoners aware of their rights and make NALSA reach out to them as well.

"There are a very large number of litigants in the country, unaware of the fact they can avail services of legal aid.

"As an in-charge of the SCLSC, I found that many prisoners are unaware of their rights and recently we had a meeting of SCLSA which was also attended by Attorney General and it was decided that we need to reach out to the prisoners. We need to concentrate on this department a little more," he said.

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Two people were killed and their three friends injured after their car plunged into the Yamuna River allegedly after the driver could not see a turn due to smog and darkness in north Delhi's Timarpur area, the police said.

The accident took place around 2 am when they were returning after a party at Shyam Ghat in the Yamuna Khadar area.

Deepak Jangir, who was driving the car, and Kishan Yadav, who was sitting beside him, were killed, the police said, adding that their friends Deepak, Anand and Akash escaped with minor injuries.

They were all in their 20s and it is suspected that they had consumed alcohol.

The car's front was completely submerged, leaving no room for Jangir and Yadav to escape. Their friends, who were in the back seat, managed to come out, they said.

They informed the police and claimed that Deepak Jangir could not see the road ahead and ended up driving into the river, the police said.

Deepak Jangir and Yadav were taken to a hospital where they were declared brought dead, they said.

The police said that yesterday, Deepak Jangir and Yadav along with the others had come to Deepak's house, but as his landlord had issues with him consuming alcohol, they went to Shyam Ghat.

Yadav's aunt is a constable with the Delhi Police and he was staying with her family. He belonged to Rajasthan and was preparing for competitive exams.

Jangir also belonged to Rajasthan and was staying with a family member posted with the Delhi Police. He owned the car and used to also rent it out as a taxi.

Deepak, who belongs to Haryana and was staying in Wazirabad, and the two others also came to Delhi to prepare for competitive exams.

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Egypt's president said the defeat of the extremist Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria was likely to have forced militants to seek a safe haven in neighboring Libya, from which they will later cross into his country where his security forces have been battling militants in the Sinai peninsula and, more recently, in its vast western desert.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi also said Egypt's ongoing arms buildup was designed in part to equip the country to deal with terrorism and redress the "strategic imbalance" in the region created by conflict and turmoil engulfing several countries in the area like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen.

Egypt has since 2014 spent more than $10 billion on French-made Rafale fighter jets and helicopter carriers, MiG- 29 fighter jets and assault helicopters from Russia and submarines from Germany. Moreover, Egypt receives USD 1.3 billion in annual US aid.

He refused to be drawn into specifics about militants' movements, saying it was only "natural" for them to move to Libya, where mostly Islamist militias wield influence over large swathes of territory, and eventually to Egypt.

"We must have the military capabilities that compensate for that imbalance in the region and to counter terrorism," he said. He refused to be drawn into specifics about the movement of militants leaving the battlefield in Iraq and Syria, saying it was only "natural" for them to move to Libya, where mostly Islamist militias wield influence over large swathes of territory, and eventually into Egypt.

"This is a threat not just faced by us, but also by Europe," he told a wide-ranging, two-hour conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in southern Sinai.

There are no reliable estimates for the number of militants fighting Egyptian security forces, but they are believed by experts to number in the low thousands. Ominously, there has been an uptick in recent months in attacks in Egypt's western desert close to the Libyan border.

The latest one was last month, when authorities said 16 police officers were killed in what appeared to be an elaborate ambush. Security officials, however, said the number was as high as more than 50.

El-Sissi said subsequent operations by his security forces have killed the 14 militants he said participated in the attack. A "foreign" militant who participated in the attack was captured alive, he said. He also suggested that the militants were planning to attack a desert Coptic Christian monastery.

He did not elaborate, but added that joint army and police forces were actively combing the entire length of the country's porous borders with Libya to the west and Sudan to the south.

A spate of attacks earlier this year that targeted Egypt's minority Christians were blamed by authorities on militants based and trained in Libya. One attack hit Christians traveling on a quiet side road making their way to a remote desert monastery.

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For years, a Kentucky principal lived a secret life.

Long a respected community leader, Stephen Kyle Goodlett regularly attended church and mentored children. But, prosecutors say, he also covertly searched the confiscated student cellphones of teenage girls for nude photos, saving them to thumb drives to be viewed, uploaded and traded on the internet.

Court documents say investigators found evidence that Goodlett, who taught at Elizabethtown High School south of Louisville before his 2012 hiring as an administrator at nearby LaRue County High, possessed and transported child pornography from 2005 until his arrest last year.

Goodlett, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal charges of transporting and possessing child pornography and awaits sentencing Thursday in Louisville. The two charges carry a penalty of five to 40 years though his plea agreement recommends he serve nine years in prison.

His downfall came after a young woman who had attended LaRue County High School learned that naked images she had taken for her boyfriend when she was 15 had been uploaded to a pornography trading website based in Russia. She went to Elizabethtown police, who sought federal help.

Authorities determined the IP address of the device used to upload images to the website matched an account registered by Goodlett, according to a federal complaint. It added the initial police review of Goodlett's devices found 60 examples of child pornography. Records show a forensic review found 436 images and 11 videos.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children later identified images of the Elizabethtown woman as well as a naked girl between 10 and 14 years old in Goodlett's Dropbox account, the agent said.

After signing a waiver of his rights and agreeing to a recorded interview with state investigators, the former high school principal acknowledged finding the images on confiscated phones, transferring them and sharing them online, authorities say.

In addition to the federal charges, Goodlett is facing 63 state felony charges related to child pornography.

In federal court documents, Goodlett's attorney said his client has already lost everything important to him from an addiction to pornography.

"Kyle is a broken man. He is also a sick man. There is no other viable explanation for the behavior that he engaged in ... He knows he has betrayed the trust of his community, his students, his colleagues and his family," attorney Christopher Spedding said in a memorandum asking the judge to accept the sentence recommend in the plea agreement.

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Farmers might lose about Rs 36,000 crore in seven kharif crops including paddy if they do not get the government fixed minimum support price (MSP), coalition of farmers bodies AIKSCC claimed today.

The loss figures are based on rough assessment, but the ground reality will be showcased through a nation-wide campaign 'Kisan Ki Loot' wherein farmers will tell their stories through info-pic, it said.

A 'Kisan Mukti Sansad' will also be organised on November 20 in the national capital to debate on remunerative price, loan waiver and other demands of farmers.

Highlighting the growing farmers' distress, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) Convener V M Singh said, "Prices have fallen below the MSP and farmers are not able to even recover the cost of production."



For instance, urad MSP is Rs 5,400 per quintal, but the current market rate is Rs 3,189 per quintal. Groundnut MSP is Rs 4,450 per quintal but the market rate is lower at Rs 3,834 per quintal, he said.

Just by not getting the support price, total loss to be incurred by farmers is estimated to be Rs 35,968 crore in seven kharif crops -- paddy, maize, bajra, soyabean, groundnut, urad and cotton -- he said at a press conference.

These are the most conservative estimates. In reality, the announced MSPs are highly inadequate, he added.

MSP is the rate at which the government buys grain from farmers. It fixes support price for 14 kharif crops and seven rabi crops, but procurement usually happens only for wheat, paddy and some pulses. It procures other crops only when prices fall below the MSP.

AIKSCC members including farmer leaders Yogendra Yadav and Raju Shetty said the government has failed to fulfil its poll promise of giving 50 per cent profit over the cost of production.

"The loss faced by farmers is estimated to be more than Rs 2 lakh crore in this kharif season in seven crops because of not implementing the election promise," they said.

This "massive injustice" in prices is pushing farmers into debt and suicides across the country, they claimed.

AIKSCC is a coalition of more than 180 organisations.

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Italian star Monica Bellucci thinks it is important now for women to come forward about harassment and assault as they have long been told to stay silent.

The actor said those criticising the women, who have come forward against Harvey Weinstein, for not speaking up earlier should understand that it takes courage to open up like that.

"I can say I am so happy that I have two kids, two girls, and they are born in this period of time. It's important that women now come out and have the courage to talk and to say things that surpass the fear, because our fear is something that is in our DNA," Bellucci told the Hollywood Reporter.

"People are asking, 'why didn't these women come out before? Why didn't they say something right away?' When a bird is in a cage for a long time, even when you open the cage, it doesn't go out. And so to come out from that is something that has to change inside. It takes so much time to come out and have the courage to talk."



Bellucci, who started working in her teens as a model and actor, said she also experienced harassment. The actor believes every woman faces harassment in a some form or the other.

"Of course. I don't think there is one woman in the world who hasn't experienced this to some degree. So I think when you are a woman, you know from a very young age how to deal with those attitudes. In some cases, you think that it is almost normal because it happens so often. But it's not normal. What we have to teach our children is that it's not normal."



The actor said parents need to teach their children about these situations and how to face them.

"When we were kids, sometimes they didn't explain enough to us that it is not our fault. Because they teach us how to dress or how to behave in order not to provoke. But we have to explain to men that they can't act like that.

"It's not on women that we have to cover ourselves, or we have to avoid creating a situation that can provoke men. The men have to learn how to stay in their place."



Bellucci, 53, worked on several Miramax films over the years including "The Brothers Grimm" and "Malena" but said she did not "have to deal with those kinds of situations" because she already knew how to handle them.

"Because when you are a pretty woman and you are in a type of work where your image is part of the work, of course you learn how to deal with situations," she said.

The actor, however, is hopeful about the future as she feels there is already a shift in the way people perceive women.

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A fire broke out in a restaurant in New Market area close to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation head office in the city this morning.

"Three fire tenders rushed to the spot soon after the fire was reported at 10.25 am. Apparently cause of fire is due explosion of a cooking gas cylinder," a Fire department official said.

Details would be known after an detailed investigation, they said adding that the fire is now under control and there was no report of any casualty.

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Five terrorists were killed and four others injured today in an exchange of fire with Pakistan army in the country's restive northwest tribal region near Afghan border, officials said.

The army said that militants opened indiscriminate fire on a newly-established army post in Rajgal Valley of Khyber Agency and killed one soldier.

The troops retaliated and killed five terrorists and injured four others, the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

The army has launched a military operation 'Khyber-4' under 'Radd-ul-Fasaad', which roughly translates to 'elimination of discord', to eliminate terrorists and consolidate gains of counter-terrorism operations in the country's restive northwest tribal region.

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A day after a farmer died due to suspected food poisoning and nearly 69 others fell ill, the police here has registered offences against two caterers and an official of a pesticide producing company where the victims had a meal, an official said today.

After eating the food served yesterday at Umarale village in Nashik district, where the private company had organised a seminar on tomato crops, at least 70 farmers had complained of vomiting and giddiness.

They were taken to different hospitals for treatment, Nashik's civil surgeon Suresh Jagadale said last night.

Later, one of them, Atul Kedar (41), died, he said, adding the exact cause of his death was yet to be ascertained.

Samples of the food served to the farmers were sent for examination, Jagadale had said.

Following the incident, the Dindori rural police in Nashik late last night registered offences against the two caterers and the regional crop manager of the pesticide producing company under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison), Dindori police station incharge Rajesh Shirsath said.

An investigation was on into the incident, he added.

Meanwhile, the health of farmers, who were admitted in Nashik Civil Hospital, a rural hospital in Dindori taluka and three private hospitals in the city, was improving, police said.

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Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel today said that the government is keen on ramping up the health insurance infrastructure to keep pace with the "double-digit" growth of the sector.

Patel was addressing the 11th CII Health Insurance Summit and a statement from the business association said that she stressed on "insurance products for the masses".

The minister also asked the health insurance industry to develop sustainable, simple solutions for the need of India's citizens, a large majority of whom are without insurance cover.

The government is committed to not just adopting sustainable practices at the union government level but to also percolate the same to state levels, the statement said quoting Patel.

She also emphasised on the need for educating citizens regarding health insurance while maintaining that support from private players is also needed.

The minister said that the health care industry needs to adopt standard treatment guidelines for better outcomes and efficiency.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Police today claimed to have arrested a hardcore criminal and booked him under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Samba district, a police official said.

Daleep Kumar alias Deepa of Samba was involved in a number of heinous offences, the official said.

The dossier for the detention of the criminal was submitted in the office of the district magistrate Samba by Senior Superintendent of Police, he said, adding Daleep was the main accused in several cases including attempt to murder.

District Magistrate Samba Sheetal Nanda issued the PSA warrant for detention of Daleep under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA).

The PSA warrant has been executed and the accused has been sent to jail, the official said.

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With a view to enhance the employability of students, Haryana is embarking on a mission to improve vocational educationin 100 schools in the state in collaboration with a Swedish organisation on a pilot basis, education minster Ram Bilas Sharma said here today.

Sharma was speaking at a meeting ofthe Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad, where representatives of the National Skill Development Corporation and Kunskapsskolan, a Swedish organisation, were also present, an official release said.

The pilot project to develop three skills -- retail, IT/ITes and beauty and wellness -- will be launched in 100 government senior secondary schoolsfrom the next academic session.

"It will be a unique model of personalised learning which can be adapted to make vocational education more effective. Under the pilot project, life skills such as effective communication, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, problem-solving and self-management would be the outcome of the proposed innovative methodology that will help the students," Sharma said.

Additional Chief Secretary, School Education, K K Khandelwal said that an amount of Rs 9.4 crore will be invested in the project.

"Out of this, Rs 3.4 crore will be invested by Kunskapsskolan Education (KED) and Manav Rachna International University under agreement with the NSDC, Rs 3 crore by KED via CSR funding from Swedish companies operating in India, and Rs 3 crore via innovation fund from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, routed through the Haryana School Education Department," Khandelwal said.

The CSR funds from Swedish corporates will be routed via the National Skill Development Fund (NSDF), he said, according to the release.

"The National Skills Qualification Framework-compliant digital content and equipment will be put in place by March 2018 for usage of KED technology or methodology," he said.

The students taking up vocational courses will also be enrolled as scouts and guides.

"The scouts already studying in schools will also be encouraged to enroll themselves in vocational courses under the pilot. All stakeholders will take preliminary steps to ensure that the pilot, with prior approval of MHRD, is launched in 100 government senior secondary schools from the next academic session commencing April 1, 2018," he added.

Fourteen new skill-development programmes were introduced in 1,001 government senior secondary schools under a separate vocational training scheme approved by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Sharma said.

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The Calcutta High Court today directed the Centre to submit an affidavit on steps taken to get the Aadhaar card of a youth suffering from cerebral palsy done.

Justice Debangshu Basak directed the Centre to inform the court on November 13 as to what steps it was taking to ensure that the Aadhaar card of the youth was made within the requisite time frame.

The direction came on a petition by Nupur Moitra, mother of 27-year-old Sanat who is suffering from acute cerebral palsy.

Moving the petition before the court, Moitra's counsel Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee submitted that youth was suffering from 83 per cent disability and cannot sit or look straight and cannot stretch his fingers.

Chatterjee said in April 2016, Sanath was taken to an Aadhaar enrolment camp, but retina scan and fingerprinting could not be done owing to his physical disabilities.

Since then he has been taken to several other Aadhaar camps, but every attempt has failed, the lawyer told the court.

Chatterjee submitted that there are provisions in Aadhaar Act 2016 which say that software can be updated and officials may go to the residence of specific people to ensure that children, aged and disabled people have their cards are made.

He also submitted that with the December deadline fixed by the Centre for Aadhaar linking of several important services nearing, steps need to be taken very soon to ensure that the youth's rights to such services are ensured.

The court then asked the lawyer for the Centre to state on November 13, when the matter would be heard again, what it would be doing to ensure that the youth's Aadhaar card is made.

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The Madras High Court today held that police were well within their powers to book sidelined AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran and 16 others for offences including sedition and dismissed a plea calling for records of an FIR registered against them for allegedly defaming the prime minister and the Tamil Nadu chief minister.

Dhinkaran and 16 of his supporters, including the petitioner, the party's Karnataka unit secretary V Pugazhenthi, were charged with issuing pamphlets opposing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test in which they have allegedly defamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

They have been booked for sedition, unlawful assembly and defamation among other offences in the FIR registered on September 29 at Annadanapatty police station in Salem district.

Justice M S Ramesh, who dismissed the petition, in his order said a perusal of the printed pamphlets/complaint, all the ingredients of Section124-A (sedition), 499 (defamation) and 500 IPC (punishment for defamation) have been made out.

"The pamphlets/complaints read, in any meaning, has attempted to excite the disaffection towards the central and state governments and has also attempted to bring the hatred and contempt against them."



Citing a Supreme Court order, Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted that there was an interim direction to the chief secretary to ensure that there is no disruption to normal life of the state citizens and in case of any violation, the government was directed to book violators under the appropriate law.

Since one of the agendas mentioned in the pamphlet also relate to calling upon the protesters to agitate against the NEET, police were justified in filing the FIR, he said.

Moreover, the AG submitted that all offences including sedition and defamation have been clearly made out against the petitioner and others and since the issue is under investigation, he sought dismissal of the criminal original petition.

N G R Prasad, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that it was the fundamental right of every citizen to peacefully protest and demonstrate any action and "therefore in the absence of any violation, demonstration or protest, the offences cannot, by no stretch of imagination, be said to have been committed".

The counsel also submitted that the apex court order relied on by the advocate general was made in the background of an agitation over the NEET exam.

The pamphlets relate to birth centenary celebrations of AIADMK party leaders and the action said to have been initiated based on the apex court order is not sustainable, he said.

The judge, who dismissed the plea, in his order said "In the instant case, the pamphlet/complaint intends to harm the reputation of both Central as well as state governments."



The apex court in the Raghuvur Singh versus the state has held that distribution and circulation of seditious materials is sufficient to attract the provisions of Sec 124-A.

"I am unable to comprehend as to how the aforesaid slogans cannot prima facie constitute the offences of sedition or defamation," the judge said.

"The final sentences in the pamphlets/complaints calling upon the general public to demonstrate and agitate against the state government and central government on the issue of NEET examination are one among other slogans."



Since the pamphlets attempt to incite the public to protest and demonstrate, police were well within the powers to register the complaint in accordance with the directions of the supreme court, the judge said.

"Now, that this court has found that the complaint discloses the possible commission of the offences, it would not be appropriate to interfere with the investigation," the judge said, dismissing the plea.

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The Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India today said the body met with members, including state finance ministers, to press for rationalisation of tax rates for the industry.

"We have met the GST Council, which was represented by the Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia. We have also met a couple of state Finance Ministers separately and put forward our demands," Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) President Garish Oberoi told Press Trust of India.

The association is seeking reduction of GST to 12 per cent on all categories of restaurants from the differential rates of different segments, he added.

Currently, restaurants with no AC and no bar attract a GST of 12 per cent, while all other restaurants fall under the 18 per cent bracket.

"We also heard a news that was planning to remove the input credit system for the restaurants. This will hurt the industry and it will be against the basic principle of GST. It will also increase the prices. We requested not to remove it," Oberoi said.

"They have listened to us and almost agreed to it. They have assured us of a favourable outcome," he added.

Regarding the hotel segment, Oberoi said FHRAI demanded that the tax slab for the luxury category be brought down to 18 per cent.

"We are losing market to other neighbouring nations. Nobody wants to hold any big event in any big hotels in India. We are no longer a competitor internationally. Nowhere in the world, the tax is as high as 28 per cent.

"They patiently listened to us on this demand also and assured us of discussing it in the main meeting. They too felt it is very high at present," he added.

FHRAI put forward another demand of reclassifying the Integrated GST and allow the option to register a company at the place of business, Oberoi said.

"The officials, however, said it is as per the act. There is a flaw in the act actually. To rectify this, the act has to be amended. So this demand is unlikely to be met immediately," he added.

The is holding its two-day meet that began today in Guwahati.
Haryana Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar has requested the central government to allow utilisation of labour under the MNREGA for disposal of paddy straw for a period of one month.

He wrote a demi-official letter to Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Minister of Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Narender Singh Tomar in this regard.

Dhankar said after getting the residue collected at an earmarked place in a village, the sarpanches may dispose of the material by supplying it to industrialists, power making small plants and brick kilns.

He said the farmers should be provided an incentive at the time of purchase of paddy for the management of paddy straw.

He also requested the Centre to allow utilisation of labour under the MNREGA scheme for disposal of paddy straw for a period of one month during the peak season of paddy procurement.

Dhankar said the state government is concerned about the problem of smog in Delhi due to burning of paddy crop residue.

He said in Haryana, all possible steps are being taken to stop farmers from burning paddy straw.

A subsidy of Rs 75 crore for disposal of the residue, with an additional subsidy of Rs 10 crore for purchase of implements have been provided for paddy straw management.

A large area measuring about 12.85 lakh hectare is under paddy cultivation in the state, he added.

Notably, thick smog, mainly caused by stubble burning, has enveloped parts of Punjab and Haryana over the past few days affecting normal life.

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Human-caused global warming is significantly increasing the rate at which hot temperature records are being broken around the world, a study has found.

Global annual temperature records show there were 17 record hot years from 1861 to 2005.

Researchers at University of Melbourne in Australia examined whether these temperature records are being broken more often and if so, whether human-caused global warming is to blame.

The results show human influence has greatly increased the likelihood of record-breaking hot years occurring on a global scale.

Without human-caused climate change, there should only have been an average of seven record hot years from 1861 to 2005, not 17, researchers said.

Human-caused climate change at least doubled the odds of having a record-breaking hot year from 1926 to 1945 and from 1967 onwards, according to the study.

The study also projects that if greenhouse gas emissions remain high, the chance of seeing new global temperature records will continue to increase.

By 2100, every other year will be a record breaker, on average, according to the study published in the journal Earth's Future.

The new findings show how climate change is visibly influencing Earth's temperature, said Andrew King, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne.

"We can now specifically say climate change is increasing the chance of observing a new temperature record each year," said King, lead author of the study.

"It is important to point out we should not be seeing these records if human activity were not contributing to global warming," said King.

The study strengthens the link between human activity and recent temperature trends, according to Michael Mann, a climatologist at Pennsylvania State University in the US.

"This work builds on previous research establishing that, without a doubt, the record warmth we are seeing cannot be explained without accounting for the impact of human activity on the warming of the planet," Mann said.

Record hot years have been occurring more frequently in recent decades. 2014 was the hottest year on record since 1880, but that record was quickly broken in 2015 and again in 2016.

Research published earlier this year in the journal Geophysical Research Letters found these three consecutive records in global temperatures were very likely due to anthropogenic warming.

In the new study, King developed a method to isolate the human role in changing rates of record-breaking temperatures globally.

Unlike previous studies, the method uses a single source of temperature data, in this case global annual temperatures, allowing King to study temperature records on a global scale.

King first looked at global temperature data from 1861 to 2005 and identified which years were hot record breakers. He then used a wide array of climate models to simulate global temperatures in this period.

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A centre of excellence for integrated beekeeping development will be launched tomorrow in Haryana's Ramnagar as part of the Indo-Israeli Agricultural Project (IIAP), the Israel Embassy here today said.

The project is a cooperation between the Union government, Indian state governments and Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation--MASHAV.

"Tomorrow, India and Israel will inaugurate a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Integrated Beekeeping Development in Ramnagar, Haryana," the Embassy said.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ambassador of Israel to India Daniel Carmon, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Haryana, Om Prakash Dhankar, are to attend the event.

"The (IIAP) project is currently active in nine states across India, and will include seven more states in the next phase of the project," the Embassy said in a statement.

The CoE is one of 18 fully operational centres in the Indo-Israeli Agricultural Project. It will be the 14th MASHAV-MIDH centre to be inaugurated in India and the fourth in Haryana.

The beekeeping centre in Ramnagar is the "first of its kind", and will address queen bee rearing, quality control laboratories, enhanced production, honey production value chain and pollination.

On the eve of the inauguration, Ambassador Carmon said, "Centres of Excellence are an integral part of India and Israel's growing partnership. Haryana is one of the first to implement this tool for its farmers, and has more IIAP centres than any other state."



"I hope to see more states open IIAP centres across India, and that the private sector too joins us in the endeavour to bring advanced agro-technology to Indian farmers," he said.

India and Israel are celebrating 25 years of relations in 2017.

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India Cements Ltd today reported standalone net profits at Rs 23.67 crore for the quarter ending September 30 this year.

The city-based N-Srinivasan-led company had registered net profits at Rs 62.41 crore during the same period previous year.

For the half year period ending September 30, this year, the net profits of the company stood at Rs 50.11 crore as against Rs 106.39 crore uring same period last year.

Total income during the quarter ending September 30, 2017 was came down to Rs 1,274.90 crore as against Rs 1,314.44 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last financial year.

For the six month period ending September 30, 2017, the standalone total income went up to Rs 2,741.65 crore from Rs 2,520.16 crore registered during year ago period.

The financials were not comparable as last year figures include excise duty besides the company's subsidiary Trinetra Cements was merged with it.

Declaring the annual results, company Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, N Srinivasan said the 'sluggishness' cannot be attributed only to demonetisation introduced last year or the Goods and Service Tax or general economical slowdown.

"It may be a combination of all the three. But I should also tell that absence of sand being freely available was also a reason. My bread and butter market is Tamil Nadu and the (Cement) volume cannot be improved despite the demand", he told reporters.

This was the first time the company witnessed a degrowth of 12 per cent, he said.

Srinivasan said, the company may look at "diversification" to manage the situation by focusing in West and North markets along with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The company currently has four manufacturing facilities and were operating at a capacity of 70 per cent as of September 30, 2017 as compared to last year's 68 per cent.

The net plant realisation was Rs 3,473 for the quarter ending September 30, 2017 as against Rs 3,604 in the sequential quarter ending June 30, 2017.

To a query Srinivasan said the gross debt of the company stood at Rs 3,260 crore as of September 30, 2017.

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India was today re-elected as the member of the UNESCO's executive board, its top decision- making body, an official said.

The election was held at the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Paris, he said.

"The is quite significant and indicates the position of India globally. The executive board is the top decision- making body, so it is an important achievement," the official of the UNESCO India office here said.

The General Conference consists of the representatives of the States Members of the organisation.

It meets every two years, and is attended by Member States and Associate Members, together with observers for non-Member States, intergovernmental organisations and non- governmental organisations (NGOs), according to the UNESCO.

"Each country has one vote, irrespective of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget. The General Conference determines the policies and the main lines of work of the organisation.

"Its duty is to set the programmes and the budget of the UNESCO. It also elects the Members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General," it said.

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India will save about Rs 4,000 crore after it got US energy major Exxon Mobil Corp to lower the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after the new rates kick-in from January next year.

Petronet LNG Ltd, India's biggest importer of liquefied natural gas, in August 2009 signed a 20-year deal to buy 1.44 million tonnes of LNG from Exxon's share in the Gorgon project in Australia. The deliveries under the contract started early this year.

"The revised price is still to be documented. We are trying to get the revised price implemented from January 1," Petronet LNG Ltd MD and CEO Prabhat Singh told reporters here.

Exxon Mobil Corp has agreed to charge 13.9 per cent of the prevailing Brent oil price at the port of delivery rather than previously decided 14.5 per cent of the oil rate at the port of loading. The delivered price was considered too high and so price was renegotiated.

"We will be saving about USD 1 per million British thermal unit or so from the price renegotiations," he said. "Over the contract period it comes to about Rs 4,000 crore."



Besides changing the indexation, LNG pricing will be on DES basis rather than FOB previously decided.

Delivered ex ship (DES) is a trade term requiring the seller to deliver goods to a buyer at an agreed port of arrival. Under FOB, the buyer has to make the shipping arrangement.

At USD 50 per barrel oil price, Gorgon LNG, whose supplies started in January this year, would have cost USD 7.25 per million British thermal unit at the port of loading. Adding another USD 1 for transportation would have led to delivered price of USD 8.25 in the old contract.

In the new formula, Gorgon LNG delivered at Indian port will cost USD 6.95 per mmBtu.

India had used its status of Asia's third largest LNG buyer to renegotiate in 2015 the LNG pricing formula with Qatar's RasGas to buy the gas at half the original price.

Petronet had in late 2015 renegotiated price of the long-term deal to import 7.5 million tonnes per year of LNG from Qatar, helping save Rs 8,000 crore. At that time, it had also signed a contract to buy an additional 1 million tonne per annum till 2028.

Singh said Petronet will buy one million tonnes more LNG from Gorgon project as well but the additional volumes would come in after few years.

Price renegotiation with RasGas led to saving of USD 5 per mmBtu.

Petronet had last year formally sought at least 10 per cent cut in price of Gorgon LNG.

The 14.5 per cent indexation to prevailing oil rates agreed in August 2009 was one of the highest in the world.

Singh said LNG in spot or current market is available at USD 9.5 per mmBtu.

State-owned GAIL, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) hold 12.5 per cent each in Petronet.

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An Indian man was arrested today at Frankfurt airport over a murder in Scotland 24 years ago, German and Scottish police said.

The 51-year-old suspect had just arrived from New Delhi when he was detained on a European arrest warrant for the 1993 murder of Ansar Shah in southwest Scotland.

Shah, 36, was stabbed to death in a car park, according to British media.

"It is anticipated that proceedings to return the man to Scottish jurisdiction will take place in due course," Scottish police said in a statement.

The accused faces life in prison if convicted of the crime.

The arrest came after a joint operation between Scottish authorities and law enforcement partners across Europe including Europol, French and German authorities, and the UK National Crime Agency.

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India is looking to boost its special forces capabilities, including cross-border counter- terrorist operations, by participating for the first time in a major military drill with the air forces of Israel and eight other nations.

The 45-member Indian contingent, including 16 Garud commandos, led by Group Captain Maluk Singh, is also closely working with Israel's select special forces during the Blue Flag aerial training exercise with focus on learning what makes them excel at special operations.

"We would look to learn and share with them the procedures followed in mutual interoperability, counter- terrorist operations, method of inducting and training people and try and compare to see if a course correction is required at our end," an Indian officer leading the Garud commandos told PTI.

"The Israelis are more battle-hardened as they have more experience in cross border operations and we can learn from their experiences," the officer said.

In a rare move, while contingents of other participating nations in the massive "war drill" feature fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) decided to send C-130J Super Hercules aircraft along with Garud commandos who will be training for a week each with Israeli Air Force's elite units - Unit 5101 (more commonly referred to as the Shaldag Commando unit) and Unit 669 (Airborne Rescue And Evacuation Unit).

The Garud commandos started training with Unit 669 on Sunday and would be moving to the Palmachim Air Force base next week to train with the Shaldag Unit.

Unit 669 was initially mandated to extract and provide medical treatment to downed (and possibly injured) pilots beyond enemy lines. However, in later years the unit also participated in extraction of soldiers of other arms of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), especially Sayeret (Special Forces) fighters in operations beyond enemy lines.

Shaldag's declared mission is to deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to conduct special reconnaissance, establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control and commando actions.

Its operators undergo the longest training phase of any unit in the IDF, lasting 22 months, and training has a heavy emphasis on navigation.

The mandated role of Garud Commando Force, whose motto - 'Defence by Offence' - matches closely with the task assigned to these two special units of the Israeli Air Force.

"They are very strong as far as special forces are concerned. This is one area we are definitely looking to learn from their experience," Maluk Singh told PTI.

The Blue Flag drill is a biannual exercise designed to strengthen Israel's military cooperation internationally.

This is the first time India is participating in the drill, along with the US, France, Germany, Italy, Greece and Poland. An unidentified eighth nation is also said to be participating in the military exercise as per local media.

Israel is among the top three to four arms suppliers to India with sales ranging from Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) to Aerostat and Green Pine radars, Barak anti-missile defence and several types of missiles and laser-guided bombs.

Lt Col Nadav, Commander of the 133rd Squadron (Knights of the Twin Tail), which operates 'Falcon' (F-15) fighter jets and is leading the exercise, described it as a "significant milestone in the relationship between the Israeli Air Force and international air forces".

"This exercise will allow us to continue cooperating with these forces in the future as well," he said.

Close to a 100 aircraft and more than a thousand support crew and pilots from the visiting air forces are taking part in the drill.

Israel also said "electronic warfare" will be used during the drills but no details were shared.

According to the Israeli army, the goal of the exercise is to both improve technical ability and to strengthen the "diplomatic cooperation between the countries".

The Blue Flag exercise was started in 2013 by Israel but its third edition has attracted huge attention given the massive participation.

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An Indian-origin teenager in the UK has been convicted of trying to buy explosives online with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury.

Gurtej Singh Randhawa, 19, of Tettenhall in England, was arrested in May after undercover officers from the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) replaced a car bomb ordered online with a harmless dummy device before it was delivered.

He is due to be sentenced on January 12 next year.

Randhawa, who has been remanded in custody, was convicted of maliciously possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury at Birmingham Crown Court this week.

"The explosive device Randhawa sought to purchase online had the potential to cause serious damage and kill many people if he had been successful in using it," said the NCA's Tim Gregory.

"He was not involved in an organised crime group or linked to terrorism, but is clearly an individual who poses a significant risk to the community.

"Identifying people like Randhawa who seek to access illegal firearms and weapons is a priority for the NCA and we will not stop in our efforts to make sure they are arrested and held accountable for their actions," he said.

According to details of the case, Randhawa had tried to buy a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), a remote-detonated explosive device from the dark web.

The NCA officers replaced the package with a dummy device and allowed it to be delivered to the address in Wolverhampton provided by Randhawa and watched him test it before swooping in to arrest him.

Two women aged 45 and 18 were also arrested at the same time by the NCA Armed Operations Unit but were later released with no further action.

Randhawa had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to import explosives but was found guilty of the more serious charge of maliciously possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered an investigation after dozens of complaints from Arab families about relatives they say have not been heard from since their arrest by Kurdish forces.

Kurds control an autonomous region in north Iraq, and they also held the disputed Kirkuk province from 2003 until they were driven out last month by federal forces after Baghdad rejected an independence referendum.

Since then, hundreds of Iraqis have gathered at demonstrations in Kirkuk city, calling for human rights bodies to shed light on the whereabouts of relatives arrested by Kurdish forces.

"Two thousand people have been arrested since 2003," Khaled al-Mafarji, an Arab MP from Kirkuk, told AFP.

A protest was held in Kirkuk yesterday as 74 complaints were filed concerning people who went missing after being detained, according to the Human Rights Committee of Kirkuk province.

During the rally, relatives appealed directly for Abadi to intervene to help find their loved ones -- drawing a quick response from the Iraqi leader.

"The prime minister has ordered investigations as demanded by the families of those arrested by Kurdish Asayesh members in Kirkuk province in order to know their fate," Abadi's office said later in a statement, referring to the Kurdish security services.

A senior Kurdish security official told AFP that any arrests were "measures taken to enforce the law".

"We are ready to answer any questions from Prime Minister Abadi," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

One of those demonstrating yesterday, Najm al-Shahri, said Kurdish security forces arrested his son at home in 2007, when he was 17 years old.

Shahri said his son had been accused of "attacking US forces" who had intervened in Iraq three years earlier, leading to the downfall of dictator Saddam Hussein.

He said he wanted only one thing: "The body of my son or information about his fate".

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The youths of Jammu and Kashmir are very progressive and their potential need to be explored, Union minister Jitendra Singh said today.

During a meeting with officers of Jammu and Kashmir cadre working in central and Delhi governments here, various other issues such as Prime Minister's scholarship scheme for students; physical, broadband and aviation connectivity; setting up of an India Institute of Management in Jammu, renovation and upgradation of stadiums were discussed.

"The connectivity will help in boosting trade and commerce related activities in the state and thus create employment for people," said Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

The officers emphasised that there was a need to make more use of information technology in offices functioning in Jammu and Kashmir.

They also said that various initiatives of the government have influenced the state in a great manner, demonetisation being one of them, according to an official release.

Singh said that the officers from J-K should sit together and discuss how best the state government can be benefited from their experience of working in the central government.

The minister laid emphasis on the synergy between the officers posted in Delhi and the officers posted in Jammu and Kashmir.

He emphasised that more youth-centric initiatives are required in the state to channelise their energies in the right direction.

Singh stressed upon job creation for them based on skill development training as per their requirement and specific region.

The minister said that the youths of Jammu and Kashmir are very progressive and their potential should be explored, the release said.

Singh expressed happiness over the fact that many students from the state are making to the prestigious IITs.

"Every year some students make it to toppers' list of Civil Services Examination," he said.

The minister said that the construction of the world's largest railway bridge is on full swing over the Chenab river.

The minister also highlighted various other initiatives taken by the central government such as self-attestation of documents and others.

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Five members of a jet-setting gang from Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly snatched gold chains and necklaces from women here, have been arrested, police said today.

Bengaluru police commissioner T Suneel Kumar said the gang members used to frequently travel to Bengaluru by plane.

They would roam around the city in two-wheelers andsnatch gold necklaces from women in secluded places, he said.

After staying for a short while, they would go back to their home town, he said.

During an interrogation they revealed that they chose south India because there is a huge craze for gold among womenand everybody wears 'mangal sutra', he said.

Gold worth Rs 20 lakh have been recovered from them.

The accused have been identified as Jai Prakash alias Varun Kumar, Nitin Kumar, Jitendra Kumar, Kapil Kumar, andNand Kishore.

While four were in their early twenties, NandKishore was 33-years-old, he said.

Two more members of their gang are absconding, Kumar said.

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Reliance JIO, one of India's newer telecom giants, is planning to launch its own virtual reality app next year which it will develop in collaboration with the Birmingham City University.

During a tour of the university this week as part of the ongoing UK-India Future Tech Month organised by the UK's Department of International Trade, representatives from the mobile network operator held talks with senior academics.

"Birmingham City University and indeed the wider West Midlands is at the forefront of digital media technology and our active researchers ensure our students are best equipped for future careers in image and audio processing, digital media distribution and mixed reality systems," said Professor Julian Beer, deputy vice-chancellor, of Birmingham City University.

He welcomed the delegation, calling it an opportunity to share knowledge and experience and expressed hope that it would lead to further "institutional links with the country".

As part of the discussions around its new VR app, JIO's inhouse studio is reportedly planning to collaborate with experts at the university by expanding their technical know- how, co-creating content and ensuring they are making best use of the latest technology.

Meanwhile, philmCGI an animation studio based out of both Mumbai and Pune is also expanding its offer in VR and augmented reality (AR).

"Birmingham City University has state-of-the-art media facilities; it is no wonder so many Indian students want to come to the UK to study," said Anand Bhanushali, founder and managing director of philmCGI,who also indicated that their tour of the campus had led to discussions around a number of opportunities for collaboration.

The event was hosted by the University's recently- established India Innovation Group, which comprises academics and staff who have a direct connection to or an interest to India in terms of collaboration, industrial and educational links, or who have joint projects currently in development.

Chaired by Rajinder Dudrah, Professor of Cultural Studies and Creative Industries, the group is currently made up of a team of 13 academics and staff.

Dudrah said that India is an important part of the world not just in terms of international students but also because of the wealth of opportunities for mutual understanding.

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A new passenger train service between Kolkata and Bangladesh's southwestern industrial city of Khulna was today flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and the West Bengal chief minister.

The three leaders launched the train through video conference.

A fully air-conditioned weekly passenger train service 'Bandhan Express' will run every Thursday from both Kolkata and Khulna.

On the occasion, Modi said the ties of friendship between India and Bangladesh have further strengthened.

Modi said in Bengali, 'Aaj ei shubho uplokkhe dui desh bashider amar abhinandan janai. Aaj amader moitreyee, bandhon aro sudriro holo' (I congratulate the people of the two countries on this auspicious occasion. Our ties of friendship got more strengthened today.)



They also inaugurated two bridges over the rivers Meghna and Titas in Bangladesh.

Hasina said, "Today is a great day for relations between the two countries with the inauguration of the train services and the two bridges. This train service is a dream come true for people on both sides of the border."



Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the launch as a remarkable day for India and Bangladesh.

"The relations between the two countries will strengthen in the future," she said.

Immigration and customs facilities were also inaugurated at Kolkata station.

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India's legal process for approaching Malaysia for the extradition of Zakir Naik, charged by the NIA for radicalising youths, is "nearing completion" and soon an official request will be sent, the external affairs ministry said today.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said that the ministry's internal process was underway in the case.

"The formal request for assistance of a foreign government is such case requires a legal process. We are nearing the completion of this exercise. Soon an official request will be made to the Malaysian government. The internal process we have to complete is also underway," he said.

According to media reports, Naik was in Malaysia after obtaining permanent residency there five years ago.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged Naik and the Mumbai-based non-profit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) that he founded in 1991 with indulging in unlawful activities and promoting religious hatred.

The government has imposed a five-year ban on the IRF under the country's anti-terror laws and has declared Naik an absconder.

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The AAP government today accused the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) in the Supreme Court of making a "mockery of democracy", saying he was either taking decisions of an elected government or substituting them without having any power.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, which is hearing pleas on who enjoys supremacy in governing the national capital, was told by the Delhi government that either the President, or the Chief Minister or the Council of Ministers had the power in event of difference of opinion between the government and the LG over an issue.

Senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for the Arvind Kejriwal government, referred to the provisions of statutes including the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act and the Transaction of Business of the GNCTD Rules and said, "the LG is required to act as per aid and advice and, in case differences, the President will decide and there is no third way. The LG has no power."



"But what is happening is that the Lieutenant Governor is taking decisions and substituting the decisions of the elected government...What the LG is doing is mockery of democracy," he told the bench, which also comprised Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan.

On the issue of referring a matter to the President, he said only those matters, which deserved to be escalated to the President, should be referred, otherwise the President will be left with the administrative issues of Delhi only.

Chidambaram then dealt with the scenario following the Delhi High Court verdict that had held that the LG was the administrative head and said, "Now, in every matter, the LG is saying that you are denuded of power and I will decide".

The policy decisions are the basis of an elected government and interference is "fine" if any decision is "ultra-vires" of the Constitution or the Act, he said.

He also referred to the provisions of the Delhi Fire Services Act and said the vacancies in the department have to be filled by the state government.

"We do not have to understand the meaning of government from the statute. We will go back to the Constitution," the bench said and enquired about who has been making appointments in schools run by the Delhi government.

It is Directorate of Education (DOE) of Delhi government, Chidambaram replied, adding that there was 10,312 posts vacant in DoE presently.

So far as the issue of transfer, posting of IAS, IPS and IFS officers are concerned, the power of central government and the LG are already there, the senior lawyer said.

Delhi government is not being allowed to do these functions with regard to other officers and staff, he said concluding his arguments.

The court would resume hearing on the petitions on November 14.

Earlier, the apex court had said there cannot be day-to- day impediments by LG in the elected government's functioning as the responsibilities conferred on him are "not absolute".

It had also observed that the position of Delhi was different from other states and the elected government was under an obligation to apprise the LG about policy decisions.

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French President Emmanuel Macron announced he will visit Saudi Arabia tonight for talks with the kingdom's powerful crown prince on the rising tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.

Macron, on his debut visit to the Middle East, made the surprise announcement at a conference in Dubai that he would meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Their talks will cover Iran and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia and its allies have imposed a complete blockade in the wake of a missile attack last Saturday by Tehran-backed Huthi rebels.

"I've heard some very hard positions" taken by Saudi Arabia against Iran, said Macron, adding it was important to speak to all sides and that France had a role in making peace.

The visit comes at a time of increased friction between the Sunni kingdom and Shiite Iran, which are embroiled on opposite sides in Lebanon and Yemen.

The talks would also include developments in Lebanon, whose prime minister Saad Hariri resigned in a shock announcement broadcast from Riyadh on Saturday.

Macron's visit comes days after Prince Mohammed launched what the Saudi government has dubbed a wide-ranging corruption crackdown, arresting dozens of members of the royal family as well as current and former officials.

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French President Emmanuel Macron today announced a one-billion euro joint investment platform with the United Arab Emirates whose funds are to be invested in France.

This agreement "will allow us to mobilise our economy with the investment strength of the Emirates", Macron told members of the French community in Dubai on the second day of a visit to the United Arab Emirates, his first as head of state to the Middle East.

The agreement was signed by Abu Dhabi-based sovereign fund Mubadala and the French Caisse des Depots group, which have pledged to contribute 500 million euros (USD 580 million) each.

In part, the fund serves as an extension of a 2014 collaboration between CDC International Capital, a subsidiary of Caisse des Depots, and Mubadala launched to support firms with "proven" growth potential, chiefly based in France.

But the new fund goes further with a collaboration between Mubadala and Bpifrance, also a subsidiary of Caisse des Depots, that will aim to support innovation in France, whether start-ups or more mature companies.

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Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao today sought Belgium's cooperation in clean energy, education and infrastructure development.

Rao was speaking after receiving King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at Raj Bhavan here.

The King was accompanied by a large ministerial and business delegation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the meeting.

"King Philippe said diamond trade overwhelmingly dominated Indo-Belgian commerce, making for more than 80 per cent of Belgian exports," a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.

The King called for strengthening the economic engagement between Belgium and India by diversifying the bilateral trade basket and expanding investment ties.

Welcoming the royal couple to Maharashtra, Rao said the state would like to see greater cooperation between Maharashtra and Belgium in the areas of clean energy, infrastructure development, higher education, skill development and film-making.

Fadnavis informed King Philippe that the state government has agreed to the idea of setting up a university exclusively to offer courses relating to diamond industry. He sought Belgian help in setting up the university.

The chief minister informed the royal couple that the state government is implementing a slew of infrastructure projects, such as Metro Rail, Mono Rail, Elevated Corridor project, Coastal Road, Mumbai to Navi Mumbai Sea Link, Ro-RO services, etc to augment public transport in Mumbai and to ease the burden of traffic on suburban trains and buses.

He sought the cooperation of Belgium in infrastructure development and in the implementation of the scheme of Smart Cities Mission.

The governor hosted lunch in honour of the royal delegation.

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A 51-year-old man was arrested today at Frankfurt airport in connection with a murder of an Indian-origin man in Scotland more than 24 years ago.

Ansar Shah, 36, was stabbed to death in a car park on Ayr's seafront on October 4, 1993.

Police Scotland said the suspect had been arrested on a European arrest warrant in Frankfurt, Germany.

Proceedings to bring the arrested man back to Scottish jurisdiction are expected to begin "in due course", officers said.

The arrest was made after a joint operation involving Police Scotland, the UK National Crime Agency and the authorities in France and Germany.

Det Ch Insp Mark Bell, from Police Scotland's homicide governance review, said: "Police Scotland is committed to pursuing those persons who are allegedly responsible for the gravest of crimes.

"Time and location is no barrier to the efforts and determination of our staff and partners to pursue justice for victims and their loved ones.

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In a setback to ruling Congress in Meghalaya, the high court here today quashed a 2005 Act for appointment of parliamentary secretaries in the state.

A bench of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Ved Prakash Vaish also allowed the state governor to take a decision on the disqualification of 16 parliamentary secretaries as members of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

"The decision of the governor in this regard, on the basis of the opinion of the Election Commission, is final," the judges said in the verdict while disposing of a PIL filed against appointment of parliamentary secretaries.

Parliamentary secretaries are MLAs appointed by the state government to assist ministers.

The Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005, is held invalid for want of legislative competence of the state legislature and is, therefore, struck down, the judges said in the verdict.

"As a necessary corollary, the notifications appointing the Parliamentary Secretaries and other follow-up actions are declared void, for having been issued and carried out under an invalid enactment," the judgement read.

The question on their disqualification as members of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is left open for determination of the governor, the Meghalaya high court said.

The Congress government had initially appointed 18 parliamentary secretaries, but made two of them cabinet ministers earlier this year.

Of the 16, one has submitted resignation but the chief minister is yet to accept it.

Congress has 29 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

Two independent MLAs had in August joined the BJP, which had no presence in the state legislature.

The state is heading for polls early next year.

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The killing of three militants, including Jaish-e-Mohammed's divisional commander Mehmood Bhai and Maulana Masood Azhar's nephew Tallah Rashid, has come as a setback for JeM's suicide squads in Kashmir, a top police officer has said.

The three militants were gunned down by security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday.

Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said Mehmood was instrumental in motivating and organising suicide attacks in Kashmir.

"His (Mehmood's) elimination is not only a setback but has definitely created confusion and demoralisation in the fidayeen groups of JeM," Vaid told PTI yesterday.

Security forces and police in Kashmir have been facing the challenge of suicide squads, he said, describing the form of militant attack as an attempt "from across the border to bolster the sagging morale of terrorists".

A US-made M4 rifle used by Pakistani Army special forces was also recovered after the encounter.

The J&K Police chief said the killing of Tallah exposed the links of JeM chief Azhar, his family and Pakistan with terrorism in Kashmir.

"The killing of Tallah Rashid, the nephew of Azhar Masood, chief of JeM, is very significant. It clearly links Pakistan and its agencies to the Kashmir turmoil," the DGP said, stressing that it demonstrated the "direct involvement of Pakistan in militancy in Kashmir".

Vaid said, "It is no hidden fact. It is known to everyone that terrorists after crossing from Pakistan create turmoil and destroy the peaceful life of Kashmiris. It (their killings) is a big setback for the Jaish-e-Mohammed".

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In a major step in the development of the 22 km and Rs 17,843 crore worth Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the MMRDA has appointed three contractors for undertaking the project in three packages.

The consortium of L&T-IHI has been appointed to construct package-1, (Sewri side of the sea bridge), Daweoo-TPL (JV) has earned a nod to construct package-2, (Navi Mumbai side of the sea bridge) and L&T has received a go-ahead to construct package-3, the bridge portion on land towards Chirle, a statement issued here said.

The Executive Committee of MMRDA headed by Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sumit Mallick also appointed Systra MVA Consulting India as detail design consultant for the Wadala-Ghatkopar-Mulund-Thane-Kasarvadavali metro-4 corridor.

It also appointed T&T Infra to construct a flyover at Navade Phata Junction to improve traffic network and ease congestion on NH-4. The project includes widening of NH-4 in the arena.

"MTHL, a very important area development project, will not only provide good connectivity with the new airport at Panvel and for the traffic towards Pune and Goa, it will also make available vast parcels of under developed land in Navi Mumbai creating a positive impact on the development of the city," Metropolitan Commissioner UPS Madan said.

He further said the Wadala-Kasarvadavali Metro-4 corridor will not only provide quicker and safe mode of transport to the people from sister cities Mumbai and Thane, it will also reduce vehicle trips on the route.

The Committee also appointed Fairwood Infra and Services joint venture to provide consultancy services for design work of architectural, civil MEP works, design development, procurement of construction contract, supervision during construction and DLP of buildings at Wadala Truck Terminal.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked electors in Himachal Pradesh to take part in the grand festival of democracy and vote in record numbers.

Voting began today morning in the hill state, where the BJP and the ruling Congress are locked in a bitter contest for power.

"Today polling is taking place in 'Devbhoomi' Himachal Pradesh. I urge all voters to take part in the mahaparva of democracy and vote in record numbers," Modi tweeted.

The single-phase election is being held across 68 constituencies with 337 candidates, including 62 MLAs, in the fray.

A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.

As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty.

Besides, 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force have been deployed.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had the "same kind of DNA" that made them unwavering in their commitment to public welfare which boded well for the country, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.

"He (Modi) has the DNA of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who always gave importance to science. The slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' was extended to include 'Jai Vigyan'. Vajpayee didn't only say this when he was the prime minister but he showed it through his various actions," Vardhan said.

The minister was addressing a workshop organised by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) here on 'Indian Ocean: Economic and Geostrategic Significance', where he lavished praise on Modi.

He said Modi was receptive to new ideas and would not brook pressure while implementing schemes for the country's welfare.

"Modi is working for public welfare with the same kind of DNA (that Vajpayee had). That DNA reflects in his (Modi's) thought which bodes well for the country," Vardhan said.

He said India's standing under Modi went up globally.

Vardhan said he was part of several delegations the prime minister led abroad and Modi's imprint could be felt long after he had left that country.

The minister said the aim of the Modi government was to achieve the dream of a new India by 2022 that would free from maladies like communalism, terrorism and naxalism.

Vardhan reminded the scientific community of the idea of scientific social responsibility broached by the prime minister under which the researchers would use innovation and research for public welfare.

"The attempt is to change the definition of the impact factor in the scientific community. The impact factor would not be decided by how many people have read your (research) papers but how many people have benefited from it," Vardhan said.

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Drug Morepen Laboratories today said it has signed an agreement with Belgian firm Vesale Pharma to strengthen its presence in the probiotics segment.

The tie up will expand Morepen's formulations portfolio especially in the gastroenterology segment in the Indian market. Initially it is an exclusive distribution and marketing tie up, the company said in a BSE filing.

As part of the agreement, four probiotic products will be introduced by Vesale Pharma in the Indian market, it added.

Morepen Laboratories Chairman and MD Sushil Suri said: "We are delighted to bring Vesale products and technology to India. The range and technology gels very well with our focus on probiotics."



Probiotics are live bacteria, intended to colonise in the human intestine in large numbers, Morepen Laboratories said.

"This agreement we signed with Morepen Laboratories today is perfectly in line with the global strategy and international development of Vesale Pharma. The need for our patented products in the probiotic segment is huge," Vesale Pharma Executive Chairman and CEO Jehan Lienart said.

Vesale brings in patented, easy to use, effective probiotics for people of all ages from infants to geriatrics, he added.

Shares of Morepen Laboratories today closed 10.39 per cent higher at Rs 19.65 per scrip on BSE.

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After months of lobbying NATO allies to increase their troop contributions and support to the war in Afghanistan, the alliance came up short today, meeting a bit more than 90 percent of the military requirements mapped out by commanders, according to NATO officials.

U.S. military leaders, however, said they have been encouraged by the continuing discussions with several nations, who may eventually agree to increase their commitments.

"Coming out of today, it won't be at 100 percent today," said US Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, NATO's top military officer.

"We're still in discussion with more than a few nations that are looking at an increase above the initial one given at the force generation conference. So, I'm encouraged."



The gap, said General John Nicholson, top US commander for Afghanistan, has contributed to the lowest level of capabilities and the "highest level of risk we faced" in the 16-year war.

Nicholson and Scaparrotti declined to provide details on the numbers, but other NATO officials confirmed that coming out of the meeting today there would be a shortfall approaching 10 per cent. The officials weren't authorized to discuss the numbers publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity.

NATO defense ministers are meeting here to provide their countries' latest decisions on troop contributions, under pressure from US and NATO leaders to beef up their commitments.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis sent letters to some allies in recent weeks urging them to fill critical gaps. The additional trainers are critical to reaching the stated US and NATO goal of building up the Afghan forces so that they can take control of their own country's security.

At the same time, officials want to use the increased military pressure to force Taliban leaders to the peace table.

Scaparrotti told reporters that, at the end of the day, there will still be a need for additional trainers and advisers, particularly at schools for Afghan forces.

"This is a complex world and there's a lot of demand on the military, and so all these nations have to make hard choices between Afghanistan, internal responsibilities and other missions," Scaparrotti told reporters traveling with Mattis. "We also have budget constraints that each of the nations are dealing with. It's just a fact of life today."



Nicholson told reporters that that he needs close to 16,000 troops to fill the NATO training mission in Afghanistan. That number does not include other support missions or counterterrorism operations against the Taliban, Islamic State militants and other insurgents.

Nicholson said he is most concerned about getting enough trainers and advisers for the Afghan commandoes, the Air Force and the schools where the military and local police are trained. In addition, he said he has asked for more forces to provide security for the troops.

NATO officials said today that they met their goal of 16,000 troops for Afghanistan. That success, however, is due in part to the increase in US troop levels. Still, NATO and US officials lauded those nations that came through with additional forces.

"Over two dozen nations have stated that they intend to raise the troop numbers that they have on the ground there now, including some very small nations for whom this is the largest overseas deployment they have been engaged in," Mattis said during a conference at the close of the NATO meeting. "We appreciate their commitment to stabilizing the South Asia region."



Nicholson said his aim is to get enough NATO and partner troops doing the broader training so that American forces can do other key military missions.

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NATO members agreed today to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations, with the alliance also upgrading other capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia.

The changes are part of the alliance's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe.

The revamp reflects the "changed security environment" of recent years, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels.

The threat to the alliance's eastern flank has grown as a concern after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"We are now integrating cyber effects into NATO missions and operations to respond to a changed and new security environment where cyber is part of the threat picture we have to respond to," Stoltenberg said.

"In any military conflict cyber will be an integral part and therefore we need to strengthen our cyber defences and our cyber capabilities," he added, noting that such tactics have been effective in the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria.

After years of stripping back its command structure since the end of the Cold War, NATO wants to add the new command centres -- one to protect lines of communication across the Atlantic and one to coordinate the movement of troops and equipment around Europe.

The creation of a new NATO cyber operations hub comes as the alliance faces hundreds of attacks on its networks every month and fears grow over the Kremlin's electronic tactics.

NATO declared cyber -- where attackers disrupt websites, intercept communications and sabotage technologies used in combat -- as a conflict domain last year, putting it on a par with land, sea and air.

"We have seen a more assertive Russia, we have seen a Russia which has over many years invested heavily in their military capabilities," Stoltenberg said.

"NATO has to be able to respond to that. We are constantly adapting and what we are doing in Europe now is part of that adaptation."



Cyber capabilities will now be included in NATO missions in the same way as planes, tanks and ships -- fully integrated but still under the control of the contributing country.

The two-day meet at NATO headquarters will also cover the North Korean nuclear crisis, which will be the focus of a working dinner today, where defence ministers will be joined by the EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini.

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The government today emphasised the need to rev up the demand for steel in the country in line with rising production capacities.

"...if you look at the domestic demand it is falling slightly short...So the issue is that the domestic demand has to be raised," Sunil Barthwal, Joint Secretary in steel ministry, said at the India Steel Summit 2017 organised by industry body Assocham.

The focus the government, he said, is to increase the demand for steel in the country as there was enough capacity.

"Now if you look at production capacities and ...figures in the country, you will find that we are growing at a very good pace...we have grown by 6.7 per cent in the calendar year up to September in the last nine months," Barthwal said.

Asserting that India has become a net exporter of steel now, Barthwal said that Indian steel products are being exported across the world, including advanced countries.

"It is not just that we are selling (steel products) to Africa. We are selling it to the most advanced countries where they are competing with the best of the products," he said.

Other than demand, the government's focus was to make the steel sector competitive.

The government had earlier said there was a need to create in line with the planned increase in capacities.

The government had earlier said that creating demand for 300 million tonnes of steel  the output target India is looking at by 2031  will be a big challenge.

India's per capita steel consumption at 61 kg is much lower than the global average of 208 kg.

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Tackling environmental pollution, such as the haze that has enveloped Delhi, calls for an "all- encompassing approach" over and above measures such as a ban on firecrackers and controlling the volume of vehicles on the roads, a top UN official said today.

Air pollutant touched calamitous levels here yesterday, as a thick grey smog hung low across the region, prompting the government to declare schools closed till Sunday, halt construction activity and ban the entry of trucks in the city.

"Environmental situations such as the current Delhi smog cannot be tackled just by addressing the issue of the number of cars or banning firecrackers. There has to be an all- encompassing approach," UN Resident Coordinator Yuri Afanasiev said on the sidelines of an event here.

Afanasiev, who is also the UNDP Resident Representative in India, earlier inaugurated a two-day exhibition -- Transforming India -- put up by school students and themed on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Swachh Bharat at the UN Office lawns here.

"There is the issue of farmers (stubble burning) and plant emissions. And, even if one talks about reducing the volume of cars in the streets, there has to be a discussion on the quality of cars, whether they have catalytic converters. It has to be a well-rounded approach," he said.

Catalytic converters work by chemically converting emissions to less harmful substances.

Asked how authorities in India have handled the "pollution emergency" in Delhi, he said it would be "premature to make a judgement" at this moment.

Afanasiev, in his opening address at the event, also urged school children and other young people to play a greater role as "ambassadors of change" by encouraging and exhorting their parents to talk about pollution and climate change.

"Tell your parents there is a need to talk about pollution levels, as you have presented in your exhibits here. The message I want to leave here is that SDGs are not a religion implanted by the world into India. They touch everything that we do in our life," he said.

The senior UN official said it had been found that behavioural changes were more effective in adults if brought about through children.

"And so many of the students can bring about change. Some of their parents could be politicians, ministers, chief secretaries or CEOs," he said, adding that behavioural change can be triggered by students discussing such issues with their parents.

The exhibition was put by students of ASN Senior Secondary School, Mayur Vihar.

Ayushman Sahu, 13, a student of Class 8, among those who exhibited their projects, said, "We are only responsible for this smog and so we are suffering. Why can't we have odd-even throughout the year," he said, referring to a scheme where odd and even numbered vehicles ply on alternate days.

"It will ease the burden on the environment," he said.

In his address, Afanasiev made a passing reference to the Delhi smog that has been likened by some experts to the infamous 1952 great smog of London.

"We are here on the lawns of the UN Office. I am sorry, you folks had to be here on a day like this," he said.

Sushma Kalra, media coordinator for the school, said, "It is a holiday today, as declared by the government in view of the pollution. But our students have worked so hard, so their parents said they should exhibit their projects."



She added primary students had not come for the exhibition but their works were on display.

Some of the students and teachers were seen wearing masks at the venue.

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India's official entry for the Oscars, "Newton", and the highest grosser till date in the country, "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion", are among the 26 films selected for the Indian Panorama Section of the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

"Pihu", directed by Vinod Kapri, will open the feature film category of the Indian Panorama Section at the festival, where Rima Das's Assamese film "Village Rockstar" will also be screened, an official release said.

The festival, which takes place in Goa every year, will run from November 20 to 28.

Among the films to be screened will be Amshan Kumar directed "Manusangada" (Tamil), Nila Madhab Panda's "Kadvi Hawa" (Hindi) and Akshay Kumar starrer "Jolly LLB 2" (Hindi).

Marathi film "Kaasav", which won the Best Feature Film Award at the 64th National Film Awards, was given a direct entry into the list, it said.

The jury for the feature films category was headed by director Sujoy Ghosh. It previewed a total 153 entries.

A total of 16 films, including "Fireflies in the Abyss", which won the Best Non-Feature Film Award this year, figure in the non-feature film category.

Among the other films are "Chutney" (Hindi), "Palash" (Bengali), "The Waterfall" (English), "Baluta" (Marathi) and "Khidkee" (Marathi).

Director Sudhir Mishra headed the jury for the non- feature film category, which previewed 154 entries.

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Start-ups with waterless bath products, dairy and cholesterol-free ice-cream and potholes tracking technology are among the four Indian firms selected by US incubator Nexus for nurturing and scaling up their business.

"We have selected four Indian start-ups for incubation-- CleanLife, White Cub, RoadBounce and VCP. We will now work with them to provide them resources they need to scale up their business.

"For some it may be funds or technology development or customer acquisition. Nexus will assist them as per their need," Nexus Director Erik Azulay said after announcing selection of the firms.

CleanLife, a start-up run by a team of IIT and IIM alumni, has developed body wash and shampoo that can provide waterless bathing and save water. The company is looking for investments to scale up its operations.

"We have sold our product to Army, hospitals. We are in talks with various security agencies and mariners for this product. 1 bottle of 100 millilitres can be used for 5 times bath and body can be wiped with a towel. It removes dirt, dust, oil, and odor," CleanLife Founder and CEO Puneet Gupta said.

White Cub, which has developed ice-cream free from cholesterol, transfat, sugar, gluten and dairy, is looking to raise fund for building team and procuring high-end refrigeration equipment.

"We are not very desperate for funds. If a suitable opportunity comes from a strategic investor we will explore. At present we are selling our product through 55 retail partners including Godrej Nature's Basket," White Cub CEO Sonal said.

She said the company's business has grown from Rs 25 lakh in 2015-16 to Rs 40 lakh in 2016-17 and expects current fiscal to close with sales of around Rs 75 lakh.

Nexus has selected Roadbounce for its technology to map potholes using smartphone-based sensors in short time. The company has mapped potholes on 25,000 kilometre roads in two months.

VCP, which creates business problem cases for recruitment tests, also found a place among the firms selected by Nexus.

A start-up Distinct Horizon presented its agriculture solution claiming to double margins of rice and sugarcane farmers by reducing their crop production cost and increasing yield by about 25 per cent.

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The NHRC has sent notices to the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana in view of "life-threatening" pollution levels here and in the National Capital Region.

The National Human Rights Commission today criticised authorities for not taking proper steps to tackle the "hazard", amounting to violation of right to life and health.

The rights panel sought reports within two weeks from different Union ministries and the three governments on "effective steps" being taken and proposed to tackle the situation.

"The state cannot leave its citizens to die due to the toxic haze," it said in a statement.

Notices were issued to the secretaries of the Union ministries of environment, health and highways and road transport along with the chief secretaries of the governments of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.

The commission said it had taken a serious view of the "life-threatening" pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

"It is apparent that the authorities concerned have not taken proper steps throughout the year to tackle this hazard, which is amounting to violation of the right to life and health of the residents in the region," the NHRC observed.

The panel said it expected the health secretary to give details about the preparedness of government hospitals and other agencies to attend to those affected by pollution and steps taken to create awareness among the public.

It said there was an immediate need for effective action by agencies at the Centre and states.

Proper implementation of environmental laws was necessary, the statement said.

"There is a need for an effective study by experts and proper implementation of their recommendations, including short-term and long-term measures. There is also a need for preventive medical check-ups for the people," the panel said.

The NHRC also observed that almost every newspaper and TV channel was running stories on the subject. The toxic smog in the city had become "an annual health hazard", particularly, at a time when the winters were about to start.

Several reasons were mentioned, including pollution caused by the vehicles, particularly trucks and heavy vehicles running on diesel, dust participles due to construction work going in and around the Delhi-NCR, burning of stubble by farmers in Punjab and Haryana, the "calm wind condition" and high humidity, which were beyond human control, it said.

Proposals of alternative roads to link the highways to avoid entry of the heavy vehicles inside the cities were being contemplated but "no effective steps" in this regard were taken yet, it said.

Pollutants touched calamitous levels here yesterday, as a thick grey smog hung low across the region, prompting the government to declare closure of schools till Sunday, halt construction activities and ban entry of trucks in the city.

In the NCR, Ghaziabad and Noida were the worst affected locations. As per reports, the air quality index (AQI) had slipped into alarming levels.

Some instruments had recorded the maximum AQI of 999 at some places, it added.

"It is further mentioned that the air quality in the world's most polluted capital city plunged to levels likened to smoking at least 50 cigarettes in a single day. One of the websites reports that the situation is the worst, as it has touched the 1,000 mark on the air quality index, in certain parts of Delhi," the NHRC statement said.

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Japanese automaker Nissan Motor today said the company had rolled out its 1,00,000th car under its Datsun brand from the Oragadam facility near Chennai.

A red colour hatch back, "redi-GO" equipped with one litre engine, marking the occasion was rolled out of the assembly line at the company's joint venture factory with Renault at Oragadam situated about 45 kms here.

"The 100,000th roll out of Datsun is a strong testimony of customer acceptance and their confidence towards our brand, products and value based offerings", Nissan Motor India, Managing Director, Jerome Saigot said.

"On behalf of the Datsun India team, I would like to thank all our customers and dealer partners for the commitment towards our brand", he said in a company statement.

Nissan has been selling Datsun Go, Go+ and the redi-GO from the Chennai unit. The Datsun brand accounts for more than half of the total sales for Nissan Motor in India, he said.

"We are very confident that the future is bright and exciting for the Datsun brand in India. We are confident that our challenger brand positioning, unique product differentiation and best in class cost of ownership will continue to drive the customer's owning and experiencing our prodcuts", he added.

Nissan Motor Company announced the relaunch of Datsun brand, the company's third global brand after Nissan and Infinit in March 2012. Nissan sells Datsun in India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa from 2012.

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Russia and the US disagreed today over whether US President Donald Trump plans to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at an Asia-Pacific summit in Vietnam.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian agencies that the meeting "will be on November 10", with the exact time still being discussed.

But in comments in Beijing, where Trump is on a state visit, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that no decision had been taken on a potential meeting.

"There has never been an agreement, certainly not to a formal bilat," or bilateral encounter, Tillerson said, adding that the "question is whether we have got sufficient substance" to talk about.

"If we're going to have a meeting, let's make sure it's a meaningful meeting," he said, mentioning the discussions on the situations in Syria and Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said talks about the time, place and format of the meeting were continuing.

"We hope that in the nearest future these plans will be confirmed and we will be able to inform you," he told journalists.

"The two presidents will have the possibility to speak on the sidelines of the APEC summit several times in any case," he added.

Both leaders will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang in the coming days.

The two men last met at the G20 summit in Germany in July.

Trump said Sunday that he thought "it's expected we'll meet with Putin" to discuss North Korea.

In Beijing, Trump appealed to both China and Russia to act quickly to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

"I'm also calling on Russia to help rein in this potentially very tragic situation," he said.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have plummeted as a US probe has accused Trump's former campaign aides of secretly meeting Kremlin-connected officials.

Russia has denied allegations of interfering in the US election last year that brought Trump to power.

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A survey on demonetisation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app has received support from 81 per cent of participants with an approval rating of 4.6 out of 5 for the decision, official sources said today.

Close to 50,000 people have given feedback in first 24 hours of the launch of the survey yesterday, the first anniversary of the demonetisation decision.

The sources also said that despite "good response" given by participants, Modi has asked officials to work on this feedback.

The sources claimed that 93 per cent of the participants in the survey on Modi's app believed his steps to fight corruption and black money were right and 81 per cent accused the UPA government of not taking adequate measures against these.

Ninety per cent respondents said demonetisation has helped fight corruption with "huge detection of black money" and 92 per cent said a decision like this was necessary to fight graft and black money, they said citing figures.

Eighty-seven per cent of participants said they were satisfied with the results of demonetisation while 92 per cent expressed the view that a cash-less economy was taking shape and it would prove to be beneficial for the country in the long run.

Demonetisation has emerged as a rallying point for both the BJP and the opposition with the latter terming it a failure and marking its anniversary as 'black day' while the ruling party describing it as an attack on black money and observing the day as 'anti-blackmoney day'.

Sources recalled that Modi had sought feedback on demonetisation last year too and the decision received high approval.
A nurse has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her neighbour when she was on her way to work, the police said.

The incident took place this morning when the nurse was stopped and forcibly taken to a secluded place allegedly by her neighbour, Station house officer (Expressway) Vedpal Singh said.

However, she managed to escape from the location, he said.

According to the official, an FIR has been lodged against the accused and efforts are on to nab him.

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The odd-even car rationing scheme is a formula for traffic management, and not a solution to Delhi's high level of pollution primarily due to dust and debris, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said today.

Her comments soon came after Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot announced that the car rationing scheme would be enforced in Delhi for a five-day period from November 13 after a spike in air pollution level.

"Odd-even formula can be a formula for traffic maintenance and management but not a formula to stop pollution," Lekhi, the New Delhi MP, told reporters here.

Air pollution in Delhi is primarily on account of dust particles, construction activities and debris, she said, adding that the menace was not because of vehicular emission.

Stating that pollution in Delhi is less than New York, she said debris is the main cause of pollution here while the it is due to gasses there.

Attacking the Arvind Kejriwal government, she asked what the AAP dispensation had done to contain construction dust and debris.

She pitched for augmenting public transport, proper waste management and containing encroachments to tackle the problem.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said states should take legal action against stubble burning in their areas.

Besides, he said the people should be discouraged to use private cars and attracted to public transport as a measure to contain air pollution.

He also underlined the need for expediting work on the Metro Phase IV line and rapid rail system between the capital and Meerut to provide people a mode of public transport.

Asked about the recent hike in Metro fares, he said that 20 per cent discount -- ten per cent for metro card users and 10 per cent during off peak hours -- was being given to customers and advocated for the need to have "quality, affordability and reliability" of the transportation system.

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The odd-even car rationing scheme will be rolled out in Delhi for five days from November 13 as part of a graded response plan to tackle the alarming pollution situation in the city, the state government announced today.

The scheme will be in place from 8 am to 8 pm and there will exemptions for women drivers and two-wheelers,



Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said.

"The exemptions will be similar as last year and there is no need for people to panic," he told reporters.

The minister also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call a meeting of chief ministers of Delhi and adjoining states to find a solution to the crisis.

The Delhi government has directed DTC to hire 500 buses from private contractors to tackle the rush of commuters during the odd-even implementation week.

"Delhi Metro has also promised to provide 100 small buses during the period. Schools will be free to provide their buses voluntarily. However, there will be no compulsion," Gahlot said.

CNG vehicles will be exempt but will need to have stickers in place. These will be available at 22 IGL stations across Delhi from 2 pm tomorrow.

"The old stickers which were issued in the last edition of odd-even will be valid too," the minister said.

Under the policy, private vehicles are allowed to run based on the last number of their licence plates.

Odd-numbered cars are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars can only run on even dates.

In 2016, the scheme was enforced twice -- January 1-15 and April 15-30.

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The Odisha Police has set up a coordination committee, comprising officials of revenue, excise and forest departments, to crack down on ganja cultivation in the state.

A meeting of top officials of excise department, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and police superintendents of districts, where ganja cultivation is rampant, was chaired by DGP R P Sharma yesterday to determine their plan of action in this regard.

Stating that Odisha has emerged as the second state in the country, followed by Himachal Pradesh, to eradicate ganja plantation, ADG (crime branch), Santosh Kumar Upadhaya, said a coordinated effort could end the menace in Odisha.

He said a blueprint has been prepared in the meeting for wiping out ganja plantations during the harvest period



between November and January.

The Odisha Police has set a target to destroy 4,000-acre hemp cultivation in 2017-18, he added.

A source in the crime branch of the Odisha Police said ganja cultivation in several hilly areas of the state has been on the rise for several years now.

Around 1300 acres of hemp was destroyed in 2012-13, but another 4000 acres were reported in the financial year 2016-17 in the state, a senior NCB official said.

Tribal-dominated Kandhamal district was found to be the worst-affected. The police had destroyed 243 acres of ganja in 2013-14, 727 acres in 2014-15, but the plantation area rose to 1341 acres in 2015-16 and 2,072 acres in 2016-17.

"Suitable climate, hilly terrains and support from local people made Kandhamal district a safe haven for the ganja cultivators," a police official said on the condition of anonymity.

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Over 30,000 workers from different sectors and states gathered at Parliament Street on the first day of the mass relay dharna called by central trade unions to press for their 12-point charter of demands, the organisers said today.

"There was a very encouraging response to our call for three-day mass dharna at Parliament Street today on the first day. Over 30,000 workers from different sectors and states joined the protest," All India Trade Union Congress National Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI.

She said that the workers started assembling at 8:30 am and within in few hours, Parliament Street was jam-packed till Bank of Baroda building near Connaught Place.

The 10 central trade unions have called the 'relay dharna' saying this is in protest against anti-worker, anti- people and anti-national policies of the central government.

Meanwhile, a faction of the Trade Unions Coordination Centre said in a statement that it has "withdrawn from misdirected dharna" of central trade unions.

Commenting on this, Kaur said, "It is one faction of TUCC which has withdrawn from the dharna. But the other faction of the union controlled by All India Forward Block is supporting us. A large number of workers from West Bengal also participated in the dharna."



Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar had called the central trade unions on Tuesday to persuade them to call off dharna, saying the government is committed to a tripartite mechanism for labour reforms.

Yesterday, the unions made it clear in their press conference that they would go ahead with the mass relay dharna because Gangwar could not bring anything substantial on the table during their four-hour long meeting on Tuesday.

The unions had also said that since August 2015, the ministerial panel headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley did not have a word on their 12-point charter of demands and now after three years, they are left with no other alternative but to choose the path of struggle to safeguard workers' rights.

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An overground worker of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was today arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.

Showkat Ahmad Lone was arrested by security forces during an operation in Kulgam, 75 kms from here, a police official said.

One pistol and four rounds were recovered from Lone's possession, he said.

Lone, who was working as overground worker for Hizbul Mujahideen, was believed to be a close associate of outfit's comander Riyaz Naikoo, the official said.

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Pakistan today demanded a thorough investigation in the killing of one of its Consulate staff in Afghanistan and asked Kabul to ensure protection and security of its diplomatic personnel stationed in the war-torn country.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan is aware of elements working against its interest in Afghanistan.

Nayyar Iqbal Rana, 52, who was serving at Pakistan's Consulate General in Jalalabad, was shot dead by two bike- borne unidentified assailants in the Afghan city this week.

Faisal said Pakistan has sought a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. It has also asked the Afghan authorities to ensure protection and security of all Pakistanis and the diplomatic staff stationed in Afghanistan.

"We have also requested Afghanistan that the security of our diplomatic staff and missions be strengthened," he said.

"There are multiple actors active in Afghanistan and friendly relations between our two countries do not go well with certain elements. We are cognizant of such machinations and would not let such elements succeed in their nefarious intentions," he said at the weekly briefing here.

Faisal also accused India of supporting terrorists in Afghanistan to carry out subversive activities in Pakistan.

Talking about Kashmir, he said that Pakistan consistently stressed the need for its expedited resolution.

To a question about Indian reportedly setting up a new military airbase in Gujarat near Pakistan border, Faisal said that statements by the Indian military leadership confirmed the existence of the Cold Start doctrine, which only validates Pakistans position regarding India's aggressive designs.

"The report about Gujarat provides credibility to the fact that India is fast developing the infrastructure and force configurations to operationalise these military doctrines. Subscribing to such offensive doctrines in a nuclearized region exposes irresponsible behaviour," he said.

He called for a meaningful dialogue aimed at agreeing on measures of restraint and said India should respond positively to Pakistans proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime that can serve as the basis for enduring peace and stability in the region.

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Claiming that the overall atmosphere in poll-bound Gujarat was against the ruling BJP, NCP chief Sharad Pawar today said people had started "accepting" Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi which was reflected in the "huge" crowds at his rallies.

"A lot of fun was being made of Rahul Gandhi by those in power. But today, the reverse is happening. People are accepting him now and huge crowds can be seen at his rallies," Pawar told reporters here.

Gandhi has been spearheading an aggressive campaign in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat, where Assembly polls will be held next month. The Congress has been out of power in the state for over two decades.

The veteran politician said the overall atmosphere in Gujarat is against the BJP, but refused to hazard a guess on the poll outcome.

"The overall atmosphere is against the BJP, but money power and government at the Centre can make anything possible. Hence, the political scenario there cannot be predicted before elections," he said.

Pawar said the NCP will contest a limited number of seats in Gujarat for which talks were on with the Congress.

"We will team up with anybody who is against the BJP across the country," he said.

Pawar, the wily Maratha politician, said it was not right for the Shiv Sena to attack the BJP-led governments. The Sena is a constituent of the ruling alliances led by the BJP both at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

Pawar had recently revealed that Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and party MP Sanjay Raut met him and "seemed not satisfied with the BJP government".

Responding to a query, Pawar said his advice was "routinely" sought about affairs of the state government, but not always implemented.

Pawar alleged "bogus" cases were being lodged against farmers opposing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' Samruddhi expressway project.

"Such cases have come up before me. If this continues, the NCP will hit the streets along with farmers," he said.

On the protests held by opposition parties on the first anniversary of note ban yesterday, Pawar said people were "destroyed" by the exercise.

The Maratha strongman said farmers committed suicide during the tenure of the UPA government, of which is was a part, as well, but such instances were dealt with seriously.

"I myself toured the state with (former Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh and and demanded Rs 70,000 crore loan waiver for farmers. Today the situation is different. Farmers are not getting the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce and are facing extreme difficulties," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LNG Ltd, India's biggest gas importer, on Thursday reported its highest ever quarterly net profit on the back of processing record volumes of gas.

Net profit at Rs 589 crore in July-September was 28 per cent higher than Rs 460 crore net profit in the same quarter of previous year, Managing Director and CEO Prabhat Singh told reporters here.

"We have beaten all records in the second quarter, be it quantity wise, profit-before-tax or profit after tax (net profit)," he said.

Petronet's Dahej import terminal in Gujarat and Kochi facility in Kerala saw import of 220 trillion British thermal units of gas in its liquid form, called Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This was 14 per cent more than 185 TBtus imported and processed in the year ago period.

"Our Dahej terminal operated at 110 per cent of the rated capacity," he said adding 210 TBtus of gas was processed at the 15 million tonnes a year capacity terminal in July-September quarter.

Kochi, which does not have pipelines to carry the gas to consumers, operated at 16 per cent of its 5 million tonnes per annum LNG import and regassification capacity, he said.

Singh said state-owned gas utility GAIL India has promised to build pipeline to carry gas imported at Kochi to consumers all the way up to Bengaluru by the first quarter of 2019.

At present, 2.2 million standard cubic meters per day of gas is being consumed by BPCL's Kochi refinery and another 0.8 mmscmd by FACT's fertiliser plant.

Fertiliser And Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT) has "told us that they may halt LNG purchase from Kochi terminal if cheaper ammonia is available," he said, adding the company hopes to operate Kochi terminal at about 35 per cent capacity by end-2018.

"Some better efficiencies of operations as well contributed to the profits," he said.

Singh said is looking at an LNG terminal on the east coast and is in talks to take 26 per cent stake in Indian Oil Corp's (IOC) under-construction 5 million tonnes a year Ennore LNG import terminal in Tamil Nadu.

"Right now all the LNG terminals in India are on the west coast. We need to have facilities on the east coast to facilitate gas supplies to consumers in that part of the country," he said.

Petronet, he said, is looking for sites like Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh for setting up a 5 million tonnes import terminal irrespective of it getting a stake in Ennore.

"We are doing some studies," he said.

Shares of the company were trading 3.40 per cent higher at Rs 269 per scrip at 1455 hours on BSE today.

(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.)
Forty passengers of a Jaipur-Delhi flight of Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, had a harrowing time after the pilot refused to fly, saying his duty hours were over.

Officials said some of the passengers were taken to Delhi by road while others were provided hotel accommodation and the rest were sent in another flight this morning.

"The pilot's duty-time got over and therefore, he could not take the flight," said J S Balhara, director, Sanganer airport, Jaipur.

He said the pilot cannot exceed duty hours for safety reasons as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms.

"The pilot and crew of a flight coming from Delhi was scheduled to take the flight (9I-644) from Jaipur to Delhi last night. But, the flight from Delhi was delayed and landed at Jaipur at 1.30 am," a staff at the Air India station office said.

The pilot refused to fly due to duty limitations prescribed by the DGCA, he said.

Some of the passengers were accommodated in hotels, some were taken to Delhi by road and others were sent in another flight this morning, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Telecom entrepreneur Sam Pitroda will interact with residents in five cities of poll-bound Gujarat to gather inputs for the Congress's manifesto for the coming Assembly election.

The effort is to prepare a "people's manifesto" with focus on education, health, small and medium enterprises, employment generation and environment protection, Pitroda said at a press conference here today.

He will visit Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Surat in the next five days.

"(Congress vice-president) Rahul Gandhi has sent me a message that he would like me to listen to the people...I spoke to leaders in Gujarat and collectively decided on the programme," said Pitroda, who was an adviser to the Congress vice-president's father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Pitroda will try to understand the people's problems and demands before making a manifesto which, he said, would include the "voices of people".

"So far across the world, developmental model is top- down. So governments all over the world focus on growth, GDP, plants, ports, roads. This is a western model which has been pushed all over the world. It is time to rethink of development from bottom-up," the entrepreneur said.

"Gujarat can provide a new model of development, not only to Gujarat, India, but all over the world. We are here to listen to people, understand their main points, and make a manifesto which will basically include the voices of people. It is an open process, a good process, and people should be heard," he said.

Sharing his views on democracy, Pitroda said Gujarat, India and the entire world have been at a crossroads.

"Democracy has been hijacked by a handful of people, and we have to bring the democracy back to people...," he said.

On the issue of quota, Pitroda said it was important for the underprivileged and those who had not been given a chance in the world, but added that progress was possible even without reservation.

"Reservation is important for underprivileged, and for people who have not been given chances. But that does not mean without reservation you cannot progress. What is important is what I will do for Gujarat, and not what government will do for reservation," he said.

"Even without reservation you can get a lot more done," he said.

Pitroda also laid emphasis on "collective leadership", and said the main purpose of a leader should be to listen to people and not advise them.

Polling for the two-phase Assembly election in the state will take place on December 9 and 14, and votes will be counted on December 18.

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The today referred a plea regarding alleged bribes being taken in the names of judges to a Constitution Bench comprising top five senior-most apex court judges.

The apex court issued the notice to the Centre and the CBI on the plea which sought setting up of a SIT to be headed by a former judge and monitored by the court.

A bench of Justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer directed the CBI to keep in safe custody the documents and relevant materials with regard to the FIR lodged by it on September 19 in which a former Odisha High Court judge has also been named as an accused.

The bench said the CBI should place in a sealed cover, the documents and relevant materials of the case before the Constitution Bench on November 13.

The CBI FIR has alleged that the ex-High court judge and others had hatched a conspiracy and demanded huge gratification assuring favourable settlement of a case relating to medical college admissions in the apex court.

At the outset, former Bar Association president and senior advocate Dushyant Dave said the Chief Justice of India could not hear this matter as the allegations are related to a case heard by the bench headed by him.

Earlier in the day, the apex court had agreed to urgently hear the plea regarding allegations of bribes being taken in the name of judges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for the Philippines on November 12 on a three-day visit to attend the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits during which boosting regional trade and combating terrorism and extremism are likely to be among the focus areas.

Officials said India's proposal to host an international conference on countering radicalisation may be discussed during the deliberations at Manila as New Delhi is now looking at finalising the dates for the conclave.

The Prime Minister will have a tight schedule in the Philippines as besides attending the 15th ASEAN-India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14, he will have a series of other engagements including bilateral meetings with several leaders.

While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit is likely to focus more on trade and investment related issues, leaders at the East Asia Summit are expected to deliberate on matters relating to maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and migration.

"ASEAN is central to India's Act East policy. Therefore our Prime Minister's participation in the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit provides a very important opportunity to reiterate our commitment to our partnership," Secretary East in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

She said the prime minister will also participate in the ASEAN business and investment summit as well as a meeting of leaders of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The RCEP, comprising 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries -- India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.

Saran said India remained committed to participation in the RCEP.

In his maiden visit to the Philippines as the prime minister, Modi will also attend a reception by the Indian community and visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

IRRI is an institute of global repute where a number of Indian scientists are working.

On India's proposal at last ASEAN-India summit at Lao PDR to host a conference on countering radicalisation, Saran said India was in the process of fixing dates for it.

Saran said during the India-ASEAN Summit, the two sides will review the bilateral trade and investments and discuss important regional issues as well.

The 10-member grouping ASEAN and India comprise a total population of 1.85 billion people which is one-fourth of the global population. The combined GDP has been estimated at over 3.8 trillion dollars.

Trade between India and ASEAN stood at USD 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12 per cent of India's total trade with the world.

Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

Asked about whether Modi will have bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and other leaders, Saran, without giving any specific reply, said the details are being worked out.

She said Modi will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, on November during which all major issues of mutual interest will be discussed.

Saran said a connectivity summit will be held in December while a regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be organised in January next year in Singapore.

Asked about the proposed India-Japan-US-Australia quadrilateral and possibility of a meeting among officials of the four countries in the Philippines, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "India is open to work with like-minded countries.

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Moderate to heavy polling was recorded in Himachal Pradesh today with 35 per cent voters exercising their franchise till 1 pm.

The polling was peaceful but there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVAPTs from several places and polling could not be held in Gondla polling booth in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district.

The EVM was replaced but after three votes it again developed some snag. The EVM was being repaired and polling would commence soon, election officials said.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur respectively.

Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Shimla district recorded the highest polling of 36 per cent.

The largest Kangra district recorded 22 per cent voting while Kinnaur recorded 35 per cent polling.

Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Solan and Sirmaur districts recorded 26 per cent, 29 per cent, 32 per cent, 35 per cent and 30 per cent polling till noon while Theog constituency in Shimla recorded highest 42 per cent polling.

Polling has picked up since noon.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while theBSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

There is straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala.

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Pope Francis is seeking to defuse rising nuclear tensions on the Korean peninsula and to boost support for disarmament with a Vatican conference that will bring together 11 Nobel Peace Prize winners, United Nations and NATO officials, and representatives from a handful of countries with the bomb.

For some analysts, Francis' address at the gathering tomorrow will provide a welcome break in the heated war of words between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as Trump continues his first trip to Asia as president.

The Vatican hopes the conference will do more by further discrediting the Cold War-era idea that atomic weapons serve a purpose for deterrence and global security.

"For some people, it's pie in the sky," conference organiser and top papal adviser Monsignor Silvano Tomasi said.

"But at this time, I think it's very important to alert public opinion that the presence in the world of thousands of atomic bombs doesn't guarantee the security of anyone."



The conference is the first major international gathering since 122 countries approved a new UN treaty in July calling for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. However, none of the nuclear powers and no NATO members signed on.

They argued the treaty's lofty ideals were unrealistic given the rapid expansion of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

The treaty received a boost from the Nobel committee when it awarded the peace prize this year to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, an advocacy group that was instrumental in getting the pact approved.

ICAN's executive director, Beatrice Fihn, is one of the Nobel laureates who will address the Vatican conference.

"What's so significant about this conference is that it draws attention to and underscores the treaty and the Nobel prize, and says, 'This is serious stuff,'" said George Lopez, who served on an experts panel that advised the UN Security Council on North Korea sanctions.

Francis is "keeping the issue alive and adding a new dimension," said Lopez, who is attending the conference as a member of a delegation from the University of Notre Dame.

The Holy See has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and supported nonproliferation and disarmament efforts, and history's first Latin American pope has strongly backed that line.

But Francis brings to the table arguments based on his other papal priorities: that atomic weapons are a threat to the environment, that the costs of developing them could be put to far better use, and that the world would be a far safer place if dialogue prevailed over confrontation.

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The two-day meet of power and renewable energy ministers which was scheduled to start at Rajgir in Bihar tomorrow has been called off at the eleventh hour.

The bi-ennial conference, which was to be chaired by Power Minister R K Singh, stood cancelled because Singh is slated to attend the Union Council of Ministers meet tomorrow.

"The Power and Renewable Ministers Conference in Rajgir on November 10-11, 2017, has been cancelled. The Prime Minister has called a meeting of Union Cabinet and Council of Ministers (tomorrow)," a source said.

A review of the performance of the Ministry of Coal is listed on the agenda, the source also said. The issues related to coal supplies are significant in view of the recent spurt in price of electricity at the power exchange to over Rs 10 per unit as a number of captive users jostled to buy power.

During the meet, Singh was expected to ask states to submit their plans and funding requirements to provide electricity to four crore families under the Saubhagya scheme by December next year.

Modi had launched the Saubhagya scheme (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) in September to achieve 100 per cent electrification of households by December 2018.

The other areas to be covered at the meeting include promoting pre-paid meters, separation of power feeders, digital payment of bills and providing 24x7 power for all.

The aim of the conference was to review the implementation of various schemes and programmes and deliberate on a host of issues pertaining to the sector.

The issues on reforms in the power and renewable energy sector were also listed for discussion at the meet. The other points on the agenda were how to mandate charges for cross subsidy and inter-state transmission, honouring of power purchase agreements and management of ash at thermal power plants.

The ministers were to deliberate on the issues related to hydro power, wind energy, districts affected by left-wing extremists, rooftop solar systems and biomass programme.

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The schoolboy murder case was handed over to the CBI before the SIT could finish its probe, the Gurgaon Police said today amid allegations by the victim's family that it botched up the investigation.

The statement comes after the central probe agency apprehended a Class 11 student in connection with the killing and said that it did not find any evidence against bus conductor Ashok Kumar, who was the Gurgaon Police's sole accused in the case.

Yesterday, the family of deceased Pradhuman, a Class 2 student of the Ryan International School who was killed inside the school's premises, had accused the police of botching up the investigation and said the CBI meticulously collected circumstantial evidences and facts.

"Our probe by the SIT (Special Investigation Team) headed by DCP Ashok Bakshi was underway and had not concluded before the CBI took over the charge of investigating the case.

"We had arrested Ashok Kumar, the school bus conductor on the basis of prior factual evidence," Gurgaon Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar said at a press meet here.

He said, "We were investigating the case closely on all angles, but the CBI took the charge before we ended our investigation and submit the final charge sheet. I admit there were some loopholes in the SIT probe. Ashok had made a confession to his involvement, but our investigation was on," Khirwar said.

The family had also alleged a larger conspiracy behind the murder and said that they want the CBI to file a charge sheet soon.

They had also expressed suspicion about the involvement of school authorities in "destruction of evidence" and sought that top official's of the institute be questioned by the CBI in the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her Cabinet post amid a political storm over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians while on a holiday in the Jewish country.

Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed earlier.

The 45-year-old minister resigned last night after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May, who had summoned her midway from a tour of Africa.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinetmarks an abrupt halt to the meteoric riseof the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

She was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patel's apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patel's position within the Cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israel's public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patel's apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informedabout any of Patel's meetings which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patel's resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the country's aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to investigate, or "state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence".

In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to "enthusiasm".

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro- Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran.

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The Madras High Court directed the authorities today to provide armed police protection to some senior office-bearers of the Bar Council of India and state bar council in view of threats amid a verification process to weed out fake advocates.

According to an interim order passed by Justice N Kirubakaran, Bar Council of India co-chairman S Prabhakaran and Secretary of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTP) C Rajakumar will get armed police protection.

The state body's office here will be guarded too.

The BCTP is carrying out verification of certificates of advocates to weed out those who had obtained degrees fraudulently, and will prepare a voters list for the coming election to the council.

The judge earlier directed the BTCP and Tamil Nadu Advocate General Vijay Narayan to take up the issue of fake lawyers who allegedly indulged in 'Katta Panchayat' (kangaroo court), and file a report.

He made the direction while hearing a petition by 17 MBSS students of a private medical college seeking transfer to a state-run institution due to a dispute between trustees of their college in which advocates were engaged to resolve the problem.

The Advocate General today submitted that verification of basic degrees and school certificates was in process and there were difficulties in getting them verified within a short time.

He said only after thorough verification could the genuine advocates list be prepared and elections conducted by the council.

The judge, after perusing some messages on social media platforms, said there was a serious threat to the safety of the Bar Council premises, since verification of certificates of all enrolled advocates was being undertaken there.

This, he said, was because persons with fake educational certificates and fraudulent law degrees and criminal background were afraid that they would be exposed if the verification of all certificates was done.

"If elections are conducted without verification, only persons with fake and irregular degrees and persons with criminal background would dominate the proposed election. Hence, thorough verification of all certificates is needed," he observed.

The judge then posted the matter for further hearing to November 17.

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Rajkumar Rao starrer "Shaadi Main Zaroor Aana" which hits the theatres tomorrow, has a song penned by a Gaurav Krishna Bansal, a 2000-batch IRTS officer.

Bansal, who is currently posted as Chief PRO with North Central Railways (NCR), Allahabad, is happy that the song has over 34.5 lakh hits on Youtube since its release.

"The song 'Thukra Ke Dil Mera Intekaam Dekhegi', I have written for Ratna Sinha's 'Shaadi Main Zaroor Aana', has seen over 34.5 lakh hits on Youtube after its release on October 30," Bansal told PTI.

"It's like becoming a 'Secret Superstar'. When I see people watching the song and appreciating it, I feel great. Little do they know that I have penned this song," he said.

Bansal also met the film's leads, Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Kharbanda.

The officer met Ratna and Vinod at North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Allahabad, where the film was being shot and when he told them about his writings, he was offered to write a song for the film.

"I have participated in many 'kavi sammelans' with well-known poets like Surendra Sharma, Ashok Chakradhar and Gopal Das Neeraj. My wife always wanted that I should write for Bollywood but professional compulsions did not let me do so," he said.

"I enjoy my writing work and will continue do that. Hope more will come in the days ahead as I have little time to market myself," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Railways owes over Rs 366 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) towards water supply bills, reply to an RTI query has revealed.

While the Western Railway is yet to pay Rs 205.74 crore to the civic body till date from 2001, the Central Railway's outstanding bill amount is Rs 161.04 crore during the same period.

Activist Samir Jhaveri had sought to know the total bill amount that is pending and yet to be received from the railway authorities towards water supply made by the BMC.

In its reply, the hydraulic department of the municipal corporation said, "Payment of water bills worth Rs 205.74 crore is pending with the Western Railway, while the Central Railway's outstanding amount from year 2001 to November 3, 2017 is Rs 161.04 crore."



Jhaveri said, "While on the one hand, the BMC paid Rs 26 crore to the railway authorities for construction, repair and maintenance of the foot over bridges (FOBs) at railway stations in Mumbai, on the other hand, the transporter is defaulting on this huge amount to the civic body. The BMC could have adjusted this outstanding amount with the payment it made to the railways."



"I requested the BMC Commissioner to invoke stringent rules and act accordingly to recover the outstanding amount within a stipulated time," the activist added.

When asked, chief spokesperson for the Western Railway, Ravinder Bhakar, attributed this outstanding amount to "unresolved policy issues" with the BMC.

"We have been regularly paying water bills to the civic body. But earlier, the BMC levied sewerage charges as well, which is not in our policy to pay. This amount has swelled up owing to the compound interest year on year. The actual amount is not so much."



According to Bhakar, a meeting with senior officials of the WR and BMC is scheduled to take place this month.

"Both the sides hope that the old issue would be sorted out," he added.

RTI queries filed by other activists in the past had revealed that apart from railways, other government agencies and departments are also in the defaulters' list of the BMC for the non-payment of water bills.

"We have been sending several reminders and notices to recover the pending bills. We have even brought amnesty scheme. However, a few agencies came forward to pay, while few others still continue to be in the defaulters' list," a senior civic official said.

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Talks between agitating government doctors and Rajasthan health ministerto end the deadlock over 33 demands that has badly hit medical services in the state remained inconclusive tonight.

The in-service doctors went on a mass leave on Monday across the state with resident doctors joining them today, further deepening the crisis.

The government called the doctors for second rounds of talks today. The first was held on Tuesday.

The meeting began this evening between the core committee members of the all Rajasthan State In-Service Doctors Association and Health Minister Kali Charan Saraf.

"The meeting lasted for an hour, but it remained inconclusive and the deadlock is continuing," an official of the health department said.

The in-service government doctors had to go on the mass leave due to adamant attitude of the government, Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors, president, Dr Ravi Jakhar alleged.

"The government has been apathetic towards the demands of the doctors, therefore we have decided to boycott work for indefinite period in their support," he said.

The doctors have 33 demands, including a separate cadre and related with pay grade.

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Ahead of the crucial meeting of the GST Council, Congress-ruled states today made a strong pitch for rationalisation in tax rates of commonly used goods and simplification of procedures under the new regime.

Punjab, Karnataka and Puducherry, where the Congress is in power, jointly voiced their reservations over glitches with the GST tax-filing network, demanding that real estate and petroleum products be brought under the new regime and the tax rate be kept at no more than 18 per cent.

In the run-up to the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the opposition party and its leaders have been targeting the government over difficulties faced by some businesses under the GST regime, with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi even calling it a "Gabbar-Singh Tax (GST)".

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said all Congress states are unanimous that if the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is to be run, it should be run properly.

"If you keep electricity, petroleum, real estate out of the ambit of GST, then about 50 per cent of total revenue is out of GST. If GST is run properly in 150 countries, then why should it not run smoothly in India?" he asked while interacting with reporters here.

Punjab, he said, wants rationalisation in tax rates, simplification of procedures and removal of glitches in GST Network.

The GST Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, will meet here tomorrow. It may take crucial decisions on pruning the list of items in the 28 per cent tax category.

The officers committee held its meeting today.

"We want that discussions should start on inclusion of real estate and petroleum in GST," Badal said, adding that while bringing the real estate sector within GST, the needs of autonomy of states to levy stamp duty and property taxes should be balanced and agricultural lands and old buildings should be kept out of GST.

The Congress, he said, is in favour of inclusion of petrol, diesel, natural gas, ATF and crude oil under the GST's ambit. The five products along with alcohol have been kept out of GST, for now.

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Congress had earlier asked that the GST rate should not be more than 18 per cent, but the government went ahead with the five tax rate slabs of 0, 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent.

He said the 28 per cent tax slab was based on the premise that many luxury and sin goods should be taxed at a higher rate, but in realty "a lot of items of mass consumption were also in 28 per cent".

Construction material such as tiles, bricks, cement, sanitaryware and taps were put in the 28 per cent tax bracket, causing a lot of burden on individuals and home builders.

"Barring real goods of luxury or sin nature, we should bring (tax rate) down to 18 per cent (on all other products currently in that category)," he said. "We hope there will be a positive and result oriented discussion on that issue tomorrow."



He suggested that over time 12 per cent and 18 per cent should converge and only few items should remain under the 28 per cent slab.

According to the Karnataka minister, when GST was implemented in July this year, it was estimated that only 7-8 states would need compensation to make up for the revenue deficit arising out of the new regime.

"However, in reality, baring five states, all states needed compensation. This may be because the hastiness in GST implementation has reduced compliance," he contended.

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said handicraft should be exempted from tax.

"In tomorrow's meeting with the GST Council, the Congress will demand to completely abolish the 28 per cent tax slab. The maximum tax limit should not be more than 18 per cent," the Puducherry chief minister said.

"In Puducherry, tourism is severely affected due to high taxation in the hotels segment. The state's revenue has come down by 30 per cent in the last three months," he added.

He was accompanied by a number of Congress ministers from various states, who came here to attend the meet.

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Rebel JD(U) MPs, Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar, both of whom are contesting the official Nitish Kumar faction's move seeking their disqualification, have questioned Rajya Sabha chairman's jurisdiction in the matter.

Anwar told a press conference that their alleged defiance of the party's directive to not attend an opposition rally in Patna is an issue which the JD(U)'s disciplinary committee should be looking into, and it does not call for their disqualification from Parliament.

"I told the Rajya Sabha chairman at the hearing yesterday that it was not part of his jurisdiction," he said, claiming his view had constitutional backing.

Party sources said Yadav has also taken a similar stand.

Anwar said Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu should refer the matter to the ethics committee of the House and not take a decision in a "hurry".

He noted that the Rajya Sabha committee had also looked into criminal allegations against liquor baron Vijay Mallya, a former MP who later resigned, Anil Sahni, a JD(U) MP against whom the CBI has registered a case.

"Unlike Mallya and Sahni we have not been accused of any crime. So our matter too should be refereed to the committee so that it can make a considered judgement. What is the hurry? Disqualifying an MP is like hanging him. Natural justice demands that that we should be given a fair treatment," Anwar said.

Both MPs had attended an opposition rally in Patna organised by Lalu Prasad's RJD after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar walked out of the 3-party Grand Alliance and joined hands with the BJP.

JD(U) then wrote to the Rajya Sabha chairman, seeking their disqualification for "anti-party" activities.

The party claimed there were precedents of MPs getting disqualified for anti-party activities.

Arun Shrivastava, a general secretary of the Yadav faction, told reporters their group enjoys a majority in the party's national council.

"The Election Commission is hearing the matter and we are hopeful that it will recognise us as the real JD(U)," he said.

The Kumar-led party has asserted than an overwhelming number of the JD(U)'s elected members and office bearers, including the members in the national council, back Kumar.

The Grand Alliance which consisted of the JD(U), RJD and Congress, had drubbed the NDA in the last Assembly polls in the state and formed its government.

Yadav and Anwar were among a few elected representatives who denounced Kumar for joining forces with the BJP and forming a coalition government in Bihar which, they said, was against the mandate given by people in the Assembly polls.

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Poachers allegedly broke into Assam's Kaziranga National Park, killed an adult rhinoceros and sawed off its horn, taking to three the number of such incidents in the protected zone, officials said today.

The carcass of the male rhino was found today near Bokpara camp under Kohora range of the park where it was killed last night, KNP Divisional Forest Officer Rohini Ballav Saikia told PTI.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition allegedly beonging to poachers was also recovered from the park, he said.

Search operations were launched to nab the poachers who fled with the horn, Saikia said.

Earlier four rhinos were killed by poachers for their horns during the last one week in the park where an adult female 'Pride of Assam' was shot dead near Tunekati Forest Camp under Burapahar Range of the UNESCO declared World Heritage Site followed by the gunning down of a rhino and her female calf on Saturday night at the same spot.

Two rhinos were killed by poachers in their habitat in the park earlier in February at Hatibali Chapori in the KNP Sixth Addition area and Burapahar Range in April, while 18 rhinos were killed by poachers in Park with their horn taken away last year.

Meanwhile, during routine duty last night traffic police from neighbouring Nagaon district's Haibargaon Point stopped a vehicle coming from Guwahati on National Highway 37, police said.

The driver and three persons in the vehicle fled the spot leaving behind their car with an AK-47 rifle, a 303 rifle, live ammunition, three magazines, a good number of sharp weapons, some brown sugar and three torch lights, police said.

Jakhalabandha police station officer-in-charge Deben Borah said a number of groups have tried to enter into the national park area and police are investigating the matter.

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The Supreme Court today asked the CBI to apprise it of its stand on allowing the request of Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, to go abroad for a few days.

The apex court also asked the probe agency to apprise it of the reasons of not interrogating Karti if it decided not to call him at present.

"You take instructions on allowing the respondent (Karti Chidambaram) to go abroad for 4-5 days and what conditions can be imposed on him," a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said.

The bench perused the documents submitted by CBI against Karti in a sealed cover and observed that the prosecuting agency had grievances looking at the past conduct of the respondent.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, said the documents which the court perused are part of the case diary and cannot be shared with Karti.

He said the apprehension arose from the past conduct of Karti who had in June-July during his visit abroad had closed his bank accounts.

The bench asked Mehta why the CBI was not interrogating him if it is in the know of things.

"It is upon the investigating agency and till it files the charge sheet, the probe agency is not supposed to disclose the evidence and timeline of investigation," Mehta said.

He said Karti's earlier act, coupled with his repeated request to go abroad, is "really shocking" and the agency will be justified in asking that he should not be allowed.

"The apprehensions are not on some unfounded reasons. There are proper evidence and materials in this regard," the ASG said.

To this, the bench suggested that CBI should interrogate him now and allow him to go abroad for 4-5 days with some conditions.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti, said this was the fear for which he was resisting that the court should not see the documents of the CBI as it would influence the judges.

He said copies of the documents of CBI have not been served upon them and they cannot argue without them.

"I don't know what the judges are thinking after perusing the documents but can anyone tell me what wrong I did when I went abroad in June-July. There is not a single document which have my signature for closure of bank accounts," he said.

He said that CBI should show documents to the court that he had multiple foreign bank accounts.

Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, also appearing for Karti, said he was called for interrogation for two days and the questioning happened only two and half hours while for 14 hours he was kept waiting.

"This FIR is of 2008 and they are questioning me now. The money which came to India or went abroad was under the law and with permission from RBI," he said.

Sibal again intervened and said he was ready to answer any question and was not afraid of any questions.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on November 16 and asked the CBI counsel to seek instruction about their stand on allowing Karti to visit abroad for few days.

The CBI FIR, lodged on May 15, had alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Karti's father was the Union Finance Minister.

The top court is hearing CBI's appeal challenging Madras High Court order staying the government's LoC against Karti. The CBI had on September 1 told the top court that there were "good, cogent" reasons for issuing the LoC.

Earlier, the apex court had said that Karti would not be allowed to leave India without subjecting himself to investigation in the case. The court had then stayed the high court order putting on hold the LoC against Karti.

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In a huge blow to the Opposition Congress-led UDF in Kerala, a judicial commission has indicted former chief minister Oommen Chandy along with his personal office staff in the multi-crore solar panel scam, holding they all had "assisted" accused Saritha S Nair in "cheating" customers.

The Justice G Sivarajan commission's four-volume 1,073 page report that probed the scam was tabled by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the state assembly today at a special session and copies were made available to the media.

The "solar scam" had rocked the Chandy government before it lost power in May last year after reports surfaced in June 2013 that three of the chief minister's office staff were involved in alleged duping of several persons of crores of rupees by Saritha Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan by offering solar panel solutions.

The commission has also recommended to the state government to seriously consider the applicability of the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act against whom corruption and illegal gratification have been alleged.

The commission stated that the then "chief minister, Oommen Chandy and through him his personal staff--- Tenny Joppan, Jikkumon Jacob, gunman Salimraj and (Thomas) Kuruvilla, his aide in Delhi, all had assisted Team solar accused Saritha S Nair and her company in enabling them to cheat their customers."



Reacting to the report, Chandy said if there was even an iota of truth in the findings, he was prepared to end his public life.

Chandy said this was a "political revenge" of the LDF government and wondered if it was "solar report" or "Saritha report." "The commission went(about)in a very legally wrong way without taking into account general norms of the commission of enquiries act."



The commission also said former Home and Vigilance minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had "made all efforts" to ensure that Chandy was "extricated" from criminal liability through police officers under him.

Another minister in the Chandy cabinet, Arayadan Mohammed had also "assisted" the Team solar company "in whatever manner possible," as per the commission's findings.

The report also includes the details of the controversial letter written by Saritha on July 19, 2013, in which she had levelled serious sexual and corruption charges against a dozen Congress leaders including state and union ministers and two senior IPS officers.

Saritha had also alleged in the letter that she had paid Rs 2.16 crore to Chandy and his personal staff on different occasions for setting up solar projects.

Though the senior government pleader had submitted that sex was not the subject matter for inquiry by the judicial panel, the Commission, however, felt that if sex and sexual satisfaction are sought by a public servant or somebody for getting something done by a public servant in discharge of his official duties, certainly, the position is different.

"In this case, sex and sexual satisfaction are connected with public servants who are none other than the head of the administration, the chief minister, power minister and other ministers etc named in the letter," according to the commission.

The commission found that there was "substance" in the allegation that Chandy, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and through him the then former police chiefs Balasubramaian and T P Senkumar to a certain extent and Hemachandran IPS, who was the SIT head, and two other police officers, had made efforts to "sabotage" the investigation.

Further inquiry by a competent authority was necessary to uphold the discipline of the police force, the commission said, coming down on what it called "dubious methods" of the previous Special Investigation Team (SIT) to extricate"Chandy from criminal liability.

The SIT also did not probe the alleged involvement of other ministers, government officers, central minister, MLAs and police officers in the investigation of solar cases, it said.

Earlier, tabling the report in the House, the chief minister said the government would initiate legal proceedings, including under the Prevention of Corruption Act, against all persons who are found by the commission as having indulged in corruption.

An order has been issued forming a SIT team to probe various aspects of the solar scam based on the findings and recommendations of the commission, he said.

As soon as the chief minister stood up to table the report, Opposition members protested stating that Vijayan had committed a breach of privilege of the House by briefing the media last month about the content of the commission's report before tabling it in the Assembly.

However, the chief minister denied the charges and said he did not go into the merit of the report during the media briefing and that the panel report became a public document when it was presented to the cabinet.

"It may be for the first time in the history of the state assembly that the report of an inquiry commission is being tabled here within such a short span of time," he said.

However, leader of the opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said they would oppose any move by the government to use the judicial report as a weapon for "political revenge.

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From the necessity of talking to Hurriyat separatists to appointing a tehsildar, Dineshwar Sharma heard it all during his visit to the Valley, his first since being appointed the Centre's point person on Jammu and Kashmir last month.

The former Intelligence Bureau chief, who left for Jammu today for the second leg of his visit to the state, met nearly 30 delegations during his stay here, officials said.

Sharma, who arrived here Monday, was flooded with suggestions and requests, ranging from the serious to the mundane, they said.

Many of those who met him stressed the need to talk to separatist groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, a separatist conglomerate comprising moderate and hardline factions.

Some of the groups, especially from downtown Srinagar, said he must engage in discussions with separatists to make his mission successful.

Sharma had told reporters here yesterday that he would try his best to meet the Hurriyat leaders when he visited the state next.

The groups, comprising mainly youths, emphasised that meeting political leaders from mainstream political parties may a necessity but those favouring separatist ideology should not be ignored, officials said.

The Centre's special representative on Kashmir also met a group of youngsters, who termed themselves 'children of conflict' and wanted the rights and opportunities available to students in other states.

The group spoke about lack of opportunities in the state and said they are viewed with suspicion whenever they venture out of the Valley, officials disclosed.

Some of the delegations that met Sharma highlighted lack of governance and the non-implementation of various central government schemes in the state.

Groups of migrants -- both Muslims and Hindus -- travelled all the way from Jammu to Srinagar to raise their demand for hiking the monthly relief amount, officials said.

In a surprise demand, some delegations demanded that television channels be reined in as they were instrumental in vitiating the atmosphere in the Valley, deepening the divide and alienating people of this region from rest of the country.

Then there was a group from central Kashmir's Budgam that demanded a tehsildar. The state government, they said, had declared their area a tehsil three years ago but failed to appoint a tehsildar.

Sharma, officials said, assured them that their problems would be looked into by the state government.

According to one official, the youth were at least willing to converse with Sharma and he was given a "deep historical background" into issues facing the present generation for whom violence is par for the course.

There were also those who could not meet Sharma.

Like the "Rahul Gandhi fan club", which came to Hari Niwas, the state guesthouse near the Dal Lake where Sharma was meeting the delegations, but were turned away by the authorities.

During his stay in Jammu, Sharma is scheduled to call on state Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. He will also interact with delegations of political parties, including the BJP, trade representatives and other social organisations.

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In another blow to Kevin Spacey, director Ridley Scott has dropped the actor from his upcoming film "All The Money In The World", in wake of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment against him.

The 68-year-old actor has been replaced by Christopher Plummer, who will now portray J Paul Getty in the story about the infamous 1973 kidnapping of his grandson, 16-year-old John Paul Getty III, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The move comes weeks before the release of the film on December 22. The movie, which was scheduled to close the AFI Fest, was pulled off from the event after Scott pressed for it.

The date of release remains unchanged despite the reshoots, as of now.

Spacey shot for eight days and many of his scenes featured only the actor. Interestingly, Plummer was the original choice for the part but studio bigwigs wanted a bigger name.

The film also stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams in key roles and the duo are believed to return for reshoots.

"All the Money..." is the latest project to distance itself from Spacey, after streaming giant Netflix suspended the ongoing production of "House of Cards" season six.

Reports suggest the production is reworking the script to wipe out the actor from the show. They also abandoned their plans for the Gore Vidal biopic with the actor in the lead.

Several men such as Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos and American documentary filmmaker Tony Montana have come forward with their accounts of Spacey's alleged unwanted advances towards them, after Anthony Rapp revealed the Oscar winner sexually assaulted him in the 1980s when he was a minor.

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Sri Lanka is committed to work towards reconciliation with Tamils and has taken concrete steps to prevent torture, the foreign ministry said today after a media report claimed that more than 60 Sri Lankans were subjected to physical abuse under the current government.

The report quoting International Truth and Justice Project -- an advocacy group administered by the Foundation for Human Rights -- claimed that the men were accused of trying to revive the LTTE and tortured between early 2016 to as recently as July of this year.

Responding to the report, Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said, "The National Unity Government that was formed in Sri Lanka following the January 8, 2015 Presidential Election and the August 2015 Parliamentary Election, is committed, as promised to the people of the country, to work towards reconciliation, good governance, rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights, and has taken numerous concrete steps to prevent the commission of torture."



The National Human Rights Commission had ensured access to places where there may be complaints of torture, issuance of orders to all police and security officials forbidding torture of any kind, with punishment to the full extent of the law, if violated, the ministry said.

The commission is welcoming visits by human rights organisations, including to the places where allegations of torture have been made, so that they can see for themselves that such illegal and reprehensible actions are not taking place in the country, it said.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said yesterday the story would be taken notice of by the world body.

The LTTEs 30-year separatist campaign ended on May 18, 2009 in the northeastern Mullaithivu district when Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the LTTE, was killed by Lankan troops.

According to UN figures, up to 40,000 civilians in the conflict.

Sri Lankas former regime refused to acknowledge the civilian toll of its wartime campaign, drawing censure from the international community.

President Maithripala Sirisena's government came to power in January 2015 promising justice for war victims, but his administration has been accused of dithering ever since.

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The CBI has filed three charge sheets in the Rs 1,000 crore Srijan scam against 12 people including the NGO's former chairperson Manorama Devi.

The CBI's first charge sheet was filed yesterday in the court of special CBI magistrate Gayatri Kumari against six persons -- Manorama Devi, who died in February; Sarita Jha (manager, Srijan), Ajay Kumar Pandey (clerk with Indian Bank), Arun Kumar Singh (Branch Manager, Bank of Baroda), Rakesh Kumar Jha (Nazir in the District Land Acquisition Office) and Rakesh Kumar.

Two other charge sheets were filed today before the CBI special magistrate.

Mohammad Sarfarazuddin (Bank of Baroda, Bhagalpur), Arun Kumar (District Welfare Officer, Bhagalpur) and two other persons Indu Gupta and Sarita Jha were listed in the second charge sheet while Vinod Kumar (a driver of a bank official) and Taukir Qasim (Assistant Manager of Indian Bank, Bhagalpur) were named in the third.

After receiving the charge sheets, the CBI special magistrate transferred the matter along with original records to the court CBI judge Ajay Kumar Srivastava's court.

The matter would now be heard on November 13.

Notably, the CBI took over the probe into the alleged multi-crore Srijan scam relating to fraudulent transfer of government money into the account of a Bhagalpur based NGO.

Earlier, Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police was investigating the matter before the CBI took over the probe on recommendation of the state government.

The probe agency has submitted its charge sheets under sections of 34, 409, 420, 467, 468,471, 120B of IPC and other relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The agency had lodged FIRs against Manorama Devi and other officials of the organisation and banks.

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Income Tax sleuths today raided the premises of Tamil television channel Jaya TV here and a farm house of deposed AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran in neighbouring Puducherry as part of multiple searches over suspected tax evasion.

The sleuths also searched the premises of some others linked to Dhinakaran and his jailed aunt V K Sasikala, said an I-T department official, who did not want to be named.

Jaya TV, the channel of late chief minister Jayalalithaa and which is known to be a mouthpiece of AIADMK, is perceived to be favourably politically disposed towards Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

The searches that began early this morning were being conducted over suspected tax evasion as part of 'Operation Clean Money' that was initiated post-demonetisation, the official said.

The simultaneous searches, spread across multiple locations in Tamil Nadu, includes the premises of associates and some relatives of Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

Also, searches were being held in other cities including Bengaluru.

Dhinakaran, the deposed deputy general secretary of the AIADMK and who is locked in a turf war with the faction led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam over control of the party, said his farm house was searched while denying that his house was raided.

Among the premises being searched includes that of Sasikala's Tiruvarur district based brother Divakaran.

Also, the allegation covers aspects like shell companies, dubious investments, fund flow and fudging of accounts, the I-T official told PTI.

The searches at the TV channel's accounts section here is part of 'Operation Clean Money', the official said.

Searches also covered the premises of Midas Distilleries and Jazz Cinemas, the official said.

The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV, Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

Jaya TV also reported the searches by tax sleuths in its premises and at Jazz cinemas.

It was being conducted by more than 10 groups since this morning, the official said.

TTV Dhinakaran, meanwhile, told reporters that his residential premises here was not searched as claimed by a section of media.

He, however, said his farm house off Auroville at Puducherry was searched. "I think they have concluded search there," he said.

He said an "official" visited his residence here and left. He added that it is, however, not known if the official will return and hold searches.

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A software professional and a businesswoman have been arrested here for allegedly harassing a 36-year-old assistant professor after uploading her personal photos on social media with abusive comments.

The 41-year-old software employee, and the businesswoman, aged 25, were arrested yesterday from Moulali on charge of cyberstalking, Rachakonda Commissioner of Police Mahesh M Bhagwat said.

The accused woman was a business partner of the software professional. Both were staying in the same apartment complex as the victim, who worked as an assistant professor at a private college here.

The accused committed the offence due to some dispute between the families of the software professional and the victim, the commissioner said.

During their interrogation, the two accused confessed that they created a fake Facebook account and posted a personal picture of the victim with abusive and vulgar comments, Bhagwat said.

On October 21, the victim lodged a complaint with the police, who registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and yesterday arrested the two accused, police added.

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The Telangana government has represented to the Centre for setting up a steel plant in the state, Minister K T Rama Rao informed the Assembly today.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers have also been represented on the matter, the IT and mines minister said in reply to a query in the Question Hour.

It has been mentioned in the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, 2014 that the Centre shall take all necessary measures for establishment of an integrated steel plant by Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), he said.

Due to inadequate quantity and quality of iron ore available at Bayyaram, Khammam district, the state government has initiated discussions with National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to get iron ore from their closest mines in Chhattisgarh to Bayyaram, where the steel plant has been proposed, the minister said.

The government is conducting a feasibility study elsewhere in the state as well for setting up the plant, he said.

The government would like to have either a new railway line or a slurry pipeline for transportation of iron ore from Chhattisgarh to the state, Rao said.

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India today made it clear that for talks with Pakistan to go ahead, there has to be a conducive environment and atmosphere free of terror and free of terrorists receiving support from Islamabad.

The remarks by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar came in response to a question regarding reports from Pakistan on possibility of resumption of stalled Indo-Pak talks.

"Our stand remains the same. We have always maintained that for the talks to go ahead there should be a conducive environment and atmosphere. And that environment has to be created which is free of terrorism and free of terrorists getting support from Pakistan," he asserted.

India and Pakistan had announced resumption of talks under the comprehensive bilateral dialogue format during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Islamabad in December 2015. However, the dialogue hit a roadblock after the Pathankot terror strike by a Pakistan-based terror outfit in 2016.

On a question about SAARC, Kumar said it is one country that needs to create conditions where such talks will have meaning and will be successful.

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The city has come under a thick security blanket ahead of the 'Tipu Jayanti' celebrations organised across the state by the government tomorrow to mark the birth anniversary of the 18th century ruler of the Mysore Kingdom.

A large number of policemen have been deployed in the sensitive places.

No procession will be allowed in the city that is related to Tipu Jayanti, except for the one organised by the state government, according to police.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said, "We are not giving permission to any procession, whether it is in favour of Tipu Jayanti or against it. The government itself is celebrating the event in various parts of the city for which we have made elaborate arrangements."



He said 30 Karnataka State Reserved Police (KSRP) platoons and 25 armed platoons, besides policemen and officers of city police will be deployed.

"There will be more than 11,000 policemen all over the city. Besides the regular police, we will deploy Home Guard personnel," Suneel Kumar said.

He said there will be celebrations only at the places identified by the government, adding that the police would deal firmly with those who plan to create trouble.

"We have not made any preventive arrests so far but if the situation rises, section 144 (prohibitory order) may be imposed," Kumar said.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government started celebrating Tipu Jayanti two years ago.

The BJP, some right wing groups and the members of Kodava community are opposing the celebrations alleging that Tipu was a religious "bigot" who had massacred many people and forced them to embrace Islam.

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Police have arrested three alleged armed robbers and seized weapons from their possession after a brief encounter here, police said today.

They were arrested under Titawi police station yesterday, Station house officer Sube Singh said.

The police said they have seized two pistols along with one licensed rifle which the accused allegedly looted from the house of a retired police official.

"On September 30, the robbers had raided the house of retired police head constable Vijay Pal and looted his rifle along with some cash," the official said.

According to the police, the accused has confessed to their crime.

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Taking aim at the health ministry advisory that tobacco shopkeepers should stop retailing non- tobacco FMCG and other products, they said the move would push them to poverty and benefit modern trade outlets.

Terming the move as "undemocratic", Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangh and its partner trade associations, which claim to represent nearly 75 lakh traders pan India, said all products sold by the retailers are legal.

The associations are opposing the recent suggestion of the health ministry as their livelihood depends on selling of both non-tobacco items of everyday use such as bread, eggs, juices, soft drinks, wafers and the like, along with tobacco products.

Members of the trade associations have also met with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda, who has assured them to look into the matter, the association said in a statement.

"This is grossly unfair and a draconian suggestion. This will have a life-threatening effect on our families. All our family members are deeply troubled and stressed," the association said in a statement.

Any forced reduction in the products sold by us will have a severe financial impact, it added.

"This move is against the Government's promise of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas' and will have a mass-scale destructive effect on peaceful jobs and livelihoods," said Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangh President Ram Ashrey Mishra.
The 4th edition of Tata Steel's tribal conclave 'Samvaad' will be held between November 15 and 19.

Since 2014, 'Samvaad' has been providing tribes from across India with a platform for discussions and dissent as well as celebration of the tribal ethos.

The upcoming edition will draw tribal representatives from abroad such as Australia, Canada, Kenya and Zimbabwe, a Tata Steel release said here today.

The event will witness an exchange of thoughts on indigenous culture, heritage, arts and inheritance with the visiting guests and India's very own tribal communities who will travel from the length and breadth of India.

The 5-day event will start on November 15, Jharkhand's Statehood Day and the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Altogether 103 tribes from 127 districts representing 21 Indian states will be converging at Samvaad 2017, the theme of which is "Aspiration of Tribal Youth & Leadership for Future".

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The TRS, which is ruling Telangana, will raise its proposal to hike reservations to backward sections among Muslims in Parliament and could also approach Supreme Court on the matter, party chief and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today.

Speaking on welfare of minorities in the Legislative Assembly, Rao said he has taken up the issue of reservation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, he said, responded positively to the request.

As the proposed 12 per cent quota would lead to the reservations exceeding the 50 per cent cap, the way to facilitate reservation is by including it in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution as done in the case of Tamil Nadu, he said.

"If they don't give, we will fight in Parliament or we will go to Supreme Court," he said.

The state legislature had earlier passed a bill increasing quotas for STs and Muslims.

Rao announced several measures for the welfare of minorities, especially for the welfare of Muslim community.

They include setting up skill development centres and women empowerment centres, protection of Waqf lands, recruitment of Urdu teachers and Urdu officers (in CMO, district Collector's offices and others), promotion of Urdu as second official language and construction of a building at Ajmer in Rajasthan.

Responding to a request from MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, he said the state government would make efforts to get the jewellery of Nizam (housed in Delhi) to Hyderabad.

Those who participated in the debate include Leader of Opposition (Congress) K Jana Reddy, his party colleague T Jeevan Reddy and BJP's Ch Ramachandra Reddy.

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President Donald Trump today wrapped up two days of intense talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as both sides inked deals worth over USD 250 billion but doubts lingered about any headway over his efforts to push Beijing to take strong action to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea.

On the second day of his visit, which was marked by lavish red-carpet welcome with an impressive guard of honour by the Chinese military troops, Trump continued his overnight talks with Xi at the Great Hall of People here.

"Just now, the President and I witnessed the signing of some major cooperation agreements by our businesses. During this visit, the two sides signed over USD 250 billion of commercial deals and two-way investment agreements," Xi said summing up his talks with Trump, who has been accusing China of not doing enough to address the massive USD 370 billion bilateral trade deficit.

China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said the two sides signed deals worth some USD 253.4 billion over the past two days. "This is truly a miracle," Zhong told the media.

On pressuring North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to halt his nuclear and missile programmes, which was Trump's main agenda of the maiden visit, Xi reiterated China's stand that Beijing is faithfully implementing the UNSC resolutions.

China is North Korea's close ally and top trading partner.

"On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, we reiterated the firm commitment to achieving denuclearisation of the Peninsula and upholding international non-proliferation regime," Xi said.

The two sides will continue to fully and strictly implement the UN Security Council resolutions. At the same time, the two sides commit to working toward a solution through dialogue and negotiation, he said.

On the South China Sea dispute, Xi said, "the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the US".

China claims sovereignty on almost all of the South China Sea which is disputed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. The US has been accusing China of violating international rules and norms by laying claims on the disputed South and East China seas.

Importantly for the South Asian region, Xi said Afghanistan, where US is increasing its presence and pressuring China's close ally Pakistan to rein in the Taliban, also figured in their talks.

For his part, Trump lavished praise on Xi saying "your people are proud of who they are and what they have built together, and your people are also very proud of you".

In apparent reference to North Korea, he said, "as long as we stand together -- with others, if necessary -- against those who threaten our civilisation. That threat will never happen. It doesn't even have a chance."



He called on China to work "very hard" on the issue, including cutting banking ties with Pyongyang.

"If you work on it hard, it will happen. There is no doubt about it," Trump said. "Time is quickly running out, we must act fast, and hopefully China will act faster."



On Afghanistan, Trump said, "in order to create a more secure future for all and to protect our citizens from extremism and terrorism, President Xi and I also committed to working toward a peaceful future for Afghanistan. Terrorists are a threat to all of humanity, and we will stop radical Islamic terrorism."



Summing up on the outcome of talks on North Korea, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the media that "the key topic of discussion was our continued joint effort to increase pressure on North Korea, to convince them to abandon their nuclear and missile programme".

"Both leaders affirmed their commitment to achieve a complete, verifiable, and permanent denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. President Trump and President Xi will not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea," he said.

The US president has made it clear the need to not just maintain the current peaceful pressure efforts, but to do even more, the official said.

Trump also had a candid conversation about the bilateral economic relationship. He called for China to give fair and reciprocal treatment to US companies and exports to reduce the US trade deficit and rebalance the economic relationship, the secretary of state said.

Trump later met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and attended a business event with Xi followed by state dinner.

He is in China as part of a five-nation tour of Asia. He has already visited South Korea and Japan.

Trump will fly to Vietnam tomorrow to attend the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

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China today said President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump have reached a consensus on fighting terrorism and upholding peace and stability in South Asia, amid America ramping up pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror safe havens.

During their talks here, Xi and Trump discussed Afghanistan and committed to working toward a peaceful future for the terrorist haven.

"This morning, the two presidents talked and held joint press meeting. I am not aware of the details of the talks. What I know is that the two sides also discussed anti- terrorism issues and upholding peace and stability in South Asia," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.

"They reached consensus in this respect," she said without elaborating or mentioning whether India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan figured in the talks.

To counter terrorism, China and the US as well as other countries share the common interests and the two countries stand ready to work with other parties for stronger anti- terrorism cooperation, she said.

South Asia and Afghanistan figured prominently in today's talks as both the leaders mentioned it in their briefings.

After the talks, Trump said terrorists are a threat to humanity and that he and Xi will "stop radical Islamic terrorism."



"In order to create more secure future for all and protect our citizens from extremism and terrorism, President Xi and I also committed to working together for a peaceful future for Afghanistan," Trump said.

"Terrorists are a threat to all of humanity and we will stop radical Islamic terrorism," he said.

Trump's remarks assume significance after he unveiled his new South Asia policy under which the US has warned Pakistan against providing safe harbour to terrorist organisations.

Trump's South Asia policy giving importance to India and inviting New Delhi to play a bigger role in reconstruction of Afghanistan has also raised eyebrows in Beijing and Islamabad.

Elaborating on the Trump-Xi talks on Afghanistan, Hua said the two sides believe that maintaining the stable and constructive relations between Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries is of great significance to the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

"They support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconstruction process, call on relevant parties in Afghanistan to achieve extensive and inclusive national reconciliation through political negotiation at an early date and stand ready to play a positive role through such mechanisms as the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US," Hua said in a written response to PTI here.

Ahead of Trump's visit, China conducted an anti-terrorism trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hulai conducted the trilateral meeting on November 7 which was attended by top officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

China has been trying to bring about peace between Islamabad and Kabul amid scathing criticism from Afghanistan leaders over Pakistans support to Taliban by sheltering them.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made separate visits to the two countries recently and met Pakistan and Afghanistans officials after the talks.

Pakistans Special Secretary Tasnim Aslam and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai who took part in the talks called on Wang.

In the meeting, Wang thanked Pakistan and Afghanistan for their support for China in fighting the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and their contribution to the fight against international counter terrorism especially in South Asian region, Hua said.

ETIM is active in the Muslim Uygur majority province of Xinjiang which shared borders with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan.

Xinjiang had been restive for several years over increasing settlements of majority Hans from other provinces of China.

"China stands ready to work with two parties to strengthen our counter-terrorism cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability," she said, adding that Pakistan and Afghanistan stated that they stand ready to strengthen cooperation with China in this regard.

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UE LifeSciences Inc, a USA-India based med-tech startup, today announced a distribution partnership with GE Healthcare to commercialise its iBreastExam (iBE) in countries across South Asia and Africa.

The partnership brings together UE LifeSciences' skills to design and develop mobile health innovations, and GE Healthcare's sales, marketing and distribution expertise in these markets to enable early detection of breast cancer in the developing world, the company officials said.

"iBreastExam can truly create access where none exists right now across our partnership geography," UELifeSciences founder and CEO Mihir Shah told reporters here.

Over 75,000 women have been screened in the country with the help of iBreastExam and 100-plus breast cancer cases identified in partnership with 40-plus private healthcare, government institutions, non-profit and CSR initiatives, he said.

UE LifeSciences said IBreastExam is an innovative, validated mobile breast health solution designed for use by primary health workers, obstetricians and gynaecologists to identify breast abnormalities in healthy, asymptomatic women during a routine health checkup.

Being a radiation-free and painless test further makes iBE suitable to women at primary care locations such as a doctor's clinic, community health centres, health camps or a hospital's out-patient department, he said.

The partnership provides a significant opportunity to commercially scale-up iBE across India, South Asia,Africa and South-East Asia and improve breast cancer relatedoutcomes in these regions, GE Healthcare SustainableHealthcare Solutions President and CEO Terri Bresenham said.

"With the wealth of engineering talent thatwe have in this country, with the gap in healthcare systembeing out of reach, particularly for rural population, we needto play a different role," she said.

"So our goal is to help bring startupcompanies like UE LifeSciences together with what we canprovide - scaled distribution, service and support model acrossvast regions of the world," she added.

iBE is a "Made in India" device developed by ateam of 20-plus scientists, engineers and clinicians with USD1.3 millionin grant funding from Pennsylvania Department of Health (CURE Grant), University City Science Center (QED & DHA), Drexel University (Coulter Programme) and Unitus Seed Fund(StartHealth grant).

It is currently commercially available inIndia, Myanmar and Botswana.

The project has been mentored and invested by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon, Dr Ranjan Pai of Manipal Education and Medical Group and Unitus Seed Fund, a social impact investor in affordable healthcare innovations.

Stressing on the need to "downstage" ancer,Mazumdar-Shaw said it is a difficult task as most people onlygo for diagnosis when it is too late.

Stating that innovations like iBreastExam should be made a standard of care, she said "The moment you downstage cancer and you detect it early it converts from cancer care tocancer cure. I think governments also need to adopt thisbecause when we look into diagnosis and diagnostics that isabout preventive healthcare."



Pointing out that today more lives were being lost to breast cancer in India than any other country in the world, Shah said it is not only the most commonly occurring cancer in India, it occurs in one in 28 women over their life time, and of that half the cases were in women under 50 years of age.

He said survival rate was about 52 per cent that means India is losing one out of two women to breast cancer, which is in contrast to the US where nine in ten survive.

Three published clinical validation studies showed 83-86 per cent sensitivity and 88-94 per cent specificity for iBE todetect clinically relevant breast abnormalities,company officials claimed.

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A UK court has held as unlawful a Britishlandlordsban on "coloured" people from India and Pakistan renting his properties because they cookedcurryand left behind lingering smells.

Fergus Wilson, who owns hundreds of properties in Kent in south-east England, had denied being racist but lost the legal action brought by the UK's human rights watchdog when Maidstone County Court granted an injunction against the policy this week.

The injunction, in place for three years, orders that Wilson cannot apply a lettings policy stopping Indian or Pakistani people renting his properties.

If he breaches the order, he could be found in contempt of court and face jail or a hefty fine.

"I find the policy is unlawful. Such a policy has no place in our society," said Judge Richard Polden in his ruling.

The 69-year-old property tycoon and former boxer defended himself in court against the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which had challenged the policy after it emerged in an email sent to a lettings company informing them of his policy of "no coloured people because of curry smell".

"I refuse to take tenants from a group of people that produce curry smells. I take just about anyone except Pakistanis and Indians, Wilson said in a subsequent email exchange with the EHRC when it confronted him.

Wilsons defence in court ranged from asserting that the email containing the ban on "coloureds" was just a joke and banter with a young letting agent, through to defending it on behalf of all landlords and describing the legal action as "political correctness gone mad".

"My only concern is for people who would have been coming into buy to let but now will not. Public opinion has been on my side throughout, he claimed.

He had justified his ban on Indian and Pakistani tenants on economic grounds to save costs on re-carpeting homes that smell of Indian cooking once the tenants have left.

"It's perfectly legal not to buy a house because you think it smells of curry. The problem is that if you have a 250,000 pounds mid-terrace house, the valuation drops by 50,000 pounds if it smells of curry," Wilson told the court.

But the judge was not convinced with any of his arguments and ruled in favour of the EHRC, whose chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath welcomed the decision as a step closer to a "more equal Britain".

"Our homes are fundamental to our private lives and to who we are. Denial of a home on the grounds of race or colour is abhorrent conduct we do not accept in today's society. There are still deep inequalities in our country and sadly some of the causes of those inequalities were illustrated by Mr Wilson's comments over the summer," she said.

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The United Nations and more than 20 aid groups said today that the Saudi-led coalition's tightening of a blockade on war-torn Yemen could bring millions of people closer to "starvation and death."



About two-thirds of Yemen's population relies on imported supplies, said the groups, which include CARE, Save the Children and Islamic Relief. Over 20 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 7 million facing "famine- like" conditions, they said. Food supplies are expected to run out within six weeks while vaccines will last only a month.

They urged an "immediate opening" of all air and seaports.

The blockade has already led to a fuel crisis in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, where hundreds of cars lined the roads yesterday after the Houthis ordered the closure of fuel stations.

The rebels said they closed the stations after merchants refused to fix prices. The price of fuel has risen by 50 per cent since the coalition tightened the blockade.

The coalition closed all ports and halted humanitarian shipments after Yemen's Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile over the weekend that was intercepted near Riyadh. Saudi Arabia blamed the strike on Iran, which supports the Houthis but has denied arming them.

The US has also accused Iran of supplying advanced weapons, including ballistic missiles, to the Houthis.

Today, the Houthis rejected the US allegations, saying they built the missile themselves and fired it in response to coalition bombings that have killed civilians and the ongoing blockade.

"Washington aids the forces of aggression, politically and militarily, and has pushed them into dangerous pitfalls," Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdul Salam said on the group's Al- Masirah TV channel.

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The Niti Aayog today assured Uttar Pradesh that the central body will resolve any development roadblock of the state and complimented Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the progress in projects during his rule.

"In the last 6-7 months, UP chal pada hai (UP has started to move). For the Niti Aayog, UP will be top priority. If UP moves ahead, India will also march forward. We are pleased and satisfied with the progress made in seven months (of Adityanath rule). It is wonderful to see projects moving forward," Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said today.

He was speaking to reporters after interacting with the chief minister, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Sidhartha Nath Singh and senior state officials here.

Kumar was accompanied by other officials of the Niti Aayog, including its CEO Amitabh Kant.

"If there are any roadblocks in Delhi pertaining to development of UP, we will try to resolve them. There is no formality between us and we will move forward in the same spirit. The Niti Aayog is different from Yojana Aayog (Planning Commission), as we are a development partner of the state. We do not believe in holding a darbar in Delhi. We are meeting CMs of various states," he said.

"Every state has its own identity and there is need for a specific development agenda. In future, we will hold workshops which will focus on different best practices in the country in different sectors by calling the experts and give exposure to officials of various departments here," he said.

Asked to elaborate on some sectors where UP has started to move, Kumar cited changes in the labour laws and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (in rural areas).

He observed that more efforts have to be made in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (in urban areas).

"Speed of work in making the state open-defecation free has to be increased," he said.

Singh said, "This is the second time that the Niti Aayog is visiting UP. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has told the team that Team UP has gained speed and momentum. UP Chal Pada Hai. The Prime Minister's vision has been implemented by the UP chief minister. The chief minister has said it is essential that UP becomes the backbone in the vehicle of development."



Singh also said the Niti Aayog team has come to the state keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Team India. "The Prime Minister is concerned about the development of UP and that UP moves ahead on the path of development," he stressed.

Furthering its key mandate of fostering cooperative federalism, the Niti Aayog on May 10 lent its support in laying out a road map for the state's development.

A 17-member delegation led by former vice-chairman of Niti Aayog, Arvind Panagariya, had held deliberations with Adityanath and other officials on the way forward for Uttar Pradesh.

It was decided that a joint working group would be set up with members from the Niti Aayog and the state government.

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The United States and Britain accused Russia today of "denying the truth" as Moscow sought to rip up a report blaming Syria for a deadly chemical attack in April.

In a strongly-worded statement at a meeting of the watchdog Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), US representative Ken Ward said Russia was "continuing to deny the truth" regarding the attack in which sarin gas was used.

Last month a report by a joint UN-OPCW panel said the Syrian air force on April 4 had dropped a bomb on the opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhun, releasing the deadly nerve agent that killed more than 80 people, including children.

But Russia has dismissed the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) report, saying the experts did not travel to Khan Sheikhun and worked with samples Moscow maintains may have been tampered with by Western intelligence.

Russia also lambasted the investigators for not travelling to the Shayrat air base, from where the aerial attack on the northwestern Syrian town was allegedly launched.

But Ward accused Russia of "collaborating with the (Bashar al-)Assad regime in a deplorable attempt to discredit the (OPCW) Fact Finding Mission (FFM) and the Joint Investigative Mechanism."



"Regrettably, Russia has abetted Syria's use of chemical weapons and disregarded the international responsibilities Syria undertook," Ward said in a statement posted on the OPCW's website.

The dispute came as Russia and Iran, the Syrian regime's allies, proposed a resolution at the OPCW meeting on Wednesday which diplomats say effectively asks investigators to scrap the first probe into the Khan Sheikhun incident and launch a new investigation.

The draft resolution "decides to renew the work by the FFM on the incident with the use of chemical weapons in Khan Sheikun in order to ensure a full-scale, professional and high-quality investigation to identify sarin," according to a copy seen by AFP.

It also asks for the fact-finding team to hold back the results of its new probe "until (a) full-scale investigation on the site of the incident in Khan Sheikhun becomes possible".

Britain's permanent representative to the OPCW Peter Wilson said London and other Western countries stood behind the original report and accused Moscow of wanting "to confuse the delegates of the OPCW".

The investigators "have not taken any evidence they can't corroborate from at least three sources," Wilson told AFP.

Earlier in his statement to the OPCW's Executive Council meeting -- of which Russia and the United States are also members -- Wilson accused Russia and Iran of "seeking to politicise" the OPCW.

"It is a thinly veiled political attack on the professional integrity" of the OPCW's director general Ahmet Uzumcu aimed at undermining the organisation's technical capability and competence, Wilson said.

Canada also joined the fray, saying that Syria, which joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 under joint US-Russia pressure, "forfeited the rights and privileges of membership, and should no longer be permitted to sit among us.

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The injuries to US Senator Rand Paul during an assault by a neighbour are worse than earlier reported, with the Kentucky Republican saying he suffered six broken ribs and has fluid in his lungs.

"I appreciate all of the support from everyone," Paul posted on Twitter about last Friday's violent altercation.

"A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion."



The injuries raise the prospect that Paul, who is recuperating in Kentucky, may be kept from Washington at a time when fellow Senate Republicans are eager to push a major tax overhaul through Congress.

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Tuesday that he expected Paul back in Washington as early as next week.

On Sunday Paul called the fracas an "unfortunate event," and his spokesperson earlier had said the senator was "fine."



Kentucky State Police said they arrived at Paul's home in Warren County on Friday afternoon in response to a report of an assault and arrested 59-year-old Rene Boucher.

The suspect's attorney Matt Baker issued a statement to WKU Public Radio saying the dispute was "trivial" and in no way politically motivated.

The New York Times, citing neighbors and Republican lawmakers familiar with the incident, reported that the assault stemmed from a landscaping dispute.

Paul had dismounted from a riding lawn mower when Boucher, a retired anesthesiologist who lives next door, ran up and tackled him, the newspaper said.

The senator was wearing sound-muting earmuffs and did not realize Boucher was approaching, the newspaper said, citing a Kentucky Republican and a friend.

Paul, 54, ran an unsuccessful bid last year to be the Republican presidential nominee.

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US President Donald Trump's new South Asia policy lacks details on how his administration is going to get Pakistan to reverse its course and do more in the fight against terrorism, a top American lawmaker has said.

Trump in August announced his South Asia policy and criticised Pakistan for providing safe havens for terrorists.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said that terrorist groups in the region cannot be defeated without the support of Pakistan.

"I also dont see how we can defeat these groups without the support of Pakistan. I know the President put an emphasis on Pakistan needing to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, to order, to peace, but the strategy was lacking on details on how we are going to get Pakistan to reverse course," she said.

Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Ros-Lehtinen said Pakistan "needs to quit hedging its bets" and get fully on board with the US and Afghanistan.

"But the strategy was short on details on exactly what tools we will use, and how, to convince Pakistan that its interests align with what we aim to achieve in Afghanistan and Pakistan is the correct move," she said during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Referring to the recently concluded trip to Pakistan by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, she hoped that Pakistan would act this time.

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President Donald Trump's new South Asia strategy focuses on reducing tension between India and Pakistan, a top American diplomat has said but ruled out any mediator role for the US between the two neighbours.

Alice G Wells, the Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, told lawmakers that the Trump administration is increasingly concerned about the threat to strategic stability in South Asia associated with the introduction of new nuclear capable ballistic or cruise missile systems in the region.

"The South Asia strategy also focuses on reducing tensions between Pakistan and India," she told lawmakers yesterday during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan held jointly by House Foreign Affairs Subcommittees for Middle East and North Africa, and Asia and Pacific.

She said the US does not seek a role as a mediator between India and Pakistan, but encourages both countries to restart dialogue at the earliest opportunity.

"An improved relationship between these two countries is critical to regional security and stability," Wells said.

"In particular, the region and the world looks to both Pakistan and India to safeguard against a nuclear conflict in South Asia," she said.

She said the US remains concerned about Pakistan's growing fissile material stockpiles and its expanding and diversifying military nuclear and missile programmes.

Wells also voiced concern over the stability and security of the South Asia region and said the US is ready to work constructively with Pakistan against the terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammed and the Haqqani Network.

"We remain concerned about the stability and security of the region, and of Pakistan itself," she said.

"We are prepared to work constructively with Pakistan to move against these terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed," she added.

She also told lawmakers that the Trump administration values the role India can play in global security and stability as part of its shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"We also want to work with India to counter terrorist threats. And we see significant economic and business opportunities in both countries that we intend to explore for the benefit of all of our citizens," she said.

The US welcomes the central role of India in the Indo- Pacific region and throughout the world, she said.

"Our two democracies have a shared commitment to uphold the rule of law, freedom of navigation, universal values, and free trade," she said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also noted that the US views India as a partner for peace in Afghanistan and welcomes India's economic and development assistance efforts.

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Peeved at poor infrastructure in their areas, voters from two villages in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot Assembly constituency boycotted the by-election being held today.

The residents of Bairhana and Bichhian villages had earlier warned the Satna district authorities that they will boycott the by-election, if proper roads and buildings were not built in their areas.

The villagers are boycotting the bypoll to press for their demands of construction of roads, school and other developmental works, Madhya Pradesh's chief electoral officer Salina Singh told reporters in Bhopal.

Election officials are requesting the electorate in these villages to participate in the polling, she said.

Polling is underway in the Chitrakoot Assembly seat where about 33.8 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm, an official of the Election Commission said.

The voting started in the constituency at 8 am.

Congress candidate Nilanshu Chaturvedi, BJP's nominee Shankar Dayal Tripathi and 10 others are in fray for the by-election in the Assembly segment, which lies bordering Uttar Pradesh. The BSP has not fielded its candidate in the bypoll.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Prem Singh (65) after a prolonged illness in May this year. He had won the Chitrakoot seat thrice -- in 1998, 2003 and 2013.

There are 1.98 lakh voters in the Chitrakoot Assembly constituency, an EC official earlier said.

As many as 257 polling booths with VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines were set up for the bypoll, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and MP BJP chief Nandkumar Chouhan had campaigned for the party's candidate.

Besides, Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Union Minister Kamal Nath, Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly Ajay Singh tried to drum up support for their party's nominee.

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: Himachal Pradesh today recorded its highest turnout in Assembly polls, with 74.45 per cent of voters taking part in an election in which the BJP seeks to dislodge the ruling Congress on the issue of corruption while deflecting attacks on demonetisation and GST.

By 5 pm, when voting closed, 74.45 per cent of the electorate had voted, Chief Electoral Officer Pushpender Rajput said. The state's previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 Assembly polls.

The results, to be announced on December 18, along with those of Gujarat Assembly polls next month, will be a bellwether for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity.

Sixty sitting MLAs figure among the 337 candidates fighting for a seat in the 68-member Assembly in Himachal Pradesh, one of the few states under Congress rule.

Among the contenders are Congress chief minister Virbhadra Singh and the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The two parties exuded confidence about the result, which both claimed would be in their favour.

"We will get over 60 seats and the Congress tally will be confined to a single digit," BJP media head Anil Baluni said.

The Congress, in turn, thanked the people for supporting the party.

"We thank them for voting to retain the Congress in power," AICC media panellist Akhilesh Pratap Singh said.

The Congress has 35 MLAs and the BJP 28 in the outgoing Assembly. There are four independents while one seat is vacant.

Voting for the Assembly, which started at 8am, came to an end at 5pm. The Election Commission had earlier said 74 per cent voters had exercised their franchise but added that the final polling percentage could be revised after late voting figures were factored in.

The elections were peaceful, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters in New Delhi.

As many as 7,525 polling booths were set up and 37,605 personnel deputed for poll duty in the state of 50,25,941 voters.

A total of 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force were deployed, along with other officials such as observers.

Chief Minister Singh, 10 of his ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former Chief Minister Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

The Congress and the BJP contested all 68 seats. The BSP fought for 42 seats, the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI three. There were also 112 independent candidates in the fray.

Dharamsala had the maximum number of candidates at 12.

Singh and Dhumal have both moved out of their old constituencies. While the Congress leader contested from Arki in Solan district, the BJP strongman chose Sujanpur in Hamirpur district.

The 12-day high-voltage campaign, which ended on Tuesday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress.

Prime Minister Modi addressed seven rallies and BJP president Amit Shah, six. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed three meetings.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns on the chief minister, against whom the ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Congress hit out at the BJP over GST and demonetisation.

The election saw 19 women -- six from the BJP and three from the Congress. Seven rebels each from the two parties also contested the polls.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog, fought for the eleventh time.

Web-casting was used in 2,307 polling stations for a live monitoring of polling activities.

A total of 11,283 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units were used, of which 297 were replaced, Saxena said.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, 64.45 per cent of the electorate had voted.

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The polling for the byelection to Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot Assembly seat was underway since this morning with about 27 per cent voters exercising their franchise in the first three hours, an official said.

The voting started across the constituency at 8 am and around 27 per cent polling was recorded till 11 am, an official of the Election Commission (EC) said.

Congress candidate Nilanshu Chaturvedi, BJP's nominee Shankar Dayal Tripathi and 10 others are in fray for the byelection in the Assembly segment, which lies bordering Uttar Pradesh. The BSP has not fielded its candidate in the bypoll.

The byelection was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Prem Singh (65) after a prolonged illness in May this year. He had won the Chitrakoot seat thrice -- in 1998, 2003 and 2013.

There are 1.98 lakh voters in the Chitrakoot Assembly constituency, an EC official earlier said.

As many as 257 polling booths with VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines were set up for the bypoll, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and MP BJP chief Nandkumar Chouhan had campaigned for the party's candidate.

Besides, Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Union Minister Kamal Nath, Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly Ajay Singh tried to drum up support for their party's nominee.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wheat prices flared up by 2.35 per cent to Rs 1,789 per quintal in futures market today after participants built up fresh positions amid upsurge in demand at the spot market.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, wheat for delivery in December shot up by Rs 41, or 2.35 per cent to Rs 1,789 per quintal with an open interest of 7,200 lots.

On similar lines, the wheat for delivery in November traded higher by Rs 30, or 1.75 per cent to Rs 1,742 per quintal in 4,560 lots.

Analysts said fresh positions created by traders due to uptick in demand from flour mills at the spot market, mainly led to rise in wheat prices at futures trade.

Meanwhile, the government yesterday doubled the import duty on wheat to 20 per cent to curb cheap shipments and give positive price signal to farmers in the ongoing Rabi season.

It also imposed import duty of 50 per cent on peas to check cheaper shipments from countries like Canada.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman originally from India was among three Singaporeans arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for supporting the Islamic State and terrorism- related activities, authorities said today.

Of the three, Adzrul Azizi bin Bajuri (19) was issued with a Restriction Order, while Abu Thalha bin Samad (25) and Munavar Baig Amina Begam (38) were issued with Detention Orders, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Amina, a housewife and a naturalised Singapore Citizen originally from India, is an ISIS supporter and harboured the intention to make her way to the conflict zone to join ISIS, the ministry said.

She was radicalised by a foreign online contact, who shared pro-IS materials with her and convinced her that ISIS was fighting to defend Sunnis in the conflict zone, it said.

"She was radicalised to the extent that she was prepared to undergo military training and take up arms to fight for ISIS in the Middle-East if called upon by ISIS to do so," the statement said.

She shared on social media materials promoting terrorism. This month, she was issued a Detention Order for a period of two years.

Of the two men, Abu Thalha was found to be a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). He was educated in JI-linked schools in the region and also underwent paramilitary training in some of the schools he attended.

"In 2014, he took baiah (pledge of allegiance) and became a JI member. He understood it to mean that he was duty-bound to carry out whatever instructions the JI leaders had for him, including performing armed jihad and sacrificing his life for the JIs violent cause," the ministry said.

He has been teaching in a JI-linked school since 2016 and had also served in a committee which was involved in spotting students for membership in the terror group.

"In August 2017, we worked together with a regional government to deport him to Singapore where he was arrested under the ISA for his involvement in a terrorist organisation. He was issued with an Order of Detention for a period of two years in September 2017," the ministry said.

Adzrul, a former full-time National Serviceman who served as a Logistics Assistant in the SAF, is a supporter of the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, it said.

"In mid-2016, Adzrul considered fighting for ISIS in Syria, as he saw the armed conflict there as a sectarian struggle between Sunnis and Shias. From August 2017 onwards, he started having some doubts about the legitimacy of ISISs ideology and its violent tactics," the ministry said.

It said that Adzrul will be required to undergo counselling, including religious counselling.

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Senior BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, who have been critical of the Narendra Modi government on its handling of the economy, will address a convention of farmers in Akola in east Maharashtra on December 1, party MP Nana Patole said today.

Patole, who had reportedly said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn't like taking questions, told reporters that Yashwant Sinha will deliver a lecture on the impact of demonetisation and GST rollout on farmers at the event.

Addressing a press conference here, Patole said he has offers from the Congress and the Shiv Sena to join their parties.

The BJP leader said he interacts with leaders of various parties on the issues of farmers and will meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in upcoming winter session of Parliament.

However, Patole denied that he was leaving the BJP.

On the upcoming convention of cotton and soybean farmers, he said Yashwant Sinha will speak on the impact of the recently implemented GST and demonetisation on farmers.

Patole, who represents Bhandara-Gondia seat, didn't specify who is organising the event.

Yashwant Sinha, who had served as Finance Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, had caused a flutter with his article criticising the Centre over handling of the economy, which he said is on the downhill.

Shatrughan Sinha had reportedly endorsed the views expressed by the former Finance Minister.

Patole also criticised Maharashtra state BJP unit chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari who had taken potshots at him.

Bhandari had asked Patole to concentrate on his work in his constituency instead of criticising the Union government.

Advising Patole to raise the issues on the party platform and not publicly, Bhandari had said the BJP's Central Parliamentary Board will look into Patole's grievances.

Hitting back, Patole today said Bhandari should concentrate on ensuring that the assurances given to people by the government get fulfilled.

"Bhandari should stay away from my personal matters. I had raised the issues concerning farmers and the common people on the BJP platform as well as with Prime Minister. Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) and Bhandari should not spread lies that I have not done so," Patole said.

He said the BJP's constitution does not stop him from raising the issues concerning the common people.

"...If the BJP feels otherwise, then they should give me a letter mentioning so (not to raise public issues) and I will then decide on my future course of action," he said.

In a veiled attack on the BJP-led Maharashtra government, he said the Vidarbha region in the state is witnessing maximum number of suicides by farmers.

The prime minister had announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes as a measure to fight black money, corruption, fake currency and terror funding on November 8 last year.

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A special court in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district today sentenced a youth to 10 years imprisonment for sodomising a four-year-old child seven months ago.

Additional District Sessions Judge Virender Kumar also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the accused, Mohit Kumar (20), after holding him guilty under Section 5 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

According to prosecution lawyer Pushpender Malik, Mohit abducted a four-year-old boy and sexually assaulted him in a school in Bhuwapur village in the district on April 20 this year.

This is the first time in the district that an accused has been convicted under the Pocso Act, Malik claimed.

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Snap Inc said on Wednesday that Chinese tech and media investment firm Tencent Holdings Ltd had taken a 12 per cent stake in the company, a day after the owner of disappearing-messaging app Snapchat was punished by Wall Street for disappointing quarterly results.

Snap's shares fell 16 per cent to $12.67, well below their $17 initial public offering price in March, as investors fretted about Snap's slowing user growth in the latest quarter and viewed Tencent's move as an investment rather than the precursor to a merger.

"(Tencent) buys all sorts of minority investments, and I don't think we can extrapolate that this means they intend to take over the company," said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter.

Snap said it had only received the details of the stake from Tencent this month. Tencent's 145.8 million class A common shares of Snap, worth about $1.7 billion at Wednesday's price, give the Chinese company no voting rights.

Tencent president Martin Lau told Snap his firm is "excited" to deepen its relationship with the firm, Snap said in a regulatory filing. A Snap spokesman declined to comment further.

The Chinese tech company, which owns mobile chat service WeChat, has bought stakes in several companies over the past few years, including electric car maker Tesla Inc and ride services company Lyft Inc. In 2013 it invested in Snap through an affiliate.

Investments in the United States by Chinese tech heavyweights have become common, and the two countries unveiled $9 billion in new deals on the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing on Wednesday.

Apart from Tencent, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Baidu Inc have poured cash from a decade of growth in China into buying stakes in U.S. firms.

Snap's ownership structure, which reserves 95 percent of voting rights for its co-founders, made it likely Tencent was just accumulating a financial stake, analysts said.

While the stake could lead to a business partnership with Tencent and help Snap expand its reach into China, Morningstar analyst Ali Mogharabi said Snap's problems remained, chiefly slowing user growth and competition from Facebook Inc's Instagram.

ROLE MODEL

Snap co-founder and Chief Executive Evan Spiegel, who has in the past referred to Tencent as a role model, said on Tuesday that he was looking to redesign Snapchat to reach a broader audience.

Snap's daily active users (DAU) stood at 178 million in the third quarter, below expectations of 181.8 million, according to research firm FactSet.

The company has disappointed investors each quarter since it floated on the New York Stock Exchange in March. Snap has fallen by more than a half since its high of $29.44 on March 3, a day after it went public.

Unlike many U.S. stock market-listed corporations, Snap is not obligated to disclose changes in Tencent's ownership of Snap's class A stock.
(Corrects name to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company, not China Aviation Suppliers Holding Company)

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Boeing signed an agreement on Thursday to sell 300 planes to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company worth $37 billion at list prices - part of a slew of deals announced during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing.

State-run China Aviation Supplies, which leases planes to Chinese airlines, said the order was for 260 B-737s as well as 40 B777s and B787s.

Analysts said, however, that some of the order may be among the more than 300 from undisclosed buyers posted this year and that it was not yet understood how much of the China deal would be entirely new business.

Boeing had 334 orders by unidentified customers as of Oct. 24, of which 290 were for its 737 narrow body family.

Representatives for Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the planes were new or existing orders.

Aircraft orders are also announced at list prices but buyers usually get discounts.

China Aviation Supplies has also played a prominent role in deals announced during previous government exchanges.

In July, it agreed to buy 140 aircraft from Airbus in a deal worth $23 billion at list prices during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Germany. In 2015, it was among three Chinese companies that agreed to buy 300 planes from Boeing during Xi's visit to the United States.

Boeing's latest signing in China follows an order for 39 wide-body jets from Singapore Airlines last month.

Earlier on Thursday, aircraft engine marker General Electric said it had signed deals worth $3.5 billion in China, including an agreement with Juneyao Airlines Co Ltd and ICBC Leasing, the leasing arm of state bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in SHANGHAI, Ben Blanchard and Stella Qiu in BEIJING; Additional reporting by Jamie Freed in SINGAPORE; Editing by Richard Borsuk and Edwina Gibbs)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury has warned bondholders that dealing with Venezuela's chief debt negotiators, both of whom are blacklisted by the United States, would be "problematic" and could lead to stiff penalties under U.S. sanctions.

Last week, President Nicolas Maduro invited creditors to a Nov. 13 meeting in Caracas to kick off talks to discuss a restructuring of some $60 billion in Venezuelan bonds.

Creditors have been balking at the proposal, citing concerns over the U.S. sanctions and the security situation in the city.

Maduro charged Vice President Tareck El Aissami, named by U.S. authorities as a drug 'kingpin' for his alleged dealings with drug traffickers, with leading the talks.

Another major player in negotiators would be Simon Zerpa, acting economy minister and finance boss of state oil company PDVSA, who is also under U.S. sanctions for alleged corruption.

Both are designated by the United States as a Specially Designated National (SDN).

The U.S. Treasury said that while creditors were not prohibited from attending meetings related to bonds under General License Three of an Aug. 25 executive order by President Donald Trump, any dealings with officials on the SDN list was forbidden.

The order was aimed at ensuring that U.S. investors did not help to finance Maduro's expansion of a rule that Trump has described as undemocratic. It bans purchases of new equity and debt issued by Venezuela with a maturity greater than 30 days, and by PDVSA with a maturity greater than 90 days.

"While there is no prohibition on U.S. persons attending a meeting related to bonds on the annex to General License Three, the involvement of persons on the SDN list in these meetings appears problematic," the U.S. Treasury said in guidance shared with on Wednesday.

"U.S. persons should be cautious in dealings with the Venezuelan government to ensure that they are not engaged in transactions or dealings, directly or indirectly, with an SDN," it said.

The Treasury said sanctions covered U.S. citizens and green card holders, as well as U.S.-based banks and their foreign branches. Under the U.S. "Kingpin" Act, anyone breaking the law could face up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $5 million, according to the Treasury.

Financial institutions or businesses could face fines of up to $10 million if they broke the law, it warned.

"Looking at this right now U.S. bondholders will probably not be able to participate in the restructuring," said Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

But even if loopholes existed in the sanctions that allowed the restructuring of some old debt, creditors would likely stay away because any engagement with Venezuela was too risky, according to sanctions experts.

The White House said it was aware of the announced debt restructuring but said: "It was Maduro's irresponsible economic policies that led Venezuela to this unfortunate situation."

"He has presided over the long-running and complete collapse of his economy, the looting of the Venezuelan people's inheritance, and the erosion of the rule of law," a White House spokeswoman told .

Maduro has said that Venezuela is the victim of an "economic war" waged by political adversaries and fuelled by U.S. sanctions.

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
5T, the upcoming flagship from the stable of China-based smartphone maker OnePlus, is going to cost more than predecessor 5, CEO and co-founder Pete Lau hinted in a tweet. The smartphone will be unveiled on November 16 in New York.
Spain's Constitutional Court has officially annulled the Catalan parliament's unilateral declaration of independence, AFP reported.

November 9, 2017, 10:26 Spains Constitutional court annuls Catalonia's declaration of independence

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 9, ARTSAKHPRESS:The court had initially suspended implementation of the secession declaration last month while it studied its legality following a challenge by the Spanish government.

The Madrid government sacked Catalonia's president and dismissed its parliament hours after the region declared itself independent with 70 votes for, 10 votes against on 27 October, and after lawmakers from three national parties walked out of the vote.

New elections will be held on 21 December.

Former regional president Carles Puigdemont faces years in prison if convicted on rebellion charges over the declaration, as do other leading members of the separatist cause. He is currently in Belgium, fighting an extradition order.
Qatar Foundation, a non-profit organisation run by the gas-rich country's royal family, on Wednesday sold its entire 5 per cent stake in India's largest telco Bharti Airtel for Rs 9,600 crore. Three Pillars Pte Ltd (TPPL), an affiliate of Qatar Foundation Endowment, sold 19.98 crore shares in Bharti Airtel via an open market sale.

Three Pillars' representative on board of Bharti Airtel will step down immediately post settlement of the sale, Qatar Foundation said in a statement. The block trade was priced at Rs 481 per share, a discount of 6.4 per cent to Tuesday's closing price of Rs 514.35 on the BSE. In May 2013, TPPL invested Rs 6,800 crore in Bharti Airtel, to strengthen the capital structure and allow further investment for growth. The investment saw TPPL acquire 199,870,006 shares at a price of Rs 340 per share.

Given the sale price of Rs 481 per share, the sale of this stake realises a significant gain for TPPL, the statement said The sale comes at a time when other Qatari firms, including its sovereign wealth fund, are cutting stakes in foreign companies to raise cash and withstand pressure on the economy, which has been hit by sanctions imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt since early June.

The Gulf countries cut diplomatic and transport ties with Doha on June 5, accusing it of backing terrorism, a charge which Doha denies. Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, has responded to the crisis by pumping billions of dollars into local banks to shore up their deposits. It has also reduced its stake in upscale jeweller Tiffany & Co, Russian energy giant Rosneft and Swiss bank Credit Suisse. A spokesman for the Bharti Group declined to comment on the Qatar stake sale. Rashed Fahad Al-Noaimi, CEO of investments at Qatar Foundation, is on Bharti Airtel's board.

The proceeds of the share sale will be reinvested as part of the QFE Group's ongoing global portfolio growth and diversification, as it seeks to generate longterm financial returns by investing across a range of asset-classes, industries and geographies. TPPL's representative on Bharti Airtel's Board of Directors will step down immediately post settlement of the sale, the QFE statement added. "We are delighted to have partnered with Bharti Airtel though an important stage of their growth. Bharti Airtel has successfully maintained its marketleading position, and its positive momentum has led to our investment performing well," Rashid Al-Naimi, Chief Executive Officer of QFE said.

UBS acted as sole bookrunner on this transaction. Airtel closed 3.73 per cent lower at Rs 495.15 on the BSE on Wednesday. The buyers included a mix of foreign and domestic institutional investors, said a source who did not wish to be named. The company now holds nil shares in Bharti Airtel. A Bharti Airtel spokesperson declined to comment on the stake sale by the Qatari investor. The stake sale also comes at a time when the Indian telecom market going through a fierce price war unleashed by aggressive new entrant Reliance Jio, backed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

The competition in the mobile services market has hit earnings and the financial metrics of large established telecom players and led to a massive consolidation in the industry, with smaller players exiting the market, and others going in for M&A deals to protect their market share.
The pollution situation in Delhi is so severe that the air quality has reached the 'hazardous' level. It is the third day of citizens waking up to a city blanketed by a dense layer of smog. In the wake of such an emergency the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the governments of Delhi and the nearby states, along with the city's municipal corporation for 'playing' with the lives of the residents.

The NGT has also ordered industries in Delhi to stop work till the next hearing, a report in The Indian Express mentions. According to reports, the NGT ordered diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol cars older than 15 to be stopped from entering Delhi.

Various media reports have mentioned that the Odd-Even scheme is also staring from November 13.

The NGT blasted the authorities for promising action now when it is so late and said that even now construction work hasn't stopped. "Even construction work taking place openly isn't being stopped, and when such a situation has ensued now action is being promised," NGT said, according to a report in The Indian Express.

The tribunal even went on and said that people are being denied their right to life. "Articles 21 & 48 of the Constitution mandate that it is the responsibility of governments to make sure that citizens get a clean and conducive environment. Right to life is being snatched from people since they're not getting a clean environment," it further added.

It also said that all constitutional authorities and statutory bodies have failed to perform their duties. NGT said that pollution is the joint responsibility of all the stakeholders. "Why don't you pass directions to stop construction and industrial activities for a month? What are you waiting for? Are courts your local guardians? What are you doing to the children? Old people are not able to walk," said a bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar.



"CPCB's report has shown the extent of danger lurking in the air in Delhi NCR. Yesterday PM 10 levels, supposed to be 100, had touched 986, while the PM 2.5 levels, supposed to be 60, had reached 420. This has been the situation since the past week," it said.

The NGT asked the Delhi government what measures it has taken to tackle this issue and inquired why helicopters were not used to sprinkle water.

The Delhi High Court has also ordered the Union and State governments to hold emergency meetings in three days.

Meanwhile, CM Arvind Kejriwal is trying to meet with Haryana CM, Manohar Lal Khattar and Punjab CM, Captain Amrinder Singh to talk about stubble burning. While Khattar mentioned that this issue must be dealt with swiftly and that the state is taking every step in this regard, Captain Singh believes that this issue must be addressed to the Centre first as only they can handle something of this scale.
The demand for gold jewellery in India has fallen by 25% year-on-year to 114.9 tonnes in the third quarter of 2017 led by introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and bringing gems and jewellery industry under the umbrella of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in August. This was revealed by World Gold Council in its report on Gold Demand Trends.

According to the report, gold demand remained under pressure as PMLA placed administrative compliance burden on retailers and consumers alike with 'know your customer' (KYC) documentation for all jewellery transactions with a value of Rs 50,000 or above. People particularly in rural India, where cash transactions are the norm, as consumers shied away from providing official ID to support gold purchases.

The report further said that consumer sentiment improved a bit due to lifting of PMLA ahead of Diwali, but it resulted in just average festive-season buying due to new tax regime.

On the global front too, the demand weakened for gold. It slipped by 9% year on year and came to an eight-year low to 915 tonnes. In year to date it fell by 12%. Exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows slowed sharply in the three months ending September. However, demand for gold jewellery in mainland China recovered to 159.3 tonnes, up by 13% year-on-year after 10 consecutive quarters of decline.

"The year-on-year drop in global demand was largely attributable to India, which has been disrupted by the changing tax regime and tighter regulation around jewellery transactions," WGC said.

Meanwhile, investment demand for gold was down 28% year-on-year at 241.2 tonnes as ETF inflows slowed sharply from the spectacular 2016 levels.

"During the Q1 to Q3 period, inflows of 179.7 tonnes were just one-quarter of the record inflows seen in the first nine months of 2016. ETF investors lacked a clear catalyst in Q3 as the gold market was pulled in different directions, culminating in modest global inflows for the quarter," WGC said.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is also a member of the GST council, on Wednesday said tax rates on 80 per cent items of top 28 per cent slab are likely to be slashed at the council's meeting starting Thursday.

"Tax rates on 80 per cent of 227 items falling in top slab is likely to be reduced from 28 per cent to 18 per cent in the next GST council meeting. The GST fitment committee has also recommended reducing tax rates from 18 per cent to 12 per cent on a number of goods", Sushil Modi said at a function at the Bihar Chamber of Commerce here.

"So far, tax rates have been slashed on more than 100 items", he added.

The GST Council will meet on November 9 and 10 in Assam's capital Guwahati.

Sushil Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio, was interacting with representatives of associations formed by traders involved in businesses like food, textiles, consumer goods, real estate etc.

Noting with concern that GST returns had dropped in September to 46.4 per cent from 58 per cent in the preceding month in Bihar, Sushil Modi said "directions have been issued to conduct a survey and find out what are the problems that businessmen may be facing".

Sushil Modi said like demonetization, GST too aimed at "achieving a clean, transparent and honest economy" and claimed "the common people have no problems with the new tax regime per se. Though there may be anxieties over procedural complexities".

"The new generation of traders is rapidly moving towards digitization. They want to change the way business is done and are not willing to continue with the kachcha bill system", the Bihar Deputy CM said.
The election to all 68 constituencies in Himachal Pradesh began at 8 am on Thursday with top politicians including Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his arch-rival and BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal coming out to cast vote in morning. The state recorded 55% voting till 3 pm. This time's election is a litmus test for Virbhadra, a seven-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and five-time Member of Parliament, who's apparently fighting his last poll. It remains to be seen whether the 83-year-old veteran politician is able buck the anti-incumbency trend, an unlikely phenomenon that has not happened in HP in the past 30 years.

LIVE UPDATES HIMACHAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2017

6.30pm: With over 75 per cent polling recorded in the Himachal Pradesh assembly poll, this year's voting is higher than 73.51 per cent voter turnout in 2012 election.

5.30pm: Polling closes for the assembly elections. Now only those standing in queues are being allowed to cast their votes.

4.30pm: 64.8 per cent polling recorded in Himachal Pradesh till 4pm, reported The Indian Express.

3.22pm: India's oldest voter Shyam Saran Negi, who turned 100-year-old this July, cast his vote in Kinnaur district. Negi hails from Kalpa in Kinnaur, and has voted in every General Election since 1951.

India's oldest voter Shyam Saran Negi cast his vote in Kinnaur, says everyone must work in the nation's interest. #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/l8FDL98cMg - ANI (@ANI) 9 November 2017

2.41pm: Senior Congress leader Vidya Stokes has cast her vote at a polling booth in Barubag, in Shimla, reports ANI.

1:00 pm: By 12:15pm, the Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh recorded its highest ever polling percentage of 35 per cent.

12.20pm: Union health minister JP Nadda casting his vote in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.Union health minister JP Nadda casting his vote in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.

12pm: Faulty voting machines delayed polling in Sirmaur district by 15-20 minutes this morning, reports PTI.

11:00 am: BJP leader and the party's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal, along with his family, at his village in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh.

10: 20am: In the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted, urging people to participate in the "festival of democracy".

Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in recrod numbers. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 9 November 2017

10am: Virbhadra, in his Facebook message on Wednesday, said that he hoped "the people of Himachal would support Congress on November 9, and will take the progress wave forward". He added he's confident that the people of Arki constituency in Solan, from where he is fighting against the BJP's greenhorn Ratan Singh Pal, would give him a "chance to work for the welfare of people".

Infighting in the state Congress party coupled with anti-incumbency and the Modi wave could hinder his chances of leading the party to victory. The absence of veteran leaders like Vidya Stokes from the poll field has also played in the favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

An opinion poll conducted by India Today-Axis My India has indicated that the BJP would register victory in the Assembly election. The survey predicts the party would win 43 to 47 of the total 68 seats; the majority mark is 35. On the other hand, the Congress could bag 21 to 25 seats, says the opinion poll. Other parties, including independents, are likely to win just two seats.

Leaving no stone unturned, the saffron party this time held several rallies of its star campaigners including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, who addressed seven and six rallies, respectively. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also held three rallies in the state.

In the 2012, the Congress had won 36 seats under Virbhadra's leadership, while the BJP, which fought under Dhumal's leadership, could garner just 26 seats.

Virbhadra holds a reputation of a remarkable leader in the state but corruption charges against him and his family members and his inability to control some of his party critiques may fade his chances of becoming the chief minister fifth time.

The most keenly watched contest in the election is between his son Vikramaditya Singh, who's a first timer, and former Himachal Pradesh University professor Pramod Sharma, a one-time Virbhadra loyalist who's contesting on the BJP ticket from Shimla Rural. The prestigious constituency was earlier held by Virbhadra himself, who this time is fighting from Arki constituency; the CM had earlier claimed he wanted to contest from a seat the party had not won before. Dhumal is fighting from Sujanpur seat instead of Hamirpur.

There are 19 women in the fray, including six from the BJP and three from the Congress.
HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company's initial public offer (IPO) was subscribed 1.17 times on the second day of bidding on Wednesday.

The IPO, estimated to raise Rs 8,695 crore, received bids for 25,78,71,850 shares against the total issue size of 21,97,59,218 shares, as per NSE data. The portion meant for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) was subscribed 3.69 times, non-institutional investors (50 per cent) and retail investors 36 per cent. Till Tuesday, the IPO got subscribed 46 per cent.

HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of mortgage lender HDFC and raised Rs 2,322 crore from anchor investors, ahead of its initial public offer on November 7. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek, Norwegian fund Norges, Kuwait Investment, T Rowe Price, Fidelity, Blackrock and JP Morgan are among the anchor investors, according to a regulatory filing.

The IPO comprises sale of 1,91,246,050 equity shares, amounting to 9.55 per cent stake, by HDFC Ltd and up to 1,08,581,768 scrips, or 5.42 per cent, holding by Standard Life Mauritius. According to merchant banking sources, promoters are expected to get about Rs 7,500 crore from the stake dilution. The IPO which closes on November 9 can be subscribed at a price band of Rs 275-290 per equity share.

The equity shares offered in the IPO are proposed to be listed on the BSE and the NSE. HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh said: "The funds raised will be used by HDFC Ltd for its business purposes as the insurance arm has adequate capital needed for growth." At present, HDFC owns 61.41 per cent stake in HDFC Standard Life and Standard Life has about 34.86 per cent stake, while the remaining is with employees and PremjiInvest. HDFC Standard Life was established as a joint venture between HDFC and Standard Life Aberdeen plc (global investment company), initially through its wholly owned subsidiary The Standard Life Assurance Company and now through its wholly owned subsidiary, Standard Life Mauritius.

The company has a pan-India presence, comprising 414 branches across India as of September 30, supported by a workforce of 16,544 full-time employees. The global coordinators and book running lead managers of the IPO are Morgan Stanley India Company, HDFC Bank, Credit Suisse Securities (India), CLSA India and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India). The book running lead managers are Edelweiss Financial Services, Haitong Securities India, IDFC Bank, IIFL Holdings and UBS Securities India.

The insurer's solvency ratio as at March 31, 2015, March 31, 2016, March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017 was 196.1%, 198.4%, 191.6% and 197.5%, respectively. IRDAI has prescribed a minimum 150% solvency ratio limit.The solvency ratio is derived out of the solvency margin (available solvency margin to required solvency margin) which denotes the amount by which the assets of the insurer exceed its liabilities. The insurer had a balance sheet with total net worth of Rs 4,150 crore.

The life insurer generated profit after tax of Rs 886.92 crore and delivered a return on equity of 25.6%, return on invested capital of 40.7% and operating return on embedded value of 21.7% during fiscal 2017. As at June 30, 2017, the firm had total assets under management (AUMs) of Rs 94,750 crore and Indian Embedded Value of Rs 13,220 crore.
George Bush once quipped that India lived in a very dangerous neighbourhood. He failed to add that moral ambiguity was consequently built into its foreign policy. The Rohingya refugee crisis is only the latest example of this inescapable reality.

Not that Rohingya 'crisis' is new. The Rohingyas are 100 per cent Bengali and speak a Chittagong dialect. Most were forcibly settled in Burma by the British in an attempt to more easily control the Arakan, today known as the Rakhine State in Myanmar. Ne Win evacuated out the Rohingyas from much of Burma in 1962 but those in Arakan, remained. Efforts have continued since to move out the rest. Thus, Burman Buddhists displaced 200,000 Rohingyas in 1978, 250,000 in 1991, 14000 in 2012 and are at it again. Unofficial figures now put the refugees at 600,000.

The Burman have fortified this ethnic cleansing through the Burma Citizenship Law of 1982, which recognizes only eight 'national races' but not the Rohingyas. This puts the Rogingyas in the impossible position of being required to "conclusively establish" that their ancestors settled in Burma before 1948. As you can imagine, farmers dwelling in forest clearings in mud huts are not very good at storing written records to prove where their ancestors lived seventy years ago.

In August 2017, the Rakhine Commission was established by the government to recommend 'solutions' to the ethnic conflict. It recommended measures to improve security for the Rohingyas. These measures had the effect of pushing them across the border to the north! By September 2017, the flow into India was out of control.

The Union Ministry of Home affairs responded to the security challenge on August 8th, 2017. It empowered the States and UTs to identify and deport illegal aliens. To be fair, India is not a signatory to any international convention on refugees. The NHRC did not like this, observing that "refugees are no doubt foreign nationals but they are human beings and have a fear of persecution once they are pushed back to their native country". It was only a matter of time before two Rohingyas - Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir - filed a petition on this subject before the Supreme Court.

It's a simple case. Article 14 of our constitution requires India to "not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India." Article 21 prevents the state from allowing any person to be "deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law." What else does a foreigner need to obtain basic shelter in India?

There's more too. Article 51(c), a Directive Principle of State Policy, enjoins the state to foster respect for International law. Deportation surely is against the widely recognized principle of non-refoulement (i.e. expel or return a refugee if his life or freedom is threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, social grouping or political opinion). India has ratified, or is a signatory to, several Conventions affirming the 'Principle of Non-Refoulement'.

Seen purely as a legal issue, it's all quite straight forward. The Delhi High Court has held in Dongh Lian Kham v. Union of India [226(2016) DLT 208] that the principle of non-refoulement is part of the guarantee under Article 21 of the Constitution of India irrespective of nationality. The Supreme Court has held in NHRC vs Arunachal Pradesh [AIR 1996 SC 1234] that, the state is bound to protect the life and liberty of every human being, citizen or otherwise. Where is the doubt on what India needs to do?

But then, is anything ever so simple? Alternative narratives demand equal hearing. J&K has a famously xenophobic law, which prevents practically any Indian from owning property there. It's so tight that many refugees, who crossed over during partition, when Pakistan was created in 1947 (such as the Mirpuria Sikhs) and have been in Jammu ever since still don't have state subject certificates. Yet, 30,000 Rohingyas have been permitted to settle in and around Jammu city.

Jammu Hindus see this as a conspiracy to alter the demographic character of the area. Such is the composition of the state government that key decision making posts are largely dominated by those from the Vale of Kashmir, making it possible for them to issue residence certificates to 30,000 Rohingyas even as they deny certificates to refugee Sikhs dating back to 1947.

The Rohingyas rubbish these conspiracy theories. They claim that they were helped to board trains in Bengal and told to get off at the last station, which turned out to be Jammu. How they got residence certificates remains unexplained. To round out the rival narrative, the incontrovertible fact of the matter remains that these guys are illiterate, unskilled, do not speak the local lingo and basically hang around markets aggressively harassing visitors for handouts. Their nocturnal activities are also the subject of much complaint. Last I was in Jammu, a very smelly lady in rags practically crawled through the car window demanding money as I waited for my wife to finish her grocery shopping in Gole Market. The human dimension of the tragedy is as heart breaking as the absurdity of being required by the mandate of common decency to become the world's garbage pit. The absurdity cuts deeper when we realize the J&K has its own constitution (Article 370, remember?).

No law requires J&K to take in refugees. If we cannot settle refugee Kashmiri Pundits back into the valley, who can resist the compelling logic of a conspiracy theory when 30,000 Muslim Rohingyas have ended up 'settled' in Jammu?

This brings me to the humanitarian argument, the best elucidation of which I probably heard on a Mayo college Whatsapp group! The Rohingyas are Chittagong Bongs. They have a historical right to return to Bangladesh. We got plenty of Bangladeshi maids and their rickshaw puller husbands all over India. The 2001 census disclosed that an estimated 3.1 million Bangladeshis lived in India. They are not alone. We can't be sure but some 4 million Nepalis live here too.

Decency (and dare I say, equal treatment?) requires that we let in the Rohingyas too. Would we be equally aggravated if the Rohingyas had been Hindus? The problem with this argument is that the additional unwashed million carry a long term economic cost. If we can do nothing about the poverty of our own landscape, do we have the financial and administrative bandwidth to allow ourselves the luxury of being "crazy for phoreign?" This is where idealism confronts economic common sense. Regrettably, as we know, never the twain shall mate!

As I ponder this vexed issue, I hasten to recall that Insurance companies don't like to provide 100% cover on a car crash. They want car owner to pay for the first Rs. 10,000/- of damage. There is logic to this. It's called Moral Hazard. A Moral Hazard is a situation that alters behaviour such that a person takes an otherwise unacceptable risk because someone else bears the burden when things go wrong. If you know someone will pay for the damage caused, how carefully will you drive a car? Insurance companies think this is why youngsters financially dependent on their parents crash cars more often than employed youngsters.

You see such moral hazard everywhere. My colony has several dog lovers who will feed the meanest of street mutts. They know that these mutts maul toddlers around neighbouring construction sites while their mothers haul bricks up rickety bamboo ladders. Would these dog lovers still feed the street mutts if the animals routinely entered their plush bungalows and mauled their own infant children? Is this why dog lovers aren't also mosquito lovers? That said, in feeding the dogs, the cynophilist are at least paying for the food. That's not true for the refugee-lovers.

As I think through this issue, images of starving refugee toddlers, their bellies distended, flies buzzing around their noses and lips, refuses to leave me. At the same time, I think of all the starving toddlers who are inescapably Indian. It seems to me that this is a classic case of Moral Hazard. Who would I like to see helped first? And so a thought emerges. We should put our money where our mouth is. I would feel far more comfortable if each of us who argue in favour of the Rohingyas assign at least one bedroom in their sprawling mansions to house these refugees and pay for the food themselves in some sort of sponsored scheme. Till that day comes to pass, I must shake my head and say, "I know we should, but boss, we can't afford it". And that's that.
The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a nationwide coalition of more than 180 farmer organizations, has alleged that the farmers will lose over Rs 35,000 crore during this crop season (Kharif) as they have not been able to sell their produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) assured by the government.

"All major crops are selling below the government's own MSP, considering the average of official APMC market prices across hundreds of mandis over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Just considering the top 7 crops (paddy, maize, soybean, cotton, bajra, groundnut and urad), the arrivals in mandis so far and the actual market prices, farmers have lost Rs 6,283 crores compared to the MSP. Considering the total crop that would be sold by farmers this season (Marketable Surplus), the estimated loss of farmers compared to MSP is Rs.35,968 crores", a statement from AIKSCC says.

The coalition leaders termed this as the most conservative estimates as the actual prices obtained by the farmers in many cases are much below the official APMC market prices used in these estimates.

"The millions of farmers who voted in the 2014 elections did so based on PM Modi's promise about the MSP. However, after coming to power, his government denied this on the floor of the Parliament and in Supreme Court affidavit. The farmers will not tolerate this betrayal. Now the government is talking about doubling farmers' incomes. This is another 'joomla' because there is absolutely no mention of the promise related to remunerative prices, which is the most direct way of raising farmers' incomes," said AIKSCC.

The difference between the actual price realised by the farmers and the amount they would have got if the electoral promise of the BJP had materialised is even bigger, they estimate.

"Prime Minister Modi and the BJP manifesto promised in the 2014 elections that the Minimum Support Price will be fixed at 50 per cent margin above the Cost of Production. However, among the 14 crops of Kharif 2017-18, the MSPs for 7 crops have been fixed less than the C2 Cost of Production. In the other 7 crops, the margin above Cost of Production is merely 2-19 per cent. Considering C2+50 per cent as the fair remunerative price promised by the government, the loss faced by farmers is more than Rs 2.03 lakh crores," the union pointed out.

The coalition announced the launch of a "Kisan Ki Loot" campaign in Delhi on Thursday. The protest is to culminate in a mega farmers' protest that will witness farmer representatives from all over the country converging in Delhi on 20th November.

"This is a campaign that intends to showcase to the nation how farmers are being denied remunerative prices after all the hardships and risks that they face in producing food for the nation. In this campaign, AIKSCC volunteers are capturing the stories of hundreds of farmers across the country, and across different crops, through info-pics of farmers, to present the real picture of how farmers are unable to recover even their cost of production," they explained.

In the last three months, AIKSCC had organised a Kisan Mukti Yatra that covered 10,000 km through 18 states, holding 500 meetings and making contact with 50 lakh farmers.

"It is to address this loot of farmers that we are congregating in large numbers in Delhi on November 20th 2017 in a Kisan Mukti Sansad (a farmers' freedom parliament) to be organised on Parliament Street. Full remunerative prices as a legal entitlement with correct cost estimations and at least a 50% profit margin over the cost of production, for all farmers and commodities, is our main demand, in addition to a demand for freedom from debt, that includes a comprehensive immediate loan waiver as well as statutory institutional mechanism that addresses farmers' indebtedness on an ongoing basis," said AIKSCC representatives.

AIKSCC leaders who addressed the press conference included its convenor VM Singh, Raju Shetty of Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan, Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj Abhiyan, Hannan Mollah of All India Kisan Sabha, Medha Patkar of National Alliance of People's Movements, Dr.Sunilam of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Ashish Mitttal of All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Avik Saha of Jai Kisan Andolan, Kirankumar Vissa of Rythu Swarajya Vedika, Prem Singh Gehlawat of All India Kisan Mahasabha, Satyawan of All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Prem Singh of All India Kisan Federation and Jagmohan Singh Patiala of Bharatiya Kissan Union (Dakaunda).
Honda Grazia, touted as the 'advanced urban scooter', was launched starting from Rs 57,897 (ex-showroom Delhi). Placed higher than the Honda Activa series, this new offering by Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India will be its next flagship scooter in India after Honda Activa 125.

Honda Activa has been one of the best sellers for the company. The new new Grazia is based on the same Honda Activa but gets a new design, specially built to attract youngters. The popularity of this segment has been on the rise in tier-2 cities since the launch of the original Activa in 2000.

Honda Grazia bears certain resemblances to its predecessor. For starters, it runs on the same 124.9 cc fan-cooled, 4-stroke engine that used to drive the Honda Active 125. The engine makes 8.52 bhp of max power and 10.54 Nm of max torque. The engine is coupled with a CVT automatic gearbox. This power-train can take Grazia to top speed of 85 kmph, as per the official spec list.

The Honda Grazia comes with black alloy wheels now - 12-inch in the front and 10-inch in the rear - with tubeless tyres on both of them. The front wheel comes with an optional disc brake. Honda Grazia also comes with Combi Brake System (CBS) which equally distributes the brake force between the front and the rear brake when the lever for the rear brake is pressed. This allows better handling and stability while riding the scooter. The front suspension on Honda Grazia is a telescopic pair, whereas the rear suspension being a spring-loaded hydraulic one.

The design language of Honda Grazia is intended to appeal to the younger crowd. The scooter has been designed in sharp, swift lines with dual-tone colour scheme, giving it a sportier look and feel. By placing the LED headlamp at the front apron of the scooter, Honda is aiming to make the Grazia look futuristic, conforming to the 'advanced urban scooter' image.

Also, the much-anticipated mobile charging socket has been included in the glove box of the Honda Grazia, although as an optional accessory and not standard equipment. The instrument cluster has been made fully digital, with two screens and a three-step eco speed indicator. The 4-in-1 lock with seat opening switch takes care of the security of the scooter.

There are three trims of Honda Grazia - Grazia STD for Rs 57,897, Grazia Alloy for 59,827, and the high-end Grazia Dlx for Rs 62,269. The Grazia comes in six colour options - Neo Orange Metallic, Pearl Nightstar Black, Pearl Spartan Red, Pearl Amazing White, Matte Axis Grey Metallic, and Matte Marvel Blue Metallic.
Fruitful Artsakh: this is the headline of this years Telethon of the Hayastan AllArmenian Fund which will be held on November 23, the Fund told Armenpress.

November 9, 2017, 15:50 US officials call on to join Hayastan All-Armenian Funds Telethon 2017

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 9, ARTSAKHPRESS:The Telethon is aimed at building new irrigation network and installing solar power plants in Artsakh.

Before the Telethon numerous famous figures send video messages calling on to join the Telethon, make donations for the prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh.

This year Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, US Congressman Adam Schiff and CongresswomanTulsi Gabbard addressed messages on this matter.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti called on his fellow citizens to make donations to the Fund: By providing a small assistance today you become a guarantor of great changes of the future.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said during its 25 years of activity the Fund has implemented programs worth 350 million USD in Armenia and Artsakh. The economy of Armenia and Artsakh prospers thanks to each investment of the Fund, new jobs are being opened. I want to thank you for being a part of this great program.

In his remarks Congressman Adam Schiff said: This years Telethon will make the life of the Artsakh people easy and more prosperous. Lets support our brothers and sisters in Artsakh by joining the Telethon.

The Telethon is being held in Los Angeles every year. Over the past 25 years the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has carried out more than 50.000 programs worth over 350 million USD in Armenia and Artsakh thanks to nearly 700.000 donors.
While IndiGo was first to show interest in buying the up-for-sale Air India , the recent brawl involving an IndiGo staff member and one of their passengers became a marketing opportunity for the state carrier. As Twitterati was having a field day after video of the scuffle went viral, Air India took a dig at the country's leading private carrier, promising "Unbeatable Service".

Air India posted two advertisements on its Twitter handle yesterday, in a veiled jibe at IndiGo after the private airlines made headlines for manhandling passenger and ended up drawing flak from all quarters.

In one of the ads, the Air India promised "Unbeatable Service" with the letters 'beat' highlighted in blue -- the theme colour of IndiGo. The second ad depicted the Air India's mascot 'Maharaja' in his trademark inviting style with a tag line that read, "We raise our hands ONLY to say Namaste."

After the government approved disinvestment in Air India, IndiGo was the first to express interest in buying stakes in the loss-making public airlines.

The private airline, meanwhile, came in for criticism on Twitter for the last month's incident with some calling for its boycott.

"A no fly ban is a must on this airline till these guys are arrested with an attempt to murder #BoycottIndigo," tweeted Aditya Thackeray, the president of Shiv Sena's youth wing.

"This kind of arrogant behaviour seems to have become the norm for @IndiGo6E. I hear of rude behaviour instances by Indigo on regular basis," BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain posted on the microblogging site.

Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi mentioned in a tweet, "After seeing the brutal assault on a passenger, almost throttling him to death, should Indigo not be boycotted - at least for a month?"

"Hey @IndiGo6E, my aged parents are flying a couple of weeks later. Given the recent incident involving a senior citizen, can you guarantee their safety, or shall I rebook them on a different carrier," asked Amrit Panigrahy.

"Cancelled my #indigo flight to jet. Better food and less chances of getting beaten up," posted Meenu Arora.

"First @Pvsindhu1 and now this.. I am not traveling @IndiGo6E till they apologise," wrote another Twitter user.

Alongside the dire comments and scathing remarks, a slew of jokes on IndiGo also featured in several posts on social media.

"Have enrolled for kalari payattu classes. Have an Indigo flight 3 weeks later," tweeted Ushy Mohan Das.

A Twitter post where the user is asking IndiGo to beat up his boss who is travelling with the airline, a fake Jet Airways advertisement and more have also surfaced since the incident at Delhi airport came to light.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has sought an independent inquiry into the incident from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

IndiGo has also written to the ministry apologising for the incident and admitting that it was at fault. However, it defended the employee seen in the video entering into a brawl and said "he was doing his work" and trying to ensure the safety of the passenger.

Watch the video below:




With the alarming level of pollution in the city, there isn't any quick remedy to fix outdoor air quality. While you can put on masks when stepping out, you can use air purifiers indoors. But while buying one, consider a few things including the room size, the clean air delivery rate (CADR), air changes per hour (ACH) and the type of filter in the purifier, among other things. CADR is affected by room area and height. The CADR should ideally be two-thirds of the room size. So, for a room measuring 300-350 sq.ft., a CADR of 200-250 cubic metres an hour (m3/h) is preferable. Higher the CADR, better the air filtration capacity of the air purifier. he type of filter is yet another important factor - a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can filter up to 99.9 per cent airborne particles of upto 0.3 microns in size; activated carbon in combination with a HEPA filter can remove odours, too. Also consider the operating cost, which is the cost of replacing the filter at the time of the purchase. The story lists some of the best air purifiers in the market with their current market operating price.



Upto Rs 9,999

Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2: Rs 8,999

It cleans 400 square feet in 10 minutes. It has EPA triple layer filter and removes harmful PM2.5. It has real time AQI monitoring and can also be controlled using the Mi Home app.

Philips 1000 Series: Rs 8,799

Equipped with VitaShield IPS (Intelligent Purification System) Technology with Auto Mode & Allergen Mode, it has a CADR (clean air delivery rate) of up to 270 m3/hour. Philips claims that this air purifier can removes 99.97 per cent allergens & ultra-fine particles as small as 0.02 microns, 100 times smaller than PM 2.5. It come with an extra-thick NanoProtect TRUE HEPA Series 1 Filter.

Panasonic F-PBJ30ADD: Rs 9,000

This one from Panasonic is has a CADR of 215 sqft with Nano-technology which can release OH radicals in water molecules which removes the effectiveness of bacteria and odour removal. It has a dirt sensor which detects PM 2.5 level and HEPA composite filter captures pollutants efficiently.

Rs 10,000 to Rs Rs 24,999

Atlanta Healthcare Universal 450: Rs 21,560

With a CADR of 225m3/h, this air purifier comes with a built-in humidifier along with an air quality sensor and filter change indicator. The filter keeps indoor air free from dust (PM2.5 and PM10), gases, smoke, odours, allergens and airborne infections. Its 'seven-stage' air purification process includes pre-filter, anti-bacterial filter, H13 grade HEPA filter, activated carbon, photo catalyst, UV light and ionizer.

HoneyWell AirTouch I8: Rs 16,999

It features a three-layer filtration process - the company's HiSiv filter, HEPA filter and a washable pre-filter - that eliminates large dust particles, bacteria, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. It claims to offer PM2.5 removal efficiency of more than 90 per cent. It has a touch panel for operations.

Havells AP22: Rs 11,700

The AP22 from Havells comes with a CADR (clean air delivery rate ) of 200m3/h and removes PM 2.5 upto 0.02 microns with a removal efficiency of 99.9 per cent. It comes with a health plus lock, child lock and filter replacement alert.

Rs 25,000 upward

Sharp Air Purifier Fu-A80E: Rs 27,190

It is equipped with True HEPA Filter which the company claims reduces PM2.5 to close to ZERO mcg/m3 & Plasmacluster Ion Technology removes odour and Infections. It has a CADR of 480m3/h and has dust Sensors for Monitoring Quality of Air and Auto Restart Function.

BlueAir Sense + : Rs 39,999

One of the world's leading air purifier brand, it captures 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 micron in size and is capable of change air 5 times in one hour. It has been designed for a room of up to 200sq ft. It has motion sensors and is Wifi enabled for controlling it through mobile app.

Nirvana Being Purifiers: Rs 94,990 onwards

Nirvana Being has now launched Airgle AG600 PurePal Air Purifier and Airgle AG900 PurePal Clean Room Air Purifier. Airgle Air Purifiers use cHEPA filtration which is certified to filter ultra-fine particles down to 0.3 microns and claims to offer efficiency of over 99.991 per cent. The Airgle AG600 features a 35 sq. ft. cHEPA filter, 3.5 lbs of premium deep carbon blend, the AG600 is perfect for small to medium-size rooms. The Airgle PurePal Clean Room AG900 Air Purifier features a 40 sq. ft. cHEPA filter, 6 lbs of premium deep carbon blend, along with the company's next-generation Titanium Pro module. The Airgle AG 600 is priced at Rs 94,990.00 and AG900 is priced at Rs 1,34,990. The company has installed air purifier solutions in prominent global companies such as NASA, Marriott, Deutsche Telecom, Bennett Coleman, Birla Group, Fab India and more.
Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are planning to organize a meeting between the foreign ministry heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan. This was announced by official representative of Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova during a briefing on Thursday, News.am reported.

November 9, 2017, 16:14 OSCE Minsk Group working on place and date for Armenia-Azerbaijan FMs' meeting

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 9, ARTSAKHPRESS:According to her words, taking into account the results of the summit held in Geneva on October 16, co-chairs are planning to organize the meeting of foreign ministry heads until the end of the year.

Zakharova also noted, that prior to that meeting, the co-chairs will hold separate consultations with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Currently, the Russian co-chair along with American and French colleagues is working on the determination of the place and time of that separate consultations.
US officials call for joining the 2017 Telethon of Hayastan (Armenia) All Armenian Fund, News.am stated.

November 9, 2017, 16:42 US Congress member says this years telethon will make Karabakh peoples lives easier and more prosperous

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 9, ARTSAKHPRESS:This years telethon will take place on November 23 under the slogan Fruitful Artsakh.

The proceeds from this fundraising will be used for drilling deep-water wells, and installation of new irrigation water networks and solar power stations in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

Like every year, many prominent figures have issued messages this time, too, calling on people to join this telethon. Among them are Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Congress members Adam Schiff and Tulsi Gabbard.

In particular, Congressman Schiff said this years telethon will make the lives of the people of Karabakh easier and more prosperous.

And Congresswoman Gabbard noted that thanks to every contribution to the aforesaid fund, the economy of Armenia and Artsakh is prospering and new jobs are opening.
| BY Lynchy |

MullenLowe Group Singapore has appointed Kanika Mathur as APAC COO Unilever. In this newly created role, Mathur will be responsible for bridging the MullenLowe Group local teams in APAC, and partnering with local MullenLowe CEOs to drive an enhanced, integrated offering for Unilever.

Based in MullenLowe Groups new hyperbundled Singapore office, Mathur (pictured left) will report to Vincent Digonnet, APAC CEO MullenLowe Group and Helen Bell, MullenLowe Groups Global COO Unilever.

Unilever is a key MullenLowe Group global client, and MullenLowe in Singapore is one of the three global development centres for Unilever brands. MullenLowe Singapore leads Lifebuoy, Clear and closeup globally, and these will continue to be managed by Global Business Directors Vinay Vinayak, Subarna Prabhakar and Sanjai Srivastava respectively.

Bell said, With a FMCG giant as complex and dynamic as Unilever, the challenge will always be ensuring that we are fostering a strong and collaborative culture across our local teams and in partnership with global.

This is something Ive been passionate about driving across the entire MullenLowe Group and in no place is this more crucial than across Asia Pacific with its fragmented and culturally diverse markets. Having someone with Kanikas experience and skillset means we can truly execute our vision of a truly global, local strategy for Unilevers brands in Asia, she added.

Mathur brings extensive experience in brand building, integrated marketing communications and digital transformation in the region. Prior to joining MullenLowe Group, she was Senior Vice President, Digital and Content Marketing at Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing. Before this Mathur set up Publicis Groupes digital presence in India, establishing Digitas and Razorfish and building up a 400+ strong team.

Mathur said, Having worked with some of the worlds largest organisations I understand the complexities that come with a brand like Unilever, particularly when it comes to digital marketing and transformation. I believe MullenLowe Group has a unique positioning and skillset to deliver a truly hyperbundled service across creative, social, digital media and content, and I look forward to harnessing these skills to grow the value we deliver for Unilevers brands from the APAC hub.
A business center attracting $2 million German investments is going to open in Yerevan, initially offering jobs to 20 people, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments.

November 9, 2017, 17:49 German investor to launch business center in Yerevan

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 9, ARTSAKHPRESS:The project will be funded by Berni Zildenman, a German investor who on Thursday met with Minster Suren Karayan to announce the plan.

He also expressed a serious interest to continue their investment activities in the country.

For his part. Mr Karayan briefed the guest on the advantages of doing business in Armenia, expressing the Governments readiness to consider further assistance mechanisms with foreign investors.
Do Republicans have to nominate Trump in 2024? Here's what to know

Politics
Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 6:25PM

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is launching a new initiative to upgrade its facilities to meet the needs of its patients. Called #Tech4SickKids, the initiative is calling on the help of the tech and innovation community of Toronto to help raise $25 million for the improvement of child healthcare at SickKids. They will be hosting a launch event on November 15, which you can purchase tickets for from this link. A panel discussion will be held with SickKid experts entitled SickKids: The other Canadian tech hub.

The fundraising effort will help with things such as support for the first Chair in biomedical informatics and artificial intelligence in Canada; make SickKids the first childrens hospital in Canada to make use of data intelligence to improve efficiency of health care delivery and help cut down patient risk; as well as provide the funds to build a new campus complete with a state-of-the-art Emergency Suite. SickKids is currently housed in a 1949 building, which isnt the best facility for furthering modern day, cutting edge child health care.
"[The officer] said to me the time they have to spend with each person is getting longer because now have caseload of domestic violence issues, which means it takes longer visit to someone's home, you need to make sure they're okay, and that they are referred to appropriate services," Mrs Jones said.
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Privilege - a notion so universal, and discussed and debated at the turn of each second.

Co-signatory, student Isadora Dooley Hunter, said, People react negatively because it makes them feel uncomfortable but you need to make people feel uncomfortable for them to address their privilege.

As a result of the press coverage, Ms Olufemi endured a torrent of racist and gendered abuse.

The London Telegraph gave front-page coverage to the letter, singling out Lola Olufemis photograph from amongst the collective petitioners and reframing the story to suit the newspapers right wing agenda.

The letter requested the decolonisation of the English literature syllabus by giving the same moral and intellectual consideration to include black, minority and ethnic authors.

BRISBANE - Lola Olufemi, womens officer of Cambridge Universitys student union, was amongst a group of students who recently, co-signed an open letter to the universitys English Department criticising a prescribed reading list dominated by white male authors.

***********

In Papua New Guinea, the lack of personal finance, absence of benefactors and the lack of an influential network enabling access to donor-funding are significant factors hindering the development of a thriving public literary culture.

Despite this, though, there is an awe-inspiring number of indigenous writers. They scramble to be published, their endeavours largely unrecognised nationally.

One result of this is that the authorship of the literature that is available in Papua New Guinea is predominantly Caucasian.

This applies to stories about our history not just contemporary affairs. In the context of the nations war history, including the notorious Kokoda Track Campaign, the stories have been and continue to be told by white male authors.

***********

Earlier this year, I was invited by the Kokoda Track Foundation as a volunteer, to deliver a work which I believed would contribute to the glacial increase in the number of published writings by Papua New Guineas women writers.

I saw this as an opportunity to make visible the position of Papua New Guinean girls and women in transcribing our nations history.

It was a mammoth task which I developed from a sparse brief provided by the Foundation. There was also an abbreviated timeframe: just two days assigned for me to deliver a workshop then gather content in Kou Kou, Oro Province.

The outcome was to produce a childrens story on Kokoda, a task I completed well ahead of schedule despite the short time frame.

The Foundation was aware of and confident in my ability to do this as in May this year I had delivered a gender-equality themed book workshop to students of Sefoa Primary School, also in Oro Province.

And this project had come straight after the Foundations observation of the successful publication of My Walk to Equality.

So, at the end of all this, the childrens book was recently published. It was my work and Im proud of all of it - from research through every developmental step, including the workshop, to providing the book with its title, Butterflies along the Track.

As a Papua New Guinean woman writer, this opportunity was one I valued and naturally I strove to maximise both my own experience and the elevation of the Papua New Guinean voice, particularly that of girls and women, it offered.

I tried as best I could to capture that authenticity as well as the narrative of the Kokoda Track Campaign in Butterflies along the Track.

Subsequently I was upset and offended when it was claimed the story was written by school students and that I was attributed the role of co-author and thanked for my artistic guidance. Offensive and also grossly inaccurate.

There was my title on the books cover with no space afforded for my name. I felt exploited.

I also felt that the Kokoda Track Foundation had somehow misappropriated my intellectual property and talent to suit its agenda. It was such a far cry from the mateship between Australians and Papua New Guineans that the book sought to commemorate and celebrate.

Instead I felt that Butterflies along the Track had become a by-product of the subtle flexing of white privilege publicly paraded as development in PNG.

***********

My experience begs several questions. Would the same outcome have transpired if an Australian writer had led the project? Would an Australian writer have done what I did on an unpaid voluntary-basis? Would an Australian writer accept not having their authorship recognised on the front cover, alongside the badge of the organisation that commissioned the work?

It has not evaded me that speaking out like this will influence my future literary collaborative work with some organisations and institutions operating in Papua New Guinea.

That is a price I must be prepared to pay for my revelation of how this project was wrought.

I feel I ran into a notion of privilege in bilateral relations that excluded me and paid higher tribute to the better endowed social entrepreneurial desire to further a presence in a developing nation.

With the wisdom granted by hindsight, I take full responsibility for my naivety in acting only with good faith as my guide.

I accepted ad hoc processes, lack of expertise and other flaws because I was confident in my ability to deliver. My failure to demand a contractual agreement outlining the specific terms and conditions of my work was a lesson learnt the hard way.

In saying all that, however, I have consistently acknowledged and publicly expressed gratitude to the Kokoda Track Foundation for providing me with the opportunity to travel to and spend time with the people in their communities.

It was work which created in me much joy and to which I remain committed.

As a Papua New Guinean with much privilege, it was a small contribution to my people.

***********

And so I move on. In future, I hope that social enterprise organisations engaged in similar projects in PNG give full consideration and respect to collaborative process and, most importantly in the case of literary projects, ensure that a tangible contribution is made to creating a sustainable, locally-driven literary culture.

And where acknowledgement for PNG authorship is due, attribute it freely. It means so much.

I would advocate organisations championing Papua New Guinean writers, and there are precious few of these, seek direct donor-funding to deliver book projects. This would be particularly beneficial to redressing the lack of publishing opportunities for Papua New Guinean writers,

The efforts, freely given, of Pukpuk Publications since 2011 has been a boon for Papua New Guinean writers, but how hard it has been to create sustainability in the absence of whole-hearted institutional support. You see, these innovators were not in the club either.

Yet, at a time when prestigious events such as the Brisbane Writers Festival and Sunshine Coast Writers Festival have enthusiastically welcomed and endorsed the inclusion for Papua New Guinean writers, publication opportunities at the domestic level remain scarce and there is no systemic effort being made to change that.

***********

The moment to appropriately acknowledge my work passed on Kokoda Day, 2017. I declined offers to edit or make adjustments to Butterflies along the Track. I just couldnt bring myself to it.

Subsequently, I withdrew from an agreement with the Foundation to produce a gender equality themed childrens book. It was disappointing but the collaboration was over.

Somebody said something like this once: It started with warm invitation and ended with cold, complicated farewell.
The Australian War Memorial will hold the Remembrance Day National Ceremony to mark the 99th anniversary of the armistice on Saturday. The ceremony will begin at 10.30am and will be open to members of the public. As is custom, a one minute silence will be observed at 11am. A formal wreath-laying will take place, and students from all around the country will attend to represent the youth of Australia. Free tickets for general admission seating are available at trybooking.com. There will also be standing space available - no tickets required.
Bullock graduated with a degree in computer science from Wollongong University in 1994 and worked in various programming and multimedia roles for Westpac, Smith's Crisps and Optus before moving to Canberra to become the web master at ATSIC. He worked at ATSIC for six years before his "side project" eWay became too big to ignore.
'We've been pushed out and all that but it's one in a long succession of agonised [incidents] right across the country and that's what really gets you in the belly," the woman said.
Last week, Professor George Williams told Fairfax Media that "if they received a letter saying their citizenship has been renounced by the date of their nominations they are safe. If that letter has not been received by that time of nomination then questions need to be asked about whether they have taken all reasonable steps".
A controversial water management plan adopted by the International Joint Commission will be the focus of a state Senate hearing Thursday.

The hearing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wayne Central Performing Arts Center, 6200 Ontario Center Road, Ontario Center. The event is open to the public.

State Sens. Pam Helming and Tom O'Mara, along with Assemblyman Bob Oaks, will host the hearing. The senators and hearing witnesses will discuss Plan 2014, a water level management plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Critics believe Plan 2014 contributed to the flooding along the lake and river last spring. Flooding affected several communities along the lake, including Sodus Point in Wayne County and Fair Haven in Cayuga County.

Many experts blamed the flooding on record rainfall across the Great Lakes. Because Lake Ontario is a basin for the other lakes, it was affected by the rainfall more than others.

"As communities start to rebuild and prepare for the long term, we owe it to our residents and business owners to examine this year's flooding from every angle and do all we can to prevent this from happening again," Helming, R-Canandaigua, said in a statement.

Helming was the Senate sponsor of legislation that would establish a Lake Ontario flood relief recovery program. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders reached an agreement on a $45 million aid package over the summer.

Recently, Cuomo floated the possibility of having lawmakers return to Albany to address a slew of issues, including additional funding for flood relief.

While members of the public won't be given time to speak at the hearing, written testimony will be accepted at the hearing, by email or mail. Anyone wishing to submit written testimony may email it to helming@nysenate.gov or mail it to: Senator Pam Helming, 425 Exchange St., Geneva, NY 14456.
SYRACUSE  For an hour Monday, Linda McMahon listened.

As administrator of the Small Business Administration, it's something she has done in several U.S. cities as she travels the country visiting agency offices and meeting with small business owners. She was in Syracuse earlier this week for a roundtable discussion with nine central New York business leaders.

The meetings were part of McMahon's Ignite Tour. She is aiming to visit each of the Small Business Administration's 68 offices. (The agency has at least one office in each state.) After her trip to Syracuse, she has events planned in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.

There is another reason for McMahon's travel. She is collecting feedback on a tax reform proposal spearheaded by President Donald Trump and congressional Republican leaders. During her meeting with central New York small business owners, the tax reform plan was one of the popular topics.

During her stop in Syracuse, McMahon sat down with The Citizen to discuss tax reform, her Ignite Tour and the Small Business Administration's work.

Here is the (lightly edited) transcript of the interview with McMahon:

The Citizen: You're doing this Ignite Tour around the country. How does that help you in this relatively new role?

LINDA MCMAHON: I determined that I was going to do the SBA Ignite Tour because I made a pledge to each of our district offices that I would come and visit them in their place, in their locale, meeting with their people because I wanted to hear how the offices were set up. It's no different than a CEO that would come into any corporation and have branch offices. You want to visit and see what they're doing.

In addition to that, our district offices are the face of SBA. They are the people on the ground. They are the ones who are making the connections with our lenders from our different banks, working with our resource partners, our SCORE partners, our women's business centers, our (Small Business Development Centers), our veterans outreach programs. All of that, collectively, I wanted to see how it is operating and I wanted to conduct these business roundtables and visit small businesses themselves because that's how you really truly get a feel for a small business. When you're walking around a small business and the owner or the chief marketing officer or the COO is just telling you in your ear some of the things that are going on in their shop, you really do get a real feeling for that grassroots and what's happening on the ground. I learn something every day that I'm out.

I'm really appreciative of being able to come into our SBA offices and thanking the people who were there and working with them to make sure that what they are doing and what agency headquarters  that we're aligned, that everybody is on the same page, we're all working towards the same goals, we're sharing the same information, we have the right systems. So it's all beneficial.

The Citizen: In your conversations with small business owners, how would the tax reform plan benefit these companies?

MCMAHON: I believe this is a correct statement  if not, I will be corrected  but at the 25 percent rate, that this is the lowest corporate tax rate for small businesses since World War II. And just being able to put some of that money back into the pockets of those entrepreneurs who are starting these businesses and without fail, with all the states and towns and businesses that I have been to so far in my short tenure, every single one of those small businesses tell me they will put that money back into their company. They'll hire someone else. They'll put it through for another benefit or policy that they want to do. They might open a new location. It's a great benefit to these small businesses. In addition, so many of them are pass-throughs so they will benefit in the reduction of the marginal rates and the broadening of the tax brackets as well, the doubling of the standard deduction for single and marrieds and many parts of the (tax plan) that will be so beneficial as an individual as well as a small business owner with pass-through.

The Citizen: What's your response to the National Federation of Independent Business's concerns because they're saying outright that they oppose it. What's your reaction to what they're saying? (Note: The NFIB said it opposes the House tax reform bill in its current form because the group believes the existing pass-through provision in the bill won't benefit many small businesses.)

MCMAHON: I think that any organization like NFIB wants to get the very best and get all it can for its member organizations. I think NFIB is pushing back a little bit saying that there's not enough on the table for small businesses, so the extent that they can continue to have that input to hopefully make some changes that they believe would then even benefit their members more, I think, is a good process. While NFIB is pushing back, I think we're in the process to hear what those concerns and issues are so that Congress can reevaluate.

The Citizen: Before we came in today, there was a protest outside. They're railing against the tax plan because they say it would just benefit billionaires. They don't see how it would benefit the middle class.

MCMAHON: I think you have to take an overall view of what it is people are saying. It only benefits the rich? Clearly that's not correct. The top tax rate remains in place and there are a lot of loopholes that are being eliminated under this tax plan, which I think is going to make it much simpler for people to file their income taxes and their business taxes. But everybody will have some benefit across the board. If you go up to a million dollars there's a little more benefit for you. If you go over the million dollar mark, some of the bracket expansion might not work to your benefit at that particular point. But in terms of the middle class, keeping the earned income tax credit for lower-income families, being able to keep those in place, increasing the child care tax credit, keeping the benefits on for that dependent care, whether it's a grandmother or another source, really does help, I think, a lot of small businesses and middle class folks who are struggling.

The president's framework that he put forth was with the goal of reducing taxes for everyone, but especially middle-income and small businesses so we could really spur the economy and get more people into the workforce. We're pleased to see the workforce numbers increasing and unemployment numbers decreasing. But we really have a long way to go. We want to not only stay at this 3 percent GDP we've hit for the last couple quarters, but we want to grow past that. It is reducing that regulatory environment and the tax burden and spurring that economy so it can continue to grow.

The Citizen: One of the concerns at the roundtable was workforce development. Even now, companies can invest but the quality of the workforce isn't there. How can SBA help with that now and into the future?

MCMAHON: One of the things that SBA does is work with our local businesses through our service providers, our SCORE chapters, our women's business centers, our veterans outreach, our small business development companies. I believe SBA is the best-kept secret in the country, and part of what I'm doing with this Ignite Tour and doing local press is to talk about a lot of the advantages of SBA. But what is really overlooked more than anything I find is that it's such a resource for mentoring and networking. In the space of being more of a mentor for that networking, we can help encourage programs for employee development and help steer them in the direction of where they might have access to some of that talent. And also to really just keep talking to our local businesses in our communities about how they can be more helpful in creating that workforce through their association with the educational environment. There are a lot of things that SBA does in its roundtables and its emerging leaders programs and its community outreach programs to help spread that message. And sometimes it's just listening to the businesses in the area and this business will say or 10 businesses will say 'We don't have this workforce.' That gets reported back to us. We can advocate more for those kinds of issues in Washington to help push the president's (executive order) that he signed. I think he committed $100 million through an EO that was for apprenticeships. We would like to see those programs get rolled out a lot more.
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.
According to a recent report, Hyundai is considering a new compact crossover.



Wards Auto says the company is exploring the possibility of creating an A-segment crossover which would have boxy styling that is somewhat similar to the larger Kia Soul. Hyundai Motor Americas Vice President of Corporate and Product Planning, Mike OBrien, told the publication the crossover would likely need all-wheel drive and that would make the model more expensive than the Accent.

As he explained, You cant design two totally different platforms  one thats just a two-wheel-drive platform and another thats an AWD platform. Instead, automakers develop one platform that supports both configurations but this has several downsides as it requires components  such as the front wheel hubs  to be stronger than if they were just going to be used on a two-wheel drive model.

Besides talking about a possible A-segment crossover, OBrien revealed the Kona could arrive at U.S. dealerships sooner than expected. The model will celebrate its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month and theres a chance that the crossover could go on sale before the end of the year.

OBrien went on to say the next-generation Santa Fe will be more suitable for the U.S. market and news about the Kona EV is coming very soon.

Photo Gallery
Mercedes is gearing up to introduce an all-new G-Class and the company is counting down to the event by revealing the SUVs 10 most memorable moments.



The first clip focuses on the original model which was introduced in 1979 but the story starts much earlier than that as development began in 1972. A year later, the company joined forces with Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG and agreed to jointly-develop a light all-wheel drive off-roader for private use.

A number of different proposals were discussed but the companies eventually decided to create an SUV that embraced reliability, robustness, and virtually limitless off-road ability. This probably caused engineers some sleepless nights as it meant the G-Class would need to have an all-synchromesh transfer case which could be engaged while moving and 100-percent differential locks instead of more traditional locking differentials. The companies were already envisioning a number of different body styles, so they decided to base the G-Class on ladder-type frame which could support multiple variants.

Mercedes presented a 1:1 wooden scale model in 1973 and began testing prototypes a year later. A second feasibility study was conducted in 1975 and the Shah of Iran, who was a major shareholder in Daimler-Benz, expressed interest in a military version. He ending up placing an order for 20,000 units, however the order was cancelled after the countrys revolution. Despite this setback, governments took notice and soon began requesting the model for their own armies.

The G-Class went into production in 1979 and was initially available as a convertible with a short wheelbase or a station wagon with a short or long wheelbase. There was also a military variant with a long-wheelbase and a canvas roof.

Four engines options were offered including a four-cylinder diesel with 72 PS (53 kW) and a five-cylinder diesel with 88 PS (65 kW). Other choices include a six-cylinder petrol with 150 PS (110 kW) and a four-cylinder petrol with outputs of 90 PS (66 kW) and 100 PS (75 kW).

Video

Photo Gallery
Volkswagen will partner with Google to develop new vehicle technologies on advanced quantum computers.



Bloomberg reports that the German car manufacturer will use quantum computing to simulate the structure of electric vehicle batteries, develop artificial intelligence for autonomous driving, and refine traffic-management systems.

In a statement, VWs chief information officer Martin Hofman said the company wants to be the first to the market with new digital features for its cars.

Quantum computer technology opens new dimensions for us. We from Volkswagen want to be among the first to use quantum computing as a company as soon as this technology is commercially available.

As part of the tie-up between the two firms, Google will provide VW with access to devices that process information by using the principals of quantum mechanics. Before reaching an agreement with Google, Volkswagen used quantum computing in March to optimize traffic for 10,000 taxis in Beijing.

Were looking forward to explore together how quantum computing could change and bring forward the automobile industry, development head at Google Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Hartmut Neven said.

PHOTO GALLERY
Nobody ever said a Ferrari would be cheap. But even among Prancing Horses, some are more expensive than others. Much, much more expensive.



Take this latest classic consigned to RM Sothebys for its upcoming sale in New York, for example. Its a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Competizione Spider  not unlike the one immortalized in Ferris Buellers Day Off, only considerably more so.

Chassis number 1451 GT was the second of just eight California Spiders bodied in aluminum and built to competition specifications. And it raced, finishing third in its class and fifth overall at Le Mans in 1959 before going on to compete in (and even win) other local events in the United States.

Ferrari Classiche-certitied, extensively restored in 2011, and returned to its original Le Mans livery, 1451 GT took first in its class at Pebble Beach and a platinum award at the Cavallino Classic. When it crosses the block a month from now, the auctioneer expects it will sell for upwards of $14 (and as much as $17m).

For that kind of money, you could put four LaFerraris in your garage. In fact, if thats more to your liking, therell be one up for grabs at the same event, where its expected to sell for about $3.5 million (or a quarter of the Californias low-end value). Theres a (relatively) more accessible 250 GT convertible  a 1961 Series II Cabriolet  also on offer with a ~$1.7-million estimate.

Those are just a few of the seven-figure lots consigned, but the alloy California is the highest, and only one valued at eight figures. Take a gander at the gallery of images below by Cymon Taylor and Diana Varga, courtesy of RM Sothebys.

Photo Gallery
One vote separates Republican Tim Lattimore and Democrat Bob Nodzo from representing District 13 residents on the Cayuga County Legislature. The race for District 4 is also close with Republican Chris Petrus leading independent Grant Kyle by 24 votes. Absentee and affidavit ballots will be used to make final calls.

The Cayuga County Board of Elections will begin counting absentee ballots Tuesday, one week after Election Day, Democratic Commissioner Katie Lacey said Wednesday.

For the District 13 race, 67 absentee ballots were issued, of which 35 were to registered Democrats, 21 to Republicans, one to an Independence party member and 10 to no party. If all the Democratic ballots come back for Nodzo, Lattimore will lose the race for his third and final term.

Lacey said so far the office has received 34 ballots, but more were expected to come in the mail. The office accepts absentee ballots postmarked before Election Day.

Lattimore said he was glad to be up by one and not down by 100, but he feels that multiple factors were against him this campaign.

He did not like that Nodzo appeared on the "A line" at the top of the ballot, which he said is more visible than where his name was just below it. The order of rows on New York state ballots is based upon results of the most recent gubernatorial elections. With voters in Lattimore's district leaning Democrat, he also feels "being a little old Republican in a big Democratic town is tough."

While acknowledging that low voter turnout tends to work in his favor, he would have liked to see more people come to the polls. According to the state Board of Elections site, there are 1,900 active voters in District 13 as of Nov. 1, but about 600 people exercised their right to vote on Tuesday.

"I hope, when I say to voters, 'Your vote counts,' I really mean it," Lattimore said. "I had several people come in the office today saying that they went down and at the last minute they voted, and thank God they did, so I mean everybody should take notice in the process."

He thinks President Donald Trump may be affecting Republicans negatively, too, making people less likely to vote for anyone in his party.

Lattimore sent out letters asking for support from absentee ballot holders, so he's not giving up on the race yet. He plans to send a representative to the Board of Elections on Tuesday to watch the count.

Nodzo said he would like to be there for the absentee ballot count. Though down by one, he said he was feeling good overall. He called Tuesday night "surreal."

"My big thing was getting, not to be humiliated because I'm running against a lifetime politician," he said. "I really feel good on the initial outcome."

For the District 4 race, Lacey said 62 absentee ballots were issued. Based on the party breakdown, things look favorable for Petrus. There were 31 ballots sent to Republicans, 15 to Democrats and one to a Conservative. The remaining were sent to minor parties or those not affiliated with a party. Lacey said about 37 ballots had been received so far.

Besides absentee ballots, Lacey said the board did receive some affidavit ballots, which are cast by people who have not yet filed a new change of address. The board was starting to verify those on Wednesday.

Once the board knows what time it will begin counting absentee ballots next week, Lacey said the candidates and political parties will be notified.

"Some send representatives, and some don't," she said. "Usually the major parties send a representative. Candidates have a tendency to show up and pace in the hallway. I don't think they like to watch," she added, laughing.
Photo: Flickr/Alan_W100

Students, faculty and staff at UBC Okanagans campus will gather to honour Canadas military veterans on Thursday.

The Remembrance Day Service will take place in the courtyard from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. and for two minutes, everyone will come to a standstill.

This marks the 12th year the university has held a Remembrance Day event and is inviting neighbouring schools, local residents and the entire campus to honour Canadas soldiers.

For more information visit this link.
Adrian Dix, As our representative, I would ask that you seriously reconsider your position on the drug to help Cystic Fibrosis and Orkambi. To witness the success of this drug on Canadian patients and then simply deny them access is cruel and unusual punishment. We are the people of Canada, we are those with families who worked, volunteered, served and bled to ensure that our families could live and contribute to this great nation.



I caution you to not view this case as a number but instead to look into those great things that make us Canadian. To serve our citizens, to protect us against flawed policy and to speak out in our behalf when our voices go unheard. The ill are not, and should not, be responsible for lobbying for these things. They are at their weakest, suffering not only the physical implications of their illness but also the realization of the toll that this process takes on their loved ones. Their efforts should be in fighting their affliction, not policies. Take a moment to remember the real reason that you entered into your political career, your desire to facilitate change, to make this Country a little bit better. I understand that you are likely being pushed by others to make tough decisions, but remember that a tough decision is not always the right decision.



Recently, an extremely well respected Professor at UBC spoke with me about an contentious issue on campus. A request had been made with regards to a specific research application, a request that was denied simply because of its controversial nature. Despite the fact that it was unrelated to his specific faculty, he approached the board and voiced his support for the project and the tenacity of the student. This was a position not supported by the administration and placed him in a somewhat precarious position.



I asked him why? Why would you do that when there would be no benefit to your faculty or you personally.

To this he answered, very few times in your life will you be given the opportunity to stand up for what you know to be right and in those rare instances, when that moment arrives and you are given the opportunity to stand up for what you believe even at the risk of your career, how could you not?



Please make choices that are good for Canadians. Be a leader that inspires and empowers us to change a broken system so that our childrens children are protected from policy like this in the future.

Chris Pearson
Photo: File photo

The trial of gangster Jonathan Bacon's accused killers has been delayed until January.

Lawyers in the long-running murder trial met with Justice Allan Betton Wednesday to discuss the delays.

Jason McBride, Michael Jones and Jujhar Khun-Khun face first-degree murder and attempted murder charges for the Aug. 14, 2011, midday killing of Bacon outside Kelowna's Delta Grand Hotel.

After several delays, the trial began in May, and the court has since heard testimony from several RCMP officers, witnesses of the shooting and former gang associates-turned Crown witnesses.

The trial is currently in the middle of its longest delay yet, as the court waits for the Witness Protection Program to comb through statements made by the remaining witnesses before the transcripts are given to the accused.

The last three Crown witnesses are all former associates of the accused, and they've now become co-operating witnesses.

In August, defence applied to have access to transcripts of the remaining witnesses' interviews with their RCMP handlers, as defence argued the information would be pertinent to their cross-examinations.

Before the transcripts are given to the accused, Witness Protection must go through the lengthy records and ensure there is no information that could compromise their safety.

The lawyers will meet next on Dec. 7 to determine the progress on the transcripts.

Regardless, Justice Betton expects they won't be able to proceed with the trial until early to mid-January.
Photo: City of Vernon The City of Vernon will offer online registration for recreation programs starting next month.

Beginning next month, there will be a new way to register for recreation programs held by the City of Vernon.

In 2015, we were advised that our recreation software was about to become obsolete, and would no longer be supported by the vendor, said Shayne Wright, recreation coordinator. At the same time, we have been hearing from customers that they wanted a better way to register for programs and services online."

To use the online services, you must set up a registration account at www.gvrec.ca or stop in at the Vernon Rec Centre. Winter program registration opens Sunday, Dec. 3. Users are encouraged to create new accounts in advance.
Photo: Contributed

Almost half of Central Okanagan businesses say they're constantly struggling with recruitment.

Of the 221 businesses who took part in the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commissions annual business walk last month, well over 150 said they were growing, while only a handful said they were declining.

However, close to half of the businesses tapped for the face-to-face surveys (41 per cent) said they were experiencing recruitment problems. Those problems appear to be hitting all sectors, with everyone from general labourers to trained chefs and architects in high demand.

For more on the most pressing issues facing local businesses this year, including why some say the wildfires were actually good for their bottom lines, check out the fully story on Castanet's sister business news website, Okanagan Edge.
Photo: UBC Okanagan Lieut.-Col. Mike McGinty, centre, salutes at UBC Okanagan's 2016 Remembrance Day service.

While many picture the elderly Second World War veteran when they think of Remembrance Day, a B.C. Dragoons commanding officer is encouraging Canadians to remember younger veterans on Saturday as well.

Mike McGinty, who retired from the British Army in 2014 before joining the Dragoons in the Okanagan, says Canada has thousands of veterans who have served in more recent conflicts.

There are no veterans left from World War 1 and we have very few left from the Second World War, McGinty said. There are a lot of veterans in Canada, thousands of them. These are the men and woman who served in Bosnia, Eastern Europe, Afghanistan and other places.

McGinty will be speaking at UBC Okanagan's Remembrance Day ceremony Saturday.

Remembrance Day is significant to me because Ive been to 33 funerals, he said. These are people who voluntarily gave themselves and I truly believe its worth us giving up a few hours one day a year to recognize and reflect on their sacrifice.
Photo: CTV Nimrat Gill

A B.C. Coroners Service report says an Abbotsford hospital did nothing wrong when it sent home a three-year-old girl who died hours later after being re-admitted.

Nimrat Gill died on Feb. 7, 2017, just five hours after she entered the Abbotsford Regional Hospital's Emergency Room for the second time in 24 hours.

Coroner Adele Lambert's report, released Tuesday, determined the death was natural and made no recommendations for improvement.

Gill had an aggressive bacterial infection and pneumonia when she was brought to the hospital, and staff originally told her parents to take her home and treat her with Tylenol or Advil. Gill's parents brought her back to the hospital several hours later, where the toddler later died.

Following her death, lab results showed Gill had a fast-moving and aggressive form of Group A streptococcal disease and pneumonia.

Since Gill's death, Fraser Health has made several adjustments to procedure, including sepsis screening for all pediatric patients presented at triage and regular training in pediatric emergencies.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Contributed Shelley Cook ran unsuccessfully for the NDP in the May provincial election.

The Kelowna West constituency association is itching to begin campaigning for the byelection in the Kelowna West riding.

Association spokesperson Patricia Munro said the topic of the byelection was brought up at last weekend's party convention in Victoria.

Munro said they are waiting for the go ahead to hold a nominating meeting, but added that should be coming down very soon.

She said the NDP are anxious to begin campaigning in order to get their message out to the local electorate.

The byelection was made necessary after former Liberal party leader and MLA Christy Clark announced she was stepping down from both positions.

Ben Stewart, who held the riding before stepping down in favour of Clark in 2013, will carry the Liberal banner.

Shelley Cook ran unsuccessfully against Clark back in May.

The NDP government has yet to announce a date for the byelection, expected sometime early next year.
Chantelle Deacon

About 20 students from KVR Middle School and members of the British Columbia Dragoons placed poppies on the graves of war veterans Wednesday morning.

While students walked through Lakeview Cemetery, they were taught about the bravery and sacrifice soldiers made for Canada.

The event was all in part of the No Stone Left Alone' program, which unites students all of all ages with members of the legion.

Its an event that brings together members of the legion, currently serving members and high school, elementary or middle school students, who all get together at the cemetery and place poppies on the headstones of the veterans that are interred in the cemetery, said B.C. Dragoons operations officer Captain Jeff Daley.

The No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization working directly with Canadian Armed Forces, educators and students across the country to honour military who have fallen in the Fields of Honour across Canada.

"This is veterans week," Daley said. "Leading up to Remembrance Day we all do the Remembrance Day ceremony and all the schools do a fantastic program."

"We go to the cemeteries because sometimes they are forgotten and those soldiers need to be remembered as well."

Remembrance Day is Saturday, Nov. 11.
AUBURN  Representatives from Auburn-area human service organizations spoke during a public hearing held during Wednesday night's Auburn Planning Board meeting about how money from the city's Community Development Block Grant helps their organizations.

Each year since 1974, the city of Auburn receives money through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund services and projects that benefit low-to-moderate-income city residents. Funding for human service agencies is capped by HUD at 15 percent of the city's grant funds, Senior Planner Tiffany Beebee said.

Tom Schuster, a board member and volunteer driver with SCAT Van, spoke during the hearing. He said that from 2015 to 2016, the number of riders who utilized the organization's transportation services increased by about 50 percent. In 2016, the organization gave transportation to almost 6,300 riders over 13,000 trips, Schuster said.

"There's a greater need for our services than there has been in the past," he said.

Schuster said the CDBG funds the company receives from the city helps make ends meet, as the transportation service has a limited budget of about $241,000.

The president of Chapel House's board of directors, James Breslin, said money the homeless shelter receives through the CDBG program has allowed staff to hire a case manager to help the 239 men who have come through during the last year.

"It has a huge impact, the money that the city graciously provides to Chapel House," he said.

On average, it takes about 29 days to get someone out of the shelter and into more permanent housing, whereas it used to take up to three months "just a few short years ago," Breslin said.

"There's a tremendous need for homeless services in the city," he said. "I know when you use the word 'homeless' that's a loaded term. When I think of the homeless, I think of someone's father, mother, son or daughter, friend or neighbor, men and women who have served in our armed forces. In short, they have a connection with someone else in the community."

Denise Farrington, the executive director of the Booker T. Washington Community Center, requested the city continue to allocate funds to the center. She said the center uses the money to fund an eight-week summer program for at-risk youths in the community.

"It's getting harder and harder to run for those eight weeks," she said. "We might have to cut it back to six weeks because a lot of people can't afford to pay. The last thing we want is the kids on the streets looking at our building wanting to come in."

Representatives from the Auburn Rescue Mission, the Auburn Human Rights Commission, Cayuga County Homsite Development Corporation and the Calvary Food Pantry also spoke during the hearing.

The feedback given at this public hearing, as well as a public meeting held in October and an online survey, will be incorporated into the city planning department's Annual Action Plan, which it submits to HUD on a yearly basis. The short survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/CDBG2018.

"The community participation allows us to determine how to spend the funds according to the community's needs and wants," Beebee said.
Photo: Orvis.com Fishing groups are concerned about dwindling steelhead stocks.

Several fishing groups are raising the alarm over dwindling B.C. steelhead stocks.

Four organizations who represent thousands of anglers in the province say less than 200 steelhead spawners are expected to return to the Thompson River in 2018, a drastic reduction from the estimated 4,000 spawners seen in 1985.

In 2016, the run numbered just over 400 fish.

Because of the 95 per cent reduction, Interior Fraser steelhead are classified as an extreme conservation concern.

Thompson River steelhead used to provide one of the most famous sport fisheries on the planet, said Brian Braidwood, president of the Steelhead Society of BC. If we dont take strong action over the next couple of years, we will lose it forever.

In a recent statement, the BC Federation of Fly Fishers, BC Federation of Drift Fishers, Steelhead Society of BC, and the BC Wildlife Federation have called on the provincial and federal governments to reduce fisheries that are impacting steelhead.

While the groups say changing ocean conditions due to climate change and habitat degradation are largely to blame for the reduction in stocks, fishing can be more easily controlled.

Fishing is the one factor the governments have immediate control over, said Rod Clapton, president of the BC Federation of Drift Fishers. If you want to save a fish population that is at the brink of extinction, you shut down the fisheries that are harming them. Its basic common sense.

The groups are also advocating that $7.5 million of provincial funding be put aside for an Interior Fraser steelhead four-year action plan, to address steelhead stock recovery.

"The time for discussions and studies is over, the time for action is now, and you need to step up and do your jobs in protecting this national treasure, said Bob Hooton, a representative of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers.
The idea is simple: if you need a coat, take one.

Mary Wood runs Colour Time Ceramic and when she saw a sign on a coat rack on the Internet that said 'If you need a coat, take a coat. If you want to help, leave a coat.'

So I decided to do exactly the same thing. I had a bunch of coats at home, so that's what I started off with, she said.

Since she put the coat rack in front of her 30th Avenue business three weeks ago, Wood has given away approximately 30 coats.

I've had customers bring coats in and hang them, I've seen random people walk down the street, hang a bunch of coats and leave, she said.

Wood said the coats are for anyone who wants or needs one.

And on those days where there are no coats on the racks, Wood will go to the Salvation Army and buy some to hang on the rack.

She also has friends in Langley who are collecting coats for her.

It's working really well. It's kind of fun to watch, she said.
Madison Erhardt

The cost of distracted driving will soon jump across B.C.

Drivers with two distracted driving tickets in a three-year period will see their total penalties rise to as much as $2,000, an increase of $740  and this is in addition to their regular insurance premiums.

The changes come into effect March 1.

We hit the street to see what Okanagan residents think about distracted driving.

Want to sound off on this topic or any other? Send us a letter to [email protected].
Photo: Contributed Dr. Curtis Mohamed

The 30th annual Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation Light a Bulb Campaign kicked off Wednesday with a target of $250,000.

Money from this year's campaign will be used to purchase endoscopes, which are urgently required by physicians and medical staff in the Ambulatory Care Unit.

The scopes are diagnostic tools featuring exceptional clarity in imaging and can detect early cancers and other life-threatening illnesses.

Each year more than 5,000 patients in the North Okanagan undergo endoscopic diagnostic testing in our Ambulatory Care Unit at VJH, said Dr. Curtis Mohamed, 2017 Light a Bulb chairperson.

Half of the patients we scope in the provincial colon screening program have polyps removed. These are small tumours that can turn to cancer, said Dr. Hamish Hwang, VJH general surgeon. By removing these polyps, we prevent hundreds of people in our community from getting colorectal cancer every year.

The official campaign launch takes place Monday, Nov. 13 with the lighting of the hospital tree on top of VJH.

The bulbs will shine all week, then will be turned off and lit throughout the campaign in stages as the foundation advances towards its goal.

From Nov. 13-20 Light a Bulb donation brochures will be delivered in mailboxes throughout the North Okanagan.

Businesses, schools, clubs or organizations wishing to support Light a Bulb through their own special fundraising events are encouraged to contact the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation office at 250-558-1362.

Since 1988, Light a Bulb has raised more than $4.5 million to purchase essential medical equipment for the hospital. Each $35 tax deductible gift will light one bulb on the tree of lights a top Vernon Jubilee Hospital; $500 will light an entire string.

Every gift great or small brings us closer to our goal.

Donations can be made online or mailed to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, 210132nd St. Vernon, B.C., V1T 5L2.
Photo: The Canadian Press B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks to reporters following a Council of the Federation meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Premier John Horgan says he's been guilty of some of the most aggressive examples of name calling in British Columbia's legislature in the past, but now that he's on the government side he supports a ban on derogatory language and name calling by politicians. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Premier John Horgan says he's been guilty of some of the most aggressive examples of name calling in British Columbia's legislature, but now he's on the government side he supports a ban on derogatory language and name calling by politicians.

Horgan says he backs a ruling by legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas to no longer allow questions that refer to cabinet ministers by nicknames because it's derogatory, disrespectful and reflects poorly on the house.

Plecas also says he will not tolerate future challenges to his authority by legislature members.

Plecas says he had to act after the Opposition Liberals persisted in addressing New Democrat cabinet ministers and the premier by nicknames rather than their formal titles.

The Liberals have called Horgan minister of defence, and Agriculture Minister Lana Popham minister of intimidation during recent question periods.

Liberal house leader Mike de Jong says Plecas unilaterally changed parliamentary language rules, but Horgan says he backs the Speaker's efforts to bring a more civil tone to the legislature.
Photo: The Canadian Press False Creek in Vancouver, B.C.

From the slow-paced, tree-lined streets of downtown Charlottetown to the modern, western architecture of metro Vancouver, Canada's urban waterfronts are a beacon for condo developers, tourists and everyone in between.

But even in best-case scenarios for global warming, a new series of interactive maps that illustrate the impact of rising sea levels suggest Canada is facing a mind-boggling challenge to keep such popular and often historic neighbourhoods from becoming lost at sea.

John Clague, an earth sciences professor at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, says thanks to global warming, our oceans are getting an average of 3.3 millimetres higher every year, up from 2 mm a year in the latter half of the 20th century.

The United Nations predicts the world's oceans will be at least one metre higher by the end of the current century. After another 100 years, it could be four times that.

"I call it a disaster in slow-mo," said Clague. "It is really a huge problem. It's a global problem and the cost of dealing with this or not dealing with it, depending on what happens, is enormous."

The problem could well be most dire in Vancouver, said Clague.

"Metro Vancouver is the most vulnerable urban area in Canada to sea level rise," he said. "We have about 250,000 people living within about a metre of mean sea level."

At two degrees, hundreds of homes and businesses in North Vancouver would be underwater, as would large parts of the False Creek waterfront. At four degrees, famed Stanley Park becomes an island and the Vancouver neighbourhoods of Mount Pleasant and Fairview become a sea of blue.

In most communities, flood prevention is in the early planning stages, focused largely on preventing new development in high-risk areas and building dikes around existing areas to try and keep them from harm.

The cause of rising sea levels is twofold. Global warming is happening twice as fast in the Arctic as it is in the rest of the world, and sea ice is melting at a rapid pace. In addition, the oceans are warming up and warmer water takes up more space.
Photo: Flickr

Given the ongoing opioid crisis, researchers in the U-S are exploring ways to limit the prescription of these powerful medications.

Researchers randomly assigned patients who came to the emergency room with a sprain, strain or fracture to receive either a standard hospital dose of Advil and Tylenol, or one of three different standard doses of opiates.

All patients reported the same level of pain to begin with -- and all patients reported experiencing an equal level of pain relief one-to-two hours later.

This study -- published in the Journal of the American Medical Association -- is significant because exposure to opioids for pain is frequently the initial exposure which leads to addiction.

Knowing the results of this study, families could ask providers to prescribe non-opiate pain medications.
Armstrong's Ina Forrest is battling for a place on Canada's Paralympic curling team that will represent the country at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Team Canada will be announced Dec. 8.

We've been going through the selection for the last three months, said Forrest, shortly after she came off the ice at the Vernon Curling Club on Wednesday.

Forrest, one of Canada's most decorated wheelchair curlers, already has two gold medals from past Paralympics, including Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi, Russia in 2014.

A member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, Forrest continues to play at a high level and is determined in her effort to compete at next year Paralympics.

Maybe it's just who you are. The competitive spirit stays there regardless. I really enjoy competing, I enjoy playing on the team, curling is a great sport. You just keep coming back year after year and try to get better, it's about improving.

When asked what it was like to represent the nation, Forrest replied: It's an amazing feeling. Your friends and family come along and everyone is cheering for you. We were fairly popular in Russia too. I'm not sure what the Korean experience would be like but you truly do feel like you are representing a lot of people when you are out there curling for Canada.

Vernon's Sonja Gaudet, who has three Paralympic gold medals and has played with Forrest for years, confirmed she has left international competition.
Photo: Contributed



RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service are investigating a fatal crash involving two vehicles on the Trans Canada Highway.

A loaded commercial motor vehicle and Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck collided near Salmon Arm at about noon on Monday.

Salmon Arm Detachment, Trans Canada East Traffic Services, EHS and Fire emergency services personnel responded to the collision.

A 62-year-old man from Salmon Arm was the driver of the Toyota and succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi-truck was from Kamloops and was not injured.

The cause of the collision is still being investigated.
Photo: transmountain.com

A non-profit group has abandoned a legal challenge of the Trans Mountain pipeline project in British Columbia, saying losing the case could bankrupt the organization.

Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch says the advocacy group decided to withdraw its legal action after the B.C. Supreme Court judge assigned to the case suggested from the bench the premier was not responsible for the decision to grant environmental approval to Kinder Morgan's pipeline expansion.

The original court action alleges that the decision to sanction the $6.8-billion project was "tainted" by political donations made by its proponents to former premier Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberal party.

Democracy Watch and PIPE UP Network filed the documents early this year.

Conacher says many of the proponents had applied to intervene in the case and if the government won, they would have asked Democracy Watch to pay legal costs amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.

The petition is one of numerous legal challenges aimed at blocking construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline between the Edmonton area and Burnaby, B.C.

The pipeline expansion would nearly triple the line's capacity and increase tanker traffic sevenfold along B.C.'s southern coast.
AUBURN  Last summer, Jason Stein answered an online ad for a mother-daughter prostitution team in the village of Weedsport. But, instead of a woman and her 12-year-old girl, Stein soon found out it was actually a New York state trooper.

Stein was one of 11 people arrested in a prostitution sting in Cayuga County. State police said investigators worked with the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office and the FBI to carry out the operation in Weedsport on June 9, 2016.

Stein, formally of Liverpool, was initially charged with first-degree attempted rape and second-degree attempted patronizing a person for prostitution, both felonies. However, upon further investigation, troopers also discovered he had child pornography on his computer. The 35-year-old was then charged with the additional felony of possessing an obscene performance by a child.

On Thursday, Stein appeared in Cayuga County Court before Judge Thomas Leone. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a reduced count of second-degree attempted rape and possessing child pornography.

During his plea, Stein admitted that he intended to have sex with a woman and her 12-year-old daughter. He also said he possessed a video of an adult female having sex with an 8-year-old girl.

Stein could face up to four years in prison for each felony. However, Leone agreed to sentence him to a total of two years in prison followed by 10 years post-release supervision.

Stein was released from Cayuga County Jail on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond. He said he currently resides with his parents in Erie County. He will remain there until his sentencing on Feb. 1.
Photo: Ecole Entre Lacs

A Penticton man will likely spend four to six years in prison for firing a shotgun in his home during an argument with his wife before breaking into and hiding out inside a local elementary school.

Yvon Martel was found guilty at trial earlier this year of unlawfully discharging a firearm, uttering threats and break and enter in connection to an incident on Dec. 11, 2016.

In Penticton court Wednesday, Crown prosecutor Ann Lerchs argued for a six year and three month sentence. The conviction for unlawfully discharging a firearm carries a four-year mandatory minimum.

Mr. Martel was reckless to the safety and security of his spouse, he was also reckless to the safety of his neighbours. They lived in a townhouse with an adjoining party wall, Lerchs said.

During the trial, the court heard Martel was depressed and drinking heavily at the time of the incident. The gun was fired at 3 a.m., afterwards he fled to Ecole Entre Lacs and shot the locks off the front door.

He was discovered by a security guard around 5 a.m. sitting in a long hallway having a cigarette. Police arrived and arrested him shortly afterwards, holding him in custody since.

With 500 days worth of credit for time served, defence lawyer James Pennington urged the judge to go no higher than what he called an obscene four-year mandatory minimum.

Justice Meg Shaw reserved her judgement for a later date.
Photo: Castanet Staff

The Penticton library building will reopen on Thursday to the public, after being closed for four days due to electrical issues.

Community engagement specialist JoAnne Kleb said power has been restored to the library, museum, archives and auditorium.

The building had been running on emergency power since Sunday to make sure water lines didn't freeze.

Chief Librarian Heather Buzzell said fines will be waived for books that were due back in the days the building has been closed.
Photo: Super Wash car wash Super Wash car wash.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.

WorkSafeBC says Wednesdays death of an employee of the Super Wash car wash in Penticton has been attributed to a fall from height.

Spokesperson Trish Chernecki said they are still very early in their investigation and are not able to release further information.

The Penticton RCMP was called to the car wash on Main St. at about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday after a 60-year-old employee was found dead inside a storage area of the business.

A representative of the car wash's ownership said the employee was an integral part of the business and will be deeply missed. Details for a memorial will be announced at a later date.

ORIGINAL 6:00 p.m.

An employee working at a car wash in Penticton was found dead in the storage area Wednesday morning.

Penticton RCMP, B.C. Coroners Service and WorkSafe BC are investigating after the 60-year-old man was found dead at the Super Wash carwash on Main Street.

RCMP were advised of the sudden death at about 10:45 a.m.

The mans death has been deemed non suspicious, said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

The mans identity has not been released and the investigation is ongoing.
Photo: Colton Davies Debbie Scarborough, executive director at SOWINS, standing next to a board table filled with clothing donated on Nov. 8.

The snap of frigid weather and snow in the last week has led to a higher need from Pentictons homeless for services from social groups.

That need has been higher than usual at the South Okanagan Women In Need Society according to staff, and led to the society reaching out on Tuesday to ask the public for donations of winter clothing.

Debbie Scarborough, executive director of SOWINS, said it's about trying to keep people alive through the cold spell.

"(The need) is a little bit sooner than what we planned, which is why we put the call out for really gently used or new winter coats, socks and winter boots," she said.

"Now with the snow... for those that are living on the street, this is a real safety concern to possibly die of exposure."

And desperate times have led to desperate measures from what Scarborough has seen, in terms of people being out in the cold.

"They can trade sex for a warm place to stay... We've worked with a woman that actually traded sex for a warm coat. So it definitely is a whole different concern out there for a number of individuals.

"The reality for a number of individuals is that they're under the bridge, thinking of how to keep the snow off. How to keep, whatever scarce belongings they do have, how to keep them from getting wet. And then to stay safe and not die of exposure."

For helping provide warm clothes, Scarborough said the society gives out whatever they can, noting staff members there will typically donate clothing from their own closets each year.

Since reaching out for clothing donations from the public, she said the response has been incredible with several dozen items of clothing received.

As for emergency shelter, Scarborough is advising those in need to contact the Compass Court on Main Street, where there are 27 extreme weather beds. The facility just opened on Nov. 1, and within two days was at three-quarters capacity.

"Any of the women that are clients of ours, we'll try and house as well in our transition house."
Photo: RCMP Exhibits from drugs seized.

RCMP have caught a group of drug traffickers that were supplying cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin mixed with opioids in Vernon.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP spent numerous weeks investigating the four people across the Okanagan and resulted in seizing 118 packages of methamphetamine, 666 packages of cocaine and 753 heroin fantasy opioid mix packages.

"This seizure will have a significant impact on the drug supply to the Vernon area and is a good example of enforcement action by the RCMP in targeting those responsible for distributing fentanyl and other illicit drugs in our community, said Sgt. David Evans.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on Aug. 29 for allegedly supplying drugs on the street level in Vernon.

He has been charged with possession of cocaine, heroin fentanyl mixed opioid for the purpose of trafficking. The teen is on conditions to reside in the Lower Mainland and is expected to appear in court.

A 29-year-old Vernon woman and 21-year-old Lower Mainland man were arrested on Oct. 27. They are both expected to appear in court to face charges of possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin/fentanyl mixed opioid for the purpose of trafficking.

Police arrested a 24-year-old man in Kelowna for allegedly supplying drugs in Vernon.

A search warrant for his alleged condo on Academy Way Kelowna and a condo in the 3500 block Woodsdale Road in Lake Country was conducted by police.

Officers found and seized multiple ounces of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin/fentanyl mixed opioid packaged for street level distribution along with cash and other items related to drug trafficking.

He is expected to appear in court on Nov. 3 to face charges of possession of three drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
Alanna Kelly

Kelowna RCMP have teamed up with ICBC to offer some tips on how to walk safe.

As daylight hours slowly slip away, pedestrian safety is top priority right now. One of the most significant contributing factors behind collisions is lack of reflective clothing.

The youth is where it starts, and we want to make sure they remain safe during this time of year, said Const. Lesley Smith, Kelowna RCMP.

Officers and ICBC were at North Glenmore Elementary School handing out reflective tags.

Pedestrians cannot assume the driver of an approaching vehicle sees them, said Smith. Before entering the crosswalk they must be satisfied the vehicle is slowing down and the driver sees them."

Tips on how to walk safe are to always look, listen, dress to be seen, be extra cautions at intersections and always cross at a designated crosswalk.

Drivers have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians who are entering a marked crosswalk, said Smith. They also have the onerous task of dealing with pedestrians who not only have their earbuds in but who are also distracted and looking down at their phones while in crosswalks.

The Walk Safe program will be stopping by other popular spots around Kelowna this week including the Queensway bus loop and Orchard Park Mall.
Photo: Contributed

The major issue reverberating around Ottawa this week was the release of the Paradise Papers.



The Paradise Papers are leaked documents containing the names of individuals involved in offshore accounts that, in some cases, are used to avoid paying domestic taxes.



It has become a political issue because one of the names on the list happens to be the Liberal Party of Canada's chief fundraiser.



This same individual accompanied the prime minister to an exclusive dinner at the White House during the Obama administration. This, in turn, raised the question why a Liberal Party fundraiser was brought to an exclusive dinner when the Liberal government's Natural Resource minister was left off the guest list.



The prime minister has refused to answer this question.



I think it is important to recognize that being named on the Paradise Papers is not indicative of having done anything illegal. The real issue is, we have observed the Canada Revenue Agency attempt to tax employee discounts. At the same time the Liberal government attempted a large tax grab against farmers and small business owners.



Meanwhile, individuals of immense wealth can utilize offshore accounts and family trusts here at home with no proposed taxation change whatsoever.



In many ways, this creates two tiers of taxation where the wealthiest are treated differently by this Liberal government then every-day Canadians.



This raises a question on exactly how much potential tax revenue is lost by these types of tax policies. Officially, this is known as the tax gap. The tax gap is the government's potential tax revenue as opposed to the amount of tax revenue it is actually able to collect.



In the United States, this type of taxation data has been tracked and publicly disclosed for many years.



As the recent release of the Paradise Papers has brought the extent of this problem to light, many have questioned what the tax gap is in Canada.



Unfortunately, the Canada Revenue Agency refuses to disclose this information. In fact, there has been considerable effort in Parliament by MPs and senators to obtain this information. There has been no success.

Some have estimated that the tax gap could be as high as $47 billion annually; this is a serious and growing concern.



The Liberal government has justified the position of the Canada Revenue Agency, arguing that Canadians tax information is confidential and as a result this data should not be released.

The Liberals have also pointed out they are increasing the budget for the Canada Revenue Agency for enforcement and investigation purposes.



My question this week:

do you believe that Canada Revenue Agency should join countries such as the United States, Sweden, Australia and others in publicly disclosing the tax gap?

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: The Canadian Press Attendees make their way through the stands of a football stadium before a vigil for the First Baptist Church shooting victims Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, in La Vernia, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Texas church massacre is providing a familiar frustration for law enforcement: FBI agents are unable to unlock the gunman's encrypted cellphone to learn what evidence it might hold.

But while heart-wrenching details of the rampage that left more than two dozen people dead might revive the debate over the balance of digital privacy rights and national security, it's not likely to prompt change anytime soon.

Congress has not shown a strong appetite for legislation that would force technology companies to help the government break into encrypted phones and computers. And the fiery public debate surrounding the FBI's legal fight with Apple Inc. has largely faded since federal authorities announced they were able to access a locked phone in a terror case without the help of the technology giant.

As a candidate, Donald Trump called on Americans to boycott Apple unless it helped the FBI hack into the phone, but he hasn't been as vocal as president.

Still, the issue re-emerged Tuesday, when Christopher Combs, the special agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio division, said agents had been unable to get into the cellphone belonging to Devin Patrick Kelley, who slaughtered much of the congregation in the middle of a Sunday service.

"It highlights an issue you've all heard about before. With the advance of the technology and the phones and the encryption, law enforcement is increasingly not able to get into these phones," Combs told reporters, saying the device was being flown to an FBI lab for analysis.

Combs didn't identify the make or model, but a U.S. official, who was briefed by law enforcement but was not authorized to discuss the case and did so on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press it was an Apple iPhone.

"We're working very hard to get into that phone, and that will continue until we find an answer," Combs said.

Apple said Wednesday it had offered the FBI technical advice, even though the agency had not requested its assistance.

In a statement, Apple also assured the FBI that it would expedite responses to any legal process the bureau sends the company.

Combs was telegraphing a longstanding frustration of the FBI, which claims encryption has stymied investigations of everything from sex crimes against children to drug cases, even if they obtain a warrant for the information. Agents have been unable to retrieve data from half the mobile devices  more than 6,900 phones, computers and tablets  that they tried to access in less than a year, FBI Director Christopher Wray said last month.

The issue also vexed Wray's predecessor, James Comey, who spoke before Congress and elsewhere about the bureau's inability to access digital devices. But the Obama White House never publicly supported legislation that would have forced technology companies to give the FBI a back door to encrypted information, leaving Comey's hands tied to propose a specific legislative fix.

Security experts generally believe such encryption backdoors are a terrible idea that could expose a vast amount of private, business and government data to hackers and spies.

That's because those backdoor keys would work for bad guys as well as good guys  and the bad guys would almost immediately target them for theft, and might even be able to recreate them from scratch.
Photo: Csilla Kormendi

A vehicle caught on fire in a residential driveway on Wednesday night.

Firefighters responded to the scene in Rutland on Bell Road at 7:30 p.m.

Once on scene, crews discovered a Volkswagen Jetta on fire and were able to extinguish it.

It appears no one was injured in the incident.
Photo: Facebook

A homeless Chilliwack woman is in hospital after her tent went up in flames Wednesday.

Jennifer Nielson-Bird was severely burned in the early morning fire beside a church on Williams Street.

It's believed the fire was started by an open flame she was using to keep warm.

Weve been together 12 years. Shes a very kind person and the most beautiful person in the world, her partner, Calvin Garner, told CTV.

Staff at a local shelter say they tried to convince her to stay there.

There was room for her, but she chose not to. She went up the street and set up camp, said Bill Radiate at Ruth and Naomis Mission.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
The Auburn Fire Department said it had to extricate the individual from his vehicle because the driver's side door had been smashed in and would not open. The Auburn Police Department said the man was transported to Auburn Community Hospital. Police said they were not yet releasing the identity of the two drivers Thursday afternoon.
Photo: CTV

A Nanaimo teen has been charged for making online threats against a local high school.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District officials say a threat was made Friday against a group of people at Cedar Community Secondary School.

A 15-year-old male was arrested the same day and released into the care of his parents.

Police continue to investigate and say there's no identifiable risk to the school.

The teen has been ordered to stay away from any school in the district.

He's scheduled to appear in court Jan. 18.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: Liz Rose

From Everest to Denali, a B.C. mountaineer has climbed to a record after spending more than two years scaling some of the tallest peaks on Earth.

North Vancouver's Liz Rose reached the summit of Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales in Australia this week, marking her successful completion of the Seven Summits, a series of climbs up the highest mountains on each of the world's seven continents.

Only about 400 climbers around the globe have completed the feat.

At 26 years old, Rose is believed to be the youngest Canadian to have reached all the summits. Jason Rodi was 27 when he finished the climbs in 2004, according to statistics from 7summits.com.

"It was incredible to come full circle with the journey that I've been on," Rose said from Gold Coast, Australia, on Wednesday.

Seventeen friends and family members were with Rose on her final climb this week.

It took the group about four hours to reach Mount Kosciuszko's summit, a fraction of the time it took Rose to get to the top of Mount Elbrus in Russia or Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

"It was definitely the easiest (climb) of them all, but it was nice that I could share it with everyone," she said.

The climber also carried a flag signed by about two dozen kids from Canuck Place, a children's hospice in Vancouver.

She dedicated her Australia climb to helping raise money for the facility's recreational therapy program, and has brought in more than $54,000, which will be matched by a local foundation.
Photo: AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized the "very one-sided and unfair" trade relationship between the U.S. and China, but stopped short of castigating Chinese President Xi Jinping by saying he doesn't blame the country for having taken advantage of the U.S.

Speaking after the announcement of new business deals between U.S. and Chinese companies, Trump said China "must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive" what he said is "shockingly" large trade deficit, along with barriers to market access, forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft.

"But I don't blame China," he said. "After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?"

To applause, Trump said: "I give China great credit."

Trump's comments came during his second day in China and after lengthy meetings with Xi. The day included announcements that the U.S. and China had signed agreements valued at more than $250 billion for products including U.S.-made jet engines, auto parts, liquefied natural gas and beef.

Trump had made narrowing the multibillion-dollar U.S. trade deficit with China a priority for his administration. During the presidential campaign, he accused China of "raping our country" on trade and pledged to minimize the countries' trade imbalance.

China's trade surplus with the United States in October widened by 12.2 per cent from a year earlier, to $26.6 billion, according to Chinese customs data released Wednesday. The total surplus with the United States for the first 10 months of the year rose to $223 billion.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Telus Corp. raised its quarterly dividend as it reported its third-quarter profit was up compared with a year ago.

The telecommunications company says it will now pay a quarterly dividend of 50.5 cents per share, up from 49.25 cents per share.

The increase came as Telus says it earned a profit of $367 million attributable to shareholders or 62 cents per diluted share in its latest quarter, up from $348 million or 59 cents per diluted share a year ago.

Operating revenue totalled $3.37 billion, up from $3.24 billion.

On an adjusted basis, Telus said it earned $391 million or 66 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from $383 million or 65 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

In the quarter, the company says it added 124,000 wireless customers, including 115,000 postpaid net additions, 19,000 high-speed Internet subscribers and 9,000 Telus TV customers.
Photo: Contributed Jack-knifed semi trucks are clogging the slippery Okanagan Connector Thursday night.

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m.

DriveBC reports that the westbound lanes of Highway 97C east of Brenda Mine Road reopened at 10 p.m.

UPDATE: 7:40 p.m.

The westbound lanes of the Okanagan Connector are closed just east of the Brenda Mine Road exit due to a vehicle crash.

DriveBC estimates the highway will reopen by 8:30 p.m.

The nature of the crash or condition of those involved is unknown at this time.

UPDATE: 6:40 p.m.

Highway 33, 13 kilometres east of Kelowna, has been reopened after a crash closed the highway earlier Thursday afternoon.

UPDATE: 5:50 p.m.

While snow in the Okanagan Valley is wreaking havoc on lower-elevation roads, mountain passes in the region are also extremely slippery.

The Okanagan Connector is reportedly littered with spun-out vehicles, including jack-knifed semi trucks, west of the Brenda Mine area. About 18 centimetres of snow fell on the Connector throughout the day.

Meanwhile, a crash has closed Highway 33 13 kilometres east of Kelowna, near Heartland Kelowna. DriveBC has no estimate of when the highway will reopen, but the closure can be avoided using Gowdie and Cardinal Creek roads.

In Vernon, police have closed Baker Hogg Road at the top and bottom of the hill due to "extremely hazardous winter conditions."

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

Weather fouls traffic for Thursday rush-hour after a major accident at Heartland Ranch on Highway 33. Castanet readers are reporting the area is closed and Goudie Road is extremely slippery as of Thursday at 5 p.m.

UPDATE: 3:35 p.m.

Heavy snow continues to fall in the Okanagan Valley, prompting the City of West Kelowna to urge extreme caution on roads if travel is necessary.

The city has also asked residents to keep parked vehicles off the streets to allow plows easier access to roads.

West Kelowna says the streets will be plowed in order of priority.

The top priority is clearing arterial and collector roads, transit routes and roads with steep grades, said Kirsten Jones with the City of West Kelowna. The second priority is school zones, school bus routes, town centres and population centres and the final priority is all other local roads.

Residents on priority 3 roads are asked to be patient, these roads will be visited by the plow once all other roadways have been cleared.

UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.

As snow continues to cause treacherous road conditions in Kelowna, air travel has suffered from the storm as well.

As of 2:30 p.m., an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle scheduled to arrive at YLW at 3:03 p.m. has been cancelled, while three other arrivals are delayed.

A 2p.m. departure bound for Edmonton was also cancelled, while two other departures are currently delayed.

Flurries are expected to continue into the evening.

UPDATE: 1:50 p.m.

Several crashes are reported along Glenmore Road in Kelowna as snow continues to fall.

A garbage truck was partially in the ditch in North Glenmore early this afternoon.

Four more crashes were reported between Kelowna and the Lake Country end of Glenmore.

Even a snow plow was in the ditch.

UPDATE: 1:15 p.m.

About 600 FortisBC customers in the Scotty Creek area of Kelowna were without power for about an hour this afternoon. Power went out shortly after 12:15 when a vehicle ran into a power pole.

Power was restored again at about 1:15

UPDATE: 10 a.m.

Police responded to 18 crashes in Kelowna by 6 a.m. this morning  and the reports continue to grow.

Const. Lesley Smith says Highway 33, Glenmore, Belgo and Springfield roads had a high number of traffic incidents related to poor road conditions.

RCMP remind the public to drive cautiously.

1. Plan ahead: Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Leave 15-30 minutes earlier than you would normally. Plan your route.

2. Adjust driving habits: Reduce speed and increase the distance between your car and the car in front of you. Increase your braking distance and apply brakes slowly and smoothly.

3. Prepare your vehicle: Ensure your vehicle is "winterized." This includes adequate winter tires, wiper blades, topped up wiper fluid reservoir and an emergency kit (blankets, first aid, shovel, jumper cables).

ORIGINAL: 7:40 a.m.

More snow greeted Okanagan residents as they woke up Thursday morning.

As much as five centimetres, or more, has fallen across the Okanagan making roads and highways slick.

Motorists are advised to take it slow, especially on hills and along the highways.

A two vehicle crash has already been reported at Lakeshore and Barnaby near Summerhill Winery in Kelowna. One vehicle ran into a power pole.

No injuries were reported.

In Vernon, transit service has been cancelled until crews are able to clear the roads.

Highway 97 is reported as slushy and slippery in most areas of the valley.

Environment Canada says the snow is expected to let up by the afternoon. After that, a 40 per cent chance of flurries the balance of the day.

Further accumulations of two to four centimetres can be expected.

No closures to report on highways across the province from the snow.

Snow is forecast to fall on all highways across the southern interior for much of the day. Highways are reporting compact and slippery sections.

Send pics, video to [email protected]
Photo: Google Maps

One man was taken into custody and several pieces of stolen property seized during a raid last month in the Fraser Valley.

Search of the property in the 10000 block of Parkwood Drive Oct. 28, turned up welding equipment, dirt bike parts, cell phones, insurance papers, passports, identification and credit cards linked to thefts in the Bridal Falls area.

A 49-year-old man from Popkum was taken into custody and later released by police.

A report with recommended charges will be submitted to Crown once the investigation has concluded.

Protecting property from being stolen and the reduction of theft remains a high priority within our community, says Sgt. Darren Rennie of the Agassiz RCMP.
Photo: The Canadian Press Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of Families, Children and Social Development

New mothers and fathers planning to begin their parental leave on or after Dec. 3 will be able to spread their federal benefits over a longer period of time.

The federal government's long-promised changes to parental leave rules will go into effect early next month, says Families Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, allowing eligible new parents to take up to 18 months of employment insurance benefits after the birth of a child.

On that same date, a new family caregiver benefits will also kick in  one a 15-week leave to care for a critically ill or injured adult, the other a 35-week benefit to care for a critically ill or injured child.

Eligible soon-to-be-mothers will also be able to claim maternity benefits up to 12 weeks before the baby is due.

However, the government won't increase the actual value of employment insurance benefits for anyone who takes the extended parental leave: instead, the Liberals are sticking with their 2015 election promise to spread 12 months' worth of benefits over 18 months.

The change in rules will automatically give more workers in federally regulated workplaces like banks, transport companies, the public service and telecoms the option of taking time off, and are likely to spur calls for provincial changes to allow the other 92 per cent of Canadian workers access to similar leave.

So far, Ontario has publicly said it will amend its legislation to match the new federal rules.

Affected workplaces will have to decide how  or even if  to amend existing leave policies and collective agreements that spell out issues like salary top-ups.

As is, the federal parental leave program pays out benefits for up to 17 weeks for new mothers and allows parents to split an additional 35 weeks.

None of the parental leave changes will impact residents of Quebec, where the province runs its own parental leave program.
Photo: File photo Charges have been laid in relation to a fatal car surfing accident at the end of the Tronson Road last June.

Charges have been filed in connection with a car surfing accident in Vernon last year that left one man dead.

According to court documents, Byron James Walterhouse, born in 1976, is facing charges of criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failure to stop at an accident causing death in relation to the June 1, 2016 incident.

The accident occurred at the end of Tronson Road, just north of the intersection with Garmisch Road.

Justin Roger Martyn, 27, of Spallumcheen was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time of the accident, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said, On police arrival at the scene, investigators determined that the deceased male had been riding on top of the vehicle roof  surfing  as the vehicle left the travelled portion of the roadway and rolled over. The vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Caliber, had three occupants seated inside, two other males, 35 and 40 years of age, and a 27-year-old female.
Photo: CTV

More than 1,100 British Columbians have died due to suspected illicit drug overdoses, according to data released today by the BC Coroners Service.

Preliminary data indicate there were 80 suspected drug overdose deaths this September, representing a 31 per cent increase from September 2016. The suspected number of illicit drug overdose deaths for the year to date is now 1,103, up from 607 at this time in 2016.

Approximately 83 per cent (914) of the suspected illicit drug deaths to date in 2017 had fentanyl detected, representing an increase of 147 per cent over the same period in 2016.

In most cases, fentanyl was combined with other illicit drugs, most often cocaine, heroin or methamphetamines.

Carfentanil has been detected in 37 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths between June and September of 2017
Photo: Contributed Nov. 7 web cam photo of Vernon.

An air quality advisory for the Vernon area has ended.

The Ministry of Environment said changing weather conditions are expected to further improve air quality over the next few days.

Fine particulate (PM2.5) concentrations have been decreasing, and are currently below advisory levels, stated a press release Thursday. Latest PM2.5 measurements at the Vernon Science Centre station indicate an hourly average of 23 micrograms per cubic metre. The average for the past 24 hours is 23 micrograms per cubic metre, which is less than the provincial air quality objective of 25 micrograms per cubic metre.

The ministry blamed wood smoke, industrial emissions and/or transportation for the two-day smog advisory.
Alanna Kelly

Trying to get rid of a unusable recreation vehicle in the Okanagan is impossible  unless you can rip apart the entire thing.

Kane Blake of the Okanagan Forest Task Force removed a burned RV for a man with a disability, but was turned away from landfills, metal recyclers and scrap yards when he tried to dispose of it.

Instead, he had to drive all the way to Chase, where a business said it could dispose of the RV.

He drove all the way out to Chase, that was the closest place that would take it, said Blake.

The business ripped apart the RV and crushed it, but didn't want to be named.

Regional District of Central Okanagan says RVs are tricky items to dispose of, and owners need to break them down for disposal.

It is not an ideal situation, for sure. Wed love to see somebody who has the ability to take this off peoples hands and dismantle them, said Cynthia Coates, waste reduction facilitator.
Photo: CTV

Opposition members in the B.C. legislature are crying foul over the government's contention that BC Hydro rates are being frozen.

During a lengthy and heated debate, Wednesday, Green Party leader Andrew Weaver joined Liberal members in hammering the NDP government, saying it misled the public into believing rates have been frozen when, in fact, they must still be approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission.

Weaver read an entire government news release, which stated in part:

"The British Columbia government is delivering on its promise to freeze B.C. Hydro rates, putting an end to years of spiralling electricity costs that have made life less affordable for B.C. homeowners and renters, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources announced today."

Last year, BC Hydro was given approval by the BCUC for three years of rate increases. That included a three per cent hike in 2018.

Energy Minister Michelle Mungall told the legislature after working "collaboratively" with BC Hydro, the utility will apply to the BCUC for a zero per cent increase in 2018 instead of the three per cent hike.

"There is going to be an application for a rate freeze before the BC Utilities Commission," Mungall said.

Under repeated questioning by the opposition, Mungall stated on numerous occasions she felt the statement was clear, pointing to a single line stating:

"The minister says that in 2016, B.C. Hydro applied to the B.C. Utilities Commission for three years of increases, with a 3 percent increase planned next year, but will be pulling back its request, consistent with this administration's commitment to a rate freeze."

Liberal MLA Tracy Redies asked what the government would tell British Columbians if the BCUC rules against the zero increase.

"That's a fair question, absolutely, and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," answered Mundell.

A decision by the BCUC will come early in 2018.
Photo: City of Kelowna

After two years of perseverance, a Kelowna veteran will honour a comrade he never met.

Al Schmidt was visiting the cenotaph at Lions Park in Rutland in 2015 when a soldiers name  Pt. James Eastwood  caught his eye.

While the name wasnt familiar, it was how it was listed that struck Schmidt as odd. The name had no listed battalion, dates, or information about where he died  just his name.

Schmidt set out to find some answers. Why was there no information listed? Where did he live? What war did he serve in?

After a year and a half of searching, his inquiry eventually landed with City of Kelowna cemetery manager David Gatzke.

There was something truly inspiring about the effort that Al Schmidt put in to recognize this soldier, someone he never even knew, said Gatzke. When he walked in to my office carrying a two-inch folder filled with documentation of his attempts at finding out why the information was missing for this soldier, you could tell there was a connection that only a veteran could fully understand.

Working closely with the Legion, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans, Veteran Affairs Canada and the Okanagan Military Museum, the two delved into the mystery.

James Eastwood, a Kelowna resident and millwright, was 33 when he enlisted in 1914. He served primarily with the 15th Battalion in France and was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. He is buried at the Nine Elms Military Cemetery in Vimy, France.

Once we had the information and started to focus on making sure all the details where included, everyone jumped on board, said Gatzke. We ordered the marker. Jim McCaffery, the president of the local Legion, made a petition to the Legions Poppy Fund to purchase the new bronze marker, and Parks Services took care of the installation.

 By Lisa Reuther
Photo: Remembering Russia Image of Russia Katalina Nicholson, 23.

Family and friends of Russia Nicholson, the woman who was found dead in a Kelowna Orchard on Oct. 11, have planned a celebration of life for her on Friday.

The 23-year-old was five months pregnant when she was found dead.

Nicholsons best friend, Brianna Winrow said Remembering Russia will take place on Friday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Habitat.

The whole family, including Russia, are amazing people, said Winrow. I know Russia had a little bit of a rough patch but she was five months pregnant, she had been sober for almost a year.

Police are still investigating the suspicious death and have yet to identify a suspect or suspects.

Nicholsons favourite music will be played on Friday, along with a slideshow of her and a silent auction.

A private funeral was held by the family for Nicholson and Winrow said not everyone was able to say goodbye.

For me it is really hard, said Winrow. She was in a tough spot when she was a little bit younger but she got out of it.

Winrow said Nicholson was a strong individual and made everyone in the room smile.

I just want to do this for her, she said through tears.

All of the money raised from the celebration of life will go right to the family to cover funeral costs and travel costs.

I just want to make it easier on the family because they havent even found who murdered her yet, she said.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online here for $10.
Photo: Twitter, @crackmacs

The general manager of the Calgary Poppy Fund and Veterans' Food Bank says he hopes no one gets in big trouble over poppy-emblazoned doughnuts that were sold at a local Tim Hortons.

"It was all good intentions, I understand. Nobody was out to hurt anybody," John Rathwell said Thursday.

The doughnuts, with petals made from red sprinkles surrounding a circle of what appears to be jelly, caused a social media stir after an image of them was posted on the popular Calgary Twitter account @Crackmacs.

"How incredibly insensitive and short-sighted," one Twitter user responded.

Others chimed in to say the move did not sit well and it was not appropriate to cash in on Remembrance Day.

Rathwell said he would have preferred it if the business had reached out to his group before Remembrance Day about partnering to raise funds for veterans.

"The poppy symbol is a registered trademark and permission should be asked," he said, noting many consider the symbol sacred.

"But at the same time, I thought somebody taking that initiative during this time of remembrance is an admirable thing."

The southeast Calgary Tim Hortons franchise where the doughnuts were sold declined to comment.

"As a proud Canadian brand, we have the utmost respect and honour for our veterans," the chain's head office said in a statement.

"The restaurant owner, who independently owns and operates this restaurant in Calgary, will be matching and donating 100 per cent of the poppy doughnut proceeds to the Royal Canadian Legion."
Photo: The Canadian Press Former PQ chief Andre Boisclair exits a police station in Quebec City, on Thursday.

There are reports former Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair has been arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Cogeco Nouvelles reported today that Quebec City police arrested Boisclair shortly after midnight.

Police have not confirmed Boisclair, 51, is the person they arrested but TV footage showed the ex-politician leaving a Quebec City police station just before noon today.

Earlier in the day, a clerk at the local courthouse said a name matching Boisclair's was on a list of people expected to appear but a charge sheet was not immediately available.

Police spokesman Etienne Doyon says authorities arrested a 51-year-old man for suspected drunk driving after a car struck a lamppost.

Police allege the man also refused a breathalyzer, obstructed justice and intimidated someone associated with the judicial system. Doyon says the man was released late this morning on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Boisclair was a longtime provincial politician who served as PQ leader between November 2005 and May 2007.

He quit after a disappointing showing in the 2007 election in which the PQ finished third.
Photo: The Canadian Press Dr. Kathy McCoy, director of the Western Canadian Microbiome Centre.

There's no such thing as an easy coffee run or a quick bathroom break for the dozen or so staffers at a new laboratory opening in Calgary on Thursday.

That's because anyone and anything entering the facility  part of the International Microbiome Centre at the University of Calgary  must be thoroughly cleansed of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic critters.

At this lab, the largest operation of its kind at an academic institution in the world, research will focus on the trillions of tiny life forms that inhabit our bodies and play an instrumental role in our health, known collectively as the microbiome.

"We think of it actually as another organ," says Kathy McCoy, the centre's scientific director.

"And so if any organ in your body gets sick, it's going to have an impact on your health."

Humans are colonized by microbes from the second they are born and are never without them from then on. McCoy says they play a key role in training the immune system and a host of other functions. Scientists have even been researching a potential link between gut microbes and autism.

"If you want to harness the power of the microbiota, you need to understand what it does," she says.

The centre will have the technology to create images of cells in real time, label and track them and amass data on a large scale.

The researchers need both a blank, germ-free canvas to conduct their experiments and the ability to re-introduce specific micro-organisms they want to test.

That means there are layers upon layers of safeguards to avoid contamination.

An employee's workday begins with a thorough shower right as they enter the cramped entrance to the subterranean, windowless, maze-like space.

Shampoo is a must. But so is conditioner, as microbes are less likely to stick to silky, smooth hair, says McCoy.

The workers then change into sterile scrubs, Crocs shoes, paper coveralls, a face mask, hair net and gloves. When they leave the lab for lunch or for a bathroom break, they must repeat the process to get back in.

It's hot work and the only beverage they can have inside the lab is water.

Phones and laptops are allowed, but they must be blasted with sterilized air in a narrow chamber lined with dozens of jets. Jewelry is OK so long as it doesn't risk poking holes in protective garments.
Photo: The Canadian Press

More than five years after the white poppy campaign sparked a rancorous debate about how Canadians should reflect on Remembrance Day, the anti-war movement is still stinging from its ugly standoff with the Royal Canadian Legion.

Organizers behind the low-key campaign, which promotes peace and remembers civilian casualties of war, admit the legion's opposition has undermined the popularity of the white poppy, with only 1,200 of the pale, homemade flowers distributed last year in advance of Remembrance Day.

"Unfortunately, the legion's negativity  turning it into an either/or  has done a lot of damage in terms of discouraging people," says author and peace activist Heather Menzies.

"In terms of message control, they have succeeded in communicating: 'If you wear the white poppy, it means that you are not honouring the war dead.'"

A spokeswoman for the legion's Dominion Command in Ottawa said the organization, which represents 275,000 veterans and distributes millions of red poppies every November, would not comment on the white poppy movement.

In the past, the legion has called the white flowers  some with the word "peace" appearing in the centre  an insult to veterans and a possible copyright violation because the legion owns the trademark on the poppy.

In 2010, the legion threatened to launch a lawsuit to stop the alternative poppy drive.

In February 2011, the advocacy group Canadian Voice of Women for Peace met with the legion's leadership to seek a compromise, but the veterans weren't interested, Menzies says.

"I thought we had made some progress in shifting the paradigm on what would be the focus of Remembrance Day," says Menzies, whose great uncle was the victim of a gas attack during the First World War, and whose father was wounded by shrapnel while fighting in France and Holland during the Second World War.

"That would mean honouring the dead but also lamenting war because it is so destructive ... I thought they heard us that day ... (But) they just kept reiterating, 'We want to defend our brand,' which is the red poppy."
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Shanghai(Gasgoo)-It is reported that Chery will entrust Changjiang Equity Exchange to openly transfer its equity by the end of this month. After having been rumored for several months, Chery may give a clear response for the public soon.



In fact, over the past two months, several rumors on Chery were spread widely. In early October, Chery was rumored to be sold entirely to a private enterprise, and then Chery denied it but admitted its willingness to introduce strategic investors. A few days later, another rumor said that Chery will be divided into four parts, which are Chery Holding, Cowin Auto, Chery New Energy and Qoros Automotive. Among them, Wuliangye intends to purchase Cowin Auto, Baoneng Group desires to buy Qoros Automotive. In addition, investors like Dong Mingzhu, Baidu and Industrial Bank also had contacted with Chery.

The latest rumor said that Hybrid Kinetic Group will be Chery's new rumored investor, who will invest RMB 12 billion to acquire 87.5% equity of Chery Automobile. These rumors were all spread during October, signaling that Chery is more urgent on investment than it showed in its statement. According to the person briefed on the matter, as a state-owned enterprise, Chery must list on an equity exchange to transfer its equity openly, in order to prevent the loss of state-owned assets. Therefore, every investor has the chances to acquire Chery.

Due to the heavy investment on technology and the non-performing assets, Chery now faces shortage of money. Introducing new investors, optimizing equity structure and realizing IPO will be the key solutions to the bottleneck of Chery's development.




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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chongqing Scientific Research Institute releases bulletin today that its automobile and motorcycle center team has developed the first domestic NEV transmission high-speed test rack with maximum revolution speed, successfully breaking global monopoly.

The test rack is mainly developed to test the life span and quality of automatic gearboxes including AT, AMT/EMT, CVT, DCT and NEV redactors. The test rack would carry out matching calibration tests and durability tests for automatic gearboxes, simulate working conditions for vehicle engines and driving motors, thus providing strong testing measures for the fast development, tests and evaluations of automatic gearboxes.

The high-speed auto gearbox test rack has leading qualities in domestic market and its price only accounts for 60% of similar foreign equipment.




The death of former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay was a shock to everyone, and Philadelphia TV stations are airing tributes to the pitcher who threw a regular season perfect game and postseason no-hitter in 2010. But the choice of video by NBCs Philadelphia affiliate during a morning news segment confused some people.

During an interview with former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., WCAU elected to show a sequence of Halladay giving up a slew of home runs. It was rather strange:

One odd thing NBC 10 did this morning was air a montage of Roy Halladay giving up a bunch of home runs pic.twitter.com/elcJ7ZYi38  Dan McQuade (@dhm) November 8, 2017

WCAU could have elected to air other footage, like the no-hitters, or the day when Halladay came to the Philllies, or any one of his dominant starts in the red pinstripes, yet viewers saw him giving up taters instead. For those unfamiliar with Halladay, they might have thought all he did was give up home runs.

Such a strange choice.

UPDATE: CTV in Toronto did the same thing, using a video of Halladay giving up a long fly ball that nearly went over the fence.

CTV in Toronto basically did the same thing with this clip of what was almost a monster home run. #sticktonews? pic.twitter.com/BtCbhGbahe  Brad Gagnon (@Brad_Gagnon) November 8, 2017

[Deadspin]
In honor of Veterans Day, Flagstaff-area organizations have observances planned Friday, Nov. 10 - the official holiday - and Saturday, Nov. 11, the actual Veterans Day. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Event include:

Friday, Nov 10

Flagstaff Medical Center's Veterans Day Celebration: 7:30-9 a.m. FMC's Flag Cafe, 1200 N. Beaver St, Flagstaff. The Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation invites veterans, active duty U.S military and their immediate families for a ceremony at 7:30 a.m., followed by free breakfast from 7:45-9 a.m. 877-527-5291. http://nahealthfoundation.org.

Veterans Day Observance Ceremony: 9:30 a.m. Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo, 14317 Veterans Dr., Bellemont. Honoring all who served with opening ceremonies, a law enforcement presentation, a special guest speaker and Veterans Day observance closing ceremonies. Directions: Eight miles west of Flagstaff. From I-40, take exit 185 for Bellemont, then travel south onto Camp Navajo and take first right onto Veterans Drive. Drive for 1.7 miles and the cemetery entrance is at 14317 Veterans Drive. 214-3473.

Saturday, Nov 11

Veterans Day Observance: 11 a.m. American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave. Annual Flagstaff Veterans Day ceremony at the war memorial in Wheeler Park. Free and open to the public. A $5 lunch will be served across the street at the Legion following the ceremony.

Free Veterans Appreciation Day at Northern Arizona Shooting Foundation: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Northern Arizona Shooting Range, take Winona Exit 211 South and follow the signs. Daily range fees will be waived for all veterans and targets provided. northernarizonashootingrange.org/.

Free entry to public lands

Entry to all national parks and National Park Service-managed sites will be free Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 in honor of Veterans Day.

This weekend will be the last of the National Park Service's fee-free days in 2017.

Veterans Day Weekend is also a fee-free day on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, although that doesn't apply to services provided by concessionaires.

Award-winning guitarist to perform in Sedona

Internationally-recognized classical and flamenco guitarist/composer Andre Feriante is coming to Sedona with his new show The Poet of the Guitar. There will be one show on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. on the Goldenstein Stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival.

Award-winning, Italian-born Feriante will present The Poet of the Guitar  a multi-instrument show on guitar, ukulele and banjo. This year, he will also be adding two new instruments: the oud and the harp guitar. The concert will include Spanish guitar classics, jazz standards, original compositions, pop songs on the ukulele, poetry of Lorca and Rumi and renderings of Bach, Villa-Lobos and Leonard Cohen. He will also be featuring songs from his album Terra de Eros.

This is not a traditional guitar concert, its more about storytelling, feeling good with the music, having an experience of connection, joy and even healing, said Feriante. As the silence finds its way into my music it opens windows of surprise and affirmations of beauty. I love the words of Andres Segovia  '... it's better to move them than amaze them. When I play for you I try to get lost in the music and stop thinking. I hope to share this place of timelessness and bliss with you."

Tickets are $15 general admission and $13 for Film Festival members and students. All tickets include a meet-and-greet with Feriante in the lobby after the show. Visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org for tickets and performance information or call 928-282-1177. Both the Sedona International Film Festival Office and the Mary D. Fisher Theatre are located at 2030 W. SR 89A in West Sedona.
WASHINGTON  Kathleen Hartnett White, a climate change skeptic and former chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, faced tough questions from Democrats on Wednesday during her nomination hearing for a top environmental post.

Democrats on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works grilled White about remarks shes made in her role as a fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank in Austin. They pressed White, who President Donald Trump nominated to head the Council on Environmental Quality, on her views over climate change, particulate matter and the Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

It seems to me you dont believe climate change is real, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said to White. Youre not a scientist, are you?

No, White replied. But in my personal capacity, I have questions that remain unanswered, adding that scientists need to have a more precise understanding of how much human activity impacts climate change.

Andrew Wheeler, a coal and nuclear lobbyist, was also part of Wednesdays hearing for his nomination to be deputy administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. However, much of the three-hour hearing was focused on White.

Despite the tough questions she faced from Democrats, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, chairman of the committee, said he expects the committee will approve her nomination. After the committees approval, White must be confirmed by the full Senate.

Whites comments have also concerned environmental advocates, who sounded the alarm over her nomination to head the federal office that coordinates between agencies. Nearly 50 groups signed a letter Tuesday urging the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to reject her nomination.

Ms. White has been a consistent science denier regarding the overwhelming scientific consensus on human-fueled climate change, making her unfit to lead an office charged with coordinating how the federal government analyzes and discloses climate change impacts in environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act, says the letter, addressed to Barrasso and Tom Carper of Delaware, the committees top Democrat.

If nominated, White will join a number of Trump administration officials who doubt the scientific consensus behind human-caused climate change. On Wednesday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt told USA Today that a newly released government report blaming human activity for the rise of global temperatures does not impact his decision to roll back the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., used that report while questioning White, asking her to tell the committee which bar was the tallest in a chart showing the primary drivers of recent global temperature rise. The chart showed that human activity vastly outweighed solar and volcanic drivers to increased global temperatures.

Her comments on climate change didnt seem to sway Republicans on the committee. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., shrugged off Democrats, saying all they want to talk about on the other side is global warming.

Carper blasted the presidents nomination of White and other climate deniers the night before the hearing.

While the rest of the world acts on climate change, @POTUS nominates climate deniers to top environmental jobs, he tweeted Tuesday.

White was appointed to TCEQ by Gov. Rick Perry in 2001. She had previously been considered to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Throughout her career Kathleen has served Texans as a strong leader, in particular by ensuring that Texans have the energy and natural resources they need to prosper, Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a prepared statement after her nomination was announced in October. We at TPPF congratulate Kathleen on this important opportunity and know she will serve our nation with the same thoughtfulness, determination and common sense that have been her hallmarks in Texas.

Since her departure from TCEQ, White has pushed back against the federal Endangered Species Act. In a paper for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, White called the act antiquated and economically harmful without substantial environmental benefit for Texas.

But environmentalists rejected the report. Stephanie Kurose, endangered species policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said White has no qualms about letting wildlife go extinct in a statement Tuesday.

White is yet another Trump nominee for an environmental protection office who fanatically opposes protecting the environment, Kurose said. In this post she could do incredible harm to our nations natural heritage.

In other articles for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, White questioned human-fueled climate change and claimed carbon dioxide isnt a pollutant.

In a 2014 report, she asserted that carbon dioxide has none of the attributes of a pollutant and that calling it one is absurd. White later praised carbon dioxide in a 2015 video, saying there are beneficial impacts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.

She also has criticized renewable energy sources as unreliable and parasitic and EPA reports on the health benefits associated with reduced pollution as statistical fiction.

To confirm White for one of the highest environmental posts in our government would be deeply irresponsible, Kurose said. Senate Republicans shouldnt rubber-stamp an industry puppet for such an important job.
A Washington State University researcher has discovered that vast amounts of carbon can be stored by soil minerals more than a foot below the surface. The finding could help offset the rising greenhouse-gas emissions helping warm the Earth's climate.

A Washington State University researcher has discovered that vast amounts of carbon can be stored by soil minerals more than a foot below the surface. The finding could help offset the rising greenhouse-gas emissions helping warm the Earth's climate.

Marc Kramer, an assistant professor of environmental chemistry at WSU Vancouver, reports his finding in one of two related papers demonstrating how the right management practices can help trap much of the carbon dioxide that is rapidly warming the planet.

Soil holds more than three times the carbon found in the atmosphere, yet its potential in reducing atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels and mitigating global warming is barely understood.

Kramer, who is a reviewer for one of three reports issued with the federal National Climate Assessment released last week, compared what we know about soil to how little we know about the deep ocean.

"Hardly anyone has been down there and they just found a new species of octopus" he said. "We know more about the surface of Mars than we do about either oceans or soils on Earth"

Half of global soil carbon

With colleagues from Stanford, Oregon State University and elsewhere, Kramer said more than half of the global soil carbon pool is more than a foot beneath the surface. He also found that soil organic matter at that depth is almost entirely associated with minerals.

His study, which he led with colleagues from Oregon State University and the Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania, is the first to explicitly examine the extent minerals control nitrogen and carbon deep in the soil.

Keeping carbon in the ground

The more we understand these processes, the more we can tailor farming and other practices to keep carbon in the ground and out of the atmosphere, Kramer said. Almost three-fourths of all carbon sequestered in the top three feet of the soil is affected by agriculture, grazing or forest management, Kramer and his colleagues report.

Earlier research by Kramer found that certain farming practices can dramatically increase carbon in the soil. Kramer documented how three farms converted to management-intensive grazing practices raised their carbon levels to those of native forest soils in just six years. While cultivation has decreased soil carbon levels by one-half to two-thirds, the soils he examined had a 75 percent increase in carbon.

"I would call it radical, anytime you can get that much carbon in the system that quickly," Kramer said.

Knowing more about how soil stores carbon can open the door to new techniques that will entrain carbon deep into the soil while continuing to produce food and fiber.

"Don't forget, we need to double food production in the next 40 years," Kramer said.
The industry is watching as Constellation Brands, known best for its Corona and Modelo beer brands, enters the legal marijuana market. (AP file photo)

Its a mind-expanding investment, man.

With the recent purchase of a minority stake in a Canadian marijuana company, Constellation Brands  whose major beer division is based in Chicago and is best known for selling Corona beer, wine and spirits  is lighting up one of the years most intriguing business deals.

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What ultimately emerges from this union remains to be seen  even to Constellation and Ontario-based Canopy Growth Corp., a publicly traded medical marijuana grower and supplier with the apt stock symbol WEED.

Nonetheless, many corporate eyes are on Constellations aggressive pot play, especially consumer product giants that have long wondered how much green could be made by legally selling grass-laced concoctions. This group includes Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco.

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The Constellation deal caught the attention of the alcohol industry and other companies, said Chris Walsh, vice president of editorial and strategic development for the Denver-based Marijuana Business Daily, which chronicles cannabis-related commerce.

[ Corona owner, medical marijuana company will introduce cannabis-infused beverage ]

Recently, Constellation announced a $195 million purchase (in U.S. dollars) of a 9.9 percent stake in Canopy, a world-leading provider of medical marijuana that also expects to profit from widespread legalization of recreational pot.

Constellation has options to buy more shares at a later time.

When announcing the Oct. 30 deal, the company said it wanted to meet and stay ahead of new consumer trends. Constellation added it would not be selling any cannabis products in the U.S. until it was legally permissible at all government levels.

Since a Constellation spokesman did not return my phone calls or email, it is unclear what lies ahead.

But lets consider some possibilities.

Constellations investment may be a smart hedge against any future declines in its beer and spirits sales  brought on by new competition spawned from the increased legalization of recreational marijuana. Right now, seven states and Washington, D.C., allow such marijuana use, and Canada is working out details to do the same.

Theres more legalization to come and the recreational cannabis market is expected to hit a lofty $50 billion by 2026, according to Cowen and Co., a New York-based investment house. Cowen is also predicting brewers and distillers will lose market share as more customers decide to smoke instead of sip.

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At the very least, Constellations bid gives it a front-row view of the marijuana business and how it might capitalize off that emerging market.

For example, Constellation and Canopy could develop new grass-based beverages or product lines  items that would be sold via Constellations global marketing and distribution network.

In addition, Canadas handling of recreational marijuana sales  along with the financial, taxes and other regulatory issues that accompany its introduction  will give Constellation a good idea of what to expect should the U.S. government eventually approve such nationwide pot selling.

At the very least, the Canopy deal gives Constellation a toehold in what promises to be a highly lucrative commercial segment.

Looking ahead, you have to wonder if Constellations rivals  and other types of consumer product companies  see this agreement as a template for making similar arrangements or partnerships.

Theres long been industry speculation that the alcohol and tobacco giants have been itching for a way to tap into the legal pot business.

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That hasnt yet happened, mainly because of regulatory and public opposition. But acceptance to recreational weed is picking up momentum even in Illinois.

This week, for example, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle came out in favor of an advisory referendum on whether pot use should be legal.

And a plan to legalize recreational marijuana use was floated this year in the Illinois General Assembly.The state already has approved medical marijuana.

Constellation is making a pioneering investment in the legal marijuana business.

But it wont be the last major company to smoke out this type of venture.

roreed@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @ReedTribBiz

MORE BUSINESS INSIGHTS FROM ROBERT REED

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A road is seen destroyed September 22, 2017 in Roseau, capital of the Caribbean island of Dominica, four days after Hurricane Maria hit. Dominica-based Ross University School of Medicine will relocate to Knoxville, Tenn., after finding temporary refuge on a cruise ship. (LIONEL CHAMOISEAU / AFP/Getty Images)

More than 1,400 medical school students, faculty and staff whove been attending classes on a cruise ship since Hurricane Maria will move yet again  this time to Tennessee.

Students at the Dominica-based Ross University School of Medicine have been going to classes and living aboard a cruise liner docked off the coast of St. Kitts since Hurricane Maria damaged Dominica. Most faculty and staff have continued to live on the island of St. Kitts.

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Now, for the winter semester, the students, faculty and staff will temporarily relocate to Knoxville, Tenn. The for-profit school plans to use facilities owned by Lincoln Memorial University.

[ Earlier: After hurricanes, Caribbean-based medical school to resume classes  on cruise ship ]

Ross University School of Medicine is a member of Downers Grove-based Adtalem Global Education, formerly known as the DeVry Education Group. Ross and Adtalem are working to get the necessary regulatory approvals for the move and to finalize details, according to a news release.

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More than 1,300 people were evacuated from Ross after the Category 5 hurricane ravaged Dominica in September.

Ross spokeswoman Nicole Pride said in an email a team in Dominica is now assessing the damage to the campus and determining next steps for repairs.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
TripAdvisor says it has changed its rules about reviews that contain allegations of rape or other crimes, following a published report that quoted several users who said such postings were deleted. (Steven Senne / AP)

In response to widespread criticism for removing claims of sexual assault from its forums to keep them "family friendly," TripAdvisor has started placing warning symbols - or "badges" - on the review pages of hotels and businesses where rape and other safety incidents have been reported.

The travel and restaurant review website has so far placed warnings on the pages of three popular resorts in the coastal town of Playa del Carmen in Mexico: the Iberostar Paraiso Maya, the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo and the Grand Velas Riviera Maya. A red banner box now appears at the top of those pages with a warning that reads: "TripAdvisor has been made aware of recent media reports or events concerning this property which may not be reflected in reviews found on this listing. Accordingly, you may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans."

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While the warnings do not cite specific reported incidents, they are meant to alert customers of possible health and safety issues including theft, sexual assault, rape and discrimination, company spokesman Brian Hoyt told The Washington Post. The warnings are also meant to encourage customers to do more research before booking their stays, Hoyt said, including looking up additional information outside of TripAdvisor.

"Our vetting of news reports continues, and it is likely more businesses will receive this badge as more information is reviewed," Hoyt said. TripAdvisor will flag businesses for a minimum of three months, he said, and the decision of whether to remove the badge after a three-month period will be made by a TripAdvisor committee.

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The new feature comes after a lengthy investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel documented repeated instances where TripAdvisor removed posts warning of alleged rape, assault or other injuries at some Mexican resorts.

One traveler, Kristie Love, told the Journal Sentinel that a TripAdvisor moderator spotted her post in which she said that she had been raped at a resort and decided it went against the company's "family friendly" tenets. TripAdvisor refused to show the Journal Sentinel which posts it had deleted, the newspaper said.

The Journal Sentinel spoke with more than a dozen travelers who said TripAdvisor blocked their warning messages after they had traveled to Mexico.

In July, the newspaper began investigating the death of a Wisconsin college student in Mexico. That reporting uncovered widespread safety issues, including those tied to tainted alcohol, at Mexican resorts.

In 2010, Love posted on the website about her experience at Iberostar Paraiso Maya. The title of her post included the name of the resort, the date of her stay - and the word "Rape."

Love, 35, wrote that after a night out with friends she went back to her hotel room to find that her electronic key card had been deactivated. On her way back to the lobby, Love stopped to ask a uniformed guard for directions.

That guard then raped her, she said. Later, she said, the hotel staff would not call the police.

Last week, TripAdvisor said it issued an apology to Love for deleting her post. But the apology first appeared to be a public one, in the form of a news release addressing the Journal Sentinel's article. On Nov. 3, TripAdvisor chief executive Steve Kaufer posted a statement on his LinkedIn page saying the company had "apologized to the victim for her experience."

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But Love soon commented on Kaufer's post that no one from the company had actually contacted her. "WHAT APOLOGY?" she wrote. "I've yet to hear a word from TripAdvisor, and certainly not an apology!"

Kaufer did eventually call Love, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Love's Iberostar Paraiso Maya warning went back online in October - seven years after it was originally submitted. But the post was republished chronologically alongside other posts from December 2010 - at one point is was listed on the forum's 2,608th page.

Despite the warning at the top of its TripAdvisor page, the Iberostar Paraiso Maya resort is rated 4.5 out of 5 by reviewers, who rank it the fourth-best hotel in the area. A search engine is available on TripAdvisor for customers to search a page's reviews, but keywords such as "rape" and "sexual assault" yield no results. Love's review was posted in a separate Playa del Carmen forum on the site.

The company said that when Love's post was removed seven years ago "all language needed to be G-rated," but that the policy has since been changed "to allow more descriptive reviews on the site about firsthand accounts of serious incidents like rape or assault."

"We will continue to work to improve and evolve our moderation and publishing guidelines as we work to provide the most accurate information in the travel industry available online," the statement read.

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In addition to the warnings, Hoyt said Thursday, TripAdvisor will begin to explain to users why it chooses to reject some reviews and forum posts. Reviews in the past have been rejected on grounds of hearsay, as they would sometimes cite the opinion of someone else or include a medical diagnosis. The policy has caused some confusion, as not all users are aware that their reviews are supposed to be firsthand accounts of their experience.

Now, TripAdvisor will clearly explain to users the phrasing or sentences in a review that violate the website's guidelines, Hoyt said, and invite users to edit and resubmit their reviews.

"In some cases, like with some of the people reported on in recent weeks, a small sentence edit can be made and the review resubmitted to be a valid firsthand experience," Hoyt said.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company has called the Ranch Triangle neighborhood home since 1991. Some nearby residents say it's the perfect place for a casual night out. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

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When scouting locations for a new home, buyers and renters generally take into account proximity to schools, shopping and transit networks. But in an area like Chicago that never stops bragging  and with good reason  about its lively performing arts scene (which kicks into high gear with the fall season), theres an increasing awareness that theaters are an added value for residents.

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But whats it like to live in a neighborhood with long-running theaters? Do people actually make housing choices based on those venues?

Some do. And even those who dont find that theyre an extra perk. Below are snapshots of four Chicago neighborhoods  three on the North Side and one on the South Side  where residents find living close to theaters sets the stage for a better quality of life.

Steppenwolf and Lincoln Park

Some call the corner of Lincoln Park near North Avenue, Clybourn Avenue and Halsted Street the Ranch Triangle. Steppenwolf Theatre Company has called it home since 1991.

Anne Phillips, 54, and her family have lived in Lincoln Park for 24 years. Initially, she said, she and her husband, Don, 55, chose the area because they had one young child and another on the way and we were looking for a family neighborhood kind of a place. Back then, it was a lot more affordable.

Steppenwolf wasnt atop their list of longed-for amenities when they bought their single-family home, but Phillips said they quickly found themselves appreciating not only the world-class performances but also the proximity  especially nice for a couple with young children.

Seeking quick places to get to so as not to leave the kids for too long, the pair landed on the nearby theater. Its a 10-minute walk to our house from Steppenwolf, she said.

The kids are grown now, but Phillips and her husband have been longtime Steppenwolf subscribers and, for the last several years, members of the theaters Directors Circle of donors. Theyve also found other neighborhood residents who enjoy the casual vibe that being so close to a theater offers. We all just walk over, meet for dinner and go see the show. I think thats the strength of Chicago theaters. They draw their base from where they perform.

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Theater Wit and Lakeview

When Chris Comerford, 41, and Virginia Kim, 39, first moved to Lakeview in 1997, being close to the Belmont Avenue theater district wasnt a prime consideration. But after a stint in Hyde Park for law school at the University of Chicago, the couple returned to the neighborhood in 2005, in large part because of the live theater options and other nightlife opportunities.

Said Comerford: We were subscribers at Steppenwolf and theater was an increasingly important part of our lifestyle. They sold their condo in Lakeview a few years ago but still rent in the neighborhood.

Along the way, theyve become subscribers and volunteers with Theater Wit on Belmont Avenue  a three-venue complex that, in addition to the title company (who, as the name and its tagline, Smart Art, implies, specializes in heady comedies), also provides space for resident companies and rentals.

Theater Wit opened on Belmont  next door to the multivenue Stage 773  in 2010, after years of producing as an itinerant company.

They had artists we werent familiar with, says Kim, adding that part of what makes a neighborhood distinctive is the quirkiness of each theater. I dont think its a mistake that something as established as Steppenwolf is in Lincoln Park. Up here, because Lakeview attracts a young professional crowd with a certain level of experience and education, companies like TimeLine (on Wellington Avenue) and Theater Wit make a lot of sense.

Adds Comerford: Its part of the big picture of what it means to live in a vibrant neighborhood.

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The Lifeline Theatre has called home since 1985 a converted Commonwealth Edison substation on Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park. It's known, in part, for its well-regarded children's programming. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Lifeline Theatre and Rogers Park

Lifeline Theatre has been in its current home  a converted Commonwealth Edison substation on Glenwood Avenue, near the Morse Red Line stop  since 1985. Over time, it has become a flagship institution for whats now called the Glenwood Avenue Arts District.

For Gregory Altman, 45, a 20-year resident of the neighborhood and owner of Rogers Park-based Chicago Condo Management and Maintenance Co., Lifeline has been just what the name implies. Altman cant say for sure that the tenants and owners he works with are driven specifically to locate in Rogers Park by the presence of Lifeline or other cultural institutions, which have included, in recent years, the Mayne Stage on Morse and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in the No Exit Cafe on Glenwood Avenue.

But, he said, it certainly creates the positive foot traffic that weaves the fabric of the neighborhood. When we had nothing else happening around Glenwood and Morse, the critical mass of those theaters helped to build that kind of traffic around what was basically, at the time, a bedroom community with vacant storefronts.

Sessy Nyman, 50, has lived in a single-family home in the neighborhood since 2005. Her first experience with Lifeline was in 2006, when she took her young daughter  who is now 14  to the theaters KidSeries childrens shows.

When you have a little kid, its a schlep to go downtown and find parking. It was great to have theater close to home, said Nyman, who has been on Lifelines board of directors for more than four years and the board chair since 2014.

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She noted that Lifeline artistic director Dorothy Milne will tell stories of when they had to call the cops because of violence and gangs.

The Oct. 13 homicide of Cynthia Trevillion  a bystander in a drive-by shooting  near the Morse Red Line stop has served as a grim reminder that the neighborhood still has problems with violent crime.

Still, Milne said via email, the tragedy also serves as a reminder that random gun violence can happen anywhere a gun can go. We dont feel less safe here than elsewhere. We are holding hands with our neighbors and pledging to work harder to help fix our broken world.

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Eta Creative Arts and Greater Grand Crossing

The South Side doesnt have the same glut of theaters that dot the North Side. But longtime residents of the Greater Grand Crossing community area appreciate Eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., for its commitment to bringing theater and arts training to the neighborhood for decades. The venue has an art gallery as well as a performance space.

Founded by the late Abena Joan Brown in 1971  the foundation was nomadic until breaking ground at its current space in 1979  Eta focuses on plays and musicals about the African diaspora, often including work by Chicago-based writers. It draws heavily from African-American audiences on the South Side, including the vibrant church communities in the area.

Lashay West, 68, who has owned a single-family home in Grand Crossing since 1979, heads the senior ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in South Chicago. She regularly takes groups of senior citizens from the church to Eta. In addition to the convenience of the location and the affordable ticket prices compared to downtown shows (particularly important for seniors on a budget), West said the stories tend to play well with the people in her group, who dont like a lot of profanity and sensuality. (Etas mission statement, in part, promises to provide authentic, valid projections of African-American lifestyles, experiences and aspirations.)

And while many theaters wrestle with the question of how to bring in younger audiences, West appreciates that Eta is welcoming to her congregation. A lot of people look at seniors as if they should just be sitting in a corner, she said. But they like to be involved, and they are very satisfied with the topics of the plays at Eta.

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Quick facts: Cost of living

Ranch Triangle: Per Zillow.com, based on data through Sep. 30, 2017, the median home value in Ranch Triangle is an estimated $579,000, with the median price of currently listed homes standing at $642,500. Per rentcafe.com, average rent is $1,125 for studios, $1,714 for one-bedrooms and $2,255 for two-bedrooms.

Lakeview: Per Zillow, the median home value in Lakeview is $345,900, with the median listing price at $532,500. Average rent is $1,098 for studios, $1,446 for one-bedrooms and $2,160 for two-bedrooms.

Rogers Park: Per Zillow, the median home value in Rogers Park is $151,400, with the median listing price at $175,000. Average rent is $825 for studios, $967 for one-bedrooms and $1,200 for two-bedrooms.

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Greater Grand Crossing: Trulia.com lists the median sales price for a single-family home in Greater Grand Crossing at $165,000. Per rentcafe.com, average rent is $820 for studios, $1,016 for one-bedrooms and $928 for two-bedrooms. (According to RentCafe, the sample size for this area was low, so coverage was extended. One-bedroom apartments in areas farther north, with higher prices, were included in the mix, resulting in the average one-bedroom being more expensive than two-bedrooms.)

Kerry Reid is a freelance writer.

ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

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PHOENIX -- Mexico's ambassador to the United States said Wednesday those concerned about deteriorating relations between his country and ours need to speak up.

At an event organized by the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez said he came to Phoenix as a showing of how his country and its government "value its relationship with Arizona and especially with the governor.''

But Gutierrez is making an active effort to reach out not only to Doug Ducey and Arizona but also to leaders of other border states, with recent trips to California and Texas, as he attempt to deal with what he said is a "critical'' state of U.S.-Mexico relations.

"Unless we do the right thing, the status quo is going to be different,'' Gutierrez said. And he told his audience that's going to require those opposed to the direction of relations to say something -- and soon.

"This is a good time for those of us who believe in the importance of a good relationship between Mexico and the United States, it's a good time to be vocal,'' he said.

"It's a good time to raise our voices, the ambassador continued. "It's a good time to educate about what the relationship between Mexico and the United States is -- and what it's not -- about.''

Gutierrez had no direct criticism of the administration or the president who during his campaign and even as the president has lashed out at Mexico and Mexicans for everything from sending drugs and criminals across the international border to taking U.S. jobs through an unfair North American Free Trade Agreement.

"It's no secret that the Trump administration and President Trump has what I would say is a basic concern about employment and investment in the United States,'' he told his audience. But Gutierrez took pains to say that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"Let me just be clear: It's a perfectly legitimate concern to be preoccupied about employment in the manufacturing sector,'' he said.

Gutierrez said, though, it's not as simple as the Trump administration makes it out to be.

"The thing is that every country, and almost every government, has the same concern,'' he said. And Gutierrez said there has to be a recognition that much of the problem of lost manufacturing jobs is caused not by trade but instead by technology.

"So we need to think about the ways, together, we can address that,'' he said.

"But we need to be careful about the diagnosis and the solutions,'' Gutierrez continued. "If not we could very well end up shooting ourselves.''

The ambassador said the relationship for the last few decades had, at least until recently, been built on some basic assumptions that people need to be reminded about going forward.

"The first one is, we are going to be better off working and listening to each other on a lot of the things we have to deal with instead of pointing fingers at each other,'' he said.

Gutierrez said that includes the things that have been part of Trump's rhetoric like drug trafficking and organized crime, as well as questions about trade and water rights.

He also said the United States needs to recognize that its concerns about security following the 2001 terrorist attacks is linked to similar concerns in Mexico, rather than U.S. officials seeing its southern neighbor as part of the problem.

"What 9-11 made very clear ... is that if you're really concerned about non-state security threats and non-traditional security threats, non-convention, you really have to be working with your partners throughout the globe to deal with security matters, especially with your neighbors,'' Gutierrez said.

Finally, he said, the two countries -- along with Canada -- made the decision to better integrate their economies through things like NAFTA.

"We decided to take a very bold step,'' Gutierrez said.

"What happened is these assumptions have recently been questioned,'' he continued, leading to a "major disruption in the bilateral relationship.''

Gutierrez said if there's any doubt about the benefits of that relationship, all anyone needs to do is see what's happening elsewhere.

"The world is a very messy place,'' he said.

He said the European Union is "under strain,'' with NATO "also under stress.''

"You do have a resurgent China that is competing militarily, politically and economically with the United States, albeit peacefully,'' Gutierrez said.

"Why complicate North America?'' he asked. "We have have something pretty good going.''

The ambassador said he was not saying that changes and updates need to be made to NAFTA.

"We do have to take into account the e-economy is here,'' he said. That means addressing things like intellectual property rights and more modern concerns about the environment.

Ducey, speaking to the same group, underlined the ties he has made directly with the national government in Mexico, citing the $8.3 billion in exports from Arizona to that country and $7.4 billion in imports.

"A safe, secure and efficient trade relationship is critical to Arizona's jobs and our future economy,'' he said. "And we're going to build on this progress together.''
No mixing church and state: I've said it a thousand times and I will say it again. Church and state are like oil and water. They have no business together. Due to the fact I respect everyone's religion, everyone, I respect the ones who don't believe in religion. They are all, I think, good people. But everyone does not share the same religious convictions. Therefore, when you have a bunch of religious factions in politics or in the White House, it shouldn't be there. You never heard President Obama talk about his religion in the White House or other presidents. You can't expect people to live by your same morals and your same religious convictions. It has started wars for centuries. Religion. It has no place in politics.

Kane County issues: I could not believe what I read in your paper about Kane County States Attorney Joe McMahon blaming the immigration crackdown for people not participating in domestic violence prosecutions. Victims not showing up in court? Maybe it's because they are not victims. If Kane County deputies arrest innocent people they will be paid overtime. An innocent person doesn't want to plea bargain. They want a trial. If deputies go after criminals it can be dangerous and with plea bargaining it means no extra money for the deputy. I was arrested for domestic battery. It never happened but it broke up our family. The only people happy about it were two deputies. In the article McMahon talks about body cameras. Why aren't the deputies wearing them? If they had been we would still be a family. Now I hear McMahon is thinking of running for Illinois attorney general. That scares me.

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Suicide response: State suicide prevention plans need to address the mistaken assumption that suicide is a rational response to disability.

Lincoln wrong? If Abraham Lincoln could come back today, he would see the ingratitude of keeping this one nation undivided. Disrespecting the American flag and the national anthem shows me President Lincoln made a mistake. He should have allowed the South to secede from the Union to have their separate government and fly the flag of the South.

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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.
Andrea Silenzi hosts a live recording of the popular podcast "Why Oh Why"  complete with her own version of "The Dating Game"  at Chicago Theater Works on November 2. (Allison King)

Each year, the Third Coast International Audio Festival snatches New York Citys podcasting crown and for a few weeks turns Chicago into a global hub for audio storytelling.

There are three parts to Third Coast: The Fest, the conference and the awards ceremony that caps off the series last night. The Fest, which is open to the public, is currently going through November 12, with live podcast recordings performed at show venues throughout the city.

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We were really careful in our curation of the programs and selected shows that we thought would appeal to Chicago audiences in particular, says Maya Goldberg-Safir, Third Coasts artistic associate.

Executive director Johanna Zorn, a WBEZ vet who founded Third Coast as an audio conference and competition back in 2000, says that one of the critical factors distinguishing Chicagos event series from others is its dedication to narrative. Were not just promoting podcasts. Were devoted to really good storytelling, she says.

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The Fest is an extension of the conference, which has sold out every year since its inception. In 2015, the conference hosted 500 podcast producers, and last year, it welcomed 800 attendees from all over the world. This constant, upward shift in popularity has made the Third Coast boom like a teenager on a growth spurt.

Everything exploded between 2014 and 2016. Thats when Serial, Audible and Gimlet really took off, says Zorn, describes the different podcast mainstays that brought the medium to pop cultures forefront. Now that the Fest component is in its second year, they are looking forward to bringing in new listeners and growing podcastings audiences.

This year, the Fest will feature a lineup of six great podcasts that Third Coast invited to perform in Chicago. One of the largest shows of the series, Re:sound Live!, took place last night at Thalia Hall, with a roster that included Chicago native Phoebe Judge, host of the acclaimed Criminal, and former Third Coaster and 99% Invisible host Roman Mars.

Last year, we realized were at this new, explosive number of producers, and we wanted producers to come together with listeners to see live shows, says Goldberg-Safir. We want listeners in Chicago to have access to the moment, when everyone in the podcasting world is here.

If podcasts are still unfamiliar terrain, one way of describing them is radio storytelling for the Facebook era. Most podcasts are serial and offer options to subscribe to new episodes as they are released, allowing listeners to binge on old episodes, play catch up and then stay up-to-date as new shows are released, providing more mobility and less screen exhaustion than video streaming. According to Forbes, 67 million people listen to podcasts on at least a monthly basis, 11% more than last year.

While its organizers will be the first to admit that New York City rules the podcasting scene  with east coast spots like WBUR Boston and Radiotopia in Cambridge, MA, right behind  the folks at Third Coast also view their festival as a critical part of the podcasting ecosystem.

And, its a scrappy medium whose roots are as Chicago as the White Sox. The Windy Citys podcasting community might be dispersed in different spots throughout its neighborhoods, but theirs is one, unified battle-cry: You know that Ira Glass started This American Life here, right?

With that in mind, its time to welcome the podcast home.

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Through November 12, see www.thefestchicago.org for tickets and information.

khawbaker@tronc.com

Twitter: @kthawbaker

[ 'Yaaas!' For Ilana Glazer and Phoebe Robinson at Thalia Hall, the excitement is contagious ]

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Like many of us (there's psychological safety in numbers), I have a disturbingly long history with the shower scene from "Psycho"  first, in junior high, by way of the Alfred Hitchcock episode of the '70s PBS series "The Men Who Made the Movies," then by repeat 16 mm viewings of the 1960 film out at the local university extension campus. And who knows how many times since? The Bates Motel is eternally open for business. Twelve cabins, 12 vacancies.

Storyboarded by the great Saul Bass, edited by Hitchcock's collaborator George Tomasini, the shower scene in "Psycho" remains the screen's most brazen and imitated conflation of sex (or skin, at least) and violence. The scene was and is the most unnerving demise, paradoxically sudden (who kills off a star one-third of the way into a picture?) yet sadistically prolonged, of a fictional screen character. Hitchcock claimed to have been "horrified" that anyone took his little black joke seriously. But when the bloody water gurgles down the shower drain, dissolving into a shot (a superb optical effect) of Janet Leigh's lifeless eye in close-up, nobody in a 1960 movie theater could quite believe what she was seeing. This was James Stewart's voyeuristic fetish in "Rear Window" taken into the realm of nightmare.

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The enjoyably obsessive new documentary "78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene," available on demand and opening this week at the Music Box, takes a close read on a sequence of profound technical artistry and eternal moral complication. Swiss-born writer-director Alexandre O. Philippe interviews filmmakers, scholars, critics, relatives of Hitchcock, Leigh and Anthony Perkins, and others. Marli Renfro, then a 21-year-old pinup model, got seven days' work as Leigh's body double for the shower scene. (That year "Psycho" came out and made millions, and Renfro made the cover of Playboy and went to work as a Playboy bunny in Chicago for a while.)

She's a valuable voice in "78/52," the title referring to the 78 shots and 52 edits making up the astonishing frenzy of the shower murder. Guillermo del Toro speaks to Hitchcock's Catholic guilt. Karyn Kusama, director of "The Invitation" and "Jennifer's Body," views the scene as the "first modern expression of the female body under assault."

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Philippe's strongest work in "78/52" is the historical context, ranging from the images and roles of mothers in 1950s popular culture to a key handful of movies photographed in black and white (as was "Psycho," partly to get the blood past the censors) released the previous year, 1959. "Some Like It Hot," "Anatomy of a Murder" and "Suddenly, Last Summer" all pushed the boundaries of sexual material on screen. Then, coming off his big, expansive, mildly racy color hit, "North by Northwest," Hitchcock shot "Psycho" quick and dirty and on a risk-averse budget, keeping it visually close to his "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" TV anthology series.

I'm not sure what Eli Roth ("Hostel") is doing in "78/52" besides offering generalities and a film brat's awe. Even with the welcome inclusion of Kusama and Leigh's daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Philippe's film returns again and again to variations on the same male perspective, and to shots of various admirers (including Elijah Wood) (?) (why?), staring into a TV screen, watching Janet Leigh and her body double get it, over and over. I wish more of critic and historian David Thomson's intriguing argument  that the sick-jokiness of "Psycho" diminished rather than expanded film culture and thriller possibilities  entered Philippe's conversation. But there will be others; Hitchcock's shower scene may never leave the pop culture of fear it helped create.

"78/52" producer Kerry Deignan Roy conducts a Q&A after the 7 p.m. screening Friday and introduces the 9:30 p.m. Friday screening at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; www.musicboxtheatre.com.

Michael Phillips is the Chicago Tribune film critic.

"78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene" -- 3 stars

No MPAA rating (violence, partial nudity and some language)

Running time: 1:31

Opens: Friday at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Also available on demand.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Pianist Vijay Iyer, shown playing with his sextet in May at the Logan Center, will perform with Wadada Leo Smith in a CSO MusicNOW concert Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, at the Harris Theater. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Vijay Iyer, a restlessly inventive pianist and MacArthur Fellow, never will forget first encountering the art of trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, an early member of Chicagos Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

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In the 1990s, Iyer read an article in which Anthony Braxton, another AACM pioneer, was talking about Mr. Smith in these terms of godliness, remembers the pianist.

Intrigued, Iyer began searching out Smith recordings, including saxophonist Frank Lowes The Flam (1975), which left an indelible impression.

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When the trumpet solo would come around, it didnt feel like a solo, says Iyer. It felt like he was shaping space. He wasnt playing over the music, he was transforming the music.

Smith, it turns out, had been exploring Iyers work.

I knew his music pretty well, explains Smith, who will collaborate with Iyer in a CSO MusicNOW concert on Monday evening at the Harris Theater.

You dont work with a person unless you love what they do, adds Smith. I understand how his musical strategy  lets say it that way  connects with mine.

So in 2005, Smith accorded Iyer the honor of inviting him to join a new version of Smiths Golden Quartet.

He told me he wanted to play with me, remembers Iyer. He thumped on my chest, like he was anointing me. Sort of a thing a monk would do to you, a sage, activating your energy center.

Thus was forged a remarkable partnership that developed through Iyers five-year tenure in the Golden Quartet and, more recently, Smiths and Iyers duo.

This pairing represents a cross-generational meeting of two singular voices in American music. For both Iyer, 46, and Smith, 75, have been elegantly blurring boundary lines separating jazz, classical, experimental and other musical languages.

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Iyers efforts won him a MacArthur Fellowship in 2013, and Smith was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist that year for his Ten Freedom Summers (I served on the jury that recommended the suite).

The results of the Smith-Iyer partnership have been striking, the two releasing one of the most alluring recordings of 2016, A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke (inspired by the work of Indian artist Nasreen Mohamedi). Smiths streaks of sound shimmer alongside Iyers richly textured pianism in this album, their music enveloped in space and silence.

For Iyer, working with Smith through the years has been profound.

Smith gave me a different sense of how to listen and how to be present with someone, says Iyer. I remember what made an early impression on me would be the way he would talk about the music in rehearsal. The language he would use was very much in human terms. It wasnt technical language. It was about relating it to embodied experience, to real-world kind of stuff.

And that was as a matter of course. It wasnt this conceit. He wasnt playing games. It was dead serious, but it was also very relatable and resonated in that way. It was also poetic and mysterious.

Getting into that whole vision for how music can work was really transformative for me.

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Will the duo play the multimovement title suite from the Cosmic Rhythm album at the Harris Theater?

Iyer says the two musicians re-create the suite each time from the same basic elements, but Smith declines to use the word improvisation in describing what they do.

I dont even think about the notion of improvisation anymore, says Smith. Its such a mistaken word for what any of these artists in creative music do.

When were onstage, we dont sit down and talk about what were going to do or how long were going to do it. We just get onstage and do it. Its not as simple as that, but thats how you have to think about it.

My life is 75 years. His life is 46 or something. All of those things, when you weigh them together, numerically or actual experience, thats over 100 years of living. So its all based out of that kind of connection.

Monday nights program, titled Vijay Iyer: A Portrait, also will be noteworthy for a reason beyond the Iyer-Smith partnership. For Iyer will collaborate with musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in his piano quintet Time, Place, Action.

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The 35-minute work, commissioned by the Brentano String Quartet, involves several solos from Iyer and a mostly composed score for the string players that nonetheless allows space for them to make (musical) choices, says Iyer. In other words, the CSO musicians will use an element of improvisation or, as Smith might call it, collective creativity.

Considering the stature of piano quintets by Brahms, Schumann, Dvorak, Shostakovich and others, one wonders if Iyer felt any hesitation composing in this context.

Its not anyones responsibility to respond to the sum total of historical archive, says Iyer, who this year released his dynamic sextet album Far From Over.

What I try to do is speak to today.  Im not trying to match wits with Shostakovich. Im just trying to continue on the path Im on.

Howard Reich is a Tribune critic.

hreich@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @howardreich

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"The Paper Trail" by Alexander Monro and "Paper" by Mark Kurlansky are competing histories about the global impact of the invention of paper. (H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock / Getty)

Two new books about the history of paper  both tell the same story, right? Well, not really, and, in their differences, the books reveal much about the writing and reading of history.

Consider this paragraph from "Paper: Paging Through History" by Mark Kurlansky:

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It was a macabre scene on the deserted, wind-swept killing fields of the Napoleonic Wars before the burial details went to work. Ragmen picked through the dead, stripping off their bloodstained uniforms and selling the cloth to papermakers.

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That's a paragraph that will grab your attention. It opens a chapter that looks at the problems that paper mills in Europe had in finding enough rags to serve as the raw material in the creation of their product, a problem ultimately solved by the use of wood pulp.

Now, look at this poem from 811 A.D. by Chinese writer Bai Juyi that Alexander Monro quotes in "The Paper Trail: An Unexpected History of a Revolutionary Invention." It has to do with the death of his 3-year-old daughter Golden Bells:

A daughter can snare your heart; / And all the more when you have no sons. / Her clothes still hang on the pegs, / Her useless medicine lies by her bed. / We saw you off down the village street / And watched them pile the earth on your grave. / Do not say you're just a mile away  / Between us now lies eternity.

In contrast to the battlefield scene, this poem, while filled with a sad beauty, may seem routine. After all, haven't parents always mourned deeply when a young child dies? Yes, but, as Monro explains, it wasn't until paper became cheap enough and widely available within the Chinese culture that the inner life of an individual such as Bai could be communicated across great distances and even, as in his case, across centuries.

Beyond its functional uses for him as a bureaucrat, Bai employed paper for poems, diaries and letters that show "the pain of personal loss, the pleasure of intimate friendship, frustration over government corruption, anger at extremes of wealth inequality, spiritual epiphanies or moments of intense communion with nature." Indeed, Monro notes that Bai wrote so much that it is possible 12 centuries later to get a deep, textured feel for who he was and what made him tick.

Kurlansky is well-known as the author of bestsellers that tell interesting stories about such seemingly unlikely subjects as cod and salt, and he takes the same approach in "Paper," providing a rambling stroll through the technological development and refinement of paper and its use by and impact on people. It's the book of a former journalist, breezy and discursive, and will attract a lot of readers.

Monro's "The Paper Trail" is much the better book, but that may actually hurt it when it goes head-to-head with "Paper" at online and brick-and-mortar bookstores.

Here's why: The use of paper, which began some 2,000 years ago in China, played a key role in the spread of Buddhism and Islam and the development of highly sophisticated and powerful cultures in the Middle East and Far East. But Kurlansky gives little attention to that part of the history. Instead, he tells the story through the lens of Europe, even though paper-making didn't get started there until more than a millennium after it was employed in China.

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Kurlansky's book is rooted in a Western-centric world view that nowadays seems quite antiquated. It's impossible today to talk about politics, business and culture except in an international context. What happens in an obscure corner of the world can have a major effect on the U.S., and vice versa.

History books need to recognize this as well, but, for the English-reading public, the details of the Chinese and Middle Eastern past are little known while names and locations in those parts of the globe remain rather alien. So it's safer for a writer such as Kurlansky to stay within the comfort zone of readers. He deals with the Asian history of paper in about 50 pages and devotes the rest of his book to Europe and its colonies.

Monro signals a much different emphasis with the book jacket of "The Paper Trail" which features a large Chinese character for the word zhi, which means "paper." Indeed, he doesn't even get to Europe two-thirds of the way through his narrative.

A former journalist who served in Shanghai, Monro dives deep into the Asian and Middle Eastern cultures to examine how the discovery and spread of paper permitted civilizations to blossom and also how paper broke down isolation.

Before paper, writing was put on such widely varied surfaces as turtle shells, bronze, stone, bamboo, silk, parchment, papyrus and even the shoulder blades of camels. All of these, though, were items only the rich or the government could afford.

Paper was different. It could be used for ephemeral writing, such as a first draft, and for personal writing. Indeed, once Chinese intellectuals began using paper for letters, they "expressed wonder  at being able to communicate with friends easily (and inexpensively) even when they were many miles away."

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In contrast to Kurlansky's meandering approach, Monro tends to be more analytical and more focused on the way human life changed because of paper. He quotes one Chinese scholar as saying that receiving a letter from his friend "felt like meeting face to face." This is an acute insight and calls to mind to the way life changed when the telephone made instant communication possible across miles and even thousands of miles.

Much of Monro's book details the tight links between paper and religion down through the ages. In Chinese Buddhism, for instance, paper made it possible for many more scribes to copy the faith's scriptures. That was important because the simple physical act of writing out the holy texts was itself sacred and meretricious, regardless of the specific words in those texts.

"Instead, their spiritual power is indivisible from their material, ink-and-paper presence, winning merit for their scribes, owners and worshippers alike. Copying a sutra was taken so seriously that a scribe would occasionally write it out in his own blood, in the hope it would work to the spiritual credit of a recently deceased parent (or himself)."

Islam, initially, was slow to adopt paper  or any writing surface  for the Koran since the holy book is meant to be recited. Nonetheless, as a direct gift from God, the Koran had to be correct in all respects so an official written version was needed, and, from there, the sacred scripture went on to become the "lodestone of a new civilization," enabling the creation of a far-reaching religious and cultural community.

This strong relationship between paper and religious expression also occurred in Europe where paper helped fuel and spread the Protestant Reformation  and the Catholic Counter Reformation. One example: The King James Version of the Bible, writes Monro, "has been the most influential book in the English language."

To give Kurlansky his due, "Paper" is filled with interesting tidbits as readers of his earlier popular histories would expect. In one case, for instance, he notes that Michelangelo used a great deal of paper for poems, letters, notes and drawings. Kurlansky writes:

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Almost any piece of paper he used contained a few sketches.  A stunning drawing of the resurrection of Christ is also marked with a shopping list.

For me, though, the most striking story in the two books comes from Monro's "The Paper Trail," and it has to do with J.S. Bach.

Monro points out that, during his lifetime, Bach won fame as an organist. Just a few of his compositions circulated among other musicians, and those were in manuscript form. None was printed until half a century after Bach's death in 1750. And, when they were, Bach became Bach. Monro writes:

"It might be tempting to see this as somehow a failure of print culture, but it can easily be seen as an example of printing's success, since print offered the opportunity to revive a composer's work long after his death, perhaps even to grant him the worldwide and enduring fame he had lacked in life."

In other words, without paper, we moderns might never have heard Bach.

Now, that's a story to grab your attention.

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Patrick T. Reardon, who had a 32-year career as a Chicago Tribune reporter, is the author of five books.

"The Paper Trail: An Unexpected History of a Revolutionary Invention"

By Alexander Monro, Knopf, 368 pages, $30

"Paper: Paging Through History"

By Mark Kurlansky, Norton, 416 pages, $27.95
Caitlyn and Chris Lynd struggled to start a family for two years and were surprised that Chris VA benefits did not cover medical treatments involving infertility.

Caitlyn and Chris Lynd struggled to start a family for two years and were surprised that Chris VA benefits did not cover medical treatments involving infertility. (John Konstantaras/Chicago Tribune)

When Chris Lynd encountered health issues after serving in the military, he thought his benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs would cover his medical treatments. So he and his wife, Caitlyn, were surprised when those benefits didn't extend to infertility issues.

Many veterans are returning from war in hopes of starting a family, only to find obstacles. War injuries can cause problems with conceiving. Veterans also face problems because some have spent most of their fertile years serving the country.

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"That's one of the greatest injustices of the U.S. military is that we create infertility and then we don't treat those patients," said Dr. Eve Feinberg, medical director of Northwestern Medicine Fertility and Reproductive Medicine in Highland Park, Ill. Before coming to Chicago, Feinberg trained at the National Institutes for Health, helping to run an in vitro fertilization program for the U.S. military.

Although it's unclear whether Lynd's infertility was directly related to his service, the couple felt his benefits should cover medical treatments involving infertility.

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In September 2016, Congress passed a bill that allows the VA to cover reproductive services, including IVF, for veterans with combat-related injuries. Nonprofits are helping too; Feinberg founded the Kevin J. Lederer Life Foundation , which gives one grant to a military couple each year.

Previously, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., who helped push the bill, veterans were covered for a fertility assessment but not IVF, which can cost more than $12,000.

In the Chicago area, military families have been going to doctors for help.

Dr. Allison Rodgers, of the Fertility Centers of Illinois, said she's seen about 75 military members in the past three years.

With one recent patient, the husband was about to leave for a one-year Navy deployment. The wife was hoping to plan the birth around his deployment, Rodgers said. For active members, planning pregnancies around separations can be difficult.

Last year, Northwestern opened the reproductive clinic in Highland Park. There, Feinberg said, doctors see many patients from the nearby Naval Station Great Lakes.

The main issue, she said, is that military members are often deployed in their 20s and early 30s.

"Age is probably the most important factor that comes into play with the ability to conceive," Feinberg said.

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To combat these obstacles, doctors can freeze sperm, eggs or embryos that patients can use when they return.

Some suffer injuries from explosions. At Walter Reed Army, Feinberg saw men with injuries that damaged their testes or penis. Amputations, also, can create challenges.

"Losing a limb can make intercourse challenging," she added. "Lots of different physical injuries can make the normal mechanics of conception challenging."

For women, a brain injury can alter the menstrual cycle and her ability to ovulate.

And it's not just physical stressors.

Post-traumatic stress, which the VA estimates about 11 to 20 percent of Iraq veterans experience, can impair erectile function.

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Even typical stress can impact fertility. That's exacerbated for military families.

"They feel like they have to hurry up and get pregnant, so their husbands don't miss their deliveries," Rodgers said. "It's a big extra stress on the patient."

The Lynds welcomed son Mason in March. (Courtesy of the Lynds)

Chris Lynd joined the Marines in 2002. Four years later, he said, after returning from Iraq, medical tests found Crohn's disease, and he was medically retired.

When the Lynds married in 2013, they knew they wanted a family. Early the next year, they started trying.

"By 2015, we were like, 'OK, there's a problem," said Chris, 32, a quality manager for Aon. Tests found that Caitlyn had a form of polycystic ovarian syndrome, which caused irregular ovulation, and Chris had a low sperm count.

The VA covered the medical visits to diagnose that, they said, but didn't cover treatments.

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At the Fertility Centers of Illinois, they met with Rodgers. Unbeknownst to all, it turned out Caitlyn, 27, a lead bank teller for Wintrust in their town of McHenry, Ill., was already pregnant. They were thrilled, then crushed when she miscarried.

She said she remembers thinking, "It took us almost two years to get to this unfortunate failure. Is it worth trying again?"

They returned to FCI. At that visit, she remembered, "I cried in her office after having sticker shock." The couple couldn't afford a $20,000 in vitro fertility treatment.

Like many military families, they also felt a ticking clock.

"I felt like we had to do it now or never," she said.

Ultimately, a clinical trial with an egg-stimulating drug was a fit  and far less expensive. Still, the couple said even with help from FCI, which allowed them to enter the clinical trial and discounted their cost, they estimate the drugs, procedures and embryo storage cost about $10,000.

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They welcomed son Mason in March.

abowen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @byalisonbowen

[ Fertility tests may not be best gauge of biological clock ]

[ Veterans who want a pet can adopt for free this Saturday ]
Experts say over-the-counter medicines fall short when it comes to fighting a cough, but research suggests honey may bring some relief to children over the age of 1. (Getty Images )

If you're looking for a cough remedy this cold season, you might be out of luck.

Nothing has been proven to work that well, according to a new report from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

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After reviewing clinical trials testing everything from cough syrups to zinc, an ACCP panel came to some less-than-positive conclusions: Over-the-counter medicines  including cold and cough products and anti-inflammatory painkillers  cannot be recommended.

Nor is there evidence supporting most home remedies  though, the group says, honey is worth a shot for kids.

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Every season, most people probably battle at least one cold-induced cough, said report author Dr. Mark Malesker.

And they apparently want relief. In 2015, Americans spent more than $9.5 billion on over-the-counter cold/cough/allergy remedies, according to the report.

"But if you look at the evidence, it really doesn't support using those products," said Malesker, a professor at Creighton University in Omaha.

Unfortunately, he said, there have been no big advances made since 2006  the last time the chest physicians issued guidelines on treating cold-related cough.

Malesker's team looked at trials of cold products that combine decongestants and antihistamines, or decongestants and painkillers. They found no consistent evidence that any quash a cough.

The same was true when they analyzed studies of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

So what do you do when a hacking cough keeps you up all night?

A couple of studies have found that honey may bring some relief to children age 1 and up. (Honey should not, however, be given to babies younger than 1 year, the physicians' group says.)

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There was also "weak evidence" that zinc lozenges might help ease adults' coughing  but it wasn't enough to recommend them, according to the report. Plus, it says, zinc can have side effects, including a bad taste in the mouth, stomach cramps and vomiting.

What about storied home remedies, like Grandma's chicken soup or neti pots for nasal irrigation? There's no strong evidence for them, either, the review found.

On the other hand, Malesker said, if your favorite tea or soup makes you feel better, use it.

"It's very frustrating that we haven't found a good way to address this," said Dr. David Beuther.

Beuther is a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health, a Denver hospital that specializes in respiratory diseases.

A simple cold-related cough is generally something healthy people can wait out  but it can be miserable, Beuther pointed out.

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"It can affect your sleep and quality of life," he said. "So people are looking for ways to make it more bearable."

And while a quick fix might be tempting, simply slowing down could help, Beuther said.

"Sometimes you just need to take a day off and let yourself rest," he noted.

Beuther also recommended that people drink enough water to stay hydrated  which may help break up any thick mucus that is causing the cough.

According to Malesker, parents should talk to their pediatrician before giving any cough remedy to a child younger than 2. And medications containing the opioid codeine should not be given to children and teenagers younger than 18 due to the risk of serious side effects, including life-threatening breathing problems.

As for healthy adults, Beuther said that if they have found an over-the-counter product to be useful in the past, he wouldn't discourage them from trying it again.

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If you do want to try an over-the-counter cough remedy for the first time, Malesker suggested talking to your health care provider or pharmacist.

There are many products, with varying active ingredients, he said. So a doctor or pharmacist may be able to steer you toward the most appropriate one.

Over-the-counter products can have side effects, like drowsiness. Plus, the report says, they can contain active ingredients with the potential for abuse. Large doses of dextromethorphan  an ingredient in many cough syrups  can be used to get high, as in "Robo-tripping" (based on the brand-name Robitussin).

Beuther added that people may want to talk to their doctor if they have frequent colds, or coughs that last for weeks after a cold hits.

It's possible, he said, that an underlying condition, such as mild asthma or chronic sinusitis, has gone unrecognized.

The recommendations were published in November in the journal Chest.

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Three dinosaurs made entirely of Lego bricks are on display inside the new Lego sleepover house in Billund, Denmark. (James Brooks / AP)

No firm plans for Thanksgiving weekend? You may want to consider taking the family to Billund, Denmark, to enjoy a night at Lego House, a building filled with 25 million of the colorful bricks.

The house in the hometown of Legos headquarters has paired with Airbnb to offer a contest to creative minds around the world. The winning entry will best answer the question: If you and your family had an infinite supply of Legos, what would you build? And describe the dream creation.

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The winner will have the chance to build his or her vision in the house Nov. 24.

I am so intrigued to see what people will imagine, master builder Jamie Berard said in a press statement. The uniqueness of the opportunity to stay here in the home of the Lego brick should hopefully inspire everyone.

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Also included in the win: lunch served by two friendly robot waiters, mandatory play time and slumber in beds surrounded by a pool of bricks. (Are you humming Everything Is Awesome from The Lego Movie yet?)

For a chance to win, check out the listing page of Lego House on Airbnb and reply to the question.

Entries are due by 2 a.m. Nov. 17.

drockett@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @DarcelTribune

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House Speaker Michael Madigan walks the floor after reading a proposed anti sexual-harassment bill on the floor of the House on Nov. 7, 2017, at the State Capitol in Springfield. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

For everyone whos been outraged about sexual harassment since those stories broke about Hollywood producer Harvey (aka The Fat Sexy Beast) Weinstein, let me give you some soothing Illinois political news:

Illinois lawmakers were scheduled to undergo their own sexual harassment awareness training in Springfield on Wednesday and Thursday, in response to a sexual harassment scandal that has terrified lawmakers seeking re-election.

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They want to change the culture in Springfield. Good luck, lawmakers!

And since everyone is equal under the law, even in Illinois, Id bet that Illinois supreme political boss, Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan, lord of all he surveys, is taking his sexual harassment training too.

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But how?

No one in their right mind would ever think Boss Madigan capable of sexual harassment. Hes a family man, a gentleman, loving dad and husband, brilliant, hardworking and incredibly disciplined.

Hes also a ruthless, wealthy political warlord who controls Illinois by force of will and has turned the state into an overtaxed wasteland.

Madigan is of the old school: strait-laced iron curtain; a character straight out of Charles Dickens, thin, bony and entirely without blood.

He likes money and power. But sex and Mike Madigan? Impossible.

It took me over two hours just to type the words sex and Mike Madigan in the same sentence. And now my fingers are cramped and Ill probably have to stick pins in them or soak them in holy water to release the painful claw effect.

Springfield sexual harassment training follows accusations against Sen. Ira Silverstein, the Chicago Democrat with the long, sad face who categorically denies everything. But Ill bet you the training will involve exercises, with each lawmaker playing the Silverstein role, as a warning to all.

He stands accused but not charged, though hes been stripped by the powers that be of his leadership position and the extra cash that comes with it.

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Ever since he was accused  quite publicly at a public hearing  lawmakers have been busy issuing bill after bill, determined to show us theyre changing the culture down there.

Since the dawn of history, when Illinois politicians began walking upright, Springfield has been something of a summer camp for nerds with power, grabbing whatever suited their fancy. Not everybody of course, but enough of them.

Madigan is the one responsible for the flurry of anti-sexual harassment legislation lately, with lawmakers demanding a change in culture from the old grabby pawing, How can I help you honey? culture of Springfield.

But theres been so much news and commentary about the flurry of bills that Im glad I read a Tribune news story of Nov. 2 by reporters Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger that put things into perspective.

Garcia and Geiger noted the important thing in all of this, the thing that is mostly ignored by others, the thing that tells you what you need to know.

Because for almost three years now, since 2015, there have been some two dozen ethics complaints filed at the legislative inspector generals office. But the post of inspector general was vacant.

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And members of the legislative ethics board, lawmakers who sit on a panel to oversee such complaints, didnt know the complaints had been made. Theyve now appointed a new inspector general to handle the old complaints that languished for so long, but the reason for the vacancy isnt much talked about.

One reason why the post of legislative inspector general may not have been filled is because the last inspector general actually did his job.

That inspector general wrote a scathing report about Madigan and contracts and Madigan political patronage at Metra, the clout-rich transportation bureaucracy that moves commuters across the metropolitan area.

Madigan was furious. This helped make me a bunch of columns, though, and his daughter, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan went around telling people they were reading too much John Kass, so I was grateful.

But there had been no legislative inspector general to process those two dozen complaints and perhaps bring them to the states chief law enforcement officer if they merited prosecution.

That law enforcement officer, of course, is Lisa Madigan.

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See how this works?

The lawmaker who made the biggest fuss about not being told there were two dozen ethics complaints was state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, a St. Charles Republican.

What bothered lawmakers is that Madigan, testifying himself on one of his own change-the-culture harassment bills, knew all about the forgotten ethics complaints.

But lawmakers on the ethics panel didnt know. Nobody told them. It was a technicality, they were told.

So on Wednesday, I called McConnaughay.

Ethics is a real issue, a serious issue, especially in Illinois, she said. And yet all were doing now is rushing bill after bill. Why? We didnt do anything for three years to fill that inspector spot. And now were rushing to tweak this and tweak that?

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All this does nothing to prove that we can police ourselves, McConnaughay said.

Nothing happens in Springfield without Madigans approval. Nothing.

Oh, OK, Madigans probably not involved in anything sexual.

But on appointments, hes involved. On filling or not filling a vacant legislative inspector general spot, hes involved. And those complaints just sat there.

Hes the boss.

So, with all the talk about the culture of Springfield that is changing, is it really changing? No.

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Because the boss is the boss is the boss.

Listen to "The Chicago Way" podcast with John Kass and Jeff Carlin  at http://wgnradio.com/category/wgn-plus/thechicagoway.

jskass@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @John_Kass

RELATED

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Chicago police issued a community alert about armed robberies that occured in the West Town, Near West Side, River North and Humboldt Park neighborhoods between Nov. 4 and Nov. 8, 2017. (Chicago Police Department )

A group of men accused of committing armed robbery at least eight times in the last week are using a red or maroon vehicle to get away, Chicago police said.

The robberies occurred between Sunday and Wednesday in the West Town, Near West Side, River North and Humboldt Park neighborhoods, according to a police community alert.

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The attacks happened late at night or early in the morning. In each incident, the offenders came up to a victim, showed a handgun and forcibly demanded property before fleeing in the same car, which was red or maroon.

Police described the robbers as one to three men between the ages of 18 and 25.

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The armed robberies have occurred in:

The 200 block of North Green Street in the West Town neighborhood on Saturday at 1:15 a.m.

The 0-100 block of South Aberdeen Street in the Near West Side neighborhood on Saturday at 3:10 a.m.

The 0-100 block of North Green Street in the West Town neighborhood on Sunday at 11:05 p.m.

The 400 block of West Huron Street in the River North neighborhood on Sunday at 11:30 p.m.

The 900 block of North Wood Street in the East Ukrainian Village neighborhood on Wednesday about 1 a.m.

The 1000 block of West Randolph Street in the West Town neighborhood on Wednesday at 12:15 a.m.

The 800 block of North Richmond Street in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on Wednesday about 12:55 a.m.

The 2800 block of West Augusta Blvd in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on Wednesday about 1:05 a.m.

Anyone with information should call the bureau of detectives area central at 312-747-8380.
Attorneys for disgraced former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson asked the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday to reconsider its decision to uphold his conviction for the drowning murder of his third wife.

In September, the Supreme Court unanimously found that hearsay testimony from Kathleen Savio, Petersons third wife, as well as missing fourth wife Stacy Peterson did not violate his constitutional rights because of evidence Peterson killed them to prevent their testimony.

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Peterson, 63, is serving a 38-year prison sentence for Savios 2004 murder. He must still serve 40 additional years after being convicted of plotting to kill Will County States Attorney James Glasgow who put him behind bars.

The petition filed Thursday by Petersons attorneys is rarely successful. His attorneys have said they likely will seek to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @steveschmadeke

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Police are searching for 43-year-old Janga Kami, who was last seen on Nov. 6. (Chicago police photo)

Police are searching for a 43-year-old man who was last seen in the West Rogers Park neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Janga Kami was last seen on Monday in the 6300 block of North Albany Avenue on the Far Northwest Side, police said.

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Kami is described as Nepalese, with black hair and black eyes. He is about 5 feet 6 inches and weighs around 160 pounds.

Police ask anyone with information to call the Area North Special Victims Unit at 312-744-8266.
Sen. Tony Munoz, D-Chicago, left, and Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, speak on the Senate floor as Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, sits nearby Tuesday Nov. 7, 2017. Silverstein lost his leadership position after a harassment allegation. (John O'Connor / AP)

SPRINGFIELD  State lawmakers began sexual harassment prevention training Wednesday, their latest step in a push to change a decades long culture at the Capitol where women have complained of being objectified, intimidated and groped by men in power.

The voluntary training conducted by employees of the Illinois Department of Human Rights came just a day after legislators approved a flurry of bills designed to tackle the problem, while acknowledging true change will require diligence for years to come.

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Two sessions were held behind closed doors in a Capitol room normally reserved for House committee hearings, with Democrats gathering in the morning and Republicans meeting in the afternoon. Senators are scheduled to get the same training Thursday.

The curriculum consisted primarily of a roughly hour-long slideshow presentation, which included an introduction to the idea of the grandma filter  if you wouldn't do something or say something in front of your grandma, then you shouldnt at work, either.

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The presentation defined two types of sexual harassment. Quid pro quo harassment, the slides said, happens when sexual favors are requested in exchange for support of legislation, campaign contributions or employment opportunities. And a hostile work environment is when inappropriate or offensive jokes are the norm or there are instances of verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature.

The slides present various scenarios and ask if they qualify as sexual harassment. They also say that violations are based on the perception of the vicim, not the intentions of the accused. The department also highlighted third party harassment, in which anyone affected by unwelcome conduct can also be considered a victim. Lawmakers were told to take immediate and documented steps to resolve incidents of sexual harassment.

State Rep. Ann Williams, a Democrat from Chicago, said it was unprecedented for lawmakers to engage in a direct conversation about harassment, something that has been whispered about among women in Springfield but not confronted head on. She called Wednesdays training a difficult conversation that was long overdue and that some of her male colleagues have been surprised to realize so many women have had negative experiences like this.

Its really been a eye-opener, and I dont think thats a bad thing, Williams said.

State Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said legislators have responsibilities that go beyond merely preventing what legally constitutes sexual harassment.

Because the relationships that that we have with people in this building have such an unequal power dynamic, we have to hold ourselves to a much higher standard, Guzzardi said. I am really glad we have started the conversation, but we have so much further to go.

In other action, the Senate voted to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauners veto of legislation backed by Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza that would require increased reporting about state finances. The House already rejected Rauners veto, so the measure now becomes law. The Senate also overrode Rauners veto of a bill that will require elementary schools to teach at least one unit of cursive writing. The House did the same two weeks ago.

Illinois state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, accompanied by State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in Springfield Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. Mendoza spoke after the Senate voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a "debt-transparency act." (John O'Connor / AP)

Agencies under Rauner's control now will be required to make monthly reports about how many unpaid bills havent been submitted to the comptrollers office for payment. The new law also requires agencies to estimate the cost of interest penalties the state may be responsible for because Illinois is so far behind in paying bills.

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In the House, lawmakers advanced a property tax freeze proposal brought by state Rep. Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg, who is one of the more vulnerable Democrats facing re-election next year.

The freeze would apply to Cook County and the collar counties for tax years 2017 and 2018. School districts on the State Board of Education's financial watch list would be exempt.

The legislation was approved by a vote of 75-32. But Republicans aired suspicions that the bill would never make it to the governor's desk because Democrats generally object to freezing property taxes, a key Rauner priority for nearly three years.

"I don't know if there's any point in debating because this bill is going to die whether it passes this chamber or not," said Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, after Mussman said she hadn't found a Senate sponsor for the bill, which would be a strong signal that there isn't much appetite in that chamber to advance the idea.

But after the House approved it, Senate President John Cullerton picked up the bill as its new sponsor. A Cullerton spokesman said the bill was "under review."

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mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com

kgeiger@chicagotribune.com

RELATED:

[ Lawmaker tells of being objectified by colleague as sexual harassment bills pass in Springfield ]

[ Rauner offers only mild critique of lawmakers' handling of sexual harassment scandal at Capitol ]

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel typically doesnt like it when reporters bring up his family members, but after Wednesdays City Council meeting, he put his mom front and center. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

Mayor Rahm Emanuel typically doesn't like it when reporters bring up his family members, but after Wednesday's City Council meeting, he put his mom front and center.

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The mayor started his postgame presser with a request of broadcasters.

"You all have to do me one favor today. I'm going to start, because this is one thing I can do that neither one of my brothers can do. Mom, if you're watching, happy birthday. ... Happy birthday, thank you for everything you've done for us and continue to do."

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Later, Emanuel noted his mother, Marsha, had turned 85. "She's deaf, but she can only hear if you didn't call."

As it turns out, that call to wish Mom a happy birthday came at a pivotal point during the City Council meeting.

Chance the Rapper took to the microphone during the public comment portion of the meeting, but Emanuel, who normally runs the show, had stepped out of the room.

The rap artist noticed. "It's cool," he said, before asking that aldermen vote against the mayor's measure to spend $10 million toward a new $95 million police training center on the West Side.

Asked about the comments, Emanuel said he wasn't snubbing Chance, and praised him for his work on behalf of the arts and his decision to speak up Wednesday.

"It's not when he spoke that I stepped out. I stepped out beforehand. It was actually to call my mother," Emanuel said. "And I had not called her in the morning, because we had the morning meetings. ... Don't ever be late calling a Jewish mother on her birthday."

What's on tap

*Mayor Emanuel will tour the Chicago Blackhawks' future practice rink, MB Ice Arena.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner will attend an Illinois National Guard deployment.

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*The Illinois Senate will meet and will get the same sexual harassment training the House did on Wednesday.

*Several state senators will hold a Capitol news conference to announce the formation of a women's caucus. The group includes Sens. Heather Steans, D-Chicago; Karen McConnaughay R-St. Charles; and Toi Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights. An advisory said the group will promote legislation that addresses women's issues.

From the notebook

*'Should I even hug you?': Sexual harassment has gone from a topic that wasn't talked about at the Capitol to one that is now the subject of awkward jokes.

Since allegations of rampant sexual harassment have surfaced in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood, compliments at the Capitol are doled out with a caveat, and hugs come with a disclaimer that the hugger isn't trying to offend.

"I've noticed people being more reserved in their interactions, particularly with women colleagues, almost to the point of farce, like making jokes about 'Should I even hug you?' " said state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago.

"I am glad it's on people's minds, I am glad people are thinking twice before they touch people," Guzzardi said. "My worry is that when this isn't under the bright lights, that people will just revert to their old ways of doing things." (Monique Garcia)

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*Democratic challenge to Durkin emerges: House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs already faces a potential primary challenge, and now a Democratic candidate for the general election also has surfaced.

Elyse Hoffenberg says she will run in Durkin's southwest suburban district. She is an attorney, a school board member and a commissioner on the LaGrange village fire and police board.

On the Republican side, Durkin is facing a possible March primary challenge from Burr Ridge Village President Mickey Straub.

In a statement, Hoffenberg accused Durkin of encouraging lawmakers "to blindly follow" Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's agenda to "enrich big corporations at the expense of middle-class families."

"It's time for a leader who understands that this seat doesn't belong to Bruce Rauner or his wealthy friends. It belongs to the people of the 82nd District," she said. (Rick Pearson)

*Illinois Democrats sign onto assault weapons ban: After Sunday morning's mass shooting in Texas, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth joined 20 other Democratic senators to sign onto a bill to ban military-style assault weapons.

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It's not likely to be considered by a Republican-controlled Congress. But the measure would prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 assault weapons named in the bill, though owners of existing weapons could keep them, the lawmakers said.

The bill also would ban so-called "bump stocks," such as those found on weapons in the hotel room of the assailant in last month's Las Vegas massacre. The devices let semi-automatic weapons fire at fully automatic rates.

"I don't want my daughter to have to grow up in a country that won't protect her from firearm violence," said Duckworth, whose only child will be 3 years old later this month. "We owe it to the countless and growing number of firearm violence victims to take action, not just deliver thoughts and prayers."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the lead sponsor, said the proposal was introduced so that after every mass shooting with a military-style assault weapon, "the American people will know that a tool to reduce these massacres is sitting in the Senate, ready for debate and a vote."

Congress in 1994 passed a 10-year ban on assault weapons, but it lapsed in 2004. (Katherine Skiba)

*Quick spins: News organizations aren't supposed to cheerlead, but there was ABC-Ch. 7 Chicago's Facebook account getting out the virtual pom poms, posting: "GO CHANCE!! Chance the Rapper took on Chicago's City Council this morning." ... Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans is a veteran Chicago politician dating to the Council Wars. So it should be no surprise that he made sure to be in the photo as former President Barack Obama left the room Wednesday after being spared sitting on a jury. ... Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker announced the endorsement of state Sen. Andy Manar on Wednesday.

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What we're writing

*Emanuel: Allow taxis to charge surge prices, require same background checks as Uber, Lyft drivers.

*Chance the Rapper asks Chicago aldermen not to fund $95 million cop training academy. They advance the plan anyway.

*Lawmakers get sexual harassment prevention training: If you wouldn't say it in front of grandma, don't.

*Obama reports for jury duty at Daley Center but is dismissed a short time later. Then he speaks at previously scheduled Michael Sacks event.

*Detainees regularly expose themselves to female public defenders, suit alleges.

*City officials rip Burke idea to fine pedestrians using phones in intersections.

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*City selling $1 vacant lots to develop affordable housing.

*Dart moves to fire jail guard for family leave misuse.

What we're reading

*Close friendships could lead to sharper memory, study says.

*Chicago Brauhaus closing in December, says owner.

*Major investors sue Outcome Health, alleging firm committed fraud to secure $487.5M investment.

Follow the money

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

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Beyond Chicago

*Tuesday's election shows suburban problems for Trump.

*Hatch says election results complicate GOP tax plans.

*AT&T, Time Warner under pressure to sell CNN.

*Puerto Rico reports increase in deaths after storm.
This booking photo released Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, by the West Hartford Police Department shows University of Hartford student Brianna Brochu, charged with smearing body fluids on her roommate's belongings in West Hartford, Conn. (AP)

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  The Connecticut NAACP wants a felony hate crime charge immediately filed against a white former college student accused of smearing body fluids on her black roommate's belongings.

Close to 100 people attended a rally held by the NAACP on Wednesday outside the West Hartford police department.

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Former University of Hartford student Brianna Brochu was charged Oct. 28 with misdemeanor criminal mischief and breach of peace. Police said last week they were seeking a hate crime charge.

Police say Brochu claimed in an Instagram post to have tampered with her roommate's belongings, including putting her toothbrush "where the sun doesn't shine."

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Brochu hasn't returned messages seeking comment.

Police say their investigation is complete.

Hartford State's Attorney Gail Hardy says investigators are waiting to talk with Brochu's roommate before deciding how to proceed.
HONG KONG  If Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's bid to speed economic reforms by rounding up rivals in graft raids sounds familiar, that's because China has been doing it for years.



The arrest of princes, billionaires, ministers and retired officials in Saudi Arabia last weekend bore resemblance in both scope and stated mission to Chinese President Xi Jinping's five-year-old anti-corruption campaign. And they may also have similar side benefits: pacifying the ruling elite and consolidating power around one man.



Such crackdowns have proven a reliable tool for governments from Brazil to Russia seeking to remove rivals and build legitimacy. Like Xi's, the anti-graft campaign by the 32-year-old Prince Mohammed, who's known as MBS among journalists and diplomats, appeals to a public increasingly concerned that the rich and powerful feel above the law.

"I certainly see similarities between the two leaders they are both consolidating power through the guise of reforms," said Lydia Khalil, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and a Middle East specialist. "The reforms that MBS and Xi may be proposing may be popular and reasonable among some in fact many but the manner in which reforms are enacted are as important as the reforms themselves."



Khalil warned that power grabs carried out under the guise of reform, without transparency and due process, risked a country's long-term stability.



There are important differences between the crackdowns. Xi's campaign unfolded slowly over months and initially focused on retired officials, while Prince Mohammed struck immediately at rival power centers. Xi launched his effort after formally securing power in late 2012, while Prince Mohammed is still the heir-apparent.



Still, the similarities abound. Those detained included billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the country's richest man and an investor in companies such as Citigroup Inc. and Twitter Inc. King Salman, the crown prince's father, told state TV that the most sweeping crackdown yet of his reign "will be applied on those big and small, and we will fear no one."

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Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal in Riyadh on Nov. 16, 2016. (Mohammad Obaidi / Bloomberg)

In China, Xi has made similar pledges to make his country a place where "nobody dares to be corrupt." The campaign has ensnared more than 1.5 million "tigers and flies," including the country's retired top general, former security chief and one-time presidential contender.



The effort has also extended to the business elite, with Wu Xiaohui, the founder of Anbang Insurance Group Co., China's third-largest insurance company by premiums, missing since June amid reports that he was taken away for questioning.



The ever-looming threat of prosecution has provided Xi a cudgel to push through policies. In a speech last month, he affirmed promises to improve the value of Chinese goods and pledged to restore the country to what he sees as its rightful place as a global power.



"The success of China's anti-corruption campaign could be a good example to all authoritarian regimes," said Zhu Lijia, a public affairs professor at the state-run Chinese Academy of Governance in Beijing. "It could maintain the political status of the ruling body while at the same time win public support and push forward the reforms they want."



While investors wait to see whether Xi's economic goals come to fruition, the political benefit to the president has been undeniable. He emerged from a twice-a-decade leadership reshuffle last month more powerful than any Chinese leader in decades.



At the ruling Communist Party's congress in Beijing, Xi avoided naming a successor while installing numerous top allies in senior leadership posts. He got his name written into the party charter, giving him a status on par with Mao Zedong.



While reliable polling is hard to come by in China, support for the crackdown appears broad. Some 83 percent of Chinese people surveyed by the Pew Research Center last year described corruption as a bigger problem than any other issue. At the same time, 64 percent said they believed the situation would improve over the next five years.



There's also a risk of a backlash as Prince Mohammed consolidates power and moves to counter critics, according to Raihan Ismail, an associate lecturer at the Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra. She cited the arrests of intellectuals and clerics who have been critics of his war in Yemen and blockade of Qatar.



"What he is trying to do is to eliminate royal detractors and critics to consolidate power within his family," Ismail said. "Companies are going to be nervous. Already we have the Gulf crisis. And that's not helpful either."
House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a $700 billion defense bill for fiscal 2018, devoting significantly more resources to Pentagon and military operations than President Trump had requested for the coming year.

Republican leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, disappointed that Trump did not ask Congress for a more dramatic increase in military spending when he took office, secured significant bipartisan support for versions of the defense bill that increased Pentagon spending to unprecedented levels during floor votes this year. The final, compromise legislation devotes $26 billion over and above what Trump had asked for and nearly doubles the president's requested troop increase, according to a summary of the legislation committee staffers briefed reporters on Wednesday.

Democratic committee leaders are backing the compromise. But they are also warning that Congress will probably not budget enough money to cover the programs that the legislation outlines.

Lawmakers are facing a mid-December deadline to fund the federal government, which is still subject to budget controls Congress imposed on itself in 2011. Those restrict defense spending to far lower levels than what Armed Services Committee negotiators wrote into the annual defense authorization bill.

"The actual amount we spend on defense will ultimately be decided by congressional budget negotiations that have barely even begun," House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith, D-Wash., said Wednesday. "It is unlikely that those numbers will correspond."

As written, the defense bill takes into account late-breaking requests from the Trump administration to step up financial support for missile defense spending in light of the mounting nuclear threat from North Korea, an additional 3,500 troops in Afghanistan and repairs for a series of naval vessels that have suffered sometimes-fatal accidents at sea.

The bill also outlines billions of additional spending for modernizing and purchasing several other categories of military ships and planes, including 90 Joint Strike Fighters  20 more than the president's request.

Lawmakers approved spending for nearly 10,000 more service members than what Trump envisioned in his budget request, adding 7,500 soldiers' positions to the active duty Army, and 500 soldiers each to the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. The bill also adds 1,000 active-duty Marines over and above Trump's request, and authorizes an across-the-board 2.4 percent pay raise for all members of the Armed Forces  also more than Trump had sought.

But the compromise bill avoided weighing in on several of the more dramatic measures lawmakers wanted to address, such as an effort from several congressional Democrats and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., to roll back Trump's stated ban on transgender troops serving in the military. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis launched a review of that order shortly after Trump issued it this summer; his determination of how, or whether, it can be implemented is due by Feb. 1.

The measure is also silent about authorizing the use of military force in current operations against the Islamic State and other extremist groups, despite senators' bipartisan efforts to force a debate under the bill. Discussions about an AUMF are continuing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where last month, Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testified about the administration's point of view.

The bill also left out a House-backed proposal to start a "Space Corps" as a new, separate branch of the armed services  a proposal the White House had vehemently opposed. Instead, the bill reorganizes and consolidates the various offices that handle space programs under the commander of the Space Command, which is left in the Air Force.
The sweeping gains won by Democrats in Tuesday's elections complete Virginia's transformation into the only blue state of the old Confederacy. Where the Harry Byrd machine once conspired to keep black students out of white schools, now a transgender delegate will take her seat alongside Latino women, a socialist and only the second African American elected statewide since Reconstruction.

The old edifices are falling faster than a Confederate statue  and those are under scrutiny in Richmond, Va., these days, too. Even Virginia's most politically powerful corporation  Dominion Energy  is being rattled: some 14 of the newly elected Democrats have pledged to refuse contributions and to challenge the priorities of a company that's known as the state's shadow government.

Change has been coming to the increasingly diverse state for years, but the evolution was turbocharged by the provocative influence of Donald Trump.

The president's victory last fall and subsequent knife-twisting tweets inspired a surge of Democratic candidates to run for office and pushed many voters to the polls.

"This election more than anything else was a Trump-effect election," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Democrat Ralph Northam won the governor's race over Republican Ed Gillespie by a comfortable 9-point margin, but Farnsworth said the outcome could have been much tighter if not for highly motivated anti-Trump voters.

"So many people in this election told pollsters they were voting against Trump more than for or against the actual candidates for governor," Farnsworth said.

That was particularly evident in the state's suburban regions, where Northam racked up wide margins and Democratic challengers unseated Republican incumbents in the House of Delegates.

The sentiment turned up in voices around the state. In Fairfax Station, where Pam Rodriguez, 44, showed up in the chilly evening rain to vote for Northam partly because she is "not a fan of Trump. ... I loved the commercial where Northam called him a narcissistic maniac," she said.

It was in eastern Henrico County outside Richmond, where a few days before the election Nick Hall was all set to vote for the Democrat for governor even though he wasn't sure of his name. Hall just wanted to strike back at the party of Trump. "Trump is an idiot," he said.

In exit polling, more than a third of voters said they came out to the polls to express opposition to Trump. Half that many said they voted to support Trump.

An especially striking aspect of that anti-Trump fervor was that most of those new candidates he inspired were women. Of the 15 Democrats who were on track to flip Republican seats in the House of Delegates, 11 were women. All of the delegates they will replace are men.

There were only 17 women among the 100 members of the House of Delegates in its most recent session; Tuesday's gains will bring that total to 28  its highest level in history.

"Make no mistake about it, 2017 is the year of the woman in Virginia politics," Farnsworth said.

The election stunned both sides. Republicans had enjoyed a seemingly untouchable 66-34 majority in the House of Delegates, and even designated a new Speaker of the House for next year  Kirk Cox  who has been assembling a staff and preparing his office. Northam drew ire from fellow Democrats just a few weeks ago when he told Cox during a moment of bonhomie that he looked forward to working with him as Speaker.

That role is in question now as Democrats appear headed for at least a 50-50 split in the House, pending the resolution of a handful of close races.

Some Republicans saw Tuesday's result as a tsunami that couldn't have been avoided  thanks, of course, to Trump.

"I'm for 90 percent of what President Trump wants to do, but I'm against 90 percent of what comes out of his Twitter," said former Republican delegate Dave Albo, who stepped down this year and saw his seat in Fairfax County, Va., go to a Democrat on Tuesday.

The president whipped Democrats into a frenzy, Albo said. "One of the rules of politics," he said, "is [ticked]-off people show up."

He said it's not accurate to call Virginia more Democratic in the wake of the election. "This is not a purple state. It's like, dark red and dark blue spots," Albo said.

The results did, in fact, amplifiy the state's divisions. Blue regions got bigger, as more suburbs flipped for Democrats  especially in the outer Washington, D.C., suburbs and around Richmond and Hampton Roads. But rural red areas went for Gillespie in great numbers, sometimes even more than for Trump last year.

And the Democratic party itself, for all its huge gains, is going to have serious issues to resolve.

"We're not unified in Virginia yet. We just made this momentary historic gain because we were strategically unified," said Josh Stanfield of the progressive group Activate Virginia, which worked for many of the new Democratic House of Delegates candidates. "That should not imply that the party is not fractured."

Some of the progressive candidates  such as Democratic Socialist Lee Carter, 30, who defeated incumbent Del. Jackson Miller in Manassas  were not aided by the Democratic Party of Virginia and they are nursing grievances, Stanfield said.

What's more, it was Stanfield's group that came up with the anti-Dominion pledge signed by so many of the new candidates. Other Democrats, including Northam, have taken large contributions from Dominion, the state's largest corporate political donor, and favor the controversial natural gas pipeline it's building in rural parts of the state.

The new Democratic wave could lead to chaos. Pipeline protestors disrupted several of Northam's campaign appearances, and protestors who favor sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants briefly halted Northam's victory speech Tuesday night.

"One thing that's for sure, this should not be interpreted as a kumbaya moment and from now on there's some sort of unified Democratic party," Stanfield said.

On Wednesday, Northam said he thought Democratic voters had turned out in such force to call for just that  a more unified and cooperative approach to government. He invoked "the Virginia way," the old idea that the state's lawmakers govern through civility and cooperation.

It was an anachronistic reference at a time when the state seems to have put on a fresh face.

"I'm not convinced we have that old Virginia way left anymore," said Quentin Kidd, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University. But there's something else that might still limit the pace of change.

"A lot of these candidates were novice candidates," Kidd said. So when they get to Richmond, "there's going to be a massive learning curve. ... There is something to be said for institutional inertia."

The Washington Post's Rachel Chason, Jenna Portnoy and Scott Clement contributed to this report.
Jennifer Carroll Foy won an open seat in the Virginia House of Delegates previously held by a Republican. Foy gave birth to twins during the campaign. She defeated her Republican opponent by 26 points. (Katherine Frey / The Washington Post)

As of Tuesday, only 17 of the 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates were women. Now, the number will surge to nearly 30.

Women racked up victories across the country on Tuesday and are being credited with the Democrats' big night overall. It is a testament to the remarkable explosion of female candidates who have entered the political stage since Donald Trump was elected president one year ago.

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The wave is likely to continue. In 2018, 40 women are already planning to run for governor. Dozens more are considering congressional and other statewide office bids. And Tuesday's result has already become a rallying cry for activists seeking to draw even more women into the public square.

"This is huge," said Stephanie Schriock, president of Emily's List, the political group that backs female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights. "This is how we build momentum for 2018. Women are going to lead the way."

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It was a night of historic wins for women and minorities across the nation. In Helena, Montana, a refugee from Liberia became the first black mayor. Seattle elected its first female mayor in almost a century, and in Charlotte, North Carolina, a black woman won the mayor's race for the first time.

All of it revealed a dramatic election night fueled by opposite forces to those at work in 2016: a surging coalition of women, minorities and immigrants angered by Trump's election and presidency - and eager for their voices to be heard in politics.

"I am stunned," said Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University.

It is not just the number of women running, but their success rate.

The Democrats' new strength in the Virginia legislature - moving up from 34 seats to at least 49 - was built on a strikingly diverse range of candidates, including a woman who immigrated from Peru, a female refugee from Vietnam, an openly gay woman and a transgender woman. Many of the ousted Republicans were white men who had held office for years.

With four races still too close to call, 11 of the 15 Democratic challengers who won in districts held by Republicans were women. Two of victors will be the first Hispanic women to serve in the House of Delegates.

In 2016, Emily's List had discussions with a record 920 women interested in running for office, part of what was called the "Hillary bump." Since that election, nearly 20,800 women have expressed an interest in running for office, according to its own tally.

Many of the newly elected women heading to the statehouse had never run for office before.

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In New Jersey, Ashley Bennett, a first-time candidate and hospital employee, defeated Republican John Carman for a seat on the Atlantic County board. Carman had shared a meme on Facebook during the Women's March in Washington, D.C., in January, asking whether the protest would be "over in time for them to cook dinner." Bennett, outraged, decided to run - and won.

Jennifer Carroll Foy, a public defender and former foster mother, gave birth to premature twins during her campaign for the Virginia House. She won an open seat in the Washington suburbs by 26 points.

"The fear and anger and frustration" she felt after Trump's victory pushed her to run, she said. She also was angry about what she considered the "anti-women" proposals coming from the legislature, such as a bill that would have made the anniversary of Roe v. Wade a day of mourning in the state. "Such a waste of time and energy," she said.

"The slow trot to gender equity sprinted a solid half-mile last night," said Geoffrey Skelley, a political analyst at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

Many Democratic groups, such as the Latino Victory Fund, have put new focus on state legislative races, adding funding and staff to help candidates.

Elizabeth Guzman, an immigrant from Peru who ran for a state House seat in what had long been the Republican-leaning outer suburbs of Washington, trounced Scott Lingamfelter, a retired Army colonel who had served since 2002.

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Guzman campaigned as an immigrant who like so many others had juggled several jobs to pay for her apartment and education. She ran, she said, "to protect the American Dream" and because she was saddened to hear children say that the president of the United States "does not like people who speak Spanish."

Hala Ayala, a single mom who had helped organize buses to go to the Women's March, beat an incumbent Republican who had run unopposed in 2015. Her district near Manassas has grown increasingly ethnically diverse.

"I built my campaign on the promise of fair and equal representation of our community in all of its wonderful diversity," Ayala said in her victory statement.

Democrats were far more aggressive at fielding candidates this year. In the past, many GOP incumbents had gone unchallenged.

In 2013, for instance, Democrats fielded candidates in only 67 House races, compared with 88 in 2017, Skelley said. "There was a noticeable uptick this year," he said - and notable success by women.

Lawless, from American University, said the lesson from Virginia, where so many usually safe incumbents lost, is to mount more challenges and not merely go for open seats.

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In the four Virginia races still contested as of Wednesday evening, two of the Democratic candidates are African American men. A third, Shelly Simonds, is a school board member from southeastern Virginia who trailed the incumbent Republican by 12 votes.

Female voters were key in Ralph Northam's resounding gubernatorial victory. The Democratic candidate won women by a 61 percent to 39 percent margin. Among black women, he won against Republican Ed Gillespie by a 91 percent to 8 percent margin, according to exit polls.

"It's pretty simple. We have had a very divisive president, and women in particular are fed up," Schiock said. "They got mad, and they got active."

Kathy Tran, who was a baby when she and her parents fled Vietnam in a boat, won an open seat in the Washington suburbs against Republican Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, an immigrant from Ecuador.

Danica Roem, a journalist who has written for local newspapers and sings in a rock band, will be the first openly transgender person to serve in the Virginia legislature. She unseated Robert Marshall, 73, who advocated against same-sex marriage, allowing gay people in military and other issues that the LBGT community supported. He has served since 1992.

Kelly Fowler, a former schoolteacher and real estate agent who won a Republican-held seat in Virginia Beach, is the granddaughter of immigrants from the Philippines.

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Lawless said that "when Democrats have a good night, women do well." But that means that in the future, if Republicans have an upswing, these gains may not be permanent, she said.

Lawless' research has found that women continue to show more reluctance than men to run for office - and to doubt their qualifications. One big difference, she said, is the effort that the Democratic Party is putting into recruiting more women to run.

"That can mitigate your doubts substantially," she said.
WASHINGTON  A wave of Democratic victories ignited a ferocious debate across the Republican Party on Wednesday over whether President Donald Trump's unorthodox behavior and polarizing agenda is jeopardizing the GOP's firm grip on power in Congress, governors' mansions and state legislatures.

The recriminations sparked by Tuesday's results  a decisive rebuke of Trump and his policies in Virginia and elsewhere  threatened the fragile GOP push to pass sweeping tax cuts by the end of the year and raised deeper questions about Republican identity and fealty to a historically unpopular president.

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One year ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, Republicans are increasingly uncertain about keeping their majorities on Capitol Hill and are worried about how damaging Trump's jagged brand of politics may become to the party.

"Donald Trump is an anchor for the GOP," said veteran party strategist Mike Murphy, a Trump critic. "We got that message in loud volume in Virginia. The canary in the coal mine didn't just pass out; its head exploded."

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The unease was palpable among vulnerable lawmakers, especially in suburban districts with the kind of voters who roundly rejected Ed Gillespie in Virginia. The Republican gubernatorial nominee ran on countering gang crime and illegal immigration and protecting Confederate history  cultural issues that Trump has made a touchstone of his presidency  but lost to Democrat Ralph Northam, 54 percent to 45 percent.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, R, said Tuesday's contests are a lesson to Republicans that catering to the party's conservative base with hard-line appeals and incendiary language turns off the moderate voters they need to win in states like his own. He said his party must choose between a political message of "blaming and scapegoating" or a more hopeful pitch centered around everyday issues like health care and the economy.

"This is a repudiation of the politics of narrow," Kasich said. In an apparent reference to Trump's 2016 victory, the governor added, "The politics of anger may work for a moment in time, but it does not last, thank goodness."

But other party leaders warned against drawing overly broad conclusions about Trump and his political strength from defeats in a handful of states - including two, Virginia and New Jersey, that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the last presidential election.

"Democrats say this is a repudiation and this is an anti-Trump vote, but to me the case doesn't stick," said Robin Hayes, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. "Donald Trump is extremely popular in a lot of places. His promise to 'drain the swamp' resonated and still does."

Said Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee: "When you see one night of elections, you see one night of elections. There is always natural wind at your back if you're not in the White House and wind in your face if you are."

Still, even among Trump's allies, there were complaints about the White House being disengaged and unready to deal with the party's mounting challenges.

"The White House isn't paying attention to the suburbs and there has never really been a political operation there," said Edward Rollins, the strategist for Great America Alliance super PAC, a pro-Trump group. "They have to develop a strategy where it's not just Trump alone winning, where the whole party is able to win."

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Andy Surabian, an adviser to the group and an associate of former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon, said blame cast upon Trump and Bannon for lurching the GOP to the right was misplaced.

"Establishment Republicans are blaming Trump and talking about Armageddon, but what is their alternative?" Surabian asked.

White House officials defended Trump's efforts to help fellow Republicans, noting that he has held numerous fundraisers and other events to help the party. And they argued that the best way for incumbents to navigate the political turbulence would be enacting tax cuts and other Trump policies.

"The American people expect Republican majorities to deliver on their promises of boosting our economy, cutting taxes and repealing the disastrous Obamacare law," said Raj Shah, a White House spokesman. "Nothing would help the political standing of Republicans in Congress more than delivering on the president's agenda."

Trump's friends at the Capitol said the divisions are more about style than substance. "The difficulty is, we have a president who didn't come from the Washington structure, so it's really hard for people inside the structure or outside the structure to evaluate him," Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said.

The fresh discord comes after weeks of escalating tensions inside the GOP. Three prominent Republican senators  John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee  have publicly condemned Trump's leadership and questioned his fitness for office.

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It also comes amid an exodus of House Republicans. This week alone, Reps. Frank LoBiondo, N.J., and Ted Poe, Texas, announced they would not seek reelection next year, joining a list of more than two dozen colleagues who are retiring or running for another office. Democrats see many of those vacancies as ripe territory as they look to win back the House majority. Democrats will need to capture 24 additional seats next year to reach the 218-seat threshold necessary for control of the House.

Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., conceded that the election results present challenges for incumbents like him. He represents a suburban Philadelphia district that Democrats are targeting aggressively in a region where Democrats won some local and county races for the first time in more than a century.

"We don't know if it'll be a wave. What we saw yesterday suggests that hypothesis has some merit, but remember, congressional districts are still one by one," Costello told reporters on Capitol Hill. "I'm very confident that I've given 110 percent effort to this job."

Democrats are grappling with problems of their own. As celebratory and cathartic as Tuesday's victories were for a party demoralized by Trump's victory, Democratic leaders know Northam's success in Virginia does not necessarily mean there will be a nationwide upswing next November.

"Virginia is a microcosm of a large portion of the nation, but it doesn't represent every community or every state," said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif. "We have to make sure that we are fighting for the people where they're at - in the rural and urban communities - and reflect their struggle to have better lives."

Ruiz added, "Running purely against Trump is not the full picture."

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Democratic leaders have echoed that sentiment, saying the party must develop its own affirmative message and must strive to connect with voters everywhere, in particular regions where Trump remains popular.

"There remains a lot of work to do in reaching those small town or rural Democratic voters," said Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pa. "They are the ones who need to hear from us, too. Those are the voters our party has had a problem with over the years. We need to speak to them about the lack of wage growth and the opioid crisis. We may not even win in those areas, but we could narrow the margins."

Republican strategists said the party's image has suffered from nearly a year of stalemates, fits and failures to govern, despite the party's control of both chambers of Congress as well as the White House. That is one reason the proposed tax code overhaul has taken on such urgency among GOP leaders.

Robert Dole, a former GOP Senate leader and presidential nominee, said it was premature to assess the political environment for the midterms, and that his party could improve its standing if it manages to pass major legislation.

"While I am disappointed in the overall results of yesterday's election in Virginia, I don't believe we can measure the full impact on the GOP just yet," Dole said. "If Congress passes the tax bill this year, this will help the president's popularity. As a party, we should have a better sense of where things are headed in six months or so."

Republican consultant Josh Holmes, a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday's losses should prompt the party's lawmakers to act quickly on taxes.

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"It provides all the motivation they need to get something done," Holmes said. "In part, what happened on Tuesday is a reaction to what's not being done and a warning sign that they need to move. They don't have any choice but to do the tax plan."

But with aspects of the tax plan fluid as Republicans squabble over its details, Murphy and other Republicans said lawmakers will have to make decisions that allow them to appear independent from Trump in case the tax legislation fails to pass or the president's approval ratings decline further.

"Republican members of Congress in swing districts cannot be Trump lemmings. They have to create their own strong identities," Murphy said.

In the states, where Republicans have won control of a majority of gubernatorial offices and state legislatures over the last decade, GOP leaders said the path forward was much the same: Protect yourself.

"People get in trouble when they try to wear someone else's clothes," Haslam said. "Each candidate has to decide for himself or herself whether [Trump] is something to focus on or if they're running for governor of their state and saying, 'I'm going to run my race.' Good candidates rise or fall on their own."

The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe contributed to this report.
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Steven Rosley started selling gems, stones and crystals to support his family but gradually came to see his merchandise as something that offered spiritual nourishment and healing to those who believed in their powers.

He really grew into that belief in the metaphysical power of stones over the years in the business, said his son, Luke Faith-Rosley.

His business, Rosleys Rocks and Gems, 4344 N. Western Ave., sells minerals to some customers interested only in their decorative qualities, but Rosleys interests went far beyond that.

It included gems and stones and crystals and what they represent  their properties in the metaphysical world, his son said. Over time it grew into passion and belief.

It also earned Rosley the moniker Crystal Master. Not sure of the story behind the name, his son said, but it was a title that stuck.

Rosley, 74, died in his Chicago home Oct. 25 of heart failure, his son said. He underwent conventional treatments as well as crystal healing during two bouts with cancer over the past several years, according to YouTube videos recounting his illnesses.

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Rosley grew up in Northbrook and attended what is now Glenbrook North High School. He went on to Bradley University in Peoria, where he got a bachelors degree in business in 1967.

His son said that after graduation, Rosley worked for a time as an art dealer, selling fine art. In the early 1970s he headed for Europe, traveling, camping and backpacking while making jewelry. He collected some stones during that time, but mostly for his jewelry-making.

By the late 1970s he was back in Chicago, working in sales for a credit card company. That lasted until the early 1990s, when he was laid off.

Rosley made many YouTube videos, recounting the power of crystals as well as his personal history.

In a 2009 video, he talked about the new direction for his life following his layoff. His father had taken up the cutting and polishing of stones after retirement, and at his death left Rosley several hundred pounds of stones. Needing money, Rosley began selling the stones at flea markets and to shops around Chicago.

He recounted meeting a person he called a shaman during a 1992 trip to Florida and becoming aware of the metaphysical properties of stones. By April 1993 he was back in Chicago, where he bought a stone and gem shop in Lincoln Park. He moved his business several times before settling in the current Lincoln Square location about 10 years ago.

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The shop dealt in crystals and rocks and healing stones, said Bruce Duncan, a friend for more than 60 years. He believed you could put certain rocks and crystals around your neck and they would change your powers in the universe.

In his videos and in person, Rosley talked passionately about the stones, not only their powers but their physical beauty. He described the deep purple of sugilite, the pale grey green of infinite and the ghostly nearly colorless rhodizite, three stones he combined in pouches he called medicine bags.

Rosleys belief in the power of crystals included a strong regard for the power of crystal skulls. He had several in his collection, including a large version known as the Star Sirius.

Duncan said that during the last eclipse, Rosley set up a copper-framed pyramid in front of his shop and squatted in it, holding a crystal skull in his lap. So cosmic energy from the eclipse would be focused on his head, Duncan said.

He was a regular exhibitor at Chicago-area gatherings of the Body, Mind, Spirit Expostyle , according to Megan Mitchell, an event manager for the Oregon-based organization.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Just a remarkable person, knowledgeable, warm. He traveled the world to seek out his stones, Mitchell said. He taught classes. He was always interested in helping people understand how they could heal themselves.

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Mitchell said Rosley touched thousands of people through his work with crystals.

He loved his stones and he loved what he did, Mitchell said. The world is a sadder place without him.

In addition to his son Luke, Rosley is survived two other sons, Jeremie and Tim Faith-Rosley, and a daughter, Stephanie.

His two marriages ended in divorce.

A memorial service was held in his shop.

Graydon Megan is a freelancer.
Attorney general candidate and former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn speaks at a Cook County Democratic slate meeting for attorney general Friday November 3, 2017 at 134 N. LaSalle. (Phil Velasquez/ Chicago Tribune) (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

The joke lately isnt about who is running for Illinois attorney general in 2018. Its who isnt.

On the Democratic side, at least eight serious contenders say theyre running. Its a powerhouse posse of former federal prosecutors, lawmakers, political players and even a former governor, Pat Quinn.

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But theres a problem. Many of them believe theyre running against President Donald Trump.

(In) this age of Trump and his hateful policies, we need someone from Illinois strong enough to take him on and make sure he not only obeys the law but doesnt break the law, Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times.

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State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, also planted a target on Trump while announcing his bid for attorney general, along with Sharon Fairley, the former head of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Our next attorney general must defend our people and our local governments against the Trump administrations regressive and unconstitutional attacks, Fairley said.

In a video announcing his candidacy, former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti focused almost entirely on his vision to use the Illinois attorney generals office to stop Donald Trump in his tracks.

Hold on. Not every political race can be about Trump, no matter the temptation. It is not the primary duty of Illinois attorney general to derail the federal policy initiatives of the president. If thats the goal of the contenders on the Democratic side, they should run for federal office or go work for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., or House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

Its not as if Trumps controversial policies are cruising along unchecked. Some 240 Democratic House and Senate members in Washington, countless special interest groups, the national Democratic Attorneys General Association and special counsel Robert Mueller are resisting, investigating and exposing the Trump administration by the hour  not to mention a fanatic cable news cabal.

Thats the short list.

What this state needs  what Democratic voters should prioritize  is an attorney general who will be independent and fierce and who will challenge the one-party rule of Chicago, Cook County and Springfield that remains ripe for fostering an environment of corruption. The disturbing reality that citizens of Illinois can only rely on federal prosecutors to pursue public corruption allegations is beyond embarrassing.

Even Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan acknowledged when she first ran in 2002 that corruption-fighting, no matter where it led, would be a priority in her office. But when scandals erupted, she stuck to the sidelines.

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Will Illinois finally elect someone in 2018 who wont? Or will voters swoon over a sharply partisan, podium-pounding, anti-Trump windbag who downplays Illinois unique problems?

Madigan sidestepped numerous cases of public corruption, including a scandal at Metra involving an executive director who said he was edged out because he refused to play the patronage games of House Speaker Michael Madigan, the attorney generals father.

It was Lisa Madigan who didnt lead an investigation into the awarding of millions of dollars in violence prevention grants that largely evaporated during the heat of a governors race  Quinns. She didnt aggressively pursue patronage scams at the Illinois Department of Transportation or block the awarding of questionable state lottery contracts or push to remove from office the state auditor general, a long-time ally of her father who is under federal investigation for campaign fund irregularities.

One could argue journalists and citizen watchdog groups have done more to expose public corruption in this state, with far fewer resources, than the attorney general has.

Successful attorneys general prioritize good government. They skillfully defend taxpayers in lawsuits  and there are many. They shut down environmental polluters. They aggressively sue contract fraudsters. They protect consumers. And yes, they can use the tools of the office to expose corruption.

The next attorney general should be zealously preoccupied with representing Illinois citizens  including the 2.1 million who voted for Trump  and not obsessing over the latest developments in the nations capital.

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Lisa Madigan has been an accomplished and respected attorney general. But not in the one category where citizens needed her most. Let's elect someone who will prioritize corruption-busting in Illinois, not get dazzled by the Washington headline du jour.

Kristen McQueary is a member of the Tribune Editorial Board. kmcqueary@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @statehousechick
Workers pour concrete on a sidewalk in front of McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Affirmative action is one of those wedge issues that fair-minded white people tend to support  but dont advertise because its not all that popular.

Making sure minorities get a fair share of the pie may be the right thing to do, given our nations unfair history, but generally speaking white folks win neither friends nor elections by tub-thumping for racial quotas, whether for college admissions, police hiring or contract awarding.

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So I had to wangle my invitation to a quiet meeting two weeks ago at the Illinois Institute of Technology  a meeting of construction professionals out to make their industrys version of affirmative action work better.

Some background: The city of Chicago has had a set-aside ordinance covering tax-funded construction since the 1980s. Its effectiveness has been mixed.

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Faced with a new requirement to assign at least 20 percent of the work to black- or Hispanic-owned companies and another 5 percent to women-owned companies, some general contractors cut corners or outright cheated. Back then the Tribune won investigative awards for exposing set-aside fraud. But to tell the truth, we were shooting fish in a barrel.

We found old-line companies that simply switched on-paper ownership to the wife; major contractors who set up one of their few minority employees with a truck and a sheaf of letterhead; even minority subcontractors spun from thin air, their papers of incorporation using the same address as the parent.

Over time things got better, though in some cases the deceptions simply got more complex. It was while navigating this shadow world  and reporting for the Tribune on public works expansions from McCormick Place to OHare International Airport  that I met Paul King Jr. His company had just been recognized by the state of Illinois as one of the best minority-owned contractors.

Which worked for me, a very white reporter whose byline was appearing on too many stories about questionable black contractors. So King became a source and, over time, a friend. He knows the ropes, having come up as a South Side painting contractor and outspoken trench-fighter in the struggle to integrate Chicagos notoriously clannish building trades unions.

That meeting at IIT two weeks ago was Kings idea. It was a kickoff breakfast for the Minority Contractors Technical Assistance Center. With startup funding from the MacArthur Foundation, the center will be located on IITs Bronzeville campus and run by its Center for Research and Service.

Well start with a Phase 1 study of the problems and issues preventing minority contractors from getting work, said IITs Dr. George Langlois in welcoming members of the new efforts Industry Advisory Council. He credited King with launching the concept via a strongly worded essay published in May 2014 in the Tribune.

Project manager Jayne Jackson, also a veteran of minority inclusion campaigns, said MCTACs eventual goal is a walk-in office where fledgling contractors can get help setting up a business, discovering bid opportunities, hiring and training workers, securing performance bonds and learning how to cope with bigger and more experienced joint-venture partners.

One of the major business players in attendance offered that companys issue with minority subcontractors has been tardiness to do detailed cost estimates for their piece of a project  so the general contractor can meet bid submission deadlines.

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Nobody in the room pushed back. Theres blame to go around, it seems, not all of it to be heaped on white racism.

A couple of days after the IIT meeting, at a City Council budget session, the city disclosed that its current requirement of 26 percent minority-owned and 6 percent women-owned is indeed being met. Trouble is, only 8 percent of more than $1 billion in contracts this year has gone to African-American firms. Hispanic-owned firms won 14.5 percent and Asian-American 4 percent. (The state of Illinois black-owned rate is even worse  around 2 percent.)

All this in a city where unemployment among African-Americans ages 20-24 has been running north of 40 percent, where were averaging two homicides a day, where the remedy most often recommended by experts is to increase the availability of good-paying jobs.

The Minority Contractors Technical Assistance Center at IIT is no end-all solution, but its a welcome start.

John McCarron teaches, consults and writes on urban affairs.

Twitter @McCarronJohn
Roy Moore won the Republican nomination for the Senate seat in Alabama this year on the strength of his long-standing position as an advocate for hard-right conservative and evangelical values.

Twice elected chief justice of Alabama's Supreme Court, he left that role both times for his activism on behalf of his religious beliefs. In 2003, he was removed from office for refusing to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from a state building. In 2016, he was suspended for refusing to uphold the Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriages.

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When challenged by Luther Strange for the nomination to the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Moore never trailed.

On Thursday afternoon, The Washington Post published a story detailing allegations from four women who say they were pursued by Moore when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One, Leigh Corfman, described how Moore had initiated sexual contact with her when she was 14 and he 18 years older.

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Republicans on Capitol Hill  many of whom supported Strange in the primary, it's important to note  quickly called for Moore to drop out of the Senate race, a move that seems unlikely. (Moore tried to get ahead of The Post's story by denying it in advance to Breitbart.) The question then becomes whether Moore can win the general election race against Democrat Doug Jones in light of the allegations - particularly given that nearly half of the state identifies as evangelical, suggesting that a moral question might dampen his support.

Recent history, though, suggests that he might not lose substantial evangelical support. That recent history is Donald Trump.

On Oct. 7, 2016, The Post had another scoop: Donald Trump had been recorded casually talking about sexual assault while preparing for a segment on "Access Hollywood." When he denied having actually assaulted anyone during a presidential debate, a number of women came forward to say that he'd done to them precisely what he described in those audio recordings.

The result for Trump? He won more support from evangelical voters than any Republican since the question of religious identification began being asked.

Nearly half of Trump's support  46 percent  identified as white evangelical Protestant.

In the wake of the "Access Hollywood" tape, PRRI released data showing that, for evangelical voters, moral rectitude had faded in importance since 2011. More than any other religious group, evangelicals said that someone who acts immorally in their personal lives can still serve morally in office.

Part of this is certainly a response to what was known about Trump. Evangelical voters supported Trump, so they were willing to say that any indiscretions were irrelevant.

But why did they support him so fervently? One factor is that Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, was fervently opposed by evangelical voters. Our Sarah Pulliam Bailey wrote about that last October.

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"She symbolizes much that runs against their beliefs: abortion rights advocacy, feminism and, conversely, a rejection of biblical ideas of femininity and womanhood. Perhaps even more significantly, Hillary Clinton, as an outspoken and activist first lady, is inextricably tied in the minds of conservative Christians to their loss of the culture war battles beginning with Bill Clinton's first term in 1993.

That last point, about the culture wars, is important. In June, Politico's Tim Alberta explained why evangelicals continued to stand by Trump.

"Yet for Christians who feel they are engaged in a great struggle for the identity of America - and fear that their side has been losing ground - the most important question is not whether Trump believes in their cause, but whether he can win their wars. 'Jimmy Carter sat in the pew with us. But he never fought for us,' Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, told me after the president's speech. 'Donald Trump fights. And he fights for us.'"

Ergo: Support for Trump. In August, Pew Research reported that half of those who approve of Trump approved of his performance in office not because of his policies, but because of his approach and personality: his leadership, his willingness to "speak his mind," that he wasn't a typical politician. It was the style that appealed, not what he stood for.

Which brings us to Moore. Moore's political background is predicated on engaging in the sorts of fights that evangelical voters would like to see fought.

Moore is aware of this. He tweeted this in early October.

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"But I've been on the frontlines of the fight against the liberals' all-out war on Conservative values for years. (3/6) #ALSen

- Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) October 6, 2017"

Last week, he looped Clinton into the fight.

"Now, we're locked in the ultimate fight for the future of our nation with the Obama-Clinton Machine. (3/5) #ALSen

- Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 2, 2017"

How Trump stumbled onto the right message for evangelicals isn't clear, but it probably stems in part from tracking conservative media. Moore, on the other hand, was steeped in it.

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The allegations against Moore are decades old and, for those interested in dismissing them, dismissible as pitting his word against the women's. It seems unlikely, then, that evangelical voters would, at this point, reject his candidacy, especially with Moore denying the charges as fervently as he is.

If Donald Trump  a one-time New York Democrat on his third wife with little connection to religious faith before his political run  can keep the support of the evangelical community, it seems unlikely that a conservative Alabama judge who lost his job in defense of the Ten Commandments is at much risk of seeing that support evaporate.

Washington Post

Philip Bump is a correspondent for The Post based in New York City.

What to read next:

The Republican Party is now a freak show, and Steve Bannon is the ringleader

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Donald Trump's biggest flaw: He's not that bright

America will survive Donald Trump, but it will never be the same
Michael Roberts and Georgena Roberts were charged with first-degree murder in the starvation death of their 6-year-old boy, Liam, who authorities said weighed 17 pounds. (Jersey County States Attorney via AP)

The pathologist determined the preliminary cause of death to be failure to thrive due to extreme malnutrition. The 6-year-old boy weighed approximately 17 pounds when his father brought him to a local hospital on Nov. 3, already deceased.

According to charts from the World Health Organization, the average weight for a 6-year-old boy is around 50 pounds. A normal weight for an infant between the ages of 6 months and one year is 17 pounds. The boy, identified as Liam on social media and L.M.R. in law enforcement records, weighed only as much as a baby.

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His father and stepmother, Michael and Georgena Roberts of Jerseyville, Ill., north of St. Louis, face first-degree murder charges. They also face two counts of endangering the life and health of a child. Authorities say they withheld food from Liam and a 7-year-old sibling as punishment. Another 9-year-old child in the home was taken by ambulance to the hospital, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. All five surviving children in the home were placed in protective care.

The criminal complaint from Jersey County States Attorney Benjamin Goetten says the parents denied food and nourishment to Liam on a regular and consistent basis, knowing it could cause him to die. Neighbors who spoke to The Telegraph newspaper of Alton said the older children in the home sometimes played outside, but no one saw the younger ones. Law enforcement sources said some of the kids were home-schooled.

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Adding to the devastation Liam endured is the fact that it could have been stopped. Someone  we dont know who  notified DCFS nearly two years ago that there was inadequate food in the home. That is, someone decided to take action, called the DCFS hotline and tried to help. But the agency closed the case after a pediatrician said Liams low weight was the result of a medical condition.

Was Liam examined in person by that doctor? Was the boy interviewed by a DCFS caseworker? Were siblings interviewed, away from the parents? Did anyone go inside the home? Did state workers examine the familys past history with the agency? The stepmother, according to The Telegraph, was charged in 2003 with running a meth lab and with possession of cannabis; she pleaded guilty to drug possession.

And while at least one person did notify DCFS, how many others  perhaps social workers, school personnel, law enforcement officers, neighbors, friends, family  suspected abuse or neglect but failed to call the DCFS hotline or notify child welfare officials?

All questions unanswered. Law enforcement and DCFS are not yet releasing further details.

What we do know is DCFS had contact with the family, as did a pediatrician. Neighbors said police had been called to the house a few times. Still, a little boy died of horrific and preventable abuse.

We also know that keeps happening in Illinois. In fiscal year 2016, the DCFS inspector generals office investigated 100 deaths of children with whom the agency had previous contact. Thats 100 too many.

Some of them died while in youth care. Some died in foster care. Some died of suicide. Some died of street violence. Some died at the hands of their abusers. All of them were on DCFS radar.

Liam will now become one of those statistics summarized in the IGs annual report. He wont be named. Hell be assigned a number with a few paragraphs describing his senseless suffering. His death.

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The new director at DCFS, Beverly B.J. Walker, says she is changing certain protocols within the agency to clean up its scandalous record of failure. One reason for that record is its revolving-door leadership  nine directors or acting directors since 2011.

Private nonprofits who contract with DCFS for social services will be monitored more closely. Caseloads of investigators will be examined to make sure staff members are not overloaded. Thats some of what Walker promised when she took over the agency in June. Gov. Bruce Rauner, who hired her, and the Illinois General Assembly, whose members monitor her budget, need to make this agency and its mission a higher priority. For the politicians, that will take effort: Abused and neglected kids dont vote, dont contribute to campaigns, dont hire lobbyists to get the pols attention.

Forgive our impatience, but another innocent Illinois child is dead.

Questions about Liams tortured life demand answers. Starting with: Who failed to step up?
The obfuscation regarding former President Barack Obamas early release from jury duty was unfortunate. Pat Milhizer, representative for Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, stated that the ex-president was treated like any other citizen. Yet, he was released in the morning to attend a fundraiser at noon. For the record, when I reported for jury duty in the same court system, I was immediately dismissed from one case (I expressed reservations about an ambulance-chasing attorney), but I was told to return to the assembly room until the afternoon to see if I would be called to another case. I was. Even though peremptorily challenged on that case (this time for expressing reservations about written and video depositions), I was forced to remain until the end of the court day.

So, please ask Milhizer for a second try. Obamas early release was not standard court procedure. By the way, I was not the only person forced to stay in the assembly room after being dismissed.

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 Johnny L. Wilson, Skokie
A newly completed comprehensive Navy analysis says producing more Virginia-Class attack submarines on a much faster timetable is "achievable" and necessary to ensure future undersea dominance for the US - in an increasingly contested strategic global environment.

The Navy report, titled The Submarine Industrial Base and the Viability of Producing Additional Attack Submarines Beyond the Fiscal Year 2017 Shipbuilding Plan in the 20172030 Timeframe, was delivered to Congress on July 5, 2017, Navy officials told Scout Warrior.

The current or previous status quo had been for the Navy to drop from building two Virginia-Class boats per year to one in the early 2020s when construction of the new Columbia-Class nuclear armed submarines begins.

The completed study, however, maintains that the Navy and industry can produce two Virginia-Class boats and one Columbia-Class submarine per year, increasing the current plan by one Virginia-Class boat per year.

Navy leaders have consistently talked about an expected submarine shortfall in the mid 2020s and that more attack submarines were needed to strengthen the fleet and keep stay in front of near-peer rivals such as Russia and China.

"The sustainment of the two per year Virginia-Class submarine production rate during the procurement years of the Columbia-Class SSBNs is achievable and provides significant benefit to the Navy and the SSN (Attack Submarines) force structure," Lt. Lauren Chatmas, Navy Spokeswoman, told Scout Warrior in a written statement.

Maintaining a two-per year Virginia Class build-rate will help the Navy reach its goal of 66 SSNs, as identified in the December 2016 Force Structure Assessment, Chatmas added.

Increasing production will, to a large extent, rely upon the submarine-building industry's capacity to move up to three submarines per year.

"Producing these additional submarines will be a challenge to the submarine industrial base that can be solved only if the shipyards are given sufficient time to adjust facility plans, develop their workforces, and expand the vendor base," Chatmas said.

The Virginia-Class Submarines are built by a cooperative arrangement between the Navy and Electric Boat, a subsidiary of General Dynamics and Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Each industry partner constructs portions or modules of the submarines which are then melded together to make a complete vessel, industry and Navy officials explained.

Virginia-Class Attack Submarine Technology

Virginia-Class subs are fast-attack submarines armed with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes and other weapons able to perform a range of missions; these include anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, covert mine warfare, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), anti-surface/ship warfare and naval special warfare, something described as having the ability to carry and insert Special Operations Forces.

"Future Virginia-Class submarines (VCS) provide improved littoral (coastal waters) capabilities, sensors, special operations force employment, and strike warfare capabilities, making it an ideal platform for the 21st Century security environment," Chatmas said.

Compared to prior Navy attack subs like the Los Angeles-Class, the Virginia-Class submarines are engineered to bring vastly improved littoral warfare, surveillance and open ocean capabilities, service officials said.

For instance, the ships can be driven primarily through software code and electronics, thus freeing up time and energy for an operator who does not need to manually control each small maneuver.

The Virginia-Class submarine are engineered with this Fly-by-Wire capability which allows the ship to quietly linger in shallow waters without having to surface or have each small move controlled by a human operator. With this technology, a human operator will order depth and speed, allowing software to direct the movement of the planes and rudder to maintain course and depth.

Also, unlike their predecessor-subs, Virginia-Class subs are engineered with whats called a Lock Out Trunk  a compartment in the sub which allows special operations forces to submerge beneath the water and deploy without requiring the ship to surface.



Unlike their SSBN Columbia-Class counterparts to be armed with nuclear weapons, the Virginia-Class SSN ships are purely for conventional attack, Navy officials said.



Development of Virginia-Class submarines are broken up into procurement Blocks. Blocks I and II have already been delivered.

The Block III subs, now under construction, are being built with new so-called Virginia Payload Tubes designed to lower costs and increase capability.



Instead of building what most existing Virginia-Class submarines have -- 12 individual 21-inch in diameter vertical launch tubes able to fire Tomahawk missiles  the Block III submarines are being built with two larger 87-inch in diameter tubes able to house six Tomahawk missiles each.

Although the new tubes were conceived and designed as part of what the Navy calls its Design for Affordability strategy to lower costs, the move also brings strategic advantages to the platform, service officials say. Specifically, this means that the submarines are constructed such that they will be able to accommodate new technologies as they emerge - this could mean engineering in an ability to fire upgraded Tomahawk missiles or other weapons which may emerge in the future.



"VCS are designed to remain current with technology advances for their entire operational life through extensive use of modular construction, open architecture design (uses industry common design), and commercial off-the-shelf components," Chatmas said.

The Block III Virginia-Class submarines also have whats called a Large Aperture Bow conformal array sonar system  designed to send out an acoustic ping, analyze the return signal, and provide the location and possible contours of enemy ships, submarines and other threats.



Virginia-Class Block V - Virginia Payload Modules

For Block V construction, the Navy is planning to insert a new 84-foot long section designed to house additional missile capability. Virginia Payload Modules.

The Virginia Payload Modules, to come in future years, will increase the Tomahawk missile firepower of the submarines from 12 missiles up to 40.

"The VPM submarines will have an additional (approximately 84 feet) section with four additional Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs), each capable of carrying seven Tomahawk cruise missiles, for a ship total of 40 Tomahawks," Chatmas said.

The idea is to have additional Tomahawk or other missile capability increased by 2026, when the SSGN Ohio-Class Guided Missile Submarines start retiring in larger numbers, he explained.



Early prototyping work on the Virginia Payload Modules is already underway and several senior Navy leaders, over the years, have indicated a desire to accelerate production and delivery of this technology  which will massively increase fire-power on the submarines.

While designed primarily to hold Tomahawks, the VPM missile tubes are engineered such that they could accommodate a new payload, new missile or even a large unmanned underwater vehicle, Navy officials said.

The reason for the Virginia Payload Modules is clear; beginning in the 2020s, the Navy will start retiring four large Ohio-class guided-missile submarines able to fire up to 154 Tomahawk missiles each. This will result in the Navy losing a massive amount of undersea fire power capability, Navy officials explained.



From 2002 to 2008 the U.S. Navy modified four of its oldest nuclear-armed Ohio-class submarines by turning them into ships armed with only conventional missiles -- the USS Ohio, USS Michigan, USS Florida and USS Georgia. They are called SSGNs, with the G designation for guided missile.

--- To Read Previous Scout Warrior Reports on Virginia-Class Attack Submarine Strategy and Technology - CLICK HERE ---

- Kris Osborn can be reached at Kris.Osborn@Scout.com
Brandon Whitehead describes a 2006 traffic encounter with an off-duty Chicago police officer who drew his gun on Whitehead and his father and arrested his father. Walter Whitehead was driving his 16-year-old son home from his job at Long John Silvers at the time, and the officer later told investigators that the Whiteheads had cut him off in traffic. The officer didnt serve a reduced suspension until just this month. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Brandon Whitehead dropped to his knees in the middle of the busy street, cars veering around him as an off-duty Chicago police officer aimed a handgun at him and his father.

It was nearly midnight, and Walter Whitehead had been driving his 16-year-old home from his job as a cashier at Long John Silver's.

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Brandon stayed quiet as the officer, who also had just left work, called 911 for assistance. Then the officer, William Levigne, called again. On the third call, Levigne became indignant, requesting help from "a brother in blue" as he blocked traffic: "I've got two offenders here in custody  tried to kill me here!"

Levigne later told investigators that the Whiteheads had cut him off in traffic that night in October 2006 as they were driving down South Western Avenue on the city's South Side. He overtook them in his Monte Carlo while pointing a gun at them, then ordered them out of their car at a stoplight, forced them to their knees and handcuffed Walter Whitehead, records show.

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Brandon Whitehead had called 911, too. He was terrified as Levigne, not in uniform, approached the car with his gun drawn, calling them obscenities. He and his father initially thought they were being carjacked.

"Can you hear him?" Brandon asked the operator. She could.

"Off the (expletive) phone!" Levigne screamed.

More than 11 years ago, the Whiteheads filed a complaint with police officials responsible for investigating officer misconduct. But the father and son were skeptical Levigne would be punished.

They were right.

Police officials concluded that Levigne had mistreated the Whiteheads, used profanity and lied about it, and they recommended that he be suspended for 60 days. But they didn't follow through, and the officer didn't serve a reduced suspension until just this month, after reporters repeatedly questioned the delay.

Even after a Chicago Tribune investigation in March revealed faults with the disciplinary system that had caused officials to lose cases  and after they pledged to track down and finalize those cases  some punishments remain pending.

ProPublica Illinois and the Tribune, collaborating on this story, discovered Levigne's case as reporters tried to determine whether police officials had followed through on their promise.

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The previous story detailed how pending punishments for at least 14 officers had been forgotten, and pointed out there likely were more. Police officials have required many of those officers, as well as about a dozen others, to serve punishments  years late  during the past few months, the Tribune and ProPublica Illinois confirmed.

But officials continued to let other old cases stall as they failed to make sense of their own disjointed  and sometimes incorrect  records.

Levigne's case is a textbook example. He had challenged his 60-day suspension by filing a grievance through the police union, and city officials in 2014 reduced his suspension to five days.

I never expected him to. We know how the system works.  Walter Whitehead on Officer William Levigne not serving his suspension

But that agreement might as well have been put in the bottom of a filing cabinet. The officials who needed to finalize the suspension never got the paperwork, and the discipline never went on Levigne's record.

Police officials' record keeping was so poor, in fact, that records showed the case awaiting review by the Chicago Police Board, which oversees some challenges to officer discipline, though the case had never gone there.

As a result of the mix-up, his suspension had not been enforced. Reporters alerted officials to their error.

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Levigne declined comment. In 2014, he was promoted to detective.

Walter Whitehead said he wasn't surprised Levigne hadn't served the suspension.

"I never expected him to," he said. "We know how the system works."

He simply considers it a blessing he and his son weren't both shot.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police officials have worked in various ways to regain public trust since the video of an officer shooting teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times was made public two years ago, revealing inconsistencies in the official account of the shooting.

Emanuel fired police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, appointed a task force to propose reforms and revamped the former police oversight agency, the Independent Police Review Authority, or IPRA.

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A replacement agency, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, began work Sept. 15.

But COPA must work within the same labyrinthine disciplinary system that has contributed to a lack of accountability. Records are kept on paper and shuffled between the oversight agency and the Police Department.

There is no management system in place to track cases, and they fall through the cracks.

"Even if COPA gets everything right, there is this process that happens after where things can go off the rails, and that is what people should focus on and be concerned about fixing," said Sharon Fairley, COPA's former chief administrator who resigned last month to run for Illinois attorney general.

Among the police reforms included in the mayor's proposed budget, announced last month, is a case management system that would allow the Police Department, its internal affairs division and COPA to "better keep track of cases and receive real-time information on movements in any case status," police spokesman Frank Giancamilli said in a statement.

"Since the beginning of this year, the Department has started a review into older cases that have a final disciplinary determination to ensure that they have been processed, that officers have properly served their discipline if applicable and that the cases are ultimately closed," Giancamilli said. "In the expected small number of these cases that may have not been processed, we are working with the appropriate investigatory body to bring them to a timely closure."

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Mia Sissac, the COPA spokeswoman, said in the months before IPRA closed, officials worked to finalize long-delayed punishments. But she said CPD should have been following up on the cases in the years before that, too.

"We clearly took corrective measures to try to fix it, but CPD is still culpable for this," she said. "It was mishandled on both sides. ... We are now working with CPD to make sure all these older cases are taken care of."

COPA investigators now are responsible for tracking their cases to make sure discipline is implemented, a departure from the past.

"We are following our cases from beginning to end," Sissac said.

Since the report in March, at least a dozen officers have been suspended or reprimanded for cases that should have been finalized long ago, the Tribune and ProPublica Illinois found.

Those long-idled cases highlight how poorly the Police Department and IPRA communicated when officers challenged punishments, including through a grievance system governed by the Fraternal Order of Police union contract.

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The process starts when officers sign a form that indicates they plan to file a grievance. Disciplinary officials get the form and wait to hear the outcome so they can finalize the case.

All it took for cases to get lost was for officers to later decide not to appeal. Disciplinary officials then waited for decisions that would never come.

Officer George Stacker, for example, indicated in 2015 that he would file a grievance over a one-day suspension he received after he and two other officers searched a man's South Shore home with no warrant.

The officers said they were chasing a suspect and saw him dart into Robert Billingsley's brick two-flat. They burst into the entryway and banged on the door, pushing their way in when Billingsley opened it, according to records and interviews.

"It was a real frightening experience," Billingsley said, describing the officers rifling through family belongings.

The family filed a complaint with IPRA and then "never heard anything else about it," Billingsley said. IPRA conceded earlier this year that Stacker had never appealed and, after reporters asked about it, sent the suspension order to CPD to be finalized. A police spokesman said Stacker served his one-day suspension in April, six years after the warrantless entry. Stacker is currently stripped of police powers and on desk duty in connection with another case, a police spokesman said.

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In 2011, Robert Billingsley was at home when three Chicago police officers entered his South Shore two-flat without a warrant and searched it. IPRA investigated and held the officers responsible. One officer, George Stacker, was ordered to serve a suspension, and he appealed his punishment. A police spokesman said Stacker later served a one-day suspension in April, six years after the warrantless entry. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

The accountability system also finally caught up with Officer Tracy Rogers, who waved a gun at a woman during a road-rage incident in 2014. He was ordered suspended the next year but stayed on the streets as disciplinary officials lost track of his case, records show.

Davina Jones was on her way to work when Rogers, off duty and driving a Volkswagen, became enraged after she passed him on West 83rd Street and allegedly nicked his car.

He followed her, inching close to her bumper and trying to cut her off. He called 911, insisting to the operator that he should follow her. The operator told him to stop, according to a recording of the call.

Jones, who didn't realize Rogers was a police officer, later told investigators that Rogers pulled alongside her, pointed his gun at her and screamed, "I'll kill you ..."

The officer denied that account to investigators.

IPRA ruled that Rogers had "endangered the lives of the citizens" by pursuing Jones and unnecessarily displaying his weapon, and that he should be suspended for five days, records show. Rogers indicated in 2015 he would appeal, but he never did.

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IPRA again waited for a decision that would never come.

It wasn't until earlier this year that IPRA realized the bureaucratic blunder and sent the final suspension order through. Rogers served the punishment in May by forfeiting five vacation days, a police spokesman said.

Rogers said in an interview that he did not realize he needed to follow up on the appeal request. He denied the misconduct allegation, saying "that would be pretty stupid to do something like that."

Jones died of cancer last year. Her husband, Andrew Jones, who is also a Chicago police officer, said Rogers' behavior had lasting effects on his wife. She became fearful of driving and, when she did drive, often took different routes to work because she was afraid she would see the officer.

The incident left a lasting impression on him as well.

"I'm not just an officer. I'm a husband," Jones said. "I feel like a lot of people feel when the police are supposed to look into something and they don't."

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ProPublica Illinois and the Tribune found several cases in which officers did, in fact, appeal their discipline and settled with the city for a lesser punishment. But IPRA had no record of receiving the settlement agreements, so it never alerted the Police Department that the discipline should be implemented.

Police officials did not realize the discipline should have been served until reporters alerted them.

Officer Jorge Martinez Jr. was accused of drunkenly challenging and taunting a security guard and officers from a Texas police department while attending a wedding reception in Dallas in 2007. He was charged with misdemeanor assault in Texas, but the case was dismissed.

IPRA recommended a 60-day suspension in 2011, but Martinez settled with the city for five days in 2015.

IPRA had no record of getting the settlement agreement that reduced the punishment, so years passed and Martinez never served the suspension. In May, however, a CPD sergeant in the Bureau of Internal Affairs alerted IPRA and Police Department officials that Martinez's disciplinary case was listed as active when it should have been closed long ago, emails show.

Still, nothing happened.

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A police spokesman said a month ago that the paperwork would be sent to COPA so Martinez could serve his suspension, but he had not done so as of Wednesday. Martinez declined comment.

Even if COPA gets everything right, there is this process that happens after where things can go off the rails.  Sharon Fairley, COPA's former chief administrator

The disciplinary case against Officer Levigne, who terrorized the Whiteheads in the 2006 incident, also languished for years  even after the Whiteheads settled a civil suit with the city soon after the incident for $78,700.

Again, IPRA was not aware that the city had settled Levigne's grievance by agreeing to a five-day suspension, instead of 60 days, and that it had also agreed to expunge IPRA's finding that he had lied.

Nearly three years after the settlement and almost 11 years after the incident, on Aug. 30  after reporters had been asking about this and other lost cases for months  IPRA's former general counsel asked an employee to "dig into" Levigne's case to determine if action was warranted, according to an email obtained by reporters.

IPRA closed it the next day, though police officials didn't act on it for another two months. Levigne served the suspension Nov. 1 to 5, records show.

Meanwhile, in the time it took for Levigne's case to make it through the disciplinary process, CPD has had four superintendents and the police oversight agency is in its third iteration.

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Walter Whitehead said he sold his new Chrysler 300 after the incident, fearing that it drew unwanted attention, and he bought a pickup truck.

Brandon Whitehead graduated from high school, married and took a cross-country trucking job.

When he hears about officers shooting civilians, particularly during a traffic stop, he thinks back to his own run-in with Levigne. He remembers how police arrested his father for misdemeanor assault, a charge a judge dismissed the next month.

He remembers, too, how police left him on a street corner five miles from his home in Oak Lawn and how, when his mother picked him up at 1 a.m., she was in tears.

And now, as he drives around the country, Whitehead said he tries to avoid the police.

"I just don't have any faith in them," he said.

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This article is a collaboration between the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois, an independent, nonprofit journalism organization.

jrichards@chicagotribune.com

jodi.cohen@propublica.org

Twitter @jsmithrichards

Twitter @jodiscohen
Dear Tom,

Argentina just had a record storm recently, dropping a phenomenal amount of hail within minutes. What caused this freak storm?

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 Carol Rosenzweig Chicago

Dear Carol,

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In late October severe thunderstorms dropped both large and massive amounts of small hail in central Argentina. The city of Formosa was hit with softball-size hail on Oct. 25, causing considerable damage to structures, cars and vegetation. The following day a violent barrage of small hail buried the town of La Cruz with nearly five feet of hail that fell in just 15 minutes. While both events were exceptionally severe, Argentina is in the heart of its spring severe weather season and the atmosphere was explosively unstable as frontal boundaries lay across the area. Similar hail storms occur in the U.S., especially in the central Rockies and high plains.
A cold front will move south through the Chicago area late Thursday morning. Clouds will accompany the frontal boundary, perhaps producing some sprinkles or brief snow flurries. Temperatures will peak before noon  then fall through the 30s in the afternoon. The coldest air will hit overnight, possibly modified a little by clouds and flurries along and inland of the lakefront.

Single-digit wind chills could greet school children and others braving the outdoors early Friday  temperatures probably will drop into the teens in locations away from the city, especially west along the Fox River Valley. Friday afternoon highs in the middle 30s will make this the coldest day since the middle of last March.
Apprenticeship open house in Aurora

North Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute will host a free Apprenticeship Open House Wednesday. The event is part of National Apprenticeship Week.

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Attendees can learn about apprenticeships to become a painter, drywall finisher, glazier, industrial coatings specialist and linings applications specialist.

The event also offers a guided tour of the training center and an opportunity to meet with PDC30 leaders, instructors and apprentices to learn more about available opportunities.

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The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and a light lunch will be served.

For more information or to register for the event, call 630-966-1451 or email slefaver@pdc30.com.

The Apprenticeship Open House is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Painters District Council No. 30, 1905 Sequoia Dr., Aurora.

Tour Viking longship replica in Geneva

A historic Viking warship replica will be open for tours on Saturday in Geneva. The boat is an exact copy of the Viking ship Gokstad, built around 850.

Thirty-minute guided tours begin every 30 minutes. Self-guided tours are also an option for attendees, who can see the ship from a viewing platform that allows them to see the inside of the vessel.

The replica was built in 1893 and is about 78 feet long, 17 feet wide and 6.5 feet high from the bottom of the keel to the gunwale. The replica was sent from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

After being exhibited at the Museum of Science and Industry, the Viking was displayed in West Chicago before it moved to its current location in 1996.

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Tour leaders will discuss the history of the Viking, Norwegian sailing and ship-building skills, recent preservation efforts and plans for the future.

The warship can be toured again on Nov. 18.

The Viking warship is open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive, Geneva. The last guided tour starts at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teens. For questions, call 630-753-9412 or email viking1893@gmail.com.

Sales seminar at Aurora University

Aurora University will host the business seminar "From Zero to Sales Hero" on Tuesday.

Amy Simatos is the keynote speaker. Simatos is president of Gilberts-based AIM Training and Consulting Inc. and an Amazon author.

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"During this interactive class, we will talk about how the world of sales is changing and buyers are not buying the same way they did yesterday," said Simatos.

Simatos has 25 years of experience as an international keynote speaker, business strategy consultant and sales trainer.

"We will provide ideas, insights, and actionable Challenger Sales Methodology for an immediate impact on sales success," said Simatos. "Students will also get a jump-start on identifying and connecting with their 'why' and the passion, confidence, and success that comes along with it."

Call (630) 844-5527 or email sgreen@aurora.edu for more information.

"From Zero to Sales Hero" is at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Aurora University, 2245 Sequoia Dr., Aurora. Registration, networking and continental breakfast opens at 7:30 a.m.

Breakfast fundraiser in Yorkville

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The Yorkville Sons of The American Legion will hold their monthly breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 12.

The buffet will consist of pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, Danish, tomato juice, orange juice, milk and coffee.

Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for those 55 and over, $4 for those 13-20 and $3 for those 6-12 years old.

For more information or questions, call 630-553-7117.

The Yorkville Sons of The American Legion monthly breakfast fundraiser is from 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 12 at the Yorkville American Legion, 9054 E. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville.

Veterans Day Parade in Aurora

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The City of Aurora and the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council will host the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday.

Mayor Irvin and other dignitaries will pay tribute to veterans.

"We are extremely grateful to our veterans for their service," said Mayor Richard Irvin. "I am a proud veteran and Auroran who looks forward to the parade each year. It is a special time to reflect and to say thank you to those who sacrificed so much for our community and our nation."

The 2017 Keynote Speaker is Lieutenant Lauren Carthan, Senior Naval Science Instructor of the East Aurora Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Lieutenant Carthan is a 22-year Navy veteran who was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 2000. She served in a number of capacities, including Officer in Charge of the Officer Recruiting Program in Indiana and Deputy Director of Dental at the Naval Hospital at Great Lakes, prior to being deployed to Afghanistan in 2007.

After retiring from the military with an Honorable Discharge, Lieutenant Carthan was hired in 2011 as the first female NJROTC Instructor at East Aurora High School. In 2015, she was named the Senior Naval Science Instructor of the East Aurora NJROTC, the largest unit in the country.

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A special military rifle salute will commence at 11:11 a.m.

The parade line-up includes active and retired military personnel, local and regional veterans' organizations, public safety personnel, a community chorus, marching bands, ROTC units and many special guests.

The parade begins at the corner of Broadway and Benton St. and will travel north on Broadway, then west on Downer Place to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer.

G.A.R. Memorial Hall will be open for tours immediately following the parade and ceremony.

The Veterans Day Parade is at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 in downtown Aurora.

Registration for food opens in St. Charles

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The Salvation Army St. Charles Tri-City Corps is now accepting registration for families in need. Eligible families can receive Thanksgiving and Christmas food and gift distribution.

Individuals and families living in the Tri-City area with the zip codes of 60174, 60175, 60134, 60510, 60183 and 60184 can apply.

Spanish translators will be available. Applicants are asked to bring the appropriate documentation and must be 18 years and older to register. The organization asks that children not be in attendance due to the lengthy registration process.

Applicants are asked to bring: a valid photo ID for all adults in the household, current utility bill, lease or mortgage statement, thirty day proof of all household income, birth certificates for all children in the household under 17 and a list of child or children's sizes in clothing, shoes and their toy wish list. Incomplete information will result in the application not being processed.

For more information, call 630-377-2769.

Registration for food and gift distribution is from 9 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday through Dec. 6 at the Salvation Army Tri-City Corps, 1710 S. 7th Ave., St. Charles.

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Funding for this distribution is provided through the red kettle bell-ringing effort, so volunteer bell ringers are needed. Individuals, families, service clubs, churches, businesses and schools can sign-up online at registertoring.com or by calling Deanna at 630-377-2769 ext. 201.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program and Jim Wheeler Toys for Kids programs provide clothing, toys, books, coats and mittens for children in need. To be a sponsor or to donate goods, contact Senaida, Pam or Gloria at 630-377-2769.
The East Aurora Marching Band makes its way down Downer Place during a previous Veterans Day Parade in downtown Aurora. This years parade is set for Saturday morning. (Mike Mantucca / The Beacon-News )

The Aurora area is celebrating Veterans Day with a wide variety of activities.

The city of Aurora and the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council will host the annual Veterans Day Parade Saturday in downtown Aurora.

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The parade begins at 10:15 a.m. at Broadway and Benton Street and will travel north on Broadway, then west on Downer Place to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer, for a ceremony.

The 2017 Keynote Speaker is Lt. Lauren Carthan, Senior Naval Science Instructor of the East Aurora Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

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The parade line-up includes active and retired military personnel, local and regional veterans' organizations, public safety personnel, a community chorus, marching bands, ROTC units and guests.

G.A.R. Memorial Hall will be open for tours immediately following the parade and ceremony.

The village of North Aurora's Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the North Aurora Veterans Memorial at Fairview Drive and Willow Way in North Aurora.

The North Aurora Honor Guard, the Fox Valley Marines and Marmion students will participate in the ceremony.

Also participating this year will be military re-enactors with a time-line display of artifacts, equipment, uniforms and personal items from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War II and the Vietnam War. These items will be on display from noon to 3 p.m.

The city of St. Charles Veterans Day Ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The event will be inside Fire Station 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave., due to cold weather in the forecast.

The ceremony will begin with a reading of the official Veterans Day Proclamation, followed by an invocation, salute to the flag, gun salute and Taps performance.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Naperville), whose district includes a part of the Aurora area, will hold a Veterans Day town hall event for veterans and members of the community at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Goodwin Hall of Business at Benedictine University in Lisle.

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The forum will feature veterans who will describe their experiences as soldiers.

At 11:15 a.m. Friday, Waubonsee Community College will host a Veterans Day commemoration in the Student Center Cafe on the Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive.

Amy Powers, associate professor of history, will give the keynote address. There will be student projects about World War I from Waubonsee's History 112 class, as well as choral and instrumental music performances by students in the college's music program, according to the release.

The event is free and open to the public.

Oswego's Little White School Museum's "Remembering our Veterans" special exhibit runs through Sunday at the museum, 72 Polk St.

This year's exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

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Admission is free, but donations to the Oswegoland Heritage Association are gratefully accepted.

The exhibit includes hundreds of artifacts including dozens of vintage uniforms, photographs, and documents selected from the museum's collections, each with a direct connection to Oswego area who served from the Civil War through the current conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Also featured is a "Wall of Honor" recognizing the service of local military personnel.
Laura Bokar, of Fox Valley Institute in Naperville speaks at a recent roundtable discussion on mental illness that brought together federal, state and local leaders. (Fox Valley Institute)

It's always after mass murders, like the tragedy Sunday morning in a small Texas church, that tongues begin wagging, yet again, about reform.

It's not surprising. We all want to make sense of these violent acts that shake our very belief in what it means to be human.

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Among the most common targets after these mass slayings  in addition to terrorism and guns  is always mental illness. Which is not necessarily a bad thing if it gets America discussing the need for improvements in how we handle those who suffer from it.

There's no question that the 26-year-old Texas killer, who was able to pull the trigger with his gun aimed directly into the faces of crying babies, was mentally ill. And it's these horrible and incomprehensible acts that lead most people to believe mental illness is directly related to violence.

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Yet studies indicate only 3 to 5 percent of all such deeds are committed by someone who is mentally ill.

Despite the fact it touches so many of our lives  one in five adults experience a mental heath condition, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration there remains a stubborn stigma around it that is hard to shake. Over the decades, there's been more awareness, especially as more has been uncovered about the complex workings of our human brains.

But mental disorders continue to be far harder to diagnose and to treat than most physical illnesses. All of which poses even more challenges when it comes to insurance coverage and getting people the help they need.

Experts say that, while up to a quarter of Americans have a diagnosable mental and/or substance use disorder, only 40 percent receive treatment.

The good news is there are ongoing efforts to address these hurdles. The Mental Health Reform Act of 2016, passed by the House and still in the Senate, goes a long way in recognizing the needs. But experts point out that the federal government is mainly responsible for funding and for establishing and enforcing the minimum standards that states can expand upon. And it is up to local authorities to do the heavy lifting: provide coordination across a variety of public sectors that include everything from health and education to housing, transport and social care.

Here in the Fox Valley, there have been positive steps taken, for example, in the way law enforcement handles those with mental disorders. For years now, police departments in Aurora, Elgin and North Aurora  and earlier this year Naperville  have trained officers in dealing with these delicate issues. And just last month the Kane County State's Attorney's Office offered its first crisis intervention training for officers to better prepare for such encounters.

Across other sectors, earlier this year, the Kane County Health Department continued to build on its Community Council coalition to develop health programs that include critical mental health issues.

And just a few weeks ago, a roundtable discussion was held at Fox Valley Institute in Naperville, which brought together medical professionals, governmental agencies and insurance experts that, too often, tend to work independently of one another.

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Because true progress "must include good public policy," noted Fox Valley Institute Director of Operations Danielle Rowe, the roundtable invited politicians at the local, state and federal level, including U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Naperville), as well as those in the so-called trenches, such as first responders, insurance, legal and mental health professionals, to the table.

"It was about starting a conversation, and then keeping it going," she added. "We say we have care available" but the bottom line is that "those who need it do not get it."

At this event, those who see the issues every day were able to voice what they are most passionate about, whether it had to do with medical marijuana or licensing requirements, she said.

Other topics included telehealth, portability, early detection, treatment, continuity of treatment, first responder training and the goal of creating jobs by making sure legislation includes all mental health professionals.

The most frequent topics of conversation of this bipartisan group, however, were insurance and legislation. Rowe said many participants agreed that although medical insurance companies have included mental health coverage in their policies, reimbursement rates are considerably lower than their physical health counterparts.

And, while there was "no overall end-all solution," she said, "this roundtable was a way of connecting."

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In addition to Foster, among the almost two dozen who took part were Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico and Police Chief Robert Marshall; state Sen. Michael Connelly and state Rep. Grant Wehrli, DuPage County Board member Kevin Wiley; and retired Chief Judge Judith Brawka.

While there was no "overall end-all solution," noted Rowe, what is needed is more conversation  from local to global  which, in turn, will provide the awareness that can lead to change. In this case, two additional roundtable events will be held in 2018.

"These are the types of discussions," she insisted, that must continue "until everyone has a seat at the table."

DCrosby@tribpub.com
Viaero Wireless will be able to make use of a cell tower north of Beatrice after the Gage County Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit for the project this week.

The special use permit is for a cell tower northwest of Beatrice near 103rd and Hickory roads.

Mark Harms of Viaero said the project would consist of outfitting the existing tower with new equipment as part of an ongoing effort to expand coverage in southeast Nebraska.

Two years ago, we had the opportunity to buy the spectrum and get the licensing to come into southeast Nebraska and start providing service to this area of the state, he said. With that, weve been working on putting together a tower system.

The company has an agreement to add cellphone equipment at more than 20 sites, most in Nebraska, but some in Colorado and Wyoming.

Because the land the tower is on will be separated into different parcels, it would no longer be grandfathered into the area and would no longer meet setback requirements. This prompted the Gage County Planning and Zoning Commission to recommend that the permit be denied when the commission discussed it last month.

The tower, which stands at just over 200 feet tall, would have setbacks of more than 400 feet, or double its height. It was built in 1982, before the zoning regulations were in place.

The County Board approved the permit 5-1, with board member John Hill voting in opposition and Matt Bauman absent.

The board discussed the permitting process, and said cases like this should go before the County Variance Board for consideration.

County Board member Erich Tiemann stressed that project had been held up long enough and said current practices can hold up business.

Nothing changes, all were dealing with is a slight technicality here, Tiemann said. If this was a new tower going in on a piece of bare ground, I think there would be more conversation here. Maybe wed make something fit into our current regulations or even negotiate those in some.

The permit application was submitted in August, but Tiemann said talks of the project began in January and the process has been a slow one, considering nothing but the equipment on the tower and a maintenance building would change.

Board Chairman Myron Dorn agreed, and said the permit should be approved.

If they would not be splitting the ground, this would not even be here for a special use permit, he said. I dont see any reason why it shouldnt be passed. I think we could save a step, which sometimes government doesnt do.
Dear Annie: I occasionally have lunch with a relative whose company I enjoy. We usually have a nice time, but lately she has been bringing a last-minute guest with her without telling me. Sometimes it is another relative, and sometimes it is a person I've never met. This has caused seating confusion and a less desirable room at places where we have reservations. Does this mean she doesn't care for my company, or is it just a lack of manners? -- Mystified in Michigan

Dear Mystified: I can't divine this woman's reasons. Perhaps she's trying to save time by consolidating her lunch dates (which, I agree, would be bad manners). But there's no need to consult a crystal ball. The next time you're making plans and wondering whether she'll invite anyone else, just ask.

Dear Annie: My sons were the topic of a recent letter published in your column. It was from "Concerned Grandfather," my dad. He told you he's worried that my sons are overly affectionate with each other. (He admitted he had written the letter when I confronted him.)

I appreciate your thoughtful answer to my father's letter. For the record, my sons know that their grandfather disapproves of their closeness. They think he is being silly. I explained to my elder son, "Steven," that his grandfather grew up in a time when affection between brothers or a father and a son was frowned upon. His response was: "That's messed up."

My husband, their dad, was extremely affectionate to them, so I think that kind of openness and love is what they are used to. When their dad died, the boys were devastated. When the younger boy, "Frederick," wanted to sleep with Steven because he was having nightmares, I let him. Steven would comfort him by holding him in his arms all night. Now, six years later, Frederick gets scared because I sometimes work a third shift. He says he feels safer with Steven by his side when I am gone overnight.

It is true; they hug a lot. And yes, they do exchange pecks on the cheek, but it is not constant as my father described.

My sons love each other. I certainly will not do anything or say anything to make them feel their behavior is dirty or inappropriate. How different would the world be if boys gave and received more affection?

My sons are well-adjusted. They play sports, get excellent grades and have friends other than each other. My father has often said they need to see a counselor to end their disgusting affection for each other. There is no way I would ever take them for counseling to break something that I think is beautiful and normal. My prayer and wish is they will always stay close and openly affectionate. -- Loving Mom

Dear Loving Mom: Thanks for sharing. I'd like to add that you shouldn't automatically discount the notion of counseling for your sons -- not because they are affectionate, but because they lost their father at a young age.
All votes in the CO-3 election won't be counted until the end of this week
By Gidon Gautel

Billions lie within Chinas e-commerce market. Online sales in 2016 amounted to RMB 5.16 trillion  approximately US$758 billion. E-commerce giant Alibaba saw US$17.8 billion in sales last November 11 during Chinas largest e-shopping festival, Singles Day. However, although China has a plethora of other online shopping events, few beyond Singles Day have gained Western recognition.

Just last month, JD.com, Alibabas main competitor in China, celebrated its own shopping festival: 618. Over the course of 18 days, the website amassed US$17.6 billion in income from sales. Large shopping festivals such as this hold significant potential for foreign businesses looking to sell their products in China.

Chinese shoppers respond strongly to sales and special promotions. Shopping festivals offer enticing opportunities for foreign businesses wanting to achieve higher sales, gain brand recognition, and market themselves towards Chinese consumers. This article provides an overview of Chinas biggest e-shopping festivals.

Chinese New Year  January to February

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is Chinas most important holiday. Gifts have long been exchanged on this holiday; however, with the dawn of online shopping, gift giving has reached new heights. Food and beverage products are the most common type of gift, along with electronics and clothing. People will often order gifts to the addresses of relatives if they know they will not be able to return home over the holiday.

As Chinese New Year is such a popular festival, promotions extend across various platforms, though market giants such as Alibaba and JD scoop up large swathes of consumers. This years celebrations saw US$124 billion in online and offline sales for retail and catering. Meanwhile, US$68 billion in total online payments were recorded by China Union during the holiday.

RELATED: Business Intelligence Solutions from Dezan Shira & Associates

Valentines Day  February 14

Valentines Day has become an increasingly popular date for shopping in China, both for couples and optimistic singles. From Tmall to Jumei, most online retailers have continued to provide more and more deals on items likely to be gifted, such as makeup or perfume.

Figures from Kung Fu Data, an independent data firm based in China, show that during this Valentines Day, gross sales on Taobao and Tmall for flowers, bags, womens shoes, and accessories came to RMB 6.2 billion (approximately US$911 million). Additionally, whilst Tmall and Taobao snap up around 60 to 90 percent of online sales depending on category, other smaller retailers add further to gross sales.

Interestingly, February 14 is one of three Valentines Days in China, along with the Lantern Festival in March and Double Seventh Festival in August. However, these festivals are more traditional and less popular amongst young people, hence they see fewer online promotions.

Womens Day  March 8

China announced that it would celebrate International Womens Day over 60 years ago, in 1949. Recently, online retailers have ramped up promotional events on the day to capture the interests of Chinas female shoppers.

In 2017, online retailers opted for alternate names for the holiday to distinguish themselves from the competition. Tmall dubbed its promotions Queen Festival while JD.com went for Butterfly Festival. In particular, cosmetics and beauty products sell well. Jumei, which specializes in cosmetics, hosted its own Goddess Festival, which was well-received. These events have not been without controversy, however, as some argue they enforce stereotypes about women, while others say International Womens Day should not be commercialized in the first place.

Chinese female shoppers represent a huge market: according to the Chinese Research Centre for E-commerce, 70 percent of Chinese women shop online more than offline. Kung Fu Datas figures show that Womens Day 2017 witnessed RMB 30.8 billion (approximately US$4.5 billion) in gross sales on Taobao and Tmall for items such as womens fashion, accessories, and cosmetics.

Childrens Day  June 1

Recognized in China since 1949, Childrens Day has recently become a popular shopping festival, with promotions beginning at the end of May and lasting through the first week of June. Advertising during Childrens Day is mostly geared towards parents, who are increasingly expected to buy gifts for the event.

Products on sale during Childrens Day include items such as toys, board games, childrens wear, and childrens shoes. According to Kung Fu Data, gross sales on June 1, 2017 for such items across Alibabas platforms totaled RMB 7.4 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion).

618  June 18

Chinas second most prominent e-commerce festival after Singles Day, 618 celebrates the foundation of JD.com. The festival can be viewed as JDs response to Alibabas own shopping extravaganza in November, with considerable deals throughout, and plentiful promotion leading up to the event. As with Singles Day, other retailers also host sales, though JD receives the most attention.

Although 618 does not see the same scale as Singles day, this years figures were very impressive, with US$17.6 billion in sales over 19 days. JD looks set to level the playing field somewhat in upcoming years, as the e-retailers market share has slowly climbed from 18 percent in 2014 to 25 percent in 2016, and continues to rise.

9.9 Wine Festival  September 1-9

Announced by Alibabas founder Jack Ma in 2016, 9.9 is the e-retailers gift to Chinas wine enthusiasts. So-called because nine and alcohol share the same pronunciation in Mandarin, the event sees nine days of deals on not only wine, but also Chinese Baijiu and other alcohol.

Alibaba did not release comprehensive data, but Kung Fu Datas statistics show the inaugural 9.9 shopping event on the firms platforms saw RMB 1.9 billions worth of alcohol sold (approximately US$280 million).

Formerly confined to the realm of gifts amongst businesspeople, wine has become increasingly popular in China, particularly among Chinese millennials and the upper middle class. Total wine imports grew 47.3 percent year-on-year in 2016, slowing slightly in 2017 due to increased stockpiling by suppliers.

Singles Day/Double Eleven  November 11

Infamous for its dizzying sales figures, Singles Day is more commonly known as Double Eleven in China. It is the brainchild of Jack Ma, along with 9.9. Originally, November 11 was designated as a day for Chinas bachelors, later morphing into an event for all singles to celebrate themselves. The four ones in the date (11.11) symbolize single life.

Alibaba launched sales for the festival in 2009. Since then, sales revenue has seen impressive growth to the aforementioned US$17.8 billion last year, though the climb has slowed somewhat.

Other e-commerce sites also host promotions on Singles Day. However, in effect, this is Alibabas day. In 2014 the firm went so far as to trademark the name Double Eleven, preventing other retailers from advertising under the same guise.

Double Twelve  December 12

Double Twelve appeases those left unsatisfied by Double Eleven. An end of season promotional sale hosted primarily by Alibabas Taobao and Tmall, Double Twelve also boasts impressive sales figures, despite not reaching the stellar heights of Singles Day. In 2015, Alibabas Taobao recorded around US$13.2 billion in transaction volume.

The festival is reasonably new and has not amassed the same clout as its November counterpart. It therefore looks set to grow further. In 2016, total wireless transactions on Taobao on Double Twelve rose 45.8 percent over the previous year.

RELATED: Luxury Stores in China Are Making Moves on WeChat

Christmas  December 14-25

Christmas has become increasingly popular in China, and most large cities are rife with festive decorations in the second half of December.

Interestingly, Christmas in China has developed distinct traditions. Gifting apples to friends and coworkers, for example, is commonly observed, due to the fact that the first character of apple and peaceful are the same.

Shopping, however, remains the focal point of the holiday, with most online retailers providing promotions and sales during the Christmas period. Whilst many buy gifts online, others simply make use of the opportunity if they feel they could have bought more during Double Eleven and Double Twelve.

Christmas shopping has therefore become increasingly important for online retailers, helping Alibaba beat forecasts with a 32 percent rise in third quarter revenue last year. Moreover, the festival still has strong potential for further growth as it gains popularity in lower tier cities.

Untapped opportunities

Chinas e-commerce market provides plentiful opportunities, with major shopping festivals occurring on an almost monthly basis. Events such as Singles Day and 618 earn the spotlight, reaching a large demographic across the country. However, businesses hoping to sell to specific consumer subsets also have a variety of more niche events to choose from.

E-commerce in China is highly competitive and can be difficult for new participants to penetrate. Online shopping festivals provide an opportunity for foreign businesses to entice Chinese consumers, market themselves, and boost brand presence.

Beyond the festivals listed above, numerous other shopping festivals occur throughout the year. Events such as 418 and 818 offer similar experiences as Singles Day and 618, but on a smaller scale. Additionally, Western shopping festivals like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are establishing a growing presence in China.

Foreign businesses would do well to study Chinas e-commerce festivals. Detailed marketing strategies to navigate Chinas competitive e-commerce landscape allow them to reach valuable consumers in a country where many are turning to e-commerce for all their shopping needs.

This article was originally published on July 17, 2017 and has been updated to include the latest updates.



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This Dezan Shira & Associates 2017 China guide provides a comprehensive background and details of all aspects of setting up and operating an American business in China, including due diligence and compliance issues, IP protection, corporate establishment options, calculating tax liabilities, as well as discussing on-going operational issues such as managing bookkeeping, accounts, banking, HR, Payroll, annual license renewals, audit, FCPA compliance and consolidation with US standards and Head Office reporting.

Payroll Processing in China: Challenges and Solutions

In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we lay out the challenges presented by Chinas payroll landscape, including its peculiar Dang An and Hu Kou systems. We then explore how companies of all sizes are leveraging IT-enabled solutions to meet their HR and payroll needs, and why outsourcing payroll is the answer for certain company structures. Finally, we consider the potential for China to emerge as Asias premier payroll processing center.

Dezan Shira & Associates
Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China would maintain the stability of its macroeconomic policy, and continue reform and opening up in 2018.

Li made the remarks at a symposium attended by economists, entrepreneurs and senior government officials.

The government will also further cut taxes and fees for companies to reduce "institutional transaction costs," Li said.

The premier said China's economy this year had performed "better than expected," a strong response to the "hard landing" scenario, which had been predicted by some.

He also cautioned that unstable and uncertain factors remained outside China, deep-rooted structural problems were still prominent in the Chinese economy, and that many risks could not be ignored.

China's economy continued its firm growth with gross domestic product expanding 6.9 percent year on year in the first three quarters, above the government target of 6.5 percent for the year, according to official data.

Li said that for 2018 China would also work to let the market play a decisive role in allocation resources, and better play the role of government.

He said the government would encourage more social entities to start companies and innovate, and make Chinese economy more deeply integrated into the world economy.

The premier said China should prioritize quality and efficiency when developing its economy, and deepen supply-side structural reform.

He also called for the accelerating cultivation of new growth engines and the transformation of traditional growth drivers with China's "Internet Plus" and "Made in China 2025" strategies.
QQ, a popular social networking app heavily used by younger people, has removed a smoker emoji from its mobile version to help curtail the smoking habit in China, the world's largest tobacco consumer.

The smoker emoji on the QQ computer version has been changed to a commando with a green leaf in his mouth.

The move was made at the suggestion of the Beijing Tobacco Control Association. Meanwhile, the QQ computer version continues to feature the emoji.

The removed image, which shows a commando with a cigarette in his mouth, is supposed to express leisure and ease. It has been now replaced with another emoji displaying a commando with a green leaf in his mouth.

QQ is an influential application created by internet giant Tencent. Another widely used social media application developed by the company, WeChat, has not changed the smoking emoji.

Zhang Jianshu, director of the Beijing Tobacco Control Association, said letters were sent twice to Tencent, asking that the emojis showing a smoker should be withdrawn from their lists.

"It's not appropriate to define smoking as leisure and ease. And that emoticon would mislead people about leisure, especially young people," he added. "They may get the idea that smoking is a symbol of fashion and handsomeness."

Tencent's financial report showed that QQ's monthly active user number reached its highest point in the second quarter of 2016 - 89.9 million. According to a research report by the company in 2014, QQ users born after 1990 accounted for 50.3 percent of the total.

Zhang said the association expressed gratitude to Tencent on Monday and hoped it would remove the same image on QQ's computer platform and WeChat soon.

On Sept 13, Sina Weibo, China's popular social media platform, began to remove a similar emoji of a smoker on its smartphone apps and computers. That was also at the suggestion of the association.

"Controlling smoking starts in dribs and drabs," said Jiang Yuan, deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Tobacco Control Office. "Removing that image was a good example of blocking improper information."

According to the CDC, the smoking rate in China in 2015 was 27.7 percent. An outline promoting Chinese health before 2030, issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in 2016, said the proportion of smokers older than 15 years should decrease to 20 percent.

"That is a truly challenging goal," she said. But she noted that more groups in society are participating in tobacco control work, and "they can do many things that governments cannot".

"Many volunteers can help the authorities supervise on different occasions. And a number of think tanks also can release various research reports to make suggestions or even criticize the government's smoking control work," Jiang said.
Based on the outcome of a trial in one of its cities, Guizhou province may ask its employees to work on a more flexible timetable, according to a notice released on its website.

The idea, which was brought up and first implemented by the city of Qingzhen, offers employees two options.

Some can work consecutively for 22 days and then rest for eight days, while others follow cycles of 11 days of work and four days of rest. The total monthly working days cannot be lower than 22.

The working patterns will be adopted by civil servants within departments responsible for administrative work relating to people's daily lives, such as the bureau of civil affairs and the family planning office.

These employees account for more than 80 percent of all civil servants in Qingzhen.

The trial run started on Nov 1 and will end on May 31.

"The adjustment aims to benefit the majority of customers, who usually have to work on weekdays. Using this rotating schedule, we can improve efficiency by ensuring our office is open every day except legal holidays," said Li Zhengfei, deputy head of the organization department of Qingzhen's CPC committee.

According to Li, most of the officials in the city often sacrifice their weekends for emergency work and can't get their holidays back.

So the rotation system not only benefits customers but also guarantees that civil servants can enjoy their holidays without being disturbed.

"To see whether this reform of the timetable system will carry on successfully, we should ensure that it has a good purpose and is achieved by reasonable means," said Wang Xixin, a professor of administrative law at Peking University.

"Moreover, the adjustment must comply with existing laws."

A guideline issued by the State Council said that employees should normally work eight hours per day, 40 hours per week.

However, enterprises or authorities in some industries can adjust working hours as needed in special situations.

"Though there is still no document drafted related to this reform, three towns have put the flexible timetable into practice with encouraging results," Li said.
The top management of Ctrip, an online provider of travel services, apologized for the child abuse cases in the company's in-house day care center and promised to continue assisting the police in investigating the case.

Video footage shows that the teachers were videotaped putting on or taking off the children's clothes violently. [Screenshot/China Plus]

"On behalf of the company, I extend my sincere apologies to the involved families and children," said Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip.

"The company will take full responsibility and provide physical examination and psychological intervention for the children and their families," said Sun.

"Ctrip will also further strengthen the supervision of the day care center."

According to Sun, Ctrip has set up an investigation team, which includes representatives of parents and her, and it plans to see all the surveillance footage in the day care center within three months.

A video of the child abuse in the center went viral on Nov. 6.

The teachers were videotaped putting on or taking off the children's clothes violently.

Some children even fell down and bumped their head on the corner of a table.

Some children were forced to swallow items which later turned out to be mustard, and they couldn't stop crying.

Ctrip called the police on Nov. 7. According to the investigation, the children involved in the case are from 18 to 24 months old.

The staff members involved in the matter includes a cleaner dressed in yellow, a child-care worker and the teacher in charge of the class. The head of the day care center is also accused of dereliction of duty.

These four people involved in the case have been taken to the Beixinjing police station in Shanghai for further investigation and Ctrip has cancelled their contracts.

All classes in the kindergarten have been suspended.

Ctrip is always helping its employees to balance their work and family, the company said. The establishment of the day care center was aimed at solving the babysitting problems for the staff members, which gained support from Shanghai government.
Nepal [File photo]

The "aftershocks" of political tremors caused by Nepal's newly formed communist alliance in the national and international arena have multiple dimensions.

It has sparked a frenzy of speculation as there is a trend of taking every development in Nepal to be a result of a concentration of "power centers." After the dramatic announcement of the alliance, many conspiracy theories have emerged in Nepal and abroad over the search for the "mysterious glue" that could successfully stick two major rival communist parties.

Analysts are pondering on who actually helped forge the alliance. Many people including a significant section in New Delhi suspect Beijing is behind the latest perky political episode.

Immediately after the announcement of the alliance, some Nepali media tried to portray the "China factor" citing recent high level bilateral visits and growing Chinese engagements in Nepal. Even the top leaders seem to carry such speculation. Senior leader of Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Paudel consulted Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong in Kathmandu suspecting whether China's backed the alliance.

The "China factor" behind the left alliance has been a matter of debate though no conformist discourse has yet been formed. But, everyone shares a common view that China is happy with the leftist parties' bond. Many analysts in Nepal agree that regardless of its alleged involvement, China is in high spirits after the announcement of a left alliance on the eve of federal and state level parliamentary elections in strategically neighboring Nepal.

While filling the nomination for the House of Representative in district Taplejung bordering China, (CPN) UML influential leader Yogesh Bhattarai said, "China wants political stability in Nepal and is happy with the formation of left alliance but India wants continuation of chaotic situations in Nepal and is unhappy."

Having his own reservations, veteran Nepali journalist Yubraj Ghimire shares a feeling that China may have some reasons to be happy for the recent political developments in Nepal but defines it more as a failure of Indian diplomacy in Nepal. He adds, "When Dahal (Puspa Kamal Dahal'Prachanda') ditched Deuba (Sher Bahadur Deuba) and joined ranks with Oli (KP Sharma Oli), it marked the failure of India's Nepal policy, yet again."

While negating the role of China to forge the alliance, Ghimire suspects Christian donors to be behind itas they are worried about the fragile and ambiguous secular provisions in Nepal's constitution which, according to him, can be secured only when there is communist majority in the parliament.

Senior communist leader Radha Krishna Mainali has offered a different opinion on it. He thinks that though the alliance has given communist China reason to be happy, there is not been any direct involvement from the northern. He says, "It is all done by pro-Indians within CPN-UML who want to weaken anti-Indian and pro-China rhetoric of alliance's top leader KP Sharma Oli."

One of the ideologues of the alliance and chief of the Maoist Centre "Prachanda" has categorically denied any Chinese role in the formation of left alliance. Talking to The Himalayan Times (10-23-2017), Prachanda said, "China had no role, but they might be happy when the left alliance proceeds in Nepal. It is wrong to say the Chinese have invested in creating the left alliance." Prachanda's remarks make it clear that there is a belief even among top political figures of the alliance that China is happy with the alliance formation.

All these comments reflect a certainty that China is still a mysterious factor in Nepal and Nepali politics.

I expressed my curiosity to Dr. Chen Xiaochen, a researcher at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies in Remnin University of China who recently visited Kathmandu, about the Chinese attitude towards the newly formed left alliance in Nepal. He simply shrugged and believed that there is hardly any "Chinese thought" on the alliance formation because in his opinion China was too busy with its own internal affairs as the five-yearly communist party conventions was going on in Beijing. "I don't think China has any 'thought' on it as such at the moment because we were too busy with our own businesses and next thing we shouldn't forget is, China keeps itself always from any kind of intervention on domestic affairs of its neighbors. Completely negating any emotive reaction from Chinese side towards the left alliance, Dr. Chen said China wants good relations with all the existing parties in Nepal.

In the past China was supposed to be across the Himalayas. Now, its presence is substantially more visible in the international arena and also in the neighborhood. The interesting thing is that one of the biggest economies in the world is bordering Nepal and Nepal seems to have much difficulty in understanding the Chinese psyche. The million dollar question is "why is China so much of mystery in Nepal to this day?"

Analysts in Nepal share a common feeling that despite being closer geographically, lack of easy access is the main hindrance between China and Nepal. Being a neighbor yet not having easy access is a question to mull on.

People to people relations have not been as close as possible because of cultural and linguistic gaps. The books and the media content written by Westerners are not sufficient for Nepalese to understand China the way it is. But, there is no alternative for commoners and even to politicians in Nepal. Our limited understanding of China has significantly limited our capacity to judge it and its actual attitudes towards our affairs.

Saroj Gautam writes on international relations and diplomacy from Kathmandu.
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U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon, beginning his three-day state visit to China.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) arrives in Beijing on Nov. 8, 2017, starting his state visit to China. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

It is Trump's first visit to the country since he assumed the presidency in January. He is the first head of state to visit China since the landmark 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

During his stay in Beijing, Trump will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and meet with other Chinese leaders.

Xi and Trump will hold strategic communications on significant issues of common concern to build new consensus, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and promote bilateral relations in all spheres, according to Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang.

Apart from formal activities commensurate with a state visit, "informal interactions" will be arranged for the presidents of the two countries, Zheng said.

This is the third meeting between Xi and Trump following their first meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Florida in April and the second in Hamburg, Germany on the sidelines of the G20 summit in July.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of former U.S. President Richard Nixon's "ice-breaking" visit to China, which began the normalization of relations between the two countries.
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Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Wednesday talked with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

The two had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral trade issues, according to a press release.

After the talks, Wang and Ross witnessed the signing of trade deals, part of the business achievements of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China.
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Priti Patel delivers her keynote speech during the Conservative Party Annual Conference 2017 in Manchester, Britain on Oct. 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Priti Patel resigned Wednesday as UK international development secretary amid controversy over her undeclared meetings with Israeli officials, local media reported.

Patel become the second cabinet member who resigned within a week.

She was ordered back from an official trip in Africa by the prime minister and summoned to Downing Street, amid questions about earlier private meetings.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday the Sino-U.S. relations are "at a new historic starting point."

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump hold an expanded bilateral meeting in Beijing, Nov. 9, 2017. [Photo/CGTN]

"China is willing to work together with the United States to respect each other, seek mutual benefit and reciprocity, focus on cooperation, and manage and control differences," Xi said during talks with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump.

Since Wednesday afternoon, the two presidents have had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus, he said.

"We believe Sino-U.S. relations concern not only the well-being of both peoples, but also world peace, prosperity and stability," Xi said. The presidents agreed that cooperation is the "only correct choice" for China and the United States, and a better future would only be achieved through win-win cooperation, according to Xi.

They agreed to maintain the leading role of head-of-state diplomacy in developing bilateral relations, Xi noted.

The two sides agreed to increase exchanges at various levels, give a full play to the four high-level dialogue mechanisms -- the diplomatic and security dialogue, the comprehensive economic dialogue, the law enforcement and cybersecurity dialogue, and the social and people-to-people dialogue, Xi said.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as trade, the military, law enforcement and people-to-people exchanges, among others.

Both sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on issues involving the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan. "There can be no more important subjects than China-U.S. relations," Trump said at the talks. "We have a capacity to solve world problems for many years to come."
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The 29th APEC Ministerial Meeting is held in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Nov. 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) was brought under the spotlight again this week, as delegates from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies gathered in Vietnam's Da Nang city for the annual economic leaders' meeting.

The vision to build FTAAP, proposed at the APEC meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2006, was translated into reality at the 2014 APEC meetings in Beijing with the endorsement of a roadmap. A collective strategic study was conducted subsequently and the result was approved at the APEC meetings in Lima in 2016.

APEC members are expected to further discuss issues related to the proposed trade deal at this year's annual meetings.

A report from the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) has estimated that the FTAAP, when realized, will add 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars to the global economy.

Commitment to multilateralism

The call for accelerating the FTAAP process comes amid slow and vulnerable recovery of the world economy, with the Asia-Pacific region becoming the powerhouse for economic growth.

The World Bank estimated global growth in 2017 to accelerate to 2.7 percent, while East Asia and Pacific, and South Asia take the lead with 6.2 percent and 6.8 percent of projected growth respectively.

However, protectionism and policy uncertainties are still haunting global economic recovery.

"Protectionism is certainly affecting free trade," Tang Guoqiang, international co-chair of PECC, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the APEC meetings. He noted that the global trade growth has been slower than the global GDP growth in the past year, a phenomenon that worries some economists.

The past year has seen some incidents that fueled global concern over protectionism, including the United States' withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other multilateral mechanisms. The trend of de-globalization also emerged in other industrialized countries.

"The commitment to multilateralism seemed to have been lost in recent years in industrialized countries," Peter Drysdale, head of the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research and East Asia Forum in Australian National University, told Xinhua.

"And if the APEC economies, most of them, nearly all of them, don't assert that principle very strongly, then the whole rationale upon which the East Asia and Asia Pacific economic prosperity is based will be under threat," he said.

Integrating regional FTAs

The plethora of bilateral and regional trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region is a testament to both developed and emerging markets' enthusiasm for free trade and open economy. By the end of 2015, some 160 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) had been signed between APEC members, including over 60 regional FTAs. But the presence of a complex web of trade deals, known as the "spaghetti bowl" effect, is likely to lead to higher administration costs, while the trade diversion effect may offset the initial gains of FTAs, according to the Collective Strategic Study on Issues Related to the Realization of the FTAAP approved by leaders of APEC members in 2016.

FTAAP, once established, would be the world's largest free trade zone and would "fundamentally solve the 'spaghetti bowl' effect, and serve as a comprehensive and effective institutional framework for regional integration," said Liu Chenyang, director of APEC study center in Tianjin-based Nankai University.

According to Liu, a feasible way to achieve the FTAAP is through "docking, integrating or expanding the large-scale FTAs currently in the making."

These include the faltering TPP which now has 11 members after the United States' withdrawal, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which groups the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their six major trading partners -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia.

The 21 APEC members, covering some 40 percent of the global population, account for some 60 percent of the world's economy and half of global trade.

An eventual FTAAP could "bring great opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and create positive externalities for the rest of the world," according to the APEC strategic study.

"FTAAP as a long-range objective for market integration of the Asia-Pacific region, is bound to be welcomed by the majority of countries in the region," said Jin Jianmin, senior fellow at Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo.

China's contribution

"With the United States rapidly retreating into protectionism and isolationism, we look forward to Chinese leadership in pushing forward the free trade agenda," said Oh Ei Sun, special adviser for International Affairs of Malaysia's Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

Sridharan Nair, territory senior partner of PwC, sees China's drive for FTAAP as "a catalyst for many others to be part and parcel of it."

"Imagine having a pact with China in it versus not having China in it, clearly the former will be much more attractive for the other participant," he told Xinhua on the sidelines of the APEC meetings.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build regional trade and infrastructure networks and boost connectivity, can effectively facilitate regional economic integration and the realization of FTAAP, experts say.

Jayant Menon, lead economist of the Asian Development Bank, said the Belt and Road Initiative is a "key program to increase connectivity within the region, and between the region and the rest of the world."

"Trade costs are directly related to the level of connectivity, and as these costs come down, integration is certain to rise," Menon said.

The core of the Belt and Road Initiative is in many ways in line with that of the FTAAP, according to Chen Dingding, associate dean of Institute for 21st Century Silk Road Studies at Jinan University.

The initiative can help accelerate the realization of FTAAP in economic, political and cultural aspects, while the trade deal would in turn facilitate the Belt and Road development, he added.

"We watched China's Belt and Road Initiative with interest," Alan Bollard, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, told Xinhua. "It's a different sort of development. It's not a regional trade agreement and it's generally not focused on rules and regulations...It's about investment, projects and development of infrastructures."

"We are very interested in that, the bigger initiative goes beyond APEC as well," he added.
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Former U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in downtown Chicago Wednesday morning, but this time as a prospective juror.

Obama was spotted while being escorted by secret service agents from his house on the south side of Chicago to a court building in the city center.

Obama, only one of the would-be jurors at this stage, will be reportedly paid 17.20 U.S. dollars a day for his service.

He is not the first former U.S. president to be considered for jury service.

George W. Bush reported for jury duty in Dallas, Texas in 2015. But he was not picked to serve as a juror.

Bill Clinton also appeared as a prospective juror in a federal court in Manhattan, New York City in 2003, though he was not selected either to sit on a jury.
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Some members of the Texas Legislature on Wednesday pushed for their fellow legislators and other top officials to examine whether the state's gun laws need to be changed.

At a news conference organized by Texas Gun Sense at the state capitol, State Reps. Poncho Nevarez and Nicole Collier urged state leaders to declare gun violence a public health issue and reform existing gun regulations.

According to the Houston Public Media, Collier urged state leaders to declare gun violence a public health issue, comparing it to other health crises such as obesity and the opioid epidemic.

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa spoke at the same news conference, offering a list she authored of steps to prevent gun violence. Her suggestions include increasing public education on safe gun usage and requiring a license to carry for long guns.

The press conference came a day after state Rep. Jason Villalba urged state leaders to create a bipartisan commission tasked with recommending "common sense" gun reforms ahead of the next scheduled legislative session in 2019.

Nevarez and Hinojosa stressed that they did not advocate eliminating Texans' access to guns. Nevarez did, however, criticize state leaders for not offering "anything that amounts to any real solution" to gun violence.

Texas public safety officials said 26 people were killed after gunman Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire on Sunday at a church in Sutherland Springs, a community of fewer than 400 residents and about 300 km west of Houston.

The gunman was later found dead nearby in his car, apparently of a gunshot wound, after he fled the scene.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping praises U.S. President Donald Trump's "successful and historic visit" to Beijing on Thursday afternoon. [Photo/CGTN]

Chinese President Xi Jinping praised U.S. President Donald Trump's "successful and historic visit" to Beijing on Thursday afternoon, as the two leaders addressed tensions on the Korean Peninsula and bilateral trade relations at a press conference in the Great Hall of the People.

President Xi noted that while China and the U.S. have different opinions on certain topics, common ground can be found with good communication, cooperation, and respect.

Earlier in the day, the leaders held talks which touched on cooperation on achieving peace in Afghanistan, before overseeing the signing of commercial deals worth US$253.5 billion.

Korean Peninsula denuclearization

Xi emphasized China's commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and said both sides would "strictly implement" UN Security Council sanctions.

The Chinese president stressed that solutions could be found "through peaceful communication and consultation."

Trump earlier agreed that a solution to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) issue was possible, telling Xi: "I do believe there's a solution to that, as do you."

At the press conference, Trump described the DPRK as a "nuclear menace" and warned that the world "not to replicate failed approaches of the past."

"All responsible nations must join together to stop arming and financing, and even trading with the murderers in the North Korea (DPRK) regime," Trump said.

The U.S. president added that "collective action, collective strength, and collective devotion" was essential to a finding successful solution to the DPRK issue.

Trump spoke out a day after issuing a grave warning to Pyongyang not to test the US while addressing South Korea's National Assembly in Seoul, while offering "a path to a better future" through the denuclearization.

Xi and Trump also spoke of working together to achieve stability in Afghanistan, with Trump said they were both "committed to working towards a peaceful future for Afghanistan."

Trade relations

Xi underlined that China planned further reforms and steps to open up market access to foreign companies, which he said would increase the space for further China-U.S. trade and investment.

The Chinese president urged U.S. companies to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The issue of access to the respective markets of each country was in focus ahead Trumps visit, with the US president previously criticizing Chinas trade surplus with the U.S.

At the press conference, Trump stated: "We want a vibrant trade relationship with China, we also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship when it comes to trade."

In brief remarks earlier in the day, Trump twice blamed previous U.S. administrations for trade imbalances between China and the U.S.

"The U.S. really has to change its policies because theyve gotten so far behind on trade with China, and frankly with many other countries," he said. "And I have great respect for you for that, because youre representing China."

"It's too bad that past administrations allowed it to get so far out of kilter. We'll make it fair and it'll be tremendous for both of us."

Commercial deals

Xi and Trump oversaw the signing of commercial deals and MOUs at the conclusion of the U.S.-China Business Exchange.

Agreements with a combined total value US$253.5 billion of cooperation deals between Chinese and U.S. companies in industries as diverse as liquefied natural gas, aviation, soybeans, and banking.

One gas deal alone -- between Alaska, Alaska Gasline Development Corp, Sinopec, China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Bank of China  involves a total investment of up to US$43 billion.

China-U.S. ties

Xi said the meetings with Trump had set a solid relationship for the growth of China-U.S. ties.

"The meeting between me and President Trump sets the tone and laid a solid foundation for the solid development of China-U.S. relationship. It will achieve more results and more benefits for people around the world."

The U.S. president added he looked forward "to building an even stronger relationship between our two countries."

Earlier on Thursday, Xi and Trump inspected a guard of honor outside the Great Hall of the People at an official welcome ceremony for the U.S. president.

China is the third leg of Trump's five-nation Asian tour, after visits to Japan and South Korea. The U.S. president is due to leave Beijing on Friday for an APEC meeting and state visit in Vietnam, before rounding off his trip at an ASEAN conference and the East Asia Summit in the Philippines.
From the Chinese and US first couples' meticulously arranged and memorable private visit to the Forbidden City to the $250 billion business deals announced on Thursday, Donald Trump's maiden trip to China as US president has indeed been a "state visit plus".

There was no reason for it not to be.

Although the differences that had been pestering bilateral ties have not instantly disappeared, the most important takeaway from their talks in Beijing has been the constructive approach to these issues the two leaders demonstrated.

Both expressed their willingness to work with, instead of against, the other in dealing with the differences between their two countries, in particular over trade and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear program.

Beijing and Washington have been working hard to find convergences on these two prominent issues, in particular, and will very likely work harder given the two leaders' agreement that cooperation between the two countries is the "only correct choice".

But these matters are complicated and they are unlikely to have come up with any quick fixes. Although both clearly believe the issues are solvable, with Trump saying they will work together to solve not only their mutual problems but also world "problems of great danger and security", and President Xi Jinping saying China is committed to working with the United States on issues of international concern, as well as controlling the differences between the two sides.

Such precious progress in trying to find common ground, along with the Chinese commitment to establish a constructive "new-type of relationship" with the US, as Xi again elaborated in his talks with Trump, will go a long way to anchoring the all-important, yet sometimes volatile, Sino-US relationship.

The concordant note struck by Xi and Trump showcased not only the personal rapport they have established, but also consolidated optimism about the prospects for bilateral ties, especially since Xi has previously emphasized the "leading role of head-of-state diplomacy", and Trump on Thursday touted the "chemistry" between himself and his host.

There is undoubtedly a lot of work left to do, as the US secretary of state pointed out. But the readiness of the two leaders to listen, as well as talk, was apparent in their public appearances, and offers hope that together, China and the US can do "tremendous things" to the benefit of both countries, even the world, as Trump suggested.

Certainly, China is willing since, as Xi said, the Pacific is big enough to accommodate both and although there are challenges the two nations need to face, these are limited, and there is boundless potential for growth.
BEIJING  Russia supports the idea of establishing a free trade area (FTA) in the Asia Pacific region, which is believed to enhance the country's position in the Asia-Pacific market, President Vladimir Putin said in a signed article published here on Thursday.

"We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions" in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific markets, Putin said in an article entitled "The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang: Together Towards Prosperity and Harmonious Development."

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Summit will be convened on Nov 10-11 in Vietnam's central Da Nang city.

Over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 percent, and from 17 to 24 percent in exports, according to Putin.

"And we have no intention of stopping there," reads the article.

The Russian president suggested that the large-scale project to create the APEC FTA be carried out with due account of the experience gained from implementing key integration formats in the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasia, including the Eurasian Economic Union in which Russia cooperates with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

On a related note, Putin mentioned the Russian idea to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership, suggesting forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

As comprehensive development of infrastructure will serve as the basis for effective integration, Russia is actively modernizing its sea and air ports in its Far East, developing transcontinental rail routes, and building new gas and oil pipelines, according to Putin.

Russia also pays special attention to integrating its Siberian and Far Eastern territories into the network of the Asia Pacific region economic ties.

"These efforts include a whole range of measures to enhance the investment appeal of our regions, and to integrate Russian enterprises into international production chains," Putin said.

For Russia, the development of our Far East is a national priority for the 21st century, which includes creating territories of advanced economic growth in the region, pursuing large-scale development of natural resources and supporting advanced high-tech industries, as well as investing in human capital, education and healthcare, and forming competitive research centers.

The Russian president, in this regard, calls for foreign partners, primarily from APEC economies, to play an active role in implementing these program and projects.

Meanwhile, Russia has an equally serious approach to involving small and medium-sized businesses in APEC economic integration processes, and supporting female entrepreneurship and start-up companies run by young entrepreneurs, the article reads.
Zhongshen Zhonghuan completed a merger with Mazars Group in Beijing, Nov 8, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese leading accounting firm Zhongshen Zhonghuan completed a merger Wednesday with its European counterpart Mazars Group to tap the international market in Beijing.

"The combination of Zhongshen Zhonghuan and Mazars will enhance our capability to help Chinese enterprises go abroad and participate in global development," said Shi Wenxian, Zhongshen Zhonghuan chief partner and Mazars Group executive board member.

Shi Wenxian, Zhongshen Zhonghuan chief partner and Mazars Group executive board member, delivers a speech at the Zhongshen Zhonghuan-Mazars Group Combination Press Conference in Beijing, Nov 8, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The company will maintain high standards of service quality to ensure reliable support for foreign capital entering the Chinese market as well, Shi said.

"The combination is well-timed along with the speeding up of Chinese enterprises 'going out', the implementation of the 'Belt and Road Initiative', and the future opening up of the Chinese market," said Philippe Castagnac, chairman of Mazars Group.

Castagnac shared his vision for the future that, with the aid of technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, the efficiency of accounting services will be improved comprehensively. He mentioned a newly developed software that would enhance the client experience after implementation.

In addition to technology, great people are also needed to ensure the strong demand for accounting services can be met and tailored services can be delivered to different and diverse clients, Castagnac added.

Philippe Castagnac, chairman of Mazars Group, delivers a speech at the Zhongshen Zhonghuan-Mazars Group Combination Press Conference in Beijing, Nov 8, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Europe is China's largest trade partner and one of the most preferred investment destinations for Chinese investors. Sino-European trade and investment will continue to grow steadily. Although the Chinese system of auditing, accountancy and financial advisory differs from that in Europe, Zhongshen Zhonghuan will take full use of the active linkage with Mazars and other member firms to provide professional support to clients worldwide, and further achieve a win-win situation," said Philippe Castagnac.

The combination of talent, technology and experience is a very good partnership between the French company and Chinese company, and hopefully there will be more partnerships like this between companies from our two countries in the future, said Caroline Penard, general manager of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCI France Chine).

Annick de Kermadec-Bentzmann, honorable president of CCI France Chine, echoed Penard's opinion and added that this combination is not only significant to France but also European countries, because the Belt and Road Initiative will bring more transactions and capital flows between countries, generating more demand for professional cross-border auditing, accounting and consulting services.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

China's foreign trade volume rose 15.9 percent year-on-year to 22.52 trillion yuan ($3.39 trillion) in the first 10 months of this year, and exports to the European Union increased by 16.2 percent during the same period, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.
An employee counts yuan banknotes at a bank in Huaibei, Anhui province, June 22, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

A national committee for overseeing financial stability and developmenta new Cabinet-level regulatory bodyconvened on Wednesday for its first plenary meeting. Analysts said the new committee will help the country better cope with potential financial risks.

The central government announced its decision to set up the new regulatory body at the National Financial Work Conference in mid-July.

Vice-Premier Ma Kai, who heads the new committee, said at Wednesday's meeting that the financial system should unswervingly carry out the policies laid out at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.

At the meeting, the committee approved a list of primary tasks it will carry out in the short term and stressed that the main economic regulatory philosophy of maintaining stability while seeking progress will be followed, the report said.

China will stick to its prudent monetary policy, strengthen financial regulatory coordination, improve its ability to handle risks, better guide the financial system to serve the real economy and safeguard national financial security, the report said.

Lian Ping, chief economist at Bank of Communications, said the committee will overcome the shortcomings of the existing financial regulatory framework.

"It will play an important role" in deepening financial reform "and strengthening coordination and regulation", Lian said.

China has adopted a de facto separate financial regulatory regime, with regulators focusing on supervision in their own fields. However, this has been criticized as being responsible for the country's worsening shadow banking problem in recent years.

Shadow banking refers to nonbank financial intermediaries that provide services similar to traditional commercial banks but operate outside normal financial regulations, creating financial risks.

The creation of the committee marks the first step in China's mixed operation-based financial regulation and closes the loopholes in the traditional regulatory system, said Jiang Chao, a senior economist at Haitong Securities.

"It will deal a heavy blow to shadow banking," Jiang said.
JD's unmanned small-sized driverless vehicle is pictured on June 18, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

JD.com Inc, China's second biggest e-commerce player, announced on Wednesday that it intends to purchase more than $2 billion of goods from the United States over the next three years, including the import of more than $1.2 billion of beef from Montana Stock Growers Association (MSGA) and pork from Smithfield Foods.

The agreement was signed as US President Donald Trump started his first state visit to China.

JD said in a statement that it will import Montana-sourced beef from Cross Four Ranch and MSGA members for direct sale to the 258 million Chinese consumers on its e-commerce platform.

The procurement agreement is for an initial three years, with a minimum commitment of $200 million in beef to be imported by JD from Cross Four Ranch and MSGA members at fair market value during the term. It is estimated that JD's purchase of Cross Four Ranch and MSGA beef will increase Montana beef export sales by as much as 40 percent in 2018.

"These groundbreaking agreements bring together two of America's most trusted and in-demand meat suppliers with China's leading e-commerce platform, to the benefit of both US producers and Chinese consumers," said Liu Qiangdong, JD's chairman and CEO, who attended the signing ceremony.

"We look forward to expanding our long-term cooperation with high-quality US meat producers like Smithfield and MSGA," Liu said.

Meat products are a fast-growing category for the e-commerce giant. Direct sales of meat on JD increased more than 780 percent year-over-year in the first half, with imported meat accounting for more than 30 percent of those sales.
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, a Texas-based helicopter manufacturer, signed a new sales agreement with Reignwood International Investment Group Co Ltd in Beijing on Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump started his state visit to China.

Reignwood, a multi-industrial conglomerate, has agreed to purchase an additional 50 Bell 505s, a light single-engine helicopter. Reignwood will become the exclusive reseller for the aircraft in China and establish a Bell 505 delivery and maintenance center.

The new contract follows previous purchase agreements signed in March, when Reignwood bought 60 Bell 505s, making it the largest operator for Bell 505. Bell said it is bullish about China's demand and plans to triple the size of its fleet here in the next five years.

Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter, who is also a member of President Trump's trade mission, and Reignwood Aviation's Chairman Zheng Gang signed the agreement. It was witnessed by US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

"This signature solidifies our relationship with Reignwood and our commitment to develop the commercial rotorcraft industry in China," Snyder said.

Zheng said Reignwood will increase the use of helicopters in the corporate, tourism and utility sectors in China.

Currently, Bell and European aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus SE together hold about half of the market share of the civil turbine market in China. Other major players in the sector include Leonardo SpA, Russian Helicopters JSC and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

"We have seen growing demand for helicopters for air ambulances, law enforcement purposes and fire fighting in China, and they are expected to continue to grow rapidly. There are only about 30 helicopters dedicated to emergency medical services in China, whereas the number is 1,200 in the United States," said Jose Jacinto Monge, managing director of Bell Helicopter in China.

European aircraft maker Airbus last year reported that China had become its largest civilian helicopter market in terms of annual orders. To meet that demand, the conglomerate is setting up an assembly line in Qingdao, Shandong province. The plant will cost about 10 million euros ($11.6 million) and is expected to be ready by next year.

Guillaume Faury, chief executive officer of Airbus Helicopters SAS, earlier said that Airbus is confident the project would fulfill the requirements of local customers, while supporting the development of crucial helicopter services.

By 2020, China will have more than 500 airports, and more than 5,000 general aviation aircraft will be in service, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
China Literature Ltd, the mainland's largest online publisher and e-book provider, made a stellar market debut in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Price spikes came fast and furious for the Tencent-owned company, which doubled to HK$110 ($14.1) from the initial public offering price of HK$55 when the market opened for trading. The company's shares closed the first day of trading with an 86 percent increase at HK$102.

The Hang Seng Index remained flat at 28,907.6 points on Wednesday, after rising to a fresh 10-year high on Tuesday.

Ahead of Wednesday's official market debut, the Tencent unit jumped more than 60 percent to finish gray market trading at HK$89 on Tuesday, after briefly peaking at HK$92 in the mid-session.

"It comes as no surprise that investors' enthusiasm remains really high, as promising tech companies have long been something of a scarce resource in Hong Kong stock market," said Jackson Wong Chi-yeung, Hong Kong-based associate director at Huarong International Securities. "But it may be too early to say the company is poised to replicate the Tencentstyle stock performance in Hong Kong market. Its potential still takes time to be tested."

Liang Xiaodong, one of the co-chief executive officer of China Literature, told a listing ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday that he was amazed by the robust investor appetite. He hoped more focus would be placed on the company's long-term development, rather than the results of the first day of trading.

The tech giant's publishing arm priced its stock market flotation at the top of the market-ed range, sending the amount it raised through the Hong Kong listing to more than $1 billion.

The firm has frozen roughly HK$520 billion for its listing subscription, the best performing IPO next only to China Railway Construction Corporation, which took a record amount of HK$534 billion in 2008.

Retail investors placed orders 625 times more than the number of shares on offer, putting the flotation on course to become Hong Kong's hottest offering in 10 years.

Known for its business akin to Amazon's Kindle Store, China Literature boasted 9.6 million literary works from 6.4 million writers as of June.

The Shanghai-based company managed to turn its business around over the first six months of the year, posting a net profit of 302.8 million yuan ($45.6 million) from a net loss of 44.8 million yuan a year earlier.

It derives its revenue mainly from charging readers to access literary works on the platform, which accounts for a staggering 85 percent of the total sales, which surged by 92.5 percent to 1.9 billion yuan for the first half of the year.
John Rice, vice-chairman of GE CHINA DAILY

General Electric Co, a US-based conglomerate, is expected to ink deals running into several billions of dollars with Chinese companies, mainly in the power and aviation sector, during US President Donald Trump's state visit to China, a top official said on Wednesday.

John Rice, the vice-chairman of GE, who is part of Trump's business delegation to China, said that the projects in the pipeline, which are "in billions (of dollars)," will "include the combination of content from China with content from the United States".

It is of great importance for the world's two largest economies "to coexist in a constructive and complementary way," Rice told China Daily.

Noting balance of trade as one of the challenges facing the US and China, Rice said there are "understandable reasons" for that, and hoped that trade frictions could be resolved in a constructive manner.

"I don't think either country will benefit if there is a trade war," he said.

In his view, Sino-US trade activities are not confined to traditional forms, but also can take place beyond the two nation's boundaries, powered by collaboration around the world.

"We work with Chinese partners in infrastructure projects around the world that incorporate goods made in the US. Those don't show up as exports to China, but they are created because of the work we do with Chinese companies in economies along the Belt and Road Initiative," Rice said.

GE has been aligning company resources along China's B&R Initiative. According to Rice, GE orders from B&R-related projects are expected to rise to around $3 billion this year, as the company looks for synergy with Chinese firms that are operating under the initiative.

Rachel Duan, president and CEO of GE China, echoed Rice's point. "When it comes to trade, it may not exactly be from one country to another... In the future, you really need to use the collaboration model in the entire world landscape, and bring production factors like human capital and suppliers to where they are needed, regardless of country."

For instance, in the last six years, 50 new products by GE Healthcare have been developed in China and marketed globally, and 40 percent of those are exported to the emerging markets, she said.
Regional economic integration within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region is becoming more cohesive and revenue growth within the region is poised for a strong rebound despite an uncertain trade and foreign investment environment, a new survey said.

According to the survey released by global consultancy firm PwC on Wednesday, about 37 percent of the 1,412 chief executive officers doing business in the APEC region are "very confident" of earning more revenue in the next 12 months, up by 9 percentage points from a year earlier.

As most of them believe that the region's economic growth will continue to outpace the global rate, 63 percent are keen to expand their global business during the next three years, said the PwC's annual APEC CEO Survey, which was released at the APEC CEO Summit in the coastal city of Da Nang in Vietnam.

Nearly half of the APEC-based companies are increasing global investments, up from 43 percent last year, the survey said, and 71 percent of these CEOs are planning to increase investment in APEC economies.

Raymund Chao, PwC Asia-Pacific and Greater China chairman, told China Daily that China is playing an important role in the region, as the world's second largest economy, especially to facilitate multilateral trade, infrastructure and to increase connectivity within the region.

"China's stable economic growth will make it very influential for all the APEC economies, and the country will take more leadership role in the global trade and investment perspectives," he said.

From the survey, a more restrictive international trade environment, however, becomes a trend that the CEOs are worried about in the coming year, in terms of higher barriers to employing foreign labor or in moving goods across borders.

To limit headwinds from the changing global trade environment, which is more because of the rising inward-looking policies, the CEOs showed their efforts on changing trade policy, especially on "increased business activity in economies with established bilateral ties or to conduct more value added activities domestically".

In China, after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, more policies are expected to create a more friendly and easier-to-enter business environment for foreign companies, which will boost free trade and cross-border capital investment, Chao said.
China's imports from the United States are likely to grow substantially in the high-end sector with scope for further cooperation in sectors like aerospace and new energy research, a top expert said.

Wei Jianguo, vice-president of the Beijing-based China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said: "Beyond traditional goods like beef and aircraft, China would increase imports from the US in life sciences, new materials and healthcare sector in the next five years."

Wei's comments come at a time when US President Donald Trump is making a state visit to China amid mounting trade friction between the two sides.

The two sides are also expected to further collaboration in the services, cross-border e-commerce and outsourcing sectors, he said.

Such efforts will allow the Sino-US trade to grow "from single-track to multi-track pattern," he said, which would decrease the US' trade deficit with China.

Healthy economic and trade ties are considered pillars of Sino-US relations. Bilateral trade in goods increased from $2.5 billion in 1979 to $519.6 billion in 2016, an increase of over 200 times, according to Zhong Shan, the Chinese minister of commerce.

In April, China and the US agreed to establish a comprehensive economic dialogue and initiate a 100-day economic cooperation plan. About a month later, the two countries announced initial results in areas like agriculture, electronic payments, financial services and energy.

For instance, China resumed US beef imports, which were halted in 2003, in a move to boost economic ties and further balance the trade surplus with the US.

"In future, China would work closer with the US on fueling technology and innovation in fields like aerospace, new energy, and smart cities," Wei said. "There are also great possibilities for cooperation in aviation, railways and manufacturing sectors."

More opportunities will be identified among different entities like think tanks, privately owned enterprises, associations, chambers of commerce, intermediaries and financial services, he added.

The Trump administration, espousing trade protectionism, had repeatedly blamed China for its worsening trade deficit.

Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador to the US, said the trade imbalance is "a structural problem" rather than something "caused by somebody's policy".

"We certainly want to have more balanced trade. But this will have to be done over time. You cannot reduce the trade deficit overnight..." Cui told the Financial Times.

Liu Yukun contributed to the story.
BONN - The Belt and Road Green Development and Climate Governance Side-Event Series were launched on Wednesday at the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP 23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The side event will focus on how to leverage the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and other multilateral cooperation mechanisms to achieve the 2.0 and 1.5 degree targets and implement the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The side event includes six sessions covering topics such as nationally determined contributions in Belt and Road countries, Chinese renewable energy development, green energy cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, multilateral development banks and climate-compatible investments, south-south climate cooperation to drive Paris Agreement Implementation at national and regional levels, among other topics.

The side event is organized by the Belt and Road Green Development Partnership. The Partnership, inaugurated in 2016, was designed to provide policy recommendations for sustainable development under the Belt and Road Initiative by bringing together Chinese and global think tanks, environmental NGOs and foundations.

Yang Fuqiang, Steering Committee expert of the Belt and Road Green Development Partnership, said, "As a developing country, China offers valuable experiences to be learned by Belt and Road nations. While China works to implement the Belt and Road Initiative, it can also share with Belt and Road countries the technology and best practices from its own efforts to address climate change."
Chinese and US companies signed 19 agreements valued at about $9 billion on Wednesday covering areas such as energy, food and transport. It was an effort that Vice-Premier Wang Yang called a "warmup" for more agreements ahead.

The signings were witnessed by Wang and US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, where they exchanged in-depth views on issues related to China-US economic and trade relations.

The agreements were signed in a ceremony hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade as part of the business cooperation achieved during US President Donald Trump's visit to China. A variety of areas were covered.

Hu Weiwei, founder of bike-sharing company Mobike Technology Co, signed an agreement to buy polyurethane tires from the US company DowDuPont Inc. Liu Qiangdong, founder and CEO of the JD.com e-commerce company, agreed to buy beef from the state of Montana and will also purchase pork from the US via another agreement.

The China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce signed an agreement with the US Soybean Export Council to import a large amount of soybeans. Reignwood Star, a civil aviation company based in Beijing, agreed to buy helicopters from Bell Helicopter.

Wang and Ross have maintained close exchangesthe vice-premier met with Ross in September in Beijing and they spoke on the phone last month in preparation for Trump's visit.

The economic relations that have been serving as the ballast for China-US relations and their development should be attributed to entrepreneurs from both nations, Wang said.

Every rational action by an enterprise can help stabilize China-US economic relations, which in return can provide a better foundation for cooperation between enterprises, the vice-premier said.

Ross said the US-China relationship is one of the most important trade and investment relationships in the world. "China was our third-largest goods export market in 2016. Over the last decade, US goods exported to China have doubled, growing by nearly 10 percent per year," he said.

Ross said there is much potential for higher growth and the strength of US-China trade is built on individual contracts and partnerships. "Today's signings can show how we can build up our bilateral trade," he added.
WASHINGTON - US Senator Steve Daines and ranchers from the northwestern state of Montana on Wednesday applauded a $300 million beef deal between Chinese commerce giant JD.com and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA).

"This landmark agreement has the potential to substantially increase Montana opportunity and agricultural exports to the fastest growing overseas market for beef," Daines said in a statement.

JD signed the agreement with Errol Rice, executive vice president of MSGA, on Wednesday in Beijing as US President Donald Trump began his three-day state visit to China.

According to the terms in the memorandum of agreement (MOA), JD intends to import Montana-sourced beef from member companies of MSGA to China and directly sell to Chinese consumers through its e-commerce platform. Bank of China will provide financial services to facilitate these imports and settlement process.

The procurement agreement is for an initial three years starting from Jan 1, 2018, with a minimum commitment of $200 million in beef to be imported by JD from MSGA members. It is estimated that JD's purchase will increase Montana beef export sales by as much as 40 percent in 2018.

JD also intends to invest up to another $100 million to build a brand-new slaughter house and feedlot infrastructure in Montana to help set up its supply chain there, with construction beginning as early as the spring of 2018.

Following reopening Chinese markets to US beef earlier this year, ranchers in Montana are eager to tap the huge potential of Chinese markets, which have around 300 million middle class consumers.

"While there's a lot of work that needs to be done, this MOA represents a great step in the right direction for selling more US beef in China and developing productive relationships between Montana ranchers and Chinese consumers," said Rice.

The agreement follows an agricultural roundtable meeting in early September between a Chinese delegation and Montana farmers and ranchers, hosted by Daines at the Morgan Ranch House, near downtown Bozeman, Montana.

Fred Wacker, owner of Cross Four Ranch in Miles City, Montana, said at the meeting that it would cost him about $80 a head to send cattle to feedlots and processing plants in the Midwest, so as to ship beef products to China and other overseas markets. He would like to seek partnership with Chinese companies to build a world-class processing plant in Montana.

"It's a really smart place for China to put in investment and to partner with Montana to have a really good packing industry and processing plant here," Wacker said, arguing that would help bring down logistic costs and guarantee stable supply of high quality beef to China, a win-win deal for both sides.

Officials and staff from China's embassy in the United States, China General Chamber of Commerce - USA, and Bank of China (USA) all offered advice for identifying potential Chinese companies to partner with Montana on the processing plant and build brand awareness.

"The MOA shows how much interest there is in China for high quality cattle and beef from Montana," said Wacker, adding "China's market has the potential to be a game-changer for Cross Four Ranch and Montana ranchers more broadly."

"If we're going to grow our economy in Montana, we need to grow our agricultural community. China is the second largest beef import market in the world. This is a tremendous opportunity for Montana," echoed Danies.

The agreement is also a part of an overall commitment by JD to purchase $2 billion of goods across a wide range of categories, including pork from Smithfield Foods, over three years.

"These groundbreaking agreements bring together two of America's most trusted and in-demand meat suppliers with China's leading e-commerce platform, to the benefit of both US producers and Chinese consumers," said Richard Liu, chairman and CEO of JD.com.

The beef and pork will be cold-chain transported from the United States and stored in JD's own warehouses in China, according to the commerce giant. JD's extensive cold chain logistics capabilities will ensure the US meat products arrive at customers' doors safely and rapidly.

Chinese consumers have a mounting appetite for fresh and high-quality meat products. In the first half of 2017, volume from direct sales of meat on JD increased more than 780 percent year-over-year, with imported meat accounting for more than 30 percent of those sales. The beef agreement reflected that economic cooperation between China and the United States could bring win-win results to companies and peoples of the two countries, experts said.

"As long as both sides have the intention of creating a win-win solution, respect the issues each is facing, and proactively and constructively resolve them, this will push the US-China trade relation to be more fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial," said Dominic Ng, chairman and CEO of East West Bank.

China has become the largest trade partner of the United States, while the US is China's second largest. Bilateral trade surged to $519.6 billion in 2016 from $2.5 billion in 1979 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.
BEIJING -- Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China would maintain the stability of its macroeconomic policy, and continue reform and opening up in 2018.

Li made the remarks at a symposium attended by economists, entrepreneurs and senior government officials.

The government will also further cut taxes and fees for companies to reduce "institutional transaction costs," Li said.

The premier said China's economy this year had performed "better than expected," a strong response to the "hard landing" scenario, which had been predicted by some.

He also cautioned that unstable and uncertain factors remained outside China, deep-rooted structural problems were still prominent in the Chinese economy, and that many risks could not be ignored.

China's economy continued its firm growth with gross domestic product expanding 6.9 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters, above the government target of 6.5 percent for the year, according to official data.

Li said that for 2018 China would also work to let the market play a decisive role in allocation resources, and better play the role of government.

He said the government would encourage more social entities to start companies and innovate, and make Chinese economy more deeply integrated into the world economy.

The premier said China should prioritize quality and efficiency when developing its economy, and deepen supply-side structural reform.

He also called for the accelerating cultivation of new growth engines and the transformation of traditional growth drivers with China's "Internet Plus" and "Made in China 2025" strategies.
BEIJING - Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates' frequent trips to China, much before US President Donald Trump's first official visit which began today, have given Tai-Yin Huang, former chairperson of the East Penn Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce, confidence that the two countries will extend their collaboration and cooperation.

Huang, who arrived in the United States in 1991 as a foreign student and subsequently became a naturalized American citizen, talks of Gates' Washington-based nuclear power company TerraPower's partnership with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) as the reason for her confidence.

In 2015, the two companies signed an agreement to collaborate on building an advanced nuclear reactor with enhanced safety features that will be marketed commercially worldwide.

"The idea is to be very low cost, very safe and generate very little waste," Gates said during a visit in 2011. "All these new designs are going to be incredibly safe."

It was an assurance to allay fears of a nuclear holocaust following the meltdown of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi reactor after the 2011 tsunami and earthquakes.

Gates visiting China to talk about collaboration between his company and China says a lot about China's collaboration and investment potential, according to Huang. "Microsoft has a lot of money and a lot of say," she said.

And Gates has been lauding China's energy innovation. "China already is one of the world leaders in renewable energy," he said, noting that China's massive investment in renewable power sources will "pay off handsomely" for the country and as a "long-term global business opportunity."

There are several global business partnerships in the pipeline already, including more in the nuclear power sector. CNNC has another agreement with Canada-based SNC-Lavalin and Shanghai Electric Group for a joint venture that will develop, build and market an advanced fuel reactor.

A third prominent partnership has seen American Oak Ridge National Laboratory jointly researching advanced reactors with the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics.

The US authorities are aware of the benefits of working with China. "Energy collaboration between the United States and China is significant to global energy security, climate change, and nuclear security issues, and is a key priority for both countries," the US Department of Energy' s Office of International Affairs said on its website.

The two governments work together bilaterally on several clean energy initiatives such as the US-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC), and also in multilateral forums like the International Energy Agency and the International Forum for Nuclear Energy Cooperation.

CERC matches top researchers from both countries for fast development of critical technologies for clean energy in the United States and China so that the carbon footprints and the threat of climate change are reduced. This year, the collaboration launched work to improve the efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to achieve substantial oil savings.

Despite such cooperative projects, there have been some changes in the United States with the Trump administration distancing itself from the global initiative to fight the effects of climate change and global warming, Huang noted. Many US alternate energy companies have suffered cuts in their federal funding, which was bound to affect their work.

In China, the government has been pursuing clean energy intently. "I've had the opportunity to meet several times with President Xi (Jinping) and am encouraged by his commitment -- and by his leadership at the Paris Climate talks," Gates said in his talk at Peking University in March this year. "China was one of the 22 countries that committed to doubling their investments in clean energy innovation over the next five years."

Gates said he was also working with Alibaba founder Jack Ma and other investors, who had committed to put in $1 billion for the development of early stage energy technology, "so we can move the best ideas from the research lab to the marketplace."

Huang, whose interest lies in green energy, sees huge potential for Sino-US energy collaboration. She is the founder of a green startup, Andromeda LED Lighting. "If you look at the American household, a lot of people are still using the traditional fluorescent lights. There's potential there," she said.

Noting that both China and the United States have a lot of say in the world economic order, Huang said the "wisest thing for both would be to have a good partnership."

During Trump's election campaign, there was a lot of anti-Chinese propaganda, she recalled. So she was glad to see President Xi Jinping receiving a very warm reception from Trump when he visited the United States in April.

Speaking of Trump's visit to China, Huang said it's great for strengthening bilateral ties. "I think the United States really wants to have China as a good friend because of the valuable economic ties. I think President Trump's mind is more on the economy."

Huang has a pragmatic assessment of American investment in China and vice versa.

China has one wrinkle: "In China labor costs have gone up in recent years. So they are losing their competitiveness regarding labor." she pointed out.

On the other hand, the factors that speak for China are political and policy stability as well as security.

Regarding the United States as an investment destination, she downplayed the specter of the investigation by former FBI director Robert Mueller into allegations of Russian interference in the presidential elections, with some predicting Trump will be impeached.

"People are waiting to see what unfolds," she said. "There's a lot of things still up in the air."

She also refused to be cast down by the rising violence in the United States in the forms of racial riots, terror attacks and mass shootings, which have been increasing in recent years.

"Temporarily it could have some effect on people's mindsets. People would think twice about going to or investing in the US, thinking, is it a safe place to go?" she conceded.

"But then when you compare the situation to what's happening in England, in Europe, it seems that America is still a safer place," she added.
DA NANG - The Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) was brought under the spotlight again this week, as delegates from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies gathered here in Vietnam's Da Nang city for the annual economic leaders' meeting.

The vision to build FTAAP, proposed at the APEC meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2006, was translated into reality at the 2014 APEC meetings in Beijing with the endorsement of a roadmap. A collective strategic study was conducted subsequently and the result was approved at the APEC meetings in Lima in 2016.

APEC members are expected to further discuss issues related to the proposed trade deal at this year's annual meetings.

A report from the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) has estimated that the FTAAP, when realized, will add $2.4 trillion to the global economy.

Commitment to multilateralism

The call for accelerating the FTAAP process comes amid slow and vulnerable recovery of the world economy, with the Asia-Pacific region becoming the powerhouse for economic growth.

The World Bank estimated global growth in 2017 to accelerate to 2.7 percent, while East Asia and Pacific, and South Asia take the lead with 6.2 percent and 6.8 percent of projected growth respectively.

However, protectionism and policy uncertainties are still haunting global economic recovery.

"Protectionism is certainly affecting free trade," Tang Guoqiang, international co-chair of PECC, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the APEC meetings. He noted that the global trade growth has been slower than the global GDP growth in the past year, a phenomenon that worries some economists.

The past year has seen some incidents that fueled global concern over protectionism, including the United States' withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other multilateral mechanisms. The trend of de-globalization also emerged in other industrialized countries.

"The commitment to multilateralism seemed to have been lost in recent years in industrialized countries," Peter Drysdale, head of the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research and East Asia Forum in Australian National University, told Xinhua.

"And if the APEC economies, most of them, nearly all of them, don't assert that principle very strongly, then the whole rationale upon which the East Asia and Asia Pacific economic prosperity is based will be under threat," he said.

Integrating regional FTAs

The plethora of bilateral and regional trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region is a testament to both developed and emerging markets' enthusiasm for free trade and open economy. By the end of 2015, some 160 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) had been signed between APEC members, including over 60 regional FTAs.

But the presence of a complex web of trade deals, known as the "spaghetti bowl" effect, is likely to lead to higher administration costs, while the trade diversion effect may offset the initial gains of FTAs, according to the Collective Strategic Study on Issues Related to the Realization of the FTAAP approved by leaders of APEC members in 2016.

FTAAP, once established, would be the world's largest free trade zone and would "fundamentally solve the 'spaghetti bowl' effect, and serve as a comprehensive and effective institutional framework for regional integration," said Liu Chenyang, director of APEC study center in Tianjin-based Nankai University.

According to Liu, a feasible way to achieve the FTAAP is through "docking, integrating or expanding the large-scale FTAs currently in the making."

These include the faltering TPP which now has 11 members after the United States' withdrawal, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which groups the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their six major trading partners -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia.

The 21 APEC members, covering some 40 percent of the global population, account for some 60 percent of the world's economy and half of global trade.

An eventual FTAAP could "bring great opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and create positive externalities for the rest of the world," according to the APEC strategic study.

"FTAAP as a long-range objective for market integration of the Asia-Pacific region, is bound to be welcomed by the majority of countries in the region," said Jin Jianmin, senior fellow at Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo.

China's contribution

"With the United States rapidly retreating into protectionism and isolationism, we look forward to Chinese leadership in pushing forward the free trade agenda," said Oh Ei Sun, special adviser for International Affairs of Malaysia's Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

Sridharan Nair, territory senior partner of PwC, sees China's drive for FTAAP as "a catalyst for many others to be part and parcel of it."

"Imagine having a pact with China in it versus not having China in it, clearly the former will be much more attractive for the other participant," he told Xinhua on the sidelines of the APEC meetings.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build regional trade and infrastructure networks and boost connectivity, can effectively facilitate regional economic integration and the realization of FTAAP, experts say.

Jayant Menon, lead economist of the Asian Development Bank, said the Belt and Road Initiative is a "key program to increase connectivity within the region, and between the region and the rest of the world."

"Trade costs are directly related to the level of connectivity, and as these costs come down, integration is certain to rise," Menon said.

The core of the Belt and Road Initiative is in many ways in line with that of the FTAAP, according to Chen Dingding, associate dean of Institute for 21st Century Silk Road Studies at Jinan University.

The initiative can help accelerate the realization of FTAAP in economic, political and cultural aspects, while the trade deal would in turn facilitate the Belt and Road development, he added.

"We watched China's Belt and Road Initiative with interest," Alan Bollard, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, told Xinhua. "It's a different sort of development. It's not a regional trade agreement and it's generally not focused on rules and regulations...It's about investment, projects and development of infrastructures."

"We are very interested in that, the bigger initiative goes beyond APEC as well," he added.
DA NANG - Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Baodong on Wednesday called for efforts to push forward the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) under the guidance of the Asia-Pacific partnership.

Li made the remarks during the 29th APEC Ministerial Meeting, one of a series of meetings of APEC's annual economic leaders' week.

As the most important economic cooperation mechanism in the region, APEC has taken the lead in regional cooperation by promoting regional economic integration, exploring new cooperation areas and expanding development potentials, said Li.

APEC economies should strengthen efforts to boost connectivity, promote innovative and inclusive growth and build an open economy, Li added.

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held last month has set the blueprint for China's future development, Li noted, adding that China's economy is enjoying steady and sustainable growth, which is set to create new opportunities and inject new energy into the development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen told the meeting that under the current situation, APEC members should uphold the authority and efficacy of the World Trade Organization, and send a positive signal for the organization' Eleventh Ministerial Conference scheduled for the end of this year.

Joint efforts should be made to promote the development of FTAAP, and deepen cooperation in areas such as global value chain and supply chain, Internet economy as well as small and medium enterprises, so as to inject new energy into the Asia-Pacific economy, he added.

Participants of the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday discussed issues including regional and global economic situation, innovative and inclusive growth, regional economic integration and future cooperation plans, in the run-up to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled on Nov 10-11.
SHENZHEN - China's leading new-energy carmaker BYD said Wednesday that it planned to introduce a series of electric buses and trucks to the Philippines.

The Shenzhen-based company and Philippine Columbian Motors Corporation (CMC) have reached a cooperation agreement on green transport.

BYD will initially produce 10 electric buses and 14 electric trucks by next February. The CMC will be in charge of sales in the Philippines.

In August, BYD announced plans to build a 20-km monorail in the Philippines' city of Iloilo by 2019.

BYD is working with local universities to train professionals and promote new energy transportation.
BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that the quota for non-state crude oil imports will be raised to 142 million tons for 2018, 55 percent higher than that for 2017.

The volume is equivalent to around 37 percent of China's crude imports last year.

Applicants for the quota shall provide records of crude oil imports for the past two years or qualifications to process imported crude oil, according to MOC rules.

The ministry said the quotas will be allocated in batches and the volume could be adjusted in the process.

China gave private refineries the green light to directly import crude oil in 2015 as the government tried to attract private capital into the largely monopolized sector.

China is one of the world's largest oil buyers. Over 60 percent of its oil consumption comes from imports. Crude imports are mainly dominated by State-run giants Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Customs data on Wednesday showed China imported 349 million tons of crude oil in the first ten months of 2017, up 11.8 percent year-on-year.
BEIJING - The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Thursday that it had started an anti-dumping investigation into acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) from the Republic of Korea and Japan.

The investigation should be concluded by Nov 9 next year, according to an official statement, but may extend to May 9, 2019.

NBR is widely used in oil and petrol resistant industrial rubber products. It is essential to production of aircraft fuel tank seals, fuel hoses, bag fuel tanks and aircraft window seals.
HANOI - A Chinese group organized by the Ministry of Commerce concluded its visit to Vietnam on Thursday aimed at promoting trade ties between the two countries.

The group gathers more than 60 representatives from over 30 Chinese companies in fields of textile, pharmaceutical, agricultural products, petrochemical, commercial trading, among others.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade on Wednesday morning jointly organized a signing ceremony of China-Vietnam trade cooperation projects.

The signing ceremony is part of the activities of the Chinese trade promotion group which started visiting Vietnam on Monday.

A total of 83 trade agreements were signed at the ceremony amounting to $1.942 billion.

At the signing ceremony, Zhi Luxun, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Trade of China's Ministry of Commerce, said that in recent years, economic and trade cooperation between China and Vietnam has maintained good momentum and achieved remarkable results.

China is ready to join hands with Vietnam in upholding the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.

In his turn, Bui Huy Son, director of Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, noted that the trade promotion group has provided a practical method to promote economic and trade ties between two countries.

"Surely, it will promote win-win cooperation and strengthen Vietnam-China trade relations," said Son.
Honeywell, the world's leading industrial giant, signed two agreements with Chinese companies Oriental Energy and Spring Airlines in Beijing Wednesday during US President Donald Trump's state visit to China, a top official said Wednesday.

China's Spring Airlines selected Honeywell's suite of advanced cockpit technologies and industry-leading auxiliary power units for its future fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft, which will save Spring Airlines money while enabling safer and more efficient flight operations.

Honeywell UOP, a strategic business unit of Honeywell's performance materials and technologies division, has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Oriental Energy on the adoption of UOP's C3 Oleflex units in Oriental Energy's five new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) projects to help convert propane into propylene.

The total propylene production capacity for those five projects combined will reach 3 million metric tons per year, helping Oriental Energy become the largest on-purpose PDH producer in the world, and all these projects will be located along coastal cities including Ningbo and Lianyungang, it said.

Shane Tedjarati, president of Honeywell Global High Growth Regions, who is part of Trump's business delegation to China, said the agreements with Chinese partners will advance cooperation in China's oil and gas and aviation industries.

"The two agreements mark another significant milestone in the relationship that Honeywell has had with China since first establishing itself here in 1935," said Tedjarati.

"Honeywell has made a longstanding commitment to China, and we greatly value our presence here. We are committed to being the Chinese competitor, and to providing world-class products and solutions to the Chinese marketplace."
BEIJING  John Rice, vice-chairman of General Electric (GE), said the experience in China has made GE a better company and China's opening up is creating great opportunities.

"China's opening up drive is also encouraging companies like GE to participate in the development of markets outside China," said Rice, who is accompanying US President Donald Trump on his visit to China.

He pointed to the Belt and Road Initiative as an example of how GE can benefit from China's opening up.

"In many cases, we are well equipped in being a great partner along the Belt and Road Initiative and we can also benefit from that," Rice told Xinhua.

To date, GE has partnered with over 30 Chinese engineering, procurement and construction companies in more than 70 markets across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe.

On the role of Chinese market in GE global strategy, Rice said, "In many aspects, our experience in China made us a better global company."

The veteran US entrepreneur, who made his first visit to China nearly 30 years ago, said he had been impressed by the changes in the country.

"There are always new chapters and new things to think about. And the lesson for us as a global company is you cannot stand still, you have to observe what's changing in your markets and respond to that," he said.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, GE was one of the first multinational enterprises to enter the Chinese market over a century ago.

During the visit, GE is expected to sign deals with Chinese partners, concentrating on power and aviation sectors, said Rice, adding that the deals would be "in the billions."

On China's economic slowdown , Rice said, "When the world's second largest economy grew at 11 or 12 percent, everyone was excited about that. This year, China's growth at 6 percent or so is orderly and planned. I believe it's more sustainable and predictable, and will lead to better outcomes."

The slower but still robust economic growth of China is of great significance to investors, Rice said.

"The world economy is growing at about 3 percent while the second largest economy is growing at over 6 percent, which is very attracting under any circumstances," he said.

"If you look around the world, when the economy of that size grows at that speed, it's very significant. Even though it's lower than five years ago, it's still very healthy and good for investors," he added.

Asked about his take on China-US economic and trade ties, Rice said it is of great importance for the world's two largest countries to work together.

On trade imbalances, Rice said, "There are understandable reasons for the frictions to be resolved in a constructive way. I don't think either country is at advantage if there's a trade war."

Questions can be resolved in a productive and constructive way, Rice said, adding that companies like GE can be a part of that solution.

GE is working with Chinese partners in infrastructure projects which incorporate goods made in the US and other countries. "These both show as our exports to China, but they are created by the work we do with Chinese partners as well as partners along the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

On industrial internet that GE is good at, Rice saw China as one of the potential leaders of the new sector, as the country is doing well in "combining the power of data and the industrial side like manufacturing."

"If you look at human capital and what China has done on the consumer side, there's no reason to think that China won't be a leader in industrial side," said Rice, citing the fact that half of the global top ten digital e-commerce companies are in China.
Boeing and China Aviation Suppliers Holding signed an agreement for 300 airplanes in Beijing Thursday. It was part of the US trade mission to China, and was signed by Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

The agreement includes the purchase of 300 Boeing single-aisle and twin-aisle airplanes, which are valued at more than $37 billion at list prices.

"China is a valued customer and key partner, and we are proud that Boeing airplanes will be a part of its fleet growth for years to come. Boeing and China have a strong history of working together based on great mutual respect, and these orders build on that foundation," McAllister said.

Boeing and China have ongoing industrial cooperation on the development of technologies to reduce the aviation sector's environmental impact and enhance sustainability, and to support the safety, efficiency and capacity of China's air transport system.

In late September, Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, the manufacturer of the home-developed large passenger jet C919, signed an agreement and unveiled Boeing's first overseas completion and delivery center in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. The center has registered capital of $55 million.

Construction of the center, which will consist of a completion center under a joint venture between Boeing and COMAC and a delivery center owned by Boeing, got underway in early May. By the end of 2018, Boeing will deliver the first single-aisle B737 MAX plane directly from Zhoushan to a domestic airline.
China and Russia are going to expand practical cooperation in the Arctic, including in oil and gas exploration and infrastructure construction, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

Gao Feng, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, said Thursday that the two sides are negotiating an effective mechanism to work on taking advantage of the Arctic channel and the region's resources, promoting infrastructure construction, tourism and scientific investigation.

Currently, companies from China and Russia are seeking to jointly explore the Arctic's oil and gas resources, as the two nations look at comprehensive cooperation in the far northern region, Gao said at a news conference.
A design sketch of the Uppingham School in Chongqing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese students in Southwest China's Chongqing will have access to British education resources as one of the top UK boarding schools plans to open its first overseas campus in the city.

This week, Uppingham School and its investor China Investment Development Co, Ltd signed an agreement with Chongqing Liangjiang New Area and the new campus will open in September 2019.

Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, founded in 2010, is the third national development and opening zone in China - and the first in the inland - approved by the State Council, after Shanghai Pudong New Area and Tianjin Binhai New Area.

Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is one of the leading British boarding schools for boys and girls aged 13 to 18.

"We have searched for the right place for our China campus for five years and finally we fell in love with Chongqing," said Patrick Mulvihill, development director of the school.

"Chongqing is a pioneering city and so far there is no such British school here."

According to the director, there are about eight or nine UK schools that have set up campuses in China and Uppingham will not miss out the opportunity to expand overseas.

"Uppingham is going to open five campuses in China and the next one will be in Kunming," he said.

Charles Cao Quin, senior adviser of the school, is helping the location search in China.

"Chongqing is a very important city as it is the only municipality in western China," said. "Also, Chongqing and Leicester have been sister cities since 1993."

The new campus plans to recruit 1,500 high school students and they will study for three years there. The first year is the foundation year to prepare Chinese students for British education.

"The new campus of Uppingham School will help enhance the international education quality in Liangjiang New Area and promote the local economy," said Zhu Yongze, deputy general manager of Longxing Industrial Park where the campus will be located.

The park, a 30-minute drive from the downtown area of Chongqing, is an important national base for strategic emerging industries and an influential area gathering enterprises of advanced manufacturing industries.

"We are trying to introduce more world first-class education resources, including primary schools, middle schools, universities and vocational schools to our New Area," he said.




BEIJING -- New occupations, such as blogger, jogging buddy and drone trainer, are making employment more flexible in China.

According to a survey by China Youth Daily, 58.7 percent of the 2,010 people interviewed would be willing to choose a new occupation.

"It is enough for me to make a living as a jogging mate," said Cui Jian in southwest China's Kunming city, "I can earn 100-200 yuan (15-30 U.S.dollars) just running for two hours."

"People are more interested in living a free life as the economy grows, so it is inevitable to have new occupations," Jiang Jianrong of Nankai University was quoted as saying.

The new occupations enable young people to work for their dreams, not only for money, according to Jiang, while Cui believes the new occupations will create more jobs when they link interests and work.

A total of 71.8 percent of the people interviewed thought the new occupations would change employment structure.

However, as new occupations emerge, their future remains obscure, said Huang Wan, a graduate student in Beijing.
CHONGQING -- An intelligent highway monitoring system in Southwest China's Chongqing city can spot cell phone use while driving.

The system can automatically capture images of unfastened seat belts and cell phone use.

So far, 145 cases of cell phone use and 307 cases of unfastened seat belts have been reported.

The Chongqing traffic police are considering expanding the system to the rest of the city.
HANOI -- President Xi Jinping on Thursday reviewed the China-Vietnam friendship "forged with blood" by the older generation of leaders and the two peoples and called on both sides to make greater efforts to promote bilateral ties.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article published in Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The Chinese leader is expected to pay a state visit to Vietnam and also attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

Describing the two countries as "close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers," Xi said that China and Vietnam have had a long history of exchange and mutual learning dating back to ancient times.

In modern times, the two peoples fought shoulder to shoulder and forged a special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood" in their struggle for independence and liberation, the article wrote.

"In the new era, our two peoples have worked closely to pursue reform and renewal, and advance the cause of socialism. We have explored socialist development paths suited to our own national conditions, created miracles in our respective development, and achieved marked progress in our bilateral ties," Xi said.

Noting that the two sides face many identical or similar new problems and challenges amid evolving global and regional situation, Xi said China and Vietnam need, more than ever, to work in joint efforts in their pursuit of dreams of national strength and prosperity.

The Chinese leader called for deepening cooperation and exploring new prospects for "our interconnected interests."

The two sides need to enhance the complementarity of their development strategies and work for substantive progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, trade, industrial capacity, cross-border economic cooperation zones and agriculture, Xi said.

He also urged the two countries to "stay committed to seeking a fundamental and durable solution to their maritime issues acceptable to both sides through friendly consultation."

"We need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and jointly uphold peace and stability there," he said.

The Chinese president also wished Vietnam a great success hosting the upcoming APEC meeting, saying that China looks forward to a "highly productive meeting that contributes to the common development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific."
A man was sentenced to death for killing the woman he had been pursuing for eight years, Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court announced on Thursday.

The man, 27, surnamed Xue, threw the woman, 26, out of a 19th-floor balcony on March 21 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The murder happened after Xu discovered that the woman had a boyfriend, and after she rebuffed his physical advances.

The two were high school classmates from Henan province. After graduation, Xue went to the United States and Australia for studies. The woman began working in Hangzhou after graduating from a domestic university.

Xue said he was trying to win her heart since 2009, and bought her many gifts, such as bags and necklace, worth 40,000 yuan ($6,000).

Xue came back from the US earlier this year and rented a three-room apartment with the woman and her female colleague. The three lived in separate rooms and shared the rent.

Xue told the court that he and the woman did not have any physical contact and she did not regard him as boyfriend.
A candidate looks through revising materials outside an exam center for the 2017 national civil servant exam in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Nov 26, 2016.[Photo/VCG]

The registration for the 2018 national civil servant exam, or guokao, which ended on Wednesday, sees a record number of qualified applicants in recent years.

This year's guokao has received 1.56 million applications, with 1.38 million of the candidates, a record high in the last seven years, approved to sit the exam. They will compete for 28,533 vacancies offered by central government agencies.

The average ratio of applicants to openings is about 50 to 1, with the competition for some posts being particularly fierce.

The most sought-after vacancy, from the Liaison Office of the International Cooperation Department of the China Family Planning Association, has 2,666 candidates, according to data from Beijing Offcn Future Education Consulting Co, a private institution that offers training for the civil servant exam.

But the post pales in comparison with last year's most popular position from the reception office of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, which had attracted nearly 10,000 applicants.

In a stark contrast, 119 positions, mostly from grassroots agencies or in remote and less developed areas, have not received any applications.

Statistics also shows 89.56 percent of the posts require the applicants to be holders of a bachelor's degree.

This year's guokao is set to take place on Dec 10. Last year, only one out of every 36 candidates was hired, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
Tencent Cloud, the cloud computing arm of tech giant Tencent Holdings, is partnering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to preserve endangered languages through digital means, the company said on Wednesday.

The tech giant will team up with Talkmate, a language learning app, under the organization's initiative dubbed "World Atlas of Languages", through which the parties pledged to uphold multilingualism using artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies.

The company promised to share its expertise in voice recognition to allow language learners to correct their pronunciation and protect linguistic, cultural and documentary heritage, said Qiu Yuepeng, president of Tencent Cloud.

It would also connect hardware makers and facilitate their work with technologies they can apply to creating a variety of multilanguage scenarios such as parenting and building an internet-connected home, he added.

About half the world's 7,000 languages spoken today are in danger of disappearing, and in cyberspace 70 percent of the content is in English and Chinese, threatening the legitimacy and even rights of underrepresented populations, said Marielza Oliveira, director and representative of UNESCO in China.

"With its incredible outreach capacity, Tencent Cloud will help expand the campaign globally," Oliveria said.

The collaboration will provide a wide range of technical facilities to all stakeholders to access and share their own data on linguistic diversity, information on good practices, existing language teaching and learning solutions, and user-generated content, said Wen Ronghui, CEO of Talkmate.

The partnership would also help Tencent broaden its audience base by promoting popular products beyond its home turf, from gaming titles to social networking platforms, according to Wang Dafeng, a product manager at Tencent Cloud.
China's second-largest gaming publisher NetEase Inc is deepening its push in cross-border e-commerce, pledging to source $11 billion worth of goods from key overseas markets to satiate China's rising demand for quality imported items.

Over the next three years, its cross-border website Kaola would spend on merchandise worth $3 billion from the United States, 500 billion yen from Japan, and 3 billion euros from Europe, according to a company statement.

Products would cover maternity and infant care, cosmetics, apparel and handbags.

Its latest endeavors included a partnership agreement signed this week with nine French brands and the 131-year-old Danish supermarket Irma, said Kaola's CEO Zhang Lei.

In an open letter circulated to media Tuesday, Ding Lei, CEO of NetEase, said he would bank on cross-border e-commerce to transform the company's image in three to five years.

Statistics showed that early investments have started to bear fruit. The division that houses Kaola now accounts for 21 percent of the company's revenue, and sales generated from that business are projected to reach $9 billion, according to Bhavtosh Vajpayee, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein investment management firm.

According to Chinese consultancy iiMedia, Kaola currently leads the cross-border e-commerce segment with 24 percent of the market share, followed by Alibaba Group's Tmall Global and Vipshop.
British companies from the advanced engineering and automotive industries will hunt for commercial opportunities alongside Chinese partners at a major trade fair in Shanghai this week.

Rona Fairhead, the United Kingdom's minister for trade and export promotion, and Jake Berry, the minister for the Northern Powerhouse, will lead a 100-strong business delegation to the China International Industry Fair, which began on Tuesday and concludes on Saturday.

The UK has been named "country of honor" and official partner at the fair, which will host 2,500 companies from 28 countries and regions. The fair is a flagship event for advanced manufacturing in China, covering new energy vehicles, big data, robotics, aerospace and clean energy, among other technologies.
President Xi will pay a state visit to country next week

VIENTIANE, Laos - President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip after his re-election, which includes Laos, reflects the fact that China attaches great importance to relations with the country, the Chinese ambassador to Laos has said.

Ambassador Wang Wentian made the comment in Vientiane ahead of the planned state visit to Laos by Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump watched craftsmen repairing relics as they toured the Conservation Scientific Laboratory of the Forbidden City on Wednesday, together with the first ladies, Madame Peng Liyuan and the First Lady Melania Trump.

During their tour of the Conservation Scientific Laboratory, also known as "Relic Hospital", Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan invited Trump and his wife to see the work of framing, a key part of Chinese painting and calligraphy.
A video recording from Xinhua showing Arabella Kushner, US President Donald Trump's granddaughter, singing Chinese songs and reciting Chinese literary classics caused another internet sensation in China Wednesday night.

In the video clip, Arabella, wearing a traditional embroidered Chinese dress, greets President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.

The six-year-old sings two songs Our Fields, Beautiful Fields, and My Good Mom. The former, written in 1953 and adored by Chinese teenagers for decades, expresses one's love and affection for the motherland and nature. The latter is a popular nursery rhyme widespread in China.

She also displayed knowledge about Chinese literature by reciting Three Character Classic, a Confucianist volume to educate young children, and two ancient poems of Li Bai, Watching the Fall of Lushan Mountain, and Departing from White King City at Dawn.

Xi spoke highly of the child's Mandarin abilities and said her performance deserved an "A Plus". He said Arabella was already a star in China and hoped she would visit China one day.

Numerous media websites and netizens reposted the video. It has received 2.3 million clicks on Sina Weibo, China's popular social media platform, as of press time.

"What a talented and smart girl she is!" Weibo user Yumeiren said. "I hope she can make more contributions to fostering China-US friendship in the future."

"Bravo, kiddo!" Alvin Valeriano said on Youtube. "Good ambassador of goodwill, you are Arabella. JIA YOU!"

Earlier this year, during President Xi's visit to the United States, Arabella has already performed for the president and his wife at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 6. Standing alongside her parents, Arabella sang Jasmine, a Chinese folk song with her brother Joseph.

Following are two ancient poems recited by Arabella Kushner.

Watching the Fall of Lushan Mountain

Sunlight streaming on incense

Stone kindles a violet smoke,

Far off I watch the waterfall

flunge to the long river,

Flying waters descending

straight three thousand feet,

Till I think the Milky Way has tumbled

from the ninth height of Heaven.

Departing from White King City at Dawn

At dawn I left the walled city of White King,

Towering among the many-colored cloud;

And came down stream in a day

One thousand li to Jiangling.

The screams of monkeys on either bank

Had scarcely ceased echoong in my ear

When my skiff had left behind it

Ten thousand ranges of hills.
Ma Xuejing/China Daily

The world watches with anticipation and some anxiety US President Donald Trump's state visit to China. How will the leaders of the world's largest and second-largest economies manage their bilateral relations amid an environment of global fragility and uncertainty?

Trump's first visit to Asia as US president comes against the backdrop of volatility on the Korean Peninsula, deteriorating global security, and political uncertainty back home.

During his election campaign, Trump labeled China a "currency manipulator" and called for slapping 45 percent tariffs on Chinese imports. Many foreign analysts speculate as to whether and how he will raise these issues and the effect they might have on this very important global and strategic relationship. And quite a few business leaders in the United States have called on Trump to be "tough on China". But what does that really mean and how practical is this kind of rhetoric?

Sober up, running a campaign to be elected the president of the United States and actually being the president are two very different things. After entering the White House, most presidents have realized the world is about entangled or intertwined relationships that may be far more complex than they previously understood.

So how will President Xi Jinping and Trump find commonality above differences? Perhaps talking straightforward business may do the trick. One thing we can expect is that while in Beijing, Trump will revert to being more of a businessman than political campaigner.

Trump has in tow a delegation of 29 American business leaders, each looking to leverage the visit for opportunity not conflict. They represent traditional US industries, fossil fuel-based energy and basic agriculture. This comes at a time when China has become the single-largest global investor in artificial intelligence, mobile phone banking, and research and development for an unprecedented scale of renewable and efficient energy. Will the two leaders be able to find new synergy through comparative advantages in the new era?

At the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, talked about socialism with Chinese characteristics in the "New Era", an era that he emphasized would include inclusiveness, diversified not monolithic globalization, and openness toward trade and investment. Clearly, China regards its relations with the American people among its most important global relationships. And that should be principled on partnership not altercation.

A troubled China-US relationship benefits nobody. A positive one allows for constructive engagement on a host of issues, from trade and security, where both countries need to sensibly work together rather than apart, to business deals that offer employment and economic buoyancy. Hopefully, this will be the outcome of Trump's visit.

During the 1980s and 1990s China-US relations were all about American investments coming to China to create jobs and transfer technology. But from the makeup of Trump's business delegation, we can see that times have really changed. The US is adhering to "old industries", from coal and diesel-powered cars to soybeans and steel. On the other hand, China is leapfrogging into the latest technologies for everything, from high-speed railway to solar grid systems and robotics. The triangle of Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Guangzhou is already being celebrated by venture capitalists as the new Silicon Valley of innovation, research and development. Which means China-US relations today could be more about Chinese investments in the US creating jobs.

The reality is that Chinese investments are creating jobs, driving economic growth, and are probably the best assurance of social stability in the US at a time when factionalism among America's complex social and ethnic groups is reaching unprecedented pitch, especially because the domestic economic policy of the past years has pushed the middle class down, creating vast divides between the few rich and increasing number of poor. China is re-employing through its investments vast numbers of people marginalized in the US' rust belt, those same people that voted for Trump. That is why Trump's visit to China is so critical to the US administration.

To put this point in perspective, the US' biggest single employer Walmart employs 1.5 million Americans, and Jack Ma, through Alibaba's investments, plans to create 1 million American jobswhich, in effect, would reduce unemployment by 14 percent.

So who needs a trade war?

Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations, underscored this point when he recently said: "The data overwhelmingly suggests Chinese investment in the US is complimentary to the current administration's focus on creating and protecting jobs."

A number of the company CEOs accompanying US president will use his visit to China as a platform to announce extensive business deals that will allow Trump to emphasize that he has pursued his campaign pledge to achieve market access in China. Currently, the US' goods' and services' deficit with China is around $310 billion, but in 2015, China accounted for some 22 percent of all US imports. So the reality on this trip is that Trump needs good relations with China, not least because over the next 20 years China is expected to buy about $1.1 trillion worth of airplanes, effectively subsidizing Boeing and the state of Washington, which is divided sharply between Democrat voters in its main coastal cities and Republicans in its agricultural hinterland. These are the kinds of facts that underscore Trump's visit, and his longer-term political considerations.

Positive signals have already come from China. Only one week after the conclusion of the 19th Party Congress and just one week before Trump's visit to Beijing, Xi received a delegation of American CEOs from Silicon Valley, including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Tim Cook, as part of a prestigious Tsinghua University advisory board.

The message is crystal clear: socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era means China is open for business, especially when it means technology, clean energy and smart infrastructure. But this time the investment may be going from China to the US, rather than the other way around. Trump will have a hard time slapping high tariffs on Chinese imports if he wants to live up to his campaign promise to upgrade the US' infrastructure, transport systems and airports, because he will need China to do it for him.

The author is a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization.


US President Donald Trump started his three-day visit to China from Wednesday at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The international community is closely watching the two presidents' meeting, especially their discussion on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

During his visit to the Republic of Korea, Trump told ROK President Moon Jae-in that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea needs to "come to the table" and "make a deal" on its missile and nuclear program.

Trump's willingness to talk with the DPRK should be seen as the right approach to resolve the DPRK nuclear issue. The peaceful denuclearization of the peninsula remains a thorny mission for all parties concerned, including the United States, China and Russia, in which time is of essence.

From a bilateral military dispute to a complex regional security problem, the DPRK nuclear issue requires multiparty dialogues to resolve, for which all the participants have to be on the same page. Beijing and Washington agree that denuclearization and peace must be restored on the peninsula. It's therefore a pity that Trump said in the ROK on Tuesday that the US will respond accordingly to the DPRK's actions, and is ready to use its full range of military capabilities "if need be", while Rodong Sinmun, a DPRK official, vowed to "bolster our nuclear, precious sword of justice".

Pyongyang's pursuit of security and Washington's threat to use military force will only inflame tensions on the Peninsula. However, the fact is that only the two countries can meet each other's respective demands. To help end this pointless game of pointing fingers, China has urged the two sides to take into account their respective paramount concerns before it's too late and again proposed the "suspension for suspension" initiative, meaning the DPRK suspends its nuclear and missile program in exchange for the US suspending its major military drills with its allies in the region. Apart from that, China also suggested the two sides adopt the "dual-track" approach to break the deadlock.

China has been continuously urging both the US and the DPRK to act and issue statements with full responsibility, and make genuine efforts to understand each other's concerns and avoid misunderstanding.

In fact, the US' obsession with imposing more severe sanctions on the DPRK has succeeded only in pushing dialogue further off the table and prompting Pyongyang to adopt a more aggressive tone and posture. Some China critics have gone even further and called for sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals that have business connections with the DPRK, at the risk of hurting China-US cooperation.

Neither does China want a nuclear-armed DPRK nor has it refrained from carrying through the United Nations Resolution 2371 and 2375. But a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula is not possible if the US keeps intimidating the DPRK and its top leader with threats of "resolute strikes".

The role of sanctions and China in the geopolitical entanglement is where Beijing and Washington disagree with each other the most. And Pyongyang's determination to become a nuclear power can't be changed unless Washington agrees to Beijing's "suspension for suspension" proposal.

The author is an associate professor of National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He is currently a visiting senior fellow of the Atlantic Council located in Washington DC.
The 25th anniversary APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place in Danang very soon, on November 10 and 11.

We greatly value the APEC forum for the ample opportunities it affords all participants to engage in discussions and coordinate positions on a variety of economic, social, environmental, and cultural issues. Our countries strive to cooperate based on the principles of consensus and voluntary participation, mutual respect and willingness to compromise, regardless of the political situation. This is what APEC's unique spirit of partnership is all about.

As a major Eurasian power with vast Far Eastern territories that boast significant potential, Russia has a stake in the successful future of the Asia-Pacific region, and in promoting sustainable and comprehensive growth throughout its entire territory. We believe that effective economic integration based on the principles of openness, mutual benefit and the universal rules of the World Trade Organisation is the primary means of achieving this goal.

We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions in the rapidly growing APR markets. I want to note that over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 percent, and from 17 to 24 percent in exports. And we have no intention of stopping there.

Of course, the large-scale project to create the APEC free trade area should be carried out with due account of the experience gained from implementing key integration formats in the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasia, including the Eurasian Economic Union, in which Russia cooperates with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Our union has been developing dynamically, and we are eager to build relations with all countries and associations that are interested in doing so. Vietnam, the host of this year's Forum, was the first state to sign a free trade agreement with the EAEU. As a result, our trade grew significantly and became more diversified. Talks on a trade and economic cooperation agreement with China concluded a short while ago. Talks with Singapore have begun, and we are working on the possibility of signing a free trade agreement with ASEAN.

On a related note, I would like to mention our idea to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership. We suggested forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road initiative. To reiterate, this is a flexible modern project open to other participants.

Comprehensive development of infrastructure, including transport, telecommunications and energy, will serve as the basis for effective integration. Today Russia is actively modernising its sea and air ports in the Russian Far East, developing transcontinental rail routes, and building new gas and oil pipelines. We are committed to implementing bilateral and multilateral infrastructure projects which will link our economies and markets. Among other projects, I am referring to the Energy Super Ring that unites Russia, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and the Sakhalin-Hokkaido transport link.

We pay special attention to integrating Russia's Siberian and Far Eastern territories into the network of APR economic ties. These efforts include a whole range of measures to enhance the investment appeal of our regions, and to integrate Russian enterprises into international production chains.

For Russia, the development of our Far East is a national priority for the 21st century. We are talking about creating territories of advanced economic growth in that region, pursuing large-scale development of natural resources, and supporting advanced high-tech industries, as well as investing in human capital, education and healthcare, and forming competitive research centres.

We hope that our foreign partners, primarily from APEC economies, will play an active role in implementing these programmes and projects. All the more so, as foreign participants of the annual Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok already had a chance to gain confidence in the prospects and feasibility of our plans.

We have an equally serious approach to involving small and medium-sized businesses in APEC economic integration processes, and supporting female entrepreneurship and start-up companies run by young entrepreneurs. Of course, we attach special importance to strengthening our cultural ties and expanding our contacts in the sphere of science and education. Looking ahead, we will focus on forming a common APR education space, one of whose centres could be the Far Eastern Federal University.

We believe that establishing effective cooperation to support innovation is the most important task we face in this dynamic era. As such, Russia has put forward a number of specific initiatives. These include unifying digital economy and trade rules, harmonising national technical standards, coordinating strategies for forming high-tech markets, and creating a uniform conceptual framework for the digital space. We have also shared with our partners our experience in providing e-services to the public. In addition, we suggest starting consultations within APEC on international information security and protection of computer software.

Preventing and providing relief following natural disasters and manmade accidents, epidemics and pandemics is another challenge that requires a joint response by all APR partners. Of course, we need to tackle food security issues together and think about how to meet the region's rapidly growing demand for high-quality and healthy food. Russia is one of the world's leaders in exports of grain, vegetable oils, fish, and a number of other foods. We expect to become the leading supplier of ecologically clean food to our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region. To do so, we are taking measures to increase agricultural output and improve productivity.

We intend to engage in substantive discussions of all these topics during the upcoming summit in Danang. I am confident that, acting together, we will find acceptable solutions to the challenge of supporting the steady, balanced, and harmonious growth of our shared region, and securing its prosperity. Russia is ready for such a collaborative effort.

The author is the president of Russia.
Dinghushan Station 1993. [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

How the completion of a major railway project introduced Bruce Connolly to southwestern Guangdongs stunning landscape and a fascinating river city.

1987, my first rail journey through China, travelling down to Hong Kong, effectively one railway connected everywhere north of Guangdong with the Pearl River Delta. A branch line, the Guangsan, dating from 1904, ran from Guangzhou through Foshan to Sanshui. Why Sanshui? A maze of rivers -- the West, the North and the Dongping Waterway -- come together at Sanshui. The Guangsan became an interface between water and rail.

It is well worth looking at satellite images on smartphones to understand the complexity of Guangdongs waterways. For centuries much of southern Chinas human and freight traffic moved by water with manmade sections facilitating connections between the West River and Guangzhou. The West flows down from Sanshui towards Jiangmen, entering the South China Sea just west of Macao. It also allows for travel beyond Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, almost to the border with Vietnam. The river becomes the West downstream from Guangxis Wuzhou where the Xun River merges with the Gui River. The system culminating with the Pearl River is second only to the Yangtze in importance for China.

Travelers, including myself, found the 24-hour boat journeys to Wuzhou a relatively convenient way to head onwards toward Guilin and Yangshuo. Standing on deck with the scene and activity continually changing, it was an excellent way to appreciate the importance of such water highways for the region. Today, over a remarkably short period, many of the long distance river passenger journeys have disappeared although some local ferries along with fast catamaran services from Hong Kong to Pearl River Delta cities remain; they were often my preferred way of entering southern China.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference after the first day of a two-day NATO Defense Ministers meeting at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Nov 8, 2017. NATO defense ministers on Wednesday agreed to upgrade command structure, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference following the ministerial meeting. The changes to the command structure will include two new commands to improve the movement of troops across the Atlantic and within Europe. [Photo/Xinhua]

BRUSSELS - NATO defense ministers on Wednesday agreed to upgrade command structure, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference following the ministerial meeting.

The changes to the command structure will include two new commands to improve the movement of troops across the Atlantic and within Europe. "This adaptation will strengthen NATO's ability to reinforce Allies quickly and effectively," said the NATO chief.

Stoltenberg added that military mobility is not only about new commands. "It's also about the ability to move forces and equipment quickly, with the right transport means and the right infrastructure," he said.

He called on Allies to improve infrastructure and move many "bureaucratic hurdles" to ensure forces move across Allied territory.

Stoltenberg said ministers also agreed to the creation of a new cyber operations center with the aim of strengthening cyber defenses.

He underlined that these decisions will pave the way to next year's summit of NATO leaders in Brussels.
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil and Argentina are preparing a joint tourism promotion program in China to attract more visitors from the Asian giant, official sources announced Wednesday.

The president of the Brazilian tourism institute, Embratur, Vinicius Lummertz, and the Argentinean tourism minister, Gustavo Santos, met in London on Wednesday during the World Travel Market in London.

They decided to carry out a joint promotion tour in the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou among others, Embratur said in a statement.

The governments of Brazil and Argentina have been trying to reach an agreement for two years on a joint tourism promotion effort in China.

"The Chinese market is very large and is growing. We have the problem of distance, but the joint initiative makes everything easier, with lower costs and simplified logistics. From the start, we and Argentina have considered that, since Asian and American travellers to Europe visit two or more countries, why not offer the same in South America," commented Lummertz.

Santos added that "while they have the Great Wall, one of the wonders of the world, we have the Iguazu Waterfalls, another marvel. We are brothers through this and we need to bring our people together, and promote all this more".

Santos also asked the Brazilian government to adopt "a more flexible policy in terms of the visa demands for China tourists".

Embratur said that China accounts for more international travellers than any other country, with 130 million Chinese citizens travelling abroad last year, but with only around 60,000 visiting Brazil.
Welcome to China Daily's Live report on day two of US President Donald Trump's visit to China. Please click here to see the full coverage of day one.

18:15

The menu of the banquet is seen from Weibo of Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi.

President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan host a state banquet for visiting US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.

14:00

Premier Li Keqiang meets visiting US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People. "We are happy to see that the US economy is showing good momentum recently, and so is the Chinese economy," Li says. "Such trends in the world's largest developed country and developing country will benefit not only our two countries but also the rest of the world."

13:05

US President Donald Trump voices appreciation in response to China's great hospitality in hosting his state visit.

"Melania and I are honored to visit your country, with its ancient history, dynamic people and thriving culture," Trump says.

12:50

President Xi Jinping says he and visiting US President Donald Trump have achieved new consensus, and their meetings are constructive and have yielded fruitful results.

Xi makes the remarks when he addresses journalists alongside Trump.

12:04

President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, witness the signing of 15 cooperation documents worth more than $250 billion between Chinese and US companies at the Great Hall of the People.

The signing ceremony is held during the two presidents' meeting with entrepreneurs from both countries.

11:14

President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, meet for an extended meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning.

The meeting came right after a smaller gathering involving the two leaders and some key advisors. High-ranking officials from each side joined the extended meeting, which was scheduled to last about 50 minutes.

11:10

A chime bells (Bianzhong) performance is arranged for US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump during their state visit to China at the Great Hall of the People on Nov 9.

Dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (C.11th century-771BC), chime bells were an exclusive musical instrument for the upper class in ancient China.

The artists perform a new song composed by the president of China Conservatory of Music especially for the event.

9:59

First lady Peng Liyuan and US President Donald Trump's wife Melania visit Banchang elementary school at Dongcheng district in Beijing on Thursday.

* Founded in 1947, Banchang elementary school is an ordinary primary school with 29 classes and more than 1,000 students.

President Xi Jinping, left, and his US counterpart Donald Trump review the guard of honor in front of the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. [Photo by Xu Jingxing/China Daily]

President Xi Jinping hosts a grand welcoming ceremony for visiting US President Donald Trump in front of the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.
MOSCOW - Russia favors the idea of establishing a free trade area (FTA) in the Asia Pacific region (APR), which is expected to help enhance Russia's presence in APR markets, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions in the rapidly growing APR markets," Putin said in his article "The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Danang: Together Towards Prosperity and Harmonious Development" which is published on the Kremlin's website.

The APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit will be held on Nov. 10-11 in Vietnam's central Danang city.

Over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 percent, and from 17 to 24 percent in exports, according to Putin.

"And we have no intention of stopping there," he said.

The president underlined that the project of creating the FTA should take example by the experiences gained from implementing key integration formats in the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasia, including the Eurasian Economic Union.

"I would like to mention our idea to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership. We suggested forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road initiative. To reiterate, this is a flexible modern project open to other participants," he said.

In his article, Putin also highlighted that establishing effective cooperation to support innovation is "the most important task we face in this dynamic era."

According to the president, Russia has put forward a number of specific initiatives in this regard, including unifying digital economy and trade rules, harmonizing national technical standards, coordinating strategies for forming high-tech markets, and creating a uniform conceptual framework for the digital space.

"In addition, we suggest starting consultations within APEC on international information security and protection of computer software," he added.

All these topics are intended to be fully discussed during the upcoming summit, Putin said.

Leaders and representatives from 21 member economies are expected to participate in the APEC summit and discuss issues on sustainable growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Editor's note: US President Donald Trump started his first trip to China on Wednesday. Here is a brief history of the visits by the previous US presidents, which made a big impression on many Chinese.

1. Richard Nixon - first US president to visit the Chinese mainland

Dates: Feb 21-28, 1972

Places: Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai

Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit was the first top-level contact between Beijing and Washington since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The historic trip was the turning point that led to the normalization of China-US relations.

In the visit, Nixon met Chairman Mao Zedong and had talks with Zhou Enlai, then premier. On Feb 28, the two sides issued the Shanghai Communique.

Nixon said at the Great Wall:

"As I walked along the wall ... I thought about the fact that the wall tells us that China has a great history and that the people who built this wonder of the world also have a great future."

2. Gerald Ford - signaled continuation of rapprochement

Dates: Dec 1-5, 1975

Place: Beijing

Gerald Ford was the first US president to visit after the thaw in China-US relations. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the 1972 Shanghai Communique.

Ford visited the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.

Ford's toast at his farewell event:

"It was certainly common perceptions and common interests which brought our countries together four years ago."

3. Ronald Reagan - visit included the Terracotta Warriors

Dates: April 26-May 1, 1984

Places: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai

Ronald Reagan, accompanied by his wife, Nancy, was the first US president to visit the Terracotta Warriors.

Reagan said in a speech at the Great Hall of the People:

"On many vital questions of our time, there is little difference between the American and Chinese people."

4. George H.W. Bush - visited China soon after taking office

Dates: Feb 25-26, 1989

Place: Beijing

George H.W. Bush departed on his official visit to China one month after he took office in 1989, the soonest among all the presidents.

Bush's toast at the welcome banquet:

"Based on the bedrock principle that there is but one China, we have found ways to address Taiwan constructively without rancor."

5. Bill Clinton - visited the most Chinese cities in one trip

Dates: June 25-July 3, 1998

Places: Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Hong Kong

Bill Clinton visited five Chinese cities during his nine-day trip. He went to famous historical sites, addressed Peking University, spoke to Shanghai citizens on a radio broadcast and toured the Lijiang River in Guilin, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Clinton said at the Great Wall:

"It was now a symbol which China used to welcome visitors, rather than to keep them out."

6. George W. Bush - visited China most frequently

Dates: Oct 18-20, 2001; Feb 21-22, 2002; Nov 19-21, 2005; Aug 7-11, 2008

Places: Shanghai, Beijing

George W. Bush attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Shanghai in 2001 and made three other trips, in 2002, 2005 and 2008. In his 2005 visit, he took a bicycle ride, in memory of his youth, when he rode across Beijing in 1975 to visit his parents, who worked in the Chinese capital.

Bush speaking at Tsinghua University in 2002:

"China is on a rising path, and America welcomes the emergence of a strong and peaceful and prosperous China."

7. Barack Obama - showed the greatest diversity in his visits

Dates: Nov 15-18, 2009; Nov 10-12, 2014; Sept 3-5, 2016

Places: Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou

Obama's state visits included official and informal meetings. On the night of Nov 11, 2014, President Xi Jinping and Obama had an informal meeting at Yingtai in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing after APEC meetings. On Sept 3, 2016, during the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, they took a stroll along West Lake and stopped for tea.

Obama said at the Great Wall:

"I bring a great admiration for Chinese civilization, and I bring greetings from the American people."

China Daily - Xinhua
President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and the first ladies, Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump, pose for a photo with young performers after watching a Peking Opera performance at the Palace Museum on Wednesday. Wu Zhiyi / China Daily

Editor's note:

China provided a "state visit-plus" reception for US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, with special arrangements for his arrival in Beijing. China Daily brings you a detailed account of the events and exchanges between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart.

Trumps arrive in Beijing

US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, arrived on Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, welcomed by an elaborate high-level reception.

The Trumps were greeted by senior Chinese officials including State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, as well as a military band and honor guard.

Hundreds of elementary school students waved miniature Chinese and US flags to welcome Trump's car, which was guarded by a motorcade of 21 motorcycles.
Sides pledge to improve legal collaboration and aid repatriation

A representative of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Public Security (right) hands the memorandum of understanding to a representative of the United States Department of Justice in Shanghai on Oct 16.Fan Jun / Xinhua

China and the United States will strengthen cooperation on joint investigations and simplify procedures to repatriate fugitives to their home countries to face justice, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Security said.

Both countries will enhance the exchange of information and conduct joint investigations into a number of major and individual cases, Zhu Yuxiang, deputy director of the ministry's International Cooperation Department, told China Daily.

Moreover, high-ranking officials from both sides will smooth communication channels and promote "the adoption of simplified means to repatriate suspects" to prevent "safe havens" for fugitives from both countries, he said.

Last month, the first round of the China-US Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Dialogue was held in Washington, during which the countries discussed their major concerns and reached some consensus.

The countries agreed to establish a joint working group and focus on a number of major or individual cases. In addition, they will hold meetings every month or every three months, and share information about fugitives.

"Such agreements offer more favorable conditions to conduct deeper cooperation to apprehend fugitives and regain ill-gotten assets," Zhu said, noting that since President Donald Trump took office, the US has offered China more judicial assistance to apprehend and repatriate fugitives.

"This year, especially, the US has simplified procedures to facilitate repatriation," he said, adding that five people have been repatriated this year, four from the US to China and one from China to the US.

Last month, a fugitive from the US who is suspected of sexually abusing children was repatriated. He is a US citizen who arrived in Shanghai in May on a tourist visa.

In August, a Chinese fugitive suspected of fraud valued at 380 million yuan ($57 million) was repatriated to China with the assistance of US judicial authorities after three years on the run.

However, Zhu acknowledged that there are still some practical difficulties in returning more Chinese suspects as a result of a number of legal obstacles and complex procedures. The two sides have yet to sign a bilateral extradition treaty and a treaty to allow them to share confiscated ill-gotten assets.

The two sides also need to create a successful model for locating, capturing and repatriating fugitives to China, and set an example for future cases, he said.

Huang Feng, a professor of international criminal law at Beijing Normal University, said that despite stronger efforts by law enforcement agencies in both countries, the US remains a major destination for Chinese fugitives.

"Both countries should take the opportunity to put aside political differences and deepen judicial cooperation to seek common interests," he said.

Since Interpol issued red notices for the 100 most-wanted Chinese fugitives in April 2015, 49 people have returned from 16 countries and regions, including six from the US, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Last month, Yang Xiuzhu, a high-profile fugitive, pleaded guilty to charges of corruption and bribery, and was sentenced to eight years in prison and a fine of 800,000 yuan. The 70-year-old returned to China a year ago after 13 years on the run in the US.

zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn
Its just days after the worst mass shooting in American history on a church property. As CT reported earlier this week:

At least 26 worshipers, ranging in ages from 5 to 72, have died from First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, according to Texas authorities. Another 20 worshipers were injured.

Increasingly, the aftermath of these shootings has devolved into a furious national debate over guns, with little consensus or resolution in sight. Christians need to step up and moderate the rhetoric, says Bart Barber, who pastors a Baptist church in Texas and holds a PhD in church history from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The more that those calling for gun control legislation mock those calling for prayer, the less likely constructive dialogue is, said Barber. The more people calling for Second Amendment protection bristle at taking common-sense measures and castigate people as out-of-touch, unrealistic, wild-eyed liberals, the less likely we are to have a constructive conversation.

Barbers church includes many gun owners, including those who bring their weapons to church. While he doesnt directly preach about guns, he has taught on passages of the Bible that discuss revenge, the role of authority, and Christs teaching on how to treat ones enemies.

There will be people all over the country this week that go to church Sunday carrying a concealed weapon, telling themselves, If this comes to my congregation, protecting my children is going to be more than lying on top of them. If this comes to my congregation, the people sitting next to me in the pews, Im going to do something to try to save them, said Barber. In the back of the mind they may be saying, and save me too, but this is the way the theological conversation takes place.

Barber recently joined associate digital media producer Morgan Lee and editorial director Ted Olsen to discuss the United States historical relationship with guns, the role that Quakers played in passing the Second Amendment, and why evangelicals continue to own guns today.

What is Quick to Listen? Read more

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Quick to Listen is produced by Morgan Lee, Richard Clark, and Cray Allred
I had the privilege or reading a pre-release version of "God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church." Here are 20 quotes from the book, which you should pick up.
Moody Bible Institute has decided to shut down its undergraduate campus in Spokane, Washington, after 25 years, as well as its distance learning extension site in Pasadena, California.

The decision, announced today, is part of a strategic initiative to preserve Moodys long-term financial wellbeing, which includes cuts to faculty and staff at its main campus in Chicago.

The Spokane campus enrolled 442 undergraduate students, compared to 1,599 in Chicago and 664 through its distance learning program.

Last fall, the Spokane campus added only 59 full-time freshmen; this fall, that number was down to 37. For the first half of the decade, the freshman class had been more than 100well over double the past two years. The Pacific Northwest campus also had lower retention and graduation rates than the Chicago location.

The undergraduate school in Spokane, which offered eight bachelors degrees and two certificate programs, will close after graduation in May 2018. Current students can transfer to the Chicago campus or complete their degree through distance learning.

We are deeply grateful to the Lord for all those who faithfully served in Spokane and for what took place through this campus, James Spencer, Moody vice president and dean, said in a statement. Many men and women have been sent out and are making an impact for the Kingdom around the world in all areas of life.

Moody has operated its extension campus in Spokane since 1993, and moved its aviation program to the site in 2005. Moody Aviation will continue to train missionary pilots from the Spokane location. The campus has about 45 faculty members, about a third of whom are involved in the aviation program.

The announcement indicated that Moodys distance learning program will discontinue operations not vital to [its] mission. The Pasadena extension site, which offered a ministry leadership degree program, will be closed.

Additionally, Moody is making cuts to staff and faculty at its campus in Chicago and its seminary, a result of eliminating components of certain academic programs, spokesman Brian Regnerus told CT. He declined to provide further detail on those affected, citing privacy concerns, but said the cuts represent less than 10 percent of staff.

Moody Theological Seminary will transition its programs from 16-week courses to 8-week courses, conducted on campus, online, and in hybrid formats.

Graduate student enrollment in Chicago and in online/hybrid programs dropped by around 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, this fall. Enrollment is steady at the seminary campus in Plymouth, Michigan.

Several students and former students tweeted and posted their response to the news and prayers for the faculty who would lose their jobs.

Tyler Mark Nelson, a student at Moody in Spokane, wrote on Facebook that the community is grieving the news.

Local churches, ministries, and organizations, many of which have deeply benefited from the zeal and devoted service of students, will also reel from the loss, he said. The city of Spokane will lose a powerful and effective presence when MBI-Spokane closes its doors. We lament as a community and are beginning to prepare for the approaching uprooting.

Paul Nyquist, president of Moody Global Ministries, referenced challenging ministry trends and financial demands over the next decade as the reason for the shift.

We are proactively making these strategic changes now to ensure our long-term viability and sustained growth, he said in a press release.

Meanwhile, fellow Christian schools and seminaries are grappling with the future of their own extension campuses as online education becomes a more popular option.

This summer, Americas largest seminary announced plans to shut down three of its eight satellite campuses and to reduce degree options at two more.

The upcoming changes at Fuller Theological Seminary, expected to go into place in 2019, hint at the shifting landscape for Christian higher education. As schools expand to offer online, hybrid, and other nontraditional programs, the path to a theological degree doesnt look like it used to.

Fuller provost Joel Green disclosed in July that the schools Seattle, Orange County, and Menlo Park campuses would close, while its Colorado Springs and Phoenix campuses would cut down on course offerings.

Fullers regional campus enrollment decreased by 30 percent over the past four years, with the slipping numbers hurting the sense of community at various locations as well as their financial viability, he said. At the same time, Fullers online classesnow up to 260 of themhave become a more popular choice; their enrollment has grown by over 50 percent, and outnumbered all other Fuller campuses for the first time last fall.

Students who live across the street are still taking online classes, said Irene Neller, spokeswoman for the Pasadena-based evangelical seminary. The recent swings have prompted Fuller to explore so many options for how students could study in the future, she said.

The enrollment trends out of Fuller reflect whats happening at a lot of Christian schoolsand seminary programs in particular.

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), which includes more than 270 institutions in the US and Canada, found that extension enrollment has dipped by about 26 percent over the past decade, according to self-reported and adjusted figures, while online numbers have more than doubled.

The overall trends seem fairly clear: distance education enrollment is way up and extension education enrollment is down, said Tom Tanner, director for accreditation and institutional evaluation at ATS.

But most programs are keeping their extension sites. While the number of schools with satellite campuses has remained around 95, the number of locations themselves has grown by about 20 percent over the past 10 years, from 254 to 305, according to ATS.

I think what is happening is that schools are moving more to a hybrid model, where some courses are offered at extension sites and some offered online, which means fewer student enrollments at extension sites, Tanner said. Programs can also require students to be on campus for one or two weeks a semester for certain courses, while completing other requirements virtually.

Online education has shown a lot of promise for theological education from the start. As CT reported several years ago:

At seminaries, online ministry degree programs are tapping into a storehouse of pent-up demand. Those who once dismissed the possibility of full-time ministry can pursue dreams without making drastic changes and piling up a crushing loan debt. Students avoid the expense of moving on or near campusor of commuting daily for three or four years. Congregations retain valuable ministry workers as they learn more.

But such programs are no longer a new frontier, and schools have begun to evaluate their next chapters: how to incorporate and build on distance learning in a way that works best for students changing expectations and schools long-term viability.

Fuller, for example, was surprised by how positive the interaction and community-building has been among their online students, so the school began piloting Fuller Formation Groups, spiritual and leadership formation groups that meet virtually.

As potential students weigh whether they have the time, money, or interest to pursue a degree, schools consider the same factors and adjust to make their programs accessible and applicable. The rise of nondenominational churches, for example, means that fewer pastors are required to hold a seminary degree, as CT Pastors has reported, though they may still want some level of theological study or formation.

This fall, Fuller expanded its online degree options from three degrees offered primarily onlineMaster of Divinity (MDiv), MA in Theology and Ministry (MATM), and MA in Global Leadership (MAGL)to add two more that can be fully completed online: MA in Theology (MAT) and MA in Intercultural Studies (MAICS).
In the fall of 1949, a little-known Baptist preacher launched a series of revival meetings at a canvas cathedral at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Hill Street in Los Angeles.

The meetings were supposed to last three weeks. Instead, they continued for eight weeks, drawing more than 300,000 people and making Billy Graham a household name.

Nearly 70 years later, the 99-year-old evangelist remains one of the best-known preachers in America, according to a survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

Half of Protestant churchgoers in America (48%) have seen one of his sermons on television, while 1 in 10 (11%) attended one of his revivals, known as crusades.

If you go to a Protestant church, chances are you know of Billy Graham, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. Wed be hard-pressed to find another American Christian leader who has that kind of name recognition.

The survey of 1,000 churchgoersthose who attend a Protestant or nondenominational church at least once a monthfound Graham has had widespread influence.

Two-thirds of those surveyed have had contact with his ministry, including:

48% have watched a Billy Graham sermon on television

18% have listened to one of his sermons on the radio

15% have read one of his books

14% have read a Billy Graham newspaper column

11% have attended a Billy Graham crusade

8% have watched a Billy Graham sermon online

Among churchgoers with evangelical beliefs:

54% have watched a Billy Graham sermon on television

23% have listened to one of his sermons on the radio

19% have read one of his books

18% have read a Billy Graham newspaper column

14% have attended a Billy Graham crusade

10% have watched a Billy Graham sermon online

A third of churchgoers have not interacted with Grahams ministry in person, in print, or through television, radio, or the internet. This includes:

51% of churchgoers ages 18 to 34

30% of weekly worshipers

37% of those attending a church of less than 50

22% of those attending a church of 500 to 999

38% of those attending a church of 1,000

41% of those in the Midwest

31% of those in the South

27% of those in the West

Among churchgoers with evangelical beliefs, 1 in 4 has never interacted with Grahams ministry (27%). Meanwhile, among churchgoers who dont hold evangelical beliefs, only 2 in 5 have never interacted with his ministry (41%).

Meanwhile, only 4 percent of churchgoers say they have no idea who Billy Graham is.

Churchgoers who are ages 18 to 34 are most likely not to know who Graham is (16%). Only 1 percent of those 35 and older dont know who he is.

Older churchgoers have had the most interaction with Grahams ministry: 74 percent of Protestant churchgoers 65 and older have seen one of his sermons on television, as have 57 percent of those ages 50 to 64.

Nineteen percent of Protestant churchgoers 65 and olderand 14 percent of those 50 to 64say theyve been to a Graham crusade.

Baptist (14%) and nondenominational churchgoers (12%) are most likely to have gone to a Graham crusade. Lutherans (3%) are least likely.

For several generations of Americans, Billy Graham had a powerful effect on their Christian faith, said McConnell.

Bob Smietana (@BobSmietana) is senior writer for Facts & Trends.
I feel like a silent warrior, a fellow military wife told me. I dont want people to think badly of him. They have no idea what hes been through. But they also have no idea what Im going through.

Though she felt isolated, this military spouse was far from alone. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) disability claims by military veterans have soared to over 940,000 cases. More concerning is the fact that many veterans are unlikely to speak up about their symptoms due to fear of being viewed as weak or experiencing negative repercussions in their military career. Spouses often fear that speaking out to others about PTSD-related struggles at home may permanently sever an already strained marriage. Though this military wife had sought my advice as a counselor, she could not have anticipated how deeply I understood.

As the wife of a soldier who served for three years in Iraq, I had wrongly assumed that because my husband was so strong, he would somehow be immune to the toll war would take. He shared only tiny glimpses of war with me at first: describing car bombs targeting mosques and the pandemonium that ensued or what it was like watching hysterical family members search for loved ones in piles of charred bodies that included women and children. The sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of horror and helplessness he experienced mingled to form memories that would stay with him indefinitely. He was just 22 years old.

Over the years, he shared even less with me. I would question how he earned awards, including a Bronze Star, and he would give vague answers to dismiss my questions. Hed share bits occasionally, but he mostly sought to forgetand to protect me fromthe kind of evil that civilians have trouble comprehending.

A hidden injury

PTSD was first accepted as a diagnosis in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association, but it is not a new phenomenon. The symptoms that can afflict combat veterans have existed throughout history. It was described as soldiers heart after the Civil War, shell shock after World War I, and battle fatigue after World War II. Today over 2.7 million service members have deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan. Many have deployed multiple times. Studies have shown that while some individuals experience an improvement in symptoms of combat stress, many experience a chronic problem. Despite the availability of counseling, the US Department of Veterans Affairs reports that the risk of suicide is still 22 percent higher among veterans than non-veterans.

Just as ignoring a physical wound causes it to fester and get worse, failure to deal with combat-related trauma exacerbates injury. But deployed soldiers dont have the luxury of stepping off the battlefield to process all theyve encountered and experienced. They must lace up their boots and get back to the mission. Many spend months in situations in which their lives are in constant dangerbeing shot at, receiving frequent mortar fire, and traveling areas where any roadside object could be disguising an improvised explosive device (IED). As a defense mechanism, they often become desensitized to fear and operate on instinct. Their vigilance serves them well and keeps them alive.

Eventually, when these soldiers return home, they are met with messages that tell them they can relax and be happy now. Unfortunately, the hypervigilance theyve developed as a survival mechanism cant always be suddenly shut off. The brain never forgets. The memories and grief follow them home. If they manage to suppress them throughout the day, nightmares are often waiting to remind them when they try to go to sleep.

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PTSD may be diagnosed when symptoms last longer than three months and fall into four categories:

Re-experiencing the event, whether through intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares.

Avoiding situations, people, or activities that serve as reminders of the traumatic event.

A negative perception of people, circumstances, and life in general.

Hyperarousal, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, and anxiety.

The diagnosis also requires that the individual has been exposed to a traumatic event in which they felt intense fear, helplessness, or horror. In fact, many now argue that PTSD should be viewed as an injury rather than a disorder. Symptoms may have delayed onset, first appearing months or even years after the initial trauma.

Families in crisis

The trauma of war often follows combat veterans homeand can cause further trauma, pain, and confusion in families. Spouses and children who have been waiting with bated breath to reconnect with their loved one may be confused when their hero seems emotionally detached. Personality changes, constant criticism, and angry outbursts can be common for PTSD sufferersand can be frightening and devastating for the entire family. Bewildered spouses often dont have enough information to understand what is causing the outbursts, especially if they first appear years after the deployment. They cant understand why their once easygoing spouse would blow up and punch holes in the wall or seemingly reject the love of a family that needs them. Without counseling, the soldier may not fully understand either. If he or she could explain it, verbalizing his or her struggle would build empathy in the relationship and make it easier for the spouse to forgive and offer support. Unfortunately, though, sharing often feels difficult or impossible for the PTSD sufferer.

We walk on eggshells to make sure we dont trigger his temper, the military wife seeking my counsel confided. I cant seem to do anything right, and hed rather isolate himself in front of the TV than have anything to do with me or the kids. I miss the man he used to be. Though this woman attends church regularly, she cant bring herself to tell others at church about the chaos she lives in behind closed doors. Its hard enough to get people to take a chance on getting to know you when they think you might only be here for a couple of years, she explained. If they knew this, it would really scare them away.

Her dilemma is common. Multiple studies have found that spouses of veterans with PTSD can become socially withdrawn or suffer from depression. One study found that nearly half of spouses of PTSD sufferers have felt on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Further, children with a family member that has deployed have greater odds of experiencing sadness or hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and even suicidal thoughts.

Spouses often deal with intense loneliness. He lost his sense of humor and was always aggravated with me or the kids, one wife told me. He even lost interest in me physically. I worried he might be having an affair but never dreamed it was PTSD. One day we were arguing about how he wouldnt go to church with me, and he said God could never forgive him. Thats when I started putting the pieces together.

What the church can do

Treatment of PTSD requires the expertise of mental health professionals. However, the need for a professional counselor never negates the need for a loving church family. The church is uniquely positioned to wrap around both veterans and their families: loving them, supporting them, and praying for them. A strong support systemlike what a church family can offeris crucial for healing.

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But are we meeting the needs of these hurting families in our pews? We fail them if we treat our churches like miniature seminaries, where we simply come to hear good teaching from pastors on Sundays. As the church, we must build deeper relationships that enable us to recognize when there is a problem. We must foster the trust that hurting families need in order to feel safe sharing honestly. Many civilian Christians may feel ill-equipped to help military families. In reality, there is a great deal the church can do.

 Provide a safe place to wrestle. Pat answers and Christian cliches are not helpful for anyone in crisis, and this is especially true for those dealing with PTSD. Yes, God is good all the time. But it is difficult to reconcile that truth with memories of an IED ripping through a buddys Humvee or watching with horror as innocent victims suffer and die in the wake of a terrorist attack. Not unlike a young mother diagnosed with cancer or a parent who has lost a child, veterans need a safe place to wrestle and ask the difficult questions. Who better than the church to love them as they do?

 Draw close. It wouldnt be appropriate for civilians who have not experienced the same combat-related trauma to say, I understand. Nonetheless, Christian brothers and sisters can provide tremendous and meaningful support. When my husband returned from battle, he and I learned a great deal from friends and mentors who knew nothing about the evils of war but who still choose to walk with us through the messy, broken places. In the process, they not only helped us heal, but they modeled how we could serve others by inviting them into our circles and loving them unconditionally while they grappled with the effects of war. This is biblical hospitality at its best.

 Love faithfully. Along with prayer support, these families need us to take the initiative to ask how they are and care about the answer. They may need our assurances of confidentiality. They likely need encouragement from others to seek out professional counseling. Most of all, they need to be loved with Christs unconditional love. Someone dealing with PTSD will likely try to push you away. Dont let them. We must be consistent in these friendships even when they seem like they dont want or need it. They do.

A different kind of warrior

The Bible is not silent on the kind of pain and struggle associated with PTSD. King David was a man who knew about military battle and the effects of war. He was also no stranger to depression or anguish. An accomplished warrior, he also penned prayers like this: You, Sovereign Lord, help me for your names sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me (Ps. 109:2122).

Trauma changes a person, but that doesnt mean healing will elude them forever. Often, our scars can be a reminder of Gods redemptive work in our lives. Even the resurrected Christ still bears his scars. Whether these silent warriors with PTSD are non-believers or wounded saints, great need can precede great redemption. PTSD sufferers may initially bristle at verses like Romans 8:28, which promises that, God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (NASB). They may wonder how something so horrific could ever be used for good. Yet, the wisdom and intimacy with God theyll gain as they heal can be used to shine a powerful light into someone elses darkness. It will not happen without the courage to make the daunting journey through their own healing process, hopefully with the faithful support of a church family.

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Churches can rally around these families, speaking life and encouragement into their darkest days. We do not need to know or understand the details of their trauma. We simply need to know, and continually point them to, the One who does.

God is not naive about the evil that humans are capable of, and he is not oblivious to the trauma many have endured because of it. He does not recoil at deep wounds or abandon families when they are falling apart. He is a faithful companion who walks through the messy, painful places with us. May the same be said of his church.

Bridget Kessler is a freelance writer, wife, and mother of six. She holds a master of arts in human services counseling: marriage and family. You can read more of her writing at TheKesslerDiaries.com.
Total said it will pay $1.5 billion to buy Engie's liquefied natural gas assets in a deal between French energy giants with U.S. Gulf Coast implications.

The deal includes the sale of Engie's 16.6 percent stake in the Cameron LNG project in Louisiana near the Texas border. San Diego-based Sempra Energy owns a majority of the much-delayed Cameron LNG export project, which now is slated to begin coming online in 2019.
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East Houston Regional Medical Center, swamped by 6 feet of water during Hurricane Harvey in August, is closing for good in what is being called the biggest medical casualty of the storm.

The 131-bed hospital, an institution in the region after 40-plus years in operation, was recently determined to not be salvageable after the storm roared ashore and devastated the area with historic flooding.

OUR STORIES, YOUR INBOX: Get the Morning Report, our free email newsletter sent every weekday with top news from Houston, Texas and beyond. Check it out.

"Even with floodgates we took on 6 feet of water," said Debra Burbridge, spokeswoman for HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, which owned the facility.

Those floodgates were installed after the hospital flooded during Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. East Houston Regional flooded again during Hurricane Ike in 2008 and then once more during the Harvey deluge.

The final fate of the building has not yet been determined, she said.

Now Playing: FOX 26 News Reporter Damali Keith Video: Fox 26 Houston

A eulogy of sorts was posted on the hospital's website: "Though the facility has been damaged in the past, we have rebuilt many times. We've endured three floods since 2000. Our team looked at every potential option for continuing to treat patients at the facility. In the interest of safety, we have determined there was no way to continue operations at this current site. It's just not the safest way forward for our patients or our employees."

The statement encouraged patients to visit the HCA-owned Bayshore and Clear Lake Regional Medical Centers nearby.

The Texas Workforce Commission announced Thursday that the hospital's 479 employees would be laid off because of the permanent closing. However, Burbridge said "well over 400" have already been reassigned to sister facilities within the health-care system.

"We're still working through the process," she added.

RELATED: Medical practices still recovering from Harvey

Because of the hospital's proximity to Greens Bayou and its flood-prone past, East Houston Regional made the early decision to evacuate all 80 patients and cease operations n Aug. 25, two days before Harvey made landfall. It never reopened.

The permanent closure of a hospital following a storm is highly unusual, said Darrell Pile, head of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, which coordinated the regional response to the hospitals in crisis during Harvey.

"The closure of East Houston is unfortunate, but a wise decision, given its frequent flooding following named and unnamed storms," said Pile. "Equipment housed in hospitals is very expensive and the cost to make repairs and renovations likely made the decision to close East Houston inevitable."

He added that the Houston area, which staggered under at least 51 inches  more than the annual average rainfall here  in one storm, was lucky it didn't have more permanent hospital closures.

Flooding from Hurricane Harvey caused 44 Houston-area hospitals and other health facilities to evacuate 1,544 patients, according to final statistics tallied by Pile's group.

Twenty-four that evacuated were hospitals and another 20 were nursing homes or assisted living centers.
Hordes of Pokemon Go players glued to their smartphones in downtown's Discovery Green park inspired a new mobile app being unveiled Thursday that uses augmented reality to make Houston restaurants, hotels and points of interest easier to explore.

The Visit Houston AR app, available free for both Apple and Android devices, uses a smartphone's camera to show location and information about surrounding businesses. App users see the world through the phone's camera with cards overlaid on the image. Tapping on the cards brings up details about that spot.

Houston First Corp., which developed the application along with local developer Mouth Watering Media, has plans to expand the app beyond just eateries, lodging and tourist spots.

"One of our major goals is making Houston more accessible to visitors," said Leah Shah of Houston First. "As the nation's fourth-largest city, with over 10,000 restaurants, it can be a little overwhelming to try to find one you want. We want to make it easy for people to explore all the things around them."

Now Playing: This promotional video produced by Houston First Corp. shows how the Visit Houston AR app works. Video: Brandpoint

The app is an attempt to catch the buzz surrounding augmented reality, or AR, that has become one of the hottest categories in tech. Interest began building after the release in 2016 of Pokemon Go, which turned into that summer's biggest fad. People fanned out across cities looking to capture digital creatures that were overlaid on the real-world view seen through smartphone cameras.

Interest has since accelerated, with Apple, Google and Microsoft all working on augmented-reality products. Microsoft has an AR headset in the hands of software developers, and on Wednesday Bloomberg reported that Apple is also working on a headset that could be launched as early as 2019.

Future AR: Apple reportedly working on augmented reality headset

But while it's hot now, augmented reality is not particularly new. In 2009, the restaurant recommendation site Yelp added a feature to its iPhone app called Monocle that looks a lot lot like Virtual Houston AR. The feature is buried deep within Yelp's main menu and doesn't get much use.

Sean Herbert, director of web development for Houston First, said he wasn't aware of Yelp's Monocle until after development on Visit Houston AR was underway. Instead, he said, Pokemon Go was the inspiration.

"The thing that really sparked it was seeing all these people playing Pokemon Go," Herbert said. With a view of Discovery Green from their offices, his staff watched as throngs walked through the park, staring at their smartphones, "searching for all these little digital animals."

The app cost $15,000 to build, Herbert said. It could make money through advertising, providing specific services or charging businesses for location-based notifications.

After downloading the app and launching it on a smartphone, users get to pick from a variety of categories: restaurants, hotels, things to do. Tapping on one brings up the camera's display with small blue cards adorned with business names on them. Tapping on a card, called a waypoint, takes the user to a page on the VisitHouston.com website highlighting that business.

A test of the app shows that not all restaurants or hotels will show up in the augmented reality display, as the content currently focuses on downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Using it at the strip center at Buffalo Speedway and Westpark, for example, the popular restaurants Kenny & Ziggy's and Vietopia there didn't appear. But waypoints for restaurants miles away, such as Barnaby's or Menil Bistro, were visible.

Chronicle screenshot

On Yelp's Monocle feature, both Kenny & Ziggy's and Vietopia were highlighted.

Chronicle screenshot

Herbert said the app draws from the database of restaurants, hotels and points of interest at the VisitHoustonTexas website. Additional areas will be added to the app as early as next week.

Herbert conceded the app needs more refinement. Text on the business cards can be hard to read, for example, and the app may crash if too many cards are displayed at once.

Michael Green, manager of emerging and interactive media at Texas A&M University, said he wasn't aware of any other cities utilizing AR in this way, but added that "tourism is a very obvious use of augmented reality."

Virtual shopping: See how furniture looks in your home before you buy it

"The big issue is that you have to hold up your smartphone, and that stops people from using it," Green said.

AR will really take off, he added, when it has been integrated into glasses or even contact lenses.

"Right now it's a pretty small market, but in five years we won't think twice about it," Green said.

Indeed, Houston First is thinking about this app for the long term. Plans include allowing users to reserve parking places or hail ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft.

"We're in phase 1 with this roll out, and there's a lot of room for growth and potential," Houston First's Shah said. "We hope to get good data back on this and improve upon it. After all, there's a lot of food in Houston to be found."
Joseph Kahn learned about street culture the hard way, a kid from Jersey Village lugging expensive video equipment through some Fifth Ward streets, helping rappers achieve their music video dreams.

"I got made fun of like crazy, you have to imagine what it's like to take a little nerd like me and thrown in with, like, a bunch of black gangsters and stuff like that, they're going to rip the (stuff) out of me, and they did for months and years," says Kahn, who got his start directing videos for Houston hip-hop groups like the Geto Boys and 5th Ward Boyz.

These days, he has a different clientele, as he's become Taylor Swift's go-to music video director. His latest spot for her, "Ready for It," has more than 53 million views on YouTube since being released in late October.

But while Kahn is on the minds of pop stars - he's also done recent videos for Imagine Dragons, Shakira and Maroon 5 - he never forgot those early days of hip-hop street lessons. Those experiences have informed his latest movie, "Bodied," a battle-rap satire produced by the world's most famous former battle rapper, Eminem, who also is on Kahn's list of music video clients.

More Information 'Bodied'When: 9 p.m. Thursday, the screening includes a Q&A with rapper and Rice University lecturer Bun B Where: Rice University Media Center, 2030 University Blvd. Tickets: $12; houstoncinemaartsfestival.org See More Collapse

"Bodied," which will have its Houston premiere Thursday night at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, is a rousing paean to contemporary battle rap. But the movie is more than just Battle Rap 101 for the uninitiated, it's a treatise on free speech and cultural appropriation in a time when those phrases seem to be the subtext of every other thinkpiece posted on the internet.

"Ultimately, I didn't just want to make a movie about battle rap," Kahn says during a phone call from his California home. "I think battle rap is an interesting art form I definitely want to push forward, and it's definitely about battle rap, but I also wanted to make a movie about speech and the way we talk, and how we offend people and how we don't offend, and concepts of free speech versus censorship."

"Bodied" is built around the defunct Bay Area battle-rap league Grind Time and the free speech ideals that define a campus like UC Berkeley, which is facing its own battle against the alt-right and the history of political activism. The story follows a seemingly nerdy white college kid who wants to step into that battle rap sphere, and all the cultural intersections and education that follow.

"I'm very conscious that the story is about a white guy going into battle rap, which obviously has its own connotations, it's a white guy going into a black art form," Kahn says about the Berkeley student turned rap-battle champ named Adam, played by Canadian actor Calum Worthy.

Kahn didn't want him to be the Hollywood cliche of a white outsider coming into a realm and dominating all the black characters, or for this film to become a black and white perspective.

"There is a really great battle rapper that is not black or white, and that's Dizaster, he's Arabic. He's a very controversial figure in the scene, everybody hates him, and everybody loves him. Battle rap is such a weird place that if you're a hero, you're also a villain at the same time because of the nature of the warfare that you wage."

Kahn called Dizaster an appropriate antagonist, but the director is a bit of a button pusher on the race issue himself. His Twitter feed is filled with missives such as, "I know white people. I have seen their ways for many years." He occasionally shoots verbal arrows at the alt-right and President Donald Trump.

Kahn says his film, which he calls a satire, came from his love of black comedians and delves into society's growing sensitivity to equality and racial awareness.

"Things that black comedians did back in the day, they could never get away with now," Kahn says, referencing Eddie Murphy's raw jokes about homosexuality. "Because everybody is getting rights, people are more conscious about not offending each other."

But, he says, not wanting to offend and violate people's rights rubs against the art of battle rapping.

"If you look at battle rap and humor, there's still this sort of confrontation and honesty," Khan says. " 'Bodied' has two worlds, one is the super high social-conscious world, which extends from the initial black struggle, but on the flipside, it's gotten so methodical and so collegiate that it almost gets displaced from reality. And there's another side where you know that race jokes and every other type of joke that's possible still exists in the hood and still exists in urban culture."

Kahn's not worried if his movie or his Twitter antics offend you. He knows it's not for everyone, and just like in battle rap, he's just trying to stay relevant and stay on top.
There's a scene in the '90s Chicano crime movie "Blood In, Blood Out" where lead character Cruzito rips out the image of his dead brother from a canvas portrait.

It was a dark but key scene, as the etchings evoked a primal scream but also imbued a Southwest Mexican-American cool that has come to make up the milieu of Chicano art.

"Blood In, Blood Out," which came to officially be known as "Bound by Honor" after its Disney backers sought a less controversial title following the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, represents a history of the Chicano experience in the U.S. for millions of people. That it's the 25th anniversary of the Taylor Hackford-directed drama isn't lost on people. In Houston, several events are allowing fans to get up close with the people who were a part of making the movie happen.

Hundreds of fans came out for a meet and greet last Sunday with Jesse Borrego, who played Cruzito in "Blood In, Blood Out."

More Information Adan Hernandez art shows When: 6-10 p.m. Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday Where: 8th Wonder Brewery, 2202 Dallas, on Friday; Wonky Power Records, 3534 Navigation, on Saturday Details: Free on Friday; $15 or $25 at the door on Saturday See More Collapse

This weekend, Adan Hernandez, the artist who created the art in "Blood In, Blood Out," will be part of an art show at 8th Wonder Brewery on Friday and then another at Wonky Power Records on Saturday.

Hernandez, the 66-year-old painter, and Borrego, 55, have been part of panels about the movie since it came out in 1993. Hernandez often tells the story about how he was at the lowest point of his life when Hollywood came to his doorstep.

"We were used to nothing but bad news for years," Hernandez said. He was a struggling painter in his late 30s when a phone call came from a San Antonio gallery that said a Hollywood production designer wanted to speak with him. He thought it was a joke.

Later, he found out about director Taylor Hackford and how he wanted Hernandez's moody paintings to represent one of the key characters from the film, Cruzito, who was gang member, turned painter, turned tragic drug addict.

Hernandez asked for the production to give him money to build a painting studio in his backyard.

"I had three brothers who were out of work, and they were all carpenters, and my studio went up in two weeks. I still have my studio. I'm in it right now, painting," he says. "It was the hardest thing I ever did. I almost went blind doing a painting a day. I never worked so hard.  I just wanted to show Hollywood that Chicanos can deliver."

This weekend will be Hernandez's first time doing a show in Houston.

Hernandez has been gearing up to open a Chicano art museum in San Antonio for a few years and plans to feature the artwork from "Blood In, Blood Out," including the storied mural that featured the main actors, depictions of the homeboys played by Borrego, Benjamin Bratt and Damian Chapa, all smiles with their neighborhood in the background.

"Adan Hernandez is one of the great Chicano artists of our time. His art transcends the 'Blood In, Blood Out' collection. The artwork that he's done is incredible," Borrego said after he signed hundreds of autographs and posed for dozens of pictures in Houston. "I'm amazed that this movie, 25 years later, is as popular as it is. It was not considered a commercial success in Hollywood. It is so popular all over the world."

The film connects the strands of Chicano culture in the United States, which explains why two Tejanos were able to help tell a story that originated in the barrios of Los Angeles.

"I think the realization that culturas that are well known urban cultures - L.A., the urban gangs, all that movement that was popularized by music videos, rap and all - that really came from a cultural thread that leads all the way back to all the barrios of the United States," Borrego said.

Including the artwork.

Hernandez created more than 30 paintings for the film and said he paid off the house he was raising his two daughters in and bought his wife a new Cadillac with a phone inside after getting paid for the work. The money from that windfall ran out, but his identity as the guy who created the "Blood In, Blood Out" art lives on.

"I paint for my raza first, and if anyone else appreciates it, that's great, maybe I'll sell some art," Hernandez said. "It's good to keep going, right?"
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Houston enjoys an esteemed reputation in New York jazz circles today because of a steady flow of musicians sent there from the storied High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Once was the time, though, Houston's jazz players headed west. Members of the Houston's Jazz Crusaders found success in Los Angeles - both in jazz and crossover R&B recordings.

Years before Joe Sample and that band sunk roots in Southern California, Horace Tapscott traveled to L.A. from Houston as a child. There he became more beloved than famous.

The new film "Horace Tapscott: Musical Griot," which plays the Houston Cinema Arts Festival on Friday, tells part of the story about a greatly admired jazz performer, educator and agent for social change, who never really achieved renown.

Today his work is largely out of print, even recordings that were considered masterworks of jazz in the 1990s. Filmmaker Barbara McCullough hopes her film might put some light on an uncompromising artist who died in 1999 at age 64.

More Information 'Horace Tapscott: Musical Griot'When: 6 p.m. Friday Where: Rice Media Center, Rice University, 3020 University Blvd. Tickets: $12; houstoncinemaartsfestival.org See More Collapse

"To people who really know, he's an icon in his community in Los Angeles," she says. "But unfortunately, most people don't know anything about him."

Tapscott grew up in Houston's Third Ward in the 1930s and '40s, in a home where music was encouraged and welcomed, before his family moved to Los Angeles when he was 9 He recalled musicians stopping by his family's house. Though he'd make his life playing jazz, Tapscott told McCullough that blues was in everything he did, that it was "a way of life."

McCullough's film was shot over a span of decades and includes interviews with Tapscott as well as live performances.

Her portrait isn't just of an artist, though. In Los Angeles, he found musical mentors. He'd end up playing the role himself, especially after his political affiliations in the '60s got him blacklisted from radio and venues. Tapscott was providing a live music backdrop during the Watts Rebellion of 1965, until his performances were shut down by police.

He never ceased recording and performing but spent the '70s largely out of the public eye, dedicating his time instead to education. He also formed the group Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, which would become a regional legend in Los Angeles.

Years later, Los Angeles' revitalized jazz scene now views Tapscott as a crucial founding father.

McCullough says composer and saxophonist Kamasi Washington - a leading light in the city's jazz scene today - caught a screening of "Musical Griot" earlier this year.

"He never met Horace," she says. "But he says he felt descended from Horace. He said he looked up to him, even though he'd never met him or seen him play."

McCullough will appear at the festival with her film and participate in a discussion with local musicologist and DJ Flash Gordon Parks, who was pleased to find some information of Tapscott that connects him back to his hometown.

"There's not a lot of documentation on him, period," he says. "A few articles here and there, but that's it. The music really is the ultimate way to get to know him. And even those records are hard to come by."

Tapscott's albums have long been out of print, and most don't appear on streaming services because they were released on small niche jazz labels.

Which is a shame because Tapscott's '90s recordings made a strong impression on the few who found them. "The Dark Tree," released in 1991, and "Aiee! The Phantom," five years later, are highly regarded by the "Penguin Guide to Jazz," a bible for jazz reviews.

"I still travel along to different places and find people aware of who he is," McCullough says. "And, hopefully, these little communities of people who knew him can help spread the word, whether it's in Houston or here in Los Angeles, where an entire scene developed because of him."
Maintaining perseverance through trying times is a unifying theme in River Oaks Chamber Orchestra's Saturday program "Courageous Catalysts," which blend a selection of music that channels the fight to end racism and the determination of Texans to survive Hurricane Harvey.

"We invented a really interesting and wonderful program," said Michael Stern, who will conduct the concert at Church of St. John the Divine. "It's a wonderful confluence of shared musical interests, of shared philosophy about how music can be and how concerts can be and how you can mix things up with new music and old music."

One of the works is Bruce Adolphe's "I Will Not Remain Silent," which premiered in 2015. The two-movement concerto, a musical portrait of a significant time in history, is inspired by the life of Joachim Prinz, a rabbi who befriended Martin Luther King, Jr. After fleeing Berlin in 1937, Prinz came to the United States, where he realized the nation's civil rights inequalities were an injustice equivalent to what he experienced in Germany.

Both men were influential leaders at the March on Washington in 1963. In fact, Prinz pleaded with the large crowd to defy silence in an oration preceding King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. In the musical piece, the violin, played by soloist and ROCO concertmaster Scott St. John, represents the voice of Prinz.

More Information 'ROCO In Concert: Courageous Catalysts'When: 5 p.m. Saturday Where: Church of St. John the Divine Tickets: $15-35; 713-665-2700, rocohouston.org See More Collapse

"They were an unlikely pair, this older rabbi from Germany and this civil rights activist preacher," Stern said, "and they stood up for justice in a pretty powerful way."

A concern for the rights of mankind is a direct connection between Adolphe's work and Beethoven's "Overture to Leonore No. 3," the second of four iterations he wrote for his only opera "Fidelio," which he wrote in 1805. Lasting about 14 minutes, Stern said, "this is the longest and most fleshed out, most virtuosic version of the overture."

History resurfaces in the new work by composer Michael Gandolfi, titled "September 12, 1962." The commission celebrates President John F. Kennedy, who would have turned 100 years old last May, along with anyone else who has displayed the courage to stand up for his or her beliefs to better society.

"Music, I think, continues to be the greatest prism through which we can understand and experience the world because it allows us to process what's happening and also to shape our response to what's happening," Stern said. "It gives us an empathic way to communicate with other people."

This human connection, established through the language of music, is what Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts said he hopes his fanfare, although lasting only a minute or two, will inspire. His first ROCO commission, "The Big Heart" is an optimistic and celebratory piece created for both orchestra and chorus, and is intended to bolster the spirits of Houstonians following the city's catastrophic flooding.

"We are obviously a very divided country right now, and it's a tough time," Puts said. "But I think when something like this happens, we're able to band together and sort of feel empathy for each other. That is one great thing about this country."

For his short anthem, Puts worked with friend and prolific librettist Mark Campbell, with whom he has written three operas. Every word has a unique rhythm, requiring different needs musically, Puts said, so he prefers to know the exact lyrics before composing the music, which is how this piece was prepared. Campbell first wrote a poem, and he decided to name it "The Big Heart" in honor of what Houston was affectionately called after taking in people displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The ROCO program also includes Jean Sibelius's "Symphony No. 7 in C major, op. 105," a profoundly spiritual and calming piece that the Finnish composer completed in 1924.

"We can gain strength from music," Puts said. "It just gets directly to our souls, and it changes the way we feel. From my point of view, I think that there's no more powerful artistic medium than music."
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Civil rights groups are requesting that the criminal trial of a man shot by a police officer earlier this year be postponed, citing what they called a lack of transparency on the part of law enforcement.

They also questioned why the criminal proceedings are set to begin Monday without a civil rights investigation into the officers actions.

A travesty of justice is about to be committed, Johnny Mata, acting chairman of the Greater Houston Coalition For Justice, said at a Thursday afternoon press conference. Rushing to justice without a serious investigation is a serious offense.

Ricardo Llamas, 41, is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant after police say he tried on March 26 to use his car to hit Harris County sheriffs Deputy Christopher Mook.

Mook shot and injured Llamas during the incident, which occurred around 10 p.m. in the 8700 block of AirlineDrive.

Harris County Deputy Thomas Gilliland said at the time that Mook pulled over after being flagged down by a woman, who said she had gotten into a fight with a man, later identified as Llama.

Llama, authorities said, was sitting in a Jeep when he was approached by Mook, after which Llama allegedly began driving. The deputy, who Gilliland said could not get out of the way in time, responded by firing multiple gunshots into the cars drivers side.

Gilliland said at the time that Llama had two gunshot wounds  one in his buttocks and one in the lower leg. Mook was not injured.

Civil rights groups, meanwhile, maintain that Llama did not pose any threat to the officer, citing bullet holes in the side  rather than front  of the vehicle as evidence that the shooting may have been unwarranted.

They also questioned why the officer has not yet been investigated by a grand jury, as is protocol with all officer-involved shootings in Harris County.

Dane Schiller, a spokesman for the District Attorneys office, said in an email Thursday that Mooks actions will be reviewed by the offices Civil Rights Division, which will then make all the evidence available to a grand jury to consider.

Schiller also noted that trial dates are set by judge, and are out of his offices control. He also said a continuance was requested by Llamas attorney, which his office is not opposing.

We look forward to presenting all the evidence to jurors, who on behalf of the community, will determine (Llamas) guilt or innocence, Schiller wrote.
Three Houston men were sentenced Wednesday to federal prison after distributing meth, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.

U.S. District Judge Gray Miller ordered Frank Flores, 25, to serve a 168-month term in prison. Marco Zuniga, 25, will serve 78 months. Chance Nutt, 40, is to serve a 46-month sentence and Clifton Johnson, 42, faces a prison sentence of 48 months.
An Arkansas police department is being called out for sharing a questionable warning on its Facebook page.

On Wednesday, the Leachville Police Department warned people to wipe down their shopping carts because people could get unintentionally high if drugs are left on them.
Kamran Jebreili/AP

The U.K. government agreed to a $2 billion loan guarantee for Saudi Arabian Oil Co. at a time that the country has been courting the Saudi energy giant for the world's largest initial public offering.

A spokesman for the Treasury confirmed a Financial Times report published earlier on Thursday. To put the figure in perspective, in the past five years, Britain's export credit agency has provided 14 billion pounds ($18 billion) in support for U.K. sales abroad.
A Harris County deputy constable who was shot seven times in the leg during an arrest last Sunday is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend.

Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Justin Gay, who has drawn visitors to his bedside including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, endured an 18-hour surgery earlier this week and was still in the intensive care unit Thursday morning. He likely will leave intensive care by the end of the day Thursday, said Constable Mark Herman.

Gay was shot Sunday night after responding to a disturbance call at a home in the 9000 block of Walnut Glen Drive. There, Gay attempted to subdue 38-year-old Constantine Argyrion with his taser, but the man pulled a pistol and fired back at him, authorities say.

Argyrion was taken into custody at the scene just before 7 p.m. and is being held on $250,000 bond. He was charged Monday with attempted capital murder.

Initial reports were that Gay was shot six times. But during his surgery, doctors found a seventh wound, Herman said.

"It's amazing he's alive," Herman said.

The precinct staff announced it will be holding a barbecue fundraiser next month to help Gay's family as the deputy recovers from his injuries.

Gay is married and has a two-month-old daughter and a stepdaughter, Herman said. In addition his job as a deputy, Gay also worked extra jobs prior to his injury to support his family, Herman added.

"He's just going to need help," Herman said.

Herman said he expects Gay to make a full recovery and eventually return to the force, though the press release announcing the benefit said Gay's recovery could last months.

"We hope to have him out of the hospital this weekend," Herman said. "Our goal is to get him out and get him back home."

The benefit will be Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Enchanted Cypress Ballroom, in Cypress. Donations can be mailed to 18482 Kuykendahl Road #191 Spring, 77379. All checks or money orders should be made payable to Deputy Justin Gay. Groups or corporations can preorder tickets at deputygayfundraiser@gmail.com.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, folks are making plans for their holiday dinner. For those not wanting to cook their turkeys, Liberty Fire Department has an option.

Firefighters are selling smoked and fried turkeys as a way of raising funds for gear and other needed equipment.
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City of Houston District E Councilman Dave Martin looked down in disbelief at the San Jacinto River from a Houston Police Department helicopter Tuesday, Nov. 7.

"It was unbelievable to see how much siltation has formed in the middle of the San Jacinto River," Martin told people at the Nov. 9 Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority meeting.

He spent Nov. 7 with Sen. Brandon Creighton and others, repeatedly traversing the river from Lake Houston to Lake Conroe - first by helicopter, then by boat.

RECOVERY: Whataburger, Best Buy reopen in Humble, Costco coming back soon

"For those folks that live in Fosters Mill that flooded for the first time, it became loud and clear to me - seeing it from the air and then getting on a boat and seeing it again - exactly why they flooded," Martin said. "It's because of siltation in the middle of the river has changed the pattern of the San Jacinto River."

Now Playing: This video posted Tuesday by Southern Drone Solutions shows flooding along Royal Shores Drive and the surrounding neighborhood in Kingwood. Rescue operations were ongoing Wednesday morning. Video: JW Player

After seeing the river from an aerial view, Martin believes the siltation in the river is being caused by the number of sand mining operations along the San Jacinto River. In his opinion, a dredging operation does not need to occur in Lake Houston, but rather in the San Jacinto River, which he said would be an expensive and lengthy process.

Throughout the community's post-Harvey recovery, Martin has been adamant for an investigation into the causes of the unprecedented flooding Kingwood experienced during Hurricane Harvey, repeatedly pointing to the San Jacinto River Authority's release of water from the Conroe Dam as a culpable force.

He has also been a vocal proponent for finding and implementing remediation efforts.

"My focus has been and will continue to be on the remediation of the flood damage," Martin said.

He expressed urgency in taking measures to prevent future flooding for the sake of getting businesses and residents to return to the area.

"In order to get retailers to come back, we need people to come back," Martin said. "In order to get people to come back, they're looking at me, and they're looking at every elected official and saying, 'What's different today than yesterday?' And the answer is, 'Nothing,' but it can be if people in Kingwood lend their voices to their elected officials - I'm talking about congressional, state, and me - local."

Martin has a message for the people of Kingwood: "Start complaining."

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, he commissioned two Metro buses to transport Kingwood residents downtown for the State of Texas' Natural Resource Committee hearing at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Only seven people got on the bus, he said.

"Kingwood, show up," Martin said. "This is the future of our neighborhood. People need to show up and they need to let their voices be heard by the governor of the state of Texas."

Martin outlined his message to Governor Greg Abbott.

"Number one, from the governance standpoint, is we need to look strongly at having board members from downstream, so that we have a voice in the decision-making process," Martin said.

More importantly, he said, on the operations side, Lake Conroe's pooling level could be lowered, thereby increasing the capacity of water that can be held during a rain event without releasing water from the dam.

"The pooling level, as I mentioned, is at 201 feet above sea level," Martin said. "If you lower the pooling level by three feet, two feet - pick a number, 'Mr. Engineer,' - and lower that pooling level from 201 to 198, you build-in instantly a three-foot capacity."

He suggested a systematic approach could be used by which water from Lake Conroe and Lake Houston is released over the course of a couple months in anticipation of when flooding may be more prevalent - March, April and May.

Kingwood is fundamentally changed, he said, and the only way flood remediation efforts will occur is by getting the attention of elected officials.

"Without our voices being heard by the governor, we will sit back and do nothing and get flushed again," Martin said. "Trust me. I was on that river. It's not going to take much to flush us next time, so we have to instantly create capacity and we have to really start putting our minds toward doing a dredging project or doing some other type of remediation."

For more information about District E, visit www.houstontx.gov/council/e/.
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The East Montgomery County Scholarship Foundation held a fundraising gala on Nov. 2 at the East Montgomery County Improvement District headquarters in New Caney. Money raised from the gala helps the Foundation provide scholarships to graduating students in New Caney ISD, Splendora ISD, those who are in private schools or home schools, and those who received their GED.

This next summer, scholarships will be $1,600 per graduating student.

Splendora ISD Instructional Technology Coordinator Dale Martin introduced the guest speaker for the gala, Amanda Hill. He discussed some of her accomplishments during her high school years.

"She earned her Associates degree from Lone Star about three weeks before she got her high school diploma back when it was supposed to be impossible to be able to do these kinds of things," he said.

Hill is the valedictorian of the Splendora High School Class of 2004. A recipient of the scholarship, Hill continued her education at Baylor University.

Hill says her life provided many obstacles on her educational path as she came from a family of multi-generational poverty. She lived with her grandmother after her grandfather passed away and remembers the difficulty of getting by month to month.

"It was a really hard time and I was very embarrassed by that stark level of poverty," she said.

Hill, determined to improve herself, changed her life's trajectory by earning a college education despite the financial difficulties. She worked a number of minimum wage jobs to make ends meet and started mapping out a college plan.

"I figured out what you needed to do for an Associates degree and started working towards that," she said.

All of Hill's hard work paid off as she graduated Splendora High School with a high school diploma in one hand, an Associates degree in the other and $1,000 in the bank from the East Montgomery County scholarship.

College provided many opportunities for Hill who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies in 2007. She decided she wanted to continue her education and go to law school, noting that much of her past inspired her to want to understand the law.

"Abuse was rampant in my family and should have been prosecuted," she said. "My grandparents should have been able to adopt me but they didn't know that process or how it worked. We should have had a lawyer to secure better benefits after my grandfather passed away."

This prompted Hill to want to go to law school.

"I wanted to be able to help people that grew up the same way I had," she said.

Hill attended night courses at the University of Houston Law Center while working at Splendora High School. She finished her legal education in 2011 when she earned her Juris Doctorate.

The next step for Hill was to become an Assistant District Attorney in the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office where she worked in misdemeanor and felony courts.

Many of Hill's accomplishments include securing a life sentence against a habitual felon and registered sex offender, working in the Juvenile Prosecutor Division and co-chairing the certification hearing of Don Collins for the 1998 burning and murder of Robert Middleton.

"This was a case from Splendora that I remember from when I was a child," said Hill. "Here I was all of these years later co-chairing the first case with legal issues that had ever been seen like this in the state of Texas."

Hill now works as her own boss as an attorney. She often works with children and has helped to make a difference for many involved in her cases.

Despite everything Hill has accomplished, she stresses the importance of the impact a choice can have on someone.

"The East Montgomery County scholarship helped secure my education from Baylor, which ultimately got me onto law school," said Hill. "Not only can I see the impact that my education has had in my career but my education has impacted my personal life beyond measure."

The seemingly small decision of awarding the scholarship to Hill has allowed her to break her family's multi-generational poverty cycle and has also given her children opportunities she never had in the past.

"Thank you for stepping in and changing my story all those years ago," she said. "Thank you for believing that I was worth your investment."
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Mayor Sylvester Turner addressed the trouble at two Houston homeless encampments Thursday, calling them a "haven of criminal activity" and public health hazards.

The city will do a "deep cleansing" of both camps next week, he said, to prevent the spread of disease.

CAMP CONCERNS: Violence escalates in a key homeless enclave

The mayor called a press conference next to an encampment near Midtown, just beneath the Interstate 69 overpass at Caroline and Wheeler.

Now Playing: Fed Judge issues restraining order on homeless ordinance Video: Brandpoint

The area - a string of tents and salvaged furniture that houses several dozen people - has become a real trouble spot in the past few months, with a string of shootings, stabbings and other violence that resulted in at least two deaths. The most recent death was late Tuesday night, when a homeless man was shot to death in an adjacent parking lot.

The camp is also filthy, Turner pointed out, with human waste contaminating the ground and contributing to the spread of Hepatitis A.

The city last did a deep clean of the spot in early August, moving out several tons of furniture and dirty mattresses, human excrement and dead animals. Next week, Turner said, city workers will come in again to clean up the place.

A homeless encampment downtown along Chartres Street, near Minute Maid Park, also will get a thorough cleanup next week.

Both camps have been under scrutiny since last spring, when Turner tried to get rid of them with an anti-encampment ordinance. The ACLU of Texas filed an emergency motion to stop it, and in August a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, which prevents the city from enforcing the ordinance.

Turner said he hopes to get a judge's ruling soon on whether the temporary injunction will be made permanent. In the meantime, he says the problem has gotten "exponentially worse."

"It was working," Turner said. When the ordinance went into effect last spring, the number of tents was greatly reduced at both the Midtown-area and downtown camps.

"The situation has worsened since the federal restraining order," Turner said. "This neighborhood deserves better, this city deserves better and, very candidly, people who are in these encampments deserve better."
From Hurricane Harvey to a transportation issues, Tomball High School is persevering through adversity in its quest to be the top marching band.

One of those 35 high schools competing in the state competition at the Alamodome, Tomball High School ran into some trouble during the preliminary round when semi-truck used to haul the band's instruments and equipment broke down at a hotel in San Antonio. The issue forced the band to change times for the show about 45 minutes later. However, sister-school Tomball Memorial who is also competing was able to help out and the Tomball High School band was able to perform the 8-minute show with all their instruments and puzzle-piece props in place.
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A federal judge this week denied a retrial for a Houston death row inmate whose lawyer says he has a hole in his brain and severe brain damage.

Dexter Johnson was one of five men who carjacked 23-year-old Maria Aparece and her boyfriend Huy Ngo as they sat in their chatting on a summer night more than ten years ago.

READ ALSO: Prosecutors ask for life sentence for Texas death row inmate Bobby Moore

Prosecutors during his trial alleged Johnson had "fun" when he and his friends carjacked the couple and drove them around town demanding money, credit cards and ATM access.

Then, they parked near a patch of thick woods and forced Ngo to listen as Johnson raped Aparece in the backseat.

BACKGROUND: Killer erupts in court at death sentence

Afterward, Johnson shot Ngo in the side of the head execution-style before slaughtering Aparece with a shot to the top of the head. At trial, defense counsel argued that it was someone else who walked the couple into the woods and fired the fatal shot.

During his trial, the then-19-year-old hurled a chair across the courtroom and at one point refused to come to his own court dates.

Now Playing: FOX 26 News Edge Video: Fox 26 Houston

Since then, Johnson's defense has filed claims of brain damage and schizophrenia, alleging "a lengthy history of mental disability and psychotic breaks."

But on Monday, a federal judge in the Southern District of Texas tossed Johnson's latest appeal attempt, calling his claims "hypertechnical arguments" that "have no basis in law or fact."

Afterward, his lawyer, Patrick McCann pushed back against the decision in a statement Thursday.

"Mr. Johnson has significant brain damage that is at the root of this tragedy, and that same damage has made him unable to help his defense throughout this process," he said.

"He has an actual hole in his brain where functional brain matter ought to exist. We hope the judge will reconsider the ruling, and will take another look at his case."
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A new report by financial site LendingTree.com looked at which states across the union had the most people looking to get out their home state. The study also looked what were these residents also wanted to relocate.

Texans, thankfully, appeared to be perfectly fine staying put. Only a little over 7 percent of those in the study wanted to leave Texas. Most, in fact, were just looking to relocate to somewhere else.

RELATED: Texas beef (partially) helped win the American Revolutionary War

According to LendingTree, nearly 93 percent of purchase mortgage requests from individuals in Texas were for properties within the state.

Who among us hasn't dreamed of buying one of the $20 million ranches and leaving the big city? Or even a trailer in the middle of nowhere?

Now Playing: Texans aren't humble at all when it comes to showing their state pride. Check out 10 (of roughly a billion) reasons why Texans think their state is the best state ever. Video: Houston Chronicle

Vermont residents far and away seem to be itching to leave that state to the tune of nearly 76 percent looking at properties elsewhere.

LendingTree did find out though that just over 10 percent of Texans, if they did leave, would go to Florida. We can only assume this is because if there is a state that can match our crazy, it's Florida.

RELATED: 40 photos that will fill you with Texas pride

In fact, Florida was the number one new destination for 18 of the 50 states in the union. That could be a surge of baby boomers looking to retire somewhere warm and sunny and away from their kids.

Hawaiians appear to be looking to relocate to California, likely to take advantage of the perks of living on the mainland and not in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Why someone would want to leave Hawaii if they could comfortably afford to live there is a strange notion.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. He's an intolerable native Texan with too much ink in his skin and too much brisket stuck in his teeth.
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Almost two weeks before Hurricane Harvey walloped the Houston area, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett was driving and talking on the phone about the county's legislative priorities when his vision began to skew.

A few hours later, he was being helicoptered to Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston after suffering a minor stroke.

In an interview Wednesday, Emmett said the stroke did not physically impair him, even as he worked around the clock not even two weeks later, coordinating the county's response to the record-breaking storm that flooded thousands of area homes and left about 80 dead across Texas.

"Through the whole thing, physically I felt fine," Emmett said.

The 68-year-old Republican, who was appointed county judge in early 2007 after the resignation of Robert Eckels, then won election in 2008 to serve the remainder of the term, still plans to seek re-election next year.

Emmett said he was driving to Victoria on Aug. 15 when he first began noticing the symptoms.

"At that time, I was seeing double but it wasn't just straight double," he said. "Everything was at an angle."

Flown back to Houston

Thinking the symptoms were heat related, he pulled over, drank a Gatorade and then continued on to Victoria, where he was taken to a local emergency room.

There, Emmett said a doctor concluded that he had a microvascular ischemia, or a blood clot that blocked a small blood vessel in his brain. Emmett was given a drug that removed the clot, and then flown in a helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

There he got an MRI before being discharged the next day.

"Next day I was seeing fine and was back home," Emmett said. "Through the whole thing, I never felt bad, physically."

When Harvey hit 10 days later, despite sleeping only 11 hours over the next six nights, Emmett said he did not experience any adverse physical effects. The judge said he checked in with his doctor every day and routinely had his blood pressure taken.

Thomas Kent, professor and director of stroke research and education at Baylor College of Medicine, said there is no identifiable cause for microvascular ischemia in many patients. He said that if the ischemia is not recurrent, it is not clear that it could have any severe long-term impacts.

"They just seem to happen," said Kent, who is chief of neurology at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. "It may be part of aging. It may occur for a genetic reason."

Cause unknown

He said every person who experiences an ischemia should get checked out by doctors, noting it could indicate more severe problems, such as hypertension or diabetes.

Emmett said he is not diabetic and does not have hypertension. He added that his doctors are not sure what precipitated the stroke, and tests confirmed that he is in good health. He said doctors said he does not have any factors to indicate he is at a greater risk for stroke.

Emmett said had he been at home, he might not have thought to go to the hospital based on his symptoms.

"It makes you wonder how many people have similar things and just don't get the treatment I did," he said. "I'm the first to confess, if I'd been at home, I wouldn't have done it that way. I have no indicators to tell me I'm even a candidate for this."
AUSTIN -- The Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday strongly criticized a statement by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about the tragic church shooting in Sutherland Springs, in which he tried to put the massacre in context by saying evil has been present from the early times of the Bible to the Middle Ages to Hitler.

In an interview Monday on Outnumbered Overtime on Fox News, Abbott commented that the church shooting, as well as recent terrorist attacks in New York, London and Las Vegas, are "acts of evil that are taking place.

"Because they are close in time to us right now we think this is something heavy right now, but put this in the context of history," Abbott said.

"Look at what happened with Hitler during the horrific events during that era, and Mussolini and go back in time before that to the earlier ages, the Middle Ages, when people committed horrific crimes. And when you go back through the history of the Bible, there was evil that took place from earliest stages of the Bible to post-New Testament, so evil is something that has permeated this world.

"And that force of evil must be combated with the force of good that is offered by God and it is so heartwarming to see the people of this community turn to God, turn to hope, turn to the promise of good overcoming evil."

In a statement on Wednesday, ADL Southwest Regional Director Dayan Gross said Abbott's comment "diminishing innocent Texans' lives and calling for the tragedy in Sutherland Springs to be viewed in the 'greater context of history' is deeply insulting and irresponsible."

"We reject the offensive and insensitive remarks made by Governor Abbott contrasting the tragedy in Sutherland Springs to the 'Hitler era' and other horrible events in history," the ADL statement said. "The comparison of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs to the victims of the Holocaust is deeply offensive and an insult to the memories of those killed in Sutherland Springs as well as the survivors of the church shooting and their families."

"We are concerned about the many instances of gun violence taking place across the country. Unfortunately, we have witnessed the tragic danger of guns in the hands of determined killers or domestic extremists. In schools, businesses and houses of worship, individuals have used guns to terrorize communities and local institutions," the statement continued.

"ADL firmly believes, and will continue to advocate, that our leaders can reduce the violence in our communities by enacting tough, effective gun violence prevention measures. We call upon our state leaders to address this issue responsibly."

Abbott's office had no immediate response.

mike.ward@chron.com

twitter.com/ChronicleMike
The pro-life movement is clear about when the life of a fetus begins, but what seems to lurk beneath the surface is a notion that pregnant women are no longer fully human or fully free. Pro-life advocates insist that once a woman conceives, regardless of the circumstances, she must choose motherhood - over her physical and emotional wellbeing, over her vocation, even if it means living in poverty. Even if it kills her.

During this year's legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed a law banning the most common and very safe abortion procedure used during the second trimester known as "dilation and evacuation." Only 11 percent of abortions occur after the first trimester. But since they are more likely to be situations where the mother's life is threatened, this ban directly endangers women who may already be at risk. The law is under appeal this week in a federal courtroom in Austin.

Being a white, educated, middle-class woman has shielded me as devastating anti-abortion laws have shut down women's health clinics across the state. Today, 95 percent of the state's counties do not have an abortion provider. But this newest law may directly affect me: My husband and I are considering having a second child, but at nearly 40, I am at a risky "advanced maternal age." Heaven forbid I encounter complications because pro-life politicians might prefer I die than terminate a pregnancy.

For low-income women and women of color, the prognosis is more grim. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. And Texas now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the "developed" world, according to a report in the journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

These latest developments in Texas have reinforced the astonishing barriers American women face in determining their own reproductive freedom. Since the start of 2017, state legislatures across the country have already passed more than 50 abortion restrictions, including waiting periods and mandatory counseling designed to dissuade women from having an abortion. West Virginia and Mississippi have already banned the dilation and evacuation procedure, and similar bans are pending in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas and Alabama against heavy legal opposition.

As a former Southern Baptist, I know firsthand what it means to be devoutly pro-life, but experience has taught me that abortion is a much more complex issue than often portrayed. The basic limitation of the self-described pro-life movement is that it attempts to confront the moral complexity of real life with a rigidly simple set of commandments. I can sympathize with this approach; it is a survival instinct. But it threatens our capacity to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised by holding women's lives captive to the dictates of public officials.

Parenthood inevitably involves sacrifices.

But isn't there a qualitative difference between sacrifices freely made and those legislated for us? Do we really expect women to sacrifice their lives to bear children? When does a mother's right to life begin? When does her personhood start?

I am not trying to persuade anyone to terminate a pregnancy. I am saying that women's lives matter to God and to their families, and they ought to matter to politicians. So long as we only define life as the protection of a fetus, we have dangerously oversimplified the issue. Only when we can affirm that a mother's life need not end for a child's life to begin, only then can we truly call ourselves pro-life.

Fulbright is founder and director of Labyrinth Progressive Student Ministry at the University of Texas at Austin and a member of the advisory board for Just Texas: Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice.
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
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Women's Hackathon: Cum femeile din regiuni pot contribui la schimbarile din comunitate, utilizand tehnologiile informationale
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron-Summit County Public Library announced on Tuesday it had canceled a program by author, journalist and frequent Rolling Stone contributing writer Matt Taibbi.

The Nov. 9 program was on Taibbi's new book, "I Can't Breathe," about 43-year-old Eric Garner, a black man who died in 2014 after being placed in a chokehold by members of the New York City Police Department.

The Akron Main Library's cancellation, however, was in response to content published in 2000, in a book titled "The Exile: Sex, Drugs and Libel in the New Russia." Taibbi co-wrote the book with another Rolling Stone contributor, Mark Ames. "The Exile" is about their time living as ex-patriots, editing an English-language newspaper in Russia.

"The Exile," which was billed as a non-fiction book, includes misogynistic -- and occasionally sexually charged -- passages in which Taibbi and Ames demean women and brag about behavior that could be described as sexual assault.

Taibbi now says the book was actually satire and a work of fiction, and has issued a nearly 3,000-word apology on Facebook. He denied assaulting or harassing women, but admitted that the newspaper and his book featured "gratuitous viciousness" and " often demeaning and misogynistic" content.

"I wish I could go back to my younger self and say, 'What you are doing is wrong, stupid, and hurtful to women," Taibbi wrote, adding that he was "genuinely sorry for my bad judgment and insensitivity in those years."

But the public backlash against him continues, set against the backdrop of the nationwide "Me Too" movement, in which women are outing men who have exploited and harassed them sexually. It is currently overshadowing "I Can't Breathe," and other notable pieces Taibbi has written on everything from student debt to the gun lobby.

Akron-Summit County Library Deputy Director Pam Hickson-Stevenson said many Akron residents contacted the library to speak out against Taibbi's appearance here.

"The overwhelming and chief concern was this is a very serious revelation about very serious topics," she said.

The decision to cancel Taibbi's appearance was difficult, Hickson-Stevenson said, and made over several days of deliberation between library administrators and trustees.

On Tuesday, the library sent a notification via email to newsletter subscribers, and posted the cancellation on Facebook, writing, "Over the past week, Mr. Taibbi's writings about his time in Russia have come under scrutiny, particularly a book he co-authored in 2000 that contains graphic misogynistic imagery involving the sexual exploitation of women."

The Main Event program scheduled for Thursday, November 9 at Main Library, featuring author Matt Taibbi, has been... Posted by Akron-Summit County Public Library on Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Facebook commenters are both supporting and decrying the decision.

"Shame on you," wrote a commenter. "To ignore a man's current contribution to the discussion of race relations among other political topics because of something said half a lifetime ago is disgraceful."

"This is neither censorship nor suppression of speech," wrote another. "The library invited him and changed its mind. He can go anywhere he wants and say what he wants. The library is under no obligation host him."

Some commenters questioned why the library wouldn't allow Taibbi to appear to answer questions about his earlier writing in a public forum.

"We could not overcome the feeling that the previous writings about the sexual exploitation of women didn't have a place on the stage at the library," Hickson-Stevenson said.

Taibbi's work is available at the library in print and some online, she said. The decision to cancel the writer's appearance was made in terms of his public appearance only and has no bearing on the library carrying his work.

"We invited him and in light of the information and concerns expressed by members of the community, we could not reconcile the previous writing with his appearance here at the library," she said.

The library's decision also was not intended to quell discussions on race in America. The Main Library in downtown Akron will host "A Community Discussion on Race Relations," organized and moderated by Mike McIntyre of NPR station 90.3 WCPN. on Monday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.

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AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron man is accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl and giving alcohol to her and another teen, police said.

James Lamar Christian, 42, is charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in an Oct. 18 incident, according to court records. Christian is not in custody but a warrant was issued Tuesday for his arrest, police said.

The incident happened at an apartment on Canton Road near Benton Avenue in Akron's Ellet neighborhood, according to a police report. The 14-year-old girl and her friend ran from the apartment when Christian fell asleep.

Christian called the Akron Police Department that night and said the 14-year-old and her friend stole his car, the report says.

Christian told investigators he met the girls at a friend's house on Mohawk Avenue in the city's Goodyear Heights neighborhood. The girls claimed to be 19 and 18 years old and offered to "hook him up," Christian told investigators.

Christian brought the girls to his apartment and started drinking with them, the report says. He later told investigators that he felt like he got drugged, and passed out, the report says.

Officers who were investigating Christian's report of his missing car followed up at one of the girls' homes. The girl's guardian said she was completing a juvenile court sentence for being involved in a police chase, and was out of custody on a weekend pass, police said.

The report does not say where officers ultimately located the two girls.

Officers found the car in the neighborhood, police said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.
AKRON, Ohio -- Three employees of an Akron group home are facing charges that accuse them of beating a developmentally-disabled resident with a broom handle while holding him against his will in a basement, authorities said.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office has not released the name of the residential facility where the three staff members are accused of assaulting the 20-year-old resident. The sheriff's office learned of the allegations Oct. 26 but did not say when the incident happened.

Akron Municipal Court records show all three are charged in an Oct. 23 incident on Cliffside Drive in Akron.

Dominique Gladney, 23, is charged with felonious assault, abduction and assault in the case. Octavious Thomason, 43, and Mennyon Davis, 26, are charged with felonious assault and abduction, the sheriff's office said.

Gladney is a home manager at the facility, and Thomason is a project manager, the sheriff's office said. Davis is identified only as an employee.

The three suspects are in custody at the Summit County Jail. Investigators arrested Gladney and Thomason on Nov. 2 and Davis on Thursday, the sheriff's office said.

The investigation revealed employees became angry with the resident because he ate a staff member's sandwich, the sheriff's office said. Employees took him to the basement, held him there and struck him several times with a broom handle, the sheriff's office said.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed in the case, the sheriff's office said.

Another provider has been contracted to provide services to the group home, the sheriff's office said.

The Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board is taking the allegations very seriously and is working with the sheriff's office, spokeswoman Tricia Perduk said in a statement.

"These are very serious charges and very troubling. Our immediate concern is for the individual who was harmed and making sure he gets the help he needs. We have taken all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of this individual and others that may have come into contact with these staff," the statement says.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A former executive at a small bank in Kent is accused of taking out a loan in a friend's name to pay off his personal debts, as well as demanding and taking bribes from business owners who wanted to work with the bank.

Steven McDonald, who worked at Hometown Bank from 2008 to 2013, submitted a loan application for $225,000 in January 2011, according to charging documents filed in federal court. He claimed the loan was to establish a line of credit for his friend's business, but he used almost all of the money to pay his personal debts, records show.

McDonald, 43, of Kent, also accepted $245,000 in bribes in 2010 from three business owners who sought to influence business with Hometown Bank, federal prosecutors said.

McDonald faces 18 charges, including bank fraud, receipt of bribe by a bank official, making false statement on bank entries and reports and making and subscribing false tax returns. The charges filed Thursday come via a criminal information, which typically means a plea agreement is forthcoming.

McDonald's attorney, David Harvey, declined to comment on the case.

Hometown Bank, which was established in 1898, has 55 employees in three offices. Howard Boyle, the bank's president and CEO, said Wednesday that the bank had never previously dealt with fraud by an employee.

Boyle said there was a "mutual agreement" that McDonald be terminated in 2013.

The FBI spent several years investigating McDonald, Boyle said. While the bank cooperated, "in this case all we could do is sit here and watch them and go through the process," he said.

"I'm glad they're finally getting to justice and I'm certain he'll be ordered to pay restitution," Boyle said, adding that insurance also covered the loss.

McDonald first worked as a loan officer Hometown Bank. He was later promoted to vice president of commercial lending, charging documents say.

McDonald directed monthly statements from the $225,000 loan to a post office box he controlled. He regular monthly payments on the loan, the information states. The bank lost $160,000.

McDonald also altered Hometown's books by adding false entries, creating the impression that loans and lines of credit were approved in compliance with Hometown's procedures, prosecutors said.

McDonald filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and has been entangled in several lawsuits over the past few years, court records show.

He previously worked as a financial institution examiner for the state of Ohio and as a loan officer at Portage County Bank, records show.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County's independent auditor has found that more than $1.7 million has been paid in overtime to salaried employees who were prohibited from receiving extra pay.

And despite the specific prohibition in the county's personnel policies of paying overtime, department directors requested and approved it 33 percent of the time, the audit report said. Payroll staff overrode a control that had ensured exempt employees could not enter overtime on their time sheets.

While the audit examined 2014, 2015 and 2016, salaried employees have continued to receive overtime this year.

Overtime payments will cease in January, Chief Talent Officer Douglas Dykes said on Thursday. Dykes, who was hired in January 2016, learned about the overtime payments this summer.

He said any employees who received overtime would not be asked to reimburse the county.

The overpayments occurred under former County Executive Ed FitzGerald in 2014 and current executive Armond Budish in 2015 and 2016.

Following are what auditors found:

While salaried employees cannot receive overtime, which is time-and-a-half their hourly pay, they can receive exchange time if they work over 40 hours a week.

Employees can accrue up to 40 hours of exchange time, which is paid on an hour-for-hour basis when they need time off. It must be used within six months.

The audit also found that 63 salaried employees had accrued more than 40 hours of exchange time, and that total time was worth more than $300,000.

Dykes said about 50 employees had more than 40 hours of exchange time and several had worked on long-term projects and couldn't use the hours.

While the 40-hour policy is now being followed, he decided not to penalize the employees.

"We could have taken one of two approaches and wiped out anything over 40 hours," he said. "That is not how you become an employer of choice and there is no sense in pissing off over 50 employees. We worked out a schedule that gave them the opportunity to use that time over a period of time."

The arrangement began this year and about 10 employees still have some extra exchange time, he said.

The initial scope of the internal audit was to examine the financial operations and general accounting of the human resources payroll division from January through December 2014, director of internal auditing Cory Swaisgood wrote in the report, which was released Sept. 29.

"DIA extended the audit period where necessary to recognize new processes and procedures in HR Payroll, and to further review significant risks identified," he wrote.

See the audit below or click here if on a mobile device.

"Our audit procedures disclosed internal control weaknesses relating to payroll and expenditure cycles, asset safeguarding, and recordkeeping," Swaisgood wrote. "DIA identified non-compliance with Ohio Revised Code, federal regulations and the PPM."

Six major issues were cited, including employees being paid beyond their termination date, employees who exceeded the amount of exchange time and vacation time allowed and a lack of review or approval of pay raises.

The audit said the human resources department "did not maintain all supporting documentation for employee pay rate increases from 2013 to 2015, totaling $163,415 in salary increases. In addition, nine employees received unauthorized salary increases, totaling $58,502, between 2010 and 2016.

But paying overtime to salaried employees drew a strong response from auditors.

"There was no formal policy allowing OT compensation for exempt employees; in fact, the policy prohibits it," the audit says. "There are no documented procedures on the OT approval process currently in use. The County is violating its own policy if HR Payroll continues to pay OT to exempt employees and increases its risk of litigation."

While employers are not required to compensate exempt employees according to Fair Labor Standards Act laws, some can choose to pay exempt employees additional compensation.

According to the county's policies and procedures manual "employees in overtime-exempt positions may receive exchange time on an hour-for-hour basis for time worked beyond forty (40) hours in a work week."

But of approximately 900 exempt employees, 132 (15%) received overtime in 2014, the audit found. Payroll staff told auditors that department directors requested approval for exempt employees to earn overtime.

"MyHR has a control in place to ensure exempt employees cannot enter and earn OT on their timesheets," the audit says. "HR Payroll was overriding this control after receiving requests from department directors."

Following the findings for 2014, auditors expanded their investigation to 2015 and 2016.

"Emails from department directors requesting OT for exempt employees lacked consistency," the audit said. Some emails lacked the name of the employee, the dates for overtime and rate of pay.

Future problems with payroll will likely not occur because the county is planning and implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning system which will integrate the fiscal office's accounting system with the systems used by fiscal office payroll and human resources payroll, according to the audit and Dykes.

"Throughout this payroll audit, control weaknesses found should be corrected with the new ERP system, but correcting these now ensures the process is consistent and data is reliable when migrating to the new ERP system," the audit said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - With the election of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson to an unprecedented fourth term on Tuesday, we decided to take a historic look at another groundbreaking Cleveland leader, Carl B. Stokes.

This year also happens to mark the 50th anniversary of Stokes' first mayoral election victory, so we scoured our archives to find some of the best pictures of Stokes and collected them in a photo gallery.

When Stokes was first elected Cleveland's Mayor in 1967 (he took office in 1968), he was the first African-American to lead a major American city. At the time, Cleveland was one of the 10 largest cities in the United States and Stokes' election put the city in the national spotlight.

The story of the mayor's life is uniquely American, as he rose from abject poverty to become a successful politician. The future leader of Cleveland grew up in a public-housing complex and dropped out high school, but joined the U.S. Army and later finished his high school diploma and graduated from college. He became a prosecutor after graduating from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and then pursued a career in politics.

Stokes was first elected to public office in 1962 when voters sent him to the Ohio House of Representatives, where he served three terms.

He lost his first mayoral bid in 1965, but took the lessons he learned from that campaign into his run for the office in 1967, when he defeated Seth Taft, grandson of former President William Howard Taft.

As mayor, Stokes put an emphasis on hiring women and African Americans to work in his administration.

Cleveland: Now! was one of Stokes' most well-known initiatives as mayor. It was designed to revitalize blighted neighborhoods with a combination of public and private money.

The program raised tens of millions of dollars for housing projects, health clinics and community centers, and other public welfare projects, but generated negative headlines after it was revealed that a gunman in the 1968 Glenville shootout had received money through the program. Stokes' political career survived the controversy and he was re-elected in 1969.

WNBC-TV in New York City hired Stokes as the city's first black anchorman in 1972, but he returned to Cleveland years later and served as the general counsel for the United Auto Workers.

He became a municipal judge in 1983 and served in that position until then-President Bill Clinton appointed him ambassador to Seychelles in 1994.

Stokes died after a battle with cancer of the esophagus in 1996.

Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the best historical photographs of Carl B. Stokes.
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio

Disturbance, SOM Center Road:

A woman reported Oct. 28 her son broke the door to their apartment and would not follow the rules of the home. She said she pepper-sprayed him to calm him down. A rescue squad arrived to flush the boy's eyes and take him to the hospital.

Stolen property, Marsol Road:

A man said he accidentally left his cell phone in the lobby of an apartment building Oct. 31 and it was gone when he went to retrieve it. He said he had it tracked in the building for a while, but it must have later been turned off. He said apartment management had since asked him to file a report in order for surveillance video to be reviewed.

General assistance, SOM Center Road:

A woman said Oct. 30 she believed an employee working at the Wendy's drive-thru took a picture of her credit card. The employee denied doing so and allowed officers and management to look through her phone. No such photo was located.

Theft, Mayfield Road:

A Cleveland woman, 48, and Cleveland Heights woman, 34, were arrested for theft at Giant Eagle Oct. 29. One was suspected of stealing two tubes of toothpaste and the second was suspected of stealing $79 worth of assorted grocery items.

Theft, Mayfield Road:

A man said Oct. 31 there two client checks missing from his vehicle after he took it into Mr. Tire to be serviced. He said the manager reviewed surveillance video and did not see any employees doing anything suspicious inside the vehicle. The manager told officers the same. The man was told to report if the two clients found that the checks had been cashed.

Overdose, Orchard Heights Boulevard:

Officers responded to a residence around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 30 for a report of a heroin overdose by a 31-year-old resident. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment and later said he wanted to go to a treatment facility, but would not indicate how he obtained the heroin.

Lost property, SOM Center Road:

A woman reported her license plate had gone missing from her vehicle and suspected it may have happened at Chipotle or Starbucks. The plate was not located and it was believed to have simply fallen off the vehicle, due to its age.

Suspicion, Interstate-271:

Lyndhurst police reported around 9 a.m. Oct. 25 there was a vehicle being driven by a man that was suspected of shooting the woman inside the vehicle with him. The vehicle was subsequently pulled over and officers learned the woman inside had been treated at South Pointe Hospital for a grazing gunshot wound she suffered in Cleveland. The driver had picked her up from the hospital and her father reported the incident with the belief he was the man that shot her. The Maple Heights woman, 26, insisted the man, 34, was not involved in the shooting. He was released but the woman was subsequently arrested on a warrant with the Ohio State Patrol and turned over to that agency.

Impaired driving, Lander Road:

A Mayfield Heights woman, 37, was arrested for OVI around 9:45 a.m. Oct. 31 after her vehicle was stopped for erratic driving. There was suspected heroin located in her vehicle and the woman admitted she had used some earlier that morning.

See more Mayfield Heights news at Cleveland.com/hillcrest.

If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page.
In an act of terror and horror at a Texas church, 26 innocent victims were massacred.



As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA, I condemn this senseless and vile attack. Terror, in any of its forms, is unacceptable and against the fabric of any moral system.



I would also like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, who were only trying to spend a nice, pleasant Sunday morning in remembrance of God. It is a sad and unfortunate reality that even after the tragic New York City attack earlier this week, the terror and aftermath of mass shootings seems to never end.



It is my hope and prayer that we can all unite in this tragic period in our history, and may we not tolerate any form of violence or abuse as it eliminates any hope of a peaceful and prosperous future.



Samar Ahmad

Secretary, Muslim Writers Guild of America

North Canton
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- John David Cody, better known by his alias Bobby Thompson, spent eight years telling donors to his sham charity that their money would be used to help veterans.

Now, four years into his 28-year prison sentence on racketeering, theft and fraud charges, veterans are finally starting to see some of that cash.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Thursday -- one day before Veterans Day -- that his office has awarded nearly $1 million seized from Cody to organizations across the state that are devoted to serving veterans.

"The con artist who took this money lied to people about how it would be used," DeWine said in a news release. "Now that con artist is in prison, and the contributions of well-meaning donors are going to help men and women who served our country. It was a terrible scam, but something good has come out of it."

DeWine's office said it distributed the $976,000 in cash that U.S. Marshals found in 2012 in a storage bin that Cody rented in Portland, Oregon.

Each of the state's five branches of the Honor Flight Network, a group that offers veterans free flights to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials, received $115,000 donations. Branches are located in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Findlay.

Family and Community Services received $100,000 for repairs and appliances for the Liberty House for Female Veterans and Families, a facility in Lorain that will provide housing for female veterans and their children.

DeWine's office will also donate $7,500 to Veterans Court programs across the state, including those in Cleveland Municipal Court, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Lorain County Probate Court and Summit County Common Pleas Court.

The donations announced Thursday amount to a fraction of the $100 million that authorities estimate Cody bilked from unsuspecting donors to his dubious charity.

To comment on this story, please visit Thursday's crime and courts comments page.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bishop Nelson Perez of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese asked the community to unite and pray for "peace and healing in our country" after years of violence, and recent shootings in particular.

During a special Mass on Thursday at St. John Cathedral, Perez said he was at an airport Sunday when the news broke that Devin Patrick Kelley killed 25 people and wounded 20 at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, about 30 miles from San Antonio, before killing himself.

"I looked up at the television and thought, 'Oh no, it just can't be,'" the bishop told the gathering at the noon Mass. "My eyes were filled with tears and my heart was sinking with sadness. Once again, this country has to face another violent attack."

Perez also talked about the Oct. 31 incident where a self-described ISIS terrorist drove a rented truck into a crowd of people on a New York City bicycle path, killing eight and injuring 11. The assailant was shot and arrested by police.

"While we could talk about the causes of these things and why they happened, I have to say we are coming face to face with evil," Perez said. "The only way we conquer evil is for good people to use the power of prayer. We need to pray for peace and healing for all of us. I believe the soul of this nation is hurt as it confronts, once again, evil."
Larry Riddle got a traffic violation warning on Wednesday  and a frozen Thanksgiving turkey.

Traffic enforcement officers with the Billings Police Department spent the afternoon giving out 20 turkeys that Steve Gountanis, a local businessman, had purchased. Gountanis asked BPD to distribute the turkeys in time for Thanksgiving.

Riddle, who was driving with his daughter, Amber, said he was surprised to be pulled over, not realizing he hadnt signaled his turn in a neighborhood near North Park.

But when Officer Eric Schnelbach explained hed only get a warning, as well as a bird to cook for the upcoming holiday, he was pleased.

I said, Well, I want to commit some more violations because I need a turkey for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas, Riddle joked.

After pulling over drivers for traffic violations, the officers handing out the turkeys checked for any outstanding warrants. They then returned with a written warning and one of the frozen Albertsons turkeys.

Riddle and his daughter said they appreciated the gesture, and that it would make a difference for them. Riddles wife died of cancer a couple of years ago, and he now lives alone outside town. Hes on a limited budget, but tries to make a nice meal each year for his daughter and himself. The free turkey was a nice surprise.

Just so nice, he might have to get pulled over a second time, he thought.

I could probably just make a U-turn, Riddle said, eyeing Officer Schnelbach.
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... which the movie immediately chucks out the window so all the life-sized action figures can go beat the shit out of each other at an airport.

When Iron Man and Captain America let their fists do the talking, they're really just mad at each other over the fate of Cap's friend Bucky and the role he played in killing Stark's parents. Neither are truly worried about the effects of superheroes on the modern world. Then, after they're done pounding each other into PG-13 pulp, they go their separate ways. Stark is a company man, Cap is a sexy outlaw, and they're both apparently right in their own way.

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Except the movie never answers Ross' question, though the heroes sure destroy a bunch of public property while pretending to debate it. Superheroes probably shouldn't be allowed to act with impunity, because all of their self-created problems are racking up civilian deaths and destruction around the globe. But that serious answer doesn't allow for more movies to be made, so Civil War pretends that both options are viable. Some superheroes will be regulated, while others will be free to do whatever they want, and we'll all cross our fingers that they won't accidentally blow up the planet. Great talk, team!
Cloud News

Salesforce's Benioff, IBM's Rometty Weigh The Responsibility Of Nurturing AI And How It Will Change The Workforce

Joseph Tsidulko

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IBM CEO Ginni Rometty told Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Wednesday that both their companies have a tremendous responsibility, as creators of breakthrough artificial intelligence, to make sure the emerging technology has a positive impact on the world.

As the relationship between the two companies escalates rapidlyIBM wasn't even present at last year's Dreamforcethe CEOs agreed that they need to make sure the advent of AI doesn't displace human beings, and harm their ability to make a living.

"It is our job to usher that safely into this world," Rometty told attendees.

[Related: Greene Screen: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Gets Google Cloud Chief Diane Greene To Dish On Her Life And Career During Dreamforce Interview]

Benioff welcomed IBM's leader to a "fireside chat" by telling her she's an inspiration to him, and especially to all of Salesforce's female executives.

"Ginni, you have become the top female CEO in the world. There's no doubt in my mind," Benioff told IBM's leader, who just arrived on an overnight flight from Brazil to the mega-conference in San Francisco.

Companies like Salesforce and IBM also have a great responsibility in handling their customers' "most-precious asset"their data, Rometty said.

IBM is the only major tech company that can claim it has never turned over customer data to a government surveillance program, she said.

Ushering in new technology requires a deep level of personal responsibility says CEO Ginni Rometty.

To allow AI to thrive, companies that develop the technology must make transparent to the public what data their algorithms have been trained on, and who trained them.

"You can train bias," she warned.

There are many negative connotations around artificial intelligence, Rometty acknowledged. IBM in part called its Watson technology "cognitive" to sidestep associations people have with AI as a force that will displace human workers.

The purpose of the technology, however, is "to augment, and not replace, man," she said. "It will be man and machine in everything. We have to prepare the world for that. It's not a small thing."

While there's a lot of fearmongering around AI, new technologies have changed the nature of the workforce in all eras.

"Some jobs go away; new ones come," she said.

Benioff noted that Rometty, as IBM's CEO, has thought through the thorny issues around the technology, especially as far as it impacts people's jobs, possibly more than anyone else.

"I dont think there's any company doing more for workforce development than IBM," he said.

"It begins with one word: Empathy." & CEO Ginni Rometty share philosophies on the future of work

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In a world that is starting to see "taxis without drivers, farms without farmers, airplanes without pilots," Benioff said, issues around workforce transformation are paramount.

And as businesses transform, the question, Rometty observed, becomes, "if everybody's digital, then who wins?"

The answer is in the dataprimarily who can most-effectively leverage that resource. All companies have lots of data, most dont use it well, Rometty said.

She noted that only 20 percent of the world's data is searchable. The other 80 percent belongs to the customer, and has lots of value to those who know how to access it.

For companies that figure that out, "you will make better decisions. You will be a learning organization."

The potential of leveraging data stores means there's a possibility that the current era will see a market that favors longstanding businesses.

"If you have a past, it just might be your advantage now," Rometty said.

At the same time, thanks to AI, this era will see some of the world's most difficult problems solved, particularly around health care, she said.

And for those worried about the so-called "singularity," when AI takes control of itself and creates runaway technological advances  that's still "decades and decades away."

"We know cause we're building this stuff," Rometty said. "It is far away."

Benioff got Rometty to discuss her early career, starting as an engineer in the auto industry, before her 36-year stint at IBM began.

Asked if she thought she would become CEO of this "legendary company" when she first joined Big Blue, she responded, "of course not," then countered, "Did you think you were going to run Salesforce?"

"Well, when I started it I did," was Benioff's reply, earning some laughs from the audience.

Working on trucks and buses provided an early lesson to Rometty in the difference between a job and career. She realized she needed a change, and her husband suggested she apply to IBM, where his friend's father worked and could make an introduction.

Rometty's knowledge in converting banks to Burroughs Corporation equipment helped land the job. That road led Rometty to become the ninth CEO of the 106-year-old company.

The main lesson she's learned in that time: "you have to be willing to change everything about yourself but your core values."

For CEO Ginni Rometty, values are the most essential element to your brand's success.

Benioff noted that while technologies themselves aren't good or bad, there have been a lot of stories of late about how "some of these big companies, their technology got out of control," he said, especially "around elections."

"We saw them used in some unexpected ways," he said in a reference to Twitter and Facebook being manipulated by the Russian government in an attempt to sway public opinion in the U.S. election.

Rometty said that as a technology executive, "I dont think you can turn your back on any of that."

Other emerging technologies also have dark sides that often are unexpected, she added.

IBM is making breakthroughs in quantum computing, and that technology one day will solve problems today's computers cannot. Great advances like discovering new drugs, risk modeling, logistics will come out of that.

But within several years, quantum computers might break almost all forms of encryption currently available, she said.

"While working to build it, we're working on the antidote," she said.

IBM won't reveal what that "antidote" to quantum code-breaking will look like, but she assured the audience her company won't release something that powerful until it knows it can control its negative consequences.

The rapid advance in the relationship between IBM and Salesforce has largely been driven by IBM's acquisition of Bluewolf, one of the earliest and largest of Salesforce's systems integration partners.

Corrine Sklar, CMO of Bluewolf, told CRN that the conversation between the CEOs resonated, and the channel also has a huge role to play in presenting artificial intelligence to customers the right way.

Even if customers don't ask, "it is our responsibility to bring up those issues," Sklar said.

The Russian manipulation of Facebook is a great example, she said. Big tech companies have lots of data, but often dont spot the problems they're not looking for.

"In our world, our responsibility with Salesforce together is to question these things and be able to have an open dialogue with our customers," Sklar said.

Salesforce customers are just starting their AI journeys, and most aren't aware yet of the difficult issues that can arise. Partners that will lead in the future are the ones "putting AI in the core of their mindset," she said.

The partnership between IBM and Salesforce that was forged only eight months ago is moving incredibly fast, and will grow beyond its current focus on artificial intelligence, Sklar predicted.

"You can see the chemistry between them. I think this partnership is only getting started," she told CRN.
Greene Room At Dreamforce

Google Cloud Chief Diane Greene was an unexpected guest at Salesforce's annual Dreamforce mega-conference, her attendance revealed only after a surprise announcement of a partnership between the two technology giants.

To better introduce the former-VMware CEO to the Salesforce community, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff spent an hour interviewing her in depth about her upbringing, marriage, and legendary career spanning from naval engineering to VMware to Google Cloud.

Benioff, displaying some serious journalism chops, got Greene to open up about her formative experiences, gender discrimination, meeting Google's founders, and her vision for the future of technology.

"It's probably one of the greatest success stories in the software industry," Benioff said in describing Greene's career.

"This is my first Dreamforce," Greene told Benioff. "Shame on me. I love how non-commercial it is. And inspired. It's sort of holistic and yet we've all got jobs to do and we're all moving our jobs forward."

Here's what we learned from their conversation.
A vehicle fire in a South Side neighborhood Wednesday evening was intentionally set, according to the Billings Fire Department.

No one was injured in the fire on the 300 block of South 31st Street, but it appeared that an accelerant had been poured onto a 1998 Ford Explorer before it was ignited, according to a press release from Assistant Fire Marshal Bill Tatum.

The fire was reported just before 7 p.m.

It caused an estimated $2,500 in damage, burning the front, passenger side and top of the SUV, according to the press release. The property was insured.
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Ridgefield's newest restaurant, Prime Taco, is set to have its grand opening this Saturday at 11 a.m.

Prime Taco is the second restaurant in the Prime Team's Ridgefield-based chain that includes the Prime Burger eatery as well as the Ridgefield Prime butcher and seafood shop.

Chef Paul Desiano and his wife Ai will be joining owners Ed Bistany, Bob Sperry and Anthony Valente in the operation of Prime Taco at 32 Danbury Road, according to their website. "Desiano has been the director of food services at Ridgefield Academy for the past five years and will continue that role of building and maintaining an exemplary food program at the academy while additionally partnering with the Prime team."

RELATED: New restaurants, bars breweries in southwestern Connecticut

Desiano has been cooking professionally for 15 years since his start at Aquavit in New York City. Desiano met his wife while in Aquavit's kitchen. According to the website, they have worked in several New York City restaurants including Babbo, A Voce and Cafe Boulud. In 2010, the couple opened Cello in Ridgefield, which closed in 2012.

"I had so much fun in creating the menu (for Prime Taco). We tried to walk a fine line between traditional flavors yet still allowing our tacos that 'California Cool' touch, all while still staying family friendly," Desiano said in a statement.

The Mexican-themed menu includes a selection of signature tacos, as well as a "make your own" burrito, quesadilla, taco and salad options. Margaritas, sangria, craft beer and wine will also be offered.

Phil Hall is a reporter for the Fairfield County Business Journal. For more of his work and that of the journal, please visit westfaironline.com.

Click through the gallery above for more taco spots in southwestern Connecticut.
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I came to an end when Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies.

To mark this day 101 years ago, towns across Connecticut are observing that.
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WASHINGTON  Connecticuts Democratic senators found even more to criticize in the newly released Senate GOP version of the tax bill than they did in the comparable House measure released last week.

While it differs from the House GOP bill, in many respects the Senate proposal retains the core conviction that tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy would trickle down and create middle-class jobs and higher wages.

The Senate bill proposes elimination of the state-and-local (SALT) tax deduction, much valued in high-cost states like Connecticut. The House bill, by contrast, strikes deductions for state income tax payments but allows property-tax deductions up to $10,000.

With election results Tuesday suggesting repudiation of President Donald Trumps style and substance, particularly in suburban areas, Sen. Richard Blumenthal characterized the Senate bill as a virtual death warrant for Republican political fortunes.

The consequences will be deep and broad, magnifying what we saw Tuesday with suburban voters clamoring to vote against Republicans, Blumenthal said. In effect, it adds the pocketbook to the conscience when it comes to Trump opposition.

Also Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved the House measure on a party line vote, sending it to the House floor.

We reaffirmed for all of the families and Main Street businesses struggling to get by that relief is on the way  relief from a broken tax code, from a slow-growing economy, from stagnant wages and from jobs fleeing overseas, said committee chair Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas.

Blumenthal, Sen. Chris Murphy and Democrats from states like New York, California and Illinois are training their fire on GOP-proposed SALT modification or elimination.

It is essentially a message to Connecticut and suburbs generally that we dont care, were going to use you as a cash cow, Blumenthal said. They have, in effect, thumbed their noses at states like Connecticut. I think they have really doomed any pretense of fairness.

Blumenthal and other Connecticut Democratic lawmakers cite data saying the state is a donor state, getting back 83 cents in federal aid for every tax dollar sent to Washington. The loss of the SALT deduction would exacerbate the inequity, they argue.

On Twitter, Murphy took note of a statement by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., that if Republicans fail to pass the tax measure, the financial contributions will stop.

The GOP tax bill isnt for you, Murphy tweeted to his followers. Its for (Republicans) billionaire and corporate donors. And theyre not even trying to hide it.

The Senates total deletion of the SALT deduction appears to be part of its political calculus of negative reaction to the bill. Unlike the House, there are few if any Senate Republicans in states like Connecticut, New York and California, where taxpayers depend on the deduction to make life affordable.

House Republicans from such states, by contrast, are exceedingly nervous about the political price they may pay if SALT elimination makes it into a final GOP tax-cut package.

Connecticuts five House members are all Democrats.

Republicans in both House and Senate are under enormous pressure to keep the cost of tax cuts at or under $1.5 trillion over a decade  an amount agreed to in budget bills that set up consideration of the GOP tax bill.

Failure to do so would end GOP hopes of passing the measure without Democratic help. With virtually all Democrats opposed, it is unlikely Republicans could muster the 60 votes in the Senate that would be necessary to pass the bill if it exceeds $1.5 trillion.

The Senate currently is divided 52-48 in favor of the Republicans.
BRIDGEPORT - A man, who police said went on a one-day crime spree along the Bridgeport/Stratford border while waving a machete, is facing up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to two of the crimes.

Raul Gordito Hungria, 25, of uncertain address, pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine to first-degree robbery, attempted first-degree robbery and carrying a dangerous weapon.

A plea made under the Alford Doctrine means the defendant does not admit his guilt but concedes there is a good chance a jury would find him guilty if he went to trial. The judge then finds him guilty.

Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin told Hungria that he will consider imposing a maximum term of three years in prison when he sentences him on Jan. 12. The judge said he will give Hungrias lawyer, Frank Riccio II, an opportunity to argue for a lesser term.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Adam Mattei told the judge Hungria went on a crime spree on June 16, holding up or attempting to hold up a number of businesses at machete point.

Shortly after 9 p.m., Mattei said Hungria, wearing a black ski mask and wielding a machete, entered the Two Fold Laundry on Boston Avenue in Stratford.

He fled after taking $100 from the cash register, the prosecutor said.

A short time later, Mattei said Hungria entered the store at the Sunoco gas station on East Main Street here. He attempted to pry open the closed cashier booth and failing that, knocked over a bucket of candy on his way out of the store, the prosecutor said.

Once outside the store, police said Hungria took off the ski mask inadvertently revealing his face to the surveillance camera.

Riccio told the judge that his client, who formerly worked as a pizza delivery man, has no prior criminal record and his crimes were fueled by narcotics use.
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BRIDGEPORT  Storied and controversial politician Ernie Newton is headed back to the City Council.

But will he again be its president?

A lot of people are calling me, asking, What are you gonna do, Ernie? Newton said Wednesday following his Election Day victory. I havent made a decision.

But they do need somebody, whoever it is, who knows what a council president does, Newton added, emphasizing the council leaders job to run the governing body is a separate branch of government from the mayors office.

They (the president) dont just do photo-ops, Newton said. Its to protect the integrity of our house of representatives.

Newtons political career was seemingly ended in 2005 when, as a state Senator, he was convicted of corruption. He tried unsuccessful legislative comebacks in 2012 and 2014, then this year decided to mount a primary against veteran East End Councilman James Holloway, won that in September and triumphed in Tuesdays general election.

Newtons return to the legislative body, which he served on and for a time ran in the 1980s, coincides with a coming leadership vacuum. After 16 years, the past 10 of those as president, Councilman Tom McCarthy is retiring.

McCarthys upcoming exit has a handful of incumbents re-elected Tuesday either running or considering running for the job of leading the 20-person group. And Newtons return adds more intrigue.

On the one hand he will, technically, again be a freshman when sworn in next month, given that three decades have passed since he last served. But Newton has considerable experience, not just as a former councilman but as a longtime state legislator.

Two council incumbents have declared they want to succeed McCarthy as leader  Denese Taylor Moye and Aidee Nieves.

I would love to have Ernies support for me and guidance and his knowledge, said Taylor Moye, who was first elected to the council in 2008 and has served in recent years as president pro tempore and budget committee co-chairman. Im hoping I will win and my fellow council people will vote me in and that Ernie would be a supporter.

Nieves, who is entering her sophomore term on the council, also said she hoped to win Newtons confidence.

That is one great thing about Ernie  he can support someone else and empower other people, Nieves said.

Nieves acknowledged that she is a newer council member and, save for Newton, she and any one else seeking the leadership would have a learning curve.

The only person who has the experience is Ernie, she said. But things were different (in the 1980s). The (city) charters changed. Its not the same as it was before. ... Its time for a new voice, a new change.

Newton said he also needed to consult with his council partner, incumbent Eneida Martinez, who has been representing the East End for four years. The city has 10 council districts, two members each.

Martinez has sent some mixed signals about running for president. In an interview last week, she said she did not have time for that battle and Im out of it. But on Wednesday, Martinez said she and Newton were still weighing options.

If she wasnt interested that would make me at least think even harder about it, Newton said. Im not just gonna pick anybody (for president) if I dont do it. Im not just gonna pick somebody that I dont feel can do the job.

There is one complication: Newton is still appealing a 2015 conviction and associated six-month prison sentence for campaign finance fraud related to his failed 2012 General Assembly bid. Newton has expressed confidence that he will prevail.
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Connecticut voters defied the adage that all politics is local in Tuesdays municipal elections, favoring Democrats in key races across the state in what insiders on both the left and right interpreted as a repudiation of Donald Trump.

Republicans lost their grip on 22 municipalities under their control, while flipping seven blue communities red. Thats a net loss of 15 cities and towns for the GOP, which two years ago was the party in power in about 97 of the states 169 municipalities.

The number includes town councils that act as a de facto first selectman or mayor. Trumbull and Newtown, where the GOP incumbents Tim Herbst and Pat Llodra did not seek re-election, went Democrat.

GOP candidates in traditional Republican strongholds such as New Canaan and Greenwich further underperformed historic benchmarks. And in Fairfield, Republicans lost control of the Representative Town Meeting.

The surge of grassroots opposition to Trump had a sobering effect on local Republican leaders, some of whom acknowledged the president was a drag on the partys candidates.

It mirrored the results in gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia, where Democrats prevailed. Heading into the 2018 midterm election and governors race, some in the GOP said, thats a troubling trend.

At the end of the day, Trump was definitely a factor, said Jamie Millington, Fairfields Republican Town Committee chairman. We understand there are many people that are upset with Donald Trump. Theres nothing on the local level we can do about it. Federal politics will be what they are.

A number of GOP stalwarts reported weaker turnout by the partys base. Republicans make up the smallest bloc of the electorate in Connecticut after unaffiliated voters and Democrats, who say they have been waiting an entire year for redemption after Trumps election.

I think probably the night Trump won, I decided we need to do something and get involved, said Ashley Gaudiano, a first-time Democratic candidate for the Town Council in Trumbull who was victorious.

It was a banner night for Democrats in Trumbull, who put Vicki Tesoro into office as first selectman after eight years of GOP rule under Herbst. The incumbent opted to forgo running for re-election to focus on his bid for governor.

The pendulum also swung on the Town Council, going from a 15 to 6 GOP majority to an 11 to 10 edge for Democrats.

Like many newcomers to local politics, Gaudiano, 30, traveled to Washington, D.C., in January to participate in the Womens March. She is on the national board of RISE Stronger, a Trump resistance group. She is also a member of the Action Together Network, another organization borne out of last years presidential race.

The tone of Trumbulls politics mirrored whats happening at the national level, Gaudiano said.

Connecticuts top Republican rejected the idea that his partys candidates were swept away by what one Fairfield GOP stalwart termed as the Trump tsunami, however.

I know Democrats want to pretend this is about a national narrative, said J.R. Romano, the state GOP chairman. It seems as though in wealthier towns where people dont care about taxes going up, Democrats were able to rally their base. But in towns that are struggling like Derby and Norwich, Republicans won handily.

Romano is a native of Derby, where incumbent Democrat Anita Dugatto was upset by Republican Richard Zeke Dziekan in the mayors race. The smallest city in Connecticut, population 12,903, Derby is in the heart of the Naugatuck Valley, the industrial spine of the state that overwhelmingly voted for Trump last year.

Victories by Republicans Mark Boughton and Erin Stewart in the Danbury and New Britain mayors races were a source of bragging rights for Romano, who said the GOP held onto the mayors office in Stratford.

Every town is different, Romano said. How could you argue in Fairfield its a tsunami, but in Stratford it wasnt?

State Democratic Chairman Nick Balletto relished the pick-ups by his party, which he said has been deluged with new activists in the past year.

Its people that were angry, Balletto said. Its people that wanted to make a difference after (last November). It was across the board, places that no one saw coming. Its just amazing.

In Greenwich, a Republican stronghold for decades that is the boyhood home of George H.W. Bush, Democrats appeared poised to take control of the Board of Estimate and Taxation and oust incumbent GOP Tax Collector Tod Laudonia.

A record number of candidates ran for seats on the 230-member Representative Town Meeting, the nonpartisan citizen legislature. A host of them were newcomers and women, who answered the call to action by Trump resistance groups such as Indivisible.

I think it woke a lot of people up, last years election, said Jennie Baird, a RTM newcomer from Riverside. What I think happened yesterday was a referendum against divisiveness.

Baird is not a member of Indivisible, but spoke at the groups recruitment meeting for local candidates earlier this year.

I dont think anybody ran for the RTM thinking they were going to get Trump out of office or that they were going to change the tax code, Baird said. If youre not paying attention in your own backyard, youre giving up your right to complain about anything.

Baird attributed the inroads made by Democrats in Greenwich to the support of unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest bloc of the electorate in town. While the Democratic candidate for first selectman, Sandy Litvack, was defeated by GOP incumbent Peter Tesei, the margin was 53 to 47 percent, not the 75 percent mandate Tesei has enjoyed in previous elections.

In New Canaan, the only town in the entire state where the majority of voters are Republicans, the GOPs first selectman candidate Kevin Moynihan won by 33 votes.

My sense is that the anti-Trumpers were very energized just to go against Republicans, and I think thats a good lesson for us all to learn, and I think we all have to be more energized, said Edward Dadakis, a Republican State Central Committee member for Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford. I think theyre motivated and weve got to get equally motivated.

Jerold Duquette, an associate professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, said Tuesdays results dont bode well for Republicans as the midterm elections approach. Historically, the presidents party loses momentum half-way into his term, he said.

The scale of President Trumps unpopularity is virtually unprecedented, Duquette said. There seems to be a great deal of grassroots mobilization on the left and among Democrats that has been overtly and clearly generated as a result of the anti-Trump movement.

Duquette said that the trend of middle-class voters gravitating toward Republicans and wealthier suburbanites swinging toward Democrats is consistent with last years presidential election results.

It fits with the emerging consensus on the new sort of Trump Republican coalition, Duquette said. The idea that (blue-collar) white voters have gravitated toward the Republican Party is quickly becoming a consensus notion. It makes complete sense that there would be a cosmopolitan voter reaction, and this would be the first opportunity to road test that reaction.

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Montana sugar beet farmers have piled up a near-record harvest this fall, enough to keep factories making sugar in Billings and Sidney well into February.

For the second year in a row, Sidney-area farmers have piled a million tons of beets to feed the Sidney Sugars factory near the Montana-North Dakota border. The sugar content was about 17.9 percent.

Sugar beets, irrigated with Yellowstone River water, have been a bright spot in Eastern Montana, where extreme drought devastated dryland crops this year.

We got about 31.25 tons to an acre. That gives us just over a million tons. Were happy about that, said Duane Peters, agriculture manger for Sidney Sugars.

The sugar industry pumps about $100 million into the Montana economy annually.

Eastern Montana farmers stopped digging beets Oct. 25, which is a typical finish. But the growers fired up their beet diggers in mid-September to deal with an expected bumper crop. In 2016, a larger-than-normal harvest kept Sidney Sugars processing into March.

Western Sugar Cooperative farmers in southern Montana harvested 36.4 tons per acre, the second largest yield for sugar beet farmers feeding the Western factory in Billings. The sugar count was 17.4 percent.

Farms in southcentral Montana started out with an exceptionally wet spring, but not the cool temperatures that hurt plant growth. Fair fall weather helped harvest, with the exception of a few days.

We dealt with some warm and wet weather early on in the harvest, which caused us some delays, but the weather straightened out towards the end of October, said Randall Jobman, Westerns vice president of agriculture in the northern region. The beets went into the piles in good shape, and we expect to finish the campaign in mid February.

In the Lovell, Wyoming, area, sugar beet tons were down to 27.9 and a sugar count of 17.2 percent.

Sugar beets are stored outside in piles where a steady stream of factory-bound trucks are loaded from September through February. Hot days are the big concern for piled beets, which naturally generate heat that can turn to rot if temperatures are too hot.

This fall, temperatures were fairly moderate.
CLYDE HABERMAN

New York TimesNovember 5, 2017How ISIS Resembles the Doomsday Cults of the 1970sCan the lessons we learned from extremist cults decades ago be used to fight ISIS recruitment today?A disturbing 1981 film from Canada could serve as an enduring learners manual for any family worried about a son or daughter succumbing to the lure of a religious cult. The movie, Ticket to Heaven, describes how a young man, adrift and vulnerable, falls prey to a sect closely resembling the Unification Church of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Deprogramming  rescuing him from the zombielike state into which he has fallen  proves a challenge for his friends and relatives.More than three decades later, a ticket to heaven is what Abdirizak Warsame thought he had bought when he and other young Minneapolis men of Somali origin came under the spell of recruitment videos posted online by the Islamic State. The power of that propaganda to inspire acts of terror was evident again last week in New York, where the authorities said such videos impelled Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek immigrant, to drive a truck along a bicycle path at high speed, killing eight people and injuring 11 others.In Minneapolis, the aspiring jihadists were like the fellow in the 1981 film: nowhere men. They felt distant from both family traditions and the conventions of their adopted country. In 2015, they set out to join Islamic State fighters in Syria, only to be arrested by federal agents who had them under surveillance.My son was brainwashed because he was watching this propaganda video, Mr. Warsames mother, Deqa Hussen, said to Retro Report. He thought that if he go to Syria, hes going to go to heaven and all my family is going to go to heaven.Retro Report, a series of documentary videos that mine past news events for their continuing relevance, explores the behavioral threads that run through the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and apocalyptic cults from years ago. When youre in a vulnerable situation, Leslie Wagner-Wilson said, by gaining your trust, slowly, you become indoctrinated into the ideology of the organization.That description fit Ms. Wagner-Wilson and her family 40 years ago. They were mesmerized by Jim Jones, a charismatic figure who declared himself God incarnate. He founded the Peoples Temple, a cult that promised a future utopia where poverty, racism, injustice and war were banished. Based first in Indiana and then Northern California, Mr. Jones drew thousands to his side. But he became ever more paranoid, and his behavior ever more erratic and menacing.In the mid-1970s he moved his flock to a jungle base in Guyana called Jonestown. On Nov. 18, 1978, feeling threatened by deepening scrutiny from American officials and the news media, Mr. Jones organized one of historys most devastating acts of mass suicide and murder. He compelled his followers to drink a fruit punch laced with cyanide.Ms. Wagner-Wilson managed to escape in time with her young son. Others in her family were not so fortunate. They died, along with more than 900 others, including at least 270 children, their bodies strewn across the jungle floor. The horror shocked the world (and gave rise to a lasting expression for blind adherence to a perilous idea: drinking the Kool-Aid).Jonestown was not the last cult twisted by visions of apocalypse. Aum Shinrikyo in Japan, the Branch Davidians in Texas, Heavens Gate in California, the nonreligious Manson Family  all had faithful disciples. All embraced death.Now, groups like the brutal Islamic State and the Shabab in East Africa are magnets for several thousand readily duped Westerners, including scores of Americans. Many of them feel isolated from family and community, and long for something to believe in. Theyre typically young men like the Minneapolis Somalis. ISIS tries to instill that there is something greater that you can be doing, Mr. Warsame said in an interview last year with the CBS show 60 Minutes, after his arrest and before a federal judge sentenced him to 30 months in prison. It kind of takes control of you, he said.Social media and online videos are powerful recruiting tools that the Islamic State has exploited skillfully and aimed at young people like him and his friends. If theyre living in a context where they feel alienated, they feel like theyre not getting a fair deal, they can be open to indoctrination, Charles B. Strozier told Retro Report. Mr. Strozier, a psychoanalyst who is the founding director of the Center on Terrorism at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, added, Theyre susceptible to thinking of these larger messages which come flooding at them through the internet.They are not necessarily beyond salvation, though. Almost as if Ticket to Heaven were a training film, the federal court in Minneapolis has turned to a version of deprogramming as a possible solution. Only the word used in connection with jihadists is deradicalization. The court invited in Daniel Koehler, founder of the German Institute on Radicalization and Deradicalization Studies in Berlin. Mr. Koehler has concluded that extremists of all stripes share a sense that what is wrong with the world and what is wrong in their own lives are intertwined.Many high school or college students feel woebegone: Parents are annoying or teachers are oppressive. Most young people figure out that there are various ways to cope. But for someone who has been radicalized  say, a teenager led to believe that his religion is being persecuted  the perspective can narrow and obvious solutions fade (except maybe violence). Mr. Koehler calls it depluralization. What he attempts, he told Retro Report, is to repluralize the worldview, make it broader again, make them understand that there are no easy answers for single problems.That means, in part, reintegrating them back into the larger society and inculcating skills other than how to fire an AK-47 or strap on a suicide vest. He thinks that progress has been made with some of the young Somali men, but not all. The judge in Mr. Warsames case, Michael J. Davis, said he remained unpersuaded that the defendant had abandoned jihadist aspirations.While the Islamic State in recent months has lost much of its territory in Syria and Iraq to United States-backed coalition forces, experts say it is not defeated. Thousands of militants remain in those two countries and presumably are still able to tempt gullible Western recruits, who are within reach via laptops and smartphones. And theres always a chance that new death-hugging cults will arise. If the past is a guide, some young people are bound to be seduced into picking up a gun, convinced its their ticket to heaven.The video with this article is part of a documentary series presented by The New York Times. The video project was started with a grant from Christopher Buck. Retro Report, led by Kyra Darnton, is a nonprofit video news organization that aims to provide a thoughtful counterweight to todays 24/7 news cycle. Previous episodes are at nytimes.com/retroreport. To suggest ideas for future reports, email retroreport@nytimes.com.
A 20-year-old non-student was arrested for possessing a loaded weapon on campus on Nov. 1, according to a campus police report written by officer Randy Phillips.A

A caller told police there were two men on campus, one of whom was armed with a pistol, according to the report. An officer saw the men at Veterans Avenue and Patterson Street by the FedEx Institute of Technology. When the officer approached them, the man accused of having the weapon fled the scene and headed west on Watauga Avenue, according to the report.

Officers chased Joshua Jones into the backyards between Norriswood Avenue and Watauga Avenue where he jumped fences, refused to stop and hid in bushes, according to Shelby County Court records.

Officers found him behind Norriswood Townhome Rentals on the 3500 block of Norriswood Avenue. A loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun was found at that location, according to the campus police report. The accused man was arrested, and the other man was not charged. Both were issued trespass citations from campus property, according to the campus police report.

Jones was charged with carrying a weapon on school property, avoiding arrest and unlawful possession of a gun, according to Shelby County Court records. He appeared in court Tuesday and is scheduled to report to court again Nov. 11.A

News of the arrest was not reported to students through LiveSafe, the safety app that notifies students and faculty of crimes that occur on campus.A

The Daily Helmsman was unable to contact Derek Myers, assistant chief of police, about the actions taken if people are caught on campus with guns. The Daily Helmsman did not receive responses from colonel of campus police Ray Craft and Mary BalAe, chief of campus police.A

While students and non-students are not allowed to carry weapons on campus, in April 2016, Tennessee legislators passed a bill allowing state college or university employees with gun permits to carry their concealed weapons on college campuses. The law went into effect in July 2016.A

Last year, The Daily Helmsman reported some members of the Student Government Association were not in favor of passing the bill and even wrote against the Tennessee bill. When the law was passed, students and faculty expressed criticism.

In Aug. 2016, Susan OaDonovan, an associate professor and former marine with expert badges in pistols and rifles, told The Daily Helmsman it takes a long time and lots of training to become proficient in firearms. She also said she is unhappy with the alax requirementsa asked of U of M employees.

aI am not comfortable knowing that any of my fellow employees might be carrying a concealed weapon,a OaDonovan said last August. aThe odds are very good that the person who brings a gun onto campus has no clue how to handle it or use it safely.aA

As of Aug. 2016, campus police services reported at least 20 full-time U of M employees had applied to carry their concealed guns on campus.

Last spring, President M. David Rudd sent a campus-wide email citing his opposition to the bill and said he did not think more weapons on campus would make the campus safer. Rudd also said the U of M is one of the safest campuses in the nation, and this law would jeopardize the high standard the campus is seeking for students.

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The number of college students majoring in the field of education has been declining. ThisA could be influenced by studentsa previous school experiences and family pressure.A

Only 4.2 percent of students entering college intended to major in education, compared to 11 percent in 2000, according to a 2016 study conducted by the University of California at Los Angelesa Institutional Research program. The University of Memphisa College of Education enrolls 1,367 students for the current semester out of 22,425 total U of M students.

aIt is true about lower enrollments,a Mary Ransdell, professor of elementary education, said. aThere are a number of contributing factors, one of them being a perception by the general public that teaching doesnat pay well.a

Ransdell said parents of college students could also dissuade them from going into teaching because it doesnat carry the same prestige as being a doctor or a lawyer.

Jojo Sigala Jack Vuylesteke talks to Elizabeth Brame (26, counseling graduate student) about the Memphis Rise Academy at the Education Fair Nov. 7.

While teaching is aa hard job,a there are many reasons to become an educator, Ransdell said.

aOne of the many positives is watching childrenas faces glow when they understand something,a Ransdell said. aWhen they get it, a light goes on. They make connections. They become interested in their own learning.a

Ransdell urged students to think about influencing a large number of young people by becoming an educator.

aConsider the possibility of encouraging their learning,a Ransdell said. aEducators are role models.a

Ransdell said the College of Education needs more men, specifically men of color, in its early elementary programs.

Although the number of bacheloras degrees awarded in the United States over the last decade has increased by over 300,000, the number of these degrees awarded in the field of education has declined, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

The NCES reported for academic year 2014-15, postsecondary institutions awarded 91,623 education degrees, which is compared to 102,582 awarded for academic year 2007-08. A

Jojo Sigala Lerkenda Little and Terri Jones (right) talk to Kierra Savage (24, couseling graduate) about the Tennessee Education Association. The fair provided food and refreshments for students and employers.

Ethan Hodge, a 20-year-old teaching all learners major at the U of M, said many students may not want to teach as a career because of their own negative school experiences. A

aI think that some of the students that struggled in school in the past years a itas just kind of discouraged them from school, to not be anywhere near it,a Hodge said. aI was the same way until I actually started working with special needs students. It made it feel like it was more of a reward for me, being able to grasp something, and being able to help students do that is just something Iave always enjoyed doing since my freshman year of high school.a

Hodge said he plans to become a high school special education teacher.

aIf I could find an organization to get involved in like the Special Olympics or something like that, helping students with disabilitiesAA a I really want to be involved with that,a Hodge said.A

Hodge said while a student does not have to major in education to work with students with special needs, ait helps to know your material if you want to be an actual teacher.a

The career services department hosted an Education Career Fair Tuesday in the University Center Ballroom.A The fair connected students and alumni with local recruiters and employers in the field of education.A

Christie Wilson, district literacy coordinator for the West Memphis, Arkansas school district, assisted with the districtas booth at the fair and offered encouragement to students who are considering pursuing a career in education. She said people who become teachers change the trajectory of studentsa lives.

aYouare making a difference,a Wilson said. aItas more than just a job.aA A
Three University of Memphis student IDs were reported stolen and used fraudulently in the past two weeks, and at least one of those students has yet to receive her funds.

There have been a total of eight reported stolen Campus Cards this semester so far, according to campus police reports.

If fraud of a student ID occurs, athe loss of funds is the responsibility of the cardholder,a according to the University of Memphis policy.A Although the Bursaras office handles majority of the refunding process, they said they cannot refund lost or stolen funds to a student ID without first obtaining a crime report from campus police and investigating the incident.

Jojo Sigala On-campus vending machines are usually the main target for stolen student IDs and Campus Cards, according to the Bursars office. These vending machines are accessible, automatic and require no supervision, which makes them ideal stops for theives.

On Oct. 25, the first victim, Saira Sikandar, found $299.54 was missing from her Dining Dollars account, which began at $300, according to a campus police report written by officer Stephen Grisham.

The next victim found that her Campus card was missing from her Centennial Place dorm room, and she checked her account to find $30 dollars missing, according to a campus police report written by officer James Vickers.

The third victim found an unknown amount of purchases on his Campus Card, according to a police report written by officer Laron Young.

The money taken from Sikandaras card was used mostly at the all-male South Hall dorm vending machines, as well as a few other vending machines on campus.

aI was really hopeful my money would be refunded, but now I feel like it wonat,a Sikandar said. aI donat understand whatas taking them so long because it obviously wasnat me if it was in South Hall.a

She received an email Tuesday morning from the Office of Student Accountability, Outreach and Support stating she would have to pay $10 to acquire a new Campus Card.

aI just didnat like the fact that they arenat giving me updates, and I have to constantly call to know whatas going on within my case,a Sikandar said.

On campus, vending machines are usually the main target for these stolen student IDs and campus cards, according to the Bursaras office. These vending machines are accessible, automatic and require no supervision, which makes it an ideal stop for Student ID theft.

Students who want to receive a refund from a vending machine can call the number located on the side of the vending machine, according to Latisha Arnold, a Bursaras Office student financial assistant.

A aIn a situation where the vending machine is lacking a number, you will then seek a refund at the cash office located right in front of the Bursaras Office,a Arnold said.

If a campus card is lost or stolen, students should deactivate the card immediately, U of M Bursar Greg Atkins said.

aOnce you deactivate the card, you should then file a police report immediately after youave deactivated your card,a Atkins said. aA replacement fee of $10 will be charged to receive a new student ID.a

Student IDs should be reported in a timely manner for police services to investigate the cases. If the lost card is reported to police services in a timely fashion, they can seek a photo of the suspect, which makes them more likely to be apprehended.A

aThe two biggest problems are waiting before cutting it off and not checking to see if someone has used it,a Derek Myers, assistant chief of campus police, said, aWe get reports where it has been weeks since the unauthorized use, which makes it difficult to identify a suspect.a

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Jojo Sigala Shelby County mayor Mike H. Lutrell speaks to students in the UC Memphis room Nov. 7.

While on campus Tuesday Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell said the keys to achieving civility in society are a well-trained police force enforcing the law, strong prevention programs and intervention.

The University of Memphis College Republicans hosted Luttrellas lecture, aCivility in Politics,a where he discussed the discourse to political civility in the University Center Memphis room. The event also featured a question and answer session.

Luttrell previously worked with the police force as a warden at correctional facilities and later as Shelby County Sheriff, and he said criminalsa thought processes have interested him for a while.

aIave always been fascinated with the criminal mind,a Luttrell said at the event. aI never have figured it out, and I think thatas one reason Iave stayed in the field.a

To Luttrell, the mystery of the criminal mind stems from why criminals commit the crimes they do.

aMost of my life in the criminal justice system has been trying to understand and trying to address those issues that seem to be common in the lives of criminal offenders,a Luttrell said during the lecture.A

Jojo Sigala Luttrell previously worked with the police force as a warden at correctional facilities and later as Shelby County Sheriff.

Working with criminals to rehabilitate them into society is vital for civility Luttrell said, but also working in the police force is important to improve civil discourse.A

aAfter some 30 or 40 years working in the criminal justice system Iave come to the conclusion that to fight crime you need to really address criminal behavior,a Luttrell said at the event. aIt requires intense work.a

Luttrell also said for a politician to be successful and gain civility, they must sell their idea to people and engage in society.

aSelling the product is part of the civility question,a Luttrell said during the lecture. aThatas the top part.a

Luttrell said he has seen many politicians fail at civility because they do not work with the public well.A

aThatas where we see many political figures fail in trying to establish a level of civil behavior,a Luttrell said at the event.
Though Helena had a black mayor before it was even incorporated, local historians say former Liberian refugee Wilmot Collins may be the first in the state since then.

Collins, 54, unseated Helena's mayor of 16 years James Smith in Tuesday's city elections.

"For sure he is Helena's first 'official' black mayor and the first in Montana too!," Ellen Baumler, interpretive historian with the Montana Historical Society, wrote in an email to the Independent Record.

However, the Helena Weekly Herald reported on May 22, 1873, that a "colored barber" named E. T. Johnson defeated two other mayoral candidates with a total of 56 votes before Helena became an incorporated town. An 1868 Helena city directory lists Edward T. Johnson as a black barber from Washington, D.C.

MHS Community Preservation Officer Kate Hampton said some Montana newspapers considered Johnson's mayoral candidacy to be a joke. However, Baumler said he was known as Mayor Johnson from that time on.

The 1870 Census lists Johnson as 32 years old with a personal estate worth $1,000. He was an authorized distributor of Frederick Douglas' "New National Era" paper and lost his business and home in a fire that devastated Helena in 1874, according to archives of the Helena Weekly Herald provided by MHS.

Johnson was later elected to be a delegate at the state Republican Convention in 1876 and was a Republican candidate for Congress the same year, the newspaper's archives show.

"He served as assistant marshal for Helena's centennial parade, representing the 'colored citizens of Montana' on July 4, 1876," Hampton said, adding that she could not find any mention of him in newspapers after 1877.
After the release of Issa Album and Without Warning, rap artist 21 Savage has become something of a hot commodity in the rap community. Now the up-and-coming artist will headline the University of Memphis Bluff City Bash on Friday, as announced by the Student Activities Council (SAC) at the end of last week.

The concert will be at the Alumni Mall Lawn on Friday and will be free for all University of Memphis students. Tickets can be picked up at the Rose Theatre ticket window on Friday, according to SACs Twitter page. Students must bring their student IDs to receive a free wristband for the show. Non-students must bring their state ID along with an Eventbrite receipt (details for Eventbrite receipt can be found on tinyurl.com/SACBCB).

Jacob Vogelsang, a sophomore theatre major at the U of M, said he could not wait to see 21 Savage on Friday.

Ive never been to the Bluff City Bash before, but Im very excited to go on Friday, Vogelsang said. 21 Savage is probably my favorite rapper right now, and I cant wait to see him in person.

Marisa Hernandez, a senior in the U of M marching band, said she attends the Bluff City Bash every year.

The Bluff City Bash is one of my favorite events, and Im always excited to see what artist is announced, Hernandez said. I think 21 Savage will be the best performance yet, and I cant wait to see how many people come.

Tyreek Jackson, a freshman engineering major at the U of M, said he has been following 21 Savage since the beginning of the rappers career.

Ive been a huge 21 Savage fan for years now but have never gotten to see him in person, Jackson said. I can probably sing every lyric to most of his songs, so Friday night should be fun.
A Natrona County District Court judge on Wednesday declined to throw out the October sex assault conviction of a Casper resident.

Judge Catherine Wilking offered only a brief explanation of her ruling Wednesday, citing prior case law as she dismissed Miguel Martinez's motion for a new trial.

A jury convicted Martinez on Oct. 18 of first-degree and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Martinez appealed the conviction, saying prosecutors had withheld evidence that would have swayed the jury.

During the 15-minute hearing, defense attorney Dylan Rosalez mostly relied upon arguments made in the written motion for a new trial. Rosalez argued that documents created by the Department of Family Services would have allowed him to question the reliability of a witness in the case. Rosalez has not reviewed the documents, he said.

Rosalez said his knowledge of the documents came from another witness who appeared at trial.

Prosecutor Michael Blonigen spoke forcefully when he said there was no legal basis for producing the documents. The witness who referenced the documents had not actually reviewed them and was relying on secondhand accounts when characterizing the documents, Blonigen said.

"I can't just willy-nilly produce reports," he said.

He said that the defense had plenty of time to request documents from the Department of Family Services prior to trial and did not do so.

When Wilking asked Rosalez why he had not questioned the witness with secondhand knowledge of the documents at trial, the defense attorney said he thought doing so could have run afoul of rape shield laws.

After the judge adjourned the hearing, Martinez was led away by bailiffs. He will return to Natrona County Detention Center while he awaits sentencing. He could face up to 70 years in prison on the two charges.

Police began investigating the case when a 10-year-old girl's mother reported in March that her daughter said Martinez sexually assaulted her in the bathroom of a residence.

The girl told investigators that Martinez, who is a family friend, sexually assaulted her. Nurses at the Wyoming Medical Center completed a sexual assault exam and found evidence shed been sexually assaulted.
Advertisement

Whether you're in the market for a wedding dress or not next year, there is one thing we can all agree upon.

The 2018 bridal collections, as showcased at New York Fashion Week: Bridal, last month, certainly delivered in the fashion stakes.

From coloured fabrics to delicate lace, tiered gowns and removable skirts, there was plenty to lust after - next season's dresses are both feminine and romantic.

Here, FEMAIL speaks exclusively to some of Australia's top bridal designers to find out what they see as the biggest trends next year.

New York Fashion Week: The Bridal Edition recently took place and there were plenty of new nuptial trends to lust after (pictured: gowns from Pallas Couture)

Here, FEMAIL speaks exclusively to some of Australia's top bridal designers to find out what they see as the biggest trends next year

One of the biggest trends reflected on the catwalks in New York this year was delicate lace (pictured); this is very much reflected in some of the designs from Melbourne-based designer Anna Campbell

'There is a lot of exposed boning and transparency in our gowns, keeping the emphasis on delicacy,' Joy Morris from Pallas Couture (design pictured) told FEMAIL

'If the gowns are lined, they are so with a semi-opaque lining. This season, we are staying away from the nude colours. More emphasis is being placed on soft lilac and natural tones,' Ms Morris continued

Designers highlighted that when it comes to delicate lace, designs are 'classic with a modern twist'

Many designers said that lace work next season is 'very delicate' - some catwalks also focused on 3D floral applique

Pictured here is a design by Suzanne Harward, styled by Tessa Law. The beautiful gown was complemented by Kitte jewellery and a Viktoria Novak headpiece.

DELICATE LACE

While lace for a wedding is somewhat of a mainstay, the design director of Pallas Couture, Joy Morris, told FEMAIL that this season's iteration of the trend is 'classic with a modern twist':

'There is a lot of exposed boning and transparency in our gowns, keeping the emphasis on delicacy,' she explained.

'If the gowns are lined, they are so with a semi-opaque lining. This season, we are staying away from the nude colours. More emphasis is being placed on soft lilac and natural tones.'

The design director continued by saying that 'lace work next season is very delicate - with the gowns subtly glistening, rather than showing heavy lace work'.

3D floral applique is also a big reference for the new season, with the motif spotted on the catwalks at Sachin & Babi and Caroline Herrera.

Elsewhere on the catwalks in New York, there were plenty of options for brides who want to play with the idea of tradition a little - plunging necklines were everywhere, as seen on this Suzanne Harward gown (pictured)

'Some of the major trends coming through for brides are plunging necklines, top designer, Steven Khalil, told FEMAIL (his design: pictured right)

'Lots of embellishment and streamlined silhouettes are also big for the modern bride. Big dramatic removable skirts are also a strong trend right now, too,' Steven Khalil outlined

PLUNGING NECKLINES

Elsewhere on the catwalks in New York, there were plenty of options for brides who want to play with the idea of tradition a little.

'Some of the major trends coming through for brides are plunging necklines, top designer, Steven Khalil, told Daily Mail Australia.

'Lots of embellishment and streamlined silhouettes are also big for the modern bride. Big dramatic removable skirts are also a strong trend right now, too.'

This last trend is one which is already beloved by countless fashion personalities and 'It girls' on Instagram. Try a sweeping dramatic skirt for your ceremony, before whipping it off and into something smaller for the reception.

You'll be the belle of the ball.

If bridal designers right now are to be believed, more than ever women are pushing the boundaries with their fashion - and opting for something a little bolder - countless designers, including Suzanne Harward, are going for colour (pictured)

'Our brand will subsequently advance in 2018 but putting coloured fabrics at the forefront,' Suzanne Harward outlined to FEMAIL

COLOURED FABRICS

And the bride wore... white, right? Wrong.

If bridal designers right now are to be believed, more than ever women are pushing the boundaries with their fashion - and opting for something a little bolder.

'Women are becoming progressively more fashion forward,' couture designer, Suzanne Harward, told FEMAIL.

'Our brand will subsequently advance in 2018 but putting coloured fabrics at the forefront,' she continued.

Current gowns on offer include lilac, pastel blue and pinkish hues - perfect for the millennial woman who wants something a little different.

For the more risque brides, there are countless options to flash the flesh a little - bare skin was also a trend, seen at Grace Loves Lace (pictured)

Grace Loves Lace told FEMAIL that 2018 will be the year of skin in bridal trends

Sheer fabrics, embroideries and trims are also huge - with more open backs and legs

SKIN

For the more risque of brides out there, there is plenty to whet your appetite in the new season.

Just ask Megan Ziems, the designer behind Grace Loves Lace and the creator of the 'world's most pinned wedding dress'.

'The standout trend next season will be skin!,' she told FEMAIL. '2018 will be the year of celebrating the woman, not the bride - and this resonates so strongly with us.'

The leading designer continued by saying she is 'anticipating seeing more open backs and more leg. A lot of sheer fabrics, embroideries and trims will be key along with tonnes of movement; a woman needs to be able to move, dance and let her hair down on her wedding day!'.

Pictured is a detailed design from Pallas Couture

Open back designs are also one of the biggest looks on the catwalk

'In the 2018 collections, we are seeing lots of sexy, fitted bridal silhouettes,' Melbourne-based designer, Anna Campbell, told FEMAIL

Some of the dresses are figure-flattering, with relaxed hemlines (pictured)

OPEN BACK

It is a truth universally acknowledged that while some women are all about showcasing their cleavage - and so therefore favour a plunging neckline - others are all about a perfectly-sculpted back.

Thankfully, this is a trend that was very much reflected on the catwalks in New York for 2018.

'In the 2018 collections, we are seeing lots of sexy, fitted bridal silhouettes,' Melbourne-based designer, Anna Campbell, told FEMAIL.

'Many of them are created from beautiful sheer laces and figure-flattering silk crepes. I especially love this look where the dress is a little more relaxed, without too much structure, and a low, open back becomes the focus with unique hand-embellished details - perfect for evening cocktail celebrations!,' she concluded.

For many, there is nothing more sexy than a huge centre-front split in a skirt - which showcases just the right amount of flesh while still remaining demure

This look was also reflected hugely on the catwalks this season, as spied everywhere from Moira Hughes and Grace Loves Lace (pictured) to Suzanne Harward

Founder and style director of beautiful bridal concierge, Love Find Co, Sophie Westley, also said bell sleeves are making a comeback in a demure way (pictured)

CENTRE-FRONT SPLITS AND BELL SLEEVES

For many, there is nothing more sexy than a huge centre-front split in a skirt - which showcases just the right amount of flesh while still remaining demure.

This look was also reflected hugely on the catwalks this season, as spied everywhere from Moira Hughes to Suzanne Harward.

Founder and style director of beautiful bridal concierge, Love Find Co, Sophie Westley, agrees with this, saying:

'As high necklines and long sleeves increase in popularity, designers have needed to incorporate alluring elements into their designs, and centre-front splits are all the rage - proving that showing a bit of leg is always the ultimate accessory.'

Ms Westley also said bell sleeves are making a bit of a comeback this season:

'Not 60s psychedelic bell sleeves, but ones crafted from delicate lace,' she said. 'When paired with a simple gown silhouette, these are a beautiful take on the bohemian trend which took off in 2015.'

Looking to add some fun to your wedding gown? Look no further than bows and capes, which are being increasingly incorporated into designs (pictured)

BOWS AND CAPES

Looking to add a little fun to your wedding gown? This season, it's all about bows and capes.

'Bows are not a new thing on the bridal scene,' Sophie Westley said.

'In the past, most commonly they've been seen on ribboned belts and sashes tied at the waist of a wedding gown, but now they are being incorporated into the design of the gown.'

Ms Westley added that capes are really making waves in the bridal world right now, too. She particularly favours capes which are attached to the shoulders of the gown and extend into the train.
POWELL, Wyo.  It's hard to find more dramatic differences between "what could have been" and "what is" than at Spirit Mountain Cave.

Imagine a large parking lot filled with cars across from the Cody Stampede. Tourists, finding adventure on their way to the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, wait in line for space on a tram that scales the north face of Cedar Mountain. At the top, tours of a vast 2,000-foot deep cave sparkling with crystals excite vacationing families.

It could have been a main attraction, beckoning more travelers to use the East Entrance and possibly even holding tourists, with their fat wallets, a little longer before they disappeared into the Shoshone National Forest and beyond.

"What is" pales in comparison. The first literal sign of what could have been starts around the corner on the unmarked, Spirit Mountain Road. Travel up the road isn't especially wise for the average family sedan or flatland-loving tourists. On the climb to the cave entrance several campfires scar the scenery despite being prohibited. Short walks near the fire pits reveal litter and vandalism  mostly graffiti.

Finding a view without spray painted messages is hard to find. Jeff's love for Kelly, painted in sloppy blue lines, is about as educational as it gets. Another message, "Eat Out Tonight," presumably left by "Scott" welcomes visitors near the mouth of the cave. A heavy metal cage blocks the entrance and a permit granted by the Bureau of Land Management is the only way to get a key.

Just making it to the cave is a journey  not one easily traveled. Once there, only a few will make it inside. And none of the few will ever witness the sparkle of the tons of crystals.

The attraction was a national monument, just like Devils Tower and the Grand Canyon. It was renamed Shoshone Cavern National Monument from Frost Cave, named for Ned Frost, the hunting guide who initially discovered the cave.

"The cave immediately became a site that everyone in Cody needed to take a look at," said University of Wyoming history professor Phil Roberts. "One person that saw it as a very important potential attraction was Willam F. Cody, Buffalo Bill."

Soon after its discovery, in 1909, the cavern was designated as Wyoming's second national monument by president William Howard Taft. The Antiquities Act was designed to allow presidents to act quickly to protect significant archaeological sites from those willing to loot its treasures. It was so popular when first discovered, visitors would walk the then undeveloped three-hour trail to the cave, according to Roberts, a graduate of Cody High School. He spoke at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West during the University of Wyoming's premiere of their Saturday U program in Park County.

The management of the monument was handed over to National Park Service and Yellowstone National Park officials in 1916. Strapped for the money for infrastructure and wanting to develop Yellowstone with the little money that was available, the cave was neglected by the Park Service for decades, Roberts said.

In 1953, the City of Cody wrestled control of the cave from the federal government, easily getting Congress to delist the monument. One reason was accessibility, Roberts said. Easily getting people to the cave, located on a steep ledge three-quarters of the way up the mountain, was going to be an expensive proposition for the federal government.

Another problem was getting people excited enough about the monument to make the trip.

"You can see Devils Tower, but you can't always see a hole in the ground," he said. "And there are a number (of people) that don't like caves."

There was also an access problem once you got in the cave. The interior of the cave is steep and with hundreds of rooms in the huge cave, visitors often became lost.

Claud Brown, the first vendor contracted by the city, pledged to make the cave accessible. Electricity was run to the cave and makeshift ladders and stairs made it easier to navigate the dark, steep terrain. The National Park Service, despite having previously rejected the project, even helped promote the attraction.

But Brown went broke attempting to make the caverns into the popular attraction he envisioned.

"Claud Brown wasn't able to attract enough visitation to really even keep the electric lights going," Roberts said. In 1966, Brown turned the site back over to the city.

After Brown went broke, a second vendor promised to realize the attraction's potential. Instead, large trucks presumed to be carrying materials to the cave were silently stealing its treasures, mining the cave for crystals and stealing its sparkle.

"They were people that came in and promised the moon," Roberts said. "They were sold a bill of goods. Then they disappeared."

Few visited the cave at the time. Powell resident Gloria Hedderman remembers it being a fun place for high school students to party.

"We used to drive up there and it was wide open. You could have a bonfire in the big room," Hedderman said.

By 1977, the city quietly relinquished control of the property to the federal BLM and the cave was gated. Today few know that the cave exists, but those in the know can apply for a permit, said Melissa Higley, BLM administrative support assistant in Cody.

"In the summer it's really popular," Higley said. "Some large groups, like the Boy Scouts, explore the cave."

There is a $20 deposit, returned when explorers bring back the key, and the BLM has hard hats available. Higley has been in the cave and has searched for a signature by Walt Disney, who was rumored to have visited the cave and carved his signature into a wall.

Hikers are also fond of the area, partly for the views and partly for the isolation they find on the all-but-abandoned gravel road.

The Antiquities Act has been used to protect significant geographical formations by every president since Teddy Roosevelt passed the legislation in 1906. The Shoshone Cavern National Monument, now known as Spirit Mountain Cave, is one of 11 national monuments to be delisted in the past 111 years.

Because Wyoming was the first state to delist a national monument and there were no rules on how to delist monuments in the 1950s, Wyoming is now the only state to require an act of Congress to designate a site as a monument.

Different reasons have been given to delist the 11 former national monuments. In divesting itself of Shoshone Cavern National Monument, the National Park Service cited other places under its care that "better exemplified a site type," such as Wind Caves and Carlsbad Caverns.

"Notably, none of the abolished national monuments would meet today's standards of national significance for inclusion in the National Park System," according to a 2006 paper published by the NPS, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Antiquities Act.
It might not be top of your to-do list, but what if we told you that a well-ordered and happy pantry equals a happy home?

It's true. FEMAIL spoke to the Sydney-based de-cluttering expert, Leesa Kotis of The Clutter Bug, to find out her top tips for giving your food cupboards a good spring clean this month.

She also revealed how having a well-organised, Pinterest-worthy pantry can make you happier, healthier and maybe even richer.

FEMAIL spoke to the Sydney-based de-cluttering expert, Leesa Kotis of The Clutter Bug , to find out her tips for giving your food cupboards a good spring clean this month (stock image)

According to Leesa, the first step in nailing #pantrygoals is to get everything out and purge the junk - she recommends putting much reached-for items at eye level (stock image)

According to Leesa, the most important in nailing #pantrygoals is to get everything out and purge the junk:

'The first step in spring cleaning is always emptying the entire contents out,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'Clear a space on a surface, fill it and dispose of all out-of-date foods, wiping down the shelves as you go.

'Pay close attention to best before and use by dates. You can still eat foods for a while after the best before date as they should still be safe, but according to the Australian Food Standards agency, they may have lost some of their quality.'

To keep things looking pretty, Ms Kotis recommends using square or rectangular containers, instead of round ones - as they fit more neatly and look good (stock image)

Next, Ms Kotis said it pays to sort remaining items into 'like with like'.

Tips for spring cleaning your pantry * Sort items into like with like. Put your most used and reached-for items at eye level, and the things you don't reach for as often on higher and lower shelves. * Use square or rectangular containers instead of round, as they fit better and look more neat. * With awkward corners, a lazy susan is great and perfect for oils, vinegars, sauces and bottles. * Keep a notepad near the fridge and pantry, so you know what needs to be replenished. * Adopt new and good habits for your pantry - by staying on top of the cleaning. Advertisement

'Keep things easy to access,' she explained - 'by using baskets or shelf organisers, shelf racks and expandable spice racks'.

Smaller items such as tinned fish can live in a basket or on stepped spice racks, for example. Larger tins can fit into a dispenser that stores them on their side, allowing them to roll forward as each one is removed.

The expert also recommends sorting your items into various groups. Put the most used and reached-for items at eye level, for instance, and the things you don't go for as often on higher and lower shelves.

'For awkward corners, a lazy susan is great, perfect for oils, vinegars, sauces and anything in taller bottles,' she admitted.

'Labelled baskets are also great for organisation and ease of identification.'

'For awkward corners, a lazy susan is great, perfect for oils, vinegars, sauces and anything in taller bottles,' Ms Kotis said (stock image)

But what about when you've done all of this, and still want your pantry to look beautiful?

'With a little bit of space and money, such pantries are possible,' Ms Kotis said.

Leesa Kotis (pictured) of The Clutter Bug

'To get the look, try to stick to purchasing the same brand of airtight containers. I prefer square or rectangular, as round waste a lot of valuable space and are not as easily stacked.'

Ms Kotis said she favours Kmart baskets for groups of items and Decor match ups for dry food containers.

Lastly, the de-cluttering expert said that a well-organised pantry can not only make you healthier, but also richer:

'Just like a well-organised fridge, a well-organised pantry can keep us healthier and save us money,' she admitted.

'If you have healthy food alternatives that are easily accessible and well-labelled, then you're more likely to reach for them.'

A pantry spring clean could even help in the finances department, insofar as if you have an inventory of what you've got 'it saves buying doubles of items you have but just can't find'.

'Keep a notepad or white board near pantry to note items that need to be replenished,' Ms Kotis concluded.

For more information about The Clutter Bug, please click here.
It was one last hurrah for a group of reformed party girls as they stripped to their underwear for a dip in the sea to celebrate the end of their month living in a convent.

Rebecca Cheng, 19, a podium dancer from Newcastle; Tyla Edwards, 22, a podium dancer from Leeds; Sarah Lawrence, 19, a club hostess from Surrey, Gabriella Ryan, 21, a lingerie model from London and Paige Wallace, 23, a secretary from Bristol, all moved into the Convent of the Sacred Heart for Channel 5's Bad Habits, Holy Orders.

They turned their backs on lives of heavy drinking, casual sex and overspending spent a month in a nunnery for a spiritual journey.

But as the experience drew to a close they couldn't resist showing off their wild side one last time and stripped off for a paddle - much to the amusement of the nuns.

Tyla can't resist stripping off at the beach as the nuns take them on a contemplative walk in the freezing cold

The girls ignore the February temperatures as they take off their clothes for the dip

Sarah seemed prepared already in her one-piece - although she was shocked by the cold

The nuns often take walks along the beach to contemplate life and religion - but were left amused when the girls began to strip

Gabi, Rebecca, Paid, Sarah, Tyla and the sisters of Sacred Heart Convent during the experiment

They shrieked and screamed as they braved the February weather as they ran into the water while the nuns joked that they should hurry up and get their clothes on.

Cameras followed the every move of Gabbi, Rebecca, Paige, Tyla and Sarah as they turned their back on modern life and unleashed mayhem at the East Anglian convent in Channel 5's social experiment.

But after a month in under the tutelage of the sisters of the convent, they managed to transform their lives realising that didn't need make-up, money, mobile phones and alcohol to make them happy.

From begging to leave when they first arrived, to jumping into the arms of the sisters upon their return, all the girls admitted they had taken something positive away from the experiment.

REBECCA CHENG, 19, PODIUM DANCER FROM NEWCASTLE

Rebecca Cheng wanted begged to leave the convent when she first arrived, but soon became to reap the benefits of their way of life. She now wants to reconnect with her family

Rebecca was kicked out of school and her life was all about partying but her stint at the convent has made her focus on her future and she admits she had 'seen the error of her ways'.

Shunning the party lifestyle when she returns home, Rebecca is determined to embark upon a career as a carer after experiencing how much the nuns gave back to the community.

She enrolls in a practical health care course and attempts to make up with her father, who she had stopped speaking to before leaving for the convent.

'All the stuff you had done, I didnt want to be near you. At the end of the day I was just tired and angry at you all the time,' he tells as she promises to make more time for family.

GABBI RYAN, 21, LINGERIE MODEL FROM LONDON

Gabbi spent an entire month without her phone and make-up and realised that she didn't always need to look 'sexy'

Gabbi's worst nightmare was to be seen without make-up, and felt like her career as a lingerie model dictated the need to be sexy because 'sex sells and that is what she had become.'

But after a month without make-up - and her phone - the 21-year-old marked a new phase of her life by posting a no make-up selfie, although it still takes three hours to perfect.

Although still insecure about the way she looks, Gabbi feels like she is moving in the right direction. Commenting on her selfie, she says: 'I'm pleased I have done it. I am pleased about the message I am putting out.'

TYLA EDWARDS, 22, PODIUM DANCER FROM LEEDS

Shopaholic Tyla splashed out thousands of clothes but promises to swap shopping sprees for volunteering

Everything revolved around shopping for Tyla who spent up to 40,000 a year on clothes.

But the moment she returns home she clears out her wardrobe and hands an enormous bag over to a charity shop.

Tyla promises she has changed her ways - although she does buy a new fur coat before leaving the shop.

SARAH LAWRENCE, 19, CLUB HOSTESS FROM SURREY

Sarah was quick to admit how much she enjoyed being make-up free and not worrying about the way she looked

Sarah said she would struggle if she couldn't express herself through her looks and often spent 300 a week going out and getting drunk.

After a month away from her phone she admits that she doesn't need it as much as she used to and is quite happy to go make-up free.

Her friends are stunned at Sarah's makeover from glam to modest, and she shocks them when she volunteers to be a designated driver.

They beg for the 'old Sarah' but she remains determined to stop drinking on weekdays and begins to do chores at home.

PAIGE WALLACE, 23, SECRETARY FROM BRISTOL

Paige still has an addiction to tattoos but makes sure her next one is a dedication to the nuns from the convent

Party-girl Paige was more obsessed with her looks and known for her tattoos.

And while she can't remove the latter, the secretary vows to worry less about her appearance.

She dedicates a new cross symbol tattoo to the nuns - and they are thrilled at the addition as she tells them that it's a way to remember to stay on the right path.

It's revealed that she is saving up to go a travel abroad and do charity work.

Bad Habits, Holy Orders is available to watch on Channel 5 player
Known as a bible for members of the upper echelons of British society, Tatler has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to selecting the best connected people in the country to feature on its glossy pages.

And so their annual guide to the UK's most eligible singletons is sure to feature the cream of the dating crop.

The magazine has released its annual little black book comprising royalty, millionaires and one very dapper 'Maharaja'. Single men and women, take note!

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George Spencer-Churchill features among the eligible singletons rounded up by Tatler. Set to one day become the Duke of Marlborough, the old Harrovian boasts 'an adorable smile'

GEORGE SPENCER-CHURCHILL - Marquess of Blandford

Heir to the 187-room Blenheim Palace is 22-year-old George Spencer-Churchill, became Marquess of Blandford in 2014, following his grandfather's death.

Set to one day become the Duke of Marlborough, the old Harrovian boasts 'an adorable smile', according to Tatler, and is building a reputation for being a seriously impressive polo player having played alongside Prince Harry himself.

LADY KITTY SPENCER

Lady Kitty Spencer has been a regular in the pages of the society bible ever since she was first named as one of the country's most eligible singletons back in 2009. She has also graced the cover twice, so it is no surprise to see her on the list.

Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer also features on the list and with her model good looks and outgoing personality, it's little wonder

Kitty Spencer was in attendance at the Little Black Book party at LouLou's last night

Kitty, daughter of the Earl Spencer and niece of Diana, Princess of Wales, boasts a lineage stretching from pre-Tudor times and a family fortune of more than 100million.

Growing up with her mother Victoria Lockwood, the former model who was Earl Spencer's first wife, Kitty lead a relatively secluded childhood.

But since returning to London eight years ago she has become a firm fixture on the Mayfair social scene, rubbing shoulders with A-listers and royals alike.

She is recently single having split with divorced father-of-three Niccolo Barattieri earlier this year amid reports that they had fallen out over her hopes to marry and have children.

LADY ELIZA MANNERS

Eliza, 20, is the youngest of the notorious Manners sisters, who have previously been dubbed the 'Bad Manners' girls by their neighbours thanks to their penchant for a party.

Brought up in the enviable surroundings of Belvoir Castle, the seat of the Duke of Rutland, where her father David is the 11th Duke, the mischievous heiress is known for playing tricks on startled tourists at the site by hiding under the beds and curling up in enormous silver punch bowls.

Eliza, 20, is the youngest of the notorious Manners sisters, who are famed for their penchant for partying

The Manners sisters were among the guests at Tatler's party, which went on til 2am

All three sisters were known for their hard partying and enthusiastic dancing until dawn, as well as sharing risque snaps on Instagram.

Their mother Emma installed a nightclub, complete with smoke machines, when the family inherited Belvoir in 2002 and the family's 2 million West London home is known affectionately as 'the Pussy Palace'. The late-night antics and parties attracted constant complaints to the council.

MAHARAJA PADMANABH SINGH

Padmanabh, 19, is unofficially known as Jaipur's Maharajah, although Indian royalty was legally abolished under Indira Gandhi's government in the 1970s.

According to Tatler he wants to: 'clean up corruption, empower youth and work towards gender equality.'

Padmanabh, 19, is unofficially known as Jaipur's Maharajah, and has links to Hollywood

He is a well-respected polo player and his nobility has already earned him links in Hollywood. His godfather also just so happens to be Prince Charles.

Padmanabh, who studied at Millfield, is rumoured to be escorting Reese Witherspoon's daughter Ava Phillipe's to her debutante ball later this month.

Padmanabh is due to be her cavalier, or date, at the event in Paris.

LADY LOLA CRICHTON-STUART

The daughter of Formula One driver, Marquess of Bute, 17-year-old Lola is the youngest person in Tatler's little black book.

Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart is the youngest on the list and is just 17 years old

She recently completed her final year Bedales and plans to move to New York next year to take up a scholarship to study fashion design at Parsons, following in the footsteps of her mother Serena, who is also a designer.

The family have shunned their aristocratic title in favour of plain old Bute.

LOUIS SPENCER - Viscount Althorp

Described by the magazine as 'absurdly hot', Kitty's brother Louis is the second Spencer on Tatler's list of the most desirable singletons.

The 23-year-old cause controversy in 2015 when it was announced that he will inherit the vast Northamptonshire estate of Althorp, which has been in the Spencer family for centuries, despite being three years younger sister Kitty.

Kitty's brother Louis is the second Spencer on Tatler's list of the most desirable singletons

Father Charles Spencer has insisted he is 'totally relaxed' about the prospect of his eldest daughter taking over the deeds to the property and its associated land, but referenced the ancient traditions tied to the home.

And despite being given her father's blessing to take it over, Lady Kitty is more than happy to abide by the custom of the firstborn male child inheriting the estate.

ELLA RICHARDS

As granddaughter of legendary Rolling Stoles guitarist Keith Richards, it is no surprise that fellow singletons may be rushing to meet the in-laws.

The 20-year-old is making waves in the showbiz industry herself having appeared in high profile modelling campaigns for the likes of Burberry.

Ella is the granddaughter of legendary Rolling Stoles guitarist Keith Richards and starred in a Burberry campaign

Ella's father, Marlon Richards, son of Keith, is a photographer and graphic artist, and her mother is Lucie de la Falaise; a former model and niece of legendary Yves Saint Laurent muse Loulou de la Falaise.

The slinky, long-necked blonde was scouted by her mother's agency at the tender age of 15. She was named by the magazine as one of their 2017 English Roses - a definitive profile of Britain's 'new beauties'.

ALEX FLICK

Swiss-born Alex, 31, is the son of Countess Maya von Schonburg and billionaire Mercedes-Benz heir Mick Flick.

Alex Flick is the son of Countess Maya von Schonburg and billionaire Mercedes-Benz heir Mick Flick

Alex certainly has a creative flair; he has his own gallery, Unit9, is an artist and also a documentary film maker.

Describing the bachelor, Tatler says: 'He loves H20 in all guises, from the slopes of Gstaad to the seas of Mallorca.'

LADY ALICE ST CLAIR ERKSTINE

Lady Alice St Clair Erskine, 29, is the daughter of the Earl of Rosslyn. She spent her childhood between the St Clair family seat of Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh (used as a location in The Da Vinci Code) and boarding school in Berkshire.

She won an acting scholarship to the prestigious New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, then was cast as Kate Middleton in the 2011 US TV film William & Catherine: A Royal Romance (Alice has her own royal connections and counts Prince Harry among her friends).

Tatler describes Alice's 'lovely' voice as perfect for 'listening to her read poetry'.
Imagine a cocktail that you could drink all night and still wake up without a pounding headache or a stomach demanding that you pray to the porcelain god.

That fantasy may be a reality now thanks to the Lava Lamp Cocktail, which can be found at the Swannie's Lounge Bar and Restaurant in Southport, Queensland.

The $18 cocktail, created by owner Shane Finnegan, is a combination of gelatin, vodka, and peach Schnapps.

The $18 Lava Lamp Cocktail, found at Swannie's Lounge Bar and Restaurant in Southport, claims to be a cocktail you can drink without getting a hangover in the morning

But the true magic comes from a tiny Berocca tablet, which creates the bubbles in the Instagram-worthy drink and revitalises your body with vitamins B and C.

Finnegan, 30, told Daily Mail Australia he also added a bit of apple juice in the drink to help with hydrating your body and make it truly hungover-proof.

'When you're drinking alcohol with anything that's going to rehydrate your body, it's going to lessen your hangover,' he said.

The magic comes from a tiny Berocca tablet, which creates the bubbles in the rink and revitalises your body with vitamin B and C

'You could drink vodka and Gatorade all night and you won't wake up with a hangover. It's something that people don't really think about.'

But vodka and Gatorade isn't much to look at - or taste. And Finnegan, who loves making crazy cocktails, wanted to create something both exciting and delicious.

The drink gets its name from the big bubbles that are created when the Berocca tablet reacts with the gelatin.

And although it may pack a medicinal punch, the Lava Lamp Cocktail is actually a refreshing drink.

'It's got a little bit of a citrus, and a little bit of peach and apple. So it's like a peach and apple iced tea almost,' Finnegan said.

As magical as the cocktail may sound, Finnegan warns that you can't follow it with a caste of wine and still assume you'll feel fine the next morning.

'But if you're drinking these all night and nothing else, you won't wake up hungover because it's rehydrating your body,' he added.

'It just depends on whether you stick with this drink or not, and how much you drink of other things. But absolutely this is a drink you can drink without getting hungover.'

The drink was created by Swannie's owner Shane Finnegan (pictured), who keeps things entertaining at the bar with his flare bartending skills

Finnegan said the drink has been a hit with customers so far, who love the flavour and refreshing taste.

If it's popular enough it may even get added to the restaurant's menu, a sure sign that a new cocktail has taken off.

Finnegan has been making crazy cocktails, like this one, for 10 years to keep things interesting in the hospitality industry

There are only 15 official cocktails on Swannie's menu, but Finnegan said he and his staff can do up to 200.

Finnegan, who took over the lounge six months ago, first tests out new drinks by posting them on Facebook.

'I just like to get creative,' he said. 'I've been in hospitality for 15 years.'

'A lot of people ask me how I could be in hospitality for such a long time, and it's cause I push myself to keep things interesting. If I get bored of one thing, I move on to the next.'

Finnegan also keeps things entertaining with flare bartending, which he has been doing for 10 years.

'It got to a stage where I wasn't progressing with bartending, and decided alright I'm going to do this with fire to keep it more interesting and exciting,' he said.

'Nine times out of ten, if I'm excited, then the customer will be excited.'

And not getting a hangover the next morning is definitely something to be excited about.
A young dancer says she was left 'hanging on by a thread' after being fitted with a pacemaker which should have saved her life - but instead infected her body with a deadly bug.

Traumatized Mikayla Meres, 21, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, shared shocking photos of herself fighting for her life in hospital, revealing how bacteria on the device sent her into septic shock and nearly killed her.

The dancer suffers from a condition which caused erratic heartbeat and forced her to give up the modern and contemporary dance she was passionate about aged 17.

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Shocking: Mikayla Meres has told how she was left clinging onto her life after a pacemaker that was supposed to cure a heart condition actually caused a deadly infection

End of the road? The former dancer, now 21, thought that being fitted for a pacemaker would cure a condition that caused her to suffer from shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat

Hopeful: Despite being full of optimism when she went into hospital for surgery in November 2016 (left), Mikayla (pictured right recently) developed a deadly infection 48 hours later

Doctors said surgery to implant a heart rate-regulating pacemaker might fix the problem and Mikayla hoped it would help her get back up on stage.

But within 48 hours of the operation last November Mikayla claims she was in agony and unable to move with endocarditis, an infection in her heart valve, which had turned septic.

Terrifying: This grab of a text send to her father from a sibling reveals just how bad Mikayla's condition was

Medics removed the device but that caused the infection to spread to the rest of her body, causing her to gain 40lbs of fluid and her vital organs to begin to fail.

Miraculously Mikayla defied the odds to battle back with the help of antibiotics and she finally returned home earlier this year after six months in hospital.

Tragically she is no longer able to dance due to ongoing problems with her heart, but has vowed to live life to the fullest - and wants to inspire others to do the same.

Mikayla said: 'The pacemaker was supposed to help save my life but instead it did the complete opposite.

'I was so optimistic going in to get it fitted. I thought I was finally on the right road and that it would really change things.

'But afterwards I started having pain at the pacemaker site and fluids were coming out.

'Within two days I was completely disabled - unable to move, eat, drink or go to the bathroom. Part of me knew I was dying.'

Mikayla had the pacemaker fitted at Florida Hospital Orlando and claims she was told staphylococcus bacteria on the device caused her ill health.

Dream big: As a young girl and a teen, Mikayla was an incredibly dedicated dancer, and hoped to continue contemporary and modern dance into adulthood

Devastating news: After surviving the deadly endocarditis infection, Mikayla has been told that she will likely never be able to dance again

Looking forward: Snapchat grabs taken by Mikayla before the surgery show just how determined she was that the pacemaker would 'fix her heart'

The end result: Mikayla has ended up being in and out of hospital for the last year, as she continues to recover from the horrific infection which nearly killed her

Confusion: Poor hygiene has been blamed for previous cases of endocarditis at other hospitals but it is not known what exactly led to the rare complication in Mikayla's case

Poor hygiene has been blamed for previous cases of endocarditis at other hospitals but it is not known what exactly led to the rare complication in Mikayla's case.

The hospital said it could not comment due to privacy laws.

Mikayla added: 'They said I shouldn't have survived it. They didn't believe I was going to.

'Now I'm trying to live my life more than I did before because it really scared me.

'I'm still in pain 24/7 but I have told myself I'm going to go to work and I'm going to do everything I wanted to do before this all happened.'

Mikayla loved contemporary, modern and lyrical dance through high school and enjoyed performing in shows in her hometown.

Heartbreakingly she was forced to give it all up after being diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome at 17.

The condition causes erratic heartbeat which left Mikayla feeling faint and short of breath, so she also had to study from home and cut her hours working as a barista.

Staying strong: Mikayla has this inking over her pacemaker scar in order to remind herself - and others - of just how strong she is

To the future: The former dancer is heartbroken to have given up her passion, however she says she is determined to continue living life to the fullest

Fighting: In addition to her heart problems, Mikayla also suffers from endometriosis and lupus

In addition to her heart problems the youngster suffers from endometriosis, a painful condition where the tissue lining the inside of the uterus grows on the outside.

She was diagnosed with lupus - where the immune system attacks its own tissues - in December and has suspected multiple sclerosis.

Despite her ailing health Mikayla has vowed to battle through the pain and plans to enrol in college to become a nurse or child psychologist.

She also dreams of one day being able to dance again.

Mikayla said: 'I loved being able to tell a story and express emotion through movement. It made me really happy.

'When I got sick I hoped that one day I would get better and start dancing again.

'I'm still hoping one day I'll find the right treatments that'll make it possible again.'

She added: 'I'm fighting for my life all the time and it is exhausting, but whenever you are at your lowest and don't believe you can last another second, you can.

'There were so many times when I thought, "I can't do this any more," but I am still here.

'I'm very very stubborn and I'm going to be here for as long as I physically can be. I'm not going to give up.'
Enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day, or with a family meal, isn't usually cause for concern, unless it leads to family problems or alcohol addiction.

Wellington-based mother, Justine Hamill quit drinking alcohol because she wanted her daughter, now 13, to grow up with a different experience of her as a mum.

The yoga instructor revealed to Seven Sharp she could see the effect it was having, particularly on her daughter.

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Wellington-based mother, Justine Hamill (pictured) has stopped drinking because she wanted her daughter, now 13, to grow up with a different experience of her as a mum

'They were noticing, "oh mummy's bought home a bottle of wine, oh mummy's having another glass of wine. And when mummy gets past two or three glasses of wine, she's not there anymore. She's not emotionally available".'

'I was putting my need to escape pain or chase desire before her needs or the needs of my family,' Ms Hamill said during her emotional interview.

While Ms Hamill doesn't embrace the term alcoholic as such, she said she considered her dependence on three glasses of wine a night problematic.

'I was putting my need to escape pain or chase desire before her needs or the needs of my family,' Ms Hamill said during her emotional interview

A new study out of the United Kingdom has just revealed that children whose parents drink are twice as likely to drink themselves (stock photo)

Ms Hamill's daughter, Ruby, said she became aware, and increasingly more worried, about her mother's drinking five years ago.

She admitted to seeing her Ms Hamill 'dizzy and and weird' and asking a friend at the time what was wrong with her mum.

Ruby's distress at the situation even led her to throwing out all of Ms Hamill's wine from time to time because she wanted her 'to change and to stop.'

A new study out of the United Kingdom has just revealed that children whose parents drink are twice as likely to drink themselves.

The research also suggested that even seeing a parent slightly tipsy means kids can feel anxious, embarrassed or unsafe.

Ms Hamill, who hasn't had a drink for 14 months, said life is much different now, and at the end of the day she'll choose a cup of tea, rather than a glass of wine, as a way to relax and unwind.

Ruby has also noticed how much her mother has changed since she has been sober.

'She's more emotionally available now. I can trust her now and I don't have to worry about her poisoning her body,' she said.
She's known for her impeccable sense of style so it's no surprise Brigitte Macron has been providing a masterclass in the glamorous way to do modesty fashion as she visits Abu Dhabi with her husband.

Mrs Macron has joined the French President on an official trip and today paid a visit to one of the nation's most important religious sites, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

She cut a stylish figure in a white tuxedo trouser suit and went barefoot in accordance to custom.

The 64-year-old covered her head with an elegant grey and white patterned silk scarf during the visit as a sign of respect.

Brigitte Macron provided a masterclass in chic modesty dressing as she donned a white tuxedo suit to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Mrs Macron covered her head with a grey and white silk scarf as a mark of respect

Mrs Macron listens to Emirati guides during a visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a major tourist site in the United Arab Emirates' capital and is one of the most revered Islamic sites in the UAE.

While his wife visited the Mosque, the President toured a French naval base, a sign of Paris' deepening military and cultural ties to Abu Dhabi.

Macron visited the naval base at Abu Dhabi's Port Zayed, which sits just across the waters of the Persian Gulf from the new Louvre Abu Dhabi, which he helped inaugurate Wednesday night. The museum's saltshaker-like dome sits in sight of the base.

A military band played 'La Marseillaise' and an honor guard met Macron before he boarded and walked through the French frigate Jean Bart.

Mrs Macron admiring the historic site, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the UAE

The president's was flying solo for the visit as her husband toured a naval base

President Macron and his wife yesterday visited the galleries of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a decade after his country signed an over $1.2 billion agreement to share the name and some of the artworks of the world-famous museum.

Museum officials say it also serves as a cultural bridge between the East and West.

However, the conservative mores of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital that's more buttoned-up than freewheeling Dubai, can be seen in the relative absence of pieces depicting nudity.

Mrs Macron looked chic and appropriate in a crisp white trouser suit
A sex addicted mother-of-four claims her 10-year obsession nearly killed her - but she still wants intercourse six times a day with her fiance.

Monique Price, 25, believes she has had sex over 1,000 times with more than 100 sexual partners and said she first became addicted to intercourse after having underage sex as a 15-year-old.

The 25-year-old, from St. Charles, Missouri, was diagnosed with multiple STDs after having 'constant and impulsive' unprotected sex - even while pregnant - and worried she was a bad mother.

But the mother-of-four turned her life around when a one night stand with stranger Brandon, 31, a forklift driver, turned into a proposal when he asked her to marry him and helped her overcome her spiralling addiction.

Monique Price, 25, from St. Charles, Missouri, believes she has had sex over 1,000 times with more than 100 sexual partners and still wants intercourse with her fiance six times a day

Medical assistant Monique, who is now speaking out to raise awareness and help others, said: 'Sex addiction is like a drug addiction.

'You will do anything to get that hit and you don't care how you get it or who you hurt along the way.

'It is just this uncontrollable urge that takes over your whole mind and body.

'I didn't realise what I was doing was dangerous because I was only thinking about myself.

'I was definitely a bad mother. I would put my children to sleep and then leave the house to have sex and wouldn't come back for days.

'Everyone in my family was angry with me and did not trust me at all.

'Even when I was pregnant with my fourth child, the desire for sex just get stronger because of the hormones and I would have unprotected sex with lots of different guys.

'I picked up STDs that could have killed my unborn child and still I didn't stop because my body didn't want me to.

'I was so stuck in a deep dark hole and didn't know how to get out. I thought my life was over.'

Monique, who is now speaking out to raise awareness and help others, is pictured with partner Brandon and their two-year-old baby. Monique describes her sex addiction as 'like a drug'

Monique reached breaking point and felt like her life was spiralling out of control. She was leaving her children in bed to go out and sleep with men

Monique said she was propelled into the dangerous world of sex addiction aged just 15 after she engaged in a group sex orgy with multiple different men - by pretending she was 18.

She first lost her virginity as a 14-year-old but claims when she went to her GP about her 'uncontrollable urges' she was told they were just teenage hormones.

After her group sex experience, she began regularly meeting older men she met online and lying about her age.

The then-teenager even snuck different men into the house when her parents weren't home and regularly engaged in phone sex and sent naked videos and photos of herself to people online.

She said: 'Brandon kept begging me to give up my sex addiction before I got myself killed but at the time I didn't see myself as a mother or wife material'

She said she also began engaging in regular lesbian and BDSM sex and filming pornography in order to satisfy her incessant desires.

Monique said: 'When I was a young girl I could feel my body having these uncontrollable urges and weird feelings. When I went to the doctor he told me it was teenage hormones.

'He asked me if I was sexually active but of course I lied because my mum was in the room.

'The first time I had sex when I was 14 it was so painful and I never thought I'd do it again.

'But then I started chatting to men online and I would lie about my age so that they would meet me.

'Having the orgy was a new and wild experience to me and after that I became absolutely addicted to sex and needed it all the time.'

Monique reached breaking point and felt like her life was spiralling out of control before things turned around in October 2016 when she met fiance Brandon, also from Missouri, on a dating website.

And eight months after the pair had a one night stand, he asked her to marry him in their hometown of St. Charles and promised to stand by her before the couple had a child together in July 2017.

And while Monique still battles the urge to have sex 'at least six times a day', she said Brandon has helped her break free from her sex addiction and instead focus on love, happiness and family.

The couple are now satisfied with having 'romantic and loving' sex sessions twice a week.

Monique said: 'When I met Brandon he wasn't like any other guy I had met before.

'He made me feel so safe and I fell in love with him straight away. He saved my life.

'I realised that he loved me because he wasn't like any other man I had been with before. He actually cared about me and wanted to start a family with me.

'Brandon kept begging me to give up my sex addiction before I got myself killed but at the time I didn't see myself as a mother or wife material.

'I even wanted to give our unborn baby up for adoption.

'But he made me realise my mistakes and helped me take back control of my life. He helped me start going to sex addiction therapy groups which I still attend now.

'He asked me to marry him and now we're engaged and have a baby together. He looks after my other three kids like they were his own. We are a real family.'
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Melania Trump once again stepped up her fashion game during a state dinner in Beijing on Thursday, donning an ornate Gucci fur trim dress with an ornate pattern reminiscent of traditional Chinese clothing.

The first lady, 47, exuded confidence as she strode in five-inch, baby pink stilettos, which matched the fur lining of her sleeves, next to her Chinese counterpart, Peng Liyuan.

Meanwhile, the White House communications director Hope Hicks, who has given Melania a run for her money in the style department over the past few days, appeared to take a step back in a very simple, slightly baggy outfit.

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Wowing: Melania Trump once again stepped up her fashion game during a state dinner in Beijing on Thursday, donning an ornate Gucci fur trim dress with an ornate pattern inspired by traditional Chinese clothing

Simple: Meanwhile, the White House communications director Hope Hicks, 29, who has given Melania a run for her money in the style department over the past few days, appeared to take a step back in a baggy outfit

Hope, 29, wore the bright pink garment underneath a plain black jacket with rolled sleeves. She kept out of the spotlight and was only photographed from the waist up, while Melania made a spectacular entrance with Madame Peng.

The two first ladies walked in with their husbands, Presidents Trump and Xi, for the occasion held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Melania might have gotten a bit of style inspiration from the actress Margot Robbie, who wore the same Gucci dress at the premiere of The Legend Of Tarzan in June last year.

Earlier on Thursday, the first lady also wowed in the style department in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown, thought to have cost at least $3,975.

She donned the floor-length number during a welcome ceremony also thrown at the Great Hall of the People, and while visiting a primary school with Madame Peng.

Melania happily took up a paintbrush and ink under the watchful eye of the young students at Banchang Primary School.

Stylish: The first lady, 47, exuded confidence as she strode in five-inch, baby pink stilettos, which matched the fur lining of her coat sleeves, next to her Chinese counterpart, Peng Liyuan

Arrival: Melania walked in with her husband, President Trump and President Xi Jinping, for the state dinner held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People

Group: Both first ladies followed as their husbands led the way into dinner on the second day of the Trumps visit

Sartorial: Melania and Madame Peng both wore black dresses with delicate floral pattern on the prestigious occasion

Careful: Melania lifted her dress slightly as she and President Trump made their way out after the state dinner in their honor

Staff: Hope wore the bright pink garment underneath a plain black jacket with rolled sleeves. She kept out of the spotlight and was only photographed from the waist up, while Melania made a spectacular entrance with Madame Peng

Hope has upstaged Melania on a couple of occasions during President Trump's trip around Asia

Hope Hicks has joined Trump on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines

Previously: Melania might have gotten a bit of style inspiration from the actress Margot Robbie, who wore the same Gucci dress at the premiere of The Legend Of Tarzan in June last year

As well as greeting the young students and joining in with some of their lessons, the VIP guests were also treated to a special, cultural performance from students.

Both Melania and Madame Peng were photographed smiling and clapping after the show, surrounded by a group of beaming schoolchildren.

While Melania was clearly in the spotlight during Thursday's state dinner, Hope has upstaged her on a couple of occasions during President Trump's trip around Asia.

The duo joined the president in South Korea on Wednesday to listen to his address at the National Assembly in Seoul.

Hope looked notably chic in a grey turtleneck sweater as she sat a few rows behind the mother of one, and just a few feet away from White House senior advisor Jared Kushner.

Visit: Earlier in the day, Melania also wowed in the style department in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown, thought to have cost at least $3,975

Official: Melania donned the stunning gown, thought to be Chinese-inspired, as she met with President Xi and his wife Madame Peng on day five of her and Donald's Asia tour

Outing: Melania also donned the floor-length number while visiting a primary school with Madame Peng on Thursday

The White House communications director cut a simple but chic silhouette in her sweater with puff shoulders. She wore her signature blowout during the event, and was seen tossing her long blond hair over her shoulder as she fixed her earpiece to listen to the commander in chief.

Melania also went for a classic look in an all-black outfit, featuring a black blazer cinched at the waist with a matching belt.

The first lady, who wore her hair in a blowout like Hope, was all smiles as she settled for her husband's address.

Hope is a former Trump Organization employee. She has in the past worked inside the Trump Tower and helped Ivanka grow her fashion line, before President Trump hired her away when he decided to run for president.

The communications director modeled the same chic sweater - and sassy blowout - in an image posted to the president's official Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon, which he shared in celebration of the one-year anniversary of his election win.

Sartorial: The style war between Melania and Hope waged on as the duo joined the president in South Korea on Wednesday, with Hope sitting behind Melania and in front of Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Classic: Although Melania was front and center as her husband addressed the National Assembly in Seoul, Hope certainly gave her a run for her money, looking incredibly chic in a grey turtleneck sweater

First lady: Melania went for a classic look in an all-black outfit, with a black blazer cinched at the waist with a matching belt

Duo: Hope (left), a former Trump Organization employee, cut a simple but chic silhouette in her grey turtleneck sweater with puff shoulders. Melania (right) was all smiles as she settled for her husband's address

Career: The current White House communications director is a former Trump Organization employee, who has in the past worked inside the Trump Tower and helped Ivanka Trump grow her fashion line before President Trump hired her away

Right-hand woman: Melania beamed at her husband, who applauded her from his seat

Thumbs up! Jared put his arm on Hope's shoulder as they both posed for a picture, taken aboard Air Force One and posted to the president's official Twitter account in celebration of the one-year anniversary of his election win. The image featured (left to right) White House Director of Social Media and Assistant to the President Dan Scavino, Jared, senior advisor for policy Stephen Miller, Hope, and Donald Trump

Hope and Jared both featured in the picture taken aboard Air Force One, which sees several key members of Trump's inner circle - including White House Director of Social Media and Assistant to the President Dan Scavino, Jared, senior advisor for policy Stephen Miller posing with their thumbs up while posing next to the president.

The group looks very cozy in the image; Jared can be seen with his arm casually resting on Hope's shoulder while Stephen has his arm around her waist, as they all smile happily for the cameras.

All three are traveling with President Trump during his 12-day tour of Asia, while his daughter Ivanka has remained at home in Washington, D.C. where she was pictured on Wednesday morning looking rather tired as she left the home she shares with husband Jared and their three children.

Ivanka, 36, stepped out of her house in the upscale Kalorama neighborhood, 7,000 miles away from her father and his closest aides, who include her 36-year-old husband.

Meanwhile: Back in Washington, D.C., Ivanka Trump, 36, stepped out of her house in the upscale Kalorama neighborhood, 7,000 miles away from her father and his closest aides, who include her husband, 36-year-old Jared

Meanwhile... As Ivanka stepped out of her D.C. home, Jared had traveled to Beijing, where he enjoyed tea with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster

The mother of three, like her stepmother, went for an all-black silhouette, with oversized black pants worn beneath a long black coat.

Her blond locks were tucked in a half updo, and Ivanka, who appeared slightly sleepy in the morning, carried an extra accessory, clutching a cup of morning coffee in her left hand.

She stepped out wearing light make-up and discrete pearl earrings, which matched the buttons of the black shirt she wore underneath her coat.

Ivanka finished off her outfit with black stilettos and a large black purse in which she had tucked away her belongings.

Official: Melania opted to wear a traditional floor-length gown as she attended a state banquet in Tokyo on Monday night, held to mark her husband's visit to Japan during the couple's 12-day trip around Asia

Aide: Although the first lady looked glamorous, she was upstaged in the style stakes by Hope, the 29-year-old White House communications director, who wore a much more unique tuxedo for the affair

Lost in thought: The first lady looked pensive during the event, which happened on the first stop of their trip around Asia. Hope also appeared contemplative in the room filled with dignitaries

Classic style: The White House communications director at some points managed to blend in amid a sea of fellow black suits

Natural: In contrast with her impeccable suit, Hope wore her hair down, bringing a relaxed touch to her glamorous outfit

On Monday, the ever-glamorous Melania faced some serious competition in the style stakes, once again courtesy of Hope.

Both women showed their support for President Trump while attending a state banquet in Tokyo, however while the first lady chose a very traditional floor-length gown for the occasion, Hope spiced things up a bit, ensuring she stood out from the crowd in a chic tuxedo.

Hope wore the tailored black suit with a traditional white tuxedo shirt, accessorizing the look with an oversized black bow tie worn at her neck at the event, which was hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, to mark Trump's visit.

Hope wore her long hair down in a blowout and added a splash of color to her monochromatic look with a slick of bold pink lipstick, finishing off her make-up with a smokey eye.

Greetings: Melania smiled as she settled for the state banquet hosted to mark her and her husband's visit in Japan

Family: Ivanka Trump also went to Tokyo last week (pictured) ahead of her father's visit. She was originally supposed to travel with him but ended up coming back before his arrival

In contrast to Hope's androgynous style option, Melania donned a bright red, floor-length gown with short sleeves on the occasion.

She paired the glamorous number with a low hairdo and diamond earrings, completing her outfit with a smoky eye.

President Trump, 71, who is on his first official visit in Asia, stuck to his classics with a black suit, though he did trade his trademark red tie for a blue one.

After his visit in South Korea, Trump and his entourage headed to China, where they are presently. The president previously traveled to Japan, and will later go to Vietnam and the Philippines.

His daughter Ivanka visited Japan last week ahead of his visit and also met up with Prime Minister Abe. She was originally supposed to travel with her father during his official visit, but ended up coming back to the US before his arrival to keep advocating for his proposed tax reform.
Model Edie Campbell has written a powerful open letter decrying sexual abuse in the fashion industry - saying the issue extends 'far, far further than one man'.

The former face of Burberry, 27, said the industry had reached a 'turning point' as stories of sexual abuse have emerged in recent weeks.

However, she expressed her frustration that the 'conversation has only focused on Terry Richardson', the high-profile photographer who was banned by Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair last month as allegations against him resurfaced.

She said that those who work in the fashion world 'operate within a culture that is too accepting of abuse, in all of its manifestations,' adding that those who 'turn a blind eye' are complicit in allowing the problem to continue.

British model Edie Campbell has written a powerful open letter about sexual abuse in the fashion industry, saying that the issue extends 'far, far further than one man'

The British model also emphasised that it wasn't just women who face sexual abuse in the fashion industry, but also men - suggesting it may be 'more difficult' for male victims to speak out.

In her open letter, published on WWD, she wrote: 'We operate within a culture that is too accepting of abuse, in all of its manifestations. This can be the ritual humiliation of models, belittling of assistants, power plays and screaming fits.'

She added: 'Although we may not all, as individuals, have actively contributed to this culture, every time we turn a blind eye, our silence perpetuates that culture. Our inaction makes us complicit.'

Her letter comes after her fellow model Cameron Russell posted a series of anonymous testimonies about sexual harassment that has taken place in the fashion industry on Instagram.

She expressed her frustration that the 'conversation has only focused on Terry Richardson', the photographer who was banned by Vogue last month

Sharing her open letter on Instagram, Edie wrote: 'Anyone who has a story to share, please get in touch. We are listening'

Referring to the stories shared by the former Victoria's Secret model, Edie wrote: 'Since Cameron Russell enlisted the help of many fashion people to share the stories of sexual abuse she had been sent - anonymously - by other models, the conversation has only focused on Terry Richardson.'

She added that the more 'complex truth' was that the models who shared their stories 'were not all talking about the same photographer.'

Several of those who shared their stories recounted having their genitals or breasts touched without consent during a photo shoot, and being told that rebuffing advances would harm their careers.

Others said photographers pleasured themselves in front of them, or asked for oral sex.

The letter comes after fellow model Cameron Russell posted stories of sexual harassment on her Instagram account

They included an anonymous assistant recounting how a photographer had masturbated in front of her (left) and a model being groped by a photographer (right)

In several cases, the models being harassed were in their teens, and one of them even revealed a photographer insisted on taking photos of them naked even though they knew the model was underage.

Meanwhile, celebrity photographer Terry Richardson was banned from working with several major fashion magazines last month amid resurfacing sexual harassment claims.

Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair are among those who were told to 'kill' any scheduled shoots with the snapper by parent group Conde Nast International.

Richardson, 42, has been the subject of widespread allegations of sexually abusing models over his lengthy career - accusations he has constantly denied.
Wyoming regulators took a surprising step Tuesday, proposing changes to how coal companies secure the cost of cleaning up their massive mining operations in the state.

Two years ago, amidst a sharp decline in the coal market and a slate of bankruptcies, multiple groups were clamoring for state and federal regulators to end self-bonding for the insolvent companies. The too-big-to-fail firms had guaranteed clean-up costs with a financial fitness test. Then they had failed, with a combined $1.6 billion in cleanup costs unsecured.

The debate over self-bonding heated up during the bankruptcy proceedings, then fizzled as companies were obligated to replace self-bonds with more secure forms of insurance as part of their restructuring plans. But the question of self-bonding going forward was still unanswered.

The states proposed changes, released with little fanfare, dont go so far as to end self-bonding, but they do make it harder to qualify.

Fitness test

State regulators downplayed the influence that the bankruptcies had on their rule-making process. But the downturn did highlight some problems and outmoded practices for bonding rules that were largely written in the 1980s, a very different time for coal and for the financial markets, said Kyle Wendtland, land quality administrator for the Department of Environmental Quality.

The changes in the draft proposal, particularly on self-bonding, bring the rules into the modern era, he said.

Its not that we took a different stance on self-bonding, he said. Its that we evaluated it in todays market place and said this would be a way to make sure the state of Wyomings risk are addressed in moving forward.

In short, the proposal revises its financial fitness test for companies that want to self-bond. Instead of offering income statements and balance sheets to prove they can self-bond, companies will be judged by their credit rating from financial firms Moodys Investor Service, Standard and Poors or Fitch Ratings. It is a forward-looking assessment, whereas the current rules call for the state to look at how the company had been performing in the past.

The state is also proposing that a secondary company cant be the guarantor for self-bonds, which is allowed right now. Either the company operating in the PRB or its parent company is on the hook. Even if a company has a strong credit rating, meanwhile, it can only self-bond up to 70 percent of its obligation, according to the proposed rule changes.

Challenges

Industry, lawmakers and conservation groups were given a heads up on the states plan to revise its bonding rules earlier this year, and most are at ease with the process so far.

A spokeswoman for the largest coal company in the state, Peabody Energy, had not examined the state proposal by press time. She deferred comment to the Wyoming Mining Association.

The company has fully replaced its self-bonds in Wyoming with more conventional insurance options. But in the March announcement when the company said it would replace its $728 million reclamation obligations with insurance, Peabody CEO Glenn Kellow said self-bonding was not out of the question at a future date.

Is limited self-bonding a part of the new normal for coal? Travis Deti, executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association doesnt think so. He defended Wyoming companies reclamation accomplishments during the bankruptcies and financial downturn.

But the coal sectors very bad year did raise some valid concerns for the state, and an update to the rules is a fair approach, Deti said.

The DEQ has a responsibility to protect the state, and our operators respect that, he said. We are going to work with the public process to craft a rule that works.

Wyoming regulators were under pressure during the downturn and criticized for not acting quickly on self-bonding. Companies reached deals with the state to continue operating without secured bonds until they had finished their bankruptcies. Wentdlandt defended his agencys choice.

Certainly there were challenges for this agency and the state, he said. I think weve proved that it was the correct way.

The proposed rule changes are seen as a favorable compromise for conservation groups, though ideally the state would simply end self-bonding, said Connie Wilbert, chairwoman of Wyomings Sierra Club.

We just dont think that it is appropriate, Wilbert said, noting that if a company could not afford traditional insurance, they shouldnt be in the business.

The proposals show that Wyoming has learned a lesson from the downturn in the coal sector, when companies with self-bonds to the tune of millions of dollars were in financial freefall, she said.

I think last year was a real wake up call, she added.

The tremendous financial pressure of the downturn is off, but long term health in the coal sector is uncertain at best, and Wyoming is proposing to be more careful about how companies secure reclamation costs.

The draft changes will go before the Land Quality Advisory board at a meeting in Gillette on Dec. 6, before the state invites official public comment.
The daughter-in-law of the late Lord and Lady Lucan has launched her own range of country clothing.

Danish-born Anne-Sofie Foghsgaard, who married George Bingham, 8th Earl of Lucan, in January last year, has designed a range of clothing for outdoor pursuits.

The eye-catching pieces include a three-toned Norfolk jacket for 895 and a vibrant 1,200 coat.

Business venture: Danish-born Anne-Sofie Foghsgaard, who married George Bingham, 8th Earl of Lucan, in January last year, pictured, has designed a range of outdoor clothing

Town to country: The eye-catching pieces from Lucan include a three-toned Norfolk jacket for 895 and a vibrant 1,200 coat, left. Right, a ladies cape which retails for 750

The brand, Lucan, comes from her husband's family name, which became synonymous with scandal when the former Lord Lucan disappeared from his Belgravia home in 1974 after their nanny was bludgeoned to death.

Lord Lucan was the prime suspect.

His wife Lady Lucan, 80, was found dead at the same property in September this year. She had been estranged from George, 50, and her daughters Frances, 52, and Camilla, 47, for more than three decades before her death.

Anne-Sofie, who has the tile the Countess of Lucan but is known to her friends as 'Fie', is a professional 'gun' who runs a bespoke shooting agency and has competed in the sport for Team GB.

Family history: George's father Lord Lucan, left, disappeared from his Belgravia home in 1974 after their nanny was bludgeoned to death. Right, Lady Lucan, who died in September

Her passion for the sport has inspired the collection but she insists it has been given a 'contemporary twist' that will work 'whether you're bagging pigeons on an estate or heading out to a film premiere or after-party.'

A quote from the countess on the brand's website reads: 'These are clothes that can take you straight from competitions to black-tie dinners.

'It's "event dressing" that goes far beyond shooting. They're incredibly versatile.'

Early memories: George, now the 8th Earl of Lucan, pictured with his parents aged three

Lady Lucan was one of the last people to see her husband John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan, alive before he vanished after the body of Sandra Rivett, nanny to his three children, was found at the family's London home on November 7, 1974.

Following Lord Lucan's disappearance the children continued to live with their mother but custody was transferred to their uncle Bill Shand Kydd and aunt Christina in 1982 when Lady Lucan suffered a mental breakdown.

Last year a High Court judge granted a death certificate allowing his son to inherit his title, but this has provided neither resolution nor a conclusion to the mystery.
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium put on a loved-up display as they continued their tour of India today.

The royal couple, who are on a week-long visit to the country, held hands and stared lovingly into each other's eyes as they donned traditional Bindis for a welcome reception in Mumbai.

They flew in hours earlier from New Delhi, their first pit stop on the seven-day tour which aims to boost relations between the two countries, with a focus on ramping up investment and trade.

Mathilde looked far younger than her 44 years in her pretty pastel suit, one of three outfit changes for Belgian queen consort in less than 24 hours.

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Mathilde does Mumbai! The Belgian queen consort wore pretty pastel suit, one of three outfit changes in less than 24 hours, as she took husband Philippe's hand

Quick change! Earlier, the mother-of-four donned a maroon lace dress from Natan (pictured) as she watched a Handwash song at a UNICEF activity

Glamorous Mathilde wore the light jacket over a smart pleated shirt, completing her look with a grey box clutch and oversized pearl earrings.

Earlier, the mother-of-four donned a maroon lace dress from Natan, and a black and white statement frock, as the couple continued their tour of the west coast city.

They were greeted by Governor of Maharashtra, and also got the chance to see a UNICEF Handwash song activity followed by a singing ceremony.

The Belgian royals arrived in India overnight on Sunday to kick off their week-long tour of the country.

After being snapped stepping onto the tarmac in New Delhi on Sunday night, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe kicked off their schedule of engagements with a visit to one of the jewels in India's crown, the Taj Mahal, on Monday.

Still in love: The royal couple, who are on a week-long visit to the country, held hands and stared lovingly into each other's eyes as they donned traditional Bindis for the welcome reception in Mumbai

Busy day: The couple flew in hours earlier from New Delhi, their first pit stop on the seven-day tour which aims to boost relations between the two countries, with a focus on ramping up investment and trade

The Belgian royals were greeted by Governor of Maharashtra (second left), and also got the chance to see a UNICEF Handwash song activity followed by a singing ceremony

The pair are treated to a live music performance as they continue their tour of the west coast city. They arrived in India overnight on Sunday to kick off their week-long tour of the country

They looked affectionate as they posed for photographers on the bench outside the building, with the King placing a hand on Mathilde's as they sat side by side, and putting his arm around her as they stood for another shot.

On Tuesday, the Belgian royals enjoyed a VIP welcome when they travelled on to New Delhi.

The couple were greeted on the red carpet by President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after arriving in the bustling capital.

The pair also visited an official singing ceremony on Thursday. After being snapped stepping onto the tarmac in New Delhi on Sunday night, the couple kicked off their schedule of engagements with a visit to , the Taj Mahal, on Monday

Working mother: Glamorous Mathilde is mother to Princess Elisabeth, 16, Prince Gabriel, 14, Prince Emmanuel, 12, and Princess Eleonore, nine

Still going strong: The Belgian-born royal became queen following the abdication of her husband's father, King Albert II, in 2013

Continuing their tour on Wednesday, Mathilde and Philippe, 57, stopped by the Women Empowerment art event in Dakshinpuri, New Delhi.

The royals were greeted by hoards of well-wishers as they arrived at the exhibition, which runs until November 24.

Mathilde is mother to Princess Elisabeth, 16, Prince Gabriel, 14, Prince Emmanuel, 12, and Princess Eleonore, nine.

The Belgian-born royal became queen following the abdication of her husband's father, King Albert II, in 2013.
Ivanka Trump decided against wearing her coat despite the frigid temperatures on Thursday morning, to better show off her quirky tasseled top on her way to work.

The first daughter, 36, stepped out of her house in Washington, DC, braving the 47-degree weather with bare arms.

While she has in the past favored high-end designers such as Oscar De La Renta and Carolina Herrera, Ivanka, whose combined net worth with husband Jared Kushner is estimated to reach $740 million, opted for a much cheaper alternative today, in the shape of her $50 Zara top.

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Not cold? Ivanka Trump decided against wearing her coat despite the frigid temperatures on Thursday morning, to better show off her quirky tasseled top on her way to work

Doing her own thing: The first daughter, 36, stepped out of her house in Washington, DC, braving the 47-degree weather with bare arms

The simple life: Ivanka, whose combined net worth with husband Jared Kushner is estimated to reach $740 million, opted for a much cheaper alternative in the shape of her $50 Zara top

Accessories: Ivanka carried her usual oversized black purse from her eponymous fashion line in addition to her black coat, which she kept inthe crook of her arm for the brief outing

She paired the dark green shirt with matching cropped pants and black high-heeled mules, in which she walked barefoot, apparently not minding the incredibly chilly temperatures.

Never one to miss the chance to support her own eponymous fashion line, Ivanka carried her usual oversized black purse from the collection, in addition to her black coat, which she kept on the crook of her arm for much of the brief outing.

Luckily, she only had a few feet to go until she could step inside her Secret Service SUV waiting for her outside of her home in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama.

The first daughter traveled on a solo trip to Japan last week to discuss female entrepreneurship, and promptly came back to the US to advocate for her father's proposed tax reform.

Meanwhile, her husband, who is also 36, has tagged along with President Trump, 71, First Lady Melania Trump, 47, White House Director Of Communications Hope Hicks, 29, and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, 35, during the commander in chief's first official visit in Asia.

Details: She paired the dark green shirt with matching cropped pants and black high-heeled mules, in which she walked barefoot, apparently not minding the chilly temperatures

Reflecting: Ivanka appeared lost in thought as she made her way out of her house in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama, where she moved after her father's election

Monochrome: The first daughter opted to wear dark green from head to toes on Thursday

Simple: Ivanka wore her long hair in a classic low ponytail, letting her top take center stage

Holding down the fort: Ivanka is back in Washington, DC with her three children while her husband travels with her father on an official visit across Asia

Cozy: Luckily, she only had a few feet to go until she could step inside her Secret Service SUV waiting for her outside of her home in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama

Staying strong: Later on in the day Ivanka stepped out for a meeting at the offices of Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn in the same outfit, this time appearing forget a jacket altogether

Brrrr! Although she seemed to be heading outside into the cold, Ivanka kept her arms bare

The president and his entourage began their visit in Japan and South Korea and are currently in China. They will later visit Vietnam and the Philippines.

Jared has been pictured during several official functions, including a bilateral meeting held by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Kinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.

The senior White House adviser was also seen the previous day sipping tea with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster before Presidents Trump and Xi arrived for a Chinese opera performance at the Forbidden City.

Also on Wednesday, Jared was featured in a photo posted to the president's Twitter account to mark the one-year anniversary of his election.

He can be seen in the pictured posing next to White House Director of Social Media and Assistant to the President Dan Scavino, senior advisor for policy Stephen Miller, President Trump himself, and Hope.

The group looks very cozy in the image; Jared can be seen with his arm casually resting on Hope's shoulder while Stephen has his arm around her waist, as they all smile happily for the cameras.

Spotted: Jared has been pictured during several official functions, including a meeting held by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Kinping on Thursday in Beijing (pictured)

Visit: The senior White House adviser was also seen the previous day sipping tea with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster before Presidents Trump and Xi arrived at the Forbidden City

Thumbs up! Jared put his arm on Hope Hicks' shoulder as they both posed for a picture, taken aboard Air Force One and posted on Wednesday to the president's official Twitter account in celebration of the one-year anniversary of his election win. The image featured (left to right) White House Director of Social Media and Assistant to the President Dan Scavino, Jared, senior advisor for policy Stephen Miller, Hope, and Donald Trump

Meanwhile: Back in Washington, D.C., Ivanka stepped out of her house looking slightly tired on Wednesday and clutching a cup of coffee

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Ivanka was pictured looking rather tired as she left the home she shares with her husband and their three children.

The mother of three went for an all-black silhouette, with oversized black pants worn beneath a long black coat.

Her blond locks were tucked in a half updo, and Ivanka, who appeared slightly sleepy in the morning, carried an extra accessory, clutching a cup of morning coffee in her left hand.

She stepped out wearing light make-up and discrete pearl earrings, which matched the buttons of the black shirt she wore underneath her coat.

Ivanka finished off her outfit with black stilettos and a large black purse in which she had tucked away her belongings.

While the first daughter hasn't tagged along on her father's official trip, her six-year-old daughter Arabella has certainly done her part to help the president win over President Xi and the people of China.

After arriving in Beijing on Wednesday, President Trump took out a tablet computer and proudly showed off a video of the girl singing in Mandarin and reciting ancient Chinese poetry while meeting with Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

In the video, Arabella can be seen wearing a traditional silk embroidered Chinese dress while addressing the country's president and first lady as 'Grandpa Xi' and 'Grandma Peng', bowing in respect as she offers a greeting to the camera.

Family: President Trump on Wednesday showed Xi a video of Ivanka and Jared's daughter Arabella, six, singing in Mandarin and reciting ancient Chinese poetry

And again: Arabella also played a starring role at the state dinner organised by Xi in Trump's honor at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday night, when the video was played in full

Arabella also played a starring role at the state dinner organised by Xi in Trump's honor at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday night.

The full video, which Trump brought as a gift for Xi, was played on screens in the room, earning her a mention in her grandfather's toast.

'Our children so often remind us of our shared humanity and true dignity,' Trump, 71, said.

Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, was filled with praise for Arabella's performance Thursday, though it was unclear how many comments related to Trump's visit had been censored.

'She's too cute!' users gushed. 'Let's hope that she marries into a Chinese family.'

Others made light of the fact that apparently no one can avoid the arduous task of memorizing ancient Chinese poetrynot even the US president's granddaughter.

It's not the first time Arabella has played a role in Sino-American diplomacy.

When Xi visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida resort in April, Arabella recited for Xi the 'Three Character Classic', a time-honored text from the Song Dynasty that was also included in her latest clip.

Ivanka has said in interviews that her children have a Chinese nanny who teaches them Mandarin.

The mother frequently posts videos of Arabella speaking or singing in Chinese to her social media accounts, and she brought her daughter to a Lunar New Year event organised by the Chinese embassy in Washington.
Shamed actor Kevin Spacey has found a lone defender in the form of veteran journalist and author Gay Talese, who has described himself as being 'so sad' the actor's career is over.

Speaking at the annual Library Lions Gala an New York City Library, Talese, 85, told Vanity fair he 'hated' actor Anthony Rapp for making allegations that 'ruined' Spacey's career.

He added, according to Vanity Fair: 'So, O.K., it happened 10 years ago . . . Jesus, suck it up once in a while!'

'I would like to ask Spacey how it feels to lose a lifetime of success and hard work all because of 10 minutes of indiscretion 10 years or more ago.'

'You know something, all of us in this room at one time or another did something we're ashamed of. The Dalai Lama has done something he's ashamed of.'

It is not clear if Talese, author of 13 books, was aware of any other allegations against Spacey when he made the comments.

Talese has reported for The New York Times and is best known for his landmark profile of Frank Sinatra, a 15,000-word epic which appeared in Esquire in 1966 and is widely regarded as a model for the expansive and self-consciously literary 'New Journalism' of the '60s and '70s.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Gay Talese for further comment. #

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Veteran journalist and author Gay Talese, 85, told Vanity Fair he felt 'so sad' about Kevin Spacey's demise during a party at New York City Library

Shamed actor Spacey, now 58, was accused of making inappropriate sexual advances to Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp who was 14 at the time

Kevin Spacey's behaviour has come under the spotlight since Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp, 46, alleged Spacey made inappropriate sexual advances toward him in 1986, when he was 14.

Spacey, 58, responded by saying he doesn't remember the encounter but if he acted the way Rapp alleges, 'I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.'

He also spoke publicly for the first time about being gay, which draw backlash from some observers as an attempt at deflection.

Since Rapp made his allegations, Spacey has been hit by at least 13 other claims, with eight men on the record and another six revealing their run-ins with the actor anonymously.

Rapp claimed he was at a party at Spacey's apartment when the actor climbed on top of him and made sexual advances

Accusers: Harry Dreyfuss (L) and Daniel Beal (R) are among the 14 men accusing the Glengarry Glen Ross actor of unwanted advances

Others accusing Spacey include Richard Dreyfus's son Harry, who said in a November 4 BuzzFeed piece that Spacey grasped at his genitals - with his father in the room - in 2008 in London at Spacey's apartment there.

Harry wrote, 'Kevin Spacey is a sexual predator. But I still never thought talking about it seriously was ever an option.'

A filmmaker named Tony Montana, speaking with USA TODAY November 1, said the American Beauty actor 'grabbed my whole package ... hard' at a bar in Los Angeles fourteen years ago, telling him at the time, 'This designates ownership.'

Talese is best known for his epic profile of Frank Sinatra and a founding father of the 'new journalism'

And on Wednesday, a bartender named Daniel Beal revealed to the DailyMail.com of a run-in he had as a 19-year-old bartender serving the K-PAX actor at a hotel in West Sussex.

Beal said of Spacey: 'He pulled my hand towards his crotch area, and then as I said, 'What the hell are you doing,' he could not get his genitalia out quick enough.'

Beal said Spacey ultimately gave him a $6,500 watch in what he perceived to be an effort to keep him quiet about the alleged assault.
With the weather getting colder and the holidays just around the corner now is the time to start planning your winter getaways to warmer locales. While planning a trip may be stressful, figuring out what to pack doesn't have to be!

We chatted with Ariana Stein and Charlotte Lewis, the founders and designers behind celeb-beloved resort wear brand Paloma Blue, to get the scoop on all your vacation needs.

Here, the design duo reveals how the brand became such a hit with stylish stars and their top tips for packing like a pro!

Design duo: We chatted with the founders and designers Ariana Stein and Charlotte Lewis behind celeb-beloved resort wear brand Paloma Blue to get the scoop on all your vacation needs

Ariana and Charlotte met over 5 years ago while on holiday in Ibiza. The duo instantly bonded over their 'mutual love of resort wear and obsession of the Gypset lifestyle.'

But it wasn't until they realized there was a gap in the market for a luxury resort brand that was versatile enough to be worn beyond the beach.

'We wanted to create a collection that was the perfect travel wardrobe, lightweight and of course easy to pack,' said Ariana. And in 2014 Paloma Blue was born.

Model Behavior: Victoria's Secret models Jasmine Tookes, 26, (left) and Shanina Shaik, 26, (right) are both fans of the brand's resortwear

Since it's launch 3 years ago, Paloma Blue has become a go-to source of vacation clothing for stylish stars thanks to their unique prints and flattering silhouettes.

Fashion-forward celebs like Taylor Hill, Shanina Shayik, Morgan Stewart and Vanessa Hudgens became instant fans and are often seen sporting the brand.

'We would LOVE to see Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gigi and Bella Hadid in Paloma Blue!' said Charlotte.

Off-duty style: Taylor Hill, 21, rocked a printed Paloma Blue tank on a night out in LA

'While we do take a lot of inspiration from vintage shapes and prints, one of our biggest sources are the special one-off finds from our travels around the world,' said Ariana.

With Charlotte adding, 'Wherever we go, we always try to make time to visit the local markets. Favorites include the Ibiza Hippy Market, the Rose Bowl Flea market in LA, the Souk in Marrakech and of course Portobello Market.'

When it comes to packing for your next trip, their biggest piece of advice is rolling your silk items! 'It's the best way to avoid any creases and it truly works,' said Charlotte.

'And of course to pack light, leaving extra room in your bag in case you stumble upon great shopping and cool markets wherever you are headed next,' added Ariana.

Style stars: Vanessa Hudgens, 28, (left) and Morgan Stewart, 29, (right) have both been spotted in the brand's chic designs

Their top five pieces to have in ther carry-on bags to travel with ease include: an organic hand sanitizer,Mario Badescu Aloe and Cucumber Facial Spray, a Dr. Jart hydrating face mask, a cashmere scarf to snuggle up in and of course a phone charger!

If you were to shop one piece from the line for your next getaway, Ariana suggests getting the Luna dress because it is 'a very versatile piece, that's super lightweight and easy to pack.'

While Charlotte prefers the Galaxy pants, which are 'the perfect travel trouser that pair perfectly with everything from our Auruora Blouse to a basic tee.'

SHOP THE CHIC TRAVEL BRAND NOW
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Holly Golightlys of the world no longer need to stand outside the famous jewelry store with a pastry and cup of coffee at hand to have breakfast at Tiffany's unless, of course, they are on Holly's budget.

This week, Tiffany & Co. is opening a lavish new cafe at its Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City, where shoppers can stop for a very fabulous bite to eat just feet away from some of the priciest diamond jewelry money can buy.

Naturally, the entire Blue Box Cafe is decorated in the store's signature Tiffany blue, with everything form the walls to the chairs to the plates being splashed in the pretty hue.

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The one thing we got: Tiffany & Co. has opened up a restaurant at its Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City

Truly one-of-a-kind! The Blue Box Cafe is the first restaurant of its kind

What a gem: The tables are set with Tiffany silverware and plates dipped in a Tiffany blue gloss

That signature hue! All the walls are blue, including a marble one with blue flecks

Putting his touch on it! Chief artistic officer Reed Krakoff, who joined the brand in February, designed the space

Opening officially on Friday, the first-ever Blue Box Cafe is on the fourth floor of the store, with windows overlooking Central Park.

Chief artistic officer Reed Krakoff, who joined the brand in February, designed the space, which features robin's egg blue walls, including one luxe all-marble wall with flecks of blue.

The booths and chairs are all done up in the color, as are the plates and salt and pepper shakers.

Only the tables are not in blue but made with engraved zinc, which vice president creative director Richard Moore told Vanity Fair are meant to be scratched and worn-in.

Set in the walls, too, are displays, set up like the small windows facing the street and filled with Tiffany jewelry and home goods.

The cafe is 'yet another reason to visit our new fourth floor, and we hope it will draw customers up to experience the artfully composed home of Tiffany's new luxury home and accessories collection of elevated everyday objects,' Moore added.

Dreams come true: Fans of the beloved 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's can now actually eat there

Shop 'til you drop: The restaurant had a launch party on Wednesday, in which the store's new home goods were also on display

The in crowd: Actresses Olivia Wilde (left) and Riley Keough (right) were there to celebrate

Pricey jewels: Olivia wore $530,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. diamonds, while Riley wore $14,250 worth of her own

Funa and games: Olivia also spent some time playing with a Tiffany ping pong set

'Design of the space began from the idea of immersion in Tiffany  not only the feeling of being inside a blue box, but surrounded by Tiffany hospitality,' he went on.

Any fans looking to recreate Audrey Hepburn's breakfast might be disappointed to learn that there are no Danishes on the menu, the pastry she eats in the film. There are, however, croissants, which can be ordered as part of a prix fix breakfast.

According to a menu printed by Eater, breakfast will set patrons back $29 and includes coffee or tea, a croissant, and a choice of bagel with lox, avocado toast, truffle eggs, and a buttermilk waffle.

Lunch, which is $39, comes with a choice of starter and entree, the later of which includes flatbread, salad, and salmon. The Tiffany Tea, for $49, includes finger sandwiches and sweets.

Olivia Wilde and Riley Keough were both on hand for the launch event on Wednesday night as well. Olivia wore $530,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. diamonds, while Riley wore $14,250 worth of her own.
Australian pre-schools with alternative learning have enjoyed an unexpected surge in interest and enrolment after Prince George's first day at kindergarten.

The little prince melted hearts worldwide when he was snapped nervously entering the school gates in September - but it was his school's Montessori Method of education which captured the attention of countless parents.

Since Prince George, four, began his schooling career at Thomas's Battersea School in south London, an institution which favours the Montessori approach, local preschools have received an influx of interest - with some parents even registering their unborn children.

The little prince melted hearts worldwide when he was snapped nervously entering the school gates in September - but it was his school's Montessori Method of education which captured the attention of countless parents

Since Prince George, four, began his schooling career at Thomas's Battersea school in south London, an institution which favours the Montessori approach, local preschools have received an influx of interest

Jan Fletcher, committee member at Maroondah Montessori Preschool, told the Herald Sun she has noticed an upsurge in enrolment never seen before in the Victoria classrooms.

'Since we heard Prince George started at a Montessori Nursery this number has gone up significantly, with maybe 10 inquiries a week,' she said.

She also said there had been a huge increase in traffic on their website.

'We have even had a few inquiries from parents who have not yet given birth who wish to place their child on our waiting lists  something that was unheard of in the past.'

A spokeswoman at Bankstown Montessori in Sydney also confirmed to Daily Mail Australia enrolments were 'looking really healthy' since Prince George began school but said: 'Not a lot of people said it was a royal interest'.

'It's mostly because of an interest in the Montessori philosophy and a dissatisfaction with normal education,' the spokeswoman said.

Jan Fletcher, committee member at Maroondah Montessori Preschool, (pictured) told the Herald Sun she has noticed an upsurge in enrolment never seen before in the Victoria classrooms

Many Australian schools have adopted Prince George as the unofficial ambassador for Montessori preschools

A spokeswoman at Bankstown Montessori in Sydney also confirmed to Daily Mail Australia enrolments were 'looking really healthy' since Prince George began school but said: 'Not a lot of people said it was a royal interest'

And many Australian schools have adopted Prince George as the unofficial ambassador for Montessori preschools - with Montessori Invercargill in New Zealand using the royal's name in advertisements to promote the school to parents.

The Montessori Method of education was developed by Italian educator Dr Maria Montessori and is based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood.

It differs extensively from the traditional approach to early childhood schooling and encourages pupils to develop life skills, with children, aged three, cutting up fruit and those aged only four writing long-form stories.

Children typically attended Montessori schools for four years and age groups are often mixed together so they can learn from each other.

According to Northside Montessori school in Pymble, the learning approach is a 'holistic, caring and nurturing educational environment that develops in each child the self-confidence and inner security to learn independently.'

The Montessori Method of education was developed by Italian educator Dr Maria Montessori and is based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood (Pictured is Thomas's Battersea school)

Children typically attended Montessori schools for four years and age groups are often mixed together so they can learn from each other (Prince George pictured)

According to Northside Montessori school in Pymble, the learning approach is a 'holistic, caring and nurturing educational environment that develops in each child the self-confidence and inner security to learn independently' (Stock image)

However, the Montessori method at Thomas's Battersea school drew controversy after it was revealed Prince George - and other pupils - are allegedly discouraged to form tight-knit 'best friendships' because it goes against the ethos of equality and kindness.

Advocates of Montessori education claim the method is the future of schooling.

'The movement was here before Prince George enrolled,' said Aisling Farley, head of education and training for I am Montessori in Brisbane.

'The amount of Montessori Long Day Care centres with waitlists, the amount of new centres opening, and the huge Family Day Care movement proves that supply is coming for that demand and those who do not take the parents of today's children seriously will be left behind.'

There are 300 Montessori schools and centres in Australia and 22,000 worldwide and is offered for children as young as eight-weeks-old to age 18.
The most premature baby ever born is defying doctors' expectations with her incredibly strong health three years on, according to a new medical report on the unprecedented case.

The little girl was born at 21 weeks and four days in San Antonio, Texas, in 2014.

Her mother Courtney Stensrud, now 35, had been hospitalized with a common placental infection and ruptured membranes at just three months pregnant, and was told she had to deliver immediately to avoid losing the baby.

Lying in the maternity ward, Stensrud remembers frantically searching on her phone for examples of any other babies born at 21 weeks, to no avail.

But now, against all odds, the little girl who weighed just 15 ounces at birth is thriving, attending pre-school, has no medical conditions, and is scoring just as well on developmental tests as any other child her age.

The report on this case comes just days after new data from The March of Dimes revealed that the premature birth rate in the US has increased for the second year in a row following nearly a decade of decline.

The little girl (pictured at birth) was born at 21 weeks and four days in San Antonio, Texas, in 2014 after her mother Courtney Stensrud, now 35, was hospitalized with a common placental infection. She was so small they could loop her father's wedding ring around her arm

'If you didn't know that she was so preemie, you would think she's a normal three-year-old,' Stensrud told CNN.

'In her school, she is keeping up with all the other three-year-olds. She loves playing with other kids. She loves everything I think a normal three-year-old likes. She loves her baby dolls, she loves books, and she loves make-believe. She loves anything and everything her (older) brother is doing.'

Analyzing the case in Pediatrics today, Stensrud's doctors said this is just one example and not all premature births have such positive outcomes - but this story can be used as a benchmark to learn from to avoid future preterm birth fatalies.

'We have to be very cautious about generalizing one good outcome to a larger population,' Stensrud's neonatologist at Methodist Children's Hospital Dr Kaashif Ahmad told CNN.

'It is very possible that there have been many 21-week babies resuscitated in other places that did not have positive outcomes, and for that reason, we haven't heard about them,' he said. 'We reported this case because after this resuscitation she did well, but it may be possible that this is just an extraordinary case and that we shouldn't expect the same from other babies. We have to learn more before we can make any conclusions.'

The new report explains that Stensrud's hospitalization was triggered by a common infection called chorioamnionitis, or intra-amniotic infection, which affects the placental membrane.

The infection is an inflammation of the fetal membranes, typically caused by a bacterial infection stemming from the vagina.

If contracted later in the pregnancy, it can affect the birth by prolonging labor.

But in Stensrud's case, it meant premature labor.

After the little girl was born, small enough to loop her father's wedding ring around her arm, she was blue.

Dr Ahmad admits he did not have high expectations that the baby would survive, and had never resuscitated a baby so premature.

They placed her under a heating device, put in a breathing tube and monitored her heart rate. Gradually her body turned pink and she began to breathe.

While Stensrud has asked not to publish current pictures of their family to protect their privacy, she said she was keen to share their story to give other mothers hope.

Preterm birth rates were higher in minorities living in low-income areas including states in the deep south and Puerto Rico

'I don't tell her story a lot, but when I do, people are amazed,' she told CNN. 'If there's another woman in antepartum that is searching Google, they can find this story and they can find a little bit of hope and a little bit of faith.'

Premature births rose to 9.8 percent in 2016, up from 9.6 percent in 2015, according to data published last week by The March of Dimes.

The data revealed large racial and geographic disparities in that nearly 50 percent of black women were more likely to deliver preterm than white women.

Researchers said the racial gap was largely driven by inequalities in health care, jobs, education and housing between white women and ethnic minorities.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death in the United States and is linked to a range of lifelong disabilities and chronic conditions, including cerebral palsy and asthma.

A pregnancy normally lasts 40 weeks. Preterm birth is classified as any time before the 37th week.
Drinking a psychedelic Amazonian brew could improve your sense of wellbeing and fight away depression, a new study has concluded.

Ayahuasca, which contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT) - illegal in the UK and US, may also offer a way of tackling alcoholism.

The shamanic drink, subject to controversy in recent years, has been blamed for the deaths of several young tourists flocking to South America.

But adults who consumed the beverage, which has reportedly been used for 5,000 years, were found to have a higher sense of wellbeing.

While British scientists also discovered the potent jungle tea was more effective in reducing alcohol intake for those who are reliant on the bottle.

The research, led by a team from Exeter University and University College London, is believed to be the biggest yet to look into the effects of ayahuasca.

It was based on data from around 96,000 people across the world who took part in the Global Drug Survey - regarded as the world's most in-depth drug report.

Ayahuasca, which contains dimethyltryptamine - illegal in the UK and US, may also offer a way of tackling alcoholism

The findings back up the reported benefits of the hallucinogenic drug, including its ability to fight Alzheimer's and eating disorders.

Lead researcher Dr Will Lawn, from UCL said: 'Recent research has demonstrated ayahuasca's potential as a psychiatric medicine.

'And our current study provides further evidence that it may be a safe and promising treatment.

'These findings lend some support to the notion ayahuasca could be an important and powerful tool in treating depression and alcohol use disorders.

'This study is notable because it is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest survey of ayahuasca users completed to date.'

Indigenous people of South America have long used the brew in spiritual ceremonies.

Ayahuasca comes from a blend of the Psychotria Viridis bush (pictured) and the stems of the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine

WHAT IS AYAHUASCA? Scores of hipster tourists flock to South America all year round to try the plant-based drink, which induces a hallucinogenic 'trip' stronger than magic mushrooms. The effects of ayahuasca start 30 to 40 minutes after oral intake, with a peak occurring one to two hours later. Most people describe a pleasant (although not always easy) experience, which may include changes in perception (mostly visual), deep introspection, revival of seemingly forgotten autobiographical memories, and mood boost. The trip lasts four to six hours. Advertisement

But tourists have been flocking to the rain forest to try the reportedly foul-tasting drink, called 'la medicina', for themselves.

It typically causes someone who has just drunk it to 'purge' or vomit up the drug, sometimes violently. It then induces intense hallucinations, lasting several hours.

Ayahuasca comes from a blend of the Psychotria Viridis bush and the stems of the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine.

In recent years, the medical community has become increasingly interested in the psychedelic brew's effects.

For the new study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers used the Personal Wellbeing Index for the participants.

The tool, used by researchers around the world, asks about personal relationships, connection with the community and a sense of achievement.

Of the respondents, 527 were ayahuasca users, 18,138 used magic mushrooms or LSD and 78,236 did not take psychedelic drugs.

Despite the positive effects, the survey showed long-term users of ayahuasca are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness.

And, according to the survey data, they still drank an amount considered hazardous - raising their risk of cancer and liver and heart disease.

Ayahuasca was rated as less pleasant and with less of an urge to use more of it than LSD or magic mushrooms.

Its hallucinogenic effects usually lasted for six hours, and were most strongly felt one hour after consumption, the data showed.

Professor Celia Morgan, of Exeter, warned it is 'critical' that the short and long-term effects of ayahuasca are thoroughly investigated.
Israel is set to become the worlds third biggest exporter of medical cannabis, as the global market is set to reach $33 billion in the next seven years.

Its government has estimated sales abroad would rake in $1.1 billion a year for the Middle Eastern country.

Bio-tech companies based there are preparing to expand production of the drug to meet rising global consumer demand.

One is Breath of Life Pharma (BOL), which is about to open the world's largest medical marijuana grow-house and research centre in central Israel.

The one-million-square-foot facility will allow the firm to store enough medical cannabis to supply the entire US, according to its chief executive Dr Tamir Gedo.

He estimates that BOL will produce 80 tons  more than 175,000 pounds  per year, according to a news statement on its website.

BOL is about to open the world's largest medical marijuana factory in central Israel

Hundreds of unique strains of plants are monitored around the clock in computer-controlled, camera-patrolled, password-secured greenhouses

It comes after Israel's government gave the go-ahead in February to legislation permitting export of the drug.

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel has previously said that by next year the country will join the Netherlands and Canada as global cannabis suppliers.

BOL is not alone in its ambitions  it is one of eight licensed firms seeking to position Israel as a global hub for medical cannabis research.

Global leader in research

Israel was among the first countries to legalise medical marijuana, although it remains illegal for recreational use.

It is one of just three, along with Canada and the Netherlands, to have a government-sponsored cannabis program. Israel is already a global leader in research and development into the drug for medical use.

The Ministry of Health has approved 150 research proposals, 35 of them clinical trials. More than 50 US companies are doing medical marijuana research in the country.

An employee inspects growing cannabis plants in a greenhouse operated by BOL  growing cannabis for medical use demands careful supervision of active ingredients

An Israeli employee prepares marijuana at a BOL centre, the country's second-largest medical cannabis plantation, near Kfar Pines in northern Israel

Trials are currently underway at Jerusalems Shaare Zedek Medical Center to test the effects of cannabinoids on 120 autistic children and young adults, the first of its kind worldwide.

Earlier this month, it was announced Hebrew University will investigate the benefits of non-psychoactive cannabis components for treating asthma and other respiratory conditions.

There are about 140 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, with THC (the psychoactive component) and CBD, which has anti-inflammatory properties, of most interest to researchers.

CBD is the focus of much of Israels flourishing medical cannabis research on diabetes, heart disease, autism, fracture healing and inflammatory bowel disease.

The Israelis have also been investigating the drug's ability to treat epilepsy, post-traumatic stress, cancer tumours, the side effects of chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Tourette's syndrome, among others.

'The Ministry of Health in Israel has channelled a lot of energy here in order to examine all the evidence based medicine, and is willing to take that approach,' Dr Gedo told The Times of India.

'Other ministries of health around the world are hesitant.'

WHAT IS THC AND CBD? Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is best known for being the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It is this ingredient that gets you high. Unlike THC, cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive. In other words, it cant get you high. THC has also been linked to anxiety and mental health problems. Isolated, CBD has the opposite effect, often calming people down, hence what makes it so appealing as a medicine. Both have drawn the attention of the medical community but it is CBD that has attracted most. Advertisement

One of a few facilities worldwide

BOL's new centre has a 35,000-square-foot plant, an 8,000-square-foot storage room, 30,000 square feet of grow rooms and labs, and a million square feet of cultivation fields.

With its moat, wall, barbed wire, armed guards and security cameras, the facility could be mistaken for a military base if it weren't for the pungent odour of marijuana in the air.

Like newborns in an incubator, hundreds of unique strains of plants will be monitored around the clock in computer-controlled, camera-patrolled, password-secured greenhouses.

Here the firm is able to break down the cannabis plant to extract different chemical compounds, called cannabinoids, for use in research and medicine.

There are about 140 of these, the most well-known ingredients are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

There are few facilities that can carry out the extraction process worldwide, Dr Gedo said, and most can only do it on a small scale.

BOL is hoping to capitalise on the growing global demand for medical marijuana

BOL's expansion plans were boosted after the Israeli government gave the go-ahead to exports of the drug in February

Legislation

Medical marijuana, while still controversial, has garnered increasing support in the medical community. But biotechs will be held back from fully capitalising on the global demand, given that the drug is still illegal in most countries.

There are currently just 29 that recognise some form of medical cannabis.

In the US, the use, possession, sale, cultivation, and transportation of marijuana is illegal under federal law. However 29 states, have legalised some form of medical use and allow doctors to prescribe the drug to patients.

BOL plans to apply for 'investigative new drug' status from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) next year. Such approval would open up a huge market.

Research suggests that CBD may be helpful for certain health issues, but it doesn't cause you to get high

However, earlier this month, the FDA cracked down on marijuana products marketed as cancer cure.

The agency has sent a letter to four companies, slamming their claims that patients can treat life-threatening tumours  and even prevent Alzheimer's  by using cannabis oils and creams.

In the UK, cannabis is still illegal in the UK, but its drug's watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), last year ruled CBD should be classed as medicine.

It had looked at the ingredient because a number of manufacturing companies had been making 'overt medicinal claims' about products.

Now products used for medical purposes that contain CBD must be licensed before they can legally be supplied in the UK.

Meanwhile, medical marijuana producers and pharma companies are attempting to stay ahead of the game and make their mark overseas by scrambling to form collaborations and lobbying governments.

CANNABOIDS CAN KILL TUMOURS IN LEUKAEMIA A compound in cannabis is 'significantly' effective in destroying cancerous tumours in leukaemia, research in June suggested. A study found that combining existing chemotherapy treatments with cannabinoids  the active chemicals in cannabis  had better results than chemotherapy alone. The findings suggest that a lower dose of chemotherapy can be used on patients, minimising side effects of the treatment, say researchers. Furthermore, scientists discovered that order the treatment was administered was crucial - using cannabinoids after chemotherapy resulted in a greater death of the blood cancer cells. Lead author of the study, Dr Wai Liu, from St George's, University of London, said: 'We have shown for the first time that the order in which cannabinoids and chemotherapy are used is crucial in determining the overall effectiveness of this treatment.' Advertisement

Authorities are 'too slow'

However, drug firms hoping to break into markets say cautious authorities in the US and Britain are too slow to act.

Israel-based pharma company iCAN held CannaTechUK, the UK's first ever cannabis medical conference, in London last month, in a bid spark further interest and debate around the issue.

Founder Saul Kaye told Mail Online: 'Much of the US and especially the UK are woefully behind the curve in helping patients who could greatly benefit from using cannabis based products for numerous ailments such seizure disorders, MS, PTSD, chronic pain, Parkinsons, crohns disease, and to mitigate the effects of nausea from chemotherapy.

'Israel is a place where the science of cannabis is forward looking not looked down upon.

'Israels Ministry of Health has approved well over 100 research proposals and has tens of clinical trials now happening.

'More than 50 US companies are doing medical cannabis research in Israel because they simply cant do them in the US but they do not want to miss out in the incredible financial opportunities that await in this burgeoning industry.'
In August, the Billings Public Schools superintendent notified the community through his newsletter that a Seattle architectural firm and A&E Architects Engineers will be collaborating on a facilities master plan.

I hope the new plan does not result in identifying sites for new construction or schools for closure. Our next facilities master plan needs to address long-term plans for maintenance and operations of our schools using a no-interest building reserve.

In 2012, when the last FMP identified the need for new space to address overcrowded classrooms at K-8, the school board was reassured by Superintendent Terry Bouck that there would be no closures and that the plan would be revisited before the second middle school was built to ensure that enrollment and other assumptions were met . Unfortunately, the second school was built despite the fact enrollment projections were not met.

Most importantly, the district never established an oversight committee linking finances to staffing, operations, and maintenance allowing transparency and oversight. The 2012 BPS FMP was not tied to an independent feasibility study, only a one-page internal document, created by then chief financial officer Leo Hudetz.

SD2 must now operate and maintain five middle schools with K-8 enrollment more than 600 students fewer than orgininal Cropper/McGibbon projections.

The enrollment bubble is now passing through the high schools that are in dire need of updates and repairs. All highs schools have historically housed far more students, but the buildings are overdue for updating and renovations. Fielding Nair, an internationally respected planning firm, visited BPS in 2011 and suggested low-cost improvements in existing spaces to increase capacity and allow existing schools to better handle enrollment bumps/dips. A no-interest building reserve could fund those improvements; a more realistic solution than building another new building which Billings cannot staff or maintain. Passing a bond would be a much more expensive long-term commitment adding millions in interest.

Major decisions regarding schools have been short-sighted. For instance the closing/reopening of Beartooth School, which cost more in transportation and closing/opening costs than had it remained opened. New school construction is surrounded by politics with far-reaching impacts including benefits to nearby development.

Some school funds, including transportation, are rarely factored into costs because they are permissive (non-voted) levies. This should not be the case because these funds are clearly still part of the cost. Permissive levies grew this year as the 2017 Legislature backfilled state education dollars by shifting costs back to the local taxpayers.

I will always be an advocate for public schools and support school levies which are capped by enrollment numbers, but I will not always support bonds, because of the highly political nature of school siting and the kids and families who usually lose out when schools close.

Our community would be best served by having all schools modernized and upgraded via the use of an interest-free building reserve levy. Many Montana communities keep building reserve levies in place to upkeep their schools. We, instead, let our schools get in poor shape, then use dilapidated school condition, showing pictures of old heating units, leaking ceilings, etc., to request a bond to build new schools and serve sprawl. In the future, we should demand a commitment to taking care of our existing schools before considering any plan that calls for building new.

Until BPS comes to terms with how to make the needed improvements in existing buildings and sustainably support staff and operations/maintenance, I will not support building more new schools. If BPS comes to understand the importance of taking care of what we have, then I will support their plan.
Older mothers, obesity and a fear of childbirth are driving record numbers of caesareans, according to experts.

Last year almost 28 per cent of women who gave birth had a caesarean, a three-fold rise since the 1980s.

This included 12 per cent who had a planned caesarean  one in eight - the remainder had one as an emergency.

The figures from NHS Digital are the highest since records began in 1980.

They also show that only half of women who gave birth last year went into labour naturally, 55 per cent.

Last year almost 28 per cent of women who gave birth had a caesarean, a three-fold rise since the 1980s, according to NHS figures

The remainder were either induced as doctors were worried they were late or had a planned caesarean.

What was behind the trend?

Doctors said the trend was due to the rise in older and obese mothers who tend to have more complex labours.

Many of these women are advised to have planned caesareans to avoid life-threatening complications during the delivery.

But the figures also reflect the fact that rising numbers of women are choosing to have caesareans because they are so scared of having a natural childbirth.

Some had terrifying ordeals with their first baby and were in labour for several days on overcrowded maternity units.

Denise: Family traumas put me off Denise Van Outen was so affected by the traumatic experiences of her family and friends that she decided not to risk a natural birth. The actress and presenter, 43, chose to have a caesarean with her daughter Betsy, now seven, whom she raises with ex-husband Lee Mead. My sister had two very traumatic births that ended in an emergency C-section and it put the fear of God in me, she said. And when I got pregnant, I was so stressed. I went for an elective caesarean because my mum almost died giving birth, I saw what my sister went through and I was so scared. Her best friend was also rushed to hospital after complications in a home birth. On ITVs Loose Women show in August, Miss Van Outen also told how she still felt guilty for not trying for a natural birth. Advertisement

New guidelines

In 2011 the health watchdog Nice acknowledged this fear and issued new guidelines stating hospitals were obliged to offer these women caesareans.

Shortly before this guidance was introduced some hospitals were reporting a 40 per cent increase in the numbers of women asking for the procedure in one year.

THE BENEFITS OF NATURAL C-SECTIONS Women who have natural caesarean sections bond more with their babies and are more able to breastfeed, doctors said in June. Childbirth experts are increasingly advocating the technique, which mimics normal birth by allowing the baby to emerge slowly at its own pace, without being pulled straight out by a doctor. The approach, which is also known as a gentle C-section, involves mothers watching as their baby is born through a small surgical incision, without a sheet to stop them seeing the op. The child has to wriggle and force itself through the gap, as it would in an ordinary birth. Doctors said women given slow caesareans bond better with their children, because they can hold them without having them whisked away to be cleaned up. Dr Felicity Plaat, a consultant anaesthetist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London, revealed the technique is safe Advertisement

Edward Morris, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: 'These figures reflect the increasing number of complex births due to rising maternal age and obesity, together with more women with pre-existing medical conditions having babies.

'Together these factors increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and a more complicated labour, resulting in medical interventions such as the need for planned or emergency caesarean sections, instrumental vaginal deliveries and induced labours.'

What else did the figures show?

The figures show that 12.1 per cent of women had a planned or 'elective' caesarean in 2016/17, up from 11.5 per cent in 2015/17 .

In 2006/7 the proportion was 9.5 per cent and in 1980 just 4 per cent.

Only 55 per cent of women in 2016/17 went into labour spontaneously, the remainder had caesareans, were induced or there was no data.

The National Childbirth Trust, (NCT), the UK's largest parenting charity, said women were being induced too quickly when they could have waited.

Women are normally induced if they go beyond two weeks past their due date although it varies between hospitals.

Abi Wood, from the NCT, said: 'While it can feel frustrating to go past a due date, this is only an estimated time.

'Pregnant women can always talk to their midwives about options including the risks and benefits to them and their babies of inductions, caesareans and waiting longer for spontaneous labour.'

THE COSTS OF A C-SECTION There will be a lot of people in the operating room. The anaesthetic (usually a single needle in the back that works within 5 to 10 minutes) can drop your blood pressure, give you the shakes and you can feel sick  not good when you are lying flat on your back. You feel movement, and in a small number of women the block is incomplete, that is, uyou feel pain or sharp tugging and have to be put to sleep. The recovery time is longer than a vaginal birth (a few more days,) and you have to stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours afterwards compared to six hours after a vaginal delivery. The scar is numb for many months but does eventually heal completely so you are unaware of it. Advertisement
Half of GPs want to fine patients for not showing up to their appointments, a survey has found.

They want to impose charges of 10 a time to teach patients to take more responsibility for their actions.

Around 17 million appointments are missed a year  around 5 per cent of the 340 million consultations which take place annually.

Two years ago Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called for patients to be fined to encourage them to take 'personal responsibility' for wasting time.

This latest survey of 821 GPs by Pulse magazine found that 51 per cent backed the fines.

Half of GPs want to impose charges of 10 a time to teach patients to take more responsibility for their actions

Only 37 per cent were opposed and the remaining 12 per cent unsure.

The doctors were not asked how much patients should pay but several suggested 10 for every missed appointment.

But professional bodies oppose the fines and fear they will penalise vulnerable patients, including those with dementia or mental health problems.

Instead, they want surgeries to text patients the day beforehand reminding them of the appointment date and time.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'We understand why GPs and our teams get frustrated when patients don't turn up to their appointments, and are looking for ways to reduce these occurrences, but we don't believe charging a penalty is the answer.

'GP practices across the country are already implementing some successful schemes to reduce missed appointments, from text messaging reminders to better patient education and awareness posters detailing the unintended consequences of a patient not attending.

GP APPOINTMENT TIMES IN BRITAIN GP appointments in Britain are shorter than in most of the worlds other rich nations, a study revealed yesterday. Patients in the UK have average appointment times of 9.22 minutes, according to Cambridge University researchers. In a league table of appointment duration, Britain comes 29th out of 67 nations, behind most other wealthy countries including the US, Australia, France, Spain, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. Even countries such as Peru, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland and Croatia have longer GP appointments than the UK, the study found. Leading doctors said the standard ten-minute consultation is no longer fit for purpose and NHS patients are getting a raw deal. Patients in the UK spend less than half the time with their GP than those in Sweden, where average appointments are 22.5 minutes, and the US, where they are 21.07 minutes. Even Bulgarian patients get 20 minutes of face-to-face time with their GP. Those at the bottom of the table included some of the worlds poorest countries  Pakistan, where patients typically get 1.79 minutes, and Bangladesh, where appointments last two minutes. Advertisement

'Fining patients for not attending an appointment will adversely affect the most vulnerable in society, and implementing the necessary systems to do this will only continue to overburden GPs and their teams by adding more bureaucracy when we are already facing intense workload pressures.'

A spokesman for the British Medical Association said they had 'consistently' opposed charges, partly because they would be 'cumbersome' to implement.

They added: 'Those who may be most likely to miss appointments, particularly vulnerable patients, may also be the people who would be exempt from fines and fining them is not the way to address some none attendance issues.'

A GP in north-west Surrey said: 'When some services appear free, some patients do not always appreciate the true costs to provide that service.'

Another doctor from West Kent said: 'We cannot continue to pretend that this is not a problem.'

Yet some GPs were relieved when patients didn't show up with one describing missed appointments as a 'saviour.'

The BMA has previously estimated that 5 per cent of appointments are missed although in some surgeries the proportion is 1 in 10.

They are extremely frustrating for the majority of patients who keep their appointments, particularly if they have been made to wait several weeks.

The average patient now waits 13 days to see a family doctor, up from ten days in 2015.

In 2015 Jeremy Hunt said he would consider imposing fines for patients who missed GP or hospital appointments.

He said: 'We are very stretched for resources.

'I don't actually have a problem in principle with the idea of charging people for missed appointments. I think in practical terms it could be difficult to do.'
BIOGRAPHY

JOAN: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF JOAN LEIGH FERMOR

by Simon Fenwick (Macmillan 25)

Which rather lucky woman managed to catch and keep hold of Patrick Leigh Fermor, the dashing travel writer who, while in Crete during World War II, famously managed to kidnap a Nazi general and was awarded an OBE for his heroism?

It was a woman called Joan. Not the most exotic of first names, but Joan Eyres Monsell, born in 1912, the daughter of Sir Bolton and Lady Eyres Monsell of Dumbleton Hall, Worcestershire, was not only stunningly pretty  'a beautiful ideal, with the perfect bathing dress, the most lovely face, the most elaborate evening dress', as one suitor described her  she also stood out from the upper-class beauties of her day in that she supplemented her mean rich father's allowance by earning her living.

She, like Leigh Fermor, was a roaming spirit, and the two beautiful people were, this book shows us, made for each other.

The life of Joan Leigh Fermor (pictured) is told in a new biography which looks at her marriage to author Patrick Leigh Fermor and her upper-class upbringing

The smart boarding school Joan attended, St James's Malvern, mainly taught her how to curtsy, but did have the redeeming feature of a photographic studio  and it was here that Joan acquired the skill in architectural photography that would become her means of liberation.

As a talkative, funny, clear-minded girl about town, she became friends with many of the top non-sporty men of her generation: Cyril Connolly, Evelyn Waugh  and John Betjeman, for whom she provided photographs for his Architectural Review.

Literary critic Connolly was more than half in love with Joan all his life and made many passes at her, to which she occasionally succumbed.

Reading this chatty, charmingly digressive and gossipy biography feels like spending an evening with that very crowd  everyone talking about who's currently going to bed with whom, and it's as often men with men as men with women.

Considering that active homosexual activity was a criminal offence, it's impressive how much of it was merrily going on in the Thirties and Forties.

Joan's brother, Graham, was known to be 'a pansy', much to the horror of their square father.

Sir Bolton does not come out of this book with great credit: he and Lady Eyres Monsell warmly invited Ribbentrop to Dumbleton for the shooting in 1936.

Ribbentrop presented them with a pair of dark-blue curtains embroidered with a swastika, and invited them to the Berlin Olympics later that year, where they met Hitler.

Joan first had to go through a wrong marriage before meeting Mr Right. Her first husband, John Rayner, was a journalist; they shared a love of 'places, nature, music, art, reading, wine, good food . . . and cats'.

Joan (pictured right) exchanged love letters with Patrick (pictured left) during his stay in Normandy following their meeting in 1944

What could go wrong? Well, straight after the honeymoon, John became gravely ill with typhoid, and Joan had a miscarriage, which didn't help.

But mainly, the war broke out. Joan trained in encryption and worked at the embassy in Madrid. She and John drifted apart. It was in Cairo in October 1944 that Joan met 'Paddy' Leigh Fermor; he was then in a relationship with a French woman called Denise, who was pregnant with his child, which she aborted.

She was insanely jealous, suggesting that Paddy needed to be kept on a leash like a Dachshund and accusing him of being so unfaithful that he didn't just need a cinq a sept (a room for brief sexual encounters), but also a sept a neuf, neuf a minuit and another for midnight till dawn.

73 The number of cats Joan Leigh Fermor had when she died Advertisement

The attraction between Paddy and Joan was instant. So many love affairs in this book seem about as brief as the flame from a burning envelope and you expect this one to be  but somehow, miraculously, it lasts. The two were apart a great deal, but in their case, absence did make the heart grow fonder.

While Paddy was staying in a monastery in Normandy, supposed to be thinking monk-like thoughts that he would eventually put into his masterpiece A Time To Keep Silence, he was also writing sexy letters to Joan: 'At this distance you seem about as nearly perfect a human being as can be, my darling little wretch, so it's about time I was brought to my senses.'

And: 'Don't run away with anyone or I'll come and cut your bloody throat.'

She tantalised him with descriptions of Cyril Connolly making passes at her; but she, like Denise, sounded a rather desperate note when she wrote: 'I got the curse so late this month I began to hope I was having a baby and that you would have to make it a legitimate little Fermor. All hopes ruined this morning.'

It would be another 20 years until Paddy and Joan eventually married in a register office in 1968, and they never had a child. Joan had to satisfy her maternal cravings by being a devoted and attentive aunt.

Joan and Patrick (pictured together) remained dependent on each other despite his affairs during their relationship

In her commonplace book, Joan quoted Rilke: 'The good marriage is one in which each appoints the other as guardian of his solitude.'

There was always part of Paddy and Joan that shied away from crowding the other out.

During their long relationship, he did have one or two affairs, notably one with John Huston's wife Ricki, who was killed in a car crash in 1969.

But fundamentally, Paddy and Joan depended on each other, in spite of occasional terrible rows.

Paddy wrote in his diary when they were staying in Xanthi in Greece in the early Sixties: 'Terrible row with Joan, like a storm breaking after an oppressive day. Now I'm alone in the square, she in tears in her room, both utterly miserable.'

JOAN: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF JOAN LEIGH FERMOR by Simon Fenwick (Macmillan 25)

It's slightly shocking to see the way in which aesthetic types of those days thought it fine to sponge off their wives.

Being a published author, Paddy did not totally sponge off Joan, but when it came to their great dream of building a house in Greece, the money came from her. It was a stunning house overlooking its own little bay.

It had a beautiful library and countless cats  Paddy called them 'the down-holsterers' because of the harm they did to the furniture.

'What is time for?' Betjeman wrote to them in a letter. 'To make things as beautiful as possible, as you have.'

In 2003, aged 91, Joan said to her friend Olivia Stewart, who was visiting: 'I really would like to die but who'd look after Paddy?' Olivia said that she would.

A few minutes later, Joan fell, hit her head  and died instantly of a brain haemorrhage.
When I read and hear about the acrimonious debate that is raging these days on Vande Mataram (India's national song), I remember my childhood when we used to sing the song at our school, besides singing the Lord's prayer, 'Our Father, Who arts in Heaven...' Had I not sung that song and the prayer, would I have been a better Muslim?

Certainly not. Truth is that I am a better Muslim because I remained firmly glued to my Indian roots.

Muslims should not get carried away by a few lines of the song as nobody is asking them to bow down. They must, again, take a cue from Maulana Azad.

Sanity

As an Indian Muslim who caters to the voices of sanity and reason, my head hung in shame as I got the news of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLA Waris Pathan refusing to sing Vande Mataram.

Manlana Abul Kalma Azad, Indian scholar and the senior Muslim leader of Congress

On his part, it was an indiscreet act. He went on to say, 'Even at knife point at my throat or gun on my head, I am not going to sing Vande Mataram... We believe in the Constitution.'

A person holding a public position should not use this kind of language. At the same time, those not singing Vande Mataram must not be regarded as anti-national and unpatriotic.

In the words of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, all communities in India must gel well like sugar and milk; however, owing to petty vote-bank politics, this is not the case.

While listening to a rendition of Vande Mataram on January 1, 1952, by renowned maestro Krishna Kumar in Delhi, Maulana Azad admired it, saying that it was graceful and inspiring as great luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore, Surendranath Banerjee, Satyabhushan Gupta, RN Bose, H Bose and others had sung it.

Muslims should not get carried away by a few lines of the song as nobody is asking them to bow down. They must, again, take a cue from Maulana Azad.

Maulana Azad was one of the architects of India's freedom

On the occasion of the inauguration of the ICCR, Maulana Sahib's forehead was smeared with a tilak at which Dawn, a Pakistani daily, commented in a cartoon that he had changed his religion to Hinduism.

Maulana, in his reply, said that his participation in such events only strengthened his faith in his religion.

Maulana Azad saw in Vande Mataram the fusion of the endogenic creativity, the Vedantic vision of many parts of truth with the Islamic doctrines of Wahdat-e-Deen (unity of religion) and Sulah-e-Kul (universal peace).

True, as per the dictates of Islam, Muslims should not worship or bow in front of anything other than Allah. But that doesn't take from them the fact that they should be loyal to the nation.

Intention

It is true that as per the Supreme Court verdict, nobody can be forced to sing the national anthem or the Vande Mataram.

However, neither it should be enforced by anyone, nor be it meted out with disdain by vouching that they would not sing it.

Many of us fail to understand that in a multi-faith nation like India, certain things need to be shared not just in terms of intention but also to retain good relations.

Apart from the Constitution, respect and regard come from within.

True, as per the dictates of Islam, Muslims should not worship or bow in front of anything other than Allah. But that doesn't take from them the fact that they should be loyal to the nation.

It's time Muslim leaders stopped politicising Vande Mataram to promote their petty politics. What is of paramount importance is that people must be beware of the ugly face of fundamentalism, whether it's the so-called champions of Islam or the advocates of Hindutva.

We, irrespective of our religions, are one and Indians! We must explore, identify and enlighten ourselves on the common grounds between Islam and Hinduism,

Appeal

I fail to comprehend as to why a religious issue is made out of Vande Mataram, a song that has a universal appeal for all Indians irrespective of caste, creed and faith. As a Muslim, I would like to convey a message to all my countrymen and especially my own community that some politically motivated people are trying to make an emotive issue of Vande Mataram.

What is unfortunate is that anti-Vande Mataram clerics, through their ludicrous stand, have given Hindutva forces a handle to beat Muslims.

Gandhi: Muslims should not get carried away by a few lines of the song as nobody is asking them to bow down. They must, again, take a cue from Maulana Azad (right)

The media is also responsible for creating this kind of impression by repeatedly giving publicity to speeches by these radicals. It is because of the irresponsible statements made by them that Muslims have to suffer.

What's unfortunate is that the voices sanity among secular, patriotic and liberal Muslims never get a forum to air their views. We live in a liberal society where we are encouraged to know each other's religion.

The glorious Vande Mataram belongs to Muslims as much as it belongs to Hindus.

Portrait of Indian author and poet Rabindranath Tagore

We, irrespective of our religions, are one and Indians! We must explore, identify and enlighten ourselves on the common grounds between Islam and Hinduism.

If a sincere attempt is made, Hindus and Muslims will discover that many of their roots are nurtured by common philosophies and composite culture.

The writer is a commentator on educational, social and religious issues and grandnephew of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
A cloud of noxious smog smothered the national Capital on Thursday, but all promise of relief from Delhi authorities is being undone by heavily polluting activities such as construction work, transit of trucks and burning of waste.

A visit to East Kidwai Nagar in south Delhi revealed a wall being erected at the site of a housing project and labourers bringing in building materials.

A little distance away, a pile of cement was waiting to be mixed with water. A yellow JCB was getting ready to get on the job while tiles were being fitted in already constructed flats.

Construction workers working at Rani Jhanshi Flyover Near Karol Baugh in New Delhi

Sand and cement were lying uncovered in brazen violation of strictures. Bricks and stones were also seen being kept haphazardly. A road was being constructed in another part of Kidwai Nagar.

When asked, Iqbal, the labourer on duty, said, 'We have no idea about any ban. We were not asked to stop work by our contractor. Work will go on.'

The lack of communication and jumble of agencies involved in construction has led to poor or no implementation of the pollution control measures announced by courts and the executive.

While some of the bodies responsible for enforcing the rules report to the city's AAP government, others answer to the BJP-led Centre. The two political parties are bitter rivals.

Ask Dr Mohsin Wali, former physician to the President of India, and he says, 'Don't call it pollution. Delhi is now a gas chamber.

'There's an unusual spike of complaints from patients of asthma and respiratory problems. 'Patients with high blood pressure and cardiac situation need to be extremely careful as it can prove disastrous for them.'

Apart from private players, we also found government agencies such as the Delhi Jal Board and others digging pits and constructing concrete structures around the city.

When confronted by our reporters, those involved in the projects claimed ignorance about any restrictions.

The smog travelling through northern India and blighting the lungs of Delhiites is steeped with deadly methane emanating largely from the city's garbage catching fire at the Bhalswa landfill.

But this apparently has not caught the local administration's attention yet.

According to rag-pickers, multiple fires at the waste dumping ground are a disaster in the making and the flames are expected to spread in the coming days.

'The garbage has caught fire in parts across the landfill. Even from outside, you can spot the flames. Despite a few visits by fire tenders, the situation has remained the same,' said 13-year-old Jaidur Kumar, a ragpicker.

Heavily polluting construction and transit of trucks, burning of waste ongoing

A similar situation triggered a spat last year when a Delhi government official accused the MCD of sabotaging the implementation of the odd-even car-rationing scheme.

The administration has announced the return of the vehicular restrictions next week. 'At present, the air in Delhi is calm and lacks movement.

'The toxic fumes and spontaneous combustion erupting from rotting garbage hills are accumulated in the air Delhi is breathing,' said environmentalist Anumita Roychowdhury.

Construction work in Delhi is ongoing despite the appalling conditions

Ignorance

Kejriwal and Modi: Centre and Delhi governments clash on the issue

The police and civic officials were also ineffective in stopping trucks from entering the city. Except for those carrying essential commodities, entry of heavy and medium-sized vehicles has been disallowed in Delhi till further orders.

Mail Today found that since Wednesday, trucks carrying construction material, and other goods that are not exempted, are still making their way into the Capital. Most of these vehicles were found crossing over from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

When police officials on duty at the Delhi Noida Direct (DND) flyway were asked about this laxity, they said, 'If the UP police have not stopped them then how can we?

There is no U-turn point on the entire stretch. If we stop them there and ask them to park at the roadside, it will lead to a traffic jam.'

The rule was also being flouted at Kalindi Kunj, Mayur Vihar, Badarpur, Mehrauli, Anand Vihar, Ghazipur, and Narela.

When Mail Today spoke to the truck drivers, they said they were unaware about the ban.

'Our employer has asked us to transport the material from Aligarh to Delhi. We didn't know that we are not supposed to enter the city,' said a truck driver Delhi traffic police, the government's transport department and the municipal corporations have been asked to keep a vigil at all toll points to prevent entry of banned vehicles.

'The trucks use diesel as fuel, which triggers heavy pollution in the Capital. 'They enter around 11pm to 5am and 11am to 4pm. During this time, dust pollution increases in city,' said a transport department official.

The MCD staffers at toll booths on Delhi's border entry points also offered excuses.

'We are not authorised to stop any vehicle. We only collect the daily tariff and allow them to enter Delhi,' said a worker at the MCD toll booth in Kalindi Kunj.
The French PSA Group has unveiled its strategy to make the newly-acquired Vauxhall and Opel business a success after buying the car brands for 2.2 billion earlier this year.

In good news for British workers at Vauxhall, the vehicle manufacturing group, which also owns Peugeot, Citroen and DS Automobiles, said on Thursday that it wants to hold onto all of the current manufacturing sites.

It also said it would avoid any forced layoffs as part of turnaround plans, though the workforce would face 'a number of cost-saving measures'.

No planned Vauxhall factory closures: Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Group Carlos Tavares (left) and Opel ceo Michael Lohscheller (right) announced new plans for their recent newly acquired car business at a news conference in Ruesselsheim, Germany on Thursday

Speaking 100 days after General Motors sold Opel and Vauxhall to PSA, managers outlined a blueprint that will see the company become profitable again by 2020 and electrify all of its passenger car lines by 2024.

Part of the proposals will see Vauxhall and Opel models move across to PSA Group platforms, starting with a new Corsa supermini that will launch in 2019.

The reduction in the number of platforms, as well as launching the two brands to 20 new markets including Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan, are just some of the plans to stem the enormous losses at the car firm, which amounted to 190 million in the second quarter of 2017 alone.

Fears of rumoured factory closures were quashed during the announcement in Germany, with PSA Group chairman Carlos Tavares saying there are no intentions to shut any of the existing Vauxhall and Opel facilities as part of the restructure, these includes the Astra plant in Ellesmere Port and van-building premises in Luton.

However, Tavares warned that the turnaround would only work if unions representing the 38,000-strong workforce agree to a number of cost-saving measure, which include flexible working time arrangements, buyouts and early retirement schemes.

Vauxhall currently employs around 4,500 people across the two UK-based facilities.

PSA Group confirmed that all Vauxhall (and Opel) models would be switching to the platforms that currently underpin Peugeot, Citroen and DS Automobiles models

Factory workers at Ellesmere Port and the van-making plant in Luton will face cost-saving measures, the announcement said

'Opel [and Vauxhall] is facing a dramatic situation,' Tavares said in Ruesselsheim on Thursday. 'There is no time to waste.'

The chairman, who has masterminded an impressive turnaround at the French motor firm since joining in 2014, noted that the Vauxhall and Opel company has been burning through cash and lost a total of 19 billion (16.8 billion) between 1999 and 2016.

To date, the combined market share of the two brands in Europe currently stands at a modest 5.7 per cent.

Carlos Tavares became CEO and chairman at PSA in 2014 after moving from rival Renault

The Ellesmere Port factory produced more than 118,000 Astras during 2016

Vauxhall says it employs around 4,500 workers at its two facilities based in the UK

'This plan is not a gimmick plan,' Tavares said, adding that the engineering and design capabilities acquired with Opel and Vauxhall would help PSA Group as a whole achieve the ambitious goal of sharply cutting its vehicles carbon emissions as required under national and international rules.

The European Commission announced new targets on Wednesday that called for 30 per cent of new vehicles sold on the continent to be electric-powered by 2030.

It also said manufacturers should reduce the average carbon dioxide emissions output of their vehicle ranges by 20 per cent between 2021 and 2030.
Burberry shares slumped after the fashion brand revealed it is shutting outlets in department stores and locations it deems are not luxurious enough in a bid to attract only the most well-heeled customers.

The retailer remained tight-lipped on how many outlets are being closed and how many jobs are at stake.

However, it is understood that the closures will initially affect wholesale outlets in the US, followed by locations in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa.

Time to 'rationalise': Burberry plans to closes outlets in locations not deemed high-end enough

In the UK, Burberry has standalone stores in London, Edinburgh and Manchester, as well as outlets in the following: Harrods, Selfridges, Westfield and Heathrow Airport in London, Selfridges in Birmingham and Selfridges in Manchester.

The group's wholesale arm, which generally comprises outlets in department stores, amounts for around 30 per cent of the group's total sales.

Remaining high-street stores will be given a luxury face-lift, focusing on selling leather goods and fashion.

At the high-end of its price range, Burberry is currently selling a 'Raglan-sleeve Suede and Shearling Trench Coat' for 4,995. A cream 'Macrame Lace-embellished Shearling Jacket' is also on sale for 7,000.

The group's share price is down 9.62 per cent to 1,794p following the update.

The ultra-luxury strategy has been announced by new chief executive Marco Gobbetti, just a week after former boss and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey revealed he was ending his 17-year stint at the company next year.

Mr Gobbetti said: 'Now is the right time for Burberry to implement the next phase of its transformation.

It's time to 're-energise': Burberry plans to focus its ambitions on the most well-heeled customers

High end enough? Burberry's remaining high-street stores will be given a luxury makeover

Are you posh enough? Burberry is seeking to stake its claim further into the luxury fashion world

'By re-energising our product and customer experience to establish our position firmly in luxury, we will play in the most rewarding, enduring segment of the market. We have the foundations to build on and the team to execute our plans.

'This will enable us to drive sustainable growth and higher margins over time, whilst continuing to deliver attractive returns to shareholders.'

The company said: 'To ensure our distribution is consistent with our brand positioning, we will rationalise non-luxury wholesale and retail doors, with an initial emphasis on the US and then EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa ).'

Results time: Burberry's turnaround plan was published alongside the group's first half results

Slow tourist sales: In the UK, spending in Burberry's stores by tourists slowed in the second quarter

Challenging: Burberry said the Middle Eastern market remains 'challenging'

On sale: Burberry's Shearling Trim Wool Ceremonial Coat is up for grabs for 6,000

In a 93-page presentation outlining its turnaround plan and half year results, the company uses phrases like 'rationalise' and 're-energsie' while discussing its closure plans.

The scheme is expected to cost the company around 15million.

Burberry's turnaround plan was published alongside the group's first half results. In the six months to 30 September, the company's like-for-like sales increased by 4 per cent, while adjusted operating profits rose by 17 per cent to 185million.

The group's reported pre-tax profit rose by 24 per cent to 127million. In the UK, spending in Burberry's stores by tourists slowed in the second quarter.

The firm said the Middle Eastern market remained 'challenging' because of the 'macro environment.'

'I am pleased with our performance in the half, with strong double-digit underlying profit growth, Mr Gobbetti said.

'Consumers responded positively to fashion and newness, particularly in rainwear and leather goods.

'Digital revenue grew in all regions, led by mobile, while growth was strongest in our own stores in Asia Pacific.'

David Madden, an analyst at CMC Markets, said: 'Burberry posted a 24% jump in first-half pre-tax profits, but it still missed expectations.

'Traders were more interested in the company's plans  which involves focusing more on the high end of the luxury goods market.

'The stores they are retaining will be revamped at a high cost  and this is spooking traders. The stock hit a record high yesterday, and is down 11.2% today. If the stock can hold above the 1700p level, it could re-target 2000p.'

On a mission: New Burberry boss Marco Gobbetti, right, is on a mission to drive up sales
Oxford and Reading have come out top in a study that measures 'good growth' across criteria like jobs, health and income in 42 UK cities and urban areas.

The two southern cities ranked highly for jobs growth, rising incomes and improving skills, while Reading topped the health stakes, and both rated significantly higher than third-placed Southampton.

However, the Demos-PwC Good Growth Index showed that Birmingham (32nd) and Leeds (16th) were the most improved cities compared to last year's index, with falling unemployment again the main driver.

Oxford was ranked the most flourishing city in the UK, according to the PwC-Demos research

Oxford and Reading scored highest in the Good Growth Index rating, while Birmingham showed the biggest improvement on its previous score

The index also takes into account factors such as housing affordability, transport, environment and the rate of new business openings.

Doncaster was the city with the greatest number of new businesses starting, with the study claim that local initiatives can have a big impact even in cities that scored poorly overall in the index. The Yorkshire town was 38th.

Although nine cities recorded a negative score, which means that overall they are suffering declining quality of life, all 42 cities showed an improved score from last year

Birmingham and Leeds showed the biggest improvement on the last report - but all 42 cities showed some improvement.

Although nine cities recorded a negative score, which means that overall they are suffering declining quality of life, all 42 cities showed an improved score from last year.

John Hawksworth, chief economist at PwC, said: 'The UK has been a great job-creating machine in recent years and this has driven improvement in our good growth index this year across all major UK cities.

'But there has also been a price to pay for this in terms of worsening housing affordability, increased average commuting times and more people having to work long hours.

'The cities that are highest ranked on our index also tend to suffer the highest price of success.'

The study reinforced Birmingham's reputation as a city in the ascendant, with improved infrastructure and a vibrant economy that has spawned grand openings like Selfridges.

This shows how combined authority regions rated according to the index criteria.

The study reinforced Birmingham's reputation as a city in the ascendant, with improved infrastructure and a vibrant economy.

HSBC is moving 1,040 members of staff from Canary Wharf to Birmingham, in January.

The city will also be hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, after promising to display British business during the sporting spectacular.

Paul Terrington, PwC head of regions, said falling unemployment rates were responsible for broad improvements seen across the UK's cities. He said:

'The economic recovery [from the financial crisis] is now spreading across the country rather than being focused on London and the South East.'

Birmingham's unemployment rate has been slashed from 11.4 per cent in 2013 to 7.4 per cent last year.

The report discovered that new metro mayors, such as Birmingham's Andy Street and those in Middlesborough and Liverpool have also contributed to improving living conditions within the cities, after gradual devolution.




A former footy star has been accused of refusing to pay for an acrobat to be flown abroad for treatment after she broke her neck in a horror fall at his Bali resort.

Tony Smith, a former Sydney Swans star who now owns Finns Beach Club in Indonesia, came under fire after he reportedly refused to pay costs needed to fly seriously injured acrobat, Sam Panda, 26, off the island to receive treatment.

The aerialist and body contortionist broke her neck and seriously damaged her spinal cord when she fell head first from a ring four metres above the ground on October 26.

Balinese doctors told Ms Panda (pictured) she required surgery that could not be done in Bali

Former Sydney Swans footy star Tony Smith (pictured) has been accused of refusing to pay for an acrobat to be flown abroad for treatment after she broke her neck in a horror fall at his club in Bali

Disturbing footage surfaced online showing the moment Ms Panda fell and hit the concrete surface below.

Ms Panda suffered multiple fractures and came away with a shard of bone stuck in her spinal cord which prevented her from walking.

Balinese doctors told Ms Panda she required surgery that could not be done in Bali, but Finns Beach Club nor its insurance would pay for her medical evacuation.

'Sam had a work permit and was told that she was insured by her employers. Unfortunately, her employer's insurance won't pay for the medical evacuation she needs to get the surgery that will help her walk again,' Ms Panda's charity page said.

'Doctors have also stated that time is of the essence - the longer Sam stays in Bali, the higher the risk that these debilitating injuries are irreversible.'

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Panda said: '(Finns Beach Club) told me I was insured but the evacuation and medical costs overseas I will be paying out of my own pocket'.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Panda (pictured) said: '(Finns Beach Club) told me I was insured but the evacuation and medical costs overseas I will be paying out of my own pocket'

The GoFundMe page set up for Ms Panda said she needed $40,000 in order to fly to Singapore or Taiwan, where there were 'specialist surgeons experienced enough to deal with this complex case'

The aerialist and body contortionist broke her neck and seriously damaged her spinal cord when she fell head first from a ring four metres above the ground

Finns Beach Club confirmed to Daily Mail Australia Ms Panda was under its employ at the time of her horrific fall.

The club, owned by Mr Smith, said its employees were covered by insurance which entitled them to receive medical care in Bali 'at leading international hospitals'.

The club told Daily Mail Australia the insurance did not cover medical evacuations nor medical expenses overseas.

'We respect and support Sam's decision to choose medical treatment outside of Bali and wish her a smooth and speedy recovery,' it said.

Finns Beach Club confirmed to Daily Mail Australia Ms Panda (pictured) was under its employ at the time of her horrific fall

'There was a failure in the rigging equipment. I was in the middle of an aerial hoop performance when the cable released and I fell to the ground head first,' she said

The GoFundMe page set up for Ms Panda said she needed $40,000 in order to fly to Singapore or Taiwan, where there were 'specialist surgeons experienced enough to deal with this complex case'.

Ms Panda reached out to her friends to tell them what happened following the horrific incident.

'There was a failure in the rigging equipment. I was in the middle of an aerial hoop performance when the cable released and I fell to the ground head first,' she said.

Ms Panda went on to say how serious her injuries were and how in need of treatment she was.

'I am hospitalised at the moment. I am not paralysed and can move my arms and legs, but I also cannot walk yet (spine can't support my weight, plus I'm pretty weak and woozy),' she said.

Ms Panda went on to say how serious her injuries were and how in need of treatment she was

'Time is of the essence at this point and I need to get out of Indonesia for proper treatment.

'We are working on that now. Every day we wait, the swelling increases and causes more weaknesses in my spine.'

Ms Panda told Daily Mail Australia she was flown to Taiwan on Wednesday after 12 days in Bali, where she claimed her condition deteriorated rapidly.

'The surgeons in Taiwan have a lot of work to do... for a full recovery,' she said.

Finns Beach Club said the club was paying for medical care Ms Panda needed in Bali, and it was in communication with her and her family

Despite this, the club was inundated with messages from critics who called for the club or its owner Tony Smith to front costs for Ms Panda's medical evacuation

Since footage of Ms Panda's fall went viral, Finns Beach Club has been inundated with criticism.

People called for the club or its owner Tony Smith to front costs for Ms Panda's medical evacuation out of good will.

'The owner of this place should be ashamed. Nothing much you can really do at this point to avoid the backlash from not taking proper care of that girl,' one man said.

'Disgraceful attitude towards employees and the well-being of others. I hope that you do the right thing for Sam eventually. Shame on you,' a second critic said.
EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY AND AT LEAST EIGHT CHILDREN: GUNMAN'S 26 VICTIMS

ANNABELLE POMEROY

The daughter of First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy, who was out of town with his wife. Her devastated father said he lost 'one beautiful girl, and a special child'.

Annabelle Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of the church pastor, was the first victim identified in Sunday's shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday. Her mother said having fun at the pool was her favorite thing

BRYAN, KARLA, MARC DANIEL 'DANNY' AND NOAH HOLCOMBE

Bryan Holcombe had been standing in for Frank Pomeroy when Kelley opened fire. Witnesses say he was the first victim to be struck by the shooter's gunfire.

'Bryan was filling in,' a witness told DailyMail.com. 'He was walking up to the pulpit when he was shot in the back. He was an awesome Christian.

He was killed, alongside his wife of 25 years, Sunday school teacher Karla Holcombe

The couple ran a canvas repair shop before retiring and had attended the church for 25 years.

'My father was a good man and he loved to preach. He had a good heart. They knew where they were going. Theres peace in that,' their son Scott Holcombe told the Herald-Tribune.

Their son Marc Daniel 'Danny' Holcombe, 36, and his one-year-old daughter Noah, also died in the gunfire.

Sunday school teacher Karla Holcolmbe and her husband Bryan died in the rampage, their family confirmed. Bryan had been standing in for Pastor Pomeroy

Marc Daniel Holcombe, known as Danny, pictured wearing glasses left, and his infant daughter Noah were also among the 26 killed and the seventh and eighth of the Holcombe family

Youngest victim: Danny's baby girl Noah, aged just one, pictured with her dad, died in the gunfire; the gunman was said to be deliberately targeting crying babies

CRYSTAL HOLCOMBE, HER CHILDREN MEGAN, EMILY AND GREG AND HER UNBORN CHILD

Bryan and Karla's daughter-in-law Crystal, a mother-of-five who was eight months pregnant was killed alongside three of her children: Megan, Emily and Greg. Two of her other children and her husband John survived the shooting.

Crystal was described as a devoted mother.

'She doesn't even drink, smoke or nothing, said relative Nick Uhlig. 'She just takes care of kids, she raises goats and makes homemade cheese. That kind of thing, you know? They don't go out dancing or anything like that. They're real old-fashioned, down-to-earth.

Authorities said on Tuesday that their body count of 26 victims included the unborn child of Crystal.

Crystal Holcombe, pictured center, the daughter-in-law of Bryan and Karla Holcombe, was among those killed, along with three of her five children, all pictured left, Emily (standing tallest), Megan and Greg. Her husband John (right) and their other two children, survived the massacre

Crystal Holcombe was married to Bryan and Karla Holcombe's son John (pictured together) and had been at church with her inlaws when she was shot dead

JOANN AND BROOKE WARD AND EMILY GARZA

Mother-of-four Joann Ward and two of her daughters, six-year-old Brooke Ward and eight-year-old Emily Garza were among the victims.

Joann's sister-in-law Leslie Ward said she rushed to the church after hearing the gunfire from her home, and found her six-year-old nephew Ryland, lying in the pews. He is still in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery.

Joann's eldest daughter Rihanna, nine, had the glasses shot off her face but escaped injury by hiding under a pew as shots rang out.

Joann's husband Chris was not at the church because he works the night shift and had stayed home that morning. In the first hours after the shooting, some media erroneously reported Chris as the shooter.

Joann Ward (pictured) was among the 26 people gunned down when Devin Patrick Kelley burst into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas and opened fire

Sisters six-year-old Brooke (left) and eight-year-old Emily Garza (pictured, right, sitting on the right, next to her sister Rihanna) were killed in the shooting according to her family. Nine-year-old Rihanna (sitting next to Emily) had her glasses shot off her face but survived

ROBERT AND SHANNI CORRIGAN

The Corrigans, originally from Michigan, were named among those killed, according to the Clare County Director of Veterans' Services.

Robert Corrigan was an Air Force retiree and the couple has two sons currently on active duty.

Angela Teague Herron paid tribute to him as a 'true mentor'

Air force veteran: Robert and Shanni Corrigan, originally from Michigan, were named among those killed. They have two sons who are currently on active duty

'You were not easy, you were a leader who gave me expectations and I respected you enough to listen to you. I didn't always like what you said, but you allowed me to tell you and together, you let me flourish.

LULA WHITE

Lula Woicinski White was the 71-year-old grandmother of Kelley's wife Danielle.

She was a devout member of the First Baptist Church as was described a 'wonderful, caring person - a God-loving person' by her relative Mary Mishler Clyburn.

Gunman's grandmother-in-law: Lula White, pictured left with victim Bryan Holcombe, and right with her daughter Michelle. It is thought Kelley was targeting Michelle, the mother of Kelley's wife Danielle but she wasn't in the church at the time

'I miss her badly already. We texted every day. We loved each other to the moon and back.'

HALEY KRUEGER

Sixteen-year-old Haley, described in her GoFundMe page as 'beautiful' and 'vibrant', dreamed of becoming an intensive care nurse. Her death comes two years after her father died.

Her mother Charlene Uhl said Haley had arrived early on Sunday morning to help prepare breakfast for the parishioner.

'She just loved life and loved everybody she met,' she said. 'She loved her church. She was always hyper and ready for anything.'

'Beautiful' and 'Vibrant': Haley Krueger dreamed of being a NICU nurse and arrived at the parish earlier on Sunday to help with breakfast

RICHARD AND THERESA RODRIGUEZ

Richard's daughter Regina Rodriguez confirmed that her father and his wife were among the deceased. She posted a heartbreaking photograph of her and her father to Facebook hours after the massacre.

On Sunday, Regina walked up to the police barricade a few hours after the shooting and said her 51-year-old father attended the church 'every Sunday'.

Heartbreaking: Richard Rodriguez, died in the shooting along with his wife Theresa (pictured together). Richard, 51, attended church every Sunday

TARA MCNULTY

Bartender Tara McNulty was among those killed while her children were wounded but survived, according to Kevin Koenen, her boss at The Aumont Saloon.

The Aumont Saloon is holding a fundraiser for Tara's funeral costs and her children's medical expenses, with Koenen paying tribute to her on her GoFundMe page as 'a great employee, conscientious, engaging and always willing to do the little things.'

'Always willing to do the little things': Tara McNulty was killed in the massacre but her children survived. A fundraiser is being held this Saturday to raise money for her funeral costs and her children's medical expenses

'She was a sweet, kind and loving woman, mother and daughter and will be greatly missed by many.'

ROBERT SCOTT AND KAREN MARSHALL

The Marshalls had recently retired and moved to Texas. They met when they were both in the military more than 30 years ago, serving in the US Aire Force in North Carolina.

The day before the massacre, R Scott Marshall shared photos from a trip to an air show in Live Oak, Texas, with his wife and grandchildren.

Robert Scott's father, Robert, confirmed the news on his 85th birthday.

'Heck of a birthday present, he told KDKA Pittsburgh. 'It's a shame that you can go pray and be shot up.'

He is now trying to fly to Texas to be with his three adult grandchildren.

Air Force veterans R Scott and Karen Marshall had only recently moved to Texas. R Scott's father Robert received the horrible news on his 85th birthday

DENNIS AND SARA JOHNSON

A family member confirmed the Johnsons both died in the shooting. Sara's Facebook page says she was a receptionist at Pfeil's Home and Garden Materials, originally from Jasper, Florida.

Friends called them a 'great couple' who loved their church

Dennis' sister-in-law Tawnya Roberts Spence, wrote on Facebook: 'It's still very hard to believe that such a thoughtless crime has happened like this.

'Thoughtless crime: Married couple Dennis and Sara Johnson were named among the 26 dead. Friends called them a 'great couple' who loved their church

'I hope all the family can find peace in their hearts as they go through this very sad tragedy.'

KEITH BRADEN

Bruce Braden, 67, confirmed that his younger brother Keith, 62, were regular attendees of the First Baptist Church and Keith was one of the 26 killed.

His wife Debbie was shot three times and their six-year-old granddaughter was shot in the hip and may lose her leg.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Bruce said of his brother, a cancer survivor: 'He was a good father. He was strict and fair, but loving. He was a good provider and a good husband.'

He added: 'He was hoping to have a nice number of years left to live with his family [after fighting back from cancer]. That was taken away in an instant.'

Cancer survivor: Keith Braden had recently fought back from the disease only to be gunned down in the Texas church. His wife Debbie (left) was shot three times

PEGGY LYNN WARDEN

The volunteer teacher at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church had stayed at home for 14 months to take care of her husband Christopher, before he succumbed to lung cancer in July.

The 56-year-old grandmother was killed on Sunday shielding her 18-year-old grandson Zachary Poston from Kelley's bullets.

'My sister - as someone who would serve and protect - put her body over his when the shooting started...' her brother Jimmy Stevens said. 'And that's when she got shot.'

Subsequently Zachary, who was shot six times, was able to save a little girl get underneath a pew and protect her. After Zachary was shot in the kneecap, he played dead until the shooting stopped and then called 911 for help.
Billings has elected a mayor who asked voters to support a future in which our city thrives with attention to trails, parks, economic development and amenities that make us competitive with other cities in the West.

In his first bid for public office, Bill Cole garnered 18,200 votes in Tuesdays city election, defeating Jeff Essmann, a legislative veteran and GOP leader who garnered 10,343 votes. The votes split 63.31 percent for Cole, 35.98 percent for Essmann, according to unofficial results from the Yellowstone County Elections Office.

Cole summed up his vision for Billings future in a guest opinion during the campaign: It is especially important that we improve our ability to retain and attract the nomadic 20- to 40-year-olds who will fill all those jobs, build our tax base, and take care of the rest of us as we get older. To do so, Billings needs to offer an exciting quality of life, neighborliness that welcomes diversity, and a nationally-known brand identity that makes our children want to stay here and young adults in Denver, Seattle and Bozeman want to move here.

The races for the five ward seats were closer. Ward 1 Councilman Mike Yakawich and Ward 5 Councilman Shaun Brown were re-elected. Frank Ewalt, Denise Joy and Penny Ronning were elected to their first four-year terms. The number of women on the council will double in January when Ronning and Joy take office. Ward 2 Councilwoman Angela Cimmino, who is termed out next month, presently is the only female on the 11-member council.

While congratulating Tuesdays winners, we also thank the candidates who didnt win. They campaigned actively and gave voters real choices in this election; that is vitally important to our democracy.

Although the newcomers wont take office till the beginning of January, we urge them to stay engaged with council work through the end of this year. The City Council is preparing to make one of its biggest decisions: the hiring of a new city administrator. Four finalists are under consideration and the council is scheduled to select one on Dec. 1 for the job of running our city.

We call the newly elected to become informed about the finalists and the selection process and to speak up with their recommendations to the present council. Thats their right as citizens and their responsibility as future council members who will supervise and work with the new administrator.

Voters Tuesday narrowly approved an increase in the permanent mill levy supporting the Yellowstone County Attorneys Office, which has seen its criminal, child abuse and psychiatric commitment caseload more than double in the past few years. Thanks to 21,143 voters who cast ballots for the levy, the county will continue to have the resources to prosecute criminals, protect children and incompetent adults and deal with the explosion of drug abuse in our community.

The mill levy victory is a credit to County Attorney Scott Twito, who talked to many local groups. The campaign had no signs or other advertising, but was unanimously supported by Yellowstone County Commissioners Robyn Driscoll, John Ostlund and Denis Pitman.

With 56.18 percent of Lockwood voters turning out, the answer to the question of making a high school plan was a resounding yes. Now Lockwoods K-8 district has two years to create a plan for establishing a K-12 district, building a high school and paying for all of it. Voters then will be asked to vote on the levies proposed.

Laurel school leaders also will have to make new plans after voters (with a 60 percent turnout) overwhelmingly rejected requests for bond issues that would have upgraded elementary and high school facilities.
Swiss prosecutors on Wednesday ruled out bringing charges over the latest rape allegations against filmmaker Roman Polanski because the statute of limitations for the alleged 1972 assault had expired.

Renate Langer, a 61-year-old former actress, told Swiss police in September that she met Polanski when she was 15 while working as a model in Munich before travelling to his home in Gstaad, where he raped her.

Prosecutors in Bern had previously said they would evaluate the allegations to assess the possibility of mounting a criminal case.

Roman Polanski will not be charged over allegations he raped former actress Renate Langer in Switzerland when she was 15 in 1972, prosecutors have said

According to laws in place in 1972, the alleged victim had a maximum of 15 years to come forward, the regional prosecutor's office in Bern said in a statement.

'Criminal proceedings would be prohibited under statute of limitation rules', it added.

Langer is the fourth woman to publicly accuse Polanski of sexual assault.

Polanski in 1977 pleaded guilty in the United States to having unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer -- aged 13 at the time -- but fled the country before he could be sentenced. He remains a fugitive from the US justice system.

Langer (pictured in 1985) came forward with her allegations recently, but laws in Switzerland in the Seventies state that victims had 15 years to come forward, so no charges are possible

British actress Charlotte Lewis in 2010 also accused Polanski of assaulting her just after her 16th birthday in 1983.

In August, a woman identified only as Robin said she was 'sexually victimised' by the French-Polish film director when she was 16, in 1973.

Polanski's film career has continued to flourish since he fled the US for France, where many consider him an icon.

He has eight Cesars -- the French equivalent of an Oscar -- as well as a best director Academy Award for Holocaust drama 'The Pianist.'
Footage has emerged of women standing up to police and strangers in Iran after defying laws by walking the streets without hijabs.

Women filmed themselves without veils to capture some of the abuse they face for failing to adhere to Iran's strict religious rules.

At one point a female campaigner shouts 'spit out your insults' after being told to cover her head while a second film shows a man threatening to slap a young woman for breaking the law.

Another video shows a father standing up for her daughter after a passer-by ordered her to 'observe hijab'. The father stands his ground and tells the man 'I don't believe that nonsense'.

Footage has emerged of women standing up to police and strangers in Iran after defying laws by walking the streets without hijabs

Women filmed themselves without veils to capture some of the abuse they face for failing to adhere to Iran's strict religious rules

The veil has been a mandatory dress requirement for women in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

But a movement called White Wednesdays sees women flouting the regulations by capturing footage and pictures of themselves without their hijabs and posting it online. Some of the clips have appeared on the Twitter account My Stealthy Freedom.

One clip says: 'I have no fear of you, my camera is my weapon here! This brave woman [is] unveiling herself to protest compulsory hijab while walking her dog.

'Watch how she got attacked by people about hijab and walking a dog. She is strong and filmed it all for #WhiteWednesdays.'

Another video shows a man storming over to a woman and saying: 'I'm going to slap you if you don't wear your hijab.'

When the woman asks what he is going to do, he simply replies: 'Put on your head dress.'

One shocking film shows a man (left) threatening to slap a young woman for breaking the law

Another video shows a father standing up for her daughter after a passer-by ordered her to 'observe hijab'. The father stands his ground and tells the man 'I don't believe in that nonsense'

A passer-by then walks over and tells the man: 'You can warn her calmly right? You can't slap a woman.'

One touching video shows a father driving with his young daughter in the passenger seat and talking about her future.

He tells the camera: 'My inspiration for joining the campaign and to oppose compulsory hijab even before that, has been the future of my daughter.

'I want her to be able to freely make her decisions under the best of conditions. Long live White Wednesdays.'

In one video, a defiant campaigner insists women are 'not puppets'.

She says: 'Keep the desire for dignity, freedom, love and hope for all Iranian women. Iranian women deserve the best! Iranian women are not your puppets to do whatever you wish with them; to forcefully bully them, kick them out of stadiums, or forcibly make them wear hijab.

One touching video shows a father driving with his young daughter in the passenger seat and talking about her future

'Iranian woman is a beautiful independent creature full of love and hope. you cannot under any circumstances, suppress them.'

Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has required women to wear the Islamic headscarf in public.

The Islamic code also forbids women touching, dancing or singing with men outside their families.

Women are only allowed to show their face, hands and feet in public and are supposed to wear only modest colours.

Over the years, however, women have pushed back the boundaries of the law, with many wearing loose, brightly coloured headscarves far back on their heads.
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A rare album of comic First World War postcards by 'saucy seaside' artist Donald McGill has been uncovered after it was sold at auction.

The Inter-Art Company's book, printed in 1917, shows hundreds of tongue-in-cheek war illustrations in chronological order.

The album was bought at auction by James Bissell-Thomas, owner of the Donald McGill Postcard Museum in Ryde, Isle of Wight.

He said: 'It's so exciting to have found this album at auction. I knew the book existed, but I thought that over the years it may have been broken up and the postcards sold off individually.'

A rare album of comic First World War postcards by 'saucy seaside' artist Donald McGill has been uncovered after being sold at auction

McGill was known for his 'saucy seaside' postcards but the collection up focuses on the work he did on life on the front and back at home during the First World War

McGill's postcards were illustrated to boost morale and this card pokes fun at German soldiers with the caption: 'War Note: The British force is now operating an ''extended front''

While many of McGill's postcards helped boost the morale of soldiers, he also tried to put a smile on the faces of the families awaiting their return - as can be seen in these postcards

The Inter-Art company was based in Red Lion Square in London and operated from 1909 until 1931.

It was renowned for its comic propaganda postcards printed during the First World War by artists including McGill, Dudley Buxton, Agnes Richardson and Arthur Butcher.

The postcards from 1917 by McGill and his contemporaries poke fun at the harsh conditions on the frontline with tongue-in-cheek images and phrases.

The cards show the men serving at the front as well as the realities facing their families at home and the designs cover issues such as rationing, home service, war profiteers, recruitment and soldiers in training.

McGill is famous for his comic seaside cards but during the war he produced an incredible 1,500 different designs of patriotic postcards.

He lost his foot in a rugby accident so he couldn't take part in the fighting, so instead he helped the war effort with his positive postcards.

Many of the postcards in the The Inter-Art Company's book, printed in 1917, were used for propaganda purposes, like this one that encourages young men to sign up for the army with the slogan 'It's the clothes that make the man'

This is another example of McGill's illustration being used for propaganda, with a card encouraging women to do their bit to help the war effort

McGill often focused on the relationship between men and women for his postcards and here he plays on the 'Great Push', a term used to describe the British army's advance across no man's land

McGill's postcards were incredibly successful, with millions sold in England and France, while some were even translated into French

Millions of his cards were sold in England and France, with many even translated into French.

One of his postcards shows a soldier on crutches, who has lost his leg, talking to a woman and she asks: 'Poor fellow - have you been wounded?' He replies: 'Wounded? Oh no miss! The colonel's cat bit my leg off!'

Another image shows a soldier almost bent double under the weight of all his military equipment and the words: 'I love the life, but oh you kit!'

A picture by his contemporary, Arthur Butcher, shows a soldier passionately kissing a woman and the slogan: 'I see you're doing your bit!'

Whilst another of Butcher's drawings shows a woman cuddling a baby, with the words: 'We can't bear arms, but we can bear armies.'

McGill makes light of safety precautions taken by British civilians during the First World War, with many people in cities made to adhere to blackouts in fear of Zepplin raids

Left, is an example of the bawdy jokes that would accompany many of McGill's illustrations, while poking fun at the physical conditions of soldiers was another recurring theme in his work

While the photo album features many examples of McGill's work, it also includes illustrations by his contemporaries including these two postcards by Arthur Butcher

Left, this illustration by Dudley Buxton, a contemporary of McGill, also references the Big Push and right, shows a soldier with a broken leg and arm heading happily back to England with another soldier looking on longingly

A postcard by artist Dudley Buxton, also in the book, makes fun of the terrible conditions of the trenches by depicting a man in a suit trudging through the rain and the words: 'This is as bad as the trenches!'

Another picture by Dudley shows a soldier with a broken leg and arm heading happily back to England with another soldier looking on longingly, with the tongue-in-cheek slogan: 'Lucky Devil!'

McGill went to art school in London and began his professional career as a naval architect, then as an engineering draughtsman.

But in 1904 at the age of 30 his postcard career kicked off by accident when he sent a cartoon to a nephew in hospital of a man up to his neck in a frozen pond.

The caption read 'Hope you get out!' and was forwarded to a publisher who commissioned his work.

McGill went on to produce 12,000 different seaside postcards throughout a successful career, but in 1954 he was charged with publishing obscene images and four of his cards were banned immediately, while seventeen more banned once existing stocks had been sold.

At the height of his fame McGill only earned three guineas a design, but today his postcards are highly sought after with his original artwork going for up to 1,700 in auction and up to 2,500 in London Galleries.
Pauline Hanson has accused Labor Senator Sam Dastyari of exploiting a racist rant against him to get publicity for his new book.

The One Nation party leader's comments come after Iran-born Senator Dastyari was verbally harassed at a Melbourne bar on Wednesday night by a group of working class men who called him a 'terrorist' and a 'little monkey'.

Senator Hanson refused to condemn the racist attack saying: 'I think he's just using this to get publicity to sell his book, I've got absolutely no time for him whatsoever'.

Senator Hanson (pictured in Rockhampton) refused to condemn the racist attack saying: 'I think he's just using this to get publicity, I've got absolutely no time for him whatsoever'

'I think he's a smart**se, he shows it on the floor of parliament, he's got no respect for the people,' Senator Hanson told Sky News in Rockhampton, Queensland, on Thursday.

'He's got no respect for his position as a member of parliament.'

Labor's Sam Dastyari was drinking beer at a Victoria University's inner-city Footscray campus about 7pm on Wednesday night when he was ambushed by a group of men.

'You terrorist. You little monkey,' one of them said.

'This is Patriot Blue, mate. Why don't you go back to Iran, you terrorist?

'Have another drink mate. Is it halal certified?'

Senator Dastyari (left) refused to take the derogatory comments lying down, and returned fire

Senator Dastyari refused to take the derogatory comments lying down and returned fire.

'You racist rednecks. You follow me wherever I go,' Senator Dastyari said.

While she did not condone the harassment, Senator Hanson said Senator Dastyari was 'a big boy' and could 'stand up for himself'.

'You've got to earn the respect from the public and I say that all the time, it doesn't matter who you are,' Senator Hanson said.

'Do people have respect for Sam Dastyari? I don't believe they do.'

Speaking on Thursday morning, Senator Hanson also referred to the Iranian-born Senator as 'Mr Bean'.

'I call him Mr Bean because that's exactly what he looks like, a little Mr Bean,' she said.

'You've got to earn the respect from the public and I say that all the time, it doesn't matter who you are,' Senator Hanson said (pictured in Rockhampton on Thursday)

The Iranian-born senator who came to Australia as a boy said he was used to racist comments

Senator Hanson's comments come after her Chief of Staff, James Ashby, said the Sydney-based senator was hassled because of his personality.

'Sam Dastyari gets heckled because he's a w***er and not because he's a Muslim,' Mr Ashby said.

Senator Hanson agreed saying: 'That's exactly right, it's got nothing to do with him being a Muslim, and he's admitted he's a non-practising Muslim, so he's played up this whole thing'.

Senator Hanson continues her campaign trail on the 'battler bus' across regional Queensland this week in lead up to the election.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson seen in Gladstone during a stop on the One Nation 'Battler Bus' for her campaign trail this week
An extremist group has been banned from using PayPal to raise money for Islamic State terrorists in prison.

Brothers Behind Bars claims to raise $2,500 each week for Australian extremists and their families via online forums and money transfer system PayPal.

Westpac shut down the extremist group's bank account in October and PayPal have now banned the group from using their service.

Brothers Behind Bars claims to raise thousands of dollars for dozens of terrorists and their families - including ISIS-affiliated Sulayman Khalid (pictured)

A PayPal spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia although they could not comment on specific accounts they took compliance with laws and regulations 'very seriously'.

'Please note our PayPal has been cancelled,' a spokesman posted on the group's Facebook page.

'We are no longer able to receive donations via PayPal as our account has been cancelled as of last week.'

A Brothers Behind Bars spokesman told Daily Mail Australia their organisation is 'run down the line'.

'Yes to some our work seems uneasy to swallow, but we are not doing anything illegal.

'We openly operate above board in a country that prides itself as a democracy.'

A PayPal spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia although they could not comment on specific accounts they took compliance with laws and regulations 'very seriously'.

The email sent to the group from PayPal states their account was stopped after being reviewed.

'Please note our PayPal has been cancelled,' a Brothers Behind Bars spokesman posted on the group's Facebook page

'PayPal has zero tolerance for the use of our secure payments platform to facilitate illegal activities and routinely assists authorities with their investigations as part of our commitment to keep our site and services both secure and in line with our policies,' he said.

Brothers Behind Bars claims to raise thousands of dollars for dozens of terrorists and their families - including ISIS-affiliated Sulayman Khalid, who was sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison without parole for his role in a foiled terrorist attack in Sydney.

After being informed by Westpac their account had been closed Brothers Behind Bars issued a statement saying the group was a victim of 'media lies' and 'false propaganda'.

After being informed by Westpac their account had been closed Brothers Behind Bars issued a statement saying the group was a victim of 'media lies' and 'false propaganda' (stock image)

'The bullying has gone as far as pushing the New South Wales Fair Trading to investigate and audit our registered incorporation which has only been registered since May 2017,' the statement read.

'The agenda is very real and very clear  they do not want oppressed Muslims receiving any type of help.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Brothers Behind Bars for comment.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the names of the 26 victims who were brutally murdered in the Sunday morning Texas church shooting.

Among those killed were the pastor's 14-year-old daughter, Sunday's stand-in preacher, and a pregnant woman and her unborn baby.

And as more people are coming forward to speak about their friends and family members lost in the attack, a 14-year-old who suffered six gunshot wounds said he is only alive because his grandmother used her body as a shield to protect him.

Zachary Poston survived due to the sacrifice of his grandmother, 56-year-old Peggy Lynn Warden.

Warden worked at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church as a volunteer Sunday school teacher. She went back to work earlier this year because her husband Christopher passed away from lung cancer.

On Sunday when Devin Patrick Kelly started firing his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle directly at members of her congregation, Warden used her body to shield her grandson from the raining bullets.

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Zachary Poston (right) survived due to the sacrifice of his grandmother, 56-year-old Peggy Lynn Warden (left)

On Sunday when Devin Patrick Kelly started firing his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle directly at members of her congregation, Warden used her body to shield her grandson from the raining bullets. She is pictured holding Zachary when he was an infant in a family photo

'My sister -as someone who would serve and protect - put her body over his when the shooting started,' her brother Jimmy Stevens told News 4 San Antonio.

'And that's when she got shot.'

And though Poston might have his grandmother to thank for being alive, he did what he could to help other people reach safety in the church that morning.

Stevens said the 14-year-old helped a little girl get underneath a pew to protect her from the shooter. And when she started to crawl out from under the pew because the shooting temporarily stopped, Steven said he kicked out his leg to keep her where she was.

At that moment Kelly started firing again, hitting Poston in the kneecap and shattering it.

When he was hit that time, Poston played dead until the gunman left and he could call for help.

Police still aren't sure the identity of that little girl, but the family believes she survived.

Poston has already undergone at least two surgeries, and doctors believe he will need more in the future, but Stevens said the whole family feels blessed that he is still alive.

'I see it as a blessing that my sister did not suffer. He was right there and she died very quickly,' he said.

'And she died serving the Lord and helping someone who needed it. And that's what she lieved for.

So that is a victory, but she will be missed every day of my life, forever.'

Annabell Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of the church pastor, was the first victim identified in Sunday's shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday. Her mother said having fun at the pool was her favorite thing

Sunday school teacher Karla Holcolmbe and her husband Bryan also died in the rampage, their family confirmed. A local resident says their pregnant daughter-in-law was also killed

Mother-of-four, Joann Ward, (left) is said to have died in the wake of the shooting alongside Crystal Holcolmbe (right), the daughter-in-law of Karla Holcolmbe and her husband Bryan

Sisters six-year-old Brooke (left) and eight-year-old Emily Garza (pictured, right, sitting on the right, next to her sister Rihanna) were killed in the shooting according to her family. Nine-year-old Rihanna (sitting next to Emily had her glasses shot off her face but survived

Devin Patrick Kelley (pictured left, and in a mugshot from a previous crime) walked into First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, dressed in full combat gear, and began shooting

The horrific attack took place around 11.30 on Sunday morning when Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, entered the church and opened fire on parishioners, killing 26 and injuring at least 20.

Bryan Holcombe had been standing in for Frank Pomeroy, the church's regular pastor, when Kelley opened fire. Witnesses say he was the first victim to be struck by the shooter's gunfire.

'Bryan was filling in,' the witness, who did not want to be named, told DailyMail.com. 'He was walking up to the pulpit when he was shot in the back.

'He was an awesome Christian,' they added.

He was killed, alongside his wife of 25 years, Sunday school teacher Karla Holcombe, as well as their eight-months-pregnant pregnant daughter-in-law Crystal, a mom-of-five, local residents reported. Three of Crystal's five children - Emily, Megan and Greg were also killed.

'The family is just devastated,' the witness added.

Quick-thinking: Stephen Willeford and Johnnie Langendorff (right) have been praised as heroes after they were able to stop Texas gunman Devin Kelley's rampage

The two embrace in an emotional hug during the vigil to remember the shooter's 26 victims

THE FULL LIST OF VICTIMS KILLED IN THE SUTHERLAND SPRINGS CHURCH SHOOTING Robert Scott Marshall, 56, male Karen Sue Marshall, 56, female Keith Allen Braden, 62, male Tara E. McNulty, 33, female Annabelle Renae Pomeroy, 14, female Peggy Lynn Warden, 56, female Dennis Neil Johnson Sr, 77, male Sara Johns Johnson, 68, female Lula Woicinski White, 71, female Joann Lookingbill Ward, 30, female Brooke Bryanne Ward, five, female Robert Michael Corrigan, 51, male Shani Louise Corrigan, 51, female Therese Sagan Rodriguez, 66, female Ricardo Cardona Rodriguez, 64, male Haley Krueger, 16, female Emily Garcia - female, seven. She died at a hospital Emily Rose Hill, 11, female Gregory Lynn Hill, 13, male Megan Gail Hill, nine, female Marc Daniel Holcombe, 36, male Noah Holcombe, one, male Karla Plain Holcombe, 58, female John Bryan Holcombe, 60, male Crystal Marie Holcombe, 36, female, pregnant Carlin Brite 'Billy Bob' Holcombe, unborn baby of Crystal, unknown gender Advertisement

The victims ranged in age from five to 72, with two killed outside the church, 23 killed inside, and one person who died after medical transport, officials said.

Kelley also died after he was confronted by an armed citizen and then pursued down the highway.

That citizen was Stephen Willeford, 55, who confronted Kelley was he was leaving the church wounding him, before he and Johnnie Langendorff chased him in a car as he fled.

During the 95mph car chase, Kelley lost control of his vehicle and ran off the road, before shooting himself in the head. He called his father shortly before to say he had been shot and didn't think he was going to make it.

Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Freeman Martin said Willeford ran out his home barefoot with his rifle and 'engaged the suspect'.

A local resident told DailyMail.com that Willeford, who attends a different church, was first alerted to the shooting when his daughter called him saying there was a man in body armor gunning down church goers during mass.

He grabbed his gun and headed down to confront the gunman.

Willeford, a local plumber with no military experience, is however an excellent shot according to the resident, and when he came face to face with Kelley, he shot in between his body armor, hitting him in his side.

At this point Langendorff, who has a tattoo of a Texas Longhorn on his neck and who was headed to his girlfriend's house, came across the exchange of fire.

When Kelley dropped his Ruger assault rifle and fled in an SUV, Willeford came up to Langendorff and hopped in his truck.

The pair then chased him down the highway before Kelley lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road. He then shot himself in the head, and was dead by the time Willeford and Langendorff caught up to him.
Four activists who scaled the sails of the Sydney Opera House to protest the humanitarian crisis on Manus Island were arrested moments before they managed to unfurl a banner in support of refugees.

They were taken into police custody after 11am on Thursday before they planned to display a banner calling on the Australian government to immediately evacuate refugees and asylum seekers from Manus Island.

Police search and rescue assisted by a helicopter and uniformed officers initially arrested one abseiler on the roof before the other activists abandoned their mission and were also arrested.

A fifth person was arrested near the Opera House forecourt.

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Four activists scaling the sails of the Sydney Opera House in protest of the humanitarian crisis unfolding on Manus Island have been removed by police

Officers from Sydney City Local Area Command were called to the scene in Bennelong Point, Sydney following reports of a protest shortly before 10.30am.

NSW Police said officers from the Police Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit climbed up the Opera House's sails, where they arrested two men and three women.

They were taken to Day Street Police Station and are currently assisting with inquiries.

Three protesters on the ground, two women and a man, were also issued with a move-along direction. No one was injured during the incident.

Police also said they will be speaking with venue operators in relation to the matter.

The protest was organised in response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding on Manus Islan

The protest was organised by the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance (WACA) on Thursday.

The group says the climb aimed to highlight 'the inhumane treatment on Manus Island of men seeking asylum.'

The group's activists - Laura Mastwyk, Marco Avena, Poppy Danis and Lara Pagemans - planned to scale the west-facing sail of the Opera House to unfurl a 60m by 60m banner that says: 'Evacuate Manus #BringThemHere.'

However, WACA spokesman Lily Matchett told Daily Mail Australia that police rescue crews removed the climbers just as Ms Mastwyk and Mr Avena were in the process of unfurling the banner.

'The banner was halfway through being unfurled when police took it, reeled it in until the climber who was abseiling came up with it,' Ms Matchett added.

She also confirmed that one activist with the group, Nicholas Avery, was arrested at the scene for destruction of property, accused of breaking a lock.

Their massive banner was in the process of being unfurled when police removed the climbers

The protesters did manage to present a smaller banner that said: 'Australia world leaders in cruelty'

One of the climbers shared a selfie taken from atop the Sydney Opera House on Thursday

However, she said that one of the climbers had managed to unfurl a much smaller banner while atop the Opera House that said: 'Australia world leaders in cruelty.'

'The Opera House is an iconic symbol of Australian culture and we think Australia is becoming increasingly internationally recognised for its human rights abuse to refugees,' Ms Matchett added.

'Australia has become a world leader in cruelty - cruelty endorsed by both Liberal and Labor governments.'

In a statement ahead of the protest, WACA said: 'We are here today because the Australian government is failing to uphold basic human rights. We call on both Liberal and Labor to end offshore detention and bring the refugees here immediately.

'Right now men on Manus Island are starving, stricken with thirst, and suffering enormous torment. This is the result of incompetence, bigotry, and a sick political process.

'The Australian government must let New Zealand take 150 of the men today and bring the remaining 450 men to Australia and allow them to choose where they resettle.'

The activists had planned to unfurl a giant banner across the Opera House's west-facing sail

Police have reportedly arrested one person after being called to the scene at 10.20am

One of the activists holds a sign that demands the evacuation of Manus Island on Thursday

Police rescue officers are seen preparing to scale the sails to remove the protesters

Ms Mastwyk, one of the climbers, said: 'The Sydney Opera House is Australia's international icon.

'But increasingly, our country is internationally recognised for our human rights abuses to refugees.'

Mr Avena added: 'This brutal policy has reduced us as a nation and a community.

'We act today in the interest of our own humanity not just the humanity of those left on Manus Island.'

On Manus Island, almost 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the Papua New Guinea island's mothballed detention centre, a week after it was shut down.

They believe it's safer to remain in the compound than risk being attacked by locals at new facilities near the main township of Lorengau.

A number of protesters scaled the sails of the Sydney Opera House on Thursday morning

Police were called to the Opera House after activists scaled the sails in protest of the crisis unfolding on Manus Island

Scottish tourist Claire Campbell was on a tour when she saw a group surrounded by police just outside the front door.

'It looked as if there was a sit-down protest and then you came outside and noticed people up the sail,' she told AAP.

'It had everyone's attention briefly before the police helicopter left.'

Another tourist wasn't supportive.

'Get out of our way, you're ruining our view,' he yelled at the protesters.
Botched robbery possibly linked to a robbery at a petrol station, six hours later

Terrified customers able to flee after staff announcement over shop PA system

Armed robbery went wrong but man fired shots after threatening shop staff

Man armed with a gun stormed hardware store before 9pm on Wednesday

A manhunt is underway for a gunman who fired shots and threatened staff at a hardware store during a botched armed robbery.

The suspect stormed the doors of Bunnings Warehouse in Prestons in Sydney's southwest just before 9pm closing time on Wednesday.

He reportedly threatened staff before firing two shots - one which hit the shelves.

Police speak to people in the hardware store after a gunman attempted to rob it (pictured)

Suspect stormed the doors of Bunnings Warehouse just before 9pm on Wednesday (pictured)

Gunman threatened staff at the store in Prestons (pictured) before firing shots into the air

Terrified shoppers were able to flee the aisles after a staff member told them to leave over the PA system, and nobody was hurt.

The gunman is understood to have fled the store in a silver Mitsubishi Lancer.

Detectives have described the man as white, tall, wearing jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt.

Police are investigating whether the failed robbery attempt is linked to two other armed-hold ups later that night in Eastern Creek and Kemps Creek.

Around 2:40am on Thursday in Kemps Creek, a man armed with a gun held up a petrol station in Kemps Creek, less than 15km away from the Bunnings Warehouse, before fleeing with cash and cigarettes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are investigating whether this botched robbery attempt (pictured) is linked to another
Patrick Hannon, 53 (pictured), was executed on Wednesday for killing Robert Carter and Brandon Snider in January 1991. A female relative of one of the victims waved 'bye, bye' as the lethal injection was administered

A man convicted of killing two people in 1991 was executed on Wednesday.

Patrick Hannon, 53, received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 8.50pm at Florida State Prison in Starke, the office of the governor said.

As Hannon was strapped to a gurney, with 18 witnesses present, he expressed regret over the killings sand said it was two accomplices that killed the victims, Robert Carter and Brandon Snider.

'I hope the execution gives the Carter family some peace. I wish I could have done more to save Robert. I didn't kill anybody, but I was there,' he said.

As he spoke, a victim's female family member said: 'B******t.'

'Robby was a good man and a good friend, and I let him down when he needed me most,' Hannon continued. 'As far as Brandon Snider, I think that everybody knows what he did to get this ball rolling. I'm sorry things worked out like this the way it did.'

Then, as the execution began at 8.38pm, the woman made eye contact with Hannon and raised her hand as if to wave 'bye, bye'.

Twelve minutes after the execution began, he was pronounced dead.

The January 1991 slayings began when Hannon, Jim Acker and Ronald Richardson went to Brandon Snider's apartment in Tampa after Snider allegedly vandalized the apartment of Acker's sister.

According to authorities, Acker initially attacked Snider with a knife and Hannon sliced his throat, nearly cutting off the victim's head.

James Acker (left) initially attacked Brandon Snider with a knife 14 times. Hannon (right) sliced his throat, nearly cutting off the victim's head. Acker, now 53, was sentenced to life in prison plus 22 years at Cross City Correctional Institution in Dixie County. Hannon's jury recommended death unanimously after finding him guilty of two counts of first degree murder

Hannon was executed at Florida State Prison (pictured). Florida resumed executions in August after making changes to its death penalty sentencing law requiring a unanimous jury vote for a death sentence. Hannon had asked for a new sentencing phase but he was deemed ineligible

Snider's roommate, Robert Carter, begged to be let go and tried to hide in an upstairs bedroom. Hannon pulled him out from under a bed and shot him in the chest six times.

Richardson cut a deal with prosecutors and accepted a charge of accessory after the fact and a five-year prison sentence in exchange for testifying against the other two men.

Acker, now 53, was sentenced to life in prison plus 22 years at Cross City Correctional Institution in Dixie County.

Hannon's jury recommended death unanimously after finding him guilty of two counts of first degree murder.

Florida resumed executions in August after making changes to its death penalty sentencing law. The law now requires a unanimous jury vote for a death sentence.

Hannon had asked for a new sentencing phase in light of the recent changes to Florida's death sentencing system, but the new sentencing law did not affect his case because the state's high court ruled that those decided before 2002 were not eligible for relief.

Hannons last day began with him waking up at 2.30am after sleeping just three hours. His last meal consisted of (clockwise from top left): fried potatoes, beef short ribs, bacon, peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream, a roll, and sweet tea (not pictured). He ate most of the short ribs and all the peach cobbler

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Hannons last day began with him waking up at 2.30am after sleeping just three hours.

His last meal consisted of: beef short ribs, fried potatoes, bacon, a roll, peach cobbler, vanilla ice cream and sweet tea. He ate most of the short ribs and all the peach cobbler.

He was also able to spend time with his wife, whom he married while he was on Death Row. Hannon declined to meet with a spiritual advisor.
A motorcyclist is fighting for his life after a gang of thugs allegedly stole a BMW and smashed into the motorbike before fleeing the scene.

The black BMW driver and about four passengers were in the four-wheel-drive when it crashed into the motorbike after failing to slow down at a give-way sign.

The four-wheel drive then dragged the motorbike and rider 70 meters down the road on Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne's east.

The motorbike then exploded and caught fire at about 4.15pm, leaving the 33-year-old motorcyclist with severe burns, according to 9 News.

Victoria Police are still hunting for the group of five thieves who dumped the black BMW before stealing another car, which they later torched.

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A motorcyclist is fighting for his life after an allegedly stolen BMW smashed into the motorbike (pictured) before fleeing the scene

The hit and run offenders are also believed to have attempted to break into a number of houses where they allegedly stole a white Toyota sedan (pictured)

One witness told Fairfax Media they saw the car speeding right before the crash, which dragged the bike along the road as it burst into flames.

'People were screaming and crying. Then I saw the flames as I raced over to see what was going on,' one witness told 9 News.

Denyse Ward told ABC News it was an 'unbelievable' scene and something that 'you never want to witness'.

The 33-year-old man was rushed to The Alfred Hospital in a critical condition with 'life threatening' injuries.

The allegedly stolen BMW was found by police abandoned on East Link.

Denyse Ward told ABC News it was an 'unbelievable' scene and something that 'you never want to witness'

The hit and run offenders are also believed to have attempted to break into a number of houses where they allegedly stole a white Toyota sedan.

The group of five people dressed in 'hoodies' were reportedly banging down the door of a woman's house but she wouldn't let them inside.

'I was screaming "get out of my house",' one woman told 9 News.

The thieves are all still on the run.
As the audit chairman during this audit, I am well aware of the process used and the completeness of the audit. I also chair the appropriations subcommittee in the House of Representatives that is responsible for the Department of Corrections budget, and have been on this committee for four sessions, so have closely watched Core Civic, owner/operator of the prison in Shelby. Mr. Jent also fails to acknowledge that the 20-year contract ends in two years, but can be extended by agreement for five years, and again for an additional five years. When the contract was originally signed, the state opted to pay $9.14 per day, per inmate, to Core Civic, to be used should the state choose to purchase the prison at the end of the contract. This is the nearly $30 million that has accumulated over the past 18 years. Core Civic has no obligation to give this money back to the state; so, the offer by Core Civic to write a check to the state if it extends the contract is a reasonable business offer, nothing more. Gov. Bullock would be wise to accept the offer, and stop holding Montanas most vulnerable citizens hostage by threatening to cut Health and Human Services by 10 percent.
Five teenagers accused of killing a father-of-four by throwing a rock from an overpass and hitting the car he was riding in were doing it for days before the deadly blow, police say.

The teens, aged 15 to 17, even threw a recliner off the Busch Road overpass onto I-75 near the 140-mile marker, Michigan, just two days before the tragedy, as part of 'a long-running game,' Michigan Live reports.

Kyle Anger, 17, Alexander Miller, 15, Trevor Gray, 15, Mikaydyn Payne, 16, and Mark Sekelsky, 16 have all been charged as adults with second degree murder.

Each teen could face up to life in prison for allegedly throwing a six pound rock which smashed through a motorist's windscreen on October 18, killing dad-of-four Ken White, 32.

Five teenagers accused of killing a Michigan father-of-four hurling a rock through his car windscreen, had been throwing items off the same underpass for days before the fatal crash. Pictured is Kyle Anger, 17, of Clio, Michigan, at his arraignment on October 24

Mikadyn Payne (left), 16 and Trevor Gray (right), 15, are among five Michigan teenagers charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy and property destruction

Also charged are Alexzander Miller (left), 15, and Mark Sekelsky (right), 16, who pleaded not guilty and were denied bond

Cops say the teens had been throwing items off the Busch Road overpass (pictured) onto I-75 near the 140-mile marker for days before the incident

Genesee County Undersheriff Chris Swanson told the Genesee County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Monday, said that the kids had a history of tossing items off the bridge.

'We have tracked that going through Saginaw County 911 that this has been a long-running game with these kids,' Swanson said.

Two days before White was killed, local police has received reports of a red recliner chair being thrown off the Busch Road overpass onto the I-75.

The witness told Michigan State Police they'd seen someone pull up in a blue pickup truck before dumping the furniture over the bridge.

On that occasion, no one was hurt and no vehicles were damaged. Police recovered the recliner from the side of the road.

Amy Cagle discussed the heartbreak of telling her five-year-old son what happened to his father

White had four children, and his youngest is five years old. A GoFundMe account was set up to help his family with burial costs

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office said the large rock that struck White smashed the windshield of the van in which he was riding

Police say at least 20 rocks were also found on the interstate, 80 miles north of Detroit, which appear to have been thrown.

All five teens could face life in prison for the second-degree murder charge. Each is also charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and malicious destruction of property, WNEM reports.

All five teens entered not-guilty pleas to the charges last month. They are being held without bond.

'I don't think this was a deliberate attempt to take somebody's life. It was a willful and wanton act that resulted in somebody's death,' Leyton said regarding the charges.

White was tragically killed on October 18 by a six-pound rock that smashed through his windshield after a group of teenagers threw it off an overpass on Interstate 75 in Michigan.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office said the large rock struck the father-of-four in the head when it came crashing through the windshield.

White was immediately knocked unconscious. He was then rushed to the Hurley Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Officers said the incident happened just before 8.30pm near the Dodge Road overpass in Vienna Township, which is about 16 miles from Flint.

Photos of the scene show a gaping hole in the windshield of a white van with a ladder fastened on top. Two large rocks were also found on the highway.

According to MLive, there were four other vehicles that reported hitting other large rocks on the highway.

White left behind a fiancee and four children. Speaking to WBTV, his fiancee Amy Cagle discussed the heartbreak of telling her five-year-old son what happened to his father.

'For some senseless act, for it to be just a rock, just to take him so soon,' she said.

A GoFundMe account was set up for White's family to help with his burial. His youngest child is five years old. The page has raised about $80,000.

Five teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case. Pictured is 17-year-old Kyle Anger. The rest of the teens are 15 years old

Trevor Gray (left) and Mikadyn Payne (right) have also been charged in connection with the case. The five defendants could face life in prison if found guilty of the charge
At the time of the Duchy of Cornwalls decision to invest in the offshore company, its secretary and keeper of the records  the equivalent to its chief executive  was Sir Bertie Ross (right with Charles), an old Etonian chartered surveyor

Prince Charles yesterday faced demands to register all his financial interests after being dragged into the row over offshore investments.

The call for transparency came after the princes Duchy of Cornwall private estate was alleged to have invested 86,000 in a Bermuda carbon credit trading company run by a close friend in 2007.

Charles later lobbied for a change to two climate change deals that would have directly benefited the business, Sustainable Forestry Management.

The so-called Paradise Papers, a huge leak of financial documents, has linked a string of companies and political figures to secretive overseas arrangements.

They include claims that 10million of the Queens private estate was invested in offshore tax havens. There is no suggestion those involved have acted illegally.

At the time of the Duchy of Cornwalls decision to invest in the offshore company, its secretary and keeper of the records  the equivalent to its chief executive  was Sir Bertie Ross, an old Etonian chartered surveyor.

He and a fellow royal accountant were accused by an MP of jiggery pokery over the duchys finances during a parliamentary inquiry into royal finances in 2005.

Sir Bertie was also accused of running it like a private fiefdom but told MPs the estate was well managed.

He was awarded a knighthood in the 2012 New Years honours, the year before stepping down from the Duchy of Cornwall. He had been appointed to his post in 1997.

Sir Bertie was replaced by farmers son Alastair Martin, a former partner in estate agents Carter Jonas.

Yesterday David McClure, who has investigated royal finances, said the same rules should apply to the prince as to MPs, who are required to declare their financial interests.

When Prince Charles makes a variety of speeches on ecological issues, while at the same time he has had a shareholding in companies, we know nothing about it, he told the BBCs Victoria Derbyshire programme.

Maybe it is totally innocuous, the whole thing that has happened, but it would be far better if (the prince) just registered all his interests. What is he hiding?

The call for transparency came after the princes Duchy of Cornwall private estate was alleged to have invested 86,000 in a Bermuda carbon credit trading company run by a close friend in 2007. Pictured: Charles in India yesterday

Following the revelations in the Paradise Papers, the Duchy of Cornwall said Charles does not have any direct involvement in the investment decisions taken by the duchy, which it says are the responsibility of the duchys finance and audit committee.

But, while the prince may not be involved in the details of investments, the duchys website makes clear he does have overall control of its finances. It states: The current duke [Charles] is actively involved in running the duchy and... has proved that environmental and agricultural best practice are compatible with a sound financial return.

Charles appoints and chairs the board of the duchy, called The Princes Council, which meets twice a year. Comprising 11 men and the Countess of Arran, it provides advice to the prince about the management of the estate. It also reviews reports from sub-committees, including the finance and audit committee, which Charles does not sit on.

The duchy has assets worth more than 1billion and provides Charles with an income of more than 20million a year.
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The man who clinched Britains love affair with Italian food did not regard himself as Italian, he once confided to me.

Im not British, Im not Italian, Antonio Carluccio said. Im a citizen of the world. He accompanied this grand declaration with his wickedly broad grin.

More than anyone, Carluccio  who died yesterday aged 80, following a fall at his home  taught us to love the flavours of rural Italy. He was due to stay with me next week, to help present awards at a food festival, and I was so looking forward to seeing him and giving him an illustration I had just framed.

It had initially been commissioned to accompany a piece he wrote for the food magazine I edit. He loved that drawing.

The man who clinched Britains love affair with Italian food did not regard himself as Italian he once confided to me, writes food critic William Sitwell

Remarkably, the illustrator had perfectly captured Carluccios own memory, he said. He was depicted at his bedroom window, as a child in the 1940s, in Piedmont, north-west Italy. His father was the local stationmaster, and together they would forage for wild mushrooms.

All his life Carluccio was fascinated by mushrooms, the mouthwatering textures and tastes they could impart to a meal, and the almost mystical way they could thrive anywhere on the planet.

He had ornaments of them all over his home  everyone who knew him would bring him mushroom-related pieces of art as presents. Even the doorstep of his home in Wandsworth, south London, was sometimes adorned with one, in front of a mosaic of tiles that spelled out his name.

When he first arrived in London in 1976, he went foraging for mushrooms in Hyde Park. In some bushes by the Albert Memorial, he found a giant puffball. Taking it to a nearby restaurant, he asked permission to use their kitchen to cook it: It was delicious.

A chef from the start: A young Antonio, centre, sits at the table of his parents' home in Italy where his early career began

But there was one thing he loved better than mushrooms, and that was women. He was a great romantic, the archetypal Italian lover, who was full of gruff and witty aphorisms on matters of the heart.

Sex is as important as food, he liked to say. The one without the other is hard to imagine.

Inevitably, a great romantic will have his heartbreaks. Carluccios first love, a woman called Inge, parted from him and went on to have two children. He said he was happy for her, but admitted it was a happiness tinged with envy.

He had two failed marriages, to Gerda from Austria and Francesca from Italy, before he decided to escape his troubles by moving to England. After arriving in London, he met and married Priscilla, the sister of the designer Terence Conran. At the time, he was in the wine trade. Priscilla was a brilliant businesswoman, and helped him set up and establish his restaurant as the place to go for an authentic taste of Italy.

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Antonio Carluccio has died at the age of 80. He was known for his colourful career and life

The chef is pictured with a basket of his favorite mushrooms and a truffle stick which he foraged for - a past time he enjoyed tremendously

Priscilla was a divorcee with children of her own and, though Carluccio was deeply fond of his stepchildren, it was a source of lifelong regret that he was never a father. They were married for 27 years.

Carluccio did find love again, with Sabine Stevenson, an archaeologist more than 20 years his junior. But the break-up with Priscilla plunged him into a deep depression, and in 2008 he attempted to end his own life by stabbing himself in the chest with a pair of scissors.

Close friends and family resolved to hush it up. The Press was told that Carluccio, suffering from exhaustion, had slipped while using a knife. But he told the truth four years later in his autobiography, A Recipe For Life, in which he admitted that he had been plagued by depression since the death of his younger brother in a swimming accident in 1960.

Carluccio had a 28-year marriage to designer Sir Terence Conran's sister Priscilla (pictured together in 1994)

He was 13 and I was 23... [It was] the greatest of lifelong losses. He put on a brave front, writing, Its not in my nature to inflict how I am feeling on others. Indeed, I would go to great lengths, often at my most distressed, to keep how I was feeling from those around me.

Reading those words saddened me, because I saw my friend so often at lively parties. He would beckon me and other friends over and entertain us with his stories. Often I would find I spent far longer with him than with anyone else in the room.

A beaming smile under a shock of white hair

After his accident, he stopped drinking, saying that abstinence helped him to manage his moods. But being the irrepressible Carluccio, I dont think he was too strict a teetotaller. Bumping into him at a London club last summer, I offered him a glass of wine. I dont drink anything these days, he assured me. Only whisky!

And then he laughed, with that great dazzling smile that made all his friends glad to know him. He was full of folksy wisdom too: a favourite saying was, Mondays child is fair of face. Of course, he had been born on a Monday, in April 1937  his parents were Giovanni and Maria (she was just 16 when she married), and Antonio was one of five children in a seaside house in the town of Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi coast.

Carluccio is pictured (far right, holding his brother Enrico) with his siblings (from left) Anna, Giuseppe, Grazia and Carlo, in 1949

When he was seven months old, the family moved north, to Castelnuovo south of Turin. One of Antonios earliest memories was of helping his mother at the stove, as she struggled with two more babies. He burned his arm, and had the scar all his life, but it didnt put him off cooking.

Mealtimes were always family affairs. You can share your differences and your reasons for being happy when you eat together, he wrote. He loved to recall those memories. His smile beamed under that shock of white hair as he told me about buying ice cream in the village  the most delicious ices I ever tasted... one of the formative flavours of my childhood!

These memories were the inspiration not only for his nationwide chain of cafes (with 110 now in the UK, and more abroad) but for the books he wrote constantly. He kept a pile of notebooks on his dining table and wrote everything by hand in pencil, later to be typed up on a computer.

Beside the books was an overflowing ashtray. In the days before the smoking ban, I only ever saw Carluccio through a haze of tobacco. Right up to his death, he smoked 20 a day.

He always had a pile of walking sticks in the corner of his room too, which he had whittled from branches himself.

If you are a good boy, he once told me, perhaps when the time comes Ill take you out to look for mushrooms and give you a stick. That was a tease. Carluccio would never show anyone where he found his mushrooms.

But with everything else, he was immensely generous. The last time I visited his home, he produced a jar of pickled mushrooms, and placed them into my hands with a grin, as though Id know exactly what to do with them.

I didnt, of course. The jar has been at the back of my fridge ever since, playfully challenging me. Tonight, I plan to open it and try grilling the mushrooms on toast. And with every bite, I shall remember my friend.

William Sitwell is a MasterChef critic and editor of Waitrose Food
EU leaders are preparing for the collapse of Theresa May's government by Christmas after Priti Patel became the second cabinet minister to resign in a week.

The international development secretary, once tipped as a Tory leader, was forced to quit the Cabinet last night after failing to tell Theresa May the full truth about her secret dealings with the Israeli government.

Amid farcical scenes, Miss Patel was ordered to fly home to face the music just 12 hours into a tour of Africa  and just two days after she was reprieved by Mrs May.

She quit in a short meeting with the PM in Downing Street - but in her resignation letter she issued a thinly veiled warning that she could challenge the Government from the backbenches over Brexit, as allies argued she had been treated harshly.

European leaders are now said to be readying themselves for Mrs May's 'fragile' government to fall within weeks.

Priti Patel was taken away from Downing Street from the back gates after resigning from the government last night

Downing Street published the exchange of letters between Miss Patel and Mrs May last night

Miss Patel's departure follows Sir Michael Fallon's decision to quit as defence secretary last week, over accusations of misconduct against women.

The government was already being propped up on the slenderest of margins by the DUP, and question marks are still hanging over the futures of further frontbenchers in Boris Johnson and Damian Green.

Brussels is now braced for the PM being ousted by her party, or for another General Election bringing Jeremy Corbyn to Number 10.

One European leader told the Times: 'There is the great difficulty of the leadership in Great Britain, which is more and more fragile.

'Britain is very weak and the weakness of Theresa May makes negotiations very difficult.'

In her resignation letter, Miss Patel indicated that she could be a thorn in the PMs side over Brexit, writing: I will speak up for our country, our national interests and the great future that Britain has as a free, independent and sovereign nation.

Her departure came just a week after the resignation of Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon over allegations of sexual harassment.

Mrs May is expected to carry out another mini-reshuffle this morning to replace Miss Patel, a prominent Brexiteer.

The reshuffle is likely to be complicated by Mrs Mays desire to retain the delicate Cabinet balance on Brexit.

Miss Patel entered the famous building by the back door shortly after 6pm before the fateful talk with Mrs May

Miss Patel was driven away through the gates after drawing a line under her time as a minister

Theresa May, pictured arriving in Downing Street tonight after her regular audience with the Queen, has summoned Miss Patel for showdown talks

On an extraordinary day in Westminster;

A series of fresh revelations sealed Miss Patels political fate as it emerged she had held another undisclosed meeting with the Israeli public security minister;

It was also claimed Miss Patel had visited an Israeli field hospital in the Golan Heights, despite it being widely regarded as illegally occupied;

Thousands tracked the progress of Miss Patels flight home via a website, with TV news helicopters following its arrival;

A furious row broke out over whether Downing Street had been aware of any of Miss Patels controversial meetings  and whether it was No 10 who had told her to keep them quiet;

There was speculation a reshuffle could see the promotion another pro-Brexit MP, such as Penny Mordaunt, Theresa Villiers or Dominic Raab.

In a letter to the Prime Minister last night, Miss Patel offered a fulsome apology to you and to the Government for what has happened.

In her reply, Mrs May made clear she would have sacked Miss Patel if she had not resigned.

She wrote: Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign.

Priti Patel's letter to the PM Putting a brave face on it: Priti Patel was all smiles as she arrived back in Downing Street tonight for her meeting with Theresa May Dear Prime Minister, It has been a tremendous privilege to serve in your Cabinet since you became Prime Minister in July 2016. During my time as Secretary of State for International Development, I have been proud to work alongside you, colleagues in Government and our partners across the world to support the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. It has been a privilege to preside over a Department which has a team of remarkable individuals who often face adversity and danger in tough and challenging circumstances. Our teams across the world are displaying the ingenuity of the human spirit every single day as they strive to save lives and give vulnerable people new opportunities. I have seen at first-hand the refugee camps and the projects we support across the world. Seeing how the aid and support provided by this country is transforming and saving lives is truly remarkable. These are experiences that I will never forget and will forever inform my views and outlook on the world. In humanitarian crises and natural disasters, along with volunteers and charities, the Department's staff are amongst the first on the ground courageously acting to save lives by providing food, medicines and shelter. The human decency, compassion and commitment they show is simply awe-inspiring and they are a credit to our county. Our actions to reform the global aid system, invest in new projects that deliver better outcomes and support economic development will make a lasting positive difference to the poorest in the world. I have seen the very best of Britain and know it will flourish on the world stage as we leave the European Union. We should all be very proud that across the world the Union Flag on our aid parcels and on the projects we support is seen as a symbol of hope. Our country is a force for good in the world and as Secretary of State for International Development it has always been my focus to act in the best interest of our great country. In recent days there have been a number of reports about my actions and I am sorry that these have served as a distraction from the work of the Department for International Development and of the Government as a whole. As you know from our discussions I accept that in meeting with organisations and politicians during a private holiday in Israel my actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a Secretary of State. While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated. I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the Government for what has happened and offer my resignation. From the backbenches I will take an active role representing and speaking up for the good people of the Witham constituency. I look forward to highlighting the great entrepreneurial spirit in this part of Essex that has created new jobs and growth and to take my campaigns for new investment in infrastructure and services to the floor of the House of Commons. I will continue to support you and the Government and stand up for the Conservative values of freedom, opportunity and aspiration. I will also speak up for our country, our national interests and the great future that Britain has as a free, independent and sovereign nation. I wish you and the Government all the very best. With all good wishes, The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP Advertisement

Miss Patels downfall followed extraordinary revelations last week that she held a dozen secret meetings with senior Israelis, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a family holiday in August.

In a major breach of protocol, Miss Patel took no officials with her to the meetings, at which no minutes were kept. Instead, she was accompanied by Tory peer Lord Polak, honorary president of the powerful lobby group Conservative Friends of Israel.

During clear the air talks in No 10 on Monday, Miss Patel promised the Prime Minister she had revealed everything about her secret dealings with Israel.

But to the irritation of Downing Street, it emerged the following day that she had proposed diverting British aid money to fund the Israeli armys humanitarian activities in the Golan Heights  a disputed territory which Britain has not recognised since it was annexed by Israel 50 years ago.

But Downing Street continued to say the PM had full confidence in Miss Patel as late as 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The plane carrying Miss Patel arrived back in London from Nairobi at around 3pm today

Mrs Mays patience finally snapped on Tuesday night when she learned that Miss Patel had held another undisclosed meeting with Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in Parliament on September 7.

Tory grandee Sir Desmond Swayne dismissed suggestions that a second Cabinet resignation in a week would be a catastrophe.

There are 22 Cabinet ministers and there are plenty of people who are talented to step into their shoes, he said. It will not be a huge destabilisation.

Several allies of Miss Patel pleaded for clemency.

Speaking ahead of her dismissal, former Foreign Office minister James Duddridge said she had been a fabulous minister who deserved to be let off with a second reprimand.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage tweeted: Resignation by Priti Patel is very sad. Shes a good woman and a leading Brexiteer in the Cabinet.

The latest departure will inevitably heighten the sense of chaos engulfing the government, as Mrs May desperately tries to get a grip on a bewildering array of crises.

Her deputy Damian Green is being investigated over sex harassment allegations, while Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson faces demands to resign over loose comments that might double the jail term for a British mother in Iran.

To make matters worse, the Prime Minister herself is also facing questions - amid claims she spoke to Miss Patel about her meeting with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu as long ago as September.

The Jewish Chronicle claimed No10 asked Miss Patel not to include a meeting with foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York in September in her list of disclosures.

Downing Street is also said to have been made aware of Miss Patel's meeting with Mr Netanyahu shortly after it happened - despite a spokesman telling journalists this week that they were unaware until last Friday.

In the most explosive allegation, it is said Mrs May spoke to Ms Patel in advance of the UN General Assembly and they discussed the minister's meeting with Mr Netanyahu, as well as the details of Ms Patel's plan for UK aid to be shared with the Israelis.

Mrs May is said to have agreed the idea was 'sensible' but needed sign off from the Foreign Office.

But a No10 spokesman said: 'It is not true that the Prime Minister knew about the International Development Secretary's meeting with PM Netanyahu before Friday November 3.

'It is equally untrue to say that No 10 asked DfID to remove any meetings from the list they published this week.'

The PM's response to Priti Patel Dear Priti, Thank you for your letter following our meeting this evening confirming your resignation as Secretary of State for International Development. As you know, the UK and Israel are close allies, and it is right that we should work closely together. But that must be done formally, and through official channels. That is why, when we met on Monday, I was glad to accept your apology and welcomed your clarification about your trip to Israel over the summer. Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated. As you do so, you should take pride in what you have achieved as Secretary of State. You have ensured that the UK aid budget continues to deliver value for money for British taxpayers, in support of our national interest, while helping some of the world's most vulnerable people. The reforms to which you secured agreement at the High Level Meeting in Paris last week are just one recent example of this. Under your leadership, the Department for International Development has increased its work on economic development, including on trade, helping developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty and creating the trading partners of the future. I also welcome your efforts on the global health agenda, notably as co-host of the Family Planning Summit in London this summer, and DFID' s work in leading the humanitarian response in the Overseas Territories affected by the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean, and responding to the refugee crisis in Burma and Bangladesh. Through this work and more, you have helped to ensure that, as the UK leaves the EU, we build a truly Global Britain. You rightly take pride in being the first British Indian Cabinet Minister - a significant achievement which follows your work as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Minister of State for Employment, and your years of service to your constituents in Witham, whom I know you will continue to serve with great commitment and devotion. Advertisement

TIMELINE OF THE PATEL CRISIS August 13-25: Priti Patel meets a dozen senior politicians and officials while on 'family holiday' to Israel. They include Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. She is accompanied by Tory peer Lord Polak for all but one, but the encounters are not known to the UK government beforehand. She also reportedly visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights, a disputed area that Britain does not recognise. September 7: Miss Patel meets Israeli Minister for Public Security Gilad Erdan for talks in the House of Commons. September 18: Minister meets Israel's Foreign Ministry boss Yuval Rotem while in New York at the UN General Assembly. September: Miss Patel and Mrs May are alleged to have discussed her meeting with Mr Netanyahu while at the UN in New York. Downing Street denies the conversation happened. November 3: Miss Patel publicly admits to holding secret meetings with a range of Israeli politicians and officials after reports emerge. No10 says Mrs May was only made aware of the Netanyahu meeting on this day. November 6: Miss Patel concedes that further meetings took place in Israel, including with Mr Netanyahu, and 'clarifies' previous comments. November 8: The PM orders Miss Patel to return from Africa tour after more illicit meetings emerge. Miss Patel's resignation was announced after a 33-minute showdown with Mrs May in No10. Advertisement

Miss Patel narrowly avoided the sack following the initial wave of revelations after the PM decided she could not risk destabilising the Government further after Sir Michael Fallon quit over sexual harassment claims last week.

But Downing Street's stance changed yesterday after it emerged that Miss Patel had tried to divert some of Britain's aid budget to humanitarian work by the Israeli army in the disputed Golan Heights. Britain accuses Israel of occupying the territory illegally.

It was revealed that on September 7, Ms Patel met Israeli Minister for Public Security Gilad Erdan for talks in the House of Commons.

Then, on September 18, she met Israel's Foreign Ministry boss Yuval Rotem while in New York at the UN General Assembly.

DfID said it was not aware of the Erdan meeting until Tuesday night, and there were no UK government officials present.

Miss Patel was largely hidden by umbrellas as she took to the tarmac, and was then driven away in a ministerial car

Priti Patel was driven away in a ministerial car after arriving back at Heathrow today

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, pictured in Washington tonight where he is meeting US politicians on Capitol Hill, was unaware of Miss Patel's meeting before they happened

Miss Patel's undeclared meetings while on 'holiday' in August included one with Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid (pictured)

The Rotem meeting was known about on Monday, but was not disclosed on the list because that only covered the period when Miss Patel was on holiday.

Miss Patel met both Erdan and Rotem over the summer, and met them again in September.

No10 dismissed the idea that Miss Patel had been asked not to disclose the September encounter with Rotem for fear of 'embarrassing' the Foreign Office, pointing out that he had featured on the list anyway.

The backlash against Miss Patel reached boiling point on Tuesday night, with sources at the heart of government saying 'no one, least of all the Secretary of State herself, is pretending she handled this well'.

Tory MPs had refused to come to her aid during a Commons statement on her conduct in which she faced renewed calls to resign.

Yotam Polizer, of the IsraAID organisation, which Miss Patel met, said the meeting had been arranged two weeks in advance  suggesting it was fixed before she left the UK.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Miss Patel also visited a military field hospital in the Golan Heights, where Syrian refugees were being treated.

The British government, along with most of the international community, does not recognise the territory, which was captured in 1967, as belonging to Israel. Protocol dictates that visits there are not hosted by Israel.

Aid Secretary Priti Patel was summoned back to the UK from Nairobi for a showdown with Mrs May, dropping plans to fly to Uganda with Trade Secretary Liam Fox. She is pictured on a previous foreign trip

Miss Patel had been due to fly on to Uganda with International Trade Secretary Liam Fox

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was in London for talks with Mrs May and to mark a century a century since the Balfour Declaration. Mrs May did not know of the meeting between Mr Netanyahu and Ms Patel during the talks

Labour claimed Miss Patel was guilty of four separate breaches of the code and called for her to resign. Kate Osamor, the party's international development spokesman, said: 'It is hard to think of a more black-and-white case of breaking the ministerial code of conduct.

'But rather than change the minister, the Prime Minister somehow decided the code itself needed changing.'

THOUSANDS WATCH PATEL'S FLIGHT HOME ON WEBSITE Thousands of people watched the progress of Priti Patels flight from Nairobi as she flew back to Britain under orders from Prime Minister Theresa May. Following the news of Ms Patels return, website Flightradar 24 reported on Twitter that more than 22,000 people were tracking the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners flight on its site, although it was not absolutely certain Ms Patel was aboard the KQA100 Kenya Airways flight to Heathrow. Usually flights on the website are tracked by one to 200 people. Users on Twitter compared it to watching OJ Simpson attempt to outrun police in his car in 1994. Advertisement

Miss Patel was absent from the Commons during questions about her conduct because she was flying to Africa.

Instead, Middle East Minister Alistair Burt was sent in to explain her conduct.

He told MPs that Miss Patel had tabled proposals to use aid money to assist the humanitarian work of the Israeli Defence Force in the Golan Heights, adding that it had been ruled out immediately by the Foreign Office as 'not appropriate'.

Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian Authority's ambassador to the UK, described the revelations as 'shocking' last night and questioned last night why Miss Patel made no effort to balance her meetings by talking to them.

Shadow Aid Secretary Kate Osamor said Ms Patel should either be sent for a formal investigation or 'do the decent thing and resign'.

But Mr Burt claimed they were 'not particularly secret meetings' and insisted: 'If I were on a visit to Israel I would have wanted a schedule just like this.'

He did however admit he would have told Britain's Israeli ambassador had he planned such a schedule.

Mrs May's official spokesman confirmed the issue of a field hospital was discussed by Ms Patel in her meetings.

He said: 'The Secretary of State did discuss ways to provide medical support to Syrian refugees who are wounded and cross into the Golan Heights.

THE VETERAN TORY PEER WHO SET UP PATEL'S MEETINGS Lord Stuart Polak is a political veteran and political networker who has spent his career pressing the case for greater ties with Israel. Born in Liverpool and still a keen supporter of 'The Reds' football club, as a child he was a chazan helping to lead services at his local synagogue. He made his first educational trips to Israel from the age of 15 and carved himself out a career fostering closer relations between the UK and Israel. He served as an officer for the Board of Deputies of British Jews in the 1980s before joining the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) in 1989. Under his leadership the CFI became one of the biggest lobbying groups in Westminster  throwing dinners and events for hundreds of important guests and developing contacts in the corridors of power. Lord Polak told the Jewish Chronicle in 1990 that he was motivated by a desire to 'put as much as possible back into the community' but also admitted he is 'as ambitious as the next man'. In 2015 he was made a peer by David Cameron and happily accepted the peerage, describing the honour as a 'once in a lifetime opportunity'. On accepting the peerage he stepped down as CFI director but continued as the group's honourary president. Advertisement

'The Israeli Army runs field hospitals there to care for Syrians wounded in the civil war.

'There is no change in policy in this area. The UK does not provide any financial support to the Israeli Army.'

Mrs May's spokesman insisted Ms Patel was 'absolutely clear' in her meeting with the Prime Minister on Monday.

He said the new revelation was not a surprise to Downing Street and no policy change had been made.

The spokesman added: 'The Secretary of State has been clear with No 10 that on no other occasions while a minister as she organised meetings with a foreign government minster outside the normal channels while on holiday.'

As the extraordinary row broke on Monday, the International Development Secretary blamed her 'enthusiasm to engage' for her failure to Mrs May or Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson about the dozen high-level encounters.

As well as saying sorry for the stunning breach of protocol, Miss Patel was also forced to make an humiliating 'clarification' of comments last week in which she appeared to deny there were any more meetings to disclose.

Miss Patel said in a statement on the DfID website: 'This summer I travelled to Israel, on a family holiday paid for myself.'

'While away I had the opportunity to meet a number of people and organisations. I am publishing a list of who I met. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was aware of my visit while it was underway.

'In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be mis-read, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it.

'My first and only aim as the Secretary of State for International Development is to put the interests of British taxpayers and the world's poor at the front of our development work.'

Mrs Patel was accompanied by a Tory peer Lord Polak, who set up the meetings.

The statement released by DfID on Monday suggested Mrs Patel had started to shift policy following her visit.

THE RUNNERS AND RIDERS TO REPLACE PRITI PATEL IN CABINET Penny Mordaunt is regarded as the favourite to take over from Miss Patel Penny Mordaunt is regarded as the front runner to take over from Priti Patel when the seemingly inevitable sacking happens tonight. The minister for the disabled was hotly tipped to take over when Sir Michael Fallon was forced to quit as Defence Secretary last week. But Mrs May chose to promote close ally Gavin Williamson instead, infuriating some Tory MPs. As a prominent Brexiteer, 44-year-old Ms Mordaunt's appointment would not upset the delicate balance in the Cabinet between Leave and Remain ministers. Other names in the frame include business minister Margot James, 60, who is widely respected. However, she has not previously reached Minister of State level, and was a Remainer before the referendum. Sports minister Tracy Crouch, 42, is seen as a prospect for promotion. Education minister Anne Milton, 61, would also be a popular choice among fellow MPs and is seen as a safe pair of hands. Unusually, she did not say publicly which way she voted on Brexit. Advertisement

DfID minister Alistair Burt was sent to the Commons (pictured) to defend Miss Patel in her absence yesterday. He said the Aid Secretary was 'in the air' as he explained her absence

'On her return from Israel, the Secretary of State commissioned Departmental work on humanitarian and development partnership between Israel and the UK, and on disability,' it said.

The statement also 'clarified' two quotes given to the Guardian last week in which the minister sought to dismiss the row.

TORY MP: PRITI DRAMA IS PART OF BID TO OUST BREXITEERS FROM THE CABINET Nadhim Zahawi, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, told BBC Newsnight the outcry over the trip has been 'drummed up'. The backlash over Priti Patel's secret meetings in Israel is part of a plot to oust Brexiteers from the Cabinet, a Tory MP has claimed. Nadhim Zahawi, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the outcry over the trip has been 'drummed up'. And he said calls for Boris Johnson to quit as Foreign Secretary over his gaffe about a British mother in an Iranian jail was also part of the same plot. Mr Zahawi told BBC's Newsnight: 'This is not an enemy state that she was somehow having clandestine meetings with. 'The Foreign Office knew during the trip she was having these meetings. Yes, the ambassador should have been there, she's already admitted the mistake of not following procedure and apologised for it. 'I somehow feel that some of this stuff is being drummed up because both Priti and the Foreign Secretary were big beasts in the Brexit campaign and some Labour 'Remoaners' and others who think if we can take out some of these beasts and derail the government then maybe we can actually do a U-turn on Brexit.' Advertisement

She was reported as saying that 'Boris knew about the visit', but embarrassingly conceded today: 'This quote may have given the impression that the Secretary of State had informed the Foreign Secretary about the visit in advance.

'The Secretary of State would like to take this opportunity to clarify that this was not the case. The Foreign Secretary did become aware of the visit, but not in advance of it.'

Mrs Patel also admitted that a quote in which she insisted 'the stuff that is out there is it' was 'lacking in precision'.

'This quote may be read as implying that the Secretary of State was saying that the meetings that had so far been publicly reported were the only ones which took place on her visit,' the statement said.

'The Secretary of State would like to take the opportunity to correct this impression: she is clear that other meetings also took place on her visit, in addition to those which had been publicly reported at the time of her making these statements.'

'The FCO are clear that UK interests were not damaged or affected by the meetings on this visit.'

The backlash over Priti Patel's secret meetings in Israel is part of a plot to oust Brexiteers from the Cabinet, a Tory MP last night claimed.

Nadhim Zahawi, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the outcry over the trip has been 'drummed up'.

And he said calls for Boris Johnson to quit as Foreign Secretary over his gaffe about a British mother in an Iranian jail was also part of the same plot.

Mr Zahawi told BBC's Newsnight: 'This is not an enemy state that she was somehow having clandestine meetings with.

'The Foreign Office knew during the trip she was having these meetings. Yes, the ambassador should have been there, she's already admitted the mistake of not following procedure and apologised for it.

'I somehow feel that some of this stuff is being drummed up because both Priti and the Foreign Secretary were big beasts in the Brexit campaign and some Labour 'Remoaners' and others who think if we can take out some of these beasts and derail the government then maybe we can actually do a U-turn on Brexit.'

Abandon ship! Sleaze probe minister Damian Green poses with a LIFEBOAT as May fights to keep government afloat

Sleaze probe minister Damian Green posed with a lifeboat today - as Theresa May struggled to keep her government afloat.

The PM's deputy took part in the unwise photo opportunity as the government was buffeted by a string of crises, ranging from sexual allegations to illicit meetings with foreign politicians.

Sir Michael Fallon's career as Defence Secretary came to an abrupt end last Wednesday, after he admitted his behaviour towards women had fallen short of standards.

Deputy PM Damian Green, who is under investigation by the Cabinet Office, posted a picture of himself being shown a lifeboat in Moray

Mrs May has already lost Sir Michael Fallon (pictured front row, third from left) from her Cabinet, while Priti Patel (pictured right of middle row) has now gone

And Priti Patel was axed last night after more details emerged of a swathe of unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians while she was on a 'family holiday' last summer.

Mr Green is under investigation by the Cabinet Office over allegations he made a clumsy pass at a Conservative activist, and sent her a flirty text message.

He has also furiously denied separate claims that police found 'extreme' - but legal - porn on his office computer in 2008.

The minister yesterday posted a picture of himself being shown a lifeboat in Moray.
Britain should delay Brexit by up to two years or a deal will fall apart, Angela Merkels advisers say.

In a controversial assessment that will anger Downing Street, five senior economists said Brussels should prepare for Britain to remain a member of the bloc until the end of 2020.

The economists who form the Council of Experts, also known as five wise men, told Germanys Chancellor that an extension to negotiations would be sensible.

As part of the move they recommend the UK all but replicates its current EU membership conditions, which would likely be for two years until the current EU budget ends in 2020.

The economists who form the Council of Experts, also known as five wise men, told Germanys Chancellor, Angela Merkel, that an extension to negotiations would be sensible

The Council of Experts believes a one-off extension [of Brexit negotiations] that largely preserves the status quo would be sensible, they said.

Such an extension would need to be requested by the UK before being agreed unanimously by other member states.

They said: If [preventing Brexit] is not possible, the objective of the negotiations should be to conclude a follow-up agreement that minimises damage from both sides. It is likely more time will be needed to negotiate this kind of agreement.

In their annual report to the German parliament, the advisers also warned about the risk of a no deal which they said could cause significant economic upheaval in the bloc.

UK negotiators will today reconvene in Brussels, before Brexit Secretary David Davis (pictured) meets the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier tomorrow

But they added: Conversely, the possibility of the UK staying in the EU cant be completely excluded.

UK negotiators will today reconvene in Brussels, before Brexit Secretary David Davis meets the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier tomorrow.

Progress is highly unlikely with the UK expected to refuse making any concessions on the controversial Brexit divorce bill. During talks, UK officials are expected to raise concerns that the EU is blocking progress by refusing to guarantee voting rights for UK citizens who remain in Europe after Brexit.

Despite Brussels insisting that the UK Government can only negotiate with the European Commission, the UK believes it should be able to negotiate with EU countries individually on the issue.

A Government source said: If bilateral talks are whats required to get people the right to vote, some flexibility will be required.
A 41-year-old woman been arrested after handing herself in to police following a hit-and-run in Melbourne.

Alice Lewis, 13, is fighting for her life after being hit by a BMW in Melbourne on Sunday.

A woman from Sunshine North has come forward to Victoria Police and handed herself in after the incident.

She is assisting police with their inquiries.

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Pictured: Alice Lewis, 13, who is in an induced coma after being struck by a car on Sunday night

Alice was hit while crossing the road at Bell and Sussex streets in Coburg about 8pm and remains in an induced coma at the Royal Children's Hospital.

Friends are mourning publicly online, with many urging her to 'stay strong' and willing her speedy recovery.

'Stay strong Alice, I know you can fight through this,' one girl wrote. 'I love [you] to bits I just hope you will be okay'.

Every Victorian port was being monitored amid fears the female driver of Asian appearance, who struck Alice in Melbourne, may have fled the country.

Investigators on Tuesday seized a dark grey BMW, which is believed to be linked to the tragic crash, in Braybrook in the city's west.

Alice, who was not wearing a helmet, is believed to have been riding her bike with two friends at the time.

Every Victorian port is being monitored amid fears a female hit-and-run driver of Asian appearance, who struck a teenage cyclist in Melbourne, may flee the country (pictured is seized BMW)

The dark grey BMW (seen in CCTV footage) was discovered at the back of a residential and commercial laneway in Melbourne's west

Alice Lewis, 13, is still fighting for her life in Melbourne as police desperately search for the driver - who police say is an Asian woman in her 30s (Alice's bike pictured at the scene)

Authorities were closely monitoring airports, seaports and train stations to prevent a repeat of the Puneet Puneet culpable driving case, where a young Indian man fled Australia while on bail after killing a man in 2009.

'We're working with the federal police to make sure that we know who's leaving and who's not leaving,' Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

'Every port of leaving Victoria is being watched.'

The alleged driver was given a 'last chance' to 'show some remorse' to stop evading police and hand herself in.

'We know we're really close to making an arrest in this matter,' Det Insp McGregor told Channel Seven earlier in the week.

'This is probably the last chance this driver has to do the right thing.'

Forensic examiners were investigating whether the dark grey 1 Series BMW, discovered at the back of a residential and commercial laneway in Melbourne's west, is the one witnesses said fled the crime scene.

It has been reported the teenager was not wearing a helmet and sustained head injuries

The female driver, who has shoulder length dark hair and was accompanied by an Asian man, stopped briefly and looked at the scene before fleeing, witnesses have told police

A public tip-off helped police locate the car.

'There is no one that should suffer this, there is no mother or father or grandparent who would ever want this to happen to their child, let alone be left on the side of the road just to die by a person who leaves the scene who doesn't even bother to stop and help,' Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor told Nine News.

A Melbourne woman has spoken on Facebook about seeing the horrific accident after the driver left.

'We came across this accident and my husband was first on the scene to provide first aid to her. Can't believe the driver just drove off,' she began.

'To the off duty paramedic and off duty nurse who then helped with my husband... a big thank you. My prayers are with the teenage girl and thoughts with her two friends who I tried to comfort. Hope they find the driver ASAP.'
Lord Polak, 56, is the fixer who set up several of Patels meetings with senior political figures in Israel, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu

As the great and good of the Tory Party gather next month for one of the most important lunches in their parliamentary calendar, the familiar silver-haired figure of Lord Polak will be masterminding proceedings.

The 700-strong guest list for the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) lunch at the Park Plaza Hotel in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament includes Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

In a testament to smooth-talking Polaks networking skills, Theresa May was guest speaker last year, while the previous year David Cameron gave the main address.

Next months speaker has not yet been announced but it had been widely thought to be Priti Patel  until this week when the controversy over the international development secretarys trip to Israel in August blew up.

Polak, 56, is the fixer who set up several of Patels meetings with senior political figures in Israel, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He sat in on 11 of the meetings on Patels so-called family holiday. He was also with her in the two further undisclosed meetings in New York and Parliament with Israeli government officials which are thought to have finally sealed her fate.

One of the figures she was introduced to by Polak is Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition who is widely expected to become Israels next prime minister. Lapid was at a party Polak threw in Parliament to celebrate being made a peer in the autumn of 2015.

For almost 30 years, Polak has nurtured the Conservative Friends of Israel and developed the organisation, of which he is honorary president, into one of the most powerful and influential lobbying groups in the history of the Tory Party. It has tentacles in every corner  its believed that as many as 80 per cent of Tory MPs are members  but he has done it by operating behind the scenes. He eschews publicity, rarely gives interviews, and until now has always been regarded as a shrewd political operator.

Priti Patel was taken away from Downing Street from the back gates after resigning from the government tonight

That is why friends and colleagues are so baffled that the peer  who has contacts at the highest level in the Israeli government  misjudged the Patel trip so badly. He should have known that if Patel attended high-powered meetings with Israeli ministers in the absence of civil servants to take minutes it could threaten her career.

And he understands only too well that the spotlight will now be shone not just on his beloved CFI, but also on the extraordinary influence he and his organisation have within the Tories. Many believe the controversy  and its seismic repercussions  could mark the beginning of the end of that influence.

One minister told me last night: Hes gone too far. Lord Polak should be expelled from the Conservative Party. He knew perfectly well he was peddling influence on behalf of Israel and it was improper to involve Priti Patel in his scheme. He took advantage of the fact she isnt anything like as clever as she thinks she is.

As a reporter follows Lord Polak into health spar as he tries to evaid questions from a television crew over Priti Patel's Israel meetings

The day before the Patel crisis was made public at the end of last week, it was clear something was up. Polak was spotted deep in conversation in Portcullis House in Parliament with Gavin Barwell, Mays increasingly influential chief of staff. In addition to his work with the CFI, Polak is chairman of the advisory board of a consultancy called The Westminster Connection, which has lobbied MPs successfully on behalf of Elbit Systems, Israels major defence contractor.

In 2012, Elbits British chairman, retired Lt Gen Richard Applegate, boasted to undercover reporters who secretly taped him of the consultancys role in lobbying MPs. He claimed the consultancy could gain access from the Prime Minister down  the PM being David Cameron at the time.

Applegate was quoted saying: We piggy-back on something, and please dont spread this around, to do with basically Conservative Friends of Israel... and you then do a series of discreet engagements using advisers to gain access to particular decision makers.

One of the Tory MPs they lobbied was James Arbuthnot, who was then chairman of both the Commons defence select committee and the CFI parliamentary group.

State-educated Stuart Polak comes from a working-class background. He was born and brought up in Liverpool and was a child cantor, leading the singing at the Childwall Hebrew Congregation. From the age of 15 he began visiting Israel on educational trips.

He married Charlotte in Liverpool in 1986 and she is now company secretary of one of his firms. They have two grown-up children, Natasha and Daniel, and live in a 1.2 million house in Hertfordshire.

After moving to London he began his career as a United Synagogue youth officer in Edgware, north London. A skilled schmoozer even then, as an officer in the 1980s at the Board of Deputies  the main representative body of British Jews  he encouraged the then Education Secretary Sir Keith Joseph to help Jewish students on university campuses.

It was in 1989, aged 28, that he took up a job at CFI, saying: I was brought up to put as much as possible back into the community. Im as ambitious as the next man, but Im motivated more by a sense of duty.

And when the Tories returned to power in 2010 after 13 years in the political wilderness, he really came into his own. He has taken more than 70 Tory MPs on fact-finding trips to Israel since then.

Lord Polak has not shed any light on his role in the backroom deals in Israel as Priti Patel quit

Three members of the Cabinet  Mrs Rudd, communities secretary Sajid Javid and international development secretary Liam Fox  have been guests of Polak in Israel, although they were backbenchers at the time.

Those who are sceptical about the country when they visit on his trips invariably return, if not indoctrinated, at least with a pro-Israel view.

In February this year, CFI organised a delegation to Israel headed by former Tory Party and CFI chairman Eric Pickles to celebrate his knighthood. Pickles was accompanied by former education secretary Nicky Morgan, former work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb, former Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers  and Polak himself.

CFI was formed in 1974 and has since made deep inroads into the party. Polak himself is thought to have raised about 10million for Tory funds.

As for Priti Patel, Polak has long been a fan because of her staunch support for Israel. But he appears to have over-reached himself. Stuart may have got too cocky for his own good, one source said. Hes helped Pritis rise  and her fall.
The former colleagues of the EuroMillions jackpot winners have insisted there are no hard feelings towards them after they scooped a 25.4 million prize.

Julie Saunders, 56, Doreen Thompson, 56, Julie Amphlett, 50, Jean Cairns, 73, Louise Ward, 37 and Sian Jones, 54, were named as the winners today after they ran a syndicate at work.

The women all worked together at Neath Port Talbot Hospital but soon quit their 300-a-week jobs after cashing in their tickets.

But despite two of the women ringing in sick after realising they had won, their fellow kitchen workers insist they are not jealous.

Julie Saunders, 56, Doreen Thompson, 56, Julie Amphlett, 50, Jean Cairns, 73, Louise Ward, 37, Sian Jones, 54, celebrate their lottery win

Cheryl Edwards Andrea Davies - colleagues of the Euro Millions winners from Port Talbot hospital, who all worked in the canteen

Clare Birchall and Andrea Davies are pictured holding a cake for the winners at Neath Port Talbot hospital

Canteen supervisor Stephen Thomas revealed he had to cover a shift after one of the winners cited stress as the reason she couldn't come in.

He told the Mirror: 'To be fair, I'd have done the same. I'd love to be stressed about winning millions of pounds.'

Another former colleague said: 'We're absolutely chuffed for them. It was just a syndicate they set up informally, it wasn't like we were all invited to take part in it.

'There are no hard feelings at all, it's just nice that the money is going to a great bunch of girls.'

Cheryl Edwards, busy serving food to customers in a cafe at the hospital told Wales Online: 'I could not believe it. It was rumours first of all and then we realised it was the truth.

'I've enjoyed working with them and it will be sad now they have gone and we won't see them anymore.

'I spoke to Julie (Saunders) and we were both crying speaking down the phone.

Colleagues of the Euro Millions winners from Port Talbot hospital who all worked in the canteen

From left: Andrea Davies, Sue Jones, Nick Mak, Cheryl Edwards and Claire Birchall

It is understood there are still around 25 cooks left at Neath Port Talbot, but the hospital is now likely to have begin a recruitment drive in earnest.

Fellow worker Kay Clark said the atmosphere was 'absolutely unbelievable.'

'Everyone couldn't believe it,' she added today.

'Good luck to them all, that's what I say, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

'They are all a good bunch and you wouldn't wish this on a nicer group of people.'

Service director Claire Birchall said: 'We think it's absolutely fantastic'

Their manager, Beryl Walters echoed Mrs Clark's sentiments.

'It is really cliche but you couldn't wish this on nicer people,' she said.

'They are all very individual, but as a team they are tremendous. I was in a state of shock when I heard the news, and then the realisation came we would not be seeing them anymore.

'I will really miss them all very much. We're all very much a team here and all look out for each other. There was no hint of jealousy, and it hasn't even entered anyone's minds.'

Service director Claire Birchall said: 'We think it's absolutely fantastic.

This is absolutely wonderful for the hospital and the staff, particularly those who have won. We're absolutely delighted for them.

'The ladies involved have been here for many years for long periods of time, a great deal of hours and time put it.

'I've been here for two years myself and in that time I've got to know them quite well in terms of how they look after our patients in the coffee shop and also in the restaurant as well.

'They are a delightful bunch and go out of their way to help patients and relatives.

'There's been a great sense of excitement at the hospital. There was a rumour going round earlier in the week and people were delighted when they realised it was true.

'The patients are all aware of it and there's been a real buzz.'

The women all worked together at Neath Port Talbot Hospital but soon quit their 300-a-week jobs after cashing in their tickets

She added: 'A lot of elderly patients come back time and time again for appointments or treatment so these staff become part of their life really, it's really lovely to see how they have looked after them and it is wonderful they have got this reward.

'I don't think them wishing they were part of the syndicate is an issue, they are just delighted for their colleagues.

'We would all like to wish a bit of luck on our friends. I think it's great and they are really supportive of one another.

'We would all like to see them but I don't think that is going to happen in the short term because they are being looked after now. We will miss them terribly, but we are absolutely delighted for them.'

Ms Saunders, leader of the 'Catering Girls' syndicate, said: 'It is amazing. We all decided to retire on the spot.

'It's someone else's turn to cook meals and serve them up to patients.'

The NHS cooks from south Wales celebrated their success by immediately quitting their jobs

Ms Saunders, an Elvis fan, said: 'I'm already planning a holiday to Las Vegas - I've always wanted to go and now I can be a high roller.

'It has been a dream to play the machines...maybe I'll have another win.'

The six friends, from Neath Port Talbot and the Swansea Valley area, and aged between 37 and 73, are planning a huge party and a holiday before putting their feet up.

Bosses at Neath Port Talbot said they were deserving winners after years of hard work in the kitchen cooking tens of thousands of meals.

The group play every Friday and bought their winning ticket from One Stop in Sandfields, Port Talbot.

Their winning numbers were 5, 12, 17, 33, 41 and their lucky stars were 4 and 9.

Mother-of-two Ms Saunders, 56, asked her husband Alwyn to pick up the ticket as all the members were at work.

The following day, the couple were visiting her father in a residential home and he told her one ticket had won the jackpot.

Ms Saunders replied: 'It could be us as we haven't checked yet' - unaware the winning ticket was in her living room cabinet.

The six lucky winners Syndicate leader Julie Saunders, 56, is married to Alwyn. She was a catering assistant for 12 years, lives in Port Talbot, has two children and two grandchildren. She is desperate to go on holiday to Las Vegas as she has always loved Elvis. Doreen Thompson, 56, is married to Nigel. She was a catering assistant for 12 years, lives in Ystalyfera, has three children and two step children, lots of grandchildren and wants to go on holiday to Florida. Louise Ward, 37, is engaged to Mark. She was a catering assistant for 12 years, lives in Port Talbot, has two children and is looking forward to her dream wedding in March. She chose the 'lucky stars' numbers. She is also going to buy a new tumble dryer and new mattresses for her children. Jean Cairns, 73, a mother-of-three, retired from the hospital last year. She was a catering supervisor for 38 years. She wants to go on holiday to Las Vegas. Mother-of-two Sian Jones, 54, was a catering supervisor for 14 years. Married to Andrew, the grandmother-of-two was too stunned to think what to buy first. Julie Amphlett, 50, was a catering assistant for 32 years and lives in Neath. Married to Christopher with one child, she wants to buy a new house, new handbags and new shoes. Advertisement

After returning home, she checked the numbers and called Camelot before informing the other members of the syndicate.

Five of them turned up at the 600-bed hospital at the same time to hand in their notice.

Ms Cairns retired as a catering manager last year after more than 38 years in the job.

The cooks haven't made a meal since their win and treated themselves to fish and chips and a Chinese takeaway.

Grandmother Ms Cairns said: 'When Julie came to the house to tell me I thought someone had died.

'She told me to sit down and said to me: 'We've won the lottery.' I just could not believe it.'

Ms Amphlett said: 'I'm already living the dream. I'm going to buy a new house, new car, new handbag, new shoes, absolutely everything.

'We will celebrate together after the excitement has died down but I think it's time to stop playing the lottery and let someone else have a chance.'

Ms Jones, a grandmother and catering supervisor at the hospital for 14 years, said she was too stunned to think what she wants to buy first.

Mother-of-three Ms Thompson is planning a dream holiday to Florida with husband Nigel, their children and grandchildren.

She added: 'I went shopping to Tesco yesterday and I saw a nice pair of jeans for 35. My husband said 'there's no way you are paying 35 for a pair of jeans'.

The youngest member of the syndicate Ms Ward, 37, only joined in October last year - and it was her numbers that won the jackpot.

She was saving every penny for her wedding next March when she discovered she was a multi millionaire.

She said: 'I was thinking about stopping playing earlier this years as we are saving and I needed the extra cash.

'Imagine if I'd stopped, they were my numbers, so we'd never have won.'

She added: 'I had 80 people on my list and was trying to cut down on the numbers as it was too many.

'I can now have as many guests as I like.'

In addition to splashing out on the wedding, Ms Ward will buy a new tumble dryer as her old one broke three months ago.

She will also buy new mattresses for her children.

Bosses at Neath Port Talbot said they were deserving winners after years of hard work in the kitchen cooking tens of thousands of meals

The cooks bought their 25,476,778.30 winning ticket from One Stop stop in Sandfield's Port Talbot (pictured)

The six friends popped champagne corks as the winning cheque was handed over at the luxurious Hensol Caste estate in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The syndicate had another member, Moira, who died before the lottery win.

A hospital spokesman said: 'We are thrilled for them - but we will be sorry to see them go.

'They have done their time catering for our patients now they can look forward to being waited on hand and foot themselves.'
A postcode lottery in cancer care means patients at some hospitals are up to six times more likely to be offered the chance to take part in potentially life-saving clinical trials than in the worst-performing areas.

Just one in ten patients at some hospital trusts have a conversation with their doctor about taking part in research of any kind, compared to six in ten at the best-performing trusts.

The national average is three in ten, according to data from a survey of more than 72,000 British cancer patients.

For some patients with incurable cancers, taking part in an experimental trial might be their only hope of extending their life.

The differences in the number of patients who discussed research with their doctor did not seem to be related to whether hospitals were large or small, or specialist or general  apart from the UKs two specialist cancer hospitals, including The Christie (pictured), in Manchester

Studies have also shown taking part in research makes patients feel more satisfied with their overall care, possibly because they get more interaction with medical staff and more opportunities to talk about and understand their illness.

But experts said time pressures on busy medics might be deterring them from discussing the option with patients.

Analysis of data from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, carried out by the consumer forum of the National Cancer Research Institute, was presented at the NCRI conference this week.

The differences in the number of patients who discussed research with their doctor did not seem to be related to whether hospitals were large or small, or specialist or general  apart from the UKs two specialist cancer hospitals The Christie, in Manchester, and the Royal Marsden, in London, which were both among the best.

Instead, researchers said it could be pot luck whether patients were treated by doctors who took time to discuss research with them.

Co-author of the study, patient advocate Richard Stephens, said the size of the geographical inequality was worrying.

He said: There should never be such a big discrepancy between best and not-so-good - trusts are all part of the same national health service.

He added: Every trust in the country does research of some kind, although many people arent aware of this.

But we cant explain why, nationally, we cant sort out this consistent huge difference between the better performing trusts [for discussing research with patients] and the worst performing ones.

My own suspicion is that probably hospital staff who are busy and under pressure decide every now and then there are certain patients they are not going to have the conversation with.

It is a well-intentioned form of paternalism.

Commenting on the study, Professor Johann de Bono, of the Institute of Cancer Research, said: Most jobbing cancer specialists are so busy, their clinics are so large, it is very difficult for clinicians to have the time to explain trials to patients.

There are some really amazing therapeutic strategies being evaluated and I know for certain that many patients have had huge benefit from trials.

Just one in ten patients at some hospital trusts have a conversation with their doctor about taking part in research of any kind, compared to six in ten at the best-performing trusts. Pictured: The Royal Marsden, in London, the other specialist cancer hospital in the UK

But you also have to be aware these trials carry some risks, especially of side effects, they often involve an increase in commitment and theyre not for everyone.

He added: Although overall as a country we do very well in getting patients into trials, patients and their families should ask for that opportunity and if its not available where they are they should ask to be referred - especially if they have no other treatment options.

Emlyn Samuel, from Cancer Research UK, said: Research is the key to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer so its crucial that all NHS Trusts are involved - offering patients all possible opportunities to participate, regardless of where they live.

Britain is one of the best countries in the world at recruiting cancer patients into research, despite the regional variation.

The researchers did not identify which hospitals were the worst-peforming.
When people say they dont have room to swing a cat nowadays, they probably arent joking.

Pets are falling out of fashion as houses and flats become smaller. In addition, more people are renting their homes from landlords who ban animals.

Financial strains have also led to couples marrying and having children later in life, squeezing out the time and money needed to look after an animal.

When people say they dont have room to swing a cat nowadays, they probably arent joking as a new study finds pet ownership in the UK is rapidly falling

The news comes from the retail analysis firm Mintel, which suggests the decline is bad news for the nations well-being.

Mintel found that ownership of all types of pets has fallen in the past five years. It carried out a survey that found owning a pet is fun, relaxing and comforting.

Having a dog even boosts your health because of all the walks in needs.

Fish ownership has taken the biggest dive, down from 17 per cent of British households to just 10 per cent.

The figure for small mammals, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, is down from 10 per cent to 7 per cent since 2012.

Over the same period dog ownership is down 33 per cent to 31 per cent, while the figure for cats has dropped from 31 per cent to 29 per cent. Generally, owning a pet is associated with families and children. Three in four households with children under 16 have a pet, but this falls to one in three pensioner households.

Small spaces: Research suggests less people are making the decision to get pets due to compact accommodation

Emma Clifford, from Mintel, said: Shrinking household sizes and the trend of consumers starting their families later in life are all having a negative effect on pet ownership.

Additionally, the shift towards privately rented accommodation continues to put downward pressure on pet ownership. Long-term, the growing population of over-55s present an ongoing challenge to the pet industry.

Mintel confirmed a gender divide on dogs and cats with men favouring dogs and women liking to curl up with a cat.

Some 33per cent of men have a dog, versus 27per cent of women and dogs. On cats, 32per cent of women have one compared to 29per cent of men.

Mintel said: Pet ownership does have a positive effect on the owner. Over half say their pets make them feel happy, loved, relaxed and comforted.

Meanwhile, 30per cent of dog owners say their pet makes them feel healthy.

Some 33per cent of men have a dog, versus 27per cent of women and dogs. On cats, 32per cent of women have one compared to 29per cent of men

Some seven in ten dog owners say they would like to take their pets everywhere they go. And 45per cent take the view that allowing animals in the office would make it a better place to work.

Mintel suggested that there is a future for exercise classes that allow people and their dogs to work out together.

Miss Clifford said: Obesity is a widespread and worsening problem for both humans and pets.

Weight loss and exercise regimes that work for owners and pets alike therefore seem logical. Cultivating a sense of being in it together to improve the health of both consumers and their pets could help strengthen resolve to keep up such efforts.

Such activities can further build on the associations owners have between their pets and feeling healthy themselves.

In an increasingly atomised and transient population, these activities also give pet owners the chance to build their social circles, meeting other dog owners with similar health-oriented goals.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, the injured and the families affected by the shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

As an Ahmadi Muslim and living in America, I am deeply saddened by this incident. I was taught at a very young age that all houses of worship are sacred places. I learned from the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, that they are to be treated with the utmost dignity, as he commanded Muslims in a covenant with the Christian monks of St. Catherine's monastery in Arabia that, "No one is to destroy a house of their religion ... Their churches are to be respected." I pray that may God protect my Christian brothers and sisters.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has slammed Karl Stefanovic after the Today show host accused him of 'waffling' in response to a question about his government.

In a heated interview on Thursday, Mr Turnbull was asked whether he was losing control of his leadership amid the citizenship crisis engulfing federal parliament.

Mr Turnbull responded by rattling off a list of his government's achievements, before boasting about company tax cuts and the influx of jobs across the nation.

'PM, with the greatest respect, you are waffling,' Stefanovic interjected, accusing Mr Turnbull of being 'patronising'.

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has slammed Karl Stefanovic after the Today show host accused him of 'waffling'

'Karl, you have got a job. If you are looking for a job and you need a job and you have got one because of the strong economic leadership we provided, you may think it is waffling,' Mr Turnbull shot back, pointing his finger at Karl.

'But if you have been unemployed and you are getting a chance to get ahead, you would say you are being very patronising saying young people getting jobs is waffle.'

Stefanovic applauded Mr Turnbull's enthusiasm, saying:'This is the real you! This is what we want!'

'And Karl, is it the real you to patronise people who are out of work and are getting a chance to get ahead?' Mr Turnbull asked.

Mr Turnbull accused Stefanovic of being 'patronising' after he interrupted his response to a question about the state of his government

'Look at all the big issues we have dealt with recently. The same-sex marriage issue, the postal survey. Total support. It has gone out there,' he continued.

'The national energy guarantee has overwhelming support in our party. It is out there ... that is the practical political economic leadership that Australians want and that's what I'm delivering.

'Now, we have this issue with citizenship. We will resolve it. That's my commitment.

'But the issue for Australia is, can I get a job? Can my kids get a job? Will my business get ahead? Can I start a business if I can afford to pay the power bills? Will the lights stay on when I do pay the power bills?

'Those are the big questions and that's what I'm providing the answers to.'

Last week, Liberal backbencher Kevin Andrews stoked a flurry of leadership speculation after describing the prime minister as being the leader 'at the moment'.

The conservative MP, who is among the most vocal backers of a citizenship audit of all members of parliament, said there was a 'deep sense of frustration in the community as what people see as inadequate leadership at the present time'.

Tony Abbott's former chief of staff Peta Credlin has since described Mr Turnbull as 'a prime minister on life support', with the citizenship scandal 'cutting in and out on the ventilator', while former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has accused the prime minister of being 'bereft of leadership'.
The M&S chief executive, Steve Rowe, said: The business still has many structural issues to tackle as we embark on the next five years of our transformation'

Marks & Spencer is to accelerate the closure of 100 stores or departments selling clothes and products for the home.

The move comes as part of a bid to cut costs, shut underperforming outlets and encourage a shift to shopping online.

M&S is also planning to slow down the opening of new Simply Food outlets and offer more value products amid evidence that families are struggling to pay premium prices.

Details emerged as M&S revealed that profits in the first half of the financial year fell 5.3 per cent to 219.1 million.

It hopes the crucial Christmas period, together with a marketing campaign and TV commercial featuring Paddington Bear, will lead to a rebound.

The company had previously announced that it would close around 100 underperforming clothing and home stores or departments as part of a turnaround plan.

Six stores have already closed. At least another 24 will close outright and 30 others will be relocated. Some 45 will be downsized  taking out clothing and home merchandise.

Yesterday, it said that these figures will be a minimum and the final closure total is likely to be higher.

There are 35 towns and cities that have more than two M&S stores either on the high street, in a shopping centre or on the edge of town in a retail park

So far, four have shut and two others have been relocated. This programme will now be speeded up.

Whenever a major name like M&S closes an established store, it is a hammer blow to the town and is likely to take surrounding retailers with it.

The company has refused to name the outlets that will go, however retail analysts say they are most likely to be older, smaller stores in town centres.

They are most likely to be in areas where M&S has opened outlets on out of town retail parks.

Research by the Local Data Company, which has no inside knowledge of the closure plan, suggests London, which has 27, will lose some and at least one of the six in Glasgow is vulnerable.

There are 35 towns and cities that have more than two M&S stores either on the high street, in a shopping centre or on the edge of town in a retail park.

Examples include Milton Keynes, Bournemouth, Durham, Fareham, Stockton-on-Tees, Swindon and Chichester.

Six stores have already closed. At least another 24 will close outright and 30 others will be relocated. Some 45 will be downsized  taking out clothing and home merchandise

Stores which are vulnerable because the town centre is in decline include Ayr, Barrow in Furness, Blackpool, Bolton, Boston, Dundee, Hereford, Mansfield, Stoke and Sunderland.

The future of M&S outlets in Carlisle, Kings Lynn, Macclesfield, Kettering, Maidstone, Bridlington and Buxton is also expected to be reviewed.

The M&S chief executive, Steve Rowe, said: The business still has many structural issues to tackle as we embark on the next five years of our transformation, in the context of a very challenging retail and consumer environment.

M&S hopes the crucial Christmas period, together with a marketing campaign and TV commercial featuring Paddington Bear, will lead to a rebound

Today we are accelerating our plans to build a business with sustainable, profitable growth, making M&S special again.

On closures, he said: At this stage the numbers that weve given out previously are the minimum numbers we intend to work to. But the key thing is the pace of that change will be quicker than we previously said.

Mr Rowe claimed some success in turning around a decline in clothing sales. Same store sales were down by 0.1 per cent in the past three months compared to a year ago, which is better than many analysts feared.

Same store sales of food fell by 0.1 per cent over the same three months, although the total figure was up by 4.4 per cent because of the opening of 24 Simply Food stores.

The company admitted that it has been forced to cut prices and profit margins on many foods because of increasing competition and higher ingredient costs.

Looking ahead, the company said it wants M&S to be go to place for clothing essentials with a third of sales coming through its website.

On food, it said: Hard pressed consumers are more aware of value and are careful about premium choices. Therefore, although our investment returns remain high, we are slowing our Simply Food opening programme as we reposition our food offer for future growth.

We have already sharpened prices in core categories and will be taking further steps to bring out value in our ranges.
Police are not responding to some crimes including violence, assaults and criminal damage, a watchdog has warned.

So-called low priority incidents are being shunned completely by officers or not investigated for weeks, said HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.

A damning report reinforced concerns that victims are losing confidence in police forces which increasingly treating offences such as street attacks and car crime as minor matters.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary's campaign Let's Nail It! saw officers wearing nail varnish on patrol

Inspectors published the dossier just weeks after some forces were accused of indulging in bizarre stunts including painting their nails, instead of focusing on crime.

The report said police had worked to reduce the demand placed on them by the public, which included calls to 999 and the non-emergency 101 numbers.

It said: In reducing demand, it is important that forces do not simply suppress it, by which we mean fail to identify, acknowledge or deal with certain kinds of demand.

HMIC is beginning to see examples of forces taking action to prioritise their demand in such a way that low-priority and less urgent incidents can be left unresolved for long periods.

Police were told their increasingly bizarre gimmicks, such as posing in bear masks, are undermining the job of tackling crime

HM Inspector Mike Cunningham added: In some places when a call for service is assessed as low priority, not only might it wait for a long time, but sometimes they might go unresourced completely. Nothing is done at all.

I know there will be examples across the country of when there has been a call for service that has not been responded to or attended to.

The response to some incidents of crime has come under scrutiny recently.

Last month OCT a senior Scotland Yard officer suggested it was not practical for officers to spend considerable amounts of time investigating offences such as shoplifting and criminal damage.

And the Mail told how police were arresting half as many suspects as they did a decade ago despite a surge in crime.

The number held fell from 1.5million in 2007-08 to 780,000 this year - down 48 per cent  official figures revealed.

For the first time, HMIC concluded that policing was under significant stress as it published an assessment of forces efficiency.

HM Inspector of constabulary Mike Cunningham warned that not only might it wait for a long time, but sometimes crimes might go unresourced completely

Some police control rooms were struggling to meet demand, particularly in relation to 101 non-emergency calls.

The number of 999 calls received by forces was up by 10 per cent in 2016-17 compared to the year before.

Police are forecasting they will make 900million in savings over the next five years.

The report comes at a sensitive time in the debate over police resources, which has been played out in public over recent weeks as ministers prepare to unveil the latest cash settlement for forces.

A string of senior figures have raised concerns over the capacity to meet challenges including an unprecedented terror threat and rising levels of violence without a funding boost.

In August, a top Met Police officer suggested that victims may not get a visit from the police if they speak good English.

The second-in-command of the countrys biggest force said callers could be refused a visit from an officer unless they were considered sufficiently vulnerable.

Craig Mackey said victims prioritised for a face-to-face service could include people for whom English was a second language.

The number of 999 calls received by forces was up by 10 per cent in 2016-17 compared to the year before

The report comes at a sensitive time in the debate over police resources, which has been played out in public over recent weeks as ministers prepare to unveil the latest cash settlement for forces.

A string of senior figures have raised concerns over the capacity to meet challenges including an unprecedented terror threat and rising levels of violence without a funding boost.

HMIC said: While most forces throughout England and Wales have risen impressively to the challenges they face, policing remains under significant stress.

Forces plans for the future need to be more ambitious and innovative; in the cases of those which fail in this, the problems facing those forces could potentially prove overwhelming.

The watchdogs efficiency assessment examines how well police understand demand, use their resources and plan for the future.

It graded two forces as outstanding and 30 as good, while 10 were found to require improvement.

Policing Minister Nick Hurd said the report identified vitally important areas police chiefs should be more ambitious and improve efficiency across forces.

National Police Chiefs Council chairman Sara Thornton said: Police forces are determined to spend their money with efficiency and to innovate to adapt and improve our services.
Where is she? demanded MPs when Priti Patel was summoned to the Commons on Tuesday afternoon to explain her extraordinary summer holiday in Israel.

She is currently in the air, replied her deputy Alistair Burt as he began the delicate task of explaining why his boss had held 12 unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials  including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu  during a family holiday in August.

Twenty four hours later, the whole world knew exactly where Miss Patel was: rolling news channels were broadcasting live footage of a website showing the progress of a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi as she returned to London to face the end of her ministerial career.

Priti Patel was taken away from Downing Street from the back gates after resigning from the government tonight

Downing Street published the exchange of letters between Miss Patel and Mrs May tonight

At one point almost 25,000 people had logged on to the Flightradar24 airline tracking website to follow the progress of Flight KQ100 as Miss Patel made the eight-and-a-half-hour journey home.

Shortly after 3pm, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed and grainy footage showed the diminutive international development secretary leaving the jet. Miss Patel was still afforded a VIP greeting at a rainy Heathrow, however.

While her fellow passengers headed for passport control and baggage reclaim, she was given an umbrella escort to a waiting courtesy car.

This whisked her to the other side of Terminal 4, where a ministerial limousine was also waiting.

The sleek Ford moved out of the airport and, almost immediately, Miss Patels WhatsApp social media profile sparked back into life  starved as it had been of any wi-fi service during the flight back to London.

Miss Patel entered the famous building by the back door shortly after 6pm before the fateful talk with Mrs May

Theresa May, pictured arriving in Downing Street tonight after her regular audience with the Queen, has summoned Miss Patel for showdown talks

A BBC helicopter hovered over her car as it headed down the A4 into London. Those watching were divided on whether the situation was more reminiscent of murder suspect O J Simpsons famous white Bronco chase by Los Angeles police or a scarcely believable scene from fictional BBC2 political comedy The Thick Of It.

Either way, it was a very modern farce being played out on 24-hour TV news, Twitter, websites and any other social media platform of your choosing.

Miss Patel had been ordered home on Tuesday night after Downing Street discovered she had been less than frank with the Prime Minister during a face-to-face meeting in No 10 on Monday, where she was supposed to provide full disclosure about her clandestine talks with senior Israelis.

Miss Patel apologised to the PM and promised not to repeat her behaviour. She also promised she had revealed everything.

On that basis, No 10 had, through gritted teeth, gone out to publicly defend her  despite her flagrant breaches of both the ministerial code, which governs the conduct of ministers, and basic diplomatic protocol.

The plane carrying Miss Patel arrived back in London from Nairobi at around 3pm today

So there was cold fury in No 10 on Tuesday evening when officials discovered that Miss Patel had failed to mention a further secret meeting with Israels public security minister Gilad Erdan in London on September 7.

The first thought was to sack Miss Patel on the spot, even though she was more than 4,000 miles away in Kenya.

But when Theresa Mays chief-of-staff Gavin Barwell telephoned her, she blustered: I can explain, I can explain. So a decision was taken to order her home to face the music.

But any slender hopes of survival were fatally undermined yesterday when she was reported to have made another unauthorised trip to a hospital in the Golan Heights  an illegal Israeli settlement which the UK has not recognised since it was annexed from Syria 50 years ago.

Miss Patel arrived in Nairobi at 9.30pm for the start of what was supposed to be a three-country tour of Africa with International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.

Instead, after a sleepless night in the grand surroundings of the British High Commissioners residence in the Kenyan capital, Miss Patel caught the first flight home.

Miss Patel was driven away through the gates after drawing a line under her time as a minister

We know now that she spent at least part of her business class journey composing her resignation statement. On landing, Downing Street left her to sweat for three hours while the Prime Minister carried out her regular audience with the Queen.

By 6.22pm a smiling Miss Patel was pictured arriving at Downing Street, entering through the rear entrance. She was swiftly followed into No 10 by a rather less cheerful Mrs May.

At a little after 7pm, as her marketing consultant husband Alex Sawyer was seen leaving the family home in South-East London, Miss Patels ministerial chauffeur whisked her away from Downing Street.

From today, the courtesy car wont be available to her.
On the same day that Prince Charles was dragged into a furore over offshore investments, his son Prince William received two officials from the Duchy of Cornwall at Kensington Palace

Awkward timing for the Duke of Cambridge. On the same day that Prince Charles was dragged into a furore over offshore investments, his son Prince William received two officials from the Duchy of Cornwall at Kensington Palace.

Wills had a private audience with Alastair Martin, secretary of the Duchy, and Keith Willis, the finance director.

It has been claimed that Prince Charles lobbied to alter climate change policy after his private estate secretly invested 86,000 in an offshore carbon credits firm run by a close friend.

Prince Charles made a series of speeches on the rules surrounding carbon credits following the Duchy of Cornwalls purchase of shares in Sustainable Forestry Management.

The estate almost tripled the value of its investments over the course of a year.

Although officials say Charles had no direct involvement in investments made by the Duchy, he was criticised for what appeared to be a conflict of interest.

The deal was revealed in the so-called Paradise Papers, just days after the leaked documents showed that more than 10 million of the Queens fortune was invested in off-shore tax havens.

Kensington Palace declines to say whether the Paradise Papers were discussed with William at Tuesdays meeting.

Prince Charles made a series of speeches on the rules surrounding carbon credits following the Duchy of Cornwalls purchase of shares in Sustainable Forestry Management

Prince William will inherit the Duchy of Cornwall  the 1 billion portfolio of land and property  when his father becomes king.

William first attended a meeting of the Princes Council , which oversees the management of the Duchy, in 2011.

Last year, he visited Duchy projects in Cornwall and the Scillies with the Duchess of Cambridge.

He will be in charge of the Duchys 133,658 acres of land in more than 23 counties, including farming and residential and commercial properties, as well as an investment portfolio.

The Duchy was created in 1337 by Edward III specifically to provide an income for the heir apparent.

In the last financial year, it generated an income for Charles of 20.5 million.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace says: This was a regular scheduled meeting that has been in the diary for some time.
Lord Polak, 56, is the fixer who set up several of Patels meetings with senior political figures in Israel, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu

As the great and good of the Tory Party gather next month for one of the most important lunches in their parliamentary calendar, the familiar silver-haired figure of Lord Polak will be masterminding proceedings.

The 700-strong guest list for the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) lunch at the Park Plaza Hotel in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament includes Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

In a testament to smooth-talking Polaks networking skills, Theresa May was guest speaker last year, while the previous year David Cameron gave the main address.

Next months speaker has not yet been announced but it had been widely thought to be Priti Patel  until this week when the controversy over the international development secretarys trip to Israel in August blew up.

Polak, 56, is the fixer who set up several of Patels meetings with senior political figures in Israel, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He sat in on 11 of the meetings on Patels so-called family holiday. He was also with her in the two further undisclosed meetings in New York and Parliament with Israeli government officials which are thought to have finally sealed her fate.

One of the figures she was introduced to by Polak is Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition who is widely expected to become Israels next prime minister. Lapid was at a party Polak threw in Parliament to celebrate being made a peer in the autumn of 2015.

For almost 30 years, Polak has nurtured the Conservative Friends of Israel and developed the organisation, of which he is honorary president, into one of the most powerful and influential lobbying groups in the history of the Tory Party. It has connections in every corner  its believed that as many as 80 per cent of Tory MPs are members  but he has done it by operating behind the scenes. He eschews publicity, rarely gives interviews, and until now has always been regarded as a shrewd political operator.

Priti Patel was taken away from Downing Street from the back gates after resigning from the government tonight

That is why friends and colleagues are so baffled that the peer  who has contacts at the highest level in the Israeli government  misjudged the Patel trip so badly. He should have known that if Patel attended high-powered meetings with Israeli ministers in the absence of civil servants to take minutes it could threaten her career.

And he understands only too well that the spotlight will now be shone not just on his beloved CFI, but also on the extraordinary influence he and his organisation have within the Tories. Many believe the controversy  and its seismic repercussions  could mark the beginning of the end of that influence.

One minister told me last night: Hes gone too far. Lord Polak should be expelled from the Conservative Party. He knew perfectly well he was peddling influence on behalf of Israel and it was improper to involve Priti Patel in his scheme. He took advantage of the fact she isnt anything like as clever as she thinks she is.

As a reporter follows Lord Polak into health spar as he tries to evaid questions from a television crew over Priti Patel's Israel meetings

The day before the Patel crisis was made public at the end of last week, it was clear something was up. Polak was spotted deep in conversation in Portcullis House in Parliament with Gavin Barwell, Mays increasingly influential chief of staff. In addition to his work with the CFI, Polak is chairman of the advisory board of a consultancy called The Westminster Connection, which has lobbied MPs successfully on behalf of Elbit Systems, Israels major defence contractor.

In 2012, Elbits British chairman, retired Lt Gen Richard Applegate, boasted to undercover reporters who secretly taped him of the consultancys role in lobbying MPs. He claimed the consultancy could gain access from the Prime Minister down  the PM being David Cameron at the time.

Applegate was quoted saying: We piggy-back on something, and please dont spread this around, to do with basically Conservative Friends of Israel... and you then do a series of discreet engagements using advisers to gain access to particular decision makers.

One of the Tory MPs they lobbied was James Arbuthnot, who was then chairman of both the Commons defence select committee and the CFI parliamentary group.

State-educated Stuart Polak comes from a working-class background. He was born and brought up in Liverpool and was a child cantor, leading the singing at the Childwall Hebrew Congregation. From the age of 15 he began visiting Israel on educational trips.

He married Charlotte in Liverpool in 1986 and she is now company secretary of one of his firms. They have two grown-up children, Natasha and Daniel, and live in a 1.2 million house in Hertfordshire.

After moving to London he began his career as a United Synagogue youth officer in Edgware, north London. A skilled schmoozer even then, as an officer in the 1980s at the Board of Deputies  the main representative body of British Jews  he encouraged the then Education Secretary Sir Keith Joseph to help Jewish students on university campuses.

It was in 1989, aged 28, that he took up a job at CFI, saying: I was brought up to put as much as possible back into the community. Im as ambitious as the next man, but Im motivated more by a sense of duty.

And when the Tories returned to power in 2010 after 13 years in the political wilderness, he really came into his own. He has taken more than 70 Tory MPs on fact-finding trips to Israel since then.

Lord Polak has not shed any light on his role in the backroom deals in Israel as Priti Patel quit

Three members of the Cabinet  Mrs Rudd, communities secretary Sajid Javid and international development secretary Liam Fox  have been guests of Polak in Israel, although they were backbenchers at the time.

Those who are sceptical about the country when they visit on his trips invariably return, if not indoctrinated, at least with a pro-Israel view.

In February this year, CFI organised a delegation to Israel headed by former Tory Party and CFI chairman Eric Pickles to celebrate his knighthood. Pickles was accompanied by former education secretary Nicky Morgan, former work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb, former Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers  and Polak himself.

CFI was formed in 1974 and has since made deep inroads into the party. Polak himself is thought to have raised about 10million for Tory funds.

As for Priti Patel, Polak has long been a fan because of her staunch support for Israel. But he appears to have over-reached himself. Stuart may have got too cocky for his own good, one source said. Hes helped Pritis rise  and her fall.
CIA director Mike Pompeo recently met with an NSA whistleblower and conspiracy theorist at President Trump's urging, to discuss his claims that the DNC leak was an inside job.

William Binney insists that the hack on the Democratic National Conference came from with the US - despite the intelligence community's findings early this year that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

Binney, one of the 'NSA four' whose revelations and warnings about government mass surveillance predates those of Edward Snowden, has now confirmed that he met with Pompeo on October 24 to discuss research by the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) that suggested the DNC hack was an 'inside job.'

Pompeo opened the meeting with the former NSA employee by telling him: 'The President told me I should talk to you,' Binney told CNN.

CIA director Mike Pompeo (left) recently met with NSA whistleblower William Binney (right) at President Trump's urging, to discuss his claims that the DNC leak was an inside job

Binney said Pompeo ended the hour-long meeting by telling him he'd like the whistleblower to also meet with the FBI and the NSA.

'The entire intelligence community needs to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the American public,' Binney says he told the CIA director.

The DNC's hack revealed email conversations that made the party look to be in favor of nominating Clinton over her rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, forcing chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to step down as the Democratic National Convention was kicking off and damaging Clinton's campaign.

Instead of pointing fingers at the Russians, Binney thought that perhaps someone from inside the NSA could have hacked the DNC as retribution for Clinton leaking 'Gamma material' via her private server.

'Now that is the most sensitive material at NSA,' Binney explained. 'And so there were a number of NSA officials complaining to the press ... She lifted the material that was in her emails directly from Gamma reporting.'

'That is a direct compromise of the most sensitive material at the NSA. So she's got a real problem there,' the whistleblower added.

'So there are many people who have problems with what she has done in the past,' he said. 'So I don't necessarily look at the Russians as the only [ones] who got into those emails,' he concluded.

But a declassified intelligence report, gathered the CIA, the FBI, and the NSA, and made public in January stated in no unclear terms that Russia had been behind the DNC leak as part of their campaign to undermine the 2016 US, in particular, to damage Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Trump (pictured) has frequently, and publicly rejected findings Russia was behind the DNC hack, suggesting that the hackers could be from other countries to a '400-pound guy' lying in his bed

The report stated that: 'Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency,' The Intercept reported.

'We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump.'

However, Trump has frequently, and publicly rejected such findings, suggesting that the hackers could be from other countries to a '400-pound guy' lying in his bed.

So it may not be altogether surprising that he was behind the meeting between Pompeo and Binney.

Binney, a 30-plus year veteran of the NSA and a 'legendary crypto-scientist' according to the Nation magazine, had helped design one of the NSA's systems to collect date that had built-in privacy protections before he says it was shelved for a program that instead allowed for warrant-less surveillance of American citizens.

He believes that analysis of the DNC hack data transfer makes it 'very clear it was a local download, because of the speeds and all,' RT reported.

He added that his colleagues had set up an experiment, sending data between New Jersey and the UK, and were unable to reproduce the download involved in the DNC hack.

News of the meeting between Pompeo and Binney has not gone down well with many inside the CIA, according to CNN's sources.

A declassified intelligence report released in January stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) was behind the leaks and had ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election

The CIA has since released a statement saying that Pompeo 'stands by and has always stood by the January 2017 intelligence community assessment' that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

But it isn't the first time people have questioned Pompeo's stance on the Russian hack.

During his appearance at the Aspen Security Forum, an annual gathering of intelligence and national security officials and experts in Aspen, Colorado, last July, he appeared to downplay the significance of Russia's meddling in the election, saying they'd interefered in 2016, 'And the one before that, and the one before that'.

When a New York Times columnist asked him if he was downplaying Russian's interference by saying it was a common occurrence, Pompeo grew agitated.

'I am confident that the Russians meddled in this election, as is the entire intelligence community,' Pompeo said. 'I hope I didn't stop at 2008 [for when he says Russian began interfering in U.S. elections]. You can go back to the 70s. My point was simply this: This threat is real. The U.S. government, including the Central Intelligence Agency, has to figure out a way to fight back against it and defeat it. And we're intent upon doing that.'

Then in October, the CIA was forced to issue a clarification after Pompeo said that the Russian meddling in 2016, 'did not affect the outcome of the election.'

CIA spokesman Dean Boyd swiftly responded to the statement, saying 'the intelligence assessment with regard to Russian election meddling has not changed, and the director did not intend to suggest that it had.'
Three US aircraft carriers will stage joint drills in the western Pacific for the first time in a decade, the US Navy announced Thursday.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt will conduct 'coordinated operations in international waters' as tensions in the region over North Korea reach fever pitch.

The operation starting Saturday shows Washington's 'ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region,' said Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet in a statement.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt will conduct 'coordinated operations (stock image)

Three US aircraft carriers will stage joint drills in the western Pacific for the first time in a decade, the US Navy announced Thursday. Pictured: USS Theodore Roosevelt (stock image)

The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier is one of three warships staging drills (stock image)

Two F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighters conduct the first catapult launches aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (stock image)

On Wednesday, Trump warned North Korea not to 'try' the United States but appeared to moderate his bellicose tone, offering Pyongyang's young leader Kim Jong-Un a 'path to a better future.'

The president meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for talks dominated by the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programme.

Beijing and Washington have also been at odds over Chinese naval operations in the South China Sea.

The US warships will carry out air defence drills, sea surveillance, defensive air combat training and other training operations, the Navy said.

'It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three,' said Swift.

It is the first time three aircraft carriers have staged drills in the region since 2007, he added.

The operation will run between November 11 and 14.

President Donald Trump warned North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un on Wednesday not to tempt fate by threatening the United States with nuclear weapons

Trump and first lady Melania arrive at the South Korean National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, to a standing ovation

On Wednesday Trump said in South Korea that the 'sinister regime' to the North has become a dangerous menace, and warned North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un not to test his patience.

'Today, I hope I speak not only for our countries, but for all civilized nations, when I say to the North: Do not underestimate us. And do not try us.'

Addressing a global audience, he insisted that 'the world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens it with nuclear devastation.'

'All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea  to deny it any form of support, supply, or acceptance.'

In a long soliloquy about North Korea, he said the totalitarian state is the result of 'a tragic experiment in the laboratory of history ... in which leaders imprison their people under the banner of fascism and oppression.'

The president meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for talks dominated by the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programme

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea before flying to China

It's 'a country ruled like a cult,' he said, fueled by 'a deranged belief in the ruler's destiny.'

And in a stern, direct message to Kim, he declared: 'The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer. They are putting your regime in grave danger. Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face.'

'North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned, he said of the nation's founder Kim Il-sung. 'It is a hell that no person deserves.'

A few hours later he was on Air Force One to China where it was revealed that at the end of his Asia tour, Trump will decide whether to designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters: 'The president said he'd make a determination at the end of the trip.'

Kim Jong-un's regime is racing to complete a nuclear missile that can reach the United States, prompting Trump to leave all military options on the table

President Obama removed the rogue nation from the US list of states that sponsor terror in a bid to ease relations in 2008.

A senior administration official blasted that decision, saying 'of course that didnt work out,' adding: 'They clearly fit the criteria for state-sponsored terror'.

He added that North Korea's nuclear weapons programme is 'designed to blackmail us into lifting sanctions, and into ultimately dissolving the alliance, getting American troops off of the peninsula, and into eventually reunifying the South and the North, under the North Korean regime.'

In a thinly veiled dig at previous presidents, the official spoke about what he called the 'very disappointing history' of American attempts at direct diplomacy with North Korea, going back to President George H. W. Bush, who came to power in 1989.

The official added that the North Korea question will be 'high on the agenda' for Trump in China and he will 'implore China to do their part' to tackle the rogue state.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Madame Peng Liyuan rolled out the red carpet for Donald and Melania Trump on Thursday morning in an official welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Trumpets blared and a military band played the U.S. and Chinese national anthems as a ceremonial cannon fired shots in Tiananmen Square.

Presidents Trump and Xi will participate in several hours of official talks, then deliver a joint press statement. A state dinner is on the agenda for this evening, complete with a cultural performance.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Madame Peng Liyuan rolled out the red carpet for Donald and Melania Trump on Thursday morning in an official welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People

Trumpets blared and a military band played the U.S. and Chinese national anthems as a ceremonial cannon fired shots in Tiananmen Square

Trump and Xi have a day of meetings planned before an afternoon statement to the press

The U.S. president's limo, nicknamed 'The Beast,' arrives at Tiananmen gate tower in Beijing, China on Thursday

Xi an Trump review Chinese honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

A military band and full honor guard were brought on site for Trump's extravagant welcome ceremony on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

President Trump has touted his close relationship with Xi, calling it 'outstanding'. He is seen above with Xi Jinping

Trump was delighted on Thursday morning as children waving flags and flower arrangements chirped at him following his arrival at the Great Hall of the People.

Children shouted and jumped as Trump approached, bringing a smile to the 71-year-old president's face.

The president dutifully inspected an honor guard as he and Xi walked a carpeted course in front the building.

Xi and Trump watched the rest of the affair from a small tent just in front of building's carpet-adorned steps. Their wives waited at the edge of the stairway, just behind them, until it was time to go in.

The Chinese president and his wife walked hand-in-hand to the front door of the building, where they stopped with the Trumps for a photo op. Xi gestured across the large expanse to Trump, who signaled that he was impressed with the show. Trump then patted the fellow leader on the back and turned to go.

They will now engage in several hours of formal meetings with top officials from the two countries' governments.

Before the day is through Trump will have also met with Li Keqiang, the head of China's government. Li is a trained economist and a brainchild of the communist nation's economy.

Trump administration complaints about China's unfair business practices and it's mammoth trade deficit with the U.S. are expected to come up when Trump meets with Li on Thursday afternoon.

School children waving Chinese flags, American flags and an assortment of flowers were on sight to greet the president

All smiles: China's President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

Welcome: Trump takes part in a welcoming ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China

US First Lady Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan, wife of China's President Xi Jinping, attend the welcome ceremony

US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

Xi staged children waving flags at several turns in Trump's trip, including the U.S. president's arrival at the Beijing airport on Wednesday

Flag-waving children were present at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning, as well

The children gleefully welcomed trump the government building where he'll meet with Chinese officials today

The U.S. president has developed an unexpectedly positive relationship with Xi, who he palled around with Wednesday for nearly hours China's Forbidden City.

'My feeling toward you is an incredibly warm one. As we said there's great chemistry and I think we're going to do tremendous things both for China and the United States. And it is a very, very great honor to be with you. Thank you very much,' Trump said this morning after their first closed-door discussion.

Xi took Trump to an artifacts restoration center yesterday and treated him to a performance of Peking opera during a grand tour of the Forbidden City, an imperial palace in Beijing that is now a museum.

The leaders sat in splendor for half an hour in the Hall of Character Cultivation as children red and yellow costumes danced with peacock feathers on stage.

'Welcome to China! I love you!' the children told the U.S. president when the opera finished.

The president and first lady ended their evening with a dinner in another section of the Forbidden City with the Chinese leader and Madame Peng.

Shaking hands: Trumpets blared and a military band played the U.S. and Chinese national anthems as a ceremonial cannon fired shots in Tiananmen Square. The leaders embrace above

Presidents Trump and Xi will participate in several hours of official talks, then deliver a joint press statement

On the red carpet: A state dinner is on the agenda for this evening, complete with a cultural performance

'Welcome to China! I love you!' a group of children who were part of a Peking opera performance told the U.S. president Wednesday evening in Beijing

Trump took in an extra special performance of Peking opera on Wednesday during a grand tour of the Forbidden City put on by Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are seen here in the Forbidden City with Xi and his wife Madame Peng Liyuan

The Trumps later attended a private dinner now with Xi and Peng in the Forbidden City

SPECIAL MOMENT: The president and first lady share a fond moment after their arrival in the Forbidden City

President Trump tours the Conservation Scientific Laboratory of the Forbidden City with his wife, Xi and Peng

Trump viewed a clock on a 'musical clock with country scene,' a 'gourd-shaped clock with rotating flowers,' and a 'clock with lifting tower,' according to a placard bearing an English and Chinese-language descriptions of the items

After the tour, the presidents and the first ladies of the US and China watched a special performance of Peking opera that was staged for Trump's visit

A military honor guard and flag-waving schoolchildren greeted Trump when he arrived Wednesday afternoon in China, the third country in his 12-day Asia tour.

U.S. ambassador to China Terry Branstad met Trump and his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, after Air Force One stopped on the tarmac in Beijing.

Trump deplaned from Air Force One without incident, avoiding the embarrassment Barack Obama suffered a year ago as he landed in China during the annual Group of 20 summit.

Obama was humiliated when he had to exit from the belly of the aircraft because authorities didn't approve a staircase tall enough for him to walk out of the front exit of the plane.

Chinese officials rolled a large set of stairs to the aircraft's door on Wednesday in a show of respect for Trump, who has become a friend of their nation's president.

WARM REUNION: Trump and Xi greeted each other like old friends on Wednesday in the Forbidden City

Trump was especially interested in a clock with lifting tour during his tour of an artifacts restoration center in the Forbidden City. 'Unbelievable,' he said

Trump and Xi watch the Peking opera from the Hall of Character Cultivation in the Forbidden City

The U.S. president was delighted as children in yellow and red costumes danced on stage with peacock feathers

As Trump left the performance, the told inquiring reporters, 'Were having a great time, thank you'

Trump hopped in his motorcade and sped through Beijing to the Forbidden City, where he had tea with his Chinese counterpart, whom he had entertained at his Florida Mar-a-Lago club in April, and the first lady of sprawling Asian country that is home to 1.4 billion people.

After a warm reunion over tea, Chinese president Xi Jinping led the Trumps to the Conservation Scientific Laboratory of the Forbidden City to participate in an artifact restoration.

The two first couples next watched a performance of Peking opera, a distinctively Chinese art form that combines music, mime, dance and acrobatics.

Posing for pictures with the cast when the opera had concluded, Trump told them the extravagant show was 'beautiful!'

Children waving American flags greet the Trumps as they arrive at the Beijing airport

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived on Air Force One in Beijing, China on Wednesday

Trump left Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea on his way to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk about global trade and the North Korean nuclear menace

A U.S. and Chinese honor guard met the Trumps, along with a cadre of schoolchildren waving the flags of both nations

Chinese officials rolled a large set of stairs to the aircraft's door on Wednesday, avoiding any appearance of the kind of insult that greeted former president Barack Obama in 2016

Obama was denied use of an airport staircase when he deplaned Air Force One last September as he arrived in China for the annual Group of 20 summit  a move that was seen globally as a major snub

The Forbidden City, now a major tourist attraction, has its roots in the 15th Century and was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty through 1912.

Trump left South Korea on Wednesday after delivering a speech to the country's National Assembly. He said in a tweet Wednesday morning that he was looking forward to again seeing Xi, 'who is just off his great political victory.'

Beijing is the third destination on a five-nation hustle across eastern Asia.

As with every major country on the trip, North Korea was expected to dominate Trump and Xi's discussions. Trump said Monday in Japan that he would also raise China's 'unfair' trade practices with Xi.

Trump tweeted Wednesday that he was looking forward to renewing his bond with Xi, whom he welcomed to his Florida Mar-a-Lago private resort in April

Trump roared with approval as he waded through a sea of children on the tarmac Wednesday in China

Trump singled out China on Tuesday in South Korea as a country that needs to do more to cripple North Korea's nuclear aggression

Since his an April summit with Xi at Mar-a-Lago the U.S. president has backed off a verbal assault on China for trade imbalances.

'The relationship developed by President Xi and myself I think is outstanding,' Trump said after less than a day of talks with the Chinese president and his representatives.

'We look forward to being together many times in the future. And I believe lots of very potentially bad problems will be going away.'

Days later Trump was still gushing about his weekend in Florida with Xi in what amounted to a total about-face of his previous criticisms.

'Now what am I going to do? Start a trade war with China while in the middle of him working on a bigger problem, frankly, with North Korea?' he asked rhetorically in an interview with Fox & Friends.

'We lose with almost every country, we have massive deficits,' the billionaire president insisted. 'We can't allow the world to look at us as a whipping post. Not gonna happen, anymore.'

Monday, at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Trump told a reporter who asked how his administration plans to enforce its mandate of a 'free and open' Indo-Asia Pacific without riling up China, a major power on the continent, that he would not allow the communist country to take advantage of the U.S.

'You will be seeing things of countries that have been treating the United States and the United States worker and companies...our country, and our workers very unfairly, you will be seeing that the United States will take very, very strong action,' Trump said.

Trump has been hesitant to strongarm Beijing so long as Xi goes along with his plans to suffocate North Korea's nuclear ambition.

But a U.S. official told reporters during a Sunday evening in Tokyo that the United States would not allow any country to railroad it on the interest of security cooperation.

'The United States isn't going to barter away our interests on the trade front in order to make gains doing what the entire world has, more or less, obligated itself to do, and that is to contain and confront the threat from North Korea,' the official said.
The heartbroken family of an eight-year-old boy killed when a car ploughed into his primary school classroom have said their goodbyes at a Sydney mosque.

Hundreds of mourners crammed into Lakemba Mosque on Thursday to remember the boy, who died with his best friend, following the crash at Banksia Road Public School on Tuesday.

Dozens of men carried the boy's little coffin, swathed in an Islamic dressing, up the stairs and into the mosque.

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Goodbye, little one: The boy, eight, was carried from Lakemba Mosque following the service

Members of the community carried the small, fluoro green coffin in and out of the service

Heartbroken mourners embraced as they arrived for the funeral service at the mosque located in south-western Sydney

Draped in a traditional rug, the little boy was carried into the service

The waiting hearse containing the late little boy's coffin is pictured here

His heartbroken mother was comforted by a group of women as they entered around the side of the mosque moments later.

The boy's funeral was followed by traditional Islamic prayers. The mosque was so crowded mourners had to pray on the steps outside.

A large contingent of police were in attendance.

Maha Al-Shennag, 52, has been charged with dangerous driving and had her license suspended after she allegedly slammed her Toyota Kluger into classroom 3T.

Seventeen children and one female teacher were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Two eight-year-old girls and a nine-year-old girl were taken to hospital on Tuesday with two of them released on Wednesday afternoon.

Police are investigating if Ms Al-Shennag, a widow heavily involved in the local community, was leaning over to pick up a water bottle.

It's understood a line of inquiry is whether she accidentally pressed the accelerator sending the car lurching into the building.

A large contingent of police kept an eye on the service at the Lakemba Mosque

The funeral was followed by traditional prayers - with the mosque so full the crowd had to pray outside

The two boys died when a Toyota Kluger SUV hit their demountable classroom shortly before 10am on Tuesday. The boy on left was laid to rest on Thursday

The Toyota Kluger SUV rammed into the classroom building, killing the two boys and injuring many others

A map shows the car-park where Ms Al-Shennag was allegedly driving before the accident

Ms Al-Shennag was on Thursday hit with additional charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm by misconduct.

A statement from her lawyer Nick Hanna said she was 'deeply sorry for the loss and hurt suffered by the children, the school, the families and the community'.

'Her thoughts and prayers are with all those affected'.

She has been granted conditional bail.

Meantime, Banksia Road Primary School has reopened with specialist counsellors and additional teaching staff from nearby schools.

A makeshift memorial outside the school gates has been growing, with students, parents and teachers leaving flowers, tributes and balloons.
The ex-husband of a missing San Diego woman with Bismarck ties has pleaded innocent to her murder.

Dalen Ware, 39, entered his plea Monday in Rancho Superior Court in San Bernardino County, Calif. Ware, being held on $1 million bail, was arrested almost a month ago at his Arizona home for 37-year-old Julia Jacobson's murder.

Jacobson and her Wheaton terrier, Boogie, haven't been seen since Sept. 2. Ontario (Calif.) Police presume her dead based on forensic evidence found in her car near her Normal Heights, San Diego, home.

At the time of her disappearance, Jacobson was a retired Army captain working as a corporate real estate broker for 7-Eleven.

Her family has planned a North Dakota memorial service for her at 11 a.m. Dec. 1, at the Spirit of Life Catholic Church, 801 First St. S.E., in Mandan.
Foreign pests and diseases are threatening the health of all of Britains trees, Prince Charles has said.

Dutch Elm disease has already all but wiped out native elm trees.

But while many may have heard of the blight, the Prince of Wales warned there has been a rapid increase in other threats to the nations trees  yet the publics awareness of these is frighteningly low.

In an editorial published in Country Life magazine to mark his 69th birthday next week, Charles spoke of his sorrow at watching his own elms die.

I planted an avenue of them at Highgrove and then watched, miserably, as many of them succumbed, he said.

The prince, who also revealed larch trees in the Duchy of Cornwall were affected by a fungus while ash dieback struck at Highgrove, said the threats to our trees are extremely serious and far-reaching.

Losing almost every sizable English elm from our countryside was such a profound change that I suspect every Country Life reader will have heard of Dutch Elm disease.

'The wider problem is that a great many more pests and diseases are now seriously threatening the health of all our native trees, yet public awareness of this seems to be frighteningly low.

The prince, who also revealed larch trees in the Duchy of Cornwall were affected by a fungus while ash dieback struck at Highgrove, said the threats to our trees are extremely serious and far-reaching.

Dutch Elm disease, which is caused by a fungus, was accidentally brought to the UK from the USA on imported logs. It is named after Dutch research on it.

Other threats include the Asian longhorn beetle, which is already present in Kent and harms many types of broad-leaved trees, the oak processionary moth from southern Europe, which is found in London and neighbouring counties, and the emerald ash borer, a beetle from eastern Asia not yet in the country but which would strike trees already decimated by the ash dieback fungus.

Trees with Dutch Elm Disease, which has already all but wiped out native elm trees

The Prince spoke of his sorrow at seeing his own elm trees die at Highgrove

Prince Charles said trees contribute to our well-being as well as providing fuel and fruit, soaking up greenhouse gases and preventing soil erosion and flooding.

He added: The benefits of healthy trees are clear, which is why we should all be seriously alarmed by the recent rapid increase in tree pests and diseases in this country.

He said climate change makes the United Kingdom ever more suitable for warmth-loving organisms and that the trade of plants increases the risk of such bugs being transported here. Around 350,000 tonnes of plants worth 1.4billion are imported each year.

The prince called for tougher border controls for plants, adding that anyone involved in importing them should understand the threats and be asking questions about plant health, including the urgent necessity for quarantine periods.
Daisy Joy Decker, 21, faces nine felony charges, including 2nd-degree manslaughter, intoxication manslaughter, and intoxication assault with a vehicle

A 21-year-old Texas woman was indicted by a grand jury for driving her car into a group of six people vacationing on Spring Break while she was drunk, it was reported on Wednesday.

One woman was killed in the collision, which took place on March 17 on South Padre Island in Texas.

Daisy Joy Decker of Sugar Land, Texas, faces nine felony charges, including second-degree manslaughter, intoxication manslaughter, and intoxication assault with a vehicle, according to KGBT-TV.

Maria Selena Patino, 19, of Los Fresnos, Texas, was the lone fatality.

According to investigators, Decker was driving in the bike lane in South Padre at around 1am on March 17 when she collided into the group of six people, according to KTRK-TV.

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Maria Selena Patino, 19, of Los Fresnos, Texas, was the lone fatality. She was on Spring Break with a group of friends

Immediately after the collision, Decker drove off. Police were able to track her down with the help of a tip.

Six people whose ages range from 16 to 22 were injured.

Selena Patino was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

She was on life support for two days until her family decided that there was no hope of a recovery and disconnected her from the machines, according to Los Fresnos News.

At the time of her death, Selena Patino was attending Texas State Technical College in Harlingen.

According to investigators, Decker was driving in the bike lane in South Padre Island, Texas, at around 1am on March 17 when she collided into a group of six people

She graduated from Los Fresnos High School in 2015.

Selena Patinos close friend, Secilia Leija, 20, was one of the pedestrians who was hit. She suffered serious injuries.

Everything's a little bit hazy, but I'm trying to remember little by little, Leija told Valley Central.

She spoke two months after the accident  a tragic end to what was supposed to be a festive Spring Break vacation with her friends.

When they got her she was unresponsive, said Leija's mother, Elida Evans.

No pulse, unresponsive and they had to bring her back.

She was on life support for two days until her family decided that there was no hope of a recovery and disconnected her from the machines

Leija said the death of Selena Patino was particularly painful.

Like I lost the one person who believed in me, she said.

The one who always had my back. The one I trusted with everything. I feel like I lost a part of me. I lost someone close to me.

Leija said she was working to regain the use of motor skills. She was learning to walk again.

I can't fix myself, said Leija.

Selena Patinos close friend, Secilia Leija (left), 20, was one of the pedestrians who was hit. She suffered serious injuries

I can't walk. So, I feel like I'm not worth anything anymore.

After the accident, the city of South Padre Island spent $30,000 to install barriers in order to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.

For Evans, however, its too little, too late.

You know and it's good, but it's kind of late, Evans said.

I think it should have been done a long time ago.
A Navy SEAL candidate was left in a coma after he was slapped by a sailor for answering a question incorrectly at a Naval Special Warfare training camp.

The horrifying incident took place on October 12 in Coronado, California and involved the unidentified individual and one other candidate who were questioned by leaders during a study session for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, or BUD/S.

The sailors 'allegedly agreed to slap whichever one got a response wrong' in the event that resulted in the man's hospitalization, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

He reportedly fell to the ground after the blow and struck his head on the way down.

A Navy Seal trainee executes pushups in the sand as other trainees stand in line a the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base in San Diego, California. A man (not pictured) was left in a coma after he was slapped during a training in October

The incident took place on October 12 in Coronado, California at the Naval Amphibious Base during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training

The man was immediately transferred to the Naval Medical Center San Diego, where he was placed into medically-induced coma.

SEAL spokesman Lt. Trevor Davids confirmed in a statement the individual 'is currently in good condition and recovering' as officials of Naval Special Warfare Center continue 'to provide all the necessary support to (the) student and his family.'

The Center has since opened an investigation on the matter, while they have yet to name the two sailors responsible for the dangerous incident.

'Naval Special Warfare Center takes any injury during training extremely seriously and in response is conducting a thorough investigation into this matter,' Davids said, according to the Union-Tribune.

SEAL spokesman Lt. Trevor Davids (pictured) said the individual 'is currently in good condition and recovering' and is being provided 'all the necessary support'

The man incorrectly answered a question during a study session at the training. The BUD/S training program typically takes place in the Laguna Mountains east of San Diego (pictured above)

'(The center) trains elite maritime special operators in a professional and dignified training environment. Actions which fall short of this high standard are not tolerated.'

Naval Criminal Investigative Service spokesman, Ed Buice, confirmed there is no estimated time of completion for the probe as of now.

'NCIS is a fact-finding entity; it will be up to the convening authority to determine whether charges should be filed,' Buice said.

The investigation began the same day the Navy closed the case on the May 6, 2016 drowning of another SEAL candidate, James Derek Lovelace, 21, during combat swimming training.

'The 15-month probe ended after investigators for the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego decided to forgo prosecution of the unnamed SEAL instructors who were present during his death,' the newspaper reported.

The autopsy report ruled the cause of Lovelace's death to be a homicide.

The 'actions, or inactions, of the instructors and other individuals involved were excessive and directly contributed' to the fatality, the report said.
A Barossa Valley winemaker, who was racked by deep feelings of 'treachery and betrayal' when he drained 27,000 litres of shiraz and chardonnay from tanks at a rival company, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

In February 2015, Trevor David Jones went to Kellermeister Wines at Lyndoch and opened valves to drain wine worth almost $300,000 from four of the company's tanks.

After celebrity chef Maggie Beer appeared as a character witness and offered her ongoing support, District Court Judge Jane Schammer jailed Jones for three years and seven months on Thursday, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

Trevor David Jones (pictured) was handed down a suspended jail sentence after draining 27,000 litres of a rival company's wine worth $300K

A supplied CCTV image showing Jones, a Barossa Valley winemaker, in the act of draining 27,000 litres of shiraz and chardonnay at a rival company in February 2015

Judge Jane Schammer sentenced him to three years and seven months in prison before suspending both terms, placing him on a two-year good behaviour bond

But she suspended both terms, placing the man who Ms Beer said had a 'generosity of spirit' and who had never let her down, on a two-year good behaviour bond.

Judge Schammer said Jones was clearly a highly talented and well-regarded winemaker who had found himself in 'personal despair'.

However, she said his offending was serious and the full cost of his actions were hard to determine, with Kellermeister claiming to have lost about $600,000 a year in reduced income.

'The offending was deliberate and was targeted against what was effectively a commercial rival,' the judge said.

The 60-year-old's actions were sparked by a breakdown in the relationship with his father, who had previously owned the winery as a family business.

When he found out that his father had sold up, his pre-existing mental health issues escalated, the judge said.

Jones went to Kellermeister in the early hours of the morning on February 22, 2015 and opened the valves, draining 13,580 litres of shiraz and almost 14,000 litres of chardonnay.

Celebrity chef Maggie Beer (pictured) appeared as a character witness for Jones

He denied any involvement for some time before pleading guilty to two counts of property damage just before the start of a trial.

In previous sentencing submissions, defence counsel Mark Griffin said his client's offending was 'foolish retribution'.

'It had its origins in deep feelings of betrayal and treachery and the belief, rightly or wrongly, that he had become a worthless individual,' Mr Griffin said.

Commenting outside the court last month, Ms Beer said her friend's actions were 'absolutely out of character'.

'Who knows what goes on in a person's head when they're struggling,' she said.

'As a friend, I never see Trevor without giving him a big hug.'

But in his victim impact statement the current owner of Kellermeister Wines, Mark Pearce, told the court that what Jones did was an act of 'sabotage' that had caused both direct and reputational damage.

'The crimes of Trevor Jones were calculated to cause damage and they did just that,' Mr Pearce said.
Melania Trump tried her hand at the delicate art of calligraphy as she and the wife of the Chinese president enjoyed a visit to a primary school in Beijing.

Despite being dressed in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown, thought to have cost at least $3,975, the First Lady happily took up a paintbrush and ink under the watchful eye of the young students at Banchang Primary School.

She was joined by Madame Peng Liyuan, who welcomed Donald and Melania to China with her husband President Xi Jinping on day five of the Trumps' Asia tour.

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The US First Lady Melania Trump, in what's likely to be a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown, stands alongside the wife of China's president in Beijing

Mrs Trump even tried her hand at painting as she joined in with a calligraphy class

Both women looked delighted to be in the company of the young students at Banchang Primary School, where they were treated to a cultural performance

As well as greeting the young students and joining in with some of their lessons, the VIP guests were also treated to a special, cultural performance from students.

Both Melania and Madame Peng were photographed smiling and clapping after the show, surrounded by a gang of beaming schoolchildren.

Upon arrival in Beijing, the First Lady dazzled in her floor-length dress at an official welcome ceremony at the city's Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning.

The gown featured an intricate pink floral design on the black dress - a nod, perhaps, to her hosts' cultural heritage.

China's First Lady Peng Liyuan gave her US counterpart Melania Trump a tour of a primary school in Beijing on Thursday

Both women appeared to be in great spirits as they admired students handiwork at the school

A young schoolboy proudly shows off his efforts to the Chinese and US First Ladies in a calligraphy class

Melania, who teamed her Dolce dress with her trademark bouncy blow-out, shook hands with young students during the visit to the school

The students showed off their elaborate artwork to Melania and Madame Peng. The drawing featured a Mickey Mouse-style character holding hands with a panda - symbols of the US and China

Both Melania and Madame Peng have been noted for their fashion flair, with Peng embracing Chinese designers and traditional design.

Melania has been bucking the trend of previous American First Ladies, who have typically chosen home-grown designers, and gone for bold foreign designers such as Christian Louboutin, Karl Lagerfeld and - her favorite - Dolce and Gabbana.

Lending a hand: Mrs Trump helps a young school girl who is adding decoration to a dress

A student performed Chinese opera for the school's VIP guests in a scene that is in stark contrast to primary schools in the US

The First Lady also watched over young students taking part in a cookery class at the school

The two women also looked in on an architecture class at the school on Thursday

Both women smiled and clapped along with the primary school students in Beijing after they were treated to a cultural performance by children in costume

Madame Peng wore a smart black coat and heels, while Melania went all out in floor-length Dolce & Gabbana

Melania Trump (left and right) donned a stunning Chinese-inspired gown as she met with President Xi Jinping and his wife Madame Peng Liyuana on day five of her and Donald's Asia tour

The First Lady stepped out in a custom floor-length Dolce and Gabbana dress for the official welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Thursday

The choice may be a simple matter of taste, or could be related to the fashion communitys continued backlash against the Trumps which began when a number of leading American designers, including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Sophie Theallet, stated they were not interested in dressing the First Lady after Donald's election win.

Melania stepped out in her Italian-made, Chinese-inspired dress for the welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People overlooking Tiananmen Square. The event was broadcast live on state television, an almost unprecedented gesture for a visiting leader which underlines the importance China has placed on the Trumps' first official visit.

China's First Lady Peng Liyuan and US First Lady Melania Trump attend a fashion class during a visit at Banchang Primary School in Beijing

Eager children raise their hands during an architecture class during Melania Trump's visit

Children waved American and Chinese flags during a cultural performance that Melania watched

Children raise their hands during an English class as Melania and China's First Lady Peng watch on

Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Madame Peng Liyuan rolled out the red carpet for Donald and Melania Trump on Thursday morning in an official welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People

Melania stepped out in her Italian-made, Chinese-inspired dress for the welcome ceremony which was broadcast live on state television, an almost unprecedented for a visiting leader

Both Melania and Madame Peng have been noted for their fashion flair, with Peng embracing Chinese designers and traditional design

It was a warm reunion for the political leaders who met during Xi and Peng's trip to the US where they were invited to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort

Trumpets blared and a military band played the U.S. and Chinese national anthems as a ceremonial cannon fired shots in Tiananmen Square

Trumpets blared and a military band played the U.S. and Chinese national anthems as a ceremonial cannon fired shots in Tiananmen Square.

The First Family has already met President Xi Madame Peng during their visit to the US when Donald Trump invited them to his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Presidents Trump and Xi will participate in several hours of official talks, then deliver a joint press statement. A state dinner is on the agenda for this evening, complete with a cultural performance.

During the welcoming ceremony, the pair seemed to be deep in conversation while their wives kept each other company behind them.

Before the day is through Trump will have also met with Li Keqiang, the head of China's government. Li is a trained economist and a brainchild of the communist nation's economy.

Trump administration complaints about China's unfair business practices and it's mammoth trade deficit with the U.S. are expected to come up when Trump meets with Li on Thursday afternoon.

Melania's Chinese-inspired get up comes just days after the first daughter wore a $1,995 kimono-inspired dress, also made in Italy, by designer Johanna Ortiz to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a dinner at a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, Friday,

Happy as can be: The mother-of-three beamed with joy as she waved for the cameras

Melania's bold outfit choice comes just days after her step-daughter Ivanka met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a dinner in Tokyo in a $1,995 kimono-inspired dress, also made in Italy, by designer Johanna Ortiz.

Ivanka's below-the-knee, flowing dress featured a flowery pattern, tied around the waist with a black bow belt for what appeared to be a nod to the traditional Japanese clothing dating back to the Heian period, between the eighth and twelfth centuries.

The first daughter, 36, posed for photos with Abe, 63, on Friday after giving a speech about female entrepreneurs and women's role in the economy at the World Assembly for Women 2017 earlier in the day.

Melania and Donald arrived in China yesterday, the third country on their 12 day Asian tour, and hopped in his motorcade and sped through Beijing to the Forbidden City, where they reunited with Chinese president Xi Jinping and Madame Peng over tea.

Trump took in an extra special performance of Peking opera on Wednesday during a grand tour of the Forbidden City put on by Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are seen here in the Forbidden City with Xi and his wife Madame Peng Liyuan

The Trumps are at a private dinner now with Xi and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan

After the tour, the presidents and the first ladies of the US and China watched a special performance of Peking opera that was staged for Trump's visit

'Welcome to China! I love you!' a group of children who were part of a Peking opera performance told the U.S. president this evening in Beijing

They led the Trumps to the Conservation Scientific Laboratory of the Forbidden City to participate in an artifact restoration.

The two first couples next watched a performance of Peking opera, a distinctively Chinese art form that combines music, mime, dance and acrobatics.

Posing for pictures with the cast when the opera had concluded, Trump told them the extravagant show was 'beautiful!'

Trump left South Korea on Wednesday after delivering a speech to the country's National Assembly. He said in a tweet Wednesday morning that he was looking forward to again seeing Xi, 'who is just off his great political victory.'
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has refused a halal-friendly McDonald's breakfast on the Queensland election trail, instead taking up a fish and chip shop owner's offer of instant coffee.

The federal senator boarded her 'battler bus' in Rockhampton on the fourth day of her tour of key seats in central and northern Queensland ahead of the November 25 poll.

Senator Hanson was already in the headlines after Labor senator Sam Dastyari blamed her for a racist attack on him at a Melbourne pub and the uprise of anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia.

Pauline Hanson (pictured) refused a halal-friendly McDonald's coffee on the Queensland election trail, instead taking up a fish and chip shop owner's offer of instant coffee

Senator Hanson was approached by local fish and chips shop owner Gary Bowen, who offered to make her an instant coffee for free - and she got to snack on a chip

Senator Hanson snacked on battered chips, reminiscing about her 10 years behind the fryer

Her chief-of-staff James Ashby was quick to respond to the reports, telling AAP: 'Sam Dastyari gets heckled because he's a wanker ... and not because he's a Muslim.'

While journalists sought breakfast and their first coffee of the day from a local McDonald's, Senator Hanson refused to eat or even go near the store because it is halal-friendly, Mr Ashby said.

Senator Hanson brushed off Senator Dastyari's claims about her, stating the 'Mr Bean' like politician was playing up the whole thing.

'What a joke, he's nothing but a pipsqueak,' she said on Thursday.

'All he ever does is use my name to get some publicity to actually sell his book.'

Senator Hanson was then approached by local fish and chips shop owner Gary Bowen, who offered to make her an instant coffee for free.

While the pair chatted about the rising cost of gas and electricity, Senator Hanson snacked on battered chips and reminisced about her 10 years behind the fryer.

But it wasn't long into the journey north for a mechanical issue to arise.

But it wasn't long into the journey north for a mechanical issue to arise on the 'battler bus'

The bus' engine made an intense hissing noise before the check-engine light flicked on

The bus (pictured), carrying a gaggle of reporters, stopped on the side of the Bruce Highway near Marlborough before returning to the servo

The 'battler bus' engine started making an intense hissing noise before the check-engine light flicked on.

The bus, carrying a gaggle of reporters, stopped on the side of the Bruce Highway near Marlborough before returning to the servo.

After waiting two hours for a mechanic, a blown turbo hose was found to be the culprit and it was promptly repaired.

'You think that's going to stop me, I'm heading north,' Senator Hanson said.

'We all have our ups and downs and I can tell you I've had mine.'

During the breakdown, truck driver Shane Williams, who is couriering equipment for Australian musician Paul Kelly's national tour, came to the federal senator's aid.

After waiting two hours for a mechanic, a blown turbo hose was found to be the culprit and it was promptly repaired

During the breakdown, truck driver Shane Williams (right), who is couriering equipment for Australian musician Paul Kelly's national tour, came to the federal senator's aid

Mr Williams, 45, crawled under the bus to check the engine but could not find an obvious fault.

In exchange for his assistance, Senator Hanson bought Mr Williams some sandwiches.

'I'm a big supporter,' Mr Williams said.

'I'm all for what she stands for.

'I think immigration is a big thing for everybody.'

Senator Hanson is making her way up the Queensland coast, targeting regional seats with the hope of claiming 11 or more seats on November 25.

The One Nation leader is planning to stop in Bowen overnight before heading to Townsville on Friday.
A challenge over unfair dismissal is set to decide if 'f**king c**t' is an acceptable and common phrase in Australian workplaces.

Mining company South32 launched an appeal on Wednesday against the Fair Work Commission's decision that electrician Matthew Gosek was unfairly sacked for abusing colleagues in Illawarra - after calling them 'f**king dog', 'c**t', and 'dog c**t', according to the Australian Financial Review.

Commissioner Bernie Riordan reinstated Mr Gosek in a decision on Friday, saying 'f**king c**t' was a common expression 'across all walks of life'.

South32 chief executive Graham Kerr was forced to send a video to staff telling them the company did not condone bullying

Mining company South32 launched an appeal on Wednesday against the Fair Work Commission's decision that electrician Matthew Gosek was unfairly sacked for abusing colleagues in Illawarra

South32 chief executive Graham Kerr was forced to send a video to staff telling them the company did not condone bullying.

Mr Riordan found Mr Gosek's behaviour was mitigated by mental health and alcohol issues.

Mr Gosek, who is a Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union lodge president, reportedly used profanity while addressing eight co-workers.

He made phone calls and sent text messages allegedly threatening to kick workers out of the union and challenged them to a physical confrontation.

He later apologised and said he made the comments after drinking a 'few beers'.

Macquarie Group director Patricia Cross took to Twitter to express her disappointment at the Fair Work Commission's decision.

'Shameful to normalise intimidating and obscene language in Australian work places,' she said.

'Workers have [the] right to feel safe.'

A Fair Work Commission full bench is set to rule on the appeal.

Commissioner Bernie Riordan (pictured) reinstated Mr Gosek in a decision on Friday, saying 'f**king c**t' was a common expression 'across all walks of life'

Macquarie Group director Patricia Cross took to Twitter to express her disappointment at the Fair Work Commission's decision

A similar case emerged in August 2017 after a judge ruled it was legal to call former Prime Minister Tony Abbott a c**t because Australians don't find the swear word as offensive as other English-speaking countries.

Well-known Sydney identity Danny Lim  who is often seen wearing bright sandwich boards with political messages  was seen with a sign reading 'Tony you c**t'.

The court ruled the 75-year-old's sign was 'essential political comment' and the word 'c**t' was 'prevalent in everyday language'.
A man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after slitting his friends throat with a knife - but claims his friend told him to do it.

James Allan Garner, 47, said his friend David McIntosh, 50, asked him to kill him because he'd molested children, and couldn't live with what he'd done.

Mr Garner told a friend he'd done it to protect future victims: 'Macca asked me to do it as he'd been fiddling with (kids)' reported the Herald Sun.

The block of flats in Fitzroy in Melbourne's north (pictured) where David McIntosh was killed

'He was a rock spider. I was doing a mate a favour. I ended it. I should've chopped the body up.'

Mr Garner told police he killed Mr McIntosh after a drinking session at Mr McIntosh's flat on May 3.

'I felt like I was doing the right thing in a weird, warped sense. There will be half a dozen kids out there that will (now) not have their souls ripped out,'Mr Garner said.

Details of the murder were heard in the Supreme court.

Mr Garner was 'significantly intoxicated' on the night of the killing and was deeply troubled by Mr McIntosh's alleged confessions.

But Justice Coghlan said they were no excuse for the killing, and nor had Mr Garner shown any remorse for what he'd done.

'This is not a murder at the lower end of the range ... vigilantism has to be condemned,' Justice Coghlan said.

Mr Garner slit his friends throat with a knife after he claims he asked him to do it (stock image)

Police also confirmed that Mr McIntosh had no criminal history and was not under investigation.

The pair had only met months earlier, after Mr McIntosh offered Mr Garner a place to stay when his marriage broke down and he had nowhere to live.

Mr Garner has a son and is from Coventry, England, but immigrated to Australia with his family when he was eight.

Justice Coghlan said he could face deportation on his release.

Mr Garner was sentenced to 21 years with a non-parole period of 17 years.
A motorcyclist has died after a gang of thugs allegedly stole a BMW and smashed into his motorbike before fleeing the scene.

A 33-year-old man from Mitcham died following the crash in Melbourne's east on Wednesday, according to Victoria Police.

The man died at The Alfred Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Scroll down for video

A motorcyclist is fighting for his life after an allegedly stolen BMW smashed into the motorbike (pictured) before fleeing the scene

Police are continuing to hunt for those responsible for the horrific crash.

The black BMW driver and about four passengers were in the four-wheel-drive when it crashed into the motorbike after failing to slow down at a give-way sign.

The car then dragged the motorbike and rider 70 meters down the road on Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne's east.

The motorbike then exploded and caught fire at about 4.15pm, leaving the 33-year-old motorcyclist with severe burns, according to 9 News.

Victoria Police are still hunting for the group of five thieves who dumped the black BMW before stealing another car, which they later torched.

The hit and run offenders are also believed to have attempted to break into a number of houses where they allegedly stole a white Toyota sedan (pictured)

One witness told Fairfax Media they saw the car speeding right before the crash, which dragged the bike along the road as it burst into flames.

'People were screaming and crying. Then I saw the flames as I raced over to see what was going on,' one witness told 9 News.

Denyse Ward told ABC News it was an 'unbelievable' scene and something that 'you never want to witness'.

The 33-year-old man was rushed to The Alfred Hospital in a critical condition with 'life threatening' injuries.

The allegedly stolen BMW was found by police abandoned on East Link.

Denyse Ward told ABC News it was an 'unbelievable' scene and something that 'you never want to witness'

The hit and run offenders are also believed to have attempted to break into a number of houses where they allegedly stole a white Toyota Camry sedan.

The group of five people dressed in 'hoodies' were reportedly banging down the door of a woman's house but she wouldn't let them inside.

One witness told Fairfax Media they saw the car speeding right before the crash, which dragged the bike along the road as it burst into flames

'I was screaming "get out of my house",' one woman told 9 News.

The thieves are all still on the run.
Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle attended a charity gala in New York City on Tuesday  but without her rumored boyfriend, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.

The Mooch was scheduled to attend the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Childrens Food & Wine Gala at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan this past Tuesday.

Hours before the event, Scaramucci canceled, according to Page Six.

Nonetheless, the dinner, which was hosted by Inside Editions Deborah Norville, raised over $700,000 to help abused children.

When asked to comment about Scaramucci's initial plan to attend the gala, a spokesperson for the former Trump aide called it 'convoluted b*****it.'

Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle attended a charity gala in New York City on Tuesday  but without her rumored boyfriend, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. Guilfoyle is seen above in Manhattan on Tuesday

The Mooch was scheduled to attend the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Childrens Food & Wine Gala at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan this past Tuesday, but he canceled, according to Page Six

Rumors have been swirling that Scaramucci and Guilfoyle are more than just friends.

Whispers of The Mooch wooing the television personality have been floating around New York City for months, which began after Sacramucci's wife filed for divorce back in July, according to Page Six.

The two have been coy about the nature of their relationship, repeatedly denying that there is anything romantic between them.

The publication notes, however, that 'The Mooch' and Guilfoyle had recently gone house-hunting together in Manhattan and were seen 'cuddling up' at a charity gala in Italy on September 10.

Rumors have been swirling that Scaramucci and Guilfoyle are more than just friends. The two are seen with an unidentified guest on the far left

From left to right: John Corbett, Bo Derek, Guilfoyle and Scaramucci attend the Closing Night Gala at Cinecitta as part of the 2017 Celebrity Fight Night in Italy (Pictured: September 10)

Scaramucci, known for his brash demeanor, lasted 11 days in the Trump administration, being ousted soon after a profanity-laden interview with the New Yorker made headlines.

At the time, Scaramucci was livid with reporters tweeting that he and Guilfoyle were reportedly seen dining with the President and First Lady, fearing the event on July 26 would 'raise suspicions.'

His wife, Deidre Ball, filled for divorce three days later despite being almost nine months pregnant.

A source close to Scaramucci told Page Six that the two are 'just very good friends who enjoy each others' company . . . It is too early to call them a couple. He is busy establishing his post-White House career.'

The source added that the former financier is focused on his post-White House career, fielding offers for book deals and possible television work in the future.

'Kimberly thinks the world of Anthony,' a source close to Guilfoyle told Page Six.

'He is one of her best friends, but they are not a yet a couple. He is still going through a divorce. She is a single mom, and her son is her priority.'
The Burleigh County Water Resource District's approval of a drainage project to remove excessive groundwater from the Hay Creek Pines subdivision, located 6 miles northeast of Bismarck, has resulted in downstream landowners seeking legal action.

Alton and Arlene Nitschke, who own about 40 acres of land and have lived south of Hay Creek Pines for 24 years, filed an appeal to district court, alleging the groundwater to be diverted to their property has been polluted by coliform and other contaminants.

"Well, I'm here again, and I'm not going away," said Arlene Nitschke, at Wednesday's meeting of the BCWRD. "Why should we take on somebody else's bad water? This is not over. You are going to hear from me forever."

The Hay Creek Pines Groundwater Removal Project is intended to lower groundwater levels in the subdivision by providing an avenue for the water to more readily leave.

The project's aim is to improve the stability of the road bed in and around Hay Creek Pines, reduce sump pump operations in homes, protect structures and reduce the drowning of trees.

In July, the BCWRD tested water samples from four wells and one sump pump, but the Nitschkes allege the tests did not include all essential attributes. The five basic items to be tested, per the United States Department of Agriculture, are nitrates, sulfates, phosphates, E. coli and coliform. The latter two of which were not tested by the county.

High levels of sulfate and total dissolved solids were found in several of the water samples.

Using one of the same test wells, the Nitschkes tested for coliform and E. coli in the groundwater. Results show coliform was present, though E. coli was not found.

The Nitschkes, who expressed concern their land will turn to alkali due to the contaminated groundwater, allege that the BCWRD refused to test a murky sample collected from one of the test wells.

The county has since agreed to test additional groundwater samples, with Braun Intertec drawing samples from a handful of different wells Nov. 1.

"Mr. Nitschke was notified within an hour from the time this board was notified that the contractor was going to be put in place, doing work on-site," said Rodney Beck, a member of the water resource district board.

The results of the testing are expected to arrive sometime next week, Beck said.

The Nitschkes, who allege the BCWRD is withholding information, submitted an open records request to the board, to have access to every email correspondence that pertains to the Hay Creek Pines Groundwater Removal Project.

"I would really like all of the Burleigh County Water Resource District emails," said Alton Nitschke, but agreed he'd be satisfied  for now  with only those pertaining to the drain tile system.

Hay Creek Pines subdivision resident Gary Christenson, who petitioned for the project, was also present at Wednesday's meeting.

"Our project was just to, basically, expedite during high-water table periods," Christenson said. "I'm disappointed that this has gotten to be such a contentious issue. Unfortunately, lots of misunderstandings, I think.

"I'm hoping the board can recognize that and do what's necessary to move forward with a very simple project," he said.

In the meantime, the project is moving forward.

The BCWRD directed Houston Engineering to prepare the easements at the lower end of the Hay Creek Pines development. The board's attorney, David Bliss, reviewed the proposed easements, which will be presented to the appropriate landowners.

"Those easements are required and should've been in place long before this project even started, because natural drainage is going through these two properties," Beck said.

In preparation of the roadway reconstruction project within the subdivision, the board authorized Houston Engineering to conduct a topography review of the area by drone, in lieu of sending a survey crew.

"A drone is a lot cheaper and a lot more detailed," Beck said.

The Hay Creek Pines Groundwater Removal Project was approved May 2, with 97 percent of the Hay Creek Pines voters favoring it. An assessment district has been established and $555,100 worth of specials will be spread out evenly among the 35 landowners.
A school teacher whose pregnant wife, parents, brother, and three of his children were killed in Sunday's Texas church massacre revealed on Wednesday that he and his wife had picked a name for their unborn child.

'We dont know if it was a boy or a girl,' John Holcombe, whose wife, Crystal, was murdered in the attack, wrote on his Facebook page.

'It was too soon to tell. However, we have a name for our baby, who died in the womb.

'Carlin Brite "Billy Bob" Holcombe,' John Holcombe, who survived the shooting alongside two of his children, wrote.

Holcombe suffered a bullet wound to the leg.

'This includes Crystals pick for a girl, a boy and the nickname the kids gave the baby.

'Crystal was very thoughtful when coming up with these names. Carlin means small champion. "Billy Bob" is the nickname the kids gave the baby.'

John Holcombe (right) lost his pregnant wife, Crystal Holcombe (left), in Sunday's massacre at a Texas church

John Holcombe, who survived the shooting after suffering a bullet wound in the leg, revealed on his Facebook page that he and his wife picked out a name for the unborn child

John Holcombe thanked well-wishers and supporters who sent reassuring message in the aftermath of the slaughter. 'Thank you all for your love, prayers and support,' he wrote

Crystal Holcombe (center) was eight months pregnant when she died in the church shooting on Sunday alongside her son Greg (far left), daughters Emily and Megan. Her husband, John (far right) survived alongside two of their children

Sisters Emily (left) and Megan (right) enjoyed baking fun treats with their mother. Crystal recently posted on Facebook about how her girls won a baking contest. Megan is pictured right being presented with the certificate for the contest

Greg (right) seemingly loved participating in karate, as his mother and sister Emily also joined him in the activity

John Holcombe thanked well-wishers and supporters who sent reassuring message in the aftermath of the slaughter.

'Thank you all for your love, prayers and support,' he wrote.

The seven members of his family were among the 26 people who were tragically killed during Sunday's church shooting 30 miles outside San Antonio.

Crystal Holcombe shared her pride about her five children on her Facebook page.

She had recently posted about her daughters Emily and Megan finishing third and first in their respective categories in a bake off and shared photos of their accomplishments.

John Holcombe's parents, Bryan and Karla Holcombe (together above), were also gunned down in the church. Bryan had been standing in as pastor for Frank Pomeroy, and witnesses say he was the first victim to be struck by the shooter's gunfire

But the loving mother, who was eight months pregnant, was killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs along with her daughters Emily and Megan and son Greg when gunman Devin Kelley sprayed the congregation with bullets.

Her in-laws and the children's grandparents, Bryan and Karla Holcombe, were also fatally gunned down in the church.

Bryan had been standing in as pastor for Frank Pomeroy, and witnesses say he was the first victim to be struck by the shooter's gunfire.

'Bryan was filling in,' the witness, who did not want to be named, told DailyMail.com. 'He was walking up to the pulpit when he was shot in the back.

'He was an awesome Christian,' they added.

His Sunday school teacher wife of 25 years was shot by the gunman.

John's brother, Marc Daniel 'Danny' Holcombe (above), 36, was also killed, according to Joe Holcombe, his grandfather. He said that Danny's young daughter, Noah Holcombe also died

'The family is just devastated,' the witness added.

The couple ran a canvas repair shop before retiring and had attended the church for 25 years.

'My father was a good man and he loved to preach. He had a good heart. They knew where they were going. There's peace in that,' their son Scott Holcombe told the Herald-Tribune.

The couple's other son, Marc Daniel 'Danny' Holcombe, 36, was also killed, according to Joe Holcombe, his grandfather.

He said that Danny's young daughter, Noah Holcombe also died.

Two separate GoFundMe campaigns created for the Holcombe family has raised over $770,000 as of Wednesday evening.
Australia's peak Sunni Muslim group has agreed to pay back $22 million to a Sydney Islamic school.

New South Wales Supreme Court justice Michael Ball on Thursday ordered the Australian Federal of Islamic Councils to repay the funds to the Malek Fahd Islamic School in Sydney's south-west.

The court order comes a year after Australia's largest Islamic school, at Greenacre, was stripped of $19 million a year in federal funds over a series of financial irregularities.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has agreed to repay the Malek Fahd Islamic School (pictured) $22 million

The Malek Fahd Islamic School at Greenacre (pictured) has lost $19 million a year in federal funding

On the first day of a trial in the NSW Supreme Court, AFIC agree to hand back $22 million to the school, including $10 million in payments and a $12 million property at Beaumont Hills in Sydney's north-west which it had bought, The Australian reports.

The school had accused AFIC, which collects halal certification fees from Vegemite's parent company Bega Cheese, of siphoning about $45 million from it since the Sunni Muslim umbrella organisation founded the school in 1989.

Before the NSW Supreme Court trial, the Greenacre school, which leases land from AFIC, had gone to the Federal Court to appeal a ruling by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal last year which upheld Education Minister Simon Birmingham's decision to withhold $19 million in annual taxpayer funding.

The Muslim school appealed to the Federal Court to have the minister's decision overturned.

The school leases land from the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, which also charges halal certification fees to the likes of Kraft Vegemite (pictured)

On Thursday, the NSW Supreme Court was told AFIC rewrote the school's constitution in the early 1990s to give it 'absolute control' over the school and the ability to appoint all of its directors.

Last year, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal found the school's board, which has AFIC ties, was not spending its taxpayer funding on educating its 2400 students.

On Thurdsay, the Supreme Court was told the school had raised concerns about how it appeared to be paying rent above market value  some $1.5 million a year on its Greenacre site which was valued at $400,000 a year.

The Malek Fahd Islamic School at Greenacre was paying inflated rent to the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils

Education Minister Simon Birmingham last year stripped $19 million in federal funds from the Malek Fahd School in Sydney

Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Uthman Badar was educated the Malek Fahd Islamic School

The Malek Fahd school's graduates include the leaders of Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia, Uthman Badar and Hamzah Qureshi.

Daily Mail Australia in March captured Mr Badar on camera telling a forum at Bankstown library that ex-Muslims deserved death.

Prominent Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Adelaide-based Shia imam Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi have both called for Australia to shut down Islamic schools claiming they are radicalising students.

The Malek Fahd school has three Sydney campuses in Greenacre, Hoxton Park and Beaumont Hills.

The trial continues.
Crowds called for the killing of a California woman after she arrived to a royal event wearing attire splashed in colorful floral print.

Rosalynn Carmen was just one of hundreds in attendance to the solemn Los Angeles ceremony October 26 honoring the late King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.

When Carmen arrived dressed in the black, red, yellow and green long sleeve dress, folks screamed death threats her way for showing 'disrespect' to their country in what they deemed to be an 'inappropriate' and showy ensemble.

Crowds called for the killing of Rosalynn Carmen, (pictured) after she arrived to a royal cremation ceremony wearing attire splashed in colorful floral print

The cremation ceremony took place on October 26 in Los Angeles in honor of the late Thailand King, Bhumibol Adulyadej

Bhumibol Adulyadej was the country's longest-reigning leader up until his death on October 13, 2016

One woman angrily blurted out, 'She's wearing red!', which led to a public altercation and demands for the 'assassination' of Carmen and her husband, Len Novarro, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

'This is my country ... This is America, (and) I didn't do anything wrong,' Carmen told the newspaper following the horrific attacks against her family.

Carmen said she initially planned to opt out of the event, but later decided to accompany her mother to pay their respects for their Thai heritage.

Rosalynn Carmen is pictured with her husband, Len Novarro. Crowds called for the couple to be killed after Carmen wore colorful, printed attire to the a royal cremation ceremony

Carmen and Novarro revealed they received further threats later on social media

Controversy at the somber event is believed to be a reflection of the Southeast Asian country's extreme division in politics.

Associate professor at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, Ann Marie Murphy, an expert on Thai politics, told the Union-Tribune the government is 'completely polarized.'

She added: 'This has separated family and friends just as politics in our country has.'

People memorialize the death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Wat Thai of Los Angeles temple in Los Angeles, California, U.S., October 13, 2016

A Buddhist Monk pray prepares for a memorial service by a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Wat Thai Temple in the North Hollywood section of Los Angeles on Oct.13, 2016

Following the fiery event, ceremony attendees further took to social media expressing their distaste for the woman's choice in dress, and sent even more 'vile' threats.

'Some of the posts had pictures of Carmen with an 'X' over her face, next to images of guns. In videos posted on YouTube, some people made death threats,' the newspaper reported.

Carmen and Novarro revealed their relatives were also menaced online after the ceremony.

'You feel so powerless ... That's the most frustrating thing. You can't do anything about it,' Novarro said.

The late king, Adulyadej, who was the longest-reigning monarch in the country, was respected and loved around the world.

Jennifer Ing-aram, vice president of the Thai Association of Southern California, also spoke on the alarming incident to the Union-Tribune.

'Naturally, at his cremation, it's our way of showing our last respects and last love for the king,' she said.

'So to have someone come in who appeared to disrespect the event, and, as some saw it, disrespect the king  people aren't going to be happy about it.'
Salim Mehajer's close friend and business associate who is charged over the brutal slaying of an underworld figure wore gun cufflinks to his lavish wedding just months after the murder.

The disgraced former deputy mayor of Auburn famously wreaked chaos when he illegally closed an entire street for his extravagant wedding in Lidcombe in Sydney's west in 2015.

His friend Ahmed Jaghbir, who is accused of the execution killing of prominent bikie Kemel Barakat, wasn't to be outdone when he tied the knot in September.

Salim Mehajer's close friend Ahmed Jaghbir (pictured on his wedding day) is charged over the murder of Sydney underworld figure Kemel Barakat

Jaghbir chose to wear gun cufflinks to his lavish wedding just months after the murder he is accused of committing

Among Jaghbir's guests was Mehajer, who had recently appointed the groom as the director of his wedding planning business.

The alleged killer threw an enormous Mehajer-style ceremony in front of hundreds of jovial guests, perhaps in a display of aptitude to his new boss.

Before the vows were exchanged, Mehajer posed for photos with the groom and placed cufflinks on his sleeves, one appearing to be shaped as a handgun.

After Jaghbir married his bride Nadima, a convoy of luxury cars and a motorcade of gold-plated Harley-Davidsons escorted him from the private function.

'I would like to thank everyone that come and made it happen,' Jaghbir captioned this photo of himself with his new bride

Salim Mehajer (left) is pictured with Ahmed Jaghbir (right) on the accused killer's wedding day

The convoy headed off a main road to a quiet suburban street, where drivers and riders revved their engines as the groom followed in a white Lamborghini.

He waved to the cheering crowd before a Ford Falcon performed a series of burnouts, leaving tyre marks strewn across the street.

'I would like to thank everyone that come and made it happen,' Jaghbir captioned a photo of himself with his new bride shortly after the wedding.

The pair soon headed to Thailand for their honeymoon, where they were pictured with dolphins, lions and monkeys, as well as dancing with locals on the street.

The newlyweds soon headed to Thailand for their honeymoon where they were pictured with dolphins

The married couple are seen with two tigers during their honeymoon shortly before Jaghbir's arrest

Jaghbir (pictured with his wife) was appointed sole director of Mehajer's wedding business before his arrest

Jaghbir was arrested in dramatic raids at his Guildford home on Wednesday just a few days after the couple returned to Australia.

He was charged with the murder of Barakat, who was shot multiple times as he slept in his bed at his Mortlake home at 2.30am on March 10.

Jaghbir was also charged with accessory before the fact and participating in a criminal group.

The 28-year-old was appointed sole director of Mehajer's wedding business, Mehajer Wedding and Event Planning, in September.

Jaghbir is pictured with a snake on a previous holiday to Asia. He has since been charged with murder

Jaghbir has also been charged with accessory before the fact and participating in a criminal group

Jaghbir, 28, was charged with murder, accessory before the fact and participating in a criminal group after his arrest in Sydney's west on Wednesday

The home of Mehajer was simultaneously raided as police arrested Jaghbiro.

It is understood the raid was linked to allegations of insurance fraud after Mehajer was involved in a car crash on his way to court on October 15.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Mehajer is in any way involved with the underworld murder of Barakat.

Police allege Jaghbir was involved in the planning of the murder, including coordinating access to Barakat's home unit.

Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer returns home as police continue to raid his home in Lidcombe on Wednesday

Mehajer (centre) and Jaghbir's (top left) social media accounts show the close bond the pair appear to share

Jaghbir is pictured dancing with locals on the streets of Thailand during is honeymoon

His arrest came after police released footage showing a group of men they believe gunned down the underworld figure in the hope it would help solve the murder.

The CCTV footage shows four men entering Mr Barakat's apartment building through a rear fire door, gaining entry to his apartment and then fleeing in a stolen Mercedes C63 wagon.

The Mercedes was later found burnt-out at Belmore, NSW Police said.

Jaghbir has a mention hearing scheduled for November 23 at Parramatta Local Court.

Kemel Barakat (pictured) was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds at his home in Sydney's inner-west on March 10
Pope Francis will gather officials and peace advocates in the Vatican tomorrow as he hopes to defuse nuclear tensions amid America's standoff with North Korea.

The Pontiff will use his own address and the presence of 11 Nobel Peace Prize winners in an attempt to convince NATO officials and delegates from nuclear countries that it is time to abandon the bomb.

Francis will attempt to discredit the Cold War-era theory that mutually assured destruction has increased global peace and security.

It comes as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping pledged to work together to deneuclarise the Korean Peninsula and thwart Kim Jong Un's attempts to build a nuke capable of bringing death and destruction to mainland America.

Pope Francis will host Nobel Peace Prize winners alongside representatives from the UN, NATO, America and Russia at the Vatican tomorrow for a nuclear summit

He will give an address which attempts to lessen nuclear tensions around the world - but has ruled out acting as a mediator between North Korea and America

'For some people, it's pie in the sky,' conference organizer and top papal adviser Monsignor Silvano Tomasi said.

'But at this time, I think it's very important to alert public opinion that the presence in the world of thousands of atomic bombs doesn't guarantee the security of anyone.'

The Holy See has long opposed nuclear proliferation and supported disarmament efforts around the world.

But Francis will use the occasion to tie that theme in with others from his papacy: that nuclear weapons are bad for the environment and a waste of money.

Previous nuclear treaties have failed to secure the backing of any countries with the bomb over fears about North Korea's drive to develop the weapon

Vatican officials say the purpose of the conference is to send a 'clear message' to both Washington and Pyongyang to tone down their 'excessive aggression'.

One outcome has been ruled out in advance, however, as the Pope says he will not act as a mediator for talks between America and North Korea.

The Vatican under Francis has facilitated talks between the U.S. and Cuba and, more recently, between the Venezuelan government and opposition parties.

That option has been taken off the table here, with Francis suggesting that other experienced facilitators, such as Norway, could play that role.

Francis 'keeps saying we need to build channels of communication and not walls,' Tomasi said in an interview.

'If the conference that we are organizing succeeds in conveying this message, we have done our jobs.'

The conference is the first major international gathering since 122 countries approved a new U.N. treaty in July calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The treaty is largely hollow, however, because none of the nuclear powers and not a single member of NATO signed on.

All argued the treaty's lofty ideals were unrealistic given the rapid expansion of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

The summit comes after President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping committed to working together to achieve a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula

Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi, who is heading the summit, admits it is 'pie in the sky' thinking, but said the Pope hope to make a tangible impact

Despite that Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons which was instrumental in getting the treaty passed, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

She will be among the delegates in Rome tomorrow.

'What's so significant about this conference is that it draws attention to and underscores the treaty and the Nobel prize, and says, 'This is serious stuff,'' said George Lopez, who served on an experts panel that advised the U.N. Security Council on North Korea sanctions.

The United States is set to be represented at the conference by its deputy ambassador to the Holy See.

Russia is sending a top nuclear expert, and NATO's deputy secretary general, Rose Gottemoeller, is scheduled to speak.

China and North Korea have been invited, but organizers said they do not know if the countries would send representatives.

Neither has diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

The US and Russia are committed to reduce the number of nuclear weapons they wield thanks to the START treaty, which was first ratified in 1991 and then renewed under Barack Obama in 2009.

The original treaty committed both countries to deploy no more than 6,000 nuclear warheads and 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers.

When it was re-signed in 2009, the new framework committed both countries to further reductions in bombers and missiles, down to 1,000 each.
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Pictures have emerged of Ed Westwick filming the second series of White Gold as a second woman accuses him of rape.

The 30-year-British actor donned a blue double-breasted suit on the comedy show's set in Essex, England last Thursday.

Four days after filming the scene, the Gossip Girl star from Stevenage was publicly accused of rape by actress Kristina Cohen, who said he forced himself upon her three years ago.

Yesterday another woman, Aurelie Wynn, accused him of raping her at a house he was renting in LA in July 2014.

Wynn said she told her then-boyfriend Glee actor Mark Salling, who has recently pleaded guilty to child porn charges, about the rape but he discouraged her from speaking out and left her.

Westwick, who is believed to be filming White Gold this week too, has denied raping anybody.

On set: Pictures have emerged of Ed Westwick filming the second series of White Gold as a second woman accuses him of rape

He frowned as he walked along a road and got into a blue 80s car while appearing to roll a cigarette

Ed Westwick (in the blue car) was seen on set for comedy series White Gold last Thursday. In this scene it appears that a policeman wants to speak to his character

White Gold is a 2017 BBC comedy series featuring a group of UPVC window salesmen in mid-1980s Essex. It stars Ed Westwick as Vincent, the head of a double-glazed windows sales team, with former Inbetweeners stars Joe Thomas and James Buckley.

Yesterday Aurelie Wynn, an Taiwanese-American former actress and model, claimed Westwick forced himself upon her at a house he was renting in LA in July 2014.

She said she was invited over by a girl friend who was dating his roommate, a Glee cast member.

The group hung out until 5am when they went to bed in separate rooms. She says Westwick came into her room, pushed her face down, ripped off her bathing suit and raped her.

'I was powerless under his weight,' she wrote in a lengthy Facebook post on Wednesday.

Aurelie Wynn, who has since quit acting, claims the 30-year-old forced himself upon her at a house he was renting in LA in 2014

Wynn (left) said her friends discouraged her from speaking out, telling her she did not want to be 'that girl'. Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick has also been accused of raping 27-year-old actress Kristina Cohen

Wynn said her then boyfriend Mark Salling, who could be facing between four and seven years in jail after admitting to having 50,000 images of children in his home, pretended not to know Westwick.

She said her friends also discouraged her from speaking out, telling her she did not want to be 'that girl' - but she found the courage to tell her story after Westwick was accused by another woman on Monday.

Actress Kristina Cohen, 27, publicly accused British actor Westwick of raping her three years ago.

Wynn said: 'I wanted just to reinforce Kristina's claims as I believe them to be true.'

Westwick denies knowing Cohen and says he has never raped anyone. His rep has been contacted by MailOnline.

But on Thursday he tweeted out a denial about the latest allegations.

'It is disheartening and sad to me that as a result of two unverified and provably untrue social media claims, there are some in this environment who could ever conclude that I have had anything to do with such vile and horrific conduct. I have absolutely not, and I am cooperating with the authorities so that they can clear my name as soon as possible.'

The first allegation emerged Monday night, when Kristina Cohen took to Facebook on Monday alleging that Westwick forcibly held her down and raped her at his Hollywood Hills home in February 2014.

LAPD is investigating Cohen's claims.

Wynn (pictured) said the group hung out until 5am when they went to bed in separate rooms

Wynn said she told her then boyfriend Mark Salling (pictured), a former Glee actor who was convicted for possessing child pornography, about the rape but he discouraged her from speaking out and left her. Salling could be facing between four and seven years in jail after admitting to having 50,000 images of children in his home

Wynn (pictured) says Westwick came into her room, pushed her face down and ripped off her bathing suit

This is the Facebook post in which Wynn accused Westwick of rape on Wednesday

Denying Cohen's claims on Tuesday morning, Westwick Tweeted: 'I do not know this woman. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape.'

Cohen claimed she went to the 30-year-old actor's home for dinner with a producer - who she had briefly dated in 2013 - when Westwick allegedly suggested a threesome. She said she ended up taking a nap in his guest bedroom.

She didn't name the producer in her Facebook post, but later identified him to the Hollywood Reporter as Kaine Harling.

'I was woken up abruptly by Ed on top of me, his fingers entering my body. I told him to stop, but he was strong. I fought him off as hard as I could but he grabbed my face in his hands, shaking me, telling me he wanted to f*** me,' she wrote.

'I was paralyzed, terrified. I couldn't speak, I could no longer move. He held me down and raped me.'

The actress said she had tried to convince Harling, who was friends with Westwick, to leave prior to the alleged assault but he had asked her to stay a while longer.

Kristina Cohen, the 27-year-old Ladies Like Us actress, took to Facebook on Monday night alleging that Westwick forcibly held her down and raped her at his home three years ago

Westwick strenuously denied the rape allegations on Tuesday morning in a statement on his social media

'I wanted to leave when Ed suggested 'we should all f***'. But the producer didn't want to make Ed feel awkward by leaving,' she said.

'Ed insisted we stay for dinner. I said I was tired and wanted to leave, trying to get out of what was already an uncomfortable situation. Ed suggested I nap in the guest bedroom. The producer said we would stay for just another 20 more minutes to smooth everything over, and then we could leave.'

Cohen told the Hollywood Reporter that after the alleged assault she was shocked and confused. She ended up leaving the following morning and said that Harling had left earlier in the night.

She said she spoke to Harling after the alleged assault but claims he blamed her.

'The producer put the blame on me, telling me I was an active participant,' she wrote on Facebook.

'Telling me that I can't say anything because Ed will have people come after me, destroy me, and that I could forget about an acting career. Saying there's no way I can go around saying Ed 'raped' me and that I don't want to be 'that girl'.'

Harling was a producer on Ladies Like Us - the TV series Cohen starred in.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Harling for comment.

Cohen didn't name the producer in her Facebook post, but later identified him to the Hollywood Reporter as Kaine Harling (above). She said the pair dated briefly in 2013. The alleged assault took place in February 2014

Westwick has been dating former America's Next Top Model contestant Jessica Serfaty (pictured above) for the past few months

Cohen starred in the TV series Ladies Like Us from 2013 to 2015. She is pictured above acting in a scene from the show

Cohen said she was encouraged to speak out three years after the alleged attack following the outpouring of stories this past month in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

She at the time of the alleged assault she was in a dark place.

'My mom was dying of cancer and I didn't have the support system or time to process and deal with the aftermath of the rape. I buried my pain and guilt to make space for the onslaught that came after my mom's death, just three months later,' she said.

'Even now, I grapple with feelings of guilt. Unfounded worry that in some way I was to blame. I don't know where these feelings come from.

'I've grown considerably in the three years since my assault, so to revisit is painful.'

Cohen, who was born in California, has appeared in a number of minor TV and and film roles with the most recent being Ladies Like Us and Ladies Like Us: The Rise of Neighborhood Watch.

She has also featured in Californication and Greek.

Soon after Cohen's claims surfaced, a Wikipedia page about Westwick was updated to read: 'Ed Westwick is a rapist, best known for his role as Chuck Bass on The CW's teen television drama series Gossip Girl.'

The rapist reference was quickly deleted after Westwick denied the allegations.

Westwick has been dating former America's Next Top Model contestant Jessica Serfaty for the past few months.

DailyMail.com has contacted Westwick's lawyer and Cohen for further comment.

Ed Westwick is best known for his role as Chuck Bass (above) in the TV series Gossip Girl
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Prince Harry has honoured the nation's war dead and joked with one veteran about bringing Meghan Markle to the event next year.

Harry, 33, laid a wooden cross at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance ahead of Armistice Day, in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

He looked relaxed as he chatted and laughed with veterans from past and present conflicts.

Prince Harry shakes hands with a child at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance where he honoured the fallen today

Britain's Prince Harry salutes to a young boy, who returns the gesture during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey today

Harry looked relaxed as he chatted and laughed with veterans from past and present conflicts in London today

Watchman Greg Hedges is given a lick from his Staffordshire Bull terrier at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance today

Prince Harry pets Staffordshire Bull terrier Watchman V, the former mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment, at the ceremony

Harry smiles as he speaks to veterans as he attends the official opening ceremony of the Field of Remembrance today

Harry joked with Matt Weston, who was a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan, about bringing his US actress girlfriend to the event, around a year after their relationship hit the headlines.

Mr Weston, 28, said: 'I took the Mickey and asked where his missus was and he said she wasn't here. I asked if she would come next time because she's awesome.

'And he said he couldn't hide her anywhere, but I said you wouldn't have to hide her. I would love to meet her - I think she's very cool. He's a very lucky man and she's brilliant.'

Mr Weston, from Taunton, Somerset, lost both his legs when an improvised explosive device exploded in 2009 while he was serving with the Royal Engineers 33 Regiment.

Prince Harry is at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance in London today to honour the fallen ahead of Armistice Day

Harry placed a wooden cross in the grounds of the Abbey in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice

The 33-year-old will also meet veterans from past and present conflicts during the visit in Central London today

Harry, who placed a cross before saluting today, served for ten years in the Army, and was twice deployed to Afghanistan

Harry salutes during a visit to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in Central London this morning

Harry took part in the act of remembrance at Westminster Abbey this morning ahead of Armistice Day

'It was great seeing him again, I met him before at the Afghanistan and Iraq memorial unveiling,' he added.

Behind Harry's uniform Prince Harry was wearing his Household Division ceremonial uniform of a black frock today. Frock coats are a form of undress, which is one formality level below full dress, and can be worn by certain officers of the Household Division. The coats, worn at formal occasions by those not on parade in command of troops, are single-breasted and dark blue with black braiding and loops. Harry's peaked black and red cap featured the Blues and Royals badge. This contains the letters ER - Elizabeth Regina - and the maxim 'Honi soit qui mal y pense', which means 'may he be shamed who thinks badly of it'. Advertisement

Harry also stopped to talk to seven-year-old Harrison Degiorgio-Lewis, who he recognised after meeting him at the Abbey last year.

Harrison's uncle, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in Afghanistan in December 2008 when insurgents attacked a forward operation base he jointly commanded with Danish troops.

Harrison, who was accompanied by his grandmother, Helen Lewis, was wearing his uncle's campaign medals and beret.

'He has been coming here for four years now to represent his uncle,' said Mrs Lewis, 61, who lives near her grandson in Rochford, Essex.

She added: 'Harry recognised him - they have a bond, as they share a birthday. Harry asked him about his uncle Aaron, and he said how proud he was.'

Harry, dressed in his Household Division frock coat and peaked cap, laid a cross in the grounds of Westminster Abbey when he arrived.

He solemnly saluted and stood in silence with hundreds of veterans as the Last Post was played.

Prince Harry greets others who attended Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance in London this morning

The 33-year-old royal smiles and waves as onlookers take pictures of him on their camera phones this morning

Harry removed his gloves and smiled following the laying of the cross at Westminster Abbey this morning

The fifth in line to the throne spent ten years serving in the Army and was twice deployed to Afghanistan

Harry laughs as he talks with veterans and serving members of the armed forces during his visit to the Field of Remembrance

Crowds of onlookers and police could be seen watching on as Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey earlier today

Harry later stopped to talk to Joan De-Vall and Diana Lidstone, who served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army, during the Second World War.

Mrs Lidstone, 93, from Luton, said: 'He asked how we were and if we're staying down over the weekend.'

Mrs De-Vall, 92, added that was 'wonderful' to meet Harry on the 100-year anniversary of women serving in the British military.

The Prince shared a joke with D-Day veteran George Chandler, 93, who has been coming to the event for 15 years.

A man installs a wooden cross with a poppy in the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in London this morning

Members of the armed forces look at remembrance crosses in the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance this morning

Chelsea Pensioners and members of the armed forces look at the crosses in the Field of Remembrance in London today

The first Field of Remembrance was held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in November 1928, making 2017 the 89th year

A Chelsea Pensioner looks at crosses in the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance in London this morning

Crosses in the Field of Remembrance mark the death of soldiers in various conflicts over the decades

Around 70,000 tiny crosses, many carrying handwritten messages, are laid in 380 plots at the site at Westminster Abbe

Mr Chandler, who served with the Royal Navy Coastal Forces, said: 'Last year he asked me what's in my bag and I said a bottle of water and a machine gun.

'This year I told him I didn't bring them and he laughed at that.'

Around 70,000 tiny crosses, many carrying handwritten messages, are laid on 380 plots in the Abbey grounds representing military regiments, units, organisations and other groups.

Harry served for ten years in the Army, and was twice deployed to Afghanistan.

2016: Prince Harry lays a wooden cross at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance to remember the fallen last year

2015: Prince Harry pays his respects at Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance in London two years ago

2014: Prince Harry salutes in front of a cross of remembrance as he openes the 86th Field of Remembrance three years ago

2013: Prince Harry meets servicemen and women at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey four years ago

The fifth in line to the throne visited the site last year with his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Each November the charity The Poppy Factory establishes a Field of Remembrance in the Abbey grounds, a sea of crosses with scarlet poppies, in tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The first Field of Remembrance was held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in November 1928. That year only two Remembrance Tribute Crosses were planted.

But it began a tradition that has grown over the decades, and it is now in its 89th year. Each Remembrance Tribute now carries a personal message to someone who lost his or her life in the Service of our country.

How Harry's regiment can be traced back to Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II in the 17th century Harry served with the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) of the Household Cavalry. The cavalry regiment was formed in 1969 from the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons). The Household Cavalry has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, with its most recent deployment to the latter in 2013. The Blues and Royal rehearse for the Freedom of the City Parade at Hyde Park in London last year The Royal Horse Guards can be traced back to a force raised by Oliver Cromwell prior to the second invasion of Scotland. The regiment was favoured by King George III and it was elevated to the status of Household Cavalry in 1813. It went on to see service as part of The Household Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Meanwhile the Royal Dragoons trace their origins back to a troop raised by King Charles II in 1661. This formed part of the garrison at Tangier, which was part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza. The cavalry regiment was formed in 1969 from the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) The term dragoon derived from the 'dragon', a musket suitable for mounted infantry. They also served in The War of the Spanish Succession, The War of the Austrian Succession and in the Spanish Peninsula. The regiment distinguished itself at the Battle of Waterloo, capturing the French 105th Infantry Regiment's Colours. The regiment fought at Ypres, Loos, Hohenzollern and against the Hindenburg line in 1917. Operation Overlord in 1944 saw the regiment in Normandy from where they went on to liberate Copenhagen in 1945. Advertisement
It's a sight that air passengers hope they'll never have to see from their window seat - the evacuation slide.

But luckily British Airways has released a clip demystifying how the safety technology works in a bid to reassure nervous flyers.

In the minute-long video, aircraft engineer Peter Dyer explains that every one of the airline's planes has at least one of the evacuation slides.

However most of BA's jets have far more than that, with the Boeing 777-200s stationed at Gatwick Airport equipped with eight each - one for every exit.

The evacuation slide takes just seconds to inflate after the door is opened in an emergency

In the event of an emergency they can be inflated in just six seconds and are powered by a nitrogen bottle hidden away in the body of the aircraft.

If there is a water landing many of the slides can also be detached from the fuselage and used as rafts.

Peter explains: 'When the cabin crew activate the door they'll put the door to automatic - they'll move the main handle 180 degrees.

'At that point the emergency power assist system will take over - it will fire the squib, the nitrogen pressure in the bottle will power open the door and then the slide pack will fall off and the slide will inflate within six seconds.'

The rapid inflation is powered by a nitrogen bottle hidden away in the body of the aircraft

If that doesn't work then the cabin crew can pull an emergency handle on a velcro tab as a 'last-ditch defence' at deploying the gas in the slide bottle.

However, engineers check the equipment 'on an almost daily basis' to make sure there is enough pressure in the tanks to deploy the inflatable at speed.

If you're wondering what the famous 'doors to manual, crosscheck' announcement on board means, Peter explains that too.

When the exits are set to manual, the slides are not 'armed' so they will not inflate if the doors are opened - for example when the aircraft is parked y at the airport.

Engineers check the equipment 'on an almost daily basis' to make sure there is enough pressure in the tanks to deploy the inflatable at speed

Crosscheck is a safety procedure to avoid mistakes - with cabin crew members double checking that their colleagues have indeed put the doors in the right position.

Some of the slides are also angled away from the aircraft - for example on the Boeing 777 where the exits are close to the engines.

The British Airways clip has been viewed by tens of thousands of fascinated flyers on YouTube.
The father of an eight-year-old boy who died when a car ploughed into his classroom has forgiven the woman behind the wheel during a touching speech in the hearse as it carried his son's coffin to the cemetery.

Jihad Darwiche's funeral on Thursday came two days after he and a friend, also eight, were killed when an out-of-control SUV smashed into their classroom at Banksia Road Primary School in Greenacre, Sydney.

A dashcam video from the hearse shows Jihad's father speaking in Arabic while his son's green casket - draped in a black and gold cloth - lies in the rear of the vehicle.

The father (pictured) of a young boy killed when a car smashed into his classroom has forgiven the driver in an extraordinary speech videoed in the hearse as it carried his eight-year-old's coffin (seen in background) to the cemetery

Goodbye, little one: The boy, eight, was carried from Lakemba Mosque following the service

The driver of the car, family friend Ahmad Hraichie, translates for Jihad's father in the video broadcast via Facebook.

'Allah has called for his boy, he [the father] is very happy,' Mr Hraichie said.

'The father says all the threats to this lady, the abuse, is not from them.

'No retaliation is coming from the family of the boy. They have forgiven - if anything they want to sit with this lady and tell her we forgive you.'

Jihad's father said his family hopes to extend a hand to the woman.

Members of the community carried the small, fluoro green coffin in and out of the service

Heartbroken mourners embraced as they arrived for the funeral service at the mosque located in south-western Sydney

Draped in a traditional rug, the little boy was carried into the service by mourning loved ones

'When all of this is over she is welcome to come and sit with the family, have a meal and talk about how they can move forward.'

Mr Hraichie told AAP that Jihad's death had hit him 'close to his heart' and he applauded the father's strength.

'I can only hope to be half the man he is,' he said.

On Thursday, hundreds of mourners crammed into Lakemba Mosque to remember Jihad.

Dozens of men carried the boy's coffin, swathed in an Islamic dressing, up the stairs and into the mosque.

His heartbroken mother was comforted by a group of women as they entered around the side of the mosque moments later.

The funeral was followed by traditional Islamic prayers. The mosque was so crowded mourners had to pray on the steps outside.

A large contingent of police were in attendance.

The waiting hearse containing the late little boy's coffin is pictured here

A large contingent of police kept an eye on the service at the Lakemba Mosque

Maha Al-Shennag, 52, has been charged with dangerous driving and had her license suspended after she allegedly slammed her Toyota Kluger into classroom 3T.

Seventeen children and one female teacher were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Two eight-year-old girls and a nine-year-old girl were taken to hospital on Tuesday with two of them released on Wednesday afternoon.

Police are investigating if Ms Al-Shennag, a widow heavily involved in the local community, was leaning over to pick up a water bottle.

It's understood a line of inquiry is whether she accidentally pressed the accelerator sending the car lurching into the building.

The two boys died when a Toyota Kluger SUV hit their demountable classroom shortly before 10am on Tuesday. The boy on left was laid to rest on Thursday

The funeral was followed by traditional prayers - with the mosque so full the crowd had to pray outside

Ms Al-Shennag was on Thursday hit with additional charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm by misconduct.

A statement from her lawyer Nick Hanna said she was 'deeply sorry for the loss and hurt suffered by the children, the school, the families and the community'.

'Her thoughts and prayers are with all those affected'.

She has been granted conditional bail.

Meantime, Banksia Road Primary School has reopened with specialist counsellors and additional teaching staff from nearby schools.

A makeshift memorial outside the school gates has been growing, with students, parents and teachers leaving flowers, tributes and balloons.

The Toyota Kluger SUV rammed into the classroom building, killing the two boys and injuring many others
Nadezhda Srivastava, 44, is still in intensive care with lung, chest and abdominal injuries after being savaged by a tiger

An experienced zookeeper who was badly mauled by a tiger in Russia is now facing prosecution over the attack, it has been revealed.

Nadezhda Srivastava, a 44-year-old mother-of-three, was left in critical condition after being savaged by male tiger Typhoon at Kaliningrad Zoo at the weekend.

But she now faces disciplinary and possibly criminal action after zoo bosses accused her of 'a gross violation of safety regulations' by failing to check a gate between sections of the tiger enclosure was locked before going to feed the big cat.

An internal investigation found 'the reason why the tiger went out into the open-air enclosure at the moment when zoo-technician was cleaning the enclosure, was that the gate, which blocks the animal's access from the inner cage, was not closed.

'According to the safety rules, before entering the open-air enclosure, the worker is obliged to move the animal to the inner cage, to make sure that the animal is securely locked and only after that enter.'

A pre-investigation check is underway by the Russian FBI - called the Investigative Committee (IC) - which could lead to prosecutions under civil or criminal law.

Doctors have so far refused to allow the IC to speak with Mrs Srivastava about the incident.

The IC said: 'Measures are being taken to establish all the circumstances of the incident, the condition of the victim and the nature of the injuries.'

Afterwards, a decision would be taken on any legal action.

But bosses at Kaliningrad Zoo say the experienced keeper is facing disciplinary action and possible prosecution after accusing her of safety failings

Zoo bosses say Mrs Srivastava failed to check that a gate between an inner and outer pen in the tiger enclosure was locked before going to feed the animal

Mrs Srivastava was attacked by 16-year-old male tiger Typhoon for 10 minutes until guests managed to distract the big cat, allowing her to get to safety

The case hit the headlines after deeply shocking images of the attack - which only finished after guests threw tables, chairs, and rocks to distract the tiger - went viral.

Mrs Srivastava, a doctor's wife, is still in intensive care with 'serious' injuries but is able to eat and talk.

She suffered lung damage, chest, abdominal and limb injuries, according to chief doctor Alexander Makarevich.

However, a former director of the zoo has questioned why Mrs Srivastava - a keen wildlife photographer - was trying to feed the tiger and clean the compound alone when rules say a second employee must be there too.

She believed 'staff shortages' maybe to blame rather than the experienced keeper.

She also claimed the lock could have malfunctioned.

Lyudmila Anoka, 69, who headed the zoo for more than 20 years, said: 'This was clearly an accident, not the overconfidence of the employee.

'She knows perfectly well what a wild animal is.'

Lyudmila Anoka, a former director of the zoo, has spoken out against current director Svetlana Sokolova, saying under-staffing and faulty locks are more likely to blame

Horrified guests threw tables, chairs and rocks at Typhoon until he stopped his attack

Despite the attack, zoo bosses say Typhoon will not be put down and is 'in a normal state'

The zoo has now thanked visitors for saving the keeper's life by scaring away the predator.

Current director Svetlana Sokolova said: 'Visitors did everything right when they started shouting and calling for help.

'Many thanks to them for reacting quickly and helping to drive the animal away from Nadezhda.'

This commotion scared the 16-year-old tiger and it moved away from the keeper allowing her to flee covered in blood after the ten minute attack to a safe zone from where she was taken to an ambulance.

Male Siberian - or Amur - tigers are the largest big cats in the world.

Dmitry, one of those who saved the keeper said: 'I saw the woman lying the tiger is on her, biting her elbows, hands, and fingers.

'There was blood everywhere.

'At first there were three men ... and we threw paving stones at the tiger.'

The animal has not been put down and will not be destroyed, say the zoo, despite the attack.

The animal 'is in a normal state'.
On Thanksgiving morning, the Wing School gym will be open from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for an indoor Turkey Trot.

Many of us can look forward to jump-starting our Thanksgiving holiday by coming together as a community. Once weve done our job as an advocate for the community, well still have plenty of time to carry on our own favorite Thanksgiving traditions, said club director Wanda Burrer.
Saudi Arabia has ordered all of its citizens to leave Yemen after Iran accused the kingdom of orchestrating hostilities in the country.

The warning from Riyadh also asked nationals not to travel to Lebanon from anywhere in the world.

An official source said the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the warning, telling those in Yemen to leave 'as soon as possible' due to 'situations in the Republic of Lebanon'.

President Hassan Rouhani (pictured) warned Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that it will achieve nothing by threatening the might of Iran

'The Kingdom advised all citizens not to travel to Lebanon from any other international destinations,' a statement read, according to Al Arabiya who quoted the Saudi News Agency.

A war of words between the two nations has gone up another level since Saturday, when Riyadh intercepted a ballistic missile over one of its biggest airports on the same day Lebanon's prime minister announced his shock resignation while on a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier today, Iran said Saudi Arabia was strengthening ISIS and orchestrating hostilities in Yemen as tensions between the two nations continue to simmer.

President Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president, hit back at a barb by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who accused his nation of 'direct military aggression' by supplying militias in Yemen with rockets.

Rouhani said: 'Why are you showing hostility towards the people of Syria and Iraq? Why are you strengthening ISIS and leaving the peoples of the region with them? Why are you interfering with Lebanon's internal affairs and governance?'

The Iranian leader claimed that Saudi Arabia's hostility towards Yemen was playing into the hands of ISIS.

Riyadh accused Tehran of supplying Houthi rebels in Yemen with missiles, something which has been vehemently denied by Rouhani's government.

The political mud-slinging centres around two key incidents - the missiles and the resignation of Lebanon's prime minister.

The aftermath of the stunning resignation sparked speculation he was forced to quit by Saudi Arabia in order to wreck his ties with Iran.

Saad Hariri declared his surprise resignation on Saturday - the same day as the missile interception - from Riyadh which fuelled beliefs he was coerced into standing down against his will.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017

Stunned Lebanese are convinced Saudi Arabia, Hariri's longtime ally, forced out to effectively wreck the prime minister's delicate compromise government with Saudi nemesis - and Iran ally - the Hezbollah militant group.

His resignation has thrust Lebanon back onto the front line of the Middle East's most biting rivalry, pitting a mostly Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE against Shiite Iran and its allies.

Rouhani told his cabinet on Wednesday: 'There is no case in history that a country forces another one's authority to resign only to interfere with their internal affairs. This is an unprecedented event in history. Where are you going in this way?,' according to The Guardian.

His comments were mirrored by Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah who also claimed Hariri's resignation was 'a Saudi decision'.

Yesterday Iran warned Saudi Arabia they face the might of the Islamic republic if they continue to make war threats.

President Hassan Rouhani warned Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that it will achieve nothing by threatening the might of Iran, as a war of words between the regional heavyweights intensifies.

He also boasted Donald Trump had 'mobilised all their allies and achieved nothing' in a barb at the US.

'You know the might and place of the Islamic republic. People more powerful than you have been unable to do anything against the Iranian people,' Rouhani said.

'The United States and their allies have mobilised all their capabilities against us and achieved nothing.'

Rouhani appeared to be alluding to the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88, in which revolutionary Iran successfully resisted an invasion by Saddam Hussein's regime supported by Gulf Arab and Western governments.

President Hassan Rouhani warned Donald Trump had 'mobilised all their allies and achieved nothing' in a barb at the US

His comments came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Iran of delivering missiles to Yemeni rebels for use against targets in the kingdom that he described as 'direct military aggression.'

Iran strongly denied supplying any missiles to the rebels saying that it would have been impossible to do so in any case in the face of a Saudi-led air and sea blockade.

Rouhani reiterated that Iran wanted a peaceful settlement of the conflict between the rebels and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and of other wars around the region that have placed it at loggerheads with Riyadh.

'We want the welfare and development of Yemen, Iraq and Syria, and of Saudi Arabia too. There are no other paths forward than friendship, brotherhood and mutual assistance,' he said.

'If you think that Iran is not your friend and that the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel) are, you are making a strategic and analytical error.'

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia moved a step closer to a war withIran by accusing the country again of 'direct military aggression' by supplying militias with rockets.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made the accusation Tuesday, referring to Iran handing ballistic missiles to Yemen's Huthi rebels, state media reported.

But Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels hit back with threats of retaliation against the ports and airports of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which this week closed the Yemeni land, sea and air borders.

All airports, ports, border crossings and areas of any importance to Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be a direct target of our weapons, which is a legitimate right,' read a statement released by the rebels' political office.

Tensions have been rising between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and predominantly Shiite Iran, which are locked in conflicts across the Middle East, from Yemen and Syria to Qatar and Lebanon.

The crisis escalated on Saturday when the kingdom intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile near Riyadh's international airport.

Saudi border guards keep watch along the border with Yemen in the al-Khubah area in the southern Jizan province

The Huthi's statement comes the day after the coalition announced it had closed all of Yemen's borders, after the missile attach which the Huthis have claimed.

The United Nations on Monday reported the Saudi-led coalition had prevented two humanitarian aid flights from flying to the war-torn country.

Prince Mohammed said: 'The involvement of Iran in supplying missiles to the Huthis is a direct military aggression by the Iranian regime,' the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince as saying during a telephone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

This 'could be considered as an act of war,' Prince Mohammed said.

Saudi forces on Saturday intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile near Riyadh international airport, reportedly fired from Yemen by the Huthi rebels.

It was the first reported Huthi missile launch to reach Riyadh and threaten air traffic, underscoring the growing threat posed by the conflict on Saudi Arabia's southern border.

Riyadh accused Tehran of supplying ballistic missiles to the Huthi rebels, but Iran denied the allegation.

Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also warned Tehran: 'Iranian interventions in the region are detrimental to the security of neighbouring countries and affect international peace and security.

'We will not allow any infringement on our national security.'

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif issued dismissive tweets over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in response.

He wrote: 'KSA bombs Yemen to smithereens, killing 1000s of innocents including babies, spreads cholera and famine, but of course blames Iran.

Yesterday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (pictured) also warned Tehran will 'not allow any infringement on national security'

'KSA is engaged in wars of aggression, regional bullying, destabilising behaviour & risky provocations. It blames Iran for the consequences.'

Saudi forces on Saturday intercepted and destroyed the ballistic missile near Riyadh's international airport after it was reportedly fired by Shiite Huthi rebels from Yemen.

It was the first attempted missile strike by the rebels to reach Riyadh and threaten air traffic, underscoring the growing threat posed by the conflict on Saudi Arabia's southern border.

The coalition sealed off air, sea and land borders in Yemen where it has been battling rebels in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's internationally recognised government since 2015.

An Iranian foreign ministry statement quoted spokesman Bahram Ghassemi as saying the accusations by the coalition were 'unjust, irresponsible, destructive and provocative'.

Ghassemi said the missile was fired by the Huthis in response 'to war crimes and several years of aggression by the Saudis'.

The crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran escalated on Saturday when the kingdom intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile near Riyadh's international airport (pictured)

The Saudi royal family arrests: Those detained Saudi's anti-corruption purge include Prince Miteb, Prince Turki and Prince Alwaleed (circled in red)

The missile attack, he said, was 'an independent action in response to this aggression,' and Iran had nothing to do with it.

Critics have accused the coalition of not doing enough to prevent civilian deaths in its air war in Yemen, where more than 8,650 people have been killed since the intervention began.

Repeated attempts to bring about a negotiated settlement to the conflict have failed, including a series of UN-backed peace talks.

Saudi Arabia has blamed the Huthis for the failed efforts, and on Monday offered rewards totalling $440 million for information on 40 senior officials among the rebels.

Topping the list, with a $30-million reward for tips leading to his capture, was the group's leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi.

The Huthis, allied with Yemen's ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh in the conflict, have captured the capital Sanaa, forcing Hadi's government to operate from the southern city of Aden.
A thug who ambushed and racially taunted an Iranian-born senator at a Melbourne bar insists the term 'monkey' isn't racist.

Ricky Turner was videoed on Wednesday night harassing Labor lawmaker Sam Dastyari as he bought a white wine and a beer at Victoria University in inner-city Footscray.

However, the labourer who featured in a social media video for the far-right Patriot Blue group, insisted it wasn't racist to call someone a monkey, arguing he was comparing the Labor senator to shifty primates in Thailand.

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Ricky Turner (left) insisted it wasn't racist to call Labor senator Sam Dastyari a monkey

Ricky Turner (left) was videoed harassing Senator Sam Dastyari (right) as he bought drinks

'I'll give an apology to the monkeys out there because they're above Sam. Trust me,' he told A Current Affair on Thursday.

'That's not racist at all. A monkey is not a race. It's an animal.'

During the nasty confrontation, Mr Turner was videoed standing on the right-hand side of the senator and insulting the politician, who drinks alcohol and describes himself as a 'non-practising Muslim'.

'You terrorist. You little monkey,' he said.

Ricky Turner (second left) continued to ambush Senator Dastyari as he was having a wine

'Why don't you go back to Iran, you terrorist?.'

Patriot Blue founder Neil Erikson filmed the confrontation on Wednesday night as Senator Dastyari was preparing to speak about his new book, One Halal of Story, with local federal Labor member Tim Watts.

Mr Erikson said he was entitled to call Mr Dastyari a terrorist because he 'is the size of a monkey' and 'labels anyone racist without evidence.'

Neil Erikson, founder of far-right group Patriot Blue, filmed himself and two friends confronting the Iranian-born politician inside a Melbourne university bar

Mr Erikson said he was entitled to call Mr Dastyari a terrorist because he 'is the size of a monkey' and 'labels anyone racist without evidence'

'He labels anyone who he disagrees with as rednecks which itself is a racist term,' Mr Erikson told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's the size of a monkey and if he so easily labels anyone racist without evidence I believe I can call him a terrorist. No regrets.'

He doubled down on his views online, taking to Facebook to write: 'An Iranian-born senator calls me a racist I'm gonna call him a terrorist - fairs fair.'

'Monkey can mean 1000 different things, it's a stretch to believe it was racist,' he added.

Mr Erikson said he was trying to 'draw attention to (Dastyari's) dual citizenship'.

Senator Dastyari moved to Australia when he was four and stripped himself of all links to the country before running for parliament in 2013.

He does not hold dual citizenship.

'No regrets': Mr Erikson said he was entitled to call senator Dastyari a terrorist

Mr Erikson said he was trying to 'draw attention to (Dastyari's) dual citizenship'

'You racist rednecks. You follow me wherever I go': Mr Dastyari asked the men to leave him

Erikson said there were no racist connotations attached to the insult 'monkey' - explaining it could have meant 1000 different things

Mr Erikson is no stranger to controversy.

In 2015, he took part in a mock beheading outside Bendigo Council to protest against a planned mosque in the western Victorian city.

Joined by United Patriot Front leader Blair Cottrell and fellow supporter Chris Shortis, the trio shouted 'Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!', the Arabic term for 'God is great', before fake blood oozed from their prop.

The men were charged in October 2015 with breaching Victoria's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, which makes it an offence to incite 'hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule' against a group of people.

They were the first high-profile case since a former Labor government introduced the law in January 2002.

In 2014 Mr Eriksen avoided jail time after pleading guilty to stalking a Melbourne Rabbi after making a number of racially-motivated phone calls.

The court heard he told the Jewish leader 'Give me the money Jew or else I will get you', as well as threatening to come get him and making fun of circumcision.

Footage of senator Dastyari's confrontation with the Patriot Blue group racked up 33,000 views online in less than 12 hours.

In 2015, Erickson took part in a mock beheading outside Bendigo Council to protest against a planned mosque in the western Victorian city.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's long-time neighbor pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges that he assaulted the Kentucky Republican while he was mowing his lawn.

Rene Boucher only spoke to reply 'yes sir' to a judge during a brief arraignment.

He showed no emotion and kept his head down. Boucher faces up to a year in jail if convicted of fourth-degree assault.

Paul, who was not at the hearing, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that he suffered six broken ribs and has excess fluid around his lungs.

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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's long-time neighbor, Rene Boucher (above) pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he assaulted the Kentucky Republican while he was mowing his lawn

Boucher (above) only spoke to reply 'yes sir' to a judge during a brief arraignment. He showed no emotion and kept his head down. Boucher faces up to a year in jail

Paul (above in file photo), who was not at the hearing, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that he suffered six broken ribs and has excess fluid around his lungs

'I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion,' Paul tweeted (above)

'I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion,' Paul tweeted.

The injuries have sidelined Paul from the Senate as he recovers at his home.

Warren County District Judge Brent Potter set a pre-trial court date for November 30.

Boucher has been ordered to stay away from Paul and the senator's family.

Boucher's attorney has called the situation 'a very regrettable dispute' that was 'trivial'.

Doug Stafford, a senior advisor to the senator, issued a statement on Thursday afternoon after Boucher's court session calling it a 'violent attack by a disturbed person.'

'Last week Senator Paul was vigorously assaulted by someone in his neighborhood,' the statement reads.

'This is a serious criminal matter involving serious injury, and is being handled by local and federal authorities. As to reports of a longstanding dispute with the attacker, the Pauls have had no conversations with him in many years.

Doug Stafford, a senior advisor to the senator, issued a statement on Thursday afternoon after Boucher's court session calling it a 'violent attack by a disturbed person.'

Neighbors said the pair share a corner adjacent to their homes and had allegedly been in the midst of a feud. They've been neighbors for 17 years in the gated community

'The first 'conversation' with the attacker came after Sen. Paul's ribs were broken. This was not a fight, it was a blindside, violent attack by a disturbed person.

'Anyone claiming otherwise is simply uninformed or seeking media attention.'

Attorney Matthew Baker claims the incident between the two was not politically motivated.

'It has nothing to do with politics... nothing,' Baker told WHAS.

'It has zero to do with Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, anything along those lines.

'It has to do with a disagreement between two neighbors'

Boucher was first arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree assault of the Republican congressman on November 5th before being released the next day on a $7,500 bond.

Paul and Boucher have been neighbors for 17 years in the gated community.

Rob Porter, a close friend of the lawmaker, said this week that Paul doesn't know why he was attacked.

Boucher (pictured right in arrest photo) is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist who developed a product called Therm-a-Vest

Paul was mowing his yard and had stopped to remove a tree limb when Boucher tackled him from behind, Porter said.

Paul was wearing ear protection and didn't hear Boucher coming, the friend said.

According to the Bowling Green Daily News, Boucher is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist who developed a product called Therm-a-Vest.

It is a cloth vest partially filled with rice that is supposed to help with back pain.

He once marketed the product on the QVC shopping channel.

In May, Boucher posted on his Facebook page about Trump 'bullying' NATO leaders and an article about and Congressman Greg Gianforte assaulting The Guardian's Ben Jacobs in Bozeman, Montana.
Donald Trump arrives in Vietnam on Friday as the nation is recovering from a deadly typhoon  and threatens to unleash his own storm on the Pacific Rim country as business leaders and regional leaders gather.

It was Vietnam that Trump avoided visiting in 1968 when a doctor declared that he had a bone spur in his heel so he couldn't be drafted into the U.S. Army.

Now he's coming to Da Nang, just blocks from the beach where American servicemen stormed ashore in 1965  and near where the U.S. stored its supply of Agent Orange for years.

On the agenda after Trump's lunchtime welcome on Friday is a speech to CEOs and two expected landmark sit-downs  his first with controversial Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and a closely watched meeting with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

Duterte in particular has proved a tough customer, the Pacific Rim's answer to Trump's unapologetic gunslinger ethos.

He told reporters Wednesday in Manila before leaving for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that he wouldn't let the American president boss him around on human rights topics when they meet.

'You want to ask a question, I'll give you an answer: Lay off,' he said he would tell Trump. 'That is not your business. That is my business. I take care of my country and I will nurture my country to health.'

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President Donald Trump will be in Da Nang, Vietnam on Friday for a trade conference with 21 heads of state and more than a dozen big-name CEOs

Among the meetings expected to be on his schedule: Philippine strongman president Rodrigo Duterte, who says he won't let Trump boss him around on human rights

Trump is also expected to have a brief meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is the focus of investigators in Washington who suspect he tried to monkey-wrench the 2016 presidential election to help Trump win

Da Nang is a seaside town in modern Vietnam where American forces landed in 1965, near the beginning of a protracted, bloody war

Trump was briefly considered available for the Vietnam War draft in 1966 and 1968 (class '1-A') but spent most of his time on the Selective Service rolls in a student deferment ('2-S') or available only in a 'national emergency' ('1-Y') before ultimately being disqualified ('4-F')

More than 3,900 Filipinos have been killed in the past 16 months as armed suspects have resisted arrest in Duterte's war on drugs. Police blame the drug-runners, but Duterte's critics say his shock troops are conducting summary executions with no real oversight.

Duterte has openly instructed his police to kill any 'idiots' who violently resist arrest.

In May, Trump praised him during a phone call for doing an 'unbelievable job on the drug problem,' according to a leaked transcript.

Still, Duterte has openly refused to consider visiting the White House, saying in June that 'there will never be a time that I will go to America during my term, or even thereafter. I've seen America and it's lousy.'

The two men will meet briefly in Da Nang and follow up with longer bilateral talks next week in Manila.

Any Trump meeting with Putin would become fodder for controversy as a special counsel in the United States is pressing ahead with a probe into whether Trump's campaign aides colluded with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Trump will come to Vietnam on the heels of a pomp-and-circumstance visit to China

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting will be a more workmanlike diplomatic stop

Vietnamese honor guards will be tired from all the standing after greeting more than 20 foreign heads of state this week in Hanoi and Da Nang for two different multinational meetings

Both the White House and the Kremlin have denied there was any such connection.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Wednesday that that one-on-one would 'likely' take place on the sidelines of the APEC event. Trump and Putin last met in Hamburg during the July G20 summit.

But in a briefing with reporters Thursday in Beijing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson downplayed the idea  saying no Trump-Putin meeting was ever firmed up.

'There's never been an agreement to  certainly not to a formal bilat,' Tillerson said, referring to a bilateral meeting between the two presidents.

But he allowed that 'it wouldnt be at all unusual if they ended up with some sort of "pull aside"'  provided there's 'something sufficiently substantive to talk about.'

Putin and Trump would likely discuss economic cooperation designed to put a stranglehold on North Korea, along with Moscow's continuing support of Bashar al-Assad's regime in war-torn Syria.

And Tillerson said there are also 'significant conversations underway with Russia on the situation in Ukraine.'

And Russian meddling in the U.S. election 'stays on that list,' he added.

Owners of the 5-month old bar named after U.S. President Donald Trump, Nguyen Ha Anh Tuan, 32 - right, and Huynh Nhat Quang, 30 - left, pose for a portrait inside their Trump Bar on November 9, 2017 in Danang, Vietnam

Trump has a close relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, something that makes the Vietnamese nervous

After Vietnam, Trump will go to Manila in the Philippines  where a multitude of protesters are already piping up to object to his presence

On the heels of pomp-laden swings through Japan, South Korea and China, Trump can expect a lower-key affair at the Vietnam APEC conference

In Beijing he was the guest of honor, a U.S. president continuing the tradition of Richard Nixon in keeping trade and diplomatic ties open with the world's largest communist nation.

In Da Nang, he will be first among equals but only one draw among 21 heads of state, and leaders of companies like FedEx, Airbnb and Facebook.

Trade will be on their minds, especially following Trump's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership  a 12-nation deal that the president called 'awful' for American businesses as he ran for the White House.

The TPP's aim is to eliminate tariffs on agriculture and industrial imports and exports among countries as far-flung as Singapore and Canada. Vietnam is hoping to use the agreement to lessen the impact of China's gargantuan economy in the area.

Also covered are labor agreements, government subsidies for key industry sectors and a host of other complications.

Vietnam's economy is expanding by nearly 7 per cent per year, making it one of Asia's manufacturing stars.

Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, who was wounded and tortured during the Vietnam War, has been openly critical of Trump for obtaining medical deferments so he could avoid being drafted into the military

The remaining 11 countries sought to ink a deal without the U.S. on Thursday, spurred on by heavy lobbying from Japan.

Canada and Mexico, both TPP countries, are treading carefully since they are simultaneously renegotiating the NAFTA agreement with Trump's trade team.

Damage from Typhoon Damrey is posing the threat of mass flooding in Da Nang; at least 106 people are dead and 25 more missing, and seven reservoirs are near their breaking points.

Releasing the waters could flood parts of Da Nang and nearby Hoi An, the hub for Vietnamese tailoring, during the extended weekend.

The coastal city, a seaside waystation between the metropolises of Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, will host its largest-ever diplomatic event, but older residents still see Da Nang through a more sinister historic lens.

It was here that the U.S. Army stored its stockpiles of the deadly defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, dispersing it from crop-dusting planes to flush out North Vietnamese guerrillas from swaths of dense jungle.

Dangerous: The Vietnamese are paddling boats through the flooded streets of Hoi An  just a half-hour's drive from Da Nang  after a powerful typhoon rocked the country and killed more than 100 people

The chemical is now blamed for epidemic-levels of birth defects and cancers among large numbers of civilians in Vietnam, and the U.S. is still paying annually to decontaminate soil.

And in the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides medical treatment to Vietnam War veterans whose exposure to Agent Orange has led to diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and prostate and respiratory cancers.

The VA is currently considering whether to expand that list to include bladder cancer and hypothyroidism.

Small numbers of protesters risking arrest inside the Da Nang airport have seized on Trump's signature hairdo and complexion, hoisting signs calling him 'President Agent Orange.'

Trump never served in uniform during the Vietnam War, earning five deferments from the draft  including one medical exemption in 1968 on the basis of a bone spur in his heel.

Speaking to reporters in Iowa during the presidential primary season in 2015, he said he couldn't remember which foot was afflicted.

The cavalier brushoff has long stuck in the craw of Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, who was captured in Vietnam after crashing the plane he was piloting, and tortured for years by the North Vietnamese.

Da Nang is where the U.S. Army stored its stockpiles of the deadly defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, dispersing it from crop-dusting planes to flush out North Vietnamese guerrillas from swaths of dense jungle

'One aspect of the conflict, by the way, that I will never ever countenance is that we drafted the lowest income level of America,' McCain said last month.

'And the highest income level found a doctor that would say that they had a bone spur. That is wrong.'

Trump's arrival in Da Nang directly from Beijing has been noticed, and adds to Vietnam's longstanding animosity toward China that dates back nearly 2,200 years.

The Han Dynasty Chinese first colonized northern Vietnam in the second century BC, an occupation that continued for most of the next 1,000 years.

The Ming Dynasty later tried again to conquer Vietnam but couldn't maintain its grip for more than a few decades.

More recently, a 1979 months-long border war killed tens of thousands of people in both China and Vietnam in only a few months.

And as Beijing races to claim nearly all of the South China Sea as its own  complete with dredging to build up man-made militarized islands  Vietnam continues to cry foul over parts of the water generally recognized as part of its economic zone.

Underneath that region's seabed lie valuable oil reserves that China wants to keep for itself.

As much as Vietnam's leaders would like Trump's help shoving China back into its own territorial waters, they have consistently abided by what the nation knows as its 'three nos': no military alliances, no foreign country's bases on its soil, and no allowing any nation to use Vietnam in a ploy to undermine an ally.

APEC's members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and Vietnam.

Trump will also attend a separate summit on Saturday in Hanoi, hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

ASEAN's 10 members include seven from APEC. They are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
A gang of laughing thugs terrorised a pride of lions yesterday as they chased them across the savannah on motorcycles.

Four bikers filmed themselves chasing the animals through the wild in Dhari in west Indian state of Gujarat.

Lions, lionesses and their cubs appear distressed by the sound of the oncoming bikes and can be seen running for their lives.

Two lions can be seen running from the motorbikes as they make their way across the savannah in India

The state forest department has launched an inquiry to identify the culprits after the 34 second-long video shows one bike carries the registration GJ 03 Rajkot.

The video has caused outrage among wildlife enthusiasts and activists and according to the forest department officials the incident happened in Amreli close to Gir Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to 523 lions.

In the this particular incident, a pride of lions is seen running frantically in an open field as they are chased by bikers.

One of the bikers in blue shorts is seen turning back and chasing two lionesses and cubs who had fallen behind.

Although none of the bikers could be properly seen in the video, one of them is heard asking another in Gujarati to chase the lion cub, but at the end another biker in yellow shorts is heard trying to restrain others and asking them to stop.

Chief conservator of forest, Junagadh Wildlife Circle, A P Singh said: 'After the incident came to light, forest officials have initiated an inquiry. We are aware of the incident and are investigating.

'We are trying to find out the registration number of the bike, so that we can zero in on the accused.'

The motorbike thugs speed towards a lioness and her cubs in the wild and another member of the gang films the aftermath

A lion appears distressed by the sound of the oncoming bikes and can be seen running for itsr life

Over the past few years, population of lions has grown considerably in Amreli district and there have several incidents where the lions have been seeking roaming around in the towns and fields.

In Amreli district and areas adjoining Savarkundla and Bhavnagar  all located outside Gir sanctuary  the lion population has increased by around 80 percent compared to figures from 2010.

According to wildlife activists, there is little surveillance in certain sections of the national park and therefore the lions often step out of the national park area and free roam outside protected forests.
A Labor politician from south-west Sydney insists 90 per cent of constituents in his largely foreign-born electorate speak English.

Guy Zangari made the declaration after his party's former federal leader Mark Latham called for immigrants to lose welfare payments within 12 months if they fail to learn the language.

The member for Fairfield insisted almost everyone in his multi-racial electorate spoke English, even though Mr Latham struggled to find many who did.

'I really do not think that there is a problem with English,' Mr Zangari told A Current Affair.

The Labor member for Fairfield insists 90 per cent of people in his area actually spoke English

Mark Latham says the lack of English skills in south-west Sydney is leading to ethnic enclaves

'I would say a high percentage of people would speak English, say between 80 to 90 per cent of people would speak English.'

Mr Zangari also accused Mr Latham of proposing a 'very, very cruel' policy.

'This is just ridiculous. I say to Mark Latham, maybe he should speak Assyrian in the next 12 months and see how goes,' he told the Nine Network program.

In a video for Rebel Media, Mr Latham returned to Fairfield, in Sydney's south-west, and asked native Arabic and Vietnamese speakers on the streets if they spoke English, only to find nearly all of them didn't.

He was repeating an exercise done six months earlier, only to encounter the same response.

Mr Latham, a former member of Labor's dominant right faction, has proposed drastic action to address the issue of ethnic enclaves in a suburb where only 17 per cent of its residents spoke English only at home, in the 2016 Census.

This woman (centre) agreed with Mark Latham's idea of cutting off welfare after 12 months

'After 12 months of welfare support, a decent period, people should be expected to pass a basic English test,' he said in a video for Rebel Media this week.

'If they can't speak English after 12 months then cut off the welfare.'

Mr Latham was the federal member for nearby Werriwa, from 1994 to 2005, and argues the lack of English skills is causing social isolation in that Labor-voting part of Sydney.

'What you would find with that policy, of course, is that people would get off their backside, learn English and we'd have a chance, a chance of having proper integration instead of ethnic enclaves in places like Fairfield,' he said outside a Centrelink office.

One older woman agreed with Mr Latham's idea when asked if that was a fair proposition.

'Well, I do because I feel that pension and all the things are not equal for everybody and I'm talking from experience,' she said.

Mr Latham, who is now a member of the libertarian Liberal Democrats, has slammed the area's state and federal Labor politicians for their reluctance to address the lack of English skills, for fear of offending ethnic minority voters.

Earlier this year, he lodged a petition with Cumberland Council in Sydney's west after it put up a curtain at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre to shield Muslim women.
A mother-of-two was viciously attacked by a muscular thug who was punching her face and 'pulling at her eyes' in a Melbourne park.

The violent and random attack has police concerned about suspect's potential to commit further assaults.

Claire Derrick, 51, was jogging along Gardiners Creek Trail in Burwood about 4.10pm on Sunday when she noticed the man behaving 'erratically' on the wrong side of the popular track.

Claire Derrick (pictured), 51, sustained a broken nose, scratches and bruising when she was randomly and violently attacked by a man while jogging on Sunday afternoon

'He slightly smirked at me and I thought that wasn't right and went past him,' Ms Derrick told reporters on Thursday.

'He came up behind me and started hitting me ... it was so vicious and really violent.

'He went for my eyes and was pulling at my eyes.'

The off-duty nurse was thrown on the ground but tried to fight off her attacker, who was at least 188cm tall and muscular.

'I was screaming for help when two wonderful people came and pulled him off me,' Ms Derrick said.

She said her aim while under attack was to protect her face and not lose consciousness.

'I remember the last two punches to my head and I thought I can't sustain much more of this,' she said.

The man has been described of Southern European appearance, between ages 25 and 35, muscular, with short dark hair and is approximately 188cm tall (Police composite pictured)

Ms Derrick was jogging along Gardiners Creek Trail (pictured) in Burwood about 4.10pm on Sunday when she noticed the man behaving 'erratically'

Ms Derrick was left with a broken nose, scratches and serious bruising and is likely to have scars on her face.

She hopes her quick 'survival mode' thinking to embed scratches in his face will aid in her attacker being located.

Husband Darren Smethurst said he struggled to process what happened when he got to the scene.

'It's pretty distressing,' he said. 'But I'm not surprised she fought him off, I'm quite impressed.'

The young couple who intervened chased the man before returning to call emergency services.

Ms Derreck was thrown on the ground and savagely beaten by the muscular man before a couple stepped in to help her

Police are concerned that the man did not attempt to steal or ask the victim for anything and that he may attack again.

'It's scary to speculate what might have happened,' detective senior constable Chris Coyle said.

'His motive is unclear and that's concerning for a violent assault.'

The man is described as being of Southern European appearance, between ages 25 and 35, muscular, with short dark hair and is approximately 188cm tall.

He was wearing a blue T-shirt, jeans and brown shoes at the time.
Father-of-two Imran Qureshi, 44, from Manchester, said the 21-year-old woman was 'sexually available' because she had previous boyfriends

A married Pakistani doctor molested a Muslim student nurse then blamed it on 'different cultural norms' in the UK.

Father-of-two Imran Qureshi, 44, from Manchester, said the 21-year-old woman was 'sexually available' because she had previous boyfriends.

He grabbed her breast and told her he wanted an affair after he forced himself on her as they worked together at a hospital.

Qureshi later admitted he made a 'misjudgement' - blaming his behaviour on 'cultural norms being different' in the UK and Pakistan.

But the nurse known only as Miss A, was said to be 'shaken up and distraught' after reporting how locum senior house officer Qureshi grabbed her chest before trying to 'make light' of it and then becoming aggressive.

He was said to have told Miss A he was unhappy in his marriage and was hoping for a romance with her. Unbeknown to the doctor, Miss A was secretly recording the conversation on her mobile phone.

The alleged encounter took place at Trafford General Hospital in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester, on June 3 2015 when the 21-year-old Muslim student said Qureshi seemed 'excited to see her and well within her personal space'.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester was told at around 3pm, she asked the doctor to retrieve some patient notes to which he replied 'I don't want to get it yet, u want to spend some time with you'.

Counsel for the General Medical Council, Rebecca Vanstone, added: 'He told Miss A she was beautiful and asked whether she had a boyfriend.

'He then said he was not happy in his marriage and wanted an affair.

'Shortly afterwards Miss A was in the ward kitchen when he entered the room and closed the door behind him. He asked whether she had a thyroid problem before feeling her neck.

'She was backed into the corner when the registrant touched her chest at the top where her breasts start. She said he put his fingers there for a few seconds before she pushed them away.

'Miss A says she held her hand up to signal for him to move away and told him he was a disgrace. He asked for a hug and she refused but he did it anyway.

'Then he grabbed her right breast for a few seconds. Miss A said he was laughing and trying to make light if the situation and then became aggressive and said that friends do what he was trying to do.'

He grabbed her breast and told her he wanted an affair after he forced himself on her as they worked together at a hospital

'Miss A reported the incident about an hour later to a friend who told her to inform her mentor and she did so. The mentor describes the account given to her and said she appeared to be nervous, shaken up and distraught.

'The registrant went to the police station voluntarily. He admitted he touched her neck when they discussed whether she had a thyroid problem and he touched her chest when they were discussing talking from the heart.

'He was charged and self referred to the GMC. He pleaded not guilty in respect of the criminal proceedings but was convicted last year by a jury after trial.'

In June last year Qureshi was sentenced at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court to a 12-month community order with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement after he was convicted by a jury of sexual assault.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for five years and pay court costs of 750. He was later refused leave to appeal his conviction by the Court of Appeal and is currently suspended from practising.

Miss A provided the tribunal with a victim personal statement where she told of the effect the incident had on her.

Qureshi later admitted he made a 'misjudgement' - blaming his behaviour on 'cultural norms being different' in the UK and Pakistan

Miss Vanstone said: 'Miss A says she was prescribed sleeping tablets because she was struggling to sleep and since she had been wary of male doctors.

'She took three weeks off work which could delay her qualification. She feels that the incident impacted her reputation, she is a young unmarried Muslim woman.

'His conduct in my submission was a breach of professional boundaries given that the complainant was a student nurse and was 21 years old. Dr Qureshi's conviction for sexual assault amounts to serious misconduct.

'There is evidence before you to show Dr Qureshi has failed to accept his conviction or show insight sufficient to satisfy the committee that there is no risk of repetition.

'Dr Qureshi continued to deny the offence, committing the offence or having any sexual motivation and he showed no remorse.

'He did say that he saw Miss A being sexually available because she had previous boyfriends. He described the incident being a misjudgement by him and says the culture norms are different in the UK from Pakistan where he's from.

'He mistakenly formed the impression Miss A was romantically interested in him. That fails to explain why he behaved in the way that he did. It seeks to diminish his actions and pass it off as an error of judgement.

'He acknowledges and accepts that the conversation beforehand was wholly inappropriate and wrong.

'Sexual misconduct is difficult to remediate and the committee may feel the information before it in regards to the steps taken are limited.

'He has completed a course on maintaining professional boundaries and done the work by the probation service. There's little else to show how he could have addressed his behaviour.

'Despite the apologies the registrant has offered in his witness statement he still fails to accept his conduct was a sexual assault.

'The very nature of the offence is that there was touching, that the touching was sexual, that the complainant didn't consent and the individual didn't reasonable believe that the complainant consented.'

Qureshi attempted to appeal on two occasions where permission was refused. He admits the allegations put to him on behalf of the GMC but is battling to avoid being struck off.

The hearing continues.
This would-be thief in south Vietnam ended up punished for his crime before he even committed it.

CCTV footage shows the man trying to break into a house in Ho Chi Minh City by lifting the entrance gate off its hinges.

However, as the front gate comes loose, it falls on top of him, breaking his leg.

Scroll down for video

Caught on camera: The thief is seen trying to break into a house in Ho Chi Minh City by lifting the entire metal gate off the hinges

Unexpected result: He does not seem to realise the weight of the gate, and it comes crashing down on him

Bad break: One of the gate doors comes down over his legs at an angle

The residents of the house were reportedly away celebrating Tet - the Vietnamese New Year - when the thief decided to strike.

Footage shows him trying to pry the gate open by wedging something underneath it and lifting it off its hinges.

Suddenly, the gate collapses over him, and his foot gets stuck between the metal bars - breaking his leg.

That looks painful! He stands up but his foot buckles underneath him as he puts weight on it

Karma: He hobbles off, using his crowbar as a walking stick

He tries to stand up, but his foot is in a painful angle, the bone in the leg seemingly snapped in two.

He winces in pain, but hobbles off using his crowbar as a crutch.

As most residents on the street were away celebrating the new year, the man was never arrested.
TripAdvisor has added a badge to its pages warning customers of sexual assault and other serious crime at certain destinations.

The travel website said it has already placed the cautionary message on pages for three hotels in Mexico.

It comes after the company was accused of deleting posts about crimes against tourists visiting the country.

Now customers accessing an affected page will be met with a small red box at the top stating: 'TripAdvisor has been made aware of recent media reports or events concerning this property which may not be reflected in reviews found on this listing.

TripAdvisor has added a badge to its pages warning customers of sexual assaults at certain destinations

'Accordingly, you may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans.'

A spokesman for the website told CBS News: 'These badges will remain on TripAdvisor for up to 3 months; however, if the issues persist we may extend the duration of the badge.

'These badges are intended to be informative, not punitive.'

Last week it emerged that a mother-of-two had been fighting for seven years to keep her TripAdvisor post warning that she had been raped at a Mexican resort on the site.

Kristie Love, 35, from Dallas, Texas, claims she was sexually assaulted in bushes after her room key card stopped working at the Iberostar Paraiso near Playa del Carmen, in 2010.

Determined to warn other women intent on visiting the resort, Love tried to post about her harrowing experience on TripAdvisor.

But she says her warning was rejected by the firm because it did not meet their 'family friendly' guidelines.

Within five years, two other women had reported that they had been raped at the resort.

The warning urges customers to 'perform additional research' before booking (stock image)

A TripAdivisor spokesman said in a statement last week: 'We apologize to the sexual assault victim, reported on in the article, who had her forum post removed 7 years ago on TripAdvisor. Since 2010, when the forum post was removed, our policies and processes have evolved to better provide information like this to other travelers.'

The firm said that Ms Love's original comment had now been republished.

The spokesman added: 'A simple Internet search will show numerous reviews from travellers over the last several years who wrote about their first hand experiences that include matters of robbery or theft, assault and rape.

'We believe any first-hand experience should be posted to our site as a means to communicate to other consumers looking for information on where they should travel.'
Christina Weber will visit Bismarck State College to present her work with veterans and their families and how theyve been impacted by war and trauma.

Weber, an associate professor of sociology at North Dakota State University, will give her presentation at 2 p.m. Monday in the BSC National Energy Center of Excellence Basin Electric Auditorium.

Many people are either veterans, family of veterans or friends of veterans and the effects of war and trauma are something that many people find hard to talk about, Michael Tomanek, of the Bringing Humanities to Life Committee, said. People want to be supportive but dont always know how.

Weber wrote Social Memory and War Narratives: Transmitted Trauma among Children of Vietnam Veterans, published in 2015. In her book, Weber examines the concept of the war as a social monad, a confusing array of personal stories and public histories that disrupt traditional ways of knowing the social world for the second generation.

Webers presentation is free and open to the public.
Former Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia after his shock resignation, a Beirut official has claimed.

Officials in Lebanon are now reportedly planning to work with foreign states to secure the politician's return to the country in the latest twist in an extraordinary resignation.

Hariri resigned as prime minister on Saturday in a shock declaration read from Saudi Arabia, pitching Lebanon into deep political crisis and pushing the country back to the forefront of a regional struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

'Lebanon is heading towards asking foreign and Arab states to put pressure on Saudi to release Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri,' said the official, who declined to be identified because the government had yet to declare the initiative.

The official said Hariri was still Lebanon's prime minister.

'Keeping Hariri with restricted freedom in Riyadh is an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. Our dignity is his dignity. We will work with (foreign) states to return him to Beirut.'

The sudden nature of Hariri's resignation has fuelled widespread speculation in Lebanon that the Saudi-allied politician has been caught up in a regional power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia and coerced into stepping down.

Saad Hariri declared his surprise resignation on Saturday from Riyadh which fuelled beliefs he was coerced into standing down against his will. Here he is pictured Monday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and Hariri aides have denied reports that he is under house arrest, but he has put out no statements himself denying his movements are being restricted.

Saudi Arabia says the Iran-backed group Hezbollah had 'hijacked' the political system.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who has resigned from his post is seen at the governmental palace in Beirut, Lebanon

In his resignation speech, Hariri attacked Iran and Hezbollah for sowing strife in Arab states and said he feared assassination.

Saad Hariri declared his surprise resignation on Saturday from Riyadh which fuelled beliefs he was coerced into standing down against his will.

Stunned Lebanese are convinced Saudi Arabia, Hariri's longtime ally, forced him out to effectively wreck the prime minister's delicate compromise government with Saudi nemesis - and Iran ally - the Hezbollah militant group.

His resignation has thrust Lebanon back onto the front line of the Middle East's most biting rivalry, pitting a mostly Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE against Shiite Iran and its allies.

Hariri made the surprise announcement in a pre-recorded message on a Saudi-owned TV station.

Last week, Saudi Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan predicted on Lebanon's MTV station that 'astonishing developments' were coming for Lebanon.

After Hariri's resignation, rumours spread in Lebanon that he was under house arrest in Saudi Arabia - especially after news broke over the weekend of arrests in the kingdom of dozens of Saudi princes, ministers and influential businessmen in a sweep purportedly over corruption.

Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri (left) is pictured meeting with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the Al-Shati palace in Abu Dhabi this week

Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on Sunday accused Saudi Arabia of drafting Hariri's resignation letter and forcing him to read it on Saudi TV.

He even asked whether Hariri was being held against his will.

The daily Al-Akhbar, a harsh critic of Saudi Arabia's policies, ran a full-page photo of Hariri on its front page with the words: 'The hostage.'

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud shakes hands with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri during their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday

Speculation continued to swirl despite the official Saudi Press Agency carrying photos Monday showing Hariri meeting with Saudi King Salman.

Hariri tweeted that he was 'honored to visit' the king in his office - and some of his supporters tweeted back, telling him to take a selfie raising his left hand as a signal that he's OK.

Hariri, a dual Saudi-Lebanese citizen, has been facing financial difficulties recently as his business in Saudi Arabia suffers.

Earlier this year he closed his family's Oger construction firm that had made billions of dollars since his late father founded it in the 1970s.

Some experts on Lebanese politics are convinced Riyadh was behind the resignation.

Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut, said Hariri made 'many concessions' to his political rivals in order to become prime minister and would not have given up the position had it not been for Saudi pressure.

Joseph Bahout, a visiting scholar in Carnegie's Middle East Program, warned just last month that Saudi Arabia was seeking ways to compensate for the loss of Syria as a place where it could defy and bleed Iran.

'A renewed desire to reverse their regional fortunes could lead them to try regaining a foothold in Lebanon,' he wrote.

Saudi Arabia has denied any meddling.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who has resigned from his post, and his late father, Rafik al-Hariri, are seen on a poster in the mainly Sunni Beirut neighbourhood of Tariq al-Jadideh

The resignation throws Lebanon into potential turmoil, forcing the small nation to become a new front in the regional fight for supremacy between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

And this at a time when Iran and its allies are seen to have won the proxy war against Saudi-backed Sunni fighters in Syria.

Sunni-led Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been intensifying its confrontation with Shiite powerhouse Iran.

The two camps support rival sides in countries across the region, worsening conflicts in Yemen, Syria and elsewhere.

Lebanon has been on the verge of blowing up into full scale violence, and only compromise by Lebanese parties has stopped it doing so in a country still haunted by memories from its own 1975-1990 civil war.

The Saudi royal family arrests: Those detained in the anti-corruption purge include Prince Miteb, Prince Turki and Prince Alwaleed (circled in red)

Shiite Hezbollah dominates Lebanon, but it has sought not to provoke the Sunni community, which in turn has avoided crossing the guerrilla force.

The fear among some Lebanese now is that Saudi Arabia will upset that balance, trying to compensate for its losses in proxy wars elsewhere.

In Syria, Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed fighters allied with President Bashar Assad's forces have recaptured large areas and are working to secure a much-prized land corridor stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

By contrast, Saudi Arabia has been stuck in a fruitless war in Yemen against Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, and a Saudi bid to isolate Qatar has failed to achieve its goals.

Saudi fingerprints were seen all over Hariri's resignation on Saturday.

Unexpectedly, Hariri appeared on Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV in a recorded video from an undisclosed location, haltingly delivering a statement in which he accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and the Iran-backed Hezbollah of holding Lebanon hostage.

'Iran's arms in the region will be cut off,' he said, adding that he felt compelled to resign and that his life was endangered.

Saudi Arabia and Iran's cold war: How it's fought with proxies seeded across the Middle East The Islamic State's dream of a Middle East caliphate may be over, but Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite powerhouse Iran continue to worsen conflicts across the region as they battle to reign supreme. Here MailOnline looks at some of the key countries where their hands are wreaking havoc because of different political and religious opinions LEBANON The resignation of Lebanon's Saudi-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri has thrust Lebanon back onto the front line of the Middle East's most biting rivalry, pitting a mostly Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE against Shiite Iran and its allies. Hariri, a Sunni Muslim leader, had faced the seemingly impossible task of presiding over a government under the control of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Shiite militant party is accused of killing his father, Rafik, in 2005 and in his resignation speech on Saturday he suggested he now fears for his own life. Hezbollah supporters carry a poster of Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah during a Hezbollah 'victory over Israel' rally, in Beirut's suburbs, Friday, 22 September 2006 But he was known to tow the Saudi line and his shock resignation suggests Saudi Arabia may have a new plan of action for the country. The kingdom had long backed the Sunnis in Lebanon's multi-sectarian political system - and during the civil war - but on Monday it accused the tiny Arab country of declaring war against it because of aggression by Hezbollah. The statement comes as the civil war in neighbouring Syria, where Hezbollah had been ensuring President Bashar Assad's regime was not toppled by a pro-democracy movement, winds down. Joseph Bahout, a visiting scholar in Carnegie's Middle East Program, warned just last month that Saudi Arabia was seeking ways to compensate for the loss of Syria as a place where it could defy and bleed Iran. 'A renewed desire to reverse their regional fortunes could lead them to try regaining a foothold in Lebanon,' he wrote. Hezbollah is returning its energy to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia only wants a leader in the country if it can withstand Hezbollah's pressure. It's believed they did not see Hariri as the man for that job. SYRIA In Syria the civil war is not completely over but Iran and its allies are seen to have won the proxy war against Saudi-backed rebels. Hezbollah and other fighters allied with Assad's forces have recaptured large areas and are working to secure a much-prized land corridor stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Pro-government demonstrators hold posters depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and placards, during a rally in Damascus, in 2012 A Syrian man carries a baby after removing him from the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike in the then rebel-held part of Aleppo in 2016 By contrast, Saudi Arabia has been stuck in a fruitless war in Yemen against Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, and a Saudi bid to isolate Qatar has failed to achieve its goals. YEMEN Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and his son Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), have this week made clear their intention to continue to fight against Iran in Yemen. Riyadh and Tehran have been trading fierce accusations over their involvement in the country, where they back opposing sides. In the latest flare-up Saudi Arabia said an intercepted missile attack on the country, allegedly by Tehran-backed rebels in Yemen, 'may amount to an act of war'. People walk at the site of an air strike in the northwestern city of Saada, Yemen, on November 1 MBS said on Tuesday that Iran's decision to supply rockets to militias in Yemen constitutes a 'direct military aggression' against the kingdom. Tehran in turn accused Riyadh of committing war crimes in Yemen, raising tensions further. And Hezbollah and the Houthis, as Yemen's Shiite rebels are known, have denied any role by the Lebanese group in the war in the Arabian Peninsula country. ISRAEL The resignation of Lebanon's Hariri also has significant implications for Israel, Daniel Shapiro, President Obama's Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, said in a column for Haaretz newspaper this week. 'It is plausible that the Saudis are trying to create the context for a different means of contesting Iran in Lebanon: an Israeli-Hezbollah war,' he wrote. Shapiro suggests Saudi may have pulled Hariri out of his office to leave Hezbollah 'with the blame and responsibility for... caring for Syrian refugees to mopping up Al Qaeda and ISIS affiliates'. British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting in 10 Downing St, London, Thursday, November 2 This could lead Hezbollah to confront Israel as means of securing support from its people in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia and Israel have become unlikely allies. Their common ground? Stopping nuclear Iran reigning supreme in the region. For Israel, partnering with Saudi-Arabia to quash Hezbollah would be considered key to helping them deal with an old enemy. QATAR Saudi Arabia's bid to isolate Qatar appears to have been fruitless. Instead of bringing the world's wealthiest nation back into its folds by forcing it into a diplomatic corner, Doha has forcefully rejected all Saudi demands. Most importantly, Qatar has refused to curtail relations with Iran, with whom it shares the world's largest reservoir of natural gas. Iran and Turkey have helped Qatar survive amid Saudi and its Gulf allies suffocating sanctions and thus Tehran has scored another goal in the cold war dominating the political landscape in the Middle East. NEW PROXY WARS ON THE HORIZON? With all the above perceived losses against Iran that Saudi Arabia has felt in Syria and Qatar, it is no wonder that Riyadh's patience over Hezbollah is running thin and Lebanon is in its sights. Advertisement

The resignation came exactly a year after Hariri formed a coalition government that included Hezbollah, shortly after Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian and Hezbollah ally, was elected president.

That arrangement was the product of a rare understanding between Saudi Arabia and Iran for calm in Lebanon, ending a two-year period during which the presidency was vacant.

Saudi officials have vowed to crush Hezbollah and recently have been inciting Lebanese to rise against the Shiite militant group, asserting they should openly say whether they are with or against it. Saudi Arabia, which considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, says the group should not be part of a future Lebanese government.

For its part, the Hezbollah leader has been one of the kingdom's harshest critics and it is not uncommon for Hezbollah supporters to chant 'Death to Al Saud' in their rallies - a reference to the Saudi royal family.

At the very least, Hariri's resignation could mean another long period without a government for Lebanon, at a time when its economy is struggling under a ballooning public debt that has reached more than $75 billion - 140 percent of its gross domestic product, a debt-to-GDP ratio that is among the highest in the world.

According to Lebanon's power-sharing deal, the president should be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni and the parliament speaker a Shiite.

But given Hariri's wide support among Sunnis, it may be difficult for any Sunni politician to assume the post of prime minister without alienating the Sunni community.

And it will be impossible to form a Cabinet without Hezbollah, since the militant group and its allies enjoy wide support among both Shiites and Christians.

Today it was revealed Hariri travelled to the UAE a day after Saudi Arabia accused Lebanon of declaring war against it because of aggression by Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Hariri left Riyadh early on Tuesday for Abu Dhabi to meet the United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Hariri-owned Future TV and Saudi-owned al-Arabiya reported.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday that Iran's decision to supply rockets to militias in Yemen constitutes a 'direct military aggression' against the kingdom.

A rocket fired from Yemen intercepted on the outskirts of Riyadh hours after Hariri's resignation on Saturday.

On Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN the rocket 'was an Iranian missile launched by Hezbollah'.
The sister of one of Rose West's teenage victims claimed today her twisted child rapist nephew is 'tainted by the same evil' as the depraved serial killing family.

Mary-Ann Mitchell was a trusting five-year-old when her doting big sister Juanita Mott disappeared without trace.

It was almost two decades before the mystery of the missing 17-year-old was solved when her body was discovered in the basement of the Wests' notorious Cromwell Street address.

The Wests' nephew, Steven Letts, 39, was this week convicted of abducting a 12-year-old girl from Gloucester city centre and raping her.

Mary-Ann Mitchell's half-sister Juanita Mott was murdered by Rose West said she will go 'as far away from Gloucester as we can get' after the killer's nephew Steven Letts was convicted of abduction and rape

In a harrowing echo of his despicable relatives, he plied his vulnerable victim with drink and drugs, lured her to his flat, and raped her, in March this year.

The pitiless attack was carried out in the same city where Letts's aunt Rose West operated with depraved husband Fred.

She has been locked up for life for the part she played in the violent murder of ten young female victims in the 1970s.

But Mary-Ann angrily condemned predator Letts today and dismissed apologists who claim that pervert criminals such as Letts and the Wests deserve sympathy because they are suffering from mental health problems.

West was convicted of ten murders in 1995 but maintained her innocence. She is serving a life term at Low Newton prison in Durham

She said her mother Mary, who has since died of cancer, never recovered from the trauma of losing teenage daughter Juanita.

Mary-Ann is still haunted by memories of the heartbreak of losing a big sister so early in life and eventually learning about her harrowing end.

Publicity surrounding Letts and the sickening echoes of his aunt's depraved life have also ensured new reminders of the Wests have been hard to avoid.

'It has been said to me that the Wests and people like Letts are mentally ill,' she said, speaking from her home in Gloucester.

'But to my mind that is an insult to the mentally ill. This whole family, including Letts, doesn't suffer from mental illness.

'Let me tell you about the likes of the Wests and the Letts.

'They are not ill, they are evil. They are psycho, predatory, manipulative murderers and rapists.

'That sums up the whole family because l think they're all like that.

Juanita was 17 when Mary-Ann was murdered and found in the basement of the West's Cromwell Street house of horrors nearly 20 years later.

'Letts is tainted by the same evil they all suffer from.'

She said she simply didn't believe that rapists and killers do not know the difference between right and wrong.

'If that were the case they would have been caught much earlier. But they were not found out,' she said.

She has also revealed that she and her husband 'Rich,' an IT consultant, are planning to emigrate to the USA and join family living near Fort Worth, Texas.

One reason is to escape the bitter memories that can hang over Gloucester for the family of one of the Wests' victims.

Another is because she can no longer stomach the knowledge that her taxes are being used to look after the likes of twisted killer Rose West, and now also West's nephew Steven Letts.

'I say just give me five minutes with Rose West, with no come backs, and she'll get what she deserves. But then she would probably enjoy it,' said Mary-Ann.

She added: 'If she were released she wouldn't last two minutes.

'My working, my husband working, my family working is all helping to pay for her to stay in a safe and comfortable environment.

This is the chilling moment Steven Letts led his 12-year-old victim away from Gloucester city centre before he plied her with drugs and raped her

Letts, dressed in a baseball cap and black tracksuit bottoms, cycling alongside the girl as they walk through the city centre at night

'She lives in a pleasant flat, or wherever, with a little job and a bit of money to spend on comforts and probably has a girlfriend now.

'Well, I'm sorry, but l just can't do that any more. It's our tax money paying for her.'

She said parts of Texas where she and her husband intend to emigrate have the death penalty for murder - something she backs in the right circumstances.

'When it's clear cut, when there is 100 per cent no doubt about what people like the Wests have done, they should get the death penalty.

'Terrible cases where there is no doubt l think the death penalty is right.'

Steven Letts is the estranged son of Rose West's brother Graham (pictured with his wife, Barbara) - who would be aged around 60 today

Mary-Ann's beloved twin Alsatian dogs, Ted and Shyla, will also be emigrating to Texas with her some time next year.

Both pets are ferociously protective of her and rarely far from her side when she goes out.

'They will have their own passports when we leave. It only takes three weeks to get them.

'Everyone who knows me knows l love my dogs.

'Nobody gets in the house past the dogs. They would attack anyone. One would sit on you while the other ripped your face off. They are very, very protective.'
An engineer left with horrific injuries after his ex-girlfriend threw acid over him was so badly scarred he looked like he had been 'dipped in clay', witnesses have said.

Mark van Dongen, 29, was left unrecognisable and paralysed after the alleged attack by Berlinah Wallace, who is now on trial for murder.

The victim ran out into the street in Bristol where neighbours initially mistook his agonised cries for the sound of foxes fighting.

Local resident Eleanor Elcocks told the court she heard him shouting: 'Help me, I am going to f****** die.'

Mark, who was left bed-bound and barely able to talk after the attack, was treated for months before deciding to end his life at a suicide clinic in Belgium.

Despite his suicide, prosecutors have taken the highly-unusual of charging Wallace with murder on the grounds the acid attack directly resulted in her ex's death. The 48-year-old denies the charge.

Mark van Dongen (left) screamed in agony in the street after an alleged acid attack by his jealous ex-girlfriend, a court heard. His father Cornelius Van Dongen (right) today told of his son's terrible final months following the incident

'Jealous' ex Berlinah Wallace is accused of throwing the acid over Mark while he lay in bed after she found out he had started seeing another woman

Local resident Thomas Sweet ran out of his house with a golf club after being disturbed by the noises between 2am and 3am.

He told the court: 'Initially I thought it was foxes fighting. It went on for about ten seconds before it was evident it was a person.'

Mr Sweet added: 'He was talking about acid. Initially I thought he had taken LSD and was having a bad time on it.'

Mark was covered in what looked like grey paint, the witness said, and he added: 'I thought maybe he had been at a party or at a rave. But then I realised it wasn't.'

Mr Sweet told police that Mark had said 'this b****, this b**** did it to me. My ex did it'.

Another neighbour, Dr Nicola White, recalled: 'I was trying to work out why he looked like he had been dipped in clay. He was grey from the head to the chest.'

She said that, the following day, she looked at her 'tarnished' doorbell which had been corroded by the acid.

Police said that when Mark was asked who had attacked him he pointed to a tattoo of his ex's name.

PC Thomas Green and his colleague PC Matthew Griffin arrived at the scene in the aftermath of the attack and said it smelled of 'potent' chemicals.

A court sketch shows Wallace in the dock of the court next to a custody officer today. The court heard she was 'calm and composed' when initially questioned over the incident

Defendant 'chatted on her phone after attack' Witnesses said Wallace chatted on her mobile phone after the alleged attack. Samantha Brown, who lived in the flat above Wallace, said the defendant's front door was open and she could see her sitting on the sofa talking on her phone. 'She seemed calm, although I can't remember what she was saying, I think she was talking about what happened,' she said. Another neighbour, Nicola White, was woken by screams and went outside to assist, helping Mr Van Dongen into the flat. She told the jury: 'I looked into the flat and I saw a lady on the sofa on a mobile phone. She looked very sullen and serious and it was strange.' Advertisement

PC Green travelled with Mark in an ambulance, and asked him who had attacked him.

'I asked him who the offender was, to which he replied "Berlinah". He was pointing to a tattoo just below his bellybutton which said Berlinah. He said "she needs to go to prison for this".

Wallace appeared 'calm and collected' as directed police to the acid, the court heard.

PC Griffin added: 'She indicated to the beer mug and paintbrush and said "I'd been distressing some fabric". I said "Where is it now?"

'She stood up and said "it's in the kitchen" and walked there, there was a translucent bottle with a black lid.

'I said something along the lines of "what type of acid" and she replied "sulphur, I think". I replied to her "sulphuric acid" and she said "yes".'

Police Sergeant John Knight described seeing a pair of black boxer shorts laid out on a towel.

'They were melted,' he said. 'There were dark marks which appeared to be finger marks along the hallway wall. There was a distinct potent overpowering smell... I could smell it throughout the flat.'

In emotional testimony at Bristol Crown Court earlier today, Mark's father Cornelius Van Dongen told a jury that it took about four months for his son to communicate after the incident.

A court sketch shows Mark's father breaking down as he gave evidence to court today

When he could move his tongue and was asked who had attacked him, Mark spelled out the name 'Berlinah' with his tongue on an alphabet sheet.

Mark's father said his son eventually regained speech after the attack and told how Wallace had shouted 'If I cannot have [you] no one else will' before pouring the liquid on him.

While in hospital in Bristol, Mark had also shouted that he wanted to die, the court heard.

At one point, Mark regained the use of his hands and tickled his father, Mr van Dongen recalled. 'He was looking forwards to the physiotherapy.... he wanted to stay in England.'

But his condition later worsened and he became unable to use his hands, leaving him 'incredibly disappointed', his father said.

Dutch-born Mark, who lived in Bristol when attacked, pictured when young with his father

Following months in hospital, Mark was then transferred to a care home in Gloucester, the court heard.

His voice breaking with emotion, Belgium-based Mr Van Dongen said: 'He wanted to return to a normal life, that is what he wanted. He wanted me to return to work.

'He called me and he was very distressed. So I got in my car and drove straight to Bristol. I thought I would spend an hour napping in my car. I heard Mark scream so I rang the bell and at one point they opened the door.

'Mark was lying there in his own faeces and no one wanted to help him. I got towels from my car and washed him.'

After that shocking experience, Mr Van Dongen transferred his son from Gloucester to a hospital in Belgium.

The father said he cared for his son '23 and a half hours a day' until his death in January

Mr Van Dongen said the Belgium hospital nurses needed to get used to the way he looked. He said: 'I spent 23-and-a-half hours a day with him until he died.'

Mark was later told his paralysis was permanent, which was 'the straw that broke the camel's back', his father told the jury.

He said: 'He completed his application for euthanasia... he said that "my life is come to nothing, there's nothing left of it, if I come home with you there's just a different ceiling to look at, that's all".'

After three weeks in the Belgium hospital, Mark developed a lung infection, which became acute.

Doctors agreed on euthanasia on January 2 this year, with Marks father present.

Mr van Dongen added: 'He didn't want any more pain and didn't want any more surgery and wanted to be able to talk to me until the last seconds.

'He didn't want to go on any further and he just wanted to die.'

Wallace claims the acid was in the flat because Van Dongen wanted to trick her into drinking it

Speaking about his son's life before he came to England, his father said Mark contracted HIV after a short relationship with a woman from the Hague.

He had a male fiance before meeting Wallace, the jury heard, and they initially lived in the Netherlands near Eindhoven before coming to the UK.

Mr Van Dongen said he had treated Wallace like his own daughter after they got together.

Commenting on the aftermath of the attack, he said: 'First of all I refused to believe that she could have done it.

'There was no need for her to be jealous, Mark was in love with her. I always thought he was more in love with her than she was with him.

'In the last six months Mark called the police several times, but he got no support from the police. He was scared, he was afraid, of her. You can see what happened.'

Mark was bitterly disappointed after losing the use of his hands. He was transferred to a hospital near his father's home after being found in his own faeces in an English care home

The father's testimony came after Mark gave evidence 'from the grave' yesterday  with jurors being shown a police interview in which he described the attack at the flat he shared with Wallace.

'She woke me up and said, "If I can't have you no one can",' he recalled. 'And she laughed and just threw the acid, it was a square box with about an inch of acid.'

Mark ran out into the street screaming in pain before a neighbour took him upstairs, put him in a shower and called 999. He screamed all the way to hospital, telling paramedics: 'Kill me now, if my face is left looking like this. I don't want to live.'

Police found Wallace with a paintbrush and a piece of cloth. Asked what injured Mark, the fashion student replied: 'Acid. I was using it to distress some fabric.'

Bristol Crown Court heard the couple had been seeing each other for five years and lived in Redland, an upmarket area of the city.

Tributes to Mark after his death in Belgium earlier this year. He had suffered extensive burns in the earlier 'attack', a court heard today

Their relationship ran into trouble when Mark started seeing another woman in August 2015. Shortly before his death, he had told his colleagues that Wallace had been violent toward him  they said that he 'seemed genuinely scared' of her, the court heard.

Jurors were told Wallace bought a bottle of sulphuric acid on Amazon and spent weeks searching for news stories and graphic pictures relating to acid attack victims.

The couple exchanged messages vowing to make the relationship work again on September 22, the night before the attack.

Following his injuries, Mark was kept in intensive care unit for six months before being moved to a burns ward, spending 14 months in hospital.

His left leg was amputated below the knee, he lost the vision in his left eye and was left partially sighted in his right eye.

He eventually regained speech but was permanently paralysed from the neck down and fell into depression.

Mark spent 14 months in Bristol's Southmead hospital before he was transferred to Belgium

Why a murder charge? Mark van Dongen died in a euthanasia clinic over a year after he was burned with acid. But prosecutors say that, despite this, the acid attack led directly to his death - and have therefore charged Wallace with murder. As part of the evidence in her highly unusual trial today, the jury was shown footage of Mark being interviewed by police before his death. Adam Vaitlingam QC, prosecuting, will argue that Wallace intended to cause van Dongen grievous bodily harm. Advertisement

Adam Vaitilingam QC, prosecuting, said: 'Sometimes he said he wanted to live, at other times that he wanted to die.'

Needing constant care, he returned home by ambulance to Overpelt, Belgium, where doctors confirmed he was paralysed for life and on maximum pain relief.

Mark applied for euthanasia, which was approved by three consultants who said his suffering was unbearable.

Richard Smith QC, defending, said: 'It is Berlinah Wallace's case that that evening, as he had often done before, Mark had encouraged her to consider drinking the sulphuric acid they had bought for clearing the drains.'

She denies two charges, one of murder and one of applying a corrosive fluid. The trial continues.
A murder investigation has been launched in Gibraltar after a mother was stabbed to death.

Carolina Elizabeth Lishman, 32, was found in a flat alongside a man in his 40s who also had serious knife wounds.

Mother-of-two Lishman was treated at the scene on Wednesday evening before being rushed to nearby St. Bernard's Hospital.

A murder investigation has been launched in Gibraltar after a mother was stabbed to death (file image)

The unnamed man remains in a critical condition in hospital at the British Overseas Territory.

One local resident described Lishman, who is said to have grown up in north London, as 'a lovely girl'.

'She was very quiet. They lived in London for many years. She had two very young children,' he said.

'There are very few murders in Gibraltar.'

The Royal Gibraltar Police said there was no danger to the public and are not looking for anybody else as they launch their probe.

'Members of the RGP's Crime and Protective Services Division have been recalled and a murder investigation has been instigated with a crime scene investigation being conducted at the residence,' the RGP said.

'The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer.'

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forwards.

Gibraltar's leader, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, called for people to respect the woman's family at 'this tragic time'.

'I urge all to think first of the deceased & the family. The harrowing circumstances of this matter are not for social media speculation,' said Picardo.

The last murders in Gibraltar took place in 2015 when a Welsh man slaughtered his young family.

John Shannon butchered his partner and two children with a knife before slashing his throat and committing suicide.

Shannon, 37, who was suffering from extreme paranoia, was on steroids, cannabis and alcohol at the time of the attack.
Katie Charlton (pictured) was at a house party when her friend slashed her across the face using a Stanley knife

A young woman said she was left traumastised after she was scarred for life when her friend violently slashed her cheek using a Stanley knife.

Katie Charlton, 22, was at a house party in Boldon, South Tyneside, when Stephen Thompson, 27, knifed her and left her with four inch slash across her cheek.

She needed 33 stitches and is speaking out to raise awareness about knife crime in the UK.

Just moments before the horrific attack, Thompson got into a fight with her 25-year-old ex-boyfriend Damion Armour and later produced the weapon.

He plunged it into Mr Armour's forearm and neck and then Miss Charlton claims he grabbed her hair and pulled her backwards.

Seconds later her caused the four inch slash from her cheek to her chin and was jailed for five-and-a-half years at Newcastle Crown Court.

Miss Charlton said: 'I knew that they had a fight, but I had no idea Stephen had a knife. Damion rushed me out of the house to keep me from danger.

'But then all of a sudden I felt myself being pulled backwards by my hair and felt a blow to the face and the shoulder.

'I thought I had been punched, but then I saw blood squirt everywhere and I sank to the ground.

'I was losing so much blood, I knew that I had been slashed across the face even though I couldn't feel a thing. I was numb.

Miss Charlton, 22, (left) was at a friend's birthday party when she was knifed in the face (right)

Just moments before the horrific attack which left Miss Charlton (right) needing stitches, Stephen Thompson (left) got into a fight with her ex-boyfriend Damion Armour (centre)

'It was a strange sensation, but I could almost feel my life draining from my body.

'With every minute waiting for the ambulance I was a minute closer to death and losing more blood. I knew if I closed my eyes I would not wake up.

'He slashed right through my cheek, you could see my teeth through the cut. I was choking on my own blood, it was spurting out, I lost three-and-a-half pints.

'I want to make people aware of the dangers of knives. I will have to live with this forever.'

Thompson claimed in court that he had Stanley knife with him because he was getting a carpet fitted.

Miss Charlton was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma whilst medics worked to save her life.

She needed 33 stitches and is speaking out to raise awareness about knife crime in the UK

She needed more than 33 stitches to fix the huge wound in her face, and had six in her shoulder.

She was later told that the gash in her cheek was so deep that her teeth were visible through the cut.

Mr Armour also needed stitches to his forearm and neck.

Following the sickening attack, Miss Charlton has split up with Mr Armour because she'can't trust men anymore' - but the pair still remain close friends.

Miss Charlton, from South Shields, added: 'After the attack it took three days before I could even face looking at myself in the mirror.

'When I looked it was for less than a second because it was so devastating. I knew that it would be bad but it was a million times worse than I imagined.

'It really did break my heart. My confidence was shattered. I have to learn to accept my new face, but it is impossible as I constantly feel like people are staring.

'It has completely ruined my faith in men - my relationship with Damien ended because I couldn't trust men any more.

'I never thought Stephen could do something like this, he was always quite nice. I won't be able to trust again.

'I want to raise awareness of this kind of crime so that it doesn't happen to anyone else.'

At Newcastle Crown Court Thompson admitted charges of wounding with intent, wounding, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis but the court heard that he intended to hurt Damion rather than Katie.

Following the sickening attack, Miss Charlton (right) has split up with Mr Armour (pictured together, left) because she'can't trust men anymore' - but the pair still remain close friends

He was jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Judge Sarah Mallet told Thompson: 'You were aggressive and threatening.

'She has a lasting scar to the face that she will always have. The problems are carrying on. The injuries in my view are very serious.

'The problem on this day began when you asked people to leave. I accept that you had the Stanley knife because you were having a carpet fitted earlier that day.'

Thompson was also given a life-long restraining order against the female victim.

John Wilkinson, defending, told the court that the defendant suffered from a number of learning disabilities and a depressive disorder.
The government must spend 1billion retro-fitting sprinklers to all council and housing association high-rise blocks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Jeremy Corbyn said today.

The Labour leader demanded Chancellor Philip Hammond allocate the cash in his Budget later this month, saying the protection is 'vital'.

Mr Corbyn also laid into cuts to fire services and the 'dangerously neglected' state of social housing.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is calling for 1billion to be spent retro-fitting sprinklers to all council high-rise blocks

Launching a campaign to increase the pressure on the government over the tragedy, Mr Corbyn accused Theresa May of failing to 'learn the lessons'.

'Five months on from the Grenfell Tower fire, still only 2 per cent of tower blocks have sprinklers and councils claim they have been denied funding for these vital measures,' he said.

'The Government is failing to learn the lessons from this tragedy. I urge the Chancellor to use the Budget to urgently provide the funds needed to retrofit sprinklers, ensuring people in thousands of tower blocks across our country are living in safety and with peace of mind.

'The Grenfell Tower fire was an entirely avoidable human disaster that must not be repeated.'

Labour is calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget on November 22 to fund the retrofitting of sprinklers in all council and housing association tower blocks, starting with buildings that are 30 metres - 10 storeys - or higher.

Mr Corbyn will use his speech in London to hit out at the 'staggering' cuts to fire services.

He will say: 'Firefighters across the country have faced the harsh reality of politically driven austerity. Along with the other emergency services across the country they have been forced to deal with repeated budget cuts since 2010.

Launching a campaign to increase the pressure on the government over the tragedy at Grenfell (pictured), Mr Corbyn accused Theresa May of failing to 'learn the lessons'

Chancellor Philip Hammond is due to deliver his crucial Budget package later this month

'In the last seven years, 10,000 frontline firefighter jobs have gone - equivalent to one in six positions.'

He will add: 'Because of the continual loss of firefighters' jobs, if the fire at Grenfell had occurred outside of London, there would not have been enough firefighters in the vicinity to tackle a blaze of that size.'

Following the Paradise Papers revelations, Mr Corbyn will also step up his calls for action to tackle tax avoidance.

'While people are living in potential death-trap homes without essential safety protections such as sprinklers, it is an obscenity that we have super-rich elites and major corporations who are allowed to avoid paying their taxes,' he will say.
TSA screeners, equipment and security procedures failed the majority of the time in recent undercover tests, a report says.

Undercover tests conducted by the Department of Homeland Security revealed 'vulnerabilities' at security checkpoints across US airports.

The tests found failures in Transportation Security Administration screener performance, screening equipment and associated procedures.

The failure rate of security test was 'in the ballpark' of 80 per cent, a source close to the investigation told ABC News.

Undercover tests conducted by the Department of Homeland Security found a 20 per cent success rate and revealed 'vulnerabilities' at security checkpoints across US airports

The Department of Homeland Security has since offered eight recommendations to improve checkpoint security. Because the findings of the tests are classified, the recommendations remain unclear.

A briefing on the classified report was given to the House Committee on Homeland Security, and members of Congress called the failures 'disturbing'.

Rep Mike Rogers told TSA Administrator David Pekoske that the TSA 'is broken badly and needs your attention'.

In the public hearing on Capitol Hill this week, members pushed for new scanning equipment, which creates 3D images of bags, which can help TSA identify potentially threatening items.

The equipment is already being tested at TSA checkpoints in two US airports.

TSA officials released a statement about the report, saying it is working to implement recommendations from Homeland Security.

'We take the OIG's findings very seriously and are implementing measures that will improve screening effectiveness at checkpoints,' said TSA administrator David Pekoske. 'We are focused on staying ahead of a dynamic threat to aviation with continued investment in the workforce, enhanced procedures and new technologies,' he added.

Rep Mike Rogers told TSA Administrator David Pekoske (pictured) that the TSA 'is broken badly and needs your attention'

TSA announced last month that all flights arriving to the US would be subjected to new security screening procedures, with American citizens as well as foreigners possibly facing interviews by airline employees.

The new security measures come after the Trump administration previously rolled out a laptop ban and travel bans that have thrown the international travel industry into disarray.

The new rules come at the end of a 120-day deadline for airlines to meet new US regulations after the ban on laptops in plane cabins of some Middle Eastern airlines was lifted.

'The security measures affect all individuals, international passengers and US citizens, travelling to the United States from a last point of departure international location,' said Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the TSA.

'These new measures will impact all flights from airports that serve as last points of departure locations to the United States.'

She put the number of flights affected at around 2,100 daily. She also said it would include 'heightened screening of personal electronic devices' and stricter security procedures around planes and in airport terminals.
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It is a largely forgotten part of east London, an industrial wasteland which has fallen into dereliction.

But a major 3.5bn regeneration of Silvertown, a neglected district in the West Ham area of Newham, is now underway.

Once completed, the major development will provide 3,000 homes including affordable housing, offices, a school, health centre, retail facilities and a new Roundhouse music venue.

Silvertown, close to London City Airport in east London, was once a booming industrial centre but is now a wasteland

This is an artist's impression of what the 3.5bn redevelopment of the Silvertown area will look like

The redeveloped Silvertown will provide offices, leisure and retail facilities and 3,000 homes including affordable housing

The ambitious plans for the 62-acre site centres around the restoration of the 1930s Millennium Mills, once home to food manufacturer Rank Hovis MacDougall. The building has not been used since the early 1980s.

Stripping out 500 tonnes of dangerous asbestos from the former flour mill has been a huge task but has just been finished. It is hoped the renovation of the Millennium Mills will be completed by 2019.

It will feature shops, bars and restaurants, as well as workspace for start-up companies.

Later this year a 'container city' of up to 250 shipping containers will be installed, providing affordable temporary workspace for small businesses.

Silvertown was once a booming industrial centre in the 19th and early 20th century, home to companies including James Keiller & Sons, makers of marmalade, and the sugar refiners Tate & Lyle (pictured)

This aerial picture shows the Tate and Lyle sugar refinery, pictured in 2010, in the largely forgotten corner of east London

Eventually there will be about 3,000 new homes, ranging from one to five bedrooms and a mixture of private, affordable, shared ownership and built to rent. Around 35 per cent will be affordable homes.

Residents should be moving in by 2020.

Olaide Oboh, a spokeswoman for the Silvertown Partnership, a consortium of the three developers Chelsfield Properties, First Base and Macquarie Capital behind the development, told MailOnline: 'Silvertown has been derelict for three decades. It's very rare in London that you get a space on that size for sale. It will kickstart the local economy in east London, which is thriving now and it will really give it a boost and bring jobs to the local area.

'It's all about creating the right environment for big and small businesses and bringing them together and that is critical for Silvertown. The Millennium Mills is only for small business but we are encouraging big businesses to come to the area as well.

The ambitious plans for the derelict area of Silvertown includes 3,000 homes and a central piazza the size of Covent Garden

An artist's impression of the Silvertown development that will attract tech start-ups and creative talent to the area

'There will be 3,000 homes and we won't build homes that are just boxes with no character or identity. We are trying to innovate, we have got to build quickly but we won't compromise on quality. Rather than shipping in from the north we will have a plant on site so we can assemble the buildings more efficiently as well as bringing jobs into the local area.

'There will be a real mix of housing...there won't be skyscrapers because of its proximity to London City Airport, they will be a medium rise but densely built as we want people to bump into each other, to collide and collaborate and to create a walkable neighbourhood and a place that feels like London.

'We want to deliver 100 per cent snag-free homes. Prefabricated homes are now a sophisticated and universally used way of providing beautiful and well-designed, long-lasting homes. We are going to make this area look beautiful.'

The plans also include a bridge across Royal Victoria Dock to connect Silvertown Quays with the Crossrail station at Custom House, and a new Roundhouse East that will be a music venue and education space.

Transport for London is also hoping to dig a new road tunnel beneath the Thames from Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula. A decision on that was delayed for six months on Tuesday. The deadline for a decision has now been extended until May 10.

Silvertown was a booming industrial area in the 19th and early 20th century (pictured: in 1929 as the area recovered from the explosion at the Brunner Mond factory that killed 73 people in 1917

Silvertown, which has been derelict for 30 years, is now undergoing a major 3.5bn redevelopment (pictured: in 1950)

The Silver Building in Silvertown, which is set to open later this year, will become home to start-ups, local businesses and artists.

Originally built in 1965 for British Oil and Cake Mills, the site was left derelict for more than 20 years.

The 50,000 sqft building will now be transformed into a 'bustling artistic and entrepreneurial hub' for everyone from set designers to music producers.

In 2015, the Newham Council approved a 3.5bn redevelopment plan led by the Silvertown Partnership (pictured: in 2005)

Silvertown, which lies close to London City Airport, was once a booming industrial centre in the 19th and early 20th century, home to companies including James Keiller & Sons, makers of marmalade, and the sugar refiners Tate & Lyle.

However it was devastated by an explosion at the Brunner Mond factory, which was being used to purify TNT during the First World War. It killed 73 people, injured more than 400 and destroyed 900 homes.

Then in the Second World War Silvertown and the Royal Docks suffered major damage from German shelling.

Thereafter much of the area fell into dereliction, including local shops and pubs.

In 2015, the Newham Council approved a 3.5 billion redevelopment plan led by the Silvertown Partnership.

The council said it hoped, once completed, it would attract around 13 million visitors a year from across the country and abroad, providing a 33m-a-year boost to the local economy and adding about 260m to London's economy.

It is thought the project will take 'at least 20 years' to complete and residents will have to live through the building process.
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One of the largest ships in the world has arrived in the UK, dwarfing everything around it.

The Milan Maersk, which has a capacity of 20,568 containers and at 399 metres long, is 120 metres longer than RMS Titanic.

The massive vessel weighs a staggering 214,000 tonnes and is less than a metre shorter than the world's longest vessel.

If parked bumper to bumper, the vessel is the same length as 36 London buses or is almost the length of four Wembley Stadium pitches.

The Milan Maersk, pictured entering Southampton port yesterday afternoon carrying cargo from China on it's maiden visit

The massive vessel, pictured, has the capacity to carry 20,568 containers efficiently across massive distances

The Milan Maersk quickly unloaded and loaded its cargo in Southampton before continuing its journey towards Germany

The massive ship made its maiden visit to Southampton yesterday delivering tonnes of goods destined for stores across the country for the Christmas rush.

The vessel departed Shanghai on October 1, less than a fortnight after entering service and called into Ningbo, Hong Kong and Yantian in China before arriving in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 17.

It then passed through the Suez Canal before stopping in Felixtowe on November 2 and shooting across the North Sea to Rotterdam.

From Rotterdam, the ship tracked to Southampton, where it headed back to sea in the early hours of this morning towards Bremerhaven and Rotterdam before heading back to Suez and the Far East.

The Milan Maersk has a maximum speed of 23 knots and is designed to reduce CO2 emissions

The vessel only spent a few hours in Southampton before it returned to sea to its next destination Bremerhaven

ABP Southampton Director Alastair Welch said the mega ships such as the Milan Maersk are capable of carrying more cargo more efficiently than the older and smaller cargo vessels. He said Southampton was ideally suited to cope with the vessels

The massive vessel is almost the length of four Wembley football pitches or the same as 36 London buses parked end to end

The colossal ship belongs to the second generation of Maersk Line's Triple-E class - Economy of scale, Energy efficient and Environmentally improved - and is part of a series of 11 container ships, which will be delivered by the end of 2018.

The world's largest cargo vessels Ship Name Length Barzan 400 metres OOCL Hong Kong 399.87 metres OOCL Germany 399.87 metres OOCL Japan 399.87 metres OOCL United Kingdom 399.87 metres Milan Maersk 399 metres Madrid Maersk 399 metres Munich Maersk 399 metres Moscow Maersk 399 metres Monaco Maersk 399 metres

The Danish registered Milan Maersk arrived at the container terminal in Southampton, Hampshire, yesterday afternoon.

It dwarfed Calshot Castle and the maritime control tower and completely blotted out views of the Isle of Wight as it entered Southampton Water.

The giant vessel has a dual engine and a maximum speed of 23 knots to increase efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Milan Maersk's propulsion and software system creates energy savings which aims to reduce carbon emissions per container vessel by 35 per cent.

The Triple E class ships also feature a waste heat recovery system which uses hot exhaust gas to produce extra propulsion.

ABP Southampton Director, Alastair Welch said: 'Milan Maersk is just the latest of these new mega ships to visit the Port of Southampton.

'Not only are these vessels bigger, they are much cleaner too and we are seeing more of these new generation of ships visiting across the port's key trades.

'The Port of Southampton is ideally suited to welcome these megaships.'

The biggest container ship in the world is the OOCL Hong Kong, at 399.87 metres long and 58.8 metres wide making it only 0.87 longer than the Milan Maersk.

The Milan Maersk left Shanghai on October 2 and made its way along the Chinese coast before entering the Suez canal
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Never-before-seen photos of Hollywood A-lister Grace Kelly on the way to her real-life fairytale wedding in Monaco have emerged for sale after more than 60 years.

The Rear Window star's marriage to Prince Rainier III was dubbed 'The Wedding of the Century' by the press in 1956, and she and her family had to provide a dowry of $2million for the marriage to go forward.

Ahead of the wedding, Kelly, her family, bridesmaids and more than 80 pieces of luggage boarded the SS Constitution for the eight-day trip to the French Riviera and were seen off by thousands of fans.

It's likely the group didn't take a flight because jetliners had yet to be commercialized, so transatlantic flights were long and often turbulent. Having 80 suitcases was likely another factor in the decision.

Nine slides, capturing the Kelly on board the SS Constitution in 1956 on the journey to become Princess of Monaco, were taken by her godmother Pauline McCloskey and other relatives.

They are now being sold by McCloskey's great-granddaughter alongside a collection of documents related to the wedding and handwritten thank you notes from the icon.

Nine slides, capturing the Grace Kelley on board the SS Constitution in 1956 on the journey to become Princess of Monaco, are expected to sell in an upcoming auction for $1,960. She's pictured above on the boat with her dog

Kelly, pictured in red, took the eight-day boat trip to Monaco with her family and bridesmaids ahead of the wedding. Kelly is pictured above center in red, with her mother, Margaret Kelly (in creme with white sunglasses), and her godmother, Pauline McCloskey (third from left in black)

More than 20,000 people lined the streets of Monaco to greet her when she arrived. Kelley is pictured above in a red sweater and red headscarf sitting alongside friends and family members

Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier III was dubbed 'The Wedding of the Century' by the press in 1956. The Rear Window star is pictured above with her Aunt Flossie on the actress's personal deck on the ship

The collection has been put up for sale with US-based Heritage Auctions with an estimate of $1,960 (1,500).

One of the pictures show the glamorous actress in a large hat and sunglasses having her photo taken by the world's press, while others reveal a more relaxed side to the starlet, wearing a cardigan and headscarf as she pets her dog and smiling surrounded by family and friends.

There are another 20 slides depicting Kelly's family and friends on the ship, as well as documents from the voyage such as passenger lists, dinner menus, cocktail invitations and newspaper clippings.

Philadelphia-born Kelly had already dazzled cinemagoers for five years with films such as 'Dial M For Murder' and 'Rear Window' when she headed for Monaco.

Some 400 reporters applied to get on the ocean liner en route for Monaco but most were turned away. However, fellow passengers did take pictures of the beauty and sell them to the papers.

More than 20,000 people lined the streets of Monaco to greet her when she arrived.

The wedding involved two ceremonies and was attended by 700 guests, including well-known A-listers Cary Grant, Ava Gardner and Aristotle Onassis.

The actual ceremony took just 16 minutes, People reported, but was followed by a full 25 minutes spent listening to the 140 new titles that now belonged to Kelly as Princess of Monaco.

The photos are now being sold by McCloskey's great-granddaughter alongside a collection of documents related to the wedding and handwritten thank you notes from the icon. The collection has been put up for sale with US-based Heritage Auctions with an estimate of $1,960 (1,500)

Philadelphia-born Kelly had already dazzled cinemagoers for five years with films such as 'Dial M For Murder' and 'Rear Window' when she headed for Monaco

Some 400 reporters applied to get on the ocean liner en route for Monaco but most were turned away. However, fellow passengers did take pictures of the beauty and sell them to the papers

In the collection being auctioned off, there are 20 slides depicting Kelly's family and friends on the ship. Kelley is pictured above in a large white hat speaking with friends and family over tea

Also being auctioned off are documents from the voyage such as passenger lists, dinner menus, cocktail invitations and newspaper clippings (pictured above)

And then the newlywed couple had to repeat the whole thing again for news crews.

The second ceremony took place at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. As 30million people looked on, Kelly arrived in a fairytale dress comprised of 300 yards of antique Belgian lace and 150 yards of silk, taffeta and tulle.

The veil, itself made of 90 yards of tulle, had been crafted to ensure that Kelly's face would not be obscured from cameras, and her shoes and Juliet cap were decorated with pearls.

It had taken 36 seamstresses three weeks to make the gorgeous clothing, and Kelly did each one of them proud, entering the cathedral looking every bit the princess she now was.

And while his new wife glided serenely under the watchful gaze of millions, Rainier was a little more nervous, and Kelly had to help him slip the ring onto her finger.

The wedding concluded with a traditional offering to St. Devote, Monaco's patron saint, and a feast of caviar, lobster, champagne and more for 600 people, before the prince and princess boarded the prince's yacht, the Deo Juvante II, for a seven-week honeymoon.

Godmother Pauline McCloskey was a close family friend and clearly heavily involved in the nuptials.

Her great-grandaughter revealed Pauline gave Kelly a book called Bride's Manual: A Manual of Catholic Devotions with Mass for Marriage Ceremony and the Nuptial Blessing, which the actress carried on her wedding day. It is now on display at the Phildelphia Museum of Art.

Kelly gave reporters a brief press conference on the sun deck of the SS Constitution before leaving New York for Monaco in April 1956

During the trip to Monaco, Kelly was seen trying out the captain's sextant - a navigation instrument - on board the oceanliner

Kelly married Prince Rainier III in two ceremonies on April 18, 1956. The couple are pictured smiling above on Rainier's yacht just four days before the wedding

She stayed in touch with the Princess for some years but less so after Kelly had her second and third children. She stayed in touch with Kelly's mother until her death in 1986.

The items up for auction include postcards, various invitations relating to the wedding festivities, a wedding invite and a wedding program.

Margaret Barrett, from Heritage Auctions, said: 'These slides have never been seen before as they were taken by a member of Grace's private entourage.

'She was taking the voyage to get married and become a princess - her real life was replicating a fantasy fairytale.

'Although she's not that close to the camera and facing away in some of the shots, you can still see how stunningly beautiful she was - she just epitomized true glamour.

'Even though she was already a major A-list movie star at the time with worldwide fame, she probably had no idea how dramatically her life was going to change once she became a titled princess.

'These slides show her right before that colossal change in her life took place.

Kelly and the Prince's wedding involved two ceremonies and was attended by 700 guests, including well-known A-listers Cary Grant, Ava Gardner and Aristotle Onassis. The actual ceremony took just 16 minutes, People reported, but was followed by a full 25 minutes spent listening to the 140 new titles that now belonged to Kelly as Princess of Monaco

A second ceremony took place at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. As 30million people looked on, Kelly arrived in a fairytale dress comprised of 300 yards of antique Belgian lace and 150 yards of silk, taffeta and tulle

The wedding concluded with a traditional offering to St. Devote, Monaco's patron saint, and a feast of caviar, lobster, champagne and more for 600 people, before the prince and princess boarded the prince's yacht, the Deo Juvante II, for a seven-week honeymoon

'This is an important collection if you're a Grace Kelly fan since there is a ton of 'behind the scenes' and 'not known' information about the festivities in the weeks and days leading up to the wedding.

'The handwritten notes show that Kelly was a proper young woman who knew how to write a proper thank you letter - an art form that is surely fading in the 21st century.

'They reveal her kindness, sense of humour and desire to 'stay connected' in the years after her wedding.

'She includes a personal titbit in virtually all the notes about what she was doing or where she was going, which are fun to read all these years later.

'Kelly was a great actress and almost all of her films still withstand the test of time today, so she is still a very popular person with collectors 35 years after her death.

'From biographies we know it isn't 100 per cent true, but the surface of Kelly's life represents ultimate fantasy and glamor. It's impossible to predict what it might go for.'

Kelly embarked on an acting career aged 20 in 1950 and had leading roles in multiple films before retiring from acting at the age of 26 to take up her new role as princess.

She died aged 52 in 1982 after suffering a stroke while driving which caused her to crash her vehicle.

The collection will be sold on Saturday.
The Bismarck Mandan Salvation Army will host Sacred Music Festival: Salvation Army 120th Anniversary event as it kicks off its kettle collections at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Belle Mehus Auditorium.

The program will include testimonials and historical local Salvation Army pictures with music provided by Tuba Four, Bismarck Brass, B-LAtitude and Chenaniah.

This event marks the beginning of the annual Christmas kettle kick-off. Amy Hullet, from the Bismarck Mandan Board of Realtors, will be recognized with the Honorary 2017 Leadership Award as she starts the ringing for this season.

For more information, contact Julie N. Ramos Lagos by phone at 303-241-1193 or by emailing ramoslagosj@yahoo.com.
The EU's chief negotiator has warned the UK against loosening regulations to get a trade deal with the US.

Michel Barnier said Britain had to decide whether it was abandoning the 'European model' - and could not expect to have as close a relationship in future if it did.

The comments came as EU sources were accused of threatening to 'shake the tree' and lure businesses from Britain to the bloc if Theresa May doesn't agrees to pay a huge divorce bill.

UK officials were in Brussels today for Brexit negotiations in a last-ditch effort to move on to trade talks before the end of the year.

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In a speech in Rome today, Michel Barnier said Britain had to decide whether it was abandoning the 'European model' - and could not expect to have as close a relationship in future if it did

Brexit Secretary David Davis, pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning. He has been on a tour of Europe trying to drum up support for Britain's Brexit position, but Europe is dragging out talks in the hope it can squeeze more money out of Britain in the divorce bill

But the talks are only scheduled to last two days, and Brexit Secretary David Davis is not arriving in Brussels until tomorrow.

The EU have been dragging their feet and refusing to start trade deal talks in the hope they can squeeze more money out of Britain for the divorce bill.

An EU official said: 'Some believe that the worse it gets for the British, the better for us ...

'That maybe we could delay it all until, for instance, March, increasing the uncertainty and triggering the contingency plans in the corporate sector.'

In a speech in Rome today, Mr Barnier raised concerns about a call by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for the UK to move away from the EU's 'highly protectionist' trade stance.

'When I hear the US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in London call on the British to diverge from Europe to better converge with others - towards less regulation, environmental, health, food and no doubt also financial, fiscal and labour regulation - I have to wonder,' Mr Barnier said.

'The United Kingdom has chosen to leave the European Union. Does it also want to distance itself from the European model? That's another question.'

He added: 'It is up to the British to tell us whether they still adhere to the European model. Their answer is important because it sets the direction for the discussion on our future partnership and the conditions of its ratification.'

Meanwhile, Eurocrat Guy Verhofstadt taunted Britain by dismissing Theresa May's claim we are in 'touching distance' of an agreement on citizens rights and moving on to the next phase of talks.

Eurocrat Guy Verhofstadt rejected Britain's plans to guarantee the rights of EU nationals after Brexit - mocking Theresa May's claims they are within 'touching distance' of a deal (file pic)

But Italy's Europe minister Sandro Gozi is more optimistic saying there is a chance Britain could move on to trade talks by the end of the year.

Ambassadors held a meeting ahead of today's crunch talks to 'scope out' options for the next stage of talks and to put pressure on Mrs May to make commitments on the 60 billion (53 billion) Brexit bill.

A source told The Telegraph: 'The plain fact is that, as Mr Barnier repeatedly says, 'the clock is ticking', and time is not on the British side.

'The longer the UK waits, the more the pressure will build, the more we shake the tree.'

EU leaders are reportedly preparing for the fall of Mrs May before the New Year after she lost two Cabinet ministers in a week with serious questions over the future of others.

And while the PM suffered another blow yesterday when the European Parliament rejected Britain's plans to guarantee the rights of EU nationals after Brexit.

The Parliament's Brexit steering group said there 'are still major issues that have to be resolved', and insisted that registration must be free, automatic and not include criminal records checks.

But former Tory leader and MP Iain Duncan Smith said Europe is in no position to 'lecture' Britain on political stability.

He said: That fact is, I think it is a bit rich of them to speak about this.

'When you look, the Dutch government after months only just managed to find its own feet; it hadn't formed a government.

'Germany still doesn't have an official government. You have chaos in Italy, elections coming up, real problems over the banks.

'And in Spain, pretty much arrests taking place on a daily basis of people who wanted to split the country apart. I think it's a bit rich of the EU to lecture [the UK].

Mr Davis has been on a tour of Europe this week trying to drum up support for Britain's Brexit case - visiting Poland and Italy on his tour.

Mr Gozi, who met Mr Davis during his visit to Rome earlier this week, said he believed there was a chance of reaching a trade deal within the next year.

Theresa May, pictured leaving No10 last night, is facing questions over her future after she lost two Cabinet ministers in a week. Her party and deputy Damian Green have been engulfed in the Westminster sleaze scandal and her Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is also facing calls to quit after a gaffe which could land a British mother with five more years in an Iranian jail

Mr Gozi told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I do believe there is a chance. I think there is a chance in December of starting negotiations for a positive trade relationship.

'I also think that we must start to talk as soon as possible about the transition period, which is very important for the business sector - the UK business sector, but also the EU business sector.'

But Britain faces a race against time to get EU leaders to agree to move on to the next stage of talks.

This is the last round of negotiations before the next summit of EU leaders in December - when they will agree to move on to trade talks or not.

If they refuse to, Britain will have to wait until March before they have another shot at securing an agreement - a year after Article 50 was triggered to kick off the two-year Brexit process.

Meanwhile, the EU Commission has forecast that Britain's growth will lag behind other EU countries over the next three years.

UK GDP growth for 2017 was downgraded to 1.5 per cent - from 1.8 per cent in the previous forecast in the spring.

The prediction for 2018 unchanged at 1.3 per cent and a gloomier 1.1 per cent for 2019, when Britain is due formally to leave the EU.

The commission predicted the eurozone will grow by 2.2 per cent this year, 2.1 per cent next year and 1.9 percent in 2019.
Prison Break star Robert Knepper

Prison Break star Robert Knepper has been accused of sexual assault.

The Twin Peaks actor, 58, has denied allegations that he groped costume designer Susan Bertram while on the set of the 1992 film Gas Food Lodging.

It is the latest in a series of sexual allegations against Hollywood figures sparked by the downfall of Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein last month.

Ms Bertram claims the assault took place when she dropped off some clothes in Knepper's trailer.

She told The Hollywood Reporter that the actor reached up her skirt and grabbed her crotch so hard that she was left bleeding.

She claims he then threw her against a wall and told her: 'I'm going to f*** your brains out' but she pushed him away and ran to a nearby bathroom.

Ms Bertram says she confided in her then-assistant Dominique Dubois but neither spoke to anyone else about the incident.

The costume designer told THR: 'Even if I had said something, what were they going to do? Fire their lead actor?'

Ms Bertram said she had decided to come forward after news broke of the leaked 'Access Hollywood' tape which featured a 2005 conversation between Billy Bush and Donald Trump in which the future president made 'lewd' comments.

'I kind of buried it for a long time until Trump came out with his "Grab em by the p****" thing,' she said. 'When that happened, I started reeling.'

Several Hollywood figures including actors Kevin Spacey and Steven Seagal and directors James Toback and Brett Ratner have been caught up in allegations that have shook the showbusiness world.

The Twin Peaks actor, 58, has denied the sexual assault allegations against him

Knepper released a signed statement via his Instagram account in which he denied the claims

Following Ms Betram's interview, Knepper released a signed statement via his Instagram account in which he denied her story.

He wrote: 'Over the past few weeks, my wife and I have discussed the pain women have experienced and the bravery they have shown in coming forward.

'I am shocked and devastated to be falsely accused of violence against a woman. Thats just not who I am.'
Sickening footage has emerged of foul-mouthed eight-year-olds chasing after a young girl and screaming racist abuse at her.

The group of boys can be heard singing songs about 'n*****s' and calling the girl an 'asian b*****d' in the distressing clip.

The girl, who is about the same age, is forced to pick up a large wooden stick to protect herself.

The boy snatches the stick away from the girl, as he and his friends chant abuse

The group of boys can be heard singing songs about 'n*****s' and calling the girl an 'asian b*****d' in the distressing clip

The disturbing clip was recorded outside Holytown Primary School in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. It is understood it was filmed towards the end of the summer term.

The video begins with a young girl in the distance holding a large wooden stick as a crowd of boys surround her.

A young boy can be heard off camera saying: 'Is it ok if I say something a wee bit racist and you try not to laugh?

'One, two, three, four. How many n*****s are in my store?'

A woman in the park can be heard telling the boys to leave the girl alone. When she asks if they go to Holytown School the boys initially deny it before pointing to the school and saying 'I go there'.

The clip then cuts to the group of screaming boys running across a field and taunting the girl as they shout: 'You asian b*****d' and 'mon you gypsy'.

Later in the footage, a boy takes the girl's wooden stick and another can then be seen chasing her down a street as the others cheer him on.

He then makes a lewd gesture to the camera, and the girl can be seen running away from the group as they scream 'f*** the asians, oh she's stealing.'

A boy takes the girl's wooden stick and another can then be seen chasing her down a street as the others cheer him on

The youngster is chased by the gang across a field, as they cruelly jeer and taunt her

A young boy can be heard off camera saying: 'Is it ok if I say something a wee bit racist and you try not to laugh?'

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: 'This incident took place outwith school grounds and after the school day had ended.

'However, we do not condone any form of racism in our schools and work hard to foster a culture of respect and tolerance among all our pupils.'

A spokesman for the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) said: 'Racial bullying is still racial bullying whether it occurs in schools or outside, and we feel that the school still has a duty to deal with the issues even if they are happening outside the school gates.

'Whilst the boys might think what they are doing is having harmless fun, the effects on the victim can be really serious and long lasting.

'If the video is genuine, then unless some work is done with the boys in question it is quite likely that their attitudes and behaviours will get even worse as they grow up.'

The terrified youngster flees the scene, running around the corner away from the gang

In June this year MSPs on the Equalities and Human Rights Committee said more needed to be done to tackle bullying in schools after hearing 'gut-wrenching' evidence from young people.

The committee's report said it uncovered evidence that prejudice-based bullying was on the increase and that racism had 'made a resurgence'.

A Freedom of Information request to Scottish local councils in 2016 found that there were almost 2,000 incidents of racism recorded in primary schools.
A nine year old boy was referred to the government's anti-terror de-radicalisation programme Prevent after he stood up in class and declared his support for ISIS.

The youngster, who is one of 108 children under 15 who were flagged as possible extremists.

The west London primary school pupil admitted he had watched ISIS execution videos online and went looking for coverage of the Paris terror attacks.

According to the Home Office, after the boy was assessed as a potential risk, he was passed on to experts at the Channel programme. Following 12 months of counselling, the boy, who is now 10, no longer searches for jihadi execution videos.

Home Office figures show that over the period of 12 months, some 20 people a day are being referred to a specialist scheme to help prevent all forms of radicalism

Some 10 per cent of the referrals nationwide relate to those involved in far right activities

The first detailed Home Office analysis of Prevent reveals that 2,127 of those referred to the scheme in 2015/16 were under 15, including more than 500 girls.

Another 2,147 individuals reported for potential intervention over extremism concerns were aged between 15 and 20.

It means more than half of the 7,631 people referred in the 12 months to March 2016 were aged 20 or under.

Prevent aims to reduce the threat to the UK by stopping people being drawn into terrorism.

The initiative is part of the Government's overarching counter-terror strategy known as Contest, which was first drawn up in 2003.

Anyone who is concerned about a person they think may be at risk of radicalisation can refer them to Prevent.

Only a small percentage of referrals are ultimately deemed to require intervention in the anti-extremism sphere.

When authorities conclude there is a risk relating to extremism, the individual can be given support through the Channel scheme.

Engagement with Channel is voluntary and it is not a criminal sanction.

The new Home Office report on the 7,631 referrals to Prevent in 2015/16 show:

2,766 (36 per cent) left the process requiring no further action

3,793 (50 per cent) were 'signposted' to alternative services

1,072 (14 per cent) were assessed as suitable to be discussed at a multi-agency Channel panel

Of the cases examined by Channel, 381 subsequently received support through the programme, including 108 who were under 15.

Boy, 9, declares support for ISIS A boy from west London was nine when he stood up in class and said that he supported ISIS An official said: 'He had found and watched Daesh execution videos after searching for news coverage of the Paris attacks.' At the age of 10 the boy was referred to Prevent and received support through the Channel programme. After a year, he 'stopped searching for those videos' and has turned his life around, the official said. Advertisement

The Home Office said that of those who have left the Channel process, more than four in five were judged to have had their vulnerability to being drawn into terrorism reduced.

Prevent is aimed at all forms of extremism.

The figures show almost 5,000, or just under two-thirds, of referrals in 2015/16 related to concerns about Islamist extremism while 759 (10 per cent) were linked to right-wing extremism.

Of the 4,997 referred over Islamist extremism, three in 10 were under 15, the data shows.

The largest proportion referred in relation to Islamist concerns were from London, at 28 per cent.

Of those flagged up over right-wing extremism the largest proportion were from the North East at 21 per cent. Those referred over right-wing concerns were proportionately more likely to receive Channel support.

Prevent has repeatedly come under fire, with critics labelling it heavy-handed and 'toxic' amid claims it unfairly focuses on the Muslim community.

But police and ministers say it is a crucial plank of wider counter-extremism efforts.

NUMBER AND TYPE OF EXTREMIST REFERRALS FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH'16 Financial Quarter Total Type of Concern Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Prevent Referrals Islamist 1,152 919 1,466 1,460 4,997 Extreme Right Wing 144 146 271 198 759 Other 147 127 248 180 702 Unspecified 422 161 206 384 1,173 TOTAL 1,865 1,353 2,191 2,222 7,631 Discussed at Panel Islamist 160 109 265 285 819 Extreme Right Wing 25 27 80 57 189 Other 8 10 24 22 64 TOTAL 193 146 369 364 1,072 Received Channel Support Islamist 58 48 74 84 264 Extreme Right Wing 14 15 43 27 99 Other 5 -00 8 5 18 TOTAL 77 63 125 116 381 Home Office statistical bulletin

The programme has been credited with playing a role in disrupting more than 150 attempted journeys to the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

In July 2015, authorities including councils and schools were placed under a statutory requirement, known as the Prevent duty, to stop people being drawn into terrorism.

The figures show a sharp jump in referrals following the introduction of the duty, while officials say the increase may also have been linked to the Paris attacks in November 2015.

Marther Spurrier of civil rights group Liberty expressed concern about the figures.

She said: 'They show a sharp rise in the number of people referred, with children disturbingly overrepresented - and large numbers of cases where no further action is taken.'

An NSPCC spokesman said: 'Grooming children to radicalise them is a form of abuse that can have a devastating impact on young peoples lives, and it needs to be stopped.

'Anyone concerned about a young person who they fear is at risk of radicalisation can contact the NSPCCs Helpline on 0808 800 5000.'

EXTREMISTS BY AGE BROKEN DOWN BY REGION IN ENGLAND AND WALES Region Total Age East East Midlands London North East North West South East South West Wales West Midlands Prevent Referrals Under 15 249 172 473 347 284 199 123 29 251 2,127 15 to 20 188 162 432 358 281 269 153 47 257 2,147 21 to 30 109 101 300 204 153 128 94 37 85 1,211 31 to 40 71 49 163 168 72 74 65 16 96 774 41 to 50 39 38 77 76 52 43 46 13 45 429 51 to 60 15 16 29 29 17 18 21 6 15 166 61+ 5 3 9 4 6 4 4 -00 5 40 Unspecified 41 14 432 87 83 48 18 -00 14 737 Total 717 555 1,915 1,273 948 783 524 148 768 7,631 Discussed at Panel Under 15 32 17 60 108 21 15 7 12 29 301 15 to 20 46 15 73 89 41 41 16 12 45 378 21 to 30 28 9 47 38 16 15 14 5 10 182 31 to 40 18 6 32 29 3 5 5 5 7 110 41 to 50 19 3 15 17 5 3 1 4 6 73 51 to 60 6 -00 3 4 3 2 1 2 -00 21 61+ 1 -00 3 1 -00 -00 1 -00 -00 6 Unspecified -00 -00 -00 1 -00 -00 -00 -00 -00 1 Total 150 50 233 287 89 81 45 40 97 1,072 Received Channel Support Under 15 8 8 26 16 12 7 3 11 17 108 15 to 20 13 8 37 27 19 21 7 9 24 165 21 to 30 7 4 13 6 10 7 7 3 8 65 31 to 40 1 1 10 2 2 -00 -00 3 1 20 41 to 50 2 2 7 2 1 1 -00 4 -00 19 51 to 60 -00 -00 1 -00 1 1 -00 1 -00 4 61+ -00 -00 -00 -00 -00 -00 -00 -00 -00 T otal 31 23 94 53 45 37 17 31 50 381

EXTREMIST TYPE BY GEORGRAPHICAL LOCATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES Type of Concern Total Region Islamist Extreme Right Wing Other Unspecified Prevent Referrals East 502 71 35 109 717 East Midlands 342 99 56 58 555 London 1,386 46 49 434 1,915 North East 805 159 81 228 1,273 North West 623 94 148 83 948 South East 399 85 133 166 783 South West 268 75 101 80 524 Wales 101 33 12 2 148 West Midlands 571 97 87 13 768 TOTAL 4,997 759 702 1,173 7,631 Discussed at Panel East 114 27 9 150 East Midlands 28 17 5 50 London 204 17 12 233 North East 240 37 10 287 North West 62 23 4 89 South East 56 17 8 81 South West 26 13 6 45 Wales 24 15 1 40 West Midlands 65 23 9 97 TOTAL 819 189 64 1,072 Received Channel Support East 20 9 2 31 East Midlands 11 10 2 23 London 74 15 5 94 North East 38 11 4 53 North West 32 12 1 45 South East 27 9 1 37 South West 10 7 17 Wales 18 13 31 West Midlands 34 13 3 50 TOTAL 264 99 18 381
An 85-year-old woman has reportedly been brutally murdered by Taliban militants in Afghanistan as punishment for supporting the country's government.

The elderly woman was kidnapped by militants in Garamsir, Helmand province, local government officials said.

The Taliban reportedly accused her of working with the government, and cut her limbs off as punishment before killing her.

Murdered: The elderly woman was kidnapped by Talibans who accused her of working with the government. Pictured are two Taliban fighters in Wardak province, west of Kabu

It is thought that the Taliban held a kangaroo court after suspecting that the 85-year-old had helped the government in some way.

She was 'charged with cooperating with the government and security institutions in Helmand', Khaama Press reports.

A provincial governor's spokesman named Omar Zwak confirmed that the murder had taken place as described, the website writes.

Helman is one of the most volatile areas of Afghanistan, and just last month an 'erroneous' airstrike by Afghan forces killed ten security forces in the province as the country's military tried to oust Taliban fighters from a stronghold.

Brutal: The Taliban fighter reportedly and cut the 85-year-old's limbs off as punishment before killing her (file photo)

The US, which is the only foreign force in Afghanistan carrying out airstrikes, has also increased the number of bombardments in the country since the start of the year.

In September, the US dropped 751 bombs and missiles on Taliban and Islamic State militants, up 50 percent from August and the highest since October 2010, according to US Air Forces Central Command data.

That takes the total number of bombs and missiles this year to 3,238, which is more than the previous two years combined.

The sharp increase follows US President Donald Trump's open-ended strategy announcement in August that involves stepping up attacks on insurgents and deploying more American troops to the country, as well as more aircraft.

But civilians are paying a heavy price for the increased use of airstrikes which often miss their intended target.
A pensioner is embroiled in a legal battle over a slice of her former jive dance partner's 1million fortune.

Carole Taylor, 70, met charismatic James Redmond at a jive-dance evening and claims they lived as 'man and wife' for the last seven years of his life.

She has been left with nothing because the millionaire's will, written 20 years before they met, leaves everything to his adult daughters.

In a court claim, Mrs Taylor is now demanding 325,000 maintenance from the Berkshire gas safety manager's fortune.

Carole Taylor, centre left, is fighting for a share of her millionaire late dance partner James Redmond's, centre right, fortune

Mr Redmond's daughters Lynn Leberknight, left, and Jane Redmond, right, who have had their father's estate left to them in his will, dispute Mrs Taylor's claim and told a court 'she was one of many of his girlfriends'

His daughters, Jane Redmond, 54, and Lynn Leberknight, 51, say she is not due a penny of their dad's money - because their relationship was not 'exclusive'.

They said in the years before his death from prostate cancer aged 74 in 2014, their father was 'not the marrying type' and had numerous romances with ladies  all of whom knew about each other.

One lady, with whom he had had a 15-year relationship, lived at a property of his in Somerset, which he often visited at weekends, the sisters say.

HR director Mrs Redmond, of Ascot, Berkshire, said: 'My father was very charismatic and he did love Carole, I'm not disputing that.

'But it wasn't an exclusive relationship. It was common knowledge that my father had a house and a girlfriend in Somerset.'

Mrs Taylor insisted she was the 'lucky one' of his lady friends because she was the only one invited to spend Christmas with his family.

She said: 'We were very much in love, we didn't need to be married. I was his partner and he was mine.'

Central London County Court heard Mrs Taylor was still married to her husband of 42 years when she first met divorcee Mr Redmond while going dancing at Slough Irish Club.

Mrs Taylor, pictured with Mr Redmond in front of the Sagrada Familia, claims they 'lived together as man and wife for the last seven years of his life before he died of prostate cancer in 2014

They hit it off and formed a friendship, but it was not until after her divorce that she agreed to move in with Mr Redmond at his home in Langley, near Slough, in 2007.

Mrs Taylor says that, because she and Mr Redmond lived together as 'man and wife', it was wrong that he did not make 'reasonable provision' for her in his will.

Her barrister Rory Brown said: 'The deceased was obliged to provide for Mrs Taylor in his will. He knew this and gave her assurances she would be provided for.

'She had a legitimate expectation he would honour his assurances in light of both the care she provided for him, her contributions to renovations of the home, and his provision of free shelter and upkeep for seven years.'

Following his death she said she had been left with nowhere to go and had to move away from the home they had shared in Slough to stay with her son and his partner in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

She claims she has been left with very little to live on and wants 325,000 to buy herself a home and to help cover the costs of day-to-day living.

Representing the daughters, solicitor William Richmond-Coggan said Mrs Taylor cannot expect to be provided for because she was not Mr Redmond's only girlfriend.

Mrs Taylor, pictured outside court, is suing for 325,000 to buy a house and claims she has been left with nothing since his death

He said: 'The deceased was a man who, after he divorced his wife, the late Sylvia Redmond, enjoyed a range of friendships  some of them deep friendships  with other women.

'It is our case that those were relationships which were enjoyed non-exclusively and openly as regards each of the women concerned.

'We say the quality of the relationship which they had was not of the necessary character of exclusivity to be considered a relationship of husband and wife.'

He added: 'According to his ex-wife, he had romantic associations with a number of these other women right up to his death, and made clear to all of them, including Mrs Taylor, that none of those relationships was exclusive.'

Mr Richmond-Coggan claimed Mr Redmond had only asked Mrs Taylor to move in with him because she was a 'vulnerable friend' going through a divorce, and 'after her ex-husband died he asked her to move out'.

The solicitor told the court the millionaire planned to move to France with his daughter Jane and only his declining health had stopped him from 'insisting Mrs Taylor leave his flat'.

Mr Brown, representing Mrs Taylor, said there was a great deal of evidence to suggest she had a loving relationship with Mr Redmond until the end of his life.

He said they were 'well-known on Slough's dancing scene' and enjoyed cruises together, including sharing a cabin on a ship during the summer before Mr Redmond died.

Margaret Maher, a friend of the couple, told the court: 'They were madly in love with each other. You could see that down the club, the way they danced together.'

Mr Brown said even Mrs Leberknight, who lives in the United States with her retired sailor husband, had once backed Mrs Taylor's claim to effectively be one of the family.

In a letter to the NHS, she had described Mrs Taylor as her 'step-mother', adding: 'They're a vibrant, engaging couple. They do the jive, they giggle at each other's jokes. They're fun to be around.'

Judge Stephen Hockman QC said: 'This is a sad dispute. It's a great pity to see people, who I am sure are inherently decent people, falling out and accusing each other of lying.'

He will give his ruling on the case at a later date.
A grandmother has spoken of how her ex-boyfriend cut her throat four times and left her to die after she ended a violent and abusive relationship.

Rachele Godsall, 45, is lucky to be alive after being taken hostage and then surviving a horrific attack last week at their Seville Grove home in Perth's southern suburbs.

'He just grabbed a knife and he just looked at me and just cut my throat,' she told Seven News on Thursday. 'And then he did it three more times.'

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Perth grandmother Rachele Godsall has spoken of surviving a horrific attack by ex-partner

The 45-year-old woman was slashed four times across the throat and left to die on the floor

Brad Peterson then left her to die on the floor as blood spurted from her throat, and her arms were wounded in self defence, following that brutal attack on Tuesday last week.

'Once he's seen the blood spurting out, I was holding on to my throat and he kind of got off me,' Ms Godall said.

Drifting in and out of consciousness, the battered woman stayed alive for the sake of her loved ones, including her four-year-old granddaughter.

'I just wanted to see my kids and my granddaughter,' she said.

Following that failed murder attempt, the New Zealand woman had to undergo tracheotomy surgery at Royal Perth Hospital to repair her windpipe so she could breathe.

Rachele Godsall was taken hostage and slashed across the throat by an abusive ex-boyfriend

Ms Godsall, who now wears a bandage over her throat, said her abusive partner tried to kill her after she had told him she wanted to end the relationship.

A day earlier, on the Monday, Mr Peterson had taken her hostage after she had returned to Perth from her shift at a mine site.

He then smacked her mouth, tied her up and gagged her before driving them to nearby bushland where he tried to kill them both.

He later took her back to their home, confiscating her mobile phone and keys and menacingly telling her to avoid contacting police.

Brad Peterson died in a car crash several hours after trying to kill a woman who had left him

She was attacked the next morning when she told him she wanted to leave him and tried to retrieve her car keys.

As she lay bleeding, he got in her car and left.

Ms Godsall managed to get help from a neighbour while her abusive ex-boyfriend died in a car crash several hours later as he drove into oncoming traffic.

She told Seven News she had stayed in an abusive relationship because still loved her partner.

'When he was good, he was good,' she said.

Her sister Justine Godsall has set up a Go Fund Me appeal in the hope of raising $10,000 so Rachele Godsall can buy a car to attend months of appointments with physiotherapists and doctors.
On Thursday, two of America's queens of talk, Oprah and Ellen, released footage from interviews with Vice President Joe Biden, which will air in full later this week.

'I have a regret that I am not president,' Biden candidly told Oprah, for an interview with OWN, which airs Sunday. 'Because I think there's so much opportunity. I think America's so incredibly well-positioned.'

On Ellen, the comedian pleaded with the ex-vice president to run for the presidency in 2020.

'Just remember, that is what I'd like to see,' Ellen said. 'I don't know if it's going to be myself or Oprah as your running mate,' she said, grabbing his hand.

Vice President Joe Biden sat down with Oprah for an interview that is airing on Sunday and talked about why he didn't run for president in 2016

He told Oprah (pictured) that while he thought he was the best candidate for the job, he couldn't give the run everything after the death of his eldest son, Beau, who was also in politics

Former Vice President Joe Biden (left) sat down with Oprah (right) as part of his book tour for his forthcoming tome, 'Promise Me, Dad'

For her part, Ellen (right) begged former Vice President Joe Biden (left) to jump into the next presidential race in 2020 - saying either she or Oprah would be his running mate

After the ask, former Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Ellen (right) grabbed hands. The ex-veep has said he's decided not to decide yet, leaving the door open for a run

Biden told Ellen that right now he just wanted to focus on 'my boy,' the late Beau Biden.

The title of the ex-veep's new book, 'Promise Me, Dad,' comes from Beau asking that the former vice president be OK as his son faced the cancer that eventually killed him.

It was that grief over losing Beau, Biden said, that kept him from entering the presidential race, which the Democrats eventually lost to now President Donald Trump.

'Oprah, no woman or man should announce they are running for president unless they can answer two questions: One, do they truly believe they are the most qualified person for that moment. I believed I was,' Biden said.

It was the second question that stopped him.

'But was I prepared to be able to give my whole heart, my whole soul and all my attention to the endeavor?' he mused. 'And I knew I wasn't.'

In another clip from the interview, he repeats that he knew, a month out, that Hillary Clinton's candidacy was doomed.

'A month out, I came back and said, we're going to lose this election,' Biden said.

In June, Politico reported that Biden had said at a donor conference that he knew a month out that Clinton would lose key battleground states.

Biden, however, had not previously expressed that publicly.

He also campaigned furiously for Clinton in those waning weeks.

OBAMA'S CHOICE: If Vice President Joe Biden (left) had entered the presidential race in 2016 President Obama would have been forced to choose between his veep and his former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (right)

In a DailyMail.com exclusive peek at Biden's new book, he wrote that he believed he could win the election.

And he was especially potent in Clinton's electoral trouble spots.

'My numbers on trustworthiness, honesty, and empathy were as high as they had ever been,' he wrote, looking back to the time where he was mulling a campaign. 'And I was strongest where the most formidable candidate, Hillary Clinton, was weakest: the key swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida.'

Biden revealed that he was also guided by President Obama not to run.

'In January 2015 the president was convinced I could not beat Hillary, and he worried that a long primary fight would split the party and leave the Democratic nominee vulnerable in the general election,' Biden wrote.

Biden said Obama had become 'preoccupied' with the predicament of whether Biden would run, which would pit his vice president against his former secretary of state.

Obama, Biden acknowledged, was 'subtly weighing in against' it.

'Barack and I knew, coverage in the West Wing would shift from his agenda to my chances. I also believe he had concluded that Hillary Clinton was almost certain to be the nominee,' he said.

Biden also feared the wrath of Clinton's supporters who he feared would 'stop at nothing' to quash a potential Biden bid.

In trying to help his wife, former President Bill Clinton distanced himself from a 1994 crime bill he signed into law.

'He was now calling it a big mistake,' Biden noted.

A negative news story had come out tying Biden to the unpopular legislation, articulating his role in its passage as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

'And Clinton backers sent a signal that they would not stop at voting records and policies if I did get in the race,' Biden said.

Things got worse in October 2015 when Politico published a piece, 'EXCLUSIVE: Biden himself leaked word of his son's dying wish,' as Beau Biden had reportedly pushed his father to run for president.

'The vice president is in mourning. He's also calculating,' the piece charged.

In the book, Biden wrote, 'I should have seen this coming, I guess.'

'The Politico story exceeded even my worst expectations of what the opposition was going to be like,' he wrote. 'The idea that I would use my son's death to political advantage was sickening.'

Later that month, Biden appeared in the White House Rose Garden and said he wouldn't be a candidate.

In the months following, Biden family drama created headlines too, including son Hunter's bitter divorce from his wife Kathleen, who accused him of doing drugs and hiring prostitutes, blowing the family's money on these hobbies.

Then Hunter Biden would start a relationship with his dead brother's wife, Hallie.

But Joe Biden won't close the door on running for office again.

'I've decided I'm not going to decide not to run,' he recently told Vanity Fair.
The three wealthiest men in the United States are richer than half the population combined, a new report shows.

Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett have a total wealth of $248.5bn.

That's more than around 160million Americans combined, the report titled Billionaire Bonanza by Inequality.org says.

Bill Gates (left), Jeff Bezos (right) and Warren Buffett have a total wealth of $248.5bn

The trio's wealth is more than around 160million Americans combined, the report called Billionaire Bonanza by Inequality.org said

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is worth $89billion, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has $81.5billion and financier Warren Buffet controls $78billion.

The report using Forbes richlist data also found that the 400 richest people in the US are worth a combined $2.68trillion - around the same as the gross domestic product of the UK.

It says: 'Our wealthiest 400 now have more wealth combined than the bottom 64 per cent of the US population, an estimated 80million households or 204million people.

Warren Buffett attends the Forbes Media Centennial Celebration in September 2017

'That's more people than the population of Canada and Mexico combined.'

The report advocates a host of punitive tax measures against wealth creators, including increasing capital gains tax and estate tax.

It calls on President Trump to drop proposed tax cuts and demands increasing taxes on 'our wealthiest households'.

Economist Chuck Collins, co-author of the report, said: 'Wealth inequality is on the rise. Now is the time for actions that reduce inequality, not tax cuts for the very wealthy.'

The left-wing report did not mention that in 2010 Gates and Buffett created the Giving Pledge, a promise to give at least half of their wealth to charity.

Gates alone has already given away $35billion, with at least $8billion dedicated to improving global health.

The report concludes: 'The elite ranks of our billionaire class continue to pull apart from the rest of us. We have not witnessed such extreme levels of concentrated wealth and power since the first Gilded Age a century ago.

'Such staggering levels of wealth inequality threaten our democracy, compound racial and class divisions, undermine social cohesion, and destabilize our economy.'

We should stop attacking the rich and instead help the poor. Poverty is the problem - not inequality. Mark Littlewood, Director General, IEA

The Institute for Policy Studies which was involved in producing the report, claims that inequality is leading to a 'moral crisis'.

But economists have criticised the focus on inequality. Inequality is necessary to provide incentive for innovation and wealth creation - the real issue is poverty.

Mark Littlewood, General Director of the IEA, told MailOnline: 'This apparent fixation with inequality distracts from what should be the real priority for politicians: how to improve the living standards of the poorest in society. The circumstances and spending power of the poor are far more important than reducing ratios between the super-rich and the rich.

'There are unfortunately still millions of impoverished people. Rather than focusing on the wealth of the top one per cent, we should be promoting policies such as free trade and open markets that have lifted so many out of poverty already in places like China and India.'

This table shows the top 12 richest people in the world from the Forbes richlist

This table shows how much wealth the richest have in comparison to Americans
Devin Kelley (pictured) father has broken his silence, three days after the Texas church shooting

The father of Texas church shooter Devin Kelley has broken his silence.

In an off-camera interview with ABC News on Wednesday, Michael Kelley said 'we are grieving, our family is grieving'.

The 61-year-old spoke to reporters from his home in New Braunfels, where his 26-year-old son was living before carrying out the worst shooting in state history.

'I don't want our lives, our grandchildren's lives, destroyed by this media circus,' Michael added.

Michael and his wife Rebecca, 59, own a software company.

Kelley had reportedly moved back in with his parents sometime this year, after living in Colorado with his wife Danielle.

At some point after moving back to Texas, he and his wife had a falling out, police say.

It's believed that Kelley may have been targeting his wife's mother on Sunday, since she is a member of the church.

Michelle Shields decided to skip church that day, so was not among the victims. But her mom attended church and was killed.

Michael Kelley would have known well his son's struggles to stay on the straight and narrow.

Michael Kelley spoke to reporters from his home in New Braunfels (above on Monday) on Wednesday

In the days following the attack, details about Kelley's life before the shooting have been steadily streaming out - painting the picture of an abusive bully, who should have been in a mental hospital or prison.

Records that emerged this week add up to at least three missed opportunities that might have offered law enforcement a way to stop Kelley from having access to guns long before he slaughtered much of the congregation in the middle of a Sunday service.

The Air Force confirmed Tuesday that Kelley had been treated at a mental health facility in 2012 after he was placed under pretrial confinement stemming from a court-martial on charges that he assaulted his then-wife and hit her child hard enough to fracture the boy's skull.

Involuntary commitment to a mental institution would have been grounds to deny him a weapon provided that records of his confinement were submitted to the federal database used to conduct background checks on people who try to purchase guns.

Kelley was also caught trying to bring guns onto Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico when he was stationed there, according to an El Paso, Texas, police report released Tuesday.

While in the military, Kelley, who was 21 at the time, made death threats against superior officers, according to the June 2012 report, which also mentioned the military charges. He was eventually sentenced to 12 months of confinement for the assault.

Kelley killed 26 and injured 20 at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on Sunday before committing suicide

The Air Force acknowledged Monday that it did not enter Kelley's criminal history into the federal database as required by military rules, another way he could have been denied a weapon.

Had Kelley been convicted of sexual assault, he would likely have been prevented from purchasing a gun because federal guidelines prohibit sales to anyone convicted of a felony punishable by more than one year in prison. The Comal County sheriff said he was reviewing whether his department mishandled the sexual assault investigation.

Authorities recovered a Ruger AR-556 rifle at the church and two handguns from the shooter's vehicle. All three weapons were purchased by Kelley, said Fred Milanowski, the agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Houston.

The El Paso report notes that Kelley was committed to a mental health facility in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, but at some point escaped and was later found by police at a bus station in downtown El Paso in June 2012.

Before he left, he told patients that he had ordered guns off the internet, CBS News revealed Wednesday.

Vice President Mike Pence spoke to first responders and victims near the site of the shooting on Wednesday

Families of those slain during the attack take part in a memorial service on Wednesday

Among the crowd of mourners on Wednesday was hero Stephen Willeford, who ran to the church with his own gun when he heard shots ring out

A makeshift memorial as been set up to the more than two dozen lives lost

Deputies were called to Kelley's home in New Braunfels in June 2013 about the rape case and investigated for three months, Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds said. But it appeared that they stopped investigating after they believed Kelley left Texas and moved to Colorado. Reynolds said the case was then listed as inactive.

The sheriff said he was trying to determine how deputies came to believe Kelley had moved and why they did not continue to pursue the case, either in Colorado or after Kelley returned to the area later. Deputies were called to the same house in February 2014 to investigate a domestic violence report involving Kelley and Danielle Shields, his girlfriend at the time, whom he married two months later.

'The last information that we have is the suspect moved to Colorado and then the investigation seems to have tapered off,' Reynolds said Tuesday. 'That's what we're looking into.'

The district attorney for Comal County said in an interview that she became aware of the sexual assault case Monday before the records were released to The Associated Press and other media.

'That case was never presented to our office,' Jennifer Tharp said.

The records from Comal County also describe a burglary that Kelley's father reported on his property the day after the sexual assault report. Michael Kelley told an officer that someone had taken a laptop computer and hard drive belonging to his son from a barn he had converted into an apartment for Devin Kelley. But Kelley said his son was unavailable to talk to police because he had been in a traffic accident that morning.

None of the documents explains whether there was a connection between the sexual assault report and the burglary report.
The man who allegedly assaulted GOP Sen. Rand Paul outside his Kentucky residence pleaded not guilty Thursday to misdemeanor assault in the fourth degree at his arraignment in Bowling Green.

Rene Boucher allegedly tackled Paul, breaking six of his ribs and sustaining bruised lungs. There was no change to the charges and no change in bond.

The attorney representing Boucher said Monday that attacking the Kentucky Republican had "absolutely nothing" to do with politics.

"The unfortunate occurrence of November 3 has absolutely nothing to do with either's politics or political agendas," a statement by attorney Matthew Baker said. "It was a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial."

A neighbor who did not want to be identified previously told CNN the two men have been "quibbling" over yard waste for years.

According to the neighbor, Paul and Boucher share a property line in a gated community and have a long-running dispute over grass clippings and leaves blown onto each others' lawns.

The neighbor did not witness Boucher allegedly assaulting Paul on Friday, and therefore could not say definitively if this is what led to the attack.

CNN previously reported that Boucher posted $7,500 bail.

According to the Bowling Green Daily News, Boucher is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist, and Boucher's attorney's statement noted that he and Paul worked together when they "were both practicing physicians."
Even by her standards, it's been a diabolical couple of weeks for PM Theresa May

'What's your new Prime Minister Theresa like?' asked Donald Trump when I spoke to him after he won the US election this time last year.

'I like her,' I replied. 'She's a tough, no-nonsense woman who spent six years in charge of our Home Office overseeing domestic security. She is a very safe pair of hands. Just the kind of person we need running Britain in these uncertain times.'

'Yes, I hear that too,' Trump said. 'That's good. I think we'll get along well.'

I thought of that conversation today as I surveyed the blazing wreckage of Mrs May's government after a second cabinet minister quit in just two weeks and the howling mainstream and social media mob bays for more scalps.

Even by her standards, it's been a diabolical couple of weeks for the beleaguered PM.

First, she lost her experienced defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon in a knee-touching sexual harassment scandal.

By allowing him to be sacrificed at the current frenzied altar of personal conduct that some saints might fail, May has set the bar for resignation so low the entire cabinet might find themselves struggling to attain the exulted new standards required for ministerial office.

To compound this fiasco, she then allowed her own chief whip Gavin Williamson to appoint himself to the job vacancy he just helped create, despite having zero cabinet experience.

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When I spoke to Donald Trump after he won the US election this time last year, he said he thought he would 'get along well' with May (pictured together in January)

Our military, at a time of unprecedented terror threats, is thus now in the hands of a duplicitous little toad who doesn't look or sound like he knows one end of a rifle from another, notwithstanding his apparent expertise in shooting people in the back.

Then Damian Green, May's No2 and her oldest friend in politics, was also accused of historic sex-pestery and of once possibly having 'extreme' porn on his Westminster office computer.

Green is now hanging on by the tiniest fragment of his blackened fingernails, his authority as Deputy Prime Minister drained to the point of oblivion as the nation chortles at the thought of his X-rated shenanigans.

Completing this unedifying trifecta of over-sexed married government clods was Mark Garnier, International Trade Minister, who called his assistant 'sugartits' and asked her to buy sex toys from Soho.

As all this was going on, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson  who, bearing in mind his well documented track record of infidelity has so far somewhat miraculously survived the new puritanical purge - made a mistake so horrendous it may lead to a British woman spending years more in a hellhole Iranian jail, then absurdly tried to pretend he'd been misquoted when video evidence showed quite clearly that he hadn't.

This double whammy of dangerous woeful incompetence and barefaced fibbing has reignited the fury of his many critics.

New Statesman columnist Martin Fletcher called him a 'chaotic, mendacious, philandering, egotistical, disloyal and thoroughly untrustworthy charlatan'. And they were some of the more complimentary words I heard about Boris this week.

Now, International Secretary Priti Patel has been forced to quit after sneaking off to secret meetings in Israel and then lying about them.

May lost her experienced defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon in a knee-touching sexual harassment scandal

Judging by the way she was caught smirking in her car yesterday, I suspect Ms Patel is quite happy to be vacating a government teetering on the brink of collapse.

This chillingly ambitious creature  whose stupendous ego is, I fear, writing cheques her more limited ability can't cash - will have her beady ruthless eye on the main prize as she now exacts revenge on May from the backbenches.

When confronted with such an obvious case of rank, wilfully outrageous insubordination, a leader has two choices: sack or don't sack the miscreant.

Damian Green was also accused of historic sex-pestery and of once possibly having 'extreme' porn on his office computer

Instead, May dithered as the furore grew predictably worse, and then finally allowed Patel to resign rather than do what I would have done, which is have her escorted out of Downing Street by armed guards with the word 'TRAITOR' branded on her forehead.

Just when I thought this fortnight of grotesque farce couldn't get any more risible, Patel's fixer on the Israel trip, Lord Polak, fled a TV crew last night as a woman shouted: 'I'm sorry but we have a massage here and we need it quiet please.'

You literally couldn't make this stuff up.

It all adds up to a picture of complete and utter chaos; a rudderless, clueless, mutinous government raging out of control and surging inexorably towards disintegration.

And it couldn't be happening at a worse time as we try to extricate ourselves from Europe without bankrupting ourselves.

This ridiculously embarrassing situation is not lost on the rest of the world.

Steven Erlanger, the New York Times man in Britain, wrote an excoriating piece about us this week.

'Many Britons see their country as a brave galleon, banners waving, cannons firing, trumpets blaring,' he declared, 'but Britain is now but a modest-sized ship on the global ocean. Having voted to leave the European Union, it is unmoored, heading to nowhere, while on deck, fire has broken out and the captain  poor Theresa May  is lashed to the mast without the authority to decide whether to turn to port or starboard, let alone do what one imagines she knows would be best, which is to turn around and head back to shore.'

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson made a mistake so horrendous it may lead to a British woman spending years more in a hellhole Iranian jail

He described Britain as 'embracing an introverted irrelevance', and a 'hollowed-out country' engaged in 'controlled suicide'.

It was a brutally savage assessment, and pretty rich coming from an American given their own political landscape, but he's not entirely wrong, is he?

Theresa May promised us 'strong and stable'.

Instead, we've got 'weak and calamitous'.

After the election debacle last June, I urged May to quit.

She'd thrown away a 21-point lead in the polls, presided over one of the worst campaigns in living memory and come perilously close to losing to a man in Jeremy Corbyn whose own party thought was laughably unelectable.

Only a dirty underhand deal to buy off the bigots of the DUP temporarily saved her.

Everything I thought about May as a 'safe pair of hands' was cruelly exposed during that election as the complete opposite: she bottled the TV debates, presented preposterously bad policies like the dementia tax, exuded the air of a stammering, lacklustre, vision-devoid robot, and burst into tears when the shocking results came in.

May should have fallen on her sword the next day but inexplicably chose to stumble on.

There's nothing worse than watching a politically crippled Prime Minister pathetically try to cling onto power after a nation has delivered a resounding two fingers at the ballot box.

It rarely ends, as we are now seeing, in anything other than ignominious failure.

International Secretary Priti Patel (pictured last night) has been forced to quit after sneaking off to secret meetings in Israel and then lying about them

Theresa May is not a bad person. She's a decent woman who I suspect is genuinely aghast at the behaviour of many of her colleagues.

But she is a very bad leader.

By chance, I saw her at an event in London last night.

In fact, I arrived at the exact same time as she swept in with her motorcade and security detail.

She had all the trappings of power but she looked haunted and hunted; someone desperately trying to stop the ship sinking on her watch but without the first idea how to do it.

The ship will inevitably sink unless something is done very soon to fix the myriad gaping holes listing it towards the rocks.

That can only happen with a new captain.

Frankly, I wouldn't trust Theresa May right now to run a jellied eels market stall, let alone the country.

She's lost her authority, her power, her reputation and her dignity.

Every second she continues to remain in office will simply cause further damage to her, her government and, most importantly, the country.

Yes, if she resigns it will force another Conservative leadership contest, with the added risk of triggering another general election, but this current debacle cannot continue.

The Theresa May experiment has spectacularly flopped and the Tories all know it.

The Prime Minister has to go, and she has to go now.
Saudi billionaires are racing to get their assets out of the kingdom before officials seize $800 billion of funds as more than 200 people are arrested.

Some of Saudi Arabia's richest families are in talks with banks and asset management companies to shift their fortunes so that their money and properties are not captured by the anti-corruption sweep.

Saudi Arabia's attorney general says the kingdom has called in 208 people for questioning in the probe, estimating hundreds of billions of dollars were misused through embezzlement and corruption in past decades.

An estimated 1,700 bank accounts have been frozen and those in the firing line risk having their assets and properties seized by the government as it attempts to flush out fraud in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. With the purge, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appears to have centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history

Saud al-Mojeb said in a statement on Thursday that seven people were released without charge, leaving 201 people still detained.

Critics and observers say the purge that has targeted top princes, officials, military officers and businessmen is a power grab by the crown prince to sideline potential rivals and critics.

Al-Mojeb says action was taken to suspend personal bank accounts, but did not disclose any figures.

The government has also declined to name the individuals being questioned, saying it is respecting their privacy during this phase of the process.

So far at least 11 princes and 38 former government ministers have been detained in the crackdown ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though there are said to be more names on the hit list.

They have all had their bank accounts frozen and risk having their assets and properties seized by the government as it attempts to flush out fraud in Saudi Arabia.

While some wealthy Saudis are selling investments in neighbouring countries to turn them into cash or liquid holding overseas, according to half a dozen sources close to the trade deals who talked to Bloomberg.

The uncertainty in the region has also had an impact on investors, who are selling off their stock pushing the indexes lower.

On Tuesday, Gulf investors sold $92.5 million worth of Dubai stocks, the most since February.

As the net is cast wider by government officials, the hierarchy are said to be eyeing up cash and assets worth around $800billion, according to Wall Street Journal who quoted sources close to the matter.

It is believed the number of those detained has now reached more than 60, but that the government is watching more notable figures.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is one of the men who has been detained

Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal - who is one of the richest men in the world and owns the British capital's top hotel the Savoy - is one of the men who has been detained.

He also owns the huge Kingdom Tower in Riyadh - a 99-storey skyscraper which features a Four Seasons hotel, luxury apartments and a shopping maul.

The Saudi information ministry stated the government would seize any asset or property related to the alleged corruption, meaning London's Savoy hotel could become state property in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, in an astonishing move, Saudi Arabia princes fleeing the purge have been offered asylum in Yemen by the same rebels they are bombing.

Houthi rebels have made the offer of political asylum to princes and a source told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that any Saudi prince or national seeking refuge would be 'welcomed' by Yemen, their 'brotherly neighbour'.

'We are ready to offer sanctuary to any member of the Al Saud family or any Saudi national that wants to flee oppression and persecution,' the source said.

The Kingdom Tower in Riyadh, owned by Saudi billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal

The Saudi information ministry yesterday sought to reassure investors the sweeping anti-corruption purge would not affect businesses, including those with ties to arrested suspects, as authorities appeared to widen the crackdown.

Dozens of high-profile figures including princes, ministers were arrested at the weekend in the biggest purge of the kingdom's elite in modern Saudi history.

The crackdown has triggered uncertainty among businesses that could intensify capital flight or derail reforms, experts say, at a time when the kingdom is seeking to attract badly needed investments amid a protracted oil slump.

Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned that any assets related to the corruption cases would be seized as state property.

The Saudi royal family arrests: Those detained in the anti-corruption purge include Prince Miteb, Prince Turki and Prince Alwaleed (circled in red)

'It is worth clarifying that concerned individual accounts rather than their corporate businesses have been put in suspension until final court rulings,' central bank chief Ahmed Abdulkarim AlKholifey said in a statement.

'In other words, corporate businesses remain unaffected.

'It is business as usual for both banks and corporates,' he said, adding that there were no restrictions on money transfers through legal banking channels.

Separately, Saudi commerce minister Majid al-Qasabi said that companies, including those owned by the arrested elites, will be accorded 'full protection' under the law.

Local media has reported new arrests of well-known businessmen since the weekend crackdown, including Naser bin Aqeel al-Tayyar, the founder of one of Saudi Arabia's biggest travel companies

In a statement to Saudi stock exchange, his company said it was aware of reports of Tayyar's arrest, adding it confirms the 'continuation of business to serve the interests of shareholders and customers'.

With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appears to have centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history.

US President Donald Trump has voiced support for the crackdown, saying some of those arrested had been 'milking their country for years'.
A final Paddington Bear book in which the marmalade-loving character visits St Paul's Cathedral is being published, a year after the death of his creator.

Author Michael Bond, who penned more than 150 books, died in June, aged 91, following a short illness.

He was inspired to write Paddington At St Paul's, a picture book, by a ceremony at the cathedral to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

His Reflection On The Passing Of The Years was read at the service in St Paul's Cathedral by Sir David Attenborough, who, like Bond, was born in the same year as the Queen.

Bond's creation made his big screen debut in 2014 and Paddington 2 is released nationwide tomorrow (pictured)

Michael Bond, pictured with his beloved bear, at Hampton Court Palace in 2005

In Paddington At St Paul's, chaos ensues when the bear is mistaken for a choirboy during a visit to the London landmark.

With illustrations by RW Alley, who has illustrated the Paddington Bear books since 1997, the publication of the book will mark the 60th anniversary of A Bear Called Paddington, Bond's first book about the character.

The announcement of the new book was made days before a memorial service is due to take place for the author at the cathedral.

Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, said: 'If the outpouring of wonderful messages of condolence we received from my father's fans is anything to go by, there will be many people who will be delighted to learn there is another Paddington book to look forward to.

'Our family feel immensely proud that we will be honouring his life at St Paul's Cathedral and the fact that this is the setting for his final story makes it very special indeed.'

In Paddington 2, Hugh Grant he takes on the character of wicked criminal Phoenix Buchanan

HarperCollins Children's Books executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh said: 'We are deeply honoured to be publishing the final Paddington story from our most cherished author, Michael Bond.

'Paddington At St Paul's is Michael's parting gift to all his fans - a simply classic Paddington story, brimming with curiosity, charm and affectionate exuberance.'

She added: 'It is illustrated by Bob Alley, who worked closely with Bond for many years and, in a beautiful serendipity, is set in St Paul's Cathedral where we will be celebrating Michael's life and works next week.'

Michael Bond, pictured in 2016, with schoolchildren holding up his much-loved character

A rare first edition of A Bear Called Paddington annotated by Michael Bond

Bond became a beloved giant of children's literature after his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958, about the bear from Peru who loves marmalade.

Sales of that story and its sequels are now approaching 40 million.

Bond's creation made his big screen debut in 2014 and Paddington 2 is released nationwide tomorrow.

Meanwhile Marks & Spencer have launched a Paddington themed Christmas advert.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has defied calls to quit despite a growing backlash over his 'heartless' sacking of Carl Sargeant  who took his own life amid sex harassment allegations.

Mr Jones failed to apologise to the family of his late colleague, as he insisted he did everything 'by the book' and had 'no alternative but to take the action I took'.

The First Minister may face an investigation after it emerged Mr Sargeant died without ever knowing the details of the claims against him.

And speaking in Cardiff yesterday, the Welsh Labour chief again refused to go into any details of the case as there is an inquest investigation looming.

And he refused to answer any questions - leaving promptly after he finished reading out his short, prepared statement.

Mr Sargeant's family have torn into Labour for failing to give him 'common courtesy, decency or natural justice' by withholding details of the claims against him.

And ex minister Leighton Andrews made shocking claims there was a 'toxic' culture of 'bullying and mind-games' in the Welsh government.

In an explosive blog post, he said there was a 'deliberate' campaign to try to undermine Mr Sargeant in Cardiff.

But appearing before the press at the Welsh Assembly yesterday, Mr Jones dug in and insisted he had followed due process in handling the investigation.

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Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones defied calls to quit after his colleague Carl Sargeant killed himself after being sacked over sexual harassment allegations

Mr Jones insisted he did all he could to ensure that everything was being done 'by the book' in the investigation into his long-time Labour colleague Carl Sargeant

He said: 'There is a legal process to go through and I am obviously acting within that. I welcome any scrutiny of my actions in the future and it is appropriate for that to be done independently.

'I quite properly did all that I could to make sure that everything was being done by the book.

QUESTIONS JONES MUST ANSWER Why was Carl Sargeant not told the details of the claims against him? Why were the family's concerns about the impact of the investigation on his mental health not responded t properly? Why was he suspended before the allegations against him were investigated and proved? Was there a toxic atmosphere in the Welsh Assembly government? Was there a concerted campaign to undermine Mr Sargeant in the administration? Did he receive a complaint in 2014 about a campaign to undermine Mr Sargeant? and if he did, what was done? Advertisement

'I had no alternative but to take the action that I did and I hope that people will understand that.

'Carl was a true force of nature  he drove through more legislation than any other Minister. Not just through force of argument, but through force of personality.

'Wales has lost a person of great warmth, ability and charisma. These are the darkest days any of us can remember in this institution  but they are darkest of all for the family, and we must respect their right to grieve in peace at this time.'

He paid tribute to Mr Sargeant, who he said he has not had a cross word with in the many years they knew each other.

He said: 'Carl was my friend. In all the years that I knew him I never had a cross word with him. For 14 years we worked together.

'He was a great Chief Whip and a Minister who served his country with distinction.

'I cannot conceive of what Bernie and the family must be going through.

The Welsh Labour chief announced his decision after holding a meeting with other Welsh Assembly members behind closed doors.

His decision came just hours after Jeremy Corbyn refused to back him to stay in the post.

While explosive new claims made by Mr Andrews in his blog post piled further pressure on he First Minister to go.

The former public services minister said he raised a specific complaint with Mr Jones in 2014 but 'there was no due process'.

CARWYN JONES STATEMENT IN FULL First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: 'This is an awful situation for everyone. I want to talk about Carl and his family. 'We're all very shocked by what happened this week. There is great hurt, anger and bewilderment. 'Carl was my friend. In all the years that I knew him I never had a cross word with him. For 14 years we worked together. He was a great Chief Whip and a Minister who served his country with distinction. 'I cannot conceive of what Bernie and the family must be going through. 'There are a lot of inaccuracies in the press and many of you have questions to ask about what happened last week. 'Everybody is grieving and it is not appropriate for me to get into the precise detail. These are matters for the future - things that will need to be properly disclosed through what should be a Coroner's Inquest. 'As there will in all probability be an Inquest, I and my team will of course be cooperating fully with any questions that are raised there. 'The family deserve to have their questions answered and if that isn't possible through the Inquest then I will endeavour to make that happen through other means. 'There is a legal process to go through and I am obviously acting within that. I welcome any scrutiny of my actions in the future and it is appropriate for that to be done independently. 'I quite properly did all that I could to make sure that everything was being done by the book. I had no alternative but to take the action that I did and I hope that people will understand that. 'Carl was a true force of nature  he drove through more legislation than any other Minister. Not just through force of argument, but through force of personality. 'Wales has lost a person of great warmth, ability and charisma. These are the darkest days any of us can remember in this institution  but they are darkest of all for the family, and we must respect their right to grieve in peace at this time.' Advertisement

He wrote: 'Carl's solicitor, his family and friends, believe that he was not given the benefit of due process over the complaints made against him, and that the interviews given on Monday by the First Minister prejudiced any inquiry in themselves.

'Friends in north Wales tell me those interviews fuelled Carl's despair.

'But in terms of due process, they undermined what had been set in train when the issue had been handed off to the Labour Party last Friday.

'There was no due process either when I made my complaint to the First Minister in 2014.'

He said the atmosphere inside the Welsh administrations had become more poisonous by September 2014.

He added: 'Carl was unquestionably the target of some of this behaviour. The relentless drip-drip of disinformation  and worse  had a strain on his and others' mental health.

'The First Minister was made aware of this by several ministers, including myself. Nothing was done.

'In a normal workplace, it would have been tackled.

'It was damaging to the mental health of ministers and special advisers.'

Welsh Labour have been plunged into turmoil and are facing serious questions about their investigation following the death of the Assembly Member.

It has emerged that Labour bosses were also warned of his 'anxiety and distress' over the allegations, 24 hours before his body was discovered in his Connah's Quay home.

His devastated family have released letters and emails to party officials claiming he was unable to fight claims of sexual harassment, inappropriate touching and groping.

Asked after a speech in London whether he could offer Mr Jones his backing, Mr Corbyn dodged the question.

He said: 'Clearly an inquest will follow.

'Inquiries will then follow. We will have to await the outcome of those. It would be wrong for any speculation by me or anybody else to take place on those circumstances.'

Askar Sheibani, a Labour activist and tech entrepreneur, said former Welsh government cabinet minister Mr Sargeant could 'only take so much' of the treatment he faced from his own party.

Carl Sargeant (right) opens a business with First Minister Carwyn Jones (left) and Labour activist and tech entrepreneur Askar Sheibani (centre)

A private ambulance believed to be carrying the body of former Welsh government minister Carl Sargeant leaves his home in North Wales on Tuesday - four days after his sacking

He said: 'It's disgusting and sad that the system had failed him. The system sentenced him to death. The same system that he proudly fought for.

'If there was a proper system and proper support in place from the beginning this would not have happened'.

Mr Sargeant's wife Bernie, 48, and children Jack, 23, and Lucy, 25, pointed the finger at Labour and said he was not afforded 'common courtesy, decency or natural justice'.

Labour was warned of AM's fragile mental health just 24 hours before his death First Minister Carwyn Jones (pictured) is under pressure Carl Sargeant's lawyer was in contact with Labour about his client's mental health and concerns about the inquiry on the day before his death. He also accused First Minister Carwyn Jones of repeatedly refusing to tell him about the sexual allegations he faced. Email from Sam Matthews to Carl and his lawyer at 4.33pm on Friday, November 3 It says: 'Hi Carl. Thank you for your call. 'If you have any further questions about the conduct of the Party's investigation, this is the best email address to reach me on. 'For your reference and as requested, I have attached Appendix 6 which outlines the process for a hearing of the NCC - something which will occur if the NEC Disputes Panel refer the matter to the NCC [The National Constitutional Committee]... Kind regards, Sam' His solicitor Huw Bowden wrote to Sam Matthews, Head of Disputes for the Labour Party in London on Monday, November 6 It said: 'My client had been led to believe the allegations concern conduct that you [Sam Matthews] described as him [Carl Sargeant] having acted towards others in such a way as alleged to be 'unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping'. 'We make it clear that any such allegations are categorically denied. 'We request immediate details as to the nature of the allegations... to enable [Mr Sargeant] to be able to defend himself and to be satisfied as to the legitimacy and transparency of the procedure'. He added: 'We are sure you appreciate the anxiety and distress being caused to our client, particularly as he is yet to receive any details of the allegations that have led to the decisions taken to date by the First Minister of Wales and the Labour Party head office.' 4.48pm reply from Carl Sargeant's lawyer Huw Bowden on the Monday It says: 'It would seem that already a large number of people have spoken to the complainant or complainants yet we still have received no disclosure of the complainant or complaints. 'On Friday, the First Minister advised our client he could not provide details of the complaint or complainants other than that his special advisor had spoken to the complainant or complainants to verify the complaint. 'There appears to be a very real possibility that the evidence of the witnesses is being manipulated and numerous conversations with the witnesses by various members of the First Minister's office at the very least must create uncertainties about the credibility of any evidence'. Carl Sargeant was found dead in his home at 11.30am on Tuesday November 8 Advertisement

They said in a statement: 'Carl was not informed of any of the detail of the allegations against him, despite requests and warnings regarding his mental welfare'.

In one incendiary email his solicitor Huw Bowden accused Mr Jones of 'prejudicing the inquiry' and described fears 'the evidence of the witnesses is being manipulated'.

Interviewed by the BBC on Monday, Welsh first minister said 'action is taken' when 'we have somebody who is in a position where they could embarrass the party or bring the party into disrepute'.

Welsh Assembly colleagues said he had been humiliated and isolated  without any finding of guilt. 'It's hard to understand why Carl was thrown to the wolves,' said one.

Neil Hamilton, leader of Ukip in Wales, accused Mr Jones of acting 'disproportionately and without human sympathy'.

'It is clear that his summary dismissal was both heartless and in breach of the most fundamental principle of natural justice  giving the accused the right to defend himself,' he said.

'By publicly sacking Carl without giving him details of the allegations, he subjected Carl to trial by innuendo and left him to twist in the wind. Carwyn Jones is an experienced criminal law barrister and must be held to the highest standards of due process.

'The intolerable mental anguish which that failure caused led directly to Carl's suicide. The first minister should accept his personal responsibility and resign.'

Chris Davies, Tory MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, also called on Mr Jones to resign, saying the way he had handled the matter was 'terrible'.

Labour MP Mark Tami, Mr Sargeant's Westminster constituency colleague, said: 'It's very difficult to defend yourself against something if you don't know what you're defending yourself against.'

Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said the Welsh First Minister had been too 'hasty' in sacking Mr Sargeant.

He told BBC Wales yesterday: 'I have always believed you do not dismiss someone from a position  in this case a minister in the Welsh government  without first going through due process.'

He said the accused must know the allegations against him and be given the chance to 'carefully consider them,' as well as being given the chance to put forward a defence.

'There is a duty of care,' he said. 'He's part of the government and, of course, when serious allegations come which may go back many years then they can be a very serious shock to people.

'He would have had to explain to his family that allegations had been made and you can feel very vulnerable  that seems to have happened in this case.'

Mr Sargeant's family released correspondence between his solicitor and Labour from the day before he died to highlight their concern at how the case had been handled.

The letters showed the father of four pushed for more specific details on the claims, which were said to centre on several women accusing him of 'unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping'.

And they said that the wait to find out exactly what he was accused of risked 'his physical and mental wellbeing'.

Jeremy Corbyn, pictured giving a speech in London, stopped short of supporting Mr Jones after activists claimed Carl Sargeant was 'sentenced to death' by the way sexual harassment allegations were handled

Mr Sargeant's wife Bernie (pictured together) and his children have been left 'devastated'

Writing the day before his death, Mr Sargeant's lawyer warned that the case was causing him anxiety and distress and that any delays in concluding the party's investigation would be 'prejudicial... to his physical and mental well-being'

It emerged yesterday that the accusations did not merit police investigation.

His solicitor, Huw Bowden, accused Mr Jones and his office of 'clearly prejudicing what is allegedly an independent inquiry', including by giving television interviews about the case on Monday.

How former factory worker rose to the top of Welsh Labour Mr Sargeant was confronted with 'allegations' about his 'personal conduct' by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and the pair agreed he should leave his post Carl Sargeant had risen to the top tier of Welsh politics before allegations about his personal conduct led to him being sacked just days before he was found dead. A former process worker at a North Wales chemical plant, Mr Sargeant, 49, was elected to Cardiff Bay in 2003 as Labour AM for the Alyn and Deeside seat. Until his removal as cabinet secretary for communities and children, he had served in a series of ministerial roles in the Welsh government. In 2007 he was appointed chief whip of the Labour group before becoming minister for local government. Roles as minister for housing and regeneration and minister for natural resources followed before being named cabinet secretary for communities and children in May 2016. The devastation of his local community following the collapse of steelmaking at the Shotton plant in the 1980s, which saw thousands lose their jobs, had inspired a commitment to social justice. Mr Sargeant witnessed the impact of heavy drinking and domestic violence on families in the area, leading him to campaign extensively on the issue. A keen football fan, Mr Sargeant was president of FC Nomads of Connah's Quay, the town where he lived all his life and where he was found dead. He was married to Bernie and they had two children, Lucy and Jack. Advertisement

A family spokesman said it was publishing the correspondence 'in light of the continued unwillingness' of the Labour Party 'to clarify the nature of the allegations'.

'Up to the point of his tragic death on Tuesday morning Carl was not informed of any of the detail of the allegations against him, despite requests and warnings regarding his mental welfare,' the spokesman said. 'The correspondence also discloses the solicitor's concern that media appearances by the First Minister on Monday were prejudicing the inquiry.

'The family wish to disclose the fact that Carl maintained his innocence and he categorically denied any wrongdoing.

'The distress of not being able to defend himself properly against these unspecified allegations meant he was not afforded common courtesy, decency or natural justice.' Mr Sargeant's solicitors last night issued a further statement accusing Labour of abandoning him in his hour of need.

They said: 'It has been suggested that support was offered to Mr Sargeant. It is not clear in what form this support was suggested to have been offered but that is not correct. No support was offered to Mr Sargeant other than that personally offered by close friends and family.

'Those that owed a clear duty of care to Carl and to his family will, no doubt, in due course need to provide clarity on their respective positions in this tragedy.'

Writing the day before Mr Sargeant's death, Mr Bowden raised concerns about how aides working for Mr Jones had contacted the accusers.

'There appears to be a very real possibility that the evidence of the witnesses is being manipulated and numerous conversations with the witnesses by various members of the First Minister's office at the very least must create uncertainties about the credibility of any evidence,' he said.

Noting that a first hearing for the inquiry was not scheduled until January 16, Mr Bowden said: 'With the Christmas period intervening ... the ongoing delay is both prejudicial to the preparation of our client's case, but also to his physical and mental wellbeing.'

Labour Assembly Member Jenny Rathbone yesterday said Mr Sargeant 'wasn't dealt with fairly in the most basic sense'.

She told BBC Radio Wales: 'If allegations are made against you, you must know what they are so that you can respond to them.'

Former Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant, 48, (pictured with his wife Bernie, 48, and children Jack, 23, and Lucy, 25) is believed to have taken his own life at home in Connah's Quay, North Wales having begged to know what he was accused of

Mr Sargeant was sacked on Friday as Welsh Assembly cabinet secretary for communities and children after several women accused him of 'unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping'. He was also suspended from the Labour Party.

Mr Jones claims the first time he heard of the allegations was last week. But sources suggest he knew about the claims earlier and had even discussed allegations of misconduct before with Mr Sargeant.

Mr Sargeant's last tweet was his personal statement in response to the allegations where he vowed to clear his name

Carl Sargeant was a Welsh Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside and Cabinet Secretary for communities and children

John Prescott's son suspended over allegations of sexual harassment David Prescott, pictured with his father ex deputy PM John. David Prescott has been suspended from the Labour Party as allegations of sexual harassment swirl around Westminster The son of former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been suspended from his job as communications chief to the shadow cabinet amid the Westminster sexual harassment scandal. David Prescott, who used to work as speechwriter for Jeremy Corbyn, was removed from his job in the past few days following a complaint to the leader's office. The precise details of the allegation are not known, but it comes as claims of sexual harassment and abuse sweep through the Palace of Westminster. A Labour Party spokesman refused to confirm the suspension saying they do not comment on staffing matters. Speaking more generally, he added: 'The party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously. 'We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so that allegations can be properly investigated. 'When evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action is taken in line with the party's rule book and procedures.' Advertisement

Mr Jones became one of Labour's most powerful politicians when he took charge of the Welsh government eight years ago.

Raised in a Welsh-speaking household, he joined the Labour Party as a student in Aberystwyth during the 1985 miners' strike.

After working as a criminal and family barrister for ten years, he lectured in law before being elected to represent Bridgend in the Welsh Assembly in 1999.

His relaxed and confident speaking style  honed during his legal years  help to propel him to the top of Welsh politics.

As rural affairs minister, Mr Jones won plaudits for his handling of the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, earning the respect of farming leaders  not traditional allies of the Labour Party. He won the Welsh Assembly leadership election in December 2009 with 50 per cent of the vote.

But his tenure as first minister has been far from straightforward.

Mr Jones has faced criticism over the state of the NHS in Wales, where waiting times have been considerably longer than in England in many areas of medicine.

Mr Jones was also accused of denying patients access to life-prolonging treatments by refusing to implement a 'cancer drug fund'. Last year he announced that Labour would put aside 80million to pay for new treatments.

His administration was also criticised for its decision to sell for less than 2million public land worth at least 39million.

Taking Cardiff Airport into public ownership at a cost of 52million was also controversial. However the airport has since seen its passenger numbers rise.

A rugby fan, Mr Jones lives with his wife Lisa and their two children in Bridgend.
The mother of the young man, who claims he was sexually assaulted by Kevin Spacey in a Nantucket restaurant last year, has detailed the alleged attack in an interview on Today.

Heather Unruh said that Spacey repeatedly stuck his hand down the pants of her 18-year-old son. The boy was eventually able to get away when a woman walked over to him while the actor was in the bathroom and said: 'Run!'

At the time, Spacey was trying to convince the boy to join him at a party said Unruh, who now hopes to find the mystery woman who she believes saved her son from a far worse fate.

When the boy eventually got to his grandmother's home, he told his younger sister what had happened and then called his mother.

Unruh had tears in her eyes as she recalled the conversation, which began with her son stating: 'Mom, Kevin Spacey tried to rape me.'

Meanwhile, DailyMail.com has uncovered two photos of Spacey from that week in Nantucket back in 2016, including one taken with a co-worker of the victim at The Club Car, where the alleged assault took place.

The other shows the Oscar winner, 58, with his constant companion, manager and former pop star Evan Lowenstein.

Reps for Spacey have not responded to multiple requests for comment.

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Tearful admission: Heather Unruh (above) spoke about how Kevin Spacey allegedly stuck his hand down her son's pants repeatedly one night during the summer of 2016 in Nantucket

Posing: DailyMail.com has uncovered two photos of Spacey taken during that week in 2016, including one at The Club Car where the alleged assault took place (above)

The summer wind: Another photo shows Spacey (left) with his constant companion and manager Evan Lowenstein (center in flowered cap), who was formerly one-half of the pop group Evan and Jarron

'It is more than a sex addiction. He's a predator,' said Unruh of her son's alleged attacker on Thursday.

The former television anchor also admitted that her son did lie about his age, saying he was 21 when he first met Spacey.

Then, after the actor had bought him a number of drinks, he began to repeatedly stick his hand down the teenager's pants claims Unruh.

'He was frozen. He just - he just panicked,' said Unruh of her son, who was then aided by an unknown woman who urged him to run home when Spacey went to the bathroom.

The teenager then called his mother.

'That's the hardest phone call I've ever taken,' said Unruh.

She was then asked if she had wanted to report Spacey to the police at that time, and admitted that she did but could not for the sake of her son.

'He wasn't ready,' said Unruh. 'He was definitely very embarrassed about it.'

That has all changed now though, with the college sophomore filing a report with police who Unruh claims are investigating the claims.

'We want Kevin Spacey to be stopped, especially my son,' said Unruh.

'He doesn't want another young man to be injured.'

Spacey is already facing some very swift repercussions.

He is being cut from Ridley Scott's finished film 'All the Money in the World' and replaced by Christopher Plummer, just six weeks before it hits theaters.

People close to the production who were not authorized to speak publicly said Wednesday that Plummer is commencing re-shoots immediately in the role of J. Paul Getty.

All of Spacey's scenes will be reshot and co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams are expected to participate.

Scott, who is known to be an efficient director, is intending to keep the film's December 22 release date.

87-year-old Plummer was reportedly Scott's first choice for the role of Getty, but the director was pressured into casting a bigger name.

Plummer, who is best known for his work in 'The Sound of Music,' won his first Oscar in 2012 for playing a man who comes out late in life in the film 'Beginners.'

One of the people close to the production said that Scott's plan caught Sony by surprise, but the studio is supporting the switch.

Tears: Unruh (above at a press conference on Wednesday) said her son was able to escape after a woman urged him to run home, and he called and said: 'Mom, Kevin Spacey tried to rape me'

The alleged scene of the attack was The Club Car, pictured

It was revealed just last week that Spacey was the focus of a 2012 investigation on the set of House of Cards.

Media Rights Capital told CNN on Thursday that during the filming of the show's first season there was a complaint made about 'a specific remark and gesture' made by Spacey.

The studio said that they launched an investigation into the incident soon after the unidentified worker complained, and were 'confident the issue was resolved promptly to the satisfaction of all involved' after Spacey went through a 'training process.'

What the studio did not do however is tell higher-ups like the creator of the Emmy-winning series.

'Mr. Spacey willingly participated in a training process and since that time MRC has not been made aware of any other complaints involving Mr. Spacey,' said the studio.

That remark came off a bit odd seeing as it was issued in response to a story that detailed the sexual harassment or assault that eight crew members claimed to have suffered at the hands of Spacey on the 'House of Cards' set.

Things then took another bizarre turn when the show's creator Beau Willimon said that he was hearing about this complaint for the first time on Thursday.

It is unclear why producers made the decision not to tell the man who put the show together about the incident.

Spacey is an executive producer on the series, as is his co-star Robin Wright.

'We are deeply troubled to learn about these new allegations that are being made to the press concerning Kevin Spacey's interaction with members of the crew of House of Cards,' said MRC in their statement.

'As the producer of the show, creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our cast and crew has always been our top priority. We have consistently reinforced the importance of employees reporting any incident without fear of retaliation and we have investigated and taken appropriate actions following any complaints.'

Then came the news of the incident five years ago of the set of the show.

'For example, during our first year of production in 2012, someone on the crew shared a complaint about a specific remark and gesture made by Kevin Spacey,' read the statement.

'Immediate action was taken following our review of the situation and we are confident the issue was resolved promptly to the satisfaction of all involved.'

Fired: It was announced on Wednesday night that Kevin Spacey (above) was being cut from his upcoming film 'All the Money In the World' six weeks before its premiere

Stepping in: He will be replaced by Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer (left) in the role of J. Paul Getty (left)

Back to work: The film's stars Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg (above) are returning for re-shoots

NBC News spoke with someone who worked on the set for two years and got a much different story, however, than the one being told by MRC.

That person, whose identity was not revealed, said that their colleagues felt uncomfortable with Spacey's behavior and did in fact complain to superiors.

Spacey routinely gave special attention to men, especially the lower level production assistants, said the former crew member.

There weren't any secrets about that behavior.

Netflix also fired back with their own response, which seemed to hint at a possible split between the companies.

'Netflix was just made aware of one incident, five years ago, that we were informed was resolved swiftly,' said the company.

'On Tuesday, in collaboration with MRC, we suspended production, knowing that Kevin Spacey wasn't scheduled to work until Wednesday. Netflix is not aware of any other incidents involving Kevin Spacey on-set.

'We continue to collaborate with MRC and other production partners to maintain a safe and respectful working environment.

'We will continue to work with MRC during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the production, and have nothing further to share at this time.'

Once friends: 'I am heartsick that anyone on the crew had to endure this sort of behavior,' said House of Cards creator Beau Willimon (above honoring Spacey in 2014 at the Moving Image)

The statement from MRC caused additional issues because it came just a few days after Beau Willimon, who created the program, commented on the allegations made by Rent star Anthony Rapp.

'Anthony Rapp's story is deeply troubling,' wrote Willimon on Twitter.

'During the time I worked with Kevin Spacey on House of Cards, I neither witnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behavior on set or off.'

He went on to state: 'That said, I take reports of such behavior seriously and this is no exception. I feel for Mr. Rapp and I support his courage.'

The fact that the studio knew made many assume Willimon did as well, and was possibly not telling the whole truth on Twitter.

That was not the case however he explained to Deadline, saying: 'The production did not inform me of the incident that occurred in season one regarding Kevin Spacey or of any action taken as a result.'

He went on to say: 'I am heartsick that anyone on the crew had to endure this sort of behavior. Clearly we as an industry, particularly those in a position of power, myself included, need to be more perceptive and proactive.

'We also need to do a better job at empowering and supporting our colleagues who come forward.'

Spacey meanwhile is currently receiving treatment after being dumped by his agent and publicist in the wake of multiple claims that he assaulted minors.
The parents of a Florida girl suffering from problems with 17 rotten teeth are facing child abuse charges for failing to get her treatment.

Jeremie Ervin Maloy, 31, and Cynthia Grace Maloy, 32, appeared in court near Panama City on Monday on a charge of child neglect, The Panama City News Herald reported.

The couple were arrested last week after an investigation conducted by the Bay County Sheriff's Office that began in January found that they had been notified about their daughter desperately needing her teeth extracted, but they still didn't seek treatment.

Jeremie Ervin Maloy (left), 31, and Cynthia Grace Maloy (right), 32, the parents of a Florida girl suffering from problems with 17 rotten teeth, are facing child abuse charges for failing to get her treatment

The couple were arrested last week after an investigation conducted by the Bay County Sheriff's Office that began in January found that they had been notified about their daughter desperately needing her teeth extracted, but they still didn't seek treatment

Several times, school officials went to the home to offer transportation to tend to the girl's dental needs.

'On each of these visits, (school officials) offered to arrange transportation for the Maloys to tend to the child's dental needs,' officers wrote in a report.

'The Maloys never took advantage of this offer for the sake of the child, but Cynthia Maloy did ask for rides to the nearby dollar store to buy cigarettes and food.'

A sheriff's report says the child arrived at school in 2016 with 'severely decayed teeth' and her adult teeth had 'begun to grow in and overlap her rotten, ruptured teeth.'

A sheriff's report says the child arrived at school in 2016 with 'severely decayed teeth' and her adult teeth had 'begun to grow in and overlap her rotten, ruptured teeth.'

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) opened an investigation into the child's decaying teeth in February

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) opened an investigation into the child's decaying teeth in February.

Authorities said in March the girl had seen a doctor and that her mother told the doctor they were turned away by the school's dental bus and a local dentist over her daughter's condition being so severe.

Officials at the school became even more concerned over the next few months and tried to set-up dental appointments and arrange transportation.

But her mother never accepted the offer, BCSO reported.

Teachers told investigators during interviews that the child complained daily about pain and had to eat soft foods like bananas. The couple, who have three children total, have since bonded out of jail and were ordered not to have contact with the girl

'When asked why necessary extractions were not performed, Cynthia and her husband, Jeremie, gave vague excuses about changes in insurance and a lack of transportation,' officers wrote in the report.

'... Throughout this time, Jeremie admitted that he was aware of the child's decayed teeth and that his wife was having difficulty making necessary appointments.'

Teachers told investigators during interviews that the child complained daily about pain and had to eat soft foods like bananas.

The couple, who have three children total, have since bonded out of jail and were ordered not to have contact with the girl.
A former German nurse has emerged as the country's worst ever serial killer after police linked to at least 106 deaths.

Niels Hogel, who is already serving a life sentence for six murders, is suspected of killing the patients during his time working at two clinics in northern Germany.

But astonishingly he is only known as Niels H. inside the country because reporting restrictions mean journalists are legally blocked from releasing his second name.

Niels Hogel, a former nurse, has emerged as Germany's deadliest serial killer after being linked to the deaths of at least 106 patients he administered with lethal drugs

German privacy laws mean authorities will not fully identify criminals, sometimes even after they have been convicted.

Suspects in criminal cases are often only identified in German media by their first name followed by the first letter of their surname.

Journalists only printed the first name of Berlin truck attack Anis Amri and censored his face, even while asking the public to help track him down.

Hogel was jailed back in 2015 after admitting to police that he injected two patients with life-threatening drugs before trying to revive them in order to play the hero.

When quizzed further by police he said he was unable to remember the full extent of his activities, though bragged: 'To be honest I stopped counting after 50.'

That lead authorities to exhume 134 bodies at cemeteries in German and as far afield as Turkey and Poland in their search for the truth.

Investigators have now linked Hogel to 106 deaths but say the total is likely far higher because many patients who died in his care were cremated, obliterating any evidence that would have implicated him.

He will now face charges of killing a further 100 people at two clinics next year.

Hogel is believed to have administered the drugs so he could revive the patients and play the hero, before eventually killing them

Inquiries into how he was allowed to go on killing for so long will likely continuing long after he died behind bars, but it is clear that bureaucratic inertia coupled with fears of police probes costing executives their jobs were partly to blame.

Hogel was born on 30 December 1976 in the German port city of Wilhelmshaven.

He grew up in a Catholic household he would later describe to his court appointed psychiatric expert Konstantin Karyofilis as 'warm-hearted and sustainable.'

Hogel's father is a nurse out of conviction and a solid supporter of the SPD - Germany's Labour Party equivalent.

His mother trained as a lawyer's assistant but only found work as a cleaning lady.

Hogel has an older sister who later became a dental assistant.

'A thoroughly helpful family', say acquaintances from Wilhelmshaven. 'Helpful, kind, caring,' said a neighbour to a local radio station.

The first sign of trauma in the family came when Niels was 11 as his parents briefly split, which appeared to have a profound effect on his young mind.

During this period, he told his psychiatrist, he developed 'fears, insecurities.'

His performance at the local comprehensive school, hitherto all A's, slipped.

He assumed the mantle of 'class clown' - a role guaranteed to bring him some of the attention he craved.

Hogel decided at 16 that he wanted to become a firefighter but discovered he suffered from vertigo, and entertained thoughts of being a doctor but found the study too difficult.

He dropped out of school shortly before his Abitur exams, the German equivalent of A Levels, before deciding to become a nurse like his father.

At the age of 17 he began nurse training at the St. Willehad Hospital where alcohol and drugs began to occupy a large place in his life, he later told police.

He passed the nursing exams with 'mediocre' results and 1999 he started at the highly-regarded heart surgery intensive care unit of the Oldenburg Clinic.

Hogel struggled early on with the demands of the work, describing the first surgery he assisted on as a 'traumatising experience'.

He is already serving life in jail for six murders, but is due back in court next year to face charges over 100 more deaths. Police say the full extent of his crimes will never be known

He went on to develop depression and anxiety and began to drink more as a result.

An attention-seeker from birth, Hogel uses his access to potentially lethal drugs in an attempt to play the hero.

His first known murder was carried out in February 2000 at the clinic in Oldenburg in Lower Saxony, close to the Dutch border, where he injected a patient and attempted to revive them without success.

After killing at least another 35 patients, he moved in 2002 to a hospital in Delmenhorst near the north-western city of Bremen, where he resumed his grisly practice within a week of starting his new job.

It is believed Hogel was suffering from a rare condition known as Munchausen by Proxy syndrome, in which sufferers harm in order to act as 'reviving angel'.

Hogel's preferred drug of choice were potassium-based medication used to treat heart patients with circulatory problems, though he would use five different types of cardiovascular medications over the next few years.

But his grim practices soon began to attract attention, with a coworker noting down all of the deaths and resuscitations that take place while he is on duty.

In just one weekend the worker noted there were 14 re-animations to five patients.

All of the patients ultimately died, but rather than calling the police, Hogel's bosses simply transferred to another department, anesthesia.

Fearing that the net may be closing in on him at Oldenburg Hospital he applied for another job in nearby Delmenhorst in 2002 and began work there on December 15.

A week later, he killed his first patient there.

In 2003 and 2004, superiors note, the death rate on the intensive care unit was about twice as high as in previous years.

The consumption of the drug Gilurytmal - his preferred killing tool - was seven times higher than usual, doctors noted.

But still nobody reported the young nurse to authorities or raised concerns.

Even after Hogel was caught injecting a 63-year-old patient who died shortly after, superiors took no action.

It was only towards the end of that year a leading doctor at the hospital carried out an audit on the cardiac drugs, calculated the number of patients who had died while Hogel was on duty, and went to the police with his suspicions.

Hogel was arrested and sentenced to seven and-a-half years imprisonment for murder in 2008, a sentence upped to life in 2015 after he confessed to more deaths.

His parents are still alive in Wilhelmshaven and have been to see him inside.

'The victims were play figures for him in a game in which only he could win and the others could lose everything,' said the presiding judge in his 2015 sentencing.

Ten years ago, a German nurse was convicted of killing 28 elderly patients, saying he gave them lethal injections because he felt sorry for them.

He was sentenced to life in prison.
A former Israeli prime minister reportedly connected Harvey Weinstein to a group of Tel Aviv-based ex-spies who the movie mogul hired to try to stop accusers from going public with sexual assault claims.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak last year put Weinstein in contact with Black Cube, which is largely run by former officers of Israeli intelligence agencies, including Mossad.

Barak claims that he did not know that Weinstein was going to hire Black Cube to investigate sexual assault allegations.

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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak put Harvey Weinstein in contact with Black Cube last year, but says he did not know what the movie mogul wanted to hire the firm for

Weinstein hired journalists and highly trained ex-spies and military personnel who used fake identities to try to stop accusers from going public with sexual misconduct claims against him. Among the private security agencies hired by Weinstein starting around fall 2016, the magazine said, were Black Cube and corporate intelligence giant Kroll

A spokesman released a statement on Barak's behalf to Israel's Hadashot, formerly Channel 2.

The statement said that 'over a year ago, [Barak] was asked by Weinstein if he knows about an Israeli security firm that Weinstein had heard about and can help him deal with business issues he's currently facing.'

The statement added: 'Barak confirmed to Weinstein that the firm he heard about was probably Black Cube and that it does operate from Israel.

'Barak does not personally know the firm or its officials and he only transferred to Weinstein information that allowed him to reach out to them on his own.'

The statement said that Barak was not aware Weinstein had hired Black Cube in the fall of 2016 until 'this morning', nor did he know 'any of the purposes of activities it was hired for'.

The former prime minister's comments came after The New Yorker reported that Weinstein hired journalists and highly trained ex-spies and military personnel who used fake identities to try to stop accusers from going public with sexual misconduct claims against him.

Among the private security agencies hired by Weinstein starting around fall 2016, the magazine said, were Black Cube and corporate intelligence giant Kroll.

Weinstein hired Israeli firm Black Cube on October 24, 2016, to carry out the covert operation, known internally as 'Operation Parachute' by operatives that included ex-Mossad agents

Two Black Cube private eyes met with actress Rose McGowan - before she publicly accused Weinstein of raping her - to obtain information.

One of the investigators secretly recorded at least four meetings with McGowan while pretending to be a women's rights advocates, said the magazine, citing dozens of pages of documents and seven people directly involved in Weinstein's efforts.

The spy used a different fake identity to meet with a journalist while claiming to have an accusation against Weinstein, in order to learn which women were talking to the media.

DailyMail.com revealed one spy that met with McGowas was Israeli military veteran named Stella Penn.

The operative at Black Cube  who bluffed her way into meetings with Rose McGowan and journalists while using the aliases 'Diana Filip' and 'Anna'  is a former member of the Israel Defense Forces and lives in Jaffa, Israel.

Penn, who was recently married, also goes by the name Stella Penn Pechanac, multiple sources told DailyMail.com.

The blonde spy duped McGowan into meeting with her and even managed to obtain a copy of the actress's unpublished memoir this year, after telling the actress she was a women's rights advocate from London.

The pretty blonde spy who duped Rose McGowan into meeting privately with her while working undercover for Harvey Weinstein is a 30-something-year-old Israeli military veteran named Stella Penn, the DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal

Weinstein and the private eyes also used journalists themselves to extract details from women who were making claims against Weinstein.

During his yearlong effort, Weinstein and his team would collect information on dozens of people, compiling psychological profiles with their personal or sexual histories in order to contradict, discredit or intimidate his targets.

WEINSTEIN PROBES NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT Lucia Evans (Claims Weinstein forced her to preform oral sex on him in 2004 - not being pursued by NYPD) J ane Doe 1 (Claims she was sexally assaulted by Weinstein pre-2006 - not being pursued by NYPD) Paz de la Huerta (Claims Weinstein raped her twice in 2010 - being pursued by NYPD and DA's office) LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT Italian model-actress (Claims Weinstein raped her at hotel in 2013) Jane Doe 2 (Claims she was the victim of unknown Weinstein offense in 2015) SCOTLAND YARD Jane Doe 3 (Claims Weinstein assaulted her in London during 80s) Lysette Anthony (Claims Weinstein raped her in her London home in 80s) Jane Doe 4 (Claims assualts in Camden and Westminster in 2010, 11 and 15) Jane Doe 5 (Claims she was assaulted in Westmoreland in 1992) Jane Doe 6 (Claims she was assaulted outside the UK in thew 80s) Jane Doe 7 (Claims she was assaulted in Westminster in mid-90s) Jane Doe 8 (Claims she was assaulted in Westmoreland in 1994) Jane Doe 9 (Claims she was assaulted outside the UK in 1991) Advertisement

The New Yorker said Weinstein sought the assistance of ex-employees from his movie enterprises to help in his efforts collecting names and placing calls.

Investigations also sometimes went through Weinstein's lawyers, according to the magazine.

Among them was David Boies, who represented Al Gore in his 2000 presidential election dispute with George W. Bush.

The New Yorker said Boies himself had signed a contract demanding that Black Cube seek to uncover information to stop the publication of a New York Times story about Weinstein's sexual abuse at the same time his firm was also representing the Times in a libel case.

Boies told the magazine 'it was a mistake' to have been involved with the investigators.

Weinstein's spokeswoman Sallie Hofmeister dismissed the report, saying: 'It is a fiction to suggest that any individuals were targeted or suppressed at any time.'

Neither Hofmeister nor Boies immediately responded to requests for comment.

Black Cube has not commented on the specific work it did for Weinstein during its investigation.

'It is Black Cube's policy to never discuss its clients with any third party, and to never confirm or deny any speculation made with regard to the company's work,' the firm said in a statement.

The company added: 'It should be highlighted that Black Cube applies high moral standards to its work, and operates in full compliance with the law of any jurisdiction in which it operates - strictly following the guidance and legal opinions provided by leading law firms from around the world.'

Police launched investigations in London, Los Angeles and New York after around 100 women accused Weinstein, once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to rape.

Meanwhile, industry publication Variety said the Television Academy has voted to permanently expel Weinstein.
Samir Draganovic has been named as the victim of a suspected attack at a Kent station

Tributes have been paid to a man who is thought to have been chased on to train tracks and stabbed.

Samir Draganovic, an employed of design firm Stone Interiors, was today named by friends as the victim of the attack in Knockholt, Kent.

The 24-year-old, said to be the British-born son of Bosnian parents, was described as 'one in a million' by friends.

Detectives from British Transport Police initially thought the incident was not suspicious after Mr Draganovic's body was seen by a train driver near the tracks.

But stab wounds were reportedly found on his body and a murder probe was launched.

CCTV appeared to show a man chasing him into the station on Sunday night.

A friend told the Evening Standard: 'He was the best person, he was so self-motivated and was doing well. He was like a diamond in the rough.

A card left on the flowers at the scene stated: 'To my loving brother Samir. Words can not describe the pain I have felt. I lost my brother my friend and family. You are really an inspiration. I'm going to miss you. I love you. Sim. '

Police launched a murder probe after Samir's body was found dead on train tracks

Forensics experts arrived at the station amid reports the victim was chased onto the tracks

A 37-year-old man, from the local area, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Officers were called to the station at 00.05am on Monday following reports from a train driver that a body had been seen on the tracks near to the station.

Police believe that shortly before 9.30pm on Sunday, the victim was chased into the station by another man.

The victim was then chased on to the tracks, detectives believe. A short while later, the other man walked back onto the platform and exited the station.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Paul Langley, said earlier this week: 'Understandably this is an incredibly upsetting incident for this man's family and we have specialist family liaison officers offering them support.

'A post mortem examination will take place in the coming days, from this we hope to understand exactly how this man died.

'In the meantime, we are trawling through all available CCTV and looking to speak with any witnesses or local residents who saw or heard anything.'
A Chinese husband violently kicked and attacked a saleswoman at a shopping mall after his wife had apparently been insulted by her.

It is believed that the man's wife, who was pregnant, had had a quarrel with the jewellery saleswoman while queuing for the toilets.

The man claimed he was trying to protect his wife as he fly-kicked the mall worker before dragging her by her hair along the floor.

Three saleswomen can be seen questioning Zhang's wife in a shopping mall in north China

Zhang rushes to rescue his pregnant woman, in white top, when she gets slapped in the face

Beijing Youth Daily reported that the incident took place at the Wanda shopping mall in Datong of Shanxi Provicne on November 5.

A video clip of the incident showed three saleswomen dressing in black uniform questioning a woman, who was wearing a white top, in the atrium.

One of the saleswomen can be seen pushing and slapping the woman in the face.

Seconds later, a man dashed towards the saleswoman and kicked her in the stomach, sending her on the floor.

His wife, apparently pregnant, also stomped onto the saleswoman for revenge.

As onlookers tried to separate the group, the husband dragged the woman by her hair for about three to four metres (10 to 13 feet).

Zhang kicks the saleswoman in her stomach and sends her onto the floor (left). His three-month pregnant wife takes her revenge and stamps on the saleswoman (right)

The man escapes as onlookers try to settle the group and he rushes towards the saleswoman (left). He drags the saleswoman along the floor for a few metres (right)

The man, known as Zhang Lei, explained the incident and posted pictures of his wife's injury on a Wechat post on November 6.

'You can't be doing nothing when you see your wife being beaten up. I know I am wrong for beating her up but my wife is carrying a baby!'

Zhang explained that his wife was queuing up for the toilet but was accused by the saleswoman of cutting the line.

His wife then got stopped by three saleswomen, and was slapped in the face.

Zhang also posted pictures of his wife's arms which had bruise marks. She said she had been bleeding and had to take to hospital for check-up.

Ms Hou, sales and marketing manager of Wanda shopping mall, replied to the reporter that the saleswoman was in her trial period at a jewellrey shop called Chow Sang Sang.

Local policemen were informed and carried out an investigation on November 8.

Saleswoman has been sacked as a result of the incident.
Black Friday? Check. Holiday weekend? Check. Unofficial food hangover day? Naturally. Meanwhile, here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

1. Russia investigation

2. Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has a new president. Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as the country's new leader following Robert Mugabe's resignation this week after nearly four decades of rule. Mnangagwa was vice president under Mugabe, and has vowed to serve as the interim president until elections are held next year. Known as "The Crocodile" for his political cunning and longevity, the 75-year-old Mnangagwa fled the country after Mugabe fired him earlier this month, a dismissal that triggered the political turmoil and apparent military coup that led to Mugabe stepping down.

3. Submarine search

The search for a missing Argentine sub carrying 44 crew members continues, and the latest news isn't good. The Argentine navy says a noise detected near the last known location of the sub on the day it vanished was consistent with an explosion. A spokesman called the sound "an anomalous, singular, short, violent and non-nuclear event." Teams from a dozen nations have been searching by air and sea for the ARA San Juan, which was last contacted off the coast of Argentina on November 15. Experts say the sub has enough air to last seven to 10 days, if it remains fully underwater.

4. Oscar Pistorius

A South African high court more than doubled the prison sentence of Oscar Pistorius, the former Olympic and Paralympic sprinter who was charged with murder after shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. Pistorious previously was sentenced to six years in prison for the murder, which he says was an accident after he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder. Prosecutors argued the punishment was too lenient, and this new ruling increases Pistorius' sentence to 13 years and five months. Steenkamp's family says she "can now rest in peace" after a more appropriate allotment of justice has been served.

5. Rohingya crisis

Could the path be paved for the persecuted Rohingya to return to their homeland? Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding on the return of possibly hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar's Rakhine state, but details -- like how such a return would be orchestrated and whether the refugees' safety could be guaranteed -- are fuzzy. An estimated 615,000 Rohingya refugees have fled across the border into Bangladesh since August, when a new outbreak of violence began between the Myanmar military and armed militants in the area.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

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These are the 11 hottest toys for this holiday season

Let's see, there are creepy finger puppet monkeys and ... a Teddy Ruxpin? What year is it?!

Your deep-fat fryer could actually help cool the Earth

This is absolutely not an excuse to deep-fry the holiday ham.

A homeless vet gave a woman his last $20, so she helped raise thousands to thank him

And it makes for the most perfectly delicious post-Thanksgiving story.

Increasing light pollution may mean the end of starry nights

This virtual AI politician wants to run for office

Or, the latest thing to make you wonder if we're actually just living in a dystopian novel.

AND FINALLY ...

The ideal holiday dinner

Lots of pets and no talking? This is how we're trying to be. (Click here to view.)

CNN's Evan Perez, Jim Sciutto, Katelyn Polantz and Marshall Cohen contributed to this report.
Miss Patel was all smiles as she was driven away through the gates of Downing Street after quitting as a minister

Allies of Priti Patel believe the Foreign Office leaked details of her clandestine meetings in Israel to damage her.

The former international development secretary was forced to resign following fresh revelations about her secret dealings with the Israeli government in August.

Miss Patel acknowledged she was wrong to hold a string of meetings with foreign politicians, including Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu without officials present.

But friends point out the Foreign Office learned of the meetings in late August but did not apparently pass on the information to Downing Street, which was blind-sided by media reports on the issue last week.

Miss Patel angered the Foreign Office on her return by suggesting the British aid budget could be used to fund humanitarian operations by the Israeli army in the disputed territory of the Golan Heights, which the UK does not recognise.

One friend suggested the department had taken revenge against her by leaking details of her itinerary.

Reports yesterday said she was livid about her sacking and was set to 'go off like a double-barrelled shotgun' after being forced to resign.

Penny Mordaunt leaves Downing Street after being appointed as the new international development secretary to replace Priti Patel

In her resignation letter she issued a thinly veiled warning that she could challenge the Government from the backbenches over Brexit, as allies argued she had been treated harshly.

She wrote: 'I will speak up for our country, our national interests and the great future that Britain has as a free, independent and sovereign nation.'

Friends told the Telegraph Miss Patel was 'livid' at Tory Remainers such as Anna Soubry

Another ally said they believed Miss Patel was 'being made a scapegoat'. 'It is not credible that the Foreign Office knew about these meetings but Downing Street did not,' they added.

BBC BLASTED FOR WASTING TAXPAYER'S CASH ON HELICOPTER TO TRACK PRITI The BBC has been blasted for wasting taxpayer's money on hiring a helicopter to track Priti Patel as she returned to No10 last night. Viewers mocked the broadcaster saying the cabinet's minister 'is not OJ Simpson'. Tony Balmouth wrote on Twitter: What a dreadful waste of licence fee payers money by the BBC  renting a helicopter to follow Priti Patel. Shes not bloody OJ Simpson. Another called John wrote: Does the BBClicence fee budget really need to (be) spent on a helicopter just to see Priti Patel driving away from the airport? Advertisement

Former minister John Redwood claimed that Miss Patel had been deliberately undermined by the civil service.

'Various officials in Whitehall clearly do not like Priti Patel for whatever reason, he said.

'They started briefing against her, claiming she had held meetings when on holiday in Israel that should have been reported to the Foreign Office, and cleared in advance of holding them.'

Mrs May named another Brexiteer, Penny Mordaunt, as the new International Development Secretary as she fights to get her crisis-hit government back in track.

The Prime Minister promoted the Work and Pensions minister to the Cabinet in a minimalist reshuffle designed to quell a mounting sense of chaos.

Her deputy Damian Green is being investigated over sex harassment allegations that surfaced as part of the Westminster sleaze furore.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson faces demands to resign over loose comments that might double the jail term for a British mother in Iran.

His position deteriorated further after Iranian state TV claimed that he had 'confessed' she broke the law by spreading propaganda - potentially meaning a 10-year sentence.

EU leaders are said to be preparing for the fall of Mrs May's government within weeks after scandal and divisions threatened to erode its slender grip on power.

Having faced a major backlash from MPs over her decision to appoint close ally Gavin Williamson after Sir Michael resigned over sleaze allegations seven days ago, Mrs May will be hoping her latest move is better received.

Mrs May, pictured leaving Downing Street, faced a high-wire act with her second enforced reshuffle in a week

Miss Patel entered the famous building by the back door shortly after 6pm last night before the fateful talk with Mrs May (pictured left). Her husband Alex was at their home in Witham (pictured right)

Miss Patel tweeted her thanks for 'support and kindness' after her resignation

Miss Patel was a vocal supporter of leaving the EU, and Ms Mordaunt will be welcomed by Tory Brexiteers.

The Portsmouth North MP was a prominent campaigner in the referendum, notably clashing with David Cameron on live TV over whether Turkey was set to join the EU.

Senior backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg said last night that he wanted someone who was 'enthusiastic' about leaving the EU.

'I don't think it has to necessarily be somebody who campaigned for Brexit, but it does have to be somebody who is enthusiastic about Brexit,' he said.

BBC viewers tore into the broadcaster for wasting public cash on hiring a helicopter to follow Priti Patel as she made her way back to No10 last night

Another asked if the licence fee really should stretch to such extravagance as a helicopter

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith also insisted 'strong Brexit views' would be a factor in the PM's choice.

'I think we are all Brexiteers now. So the question is to what degree do you want someone in that job to be in support of David Davis and others, and I think therefore the balance on having strong Brexit views is one that in all probability that the prime minister will certainly look for,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Miss Patel, once tipped as a Tory leader, tweeted her thanks for 'support and kindness' she had been shown after she was forced to quit the Cabinet over her secret dealings with the Israeli government.

Her downfall followed extraordinary revelations last week that she held a dozen secret meetings with senior Israelis, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a 'family holiday' in August.

In a major breach of protocol, Miss Patel took no officials with her to the meetings, at which no minutes were kept. Instead, she was accompanied by Tory peer Lord Polak, honorary president of the powerful lobby group Conservative Friends of Israel.

During 'clear the air' talks in No 10 on Monday, Miss Patel promised the Prime Minister she had revealed everything about her secret dealings with Israel.

Downing Street published the exchange of letters between Miss Patel and Mrs May last night

Mrs May has already lost Sir Michael Fallon (pictured front row, third from left) from her Cabinet, while Priti Patel (pictured right of middle row) has now gone

But to the irritation of Downing Street, it emerged the following day that she had proposed diverting British aid money to fund the Israeli army's humanitarian activities in the Golan Heights  a disputed territory which Britain has not recognised since it was annexed by Israel 50 years ago.

However, Downing Street continued to say the PM had full confidence in Miss Patel as late as 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Mrs May's patience finally snapped on Tuesday night when she learned that Miss Patel had held another undisclosed meeting with Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in Parliament on September 7.

The PM's problems could still escalate amid claims she spoke to Miss Patel about her meeting with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu as long ago as September.

The Jewish Chronicle claimed No10 asked Miss Patel not to include a meeting with foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York in September in her list of disclosures.

Downing Street is also said to have been made aware of Miss Patel's meeting with Mr Netanyahu shortly after it happened - despite a spokesman telling journalists this week that they were unaware until last Friday.

In the most explosive allegation, it is said Mrs May spoke to Ms Patel in advance of the UN General Assembly and they discussed the minister's meeting with Mr Netanyahu, as well as the details of Ms Patel's plan for UK aid to be shared with the Israelis.

Mrs May is said to have agreed the idea was 'sensible' but needed sign off from the Foreign Office.

But a No10 spokesman said: 'It is not true that the Prime Minister knew about the International Development Secretary's meeting with PM Netanyahu before Friday November 3.

'It is equally untrue to say that No 10 asked DfID to remove any meetings from the list they published this week.'
Boris Johnson today lavished praise on Donald Trump - describing him as 'one of the huge great global brands'.

The Foreign Secretary said the US leader's late-night Twitter habit has helped him reach corners of the globe and people 'few other presidents have ever done'.

He said: 'I think you've got to realise the American President is just one of the huge great global brands  he is penetrating corners of the global consciousness that I think few other presidents have ever done.

'His method of tweeting early in the morning no matter how rambunctious those tweets may be they are communicating with people.

'And yes a lot of people don't like it and a lot of people relate to it. In an age when people have been turned off politics it's more direct and it's more communicative than a lot of previous presidents have managed

Boris Johnson heaped praise on the US president in his interview with US media today, describing him as a global brand

Mr Trump has sparked controversy and diplomatic after firing off tweets from his social media account.

The President has tweeted out messages to his 42.3million followers mocking North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-Un and branding him a 'little Rocket man'.

And he has also used the social media account to tear in to his political rivals, including Hillary Clinton.

But he has also sparked outcry in Britain after posting a message in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack which incorrectly said Sadiq Khan told Londoners 'not to be alarmed' at the attack.

Donald Trump sparked outcry in Britain after taking to Twitter to suggest London Mayor Sadiq Khan suggested people should not be alarmed at the attack. He misquoted the London Mayor

The US President also enraged the UK when it blamed a rise in radical Islamist terrorism for an increase in crime. In reality terror offences account for a tiny proportion of offences

North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-Un is a common butt of Donald Trump's jokes on Twitter. The Us President often mocks him as 'little Rocket man' but South Koreans and other US allies fear his loose language could plunge the world into a devastating nuclear war

And he recently blamed radical Islamist terrorism for a rise in crime in England and Wales, whereas in reality it accounts for a tiny proportion of offences.

The Foreign Secretary's comments, which he made in an interview with Fox News, come as he visits America to hold talks on the Iran nuclear deal.

But his visit has been overshadowed by calls for his to quit his Cabinet post after he made a gaffe which could land a British mother with another five years in prison.

He mistakenly told MPs that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, was arrested after teaching journalists in the country.

He later tried to clarify his comments saying that she was in the country visiting her parents with her daughter Gabriella.

His statement was seized upon by some parts of the Iranian judiciary, who used it to haul the British mother-of-one back to court to face fresh propaganda charges.

Donald Trump, pictured in China tpday where he is on a state visit His late night twitter habit has got him into many diplomatic scrapes, but Boris Johnsin said it has turned Mr Trump into a globa brand and allowed him to reach corners of he globe other US presidents have not

And Iranian state TV said the gaffe that could see a jailed British charity worker given five more years was a bungled 'confession about her real plot'.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, from Hampstead in north London has been held in prison on spying charges, despite insisting her trip was just a holiday.

After Mr Johnson's gaffe she was hauled back to court to face new charges of 'propaganda against the regime' that could result in her sentence being doubled.

But when he was challenged by press over the remark in the US today he tried to dodge questions.

Asked directly about the Iranian state TV reports, he said: 'We have some difficult consular cases in Iran and we are working on them.'
The RSPCA are seriously looking into the possibility of prosecuting the jockey who violently punched his frightened horse before a race.

Apprentice jockey Dylan Caboche was caught on camera assaulting his mount She's Reneldasgirl at a South Australian racetrack on Wednesday.

He was suspended for two weeks as a result of the hit, a decisions fans slammed as too lenient, labelling it 'absolutely disgusting' and 'animal cruelty'.

Mr Caboche apologised for the shocking attack, describing his actions 'probably weren't the greatest' and attributed them to a 'brain fade', but the animal care and protection association

'There are grounds for us to investigate further, so we can make a decision as to whether we will be prosecuting,' Paul Stevenson from the RSPCA said.

Apprentice jockey Dylan Caboche was caught on camera assaulting his mount She's Reneldasgirl at a South Australian racetrack on Wednesday

Shocking footage (above) of the moment shows the horse clearly distressed and anxious before being led to the gates

The incident occurred moments before race two in Port Lincoln. Shocking footage of the moment shows the horse clearly distressed and anxious before being led to the gates.

Barrier attendants can then be seen trying to get the fractious filly into the gates, with 22-year-old Caboche aboard, before he dismounts and punches her rib cage.

The horse wilts in agony after he delivered the below.

'I want to genuinely, sincerely and unreservedly apologise to everyone for my actions yesterday. I understand what I did was completely unacceptable,' Mr Caboche said.

'Striking a horse is obviously not the right way to go about things.'

The RSPCA however do not accept his apology as a closed case, and are looking into the issue to see if they can take matters further.

'I want to genuinely, sincerely and unreservedly apologise to everyone for my actions yesterday. I understand what I did was completely unacceptable,' Mr Caboche said

The South Australian apprentice jockey was suspended for two weeks after punching his mount She's Reneldasgirl before a race in Port Lincoln

Thoroughbred Racing SA stewards announced the rider's suspension in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.

'Dylan Caboche was suspended under rule AR175(q) (misconduct) for striking his mount prior to loading. Suspended from midnight 17/11/17 to 1/12/17,' it reads.

She's Reneldasgirl was the first of Caboche's seven rides at Port Lincoln on Wednesday, with the apprentice winning the final race on Slide Of Hand.

People reacted with outrage to the footage, with some even saying Mr Caboche should be banned for life.

'Absolutely disgusting! Jockey should be punished more than that! Poor innocent horses in this cruel industry!' one person said.

'That's animal cruelty!!! Should be more then a 2 week ban,' another replied.

'You don't deserve to be a jockey,' one person tweeted directly to the under-fire rider.

'Two weeks? yeah, that's sending a strong message. Punch a horse and you can't ride for two weeks. How about you fine him $10,000 as a deterrent, and donate the money to the RSPCA,' another man suggested.
The president of one of Australia's most feared bikie gangs has been barred from entering Bali with his family.

Kosh Radford, along with his child, wife and mother-in-law, were turned away from the Indonesian island following a tip-off from Australian intelligence sources, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Radford, the president of the Finks outlaw bikie gang, was stopped by Immigration and refused entry before he and his family were sent back home to Sydney.

Smiling Kosh Radford is seen being escorted to a plane to Sydney after he was denied entry to Bali

'He was rejected 'because it is known that he is involved in a dangerous motorbike gang in Australia,' sources told the paper.

'Foreigners that are allowed to enter Indonesia are those who are beneficial for Indonesia,' Ngurah Rai Immigration chief Ari Budijanto said.

'Foreigners who are rejected from entering Indonesia are foreigners that allegedly could causes restlessness and disturb national security.'

Mr Budijanto reportedly denied the tip-off came from the Australian authorities.

Radford (pictured second from left), the president of the Finks outlaw bikie gang, was stopped with his family by Immigration and refused entry

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Radford's family was refused entry for any reason other than being in his company.

In 2009, NSW police formed taskforce Raptor with the objective to 'target outlaw motorcycle gangs and any associated criminal enterprises'.

Last month, a 20-year veteran of the Finks motorcycle club told Daily Mail Australia he was just a 'normal bloke'.

'I work full time, I have a mortgage and when I get home I have to mow the lawn just like anyone else,' he said.

Last month, a 20-year veteran of the Finks motorcycle club (not pictured) told Daily Mail Australia he was just a 'normal bloke'

'I'm not making drugs in my back shed or acting as a stand-over man - in fact, we try not to let guys like that into the club.

'To me a gang is a dangerous group of people, a street gang, people who fight over territory. That's not us. We just like bikes.'

There are more than 2,000 members of the Finks club, according to the members.
Camille Grammer is still entangled in a domestic violence legal battle with an ex-boyfriend and will hand over text messages with her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmates as evidence in her case, DailyMailTV can exclusively reveal.

The former wife of TV star Kelsey Grammer claims that her ex-boyfriend Dimitri Charalambopoulos, a Dallas bankruptcy lawyer, physically assaulted her in a swanky Houston hotel room in October of 2013.

Charalambopoulos, 41, denied the allegations and sued the 49-year-old for defamation in 2015, sparking a counter suit from Grammer for assault and battery.

Since then, they've been entangled in a drawn out legal battle and are preparing for their upcoming court date by prepping witnesses and turning over evidence.

Grammer will include text messages with RHOBH stars Kim Richards and Brandi Glanville as evidence in her case while Charalambopoulos has more than 20 witnesses to testify on his behalf, according to court documents filed on Friday.

Camille Grammer, 49, is still entangled in a legal battle with ex-boyfriend Dimitri Charalambopoulos (pictured together in 2012) who she claims attacked her in a Houston hotel room in October of 2013

Grammer plans to use text messages between her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmates Brandi Glanville (left) and Kim Richards (right) as evidence in her case, according to documents filed on Friday

Grammer, who had a separate legal victory when a judge awarded her half of her ex husband Kelsey Grammer's retirement fund, will hand over hundreds of text conversations to the court to prove her claims of assault.

Some of these messages include texts from reality stars and friends Kim Richards, Brandi Glanville, Taylor Armstrong and Estella Sneider.

While it is still unknown what exactly these messages say, Grammer plans to use the content to prove that Charalambopoulos allegedly attacked her.

Grammer also filed to the court a log of evidence, including texts, emails, photographs and police records, in order to prove her claim.

She also filed her witness list on Friday, which includes family members, friends and her assistant, along with six expert witnesses to back up her claim.

Meanwhile, Charalambopoulos has gathered an army of his own and rounded up more than 20 witnesses to call upon to defend his innocence in the matter.

These witnesses include staff members at Hotel ZaZa, where the alleged assault took place, experts in forensic science and forensic pathology, a defamation expert and the woman who called Charalambopoulos' phone, sparking the incident.

Grammer also filed to the court a log of evidence, including texts, emails, photographs of her alleged injuries (pictured) and police records, to prove her claim

According to Grammer's declaration filed to a Los Angeles court, Charalambopoulos 'grabbed me by the hair, twisted it around his hand, and repeatedly pulled my head into the bed and its headboard'

Charalambopoulos had two separate polygraph tests conducted and will call upon the two licensed polygraph examiners to verify his results.

He will also have friends and family members speak on the 'mental anguish, embarrassment, and personal suffering Dimitri endured as a result of Grammer's malicious prosecution and defamatory conduct', according to court documents.

Grammer claims Charalambopoulos assaulted her in the early morning hours of October 16, 2013, after she had an operation done in Houston.

She said she awoke to text messages on Charalambopoulos' phone from a woman, which she questioned Charalambopoulos about.

According to her declaration filed in a Los Angeles court, Grammer claims that Charalambopoulos 'became verbally abusive toward me, shouting expletives and insulting me with misogynic epithets.

'He grabbed me by the hair, twisted it around his hand, and repeatedly pulled my head into the bed and its headboard.'

Grammer recently had a separate legal victory when a judge awarded her half of her ex husband Kelsey Grammer's retirement fund (pictured together in 2010)

Other messages Grammer will present to the court will include conversations with Taylor Armstrong (left) and Estella Sneider (right), who appeared on the hit reality TV show

She continued in her statement: 'In so doing, Mr. Charalambopoulos succeeded in pulling out swaths of my hair and gave me a large, painful contusion on the side of my head.

'All the while, I was screaming for help. Mr. Charalambopoulos squeezed my nose between his fingers and pushed upward forcefully, meanwhile covering my mouth in an attempt to silence me and to prevent me from breathing.

'I experienced great pain in my nose and became afraid for my life as a consequence.'

Grammer and Charalambopoulos have been duking it out in court over the incident that occurred more than four years ago.

In July, Grammer begged a judge to not allow any discussion of her wealth and net worth be spoken about to a jury in the case.

She feared her estimated $50 million net worth would cause jury members to turn on her and make a decision based on her worth, rather than the merits of Charalambopoulos accusations.

The month before, Charalambopoulos had slammed Grammer for being an 'attention seeker' and accused her of leaking court documents to publicly attack her ex-husband, Kelsey Grammer.

Despite the ongoing drama with her former flame, Grammer hasn't let it taint her affinity for attorneys and announced in late October she was engaged to lawyer David C Meyer (pictured together in March)

Charalambopoulos claimed in the court filing that Grammer had a motive to leak the documents so that she would be able to release negative information about her ex-husband to the press without being blamed since it was Charalambopoulos legal team that filed the documents with the federal court system.

He claims she also benefited from the leak because she would be in the headlines and that evidence shows that this is something she has 'continuously craved.'

Despite the ongoing drama with her former flame, Grammer hasn't let it taint her affinity for attorneys and announced in late October she was engaged to lawyer David C Meyer.

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills alumni has been dating Meyer for a year, after the two met in Malibu, where he lives.

A source close to the couple confirmed the news to People magazine, saying: 'Theyre just in love. Theres a casualness and easiness to their relationship. Theyre a really happy, kind couple. He really loves her for her.'

In March, Grammer admitted she was considering returning to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

She said: 'It's something I've been toying with the last three years. I've been asked. Maybe next year, we'll see. You know, after the reunion and after this season, and after casting, we'll see how they feel about it. We'll be back and we can all discuss it.'
Tragic death: Russ Kurth, 63, an elected member of Harrison County Board of Supervisors, died after being buried alive underneath an avalanche of corn

A western Iowa county supervisor has died after being buried alive underneath a mound of corn that came spilling out of a faulty grain bin.

Harrison County Sheriff Pat Sears says 63-year-old Russ Kurth, of Logan, lost his life in the freak Tuesday morning accident outside a grain bin just north of Missouri Valley.

Sears say Kurth and another person were inspecting a door from which corn was leaking on the new bin that had been recently filled.

Officials say the door burst open as Kurth and the other man approached, burying Kurth in corn. The other man was able to escape but could not save Kurth.

Firefighters responded to the scene near Kennedy Avenue and Highway 183 outside Sawmill Hollow just after 8am Tuesday and spent an hour looking for Kurth in the pile of corn, reported The Daily Nonpareil.

The 63-year-old man was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Kurth was elected to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors in 2014.

Kurth and another person were inspecting a door from which corn was leaking on a new grain bin near Kennedy Avenue and Highway 183 outside Sawmill Hollow, Iowa (pictured), when the door burst open

Kurth was buried in corn outside the grain bin, but the other person managed to escape alive

He graduated from Iowa State University in 1977 with a degree in animal science, later becoming Harrison County District Conservationist.

In a 2010 interview with The Logan Herald-Observer, Kurth said his favorite part of the job was working with farmers.

'Theres lots of good, conservation-minded farmers in the county,' he told the local paper. 'Ive enjoyed helping them protect and improve their land.'

Kurth is survived by his wife, Peggy Moffatt, whom he met 40 years ago. According to the husband's obituary, the couple have three grown sons and eight grandchildren.

Since news of Kurth's sudden passing broke on Tuesday, there has been an outpouring of grief on social media, where he was universally remembered as a great man and a good friend.

Family man: Kurth (left) is survived by his wife, Peggy Moffatt Kurth (pictured right), whom he met 40 years ago
Pictures have emerged of the moment a driverless shuttle bus was involved in a crash with a semi-truck less than two hours after it made its debut on Las Vegas streets in front of cameras and celebrities.

Las Vegas Police say the human behind the wheel of the truck was at fault over the crash on Wednesday and the driver was cited for illegal backing.

No injuries were reported in the crash.

'The shuttle did what it was supposed to do, in that it's (sic) sensors registered the truck and the shuttle stopped to avoid the accident,' Las Vegas officials said.

'Unfortunately the delivery truck did not stop and grazed the front fender of the shuttle. Had the truck had the same sensing equipment that the shuttle has the accident would have been avoided.'

Scroll down for video

This is the moment a driverless shuttle bus was involved in a minor crash with a semi-truck less than two hours after it made its debut on Las Vegas streets on Wednesday

Officials had hosted an unveiling ceremony just hours earlier to promote the oval-shaped shuttle.

Early Wednesday morning the City of Las Vegas Twitter account wrote: 'Look Ma, no driver!' We're launching the nation's first self-driving shuttle geared for the public in #DTLV at 10am!'

The NAVYA Arma fully electric shuttle can transport up to 12 passengers. It has an attendant and computer monitor, but no steering wheel and no brake pedals.

It uses GPS, electronic curb sensors and other technology to make its way. It was developed by the French company Navya and was tested in January in Las Vegas.

Before it crashed, dozens of people had lined up to get a free ride on a 0.6-mile loop in downtown Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Police say the human behind the wheel of the truck was at fault on Wednesday and the driver was cited for illegal backing

Officials had hosted an unveiling ceremony just two hours before the crash to promote the oval-shaped shuttle. Dozens of people had lined up to get a free ride in downtown Las Vegas

Las Vegas Police say the human behind the wheel of the truck was at fault on Wednesday and the driver was cited for illegal backing

The NAVYA Arma fully electric shuttle can transport up to 12 passengers. It has an attendant and computer monitor, but no steering wheel and no brake pedals

THE NAVYA ARMA BUS The fully electric shuttle was designed for use by state and local governments and transit agencies and operators as an efficient, clean-energy alternative to the fossil-fuel powered vehicles of today. Its makers say it can safely drive up to 45 km/h. Since first deploying the NAVYA ARMA in France in late 2015, the vehicles have transported more than 100,000 people and have grown to have a fleet of 30 ARMA's in use in seven countries around the world, including the United States, as of today. Advertisement

NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and magic duo Penn and Teller were among the first passengers.

At the unveiling ceremony, officials promoted it as the nation's first self-driving shuttle pilot project geared toward the public.

While the shuttle remained out of service for the rest of the day, the tests are set to continue for the duration of the 12-month pilot in the downtown Innovation District, officials say.

The city, along with AAA and partners Keolis, have been hyping up the launch of the autonomous shuttle program all day, promising free rides to willing participants.

Just hours before the crash, the City of Las Vegas Twitter account tweeted: 'Getting revved up for the launch of the new autonomous vehicle hitting the streets of [downtown Las Vegas]'.

The account also tweeted: 'We are at the forefront of technology.'

Before it crashed, dozens of people had lined up in downtown Las Vegas to get a free ride

The oval-shaped NAVYA Arma fully electric shuttle can transport up to 12 passengers. It has an attendant and computer monitor, but no steering wheel and no brake pedals
A Russian 'toy boy' has been accused of cannibalism after he allegedly killed a woman he dated, fried her brains and then drank her blood.

Dmitry Luchin, 21, is accused of beating a 45-year-old woman, named only as Olga B, to death on March 8 - International Women's Day - this year.

Luchin is accused of hitting her over the head with a wine bottle at least 25 times before stabbing her in the chest four time.

Dmitry Luchin, 21, is accused of beating 45-year-old Olga B to death with a wine bottle, cracking her skull open with a cleaver, and then frying a piece of her brain

Luchin, who was known as a poet with a high IQ before the alleged murder, was drinking and smoking with the victim before attacking her, witnesses say

He then cut off his victim's ear and nipples, it is alleged.

The former Russian army conscript is accused of murder and desecration of the dead, and faces life in prison if convicted.

Police say he has confessed to the crimes but a trial is scheduled for next year and he has yet to officially enter a plea.

Interrogators released transcripts of conversations they had with Luchin.

In the papers, he is recorded as saying: 'I liked the taste of her brain. I decided to give it another try.

The victim, known only as Olga B, is pictured here in an old photograph

'Then I drained some of her blood into a glass, and picked up more that had spilled onto the floor. I needed blood to drink with my food.'

Six hours after killing her he left her flat taking her tablet computer, a can of hair spray and 150 roubles (1.90), investigators say.

Luchin, from Valdai, was known as a talented poet with a high IQ level before carrying out his alleged crimes.

There were hints of a darker side online, however, as he subscribed to a page called 'World of maniacs and serial killers'.

Evidence also shows he was a fan of Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer, known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, who raped, murdered and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.

Police witness Alexandra - present at a reenactment conducted by detectives with the accused present - said: 'At first they were drinking wine together and chatting about everything.

'Then she went to sleep and he decided to smother her with a pillow.

'He was asked "what for?" and replied "something clicked in my mind".

'The woman resisted and survived. He went to smoke, then picked up an empty wine bottle and hit her on the head.

Police say Luchin has confessed to his crimes and said he drank Olga's blood after cooking a piece of her brain because 'I needed something to drink with my food'

Luchin faces life in jail if convicted of the charges and a trial has been set for next year. He has yet to enter an official plea

'She passed out. He went to smoke again.

'Then he came back and woke her up, but soon again hit her on the head with a bottle and this time she died.

'He put his finger in her blood and draw a devil's symbol on the door.

'Then he took the kitchen meat cleaver and began to strike her on the head.

'When he reached the brains he cut off a piece, fried it and ate it. He liked it and went to cut off another piece, and ate it too.

'Then he gathered blood flowing from her head into a glass and drank.

'Next he cut her stomach and all the organs spilled out.

'He cut off her ears. One he put one into the cat's bowl. The other - into the mouth of the dead woman.'

'He used an empty wine bottle to sexually abuse the woman's corpse while cutting off her nipples, and also slicing open her throat.'

A policeman on the case said: 'This has to be the most appalling murder anyone can imagine.'
Senate Republicans are unveiling their own tax cut bill on Thursday, and like a House version it would slash rates by corporations and take away a deduction that is popular in high-tax states like New Jersey and California.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, is set to unveil his version of the bill on Thursday.

Finance members and staff will brief the Republican conference on the cuts on Thursday in a closed meeting. The Senate bill would aim to raise the deficit by $1.5 trillion, the deficit increase set by the Republican budget.

Like the House bill, the Senate version would slash the U.S. corporate tax rate to 20 per cent from 35 per cent.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, is set to unveil his version of the bill to his colleagues on Thursday

But the cut could come through after delay of a year, one of several tweaks meant to produce new revenue to fit within the allowable score and fund other priorities.

The Senate bill appears to go farther than the House in getting rid of the deductibility of state and local taxes.

The House bill, after lobbying by Republicans from high-tax states, limits the deduction on state and local property taxes to $10,000. It also repeals the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes.

House tax-writers kept the $10,000 limit in place after an uproar from Republicans who represent high-tax states.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York warned 'every one' of his suburban Republican colleagues in the House, 'This bill could be your political doom.'

His warning came after Tuesday elections saw Republicans getting hammered in the suburbs as Democrats prevailed in the New Jersey and Virginia governors races.

GOP Sen. David Perdue said the Senate bill might repeal the entire state and local tax deduction, the Associated Press reported.

The House bill got a Congressional Budget Office score of $1.7 trillion.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told reporters about the briefing of GOP senators.

The Senate bill could likely reduce the number of income tax brackets from seven to four.

The House Ways and Means Committee is set to vote on additional changes meant to lower the price tag of its bill to get it within the limit.

Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, has expressed concerns about a complete elimination of the estate tax, raising the possibility that the Senate bill won't go as far as the House. The House version raises the exemption for a couple to estates of $22 million.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer on Thursday warned 'every one' of his suburban Republican colleagues in the House, 'This bill could be your political doom'

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) answers reporters' questions during his weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol October 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. Moments before Ryan conducted his news conference, the House passed a fiscal 2018 budget 216 to 212, beginning a process for the Senate to move forward on an overhaul of the tax code

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told reporters about the briefing of GOP senators.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York blasted the deal even before it got announced, complaining that it was being developed behind closed doors with no Democratic input.

'They are trying to rush it through this chamber with reckless speed. Why? Because my friends on the other side know the longer their bill is out there for the public to see, the less the public likes it,' Schumer said.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 03: Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) holds up a postcard size tax form during an event at the Newseum November 3, 2017 in Washington, DC. Rep. Brady participated in a Politico Playbook interview on congressional efforts on tax reform

President Donald Trump is making the tax cut a top priority

Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, has expressed concerns about a complete elimination of the estate tax

'Their only hopes of passing it are to rush it through before anyone can grapple with the stunning hypocrisy at the center of their plan.'

Hatch said his preference is not to delay the corporate rate cut. 'Id prefer to get it done,' he said.

The Senate's child tax credit is expected to be greater than House version.
Ryanair has baffled two British passengers after paying out 160 to one of them for a cancelled flight - but refusing to compensate his friend who was on the same plane.

David Drummond and Alistair Rae, both 20, took a trip to Warsaw last month but found their return flight to Glasgow was cancelled thanks to Storm Ophelia.

Mr Rae applied for more than 160 compensation following the disruption caused by the 97mph storm - and the money was quickly paid into his bank account.

Alistair Rae (left) and David Drummond (right), both 20, took a trip to Warsaw last month but found their return flight to Glasgow was cancelled thanks to Storm Ophelia

The pair were due to leave the Polish capital on October 16 on Ryanair flight FR4742 but were told the day before by text it had been cancelled

But Mr Drummond, who was due to be on the same flight, received an email telling him there would be no cash because it was cancelled 'due to adverse weather'.

Ryanair later claimed that both customers should not have received compensation because the flight was cancelled due to bad weather.

The pair were due to leave the Polish capital on October 16 on Ryanair flight FR4742 but were told the day before by text it had been cancelled.

Instead, they had to pay out more for Wizz Air flights to Aberdeen, staying the night in a hotel, and getting home by train the next day.

Ryanair refunded 29.59 each for the cancelled flights but took a different approach to the friends' compensation claims for the Aberdeen flights, hotel stay and trains.

One of the bookings is pictured (left). Mr Drummond received an email telling him there would be no cash from Ryanair because the flight was cancelled 'due to adverse weather' (right)

On October 29, Ryanair emailed Mr Drummond to say: 'We sincerely regret the cancellation of your flight FR4742 from Warsaw to Glasgow on the 16/10/17, which was due to adverse weather conditions (Storm Ophelia), outside of our control.

'As this cancellation was unexpected and therefore outside Ryanair's control we regret to advise that no monetary compensation is due under EU regulation 261/2004.'

But Mr Rae checked his bank account on Tuesday this week and discovered that the full claim of 165.26 had been paid in without him even being notified.

Mr Rae said: 'Without receiving any email or form of contact, 165.26 appeared in my bank account.

'Obviously we were doing exactly the same journey and in the same situation so it doesn't make sense why I got a refund and David didn't.'

Ryanair (file picture) refunded 29.59 each for the cancelled flights but took a different approach to the friends' compensation claims for the Aberdeen flights, hotel stay and trains

He added: 'David phoned them today and they said he filled out the wrong form but it was him that directed me to the correct form so we know 100 per cent we filled out the same form.

'And I definitely claimed the refund for the return flight, I have got it on my bank statement.'

Mr Rae added: 'To be honest it's just ridiculous how a company like Ryanair, who so many people depend on for their holidays, are able to get away with cancelling flights at such short notice without giving a reason.

'We were left with the option of either waiting four days and taking the next Ryanair flight home or paying our own way back to Glasgow.

'Given the amount of cancellations recently we weren't taking our chances waiting on the Friday Ryanair flight.'

Mr Drummond (pictured right during the trip) was told by Ryanair that he was due no monetary compensation under EU regulation 261/2004

He added: 'I just find it baffling that they're able to pick and choose who they give compensation to despite the fact we're in exactly the same position and dealt with the issue in exactly the same way.

'I can't see us flying Ryanair again in the future, it's all been a farce.'

A spokesman for Ryanair said: 'This flight was cancelled due to safety concerns over Storm Ophelia that day (16 Oct).

'As this was an 'exceptional circumstances' cancellation, no EU261 compensation is due, but both passengers received their chosen option of a refund of their unused air fare.

'It appears that Mr Rae subsequently received a Euro 250 EU261 compensation payment due to an admin error by one of our reservations agents.'

Alex Neill, Which? Managing Director of Home Products and Services, said of Ryanair: 'It must honour its legal duty to arrange alternative flights or provide a full refund, inform passengers of their rights and proactively pay compensation and reimburse reasonable out of pocket expenses.

'This highlights once again the need for automatic compensation across the industry. Ryanair should now take the initiative and pay out to passengers it knows are entitled to compensation without making people jump through hoops.'

Mr Drummond (left) and Mr Rae (second right) were both booked on the same Ryanair flight

Last month Ryanair were forced to apologise for what they called a 'one-off error' when Mark Newman was denied compensation after his flight from Brussels to Edinburgh was cancelled with six days' notice.

Mark was given the same 'no further liability' explanation as David, but Ryanair later admitted their mistake and promised to make a payment.

In September and October Ryanair was forced to cancel flights of hundreds of thousands of passengers because of staffing issues, but still announced that they expected to make record annual profits.
The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas, headquartered in Bismarck, is joining with other Credit Union National Association affiliated leagues in a lawsuit against Equifax.

CUAD joined the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta because many of its 77-member credit unions are concerned about the effects and costs associated with a security breach, including canceling and reissuing compromised cards, reimbursing members for fraudulent charges, increasing fraud monitoring, acting to mitigate identity theft, sustaining reputational harm and notifying consumers of potential fraudulent activity.

Credit unions will bear substantial costs dealing with the fallout from this breach, and this lawsuit is one step toward recouping those costs, according to a statement released Thursday by the association.

Nearly one third of North Dakotans and one quarter of South Dakotans were impacted by the Equifax breach, said Jeff Olson, president and CEO of CUAD. That means more than half a million Dakotans are at risk for fraud."

CUAD is one of nearly 20 state-based credit union associations to join the suit, Olson said.

The high-level type of breach, such as the Equifax breach, highlights the need for tougher state-level and federal data protection cybersecurity standards, according to Olson.

Simply put, what were doing on the legislative and regulatory cybersecurity front is not working, especially when it comes to protecting members and consumers personal information, Olson said. What is even more concerning with this type of breach is that the personal information of credit union members who have ever taken out a loan, mortgage, rented an apartment or even purchased a cell phone, will be at risk for years, and consistently the response from organizations like Equifax are slow, inadequate and absolutely unacceptable.

Though CUAD has joined the lawsuit, individual credit unions can still be plaintiffs and seek monetary compensation for damages they have suffered.

We are joining CUNAs fight to hold Equifax accountable, and to send a message to all merchants that we will hold them responsible for fraudulent activity related to stolen identities and misuse of personal and payment information, Olson said. At the very least, we can help drive the conversation to develop change for stronger and better methods to protect members and consumers from these types of breaches.

Olson said CUAD joined a similar suit against Home Depot a number of years ago, in which several South Dakota-based credit unions were awarded settlement dollars.

On Sept. 15, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem joined with other attorneys general in a letter to Equifax expressing concerns about the way it was responding to consumers after the data breach, which reportedly has affected 143 million people.

It is Equifaxs sole responsibility to protect the personal information it compiled and to prevent the unauthorized use of such information, Stenehjem said in September.

Equifax stocks dropped from a high of $147.02 to a low of $89.59 following announcement of the security breach in September. Stock price closed Thursday at $108.75. Equifax officials have been meeting with investors in Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Minneapolis and Atlanta this week.

"We recognize that we have an important journey in front of us to regain the trust and confidence of consumers and our business customers," said Paulino Barros, interim Chief Executive Officer at Equifax, in a statement issued Thursday. "Our teams have taken immediate actions to improve our data security and provide improved support for consumers who were impacted by our cybersecurity incident.

"As we look to the future, I have committed Equifax to four things: protecting consumers, enhancing our security, empowering consumers to control access to personal credit data and leading our industry to confront the massive economic and national security threats represented by cyber criminals," he said. "We will emerge from this an even stronger company."

-- Kimberly Wynn, city editor, contributed to this report.
A man who filmed his girlfriend's pet pug giving Nazi salutes and put the footage on YouTube has denied committing a hate crime.

Mark Meechan, 30, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, recorded the dog, Buddha, responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' by raising its paw.

He was arrested after uploading the footage in April last year - but insists it was all to annoy his 29-year-old girlfriend, Suzanne Kelly.

Mark Meechan, 30, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, recorded the dog, Buddha, responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' by raising its paw. Pictured, Meechan and his partner Suzanne Kelly leaving court today

Meechan told Airdrie Sheriff Court he only intended the video to be seen by a small group of friends on his YouTube account.

'I would categorise that video as comedy, a private joke,' he said. 'I didn't intend for it to be found, just to be seen by Sue and my friends.

'I knew my friends would not be offended because they have the same sense of humour as me and they know a joke when they see one.

'I provide clear context as to the intention and purpose of the video at the start of it and my intention was to play a prank on my girlfriend.

Mark Meechan, 30,(pictured yesterday outside Airdrie Sheriff Court) from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, recorded the dog responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' by raising its paw

'I'm not anti-semitic and never have been and would consider anyone who is to be quite ignorant if they hold those views.

'The actual act of the Holocaust was extremely gruesome and absolutely terrible, and Jews suffered terribly at the hands of Hitler and that regime. I have always held that opinion.'

Meechan insisted he still considered the video - which has been viewed 3.1million times on YouTube - to be 'comedy'.

'It was just for the purpose of comedy, she thinks her dog is the cutest thing in the world and I turned it into something horrible which is a Nazi, that was the juxtaposition of the whole video,' he said.

'I still regard the video as comedy and don't believe it contains any threat of violence to anyone at all and it is not anti-semitic or racist.

'There are a lot of popular comedians who have the same sense of humour as me including Mel Brooks, Jim Jefferies and Frankie Boyle but I was arrested over this video.'

Meechan was arrested after uploading the footage in April last year - but insists it was all to annoy his 29-year-old girlfriend, Suzanne Kelly, 29

An attempt by Meechan's solicitor advocate Ross Brown to play clips of comedians Joan Rivers, John Cleese and Larry David, as well as Labour MP Harriet Harman making Holocaust jokes in court was refused and branded 'irrelevant' by the sheriff.

Suzanne Kelly had earlier told the trial her boyfriend had turned her 'cute' dog into a Nazi but insisted he did not mean any harm by it and that the dog was trained to respond to other words to get treats.

Prosecutors allege Meechan communicated material that would cause fear and alarm and stir up hatred on religious grounds by posting a clip which was 'anti-semitic in nature' to YouTube.

He also faces an alternative charge of posting a video on social media and YouTube which was grossly offensive because it was 'anti-semitic and racist in nature' and the prosecution claim it was aggravated by religious prejudice.

Meechan told Airdrie Sheriff Court he only intended the video to be seen by a small group of friends on his YouTube account. He is pictured outside the court with his girlfriend, Miss Kelly

At the start of the clip he says: 'My girlfriend is always ranting and raving about how cute and adorable her wee dog is so I thought I would turn him into the least cute thing I could think of which is a Nazi.'

In the video the dog is seen perking up when it hears the statements and appears to lift its paw to the 'Sieg Heil' command in the video and is also filmed watching a rally led by Hitler at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

The court has also seen a second video where Meechan apologised for any offence the clips caused.

The trial later heard Meechan claim it was just 'bad luck' that the video was found and then went viral.

Meechan denies any wrongdoing over the video, pictured, and says he still regards it as 'comedy'

He said: 'It was just bad luck that the video was found. I don't know who uploaded it to Reddit but think they may be American or Canadian and I have no idea how they found the video.

'If I was standing outside a synagogue shouting and screaming 'gas the Jews' at people then it would be offensive but the purpose of the video was for comedy not to cause anybody fear or alarm.

'I like offensive comedy and it is offensive comedy but I don't agree with the notion that it is grossly offensive.

'If I emailed it to a Jew that I didn't know then that would offensive but I'm friends with people who are Jewish and they recognise that the Nazis were the butt of the joke in the video and actually find it funny.

'I have not seen any evidence of my video stirring up any hatred towards anybody'

Meechan also told the court he had lost eight jobs as a result of being arrested and prosecuted for the alleged offence, adding he even had to start a crowdfunding page to raise 12,000 to cover his legal costs.

He said much of the funding had been given from people in the Jewish community who supported his video.

The trial before Sheriff Derek O'Carroll continues.


A driver in Taiwan has shown his remorse for killing a young bride-to-be by crawling to her funeral on his hands and knees.

The man, 26, was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol when the car accident occurred on November 1.

The victim's fiance condemned the driver for killing the victim as he crawled to extend his apologies.

I'm sorry: The man who killed a young bride-to-be while drink driving crawls to her funeral on November 6 to express his remorse. The 19-year-old victim was to marry next year

According to Taiwan's Now News, the driver, surnamed Cheng, hit the 19-year-old victim, surnamed Lin, while she was riding a motorbike to work last Wednesday in Yunlin County, western Taiwan.

Ms Lin had been engaged to her boyfriend of two years, and the couple were to marry next year.

The woman was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.

The report claimed that Mr Cheng had 38 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath at the time, and was deemed drink driving.

Ms Lin (pictured), 19, was hit while riding a motorbike to work last Wednesday in Yunlin, Taiwan

She was pronounced dead in the hospital after being knocked off her motorbike (pictured)

Mr Cheng attended Ms Lin's funeral on November 6 after getting approval of Ms Lin's family.

To express how sorry he was, he decided to crawl all the way to Ms Lin's funeral hall.

A video shared by QQ.com shows that Ms Lin's fiance was so emotional to see Mr Cheng he yelled at him: 'Do you know you made me lose my wife?' Afterwards, he started swearing at the crawling man to release his anger.

Speaking to a reporter, the devastated fiance said he hoped Ms Cheng could truly realise his wrongdoing and change his behaviour in the future.

Mr Cheng said 'I'm sorry' to the reporter. He then explained that he had been drunk that day and drove a little bit too quickly.

The driver has been charged with a crime against public safety, said the report.
A United Airlines flight attendant from Houston is suing the company for allegedly breaching US federal disability laws after they demanded she stop wearing clogs.

Edie Hall, 60, claims that her bosses at United barred her from wearing the medically prescribed footwear, informing her that the shoes were in violation of the airline's strict dress code, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Hall began wearing Dansko XP Pro Brand clogs in 2004 when her doctor recommended that she use the shoe to alleviate her acute foot pain.

Edie Hall (pictured), 60, claims in a recently submitted lawsuit that United Airlines has violated the federal disability after asking her not to wear clogs

A United spokesman Charles argued that there is no legal basis for the lawsuit, saying that Hall can wear the shoes for as long as she needs

The lawsuit states that Hall, who has been working for United and its predecessor Continental Airlines for 32 years, had been wearing the specialty shoes without permission up until 2013.

By then, United had implemented a new standardized dress code that allowed clogs to be worn during flights.

The lawsuit claims, however, that United Airlines has repeatedly revoked their permission (pictured: Hall's lawyer Robert R. Debes Jr)

The company, however, told Hall that only plain black shoes were permitted while walking through airports and required her to get a doctor's note every year as documented proof of her medical condition.

In 2013, Hall brought her complaint to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, who ruled that the yearly exemption violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ADA states that employers cannot require workers to provide annual proof of a permanent medical condition.

United spokesman Charles Hobart argued that there is no legal basis for the current litigation, telling The Chronicle that Hall is allowed to wear the shoes for as long as she needs.

The lawsuit claims, however, that United Airlines has repeatedly revoked their permission, rescinding Hall's request to wear the shoes at least three times over the past four years.

'It's such a petty thing for United to have done,' said Houston lawyer Robert R. Debes Jr., who is representing Hall.

Debes said that Hall recently received a letter from United Airlines informing her that she no longer needed annual doctor recertification or submit yearly requests.

However, the letter is not signed and can potentially be revoked in the future, according to Debes.
Disguised Russian agents on Twitter rushed to deflect scandalous news about Donald Trump just before last year's presidential election while straining to refocus criticism on the mainstream media and Hillary Clinton's campaign, according to an Associated Press analysis of since-deleted accounts.

Tweets by Russia-backed accounts such as 'America_1st_' and 'BatonRougeVoice' on Oct. 7, 2016, actively pivoted away from news of an audio recording in which Trump made crude comments about groping women, and instead touted damaging emails hacked from Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta.

Since early this year, the extent of Russian intrusion to help Trump and hurt Clinton in the election has been the subject of both congressional scrutiny and a criminal investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Tweets by Russian-backed accounts pivoted the narrative away from the Access Hollywood tape release and instead pointed to Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta's emails

In particular, those investigations are looking into the possibility of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians.

AP's analysis illuminates the obvious strategy behind the Russian cyber meddling: swiftly react, distort and distract attention from any negative Trump news.

The AP examined 36,210 tweets from Aug. 31, 2015, to Nov. 10, 2016, posted by 382 of the Russian accounts that Twitter shared with congressional investigators last week.

Twitter deactivated the accounts, deleting the tweets and making them inaccessible on the internet.

But a limited selection of the accounts' Twitter activity was retrieved by matching account handles against an archive obtained by AP.

'MSM (the mainstream media) is at it again with Billy Bush recording ... What about telling Americans how Hillary defended a rapist and later laughed at his victim?' tweeted the America_1st- account, which had 25,045 followers at its peak, according to metadata in the archive.

The tweet went out the afternoon of Oct. 7, just hours after The Washington Post broke the story about Trump's comments to Bush, then host of 'Access Hollywood,' about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women, saying, 'when you're a star, they let you do it.'

Within an hour of the Post's story, WikiLeaks unleashed its own bombshell about hacked email from Podesta's account, a release the Russian accounts had been foreshadowing for days.

'WikiLeaks' Assange signals release of documents before U.S. election,' tweeted both 'SpecialAffair' and 'ScreamyMonkey' within a second of each other on Oct. 4.

'SpecialAffair,' an account describing itself as a 'Political junkie in action,' had 11,255 followers at the time.

'ScreamyMonkey,' self-described as a 'First frontier.News aggregator,' had 13,224.

Both accounts were created within three days of each other in late December 2014.

Twitter handed over the handles of 2,752 accounts it identified as coming from Russia's Internet Research Agency to congressional investigators ahead of the social media giant's Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 appearances on Capitol Hill.

It said 9 percent of the tweets were election-related but didn't make the tweets themselves public.

That makes the archive the AP obtained the most comprehensive historical picture so far of Russian activity on Twitter in the crucial run-up to the Nov. 8, 2016, vote.

Twitter policy requires developers who archive its material to delete tweets from suspended accounts as soon as reasonably possible, unless doing so would violate the law or Twitter grants an exception. It's possible the existence of the deleted tweets in the archive obtained by the AP runs afoul of those rules

The Russian accounts didn't just spring into action at the last minute. They were similarly active at earlier points in the campaign.

When Trump reversed himself on a lie about Barack Obama's birthplace on Sept. 17, declaring abruptly that Obama 'was born in the United States, period,' several Russian accounts chimed in to echo Trump's subsequent false claim that it was Clinton who had started the birther controversy.

Others continued to push birther narratives. The Russian account TEN_GOP, which many mistook for the official account of the Tennessee Republican Party, linked to a video that claimed that Obama 'admits he was born in Kenya.'

But the Russian accounts weren't in lockstep. The handle 'hyddrox' retweeted a post by the anti-Trump billionaire Mark Cuban that the 'MSM (mainstream media) is being suckered into chasing birther stories.'

On Sept. 15, Clinton returned to the campaign trail following a bout with pneumonia that caused her to stumble at a 9/11 memorial service.

The Russian account 'Pamela_Moore13' noted that her intro music was 'I Feel Good' by James Brown - then observed that 'James Brown died of pneumonia,' a line that was repeated at least 11 times by Russian accounts, including by 'Jenn_Abrams,' which had 59,868 followers at the time.

According to several obituaries, Brown died of congestive heart failure related to pneumonia.

Racial discord also figured prominently in the tweets, just as it did with many of the ads Russian trolls had purchased on Facebook in the months leading up to and following the election.

One Russian account, 'Blacks4DTrump,' tweeted a Trump quote on Sept. 16 in which he declared 'it is the Democratic party that is the party of slavery, the party of Jim Crow & the party of opposition.'

TEN_GOP, meanwhile, asked followers to 'SPREAD the msg of black pastor explaining why African-Americans should vote Donald Trump!'
Doctors in China were shocked to discover an elderly man's lung had seemed to disappear in an X-ray scan.

The patient was apparently feeling unwell and had to be taken to the hospital after having cupping therapy.

Doctors later claimed that the patient's right lung had collapsed and he had to undergo surgery.

An X-ray scan shows that Mr Wu's right lung collapsed after having a cupping therapy at home

According to Kan Kan News, the patient, Mr Wu, has had bronchitis for over 10 years.

It's reported that his wife gave him a cupping session at home in Wuhan, Hubei Province on November 7.

He believed that the therapy could cure his cold.

However, he appeared pale after the session and had to be taken to the Wuhan Central Hospital.

Mr Wu, in pink top, felt unwell after the cupping session, believing that it can cure cold

Doctors said the Chinese medicine regime had made the patient's lung vulnerable by pressure

Dr Xu Di, a specialist of cardiothoracic surgery, said 70 per cent of Mr Wu's right lung had been compressed.

'It can be considered as a collapsed lung. If the patient did not receive treatment in time, he may suffer breathing difficulties and lost of consciousness,' he said.

Surgeons immediately conducted surgery on Mr Wu to repair his lung.

Dr Hao Jianbo, from Hubei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, told the reporter that the cupping therapy had turned the patient's lung very vulnerable.

The pressure caused by cupping could cause blebs, air-filled sacs formed on the surface of the lung, to 'pop' or rupture, resulting in pneumothorax.

'For patients with pulmonary disease, we do not suggest them to have cupping therapy,' said Dr Hao.

Mr Wu had had an emergency surgery to repair his right lung at Wuhan Central Hospital

Cupping dates back to 1550 BC, when a medical text describes the therapy as an Egyptian fad that became popular in Greece, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and most notably in China
Democrats  including de facto party leaders Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden  cheered the string of ballot box victories they received on Tuesday, as governorships and legislatures moved back in their direction.

But a new Morning Consult/Politico poll, taken in the handful of days before Tuesday's elections, shows waning support for the party when Congressional races are involved.

The poll found that the generic ballot actually favored the Republicans for the first time since April, with 39 per cent of registered voters saying they'd vote for a generic GOP candidate, versus the 38 per cent who selected the Democrat.

While Democrats celebrated wins at the ballot box this week, a new poll shows a generic Congressional Democrat losing support. Here, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (left) speaks as House Speaker Paul Ryan (right) tunes in

A Congressional Republican now gets 39 per cent support, compared to the 38 per cent support a Democrat receives. Here, (from left) Republicans Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell attend a ceremony alongside Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren

Democrats are the minority party in both the House and Senate, though are hoping the 2018 midterm election changes their fortunes

The figures are within the survey's 2 point plus-or-minus margin of error, though pollsters noted that independents had moved away from Democrats by 7 points over a week's time.

In fact, since Morning Consult started tracking a generic ballot in March, this is the first time Democrats slipped below 40 per cent.

In late October, 34 per cent of independents were favoring the Democrats, versus the 27 per cent of independents who were into the Democrats when respondents were surveyed between November 2 through 6.

The next day, November 7, was election day.

Democrats retained the governor's mansion in Virginia, electing Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, in what was the must-watch contest of the night.

They also took back New Jersey's governor's mansion and made surprising gains in Virginia's House of Delegates, flipping at least 14 seats.

Democrats could see a boost after this string of electoral victories.

So far, they've never gotten more support than 44 per cent of registered voters surveyed.

Republicans have also gotten as high as 44 per cent support from voters, they've dipped as low as 35 per cent on May 12.

The low water mark occurred a week after the House GOP passed an unpopular Obamacare repeal bill.

When other polls are averaged in, the Democrats have a much comfier margin.

The Real Clear Politics polling average currently has Democrats 9.7 points head, so does FiveThirtyEight.com's tabulation.

While Democrats only need to flip three Senate seats to get a 51-vote majority, they're defending 23 next year, along with the two seats belonging to independent Sens. Angus King and Bernie Sanders, who caucus with the Democrats.

In House races, Democrats have found themselves badly gerrymandered, making it a difficult feat to win back the lower chamber, which they lost in 2010.
Stephen Decani will face no further action in relation to his drink-drive charge after he insisted the breath test he took was unreliable because he had just vomited

A millionaire accused of being twice the drink drive limit in his Aston Martin has been cleared after he explained the test result was misleading because he had just thrown up.

Stephen Decani, 42, failed a breathalyser test when he was stopped by plain clothes officers in Chelsea, south-west London, while driving his 150,000 Aston Martin DB11 coupe.

The chairman and CEO of investment company, Newscape Capital Group, was said to have been unsteady on his feet when questioned by officers at around 4.30am on June 9.

He had 61 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath when he was asked to get out of the car, Westminster magistrates' court heard. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

But the case was thrown out on order of the High Court after prosecutors had previously won a delay in the case because they'd failed to tell a police officer he was needed to give evidence.

When Mr Decani appeared before the magistrates earlier this year, his lawyer Philip Lucas entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and explained his unusual defence.

His lawyer said Decani was 'completely cooperative' with the police when he was stopped and he disputed the reliability of the road-side test.

Decani had 'regurgitated' at a particular point, he said, explaining that the results of the test were therefore unreliable.

He said the case was 'a mess' and they were in the process of getting an expert report dealing with the effects of vomiting on the results of the test.

Mr Lucas is the same lawyer who represented England rugby player Danny Cipriani last year, who was found guilty of drink-driving his black Mercedes after a night of drinking champagne.

The banker was stopped while driving down Chelsea's famous King's Road this summer

When the case previously came before the court in August, the prosecutor asked for the court hearing be adjourned after conceding that the case was not well prepared.

Mr Decani's lawyers have since sought a judicial review of the decision to adjourn the case, leading to a High Court order that the case should be dropped.

It is understood the challenge centred on the reasons for the delay, with Mr Decani's team insisting the previous hearing should have gone ahead without waiting for a police officer's evidence.

Prosecutor Marie Olo, said: 'The matter is remitted with a mandatory order that the claimant be acquitted.

'By my understanding the decision to adjourn the defendants trial was judicially reviewed and the court decided that was not right and the whole matter should be dismissed.'

Magistrate Paul Brooks said: 'The prosecution offer no evidence, we therefore dismiss the matter - thank you.'

Mr Decani, of Chelsea Harbour, will face no further action.
A furious stepfather has refused to let his 12-year-old stepdaughter finish her homework after she was asked to write a letter to her family about becoming a Muslim.

Mark McLachlan, 43, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, has slammed the decision by the Kepier School to ask pupils to pen the note.

He has refused to let his stepdaughter, who he has asked not to be named, complete the task after failing to see what the letter would accomplish.

Mr McLachlan said: 'I know as part of the national curriculum they have to learn about all religions.

Mark McLachlan, 43, found the homework task (pictured) in his stepdaughter's planner and refused to let her finish it

'I just don't see why they should ask a child to write a letter addressed to their family about converting to another religion. I really just don't see what the letter will gain.

'If they want children to learn about Islam, then go teach them all about it and its history.

'What I don't want is a school asking my stepdaughter to look into reasons for converting to another religion.

'Like every parent, it is our decision on how we raise them and once they are old enough to make decision, then it is there choice.'

Mr McLachlan visited the school to raise his concerns and was told that this was part of the curriculum and was shown example exam questions for Islam, Christianity and Hinduism.

The homework came to light when Mr McLachlan was looking through the youngster's school planner and saw the teacher has written the task to be handed in on November 8.

He added: 'When I saw this assignment in the planner, written by the teacher, you could have knocked me over with a feather.

'I told her she will not be completing it and she is more worried about getting detention.

'We send our kids to school to get a good education and use what they have learnt to have a good career.

'I have no problem with them learning about religions but I feel they should not be asking 12-year-olds writing to their parents about why they are converting.

Mr McLachlan has slammed the decision by the Kepier School (pictured) to ask pupils to pen the note

'I just found the task wholly inappropriate.

'I would like to emphasise how much respect I have for the head of year and deputy head who were very receptive to my complaint and concerns but unfortunately in this instance the national curriculum has failed miserably in my opinion.'

Mr McLachlan took a photo of the assignment and posted it online, where it has been shared hundreds of times.

One user commented: 'Would they go to a Muslim school and ask them to write a letter to their parents about converting to Catholic? I doubt it!

'Children should not be made to write letters about converting to any religion for any reason.'

Another user said: 'Isn't part of RE to research, investigate and teach about all religions?

'I feel like this homework is just an exercise about converting to another religion. That's been blown way out of proportion.'

MailOnline has approached the Kepier School for comment.
France has been slammed over plans to build a wind farm on a World War One battlefield where thousands of British and Australian soldiers were killed.

French energy firm Engie Green is planning to develop the six-turbine farm near the small village of Bullecourt.

The move has caused outrage across Australia and led to calls for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to intervene.

Australia lost more than 10,000 troops during two battles in Bullecourt, France, in April and May 1917 as it tried to break the Hindenburg line. Pictured above, King George V with the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in Bullecourt in March 1918

French energy firm Engie Green is planning to develop the six-turbine farm near the small village of Bullecourt (file photo)

Australia lost more than 10,000 troops during two battles in April and May 1917 as it tried to break the Hindenburg line.

The battlefield in Bullecourt is one one of Australia's most significant military history sites.

Nearly 9,000 British troops were killed, injured or captured during the battles, and of the thousands of British, German and Australian soldiers to die on the field, up to 4,000 bodies were never recovered.

The planned wind farm would be constructed about 600 metres from a memorial dedicated to the troops who lost their lives.

An Engie Green spokesman told The Guardian that the site of the farm was chosen to ensure 'the impact to landscape and the memorial were minimal'.

'We are in regular contact with the Australian embassy,' it said.

Nearly 9,000 British troops were killed, injured or captured during the battles, and of the thousands of British, German and Australian soldiers to die on the field, up to 4,000 bodies were never recovered. Pictured above, German soldiers posing in a trench near Bullecourt

But local farmers suggested that 'at the first stroke of a spade', bodies would be found on the farm site.

Australia's Veterans' Affairs Minister Dan Tehan has said he plans to raise the issue with his French counterpart.

'This wind farm has been on-again, off-again, so I'll be trying to get an understanding but I can say the French take incredibly seriously ensuring that what took place 100 years ago is properly respected,' he said.

Brendan Nelson, the director of the Australian War Memorial, has also urged France not to build the wind turbines on the battlefield.

'I would like to think a sane and sensible government, in this case on the French side, would reflect on the fact that the very important contemporary bilateral relationship not in any way be jeopardised,' Dr Nelson told ABC Radio.
Donald's Trump's former deputy assistant Sebastian Gorka has been hired by Fox News.

The 47-year-old Brit will be a national security strategist for the network, it was announced Wednesday.

Gorka retweeted a congratulatory message from Fox political analyst Gianno Caldwell and said: 'Such a great feeling to be back with the anti-FAKENEWS team that includes people like you Gianno.'

Donald's Trump's former deputy assistant Sebastian Gorka (pictured) has been hired by Fox News

He later tweeted: 'Sorry if I wasn't clear! I have just signed with @FoxNews and @FoxBusiness to be their National Security Strategist.'

Fox News host Sean Hannity called Gorka a 'true patriot hero and an amazing political analyst and strategic analyst' when welcoming him to the network on his radio show.

Gorka left the White House in August after serving as an aide to Trump from January this year.

He cited his reason for leaving mainly on 'forces' who are turning the President away from his campaign promise of 'Making America Great Again.'

'Given recent events, it is clear to me that forces that do not support the MAGA promise are  for now  ascendant within the White House,' he wrote.

Gorka left the White House in August after serving as an aide to Trump from January this year

'As a result, the best and most effective way I can support you, Mr. President, is from outside the People's House,' he added.

The White House denied that Gorka had quit, insisting that he was sacked.

'Sebastian Gorka did not resign, but I can confirm he no longer works at the White House,' a press statement released by a Trump spokesperson said.

Englishman Gorka was seen in many quarters as the President's most ardent defender, going on a litany of news outlets both in the US and UK to answer questions on behalf of the Trump administration.

Gorka expressed disappointment in the direction of the Trump administration, lamenting specifically about renewed American efforts in Afghanistan.

'Regrettably, outside of yourself, the individuals who most embodied and represented the policies that will 'Make America Great Again,' have been internally countered, systematically removed, or undermined in recent months. This was made patently obvious as I read the text of your speech on Afghanistan this week,' Gorka wrote when he resigned.

Gorka wrote in his resignation letter that he decided to leave after 'forces' inside the White House who do not support the Make America Great Again agenda are 'ascendant'

'The fact that those who drafted and approved the speech removed any mention of Radical Islam or radical Islamic terrorism proves that a crucial element of your presidential campaign has been lost.'

'Just as worrying, when discussing our future actions in the region, the speech listed operational objectives without ever defining the strategic victory conditions we are fighting for.

'This omission should seriously disturb any national security professional, and any American who is unsatisfied with the last 16 years of disastrous policy decisions which have led to thousands of Americans killed and trillions of taxpayer dollars spent in ways that have not brought security or victory,' Gorka added.

Steve Bannon, the President's former chief political strategist, invited Gorka into the Trump universe from Breitbart News, which Bannon led before entering into politics during the 2016 presidential campaign.

During his stint in the White House, Gorka focused mostly on national security policy including rising fundamentalism in the Middle East and and combating China's economic warfare.

He also absorbed a barrage of sustained criticism, with Jewish publication The Forward reporting that Gorka currently has ties to a Nazi organization based in his parents' home country of Hungary.

Gorka vehemently denies the accusations.

'This was more or less going to be a done deal when Bannon submitted his resignation,' an unnamed source close to the White House told The Federalist.

'Not because he didn't have a protector, but because there is no point in having your life ruined every day if you're not going to get much accomplished.'
MINOT -- A Ward County deputy who had alleged sexual harassment and hostile work environment failed in his attempt Tuesday to get another audience with the Ward County Commission.

Commissioners rejected Tim Poston's request to get on Tuesday's agenda, and upon concluding the agenda, adjourned the meeting when Poston approached the podium. Poston previously had been told by Chairman Larry Louser that he would not be allowed on the agenda because of the potential for a lawsuit.

Poston had spoken with the commission at a previous meeting about a report filed by an investigator into his allegations of sexual harassment by State's Attorney Roza Larson and hostile work environment in the Sheriff's Department. He had called for the resignations of Larson and Sheriff Bob Barnard.

The investigation report by outside counsel Amy Oster recommended no action against Larson or Barnard. After meeting by phone with Oster in private, the commission took no action on Poston's request for a closed meeting with him.

Commissioners did direct that a Personnel Committee representative speak to Larson about levels of tolerance in person-to-person physical contact and the potential for a joke to be perceived as offensive. Poston alleges Larson had placed a hand on his leg in leaning over to speak with him in court and had made a comment that carried a sexual connotation during a discussion with him and an assistant state's attorney.

Tuesday, the commission frustrated Poston with its indifference. He accused the commission of stepping on his First Amendment rights and violating open meeting and citizen rights.

In the letter he was not allowed to read, Poston alleged county violations of federal affirmative action and other state and federal laws and rules.

"Action needs to be taken to stop the existing violations and correct the past injustices," he wrote.

Commissioner Alan Walter said the commission was acting at the advice of its attorney not to discuss the personnel matter.

"You guys don't even know what I am here for," Poston responded. He did deliver his comments in writing, which commissioners said would be included among correspondence to be filed at the next commission meeting. The commission often does not discuss submitted correspondence to be filed, but it has the option to do so.

Poston also sought information as to the resolution of his issues with the county.

He referenced an Oct. 31 letter in which he stated he was reluctant to return to work until issues he raised were resolved. Prior to Poston's complaint about the state's attorney and sheriff, Barnard had suspended Poston for disciplinary reasons, including aggressive driving, not meeting the standards of professionalism and forcefully shoving a table into a seated inmate. An additional suspension for using his credentials while suspended was dismissed by the Personnel Committee.

Barnard later placed Poston on temporary administrative leave while the grievance was being resolved.

Poston has asked for a clear and definitive answer as to the status of the investigation into his complaint against Larson after having challenged the investigator's findings. He has asked for a written letter of the final disposition of the suspension with a full explanation.

"Simply returning me to work as if nothing happened is not sufficient," he wrote in the Oct. 31 letter.

He also sought to have personal leave taken during this process treated as administrative leave, entitling him to compensation for those days.

"As of today, there has been no response to the matters, which I presented, either oral or written, or even an acknowledgment indicating my issues have been received, reviewed or are being considered," Poston wrote. "I returned to work last week, solely to mitigate additional exposure of Ward County for continuing back pay, as the County's failure to resolve the issues in a timely manner and in accordance with the Ward County, North Dakota, Home Rule Charter, simply increases the back pay exposure."
This is the awe-inspiring moment that the father of a murder victim hugged his son's killer in court after bringing the judge to tears by forgiving the young man.

Trey Relford, 24, was sentenced to 31 years in prison on Tuesday in connection to the April 19, 2015 murder of Salahuddin Jitmoud, who was stabbed to death and robbed while delivering a pizza in Lexington, Kentucky.

During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Jitmoud's father, Dr. Abdul-Munim Sombat Jitmoud remembered his son as a gentle, generous, and shy young man who had an interest in rapping, writing and producing.

Dr. Jitmoud said that his son had just 'one more delivery' to make the night he was murdered, making his death all the more tragic.

At the end of his speech, he shocked the court when he turned to his son's killer and said he doesn't blame him for what happened.

'I'm angry at the devil who misguided you to do such a crime,' he said.

Scroll down for video

This is the emotional moment that a man hugged his son's killer in court, after forgiving him in a moving speech

Dr. Abdul-Munim Sombat Jitmoud (right) spoke at the sentencing hearing for Trey Relford (left) on Tuesday, forgiving him for his part in his son's 2015 murder

Dr. Jitmoud added that it was important to forgive him because 'forgiveness is the greatest gift of charity in Islam'.

Salahuddin Jitmoud was murdered two years ago, while delivering pizza

His speech went to far as to move the judge, who wiped away a tear before calling a recess.

When court resumed, Relford's mother took the stand and described how her son had a great childhood but descended into drug abuse as a teen.

'I take total, full responsibility for the loss of your beautiful son,' Relford's mother told Dr. Jitmoud. 'I am deeply sorry for your loss. I am shocked at your forgiveness.'

Eventually, Relford himself apologized for what happened.

'I'm sorry about what happened that day,' Relford said. 'I do applaud you because it takes a powerful man to know that someone has hurt them and to get up there and say what you just said. I can't imagine the hurt, the pain. There's nothing I can do ... I thank you for your forgiveness.'

Later, Dr. Jitmoud went to shake Relford's hand, and the two ended up locked in an embrace, with other members of the two families coming around to join in.

Two others were originally arrested along with Relford for the murder, but a grand jury only decided to go forward with charges against one of them.

Relford maintains that he had help, but prosecutor Kathy Phillips said that all the signs point to Relford being the killed.

'He set up the robbery, he provided the knife, he tampered with the evidence, and he is the one who ate the pizza afterwards,' she said.

Dr. Jitmoud used to work as a principal at Islamic schools across the country, but he now lives in Thailand. His wife, Salahuddin's mother, died in 2013, two years before the murder.

Relford pleaded guilty last month to complicity to murder, complicity to robbery and attempted tampering with evidence.
Iconic Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida has revealed that she was sexually assaulted twice during her career.

Lollobrigida, who turned 90 in July this year, told an Italian TV programme that she was just a teenager the first time she was attacked.

Lollobrigida opened up about her own experiences in the wake of dozens of allegations involving producers and actors molesting and raping both men and women - namely Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.

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Revelations: Gina Lollobrigida, pictured in 1959, has spoken about how she was a victim of sexual assault in the early years of her career

Her too: Lollobrigida, pictured left in September and right in 1958, told an Italian TV show she was assaulted twice - the first time aged just 19

The actress rose to fame starring in several blockbuster films during the 1950s and 60s, and was once dubbed 'the most beautiful woman in the world'.

'I've also suffered molestation, in fact more than that, and I didn't say anything about it at the time,' she told Italian TV according to the Telegraph.

'I should have complained but I didn't have the courage.'

'The first time I was 19, I was still going to school. The second time, well I'd rather not talk about it. I was married and I was starting out in films.'

Opening up: The Italian actress said the second assault took place when she was 'married and was starting out in film'

Hollywood legent: Gina Lollobrigida stars in the 1952 film Belles De Nuit

Famous: A scene from Go Naked in the World from 1961 sees the siren slouching on a fur

Dark side of fame: The Italian actress declined to identify either of the two men who allegedly molested and sexually assaulted her decades ago

Keeping up with Gina: Lollobrigida is seen looking fabulous during her 90th birthday celebrations in Rome in July this year

She declined to identify either of the attackers, but revealed that one was Italian and the other 'foreign'.

The screen siren starred in Fifties films including Trapeze, Woman of Rome and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and now splits her time between a villa in Monte Carlo, a mansion in Rome and another property in Sicily.

Among the other movies she is known for are Beat the Devil, Buona Sera, Mrs Campbell and Fearless Little Soldier - with her most recent appearance in XXL with Gerard Depardieu in 1997.

Humphrey Bogart, who starred with Gina in her first Hollywood film 'Beat The Devil' in 1953, once said of her: 'She makes Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple.'
The sister of newly unseated Republican Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall, 73, has denounced him as a homophobe and said that his loss to a transgender delegate was 'karma'.

Marshall, a 13-term incumbent social conservative, lost to ex-journalist Democrat Danica Roem, 33, on Tuesday, making her the first openly transgender person to be elected and seated in state legislature.

On Thursday it emerged that Marshall's sister, actress Paula Marshall Nucci, 53, had attacked her brother on Facebook, saying that his 'judgmental and homophobic' attitude robbed him of the chance to 'lose with dignity'.

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Denounced: Actress Paula Marshall Nucci (left) denounced her brother Bob Marshall (right) as 'judgmental and homophobic' following the loss of his 13-year tenure in the Virginia legislature

Winner: Marshall lost to transgender candidate Danica Roem (pictured center, with long hair) on Tuesday - something that Marshall Nucci said was 'karma'

No dignity: Marshall Nucci said that her brother's insistence on calling Roem 'him' and refusal to engage in debate ensured that he lost his job and his dignity

Marshall Nucci wrote: 'That was my brother who lost his seat in the House of Delegates race in Va.

'He wouldn't debate her, he wouldn't call her "her" or "she". Maybe if he weren't so judgmental and homophobic, he could have lost with dignity.

'I'm not happy my brother lost his job, but all I can say is, karma brother.'

Marshall Nucci is an actress whose roles include a transgender girlfriend to Jon Cryer's character on 'Two and a Half Men' - although she herself is not trans.

Her Facebook post was made friends-only, but shared on Twitter by songwriter Holly O'Reilly, who called the statement 'beautiful'.

Whether Marshall himself saw the post isn't known, but it's unlikely he was too upset by her remarks, as he has previously proudly called himself Virginia's 'chief homophobe' and authored the state's anti-transgender bathroom ban.

In an interview with Breitbart he called Roem 'a guy who thinks he's a girl who wears a dress' before claiming that most people do not realize she is transgender, and see her instead as 'an odd-looking woman.'

Roem openly discussed her gender identity during her campaign, but it was far from her focus.

Actress: Although she is not transgender, Marshall Nucci played a transgender girlfriend to Jon Cryer in the sitcom Two and a Half Men (pictured)

Transition: Democrat Danica Roem of Virginia made history as the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature (Roem seen on Tuesday)

Instead, she talked about jobs, schools and, with particular fervor, northern Virginia's traffic congestion.

Marshall, meanwhile, spent the entire campaign referring to Roem as 'him.'

But after her win Roem refused to attack her opponent, saying: 'He'll be one of my constituents and I'm not going to attack my constituents.'

The race was one of the year's most high profile, drawing international attention and big money to the northern Virginia House of Delegates district outside the nation's capital.

'It's historic. ... It sends a message to politicians everywhere that the politics of bigotry is over,' said Democratic House Caucus Chair Charniele Herring.

Roem received some big support in her campaign when she got the endorsement of Joe Biden earlier this year.

The former vice president also called her up and congratulated her after her historic win, a moment that caused Roem to drop to her knees in excitement and disbelief.

'As someone who spent decades riding the train to work, I'm proud today to endorse Danica Roem's historic candidacy, because I know her emphasis on improving transportation infrastructure is critical to improving the quality of life for thousands of Virginians,' said Biden in a statement last month.

'I know she'd make people of her lifelong home of Prince William County proud by working to improve their commutes and strengthen the middle class while serving them with compassion in Richmond and Manassas.'

Thumbs up: Roem (seen during her campaign in June) defeated 13-term incumbent Marshall, who has been in the legislature since 1992 and authored the state's anti-trans bathroom-ban

Let's get loud: Roem is seen here performing with her metal band (above)

Roem started pursuing therapy to begin her gender transition when she was 28, and said in an interview during the campaign that politics should be inclusive of all.

'No matter what you look like, where you come from, how you worship or who you love, if you have good public policy ideas, if you're qualified for office, you have every right to bring your ideas to the table,' she said.

Roem also argued that Marshall, who has served in the House since 1992, has spent too much time on social policy.

A lightning rod for controversy, Marshall often drew the ire of even his own party.

In addition to this year's bathroom bill, Marshall was also the author of a now-void constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman, and sponsored a bill banning gay people from openly serving in the Virginia National Guard.

On the campaign trail, Marshall and other Republicans repeatedly misidentified Roem's gender.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Marshall said: 'For 26 years I've been proud to fight for you, and fight for our future.

'Though we all wish tonight would have turned out differently, I am deeply grateful for your support and effort over the years.'

Too kind: 'He'll be one of my constituents and I'm not going to attack my constituents,' said Roem after her win over Marshall (above)

In it to win it: Roem focused on jobs, schools and northern Virginia's traffic congestion in her campaign. She is pictured here emotional after getting a call from Joe Biden

Roem, who sings in a metal band in her spare time, said she learned to listen to different perspectives and digest complicated policy as a reporter for the Gainesville Times and Prince William Times.

She has a boyfriend of two years, who she doesn't name publicly, and considers his nine-year-old daughter her step-daughter.

Roem wasn't the only transgender candidate elected Tuesday. Tyler Titus, who is openly transgender, won a seat on a western Pennsylvania school board.

And Andrea Jenkins became the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major US city when she was elected to represent Ward 8 of Minneapolis on Tuesday.

'2017 will be remembered as the year of the trans candidate - and Danica's heroic run for office the centerpiece of that national movement,' said Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, president & CEO of Victory Fund, in a statement.
Cruel: Enping Qu, 22, has been charged with felony animal cruelty after he was allegedly spotted pouring boiling water onto his girlfriend's small dog

A California man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after authorities say he was caught repeatedly pouring boiling water on his girlfriends caged dog.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs deputies responded to a n apartment in the 16000 block of Butterfield Ranch Road in Chino Hills shortly before 5pm on Tuesday after receiving a report about a man who was seen abusing a pet dog, which was heard yelping in pain.

When the officers arrived on the scene, two 17-year-old witnesses who made the report told them that they saw the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Enping Qu, pouring scorching-hot liquid from a tea kettle onto the dog at least five times and had captured the incident on video.

The teenagers were at Pinehurst Park when they heard a dog whimpering. They looked around and spotted the crated dog being doused with what appeared to be scorching water on a third-floor balcony of a nearby apartment building.

Deputies went to perform a welfare check on the dog, described as a three-year-old dachshund mix named Sophie, and observed that her coat and skin were warm and wet.

In the apartment, they found the tea kettle resting on a warming plate containing water that measured 129 degrees.

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Defenseless: Sophie, a three-year-old dachshund mix, suffered first- and second-degree burns

Caught on camera: Witnesses recorded video allegedly showing Qu in the act of pouring water from a tea kettle on Sophie the dog while her owner was away

Sheriff's Deputy Dan Renear, who was one of the responding officers on the scene, told San Bernardino Sun that even though they arrived at the apartment more than an hour after receiving the initial report, the kettle was still too hot to touch.

Officials with the Inland Valley Humane Society who were summoned to the home transported Sophie to a veterinarian for emergency care. The pup will remain in the organizations care until she fully recovers from first- and second-degree burns, according to KABC.

James Edward, the Humane Societys operations manager, told KTLA the small black-and-white dog appeared to be in shock when she was taken into protective custody.

Deputy Renear, who is a self-described dog lover, told the station that Qu offered them a couple of different 'excuses,' none of which made much sense.

'"I thought I was doing it with cold water; I didn't mean to; I gave it a bath earlier in the day,"' Renear quoted the suspect as saying.

Humane Society officials described the small pooch as shocked by what had happened

The deputies were able to communicate with Qu, who is from China and reportedly is not fluent in English, through Google translator on their phones.

The 22-year-old man told them that Sophie belonged to his girlfriend, who was not home at the time of the incident.

The woman may be able to reclaim her pet, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Qu was arrested on a charge of felony animal cruelty but bonded out the following day. The video showing the alleged torture will not be released pending the ongoing investigation, officials said.
An asylum seeker who was jailed for three years for a string of offences has been awarded 4,000 compensation for time he was waiting to be deported.

Thierno lbrahima Jollah was jailed for assault, child cruelty and threatening court witnesses.

Lawyers for the 30-year-old had argued during a three day hearing in the High Court last month that he was entitled to 35,000.

Today, one of the country's top judges, Mr Justice Lewis, agreed Jollah was entitled to compensation and awarded him 4,000 instead of the larger pay-out he attempted to claim.

Lawyers for Thierno lbrahima Jollah had argued during a three day hearing in the High Court last month that he was entitled to 35,000

The award comes in the wake of a string of hearings since 2006 before immigration tribunals, the county court and the High Court and criminal courts.

The judge said Jollah arrived in the UK in January 2003 seeking asylum and was granted exceptional leave to stay. His judgment revealed that he has remained in the country ever since.

In May 2006 he was convicted at Cambridge Crown Court of threatening to harm a witness, juror or person assisting in investigation of an offence of common assault and was jailed for 15 months.

And in September 2006 he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and sentenced to a further six months.

The deportation moves dragged on and he remained in the UK and was jailed for a further year in 2013 for child cruelty.

Under powers that entitle the Government to deport foreign criminals he was served with notice of deportation as long ago as May 2007 in respect of the earlier offences and was detained pending the outcome.

However, in January 2008 he was granted bail on condition he report to the authorities regularly but by June 2008 his challenges to deportation had failed.

He then failed to comply with his bail conditions, was arrested as an 'absconder' served with a deportation order and put in detention. But because of complications with the deportation order he was freed again in July 2009.

By 2013 when he had been freed from the child cruelty sentence it emerged that he might be from Guinea rather than Liberia and that he may also have a different name to Jollah.

Because of fears by the authorities that he could abscond, he was released from a detention centre but put under a strict curfew and electronically tagged.

But it has since emerged the regulations used by a Home Office worker to impose the curfew were wrongly applied.

He was under curfew from 11.00 pm to 7.00 am for two and a half years which amounted to 'unlawful detention.'

The curfew was finally lifted by a High Court judge last year.

Mr Justice Lewis said Jollah was entitled to compensation for the time he was under the curfew but not entitled to aggravated damages on top of that.

He said that the curfew had continued for 'a significant period of time', adding: 'The law requires the payment of compensation for the injury suffered as the result of the imposition of the unlawful curfew. That amounts, in the present case, to 4,000.'

MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment.
The US Army is set to make a decision on whether disgraced former soldier Bowe Bergdahl is entitled to nearly $300,000 in compensation and other benefits he accumulated while in enemy captivity.

Bergdahl, 31, was held captive by the Taliban for five years after he deserted his base in Afghanistan in 2009.

Last week, a military judge handed down Bergdahl a dishonorable discharge and demotion from sergeant to private after he pleaded guilty to desertion in court.

An Army review of Bowe Bergdahl's (pictured) compensation package is set to be handed down soon

Bergdahl, 31, was held captive by the Taliban for five years after his desertion in 2009 and was returned home in 2014

Bergdahl's disappearance led to several other soldiers being severely wounded as they set out on a recovery mission.

Soldiers held in captivity usually receive special compensation worth around $150,000, according to The Army Times.

Captive soldiers also earn other benefits like hostile-fire pay in addition to their regular compensation that they continue to amass while in captivity.

Bergdahl's conviction, however, has complicated the Army's review on the matter and whether he's entitled to compensation.

U.S. Army Private Bowe Bergdahl watches as one of his captors displays his identity tag (pictured: July 19, 2009)

'My understanding is there has to be an administrative determination of his duty status at each point, from the time he was captured until now,' one unidentified military official told the Army Times.

'In order to figure out what he's owed, you're basically going to have to start from that point of captivity.'

The Department of Defense initially considered Bergdahl as 'Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown,' but changed it to 'Missing-Captured' days later after a Taliban propaganda video emerged showing him alive.

It's also possible that Bergdahl may owe money to the Army if the review determines that he should not be compensated for his time in captivity and was overpaid since his return, according to the official.

'Based upon the results of trial, the Army is reviewing Sgt. Bergdahl's pay and allowances,' Lt. Col. Randy Taylor told the Times. 'His final pay and allowances will be determined in accordance with DoD policy and Army regulation.'

A spokesperson for the Army told Daily Mail Online that 'no timeframe has been established as to when a decision will be made regarding... Bergdahl's final pay and allowances.'
Wellwishers gathered to pay their respects to a Royal Marine who died on board a supply ship in Dubai as his body was brought back to Britain.

James Holloway, of 42 Commando based at RM Bickleigh near Plymouth, Devon, died aboard RFA Fort Rosalie on October 29.

His cause of death is under investigation but the Royal Navy confirmed his death was not as a result of operational activity. Holloway is believed to have been in his 20s.

His body was repatriated on Wednesday at RAF Brize Norton before being taken to John Radcliffe Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will take place.

Marine James Holloway (right), of 42 Commando based at RM Bickleigh near Plymouth, Devon, died aboard RFA Fort Rosalie on October 29

A hearse bearing the coffin of James Holloway makes its way through the streets of Headington in Oxfordshire

Former serviceman and women lined the streets in a mark of respect to the Royal Marine on Wednesday evening

Standard bearers and armed forces veterans line the streets in Headington

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Headington has become known as 'The Final Turn'

Veterans gathered at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Headington on Wednesday to pay respects to the marine.

The church has become known as 'The Final Turn', where a guard of honour is formed along the road as repatriated troops are taken to hospital.

A Royal Navy statement said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this sad time.'

His cause of death is under investigation but the Royal Navy confirmed his death was not as a result of operational activity. Holloway is believed to have been in his 20s

The ship on which Holloway died set off on six-month stint in the Gulf region last month.

She is supporting allied warships in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy and smuggling east of Suez, the Royal Navy said.
Endris Mohammed, pictured, was 'the perfect dad' according to his wife Penil Teklehaimanot despite the Uber driver admitting killing their two young children

A wife told a court her Uber driver husband who killed their two children before setting fire to the family home was 'the perfect dad'.

Penil Teklehaimanot, 37, also told a jury how Endris Mohammed, 47, played on an Xbox with their son hours before he smothered him and their daughter.

Mohammed, denies murder and attempted murder but admits he was responsible for the deaths of his son Saros, eight, and six-year-old daughter Leanor.

The court heard the cab driver claimed he smothered son Saros and Leanor, because he had 'no money'.

But Mrs Teklehaimanot told the jury the family were financially comfortable and described her husband as the 'perfect dad'.

She said: 'He was a gentle, quiet man. He's the man who takes it easy. He took everything easy. He's not worried about anything.

'He was the perfect dad. He spent a lot of time with the children and played with them.'

He smothered the children with a petrol-soaked cloth before he set his house on fire in an alleged bid to murder his sleeping wife.

Emergency services rushed to the couple's home in following a blaze at the property in Handsworth, Birmingham, at around 3.30am on October 28 last year.

The lifeless bodies of the children were dragged outside by their mother who thought they were asleep when they were actually in cardiac arrest.

Saros and Leanor were declared dead at Sandwell General Hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital at 4.53am and 4.54am.

Mohammed then drove off in a rented Vauxhall Insignia which he used for work, and was later found 40 miles away in a burning vehicle having tried to kill himself.

Giving evidence from behind a screen at Birmingham Crown Court, Mrs Teklehaimanot, a care worker, described the final hours leading up to the fatal fire.

Mohammed killed son Saros, eight, right, and daughter Leanor, six, left, by smothering them with a petrol stained rag before setting their house on fire

She said she had taken her children to Smyths Toys in Walsall, West Midlands, to pick out a birthday present for Leanor who was due to turn seven on November 1.

She said: 'On the way back I drove accidentally into a bus lane and was worried I would get a ticket.

'I told him what had happened. He told me to not worry, they did not take points. Walsall Council would send me a ticket.

'He said that it's only 30 [the fine] and that he would pay it for me.

'He said he would Google it to see if there is a camera where I was. He showed me that he is a caring man. That behaviour was typical of him.

'I went to bed at around midnight. Leanor was asleep on the sofa, and he was playing on the Xbox with Saros.

'The next thing, I heard the [fire] alarm on.

'When I was coming down the stairs I saw the fire while I was on the stairs. The fire was in the front door, the main door.

'When I saw the fire, I was calling for him again and again. When I saw his car wasn't on the drive, I thought that he had gone to work.

'I do not remember how I put out the fire.'

Mrs Teklehaimanot said on the day her children died she went to bed with everything normal but then was woken by the fire alarm and saw the flames. Pictured is the house being inspected by forensic officers after the blaze

The court heard how a neighbour rushed to help and asked her about the children inside the burning property.

Mrs Teklehaimanot said: 'The lady came with me to the living room.

'I tried to wake them up, but they were not responding. Leaner was asleep on her tummy, but they did not respond to me. So I took Saros and the lady took Leanor.'

The court heard the couple temporarily split up for eight months in 2010 after she suspected that he was sleeping with another woman.

Mrs Teklehaimanot said: 'We were both asylum seekers. We began a relationship with one another around that time in 2006.

'I received citizenship to this country in 2013. After Leanor's birth, me and him separated for eight months.

'I suspected him he was sleeping with another women. I asked if he was sleeping with other women. He denied it.'

After getting back together, the pair split again in August 2015 when Mohammed demanded that she pay him 50-a-week for looking after the children.

The court heard how a neighbour was woken up at around 3.12am on the day of the incident.

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin QC told how passengers who had travelled with Mohammed in his cab had described him as 'talkative' in the lead up to the incident.

One passenger said: 'He asked me where I was going and what I was going to buy but I did not really engage with him.

'The driver was chilled, quite happy.'

Another said: 'The driver asked me what was the quickest route, because there were roadworks, but other than that we did not really talk.

Mohammed, pictured in a court sketch, denies murder and attempted murder on grounds of diminished responsibility

'When we reached the destination and I got out, he wished me a good night.'

The court heard how Mohammed had set his car on fire in a bid to take his own life by using piles of dry leaves and a disposable lighter.

The taxi driver was found lying outside the vehicle in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs., by passersby who called the emergency services.

He had burns to 15 per cent of his body, and required two operations to treat burns to his scalp, forehead, eyelids, backs of the hands, fingers and backs of the fingers.

Birmingham Crown Court was told how Mohammed was arrested at Nottingham University Hospital on 17 November last year.

During an interview at Great Barr Police Station on January 17, he claimed that the fire was 'purposely done'.

Mr Hankin QC, prosecuting, said: 'At about 7am he was seen by passing motorists with hazard lights flashing. He was was seen looking inside the boot.

'He was then seen lying in the road close to his taxi. He had burns injuries to his hands and his head.

'He was asked what had happened, but his response could not be properly understood.

'The emergency services were called by passersby, and water was poured on to his burns.

'The passenger was heavily burnt, while dry leaves had been piled up in other parts of the vehicle.

'They was a cigarette lighter in the front of the car. An investigation concluded that he sustained his injuries while in the car.

'The car was later examined by forensics officers employed by West Midlands Police.

'No accelerants are found and there was no suicide note.

'Large deposits of dry leaves had been made to the front passenger seat and to the rear seats of the car.

'The overall damage to the inside of the car was fairly minor.'

Mohammed had claimed in a police interview that he had poured half of the three litre petrol container on to his vehicle outside the family home.

But James Holder, a fire investigation officer, told the jury how there was no evidence of petrol on the Vauxhall Insignia when he was found at around 7am.

He said: 'If a significant quantity of petrol had been poured onto the car, I would have expected that residue from that would have been found.'

Emergency services rushed to the couple's home in following a blaze at the property in Handsworth, Birmingham, at around 3.30am on October 28 last year

Professor Steven Jeffery a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon, revealed that 15 per cent of the defendant's body had sustained surface burns.

He said: 'Mr Mohammed sustained severe burns to his scalp, forehead and the back of his hands.

'He required two skin grafting operations for those injuries.

'Mr Mohammed had also sustained an inhalation injury meaning he had inhaled strong gasses which had damaged his airways.'

Robert Coss, a fire investigation dog handler for Derbyshire Fire Service, said the family home which was doused in petrol was like a 'sealed box'.

He added: 'None of the doors or windows were open and there was not air coming into the home.

'We could never quantify the total amount of petrol that was in the property.

'The reason why the petrol ultimately did not ignite was because there was too much of it - the amount of petroleum in the air was above the flammable limit.'

He also told how his cocker spaniel Dexter was used to 'indicate' areas where he could smell petrol or some form of ignition fluid.

In total there were nine such areas, including around the skirting boards of the entrance hall, some burnt items in the entrance hall, a grey children's dressing gown, an area within the kitchen sink where the petrol from the large decanter had been poured into smaller one, a leopard print blanket, a pink mattress cover, a quilt, a black towel and a cushion.

The trial will resume on Friday.
A thug pulled up in a car late at night and hurled a firework which went off 'like a bomb' at a shocked family's home.

The attacker lobbed the missile at Xanthe Grace's house in South Woodford, Essex, at 2.26am on Sunday November 5.

The terrifying ambush was caught on CCTV and police have launched an investigation.

Ms Grace said she was fast asleep when the attacker struck after driving up in a grey motor.

The attacker lobbed the missile at Xanthe Grace's house in South Woodford, Essex, at 2.26am on Sunday November 5

She initially suspected they were victims of a prank carried out by street kids before studying their CCTV footage.

Ms Grace told the Ilford Recorder: 'It was like a bomb had hit our window.

'If something had caught alight it would have been so dangerous as that is our only way of getting out.

The terrifying ambush was caught on CCTV and police have launched an investigation

'Our room is at the front and thankfully the kids sleep at the back so it wasn't right by them.'

She said she's got no idea why they were singled out by the mystery attacker.

'We have no clue why we were targeted. We were stunned to see a grown man do it.

Ms Grace said she was fast asleep when the attacker struck after driving up in a grey motor. The Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation

'We thought it might be a case of mistaken identity, but police said they think it was just a random attack.'

The Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into the shocking incident.
A British tourist who wrote a letter of complaint after he was charged 536 euros (463) for a lunch has been labelled a cheapskate by the Mayor of Venice.

Luke Tang, a university lecturer from Birmingham, was dining with his 70-year-old parents and was so appalled by the bill he received at the Trattoria Casanova restaurant, he wrote to the mayor to complain.

In his letter to Luigi Brugnaro he pointed out that there was no price on the menu for the platter of fish he ordered, but the straight-talking politician cut him down.

A British tourist has written a letter of complaint to the mayor of Venice after he was charged 536 euros (463) for a lunch (bill pictured left). The picture on the right shows the meal

In an interview on Italian television, Mr Brugnaro said: 'Theyre cheapskates. Someone eats and drinks in a restaurant, then says they cannot understand the language?

'If you come to Italy you need to learn Italian, maybe even a few words of Venetian would be good too.'

'They ate lobster. They left nothing on their plates. They didnt even leave a tip. If you come to Venice, you need to shell out a bit. Youre welcome, but you need to spend.'

The mayor claimed the British family had eaten the entire meal and had not complained to waiters, according to Repubblica.

Mr Tang said he was charged a reasonable sum for the majority of his order.

But a platter of fresh fish, which he alleges didn't carry a price on the menu, cost him 297 euros alone.

The unnamed tourist from Birmingham dined at Trattoria Casanova in the central San Marco district with his parents and was charged a reasonable sum for the majority of his order. But a platter of fresh fish that he alleges didn't carry a price on the menu cost him 297 euros

He told The Independent: 'I ordered it by pointing at a picture, which showed only one portion without any name or price on it. The picture was on the first page of the menu.

'I have to admit it is my fault that I did not check the price, but I did not expect that one and a half lobsters together with other fish would cost us 300.'

The dish included, according to the paper, 3.5kg of fresh fish including lobster, scampi and seabass.

On TripAdvisor Trattoria Casanova has an average of two stars out of five from 534 reviews, with 139 assigning the eaterie a 'terrible' rating

The rest of his bill was made up of squid ink spaghetti at 14.5 euros, chips at 5.5 euros and grilled vegetables at 7.5 euros, plus over 100 euros-worth of oysters.

Mr Tang subsequently wrote to the mayor of Venice complaining that restaurants like Trattoria Casanova were ruining the reputation of the city.

On TripAdvisor the restaurant has an average of two stars out of five from 534 reviews, with 139 assigning the eaterie a 'terrible' rating.

The restaurant defended the bill it gave to the tourist, telling Corriere Del Veneto: 'They ate 3.5kg of fish between three of them, in a San Marco restaurant with 14 waiters that has been renovated, has plasma TVs, clear pricing and such high standards of cleanliness that the NAS (health inspectors) came round the other day and complimented us.'

In June Venice announced that it is banning the opening of new hotels in the historic city centre and the development of existing properties into tourist accommodation.

It was the latest in a string of measures to bring visitor numbers under control, as locals continue to protest at the heaving crowds and rising cost of living.

Every year, Venice is flooded by an unprecedented amount of nearly 30 million visitors. This is more-or-less half of the Italian population, according to the Global Tourism Review.
HAZEN -- In a gathering of health care and finance doers and shakers, two women represented how love and simple service help hospitals grow and survive.

A new Sakakawea Medical Center in Hazen was formally dedicated Wednesday after construction started on a warm fall day two years ago. This wintrier day saw some 175 people gathered in the hospitals galleria, a stunning expanse of beams, windows and flickering fireplace that greets visitors and separates clinic and hospital operations.

The women, Lorina Zuern and Elda Baisch, were among many recognized and each quietly symbolized the human spirit behind the complicated build of a state-of-the-art medical facility.

Lorina and her late husband, Herb, are among the few who donated $250,000 or more to the project, money they earned over lifetimes of farming the soil of Mercer County, not far from where King Coal is hard at work.

We wanted to give back to the community that we love. The good Lord blessed us with good crops and health and the brains for our know-how, Lorina Zuern said. Its a lot of hospital for a small town and Zuern hopes it can be utilized to the best of its ability.

Baisch is among the hundreds, perhaps thousands of women in the Hazen Hospital Auxiliary, who over 70 years have baked pies and roasted turkeys to raise money for hospital equipment and in early years painted the walls and sewed the drapes.

This is Hazens third hospital since its first was built back in the post-WWII era. I was here to see all of them being built. This is phenomenal, Baisch said. The auxiliary with 50 currently active members is the oldest in North Dakota.

The women are among those to whom hospital board chairman Christie Obenauer referred when she talked about her familys decision to return home to our people. She said its about relationships and a community working together for a greater purpose. Who would have ever thought that our community would be standing in a medical center of this caliber? she said.

For all its physical and equipment attributes, Charles Ervin of Dougherty Mortgage _ one in a large cast of financial players, including the Bank of North Dakota and USDA that put the financing together _ had an observation that only adds to the hospitals story.

This hospital has the lowest-cost of funding of any new building hospital in the United States, he said. The aggregate 1.5 percent interest may hold that record for a while. Ervin said those involved in the project may never be known to the patients or accident victims who rush to the brightly lit emergency room in desperate straits.

They wont know our names, but they will get help, he said.

Hospital administrator Darrold Bertsch said though the new hospital is alive and well, the management staff will now put it through a head-to-toe autopsy. Everything is working wonderfully well, but the review will be to see if its working as well as it could, he said.
A US journalist has been freed from a 'hell hole' prison in Zimbabwe but has been told she can't leave the country after allegedly calling President Mugabe 'selfish and sick' on Twitter.

Martha O'Donovan had been charged with attempting to overthrow Mugabe as well as undermining or insulting the veteran leader, now 93.

Her arrest in a dawn raid at her apartment last Friday came just weeks after the government appointed a cybersecurity minister tasked with policing social media.

She was today released after a judge sided with the defence and accepted that the state had failed to justify the reason for remanding her in custody.

The journalist was likely held in the notorious Harare Central prison which is known for overcrowding and 'decrepit' conditions.

O'Donovan's lawyer Obey Shava, said outside the High Court in Harare: 'Ms Martha O'Donovan has been granted $1,000 bail (860 euros) and ordered to reside at a given address, surrender her passport... and report [to detectives] twice a week.'

O'Donovan was accused of being behind a tweet posted by anonymous Twitter user @matigary on October 11.

Martha O'Donovan is pictured being led into a truck to be taken to jail on Saturday after a court hearing in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she is charged with insulting and undermining President Robert Mugabe on Twitter

This is the post O'Donovan is accused of writing. It was shared under the Twitter handle @matigary on October 11 and includes a photograph which the user said appeared to show he was using a catheter

The tweet labeled Mugabe, 93, a 'selfish and sick' man and suggested he was relying on a catheter.

Police claimed they traced its IP address to her home and they said she is behind the entire account despite the fact that it was still active on Saturday even after she was thrown in jail.

'LOL they think she is me,' said one of the tweets. The person behind the account also joked that they had tried to turn themselves in but that the authorities wanted to keep O'Donovan behind bars because she is foreign.

O'Donovan is a producer for the political satire TV network Magamba and who has studied human rights across Africa for years.

She was likely being held in one of two notoriously grotty prisons - Chikurubi or Harare Central.

Authorities in Zimbabwe said they traced the IP address of the October 11 post to O'Donovan's home and they believe she is behind the account.

A judge dismissed her lawyers' motion to throw out the arrest warrant on Saturday.

O'Donovan, a graduate of NYU, has been in Zimbabwe for the last year working for the local TV network Magamba and bar tending.

She went to Africa in 2013 to teach young local people how to become radio journalists as part of her NYU fellowship on human rights in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Magamba TV, which she now works as a producer for, describes itself the home of 'satirical comedy sensations'.

On Saturday, the account was still active as O'Donovan languished in jail. Its anonymous user is relentless in their criticism of Mugabe who they refer to as 'Goblin'

They jokingly claimed that they turned themselves in after O'Donovan's arrest but were turned away because they were 'after muzungu' - an African term for foreigners

As news of her arrest emerged on Friday, a #FreeMartha social media campaign calling for her release went viral.

The woman's family in her hometown of Martinsville, New Jersey, did not yet comment on her arrest at the time.

Her arrest warrant stated that on October 11, she, under the Twitter handle @matigary, tweeted: 'We are being led by a sick and selfish man'.

It was said she 'founded' Magamba - the network which she works for - and allege that she may be trying to 'overthrow' the government through her work for it.

Magamba was founded in 2007, when she was 15, by Comrade Fatso & Outspoken, two African men and hip hop artists.

Police say she also retweeted one of @matigary's tweets on the Magamba Twitter account which referred to Mugabe as a 'goblin'.

But on Saturday, as she sat in jail after handing over all of her electronics, @matigary was still active.

'LOL I am in and still tweeting,' the account posted, pretending to be her.

In another tweet, they said: 'I think I should sue Goblin for putting my name into disrepute.'

O'Donovan, 25, was remanded in custody after a brief hearing on Saturday morning. She is pictured being taken away from Harare Magistrates Court afterwards

O'Donovan is seen arriving at Harare Magistrates Court on Saturday morning to face the charges

Before she was remanded in custody on Saturday, O'Donovan posed for photographs with her lawyers and with others inside the court. They said she was in 'high spirits' despite the charges

Mugabe, 93, and his ZANU-PF party are notoriously anti-white and harsh on anyone who dares to criticize the government

O'Donovan's arrest is the first of its kind since Mugabe appointed a minister for cybersecurity last month.

It was a move which human rights activists criticized, claiming it infringed on free speech.

In a statement before her court appearance, she said: 'I deny the allegations leveled against me as baseless and malicious.'

O'Donovan, a graduate of New York University, previously referred to herself as a 'media activist.'

Earlier this year, she presented a talk at a republica digital culture conference on 'How Zimbabweans Rebel Online'.

She was previously involved with campaigning for the release of Pastor Evan Mawarire who was jailed last year on similar charges.

She traveled to Africa in 2013 to work for The Children's Radio Foundation where she said her job was to train local young people to become reporters.

It was part of her fellowship at NYU Gallatin which focused on human rights in African cities.

Martha, 25, is an NYU graduate and was raised in New Jersey

The 25-year-old has been living in Zimbabwe for at least a year and works on local TV station Magamba

O'Donovan also works as a bartender in Avondale, a suburb of the capital Harare

O'Donovan went to Africa in 2013 for the first time as part of her NYU fellowship. She was working on human rights development across African countries and returned to give this presentation in 2014 (above) where she said she had 'more questions than answers'

Upon her return in 2014, she said during one speech: 'I think I came back with a lot more questions than answers.'

It is not clear when she returned to Africa but Magamba said she has been working for them in Zimbabwe for around a year.

O'Donovan's case highlights the growing concern for human rights in Zimbabwe where hundreds have been prosecuted for appearing to undermine or insult Mugabe.

'This arrest marks the start of a sinister new chapter in the Zimbabwean government's clampdown on freedom of speech, and the new battleground is social media,' said Amnesty International's deputy regional director, Muleya Mwananyanda.

The TV network that she works for tweeted on Saturday: 'It's not all about Martha, it's about every Zimbabwean. This is an attempt to silence our voice. Stifle freedom .

'Free Martha or arrest us all.'

Nearly 200 people have been criminally charged with insulting Mugabe, 93 (above with his wife Grace on October 25) in recent years, according to human rights lawyers
The world's most successful Airbnb landlord made 11.9 million in a single year by renting out his 881 London properties through the website, new research has shown.

While that represents the largest income made by an individual, the area bringing in the most cash was the Indonesian island of Bali.

Behind Airbnb's top-earning landlord in London is one in Bali with 504 properties who earned 11.8 million in the space of a year.

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The world's most successful Airbnb landlord made 11.9 million in a single year by renting out his 881 London properties through the website

According to the work by analysts at AirDNA, the other top-earning landlords were based in Cape Town, Paris, Havana, Sydney, Barcelona, Madrid and Melbourne.

AirDNA's CEO Scott Shatford told The Telegraph that Airbnb is 'no longer community just for individuals renting out their space or properties on their own.'

He explained: 'We're seeing traditional property management companies operating as many as 1,000 listings.

According to the AirDNA data, the highest earnings are for landlords in Bali, where the average income is 31,294 a year. Pictured: The other places hosts make the most cash

'These numbers don't show a multimillionaire sitting on a gold mine. These are businesses that have emerged in this new economy, with hundreds of employees, managing other people's second homes.'

But a spokesperson for Airbnb the 'vast majority' of its hosts are 'regular people who share their homes - typically their greatest expense - to boost their income and support their families'.

According to the AirDNA data, the highest earnings are for landlords in Bali, where the average income is 31,294 a year.

In second-place Tokyo, the average is 27,581.

Third is Barcelona, where the average is 21,807 a year and fourth is Lisbon, where the average is 21,146.

London is seventh, with users earning an average of 15,953 a year.

The world's most successful Airbnb landlord made 11.9 million in a single year by renting out his 881 London properties through the website. Pictured: The other top earners

Airbnb said a typical British host earned 3,000 by letting out rooms or homes for three nights a month.

A spokesperson for the website also said the AirDNA data has been 'scraped' and therefore ought not to be considered official.

AirDNA said that around the world, 65 per cent of hosts are individuals and 35 per cent are management firms - but stressed the rapid growth of the latter.

But Airbnb said 80 per cent of hosts in the UK are using their 'primary home'.
Longtime Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen sat down for breakfast with billionaire Mark Cuban, who hasn't ruled out making his own run for president, to talk about a book and the pressure of federal probes.

The pair indicated that Cohen was getting help with his forthcoming book about the Trump campaign and the Russia probe  but Cuban said he was also there to talk Cohen 'off the roof' while he's under investigation.

Cuban also tangled with federal investigators during a Securities and Exchange Commission probe where he was found not liable for insider trading.

Longtime Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen sat down for breakfast with billionaire Mark Cuban Thursday

He says he wanted to 'calm him down and talk him off the roof,' TMZ reported, having snagged a brief interview with the pair as they departed Landmarc restaurant in the Time Warner Center in New York.

Cohen said he was 'cooperating 100 per cent' with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe.

'I have not comment with anything that they're doing. I'll tell you one thing you can end up reading it in my book,' he responded when asked about it.

Cuban wouldn't bite when asked about a pair of potential Democratic candidates. He has previously indicated he might run. 'I don't play that close attention to politics,' he said.

Cohen plugged his forthcoming book about the campaign and the investigation

Marc Cuban and Michael Cohen exit the Landmarc restaurant in New York

Cuban isn't ruling out a run for president. Cohen has been a longtime legal advisor to Donald Trump

'I'm here to help with his book,' he added.

The two men are reportedly longtime friends. Cuban was once a Trump backer, but appeared side-by-side with Hillary Clinton during the campaign after he concluded he supported her.

His wealth is estimated by Forbes at more than $3 billion. Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks, appears on 'Shark Tank,' and played the president in 'Sharknado 3,' and has said he is developing ideas on health care and other issues.

Cohen features prominently in the 'dirty dossier' that features unsubstantiated allegations about connections between Trump associates and Russians.

His lawyer vigorously disputed the dossier in a letter to the House Intelligence Committee, noting, for example, that he never traveled to Prague, where he was purported to have gone to meet with Russians in August 2016.

'Mr. Cohen vehemently denies the claims made in the dossier about him, which are false and remain wholly unsubstantiated,' attorney Stephen Ryan wrote the panel, NPR reported.

The SEC went after Cuban for alleged insider trading but he was found not guilty by a Jury in 2013.

Cohen met with House Intelligence panel investigators in October, but Senate probers cancelled his closed appearance after he gave a statement to the media, which the committee claimed violated an agreement.

Then the Senate panel scheduled an Oct. 20 open appearance, and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said he 'appreciates Mr. Cohen's cooperation.'
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of neglect and fraud by police investigating the deaths of 12 care home residents amid claims of intimidation and physical abuse.

Police are probing the treatment of 43 people at nine facility under the wing of Sussex Health Care.

Sussex Police say that the woman remains in custody pending further inquiries.

The organisation is being scrutinised following serious concerns over the safety of patients amid claims of intimidation and abuse.

Sussex Health Care is being scrutinised following serious concerns over the safety of patients amid claims of intimidation and abuse (pictured: Kingsmead, one of the homes under review)

In September West Sussex County Council admitted that it had stopped placing people at eight homes, but would reveal the names of only two of them - The Laurels and Orchard Lodge.

But last month the county council has said investigations are ongoing at nine care homes.

As well as The Laurels and Orchard Lodge, the other homes were named as: Beech Lodge, Beechcroft Care Centre, Kingsmead Lodge, Longfield Manor, Rapkyns Care Centre, Rapkyns Nursing Home and Woodhurst Lodge.

A meeting between police and relatives of people who died while residents at the care homes, along with health authorities and the West Sussex Coroner, was held in August.

Valerie Tilley, who had Alzheimer's, was at Longfield Manor care home in Billingshurst, West Sussex, when she suffered two accidents within a week and died shortly afterwards at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

A special 'whistleblowers' hotline' was set up last month by the independent charity Compassion In Care for anyone who has any concerns about relatives.

Gary Lewis, 65, and Matthew Bates, 33 - neither of whom can walk or talk - were each found to have suffered broken legs in separate incidents while they were residents at Beech Lodge care home in Horsham, West Sussex, in 2015.

The home is also run by Sussex Health Care which operates 20 local care homes - nine of which are being investigated following the deaths of 12 residents.

Staff at The Laurels failed to notify officials of incidents of physical and verbal abuse plus intimidation, according to a report published by the CQC on July 26.

Care inspectors rated the home in Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex, which cares for adults under 65 with learning or physical disabilities, overall as 'requiring improvement'.

Last month West Sussex County Council admitted that it had stopped placing people at eight homes (pictured: Longfield Manor care home)

Two days later Peter Catchpole, the county council's deputy leader - who is a paid adviser for Sussex Health Care - quit his council post as cabinet member for adult social care to 'ensure that there is no risk of any actual or perceived conflict between his cabinet role and his declared work with the company'.

He then stood down as deputy leader later that week 'for personal reasons'.

The authority says that the nine care homes are 'the subject of a multi-agency safeguarding investigation being undertaken by West Sussex County Council, the Care Quality Commission, Health and Sussex Police. The provider is working with the agencies to provide the information requested'.

In September the Care Quality Commission rated Orchard Lodge care home as 'inadequate' following an inspection in July.

CQC inspectors found the home, in Warnham, West Sussex, was 'inadequate' for being safe and well-led, 'requires improvement' for being caring and effective and 'good' for being responsive to people's needs.

Police say their investigations could go on until 2019.
Russian airline Aeroflot has agreed to deal with its 'crinkly' food packages after it was sued by a businessman who said the sound kept him awake during flights.

Lev Levchenko demanded 'moral damages of 999,999 roubles and 99 kopecks', the equivalent of about 13,000, from the airline, in a case brought before a court in Moscow.

Levchenko, from the Black sea city of Sochi, said the sound of the food packaging affected him on his business trips.

Passengers who kept the packaging after dinner continued to make crinkling sounds until the end of the flight, he said.

Lev Levchenko was a regular flier on Aeroflot but he said trips were made a nightmare by the constant sound of passengers rustling 'crinkly' food packages

Aeroflot has agreed to deal with the problem of crinkly packages and to use cardboard instead

Levchenko said the problem was exacerbated when he had to make several business trips in the one day and he was prevented from taking much needed naps.

He suggested Aeroflot should replace the plastic packages with cardboard ones.

'I got to my meetings in a depressed mood, feeling bad and in low spirits, which had a very negative impact on my business reputation,' he said.

'The so-called evening snack after take-off handed to passengers in these boxes with cellophane, is just a horror.'

His lawsuit appears to have done the trick, RIA Novosti reported, and Aeroflot representative had promised to resolve the issue with crinkly packages, which led to Levchenko dropping his lawsuit.
A California man was charged with animal cruelty on Tuesday after he allegedly stomped a couple's dog to death after killing their cat.

Seth Estrada, 22, was arrested on Friday after his girlfriend's grandparents called police officers to their home when they found their beloved Maltese, Rain, bleeding profusely.

Chuck Hayes, Rain's owner, said Estrada killed his dog following a dispute over whether he could continue to live with his granddaughter at their residence, according to the Mercury News.

Seth Estrada, 22, of California, was charged with animal cruelty on Tuesday after he allegedly stomped his girlfriend's grandparents' dog, named Rain (pictured), to death

When police arrived to the scene Estrada allegedly yelled:'I killed my first dog!'

Holly Hayes and her husband, who are animal lovers, said Estrada moved in with their granddaughter about a year ago.

'He's been periodically hurting my animals since he moved in,' Holly told the newspaper. 'They were all accidents, of course. It's never been this bad.'

Chuck said that he and his wife finally had enough and told Estrada to move out on Friday.

Later that day, Chuck said a neighbor told him she heard Estrada punch Rain, who had purple ears, three times as the dog yelped in pain.

Chuck said when he came home he found Rain barely able to walk. He then held the dog for about a half hour, but had to leave the home to pick up his grandson from school.

He told the newspaper that he laid the dog on a pillow and went outside. But before he could leave, Chuck claims Estrada ran out of the house with the now bleeding dog in his arms.

'I said, "What'd you do! Give me that dog!" Hayes said. 'Before I could get back to the house, it died.' Hayes then called police.

Chuck Hayes, Rain's owner, said Estrada (pictured) killed his dog following a dispute over whether he could continue to live with his granddaughter at their residence

Estrada claimed he was trying to help the dog walk when it bit him. Estrada said he accidentally fell back and stepped on the front of the dog's face, according to the Mercury News.

A necropsy revealed Rain suffered from skull fractures, broken ribs, a collapsed spleen, and internal hemorrhaging.

Rain's injuries were considered intentional.

Estrada also told police that he had killed three other animals, but he said they were all accidents, according to Hawthorne police Lt James Royer.

Chuck and his wife believe Estrada is responsible for the death of their cat that was found in their driveway.

They claim he broke the cat's neck and tossed it from a second-story window.

Royer said authorities 'believe that he's responsible for the deaths of as many as three animals, this by his own admission'.

The investigation is ongoing. Estrada remained in custody Wednesday with his bail set at $20,000.
A Seattle pedophile has pleaded for a judge to give him the same two-year sentence which shamed politician Anthony Weiner received for sexting an underage girl.

Douglas Blouin, 51, is facing up to 13 years in prison for child pornography charges and will be sentenced in Seattle, Washington, on Thursday afternoon.

In a memo to the court, his public defender attorney asked the judge to consider the recent jailing of Weiner in New York when deciding Blouin's sentence.

Weiner is one week in to his 21 month sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, northern Massachusetts. He got off lightly considering the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years.

Douglas Blouin, 51, (shown above in his 2004 mugshot after he was arrested on child molestation charges) is waiting to be sentenced for child pornography offenses

In his memo, Blouin's lawyer said: 'Congressman Anthony Weiner was recently sentenced to 21 months in custody after he convinced a 15-year-old to produce child pornography.'

Weiner was jailed for sending a string of explicit messages and photographs to an underage girl in 2016.

At the time, he was still married to Huma Abedin, one of Hillary Clinton's closest aides.

DailyMail.com exposed his texts to the girl and a federal investigation ensued.

Weiner (above as he arrived for his sentencing in September) was jailed for 21 months

Weiner is one week in to his 21 month sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts

Weiner exchanged sexually explicit photographs and texts with this girl when she was underage

Weiner is the estranged husband of Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin

The spilled over into the 2016 presidential election and was blamed for thwarting Hillary Clinton's chances of victory after it emerged police reopened their probe into her email use while looking in to Weiner's correspondence with the girl.

Blouin was arrested in April last year. Police found a video on his computer which showed two young boys being raped.

He has previous convictions including one for child molestation in 2004.

He told the court he had been attracted to children since he started smoking meth in the late 1990s.

The man formerly worked as a trucker and in 2013, he was awarded an undisclosed cash sum after suing a Flying J rest stop where he said he fell off the toilet and hurt his head.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh for hastily scheduled talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

His visit comes after the shock resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri who made the announcement in a broadcast from Riyadh on Saturday.

Lebanon believes Hariri is held under house arrest in Saudi Arabia and that he was coerced into resigning by the Kingdom as as it seeks to hit back against Iran and its Lebanese Shi'ite ally Hezbollah.

Stunned Lebanese are convinced Saudi Arabia, Hariri's longtime ally, forced him out to effectively wreck the prime minister's delicate compromise government with Hezbollah.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving French President Emmanuel Macron in the capital Riyad

French President Emmanuel Macron made the visit to Saudi Arabia after the shock resignation of the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri

Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a power struggle for influence in Lebanon and France has close historical ties to the Middle Eastern country, which was once its colony.

President Macron said he had held informal contacts with Hariri, but there had been no request to transfer him to France.

Macron, on his debut visit to the Middle East, made the surprise announcement at a news conference in Dubai that he would meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

'It was decided to go on this visit to Riyadh to see the Crown Prince, first, it is in order to have a first meeting with him, but also to discuss regional questions, in particular Yemen and Lebanon, he said.

The French president is already in the Middle East with his wife Brigitte, pictured here on a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

'I will also emphasize the importance of Lebanese stability and integrity.'

Officials in Lebanon are now reportedly planning to work with foreign states to secure the politician's return to the country in the latest twist in an extraordinary resignation.

'Lebanon is heading towards asking foreign and Arab states to put pressure on Saudi to release Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri,' said the official, who declined to be identified because the government had yet to declare the initiative.

The official said Hariri was still Lebanon's prime minister.

'Keeping Hariri with restricted freedom in Riyadh is an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. Our dignity is his dignity. We will work with (foreign) states to return him to Beirut.'

Saad Hariri declared his surprise resignation on Saturday from Riyadh which fuelled beliefs he was coerced into standing down against his will. Here he is pictured Monday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and Hariri aides have denied reports that he is under house arrest, but he has put out no statements himself denying his movements are being restricted.

Saudi Arabia says the Iran-backed group Hezbollah had 'hijacked' the political system in Lebanon.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who has resigned from his post is seen at the governmental palace in Beirut, Lebanon

In his resignation speech, Hariri attacked Iran and Hezbollah for sowing strife in Arab states and said he feared assassination.

Saad Hariri declared his surprise resignation on Saturday from Riyadh which fuelled beliefs he was coerced into standing down against his will.

His resignation has thrust Lebanon back onto the front line of the Middle East's most biting rivalry, pitting a mostly Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE against Shiite Iran and its allies.

Hariri made the surprise announcement in a pre-recorded message on a Saudi-owned TV station.

Last week, Saudi Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan predicted on Lebanon's MTV station that 'astonishing developments' were coming for Lebanon.

After Hariri's resignation, rumours spread in Lebanon that he was under house arrest in Saudi Arabia - especially after news broke over the weekend of arrests in the kingdom of dozens of Saudi princes, ministers and influential businessmen in a sweep purportedly over corruption.

Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri (left) is pictured meeting with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the Al-Shati palace in Abu Dhabi this week

Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on Sunday accused Saudi Arabia of drafting Hariri's resignation letter and forcing him to read it on Saudi TV.

He even asked whether Hariri was being held against his will.

The daily Al-Akhbar, a harsh critic of Saudi Arabia's policies, ran a full-page photo of Hariri on its front page with the words: 'The hostage.'

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud shakes hands with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri during their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday

Speculation continued to swirl despite the official Saudi Press Agency carrying photos Monday showing Hariri meeting with Saudi King Salman.

Hariri tweeted that he was 'honored to visit' the king in his office - and some of his supporters tweeted back, telling him to take a selfie raising his left hand as a signal that he's OK.

Hariri, a dual Saudi-Lebanese citizen, has been facing financial difficulties recently as his business in Saudi Arabia suffers.

Earlier this year he closed his family's Oger construction firm that had made billions of dollars since his late father founded it in the 1970s.

Some experts on Lebanese politics are convinced Riyadh was behind the resignation.

Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut, said Hariri made 'many concessions' to his political rivals in order to become prime minister and would not have given up the position had it not been for Saudi pressure.

Joseph Bahout, a visiting scholar in Carnegie's Middle East Program, warned just last month that Saudi Arabia was seeking ways to compensate for the loss of Syria as a place where it could defy and bleed Iran.

'A renewed desire to reverse their regional fortunes could lead them to try regaining a foothold in Lebanon,' he wrote.

Saudi Arabia has denied any meddling.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who has resigned from his post, and his late father, Rafik al-Hariri, are seen on a poster in the mainly Sunni Beirut neighbourhood of Tariq al-Jadideh

The resignation throws Lebanon into potential turmoil, forcing the small nation to become a new front in the regional fight for supremacy between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

And this at a time when Iran and its allies are seen to have won the proxy war against Saudi-backed Sunni fighters in Syria.

Sunni-led Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been intensifying its confrontation with Shiite powerhouse Iran.

The two camps support rival sides in countries across the region, worsening conflicts in Yemen, Syria and elsewhere.

Lebanon has been on the verge of blowing up into full scale violence, and only compromise by Lebanese parties has stopped it doing so in a country still haunted by memories from its own 1975-1990 civil war.

The Saudi royal family arrests: Those detained in the anti-corruption purge include Prince Miteb, Prince Turki and Prince Alwaleed (circled in red)

Shiite Hezbollah dominates Lebanon, but it has sought not to provoke the Sunni community, which in turn has avoided crossing the guerrilla force.

The fear among some Lebanese now is that Saudi Arabia will upset that balance, trying to compensate for its losses in proxy wars elsewhere.

In Syria, Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed fighters allied with President Bashar Assad's forces have recaptured large areas and are working to secure a much-prized land corridor stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

By contrast, Saudi Arabia has been stuck in a fruitless war in Yemen against Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, and a Saudi bid to isolate Qatar has failed to achieve its goals.

Saudi fingerprints were seen all over Hariri's resignation on Saturday.

Unexpectedly, Hariri appeared on Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV in a recorded video from an undisclosed location, haltingly delivering a statement in which he accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and the Iran-backed Hezbollah of holding Lebanon hostage.

'Iran's arms in the region will be cut off,' he said, adding that he felt compelled to resign and that his life was endangered.

Saudi Arabia and Iran's cold war: How it's fought with proxies seeded across the Middle East The Islamic State's dream of a Middle East caliphate may be over, but Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite powerhouse Iran continue to worsen conflicts across the region as they battle to reign supreme. Here MailOnline looks at some of the key countries where their hands are wreaking havoc because of different political and religious opinions LEBANON The resignation of Lebanon's Saudi-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri has thrust Lebanon back onto the front line of the Middle East's most biting rivalry, pitting a mostly Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE against Shiite Iran and its allies. Hariri, a Sunni Muslim leader, had faced the seemingly impossible task of presiding over a government under the control of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Shiite militant party is accused of killing his father, Rafik, in 2005 and in his resignation speech on Saturday he suggested he now fears for his own life. Hezbollah supporters carry a poster of Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah during a Hezbollah 'victory over Israel' rally, in Beirut's suburbs, Friday, 22 September 2006 But he was known to tow the Saudi line and his shock resignation suggests Saudi Arabia may have a new plan of action for the country. The kingdom had long backed the Sunnis in Lebanon's multi-sectarian political system - and during the civil war - but on Monday it accused the tiny Arab country of declaring war against it because of aggression by Hezbollah. The statement comes as the civil war in neighbouring Syria, where Hezbollah had been ensuring President Bashar Assad's regime was not toppled by a pro-democracy movement, winds down. Joseph Bahout, a visiting scholar in Carnegie's Middle East Program, warned just last month that Saudi Arabia was seeking ways to compensate for the loss of Syria as a place where it could defy and bleed Iran. 'A renewed desire to reverse their regional fortunes could lead them to try regaining a foothold in Lebanon,' he wrote. Hezbollah is returning its energy to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia only wants a leader in the country if it can withstand Hezbollah's pressure. It's believed they did not see Hariri as the man for that job. SYRIA In Syria the civil war is not completely over but Iran and its allies are seen to have won the proxy war against Saudi-backed rebels. Hezbollah and other fighters allied with Assad's forces have recaptured large areas and are working to secure a much-prized land corridor stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Pro-government demonstrators hold posters depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and placards, during a rally in Damascus, in 2012 A Syrian man carries a baby after removing him from the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike in the then rebel-held part of Aleppo in 2016 By contrast, Saudi Arabia has been stuck in a fruitless war in Yemen against Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, and a Saudi bid to isolate Qatar has failed to achieve its goals. YEMEN Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and his son Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), have this week made clear their intention to continue to fight against Iran in Yemen. Riyadh and Tehran have been trading fierce accusations over their involvement in the country, where they back opposing sides. In the latest flare-up Saudi Arabia said an intercepted missile attack on the country, allegedly by Tehran-backed rebels in Yemen, 'may amount to an act of war'. People walk at the site of an air strike in the northwestern city of Saada, Yemen, on November 1 MBS said on Tuesday that Iran's decision to supply rockets to militias in Yemen constitutes a 'direct military aggression' against the kingdom. Tehran in turn accused Riyadh of committing war crimes in Yemen, raising tensions further. And Hezbollah and the Houthis, as Yemen's Shiite rebels are known, have denied any role by the Lebanese group in the war in the Arabian Peninsula country. ISRAEL The resignation of Lebanon's Hariri also has significant implications for Israel, Daniel Shapiro, President Obama's Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, said in a column for Haaretz newspaper this week. 'It is plausible that the Saudis are trying to create the context for a different means of contesting Iran in Lebanon: an Israeli-Hezbollah war,' he wrote. Shapiro suggests Saudi may have pulled Hariri out of his office to leave Hezbollah 'with the blame and responsibility for... caring for Syrian refugees to mopping up Al Qaeda and ISIS affiliates'. British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting in 10 Downing St, London, Thursday, November 2 This could lead Hezbollah to confront Israel as means of securing support from its people in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia and Israel have become unlikely allies. Their common ground? Stopping nuclear Iran reigning supreme in the region. For Israel, partnering with Saudi-Arabia to quash Hezbollah would be considered key to helping them deal with an old enemy. QATAR Saudi Arabia's bid to isolate Qatar appears to have been fruitless. Instead of bringing the world's wealthiest nation back into its folds by forcing it into a diplomatic corner, Doha has forcefully rejected all Saudi demands. Most importantly, Qatar has refused to curtail relations with Iran, with whom it shares the world's largest reservoir of natural gas. Iran and Turkey have helped Qatar survive amid Saudi and its Gulf allies suffocating sanctions and thus Tehran has scored another goal in the cold war dominating the political landscape in the Middle East. NEW PROXY WARS ON THE HORIZON? With all the above perceived losses against Iran that Saudi Arabia has felt in Syria and Qatar, it is no wonder that Riyadh's patience over Hezbollah is running thin and Lebanon is in its sights. Advertisement

The resignation came exactly a year after Hariri formed a coalition government that included Hezbollah, shortly after Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian and Hezbollah ally, was elected president.

That arrangement was the product of a rare understanding between Saudi Arabia and Iran for calm in Lebanon, ending a two-year period during which the presidency was vacant.

Saudi officials have vowed to crush Hezbollah and recently have been inciting Lebanese to rise against the Shiite militant group, asserting they should openly say whether they are with or against it. Saudi Arabia, which considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, says the group should not be part of a future Lebanese government.

For its part, the Hezbollah leader has been one of the kingdom's harshest critics and it is not uncommon for Hezbollah supporters to chant 'Death to Al Saud' in their rallies - a reference to the Saudi royal family.

At the very least, Hariri's resignation could mean another long period without a government for Lebanon, at a time when its economy is struggling under a ballooning public debt that has reached more than $75 billion - 140 percent of its gross domestic product, a debt-to-GDP ratio that is among the highest in the world.

According to Lebanon's power-sharing deal, the president should be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni and the parliament speaker a Shiite.

But given Hariri's wide support among Sunnis, it may be difficult for any Sunni politician to assume the post of prime minister without alienating the Sunni community.

And it will be impossible to form a Cabinet without Hezbollah, since the militant group and its allies enjoy wide support among both Shiites and Christians.

Today it was revealed Hariri travelled to the UAE a day after Saudi Arabia accused Lebanon of declaring war against it because of aggression by Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Hariri left Riyadh early on Tuesday for Abu Dhabi to meet the United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Hariri-owned Future TV and Saudi-owned al-Arabiya reported.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday that Iran's decision to supply rockets to militias in Yemen constitutes a 'direct military aggression' against the kingdom.

A rocket fired from Yemen intercepted on the outskirts of Riyadh hours after Hariri's resignation on Saturday.

On Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN the rocket 'was an Iranian missile launched by Hezbollah'.
Britain is set for its latest winter in 50 years after the fist migrating Siberian swan arrived in the UK a month overdue.

Each year around 300 Bewick's swans flock to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, after flying 2,500 miles from Russia.

The arrival of Bewick's traditionally mark the beginning of winter as the birds head to Britain to escape the Arctic weather which follows closely behind them.

The first migrating Siberian swan has finally arrived in Britain a month overdue and the latest since 1967 - heralding the latest winter for 40 years

The first, as yet unnamed, swan has arrived and is the latest to land there since 1967 - when a bird called Jammy flew in on November 9.

Spokesman Mark Simpson said: 'After a long wait, the Bewick's swan has finally arrived after an epic journey from the Arctic.

'The bird has kept staff and volunteers on the edge of their seats, with the late autumn weather delaying their migration.

'Not since 1967 has the species been so late, since a swan named Jammy arrived on 9 November 1967.

'This year's first swan is a yearling who hasn't yet been named but most likely visited the reserve with its parents for the first time in 2016.'

The first, as yet unnamed, swan has arrived and is the latest to land there since 1967 - when a bird called Jammy flew in on November 9

The arrival of the swan marks the start of a celebrated period for the famous nature reserve, which hosts around 30,000 migratory birds every winter.

The Bewick's swans are renowned for navigating 4500km from the Russian arctic to Slimbridge each year.

WWT Slimbridge's resident swan expert Julia Newth says: 'Watching Swan Lake fill with these remarkable swans is a sight to behold and the arrival of our first Bewick's swans is the start of an exciting time ahead.'
Justin Heilmann, 32, allegedly punched a 14-year-old boy in the face because he was scared of getting a flu shot

A Pennsylvania man attacked his girlfriend's 14-year-old son because the boy was afraid of getting a flu shot, according to police.

Penn Hills police say 32-year-old Justin Heilmann, of Verona, is charged with simple assault and endangering the welfare of children.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports he brought his girlfriend's teenage son to a local medical practice on Tuesday to get a flu shot.

According to the police affidavit, the teen was 'uncomfortable' getting a shot and Heilmann punched him with a closed fist after attempting to restrain the boy.

The teenager ran out of the building and Heilmann followed, soon pushing the teenager down a flight of stairs and dragging him across a parking lot of the Renaissance Family Practice.

Heilmann is charged with simple assault and endangering the welfare of children after he allegedly punched a 14-year-old boy at the Renaissance Family Practice (pictured)

The boy was apparently frightened of a flu shot, so Heilmann attempted to restrain him by punching him (file photo)

The punch gave the boy a bloody lip, and he also had abrasions on his arm from being dragged in the lot.

No lawyer is listed for Heilmann in online court documents. He faces a preliminary hearing November 20 and is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bail.

He has previously been convicted of charges ranging from criminal mischief to burglary.
Friday morning will hopefully find Michael Schulz sitting in his truck near Hettinger.

Upon the noon hour, he'll then be on the hunt for a buck when North Dakotas 2017 deer gun season opens.

"I've heard mixed reviews for down there," he said. "Hopefully, it goes good, and, hopefully, we can shoot some deer and get some meat and shoot the one that can go on the wall."

Schulz has one of 54,500 deer gun licenses allocated for this season. Licenses statewide have trended upward since 2015 since sliding after 2007. Jeb Williams, wildlife division chief with North Dakota Game and Fish, said prospects are decent all around this year.

We have not had any reductions in any units. In some units, weve stayed the same, other units have had an increase in licenses and mule deer numbers are looking better, Williams said.

This years drought did not impact deer to a notable extent, but epizootic hemorrhagic disease did affect some white-tailed deer in southwestern North Dakota, he said.

Last years state hunters saw about 68 percent success, a good indicator of opportunity, according to Williams.

Thats always our goal when we issue licenses: Does somebody have a reasonable opportunity at harvesting a deer? he said of the 16.5-day season.

Schulz, a Fargo sheet metal worker from Casselton, said hes had success the past two years with doe tags near Hettinger. He hunts with a few buddies on private and state land, and chases pheasants, too.

We havent had too much trouble filling our tags the last few years, he said.

Dustin Ulmer lost the lottery for a white-tail buck in Unit 2G2 near his native LaMoure, but got a doe in the second draw. This season looks good, he said.

Ive seen more fawns this past year than the previous few, but it only takes one hard winter to change that again, said Ulmer, who also will be scouting waterfowl Friday.

Sausage, brats and chops on the grill are his familys byproducts of a successful hunt, according to Ulmer. Schulz said he takes his meat to a Dilworth, Minn., butcher, and donates the hide.

For Chris Ahl, deer hunting is a direct link to his livelihood, as he runs the Pekin Lodge, a hive for hunters and anglers.

His family lets deer hunters walk their Sheyenne River land south of Pekin. The deer gun season fits in nicely with bow hunting, muzzleloaders and waterfowl hunters throughout autumn, he said. Theres also fishing north at Stump Lake.

It all flows together, Ahl said.

His lodge had just one of seven apartment-style unit available for this weekend, he said on Monday. Hunters come from Fargo, Mayville and outside states.

For whatever reason, Wisconsin people think this is paradise, Ahl said.

Williams said bigger city areas and Badlands units are popular with deer gun applicants, as well as Unit 3C encompassing Bismarck-Mandan and 2B and 2C in the Red River Valley.

Licenses essentially come down to supply and demand and a successful draw from the deer gun lottery, he said.

Lotteries generally favor repeatedly unsuccessful applicants who acquire bonus points every year, which progresses a persons entries from one to three to five to seven after four losing years, then getting really pushed in year five, to 65, 126 and so on.

A hunters true success is found in the field, according to Ulmer.

If you are in the right place, the right time will find you, he said.
A bombshell book has claimed Vatican priests had sex with boys while popes had multi-million dollar accounts.

Gianluigi Nuzzi's 'Original Sin' alleges a host of Catholic sins, including gay sex in the Vatican's youth seminary.

The book also reproduces documents from the Vatican's scandal-marred bank, showing multi-million-dollar accounts in the names of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II and their private secretaries.

Gianluigi Nuzzi's 'Original Sin' alleges a host of Catholic sins, including gay sex in the Vatican's youth seminary

Nuzzi's book 'Original Sin' reproduces documents from the Vatican's bank, showing multi-million-dollar accounts in the names of Popes Paul VI (left) and John Paul II (right)

It claims that hidden powers in the Vatican were blocking the reforms of Pope Francis and his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

Nuzzi said his lawyers had hand-delivered a copy of his book to the Vatican's criminal prosecutor, saying at least one of the Vatican's seminarians was a minor at the time of the alleged gay sex escapades.

The book also delves into the 1983 disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, the 15-year-old daughter of a Vatican employee.

It gathers together years of exposes into the gay subculture of the Vatican.

The new claims concern the Vatican's St. Pius X pre-seminary for middle and high schoolers who are considering a possible vocation to the priesthood.

Nuzzi reproduces a letter and testimony from a gay ex-seminarian who recounted how an adult, now a priest, used to come into his dorm room and have oral sex with his roommate. T

A reporter holds a copy of journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi's latest book 'Peccato Originale'

Journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi talks to reporters prior to the start of the press conference to present his latest book 'Peccato Originale'

The book reproduces a 2014 letter from the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to the ex-seminarian, saying it had determined that no sexual abuse of a minor had occurred but that it was referring the case to the Vatican's office for clergy.

Nuzzi told reporters today that the roommate was indeed younger than 18 when the encounters began. Neither the roommate nor the priest were identified.

The author and fellow journalist Emmanuele Fittipaldi were put on trial in a Vatican court in 2015 after both published books based on leaked documents that exposed greed, mismanagement and corruption at the highest levels of the Catholic Church.

In July 2016, after an eight-month trial, the Vatican's criminal court declared that it had no jurisdiction to prosecute them.

The court did, however, convict two other people for conspiring to leak the documents, and absolved a third.
Steve Bannon said Thursday that revelations about alleged child molestation by Alabama Judge Roy Moore are an attempt by The Washington Post to derail his Senate candidacy - just as it tried to do to Donald Trump with the Access Hollywood tape a year ago.

During last year's election campaign, the Post released leaked raw video from a 2005 taping of Access Hollywood in which Trump is overheard on a hot mic describing to interviewer Billy Bush how he groped women.

On Thursday, the Post published a bombshell story quoting four women who say that Moore made sexual overtures at them and touched them when they were underage.

'But it's interesting,' Trump's former chief strategist said during a speech in New Hampshire on Thursday.

'The Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped that dime on Donald Trump, is the same Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped the dime this afternoon on Judge Roy Moore.

Steve Bannon (seen above in New Hampshire on Thursday) said revelations about alleged child molestation by Alabama Judge Roy Moore are an attempt by The Washington Post to derail his Senate candidacy - just as it tried to do to Donald Trump last year

Moore (seen above on September 25) is running to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions in the Senate

During last year's election campaign, the Post released leaked raw video from a 2005 taping of Access Hollywood in which Trump (left) is heard on a hot mic describing to interviewer Billy Bush (right) how he groped women. Actress Arianne Zucker (center) is seen in the segment

'Now is that a coincidence? That's what I mean when I say opposition party, right?

'It's purely part of the apparatus of the Democratic Party. They don't make any bones about it.

'By the way, I don't mind it. I'll call them out every day.'

'Bezos' is a reference to Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of e-commerce giant Amazon.

In 2013, Bezos purchased the Post from the Graham family for $250million in cash.

Bannon said 'it's not a free and fair media anymore.'

His remarks were reported by CBS News.

'You know, I run Breitbart, we're kind of an advocacy group in our own way, in the way we present grassroots and present working class people and economic nationalism, we're not shy about it,' Bannon said.

'The Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped that dime on Donald Trump, is the same Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped the dime this afternoon on Judge Roy Moore,' Bannon said. 'Bezos' is a reference to Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of e-commerce giant Amazon. He is also the owner of The Washington Post

'Guys come to me for jobs and I say I'm not looking to hire people who want to win Pulitzers, I'm looking for people who want to be Pulitzer. Right? So I don't mind it, but I think it's a strange coincidence.'

Moore, a far-right Republican, is refusing to quit the race after top Senate leaders urged him to step aside following the report that he asked out and touched a girl in 1979 when she was just 14.

'I refuse to stand down,' Moore said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for Moore to 'step aside' if stunning new allegations against him are true.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona went further, calling for him to 'immediately step aside.'

The Post report jolted the race Thursday as a woman accused Moore, the GOP candidate who prevailed in a hard-fought primary, of asking her out when she was only 14 years old and then kissing and touching her during two meetings at his house.

'If these allegations are true, he must step aside,' said McConnell of Kentucky, who had backed Sen. Luther Strange in the primary he lost to Moore.

Bannon enthusiastically supported Moore against the wishes of his former boss, Trump, and the Republican establishment, who endorsed Strange.

'I wanted it over with  I wanted out,' the woman, Leigh Corfman, told the Post as she recalled the experience. 'Please just get this over with. Whatever this is, just get it over.'

'If these allegations are true, he must step aside,' said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky immediately after the report was published

Republican party leaders are in a quandary. Because of the state's 'sore loser' law, sitting Sen. Luther Strange, who lost to Moore, could not be placed on the ballot should he withdraw. His best chance would be as a write-in candidate.

Even if Moore changes course and withdraws, he can't technically be replaced on the ballot according to state laws.

Moore, who in the past has defied court orders over his stance on posting the Ten Commandments in his courtroom and other matters, showed no signs of backing down.

'The forces of evil are on the march in our country...I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values,' he wrote in an email, The Hill reported.

Moore led Democrat Doug Jones 50 to 41 in the latest Mobile-based Strategy Research poll. If Strange were to run as a write-in, he could well split the Republican vote with Moore, while support for Jones could hold relatively steady.

According to her account, Moore, who was then a local prosecutor, met Coffman when she accompanied her mother to a custody hearing at the county courthouse in Gadsden, Alabama

She says Moore took an interest in her and got her phone number. Later, he called and picked her up at her home, taking the then-14 year old Coffman to his house in the woods.

'I remember the further I got from my house, the more nervous I got,' Corfman said. By her account, Moore kissed her on a first date. At a subsequent meeting, also at his home, he touched her over her bra and underwear, then removed his clothes and had her touch him over his 'tight white' underwear, according to the account in the Post.

Moore called the allegations 'completely false' and vigorously denied them in a statement.

McConnell said Moore should withdraw from the race 'if these allegations are true.' He's was joined by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which controls funds that boost Republican Senate candidates.

Moore, Republican nominee for Senate, speaks at an endorsement event on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, in Montgomery, Ala. Thirteen Alabama Sheriff's endorsed Moore

Sen. John McCain of Arizona joined in immediately.

'The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of,' McCain said in a statement.

Coffman, who now works as a customer service rep at payday lender, was approached by the paper, which was following up leads on rumors of Moore having pursued relationships with young girls early in his career.

'I have prayed over this,' Corfman said. 'All I know is that I can't sit back and let this continue, let him continue without the mask being removed.'

She said of Moore at the time: 'He was charming and smiley.' After both meetings, she says she asked Moore to take her home and he did.

When they first met, 'I was kind of giddy, excited, you know? An older guy, you know?' Corfman said.

'This was a new experience, and it was exciting and fun and scary,' Corfman recalled. 'It was just like this roller-coaster ride you've not been on.'

But she expressed clear discomfort about the physical interactions she says happened. 'I wasn't ready for that  I had never put my hand on a man's penis, much less an erect one,' Corfman said.

She thought: 'I don't want to do this' and 'I need to get out of here.'

'I felt responsible,' she says. 'I felt like I had done something bad. And it kind of set the course for me doing other things that were bad

Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, backed Moore in the GOP primary. Trump backed Sen. Luther Strange but issued some conflicting statements

Friends from the time corroborated elements of her story. 'I remember talking to her and telling her it's not a good idea,' said Betsy Davis, who remembers her friend seeing an older man named Roy Moore. 'Because we were so young.'

Moore blasted the charges as a 'desperate political attack.'

'These allegations are completely false and are a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign,' he said in a statement.

The campaign said later if the claims were true they would have come up in Moore's earlier races. He ran in high-profile contests to become the state's chief judge, and appeared regularly in the media for his crusade to display the Ten Commandments at the courthouse.

'This garbage is the very definition of fake news,' according to the statement.

The paper tracked down other women who say Moore hit on them when they were young girls. In Alabama, the age of consent is 16, and the statute of limitations on the alleged offenses has passed.

Gloria Thacker Deason says she met Moore at the Gadsden mall when she was 18, and that they saw each other for several months, in a relationship that never got beyond kissing and hugging. The college cheerleader would change out of her uniform when they went on dates.

Wendy Miller says she was just 14 and dressed as an Elf who was a 'Santa's helper' at the mall. She met Moore again when she was 16 and at a jewelry counter in 1979.

Miller says she was 'flattered by the attentio' but now that she is older, 'the idea that a grown man would want to take out a teenager, that's disgusting to me.' She says her mom wouldn't let her date Moore.

'I'd say, 'You're too old for her ... let's not rob the cradle,' ' Martha Brackett remembers telling Moore.

Debbie Wesson Gibson says she was 17 when Moore spoke to her high school class, when he was assistant district attorney, and when he would have been 34, or twice her age.

She said Moore kissed her once in his bedroom and once at a local country club pool.

'Looking back, I'm glad nothing bad happened,' Gibson told the paper. 'As a mother of daughters, I realize that our age difference at that time made our dating inappropriate.'

Moore defeated GOP Sen. Luther Strange in a primary and faces Democrat Doug Jones in December race to fill attorney general Jeff Sessions seat.
A Silicon Valley tycoon admitted Thursday he was arrested after an alleged sex assault - but says he was cleared and is now the target of a smear campaign.

Shervin Pishevar, who has invested in Uber, Airbnb, and is a business partner of Sir Richard Branson, said he was arrested in May of this year after the alleged attack in London.

His lawyer told DailyMail.com that Pishevar was told in July that there would be 'no further action'.

But Pishevar, 43, claims in legal papers filed in California that his arrest was followed by a smear campaign falsely claiming that he paid off the victim to settle the issue.

The Hillary Clinton-supporter accuses a Republican 'opposition research' firm, Definers Public Affairs, of spreading a series of smears about him, including that he is a friend of Vladimir Putin and a Russian agent.

And he says in the legal papers that they hired an investigator who used a fake name and burner phones to 'dig dirt' - in an echo of the revelations about how Harvey Weinstein hired ex-Israeli spies to target his accusers.

Arrest: Shervin Pishevar, 43, says he was arrested on an allegation of sex assault in London. He is a former Uber director and friend of its founder Travis Kalanick

Doing business: Pishavar co-founded Hyperloop One, and has recently teamed up with Virgin's Sir Richard Branson to brand it as Virgin-Hyperloop One

Partying: Pishevar and his friend Travis Kalanick were photographed in 2012 with Snoop Dogg and Marion 'Suge' Knight

He says he has also been falsely accused of 'an incident with a prostitute in Europe', and of having no money and 'that he was in essence a house of cards'.

Pishevar's high-powered attorney Mark Fabiani, a one time White House spokesman, said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'In May 2017, Mr Pishevar was detained briefly in London in connection with a alleged sexual assault, an allegation he categorically denied.

'He fully cooperated with the police investigation which was exhaustive and detailed. In July he was informed that no further action would be taken against him and he was "de-arrested" (a British legal term).

'Mr Pishevar is grateful for the highly professional and expeditious manner in which the inquiry was conducted.

'Mr Pishevar is informed that several false rumors have been spread about him, including that he purportedly paid money to settle the claim.

'That is categorically false. It is because of false rumors like this that Mr Pishevar was compelled to bring his legal action against Definers to ensure that his reputation is not destroyed and that the truth will always prevail.'

Definers, however, called his claim 'delusional' and its spokesman, Tim Miller, said on Twitter: 'Definers has never engaged in any of the actions in his complaint nor done any work with regards to him.'

Pishevar is one of Silicon Valley's key power brokers. He has been on the board of Uber and is a close personal friend of Travis Kalanick, the firm's founder who stepped down as CEO in June under pressure from investors over allegations of a corporate culture which tolerated harassment.

Pishevar is now the executive chairman of Hyperloop One, a firm hoping to commercialise Elon Musk's radical transport plans - although Musk himself is not involved in the firm.

He recently went into business with Virgin boss Branson to move the Hyperloop forward and possibly build one in the UK.

Pishevar, 43, is a prominent Democrat supporter who co-hosted a glittering fundraisers at his Silicon Valley home for Clinton with George and Amal Clooney.

But his explosive law suit against Definers will propel him further into the global spotlight amid a series of powerful Hollywood men being accused of sexual misconduct.

High-powered: Pishevar's attorney is Mark Fabiani (left) who is leading the legal effort against Definers, the public affairs firm founded by ex-Mitt Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades (right)

Response: This was how Definers Public Affairs hit back at Pishevar

Complaint: How Pishevar has gone to court in California

In the legal papers, Pishevar claims that Definers told 'a third party': 'Hey, we hear Shervin is the next to go down.'

He claims Definers was hired by one or more of his competitors to 'dig dirt' but that the firm, founded by Matt Rhoades, a Republican adviser who ran Mitt Romney's losing 2012 bid for the White House, failed to find any and instead spread lie.

The legal papers allege they told one or more of his employees that working for him would tarnish their reputation, and that as rumors spread as many as 25 reporters contacted employees, investors, associates and clients 'attempting to dig up dirt about his personal or professional life'.

Pishevar, a single father of two young children, was born in Iran but left when his father became a target of the 1979 revolution's regime.

He studied medicine but instead of practicing went to work in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur.

Since then his roles have included being general manager at Mozilla, managing director of Menlo Ventures, a venture capital fund with stakes in Tumblr and Warby Parker.

He co-founded his own Sherpa Capital in 2013 with an ex-Goldman Sachs banker and has invested through it in Uber - where he was on the board from 2011 to 2015 - Airbnb and Munchery.

Pishevar has also been an angel investor in Dollar Shave Club, Taskrabbit and Cherry, which was sold to Lyft.

When Clinton lost the election last year he advocated California secession from the United States, which he says as turned into a smear as it was claimed that friendship with Putin - which he denies - was behind his call for the state to leave the union.
Madeline Marx, 23, was arrested at Kettering Fairmont High School in Ohio on Wednesday after she was accused of having a sexual relationship with at least two students

A substitute teacher in Ohio has been accused of having a sexual relationship with at least two students.

Madeline Marx, 23, was arrested at Kettering Fairmont High School on Wednesday.

Marx, who has been a substitute in the district for two years, was booked into jail on two counts of sexual battery.

Police were notified of the allegations at 8am on Wednesday morning after students went to the school principal saying they were concerned about the alleged relationship.

Kettering police Lt. Mike Gabrielson said Marx was arrested three hours later after detectives found probable cause.

Marx had been given a four year teaching license last year that enabled her to teach grades K-12, WHIO reports.

Marx, who has been a substitute in the district for two years, was arrested (above) at the high school on Wednesday afternoon

She graduated from the nearby Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in 2012.

Police would not reveal the extent of alleged abuse or say whether it happened on or off school grounds.

'We became aware (Marx) was possibly involved with inappropriate activities with a juvenile,' Kettering Superintendent Scott Inskeep said.

'When we become aware of them then we will remove those people and not have them around our students.'
An Ohio man has been indicted in the rape and murder of his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter, and could be looking at the death penalty if convicted.

Ashtabula County Prosecutor Nicholas Iarocci said Thursday that the county's Grand Jury secretly indicted Joshua Gurto, 37, Tuesday on eight charges, including two counts of aggravated murder; three counts of murder; one count of rape; one count of felonious assault; and one count of domestic violence.

The Conneaut man could face the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charge in the October 7 beating death of Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley.

The Grand Jury in Ashtabula County, Ohio, this week secretly indicted Joshua Gurto, 37 (left) on eight criminal counts in the rape and death of Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley (right)

The 37-year-old was arrested on October 27 in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, the day after he was spotted at a Pittsburgh convenience store. He had spent three weeks on the lam prior to his capture.

A coroner has said Seriniti died from blunt force trauma to her head and body. She died at a local hospital after being found unconscious in Conneaut, northeast of Cleveland.

Iarocci says Gurto was transferred to the Ashtabula County Jail on Thursday from Allegheny County.

According to a press release from the prosecutor's office, Gurto's arraignment will take place 'in the near future.'

Gurto was dating Sereniti's mother, Kelsie, when her baby daughter was killed. The woman is not facing any charges.

Gurto was on the run in Pennsylvania for almost three weeks before he was arrested last month in the area of Franklin Park. He is seen above in a gas station

A $5,000 reward was offered in exchange for information of his whereabouts before he was apprehended

Gurto was dating Sereniti's mother Kelsie when the baby died. She is not facing any charges

After being questioned in the immediate aftermath of the girl's death, Gurto went on the run and had spent three weeks hiding out in the woods.

In late October, he was spotted in surveillance footage filmed in Pennsylvania after hitching a ride with a man who did not recognize him.

The pair were forced to make a stop at a service station after the man's pick-up truck broke down.

Police spotted Gurto on video, then tracked down the man he had been with and asked them where he said he was going.

That is what led their search to Franklin Park, 120 miles from where Sereniti died.

On October 26, a local police officer who had been shown Gurto's image recognized him in the parking lot of a Sheetz garage.

Gurto admitted who he was after the officer pulled his gun on him and asked him to identify himself.

He was taken in to custody without a fight, WKYC reported.

When police searched his backpack, they found a map of the state of Pennsylvania and a map of New Jersey. He also had a tent.

Gurto is believed to have traveled from Ohio to Pennsylvania by hitch hiking and on foot. He is pictured on a different surveillance camera image distributed by police in Ohio Township Police in Pennsylvania before his capture
Apple has denied a claim made by an FBI representative that it hadn't helped unlock the iPhone left behind by the Texas church shooter.

On Tuesday Christopher Combs, the head of the FBI's San Antonio field office, appeared to suggest that Apple was reticent to help unlock killer Devin Kelley's iPhone.

He said that law enforcement agencies were 'increasingly not able to get into these phones'.

Apple responded by telling Fox News: 'Our team immediately reached out to the FBI after learning from their press conference on Tuesday that investigators were trying to access a mobile phone.

'We offered assistance and said we would expedite our response to any legal process they send us.'

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Complaint: An FBI head complained in the wake of Sunday's shooting in a church (pictured) that law enforcement agencies have struggled to get into cellphones linked to crimes

Shooter Devin Kelley (left) reportedly left behind an iPhone after the attack. FBI official Christopher Combs (right) said cops at all levels were having trouble with digital devices

The company continued: 'We work with law enforcement every day. We offer training to thousands of agents so they understand our devices and how they can quickly request information from Apple.'

Its remarks came after Combs told the press that 'Law enforcement, whether it's at the state, local and federal level, is increasingly not able to get into these phones.

Apple said it had immediately offered to help the FBI even though it was not contacted by authorities. It also said Kelley's thumbprint could be used to unlock the phone (file photo)

'We're going to keep working on that phone and other digital media we have.'

That wasn't an explicit attack on Apple, but since Kelley had reportedly left behind an iPhone after his Sunday rampage - in which he killed 26 and injured 20 - the company clearly took it to heart.

It said that neither the FBI nor any other law enforcement agency had reached out about unlocking Kelley's phone.

The company added that police could have used his fingerprint to unlock the phone, provided it had not been locked for more than 48 hours, or turned off.

In either of those cases, a passcode would have been required to open up the device, it said.

Investigators could also get warrants to access Kelley's Apple iCloud, if he has data backed up there, as well as other online accounts with different companies.

The FBI and Apple have been engaged in a public war of words since the 2015 San Bernardino shooting, when Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people and injured 22 more in a mass shooting.

Apple had refused to provide the FBI with a 'back door' that would allow agents to access the data at the phone, saying it did not want to risk its other users' data.

Eventually, in September 2016, the Department of Justice announced that it had managed to hack into the phone and withdrew a suit it had placed against the company.

It said it had paid an unidentified group to hack the phone; a Freedom of Information request filed by several news agencies to unveil the group was denied.
The man who gunned down New York Police Department Officer Brian Moore, who was in an unmarked vehicle in 2015, has been found guilty of first degree murder.

The jury deliberated for about five hours over two days before convicting career criminal Demetrius Blackwell, 37, Thursday in the death of Moore, 25, of Plainedge. The officer died two days after he was shot twice in the head on May 2, 2015.

The jury also convicted Demetrius guilty of attempted murder for shooting Moore's partner, Officer Erik Jansen, who was unharmed.

The courtroom scene showed a sea of NYPD officers on hand to see Blackwell served justice.

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Demetrius Blackwell in Queens County Criminal Court hears the jury announce the verdict of guilty on the charges he murdered Officer Brian Moore (right)

A sea of fellow NYPD officers were on hand to hear the jury return the verdict of guilty in the slaying of Officer Moore

'He's remorseless and just doesn't give a damn,' Queens Assistant District Attorney Dan Saunders said.

The split second confrontation happened on a street in Queens Village after a neighbor of Blackwell's called 911 saying a man threw a brick through the window of his home.

Prosecutors say Moore and his partner were on patrol in an unmarked police car when they responded.

After turning onto 104th Road from 212th St., the pair spotted Blackwell who immediately walked off in the opposite direction.

He appeared to adjust something on his waist, prompting the officers to command him to stop and ask if he was hiding 'something.'

The jury announced their verdict on Thursday- convicting Blackwell on the charge of first degree murder

Blackwell was led away by armed New York State court guards after hearing he was found guilty

'Yeah, I got something,' Blackwell barked, prosecutors said.

He whipped out his revolver and opened fire, striking Moore twice in the head, prosecutors said.

The young officer, the son of a retired NYPD sergeant, died two days later.

Blackwell was also found guilty of second degree criminal weapons possession.

His attorney, David Bart, had told jurors that his client was paranoid and was not in control of his actions at the time of the shooting.

'Mr. Blackwell has seizures and psychosis mixtures that shows he was not responsible,' attorney Bart argued. 'He acted badly, wrongly and stupidly, but it was not intent to kill.'

Saunders countered, saying there was 'no loss of self-control.'

Police officers hang a banner honoring NYPD officer Brian Moore outside his wake at the Fredrick J. Chapey and Sons Funeral Home in Bethpage, New York, May 7, 2015

Police lives matter: NYPD police officers walk by a vehicle honoring NYPD officer Brian Moore outside his wake at the Fredrick J. Chapey and Sons Funeral Home in 2015

105th Precinct: Police officers, mostly from the 105th Precinct in the Queens borough of New York, enter Moore's wake in 2015

'Officer Brian Moore was killed because he was a police officer,' Saunders said.

The scene inside court hearkened back to Moore's funeral where over 30,000 officers strong came to pay their respects to Moore.

Blue ribbons were tied to utility poles and trees in this Long Island neighborhood on as thousands of officers said goodbye to the New York City police officer slain on patrol.

Purple bunting hung with photos of Officer Brian Moore in the windows of businesses near the Fredrick J. Chapey and Sons Funeral Home in Bethpage. Heavily armed officers patrolled the streets and officers with sniper rifles were stationed on rooftops of nearby businesses.

Moore had been on the force for only a handful of years, but he had already built up a record of more than 150 arrests and had earned meritorious service medals. He was the son, nephew and cousin of New York Police Department officers. They were at his side when he died at a hospital.

Heavily armed police officers stand near a sign during the wake in 2015. The 25-year-old and his partner had stopped a man suspected of carrying a handgun when the man opened fire on them

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo leaves the wake for Officer Moore. 'It's an awful, frightening reminder of the sacrifice so many men and women in law enforcement make,' Cuomo said

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was among the mourners attending the wake.

'It's a terrible tragedy,' Cuomo said afterward. 'It's an awful, frightening reminder of the sacrifice so many men and women in law enforcement make.'

The governor told reporters he admired that Moore had followed in his father's footsteps as a police officer. Cuomo's father, Mario, had served as New York's governor in the 1980s and `90s.

'I said to the father, ''Your son must have really loved you,'' Cuomo told reporters. 'He followed his dad into the business. He wanted to be like dad. He was proud of dad.'

Friends remembered Moore as a good guy eager to join the police force.
A mother has threatened to kick her son out of home after he was caught taking part in a video racially taunting Labor senator Sam Dastyari.

Logan Spalding's mum Rosetta Milne saw him in the video where the Iranian-born senator was called a 'monkey' and 'terrorist' at a Melbourne bar.

Senator Dastyari had been attended a promotional event for his book on Wednesday night when at least three men approached him as he ordered drinks at the bar at Victoria University and hurled abuse at him and his Labor colleague Tim Watts.

The tirade was led by Neil Erikson, a Nazi sympathiser who avoided jail in 2014 for stalking and threatening a rabbi and recently made headlines for inciting racism by cutting off the head of a dummy with a toy sword and spilling fake blood.

Labourer Ricky Turner, who also featured prominently in the video for the far-right Patriot Blue group, has since doubled down on his attack and insisted calling Dastyari a 'monkey' isn't racist.

Spalding's mother said she was aware that her son had become involved with a white nationalist group after the 21-year-old was caught up in a protest earlier in 2017 - but said she was 'shocked and horrified' by what she saw in the video.

'I've told him if he ever does anything like that again he's out of here,' Ms Milne told the Daily Telegraph.

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Logan Spalding's mum Rosetta Milne saw him in the video where the Iranian-born senator was called a 'monkey' and 'terrorist' at a Melbourne bar

Ricky Turner (left) insisted it wasn't racist to call Labor senator Sam Dastyari a monkey

Ricky Turner (left) was videoed harassing Senator Sam Dastyari (right) as he bought drinks

But she added that his Asperger's Syndrome makes him 'very easy to sway.'

'He's been apologetic and has agreed to co-operate so I'm really hoping he's learnt his lesson.'

Mr Erikson and Mr Turner have been less than apologetic, denying their comments were racist.

'I'll give an apology to the monkeys out there because they're above Sam. Trust me,' Mr Turner told A Current Affair on Thursday.

'That's not racist at all. A monkey is not a race. It's an animal.'

During the nasty confrontation, Mr Turner was videoed standing on the right-hand side of the senator and insulting the politician, who drinks alcohol and describes himself as a 'non-practising Muslim'.

'You terrorist. You little monkey,' he said.

Ricky Turner (second left) continued to ambush Senator Dastyari as he was having a wine

'Why don't you go back to Iran, you terrorist?.'

Patriot Blue founder Mr Erikson filmed the confrontation on Wednesday night as Senator Dastyari was preparing to speak about his new book, One Halal of Story, with local federal Labor member Tim Watts.

Mr Erikson said he was entitled to call Mr Dastyari a terrorist because he 'is the size of a monkey' and 'labels anyone racist without evidence.'

Neil Erikson, founder of far-right group Patriot Blue, filmed himself and two friends confronting the Iranian-born politician inside a Melbourne university bar

Mr Erikson said he was entitled to call Mr Dastyari a terrorist because he 'is the size of a monkey' and 'labels anyone racist without evidence'

'He labels anyone who he disagrees with as rednecks which itself is a racist term,' Mr Erikson told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's the size of a monkey and if he so easily labels anyone racist without evidence I believe I can call him a terrorist. No regrets.'

He doubled down on his views online, taking to Facebook to write: 'An Iranian-born senator calls me a racist I'm gonna call him a terrorist - fairs fair.'

'Monkey can mean 1000 different things, it's a stretch to believe it was racist,' he added.

Mr Erikson said he was trying to 'draw attention to (Dastyari's) dual citizenship'.

Senator Dastyari moved to Australia when he was four and stripped himself of all links to the country before running for parliament in 2013.

He does not hold dual citizenship.

'No regrets': Mr Erikson said he was entitled to call senator Dastyari a terrorist

Mr Erikson said he was trying to 'draw attention to (Dastyari's) dual citizenship'

'You racist rednecks. You follow me wherever I go': Mr Dastyari asked the men to leave him

Erikson said there were no racist connotations attached to the insult 'monkey' - explaining it could have meant 1000 different things

Mr Erikson is no stranger to controversy.

In 2015, he took part in a mock beheading outside Bendigo Council to protest against a planned mosque in the western Victorian city.

Joined by United Patriot Front leader Blair Cottrell and fellow supporter Chris Shortis, the trio shouted 'Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!', the Arabic term for 'God is great', before fake blood oozed from their prop.

The men were charged in October 2015 with breaching Victoria's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, which makes it an offence to incite 'hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule' against a group of people.

They were the first high-profile case since a former Labor government introduced the law in January 2002.

In 2014 Mr Eriksen avoided jail time after pleading guilty to stalking a Melbourne Rabbi after making a number of racially-motivated phone calls.

The court heard he told the Jewish leader 'Give me the money Jew or else I will get you', as well as threatening to come get him and making fun of circumcision.

Footage of senator Dastyari's confrontation with the Patriot Blue group racked up 33,000 views online in less than 12 hours.

In 2015, Erickson took part in a mock beheading outside Bendigo Council to protest against a planned mosque in the western Victorian city.
An Alabama man who said he tripped and broke his foot and hip while buying a watermelon at a Walmart store has won a $7.5million verdict in his lawsuit against the retailer.

Henry Walker, who was 59 years old at the time of the incident, was awarded the damages on Wednesday after a jury trial in Phenix City, Alabama, just west of the Georgia state line, court records show.

The decision to reward $2.5million in compensatory damages and $5million in punitive damages was reached by a jury comprised of seven African-Americans and five whites.

Walker had sued Arkansas-based Walmart Stores Inc, saying his foot became trapped in a pallet beneath the watermelons as he reached for one of the fruits at a Phenix City Walmart on June 25, 2015.

Henry Walker had sued Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc, saying his foot became trapped in a pallet beneath the watermelons as he reached for one of the fruits at a Phenix City Walmart on June 25, 2015. The Phenix City branch is seen in the above image

'We are disappointed in the verdict,' Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove said Thursday.

'We appreciate the jury's service, however we believe that the damages awarded were excessive in light of the facts in this case. We plan to appeal.'

Walmart should have covered the pallet so that it could not entangle a shopper's foot, Charles Gower, one of Walker's attorneys, told The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

'It was a fair verdict because Walmart just didnt care,' said Gower, the lead attorney.

'They should have had something to cover up that pallet so someones foot couldnt get caught in it, and they didnt.'

'I think this jury appreciated what Mr Walker went through and they compensated him accordingly,' said Gower's partner on the legal team, David Rayfield.

'This is a great verdict for the community because this jury wanted to make sure it was safe for shoppers.'

In court records and in testimony, Walmart has maintained that the display was not dangerous, and that any negligence was Walker's fault.

In fact, the same displays are still used, it said.

'Walmart continues to display watermelons in the same manner as it did on June 25, 2015,' the company in a court filing on Wednesday.

'These displays come to the store from the producer already packaged and ready to be dropped and displayed.'
Police in La Porte, Indiana, were left shocked on Tuesday morning when a 'drunk driver' turned out to be a seven-year-old joyrider.

Captain Adam Klimczak was near the Family Video store in downtown La Porte when he saw a car pulling out of the parking lot with its headlamps off, NWI.com reported.

Klimczak gave chase, with another cop joining in the pursuit, which reached speeds of up to 40mph - but it wasn't until the car crashed that they realized the driver was not what they expected him to be.

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Police chased a seven-year-old boy who exited this video store parking lot in La Porte, Indiana, early Tuesday morning in a car. They chased the weaving car for two miles before it crashed

Only after they stopped the Kia Rio (file photo) did they realize the boy wasn't a drunk driver. His mom said he'd been left in the car with the key in the ignition by her boyfriend

LaPorte Police said Klimczak saw the car setting off at around 3:30am Tuesday without stopping to give way to oncoming traffic.

He followed the vehicle - a 2008 Kia Rio - as it weaved its way northeast across both lanes of the Lincoln Highway at around 15mph.

It then increased to a maximum of 40mph after Klimczak turned on his lights, the police reported.

Officer Matthew Drangmeister joined the chase, which continued for just under two miles before the Kia began to lose control, fishtailing and ultimately spinning out.

Captain Adam Klimczak was the first to spot the boy. Although the child lost control of the car, he wasn't harmed. Police allowed him to go after lecturing his mom

It then flew backwards into a metal fence outside Arconic, a manufacturer of gas turbine and aerospace casings.

The cops used their squad cars to block off the car's exit, then approached it to find the scared boy trying to hide in the back seat - thankfully unharmed.

They took the child - who isn't being named - back to the station until his mother arrived and explained that the car belonged to her live-in boyfriend.

She told police that he had recently displayed behavioral problems at school, WSBT reported.

Sgt. Bill Degnegaard told WSBT that her boyfriend had apparently left the boy alone in the car while the keys were still in the ignition - and he had seized the opportunity to engage in a little Fast and Furious action.

'They've had some issues with him,' Degnegaard told The South Bend Tribune. 'He was trying to have a little fun, I assume, took it for a joyride."

The mother was given advice on how to stop cases like this happening in the future before she left with the child.

Child Protective Services is now investigating the mom's claim to determine exactly what happened in the lead-up to the incident.

It's not clear whether any charges will be pressed.
Should Christians rethink the merits of free markets? Last night The Kings College hosted a debate on that question between First Things editor R.R. Reno and Acton Institute president and co-founder Rev. Robert Sirico.

In his opening statement, Reno admits that free markets have done a great deal to promote human flourishing, but says that markets are human, and like all things human in our fallen world, markets can also impede human flourishing. Reno claims this is especially true today because flourishing is being threatened by the rise of a global oligarchya network of corporate managers, NGO leaders, government officials, and the vast army of technocrats who keep things humming.

The economic freedom championed by this oligarchy, he adds, leads to the dissolution of our once-thriving and confident middle class. Reno believes that the middle class needs to take political action against the global oligarchy. He proposes we implement more regulation of global trade deals and progressive taxes that combat economic gigantism, taxes that would rise as corporate revenue supersized proportions.

Promoting economic freedom will do nothing to reverse [our spiritual] bondage, Reno says. Instead, he claims we need to implement Sabbath laws, restrict commerce in other ways, and tax Internet commerce at a much higher rate to protect the face-to-face community of a healthy local economy.

Too much focus on economic freedom can cause us to lose sight of other areas of concern, he concludes.

In his own opening response, Rev. Sirico explains how his role as a pastor affects his view on the issue. He relates how a moribund parish church in Grand Rapids, Michigan was turned by entrepreneurial thinking. The connection to free markets, he says, is that What was infecting our parish is what is infecting our nationand this is not the kind of thing we could solve by policies coming from government.

We have diagnosed the problem, says Sirico, Everyone in this room knows what the problem is. What we need is the solution.

The solution is not less liberty, or less access to enter into circles of exchange with one another, or more restrictions on our success and prosperity, or more regulations that intrude into our lives, he says. The solution is the free acceptance of virtues and the habitual practice of those virtues that transforms ourselves and our communities. What we need is open societies, says Sirico, that understand the moral telos of freedom.

You can watch the video of the entire debate on Facebook at this link.
Explorer and travel host Philippe Cousteau is giving advice and insight into how he travels, and while his tips are ingenious some are rather counter-intuitive.

Cousteau, the grandson of legendary explorer and ocean mapper Jacques Cousteau, spoke with Bloomberg Pursuits about his best travel hacks, and some of them are fairly counter-intuitive.

Most travelers will opt to leave their expensive watches at home for fear they will be stolen while traveling, but the Travel Channel host says he always travels with a nice watch on his wrist.

Explorer and travel host Philippe Cousteau is giving advice and insight into how he travels, and while his tips are ingenious some are rather counter-intuitive. One pro tip he gave was to keep your a high-end watch on you in the event you need to use it to barter with

Cousteau, the grandson of legendary explorer and ocean mapper Jacques Cousteau (above), said most travelers will opt to leave their expensive watches at home for fear they will be stolen while traveling

He also tells travelers to always prepare with a great back-up battery phone charger. It means you'll be able to stay connected- as long as you have a signal

'I was working on a project in Singapore, and an ex-[Special Air Service] soldier told me to always wear a nice watch: Don't flaunt it, but have it with you. He had a stainless-steel Rolex and wore it everywhere.'

'He told me that no matter where you travel, a good watchlike a Rolexis like currency and is something you can always use to barter to get yourself out of trouble. You always hear 'never have anything nice on expedition,' but that soldier's advice was smart and practical so I always wear a 'tradable' watch that can help get me out of a bind,' the travel host insists.

Pick up themed souvenirs so you can display them and remember your travels

Some of the pieces of advice Cousteau offers are more about planning for the worst case scenario by being prepared to keep your lines of communications open.

'I always have a battery charger from MyCharge. It's the best one I've found, and I've gone through a lot of 'em. It'll charge a tablet and a phone a couple of times, and it plugs straight into the wall, so you can use it as a charger in your hotel room. It's a battery and plug, all in one.'

Smartly- Cousteau says he asks for restaurant recommendations from five-star hotels- even when he's not staying in them.

'I'm picky about food. When I go somewhere, I have some anxiety until I know there's somewhere I can get a decent meal. So I do a lot of research, but I sometimes also employ a cheeky trick. Find a nice hotel, even if you're not staying in one. The concierge there will usually be really helpful and knowledgeable. Say, 'I've just checked out, I'm leaving. I'm going to the airport, and I'd like a nice last meal. What do you recommend?'

He adds: 'One of the best meals I've ever had was in Frankfurt, on a 12-hour layover on my way to Mozambique. I didn't have anywhere to stay, so I wandered around and into a five-star hotel. I still have the restaurant the concierge recommended in the contacts in my phone as 'amazing restaurant in Frankfurt.'

And while the local fare may not always be palatable to a picky eater like the travel host is, he suggested carrying a little of your own salt and pepper to spice bland foods up.

'I was 17 years old and studying for a month in summer in Spain, and one of the things they don't excel at there is the pepper you get in restaurantsit's really dusty and tasteless. So I went and bought a little cracked pepper thing to carry with me. And in a lot of places it was just not very good salt, either.'

He smartly adds: 'Having a nice dash of decent salt and pepper on top just made it different enough. Since then, I've got a little [spice] kit I take everywhere with me.'

Collections from your travels can be displayed together- taking notes on your pieces will help jog the well traveled person's memories as to where they were when they picked up the piece

Even though Cousteau hops around the planet- he makes sure to grab a piece of each place by purchasing a souvenir before he leaves. He likes to collect his pieces as a theme for a broader work, displaying the items from his various travels.

'I was in Papua New Guinea when I was 16 years old, working with a woman called Dr. Eugenie Clark on an expedition; she was a shark expert. We were on the southeastern part of the country, out on a little dive boat doing research all day, diving in shallow water. It was an amazing experience that really allowed me to connect with my grandfather's legacy.'

'After that, I went into the highlands of New Guinea, with some local indigenous tribes, and I saw a mask they'd carved for sale in a little shop. I thought, This is a life-changing experience. I'm going to get this mask as a memento.'

'Most indigenous cultures will have a culture of masks, so ever since then I've looked for those when I travel. We have a wall in our apartment with them all hung up. I write on the back of each one what year it was and where it was from.'
Charges laid against a woman who allegedly hit a 13-year-old girl with her BMW before driving off could be upgraded as the teenager fights for her life in hospital.

Thi Nguyen, 41, will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday facing a raft of charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury, according to the Herald Sun.

The woman from Sunshine North allegedly hit 13-year-old Alice Lewis off her bicycle about 8pm on Sunday in Coburg, leaving the teen critically injured and fighting for her life in hospital.

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Alice Lewis, 13, is fighting for her life in hospital after being hit by a car in an alleged hit and run

Thi Nguyen, 41, will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday facing a raft of charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury

Ms Nguyen handed herself in to police on Thursday morning after a three-day manhunt that had officers staking out airports.

In addition to dangerous driving she has been charged with failing to stop after a serious injury collision, failing to render assistance after a serious injury collision and failing to exchange her name and address or report a collision.

Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor of Victoria Police said the woman 'had no choice' but to hand herself in.

'She knew that eventually we were going to come knocking on the door and so she's done the right thing and come forward,' he said.

Ms Nguyen was released from custody on Thursday afternoon and held a jacket over her head as she ran the media gauntlet, running in circles as she struggled to see under her makeshift disguise.

Police found the dark grey Series 1 BMW she was allegedly driving dumped in a laneway in Sunshine North, about 14km from the crash site.

Alice's mangled bike is pictured after the alleged hit and run in Coburg, Melbourne

Police found the dark grey Series 1 BMW she was allegedly driving dumped in a laneway in Sunshine North, about 14km from the crash site

Ms Nguyen handed herself in to police on Thursday morning after a three-day manhunt that had officers staking out airports

Friends sent well wishes to Alice online, urging her to 'stay strong' and hoping for a speedy recovery.

'Stay strong Alice, I know you can fight through this,' a friend wrote.

'I love [you] to bits I just hope you will be okay.'
Matthew Scown (pictured) was released from prison after just two years and nine months after he was found guilty of manslaughter for the death of his stepson, four

A man who served less than three years in jail over the horrific death of his stepson Tyrell Cobb will not have his case revisited.

The deadline for the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal Matthew Scown's sentence passed on Wednesday.

The office of Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath, who has the power to overrule the decision to not appeal, told The Courier Mail they would also not be attempting to fight Scown's paltry sentence.

Scown, 34, was handed four years jail for the manslaughter of his stepson Tyrell Cobb, who had 53 bruises and 17 abrasions from head to legs when he died.

Tyrell, 4, was found unconscious at a Gold Coast property and later died in hospital from internal bleeding and stomach injuries caused by blunt force trauma in May 2009.

Scown was sentenced in October to four years in jail, but his sentence was immediately suspended after having served two years and eight months in custody.

Tyrell, 4, was found unconscious at a Gold Coast property and later died in hospital from internal bleeding and stomach injuries caused by blunt force trauma

Scown's paltry sentence will not be appealed after the deadline for the Director of Public Prosecutions to act passed on Wednesday and state Attorney General Yvette D'Ath has declined to use her powers to file a late appeal

Justice Martin Burns said Scown was not responsible for the injuries that killed Tyrell but failed in his duty of care.

While Scown did not cause the injuries he did not contact authorities or seek medical help, even when Tyrell was vomiting green bile the night before his death.

'You ought to have acted,' Justice Burns said.

'From the time of injury until death every movement including breathing and vomiting would have caused extreme pain.'

Hetty Johnston, founder of children's charity Bravehearts, accused prosecutors of going soft on Scown to speed up the case, The Courier Mail earlier reported.

Tyrell (pictured) had 53 bruises and 17 abrasions from his head to his legs when he died

She said offenders are 'laughing' after a series of cases in which child killers have had charges reduced, including a man who tortured his infant daughter to death.

'Theyre doing all these plea bargains just to move cases through ... [it's] expedition at the cost of these kids,' she said.

'I think if the DPP had the resources and the backbone they should have gone for him [Scown].'

Last month, the Palaszczuk Government announced there would be a review into sentencing of child-killers after national outrage over images of Scown laughing as he walked out of court a free man.

'The Palaszczuk Government recognises there is a growing concern from the general public about whether sentencing for criminal offences arising from the death of a child are meeting the community's expectations,' Ms D'Ath told News Corp at the time.

Tyrell's mother, Heidi Strbak, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of criminal negligence.

The prosecution is arguing she was responsible for the blunt force trauma that caused her son's death at their Gold Coast unit.

Her contested sentencing hearing is continuing in front of Justice Peter Applegarth.
A professor in Pennsylvania said 'whiteness' is to blame for the latest shooting massacre in Texas that took the lives 26 people.

George Ciccariello-Maher, a teacher at Drexel University in Philadelphia, made the comments during an interview with Democracy Now! on Monday, claiming 'white' entitlement' was a factor in the killings.

'Whiteness is never seen as a cause, in and of itself, of these kinds of massacres,' Ciccariello-Maher told host Amy Goodman.

George Ciccariello-Maher (pictured right) said during an interview that 'whiteness' was to blame for recent shootings in Texas and Las Vegas

Ciccariello-Maher was placed on administrative leave from Drexel University due to safety concerns after blaming 'Trumpism' for Las Vegas shooting

The 38-year-old educator contends that 'whiteness is a structure of privilege and it's a structure of power, and a structure that, when it feels threatened... lashes out.'

Devin Patrick Kelley, a married father, walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs last Sunday with tactical gear and an assault rifle, and began shooting.

The 38-year-old professor contends that the phenomenon arises in part from an institutional, social apparatus that trains white men in violence

At least 26 people were killed in the incident, including a two-year-old girl and the 14-year-old adopted daughter of the pastor.

Asked by Daily Mail Online what point he was trying to convey in the interview, Ciccariello-Maher said that 'many white males are raised with a double sense of entitlement, since being both white and male are structures of power and dominance over (non-white and female) others.'

'When that power is perceived to be threatened, as Donald Trump and other racist misogynists encourage people to believe, the results can be incredibly dangerous,' he added.

Last month, Ciccariello-Maher was placed on administrative leave from Drexel University due to safety concerns after blaming 'Trumpism' and 'white victimization' in the days after a previous shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead.

Ciccariello-Maher, who now teaches online classes for the University, said the American people need to asking a simple question: 'What makes white men so prone to this kind of behavior?'

In his estimation, the phenomenon arises in part from an 'institutional apparatus that trains people in violence and that encourages them to feel as though they're on the losing side of history.'

Ciccariello-Maher said the far right 'jumps on any violence by people of color,' but 'doesn't want to talk about the real deep structures of white supremacy in our society...not just the fringe, not just the Nazi movements, but what people are going through every day and what it is that is driving people to these kinds of situations, where they feel so entitled to dominance, that when that's questioned, they can explode in these very, very unpredictable ways.'

The professor also said that the President represents much of the misguided anger peculating among white males in American society today.

'Trump makes hay out of the fact that white men, in particular, feel as though they're the victims of this society, despite being in absolute control of it,' Ciccariello-Maher said during the broadcast.

The professor said that the President represents much of the misguided anger (Pictured: Devin Kelley)

'And this is something that is powerfully dangerous, and it's why we're not seeing only the rise in violent attacks, more generally, and the rise of far-right movements, but we're certainly seeing, you know, clearly, sort of some very serious incidents of mass violence, as well,' he added.

Soon after news of Sutherland Springs massacre hit the airwaves, Ciccariello-Maher tweeted out the same message he posted to Twitter after the Las Vegas shooting, stating simply: 'A White Man.'

This is not the first time the 38-year-old professor has found himself mired in controversy.

In 2016, he tweeted that all he wanted for Christmas was 'White genocide.'

He was also heavily criticized after posting that he was 'trying not to vomit or yell about Mosul' when he witnessed someone relinquish their first-class seat on an airplane for a soldier earlier this year.

The incident occurred two days after American forces accidentally killed 200 civilians after bombing the Iraqi city.

Drexel University did not offer comment on Ciccariello-Maher's recent interview.
Speaker Carme Forcadell (pictured arriving at the Supreme Court) will be held in custody until she pays the 150,000-euro bail, according to the written ruling

The speaker of Catalonia's parliament has been told she must pay a 130,000 bail after being held on rebellion charges for her role in the region's declaration of independence.

A Spanish judge also freed four other Catalan lawmakers on bail today.

The Supreme Court had summoned them to answer charges of rebellion after they enabled an October 27 independence declaration that prompted the Spanish government to dissolve the Catalan parliament and sack the regional administration.

Speaker Carme Forcadell will be held in custody until she pays the 150,000-euro bail, according to the written ruling. The four lawmakers must pay bail of 25,000 euros (22,155), while a fifth was released without bail.

Judge Pablo Llarena wrote in the ruling: 'All the accused ... have expressed that either they renounce future political activity or, those that remain active, will do it renouncing any actions outside the constitutional framework.'

The judge's decision to reject prosecutors' requests to jail them gives the separatists, whose leader Carles Puigdemont went into self-imposed exile in Belgium last week, some breathing space as courts have been steadily tightening the legal noose.

Eight former members of the Catalan government and the leaders of the two main pro-independence grassroots groups remain in custody awaiting trial on charges of rebellion and sedition.

The judge's decision to reject prosecutors' requests to jail them gives the separatists, whose leader Carles Puigdemont went into self-imposed exile in Belgium last week, some breathing space as courts have been steadily tightening the legal noose. Pictured: Speaker Forcadell's car leaving the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court had summoned them to answer charges of rebellion after they enabled an October 27 independence declaration that prompted the Spanish government to dissolve the Catalan parliament and sack the regional administration. Pictured: Catalonians lawmaker Lluis Corominas (centre) and Lluis Corominas (fourth from right) greet supporters as they leave the Supreme Court in Madrid

Catalan parliamentarians leave Spain's Supreme Court after testifying on charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds

Judge Pablo Llarena wrote in the ruling: 'All the accused ... have expressed that either they renounce future political activity or, those that remain active, will do it renouncing any actions outside the constitutional framework.' Pictured: Police guarding the Supreme Court

Also today, the High Court rejected an appeal presented by their lawyers for their release, a court spokeswoman said.

The High Court has issued an arrest warrant on rebellion charges for ex-President Puigdemont and four other former members of his cabinet who are with him in Brussels.

The Catalan independence push has deeply divided Spain, dragging it into its worst political crisis since the return of democracy four decades ago and fuelling anti-Spanish sentiment in Catalonia and nationalist tendencies elsewhere.

The struggle has also divided Catalonia itself, and cracks have begun appearing within the pro-independence movement.

On Tuesday, Puigdemont's PDeCAT party failed to agree on a united ticket to contest the election with another secessionist party, making it difficult for the pro-independence camp to govern the region after the vote and press ahead with its bid to split from Spain.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the election following the independence declaration, which the Constitutional Court ruled was against the constitution.

Protestors with Esteladas, or pro-independence Catalan flags, block the high-speed AVE train at the Sants train station during a general strike in Barcelona last night

Thousands of people rally outside the cathedral of Barcelona this evening waving Catalan flags and holding up placards last night

The judge's decision to reject prosecutors' requests to jail them gives the separatists, whose leader Carles Puigdemont (pictured) went into self-imposed exile in Belgium last week, some breathing space as courts have been steadily tightening the legal noose

Forcadell earlier told the Supreme Court that the declaration was not legally binding, according to court sources, in a comment that could undermine the secessionist push.

At the time she described Rajoy's actions as a 'coup' and an 'attack against democracy'.

The Supreme Court decided on Thursday to take over two other cases against Forcadell and the lawmakers currently overseen by a Catalan court, suggesting judges were looking to centralise all legal proceedings involving the independence vote under one roof.

The Supreme Court, which handles cases against defendants with parliamentary immunity, has legal powers to also take over the Spanish High Court case involving the government members but so far has made no statement on its intentions.
Armed police have swooped in on Notting Hill tonight as part of a huge operation involving helicopters and balaclava-clad marksmen.

Residents were told to stay indoors and choristers were locked inside a church amid fears of a potential shoot out.

A spokesman for the Met told MailOnline however no guns were recovered but five people were arrested and a number of knives seized.

Scotland Yard confirmed the operation was carried out by detectives from their Trident unit and was gang-related.

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Armed police have swooped in on Notting Hill this evening as part of a huge operation with helicopters and teams of balaclava-clad marksmen

Stunned residents have been told to stay inside their homes as specialist officers comb areas close to the Portobello Road area

Video footage from the scene shows concerned residents watching on as a spotlight shined over buildings as a helicopter circled ahead.

Police marksmen armed with guns could be seen scaling the rooftops of nearby buildings as raids into properties were carried out.

One man documented the terrifying moment police stormed All Saints Church in Notting Hill via Twitter.

Jake Elsley wrote: 'Please pray. We are locked in the church. Shooting outside and armed police outside. This choir practice just got very scary.'

Shortly after, he added: 'We're all okay but all doors been locked and ordered to move away from windows and doors.'

The property entrepreneur said: ' We had a helicopter overhead, police outside the church door, and road was blocked both ends with unmarked cars.

'Was very freaky getting asked to move and lock all doors.' He thanked those on the social networking site for their support.

Several police cars arrived and undercover officers swarmed the streets at around 8.20pm.

A police spokesman told MailOnline so far five people had been arrested and a number of knives recovered

Video footage from the scene shows a spotlight shining over buildings as a helicopter circled overhead

One woman, who lives on Talbot Road, told the London Evening Standard: 'In the main building across the square, the police were on the roof and in the scaffolding with guns and search lights.

'There's a police helicopter overhead with search lights and they've cordoned the road off.'

The Met Police confirmed the operation was 'gang related'.

A statement by the Met Police released shortly before 11pm said: 'At approximately 19:50hrs on Thursday, 9 November, detectives from the Trident and Area Crime Command, supported by firearms officers, carried out a pre-planned operation in the Colville Square area of Notting Hill.

'Five people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

'They have been taken to a south-west London police station where they remain in custody.

'A number of knives were recovered during the operation. Officers remain in the area.'
An FBI counter terrorism supervisor is currently under an internal investigation after a night of heavy drinking with exotic dancers led to his gun being stolen, new documents reveal.

Robert Manson was drinking heavily in a fifth-floor room in the Westin Charlotte hotel in the North Carolina city when his gun, $6,000 Rolex and some cash were stolen from him, a Charlotte- Mecklenberg police report says.

Manson, who is a unit chief in the FBI's international terrorism sector, was heavily intoxicated but uninjured when police were told of the incident, the New York Times reported.

The agent was visiting Charlotte on July 9 for training, and agents told police they'd spent that night drinking with women they believe were exotic dancers.

Robert Manson was drinking heavily in a fifth-floor room in the Westin Charlotte hotel (pictured) in the North Carolina city when his gun, $6,000 Rolex and some cash were stolen from him, a Charlotte- Mecklenberg police report says

Officers responded to a 911 call around 6.30 on July 10 from Manson's peers, as he was still too incapacitated to make the call himself. Fellow agent Kevin Thurman is listed as filing the report on Manson's behalf.

Police believe the theft happened sometime between 2 and 5am - after the hotel bar was closed.

Spokesman for the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department Robert Rufano said the gun was a Glock, and that it is still missing.

'Investigators determined the victim, Robert Manson, met a woman in the hotel bar the prior night and took her back to his hotel room,' Tufano told Fox News.

'Mr Manson identified himself as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.'

Spokesman for the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department Robert Rufano said the gun was a Glock, and that it is still missing (STOCK IMAGE)

Manson's job within the FBI is to oversee all terrorism investigations in the Midwest and the Carolinas

So far no arrests have been made in relation to the crime, and Manson hasn't been suspended as a result of the internal investigation.

His job within the FBI is to oversee all terrorism investigations in the Midwest and the Carolinas.

It's not clear where Manson had his firearm in his hotel room, but the FBI tells agents they cannot leave weapons unsecured.
Teenage thugs should face harsher and more effective prison sentences to break the cycle of crime, Britains top police officer has said.

Cressida Dick warned years of attempting to keep young offenders out of jail had created a hard core who were simply not fearful of the courts.

The Scotland Yard chief suggested the worst young offenders should be locked up sooner, and for longer, as a real deterrent to criminals  and to protect communities.

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Cressida Dick warned years of attempting to keep young offenders out of jail had created a hard core who were simply not fearful of the courts

She revealed one 16-year-old in south London had not served a single day in jail despite being responsible for 42 offences, involving violence, weapons and drugs, in less than three years.

In a speech to penal reformers, Miss Dick said it was time to be realistic and questioned whether it had been right to try to keep teenage criminals out of prison for all lower level offences.

Suggesting custodial sentences that actually deter people, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner said the threat of longer jail terms could stop youngsters from turning to crime in the first place.

I and a number of my officers are seeing an increasing number of young people in London who are simply not fearful of how the state will respond to their actions, Miss Dick said.

The Scotland Yard chief suggested the worst young offenders should be locked up sooner, and for longer, as a real deterrent to criminals  and to protect communities

Successive governments have urged courts to treat yobs leniently, with David Cameron calling on people to hug a hoodie

They dont see imprisonment as particularly likely or a serious threat and it does not in any sense deter them from criminal activity.

At what point does the state prioritise its duty to protect the public and ensure that young people could see the criminal justice system as something that will catch up with them?

Teenagers' soft justice In Leicester in August, a 16-year-old walked free after assaulting five people, obstructing a police officer and racially abusing another. Magistrates handed him a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and 40 hours of unpaid work after his lawyer said he had been drinking and was ashamed of his behaviour. A 14-year-old in Sunderland avoided prison in April after raping a girl in a field. Prosecutors said the victim had been left suicidal, but the judge was told that sentencing guidelines say the courts priority should be the welfare of the defendant. The boy was given a 12-month supervision order, a curfew and community work. I am legally obliged to focus on your welfare and need for training, the judge said. In February, four teenagers who left a 77-year-old woman with a fractured skull after throwing rocks at taxis in Birmingham escaped prison. The boys, aged between 15 and 17, were each given a one-year youth rehabilitation order and a curfew. A district judge told the gang that if they were adults they would have been jailed for a lengthy period, adding that it was incredibly fortunate nobody had been killed by their reckless actions. Advertisement

The number of under-18s in young offender institutions has fallen from 3,000 in 2007 to around 860 today.

Successive governments have urged courts to treat yobs leniently, with David Cameron calling on people to hug a hoodie. Sentencing guidelines say judges must focus on the welfare and training needs of young criminals, and use jail as an absolute last resort.

But Miss Dick called on policymakers to consider whether violent teenagers should face harsher and more effective prison sentences.

She pointed out that young people are jailed for an average of 16 months, and highlighted figures which show two in three commit another crime within a year of being released.

In her address to the Howard League for Penal Reform, she said: They will only serve half  so its eight months and we are seeing these people returning to the same context, same friends and same  perhaps even more  destructive outlook on their lives.

Miss Dick added: Do we yet again need to think about  the incarceration of young people? Is it absolutely the right thing that we have sought to avoid putting young people in prison for all lower level offences?

She suggested the case of the teenager with 42 convictions showed the system was failing, saying: We have to ask ourselves what is it about the system that is not working. How is he offending so much and how is he able to? He is by no means alone.

Do sentences need to be longer and more effective when used in relation to young people, no matter how hard that is for many of us to think about?

Last year 26,236 criminals under 18 were sentenced by courts, with just 1,598  around one in 16  locked up.

Police chiefs are concerned by research showing young first-time offenders are committing more serious and more violent crimes.

Miss Dick called for more imaginative resolutions, but added: Should we couple that with harsher, more effective sentencing  where it is clear other approaches are no longer working, with custodial sentences that do actually deter people?

She said she did not want to see more children in jail but I have to be realistic  we need to give more real deterrents and we need to use [the] opportunity that prison could give to better ensure children dont reoffend.

The Howard Leagues Frances Crook said: It is unusual for a police officer to comment on areas outside their expertise, like sentencing  We were surprised the Commissioner did not concentrate on the great success of her force at dealing with children in the community.
The 'remorseless' growth of cyber crime is leading to 4,000 ransom attacks a day and gangs' technological capability now threatens critical parts of the financial sector, the head of Europol said on Wednesday.

Online criminals have become so sophisticated that gangs have created 'conglomerations' with company structures that specialise in different criminal activities to carry out the attacks, Rob Wainwright, who leads the EU law enforcement agency, said.

'What really concerns me is the sophistication of the capability, which is becoming good enough to really threaten parts of our critical infrastructure, certainly in the financial, banking sector,' he told Reuters.

Director of Europol Robert Wainwright speaks during a talk at Web Summit, Europe's biggest tech conference, in Lisbon, Portugal, November 8, 2017. He said the challenge of fighting cyber criminals is that they can be based 'in their bedrooms', making it difficult to find them

WHAT IS RANSOMWARE? Ransomware attacks are attacks which demand money to restore access to files that have been frozen or encrypted. The launch of ransomware attacks such as Wannacry, which struck firms around the world in May and June, has changed the dynamic of such attacks, by propagating them more widely through companies' computer systems. The Wannacry attack, for example, targeted the NHS in May. It targets Microsoft's widely used Windows operating system. The virus encrypts certain files on the computer and then blackmails the user for money in exchange for the access to the files. It leaves the user with only two files: Instructions on what to do next and the Wanna Decryptor program itself. When opened the software tells users that their files have been encrypted and gives them a few days to pay up or their files will be deleted. Advertisement

And while not all those 4,000 ransom attacks - which demand money to restore access to files that have been frozen or encrypted - are on banks, the financial services sector is seen as a key target because of the potential profits for the criminals.

Even bank payment systems and ATM cash machines fall prey, Wainwright said.

The launch of ransomware attacks such as Wannacry, which struck firms around the world in May and June, has changed the dynamic of such attacks, by propagating them more widely through companies' computer systems, Wainwright said.

The rapidly spreading extortion campaigns underscored concerns that businesses have failed to secure their networks from increasingly aggressive hackers, who have shown they are capable of shutting down critical infrastructure and crippling corporate and government networks.

'The real threat comes from a sort of exponential, remorseless increase in the scale and significance of cyber criminal capability,' Wainwright said on the sidelines of the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon.

He said every year there now 'seems to be a doubling, or tripling, of one kind of threat or another, in terms of scale'.

He said the challenge of fighting cyber criminals is that they can be based 'in their bedrooms', making it difficult to find them.

A majority of cyber criminals 'we are working against are Russian speaking, not just Russian', he said. Russia denies it is involved in hacking.

The launch of ransomware attacks such as Wannacry, which struck firms around the world in May and June, has changed the dynamic of such attacks, by propagating them more widely through companies' computer systems

Last year, police authorities in several countries smashed 20 criminal groups that had created a 'service-based economy' for the rest of the criminal market, such as providing ways to launder money or sell drugs online.

Such criminals gangs operate on the so-called dark web, which can only be accessed with special software.

It is used by criminals doing everything from selling drugs to guns, but also attacking payments systems and other parts of the financial system.

'There is this sort of cyber criminal underworld that's a lot bigger and smarter and adept than most people think,' Wainwright said.

'And, against it, we still have generally low cyber security standards.'
Facebook is being criticised for its plan to get users to send in naked pictures of themselves so the site can block revenge porn at a later date.

The trial scheme will use image recognition technology to identify individual photos and stop the same images being uploaded by a jilted lover.

It was unveiled last week, but has now emerged that employees of the firm will view the unedited sexy shots before blurring them out and creating a 'digital fingerprint'.

But users are outraged by the plans, and say those images - even if blurred - could be leaked or kept by disgruntled Facebook employees.

There's also nothing stopping spurned partners from uploading alternative naked images of their ex, as each image must be identified individually.

They could also upload the same image to other sites, such as Instagram and Twitter.

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Social media has erupted in response to the plans, questioning the approach on Twitter. Tony Matthew said: 'No company should ever ask anyone for nude pics to "safeguard" under the guise of protection from revenge porn. Hackers can hack. Disgruntled employees can leak'

HOW DOES IT WORK? The Australian trial requires users to send naked pictures to themselves via Facebook Messenger. Julie Inman Grant, e-Safety Commissioner, said: 'It would be like sending yourself your image in email, but obviously this is a much safer, secure end-to-end way of sending the image without sending it through the ether.' Once the image has been sent, Facebook will then 'hash' that image, creating a digital fingerprint or link. This means that only that image will be blocked. Ms Inman Grant explained: 'They're not storing the image, they're storing the link and using artificial intelligence and other photo-matching technologies. 'So if somebody tried to upload that same image, which would have the same digital footprint or hash value, it will be prevented from being uploaded.' Advertisement

Facebook has now confirmed that a member of its community operations team will have to manually review images submitted under the pilot scheme, according to reports in Motherboard.

The trial, currently being tested in Australia, requires users to send naked pictures to themselves via Facebook Messenger.

Users must first report the images to the Australian government's eSafety Commission.

Then they can upload the snap via Messenger and once a member of staff has confirmed that the image is in violation of the companys policies.

The images will then be blurred out before they are eventually deleted.

They will be accessible to a specially-trained team only and will be automatically processed from this point onward.

Facebook's systems will 'hash' the image, creating a digital fingerprint, before the original image is deleted.

It is not clear how long Facebook will store the blurred images, before it discards them and retains only the identifying hashes.

If the technology works as expected, the photo should never appear on Facebook  even if a jealous ex tries to upload it.

Social media has erupted in response to the plans, questioning the approach on Twitter.

Many of the concerns revolve around people, rather than machines, having access to the images.

Others are worried about the effectiveness of the protection efforts, as well as the potential for the sensitive pictures leaking online.

Tony Matthew said: 'No company should ever ask anyone for nude pics to "safeguard" under the guise of protection from revenge porn.

'Hackers can hack. Disgruntled employees can leak.'

Eleonora H said: 'I wish this was a joke.

Eleonora H said: 'I wish this was a joke. Facebooks idea of protecting people from revenge porn: send the company your nude pictures'

Mr Gillespie added: 'Facebook themselves have perverts hiding in their closets. They would just love a nude collection of its users, with an excellent cover story about protecting people from revenge porn! #PervBook'

Laura E Wendt said: 'Another solid reason to #quitFacebook. Facebook asks users for nude photos in project to combat revenge porn'

Whitney said: 'Ewe! Facebook wants you to send them your nude pics in order to stop your ex from uploading them! Yeah right. #Scam'

Sofia Edvardsen said: 'Facebook asks users in Australia for nude photos in project to combat revenge porn. Although a noble aim, I wonder about the privacy risks about this. Seems prone to error'

'Facebooks idea of protecting peoplefrom revenge porn: send the company your nude pictures.'

Mr Gillespie added: 'Facebook themselves have perverts hiding in their closets.

'They would just love a nude collection of its users, with an excellent cover story about protecting people from revenge porn! #PervBook.'

A Facebook spokesman said Britain, Canada and the United States are also expected to take part in the project.

WHAT CONSTITUTES REVENGE PORN ON FACEBOOK? Much of what constitutes revenge porn is covered under Facebook's rules on nudity. In March 2015, however, the social network brought in specific community guidelines to address the growing problem of revenge porn. The section entitled 'Sexual Violence and Exploitation' deals specifically with the subject. Writing in it, a company spokesman said: 'We remove content that threatens or promotes sexual violence or exploitation. 'This includes the sexual exploitation of minors and sexual assault. 'To protect victims and survivors, we also remove photographs or videos depicting incidents of sexual violence and images shared in revenge or without permission from the people in the images. 'Our definition of sexual exploitation includes solicitation of sexual material, any sexual content involving minors, threats to share intimate images and offers of sexual services. 'Where appropriate, we refer this content to law enforcement.' Advertisement

If successful, the Facebook trial could be extended to other online platforms.

Australia's eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant told AFP the initiative empowers people to protect themselves against the unauthorised spread of intimate images.

She said: 'It removes control and power from the perpetrator who is ostensibly trying to amplify the humiliation of the victim amongst friends, family and colleagues.

'The precedent already exists for the sharing of child exploitation images and countering violent extremism online.

Bethanie Blanchard said: 'This seems an imperfect solution to put it lightly. Also assumes you have a copy of the offending image / video yourself'

Josh Barnes responded: 'imperfect is putting it lightly, if you don't want anyone anywhere to see it why would you want to send it to a faceless Facebook employee to fit their definition of revenge porn

Rrorybaust added: 'And I thought it was creepy body recognition, the more I think about this this is the best scam ever and then Facebook goes all revenge porn itself, maybe someone needs to rethink this'

Deirdre Connolly said'Facebook's "revenge porn' detector is probably using Photo DNA to compare images. Photo DNA is not really a cryptographic hash, but more of a histogram of gradients and edges parsed from the image.

Boxswapper said: 'Nude photo hashing, to fight revenge porn. Editing the picture or throwing in some steganography = defeated signature. Try again Facebook'

'By extending to image-based abuse we are taking the burden off the victims to report to multiple online platforms.'

Australia is among world leaders in efforts to combat revenge porn.

Its eSafety Commission launched an online portal last month, allowing victims to report cases where their photos have been shared on the internet without consent.

Facebook is asking users to send their sexy snaps in, to test a new anti-revenge porn technology. The technology uses image recognition to identify revenge porn and automatically delete it. But employees will first view the unedited images (stock image)

The government agency then works with websites and search engines to have them removed.

A recent survey by the commission showed one in five Australian women aged 18 to 45 suffered image-based abuse.

Facebook and its Messenger app accounting for 53 per cent of revenge porn, followed by Snapchat at 11 per cent then Instagram at four percent.

Research by Melbourne's Monash University and RMIT University earlier this year found people were falling prey to abusive behaviour on a 'mass scale', and that men and women were equally likely to be targeted.
Alfred Russel Wallace in 1869. Copyright George Beccaloni.

In 1854, Alfred Russel Wallace began an eight year collecting trip to Southeast Asia, through the region he called the Malay Archipelago (now Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and East Timor). It was during this expedition, in the midst of a fever in 1858, that Wallace conceived (independently of Darwin) of the theory of natural selection. Wallace expanded his idea into a detailed article which he sent to Charles Darwin for comment, unaware that Darwin himself had come to the same conclusion, though he had yet to publish the theory.

At the suggestion of Darwins friends Charles Lyell and Joseph Hooker, Wallaces article, together with unpublished writings by Darwin on the subject of natural selection and evolution, were presented to the Linnean Society in 1858 and subsequently published in the Societys journal as On the Tendency of Species to Form Varieties; and On the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection, with Darwin and Wallace as co-authors.

While important for its link to the theory of evolution by means of natural selection, Wallaces Malay Archipelago expedition was also scientifically significant from a collecting standpoint.

Beccaloni (center) with the Patrons of his Wallace projects. Sir David Attenborough (left), Patron of the Wallace Correspondence Project, and Bill Bailey (right), Patron of the Wallace Memorial Fund. Photographed at Londons Natural History Museum in 2012. Copyright Jan Beccaloni.

Dr. George Beccaloni, Director of the Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project (an open access archive of Wallaces manuscripts), is working to catalog the animal species collected by him during his expedition. Not surprisingly, given the sheer number of specimens and the passage of time, this is a challenging endeavor.

We know Wallace collected nearly 126,000 specimens: about 110,000 insects, 7,500 shells, 8,050 bird skins, and 410 mammals and reptiles, which ranged from Orangutans to Birds of Paradise, from land snails to cockroaches, from Birdwing butterflies to tiny parasitic wasps, shares Beccaloni. I have estimated that about 5,000 of them were new to science, but apart from the 295 species he described himself, there is no list of all the others  or the many species he collected which already had scientific names.

Scientific literature is a valuable source of information on Wallaces specimens, but locating the relevant publications is itself a challenge.

I am collaborating with colleagues in Southeast Asia and at Londons Natural History Museum to produce a detailed list of the species Wallace collected, explains Beccaloni. It is a difficult task because the information about them is scattered through the scientific literature of the last 163 years, in an estimated 400 or more publications. To find these requires considerable detective work.

Fortunately, the Biodiversity Heritage Library is making it considerably easier for Beccaloni to access the publications he needs for this research.

BHL is an absolutely fantastic resource which is very important to my work, affirms Beccaloni. Locating mentions of Wallace specimens is tricky, but at least most of the articles are now available in the BHL. If they werent, it would mean going to a specialist library and searching through the physical publications, which would take a lot more effort and be logistically difficult.

Once a catalog of Wallaces specimens is completed, it can be used to help track down the physical specimens in Londons Natural History Museum and other museum collections, leading to increased global access to Wallaces specimens through digitization.

The specimens can be digitized and the images and data made freely available on the Internet, says Beccaloni. Colleagues in Southeast Asia view this as digital repatriation of the material Wallace collected in their countries.

In addition to his work related to Alfred Russel Wallace (including the Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project, Wallace Letters Online and The Wallace Website), Beccaloni is also a specialist in the taxonomy and ecology of butterflies and orthopteroid insects (especially cockroaches). He is the founder and author of the Cockroach Species File, a world catalog of cockroaches. Again, BHL provides access to key resources.

For my work on the Cockroach Species File, I often need copies of old and often obscure taxonomic papers, which fortunately I am usually able to find in the BHL, says Beccaloni.

Beccalonis favorite BHL feature is the ability to generate custom PDFs of relevant pages, eliminating the need to download an entire journal volume. To further improve the efficiency of his research, Beccaloni notes that the ability to search the full text of BHLs collections for specific search terms (e.g. Wallace) would be of considerable value.

Full text search is a feature that BHLs users have long-requested, and we are happy to confirm that its development is currently underway! Through increased research efficiency, full text search will enhance BHLs ability to inspire discovery through free access to biodiversity knowledge. Stay tuned for more information on this new service.

Alfred Russel Wallace was truly a pioneer who left behind a considerable scientific legacy. Thanks to the work of Dr. Beccaloni and others on the Wallace projects, this legacy is being documented and made more accessible to a worldwide audience. We are proud to know that BHLs collections are playing an important part in this valuable work.

Explore the Alfred Russel Wallace projects below:

______________________________________

This post may contain the personal opinions of BHL users or affiliated staff and does not necessarily represent the official Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) position on these matters.
It's one of the biggest banks in the world, but it seems that tens of thousands of jobs at Deutsche Bank are at risk of being taken  by robots.

John Cryan, CEO of Deutsche Bank says that current workers are too 'error-prone' and 'inefficient.'

Over the next three years, the firm plans to implement more 'machine learning and mechanisation' in the hopes of keeping up with its rivals.

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John Cryan, CEO of Deutsche Bank says that current workers are too 'error-prone' and 'inefficient.' Over the next three years, the firm plans to implement more 'machine learning and mechanisation' in the hopes of keeping up with its rivals

WILL A ROBOT TAKE YOUR JOB? A study by Pew Research found that: - Three-quarters of Americans say it is 'somewhat realistic' that robots will eventually perform most jobs - More than half said that fast food workers, insurance claims processors and legal clerks will be mostly replaced by robots - Nearly two-thirds think that most retailers will be fully automated in 20 years - Six per cent of the respondents said that they themselves have either lost a job or seen their hours or incomes cut because of automation - Nearly half of those respondents say that technology has made it harder for them to advance in their careers - Younger workers were the most likely to say that automation had cost them a job or income - Most Americans said they would not ride in a driverless car Advertisement

Mr Cryan spoke to the Financial Times about his plans to bring more technology into the company.

He said: 'We employ 97,000 people. Most big peers have more like half that number.'

In 2015, Deutsche Bank announced that it was making 9,000 job cuts over the next five years, and so far the firm has made about 4,000 of these.

Mr Cryan said that the additional cuts would come through using technology to make processes more efficient.

He said: 'There we've got the most to gain.

'We're too manual, which can make you error-prone and it makes you inefficient.

'There's a lot of machine learning and mechanisation that we can do.'

Mr Cryan added that the proportion of people in front office versus back office was 'out of kilter.'

He said: 'Every bank at the moment has a huge and burgeoning department of people who are doing the same stuff.

'It's not a source of competitive advantage and you're exposed to making your own mistakes.'

He did not, however, mention any specific jobs that were at risk of being taken over by automation.

Mr Cryan's news comes just a month after a report revealed that 70 per cent of Americans fear that their role will soon be taken by a robot.

The survey, by the Pew Research Center, found widespread anxiety about the general impact of technological change.

Three-quarters of Americans say it is at least 'somewhat realistic' that robots and computers will eventually perform most of the jobs currently done by people.

Roughly the same proportion worry that such an outcome will have negative consequences, such as worsening inequality.

JOBS THAT PAY LESS THAN $20 ARE AT RISK OF ROBOT TAKEOVER There is an 83 per cent chance that artificial intelligence will eventually takeover positions that pay low-wages, says White House's Council of Economic Advisors (CEA). A recent report suggests that those who are paid less than $20 an hour will be unemployed and see their jobs filled by robots over the next few years. But for workers who earn more than $20 an hour there is only a 31 per cent chance and those paid double have just a 4 per cent risk. To reach these numbers the CEA's 2016 economic report referred to a 2013 study about the 'automation of jobs performed by Oxford researchers that assigned a risk of automation to 702 different occupations'. Those jobs were then matched to a wage that determines the worker's risk of having their jobs taken over by a robot. 'The median probability of automation was then calculated for three ranges of hourly wage: less than 20 dollars; 20 to 40 dollars; and more than 40 dollars,' reads the report. The risk of having your job taken over by a robot, Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Jason Furman told reporters that it 'varies enormously based on what your salary is.' Furman also noted that the threat of robots moving in on low-wage jobs is, 'another example of why those investments in education to make sure that people have skills that complements automation are so important,' referring to programs advocated by President Obama. Advertisement

'The public expects a number of different jobs and occupations to be replaced by technology in the coming decades, but few think their own job is heading in that direction,' Aaron Smith, associate director at the Pew Research Center, said.

More than half of respondents expect that fast food workers, insurance claims processors and legal clerks will be mostly replaced by robots and computers during their lifetimes.

Nearly two-thirds think that most retailers will be fully automated in 20 years, with little or no human interaction between customers and employers.
Tarka the otter had a formidable relative that was a top predator six million years ago, scientists have discovered.

Siamogale melilutra was the size of a wolf and weighed about 110 pounds (50kg).

It also had an unusually powerful bite, which would have allowed it to crush mollusc shells or the bones of birds and small mammals.

Tarka the otter had a formidable relative that was a top predator six million years ago, scientists have discovered. Siamogale melilutra was the size of a wolf, weighed about 110 pounds (50kg) and had a powerful bite (artist's impression)

THE FINDINGS Researchers carried out CT scans of the otter's skull and those of ten of its modern relatives. From the scans they created 3D virtual computer models which revealed a relationship between jaw stiffness and animals size. The research showed that S. melilutra had jaws six times sturdier than expected. Paired with the creature's size, the powerful jaws would have made it an impressive hunter. Advertisement

Researchers from the University of Buffalo studied the prehistoric otter's fossilised skull.

The massive otter may have been a dominant predator where it lived in Shuitangba, southern China.

Scans revealed a combination of otter-like and badger-like cranial and dental feature.

Because of this, the species was given the name 'melilutra,' derived from the Latin meles, for badger and lutra, for otter.

Dr Jack Tseng, who led the study, said: 'We started our study with the idea that this otter was just a larger version of a sea otter or an African clawless otter in terms of chewing ability, that it would just be able to eat much larger things.

'That's not what we found.

'We don't know for sure, but we think that this otter was more of a top predator than living species of otters are.

'Our findings imply that Siamogale could crush much harder and larger prey than any living otter can.'

The researchers carried out computed tomography (CT) scans of the otter's skull and those of ten of its modern relatives to see how they compared.

From the scans they created 3D virtual computer models which revealed a relationship between jaw stiffness and animals size.

When the researchers ran the model to calculate the otter's biting force, they found the animal had much firmer jaw bones than expected.

The research showed that S. melilutra had jaws six times sturdier than they anticipated.

This stiffness would have given the otter a surprisingly strong bite, even for its size.

Digital 3D reconstructions show the skulls, including the jaws, of the roughly 15 pound (7 kg) common otter Lutra lutra (left), and the roughly 110-pound (50 kg) Siamogale melilutra

Heat maps show the location of weak spots (red and white) on the jaws of various otter species in biting simulations. The jaw of Siamogale melilutra, the giant prehistoric otter, (upper right-hand corner) has few weaknesses.

Paired with the creature's size, the powerful jaws would have made it an impressive hunter.

Co-author Dr Denise Su, from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, US, described the otter's habitat.

She said: 'At the time that the otter lived, the area where its remains were found included a swamp or a shallow lake surrounded by evergreen forest or dense woodland.

'There was a diverse aquatic fauna at Shuitangba, including fish, crab, molluscs, turtles and frogs, as well as many different species of water birds, all of which could have been potential prey for S. melilutra.'

Previously the only examples were isolated teeth recovered from Thailand until paleontologist found more fossilised remains at Shuitangba in the Yunnan Province, Southwestern China which were first reported early this year.

That study used scans to reveal a complete cranium, mandible, dentition and various skeletal elements shedding light on the evolution of the little known fossil genus of the otter family.

The full findings of the study were published in in the Nature journal Scientific Reports.

Paired with the creature's size, the powerful jaws would have made it an impressive hunter. This image shows another angle of comparison between the common otter and its ancient relative

Its unusually powerful bite would have allowed it to crush mollusc shells or the bones of birds and small mammals. This image shows a closeup of the digital reconstruction of the creature used in the study
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An extinct cave lion cub in 'perfect condition' has been found in the Siberian permafrost, its head still resting gently on a paw after up to 50,000 years.

The extraordinary find - which raises hopes of cloning the long-gone species back to life in a Jurassic Park-style experiment - was unveiled today in Yakutsk, capital of Russia's largest and coldest region, the Sakha Republic.

The cub was aged between six and eight weeks old when it died for unknown reasons deep in the Siberian permafrost.

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An extinct cave lion cub in 'perfect condition' has been found in the Siberian permafrost, its head still resting gently on a paw after up to 50,000 years. The cub was aged between six and eight weeks old when it died for unknown reasons

SIBERIAN CAVE LIONS The European or Eurasian cave lion is an extinct species, known from fossils and prehistoric art. It's most closely related to the modern lion and ranged from Europe to Alaska over the Bering land bridge until the late Pleistocene, around 10,000 years ago. An adult European cave lion is thought to have measured 3.9ft (1.2metres) tall and 6.9ft (2.1metres) in length without its tail, based on a skeleton found in Germany. This means it was a similar size to a modern lion. It's thought the lions probably hunted larger herbivorous animals of their time, including horses, deer, reindeer, bison and even injured old or young mammoths. No-one knows why the lions became extinct, but one suggestion is the population of cave bears and deer - one source of prey - caused them to die out. Advertisement

The preservation is so good that 'it raises hopes of cloning the species back to life', reported The Siberian Times citing Dr Albert Protopopov, an expert with the regional academy of sciences.

Cave lions were once the largest big cats on the planet, living in cold regions in the northern hemisphere before they were wiped out.

'It is a perfectly preserved lion cub, all the limbs have survived,' he said.

'There are no traces of external injuries on the skin.'

Analysis of the creature's teeth is expected to give a good indication of the age.

Significant results are expected after around three years of research on the frozen remains, said the Dr Protopopov.

The ancient animal was found in permafrost on the bank of Tirekhtykh River, in the Abyisky district of Yakutia.

Local resident Boris Berezhnov spotted the carcass of an 'unrecognisable animal' in September after a fall in water level in the remote river.

Its length is around 18 inches (46cm), with a weight of almost 9lbs (4kg).

The discovery comes two years after the same researchers discovered two newborn cave lion cubs called Uyan and Dina.

Dr Protopopov said in 2015 when he unveiled the animals to the media: 'Comparing with modern lion cubs, we think that these two were very small, maybe a week or two old.

The extraordinary find - which raises hopes of cloning the long-gone species back to life - was unveiled today in Yakutsk, capital of Russia's largest and coldest region, the Sakha Republic

Analysis of the creature's teeth is expected to give a good indication of the age. Significant results are expected after around three years of research on the frozen remains, said the scientist

Significant results are expected after around three years of research on the frozen remains, said the scientist. The ancient animal was found in permafrost on the bank of Tirekhtykh River, in the Abyisky district of Yakutia

The condition is better than the find of two new-born cubs named Uyan and Dina two years ago (one of them, pictured). Dr Protopopov said in 2015 when he unveiled the animals to the media: 'Comparing with modern lion cubs, we think that these two were very small, maybe a week or two old'

'The eyes were not quite open, they have baby teeth and not all had appeared.'

Uyan's body was found to weigh about 6 pounds (2.8 kilograms) - around 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg) heavier than a modern lion newborn.

Because newborn lions don't have any identifiable sex characteristics, it is unclear whether Uyan and Dina were male or female.

The cubs were so young, it was unlikely that they could see.

On their poster presenting the research, the team wrote: 'Dina's eyelids were tightly closed, while in Uyan, the left eye was closed, but the right eyelids were positioned a little apart.'

Local resident Boris Berezhnov spotted the carcass of an 'unrecognisable animal' in September after a fall in water level in the remote river. Its length is around 18 inches (46cm), with a weight of almost 9lbs (4kg)

An adult European cave lion is thought to have measured 3.9ft (1.2metres) tall and 6.9ft (2.1metres) in length without its tail, based on a skeleton found in Germany

The European or Eurasian cave lion is an extinct species, known from fossils and prehistoric art. It is not known what drove these ancient creatures to extinction

It's most closely related to the modern lion and ranged from Europe to Alaska over the Bering land bridge until the late Pleistocene, around 10,000 years ago

A study published last month suggested their desire for fur, which may have been used to decorate caves, could have contributed the predators extinction

No-one knows why the lions became extinct, but one suggestion is the population of cave bears and deer - one source of prey - caused them to die out. Pictured is the new find with taxidermist Innokenty Pavlov

The young cub was found by the Tirekhtykh River, in the Abyisky district of Yakutia. The preservation is so good that 'it raises hopes of cloning the species back to life', said Dr Albert Protopopov, an expert with the regional academy of sciences

One of these is believed to contain its mother's milk from pre-historic times.

Originally thought to be 12,000 years old, dating to around the time the species became extinct, later research showed them to be up to 55,000 year ago.

Tests will be carried out on the latest cub to discover its exact age but the current estimate is between 20,000 and 50,000 years old.

The European or Eurasian cave lion is an extinct species, known from fossils and prehistoric art.

Uyan's body weighed about 6 pounds (2.8 kilograms) - around 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg) heavier than a modern lion newborn. Because newborn lions don't have any identifiable sex characteristics, it is unclear whether they were male or female

The cubs were so young, it was unlikely that they could see. On their poster presenting the research, the team wrote: 'Dina's eyelids were tightly closed, while in Uyan, the left eye was closed, but the right eyelids were positioned a little apart.'

One of these is believed to contain its mother's milk from pre-historic times. Originally thought to be 12,000 years old, dating to around the time the species became extinct, later research showed them to be up to 55,000 year ago

It's most closely related to the modern lion and ranged from Europe to Alaska over the Bering land bridge until the late Pleistocene, around 10,000 years ago.

An adult European cave lion is thought to have measured 3.9ft (1.2 metres) tall and 6.9ft (2.1 metres) in length without its tail, based on a skeleton found in Germany.

This means it was a similar size to a modern lion.

It's thought the lions probably hunted larger herbivorous animals of their time, including horses, deer, reindeer, bison and even injured old or young mammoths.

No-one knows why the lions became extinct, but one suggestion is the population of cave bears and deer - one source of prey - caused them to die out.

DID STONE AGE MAN HUNT THEM? Their fearsome likeness is etched on the walls of caves inhabited by ancient man. But upper Palaeolithic humans may have hunted cave lions for their pelts, as well as sketching them. A study published last month suggested their desire for fur, which may have been used to decorate caves, could have contributed the predators extinction. As well as over-hunting, climate change, a change in prey numbers and species replacement have been suggested. Upper Palaeolithic humans, living between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago, were previously known to have hunted other small and large carnivores such as bears, but there is little archaeological evidence showing they preyed upon lions. In a bid to fill this gap, a team of experts led by Marian Cueto from the University of Cantabria in Spain, examined nine fossilised cave lion toe bones from the Upper Palaeolithic cave site of La Garma, in northern Spain. Most bones showed signs of having been modified by humans using stone tools, with markings suggesting ancient man used a method similar to modern hunters when skinning prey, in order to keep the claws attached to the fur. Advertisement

Tests will be carried out on the latest cub to discover its age but the current estimate is between 20,000 - 50,000 years old. The cave lion is extinct, known from fossils and prehistoric art. Pictured are previous cubs found in the permafrost in 2015
In addition to its many other devastating human consequences, Hurricane Maria left the island of Puerto Rico with its power grid in ruins.

Power was knocked out throughout the island, with an estimated 80 percent of its transmission and distribution wires incapacitated.

When hospitals and other critical users could not get backup power and water supplies ran low, an extended outage became a humanitarian crisis that has yet to be resolved.

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Solar panels set up by Tesla, are seen at the San Juan Children's Hospital, after the island was hit by Hurricane Maria in September, in San Juan, Puerto Rico October 26, 2017. Elon Musk tweeted an offer to solve Puerto Rico's energy problems with Tesla solar systems and batteries

THE COST OF SOLAR MICROGRIDS Elon Musk also famously tweeted an offer to solve the island's energy problems with Tesla solar systems and batteries. With an array of solar panels and batteries, a group of buildings, such as a hospital, or a neighborhood can power itself and operate independently in the case of an outage with the central grid  called 'islanding' in industry parlance. Provided they can be paid for and operated safely, quickly setting up these solar microgrid systems is an excellent measure that is both stopgap and long-term contributor. These systems can be set up in a matter of days, providing enough power to help neighborhoods with critical power needs, such as cellphone charging, powering cash machines and providing electricity service for health care and first responders. However, these systems cost tens of thousands of dollars, and there is currently no substantial way to pay for them other than the kindness of strangers. Three-and-a-half million people (the population of Puerto Rico) would need perhaps 350,000 of these systems  at a price tag in the billions  to provide only a fraction of most families' power needs. Advertisement

This shameful outcome should have been avoided with strong, swift federal leadership.

Yet more than five weeks after the storm, only about 40 percent of the grid has been rebuilt, and service remains unreliable even where power is restored.

As the recovery process inches its way forward, the questions many are asking go like this: Why are we rebuilding the grid to be the same as it was before the storm?

Can't we use this as an opportunity to create a more modern, resilient, renewable power system? Isn't this the perfect opportunity for an upgrade?

The answer to these questions, from my perspective having worked with and researched the power industry for four decades, has little to do with technologies and everything to do with some nearly insurmountable financial and governance challenges.

There is a path forward, but it will not be easy.

The power system before Maria

Prior to Maria, Puerto Rico had one of the largest public power authorities in the U.S., known as PREPA, serving a population of 3.4 million people from 31 power plants, 293 substations and 32,000 miles of wire.

Almost half its generation was from old, very expensive oil-fired plants, resulting in prices about 22 cents per kilowatt hour, among the highest in the U.S.

The island has several solar photovoltaic farms but gets about 46 percent of its power from oil and only about 3 percent from solar.

At the center of all this is PREPA and its outsized role in Puerto Rico.

With US$9 billion of debt, PREPA has been part of the contentious refinancing process that ultimately required congressional action.

PREPA is also the largest employer on the island, with strong connections to the island's leadership, so proposals perceived to adversely impact PREPA can be difficult to enact.

Recently the island has established a new energy commission called PREC with oversight over PREPA's plans, spending and rates.

The PREC's efforts at reform underscore the enormous challenges the utility faces.

In September 2016 the PREC issued an order directing PREPA to convert some of its oil plants to gas, renegotiate some high-priced renewables contracts and purchase more renewable energy.

In April 2017 PREPA issued a new financial plan with starkly grim prospects: a $4 billion maintenance backlog, the loss of fully one-quarter of its sales in the next 10 years, and continued red ink as far as the eye can see.

In this October 15, 2017 photo, Whitefish Energy Holdings workers restore power lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. FEMA said it had no involvement in the decision to award the $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown

Meanwhile, renewable power developers who have tried to build plants on the island have encountered great difficulties, as chronicled in this blog post.

Then, just before Maria, PREPA declared bankruptcy.

Maria therefore destroyed the grid of a system that was already bankrupt, having trouble maintaining its service and paying its bills, resistant to renewable interconnections, and politically difficult to reform.

Proposals for rebuilding with microgrids

The challenge, then, is to 1) restore energy access as quickly as possible; 2) begin to build a long-term resilient and operable grid; and 3) reform a broken regulatory system.

In the wake of the storm, clean energy experts and businesses saw this as the perfect opportunity to start over.

'Puerto Rico will lead the way for the new generation of clean energy infrastructure,' one solar CEO asserted, 'and the world will follow.'

Elon Musk also famously tweeted an offer to solve the island's energy problems with Tesla solar systems and batteries.

The Tesla team has done this for many smaller islands around the world, but there is no scalability limit, so it can be done for Puerto Rico too. Such a decision would be in the hands of the PR govt, PUC, any commercial stakeholders and, most importantly, the people of PR.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 5, 2017

With an array of solar panels and batteries, a group of buildings, such as a hospital, or a neighborhood can power itself and operate independently in the case of an outage with the central grid  called 'islanding' in industry parlance.

Provided they can be paid for and operated safely, quickly setting up these solar microgrid systems is an excellent measure that is both stopgap and long-term contributor.

These systems can be set up in a matter of days, providing enough power to help neighborhoods with critical power needs, such as cellphone charging, powering cash machines and providing electricity service for health care and first responders.

However, these systems cost tens of thousands of dollars, and there is currently no substantial way to pay for them other than the kindness of strangers.

Three-and-a-half million people would need perhaps 350,000 of these systems  at a price tag in the billions  to provide only a fraction of most families' power needs.

Even if costs were not a consideration, these distributed systems aren't a substitute for the grid.

Many people think that microgrids don't need poles and wires, but if they serve more than one building they use pretty much the same grid as we use today.

Once the grid is rebuilt, the new grid-independent systems should then become part of a series of new community microgrids, or networks of multiple solar panel installations backed up by storage.

These interconnected systems would be able to 'island' together to keep the whole community running at partial if not complete levels of service.

Elon Musk tweeted an offer to solve the island's energy problems with Tesla solar systems and batteries. With an array of solar panels and batteries, a group of buildings, such as a hospital, or a neighborhood can power itself and operate independently in the case of an outage

With the necessary planning and approvals, new community power organizations could be set up  perhaps separate from PREPA  to finance the conversion of local grids to a more resilient form.

So there is a path from the current grid to one that is far cleaner and more resilient, but it's not simple or quick.

It would require melding complete and rapid restoration of power with a major infusion of capital.

Changing the base of generation from PREPA's aging, inefficient fleet to clean sources is an essential part of this path.

Hospital del Nino is first of many solar+storage projects going live. Grateful to support the recovery of Puerto Rico with @ricardorossello pic.twitter.com/JfAu11UBYg  Tesla (@Tesla) October 24, 2017

However, even at an extremely fast pace, it takes months to plan the economics, financing and engineering of this transition.

More commonly, it takes years and careful economic and financial planning to raise the billions of dollars of capital needed and then spend it wisely.

A sustainable, resilient path forward

Puerto Rico's citizens have endured great hardship and tragedy.

We as a society certainly owe it to them to do whatever we can to lessen the damage from the next hurricane and speed power restoration.

However, the path to a sustainable and resilient grid for the island is not as simple as air-dropping solar panels and other equipment onto the island and assuming all will be well.

The suggestion that restoring power by replanting the current poles and wires will foreclose a more distributed solution isn't correct, nor is it the most equitable way to restore power to everyone as quickly as possible.

This isn't to say that the installation of fully independent solar systems and microgrids should be discouraged in any way.

Solar panels set up by Tesla, are seen at the San Juan Children's Hospital, after the island was hit by Hurricane Maria in September, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. These systems cost tens of thousands of dollars

With the important provision that the hardware is maintained properly, the more solar and storage we can get onto the island sooner the better.

At this point, Puerto Rico's grid is being rebuilt essentially as it was before.

But even as the grid is rebuilt as quickly as possible, the planning and engineering should begin on how to migrate the grid to smaller sections that self-island.

This must include all the main aspects of power system development and operation, including financing, ownership, operation and maintenance of the systems.

The only logical way for Puerto Rico  and every other storm-prone electric system  to become a series of resilient and clean microgrids is to first get the entire grid functioning and then to create sections that can separate themselves and operate independently when trouble hits.

Dr. Fox-Penner thanks Scott Sklar, Phil Hanser, Sameer Reddy, Thomas McAndrew and Jennie Hatch for input. All errors are his own.

Solar panels set up by Tesla, are seen at the San Juan Children's Hospital, after the island was hit by Hurricane Maria in September, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At this point, Puerto Rico's grid is largely being rebuilt essentially as it was before
Uber Technologies Inc will continue to lose money in its home market for at least the next six months as rival Lyft Inc poses a fierce competitive challenge, Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said in his first public comments since taking the top job at Uber two months ago.

'The U.S. is very, very competitive right now between us and Lyft, so I don't see the U.S. as being a particularly profitable market for the next six months,' said Khosrowshahi, who made the comments at the New York Times DealBook conference in New York, which was also streamed online.

A spokesman confirmed that Uber will be unprofitable overall, although some cities may break even.

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Dara Khosrowshahi made the comments at the New York Times DealBook conference in New York

Khosrowshahi was tapped to run Uber in August after leading travel-booking site Expedia Inc for 12 years and is expected to bring a less abrasive approach than his predecessor, Travis Kalanick.

On Thursday, he described progress in talks with regulators in London, who in September refused to renew Uber's operating license.

Uber has often said its heavy losses were necessary to establish itself in new markets.

But the lack of profits in its home market, where it has been operating for eight years, and others such as Southeast Asia, raise questions about the company's business model, which relies on heavily subsidizing both riders and drivers to keep prices low using the billions of dollars in venture capital the company has raised.

Khosrowshahi's comments are also a testament to Lyft's growth.

The smaller ride service, which started in 2012 and only operates in the United States, has expanded to more than 350 cities across 41 states this year and last month raised $1 billion in a financing round led by Alphabet Inc.

For a brief period last year, Uber was profitable in the United States and Canada, the company said.

Travis Kalanick (left) resigned as Uber's Chief Executive Officer over the summer. He was replaced with Dara Khosrowshahi (right)

Khosrowshahi outlined the challenges in Southeast Asia, where Uber has had to spend heavily to compete with local ride services Ola and Grab.

'The economics of that market are not what we want them to be,' Khosrowshahi said. 'I think it's over-capitalized at this point.

'We're going in, and we're leaning forward.

'But I'm not optimistic that that market is going to be profitable any time soon.'

But he dismissed the prospect of further consolidation similar to the merger deals Uber struck with competitors in China and Russia.

UBER'S $5M PLEDGE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT ORGANIZATIONS Uber is pledging $5million over the next five years to seven organizations that work to prevent sexual assaults. The move is aimed at helping the ride-hailing service combat its own problems as well as society's as a whole. The world's largest ride-hailing company says the money will help the organizations fund their own programs as well train 150 of Uber's customer service agents as part of a new team to deal with sexual assault reports. In June, the company ousted its co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick, who has a net worth of $5.1billion according to Forbes, after a female former engineer wrote a blog detailing how she was propositioned by her boss. An investigation of sexual harassment and bullying resulted in the firing of 20 employees, and the company has promised changes. During the past three years, dozens of women have complained to police that they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers, according to news reports reviewed by The Associated Press. Advertisement

In Britain and Brazil, prospects are brightening.

Khosrowshahi said that he held productive talks with London's regulators, who have deemed Uber 'unfit' to run a taxi service in the city, where Uber has some 40,000 drivers.

'We were guilty of not communicating,' he said.

'I think we were generally immature in how we deal and dealt with regulators.'

Tech giant Uber has pledged $5million to seven different organizations that work to prevent sexual assaults. The money will go to helping the organizations fund their own programs and training Uber employees in how to deal with sexual harassment and assault reports

He added that Uber staff was working to accommodate the 'perfectly reasonable asks' from Transport for London, the taxi regulating body.

Khosrowshahi was also upbeat about Brazil, where Uber has joined forces with other ride-services companies to block regulations.

The Senate last week voted to scrap parts of a bill, now to be taken up by the House, that would have effectively turned the companies into regular taxi services.
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Japan is known for its bright, throbbing cities  but look hard enough and there are dark, abandoned abodes and attractions to be discovered.

Photographer Shane Thoms has captured some of these darkly enchanting places in a stunning new book  Haikyo: The Modern Ruins of Japan, published by CarpetBombingCulture.

Thoms, from Melbourne, Australia, has captured a bizarre and mysterious world where mini jungles sprout and discarded furniture litters dusty buildings laden with foreboding.

The haunting locations include an abandoned slot parlour in Saitama Prefecture, an abandoned strip club in Okayama Prefecture and a former love hotel in Chiba Prefecture.

Thoms says that he likes to visually capture the remaining traces of human emotion that linger before the process of urban evolution erases them forever.

Scroll down to see a shadowy, secret side to one of the worlds most developed countries.

Inside Nara Dreamland: Thoms describes this former theme park as 'haunting and eerily nostalgic'

This weather beaten Ferris wheel at Nara now sits decayed among overgrown weeds and shrubs

The Screw Coaster at Nara Dreamland: Nara closed down in 2007 because of steep competition from the much more high tech Osaka Universal Studios and Tokyo Disney Sea, explains Thoms

Abandoned Love Hotel in Chiba Prefecture: This particular room had a medieval/Ye Olde English theme fully equipped with a knight in shining armour and a horse-cart shaped bed

This room in the Love Hotel had a Moroccan/Middle Eastern theme with tattered scarves and drapes surrounding a heavily decayed bed

Abandoned strip club in Okayama Prefecture: Located in a tiny Onsen town, this dusty place was filled with stools waiting for patrons who will never arrive. 'The rest of the club looked like a 1970s New Year's Eve party that never got cleaned up,' says Thoms

An abandoned Pachinko and slot parlor in Saitama Prefecture: 'This rubbish littered building had a 1990s feel and was filled with mosquitos and wasps. It was a little moody and melancholic because the desperate gambling addictions of its former patrons still lingered in the space,' says Thoms

An apartment block on Hashima Island: Called Block 65, this was the largest housing complex on the island at nine storeys high with 317 apartments and a small playground on its rooftop. Hashima Island was abandoned in 1974 after its underground coal resources dried up

Another view from inside the guts of Hashima Island: 'Located 15 kilometres from Nagasaki and far more visually intense than any post-apocalyptic movie set, this isolated labyrinth of crumbling concrete and steel provides a rich and spectacular vision of urban decay,' says Thoms

A crammed apartment complex on Hashima Island. In place of what was once a suffocatingly crammed community that lived on top of each other, sits a deserted and enchantingly dark ghost city

A shooting Gallery inside the Western Village Amusement Park near Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. Sitting derelict on the edge of a small rural town, this quirky and oddly different American colonial theme park closed permanently in the mid-2000s

An abandoned hotel in Ibaraki Prefecture: 'Located beside a stream in a quiet country town, this quaint establishment was filled with fully furnished albeit rotting tatami rooms,' says Thoms

The ground floor of an abandoned hotel in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture: This former Onsen hotel overlooked a gushing river in a once bustling tourist area. Visitor numbers dwindled in the late 1990s/early 2000s due to a souring economy
The UK's premiere heavy metal festival is set to take Australia by storm in 2018.

Melbourne's Download Festival Australia announced its epic lineup of bands Thursday, with tickets for the Flemington Racecourse event set to sell fast.

Hard rock icons Korn, Limp Bizkit and Prophets of Rage headline the impressive list, while Good Charlotte also managed to wrangle an invite.

Huge! Melbourne's Download Festival Australia announced its epic lineup of bands Thursday, with tickets for the Flemington Racecourse event set to sell fast (Pictured: Korn)

The event is scheduled for 24 March, and will also see the likes of Mastodon, NOFX, Suicidal Tendencies and Gojira wow Australian fans.

Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Falling in Reverse, Neck Deep, Of Mice & Men, Northlane and Trophy Eyes also highlight the list of 28 bands.

Korn loyalists specifically will need to act fast, with event officials confirming the band will not be performing any sideshows.

Get ready! Hard rock icons Korn, Limp Bizkit and Prophets of Rage headline the impressive list (Pictured: Limp Bizkit)

Good for you! Pop rock band Good Charlotte also managed to wrangle an invite (pictured: Good Charlotte)

Based on the high level of interest in the event, organisers have already announced plans to expand the festival beyond 2018.

'[Were] developing a five-year plan to make sure we have a solid future for the festival in Australia,' event producer Nigel Melder previously told Triple J.

Nigel said the aim is 'to grow Download at a sustainable pace over the coming years, to a nationally touring festival for the long term.'

March on in! The event is scheduled for 24 March, and will also see the likes of Mastodon, NOFX, Suicidal Tendencies and Gojira wow Australian fans (pictured: NOFX

Keeps getting better! Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Falling in Reverse, Neck Deep, Of Mice & Men, Northlane and Trophy Eyes also highlight the list of 28 bands (pictured: Of Mice & Men)

Among the priorities to ensure the event's longevity is to ensure attendees don't feel left out or short-changed.

'[We'll minimise] the amount of clashes on the day so fans can look forward to what they want to see as opposed to being bummed on what they are missing out on.'

Download Festival tickets go on sale Thursday 16 November at 9am.

Expansion: Based on the high level of interest in the event, organisers have already announced plans to expand the festival beyond 2018 (pictured: Mastodon)

Long haul! '[Were] developing a five-year plan to make sure we have a solid future for the festival in Australia,' event producer Nigel Melder previously told Triple J (pictured: Prophets of Rage)
She's no stranger to dazzling on the red carpet in seriously sizzling ensembles.

But Catherine Zeta-Jones proved she can do off-duty glamour just as well as she prepared to jet out of Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday.

The actress, 48, looked incredible in a chic velvet blazer with leather lapels, teamed with a pair of matching form-fitting pants.

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Trail-blazer! Catherine Zeta-Jones nailed off-duty glamour as she prepared to jet out of Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday

The Welsh born star - who is the wife of Hollywood heavyweight Michael Douglas - teamed her sharp black two-piece with an elegant silk shirt and on-trend fedora.

The mother-of-two added several extra inches to her 5ft7in form with a fashion-forward pair of boots with perspex heels while hiding her eyes behind dark glasses.

Diamond earrings dangled around her face, while the Chicago starlet swept her raven locks behind her, long and loose.

Polished as ever, the Academy Award winner opted for minimal make-up, aside from a slick of nude lip gloss.

Hell for leather: The actress, 48, looked incredible in a chic velvet blazer with leather lapels, teamed with a pair of matching form-fitting pants

Dressed to impress: The Welsh born star - who is the wife of Hollywood heavyweight Michael Douglas - teamed her sharp black two-piece with an elegant silk shirt and on-trend fedora

Catherine and husband Michael Douglas, 73, will be celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary on November 18.

The couple, who have a 25 year age difference, share two children, son Dylan, 17, and daughter Carys, 14.

The Hollywood power pair also happen to share a September 25 birthday.

Earlier this month, the duo made a rare public appearance, stepping out to support the arts at a NYC gala.

Chic: The mother-of-two added several extra inches to her 5ft7in form with a fashion-forward pair of boots with perspex heels while hiding her eyes behind dark glasses

Happy couple: Catherine and husband Michael Douglas, 73, will be celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary on November 18 (pictured together last week)

Catherine's latest project, Cocaine Godmother, is currently in post-production.

The star plays Miami drug lord Griselda Blanco in the Lifetime movie, set for release in 2018.

Catherine was a stand-out in Feud: Betty & Joan, where she played old Hollywood beauty Olivia de Havilland, who also serves as the story's narrator.
Hancock is also a fashion model, having walked at New York Fashion Week in 2015

The reality TV star is being held without bail in a Virginia Beach jail

Virginia police allege she was driving the wrong way down a one way street

Hancock collided head-on with a 29 year old male driver who later died

Melissa Hancock, 25, is a regular guest on Little Women: Atlanta

Melissa Hancock, a regular guest on Little Women: Atlanta, was involved in a car accident last Saturday in which a US Coast Guardsman died.

The 25-year-old Lifetime reality TV series star collided head-on with the 29 year old male driver while she was driving the wrong way down a one way street in Virginia, according to TMZ.

Virginia state police say the model was arrested and charged with DUI/maiming and driving the wrong way.

Mugshot: Melissa Hancock, a regular guest on Little Women: Atlanta, has been involved in a car accident in which a US Coast Guardsman died last Saturday

Police were called to the crash just after 2am. The driver of the other vehicle, 29-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Dill, was taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital where he later died, according to Wavy.com.

The news site said Hancock is being held without bail in a Virginia Beach jail.

Hancock isn't a main cast member of the Lifetime series which revolves around the lives of several short-stature women in Atlanta and is itself a spinoff of Little Women: LA.

Little women: Hancock is a regular guest of the Lifetime series which revolves around the lives of several short-stature women in Atlanta

Charges filed: TMZ said Hancock is being held without bail in a Virginia Beach jail

Hancock is also a fashion model, having strolled the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in 2015.

That year marked the first time the show featured short stature models.

'Curvy women, six-foot-tall women, four-feet-tall women, we should all have the same opportunity to show what we got,' Hancock told ET in her backstage interview at the show.

Catwalker: Hancock is also a fashion model, having strolled the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in 2015
She previously opened up about her struggle with body image.

But Leisel Jones, 32, was not afraid to share an unglamorous selfie to Instagram recently.

The Olympic gold medallist shared before and after photos of a very dramatic transformation in a candid post.

From drab to fab! Leisel Jones, 32, was not afraid to share an unglamorous selfie to Instagram recently

'Before and after and it's not even transformation Tuesday!' she captioned it.

'On the left was 10pm last night with a blocked tear duct, swelling and black under my eye.

She added: 'To fresh faced and fancy free thanks to the gorgeous make-up team @sevenstyling. Heading into news feed @sunriseon7 feeling much better!!'

Finding love: Leisel's candid post comes after she opened up about finding love with her businessman fiance Damon Martin

The Northern Territory-native appeared under the weather in her 'before' shot, displaying dark circles, blotchy skin and irritated eyes.

However hours later, she looked like a new person in a beaming 'after' shot - while showcasing her flawlessly applied makeup and neatly styled locks.

Fans applauded her confidence and the stunning results in the comments section.

'I never thought I needed to be on The Bachelorette or anything. That's my idea of hell, all those dates. That would be too hard' Liesel said she would never have applied for a reality dating show

'Off to do my transformation now!!' one inspired fan wrote.

Another commented: You are a beautiful human being inside out.'

Last year, Leisel opened up about her struggle with body image, saying she lacked confidence whenever she would compare herself to Instagram models.

'There's no way I'd ever look like those fitspo people because I'm just not built that way,' she told Triple J.

'As an athlete you don't need to look a certain way to be the best performer,' she said.

'I never put any pressure on finding The One...' Newly engaged Liesl said she didn't feel pressure to find love as she knew that one day her prince would come, all in good time

Officially taken! Taking to Instagram to share the happy news earlier in the week, Leisel captioned 'WE'RE ENGAGED,' along with a ring emoji

'This fitspo stuff is so hard. You're trying to perform and look like something that physically you're not even capable of looking like no matter how hard you tried.'

Leisel's candid post comes after she opened up about finding love with her businessman fiance Damon Martin and why she would never have applied for a show like The Bachelorette to find love.

'I never thought I needed to be on The Bachelorette or anything,' she previously told The Daily Telegraph.

Congrats! 'Damo popped the question... I can't wait to annoy the hell out of you for the rest of our eternal lives' the Olypian wrote when she announced her engagement

She added: 'That's my idea of hell, all those dates. That would be too hard'.

The newly engaged athlete says she didn't feel pressure to find love as she knew that one day her prince would come, all in good time.

'I never put any pressure on finding The One... I always knew it would come in its own time so I never stressed'.

Man of her dreams: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in 2016, Leisel said that she was 'lucky'' to have met Damon, with the pair being introduced through mutual friends

It comes after a whirlwind proposal in New York, with the blonde sharing her official engagement photos in recent months.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in 2016, Leisel said that she was 'lucky' to have met Damon, who she was introduced to via mutual friends.

'It's hard to meet people in Sydney and it's hard to find friends and be casual and relaxed. We're pretty lucky,' she said.

'He's super fun, very smart,' she said. 'He's super duper smart which is really important to me. He's got a great brain.'
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- A controversial social media post by Ocean Springs Mayor Shea Dobson last weekend left many baffled as to why he would publish something so divisive -- and in the middle of the Peter Anderson Festival, no less.

In the post, published by Dobson to his personal Facebook page Saturday afternoon, he accused former President Barack Obama of "killing innocent kids with drones," among other things, and suggested -- to no one in particular -- that "maybe you shouldn't be lecturing people on resisting facism."

Reaction to the post was swift, with many supporting and encouraging Dobson to speak out, but many others taking an opposite view, as well as noting the divisive nature of the post. The post also led to numerous ugly exchanges between other users.

Several Facebook users noted Dobson's post came in the middle of the Peter Anderson Festival, which annually draws upwards of 150,000 people to Ocean Springs.

"If Peter Anderson is going on, maybe you should be downtown greeting visitors and citizens," one user wrote, "rather than posting divisive bull___ on Facebook."

"Well, this was a disturbing post coming from the leader of my city," wrote another. "Perhaps you should try a little unity. And I mean that respectfully. There's an awful lot of people here this weekend. I'd like to keep them coming back."

"This is mind blowing," wrote yet another user. "Act like an adult and act like you're in a position of power, which you are. Just because our president acts like a dolt on social media doesn't mean you have to try to live up to his standard. You want your political opinions? Fine. By all means. But find a way to do it that shows you're a mature adult who occupies a political office."

The general public wasn't alone in noticing Dobson's social media activity over the weekend. Members of the board of aldermen took note and were less than pleased Dobson had opted to "stir the pot" on Facebook.

Two of those aldermen spoke with The Mississippi Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the board.

"I was very displeased," one said. "I have had a long conversation with him and I believe most of the other aldermen have spoken with him, as well. A private citizen can post whatever they want, but public officials are held to a higher standard, and rightfully so."

While aldermen obviously can't remove an elected official from office, they do have several disciplinary options available, including censure, suspension or a reduction in pay. Currently, the Ocean Springs mayor's position pays $87,500 annually.

"We hope it doesn't come to that," said another alderman. "I think most of us have had that conversation with him and laid it out for him that this isn't what we want going on. We don't need any more negativity that what we've got going on. We need to progress, move forward and not be divisive."

Ironically, Dobson more than once during the campaign criticized his predecessor, Connie Moran, for what he described as her divisive behavior, including her social media posts.

Dobson said Monday he differentiated between his post and some of Moran's because his wasn't directed at anyone in particular.

"I think what my predecessor had done was more personal attacks," he said. "Some of her social media posts were more personal in nature, where mine was more just commentary on national politics. It wasn't directed towards anyone in particular.

"I can concede the tone of my post may have been a bit aggressive," he acknowledged. "Maybe I shouldn't have been that aggressive with the tone. One that I will concede that. I'm not out here attacking anyone personally. I'm not looking to talk about different entities within the city or the coast."

Coupled with his decision to restore the Mississippi state flag outside city hall (Moran had it taken down during her tenure), Dobson's Facebook post has many wondering if he isn't doing more to divide the city than unite it.

One Facebook user drew a parallel between Dobson's original post on facism and the state flag issue. The comment drew a response from Dobson.

"The state flag has been flying at the police and fire departments and the previous Mayor had the authority to take them down," he wrote, "but a female democrat doesn't fit the narrative of evil straight white male republicans."

Despite his weekend outburst, however, Dobson said he is open to discussion on all topics, the flag included.

"I believe I have a very moderate position on the flag," he said. "I've called for a new vote on the design. I have met with numerous members of Mississippi Rising. Anyone who walks through my door and wants to talk about the flag, I'll meet with them. I went to a town all. I have taken steps.

"I am not the one who caused the controversy. It's the Mississippi state flag. It's flown at the fire department, the police department, forever. I simply put it up at city hall."
There's no doubt she's fashion-forward and is never one to shy away from taking style risks.

And Bella Hadid put on a typically sartorial display on Wednesday, as she stepped out in not one but two striking looks.

The 21-year-old model first turned heads with her leather bum bag belt as she hit the town in NYC - before later slipping into a trendy 1970s-style jumpsuit, as she took to the skies in a private jet.

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Fashion forward: Bella Hadid, 21, put on a typically sartorial display on Wednesday, as she stepped out in two striking looks - first hitting NYC in a leather bum bag belt

High flyer: She later slipped into a trendy 1970s-style jumpsuit, with a daring plunge neckline, as she took to the skies in a private jet (above)

Bella first headed out in the Big Apple in baggy grey checked trousers and a crisp white Incubus shirt - which shrouded her famous slender frame.

Making the look more striking however, Bella then cinched in at her waist with a sleek black leather belt by Parisa Wang, which doubled up as a handbag by featuring a fanny pack on one side.

Bella's brunette locks were pulled tight in a bun and she wore a full face of makeup, to accentuate her famously striking features.

Chic: Bella first headed out in the Big Apple in baggy grey checked trousers and a crisp white Incubus shirt - which shrouded her famous slender frame

Different: Making the look more striking however, Bella then cinched in at her waist with a sleek black leather belt, which doubled up as a handbag by featuring a fanny pack on one side

Not stopping her fashion parade there however, the former Model Of The Year later took to Instagram to share a snap of herself on a private jet - in a second chic ensemble.

The brunette slipped her slender frame into a striking nude jumpsuit, which featured 1970s-style flared trousers and sleeves, and deeply plunged at the neck to tease at her cleavage.

Accessorising with circular sunglasses, Bella maintained the retro feel from head to toe as she gazed at the city below her in the snap, captioned: 'I'll remember you in the blue skies.'

Natural beauty: Bella's brunette locks were pulled tight in a bun and she wore a full face of makeup, to accentuate her famously striking features

Earlier this week Bella shared a birthday message for her father Mohamed as she couldn't make it back home to Los Angeles for his 69th birthday.

'Happy birthday to my incredible Baba!' Hadid - who boasts 16.3M social media followers - gushed.

'Your generosity, Energy, work ethic, Drive and Love continue to amaze me everyday. I wish I could give you the biggest hug in the world right now! You are the funniest man I know and you can always make a whole room stop and smile! I am so thankful for the time we spend together. I love you so much it hurts!'

Meanwhile, Bella's romance with rapper Drake has apparently caused a rift between the rapper and The Weeknd.

Finishing touches: She tied her look together with chunky heeled lace-up boots, and a dark pair of sunglasses despite the night hour

Bella and the Hotline Bling hitmaker are rumored to have begun dating in June, but the world-famous duo have kept their relationship under the radar.

Now, sources claim Bella is causing friction between Drake and fellow musician The Weeknd, who dated the model for almost two years until they split in November 2016.

The insider told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column said: 'They both hang in the same Toronto crew and now they're having to pick sides. The Weeknd performed and people on Drake's side were like, "I can't show up to that ... Got to have allegiance."

'They aren't getting along right now... The groups are beefing because [Drake] broke the bro code. They 100 percent hooked up.'

Meanwhile, The Weeknd, real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, has just broken up with Selena Gomez, who he was dating since January.

Earlier this week Bella shared a birthday message for her father Mohamed as she couldn't make it back home to Los Angeles for his 69th birthday
They're known for their heavenly looks and divine figures.

And Victoria's Secret stunners Romee Strijd and Josephine Skriver looked angelic-as-ever during a Wednesday photo shoot in Malibu, California.

The model beauties were hard at work flaunting their world-class bodies in comfy loungewear and slinky lingerie as they primped and posed at a luxurious beachside residence.

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Cloud nine! Victoria's Secret stunners Romee Strijd and Josephine Skriver looked angelic-as-ever during a Wednesday photo shoot in Malibu, California

Romee, 22, simply smoldered in a lacy white bra and pink, silk shorts which showcased the starlet's washboard abs.

As she turned over her shoulder to display her long, lean form for the camera, the model slung a long silk robe over her arms.

Turning around, the Dutch beauty offered onlookers a cheeky glimpse at her pert derriere and long legs which were barely covered by her flirty shorts.

For her next look, the blonde beauty slipped into a pink nightgown with lace trim.

Short and sweet! The 22-year-old beauty was simply smoldering in a lacy white bra and pink, silk shorts which showcased the starlet's washboard abs

Smooth as silk: As she turned over her shoulder to display her long, lean form for the camera, the model slung a long silk robe over her arms

Looks good in everything! The 5foot11 beauty made simple shorts look sexy-as-can-be

Cheeky! Turning around, the Dutch beauty offered onlookers a glimpse at her pert derriere and long legs which were barely covered by her flirty shorts

The 5foot11 beauty threw a cozy, grey sweater on top for warmth.

She traded her perky bun for loose, windswept tresses while adding hoop earrings for some extra sparkle.

Meanwhile, fellow model Josephine, 24, was seen slinking around the sand in a black bralet and comfy sweats.

The Danish darling displayed her gym-perfect figure as she knelt down holding a bottle of fragrance seductively.

Sleeping beauty! Next, the blonde beauty slipped into a pink nightgown with lace trim

Blonde ambition! The stunner traded her perky bun for loose, windswept tresses while adding hoop earrings for some extra sparkle

Shining star! Romee's look was glitzed up with a gold necklace above her cleavage

Red hot! On Tuesday Romee shared a shot of herself donning crimson casuals where she tagged Victoria's Secret

Beach babe: Fellow model Josephine sauntered around the sand in a black bralet and comfy sweats

Josephine let her caramel, blonde locks hang long and loose while the beach breeze gently swept them from her face.

The Society Management repped model glowed with a head-to-toe bronze while displaying her fantastically flat abs for the camera.

She pouted pretty while the sun rose high in the sky, lending the supermodel the perfect light.

Later, the 5foot10 beauty was seen posing in a white bustier and matching jeans.

Eau de Angel: The Danish darling displayed her gym-perfect figure as she knelt down holding a bottle of fragrance seductively

Easy, breezy: Josephine let her caramel, blonde locks hang long and loose while the beach breeze gently swept them from her face

Angel on Earth! The Society Management repped model glowed with a head-to-toe bronze while displaying her fantastically flat abs for the camera

White hot! Later, the 5foot10 beauty was seen posing in a white bustier and matching jeans

Up close and personal! She shared social media of the slinky white look, capturing a sunny selfie which offered an eyeful of cleavage.

She shared social media of the slinky white look, capturing a sunny selfie which offered an eyeful of cleavage.

Followers got a close up look at the beauty's glowing skin, great eyebrows and perfect smile in the shots.

Skriver captioned the shots: 'Taking in that LA sun in! #breakonset.'

She also shared a fun shot of herself sticking out her tongue while donning a shirt with her own face on it.

You glow girl! Followers got a close up look at the beauty's glowing skin, great eyebrows and perfect smile in the shots

Take five! Skriver captioned the flirty shots 'Taking in that LA sun in! #breakonset'

After wrapping up a long day on set, Josephine shared an image of herself flashing double peace signs while in a black top reading 'French fries.'

She captioned the shot: 'And we are a wrap!'

It seems like the Angels are hard at work in anticipation of their annual Fashion Show spectacular.

The 2017 lingerie extravaganza is set to take place in Shanghai, China.

Goofing around! She also shared a fun shot of herself sticking out her tongue while donning a shirt with her own face on it

This year, Angel Lais Ribeiro will be the one to wear the multi-million dollar Fantasy Bra.

In addition there will be live musical performances, celebrity attendees and, perhaps most excitedly of all, the Angels and various other professional clotheshorses prancing around in their underwear.

The runway show will air on CBS on November 28.
Kevin Spacey has been replaced by Christopher Plummer in All The Money In The World, just six weeks before the big-budget movie's release date.

The actor, 58, has been written out of the film in a bold move by director Ridley Scott in the wake of multiple sexual assault allegations.

The cast and crew have all agreed to re-shoot Spacey's scenes, and are said to be 'determined' to stick to the December 22 release date, Deadline reports.

Sources close to the production claim the re-shoots are commencing immediately, with Plummer, 87, taking on the role of late oil tycoon J. Paul Getty.

Getty refused to pay $17million in ransom money when his 16-year-old grandson, John Paul Getty III, was kidnapped in 1973, even though he was the richest man in the world at the time.

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Out: Kevin Spacey, transformed using prosthetics into J.Paul Getty, has been replaced by Christopher Plummer in All The Money In The World - six weeks before the movie's release date. Spacey is seen above as oil tycoon Getty

Logistics problem: many of the scenes featuring Spacey (pictured) were shot on location

The Hollywood Reporter claims director Scott 'made the decision unilaterally and only notified Sony of his decision on late Wednesday afternoon'.

The publication also said Plummer was originally the first choice for the role, but studio executives wanted a bigger name, which is why Spacey came on board.

The move comes after the movie was pulled from the prestigious closing night slot of the AFI Festival this month, and had its awards campaign halted.

The actor shot eight days and many of the movie's scenes feature just him. It is not yet clear how Scott will bring about the swap at such short notice.

One of the key problems facing the production crew will be visual effects, seeing as how many of Spaceys scenes were shot in different locations.

The production also used prosthetics to transform Spacey into the ultra-wealthy oil tycoon.

Replaced: Spacey, 58, (left) has been written out of the film and replaced by Plummer, 87, (right) who it's claimed was 'originally first choice for the role'. The studio went with Spacey in the end because they wanted a 'bigger name'

Set predominantly in Rome, Italy, in 1973, the movie details the story of Getty refusing to pay a $17 million ransom when his grandson was kidnapped at the age of 16, despite being the richest man in the world at the time.

Michelle Williams plays the part of Gail Harris, the mother of John Paul Getty III, while Mark Wahlberg plays ex-CIA agent Fletcher Chase.

Getty argued that if he were to pay the ransom then his remaining 14 grandchildren could also be kidnapped for the same reason.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Academy Award winner Spacey gushed over the performance, saying: 'It was one of the most remarkable experiences that Ive had as an actor.'

Spacey said he dived deep into research of Getty's life and realized the man wasn't exactly who the public perceived him to be. He said: 'I really felt like I was able to become this man. This for me stands out as a particularly unique experience.'

Ugly allegations: An LA filmmaker says Spacey grabbed his genitals and told him, 'This designates ownership'

Tycoon: multi-millionaire and art collector John Paul Getty, who died in 1976, circa 1960

John Paul Getty III is seen with a police officer with part of his ear cut off after he was released from captivity in Italy in December 1973

Decision-maker: It's claimed director Scott 'made the decision unilaterally and only notified Sony of his decision on late Wednesday afternoon'

Deleted scenes: Spacey previously said that playing the role was 'a particularly unique experience,' but it's all earmarked for the cutting room floor in the wake of his scandal

The change in strategy comes amid new sexual assault allegations throughout Spacey's 11 years as artistic director of the Old Vic theater in London.

Spacey's behavior has come under the spotlight since Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp, 46, alleged Spacey made inappropriate sexual advances toward him in 1986, when he was 14.

Spacey responded by saying he doesn't remember the encounter but if he acted the way Rapp alleges, 'I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.'

He also spoke publicly for the first time about being gay, which draw backlash from some observers as an attempt at deflection.

Since Rapp made his allegations, Spacey has been hit by at least 13 other claims, with eight men on the record and another six revealing their run-ins with the actor anonymously.

Remaining: The film still boasts ample Hollywood star power without Spacey, as it also features Mark Wahlberg (L) and Michelle Williams (R)

Others accusing Spacey include Richard Dreyfus's son Harry, who said in a November 4 BuzzFeed piece that Spacey grasped at his genitals - with his father in the room - in 2008 in London at Spacey's apartment there.

Harry wrote, 'Kevin Spacey is a sexual predator. But I still never thought talking about it seriously was ever an option.'

A filmmaker named Tony Montana, speaking with USA TODAY November 1, said the American Beauty actor 'grabbed my whole package ... hard' at a bar in Los Angeles fourteen years ago, telling him at the time, 'This designates ownership.'

And on Wednesday, a bartender named Daniel Beal revealed to the DailyMail.com of a run-in he had as a 19-year-old bartender serving the K-PAX actor at a hotel in West Sussex.

Beal said of Spacey: 'He pulled my hand towards his crotch area, and then as I said, "What the hell are you doing," he could not get his genitalia out quick enough.'

Beal said Spacey ultimately gave him a $6,500 watch in what he perceived to be an effort to keep him quiet about the alleged assault.

Accusers: Harry Dreyfuss (L) and Daniel Beal (R) are among the 14 men accusing the Glengarry Glen Ross actor of unwanted advances
She's been kept busy by the two young children she shares with actor Jason Sudeikis, 42.

But Olivia Wilde, 33, took a break from mom duties on Wednesday when she head to AOL Build in New York City for an interview.

The House actress wore an eye-catching outfit for the evening, including a sheer black dress decorated with bow tie prints.

Wilde thing! Olivia Wilde, 33, took a break from mom duties on Wednesday when she head to AOL Build in New York City for an interview

The Tron: Legacy star wore a gray trenchcoat over the sheer dress with jewel encrusted lapels that gave glimpses of the Irish-American beauty's slim pins.

Her black heels lent several inches to the starlet's 5'7" frame.

The star of ill-fated HBO series Vinyl wore her straight brunette tresses loose and her heavy eyeliner perfectly highlighted Wilde's stunning feline eyes.

Sheer madness: The Tron: Legacy star wore a gray trenchcoat over the sheer dress with jewel encrusted lapels that gave glimpses of the Irish-American beauty's slim pins

Tying one on: The House actress wore an eye-catching outfit for the evening, including a sheer black dress decorated with bow tie prints

Wilde was at the event to discuss the documentary Fear Us Women, about Hanna Bohman, a Canadian civilian who spent the last three years in Syria as a volunteer soldier battling ISIS.

The Bojack Horseman voice actress served as an executive producer on the film.

She has been engaged to comedian Jason Sudeikis since 2011, ever since divorcing her first husband, Italian-American filmmaker Tao Ruspoli, whom she married when she was just 19 years old.

The Drinking Buddies star has three-year-old son Otis with Sudeikis, plus daughter Daisy, one.

Social message: Wilde was at the event to discuss the documentary Fear Us Women, on which she served as Executive Producer

Mommy's night off: The Drinking Buddies star has three-year-old son Otis with Sudeikis, plus daughter Daisy, one

Wilde recently reacted to the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal, telling AP:

'Right now I'm just saying to everyone, 'I'm here to listen and nothing you say could make me value you any less as a powerful woman.'

'And through those conversations I have learned some heartbreaking things but I am also really feeling connected to the women in this community more than ever.'
She's the former Real Housewives of Melbourne star, known for her diva antics and over-the-top behaviour.

So it's no surprise that Pettifleur Berenger made a very dramatic arrival at Oaks Day on Thursday, with the star hitting the field in a very unusual ensemble.

The 52-year-old raised eyebrows at Flemington racecourse in a clashing black and yellow frock, that featured thread-like embellishments and a bright shawl wrap.

Bizarre: Pettifleur Berenger made a very dramatic arrival at Oaks Day on Thursday, with the star hitting the field in a very unusual ensemble

She paired the bizarre look with Versace boots and a dazzling Ava Jaxon headpiece, complete with intricate detail and a unique design.

The property developer opted not to reveal the designer behind her very unique frock, instead turning to her Instagram followers to 'reveal the dress!'

Her makeup looked elegant and consisted of light foundation, smokey eyes and bright pink lipstick.

Bold look: The 52-year-old raised eyebrows at Flemington racecourse in a black and yellow frock, that featured thread-like embellishments and a shawl wrap

Not the first time! In August, Pettifleur donned a mauve-coloured parachute-like jumpsuit

She wore her cropped blonde locks loosely and neatly parted to one side.

While mingling with guests in the Emirates marquee, the star posed for a snap with Olympic runner Usain Bolt.

'Take 2! Just hanging with @usainbolt the fastest man alive,' she saptioned.

Also in attendance were her former Housewives co-stars Gina Liano and Lydia Schiavello.

Housewives reunion: Also in attendance were her former Housewives co-stars Gina Liano and Lydia Schiavello

Barrister Gina dazzled in a baby pink Belluccio gown, complete with silver detailing.

Meanwhile, Lydia looked radiant in an all-white dress and matching blazer.

Pettifleur has been active on Melbourne's social scene in recent months while no doubt making the most of her free time since revealing she is not returning to Real Housewives in season four.

Earlier this year, the Sri Lankan-born star told Daily Mail Australia that she left the scandalous franchise to focus on other projects.

These include a different reality show and some lucrative property developments.

She most recently appeared on Channel Seven's celebrity cooking competition Hell's Kitchen alongside former Bachelor beauty Sam Frost, politician David Oldfield, and Geordie Shore's Gaz Beadle.

'I feel so fortunate to be working with Channel Seven and Marco Pierre White on the first season of Hell's Kitchen,' she said earlier this year.
She has grown up attending star-studded events.

And Drew Barrymore was spotted on the red carpet for the launch of fashion designer Christian Siriano's book Dresses To Dream About in New York City on Wednesday.

The actress, 42, sported a chic ensemble as she headed inside for cocktails joined by multiple stylish A-listers.

Floral fancy: Drew Barrymore was spotted on the red carpet for the launch of fashion designer Christian Siriano's book Dresses To Dream About in New York City on Wednesday

Drew wore a gorgeous rose-patterned dress teamed with a black blazer-duster.

The 5- First Dates actress added height to her frame with matching pink heels.

She wore her straight blonde tresses untied and with a center part, and wore only minimal makeup, letting the E.T. actress' natural beauty shine through.

The child star recently released her own line of hair styling tools on Amazon, called Dear Drew.

Chic: The actress, 42, sported a chic ensemble as she headed inside for cocktails joined by multiple stylish A-listers

Supportive friend: She wore her straight blonde tresses untied and with a center part, and wore only minimal makeup, letting the E.T. actress' natural beauty shine through

All laughs: Drew stepped out at the book event flaunting her fresh-cut hair, which she explained she did because she needed a 'pick me up'

Drew stepped out at the book event flaunting her fresh-cut hair, which she explained she did because she needed a 'pick me up'.

The 42-year-old captioned her Instagram photo: 'Haters gonna hate. Yesterday I saw comments on my Instagram feed about my post that were mean, cruel, and ugly.

She contiunued: 'It hurt me. And you know what women do when they get hurt???? They pick themselves up! Go get a haircut. Put on some lipstick and chant if you dont have something nice to say... dont say anything at all'

Drew seemed to have found a positive outlook to the situation by ending her statement with: 'thank you @markishkreli @yumi_mori for picking a girl up and dusting her off. And more than anything, helping me feel pretty. Pretty is on the inside. But a little love on the outside never hurts. #thisfeedisforlovers'

All smiles: The 42-year-old captioned her Instagram photo: 'Haters gonna hate. Yesterday I saw comments on my Instagram feed about my post that were mean, cruel, and ugly

A fresh cut: Drew posted this photo on her Instagram account

Joining Drew on the red carpet was Coco Rocha who seemed to have been inspired by one of Audrey Hepburn's most famous characters.

The 29-year-old Canadian model cut a striking figure in her long white gown and broad brimmed hat.

The mother of one showed off her flawless complexion in a full face of perfectly applied makeup, the centerpiece of which was the slash of dark red lipstick.

The devout Jehovah's Witness paired her ruffled dress with silver heels that added inches to her already imposing frame.

Coco and artist James Conran were married in June 2010 as he is also her part-time manager. They welcomed daughter Ioni into the world back in March 2015.

No frills: 29-year-old Coco Rocha seemed to have been inspired by one of Audrey Hepburn's most famous characters at a recent event

His fair lady: The 29-year-old Canadian model cut a striking figure in her long white gown and broad brimmed hat at the launch of fashion designer Christian Siriano's book

Who wore it best? Audrey Hepburn [L] in the 1964 film, and Rocha [R]

Christina Hendricks poured her famous curves into a black skirt and matching black top for the launch.

The curvaceous actress - who is best known for her role as Joan Holloway in Mad Men - had previously revealed her anger at being turned down for roles because of her shape in an interview with The Times.

'I auditioned for things where I knew I killed the audition. I knew I did,' the 42-year-old said of her struggle to get hired before the hit AMC show.

Ageless: Christina Hendricks looked radiant in all black

Putting her fashionable-foot forward: She teamed her look with a matching black clutch and heels

Mad woman: The curvaceous actress - who is best known for her role as Joan Holloway in Mad Men - had previously revealed her anger at being turned down for roles because of her shape

Santa Clarita Diet actress Drew Barrymore, 42, wore a gorgeous rose-patterned dress with matching pink heels

Goofing off: The stars took a silly photo while at the book event

Posed: Coco Rocha, Drew Barrymore, Christina Hendricks, and Christian Siriano stepped out in their most stylish ensembles

'I auditioned for things where I knew I killed the audition. I knew I did,' Hendricks said of her struggle to get hired before the hit AMC show. Pictured here with Gina Gershon

Short hair don't care: Cynthia Erivo also made a red carpet appearance

Flame-haired: Fashion designer Patricia Field was also in attendance

Back to black: Orange Is The New Black star Natasha Lyonne made a cameo
She is the glamorous daughter of Olivia Newton John who has been engaged to her fiance since 2010.

But it seems Chloe Lattanzi may have already married her long-time beau, calling herself 'wife to James Driskill' on her Instagram bio.

The 31-year-old appears to have recently made the exciting addition to her Instagram bio, which also includes reference to her work as a model, actress, aspiring pop-star ad animal lover.

Keeping it low key? It seems Chloe Lattanzi may have already married her long-time beau, James Driskill, calling herself 'wife to James Driskill' on her Instagram bio

However, Chloe has yet to officially announce whether she has in fact tied the knot with her man.

While no pictures of her alleged nuptials have been posted to her Instagram feed, the blonde beauty has not been shy to share loved-up snaps of herself and James.

The daughter of Grease star Olivia Newton-John has been with the martial arts expert since 2009.

Did they get hitched? Chloe has yet to officially announce whether she has in fact tied the knot with her long-term beau

Loved up! The daughter of Grease star Olivia Newton-John has been with the martial arts expert since 2009

In 2010 the couple were engaged, with Chloe telling New Idea: 'His initial proposal was kind of unofficial.'

'It was like, 'Do you want to get married?' I said, 'Yes, but I need the dinner!' I told him I want an official proposal and I want him to get down on his knee.'

She has also credited him with her recovery from anorexia, in 2015 she told Fox411: 'I think my fiance had a lot to do with helping me get through it.'

Happy couple: In 2010 the couple were engaged, with Chloe telling New Idea : 'His initial proposal was kind of unofficial'

Through ups and downs: She has also credited him with her recovery from anorexia, in 2015 she told Fox411: 'I think my fiance had a lot to do with helping me get through it'

At the time, Chloe admitted that they had been dragging their engagement for a while.

'We've been engaged for four years. We're both lazy and we're thinking sometime next year,' she said.

More recently, she and her family have been coming to terms with Olivia's second breast cancer diagnosis more than 20 years after beating it.

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
She is frequently spotted in sizzling ensembles on the red carpet.

Yet Hofit Golan took her sexy looks from glitzy events to the camera as she stripped down to a series of sexy swimwear while snapping away at the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa on Wednesday in Male, Maldives.

The 36-year-old Israeli socialite looked nothing short of sensational in her bikinis and swimming costumes - with one stand out look being a side-boob baring red metallic swimsuit which she layered beneath dripping body jewels.

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Posing up a storm: Hofit Golan took her sexy looks from glitzy events to in front of the camera as she stripped down to a series of sexy swimwear while snapping away at the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa on Wednesday in Male, Maldives

Hofit was pulling out all the stops on the shoot, as she dazzled in the costume which was made to stand out further with the various chains - tied around her neck and waist to best exhibit the entirety of her frame.

She slicked her blonde tresses into a smooth side parting with a chignon tied at the nape of her neck while her make-up was delicately and subtly applied.

Another ensemble comprised of a deeply-plunging mint green number with dazzling adornments which framed her eye-popping cleavage.

She pulled on a pair of red and yellow mirrored sunglasses to shield her eyes from the searing sun while her blonde hair was coiffed to perfection.

Sexy stuff: The 36-year-old Israeli socialite looked nothing short of sensational in her bikinis and swimming costumes - with one stand out look being a side-boob baring red metallic swimsuit which she layered beneath dripping body jewels

Towelling fun: For an even more flirtatious snap, she posed in just a towel with her eye-popping cleavage on full display while she lay on a bed with 'Have a nice day' styled out in sticks and surrounding flowers in the forefront

Out and a pout: The stunner looked incredible in a strappy bikini which was more designed for the flashbulbs than the water

For an even more flirtatious snap, she posed in just a towel with her eye-popping cleavage on full display while she lay on a bed with 'Have a nice day' styled out in sticks and surrounding flowers in the forefront.

Enlisting the help of fellow model and TV host Victoria Bonya, as stunning as herself, she posed alongside her friend who wowed in an equally slinky black swimsuit with sculpted cups as they each straddled a jet ski for a super sexy snap.

Hofit is a red carpet regular who boasts A-list friends such as Lindsay Lohan.

Oh my! Her sizzling look was more designed for the camera than the water as she merely dipped herself in the exquisite waters rather than immerse fully

Sexy pair: Enlisting a fellow model as stunning as herself, she posed alongside her friend who wowed in an equally slinky black swimsuit with sculpted cups as they each straddled a jet ski for a super sexy snap

She told MailOnline in 2015: 'Kelly Brook was in Cannes with me and shes just a ball of laughs and fun. She's so easy going and low maintenance.

'Even Lindsay Lohan is such a different person to the way she is projected, she actually likes her privacy and time to herself and is a nice regular person.

'Then there's Michelle Rodriguez, who is like hanging out with your best friend from high school - shes smart, funny, down to earth and doesnt have an inch of ego.'

A moment of peace: Hofit and her pal, model and TV host Victoria Bonya, covered up for a brief stint as they slipped into billowing maxi dresses while gazing into the distance
She has fulled romance rumours with rapper Playboi Carti.

And it isn't difficult to see why Blac Chyna is the object of desire, as she stepped out for a spot of shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old former stripper showed off her plentiful cleavage and jaw-dropping curves in a skin-tight plaid dress and sexy thigh high boots.

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Here she is! Blac Chyna, 29, showed off her plentiful cleavage and jaw-dropping curves in a skin-tight plaid dress and sexy thigh high boots as she went shopping in Beverly Hills on Wednesday

Oozing body confidence, Blac enjoyed an evening at the luxury department store with a pal as they tried on shoes.

Her plunging number showcased her busty assets and clinged on to the rest of her physique before falling at a saucy thigh-skimming length.

She teamed the number with racy thigh-high boots which teased at the inkings on her leg.

Blac's mane proved to be super sleek and long, while she opted for a glamorous coat of make-up and accessorised with a silver necklace.

Sexy: Her plunging number showcased her busty assets and clinged on to the rest of her physique before falling at a saucy thigh-skimming length

Stunning: Blac's mane proved to be super sleek and long, while she opted for a glamorous coat of make-up and accessorised with a silver necklace

New flame? She has fulled romance rumours with rapper Playboi Carti

On Monday, Blac once again showed off her figure to full effect as she returned home after an outing in the Studio City.

The video vixen squeezed into a pair of super tight jeans and some flashy silver boots with spiky black stiletto heels.

The blonde beauty offered a glimpse of her toned tummy in a crop top as she also displayed a full pout.

Meanwhile, the day before Chyna and rapper Playboi Carti fuelled the romance rumors as they stepped out in West Hollywood.

On Saturday the former flame of Rob Kardashian shared a snapchat of herself enjoying a drive in Los Angeles - with a male companion.

Sitting beside Chyna, with animated hearts floating around his face, was none other than the rapper Playboi Carti, who used to date Rubi Rose.

Tight fit! On Monday, Blac once again showed off her figure to full effect as she returned home after an outing in the Studio City

All she sees is gold! The video vixen squeezed into a pair of super tight jeans and some flashy silver boots with spiky black stiletto heels

Shortly after Chyna uploaded her Snapchat video, Rubi put up an Instagram photo of herself captioned: 'Sis how my a** taste'. It is unknown if the posts are related.

As TMZ have pointed out, Playboi racked up a domestic battery arrest this summer - but was not charged - over a conflict with a girlfriend.

There is a rumor out there now that Chyna is being courted for the inaugural season of an American edition of Celebrity Big Brother, per Us Weekly.

Chyna has two children: five-year-old son King Cairo by the rapper Tyga, and infant daughter Dream by the reality star Rob Kardashian.

Having split from Tyga in 2014, Chyna had been with her Rob & Chyna co-star off and on since early 2015, and she gave birth to Dream last November.

Rob and Chyna split in December - Rob posting a Snapchat video of himself wandering miserably through their empty house - but reunited soon after.

Two rode together: Chyna posted a Snapchat video on Saturday of herself enjoying a drive in Los Angeles - with company - the rapper Playboi Carti, who used to date Rubi Rose

Clever: Chyna wore a Playboy Bunny necklace over her Adidas sweater

History: As TMZ have pointed out, Playboi racked up a domestic battery arrest this summer - but was not charged - over a conflict with a girlfriend

Related or not?: Shortly after Chyna uploaded her Snapchat video, Rubi put up an Instagram photo of herself captioned: 'Sis how my ass taste'

This July saw their latest and most dramatic breakup, with Rob posting explicit photos of Chyna to Instagram during a rant that got his account removed.

In short order, Chyna lawyered up with Gloria Allred's daughter Lisa Bloom and won a restraining order against her rotund used-to-be.

Meanwhile, Rob chose for his attorney Robert Shapiro - who with Rob's father had been a member of O.J. Simpson's defense team during O.J.'s murder trial.

The mother of Rob's child gave a press conference featuring Lisa, who has also co-starred in a press conference with Kathy Griffin, as well as one with Quantasia Sharpton, who claimed Usher exposed her to herpes.

Though Chyna has accused Rob of abuse, TMZ reported last month that she let that allegation drop as part of a deal that got her $20,000 in child support a month.

A day after reporting that child support figure, TMZ revealed Chyna was still gunning for a payout of at least $1 million by way of the revenge porn case.

In a bizarre twist, Tyga for some time dated Rob's now 20-year-old half-sister Kylie Jenner, who is rumored to be pregnant by her own current beau Travis Scott.
She has been busy filming chilling new drama Winchester in England, playing the part of a haunted widow.

But it seems the work never stops for Dame Helen Mirren, as she was spotted filming upcoming flick Anna in Paris on Wednesday.

The actress, 72, was seen filming on set of the new film, alongside Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, 41.

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Back to business: Helen Mirren was spotted filming upcoming flick Anna in Paris on Wednesday

Sporting a scarf around her hair in true French fashion, Helen looked to be embracing the autumnal season in a khaki jumper dress and ankle boots.

Taking a break between scenes, she kept warm with a flask of coffee, flanked by a bulky security guard.

Cillian was also spotted on set, looking dapper in a three-piece suit and coat, shielding his face against the wintry sun in dark shades.

Dapper: The actress, 72, was seen filming on set of the new film, alongside Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, 41 (pictured)

Chic: Sporting a scarf around her hair in true French fashion, Helen looked to be embracing the autumnal season in a khaki jumper dress and ankle boots

Details of the action film have been kept under wraps, however it is known that it will star Helen Mirren, Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, and Sasha Luss as Anna.

'We are delighted to be reunited with Luc and his EuropaCorp team on another exciting, action-packed film featuring an A-list cast,' Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Patrick Wachsberger and president of acquisitions & co-productions Jason Constantine said.

Despite winning a legion of fans due to her timeless appeal, Helen admitted in September she never used to 'feel sexy'.

Suave: Cillian was also spotted on set, looking dapper in a three-piece suit and coat, shielding his face against the wintry sun in dark shades

Picturesque: Cillian was spotted wandering through the park

Speaking to Allure in September, she said: 'It was the time of Twiggy, and I did not look like a twig,' she said. 'My cheeks were too fat, legs were too short, breasts too big.'

Looking back, the Academy, Emmy and Tony Awards winner said she can see why people called her sexy at that time, but explained she struggled to accept her own appearance because it seemed at odds with the trends.

'I fell into the cliche of sexiness: blonde hair, tits, waist, which I hated at the time because it was not fashionable,' she added. 'You had to be thin and have a cigarette and only wear black. And I just never fit into that look.'

Drama: He stood out among the figures in the park as he filmed tense scenes
His stage show, Big Fish: The Musical, opened on Wednesday evening at The Other Palace, London.

And star of the show Kelsey Grammer, 62, looked very happy with his debut performance as he posed alongside his wife Kayte Walsh, 37, and his co-stars at the after party.

There wasn't a bitter grimace in sight as the Frasier actor appeared in jolly spirits amid his friends and colleagues - despite the news last week that his former wife Camille would be getting half of his retirement fund in their divorce.

Big night for Big Fish: Kelsey Grammer was all smiles as he posed with wife Kayte Walsh at the after party of Big Fish: The Musical in London... as his ex Camille is awarded half of his retirement fund in divorce

Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe award-winner Kelsey plays Edward Bloom in the stage show - who tells his son 'tall tales filled with beauty, love and imagination'.

The play takes a turn when his son confronts him about what is truth and what is fiction and they go on a life-affirming journey together.

The play is adapted from the much-loved book and Tim Burton movie, and also stars Clare Burt, Matthew Seadon-Young, Frances McNamee, Landi Oshinowo, Forbes Masson and Dean Nolan - all of whom were in attendance at the event on Wednesday, celebrating the first night.

Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe award-winner: Kelsey plays Edward Bloom in the stage show - who tells his son 'tall tales filled with beauty, love and imagination'

A case of the ex: Camille Grammer has been awarded half of ex-husband Kelsey Grammer's retirement fund

Happy ever after? Kelsey went on to marry Kayte a few weeks after his split from Camille in 2010

Co-star: Kelsey appears opposite Clare Burt in the musical adaptation

Cast and crew: Pictured are Kelsey (Edward Bloom), Jaxon Knopf (Boy), Billy Barratt (Boy) and Nigel Harman (Director)

A job well done: Co-stars Kelsey and Jamie Muscato appeared together at the after party

Other famous faces were in attendance, such as Patricia Hodge and Alfie Boe.

Meanwhile, Camill - who used to appear on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - has been awarded 50 per cent of the money from the Kelsey's 401K account from the time of their marriage in 1997 until they went their separate ways in 2010.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, a judge signed off on the order last month.

Camille - who has children Mason Olivia, 16, and son Jude Gordon, 13, with Kelsey - filed for divorce from the 62-year-old star in July 2010 and their separation was officially completed in February 2011.

Friends and family: The play is adapted from the much-loved book and Tim Burton movie, and also stars Clare Burt, Matthew Seadon-Young, Frances McNamee, Landi Oshinowo, Forbes Masson and Dean Nolan - all of whom were in attendance at the event on Wednesday, celebrating the first night

Pals: Other famous faces were in attendance, such as Patricia Hodge and Alfie Boe

Curtain up: Kelsey's stage show, Big Fish: The Musical, opened on Wednesday evening at The Other Palace, London

Pleased as punch: There wasn't a bitter grimace in sight as the Frasier actor appeared in jolly spirits amid his friends and colleagues - despite the news last week that his former wife Camille would be getting half of his retirement fund in their divorce

In good company: Praticia Hodge, Kelsey Grammer and Edward Hibbert posed for snaps

Kelsey - who also has five more children from other relationships - went on to marry Kayte a few weeks later.

49-year-old Camille has also found love again with lawyer David C. Meyer, who she got engaged to last week. She wrote on Twitter: 'Party night with my love. We have a secret.. guess (sic)'

The star - who has been dating David for more than a year - then retweeted a story about the pair getting engaged and thanked fans for their well wishes, confirming the news.

Twists in the tale: The play takes a turn when Kelsey's character's son confronts him about what is truth and what is fiction and they go on a life-affirming journey together

Behind the scenes: Camille - who has children Mason Olivia, 16, and son Jude Gordon, 13, with Kelsey - filed for divorce from the 62-year-old star in July 2010 and their separation was officially completed in February 2011

Camille has children Mason Olivia, 16, and son Jude Gordon, 13, with Kelsey. She filed for divorce from the 62-year-old star in July 2010. Their separation was officially completed in February 2011

Moved on: Camille has just announced her engagement to lawyer David C. Meyer who she's been dating for a year

A source close to the couple told the publication: 'They're just in love.'

'There's a casualness and easiness to their relationship. They're a really happy, kind couple. He really loves her for her.'

In March, Camille admitted she was considering returning to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

She said: 'It's something I've been toying with the last three years. I've been asked. Maybe next year, we'll see. You know, after the reunion and after this season, and after casting, we'll see how they feel about it. We'll be back and we can all discuss it.'

Kelsey is happily married to former flight attended Kayte and the couple have three children together; daughter Faith, five and sons Kelsey, three and Auden, 11 months.
She's the fashion blogger and daughter of AFL legend and television personality Billy Brownless.

But Lucy Brownless was lucky not to suffer a wardrobe malfunction when she attended Oaks Day at Melbourne's Flemington racecourse on Thursday.

The 19-year-old looked as though she was channeling Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in some Like It Hot when her dress was blown into the air as she stood over a vent.

Close call: Lucy Brownless was lucky not to suffer a wardrobe malfunction when she attended Oaks Day at Melbourne's Flemington racecourse on Thursday

Lucy wore a quirky, lilac-coloured dress that featured billowing sleeves and a unique frill at the shoulders.

The frock was accentuated with a white corset that was tied at the front in a bow and also featured a very plunging neckline that flaunted her decolletage.

With her flaxen locks tied back, Lucy accessorised with a bone-coloured clutch that she slung over her left shoulder and a matching pair of heels.

Fashion forward: Lucy wore a quirky, lilac-coloured dress that featured billowing sleeves and a unique frill at the shoulders

Lucy dialed back on the bling, save for a pair of subtle silver earrings, and she finished her look with a light application of blush to accentuate her cheekbones and a nude look for her lip.

As Lucy made her way to the event, the elements threatened to get the better of her as a gust of wind appeared to catch the hem of her dress.

Lucy appeared to take the near fashion faux-pas in her stride, smiling as she tried to wrangle her garment into submission.

Marilyn moment: As Lucy made her way to the event, the elements threatened to get the better of her as a gust of wind appeared to catch the hem of her dress

Lucy was joined at the event by her sister Ruby and mother Nicky, who made her first public appearance since splitting with Billy in late 2015.

Both Nicki and Ruby wore matching gold-coloued floral garlands in their hair with Nicki choosing a Boho-style mauve dress and a pair of white strappy heels.

Ruby, meanwhile wore a quirky, red off the shoulder number that accentuated her svelte form, and a pair of silver heels.
She rose to prominence on Britain's Next Top Model 2017.

And Victoria Clay continued to court the limelight as she attended the I Saw It First First party at Tape nightclub in London on Wednesday.

The Liverpudlian, 23, slipped into a semi-sheer ensemble, ensuring she turned heads for her arrival.

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Red-hot... or cold? Victoria Clay continued to court the limelight as she attended the I Saw It First First party at Tape nightclub in London on Wednesday

Making the most of her endless shapely legs, the 5"10 statuesque stunner rocked a sheer polka dot skirt which skimmed the top of her ankles, accentuating her height further with a pair of peep-toe pumps.

And teasing a glimpse of her ample assets, she teamed it with a plunging body which showcased her slender waist.

The model, who boasts a first-class honours degree in Print Design, made the most of her fiery locks, wearing them in loose curls as she posed up a storm for cameras on her arrival.

Sheer delight! The Liverpudlian, 23, slipped into a semi-sheer ensemble, ensuring she turned heads for her arrival

Turning heads! The 5"10 statuesque stunner rocked a sheer polka dot skirt which skimmed the top of her ankles, accentuating her height further with a pair of peep-toe pumps

Victoria, who describes herself as a huge David Bowie fan, parties at the clothing launch alongside the likes of Lottie Moss and a plethora of reality starlets.

She was one of 13 stunners who competed for a contract with Models 1 on Britian's Next Top Model in March.

The show is judged by Abbey Clancy, a former contestant herself, alongside judges supermodel Paul Sculfor, fashion guru Hilary Alexander OBE and photographer to the stars Nicky Johnston.

Catwalk hopeful! She was one of 13 stunners who competed for a contract with Models 1 on Britian's Next Top Model in March

Dotty for fashion! Teasing a glimpse of her ample assets, she teamed it with a plunging body which showcased her slender waist

Warm enough? She added a vibrant pink jacket to her ensemble on arrival

Abbey, 31, who is expecting her third child with husband Peter Crouch, is busy preparing for her next installment of the show.

And along with her busy schedule, Abbey, who already has two daughters with Peter - Sophia, six, and Liberty, two, recently revealed she had an awful first trimester of pregnancy.

'I need some tips off you Holly!' she told Holly Willoughby on This Morning. 'You get no sympathy with your third pregnancy. Head down the toilet, throwing up. It's been a terrible five months.'

But insisting she had weathered the worst of the pregnancy, Clancy said she was excited for the baby's arrival now.

'I'm back, I feel great I'm just a little bit tired. I just cant wait to have it now.'

BNTM continues this Thursday evening at 9pm on Lifetime.

Brains and beauty: The model, who boasts a first-class honours degree in Print Design, made the most of her fiery locks, wearing them in loose curls as she posed up a storm for cameras
It's been a troubled year for Channel Ten following its entry into voluntary administration back in June.

But with American giant CBS coming to the rescue and buying out the embattled network, the future is looking bright for the station's stars who were out in force on Thursday night.

Carrie Bickmore led a slew of channel's most beloved celebrities at the 2018 Upfronts, an event held to preview the programs set to premiere in the year ahead.

TV treasure: Gold Logie winner led the small-screen stars at the Channel Ten Upfronts on Thursday night

Turning heads, Carrie stunned in a hot pink frock as she posed up against a media wall at the event.

The Project presenter's simple, sleeves dress featured minimal detailing near the collar and was of a modest length, dropping below the knee.

On the red carpet, Carrie was seen sharing a laugh with her Project co-host Peter Helliar, 42.

Best buds! Carrie and Pete shared a laugh as they posed against the media wall

Surprisingly, Pete seemed in good spirits despite his new Channel Ten quiz show, Crammed, tanking in the ratings following its premiere last week.

Meanwhile Natalie Bassingthwaite also made an appearance at the event, set to resume her role as villain Izzy Hoyland on Channel Ten's iconic soap, Neighbours, in 2018.

The beauty starred on the show between 2003 and 2007, and will return in a guest capacity on the show.

Watch out Ramsay Street! Natalie is set to reprise her role as villain Izzy Hoyland on Neighbours in 2018

42-year-old Natalie defied her years in a spotted strapless frock, which featured ruffling at the bodice.

Meanwhile, Bachelor winner Laura Byrne looked lovely in a pale blue Alice McCall dress.

The brunette appeared without her beau Matty 'J' Johnson, and given she has wrapped her role on the reality show it's unclear why she was in attendance.

The jewellery designer's presence at the event sparked whispers she may be returning to the small-screen in 2018.

Beyond the pale: The Bachelor's Laura Byrne stunned in pale blue

What's next, The Bachelorette? Reality veteran Ash Pollard was also spotted at the Upfronts

Also making a mystery appearance was I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alum Ash Pollard.

At age 31 Ash is already a reality TV veteran, having cycled her way through I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Dancing With The Stars and My Kitchen Rules. The television personality also filmed an episode of Nine's reality flop Cannonball earlier in the year.

Given there are few franchises left in which to feature, it's possible Ash could be next year's Bachelorette.

New show! Julia revealed she would be returning to screens in a new reality series

One beloved Channel Ten star who will be back is Julia Morris, who announced she is hosting new dating series Blind Dates for the network.

The 49-year-old beauty showed off her stunning stalks in a black dress patterned with petals.

Meanwhile, comedian Dave Hughes will also return to Ten to host his new show, Hughesy... We Have A Problem.

The eight-episode series will feature the 46-year-old funnyman helping out everyday Australians with their issues.

No doubt his paycheck will help pay for the $3 million Melbourne home he bought during The Block's auction day last weekend.

Back in the kicthen! Gary and George will appear in a tenth season of Masterchef

Studio 10 beauties: Ita and Jessica turned out for their popular program Studio 10

Not long to go now! Heavily pregnant Sarah Harris showed off her baby bump at the event

Many of the network's most popular personalities stepped out at the Upfronts to promote their returning shows- including Masterchef judges George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan.

The blockbuster cooking show will return for its tenth season early next year.

Studio 10's Ita Buttrose, 75, and Jessica Rowe, 47, stunned at the event, as did their heavily pregnant co-star, Sarah Harris.

Channel Ten icon and Eyewitness News reader, Sandra Sully, made sure she didn't go unnoticed in a mustard maxi-dress.

Stunning Sandra, 52, has been at Channel 10 since the 1990s, and she was joined by veteran weatherman Tim Bailey, 54.

News and weather together! Sandra and Eyewitness News colleague Tim cut stylish figures

Lifestyle program, The Living Room, is also set to return in the New Year, and its stars posed together on the red carpet.

The chemistry of Miguel Maestre, Amanda Keller and Barry DuBois was clear, with the trio all smiles for the cameras.

It comes just weeks after 57-year-old Barry revealed live on the program that his cancer had returned.

Also turning out for the evening were Olivia Phyland, who hosts weekend music program The Loop, as well as Kate Peck, who has worked on Ten Sport.

Smiles: The cast of the Living Room were beaming, despite Barry's (R) recent bad news
They have formed a very close friendship during their stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

But Mollie King seemingly enjoyed a wild night out with AJ Pritchard, as she headed to rehearsals on Wednesday in the same clothes as the previous evening.

While appeared to change her T-shirt, the blonde beauty, 30, was seen arriving at the dance studio in the same leggings, coat and trainers she had worn to rehearsal with the pro, 23, on Tuesday night.

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Fuelling the fire: Mollie King heightened romance rumours with partner AJ Pritchard on Wednesday, as she headed to rehearsals in the same clothes as the previous day

Matching: While she appeared to change her T-shirt, the blonde, 30, was seen sporting in the same leggings and coat she had worn to rehearsal on Tuesday night (above)

Mollie headed to rehearsals in vibrant purple leggings and a khaki green trench coat - both of which she had been wearing when she left The One Show for rehearsals with AJ on Tuesday night.

Only adding fuel to the fire of recent romance rumours, Mollie also slung the same leather handbag over her shoulder, and stepped out in the same white trainers.

However, the former girl band star swapped her plain grey T-shirt for a chunkier crew neck jumper - after an undoubtedly sweaty Paso Doble training session the previous evening.

Casual cool: Mollie headed to rehearsals in vibrant purple leggings and a khaki green trench coat. Mollie accessorised with the Aspinal of London Portobello Bag in Vintage Tan Croc, 295

Twice as nice: Mollie had worn both items when she left The One Show for rehearsals with AJ on Tuesday night (R)

Starting afresh: However, the pop star swapped her plain grey T-shirt for a chunkier crew neck jumper - after an undoubtedly sweaty Paso Doble training session the previous evening

Proving their close friendship however, the pair looked in good spirits as they happily chatted on their way to the studio.

MailOnline has contacted Mollie's representatives for comment.

The duo have been at the centre of romance rumours since Strictly Come Dancing began in September, although both have insisted they are just friends.

BFFs: Proving their close friendship however, the pair looked in good spirits as they happily chatted on their way to the studio with a friend

Head judge Shirley Ballas first fanned the flames of potential passion between Mollie and AJ, remarking on their Viennese Waltz: 'It was romantic with VERY believable chemistry!'

It was not just Shirley who hinted at romance - with presenter Claudia Winkleman also added her comments into the mix by 'flagging the chemistry' too

Mollie's former band mate Una Healy then added fuel to the fire by stating 'you never know' when quizzed about the potential of romance, while AJ's dad Adrian revealed the pair have 'really bonded' on the show.

He added to the Mirror: 'Anybody would like Mollie, she is a very beautiful lady, she has a great personality  what is there not to like? They are spending more time with each other than a married couple would do.'

Having a ball: The duo have been at the centre of romance rumours since Strictly Come Dancing began in September, although both have insisted they are just friends

The pair were also spotted leaving the Pride of Britain awards together - but Mollie was quick to confirm she was very much single in an interview last week.

Speaking to Women's Health, she revealed: 'I don't feel like I need somebody, but I obviously would love somebody.'

Before adding: 'I love being in love, I literally love being in love. I'm so romantic. I'm such a girly girl.'

Meanwhile Mollie and AJ have been throwing themselves into training for the Paso Doble, after finding themselves in the dance-off against favourites Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara on Saturday.
She's famous for her flame-haired beauty and enviable curves.

And Christina Hendricks looked every inch the classic beauty as she attended the Dresses to Dream About book launch in New York on Wednesday.

The actress, 42, slipped into a classic black ensemble as she posed alongside her husband of eight years Geoffrey Arend on the red carpet.

Red hot! Christina Hendricks looked every inch the classic beauty as she attended the Dresses to Dream About book launch in New York on Wednesday

Hiding her famous cleavage, Christina kept the zip of her sequin-embellished black body firmly zipped up, accentuating her figure with a form-fitting black pencil skirt.

She kept her look classic, adding a satin clutch and killer heels as she posed for pictures.

Wearing her flame hair in loose curls around her shoulders, she made the most of her flawless porcelain complexion by going for minimal make-up.

Going strong: The actress, 42, slipped into a classic black ensemble as she posed alongside her husband of eight years Geoffrey Arend on the red carpet

She was joined by husband Geoffrey, best known for his role as Ethan Gross on the ABC drama series Body of Proof.

He coordinated with his belle in an all-black ensemble, injecting a touch of colour in a patterned scarf.

Christina, who is best known for her role as Joan Holloway in Mad Men, recently revealed her anger at being turned down for roles because of her shape in an interview withThe Times.

'I auditioned for things where I knew I killed the audition. I knew I did,' she admitted of her struggle to get hired before the hit AMC show.

Ageless: Hiding her famous cleavage, Christina kept the zip of her sequin-embellished black body firmly zipped up, accentuating her figure with a form-fitting black pencil skirt

Putting her fashionable-foot forward: She teamed her look with a matching black clutch and heels

'It was like. "Oh, should I give you my sizes now, or...?" And they would call up and say, "We just don't think that a doctor would look like that".

'I would be embarrassed to even say that out loud.' Hendricks admitted.

The Drive star expressed her frustration at how little Hollywood has progressed and the fact it is still an issue.

'There should be a million different body types [on television].' she explained.

'It's so outrageous that there aren't. And it's outrageous that we're sitting here having this conversation and it's even a thing'

Hendricks shot to fame with her starring role in Mad Men which ran from 2007 to 2015.

Classic beauty: She kept her look classic, adding a satin clutch and killer heels as she posed for pictures

Sizzling: The actress - who is best known for her role as Joan Holloway in Mad Men - previously revealed her anger at being turned down for roles because of her enviable shape

Pals: Christian Siriano and Christina Hendricks posed up a storm

Meanwhile Drew Barrymore was also spotted on the red carpet for the launch of fashion designer Christian Siriano's book Dresses To Dream About.

The actress, 42, sported a chic ensemble as she headed inside for cocktails joined by multiple stylish A-listers.

Posing up a storm, the E.T. child star ensured she turned heads in a glamorous rose-patterned dress teamed with a black blazer-duster.

Floral fancy: Drew Barrymore was also spotted on the red carpet for the launch of fashion designer Christian Siriano's book Dresses To Dream About

The 5- First Dates actress added height to her frame with matching pink heels, injecting a splash of colour with a vampy lip.

Opting for classic beauty she wore her blonde tresses in a center parting, and wore only minimal makeup, letting her natural beauty shine through.

The child star recently released her own line of hair styling tools on Amazon, called Dear Drew.

Chic: The actress, 42, sported a chic ensemble as she headed inside for cocktails joined by multiple stylish A-listers

Supportive friend: She wore her straight blonde tresses untied and with a center part, and wore only minimal makeup, letting the E.T. actress' natural beauty shine through

All laughs: Drew stepped out at the book event flaunting her fresh-cut hair, which she explained she did because she needed a 'pick me up'

Her locks were noticeably shorter, and the actress explained she decided to go for the chop as she needed a 'pick me up'.

Showing off the new look on Instagram recently, she captioned it: 'Haters gonna hate. Yesterday I saw comments on my Instagram feed about my post that were mean, cruel, and ugly.

She continued: 'It hurt me. And you know what women do when they get hurt???? They pick themselves up! Go get a haircut. Put on some lipstick and chant if you dont have something nice to say... dont say anything at all'

All smiles: The 42-year-old captioned her Instagram photo: 'Haters gonna hate. Yesterday I saw comments on my Instagram feed about my post that were mean, cruel, and ugly

A fresh cut: Drew posted this photo on her Instagram account

Drew seemed to have found a positive outlook to the situation by ending her statement with: 'thank you @markishkreli @yumi_mori for picking a girl up and dusting her off. And more than anything, helping me feel pretty. Pretty is on the inside. But a little love on the outside never hurts. #thisfeedisforlovers'

Joining Drew on the red carpet was Coco Rocha who seemed to have been inspired by one of Audrey Hepburn's most famous characters.

The 29-year-old Canadian model cut a striking figure in her long white gown and broad brimmed hat.

No frills: 29-year-old Coco Rocha seemed to have been inspired by one of Audrey Hepburn's most famous characters at a recent event

His fair lady: The 29-year-old Canadian model cut a striking figure in her long white gown and broad brimmed hat at the launch of fashion designer Christian Siriano's book

Who wore it best? Audrey Hepburn [L] in the 1964 film, and Rocha [R]

The mother of one showed off her flawless complexion in a full face of perfectly applied makeup, the centerpiece of which was the slash of dark red lipstick.

The devout Jehovah's Witness paired her ruffled dress with silver heels that added inches to her already imposing frame.

Coco and artist James Conran were married in June 2010 as he is also her part-time manager. They welcomed daughter Ioni into the world back in March 2015.

Santa Clarita Diet actress Drew Barrymore, 42, wore a gorgeous rose-patterned dress with matching pink heels

Goofing off: The stars took a silly photo while at the book event

Posed: Coco Rocha, Drew Barrymore, Christina Hendricks, and Christian Siriano stepped out in their most stylish ensembles

'I auditioned for things where I knew I killed the audition. I knew I did,' Hendricks said of her struggle to get hired before the hit AMC show. Pictured here with Gina Gershon

Short hair don't care: Cynthia Erivo also made a red carpet appearance

Flame-haired: Fashion designer Patricia Field was also in attendance
The BBC are working on a new adaptation of one of the most shocking stories in politics.

And Blake Harrison was spotted on the set of A Very English Scandal in Hertfordshire on Thursday, rocking a 70s inspired look including a retro moustache and brown leather jacket.

The Inbetweeners star was joined by Bond actor Ben Whishaw as they recreated the tale of MP Jeremy Thorpe standing trial over an attempted hit on his lover Norman Scott.

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In character: Blake Harrison was spotted on the set of A Very English Scandal in Hertfordshire on Thursday, rocking a 70s inspired look including a retro moustache and brown leather jacket

Blake, who is famed for playing lovable yet dimwitted Neil, looked poles apart from his Inbetweeners alter-ego in his vintage costume.

He sported tweed trousers and a high-necked red jumper underneath his jacket, while Ben donned a leather bomber and denim flares, complete with shaggy hairdo.

Blake and Ben - who is playing Thorpe's lover Norman - were seen driving off in a battered old Ford Cortina alongside a giant Great Dane.

The pooch is believed to be portraying Norman's dog Rinka, who was shot by a would-be assassin who allegedly attempted to kill Norman.

Va-va-vroom: Blake and Ben were seen driving off in a battered old Ford Cortina alongside a giant Great Dane

True tale: The Inbetweeners star was joined by Bond actor Ben Whishaw as they recreated the tale of MP Jeremy Thorpe standing trial over an attempted hit on his lover Norman Scott

The three-part series has been penned by Doctor Who showrunner and Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davis, his first major work since he adapted A Midsummer Night's Dream, which aired on the BBC in May last year.

A Very English Scandal is based on the novel of the same name by John Preston, which told the story of the 1970s Thorpe scandal, in which MP Jeremy Thorpe was tried and acquitted for the attempted assassination of his lover Norman in 1979.

The disgraced Liberal Party MP will be played by Hugh Grant in the series, and it will also star Torchwood star Eve Myles and BAFTA winner Jason Watkins.

Scandal: A Very English Scandal is based on the novel of the same name by John Preston, which told the story of the 1970s Thorpe scandal

Puppy love: The pair were spotted on the set with a very large Great Dane

Innocent victim: The dog is believed to be portraying Norman's pooch Rinka (right), who was shot and killed by a would-be assassin who then allegedly attempted to murder Norman

New drama: The three-part series has been penned by Doctor Who showrunner and Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davis

In character: Blake, who is famed for playing lovable yet dimwitted Neil, looked poles apart from his Inbetweeners alter-ego in his vintage costume

70s chic: Blake sported tweed trousers and a high-necked red jumper underneath his jacket

Hugh is making a huge comeback to the small screen since he starred in comedy television series The Nanny in 1996.

The actor is best known for his stellar acting career in major Hollywood movies from Bridget Jones Diary to Notting Hill.

He first gained experience in television throughout the 1980s on shows including The Detective and Jenny's War.

Vintage vehicle: Blake and Ben - who is playing Thorpe's lover Norman - were seen driving off in a battered old Ford Cortina alongside a giant Great Dane

Keeping cosy: Blake was covered up in a padded jacket with a fur hood in between takes

Shock: MP Jeremy Thorpe was tried and acquitted for the attempted assassination of his lover Norman in 1979
She's best-known for playing reserved bookworm Alex Dunphy in hit US sitcom Modern Family.

But Ariel Winter was quick to prove that life certainly doesn't imitate art as she slipped her curves into a very risque ensemble while attending the LaPalme Magazine fall cover party at Nightingale Plaza in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old actress left little to the imagination as she posed up a storm on the red carpet with beau Levi Meaden, 30, in a very scanty dress.

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Not dressed for Winter! Modern Family star Ariel slipped her curves into a very risque ensemble while attending the LaPalme Magazine fall cover party at Nightingale Plaza in Los Angeles on Wednesday

The daring frock showcased the star's very ample assets, thanks to a plunging neckline which ran well below the navel.

Ariel's shimmering black frock skimmed the tops of her thighs, while sultry criss-cross amplified the outfit's sex appeal.

The actress elongated her tanned legs with sparkling black stilettos and styled her raven tresses into sultry waves.

Smitten kittens: Ariel was joined on Wednesday night's red carpet by her boyfriend Levi Meaden, 30, with the pair putting on an amorous display

Taking the plunge: The daring frock showcased the star's very ample assets, thanks to a VERY low-cut neckline which ran well below the navel

Sizzling: The 19-year-old actress left little to the imagination as she posed up a storm on the red carpet in a very scanty dress

Ariel's wardrobe has become noticeably more daring since she decided in June 2015 that she would undergo breast reduction surgery.

She has decreased her size from a 32F to a 34D, admitting that she found her larger cup size to be 'excruciatingly painful'.

Previously speaking about her reduction to People magazine, she confessed: 'Being a 5ft tall girl and having extremely large breasts is really ostracizing and excruciatingly painful.'

Setting pulses racing: Ariel's shimmering black frock skimmed the tops of her thighs, while sultry criss-cross amplified the outfit's sex appeal

Leggy: The actress elongated her tanned legs with sparkling black stilettos and styled her raven tresses into sultry waves

However, the beauty revealed she has developed a new-found confidence since having the surgery.

She added: 'It was an instant weight lifted off my chest - both literally and figuratively.

'There's a confidence you find when you finally feel right in your body.'

Besotted: Ariel and Levi put on a smitten display while posing for snaps inside the event

New-found confidence: Ariel's wardrobe has become noticeably more daring since she decided in June of last year that she would undergo a breast reduction surgery

Ariel was joined on Wednesday night's red carpet by her boyfriend Levi Meaden, with the pair putting on an amorous display.

As they cosied up for snaps together, Levi, who is ten years her senior at 30, was pictured planting a tender kiss on the top of her perfectly preened head.

Earlier this year, Ariel defended their age gap, telling Refinery29: 'Im happy, and whatever people want to say, they can say.'

Good looking guestlist: Ariel shared the spotlight at the event with fellow cover star Peter Facinelli, who was sharp-suited for the occasion

Beautiful pair: Both Ariel and Peter smoulder on their respective covers

'I dont understand why someone would even comment on our situation at all. There are tons of people of all ages that live with their boyfriend.'

Delving into their living situation further, she continued: 'There are tons of people that live with their girlfriends, [and] tons of people that dont live together and are super happy. But I'm super happy in the arrangement that we have. We love living together. Its just great.'

Ariel shared the spotlight at the event with fellow cover star Peter Facinelli, who was sharp-suited for the occasion.

The Twilight hunk was joined at the bash by his doting girlfriend Lily Anne Harrison, who showered the actor with kisses.

Loved-up: The Twilight hunk was joined at the bash by his doting girlfriend Lily Anne Harrison, who showered the actor with kisses once they were inside the bash
Just days before she threw herself into helping rebuild homes and support victime in an earthquake-struck region in Mexico.

Yet Paris Hilton swapped her humanitarian work for fashion work as she cavorted along the runway in a pair of high-waisted bottoms with an eye-popping push-up bra to tote her shoe brand on the runway in Mexico City on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old socialite-turned-international DJ dazzled in her sexy ensemble as she first held the jacket together before seductively allowing the number to pop open and best display every inch of her incredible figure to perfection.

Out and a pout: Paris Hilton swapped her humanitarian work for fashion work as she cavorted along the runway in a pair of high-waisted bottoms with an eye-popping push-up bra all layered beneath a winter coat at her shoe range's Mexico City fashion show on Wednesday

While she was looking sensational on the runway, Paris was taking a break from building homes, as on Monday she visited an earthquake-struck region of San Gregorio, Xochimilco to deliver aid to the victims of the quake.

Showing her many talents, the kind-hearted star switched from mucking in with victims to turning to her talents as a model when she hit the stage.

Leaving very little to the imagination, the stunning star slipped down to her lingerie to show off her figure including her boosted cleavage and a hint of abs.

On Monday, the blonde beauty was seen meeting and providing aid to victims of the earthquake where she fondly greeted those affected.

Helping hand: Just hours before she threw herself into helping rebuild homes and support victime in an earthquake-struck region in Mexico

Woah mama! Leaving very little to the imagination, the stunning star slipped down to her lingerie to show off her figure including her boosted cleavage and a hint of abs

All eyes on me: With her famed blonde locks coiffed to perfection

Busty babe: The stunner looked incredible in her sexy look which she paired with a pair of velvet ankle boots which boasted a glittering trim

The horrific natural disaster devastated the area on September 19, after which the heiress brought hundreds of blankets, pillows, shoes, clothes, food and toys for the affected families, while also donating money to build seven brand new homes.

Amid her visit, she said: 'I feel that this is my second home, I've been coming to Mexico all my life. I love the people, I think they are all beautiful, they have great hearts, they are beautiful inside and out, they are very genuine and incredible.'

Some 370 people were killed and more than 6,000 injured when the 7.1 magnitude quake struck leading to mass horror in the devastated areas.

Stunner: The 36-year-old socialite-turned-international DJ dazzled in her sexy ensemble as she first held the jacket together before seductively allowing the number to pop open and best display every inch of her incredible figure to perfection

Legs eleven: Paris' muscular legs took centre stage as she flaunted the result of undoubtedly endless hours in the gym

In an impassioned speech, Paris said: 'I'm sorry for what happened on that horrible September 19, day of the earthquake.

'My heart is with all of you and I want you to know that I think of you, I love you and that is why I came to support you today. When I heard what happened with the earthquake my heart broke, I was devastated.'

During her visit, Paris spent time with the families, listening to their stories from the horrifying day. 'I know there are people who are suffering and going through hard times, so every time I return I will do something to give back,' she continued.

'I am here to support these people. They have lost their homes, all of their belongings and family members. everything has been taken away. It's so important to help.'

Happy days: In an impassioned speech, Paris said: 'I'm sorry for what happened on that horrible September 19, day of the earthquake
He's the Queensland-based model who was seen cosying up to Paris Jackson at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

And with the dust now settled around the race that stops the nation, Tyler Green was left to cut a lonely figure without his rumoured love interest at Sydney Airport on Thursday.

Tyler looked despondent as he waited to board his flight, choosing to while away the time by scrolling through his phone.

Folorn: With the dust now settled around the race that stops the nation, Tyler Green was left to cut a lonely figure without his rumoured love interest, Paris Jackson, at Sydney Airport on Thursday.

He went for a casual look for the flight, wearing a loose-fitting, striped collared shirt a pair of black jeans and matching boots.

Sporting a terse expression, Tyler toted a black suitcase and a suit bag, possibly containing the dapper formal-wear he was decked out in for the Melbourne Cup.

It appears that Tyler found time to head to the tattoo parlour as he was sporting what looked to be a new star tattoo.

Despondent: Sporting a terse expression, Tyler toted a black suitcase and a suit bag, possibly containing the dapper formalwear he was decked out in for the Melbourne Cup

Flying solo: Tyler looked despondent as he waited to board his flight, choosing to while away the time by scrolling through his phone.

The Gold Coast-based man didn't leave the side of Michael Jackson's only daughter at the races.

Tyler, who was engaged to French model Margarita Gauchet until 2015, was also spotted leaning in closely to Paris as they enjoyed each other's company.

The Australian hottie previously worked as a male model but has reportedly now swapped careers to work as a tradesman.

Are they? Tyler didn't leave Paris Jackson's side for the duration of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday

It appeared the pair hit it off at the Cup with Tyler appearing to jet with Paris to Hamilton Island for some post race R and R.

Tyler took to his Instagram story on Wednesday to share a video shot at the luxurious Qualia Resort.
President Donald Trump said in Beijing on Thursday he will work to address unfair practices from the Chinese that have led to a mismatch of benefits from U.S.-China trade.

The president was quick to note, however, that he did not blame Beijing for having been able to get away with those practices: "I give China great credit," Trump said on a stage shared with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"This relationship is something which we are working very hard to make a fair and reciprocal one," Trump said. "Trade between China and the United States has not been  over the last many many years  a very fair one for us."

Trump pointed to the "huge" annual trade deficit his country has with China, which he described as "a number beyond anything what anybody would understand."

"We must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive this deficit along with barriers to market success: We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer and the theft of intellectual property  which just by itself is costing the United States and its companies at least $300 billion a year."
She taped an episode of The Jonathan Ross Show on Wednesday night, to chat about the latest season of The X Factor.

And returning to her hotel following the recording, Nicole Scherzinger looked the epitome of glam as she alighted from her car and strutted into the building.

The Pussycat Doll, 39, cut a coy figure as she kept her eyes lowered to the pavement, away from the glare of the flashing bulbs, which only accentuated her shimmering jumpsuit.

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Nicole Scher-shimmer! X Factor judge Scherzinger sparkled in a gold jumpsuit accentuating her pert derriere as she returned to her London hotel following Jonathan Ross taping

Nicole slipped her sensational frame into the gold number, which covered her physique, save for the odd flash here and there of her toned pins and teasing bust.

The sleeves of the outfit gathered a the ends into playful puffs, and she added a metallic chunky bangle on each wrist to accessorize the look.

She wore black strappy heels, only glimpsed as she stepped along in the slightly split flared bottoms of the ensemble.

Nicole allowed her raven locks - dashed with a hint of auburn here and there - to tumble in light waves around one of her shoulders.

Standing out: She taped an episode of The Jonathan Ross Show on Wednesday night, to chat about the latest season of The X Factor

Grand arrival: And returning to her hotel following the recording, Nicole looked the epitome of glam as she alighted from her car and strutted into the building

Shining bright: The Pussycat Doll, 39, cut a coy figure as she kept her eyes lowered to the pavement, away from the glare of the flashing bulbs, which only accentuated her shimmering jumpsuit

She sported a black-polished manicure and a dusting of golden make-up to contrast the silvery, metallic suit that glimmered in the evening light.

She also made sure to sport a glistening poppy, for Remembrance Day, which falls this week - defying unfair critics from last weekend's X Factor who slammed her for not wearing on on Sunday night.

Fans labelled her 'disrespectful' for not wearing the symbol of reverence during the first part of the live show.

Eyes down: Nicole slipped her sensational frame into the metallic number, which covered her physique, save for the odd flash here and there of her toned pins and teasing bust

Sensational: The sleeves of the outfit gathered a the ends into playful puffs, and she added a gold chunky bangle on each wrist to accessorize the look

Nicole hit back at the criticism - revealing she lost her poppy badge en-route to the stage while adding she has the 'utmost respect' for the symbol of remembrance.

Viewers of the hit show were left confused when the former Pussycat Doll, 39, stepped out in a spectacular white lace dress, with no poppy in sight at the beginning of the show, only for the glittering badge to reappear after the ad break.

In response to a fan's tweet Nicole wrote: 'im always late, it fell off running to stage and replaced it as soon we could! i have the upmost respect for everything it stands for!'(sic)

Hitting back: Nicole recently hit back at the criticism over her not wearing a poppy on the first part of The X Factor revealing she lost her badge en-route to the stage while adding she has the 'utmost respect' for the symbol of remembrance

There it is: Viewers of the hit show were left confused when the former Pussycat Doll stepped out in a spectacular white lace dress, with no poppy in sight at the beginning of the show, only for the glittering badge to reappear after the ad break

A spokesman for Nicole confirmed to Mail Online: 'Nicoles poppy fell off her outfit on the walk to the stage. She was alerted during the recording and put a poppy on during the break. Nicole has been wearing a poppy over the past week including the Saturday show.'

The missing poppy sparked a negative reaction from fans 'why is Nicole not wearing a poppy on X Factor??? Find it disrespectful' while another follower wrote: 'Nicole should be wearing a poppy'.

A third fan agreed writing 'So shes not British, I still think that being in the public eye and being on live British TV Nicole should be wearing a poppy!

Fell off: In response to a fan's tweet Nicole wrote: 'Im always late, it fell off running to stage and replaced it as soon we could! i have the upmost respect for everything it stands for!'(sic)

Explanation; Nicole tweeted in response to a fan's question about the poppy

Back on: A spokesman for Nicole confirmed to Mail Online: 'Nicoles poppy fell off her outfit on the walk to the stage. She was alerted during the recording and put a poppy on during the break. Nicole has been wearing a poppy over the past week including the Saturday show'

Backlash: The missing poppy sparked a negative reaction from fans 'why is Nicole not wearing a poppy on X Factor??? Find it disrespectful'

Tweet: Another follower wrote: 'Nicole should be wearing a poppy' in response

Question: Another fan wrote: 'why hasnt Nicole Scherzinger got a poppy on yet everyone else has just wondering'

Poppy: A third fan agreed writing 'So shes not British, I still think that being in the public eye and being on live British TV Nicole should be wearing a poppy!

Nip out: Another commented: '#SimonCowell can you nip out in the ad break and get Nicole a poppy? Badly knitted girl seems to have forgotten one'

Another fan wrote: 'why hasnt Nicole Scherzinger got a poppy on yet everyone else has just wondering' while another commented: '#SimonCowell can you nip out in the ad break and get Nicole a poppy? Badly knitted girl seems to have forgotten one'

Nicole's badge was hastily pinned back on with one fan tweeting 'oooh take that back one has just mysteriously appeared on her dress.'

The Don't Hold Breath songstress oozed sex appeal in her crocheted white dress which highlighted her ample cleavage with its knitted silhouette.

Nicole suffered a blow this week as she lost her second Overs act in as many weeks, with Tracy Leanne Jefford, 34, bidding farewell to the competition.

A shame; One fan said they were disappointed that Nicole wasn't wearing the poppy

'Disrespectful': One fan gave his opinion on the lack of poppy saying the star was 'disrespectful'

Slammed: One fan asked if Nicole thought she was 'too cool' to wear a poppy

Why? One fan questioned why Nicole wasn't wearing the poppy and told her to 'come on'

Although Nicole was tearful following the mother-of-three's energetic performance to Jennifer Lopez's Ain't Your Mama, she praised the hopeful's attempt and called her an 'inspiration'.

Following Tracy Leanne's elimination, Nicole also said her and fellow judge Simon Cowell were sad to see the Middlesex talent go because she was the 'heart' of the show.

The American music star said: 'Simon just said: "She is the heart of the show". And she is still going to be the heart of the show.'
They reached their one year anniversary mark last month after going public with their romance at the end of 2016.

And Professor Green and Fae Williams looked as loved-up as ever as they attended the launch of The Winter Forest Fairytale at Exchange Square in London on Wednesday night.

The 33-year-old Just Be Good To Green rapper cosied up to his chic girlfriend as they got into the festive spirit, helping to raise money for the homeless with Centre Point.

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Festive: Professor Green and Fae Williams looked as loved-up as ever as they attended the launch of The Winter Forest Fairytale at Exchange Square in London on Wednesday night

Looking dapper in a black hoodie emblazoned with a Muhammad Ali icon and coordinating trousers, Pro Green showed off his flair for fashion with a checked coat.

He was perhaps trying to keep up with his stylish girlfriend, who pulled off white ankle boots with a coordinating all-black ensemble, injecting a splash of colour with statement fluffy coat.

Fae-real name Stephen Manderson, cosied up to her beau as they explored the Christmas-themed pop-up.

Cute couple: The 33-year-old Just Be Good To Green rapper cosied up to his chic girlfriend as they got into the festive spirit

Fae and Pro Green are believed to have started dating last October, which came after he released a new track One Eye On The Door which fans believed contained some thinly-veiled jibes at ex-wife Millie Mackintosh.

Since the duo went public with their romance, Pro Green has been posting regular updates of the pair's outings.

In April he credited his girlfriend for helping him through a dark time as he battled health complications.

Stylish trio! Looking dapper in a black hoodie emblazoned with a Muhammad Ali icon and coordinating trousers, Pro Green showed off his flair for fashion with a checked coat

Taking to social media, he wrote: 'The respect I have for this lady is unparalleled.

'All jokes aside I'm having the worst time of my life and she's doing all she can to stop me disappearing into a deep and very dark depression. Thank you.'

According to The Sun earlier this year, the rapper has become 'practically inseparable' from his rumoured new love and believes their romance is the 'real deal'.

Wintry: He was joined by Heather Watson as they wrapped up in the cold climate

A source told the site: 'She was absolutely smitten and theyve been practically inseparable ever since.'

'Hes even been fobbing his mates off for her and for Pro that means its the real deal.

'Hes been on loads of casual dates with various girls since splitting with Millie but this is serious. Hes really into Fae and doesnt want to mess it up.'

Professor Green - real name Stephen Manderson - split from wife Millie last February after a three-year marriage.

Millie is now engaged to Made In Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor.
Her Sydney investment property was the location of the tragic alleged murder of her tenant Lanell Latta, back in September.

And Gemma Ward has stepped out for the first time since the horror incident on Thursday, as she attended the Fashion Laureate Awards in Sydney.

Breaking her silence on the tragic event, the 29-year-old, who currently live in Byron Bay with her family, said she won't be deterred from returning to the Avalon area where the crime occurred.

Return to the spotlight: Gemma Ward steps out for the first time since tragic fatal stabbing at her Sydney investment property as she attends Fashion awards and breaks her silence on horror incident

'I love Sydney so there will always be a place in my heart for it,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

The publication reports that Gemma, her husband David Letts and their two children could possibly move back to the Northern Beaches area in the near future.

Last month, heartbroken Gemma sold her beachside property less than a month after her tenant Lanell Latta was stabbed to death inside.

The supermodel paid $1.6 million for the two-bedroom home in Avalon on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Tragic: Last month, heartbroken Gemma sold her beachside property less than a month after her tenant Lanell Latta was stabbed to death inside

Gemma was leasing the property to Lanell Latta, 50, before she was murdered there in September

She had plans to renovate and extend the beach shack with her husband David, but sold the home only four days after advertising began.

Located on a 1000 square metre block, the home was pre-approved for plans by architect Atelier Haefeli to turn it into a dream house, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Opting to sell after the fatal stabbing which shocked the small beach-side community, she accepted a pre-auction offer of $1.65 million and did not make a profit.

The supermodel paid $1.6 million for the two-bedroom home in Avalon on Sydney's Northern Beaches

The property is perched on a hill on Marine Drive, surrounded by trees and with access to Tallow Beach

The property is perched on a hill on Marine Drive, surrounded by trees and with access to Tallow Beach.

Gemma was leasing the property to Lanell Latta, 50, before she was allegedly murdered there in September.

Meanwhile, Gemma cut a relatively demure figure at the fashion awards on Thursday night, wearing in an electric blue sweater by Dion Lee, tied in the middle with a matching fabric belt.

She matched this with a pair of simple black culottes and a pair of strappy sandals.

She had plans to renovate and extend the beach shack with her husband David, but sold the home only four days after advertising began

Opting to sell after the murder which shocked the small beach-side community, she accepted a pre-auction offer of $1.65 million and did not make a profit

Bold in blue: Meanwhile, Gemma cut a relatively demure figure at the fashion awards on Thursday night, wearing in an electric blue sweater by Dion Lee, tied in the middle with a matching fabric belt
He's the Hollywood actor who recently spotted enjoying the sun and surf in Sydney.

And it seems Adrian Grenier can't get enough of the beach, returning with the same mystery blonde he was seen getting cosy with earlier this week.

On Thursday, the 41-year-old returned to the sea showing off his muscular build with his rumoured girlfriend Jordan Roemmele and a female friend.

Suns out guns out! It seems Adrian Grenier, 41, can't get enough of the beach, returning with the same mystery blonde he was seen getting cosy with earlier this week

Safety first! Adrian, who previously dated former Home And Away starlet Isabel Lucas, helped out the bikini-clad beauty by dutifully putting sunscreen on her neck and back

The trio were seen strolling through a park with their towels and bags.

He kept it casual in a faded green shirt, white shorts and sneakers, while carrying his navy jacket, backpack and bottle of water.

The ruggedly handsome actor appeared to be deep in conversation with the ladies.

Beach ready: On Thursday, he returned to the sea showing off his muscular build with his rumoured girlfriend Jordan Roemmele and a female friend

Walk in the park: The trio were seen strolling through a park with their towels and bags. He kept it casual in a faded green shirt, white shorts while Jordan, also went for a relaxed look

Sun and sea: Once they arrived at the beach, Adrian appeared very keen to get into the water, wrapping a towel around his waist to put on his black swimming shorts

Jordan, who is a project manager for Aero Pioneer Group ac - a company that provides air services for NGOs and governments, also went for a relaxed look.

She paired her denim mini shorts with a stripped T-shirt, and matched it with a very small cross body bag.

Meanwhile their blonde pal opted for a more covered up look in white shirt, tucked in her high waisted flare jeans.

Fun in the sun: Jourdan followed suit revealing her trim and toned figure in an orange bikini top and bottom, as their friend reclined back on a towel

Once they arrived at the beach, Adrian appeared very keen to get into the water, wrapping a towel around his waist to put on his black swimming shorts.

Jourdan followed suit revealing her trim and toned figure in an orange bikini top and bottom, as their friend reclined back on a towel.

Adrian, who previously dated former Home And Away starlet Isabel Lucas, helped out the bikini-clad beauty by dutifully putting sunscreen on her neck and back.

Bikini bod: The stunner is a project manager for Aero Pioneer Group - a company that provides air services for NGOs and governments

Diving in: Soon after helping her, he made his way to the water and was seen jumping into the waves leaving the stunner to bask in the sun

Soon after, he made his way to the water and was seen jumping into the waves leaving the stunner to bask in the sun.

After battling the waves, he made his way over to the pools and dived in.

Adrian, who best known for his role as Vincent Chase in the comedy drama Entourage, arrived in Australia on Tuesday.

Look of love? The rumoured couple appeared to have eyes only for each other as they lay back

Keeping an eye out: After battling the waves, he made his way over to the pools and dived in

He was the guest of honour at the launch of Perth's WXYZ Poolside Sunday Sessions at Aloft Hotel.

Speaking to The West Australian recently, Adrian said he was enjoying his time in the west coast city.

'It's a little hidden gem, all the way over here. I've been to Sydney and Melbourne several times, but I like this vibe here, very laid-back and very cool  there's great food,' he said.
They struck up a romance after meeting on the set of romantic drama, Sky.

But Norman Reedus and girlfriend Diane Kruger were busy promoting their own respective projects on Wednesday, as The Walking Dead star made an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The 48-year-old star appeared in high spirits as he flashed a 'peace' sign at photographers on his way into the New York City studio, while actress Diane got to work promoting her latest flick, In The Fade.

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Peace! Norman Reedus and girlfriend Diane Kruger were back to promoting their own respective projects on Wednesday, as The Walking Dead star made an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Norman - who was smartly clad in a three-piece suit - was on the show to talk about the second season of his show Ride, which sees him cruise across America on his motorcycle, alongside a celebrity guest.

However, the Triple 9 actor also took a moment to discuss his latest side venture, a restaurant in Senoia, Georgia.

Talking about his new eatery, which is aptly named Nic and Norman's, he quipped: 'It's for like, if your whole family went out and got drunk and needed sobering food.'

Gorgeous: On the West Coast, Diane put on a stunning display while promoting her upcoming movie, In The Fade

He added: 'You can get things fried and mountains of gravy on stuff fried and I don't really eat meat, but the black bean burger is great.'

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, Diane put on a stunning display while promoting her upcoming movie, In The Fade.

The fashion-forward star showed off her sartorial prowess in a check mini dress, which boasted a black leather panel along one side.

Promo: Norman - who was smartly clad in a three-piece suit - was on the show to talk about the second season of his show Ride

Dressed to impress: The fashion-forward star showed off her sartorial prowess in a check mini dress, which boasted a black leather panel along one side

She finished the look with chic, ankle-strap stilettos and wore her short, blonde tresses in an elegant wave.

Like Norman, the Troy actress seemed in a sprightly mood as she beamed broadly and laughed with photographers.

Although the actress originally hails from Germany, this year's In The Fade, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, was the first German-language film she has starred in.

Fashionista: She finished the look with chic, ankle-strap stilettos and wore her short, blonde tresses in an elegant wave

The movie earned Diane her first Cannes Film Festival Award For Best Actress.

It was also in contention for the Palm D'Or, though it lost out to a Swedish satire of the art world, entitled The Square.

Germany has entered In The Fade for the Best Foreign Language Film category at next year's Academy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Meanwhile, Diane and Norman went public with their romance back in March as they enjoyed a boozy night out together in New York.

High spirits: Like Norman, the Troy actress seemed in a sprightly mood as she beamed broadly and laughed with photographers

Still going strong: Diane and Norman went public with their romance back in March as they enjoyed a boozy night out together in New York

It came eight months after Kruger split from lover of a decade Joshua Jackson.

Norman's most high-profile relationship was with supermodel Helena Christensen.

The couple - who welcomed son Mingus, now 18, in 1999 - began dating in 1998, before calling time on their romance in 2003.

It's over! Diane split from partner of eight years, Joshua Jackson, last year
She made her acting debut at the age of nine in the drama Blow.

And 16 years later, Emma Roberts is all grown up in her sizzling shoot with Shape magazine for their December issue.

The 26-year-old actress flaunted her svelte frame in retro swimsuits and colorful ensembles for the cover story, where she revealed her secret to staying confident.

Stunner: Emma Roberts wows in her shoot with Shape magazine for their December issue

The Scream Queens star flaunted her toned frame in a black and white patterned swimsuit, which included a belted high-waisted bottom, triangle top and a crop top cover.

Emma donned a floral swim bottom with her red and orange striped sweater for the cover image.

The blonde beauty flashed her flat stomach in a brightly patterned bra with hot pink bottoms in an inside image as she balanced barefoot on the arms of a chair.

During her Shape interview, Emma preached about the importance of staying true to oneself and finding 'that confidence we had as kids.'

A lot to celebrate: The 26-year-old actress flaunted her svelte frame in retro swimsuits and colorful ensembles for the cover story, where she revealed her secret to staying confident

She said she ignores other people's voices by 'turning up the volume' of her own voice.

Emma emphasized the knowledge 'that your opinion about yourself matters more than anybody else's.'

The star, who is the niece of Julia Roberts, said that she believes everyone is 'innately confident,' but that 'we lose touch with ourselves and let other people's opinions and thoughts get louder than our own.'

In one shot, the We're The Millers actress donned a textured strapless bikini top with suspender style bottoms and a colorful scarf over her locks.

Strike a pose: The Scream Queens star flaunted her toned frame in a black and white patterned swimsuit, which included a belted high-waisted bottom, triangle top and a crop top cover

Sultry: Emma spoke about the importance of staying true to oneself and finding 'that confidence we had as kids

Emma also wowed in a coral, pink, light blue and black two-piece for another smoldering image.

The TV star spoke about her strenuous workout schedule, which includes one hour of cardio workout sessions with trainer Andrea Orbeck and also Pilates classes at Body By Nonna.

Emma revealed she began working out regularly while in New Orleans filming American Horror Story: Coven in 2013.

In between filming, the star enjoyed the food scene in the Louisiana city: 'I really fell in love with food there.'

Beaming beauty: In one shot, the We're The Millers actress donned a textured strapless bikini top with suspender style bottoms and a colorful scarf over her locks

Explaining that she had a 'great balance' because she countered 'all the food I was eating' by working out more.

Emma quipped: 'I'd have fried chicken sliders at night then go to my yoga class the next morning.'

She enjoys doughnuts, cupcakes and ice cream, because she does 'what feels good for me at the time.'

Noting that she doesn't say she can't eat something, she instead stays 'in tune with my body and mind' and asks what she feels like eating.

Beauty and book smart: Emma is not just a busy actress, she also co-founded a book club called Belletrist; she and her friend Karah Preiss pick a book each month and share the title to its Instagram page

She looks incredible: Emma also wowed in a coral, pink, light blue and black two-piece for another smoldering image

Pretty lady: Emma revealed she began working out regularly while in New Orleans filming American Horror Story: Coven in 2013

Exercising is also a key element in how she stays confident, as well as being present with her friends and family.

She spoke about enjoying flea market outings and breakfasts with her pals or boyfriend Evan Peters - without her phone.

'It gives my brain room to breathe, and it feels really good,' Emma told Shape.

Emma is not just a busy actress, she also co-founded a book club called Belletrist; she and her friend Karah Preiss pick a book each month and share the title to the club's Instagram page.

Reading a book for her is when she can step away 'and take time for yourself.'

So chic: This Wednesday, the day after her Shape interview debuted online, Emma was glimpsed out in Los Angeles proving her keen eye for casual street style

Contrast: She clashed a black V-neck T-shirt elegantly against a high-waisted pair of faded jeans, neatly folding up the trousers' frayed hems

This Wednesday, the day after her Shape interview debuted online, Emma was glimpsed out in Los Angeles proving her keen eye for casual street style.

She clashed a black V-neck T-shirt elegantly against a high-waisted pair of faded jeans, neatly folding up the trousers' frayed hems.

The daughter of Eric Roberts snazzily teamed a pair of black loafers with a burgundy and white pair of striped socks.

Letting her platinum blonde hair cascade over her shoulders, she wore a splashily designed turquoise, midnight blue, green and canary yellow purse cross-body.
She's just weeks away from giving birth to her second child with Paul Knightley.

And Sam Faiers' fans are convinced that she will be welcoming a baby girl to her growing family after she flaunted her growing baby bump in a tight fitted pink gown at the ITV Gala Ball on Thursday evening.

The 26-year-old arrived arm-in-arm with longtime boyfriend Paul Knightley, and fans quickly speculated that she had opted for pink to hint that she was having a girl.

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Growing bump: Sam Faiers' fans are convinced that she will be welcoming a baby girl to her growing family after she flaunted her growing baby bump in a tight fitted pink gown at the ITV Gala Ball on Thursday evening

Convinced: The 26-year-old arrived arm-in-arm with longtime boyfriend Paul Knightley, and fans quickly speculated that she had opted for pink to hint that she was having a girl

'Dressed in baby pink, for a baby girl', one fan wrote as she shared a snap of her ensemble to Instagram.

'It's a girls isn't it?' another added, while one follower gushed: 'Deffo carrying a girl with that bump I'd say I was the same shape with both my girls'.

Another fan wrote ' you're so having a little girl' while another added 'def a girl bump' with a third saying 'omg you are such a gorgeous couple ! i say baby girl'

MailOnline has contacted her representative for comment.

'Dressed in baby pink, for a baby girl', one fan wrote as she shared a snap of her ensemble to Instagram

Pink for a girl? The 26-year-old arrived arm-in-arm with longtime boyfriend Paul Knightley, and fans quickly speculated that she had opted for pink to hint that she was having a girl

Blonde beauty: With her tresses tied in an elegant updo, the blonde-locked beauty looked sensational as she stood on silver sandal heels

Flashy pair: Sam arrived arm-in-arm with longtime boyfriend Paul Knightley as the pair put on a glamorous display

Meanwhile earlier in the night she put on an elegant appearance, with her tresses tied in an elegant updo, the blonde-locked beauty looked sensational as she stood on silver sandal heels.

The reality TV star paired her ethereal look with pink toned makeup - a shimmery peach on her lids, and a matte soft salmon lipstick.

Her beau looked dapper in a long-line coat, black trousers and leather shoes.

Sam opted for a more casual look as she arrived at the Soho Sanctum hotel in London earlier that day.

The star still managed to look chic dressed in a casual brown suede coat, a cream jumper and super white trainers.

Sympathy pangs? Sam was seen rubbing partner Paul's stomach as they posed for snaps

Bumping along nicely! She appeared in good spirits on the red carpet

Waving for the camera: Pregnant Sam Faiers was seen arriving at the Soho Sanctum hotel in London looking fresh and happy in comfortable white trainers and a warm winter coat

The former TOWIE star was clutching a Gucci purse and the case to her over-sized vintage designed sunglasses.

The model's chestnut brown hair was tied back to finish off her effortless look.

Sam has been documenting her pregnancy daily on Instagram to her 1,900,000 followers.

Chic pregnancy: Sam Faiers looked casual and chic as she arrived at London's Soho Sanctum hotel wearing on Thursday wearing black leggings and a pair of white trendy pumps

The Mummy Diaries star is expecting her second baby any day now and has been documenting the whole process on the third series of the show.

The Essex born beauty has previously told MailOnline that she has big baby plans.

'We do want a big family, and when Billie had her second baby, Arthur, it made me broody,' she said.

Ready to pop: The usually glam reality star has been snuggling up in winter woollies as she prepares for the birth of her second child which is being documented in the Mummy Diaries

Perfect bump: Sam has been showing off her perfectly formed bump in a variety of glamorous gowns throughout her pregnancy with luscious locks and a glowing complexion.

Sam was famously bejazzled on the The Only Way is Essex by her fellow cast member Amy Childs who glued jewels to her bikini bottom area.

The reality star's sister Billie has also left the Essex based show and now stars in the Mummy Dairies with Sam and her three-year-old daughter Nelly and son Arthur with her fiance Greg Shepherd.

Both sisters have blossomed since their TOWIE days and now prefer the more natural look to the orange tanned image.
Ben Affleck and his girlfriend of five months Lindsay Shookus bundled up to braved the Big Apple's 45F-degree chill and dine on Chinese cuisine at Mr. Chow on Wednesday night.

At 45, the two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker is eight years older than the Emmy-winning SNL producer, and neither of them are technically divorced from their respective spouses.

The bearded Bostonian wore a grey peacoat and a black beanie with blue jeans, while the UNC-Chapel Hill grad wore a pom beanie with a cobalt-blue blazer and distressed blue jeans.

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Braved the Big Apple's 45F-degree chill: Ben Affleck and his girlfriend of five months Lindsay Shookus bundled up to dine on Chinese cuisine at Mr. Chow on Wednesday night

On Thursday morning, Ben caught a flight out of JFK Airport in New York, to likely continue promoting his upcoming movie Justice League.

Affleck's sighting came four days after he pledged to donate all future residuals from his 21 Miramax/Weinstein Company projects to women's groups like RAINN and Women In Films to become 'part of the solution.'

'It was Kevin's [Smith] idea and I hope it catches on. I decided to do the same thing,' the Eastern Congo Initiative activist told Fox 5 DC on Sunday.

'I just didn't want to cash any more checks from [disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein], you know?'

Still going strong! At 45, the two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker is eight years older than the Emmy-winning SNL producer, and neither of them are technically divorced from their spouses

Brrr! The bearded Bostonian wore a grey peacoat and a black beanie with blue jeans, while the UNC-Chapel Hill grad wore a pom beanie with a cobalt-blue blazer and distressed blue jeans

In order to stop sexual harassment, the Live By Night director told the AP that 'more women need to be pushed to power' and he's also 'looking at my own behavior and addressing that.'

Ben is still in outpatient rehab following a 30-day stint at a northern LA facility in September largely due to an alleged intervention from estranged wife Jennifer Garner and younger brother Casey.

'Ben reached a breaking point. He knew he was spiraling and was unhappy,' a source told Us Weekly.

Jet setter: On Thursday morning, Ben caught a flight out of JFK Airport in New York, to likely continue promoting his upcoming movie Justice League

'It was Kevin's [Smith] idea': Affleck's sighting came four days after he pledged to donate all future residuals from his 21 Miramax/Weinstein Company projects to women's groups like RAINN and Women In Films to become 'part of the solution'

VIP guide by his side: In order to stop sexual harassment, the Live By Night director told the AP that 'more women need to be pushed to power' and he's also 'looking at my own behavior and addressing that'

'Ben reached a breaking point': Affleck is still in outpatient rehab following a 30-day stint at a northern LA facility in September largely due to an alleged intervention from estranged wife Jennifer Garner (pictured) and younger brother Casey

Pictured in 2015: Lindsay separated from her estranged husband - Late Night with Seth Meyers supervising producer Kevin Miller (L) - in 2014 after a four-year marriage and they have a four-year-old daughter

'It was more about prevention. People in his life knew he needed a treatment that was more serious than what he was currently getting.'

Affleck and the 45-year-old Golden Globe winner - who have three children - Seraphina, 8; Violet, 11; and Samuel, 5 - filed divorce documents in April following their 2015 separation.

Meanwhile, Lindsay separated from her estranged husband - Late Night with Seth Meyers supervising producer Kevin Miller - in 2014 after a four-year marriage and they have a four-year-old daughter.

Push the button! Shookus remains hard at work on the 43rd season of the NBC sketch series, which next features first-time host, Girls Trip scene stealer Tiffany Haddish (L)

BTS: Musical guest, Taylor Swift, tweeted a make-up free video of herself Wednesday watching the CMA Awards from her $20M Tribeca penthouse in between Saturday Night Live rehearsals

Shookus remains hard at work on the 43rd season of the NBC sketch series, which next features first-time host, Girls Trip scene stealer Tiffany Haddish.

Musical guest, Taylor Swift, tweeted a make-up free video of herself Wednesday watching the CMA Awards from her $20M Tribeca penthouse in between Saturday Night Live rehearsals.

And the Accountant actor will next reprise his role as Bruce 'Batman' Wayne in Justice League - hitting US/UK theaters November 17 - alongside Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, and Jason Momoa.
She was named the best-paid actress in Hollywood on Forbes' annual list earlier this year.

And Emma Stone was earning her keep as she filmed her upcoming Netflix series Maniac in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday.

The Oscar-winner, 29, was in character, smoking a cigarette, hunting for a lost dog and finding what looked like a parking ticket on a weathered Ford pick-up truck.

Nicotine fix: Emma Stone was seen smoking in character she filmed her upcoming Netflix series Maniac in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday

On a quest: The Oscar-winner, 29, was seen hunting for a lost dog in the new scenes, with promises for a 'very generous reward' in returning for finding the pet pooch, named Groucho

The La La Land star was decked out in a costume frequently seen on her character, including pinstriped trousers and a mustard-colored overcoat.

Emma wore walnut brown leather boots and accessorized with a wide-buckled belt round her waist as she marched around the set.

The actress completed the look with a simple grey shirt and circular sunglasses for another busy day of filming.

Emma cradled a bulging brown paper bag, the contents of which included a tube of Pringles chips.

Girl on the go: The La La Land star was decked out in a costume frequently seen on her character, including pinstriped trousers and a mustard-colored overcoat

Having a look: The actress what looked like a New York City parking ticket on a weathered Ford pick-up truck as she shot new scenes

Chic: Wearing her platinum blonde hair down, she accessorized with sunglasses

Emma was gripping a lost dog poster in her right hand as she strolled down the sidewalk, with promises for a 'very generous reward' in returning for finding the pet pooch, named Groucho.

With a cigarette clamped between her teeth, the star's character stuck the poster up on a pole.

Emma has been seen in almost the precisely identical outfit a few times while filming the forthcoming Netflix series.

Last month, she modeled the same look whilst filming yet another scene in which she put up a lost dog poster.

New project: Emma wore walnut brown leather boots and accessorized with a wide-buckled belt round her waist as she marched around the set

In character: The actress completed the look with a simple grey shirt and circular sunglasses for another busy day of filming

What a treat: Emma cradled a bulging brown paper bag, the contents of which included a tube of Pringles chips

Emma was also wearing the same costume during a bizarre scene in which her character played chess with a purple koala puppet in the city's Washington Square Park.

Maniac, a dark comedy, is created and directed by Cary Fukunaga and is based on a three-year-old Norwegian sitcom of the same name.

The original half-hour series centers on the fantasy life of a hospitalized mental patient called Espen.

Emma and Jonah Hill head up the cast of the new version, alongside a cast including Sally Field and Justin Theroux.

Patrick Somerville is writing the English-language Netflix edition, which is scheduled to be released on a publicly unspecified date in 2018.

Background: Maniac, a dark comedy, is created and directed by Cary Fukunaga and is based on a three-year-old Norwegian sitcom of the same name
Scott Disick is telling his friends he is 'in love with' his teen girlfriend Sofia Richie.

The reality star, 34, and the model, 19 went public with their romance in September after months of rumors and are now said to be getting increasingly serious, according to an US Weekly insider.

A source close to the father-of-three told the publication that his feelings have deepened for Sofia and he is now 'in love', amid claims he remains signed up to dating app Badoo.

Staying close: according to US Weekly , Scott Disick, 34, is still happily with girlfriend, 19-year-old Sofia Richie; pictured on October 31 in Beverly Hills heading to lunch

The duo 'are still going very strong', and Sofia seems to share the same sentiment for Scott, with the source claiming she is 'so into him' and 'has been for a while.'

However, a conflicting report from People describes their relationship as 'starting to fizzle.'

People said that the teenager thought Scott 'would be more serious about their relationship' but she's getting 'more frustrated with him as time goes on.'

A source said: 'Everything everyone has been telling [Sofia] to look out for, she's starting to see for herself.'

Getting serious? The magazine's insider claims the father of three told his friends 'that he's in love with her'

This comes as Scott complained during a recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians that he is struggling to find a 'fulfilling' relationship after splitting from Kourtney Kardashian, 38, the mother of his three children, in 2015.

Speaking to Kourtney's sister Kim, 37, about his stint in Cannes this summer - which saw him pictured with nine different young women - he said he was 'not happy' with any of the girls, including now-girlfriend Sofia.

Kim said: 'It just looked like it was some big soap opera going on - it was like, a fun show.'

Scott responded: 'That looks like a happier scenario than me, jumping around trying to find happiness and these girls are not fulfilling that. Im just not happy with anybody.'

Not shy: The duo, who went public with their romance in September, 'are still going very strong'

Two peas in a pod: Their source added that Sofia shares the same sentiment for Scott and is 'so into him' and 'has been for a while'

Kim then tried to add a dose of common sense, suggesting: 'Honestly, I think its beyond the girls at this point. I think if you found someone that you were happy with, I think Kourtney would be happy for you.

'But she sees you out and really drinking and really going through it. Like, she just had concern,' says the level-headed star.

Tyga shared an Instagram story earlier this week of Scott's profile on Badoo.

The 'entrepenuer' appears to have a verified account on the dating app.

He is best known for having three children with reality star Kourtney and having guest appearances on her family show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Awkward: Tyga, who is the ex of both Kylie and Chyna, shared an Instagram story earlier this week of Scott's profile on Badoo

Hours after the photo made waves, Sofia took to Twitter to write: 'The internet is always so wrong #amused.'

Sofia and Scott confirmed their romance in September during their holiday to Miami, however they were linked as far back as May.

Scott and the teen enjoyed a PDA filled trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at the start of October.

Just weeks ago, Sofia and Scott jetted off to Milan and Venice, Italy for a brief holiday.

The lovebirds just returned to Los Angeles after spending some time in the sun during a holiday in Los Cabos, Mexico over the weekend.

US Weekly revealed that the duo enjoyed traveling together 'because it's easier for them to exist in their bubble.'

Enjoying their time together: The lovebirds just returned to Los Angeles after spending some time in the sun during a holiday in Los Cabos, Mexico over the weekend; seen Oct 25 in Malibu

Not impressed: Hours after the photo made waves, Sofia took to Twitter to respond

Getting away from California also means steering clear of Sofia's ex friend Chloe Bartoli.

Chloe has dated Scott off and on for several years; the stylist was 'like a sister' to Sofia.

She is the one that Scott was seen with in 2015 during a French holiday that caused Kourtney Kardashian to end her nine-year relationship with him; the brunette also spent time with Scott in Cannes this year.

Chloe and Sofia made the end of their friendship official by unfollowing each other on Instagram.

Former friends: Getting away from California also means steering clear of Sofia's ex friend Chloe Bartoli (Sofia on the left and Chloe pictured in the center)

Interestingly enough, Chloe was Sofia's stylist but now the teen works with Chloe's twin sister, Mary-Lou Bartoli.

After returning back to Los Angeles, Sofia out with one of her friends for what she called 'adventure time.'

The blonde teenager suited up for some indoor racing on Wednesday, as seen on her Instagram account.

Scott raises three children, Mason, seven, Penelope, five, and Reign, two, with Kourtney.

Busy lady: After returning back to Los Angeles, Sofia out with one of her friends for what she called 'adventure time'

Working hard: She posed up a storm in her Adidas camouflage ensemble

Fruitful afternoon: The blonde teenager suited up for some indoor racing, as seen on her Instagram account
She may not have attended the glamorous Melbourne Cup Carnival this year.

But that doesn't mean that Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux isn't having a good time.

The reality star posted a saucy snap of herself topless this week, as she enjoyed a holiday in Tulum, Mexico, with her husband, Rick Wolfe.

'Least dressed at Melbourne Cup': RHOM Gamble Breaux goes TOPLESS in Tulum as she ditches the races to soak up the sun during Mexican getaway

She cheekily captioned the image: 'Least dressed Melbourne Cup Carnival @rhomelbourne with my @rickwolfe1 in #Tulum Giddy Up! #mexico #rhomelbourne.'

Wearing just a pair of skimpy pink bikini bottoms, the 43-year-old stood on a swing at Azulik - Eco Resort & Maya Spa hotel, an adults-only resort.

The resort is located on Azulik beach - a nudist beach.

It appears that Gamble and Rick just recently arrived in the romantic holiday hot spot, with the bubbly blonde posting a couple of happy snaps of their getaway over the past two days.

Her trip comes after Gamble has had a stressful time of late.

Last month, an 'aggressive' collector of Real Housewives Of Melbourne 'memorabilia' was suspected of stealing a $25,000 dress worn by Gamble Breaux to the 2017 Logies.

The Alin Le'Kal dress worn by Gamble was the only item taken from the designer's Collingwood boutique, located in Melbourne's inner suburbs, when it was broken into on Tuesday night.

'I feel sick because I know how much work went into it, because you can't recoup those losses - something like that can make or break a designer,' Gamble told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'I feel sick': Last month, an 'aggressive' collector of Real Housewives Of Melbourne 'memorabilia' was suspected of stealing a $25,000 dress worn by Gamble Breaux to the 2017 Logies

The Real Housewives star wore the custom made designer piece to the Logies in April.

The socialite later made headlines when a reporter chipped her tooth while interviewing her on the red carpet.

While stopping short of saying she knew who the person was who took it, Gamble said she suspected the culprit was someone who 'is known to all the housewives'.

Unfortunate interview: She later made headlines when a reporter chipped her tooth while interviewing her on the red carpet

The shop's crown jewel: After being worn by Gamble on the Logies red carpet, the dress had been displayed in prime position in the store's front window since its opening

'I would call them them a stalker now if it is that person - it is someone who is a collector of housewives memorabilia and is quite aggressively into it,' Gamble said.

'And look there is Logies dresses and there is Logies dresses, but that one got a bit of press because a reporter knocked my teeth out when I was in it on the red carpet ... so that might be why it is more collectible than others.'

Designer Alin Le'Kal was left 'baffled' and angered by the robbery, which occurred just three weeks after the brand moved into its new boutique.

Taken by a superfan? While stopping short of saying she knew who the person was, Gamble said she suspected the culprit was someone who 'is known to all the housewives'

Custom made: Gamble's gown had taken three months of handwork and Alin hoped whoever took the gown realised how valuable it was to him

After being worn by Gamble on the Logies red carpet, the dress had been displayed in prime position in the store's front window since its opening.

'We are just totally baffled, at this stage we have no idea why, it's so random,' Alin said.

Gamble's gown had taken three months of handwork and Alin hoped whoever took the gown realised how valuable it was to him.

'We work hard for garments and to provide a service to clients that it exclusive,' he said.

'For someone to do that it is just reckless and rude, I've never been so offended in my life to be honest.'
There is never a shortage of drama in Summer Bay.

And on Tuesday in Sydney's Palm Beach, Ada Nicodemou's Home And Away character Leah Patterson-Baker cut a distressed figure as her co-star Scott Lee (who plays Hunter King) was rushed to hospital with head wounds.

The upcoming scene saw Ada, 40, who plays a youth worker and assistant at Summer Bay High, was pictured in tears alongside an equally distressed Raechelle Banno.

SPOILER ALERT: Ada Nicodemou's character (right) cut a distressed figure on the set of Home And Away, in Sydney's Palm Beach on Tuesday, as co-star Scott Lee was rushed to hospital with head wounds

The brunette, sporting a vibrant blue plunging top and pair of black slim-fitting trousers, rushed to the aid of Scott's character Hunter outside The Diner.

Hunter, suffering head wounds was attended to by New South Wales Ambulance services.

Friends of Scott's on-screen character rushed to his aid, including Orpheus Pledger and Emily Symons.

In character: Ada, sporting a vibrant blue plunging top, rushed to the aid of Scott Lee's character Hunter King outside The Diner

Familiar face: Co-star Orpheus Pledger, who plays Mason Morgan on the series, was pictured next to the emergency services' stretcher bed

Distressed: There was no mistaking the concerned expression on Ada's character's face

Orpheus, who plays Mason Morgan, was pictured next to the emergency services' stretcher bed.

Dressed in a polka-dot dress shirt and indigo jeans, his character appeared suitably concerned.

Emily's Marilyn Chambers could not hide her emotion, covering her face with her hands.

Rushing to his mate: Orpheus' character, dressed in a polka-dot dress shirt and indigo jeans, appeared suitably concerned

The scene: The incident occurred outside Summer Bay's hotspot The Diner

More to uncover: It's unknown at this stage as to who Scott's character obtained the head wounds

Meanwhile, Ada, a long-running star on Home And Away has become a good friend and source of support to newcomer Sam Frost.

With Sam's lack of acting experience angering select fans of the show, Ada has come out backing the reality star.

In an interview with Brisbane's Hit 105 last month, the media veteran addressed Sam's acting abilities, stating: 'Look, she's good.'

Support: Rachael Banno's character, dressed in a white singlet top with black detailing, was embraced by Ada's Leah Patterson-Baker

Clearly visible: Emily Symons, who plays Marilyn Chambers, could not hide her emotion

Emotional: The blonde covered her face with both hands

Pictured: Home And Away's Jake Ryan,who plays Robbo, was also pictured on set in select scenes

Ada continued: 'She's hardworking, always knows her lines, eager to learn.'

She also claimed: 'What we seem to forget is that a lot of young people that come on the show haven't done anything before and may not have a lot of acting experience.

'I think it's a bit mean that everyone started bagging Sam,' Ada concluded.

Casual: A later scene saw Jake sporting a muscle tank that revealed his array of arm tattoos, green khaki trousers and black sneakers

Quick break: The actors were seen taking a quick break from filming
Their forthcoming project documents the 'hilarious misadventures of a lovable rogue who lives life large'.

And co-stars Isla Fisher and Matthew McConaughey seemed to be having a ball as they got to work on the set of their new comedy movie, The Beach Bum, in Miami, Florida, on Thursday.

The Australian actress, 41, looked incredible as she showcased her eye-popping cleavage in a purple keyhole gown while shooting an outdoor wedding scene with her eccentrically-dressed screen husband.

Life's a beach: Isla Fisher and Matthew McConaughey seemed to be having a ball as they got to work on the set of their new comedy movie, The Beach Bum, in Miami, Florida, on Thursday

Isla's gown featured a daring cut-out and a golden pendant on the chest, and the star teamed her look with matching purple shoes with a cork-sole finish.

The redhead wore her hair straight, while hiding her camera-ready face behind a pair of round-lens sunglasses.

Isla was seen giggling on set as she tried to keep cool underneath a large red and white umbrella.

The Confessions Of A Shopaholic star was also spotted filming an intense phone call scene.

Pretty in purple: The Australian actress, 41, looked incredible as she showcased her eye-popping cleavage in a purple keyhole gown while shooting an outdoor wedding scene

Dressed to impress: Isla's gown featured a daring cut-out and a golden pendant on the chest, and the star teamed her look with matching purple shoes with a cork-sole finish

In character: The redhead wore her hair straight, while hiding her camera-ready face behind a pair of round-lens sunglasses

Having a laugh: Isla was seen giggling on set as she tried to keep cool underneath a large red and white umbrella

Isla's co-star took a less-fashionable route; as McConaughey's Beach Bum character sported a wacky matching two-piece that featured flame-designs.

The actor, 48, also rocked a shoulder-length blond wig and black framed sunglasses.

The Interstellar star finished off his wedding look with a pair of white sneakers and matching colored tube-socks.

Hard at work: The pair's forthcoming project documents the 'hilarious misadventures of a lovable rogue who lives life large'

He's on fire! Isla's co-star took a less-fashionable route; as McConaughey's Beach Bum character sported a wacky matching two-piece that featured flame-designs

Joining Isla and Matthew on set was rapper Snoop Dogg, 46, who sported a green velvet tuxedo-coat.

The Drop It Like It's Hot hitmaker seemed to be receiving a warm welcome from McConaughey.

The two men were all smiles while shooting the outdoor wedding scene together.

During filming, Snoop was spotted giving a speech at the ceremony; joined by multiple actors who were dressed in Rastafarian-inspired ensembles.

A man of many talents: Joining Isla and Matthew on set was rapper Snoop Dogg, 46, who sported a green velvet tuxedo-coat

A bro-mance in the making? The Drop It Like It's Hot hitmaker seemed to be receiving a warm welcome from McConaughey

'The Beach Bum follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog, a rebellious and lovable rogue who lives life large,' LeGrisbi Productions told Variety in a statement.

The new comedy is written and directed by Harmony Korine - who made his name on buzzy projects including Spring Breakers, Kids and Gummo.

'Harmony has crafted the perfect movie for our dark and serious time - a refreshingly original, irreverent, and hilarious stoner comedy that only he could create.'

After the Beach Bum cast films in Miami, they will head off to the Key West, Florida, to continue filming for another two weeks.
Actors Liza Weil and Paul Adelstein have finalized their divorce after 11 years according to a new report.

TMZ reported on Thursday that the split has been legally completed after more than a year after the original filing.

According to divorce documents obtained by the gossip site, their divorce was signed off this week after the two had come to terms in August.

The site claims that those terms were agreed upon privately and this were not disclosed.

Moving on: Actors Liza Weil and Paul Adelstein have finalized their divorce after 11 years according to a new report from TMZ on Thursday

This comes after Weil reportedly filed for divorce from the 47-year-old Scandal star on March 25 2016 citing irreconcilable differences and listed their date of separation as January 15 of that same year.

The 40-year-old actress, who rose to fame as Paris Geller on Gilmore Girls, has requested joint custody of the couple's young daughter as well as spousal support.

Spousal support will be finalized in mediation as stated in court documents obtained by E!.

The duo have both starred on Shonda Rhimes' show Scandal; Adelstein as campaign consultant Leo Bergen from 2013 to 2015 and Weil as White House aide Amanda Tanner in 2012.

Adelstein also starred in two of Rhimes' other popular shows, Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy.

Ready to mingle? This comes after Weil reportedly filed for divorce from the 47-year-old Scandal star on March 25 2016 citing irreconcilable differences and listed their date of separation as January 15 of that same year

The split comes at a time when the actors are experiencing huge success in their professional lives.

Adelstein currently stars as Jake in Bravo's scripted series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce which is in its second season.

Weil stars in ABC's hit drama How to Get Away With Murder (also produced by Rhimes) and is reprising her role as Rory's best friend in the Netflix reboot of Gilmore Girls which is currently in production.

Starring role: Paul currently stars as Jake in Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce alongside Lisa Edelstein

Crime drama: Liza can now be seen as Bonnie Winterbottom in ABC's How to Get Away With Murder

Adelstein and Weil married in 2006 after meeting during their time in theatre and share a five-year-old daughter, Josephine.

The duo has starred together in three movies, 2007 short Order Up, the 2008 Gregory Dark-helmed Frenemy, and The Missing Person.

Weil also starred in an episode of Private Practice with her husband in 2011 but they didn't share a scene.
Her glamorous displays have become something of a recurring theme.

And Maya Jama showed no sign of bucking that trend as she displayed her incredible physique in a tight-fitting scarlet gown at the ITV Gala Ball on Thursday evening.

The 23-year-old looked elegant as she paired her opulent attire with sparkly door knocker earrings.

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Striking: Maya Jama showed off her incredible physique in a tight-fitted scarlet gown as she graced the red carpet for the ITV Gala Ball on Thursday evening

The brunette beauty - of Somali and Swedish heritage - slicked her locks in a low classic ponytail; giving room for her strikingly beautiful facial features.

Maya opted for Hollywood glamour as she wore rouge lipstick and added a pop of shimmer to her eyes.

The star rose to fame when she co-presented 4Music's Trending Live, and has gone on to host a range of TV programmes, including The Hot Desk and Cannonball.

Looking good: Her glamorous displays have become something of a recurring theme

Hollywood glamour: Maya opted for Hollywood glamour as she wore rouge lipstick and added a pop of shimmer to eyes

Brunette beauty: The presenter - of Somali and Swedish heritage - slicked her locks in a low classic ponytail, giving room for her strikingly beautiful facial features

The beauty has been dating rapper Stormzy for over two years - with the pair first choosing to keep their relationship private, and going public as an item in 2016.

Maya is coy when it comes to discussing their relationship and is keen for the duo to keep their romance a private affair and her career to be focused on instead.

Discussing her beau in an interview with The Sun in September, she said: 'I dont want there to be too much focus on our relationship instead of what Im doing.

'We are together, he is doing amazing... yes, he is part of me, but I do stuff, too.'

Popular: The star rose to fame when she co-presented 4Music's Trending Live, and has gone on to host a range of TV programmes, including The Hot Desk and Cannonball

Rapper beau: The beauty has been dating rapper Stormzy for over two years - with the pair first choosing to keep their relationship private, and going public as an item in 2016

Although, she did add that she is 'very happy' with her love, as she gushed: 'We genuinely like each other. I find it a bit cringe-worthy talking about him... everything is lovely at the moment.'

Proving the pair to be the real deal, the Shut Up star admitted he was keen to marry the model in the future.

He told the Sunday Mirror earlier this month: Im still so young but I want to propose, its going to happen and I will do it right. She is so sick, she is the best.

Sizzling: Maya looked sensational as she flaunted her incredible hourglass curves in a strapless scarlet gown that clung to her wonderful physique

Flawless: Maya looked better than ever as she sashayed out of the ITV gala

Glamorous: The presenter was all-smiles as she headed home on the night
He found love with Sam Frost on 2015's The Bachelorette, but announced their split last December.

And on Friday's Nova Fitzy & Wippa radio show, Sasha Mielczarek revealed that despite rumours, he will not be joining spin-off Bachelor in Paradise.

Insisting that he's far too busy with work as a construction manager, the 31-year-old said: 'Some of us are busy doing a nine to five job.'

Giving love a second chance? Sam Frost's ex Sasha Mielczarek, 31, revealed on Friday's Nova Fitzy & Wippa radio show, whether he's set to join spin-off Bachelor in Paradise

Speaking to co-hosts Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, Sasha first joked that he should he sign onto the franchise: 'Oh look mate, to be honest I'm wrapped...it's a great day.'

Revealing that he had been approached by producers, the Sydney-based star said: 'Look I have (been approached). I'm not going to lie. I've been asked a couple of times.'

However when probed further, Sasha quickly dismissed the possibility of returning to reality television, with his career in construction taking priority: 'Some of us are busy doing a nine to five job.'

Work takes priority: Sasha quickly dismissed the possibility of returning to reality television, with his career in construction taking priority: 'Some of us are busy doing a nine to five job'

Supportive: Meanwhile despite Sasha shutting down the idea, he did praise his good mate Davey Lloyd (pictured), who he co-starred with on the 2015 season of The Bachelorette: 'Mate, that guy is off chops like a vegetarian. He'll go alright on that show'

Keen to find love on his own terms, the muscular hunk admitted: 'I am single. I think I might just try meeting a girl at a pub or something.'

Meanwhile despite Sasha shutting down the idea, he did praise his good mate Davey Lloyd, who he co-starred with on the 2015 season of The Bachelorette.

'Mate, that guy is off chops like a vegetarian. He'll go alright on that show,' he said in-between laughs.

Thursday night's Channel Ten Upfronts, saw exciting cast announcements for 2018's Bachelor in Paradise.

Former flame: Sasha found love with Sam Frost (pictured) on 2015's The Bachelorette, but announced their split last December

Cast: Thursday night's Channel Ten Upfronts, saw exciting cast announcements for 2018's Bachelor in Paradise. Living up to the hype, the series will feature past Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants Apollo Jackson, Keira Maguire, Tara Pavlovic, Laura Fleure, Michael Turnbull and Davey Lloyd

Living up to the hype, the series will feature past Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants Apollo Jackson, Keira Maguire, Tara Pavlovic, Laura Fleure, Michael Turnbull and Davey Lloyd.

Magician Apollo's inclusion may come as a surprise to fans who were eager for him to become the next Bachelor.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph about his casting in the spin-off, the 24-year-old said he is keen to meet new women after being dumped by Sophie Monk.

'From what I've seen of Tara (Pavlovic), she seems like so much fun, and I can definitely see the two of us getting on.'

Surprising fans: Magician Apollo's inclusion may come as a surprise to fans who were eager for him to become the next Bachelor
She enjoyed three weeks of glamour on Strictly Come Dancing, ruling the floor in sexy sequins and short dresses.

And it seems the skimpy stage outfits have left quite the impression on Charlotte Hawkins, who stunned in a sizzling gown at the ITV Gala at London's Palladium on Thursday.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, 42, looked showstopping as she unveiled her raciest look to date in a plunging metallic number with a racy thigh-split- but suffered a slight malfunction as she tripped when leaving the gala later that night.

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Quelle horreur! Charlotte Hawkins suffered a slight wardrobe malfunction in a sizzling gown as she left the ITV Gala at London's Palladium on Thursday

Awks! The Good Morning Britain presenter, 42, flashed a glimpse of her underwear as she made her way over the tarmac

As she made her way out of the star-studded event, she appeared in good spirits- but suffered a momentary shock when the split in her dress blew open to reveal a glimpse of her underwear.

However the blonde beauty took the incident in good spirits, laughing it off as she made her way home.

Earlier in the evening the blonde beauty ruled the red carpet in her shimmering gown, which flashed her decolletage thanks to a sexy cut-out halter neckline.

Cinching in her tiny waist, the dress flattered her slim frame as it flared out into a dramatic pleated skirt.

Good spirits! Despite her near-Marilyn moment she appeared in good spirits as she left

Injecting an added dose of sparkle to the glamorous look, the mum-of-one boosted her height with some glittering diamond caged heels.

Styling her golden tresses in tousled waves, the presenter went for a dramatic smoky eye which she countered with nude lipstick.

Charlotte's outing comes after Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas called her by the wrong name.

Taking centre-stage: Earlier in the night Charlotte stunned as she arrived on the red carpet

Looking good: She looked showstopping as she unveiled her raciest look to date in a plunging metallic number with a racy thigh-split

Sexy: The blonde beauty ruled the red carpet in her shimmering gown, which flashed her decolletage thanks to a sexy cut-out halter neckline

Piers Morgan slammed Shirley for her epic blunder, as he consoled an emotional Charlotte Hawkins in the wake of her axe from the dancing show.

Head judge Shirley had left viewers reeling after she called Charlotte 'Mollie' during her critique, confusing her with fellow contestant Mollie King.

A chivalrous Piers, 52, jumped to Charlotte's defence, saying : 'At least get the names of the contestants right, 'Mollie' Ballas.

Ruling the red carpet: Cinching in her tiny waist, the dress flattered her slim frame as it flared out into a dramatic pleated skirt

Shine on: Injecting an added dose of sparkle to the glamorous look, the mum-of-one boosted her height with some glittering diamond caged heels

Mane attraction: Styling her golden tresses in tousled waves, the presenter went for a dramatic smoky eye which she countered with nude lipstick

Charlotte, 42, who was voted out of the show in week three, admitted she hadn't picked up on the mistake due to nerves.

She said: 'I didn't even hear that at the time. It's hard when you give your best and the judges still don't like it.

Piers then responded that he and co-host Susanna Reid had got her a leaving present saying 'You may have bombed out of the competition and it's utterly humiliating but at least we've got a tiny bunch of flowers for you.'

Working her angles: The presenter looked utterly at home as she posed on the red carpet

Legs for days: She paraded her bronzed and toned limbs in the revealing gown

Double trouble: Charlotte beamed as she posed alongside Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway

He also said he would 'cha-cha with her until her hearts content'.

A teary Charlotte said: 'I have got my tissues with me, its a sad day.

Piers showing off his softer side told her: 'Listen, Im here for you which is the good news' while co-host Susanna retorted 'No thats the bad news, Im here for you which is the good news.'

Pier added 'Also, if youre missing the dancing Ive got a clear afternoon.'

Charlotte said: 'Thanks for that, not sure itll be quite the same' while Susanna said in the background 'Or if you want to sink a bottle of wine Im also available.'

Monochrome maven: The 50-year-old presenter looked chic in a pearl embellished, baroque print column gown with a dramatic high collar
He dated Australian supermodel Megan Gale for four years from 2006 to 2010.

And radio funnyman Andy Lee took a trip down memory lane on Tuesday, when he recalled the time he was photographed naked during a romantic holiday with the model and actress in Bali.

Speaking to Fox FM's Fifi, Fev & Byron, the 36-year-old spoke of taking an outside shower in the nude with his then-girlfriend close by.

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'We were in Bali in this resort very far away': Andy Lee talks about his nude romp with supermodel ex-girlfriend Megan Gale (who he dated from 2006 to 2010)

The story was brought up when Andy revealed to the radio trio: 'I got papped naked before!'

He continued: 'This was back when I was dating Megan and we were in Bali in this resort very far away and this person had trudged through the jungle to take photos from the other side.'

'I was in the outside shower and the only reason I realised I had been papped was because they got printed in the end,' Andy added.

'I was in the outside shower': Andy spoke about being photographed by paparazzi while he showered nude outside

'They were kind to me with the censor bar, I think': Andy joked that the publication who published the nude photos was kind by covering up his genitals with an adequate black bar

The radio hosts laughed as they joked they'd later search the web to locate the published pictures.

One host asked: 'And how was the little monkey, was it alright? Was it a big censor bar or a little one?'

Andy chuckles as he said: 'They were kind to me with the censor bar, I think.'

'We have great respect for each other, hes an amazing guy': Megan, who has since had two children with AFL star Shaun Hampson claims she is still on good terms with ex Andy

Megan parted ways with Andy after four years together, before moving on with AFL star Shaun Hampson just a month later.

Megan is engaged to Shaun and they share two children together, three-year-old son River and one-month-old daughter Rosie.

Megan is still on good terms with Andy, recently telling Stellar: 'We have great respect for each other, hes an amazing guy.'

Andy is now with girlfriend Rebecca Harding.
She has become an Instagram sensation thanks to her daily fashion inspired posts.

And commanding attention once again on the photo-sharing site, Holly Willoughby found herself inundated with compliments as she treated fans to a first look at her red carpet attire for the ITV Gala on Thursday night.

Rocking up to the star-studded bash, held at the London Palladium, the This Morning presenter had all eyes on her as she slipped into a chic tuxedo-style gown that made sure to flaunt her svelte figure and famous assets.

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Stunning! Holly Willoughby, 36, ensured all eyes were on her as she slipped into a tuxedo-style gown to attend the ITV Gala held at the London Palladium on Thursday night

The blonde beauty looked simply stunning in the sophisticated number that sheathed her lithe physique and teased a look at her bronzed pins, thanks to its daring thigh-high split at the front.

The racy tailored design also featured a perilously plunging neckline that drew attention to Holly's bust, with the mother-of-three oozing glamour as she teamed her gown with a pair of slinky barely-there heels.

Also dazzling on the beauty front, Holly wore her lightened tresses flicked back behind her shoulders and pinned behind her ears while swept over to one side.

She favoured a pared back make-up look that boasted neutral shades, accentuating her natural beauty, and a shimmering nude pink lipstick across her lips.

Having a ball: Holly made for a show-stopping display on her arrival as she worked the cameras on the red carpet, before rubbing shoulders with fellow presenter and her close pal Alison Hammond

Dazzling: Blonde beauty Holly looked simply stunning in the sophisticated number that sheathed her lithe physique

Beaut! She teased a look at her bronzed pins in the risque design, thanks to its daring thigh-high split at the front

Looking every inch the smouldering Bond girl, Holly made for a show-stopping display on her arrival as she worked the cameras on the red carpet, before rubbing shoulders with fellow presenter and her close pal Alison Hammond.

The duo appeared to be having a ball as they enjoyed a catch up in full view of onlookers, with Holly throwing her arms around the former Strictly Come Dancing star as they shared a giggle together.

Seemingly ditching the night's favourable black hue among outfit choices, Alison stood out from the crowd in a busty blue and white patterned frock that she teamed with a sequinned mesh cover up.

Sultry! The racy tailored design also featured a perilously plunging neckline that drew attention to Holly's bust

Extra height: The mother-of-three oozed glamour as she teamed her gown with a pair of slinky barely-there heels

Gorgeous! Dazzling on the beauty front, Holly wore her lightened tresses flicked back behind her shoulders and pinned behind her ears while swept over to one side

Delightful: Holly accentuated her natural beauty with her neutral make-up, completing her look with a shimmering nude pink lipstick across her lips

And pose! Holly looked every inch the smouldering Bond girl as she posed for photographers

Holly's appearance on the red carpet comes after fans were quick to praise her for her stylish evening ensemble, with many complimenting the presenter and claiming she looked 'stunning', 'incredible' and 'unreal'.

Fans flocked in their droves to show their appreciation for Holly's latest look, as they penned: 'I actually can't cope with how good she looks!!; How unreal does she look at the minute; Bow down she's slaying!; WOW absolutely stunning.'

Others added: 'Im literally loving her at mo..Massive girl crush; Apsolutly stunning, love the toned arms; Wow!! You look absolutely gorgeous!; think i may have a new girl crush; she can't do wrong; shes bloody unreal the now eh!! Her figure; She's killing it!' (sic)

Her sultry post, however, didn't come without the constant speculation surrounding her slimmed down frame, with a handful of fans criticising Holly for 'losing too much weight' while others commented on her 'smaller' cleavage.

Admiration! Fans were quick to praise her for her stylish evening ensemble, with many complimenting the presenter

She's a hit! Fans flocked in their droves to show their appreciation for Holly's latest look, as they penned: 'I actually can't cope with how good she looks!!'

They said: 'Not that you was over weight before but you've gone sooo slim holly, how did you manage to do it; Loosing too much weight @hollywilloughby; Looking gorgeous but I miss your curves; She is a dream but doesn't look like holly to me.

'Wow Holly wheres your Willaboobies?? You look gorgeous but enough now! You are a role model to so many girls and woman to say you can have it all and not look like a stick!!!; Holly looks fabulous but shes lost so much weight shes lost her boobs.'

Previously addressing her physique in an interview with Lorraine Kelly, Holly dismissed speculation regarding her bust and insisted her famous assets were definitely still intact.

During the interview that aired in September, Lorraine touched upon Holly's new, slimline figure, which has prompted a flurry of interest from fans.

Teasing! Holly found herself inundated with compliments as she treated fans to a first look at her red carpet attire on Instagram ahead of the event

Critics: Her sultry post, however, didn't come without the constant speculation surrounding her slimmed down frame, with a handful of fans criticising Holly for 'losing too much weight'

Hitting back: Others had pointed out her 'smaller' cleavage - something Holly has commented on previously insisting her 'Willough-boobies' are definitely still intact

Care to share? Holly, meanwhile, was in great spirits as she shared a joke with Alison

Remaining silent on how she's achieved her new look, Holly simply said: 'My children are a bit older, you get to that point where you have a bit more time to yourself.

'But I think as long as youre happy and healthy that's most important.'

Joking about losing the assets that comedian Keith Lemon memorably dubbed her 'Willough-boobies,' Holly replied: 'I think they're still there, Lorraine.'

Holly has reportedly been training with Lynne Robinson, director of top National Pilates Centre. It's claimed that mother-of-three Holly has been focusing on her core strength and her stomach thanks to exercise including assisted curl ups.

Lynne told MailOnline: 'Pilates is both mind and body training. It is a fabulous method for improving your posture, making your breathing more efficient and for working on your core stability.

Dapper: Joining Holly at the ITV gala had been her This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield

Sweet: Beaming from ear-to-ear, the presenter cosied up to wife Stephanie on the red carpet, who dazzled in a pretty lace frock and heels

'Its a great way to tone up and streamline your body. As you have to focus on your movements, its also a great way to relax.'

Meanwhile, joining Holly at the ITV gala had been her This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield, who attended the annual event - celebrating the shows on the network's many channels - with his wife Stephanie Lowe.

Phillip cut a dapper figure for the evening's festivities in a two-piece suit he paired with a white shirt underneath and a burgundy tie. Beaming from ear-to-ear, the presenter cosied up to Stephanie on the red carpet, who dazzled in a pretty lace frock and heels.

The star-studded gala event saw the stars of ITV's leading shows The Only Way Is Essex, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Good Morning Britain, This Morning and Love Island come together.

Smart! Phil cut a suave figure for the evening's festivities in a two-piece suit he paired with a white shirt underneath and a burgundy tie

The party's celebrity guests were treated to a performance by Jennifer Hudson during the annual event that celebrates the best of the year and often nods towards upcoming shows and specials that will broadcast on ITV.

Among those set to hit the channel is the revamped version of Dancing On Ice which will see Holly and Phillip resume their hosting duties, while a slew of celebrities compete on the rink with their professional skating partners.

This year's celebrity lineup includes the likes of Anthony Cotton, Brooke Vincent, former GBBO champ Candice Brown, Love Island winner Kem Cetinay, Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring and former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden.
He's the notorious ladies man who's had a tough time settling down after being dumped on 2015's Bachelorette by Sam Frost.

And after it was announced he would be joining the cast of Bachelor In Paradise on Friday, Michael Turnbull revealed he had his eyes set on season two Bachelor 'villain' Laurina Fleure.

Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O show, the 36-year-old was asked who he'd like to hook up with, and he said Laurina would be his pick.

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The perfect match? Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O show, the 36-year-old was asked who he'd like to hook up with and said Laurina would be his pick

'In relation to girls from the past seasons of The Bachelor I think Laurina Fleure,' he said.

'I'd like to get to know her.'

Despite confirming her romance with 40-year-old businessman Nicholas Agnew earlier in the year, the brunette fashionista will also be on the reality show.

He has his eyes on the prixe! 'I'd like to get to know her'

She's in! Despite confirming her romance with 40-year-old businessman Nicholas Agnew earlier in the year, the brunette fashionista will also be on the reality show

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph on Friday, Michael revealed there was one girl that he wouldn't be spending his time with.

'Me and Keira wouldn't form a relationship,' he said.

On Thursday, Ten revealed the first six reality love seekers set to appear on the show.

Drama! 'I have heard whispers. Let me tell you, there's gonna be a bit of Keira action'

'REVEALING: Tara, Davey, Michael, Apollo and Laurina are headed to paradise for another chance at love,' they captioned the promo shot.

Speaking on The Project from Network 10's Upfronts on Thursday night, comedian Julia Morris hinted Richie Strahan's 'villain' Keira McGuire would be back to her trouble making action.

'I have heard whispers. Let me tell you, there's gonna be a bit of Keira action,' she revealed.

Daily Mail has reached out to Michael and Laurina for further comment.
A little over a year ago, Daphne Hughes walked into a local pet store, mulling over the idea of purchasing a pet for her middle school math classroom in Spartanburg, S.C.

The teacher was on the fence, mainly wary of the cost associated with an animal and its upkeep. But the store manager helping her find a pet knew of a solution to ease Hughes financial worries: the Pets in the Classroom grant program.

Pets in the Classroom is a grant established through the Pet Care Trust that provides funding for the purchasing and upkeep costs associated with a classroom pet, says the organizations CEO Steven King.

Teachers are usually paying out of their own pockets to make learning more fun, King said. So we thought it would be a great way for the pet industry to support the efforts of those teachers who arent able to afford getting a classroom pet on their own.

The program, which launched in 2010, has awarded over 109,000 grants. Since the start of the 2017-18 school year alone, more than 14,000 grants have been given out to pre-K through 9th grade teachers in the United States and Canada. No two grants will look exactly alike, as there are different levels of grants that teachers can apply for, based on the type of animal they want to purchase from participating pet store chains in their areas, and if they are previous grant winners.

Of course, classroom pets are nothing newa 2003 Education Week article described both the benefits and challenges of keeping a classroom pet . The challenges, educators said, included the issue of air quality and students health and whether students and teachers are properly equipped to care for the animals in the long-term. More recently, a superintendent in Oregon banned all classroom pets after he heard of another district that had faced a lawsuit due to an incident with a classroom animal. The Redmond school district superintendent, Mike McIntosh, said that his districts insurance policy didnt cover classroom pets, according to the Associated Press, and that continuing to allow pets was too much of a risk.

King said there are obvious risks and responsibilities that come with having a pet in the classroom, but that they are outweighed by the benefits.

When Hughes eventually settled on purchasing a bearded dragon named Pathagorina her intention was to use the animal for positive behavior reinforcement, by rewarding well-behaved students with time to play with the animal. But then, Hughes said she started thinking about what cool things she could do with Pathagorina in her lessons. Thats when a bell went off, she said.

If I hadnt thought out of the box, I wouldnt see the huge connections I made, she said. I didnt think about her being mathematical, but then I thought if we can weigh her and measure her, then we can plot that on a graph. Then it began to morph into a set of activities that went all year long.

The response from Hughes students has been continually positive, she said. This year, Hughes purchased a new bearded dragonArchimedesso students could start tracking his growth right from the beginning. Her classes across grade levels incorporate Archimedes into their lessons in different ways, but Hughes said all of her students are invested in the little scaly creature in the back of the room.

In a Title I school, some of these young people do not have an experience to attach to an abstract math concept thats in their everyday world, Hughes said. The classroom pet was able to bring something abstract, it wasnt just on paper. They could touch her and make their own visible observations. It made sense.

When thinking back to that day in the pet store, Hughes said she never imagined how much shed become a proponent of classroom pets. Now, she is preparing for an upcoming South Carolina state conference where shes presenting about utilizing pets as a classroom tool.

Having a pet in the classroom is also proving to be a beneficial tool for Natalie Hagat, who brought a bunny into her 3rd grade classroom less than a month ago.

When Hagats friends called saying they found an abandoned rabbit in a parking lot, she couldnt have predicted that the tiny, fluffy brown-and-white bunny would become the newest member of her class at Kernan Trail Elementary in Jacksonville, Fla. But Hagats friend knew of the Pets in the Classroom grant programand then Hagat, who hadnt had a pet in her classroom in years, got the all-clear from her principal to bring in her rescued rabbit.

In anticipation of the bunnys arrival, Hagat said her students excitement was through the roof. To prepare, the class read nonfiction books about rabbits, and drafted a set of rules for keeping the animal in the classroom.

While the bunnywhich the class named Peter Cottontailserves as a positive behavior reinforcement, hes also used as an academic tool.

Were learning a lot about rabbit facts and information, and taking what we learn and [trying] it out, Hagat said. We got him a toy because we read its good for them to chew on something. Were learning that even though a book says bunnies like apples, Peter Cottontail likes broccoli best.

Next year, Pets in the Classroom will have research behind them that King, the groups CEO, hopes will prove what he already believes to be true: that having classroom pets is beneficial for students academic and social growth.

The upcoming study, produced in partnership with the American Humane Association, was conducted through a series of questionnaires from students, parents, and teachers before, during, and after a pet was in their classroom over the 2016-17 school year.

Photo courtesy of Daphne Huges.
There have already been two sets of Star Wars trilogies and fans are already very much pulled into a third one.

And now Disney and Lucasfilm have announced there will be a whole new set of Star Wars trilogies, these set in another galaxy with new characters, meaning Kylo Ren, Rey and Luke Skywalker won't be involved.

And the man overseeing it all is The Last Jedi writer-director Rian Johnson, according to Deadline.

Moving on: There will be a whole new trilogy of Star Wars from Disney and Lucasfilm, it has been announced. Here are Luke, Leia and Han from 1977's Star Wars

So hard to say goodbye: Leia and Han in 2015's The Force Awakens

He will control the Force: And the man overseeing it all is The Last Jedi writer-director Rian Johnson, according to Deadline; seen in April

He is set 'to write and direct a trilogy of films that will fall under the Star Wars brand but will be a completely new story, with original characters, set in a different galaxy,'' it was revealed.

Disney chief Bob Iger just unveiled the plan to analysts during the companys call to discuss its full-year and Q4 2017 earnings.

George Lucas created the original characters Han Solo, Princess Leia, Skywalker , Darth Vader, Yoda and Chewbacca as well as R2-D2 and C-3PO.

The next one: Luke and Rey in The Last Jedi, which opens December 15 in the US

When good and evil meet: Luke and Kyloe Ren will face off in The Last Jedi

He also introduced Jar Jar Binks and Queen Amidala in his second trilogy.

JJ Abrams successfully brought in Rey, Finn, Po and BB-8 with The Force Awakens.

It will be interesting to see what the new trilogy will offer.

There will most likely have a bad guy and a crop of young, good people trying to fight him.

More characters created by Lucas: Queen Amidala, left, and a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, right

And there may even be a parallel Force.

For now the new trilogy is veiled in secrecy.

Johnson will be working with longtime collaborator Ram Bergman. They produced Looper and Brick.

The new trilogy will have droids, most likely: Here are C-3PO, left and R2-D2, right

Johnson seems well liked by Disney and Lucasfilm. On The Last Jedi, which comes out in the US on December 15, he was given solo credit.

That's a first on a Star Wars film since creator Lucas did on episodes I through IV, claimed Deadline.

Other Star Wars films include the already released Rogue One, plus a Bobba Fett spinoff, the Han Solo spinoff.

There will also be one more Star Wars film, IX, which comes out in 2019 with Abrams as director.
Stephen King's It is not the only horror story centered around clowns.

Penelope Cruz recently opened up about a terrifying near-death experience involving her and gal pal Salma Hayek.

The 43-year-old Spanish actress opened up to People about a time that her plane had to make an emergency exit as they were in full clown costume.

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Opening up: Penelope Cruz recently opened up about a terrifying near-death experience with People magazine on Friday

Dynamic duo: The 43-year-old actress was joined by gal pal Salma Hayek as they were wearing clown costumes on Hallween during the hair-raising experience , as they are pictured together in February 2009

She explained: 'I had an emergency landing on Halloween day with my friend Salma and because it was Halloween we were dressed as clowns.

'And I never liked clowns but after that experience, if you can even less. I cannot stand seeing a clown after that.'

Penelope said that something serious had happened in the cabin and they had to land at a different location.

Salma was not the only person close to her on the flight as her father Leo was also on the plane.

'I cannot stand seeing a clown after that': Penelope said that she did not like clowns to begin with but likes them even less now, as she is pictured out in London with Salma back in February 2015

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona actress said: 'We were 100 people on that flight and thank God I'm here to tell you the story but it was crazy because we were all wearing costumes.

'It was really crazy, when I tell this story people think I'm making it up.'

She also described a time when she went diving in Belize as she said that she would never go that deep in the water again.

Penelope explained: 'It was 40 meters deep and I was surrounded by sharks and I had narcosis, which is a very similar thing to a panic attack.'

She said she peered up above herself and prayed that she would be able to make it to the surface.

Stunner: Penelope put on a leggy display at the Murder On The Orient Express premiere in London last week

Penelope can soon be seen thriller Murder On The Orient Express which is based off the iconic Agatha Christie novel.

It is centered around a lavish train ride which turns into a suspenseful mystery and tells the story of thirteen stranded strangers and a man's mission to solve the puzzle before the murderer kills again.

It also stars Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Tom Bateman, Leslie Odom Jr, Ziad Abaza, and Kenneth Branagh.

Murder On The Orient Express, directed by Branagh, is set to hit theaters in the US on Friday and is currently showing at cinemas in the UK.
British International Development Secretary Priti Patel had apologised for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the UK government in advance

A senior Palestinian official on Wednesday condemned a British minister's unauthorised meetings in Israel as "scandalous", urging Prime Minister Theresa May to take action.

British International Development Secretary Priti Patel was summoned back from a trip to Africa on Wednesday to meet with May, with speculation she would be fired.

Patel had apologised Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance.

Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi condemned the visit, accusing Israel of seeking to turn ministers in foreign government into "advocates" through illegitimate means.

"I think it is scandalous and that leads me to question how many more cases, not just in Britain but other places, have not been exposed," Ashrawi told AFP.

"It must warrant serious investigation and serious accountability," she said, though she stopped short of calling on May to fire her.

"I think Israeli meddling in other governments' affairs has to be looked into."

During her meetings, Patel discussed the possibility of British aid being used to support medical assistance for Syrian refugees arriving in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Downing Street said.

Reports suggest however that she had not explained to May that this involved supplying funding to the Israeli army, which has facilitated the treatment of wounded refugees in Israeli hospitals.
Syrian government forces walk through a road in a northeastern district of Deir Ezzor on November 5, 2017, after retaking the city from Islamic State group jihadists, days before encircling the IS group in Albu Kamal

Syrian troops and allied militiamen on Wednesday encircled the Islamic State group in Albu Kamal, the jihadists' last urban stronghold in the country, state media said.

"Army troops and allied forces have completely encircled Daesh terrorists in Albu Kamal and have begun operations to eradicate them from the town," state news agency SANA reported.

Albu Kamal lies on the Syrian side of the border with Iraq, in the oil-rich eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

After a series of defeats in the province and the loss of IS's de facto capital Raqa further north, Albu Kamal is the only Syrian urban centre left in IS hands.

Syrian regime forces, backed by intensive Russian air strikes, have advanced on the town from the south and west for weeks.

And Iraqi forces have closed in on border area from the east, seizing the town of Al-Qaim from jihadists last week.

"The advance towards Albu Kamal came after army troops and their allies met up with Iraqi forces at the border between the two countries," SANA said Wednesday.

A source from the militias allied to Damascus told AFP that fighters from Lebanon's pro-regime Hezbollah movement had advanced to the southern edges of Albu Kamal on Wednesday.

"Part of those units crossed into Iraq, with the help of Hashed al-Shaabi units, to circle around Albu Kamal and reach the northern side of the town," the source added.

The Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary alliance has denied that its own forces entered Syria on Wednesday as part of the fight.

IS overran vast swathes of Deir Ezzor province in 2014 as part of its military sweep across Syria and Iraq, where it ran a self-styled "caliphate".

But the jihadist group has seen that territory shrink down to a small pocket along the Euphrates River, with Albu Kamal as its final hub.

Tens of thousands have been displaced by fighting to oust IS from the area, many living in desperate conditions in desert camps.

In recent weeks, an estimated 120,000 people have been displaced from Albu Kamal alone, said Linda Tom from the United Nations' humanitarian affairs coordination office in Damascus.
This AFP photo of US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan was featured in the president's first Tweet from China

US President Donald Trump broke through China's "Great Firewall" on Wednesday as he posted messages on Twitter during his visit to the country, which has banned the website.

Trump posted an initial message to thank President Xi Jinping for his warm welcome -- even though the social media platform is not supposed to be visible in the country. He then tweeted a warning against North Korea.

Twitter is among a slew of Western websites, along with Facebook and Instagram, blocked by China's censors in the name of protecting national security.

But Trump was expected to use sophisticated technology available to the US president to circumvent the so-called Great Firewall, with US officials saying they had brought "gear" to "make it happen".

The US president tweeted an AFP photo of his visit to the Forbidden City, where Xi and his wife treated Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to tea and watched an opera performance.

"On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and I, THANK YOU for an unforgettable afternoon and evening at the Forbidden City in Beijing, President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan. We are looking forward to rejoining you tomorrow morning!" Trump wrote.

Trump appears to have used something other than his smartphone to post the message: It had the tag of "Twitter Web Client" instead of "Twitter for iPhone" as in his previous tweets.

In another post, Trump wrote that he was "looking forward to a full day of meetings with President Xi and our delegations tomorrow. THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it!"

Trump has used Twitter to both praise and scold Xi, especially over his handling of North Korea, which will be the focus of their talks on Thursday along with China's yawning trade surplus with the United States.

Hours after calling North Korea a "cruel dictatorship" during a speech to South Korea's parliament, Trump wrote that Pyongyang "has interpreted America's past restraint as weakness. This would be a fatal miscalculation. Do not underestimate us. AND DO NOT TRY US."

The White House did not say what kind of technology Trump would use to access Twitter.

But web users can circumvent the firewall if they download a virtual private network (VPN) -- software that allows people to surf the internet as if they were using a server in another country.

Foreign visitors can also access banned websites with their phones if they are in roaming mode -- but only because the authorities currently allow it, according to experts.

China has its own Twitter-like website, Weibo, which is closely monitored by the authorities.

Chinese nationals can face fines or even jail time for unfavourable social media posts. Authorities have further tightened internet controls in recent months, shutting down celebrity gossip blogs and probing platforms for "obscenity."

Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping toured the Forbidden City with their wives

Weibo was ablaze Wednesday with comments about what Trump would do if he could not use his most cherished form of communication.

Since Trump's election in 2016, critics among Chinese internet users have mockingly described American governance as "rule by Twitter."

Some commenters feigned ignorance about the verboten site.

"Fake news. What's Twitter? This website doesn't exist," one quipped.

Others appeared to be asking for explanations about Twitter in earnest, while still others called on Trump to create a Weibo account.

"In the three days that Trump's off Twitter, someone else will surely seize the throne," commented a user on Zhihu, a question-and-answer platform akin to Quora.
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, shown here as he is being extradited from Mexico to the United States in January, has been held in solitary confinement since arriving in New York to face trial on drug charges

A US judge on Wednesday authorized a psychologist to examine Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, one of the world's most notorious criminals, after his lawyer complained that his mental state is deteriorating in a New York jail.

The 60-year-old kingpin, accused of running one of the world's biggest drug empires, has been held in solitary confinement since being extradited on January 19.

"His memory is failing," his lawyer Eduardo Balarezo told reporters after a court hearing. "I don't want it to get to the point where he's not competent or able to assist the defense in preparation for trial," he added.

Guzman -- who twice escaped from prison in Mexico -- is accused of running the Sinaloa cartel, one of the world's biggest drug empires.

He pleads not guilty to firearms, drug trafficking and conspiracy charges, and is scheduled to face trial next April. If convicted, he is likely to spend the rest of his life in a maximum security US prison.

On Wednesday, Guzman, wearing blue prison scrubs, smiled and waved to his beauty queen wife, Emma Coronel, 28, and their twin daughters in the gallery at the hearing in a Brooklyn court.

But while allowing the examination, federal Judge Brian Cogan said the psychologist could only assess Guzman through separation glass for security reasons -- the same restrictions imposed on his legal visits.

Balarezo, who only joined Guzman's defense this summer, indicated that he was "concerned" about the court's tight deadline to begin a speedy trial.

"I am sure you knew when you came into the case that the trial was going to be challenging," Cogan replied, signalling that he had no wish to delay the timetable.

Being given access to statements from cooperating witnesses only two weeks prior to their scheduled testimony in court, was not enough to review, investigate or prepare cross-examination, Balarezo told reporters after the hearing.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's lawyer, Eduardo Balarezo, talks with the media outside Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York

Speaking to AFP late Tuesday, Balarezo said his client had suffered "a marked deterioration in his mental state" due to the stringent isolation conditions.

He claimed Guzman was suffering from hallucinations, constant headaches, feels persecuted and is depressed, and has difficulty remembering people, places and events.

Guzman's lawyers have repeatedly complained about the conditions of his pre-trial detention at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, where US officials are determined to prevent him from staging any possible escape.

"If the psychologist evaluates him and then determines that there are competency issues then we'll deal with that," Balarezo told reporters.
France, the former colonial power in the Sahel, is the biggest political backer of the G5 Sahel force, which began operations on November 1

France said Wednesday it will increase its development aid to the troubled Sahel by more than a third, linking the extra funds to the fight against jihadist groups in the vast African region.

The five nations in the sprawling area south of the Sahara -- Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger -- pooled their military resources to create the G5 Sahel force, which began operations on November 1.

The fledgling group is tasked with combatting Islamist terrorism after thousands of civilians have died in fighting, many of them in suicide bombings, and tens of thousands of people have fled their homes.

France, the former colonial power in the Sahel, is the scheme's biggest political backer and provided a hefty dose of support to help the new 5,000-troop multinational force get going.

The new French special envoy for the Sahel, Jean-Marc Chataigner, announced further support for the region at a press conference in Mauritania's capital Nouakchott on Wednesday.

"Development and security must go together in the Sahel: one cannot exist without the other," Chataigner said, according to remarks tweeted by the French Embassy in Mauritania.

"Development aid in this region is currently in the order of 600 million euros ($695 million) and it will increase, according to our estimates, by more than 200 million euros", he said.

The former director general of the Research Institute for Development, who was appointed on August 31, is touring the region, where France has a 4,000-man anti-terrorist force, called Barkhane.
Mexico, where the death penalty was abolished in 2005, has asked the United States to stop the execution of one of their citizens currently on death row

Lawyers for a Mexican citizen on death row in Texas were filing last-ditch appeals on Wednesday aimed at halting a scheduled execution that has been condemned by Mexico and UN rights officials.

Ruben Cardenas Ramirez, 47 is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at 6:00 pm central time (0000 GMT Thursday) for the 1997 kidnap, rape and murder of a 16-year-old cousin.

Greg Kuykendall, a lawyer for Cardenas, told AFP he planned to file a series of appeals in the hopes of gaining a last-minute stay of execution.

Mexico, where the death penalty was abolished in 2005, has asked the United States to stop the execution, which comes amid tensions over President Donald Trump's plan to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it.

Mexican officials insist that Cardenas was not promptly given access to an attorney or the consular assistance that is allowed under the 1963 Vienna Convention.

"For the government of Mexico this is not an issue about culpability or innocence, but about respect for human rights and due process," said Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, the Mexican consul general in the Texas capital Austin.

Since the start of the case Cardenas "was denied the right to due process of law, as he was not granted prompt access to consular assistance," Gonzalez wrote in an opinion piece in the Austin-American Statesman newspaper.

UN human rights experts have also urged the US government not to carry out the execution.

"If the scheduled execution of Mr. Cardenas goes ahead, "the US government will have implemented a death penalty without complying with international human rights standards," wrote Agnes Callamard and Elina Steinerte, two UN human rights experts.

"This will be tantamount to an arbitrary deprivation of life," they said in a joint statement.

"(Cardenas) did not have access to a lawyer for the first 11 days of his detention," they said. "Some of the statements he made during this period were relied on by prosecutors during the trial."

Neither was Cardenas informed of his right to seek consular assistance, the experts said.

In 2004 the UN's International Court of Justice found that the United States had "breached its obligations under international law by not notifying Mexican authorities about the arrest of 51 of its nationals," including Cardenas, "thus denying them the right to consular assistance from their government."

Washington at the time rejected the court's ruling.

Fifty-four Mexican nationals have been condemned to death in the United States and another 75 are being prosecuted for crimes that could result in a death sentence.

Another execution is scheduled Wednesday in Florida, where Patrick Hannon is sentenced to die for a double homicide in 1991.
Sean Hannity, pictured in the White House briefing room in January 2017, draws millions of viewers every night to his Fox News show

It's as if Fox News presenter and radio host Sean Hannity is in symbiosis with Donald Trump, and he also has the ear of the US president's electorate.

Hannity, 55, has established himself as a controversial but central figure in American media since Trump's ascendency to the White House in January.

Six months after the departure of Fox's star anchor Bill O'Reilly following sexual harassment accusations, Hannity's daily show on Fox News tops the ratings for news channels, with nearly four million viewers on some evenings.

"Three million viewers! Fourteen million listeners! You can't buy that kind of publicity."

The lines come from a religiously-inspired film, "Let There Be Light," co-produced this year by Hannity, who plays none other than himself in a supporting role.

There's nothing like a bit of self-promotion to reinforce the Hannity brand.

Hair always impeccably parted and with a reassuring air, the conservative broadcaster doesn't consider himself a journalist, which gives him complete freedom in shaping his shows.

In 30 years on the air and 23 on TV, the New Yorker has cut an image as the herald of conservative America -- which in his view the general media ignores -- with a style less abrasive than O'Reilly or the "godfather" of conservative radio Rush Limbaugh.

But what now gives him an edge over his rivals is his near-perfect alignment with Trump.

In early 2016, even before Trump won the Republican nomination, Hannity sided with the billionaire, who is also his friend.

"He realized very early that his audience was reacting to Donald Trump, that Trump was resonating with them," said Brian Rosenwald, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania who is writing a book on political talk radio.

Since then, every night on Fox News, Hannity defends tooth and nail the president whom he has already interviewed twice. CNN, a mainstream media outlet which Hannity and Trump disparages, is still waiting for a turn.

Hannity's attacks -- because he knows very well to be on the offensive -- are directed toward Democrats generally and in particular Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential challenger whom Trump defeated.

- Conspiracy theories -

Fox News host Sean Hannity says he is one of the few giving US President Donald Trump "a fair shake"

Some Republicans and the mainstream media also fall in Hannity's sights as he takes up the same themes as Trump.

"Except for me and a few others who are giving him a fair shake, they are all against him," Hannity said during a Friday radio show about the "corrupt" media.

Hannity declined an interview request from AFP.

According to several media outlets including The New York Times, Hannity has the ear of the president and does not hesitate to share views with him on a range of topics.

Hannity's ability "to have access to top officials including the president himself shows how much he is trusted by those in power and the public respects him for that immensely," says Dante Mazza, a Republican student at Columbia University in New York.

"I think he represents very well the thoughts and feelings of today's American conservative," Mazza adds.

The university researcher, Rosenwald, does not want to describe Hannity's discourse as propaganda, which he calls "a little bit of a loaded word."

But Rosenwald can "guarantee you that he's receiving information every day from the White House."

King of his audience, Hannity is feared more by some elected Republicans than he is by the Democrats who abhor him.

"He is very influential" and capable of swaying a lot Republican primary votes, Rosenwald said.

"The most important election in a lot of districts these days is the primary. Because general elections aren't competitive."

Hannity often draws on conspiracy theories to discredit Democrats or to unmask the dark forces supposedly working to weaken the president.

In May, he defended the unproven argument that Democrats plotted to murder Seth Rich, a young employee of that party.

Hannity eventually abandoned that line at the request of Rich's family, but several advertisers received complaints over his coverage. Ultimately, those complaints meant nothing.

"He's very quick to remind people on a regular basis: I'm not a journalist, my job is not to get every fact right every day. My job is not to ask the hardest questions," said Rosenwald. "He's an entertainer or a talk show host, whichever term you prefer. His goal is to put out the best product every day."
NATO leaders are optimistic that 2018 could see Afghan forces start to gain momentum against the Taliban, thanks to renewed training efforts, a growing air force and thousands of extra Afghan commandos

Defence ministers from across the NATO alliance meet in Brussels on Thursday to review next steps in the Afghanistan conflict and brainstorm ways to deal with the 16-year-old security crisis.

NATO this week announced it would be sending some 3,000 extra troops to the war-torn country, bringing the Western military footprint up to about 16,000 soldiers.

The additional troops, most of them American, will help train and advise local Afghan forces who have struggled to hold the Taliban at bay while suffering heavy casualties.

NATO leaders are optimistic that 2018 could see Afghan forces start to gain momentum against the Taliban, thanks to renewed training efforts, a growing air force and thousands of extra Afghan commandos.

Plus US President Donald Trump has given American forces greater leeway in how and when they can hit the Taliban, and Afghan forces are increasingly going on the offensive.

Speaking ahead of the NATO defence ministers summit in Brussels, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would boost its presence "to help the Afghans break the stalemate, to send a clear message to Taliban to the insurgents that they will not win on the battleground".

Immediately following the NATO summit, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis will host a separate meeting with partners from the coalition fighting the Islamic State group in the Middle East, where the jihadists continue to lose territory.

Mattis said coalition partners are looking to the United States for a clear plan about what follows the physical defeat of IS.

"Maybe three-quarters of the questions I am getting asked now is (about) going forward. It's not about are we going to be able to stop ISIS, are we going to be able to overcome ISIS. They are now saying: 'What's next? How is it looking?'" Mattis told reporters this week using another acronym for the group.

Following back-to-back losses, including of their Syrian and Iraqi strongholds of Raqa and Mosul, IS fighters are down to defending their last holdouts along the Euphrates River valley.

America's military involvement in Syria has until now been focused solely on fighting IS, but with the jihadists on the ropes, Washington must articulate its longer-term interests and what role, if any, US forces will play in Syria.

A French source said allies were keen to hear what Mattis had to say about the role of Iran -- a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- following Trump's tough rhetoric against Tehran.

"We are wondering how the speeches by top US officials on the need to push back the Iranian presence in the region is going to manifest itself in real terms in the military strategy," the source said.

- Cyber role -

NATO members agreed Wednesday to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations, with the alliance also upgrading other capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia.

The changes are part of NATO's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe.

The revamp reflects the "changed security environment" of recent years, Stoltenberg said.

The threat to the alliance's eastern flank has grown as a concern after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"We are now integrating cyber effects into NATO missions and operations to respond to a changed and new security environment where cyber is part of the threat picture we have to respond to," Stoltenberg said.

After years of stripping back its command structure since the end of the Cold War, NATO wants to add the new command centres -- one to protect lines of communication across the Atlantic and one to coordinate the movement of troops and equipment around Europe.

The North Korean nuclear crisis has also been high on the agenda in Brussels.

Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test -- its most powerful to date -- and Stoltenberg said the crisis demanded a united international effort.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum vowing to crack down on travel to Cuba in June when he appeared in a theater in Miami's Little Havana to thank Cuban-American supporters

Tighter restrictions on US travellers to Cuba will go into effect on Thursday, officials said, almost five months after President Donald Trump vowed to crack down.

The US Treasury said the measures are designed to steer American travellers away from Cuban firms tied to the military and towards the communist island's fledgling private sector.

Much of the half-century-old US economic embargo against Cuba remains entrenched in law, but under former president Barack Obama federal authorities began to loosen some rules.

Ties had begun to warm, and in 2015 the countries' exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1961.

But in June Trump appeared in Miami before a cheering crowd of Cuban-Americans, including veterans of the failed CIA-backed Bay of Pigs invasion, to vow to reverse Obama's measures.

That promise finally bore fruit on Wednesday, when Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin laid out the new or revived rules.

"We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people," he said.

Cuba criticized the move as marking a "resurgence" of the economic embargo.

"The measures confirm the serious setback that has taken place in bilateral relations as a result of the decisions taken by the government of President Donald Trump," Josefina Vidal, the head of North American affairs at Cuba's foreign ministry, told journalists.

Under the directives, Americans will be forbidden from doing business with entities on a State Department list headed by the Cuban defense and interior ministries.

Also on the list are five major holding companies with ties to Raul Castro's government or military, and which between them control much of the organized tourism sector.

The list goes on to list dozens of major hotels in Havana and several resorts, along with five Caribbean marinas, ten stores in touristy Old Havana and industries serving the military.

Two rum distilleries are on the list, along with a shopping mall, a photo developer and a real estate broker.

In addition, Americans seeking to evade the general ban on travel to Cuba will only be allowed to do so on educational trips organized by a US firm and with a guide.

In addition to staying in privately-run accommodation and thus supporting small-scale capitalism, the travelers will be expected to engage in authorized exchanges with Cuban people.
Uber wants to "explore other collaboration opportunities with NASA" with a view to open "a new market of urban air mobility"

Uber on Wednesday unveiled a partnership with NASA that will see it develop flying taxis priced competitively with standard Uber journeys.

It also announced Los Angeles will join two other previously revealed "UberAIR" pilot schemes in Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas, and Dubai.

California and Texas are the US states with the largest number of cars.

"Uber's participation in NASA's UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) Project will help the company's goal of starting demonstration flights of uberAIR in select US cities by 2020," the ride-sharing company said in a statement.

Uber wants to "explore other collaboration opportunities with NASA" with a view to open "a new market of urban air mobility," it added.

The first demonstration flights are expected in 2020, moving into commercial operations by 2023 -- in plenty of time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The flights will have a pilot during initial flights, but could be automated in the future, spokesman Matthew Wing confirmed to AFP.

An UberAir journey between Los Angeles' airport and the Staples Center arena, for example, would take 27 minutes -- three times less time than the same journey by car.

A promotional video illustrated the app would work in a similar way to the current set-up for ordering a car ride.

But the planned electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLS) "differ from helicopters in that they are orders of magnitude quieter, safer, more affordable, and more environmentally-friendly," the company said, adding that journeys will be priced competitively with a standard Uber trip.

The vehicles will take off, land and recharge upon a network of "vertiports" installed on top of parking garages, on existing helipads or on unused land around road interchanges.

Deloitte's Pascal Pincemin said at the Paris Air Show flying taxis will not be commonplace until 2050, as their reliability will need to be established first.
Nigerian pop star Davido is one of the favourites for best artist at this year's All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which take place in Lagos this weekend

Pop star Davido gets the same reaction wherever he goes in Africa, whether it's in Guinea or Mozambique, Botswana, Kenya or Sierra Leone: teeming crowds and adoring fans.

The 24-year-old icon is one of the favourites for best artist at this year's All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which take place in Lagos this weekend.

AFRIMA -- sponsored by the African Union -- are the continent's equivalent of the American Grammy Awards, with interest reflecting the continent's rich seam of emerging talent.

Davido and his Nigerian compatriot Wizkid, Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, Sarkodie of Ghana and Ivory Coast's DJ Arafat are leading a musical revolution: Afrobeats.

The genre was born in Nigeria but has spread across Africa as fast as the rhythm of the bass in a nightclub.

"Nigerians knew how to mix all the influences of Afropop: Congolese soukous, Ivorian coupe-decale, Ghanaian Highlife, Jamaican dancehall," said video journalist Hugo Claveau, who wrote and directed the documentary, "Afrobeats, From Nigeria to the World".

"They created a sound for all of Africa. They created the first pan-African music," Claveau told AFP.

Banning Eyre, an African music specialist, added: "It's very interesting for me, because it's totally different from what we've seen in the African scene for the past 30 years."

- Breaking boundaries -

Afrobeats (with an 's') -- a name given in homage to the Afrobeat (without an 's') of the 1970s -- was born about 10 years ago with pioneers such as 2Face, D'Banj and P-Square.

The internet and satellite television channels did the rest.

Afrobeats (with an 's') -- a name given in homage to the Afrobeat (without an 's') of the 1970s -- was born about 10 years ago with pioneers such as Nigerian duo P-Square

"Music channels like MTV or Channel O made a big impact on exporting Nigerian music," said Efe Omorogbe, 2Face's manager and the head of the Now Muzik Limited label.

"For the first time you could sit at home in South Africa and you see the best of Nigerian artists."

In its wake came the French channel TRACE, which in turn led to TRACE Naija (slang for Nigeria) two years ago, where Nigerian music accounts for about 60 percent of its output.

TRACE Africa is one of the most popular channels in French-speaking Africa and about a third of its programming is exclusively Nigerian.

Omorogbe said the channels "broke the boundaries. Now Africa makes one boundary, not 53".

The increase in festivals and events such as AFRIMA has equally allowed artists to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate.

Wizkid, for example, sings on "My Soweto Baby" with the South African DJ Buckz.

Ivory Coast's DJ Arafat and Nigerian Iyanya use their song "Fever" to call on "Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria" to dance together.

The internet has again been a game-changer.

Kenyan afro-pop star "Sauti Sol sent me a beat and I liked it, I thought it was cool," said Kritzbeatz, a 22-year-old Nigerian music producer.

"So I did a mix with my sound and now we have 'Whine for me'. He came to Lagos for an event, so we took this opportunity to shoot the video clip."

- Huge market -

African pop stars are fighting among themselves to work with Nigerians in hope of breaking into a huge market of nearly 190 million people, where pop music is ever-present.

"Smaller markets naturally look towards Nigeria," said Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, a journalist with the Music in Africa magazine.

"Tanzanians can't afford to do music for the Tanzanian market only. But Nigerians are very proud of their music and very resistant to what's coming from the outside."

African pop stars are fighting among themselves to work with Nigerians like pop star Wizkid (L) in hopes of breaking into a huge market of nearly 190 million people

In Nigeria, music is business, where sponsors and patrons can invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to finance a concert.

By signing Wizkid, Davido or D'Banj, record labels Sony and Universal are finally turning towards African pop music instead of the "world music" of Salif Keita or Youssou N'Dour to conquer the African market.

The financial rewards are considerable.

"There are all falling over themselves to sign contracts with Nigerian artists," said Claveau.

"But the guys developed their business by themselves. They conquered the continent and don't need them to fill stadiums in Africa.

"What they want now is export themselves to the United States or Europe but for that the main players are still timid."
Congolese refugees say the government is "killing its people"

Recounting horrific stories of rape and murder allegedly by government soldiers, thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have sought safety on the Zambian side of Lake Mweru.

About 6,000 Congolese residents have fled across the border since late August, triggering an emergency response from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) which has struggled to provide basic food rations and shelter.

DR Congo's huge eastern region has long been wracked by violence, but fighting between government soldiers and militia groups, as well as inter-ethnic clashes, has increased this year.

The UNHCR said that the unrest had caused the largest influx into Zambia for the past five years, with many refugees blaming DR Congo President Joseph Kabila's troops for the worst of the violence.

"I witnessed an incident where one pregnant woman was raped, her stomach ripped open and the baby killed before they killed her," Kaimba Kazili, 39, a former subsistence farmer, told AFP at the Kenani transit camp in Nchelenge, northern Zambia.

"It is not safe to live in Congo any more because government soldiers are killing people," she said.

On her journey to the camp, Kazili gave birth to triplets Ari, Kalangila and Kanaila -- two boys and a girl -- who were born on August 20, before she finally arrived in Zambia on September 14.

- 'Never go back' -

"It was not an easy thing but luckily we found a man driving a minibus who gave us a lift," said Kazili, originally from the Kivu region of DR Congo.

The triplets were shown to Zambian President Edgar Lungu when he visited the camp last week accompanied by UNCHR officials and reporters.

But Lungu had an uncompromising message for the refugees.

"You have run away from lawlessness, so don't bring lawlessness here," he told them.

"We have laws which should be obeyed by everyone. If we jail you, when you finish your jail, we will send you back to Congo."

Despite Lungu's harsh words, Pierrine Aylara, the UNHCR head in Zambia, told the president that she wanted "to applaud your hospitality towards those displaced by war and conflict."

For those in the camp, the only priorities have been the safety of their lives and getting enough to eat.

"Thank God that we all arrived safely as a family with my husband and all the four children," said Mauno Rukogo, 42.

"I will never go back to Congo because war is tough. Kabila's government was supposed to protect citizens but is killing its people."

Rukogo said she had been repeatedly displaced inside DR Congo, where the eastern region has been roiled by conflict for more than two decades, before she fled to Zambia on September 9.

The UNCHR said the refugees have fled inter-ethnic violence and clashes between the army and myriad militia groups, particularly in Haut Katanga and Tanganyika provinces since end of August.

Earlier this year, security worsened sharply in the Pweto area of Haut Katanga, which shares a border with Zambia.

Many refugees said that they feel safer in Zambia but that food rations were scarce and children were not getting enough to eat.

"We are also asking for medical clinics for the children," Rukogo added, with rampant malaria and diarrhoea posing major health problems.

- Wife 'killed by troops' -

The UNHCR has set up tents and grass-thatched shelters at the 56-hectare (140-acre) site, as well as sunk two boreholes and nearly 300 pit latrines.

An agency official said that they provide 400 grammes of maize (14 ounces) and 60 grammes of rice a day for each family, as well as other food supplies.

"I saw my wife be killed by government troops and I only just managed to run away with my three children," said Minga wa Minga, a 40-year-old school teacher.

"I had to keep going until I found some Congolese heading to Zambia," he added.

"The UN have described the situation as a humanitarian crisis but let them do something to stop Kabila from destroying the country."

Kabila failed to step down after his second and final term last December.

Elections were re-scheduled for this year, but have now been announced for December 2018.

DR Congo's military spokesman in Kinshasa could not be reached for comment on the refugee's accusations.
Donald Trump, who will fly to Vietnam for the APEC forum this week, has railed against free trade deals, describing them as bad for US jobs, and instead favouring a rebalanced "fair" trade system

Asia-Pacific ministers struggled Thursday to agree on a joint statement on free trade in a rare wrangle over a usually routine document as US negotiators dug in over protectionism, insiders said Thursday.

Global leaders from the Pacific Rim region are gathering in the Vietnamese city of Danang this week for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Russia's Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, and China's Xi Jinping are among the power players who will attend the 21-member summit -- the latter pair giving speeches likely to present divergent visions on the future of global trade on Friday.

Ahead of their arrival, trade and foreign ministers are meeting to issue a joint statement detailing their common goals, normally something of a formality.

But this year they have been deadlocked, unable to reach a consensus before the arrival of global leaders.

Three diplomatic sources with knowledge of the talks said the cause was US negotiators sticking to 'America First' lines and pushing for more protectionist wording.

Trump has railed against free trade deals, describing them as bad for US jobs, and instead favouring a rebalanced "fair" trade system.

A press conference to discuss the statement was cancelled late Wednesday and negotiators worked into the small hours of Thursday morning in tense discussions trying to find a breakthrough.

"We are now feeling the Trump effect at APEC," one source with knowledge of the talks, told AFP.

"The US has concerns about references to free trade and protectionism," added a second source, requesting anonymity.

"It's the same as G20," a third source added, referencing the global gathering in March when leaders of the global economic forum for the first time dropped a routine pledge to keep world trade free and open, under US pressure.

Australian trade minister Steven Ciobo played down reports of discord.

"We're obviously having ongoing discussions about the statement, each country wants it to reflect their values," he told AFP.

"I'm confident we'll get a good statement," he added.

Trump's ascent to the White House has upended years of US-led pushes for more open global trade and lower tariffs.

One of his first moves after taking office was to pull US support for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, an American-led initiative between 12 Pacific countries that deliberately excluded Washington's big regional rival China.

The remaining 11 countries have since struggled to reboot the deal and China has since portrayed itself as the world's global free trade leader, pushing its own version of TPP.

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Donald Trump's trip to China began with a tour of the ancient imperial palace

As President Xi Jinping led his US counterpart Donald Trump around Beijing's Forbidden City on Wednesday, he made time to teach the American billionaire a bit of Chinese history.

Trump has been given the red carpet treatment on his three-day state visit, beginning with a tour of the ancient imperial palace where he sipped tea with Xi and showed the Chinese leader a video of his granddaughter singing in Mandarin.

Chinese media were quick to give the footage airtime, with the official Xinhua news agency broadcasting it on its Twitter account, though the platform is blocked in China.

The pomp and circumstance may be intended to allay some of Trump's fervour on sticky issues such as China's vast trade surplus with the US and continued relationship with its rogue neighbour, North Korea.

History was not expected to be on the list of talking points -- at least until Trump mentioned he had heard that Chinese history went back 5,000 years and Xi stepped in to tell him more, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

"We have 3,000 years with a written language," Xi said through a translator as they moseyed through the Forbidden City's immense cobblestoned courtyards.

"I guess the older culture, they say, is Egypt with 8,000," Trump retorted.

China is famously proud of its heritage, with schoolchildren learning early on that the country is one of the four great ancient civilisations.

"Egypt is a bit more ancient," Xi admitted. "But the only continuous civilisation to continue onwards is China."

"We people are the original people, black hair, yellow skin, inherited onwards," Xi laughed. "We call ourselves the descendants of the dragon."

"That's great," Trump said.

It is not the first history rundown Xi has given the real estate mogul.

During the leaders' first meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Xi gave him a quick lesson on past Sino-Korean relations, which Trump told the Wall Street Journal changed his thinking on the issue.

Xi disabused him of his earlier opinion that Beijing could easily dispatch the North Korean threat, he said, stating: "After listening for ten minutes, I realised its not so easy."

Though Trump generally does not take well to being lectured, he appears not to mind Xi's words of wisdom, repeatedly referring to the statesman as a "friend."
The remote detention camp on Manus Island, one of two offshore centres that holds asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat, was closed more than a week ago but some 600 men have refused to move to transition centres

Refugees holed up in a closed Australian detention camp on Papua New Guinea were warned Thursday authorities will move in, using force if necessary, if they do not leave by the weekend.

The remote facility on Manus Island -- one of two offshore centres that holds asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat -- was closed more than a week ago after the PNG Supreme Court ruled last year it was unconstitutional.

But some 600 men have refused to move to transition centres, saying they fear locals there would be hostile.

Water, power and food supplies have been cut with a Papua New Guinea court on Tuesday rejecting one refugee's application to have them restored.

With conditions deteriorating, PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said the holdouts must move to the new accommodation.

"The Manus centre was established for the sole reason of processing asylum claims. Now all claims have been processed and the centre has closed," he said.

"Given the Supreme Courts decision, the government has no choice but to intervene for the well-being of both the refugees and non-refugees."

Contractors dismantle fences at the Australian detention centre on Manus Island in Paupa New Guinea

He warned that "appropriate means" would be used to "apprehend individuals who are causing unnecessary anxiety and violence".

"Their actions are now heading towards a law-and-order situation, as well as a hygiene and sanitation problem, and it will be dealt with as such, whether they are genuine refugees or not."

A notice put up at the camp Thursday warned "force may be used to relocate those who refuse to move voluntarily" by Saturday.

Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who has been acting as a spokesman for the asylum-seekers, said police and immigration officials entered the camp to spread the message.

"The refugees are extremely scared by immigration threat but still saying we will not leave this prison camp for another prison camp," he tweeted.

Canberra says its tough immigration policy against boat people dissuades would-be migrants from attempting the dangerous crossing to Australia and has therefore prevented hundreds of deaths at sea.

However, it has been widely criticised by the United Nations and human rights advocates.

Canberra has strongly rejected calls to move the refugees to Australia and instead has tried to resettle them in third countries, including the United States.

But so far just 54 refugees have been accepted by Washington, with 24 flown to the United States in September, under a deal struck with former US president Barack Obama and bitterly criticised by his successor Donald Trump.

Amnesty International warned that "any use of force in this highly charged environment is likely to lead to serious injury or loss of life", calling for aid to be allowed into the camp.

"It is the Australian and PNG governments who have left the men without food, clean water, proper sanitation or electricity," said Amnesty's Pacific researcher Kate Schuetze.

"They cannot, having created the situation, now compound it by sending in security forces to force the refugees to move."
The historic town of Hoi An was flooded after days of heavy rains unleashed by Typhoon Damrey

More than 90 people have perished in floods and landslides unleashed in Vietnam by Typhoon Damrey, one of the deadliest storms to hit the country in years.

The typhoon made landfall on Saturday, blowing off roofs and submerging huge swathes of Vietnam's south-central coast, including outside the city of Danang where leaders are gathering for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Floods, landslides and boat accidents have killed 91 people so far, the government said Thursday. As authorities began releasing water from swollen dams, search efforts are ongoing for 23 others reported missing.

More than 120,000 houses and 250,000 hectares of farmland were damaged in the storm, according to the country's disaster management authority.

While Danang was spared major destruction, the nearby historic city of Hoi An was flooded.

"Our family spent some days on the second storey of the house, eating only raw instant noodles as the power was cut off," local vendor Nguyen Thi Dung told AFP.

With the floodwater receding, local authorities and residents were busy clearing out debris and tidying up the city on Thursday for a scheduled visit from the spouses of APEC leaders.

Hoi An is a UNESCO world heritage site, known for its unique architecture.

Vietnam's long coastline is frequently battered by tropical storms.

Typhoon Damrey is the latest and deadliest of the 12 major weather systems that have barrelled into the country so far this year.

Natural disasters have killed more than 13,000 people and caused more than $6.4 billion in damage over the past 20 years in Vietnam, according to the World Bank.
Mexico's foreign minister Luis Videgaray said NAFTA talks will continue but his country had to prepare for a collapse of the deal

Mexico said "there's life after NAFTA" on Thursday as prospects for the 23-year-old trade deal dim following US President Donald Trump's threat to abandon the pact.

Washington wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to cut the US trade deficit with Mexico and protect jobs it says are being soaked up over its southern border.

Four rounds of talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the deal have proved inconclusive so far, dousing hopes it will survive Trump's assault on pre-existing US trade arrangements.

Most economists say NAFTA overall has brought significant financial benefits to all three countries over its lifespan, even if some industries have suffered from jobs going overseas.

Trump, Canandian premier Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto are all travelling to Danang in Vietnam on Friday for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Mexico's foreign minister Luis Videgaray said NAFTA talks will continue but his country was making preparations in the event of a collapse.

"Mexico is bigger than NAFTA and there's life after NAFTA," he told reporters on the plane over to Vietnam, according to a transcript released by the government.

"If we don't succeed, we have to be prepared. Trade with the United States will continue under different rules," he added, referring to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

NAFTA has been in Trump's crosshairs since his election campaign. He has accused the deal of being one-sided and replacing American jobs with cheaper labour in Mexico.

Trump has focused on the small number of sectors where American jobs have been lost to overseas competition, especially car manufacturing.

But some 14 million US jobs depend on trade with Mexico and Canada, according to the US Chamber of Commerce, making the deal popular among American industry.

Domestic political concerns among the three signatories also limit the room for renegotiation.

Mexico's presidential election is in July, Canada holds provincial elections next summer, and US midterm elections are in November 2018.

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BMW was accused of forging emission test documents for more than 80,000 units involving 28 models between 2012 and 2015

South Korea plans to hit Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche with a total of $63 million in fines for violating emission rules, its environment ministry said on Thursday.

BMW will face the largest penalty, of 60.8 billion won ($54 million), the ministry said in a press statement, with the automaker accused of forging emission test documents for more than 80,000 units involving 28 models between 2012 and 2015.

The ministry said BMW also imported and sold some 8,000 cars between 2013 and 2016, which used emission-controlling parts that had not been approved.

It said Mercedes should expect fines of 2.9 billion won for selling 8,246 units of 21 models using such parts between 2011 and 2016.

Porsche is facing a 7.8 billion won penalty for selling 787 cars of five models using unapproved parts, it said.
The whalers are heading for the Antarctic

Japanese whaling vessels left port Thursday for an annual hunting voyage in the Antarctic, this time to kill 333 minke whales, despite international calls to stop the practice.

The fisheries agency said a group of five ships, headed by the 8,145-tonne mother ship Nisshin Maru, will conduct the hunt until March to study whale behaviour and biology.

The voyage has been carried out since 2015 "to devise more precise calculation methods for a sustainable catch limit for Antarctic minke whales as well as to study the ecosystem of the Antarctic waters", the ministry said in a statement.

Japan is a signatory to the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) moratorium on hunting, but exploits a loophole that allows whales to be killed in the name of scientific research.

In 2014, the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Tokyo to end its regular hunt in the Antarctic waters, saying the project did not meet conventional scientific standards.

Japan cancelled its 2014-15 hunt, only to resume it the following year under a new programme -- saying the fresh plan had genuine scientific value.

Tokyo says it is trying to prove the whale population is large enough to sustain a return to commercial hunting for a traditional source of food.

Japanese whalers have in the past clashed on the high seas with animal rights campaigners, particularly Sea Shepherd.

The fisheries agency said it was taking measures to ensure the safety of its whalers and urged countries that provide ports to Sea Shepherd ships to cooperate.
US President Donald Trump may have dominated the headlines during his visit to China, but his granddaughter Arabella Kushner has stolen Chinese internet users' hearts with a video in which she sings Mandarin ballads and recites ancient Chinese poetry

While media coverage of Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping Thursday focused on trade and North Korea, it was the wide-eyed crooning of the US leader's granddaughter that stole Chinese netizens' hearts.

In a video that Trump showed Xi during their stroll through the historic Forbidden City Wednesday, his granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, greets "Grandpa Xi and Grandma Peng (Liyuan)" with several Mandarin ballads and a recitation of ancient Chinese poetry.

China's Xinhua state news agency, which circulated the clip widely on social media, reported that Xi said the six-year-old girl's Mandarin skills deserved an "A+".

The Chinese public agreed, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

"As a little ambassador of Chinese-American friendship, Arabella has already received the love of a vast number of Chinese people," Hua said during a regular press briefing Thursday.

"This kind of special arrangement is actually very sweet and warm-hearted. We believe that this has helped to further bring closer the affection and distance between the Chinese and American people."

Arabella also played a starring role at the state dinner organised by Xi in Trump's honour at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday night.

The full video, which Trump brought as a gift for Xi, was played on screens in the room, earning her a mention in her grandfather's toast.

"Our children so often remind us of our shared humanity and true dignity," Trump, 71, said.

Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, was filled with praise for Arabella's performance Thursday, though it was unclear how many comments related to Trump's visit had been censored.

"She's too cute!" users gushed. "Let's hope that she marries into a Chinese family."

Others made light of the fact that apparently no one can avoid the arduous task of memorising ancient Chinese poetry -- not even the US president's granddaughter.

It's not the first time Arabella has played a role in Sino-American diplomacy.

When Xi visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida resort in April, Arabella recited for Xi the "Three Character Classic", a time-honoured text from the Song Dynasty that was also included in her latest clip.

Ivanka Trump, Arabella's mother and a White House adviser, has said in interviews that her children have a Chinese nanny who teaches them Mandarin.

Ivanka Trump frequently posts videos of Arabella speaking or singing in Chinese to her social media accounts, and she brought her daughter to a Lunar New Year event organised by the Chinese embassy in Washington.
Syrian government forces patrol a northeastern district of Deir Ezzor on November 5, 2017, after retaking the city from Islamic State group jihadists

Syrian troops and allied militiamen on Thursday expelled Islamic State group fighters from Albu Kamal, the last significant town the jihadists still held in their disintegrating "caliphate".

The jihadists' latest rout left them with only the dregs of a self-styled "state" that once spanned huge territory in Iraq and Syria, with surviving IS fighters melting away into desert hideouts.

Anti-IS forces stormed into the town just across the border from Iraq on Wednesday and while fighting was initially reported as fierce, the outcome of one of IS's last major battles was never in doubt.

"Our armed forces units, in cooperation with allied and auxiliary forces, have liberated the town of Albu Kamal in Deir Ezzor province," a statement carried by the official SANA news agency said.

"Albu Kamal's liberation is very important because it means the failure of the IS terrorist group in the region," the army statement said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, said much of the fighting had been done by allied militias rather than the regular army.

The capture of Albu Kamal was the last in a string of setbacks that saw IS lose its urban bastions of Mosul and Raqa within a few weeks and its embryonic state shrink to a rump.

IS group defeats in Syria and Iraq

Leading the battle for the town were the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah and advisers from Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, as well as fighters from mostly Shiite Iraqi militias, according to Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

He said that even as IS still controlled half of the town and fighting raged earlier Thursday, the jihadists retained one escape route to the north.

Abdel Rahman said that "IS withdrew to desert areas in eastern Deir Ezzor" province, where they are likely to encounter US-backed Kurdish-led fighters.

A senior Iraqi army commander told AFP that his forces shot dead four IS members who had tried to cross into Iraq, where the group holds the small town of Rawa, near the border.

- Thousands displaced -

The jihadists' flight from the town, where IS leaders used to meet and were once considered untouchable, caps a process which has seen the group relinquish any ambition as a land-holding force and return to the desert to fight a clandestine guerrilla war.

Many of the group's top leaders have been killed as Syrian and Iraqi forces with backing from Russia, Iran and a US-led coalition rolled back the territorial losses that saw the jihadists declare a "caliphate" roughly the size of Britain in 2014.

But the whereabouts of the first among them, self-proclaimed "caliph" Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, remains unclear. He has been reported killed or wounded many times but IS has never offered any confirmation.

The capture of the group's last urban stronghold had always looked to be a matter of days after Syrian forces last week retook provincial capital Deir Ezzor and Iraqi forces reconquered Albu Kamal's twin town of Al-Qaim just over the border.

There was little to slow the advance of the Syrian army and its allies after their victories further up the Euphrates valley, but while the military phase of the fight against IS was nearing its end, the humanitarian crisis it sparked was still in full swing.

A Syrian woman carries aid parcels at a camp housing civilians who fled the fighting in Deir Ezzor, Mayadeen and Albu Kamal

"In the last few weeks, an estimated 120,000 people were displaced from Albu Kamal," the United Nations' humanitarian affairs office in Damascus said.

The head of the UN's humanitarian taskforce for Syria, Jan Egeland, questioned whether all was being done to protect civilians as mass displacement continued.

"You wonder is this really warfare where one is sparing all civilians among designated terrorists as much as one can," he asked, speaking to reporters in Geneva.

IS still has a small presence in the east of Homs province, in the southern outskirts of Damascus and in the southern province of Daraa.

It also holds the small Iraqi town of Rawa down the Euphrates valley from Al-Qaim.

A rival jihadist alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate controls much of the northwestern province of Idlib and adjacent areas as well as pockets of territory elsewhere.

It has come under attack by Russian-backed government forces and by Turkish-backed rebels.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011, which spiralled into a complex, multi-front war that drew in jihadists and armed forces from around the region and beyond.
Joan Rodriguez teaches English class to her 6th grade students at the Sotero Figueroa Elementary School in San Juan

Andrea Olivero, 11, consults her classmate Ada about an exercise during their daily English class at San Juan's Sotero Figueroa Elementary School. The task: list the positive and negative aspects of Hurricane Maria's passing almost two months ago.

The girls only have to look around. There is no electricity and they "roast" in the heat, Andrea says. At the back of the room, computers and televisions collect dust.

"We would like to move past the topic of the hurricane a bit. It is already getting repetitive," Andrea told AFP.

She is one of more than 300,000 pupils in the public education system, although only half of schools are functioning. Barely 42 per cent of Puerto Ricans have electricity seven weeks after Maria struck, killing at least 51 in the American territory.

The lack of power has prompted disorienting timetable changes on the tropical island, to avoid both the hottest hours of the day and the use of dining facilities.

A 6th grade English class student walks out the classroom at the school, which like much of Puerto Rico is still without power following Hurricane Maria

"The children are very anxious. We manage to make progress in lessons and they change the hours again. Everything is messed up and we fall behind," English teacher Joan Rodriguez explained.

"We can't use the computers to illustrate classes," she said. "They are reading the novel "Charlotte's Web," and we wanted to do exercises comparing it to the film version. But we cannot use the television."

- Suspicions -

From October 23, some directors reopened their schools in the western region of Mayaguez and San Juan.

But last Thursday, the Department of Education ordered their closure, insisting they must be evaluated by engineering and architectural firms, then certified by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

One of those schools was Vila Mayo, also in San Juan. The community presumed it would open, as it had been used as a shelter, its electrical infrastructure had been inspected and it had not suffered structural damage.

But Luis Orengo, the education department's director in San Juan, told protesters outside the school it was closed as inspectors' findings had not reached the central government.

"This is unacceptable! The school is ready to give classes but they don't want to open it. Our children cannot lose a year," fumed Enid Guzman, who protested with her 11-year-old son, Reanny De la Cruz.

Alana Rivera, age 10, does her homework on her apartment's balcony, with only a cell phone for light

There are suspicions the stalled reopening of schools is, in part, related to the prior closure of 240 schools over the past year during Puerto Rico's long-running financial crisis.

The fiscal difficulties have seen the island's population drop over the past decade by 14 percent, leading in turn to a fall in school enrolment.

Before the storms, 300 schools were at risk of closure -- and for the president of Puerto Rico's federation of teachers, Mercedes Martinez, the government's aim is clear.

"Secretary (Julia) Keleher seems to have an orchestrated plan to close schools," she said, referring to the education secretary. "Why do you have to wait 30 days to get a certification so a school can open?"

Keleher has announced she expects most schools to be open by the middle of November.
New Delhi has banned lorries from entering the city and announced restrictions on cars as part of radical plans to crackdown on pollution.

Health officials declared a public health emergency in India's capital earlier this week, after a choking blanket of smog descended on it.

Tens of thousands of schools in the city and surrounding areas remain closed, as calls mount for urgent government action to tackle the 'gas chamber'.

Volunteers have handed out green pollution masks to residents of Indias capital to make a statement about the citys choking smog.

Alarming reports show the city's levels of PM2.5 pollutants have breached 1,000mg this week  more than triple the 300mg level that is deemed highly dangerous.

The city's transport minister, Kailash Gahlot, has now announced plans to limit car use to alternate days from next week.

Health officials declared a public health emergency in India's capital earlier this week, after a choking blanket of smog descended on it

According to AFP, he told reporters: 'The situation in Delhi is so bad and if the pollution can be brought down in any way, we will do it.'

Low visibility caused by the smog forced the closure of one of the runways at Delhi airport earlier this week, delaying some flights.

The worst air quality often hits this time of year as nearby farmers burn fields, people build street fires to keep warm and winds die down.

Authorities in the city had earlier ordered a ban on all construction work and barred lorries from entering the city as public pressure on the government mounted.

Around 50,000 mostly diesel-fuelled lorries pass through India's capital every night and they are a major contributor to the pollution plaguing the city.

Air quality typically worsens before the onset of winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground.

This prevents them from dispersing into the atmosphere, a phenomenon known as inversion.

Low winds and the annual post-harvest burning of crop stubble in the states of Punjab and Hariyana - despite an official ban.

Alarming reports show the city's levels of PM2.5 pollutants have breached 1,000mg  more than triple the 300mg level that is deemed highly dangerous

Indian commuters ride over tracks at a railway crossing amid heavy smog in Amritsar

Both have caused the levels of dangerous pollutants in the air to spike.

Figures on the US embassy website showed levels of PM2.5 to fall to 400mg this morning, despite peaking at 1,000mg yesterday.

The World Health Organization's guidelines say 25mg is the maximum level of PM2.5 anyone can safely be exposed to over a 24-hour period.

SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN PAKISTAN In neighbouring Pakistan's second largest city Lahore, near the Indian border, hundreds flocked to hospitals seeking treatment for respiratory illnesses and eye infections caused by the pollution. The PakAirQuality network, which publishes unofficial air reports on social media, said the concentration of PM 2.5 in the city had topped 300mg. Motorcycle riders wore green face masks and goggles as they tried to cope with the smog, but for some the protection was not enough. 'I am feeling burning in my eyes,' labourer Zawar Hussain told AFP reporters. 'I will visit a doctor in the evening.' Advertisement

Doctors warn the microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The Times of India joined growing calls for government action to curb the chronic pollution.

The newspaper stated in an editorial: 'Delhi once again has become a veritable gas chamber with denizens finding it difficult to breathe.

'Air pollution during winter months has become a catastrophe for large parts of north India.' It blamed 'political apathy'.

It is the second year running that Delhi - now the world's most polluted capital with air quality worse than Beijing - has faced such high levels of PM2.5.

Media reports said the thick smog had also led to a series of road accidents in north India.

Eight students were killed late Wednesday when a truck ploughed into them as they waited for a bus on a roadside in Punjab.

Since 2014, when WHO figures showed the extent of the crisis, authorities in Delhi have closed power plants temporarily.

But the temporary measures have had little effect.

Under pressure to respond, Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sought to blame stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states.

'We we will continue facing this every year until the neighbouring state governments resolve the issue of crop burning,' he said.
A UN-backed probe has collected evidence of egregious crimes orchestrated by Burundi's government and security forces

International judges have approved the opening of a full investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Burundi, where at least 1,200 people have died in unrest since 2015, court officials revealed Thursday.

The decision was made by judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) last month just two days before Burundi on October 27 became the first nation to quit the tribunal. But it had been kept under seal until Thursday.

In the decision, the judges authorised ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda "to open an investigation regarding crimes within the jurisdiction of the court allegedly committed in Burundi or by nationals of Burundi outside Burundi since 26 April 2015 until 26 October 2017."

Bensouda can also extend the probe by her team to acts committed both before and after that date "if certain legal requirements are met".

A violent political crisis was triggered in Burundi when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a third term in office, winning July 2015 elections which were boycotted by the opposition.

In a swift reaction, Burundi presidential office spokesman Willy Nyamitwe denounced the "corrupt" ICC in a tweet.

He accused the court of cheating and said it had just "shot itself in the foot."

"Without any doubt, Burundi will emerge the winner of this battle," he added.

Although Burundi officially left the ICC on October 27, the court said it "retains jurisdiction over any crime within its jurisdiction up to and including 26 October, 2017, regardless of Burundi's withdrawal".

Since Burundi had been a member of the ICC during the period "it has a duty to cooperate with the court for the purpose of this investigation" since it was approved before its "withdrawal became effective," they stressed.

Bensouda opened a preliminary probe in April 2016 into reports of killings, torture and rape amid the political upheavals in the landlocked country in the Great Lakes region.

The judges found there was now "a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation in relation to crimes against humanity".

The court said according to estimates "at least 1,200 people were allegedly killed, thousands illegally detained, thousands reportedly tortured and hundreds disappeared".

"The alleged acts of violence have reportedly resulted in the displacement of 413,490 persons between April 2015 and May 2017," the judges said.

They warned that if "sufficient evidence" is found the prosecutor could "issue either summonses to appear or warrants of arrest".

According to differing tolls provided by the UN or NGOs, the violence in Burundi has claimed between 500 and 2,000 lives, and more than 400,000 Burundians have fled abroad.
Northern Morocco was rocked by months of protests after the death in October last year of a fisherman crushed in a rubbish truck

A Moroccan court has sentenced two members of a northern protest movement to 20 years in prison each for torching a police building earlier this year, their lawyer said.

Rachid Benali told AFP the verdict was issued on Tuesday by a court in Al-Hoceima, a port city in the neglected northern Rif region which was rocked by protests for social justice.

The court sentenced two members of Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement", to 20 years in jail and four others to prison terms ranging from one to five years, Benali said.

They were accused of having torched a building that housed policemen in March, in the city of Imzouren near Al-Hoceima.

No one was injured in the fire which damaged the building and forced the evacuation of dozens of policemen from the roof.

In August another activist was also sentenced to 20 years in jail in connection with the arson attack.

Northern Morocco was rocked by months of protests after the death in October last year of a fisherman who was crushed in a rubbish truck as he tried to retrieve swordfish confiscated by authorities because they were caught out of season.

The protests demanding justice for 31-year-old Mouhcine Fikri quickly snowballed into a wider social movement led by Al-Hirak, demanding jobs, development and an end to graft.

In response, security forces launched a crackdown, putting the alleged leaders of the mainly young protesters in jail in May and June.

Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi was among those arrested.

His trial, alongside 53 co-defendants, opened at the end of October.
Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala for the Arbaeen religious festival, which marks the 40th day after Ashura commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussein

Like millions of other Shiite pilgrims, Arkan al-Husseini travelled to Iraq's shrine city of Karbala for the Arbaeen commemoration Thursday of Imam Hussein's killing in battle -- but this time also to celebrate the Islamic State group's battlefield defeats.

"God has taken his revenge" against the Sunni extremist group, he said, after Iraqi security forces backed by mainly Shiite paramilitary units this year swept to victory after victory, leaving IS confined to a sliver of territory on the Syrian border.

The annual commemoration of Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the 7th-century killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of the Caliph Yazid -- a formative event in Shiite Islam.

The expulsion of IS jihadists from Iraqi cities has added an extra dimension to this year's pilgrimage to Imam Hussein's shrine in Karbala, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad.

"Thanks to God, Imam Hussein has overcome the tyrants. We've crushed them with the force granted to us by God," said 68-year-old Husseini, his face framed by a white beard and black headband.

Imam Hussein's killing in 680 AD was part of a fierce dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Mohammed, which eventually developed into a bitter schism between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam.

"Today we have defeated the children of Yazid," said the pilgrim from northern Iraq as he made his way towards the golden-domed mausoleum of the imam killed in the Battle of Karbala.

Almost 20 million Shiites converge on Karbala each year for Arbaeen, many on foot and others on chartered buses, from across Iraq and abroad, especially neighbouring Iran.

"These millions of people in Karbala are proof of our victory" over the jihadists, said another pilgrim, Mahmud Mohammed, 62.

IS swept across swathes of Iraq in 2014 and has regularly targeted Shiite pilgrims in devastating bomb attacks.

But the jihadist group has seen its self-styled "caliphate" disintegrate on the battlefield this year, losing its key northern Iraqi bastion of Mosul in July.

- 'Victory of good over evil' -

Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen religious festival, which marks the 40th day after Ashura, commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussein

"Today, we are celebrating the victory of good over evil," said Mohammed, a member of Iraq's Shabak minority from near Mosul.

Abdel Hussein Farah, a resident of Karbala, said: "Now that we've finished with the IS people, we feel safe."

But just like all the other black-robed pilgrims, he had to cross five checkpoints to reach the mausoleum.

Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed, as in past years, around the perimeters of the sanctuary as well as on all roads leading to Karbala.

Tents flying different coloured flags have been erected along the routes for volunteers to hand out food and drinks to pilgrims, as Iraqis mix with visitors from Iran, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Pakistan and Lebanon.

Against a backdrop of religious chants, men and women weep and beat their chests in mourning, some of the younger men using swords that leave blood dripping down their robes.

Arbaeen, which means 40 in Arabic, also marks the return to Karbala of companions of Imam Hussein held prisoner in Damascus for 40 days, and who had been presented with his head as a trophy by the Caliph Yazid.

The mausoleum was built at the site of the head's burial.
A man begs for help from Burundi's military as he stands in a drain where he had hid to escape a mob lynching in the capital Bujumbura in 2015.

International judges have given the go ahead for a full investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Burundi, triggering anger Thursday in the crisis-torn African nation, the first ever to leave the war crimes tribunal.

The decision to probe abuses in which at least 1,200 people may have been killed was made by judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on October 25, just two days before Burundi quit the world's only permanent war crimes court claiming it was biased against African nations.

But the launch of the probe was kept under seal until Thursday in a bid to help protect victims and potential witnesses.

Welcoming the move, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda vowed a "rigorous" investigation, but warned it was just the start of "a process which will take as long as needed to gather the required evidence".

The country in east Africa's Great Lakes region descended into unrest and bloodletting when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he was running for a third term in office, winning July 2015 elections which were boycotted by the opposition.

- Murder, torture, rape -

Bensouda's preliminary probe led her to believe there had been a "deliberate attack against the civilian population, entailing multiple acts of murder, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence," she said in a statement.

Those who demonstrated against Nkurunziza as well as opposition members and journalists were among those targeted by Burundian security services, she said.

In the decision, the judges authorised her "to open an investigation regarding crimes within the jurisdiction of the court allegedly committed in Burundi ... since 26 April 2015 until 26 October 2017."

The prosecutor can also widen the probe to acts committed both before and after those dates "if certain legal requirements are met", and could even investigate other atrocities such as suspected "genocide or war crimes".

In a swift reaction, Burundi presidential office spokesman Willy Nyamitwe denounced the "corrupt" ICC in a series of tweets.

He accused the court of cheating because the authorisation had been "pre-dated" and said it had just "shot itself in the foot."

"Without any doubt, Burundi will emerge the winner of this battle," he said.

Although Burundi officially left the ICC on October 27, the ICC judges said the court "retains jurisdiction over any crime within its jurisdiction up to and including 26 October, 2017, regardless of Burundi's withdrawal".

As Burundi had been a member of the ICC during the period to be probed it "has a duty to cooperate with the court for the purpose of this investigation," they stressed.

- 'Courageous move' -

Bensouda had opened a preliminary probe in April 2016 into reports of killings, torture and rape in the landlocked country.

And judges agreed with her findings that there was now "a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation in relation to crimes against humanity".

According to estimates, "at least 1,200 people were allegedly killed, thousands illegally detained, thousands reportedly tortured and hundreds disappeared", the judges said.

"The alleged acts of violence have reportedly resulted in the displacement of 413,490 persons between April 2015 and May 2017," they added.

The abuses were allegedly carried out by Burundian security forces in collaboration with "members of the youth wing of the ruling party known as the 'Imbonerakure'," they said.

Rights groups hailed what they called "a courageous decision," warning the investigation will be "strewn with hurdles due to the regime's violent opposition".

"For years, the Burundian authorities have tried to hide their crimes by banning international observers and journalists," added Karine Bonneau from the International Federation for Human Rights.

According to differing tolls provided by the United Nations or non-governmental organisations, the violence in Burundi has claimed between 500 and 2,000 lives, and more than 400,000 Burundians have fled abroad.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (left) greeted former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri in Riyadh on November 6, 2017

Saudi Arabia on Thursday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible", days after Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation while visiting the kingdom.

A foreign ministry source, quoted by state news agency SPA, also called on Saudis not to travel to Lebanon, but without specifying any threat.

"Due to the situation in the Republic of Lebanon, the kingdom asks its nationals visiting or living in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible, and advises its citizens not to travel there," the source said.

On November 4, Hariri announced in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia that he was stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life.

The shock announcement raised fears that Lebanon -- split into rival camps led by Hariri and the Iranian-backed movement Hezbollah -- could once again descend into violence.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality and whose wife and children live in the kingdom, has since met Saudi King Salman and travelled to the United Arab Emirates, according to official media in the Gulf states.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said he will await Hariri's return before taking any decision, while Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri's resignation had been "imposed" by Saudi Arabia.

The resignation coincided with the announcement in Saudi Arabia of an anti-corruption purge in which dozens of princes, ministers and businessmen have been rounded up.

Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, advised its citizens against travel to Lebanon a day after Hariri's announcement.
French President Emmanuel Macron, seen here addressing Dubai's Chamber of Commerce on November 9, warns that US attacks on the Iran nuclear deal could force Tehran to move ahead with its nuclear weapons program.

US pressure to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal could push Tehran into deciding to build its own nuclear weapons, French President Emmanuel Macron warned in an interview published Thursday.

"If you want to stop any relation with Iran regarding nuclear activity, you will create a new North Korea," Macron told Time magazine.

"If you stop the 2015 agreement, what's your other option? To launch war? To attack Iran? I think it would be crazy in the region," he said.

Macron called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed in July 2015 between Iran and six powers, including France and the United States, "the best possible deal regarding Iran."

But US President Donald Trump has labelled the agreement too lenient on Iran and accuses the country of violating it, calling for a renegotiation.

If the US abrogates the JPCOA, Macron said, it will backfire.

"Because it's exactly what we experienced with North Korea. And suddenly you will wake up in ten to twelve years time without any control, but (Iran) having the nuclear weapon."

Macron said he wants Washington to join an effort to force Iran to stop supplying ballistic missiles to its allies in the region, pointing to the missile launched at Saudi Arabia last week by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

"So we should negotiate a new series of criteria and a new treaty with Iran to stop their ballistic activities in the region."

Macron also explained why Trump was not invited to the Paris climate summit in December.

"I made it very clear from the very beginning that there is no renegotiation of the Paris Agreement," the 2015 global pact to fight climate change agreed by president Barack Obama but rejected by Trump.

"Because he cannot renegotiate with more than one hundred eighty or 190 countries," Macron said.

"We are definitely making the reforms too slowly," Macron noted. "It's very important to deliver the message and to show the strong evidence of the fact that Paris Agreement is still active."

If Trump offers a new climate initiative that would go further than the existing one, Macron said, "I would be very happy."

"But I just say what is unacceptable is to deliver speeches without any deeds and any reality."
Martha O'Donovan was arrested in a dawn raid at her apartment earlier this month on charges of insulting Zimbabwe's 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe

Zimbabwe freed on Thursday a 25-year-old American journalist charged with subverting President Robert Mugabe on account of an alleged tweet that described the ageing leader as "selfish and sick".

Martha O'Donovan had been charged with attempting to overthrow Mugabe as well as undermining or insulting the veteran leader, now 93.

The arrest of O'Donovan and the seizure of her laptop in a dawn raid at her apartment last Friday came just weeks after the government appointed a cybersecurity minister tasked with policing social media.

"Ms Martha O'Donovan has been granted $1,000 bail (860 euros) and ordered to reside at a given address, surrender her passport... and report twice a week" to detectives, said O'Donovan's lawyer Obey Shava, speaking outside Harare's High Court.

Prosecutors say that on October 11, O'Donovan tweeted on her @matigary account: "We are being led by a selfish and sick man." The tweet was illustrated with a photo showing the Zimbabwean president with a catheter device.

The judge sided with the defence and accepted that the state had failed to justify the reason for remanding her in custody.

O'Donovan works for Harare-based Magamba TV, which describes itself as a leading producer of cutting-edge political satire and comedy. Its content is uploaded to YouTube.

Human rights lawyers had said previously that the arrest was linked to a retweet which did not mention Mugabe by name but referred to a "goblin whose wife and step-son bought a Rolls-Royce".

Mugabe's stepson with his wife and first-lady Grace is thought to have recently imported two of the British luxury cars, according to local media reports.

The cybersecurity ministry was created in Mugabes latest cabinet shuffle last month and is seen by rights groups as an attempt to clamp down on social media ahead of next year's election.

Mugabe has already been named by his ruling ZANU-PF party as its presidential candidate for the 2018 vote.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, shown here attending an investment forum in October, has launched a sweeping purge

Saudi Arabia said Thursday 201 people are being held for questioning over an estimated $100 billion in embezzlement and corruption, after the biggest purge of the kingdom's elite in its modern history.

Princes, ministers and a billionaire business tycoon were among dozens of high-profile figures arrested or sacked at the weekend, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidates power.

The purge comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia and Iran facing off over a missile attack from Yemen and a political crisis in Lebanon after prime minister Saad Hariri's shock resignation announced from Riyadh.

"A total of 208 individuals have been called in for questioning so far... Seven have been released without charge," the Saudi information ministry said in a statement, quoting attorney general Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb.

Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned that assets related to the alleged corruption cases would be seized as state property, as the government appears set to widen the crackdown.

"The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large," the statement said.

"Based on our investigations over the past three years, we estimate that at least $100 billion has been misused through systematic corruption and embezzlement over several decades."

High-profile figures, including billionaire tycoon Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, were arrested or sacked in the crackdown -- just after an anti-graft commission headed by the crown prince was established.

- Rising tensions -

Prince Mohammed, the son of 81-year-old King Salman, is already seen as the country's de facto ruler controlling all the major levers of government.

A poster of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri, who resigned last week in a televised speech from Riyadh, hangs on the side of a road in the Lebanese city of Tripoli with a depiction in Arabic that reads "God protect you"

With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, the crown prince has centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history.

The crackdown comes as he moves to accelerate his Vision 2030 programme to modernise the conservative kingdom, but also as Riyadh takes a more aggressive stance in its wider region.

After a failed missile attack against Riyadh airport on Saturday, which was claimed by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, the kingdom has accused Tehran of "direct aggression".

Iran vehemently dismissed the charge that it supplied missiles to the Huthis and warned Saudi Arabia of its "might", prompting fresh acrimony between the regional heavyweights.

French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Riyadh on Thursday to discuss the rising regional tensions in his first face-to-face talks with Prince Mohammed.

The tensions appear to be playing out in Lebanon, a former French colony and the latest front line of the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

On Saturday, Hariri cited Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life when he announced his resignation in a televised speech from Riyadh, precipitating a new political crisis in Beirut.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible" and also called on them not to travel to the country, without specifying any threat.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of Hariri from Saudi Arabia, amid media reports that he was being held in the kingdom.

The regional tensions could escalate the proxy conflict between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in wars and power struggles from Yemen to Syria.
A coalition of 14 opposition parties has organised near weekly protests in Togo since August

Togo's opposition on Thursday rounded off its third protest against the government this week amid concern about a loss of momentum after more than two months of action.

Demonstrators in the capital Lome repeated promises to march for as long as it takes to force President Faure Gnassingbe to quit and end 50 years of rule by his family.

A coalition of 14 opposition parties has organised near weekly protests since late August, calling for the introduction of a two-term limit for presidents and electoral reform.

They want the measures applied retroactively to prevent Gnassingbe from standing at the next two elections in 2020 and 2025, and potentially staying in power until 2030.

His father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, ruled Togo from 1967 to his death in 2005.

A referendum is expected in the coming months on the issue and the government this week indicated it was open to dialogue with the opposition to chart a way forward.

But Comi Toulabor, head of research at the Institute of Politics in Bordeaux, southwest France, said the situation "appears to be at a stalemate".

"The government doesn't seem to want to give in to the protesters at all and the overtures it's claiming to make (calling for talks) aren't overtures," he told AFP.

"He (Gnassingbe) continues to spread terror and kill people using the same methods as his father."

Toulabor said only the intervention of the international community can end the crisis but foreign powers "seem completely disengaged from the problem".

The current power struggle between the government and opposition "could last a long time", which would play to the advantage of Gnassingbe who is hoping to wear down his detractors, he added.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, seen in this November 9, 2015 picture, has tweeted demaning the return of prime minister Saad Hariri from Saudi Arabia where he had announced his shock resignation

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of prime minister Saad Hariri from Saudi Arabia, where he announced days ago his shock resignation.

"Today we demand the return to the nation of our Prime Minister Saad Hariri," tweeted Bassil.

The foreign minister is the son-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who has not yet accepted Hariri's resignation and is awaiting his return before taking any decision.

Hariri announced in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia on Saturday that he was stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life.

The shock announcement raised fears that Lebanon -- split into rival camps led by Hariri and the Iranian-backed movement Hezbollah -- could once again descend into violence.

It also raised questions about the fate of Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality, as it coincided with the announcement in Saudi Arabia of an anti-corruption purge in which dozens of princes, ministers and businessmen have been rounded up.

Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to Hezbollah, has suggested that Hariri was being held "hostage" in Saudi Arabia.

"We have no information (concerning Hariri). We just want him to return" home, Moustapha Allouch, a member of Hariri's Al-Moustaqbal (Future) party told AFP, commenting on that report.

The party itself issued a statement on Thursday saying Hariri's return was "necessary" and essential for "total respect of Lebanon's sovereignty".

On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri announced his resignation from Riyadh because it had been imposed by Saudi authorities, and wondered what would happen to the prime minister.

"Is he at home? Will they let him return? These are legitimate concerns," he said, referring to the anti-graft sweep in which Saudi Arabia now says 201 people were held.

As questions about Hariri's fate mounted, the resigned premier's media office on Thursday said he had met at his "Riyadh" home with the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia Francois Gouyette.

Two days earlier he had met in Riyadh with the US charge d'affaires and with the British ambassador Simon Collins.

On Tuesday, official media in the United Arab Emirates said Hariri visited Abu Dhabi where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
A UN spokesman says Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, shown in this March 8, 2017 file photo, "categorically rejects any allegations of fraud"

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed faced accusations from an advocacy group on Thursday that she granted illegal permits to Chinese firms to import endangered Nigerian timber when she was Nigeria's environment minister.

Documents provided by Mohammed were used by Chinese importers to clear more than $300 million worth of rosewood logs held up by Chinese border authorities for months, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a Washington-based environmental campaigning organization.

The EIA said its investigation had found that Nigerian officials were paid over $1 million to help the importers release the rosewood, which was put on a list of endangered species last year by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In January, Mohammed allegedly signed thousands of retroactive CITES permits allowing the export of 1.4 million rosewood logs in one of her last acts as environment minister before she was sworn in as deputy secretary-general in late February.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq said Mohammed "categorically rejects any allegations of fraud."

The signing of the permits for the rosewood exports was delayed after Mohammed insisted "that stringent due process was followed," said Haq.

"She says that she signed the export certificates requested before the ban only after due process was followed and better security watermarked certificates became available," he added.

Mohammed, the highest-ranking woman at the United Nations, served as environment minister from November 2015 to February of this year and had previously lead the UN's efforts to agree on a new global anti-poverty agenda.

Foreign Policy magazine quoted a senior Nigerian forestry official, who asked not to be named and who said that Mohammed had signed 2,992 export certificates on January 16.

Mohammed had been due to begin her new post at the United Nations on January 1, joining Antonio Guterres as he began his term as UN chief.

But she delayed her move to New York to stay on as environment minister at the request of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and was finally sworn in as deputy secretary-general in late February.

The UN spokesman said Guterres has been informed of the reports and "reiterates his full support and confidence in her."

Exploding Chinese demand for African rosewood, also known as "kosso", has depleted forests across West Africa, prompting CITES to impose strict restrictions last year.

According to EIA, Nigeria since 2013 has become the world's largest exporter of rosewood logs, which are mainly used for luxury furniture.

CITES is scheduled to discuss the Nigerian rosewood exports to China at a meeting later this month in Geneva.
By offering the loan guarantee, Britain is seen as helping Saudi Arabia to diversify its oil-dependent economy

Britain will provide state oil giant Saudi Aramco with a $2-billion loan guarantee to help it buy British exports, the UK government said Thursday.

Britain is seen as wooing the company ahead of a stock market flotation next year which it hopes will be in London, even if the government denied that this was the reason for it guaranteeing bank loans to the kingdom.

The guarantee will be supplied by UK Export Finance, a state credit agency which seeks to improve the country's trade balance by providing finance to foreign buyers.

"UKEF's support will take the form of a $2-billion (1.72-billion euros) guarantee on bank lending," the government said in a statement.

It pointed out that UKEF had already provided Saudi Aramco with nearly 500 million in support to UK exports over the past five years.

"This (guarantee) has nothing to do with the potential float, it's about increasing UK exports," a Treasury spokesman told AFP.

Saudi Arabia last year announced plans to sell under five percent of Aramco in the world's largest ever initial public offering.

Britain is laying down the red carpet to convince Riyadh that it should choose to list in London, whose status as a leading stock exchange is at risk from the UK's decision to leave the European Union.

On a visit to Saudi Arabia with UK business leaders in April, British Prime Minister Theresa May pitched the London bourse as a venue for the expected listing, with Britain facing competition from other key financial centres, including New York.

May reportedly held a private meeting with Energy Minister Khaled al-Falih, who also heads Aramco, in the presence of London Stock Exchange Group chief, Xavier Rolet.

By offering the loan guarantee, Britain is seen as helping Saudi Arabia to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

But May's visit to the ultra-conservative kingdom faced criticism back in Britain and ahead of the trip, she had faced calls to raise rights issues with its leaders.
French DCNS designed offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Gowind corvette "L'Adroit," similar to ones sold to the UAE, lies at anchor in the harbour in France in 2011

The United Arab Emirates has closed a deal to buy two French-made Gowind navy corvettes, built for coastal surveillance and anti-submarine warfare, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday in Dubai.

The deal for the Gowind-class corvettes built by France's Naval Group was announced at the end of a two-day visit to the UAE, an ally of France and longtime client of Western defense industries.

Macron gave no details on the deal.

International rights group, including Human Rights Watch, have criticised Western nations for profiting from arms sales to the Saudi-led military coalition battling Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, in which the UAE is a key member.

The UAE in February signed deals for arms purchases worth more than $5.2 billion, including with US company Raytheon and Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

Multiple defence companies had lined up to sell their versions of the surveillance vessel to the UAE, including Italy's Fincantieri, ahead of Thursday's announcement.

Egypt has meanwhile received the first of four Gowind corvettes it ordered from Naval Group, the company's first sale of the monohull.
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila, pictured here, refused to step down on the expiry of his second and final term in December 2016

A UN watchdog on Thursday called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure that elections set for late next year are "free, peaceful and honest".

The UN Human Rights Committee also decried the "closure of public space" in the country, including the suspension of social media platforms, television and radio programmes.

The DRC is in the grip of a crisis over plans to hold presidential elections, which were delayed by President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down on the expiry of his second and final term last December.

Under a compromise deal, the vote was scheduled to take place this year, but has since been pushed back until December 2018.

"We are calling for the establishment of an electoral calendar based on consensus (between) all the parties, which will allow for free, peaceful and honest elections," UN expert Olivier de Frouville told reporters in Geneva on Thursday.

Frouville, who is one of 18 independent experts who make up the UN rights committee, also called for "an end to the intimidation and rights violations ... perpetrated against the political opposition and especially declared presidential candidates."

The experts, who last month spent two days questioning a delegation from DRC about the country's rights record, voiced alarm in their conclusions Thursday at the widespread impunity enjoyed by state agents and armed militias who commit violations.

They lamented allegations of "excessive force by police and security agents to disperse protesters".

And they called on DRC to prosecute those who threaten or attack "journalists, political opponents and human rights defenders."
Protesters throw stones at a police officer after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced a third presidential bid in 2015

Burundi has been gripped by turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a bid for a third term in office more than two years ago.

On Thursday the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a full probe into alleged crimes committed during the crisis.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed, according to different sources, and more than 400,000 people displaced from their homes.

Here is a summary of key developments in the crisis in the central African country.

- Demonstrations start -

April 25, 2015: Nkurunziza is declared candidate for a third term by the ruling CNDD-FDD party. The following day thousands of protesters demonstrate in the capital, the start of six weeks of almost daily rallies that meet a fierce response from police.

The opposition maintains Nkurunziza's move is unconstitutional and violates a peace deal that ended a 1993-2006 civil war.

- Failed coup -

May 13, 2015: A top Burundian general, Godefroid Niyombare, announces the overthrow of Nkurunziza, hours after the president flies to neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders on ending the crisis. The coup leaders surrender two days later and Nkurunziza returns.

- Defections -

June 28, 2015: Parliament head Pie Ntavyohanyuma says he has fled to Belgium, denouncing the president's "illegal" third term bid. He joins a long list of opposition leaders, journalists, members of civil society, and even disillusioned members of the ruling party who have chosen exile.

- Nkurunziza re-elected -

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a bid for a third term in office in 2015, triggering the crisis

July 21, 2015: Nkurunziza is re-elected as expected in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

- Targeted attacks -

August 2, 2015: General Adolphe Nshimirimana, widely seen as the nation's de-facto internal security chief and considered the regime's number two, is killed in a rocket attack.

August 3: Human rights activist Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, who had publicly opposed Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, is wounded by gunfire.

August 15: Colonel Jean Bikomagu, the former head of Burundi's army during a 13-year civil war, is assassinated.

December 11: At least 87 people are killed in coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen on three military sites that trigger a fierce riposte from the security forces.

- 'Risk of genocide' -

Burundi became the first ever to leave war crimes tribunal the International Criminal Court

July 29, 2016: UN Security Council agrees to deploy up to 228 UN police in Burundi, but in early August the government in capital Bujumbura rejects the resolution.

September 20: UN investigators say Burundi's government is behind systematic human rights violations, warning of the looming risk of "genocide".

October 27: Burundi says it is leaving the ICC. In April, The Hague-based body had opened a preliminary examination into allegations including murder and torture. Burundi's exit is scheduled to come into force a year later.

December 30: Nkurunziza hints he might seek a fourth term in office in 2020 "if the people request it".

- 'Rape calls' -

January 19, 2017: Human Rights Watch says young men belonging to Burundi's ruling party are waging brutal attacks on perceived opponents.

April 18: UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein says the youth wing is repeatedly calling for the rape and murder of opposition supporters.

- Towards a probe -

September 4, 2017: UN calls for the opening of an ICC probe into crimes against humanity in Burundi.

September 29: UN decides to extend the mission of an international probe into atrocities there, overriding strong opposition from the government.

October 26: Government approves changes to the constitution that could pave the way to a potential 14-year extension in Nkurunziza's stay in office.

October 27: Burundi's threat to leave the ICC takes effect.

November 9: ICC reveals that it decided on October 25 to launch a probe into crimes committed from April 26 2015 to October 26 2017. The court "retains jurisdiction" in this area, regardless of Burundi's withdrawal, it says.
This photo taken on April 04, 2017 shows a Syrian child receiving treatment at a small hospital in the town of Maaret al-Noman following a suspected toxic gas attack in Khan Sheikhun, a nearby rebel-held town in Syria's northwestern Idlib province

The United States and Britain accused Russia on Thursday of "denying the truth" as Moscow sought to rip up a report blaming Syria for a deadly chemical attack in April.

In a strongly-worded statement at a meeting of the watchdog Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), US representative Ken Ward said Russia was "continuing to deny the truth" regarding the attack in which sarin gas was used.

Last month a report by a joint UN-OPCW panel said the Syrian air force on April 4 had dropped a bomb on the opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhun, releasing the deadly nerve agent that killed more than 80 people, including children.

But Russia has dismissed the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) report, saying the experts did not travel to Khan Sheikhun and worked with samples Moscow maintains may have been tampered with by Western intelligence.

Russia also lambasted the investigators for not travelling to the Shayrat air base, from where the aerial attack on the northwestern Syrian town was allegedly launched.

But Ward accused Russia of "collaborating with the (Bashar al-)Assad regime in a deplorable attempt to discredit the (OPCW) Fact Finding Mission (FFM) and the Joint Investigative Mechanism."

"Regrettably, Russia has abetted Syria's use of chemical weapons and disregarded the international responsibilities Syria undertook," Ward said in a statement posted on the OPCW's website.

The dispute came as Russia and Iran, the Syrian regime's allies, proposed a resolution at the OPCW meeting on Wednesday which diplomats say effectively asks investigators to scrap the first probe into the Khan Sheikhun incident and launch a new investigation.

The draft resolution "decides to renew the work by the FFM on the incident with the use of chemical weapons in Khan Sheikun in order to ensure a full-scale, professional and high-quality investigation to identify sarin," according to a copy seen by AFP.

It also asks for the fact-finding team to hold back the results of its new probe "until (a) full-scale investigation on the site of the incident in Khan Sheikhun becomes possible".

Britain's permanent representative to the OPCW Peter Wilson said London and other Western countries stood behind the original report and accused Moscow of wanting "to confuse the delegates of the OPCW".

The investigators "have not taken any evidence they can't corroborate from at least three sources," Wilson told AFP.

Earlier in his statement to the OPCW's Executive Council meeting -- of which Russia and the United States are also members -- Wilson accused Russia and Iran of "seeking to politicise" the OPCW.

"It is a thinly veiled political attack on the professional integrity" of the OPCW's director general Ahmet Uzumcu aimed at undermining the organisation's technical capability and competence, Wilson said.

Canada also joined the fray, saying that Syria, which joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 under joint US-Russia pressure, "forfeited the rights and privileges of membership, and should no longer be permitted to sit among us."
The US has slapped punitive duties of up to 72 percent on imports of Argentine biodiesel, and as high as 65 percent for shipments from Indonesia, saying those countries provide unfair subsidies to their producers

The United States on Thursday confirmed a plan to impose huge duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia, which officials said received government subsidies and therefore compete unfairly with US producers.

The punitive duties on Argentina's biodiesel were raised to as much as 72 percent, higher than the rate in the preliminary decision announced in August, while Indonesia faces rates as high as 64.7 percent, according to a Commerce Department statement.

"The unfair government subsidization of products is something the Department takes very seriously," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said.

"While the United States is committed to free, fair and reciprocal trade with all countries, the Trump Administration will stand up for American workers and companies being unfairly harmed," he said.

The Trump administration has aggressively policed trade relationships and made ending bilateral trade imbalances a centerpiece of its nationalist economic agenda.

The Commerce Department said it has initiated 77 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations this year -- a 61 percent increase from 48 in the previous year.

The United States imported $1.2 billion of biodiesel from Argentina in 2016, and $268 million from Indonesia, according to Commerce Department figures. The product is mainly used as an alternative fuel for cars.

US customs agents in August began collecting duties from importers based on the lower subsidy rates in the Commerce Department's preliminary ruling.

The decision remains subject to final review by the US International Trade Commission, which is due to rule on or before December 26.

The complaint was lodged by the National Biodiesel Fair Trade Coalition, an ad hoc association composed of the National Biodiesel Board and 15 domestic producers of biodiesel.

Argentina successfully overturned a similar case with the European Union through an appeal to the World Trade Organization, but the country exports most of its production to the US market.

Companies there argue that they compete fairly and simply have lower costs for production and logistics. The country is a huge producer of soybeans which is used to make biodiesel.
French President Emmanuel Macron gives a press conference in Dubai on November 9, 2017

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Saudi Arabia late Thursday for talks with the kingdom's powerful crown prince on the rising tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.

Macron, on his debut visit to the Middle East, made the surprise announcement at a news conference in Dubai that he would meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

His arrival was confirmed to AFP by the French embassy in Riyadh.

Macron's talks with Prince Mohammed will cover Iran and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia and its allies have imposed a complete blockade in the wake of a missile attack last Saturday by Tehran-backed Huthi rebels.

"I've heard some very hard positions" taken by Saudi Arabia against Iran, said Macron, adding it was important to speak to all sides and that France had a role in making peace.

The visit comes at a time of increased friction between the Sunni kingdom and Shiite Iran, which are embroiled on opposite sides in Lebanon and Yemen.

The talks would also include developments in Lebanon, whose prime minister Saad Hariri resigned in a shock announcement broadcast from Riyadh on Saturday.

Macron's visit comes days after Prince Mohammed launched what the Saudi government has dubbed a wide-ranging corruption crackdown, arresting dozens of members of the royal family as well as ministers and businessmen.
Amin al-Nasser, Chief Executive of state oil company Saudi Aramco, said the company's recent investments are an attempt to "diversify our economy, promote local manufacturing, support a sustainable environment and strengthen our business and investment climate"

Saudi Aramco on Thursday signed agreements worth nearly $4.5 billion with multinational oil and gas contractors, in what the company dubbed as an effort to diversify the economy.

The deals were signed with companies including Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas, Italy's Saipem, China Petroleum Pipeline and Abu Dhabi's National Petroleum Construction.

The investments "reflect our concerted effort... to diversify our economy, promote local manufacturing, support a sustainable environment and strengthen our business and investment climate", Aramco's chief executive Amin Nasser was quoted as saying in a statement.

Saudi Arabia last year announced plans to sell under five percent of Aramco, the kingdom's crown jewel, in what is expected to be the world's largest ever initial public offering.

The plan forms the cornerstone of a reform programme envisaged by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to wean the economy off its reliance on oil.

It could generate much-needed revenue after the country lost hundreds of billions of dollars since crude prices slumped in mid-2014, leading to huge budget deficits and withdrawals from strategic reserves.

Analysts, however, have voiced misgivings following recent media reports that the flotation could be shelved amid concerns over its feasibility.

Nasser last month shot down the reports, saying the IPO will happen as scheduled in the second half of 2018.
A woman has come forward in a Washington Post report to accuse Roy Moore, the Republican US Senate candidate from Alabama, of initiating sexual contact with her when she was 14 years old

Several Republicans on Thursday urged their party's candidate for a vacant US Senate seat to quit the race if an explosive report that he had a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl is true.

Four women, speaking on the record, told The Washington Post that Roy Moore of Alabama pursued them when they were 18 or younger and he was in his early thirties working as an assistant district attorney.

According to the Post, Leigh Corfman, now 53, said when she was 14 Moore took her into his house in the woods near Gadsden, Alabama, removed her shirt and pants, and fondled her over her bra and underpants.

Moore guided her to touch him over his "tight" white underwear, she said.

"I wasn't ready for that," Corfman told the Post.

Moore, who is 70, married for three decades, and the father of four, denied any sexual impropriety. His campaign called the Post story "fake news."

"After over 40 years of public service (by Moore), if any of these allegations were true, they would have been made public long before now," the Moore campaign said in an email to supporters.

Moore, an anti-establishment conservative and former judge, and Democrat Doug Jones face off in a special Senate election December 12 to replace Jeff Sessions, who is now US attorney general.

The stunning accusations by the four women reverberated through Washington.

"If these allegations are true, he must step aside," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. At least a dozen other Republicans followed suit.

Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, immediately declared the allegations 'disqualifying' for Moore

Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, immediately declared the allegations "disqualifying" for Moore.

"He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of," McCain said.

But in Alabama, state auditor Jim Zeigler brushed off the bombshell allegations, telling the Washington Examiner "there is nothing to see here" -- and referencing the Bible as a defense.

"Take Joseph and Mary. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus," Zeigler told the conservative news outlet. "There's just nothing immoral or illegal here."

"Maybe just a little bit unusual."

Experts have told US media that Alabama's Republican Party or Moore himself could withdraw his name from consideration.

How that happens remained unclear. Alabama law prohibits replacement of a candidate up to 76 days before the election, meaning Moore's name will likely be on the ballot when Alabamians vote next month.

The natural replacement would be Luther Strange, the incumbent senator appointed to succeed Sessions, and whom Moore defeated in the party's September primary.

- Hugging and kissing -

The Post said it interviewed more than 30 people, including mothers and friends of the girls.

It detailed how Gloria Thacker Deason was 18 in 1979 when she and 32-year-old Moore began going on dates where they hugged and kissed, she told the Post.

Wendy Miller said Moore, in the presence of her mother, asked her out on dates when she was 16. Her mother said no, and Miller said she realized years later that the idea of a grown man wanting to date a teenager was "disgusting."

The particulars about Moore's relationship with Corfman, then 14, were the most alarming.

"I wasn't ready for that -- I had never put my hand on a man's penis, much less an erect one," Corfman said.

Moore could have faced prison time, but the statute of limitations has expired, the Post reported.

Moore had a controversial career as a judge, notably for refusing to remove a statue of the Ten Commandments in his court house.

"We are in the midst of a spiritual battle," he said in a fundraising email after the Post story broke.
A heroin user reads an alert on fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid blamed for nearly one-third of last year's 64,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States

The US Justice Department on Thursday announced a ban on all fentanyl-like drugs amid skyrocketing rates of overdoses from the synthetic opioids.

Authorities moved to plug legal loopholes in which producers of fentanyl -- which can be 50 times more potent than heroin -- slightly alter the chemical makeup to render it a legal substance.

"Anyone who possesses, imports, distributes, or manufactures any illicit fentanyl analogue will be subject to criminal prosecution in the same manner as for fentanyl and other controlled substances," the Justice Department said.

The department says some 20,000 of last year's 64,000 drug overdose deaths can be blamed on fentanyl, either pure or mixed with other drugs such as heroin or prescription opioids.

With the supply of prescription opioids on the market cut back in the past two years, fentanyl has become the cheapest alternative for addicts.

It can be easily bought on the underground internet, and much of it is imported into the country through regular shipping channels, including via the mail and package shippers.

US officials say most of the imported fentanyl comes from China, which Beijing denies.

"The action announced today will make it easier for federal prosecutors and agents to prosecute traffickers of all forms of fentanyl-related substances," the Justice Department said.
Thirteen suspected gangsters have been arrested following a coordinated Canadian-US takedown of organized crime which saw police secretly record a mafia induction ceremony.

Four US men were arraigned in New York on narcotics trafficking, loansharking and firearms charges yesterday, the same day Canadian agents arrested nine suspects.

Damiano Zummo, 44, Salvatore Russo, 45, Paul Semplice, 54 and Paul Ragusa, 46, allegedly belong or are associated with the Bonanno and Gambino crime families, two infamous mobs that have long dominated organized crime in New York.

As part of the investigation, agents secretly recorded a 2015 induction ceremony in Canada in which a defendant sponsored a confidential informant to become a full-fledged member of the Bonanno mob, prosecutors said.

Thirteen suspected gangsters have been arrested following a coordinated Canadian-US takedown of organized crime

Court papers seen by the New York Post report Zummo as saying to the unnamed man being initiated: 'The reason why were here is from this day forward, youre gonna be an official member of the Bonanno family.

'From this guy, this guy, this guy, everybody approved it, so from this day forward, youre a member of the Bonanno family. Congratulations.'

He later goes on to say: 'You only answer to the Bonanno family.'

Acting US attorney in Brooklyn, Bridget Rohde, called the recording 'an extraordinary achievement for law enforcement'.

She added that it dealt 'a significant blow' to the mafia.

The charges include accusations that Zummo and Russo sold more than two pounds of cocaine in a Manhattan gelato store. Zummo is also charged with laundering more than $250,000 in cash.

Semplice is accused of running a scheme that extended loans with interest as high as 54 per cent, generating thousands of dollars in profits a week.

While Ragusa is charged with being a felon in possession of nine firearms.

If convicted, Zummo, Ragusa and Russo risk life imprisonment. Semplice faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, prosecutors said.
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The US military announced Thursday it had killed "several militants" in an airstrike against Al-Shabaab jihadists in Somalia.

The attack took place early Thursday in the Bay region in the center of the country, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Mogadishu.

The strike was carried out "in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia," the US Africa Command said in a statement.

"Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and is dedicated to providing safe haven for terrorist attacks throughout the world," it said.

Al-Shabaab was blamed for the October 14 truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed 358 people, and an attack on a hotel on October 29 that left 27 dead.

On Saturday the US mission to Somalia urged all non-essential staff to leave Mogadishu immediately following a specific threat against them.

That was one day after the US Africa Command launched drone strikes that targeted an Islamic State base in the country's northeast.
US Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has spent years forging a path toward tax reform, and assured that the latest tax overhaul plan will pass Congress and reach the president's desk

House Republicans advanced their tax overhaul Thursday but the US Senate unveiled a competing version with key differences, signalling a potential clash within President Donald Trump's party.

Republican lawmakers have seized on the need to reform and simplify the nation's cumbersome tax code with legislation that slashes taxes for corporations and American families.

Trump, desperate for a major congressional achievement in his first year in office following the collapse of his health care reform effort, is pushing an ambitious timeline: a tax bill on his desk by year's end.

The House plan is on track for a floor vote next week, senior Republican Kevin McCarthy said, after the measure passed the Ways and Means Committee along party lines.

The White House hailed the advancement as "an important step," and expressed confidence that "with continued cooperation with Congress, we will achieve these priorities this year."

Trump's office also applauded the Senate for releasing its version, even as the new legislation shows the Republicans in the two chambers are at odds.

While the House bill permanently cuts the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, effective in 2018, the Senate version would delay that cut until the following year.

The House version also maintains the nation's top tax bracket for the wealthiest individuals at 39.6 percent, while the Senate bill lowers the top tier to 38.5 percent.

Senate rules allow for the measure to add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. But with the cuts expected to cost far more, tax-writers have scrambled to find other ways to boost revenue and cut spending to cover the costs.

Republicans insist dramatically lowering corporate tax rates would send the US economy soaring, and offering a repatriation tax holiday would bring a tidal wave of internationally held money flooding back into the country.

With internal tensions simmering over what should end up in the largest tax overhaul since Ronald Reagan's 1980s presidency, House Speaker Paul Ryan insisted the details will be "ironed out" between the two competing plans.

"It takes time. But trust me, we are going to get this over the finish line," Ryan told reporters.

Republicans will likely have to go it alone, as Democrats in both chambers have united in opposition.

Several Democrats have pointed to a preliminary study by the Tax Policy Center, which said that under the House bill, at least seven percent of taxpayers would pay higher taxes in 2018.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The lawyer for a woman whose car was hit by a state senator charged with driving under the influence said Tuesday that the lawmaker should resign if he lied to state troopers.

Attorney Matt Yelverton and the woman whose car Sen. Paul Campbell crashed into Saturday night on Interstate 26 near Charleston held a news conference as a fender bender turned into one of the most closely watched wrecks in South Carolina in years.

The intrigue increased significantly after troopers also charged Campbell and his wife with providing false information.

Sen. Paul Campbell is seen in an undated photo provided by the Charleston County Jail. Troopers say Campbell, a South Carolina senator charged with driving under the influence, had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit on Saturday night, Nov. 4. Campbell told troopers investigating the crash and reporters later that his wife was driving. Authorities say the 71-year-old Goose Creek Republican switched seats with his wife after the wreck. They are both charged with providing false information. (Charleston County Jail via AP)

Michaela Caddin said Tuesday that after the crash, Campbell's Mercedes pulled off the highway in front of her and she watched as Campbell got out of the driver's side, his wife got out of the passenger seat and they switched places.

"I was raised to believe that ethics, honesty and accountability are important," the 21-year-old administrative worker said, reading from a statement.

Campbell has insisted in several interviews that he was not driving and he expects the truth to come out at trial. Campbell's attorney, Andy Savage, didn't respond to an email message after Tuesday's news conference.

There are cameras along the interstate near the crash and Yelverton said he would like to see the footage, but none has been released.

When Caddin was asked what she wanted out of Campbell, her lawyer said she wanted the senator to take responsibility for his actions and be held to a higher standard for honesty because of his public position.

"Personally, I think a public official, if in fact, lied to law enforcement, he should resign," Yelverton said.

Both charges against Campbell are misdemeanors, and senators can only be automatically suspended when charged with felonies.

The 71-year-old Republican from Goose Creek joined the Senate in 2007 and is chairman of the Ethics Committee. He also is chief executive of the authority that runs the Charleston International Airport.

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Follow Jeffrey Collins at http://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. See his work at https://apnews.com/search/jeffrey%20collins
Some of the nation's biggest political donors, including some who spent $60 million supporting Republican Donald Trump last year, are among those who took advantage of offshore tax loopholes, according to leaked corporate documents made public Tuesday.

The documents also name a top donor and former cabinet secretary for Democratic former President Barack Obama, and raise questions about whether the donor complied with ethics rules aimed at insulating officials' personal holdings and policy they oversee.

The findings come as Trump's former senior White House strategist Steve Bannon has condemned "corporatists and globalist elites" in his crusade to topple Senate Republican leadership by promoting challengers to virtually all incumbent Republicans seeking re-election next year.

The details on the donors were uncovered in a trove of nearly 7 million leaked files from the offshore law firm Appleby, a Bermuda-based law firm that helps businesses and wealthy individuals find tax shelters. The so-called "Paradise Papers" were uncovered though joint reporting effort by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and media partners around the world. Here's a look at the donors named in the files.

SHELDON ADELSON

The Las Vegas casino giant was the biggest donor in 2016, contributing more than $82 million to Republican candidates and organizations, though he was slow to endorse Trump. In July, 2016, he formally endorsed Trump and later contributed $5 million to the president-elect's inaugural committee. Adelson is the primary benefactor of the Republican Jewish Coalition. The files show Adelson is a shareholder in a Bermuda-based jet provider that provides services to his casino company, according to the report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Bermuda does not have a corporate tax on companies that do business outside its jurisdiction. Adelson did not respond to a request for comment from ICIJ.

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CHARLES AND DAVID KOCH

The billionaire brothers, founders of the political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, budgeted roughly $900 million in contributions ahead of the 2016 campaign pursuing a pro-business, free-market agenda and candidates. And while no outside group has been move aggressive over the yearslong push to repeal Obama's 2010 health care law, the Kochs' concentrated their contributions on Senate races, often critiquing would-be GOP presidential nominee Trump. The leaked documents include papers describing the finances of Bermudan firm controlled by a Koch Industries subsidiaries, ICIJ reported. The company did not comment on the report.

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ROBERT MERCER

Republican financier Robert Mercer is among the most devoutly pro-Trump donors named in the leaked documents. Until recently, he has had a financial interest in the pro-Trump Breitbart News website. Originally for Cruz in the early 2016 campaign, Mercer quickly pivoted to Trump when he became the presumptive nominee, and spent roughly $20 million on his campaign as one of the first major donor for Trump. Mercer has stayed involved as an ally of former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon, who is publicly rallying support for non-establishment Republican Senate challengers in 2018. Appleby documents show Mercer's Renaissance Technologies registered several subsidies in Bermuda, according to the report. Mercer declined to comment.

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PENNY PRITZKER

Pritzker, a Chicago investment firm CEO, was secretary of Commerce under Obama from 2013 to 2017. She was the wealthiest member of Obama's cabinet, with Forbes estimating her wealth at the time she was confirmed to the post at $1.85 billion. According to the report, Pritzker being named in the leaked documents prompts questions of whether she abided fully with federal ethics rules intended to keep government officials away from policy that could impact their personal finances.
FOREST PARK, Ga. (AP) - Authorities say a man shot two police officers and was later found dead behind a home south of Atlanta.

Forest Park police said in a news release that two officers responded at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a man driving recklessly on a motorcycle and not wearing a helmet. When they tried to make contact, he fled on foot.

Police say the officers followed the man behind a house, and both officers were shot during an exchange of gunfire. Other officers found 30-year-old Jacob Bailey dead behind the house.

Police Sgt. Kelli Flanigan said Bailey died from a gunshot wound, but it's not clear who fired the shot.

One officer suffered a non-life-threatening wound and the other was listed in critical condition. Police say the officers' names will be released once their families have been contacted.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Challenger Jacob Frey won the Minneapolis mayor's race Wednesday, defeating incumbent Betsy Hodges in a crowded race to lead Minnesota's largest and most liberal city that was rocked by two fatal police shootings.

Frey, 36, a one-term City Council member, emerged from more than a dozen candidates to challenge Hodges, and got more than 50 percent of the vote to be declared the winner. He takes office in January.

"We're going to get right to work," Frey told the Star Tribune. "We are a divided city in many respects, and the first item of business is to mend wounds, unite around shared goals and create a collective recognition that a deviation in strategy doesn't mean a difference in morals."

Mayoral challenger Jacob Frey talks to the media at his headquarters , Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017 in Minneapolis. Frey has won the Minneapolis mayor's race, defeating incumbent Betsy Hodges in a crowded race to lead Minnesota's largest and most liberal city. Frey, a City Council member, emerged from more than a dozen candidates to challenge Hodges, and got more than 50 percent of the vote to be declared the winner Wednesday. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)

Frey led in the first round of voting Tuesday. Then on Wednesday the city began redistributing second- and third-choice preferences from losing candidates under its ranked-choice system for municipal elections.

Hodges, 48, a former City Council member, was seeking a second term as mayor. Her first term included steering the city through two high-profile shootings by police officers. One was the fatal July shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, an Australian native who called 911 to report a possible sexual assault near her house and was shot when she approached the officers' squad car in an alley. Hodges forced out police Chief Janee Harteau amid sharp criticism that the officers had not turned on their body cameras.

The other shooting came during a 2015 scuffle between a black man and two white officers on the city's north side. Jamar Clark, 24, was killed.

Clark's death sparked violent confrontations between citizens and police, as well as a prolonged encampment outside the nearby police precinct. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman declined to charge the officers, saying that evidence showed Clark had gotten his hand on an officer's gun before he was shot. More protests came after Freeman's decision.

Much of the mayoral campaign focused on police-community relations.

Hodges, in a statement, said she spoke to Frey and congratulated him on his victory.

"Together, Minneapolis, we've made real change, and lasting change in our city," said Hodges, who called serving as mayor "the greatest honor of my life."

Mayoral challenger Jacob Frey talks to the media at his headquarters , Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017 in Minneapolis. Frey has won the Minneapolis mayor's race, defeating incumbent Betsy Hodges in a crowded race to lead Minnesota's largest and most liberal city. Frey, a City Council member, emerged from more than a dozen candidates to challenge Hodges, and got more than 50 percent of the vote to be declared the winner Wednesday. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges arrives at a party for her campaign volunteers at a restaurant in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, Nov. 7, 2017. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)

Volunteers for Mayor Betsy Hodges campaign hang a banner by the door of her election night party at Gandhi Mahal restaurant, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, in Minneapolis. Voters in Minneapolis on Tuesday weighed whether to give their mayor a second term or choose a new one to take the reins of the state's largest and most liberal city. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)

Mayoral challenger Jacob Frey talks to the media at his headquarters , Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017 in Minneapolis. Frey has won the Minneapolis mayor's race, defeating incumbent Betsy Hodges in a crowded race to lead Minnesota's largest and most liberal city. Frey, a City Council member, emerged from more than a dozen candidates to challenge Hodges, and got more than 50 percent of the vote to be declared the winner Wednesday. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)
NEW YORK (AP) - A jury began deliberating Wednesday in the bribery trial of the former head of the nation's largest municipal jail guard union, but it went home after several hours of work.

The Manhattan federal court jury deliberated about four hours after it was read instructions on the law in the case against Norman Seabrook, 57, and hedge fund financier Murray Huberfeld.

It asked to see several key pieces of evidence when it returns to work Thursday, including the entire multi-day testimony by the government's star witness, real estate developer Jona Rechnitz, 34, a Los Angeles resident.

Rechnitz testified that he gave Seabrook $60,000 in a black Ferragamo bag as an initial payment on the $100,000 to $150,000 he said he told Seabrook he would receive annually in return for steering millions in union funds to Huberfeld's hedge fund.

Lawyers for Seabrook and Huberfeld attacked the credibility of Rechnitz at trial, saying the witness was willing to say anything to win leniency after he pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the case.

The jury signaled that a verdict was not imminent when it asked for a considerable amount of evidence. Besides, Rechnitz's testimony, it also requested a list of items taken from Seabrook's home after his arrest and a copy of the closing arguments by attorneys in the case. Because they are not considered evidence, transcripts of the closing arguments will not be given to the jury.

Lawyers for both defendants say their clients acted honestly and legally while Rechnitz was a con man and a liar.

They said prosecutors errored by relying on the testimony by Rechnitz, who recounted from the witness stand how he used donations and an ever widening sphere of influence to win favor from top city police officials and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat who was re-elected Tuesday.

Mayoral spokesman Eric Phillips has called Rechnitz a liar and a "failed fixer of grand delusion just trying to save his own skin."
A Phoenix man was convicted of first-degree murder on Wednesday in the 2011 death of a 10-year-old girl who was locked in a storage box in sweltering summer heat as punishment for stealing ice pops.

John Michael Allen was found guilty of child abuse in the killing of Ame Deal by a jury in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Jurors now must determine whether the killing was especially cruel or heinous before moving onto the sentencing phase, which could include the death penalty.

Allen's 28-year-old wife Sammantha Allen, a cousin of Deal's, was convicted of murder in the girl's death in June and she now is on Arizona's death row.

Authorities said the couple forced Ame into the small, plastic box as punishment for stealing ice pops.

Guilty: John Michael Allen (left) was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the 2011 death of Ame Deal (right), a 10-year-old girl who was locked in a storage box in sweltering summer heat as punishment for stealing ice pops

Allen's 28-year-old wife Sammantha Allen (left) , a cousin of Deal's, was convicted of murder in the girl's death in June and she now is on Arizona's death row. The little girl is pictured right in 2003

Authorities said the couple forced Ame into the small, plastic box (above in court as evidence) as punishment for stealing ice pops. They then went to sleep and the girl was found dead the next morning

They then went to sleep and the girl was found dead the next morning.

Defense attorney Robert Reinhardt had argued that 29-year-old John Allen, a father of four young children, did not intend for the girl to die and that the other adults in the home created the abusive environment.

Ame's death was the culmination of a shocking history of abuse at the hands of relatives who were charged with caring for her.

Authorities said the girl was forced to eat dog feces, crush aluminum cans barefoot, consume hot sauce and get in the storage box on other occasions.

She also was kicked in the face, beaten with a wooden paddle and forcibly dunked after being thrown in a cold swimming pool, according to police investigators.

Three other relatives are in prison serving sentences for abusing Ame. Ame's legal guardian at the time of her death was her aunt, Cynthia Stoltzmann (left), who is serving a 24-year prison sentence. Ame's grandmother, Judith Deal (right), is serving 10 years

Adults at the home originally claimed Ame hid during a late-night game of hide-and-seek and wasn't found until hours later.

Three other relatives are in prison serving sentences for abusing Ame.

David Deal, who is listed as the girl's father on her birth certificate, is serving a 14-year sentence after pleading guilty to attempted child abuse.

Ame's legal guardian at the time of her death was her aunt, Cynthia Stoltzmann, who is serving a 24-year prison sentence for a child abuse conviction.

Ame's grandmother, Judith Deal, is serving 10 years for child abuse.

Ame's mother, Shirley Deal, left the family years earlier after suffering abuse from relatives and moved to Kansas without her daughter.

Ame lived in a trash-strewn house in south Phoenix with at least 10 adults and a dozen children

Ame's mother, Shirley Deal (together above), left the family years earlier after suffering abuse from relatives and moved to Kansas without her daughter. In 2012 she said she wanted the death penalty for all of them

Her mother told AZCentral in 2012 that she tried to get her daughter back years prior, but the family would move every time she tracked them down.

'I want the death penalty on all of them,' she said then.

The young girl was one of at least a dozen kids being brought up in the three-bedroom house, along with at least 10 adults.

Many neighbors reported hearing screaming from the house but none told police as they did not want to break the family apart.

The children would roam the streets outside the home until the early hours and they often had little or no clothes on, sometimes wearing no diaper or shoes, they said.

Ame was the child singled out for torture, however, a witness told authorities.

Child welfare authorities in Arizona said they didn't receive any reports of abuse before her death. But child welfare reports from Utah, where the family lived before moving to Phoenix, listed Ame as an abused child, police said.

The other children in the house were placed with state Child Protective Services after Ame's death.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Some of Donald Trump's fiercest advocates are offering different approaches for the Republican Party's way forward after some tough losses Tuesday.

Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel are calling on Republicans to unite, while former White House strategist Steve Bannon is calling for rebellion against establishment Republicans.

Spicer and McDaniel spoke Wednesday at an Iowa GOP banquet. Bannon spoke at a county GOP dinner in Michigan.

Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist to President Donald Trump, speaks at the Macomb County Republican Party dinner in Warren, Mich., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. The event takes place on the anniversary of the election that put Trump in the White House. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Their remarks underscore tension bubbling over in Washington.

Spicer attributes Virginia Republican Ed Gillespie's loss in Tuesday's gubernatorial election to Republican "litmus tests."

Bannon, who has pledged to find challengers to virtually all GOP senators seeking re-election next year, says, "You have drop the hammer."
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The state of Alaska took a major step toward realizing a long-sought pipeline to move natural gas from the North Slope to Asia, siding with interests from China after major oil companies stepped back from the project.

The agreement Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed Thursday in Beijing with Sinopec, China Investment Corp. and the Bank of China does not guarantee a pipeline will be built, but it gives the lingering liquefied natural gas project a jolt of life.

"This is the market responding, and we're very, very pleased with that," Walker told reporters in a teleconference from Beijing.

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 18, 2017, file photo, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker addresses reporters during a news conference in Juneau, Alaska. The state of Alaska will attempt to advance a multibillion dollar natural gas pipeline project with the help of interests from China. Walker said the agreement signed late Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, is with Sinopec, China Investment Corp. and the Bank of China. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

The agreement was signed as both U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping watched. No financial terms were released, but it's been estimated that the project could cost $43 billion.

The agreement means all parties will work on various aspects of the project, including marketing and financing with a status check in 2018. The goal, Walker said, is to have definitive contracts signed by the end of 2018. Construction would start the following year, with the goal to have the pipeline operational by 2024 or 2025.

Representatives of Sinopec and the Bank of China toured operations on the North Slope and visited facilities in Anchorage before making their decision, which had to be approved by the Chinese government.

"This has been a long courtship with these folks," said Keith Meyer, the president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., the state-sponsored entity advancing the project.

Negotiations began in May, he said.

In the agreement, Sinopec would be the customer buying the gas, the bank would be the lender for Sinopec and China Investment Corp. would be an investor if there were to be an equity investment in the project. The Alaska corporation would retain majority ownership, Meyer, said.

About 75 percent of the LNG would go to China, with Alaska retaining 25 percent for other regional markets in Asia, including Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

"I look forward to seeing the details, but at first glance, this joint development agreement is very encouraging for the thousands of Alaskans who never lost hope that a natural gas pipeline could one day become a reality," Alaska House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, a Democrat, said in a statement. "A pipeline project will bring jobs, investment, and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed sense of hope that Alaska's best days are ahead of us, not behind."

The pipeline as envisioned would rival the famed trans-Alaska oil pipeline, a major building project of a generation ago.

The natural gas pipeline is intended to tap into the rich natural gas reserves on the North Slope. Similar in length to the oil pipeline, it would transport the gas 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) to the coast on the Kenai Peninsula, where it would be liquefied and shipped to Asia.

Such a pipeline has been a dream for Alaskans for years, seen as a way to provide economic certainty as oil production from the North Slope declines.

Estimates have put proven gas reserves on the North Slope overall at 35 trillion cubic feet. Alaska could provide a generation's worth of liquefied natural gas to China, Walker told the Chinese president when Xi stopped in Anchorage on a layover in April.

Millions have been spent a pipeline project, which has been marred in recent years by changes in direction, waning interest among state legislators and low natural gas prices.

The state took lead on the project with the blessing of major oil companies, who plan to provide gas to the project from their leased North Slope fields but focused priorities elsewhere. Walker has said this would be a make-or-break year for the proposed project, and he's been working to secure commitments from countries in Asia to buy the gas or be partners in the project.

The state opened an office in Tokyo to help market its gas, and Walker himself has traveled abroad looking for commitments.

This comes on the heels of a June announcement that the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corp. signed an agreement with the Korea Gas Corp., establishing a cooperative framework for the development of Alaska's natural gas infrastructure.

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Associated Press writer Becky Bohrer contributed to this report from Juneau, Alaska.
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (AP) - The Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed by a gunman during Sunday services will be demolished, the pastor said.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this week that it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church as a place of worship.

Pomeroy discussed the state of the building with the denomination's top executives, who traveled to the rural community in a show of support, a national Southern Baptist spokesman said.

Crosses showing shooting victims names stand near the First Baptist Church on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The pastor described the church as "too stark of a reminder" of the massacre, spokesman Sing Oldham said.

No final decisions can be made without consulting congregants, but Pomeroy discussed turning the site into a memorial for the dead and putting up a new building on property the church owns, Oldham said.

Charlene Uhl, mother of 16-year-old Haley Krueger, who died in the attack, agreed that the church should come down.

There should still be a church "but not here," she said Thursday as she visited a row of white crosses commemorating the victims in front of the building. She said her daughter attended worship services and a weekly Thursday night youth group meeting held by another victim, Karla Holcombe.

Jeannie Brown, visiting from Indiana, stopped at the site with her daughter, who used to live in Sutherland Springs but left decades ago for San Antonio.

Asked whether the church should be destroyed, Brown said: "Yes. Who would want to go back in there? But then if it is destroyed, does that mean he (the gunman) won?"

Other sites of mass shootings have been torn down, including Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 20 children and six adults in December 2012. A new school was built elsewhere.

A one-room Amish schoolhouse near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was torn down in 2006, 10 days after an assailant took children hostage and shot and killed five girls ages 6 to 13.

The previous site of the school is now a pasture. A nearly identical schoolhouse with a security fence was erected nearby and named New Hope School.

The father of the gunman broke the family's silence and said his relatives are grieving.

Michael Kelley spoke to ABC News on Wednesday from his home in New Braunfels, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) north of Sutherland Springs.

He said he does not want the "media circus" surrounding the attack by Devin Patrick Kelley to destroy "our lives, our grandchildren's lives."

A motive remains unclear, but the younger Kelley appears to have targeted the church because it was attended by his wife's family. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot and chased by two residents when he was leaving the church, authorities said.

The gunman shot and killed 25 people at the church. Authorities have put the official toll at 26, because one of the victims was pregnant.

All the victims died at the scene, except for one child who died at a hospital. Eleven people remained hospitalized Thursday with wounds they suffered in the attack.

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Associated Press Religion Writer Rachel Zoll in New York contributed to this report.

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Barbara Solano, center, places flowers at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the First Baptist Church shooting Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Crosses showing shooting victims names stand near the First Baptist Church on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

CORRECTS EMILY'S LAST NAME TO HILL FROM HOLCOMBE - Vice President Mike Pence hugs Evelyn Hill at Florseville High School during a stop, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, in Floresville, Texas. A man opened fire inside a church in Sutherland Springs on Sunday, killing and wounding many; Hill was in the church during the shooting but escaped. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
BERLIN (AP) - A Swiss man was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence Thursday for spying on German tax officials for more than 3 years.

The man had confessed to the Frankfurt state court that he accepted 28,000 euros ($33,000) from Switzerland's NDB spy agency to obtain information on tax officials in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The 54-year-old was identified only as Daniel M. in line with Germany privacy rules. The court took into account his confession in handing him the suspended sentence.

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2017 file photo Daniel M. - no full name given - takes his seat beside his lawyer Hannes Linke in a court in Frankfurt, Germany, The Swiss man has been given a 22-month suspended sentence for spying on German tax officials. (Andreas Arnold/pool via AP)

Prosecutors alleged that M. was tasked with identifying the German tax investigators who had obtained a data CD containing confidential Swiss bank client data and used the information to open multiple tax-evasion prosecutions.

The court said that M. worked for Zurich police and for a Swiss bank, then founded his own company in 2011. It said he got into contact with the intelligence agency via former police colleagues.

His spying took place between July 2011 and February 2015.

The finance minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, said the Swiss agency's behavior was unacceptable and must not be repeated.

"We expect from Swiss authorities a complete rethink and clear signals that they will, in future, join unreservedly in the fight against international crime, tax evasion and terror financing," state Finance Minister Lutz Lienenkaemper said.
081117Partnership delivers new roads for Buin

Press/laukai







A large community event was held today to celebrate the completion of a major project, funded through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, to seal the main town roads in Buin, laying the foundation for greater development in the South Bougainville region.







The K11.5 million project to upgrade Buins town roads was completed ahead of schedule and within budget. The newly sealed roads are engineered to take account of the heavy rainfall in the region and will provide a great boost to the local economy.







Member for South Bougainville, Hon Timothy Masiu, said the local Buin community is already benefiting from the project.







These new roads and improved drainage have given a tangible lift to the town and will help to drive economic and social development in Southern Bougainville.







For the first time the health centre has safe and reliable access for residents. The road that passes the Buin Secondary School now has a pedestrian crossing as part of critical road safety improvements. The new roads also include safety signs, sealed PMV stops, and line markings which make Buin safer for all road users.







The Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Technical Services, Hon Luke Karaston, was proud to see the high quality of the finished project.







This excellent new road surface will provide long-lasting, all-weather access. It is another great example of what can be achieved when we all work in partnership.







The long-standing partnership with Australia has delivered several major projects recently. These include the resealing of the road from Arawa to Kieta Port and the resealing of Arawas town roads.







Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Rod Hilton, said the developments in Buin demonstrate Australias strong commitment to the transport sector in Bougainville.







Connecting communities and businesses through safer, more reliable roads is crucial for Buin and the whole region. Quality roads are a real catalyst for growth and central to our partnership.







The Australian Government supports the maintenance of more than 300 kilometres of Bougainvilles road network. This work is delivered through small and medium sized local contractors as part of the Papua New Guinea  Australia Transport Sector Support Program.







ENDS/.






HAINAN, China (AP) - Ashleigh Buhai shot a 4-under 68 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Blue Bay LPGA tournament.

The South African birdied four of the last seven holes, including a difficult chip-in on the par-4 12th, to finish at 9-under 135 overall, one shot ahead of Shanshan Feng (67).

"It played a lot tougher than the last few days," Buhai said. "The wind was more or less the same direction, just a bit stronger, so I think it helps being the same direction as you have an idea what to do. It was just a case of taking more club and just trying to play it with the wind."

Feng shot the best round of the day with her 67, a score that moved her up 13 places and into second.

"I knew that after the first round, I would be warmed up a little more," Feng said. "I would say my ball-striking today was better, so I was giving myself birdie chances."

First round leader Sun Young Yoo (74) dropped to third place at 5 under, while Lizette Salas (73) is fourth at 4 under. Defending champion Minjee Lee (73) is in a tie for 20th at even par, along with No. 1-ranked Sung Hyun Park (76).
JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesian police said Thursday that gunmen have occupied two villages in easternmost Papua province near a U.S.-owned gold and copper mine in a possible escalation of a separatist conflict in the region.

Papua police chief Boy Rafli Amar said about 1,300 people have been prevented from leaving the villages of Kimberly and Banti in the past two days by a group that includes about 25 armed men.

Indonesia restricts foreign journalists from reporting in the provinces of Papua and West Papua and the police account of events is unlikely to be the complete picture.

Amar said the gunmen are an "armed criminal group," a description Indonesian police often use when referring to armed Papuan separatists.

"Their numbers are quite big, nearly 100 with some 25 armed men, while the others using traditional weapons such machetes, arrows and spears," he said.

Three days of clashes between Indonesian police and gunmen last month near the giant Grasberg mine killed one officer and wounded six others.

The mine owned by Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. is a source of tension in the region due to environmental damage and indigenous Papuans' resentment at profits from local resources being sent abroad.

A low-level insurgency for independence has simmered in Papua since it was transferred from Dutch to Indonesian rule in 1963.

The region, which makes up the western half of the island of New Guinea, was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 following a U.N.-sponsored ballot of tribal leaders that has since been dismissed as a sham.

Sebby Sambon, a spokesman for a Papuan separatist group known as TPN, denied villagers were being prevented from leaving. He said the separatists are freedom fighters.

Amar said police supported by the army were trying to open communication with the gunmen using the local government as an intermediary.
PARIS (AP) - A British businessman who helped thwart an Islamic extremist attack on a French high-speed train was awarded Thursday with a royal honor for his bravery.

The British ambassador to France, Ed Llewellyn, bestowed the Queen's Commendation for Bravery on Chris Norman, saying, "You helped save a lot of lives on that train."

In August 2015, Norman and three Americans overpowered an Islamic extremist with an assault rifle who tried to open fire on a Thalys train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris. Clint Eastwood is making a movie about the attack, called "The 15:17 to Paris."

British ambassador to France, Lord Ed Llewellyn, left, awards Chris Norman of the Queen's Commendation for Bravery, in Paris, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. Norman and three Americans overpowered an Islamic extremist with an assault rifle who tried to open fire on a Thalys train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris In August 2015. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Upon receiving the award, Norman said, "I hope that I will be able to live up to the standards of behavior that the award should bring with it."

"You're typically modest about it," the ambassador said.

Norman said he had been working on his computer on the train when he heard a shot and glass breaking and saw a train worker running. Later he described his actions as less of a question of heroism than survival.

"I said to myself, 'You're not going to die sitting there doing nothing,'" he told The Associated Press in 2015.

"I don't think we can rely entirely on the police, the law enforcement services. They will do their best. We can put in place the best intelligence networks, but somebody is probably going to get through at some stage. And my vision of this is that as citizens, we need to be prepared to think about how to act."

Norman, the three Americans, a French-American man and another Frenchman were given France's Legion of Honor for their efforts.

The attacker is suspected of links to an Islamic State group cell that killed 130 people in Paris three months later.
MOSCOW (AP) - A Moscow court has seized the property of a prominent theater and film director who is being investigated for fraud.

Kirill Serebrennikov, arguably Russia's best known director, was detained and put under house arrest in August in a criminal case that sent shockwaves across Russia's art community and raised fears of a return to Soviet-style censorship. Investigators accuse him of scheming to embezzle about $1.1 million in government funds allocated for one of his productions and the projects he directed. He has dismissed the charges as absurd.

Russian news agencies on Thursday quoted the Basmanny district court as saying that it has ordered the blocking of all of Serebrennikov's property including his apartment in central Moscow, his car and 60,000 euros in a bank account.
NEW DELHI (AP) - Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, on Thursday canceled a visit to a school in the smog-choked Indian capital as authorities announced a slew of new measures to combat the crippling air pollution that has engulfed the city.

New Delhi authorities closed schools to protect children from the soaring air pollution. Charles and Camilla, however, carried out the rest of their engagements Thursday, including a visit to the India Gate war memorial honoring Indian soldiers who died during World War I.

They arrived in India on Wednesday for a two-day visit. New Delhi is the last stop on the royal couple's 11-day Asian tour, with earlier visits to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

Britain's Prince Charles visits the India Gate war memorial in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have begun a two-day visit to the smog-choked Indian capital aimed at strengthening ties with India ahead of a gathering of leaders from Commonwealth nations next April in London. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

The government's air quality index remained in the "severe" category for a third day.

In a speech at a British High Commission reception, Charles said his visit to New Delhi was important ahead of a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London next April.

The Commonwealth, he said, is a microcosm of what the whole world faces in terms of climate change and resource depletion.

He said the most vulnerable peoples and communities face water, energy and food insecurity.

The Commonwealth is a grouping of 53 member states, mostly former British colonies.

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visit the India Gate war memorial in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. The royal couple have begun a two-day visit to the smog-choked Indian capital aimed at strengthening ties with India ahead of a gathering of leaders from Commonwealth nations next April in London. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
SMYRNA, Del. (AP) - Six inmates have pleaded not guilty in connection with a fatal Delaware prison uprising that occurred earlier this year.

The six inmates, who are among 18 prisoners indicted in the February riot, pleaded not guilty at arraignments on Tuesday. All six demanded a jury trial.

Five of the six, including two already serving time for murder, are among 16 inmates charged with first-degree murder in the death of corrections officer Steven Floyd.

Prosecution of the defendants is likely to prove costly for taxpayers, as none of the 18 defendants can be represented by a public defender, based on conflicts of interest. Instead, they will be represented by private attorneys who are paid $90 an hour.
BRUSSELS (AP) - European Union nations failed on Thursday to agree on the continued use of one of the world's most widely used weed killers, glyphosate, amid concerns about its possible links to cancer.

EU member nations met to discuss the issue Thursday following a European Parliament vote last month to limit an extension of the license for the weed killer - used in chemical-giant Monsanto's popular Roundup herbicide - to five years.

The European Commission has proposed a license extension of 10 years.

Many of the 28 member states that voted - 14 countries - were in favor of the commission's plan. Five countries abstained, and nine were against. But the votes weren't enough to renew the license, which expires on Dec. 15.

It's at least the third time EU countries have failed to secure an agreement.

Greens lawmaker Bart Staes said it's time "for the European Commission to accept that support for their proposals is not there."

He said: "The commission must do the right thing and ban this toxic substance."

Environmentalists have been seeking to ban glyphosate, which the World Health Organization's cancer agency said in 2015 is "probably carcinogenic to humans," while the EU's farmer's union wants a 15-year extension.

Banning glyphosate outright would shake Europe's agriculture sector to its foundations, so widely used is the product.

For the moment, the European Commission plans to push ahead with its proposal. An appeals committee made up of member nations is expected to rule on the vote before the end of November, just a few weeks before the license runs out.

France's government has lobbied against a lengthy extension on use of the weed killer, despite protests from farmers who say it shouldn't be banned until there's a viable alternative.

French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot, who rose to fame as the star of a TV nature show, said Wednesday that France would vote against any extension longer than three years.

"We are applying the precautionary principle," he said on BFM television. "We are not waiting for a list of tragic victims before we act."

French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said Thursday on Radio Classique: "We absolutely must manage to abolish this pesticide. Research and development should find a less toxic substitute as quickly as possible."

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Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A convicted gunman for an extreme left-wing group who once was Greece's most-wanted terrorist was granted a 48-hour furlough from an Athens prison Thursday, fueling a political debate on prison sentencing and law and order.

Dimitris Koufodinas, 59, is serving life for participating in 11 of the 23 assassinations attributed to the now-defunct armed group November 17. His victims include the brother-in-law of the current conservative Greek opposition leader, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who described the furlough as "inconceivable."

The November 17 or 17N group evaded police for nearly 30 years until one of its members was arrested after a botched bomb attack in 2002. The event triggered numerous arrests and Koufodinas' conviction the following year for the murders as well as for armed robberies and bomb attacks.

Dimitris Koufodinas, 59, smiles as he leaves Korydallos prison in western Athens, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. Koufodinas, the gunman for the now-defunct Greek extremist group November 17, has been granted a 48-hour furlough from an Athens jail, fueling a political debate on prison sentencing and law and order in Greece. (Yannis Kotsiaris/InTime News via AP)

The group's victims included military officials and diplomats from the United States, Britain and Turkey, as well as prominent Greek businessmen and politicians.

Casually dressed and smiling, Koufodinas walked out of the high-security Korydallos prison in Athens Thursday and was hugged by a small group of friends and supporters.

The United States condemned his 2-day release and described Koufodinas as a "convicted terrorist." U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the U.S. Embassy in Athens had conveyed significant concerns about the furlough to the Greek government.

According to police accounts, Koufodinas posed as a beekeeper and math teacher, but for years operated under the pseudonym Loukas as the 17N's lead gunman, planner, recruiter and cashier.

He described details of the organization's attacks in a 2014 autobiography without referring to them in the first person.

The conditions of Koufodinas' time outside prison were set under a law passed in 1989. The furlough nonetheless touched off a spat between Greece's left-wing government and the opposition New Democracy party. The conservative New Democracy accused the government of endangering public safety and urged the Justice Ministry to block his leave.

"Greeks are in shock at the sight of 17N's chief killer, Dimitris Koufodinas, being granted a two-day leave. He is a terrorist who has not expressed a trace of remorse to the families of 11 people he murdered," party spokeswoman Maria Spyraki said.

Greece's National Association of Prison Wardens said Koufodinas had earned the right to request a leave.

"Dimitris Koufodinas has had no disciplinary infringement while in prison and has met all the conditions required for a furlough," the association said.

"There should be an end to disputes over (rights) that are self-evident," the wardens groups said. "The law must be upheld."

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Follow Gatopoulos at http://www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos
BEIRUT (AP) - Saudi Arabia on Thursday ordered its citizens out of Lebanon in its first concrete action against the Mediterranean country, while officials in Beirut demanded the immediate return of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who abruptly announced his resignation last week in a television appearance from the kingdom, where he has been holed up since.

The developments were the latest twist in the saga of Hariri, whose fate increasingly resembled a bizarre mystery-thriller that has gripped his nation and sent tensions soaring with Saudi Arabia.

With the Lebanese government in limbo, officials in Beirut said they haven't heard from Hariri since he departed for Saudi Arabia last week. Hariri's own Future Movement party called Thursday for his immediate return home for the "dignity of the nation."

Workers hang a poster of outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri with Arabic words that read, "We are all Saad," on a seaside street in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. Hezbollah has called on Saudi Arabia to stay out of Lebanese affairs, saying the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, announced from Riyadh over the weekend, "has raised many questions." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

In his pre-recorded resignation speech on Saturday, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese proxy, the Shiite militant Hezbollah, of meddling in regional affairs and holding Lebanon hostage. The move shattered his year-old coalition government and stunned the Lebanese, including some of Hariri's aides who had no advance warning that he intended to resign.

Beyond a phone call on Saturday informing President Michael Aoun of his resignation, Hariri has not made contact with Lebanese officials. Aoun has said he would not accept the resignation until Hariri returns to the country and explains the circumstances of his decision to step down.

Late Wednesday night, Hariri's private plane took off from Riyadh and flew back to Beirut - and Lebanese breathlessly awaited his arrival, only to discover he wasn't on board.

The intrigue has thrown the tiny nation in turmoil. It also seemed, ironically, to have united the Lebanese in their resentment of Saudi Arabia's aggressive stance, which many see as an affront.

"How can they hold a prime minister?" asked a Hariri supporter in Beirut who gave only his first name, Abed, saying he feared retaliation for his comments. He said he was at a loss to know what to think, adding that if it turns out that the Saudis were indeed holding Hariri under house arrest "then they have humiliated the whole country by doing this."

On Thursday, Hariri's Future Movement party delivered its sharpest rebuke yet over Hariri's absence, demanding that he be returned home immediately - the clearest sign so far that it believes he is being held by the Saudis against his will.

"The return of the Lebanese prime minister, the national leader, Saad Hariri, and the head of the Future Movement, is necessary to restore dignity and respect to Lebanon at home and abroad," former premier Fouad Saniora said in the statement read on TV.

The Riyadh government, meanwhile, after days of leveling threats against Beirut, ordered all Saudis living in or visiting Lebanon to depart "immediately," and warned against travel to the country.

Hariri, the son of the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in an explosion in Beirut in 2005, is a dual Lebanese-Saudi national with business interests in the Gulf kingdom.

Saudi Arabia sees Hezbollah as a proxy of Iran amid a spiraling rivalry between the two regional Sunni and Shiite heavyweights.

Saudi Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan warned earlier this month that his government would deal with Lebanon as a hostile state as long as the militant group Hezbollah was in the Lebanese government. The Lebanese unity government that Hariri formed a year ago includes Hezbollah members - the result of an implicit Saudi-Iranian understanding to sideline Lebanon from the other proxy wars in the region.

That understanding came to an abrupt end with Hariri's resignation, throwing the country back into the forefront of the Sunni-Shiite regional conflicts.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has found itself in the odd position of coming to Hariri's defense. Hezbollah's leader and one of Lebanon's most powerful figures, Hassan Nasrallah, has speculated openly that Hariri was being held against his will and even said that it appeared Saudi Arabia forced the resignation.

Lebanon is no stranger to intrigue and suspense. Its modern history is full of assassinations, kidnappings and wars that left tens of thousands dead and missing. But the mysterious circumstances surrounding Hariri's resignation have triggered a torrent of rumors - and much trepidation.

A senior Lebanese official said Thursday that Hariri had not been heard from since Saturday. "We don't know anything. All I can confirm is that we have not heard from him since and he has not returned," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Aides to Hariri in Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, said his decision to remain in the kingdom was due to intelligence reports that he was a target for assassination. The aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, said Hariri was also demanding that Hezbollah stop trying to impose Iran's agenda on the Lebanese government.

Adding to the speculation, the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, known for its anti-Saudi stance, reported Thursday that the kingdom had decided to replace Hariri with his older brother, Bahaa Hariri, as its new man in Lebanon. It added that Saad Hariri agreed to pay allegiance to his brother as long as he is set free and allowed to move to Europe and leave politics.

Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, a member of Hariri's Future Movement and a close aide, dismissed the reports. "We are not a herd of sheep or a piece of property to hand over from one person to the other," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently visiting the United Arab Emirates, declined to discuss Hariri's resignation, saying only that he hopes Lebanon will have a new government soon. He was set to travel to Saudi Arabia later Thursday to discuss the situation in Lebanon and other issues.

"We've had some contact but there's no reason to say anything officially regarding this," Macron said when asked if he had contact with Hariri.

"So far, all I can say is we did not receive any requests" from Hariri for asylum, the French leader said.

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Associated Press writers Philip Issa in Beirut, Abdullah al-Shihri in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
BERLIN (AP) - Commuters in northern Germany will be able to travel on the world's first hydrogen-powered trains in four years' time.

French engineering giant Alstom says it has signed an agreement to deliver 14 fuel-cell trains to LNVG, a rail company in Germany's Lower Saxony state.

The trains will begin operating on routes between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude from December 2021.

FILE - In this Sept 20, 2016 file photo visitors look at an Alstom hydrogen-powered train at the InnoTrans international trade fair for transport technology in Berlin. Rail passengers in northern Germany will be able to travel on the world's first hydrogen-powered trains in four years' time. French engineering giant Alstom says it has signed an agreement to deliver 14 fuel cell trains to LNVG, a rail company in Germany's Lower Saxony state. (Serene Stache/dpa via AP)

Alstom said Thursday that the Coradia iLint trains will have a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and a maximum speed of 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph).

Hydrogen engines emit only water vapor and are considered one of the cleanest forms of transportation. The trains will replace diesel vehicles on non-electrified tracks.

There are plans to produce the hydrogen using electricity from Lower Saxony's many wind turbines.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Syria and its close ally Russia faced harsh criticism on Thursday at a meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons following an investigation that blamed Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime for a sarin attack that killed about 100 people in April.

At a closed-doors meeting of the chemical weapons watchdog's executive council, U.S. representative Kenneth D. Ward said that Russia "continues to deny the truth and, instead, collaborates with the Assad regime in a deplorable attempt to discredit" the joint U.N.-OPCW investigation.

The text of Ward's statement was posted on the OPCW website.

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meets with Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Nov 7, 2017. Syria's state-run news agency SANA said Assad and Velayati have vowed to defend their interests amid rising regional tensions. (SANA via AP)

Russia has denounced the results of the investigation into the Khan Sheikhoun attack and vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution to renew the mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism, known as the JIM, which expires this month.

The OPCW has a team called Fact Finding Mission, which investigates whether chemical weapons have been used in Syria. The JIM was set up by the Security Council to apportion blame for such attacks.

Britain's representative to the OPCW, Peter Wilson, said the U.N. Security Council should renew the JIM's mandate.

"No ifs, no buts and no skimping on the mandate. It must be able to do its job," Wilson said.

Ward, meanwhile, said the meeting in The Hague also had to send a strong message condemning the use of chemical weapons.

"Let me be clear - inaction by this council is unacceptable, as it would severely damage the credibility and effectiveness of this organization and the Chemical Weapons Convention, and undermine the broader framework of arms control and non-proliferation," he said.

Statements issued by the OPCW's Executive Council are normally adopted by consensus, but that appears unlikely, given Russia's criticism of the investigation and its findings.

Western powers have expressed support for the JIM and the team's report, which also concluded that the extremist Islamic State group was responsible for a mustard gas attack in Syria at Um Hosh, in Aleppo in September 2016.

In 2013, Syria accepted a Russian proposal to relinquish its chemical weapons stockpile and join the Chemical Weapons Convention. That averted a U.S. military strike in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta.
NEW YORK (AP) - Agnes Varda, the 89-year-old Belgian-born filmmaker, estimates that she receives a lifetime honor every three months.

"I'm old so they don't know what to do with me," she says with a smile.

On Saturday, Varda will receive one of the highest of such awards: an honorary Oscar, to be handed out at the annual Governor Awards, an untelevised dinner gala in Los Angeles. But the award doesn't much impress Varda, a still-working titan of European cinema and the sole female filmmaker who was part of the historic New Wave in France.

FILE - In this May 19, 2017 file photo, filmmaker Agnes Varda appears at the screening of the film "Visages, Villages," at the 70th international film festival, Cannes, southern France. Varda will receive an honorary Oscar at this year's annual Governor Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

"It's ridiculous. I'm well known but still remain poor, with poor audiences and poor box office. It's like a consolation," said Varda in an interview earlier this fall. "My daughter says I should go. But it's the side Oscar. It's not even in February. It's in November. I think it's the Oscar of the poor. I'm flattered but not that much."

The Governors Awards were first held in 2009, jettisoning the lifetime achievement winners from the primetime Oscars broadcast. In recent years, the film academy has often used the awards - which are selected by the academy's 54-member board - to reward a diverse group of filmmakers who have escaped the notice of the Oscars. Varda never received an Academy Award nomination, nor did her fellow honoree Charles Burnett, the groundbreaking independent filmmaker of "Killer of Sheep."

Of the night's two other selections - actor Donald Sutherland and cinematographer Charles Roizman - only Roizman ("Network," ''The Exorcist") has previously been nominated.

Varda's achievements, though, are well-known to cinephiles. Her 1956 film, "La Pointe Courte," is credited as the first film of the New Wave. Her real-time 1962 masterpiece, "Cleo from 5 to 7," is considered one of the era's high points.

Originally a photographer, her films, from the fierce feminist 1985 landmark "Vagabond" to her tender 2009 memory sketch "Beaches of Agnes," have charted a more eccentric and often whimsical path than many of her New Wave contemporaries. She's small in stature but her dual-toned bowl-cut hairstyle is, like her movies, immediately identifiable as her own.

"Life comes through the frame and through the stock. It's like a filter," said Varda. "We filter life to make it accessible to us. We want to learn and then give to other people images, song and emotion and discovery. We are artisans. I feel I am an artist but I am a movie maker. I make a film with my hands. I love the editing, I love the mixing. It's a tool to make other people exist. It's giving understanding between people."

Varda has long been an inspirational, pioneering figure for women directors. When she began making movies, she estimates, there were three women filmmakers in France.

"When I started, my point was not to be a woman. I wanted to do radical cinema," said Varda. "Now, France is a country where 25 percent of the filmmakers are women. We have an incredible amount of women film directors and DPs. More than here, I have to say. Because we have pushed the idea that they can do it, that there's no reason they can't do it. All the jobs of filmmaking can be made by women. And they are smart. And they are strong."

And still Varda is among them. Her latest, recently released film, "Faces Places," co-directed with the 34-year-old street artist JR, is among the year's most lauded releases. In it, the unlikely duo travel the French countryside meeting regular people, hearing their stories and then pasting grand photograph portraits of them across huge real-world tableaus.

"We tried to lighten. The world is such a mess, such a chaos. We decided we should not tell more about the chaos," said Varda. "Maybe we are light. Maybe we like to smile. Maybe we love people so much that we want you to love them also."

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Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
BALTIMORE (AP) - A Baltimore corrections officer accused of sexually assaulting an inmate has been acquitted of all charges.

Cpl. Ambrose Obinna-Warrior's attorney, Hunter Pruette, told The Baltimore Sun a city jury acquitted the Baltimore Central Booking officer of 16 counts Wednesday after a five-day trial.

The Baltimore state's attorney's office had announced in June that Obinna-Warrior was charged with misconduct in office, assault and multiple sex offenses in connection with alleged abuse on three occasions in November 2016.

Prosecutors withheld the details of the case.

Obinna-Warrior posted the $50,000 bond after being charged and was free during the five months that preceded the trial. Pruette says his client's name and reputation were tarnished by the accusations.

It's unclear if Obinna-Warrior is still employed by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

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Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com
NEW YORK (AP) - Jackson Galaxy the cat fixer of Animal Planet fame is out with a new book that urges humans to meet their felines halfway.

The host of "My Cat from Hell" and co-host of a new show premiering Saturday, "Cat vs. Dog," Galaxy offers up the A-to-Z of what it takes to truly understand the cat-human relationship in "Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat."

So what, exactly, is cat mojo, and how can their humans help out with that?

In this Nov. 7, 2017 photo, TV personality Jackson Galaxy, from the Animal Planet series, "My Cat From Hell," poses for a portrait in New York to promote his latest book, "Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide To Life With Your Cat." (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP)

"It's that inner confidence thing," Galaxy told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "You don't have a cat. You are in a relationship with an animal. That's important to remember."

The book covers how cat owners can establish routines and rituals, track patterns of behavior and act accordingly, such as how many and where to place litter boxes, and how to help cats get their mojo back when things go wrong.

A good place to start, Galaxy said, is with the biggest mistake he sees among cat owners, the idea that cats aren't cats at all.

"It's the concept of looking at cats through dog-colored glasses," Galaxy explained. "It's the concept that you want cats to act like dogs, to come and seek your approval, to treat you like you're the moon and the stars. That's not who cats are. If we expect certain things from cats we're going to be disappointed. If we look at them on their own terms we won't be."

Those terms, he said, involve recognizing the "raw" in your cat.

"The key is to see them as what they are, which is a prey animal, an animal that is conditioned to kill or be killed, to always be on guard of possible friend or foe," Galaxy said. "You have to present yourself as a non-threat."

Among his tricks is the slow blink, which is pretty much how it sounds.

"Watching them return that gaze to you is that Rosetta Stone, it's that in, that way of saying wait a minute, we can speak together," he said.

And then there's what Galaxy calls "the Michelangelo," which is extending your finger with the rest of the digits on the hand semi-extended, a la the Sistine Chapel. That, he said, the best way is to allow a cat "to then pet you, to just rub up against you."

Taking such things on the animal's terms, he said, "really goes a long way."

Remember, Galaxy said, be patient and "know that you're learning a brand-new language."

Galaxy is a strong advocate of animal adoption. He urges cat owners with their hearts set on kittens to consider two over just one.

"I don't even think you should be allowed to adopt a single," he said. "They learn so much from each other. I think folks think that it's twice the work when I think it's half. They take care of themselves, they play together, they teach each other, like what are appropriate body languages, especially around humans. I think so many of the behavioral confidence issues we see later on in life these kittens aren't going to have because they have each other."

He specifically urged the adoption of black cats, which he said often linger in shelters due to their blending in while caged, along with long-standing stigma and superstition.

"I think it's just really important that folks just check out their own biases," he said. "Remember that black cats are not bad luck. The rap they got against them during the Salem witch trials really follows them to this day. One kind of curious thing is that a true, totally black cat almost doesn't exist anymore because most of them were burned at the stake, so now they've got little pieces of white because that pure black was pretty much snuffed out."

While remembering that your cat isn't a dog, that you're learning a brand-new language and that you must meet a cat halfway, Galaxy said a touch of anthropomorphization may not be the worst pet owner sin.

"You can't paint anthropomorphization with a big brush. Sometimes it's OK. Sometimes it's OK to say your cat's depressed, or your cat is angry, as long as you're not projecting the reason they're angry," Galaxy said. "I think that we really tend to overestimate our own worth, you know. Well my cat hates me, my boyfriend, my girlfriend, my husband, my wife. That's usually very oversimplified. You don't want to look at them through human-colored glasses either. They are who they are."

In this Nov. 7, 2017 photo, TV personality Jackson Galaxy, from the Animal Planet series, "My Cat From Hell," poses for a portrait in New York to promote his latest book, "Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide To Life With Your Cat." (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP)

This cover image released by Tarcher Perigee shows "Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat," by jackson Galaxy. (Tarcher Perigee via AP)

In this Nov. 7, 2017 photo, TV personality Jackson Galaxy, from the Animal Planet series, "My Cat From Hell," poses for a portrait in New York to promote his latest book, "Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide To Life With Your Cat." (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Latest on a Minnesota state senator accused of sexual harassment (all times local):

11:15 a.m.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says a state senator accused of sexual harassment should resign.

A Thursday, March 10, 2016 photo shows Representative Dan Schoen,at the Minnesota State Office Building, Thursday, March 10, 2016 in St. Paul, Minn. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, Rep. Erin Murphy and state Auditor Rebecca Otto all issued statements Wednesday night, Nov. 8 2017, calling on Schoen to resign after accusations he sexually harassed women in state politics. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)/Star Tribune via AP)

State Sen. Dan Schoen, like Dayton a Democrat, is accused of behavior ranging from unwanted attention to women to physically grabbing a woman from behind. The online news outlet MinnPost first reported the allegations late Wednesday.

Dayton says the reports are "totally unacceptable" and that Schoen should resign immediately.

The party's leader in the Senate, Tom Bakk, also says Schoen should step down.

Schoen says the allegations are false.

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5:55 a.m.

Several of Minnesota's top Democrats are calling on state Sen. Dan Schoen to resign after accusations he sexually harassed women in state politics.

Schoen is a Democrat from St. Paul Park. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, Rep. Erin Murphy and state Auditor Rebecca Otto all issued statements Wednesday night calling for Schoen to resign.

That followed a report by MinnPost that Schoen had engaged in behavior ranging from unwanted attention to women to physically grabbing a woman from behind. One woman, Lindsey Port, told MinnPost that Schoen told her she had a good body for door-knocking when she was running for the Legislature in 2015, and later grabbed her behind.

Schoen says the allegations are false.

The 42-year-old Schoen is also a police officer. He served two House terms before winning his Senate seat last year.
DETROIT (AP) - The state's Forensic Center has found a Detroit man incompetent to stand trial in the slaying of a university police officer and a separate shooting of two city officers.

Prosecutors asked a Detroit district court judge Thursday for an independent evaluation for Raymond Durham.

Durham is charged with first-degree murder in the November 2016 shooting of 29-year-old Wayne State University Sgt. Collin Rose and attempted murder in the March shootings of two Detroit officers. Durham has twice been found incompetent for trial in the March shootings.

Defense attorney Gabi (GAH'-bee) Silver said Thursday that she still is "not able to effectively communicate" with Durham.

Briefs by prosecutors on the evaluation request are due Nov. 17. Silver has until Dec. 1 to respond.

Durham's next competency review is Feb. 9.
LITTLE EGG HARBOR, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey school board is considering removing copies of a sex-education magazine from a junior high library after some parents and a school board member complained it's too explicit.

The magazines, called Sex, Etc., go beyond "valuable information" and include graphic images and text, Pinelands Regional School District board member Stephen Kubricki said.

Some parents have objected to the content, which includes articles with titles such as, "The clitoris and pleasure: What you should know."

"I don't think it's appropriate," said Cat Williams, who has a 17-year-old in the school district. She said teenagers should go to their parents with questions about sex.

Lucinda Holt, a spokeswoman for the organization that produces the magazine, told the Asbury Park Press it follows sex education standards, and the material is reviewed by doctors and other experts before publication. She said the magazine is mostly distributed to high schools, but some middle schools also subscribe.

"I'm hoping that parents know that the information that we provide young people is to make sure they have information to make healthy decisions, and we want parents talking with children about these issues," Holt said.

The magazines were removed from tables in the library Monday and placed on shelves while the board considers getting rid of them.

Board attorney Amy Houck Elco advised members to wait for a committee's review of the content before making a decision. She said material cannot be removed solely because some people find it offensive.

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Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, http://www.app.com
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (AP) - The Latest on the Texas church shooting (all times local):

11:50 a.m.

The father of the man Texas authorities say opened fire on a small-town church, killing more than two dozen people, says his family is grieving.

Barbara Solano, center, places flowers at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the First Baptist Church shooting Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Michael Kelley is the father of shooter Devin Patrick Kelley. He spoke to ABC News Wednesday from his home in New Braunfels, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) north of the community of Sutherland Springs where Sunday's shooting happened. Authorities say the younger Kelley died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot and chased by two residents when he was leaving the church.

Kelley's father says he doesn't want the "media circus" surrounding the massacre to destroy "our lives, our grandchildren's lives."

Kelley's family has been silent since the shooting. A motive remains unclear, but Kelley appears to have targeted a church that was long attended by his wife's family.

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11:30 a.m.

Eleven people remain hospitalized with wounds from a shooting at a small-town Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed.

A spokesman at University Health System in San Antonio said two adults and two children were still hospitalized Thursday. Doug Finley said conditions of the four ranged from good to critical. Finley declined to be more specific.

Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio says seven church shooting victims are still hospitalized Thursday. Their conditions ranged from fair to critical. The hospital didn't release additional details.

The pastor of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs told the Southern Baptist Convention that he plans to demolish the building where Sunday's massacre occurred.

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11 a.m.

The pastor of a small-town Texas church that was the site of a massacre plans to demolish the building.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention that it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs as a place of worship. A national Southern Baptist Convention spokesman said Pomeroy discussed the plan this week with the denomination's top executives who had traveled to the community in a show of support.

The spokesman, Sing Oldham, said Pomeroy expressed hope he could turn the site into a memorial for the more than two dozen people who were killed last Sunday and build a new church on property the church owns.

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12:10 a.m.

Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of Sunday's massacre at a small-town Texas church.

Pence told the crowd Wednesday evening that the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman "deranged."

Abbott began the service by praying "for healing and for help." He also proclaimed Tuesday a statewide day of prayer.

Authorities say Devin Patrick Kelley killed 26 in the attack, including the unborn baby of one of the women slain.

Apple released a statement saying it has offered the FBI technical advice after learning the bureau was trying to access Kelley's cellphone. The company says the FBI has not requested its assistance.

Crosses showing shooting victims names stand near the First Baptist Church on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Crosses showing shooting victims names stand near the First Baptist Church on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities say one of three men who escaped from a Tennessee jail has been captured in a neighboring county.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says 20-year-old Dylan Cecil Ferguson was apprehended in Hartsville in Trousdale County. Ferguson had been added to the bureau's list of the top 10 most wanted people.

He escaped from the Macon County Jail on Wednesday with two other men, Jeffrey Strong and Matt White, who remained on the run Thursday.

Ferguson faces criminal homicide and other charges in connection with the death of a man in 2016.

A Ford truck the men were believed to be traveling in was later found abandoned in Macon County.
ASHTABULA, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio man has been indicted in the rape and slaying of his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter.

Ashtabula County Prosecutor Nicholas Iarocci said Thursday that Joshua Gurto could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder in the Oct. 7 beating death of Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley. Gurto also faces rape, felonious assault and domestic violence charges.

The 37-year-old was arrested Oct. 27 in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, the day after he was spotted at a Pittsburgh convenience store.

A coroner has said Seriniti died from blunt force trauma to her head and body. She died at a local hospital after being found unconscious in Conneaut (KAW'-nee-awt), northeast of Cleveland.

Iarocci says Gurto was brought to the Ashtabula County Jail on Thursday from Allegheny County.

It's unclear whether Gurto has an attorney.
News / International

by Kingstone Jambawo

President Robert Mugabe has been in power since the country attained independence in 1980 and has been at the helm for 37 years. Grace Mugabe announced on Saturday that there was nothing wrong if her husband appointed her [to VP]. Robert Mugabe has now fired his deputy - Emmerson Mnangagwa - fuelling speculation that he wants to promote his wife.Braving the cold weather, members of UK based Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO), called the Mugabe's out, at this Wednesday Vigil. Chanting and singing "37'years is too long!", and "No to a Mugabe dynasty" the demonstrators called for a multi-party democracy which is still a dream after decades of dictatorship.The ZHRO Wednesday vigil has been established to protest against the despotic rule of Zanu-PF and to campaign for the restoration of human rights in Zimbabwe.Mugabe has so far appointed his controversial wife, Grace, to various key posts within his ruling Zanu-PF party as a way of positioning her to assume power.By getting her husband to fire the former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Grace is clearing her way to lead the ruling Zanu-PF party when her husband leaves office or becomes incapacitated.The most likely scenario that is about to unfold is an extraordinary congress in December which will make Grace the second Vice President. Within a few days or weeks, Robert will be sent to Singapore for a check up, go on leave - sick or otherwise - to allow Grace to become the Acting President. This will gives her and Zanu-PF the opportunity to gauge the mood of the people whilst making the situation normal. A few months or weeks later, Mugabe retires due to illness or old age -whatever reason is given - Grace becomes the substantive Zimbabwean President going into the 2018 elections. But don't forget, she will have the powers to postpone the elections indefinitely until when she is confident of garnering the required vote or cultivated a situation that suits her.All progressive Zimbabweans must put their differences aside and kick out the Mugabes and their clan from all Offices.https://www.facebook.com/zhrocharity/videos/2004727023128688/Thanks to those who attended this week's vigil: Roseline Mukucha, Rashiwe Bayisayi, Sarah Bayisayi, John Burke, Mary Muteyerwa, Ebson Chigwedere, Philip Mahlahla, Chipochedenga Parirenyatwa, Lynette Chivizhe, Alfredy Mukuvare, Morella Nhau, Precious Moyo, Annita Ndlovu, Namatirai Angela Sithole, Salom Nkiwane, Florence Marowa, Kingstone Jambawo, Sibongile Bvungidzire, Elector Zvorwadza, Nancy Makurira, Bongani Moyo, Gladys H. Meck and Gibson Mberi.
BEIJING (AP) - President Donald Trump pulled his punches.

On the home turf of the rising superpower he once declared was "raping" the United States on trade, Trump on Thursday abandoned his often-pugnacious posture.

He opted instead for public flattery and deference and chose to denounce past U.S. presidents for the economic imbalance. And while he urged China to do more to pressure North Korea to abandon its burgeoning nuclear weapons program, the vibe was more conciliatory than confrontational.

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, shows the way to Chinese President Xi Jinping on stage during a business event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. Trump is on a five-country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Trump, who made China's growing economic might a bogeymen during his presidential campaign, appeared set to deliver a face-to-face scolding of President Xi Jinping following an announcement of new business deals between U.S. and Chinese companies.

Standing just a few feet away from the Chinese president, Trump declared that the two nations "must immediately address the unfair trade practices" that drive the trade deficit, along with barriers to market access, forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft.

"But I don't blame China," Trump said to audible gasps from some of the business leaders and journalists from both countries in The Great Hall of the People.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?" he asked, to cheers from some of the Chinese contingent. "I give China great credit."

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said later that Trump's comment had been "a little bit tongue-in-cheek" but that it nonetheless carried "a lot of truth."

Either way, it was a far cry from Trump's inflammatory campaign rhetoric on China. Night after night at rallies across the country, he portrayed himself as a hard-nosed negotiator who would hold other countries accountable for disadvantaging American workers.

"We can't continue to allow China to rape our country and that's what they're doing," he said in Indiana in May 2016. "It's the greatest theft in the history of the world."

While Trump made clear that he wanted a more equitable trade relationship, he made no mention of previous campaign threats to label China a currency manipulator, impose double-digit tariffs or authorize draconian trade measures.

Trump took a similarly softer tack on rising tensions with North Korea, whose nuclear capability he has labeled "a threat to civilization."

Before arriving in Beijing, Trump had delivered a stern message to Xi, using an address in South Korea to call on China, North Korea's biggest trade partner, to do more to confront and isolate the renegade nation.

But Trump took a gentler tone here, thanking Xi for his efforts and saying he'd been encouraged by his conversations.

"China can fix this problem easily. And quickly. And I am calling on China and your great president to hopefully work on it very hard," he said.

Tillerson said that while the U.S. and China agreed on the objective in North Korea, the leaders' private talks explored questions over "tactics and the timing and how far to go with pressure."

While China is increasingly disenchanted with North Korea's nuclear weapons development, it remains wary of using its full economic leverage over its traditional ally. China fears triggering a collapse of the North's totalitarian regime that could cause an influx of refugees into northeastern China and culminate in a U.S.-allied unified Korea on its border.

Trump's softer approach can be read as a good strategy to coax more cooperation from the Chinese - or the absence of a coherent strategy.

"One of Trump's most successful campaign arguments was that China was taking our jobs and eating our lunch," said Andrew Nathan, political science professor at Columbia University. "But we're seeing that Trump doesn't really have a strategy when dealing with China."

Dennis Wilder, formerly the CIA's deputy assistant director for East Asia and the Pacific, said it could be a smart approach.

"I'm certain the president was far more candid and direct in private on trade and Korea. Establishing the personal ties has been important in U.S.-China relations ever since Mao (Zedong) and (Richard) Nixon," he said, referring to the landmark 1972 meeting in China that paved the way for normalization of relations between Washington and Beijing.

Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Trump's apparent strategy "is to flatter Xi and praise the Chinese people, hoping to build enough good will to produce positive outcomes down the road."

She was skeptical it would work, saying China would comply more fully with U.N. sanctions on North Korea, but is unlikely to cut crude oil supplies. Glaser was even less optimistic that China would address U.S. concerns on "predatory" trade practices. She predicted more U.S. cases against China at the World Trade Organization in the coming months, and revision of rules for national security screening of foreign investment by China and other nations in the U.S.

This is not the first time that Trump, the tough-talking dealmaker, shied away from confrontation in a foreign capital.

In Saudi Arabia in May, he made no mention of the country's history of human rights abuses and declined to utter the phrase "radical Islamic terror," the use of which he had previously declared a necessity, during a speech to Arab leaders.

He has offered muted criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the country's interference in the 2016 elections. And the White House has indicated that Trump, when in the Philippines later this trip, was unlikely to publicly chide its president, Rodrigo Duterte, for overseeing a drug war with extrajudicial killings.

One time Trump did publicly upbraid his hosts was his spring visit to the gleaming new NATO headquarters in Brussels. Trump rebuked heads of state, who represent some of the United States' oldest European allies, for not paying enough for defense and he refused to explicitly endorse the organization's mutual defense pact.

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Associated Press Writer Matthew Pennington contributed to this report from Washington.

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EDITOR'S NOTE - Jonathan Lemire has covered politics and the White House for The Associated Press since 2013.

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Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the people in Beijing, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
FOREST PARK, Ga. (AP) - A man who exchanged gunfire with two police officers, hitting and wounding both of them, appears to have been killed by a bullet from one of the officers' guns, authorities in suburban Atlanta said Thursday.

The two Forest Park police officers responded at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a man driving recklessly on a motorcycle and not wearing a helmet, police said in a news release Wednesday.

The man, later identified as 30-year-old James Jacob Bailey, fled on foot and ran behind a house with the two officers in pursuit, police said. As the officers rounded the corner of the house, they exchanged gunfire with Bailey and both officers were hit, police said.

This photo provided by the Forest Park Police shows James Bailey. Bailey exchanged gunfire with two police officers, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, hitting and wounding both of them, and was later found dead behind a home south of Atlanta, police said. (Forest Park Police via AP)

Other officers arrived and removed the wounded officers to safety before beginning to search for Bailey. They found his body behind the house.

Police initially said it wasn't clear whether Bailey died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or whether the officers shot him. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in tweeted statement Thursday that it appears Bailey was killed by a bullet from one of the officers' guns.

Officer Timothy Sterrett was shot in the neck and underwent surgery, and Officer Demarkus Hutcherson was recovering from a leg wound, Sgt. Kelli Flanigan said Thursday.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Roy Moore, the GOP nominee for Senate in Alabama (all times local):

12:45 a.m.

The White House says President Donald Trump believes Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore "will do the right thing and step aside" if sexual misconduct allegations against him are true.

President Donald Trump arrives at Danang International Airport, Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, in Danang, Vietnam. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters traveling with Trump in Asia that the president believes a "mere allegation" - especially one from many years ago - shouldn't be allowed to destroy a person's life.

But Sanders says: "The president also believes that if these allegations are true, Judge Moore will do the right thing and step aside."

The Washington Post reported Thursday that an Alabama woman said Moore had sexual contact with her when she was 14 and he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney.

The Moore campaign denied the report as "the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation.

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10:30 p.m.

Steve Bannon is slamming The Washington Post as part of the "opposition party" after the newspaper reported allegations of sexual misconduct by Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Bannon, President Donald Trump's former chief strategist, was among Moore's most vocal supporters this fall. He referenced the Alabama controversy only briefly during an appearance Thursday night in New Hampshire.

Bannon is calling the Post an "apparatus of the Democratic Party" and notes it was among the first to report the "Access Hollywood" tape that caught Trump using sexually predatory language in 2005.

Bannon asks, "Now is that a coincidence? That's what I mean when I say opposition party."

The Post reported Thursday that an Alabama woman said Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, had sexual contact with her when she was 14.

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8:50 p.m.

Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama is facing lurid allegations of sexual misconduct with minors decades ago - and an immediate backlash from party leaders demanding he get out of the race if the accusations prove true.

The Washington Post reported Thursday that an Alabama woman said Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, had sexual contact with her when she was 14. Three other women interviewed by the Post said Moore, now 70, approached them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s.

The Moore campaign is denying the Post report as "the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation."

Moore himself has issued a fundraising appeal asking for emergency donations in a "spiritual battle."

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5:35 p.m.

Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore is telling potential donors in a new fundraising pitch that "the forces of evil are on the march in our country."

Moore is appealing for donations in his race for a Senate seat from Alabama just hours after the Washington Post reported allegations that Moore had sexual contact with a woman when she was 14 and he was 32. His campaign has called the report fake news.

In the fundraising plea, Moore says "the Obama-Clinton Machine's liberal media lapdogs just launched the most vicious and nasty round of attacks against me I've EVER faced."

Moore says he refuses to repeat their lies, and he's counting on the help of "God-fearing conservatives like you to stand with me at this critical moment."

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3:05 p.m.

Senate candidate Roy Moore's campaign is calling allegations of sexual misconduct "the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation."

The campaign released a statement on Thursday after The Washington Post reported the Alabama Republican candidate had sexual contact with one teenager and pursued three others nearly four decades ago.

The campaign says, "Judge Roy Moore has endured the most outlandish attacks on any candidate in the modern political arena, but this story in today's Washington Post alleging sexual impropriety takes the cake."

The statement also notes that Moore has been married to the same woman for 33 years and has four children and five grandchildren.

It continues: "After over 40 years of public service, if any of these allegations were true, they would have been made public long before now."

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3 p.m.

It's too late for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore's name to be removed from the ballot, even if he wants to drop out.

That's according to John Bennett, a spokesman for the Alabama secretary of state.

Bennett says the party and candidate can revoke the Republican's nomination, but his name would appear regardless, because a key deadline has already passed. Bennett says In such a scenario, even if Moore earned more votes than the Democrat, the state canvassing board would declare the Democrat the winner.

Several senior Republicans called on Moore to quit the race after The Washington Post reported allegations of sexual misconduct.

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2:25 p.m.

The top Senate Republican says if the report about Alabama candidate Roy Moore and sexual contact with a 14-year-old is true, he should drop out of the race.

In a one-sentence statement Thursday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says: "If these allegations are true, he must step aside."

The response was swift from Senate Republicans shortly after The Washington Post story about Moore initiating a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl several decades ago.

Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado says, "The allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore are deeply troubling." Gardner chairs the Republican senatorial campaign committee. He adds, "If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election."

Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Jeff Flake of Arizona echoed those comments, and No. 2 Senate Republican John Cornyn of Texas calls the report "deeply troubling."

The election is Dec. 12.

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2:22 p.m.

An Alabama woman says Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for next month's U.S. Senate election, made inappropriate advances and had sexual contact with her when she was 14, according to a Washington Post story Thursday. The Senate's GOP leader said if the report is shown to be true, Moore must step aside.

The woman, Leigh Corfman, says Moore met her several times when he was a local prosecutor in his 30s and at one point drove her to his home where he touched her over her underwear and guided her hand to touch him over his, the Post reported. They did not have sexual intercourse, the Post said.

Aside from Corfman, three other women interviewed by the Post in recent weeks said Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s. None of the other women said that Moore forced them into any sort of relationship or sexual contact.

Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist to President Donald Trump, speaks during an event in Manchester, N.H., Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate narrowly confirmed a lawyer for the petrochemical industry on Thursday to a key post at the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee air pollution regulations affecting his former clients.

William Wehrum was approved on a vote of 49 to 47 to serve as assistant administrator for air and radiation. He previously served as a regulator at EPA under President George W. Bush.

Republican moderate Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats in voting against President Donald Trump's nominee. Four senators, two from each party, did not vote.

Wehrum is expected to help administrator Scott Pruitt in an ongoing push to reverse or delay Obama-era regulations, including those seeking to decrease emissions from coal-fired power plants. Like Trump, Pruitt disputes the consensus of leading climate scientists that carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of global warming.

As an attorney, Wehrum represented the interests in Washington of clients that included the American Petroleum Institute, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the American Chemistry Council and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Sen. John Barrasso, the Wyoming Republican who chairs the Senate environment committee that weighed Wehrum's nomination, praised his credentials.

"The EPA's air office has been responsible for creating the agency's most punishing regulations," Barrasso said. "Bill Wehrum's three decades of environmental policy experience will be enormously helpful as he works to cut red tape, protect America's air and allow our economy to grow."

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat who serves on the environment committee, said Wehrum is the latest in a series of industry insiders and science deniers appointed to key regulatory jobs at EPA.

"It is an array of cranks, charlatans, hacks, lobbyists, toadies in really unprecedented measure in the history of our country," Whitehouse said in a speech on the Senate floor just before the vote. It seems that at this point the key and only credential for appointment to the Environmental Protection Agency is that you are reliably pro-industry and reliably anti-public health."

Environmentalists worried Thursday that Wehrum will help further weaken clean air protections already under assault by the Trump administration.

"It's genuinely hard to fathom someone less suited to lead clean air efforts at the EPA than Bill Wehrum," said Andrea Delgado, a legislative director at the environmental advocacy group Earthjustice. "Like other Trump nominees, he has made a career leading efforts to weaken standards that protect us from mercury, silica, lead and smog at the expense of the health and safety of children, workers and communities."

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Follow AP Environmental Writer Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - An environmental advocacy group says in a report released Thursday that over 1.4 million rosewood logs from Nigeria worth $300 million were illegally sent to China after Nigeria's then-Environment Minister Amina Mohamed signed thousands of retroactive permits.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Mohamed, who is now the U.N. deputy secretary-general, "rejects any allegations of fraud."

He told reporters Thursday that Mohamed legally signed export certificates that were requested before the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species added rosewood - also known as kosso - to a list of flora and fauna species in May 2016 that require a CITES certificate before logs can be legally exported.

The Washington-based Environmental Investigation Agency, known as EIA, said in the report that multiple sources told its undercover investigators that over $1 million was paid to top Nigerian officials to release wood stopped by Chinese authorities because there were no CITES certificates.

It said thousands of permits were ultimately signed by Mohamed in January 2017, just before she stepped down as environment minister to take up the U.N. post.

EIA said rosewood is coveted in China for furniture and over the past five years "exploding Chinese demand" has depleted forests across West Africa. As supplies in Gambia and Benin dwindled, it said Chinese traders moved to Nigeria, which had the largest untapped resource.

Since 2013, the advocacy group said, Nigeria has been transformed from a net importer to the world's largest exporter of rosewood logs, which is causing desertification, threatening national parks and imperiling the livelihoods of millions of people.

Dujarric said Mohamed's actions as environment minister "were intended to deal with the serious issue of illegal wood exportation." She instituted a ban on rosewood exports and set up a high-level panel "to find policy solutions to the crisis of deforestation in Nigeria," the U.N. spokesman said.

Dujarric said "the legal signing of export permits for rosewood was delayed due to her insistence that stringent due process was followed."

The allegations against Mohamed were first reported by the French newspaper Le Monde and Foreign Policy.

Foreign Policy reported Thursday that CITES "has shown no indication that it is satisfied by Mohamed's account ... and it intends to address Nigeria's conduct during a meeting of treaty signatories in Geneva from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1."
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Thursday rejected a request for mercy from a condemned inmate who argues he had such a bad childhood and is in such poor health he should be spared from execution next month.

The Republican governor's decision came in the case of Alva Campbell, set to die by lethal injection on Nov. 15 for killing a teen during a 1997 carjacking. The slaying came five years after he was paroled on a different murder charge.

Kasich, who did not explain his decision, followed the Oct. 20 recommendation of the parole board, which concluded that Campbell's upbringing and childhood experiences "were certainly dysfunctional and no doubt traumatic" but must be weighed against the circumstances of his crime.

FILE - This undated photo provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction shows death row inmate Alva Campbell. The Ohio Parole Board on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, rejected a request for mercy from Campbell, a condemned inmate who argues he had such a bad childhood and is in such poor health that he should be spared from execution next month. The board's 11-1 decision came in the case of Campbell, set to die by lethal injection on Nov. 15 for killing a teen during a 1997 carjacking. The slaying came five years after he was paroled on a different murder charge. (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction via AP)

The board also cited the fact that Campbell had been responsible for two killings, among other offenses.

Campbell, 69, was paroled in 1992 after serving 20 years for killing a man in a Cleveland bar. On April 2, 1997, Campbell was in a wheelchair feigning paralysis when he overpowered a Franklin County sheriff's deputy on the way to a court hearing on several armed robbery charges, records show.

Campbell took the deputy's gun, carjacked 18-year-old Charles Dials and drove around with him for several hours before shooting him twice in the head as Dials crouched in the footwell of his own truck, according to court records.

Campbell's attorneys have argued that Campbell is terminally ill with a variety of chronic diseases. He is unable to walk, or breathe without assistance and is dependent on a colostomy bag, according to federal public defender David Stebbins.

Campbell has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay his execution. Last week, he lost a bid to be executed by firing squad after a federal judge questioned whether lawmakers would enact the bill needed to allow the method.

Other inmates across the country have cited ill health as a way to avoid execution. Some have been successful, including Vernon Madison, a 66-year-old Alabama inmate with stroke-induced dementia, who was spared because he didn't understand his death sentence or remember the killing.

But many others have not had the same success, including double killer Richard Cooey, from Ohio, who was executed in 2008 despite arguing that his obesity would prevent humane lethal injection because viable veins in his arms were difficult to find.

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Andrew Welsh-Huggins can be reached on Twitter at https://twitter.com/awhcolumbus.
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - The brother of rapper Nicki Minaj was convicted Thursday of predatory sexual assault after being charged with repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl at his Long Island home.

Jurors delivered their verdict on the second day of deliberations in Jelani Maraj's trial. The charges carry the potential for 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 14. Maraj, 38, was led away in handcuffs after bail was revoked following his conviction.

Maraj did not appear to react when the verdict was read in a Nassau County courtroom. His lawyer said he will appeal. He contended the rape allegations were concocted by the girl's mother as part of a scheme to get Nicki Minaj to pay the family $25 million in hush money, a claim prosecutors called absurd.

"We have 50 appealable issues," David Schwartz said. "The amount of evidence we have that wasn't allowed in this case is unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it. I am shocked."

The girl, now 14, testified in excruciating detail about sexual assaults that she said occurred as frequently as four times a week and sometimes twice a day, mostly when Maraj was home alone with the girl.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence recovered from the girl's pajama pants was linked to Maraj. The girl's younger brother also testified at the trial that he witnessed one assault.

"We hope that today's verdict will help the family in the healing process and that it will close this terrible chapter in their lives," District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

The girl's mother denied that the accusations were made up.

James R. Ray III, a civil attorney who briefly represented the mother, testified that he did demand $25 million from Jelani Maraj after he had already been arrested to settle a potential lawsuit, but he said the girl's mother was unaware of the demand.

"She was never involved as far as what we did," he testified. The woman later fired him as her attorney.

Neither Maraj nor his sister testified at the trial.

A spokesman for Minaj's record label did not respond to an email seeking comment on the case. Minaj has been nominated for a Grammy award 10 times and won six American Music Awards.

The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault, and is not identifying the girl's mother to protect her daughter's identity.
Michael Gallagher Jr., (pictured on Facebook) sued a Louisiana university fraternity for a hazing incident that he says caused the death of another student

Fraternity members at a Louisiana university hazed a pledge and kept him awake for three days before he fell asleep at the wheel, crashed and killed another student, according to a pair of lawsuits.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette student Michael Gallagher Jr., whose car struck and killed 23-year-old Rustam Nizamutdinov last November, sued the Kappa Sigma fraternity and university officials last Friday.

Nizamutdinov's mother, who lives in Uzbekistan, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the fraternity and some of its members in September.

Gallagher's suit claims university officials knew or should have known about a 'persistent pattern of hazing' by Kappa Sigma chapter members before the deadly collision.

It also accuses the fraternity of failing to properly supervise members or take adequate steps to prevent hazing.

Rustam Nizamutdinov (pictured above) was killed November 2016 when Michael Gallagher Jr. fell asleep behind the wheel after frat members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity forced him to keep awake for three days

Nizamutdinov was an international undergraduate student from Uzbekistan majoring in Petroleum Engineering before his tragic death

'There is no way that (the university) would not have known what occurred or what was going on relative to hazing,' said Barry Sallinger, the Gallagher family's attorney.

On the anniversary of the deadly accident this week, Gallagher took to Facebook to share a sentiment in honor of Nizamutdinov.

'RIP Rustam ... God took you into his hands and He wrapped his arms around me during the crash,' he wrote in the post.

'I don't know why it was you and not me, but I do know you continue to watch over me in heaven just as I pray for you and your family everyday ... I cannot say it enough how sorry I am or how I wish things would been different.'

Gallagher's parents revealed they 'found their child in shock unable to remember what happened' immediately after the crash, which left him suffering severe 'mental anguish and emotional distress,' according to the Daily Advertiser.

The suits come amid a broad review of hazing policies in the state's higher-education system after the recent death of a Louisiana State University student.

Gov. John Bel Edwards called for system presidents to review campus policies on hazing, alcohol and drugs after 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver died in an alleged hazing incident.

Gallagher's suit claims university officials knew or should have known about a 'persistent pattern of hazing' by Kappa Sigma chapter members before the deadly collision

Gov. John Bel Edwards (shown) called for system presidents to review campus policies on hazing, alcohol and drugs after 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver died after allegedly being hazed

Edwards is scheduled to address reporters on Thursday after meeting with university presidents at the governor's mansion.

Ten people were arrested last month on misdemeanor hazing charges in the Sept. 14 death of Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU freshman from Roswell, Georgia, who was trying to join the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

A coroner said the freshman's blood-alcohol content was more than six times the legal limit for driving when he died after a night of drinking at the fraternity's house.

Four LSU fraternities have been suspended or closed since Gruver's death.

Gallagher's suit says he was forced to be a designated driver for drunken Kappa Sigma chapter members and was badly sleep-deprived as he drove home early Nov. 6, 2016.

His car drifted onto the shoulder of a road and struck Nizamutdinov, who was walking home to his apartment from a friend's house.

KATC-TC reports that toxicology reports showed no sign that Gallagher was impaired at the time of the crash.

Maxwell Gruver (pictured) 18, who was an LSU freshman from Roswell, Georgia, was also a victim in an alleged hazing incident

Gallagher called his parents after the collision. They came to the scene and found their child in shock, unable to remember what happened, their suit says.

Gallagher's parents also found Nizamutdinov's body lying nearby.

Sallinger, the family's attorney, said Gallagher pleaded no contest to a traffic offense - careless driving - and was ordered to pay a fine and perform community service.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette said in a statement that it investigated the hazing allegations after Nizamutdinov's death and suspended the Kappa Sigma chapter in February.

The fraternity's national leadership revoked the chapter's charter in July, the university said.

'The university supported the disciplinary action by the national organization,' the university said.

'Out of respect for the judicial process and the multiple parties involved in this tragedy, the university has no further comment.'
DALLAS (AP) - Sunday school teacher Peggy Warden threw herself in front of her grandson when a gunman opened fire onto the congregation at First Baptist Church, getting fatally shot as she protected the 18-year-old, relatives said. The teen then shielded a child hiding under a pew.

Warden, 56, was one of more than two dozen people killed in Sunday's shooting at the Sutherland Springs church. Her grandson Zach Poston was one of about 20 other people injured and described what happened from the San Antonio hospital where he was still recovering Thursday, said Warden's brother Jimmy Stevens.

"Basically, Peggy stood up and just shielded over him while the shooter was shooting. And when she got hit in the back he said he turned - because he heard her - and when he turned to see if she was OK, she passed away immediately," Stevens said.

This undated photo provided by her brother Jimmy Stevens shows Peggy Warden. When a gunman opened fire onto the congregation at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Sunday school teacher Peggy Warden threw herself in front of her grandson Zach Poston, getting fatally shot as she protected the 18-year-old, who then shielded a child who had been hiding under a pew, according to relatives. (Courtesy of Jimmy Stevens via AP)

Poston already had been hit in his arms, legs and side, Stevens said, when he saw a small child trying to get out from underneath a pew. So Poston shoved the child back under, Stevens said, and was shot again in the leg.

"So he took what Peggy gave him and he passed it on to help someone else," Stevens told The Associated Press on Thursday. He said it's his understanding that the child survived.

Stevens said one of the congregants was a nurse who was able to help bandage Poston, likely keeping the high school senior from bleeding to death.

"He will recover physically at some point; we just don't know what that point will be," Stevens said. "Our prayers and concerns are going to be for him and those others in there because of the mental and heartfelt torture they went through. It's still going to be in their mind," he said.

The gunman shot and killed 25 people at the church. Authorities have put the official toll at 26, because one of the victims was pregnant. The gunman died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being chased by bystanders and crashing his car.

Stevens said his sister taught Sunday school, but had only returned to being active in the church in recent months after spending more than a year caring for her husband, who had cancer and died in July.

"Her goal was always to teach children and to make sure she was a disciple," Stevens said, adding, "Her goal was to teach those children so that they grew up with that strength in their heart."

___

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A law enforcement official continues to work the shooting scene at the First Baptist Church Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
News / National

by Staff reporter

FOREIGN airlines have at least US$50 million in payments stuck in Zimbabwe, with some warning they might be forced to suspend flights into the country.Zimbabwe is in the grip of a debilitating foreign currency crisis, blamed on a collapsed productive base, widening trade gap and diminishing foreign capital flows.The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has, since May 2016, maintained a priority system to allocate scarce foreign currency.The central bank is grappling with a foreign payments backlog, which could potentially affect fuel and electricity supplies as well as other vital imports for key economic sectors.The RBZ has secured a US$600 million facility from the African Export Import Bank to ease the foreign payment backlog.Last week, the International Monetary Fund said Zimbabwe had less than one month's forex reserves, below the recommended minimum three months' cover.In March this year, The Financial Gazette reported that foreign currency payments due to global and regional airlines had reached US$30 million.Major global airlines started tightening screws on liquidity-starved Zimbabwe shortly afterwards, in April.At least five global airlines, namely Qantas Airways, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France and Delta Airlines instructed travel agents worldwide to bill their passengers in cash or stop accepting bookings altogether to avoid non-settlement of obligations from Zimbabwe's banks, which are affected by the acute shortage of foreign currency.In August, the central bank said a total of US$57,25 million had been paid to both the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and airlines. Of that, US$43,75 million was paid through the RBZ, with the balance being processed through the banks.In the latest illustration of the foreign currency crisis engulfing the country, IATA executives flew into Zimbabwe last week, the second time the global board has held crucial meetings with the RBZ in a fortnight, as they battle to find a solution.Central bank governor John Mangudya confirmed the meeting, when contacted yesterday."We had a good meeting with IATA on how we are addressing the backlog," Mangudya said."It is being addressed through a gradual payment arrangement that the Reserve Bank discussed and agreed with IATA."This week, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke confirmed the escalating airline payment crisis.The ZTA chief said current levels of unremitted foreign currency to airlines had sparked anxiety in the industry and government.He said the backlog was among the issues discussed by State agencies at a meeting convened by ZTA last week."It is now slightly over US$50 million," Kaseke told The Financial Gazette."We talked about it last week when we had a meeting with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other organisations. It was one of the topical issues. We have to do something about it," said Kaseke.A cross section of travel and aviation industry executives who spoke to The Financial Gazette warned of a repeat of the 2007/2008 exodus of foreign airlines out of the country, partly in response to falling trade, but also because of the currency restrictions.Between 2000 and 2007, 45 scheduled airlines including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss Air and British Airways discontinued services into Zimbabwe as political turmoil mounted, pushing arrivals down to less than one million, from 2,5 million in 1999.Regional airlines, Ethiopian Airways, South African Airways (SAA), Kenya Airways, British Airways' ComAir, Emirates, Taag Angolan, Namibian Airways and Malawian Airways are among the foreign carriers caught up in the payment gridlock.SAA controls the lion's share of the Zimbabwean market and is possibly the hardest hit by the foreign currency crisis.Its Zimbabwe country office has been among the delegations that have met authorities over the crisis at various times this year.Africa's third largest carrier operates close to 30 flights per week into Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, according to official statistics.Kenya Airways country manager, Stella Ndunge, told a tourism conference last week that the airline would pull out of the country if the payment crisis was not resolved."As foreign airlines, we have a limit in terms of the funds that can be blocked in a country. Once we reach that limit we have no other option but to pull out," Ndunge said.Namibian Airways country manager, Forbes Zaranyika, told The Financial Gazette that negotiations were still ongoing."IATA is helping us. They have engaged the government and we are still trying to work it out so it might be premature to preempt what is going on. So let that process get to its conclusion (but) if it fails then it will be something else," Zaranyika said.Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agencies president, Betty Katiyo, fears the foreign currency crisis would have far reaching implications on the operations of the travel industry."If airlines say they no longer want to come here, we will be affected," she told The Financial Gazette."Our sales volumes will be affected and our staffing levels will also be affected. If you were ticketing for seven airlines it means the number will be reduced."For the tickets that we issue, we deposit the money at the bank, which then remits to IATA. But this is not about the bank. It is a remittance issue because the bank also applies for foreign currency from the Reserve Bank," she added.Pressure from the airlines, as well as from IATA's southern Africa manager, Janaurieu D'sa, forced the central bank to swing into action from April.D'sa has declined to discuss his engagements with Zimbabwean authorities with the media.This newspaper could not verify which IATA executive had met RBZ officials but our sources said D'sa had travelled to Zimbabwe.The source said airlines with connections to Zimbabwe had been stretched to the limit.She said there were fears some airlines could start reviewing their operations in the country, with big implications on the country's US$1 billion tourism industry."The IATA boss has been here twice in the past two weeks. He said the debt is growing. You may have airlines that may stop flying into Zimbabwe because their money is stuck here," she said."Airlines are generally patient but very soon they will be overstretched. People receive United States dollars from their relatives in other countries. They change the money into bond notes and pay airlines. But in the end, foreign airlines have to be paid in foreign currency through the AITA BSP."BSP stands for Billing and Settlement Plan.This is a system designed to facilitate and simplify the selling, reporting and remitting procedures of IATA accredited passenger sales agents, as well as improving financial control and cash flow for BSP airlines.The source said there were also leakages in the industry that authorities were failing to review."Foreign companies are instructing their offices in Zimbabwe to buy tickets for their executives when they are travelling across the world even if they are not coming to Zimbabwe. For us it is good business but from a Zimbabwean point of view, foreign currency goes, we use the scarce foreign currency to pay for trips which has nothing to do with Zimbabwe. I find it strange," she said.
SAO PAULO (AP) - Brazilian authorities say five people are missing after a fishing boat with 23 crew members on board sank off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil's navy says the vessel went down Wednesday night near the town of Angra dos Reis. It says 18 people were pulled from the water alive by another fishing boat cruising nearby.

Navy patrol boats and air force planes were called in Thursday to search for the five missing men.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.
HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - A grand jury indicted a northwestern Indiana man on five charges stemming from a pipe bomb explosion at a post office, U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced Thursday.

The grand jury indicted Eric P. Krieg, 45, of Munster, on charges of making an unregistered destructive device, mailing a destructive device, malicious use of explosive materials, possessing a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, and mailing a threatening communication.

Krieg is accused of mailing a package at the East Chicago post office that exploded Sept. 6, injuring a postal worker. The package was addressed to an attorney who represented an individual whom Krieg agreed to pay $45,000 to settle a lawsuit, Kirsch's office said in a new release.

Krieg also is accused of mailing a suspicious package to another person on Sept. 29.

"When individuals use dangerous, explosive devices as the means to commit or attempt to commit violent acts, those individuals will be held accountable for their actions," Kirsch said in a statement.

A phone message seeking comment was left for Krieg's attorney.

A federal magistrate last month ordered Krieg, a former BP engineer and occasional political candidate, to remain jailed until trial.

Krieg is scheduled to appear Nov. 20 at an arraignment in U.S. District Court in Hammond.
SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) - The only Roman Catholic university in Oklahoma will close at the end of the fall semester because of financial difficulties.

Students at St. Gregory's University were told about the closure during an emergency meeting Wednesday. The private liberal arts school, which was established in 1875, said it was working with other schools to facilitate student transfers and looking at teach-out agreements.

"With great sadness, the Board of Directors of St. Gregory's University voted today to suspend operations effective at the close of the fall semester 2017," the Rev. Don Wolf, board chairman, said in a statement posted on the university's website.

The board said the decision came after the school was denied a $12.5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The university was denied despite de-annexing from Shawnee in January to fit the requirements of the loan, which required that the university must be located in a rural area to qualify.

"Without this component in the financial plan, the ability to sustain the university at this point is not possible," Wolf wrote.

Wolf said the school's main concerns are its students, staff and faculty. The university has scheduled an on-campus transfer fair for students for next week.

The university announced a strategic plan in April 2016 that identified $143 million of capital needs. University President Michael Scaperlanda, who took over as president a month after the announcement, immediately took steps to decrease debt and increase enrollment. He said he expected the capital campaign to begin with the start of the academic year in August 2016, but no announcement was ever made.

A year earlier, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation reached an agreement with the school to provide $5 million in exchange for full scholarships to 60 tribal members. Then-President Greg Main said the school planned to use the money to pay operational costs, refinance assets and expand fundraising activities.

Scaperlanda declined to comment on the scholarships, saying it would be up to the tribe to do so.

Wolf's statement said the school's board will continue work "to resolve financial difficulties and to explore possible partnerships in order to move forward."
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Republican leaders in the Iowa Legislature are creating a human resources manager position to oversee Statehouse harassment complaints, six weeks after the state agreed to a $1.75 million settlement with a former GOP Senate staffer who reported sexual harassment at work.

Staff for the Republican-controlled House and Senate plan to hire a director of human resources before the legislative session begins in January, said Ed Failor, a senior aide to Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix. The job, posted since late October, closes Friday.

The new position will be a resource to lawmakers as well as nonpartisan and partisan staffs, according to a job description. The same description does not directly reference sexual harassment issues, though it notes the director will "train managers to supervise employees in compliance with state and federal laws and applicable policies and procedures, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and procedures."

House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Clear Lake Republican, said in a statement the caucus "will not tolerate any form of harassment. Period." She said the position would "provide employees with a professional to handle any questions or complaints that they may have."

Last summer, a jury awarded $2.2 million to Kirsten Anderson, a former communications staffer in the GOP Senate office. Anderson claimed in a lawsuit she was fired in 2013 after she reported rampant sexual harassment in the caucus office. The award was later reduced to $1.75 million as part of a settlement with the state.

Anderson said Thursday she had a lot of questions about the new job.

"I think time will tell how it's governed and run and managed," she said.

The HR job comes amid growing complaints about alleged sexual harassment at state capitols around the country that follow sexual abuse allegations against film mogul Harvey Weinstein. The responses at other statehouses include:

- In California, its state Senate has hired outside investigators to look into complaints of widespread harassment.

- In Rhode Island, the House speaker has said there will be sexual harassment training for the General Assembly, after a lawmaker accused another lawmaker of seeking sexual favors in exchange for bills to advance.

- In Massachusetts, the House speaker has ordered a review of the Legislature's sexual harassment policies amid allegations of sexual misconduct by legislators or staff.

The hiring decision is being made within the chambers and does not involve an independent state agency. In August, Dix, a Shell Rock Republican, said in a statement his office would consider entering a "contractual relationship" with the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to provide human resources to staff.

"I look forward to working with DAS to ensure a safe working environment exists for all employees," Dix said at the time.

It was a joint decision between DAS and legislative leadership for the state agency not to get involved in the hiring, Senate GOP officials said. A DAS spokeswoman directed questions to the Legislature. Separately, Democrats were not involved in the decision to hire an HR director, according to Ron Parker, staff director for Senate Democrats.

Experts on sexual harassment issues say the in-house setup raises questions about accountability. Jennifer Drobac, a professor at Indiana University's law school who studies sexual harassment, said there needs to be clarity on where this manager will report. The job description notes the person will work independently to review and investigate issues, but the exact structure of command is still being sorted out, according to Senate GOP staff.

Separately, Democrats have criticized Dix's leadership as minority leader during alleged office incidents. They've also criticized him for his follow-up response to the lawsuit award. He has emphasized repeatedly that Anderson was fired because of poor work performance.

"If they're hiring someone to monitor this problem and to be available to correct it, how is that person going to correct it if they have no outside authority and are reporting to the people who created the problem in the first place?" Drobac said.

GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds has previously said there should be some level of independence as the Legislature investigates issues related to sexual harassment. Brenna Smith, Reynolds' press secretary, said in a statement the governor "is encouraged by the steps the legislature is taking to ensure a safe work environment."

Smith did not comment on questions about whether the hiring has enough independence from the chambers.

___

Barbara Rodriguez can be reached on Twitter at @bcrodriguez.
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - A prosecutor will announce next week the results of an investigation into the deletion of security camera footage at a Penn State fraternity house where a pledge was fatally injured in February after a hazing ritual.

Fourteen former members of the now-closed Beta Theta Pi fraternity face criminal charges in connection with the death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey.

Piazza died of a fractured skull and other injuries two days after drinking a dangerous amount of alcohol at a pledge ceremony and falling down basement stairs.

Footage retrieved from the frat's extensive system of security cameras captured many of the events that day. But prosecutors say a fraternity member erased key footage from a basement camera.

District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller plans a Monday afternoon press conference.
A decision by Britains financial watchdog to ban former City trader Tom Hayes from working in the UK finance industry has been delayed.

Hayes, who was jailed for 11 years for rigging the Libor rate, has won a legal fight to have the Financial Conduct Authoritys (FCA) move postponed while he appeals against his conviction.

The Upper Tribunal ruled the FCAs decision notice must be halted while the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) assesses his case.

Former UBS and Citigroup trader Tom Hayes (PA)

In a statement, the watchdog said: The FCA has decided to prohibit Tom Hayes from performing any function in relation to any regulated activity in the financial services industry.

The FCA considers that Mr Hayes is not a fit and proper person as a result of his conviction for conspiracy to defraud in relation to the manipulation of Yen Libor.

Mr Hayes has referred the FCAs decision to the Upper Tribunal. Therefore, the decision has not taken effect pending the determination by the tribunal.

Following the referral, the FCA applied to have Mr Hayes reference struck out, and Mr Hayes applied to prevent publication of the FCAs Decision Notice and to delay the hearing of the proceedings on the basis that he has referred his conviction to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

The tribunal has decided to delay the proceedings pending the CCRCs decision.

Hayes was convicted in 2015 of eight counts of conspiracy to defraud while working for UBS and Citigroup.

Responding to the announcement, Hayes said: I welcome this decision.

I can now concentrate fully on the Criminal Cases Review Commissions investigation into my conviction and support it in any way I can.

Im pleased that the FCA has accepted my CCRC application is substantive and expects it to be considered seriously. I continue to maintain my innocence.

There is a huge amount of new evidence available and I will fight my conviction until the truth comes out.
Students are subsidising university research through their tuition fees, according to a new report.

Research at UK universities is significantly under-funded with latest figures showing a 3.3 billion deficit, it says.

This hole is being plugged by money for teaching, particularly fees from international students, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) study.

It urges Chancellor Philip Hammond to find an extra 1 billion for research in his Budget later this month.

New report shows each international student pays 8,000 towards filling gaps in UK R&D spe... https://t.co/De2u4edkIe pic.twitter.com/S9zfKhGlkb  Higher Education Policy Institute (@HEPI_news) November 9, 2017

The study says official figures show that in 2014/15, there was a deficit of almost 3.3 billion across UK higher education, which has been traditionally filled from non-publicly funded teaching surpluses, money gained from international students, as well as activities such as consultancy work.

On average, over the course of their degree, each non-EU international student contributes more than 8,000 to UK research, it calculates.

HEPIs report also shows universities income for teaching from non-publicly funded fees totalled 4.6 billion in 2014/15 and the costs of teaching were 3.3 billion, leaving an excess of #1.3 billion.

In addition, income for teaching from publicly-funded sources  largely fees paid by home and EU students  totalled 13.3 billion across UK universities, with costs of 13.1 billion.

This leaves a surplus of 200 million, which is understood to come from English and EU students studying at English universities, who pay up to 9,000 in fees and are eligible for government loans.

The study comes amid a growing debate about university funding, tuition fees and whether students are receiving value for money.

HEPI director Nick Hillman told the Press Association: My concern is that tuition fees are under the spotlight, students want to know where their fees are going, no-one wants to increase fees, are these cross-subsidies sustainable? If they are, there is still a massive shortfall in research funding.

Philip Hammond

Report author Vicky Olive said: The cross-subsidies from teaching to research are a float keeping UK universities world-class but they are under threat like never before.

The Government has frozen fees for home students, students are demanding to know more about where their money goes and international student numbers are perpetually under threat.

There is nothing morally wrong with cross-subsidising research from teaching, particularly if students see the benefits in their lectures and seminars.

But it is right to investigate the scale of the subsidies and where they go, so that we can debate whether they are defensible, sustainable and valuable.

Mr Hillman said: Our conclusion is that the Chancellor needs to find another 1 billion for research in this years Budget, with some set aside for the work universities do with charities. But even this level of additional funding would mean stagnation relative to other countries.

So, we also need a strategy for increasing research spending to OECD levels over the next few years and German levels thereafter as promised in the 2017 Conservative manifesto.

A Business Department spokesman said: Science, research and innovation is at the heart of our industrial strategy and we have announced an additional 4.7 billion for research and development  the biggest single increase by any Government since 1979.

This funding will be delivered primarily through our research councils, Innovate UK and HEFCE, and will support universities across the UK.
The resignation of Priti Patel over her unauthorised meetings with senior Israeli officials is the latest blow to rock Theresa Mays Government.

So what now for the Prime Minister?

First of all she has to find a replacement for Ms Patel  the second time in a week she has been forced to carry out an emergency mini-reshuffle following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon as defence secretary. She will be under pressure to pick another hardline Brexiteer to maintain the delicate balance around the Cabinet table between supporters of a hard and soft break with the EU.

Will that draw a line under her difficulties?

Hardly. The issues are piling up thick and fast  starting with the Brexit negotiations themselves. The sixth round of talks is beginning in Brussels with the Government anxious to make progress. Mrs May needs EU leaders to give the green light for trade talks to start when they meet next month for their final summit of the year. However, they have made clear Britain needs to move first on the issue of money and the so called divorce bill  and that could cause more difficulty for the Prime Minister at home.

Any other money worries?

Philip Hammond

The Budget is less than a fortnight away, with Philip Hammond under pressure to come up with extra cash for public services starved of funding after seven years of austerity, with the NHS top of the list. However, additional spending could force the Chancellor to abandon his target of balancing the books by the mid 2020s - something he will be desperate to avoid.

Are there any other ministers in trouble?

Damian Green

Damian Green, Mrs Mays trusted ally and effective deputy prime minister, is the subject of a Cabinet Office investigation into his conduct, including claims of inappropriate advances towards a female activist, all of which he strongly denies. And Boris Johnson continues to face questions over his handling of the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British woman held in an Iranian jail.

Where does this leave Mrs May?

Theresa May

Ever since she saw her Commons majority wiped out in the general election in June there has been speculation over how long she can last. So far, the Conservatives have failed to come up with a plan B while MPs are terrified another election will hand the keys of Number 10 to Jeremy Corbyn. How long that will last remains to be seen.
Leave.EU chairman Arron Banks has unleashed a broadside against the Electoral Commission, accusing the democracy watchdog of being a swamp creature packed with fully signed-up Remainers.

The Brexit-backing businessman is facing a commission investigation into whether he breached campaign finance rules in last years EU referendum.

The commission has said it is looking into whether Mr Banks was the true source of three loans worth 6 million on non-commercial terms to Leave.EU, and whether Better for the Country Limited (BFTCL)  a company that lists him as a director  was acting as an agent when it donated 2.3 million to five registered campaigners.

In a letter to commission chief executive Claire Bassett, Mr Banks repeated his assurance that Leave.EU was funded by himself, financier Peter Hargreaves and public donations.

He insisted that not one shred of evidence had been produced to back allegations of dark Russian money coming into the campaign.

He restated his call for a judge-led inquiry to oversee the funding of all the referendum campaigns, and questioned why the commission  which has a separate investigation under way into the alleged undeclared provision of services to Leave.EU by data firm Cambridge Analytica  was only targeting Leave.EU.

Mr Banks wrote: There is a concerted political effort by Remain MPs to claim people were misled by numbers on the side of a bus or that the campaign was funded by cash from Russia or somewhere else overseas. I am proud of the fact that the Leave.EU campaign was funded by myself, Peter Hargreaves and donations from the British public in huge numbers.

Brexit bus

Mr Banks accused the commission of collaborating with Remain-backing Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, who raised questions in the House of Commons about alleged Russian interference in the democratic processes of Western countries.

He asked whether the watchdog regarded contributions to the Remain campaign by large banks and corporations as worthy of investigation and suggested that bodies including the Bank of England and CBI had effectively contributed to the In camp through warnings they produced about the possible economic damage of Brexit.

Describing the commission as a swamp creature created by New Labour and packed full of the flotsam of British politics, Mr Banks said: Ten out of 10 of the Commissioners are fully signed-up Remainers with links to EU thinktanks. One sits on the same committee as (former Swedish prime minister) Carl Bildt and two ex-European Commissioners.

It really is quite incredible that an organisation that exists to ensure fair play in elections should be packed full of ex-MPs and ex-council leaders  jobs for the political boys.

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: We have received Mr Banks letter and will respond directly to him in due course.

Mr Bradshaw said: This extraordinary outburst and attack on Britains independent Electoral Commission smacks of desperation. The various investigations into this whole area  by Britains Electoral Commission, the UK Parliaments Culture Select Committee and the US Justice Departments special counsel Robert Mueller  should be allowed to take their course without being subjected to these sorts of attacks.
Thousands of children and teenagers have been flagged up to the Governments anti-terror programme, official figures show.

The first detailed Home Office analysis of Prevent reveals that 2,127 of those referred to the scheme in 2015/16 were under 15, including more than 500 girls.

In one case a nine-year-old boy from west London was helped by the programme after standing up in class at school and declaring that he supported Islamic State. He had found and watched IS execution videos online.

Another 2,147 individuals reported for potential intervention over extremism concerns were aged between 15 and 20, meaning more than half of the 7,631 people referred in the 12 months to March 2016 were aged 20 or under.

Prevent

Prevent aims to reduce the threat to the UK by stopping people being drawn into terrorism.

It has an annual budget of around 40 million and forms part of the Governments overarching counter-terror strategy known as Contest, which was drawn up in 2003.

Anyone who is concerned about a person they think may be at risk of radicalisation can refer them to Prevent, but only a very small percentage of referrals are ultimately deemed to require intervention in the anti-extremism sphere.

When authorities conclude there is a risk the person could be drawn into terrorism, they can be supported through a scheme known as Channel. Engagement with Channel is voluntary and it is not a criminal sanction.

The new Home Office report on the 7,631 referrals to Prevent in 2015/16 show:

:: 2,766 (36%) left the process requiring no further action

:: 3,793 (50%) were "signposted" to alternative services

:: 1,072 (14%) were assessed as suitable to be discussed at a multi-agency Channel panel

Prevent

Of the cases examined by Channel, 381 subsequently received support through the programme, including 108 who were under 15.

The Home Office said that of those who have left the Channel process, more than four in five were judged to have had their vulnerability to being drawn into terrorism reduced.

However, 63, or one in six, withdrew from the process  although officials stressed that any ongoing terrorism risk is managed by police.

Security minister Ben Wallace said Channel has seen real results in helping divert people away from terrorism and violence, adding: The programme is helping to save lives and keep us safe.

Prevent is aimed at all forms of extremism.

Almost 5,000, or just under two-thirds, of referrals in 2015/16 related to concerns about Islamist extremism while 759 (10%) were linked to right-wing extremism. Of the 4,997 referred over Islamist extremism, three in 10 were under 15, the data shows.

The largest proportion referred in relation to Islamist concerns were from London, at 28%, while the highest percentage for right-wing extremism was the North East, at 21%.

Prevent has repeatedly come under fire, with critics labelling it heavy-handed and toxic amid claims it unfairly focuses on the Muslim community, but police and ministers say it is a crucial plank of wider counter-extremism efforts.

Prevent

In July 2015, authorities including councils and schools were placed under a statutory requirement to stop people being drawn into terrorism.

A sharp jump was recorded in referrals to Prevent following the introduction of the duty, while it is thought the Paris attacks in November 2015 may also have helped fuel the increase.

The education sector made the most referrals to Prevent in 2015/16, with 2,539  a third of the total  followed by police with 2,377. There were 812 referrals from local authorities while 267 came from friends and family. It is the first time the Government has released detailed figures on the initiative.

More up to date statistics published by the police earlier this year suggested the number of tip-offs jumped as Britain was hit by a flurry of attacks.

Simon Cole, the national policing lead for Prevent, said the Home Office figures show trust and support is growing but called for family members, friends and community leaders to come forward with concerns sooner.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The broke government has so far spent $500 000 funding the process of renaming Harare International Airport after President Robert Mugabe, the Daily News has learnt.The airport officially assumes its new identity - R G Mugabe International Airport - today.According to a written briefing, which Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Jorum Gumbo submitted to Mugabe last week, it has also emerged that Mugabe's office took over the renaming process last month and elevated it to national project status in order to qualify it for government funding.Until then, the process was being handled by Gumbo's ministry. The staggering half a million dollars funding was approved by Cabinet's committee of place names chaired by Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi.In the briefing, Gumbo said: "Your Excellency, in recognition of your contribution towards the liberation of the people of Zimbabwe, the ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is now implementing the resolution from the Zanu-PF Victoria Falls conference to rename Harare International Airport in your honour."In order for the process to be supported by international stakeholders, assurances and comprehensive input from local stakeholders was sought. Cabinet approval for the name change was sought and granted," a copy of the briefing reads.According to the briefing, Treasury paid $300 000 to the surveyor general's office, while the remainder - $200 000 - will be spent on funding today's unveiling ceremony."The (Cabinet) committee came up with a comprehensive budget, factoring in input of local and foreign stakeholders."To date, $300 000 has been availed to the surveyor general by the ministry of Finance and Economic Development for the change of aeronautical maps," Gumbo informed the 93-year-old Mugabe, adding that a "further $200 000 has also been availed for preparations for the event".An aeronautical map is a chart designed to assist in navigation of aircraft, much as nautical charts do for watercraft or a roadmap for drivers.Using these charts and other tools, pilots are able to determine their position, safe altitude, best route to a destination, navigation aids along the way, alternative landing areas in case of an in-flight emergency, and other useful information such as radio frequencies and airspace boundaries."The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe got clearance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and has already notified stakeholders of the name change to be effected on November 9, 2017," the write up further reads.In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Gumbo said: "The process involved signage changes at both the international and domestic terminals as well as having consultative meetings with the local and international stakeholders. The bulk of the money was paid to the surveyor general's office which needed to do some works in compliance with ICAO requirements."Government is spending big on deification of long-ruling Mugabe, who has been Zimbabwe's only president since independence from the British in 1980.In August, Cabinet approved a proposal by the Higher and Tertiary Education ministry to establish a high-tech'' Robert Mugabe University of Sciences at a cost of $1 billion.
Prince Harry has honoured the nations war dead and joked with one veteran about bringing Meghan Markle to the event next year.

Harry, 33, laid a wooden cross at Westminster Abbeys Field of Remembrance ahead of Armistice Day, in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

He looked relaxed as he chatted and laughed with veterans from past and present conflicts.

Harry joked with Matt Weston, who was a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan, about bringing his US actress girlfriend to the event, around a year after their relationship hit the headlines.

Prince Harry lays a Cross of Remembrance in front of wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars. pic.twitter.com/0rIvmO3ehn  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 9, 2017

Mr Weston, 28, said: I took the Mickey and asked where his missus was and he said she wasnt here.

I asked if she would come next time because shes awesome, and he said he couldnt hide her anywhere, but I said you wouldnt have to hide her.

Harry

I would love to meet her  I think shes very cool. Hes a very lucky man and shes brilliant.

Mr Weston, from Taunton, Somerset, lost both his legs when an improvised explosive device exploded in 2009 while he was serving with the Royal Engineers 33 Regiment.

It was great seeing him again, I met him before at the Afghanistan and Iraq memorial unveiling, he added.

Harry also stopped to talk to seven-year-old Harrison Degiorgio-Lewis, who he recognised after meeting him at the Abbey last year.

Prince Harry also met Harry and Henry, who were @wabbey with their families, and spoke to a group of cadets at #FieldofRemembrance this morning. pic.twitter.com/dYmZhkMufK  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 9, 2017

Harrisons uncle, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in Afghanistan in December 2008 when insurgents attacked a forward operation base he jointly commanded with Danish troops.

Harrison, who was accompanied by his grandmother, Helen Lewis, was wearing his uncles campaign medals and beret.

He has been coming here for four years now to represent his uncle, said Mrs Lewis, 61, who lives near her grandson in Rochford, Essex.

Remembrance crosses in the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance

She added: Harry recognised him  they have a bond, as they share a birthday. Harry asked him about his uncle Aaron, and he said how proud he was.

Harry, dressed in his Household Division frock coat and peaked cap, laid a cross in the grounds of Westminster Abbey when he arrived.

He solemnly saluted and stood in silence with hundreds of veterans as the Last Post was played.

The Last Post was played and Big Ben chimed to signify the start of a two minutes silence. #WeWillRememberThem pic.twitter.com/wXdF0ePOxk  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 9, 2017

Harry later stopped to talk to Joan De-Vall and Diana Lidstone, who served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army, during the Second World War.

Mrs Lidstone, 93, from Luton, said: He asked how we were and if were staying down over the weekend.

Mrs De-Vall, 92, added that was wonderful to meet Harry on the 100-year anniversary of women serving in the British military.

Prince Harry meets veterans standing in front of 380 different plots containing the 70,000 poppies planted by @poppyfactory. pic.twitter.com/Ute9JnCyns  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 9, 2017

The Prince shared a joke with D-Day veteran George Chandler, 93, who has been coming to the event for 15 years.

Mr Chandler, who served with the Royal Navy Coastal Forces, said: Last year he asked me whats in my bag and I said a bottle of water and a machine gun. This year I told him I didnt bring them and he laughed at that.

Around 70,000 tiny crosses, many carrying handwritten messages, are laid on 380 plots in the Abbey grounds representing military regiments, units, organisations and other groups.

Harry served for 10 years in the Army, and was twice deployed to Afghanistan.
Cap Soleil maintained her unbeaten record with a stylish display in the CSP Mares Novices Hurdle at Newbury.

Trainer Fergal OBrien, who is enjoying a golden spell at present, opted to take on some nice types first time out over obstacles with the four-year-old after she won two Listed bumpers last season.

Dame Rose, winner of the Grade Two mares bumper at Aintree, set off at a frenetic pace under Danny Cook but she was carrying a penalty, having already struck over hurdles at Hexham in October.

By the second-last Cap Soleil and Countister had taken over, but it was the formers jockey Paddy Brennan who barely moved a muscle en route to a seven-length triumph.

Cap Soleil wins easily on her hurdling debut @NewburyRacing and remains unbeaten (4-4).



Results  https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/N2D1wX1uQF  Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 9, 2017

OBrien said of the even-money favourite: I felt a bit of pressure as you want to get that first run out of the way, but she was fantastic.

Her main asset is that she is so laid-back. She doesnt know shes a racehorse, which is what you need.

A big plus is having Paddy ride her as hes put a lot of work into her.

I think theres a mares Listed race back here next month and she might be better on softer ground, which we should get. Youd like to think shell end up at Cheltenham in March.

.@fergalobrien07 gives us his thoughts on @NewburyRacing winner Cap Soleil and where she will run next.

Results  https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/tayEThWeFv  Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 9, 2017

Claimantakinforgan (30-100 favourite), third in the Champion Bumper in March, made a winning debut over obstacles for Nicky Henderson in the Agetur UK Novices Hurdle.

Henderson told Racing UK: Hes always looked a smart horse in the making and this was a nice place to start.

Like a lot of ours, hes just had a little blow. Hed get two and a half miles but hes quick.

I think hell stay at two next time and hopefully he can do that again somewhere before going up in class.

Nicky Henderson has high hopes for Newbury scorer Claimantakinforgan

David Pipes string have hit form and his DellArca (7-1) showed the benefit of a recent run when bolting up in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Jockey Tom Scudamore said: Hes been a wonderful servant for the yard  he won the Greatwood five years ago. To produce what could be a career-best five years after his biggest win is testament to him.

Philip Hobbs left Newbury with a treble as the triumph of Strong Pursuit (4-1) in the beginners chase was backed up by Poppy Kay justifying 5-2 favouritism in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle.

Strong Pursuit was ridden by Richard Johnson, who also teamed up with the Minehead handler to take the concluding bumper with Tidal Flow (8-1).
SOFIA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

-- Opposition Socialists and ethnic Turkish MRF party decided to seek a no-confidence vote against the government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. The two parties will still have to decide on the grounds of the planned motion expected to be tendered in December. (Capital Daily, Duma, 24 Chasa)

-- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Bulgaria is ready to join the euro zone and he would support such a move if Bulgaria applies to join. The report of the EU executive on Bulgaria's progress in combating corruption and organised crime, expected next week, will be very positive, Juncker said. (Trud, Monitor, Standart, 24 Chasa)

-- Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said he hoped that there will be clarity by the end of the year whether the country will get a green light to apply to join the ERM-2, euro zone's two-year obligatory waiting room. (Trud, 24 Chasa, Standart)

CAPITAL DAILY - Legal changes envision simplified procedures to open the country's labour market to foreign professionals, officials said.
LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Power generator ContourGlobal was virtually flat on its stock market debut on Thursday, faring better than a number of other recent London IPOs that were either cancelled or traded lower.

The company is a global platform of contracted wind, solar, hydro, and thermal power generation, and investors in the IPO included Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC. It was up a tenth of a percent at 250.25 pence by 0939 GMT, having been priced at the bottom of a previously announced range.

London's IPO market has been hit as broadcasting masts firm Arqiva, which would have been this year's biggest UK listing, and supermarket supplier Bakkavor scrapped their floats last week, blaming volatility and market uncertainty.

They followed business services firm TMF, which cancelled its float on Oct. 27 in favour of a 1.75 billion euro ($2.03 billion) sale to private equity house CVC Capital Partners.

ContourGlobal is an international company and so had its pick of international listing venues, but opted for London.

"London was the deepest pool of international capital and given they have assets all over the world, it would make sense (to list there)," a source familiar with the listing said.

ContourGlobal's appeal to investors lies in its exposure to long-term and wholesale contracted power generation worldwide and a record of low-risk, long-term contracted cash flows.

The source said the order book demonstrated a "high degree of conviction among high quality long only investors".

The top five investors took about 65 percent of the book and the top 10 took 80 percent, the source said. Singapore's GIC was one of the top investors, having put in $200 million.

In the six months ended 30 June 2017, GlobalContour generated revenue of $462.4 million and $234.5 million of adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

Other disappointing recent London IPOs include global depositary receipts in En+, which manages Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska's aluminium and hydropower businesses. They were trading close to $13, below the listing price of $14 set last week.

Cabot Credit Management will be the next main IPO in London, with trading scheduled to start on Nov. 17.

On Monday, Shefa Yamim, a minerals company focused on the exploration for precious stones in Northern Israel said it intended to list on London's main market. ($1 = 0.7630 pounds) ($1 = 0.8618 euros) (Reporting by Dasha Afanasieva; Editing by Susan Fenton)
FRANKFURT, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A German nurse serving a prison sentence for murdering two patients is suspected of killing a total of 102 people, more than previously known, police and public prosecutors said on Thursday.

That would make him Germany's deadliest serial killer if he was found guilty.

The man, identified only as Niels H. under reporting rules, has admitted to deliberately injecting patients at two clinics in northern Germany with deadly drugs and then trying to revive them in order to play the hero.

He has confessed to some killings, but police said in August that he could not remember all the details of his actions, prompting them to exhume the remains of 134 people with links to Niels H. to identify further victims.

The investigation has now turned up evidence leading authorities to suspect Niels H. killed 38 people at a clinic in the northern German city of Oldenburg and 62 at one in nearby Delmenhorst, Oldenburg police and the city's public prosecutor's office said in a statement on Thursday.

That is in addition to two counts of murder for which an Oldenburg court sentenced him in 2015.

Police said in August he was suspected of killing 84 other people in addition to those two and that the toll may rise as toxicology reports were examined.

It could rise further still, the statement said on Thursday, as police were seeking for the remains of some people to be exhumed in Turkey.

It said the prosecutor's office was likely to bring charges against Niels H. early next year.

Ten years ago, a German nurse was convicted of killing 28 elderly patients. He said he gave them lethal injections because he felt sorry for them. He was sentenced to life in prison.

In Britain, Dr. Harold Shipman was believed to have killed as many as 250 people, most of them elderly and middle-aged women who were his patients. Known as Dr. Death, Shipman was sentenced to 15 life terms in 2000; he died prison in 2004, apparently a suicide. (Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Alison Williams)
LJUBLJANA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Slovenian government opposes an immediate sale of any part of the country's largest bank state-owned Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), Finance Minister Mateja Vranicar Erman said after a government meeting on Thursday.

"The government has rejected any form of sale of NLB," she told a news conference, adding talks with the European Commission on the matter were "constructive but difficult".

Slovenia agreed to sell a majority stake in NLB by the end of 2017 in exchange for the European Commission's approval of state aid for the bank in 2013.

Last month the Commission rejected Slovenia's proposal to delay the sale of the bank by up to three years. (Reporting By Marja Novak; Editing by Susan Fenton)
HARARE, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe will upgrade its main airport at a cost of $153 million in an effort to attract more visitors, state media reported on Thursday, as authorities renamed the airport in honour of 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

Harare International Airport will from Thursday be known as Robert Mugabe International Airport and is expected to undergo an upgrade so that it can handle 6.5 million passengers a year, more than double its current capacity.

State-owned Herald newspaper reported that China Export and Import Bank will provide a $153 million loan that will, among other things, be used to expand the runway to allow multiple planes to land at the same time.

Accepting the honour, Mugabe said renaming the airport was "a great gesture" to him and his family.

In the last few months, Mugabe's vocal ruling ZANU-PF youth wing has been pushing the government to honour Mugabe by giving public institutions his name.

The government has said from next year the veteran ruler's Feb. 21 birthday will be known as Robert Mugabe National Youth Day, a public holiday.

On Aug 9. the cash-strapped government announced plans to build a $1 billion university named after Mugabe, a move that was cricitised by the opposition as a waste of resources.

Mugabe is the only leader that Zimbabwe has known since independence from Britain in 1980 and despite his advanced age, he remains the most influential political figure in the country. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by James Macharia and Gareth Jones)
By Raya Jalabi

ZINANA, Iraq Nov 9 (Reuters) - Four hours after first hearing gunfire outside his home, Abu Riwar bundled his wife and six children into his car and drove to a remote village 120 km (75 miles) away.

"We left with the clothes on our back and nothing else," said Abu Riwar, a member of the Kurdish security forces from the ethnically mixed town of Tuz Khurmato, seized last month by Iraqi troops and Iran-backed Shiite paramilitaries. "If the militias found out I was Peshmerga, they'd have slaughtered me."

They burned his home to the ground instead, his neighbours, who captured it on camera, told him.

Tuz Khurmato was part of disputed territory, outside the Kurdish region of northern Iraq but held by Kurdish forces known as Peshmerga, until last month, when the central government recaptured it in a lightning advance to punish the Kurds for staging an independence referendum that Baghdad called illegal.

The majority of Tuz Khurmatos 50,000 Kurds -- around half of the population of the ethnically mixed city -- fled the Iraqi advance to Kurdish-held villages and towns in nearby countryside, said Mayor Shalal Abdul.

The mayor himself fled to the village of Zinana, 120 km east of Tuz Khurmato, where he spoke to Reuters.

Most residents have no plans to return home, citing reports of continuing attacks.

"We cant cope if it continues like this," said the chief of police in Zinana, adding that the government and aid groups had been too slow to respond. "Families have taken over school buildings, houses and the hospital, but we cant turn them out on the streets."

According to the United Nations, more than 180,000 people were displaced by the Iraqi government offensive on disputed territories last month. Aid agencies say most of those displaced are Kurds, though members of other minorities, including some of Tuz Khurmatos Sunni Arabs and Turkmen, also fled.

Until Baghdads offensive, Tuz Khurmato had been jointly administered by Kurdish forces, local police and the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) paramilitaries, allied with the towns Shiite Turkmen population.

Though the Turkmen and the Kurds had worked together to push Islamic State militants out in 2014, the town's fragile coalition soon fell apart and led to open hostilities. In the run-up to the Kurdish independence referendum, tension escalated between the communities.

'CRUSHED BY THOSE MONSTERS'

In Zinana, displaced Kurds told Reuters stories of abuse at the hands of the Shi'ite paramilitaries who captured Tuz. One man showed a video he had filmed depicting the crushed body of a relative. Family members said the victim had been shot in his car, dragged out alive by paramilitaries and run over by a tank.

"He was crushed to death in front of me, by those monsters," said Abu Alan, the relative who filmed the body. "He was a good man from a good family."

A video circulated on the internet, apparently of the same incident, shows a tank running over a body while uniformed paramilitaries stand by.

The paramilitaries deny carrying out any abuse.

"Joint patrols by the PMF and government forces are securing the town, to prevent any attacks against Kurds," said Ali al-Hussaini, a spokesman for the PMF in northern Iraq and a commander of the largest of the armed groups, the Badr Organisation. "It's our job to keep Tuz safe for all sects."

The mayor, who is collecting stories and evidence of abuse, said seven people were killed when the town was captured, including the man who was crushed by the tank and three other civilians. He said he also knew of three women and one man who had been raped. Reuters could not verify those accusations.

More than 1,000 businesses and 2,000 homes were looted, burned down or demolished, the mayor said.

He showed Reuters images of houses and shopfronts in Kurdish areas, blown up and scorched, their residents belongings being carted away by men in military fatigues. Other pictures showed paramilitaries sitting in the mayor's own office, feet propped up on his desk and on his Kurdish flag.

Dozens of people were detained, and some say they were tortured, like Thiaa, a 20-year-old Sunni Turkman from the countryside who had gone to Tuz Khurmato the day after the offensive to check on his sister who was married to a Kurd.

"They detained me because I dont speak Arabic, so they thought I was a Kurd," Thiaa said. "They kept me filthy, hungry and blindfolded in a dark room with three Kurds. They beat us with cables all day long."

One night, fighters put a gun in Thiaa's mouth and threatened to kill him, only to burst out laughing at his panicked tears, he said. He was released after seven days and is now recovering at home from his injuries.

The Kurds held with him "had no such luck," he said. More than five are still missing. (Reporting by Raya Jalabi; Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; Editing by Peter Graff)
By Marja Novak

LJUBLJANA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Slovenia opposes a partial sale of its largest bank Nova Ljubljanska Banka and said its talks with the European Commission on NLB's future were very difficult.

"The government has rejected any form of sale of NLB," Finance Minister Mateja Vranicar Erman told a news conference on Thursday.

Slovenia agreed to sell a majority stake in NLB by the end of 2017 in exchange for the European Commission's approval of state aid for the bank in 2013.

But in June the government abandoned the planned sale of 50 percent of NLB, saying the suggested price of a minimum of 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for the whole bank was too low.

It is now in talks with the European Commission on what to do with NLB, but Erman said the talks were "constructive but very difficult".

Last month the Commission rejected Slovenia's proposal to delay the sale of the bank by up to three years and suggested a small part of the bank be sold to selected buyers ahead of an initial public offering.

Slovenian officials are due to meet the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and the EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Friday and Vranicar said Slovenia would propose that NLB pays a financial compensation in order to avoid the sale of the bank or its units.

She said the government would suggest that NLB pays compensation of some 365 million euros into a local cohesion fund that would finance small and medium-sized firms and help foster healthy competition in the country.

The Commission had suggested that NLB would have to sell its Balkan units if the majority of the bank is not sold by the end of the year. Slovenia believes that could be avoided by NLB paying 365 million euros - which corresponds to the price the government would expect to fetch if it sold NLB's Balkan units - into the cohesion fund.

"If needed we are ready to seek other compensation measures in cooperation with the Commission," added Erman.

NLB, which received 1.55 billion euros in state aid in 2013, returned to profit in 2014 after six years of losses. Outside of Slovenia it owns banks in Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

($1 = 0.8602 euros) (Reporting By Marja Novak; Editing by Susan Fenton)
WARSAW, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Poland's biggest lender PKO BP has made an approach to buy Luminor, the Baltic business created last month by Nordic banks DNB and Nordea, two sources familiar with the matter said.

One of the sources said the approach had been rejected, but that state-controlled PKO was still interested in expanding in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

PKO, Nordea and DNB declined to comment.

Luminor was created last month to combine DNB's roughly 930,000 customers across the three Baltic countries with Nordea's 350,000 customers there.

It is the third largest financial services provider in the Baltic banking market, with around 15 billion euros ($17 billion) in assets, as well as a 23-percent market share in lending and 16 percent share in deposits.

Its book value is 1.6 billion euros, likely a starting price for any negotiations.

PKO, with 286 billion zloty ($78 billion) of assets, is central and eastern Europe's biggest bank. In 2014 it acquired Nordea's Polish business for 2.8 billion zloty.

Both sources said PKO was looking to invest in the Baltics.

"PKO said it does not want to grow its operations here from zero," the first one said. "PKO said they talked with Luminor about the acquisition but received absolutely no interest."

The source did not say why Nordea and DNB had spurned PKO's approach, nor whether further talks were possible.

The second source also said PKO had expressed an interest in Luminor, but did not say how this had been received.

The first source said at least some governments in the region would welcome PKO's entry, but that they were sceptical about its prospects as the market is tightly held by Scandinavian banks which show no intention of relaxing their grip.

"The Polish government wants PKO to expand, so it seems logical for the bank to be present in the Baltics, which is Poland's neighbourhood," Vytautas Plunksnis, chairman of the board at the Lithuanian Investors association told Reuters.

"In the Baltics you can get a significant market share with just one deal, which is much harder in markets such as Czech Republic or Romania, where Polish businesses usually go for acquisitions," he added.

($1 = 3.6455 zlotys)

($1 = 0.8610 euros) (Reporting by Marcin Goclowski in WARSAW, Andrius Sytas in VILNIUS, Johan Ahlander in STOCKHOLM, Gwladys Fouche in OSLO, and David Mardiste in TALLINN; Editing by Mark Potter)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe has the capacity to become a regional information and communication technology hub following the establishment of an internet exchange point, deputy minister Win Mlambo has said.Mlambo said the hosting of the regional Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is expected to leap-frog Zimbabwe to be the information hub for southern Africa.He noted that if the big telecommunications operations and Internet Service Providers across the region connect to Zimbabwe, it will make the country the main hub for communication exchange within the region.Zimbabwe won $200 000 African Union Commission tender in 2015, and a total of $50 178 has been used on the project and $56 716 has been committed for more equipment that has been ordered, and still to be delivered.
AMSTERDAM, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A political activist who founded an Arab nationalist group seeking an independent state inside Iran was shot dead in the Netherlands, police said on Thursday.

Iranian Ahmad Mola Nissi, 52, established the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA), which seeks a separate state in the country's oil-rich southwestern Khuzestan province.

A Dutch police statement said a suspect was detained at the scene of the shooting on Wednesday night in The Hague after trying to flee.

"His involvement in the incident is being investigated," it said. "Emergency services were at the scene quickly and reanimated the victim, but he died shortly later."

Ahvazi Arabs are a minority in mainly ethnic Persian Iran, and some see themselves as under Persian occupation and want independence or autonomy.

They say they are deprived of decent living standards and civil rights. In an interview with Reuters in July, Mola Nissi said the movement wanted to "liberate Ahwaz lands and people from the Iranian occupation."

ASMLA's armed wing, the Mohiuddin al Nasser Martyrs Brigade, has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Iran, including the killing of two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards in January.

Shi'ite Muslim Iran accuses its main regional adversary, Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, of funding separatist groups active in Iran, a charge Riyadh denies. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin)
By Corina Pons and Davide Scigliuzzo

CARACAS/NEW YORK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Venezuela has promised investors that government officials under sanction by the United States will not participate in debt talks next week, three market sources told Reuters on Thursday, but several creditors said they were still unlikely to attend.

President Nicolas Maduro has urged bondholders to meet for debt restructuring talks in Caracas with officials from the cash-strapped OPEC nation, which is struggling under a failing socialist economic system and Washington sanctions that block it from refinancing its debt.

Many investors have said they would be reluctant to take part in the Monday talks, as Venezuela's two chief debt negotiators have been sanctioned by the U.S. government, which has warned investors of stiff penalties if they break the rules.

The Venezuelan government had promised that sanctioned officials would not attend the meeting, said a local finance industry source with knowledge of the preparations. In New York, two other sources knowledgeable about the Venezuelan debt situation said they had heard the same pledge.

Venezuela's Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Creditors still seemed skeptical. As well as the sanctions, they have cited concerns about security in Caracas and a lack of clarity on the proposals.

"We are not going," said Kaan Nazli, senior economist for emerging debt at investment manager Neuberger Berman. "It is unclear what the proposal will be ... there are so many obstacles that you don't see in any other restructuring."

A fund manager at a U.S.-based emerging markets advisory boutique said: "I personally do not know anyone who would entertain this 'invitation.' I can tell you right now that there's no way my wife (and mom) would let me go!"

Maduro has invited creditors to discuss the restructuring of some $60 billion of bonds, but also vowed to continue making debt payments. Investors say they would have little reason to participate in renegotiation talks if payments continue, and that such talks generally begin after a default has taken place.

U.S.-based creditors are not prohibited from attending meetings, but are barred from dealings with sanctioned officials.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has imposed several rounds of sanctions this year, accusing Maduro's government of undermining democracy and violating human rights. Vice President Tareck El Aissami is under sanction for alleged drug trafficking, while Economy Minister Simon Zerpa has been sanctioned for corruption.

NEW SANCTIONS

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, said it would consider allowing U.S. citizens to acquire newly issued Venezuelan debt if such an issuance was approved by the opposition-run National Assembly.

Current sanctions prohibit U.S. banks or financial institutions from buying newly issued Venezuelan bonds, which has effectively blocked refinancing.

On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury added 10 officials of modest influence to its list of Venezuelans under sanction, including several members of the National Elections Council.

The new sanctions do not show any evident link to the debt talks. They appear to have come in response to October elections for state governors that broadly favored the ruling Socialist Party amid opposition complaints of fraud and voter intimidation.

Creditors have also asked finance industry association ISDA to determine if Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA is in default because of a delayed bond payment.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) website showed that PDVSA was on its agenda for Friday at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).

The full payment for PDVSA's 2017N bond of $1.169 billion, which includes $1.121 billion in principal and $47 million in interest, was due on Nov. 2.

In one sign of progress, settlement agent DTC has told creditors that it has received the principal payment on bond, three market sources told Reuters. DTC declined to comment.

If ISDA determines that a "credit event" has taken place, that could allow debtholders to collect on derivatives known as credit default swaps, a form of insurance against default.

Since October, Venezuela and PDVSA have been skipping interest payments, invoking a 30-day grace period in an apparent effort to ease a cash crunch that has left the country desperately short of basic goods such as food and medicines.

Maduro said last week that the bond would be paid in full. He says Venezuela is victim of an "economic war" led by his political adversaries and fueled by Washington's sanctions.

An ISDA spokeswoman said Friday's meeting may not be conclusive. "It is always possible that they will need more time to deliberate," said the spokeswoman, who asked not to be named, in an email to Reuters.

PDVSA did not respond to an email seeking comment. (Additional reporting by Umesh Desai in Hong Kong, Lesley Wroughton in Washington and Karin Strohecker in London; Writing by Brian Ellsworth,; Editing by Leslie Adler and Peter Cooney)
WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday set final anti-subsidy duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia, the National Biodiesel Board said.

The duties range from 71.45 percent to 72.28 percent on soy-based biodiesel from Argentina and at 34.45 percent to 64.73 percent on palm oil biodiesel from Indonesia, the NBB, which represents U.S. industry, said in a statement.

In August, the department had set preliminary anti-subsidy duty rates at 50.29 percent to 64.17 percent for biodiesel from Argentina and at 41.06 percent to 68.28 percent for biodiesel from Indonesia. The countervailing duties come on top of proposed anti-dumping duties announced in October. (Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Tim Ahmann)
By Mark Weinraub

WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - U.S. corn production will be higher than expected as harvest yields came in at record levels despite some concerns about the crop throughout the growing season, government data showed on Thursday.

The U.S. Agriculture Department in its monthly supply and demand report said the bumper corn harvest will raise stockpiles of the yellow grain even as exports and usage from the feed sector rise from its previous estimates for the 2017/18 marketing year.

In its crop production report, USDA also trimmed its estimate of the soybean harvest from its October outlook. Despite the cut, soybean production was still expected to come in as the biggest ever.

USDA pegged the corn crop at 14.578 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 175.4 bushels per acre. That compares with its October production outlook of 14.280 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 171.8 bushels per acre.

Analysts had been expecting a corn production figure between 14.250 billion bushels and 14.459 billion bushels, based on estimates given in a Reuters survey. Analysts' yield estimates ranged from 171.7 bushels per acre to 174.0 bushels per acre.

If realized, the government's corn yield projection would top the previous record of 174.6 bushels per acre reached in 2016.

In Iowa and Illinois, the two largest production states for corn, USDA boosted its average yield by 6 bushels per acre from its October estimate.

For soybeans, USDA pegged the crop at 4.425 billion bushels, topping the average of analysts' estimates but in line with forecasts that ranged from 4.375 billion bushels to 4.467 billion bushels.

USDA left its soybean yield projection at 49.5 bushels per acre, unchanged from October. Analysts, on average, had expected a soybean yield of 49.3 bushels per acre.

U.S ending stocks of corn were seen at 2.487 billion bushels, 147 million bushels higher than the October view. USDA raised both exports and usage from the feed and residual sector by 75 million bushels.

USDA pegged soybean ending stocks at 425 million bushels, down 5 million form October due to the cut to the production forecast.

For wheat, USDA lowered its ending stocks view by 25 million bushels to 935 million bushels. It raised its export outlook by 25 million bushels to 1.0 billion due to recent sales of hard red winter wheat to Iraq. (Reporting by Mark Weinraub; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
SANTIAGO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Chilean police prevented U.S. boxer Mike Tyson from entering the country citing non-compliance with immigration laws and were putting him on a flight home, the Investigative Police (PDI) said on Thursday.

Local media reported that the former world heavyweight champion was planning to attend an awards ceremony for action films taking place in Santiago, Chile's capital.

"Detectives from the International Police are re-boarding Mike Tyson for not complying with immigration law," the PDI said on its verified Twitter account on Thursday, alongside a photograph of Tyson walking in an airport with two individuals wearing PDI jackets.

The PDI did not specify which part of the law Tyson did not comply with, and did not immediately respond to an email and a phone call seeking additional information.

Tyson served three years of a six-year U.S. jail sentence for rape in 1992. In 2012, New Zealand revoked an entry visa for Tyson after a charity that was going to benefit from his visit dropped its support due to his rape conviction. (Reporting by Luc Cohen; Editing by Susan Thomas)
By Lily Cusack and Alastair Macdonald

BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Nineteen EU governments will slug it out in a series of secret ballots in 10 days' time for the right to host the European Medicines Agency (EMA) once it leaves London after Brexit, EU officials said on Thursday.

Confirming that none of the cities, from Porto to Helsinki, has dropped out of the running since the contest was opened some months ago, those organising it confessed they had no idea how long the voting would take during a meeting of the 27 European affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, Nov. 20.

"It'll be a bloodbath," said one senior diplomat who has taken part in previous such sessions for the prestige and profit of hosting EU agencies. "Everyone will be fighting their corner. It will have nothing to do with the merits of these cities."

In the case of the EMA, whose fate will be decided before a vote the same day among eight cities for the smaller European Banking Authority, the prize is to replace London as a major hub for international pharmaceutical firms and researchers seeking approvals for products, bringing jobs and travel business.

The EMA itself has warned that moving to some of the cities on the list -- sources have said notably those like Warsaw or Sofia in eastern Europe -- would see so many of its 900 London staff quit that it would harm Europe's health. Top choices for employees are Amsterdam, Vienna and Barcelona.

Senior diplomats said that logic may, in the end, count for little. Previous contests have been won by some of those least expecting it, leaving favourites aware that votes pledged to them in the run-up did not end up being cast for them in secret.

"OBJECTIVE CRITERIA"

Governments have been lobbying their peers for months. Calls by leaders for the choice to be made on impartial and objective grounds have largely gone unheeded. The executive EU Commission gathered bids and distributed them to member states but offered no ranking or analysis of how they rated against each other.

States agreed to a number of criteria, including that cities chosen should offer premises ready for a start in March 2019, when Britain leaves the EU, be accessible from across Europe and take account of "geographical spread" -- the fact newer members in the east host fewer agencies than richer neighbours.

However, with each minister able to cast votes in secret, those criteria may play little role. In the first round, each country can award three points to their first choice, two to a second and one to a third. Diplomats and officials said the top score of most would probably go to their own city, while other points may go to some of the weaker candidates to avoid damaging their own chances.

If there is no winner, the top three will go into a second round and, if needed, there will be a run-off. If that ends in a tie, the Estonian minister chairing the meeting will draw lots. (Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
In the wake of the crisis surrounding the issuance of petrol in the country, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned President Maithripala Sirisena and assured him that his country would provide every assistance needed to help Sri Lanka at this challenging time.

He gave this assurance in response to a request made to him by Sri Lanka. It was noted that a stock of 21,000 kilo litres of petrol was dispatched from India to Sri Lanka today.

In addition Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has made available 3,500 kilo litres of petrol from its stock to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to address the crisis.

According to sources from the Indian High Commission, additional supplies will be made available to Sri Lanka at the refinery in Kochi, India.

Mr. Modi assured further assistance if needed during the telephone conversation.

The conversation took place amidst allegations that the LIOC is responsible for the fuel crisis in the country. (Kelum Bandara)
The second of four articles delving into the Left movement in Sri Lanka

Theres a story from the 1971 insurrection that intrigues me even today. This story, I heard or rather read about from Malinga Gunaratne, who had in turn heard it from Victor Ivan. Apparently Victor had been arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned for his involvement with the insurrectionists and a series of attacks they had masterminded on Police stations throughout the country.

One of those attacks had involved a frontal assault on the Kadugannawa Station and had been led by a man whom Victor had met later on. What this man had done had roused him. The mans name was Senerath, by the way.

What had happened was this: Immediately after the assault, Senerath had played the role of a Police Inspector in Charge of the Station. He had acted so well, in fact, that he had been able to give orders and run the show (so to speak) until the attacks were quelled and he was arrested.

Now Victor had been interested by what he had done, so interested that he had been thrilled when a family member had given him a lunch packet to deliver to the man. Owing to his background in sociology perhaps, he had been able to wring out answers to the kind of questions he asked from Senerath, and so after handing him the lunch packet, he went straight to the point: Why did he dress up like that? The answer, which Victor related many years later to Malinga Gunaratne, had moved him to tears.

Caste structures were once sharply enforced in Sinhala society... Senerath had to suffer. ...

Morphed into a Left...having a cultural heart and pseudo-Marxist heart.

It was also this same New Left that, asserted that homo-sexuality and bisexuality were totally alien to and unacceptable in Sri Lanka

Senerath came from the village. From an early age, he had wanted to go to school and join the Police. He had a problem though. He came from the Dhoby Community. Strange as it may seem today, caste structures were once sharply enforced in Sinhala society. For that reason, Senerath had to suffer. He was not allowed to go to a proper school. He had no one to support his application to join the Police. Worse, he was shirked by other more privileged boys. Having grown up shouldering this humiliation and seeing his dreams trampled on, he had done what most other boys, his age, would do. He had joined the JVP.

The assault on the Station had thus brought him an opportunity that he had never before come close to. What happened after he was released, whether he got to the life he had clamoured after, however, Victor does not tell us. In any case, it doesnt matter.

Theres an interesting passage in Ranbanda Seneviratnes Ula Leno I visit again and again. The song, incidentally, was about the 1971 insurrectionists and their hopes:

  

  

  

   



Ranbanda was writing about the insurrection, yes, but in these lines he was asserting what those against the insurrection had, patiently, been telling the would-be revolutionists: that what they suffered and endured was part and parcel of their miserable, samsaric life, and that they must continue to suffer and endure because it was, sadly, a universal truth. What transpired in and after 1971, however, was politically and socially interesting and uncomfortably paradoxical: the New Left, which had emerged in the sixties as a reaction against the apathy of the Trotskyites and Communists and what-not, did not take or affirm the rhetoric of revolution that had run riot before. In other words, they were no longer idealists envisioning Utopias. They wanted action, not policies, not manifestos. Gunadasa Kapuges lament was genuinely, movingly humanistic. But the values that this rather humanistic period of our history entailed were soon to erode, and for good reason.

It was that inexplicable, rather pathetic contradiction  between the stated aims of an equal society and the largely bourgeois ethic of the leadership of the country  which bred and fermented two bloody insurrections. They eventually morphed into a Left movement that Malinda Seneviratne once demarcated as having a cultural heart and pseudo-Marxist heart.

I would take issue with the latter label and revise it as follows: what 1971 and 1988 bred, in terms of the New Left, was a political movement that had a Marxist head and a cultural heart. They had repudiated the vanguard movement and all its ideological pretensions simply because they knew that any split between the leadership and the membership would breed an insidious kind of a conservative, reactionary society within their own ranks, affirming and sustaining a rift between those who could speak English and those who could not. Malinga Gunaratne himself wrote of this new-found suspicion of those who could speak the lingo, when once he was restrained from speaking for these radical leftists because he did not come from their class, their backdrop.

In other words it wasnt the saadukin pelena wun rhetoric of the Old Left that would rouse the working class, rather the fiercely passionate, rooted, and at the same time culturally pluralistic Pawana rhetoric of Sunil Ariyaratne and Nanda Malini. It is always tricky if not inadvisable to compare the objectives of a revolution with the lines and verses of revolutionary art, but in the songs of those two artistes we come across the kind of sensibility that the New Left, including but not limited to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, stood for: as I mentioned before, a cultural heart and a Marxist head, which affirmed the aspirations of the South (territorial integrity, with no capitulation to foreign entities) and the aspirations of the North (embracing every race, every creed, as one).

To me this is best represented in the final few lines of the Pawana albums most menacing song, Budun Daham (which even more menacingly is tuned as a virinduwa):



   

  

   

  



The New Lefts project was therefore opposed to the political project(s) of the Old Left, in that while it sought to do away with chauvinism it was also opposed to intervention by foreign actors, the latter of which was covertly supported by elements from their ideological foes, the Trotskyites and the Communists (this can be inferred by a perusal of Susantha Goonatilakes unfortunately neglected book Recolonisation, where he exposes everyone and anyone in our political sphere who abandoned the rebels from the New Left for reasons of political expediency, including several members of todays NGO intelligentsia). The call to revolution, therefore, was potent, unbearable, unstoppable.

Whether the JVP or its many offshoots, before and after its entry to the democratic process, was able to reconcile the head and heart is a question to which even political scientists, let alone commentators, cant supply an adequate answer. And why? Because of the deliberately vague, confused state of the New Left, then and now.

It was the New Left that eschewed race and faith for comradeship unhindered by class distinctions (which, by the way, was the fatal contradiction of the Old Left, since the platform of racial and religious harmony they stood for was undone by their economic status), yes, but it was also this same New Left that, through one of its more prominent members in our Parliament, asserted that homosexuality and bisexuality were totally alien to and unacceptable in Sri Lanka, despite its avowedly liberal attitude towards matters of such controversy. The heart, as always, remains cut off from the head. To an extent at least.

And while they were all trying to connect the one to the other, their ideological foes elsewhere were being overwhelmed by the most disastrous wave of anti-left movements that were being paraded by their financiers as pro-left.

The undoing of the Old Left was the undoing of Left movements everywhere in the eighties, a period that saw the end of the Cold War and the diffusion of political realities and conflicts between the unilateralists and the multilateralists, the latter of whom have more or less joined the former in their quest to prove and affirm Huntingtons Clash of Civilisations. The end of the Cold War was, therefore, accompanied by a culture of intellectualism which sought to substitute the class consciousness of the traditional Left for a new, ethnocentric conception of rights and justice.

Where the Old Left figured in all this, and what response the New Left had to it, opens up another topic, one which I will dwell on next week.



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News / National

by Staff reporter

Angry war veterans yesterday launched a stinging attack on President Robert Mugabe with similar echoes to their infamous communique of last year before claiming that they had formed a revolutionary council to take over the affairs of Zanu-PF ahead of next year's elections.This came out of a joint meeting of ex-combatants from former Zanla and Zipra liberation war fronts who waged a debilitating armed struggle against the Rhodesian minority.Yesterday, the ex-combatants said they had fired Mugabe from the original Zanu-PF while claiming rights to the party's assets, including towering multi-story national headquarters located in Harare.
News / National

by IOL

Morgan Tsvangirai, the president of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said on Wednesday he was worried about stability in Zimbabwe following the axing of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Tsvangirai was talking to the SABC from Johannesburg where he is resting after treatment for his cancer."This is a dramatic experience for the country. It's one thing to dismiss the vice president but it's another when it affects the stability of the country. This is a security risk. Robert Mugabe is determined to keep power by whatever means."He said he was concerned that first lady Grace Mugabe could move into the vice president's position."This is a dynasty arrangement. Mugabe has walked roughshod over everyoneIf the nation has to take the route for unconstitutional change, we may as well kiss the democratic project goodbye. I hope those who want unconstitutional change will be dissuaded from that."https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=21CnN85QBf0
News / National

by Wilbert Mukori

"There are several reasons why Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe fired his Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 6 November. Many were likely to do with ZANU-PF infighting over who will eventually succeed the 93-year-old leader. But one external factor that contributed to Mugabe's decision was Mnangagwa's relationship with the UK," wrote Blessing Miles Tendi, Zimeye Opinion.Tendi is a known Robert Mugabe apologist and it shows. Mugabe has always sort scapegoats for all his failures and fcuk ups and blaming the British has been the norm. His apologist is going too far this time in blaming the British.Mnangagwa was a marked man from the day he was appointed VP back in 2014. Grace Mugabe played a pivotal role in getting Joice Mujuru booted out of the party because Mujuru was set to be elected VP. Grace made it clear she wanted to be president and it was clear a popularly elected Mujuru would have killed Grace's chance of ever becoming VP and then President.No sooner was Mujuru out of the door and Mnangagwa the appointed VP; that Grace set-off on a new war-footing and Mnangagwa was her target. She has finally succeeded managed to get him booted out."Since 2000, President Mugabe's most important international struggle has been against what he regards as British-led attempts at regime change in Zimbabwe. London has repeatedly demonised Mugabe for the violent seizure of white-owned commercial farms and human rights violations, while Mugabe has consistently hit back against the "imperialists". There may be signs of this relationship thawing, but in many ways, the past two decades of the president's political career have been defined by his fight with the UK," Tendi argued."This made Ambassador Laing's perceived backing of Mnangagwa profoundly problematic."Ambassador Laing made a fatal mistake by openly siding with the subordinate of a president who is extremely sensitive to perceived colonial intrusion. Moreover, the UK's support for Mnangagwa - a serial human rights violator - alienated domestic constituencies that seek to uphold the sanctity of human rights. In making its next calculations, a deeper understanding of Zimbabwean history and of the UK's past role in it would go a long way towards alleviating London's ongoing problems with Harare."Of all the excuses proffered as to why Mnangagwa was booted out, this is certainly one of the most feeble. Mnangagwa is certainly "a serial human rights violator" but his blame-worthy can never exceed that of the man who presided over and benefited the most from all these human rights violations - Robert Mugabe.Many people know by now that Robert Mugabe's instinctive knee-jerk reaction to many situations is to blame the whites, particularly the British, regardless how far-fetched the connection may be. This is born out of his deep-seated inferiority complex he, as a black person, feels towards whites. His irrational reaction of blaming the whites for everything and anything, like many irrational acts, has often boomeranged back on him. Close scrutiny has often showed there was no good cause for blaming the whites he ended with a lot of egg on his face and thus reinforce his intellectual inferiority.In this case, are we to understand that Mugabe has dismissing his VP, nearly half his cabinet, a number of MPs, hundreds of senior party members, many civil servants, etc., etc. because the British Ambassador "openly sided with Mnangagwa" - whatever that means? And, just to underline how much he fears the British, does not have the guts to express his anger at the British for interfering in Zimbabwe's internal affairs much less have the Ambassador deported. If there was any truth in all this; then President Mugabe is even more paranoid than I ever imagined!No! A more rational explanation is that Mnangagwa was booted out of the government and party because he, like Joice Mujuru before him, was in poll position to succeed Mugabe - a very dangerous position to be in when there is a ruthless shrew, Grace Mugabe, eyeing the same position.As for this hen's teeth tale of the British playing a part in the political turmoil now engulfing Zanu PF and the nation as result of the firing of Mnangagwa; it is clear that it is not only Robert Mugabe who needs his deep-seated inferiority complex exorcised!
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

The second Vice President of Zimbabwe Phelekezela Mphoko has urged president Robert Mugabe to quickly appoint Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's successor saying that he is "now lonely".Giving a vote of thanks at the ZANU-PF politiburo meeting held in the capital yesterday VP Mphoko said the 93- year old President should not be afraid or ashamed to appoint his wife as Vice President."In 2014 you appointed me to be your deputy, you also appointed my colleague but he is no longer with us."I am now lonely you Excellency, l felt it yesterday. Kindly appoint a counter part for me," he said."I am glad because people have identified the one they want."Do not be afraid or ashamed to appoint your own wife."She is a Zimbabwean and the people want her," said VP Mphoko as he concluded his remarks.However, thousands of people hailed praises at him calling him Mdla Wethu to which he responded angilabantu , abantu ngabakaBaba (l do not have people , people belong to the President.)Mphoko is a happy man since he is a loyal member of the G40 so having the First Lady as his colleague would be a blessing to him.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The faction riddled war veterans head Chris Mutsvangwa has called on the diaspora to help restore legitimacy and democracy in Zimbabwe following the sacking of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa from his post on Monday.Mutsvangwa was speaking during a press briefing in Sandton on Wednesday."[President Robert] Mugabe is not the owner of the party, he was not chosen to be the leader of the party by Zanu-PF - he was chosen by the war veterans. Another leader was jettisoned by the war veterans in 1995 - we are evoking the same precedent," he said.Mutsvangwa said that he had no ambitions of starting a new party, or forming a coalition government as he was just part of a pressure group. He said as a war veteran, he did not believe in coups.He said that they were looking to countries in the diaspora, South Africa in particular as the regional power, to help them arrest the situation in Zimbabwe.'We didn't fight a racial war'Mutsvangwa said that the war veterans appealing even to whites - who were dispossessed and kicked out of Zimbabwe - to "re-engage"."We didn't fight a racial war, we fought against injustice. We are appealing to them [whites] to come back," Mutsvangwa said."We are all united as Zimbabweans and we are coming across the board, the MDC [Movement for Democratic Change], the churches, everyone has come together to address the menace that Zimbabwe now faces with Mugabe a senior old man with a mad wife."We want to make it impossible for the current government to function - we have done it before, we did it in the 1970s," he said.Axed vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday released a statement saying that he had fled Zimbabwe after he was fired on Monday, and would return to the country to lead party members.'They want to seize power'Mutsvangwa - who is a good ally of the former vice president - said that Mnangagwa was safe and would be travelling to South Africa "soon".Mutsvanga said Mugabe was trying to steal a party and going against the will of the people. He said that Zimbabweans back home felt that Mnangagwa was the "one who holds the light to a new and prosperous Zimbabwe".It is widely believed that Mnangagwa was removed from his position in order to make way for Mugabe's wife, Grace, to take over as vice president."They want to seize power ahead of the elections, ahead of the will of the people, that's why we are appealing to our friends in the region," Mutsvangwa said.Mugabe was set to contest elections in 2018.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE new curriculum - introduced at the beginning of this year - is already taking its toll on pupils as they inundate key institutions in the city seeking to interview staff as part of their "projects", raising the ire of the often overworked employees.The pupils, who have become a nuisance, are now being turned away from thinly-staffed but critical institutions in the eastern border city that they visit in an uncoordinated fashion.Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said he has also been kept busy attending to pupils."It's like this almost every day and when they leave, another group comes in," Nhamarare said as he opened a boardroom packed with students. He dictated a few notes, having left them waiting as he attended a meeting before telling them to go and have their notes stamped and signed by his secretary.At the city clinic, students now compete with patients for the nurses' attention."These children are becoming a real nuisance. We can't handle them anymore," a miffed nurse said this week."We are taking our complaints up with our superiors because I think the ministry of education should do something to make sure that there is sanity in the way they are implementing the new syllabus," the nurse, who preferred anonymity, added.Residents have also expressed concern over the safety of the girl child as they are exposed to sexual predators in workplaces they visit without their teachers.James Matsito, a social commentator, said there was a huge risk that young girls could be easy prey."There are many workplaces that are not safe for even professional women protected by company policies and laws, let alone for young girls who just walk in and out without supervision," Matsito said.The Muslim community in Mutare has cried foul over the violation of its traditions, potentially straining relations as they are poorly briefed on how to approach some institutions."We were shocked to see some skimpily-dressed young ladies in a section of the Dangamvura mosque where women are not allowed to take selfies."Our religion also has very strict rules of engagement between males and females that we hope schools would orient their pupils as they come so that everyone is comfortable but that does not seem to be the case," a female member of the Muslim community said.She said they were prepared to assist the pupils but preferred responding to enquiries through school authorities.Several parents have also complained over the new curriculum's impact on children's moral conduct as young boys and girls have been spotted in the city's red light districts looking for commercial sex workers to interview."I saw some children loitering near Moto-Moto, claiming they wanted to talk to prostitutes on the advantages and disadvantages of commercial sex work as part of their project and I was shocked."What kind of an education is that which does not consider the safety of these children? Even seasoned researchers will have trouble navigating some of these areas unscathed and we are throwing these children right at the deep end," Memory Mudzingaidzwa said.Manicaland provincial education director Edward Shumba said he could not comment as he was still on sick leave following a recent accident and referred enquiries to his deputy Clara Kanoerera, who said she was out of the office by the time of going to print.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

HARARE - An American woman charged with subversion for allegedly insulting 93-year-old president Robert Mugabe has been granted bail after spending seven nights in a Zimbabwean prison.Martha O'Donovan, 25, a graduate of New York University, has been accused of calling President Robert Mugabe, 93, a "sick man" in a Twitter post that included a photo illustration of Mugabe with a catheter. O'Donovan denied the allegations, calling them "baseless and malicious."O'Donovan was released after posting $1,000, when Justice Gregory Phiri found the state's argument to keep her behind bars as "weak" and "wanting."She is required to surrender her passport and all travel documents. She must also check in twice a week with police.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police Matabeleland South province has appealed to the Beitbridge community to assist in the fight against crime.There has been an increase in the number of criminal activity in Beitbridge and Matabeleland South.Speaking at the Matabeleland South ZRP client service charter held at Lutumba Business Centre, the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Ambassador Aaron Maboyi Ncube appealed to the business community and residents to assist police in cleansing the province of criminal activity.Officer Commanding Matabeleland South Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Learny Ncube urged the community to uphold societal values by ensuring they don't assist in harbouring criminals.The event came at the backdrop of an increase in the cases of stock theft, rape, robbery, drug trafficking and murder as per statistics given by the police in the province.Drug activities have also increased in Beitbridge with most of it suspected to be coming from South Africa and with the border town harbouring people from different provinces who are either on their way to South Africa or deported from the neighbouring country, it is now difficult for the police to track the criminals as most are of no fixed aboard.
Local attorney Kurt Krueger has been named the 2017 winner of the Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award for outstanding citizen contributions, according to officials with the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber officials said Krueger has a long tradition of community involvement since joining the McGuireWoods law firm in 1984.

Krueger is one of the founding board members of the Piedmont Family YMCA Inc., wrote the organizations incorporation papers and has served as its board chairman since 2000.

During his tenure, the YMCA negotiated a lease to build the nearly $19 million Brooks Family YMCA in McIntire Park.

Krueger also is a legal representative for several area nonprofits, including the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns Monticello, and both the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority and Rivanna Solid Waste Authority.

Krueger will receive the award at the chambers annual dinner Nov. 30 at the DoubleTree Charlottesville Hotel.
Opinion / Columnist

Critical analysis of internal democracy



South Africa

Zambia

Zimbabwe

ED as a case study

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of Southern Institute of Policy Analysis and Research  SIPAR TRUST, which is responsible for policy Analysis and Research. He is also an academic and researcher. He holds a BA, M.A from Solusi University, and he also holds a Masters of Development Studies from University of Lusaka, Zambia. He is currently enrolled at University of Kwazulu Natal University in South Africa (PHD in Development Studies). He can be contacted at southerninstitutepar@gmail.com

Internal democracy in political parties, also known as intra-party democracy, refers to the level and methods of including party members in the decision making and deliberation within the party structures. How do you define internal democracy in any governing institution? There are at least two approaches to promoting internal democracy in political parties; one is advocacy, and the second is legal or regulatory. I wonder if anyone can give examples of countries that have adopted the second approach (i.e. legal/regulatory measures), and also, if they are aware of any documents or publications that specifically explore this issue.Do we allow a voting process or it is a show of open hands when voting? Do we assault opponents, or we as leaders we are subject to criticism? Recent developments in Southern Africa clearly show that we are far from passing the litmus test of democracy. Here is a serious gap in internal democracy, which is different in the European context. Although the view that "parties should practice what they preach" is commonly shared, there are also skeptics who might argue that too much democratization may hinder parties to keep their electoral promises and also dilute the power of a party's inner leadership.I've been studying recent events in ANC-led governing party which is being led by Zuma, were the keys for democracy have been thrown away despite heavy criticism from the main opposition and other civic bodies but so far democracy is under assault.There are so many norms and pros evolving around the issue of internal democracies, where one goes against the leader and you are gone. Many leaders have rushed to label their internal critics as being used by imperialists or being used by colonialists, no room for discussions or negotiations and it seems the leader will carry the day.Zuma is planning to bring his wife in, and this has been the plan, and at the same time Cyril Ramaphosa has his own backers, so these are two factions altogether, we have seen Zuma being labeled as corrupt, facing a number of charges, he survived impeachment.Though Zuma has a bit of maturity, he used emotions to dismiss all his opponents who were perceived to be Maphosa's backers. Instead of appreciating the internal criticism within the party, he fired all hose perceived to be Mpahosa's handlers.This is where Zuma shows dictatorial tendencies, because I believe in Leadership, people have to accept what is called constructive criticism. Zuma is facing fresh serious corruption charges which can land him in jail when his term expires and his Governing party was trying to advise him of the consequences which could even cost his party in the next election, but despite such good sentiments, he has managed to kick out all those aligned to Cyril Ramaphosa and all those who opposed him.This is an African context where democracy can never fit in, it is either you shape up in the big shoes or you are gone. One can never cite corruption allegations on his boss, or challenging critical decisions, it is either you are layed off from the system. Though South Africa has improved on democracies but internal democracy is a bit challenge.We have seen non-performing ministers being protected by Zuma because of the loot; it is not about democracy or performance but is about whether you belong to the right club of looting. Governance in the African context is under threat, at the end of the day we produce poor results in all institutions because it is about power play.Zambia is also having some issues to do with democracy though Lungu is an accommodative guy, who listens. There have been some squabbles in the PF governing party since Michael Sata did. Lungu faced a stiff challenge because there have been several cohorts who were ready for a show down. There were two main factions, the other one led by the former deputy minister of finance Miles Sampa, and the other one led by the incumbent President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.Internal democracy was under threat in Zambia when rival groups used weapons and sharp objects to silence each other. Internal democracy could not be respected. However I give Lungu credit, because despite being harassed by the rival group he managed to triumph on the issue of power retention. There are some lessons which can be drawn from the Zambian experience. The issue of succession is a matter which should be dealt with openly. Succession is part of democracy and it should be respected.Despite differences which the two groups had, he managed to convince all the factions and he brought them together, and that is why PF managed to retain power in 2016.PF performed badly in 2015 by election because of infighting. Recently in Zambia, Chishimba Kambwili was fired from the cabinet by Lungu because he wanted to challenge Lungu at the 2020 PF convention. My question is then was it wrong for Kambwili to challenge his boss at congress level? He went on to lose his Government and party position because of failure to accept internal democracy.Recent political developments in the Zanu PF governing party clearly show that internal democracy is not part of their DNA. Why should someone who opposes your views being purged? Should you purge your opponent or you welcome him and hear his views? Is it necessary to dismiss someone from his position because he has ambitions of succeeding you or there is need for you to manage him? How do you contain such situations? We have seen ED losing his Government position and his party position as well because of some stiff internal democratic issues.Why would people be bused to chant slogans, instead of allowing internal democracy to flow? Is it treasonous to challenge the party leader or criticize him? Is there any room for negotiation? Does Zanu PF party belong to individuals or it is a party that can allow internal democracy to happen without any sphere of influence?Can Mugabe be challenged at congress level? Or his position has to be confirmed or affirmed by various organs and party structures. Why would one be affirmed by the structures, instead of an open challenge using secret ballot? For example Grace Mugabe is being confirmed by party structures for the VP post, and it will be unfair for other political players from other parties because a VP will be imposed on them without their own contribution.Why can't there be an open race and then people decide? Why can't a secret ballot be used in such forums? I believe in internal democracies the issue of confirming leaders in structures is not the way to got but, it must be an open race or use the ballot box to prove your popularity.I will never support ED because he has his issues already because he is the same person who told the august house that diaspora vote is non- negotiable but today he is talking of democracy? He is the same person who terrorized people in midlands, kwekwe and he made himself a semi-god in the whole province? Is that democracy? He is the same person who denied Tsvangirai to go to State House in 2008.How then do we trust an individual just because he now belongs to the opposition then we should entrust him with leadership? He is the same person who said opposition leaders should be crushed and he is the same person who campaigned for the one-center of power in Zanu PF, and he even said "pamberi nemhandu" slogan.So is opposition an enemy? Do we allow such language in democratic countries? Why would he blame Mugabe of dynasty yet he is the same person who replaced his wife in his constituency? He even went further to make sure his son would be field in Kwekwe central for 2018 election? Is it not the same route for one center of power? Just because he is out then he wants sympathy?
Opinion / Columnist

Things are unfolding at a hectic pace that it is impossible to maintain objectivity in analysing the daily events. For me however, the problem lies with the so-called experts on Zimbabwe. They are the main culprits on many fronts and have let Zimbabwe down in a bigger way.Take for example the country's constitution, Chapter 5 section 97 specifically states that the Senate and the National Assembly must be involved in removing the Vise President. The Constitution is online and anyone with 2 minutes can go and confirm this for themselves and yet our so-called experts jumped on to say Mugabe acted Constitutionally. Lovemore Madhuku, leader of the opposition National Constitutional Assembly party's analysis to the unfolding saga was "From the time they organized their (party) constitution, they chose one center of power. Whatever Mugabe does is what works. So there is no need for a meeting. Mugabe simply does whatever he wants in that party" Pathetic!Mugabe fired Emmerson Mnagagwa from the government clearly violating the country's constitution. Here we have a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe; someone who has gone to every corner of the world to speak on the Constitutional process in Zimbabwe misleading the whole nation that there was no violation of the constitution. What happens in ZANU PF is a different story; at issue is Mugabe's disregard of the supreme law of the country.I will forgive all other so-called analysts. They are not worth mentioning. As much as I am worried about Mugabe's violation of the constitution, I am also deeply worried about the miss by the public at large of the deceitful ZANU PF actions disguised as a purge for factionalists and secessionists.Zimbabweans have to start being serious about issues affecting their lives or else they will witness wasted generations. All these expulsions, purges, and assassination attempts are stage-managed. They are engineered at shake-shake house and I will give you a few pointers; not that it matters with Zimbabwean people but I will try.The whole drama is about raising foreign currency for the dear leader. The country has economically collapsed and the symptoms started showing on September 23, 2017. There was panic buying in Zimbabwe. The shelves were empty as people prepared for the worst. Mugabe was out of country and some Kasukuwere was assuring people that the President will solve this crisis when he gets back from New York. Since then, the situation has gotten worse; the foreign currency has disappeared and black market has taken center stage. Foreign airlines cannot access over US$50 million stuck in Zimbabwe and are threatening to pull out. ZIMOCO is making headline news for selling 6 trucks in three weeks. Bus operators are threatening to increase fares citing foreign currency shortages. There is no employment to talk about. I hope you get it!The President returned from New York and goods miraculously returned to the shelves. The focus was turned on the factionalists as the main reason for food shortages. Individuals were singled out and targeted with the biggest culprit being Emmerson Mnangagwa. All the Youth Interface rallies were about Mnangagwa; nothing to do with Youth welfare.The noise and the push against Mnangagwa became louder and more concerted. A lot happened leading up to today's present situation. As an aside, my conscience and my humanity will never accept the politics of killing and when I listened to Mugabe and his wife's chilling messages to Mnangagwa that he will die, that his head will be crushed like a snake, I stopped thinking; all I wanted was to see Mnangagwa's safetythat's all.But then another thought beckoned on me as I read the statement attributed to Vice President Mnangagwa and later that day as I listened to Christopher Mutsvangwa addressing a press conference in Sandton, South Africa. Mnangagwa promises to wrestle power from Mugabe in a few weeks. The guy has just been hounded out of the country by drunkards, thugs and mafikozolos; now he is promising Zimbabweans freedom from Mugabe in a few weeks; how in the world is he going to turn the tables against an entrenched dictator in a few weeks? Maybe he knows something I don't know. I stay in Mhandamabwe anyway, what do I know?Then came Mutsvangwa's press conference. I am disturbed; the main message is about funding. They have set up base in South Africa and have immediately adopted a 'look west' policy. Could this all drama be about money? Yes the country is at the pit bottom and Mugabe seems to have another trick up his collar again? These guys have money and their immediate objective is money. Can you imagine now they are talking about challenging Mugabe at the ballot box. A few weeks are now uncertain as Mnangagwa is going to miraculously come up with this strong party to dispose the most heinous dictator the world has known.Please excuse my skepticism. These guys have money and if they are serious about challenging Mugabe, they must put their money where their mouth is. We will follow the lead not the other way round.
Opinion / Columnist

The events of the past few weeks in my motherland, have brought out of the woodwork all manner of analysts, commentators and agent provocateurs; and as usual my people, the people of Matabeleland, have "come out" in full force, pens bleeding onto the commentary pages of every newspaper on God's earth; fingers banging away at every available keyboard, phone and tablet, and the airwaves of every available radio station filing up with loud and boisterous arguments, false facts and even hints references of fake news.This at a time when the "old enemy" of my people, Zanu PF is busy tearing herself into pieces.And instead of taking advantage of this, and strategizing and beginning to chart a clear way for the people of Matabeleland and the south of the country; my people are busy with;1) Fake kings and contestations for a kingship as well as a kingdom that is not properly defined, even in the minds of its staunchest proponent. Self-proclaimed Ndebele King, Stanley Raphael Khumalo, recently declared himself as the new Ndebele King and unveiled a new Mthwakazi flag. Khumalo's actions to declare himself the Ndebele king have divided opinion in Matabeleland, with secessionists supporting him, while the Khumalo clan has dismissed him as an impostor.2) Fighting endless battles amongst themselves, with your MLF, MRP MMP, MZP, and those of every other acronym, flag, map and logo flying across the rural areas of Zimbabwe, duping and double duping the old and vulnerable people in the land. Leaders of these movements have absolutely no idea whether they are coming or going; resigning from government posts, lest they be accused of being CIO agents; fighting endless wars with journalists who question the veracity and bona fides of their manifestos  it is an imbroglio of the highest proportions!3) Its leaders in the shape of the likes of Dumiso Dabengwa announce their departure from politics, leaving behind no clear handover strategy (just like Joshua Nkomo did). Dabengwa has been Zapu leader since 2009 when he broke ranks with Zanu PF, citing frustration over President Robert Mugabe's refusal to step down and his failure to uphold the values of the 1987 Unity Accord between then PF-Zapu and Zanu. And as he walks away into the sunset, questions linger over his legacy, and as he vows not to contest the leadership position at his party's congress in 2020, the whispers in the wind howl loudlywhy did you leave t so late?. The party is in no position to have any meaningful discussion or strategy with either Zanu PF or any of the other opposition parties, because you have held the party by its balls for such a long time with your lack of vision and direction4) Your so-called Matabeleland representatives in Zanu PF, Phelekezela Mphoko, SK Moyo and the whole zombie-like team; are all sleepwalking behind the dynastic ambitions of Dr Amai. There is not even a single contribution they can make that will better the lives of the people of Matabeleland  theirs is to fatten their pockets, and Obert Mpofu, Jonathan Moyo and the lot continue to look after number one  themselves; and the opportunities stand gaping right tin front of them. Opportunities to think seriously about the underdevelopment, the discriminatory development agenda and the outright dismissal of the cries of the people of Matabeleland, which continue to become louder and louder by each day.In my humble opinion, as the Zanu PF machinery stumbles, and takes heavy casualties with this with the recent Munanganwa debacle, the people of Matabeleland need a war-like strategy, whose main aim would be to see the people of Matabeleland position themselves in such a way that when the enemy opens its eyes from this debacle, the region is poisoned in such a way that Zanu PF will listenDislocation must be the aim of strategy. Direct attacks almost never work, and have never worked with Zanu PF before. The original first step in this strategy would have been to upset the enemy's equilibrium. This is already happening right in front of our eyes, and all we need to do is to take advantage of it.Sun Tzu, in his famed book, The Art of War says, "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."The chance to practice this supreme art of war now sits right in front of the people of Matabeleland;In view of the foregoing, I offer here, Eight Maxims of Strategy from Sir Basil H. Liddell-Hart, which may help our people to seize this moment; to essentially subdue the enemy without fighting, because I do believe, the time is now;1) Adjust your ends to your meansAt this moment in time, we need to keep clear sight of the target and cool calculation should prevail. A clear sense of what we want and of what is possible. What is it that the people of Matabeleland want? Quantify it, put down on paper, and enunciate it in a unified, coherent manner. This MLF/MRP/MNP/Real and Fake royalty etc.; must be sorted out - NOW!2) Keep your object always in mindOnce we know and have Cleary defined what it is that we want, move forward with this objective in mind. Do we want to secede? Do we want devolution of power/ how devolved must it be?3) Choose the line of the least expectationWe need to put ourselves in your opposition's shoes and try to see what course of action they will see as least probable and thus not try to forestall. Zanu PF has grown to know and expect people from this region to be quite, accepting, and almost docile, and they will therefore be expecting more of the same. Let us continue with our strategy4) Exploit the line of least resistanceThis strategy is about seizing on opportunities -- but not any opportunity. It refers to opportunities like the current Munangagwa debacle. Strategically, it refers to the management and deployment of all our reserves, our talents and all our resources towards achieving the goals set. The Zanu PF machinery is coughing and splattering, and if this opportunity is seized, the rewards will be great5) Take the line of operations which offers the most alternativesThe people of Matabeleland need to choose a single course of action that could have several objectives. For example, should we choose the monarchy, must it come with a very strong dose of devolution of power? Or if we go for devolution of power, how far do we take it? Autonomy? Secession? Our chosen alternatives must be clearly defined; but also enable us to be able to pursue a multiple cocktail of objectives, so that should one fail, we can achieve the other. This will surely put the opponent on the horns of a dilemma. It introduces uncertainty regarding that which is to be guarded against.6) Ensure both plans and dispositions are flexibleThe people of Matabeleland have been here before, their hopes were raised by the Independence in 1980; and they were disappointed; and rewarded with Gukurahundi and other afflictions. Then the Unity Accord came and they let their guard down; only to be rewarded with the status quo7) Do not throw your weight into an opponent while he is on guardThis strategy speaks about sizing up and understanding of your enemy. Unless your opponent is much inferior, do not attack until he has been disorganized and demoralized. And I repeat again, the enemy is at this level, and therefore it is indeed time.8) Do not renew an attack along the same lines if an attack has failedI do believe that failure is not an option for the people of Matabeleland this time around. Time has almost stood still for the region; and if the current crop of leadership does not seize this opportunity which has presented itself; future generations will be justified in laying the blame squarely upon their doors.In conclusion, I would like to quote the great Baard, William Shakespeare, in the Third Scene of the Fourth Act of the tragic tale of Julius Caesar; where the character of Brutus proclaims;"There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallow waters and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures"Lest our lives be forever bound in shallow waters and in miseries; I urge you my country men and women; take the current when it serves "; strike now, whilst the iron is still hot!
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Mumbai: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed penalties on 22 entities including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), for 'manipulative trading'.

SEBI has imposed a penalty worth Rs 6.9 crore on all entities.

The Gujarat Chief Ministers HUF has been accused of manipulative trading through a company called Sarang Chemicals.

The market regulator has ordered Rupani's HUF to pay Rs 15 lakh, while three other individuals have been asked to deposit Rs 70 lakh each or more.

SEBI has levied a penalty of Rs 8 lakh on the two brokers who are part of the 22 entities.

The Sebi order pertains to manipulative trading between January 2010 to June 2011. The order accuses HUF of price manipulation, misleading appearance and creating fake volumes in the shares of Sarang Chemicals, said an Indian Express report.

HUF and 17 others had indulged into artificial volume rise/creating misleading appearance of market/getting unlawful or unfair gain. According to the Sebi order, these 21 related entities purchased shares of Sarang Chemicals, which accounted for 33 per cent of the market value. These shares when sold later summed up to 86 per cent of the market value.

During investigations, 21 entities/Noticee(s) Group were identified as connected/related through common address, telephone number, off-market transfers of shares and family members etc. Investigation Report (IR) revealed that the Group/Noticee(s) had bought 2,76,97,860 shares i.e. 32.97% of the market volume (8,40,17,121 shares) and sold 7,24,08,293 shares i.e. 86.18% of market volume during the investigation period, Sebi said in its order.

It further said, Such pattern of trading clearly reveals the ulterior/malafide intent and certainly such activities of noticee numbers 1-18 & 20 is in violation of regulation 3 (a) to (d), 4 (1) & 4 (2) (a), (b) & (e) of the PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market) Regulations.

Rupani was unavailable for any comments.
Aadhaar is a 10-digit unique ID that has been made compulsory for many government schemes. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court's declaring privacy as a fundamental right will enhance citizens' trust in digital services and help in their wider adoption, IT industry body Nasscom said today.

In a landmark decision, a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar has ruled that "right to privacy is an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21 and entire Part III of the Constitution".

Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said the ruling also "significantly boosts India's attractiveness as a safe destination for global sourcing". It will ensure that protection of citizen's privacy is a "cardinal principle" in India's growing digital economy, he said. Citizen's trust in digital services is a prerequisite for

widespread digital adoption, he noted.

With falling data and smartphone costs, adoption of digital services has seen a manifold growth in the country. However, concerns around security of the user data has also emerged as a matter of debate, particularly with reference to

Aadhaar.

Rama Vedashree, CEO of Data Security Council of India (DSCI) -- a part of Nasscom -- said the body has always advocated for a stronger data security regime in the country.

"...this judgement will further reinforce industry efforts and resolve to provide necessary assurance in this regard," Vedashree said. Nasscom and DSCI have asserted that they will continue to work with the government in accelerating the enforcement framework.
Bibek Debroy, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said eliminating corruption and weeding out black money cannot happen overnight but the process for this has begun. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Eliminating corruption and weeding out black money from the economy will not happen overnight but the process for this purpose has begun, Bibek Debroy, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, said.

The noted economist and a Niti Aayog member also said that corruption hits relatively the poor more whereas clamping down on it would would impact the rich.

Debroy made the remarks while talking to PTI about a new book, 'On the Trail of the Black: Tracking Corruption', that he has edited along with Kishore Arun Desai, an Officer on Special Duty at NITI Aayog with Debroy.

When asked if ending corruption and weeding out black money is possible, Debroy said: "It's happening all the time as we speak."

The government last year on November 8 announced demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes to crack down on black money and parallel economy in the system.

"Look at the number of benaami properties that have been seized, the number of searches and seizures, the number of shell companies against whom action has been taken... ," he said.

Debroy, 62, however lamented that individually some citizens find easy way out, like paying bribe to a traffic cop after jumping red light, and then complain about corruption.

He also said that some people, for almost seven decades now, have lived with the "chalta hai" and "nothing will happen" attitude, but were now upset with the government.

"Now that things have started to happen, some people are upset. So I look at it positively, it (corruption and black money) is not a problem that would be solved overnight but I've given you some instances (of the process)," he said.

To a question on recent data leaks about offshore dealings, Debroy said whether the Panama Papers or the Paradise Papers, the government has already announced there will be investigations and probes are underway.

Debroy also cited an "anecdotal" figure to say the ratio between black and white money in Delhi has gone down.

"All of us who live in Delhi, in NCR, are familiar of the proposition that it used to be a 50:50 ratio (black and white money). Obviously after November 8, it has taken a hit. It is purely anecdotal -- but a lot of people who deal in property have told me that the 50:50 ratio has now come down to 20:80 (black to white money). I'm talking about Delhi," he said.

The book 'On the Trail of the Black: Tracking Corruption', published by Rupa Publications and launched on Wednesday, traces the cross-sectoral prevalence of corruption  from agriculture and real estate to education and electoral finances  in a comprehensive manner giving readers a ringside view of its cumulative and cascading impact on the common citizen.

Sonal Bhadan, Aparajita Gupta, Suprana Jain, Swati Saini, Shashvat Singh, Dhiraj Nayyar, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Shambhavi Sharan, Bhavana Kohli, Anna Roy, Ritika Aghi, Kheya Melo Furtado, Sneha Palit, Alok Kumar Dubey, T V Somnathan and Ranveer Nagaich have contributed to the book.

They have suggested concrete steps to uproot corruption and examine issues using consistent, fact-based, diagnostic and analytical approach.

Debroy said the planning for the book began almost a month after the landmark note ban announcement and the process took around six months.

"A lot of the commentary (on Demonetisation) has been in the nature of caricature because critics have often tended to suggest that 8th of November was the answer to everything under the sun. The government never stated that," he said.
The RBI has had to cut its note printing order for 2018 due to a massive space crunch in its vaults. (File Image)

Mumbai: A space crunch in the currency vaults of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has propelled its to reduce its order for printing currency notes in the current fiscal year to the lowest in five years, said media reports.

The indent or the order for 2018 now stands at 21 billion pieces of notes as against 28 billion pieces in 2017, two people familiar with the matter told Mint.

This is lesser than the average annual indent for banknotes over the past five years which is 25 billion pieces.

Experts however said that last years indent was a departure from the normal tradition as RBI had been preparing to introduce a new series of notes.

The RBI has introduced four new currency notes in the past one year  Rs 2,000, Rs 500, Rs 200 and Rs 50 notes. This is part of the central banks remonetisation process after the governments note ban move in 2016. According to the latest RBI data, cash in circulation as of October 13 was Rs 15.3 trillion, just 10 per cent lower than a year ago.

According to sources familiar with the development, the unavailability of space in RBI vaults and currency chests is due to the stock of scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that have returned to the system after demonetisation. The central bank is still in the process of counting and verifying the notes before they can be destroyed.

The reduction in indent is despite the fact that 12 million soiled note pieces released to mitigate the cash crunch post note ban are yet to be replaced.

A soiled note is a currency note that becomes dirty or soiled due to normal wear and tear. Two pieces of the same note pasted together to form a whole, with no essential feature missing, also counts as a soiled note.

Reduction in indent is a conscious effort by RBI to keep within reasonable limits and optimising it with production capabilities. However, on the downside, there has been a perceptible increase in soiled notes over the last few years. This will put additional burden on using currency as a medium of exchange and act as a disincentive for the use of cash, Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economic adviser at State Bank of India told Mint.
Christopher Nolan had refused to work with Netflix in the past.

Mumbai: Few months back Christopher Nolan criticised streaming giant Netflix for the effect it has had on Hollywood.

Now, in a recent interview, Nolan has admitted that he wrote to Netflix's chief content officer Ted Sarandos to apologise for his fierce criticism of the service, according to The Independent.

The apology he sent Sarandos isn't strictly a reversal of any of these opinions. Nolan said, "I should have been more polite. I said what I believe, but I was undiplomatic in the way I expressed it. I wasn't giving any context to the frankly revolutionary nature of what Netflix has done. It's extraordinary. They need appropriate respect for that, which I have."

However, the 'Dunkirk' helmer still believes the industry should respect the theatrical release model.

"My entire adult life they have released straight-to-video films. As a filmmaker, when I was starting out in the '90s, your nightmare was the straight-to-video release. There's nothing new about it, what's different and new about it is selling it to Wall Street as innovation or disruption," noted Nolan.

Nolan has said before he believes in the business model Amazon is working under for its original films. Unlike Netflix, Amazon releases its movies theatrically for 90 days, like last year's 'Manchester by the Sea', before bringing it to Amazon Prime subscribers.

Nolan has publicly refused to work with Netflix in the past.
Pawan Kalyan wants to complete his shoot in Europe by November 15 and then leave for UK for this award on November 17, says the source.

Actor Pawan Kalyan will be busy shooting for his upcoming film with director Trivikram Srinivas in Europe until November 15. The unit is currently filming some important scenes and a few songs as well. However, after the hectic schedule, the actor will head to the House of Lords in UK to receive the Indo-European Business Forum Award, which is given every year to a people from different fields. The award has been conferred to the actor in recognition of his praise-worthy work for Uddanam Nephropathy.

Pawan wants to complete his shoot in Europe by November 15 and then leave for UK for this award on November 17, says the source. The actor may also address the gathering and will return to India after the two-day visit. And once he comes back, he wants to look into the matters of the Jana Sena Party.
Japanese food lovers, this is where it all converges. The Japanese Consulate will be curating a first of its kind Japanese Food Festival in the city, and it promises to be a rare display of authentic Japanese tradition and culture. The festival will be held on November 11 at Chancery Pavilion from 11 am to 4 pm. A flurry of stalls, sake tasting and food demonstrations from the Land of the Rising Sun are what one can look forward to. The Consul General of France, Francois Gautier will address this day-long celebration as will the Consul-General of Japan Kitagawa Takayuki.

But, first, did you know that the art of Wagashi, Japanese sweet-making is of Indian origin? The only Wagashi maker in the country, Daya Sagari, an Indian, now offers it here at the Japanese Travel Cafe, Azuki Cafe on Richmond Road. She will be demonstrating her skills with her teacher at the festival. Among the rare dishes showcased will be Tako-yaki (a piece of Octopus foot coated with mixture of shrimp and veg with flour shell. Wagashi (in traditional Japanese wa means Japanese style and dashi means sweet) that came from India in the seventh century with the spread of Buddhism, using red bean paste, will also be highlighted, explains Consul-General of Japan, Kitagawa Takayuki, a food connoisseur himself. Mr Takayuki recalls weekends at the Sento (hot spa) in the suburb of Tokyo which always had a restaurant where he indulged in Anmitsu and Warabi-mochi with vanilla icecream!

Japanese cuisine today helms the epicurean diktat for food trends worldwide. And Japanese Chef from Matsuri's Chef Okano will be showing off his Tempura and Sashimi skills. The Consul-General Takayuki who hails from Gosen City in the Niigata prefecture, recalls its mountainous and coastal region with great fondness, and its delicacies too - raw shrimp, squid bowl, sashimi and sushi. Fresh sashimi and sushi will be made by Chef Okano. One can expect the venue to resemble the Tsukiji marketplace in Tokyo!

Consul-General Takayuki adds, For sashimi, one needs to slice thinly or in appropriate thickness which is different for different fish species. Otherwise, the texture is lost.

The tradition of sake will also take centrestage at the festival. Sake or rice wine, is a Japanese tradition and the Consul General recalls, Our Prime Minister Abe came from Yamaguchi prefecture that has its own brand of sake called Dassai which is very famous, elaborating on the sake legacy, he adds, The quality of sake depends on the quality of rice and water in the area. The Prime Minister gave this sake to President Obama, as well as Putin as a sign of friendship. Yet, sadly, sake is considered as an old mans drink in Japan today, and not popular amongst youngsters. Now, sake makers are trying to make it popular with the youth. For instance, today there is sake sparkling which is like champagne. The event will see the Consul-General of Japan highlight Japanese culture and food trends and another very interesting aspect is the fusion of cultures as a Karnatakanised Japanese will sing Kannada songs too. Mr Kuboki, who has lived in India for more than 24 years, will sing Kannada songs. This coming together of Japanese and Karnataka culture definitely isnt something to miss.
MUMBAI: Five years after a fatal Delhi bus rape, more Indian women are reporting attacks but are often humiliated by police and medics or intimidated to withdraw cases, activists said on Wednesday.

A study by Human Rights Watch (HRW) found the outlawed two-finger test - which involves a doctor inserting fingers into a rape victims vagina to determine if she is sexually active - being carried out in a hospital in the state of Rajasthan.

In some states, both the police and the medical system have not adopted the measures the government set out, Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at the U.S.-based advocacy group told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. While the intention is there (to help rape survivors), it does not percolate down the system.

Home ministry officials said they could only comment once they had seen the report. India has some of the highest number of rapes in the world but many sex crimes are not reported, offenders often go unpunished and the wheels of justice turn slowly, activists say.

HRW analyzed the impact of reforms introduced following the fatal gang rape of a student in a New Delhi bus in 2012 that led to national outrage and put a global spotlight on rape in India.

Nearly 35,000 rape cases were reported to the police and 7,000 convictions were made in 2015, both increasing by about 40 percent in three years, according to government data. But access to support services, ranging from legal aid to healthcare, is poor and gender-friendly government guidelines are often flouted, HRW said.

Women and girls said that they received almost no attention to their health needs, including counseling, even when it was clear they had a great need for it, the report said. Indias top court said in 2013 that the two-finger test violated a womans right to privacy.

It was banned and the Indian Council of Medical Research issued new guidelines in 2014. But HRW found the test mentioned in a form that doctors fill in when they examine rape survivors at a Rajasthan hospital.

Sexual violence remains a taboo in the worlds largest democracy, and women and girls fear stigma or retribution if they report attacks. HRW called for India to introduce a victim and witness protection system to encourage people to come forward.

It interviewed more than 20 rape survivors, as well as lawyers, doctors and police officials in four states with a high prevalence of rape, as well as New Delhi and Mumbai.
Most research in the field has focused on how proteins called nicotine acetylcholine receptors contribute to dependence. (Photo: Pixabay)

Scientists have identified a genetic pathway that contributes to nicotine addiction and makes it difficult for smokers to kick the butt.

Researchers at the University of Michigan in the US examined withdrawal responses in the millimetre-long roundworms called Caenorhabditis elegans, which get hooked on nicotine just like humans.

The study, published in the journal Cell Reports, identified specific genes and microRNA that play an essential role in how the roundworms develop nicotine dependence and withdrawal responses - clues that may carry over to the mammalian realm.

The study took a fresh look at a previously dismissed biological mechanism.

Most research in the field has focused on how proteins called nicotine acetylcholine receptors contribute to dependence.

Researchers focused on an earlier step in the genetic coding process and discovered that a series of genes were involved in a process that ultimately increased the production of the nicotine receptor proteins, with microRNAs - a class of small RNA molecules that help fine-tune gene expression - playing a pivotal role.

"Were seeing a clear link between nicotine, microRNA, the receptor proteins, and nicotine-dependent behaviour," said Jianke Gong, a researcher at University of Michigan.

This mechanism had been dismissed as unimportant to nicotine dependence.

However, those conclusions were made decades ago, using less sophisticated techniques, researchers said.

The discovery in C elegans will now lead other scientists to re-examine the role of these microRNAs in nicotine dependence in mammals, and ultimately lead to a better understanding of what causes the dependence, researchers said.

"People believed this question had been settled," said Shawn Xu, a professor at University of Michigan.

"But we have better tools now. We, as a field, need to take another look at this mechanism in nicotine addiction," said Xu.
The researchers developed a closed-loop system in which the robot influences the fish's behaviour, but also adapt its own behaviour to them. (Photo: Video Screengrab/ Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne)

Scientists have developed a new miniature robot that can swim with fish, learn how they communicate with each other and make them change direction or come together.

Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland developed the robot that can integrate perfectly into schools of zebrafish.

"We created a kind of 'secret agent' that can infiltrate these schools of small fish," said Frank Bonnet, a researcher at EPFL's Robotic Systems Laboratory (LSRO) and author of the study published in the journal Bioinspiration & Biomimetics.

The robot is seven centimetres long - longer than the fish it is modelled after but with the same shape and proportions.

It is equipped with magnets that link it to a tiny engine installed under the aquarium to propel it through the water.

The researchers chose zebrafish for their study because it is a robust species whose schools tend to switch direction and move about very quickly.

The team determined the key criteria that would allow the robot to integrate into schools of zebrafish and subsequently influence their behaviour.

These included the fish's physical characteristics, like shape, colour, stripes, etc.

Their behavioural characteristics were also taken into account, such as linear velocity, acceleration speed, the distance between individual fish, the size of the schools, their vibrations and motion, and the rhythm at which they move their tails.

The researchers also wanted to develop a closed-loop system in which the robot is able to not only influence the fish's behaviour, but also adapt its own behaviour by learning how to communicate and move like they do.

The robot's swimming mechanism - initially designed with the help of biologists - gradually improved as the robot spent more time with the fish.
Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may have hosted an elaborate state banquet for visiting US president Donald Trump, but it was Hope Hicks, the White House communications director, who stole the show. She stood out by choosing to wear a tuxedo over a formal gown. She looked smart, sharp and ever so stylish! Many women are embracing the tux these days, not afraid of levelling up from the more casual pant suit.

Westerners have the physique to carry it off. Theyre usually taller, compared to the average Indian woman, and are likely to look great in a tux with minimal effort. Stylists Nandita Mahtani and Bornali Talukdar, who have worked with many A-listers, give tips on how Indian women too can slay the look.

Tuxedos are all about power dressing. Contrary to what people generally think, it suits women of all frames with the right cut and the right body language. At the end of the day, its not about a tux being suitable for westerners/Indians, but about how a woman chooses to carry it. Cut or pattern as well as a confident body language plays a huge part, says Bornali, assuring that Indians can very well carry off a tux.

People on the heavier side can go for a wide-legged trouser with a double brisket jacket, while women with a slim figure must go for a slim leg trouser with a single button jacket, says Nandita Mahtani, stylist.

Nandita Mahtani could not agree more and has herself worn tuxedos and pant suits on many occasions. She says, A tux can look good on anyone, provided they choose the right kind one for their body type. People on the heavier side can go for a wide-legged trouser with a double brisket jacket, while women with a slim figure must go for a slim leg trouser with a single button jacket. If you want to go the traditional way, you can wear a simple shirt inside with a satin bow. If youre up for a bold look, the shirt inside can be either a strappy one or like a negligee. When it comes to the hair, either go for a sexy low bun or a high ponytail, if youre wearing a bow. If your neckline is low, open hair is the way to go. A pearly white shade for a tux would look classy and glamourous. If youre attending a serious occasion, a nice burgundy, navy blue or black tux would be perfect. If one has the personality to carry it off, you can go for red or soft pink, for informal events. I would recommend stilettos for a feminine touch. Also, try to keep the accessories simple. A line of pearls would look good with a buttoned-up shirt.
Bengaluru/Chennai: The Income Tax (I-T) department on Thursday expanded its raid at multiple locations in Tamil Nadu to Karnataka. The taxmen conducted searches at the house of AIADMK Karnataka in-charge V Pugazhendi in Bengaluru.

The taxmen raided AIADMK Karnataka secretary's house at Domlur in Bengaluru.

Income Tax sleuths earlier on Thursday raided the premises of Tamil television channel Jaya TV in Chennai and a farm house of deposed AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran in Puducherry over suspected tax evasion.

The sleuths also searched the premises of some others linked to Dhinakaran and his jailed aunt VK Sasikala, said an I-T department official, who did not want to be named.

Jaya TV, the channel of late chief minister Jayalalithaa, and that is known to be a mouthpiece of AIADMK, is perceived to be favourably politically disposed towards Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

The searches that began early Thursday morning were being conducted over suspected tax evasion as part of 'Operation Clean Money' that was initiated post-demonetisation, the official said.

The simultaneous searches, spread across multiple locations in Tamil Nadu, includes the premises of associates and some relatives of Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

Dhinakaran, the deposed deputy general secretary of the AIADMK and who is locked in a turf war with the faction led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam over control of the party, said his farm house was searched while denying that his house was raided.

Among the premises being searched includes that of Sasikala's Tiruvarur district based brother Divakaran.

Also, the allegation covers aspects like shell companies, dubious investments, fund flow and fudging of accounts, the I-T official told PTI.

The searches at the TV channel's accounts section here is part of 'Operation Clean Money', the official said.

Searches also covered the premises of Midas Distilleries and Jazz Cinemas, the official said.

The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV, Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

Jaya TV also reported the searches by tax sleuths in its premises and at Jazz cinemas.

It was being conducted by more than 10 groups since this morning, the official said.

Dhinakaran, meanwhile, told reporters that his residential premises in Chennai were not searched as claimed by a section of media.

He, however, said his farm house off Auroville at Puducherry was searched. "I think they have concluded search there," he said.

He said an "official" visited his residence here and left. He added that it is, however, not known if the official will return and hold searches.
Seven-year-old Pradyuman was found with his throat slit in the washroom of the school on September 8. (Photo: File | PTI)

New Delhi: A Class 11 student who allegedly wanted to postpone a parent-teacher meeting and exams has been apprehended in connection with the killing of a seven-year-old boy in Gurgaons Ryan's International School, the CBI said on Wednesday.

In a sensational twist to the case, the high school student, who is about 16 years old, was apprehended late Tuesday night for allegedly killing his junior inside the school, said a CBI spokesperson.

Pradyuman, a Class 2 student of the school, was found dead with his throat slit by a sharp-edged weapon on the morning of September 8.

The CBI did not find any evidence against bus conductor Ashok Kumar, who was the Gurgaon Polices sole accused in the gruesome killing.

The murder weapon, a knife, was found in the commode of the toilet where the killing allegedly took place, said CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal.

It was the same knife seized by the Gurgaon Police, he said.

According to the agency, the Class 11 student, believed to be weak in his studies, allegedly slit Pradyumans throat to get the school to declare a holiday in order to defer a scheduled parent-teacher meeting (PTM) and an examination.

The CBI was able to piece together elements of the crime that shook the entire nation by analysing the CCTV footage, scientific and forensic examination, analysis of the crime scene and by questioning students, teachers and staff of the school, an official said.

No evidence of sexual assault: CBI

The CBI spokesperson said the minor student was apprehended last night at 11.30 pm in accordance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.

His parents were kept in the loop and all measures in accordance with the JJ Act were complied with. He remains our prime suspect."

He said the agency analysed CCTV footage, which shows the movement of people in and out of the toilet, on the basis of which it narrowed the list of suspects. The agency has not found any evidence of sexual assault, he said.
It has been asked how a PTA in a school with over 4,000 students can act as an effective medium of communication between the parents and teachers. (Representational image)

Thiruvananthapuram: The effectiveness of parent teachers associations, especially in unaided, CBSE and ICSE schools, is under question now. Many parents say that some schools appoint management cronies as office-bearers to ensure that such bodies do not cause trouble.

However, an effective PTA can act as a link to help parents get a clear response about the performance of their wards.

It has been asked how a PTA in a school with over 4,000 students can act as an effective medium of communication between the parents and the teachers. How many parents can meet the teachers to discuss their wards problems? Many schools have failed to address such crucial issues.

The government higher secondary school, Neduveli, had initiated some steps to make PTA meetings effective. It formed a Pocket PTA under which the teachers go to a particular house in an area to meet the parents and share the needs of their children.

The Pocket PTA discusses the issues directly with the parents, including the learning strategies and processes in classrooms, and helps create a learning environment in their houses, said Sujeev Jose, a teacher of the school.

Sources said that though the state government had issued guidelines for the formation of PTAs in government and aided schools, no such norms were in force in the case of unaided, CBSE and ICSE schools.

As per the guidelines, the membership in a PTA is limited to parents, or in their absence the guardian of duly enrolled students, and teachers in a given school.

The term of PTA president is limited to three years. The PTA general body will be composed of all parents of enrolled students. The general body has to be convened as required, but in no case less than thrice a year.

Mr Sudhir G. Kollara, president, all-Kerala Parent Teachers Association, said that most of the unaided CBSE and ICSE schools do not allow dissident voices in PTAs. In most cases, only parents who have close relations with the management are elected to them. If any PTA does not fall in line, it is dissolved and replaced by a committee which the management can control, said Mr Kollara.

Jyothis Chandran, chairman of Jyothis Central School, Kazhakuttom, said that the structure of parent teachers associations differed in government, aided, unaided, CBSE and ICSE schools. For government schools, the PTAs have a more active role. They can collect money for school development through donations and create infrastructure and even appoint teachers on temporary basis using such funds when regular teachers are on leave, said Mr Chandran.

The unaided, CBSE and ICSE schools do not have such PTAs. In some schools, the PTAs are headed by parents who continue in office for a long period even after their wards complete their education. In some schools, PTAs are elected periodically. In our school, no office- bearer is allowed to continue for over three years, Mr Chandran said.

Mr N. Sreekumar, general secretary, pro-CPI All-Kerala School Teachers Union, said that as per the Right to Education Act, the PTAs in government schools have been converted into school management committee (SMC) with more administrative power. In aided schools, SMCs have not been formed and the PTAs continued. However, the PTAs have all the power similar to SMCs, he said.

As per norms, adequate representation has to be provided to women, the parents or guardians of the children belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, disadvantaged groups and weaker sections. Besides, the PTAs should have members of the local bodies also to give them a democratic character, said Mr Sreekumar.
An apologetic Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) explained later that the unscheduled and intermittent power cuts were the result of various problems at the state's power plants.

A spate of power disruptions began on Monday after various problems surfaced at the state's power plants, severely impacting businesses and hospitals across the city. UPCL, which provides 28% of the state's electricity has been functioning at half capacity after its second unit developed a problem. The Raichur plant resuming operations has easd the situation, although it is clear that Karnataka is nowhere near ready to face a crisis. It's time for better contingency plans that keep citizens informed in advance, says Nikhil Gangadhar.

Life only seems to be getting harder for Bengalureans. Besides putting up with the garbage on the streets and potholes on their roads, they are now having to put up with sudden interruptions in power supply not just for an hour or two , but a whole day and more.

While the city is no stranger to power cuts, it has come to expect them more in summer and certainly not when it has received one of its heaviest downpours and is heading for winter. Not surprisingly , most were taken aback by the disruption in power supply that began Monday noon and continued well into Tuesday evening with no prior warning.

An apologetic Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) explained later that the unscheduled and intermittent power cuts were the result of various problems at the state's power plants. It said the city had suffered a shortfall to 1500 MW of power as the Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS) was shut down following a leakage and a technical snag at the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL). Some officials also blamed a shortage of coal for the short supply, but this was of little comfort to the people, who had to put up with the inconvenience caused for a day and more.

Those with medical emergencies had it especially tough. Take Ms Rukmini Rao, of CV Raman Nagar, who was forced to rush her husband to a nearby private hospital for his dialysis in the absence of power at home. The power kept playing hide and seek and repeated calls to Bescom went unanswered. From Monday morning the power went on and off over a dozen times until Tuesday evening. I had to do dialysis for my husband , but with the power supply being so erratic I had to take him to a nearby private clinic, which had a generator to do it, she recounted.

Besides domestic consumers, the power cuts took a toll on industries and manufacturing units , both small and big. Mr Mohammed Taqiq, who owns a card board manufacturing unit near KR Puram, was expectedly upset by the frequent interruptions in his production.

Said he, Bescom should keep us informed about such cuts to prepare us for such situations. In the absence of any warning either in the newspapers or television channels, we were taken by surprise for two days. We did not have power every two hours, for over 40 minutes. Our manufacturing rate dropped and we will have to make up for it by making our staff work overtime other days.

Mr Taqiq was also concerned about the damage his equipment could suffer due to such frequent power interruptions. The power fluctuation could spoil our machinery. We can operate the machines either with regular power supply or with the help of a generator, but we cannot keep switching between both frequently, he lamented.

Confronted with angry consumers, Bescom officials assured the problem would be resolved by Wednesday. And the government promised to buy 500 MW of power from the market and 1,300 MW from the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), to feed into the system.

Tap solar energy, say city experts

Some urban experts believe the government and Bescom should learn a lesson from the recent power crisis and consider tapping solar energy more both for the needs of the city and the state as a whole.

Laments one such expert, Ashwin Mahesh, We are still depending on the old system where power is generated at one place and transmitted to another when the world is metamorphosing every day with new innovations and developments. We should be thinking of alternative sources of power like solar energy, which is abundant. When various other countries are going in for green energy, why are we not doing so in a bigger way? Bengaluru definitely has the scope and equipment to tap solar energy.

Mr Mahesh recalls that a few years ago the Karnataka Electric city Regulatory Commission (KERC) had, in fact, asked the government and Bescom to begin generating solar energy on a bigger scale.

But they have not made much of an effort on this front. We need to take aggressive steps to ensure that roof-top solar panels are installed in major institutions, organisations, buildings and homes. Instead of spending on power plants the government could use the same money to create awareness about the uses of solar energy, he suggests.

In his view, even installing solar panels generating 2 to 5 or 8 megawatts of power will be quite enough to prevent a power crisis and avoid panic among people and industrialists. Generating our own energy will help in managing power better and do away with the losses in transmission. The current shortages are mainly due to snags in the power production units. Solar power can come to a rescue in such situations, he stresses. Contending that it is time for a change in attitude and the government needs to start brainstorming on decentralising power production, he believes this is the long term solution for the citys power troubles.

Raichur plant problem solved in 24 hours

The power shut-down of the last couple of days in many parts of the state is likely to ease from Wednesday with two units of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) resuming operation.

While seven units of the plant are now generating power, one unit remains shut down for annual repair and maintenance. When contacted, executive director of RTPS, Venugopal explained that two units tripped without warning at around 3.30 pm Monday, and had to be shut down, affecting the generation of around 400 MW.



But we attended to the problem on a war-footing and resumed generation within 24 hours. Now both units are operational once again. In all, seven units are generating around 26 to 28 million units of power every day, he added.

About the coal situation at RTPS, Mr Venugopal said the shortage was being experienced all over the country. At RTPS we are getting five rakes of coal as against our daily requirement of seven. The shortage is made up from the available stock in our yard, he added.

The officer also blamed the power crisis on wind power production coming to a halt. We were getting 1500 to 1600 MW of wind power, but that has stopped now. Added to this was the tripping of the two units at RTPS and one unit each at Udupi and Ballari power stations. Things are expected to return to normal from today, he assured.

Disruption a wake-up call to authorities, time for better contingency plan: M G Prabhakar, member , advisory committee, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC)

Power plays an important role in everyones lives. These days almost everything operates and runs on power and without it the system would come to a standstill. If I recall it was said the state would become surplus in power by December this year, but there is no sign of it although it is already November.

There may be technical problems at the power plants, but what about the measures taken to avoid such situations? When Bengaluru is known globally for its rapid development, such a situation is unfortunate. More stringent and effective measures need be taken to combat power shortages, as otherwise there could be tough times ahead for both the industrialist and the common man.

The recent power disruption is a wake -up call to the government and the authorities concerned. It calls for a better contingency plan, and managing power more efficiently and effectively. I believe a committee should be established to review the power supply frequently as this would help with maintenance of the plants. Any technical snag they develop should be resolved immediately in the interest of common people and industries.

The KERC should be informed before any load shedding or power disruption, as it could help in studying the situation and come up with technical ideas to resolve it at the earliest. Short term power purchase is also an option.

There could be more such situations in the future and technical advisories will play a major role during such times. Meanwhile, the public should be informed well in advance about the load shedding or any disruption in power as it has a right to know.
The CBI, according to PTI sources, was also expected to recreate the crime scene. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: The class 11 student of Gurgaon's Ryan International School, apprehended by the CBI in connection with the murder of Pradyuman Thakur, was on Thursday taken to the place of crime, which is the school, to substantiate his statements on the activities before and after the crime.

The juvenile is also expected to be taken to the shop that sold him the knife with which he allegedly slit Pradyumans throat in the toilet of the school on September 8.

The visit to the school and the knife shop was part of the CBI's exercise to recreate the crime scene, according to PTI sources.

A special crime team of the CBI, which was questioning him, remained tight-lipped about the exercise, saying it could affect the probe.

Haven't made minor record statement in front of Magistrate, he was taken to place of crime, today. Only one knife is part of investigation, one that was recovered by Gurugram Police. Apart from teachers & students, ex-employees of Ryan also questioned: CBI Sources #PradyumanCase  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The student, who was apprehended by the CBI on Tuesday night, was kept at Sewa Kutir in Kingsway Camp in north Delhi.

On Thursday, the CBI told a Gurgaon court that the teen had confessed before his father that he killed his junior, Pradyuman.

"He has admitted his involvement in committing the murder of...in ground floor boys washroom of Ryan International School...in presence of his father..., independent witness, welfare officer of the CBI, etc.," the CBI told the court.

Seven-year-old Pradyuman was found dead with his throat slit in the washroom of his school on September 8.

According to the CBI, the Class 11 student, believed to be weak in his studies, allegedly slit Pradyukman's throat to get the school to declare a holiday in order to defer a scheduled parent-teacher meeting (PTM) and an examination.

The agency did not find any evidence of sexual assault, a CBI spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Hyderabad: Congress party activists staged a dharna at Haj House on Wednesday demanding protection of Wakf properties. Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee (GHCC) minorities department chairman Mr Shaik Abdullah Sohail, questioned Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos decision to seal the Wakf Board office in a late night operation on Tuesday. He said that the sealing of the Board office was a confession that the TRS government has failed to prevent irregularities in the Board.

By ordering sealing of Wakf Board and its records without informing the present Board members, the CM has sent a loud message, that all the present members were not trustworthy and have failed to perform their duties, he said.
The results along with those of the BJP-ruled Gujarat will be a bellwether of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity. (Photo: ANI)

Shimla: Voting closed Thursday in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP is seeking to dislodge the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government on the issue of corruption while deflecting attacks by rivals on demonetisation and GST.

Sixty sitting MLAs were among the 337 candidates fighting for a seat in the 68-member legislative assembly of Himachal Pradesh, one of few states under Congress rule.

The results along with those of the BJP-ruled Gujarat will be a bellwether of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity.

As many as 7,525 polling booths were set up and 37,605 personnel deputed for poll duty in the state, which has a total of 50,25,941 voters.

Voting for the Assembly, which started at 8am, came to an end at 5pm, but continued in some booths were people were still waiting to cast their votes.

A total of 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force had also been deployed.

To ensure free and fair polls, other officials, including 29 general, three police and 22 expenditure observers as well as 1,561 micro observers were believed to have been deployed across the state.

Chief Minister and Congress leader Virbhadra Singh, 10 ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

The ruling Congress and the BJP, led by Dhumal, contested all 68 seats. The BSP fought for 42 seats, the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI three. There are also 112 independents in the fray.

Dharamsala has the maximum number of candidates at 12. Both Virbhadra Singh and Dhumal have moved out of their old constituencies. While the Congress leader contested from Arki, the BJP leader chose Sujanpur.

The 12-day high-voltage campaign, which ended on Tuesday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed seven rallies and BJP president Amit Shah, six.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed three rallies.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns on the chief minister while the Congress hit out at the BJP over GST and demonetisation.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog (SC), fought for the eleventh time.

The election saw 19 women -- six from the BJP and three from the Congress. Seven rebels each from the two parties also contested the polls.

At present, the Congress has 35 and the BJP 28 MLAs in the House. There are four independents while one seat is vacant.

Web-casting was used in 2,307 polling stations for live monitoring of polling activities.

Officials said 7,525 electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT paper trail machines were used. The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines were used for the first time in this election.

An estimated 10 per cent of the total number of EVMs and VVPATs had been kept in reserve.
Hyderabad: Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao asked the Opposition, especially the Congress, not to bring sentiments into the issue of water releases.

He said the government was interested in the development of the entire state and not of any particular district in ensuring sufficient release of water to enable farmers raise crops.

He was replying to a question in the Council and referred to the ongoing protests over the release of water from the Singur dam to Niz-amsagar and Sriram-sagar projects. He said the decision to release water was taken to save standing crops.

He said Congress leaders were making everything political and raking up sentiments. He said while Congress leaders from Medak and Sangareddy districts were demanding that water from Singur dam not be released, their colleagues in other districts were demanding more water.

He said the previous Congress government had denied the Medak district and supplied Singur dam water to Hyderabad. With what right are they leaders now making different demands, he said.

Mr Harish Rao said said 16 tmc ft of water would be retained at the Singur dam and the rest of the storage would be diverted to downstream projects to save crops.

He said in view of the shrinking storage at the Sriramsagar dam due to siltation and reduced inflows, the government had taken up the scheme to supply water to Nizamabad and Karimnagar with the help of Kaleswaram water diversion.
New Delhi: India on Thursday snubbed China and rejected its objections to defence minister Nirmala Sitharamans visit to Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country.

Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and Indian leaders have that much freedom to visit Arunachal as they have in visiting other states in the country, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

The Centre also snubbed Beijings reported statement that India seems to be wavering on its position regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), categorically asserting that the CPEC violates India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India also made it clear that for talks with Pakistan to go ahead, there has to be a conducive environment and atmosphere free of terror and free of terrorists receiving support from Islamabad.

To a question on the next round of talks between Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question, the MEA said both sides are in touch with each other.

We do not have any confirmed dates for talks as yet. The two sides are in touch. Once we have some dates for it, we will let you know, he said.

Indias position is principled: MEA

On Monday, China had objected to Ms Sitharamans first visit to Arunachal on Saturday and Sunday, saying her tour of the disputed area was not conducive to peace in the region.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet and routinely objects to top Indian dignitaries visits to the area.

Asked about Chinas comment on Wednesday that Indias stand on the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is wavering, the MEA said New Delhis position on the issue is very clear and principled.

India has objected to the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan occupied India and boycotted the One Belt One Road organised by China in May.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh shows his inked finger after casting his vote at a polling both, in Rampur on Thursday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh on Thursday recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of over 74 per cent in a possible indication towards a regime change in the hill state.

Counting will take place after 40 days on December 18 along with that of Gujarat where polling is scheduled to take place on December 9 and 14.

The hill state, which has largely witnessed a bipolar polity, has had a Congress government for the last five years and there are indications that the BJP might storm to power this time. According to pollsters, a high turnout indicates anti-incumbency.

Except in 1998, the hill state has always given a decisive verdict. That year both Congress and BJP were tied at 31 seats each in the 68-member Assembly.

In the outgoing Assembly, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively. There are four Independent MLAs while one seat was vacant.

While the Congress and the BJP are contesting all 68 seats, the BSP is contesting 42 seats, the CPM 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI 3.

In a high-voltage campaign which lasted nearly two weeks, star campaigners of both parties held over 450 rallies. Mr Modi and BJP president Amit Shah addressed six rallies each, while Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed three.

The two parties exuded confidence about the result, which both claimed would be in their favour.
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday instructed the state government and the TS Public Service Commission (TSPSC) not to hold the teachers recruitment test till resolving of a dispute over considering all 31 districts of the state as a unit.

The court sought to know from the government the basis for considering the 31 districts as a unit.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranga-nathan and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili was hearing a petition filed by Mr G. Arun Kumar and three others, challenging the rules issued on October 10 for the test, which prescribed the reorganised revenue districts as the local area and unit of appointment for study/residence.

Mr S. Rahul Reddy, counsel for the petitioner, said the government had notified the rules in violation of the Presidential Order 1975 and Article 371-D of the Constitution.

While contending that the Presidential Order was applicable to the erstwhile 10 districts, Mr Rahul Reddy urged the court to declare the rules as illegal and direct the government to recruit the secondary grade teachers by considering the previous 10 districts as a unit.

The bench asked whether or not a local resident of a district would become non-local if the district was reorganised into three.

The bench asked Advocate-General D. Prakash Reddy how the government could consider 31 districts as a unit when the Presidential Order spoke about local area reservations for 10 districts.

Mr Prakash Reddy said that teachers posts were district cadre posts and the Presidential Order would not be applicable for the district cadre.

He contended that the number of districts was increased in accordance with the Presidential Order and any reduction in the number of districts would violate the order.

He said increasing the number of districts would not affect local candidates, and added that the recruitment notification was based on the order of the Supreme Court.

Not convinced by the submission, the bench asked if there was any provision under the application for the candidates to mention the erstwhile district.

Student doing her MBBS in kazakhstan gets no relief

The Hyderabad High Court stayed an order of a single judge who had directed the Medical Council of India to issue eligibility certificate to attend its screening test to one J. Sirisha of Nalgonda, who had completed her MBBS first year in Kazakhstan.

The MCI had moved the appeal stating that as per the rules, candidates studying MBBS in foreign countries can apply for the eligibility after completing the course.

It said Ms Sirisha had completed only her first year and that she was underaged to join the MBBS as per MCI regulations. She had not applied for permission from the MCI to join the course in the foreign university.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday expressed co-nfidence that he would secure 12 per cent quota for Muslims in education and employment in the same manner in which he had achieved statehood for Telangana.

He said, When I started the statehood movement in 2001, everyone used to say it was impossible. But they were proved wrong. In the same way, doubts are being raised that it is not possible to secure 12 per cent quota for Muslims against the directions of Supreme Courts cap of 50 per cent. I am confident that this too will be achieved soon.

He said that since Tamil Nadu was allowed to implement quotas above the SC limit of 50 per cent, TS too would get the relaxation with the cooperation of the Centre.

Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Rao said he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on two or three occasions after the TS Legislature passed the Reservation Bill last year enhancing quota for Muslims and STs and briefed him about the need for Centre to approve the law based on the social and economic backwardness of the community.

The PM responded positively and promised to consider it favourably at an appropriate time. I have full faith in him, Mr Rao said

The Chief Minister said he had requested Mr Modi to leave the decision on reservations in states to the respective governments and that the Centre should not intervene in this.

"Each state has different composition of religions and castes and their own social and economic problems. There should be flexibility for states to take a decision on reservations in jobs and education provided by state governments. The PM has responded positively and assured to take steps in this direction. But due to consecutive elections in various states since then, it got delayed," Mr Rao added.

Mr Rao said he had requested Mr Modi to approve the TS Reservations Act and include it in the IX Schedule of the Constitution to provide legal cover along the lines of Tamil Nadu.

KCR opens the gift bag for minorities

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced a series of sops for the minorities in the state, in the assembly on Thursday.
New Delhi: With a killer pea soup fog blanketing the national capital for three continuous days, the Delhi High Court and the National Green Tribunal on Thursday issued a slew of directions, including implementing the odd-even scheme, to improve the air quality in the city.

An irked green panel also imposed a ban on the entry of diesel trucks more than 10 years old. The odd-even car rationing scheme will be rolled out in Delhi for five days from November 13.

The scheme will be in place from 8 am to 8 pm and there will be exemption for women drivers, two-wheelers and vehicles carrying children in school uniforms, besides VVIPs, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said.

The exemptions will be similar as last year and there is no need for people to panic, he told reporters, adding that CNG vehicles having valid stickers would be exempt. The minister said the Delhi government would not allow cab-aggregators to resort to surge pricing during the period in Delhi.

I have called a meeting with representatives of Ola and Uber tomorrow to ensure that there is no surge pricing during the odd-even, Gahlot said.

Under the policy, private vehicles are allowed to run based on the last number of their licence plates.

Odd-numbered cars are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars can only run on even dates. In 2016, the scheme was enforced twice  January 1-15 and April 15-30.

A pollution emergency prevailed in the national capital for the third straight day on Thursday as a toxic cloud of smog kept the city shrouded, a situation which is likely to persist for another 48 hours.

He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call a meeting of chief ministers of Delhi and adjoining states to find a solution to the crisis.
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has adjourned the plea of the local residents challenging the recent order of the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Urban Development Department rejecting the representation submitted by them against the proposed steel bridge on Hare Krishna Road at Shivananda Circle.

The residents have approached the court after the State Government decided to go ahead with the project. Following an earlier direction of the High Court, the local residents had filed their representation against the proposed steel bridge.

It is learnt that the ACS rejected the representation citing that the project is necessary to ease the traffic situation there.

Shootout: 2 acquitted

The High Court on Thursday acquitted two people in a shootout case, which dates back to 1990! The court acquitted Ashok, an owner of Foto Flash shop and Ateeq Ibrahim, an employee of the shop.

The prime accused Ashok was accused of murder by shooting a person on February 11, 1990 in front of Safina Plaza, near Commercial Street Police Station.

The lower court had acquitted them on the ground that the prime accused open fired from his gun for self defence and not with an intention to kill the victim. The High Court has upheld the acquittal the two.
New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, Justice J. Chelameswar, second seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court, on Thursday entertained a PIL for a probe by a special investigation team into alleged medical admission scam involving a retired Orissa High Court Judge I.M. Quddusi.

The bench, which included Justice Abdul Nazeer, issued notice to the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation and referred the PIL for hearing by a-five-judge Constitution bench, comprising top five judges according to seniority.

The bench said the charges are not only serious but sensitive not only for judiciary but for the nation. It said the FIR contained certain allegations, which are disturbing.

The CBI arrested Justice Quddusi on September 21 for attempting to bribe judges to get permission for allegedly trying to fix apex court judges hearing the medical college admission case.

The bench directed the CBI to produce all the documents and materials collected during the investigation of an FIR registered in this regard in a sealed cover before the Constitution bench on November 13.

When senior counsel Dushyant Dave appearing for petitioner Ms Kamini Jaiswal submitted that the CJI Dipak Misra should not be part of the five-judge bench, Justice Chelameswar said it was upto the CJI to decide whether he wants to be part of the Bench or not.

This matter was taken up for hearing at 12.45 pm after it was mentioned in the morning at 10.30 am.

Mr Dave said the allegations about fixing of judges through illegal gratification is too serious a charge to permit the CBI and Centre to use it for arm twisting of the judiciary.

On coming to know that the matter was to be heard by Justice Chelamesar, the CJI who was in the midst of hearing of the Delhi government case, retired to the Chamber around 12 noon and proceedings could not continue till 1 pm.
Hyderabad: The Assembly on Thursday adopted The Telangana Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Dacoits, Drug offenders, Goondas, Immoral traffic offenders and Land grabbers (Amendment) Bill, 2017 amidst Opposition from the Congress and the BJP.

The two parties staged a walkout to protest the failure of the government to implement the ordinance to this effect that was brought more than six months ago.

Home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy refuted the allegations and said illegal activities had come down after the ordinance came into force.

Since the Assembly was not in session when the ordinance was brought, we are replacing it with an Act. The police could successfully check these illegal activities by invoking the PD Act after the ordinance was issued, Mr Reddy said.

He added that the existing Act was made in 1986 and the amendment was necessitated to suit the present needs.

The cases of adulteration of food, seeds, land grabbing, online gambling, sexual harrassment, fake certificates/ documents, immoral trafficking have increased over the years. With IT and online technology, the cyber crimes have increased. There is no scope in the existing Act to check these activities," Mr Reddy said.

The House also adopted the Telangana Road Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2017 for development of roads and highways by securing funds from financial institutions. It adopted the Shops an Establishments (Amend-ment) Act, 2017 to give instant licences to shops and commercial establishments to launch their businesses without waiting for a month or so to get approvals as part of Ease of Doing Business.

Mr Reddy said a provisional licence will be given with which they can launch activities and offiicials will take up inspections later and give a permanent licence. The new Act will also allow shops to run 24x7 for 365 days after meeting certain conditions.
Hyderabad: The state government will host a dinner for the delegates attending the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in the city from November 28 to 30.

The dinner will be hosted at Falaknuma Palace on November 28 and at Golconda Fort the next day. The decision was taken during a meeting that Chief Secretary S.P. Singh held on Thursday to review the arrangements for the GIS with senior officials of the police, intelligence, GHMC, HMDA and other departments.

Mr Singh directed police officials to provide foolproof security for delegates and make security arrangements in hotels.
Bengaluru: As the city is set to celebrate the Tipu Jayanti on Friday to mark the birth anniversary of the 18th-century ruler of the Mysore kingdom, the city police have made elaborate security arrangements to avert any untoward incident.

City Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar told reporters that no procession or protest related to Tipu Jayanti would be allowed. We are not giving permission to any procession, whether it is in favour of Tipu Jayanti or against it. The government itself is celebrating the event in various parts of the city for which we have made elaborate arrangements, he said.

As many as 11,000 police personnel, 30 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons and 25 armed platoons, besides home guards, will be deployed in the city, especially in the sensitive areas, the Commissioner added.

He said the police would keep a vigil on anti-social elements and anyone violating the law or trying to create tension would be dealt with an iron hand."We have not made any preventive arrests so far, but if the situation arises, section 144 (prohibitory order) may be imposed, he said.

These security arrangements from the city police are in addition to the Good Morning Beat launched by the state government to keep an eye on the anti-social elements.
Ravi Kumar left the house informing the family that he would hand over the money to the kidnappers and rescue their child.

Chennai: Police on Wednesday arrested a travels firm owner in Purasawalkam for staging a kidnap drama of his three-year-old child and pledging his wifes jewellery to repay his debts.

P. Ravi Kumar, a resident of Barakka road in Kellys, lived with his wife, Tamil Ilakya, and their three-year-old child, Ganesh. He ran a travel firm in Porur, police said. On Tuesday, Ravikumar informed his wife that unidentified bike-borne men rammed into his two-wheeler and took away their child, while on the way to school.

A few minutes later, he told his wife that the kidnappers contacted him and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakh to release their child. Alarmed, the woman contacted her father Paramasivam and pledged her jewels and arranged the cash within a few hours.

Ravi Kumar left the house informing the family that he would hand over the money to the kidnappers and rescue their child. Meanwhile, his wife preferred a police complaint with the Aynavaram police station to trace and arrest the suspects.

Within hours, Ravi Kumar returned home with the child, much to the relief of the family. Police who learnt of this rushed to the home and began interrogating the father when they found him to have staged a kidnap drama.

Ravi Kumar dropped the child at his friend Venus house in Peravallur asking him to take care of the child for a while. Later in the day, he picked up the child and handed over the money to his friend saying that another person named Anand would collect the cash from him. All the while, his friend Venu was unaware of what was happening, an investigating officer said.

Police said that Ravi borrowed money from one Anand and to repay him, he staged the kidnap drama as he did not want to ask his wife to pledge her jewels. Ravi was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Kozhikode/ Kottayam: The Congress has intensified its attack on transport minister Thomas Chandy following the High Court strictures against him.

However, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the party will not protect any tainted person.

Oppostion leader Ramesh Channithala told reporters here on Wednesday that cases should be registered against Mr Thomas Chandy under the Wetland Conservation Act.

A minister and an ordinary person have two kinds of justice under the LDF rule as the HC indicated, he said.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had spoiled his own image by protecting Chandy, he said, and added that Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had become Chandys counsel.

The media should inquire why Kodiyeri is showing such commitment to Chandy unlike in the case of E.P. Jayarajan, Mr Chennithala said.

However, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said here that the government would assess the legal validity of the case against Mr Thomas Chandy as in the case of the solar scam. The party will not protect any tainted person, he said.

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy said here that he was not afraid of the legal proceedings in the solar case. It is mere political vendetta of the LDF, he added.

Meanwhile, CPI state executive committee member V.B. Binu has also come out in the open, seeking Chandy's resignation.

While speaking to reporters at Kottayam Press Club, Mr Binu said the minister's resignation is necessary for saving government's face.

However, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan clarified that LDF has not discussed Thomas Chandy issue and no one could tag Mr Chandy as corrupt based on allegations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent call on DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi in Chennai to enquire about his health has triggered speculation that the BJP may be trying to keep its Tamil Nadu options open ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls. For many years, the BJP was cosy with the AIADMK, which was in power in the state and is the DMKs traditional rival. The late J. Jayalalithaas death and the toxic intra-AIADMK dynamics that followed have evidently persuaded Mr Modi that the states ruling party may not be a safe enough vehicle to launch the BJP in Tamil Nadu as a coalition partner. Only this can explain the overture to Mr Karunanidhi.

Of course, the success of this will depend largely on the Modi governments stock as the 2019 parliamentary election approaches and on how the DMK and the Congress  allies in the last election  see each other. Mr Modis Tamil tango has as its backdrop the recent snub the BJP got from the Shiv Sena, its coalition partner in the governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra. The Sena is the BJPs oldest ally in the country. But the relationship has become prickly with the BJP covering electoral ground nationally and elbowing out the Sena from its regional perch in the Mumbai area.

For some time now, the Sena has been sharp in its criticism of the BJP, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Modi. Fed up with this, the CM observed recently that the Sena should make up its mind whether it wishes to remain a partner in the state government and for the 2019 election. This drew a stinging rebuke from a top Sena leader, who went to the extent of saying that of late Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had emerged as prime ministerial material.

The warring between two saffron parties  one with long-term national ambitions and the other keen to recover its hegemony in the Mumbai region  has rarely been so intense. On his part, NCP boss Sharad Pawar, who doesnt mind obliging the BJP from time to time though he is with the UPA, went on record earlier this week saying he would not form a government with the BJP or the Sena, indicating that the NCP wouldnt bail out the Fadnavis government if the Sena pulled out. The BJP has also suffered a setback in Punjab where it was rolled over by the Congress along with its ally Akali Dal in the Assembly election earlier this year. Also, the prognosis for the saffron party isnt healthy for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where state polls are due in 2018. The effects of demonetisation and GST arent very comforting. This is the backdrop to the new footwork seen in Tamil Nadu.
There is no doubt about the popularity of the sciences as the preferred choice among students in India. Traditionally, not only is an education in the sciences considered prestigious, it is also assumed to be a means to better employability and consequently a higher standard of living and recognition in society. Statistics attest to the still-increasing number of STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates from the country and Indias obsession with professional courses such as engineering. According to the Human Capital Report 2016 by the World Economic Forum, India has the second highest STEM graduates (2.6 million) after China. However, unemployment rates among them in India continue to be high. This means that all science graduates are not necessarily doing the best jobs in the country or are employed. The introduction of the sciences into the curriculum of a liberal arts university should not be seen as a gesture towards this dominating trend of privileging the sciences. As if an alien component is being accommodated into a framework where it does not belong. In fact, the sciences belong quite naturally within the liberal arts. After all, what are the roots of a liberal arts education?

If one goes back in history, the genesis of a broad-based education, which is the fundamental character of the liberal arts, can be traced back to the classical trivium and quadrivium. These concepts belong to the era of Plato, to classical Greece, continuing through the Latin middle ages, to find a home first in Britain and Europe and then in North America. Trivium, the first stage of higher education, envisioned the study of grammar, logic and rhetoric. Through this, the basic foundations of languages, quantified reasoning and communication skills were established. The next step was the quadrivium  arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. These were traditionally the seven liberal arts and sciences. Beyond this one reached the realm of philosophy. It was the unfolding of this tradition in the liberal arts and sciences curriculum and pedagogy of North American universities that saw primarily the study of literature, philosophy, history, languages and allied subjects.

In India, the idea of a liberal arts education is still relatively new. This unfamiliarity is primarily the reason why people associate the liberal arts only with the humanities and, at most, the social sciences. And yet, as the tradition of the trivium and quadrivium shows, the sciences were always an integral part of the liberal arts. Science at a liberal arts university does not seek to replicate the science education of pre-professional institutions. Nor does it seek to offer a science education that is charged with nuances from the study of literature, philosophy, history and culture while being deficient in quantitative reasoning, experimental approaches and other defining modes of scientific enquiry. Science in a liberal arts university is not soft science. The mark of distinction of science in such an institution, compared with the science taught at more traditional universities and technology institutes, is that it is concept driven, building a strong foundation in the basic philosophy of each science subject while at the same time paying careful attention to the ground realities of the core components and methodology of each of the disciplines in the sciences. With this foundation carefully built, the student is guided and encouraged towards research which may be either theoretical or experimental. All this, in an environment filled with the competing interests of humanities, social sciences, languages and co-curricular activities. As a result, a science graduate from a liberal arts university has as much opportunity for research and an academic life as well as employment in a variety of fields associated with economics, computer science, and psychology. Other opportunities are in science policy or in the corporate sphere where a science background is required and the science student from a liberal arts university brings additional training in critical thinking and communication skills.

The truth is that sciences always had been, and always will be, an integral part of liberal education. Historically, there was no separation between the sciences and the humanities. Any problem had to be looked at from multiple perspectives, which is only possible in a holistic education. The separation of these fields in institutions happened much later and that is why we hear terms like liberal arts and sciences education used by universities across the globe. In todays world of increasing complexity and convergence, it is time to reconsider this age-old model of learning. Commonalities and overlaps in the sciences and humanities will help us come up with novel, creative and relevant solutions. By incorporating sciences we are just completing a picture which was only partially drawn.

In India, since Independence, science policy created a bifurcation between teaching and research. Universities and colleges were expected to teach and research was expected to happen at research institutions. The problem with this bifurcation is that faculty at universities and colleges were not encouraged to conduct research; while research institutions were not able to attract enough young people who could be trained to become future science teachers. At the best universities around the world, the teaching of the sciences is closely linked to enquiry and research. Both of these aspects are equally important and must coexist. This blended model empowers students by teaching them the fundamentals of science subjects as well as inspiring them towards research.

Admittedly, the inclusion of the sciences in a liberal arts curriculum may be seen as utopian, as there is a common misconception that the sciences do not belong to the liberal arts. Introducing the liberal arts framework into the Indian education system is itself a radical step. The inclusion of the sciences into its pedagogy and curriculum might seem even more radical. But the genesis of the liberal arts as philosophy and its existence in practice at premier universities around the world shows that this is nothing but the completion of a holistic picture. That Milton had a deep interest in mathematics and Darwin in the arts, that Kepler was obsessed with music and the metaphysical poet Andrew Marvell had an informed knowledge about sunspots are among many instances that prove that a holistic approach to knowledge is a natural inclination of the human mind.
Apple also assured the FBI that it would expedite responses to any legal process the bureau sends the company. Apple says the FBI had not requested its assistance.

Apple will offer the FBI, technical advice after learning that agents were trying to access the cell phone of the man who massacred more than two dozen at a South Texas church.

In a statement Wednesday, Apple also assured the FBI that it would expedite responses to any legal process the bureau sends the company. Apple says the FBI had not requested its assistance.

A person familiar with the discussions says Apple contacted the FBI to offer technical advice after learning from a Texas news conference that the bureau was trying to access the church gunman's cellphone.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the discussions. Depending on the model of iPhone and what security features it had, FBI agents might have had a short window to use alternative methods to access its data. For instance, if the iPhone used Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensing system, which is available in newer phone models, agents could have tried placing the dead gunman's finger on the phone to unlock it. But that could only have worked in the 48 hours since the last time the phone was locked.

Eleven people remain hospitalized following the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs that left more than two dozen worshippers dead.

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Problematic textbooks had earlier been rejected for adversely reflecting upon Hinduism by the Education Department of Educations Instructional Quality Commission. (Photo: AP/Representational)

Washington: A group of influential American lawmakers have urged Californias education board to adopt textbooks in schools that represent Hindus and Indian Americans with dignity.

The move comes ahead of the meeting of the all-powerful California State Board of Education this week where it would be making a final decision on whether to adopt, reject, or adopt with changes textbook drafts submitted by various publishers.

At a time of great division in our country and around the world, the importance of ensuring that the next generation is brought up respecting religious and cultural diversity, equality and pluralism is critical, Congresswoman Gabbard said in a recent letter to the Board.

At its meeting this week, the Board is expected to take a decision on California Department of Educations Instructional Quality Commission which had earlier rejected the problematic textbook drafts from publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for adversely reflecting upon Hinduism and failing to include adequate materials about the LGBT community, amongst other reasons.

Instructional Quality Commission is a State appointed commission tasked with reviewing curriculum materials.

Ahead of the meeting, a broad coalition of more than 75 interfaith and community groups, 17 state and federal elected officials and 38 leading academics urged the State Board of Education (SBE) to reject textbooks portraying Hinduism, Jainism and Indian history inaccurately and in a stereotyped manner.

These textbooks and instructional materials will determine what students learn in their classroom for the next decade and play a central role in educating students and preparing them to be successful, engaged individuals in the society, Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to US House of Representative, said.

Its essential that all elements of students learning reflect values of diversity and inclusion, allowing students to remain secure in their identity and beliefs while obtaining the best education possible, she added.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, California state legislators Tony Mendoza, Bill Dodd, and Kevin McCarty also wrote individual letters to the California education board.

California State Assembly member Ash Kalra, the first Hindu and Indian-American to serve in the state legislature, similarly spearheaded a letter from a bipartisan group of 12 State legislators.

It is very important that the State Board of Education only adopts textbooks that present India and Hinduism accurately and reject material that is prejudiced and hateful, said Shantharam Nekkar of Hindu Education Foundation USA.

However, South Asian Histories for All (SAHFA), a multi- faith and inter-caste coalition, is urging the board to approve only those textbooks that tell a neutral and factual history of South Asia.

The group alleges that the proposed textbook covering ancient South Asia has major errors, including hiding the history of caste oppression.

SAHFA alleged that some Hindu nationalist lobby groups are trying to hide basic historical factsincluding erasing the history of caste oppression.

Hindu American Foundation, on the other hand, alleged that there is a last minute efforts from some fringe activist groups, not representing the majority of Hindus, nor scholars of Hinduism and India, who continue to promote politically driven views, reflect adversely on Hindu and Indian Americans in violation of California law, and are inconsistent with the State History-Social Science Framework that was adopted in 2016.

In presenting its viewpoint several members of a group calling itself South Asian Histories for All have made vitriolic bigoted statements about Hinduism in public testimony and on social media, as well as making several ad hominem attacks on leading members of the Hindu American community, said Samir Kalra, senior director at the Hindu American Foundation.

We ask the SBE to recognise the often hateful nature of these statements when considering this groups submission, Kalra said.
Seoul, South Korea: President Donald Trump warned the "cruel dictatorship" of North Korea against underestimating the United States Wednesday, but offered leader Kim Jong-Un a better future if he gives up his nuclear ambitions.

In an address to the South Korean parliament -- the first by a US president for 24 years -- Trump painted a dark picture of Pyongyang as an oppressive, despotic regime.

He called on the world to act, specifically singling out the North's allies China -- where he was headed for later Wednesday -- and Russia.

"North Korea is a country ruled as a cult," the US leader declared, a year to the day after his election victory.

"At the centre of this military cult is a deranged belief in the leader's destiny to rule as parent protector over a conquered Korean peninsula and an enslaved Korean people."

Analysts said the criticisms could provoke a reaction from the North.

But South Korean lawmakers applauded as the US president, whose tour of Asia has been dominated by fears over the nuclear-armed North, vowed not to be intimidated and warned Pyongyang it should not test American resolve.

The North carried out its sixth nuclear test in September, by far its most powerful to date, and has fired dozens of missiles in recent months.

Two have overflown key US ally Japan, and Pyongyang says it can mount a nuclear warhead on a rocket with the US mainland within range.

"We will not permit America or our allies to be blackmailed or attacked," Trump said, or "allow American cities to be threatened with destruction".

Ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping -- whose country is responsible for about 90 percent of the North's commerce -- Trump called on the world to unite against the threat from Pyongyang.

"You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept," he said, urging China and Russia to fully implement UN sanctions, downgrade diplomatic ties, and sever all trade and technology ties.

DMZ no-go

Earlier, Trump was forced to abandon a surprise visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the two Koreas because of bad weather, leaving him "pretty frustrated" according to the White House.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In, who had flown earlier before fog closed in, was left waiting for him at a guard post on the border, which bristles with electric fences, minefields and anti-tank barriers.

In his speech, Trump described the DMZ as "the line that today divides the oppressed and the free", where "the flourishing ends, and the prison state of North Korea sadly begins".

The Kim dynasty has ruled the impoverished, isolated North with an iron fist and pervasive personality cult for three generations, showing no tolerance for political dissent.

The regime has for decades been criticised for a range of rights abuses including torture, rape and execution of perceived critics or those trying to flee the country.

It is also known to operate prison camps where hundreds of thousands languish under forced labour, and its 25 million people are barred from contact with the outside world such as foreign television or internet access.

While Trump condemned the authorities, he also made overtures to leader Kim Jong-Un, who has overseen rapid advances in its weapons technology.

In what he said was a direct message to the country's young leader, he told him: "The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer. They are putting your regime in great danger.

"North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned," he went on. "It is a hell that no person deserves."

"Yet despite every crime you have committed against God and man, we will offer a path towards a much better future."

It would have to begin, though, with the North stopping ballistic missile development, Trump said, and "complete verifiable and total denuclearisation".

Analysts said the speech could go down badly in Pyongyang, which is particularly sensitive to criticism of its leaders.

Go Myong-Hyun, of the Asan Institute of Policy Studies in Seoul, said the open criticism of the realities in North Korea diminished the prospect of talks.

"The message he delivered was that the US will not open dialogue on North Korea's terms," he said.

Yang Moo-Jin from Seoul's University of North Korean Studies said he was "very disappointed".

"The first half seemed like a press conference given by a North Korean defector," he said, while Trump's message that the North's nuclear programme will not be tolerated was "nothing new".

But labelling Kim a "cruel dictator" could be "enough to provoke North Korea because the North Korean system puts the most importance on the dignity of its leadership", he said.

Ahead of the speech the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party, condemned Trump's visit, calling it "a deliberate scheme aimed at strengthening military threats against us and to light the fuse of nuclear war".
Priti Patel was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'. (Photo: AFP)

London: Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her Cabinet post over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians while on a holiday in the Jewish country.

Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed through the proper procedure.

The 45-year-old minister resigned late on Wednesday night after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been

forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric rise of the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

She was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

She must have hoped that the storm around her undisclosed meetings in Israel would die down after a formal apology before she flew out to Africa for an official tour of Uganda and Ethiopia on Wednesday.

But she was unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings as she was ordered to abandon the visit and fly back to London on Thursday "at the request of the prime minister".

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patel's apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patel's position within the Cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israel's public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patel's apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned

about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about any of Patel's meetings, which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patel's resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the country's aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial

code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to

investigate, or "state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence".

In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to "enthusiasm".

"In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it," she said.

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro-Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran.
Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to be questioned by police on Thursday in connection with two separate investigations into alleged corruption, media reports said.

Police refused to confirm the reports. Netanyahu has already been questioned by police four times as part of the investigations.

Netanyahu is suspected to have received luxury gifts from wealthy supporters, including Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, a longtime friend who reportedly sent boxes of expensive cigars and other items with a value of tens of thousands of dollars.

Milchan was again questioned in September.

The second affair over which Netanyahu has faced police questioning involves suspicions he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot.

The alleged deal, not believed to have been finalised, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.

Earlier in the week, Netanyahu confidants Yitzhak Molcho and David Shimron, partners in a law firm and both relatives of the premier, were questioned by police as part of a probe into suspected corruption around the purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu himself has not been named as a suspect in the submarine case.
Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday praised Ivanka and Jared Kushner's 6-year-old daughter for her progress in mastering Mandarin, and said she could get an "A+."

During his informal meeting with Xi inside the Forbidden City, President Donald Trump used a tablet computer to show Xi a video of his granddaughter Arabella singing in Mandarin.

Exclusive: #DonaldTrump's granddaughter #Arabella singing in mandarin, reciting part of Three-Character Classic and ancient Chinese poems pic.twitter.com/KwOyVeK6ZW  China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 8, 2017

Xi praised Ivanka and Jared's daughter for her progress in mastering the language, and said she could get an "A+," the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump and his wife Melania arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a three-day state visit, the first by the US president.

One of the ancient Chinese texts Arabella was shown reciting, Xinhua said, was the Three Character Classic - the same text she performed to Xi in person during the summit between Trump and Xi at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last April.

At that time, Xi applauded for Arabella for her performance and encouraged her Mandarin studies. A video of Arabella reciting a Chinese poem went viral in China shortly after Trump's election.

During the Chinese New Year, a video of Arabella singing "Happy New Year" with a Chinese marionette went viral after Ivanka posted it on Instagram.
Xi hosted Trump at the imposing Great Hall of the People, next to Tiananmen Square, for the main event of Trump's five-nation tour of Asia. (Photo: AFP)

Beijing: Donald Trump urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to work "hard" and act fast to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, during their meeting in Beijing Thursday, warning that "time is quickly running out".

Speaking on the second day of a trip to Beijing marked by pomp and pageantry, Trump also decried China's "one-sided and unfair" trade surplus with the United States but told Xi "I don't blame China", as the two countries signed more than $250 billion in business deals.

Xi hosted Trump at the imposing Great Hall of the People, next to Tiananmen Square, for the main event of Trump's five-nation tour of Asia.

While the two leaders have recently stepped up the flattery, Trump made clear to Xi that he expected China to do more to rein in North Korea.

"We must act fast. And hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone," Trump said, while thanking Xi for his efforts to restrict trade with Pyongyang.

"China can fix this problem easily and quickly, and I am calling on China and your great president to hopefully work on it very hard," the US leader said.

"I know one thing about your president: If he works on it hard, it will happen. There's no doubt about it."

The US administration thinks China's economic leverage over North Korea is the key to strong-arming Pyongyang into halting its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Xi, who has repeatedly urged the United States and North Korea to hold negotiations to resolve the crisis peacefully, told Trump that they should "strengthen communication and coordination" on issues including the Korean Peninsula.

Trump, who is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an APEC summit in Vietnam this weekend, also appealed for help from Moscow, which also has economic ties with North Korea.

"I'm also calling on Russia to help rein in this potentially very tragic situation," he said. He earlier said he and Xi believed there was a solution to the nuclear standoff, without elaborating.

Trade

Washington has made no secret of its frustration at China's massive trade surplus with the United States, but at a signing ceremony for over $250 billion in US-Chinese business deals, Trump said he did not blame Beijing.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the sake of its citizens?"

However, he pointed the blame at past US administrations "for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and to grow".

The Trump administration has aggressively pursued trade remedies in commercial relations with Beijing -- investigating Chinese trade practices on intellectual property and in aluminium and steel.

'Beautiful welcome'

The trip comes as Trump faces the lowest approval ratings for a US president in seven decades, and with the one-year anniversary of his election Wednesday spoiled by big Democrat wins in state and mayoral votes.

Xi, by contrast, cemented his status as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation at a Communist Party congress last month, when his name was inscribed into the constitution.

On Trump's first state visit to China, a military band played the US and Chinese anthems, ceremonial cannon fire erupted, and the two leaders reviewed a military honour guard just across from Tiananmen Square -- the site of the army's deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989.

Children waved US and Chinese flags at the two leaders, a day after Xi treated Trump to a tour of the Forbidden City, capped by an opera performance and a private dinner.

"Emphasising pomp over substance is the Chinese way. With President Trump, they think that the state-visit plus treatment will impress him and buy China some goodwill," Bonnie Glaser, China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told AFP.

Evidently pleased with the first day of his visit, Trump circumvented China's internet censorship system to post a message to Xi on Twitter, which is banned in the country.

"THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it!" he Trump.

Both leaders say they have struck up a friendship since Trump hosted Xi for a plush visit at the billionaire's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for their first meeting in April.

"My feeling toward you is an incredibly warm one. As we said there's great chemistry and I think we're going to do tremendous things for both China and the United States," Trump told Xi.

Despite the public bonhomie, the two leaders were expected to have had tough discussions behind closed doors.

"The flattery will not have significant substantive effect," said Sam Crane, a Chinese history expert at Williams College.

But the pageantry is helpful to Xi's consolidation of power at home, Crane said.

"Symbolically all of this is being framed in China as Trump coming to pay homage to the 'core' leader," he said.

'Do not try us'

Before arriving in Beijing, Trump used a speech at the South Korean parliament to urge China and Russia to act on North Korea.

He later tweeted a warning to North Korea to avoid "a fatal miscalculation. Do not underestimate us. AND DO NOT TRY US."

Though China has backed the UN sanctions, US officials want Chinese authorities to clamp down on unauthorised trade along the North Korean border.

But experts doubt China will take the kind of steps that Trump wants, such as halting crude oil exports to the North. Beijing fears that squeezing Pyongyang too hard could cause the regime to collapse.
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United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. LUIS BUILES, Appellant v. WARDEN MOSHANNON VALLEY CORRECTIONAL CENTER No. 17-2639 Decided: November 07, 2017

Before: AMBRO, RESTREPO and NYGAARD, Circuit Judges

OPINION*

Luis Builes appeals from an order of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania dismissing his petition filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  2241. We will grant the Appellee's motion for summary action and summarily affirm the District Court's judgment. See 3d Cir. LAR 27.4; I.O.P. 10.6.

Builes is a citizen of Colombia who was convicted in the District of Massachusetts of drug offenses and illegal reentry. He is currently confined at the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, and asserts that he will be removed to Colombia when his sentence expires. In February 2017, Builes filed a  2241 petition, alleging that his Equal Protection rights have been violated because his status as an alien prevents him from participating in Bureau of Prisons (BOP) programs that are available to inmates who are United States citizens. For instance, he claimed that he is not eligible for a residential drug program, a camp program, half-way house placement, or a near home release move that would allow him to spend quality time with his wife and kid  before reentering society. He also asserted that he is unable to work in the UNICOR program.

A Magistrate Judge recommended summarily dismissing the petition, stating that, [a]s a matter of law, [Builes] cannot show differential treatment based on alienage nor can he show that the BOP's policy of distinguishing between prisoners with immigration detainers and those without immigration detainers is irrationally related to the legitimate interests of preventing those prisoners from fleeing community-based confinement. Over Builes' objections, the District Court adopted the Report and Recommendation, dismissed the  2241 petition, and denied issuance of a certificate of appealability. Builes appealed. The Appellee has filed a motion for summary action.

We have jurisdiction over the instant appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1291, and our review of the District Court's dismissal of Builes'  2241 petition is plenary. See Cradle v. U.S. ex rel. Miner, 290 F.3d 536, 538 (3d Cir. 2002). Summary affirmance is proper when it clearly appears that no substantial question is presented or that subsequent precedent or a change in circumstances warrants such action. 3d Cir. I.O.P. 10.6.

The Fifth Amendment lacks an Equal Protection Clause, but it contains an equal protection guarantee through its Due Process Clause and prohibits the United States from wrongfully discriminating between individuals or groups. See Abdul-Akbar v. McKelvie, 239 F.3d 307, 316 (3d Cir. 2001) (en banc). Aliens, even aliens whose presence in this country is unlawful, have long been recognized as persons' guaranteed due process of law by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202, 210 (1982). To state an equal protection claim, a plaintiff must at a minimum allege that he was intentionally treated differently from others similarly situated by the defendant and that there was no rational basis for such treatment. Phillips v. County of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 243 (3d Cir. 2008); see also Reno v. Flores, 507 U.S. 292, 306 (1993) (Of course, the INS regulation must still meet the (unexacting) standard of rationally advancing some legitimate governmental purpose.).

The BOP has discretion to place prisoners in a residential substance abuse treatment program and in various types of pre-release custody (e.g., a community correctional facility or home confinement). See 18 U.S.C.  3621(e); 3624(c). Successful participation in a residential substance abuse treatment program may result in a reduction in sentence.  3621(e)(2)(B). But Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees are not eligible for early release or pre-release custody alternatives. 28 C.F.R.  550.55(b); BOP Program Statement 7310.04(10)(j). Similarly, ICE detainees generally are not eligible for assignments in the Federal Prison Industries program (known as UNICOR). 28 C.F.R.  345.35(a).

We agree that Builes has failed to show that these policies result in aliens as a group being treated differently from others based on their membership in a class of alien prisoners. This is true because, on its face, the statute and regulations classify prisonersnot as aliens and non-aliensbut as those who have ICE detainers against them and those who do not. Gallegos-Hernandez v. United States, 688 F.3d 190, 195-96 (5th Cir. 2012). Furthermore, Builes did not identify evidence indicating that the detainer exclusions were motived by discriminatory intent against aliens. See Arlington Heights v. Metro. Hous. Dev. Corp., 429 U.S. 252, 264-265 (1977).

In any event, the District Court also properly concluded that the policies described above survive rational basis review. Because the BOP's policies implicate neither a fundamental right nor a suspect class, rational basis review applies. See Gallegos-Hernandez, 688 F.3d at 196 (holding that ICE detainee's equal protection claim based on exclusion from rehabilitative and early-release programs did not involve a fundamental right); McLean v. Crabtree, 173 F.3d 1176, 1186 (9th Cir. 1999) ([b]ecause prisoners with detainers' does not constitute a suspect class, the detainer exclusion is valid so long as it survives the rational basis test, which accords a strong presumption of validity.). Under the rational basis test, a government policy is valid if it is rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest. Lyng v. Int'l Union, UAW, 485 U.S. 360, 370 (1988). Excluding ICE detainees from residential drug rehabilitation programs, community-based confinement, and UNICOR assignments is rationally related to legitimate BOP interests in reducing the flight risk posed by prisoners facing removal and in making rehabilitative programs available only to prisoners who have a lawful right to remain in the United States See Gallegos-Hernandez, 688 F.3d at 196 (noting support for the determination that ICE detainees are ineligible to participate in prerelease halfway house confinement is rationally related to preventing those detainees from fleeing during the community-based portion of those programs.); McLean, 173 F.3d at 1186 ([E]xcluding prisoners with detainers from participating in community-based treatment programs, and consequently from sentence reduction eligibility, is at least rationally related to the BOP's legitimate interest in preventing prisoners from fleeing detainers while participating in community treatment programs.).

For the foregoing reasons, there is no substantial question presented by this appeal. We will thus grant the Appellee's motion to summarily affirm the judgment of the District Court. See 3d Cir. LAR 27.4; I.O.P. 10.6.

FOOTNOTES

. Builes also complained that his immigration status prevented him from completing his college degree. But his allegation was not directed to the BOP. Instead, he asserted that [h]e was denied enrollment by the colleges because [of the] immigration detainer. Therefore, this claim is not cognizable in a  2241 petition.

. Because we conclude that Builes' challenges to the execution of his sentence were properly raised in a  2241 petition, see Woodall v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, 432 F.3d 235, 241-42 (3d Cir. 2005), a certificate of appealability is not required for this appeal. See Burkey v. Marberry, 556 F.3d 142, 146 (3d Cir. 2009).

. ICE detainees are not the only category of inmates ineligible for early release, community-based custody, or UNICOR participation. See  550.55(b) (designating as ineligible for early release, inter alia, pretrial inmates, [c]ontractual boarders, inmates who have committed certain offenses, and those who have previously received early release); Program Statement 7310.04(10) (deeming ineligible for community-based custody, inter alia, inmates who are assigned a Sex Offender Public Safety Factor, inmates who require inpatient medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment, and inmates who pose a significant threat to the community);  345.35(a) (providing that pretrial detainees are ineligible for UNICOR5assignments).

PER CURIAM
Amit Shah, who is now described as the modern-day Chanakya in Indian politics, was not a famous figure in Indian politics before 2002. He was just 37 years old then, much younger than his peers. In 2010, he was externed from his state as per the conditions imposed in a bail order related to an alleged extrajudicial execution.

It is said that he travelled across the country during that time. Shah, in 2013, was given the charge of BJP's Uttar Pradesh state unit, keeping an eye on 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Soon after the landslide victory in UP, he was elevated as BJP's national president -- arguably the second or third most powerful position in the country now.

Visiting the poll-bound south Indian state Karnataka, recently, according to reports, he advised its chief ministerial candidate, current state unit president and the former CM, B S Yeddyurappa to leave his parent constituency and to move to North Karnataka in the 2018 poll. A north Indian politician, who has comparatively smaller experience in the pan- Indian context, deciding the Assembly seat of a south Indian leader, must elicit surprise among the political analysts.

Prashant Jha's How the BJP wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine will tell you how Shah was elevated within the party, and how BJP stormed into unconquered bastions.

The Modi wave of 2014 apparently affected the book publishing business as well. English and vernacular book houses carried Modi's face on their bookshelves. Interestingly, most of those books looked at media management, the appeal of Modi's image, the development slogan of the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and the alleged religious polarization by Sangh Parivar organizations. But they all lacked the detail of an important factor: Amit Shah's organization.

Prashant Jha, an associate editor with Hindustan Times, met the booth-level cadres to the state general secretaries of BJP in UP during election time and post-election as well. His book gives a detailed account of BJP-UP, focussing on the Assembly elections. The book also looks at why BJP lost its race in Bihar from a logical and electoral point of view.

The book offers a dispassionate analysis of the performance of BJP in those elections. And reading the book will help readers realize how BJP won, and what exactly was lacking in the other parties. Bear in mind that this is not just a by-the-numbers academic electoral study of a huge chunk of data. The book is a layered narrative which also breaks down the data, so the reader can understand it better.

Sample this: "To the upper castes, Modi represented a party which was most in tune with their aspirations. For the deprived castes, Modi was one of their own who would deliver justice and jobs. To the upper middle class and middle class, his strongest base, Modi was the man who would make them richer. To the disadvantaged, he was the chaiwallah who had made it big. To all of them, he represented hope."

Jha also details how Modi achieved this image, how he projected himself as a messiah who came to teach the privileged a lesson. His speeches in the rallies were expertly crafted and clear while Rahul Gandhi made it really complex during key situations, Jha explains. And the other feather in BJP's cap? Social media. Congress was nowhere near to BJP in its presence on social media.

Beyond all, Amit Shah managed to rally the underprivileged against the dominant castes.

Again, this was not an easy task. Shah reshuffled the BJP, providing space for them without inviting the wrath of upper castes. He made them feel like that it was their party, Jha notes. And this required enormous planning. Understanding the situation of each state and analysing its complicatedness and forming equations was a herculean task. And to this end, Shah worked hard and made others also work as hard.

The unfilled gap in the vote share, according to Jha, was achieved through bringing opposition leaders into the BJP camp: an old weapon of the Modi-Shah arsenal which they had successfully implemented in Gujarat, nearly 20 years ago. In an interview given to Open magazine in 2014 April, Shah had said that they managed to bring in almost 8,000 village pradhans who lost in the election and shepherded them into the BJP faction. With this shrewd move, they could break the Congress hold and get more votes during the process.

This book is a must-read for BJP supporters who are interested in their party, as also a primer for the opposition to learn from: on missed opportunities, misguided strategies, and missteps.
Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel today resigned from her Cabinet post over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians, after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May.



Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed through the proper procedure.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric rise of the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

The 45-year-old was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

She must have hoped that the storm around her undisclosed meetings in Israel would die down after a formal apology before she flew out to Africa for an official tour of Uganda and Ethiopia yesterday.

But she was unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings as she was ordered to abandon the visit and fly back to London today "at the request of the prime minister".

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patel's apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patel's position within the Cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israel's public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patel's apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about any of Patel's meetings which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patel's resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the country's aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to investigate, or "state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence".

In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to "enthusiasm".

"In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it," she said.

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

Downing Street was also forced to deny that Patel's meetings in Israel had led to any change of political stance on the region after it emerged that in the wake of her visit in August, Patel had discussed potentially providing some of Britain's aid money to Israel's armed forces which run field hospitals in the disputed Golan Heights area.

Britain does not officially recognise Israeli occupation of the area, seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, and DfID was reportedly advised against any such move.

According to an Israeli media report, during her August visit to Israel, Patel also visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights.

Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, said the offer to send aid money to the Israeli army made a mockery of the British government's claim to be "pushing for a two-state solution".

"It was shocking for me a Cabinet minister breaking the ministerial protocol and meeting 12 officials, high-ranking, including Netanyahu," he added.

Patel has been a longstanding supporter of Israel and also a former vice-chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel group.

Meanwhile, it was also claimed that Patel deliberately avoided facing questions over the issue from MPs in the House of Commons today, by bringing forward her flight to Kenya.

It was left to her junior, DfID minister of state for the Middle East Alistair Burt, to defend his boss' actions in Parliament.

"The meetings were not particularly secret...If I had gone to Israel, I would have wanted a schedule like this," he told MPs.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro- Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran.

The prime minister has been desperate not to shake up her already tenuous hold on Downing Street ever since her decision to call a snap general election in June backfired and lost the Conservative party its majority in Parliament.

But she has been increasingly seen as a weak leader trying to steady a very shaky regime.
The report of the Justice G Sivarajan Commission on Kerala's multi-crore solar scam was tabled in the state Assembly on Thursday.



Making an introductory statement detailing the Commission's findings, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the panel found that former chief minister Oommen Chandy, ministers and MLAs helped key accused Saritha S Nair in cheating customers of Team Solar.

The CPM-led government is set to act on the Commission's recommendation to invoke provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against all those accused of corruption and illegal gratification.

"The Commission has already found that the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and through him, his personal staff Tenny Joppan, Jikkumon Jacob, gunman Salimraj and his aide in Delhi, all had assisted Saritha and her company in enabling them to cheat their customers," the report said.

The Commission found that the then home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan made "all efforts from his part" to ensure that Chandy is extricated from criminal liability through police officers under him.

The Commission also stated that former power minister Aryadan Muhammad assisted Team Solar in furthering its interests. It said the Special Investigation Team probing the cases used "dubious methods" to ease Chandy out of the probe.

The solar scam pertains to cases against Saritha and her former partner Biju Radhakrishnan who are accused of luring people into investing in proposed solar energy projects. The duo had cited to investors their contacts with the office of Chandy, the then chief minister, and other senior leaders of the Congress-led United Democratic Front. Saritha and Biju were arrested in 2013. Following Chandy's denial of the allegations, Saritha turned whistleblower, making serious charges a including sexual abuse a against Chandy and senior leaders including former minister of state K C Venugopal and former ministers A P Anilkumar and Adoor Prakash.

The Commission based its probe into the sexual allegations on a letter Saritha had written, from prison, on July 19, 2013. The report states that persons mentioned in the letter maintained telephonic contacts with Saritha and her advocate.

OPPOSITION PROTEST

The Congress-led opposition accused the chief minister of having breached privileges of the House by revealing contents of the report, during a media interaction last month, before it was tabled in the Assembly.

The Commission submitted the four-volume, 1,073-page report on September 26, formally bringing to close a four-year probe.
acebook is trying to combat "revenge porn" by encouraging users in Australia to submit their nude photos to a pilot project designed to prevent intimate images from being shared without consent.



Adults who have shared nude or sexually explicit photos with someone online, and who are worried about unauthorised distribution, can report images to the Australian government's eSafety Commission.

They then securely send the photos to themselves via Messenger, a process that allows Facebook to "hash" them, creating a unique digital fingerprint.

This identifier is then used to block any further distribution on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger as a pre-emptive strike against revenge porn, a common method of abuse and exploitation online.

"We're using image-matching technology to prevent non- consensual intimate images from being shared," said Antigone Davis, Facebook's head of global safety.

A Facebook spokesman said Britain, Canada and the United States are also expected to take part in the project.

"It removes control and power from the perpetrator who is ostensibly trying to amplify the humiliation of the victim amongst friends, family and colleagues," eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant told AFP.

Inman Grant said that if successful, the Facebook trial should be extended to other online platforms.

"The precedent already exists for the sharing of child exploitation images and countering violent extremism online, and by extending to image-based abuse we are taking the burden off the victims to report to multiple online platforms," she said.

Australia is among world leaders in efforts to combat revenge porn.

Its eSafety Commission launched an online portal last month, allowing victims to report cases where their photos have been shared on the internet without consent. The commission then works with websites and search engines to have them removed.

A recent survey by the commission showed one in five women in Australia aged 18-45 suffered image-based abuse, with Facebook and its Messenger app accounting for 53 percent of revenge porn, followed by Snapchat at 11 percent then Instagram at four percent.

Research by Melbourne's Monash University earlier this year found people were falling prey to abusive behaviour on a "mass scale", and that men and women were equally likely to be targeted.
Washington, AFP: Tighter restrictions on US travellers to Cuba will go into effect on Thursday, officials said, almost five months after President Donald Trump vowed to crack down.



The US Treasury said the measures are designed to steer American travellers away from Cuban firms tied to the military and towards the communist island's fledgling private sector.

Much of the half-century-old US economic embargo against Cuba remains entrenched in law, but under former president Barack Obama federal authorities began to loosen some rules.

Ties had begun to warm, and in 2015 the countries' exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1961.

But in June Trump appeared in Miami before a cheering crowd of Cuban-Americans, including veterans of the failed CIA-backed Bay of Pigs invasion, to vow to reverse Obama's measures.

That promise finally bore fruit on Wednesday, when Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin laid out the new or revived rules.

"We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people," he said.

Cuba criticised the move as marking a "resurgence" of the economic embargo.

"The measures confirm the serious setback that has taken place in bilateral relations as a result of the decisions taken by the government of President Donald Trump," Josefina Vidal, the head of North American affairs at Cuba's foreign ministry, told journalists.

Under the directives, Americans will be forbidden from doing business with entities on a State Department list headed by the Cuban defence and interior ministries.

Also on the list are five major holding companies with ties to Raul Castro's government or military, and which between them control much of the organised tourism sector.

The list goes on to list dozens of major hotels in Havana and several resorts, along with five Caribbean marinas, ten stores in touristy Old Havana and industries serving the military.

Two rum distilleries are on the list, along with a shopping mall, a photo developer and a real estate broker.

In addition, Americans seeking to evade the general ban on travel to Cuba will only be allowed to do so on educational trips organised by a US firm and with a guide.

In addition to staying in privately-run accommodation and thus supporting small-scale capitalism, the travellers will be expected to engage in authorised exchanges with Cuban people.
Ahmedabad: Congress leaders late on Wednesday night held a meeting with 13 representatives of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and put forth three options to extend reservations to the community in the state.



The Patels, a traditional BJP supporter, led by 24-year-old Hardik Patel have been agitating since 2015 seeking quota in government jobs and educational institutions. Their agitation which claimed the lives of 14 youngsters and jail term to many others has changed the face of politics in the state. Their agitation is also believed to have acted as catalyst for other communities, including OBCs and Dalits, to unite and launch their own agitation. This has prompted both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress to woo community leaders to their fold.

While Congress has been able to woo Alpesh Thakore, leading OBC stir, to its fold, it has been able to convince Dalit youth leader Jignesh Mevani to come out in open and support Congress. The exercise is now to rope in Hardik, who is believed to have clout over politically, socially and economically dominant Patel community. While Patels comprise almost 12-14% of electorate, OBCs and Dalits account for almost three-fourths. With Assembly elections due for December 9 and 14, their support could prove crucial for Congress that has been out of power for over 22 years.

The Patel delegation held a meeting with Hardik on Wednesday evening before walking in at Gujarat Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad at around 10.45 pm. The Congress delegation include state party chief Bharatsinh Solanki, with key negotiator being former Union law minister Kapil Sibal, who flew down from Delhi to begin parleys at around 11.15 pm.

Hardik, who has been facing severe criticism from section of his community for having met senior Congress leaders earlier on Wednesday skipped the meeting.

After a three-hour long meeting that went on till 2 am Thursday, PAAS leader Dinesh Bhambhania dubbed the talks as cordial. "Congress, unlike BJP, appears to have worked hard to do a detailed legal and Constitutional research to look for options. They have given us three options that we would now discuss with Hardik and other community leaders before meeting Congress again in a couple of days," Bambhania said.

He said that Congress proposal did not disturb the existing 49% quotas for SC, ST, OBCs and Dalits. With state already having 50% reservations as prescribed by the Supreme Court, Congress is trying hard to show that it has answers to the Patels demands. The Patels had sought quota by being included as part of 27% OBC reservation category. The BJP on its part had earlier offered 10% under economically backward class category. This was rejected by the High Court and the case is now before the Supreme Court. Congress too had earlier offered 20% quota for EBCs in the state.

"We have rejected the Congress' offer of providing reservations under the EBC as it is not constitutionally valid," Bambhania said after the meeting.
China today said President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump have reached a consensus on fighting terrorism and upholding peace and stability in South Asia, amid America ramping up pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror safe havens.



During their talks here, Xi and Trump discussed Afghanistan and committed to working toward a peaceful future for the terrorist haven.

"This morning, the two presidents talked and held joint press meeting. I am not aware of the details of the talks. What I know is that the two sides also discussed anti- terrorism issues and upholding peace and stability in South Asia," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.

"They reached consensus in this respect," she said without elaborating or mentioning whether India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan figured in the talks.

To counter terrorism, China and the US, as well as other countries, share the common interests and the two countries stand ready to work with other parties for stronger anti- terrorism cooperation, she said.

South Asia and Afghanistan figured prominently in today's talks as both the leaders mentioned it in their briefings.

After the talks, Trump said terrorists are a threat to humanity and that he and Xi will "stop radical Islamic terrorism."

"In order to create more secure future for all and protect our citizens from extremism and terrorism, President Xi and I also committed to working together for a peaceful future for Afghanistan," Trump said.

"Terrorists are a threat to all of humanity and we will stop radical Islamic terrorism," he said.

Trump's remarks assume significance after he unveiled his new South Asia policy under which the US has warned Pakistan against providing safe harbour to terrorist organisations.

Trump's South Asia policy giving importance to India and inviting New Delhi to play a bigger role in reconstruction of Afghanistan has also raised eyebrows in Beijing and Islamabad.

Elaborating on the Trump-Xi talks on Afghanistan, Hua said the two sides believe that maintaining the stable and constructive relations between Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries is of great significance to the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan. "They support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconstruction process, call on relevant parties in Afghanistan to achieve extensive and inclusive national reconciliation through political negotiation at an early date and stand ready to play a positive role through such mechanisms as the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US," Hua said in a written response to PTI here.

Ahead of Trump's visit, China conducted an anti-terrorism trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hulai conducted the trilateral meeting on November 7 which was attended by top officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

China has been trying to bring about peace between Islamabad and Kabul amid scathing criticism from Afghanistan leaders over Pakistans support to Taliban by sheltering them.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made separate visits to the two countries recently and met Pakistan and Afghanistan's officials after the talks.

Pakistans Special Secretary Tasnim Aslam and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai who took part in the talks called on Wang.

In the meeting, Wang thanked Pakistan and Afghanistan for their support for China in fighting the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and their contribution to the fight against international counter-terrorism especially in South Asian region, Hua said.

ETIM is active in the Muslim Uygur majority province of Xinjiang which shared borders with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan.

Xinjiang had been restive for several years over increasing settlements of majority Hans from other provinces of China.

"China stands ready to work with two parties to strengthen our counter-terrorism cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability," she said, adding that Pakistan and Afghanistan stated that they stand ready to strengthen cooperation with China in this regard.
A woman originally from India was among three Singaporeans arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for supporting the Islamic State and terrorism- related activities, authorities said today.



Of the three, Adzrul Azizi bin Bajuri (19) was issued with a Restriction Order, while Abu Thalha bin Samad (25) and Munavar Baig Amina Begam (38) were issued with Detention Orders, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Amina, a housewife and a naturalised Singapore Citizen originally from India, is an ISIS supporter and harboured the intention to make her way to the conflict zone to join ISIS, the ministry said.

She was radicalised by a foreign online contact, who shared pro-IS materials with her and convinced her that ISIS was fighting to defend Sunnis in the conflict zone, it said.

"She was radicalised to the extent that she was prepared to undergo military training and take up arms to fight for ISIS in the Middle-East if called upon by ISIS to do so," the statement said.

She shared on social media materials promoting terrorism. This month, she was issued a Detention Order for a period of two years.

Of the two men, Abu Thalha was found to be a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). He was educated in JI-linked schools in the region and also underwent paramilitary training in some of the schools he attended.

"In 2014, he took baiah (pledge of allegiance) and became a JI member. He understood it to mean that he was duty-bound to carry out whatever instructions the JI leaders had for him, including performing armed jihad and sacrificing his life for the JIs violent cause," the ministry said.

He has been teaching in a JI-linked school since 2016 and had also served in a committee which was involved in spotting students for membership in the terror group.

"In August 2017, we worked together with a regional government to deport him to Singapore where he was arrested under the ISA for his involvement in a terrorist organisation. He was issued with an Order of Detention for a period of two years in September 2017," the ministry said.

Adzrul, a former full-time National Serviceman who served as a Logistics Assistant in the SAF, is a supporter of the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, it said.

"In mid-2016, Adzrul considered fighting for ISIS in Syria, as he saw the armed conflict there as a sectarian struggle between Sunnis and Shias. From August 2017 onwards, he started having some doubts about the legitimacy of ISISs ideology and its violent tactics," the ministry said.

It said that Adzrul will be required to undergo counselling, including religious counselling.
A suspected suicide bomber today killed an Additional Inspector General and three other police officers in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, officials said, in the latest targeted attack on security forces in the restive region.



The blast targeted the vehicle of Additional Inspector General (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel who was passing through a residential area in the provincial capital Quetta.

Shakeel was killed along with two police officials while six others, including three officers, were injured, police said.

One of the wounded officers later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, taking the toll to four.

Hours after the attack, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack, media reports said.

The TV footage showed that the vehicle was badly damaged in the attack.

Shakeel has served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) operations, acting DIG investigations and AIG operations, as well as holding a number of other key posts.

The injured have been shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Civil Hospital in Quetta, police said, adding that the initial probe showed that it was a suicide bombing.

The area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been launched in the surrounding areas.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri have strongly condemned the attack.

The culprits behind the attack would be brought to justice. The government will not bow down before terrorists, Zehri was quoted as saying by the local media.

Balochistan has been rocked by a series of attacks which raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including those affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the restive province.

The unrest has raised security concerns for projects in the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a transport and energy link from western China to Pakistan's southern Gwadar port.

At least six police commandos and a civilian were killed last month when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a security force's convoy on the Quetta-Sibi Highway.

In August this year, a massive suicide explosion, targeting Pakistan Army personnel in Quetta, left 15 people dead including seven civilians and injured at least 20 people.

In June this year, 14 people, including seven policemen, were killed and 21 others were injured in a suicide car bombing on Gulistan Road in Balochistan.
The Railways has prepared a blueprint for electrification of its entire network with by investing Rs 40,000 crore in the next four years.

The Railways aims to engage public sector undertakings, including IRCON, RITES and Power Grid Corporation, to complete the task, a senior official said.

At present, 43% of the total 60,000 km of broad gauge network is electrified. The energy bill is touching about Rs 32,000 crore a year, of which diesel costs about Rs 18,000 crore.

The Railways is expecting to save around Rs 11,000 crore once the entire route is electrified. The ministry hopes to raise funds through internal resources, the official said.

Through electrification, the Railways will achieve its target to reduce fuel costs as well as carbon footprint, the official added.

The Railways will also require an additional 5,000 electric locomotives in the next three to five years. At present, there are 4,500 such loco engines.

The Railways is hoping to meet the demand once the Alstom plant being set up at Madhepura, Bihar, begins operations.

Apart from this, the ministry is also planning to augment its production from its electric loco manufacturing unit in Varanasi and Chittaranjan Locomotive Works in West Bengal.

The Railways has expedited the speed of electrification from the current average of 1,700 km per year to 4,000 km in 2017-18.

At present, 67% of freight traffic and 50% of passenger traffic plies on the electric network.

Running an electric locomotive network is 50% cheaper than diesel engines.
This Blog is a digital journal for two cute pooches, Casey (A White Color Shih Tzu Dog Mix) & Peanut (A Brown Dachshund Dog Mix) who are both two complete opposites who have nothing in common except this blog and same owners.
Voting closed today in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP is seeking to dislodge the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government on the issue of corruption while deflecting attacks by rivals on demonetisation and GST.



Sixty sitting MLAs were among the 337 candidates fighting for a seat in the 68-member legislative assembly of Himachal Pradesh, one of few states under Congress rule.

The results along with those of the BJP-ruled Gujarat will be a bellwether of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity.

As many as 7,525 polling booths were set up and 37,605 personnel deputed for poll duty in the state, which has a total of 50,25,941 voters.

Voting for the Assembly, which started at 8am, came to an end at 5pm, but continued in some booths were people were still waiting to cast their votes.

A total of 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force had also been deployed.

To ensure free and fair polls, other officials, including 29 general, three police and 22 expenditure observers as well as 1,561 micro observers were believed to have been deployed across the state.

Chief Minister and Congress leader Virbhadra Singh, 10 ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

The ruling Congress and the BJP, led by Dhumal, contested all 68 seats. The BSP fought for 42 seats, the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI three. There are also 112 independents in the fray.

Dharamsala has the maximum number of candidates at 12.

Both Virbhadra Singh and Dhumal have moved out of their old constituencies. While the Congress leader contested from Arki, the BJP leader chose Sujanpur.

The 12-day high-voltage campaign, which ended on Tuesday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed seven rallies and BJP president Amit Shah, six.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed three rallies.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns on the chief minister while the Congress hit out at the BJP over GST and demonetisation.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog (SC), fought for the eleventh time.

The election saw 19 women -- six from the BJP and three from the Congress. Seven rebels each from the two parties also contested the polls.

At present, the Congress has 35 and the BJP 28 MLAs in the House. There are four independents while one seat is vacant.

Web-casting was used in 2,307 polling stations for live monitoring of polling activities.

Officials said 7,525 electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT paper trail machines were used. The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines were used for the first time in this election.

An estimated 10 per cent of the total number of EVMs and VVPATs had been kept in reserve.
India on Thursday said that it was open to "any effort" to address its concerns on the Belt and Road Initiative of China.



"India is open to any effort that could address our legitimate concerns on (Belt and Road Initiative of China)," Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said.

His remark came a day after spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Government, Hua Chunying, told journalists in Beijing that India's position on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China was "quite wavering".

India has since long been opposing the cross-continental connectivity initiative of China.

New Delhi has been arguing that connectivity initiatives must be "based on universally recognised international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality".

"Our position on connectivity is clear, it is principled and consistent," Kumar said, reacting to Hua's comment.

Kumar underlined that the proposed China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a component of the BRI, would infringe on the sovereignty of India.

The CPEC will link Kashgar in Xinjiang in north-western China and a deep sea port at Gwadar in Balochistan in south-western Pakistan. New Delhi has been opposed to the economic corridor as it is proposed to pass through parts of Kashmir India claims as its own and accuses Pakistan of illegally occupying.

Beijing, however, reiterated on Wednesday that the CPEC was an economic cooperation project and it was not targeted at any third party and did not involve territorial disputes.

New Delhi on Thursday reiterated its stand on the BRI but signalled that it would be ready to discuss the issue with Beijing.

This comes after Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said in New Delhi on Tuesday that Moscow would like Beijing and New Delhi to resolve their differences on the BRI.

New Delhi apparently does not want to be seen shying away from a dialogue with Beijing on the issue of connectivity, particularly as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is set to host her Russian and Chinese counterparts - Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi - for the Russia-India-China trilateral meeting next month.

Hua, too, on Wednesday said in Beijing that China remained "quite open and inclusive to cooperation involving the BRI".
Syrian troops and allied militiamen today expelled Islamic State group fighters from Albu Kamal, the last significant town the jihadists still held in their disintegrating "caliphate".



The jihadists' latest rout left them with only the dregs of a self-styled "state" that once spanned huge territory in Iraq and Syria, with surviving IS fighters melting away into desert hideouts.

Anti-IS forces stormed into the town just across the border from Iraq yesterday and while fighting was initially reported as fierce, the outcome of one of IS's last major battles was never in doubt.

"Our armed forces units, in cooperation with allied and auxiliary forces, have liberated the town of Albu Kamal in Deir Ezzor province," a statement carried by the official SANA news agency said.

"Albu Kamal's liberation is very important because it means the failure of the IS terrorist group in the region," the army statement said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, said much of the fighting had been done by allied militias rather than the regular army.

The capture of Albu Kamal was the last in a string of setbacks that saw IS lose its urban bastions of Mosul and Raqa within a few weeks and its embryonic state shrink to a rump.

Leading the battle for the town where the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah and advisers from Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, as well as fighters from mostly Shiite Iraqi militias, according to Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

He said that even as IS still controlled half of the town and fighting raged earlier today, the jihadists retained one escape route to the north.

Abdel Rahman confirmed that Albu Kamal had been fully retaken but said that "IS withdrew to desert areas in eastern Deir Ezzor" province, where they are likely to encounter US-backed Kurdish-led fighters.

The jihadists' flight from the town, where IS leaders used to meet and were once considered untouchable, caps a process which has seen the group relinquish any ambition as a land-holding force and return to the desert to fight a clandestine guerrilla war.

Many of the group's top leaders have been killed as Syrian and Iraqi forces with backing from Russia, Iran and a US-led coalition rolled back the territorial losses that saw the jihadists declare a "caliphate" roughly the size of Britain in 2014.

But the whereabouts of the first among them, self- proclaimed "caliph" Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, remains unclear. He has been reported killed or wounded many times but IS has never offered ay confirmation.

The capture of the group's last urban stronghold had always looked to be a matter of days after Syrian forces last week retook provincial capital Deir Ezzor and Iraqi forces reconquered Albu Kamal's twin town of Al-Qaim just over the border.

There was little to slow the advance of the Syrian and its allies after their victories further up the Euphrates valley, but while the military phase of the fight against IS was nearing its end, the humanitarian crisis it sparked was still in full swing.

"In the last few weeks, an estimated 120,000 people were displaced from Albu Kamal," the United Nations' humanitarian affairs office in Damascus said.

IS still has a small presence in the east of Homs province, in the southern outskirts of Damascus and in the southern province of Daraa.

It also holds the small Iraqi town of Rawa down the Euphrates valley from Al-Qaim.

A rival jihadist alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate controls much of the northwestern province of Idlib and adjacent areas as well as pockets of territory elsewhere.

It has come under attack by Russian-backed government forces and by Turkish-backed rebels.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011, which spiralled into a complex, multi-front war that drew in jihadists and armed forces from around the region and beyond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Thursday jointly launched a new train - Bandhan Express - between Kolkata in West Bengal and Khulna in the neighbouring country.



Modi and Hasina had a video conference from New Delhi and Dhaka, respectively to jointly flag off the inaugural run of the Bandhan Express. They also inaugurated the international rail passenger terminus at Chitpur in Kolkata and launched an end-to-end immigration and customs services for the Maitree Express, which was launched in April 2008 to re-establish the pre-Partition era rail link between Kolkata and Dhaka.

The prime ministers of the two nations were also joined by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Modi was joined by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, while Hasina was joined by Bangladesh Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam in Dhaka.

"Whenever we talk about connectivity, I always remember your vision to restore India-Bangladesh rail links that existed before 1965," Modi told Hasina during the video conference.

"I am happy to note that we are making progresses in that direction step by step. The people-to-people link is the important aspect of connectivity between two nations," added the prime minister.

Modi and Hasina also inaugurated the rail bridge built on Bhairab and Titas rivers of Bangladesh with financial assistance from India. The bridges will improve rail connectivity between Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh.

The international rail Ppassenger terminus at Chitpur in Kolkata will make it possible for Indian passengers traveling to Dhaka or Khulna in Bangladesh by Maitree Express or the newly launched Bandhan Express to get immigration clearance before boarding the trains.

Bangladeshi passengers coming from Khulna and Dhaka to India by the two trains will also be able to get immigration and customs clearance on their arrival in Kolkata.

The newly introduced end-to-end immigration and custom clearance services for Maitree Express passengers in Kolkata and Dhaka will bring down the travel time between the two cities by three hours.

Hasina said that newly launched Bandhan Express and the end-to-end customs and immigration services for passengers traveling on the trains between the two countries would boost cultural exchanges between India and Bangladesh and bring people of the two nations closer.
Srinagar, dhns: Militants shot at and injured a special police officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Thursday.

Reports said that militants fired at SPO Ranbir Singh, posted outside the deputy commissioner's Office in Anantnag. Singh was hit by a bullet in the abdomen and was shifted to army's 92-Base Hospital in Srinagar.

Special Police Officers are youths engaged on a fixed monthly remuneration to fight militants. In most cases, they are inadequately trained and with no weapons.

The latest attack comes just two days after security forces killed one of the most-wanted militant commanders, Talha Rasheed, the nephew of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Moulana Masood Azhar, in the neighbouring Pulwama district.

Meanwhile, police arrested an overground worker of militants in Kulgam district. SSP Kulgam Shridhar Patil said a police team arrested Hizb-ul-Mujahideen worker Showkat Lone along with a pistol and four rounds. "Showkat was tasked with carrying out attacks and snatching weapons from security forces," he said.
NEW DELHI, dhns: BJP MP Nana Patole, who had kicked up a storm by commenting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi dislikes being questioned, seems to be in the mood again.

This time, the Bhandara-Gondia MP has invited disgruntled party leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha to address farmers in Akola of Maharashtra on the impact of demonetisation and GST.

The BJP central leadership, though aware of his activities, is not in a hurry to take action. Sources said Patole is making a noise against the party since he wasn't rewarded by the ruling dispensation after he defeated NCP heavyweight Praful Patel in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Patole said in Nagpur that former union minister Yashwant Sinha will speak on the impact of demonetisation and GST on farmers on December 1.

Sinha's views on both the government initiatives are known. In September, the veteran BJP leader from Jharkhand had attacked the Modi government on economic slowdown and stated that demonetisation and GST were like "two diseases" that had hit the economy in quick succession.

Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha had endorsed the views of Yashwant Sinha on the sluggish economy which was lapped up by the Opposition to criticise the government.

Patole denied he was quitting the BJP, but at the same time, the MP claimed that he has offers from the Congress and the Shiv Sena. He said he will meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the winter session of Parliament to take up farmers' issue.
Established telcos like Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have asserted that there can be no case for holding spectrum auctions or even its consultation process in the prevailing scenario where the industry has been bruised by falling revenue and high levies.



Newcomer Reliance Jio, however, said the auction schedule may be drawn up at the discretion of the regulator and the government, but that long-term visibility is imperative for advanced planning to be undertaken by telcos.

Jio said the telecom department should provide a forward-looking timeframe for availability of spectrum for the next 10 years across multiple bands.

The Mukesh Ambani company has also strongly argued in favour of doing away with the 50% in-band spectrum cap, saying it has lost relevance as auctioned spectrum is now technology neutral.

On the valuation of spectrum, Jio has suggested that reserve price should be reduced by 50% across all spectrum bands.

In its written submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) consultation paper on spectrum auction, Bharti Airtel has said an "opportune" time for holding the sale of airwaves would be the end of 2018-19.

The consultation process on auction and pricing of spectrum should be initiated between September to December 2018, when operators are better placed to assess their future needs, it added.

"We believe, if auction is conducted in the near future, then it would not result in realisation of full value of proposed spectrum put to auction," Airtel has said.
Congress leaders in Gujarat held a late night meeting on Wednesday with 13 representatives of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and put forth three options to extend reservation to the Patel community in the state.



The Patels who have traditionally been BJP supporters, have been agitating since 2015, under the leadership of 24-year-old Hardik Patel, seeking quotas in government jobs and educational institutions. Their agitation is also believed to have acted as catalyst for other communities, including OBCs and dalits to unite and launch a stir. This has resulted in the ruling BJP and opposition Congress trying to woo the community leaders.

While the Congress has been able to woo Alpesh Thakore, leading the OBC stir, to its fold, it has also been able to convince dalit youth leader Jignesh Mevani to come out in the open and support Congress. The exercise now is to rope in Hardik Patel, who is believed to have a clout over the politically, socially and economically dominant Patel community.

The Patel delegation held a meeting with leader Hardik Patel in the evening before walking in to the Gujarat Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad around 10.45 pm. The Congress team included state party chief Bharatsinh Solanki. The key negotiator, former Union law minister Kapil Sibal, flew down from Delhi to begin parleys around 11.15 pm.

Hardik, who has been facing criticism for having met senior Congress leaders earlier, skipped the meeting on Wednesday. His step is also seen as a move to cut a hard bargain with Congress for his support in elections.

After a three-hour meeting that went on till 2 am on Thursday, PAAS leader Dinesh Bhambhania dubbed the talks cordial. "The Congress, unlike the BJP, appears to have worked hard to do a detailed legal and Constitutional research to look for options. They have given us three options that we would now discuss with Hardik and other community leaders before meeting Congress again in a couple of days," Bambhania said.

He said the proposal put forth by the Congress did not disturb the existing 49% quotas for SC, ST, OBCs and dalits.
The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered setting up a five-judge Constitution bench to examine "disturbing allegations" made in a CBI FIR in a medical college scam, allegedly involving members of the highest judiciary.

The bench was presided over by the second senior-most judge, Justice J Chelameswar.

A former Orissa High Court judge, Justice I M Quddusi, was arrested by the CBI on September 21. He, along with others, was accused of seeking money from medical colleges to settle their matters in the apex court favourably. He has been released on bail on September 28.

"The FIR (lodged on September 19) contained certain allegations which are disturbing. The allegations pertain to the functioning of this court. On perusal of the FIR which was placed before us in the morning, we thought it necessary and proper to take up the matter immediately," said the bench, also comprising Justice S Abdul Nazeer.

After taking up a petition filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal, Justices Chelameswar and Nazeer ordered, "Having regard to the totality of the circumstances, we deem it appropriate that this matter is heard by the Constitution bench of the first five judges in the order of seniority of this court."

Taking note of the "importance" of the matter, the court directed listing of the petition on November 13.

Allowing a plea by senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing Jaiswal, the bench directed the CBI to keep all the materials collected during the investigation "in a sealed cover and produce the same before the Constitution bench". Dave insisted on excluding the CJI from the Constitution bench to hear the instant matter. He said, "Honourable CJI should not deal with it." To this, the bench said, "This is all we can do about it (passing order on setting up the Constitution bench).

The CJI is master of the roster and administrative head. The CJI also passed some order (not disclosed) in the matter after taking a one-hour break from the five-judge Constitution bench, hearing the dispute involving the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor. Notably, a similar petition filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan on behalf of NGO 'Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms' is coming up for consideration before a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan on Friday. The petitioner sought direction for setting up an SIT headed by a former CJI to monitor the probe.
An undercover human trafficking operation conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Brentwood Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the office of 21st District Attorney General Kim Helper has resulted in mostly felony indictments for 22 men in a targeted effort to identify individuals attempting to purchase illicit sex from minors.

Yet again, our collaborative effort proves human trafficking is happening every day in communities across Tennessee, said Jason Locke, deputy director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. For years, our state has led the way in fighting this injustice, and we wont stop doing whatever we can to send the message that it has to stop.



During the first three days of the operation in early October, two female TBI agents posed as individuals offering sex on Backpage.com. During the course of the resulting text or phone conversations, the Agents identified themselves as 14 and 16 years old. Those who were undeterred and still traveled to the location to meet for the purpose of illicit sex included a computer programmer, automotive engineer, construction worker, and a chef.



This is, without doubt, a demand-driven crime, involving men from all kinds of backgrounds said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. We need more men to stand up and talk honestly about how we got here as a culture and what we need to do to fix it. Unless were willing to hold one other accountable, we will continue to see too many people victimized by this kind of crime, with no one to blame but ourselves.



On the fourth and final day of the operation, undercover male agents responded to advertisements on Backpage.com in an effort to identify and recover potential victims of human trafficking. Two women responded, but declined services offered through a partner nonprofit agency.



Educating law enforcement and the public alike on the prevalence of human trafficking in society today has become a priority that requires our attention, said Brentwood Police Chief Jeff Hughes. I would like to commend the TBI on conducting this undercover operation, and similar operations around the state, in combating Human Trafficking. The Brentwood Police Department stands ready to work with the TBI and our law enforcement partners to target and arrest those who would promote this type of criminal activity.



At the time of this release, 11 of the 22 individuals implicated in the operation remained in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).



ICE/HSI is proud to once again partner with TBI on this important effort, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSIs efforts in Tennessee. Apprehending illegal aliens who seek to prey on our youth in Tennessee remains a top priority. ICE/HSI stands ready to provide the appropriate protections to the victims of this form of modern-day slavery.



On Monday, the Williamson County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging the 22 men with a variety of offenses. At the time of this release, authorities had arrested nine of the individuals, including:



 Francisco Badillo (DOB 5-12-75, Franklin): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor



 Ibrahim Demyan (DOB 6-4-68, Nashville): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

 Luis Gonzalez-Garcia (DOB 10-7-88, Lewisburg): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

 Terry William Garner (DOB 4-20-74), Columbia): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession of Marijuana, 1 count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 Mohamed Hassan (DOB 3-30-75, Spring Hill): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

 Jeremiah McSpaddin (DOB 1-31-85, Columbia): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession of Marijuana

 Ajay Kumar Mistry (DOB 6-2-75, Franklin): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

 Jerwon Robinson (DOB 12-4-86, Columbia): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession

 Orozco-Gelacio Navarro (DOB 10-5-57): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

Unfortunately, the results of this joint operation demonstrate the need for continued vigilance for signs of human trafficking in our communities, said 21st District Attorney General Kim Helper. The fact that so many men were willing to engage in sexual activity with who they believed to be a 14- and 16-year-old is shocking. Our office will continue to vigorously pursue and prosecute individuals involved in any form of human trafficking.



All of the individuals were booked into the Williamson County Jail on a variety of bond amounts. Updated details and photographs of the indicted subjects will be posted online at www.tbinewsroom.com.



Earlier this year, as part of its ongoing effort to educate the public about the crime of human trafficking, the TBI relaunched it website providing information on warning signs, Tennessees trafficking statute, state-specific research, and nonprofits working across Tennessee to provide support and services for victims of human trafficking. Additional information can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com, and on Twitter at @ITHasToStopTN.


The steel bridge near Shivananda Circle will soon be a reality as the state government has decided to go ahead with the proposal.

The decision comes after Mahendra Jain, additional chief secretary of the urban development department, rejected local residents' representation against the project, and the same was presented before the high court on Thursday.

Jain had passed an order rejecting the representation on October 31, 2017.

Residents had moved the high court challenging the steel bridge construction at the Sivananda Circle. The court had disposed of their PIL and directed them to make a representation to the government.

Jain's order stated that the construction cannot be stopped as the flyover is critical for the city given the traffic congestion and increasing population.

It also said if every development work is resisted by some affected interest, the city will fall behind in keeping pace with the increase in the population and the number of vehicles.

The order advised the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to take certain mitigation measures as suggested by Jain while constructing the bridge.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and P S Dinesh Kumar directed the residents to file an amended petition to challenge the order.

The matter has been adjourned to November 16.

DH News Service
Lack of coordination among the civic agencies or the hold of local leaders on the civic works, digging up of newly asphalted road to lay pipelines is definitely burning a deep hole in the taxpayers' pocket.

Despite the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) informing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) about its ongoing work on a road, the BBMP asphalted it five weeks ago.

In Doddakallasandra, located off Kanakapura Main Road, the BWSSB had informed the sewerage board that it would take up water pipeline laying work. However, the civic body took up the work during Dasara festival.

Days later, the board shifted water pipelines and in less than two months, the newly asphalted road was dug up.

"I told the local palike engineer not to asphalt the road. But the engineer that the work was already awarded and it was better for them to get the road done," Avinash, a local resident said.

The BWSSB official says that they have sent a list of areas where they would take up the pipelines laying work, especially in 110 villages. However, the list seems to have reached the BBMP officers after relaying work.

"It is a tragedy that newly laid roads are been dug. We had not received any information till two days ago when BWSSB sent out a sketch on laying their pipelines. Normally there is coordination, but I need to check with the local engineer," Nisar Ahmed Khan, executive engineer, BBMP Bommanahalli zone said.

Somashekhar, palike chief engineer (road infrastructure) said that he had intimated all his engineers about the BWSSB's plan to lay pipelines.

"Normally our engineers check with the BWSSB. But at times there is lack of coordination and such things happen," he added.

However, Somashekhar pointed out that the civic body has been waiting to asphalt certain roads and the work was held up as the sewerage board had not taken up the relaying of pipelines for the past six months.

DH News Service
The state government is set to celebrate Tipu Jayanti for the third time on Friday even as the main opposition party, the BJP, has decried efforts to commemorate the birth anniversary of the controversial Mysore ruler.



With Assembly polls scheduled next year, the government does not want a repeat of 2015 when a VHP activist had died and several were injured in Madikeri in group clashes during the maiden Tipu Jayanti.

The government has ordered the police to ensure elaborate security across Karnataka, especially Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Chitradurga. Senior IPS officers will man these districts.

The police conducted flag marches in Mangaluru, Madikeri and Maddur.

ADGP (Law and Order) Kamal Pant said the entire force would be out to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. In addition, 6,000 home guards and 202 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) will also be deployed. "Everyone, from myself to the newest constable, will be manning the streets to ensure there is no untoward incident," Pant said. "No police officer will be on leave."

The sensitive districts will see the deployment of additional forces, including three companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).

"We have issued clear instructions that no permission will be given to any function other than the official ceremony. Orders have been issued to district heads not to allow any procession or protest rally," Pant added.
The University Grants Commission's (UGC) decision to levy an application fee of Rs 1 crore for seeking the 'Institution of Eminence' (IoE) tag has raised concerns among some of the universities and institutions that are in the process of formulating their proposals.



The UGC recently announced that along with the ranking/grading, the 20 institutions selected for IoE, will also receive a financial assistance of up to Rs 1,000 crore.

However, the UGC has said that it will refund only Rs 75 lakh out of Rs 1 crore, to those institutions that are not selected for IoE.

M R Seetharam, Director of M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), who also happens to be the Science and Technology minister termed it as an "unfair" practice by the UGC.

"It is definitely not fair for the UGC to collect such a hefty deposit. It hasn't even clarified what it will be doing with the money that is being collected, and also why only Rs 75 lakh is being refunded. The UGC will end up collecting a huge fund from the rejected institutions, as thousands of them will be applying. The money collected might be deposited in banks to accrue interest. The Centre has stopped issuing grants to institutions, I suspect that MHRD will do something with the interest amount. They might use the same money to issue grants to institutions," he said.

Seetharam said that MSRIT was applying for IoE, despite the reservations. "MHRD used to do the grading and give the status. I suppose they are stopping it now. People will look forward for grading while applying to institutions. MSRIT is on the top, and we want to maintain it. For that limited purpose, we are applying," he added.

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, which is ranked 11 in the overall ranking of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking 2017, too seems perturbed by the prescribed fee amount. Sources said that it might deter the institution from applying for the IoE.

However, not all institutions are concerned about the deposit amount. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) director Prof Anurag Kumar said his institution had no reservations about depositing the application fee. "IISc stands a good chance at the IoE because of our good ranking both nationally and internationally. I can't comment on the fee amount. The UGC probably wants to limit the applications to only serious contenders," he added.

Prof Kumar said that IISc was in the process of formulating its proposal, and was hoping to obtain the "maximum" amount from the UGC.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will host its annual youth squirrel hunt on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Chuck Swan WMA in Union County. The free hunt is for children ages 6 to 16.

Hunters ages 13-16 must possess appropriate hunting licenses and permits and youth ages 10 thru 16 must have successfully completed a Hunter Education Class or possess an Apprentice Hunting License (Type 012).

Young hunters will be placed in groups with a guide, a dog, and a dog handler. For safety, all guns used during the hunt will be provided by TWRA and will be carried by the guides. As the opportunities arise, youth hunters will take turns shooting with a shotgun or rimfire rifle. A blaze orange hat is also recommended for each hunter.

All registered hunters will meet at 7 a.m. at the Chuck Swan WMA office. TWRA will provide pastries and coffee for breakfast as well as a Dutch oven lunch following the hunt.

Only 30 slots are available and the deadline to register is Wednesday, Dec. 6. To register a youth hunter or to volunteer as a guide with squirrel dogs, call TWRA I&E Coordinator Matt Cameron at 423-522-2473 or Matthew.Cameron@tn.gov. Chuck Swan WMA Manager Dustin McCubbins may be reached at 865-300-4625.
The solar panels at the Carmel Valley Kilroy Centre. (Courtesy)

Kilroy Realty celebrated its new solar project with a ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 2 at Kilroy Centre Del Mar in Carmel Valley. The project is part of Kilroys commitment to sustainability as well as a contribution to San Diegos Climate Action Plan that seeks to achieve 100 percent citywide renewable energy usage by 2035.

Working in partnership with Nautilus Solar, the Carmel Valley project on Valley Center Drive is one of nine Kilroy Realty properties in California to undergo a solar project to collect and convert solar rays into useable, clean energy. The solar panels provide shaded canopy parking, source clean and renewable energy, reduce the communitys dependence on non-renewable fuels and strengthen the resiliency of the energy grid.

Were marching toward our goal of using 100 percent renewable energy citywide and its great to have innovative companies like Kilroy Realty stepping forward to do their part to help us get there, said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. San Diego is the number one city in the country for solar installations and its in no small part to builders who make sustainability a priority in their projects.

Kilroys six San Diego projects will offset energy usage by 65 percent and generate six million kilowatts annually, power 558 residential homes, and create 138 green jobs in the local economy.

We celebrate not just our solar project but the city-wide efforts towards sourcing renewable energy, and are extremely fortunate to be led by Mayor Kevin Faulconer who has been active in fostering a supportive environment for sustainable practices, said Nelson Ackerly, senior vice president of Kilroy Realty. These solar installations represent one more step in our journey to be the greenest real estate investment trust in the world.

Jeffrey Cheng, chief operations officer of Nautilus Energy, said the company was pleased to partner with Kilroy and Black Bear Energy to support Kilroys award-winning sustainability initiatives.

This multi-site solar portfolio exemplifies how businesses can successfully partner together to achieve renewable energy goals, Chang said.

Sara Neff, senior vice president of sustainability of Kilroy Realty, said it was amazing to cut the ribbon on their solar project but they are far from done. Ackerly said Kilroy thinks about sustainability in everything they do, from design to construction, leasing to accounting and beyond. He said they will continue to work at upgrading their buildings and pushing themselves and the market to do more on sustainability.
A group of Carmel Valley residents are lamenting over the Carmel Del Mar Park that was. In the park neighbors said the trees are weakened and dying from a lack of water and the slopes that used to be coated in fuchsia blooms is now just barren. Where shrubs used to grow green there is only dirt and on the slopes around the corner playground, the bushes are brown and dry.

Its a magical place. Its a special place, connected to a special school, the first Del Mar school in Carmel Valley and its been neglected, said Allison Healy-Poe, a lifelong Carmel Valley resident and graduate of Carmel Del Mar. It was once a really nice park and its like somebody just unplugged it. It just curled up and died. Its a community tragedy.

Ruby Evans, whose home abuts the slopes at the park, has been leading a grassroots effort for improved services at the park, which shares its neighborhood use with over 500 kids from Carmel Del Mar School.

The residents raised their concerns at the Oct. 23 Carmel Valley Community Planning Board and a similar plea was made at the Carmel Valley Recreation Council meeting.

At the rec council meeting in October, resident Benay Berl expressed concerns about the formerly magnificent jacaranda trees at a triangle at the front of the park, at the end of a well-loved walkway that leads down to the school and park from the Carmel Del Mar community.

These are treasures, Berl said of the once-lush trees. When you got to this place and the jacarandas were in bloom, it would take your breath away.

Evans said the primary concerns are falling and fire hazards, pointing to 40-foot- tall dead eucalyptus trees on the slopes that present falling hazards for the children in the park as well as a fire hazard to the entire community. The entire slope is thick with four to five inches of pine needle detritus and dead vegetation and Evans said that fire risk weighs heavily on the residents minds after what happened with the Northern California wildfires last month. Residents say they have made brush management complaints with the fire department as well as complaining to the landscape company.

On Nov. 1, the group gathered with a promise to meet with San Diego Parks and Recreation staff but they did not attend. Steven Hadley, a representative from Councilmember Barbara Brys office was there to hear and document the neighbors concerns.

The residents complaints have made some noise  that afternoon there were several bags of pine needles that the landscaping company had removed and some residents noted puddling that showed at least some water had at least been turned on somewhere. Evans noted that 10 times as much pine needles as those removed that day still remain on the slope so crews need to keep clearing the slope to prevent the needles from building up again.

What youre already seeing is the city responding, Hadley said, encouraging residents to keep working.

The message to keep pushing and to contact the mayors office was not heartening to neighbor Rod Peck, who has lived in Carmel Valley since 1985, pre-dating the school and the parkhe said he has complained about the lack of maintenance in the park for over 25 years.

There are signs that say keep off the slopes and the only people who keep off are the people who are supposed to be maintaining them, Peck said. Twenty years of complaining has done nothing.

Evans said one of the main problems now is that the city is under a mandate to conserve water and the slopes were the first places that the water was turned off. Evans said that, according to the area manager for the park, the irrigation to the slopes has been turned off since July 2016. Especially frustrating to Evans is that the Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) which surrounds the park is obviously not under the same mandate because they never stopped watering and the slopes and trees remain lush and maintained. For the community to connect to that MAD or another one would require a citywide vote.

Evans said she was told the sprinklers would be turned on as needed manually, however, critical sprinklers are capped, broken or blocked and the irrigation system is antiquated.

The remaining viable trees need water and maintenance, Evans said. Whomever is determining the need for water has been proven wrong as evidenced by the dead and dying trees and vegetation. The sprinklers need to be repaired, blocking vegetation needs to be cleared, and watering needs to be increased significantly to save the remaining trees.

Evans said the watering policy decision has had damaging effects all over the city. In Balboa Park, the city lost 10 percent of the estimated 15,000 trees in the park to the drought. In June, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Tree Balboa Park, an effort that will bring 500 new trees and a new state-of-art irrigation system with help from a $378,300 grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Neighbor Gail Jacobson recalled a similar $750,000 grant the city received in late 2016 to plant 500 street trees in urban neighborhoods to boost the citys tree canopy and help meet some goals of its Climate Action Plan. She said when taking into account the high cost to buy, plant and irrigate trees and given what they represent for the quality of life and the environment, the city needs to be looking at this issue from a more holistic view.

If trees are so important, lets protect what we have, Jacobson said, noting that there could be some unique irrigation solutions out there that the city could pursue. If we wont take care of the trees, they wont take care of us.

Evans said that there needs to be some accountability from the city for the park getting to this state of disrepair.

This is a very caring, committed community that loves that park and loves those trees and that has not been tapped into at all, Evans said. There is no communication about what the plans are and what the budget restraints are. The park could be part of a community clean-up or the community could raise money to replant, there are a lot of things we can do to help but we dont have that line of communication going. Id like to get there as we address these more critical concerns.
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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP)  Federal officials have scheduled a series of 11 public meetings to hear residents' thoughts on a proposed 200-mile road that would connect northwest Alaska with the Dalton Highway and Fairbanks, but wouldn't be open to the public.

The Ambler Road Project has been in the works since 2014, drawing heavy criticism from Interior Alaska residents concerned about industrial contamination and increased access to traditional hunting and fishing grounds, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. The road would only be open for mine access.





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Judge Russell Bean administers the Firefighter's Oath to Fire Chief Phil Hyman. Chief Hyman's wife Lisa and their two children are by his side. photo by Bruce Garner Chief Hyman's two children, Ansley and Mason, lead the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of the ceremony. photo by Bruce Garner photo by Bruce Garner photo by Bruce Garner Previous Next

Fire Chief Phil Hyman was sworn in on Thursday. Here are his remarks:

"First of all I would like to thank Mayor Berke and his staff as well as the members of the city council for giving me this incredible opportunity to lead the Chattanooga Fire Department. It is truly humbling to be selected to lead this department and I am honored. I am grateful that my command staff is here to support our department and I am confident in their abilities to move us forward. I also have to mention all the officers, friends, and mentors I've had through the years that have given me the courage and the tools to succeed in this department.

"I would also like to thank my loving wife, Lisa, and my two kids, Mason and Ansley, for their continued support. Lisa has been an integral part of my success in this department and has helped guide and support me through many changes and challenges. She has been there for me all along and I consider her the foundation that holds our family together.

"My love for the fire service started nearly 22 years ago as a long haired young kid looking for direction and purpose in life. The fire service gave me that purpose and showed me the value of what 'service' to others means. Over the last 22 years I have served in many different capacities with this department and I firmly believe its the best job in public safety and one of the best ways to give back to our community.

"Serving as the 20th fire chief of this department will present new challenges and opportunities, and Ill be reaching out to many people inside and outside the department to achieve our overall mission. I feel that any organization has to be adaptable if it is going to succeed. In the fire service we call this 'Situational Awareness'. We have to know what is going on around us to make the best decisions and adapt to ever changing surroundings.

"The fire service is a dangerous profession. Our firefighters must put themselves in harms way on a regular basis, from going into a burning buildings, to hazardous materials calls, or simply responding to a wreck on the interstate, with distracted drivers buzzing by.

"In addition to the obvious dangers I just mentioned, there are the more hidden dangers of cancer. In recent years, we have learned more and more about how all of the carcinogens our firefighters are exposed too are ending their lives prematurely. The numbers are staggering. Cancer caused 70 percent of the line of duty deaths for career firefighters in 2016.

"I had an opportunity recently to hear from a local fire chief near Nashville who has survived his struggle with a late stage Multiple Myeloma. He has devoted his efforts in raising awareness for firefighters and community leaders to understand the importance of clean turnouts, exchanging hoods for clean ones at a fire, and taking simple steps to protect from the exposure to carcinogens.

"As chief of this department, I believe one of my primary roles is to make sure our firefighters have the tools and equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and safely.

"Thanks to my predecessors, and support from Mayor Berke and the city council, we have made great strides in providing that equipment. But the challenges continue.

"I am very grateful that Mayor Berke and the city council approved the purchase of a second set of turnout gear for roughly a third of our department during Chief Adams administration. That will enable those firefighters to wash their gear between fires, which will reduce their exposure to the carcinogens. I know the mayor and city council will continue their support of our firefighters health, by approving the purchase of additional sets of turnout gear in the near future to help protect the rest of our firefighters.

"Just two weeks ago, Mayor Berke and I held a news conference at Station 1 to announce that the Chattanooga Fire Department has earned the highest rating possible, with an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification. We have joined the top .5 percent of fire departments across the nation with that top designation.

"What does that mean? It means lower insurance premiums, especially for commercial properties in Chattanooga. It also means that our firefighters are pretty good at what they do.

"Being a Class 1 fire department doesnt mean were perfect. Theres always room for improvement. And in the coming days, weeks and months ahead, were going to identify areas where we can make improvements and keep this department moving forward.

"Lastly, I cant say enough how proud I am of the men and women that represent the Chattanooga Fire Department and the level of professional service they provide to our community, and I look forward to all the challenges as your new fire chief.

"Thank you."




Former Trump adviser, Carl Icahn subpoenaed over biofuels policy

Investigators have subpoenaed Carl Icahn and his investment company for information related to his work on biofuels policy when he was an adviser to president Trump.

Icahn Enterprises LP revealed in a federal filing on Friday that the US attorney for the Southern District of New York is ''seeking production of information pertaining to our and Mr. Icahn's activities relating to the Renewable Fuels Standard and Mr. Icahn's role as an advisor to the President.''

''We are cooperating with the request and are providing information in response to the subpoena,'' the company wrote in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

''The US Attorney's office has not made any claims or allegations against us or Mr. Icahn. We maintain a strong compliance program and, while no assurances can be made, we do not believe this inquiry will have a material impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows," the company wrote.

Icahn, a billionaire investor who also owns a refinery, served as a special adviser to Trump earlier this year.

In the role he supported a proposal to shift the compliance task with the Renewable Fuels Standard's ethanol-blending mandate to a new segment of the production line in a way that benefits refiners.

The subpoena comes after questions were raised regarding Icahn's former unofficial role advising Trump on regulatory issues. He stepped down from the role in August in what he said came after mutual decision with Trump.

In announcing his departure, Icahn wrote in a letter to Trump that he "never had access to nonpublic information or profited from my position, nor do I believe that my role presented conflicts of interest."

"Icahn admitted that he has advocated for policy decisions that could be worth a great deal of money to him," Norman Eisen, the chief White House ethics lawyer from 2009 to 2011, and Richard Painter, who held the same role from 2005 to 2007, wrote in a USA Today opinion column in March.
India ships emergency fuel to Sri Lanka

India has shipped emergency supplies of fuel to Sri Lanka to help the country tide over extreme shortage after Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the main distributor of petrol and diesel in Sri Lanka, found 35,000 tonnes of fuel procured from the Lanka subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation contaminated.

On Friday last, CPC rejected a recent 35,000 metric tonne-shipment procured by LIOC, on grounds of contamination. Reports of the shortage sparked panic-buying, intensifying the problem over the last few days. Motorists formed long queues outside gas stations, waiting several hours for fuel.

Following Sri Lanka's request for emergency shipment of fuel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured President Maithripala Sirisena of ''all possible assistance.''

The two leaders spoke over telephone and a 21,000 kilolitre-shipment left Paradip Refinery in Odisha on Wednesday, according to a press statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Lanka IOC, the Indian Oil Corporation subsidiary in Sri Lanka, has also made 3,500 kilolitres from its stock available to the state-owned CPC.

While Lanka's petroleum ministry and CPC unions accuse the LIOC of forcing them to accept the rejected shipment after filtration, LIOC denied the allegations which, it said, were ''factually incorrect.''

In an official statement, LIOC said that while it catered to 16 per cent of the market, CPC had a majority 84 per cent share, and was hence responsible for the shortage.

Politicians owing allegiance to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, blame the LIOC for the crisis, while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the causes would be probed.

He, however, disagreed with the allegation. ''Fuel supply was maintained to some extent during the recent strike action launched by petroleum workers, thanks to the LIOC,'' he said.

CPC, meanwhile, is expected to receive a 40,000-metric tonne shipment of petrol, for CPC's supply, which would have reached Colombo late Wednesday. India has also assured Sri Lanka of additional petrol from the Kochi Refinery, in case of any further shortage.
Cleveland State Community College hosted its annual Alumni and Friends celebration on Tuesday night at Cleveland Country Club. Over 200 alumni, current and former employees and friends of the college showed up to support CSCC.
UK minister Priti Patel resigns over bloated Israel trip

Priti Patel, Britain's minister of international development, resigned on Wednesday following allegations of unauthorised meetings with Israeli ministers and government officials during her vacation.

Patel, the senior-most Indian-origin minister in Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet, resigned after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.

It emerged that Patel failed to disclose some of her meetings with Israeli officials through proper procedures, which made her position in the cabinet untenable.

Patel tendered an apology for her actions, saying these "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It was alleged that Patel held nearly a dozen undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel said, ''This summer I travelled to Israel, on a family holiday paid for myself.

''While away I had the opportunity to meet a number of people and organisations. I am publishing a list of who I met.? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was aware of my visit while it was underway?.

''In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it.

''My first and only aim as the Secretary of State for International Development is to put the interests of British taxpayers and the world's poor at the front of our development work.''

The UK minister visited Israel on a family holiday from 13 to 25 August 2017. She paid for it herself.

While on holiday, Patel met a number of people and organisations, including politicians, business leaders, tech start ups and NGOs.

The meetings were arranged by the Conservative Peer Lord Polak CBE. He also attended the meetings, with the exception of the meeting with Dr Aliza Inbal.

These meetings were an opportunity to learn about the Israeli approach to technology and development.

The FCO were aware of the visit while it was underway, but were not informed about it in advance.

On her return from Israel, the secretary of state commissioned departmental work on humanitarian and development partnership between Israel and the UK, and on disability.

While these meetings and interactions in no way damaged British interests, it was clarified that the procedures she followed were incorrect.

The Secretary of State regretted the lack of precision in the wording she used in her statements, even as she clarified her position in her apology.

Preti Patel's parents had fled Uganda in the 1970s and migrated to the UK where she grew up in an area with a thriving Jewish community.

Her Indian background and familiarity with the Israeli political scene increased the prospects for closer collaboration between Israel and the UK on development and humanitarian issues.

During her vacation in Israel, she met Israeli foreign minister Yuval Rotem and discussed Israel's approach to development and humanitarian issues, and prospects for partnership work between Israel and the UK on development and humanitarian issues. In the process, the Israeli foreign ministry also got an idea of her political and social background.

The secretary of state also held discussions with Israeli minister for public security, information and strategic affairs Gilad Erdan on British politics, growing anti-Semitism within the British political scene, and a cultural festival in London.

During a meeting with Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid, she talked about her background, families and careers to date while discussing British politics, including the growing anti-Semitism within UK politics in general.

With IsraAID, an emergency humanitarian aid NGO, she discussed their work, at the home of Hilda Worth.

She held a general discussion with Dr Aliza Inbal of the Pears Programme for Global Innovation and attended a dinner organised by the Pears Programme with Sivan Ya'ari's Innovation Africa, Glenn Yago's Milken Institute, Yosef Abramovitz's Energiya Global Capital and Mandie Winston's American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Mitrelli Group's Haim Taib made a presentation on their work, on water, farming, solar and hospital projects in Africa.

During her visit to Save a Child's Heart hospital, she met children and their families from Gaza and Africa who had been given life-saving heart surgery.

She also met Dr Hirschfeld, Shimon Hefetz of Galilee International Management Institute where she was informed of their work.

The secretary of state also met a group of startups with a focus on Africa, which included Vital Capital, MobileODT, Equatel Health, Cassit Orthopedics, Ltd, NUFiltration Ltd, Fair Planet. She was introduced to new technologies for development like mobile cancer screening, water filtration, splints and supports for people with disabilities.

She also visited a charity dedicated to disability and social inclusion internationally. Visited a sensory playground for children living with disability and discussed wheelchair technology for children.

The 45-year-old Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial material, had a meteoric rise and an abrupt end.

Preti Patel was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She was appointed to junior ministerial posts and then as treasury minister in 2014, and as employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

Patel is also among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).
Sometimes, all we want to do is pick up sticks and move somewhere new, somewhere fresh, where you can leave the stress of work life behind. To many this is just a fantasy, or can only last for a short weekend.

This is not the case for Lorraine Quinn, a Belfast-born businesswoman who left the hustle and bustle of four successful restaurants behind in favour of a life of tranquillity, and a little gift shop called Harbour Road in Bunbeg, Gaoth Dobhair.



Harbour Road, a quirky little gift shop selling Irish-made and designed gifts, opened its doors at the beginning of June 2017. The shop is stocked with handmade products and trinkets you wont find on the high street, youll only find them here, Lorraine explains, and Ive searched for things that arent from Donegal so I have a lot of things you wont find anywhere else nearby. Hopefully that will draw people in.



Lorraine never dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. Having previously studied and worked in hospitality, her first business venture, alongside her partner, was to open a restaurant in Northumberland, England.

She explains, I never ever thought of having my own business - I think when I was younger it probably just sounded way off. I always thought I could work somewhere or manage somewhere, work for somebody else. Things just happened that we got a restaurant in England. My partners a great chef and we did very well, and out of that we got opportunities to open more.



The couple eventually came to run four restaurants in the area, but chose to move on from the busy catering life in favour of the quiet life in Gaoth Dobhair.

The reason why we stopped all that is because it became too much. We grew too much, there was too much pressure, we thought no, well scale back and take time out.



Having travelled to the area many times in the past, the family fell in love with the tranquillity of the wild Atlantic shore.

We loved Donegal, obviously we loved coming here on holidays, and we thought, right, were going to get a house here, we thought lets just do it and lets just have a complete change.

The change in location also brought about a change in career for Lorraine. Ive always liked the creative side of the business, like doing lovely displays and making things look pretty. I like to make things look nice.

Her plans originally were to develop an online store, stocking products similar to what she now has in Harbour Road. Although she still plans to move to online, Lorraine seized the opportunity to open a shop in the area. I thought theres something missing in this area so I thought lets just open the shop and the e-commerce side can come after.



She has big plans for Harbour Road, constantly expanding her stock range and searching for new and exclusive items. Shes very committed to maintaining her vision of the style of the shop, celebrating Irish designers and makers for their individuality and beauty.

Having initially sourced many items from the RDS Crafts and Design Fair, Lorraine now gathers much of her stock through Instagram or from local people bringing their crafts to her. She is soon to be working with a local knitter, commissioning her to use Donegal wool to create items exclusively for Harbour Road.



Lorraine has a very clear message for anyone considering opening his or her own business. She says, Just go for it. If you have a really good idea and if you believe in yourself just take the risk, and dont listen to any negativity. If youve got a strong vision and you really think you can do something then go for it. You can only try and if it fails then at least youve given it a shot because a lot of people always dream about things, saying I wanted to do this or that. Ive had people say this to me in here, and Im like, Why didnt you do it?
A Glenties Municipal District councillor said it is arrogant and insensitive for the television programme Britain's Got Talent to hold auditions in Letterkenny.

We're not Britain and I think it's insensitive, and I think it's quite arrogant for them to think that they can come here and just exploit our talent, Cllr. Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said.

Members of Britain's Got Talent's regional casting team will scout out performers from 6 to 8pm today, Thursday, November 9th, at Arena 7 in Letterkenny.

Performers who are successful at today's auditions will be invited to the next stage of the audition process. All types of acts that have something unique to offer are welcome. Auditions will also visit Derry, Dublin and Belfast.

That's a British talent show. This is Ireland, a different country all together, Cllr. Mac Giolla Easbuig said. And I think it's quite arrogant of those who come over here and try to exploit our talent for their own self interest.

Cllr. Mac Giolla Easbuig added, I would like to say as well, you cannot but put this into a historical context and the reality of the occupation.

The relationship with Westminster is not normal, the said. Our society in the six counties is not normal because of sectarianism and occupation.
The Alcohol Forum's national conference this week will challenge the often-accepted belief that drinking is a central part of Irish identity.

Given the clear evidence that there is about the links between the availability, the price and the marketing of alcohol and consumption patterns, health experts and policymakers have tended to focus on these issues in isolation, Paula Leonard, national lead community action on alcohol with the Alcohol Forum, said. However, culture is also important.

It's past time that we looked at our drinking culture. If we don't face up to it and really understand it, it's difficult to see how we can change it, she said.

This is about bringing those strands together, Ms. Leonard said.

The fourth national conference of The Alcohol Forum, Ireland, Irishness and Alcohol: Changing the Relationship, is on tomorrow, Friday, November 10th, at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

The conference speakers include Dr Jean Long, head of the Health Research Boards Evidence Centre, who will present an overview of alcohol in Ireland, consumption and harm, co-authored by her colleague Dr Deirdre Mongan; Dr David Jernigan, director of the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, based in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, who has served as an adviser to the World Health Organization and the World Bank on the role of alcohol in health and development; Gearoid O Tuathaigh, professor emeritus in history and former Dean of Arts and Vice President at the National University of Ireland, Galway; Rachel Reisman, clinical social worker and director of Wellness Services at the Irish International Immigration Centre in Boston; special focus on reaching the Irish immigrant population; and Ms. Leonard.

For a pre-conference event, Alcohol Forum will screen the film, Emerald City, about Irish construction workers in New York, on Thursday, November 9th, at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on The Impact of Alcohol on the Irish Family, with Colin Broderick, writer, actor and filmmaker from Emerald City; Senator Frances Black, founder and CEO of the Rise Foundation; Donna Butler, manager of the Alcohol Forums Families Matter programme; and Rachel Reisman.

Ms. Reisman said she was excited to be part of the conference.

My Irish clients regularly present with stories involving their struggles with alcohol, depression and anxiety, she said. Many talk about the role of alcohol use in their Irish identity, the lack of choice they feel about using alcohol, or the shame they feel about stereotypes regarding Irishness and alcoholism.

It's a conversation clients are having with me and I'm delighted to be a part of bringing this conversation to a wider audience, she said.

Eighty-eight people die in Ireland every month as a direct result of alcohol harm -four times the number of deaths that result from all other drugs combined, Ms. Leonard said.

She said there are 300 alcohol-related cancer deaths in Ireland each year, and alcohol is implicated as a factor in half of all suicides.

These are things people are not talking about, Ms. Leonard said.

Ireland is among the biggest-drinking countries in the world, Number 3 according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) figures, Ms. Leonard said.

We seriously need to decrease the levels of harm, she said.

In her remarks to the conference, Dr. Long will report on what is known about the extent of alcohol harm in Ireland and Professor O Tuathaigh will look at the history of problematic drinking in Ireland, and how the historical context relates to drinking in Ireland today.

Sen. Black will come to Donegal for the conference from the Seanad, where the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is to be discussed on Thursday, November 9th.

Kieran Doherty, CEO of the Alcohol Forum, said it has largely fallen to the health service alone in Ireland to respond to the growing crisis of alcohol harm.

This conference aims to build on this work and support wider sectoral and public engagement in understanding and reducing alcohol harm, he said.

The Alcohol Forum, a national charity, delivers projects with children, families and communities across Ireland aimed at reducing and preventing alcohol misuse and the harms associated with it.

They hope to draw people to the conference from a range of sectors, including, education, the arts, business, justice, child and family services and voluntary organisations, to consider how their sector can play a part.

We can't do it on our own, Ms. Leonard said.

Tickets to the conference are available online at www.alcoholforum.org
The Enterprise Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop Wednesday on a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Boll Weevil Circle and N. Main Street. The suspect failed to yield to police vehicles and a brief pursuit ensued.

The pursuit ended when the driver of the stolen vehicle crashed into a residence at the intersection of Alberta Street and Cherry Hill.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was taken into custody without further incident. The occupants of the residence were not injured.

EPD Officers arrested and charged Van Johnson II, 18, of Enterprise, with Theft of Property 1st, Attempting to Elude Police, and several traffic violations. Johnson was transported to the Coffee County Jail after arrest.
There is no wizard behind the curtain on the Choice Bus  only a look at a possible bleak future without an education.

The Choice Bus  a program that emphasizes the benefits of getting an education over dropping out of school  looks like a regular bus upon entry, only with a curtain and TV screen at the back. But part of the presentation that students receive on the bus is a view of the reconstructed jail cell behind the curtain. That is to emphasize that 75 percent of inmates are high-school dropouts and 8 of 10 dropouts become incarcerated, according to information from The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation in Birmingham, an organization that is trying to reduce the nations dropout rate.

The Choice Bus spent Monday and Tuesday morning at Dauphin Junior High School and was scheduled to spend Tuesday afternoon at WOW Alternative School, Wednesday at Coppinville Junior High School, and today at Northview High School in Dothan.

All told, about 1,500 students were expected to spend time on the bus this week in the Wiregrass region. The bus has hosted more than 2 million students over 21 states since 2008, the Foundation reported.

We have three buses, basically work from Texas to Philadelphia, New York, about every state in between, The Choice Bus lead presenter Chet Pennock said on Tuesday.

Pennock said the items in the buss cell come from a real prison. The cell on the bus measures about 8 feet by 8 feet, which is about the same size as an actual prison cell.

The program also strives to show the benefits of staying in school. The Foundation said a college graduate can make about $1 million more than a dropout over the course of their lifetimes.

The presentation begins with a video that reinforces similar information, and uses tactics like asking multiple-choice questions that the young attendees in the buss seats are encouraged to answer out loud.

The buss visit to the Wiregrass region was collaboration by State Farm and the Foundation.
The Wiregrass Area Food Bank is facing a critical need for food, and the communitys support is needed to replenish the shelves at an agency that provides food for 200 partner agencies in a six-county area.

Officials at the Food Bank attribute this shortfall to a combination of events.

We are tremendously low on non-perishable food items, said Julie Gonzalez, development director for the agency. Its a combination of things that has caused the shortage. First, it was the hurricane relief effort. Then, the USDA cut their food distribution by 30 percent in canned goods. That alone is a loss of 3,000 pounds of food per day. Most people dont realize that we distribute 10,000 pounds of food per day.

The third reason for the shortfall is that the food the agency normally procures from Feeding America is simply not available.

When the public makes monetary donations to the Food Bank online, we put that money toward purchasing food by the truckload at a reduced price, Gonzalez continued. Right now, were actually having to buy food retail, because Feeding America didnt have enough available for us to purchase.

Its been a perfect storm this year. All of these factors working together created the situation where we are short of food.

The normal food distribution is a priority for the Food Bank staff. But they are also facing two major holidays where their partner agencies are depending on the Food Bank to supply the food for the people they serve. Stocking the Food Banks shelves will depend, in large part, on the Wiregrass communitys help.

Right now, were relying on food drives to supplement the loss (of food), Gonzalez said. We have two major truck drives scheduled within the next 30 days. On November 15, will we hold the Stuff a Semi at the McDonalds location at 3520 Ross Clark Circle. We will be assisted in this drive by The Radio People. The food drive will be held from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Were hoping the public will help us fill the trailer with non-perishable food items.

Less than a month later, on Dec. 1, the Food Bank will partner with WTVY-TV for a collection effort.

On that day we will hold the Miracle on Foster Street food drive in front of the WTVY building, Gonzalez continued. We will hold this one from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be a drive-through food drive. People can just hand their donations through their vehicle windows and be on their way.

With either of these two food drives, most people drive by on their way to work, at lunch or on their way home. Its a convenient way to make a much-needed donation to the Food Bank.

Gonzalez says other drives are taking place throughout the Wiregrass. Churches, schools, civic groups and businesses have organized their own food collection drives. Gonzalez named a few of the locations: Ashford High School, DSI Security, Andrews Bridal Shoppe, Party America, Harley-Davidson, Planet Fitness, Covenant Hospice and the Dothan Association of Realtors.

As you can see, there are a lot of good food drives planned in November, Gonzalez said. People can also donate at the Food Bank at 380 Twitchell Road.

A couple of other special collection sites have also set their dates for the public to support the Food Bank.

The Joy-FM is holding its annual T-Shirts for Turkeys effort that starts on November 9, Gonzalez noted. For a $10 donation, which is considered to be a paper turkey, those making the donation will receive a Joy-FM t-shirt. This promotion really helps us and The Salvation Army out at Thanksgiving.

Two locations are hosting this event in November. Wood World, at 2395 Ross Clark Circle, will hold its event November 9. Window World, at 506 Westgate Parkway, will hold its event on November 13. The last event for the T-shirts for Turkeys will be held December 16 at Wet Pets (located at the intersection of the Montgomery Highway and Denton Road).

Gonzalez encourages any business, civic group or school to contact her about the possibility of hosting a food drive for the Food Bank. She can be reached at 794-9775.

The only rule we have for a food drive is that the food you collect comes to the Food Bank, she said. We can help you by supplying collection containers  either boxes or barrels. And we will pick the food up. You dont have to bring it to us.

Its not hard to host a food drive. And everything that comes in helps. It doesnt matter what is given  money or food. It all helps the Food Bank. Donations can be the buy one get one free products. People who coupon can use their coupons to get food products for the Food Bank. We need all the help we can get.

Because of the shortfall in canned foods, Gonzalez says the Food Bank may not have enough turkeys to distribute this year.

Currently, we dont have any turkeys in-house, she said. Because of the canned goods shortage, we dont know if well have the funds to purchase turkeys. Right now, turkeys are a luxury item. It would be wonderful, if the public could donate frozen turkeys. Its always our goal to serve the most people first, when distributing the turkeys. But we can only give them out as we have them available.

The Wiregrass Area Food Bank serves Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties.
The Rotary Club of Chattanooga Hamilton Place celebrated and honored veterans with a Veterans Day Program. Retired United States Navy Captain, Mickey McCamish joined the celebration as an honored Veteran and featured speaker."The Rotary Club of Chattanooga Hamilton Place expressed sincere gratitude to our club and guest military veterans who have served our country, in addition to appreciating their families as they served in supporting roles of our military. Each branch of service, Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Marines and Air Force, and the Veteran associated with that branch, was recognized as their service branch song was played. Special recognition was paid to a WW II Veteran who attended our service," officials said.
Where in north Louth is 'The Connacht Man's Corner'?

This is a corner on a side road in Faughart, in the townland of Annies. It was also known as the 'Scotsman's Corner'. Some believe that it got its name from a man who was killed in a road accident at this place. Others claim that the 'Scotsman' was the claimant King of Ireland, Edward Bruce, who was killed near here at the Battle of Faughart in 1318.

Where was Marron's pub?

This famous old licensed premises was located on the corner of Earl Street and Market Square until it was demolished in about 1970 and replaced by the Insurance Building.

It had many proprietors and had the date 1739 on the Market Square side but this had probably to do with an old stone tablet at first floor level which read 'Corn Market Square 1771  1739 Wm. Elgee Fecit'. According to Tempest's Annual of 1897 the licencee was a Mrs. Cassidy; by 1914 the publican was a Thomas J. MacArdle and by 1925 a 'P. Wisely'. In the early 1930s it came into the ownership of a Miss K. Marron.

Where was 'Philips Cottage'?

This is a house, which still exists, along the Lower Point Road. It got its name from a British Army Captain, named Philips, stationed at the Military Barracks, who built it about the the beginning of the 19th century. It was acquired Irish Lights Commissioners in 1840 for use by the light-house keepers who manned the Pile Light-house in Dundalk Bay. It was sold to private owners in 1968 when the Lighthouse was made automatic.
It was while strapped to a gigantic wind turbine that Phil Livingston, the serial entrepreneur behind Redback Technologies, realised his ambition in life  to bring renewable energy to the masses.

Founded by Livingston in April 2015, Redback Technologies is in the business of developing intelligent, low cost solar energy solutions for residential and commercial users. After securing a $9.3 million investment from EnergyAustralia, last year, the Brisbane-based startup gained significant traction. The strategic partnership saw EnergyAustralia actively promote Redbacks hero product  the Smart Hybrid System  to its 1.7 million customers, which  as Livingston explained massively accelerated our strategic plan for the mass adoption of renewables.

Since then, Redbacks mission to transform Australia into a nation powered by renewable energy has been championed by other investors. Earlier this year, it received $1.96 million from the Queensland Government, by way of Energy Queensland and Advance Queensland, to further develop its offering. More recently, Clean Energy Innovation Fund and Right Click Capital injected a combined $8.99 million into the startup to boost its R&D capabilities and grow its workforce from 55 to 85 employees by early next year. In addition, Redback has established partnerships with Duserve Facilities Management in Dubai and Contact Energy in New Zealand as it looks to expand globally.

A veteran of the solar energy sector as a startup founder (zincsolar, Sungrid), an executive (Go energy Group) and a board member (Energy Storage Council, Solar Energy International), Livingston spoke to Dynamic Business about the success of Redback Technologies and the importance of remaining level-headed and laser-focused as his company taps into the unstoppable trend towards renewables in Australia.

DB: What is the elevator pitch for Redbacks first offering?

Livingston: The Smart Hybrid System is a smart solar PV inverter and battery enclosure that captures, stores and manages solar power, providing a faster ROI than many other comparative offerings on the market. The system addresses the desire amongst customers for affordable and reliable energy by enabling them to not just self-generate and store power but also monitor and optimise its usage via a smart device.

Critically, the system enables customers to use up leftover solar power captured during the solar window. This means customers can employ excess self-generated power in their own homes, rather than having to send it to  and later buy it back from  the grid. It also means they have the ability to back up critical loads during power outages.

DB: From where does your passion for renewables stem?

Livingston: My interest in renewable power started in my undergraduate studies, where I learnt how countries implement sustainable energy systems. After I finished college I found myself working in a call centre in a job I didnt enjoy. I enrolled in a course for small scale wind power as a side interest and a few weeks later found myself strapped to a wind turbine 40 metres off the ground. The sun was setting, the mist was rolling in and it was at this moment that I had an epiphany and knew that I would work in renewables for the rest of my life. I realised that the integration of renewables had the ability to democratise energy, providing transformative outcomes for global populations that previously could only access such resources via a centralised generation system under the control of the few. With renewable resources of various types evenly distributed around the planet, gaining equal access to clean energy for much of the worlds populations was a vision I could connect with, an idea that gives ones life meaning. Every job Ive had since attending that wind class with SEI in 2002 has been involved, in some way, with the field of renewables..

My experience spans installing solar water pumping systems in the Philippines with the U.S. Peace Corps to installing commercial solar systems in California  I have consistently strived to bring renewables to the masses.

The common thread in all of my start-ups has been a relentless focus on reducing the cost of solar systems and implementing financial leasing arrangements for those who could not afford the upfront costs (the first solar lease in Australia) to accelerate the adoption of renewables in Australia.

DB: How is Redback informed by your previous startups?

Livingston: The creation of Redback Technologies marks the high point of my career to date and applies all I have learnt along the way to drive forward the transition to become a nation powered by renewables. Redback Technologies is different to the other start-ups Ive led, our solutions democratise consumers access to energy and were developed at a time of significant advances in machine learning, resulting in significant cost reduction and environmental benefit. The technology weve developed enables consumers to be self-reliant by using solar panels and energy storage solutions.

DB: What sort of strategies have fuelled Redbacks growth?

Livingston: At Redback, we look at problems as systems rather than parts. Where people would often draw boundaries on a problem, we think more broadly about which other industries will use the technologies we develop. Its this kind of thinking that enables us to develop solutions for problems of the future that people today dont realise exist. By continually developing these kinds of solutions, were giving our customers the tools to transact in the new energy economy.

DB: What is the greatest challenge you have faced?

Livingston: One of the greatest challenges is to not become complacent when a startup begins to succeed. Its important to retain that startup mentality and grit and not to lose sight of the mission and vision of a business when you grow. For me, that vision is to enable every household and business to be powered by low cost renewable power.

Now, the challenge is to remain laser-focused on that mission. This doesnt mean the business shouldnt pivot where new opportunities for growth present themselves, so long as that translates value to employees, shareholders and investors and remains true to our vision.

DB: What has been a key milestone with Redback?

Livingston: It became clear in the early stages of Redback that to provide services to utilities better than competitors, we needed to get a utility company as an investor. The investment by EnergyAustralia provided us with not only a scale channel to market but also direct access to insights to the product features that are of value to both utility partners and end consumers. It also enables us to co-create business models that will achieve mass appeal in the market.

DB: What is the mantra that you live by in business?

Livingston: Tim Ungar, Chairman of the Board at TSA Group once told me to live and exist on the smell of an oily rag, which I live by in business.

Also, Ive learnt that its important, as a founder, not allow my emotions to cloud my judgement especially as start-ups can be like rollercoasters, with extreme highs and lows. While I have experienced a lot of success in my field, I have learnt to keep a level head and focus on the bigger picture  the development of a high-growth, scalable business that works towards a future powered by renewable energy.

DB: How ripe is Australias energy market for disruption?

Livingston: The existing energy paradigm is ripe for disruption and were seeing a hotbed of innovation across the sector. The centralised model of electricity generation and delivery dominated by large incumbents is now being disrupted by a wave of new technologies that sees consumers able to produce and manage their own energy on site. The latest statistics of household solar use show the unstoppable trend towards renewables. In the long term, these technologies have the potential to completely transform home energy provision and disrupt the current energy retail market, laying the foundation for decentralised energy generation and trading.

DB: How do you plan to continue growing Redback?

Livingston: We are doubling down on our investments in data science and software development, leveraging new technologies such as machine learning and IoT to continue delivering more value to our customers and accelerate the integration of renewable into the grid. We continue to drive software innovation, with a roadmap of major feature releases being progressively deployed over the next 12 months. Were also working on an advanced, low-cost hardware solution that will drive rapid uptake of our software platform.
China and the United States will strengthen cooperation on joint investigations and simplify procedures to repatriate fugitives to their home countries to face justice, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Security said.

Both countries will enhance the exchange of information and conduct joint investigations into a number of major and individual cases, Zhu Yuxiang, deputy director of the ministry's International Cooperation Department, told China Daily.

Moreover, high-ranking officials from both sides will smooth communication channels and promote "the adoption of simplified means to repatriate suspects" to prevent "safe havens" for fugitives from both countries, he said.

Last month, the first round of the China-US Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Dialogue was held in Washington, during which the countries discussed their major concerns and reached some consensus.

The countries agreed to establish a joint working group and focus on a number of major or individual cases. In addition, they will hold meetings every month or every three months, and share information about fugitives.

"Such agreements offer more favorable conditions to conduct deeper cooperation to apprehend fugitives and regain ill-gotten assets," Zhu said, noting that since President Donald Trump took office, the US has offered China more judicial assistance to apprehend and repatriate fugitives.

"This year, especially, the US has simplified procedures to facilitate repatriation," he said, adding that five people have been repatriated this year, four from the US to China and one from China to the US.

Last month, a fugitive from the US who is suspected of sexually abusing children was repatriated. He is a US citizen who arrived in Shanghai in May on a tourist visa.

In August, a Chinese fugitive suspected of fraud valued at 380 million yuan ($57 million) was repatriated to China with the assistance of US judicial authorities after three years on the run.

However, Zhu acknowledged that there are still some practical difficulties in returning more Chinese suspects as a result of a number of legal obstacles and complex procedures. The two sides have yet to sign a bilateral extradition treaty and a treaty to allow them to share confiscated ill-gotten assets.

The two sides also need to create a successful model for locating, capturing and repatriating fugitives to China, and set an example for future cases, he said.

Huang Feng, a professor of international criminal law at Beijing Normal University, said that despite stronger efforts by law enforcement agencies in both countries, the US remains a major destination for Chinese fugitives.

"Both countries should take the opportunity to put aside political differences and deepen judicial cooperation to seek common interests," he said.

Since Interpol issued red notices for the 100 most-wanted Chinese fugitives in April 2015, 49 people have returned from 16 countries and regions, including six from the US, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Last month, Yang Xiuzhu, a high-profile fugitive, pleaded guilty to charges of corruption and bribery, and was sentenced to eight years in prison and a fine of 800,000 yuan. The 70-year-old returned to China a year ago after 13 years on the run in the US.
Real estate market in China [Xinhua]

All across the planet, especially in the urban areas, the cost of living keeps on rising. Yet, at the same time, millions of homes, apartments and other types of housing units remain empty.

If the much heralded "invisible hand" of the free market were operating as the ideological defenders of capitalism tell us it does, then housing prices should be going down. The law of supply and demand should cause such a drop, in the context of over-abundance.

However, this is not the case. Real-estate is no longer a market driven by consumers, but rather by speculation. The owners make their profits, not by renting out their property, but by waiting for an increase in market value and then selling it.

In a very real sense, housing and real-estate has become a new kind of stock market. In a casino-like atmosphere, wealthy people purchase a building, work to increase its market value, and then "flip it" for profit. The current U.S. President Donald Trump became very wealthy as a real-estate speculator in New York City, pioneering the market environment we now see in urban areas all over the world.

In a housing market based on speculation, it is the working class, the overwhelming majority of the population, who are left behind. Amid rising property values, their rent goes up, and their ability to purchase a home or condominium decreases. Urban property values increase along with profits for a real-estate owning elite, while accessibility to housing go down for everyone else.

The crisis in the housing market points to the very problems articulated by Karl Marxs close collaborator Frederick Engels. He wrote: "Under capitalism, the means of production only functions as preliminary transformation into capital."

Many critics of capitalism have pointed to this very problem. In the capitalist mode of production, houses are not built so people can live in them, but rather so that landlords and bankers can make money. Only due to the irrational nature of the free market system is it possible to have people becoming homeless.

That is not due to any housing shortage, but because there is too much of the commodity.

The leaders of China are determined not to allow the problems of real-estate speculation to create such hardships for the people. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly made the bold statement that "houses are for living, not speculation," asserting that the needs of the people are the priority, not the generation of excessive profits for speculators.

The Chinese Communist Party, at its 19th National Congress last month, affirmed its intention to expand the "middle income group" within the country, and partly that is going to mean stiffening controls on real-estate prices. The Chinese government is now swinging into motion to ensure that affordable housing is available as the population of the urban centers increase.

Local governments in China will be constructing government housing and setting prices, forcing private real-estate developers to keep their prices within a range that is competitive.

China has distinguished itself from the capitalist countries of the world by not allowing the market to function at the public's expense. China's centrally-planned economy, in which capitalists are forced to operate within the Communist Party's plan of development, and State-owned enterprises and government-controlled entities have a prominent role, has produced tremendous results for the Chinese people.

As the Chinese Communist Party moves ahead with its goals for making China a great, modern, socialist country by 2050, control of the housing market is a key part of the agenda.

Caleb Maupin is a journalist and political analyst who resides in New York City focusing on U.S. foreign policy and the global system of monopoly capitalism and imperialism.
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday gestured "friendship" between two major Muslim states of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Rouhani urged Saudi Arabia to cease what he called their "hostile" policies towards the Islamic republic, Press TV reported.

He said Iran supports development of regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, adding that "there is no way other than brotherhood, friendship and helping each other."

"This is a strategic mistake and miscalculation to think that Iran is not your friend, but the United States and Israel are," Rouhani said in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"Our path in the region is to establish and promote stability; we want the geographic borders not to change, nations to decide for themselves, and bombardments and aggression against regional nations to be stopped," he said.

Rouhani further said that the Yemenis' use of their own weapons is a response to the bombardment of their cities at a large scale.

"Well, stop bombings and see whether or not the Yemeni nation responds positively. You do not allow delivery of medicine, food and UN assistance to the Yemenis," he said alluding to Saudi Arabia.

He dismissed Riyadh allegations about Iran's interference in regional countries, and said that such claims came while the Islamic Republic has been fighting terrorism in Iraq and Syria upon the request of those countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday dismissed the accusations of Iran's direct aggression made by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as "false and dangerous."

The Saudi Crown Prince's accusations that Iran launched "direct military aggression" against the kingdom are contrary to international law and the United Nations Charter, Zarif was quoted by Press TV as saying.

Mohammed bin Salman earlier on Tuesday accused Iran of launching direct military aggression against his country, in a form of supplying missiles to the Shiite Houthi militia in Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen said the dangerous escalation came after Saudi military intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired at Riyadh on Saturday.

Besides, Iran's Foreign Ministry on Monday dismissed the allegations by the Saudi-led coalition that Tehran was behind the missile attack on Riyadh.

The allegations are "destructive, irresponsible, provocative and baseless," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said, while calling the attack as Yemenis' "independent" reaction to Saudi attacks.

Qasemi said that the Yemenis had showed an "independent" reaction to Saudi attacks, and their reaction is not rooted in another country's measures or provocations.

He said that Iran had no means of transferring missiles to Yemen, and that missiles used by Yemeni militants belonged to themselves and they had only increased their range.

He urged the Saudi officials to stop leveling "unfounded" accusations against others and carrying out attacks on innocent and defenseless Yemeni people as soon as possible.

Following a missile strike from neighboring Yemen on Saturday, Saudi Arabia ramped up threats against Iran, saying there would be a response "in the appropriate time and manner."

Saudi Arabia is leading a mostly Arab military coalition to fight Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015 in a bid to restore President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was ousted by Houthis in September 2014.

Houthis have been controlling much of Yemen's north by force, including the capital Sanaa since 2014.

The war has killed more than 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, and displaced over 3 million, according to humanitarian agencies.
Special 1917 anniversary edition of the EBRD podcast Pocket Economics

Russias 1917 Revolution is the focus of a very special episode of the Pocket Economics podcast recorded in front of a live audience on the 100th anniversary  to the very day  of the Bolsheviks seizure of power.

The EBRDs Chief Economist Sergei Guriev discusses the event and the lessons to be drawn from the seven decades of Soviet rule that followed it with the Banks Managing Director, Communications, Jonathan Charles, himself a veteran Russia-watcher.

The podcast episode was recorded at Londons Pushkin House on the night of 7 November, a century exactly after what was known in Soviet times as the Great October Socialist Revolution.

In it Mr Guriev looks at the Soviet experiment in abolishing private property, replacing markets with central planning and placing Marxist ideology at the very centre of statecraft.

He also examines the efficiency, or otherwise, of Stalins collectivisation and mass industrialisation before the Second World War.

And he debates the reasons why, after Stalins death, the Soviet Union was unable to either compete with advanced western economies or to reform itself, leading to its eventual collapse in 1991.

The Bolsheviks decided to try out the idea of a collectivised central economy, Mr Guriev says.

74 years later we saw that it didnt really work. It didnt outperform other ideas which are committed to, such as market economics, where people decide for themselves what is better for them.
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Vietnam pangasius finds market in China amid persistent EU backlash

Suffering from a backlash in the EU due to bad publicity, Vietnamese pangasius has found a market in China - Hong Kong, which imported US$247.4 million worth of the fish during the first eight months.

China accounted for 21.3% of the total export value, up 43.9% over the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VASEP said that in the first eight months, Vietnam's pangasius shipments to some big potential importing markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Saudi Arabia also recorded remarkable increases of 63.9%, 26.4%; 2.5% and 5.4% respectively over the same period last year.

Exports to the US and the EU fell by 6% and 21.7% respectively year-on-year during the first eight months.

According to VASEP, Vietnam's pangasius exports to the EU have not shown any positive signs. Exports to four single markets within the 28-nation bloc-the Netherlands, the UK, Germany and Belgium-decreased by 3.6%, 4.9%, 19.8% and 0.2% respectively over the same period last year.

Vietnam has struggled to promote pangasius, whose image has suffered because of what it claimed is a smear campaign waged through mass media, particularly in the EU. In the EU, Vietnam pangasius must compete with tilapia products from China.

Vietnamese pangasius suffered a backlash, especially in Spain where a damaging expose aired on Spanish television in January. As a result, the Carrefour supermarket chain ceased selling Vietnamese pangasius.

Alfons van Duijvenbode, VASEP' Dutch consultant, said that European consumers had a bad impression of Vietnamese pangasius due to what he said was wrong information in social media.-Rick Alberto


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On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Ed Westwick was accused by actress Kristina Cohen of raping her three years ago in his home. The following day, another actress came forward and shared that she, too, was raped by Westwick.

Actress Aurelie Wynn has publicly implicated that the Gossip Girl actor also raped her in his rented apartment back in July 2014. Wynn took to Facebook, just as Cohen did, and wrote about the encounter in a lengthy, detailed post.

"I said no and he pushed me face down and was powerless under his weight. I was wearing a one-piece bathing suit that he ripped, I was in complete shock, I am also very tiny. When it was over I got my cellphone and found that the girl that had invited me had left or got kicked out. I had terrible service in the estate without access to the wifi and had to get another friend to get me an Uber out of there while Ed was passed out," Wynn wrote.

Also, Like Cohen, Wynn was advised not to say anything out of fear that she would not be believed. The actress was in a relationship with fellow actor Mark Salling (Glee) at the time. Wynn alleges that Salling was informed about the incident and 'blamed' her for what occurred and broke up with her. Salling, coincidentally enough, is currently facing charges of possessing child pornography.

Wynn states in her post that reading Cohen's testimony encouraged her to speak up and share her own experience.

"I believe you Kristina Cohen and thank you for speaking up so eloquently and really encompassing what young female actresses have to go through at the hands of men like Ed Westwick. Without you, I would not have had the strength to speak up publicly about my ordeal."

Westwick has denied Cohen's allegations and also denied ever meeting her; however, he has yet to respond to Wynn's claims.

Westwick is currently starring on the British series, White Gold. The actor is best known for his role as Chuck Bass on the CW teen drama series, Gossip Girl. Westwick was in a relationship with Gossip Girl co-star Jessica Szohr from 2008-2010.

Since the accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein started, more people, particularly actors and actresses, are coming forward and sharing their previous encounters of sexual harassment or abuse. In addition to Weinstein and Westwick, actors Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, and Charlie Sheen have all been accused of sexual misconduct against men and women. Some that have been accused are vehemently denying the claims while others, such as Spacey, have decided to seek professional help.
Morocco has launched its first observation satellite designed for civilian and military purposes, surveillance of the countrys borders and the monitoring of desertification in the region. The launch service provider Arianespace added that it would be also used for special planning, monitoring, mapping activities, monitoring of agricultural activities, management and prevention of natural disasters and monitoring of environmental developments.

The satellite was named after Moroccos king Mohammed VI and it was launched from the European-run spaceport Kourou, French Guiana, but it will be piloted from an operating center near the capital, Rabat. The satellite was until recently known by the codename MN35-13 and it was disclosed only last week who the end user was. It was built by Airbus Defense & Space and Thales Alenia Space and a second launch is planned for 2018, though it is reportedly triggering some concern in neighboring Algeria and nearby Spain. The projects cost has not been disclosed. The surveillance satellite rode a 30-meter Vega rocket into a roughly 620-kilometer polar orbit. The Vegas solid-fueled first stage powered the launcher towards the sky, steering the rocket north over the Atlantic Ocean.

Arianespace is delighted to confirm that the Mohammed VI-A satellite successfully separated in its targeted sun-synchronous orbit, said Luce Fabreguettes, Executive Vice-President for missions, operations and purchasing at Arianespace. This is the third successful launch for Vega this year, and its 11th success for clients and partners since the launch vehicle began its career at the Guiana Space Center. The launcher has successfully placed 26 spacecraft into orbit for commercial customers, international governments, the European Space Agency, the European Commission.

With the launch of Mohammed VI-A, Morocco joins South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt, all of whom have launched their own space programs within the past decade. Karim Tajmouati, head of the Moroccan governments delegation to attend the satellites deployment in orbit in French Guiana, said he felt intense joy and relief. This satellite, Mohammed VI-A, which is now on orbit, is the pride of all Moroccans and the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Tajmouati said and added that this project, which was wanted by His Majesty, the King of Morocco, is a technological adventure, an advanced technological adventure, which will allow high value-added applications and developments in such diverse areas as land surveying, mapping, environmental management, the prevention of natural disasters and climatic disasters, land development, and also the following of agricultural activities.
Federica Mogherini, the head of the EUs diplomacy, is visiting the United States and she used the occasion to warn that the increasing tension between Saudi Arabia, Iran and their respective aides is extremely dangerous. I know that this is not the wind that is blowing as the majority voice in the world of today, Mrs. Mogherini commented when speaking at the EU mission in Washington. But allow me to bring a little bit of wisdom as the European voice in a world that seems to go completely crazy here: Its dangerous, she warned making clear that EU leaders would like to see both sides to calm their rhetoric and seek a minimum of common ground on which to pursue peace.

Mrs. Mogherini met neither US President Donald Trump nor her US counterpart Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who were both in Asia for talks dominated by North Korea. Donald Trump, however, used Twitter to express his support for Mohammed bin Salmans crackdown on the countrys elite including royal family members and political and business leaders, citing corruption charges. Europes head of diplomacy was more cautious regarding the Saudi mass arrests, saying that Europe would support any steps towards modernization of the countrys economy and the fight against corruption.

Mrs. Mogherini did not comment on Donald Trumps tweets but said that the European Union and Canada were among very few governments that see human rights at the center of their foreign policies. US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, however, backed a Saudi claim that Iran supplied a missile that Yemeni rebels apparently fired at Riyadh. Saudi prince Salman has called Saturdays alleged intercepted ballistic missile strike a direct military aggression from Irans side, thus claiming the right to respond.
HEIDELBERG, Germany, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

- Group sales almost the same as previous year at EUR1,054 million - Operating result (EBITDA) improves from EUR45 million to EUR60 million - EBITDA margin reaches 8.2 percent in second quarter - Net result after taxes increases by EUR28 million - positive half-year result for the first time in ten years - Success in strategic development - high demand for digital presses, establishment of new business models, and kickoff of a transformation program to drive operational excellence - Exchange rate effects and reluctance to invest on the U.S. market - Sights still set on targets for financial year 2017/18 as a whole

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) made further progress in operational and strategic development in the first half of 2017/18 (April 1 to September 30, 2017). Thus profitability improved significantly, resulting in a half-year net profit after taxes of EUR+0.3 million for the first time since financial year 2007/08. In the second quarter, the company made further progress in its future-oriented strategic issues such as technology leadership, digital transformation, and operational excellence. This was achieved through, among other things, market successes with innovative digital presses, establishing new business models, and enhancing efficiency by adapting leadership structures.

"The process of converting our company into a state-of-the-art digital technology group is progressing well," says Rainer Hundsdorfer, CEO of Heidelberg, and continues: "With the launch of new subscription models for our customers and our portfolio of innovative products for the eMobility growth sector, we're moving into new territory that offers enormous potential for growth. Heidelberg will be setting new standards when it comes to technologies of the future, digitization, and efficiency. The necessary cultural shift has only just begun."

Growth potential thanks to new business models

Demand for digitally printed packaging and labels continue unabated. Heidelberg is extremely well placed in this sector thanks to digital label presses from Gallus. This was underlined by the numerous orders for the new Gallus Labelfire at the Labelexpo trade show in Brussels at the end of September. Heidelberg is leading the way in developing the industrial digital printing market, and aims to build on this position. The period under review also saw shipment of the first industrial digital packaging printing press, Primefire. Further customer installations will be following shortly and customer interest is continuing to grow. Series production for these digital printing systems is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2018.

The company is already fully booked in this area for two years. The IAA in September 2017 also showcased the diverse range of options for implementing customer-specific design requirements in automotive interiors by using the innovative digital printing technology from the Omnifire press series. 3D vehicle parts such as ventilation nozzles, dashboards, light alloy rims etc. can be individually designed and finished to make them stand out from the crowd.

In the second quarter, Heidelberg also began the pilot phase for launching new business models. This involves offering customers a full package of machinery, services, consumables, and software in a subscription model.

In the last few weeks, additional successful steps have been taken for new product offerings that are intended to generate around EUR50 million in additional sales over the next few years. Heidelberg Industry boasts substantial expertise in control and power electronics for industrial and eMobility applications. After establishing itself as a supplier over a number of years, the company is now marketing high-performance wallboxes and intelligent charging cables for electric vehicles under its own name. In conjunction with Berlin-based technology startup Big Rep, an innovative large-format 3D printing solution has also been developed that has been in series production since October.

Kickoff of a transformation program to drive operational excellence

In the next few years, operational excellence measures are set to deliver cost savings of EUR50 million through increased efficiency. Good progress has been made with the improvement measures already announced relating to logistics, relocating the Development center to Wiesloch and standardizing the machine platforms. Heidelberg is also adapting its leadership structures to the challenges of digitization by the end of the financial year. The aim is to achieve a leaner, more efficient, and more agile organization with fewer hierarchies and less complexity. A corresponding transformation project was launched by the management board in October and will play a key role in achieving the efficiency targets.

Heidelberg achieves significantly improved profitability after first half of the year

In operational terms, the figures for the first half of financial year 2017/18 were as planned. Despite negative exchange rate effects of EUR18 million and the systematic reduction of trading activities with remarketed equipment, sales after six months were EUR1,054 million, almost the same as the previous year's level of EUR1,072 million. As expected, incoming orders in the post-drupa year of EUR1,234 million were below the previous year's figure (H1 2016/17: EUR1,408 million). The order backlog was a solid EUR630 million compared to the EUR765 million at September 30, 2016, which was boosted by drupa.

Profitability rose significantly on the previous year's figures. EBITDA excluding restructuring result was up from EUR45 million to EUR60 million after two quarters, with the EBITDA margin reaching 8.2 percent in the second quarter, following 7.5 percent in the same period of the previous year. EBIT excluding restructuring result was EUR27 million (previous year: EUR11 million). The much lower financing costs led to the financial result improving from EUR-29 million to EUR-24 million. At EUR+0.3 million, the net result after taxes (after income taxes) was thus around EUR28 million up on the previous year's figure (EUR-28 million).

The free cash flow (EUR-32 million, previous year: EUR0 million) was influenced by the acquisitions and investments made in the first six months in connection with constructing the new development center in Wiesloch. The improvements at operating level, the conversion of a convertible bond in July 2017, and a higher pension discount rate than in the same period of the previous year led to an increase in shareholders' equity to EUR381 million (previous year: EUR126 million). The equity ratio thus rose to 17.5 percent (previous year: 5.9 percent). The net financial debt at September 30, 2017 was EUR259 million (previous year: EUR276 million) and the leverage was significantly lower than the unchanged target value of 2 at 1.3.

"Heidelberg is on a very sound financial footing, with financing secured for the long term. This will enable us to independently fund the strategic measures and the growth we are aiming for," said Dirk Kaliebe, CFO at Heidelberg, commenting on developments. "Systematically harnessing the potential from the efficiency program will also secure our medium-term profitability targets."

Exchange rate effects and reluctance to investon the U.S. market - sights still set on targets for financial year 2017/18 as a whole

(CONTINUA)


Scotland supports the free movement of people from European Union countries after Brexit even although the British Government does not back this position.New figures from the Scottish Government show just how important EU citizens are in the nations jobs market and economy and Ministers are warning that if fewer people come to work it could have a negative impact.There are around 128,000 EU nationals working in Scotland and they contribute an average of 34,400 each to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), more than 4.4 billion a year, according to the new data.It is the first time economists have calculated a figure which highlights the possibility that if net EU migration to the UK was to fall Scotlands predicted population growth would be disproportionately affected.Following a meeting with EU workers employed at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary who raised concerns about Brexit, Europe Minister Alasdair Allan said it is clear that migration positively impacts regional economies in the UK.Businesses big and small, the agriculture sector, financial services companies and our NHS are concerned about no longer being able to employ them, he added.He pointed out that the health sector could be hit hard. Currently, EU citizens are filling hard to fill specialisms and areas of acute shortages. Ominously, recent figures released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirm that since the referendum, the number of EU nurses and midwives registering to work in the UK is declining, Allan explained.EU citizens and their families also make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live, including in remote and rural areas. That is why we believe fundamentally that continuing free movement of people is in the best interests of Scotland and the UK as a whole, he added.In a submission to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the organisation that advises the British Government, the Scottish Government says that by 2026 all of Scotlands population growth is projected to come from migration with 58% coming from overseas and 42% from the rest of the UK, highlighting the need for a continued flow of people from the EU.It adds that lower levels of migration from the EU due to Brexit will result in slower population growth and will have a negative impact on the population sustainability of Scotland, and on the working age population in particular.The analysis of the figures shows that most people moving to Scotland to do to work or study. Of those moving to Scotland in the 12 months to the middle of 2016 84% were of working age and the peak age for migration into Scotland from overseas was 23.The figures also show that in since the 12 months to the middle of 2007, Scotland relied on positive net migration for population growth more than any other part of the UK. Over that period, 88% of population growth in Scotland came from migration compared with 53% for the UK as a whole.
The Valero Energy Foundation on Wednesday gave $8.4 million to the San Antonio Independent School District to fund college visits all over the country for hundreds of high school juniors, and to provide advisers to help students through college.

With the grant funding, SAISD is creating a program called Pipeline for College Success, the biggest expansion yet of an initiative that retired Brackenridge High School teacher Walter Brown started on his own years ago.

It involves a partnership with the KIPP charter school network, which is training SAISD counselors and advisers to follow the KIPP Through College model by helping the districts graduates navigate college registration, financial aid, housing and textbook purchases.

The partnership with KIPP began as a pilot program at Jefferson High School, funded with part of a $3 million grant from the Valero Energy Foundation that supported KIPP Through College. The number of Jefferson graduates accepted into four-year colleges more than doubled between 2015 and 2016, said Joe Gorder, CEO of Valero Energy and chairman of the companys charitable foundation

The expanded Pipeline for College Success appears to be the most substantial partnership yet forged between a traditional and charter school district in Bexar County. The willingness of KIPP and SAISD leaders to collaborate helped convince the Valero Energy Foundation to award the five-year grant, Gorder said at a Wednesday press conference at Valeros headquarters.

Rarely do you get great coordination between a school like KIPP and a public school district, Gorder said. There tends to be a lot of competition there.

Valeros grant will allow about 250 students per year to visit colleges in their chosen region of the country. Qualifying students will primarily be low-income and the first in their families to attend college, with SAT scores of at least 1000 and a grade point average of at least 95 percent, said Victoria Bustos, SAISDs executive director of student support.

Its an exponential increase in resources for SAISD to help low-income students get into top colleges. Until two years ago, Brown handpicked about 10 students per year for college tours, paid for by fundraising and some of his own money. Brown often drove them in his own van. A couple of times, Brown said, the Valero Energy Foundation kicked in $1,500 when he was short on funds for the tours. With funding from a different grant, SAISD took about 80 students on college visits last year, Superintendent Pedro Martinez said  sometimes with air travel.

Katrina Munoz, 17, a senior at Sam Houston High School, went on a district-sponsored trip to colleges in the Midwest. She is applying to Denison University, Miami University of Ohio and Missouri State University, as well as the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University and Trinity University. Without SAISDs guidance, Munoz said, she would not have made the college visits.

I wouldnt have known how to prepare myself, Munoz said. I wouldnt have had the courage.

Brown, 72, continues to advise SAISD college readiness initiatives, stressing the importance of colleges that meet the full financial needs of students. Its an effort, he said, that should be replicated on every campus: talk students through the application process for admissions and financial aid and prepare them for the academic and social cultures of prestigious colleges.

The grant will pay for two new college advisers at each of the districts seven comprehensive high schools, a Postsecondary Support Office to track students through college and a data analyst, Bustos said. SAISD will pay for one new college adviser at each of its several smaller specialty high schools.

The Pipeline for College Success program is part of SAISDs five-year turnaround plan, which calls for 80 percent of district graduates to attend college  50 percent at four-year institutions and 10 percent at top-200 Tier One institutions  by 2020.

amalik@express-news.net
After raising a family in the San Antonio area, Farida Brown moved to LaVernia about 20 years ago and found a community at the First Baptist Church, as so many others have.

It was the type of place where congregants had developed an unofficial seating chart and greeted each other by name each Sunday.

But that building will soon be gone.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs as a place of worship and he plans to demolish the building.

RELATED: Four allegations of sexual abuse, harassment made against Sutherland Springs gunman

Now Playing: Latest updates: Sutherland Springs church shooting Video: San Antonio Express-News

The group's spokesman, Sing Oldham, said Pomeroy expressed hope he could turn the site into a memorial for the more than two dozen people who were killed last Sunday and build a new church on property the church owns.

Brown was attending services on Sunday, as she's done for the past 10 years, when a man marched in with a rifle and shot nearly everyone inside. He killed 26 people and wounded 10 more.

When David Brown got word his 73-year-old mother was shot during church services, he didn't know what the protocol was.

"This is my first disaster of this sort that was so close to home," he told mySA.com.

Doctors were amazed Farida Brown's blood vessels were not struck by one of the bullets and pieces of shrapnel that hit her body. Bullet shrapnel struck her left hip, under her kneecap and above her left knee, traveling up to the top of her femur bone, David Brown said.

"The floors, all the pews and the walls are splattered with blood," David Brown told mySA.com. "The flooring is completely covered with blood."

"I heard it was so bad that it was almost raining out of the church."

RELATED: A church family tries to process the good and the evil

Rod Green, 71, an elder at the First Baptist Church, said he went to a yard sale Sunday morning instead of attending services. He learned about the tragedy over a series of phone calls.

Green recalled how, at the beginning of each service, everyone would stand up in the pews and greet each other. It was a chance to reconnect with each other, each week, Green said."

I shook every hand in that church," he said. "Let them know that it's good to see them."

The church didn't have a seating chart, but after years together everyone had settled into their particular spot. Green said Dennis Johnson, one of the victims, always sat in the row next to him, across the aisle.

He said he won't be able to stomach seeing empty seats without thinking of their former occupants.

"I don't think it's going to be possible to get back in that building, Green said. "I know myself and my wife Judy don't want to use that building."

RELATED: What happens when hundreds of reporters arrive in a town of 600?

The church had its start in either 1925 or 1926, according to Beulah Wilson, 88, who runs a town museum. People met in each other's houses, before moving to a school house and then to a general store. In 1949, church christened a building near its present location. The current building has an assessed value of $19,660 and was established as a church in 1995, according to county officials.

Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut was bulldozed after 26 people, majority of them in the first grade, were killed in 2012. Construction workers began to remove any trace of the elementary school almost a year after the massacre in October 2013, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In 2015, the home of the gunman was also demolished in Connecticut, the paper reported.

Brown was not sure if church leaders wanted to rebuild in the same spot or move somewhere else in town. He knows for sure his mom will never return, there's too many awful memories, "too much loss."

Brown's GoFundMe page, where 100 percent of contributions will go to the church, has raised $1,050 so far.

A church service will be held in Sutherland Springs on Sunday, he said, although he wasn't sure where worshipers would meet. It will serve as a memorial service for those killed four days ago.

The church will continue its Christmas tradition of giving toys to poor children. Green said the church was planning its annual Faith Riders event the day before the shooting.

"No reason that kids don't get their Christmas, just because of some deranged punk," Green said. "We're not going to allow that. It's a giving church, and the people who passed were giving, and we're going to make sure that continues."

Staff researcher Misty Harris and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5
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Despite a chilling rain, the candles burned brightly Wednesday night at a moving interfaith vigil held beneath the Gothic bell tower of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church for the 26 churchgoers shot to death Sunday in Sutherland Springs.

Hosted by the San Antonio branch of of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a movement patterned after Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the evening gathering drew more than 90 people, with many convinced that the time for action is long overdue.

Some may say its too soon to talk about guns, but as the sister whose brother died from gun violence, its already too late. And for the 26 people who died and 20 more who were wounded, its far too late, said Kim Anderson, the first speaker.

Sister Martha Kirk, a professor at the University of the Incarnate Word, recalled growing up with guns on a South Texas ranch, where they were seen as necessary but dangerous tools. These days, she said, they are treated by some as idols or saviors, to societys great detriment.

We gather here tonight because we need to realize we have power. We can make a difference. We dont need to be held hostage by people who make weapons, she said.

Midway through the event, the names of the 26 who died in Sutherland Springs were slowly read, beginning with Robert Scott Marshall and ending with Crystal Holcombe and her unborn child, Carlin Brite.

Afterward, only the sound of the rain on the umbrellas and the muffled noises of passing traffic were heard, as those assembled shared several moments of silence.

Later in the service, a rousing call to political action came from Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, D-San Antonio, who said, Only the people can make a difference. If you stand on the sideline and say my vote doesnt count, you are sadly mistaken.

Urging those present to take the gun safety issue directly and forcefully to their elected public officials, she said, We cannot just stand on the steps, we have to kick into action. We have to move the political needle, she added.

Bart Roush, 48, the minister at Madison Square Presbyterian Church, said gun violence must be seen as more than just a legal or political issue.

If children are being killed in public places, its a social justice issue; and as people of faith, we should care about this. Not only is this a vigil to honor the dead and pray for them, its a call to action, he said beforehand.

He said the time is long overdue for ordinary Americans to begin talking to each other about gun violence and pressing for change.

As a faith leader, its troubling to to me when I cant tell my children that going to school or church is safe anymore, he said.

During the vigil, volunteers in red T-shirts for San Antonio Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, encouraged attendees to get involved with the movement.

The parent group has grown rapidly since it began as a Facebook page five years ago by a stay-at-home mom. She acted in response to the deadly attack in Connecticut in which 20 young children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School were killed by a deranged gunman, who also killed his mother at their home.

A national spokesman said it now has about 70,000 active volunteers nationwide, the majority of whom are women.

We have groups in all 50 states and thousands of active volunteers in Texas, including hundreds in San Antonio, said Lisa Epstein of San Antonio, the leader of the Texas chapters.

The group supports legislative changes to tighten background checks and keep guns out of the hands of people who commit domestic violence, she said. It does not currently advocate a ban on assault rifles, she added.

The horrific shooting in Sutherland Springs has galvanized the local chapter.

It feels different this time. People are saying, Enough is enough. I absolutely believe this was just too much, Epstein said.

Note: An earlier version of this story misstated the death toll in the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre.

jmaccormack@express-news.net
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The last batch of letters Alamo commander William Barret Travis is known to have sent out of the battle compound during the 1836 siege included two to delegates gathering to declare Texas independence and an admonishment to his sons guardian to take care of my little boy.

In an official letter to the president of the convention, Richard Ellis, Travis described the bombardment endured by defenders, as a much larger Mexican force drew closer around them, and the arrival of 32 men from Gonzales at 3 a.m. on March 1. He mentioned a blood-red banner waving from the church of Bexar  San Fernando church  in keeping with Mexican Gen. Santa Annas intent to treat the defenders as rebels and have them put to the sword.

The spirits of my men are still high, although they have had much to depress them, Travis wrote on March 3 in an official report to the convention 100 miles to the east at Washington on the Brazos.

He reported having 20 days worth of provisions and requested 500 pounds of cannon powder, 200 rounds of cannon balls, 10 kegs of rifle powder and some lead.

The power of Santa Anna is to be met here or in the colonies; we had better meet them here, than to suffer a war of desolation to rage our settlements, he wrote.

More recognized in popular historical narratives is a much shorter letter, less than half as long as his official dispatch, that Travis wrote to convention delegate Jesse Grimes, one of four representatives of the Washington municipality at the convention. Books about the Alamo have described Grimes as a friend or good friend of Travis, although little has been written about their relationship.

Let the convention go on and make a declaration of independence, and we will then understand, and the world will understand, what we are fighting for, Travis wrote in an oft-quoted excerpt from the letter to Grimes.

In his book, A Time To Stand, Walter Lord said Travis expressed to Grimes much more eloquently than in his official correspondence why he was making a stand  for reasons that transcended strategy, bonds among men in the garrison and the desire to defend their homes.

More than all these  he felt the spirit of the times  the conviction that liberty, freedom and independence were in themselves worth fighting for; the belief that a man should be willing to make any sacrifice to hold these prizes, Lord wrote.

In the Grimes letter, Travis wrote, If independence is not declared, I shall lay down my arms, and so will the men under my command.

But under the flag of independence, we are ready to peril our lives a hundred times a day, and to drive away the monster who is fighting us under a blood-red flag, threatening to murder all prisoners and make Texas a waste desert, he added.

William C. Davis, in Three Roads to the Alamo, a biography of Travis and Alamo defenders James Bowie and David Crockett, notes that the passage included the only comment about surrender that Travis made during the siege.

It was only for effect, for he knew by now that surrender was out of the question, Davis wrote.

In Texian Iliad, about the Texas Revolution, Stephen L. Hardin noted that Travis revealed more of his true feelings to Grimes, his close friend. Although the 59 signers of the declaration would risk their lives by putting their names to paper, Travis wanted Grimes to know about 200 Alamo defenders were prepared to die for the cause.

According to Davis, Travis handed the letters to John W. Smith, believed to be the last messenger from the Alamo, called El Colorado by Tejanos because of his red hair. He also gave Smith two other personal messages, including one to David Ayres, a merchant and Methodist missionary who ran a school at home with his wife. Travis had left his son, Charles, who was about 7, to live with Ayres and attend the school.

Take care of my little boy, Travis pleaded. If the country should be saved, I may make for him a splendid fortune; but if the country be lost and I should perish, he will have nothing but the proud recollection that he is the son of a man who died for his country.

The recently divorced Travis also may have sent a personal note to his fiancee, Rebecca Cummings, who lived near San Felipe in East Texas. According to Davis, an account by Texas author Mary Austin Holley, documented in papers at the University of Texas, indicates Cummings received a message carried by the Alamos last courier. Travis had begun his letter to Grimes with, Do me the favor to send the enclosed to its proper destination instantly. That is presumed to be the note to Cummings.

Davis reported that others heard Rebecca screaming when she was told Travis and the other Alamo defenders had died. Contents of the note from Travis to Cummings would be forever an eternal secret between them, Davis added.

Another mystery is the relationship between Travis, 26, born in South Carolina, and 48-year-old Grimes, a North Carolina native. The two had lived in neighboring Alabama counties before coming to Texas  Grimes in 1826, Travis in 1831.

Based on family papers and other documents at UT, longtime history researcher Robin Webb-Lucas said they both served on government councils in San Felipe.

Grimes was a regidor on the subcommittee for safety, and was the district treasurer of the Viesca District of San Felipe, said Webb-Lucas, who has lineal ties to Texas Revolution. Travis was elected the secretary to the ayuntamiento (city council) of San Felipe in 1834.

The original letter between the two has never been found. But it was printed in the March 24, 1836, edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register. Grimes went on to represent Washington County, then later Montgomery County, in the Congress of the Republic of Texas, and served as a legislator after U.S. statehood began in 1845. He died in 1866 and is buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Grimes County is named for him.

The Star of the Republic Museum, Barrington Living History Farm and Independence Hall, a replica of the building where delegates met in 1836, are on the grounds of Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site. A free Texas Independence Day celebration is set for March 3-4 at the 293-acre park, with live music, food, traditional crafts and simulated cannon and musket fire.

Museum director Houston McGaugh said letters Travis received at the Alamo from officials in East Texas may have been burned, to keep them from being gleaned for intelligence, or could have been seized, and now stored in archives somewhere in Mexico.

That would be an interesting trove of letters to find, McGaugh said.

shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA
Wheat: Net sales of 781,700 metric tons--a marketing year high--for delivery in marketing year 2017/2018 were up noticeably from the previous week and from the prior 4-week average. Increases were for Iraq (450,000 MT), Taiwan (87,400 MT), China (60,000 MT), the Philippines (55,500 MT), Nigeria (40,000 MT), and Vietnam (39,700 MT, including 39,000 MT switched from unknown destinations). Reductions were reported for unknown destinations (79,000 MT). Exports of 298,000 MT were down 21 percent from the previous week, but up 5 percent from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were Mexico (55,500 MT), the Philippines (40,300 MT), South Korea (33,300 MT), Nigeria (33,000 MT), and Guatemala (32,100 MT).

Corn: Net sales of 2,364,500 MT for 2017/2018 were up noticeably from the previous week and 92 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Mexico (1,166,300 MT, including decreases of 2,000 MT), South Korea (468,000 MT), Japan (337,500 MT, including 39,800 MT switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 300 MT), unknown destinations (213,000 MT), and Colombia (132,700 MT, including 75,100 MT, switched from unknown destinations). Reductions were reported for Brazil (60,700 MT). For 2018/2019, net sales of 574,200 MT reported for Mexico (577,700 MT), were partially offset by reductions for Peru (3,500 MT). Exports of 489,800 MT were primarily to Mexico (171,900 MT), Colombia (115,200 MT), Japan (69,500 MT), Honduras (39,500 MT), and Peru (35,400 MT).

Optional Origin Sales: For 2017/2018, new optional origin sales of 60,000 MT were reported for unknown destinations. Options were exercised to export 54,000 MT to unknown destinations from other than the United States. The current optional origin outstanding balance is 242,000 MT for unknown destinations (174,000 MT) and South Korea (68,000 MT).

Barley: No net sales were reported for the week. Export of 2,000 MT--a marketing-year high--were unchanged from the previous week and up noticeably from the prior 4-week average. The destination was Japan.

Sorghum: Net sales of 308,100 MT were up 9 percent from the previous week and up noticeably from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for unknown destinations (251,000 MT) and China (57,100 MT, including decreases of 4,400 MT). Exports of 104,100 MT were up noticeably from the previous week and from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were China (102,000 MT) and Mexico (2,100 MT).

Rice: Net sales of 73,400 MT for 2017/2018 were down 17 percent from the previous week and 8 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Mexico (27,100 MT), Japan (26,000 MT), Haiti (11,000 MT), Honduras (4,500 MT), and Canada (3,200 MT). Reductions were reported for Guatemala (500 MT), Venezuela (200 MT), and El Salvador (100 MT). Exports of 75,300 MT were up 91 percent from the previous week and up noticeably from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were Mexico (34,100 MT), Haiti (15,000 MT), Venezuela (10,800 MT), Guatemala (5,300 MT), and Japan (3,000 MT).

Exports for Own Account: New exports for own account totaling 100 MT were reported to Canada. The current outstanding balance of 300 MT is for Canada.

Soybeans: Net sales of 1,160,600 MT for 2017/2018 were down 39 percent from the previous week and 34 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for China (1,156,900 MT, including 716,000 MT switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 23,800 MT), Mexico (196,000 MT, including decreases of 5,000 MT), the Netherlands (84,600 MT, including 74,000 MT switched from unknown destinations), Saudi Arabia (71,500 MT, including 66,000 MT switched from unknown destinations), and Germany (65,300 MT). Reductions were reported for unknown destinations (707,500 MT), Bangladesh (11,500 MT), and Burma (500 MT). For 2018/2019, net sales of 400 MT were reported for Japan. Exports of 2,520,200 MT were primarily to China (1,790,800 MT), Mexico (157,100 MT), the Netherlands (84,600 MT), Saudi Arabia (71,500 MT), and Egypt (66,400 MT).

Export for Own Account: New exports for own account totaling 28,300 MT were reported to Canada. The current outstanding balance of 85,300 MT is for Canada.

Export Adjustment: Accumulated exports to the Netherlands were adjusted down 65,300 MT for week ending October 26th. The correct destination is Germany and is included in this weeks report.

Soybean Cake and Meal: Net sales of 212,900 MT for 2017/2018 were reported for Mexico (111,300 MT, including decreases of 1,200 MT), Thailand (50,000 MT, switched from unknown destinations), Japan (25,900 MT), Canada (22,400 MT, including decreases of 500 MT), Peru (19,400 MT), and Guatemala (18,200 MT, including 14,100 MT switched from unknown destinations). Reductions were reported for unknown destinations (44,100 MT), Bangladesh (38,000 MT), and the French West Indies (4,200 MT). Exports of 195,500 MT were reported to Colombia (39,900 MT), Mexico (35,900 MT), Peru (31,400 MT), Guatemala (18,500 MT), Honduras (17,900 MT), Canada (17,100 MT), and Panama (8,000 MT).

Soybean Oil: Net sales of 15,900 MT for 2017/2018 were reported for South Korea (5,000 MT), Colombia (4,000 MT), Jamaica (3,500 MT), Mexico (2,300 MT), and Canada (900 MT). Exports of 7,000 MT were reported to Mexico (3,400 MT), South Korea (3,000 MT), and Canada (400 MT).

Cotton: Net sales of 205,300 running bales for 2017/2018 were down 2 percent from the previous week and 9 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Pakistan (67,500 RB), Bangladesh (28,100 RB), Turkey (27,800 RB), Vietnam (24,200 RB, including 1,800 RB switched from China, 1,300 RB switched from Taiwan, and decreases of 2,600 RB), and China (11,500 RB, including decreases of 8,800 RB). Reductions were reported for Japan (1,400 RB) and Nicaragua (300 RB). For 2018/2019, net sales of 31,200 RB were reported for China (24,200 RB), Pakistan (4,800 RB), and Japan (2,200 RB). Exports of 124,300 RB were up 43 percent from the previous week and 29 percent from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were reported to Vietnam (27,800 RB), China (21,400 RB), Mexico (20,400 RB), South Korea (11,900 RB), and Thailand (9,300 RB). Net sales of Pima totaling 13,400 RB for 2017/2018 were down 30 percent from the previous week and 28 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for China (9,900 RB), Pakistan (1,100 RB), India (700 RB, including decreases of 100 RB), and Taiwan (400 RB). Exports of 4,000 RB were up 16 percent from the previous week, but down 13 percent from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were India (2,000 RB), Thailand (400 RB), Japan (400 RB), and Peru (300 RB).

Optional Origin Sales: The current optional origin outstanding balance of 16,500 RB is for Indonesia.

Exports for Own Account: New exports for own account totaling 500 RB were reported to Taiwan. Exports to Taiwan (500 RB) and Indonesia (300 RB) were applied to new or outstanding sales. Decreases of 500 RB were reported for Indonesia. The current outstanding balance of 61,500 RB is for Indonesia (41,100 RB), Taiwan (13,100 RB), India (3,800 RB), Vietnam (1,400 RB), South Korea (1,100 RB), Bangladesh (500 RB), and Pakistan (500 RB).

Hides and Skins: Net sales of 670,900 pieces reported for 2017 were up 96 percent from the previous week and 61 percent from the prior 4-week average. Whole cattle hide sales totaling 659,800 pieces were primarily for China (447,800 pieces, including decreases of 15,600 pieces), South Korea (79,600 pieces, including decreases of 3,100 pieces), Mexico (48,900 pieces, including decreases of 800 pieces), Indonesia (36,400 pieces, including decreases of 1,000 pieces), and Thailand (24,000 pieces, including decreases of 1,700 pieces). Reductions were reported for Hong Kong (1,500 pieces), Germany (300 pieces), and Slovenia (300 pieces). Exports of 510,900 pieces reported for 2017, all whole cattle hides, were up 23 percent from the previous week and 21 percent from the prior 4-week average. Exports were primarily to China (351,300 pieces), South Korea (86,500 pieces), Mexico (32,300 pieces), Thailand (13,700 pieces), and Indonesia (7,300 pieces).

Net sales of 148,800 wet blues for 2017 were up 1 percent from the previous week and 11 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for China (31,500 unsplit), Italy (25,600 unsplit), the Dominican Republic (24,800 unsplit), Brazil (21,100 unsplit), and Vietnam (8,700 unsplit and 6,900 grain splits). For 2018, net sales of 77,900 wet blues were reported for Hong Kong (43,700 grain splits), Italy (19,100 unsplit), Vietnam (8,400 grain splits)and China (6,700 unsplit). Exports of 107,500 wet blues for 2017 were down 29 percent from the previous week and 25 percent from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were Italy (36,700 unsplit and 1,500 grain splits), China (14,500 unsplit and 4,800 grain splits), Vietnam (10,000 unsplit and 1,500 grain splits), and Brazil (9,100 unsplit). Net sales of splits totaling 494,200 pounds for 2017 were reported for Vietnam (476,200 pounds) and South Korea (18,000 pounds). Exports of 238,600 pounds for 2017 were down 78 percent from the previous week and 58 percent from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were Vietnam (120,600 pounds), China (93,000 pounds), and South Korea (25,000 pounds).

Beef: Net sales of 16,800 MT reported for 2017 were up 1 percent from the previous week and 12 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Japan (8,400 MT, including decreases of 1,100 MT), South Korea (2,700 MT, including decreases of 500 MT), Hong Kong (1,600 MT, including decreases of 200 MT), Mexico (1,300 MT, including decreases of 100 MT), and Taiwan (1,000 MT, including decreases of 200 MT). For 2018, net sales of 5,500 MT were reported for Hong Kong (3,900 MT), Japan (1,000 MT), and Taiwan (300 MT). Exports of 14,900 MT were down 16 percent from the previous week and 7 percent from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were Japan (4,200 MT), South Korea (3,900 MT), Hong Kong (2,100 MT), Mexico (1,600 MT), and Canada (1,000 MT).

Pork: Net sales of 7,800 MT reported for 2017--a marketing year low--were down 70 percent from the previous week and 56 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Japan (4,300 MT), the Philippines (700 MT), China (600 MT), Canada (600 MT), and Honduras (500 MT). For 2018, net sales of 300 MT were primarily for South Korea (200 MT) and Colombia (100 MT). Exports of 23,200 MT were down 2 percent from the previous week, but up 4 percent from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily Mexico (8,300 MT), Japan (3,900 MT), South Korea (3,600 MT), Canada (1,600 MT), and Hong Kong (1,200 MT).

Source : USDA
The crops should be just above average, the crop is a bit stripy where the later stuff come up, but we will wait for it all to dry out.
The hearse, which is the only one of its kind in WA, was shown at the festival in a joint collaboration between Perth Horse and Carriage, the owners of the hearse, Colonial Clydesdales, which supplied the Clydesdales, and Purslowe Tinetti Funerals (Northam).
Uma Thurman has slammed Hollywood's treatment of women.

Uma Thurman

The 47-year-old actress admitted she has been frustrated, particularly during her early career, because she was trying to "be decent and work hard" but was met with "contempt and dismissiveness toward women of all kinds."

She added in an interview with The New York Times newspaper: "A great cinema role comes along a few times. Maybe for some people, more often. But not everybody."

However, the 'Kill Bill' star refused to comment on the accusations of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein - who produced seven of her movies - and Kevin Spacey, who starred in 'House of Cards', which was created by Beau Willimon, the writer of her new play 'The Parisian Woman'.

She simply said: "I'll discuss it when I want to discuss it."

Uma has previously admitted she felt too "angry" to speak about the Hollywood scandal.

She said last month: "I don't have a tidy soundbite for you, because I have learned, I am not a child and I have learned that... when I've spoken in anger, I usually regret the way I express myself.

"So I've been waiting to feel less angry... and when I'm ready, I'll say what I have to say."

Last year, the 'Gattaca' actress - who has Maya, 19, and Levon, 15, with ex-husband Ethan Hawke and Luna, five, with former partner Arpad Busson - slammed Italian entrepreneur Lapo Elkann after he kissed her at amfAR's 23rd annual Cinema Against AIDS gala in Antibes, France.

The former Fiat CEO had bid $196,000 to win the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show experience and celebrated by planting a passionate kiss on Uma, who was unimpressed by his actions.

Her representative said at the time: "It is opportunism at its worst. She wasn't complicit in it. Somewhere in his head he must have thought it an appropriate way of behaving. It clearly wasn't. She is very unhappy that this happened to her and feels violated."

The spokesperson also said: "It looks like she was happy to have it happen, but it was not consensual."
As little as 4 per cent of the price of a clothing item of brands, such as Kmart, Big W, Cotton On and Just jeans, is paid to the factory worker overseas, says Oxfam's new report on Australia's garment supply chain titled What She Makes: Power and Poverty in the Fashion Industry, authored by Deloitte Access Economics. In Bangladesh, it is 2 per cent.In countries like Bangladesh, where wages are extremely low, the situation is even direr. As an average of just 2 per cent of the price of an apparel piece in Australia goes towards factory wages, That implies just 20 Australian cents out of the price of an AUD-10 T-shirt is received by the worker, says the report.

As little as 4 per cent of the price of a clothing item of brands, such as Kmart, Big W, Cotton On and Just jeans, is paid to the factory worker overseas, says Oxfam's new report on Australia's garment supply chain titled 'What She Makes: Power and Poverty in the Fashion Industry', authored by Deloitte Access Economics. In Bangladesh, it is 2 per cent.#

That implies the Bangladeshi garment worker could be earning as little as 39 Australian cents per hour, according to the report, which humanises the women garment workers overseas.While salaries and the cost of living may be lower in developing countries where most Australian brands manufacture clothes, workers there do not receive living wages at present, and cannot afford basic necessities, such as food, housing and health care, says the report.Oxfam CEO Helen Szoke says it would take a mere 1 per cent per item increase in cost to pay a living wage to the people who make the clothes. And these amounts can be absorbed by fashion and clothing companies in Australia without passing on any burden to consumers, the report emphasises. Szoke advises consumers pressurise brands to pay their factory workers a living wage.In Bangladesh, the local minimum wage equates to just 39 Australian cents an hour. In Vietnam it is just 64 cents and in China it is 93 cents, and that is not enough for workers to have a decent life. "A living wage is not a luxury but is in fact a minimum that all working people should be paid if they are to escape abject poverty," the report says.There is perhaps no starker example of the growing global inequality crisis than the garment industry, where millions remain trapped in poverty on one hand, while a few amass great wealth on the other. It does not have to be this way. It is time for this unfair system to change, the report adds.Oxfam has launched a company tracker on its website to monitor Australias leading brands. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Jeanologia, a leader in sustainable and efficient technologies headquartered in Spain, is participating in the Bangladesh Denim Expo which is being held on November 8 and 9, 2017, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, in booth 32. The company is showing its new sustainable, 100 per cent Made in Bangladesh fashion collection at the one-stop sourcing platform for denim.For the first time, Jeanologia has managed to get all agents involved in the Bangladeshi textile industry, from fabric manufacturer to end product makers and buyers, to take part in its mission to create an ethical, eco-efficient and sustainable industry.

Jeanologia, a leader in sustainable and efficient technologies headquartered in Spain, is participating in the Bangladesh Denim Expo which is being held on November 8 and 9, 2017, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, in booth 32. The company is showing its new sustainable, 100 per cent Made in Bangladesh fashion collection at the one-stop sourcing platform for denim.#

The collection is developed in Bangladesh, with fabrics woven in the country and with the support of sustainable technology from Jeanologia.Jordi Juani, Asia division director for Jeanologia said, The objective is to get all agents involved in the Bangladeshi textile industry to create a product with better finishes being able to rely on Jeanologia as technology partner. Using our technology in the production processes, we have managed to be more competitive and speed up time to market, offering a modern sustainable product. Not only does our technology increase productivity and energy efficiency, it also reduces water consumption and eliminates harmful emissions and residues.Jordi Juani is giving a talk about collaborative design in the denim industry at the expo. Juani will explain the importance of working together, from the conception of the idea through its transformation to the sale of the product, achieving common goals like the industry becoming more respectful of the environment. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Aiming to build on the success of the 2017 event, FESPA Asia is returning to Thailands capital Bangkok from February 22-24 next year. More than 100 companies, including M&R, Siser, d.gen, Multicam, JK Group, Caldera, Fimor, Sensient and Hexis, will exhibit at the ASEAN regions premier event for wide format, screen, textile print and signage markets.

The FESPA Asia 2018 exhibition will provide print service providers and signage professionals, as well as textile specialists, with the chance to see the latest product innovations and applications in the market and discover new opportunities for business growth.

Visitors to FESPA Asia 2018 will also have access to a focused programme of educational and inspirational content including a textile printing workshop, the Wrap Masters Asia and a series of seminars featuring notable speakers from Asia and beyond.

Aiming to build on the success of the 2017 event, FESPA Asia is returning to Thailand's capital Bangkok from February 22-24 next year. More than 100 companies, including M&R, Siser, d.gen, Multicam, JK Group, Caldera, Fimor, Sensient and Hexis, will exhibit at the ASEAN region's premier event for wide format, screen, textile print and signage markets.#

The inaugural FESPA Asia, which took place in February 2017, attracted over 4,500 regional and international visitors. Attendees travelled from 63 countries, with the largest delegations coming from Thailand, Singapore, India, China and Malaysia.

For the upcoming edition too, there is high level of interest from new exhibitors, with Stahls, Monti Antonio, Foilack, Chemica and many others already placing confirmed stand bookings for the 2018 event. The success is also reflected in the re-book rate with 60 per cent of exhibitors to FESPA Asia 2017 having confirmed stands for 2018, the organisers said in a statement.

Having delivered a successful event in 2017, were delighted to have such strong commitment from many major international companies for FESPA Asia 2018 and such resounding endorsement from a broad spectrum of regional associations. Visitors from across the ASEAN region can benefit enormously from the opportunity to access such diverse international exhibitors all under one roof in Bangkok, said FESPA divisional director Roz Guarnori.

FESPA Asia 2018 is supported by Thai Garment Manufacturers Association, Thai Advertising Business Development Association and the Thai Textile Institute (THTI) who are proactively promoting the exhibition to members. The event is further supported by FESPAs ASEAN member associations in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Korea, Japan, China, Philippines and Australia, who represent a combined regional membership of more than 2,000 print service providers. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Exporters of textile products in Pakistan want the government to reduce the tariff of electricity and gas for them to bring down the cost of business. The demand was conveyed during a recent meeting of the Federal Textile Board chaired by commerce and textile minister Muhammad Pervaiz Malik and Haji Akram Ansari, junior minister for the same portfolios.The meeting was attended by representatives from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), the Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) and the All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association.

Exporters of textile products in Pakistan want the government to reduce the tariff of electricity and gas for them to bring down the cost of business. The demand was conveyed during a recent meeting of the Federal Textile Board chaired by commerce and textile minister Muhammad Pervaiz Malik and Haji Akram Ansari, junior minister for the same portfolios.#

Malik informed the meeting that the government had allocated Rs 14 billion till now for the implementation of Phase-I of the prime ministers package of incentives for the textile sector, according to Pakistani media reports.An additional 2 per cent will be allowed for exports to non-traditional markets, like Africa, Latin America, non-EU European countries, Commonwealth of the Independent States and Oceania, the minister said.The textile associations raised issues like withdrawal of tariff rationalisation surcharge, disparity in gas prices across Pakistan, sales tax and customs refunds and extending zero-rating facility to packing material and power looms. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
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CHONGQING, China, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Chongqing Vehicle Test & Research Institute's test site offers the ability to test cars, trucks, and buses/MESSRING expands in China

MESSRING continues to expand its operations in China. As the global market leader for crash test facilities and their components recently announced, the company was just awarded a contract by Chongqing Vehicle Test & Research Institute Co. LTD (CVTRI) to build a new crash test facility in the northern part of Chongqing. The public research institute is home to the center for national bus quality control and national motorcycle quality monitoring and control.

The new test track offers the ability to test cars, trucks, and, in particular, buses. From complete vehicle tests to component tests to energy-efficiency and emissions tests, the facility in Chongqing is also available as an external testing facility. This is now the eighth crash test or sled facility that MESSRING has sold in China in the past two years. At the same time, the size of the team at the company's Chinese subsidiary Chongqing MESSRING Trading Co. LTD, which was founded in 2014, has grown to now include ten employees. To Dierk Arp, CEO of MESSRING, this growth is a clear sign of the fact that vehicle safety is becoming increasingly important in China: "The trend is moving toward large and multifunctional crash test facilities with the option to test large and small vehicles, active and passive safety systems, as well as both conventional and electric drive systems."

The new facility purchased by the testing and research authority CVTRI, which was founded in 2003 and operates two national test centers and one regional test center in China, has a total track length of 270 meters. Of that total, 170 meters are located in a covered hall and 100 meters are outside. MESSRING's MicroTrack rail system will be installed throughout the entire facility, including additional sled tracks for sled tests at certain locations. An electric motor is used to power operations in both directions. Crash tests can be conducted up to a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour.

The hall will house a firmly anchored crash block for car impact tests, a rectangular film pit in front of the crash block, and a second, centrally positioned octagon-shaped film pit with a diameter of about eight meters. An additional crash block with a weight of 25 tons will mark the end of the outdoor track, which is designed for crash tests with trucks or buses. The equipment MESSRING will supply also includes two moving barriers with camera tripods.

MESSRING's designers have already incorporated anchoring systems for rollover, small-overlap, and other types of tests into the facility's layout. Furthermore, the crash test facility can easily be expanded into an oblique track at a later stage. "With this configuration, the CVTRI's new crash test facility has a future-proof design and can be used for global testing scenarios, regardless of whether NCAP, US NCAP, or Euro NCAP," says Mr. Arp, describing the benefits of the concept.

The company plans to bring the new facility into operation in December 2018, with MESSRING's teams of experts beginning to install the facility on-site in July 2018. MESSRING is managing the project in collaboration with its subsidiary Chongqing MESSRING Trading Co. LTD, which is also headquartered in Chongqing. When it comes to planning, installing, and commissioning the crash test facility, the German and Chinese experts will be working very closely together. "Being able to provide services and support to our Chinese customers through Chinese engineers and employees is very important to us," says Mr. Arp. MESSRING has also maintained its own spare parts warehouse in China for several years, which allows the company to deliver wear parts and other small components at short notice. MESSRING's Chinese subsidiary will also be responsible for future service and maintenance of CVTRI's new facility.

Contact: +86-23-6308-0664, guang.zhu@messring.cn
DALLAS (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Justice Department has informed AT&T (T) that it will block the telecommunications giant's planned $85 billion takeover of Time Warner unless it sells off CNN, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department has raised the prospect that the telecom giant would have to divest either the Turner television unit, which includes CNN along with other cable channels, or the satellite DirecTV business, the reports said. The two sides have engaged in recent tense settlement discussions to address the agency's concerns about the transaction, which would put CNN, HBO and the Warner Bros. film studio under the same corporate roof as satellite broadcaster DirecTV and more than 100 million wireless users. AT&T and the Justice Department are far apart. AT&T offered to sell the CNN business, but the agency rejected the idea. AT&T denied it offered to sell the news network, the reports said. AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson reportedly said the company never offered to sell CNN and has no intention of doing so to win approval of the Time Warner deal. Rather than a major divestment, AT&T is preparing to fight any potential legal challenge in court, arguing the opposition is politically motivated since there is no overlap between the two companies' business lines, the reports said. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that The U.S. Justice Department is laying the groundwork for a possible lawsuit to stop the deal while at the same time negotiating with company executives. 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.
LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenbrier Europe hosted U.S. Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, during a visit to its Greenbrier-Astra Rail facility in Arad, Romania on November 8. Greenbrier-Astra Rail produces bogies and freight wagons for markets in Western and Eastern Europe.

During Ambassador Klemm's visit, he met with management and toured the production facilities. Greenbrier Europe showcased its growth to Ambassador Klemm as it approaches its 20th year in operation during 2018. Ambassador Klemm was joined by Matthew Jones, Political Section, U.S. Embassy, Alexandru Climescu, political specialist, U.S. Embassy, Lucian Crusoveanu, public affairs specialist, U.S. Embassy and Georghe Falca, Mayor of Arad.

Ambassador Klemm's visit follows the merger in June of Greenbrier Europe and Astra Holding GmbH, forming European-based Greenbrier-Astra Rail. The union creates Europe's largest end-to-end freight wagon manufacturing, engineering and repair business to reach markets throughout Europe, Eurasia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia. The creation of Greenbrier-Astra Rail is an important and positive example of investment by an American-headquartered business in Eastern Europe and Romania.

Greenbrier-Astra Rail has combined Greenbrier's European operations, headquartered in Aswidnica, Poland and Astra Rail. The combination of the two companies, coupled with Greenbrier's recent investment in Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Mexico, opens a new chapter in Greenbrier's history, creating a larger international footprint and global network. Greenbrier-Astra Rail is capable of supporting many markets from its global facilities, including an expanded platform in Europe and developing markets within the GCC, Africa and Eurasia.

Bernd Boese, Chief Executive Officer of Greenbrier-Astra Rail, said, "We are proud to share this unique moment with Ambassador Klemm." Boese added, "We believe there are significant future opportunities in international markets and our integrated business model ensures we are well positioned to help customers globally with rail solutions."

About Greenbrier

Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America. Greenbrier Europe is an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business with operations in Poland and Romania that serves customers across Europe and in the nations of the GCC. Greenbrier builds freight railcars and rail castings in Brazil through two separate strategic partnerships. We are a leading provider of wheel services, parts, railcar management & regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and related transportation industries in North America. Greenbrier offers freight railcar repair, refurbishment and retrofitting services in North America through a joint venture partnership with Watco Companies, LLC. Through other unconsolidated joint ventures, we produce industrial and rail castings, tank heads and other components. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of over 8,300 railcars and performs management services for 355,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com.

Logo- http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600654/The_Greenbrier_Companies_Inc_GBX_Logo.jpg
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 8, 2017 / Canadian Zeolite Corp. (the "Company") (TSX-V: CNZ) (OTCQB: CNZCF) (FSE: ZEON) is pleased to report that it has closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") described in its news release of October 23, 2017. In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,947,267 units (the "Units") at a price of CDN$0.30 per Unit for gross proceeds of CDN$884,180. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Share at an exercise price of CDN$0.75 per Share until November 10, 2018 which is 12 months from the date of issuance, subject to the following acceleration right. If, at any time after the date that is 4 months and one day after the date of issuance of the Warrants, the closing price of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other stock exchange on which the common shares may be traded from time to time) is at or above CDN$1.00 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the "Triggering Event"), in which event the Company may, within 5 days of the Triggering Event, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice thereof to the holders of the Warrants, by way of news release, and in such case the Warrants will expire on the first day that is 30 business days after the date on which such notice is given by the Company announcing the Triggering Event.

Canadian Zeolite intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for expansion of distribution channels into eastern Canada and the United States, as well as general working capital.

The Company will pay aggregate finder's fees of CDN$50,574 in connection with subscriptions from subscribers introduced to the Offering by Mackie Research Capital Corp., PI Financial Corp., Raymond James Ltd., Dundee Securities Ltd., Sherbrooke Street Capital Inc., Leede Jones Gable Inc. and Nazim Baksh.

Closing of the Offering is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities issued under the Offering, and any Shares that may be issuable on exercise of any such securities, will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance of such securities.

On Behalf of the Board

"Ray Paquette"

President & CEO

604.684.3301

www.canadianzeolite.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 news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Without limiting the foregoing, such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the process and completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and any statements regarding the Company's business plans, expectations and objectives. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking information. Forward looking information should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities commissions and the discussion of risk factors set out therein. Such documents are available at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and on the Company's website, www.canadianzeolite.com. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

SOURCE: Canadian Zeolite Corp.




LONDON / SINGAPORE, Nov 9, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Two revered data center executives have been appointed to lead the judging panel for the Datacloud Asia 2018 awards. Joshua Au, Head of Data Center, A*STAR, joins as Chairman, and Billy Lee Kok Chi, Advisor and formerly Founding Chairman of the Malaysian Data Center Association, as Vice Chairman.With an extended panel of Judges, the Datacloud Asia Awards for 2018 aims to be globally relevant and give recognition to the most innovative companies and people in the sector. The Awards ceremony, which includes a gala dinner, will be held on the evening of 22nd March at the prestigious Capella Hotel in Singapore."I am honored to accept the position of chairman, and look forward to working with the panel of distinguished judges to honor excellence and innovation demonstrated in the data center industry," commented Joshua Au, Chairman, Datacloud Asia Awards 2018.Billy Lee, Vice Chairman, echoed the sentiments, "I am thrilled to be involved in one of the most prestigious awards in the Asian IT awards calendar, considered the Oscar's equivalent in the data center and cloud space. There will be an opportunity to learn from industry leaders in Asia who are shaping the digital economy."Award nominations close February 10th 2018.Sustaining the refreshed format, the Judges will award the Data Center and Cloud Leadership Awards, selected from nominations made by companies in any of the other categories.All categories are open to enterprise-owned or third-party facilities, cloud service provide, energy specialists and individuals engaged in the data center and cloud sector.The awards will also highlight data center location, a highly competitive area of the market today. Many agencies across Asia compete not only with each other, but also internationally, and the award will denote industry distinction.The Judges also wished to bring a special spotlight on upcoming service providers in all industry categories.The full Award categories are:- Excellence in Data Center Service Award Asia- Excellence in Data Center Service Award South East Asia- Best Data Center Energy Solution Award- Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility -- Company of the Year- Data Center Above and Beyond Award- Excellence in Data Center IT Architecture and Design Award- Data Center Location Award- Connectivity Provider of the Year Award- Best programme for Data Center training and professional development- Excellence in Cloud Service Award Asia- Excellence in Cloud Service Award South East Asia- Enterprise Cloud Adoption Award- Marketer of the Year Award- Individual Industry Contribution -- Ambassador AwardAmong the newer award categories are 'Best Energy Solution Award', for the use of a disruptive energy innovation, and 'Excellence in Connectivity Award', for high levels of service reliability and availability provided by cable, dark fibre and Internet Exchange providers.The Judges also announce the 'Individual Industry Contribution -- Ambassador Award' which will recognize an Asia ambassador for the Data Center and Cloud Industry for 2018-2019."Data centers have truly come of age," commented Philip Low, chairman of BroadGroup, "and the Datacloud Asia Awards, as the premier awards in the sector, will uniquely reflect its importance. Excellence will be the guideline for the Judges of this year's nominations."Companies shortlisted gain immediate recognition, and winners make contact with a global network of potential customers and partners sustain the success of their innovation and service excellence.About BroadGroupBroadGroup is an Information Media Technology and Professional Services provider and a member company of FTSE 250 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. Established in 2002, the company has achieved recognition and growth through delivering quality research and events across the IT infrastructure sector. Its Data Center and Cloud practice is the market leader in providing commercial due diligence, research and analysis for the sector. The company's event portfolio brands include Datacloud, Datacloud Awards, Finance and Investment Forum and Dark Fibre Convention which deliver high quality international networking and business opportunity events. The company also owns the leading online information source, magazine and specialist forum Data Economy. Visit www.broad-group.com and www.data-economy.com.Contact:John Vather+44-20-71995-730john.vather@broad-group.comSource: Datacloud AsiaCopyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Noble Energy, Inc. (NBL) announced Wednesday that it has signed a definitive agreement with SRC Energy Inc. (SRCI) to divest approximately 30,200 net acres from the Company's non-core DJ Basin position in Weld County, Colorado for $608 million. Included with the acreage sold is approximately 4,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day or Boe/d. The transaction, effective as of November 1, is anticipated to close on two separate dates. Acreage and non-operated production are included in the initial closing by the end of 2017, followed by a second closing for operated producing properties by mid-2018. The closings are subject to customary terms and conditions, with the initial closing representing over 90 percent of the total transaction value. Approximately 50 percent of the acreage is located in the Company's Greely Crescent area and the remainder is in the Bronco area. The company noted that proceeds from this transaction continue to highlight a strong market valuation for its DJ Basin position. It will be prioritized to further strengthen investment-grade balance sheet. Gary Willingham, Noble Energy's Executive Vice President, Operations, said, 'This sale of acreage in our Greely Crescent and Bronco development areas represents an acceleration of value as it was not likely to be developed by us for a number of years. Our DJ Basin activities, both now and for several years to come, will remain focused on the northern and eastern parts of the basin.' 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.
- Company Begins Development of MP0310, First DARPin Therapy in Early-stage Immuno-oncology Portfolio

- R&D Update and Webcast Today Highlights Continued Progress in Pipeline in Oncology and Ophthalmology

ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2017 / Molecular Partners AG (SWX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as DARPin therapies, today announces continued progress with its robust pipeline of therapeutic candidates in oncology and ophthalmology, as well as expansion of its early-stage immuno-oncology portfolio. Today's R&D update in New York, entitled 'The DARPin Difference - Offering Patients a New Dimension of Protein Therapeutics,' will feature a series of presentations highlighting the scientific rationale and the potential clinical impact of the DARPin approach, as well as Molecular Partners' continued forward integration and evolution towards becoming a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company.

Today's event for institutional investors, sell-side analysts, investment bankers, and business development professionals will take place in the Cosmopolitan Suite at the Four Seasons New York, 57 East 57th Street, from 12.00-2.30 pm EST. For those who are unable to attend in person, a live webcast and replay will be accessible.

'A growing body of scientific and clinical evidence suggests that our DARPin drug discovery platform is a powerful and practical engine for developing medicines that make a tangible difference in the lives of patients, physicians and society,' commented Patrick Amstutz, CEO of Molecular Partners. 'With a late-stage asset in ophthalmology, continued progress with two key oncology clinical development programs, and the emergence of MP0310, the first early-stage immuno-oncology compound originating from our I/O DARPin toolbox, we combine the scientific strength of our DARPin platform with a strong financial position.'

In addition to an overview of the Molecular Partners clinical and pre-clinical pipeline, the R&D update event will feature presentations by the following medical and scientific experts:

Prof. Angelo Vacca, MD, Chief of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy: Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Kathryn A. Gold, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Richard Baird, PhD, Academic Consultant in Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, University of Cambridge, UK: HER2+ Breast Cancers

Baldo Scassellati Sforzolini, MD, PhD, MBA, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Allergan: abicipar, in wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD)

Attendees are invited to check in to today's R&D update at 11:30 am EST. The presentations will begin at 12:15 pm, followed by a Q&A session. Lunch will be served. The live webcast and replay will be accessible here.

Financial Calendar

February 8, 2018 - Publication of Full-year Results 2017 (unaudited)

March 16, 2018 - Expected Publication of 2017 Annual Report

April 18, 2018 - Annual General Meeting

http://investors.molecularpartners.com/financial-calendar-and-events/



About the DARPin Difference

DARPin therapeutics are a new class of protein therapeutics that open an extra dimension of multi-specificity and multi-functionality. DARPin candidates are potent, specific, safe and very versatile. They can engage more than five targets at once, offering potential benefits over those provided by conventional monoclonal antibodies or other currently available protein therapeutics.

The DARPin technology is a fast and cost-effective drug discovery engine, producing drug candidates with ideal properties for development and very high production yields. With their good safety profile, low immunogenicity and long half-life in the bloodstream and the eye, DARPin therapies have the potential to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the treatment of serious diseases, including cancer and sight-threatening disorders. Molecular Partners is partnering with Allergan to advance clinical programs in ophthalmology and is advancing a proprietary pipeline of DARPin drug candidates in oncology. The most advanced global product candidate is abicipar, a molecule currently in phase 3, in partnership with Allergan. Several DARPin molecules for various ophthalmic indications are also in development. The most advanced systemic DARPin molecule, MP0250, is in a clinical POC study in multiple myeloma. In addition, Molecular Partners will evaluate MP0250 for the treatment of solid tumors in a phase 1b/2 trial in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MP0274, the company's second-most advanced DARPin drug candidate in oncology, has entered into phase 1 clinical development. With its broad anti-HER activity, MP0274 inhibits HER1-, HER2-, and HER3-mediated downstream signaling via Her2, leading to induction of apoptosis. Molecular Partners is also advancing a growing preclinical pipeline that features several immuno-oncological development programs. DARPin is a registered trademark owned by Molecular Partners AG.

About Molecular Partners AG

Molecular Partners AG is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new class of therapies known as DARPin therapies. With a management team that includes many of the company's founding scientists, Molecular Partners continues to attract talented individuals who share a passion for developing breakthrough medicines for serious diseases. Molecular Partners has compounds in various stages of clinical and preclinical development and several more in the research stage, with a current focus on ophthalmology and oncology. The company establishes research and development partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and is backed by established biotech investors.

For more information regarding Molecular Partners AG, go to: www.molecularpartners.com.

For further details, please contact:

Dr. Patrick Amstutz, CEO

patrick.amstutz@molecularpartners.com

Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00

Andreas.Emmenegger, CFO

andreas.emmenegger@molecularpartners.com

Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00

Rolf Schlapfer

Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors

rolf.schlaepfer@konsulenten.ch

Tel: +41 (0) 43 344 42 42

Susan A. Noonan

S.A. Noonan Communications, LLC

susan@sanoonan.com

Tel: +1 212 966 3650

Disclaimer

This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Molecular Partners AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements and assessments or intentions concerning the company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, assessments or intentions.

SOURCE: Molecular Partners AG
Amendment of global R&D and commercialisation partnership between Heptares and Allergan designed to expand clinical development of HTL0018318 in major dementia indication

HTL0018318 is a novel muscarinic M 1 receptor agonist in clinical development as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease

Sosei Group Corporation ("Sosei"); TSE Mothers Index:4565) announces that it has agreed with Allergan to an amendment to the 2016 global R&D and commercialisation partnership between Allergan and Sosei's subsidiary Heptares Therapeutics, in which Allergan gained exclusive rights to Heptares' broad portfolio of novel subtype-selective muscarinic receptor agonists in development for the treatment of major neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171108006751/en/

The amendment sees Sosei gain a licence to develop and commercialise HTL0018318, a novel muscarinic M 1 receptor agonist, in Japan as a potential new treatment for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Initially, Sosei will undertake a Phase 2 proof-of-concept monotherapy study, expected to begin in Japan in 2018. Allergan has retained the right to develop HTL0018318 in DLB globally.

DLB is the second most common form of degenerative dementia after AD and relates to dementia associated with the presence of Lewy bodies (abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein) in the brain that affect behaviour, cognition and movement. In DLB, loss of presynaptic cholinergic (acetylcholine-producing) neurons is thought to be a key driver of disease symptoms. As in AD, postsynaptic neurons and muscarinic receptors in DLB are preserved, which presents an important opportunity for a selective M 1 agonist based approach.

DLB affects up to an estimated 20-30% of all dementia patients. In Japan, this represents approximately 920,000 individuals, and in the US approximately 1.4 million individuals. There are no approved therapies for DLB in the US or Europe, while branded donepezil (Aricept, Eisai) is conditionally approved in Japan.

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Bains, CEO at Sosei, said: "This is a very exciting development in our partnership with Allergan. It provides Sosei with a major go-to-market opportunity for our lead program, which is consistent with our growth strategy. Sosei has developed an extensive understanding of the DLB opportunity in Japan, and alongside our clinical development capabilities and track record of successful product development in Japan we believe we can add significant value to the M 1 agonist program overall through this activity."

Notes to Editors

About Muscarinic receptors

Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) found in multiple tissues. Until now, attempts to develop medicines that target M 1 and M 4 receptors have been unsuccessful because of side effects caused by the activation of M 2 and M 3 receptors. Selective M 1 or M 4 agonists that do not activate M 2 or M 3 therefore are highly sought after, and expected to address blockbuster markets.

About the Heptares Therapeutics and Allergan Partnership

Heptares Therapeutics and Allergan entered a global R&D and commercialisation partnership in April 2016 under which Allergan licensed exclusive global rights to Heptares' broad portfolio of novel subtype-selective muscarinic receptor agonists (M 1 , M 4 and dual M 1 /M 4 agonists) in development for the treatment of major neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.

The companies are advancing a program evaluating a selective M 1 agonist (HTL0018318) through clinical studies as a potential treatment for symptomatic cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's patients; a clinical program to assess the potential of a selective M 4 agonist (HTL0016878) to treat certain neurobehavioural symptoms of Alzheimer's disease; and are developing dual M 1 /M 4 agonists with potential to treat both cognitive and neurobehavioural symptoms through preclinical studies.

In addition, Sosei plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study with HTL0018318 in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies in Japan.

About Sosei

Sosei Group Corporation is an international biopharmaceutical company originating from Japan that discovers and develops innovative biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, cancer, migraine, addiction, metabolic disease, and other indications. By utilizing its GPCR structure-based drug design platform technology, Sosei has established a product pipeline with first/best in class potential. Through development and commercialization partnerships, Sosei has already delivered two bronchodilators for COPD which generate significant and stable revenue streams that enable further growth. Sosei partners include Novartis, Allergan, AstraZeneca, MedImmune, MorphoSys, Teva, and Pfizer and we are actively looking for new partnerships to enhance the development of our products and help us deliver them to patients worldwide.

For further information about Sosei, please visit http://www.sosei.com/en/.

Sosei Group Corporate Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialisation of products. Various risks may cause Sosei's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialise products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialisation activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171108006751/en/

Contacts:

Sosei Group Corporation

Chris Cargill, +44 (0)7912 892 199

Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

ccargill@sosei.com

or

Harumi Banse, +81-(0)3-5210-3399

Investor Relations and Corporate Communications (Japan)

hbanse@sosei.com
A juvenile has admitted writing threats on a bathroom stall of Eau Claire Memorial High School, Eau Claire Police said Thursday.

The threats on Wednesday led Memorial officials to evacuate students and shorten the school day.

The juvenile is being referred to Eau Claire County Juvenile Intake under a section of Wisconsin law covering making a bomb scare and whats considered to be a terrorist threat.

The incident started at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after the school reported the threats which included: Get your students out B4 I kill them, If you dont they will die!, I have a bomb and loaded gun, and Im hiding somewhere. You have until lunch to get them out.

The Eau Claire School District decided to do a controlled evacuation of staff and students, and were helped doing that by several members of the police department.

After the evacuation, the department called in five bomb detection dogs from area law enforcement agencies. No signs of explosives or firearms were found in a search.

Police talked with several students and faculty members and reviewed video footage. A suspect was identified and interviewed.

The police department received help from the La Crosse Police Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota) Airport Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Their assistance with providing bomb detection dogs helped ensure a safe building within a very timely manner, Eau Claire Police said.
Return to profitability by 2020: 2% automotive recurring operating margin, positive operational free cash flow 1

Lower financial break-even point to 800,000 vehicles

Electrification and CO 2 leadership: All passenger carlines to be electrified by 2024

leadership: All passenger carlines to be electrified by 2024 Improve efficiency towards benchmark levels for manufacturing and logistics cost as well as for wage cost/revenue-ratio

Intention to maintain and modernise all plants and to refrain from forced redundancies

R&D centre in Russelsheim to become a global competence centre for Groupe PSA

Enlarge commercial scope: Leverage Opel brand for overseas export opportunities and foster growth of Opel/Vauxhall LCV business

PACE! execution to immediately unleash Opel/Vauxhall performance and pave the way to a sustainable future

Regulatory News:

Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Opel Automobile GmbH, today announced the strategic plan PACE! to restore financial fundamentals and enhance sustainable competitiveness and growth. All PACE! initiatives will contribute to the goals of generating a positive operational free cash flow as well as a recurring operating margin for the auto division of 2% in a first phase by 2020 and of 6% by 2026. Combining strengths will unleash annual synergies on Groupe PSA level of 1.1 billion by 2020 and 1.7 billion by 2026. All actions will contribute to a lower financial break-even point for Opel/Vauxhall of 800,000 vehicles, creating a profitable business model whatever the headwinds may be.

Having full access to Groupe PSA technologies, Opel/Vauxhall will become a European CO 2 leader. By 2024, all European passenger carlines will be electrified offering a pure battery electric propulsion or plug-in hybrid version alongside efficient internal combustion engines. By 2020, Opel/Vauxhall will have four electrified carlines on the market, including the Grandland X PHEV and the next generation Corsa as a fully electric vehicle.

The company will enhance its competitiveness by 2020 e.g. by reducing costs by 700 per car. Efficiency of marketing expenses will be improved by more than 10%. Overall efficiencies will be increased by reducing complexity across all functions with a ratio G&A/revenue moving from 5.6% to 4.7% and an objective to bring the company towards industry benchmark in terms of wage cost/revenue ratio. Optimising R&D and CapEx at 7-8% of automotive revenue, manufacturing and administration processes by 2020 and releasing working capital of 1.2 billion by 2022 will also contribute to seizing synergies.

Improved competitiveness of the manufacturing plants will lead to new vehicle allocations that will provide a better utilisation rate for the next decade. The two Groupe PSA platforms CMP and EMP2 will be localised in all Opel/Vauxhall plants. To start with, an EMP2-based SUV is planned for Eisenach in 2019; and an EMP2-based D-segment vehicle is coming to Russelsheim. The allocation of new powertrains in Opel/Vauxhall manufacturing sites will accompany the shift from GM to Groupe PSA engines and transmissions.

"PACE! will unleash our full potential. This plan is paramount for the company, to protect our employees against headwinds and turn Opel/Vauxhall into a sustainable, profitable, electrified, and global company. Our future will be secured and we will contribute with German excellence to the Groupe PSA development. The implementation has already started with all teams eager to achieve the objectives," said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

The plan is designed with the clear intention to maintain all plants and refrain from forced redundancies in Europe. The necessary and sustainable reduction of labour costs shall be reached with thoughtful measures such as innovative working time concepts, voluntary programs or early retirement schemes.

All new Opel/Vauxhall vehicles will be engineered in Russelsheim, which will be transformed into a global competence centre for the whole Groupe PSA. First areas of expertise are identified, e.g. fuel cells, certain automated driving technologies and driver assistance developments. This will further guarantee German engineering quality and affordable innovations. Altogether, the number of platforms Opel/Vauxhall uses for its passenger cars will be reduced from currently 9 to 2 by 2024. Furthermore, the powertrain families will be optimised from currently 10 to 4. "Aligning architecture and powertrain families will substantially reduce development and production complexity, thus allowing scale effects and synergies, contributing to overall profitability," said Lohscheller.

Opel/Vauxhall will switch to efficient and flexible Groupe PSA vehicle architectures faster than originally expected. From 2024 onwards, all Opel/Vauxhall passenger car models will be based on joint Groupe PSA architectures. Next to come are the Combo in 2018 and the next generation of the bestselling Corsa in 2019. This course will be steadily continued with one major launch per year. Counting every body style, Opel/Vauxhall will launch 9 new models by 2020. This line-up will enable to increase the pricing power of Opel/Vauxhall brands and reduce the gap against benchmark by four points.

Sales growth of the further profiled and strengthened Opel/Vauxhall brands will be supported by initiatives like the start of even more attractive financial offerings as well as full service leasing offers via the Financial Services of Opel and Vauxhall.

Furthermore, Opel will enter more than 20 new export markets by 2022. Beyond that, Opel will explore global midterm overseas profitable export opportunities.

To foster growth in the financially attractive light commercial vehicle (LCV) business, Opel/Vauxhall will launch new models and enter new markets with the clear goal to increase its LCV sales by 25% by 2020 against 2017.

"PACE! has been designed by Opel/Vauxhall for the benefit of our employees as an immediate performance booster," said Lohscheller.

1 Defined as ROI D&A capex Capitalised R&D Change in NWC

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171108006759/en/

Contacts:

Harald Hamprecht

General Director Internal Corporate Communications

Tel.: +49 6142/7-54 440

Mobile: +49 160 97 81 73 33

harald.hamprecht@opel.com

or

Michael Gontgens

Group Manager Corporate Communications

Tel.: +49 6142/7-72 279

Mobile: +49 1604/8-28 317

michael.goentgens@opel.com

or

Annemarie Schreeb

Assistant Manager Corporate Communications

Tel.: +49 6142/7-72914

Mobile: +49 160 913 442 30

annemarie.schreeb@opel.com

or

Groupe PSA

Corporate Newsroom

Mobile: +33 6 61 93 29 36

psa-presse@mpsa.com
Regulatory News:

SAFE ORTHOPAEDICS (Paris:SAFOR) (FR0012452746 SAFOR), a company offering innovative ranges of sterile implants combined with their single-use instruments for back surgery, today announces the appointment of Francois-Henri Reynaud as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.

Francois-Henri has 13 years' experience in finance. For five years, he was initially involved in financing innovative business companies in a financial institution, before overseeing several corporate finance transactions (fund-raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions) as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of companies in a variety of sectors including medical devices and renewable energies. His most recent appointment was at Global Bioenergies, a listed industrial biology company.

Francois-Henri Reynaud's main role will be to handle the Company's financial and administrative affairs, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer.

Francois-Henri Reynaud, Safe Orthopaedics' new Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, commented: "It is a unique opportunity to join Safe Orthopaedics just as the Company has reported an increase in its third-quarter revenues of over 63% year-on-year and is expanding its business worldwide."

Pierre Dumouchel, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Safe Orthopaedics, added: "Together with his expertise in finance, Francois-Henri's appointment as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer brings to the table his experience of establishing and building up international subsidiaries just as Safe Orthopaedics embarks on a new phase of expansion to accelerate its growth and business development".

Next financial release: full-year 2017 revenues, Monday, January 15, 2018 (after the market closes)

About Safe Orthopaedics

Founded in 2010, Safe Orthopaedics is a French medical technology company that aims to make spinal surgeries safer by using sterile implants and associated single-use instruments. Through this approach, these products eliminate all risk of contamination, reduce infection risks and facilitate a minimally-invasive approach for trauma and degenerative pathologies-benefiting patients. Protected by 17 patent families, the SteriSpineTM kits are CE-marked and FDA approved. The company is based at Eragny-sur-Oise (Val d'Oise department), and has 34 employees.

For more information, visit:www.SafeOrtho.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171108006217/en/

Contacts:

Safe Orthopaedics

Francois-Henri Reynaud, Tel.: +33 (0)1 34 21 50 00

CFO

investors@safeorthopaedics.com

or

NewCap

Julien Perez Valentine Brouchot

Investor Relations

or

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

SafeOrtho@newcap.eu
F-Secure Corporation, Interim report, 9 November 2017 at 09.00 EET CORPORATE SECURITY REVENUE UP BY 11% - GOOD GROWTH CONTINUED This is a summary of F-Secure's Interim Report. The full report is a PDF file attachment to this stock exchange release and is also available on the company's website at the address: www.f-secure.com/ir. Highlights of July-September (Q3) -- Revenue increased by 6% year-on-year to EUR 41.0 million (38.8m) -- Revenue from corporate security increased by 11% to EUR 16.8 million (15.1m), representing 41% (39%) of all revenue -- Revenue from consumer security increased by 2% to EUR 24.2 million (23.7m), representing 59% (61%) of all revenue -- EBIT was EUR 3.3 million, representing 8% of revenue (4.5m, 12%) and reflecting significant investments in growth -- Earnings per share (EPS) was EUR 0.02 (EUR 0.02, EUR 0.02 including discontinued operations) -- Deferred revenue increased by 11% to EUR 56.0 million (50.4m) at the end of the quarter, reflecting strong order intake in corporate security -- Cash flow from operations was EUR 1.3 million (6.8m) Highlights of January-September -- Revenue increased by 8% year-on-year to EUR 125.3 million (115.9m) -- Revenue from corporate security increased by 16% to EUR 52.3 million (45.1m), representing 42% (39%) of all revenue -- Revenue from consumer security increased by 3% to EUR 72.9 million (70.8m), representing 58% (61%) of all revenue -- EBIT was EUR 7.2 million, representing 6% of revenue (12.3m, 11%) -- Earnings per share (EPS) was EUR 0.05 (EUR 0.06, EUR 0.06 including discontinued operations) -- Cash flow from operations was EUR 14.7 million (12.3m) Figures in this Interim Report are unaudited. All income statement figures refer to continuing operations, and figures in brackets refer to the corresponding period in the previous year, unless otherwise stated. F-Secure's personal cloud storage business (younited) was sold to Synchronoss Technologies in February 2015 and is reported as discontinued operations 2015-2016. Outlook for 2017 The company's outlook for 2017 is unchanged: -- Revenue is anticipated to grow from the previous year's level (2016: EUR 158.3 million ) -- Operating profit is anticipated to be EUR 8-12 million (2016: EUR 19.2 million); profitability in the first quarter of 2017 is foreseen to be lowest during the year following typical seasonality, and clearly better towards the year-end CEO SAMU KONTTINEN In the third quarter, the good progress with F-Secure's new corporate security products underlined our on-going transformation into a broader provider of cyber security products and services. Our corporate security business continued to grow by double digits, as revenue from corporate security increased by 11%, and from consumer security by 2%. F-Secure's total revenue increased by 6% compared to the previous year, amounting to EUR 41.0 million. At the same time, our deferred revenue grew by 11%. Our order intake in corporate security is growing clearly faster than revenue, as new multi-year deals in corporate security have a strong impact on order intake but are less visible in reported quarterly revenue. This difference will be even more highlighted during the on-going quarter. Our operating profit in July-September was EUR 3.3 million (8% of revenue). During the third quarter, our operating expenses were slightly lower than expected due to slowness in hiring, while overall we have continued our planned investments to support our growth. In corporate security, we continue to see companies striving to improve their cyber resilience. There is strong customer demand for solutions that allow companies to safeguard themselves against targeted attacks, and to detect stealth mode breaches early on. This is driving interest both for F-Secure's new products as well as services. With new products, I was particularly pleased with the positive progress with F-Secure's Rapid Detection Service (RDS), including a significant win in the German financial sector, where we replaced a competing solution. With cyber security services we had another strong quarter, and added several new customer while expanding contracts with many existing key customers. Overall, we continued to see the benefits of having a comprehensive offering consisting of products that address most complicated cyber-attacks, as well as complementing services such as forensics, incident response and red teaming. With endpoint security solutions, we continued to win market share, but the high performance in certain countries was partly offset by the lower performance in others. We are currently taking action to get those countries back to their anticipated growth pace. Due to the mixed performance with endpoint security solutions, our overall corporate security revenue growth was at the lower end of our expectations in the reporting period. In consumer security, total revenue grew in line with our current thinking. Revenue from the operator channel was flat. However, we saw weakening in Latin America. In direct sales to consumers we experienced another very strong quarter. It is encouraging to see that we have been able to simultaneously increase sales of our endpoint protection (F-Secure SAFE) and privacy (F-Secure FREEDOME) solutions both individually and as a commercial bundle (F-Secure TOTAL). F-Secure SENSE continued to get positive reviews from the media, as well as generate interest among partners. However, revenue impact is still very limited and we continue to view SENSE primarily as a mid- to long-term opportunity. As we continue to invest in growth, I'm pleased to see how our expanded portfolio of products and services is creating new business opportunities for F-Secure. Looking forward, cybersecurity will surely remain a top priority for organizations of every size as threats keep mounting. Moreover, as tensions build up globally, geopolitics are increasingly a factor when customers choose their security vendors. Being based in a neutral country such as Finland can be, and often is, viewed as an advantage. Key figures Key figures are for continuing operations unless otherwise stated. EUR m 7-9/20 7-9/20 Change 1-9/2017 1-9/2016 Change 1-12/201 17 16 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue 41.0 38.8 6 % 125.3 115.9 8 % 158.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating profit 3.3 4.5 -27 % 7.2 12.3 -42 % 19.2 (EBIT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- % of revenue 8 % 12 % 6 % 11 % 12 % -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit before 3.5 4.5 -23 % 8.4 13.2 -36 % 20.8 taxes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings per 0.02 0.02 -11% 0.05 0.06 -17% 0.10 share, continuing operations (EUR) 1) 3) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings per 0.02 0.02 4% 0.05 0.06 -13% 0.10 share, (EUR) 1) 2) 3) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deferred revenue 56.0 50.4 11 % 54.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and 81.1 86.6 -13 % 92.7 available-for-sal e financial assets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROI, % 2) 25.1 % 24.6 % 17.3 % 24.9 % 28.6 % -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity ratio, % 2) 64.7 % 67.9 % 66.7 % -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gearing, % 2) -121.6 % -123.4 % -122.1 % -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personnel, end of 1,060 1,016 4 % 1,026 period 2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Based on the weighted average number of outstanding shares during the period 156,710,000 (7-9/2017) and 156,430,933 (1-9/2017) 2) Includes both continuing and discontinued operations 3) Earnings per share (EPS) excluding returned withholding taxes was EUR 0.03 for 1-9/2017. News conference and webcast A news conference for analysts and media will be held (in Finnish) at the company's headquarters (address: Tammasaarenkatu 7, 00180 Helsinki) today at 11.00-12.00 a.m. (EET). A webcast will be held (in English) at 14.00 p.m. (EET ). -- To participate in the online meetin, please click on the link: https://meet.f-secure.com/tapio.pesola/81VLJKPQ -- To participate via phone, please dial in to +358975110100. The conference ID is 5779133. The material will be available at the company's website before the call begins: www.f-secure.com/investors. F-Secure Corporation Additional information This is a summary of F-Secure's Interim Report. The full report is a PDF file attachment to this stock exchange release and is also available on the company's website at the address: www.f-secure.com/ir. Contact information Samu Konttinen, CEO, F-Secure +358 9 2520 0700 Eriikka Soderstrom, CFO, F-Secure +358 40 669 1844 Tapio Pesola, IR Manager, F-Secure +358 44 3734693 Financial calendar F-Secure Corporation will publish its financial calendar for 2018 later this year Capital Markets Day F-Secure will host a Capital Markets Day on 22 November in Helsinki. More information about the Capital Markets Day is available at www.f-secure.com/cmd. Analysts and instititutional investors are requested to register by 15 November to investor-relations@f-secure.com. - Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=652184
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 2.00 am ET Thursday, Destatis releases Germany's foreign trade figures. Exports are forecast to fall 1.3 percent on month, while imports are expected to climb 0.4 percent in September. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major opponents. While the euro rose against the greenback, it declined against the franc. Against the yen and the pound, the currency held steady. The euro was worth 131.80 against the yen, 1.1609 against the greenback, 1.1582 against the franc and 0.8838 against the pound as of 1:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Real estate firm Hammerson Plc (HMSO.L) reported a 17 percent increase in total leasing volumes for the third quarter from last year. In the third quarter, the Group (excluding Premium Outlets) signed leases worth 6.8 million pounds of rental income, up 17 percent on the same quarter last year. The company noted that leases signed were 4 percent above previous passing and at 11 percent above December 2016 ERV. Improved tenant sales performance in the period was witnessed. While UK sales were flat, France sales grew 5.6 percent year on year in the quarter. Occupancy was stable at 97 percent. David Atkins, Chief Executive of Hammerson, said, 'In the third quarter we have maintained good leasing activity across our portfolio of leading retail assets, demonstrating that brands are continuing to prioritise space in well-invested, prime locations. In the UK and France, our tenant sales have shown an encouraging pattern of improvement in Q3.' Hammerson is today hosting a visit to Westquay shopping centre, Southampton, for investors and analysts. The event will include an update on performance across the wider Group for the period since the Half Year results in July, including key trading information for the third quarter up to 30 September 2017. 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.
ZURICH, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Scandit, the leading developer of next-generation mobile data capture solutions based on computer vision, augmented reality and machine learning technologies, has launched Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web, a product that seamlessly extends the reach and versatility of mobile and desktop browsers via built-in barcode scanning. Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web lets enterprises integrate barcode scanning via smartphone or desktop camera directly into any web page, turning mobile e-commerce websites into customer engagement vehicles and employee productivity tools by adding capabilities previously only available in mobile apps.

For example, by accessing a company website, retail customers can scan product barcodes to perform mobile shopping, instantly add items to their gift registries or scan loyalty cards to apply targeted discounts, without downloading an app. In addition, business customers can replace replenishment orders, check inventory and confirm the status of their deliveries, while company employees can perform shipping and receiving tasks and certify proof of delivery. Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web easily works with popular e-commerce platforms like SAP Hybris and Salesforce Commerce Cloud (formerly Demandware).

"Our customers have been looking for ways to perform scan-based tasks without a need to download an app. Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web helps them achieve exactly that," said Samuel Mueller, CEO of Scandit. "With minimal integration effort, enterprises can bring the power of Scandit's barcode scanning technology to their websites and e-commerce touchpoints and enable their customers, business partners and employees to seamlessly interact and engage with them."

Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web is the latest in the series of Scandit innovations that bridge physical and digital environments through a powerful mobile data capture technology and offer businesses a transformative, software-based solution for real-time enterprise insight and connectivity.

Links:

Learn more about Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web:https://www.scandit.com/scandit-launches-barcode-scanner-sdk-for-web-brings-scanning-to-the-browser

See Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web in action:https://websdk.scandit.com/

Try it for 30 days:https://ssl.scandit.com/customers/new?p=test&source=websdk

Learn more about Scandit:https://www.scandit.com

About Scandit

Scandit is the leading enterprise mobility and data capture company, specializing in barcode scanning solutions that transform business processes across industries including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and retail. Through its software technologies and cloud services, Scandit empowers organizations to rapidly build, deploy and manage mobile apps for smartphones, tablets and wearable devices. The resulting solutions offer a lower total cost of ownership than traditional, dedicated devices. Scandit's solutions portfolio includes patented, software-based optical data capture technology, an innovative iPhone Case and rapidly deployable enterprise mobile apps. Built on its 'Flow' Mobile Application Development Platform (MADP) for data capture, the company's cloud-based mobility solutions are enabling business transformation for thousands of businesses worldwide, including top brands Cardinal Health, Coop, NASA, and Verizon Wireless.
Expanded European presence enables Workonline Communications to deliver high-quality IP transit and connectivity services to African Market

INTERXION HOLDING NV (NYSE: INXN), a leading provider of carrier and cloud-neutral colocation data centre services in Europe, today announced that Workonline Communications, the leading pan-African IP transit network, has deployed Points of Presence (PoPs) in its Amsterdam and Frankfurt data centre campuses.

With PoPs located at these key Iocations, Workonline Communications interconnects with other global networks and Europe's largest internet exchanges, cost effectively enhancing its ability to deliver content and traffic to and from Africa.

"Amsterdam and Frankfurt are two of Interxion's most connected and carrier-dense campuses in Europe," said Mike Hollands, director of market development and strategy at Interxion. "By expanding its presence to these locations, Workonline Communications strengthens its European edge to deliver highly-performant, reliable and secure services to meet the demands of the African market."

With IP traffic in Africa set to grow six-fold, and Sub-Saharan Africa expected to have 500 million mobile users all by 2020, the market is experiencing unprecedented demand for content distribution between Europe and Africa. By deploying PoPs at Interxion's campuses, Workonline Communications brings the African market closer to content networks with a European presence, for improved end-user experience. At the same time, Interxion customers can now access secure and reliable connectivity options provided by Workonline Communications for new and existing opportunities in Africa.

"At Workonline, we are committed to connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa," said Edward Lawrence, director of business development at Workonline Communications. "With its strategically located, secure, reliable and highly connected facilities, we are certain that Interxion is the right partner to help us to do just that. We look forward to continuing to expand our relationship with Interxion in the near future."

About Interxion

Interxion (NYSE: INXN) is a leading provider of carrier and cloud-neutral colocation data centre services in Europe, serving a wide range of customers through 48 data centres in 11 European countries. Interxion's uniformly designed, energy efficient data centres offer customers extensive security and uptime for their mission-critical applications.

With over 600 connectivity providers, 21 European Internet exchanges, and most leading cloud and digital media platforms across its footprint, Interxion has created connectivity, cloud, content and finance hubs that foster growing customer communities of interest. For more information, please visit www.interxion.com.

About Workonline Communications

Workonline (AS 37271) is widely acclaimed as one of the largest, and most extensively globally peered, IP transit providers in Africa. Being pivotal in the development of the African internet ecosystem, Workonline customers include many of Africa's and the world's largest ISPs and CDNs.

Workonline engineers are often recognised for their achievements in the international community, building the best quality, globally respected and well-engineered network on the African continent. www.workonline.co.za |@wolcomm

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005130/en/

Contacts:

March Communications

Samantha Powers, +1 617-960-8896

interxion@marchcomms.com
Prudential Retirement, a unit of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), and Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), have entered into their fifth longevity reinsurance transaction since 2015. In the agreement, The Prudential Insurance Company of America assumes the longevity risk for $1.2 billion (about 900 million) in pension liabilities, covering approximately 4,000 pensioners across four pension schemes.

The transaction highlights the rebounding demand for pension de-risking solutions in the U.K., and the desire of many U.K. pension insurers to manage their risks and capital using longevity reinsurance. Prudential is a leader and innovator of such solutions.

"Prudential is proud to strengthen its growing partnership with Pension Insurance Corporation," said William McCloskey, Prudential's head of transactions for international longevity reinsurance. "Our teams have worked closely and collaboratively on five transactions worth nearly $5 billion. These agreements help PIC to manage longevity risk and thereby secure the retirement benefits of thousands of U.K. pensioners." The two companies concluded their first agreement in 2015.

Khurram Khan of Pension Insurance Corporation said, "Prudential is now an established longevity reinsurance market participant. This latest agreement covers four sizeable transactions executed by PIC during 2017. The collaborative nature of the talks and speed of deal completion highlight the things we value in a partnership. Over 2017 to date, PIC has now reinsured around 3 billion of longevity risk in support of an excellent year for new business."

McCloskey added, "The resurgent market for pension de-risking in 2017-especially in the U.K.-has sparked demand for longevity reinsurance solutions. As part of our partnership, PIC is tapping into Prudential's capability and capacity to craft solutions that have strengthened Prudential's leading position in the U.K.'s longevity risk transfer market."

This agreement is Prudential Retirement's fourth major transaction of 2017. The company is a global leader in the pension reinsurance market with more than $45 billion in international reinsurance transactions since 2011, including the largest longevity risk transfer transaction on record, a $27.7 billion transaction involving the BT Pension Scheme.

About Pension Insurance Corporation

Pension Insurance Corporation plc ("PIC") is a leading provider of buy-ins and buyouts to the trustees and sponsors of U.K. defined benefit pension schemes. At half year 2017, PIC had insured 145,400 pension fund members and had 24.2 billion in financial investments, accumulated through the provision of tailored pension insurance buyouts and buy-ins to the trustees and sponsors of U.K. defined benefit pension schemes. Clients include FTSE 100 companies, multinationals and the public sector. PIC is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (FRN 454345). For further information please visit www.pensioncorporation.com/.

About Prudential Financial, Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), a financial services leader with more than $1.3 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2017, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.

Prudential Retirement delivers retirement plan solutions for public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Services include defined contribution, defined benefit and non-qualified deferred compensation recordkeeping, administrative services, investment management, comprehensive employee education and communications, and trustee services, as well as a variety of products and strategies, including institutional investment and income products, pension risk transfer solutions and structured settlement services. With more than 85 years of retirement experience, Prudential Retirement helps meet the needs of 4.2 million participants and annuitants. Prudential Retirement has $417.0 billion in retirement account values as of September 30, 2017. Retirement products and services are provided by The Prudential Insurance Company of America (PICA), Newark, N.J., or its affiliates.

Reinsurance contracts are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America (PICA), Newark, N.J., 07102. PICA is not a U.K. authorized insurer and does not conduct business in the United Kingdom or provide direct insurance to any individual or entity therein. Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom.

0312021-00001-00

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005162/en/

Contacts:

Pension Insurance Corporation:

Jeremy Apfel, +44 20 7105 2140

apfel@pensioncorporation.com

or

Prudential Financial:

Gregory Roth, 973-802-6585

Mobile: 973-477-0570

gregory.roth@prudential.com
MOSCOW, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Russian wooden construction materials producer Modern Lumber Technologies Ltd ("Ultralam" TM) has agreed to supply LVL beam to France, Romania, and Denmark in 2018. Relevant agreements were signed on November 6, at the largest building exhibition BATIMAT 2017.

MLT Ltd. contracted with the following companies: ISB France (France, 4,000 m3 per year, 2 mln), Laprom Trading (Romania, 5,000 m3 per year, 2.5 mln), Wennerth Wood Trading ApS (Denmark, 6,000 m3 per year, 3 mln). The total sum of the signed contracts equals to 7.5 mln. Within 2018 the Russian company will supply its partners with 15,000 m3 of LVL beam.

"Russian Timber Industry products are of high quality, which is why the demand for them on the global market is so high. Russian companies are actively adopting new technology, and offer their partners modern solutions. The contracts that were signed on the very first day of our work at the exhibition state the tangible expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russian and EU companies. I am sure, such agreements will provide further impetus to the Russian forest industry development," says Viktor Evtukhov, State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russian Federation.

The largest building industry exhibition BATIMAT 2017 was inaugurated in Paris Nord Villepint Exhibition Center on November 6, 2017. The exhibition will last till November 10. The biggest market players will have an opportunity to demonstrate innovative technology and achievements in the building industry.

Scheduled events include: numerous special conferences and seminars, as well as awarding Best Innovation and Design Achievement winners. According to the specialists, the exhibition will be visited by more than 340,000 specialist-visitors of the industry

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russian Federation has organized the Russian companies' participation in the exhibition as a part of a range of measures aimed at improving Russian Timber Industry attractiveness investment-wise, and promoting building industry both in the domestic and international markets.

15 Russian producer companies are represented at the BATIMAT collaborative booth under a single brand of Russian Timber Industry: MLT Ltd., Segezha Group, Ilim Timber LLC, Soyuz Industrial Group, Sveza Les LLC, WPM Kalevala Co., Ltd., Olrich Production LLC, Svoboda CJSC, Cherepovets Plywood and Furniture Plant JSC, Furniture Concern Katyusha LLC, Volgodonsk Industrial Complex of Wood Boards LLC, Latat LLC,SKMD LLC, Kraslesinvest JSC.

Russian companies will demonstrate wooden construction materials, such as glulam, LVL beam, and also board products: plywood, OSB, MDF, particle board, etc.

Federal press-center programlesprom.ru

Contacts:

info@programlesprom.ru

+7(915)283-15-99

+7(926)142-03-36

+7(925)887-87-41


Shell International Finance B.V. and Royal Dutch Shell plc

9 November 2017

Publication of Prospectus Supplement

The following documents (the "Documents") are available for viewing:

Prospectus Supplement dated 3 November 2017

Royal Dutch Shell plc unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the nine month period ended 30 September 2017

The Documents must be read in conjunction with the Information Memorandum dated 8 August 2017, as supplemented by the first supplement dated 4 September 2017, relating to the Programme. The Information Memorandum constitutes a base prospectus for the purposes of Article 5.4 of Directive 2003/71/EC as amended. Full information on Shell International Finance B.V. and Royal Dutch Shell plc is only available on the basis of the Information Memorandum.

The Documents are available for viewing at the 'Financial Publications' section of Shell's website. To view the Documents, please paste the following URLs into the address bar of your browser.

Royal Dutch Shell plc unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the nine month period ended 30 September 2017

http://www.shell.com/investors/financial-reporting/quarterly-results/2017/q3-2017.html

Prospectus Supplement dated 3 November 2017

http://www.shell.com/investors/financial-reporting/debt-information/euro-medium-term-note-programme.html

Other content available on Shell's website and the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on Shell's website is not incorporated into, and does not forms part of, this announcement.

The Documents have also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm.

Enquiries:

Shell Media Relations

International, UK, European Press: +44 (0)207 934 5550

Shell Investor Relations

Europe: + 31 (0)70 377 3996

DISCLAIMER - INTENDED ADDRESSEES

Please note that the information contained in the Information Memorandum may be addressed to and/or targeted at persons who are residents of particular countries (specified in the Information Memorandum) only and is not intended for use and should not be relied upon by any person outside these countries and/or to whom the offer contained in the Information Memorandum is not addressed. Prior to relying on the information contained in the Information Memorandum, you must ascertain from the Information Memorandum whether or not you are part of the intended addressees of the information contained therein.

This publication does not constitute an offering of the securities described in the Information Memorandum for sale in the United States. This is not for distribution in the United States. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or under any relevant securities laws of any state of the United States and are subject to U.S. tax law requirements. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of the securities in the United States.

Your right to access this service is conditional upon complying with the above requirement.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. board Wednesday approved a $3 billion contract with Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn, a deal the companys CEO is personally backing should it fall apart.

WEDC CEO Mark Hogan said after the board voted 8-2 with member Tom Sylke, an intellectual property lawyer, abstaining that the contract was the product of 28 weeks of negotiations in which the state sought to balance flexibility for the company and protection for state taxpayers.

What weve done on a collective basis has been able to put together a contract that reflects and achieves both of those goals, Hogan said. Were excited about the opportunity for the state to move forward.

Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, who along with Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, voted against the contract in closed session, said spending $3 billion on one company within one industry is a risk that is too much for our taxpayers.

I had hoped that this would be a deal I could support, but it just is too much money for this deal, said Wachs, a 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

The vote took place in private but was announced immediately afterward.

The company is planning to manufacture liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens at a 20 million square-foot campus in Mount Pleasant starting in 2020.

Under the terms of the 29-page contract, released publicly for the first time Wednesday, the company will be able to collect up to $1.35 billion in construction-related tax credits if it creates a gradually increasing number of manufacturing jobs up to 8,450 through 2025. It will also be able to collect up to $1.5 billion in tax credits if it creates up to 13,000 manufacturing jobs by 2022 and maintains that number through 2032.

Though Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn CEO Terry Gou agreed earlier this year on a $10 billion investment by the company, the contract only requires the company to invest $9 billion in the state to be eligible for tax credits. Hogan said the company still plans to invest $10 billion, but the construction tax credits are based on a $9 billion commitment.

The jobs must pay at least $30,000 pear year and average $53,875 annually. The job credits pay out 17 percent of the first $100,000 of salary, which is higher than 7 percent for the states typical enterprise zone job credits. The construction credits equal 15 percent of capital investment, up from 10 percent in a typical enterprise zone.

The company will be eligible to receive up to $10 million in job credits starting in 2018 if it creates 1,040 jobs in the state. To receive any credits next year, the company must create at least 260 jobs. But if the company doesnt earn the credits in a given year, they can be carried forward into subsequent years.

Within five years, the state can reclaim any credits it pays out if the company provides false information, leaves the state or ceases operations and doesnt restart within a year. Those violations could result in the company owing as much as $965 million if they occur in the years after 2022. Also after that point, if the company employs fewer than 6,500 workers the state can reclaim a sliding scale ranging from $500 million in 2023 to $250 million in 2032.

Compliance with the terms will be audited by an independent accountant based on a sample of the companys workforce at the end of each year.

Guarantees offered

Gou and his holding company, SIO International, are pledging to pay back 25 percent of the amount that would be refunded to the state should the company default. Publicly traded parent company Hon Hai Precision Products, the 27th largest company in the world, would back the rest.

After 2032 the deal ends and the state would have no recourse should the company reduce its Wisconsin workforce. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau anticipates the state will recover the $3 billion in lost tax revenue by 2042.

Wisconsin Technology Council president Tom Still, who has supported the deal throughout the process, said Gous personal guarantee and connecting the construction tax credits to the companys manufacturing workforce in the state during construction are unusual for deals of this magnitude.

It sounds like a pretty good belt and suspenders, Still said.

The $2.85 billion in tax credits will mostly be paid from the states existing tax collections because the company also will benefit from a state tax credit that almost eliminates state corporate taxes for manufacturers. The amount of that benefit to the company is unknown and Hogan said the state didnt calculate the amount when negotiating with the company.

Foxconn is also receiving a sales tax exemption estimated to be worth $150 million, similar to the Milwaukee Bucks arena deal. And it is eligible to receive a $100 million incentive as part of a $764 million tax incremental financing district for infrastructure improvements offered by local officials in Racine County.

The WEDC board vote is the final layer of public oversight before the contract can be signed and construction can begin, likely some time next year. Walker and Gou will sign the contract Friday in Racine.

The WEDC board received a copy of the contract Monday ahead of the vote, breaking with the agencys past practice of only providing a staff report summarizing the deal.

The board had been scheduled to vote on the contract on Oct. 17, but the vote was delayed for unspecified reasons. After public pressure mounted on the agency to release the contract, it announced Friday the contract would be provided to board members.
ST PETERSBURG, Russia, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly set a high standard with its level of organisation and the amount of positive feedback that it provoked. More than 2,500 participants, over 160 delegations and 400 journalists took part in the event, which was held from 14 to 18 October in St Petersburg. Representatives from overseas remarked on the number of members and deputy members of parliament present, and on their active participation in the Assembly's work.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8218351-russia-137th-inter-parliamentary-union/

Chairperson of the Council of the Federation Valentina Matvienko noted the high level of professionalism and coordination shown by the Assembly's organisers, and thanked all involved for a job well done. "It is the shared opinion of all participants that this Assembly, in terms of its scale and success, has no precedent in the more than one-hundred-year history of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. I am confident that the forum will become a bright page in the history of international parliamentary cooperation, and will doubtless strengthen Russia's standing on the international stage", she remarked.

A film on the achievements and outcomes of the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly was prepared at the conclusion of the event. It includes some introductory information about the host city, St Petersburg, parliamentarians' impressions of the Assembly, clips from key events in the business programme, and a kaleidoscopic presentation of major events in the accompanying cultural programme.

An English-language version of the concluding film is available at the following link:https://yadi.sk/i/71E81PzD3PNWt9

Roscongress Foundation - a major organizer of congress and exhibition events

The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia's economic potential and strengthening the country's image by organizing conventions, exhibitions, and public events. The Foundation develops substantive content for such events, providing companies and organizations with advice, information, and expert guidance, and offering comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and coverage of the Russian and global economic agendas. It offers administrative services and promotional support for business projects and helps to attract investment, including in the form of public-private partnerships.

Today, its annual programme includes events held from Montevideo to Vladivostok, offering an opportunity to bring together global business leaders, experts, the media, and government officials in one place, creating favourable conditions for dialogue and the promotion of new ideas and projects, and assisting in the creation of social enterprise and charity projects.

http://www.roscongress.org

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/598816/Inter_Parliamentary_Union.jpg )

Video:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8218351-russia-137th-inter-parliamentary-union/
One of the largest independent research firms in the U.K. has chosen Deltek ERP to optimise internal processes and improve financial control London, United Kingdom, 2017-11-09 11:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deltek, the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses, today announced that IFF - one of the U.K.'s leading research firms - has selected Deltek's enterprise resource planning solution to improve visibility and control across its entire business and project portfolio. Deltek's integrated ERP is purpose-built with projects at its core to deliver the business agility, transparency and control needed by modern project-centric organisations. Based in London, England, IFF offers a full suite of social and market research services to a varied client base. The business is structured into teams which specialise in different sectors, each of which originates in public policy and administration but now reaches out to the private sector. These sectors include learning & skills, financial services, business & enterprise, regulations, employment & benefits, professional services and health & wellbeing. As IFF's project and client portfolio continued to expand, its incumbent system was unable to provide real-time visibility and granularity of reporting required by both project managers and business management. To meet the demands of its changing business, IFF initiated an extensive vendor search in Spring of 2017, identifying a potential 13 ERP vendors in its long list. With the assistance of specialist advisor, Gradient Consulting, a series of detailed demonstrations and business process discovery sessions were conducted, with Deltek emerging as the preferred ERP partner. In connecting all core business processes - from customer relationship management, project and resource planning, to financial management and reconciliation - Deltek's integrated project-based ERP platform seamlessly connects people, processes, and information. The key success factors for IFF when selecting its new ERP included: providing greater visibility to all decision makers through reporting and dashboards; improving forecasting of resource and revenue; reducing the complexity and time taken on revenue recognition; and reducing the reliance on spreadsheets and legacy databases. "As one of the largest and fastest growing independent research agencies in the U.K., possessing robust and reliable company insight is crucial. As our business expands, it is extremely important that our ERP system keeps pace to optimise internal process and enable us to continually provide a better service to our clients. From our detailed assessment of ERP vendors, Deltek stood apart from competitors due to its strong references within the market research sector, thorough understanding of our requirements, and commitment to deliver work that truly makes a difference," said Jan Shury, Managing Director at IFF. "IFF approached its ERP selection with a clear set of both functional requirements and key outcomes and metrics which will constitute success. We are thrilled that the depth of our solution's functionality, our industry expertise and our positive customer references have resulted in Deltek being selected as its ERP partner to underpin their systems transformation," said Fergus Gilmore, Deltek's VP and Managing Director, U.K. & Central Europe. About IFF IFF Research illuminates the world for organisations, businesses and individuals, helping them to make better-informed decisions. Established in 1965, IFF combine their in-depth knowledge of the issues faced by clients with a full range of data collection methodologies to ensure the success of each project. About Deltek Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for government contractors, professional services firms and other project-based businesses. For decades, we have delivered actionable insight that empowers our customers to unlock their business potential. 22,000 organisations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek to research and identify opportunities, win new business, recruit and develop talent, optimise resources, streamline operations and deliver more profitable projects. Deltek - Know more. Do more. www.deltek.com Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/207e53b4-e050-4966-84e2-d2885 b3337ad Lauran Cacciatori Deltek 703-885-9947 LauranCacciatori@Deltek.com
PISCATAWAY, NJ -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Opengear (www.opengear.com), a leading provider of solutions that deliver secure, resilient network access and automation to critical IT infrastructure, today announced its placement as 445th on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Opengear grew 169 percent during this period.

Opengear's CEO, Gary Marks, credits the revenue growth with the organization's customer-focused innovation and ability to respond quickly to constantly changing market trends. "Allowing enterprises to remotely and securely access their distributed IT infrastructure at any time is absolutely critical to business continuity. As the growth of IoT increasingly moves data processing closer to the network edge, Opengear solutions allow companies to start up and automate new equipment quickly and cost effectively -- not just in data centers, but at any compute location. Incorporating leading-edge technologies, such as embedded cellular, open APIs and NetOps workflows, enables Opengear's customers to maximize their network availability. Our significant investments in R&D, along with strong partnerships in the sales channel, will ensure we continue to grow at a market-leading pace."

"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers."

"Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."

About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies -- both public and private -- in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Opengear

Opengear delivers secure, resilient access and automation to critical IT infrastructure, even when the network is down. Provisioning, orchestration and remote management of network devices, through innovative software and appliances, enables technical staff to manage their data centers and remote network locations reliably and efficiently. Opengear's business continuity solutions are trusted by global organizations across financial, digital communications, retail and manufacturing industries. The company is headquartered in New Jersey, with R&D centers in Silicon Valley and Brisbane Australia. For more information please visit www.opengear.com

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3179815


The robotic bartender demonstrates how to mix cocktail at the Ice Bar. Two 30-minute demonstrations are held each day. Public Day valid ticket holders can have a taste of six kinds of cocktails, served by the robotic bartender on the last day of the fair.

L"ASTEMIA Pentita from Italy brings to the fair wines from Barolo. One of the wines from year 2013 was carried in man and woman-shaped bottles, adding more fun to the palate.

Front row (from L): Dejan Zidan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; and Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.



HKTDC Communication and Public Affairs Department Agnes Wat Tel: +852 2584 4554 Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

HONG KONG, Nov 9, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - The 10th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened today and will continue until 11 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fair welcomed Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as the guest of honour at this morning's opening ceremony."Entering its 10th anniversary, the Wine & Spirits Fair has grown to become a major event of its kind in Asia," said Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC. "This year's fair features 1,070 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions. We are particularly pleased to welcome first-time exhibitors from Malaysia, Mauritius, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine."1,000+ exhibitors on showHong Kong's wine industry took off after the HKSAR Government eliminated all duty-related customs and administrative controls on wine in 2008. Wine imports have since jumped more than seven-fold, from HK$1.6 billion in 2007 to HK$12 billion in 2016. As the region's renowned wine trading and distribution centre, Hong Kong serves as a gateway for global wine traders to enter Asian markets. This year's Fair features more than 30 group pavilions representing wine-producing regions, trade organisations and governmental organisations from around the world. Among them are new pavilions organised by the Syndicat General des Vignerons de la Champagne (SGV) of France, Southern United States Trade Association, the Russian Export Center, Enterprise Mauritius, Confederacao dos Agricultores de Portugal, Setubal Peninsula Wines of Portugal, and Asociatia Producatorilor si Exportatorilor de Vinuri of Romania.The central European country Slovenia, which has a growing beekeeping industry, is debuting the "Bee World" Interactive Pavilion at the fair to promote "World Bee Day" (20 May), as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. Some Slovenian exhibitors will also showcase wines made from honey. Dejan Zidan, Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, attended the wine-tasting session, "A Flight of Wines from Slovenia," to promote the country's fine wines. Bilateral trade between Slovenia and Hong Kong has been growing in recent years, with Slovenian agricultural and wine exports to Hong Kong exceeding EUR 500,000 in the first half of this year.Global exhibitors are showcasing an array of wines and exhibits at the fair. Some of the highlights include:1) Robotic Bartender Demonstrations at the Ice Bar.2) The new Champagne Avenue, where SGV presents seven growers from four wine regions, along with Champagne tastings by small and medium-sized producers3) Chateau Mercian Nagano's Chardonnay Unwooded 2015 from Japan, the Gold Award winner of the International Wine Challenge 2017. Japan's oldest winery, Chateau Mercian has been operating since 1877. This white wine presents a refreshing peach and lemon peel flavour.4) Dictador 20 Years Solera System Rum from Colombia. With 15 international awards to its name, the rum is one of the world's most awarded varieties of its kind, thanks to its combined use of ancient recipes and modern technology.5) The 2014 Girard Cabernet Sauvignon from the United States. It was served at the first state dinner US President Donald Trump hosted for Chinese President Xi Jinping.Theme zones include Liquor & Beverage Products, Friends of Wine, Wine Education and Wine Accessories Equipment and Services, helping to foster the industry's development.Asia Wine Academy debutsThe Wine & Spirits Fair marks its 10th anniversary with the debut of the Asia Wine Academy, co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). Based on the SHTM's MSc in International Wine Management programme, two courses will be conducted by Masters of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee MW and Steve Charters MW, entitled "Contemporary Trends in Wine Consumption" and "Mastering Tasting & Rising Wine Trends" respectively. Participants will be awarded a certificate of attendance.During the fair, more than 70 events will be held to provide a comprehensive business exchange platform for visitors. These include a Wine Industry Conference, a gala dinner, thematic seminars and more than 50 tasting sessions presenting fine wines from Australia, Germany, Bordeaux (France), Japan, Italy and Slovenia.Some of the highlights of today's opening day include the Wine Industry Conference, entitled "Trends to Watch in 2018: The Business of Bubbles and Beyond," as well as the ninth Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition Award Ceremony, to be held this evening followed by a Gala Wine Dinner. Under the theme "Cabaret Festival," the Gala dinner features a menu prepared by two Michelin-starred Chef Fabrice Vulin from the Macau French restaurant, The Tasting Room. A seminar entitled "Improve Your F&B Operations by Teaming up with Wine & Beverage Suppliers" will be held tomorrow, as well as the buyer forum "Easy Access: Facilitating Wine Trade to the Mainland Market," where speakers will discuss the hottest industry topics.Public DayThe Wine & Spirits Fair will be open to public visitors aged 18 or above* on the last day (11 November). Regular tickets are priced at HK$200 each. Valid ticket holders on that day will receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass on a first-come first-served basis and while stocks last.Events held on Public Day include the wine-tasting master class, "Welcome on Board to a First-class Wine Journey by Debra Meiburg, Master of Wine." Public visitors can also attend beer workshops, wine tastings, cocktail, whisky and liquor demonstrations, and seminars including "Enjoy Sake from Kumamoto with Kumamon," "What Makes a Good Wine?", "Choosing from a Wine List," and "How a Hongkonger Made Wines in Italy," a sharing session by Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Writers Association Chairman Ronny Lau. The Hong Kong Wine Competition 2017 will also be held on Public Day.The HKTDC is again organising the Hong Kong Wine Journey citywide promotion, putting together more than 90 wine-related activities in November. While Fair visitors can enjoy free corkage at selected restaurants, the public can take part in a series of events, including wine tasting, themed tours and wine-and-food pairing sessions. For details, please refer to the Hong Kong Wine Journey map or the Fair website.*Tickets:Public Day tickets to the Wine & Spirits Fair are priced at HK$200 each and are sold on site. Until tomorrow (10 November), visitors can also purchase Public Day tickets at a special price of HK$99 on HOKOBUY, FeedMeGuru, Yahoo, Group Buyer, GOBUYA and HKTVmall; or they can purchase mobile tickets on TNG Wallet. Visitors with valid tickets will receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass on-site on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.Public visitors can also enrol in the Asia Wine Academy at a special price of HK$690 (original price: HK$990) on the Wine & Spirits Fair website, online group-purchase platforms, Timable, Feedme Guru or TNG Wallet. The price includes a complimentary Wine & Spirits Fair ticket and a Lucaris crystal wine glass, valued at a total HK$1,300 on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.Fair Website: http://www.hktdc.com/hkwinefair/Hong Kong Wine Journey: www.hktdc.com/hkwinejourneyAsia Wine Academy: http://hkwinefair.hktdc.com/dm/2017/asia_wine/1st_edm/index_en.htmlHong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition: http://www.hkiwsc.com/Product highlights and photo download: Click here http://bit.ly/2hc5qHfPhoto Download: http://bit.ly/2jesyt3Media Registration:Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.About HKTDCEstablished in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong's businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.- Google+: https://plus.google.com/+hktdc- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdc- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-councilSource: HKTDCContact:Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 9, 2017) - YDreams Global Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSXV: YD) (OTC Pink: YDRMF) (FSE: A2AP0L) ("YDreams Global" or the "Company) is expanding their Blockchain, ICO and cryptocurrency development. YDreams has joined the groundbreaking Hyperledger foundation, which is uniting visionary companies such as Intel and IBM, to create and establish the future of Blockchain technology.

Hyperledger is an open source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry Blockchain technologies. It is a global collaboration including leaders in finance, banking, Internet of Things, supply chains, manufacturing and Technology. The Linux Foundation hosts Hyperledger under the foundation.

Hyperledger incubates and promotes a range of business Blockchain technologies, including distributed ledger frameworks, smart contract engines, client libraries, graphical interfaces, utility libraries and sample applications. The Hyperledger umbrella strategy encourages the re-use of common building blocks and enables rapid innovation of DLT components.

"We are dedicated to expanding our Blockchain, ICO and cryptocurrency technology which can be applied towards such things as Virtual Reality content and distribution worldwide. The collaboration with the Hyperledger Foudation is an exciting step forward in that direction. It is important to note the significance of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum to the future of the Company and the growth of the Virtual Reality contents created by YDreams, including Arkave," added Daniel Japiassu, CEO of YDreams Global.

About the Hyperledger Foundation

According to the Hyperledger website: "Not since the Web itself has a technology promised broader and more fundamental revolution than blockchain technology. A blockchain is a peer-to-peer distributed ledger forged by consensus, combined with a system for "smart contracts" and other assistive technologies. Together these can be used to build a new generation of transactional applications that establish trust, accountability and transparency at their core, while streamlining business processes and legal constraints.

Think of it as an operating system for marketplaces, data-sharing networks, micro-currencies, and decentralized digital communities. It has the potential to vastly reduce the cost and complexity of getting things done in the real world.

Only an Open Source, collaborative software development approach can ensure the transparency, longevity, interoperability and support required to bring blockchain technologies forward to mainstream commercial adoption. That is what Hyperledger is about - communities of software developers building blockchain frameworks and platforms."

Members of the Hyperledger foundations include: American Express, Baidu, Airbus, Cisco, Accenture, IBM, Intel and Oracle, amongst many others.

To learn more, visit: https://www.hyperledger.org/.

About YDreams Global

YDreams Global Interactive Technologies Inc. (www.ydreamsglobal.com) is a technology company with offices in Vancouver, Dubai, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, that combines Augmented and Virtual Reality Technology, Design and Intelligence to respond to the challenges and demands of today's users and consumers.

YDreams Global works as a partner for companies and brands to reframe their strategy through relevant human-centered ventures that integrates digital experience with the physical presence and venues. YDreams Global anticipates future challenges and connects them with the needs of the market, building innovative concepts and delivering them with international excellence.

YDreams Global have developed over 1,000 projects for clients all over the world, such as NBA, Adidas, Cisco, Nokia, Nike, Mercedes Benz, Coca-Cola, Santander, AmBev, Qualcomm, Unilever, City of Rio and Fiat.

More Information:

Daniel Japiassu

Director and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 604-646-6910

hey@ydreamsglobal.com | www.ydreamsglobal.com | www.youtube.com/ydreamsglobal

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.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Croatia's retails ales declined for the first time in five months in September, figures from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday. The volume of retail trade turnover fell 1.9 percent month-over-month in September, reversing a 0.7 percent rise in the previous month. On a yearly basis, retail sales growth eased to 4.3 percent in September from 6.4 percent in August. Data also showed that retail sales value dropped 1.0 percent monthly in September, while it grew 7.5 percent from a year earlier. 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.
TUSTIN, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Nexalin Technology is pleased to announce the initiation of clinical trials designed by the University of Pennsylvania to investigate the effectiveness of the Nexalin transcranial stimulation (TACS) for major depressive disorder.

A subsidiary of Legacy Ventures International Inc. (OTC PINK: LGYV), Nexalin Technology is an FDA cleared medical device company that utilizes a safe, non-invasive, non-drug treatment for anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

The clinical trials, designed independently by Dr. Michael Perlis of the University of Pennsylvania, will test the effectiveness of Nexalin TACS at New Jersey's Carrier Clinic. The trials' focus will be on patients with MDD who have been treated with traditional medication therapy that has not been effective.

Nexalin is currently in use at the Blake Recovery Center on the Carrier Clinic campus in New Jersey. Nexalin has demonstrated positive effects in patients withdrawing from drugs and alcohol by decreasing symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. This success prompted the undertaking of a formal scientific study involving a unique collaboration of industry (Nexalin), academia (UPenn), and the health care system (Carrier Clinic).

Noting the benefits of the collaborative efforts Dr. Perlis stated, "Parsing out tasks and responsibilities in this manner will not only ensure the timely completion of the study, it also provides for a trial that is insulated from bias and will provide results that are more specific than academia-based randomized controlled trials."

This sentiment is echoed by the study partners.

"The future of mental health is the brain -- and the ability to stimulate the brain's ability to heal itself. This clinical trial is designed so that we (Nexalin) will have no influence on the study results," said Nexalin Technology's Chief Operating Officer Mark White.

"We have seen the results of the application of this treatment in our addiction center, and are honored to collaborate with Nexalin and the University of Pennsylvania on a clinical trial that shows such promise for those suffering from MDD," said Donald Parker, CEO & President of Carrier Clinic.

The clinical trial will last six months and will be used on patients who have failed to respond to medication and are being referred to ECT. All patients will be recruited on a voluntary basis.

President Trump recently declared the opioid epidemic "a National public health emergency." Trump went on to say "that ending the epidemic will require the resolve of our entire country." Nexalin has initiated pilot trials in addiction treatment centers around the United States for the treatment of opiate abuse.

Nexalin Technology was cleared by the FDA in 2003 as a safe and effective treatment for patients who suffer from anxiety, depression and insomnia. These are the same side effects associated with addiction that contribute to relapse. The Nexalin device emits a frequency-based waveform that interacts with structures of the mid-brain that regulate and stabilize the neurotransmitters associated with brain health. Nexalin consists of 15 to 20 treatments over a 3-4 week period. The treatment is comfortable and relaxing for all patients.

About Nexalin Technology, Inc.

Nexalin is an FDA cleared medical device which creates a frequency based waveform that interacts with the deep brain structures involved in the regulation of neurochemistry. Data suggests the Nexalin waveform effectively resets the hypothalamus of the brain, without the introduction of pharmaceuticals, creating a homeostasis in the brains naturally occurring neurochemicals.

Clinical research indicates that normalizing the production of various neurotransmitters, including Dopamine, Serotonin, and Norepinephrine may begin as early as the initial treatment. Patients report on average, a minimum 70% sustained improvement in all symptoms. For more information regarding Nexalin, including providers near you, please visit www.nexalin.com. If you are a medical professional interested in learning more, please call (714) 258-8004.

About Carrier Clinic

Carrier Clinic, a behavioral healthcare system, has been a trusted source of compassionate help and supportive healing for patients and their families since we opened our doors in 1910.

One of the largest independent, nonprofit behavioral healthcare facilities in New Jersey, Carrier Clinic specializes in psychiatric and substance abuse addiction treatment. We provide a complete array of expert care and education for adolescents, adults, and older adults on the inpatient and residential levels. Outpatient services are provided for ECT treatment and drug abuse addiction.

Media Contact:

Kim Caldwell

(714) 258-8004

kcaldwell@nexalin.com




LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Freedom Leaf, Inc. (OTCQB: FRLF), "The Marijuana Legalization Company," Founders, Richard C. Cowan and Clifford J. Perry, and our new Chairman of the Board, Paul Pelosi Jr., will be attending the cannabis industry's largest Cannabis and Industrial Hemp conference convention, the Marijuana Business Convention & Expo, better known as MJBIZCON at the Las Vegas Convention center next week, November 14th - 18th. Joining them are Freedom Leaf European licensees, Federico "Fede" Pando of Freedom Leaf Iberia (Spain) and Freedom Leaf N.L. (Netherlands) along with other European Freedom Leaf Europe wholly owned divisions including Pablo Aracil Momparler who have helped to created our exciting international operations Green Market Europe S.L. and LaMarijuana.com.

Richard Cowan, Freedom Leaf co-founder, who recently retired as Chairman, said, "I'm very excited to see all of our efforts coming to fruition and I think the Freedom Leaf team is developing great international companies that can play an important role in building the global cannabis industry."

The MJBIZCON event is promoting 110+ Speakers | 9 Tracks | All-New Content, 14,000 cannabis business leaders and investors, and 650+ exhibitors.

Freedom Leaf, Inc. will be with our strategic partners NuAxonTech at Booth #2206. We have the finest industrial CO2 Supercritical Extractor available. Freedom Leaf Inc. has a worldwide exclusive sales and marketing agreement with NuAxon to market their Extractor technology to the Cannabis and Hemp industry.

"We are proud to represent NuAxon CO2 Extractors to the emerging multibillion dollar industry. We are so sure of this Extractor's capabilities that we purchased one ourselves and have installed it in our hometown of Las Vegas at our facility, Leafceuticals, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary. I expect to personally take orders for multiple extractors that range in price from $250,000 to $1,200,000" says Freedom Leaf, Inc. CEO Cliff Perry.

Come by NuAxon's Booth # 2206in Las Vegas at the Marijuana Business Conference & Expo and meet the founder, engineer, inventor and Chairman, Girish Soman, of NuAxon Co2 Supercritical Extractors!

Sign up for an offsite demonstration of NuAxon's Rocket Fast CO2 Extractor November 14th - 18th, 2017 transportation to and from your hotel or the convention site is complimentary. RSVP to: co2sales@nuaxon.com

We are excited to have you meet Paul Pelosi Jr. at MJBIZCON! Paul Pelosi, Jr. recently accepted our invitation to become Chairman of Freedom Leaf's Board of Directors, as of November 1, 2017 and will guide FRLF in corporate governance, sustainable revenue generation, and investor relations. Freedom Leaf, Inc. will launch an initiative to become the model for corporate governance in the cannabis and hemp industry.

Paul Pelosi, Jr. is currently Executive Director of the Corporate Governance Initiative (CGI), an organization that is committed to assisting companies adhere to a system of guidelines, practices, and procedures by which a company is directed and controlled. The Corporate Governance Initiative also helps companies create policies to find better balance between the interests of a company's many stakeholders, such as shareholders, management, patrons, providers, investors, government and the public.

Paul Pelosi Jr. will be speaking to business owners and companies at the MJBIZCON to join CGI and Freedom Leaf in the importance of the Corporate Governance in the Cannabis and Hemp Industry.

Paul Pelosi, Jr. stated, "I am honored to be appointed as Chairman of the Board of Freedom Leaf Inc., an endeavor that has been a leading voice for the legalization efforts for cannabis and hemp, as well as a strong supporter of grassroots organizations like NORML and SSDP. As Chairman, I look forward to bringing my passion and expertise to Freedom Leaf Inc., a fully reporting, audited and compliant OTCQB public company. The founders and executives of Freedom Leaf, Inc. have worked very hard and have been at the forefront of the Cannabis and Hemp legalization initiative for decades. Together, we will work with and invite all stakeholders in the Cannabis and Hemp industry to promote Corporate Governance, transparency, compliance good business practices and to help build shareholder value to Freedom Leaf and other business in the emerging industry. Freedom Leaf will continue to be focused on the global market to reduce the risk of US Attorney General and uncertain US government policy."

About Freedom Leaf

Freedom Leaf, Inc., The Marijuana Legalization Company, is a fully reporting and audited, publicly traded company trading under the symbol (OTCQB: FRLF). Freedom Leaf, Inc. is a leading go-to resource in the cannabis, medical marijuana, and industrial hemp industry. It is involved in mergers and acquisitions and business consulting in the marijuana industry, including incubation/acceleration and spin offs of new marijuana/hemp related companies.

Freedom Leaf, Inc.'s flagship publication is Freedom Leaf Magazine, "The Good News in Marijuana Reform." The company produces a portfolio of news, print and digital multi-media verticals, websites, blogs and web advertising, for the ever-changing emerging cannabis, medical marijuana and industrial hemp industry.

Freedom Leaf, Inc. does not handle, grow, sell, or dispense marijuana.

All of our European activities are in full compliance with relevant EU laws.

Corporate Website and Investor Relations www.FreedomLeafInc.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, including any financial projections above, generally can be identified by phrases such as Freedom Leaf, Inc. or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" "projections" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include the uncertainty regarding viability and market acceptance of the Company's products and services, changes in relationships with third parties, and other factors described in the Company's most recent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K dated June 30, 2017 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

CONTACT INFORMATION:



Raymond P Medieros

PR and Business Development Director

Phone: 415-601-1974

Ray@FreedomLeaf.com



Freedom Leaf, Inc.

3571 East Sunset Road




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B)

Second Quarter Highlights

-- Revenues increased 24.7% to $30.6 million -- Recurring revenues of $26.2 million or 85.6% of total revenues, an increase of 21.3% -- Adjusted EBITDA(1) up 15.0% to $9.5 million -- Net loss of $3.4 million or $(0.07) per share (diluted) compared to net income of $1.4 million or $0.03 per share (diluted) last year -- Adjusted Net income(2) stable at $5.4 million or $0.10 per share (diluted) compared to last year -- Cash flow from operating activities decreased to $2.7 million compared to last year -- Adjusted free cash flow(3) of $6.9 million, an increase of 26.0% -- Quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share

Stingray Digital Group Inc. (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B) (the "Corporation"; "Stingray"), a leading business-to-business multi-platform music and in-store media solutions provider, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2017.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Highlights Three months ended Six months ended (in thousands of dollars, September 30 September 30 except per share data) 2017 2016 % 2017 2016 % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues 30,579 24,527 24.7 59,757 49,074 21.8 Recurring revenues 26,175 21,584 21.3 51,185 42,985 19.1 Adjusted EBITDA(1) 9,452 8,220 15.0 18,621 16,101 15.7 Net income (loss) (3,395) 1,405 (341.6) (3,115) 3,449 (190.3) Per share - diluted ($) (0.07) 0.03 (333.3) (0.06) 0.07 (185.7) Adjusted Net income(2) 5,407 5,405 - 11,110 10,612 4.7 Per share - diluted ($) 0.10 0.10 - 0.21 0.21 - Cash flow from operating activities 2,710 3,620 (25.1) 2,121 6,342 (66.6) Adjusted free cash flow(3) 6,853 5,439 26.0 14,093 11,382 23.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as net income before net finance expenses, change in fair value of investments, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and write-off, share-based compensation, restricted and deferred share unit expenses, initial public offering ("IPO") expenses and CRTC tangible benefits and acquisition, restructuring and other various costs. (2) Adjusted Net income is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as net income before amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation, change in fair value of investments, IPO expenses and CRTC tangible benefits, acquisition, restructuring and other various costs, net of related income taxes. (3) Adjusted free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures for property and equipment and separately acquired intangible assets, net change in non-cash working capital items, IPO expenses and CRTC tangible benefits and acquisition, restructuring and other various costs, net of related income taxes.

"Our second quarter results reflect solid and continued momentum in our business strategy and execution. We are extremely pleased by revenue growth of 24.7%, of which approximately 8% is related to organic growth, and also by the 15.0% improvement in Adjusted EBITDA," said Eric Boyko, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Stingray.

"We are making noticeable progress in the U.S. market with revenue growth of 69.6%, supported by the acquisition of Yokee Music together with very positive traction for our subscription video on demand (SVOD) services. From a very negligible presence three years ago, we are making major inroads into the largest market for music services in the world. The U.S. accounted for 16.2% of our total revenues in the first half of fiscal 2018.

"As a whole, we have strongly executed on our geographic diversification. Revenues outside of Canada continue to grow and now represent 51.5% of our revenues. In July, we completed the acquisition of Satellite Music Australia PTY Ltd. and SBA Music PTY Ltd. in the Asia Pacific region.

"We now have more than 218,000 SVOD customers, which number includes B2C subscribers. The growth of the SVOD offering over prior fiscal quarters can be illustrated as follows:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SVOD offering Fiscal quarters (in thousands of subscribers) Q2-2018 Q1-2018 Q4-2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- B2B 156 96 29 B2C 62 58 50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 218 154 79 Growth from prior quarter 64 75 N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Late in October, we achieved an important milestone in the process to invalidate the applicable claims of the Music Choice patents. We continue to believe that the applicable claims of these patents are invalid for failing to be novel and/or for being obvious.

"We recently raised equity for net proceeds of approximately $43.3 million. These funds combined with our revolving facility will support Stingray's acquisition strategy and ambitious business plan in the years ahead," concluded Mr. Boyko

Second Quarter Results

Revenues increased 24.7% to $30.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with revenues of $24.5 million a year ago. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Yokee Music and Classica, combined with organic growth of subscription video on demand (SVOD) services in the United States, as well as additional music and equipment sales in Commercial Music.

Recurring revenues were up 21.3% to $26.2 million in the second quarter over the same period last year and decreased to 85.6% of total revenues for the quarter, compared to 88.0% of total revenues last year. For the quarter, Canadian revenues increased 5.5% to $14.8 million (48.5% of total revenues), United States revenues increased 69.6% to $5.0 million (16.2% of total revenues), whereas revenues in Other Countries increased by 42.9% to $10.8 million (35.3% of total revenues).

Music Broadcasting revenues increased 20.8% to $21.8 million, mainly due to the acquisition of Classica in Fiscal 2017, as well as Yokee Music and C Music in May 2017, and organic growth in the United States market, primarily related to SVOD services. Commercial Music revenues rose 35.4% to $8.8 million, mainly due to the acquisition of SBA Music PTY Ltd (SBA) and Satellite Music Australia PTY Ltd (SMA) in July 2017, as well as organic growth in sales of equipment and installation related to digital signage.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter increased to $9.5 million or 30.9% of revenues, compared to $8.2 million or 33.5% of revenues a year earlier. The 15.0% increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the acquisitions realized in Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2018 partially offset by higher operating expenses related to international expansion.

For the second quarter, the Corporation reported a net loss of $3.4 million, or $(0.07) per share (diluted), compared to a net income of $1.4 million, or $0.03 per share (diluted) for the same period last year. The decrease was mainly attributable to higher legal fees, higher amortization expense of intangible assets as well as negative change in fair value of investments and contingent considerations, partially offset by higher operating results and income taxes recovery. The legal fees were incurred, in part, in connection with the preparation and filing of inter partes review proceedings by the Corporation before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in order to establish the invalidity of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,769,602, 9,357,245, 7,320,025, 9,351,045 and 8,414,121 owned by Music Choice. The PTAB recently initiated IPR proceedings against each of the aforesaid patents that were named in Music Choice's patent infringement complaint, and on November 1, 2017, the Magistrate Judge presiding over the patent infringement lawsuit in Texas granted the Corporation's motion to adjourn the lawsuit and ordered that the current trial date and all remaining scheduled deadlines should be cancelled pending the hearing of the Corporation's motion to stay.

Adjusted Net income remained stable at $5.4 million, or $0.10 per share (diluted), compared to a year ago, as higher finance expense and income net tax expense were offset by the higher Adjusted EBITDA.

Cash flow from operating activities amounted to $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2018, versus $3.6 million a year earlier.

Adjusted free cash flow increased to $6.9 million, from $5.4 million for the same period a year ago.

As of September 30, 2017, the Corporation had cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million and a revolving credit facility of $100 million, of which approximately $32.6 million was unused, allowing it to pursue strategic acquisitions and achieve its growth objectives.

Six Months Results

Revenues for the first six months of Fiscal 2018 increased 21.8% to $59.8 million compared to $49.1 million a year ago. The increase in revenues was primarily due to acquisitions combined with growth from SVOD services in the U.S., as well as additional music and equipment sales in Commercial Music.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.7% to $18.6 million from $16.1 million for the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to the acquisitions realized in Fiscal 2017 and 2018 partially offset by higher operating expenses related to international expansion.

Adjusted Net income for the first six months of Fiscal 2018 increased 4.7% to $11.1 million, or $0.21 per share (diluted), compared to $10.6 million, or $0.21 per share (diluted) a year ago.

Declaration of Dividend

On November 8, 2017, the Corporation declared a dividend of $0.05 per subordinate voting share, variable subordinate voting share and multiple voting share. The dividend will be payable on or around December 15, 2017, to holders of subordinate voting shares, variable subordinate voting shares and multiple voting shares on record as of November 30, 2017.

The Corporation's dividend policy is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and may vary depending upon, among other things, our available cash flow, results of operations, financial condition, business growth opportunities and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

The dividends paid are designated as "eligible" dividends for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any corresponding provisions of provincial and territorial tax legislation.

Additional Business Highlights

On July 31, 2017, the Corporation announced that it had concluded the acquisition of SMA, a subsidiary of Macquarie Media Operations PTY Ltd. and an Australian provider of in-store media solutions for total consideration of AU$6.2 million ($6.2 million).

On July 31, 2017, the Corporation announced that it had acquired an Australian provider of in-store media solutions, SBA for total consideration of AU$4.0 million ($3.9 million).

On September 25, 2017, Stingray launched advertising on the Stingray Music Mobile App, a service that is offered to the 90% of Canadians with access to Stingray Music as part of their pay TV packages. Stingray has enabled real-time buying for ad formats to respond to the needs of advertisers. All formats are offered on smartphones and tablets.

On October 4, 2017, the Corporation announced the launch of Stingray Classica, the world's premium classical music television channel available to Videotron subscribers.

On October 23, 2017, the Corporation announced that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office had granted its requests and initiated inter partes review (IPR) proceedings against U.S. Patent Nos. 8,769,602, 9,357,245, 7,320,025 and 9,351,045 owned by Music Choice. On October 27, 2017, the PTAB granted the Corporation's request and initiated IPR proceedings against U.S. Patent No. 9,414,121. Thus, IPR proceedings have been initiated against all five (5) of the patents that were originally named in the patent infringement complaint filed by Music Choice. On November 1, 2017, the Magistrate Judge presiding over the patent infringement lawsuit in Texas granted the Corporation's motion to adjourn the lawsuit and ordered that the current trial date and all remaining scheduled deadlines should be cancelled pending the hearing of the Corporation's motion to stay.

On October 24, 2017, the Corporation announced that it has successfully completed a bought deal offering of an aggregate of 4,348,000 subordinate voting shares and variable subordinate voting shares of Stingray at a price of $9.20 per share for gross proceeds of $40.0 million and net proceeds of $38.4 million. On November 7, 2017 the underwriters exercised part of their over-allotment option and bought an additional 552,200 subordinate voting shares at a price of $9.20 for gross proceeds of $5.1 million and net proceeds of $4.9 million.

On October 25, 2017, the Corporation announced that it has concluded a groundbreaking agreement with Farmacias del Ahorro, one of Mexico's largest drugstore chains, that will bring custom music programming and digital signage technology to over 1,600 pharmacies and clinics across Mexico.

The Corporation today announced the resignation of Francois-Charles Sirois as Chairman of the Corporation. Mr. Sirois will continue to be a director of the Corporation. The Board of Directors of the Corporation, upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, unanimously resolved to appoint Mark Pathy as Chairman, effective immediately.

Conference Call

The Corporation will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 9:00 AM (ET). Interested parties can join the call by dialing 647-788-4922 (Toronto) or 1-877-223-4471 (toll free). If you are unable to call at this time, you may access a tape recording of the conference call by dialing 416-621-4642 (Toronto) or 1-800-585-8367 (toll free) followed by access code: 95824159. This tape recording will be available until December 7, 2017.

About Stingray

Stingray (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B) is the world-leading provider of multiplatform music services and digital experiences for pay TV operators, commercial establishments, OTT providers, mobile operators, and more. Stingray's services include audio television channels, premium television channels, 4K UHD television channels, karaoke products, digital signage, in-store music, music apps, and more. Geared towards individuals and businesses alike, Stingray reaches 400 million subscribers (or users) in 156 countries and its mobile apps have been downloaded over 90 million times. Stingray is headquartered in Montreal and currently has close to 350 employees worldwide. For more information: www.stingray.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information includes information with respect to Stingray's goals, beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. Forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "may", "would", "should", "could", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe", and "continue", or the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions. Please note, however, that not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. Forward-looking information is based upon a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Stingray's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified in Stingray's prospectus dated May 26, 2015, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Consequently, all of the forward-looking information contained herein is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that Stingray anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on Stingray's business, financial condition or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date hereof, and Stingray does not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Corporation believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are important measures when analyzing its operating profitability without being influenced by financing decisions, non-cash items and income taxes strategies. Comparison with peers is also easier as companies rarely have the same capital and financing structure. The Corporation believes that Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share are important measures as it demonstrates its core bottom-line profitability. The Corporation believes that Adjusted free cash flow is an important measure when assessing the amount of cash generated after accounting for capital expenditures and non-core charges. It demonstrates cash available to make business acquisitions, pay dividend and reduce debt. The Corporation believes that Net debt including and excluding contingent considerations and balance payable on business acquisitions and Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA are important measures when analyzing the significance of debt on the Corporation's statement of financial position. Each of these non-IFRS financial measures is not an earnings or cash flow measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.

Our method of calculating such financial measures may differ from the methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, our definition of these non-IFRS financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Investors are cautioned that non-IFRS financial measures should not be construed as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of our performance or to cash flows from operating activities as measures of liquidity and cash flows.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net income reconciliation to Net income

Three-month periods ended Six-month periods ended ---------------------------------------------------- Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, (in thousands of 2017 2016 2017 2016 Canadian dollars) Q2 2018 Q2 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) (3,395) 1,405 (3,115) 3,449 Net finance expense (income) 1,269 373 1,806 1,021 Change in fair value of investments 697 (250) 1,131 (159) Income taxes (recovery) (941) 487 (477) 899 Depreciation of property and equipment and write-off 718 546 1,339 1,120 Amortization of intangibles 4,508 3,982 9,049 7,169 Share-based compensation 312 298 506 588 Restricted, performance and deferred share unit 709 444 1,022 770 Acquisition, legal fees, restructuring and other various costs 5,575 935 7,360 1,244 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBITDA 9,452 8,220 18,621 16,101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net finance expense (1,269) (373) (1,806) (1,021) Income taxes 941 (487) 477 (899) Depreciation of property and equipment and write-off (718) (546) (1,339) (1,120) Income taxes related to change in fair value of investments, share- based compensation, restricted, performance and deferred share unit expenses, amortization of intangible assets and acquisition, legal fees, restructuring and other various costs (2,999) (1,409) (4,843) (2,449) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted Net income 5,407 5,405 11,110 10,612 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjusted free cash flow reconciliation to Cash flow from operating activities

Three-month periods ended Six-month periods ended ---------------------------------------------------- Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, (in thousands of 2017 2016 2017 2016 Canadian dollars) Q2 2018 Q2 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from operating activities 2,710 3,620 2,121 6,342 Add / Less : Capital expenditures (1,705) (871) (2,916) (1,503) Net change in non-cash operating working capital items 273 1,755 7,528 5,299 Acquisition, legal fees, restructuring and other various costs 5,575 935 7,360 1,244 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted free cash flow 6,853 5,439 14,093 11,382 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note to readers: Interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis of Operating Results and Financial Position are available on the Corporation's website at www.stingray.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Contacts:

Mathieu Peloquin

Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Communications

Stingray

(514) 664-1244, ext. 2362

mpeloquin@stingray.com




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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Office Depot Inc. (ODP) released earnings for third quarter that retreated from last year. The company said its profit declined to $74 million, or $0.14 per share. This was down from $89 million, or $0.16 per share, in last year's third quarter. Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.14 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company said revenue for the quarter fell 7.7% to $2.62 billion. This was down from $2.84 billion last year. Office Depot Inc. earnings at a glance: -Earnings (Q3): $74 Mln. vs. $89 Mln. last year. -Earnings Decline (Y-o-Y): -16.9% -EPS (Q3): $0.14 vs. $0.16 last year. -EPS Decline (Y-o-Y): -12.5% -Analysts Estimate: $0.14 -Revenue (Q3): $2.62 Bln vs. $2.84 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): -7.7% 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.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Monument Mining Limited (TSX VENTURE: MMY)(FRANKFURT: D7Q1) "Monument" or the "Company" is pleased to report significant results from its recently completed drilling program at the Peranggih Gold Prospect, located approximately 10 km North of the Selinsing Gold Mine (Figure 1). A close spaced 5m x 5m Rotary Air Blast (RAB) drilling program together with previous exploration has successfully delineated a zone of higher grade gold material, indicating that the mineralization occurs in the same regional shearing structure hosting Selinsing and Buffalo Reef deposits.

Highlights of Significant Intercepts

The recent 2017 close spaced RAB drilling program was carried out at an historic mining site to test 150m strike length x 80m width of the mineralization. This allowed the accurate identification of several high grade gold (HG) zones surrounded by a main low grade (LG) halo. The significant drill intersections (Au greater than 2.0 g/t & greater than 5m length) within a more consistent high grade gold area are presented in Table 1.The full set of drill results for the holes intercepting this HG gold mineralization occurrence are listed in Appendix A and Appendix B.

The Peranggih Prospect has been identified as a new Gold Field that has the potential to host a significant mineralized hydrothermal breccia system.

Figure 1 - Local Geology of the Peranggih Area is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure1MMY.jpg

Table 1: Highlight of the best intercepts at Peranggih - Close Spaced RAB Drilling in 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drilled Width approx. True HOLE ID(i) From(m) To (m) (m) Width (m) Au g/t ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 2 8 6.0 4.3 3.07 1_PGC007 0 10 10.0 6.7 2.94 1_PGC019 0 10 10.0 7.7 2.28 1_PGC020 0 5 5.0 3.9 2.68 1_PGC428 1 10 9.0 6.6 3.14 1_PGC429 1 10 9.0 8.0 2.34 1_PGC430 0 10 10.0 8.7 2.49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i)all vertical holes

The low and high grade gold mineralization is hosted in both matrix supported and clast supported quartz breccia. Significant coarse free gold was observed hosted in the breccia matrix. The matrix is friable and loose material composing clay minerals and small rock fragments, as well as mixed ore and/or gangue minerals (Figure 2).

Figure 2 - Exposure of highly fractured quartz breccia on the old pit wall is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure2MMY.jpg

This leads to a nugget effect on the gold distribution throughout the deposit. The presence of well crystallized coarse free disseminated gold in the matrixes was not well recognized during the earlier exploration campaigns. This key finding had changed the perspective and approach facilitate better and more appropriate sampling and analysis methods to be applied to future exploration programs which include comparative work between traditional fire assay, screen fire assay as well as reconciliation of grade by way of bulk sampling.

The close spaced shallow drilling can be used as a cost effective tool to define shallow and broad gold mineralization within the breccia matrix that occur at this site

Peranggih

Peranggih was historically mined in the late 1980's and into the early 1990's by local artisanal miners. Gold was recovered by traditional sluicing and residual tailings and other evidence indicates substantial work was undertaken throughout this period.

In 2014 the company conducted exploration drilling with encouraging results, followed by soil sampling, trenching and other reconnaissance mapping to understand the extent and boundaries of the system at Peranggih. The recent work determined that the gold mineralization is associated with a hydrothermal breccia system which is distinct from the hydrothermal veins system that occurs at Selinsing and Buffalo Reef, but still related to the same regional shearing structuring.

Previous activities plus more recent exploration works, totaling 1,700m for 21 trenches, 2,900m of Diamond Drilling (DD) and Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling for 35 drill holes, and 2,800m of close spaced RAB drilling for approximately 300 drill holes (completed in 2017) have been used to outline an exploration target of 20,000 to 30,000 oz Au contained within 1 to 2 Mt @ 0.3 to 2.0 g/t Au. The potential tonnages and grades are conceptual in nature and are based on historical and recent drill and trench results that defined the approximate length, thickness, depth and grade of the portion of the internal resource estimate. There has been insufficient exploration to define a current resource, and the Company cautions that there is a risk that further exploration will not completely result in the delineation of a current mineral resource.

Sampling, assaying and cyanide leach test work to date shows that recoveries exceed 80% ranging up to 98%. The system extends over a distance of approximately 1.2 kilometers in length with varying widths of between 25 to 50 meters with identified areas of high gold grade mineralization surrounded by a halo of lower grade mineralization. The system is open down dip and along strike.

Follow up Exploration Programs

Further exploration work primarily aims to carry out resource definition drilling around an area selected for bulk sample testwork. Regional exploration should also identify other target areas within the same Peranggih oxide system, eventually adding oxide mill feed sources to the Company.

The Company plans to mine a bulk sample of up to 50,000 tonnes, feed it to the existing Selinsing oxide gold processing plant to establish the average grade of the close spaced drilled area; and test the metallurgical performance at plant scale. This work can commence as soon as the access road has been prepared which is estimated to be in the beginning of 2018.

Roger Stangler, Chief Managing Geologist of the Company, MEng, MAusIMM, MAIG, has prepared, reviewed, supervised the preparation and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release as a Qualified Person under NI43-101 standards.

About Monument

Monument Mining Limited (TSX VENTURE: MMY)(FRANKFURT: D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that owns and operates the Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia. Its experienced management team is committed to growth and is advancing several exploration and development projects including the Mengapur Polymetallic Project, in Pahang State of Malaysia, and the Murchison Gold Projects comprising Burnakura, Gabanintha and Tuckanarra in the Murchison area of Western Australia. The Company employs approximately 190 people in both regions and is committed to the highest standards of environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities.

Robert F. Baldock, President and CEO Monument Mining Limited Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.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."

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information about Monument, its business and future plans ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include the Company's plans with respect to its mineral projects and the timing and results of proposed programs and events referred to in this news release. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in the progress and timing of development activities; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements in this news release include: expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration on the Company's projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimated future production; the expected timing and results of development and exploration activities; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Appendix A - Peranggih Close Spaced RAB Drilling Campaign 2017: collar coordinates in Kertau MRSO Coordinate System ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Hole Hole ID Depth (m) East North RL Dip Azimuth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 10 422963.2 480242.3 130.438 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 10 422967.8 480242.3 130.179 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 10 422973.1 480242.3 124.445 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC008 2 422978.2 480242.3 123.833 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 10 422955.7 480247.3 132.874 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC017 10 422960.5 480247.3 130.778 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC018 10 422965.6 480247.3 129.522 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC019 10 422971.3 480247.3 125.017 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC020 10 422975.6 480247.3 124.231 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC021 10 422980.7 480247.3 123.698 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC022 10 422985.6 480247.4 122.141 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC027 10 422948.2 480252.4 135.437 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC028 10 422953.1 480252.3 134.800 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC029 10 422958.3 480252.3 130.241 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC030 10 422963.2 480252.3 129.090 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 10 422968.2 480252.3 128.233 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 10 422973.2 480252.3 124.222 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 10 422950.6 480257.4 135.578 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 10 422960.6 480257.4 128.047 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC042 10 422965.7 480257.3 127.773 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC043 10 422970.6 480257.4 123.188 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC418 10 422972.5 480232.8 126.364 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC419 10 422977.5 480232.8 124.996 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC427 10 422965.0 480237.8 129.692 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC428 10 422969.9 480237.6 127.706 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC429 10 422975.0 480237.7 125.965 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC430 10 422980.0 480237.8 123.571 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1_PGC431 10 422985.0 480237.8 122.895 -90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix B - Assay Results for Peranggih Close Spaced RAB Drilling Campaign 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au g/t Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au g/t ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 0 1 0.394 1_PGC017 4 5 0.303 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1 2 1.203 1_PGC017 5 6 0.154 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 2 3 0.257 1_PGC017 6 7 0.122 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 3 4 1.438 1_PGC017 7 8 0.116 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 4 5 0.697 1_PGC017 8 9 0.108 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 5 6 0.460 1_PGC017 9 10 0.095 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 6 7 0.351 1_PGC018 0 1 0.738 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 7 8 0.089 1_PGC018 1 2 2.167 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 8 9 1.194 1_PGC018 2 3 1.709 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC005 9 10 2.935 1_PGC018 3 4 1.526 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 0 1 0.361 1_PGC018 4 5 2.502 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1 2 0.385 1_PGC018 5 6 0.130 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 2 3 1.553 1_PGC018 6 7 1.681 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 3 4 2.640 1_PGC018 7 8 0.491 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 4 5 3.702 1_PGC018 8 9 0.037 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 5 6 2.744 1_PGC018 9 10 0.209 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 6 7 3.093 1_PGC019 0 1 2.037 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 7 8 4.687 1_PGC019 1 2 1.645 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 8 9 0.055 1_PGC019 2 3 1.131 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC006 9 10 0.101 1_PGC019 3 4 1.150 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 0 1 3.269 1_PGC019 4 5 1.008 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1 2 11.440 1_PGC019 5 6 2.205 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 2 3 1.194 1_PGC019 6 7 3.410 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 3 4 1.299 1_PGC019 7 8 4.692 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 4 5 1.192 1_PGC019 8 9 3.210 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 5 6 1.952 1_PGC019 9 10 2.272 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 6 7 3.392 1_PGC020 0 1 7.756 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 7 8 2.340 1_PGC020 1 2 2.274 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 8 9 1.933 1_PGC020 2 3 1.623 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC007 9 10 1.387 1_PGC020 3 4 1.038 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC008 0 1 1.599 1_PGC020 4 5 0.711 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC008 1 2 3.483 1_PGC020 5 6 0.458 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 0 1 0.155 1_PGC020 6 7 0.421 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1 2 0.105 1_PGC020 7 8 0.342 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 2 3 0.740 1_PGC020 8 9 0.783 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 3 4 0.118 1_PGC020 9 10 0.834 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 4 5 0.197 1_PGC021 0 1 1.646 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 5 6 0.286 1_PGC021 1 2 0.279 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 6 7 0.254 1_PGC021 2 3 1.166 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 7 8 0.133 1_PGC021 3 4 0.231 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 8 9 0.033 1_PGC021 4 5 0.308 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC016 9 10 0.094 1_PGC021 5 6 0.354 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC017 0 1 0.880 1_PGC021 6 7 0.987 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC017 1 2 0.815 1_PGC021 7 8 0.148 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC017 2 3 0.110 1_PGC021 8 9 1.202 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC017 3 4 0.441 1_PGC021 9 10 0.560 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Appendix B - Assay Results for Peranggih Close Spaced RAB Drilling Campaign 2017 -------------------------------------------- Hole ID Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au g/t -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 0 1 1.046 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 1 2 0.269 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 2 3 0.260 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 3 4 0.173 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 4 5 0.124 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 5 6 0.279 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 6 7 0.265 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 7 8 0.199 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 8 9 0.119 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC005 1_PGC022 9 10 0.097 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 0 1 0.266 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 1 2 1.006 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 2 3 0.367 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 3 4 0.355 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 4 5 0.110 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 5 6 5.651 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 6 7 0.200 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 7 8 0.100 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 8 9 0.235 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC006 1_PGC027 9 10 0.250 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 0 1 0.284 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 1 2 0.252 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 2 3 2.392 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 3 4 0.640 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 4 5 0.109 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 5 6 0.297 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 6 7 0.209 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 7 8 0.215 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 8 9 2.740 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC007 1_PGC028 9 10 1.645 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC008 1_PGC029 0 1 0.750 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC008 1_PGC029 1 2 0.574 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 2 3 0.543 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 3 4 0.260 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 4 5 0.164 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 5 6 0.220 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 6 7 0.115 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 7 8 0.074 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 8 9 0.350 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC029 9 10 0.253 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC030 0 1 1.499 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC016 1_PGC030 1 2 0.797 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC017 1_PGC030 2 3 0.446 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC017 1_PGC030 3 4 0.507 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC017 1_PGC030 4 5 0.390 -------------------------------------------- 1_PGC017 1_PGC030 5 6 0.640 -------------------------------------------- Appendix B (continued) Assay Results for Peranggih Close Spaced RAB Drilling Campaign 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au g/t Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au g/t ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC030 6 7 0.374 1_PGC042 2 3 0.934 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC030 7 8 0.087 1_PGC042 3 4 0.453 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC030 8 9 0.121 1_PGC042 4 5 0.811 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC030 9 10 0.068 1_PGC042 5 6 1.198 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 0 1 0.690 1_PGC042 6 7 1.008 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1 2 0.839 1_PGC042 7 8 1.586 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 2 3 1.229 1_PGC042 8 9 3.205 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 3 4 1.295 1_PGC042 9 10 0.966 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 4 5 4.061 1_PGC043 0 1 0.545 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 5 6 0.192 1_PGC043 1 2 0.302 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 6 7 2.164 1_PGC043 2 3 0.361 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 7 8 4.235 1_PGC043 3 4 0.498 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 8 9 0.070 1_PGC043 4 5 0.628 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC031 9 10 0.129 1_PGC043 5 6 0.613 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 0 1 0.787 1_PGC043 6 7 0.594 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1 2 0.562 1_PGC043 7 8 4.846 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 2 3 0.394 1_PGC043 8 9 5.916 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 3 4 0.593 1_PGC043 9 10 2.479 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 4 5 0.701 1_PGC418 0 1 0.273 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 5 6 2.211 1_PGC418 1 2 0.314 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 6 7 3.322 1_PGC418 2 3 0.624 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 7 8 3.434 1_PGC418 3 4 3.490 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 8 9 2.008 1_PGC418 4 5 2.880 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC032 9 10 1.433 1_PGC418 5 6 1.550 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 0 1 0.536 1_PGC418 6 7 1.490 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1 2 0.971 1_PGC418 7 8 1.460 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 2 3 1.290 1_PGC418 8 9 0.480 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 3 4 0.290 1_PGC418 9 10 0.420 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 4 5 0.078 1_PGC419 0 1 0.235 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 5 6 0.355 1_PGC419 1 2 0.032 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 6 7 0.149 1_PGC419 2 3 2.120 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 7 8 0.100 1_PGC419 3 4 0.177 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 8 9 0.452 1_PGC419 4 5 4.340 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC039 9 10 0.087 1_PGC419 5 6 2.840 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 0 1 4.791 1_PGC419 6 7 1.690 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1 2 1.266 1_PGC419 7 8 3.410 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 2 3 1.216 1_PGC419 8 9 2.370 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 3 4 1.043 1_PGC419 9 10 1.910 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 4 5 0.478 1_PGC427 0 1 0.300 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 5 6 0.759 1_PGC427 1 2 0.750 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 6 7 0.240 1_PGC427 2 3 0.895 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 7 8 0.096 1_PGC427 3 4 1.286 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 8 9 0.320 1_PGC427 4 5 0.144 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC041 9 10 0.086 1_PGC427 5 6 0.174 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC042 0 1 1.754 1_PGC427 6 7 0.243 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 1_PGC042 1 2 0.637 1_PGC427 7 8 0.331 ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Appendix B (continued) Assay Results for Peranggih Close Spaced RAB Drilling Campaign 2017 --------------------------------------------- Hole ID Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au g/t --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC030 1_PGC427 8 9 0.261 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC030 1_PGC427 9 10 0.426 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC030 1_PGC428 0 1 0.430 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC030 1_PGC428 1 2 1.030 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 2 3 1.882 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 3 4 4.973 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 4 5 4.238 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 5 6 9.180 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 6 7 1.745 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 7 8 1.620 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 8 9 2.629 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC428 9 10 0.922 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC429 0 1 0.250 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC031 1_PGC429 1 2 0.500 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 2 3 1.827 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 3 4 7.948 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 4 5 0.434 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 5 6 3.620 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 6 7 1.828 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 7 8 1.387 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 8 9 1.741 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC429 9 10 1.755 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC430 0 1 2.521 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC032 1_PGC430 1 2 0.678 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 2 3 0.452 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 3 4 1.884 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 4 5 1.230 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 5 6 3.280 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 6 7 6.250 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 7 8 3.110 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 8 9 2.840 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC430 9 10 2.630 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC431 0 1 0.210 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC039 1_PGC431 1 2 0.450 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 2 3 0.242 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 3 4 0.388 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 4 5 0.181 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 5 6 0.288 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 6 7 0.338 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 7 8 0.296 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 8 9 1.481 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 1_PGC431 9 10 0.693 --------------------------------------------- 1_PGC041 ---------- 1_PGC041 ---------- 1_PGC042 ---------- 1_PGC042 ----------

Contacts:

Richard Cushing

MMY Vancouver

+1-604-638-1661 x102

rcushing@monumentmining.com



Wolfgang Seybold

Axino GmbH

+49 711-82-09-7211

wolfgang.seybold@axino.com




SINGAPORE, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "Everyone wants to fund promising companies. DropDeck wants to remove the barriers that keep average funders away from the greatest opportunities," said the CEO Alon Vo, "There are a lot of existing platforms for you to do that, but we want to build your favorite one. DropDeck is the one-stop shop that changes the way people fund companies worldwide."

More and more companies are running ICOs, mostly operating overseas. Doing due diligence and verifying sources can be challenging. Some platforms rate and rank ICOs, but how the ratings are made, what they are based on, and by whom are often a blackbox. DropDeck seeks to fix this problem..

DropDeck prioritizes inclusion and decentralizes the funding process to the extreme. Anyone can participate in funding, searching for promising companies, evaluating people, performing due diligence, and enforcing repayment. A.I. algorithms are utilized to rate and rank all participants. The consensus mechanism makes sure only the best performing ones are eligible for participation and reward. Token rewards and smart contracts incentivize all participants to do their best to fund companies and reward funders. In the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE competition, DropDeck earned recognition and support from world-class AI experts, and made findings in complementing AI applications with blockchain features.

The market for funding ICOs, startups, and SMEs is over $300 billion. As capital flows into the DropDeck economy, the token value will increase exponentially. Up to half of the revenue in tokens will be burned, increasing the token value by depleting the total supply. Also the team and advisors have been working with 15 exchanges to guarantee token liquidity.

DropDeck quickly sold all private sales with no marketing, raising 3,300 ETH.

To participate in the Whitelist Presale, supporters are required to register by November 20th at https://DropDeck.io/whitelist.

Bitcointalk ANN Thread, Bounty Campaign, Medium, Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, DropDeck.io.

WHITE PAPERS:

English:https://bit.ly/DDWPver2

Chinese:https://bit.ly/DDWPChinese

Korean:https://bit.ly/DDWPKorean

Spanish:https://bit.ly/DDWPSpanish

Russian:https://bit.ly/DDWPRussian

Vietnamese:https://bit.ly/DDWPVNese

Turkish:https://bit.ly/DDWPTurkish

OFFICIAL LINKS:

Official Website: https://DropDeck.io

Official Whitelist: https://DropDeck.io/whitelist

Official Blog: https://medium.com/dropdeck

Official Telegram Channel: https://t.me/dropdeck

Official Telegram Supergroup: https://t.me/joinchat/FkbmT0JJD2sOsL79fiAlQg

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/dropdeckio

Official Facebook: https://facebook.com/dropdeck

Official Bitcointalk ANN Thread: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2255643

Official Bounty campaign: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2275147

Official Discord: https://discord.gg/XDc785E

Official Kakaotalk: https://open.kakao.com/o/gChBCmC

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600815/dropdeck_promo.jpg
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Eldorado Gold Corporation ("Eldorado" or the "Company") (TSX: ELDNYSE: EGO) announces it will move the Skouries development project into care and maintenance. Dialogue has continued with Greece's Ministry of Energy and Environment ("MoE") with respect to the development of the Company's subsidiary Hellas Gold S.A.'s, Kassandra Mine assets in Halkidiki, Northern Greece. However, the MoE has failed to issue the amended Electromechanical Installation permit for the Skouries flotation plant as well as other matters including, but not limited to, the relocation of antiquities at the Skouries site.

The Company has also initiated legal action within the statutory deadline in order to enforce and protect its legal rights. This legal action consists of three lawsuits which have been filed with the Council of State ("CoS"), requesting judicial protection against the Ministry's failure to issue routine installation permits, resulting in unjustifiable delays to the development of the Skouries facilities. Furthermore, the Company has filed with the CoS a petition for non-compliance of the Ministry with a previous decision granted by the CoS.

The Company will re-assess its investment in the Skouries project upon approval and receipt of the required permits, coupled with a supportive government open to discussions regarding the use and implementation of best available technologies.

Olympias Phase I progress on historical tailings cleanup continues and the ramp-up to commercial production at Olympias Phase II during the quarter demonstrate our commitment to high environmental standards and long term partnership with communities as well as our ability to construct and operate mines in Greece. Early indications from exploration drilling at Stratoni to extend the mine life are positive.

George Burns, Eldorado's President and CEO stated, "Although we have made good progress on the Olympias mine, we require the necessary permits and government support prior to investing further in Skouries. As a consequence we are now taking the necessary legal action to enforce the Company's rights while continuing efforts to resolve outstanding matters through ongoing dialogue."

AboutEldoradoGold

Eldorado is a leading intermediate gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Greece, Canada, Romania, Serbia and Brazil. The Company's success to date is based on a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EGO).

Forward Looking Statement

Certain of the statements made and information provided in this press release are forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "continue"", "projected", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "projected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "to be", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to first production at Skouries, exploration drilling at Stratoni and commercial production at Olympias.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including assumptions about the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that we operate in; the future price of gold and other commodities; exchange rates; anticipated costs and expenses; production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, suspensions or delays on our business and the ability to achieve our goals.

Even though our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: geopolitical and economic climate (global and local), risks related to mineral tenure and permits; gold and other metal price volatility; mining operational and development risk; foreign country operational risks; risks of sovereign investment; regulatory environment and restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical testing and recoveries; risks related to impact of the sale of our Chinese assets on the Company's operations; risks related to the acquisition of Integra Gold Corporation;additional funding requirements; currency fluctuations; litigation and arbitration risks; community and non-governmental organization actions; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; share price volatility; competition; loss of key employees; and defective title to mineral claims or property, as well as those factors discussed in the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk factors in our business" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Form 40-F. The reader is directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR under our Company name, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business and operations.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S.

Investor Relations: Krista Muhr, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Telephone: +1-604-687-4018 or 1-888-363-8166orkristam@eldoradogold.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Editors Note: There is an image associated with this press release.

Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE)(CSE: PSE.CN)(CNSX: PSE)(FRANKFURT: PNX) (The "Company" or "Pasinex") is pleased to announce a maiden Mineral Resource estimate by CSA Global (UK) Ltd of 200,000 tonnes averaging 31% Zn for the Company's 50%-owned Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey. This resource equates to 61,600 tonnes of contained zinc metal or approximately 135,700,000 lbs of zinc. Three quarters of the resource tonnage is oxide at an average grade of 29% zinc and one quarter of the tonnage are zinc sulphides at an average grade of 35% zinc with additional silver credits.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinargozu Mineral Resources Mineral Resource Estimate as at 30 June 2017 Reported at a cut-off grade of 10% Zn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zn Grade Zn Metal Density Pb Metal Ag Metal -------------------------------------------- Classification Material Ktonnes % Ktonnes (t/m3) Ktonnes Koz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred Oxide 150 29 43.5 2.8 1.2 520 ------------------------------------------------------------- Sulphide 50 35 18.1 3.4 1.2 160 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 200 31% 61.6 2.9 2.4 680 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

1. Reporting cut-off is 10% Zn for both Oxide and Sulphide Resources. 2. The Mineral Resource Estimate has been depleted for mining up to 30th June 2017. The effective date of Mineral Resource is 30th June 2017. 3. Figures have been rounded to the appropriate level of precision for the reporting of Mineral Resources. 4. Due to rounding, some columns or rows may not compute exactly as shown. 5. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ dry tonnes. All tonnage figures are in metric tonnes. 6. The Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council, and procedures for classifying the reported Mineral Resources were undertaken within the context of the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). 7. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not demonstrate economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio- political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

President and CEO of Pasinex Resources, Mr. Steve Williams, commented: "This result now formally underpins our high-grade zinc production and direct ship operation (DSO) for the next few years. We have found that mining is the best way to explore the potential of this extraordinary deposit. Underground development routinely exposes additional mineralization outside the defined resource volumes. We will now focus aggressively on resource expansion and discovery. Specifically, new underground drives are planned to get into the best locations for underground exploration drilling."

-- Note that since the "effective date" of 30th June 2017, the tonnage of this Mineral Resource estimate has been depleted by approximately 20,000 tonnes of high-grade direct shipping material, mined at a rate of 150 tonnes per day, about 60,000 tonnes per year. -- Note that Instrument 43-101 does not require an issuer to file a technical report to support a production decision based on mineral reserves because under Companion Policy 43-101CP, 4.2(6) - Production Decision the decision to put a mineral project into production is the responsibility of the issuer, based on information provided by qualified persons. -- Pasinex took this decision, in 2015, to proceed to production not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating their economic viability and technical feasibility. As a result there is an increased risk of failure. -- The Mineral Resource is categorized as Inferred due to factors including high variability in bulk densities, locally poor core recoveries especially in some oxide drill intersections, uncertainty over stope depletion volumes, and, in some areas, drill-hole spacing. All these issues are currently being addressed with a view to improving the classification of the resource. -- Grade of the sulphides resource is lower than the threshold for DSO. This category includes lower grade transitional mineralization and selective mining and sorting will continue to ensure DSO grades are achieved.

Exploration of the Horzum Zinc Trend

Regional and near mine exploration will focus particularly on the nearby Akkaya Zinc Prospect using a new structural lineament analysis of the Horzum Zinc Trend by Murphy Geological Services in Ireland. Pasinex is working closely with its consultants to interpret the results of recent drill-core resistivity and conductivity measurements with the goal of building a much more robust geophysical model of the Horzum Zinc Trend. Finally the team is researching the use of ionic-leach technology. This maybe a way to "see through" transported alluvial fans which spill into steep canyons at the highly-prospective intersection of cross-faults with the sub-crop of the prospective carbonate host-rock.

To view Figure 1 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/PSE-Figure1.pdf

Qualified Persons

The information in this news release relating to the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey has been prepared under the supervision of Maria O'Connor and Dr. Neal Reynolds of CSA Global and John Barry of Pasinex Resources.

CSA Global (UK) Ltd ("CSA Global") has undertaken an independent Mineral Resource estimation in accordance with CIM guidelines and the requirements of Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) effective June 30th, 2017. A NI 43-101 Technical Report is currently being prepared and will be filed with the Ontario and British Columbia Securities Commissions within the next 45 days.

Maria O'Connor BSc (Hons) is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Maria O'Connor is a Principal Resource Geologist and full-time employee for CSA Global (UK) Ltd and takes responsibility for the Mineral Resource Estimate reported here. Maria O'Connor has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which she has undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Dr. Reynolds (PhD, Economic Geology) is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Dr. Reynolds is a Director of CSA Global, and visited the Pinargozu Mine between 28 May and 31 May 2017. He is responsible for Sections 1 to 12 of the NI43-101 report relevant to this Mineral Resource Estimate. Dr. Reynolds has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Maria O'Connor and Dr. Reynolds are independent of the issuer as described in Section 1.5 of NI 43-101 and have reviewed and approved this news release and consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which this appears.

The Company's Qualified Person is John Barry, who holds a MSc in Geology from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Professional Geologist with the European Geological Society. Mr. Barry is the Senior Technical Advisor to Pasinex Resources with 29 years of extensive global experience in exploration, mining and mine development and is a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release, reviewed and approved its contents.

About Pasinex

Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE)(FRANKFURT: PNX) is a metals company which is a 50% owner of the high grade Pinargozu zinc mine which is in production and, under its DSO Program, is shipping directly to zinc smelter / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Company has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development and production. The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc company based on building a large land within a productive CRD district in Turkey.

The Pinargozu Mine is included in the 50-50 company, Horzum Arama Isletme AS, which is a corporate joint venture between Pasinex and Turkish mining house, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). Akmetal AS is one of Turkey's largest family-owned conglomerates with the nearby past-producing Horzum zinc mine.

Visit our web site at: www.pasinex.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

PASINEX RESOURCES LTD.

Steve Williams

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although Pasinex Resources Ltd. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, exploration results, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Steve Williams

President/CEO

416.861.9659

info@pasinex.com



Cathy Hume

CHF Investor Relations

416.868.1079 ext. 231

cathy@chfir.com




Accreditation strengthens Spirent's commitment to providing best-in-class security solutions for our customers

Spirent Communications plc (LSE:SPT) and CREST today announced that Spirent has earned global CREST accreditation for penetration testing. CREST accreditation-considered the gold standard for penetration testing-assures Spirent's customers in EMEA, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia that Spirent's penetration testing services meet the highest standards and that the work will be carried out by qualified individuals with skill, competence, and cutting-edge knowledge of the latest vulnerabilities and techniques exploited by attackers.

UK-based CREST is a not-for-profit accreditation and certification body that represents and supports the information security market. CREST accreditation is a prerequisite for suppliers to engage with many public sector and private enterprise customers, including some of the world's largest public companies. For Spirent, a UK-based security solution provider, CREST accreditation provides confidence to customers who rely on Spirent's security expertise, including compliance guidance for the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), with enforcement and potential fines starting in May 2018.

"CREST accreditation strengthens Spirent's commitment to providing best-in-class security solutions for our customers, especially those in highly regulated industries," said Spirent CEO Eric Hutchinson. "The responsibility continues to grow for organizations like ours to execute ahead of evolving cyber security threats, and CREST provides global customers with a consistent standard to identify qualified vendors. To further strengthen our ability to support customers doing business in the European region, Spirent solutions currently map to GDPR requirements."

A Need for Global Standards

For CREST, the increasingly borderless digital world of the global economy underscores the need for global accreditation standards for services such as penetration testing, cyber incident response and threat intelligence services. Governments, regulators, and customers in the private sector rely on common standards that span countries and regions. All CREST member companies undergo stringent assessment of their policies, procedures, and working practices, ensuring that CREST-approved organizations deliver consistent service to the global market.

"This is a critical time for the cyber security industry," said CREST President Ian Glover. "Spirent's commitment and proactive support of global standards assist with further expansion of CREST's efforts to drive both the quality and standards of global cyber security providers, with alignment to the needs of enterprises and public-sector organizations. Partnering with our member organizations, we are dedicated to the global importance of setting the bar high and taking a structured approach to validating the capabilities of cyber security companies and their labor force."

"Cyber attackers continually diversify their tactics, and customers need assurance their security testing is conducted comprehensively, scrupulously, and in line with the current threatscape," said Duncan Brown, associate vice president of European infrastructure and security at IDC. "CREST accreditation provides customers with a clear indication of the quality, experience and standardized methodology of the testing organization and the technical capabilities of their security staff performing the assessment."

About CREST

CREST is the not-for-profit accreditation body representing the technical information security industry. CREST provides internationally recognized accreditation for organizations and individuals providing penetration testing, cyber incident response and threat intelligence services. All CREST Member Companies undergo regular and stringent assessment; while CREST qualified individuals must pass rigorous examinations to demonstrate knowledge, skill and competence. CREST is governed by an elected Executive of experienced security professionals who also promote and develop awareness, ethics and standards within the cyber security market. For additional information about CREST, contact Allie Andrews (Allie.Andrews@crest-approved.org) or visit www.crest-approved.org.

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications is a leader in assessment, validation and monitoring solutions that test and verify the performance and security of enterprise network and application infrastructures in a broad range of environments, including enterprise, IoT, automotive, mobility and critical infrastructures. Global 2000 customers in government, industry, healthcare, and financial services employ Spirent Security products and services to ensure an unsurpassed service experience while meeting business objectives of reducing churn, increasing revenue and strengthening market share. For more information about Spirent Security solutions and services, visit www.spirent.com/Solutions/Security-Applications.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005447/en/

Contacts:

Media and Analyst Contacts:

Americas:

Corman Communications, LLC

Patrick Corman, +1-650-326-9648

Mobile: +1-650-465-5973

patrick@cormancom.com

or

Asia Pacific:

Spirent Communications

Janet Peng, +86 (10) 82330055 x160

janet.peng@spirent.com

or

Europe:

Spirent Communications

Simon Loe, +44 7850205885

Simon.Loe@spirent.com
NEURONAX, the biopharmaceutical company specializing in neuron protection and regeneration, will present its pre-clinical results highlighting the potential of its lead product NX210 at Neuroscience 2017.

Organized by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), Neuroscience 2017 is the world's largest neuroscience conference for scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and the nervous system. The conference will take place from November 11th to the 15th at the Walter E. Washington Conference Center in Washington, DC.

The unique properties of NX210 make it a promising solution in neuron protection and regeneration for recovery from traumatic or degenerative disorders of the central nervous system.

The therapeutic and regenerative properties of NX210 will be showcased over the span of two separate presentations:

November 14, 2017, 1:00 5:00 PM at Halls A-C

Session 578 Spinal Cord Injury: Therapeutic Strategies

578.12 /X31 Thrombospondin repeat-derived peptide (NX210) induces axonal regrowth and functional recovery in a spinal cord injury in a rat model.

S. Gobron*, N. Deletage*, L. Sakka**;

*NEURONAX, Saint-Beauzire, France; **Lab. d'Anatomie, Neurodol Faculte de Medecine, Clermont-Ferrand, France

November 15, 2017, 8:00 12:00 PM at Halls A-C

Session 667 Therapeutic Development for Neurodegenerative Diseases

667.19 /S3 Thrombospondin repeat-derived peptide (NX210): Antioxidative and neuroprotective properties.

N. Deletage*, M. Chalus**, A. Boileau**, S. Gobron*, L. Sakka**;

*NEURONAX, Saint-Beauzire, France; **Lab. d'Anatomie, Neurodol Faculte de Medecine, Clermont-Ferrand, France

"We are proud to have been selected by the committee of the Society of Neurosciences to present the research we have done on the properties of NX210 and the effectiveness we have witnessed in pre-clinical models. The results complete what we had undertaken to provide the proof of concept to the product and have improved our understanding of its mechanism of action. They have also given us more appreciation of how large the range of potential applications are for this product. The company is now entering a new phase of corporate development," says Yann Godfrin, Chief Executive Officer at NEURONAX.

About NEURONAX

NEURONAX is a biopharmaceutical company based in Lyon and Saint-Beauzire, France.

The company's mission is to develop first-in-class innovative drugs to treat patients suffering from traumatic or severe neurological disorders faced with high unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to improve the patients' functional recovery and quality of life.

NX210, NEURONAX's lead product, is a very promising drug with high potential in many neurological disorders. It is a patented peptide with multi-functional action and its efficacy is supported by several pre-clinical proof-of-concept studies. We have observed in vivo its capacity to regrow nerve fibers after spinal cord injury and to support functional recovery. NX210 has been granted orphan drug designation by European Medicines Agency and is about to enter a phase-I clinical trial in spinal cord injury. Moreover, the established properties of NX210 enable the extension of its potential to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005728/en/

Contacts:

NEURONAX

Yann GODFRIN

Chief Executive Officer

www.neuronax.com

contact@neuronax.com
Changes Name to Atlas Engineered Products Ltd. & Lists as a Tier 1 Industrial Issuer on TSX Venture Exchange, Completes Financing of $4,254,400

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 9, 2017) - ARCHER PETROLEUM CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: AEP) is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of Atlas Engineered Products Ltd. ("Atlas") (the "Transaction") and concurrent private placement financing of 10,566,000 common shares at a price of $0.40 per share for gross proceeds of $4,254,400. As part of the Transaction, the Company will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 1 industrial issuer under the symbol "AEP" on November 9, 2017.

Guy Champagne, President of Atlas, commented, "We are very proud of this significant milestone. The Atlas RTO and related financing marks the first step in our acquisition and consolidation strategy to create Canada's largest network of truss and engineered wood products manufacturing and distribution facilities."

Acquisition of Atlas

Under the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement ("Definitive Agreement"), the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Atlas and, in consideration of which, the Company (A) paid the principal shareholders $1,000,000 and (B) issued a total of 8,047,764 common shares of the Company to the shareholders of Atlas (the "Consideration Shares"). The Consideration Shares represents twenty five percent (25%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company on closing of the transaction and Financing (as defined below).

Concurrent with closing the Transaction, the Company issued 10,566,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.40 per share for gross proceeds of $4,254,400 (the "Financing"). In connection with the Financing, the Company paid finders a cash fee of $39,600 and issued finders a total of 380,700 common shares. The securities issued under the financing will be subject to a hold period expiring on March 7, 2018 pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

As part of the Transaction, the Company changed its name to "Atlas Engineered Products Ltd."

Directors, Officers and Stock Options

As a result of closing of the Transaction, Mohammad Hadi Abassi became the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, Guy Champagne will remain the President and a director of the Company, Roy Dondale became Vice President of the Company, Carmen Amezquita Hernandez will remain as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Dawn Wattie became Corporate Secretary of the Company. Don Hubbard and Greg Smith will serve as independent directors of the Company.

In conjunction with closing the Transaction, the Company granted 1,750,000 stock options to the officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company. The options will be exercisable at a price of $0.49 per share, be subject to vesting provisions and be exercisable for a period of five years from the grant date.

Escrow Shares

A total of 1,000,000 shares and all stock options and convertible securities will be subject to the Tier 1 escrow requirements set forth in TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.4 - Escrow, Vendor Consideration and Resale Restrictions whereby 25% of the escrowed shares will be released on the initial listing date and 25% of the escrowed shares will be released each six month period thereafter, and 8,047,764 shares will be subject to the Tier 2 escrow requirements set forth in TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.4 - Escrow, Vendor Consideration and Resale Restrictions whereby 10% of the escrowed shares will be released on the initial listing date and 15% of the escrowed shares will be released each six month period thereafter.

About Atlas Engineered Products Ltd.

Atlas Engineered Products is one of British Columbia's leading suppliers of trusses and engineered wood products. The company was formed over 18 years ago and operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in Nanaimo to meet the needs of residential and commercial builders. Atlas has expert design and engineering teams, a multiple-shift state-of-the-art truss manufacturing operation, and large inventories of engineered beam and flooring components. Atlas aims to grow its base of business across Canada by pursuing an aggressive acquisition and consolidation strategy, and will continue to bring its construction industry partners unparalleled excellence in service, product, and support.

For further information please contact:

Atlas Engineered Products Ltd.

Guy Champagne, President

Phone: 1-250-218-7128

2005 Boxwood Rd.

Nanaimo, BC V9S 5X9

www.atlasengineeredproducts.com

Forward Looking Information

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company including those to be described in the Filing Statement filed by the Company on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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.
ESCONDIDO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 --MARIJUANA COMPANY OF AMERICA INC. ("MCOA" or the "Company") (OTC: MCOA), an innovative hemp and cannabis corporation, is pleased to announce that it has completed its financing of $800,000 in cash and 15 million shares of the Company's common stock in full satisfaction of the amended terms of the joint venture agreement with Bougainville Ventures, Inc. ("BV").

Per the terms of the agreement and the completion of funding, the Company has secured a 50% equity stake in BV-MCOA Management, LLC and will receive 50% of the net profits from leasing the facility, which will accommodate a contracted cannabis production and processing tenant with an approved Tier 3, I-502 license. As turnkey landlords, MCOA and BV look to provide an ideal cultivation environment for their future tenant and it is anticipated that construction of the greenhouse will be completed in Q1 2018.

On November 1, 2017, the Company entered into a second Securities Purchase Agreement with St. George. The Secured Convertible Promissory Note has a principal amount of $601,420.00 with the right to purchase at any time on or after November 1, 2017, until November 1, 2022, twenty-two million (22,000,000) shares of Company's common stock.

Donald Steinberg, MCOA CEO said, "We are pleased to complete funding for this joint venture and we are looking forward to the beginning of the construction of the greenhouses. As more states, most notably California in 2018, legalize recreational cannabis, MCOA is exploring opportunities to replicate this business model and develop our real estate portfolio."

This joint venture project is solely for the purpose of cultivation and processing of legal marijuana within the State of Washington only and not beyond its borders. The Company will lease the turnkey property to the licensed tenant, thus acting solely as a landlord.

The original terms of the JV agreement with BV called for MCOA to fund $1,050,000 in cash. Both parties agreed to reduce the cash amount to $800,000 and issue 15 million shares of restricted common stock on November 7, 2017.

About Bougainville Ventures, Inc.

Bougainville Venture Inc. is in the core business of converting irrigated farmland that was traditionally used to grow marginally profitable feed crops, to greenhouse-equipped farmland used to grow luxury crops with a primary focus on marijuana. Bougainville is an agricultural services company that focuses on providing growers with state-of-the-art computer controlled greenhouses and processing facilities. Bougainville offers fully built out turnkey solutions to licensed I-502 tenant-growers and luxury crop growers who will lease the facilities for production and processing. Bougainville does not "touch the plant" and only provides growing infrastructure as a landlord for licensed marijuana growers in the state of Washington. Bougainville has a strong management team with relevant experience and education in place with a focus on build-out and occupancy of its planned greenhouses in Oroville, WA. Strategic plans to expand its land bank, greenhouse campus and I-502 tenant-grower clients are scheduled for expanding operations.

About Marijuana Company of America, Inc.

MCOA is a corporation which participates in: (1) product research and development of legal hemp-based consumer products under the brand name "hempSMART", that targets general health and well-being; (2) an affiliate marketing program to promote and sell its legal hemp-based consumer products containing CBD; (3) leasing of real property to separate business entities engaged in the growth and sale of cannabis in those states and jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized and properly regulated for medicinal and recreations use; and, (4) the expansion of its business into ancillary areas of the legalized cannabis and hemp industry, as the legalized markets and opportunities in this segment mature and develop.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate", "seek", intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-12G, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov.

For more information, please visit the Company's websites at:

MarijuanaCompanyofAmerica.com

hempSMART.com

NetworkNewsWire/MCOA

Marijuana Company of America, Inc.

Investor Relations

1+(888)-777-4362

Email Contact



Communications Contact:

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)

New York, New York

www.NetworkNewsWire.com

212.418.1217 Office

Email Contact




NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- NetworkNewsWire ("NNW"), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, today announces the publication of an editorial featuring InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CSE: IN) (OTCQB: IMLFF), a client of NNW specializing in a proprietary in-house cannabinoid biosynthesis platform capable of producing any of the 90+ "downstream" cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant.

The publication, titled, "Cannabis Biotechs Could be Big Pharma's Latest M&A Focus," discusses the operations of five cannabis biotech companies, several of which have been part of recent M&A activity.

To view the full publication, visit: https://www.networknewswire.com/cannabis-biotechs-big-pharmas-latest-ma-focus/

"Big Pharma's mass entry into the cannabis space may well be on the horizon, but most industry analysts agree that M&A activity targeting existing cannabis biotechs, not internal research and development efforts, will provide the primary entry pathway. This reliance on M&A deals instead of R&D dollars has become a driving trend in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years, with the value of such transactions hitting $59.3 billion in 2015. The cannabis industry, in particular, features a host of inherent costs, including: dedicated real estate, facility maintenance, and operating expenses, which are requisite for cultivation and subsequent testing. When paired with risks of crop recalls and ongoing concerns related to the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to improve yields, these factors serve as sizable barriers to entry for relatively inexperienced pharmaceutical firms looking to cash in on the cannabis boom. Additionally, many of these firms with strategic plans for overseas expansion will face an increased level of regulatory burden on plant based products.

"These barriers to entry make InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IMLFF Profile), with its proprietary in-house cannabinoid biosynthesis platform, an interesting player in the cannabis biotech market... InMed's lead product candidate is INM-750, a cannabinoid-based topical therapy being developed as a treatment for epidermolysis bullosa (EB). An orphan disease with no known treatment and significant unmet medical need, EB consists of a group of inherited connective tissue disorders sharing a common manifestation of extremely fragile skin that blisters or tears from friction or slight trauma. With INM-750, InMed is attempting to harness the well-documented anti-inflammatory, analgesic and wound healing properties of cannabinoid compounds to address these key disease hallmarks. In early March, InMed announced its filing of an international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application covering INM-750, marking an important step toward providing intellectual and commercial protection of the product as a topical therapy for EB."

About InMed

InMed is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based prescription drug therapies utilizing novel drug delivery systems. InMed conducts research, discovery, preclinical, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial development activities for its product candidates. InMed's proprietary bioinformatics database assessment tool, the biosynthesis manufacturing process and its drug development programs are the fundamental value drivers of the company.

For more information, visit www.InMedPharma.com.

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

NNW Contact:



NetworkNewsWire (NNW)

New York, New York

www.NetworkNewsWire.com

212.418.1217 Office

Email Contact




NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- ORHub, Inc. (OTC: ORHB), an advanced digital software company focused on helping to improve the bottom line and overall cost effectiveness of hospitals, announces that it has signed a five-year revenue agreement with a nationally recognized institution listed among the country's "Top 100 Hospitals."

The agreement underscores the value and power that ORHub brings to the market by working hand-in-hand with medical industry professionals to dramatically improve operating margins and hospital economics.

"We are excited to announce our new revenue agreement," says ORHub CEO Colt Melby. "This is a very important milestone for ORHub and is demonstrative of our ability to rapidly and efficiently expand to key hospitals in major U.S. markets. I am very proud of our team and we are on track to exceed our current sales goal for this year."

ORHub's transformative medical software is working every day in hospitals to provide vendors, physicians, nurses, procurement officers and administrators the resources they need to collaborate in a single digital workspace. The platform is currently being used by hospitals to analyze procedures, offer predictive analysis, and drive additional revenue insights to decision makers. The ease of integration and the delivery of a highly cost-effective system makes ORHub a natural choice for managing the turbulent economic times facing hospitals.

As demonstrated in a powerful customer review published by Microsoft, ORHub delivers unprecedented intelligence and insight into an operating room to help medical professionals achieve greatly improved resource allocation, real-time monitoring of surgery, and predictive analysis.

Read the full customer review at (http://nnw.fm/2iGHh).

About ORHub, Inc.

ORHub is an advanced surgical software provider focused on real-time surgical data analytics. The Company's suite of products serves the needs of the health care industry, hospital, patient, government and the medical device vendor. ORHub provides a cloud-based software solution that captures information before, during and after surgery, filling a void in the current surgical information infrastructure and providing the first process to capture and measure the surgical process -- evolving Big Data into Intelligent Digital Data.

ORHub's software applications allow hospitals and medical device vendors to utilize any web-enabled device to create an anatomical graphic depiction of exactly what occurs during surgery. The application automatically translates the resulting schematic into an intelligent, electronic operative report that links every detail of surgery, including implant location, surgical techniques, product usage, and all clinical parameters to create a dynamically new source of comparative information.

As a result, hospitals and surgeons can make real-time, data driven decisions to improve business profitability and the quality of patient care. This innovative technology results in hospitals understanding costs and identifying areas of cost reductions, as well as results in increased accountability, automatic creation of comprehensive anatomic implant registries, real-time analytics, improved efficiencies, and compliance with existing government regulations. ORHub has offices in Phoenix, Arizona; Newport Beach, California; and Bellevue, Washington.

For more information, visit www.ORHub.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be attained. Such statements are inherently uncertain, and actual results and activities may differ materially from those estimated or projected. Certain factors that can affect the Company's ability to achieve its anticipated results include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the development of a new software product business.

ORHub Contact:

Lanny Lang, CFO

Email Contact

9830 S. 51st St., Suite A-128

Phoenix, AZ 85044

844.545.4508 x 403



Communications Contact:

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)

New York, New York

www.NetworkNewsWire.com

212.418.1217 Office

Email Contact




DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Victura Construction Group, Inc. (OTC PINK: VICT), a holding company focused on strategic acquisitions within the construction industry, announces its 2016 annual financial results and for the first and second quarters ending June 31, 2017.

Management Commentary

"We are pleased to report that we've been able to continue to achieve increasing revenues since last filing our financial reports ending December 31, 2015. During this period we have streamlined our operational focus to our core competency of residential and commercial insurance restoration and remodeling. In streamlining our operations we have seen a significant decrease in our expenses, and the increase in cash from cash from Q1 to Q2 2017 is up 9.51%. Due to the steady increasing opportunities within the insurance restoration and remodeling industry we continue along the same path of steady growth which will further enhance value for our shareholders," said CEO Patrick Johnson.

2016 Financial Results

Revenue was $8,840,461.08 a decrease of 9.39% compared to $9,756,823.39 in the prior year of 2015

Total cost and expenses were $6,935,403.82, a 34.26% decrease compared to $10,550,122.41 in the prior year of 2015.

Balance Sheet, Cash, Liabilities

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,761,360.60, an increase of 8.45% from $1,624,028.88 at December 31, 2015. Total Liabilities were $3,065,673.86 at December 31, 2016, and increase of $2,307,369.10 at December 31, 2015.

Q1 2017 Financial Results

At March 30, 2017, Revenue was $1,986,774.63 a decrease of 43.62% compared to $3,523,936.35 at March 30, 2016.

At March 30 2017, Total cost and expenses were $1,273,690.91, a 53.11% decrease compared to $2,716,353.64 as of March 30, 2016.

Balance Sheet, Cash, Liabilities

At March 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,480,593.03 a decrease of 5.14% from $2,615,045.25 at March 30, 2016. Total liabilities were $2,355,788.21 as of March 30, 2017, an increase of 52.57% from $1,544,099.70 at March 30, 2016.

Q2 2017 Financial Results

At June 30, 2017, Revenue was $4,226,032.92, a decrease of 18.91% compared to $5,211,470.09 at June 30, 2016.

At June 30, 2017 Total cost and expenses were $3,792,501.90, a 29.46% decrease compared to $5,376,561.33 at June 30, 2016.

Balance Sheet, Cash, Liabilities

At June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,716,676.41 an increase of 12.17% from $2,422,017.27 at June 30, 2016. Total liabilities were 3,163,534.08 at June 30 2017, an increase of 14.53% from $2,262,197.43 as of June 30, 2016.

About Victura Construction Group Inc.

Victura Construction Group, Inc., (OTC PINK: VICT), is a holding company focused on strategic acquisitions within the construction industry that service both residential and commercial sectors in new development and construction projects, restoration and re-build following any covered loss or catastrophic event and materials supply opportunities within the industry.

Victura operates with excellent business practices and management expertise, sound ethics, financial resources as applicable, and utilizes strategic industry relationships to help add to the success of any acquired company(s).

The company can be found at www.victuraconstruction.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E and/or 27E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements as to the future performance of the company and the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to raise necessary financing, retention of key personnel, timely delivery of inventory from the company's suppliers, timely product development, product acceptance, and the impact of competitive services and products, in addition to general economic risks and uncertainties.

For more information please contact:



Victura Construction Group, Inc.

Patrick J. Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

(844) 842-8872

pjohnson@victuraconstruction.com




LINKOPING, Sweden, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity companySectra(STO: SECT B) signs agreement with the global teleradiology provider Telemedicine Clinic (TMC). Through this agreement, Sectra can now offer its orthopaedic customers access to the service Sectra Implant Movement Analysis. Radiologists at TMC will analyze images sent through Sectra's online service to determine whether or not a patient's implant is loose. This will enable orthopaedists to understand post-operative chronic pain without performing surgery again, thereby cutting costs and reducing risk for the patients. Initially, Sectra and TMC will provide this service to orthopaedic surgeons in Sweden.

Patients who have implants may experience chronic pain following orthopaedic surgery. Sometimes, the pain is due to the fact that the implant is loose, or even broken. The new service enables detection of loose or broken implants earlier than with conventional radiographic examination. With the new agreement between Sectra and TMC, orthopaedists can request two CT images of the patient and digitally submit those to Sectra's online service Sectra Implant Movement Analysis. Radiologists at TMC will analyze these images using Sectra's software and send back a report clearly showing whether or not the patient's implant is loose.

"I am very excited to be able to offer our customers the ability to improve the efficiency and quality of post-operative follow-up," says Gustaf Schwang, General Manager Business Unit Orthopeadics, Sectra. "TMC's global reach enables us to provide excellent service to our customers today and to expand the service outside Sweden when the time is right."

TMC is an international diagnostic group with offices in Reading, UK, Sydney, Australia and Barcelona, Spain. TMC was established in 2002 to meet the increasing demand for diagnostic expertise in many European regions in which a scarcity of access to subspecialized radiologists has created problems in the delivery of healthcare services. Today, TMC's medical team provides radiology reports to more than 135 European hospitals. TMC has used Sectra PACS for its teleradiology business since 2007.

"We are proud that Sectra has chosen to work with TMC to deliver this valuable diagnostic service," says Henrik Agrell, Managing Director for Telemedicine Clinic Scandinavia. "It is a recognition of our focus on quality and teleradiology provided by subspecialized radiologists. It is also a great opportunity for our radiologists to work with a new technology that will have a real impact on quality of care and healthcare costs."

About Sectra Implant Movement Analysis

Sectra Implant Movement Analysis gives orthopaedists a clear answer to whether or not a patient's implant is loose, without having to perform surgery. Patients experiencing chronic pain following orthopaedic surgery can thereby avoid unnecessary risks.

Two low-dose CT images of the patient are taken: one in flexion and one in extension. The images are submitted for analysis using Sectra's online service. Within 72 hours, the hospital receives a report that clearly states whether or not the implant is loose. The report also includes images, which enables orthopaedists to see where the implant is loose so that they can better plan surgery. Sectra Implant Movement Analysis is currently suitable for patients with hip, spine, or neck implants.

Sectra Implant Movement Analysis was developed in collaboration with researchers at the Karolinska based on their research results and supported by the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova.

Video: Introduction to Sectra Implant Movement Analysis

Experience the solutions at RSNA 2017

Meet Sectra at RSNA in booth #6113 where we will showcase Sectra Implant Movement Analysis as well as Sectra's orthopaedic pre-operative planning tools for 2D and 3D images. Read more and book a meeting with Sectra at RSNA.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Torbjorn Kronander

CEO and President SectraAB

+46(0)705-23-52-27



Gustaf Schwang

General Manager of Business Unit Orthopeadics, Sectra,

+46(0)-734-16-08-10

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/sectra/r/sectra-signs-agreement-with-teleradiology-provider-to-improve-post-operative-follow-up-for-orthopaed,c2386893

The following files are available for download:
PALM BEACH, Florida, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

A constant and continued growth of legal cannabis throughout North America is leading to expanded operations and production of new products, as well as solid stock performance as the industry continues to earn lofty revenue forecasts from analysts. ArcView, a leading research group for the legal marijuana industry, recently reported legal cannabis, hemp and marijuana sales soared in North America by 34% last year, and they're slated to grow by an average of 26% annually through 2021. That type of growth appears to be enough to attract investors to marijuana stocks such as:MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.(OTC: MYMMF) (CSE: MYM), Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF), Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC).

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.(OTCQB: MYMMF) (CSE: MYM.CN) is pleased to announce that the Laval Project is on schedule for completion on December 15th, 2017. MYM will then be submitting on confirmation of readiness video and Standard Operating Procedures for Cultivation to Health Canada. All underground plumbing is complete, HVAC installation is underway and next week the storage vault will be completed. All the walls of the production rooms are insulated and have the bullet proof windows installed. MYM has completed the grow equipment purchase order and was able to cut the projected costs in half. Grow equipment will arrive in 10 days to be installed.Read this and more news for MYM Nutraceuticals at:http://www.marketnewsupdates.com/news/mymmf.html

In parallel, MYM's mega project 'Weedon' has been progressing rapidly with engineering land studies completed and the Health Canada application is progressing rapidly. The Weedon processing and packaging, distribution plant design has been completed and final implementation on the greenhouse design of the first phase of 300,000 sqft is close to completion. MYM is currently going through the process to acquire a 'Distribution and Dealers Import Export license' application with Health Canada, which will open up worldwide markets for MYM.

"Demand for cannabis is growing worldwide and with MYM actively investigating all opportunities in each sector of the cannabis industry, it will develop MYM into a complete Global seed-to-sale company," said Rob Gietl, Chief Executive Officer. "MYM is working to open up cannabis distribution channels globally to accelerate our growth. Our Weedon project alone has 329 acres to expand production on. As recreational cannabis opens in more markets and as global markets expand; we plan on being ahead of the curve and have supply chains ready."

In other industry news of note:

Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED.TO) (OTC: TWMJF) and Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: NINE) ('Delta 9' or together, the 'Companies') applaud the framework this week announced by the Province of Manitoba regarding adult-use cannabis production, distribution, and retail. The decision by the Government of Manitoba to allow for private retail distribution of cannabis while ensuring that public safety and health concerns are the focal points of its cannabis policies is a strong and welcomed approach. As responsible existing cannabis businesses, Delta 9 and Canopy Growth plan to work collaboratively within the proposed Manitoba framework to bring locally produced products as well as the best variety from across the country to future cannabis consumers throughout the province.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB.TO) (OTCQX: ACBFF) announced this week that the Company has elected to exercise its right under the indenture (the 'Indenture') governing the Company's 8.0% unsecured convertible debentures due November 1, 2018 (the 'Debentures') to convert (the 'Conversion') all of the principal amount outstanding of the remaining Debentures and unpaid accrued interest thereon up to December 9, 2017 into common shares of the Company (the 'Common Shares'). Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company may force the conversion of the Debentures at the conversion price of $2.00 per Common Share when the VWAP of the Common Shares on the TSX Exchange (the 'Exchange') for 10 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $3.00.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) announced yesterday that subsidiary Kannaway, LLC, the first hemp lifestyle network to offer cannabidiol (CBD) hemp botanical products, has introduced KannawaySuperGreens, a brand new way to take advantage of hemp's nutritional benefits. KannawaySuperGreens is formulated with more than 40 different superfood and nutrient dense ingredients, KannawaySuperGreens makes it easier to get the suggested daily intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and other nutrients by using products such as wheat, barley, and alfalfa grasses, spinach, broccoli, kale, acai, carrot, beet, turmeric, flax and chia seeds, hemp flour, and Kannaway's exclusive Bi-Bongherbal extracts.

Terra Tech Corp. (OTCQX: TRTC), a vertically integrated, cannabis-focused agriculture company, will release its Third Quarter 2017 results today - Thursday, November 9, 2017 after U.S. markets close. The company will also host a conference call on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern.

- Dial-In Number: 1-857-232-0157

- Access Code: 422095

- Derek Peterson, Chairman and CEO of Terra Tech Corp., will be answering shareholder questions at the end of the call.

DISCLAIMER:MarketNewsUpdates.com (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels.MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein.MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. MNU's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material.All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks.All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release.MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers.Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks.For current services performed MNU has been compensated forty four hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. by a non-affiliated third party.MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MNU undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article covering Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (CNSX: BLO) (BLO.CN) (OTCQB: BLOZF), its recent patent filing for a cannabis ignition interlock device, as well as its continued progress in developing a roadside cannabis breathalyzer.

Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal everywhere, but consumers aren't concerned given their personal beliefs and the lack of enforcement. At the same time, law enforcement has struggled to cope with growing marijuana usage given the lack of a non-invasive roadside breathalyzer capable of determining impairment. The good news is that researchers are getting close to developing an effective solution that will improve enforcement.

Dangerous Opinions

Over 90 percent of cannabis consumers surveyed last year were aware that you could receive a DUI for driving after using recreational marijuana. But that hasn't stopped them driving under the influence on an increasingly regular basis, despite mounting evidence that marijuana affects reaction times, motor skills, and affects the general perception of speed, time, and distance. This could make it just as dangerous as alcohol when driving under the influence.

A Colorado Department of Transportation survey found that 56 percent of cannabis consumers drove within two hours of consuming marijuana and an equal percentage believed that they could safely drive under the influence of the drug. While this percentage has been steady over the years, consumers driving 11 days or more in a month within hours of consumption has increased sharply from 10 percent in 2014 to 21 percent by 2016.

More than three-quarters of marijuana consumers find it unlikely that they will be pulled over by law enforcement for being over the legal limit. Cannabis consumers are also aware that law enforcement does not have any tools to gather court admissible evidence of marijuana impairment at roadside, which is a prerequisite to a DUI conviction. While public awareness campaigns are on the rise, there is little evidence that people are heeding the advice and waiting to drive.

Unique Challenges

There are many challenges with detecting marijuana impairment that have made it challenging to develop a roadside marijuana breathalyzer.

The first problem facing researchers is the fact that alcohol dissolves in water and spreads evenly throughout the body whereas THC dissolves in locally-stored fat. Alcohol breathalyzers can easily sample alcohol levels in water particles found in a breath sample, which reliably translates to the level of alcohol in the brain. THC is absorbed in fat -- namely the brain - and leaks out very slowly over time back into the bloodstream.

The second problem is that marijuana affects different people in different ways. A regular user builds up so much THC in their body fat that it could be present in the blood for weeks after they've last consumed marijuana. This means that a blood test may find high levels of THC present even if they aren't currently experiencing a 'high'. In chronic cases, they may be cognitively impaired for up to a month after last consuming the drug.

Governments have responded by setting THC limits that are enforced across the board. For example, Colorado law specifies that drivers with five nanograms of active THC in their whole blood can be prosecuted for a DUI. This opens the door to researchers working on marijuana breathalyzers that can detect and eventually quantify THC in a person's system at roadside.

Innovative Solutions

Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTCQB: BLOZF) is a technology company, developing a cannabis breathalyzer for law enforcement and the workplace. In a November update, Cannabix filed several patent applications related to a marijuana-focused ignition interlock device (IID) and the company also indicated that its Beta 3.0 device is 95 percent complete and it plans on testing the device shortly. Cannabix is working with advanced "FAIMS" based technology that enables its breathalyzer to isolate THC and THC-related metabolites in breath samples.

"Cannabix Technologies continues to receive considerable interest from government and law enforcement for the development of its point of care Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer," said Cannabix Technologies CEO Rav Mlait. "Our team of scientists in Vancouver and Florida are working methodically and rapidly to develop this device for the public."

The THC focused ignition interlock device would require a driver to blow into an installed device confirming that the driver is not impaired before the vehicle will start. Many countries are requiring an IID as a condition for drivers convicted of DUI -- especially repeat offenders -- which could open up a tremendous market for the company over time.

Looking Ahead

Marijuana consumers have dangerous opinions when it comes to driving high, which is becoming an increasing problem as recreational use is legalized. Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTCQB: BLOZF) is developing a marijuana breathalyzer device that could address these problems with a roadside breath test.

At the same time, the company recently filed a patent application for an ignition interlock device. The THC sensing ignition interlock would target the court mandated market whereby drivers convicted of multiple DUI offences are required to install an ignition interlock system. The THC ignition interlock system could also be marketed to parents of new drivers to help guard against young drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. These two markets offer a lucrative business opportunity in the marijuana industry.

For more information, visit the company's website at www.cannabixtechnologies.com

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/dangerous-opinions-spur-need-cannabis-breathalyzer/

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/featuredcompany

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

CFN Media

Frank Lane

2063697050

flane@cannabisfn.com




STOCKHOLM, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Tobii Pro, the global leader in eye tracking research solutions, continues its expansion of high-end research tools for academic researchers with the release of a 1200 Hz edition of its Tobii Pro Spectrum eye tracker. Researchers in psycholinguistics, psychology, vision, ophthalmology and the human brain will benefit from the unique combination of millisecond accuracy, robust trackability, a large head box and a sampling frequency of 1200 Hz that is double the capacity of the previous model.

"Since each research question is unique, research tools that can handle varying research questions are needed. With Pro Spectrum 1200 we are adding an eye tracker for researchers whose studies require extremely detailed information about eye movements. This new tool will help researchers uncover completely new and deeper understandings of the correlation between gaze and human physiology and behavior," said Tom Englund, president Tobii Pro.

The average saccade (when the eye moves from one point to another) is 40 milliseconds and to study these very fast eye movements the resolution in the eye tracking data is key. Tobii Pro Spectrum delivers a high sampling rate while still maintaining the highest standard in data quality. The increased granularity of the eye tracking data will help researchers achieve a greater understanding of the behaviors exhibited by people with psychiatric disorders or brain damage. It opens the door for advances in research of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease, where degeneration of nerves in the brain starts to affect eye movement very subtly at an early stage.

For researchers studying the brain and its functions, it is also common to combine eye tracking with other physiological measurements, to understand the connection between what we see and how we react, based on the information we process. Tobii Pro Spectrum can very precisely be synchronized with high frequency sensors from EEG (brain activity).

As with all Tobii Pro eye trackers, Pro Spectrum 1200 incorporates Tobii's unique 3D model of the human eye and sophisticated image processing to calculate with high precision where the person being eye tracked is looking. This ensures tracking quality even when conditions change, such as when participants adjust their heads or fully turn away from the cameras. Even with the large increase in sampling frequency, Pro Spectrum 1200 will automatically pick up the location of the eye and continue tracking without any extra calibration. All editions of Pro Spectrum demonstrate extremely robust tracking capabilities, regardless of ethnicity, age or corrective lenses.

The new edition of Pro Spectrum collects gaze data at up to 1200 Hz through two eye tracking cameras each capturing 1200 images per second from both eyes. Pro Spectrum 1200 joins previous editions that eye track at 150 Hz, 300 Hz and 600 Hz. The series has the maximum level of flexibility to meet the different needs within academic research and the new edition will be available at the beginning of 2018.

More information:

Watch video about Tobii Pro Spectrum

Watch a video on Tobii Pro in 2 minutes

CONTACT:

Cecilia Lago Albright, PR & Communications Manager, Tobii Pro, Phone: +46-707-43-13-45,

email: cecilia.albright@tobii.com

Anthony Suarez, Media Relations Manager, North of Nine Communications, Phone: +1-212-614-4331, email: anthony.suarez@nof9.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/tobii-ab/r/tobii-pro-launches-new-advancement-in-eye-trackers-for-behavioral-research,c2386881

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NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Metrospaces, Inc. (OTC PINK: MSPC) announces approval of preliminary agreement for Crowd funded Reg A Mini-IPO for majority held Etelix.

Mr. Oscar Brito, Company CFO, stated: "We have reached a preliminary agreement with Minivest (www.minivest.com) to do a Reg A mini-IPO for Etelix. We are very pleased with the revenue growth Etelix has continued to show through 2017 of approximately 100% over 2016. Although some steps still needed to be had, including regulatory hurdles, this funding would give Etelix enough financing for the construction of its first data center and potentially fuel growth higher than the current 100% YOY growth. Although the process is still preliminary, the goal is raise $2M in this IPO. This sort of financing will be very positive for Etelix and MSPC since it would be a straight common stock offering with a floor price and no price reset mechanism, thus giving Etelix sure footing on its financing. Minivest is a leading crowd funding mini-IPO platform. We have seen the success they have had with pre-revenue companies, so we are excited about the possibilities of this financing since Etelix is set to do over $7.5M in revenue and will be EBITDA positive for 2017. Although there is no exact timing for this financing, we are aiming at Q1 of 2018."

About Metrospaces

Metrospaces www.metrospaces.net is a publicly traded real estate investment and Development Company which acquires land, designs, builds, and develops then resells condominiums and Luxury High-End Hotels, principally in urban areas of Latin America. The company's current projects are located in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Miami, USA. It is operated by an elite group of real estate and investment professionals and entrepreneurs located in New York City, Miami and Buenos Aires. Company shareholders have extensive careers in real estate and business financing worldwide, and have funded projects both in the America's and across Europe valued in excess of US $550Million.

Metrospaces' majority shareholders has partnered with Investors on Elite properties including The London BLVGARI 5 Star Hotel, and is currently involved in negotiations for the development of several Elite luxury properties in South America.

Among Metrospace partners are Architects, Real Estate Developers, Agents and Attorneys of the highest standing, with extensive experience in the global property market.

Metrospaces was originally founded by company President Oscar Brito.

Relevant Links:

http://metrospaces.net/

Safe Harbor Statement:

Statements in this news release may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Metrospaces Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release.

Metrospaces, Inc.

Investor Relations:

investors@metrospaces.net




DUBLIN, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The present report is an essential resource for a one looking for detailed information on the world methyl ethyl ketone market. The report covers data on global, regional and national markets including present and future trends for supply and demand, prices, and downstream industries.



In addition to the analytical part, the report provides a range of tables and figures which all together give a true insight into the national, regional and global markets for methyl ethyl ketone.



Report Scope:



The report covers global, regional and country markets of methyl ethyl ketone

It describes present situation, historical background and future forecast

Comprehensive data showing methyl ethyl ketone capacities, production, consumption, trade statistics, and prices in the recent years are provided (globally, regionally and by country)

The report indicates a wealth of information on methyl ethyl ketone manufacturers and distributors

Region market overview covers the following: production of methyl ethyl ketone in a region/country, consumption trends, price data, trade in the recent year and manufacturers

Methyl ethyl ketone market forecast for next five years, including market volumes and prices is also provided

Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION: METHYL ETHYL KETONE PROPERTIES AND USES



2. METHYL ETHYL KETONE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES



3. METHYL ETHYL KETONE WORLD MARKET



3.1. World methyl ethyl ketone capacity

- Capacity broken down by region

- Capacity divided by country

- Manufacturers and their capacity by plant



3.2. World methyl ethyl ketone production

- Global output dynamics

- Production by region

- Production by country



3.3. Methyl ethyl ketone consumption

- World consumption

- Consumption trends in Europe

- Consumption trends in Asia Pacific

- Consumption trends in North America



3.4. Methyl ethyl ketone global trade

- World trade dynamics

- Export and import flows in regions



3.5. Methyl ethyl ketone prices in the world market



4. METHYL ETHYL KETONE REGIONAL MARKETS ANALYSIS



Each country section comprises the following parts:

- Total installed capacity in country

- Production in country

- Manufacturers in country

- Consumption of in country

- Suppliers in country

- Export and import in country

- Prices in country



4.1. Methyl ethyl ketone European market analysis

Countries covered:

- Germany

- Netherlands

- UK



4.2. Methyl ethyl ketone Asia Pacific market analysis

Countries included:

- China

- India

- Japan

- South Korea

- Taiwan

- Thailand



4.3. Methyl ethyl ketone North American market analysis

Countries under consideration:

- USA



4.4. Methyl ethyl ketone Latin American market analysis

Countries overviewed:

- Argentina

- Brazil



4.5. Methyl ethyl ketone Africa market analysis

Countries examined:

- South Africa



5. METHYL ETHYL KETONE MARKET PROSPECTS



5.1. Methyl ethyl ketone capacity and production forecast up to 2021

- Global production forecast

- On-going projects



5.2. Methyl ethyl ketone consumption forecast up to 2021

- World consumption forecast

- Forecast of consumption in Europe

- Consumption forecast in Asia Pacific

- Consumption forecast in North America



5.3. Methyl ethyl ketone market prices forecast up to 2021



6. KEY COMPANIES IN THE METHYL ETHYL KETONE MARKET WORLDWIDE



7. METHYL ETHYL KETONE END-USE SECTOR



7.1. Consumption by application

7.2. Downstream markets review and forecast

7.3. Consumer



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bhtqhh/methyl_ethyl



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


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A top US diplomat has warned that American diplomacy, the backbone of US global influence, is in a state of near collapse, amid reports that morale at the State Department is crumbling as the White House is trying to sideline it.



'Our leadership ranks are being depleted at a dizzying speed, due in part to the decision to slash promotion numbers by more than half,' wrote Barbara Stephenson, president of the American Foreign Service Association, in a just-released preview of a letter planned for the December issue of the Foreign Service Journal.



'The Foreign Service officer corps at State has lost 60 percent of its Career Ambassadors since January. Ranks of Career Ministers, our three-star equivalents, are down from 33 to 19. The ranks of our two-star Minister Counselors have fallen from 431 right after Labor Day to 369 today-and are still falling', the former U.S. ambassador to Panama noted in the letter, titled 'Time To Ask Why'.



'The talent being shown the door now is not only our top talent, but also talent that cannot be replicated overnight', according to Stephenson.



The head of the organization representing US diplomats around the world warned that the rapid loss of so many senior officers has a serious, immediate, and tangible effect on the capacity of the United States to shape world events.



The promotions that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson slashed and the hiring that he froze in the name of budget cuts are taking its toll at the entry level.



In August he abolished most of the United States' special envoys, including those for climate change and disability rights, as part of a restructuring plan within the 75,000 employee-strong Department of State.



Intake into the Foreign Service at State will drop from 366 in 2016 to around 100 new entry-level officers joining in 2018.



Stephenson did not single out Tillerson or President Donald Trump in the letter.



She recalled that Congress rejected drastic cuts to State and USAID funding. The Senate labeled the proposed cuts a 'doctrine of retreat' and directed that appropriated funds shall support staffing State at not less than Sept. 30, 2016, levels.



Meanwhile, CNN and Reuters quoted a State Department official as saying that suggestions that drastic cuts to foreign service ranks are taking place are 'simply not accurate', and that Tillerson plans to nominate individuals for the role of career ambassadors in the near future.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 9, 2017) - Cornerstone Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCC) ("Cornerstone" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the assignment of the property option agreement dated September 22, 2017 (the "Assignment Agreement") between the Company and Americas Gold Exploration, Inc. ("AGEI"). Consequently, Cornerstone has closed on AGEI's assignment to the Company of a 100% optioned interest in certain mineral claims referred to as the Carlin Vanadium/Black Kettle Project Property in Nevada (the "Property" or the "Carlin Vanadium Project"). Further details on the Assignment Agreement are set out below.

Paul Cowley, President and CEO comments, "Another milestone has been reached. With the closing of the Carlin Vanadium transaction, the Company will seek drill permits as expeditiously as possible to initiate an infill diamond drill program. The project has exceptional technical merits, setting, location and infrastructure available to it."

In addition, the Company has filed on SEDAR a Technical Report on the Property entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Carlin Vanadium Project, Carlin, Nevada dated October 26, 2017 (the "Technical Report") authored by Bart Stryhas, PhD, CPG and John Cooper, P.E. of SRK Consulting (US) Inc. ("SRK").

The Carlin Vanadium Project has one of the largest known primary vanadium deposits in the U.S.A. The Carlin Vanadium Project is located in Elko County 22km by road (14 miles) from the town of Carlin, Nevada, and is comprised of 72 contiguous unpatented mineral claims totaling 461 hectares (1,140 acres). The Carlin Vanadium deposit was discovered by Union Carbide Corp. (UCC) in the 1960's, which completed surface mapping, trenching and 152 rotary drill holes in 11,133m (36,525 feet) of drilling. The average drill hole spacing was 60m (200ft) apart within the more densely drilled areas. Drilling indicates a zone of mineralization approximately 55m (180 feet) thick striking north-south over 1,860m (6,100ft) in length and dipping 5-30 east and west averaging 760m (2,500ft) of down dip extent from surface. The mineralized unit is locally exposed on surface where it cuts topography but mostly is found at shallow depths, commonly between 50-200 ft below surface. The vanadium-rich unit is defined as vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) with grades above 0.3% V 2 O 5 , and commonly found between 0.3% and 0.8% V 2 O 5 . From the drill hole assay database, there are 1536 samples with grades >0.2% V 2 O 5 , 991 samples with grades >0.3% V 2 O 5 and 265 samples with grades between 0.8% and 3.1% V 2 O 5 . Sample lengths were typically 5 foot sample intervals. Very limited sampling of the vanadium-rich unit has also shown elevations of silver, zinc and cobalt.

The Technical Report is re-issued from the original report that was completed for Energy Metal Corp. (EMC) in April 2010, however the 2010 mineral resource estimate has been declared a historic resource in the current Technical Report and will remain a historic resource until such time as Cornerstone has it updated with current metal pricing and costs. The Company is not treating the historic mineral resource estimate as current and as such they should not be relied upon.

In the Technical Report, SRK recommended a two-stage development plan with the Phase 1 program consisting of infill diamond drilling with 18 wide spaced holes totaling 1,317m (4,320') and metallurgical testwork will serve to confirm the mineralized intervals and grades reported from the historic rotary drilling.

Technical disclosure regarding the Technical Report in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Bart Stryhas, PhD, CPG., and Mr. John Cooper, P.E. both Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Assignment Agreement and Underlying Option Agreement

Pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, AGEI assigned to the Company all of AGEI's interest in an option agreement between AGEI and Golden Predator US Holding Corp. ("GPUS") dated June 14, 2017 as amended September 12, 2017 (the "Option Agreement"). GPUS, the owner of the Property, is a private Nevada corporation that is a subsidiary of Golden Predator Mining Corp. The Option Agreement grants to Cornerstone the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Carlin Vanadium Project.

Pursuant to the terms of the Assignment Agreement, in consideration for the assignment, Cornerstone will pay to AGEI: (i) cash payments totalling US$50,000; (ii) an aggregate of 2,000,000 common shares of the Company (issuable in stages); and a 1.5% NSR (to be granted when Cornerstone exercises its option and acquires its interest in the Property).

At closing, the Company paid AGEI US$35,000 (being the balance of cash payments due) and issued to AGEI the initial tranche of 1,000,000 common shares due. A finder's fee of US$5,000 and 100,000 common shares of the Company was also paid and issued in relation to this transaction. All common shares issued at closing are subject to a 4 month hold period in compliance with Canadian securities law.

Under the terms of the Option Agreement, in order to earn its interest in the Property, Cornerstone is required to make cash payments to GPUS and to incur exploration expenditures on the Property, all as set out in the table below.

The total consideration applicable to Cornerstone's acquisition of the Property under both the Assignment Agreement and the Option Agreement, is set out below on a yearly basis:



Cash Securities Exploration or Other Work Commitments Year 1 US$35,000 to AGEI (paid)

US$25,000 to GPUS (paid) 1,000,000 shares to AGEI (issued) US$50,000 expenditures on Property Year 2 US$50,000 to GPUS 1,000,000 shares to AGEI US$125,000 expenditures on Property Year 3 -- -- US$225,000 expenditures on Property Year 4 US$1,910,000 to GPUS(1) -- US$250,000 expenditures on Property(2)

Cornerstone to complete a PEA Ongoing US$250,000/year to AGEI commencing after PEA published (as advance royalty payment or advancement against royalty buy-back payment) -- US$250,000 expenditures on Property in Year 5(2)

US$122,00 expenditures on the Property in Year 6(1)





Notes:

(1) Total cash payments aggregating US$2M may be paid to GPUS at any time after Year 3, the payment of which will complete the option exercise requirements, at which time Cornerstone would then be deemed to have exercised the option and to have acquired a 100% interest in the Property (and any requirements to incur further expenditures would then terminate).

(2) If aggregate cash payments of US$2M (see Note 1 above) have not been paid prior to such date.

At such time as Cornerstone has exercised the option in full and acquired a 100% interest in the Property, a 1.5% NSR will be granted to AGEI under the Assignment Agreement and a 2% NSR will be granted to GPUS under the Option Agreement. The AGEI 1.5% NSR may be purchased by the Company at any time for US$1,000,000 per 0.5% NSR. The GPUS 2% NSR may be purchased by the Company at the time of the option exercise for US$4 million.

Grant of Options

The Company also announces the grant of 200,000 incentive stock options to a director of the Company, subject to the terms and provisions of the Company's stock option plan, at an exercise price of $0.31 per share, for a five year term.

About Cornerstone Metals Inc.

Cornerstone's objective is to advance exploration/development stage copper, precious and strategic minerals properties to production in the Americas. The Company's Management and Board Core Competence is in exploration, permitting, development, construction, and operation of mining projects.

Besides the rights to earn 100% in the Carlin Vanadium Property described above, Cornerstone owns 100% (subject to 1.5% NSR) of the West Jerome property, near Jerome, Arizona, on the west side of Freeport McMoRan patented lands. The property, in a Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide camp, is a high-grade, massive sulfide target located 2.4 km south of the past-producing United Verde (32 million tons grading 4.4% copper, 1.5 oz/t silver and 0.04 oz/t gold). The West Jerome property has attractive untested drill targets.

ON BEHALF OF CORNERSTONE METALS INC.

per:

"Paul Cowley"

CEO & President

For further information, please contact:

Paul Cowley

Tel: 604-340-7711

Email: pcowley@cornerstonemetals.ca

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Cowley, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and President and CEO of the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include the potential acquisition of the Carlin Vanadium project as described in the news release. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to other risks, the Company's potential acquisition may prove to be unsuccessful and the Company may be unable to complete such transaction, whether because due diligence was unsatisfactory or otherwise. Further, the Company may not attract capital in the future to finance the transaction costs or obligations under the Option Agreement, which could affect whether the Company proceeds with the exercise of its option thereunder.Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.
SUDBURY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2017 / Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSX-V: FL) (the "Company") announces the appointment of Mr. John R. Didone as the newest director to join the Frontier Lithium Inc. Board of Directors.

"The Board is delighted with their appointment of Mr. Didone," comments Trevor Walker, President and CEO of Frontier Lithium. "John brings a certain business acumen and discipline that complements the leadership guiding our company. We are poised for significant growth and our Board is positively leveled with industry and business experts like Mr. Didone to help steward our success."

In addition to serving on Frontier Lithium's Board of Directors, Mr. Didone is Partner at SRWC LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants based out of Sudbury, Canada. He has been with the firm since 1980 and, over this time, has gained considerable insight of business affairs, in particular, his demonstrated experience offering professional advice on the expansion of national companies. "Mr. Didone is in touch with the Frontier's strategic goals, our staged growth strategy, and he has experience working with mining and construction sectors," remarks Mr. Trevor Walker. Mr. Didone graduated from Laurentian University's Commerce program earning an H.B.Com. He currently maintains designations and/or certifications as a CPA, CA, CMA, and LPA.

The Company would also like to acknowledge the transition of Mr. Bob Maclean from the Board of the Directors to the Company's expert Advisory Board so the company can continue to rely on his health and safety and underground mining experience. "Frontier would like to thank Mr. Bob MacLean for his dedication to the Board and welcomes his commitment to remain on the Advisory Board," stated Reginald (Rick) Walker, Chairman of the Board.

The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options totaling 933,333 shares to consultant(s). The options are set for a period of five years, expiring on November 9, 2022. The options are priced at $0.50 and are subject to regulatory approval.

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 $6 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 Company's October 2017 Metallurgical Study returned favorable results by producing lithium concentrate with a grade of 7.13% lithium oxide (Li2O) with a corresponding Li2O recovery of 79.4% which satisfies the preference from technical-grade consumers.

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) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Frontier Lithium Inc.
DURHAM, North Carolina, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcami, a leading provider of custom end-to-end development and manufacturing services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, today announces it has finalized manufacturing and quality agreements with Solasia Pharma, K.K. (TSE: 4597) for the clinical supply manufacture of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) darinaparsin, a novel mitochondrial-targeted agent developed for the treatment of various hematologic and solid cancers.

Solasia is a Japan-based specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative oncology medicines. In March 2011, Solasia acquired the rights to darinaparsin from ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. for the potential treatment of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL). The agent is currently in Phase II pivotal trials in Asia.

"We are pleased to entrust Alcami with this project," said Mr. Yoshihiro Arai, President and CEO of Solasia Pharma, K.K. "Finding a responsible partner for the development and manufacturing of our API was a significant step in our clinical program."

Process development for darinaparsin and clinical manufacturing will begin within Alcami's new highly potent API suites in Q4 2017, located at its API Center of Excellence facility in Germantown, Wisconsin.

"We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with Solasia as the trusted supplier of darinaparsin. Our relationship is an excellent example of Alcami's dedication to delivering reliable and high quality medicines across the globe. As we continue to grow our established business in Japan, we look forward to supporting Solasia for its future clinical and commercial success," stated Syed T. Husain, Chief Commercial Officer of Alcami.

ABOUT SOLASIA

Solasia is a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Asia, with a mission of "Better Medicine for a Brighter Tomorrow". In order to address the unmet medical needs within the oncology area, we develop innovative medicines to contribute to the patient's healthy living and to provide treatment options for the healthcare providers. Additional information is available at solasia.co.jp/en/.

ABOUT ALCAMI

Alcami is a world-class contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) headquartered in North Carolina, with executive offices in Durham and Wilmington. With over 1,000 employees operating at eight global locations, Alcami provides customizable and innovative end-to-end services to small and mid-size pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies by offering individualized and integrated services across multiple areas. We connect our clients with innovative solutions for API development and manufacturing, solid-state chemistry, formulation development, analytical development and testing services, clinical and commercial finished dosage form manufacturing (oral solid dose and parenteral), packaging, and stability services. For more information, please visit alcaminow.com.

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Swiftype's Site Search and Enterprise Search products further extend Elastic's vision to offer tailored solutions on top of the Elastic Stack MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, 2017-11-09 16:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elastic, the company behind Elasticsearch, and the Elastic Stack, the most widely-used collection of open source products for solving mission-critical use cases like search, logging, and analytics, today announced that it has acquired Swiftype, a San Francisco-based startup founded in 2012 and backed by Y Combinator and New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Swiftype is the creator of the popular SaaS-based Site Search and the recently introduced Enterprise Search products. Swiftype is an early adopter of Elasticsearch, using Elasticsearch to index and store searchable content and power the search experience for its Site Search product. Used by more than 900 organizations including Asana, AT&T, Dr. Pepper, Engadget, Hubspot, Marketo, Shopify, SurveyMonkey, and TechCrunch, Site Search offers users the ability to create customized search experiences; a user interface to configure advanced features, such as relevance, autocomplete, faceted search, and custom result ranking; and real-time analytics, reports, and dashboards. Effective immediately, Swiftype's Site Search product will be offered with a new introductory subscription plan starting at $79/month that allows customers to grow at their own pace. In addition, Site Search provides a straightforward migration path for Google Site Search (GSS) customers. Released earlier this year, Swiftype's Enterprise Search product helps organizations manage content across disparate data sources and seamlessly connect to cloud-based applications like Atlassian, Box, Dropbox, Github, Google Apps, Microsoft Outlook, Salesforce, Slack, Zendesk, and more. Effectively immediately, Enterprise Search will be moved to beta and available for trial upon request. The combined Elastic and Swiftype engineering teams will integrate more capabilities of the Elastic Stack and X-Pack into Enterprise Search and will make it available as both as a hosted service and on-premise solution. "We've long invested in Elasticsearch to help power the Swiftype platform, given its superior technology for building real-time and scalable search solutions," said Matt Riley, Swiftype Co-Founder and CEO. "Joining forces with the Elastic team and merging our collective best-in-class solutions will drive success for customers, making way for natural opportunities for new and improved products and solutions." "Swiftype has built an amazing company and a rich set of SaaS products leveraging the power of Elasticsearch as a generic search engine," said Shay Banon, Elastic Founder and CEO. "By joining forces with Swiftype, our customers will be able to address their simple website or application search needs, and in the future, more complex enterprise search use cases with a highly tailored and curated SaaS or on-premise experience." Learn More  Elastic & Swiftype Blog  Swiftype Site Search and Free Trial  Swiftype Enterprise Search  Migrating from Google Site Search (GSS) to Swiftype Site Search  How Swiftype uses Elasticsearch and Site Search Demo - Live Webinar About Elastic Elastic builds software to make data usable in real time and at scale for search, logging, security, and analytics use cases. Founded in 2012, the company develops the open source Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Kibana, Beats, and Logstash), X-Pack (commercial features), and Elastic Cloud (a hosted offering). To date, there have been more than 150 million cumulative downloads. Backed by Benchmark Capital, Index Ventures, and NEA with more than $100 million in funding, Elastic has a distributed workforce with more than 600 employees in 30 countries. Learn more at elastic.co. Elastic Media Contacts: AMER Michael Lindenberger Reidy Communications for Elastic michael@reidycommunications.com +1-415-531-1449 EMEA Rory MacDonald Age of Peers Ltd for Elastic rory@ageofpeers.com +44 (0)7899 965232
MCLEAN, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) released its November Insight, which explores the warning signs that lead to the collapse of last decade's house price bubble and the concern of a possible new bubble. Despite the substantial house price increases in recent years and the evidence that house prices are unusually high in a growing number of metro areas, the Insight concludes that there is not currently a house price bubble.

The evidence against a bubble

The most important fundamental in today's housing market is a lack of houses for sale, which affects virtually all the largest metros in the country.

Residential construction is falling roughly 500,000 homes short of demand every year. The shortage of houses for sale is strong evidence against a house price bubble. And the difficulty of increasing residential construction quickly suggests that any price adjustment will be gradual.

Contrary to a decade ago, easy credit is not fueling housing demand. Credit standards today are not looser than they were at the beginning of this century, a period that many analysts use as a reference for a "normal" mortgage market.

There is speculation that a sharp increase in house flipping -- buying a house and fixing it up for quick resale -- may have contributed to last decade's house price bubble. However, today's volume of flipping doesn't appear to be pointing to a house price bubble.

Finally, homeowners are not increasing their mortgage leverage. The sharp growth in house prices is generating an almost dollar-for-dollar growth in homeowners' equity with only negligible changes in mortgage debt outstanding.

Quote: Attributed to Sean Becketti, Chief Economist, Freddie Mac.

"The evidence indicates there currently is no house price bubble in the U.S., despite the rapid increase of house prices over the last five years. However, the housing sector is significantly out of balance. The incomplete recovery in residential construction following the crisis of the last decade has created several years of pent-up demand for household formation. What we can't predict is how this imbalance will eventually be resolved. Will there be a gradual restoration of a normal balance between supply and demand? Alternatively, will the rate of home building remain stubbornly low, exacerbating the income and wealth inequality that followed the Great Recession? Another bubble appears to be a less probable scenario, but not an impossible one."

Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we've made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac's blog FreddieMac.com/blog.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chad Wandler

703.903.2446

Chad_Wandler@FreddieMac.com




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- HPQ Silicon Resources Inc ("HPQ") (TSX VENTURE: HPQ)(FRANKFURT: UGE)(OTC PINK: URAGF) is pleased to advise shareholders that its exploration team is on the property mobilizing the equipment for a 2,000 metres diamond-drilling program on our Roncevaux Quartz property located in Matapedia in the Gaspe region of Quebec (September 28, 2017 PR).

In addition to the announced objective of delineating a quartz (SiO2) resource to a depth of 50 meters, the drilling program will test for potential NE and SW extensions of the quartz vein. The drill rig will then be mobilized to a white quartz vein on the southern part of the property outcropping along a small feeder stream to the nearby Roland Creek where 4 short holes where drilled and returned gold assays of 8,26 g/t Au, 0,58 g/t Au, 0,49 g/t Au and 0,34 g/t Au from unspecified core length (GM 57622 Beaulieu 1992).

Patrick Levasseur, President and COO of HPQ Silicon stated, "While delineating a quartz resource is a crucial requirement for our goal of completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) during 2018, doing two 50-ton bulk samples for raw feed for metallurgical testing using the PUREVAPtm Quartz Reduction Reactors is also significant implementation of our plan to make HPQ a vertically integrated solar grade silicon metal company." Mr. Levasseur also stated, "being able to increase the scope of the program to include drilling of the Roland Creek Gold outcrop identified in 1992, could prove to be a great bonus for HPQ shareholders."

ABOUT THE RONCEVAUX QUARTZ PROPERTY

During 2014, sampling and analysis done by the company revealed the Roncevaux quartz is of exceptional purity suitable for both high purity quartz applications and as raw feed for the production of silicon metal. The corrected silicon dioxide average for the 20 samples assayed is 99.65 %, ranging from 99.37 % to 99.86 % (December 16, 2014 PR).

In March 2015, HPQ received third party validation of the potential of the material when a major Silicon Metal Producer expressed an interest in the High Purity Lump Quartz material from the Roncevaux property, after our material successfully passed their rigorous testing protocols (March 2, 2015 PR).

RONCEVAUX GOLD EXPLORATION

The Roncevaux project area was initially prospected for its gold potential. In 1992, prospector M. Beaulieu found and sampled a white quartz vein on the southern part of the property that had a thickness of about 3.60m outcropping along a small feeder stream to the nearby Roland Creek. Further work that year gave the results referred to above which forms the basis for the proposed additional drilling this year.

Mr. Benoit Violette, P. Geo is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 that supervised the preparation of the information in this news release.

La version francaise du communique de presse sera disponible sur http://www.hpqsilicon.com

This Press Release Is Available On The Company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum, A Moderated Social Media Platform That Enables Civilized Discussion and Q&A Between Management and Shareholders.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc is a TSX-V listed resource company planning to become a vertically integrated and diversified Metallurgical Grade and Solar Grade Silicon Metal producer.

Our business model is focused on developing a disruptive one step High Purity and Solar Grade Silicon Metal manufacturing process (patent pending). HPQ plans to generate high yield returns and significant free cash flow within a relatively short time line. The process will have a greatly decreased carbon footprint, energy footprint, and will eliminate the use of the toxic chemical reagents and by products now in use by the current solar silicon production technologies, which fundamentally date from designs made in the mid 1900's.

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Shares outstanding: 173,678,173

Contacts:

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.

Bernard J. Tourillon

Chairman and CEO

(514) 907-1011



HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.

Patrick Levasseur

President and COO

(514) 262-9239

www.HPQSilicon.com




DUBLIN, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Phthalic Anhydride (PA): 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The present report is an essential resource for a one looking for detailed information on the world phthalic anhydride market. The report covers data on global, regional and national markets including present and future trends for supply and demand, prices, and downstream industries.



In addition to the analytical part, the report provides a range of tables and figures which all together give a true insight into the national, regional and global markets for phthalic anhydride.



Report Scope:



The report covers global, regional and country markets of phthalic anhydride

It describes present situation, historical background and future forecast

Comprehensive data showing phthalic anhydride capacities, production, consumption, trade statistics, and prices in the recent years are provided (globally, regionally and by country)

The report indicates a wealth of information on phthalic anhydride manufacturers and distributors

Region market overview covers the following: production of phthalic anhydride in a region/country, consumption trends, price data, trade in the recent year and manufacturers

Phthalic anhydride market forecast for next five years, including market volumes and prices is also provided

Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION: PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE PROPERTIES AND USES



2. PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES



3. PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE WORLD MARKET



3.1. World phthalic anhydride capacity

- Capacity broken down by region

- Capacity divided by country

- Manufacturers and their capacity by plant



3.2. World phthalic anhydride production

- Global output dynamics

- Production by region

- Production by country



3.3. Phthalic anhydride consumption

- World consumption

- Consumption trends in Europe

- Consumption trends in Asia Pacific

- Consumption trends in North America



3.4. Phthalic anhydride global trade

- World trade dynamics

- Export and import flows in regions



3.5. Phthalic anhydride prices in the world market



4. PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE REGIONAL MARKETS ANALYSIS



Each country section comprises the following parts:

- Total installed capacity in country

- Production in country

- Manufacturers in country

- Consumption of in country

- Suppliers in country

- Export and import in country

- Prices in country



4.1. Phthalic anhydride European market analysis

Countries covered:

- Austria

- Belarus

- Belgium

- Bulgaria

- Czech Republic

- France

- Germany

- Hungary

- Italy

- Netherlands

- Poland

- Romania

- Russia

- Slovakia

- Slovenia

- Spain

- Sweden

- Ukraine



4.2. Phthalic anhydride Asia Pacific market analysis

Countries included:

- China

- India

- Indonesia

- Japan

- Malaysia

- Pakistan

- South Korea

- Thailand



4.3. Phthalic anhydride North American market analysis

Countries under consideration:

- USA



4.4. Phthalic anhydride Latin American market analysis

Countries overviewed:

- Argentina

- Brazil

- Chile

- Colombia

- Mexico

- Venezuela



4.5. Phthalic anhydride Africa & Middle East market analysis

Countries examined:

- Iran

- Israel

- Turkey

- South Africa



5. PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE MARKET PROSPECTS



5.1. Phthalic anhydride capacity and production forecast up to 2021

- Global production forecast

- On-going projects



5.2. Phthalic anhydride consumption forecast up to 2021

- World consumption forecast

- Forecast of consumption in Europe

- Consumption forecast in Asia Pacific

- Consumption forecast in North America



5.3. Phthalic anhydride market prices forecast up to 2021



6. KEY COMPANIES IN THE PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE MARKET WORLDWIDE



7. PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE FEEDSTOCK MARKET



8. PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE END-USE SECTOR



8.1. Consumption by application

8.2. Downstream markets review and forecast



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/684h74/phthalic



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
Company establishes its presence in South Korea

Additional footprint in Asia Pacific region

New office underlines company's commitment to its customers in South Korea

Vetter, one of the global leaders in prefilled drug-delivery systems, today announced the official opening of a new branch office in South Korea. The new office in Songdo is located within the biologics cluster which is often referred to as a 'sweet spot' by the industry as it houses numerous prominent biopharmaceutical companies and service providers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006001/en/

Another ribbon cutting ceremony takes place for Vetter in the Asia Pacific region. Left to right: Mr. Michael Vetter (Strategic Market Development, Vetter), Mr. Park Yoon-bae (President, Incheon Business Information Technopark), Mr. Cho, Dong-Am (Vice Mayor for Political Economic Affairs, Incheon Metropolitan City), Mr. Peter Soelkner (Managing Director, Vetter), Mrs. Chervee Ho (Director Key Account Management Asia Pacific, Vetter) and Mr. Oskar Gold (Senior Vice President Key Account Management and Marketing/Corporate Communications, Vetter). Picture source: Vetter Pharma International GmbH

Strengthening its global footprint in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region has been an ongoing goal for Vetter. The company established its APAC hub in Singapore in 2014, and subsequently formed a Japanese subsidiary by opening an office in Tokyo in 2015. Although the pharmaceutical service provider had already been active in the South Korean market for years, the establishment of its own local branch office underlines the company's commitment to the Asia Pacific market, particularly South Korea. With the new footprint, Vetter will be better positioned to support its existing South Korean business as well as that of new local and global customers, helping them to meet stringent development, manufacturing and packaging requirements of their injectable drugs.

"Today is yet another milestone for our company. This new office will allow us to directly serve both local and global companies with South Korean market interests," said Vetter Managing Director Peter Soelkner. "We are certain that our market presence and activities in this market will serve as an additional base and contribution for Vetter's future global organic growth."

Find the Vetter press kit, additional press releases, high-resolution pictures and more background information in our Download Center

About Vetter

Headquartered in Ravensburg, Germany, Vetter is a global leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with production facilities in Germany and the United States. The company has long-term experience offering services ranging from early development support including clinical manufacturing, to commercial supply and various packaging solutions for vials, syringes and cartridges. Vetter's customers range from small and midsize to the world's top 20 pharmaceutical and biotech companies. As a leading solution provider, the CDMO recognizes its responsibility in supporting the needs of its customers in developing devices that contribute to increased patient safety, convenience, and enhanced compliance. Learn more about Vetter at www.vetter-pharma.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006001/en/

Contacts:

Vetter Pharma International GmbH

Markus Kirchner

Corporate Spokesperson Specialist External Communications

Phone: +49 (0)751-3700-3729

E-mail: PRnews@vetter-pharma.com
Motoinsight was recognized for rapid revenue growth, bold innovation and its entrepreneurial spirit with a Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program award. The Fast 50 program honours 50 Canadian technology companies with the highest revenue-growth percentage over the past four years. Motoinsight ranked No. 35 with a 626 percent in revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program winners are made up of public and private companies in the technology sector that share common traits and strengths and have transformed the industry. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the program augments the broader Deloitte North American Technology Fast 500 initiative with winners automatically eligible for this elite ranking.

Motoinsight's CEO Andrew Tai credits the company's unique vision for delivering a better car buying experience and deep collaboration with leading automakers and dealerships with the company's 626 percent revenue growth.

Tai said, "Buying a car is one of the last major retail experiences that has yet to experience significant disruption, but the ways consumers want to shop are evolving ever more quickly. Our MotoCommerce omni-channel retailing platform enables traditional automakers and dealerships with the technology to adapt and deliver best-in-class purchasing experiences that can rival Tesla, Apple and Amazon."

"New technologies have disrupted various industries in ways that were unimaginable a few years ago," said Erica Pretorius, Partner and National Leader for the Technology Fast 50 program at Deloitte Canada. "Fast 50 winners have led the way and I can't wait to see where they take us next."

To qualify for the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 ranking, companies must have been in business for at least four years, have revenues of at least $5 million, be headquartered in Canada, own proprietary technology, conduct research and development activities in Canada and invest a minimum of five percent of gross revenues in R&D.

About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 - The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program is Canada's pre-eminent technology awards program. Celebrating business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, the program features three distinct categories including the Technology Fast 50 Ranking, Companies-to-Watch Awards (early-stage Canadian tech companies with the potential to be a future Deloitte Technology Fast 50 candidate) and the Leadership Awards (companies that demonstrate technological leadership and innovation within the industry.) Program sponsors include Deloitte, Aequitas NEO Exchange, Bank of Montreal, Bennett Jones, CBRE, OMERS Ventures and Wellington Financial. For further information, visit www.fast50.ca.

About Motoinsight Motoinsight's flagship digital retailing platform MotoCommerce enables revolutionary omni-channel and e-commerce enabled car buying experiences. Motoinsight data and technology are used by nearly every automaker, over 900 dealership franchises and the largest banks and insurance companies. Across its portfolio of owned and partnered automotive websites, Motoinsight also has one of the largest audiences of in-market new vehicle buyers which include premier brands such as Unhaggle, Consumer Reports, Globe Drive, Driving.ca, Black Book and others. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and was founded in 2011. For further information, visit www.motoinsight.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006014/en/

Contacts:

Motoinsight

Kristen Scott

1-866-853-2592 x171

press@motoinsight.com
RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Puma Exploration inc. (the "Company" or "Puma") (TSX VENTURE: PUM)(SSE: PUMA) is pleased to announce the results of drillholes MB17-02 and MB17-03 from the 2017 drilling program at its Murray Brook Deposit in New Brunswick. Hole MB17-03 intersected the surface rich zinc and copper zone grading 6.60% Zn, 1.70% Pb, 0.53 g/t Au, 71 g/t Ag, 1.15% Cu over 10 meters and a new copper stringers zone grading 1.02% Cu over 26 meters.

The 2017 preliminary drilling program consisted of three (3) holes (774m), including one deep hole and two shallow, the first was designed to verify the extensions, at depth, of the Murray Brook Deposit. As released, Hole MB17-01 successfully intersected impressive massive sulphide mineralization over 405 meters grading 3.3% Zn, 1.1% Pb, 0.95g/t Au, 42g/t Ag, and 0.30% Cu (see press release of October 31st, 2017). The two shallow holes followed to confirm the continuity of the fertile Caribou Horizon near the known deposit.

Hole MB17-03 intersected a new zone of copper stringers near surface grading 1.02% Cu over 26 meters including a higher zone with 1.47% Cu over 13 meters. This new zone opens the western side of the Murray Brook Deposit along the favorable and fertile Caribou Horizon which shows over a length of one kilometer high priority targets (refer to Figure 1). Results from hole MB17-02 allowed to outline structural constraints and to orient future exploration work.

These priority targets are indicated by major gravity, chargeability and Megatem (EM) anomalies. In light of the results from these holes, Puma has started an important exploration program in the vicinity of the newly expanded southwest section of the Deposit which will include trenching and drilling operations.

Hole MB17-02

Hole MB17-02 was collared in the south part of the West Zone (Zinc) and drilled at a -45 degrees declination for a total depth of 72 meters. A major fault with a width of 8 meters was intercepted and consisted mainly of quartz veins. The sediments in this hole were less altered with a few intervals of felsic volcanic interbedded. The best intersection was 0.42 g/t Au, 0.96% Pb+Zn over 2.7 meters located in the altered footwall sediments. However, hole MB17-02 does confirm previous exploration results and directs the upcoming exploration program to the more favourable Caribou Horizon located directly west of the hole.

Hole MB17-03

Hole MB17-03, drilled at a -50 declination to a total depth of 153 meters, is located at the western boundary of the West Zone (Zinc) of the Murray Brook Deposit (refer to figure 2). The hole encountered three (3) separate significant zones:

1. a Gossan zone, 6 meters wide grading 0.96 g/t Au, 255 g/t Ag, 5.95% Pb; 2. a massive sulphide zone of 10 meters width, having grades of 6.60% Zn, 1.70% Pb, 0.53 g/t Au, 71 g/t Ag, 1.15% Cu and; 3. a stringer zone, 13 meters in width grading 1.47% Cu, 0.62% Zn.

The entire hole is located mainly inside the footwall alteration sediments of the Deposit and opens the mineralized zone westward at depth along the fertile Caribou Horizon. Please refer to Table 1 for highlights of the results.

Table 1. Significant Intercepts in Holes MB17-02 and MB17-03(i)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Hole From To Length Au Ag (m) (m) (m) g/t g/t ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MB17-02 23.3 26.0 2.70 0.42 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MB17-03 21.0 27 6.0 0.96 255 27.0 37 10.0 0.53 71 56.0 82.0 26.0 - - incl. 56.0 69.0 13.0 - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Hole Cu Pb Zn Zone % % % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MB17-02 0.16 0.28 0.68 Disseminated ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MB17-03 - 5.95 - Gossan 1.15 1.70 6.60 MS 1.02 - - Stockwork incl. 1.47 - 0.62 Stockwork ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) True thickness is estimated to be approximately 70-90% of the reported intervals.

As commented by Marcel Robillard, President of Puma: "The hole MB17-03 has significantly expanded and opened the discovery area of the Murray Brook Deposit toward west along the fertile Caribou Horizon. It allows us to further increase the footprint of the deposit closer to the surface and will focus current exploration efforts along the Caribou Horizon at proximity of the Murray Brook Deposit".

Exploration Program

The next phase of the 2017 exploration program has begun on one (1) kilometer of prospective new area in the western part of the Murray Brook Deposit and will consist of trenching and drilling. Puma's geologists have defined several new high priority targets based on their stratigraphic location and proximity to the Deposit. These targets are along the fertile Caribou Horizon, where an historic hole intersected 2.10% Cu over 1.9 meters near a major chargeability anomaly and two (2) gravity anomalies (see Figure 1 at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/171109_PUM_Figures.pdf).

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, 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.

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 (see Figure 2 at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/171109_PUM_Figures.pdf).

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% per cent 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.

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 figures associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/171109_PUM_Figures.pdf

Contacts:

Puma Exploration Inc.

Marcel Robillard

President

(418) 724-0901

president@explorationpuma.com

www.pumaexploration.com




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Reflecting his dissatisfaction with the Republican establishment, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., to resign. Bannon suggested in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday that McConnell should immediately announce his resignation but remain majority leader until the GOP completes its tax reform bill. 'I'm to the point that I think Mitch McConnell, to really bring unity to the Republican Party and get things done, I think Mitch McConnell ought to tender his resignation,' Bannon said. 'What he ought to do is offer to resign as soon as taxes are done,' he added. 'We can't do it in the middle of taxes.' Bannon argued the Senate needs to show a sense of urgency after failing to approve legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. The executive chairman of far-right Breitbart News also claimed McConnell has refused to bring up bills passed by the House that would force vulnerable Democratic senators to take difficult votes. 'The House has actually voted on, I think it's 180 bills that the Senate has not taken up, including many bills that would be a very difficult vote for Joe Manchin and Claire McCaskill and Jon Tester and Heidi Heitkamp and all of these red state Democrats that we need to take down in 2018,' Bannon said. (Photo: Gage Skidmore) 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.
Regulatory News:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005866/en/

Peter Bannister (Photo: Business Wire)

Median Technologies (Paris:ALMDT), The Imaging Phenomics Company announces today the appointment of Dr. Peter Bannister as Chief Technology Officer.

As Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Bannister is responsible for leading the development and scientific research teams at Median and ensuring that Median's products directly address the unmet healthcare needs identified by the company's clinical end users. Peter Bannister brings more than 15 years of experience developing novel imaging products.

Dr. Bannister has held senior executive positions in multiple high-tech university spin-outs where he has led product research and development, clinical validation, regulatory, manufacturing and international supply chain operations across a wide range of biomedical applications. He holds a DPhil (PhD) from the University of Oxford, where he was one of the original developers of the Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB) Software Library for image analysis. Subsequently he held a post-doctoral research appointment in machine learning for complex industrial systems in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Plc. He also taught engineering science at Oxford for over a decade and remains a passionate advocate for education and professional development across the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.

Peter is a Chartered Engineer and is Executive Chairman of the Institute of Engineering and Technology's Healthcare Sector, whose mandate is to develop future leaders in biomedical and healthcare engineering.

"There is no question that image-based phenotyping, in combination with deep learning, will bring about substantial improvements in radiology and oncology over the next few years", he commented. "What is harder to quantify is just how excited I am to be joining Median which, with its global network of clinical and technology partners, is in the vanguard of this imaging phenomics revolution. I look forward to enabling our teams in France, the US and Eastern Asia to deliver timely clinical solutions that improve screening and diagnostics, accelerate the development of effective therapeutics and enable precision treatments for patients across the globe", he added.

"We are very pleased to welcome Peter as Chief Technology Officer of Median. Our vision is to integrate the latest advances in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and big data at the heart of our entire portfolio of clinical solutions and Peter's impressive experience spanning multiple aspects of innovation in medical imaging is a great asset to our company", said Fredrik Brag, CEO at Median Technologies.

About Median Technologies: Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We leverage the power of Imaging Phenomics to provide insights into novel therapies and treatment strategies. Our unique solutions, MediScan for Patient Care, Lesion Management Solution (LMS) for image management in clinical trials and iBiopsy for imaging phenotyping, together with our global team of experts, are advancing the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools to monitor disease and assess response to therapy. Median Technologies supports biopharmaceutical sponsors and healthcare professionals around the world to quickly and precisely bring new treatments to patients in need, with an eye on reducing overall care costs. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world.

Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a US subsidiary in Boston, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (ISIN: FR0011049824, ticker: ALMDT). The company is eligible for the PEA-PME SME equity savings plan setup and has received the label Pass French Tech Promotion 2016-2017. Median Technologies has been awarded the 2017 Tech 40 Label and has joined the EnterNext Tech 40 Index. Median is a member of the Bpifrance Excellence Network. For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005866/en/

Contacts:

Median Technologies

Bill Broderick, VP, Global Head Business Support and Market Services

+1 202 279 0375

william.broderick@mediantechnologies.com

or

Press - ALIZE RP

Caroline Carmagnol/ Wendy Rigal

+ 33 1 44 54 36 66

median@alizerp.com

or

Investors - ACTIFIN

Ghislaine Gasparetto, +33 1 56 88 11 11

ggasparetto@actifin.fr
Showcasing Scale-up and High-Availability NeoSapphire H710 for HPC application at SC17

AccelStor, the software-defined all-flash array provider, will be demonstrating its NeoSapphire H710 all-flash array at SC17 (SuperComputing 2017) for high performance computing solutions. The advantage of the NeoSapphire series and the advanced AccelStor FlexiRemap technology is making HPC applications simpler and more efficient with its powerful performance and impressive scalability. The latest H710 will be showcased during SC17, at booth #1972, at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver, USA from November 13-17, 2017

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005017/en/

The NeoSapphire H710 packs over 600K sustained IOPS for 4KB random writes, ideal for HPC applications. (Photo: Business Wire)

SC17 is the premier international conference showcasing the many aspects of high performance computing, networking, storage and analysis leading to advances in scientific discovery, research, education and commerce. HPC (High-Performance Computing) specifically refers to running advanced applications efficiently and reliably. The high performance and true high availability design of the NeoSapphire H710 all-flash array makes it the perfect solution for HPC systems. Furthermore, the exclusive FlexiRemap technology enables the all-flash array to meet the most complicated of data-access demands, making it best-suited for HPC applications.

AccelStor Vice President, David Kao, said "We are thrilled about our latest NeoSapphire H710. It's designed to unleash the true performance of flash technology, and remove bottlenecks, enabling a seamless system experience, easy installation, computing efficiency, scalability and faster time to results. The most common demand and need for HPC comes from scientific researchers, engineers and academic institutions. For our customers who desire extreme-scale computing, reliability and high availability, they will definitely benefit from the NeoSapphire H710."

Sustained High IOPS Performance

Real-world HPC applications need more than high, "peak" performance. As flash appliances often provide high-speed, shared storage services to multiple front-end compute nodes, high sustained IOPS is the real driver in flash storage performance for I/O-intensive HPC applications. Thanks to the award-winning FlexiRemap technology, and its patented data handling algorithm, is specifically designed just for flash memory and it can outperform competitors when dealing with the most complicated 4KB random write data access, even under dramatically heavy workloads. The NeoSapphire H710 packs over 600K sustained IOPS for 4KB random writes in a single 4U rack over standard 10GbE or 16G Fibre Channel LC SFP+ network interfaces.

Low Operating Expenses and Rich Data Service Tools

AccelStor's high availability (HA) flash storage solution address the challenges operators face by enabling them to improve the reliability and reduce high OPEX (Operating Expenses). The NeoSapphire High Availability AFA delivers world-class reliability. Based on a shared-nothing architecture and redundant hardware design, this model uses enterprise SSDs with a long lifespan suitable for write-intensive workload applications. The NeoSapphire product range features a rich suite of software features and performance-boosting technology, including Free Clone, thin provisioning, thick provisioning and FlexiDedupe pre-bundled with each system. In order to provide the best redundancy and data protection, the H710 also comes with Remote Replication, Redirect-on-Write Snapshot, Snapshot Backup/Recovery and Group Snapshot for database usage as standard.

Scalability and High Availability

AccelStor helps clients achieve a competitive business advantage by delivering sustained performance of 600K IOPS at 4KB random write, reliability and scalability. Customers frequently experience an imbalance of capacity and performance as business grows, enterprises will feel the pain of compromises, caused by unpredictable costs of adding capacity and falling performance. The NeoSapphire H710 supports on-demand scale-up from a basic 27TB in 4U rack to a max. 221TB in 12U rack. Its shared-nothing architecture with FlexiRemap technology also ensures no single point of failure, no data loss and essentially no downtime.

Additional Resources

Download the NeoSapphire H710 Product Sheet

Learn more about the NeoSapphire all-flash array high-availability series

Learn more about FlexiRemap Technology

Follow AccelStor on Twitter: @AccelStor

Follow AccelStor on Linkedin

About AccelStor, Inc.

AccelStor is accelerating the paradigm shift from conventional disk arrays to modern all-flash storage. AccelStor's NeoSapphire all-flash arrays, powered by FlexiRemap software technology, deliver sustained high IOPS for business-critical applications. With streamlined storage management, multi-protocol support, and front-access, hot-swappable solid-state drives, the NeoSapphire series promises to resolve performance bottlenecks for I/O-intensive applications like artificial intelligence, IoT, data center, virtualization, high-performance computing, database, media processing, fintech and gaming. For more information about AccelStor and NeoSapphire, please visit www.accelstor.com.

AccelStor, FlexiRemap and NeoSapphire are trademarks or registered trademarks of AccelStor, Inc. in the United States of America and/or other countries.

IOPS test results mentioned in this press release are generated by AccelStor and may vary in different test environments.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005017/en/

Contacts:

AccelStor, Inc.

Clara Lee, +886 2 77467616 ext. 2561

clara.lee@accelstor.com
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss stock market ended Thursday's session with a significant loss. The market spent much of the day in negative territory and ended the session at an intraday low. The rest of the European markets also finished in the red Thursday. Early weakness in Europe was attributed to the weak performance of the Japanese market. Disappointing corporate earnings from some major European companies also weighed on sentiment. The weak open on Wall Street added to the negative mood in the afternoon. The Swiss Market Index decreased by 0.95 percent Thursday and finished at 9,177.82. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 1.07 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 1.01. LafargeHolcim bucked the overall trend, finishing higher by 0.7 percent. The stock climbed during the previous session after a strong report from German competitor HeidelbergCement. ABB weakened by 2.0 percent after German competitor Siemens reported disappointing results. Lonza, Logitech and Adecco all dropped between 2.5 and 3.0 percent. Geberit fell 1.4 percent after analyst at Baader Helvea expressed concerns that the company will be able to achieve its medium-term goals. The index heavyweights all finished in negative territory. Novartis declined 1.0 percent, Roche surrendered 0.9 percent and Nestle finished lower by 0.8 percent. 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.
SMA's Greg Treverton and Alicia Chen analyze what happened during the 2016 US election

IRVINE, California, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --"What are now called 'hybrid threats' are not new. Nations, and sometimes non-national groups, long have employed a variety of means short of war, simultaneously, to influence others. What is new is the virtual realm-cyber attacks to ferret out, then strategically release, discrediting information, and social media, to lower the entry cost for massive propaganda campaigns. Both were on vivid display in the Russian intervention in the 2016 US presidential election, which also suggested some limits and possible counters."

In this white paper, SMA's Greg Treverton, assisted by Alicia Chen, analyze how the Russians attempted to influence our elections, and comment on what we can do to minimize the effect of their interference in the future. You can read this white paper on our website at http://www.smawins.com/Home/News_Details/45.

About the Authors

Gregory Treverton left the chairmanship of the National Intelligence Council in January 2017. He has written widely on strategy and intelligence, and served in government on the Hill and on the National Security Council staff. Greg is an Executive Advisor to SMA.

Alicia Chen is a senior Political Science and International Relations major at the University of Southern California (USC). She is currently a research assistant at USC's Korean Studies Institute and has previously worked at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

About SMA

We help companies become more competitive. We offer Strategy, Management, and Analytics to improve our clients' competitiveness from market entry, to winning business, to profitable execution. We assist our clients to achieve success on their programs with management consulting; capture support & proposal development; data visualization & publications; program management; integrated program planning & controls; and technical management & engineering. Learn more at www.smawins.com.

Media Contact:

Ajay Patel

President & CEO

ajay.patel@smawins.com

949-975-1550

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/601145/SMA_TOD_Light_Bkgd.jpg
MELVILLE, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- FMW Media Works Corporation (www.fmwmediaworks.com), which provides marketing strategy, advertising, and marketing communication services to OTC and small cap companies, is proud to announce its partnership with Recruiter.com Media Group, the media arm of the most recognized recruiting website on the internet.

FMW creates market awareness for clients through various channels, including its business television program "New to the Street" (www.newtothestreet.com), broadcast on the Fox Business Network. To broaden its reach, FMW will now offer its clients Recruiter.com Media Group's unique and unmatched social media marketing services. With more than 10 million network members across more than 70 LinkedIn groups -- including the largest LinkedIn groups for CFOs, CIOs, and CMOs -- Recruiter.com Media Group provides tremendous value to "New to the Street" clients through extremely targeted marketing communications to a large audience of professionals and qualified individuals.

"I am excited to work with the team at Recruiter.com to offer Recruiter.com Media Group's social media services to our clients," says Vince Caruso, CEO of FMW Media Works. "This partnership will offer unparalleled reach for our clients. The 10 million LinkedIn group members will greatly enhance our reach and that of our clients."

Recruiter.com CEO Miles Jennings says, "'New to the Street' is an amazing platform in the new age of digital media. More and more research shows video engagement is the most powerful and effective marketing solution available. We are happy to work with FMW on a long-term strategy for their clients."

About FMW Media Works Corporation: FMW Media Works Corporation ("New to the Street") is a leading provider of business profiles and special corporate programming. FMW Media Works produces "New to the Street," which paves the way to the latest financial issues, offering a blend of business and financial services news reporting and in-depth interviews relating to new products, economic analysis, and public company profiles. "New to the Street" airs as paid TV programming and airs in the United States reaching potentially 100 million homes, in Canada reaching potentially more than 5.3 million homes, and on other select international stations. Visit www.NewToTheStreet.com.

About Recruiter.com: Recruiter.com, Inc., is an online global recruiting service that offers an industry-leading job market technology platform. With a highly engaged membership base, Recruiter.com works with hundreds of clients and employers and manages a social media following of more than 9 million people. Recruiter.com was voted "Top Tech Company to Watch" in 2014 by the Connecticut Technology Council, cited as one of the "Top 35 Most Influential Career Sites" in 2014 by Forbes, and listed by Inc. as one of the "9 Best Websites for Finding Top Talent." The career, HR, and recruiting experts of Recruiter.com have been cited and featured in hundreds of sites and publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Mashable, Business Insider, Inc., Fox Small Business, Time, The Next Web, Yahoo Small Business, US News, Business2Community, Bloomberg, and SmartBrief. Visithttps://www.recruiter.com or follow Recruiter.com on Twitter: @RecruiterDotCom.

Company Contact:

Recruiter.com

Nate Wells

VP of Media Sales

561-574-3307

naton.wells@recruiter.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/naton-wells-55185a82/



New to the Street

Adam Becker

Chief Operations Officer

631-465-0284

Adam.becker@newtothestreet.com




Acceleration of growth recovery plan and implementation of major savings

Regulatory News:

SoLocal Group (Paris:LOCAL):

Q3 2017 :

Internet revenues: -5%1, i.e. -1%2 in the first 9 months

Outlook for 2017 revised downwards :

Internet revenue growth: around -1% 3

EBITDA4:  190m

When releasing the Q3 2017 revenues, Eric Boustouller, Chief Executive Officer of SoLocal Group, quoted: With mobilization of all SoLocal teams, I will do everything possible to get as close as possible to previously announced 200 million euros EBITDA outlook. However, at this stage I cannot commit to more than 190 million euros of EBITDA for 2017. I am confident in our capability to generate and accelerate the growth of the Company, the 4% growth of the Internet sales orders of the quarter testifies to this but this requires, among other things, to re-invent deeply our Local Search and to accelerate strongly our Digital Marketing. The actions are initiated, but it will probably take time to fully materialize: we must therefore commit actions now allowing us to drastically reduce our costs. Beyond the first measures taken as soon as I arrived allowing to cut costs by more than 15 millions euros in the second half of 2017 and on a recurring basis, there are many other short-term levers, as well as more massive actions in the medium-term that will go through the industrialization and digitization of our processes and our organization. I will detail all of these actions and the strategic plan in which they will take place, on 15 February, at the occasion of the publication of the 2017 annual results. 

1 Q3 2017 vs Q3 2016 2 2017 vs 2016 3 2017 vs 2016, scope: continued activities - 4 Recurring EBITDA, scope: continued activities

I. Revenues

SoLocal Group's revenues for the third quarter and first 9-month of 2017 were as follows

In millions of euros Q3 2016 Q3 2017 Change 9M 2016 9M 2017 Change Internet revenues 156 148 -5% 478 471 -1% Local Search 120 107 -11% 363 342 -6% Number of visits (in million) 616 634 +3% 1 822 1 890 +4% ARPA1 (in ) 245 229 -6% 728 724 -1% Number of clients (in thousand) 490 466 -5% 499 472 -5% Digital Marketing 36 41 +13% 115 130 +13% Penetration rate (in number of clients) 23% 24% +1pt 23% 24% +1pt Print Voice revenues 41 29 -29% 124 92 -26% Revenues 197 177 -10% 602 563 -6%

1 Average Revenue Per Advertiser

Note: Chart concerning the continued activities

The Group recorded revenues of 177 million in Q3 2017, down -10% versus Q3 2016, as the double-digit growth of Digital Marketing (+13%) does not offset the decline of Local Search (-11%) and Print Voice (-29%).

Internet revenues of 148 million in Q3 2017 were down -5% vs Q3 2016

Audience growth : Internet visits recorded a growth of +3% in Q3 2017 versus Q3 2016, of which +11% for mobile audience (representing 43% of total audience).

Internet visits recorded a growth of +3% in Q3 2017 versus Q3 2016, of which +11% for mobile audience (representing 43% of total audience). Local Search revenues: -11% in Q3 2017 versus Q3 2016 Local Search ARPA 2 -6% in Q3 2017 versus Q3 2016, this decrease is mainly related to the impact of financial restructuring plan on the sales order dynamic in Q4 2016, especially on large accounts. Client base : -5% in Q3 2017 vs Q3 2016, a lesser decline (-7% in Q3 2016 vs Q3 2015) resulting from the improvement of client retention as seen in the sales order dynamic in the last months.

-11% in Q3 2017 versus Q3 2016

Digital Marketing revenues : revenues increased by +13% in Q3 2017 vs Q3 2016, thanks to the acceleration of the Group's innovative offerings: websites (Premium and Privilege websites) and AdWords (Booster Contact offering). This quarter, Digital Marketing revenues represented 23% of total revenues.

Print Voice revenues of 29 million in Q3 2017 decreased by -29% versus Q3 2016. This business represented 17% of total revenues this quarter.

II. Financial situation

As of 30 September 2017, the Company's net det3 amounted to 357m vs 1,106m as of 31 December 2016, before financial restructuring, and 355m as of 30 June 2017, with a financial leverage reaching 1.81x as of 30 September 2017, compared to 4.72x as of 31 December 2016, before financial restructuring, and 1.71x as of 30 June 2017.

The net debt was nearly stable between 30 June 2017 and 30 September 2017 as the net cash flow in the quarter was close to zero but is improving compared to Q3 2016 (where the net cash flow reached  15m), thanks to a working capital improvement.

2 Average Revenue Per Advertiser 3 Net debt is the gross financial debt plus or minus the fair net asset value of asset and/or liability derivative instruments used for cash flow hedging purposes, minus cash and cash equivalents.

III. Outlook

In Q3 2017, the Internet sales order rebounded positively (+4%1), creating however volatility in the pattern of accounting revenue recognition.

The Company implemented an action plan aimaing to accelerate the short-term growth dynamic. Immediate cost cut has been initiated, enabling to save from the second half of the year 2017 and on a recurring basis, more than 15m.

Furthermore, the Company pursued its divestment plan of non core Internet businesses (AVendreALouer, PagesJaunes Resto).

Despite this, the outlook for 2017 is revised downwards :

2017 former outlook new outlook Internet revenue growth : +1% to +3%2 around -1%2 EBITDA3 = 200m = 190m

A new strategic plan will be presented on 15 February 2018.

IV. Upcoming events of the financial calendar

The upcoming events of the financial calendar are as follows

22 November 2017: Open house event dedicated to retail shareholders

15 February 2018 Full year 2017 results Investor day

9 March 2018 Extraordinary General Assembly

1 2017 vs 2016 2 2017 vs 2016, scope continued activities 3 Recurring EBITDA, scope continued activities

About SoLocal Group

SoLocal Group, European leader in local online communication, reveals local know-how, and boosts local revenues of businesses. The Internet activities of the Group are structured around two business lines: Local Search and Marketing Digital. With Local Search, the Group offers Internet services and solutions to clients which enable them to enhance their visibility and develop their local contacts. Thanks to its expertise, SoLocal Group earned the trust of some 490,000 clients of those services and over 2.4 billions of visits via its 4 flagship brands (PagesJaunes, Mappy, Ooreka and A Vendre A Louer) but also through its partnerships. With Marketing Digital, SoLocal Group creates and provides the best local and customised content about professionals. With over 4,400 employees, including a new orders force of 1,900 local communication advisors specialised in five verticals (Home, Services, Retail, Health Public, BtoB) and Internationally (France, Spain, Austria, United Kingdom), the Group generated in 2016 revenues of 812 millions euros, of which 80% on Internet and ranks amongst the first European players in terms of Internet advertising revenues. SoLocal Group is listed on Euronext Paris (LOCAL). More information may be obtained at www.solocalgroup.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006289/en/

Contacts:

SoLocal Group

Press

Delphine Penalva, +33 (0)1 46 23 35 31

dpenalva@solocal.com

or

Edwige Druon, +33 (0)1 46 23 37 56

edruon@solocal.com

or

Alexandra Kunysz, +33 (0)1 46 23 47 45

akunysz@solocal.com

or

Investors

Emmanuelle Vinel, +33 (0)1 46 99 41 80

evinel@solocal.com

or

Sebastien Nony, +33 (0) 1 46 23 49 03

snony@solocal.com
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/17 -- Precision Drilling Corporation (TSX: PD)(NYSE: PDS) ("Precision") announced today that it has priced US$400 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.125% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "Notes") in a private offering that is exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by current and future U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that also guarantee Precision's revolving credit facility and certain other future indebtedness. Precision plans to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to fund its previously announced tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to repurchase all of its US$372 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of Senior Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes") and up to US$70 million aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes due 2021, and to fund the redemption of any 2020 Notes not tendered during the Tender Offer.

The Notes and the related guarantees will be offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes and the related guarantees have not been registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from the Securities Act and applicable state securities or blue sky laws and foreign securities laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, nor shall there be any sales of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This notice is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135(c) under the Securities Act.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release relating to matters that are not historical facts constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking information and statements").

Forward-looking information and statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the proposed offering of Notes and the use of the net proceeds from the offering. Forward-looking information and statements are based on certain expectations and assumptions made by Precision, including the assumption that the offering will be completed as proposed. Although Precision believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information and statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward- looking information and statements as Precision cannot give any assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks, which include, but are not limited to, the risk that the offering of Notes will not be completed as proposed or at all and general economic, market and business conditions. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risks factors that could affect Precision's operations, financial results and the completion of the offering are discussed in Precision's annual information form and other disclosure documents on file with the Canadian securities commissions on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (www.sec.gov).

The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Precision does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information or statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

About Precision

Precision is a leading provider of safe and High Performance, High Value services to the oil and gas industry. Precision provides customers with access to an extensive fleet of contract drilling rigs, directional drilling services, well service and snubbing rigs, camps, rental equipment, and wastewater treatment units backed by a comprehensive mix of technical support services and skilled, experienced personnel.

Precision is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Precision is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "PD" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "PDS".

Contacts:

Carey Ford

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

403.716.4566



Ashley Connolly, CFA

Manager, Investor Relations

403.716.4725



Precision Drilling Corporation

800, 525 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1G1

Website: www.precisiondrilling.com




GENEVA, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

JTI Calls for Continued Coordinated Approach in the Interest ofTobacco Growing Communities

JTI (Japan Tobacco International) commends the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for postponing its decision on the continuation of the ILO's partnerships with the tobacco sector in the fight against child labor. ARISE (Achieving Reduction in Child Labor in Support of Education), JTI's current Public Private Partnership with the ILO, has proven that the most efficient approach is a coordinated one involving all areas of expertise. Elaine McKay, Global Leaf Social Programs Director at JTI said: "Together, we have already withdrawn thousands of children from child labor since its launch in 2011. The issues involved are much more complex than the over-simplified view portrayed by the FCTC Secretariat and anti-tobacco activists, who are more concerned about the source of funding than fighting child labor. It is now crucial that the Governing Body assesses this misdirected pressure on the social mandate of the ILO, and understands fully what is at stake - the future of tobacco growing communities - before reaching a consensus.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130528/617491 )



We will not walk away from our commitment to help eliminate child labor and improve the lives of our farmers, their families and the communities in which we work, and will continue the ARISE program."

JTI is a leading international tobacco company with operations in more than 120 countries. It is the global owner of both Winston, the number two cigarette brand in the world, and Camel outside the USA and has the largest share in sales for both brands. Other global brands include Mevius, LD and Natural American Spirit. With its internationally recognized brand Logic, JTI is also a major player in the e-cigarette market and has, since 2011, been present in the heated tobacco category with Ploom. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI employs more than 26,000 people and was awarded Global Top Employer for three consecutive years. Its core revenue in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, was USD 10.5 billion. JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies. For more information, visit http://www.jti.com.

Achieving Reduction of Child Labor in Support of Education (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO), JTI, and Winrock International. It was developed with the involvement of national governments, social partners, and tobacco-growing communities with the aim to help prevent and eliminate child labor in tobacco-growing communities where JTI does business. The partnership began in 2011, and operates in Malawi, Brazil, Zambia and Tanzania through parties' combined expertise and knowledge to achieve a common goal. For more information, visit http://www.ariseprogram.org.
Utilizing HydrantID's Cloud-Based Authentication and Encryption Services

SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2017 / HydrantID announced today that Informatica, the Enterprise Cloud Data Management leader, has chosen HydrantID's cloud-based digital authentication and encryption services to increase enterprise security and reduce operating complexity.

HydrantID provides private managed public key infrastructure (PKI) services and secure socket layer (SSL). Both services are managed on-demand and in real-time with flexible deployment options and automation for a simple annual subscription fee.

"Outsourcing our internal digital certificate operations to HydrantID provides Informatica with trusted protection and allows us to scale our security operations while reducing operational complexity and risk," said Bill Burns, Chief Trust Officer at Informatica. "HydrantID shares our vision for scalable authentication and encryption security that reduces complexity and enhances enterprise control. Having one seamless, scalable, and cost-effective solution for our private Certificate Authority needs and our public trusted SSL certificates reduces operating complexity and allows us to secure more systems."

"Our subscription cloud-based service provides the flexibility for Informatica to secure systems and communications for the company and its clients without losing sight of what it does best," said Trell Rohovit, Chief Executive Officer of HydrantID. "We look forward to working with Informatica to transform the way it secures its computer systems and digital communications with digital certificates."

HydrantID is a team of seasoned digital security professionals who previously held senior-level positions at some of the most respected companies in the industry, including RSA Data Security, SAIC, KPMG, Verizon Business, and Venafi.

About HydrantID

HydrantID provides advanced authentication and encryption services to help companies secure data and systems as well as e-commerce transactions. The company's focus is on helping companies achieve industry best practices related to encryption while reducing operating complexity and costs. HydrantID's cloud-based, SaaS platform allows an organization to obtain advanced authentication and encryption services in real-time, on-demand. A fixed subscription pricing model eliminates financial and operational barriers that startups and Fortune 500 Companies alike face in creating strong security practices. For more information, visit www.hydrantid.com.

Contact:

Andrea Westlake

press@hydrantid.com

SOURCE: HydrantID
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2017 / CorMedix Inc. (NYSE American: CRMD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic products for the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory disease, announced that it has entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Elliott Associates, L.P. and Elliott International, L.P., (the "Elliott Funds"), long-term institutional investors in CorMedix, whereby they will purchase $2 million ofnewly issued CorMedix Series F Convertible preferred stock at $1,000 per share. Separately, Cormedix has entered into a $3 million Backstop Agreement with the Elliott Funds to purchase additional Series F Convertible Preferred Stock at $1,000 per share, at CorMedix's sole discretion, beginning January 15, 2018, through March 31, 2018. Gross proceeds, of the securities purchase agreement and the backstop agreement, if the backstop agreement is used in full, total an aggregate of $5 million. The Elliott Funds are managed by Elliott Management Corporation ("Elliott").

As consideration for the Backstop Agreement, CorMedix will issue the Elliott Funds warrants, exercisable for three years, to purchase shares of CorMedix common stock at a per share exercise price of $0.001. The number of shares issuable under the warrant will be determined by the closing price of CorMedix Common Stock on November 8, 2017, which was $0.5278.

Elliott may convert the preferred stock into common at its option at an effective price of $0.6334 per share, which represents a 20% premium to yesterday's closing price of our common stock. The stock will be mandatorily convertible on April 2, 2018, subject to certain equity conditions, at the lower of $0.6334 and a 10% discount to the notional price at which an equity or equity linked transaction in an amount of $5 million or more is completed by March 31, 2018, or if no such transaction is completed, a 10% discount to the closing price of the stock on March 31. There are no warrants to be issued in connection with the $2 million.

In connection with the financing, members of the CorMedix Board of Directors and the executive team unanimously will participate in a minimum amount of $250,000.

No placement agent or underwriter was involved in the offerings. CorMedix intends to use the net proceeds of the offerings for general corporate purposes, working capital and capital expenditures, including its ongoing Phase 3 LOCK-IT 100 clinical study of Neutrolin. The Company currently anticipates that closing of the sale of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock and the warrants will take place on or about November 16, 2017, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Khoso Baluch, Chief Executive Officer of CorMedix, said, "This new $5 million investment facility was executed in alignment with our previously discussed strategy to raise as little money as necessary to have adequate cash on hand as the planned LOCK-IT 100 interim efficacy analysis is completed. We believe the proceeds from these agreements will provide CorMedix with sufficient cash through the first quarter of 2018, which based on our current projections, should be sufficient to get us through reporting of the interim data, pending confirmation of the required number of catheter-related bloodstream infections in this event-driven study. We appreciate the continued support from Elliott."

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Series F Stock or the warrants or any other securities of CorMedix. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K associated with these transactions, which will be filed November 13, 2017, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CorMedix

CorMedix Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic products for the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. The Company is focused on developing its lead product Neutrolin, a novel, non-antibiotic antimicrobial solution designed to prevent costly and dangerous bloodstream infections associated with the use of central venous catheters, currently in a Phase 3 clinical trial enrolling patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Such infections cost the U.S. healthcare system approximately $6 billion annually and contribute significantly to increased morbidity and mortality. Neutrolin has FDA Fast Track status and is designated as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product, which provides the potential for priority review of a marketing application by FDA and allows for 5 additional years of QIDP market exclusivity in the event of U.S. approval. Neutrolin is already marketed as a CE Marked product in Europe and other territories. In parallel, CorMedix is leveraging its taurolidine technology to develop a pipeline of antimicrobial medical devices, with active programs in surgical sutures and meshes, and topical hydrogels. The company is also working with top-tier researchers to develop taurolidine-based therapies for rare pediatric cancers. For more information, visit: www.cormedix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including with respect to possible uses of taurolidine, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding management's expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or CorMedix's prospects, future financial position, financing plans, future revenues and projected costs should be considered forward-looking. Readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including: the risk of closing the combined investment and backstop financing transaction; the possible inability to capture sufficient CRBSI events in the ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial for Neutrolin even with the reported changes to that trial; the cost, timing and results of the ongoing and planned Phase 3 trials for Neutrolin in the U.S. and the resources needed to commence and complete those trials; the risks and uncertainties associated with CorMedix's ability to manage its limited cash resources and the impact on planned or future research, including for additional uses for taurolidine; obtaining additional financing to support CorMedix's research and development and clinical activities and operations; preclinical results are not indicative of success in clinical trials and might not be replicated in any subsequent studies or trials; and the ability to retain and hire necessary personnel to staff our operations appropriately. These and other risks are described in greater detail in CorMedix's filings with the SEC, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or upon request from CorMedix. CorMedix may not actually achieve the goals or plans described in its forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue reliance on these statements. CorMedix assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

For Investors & Media:

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

Joshua Drumm, Ph.D.: jdrumm@tiberend.com; (212) 375-2664

Janine McCargo: jmccargo@tiberend.com; (646) 604-5150

SOURCE: CorMedix Inc.
BOISE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2017 / U.S. Geothermal Inc. (NYSE American: HTM) will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results of the third quarter 2017, to be held Friday, November 10, 2017 at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Date, Time: November 10, 2017 at 11:00 PM ET

Toll Free: 877-407-8133

International: 201-689-8040

Live Webcast: http://www.investorcalendar.com/event/21666

Replay Information

The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern on November 17, 2017.

Toll Free: 877-481-4010

International: 919-882-2331

Replay ID#: 21666

Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com

About U.S. Geothermal Inc.

U.S. Geothermal Inc. is a leading and profitable renewable energy company focused on the development, production and sale of electricity from geothermal energy. The Company is currently operating geothermal power projects at Neal Hot Springs, Oregon, San Emidio, Nevada and Raft River, Idaho for a total power generation of approximately 45 MWs. The Company is also developing an additional estimated 115 MWs of projects at: the Geysers, California; a second phase project at San Emidio, Nevada; at Crescent Valley, Nevada; and the El Ceibillo project located near Guatemala City, Guatemala. U.S. Geothermal's growth goal is to reach over 200 MWs of generation by 2022 through a combination of internal development and strategic acquisitions.

Please visit our Website at: http://www.usgeothermal.com.

SOURCE: Investor Network
BUENOS AIRES (dpa-AFX) - Argentinean President Mauricio Macri urged U.S. President Donald Trump to dramatically tighten sanctions on Venezuela and impose a full embargo on the South American country's oil exports. 'The situation has worsened more and more. Venezuela is going through a painful situation. Poverty is increasing day after day, and health conditions are deteriorating,' Macri said in an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times during a state visit to the U.S. According to Macri, if the White House took a measure of such a nature, it would have 'broad' support from the presidents of the region. 'During the past month we have discussed it several times with many people,' Macri said. In August, the White House announced new sanctions against the Nicolas Maduro administration, which included the blocking of trade with debt bonds from the Venezuelan government and the state-owned oil company PDVSA. 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 9, 2017) - Explorex Resources Inc. (CSE: EX) (FSE: 1XE) (the "Company" or "Explorex") is pleased to announce that exploration programs are underway at its cobalt properties in Ontario. The Company also wishes to announce that its shares have recently commenced trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Cobalt Field Programme Summary

Field work consisting of preliminary mapping, prospect sampling and soil sampling has commenced at both Chrysler Lake and Cobalt Paragon in Ontario. Results from the work are anticipated to lead to the planning of a surface geophysical programme during the winter and possible drilling next summer.

Corporate Update

Explorex is also pleased to report that it has recently commenced trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "1XE". The listing will provide increased visibility and liquidity for European investors.

About Cobalt Properties

Cobalt Paragon consists of two historic mines, the Cobalt-Frontenac and Paragon-Hitchcock, hosting two distinct target types: (1) at Cobalt-Frontenac, Archean volcanics are cut by NE-oriented shears with multiple east-west pinch and swell veins containing historic gold values on surface and (2) at Paragon-Hitchcock, Proterozoic Nipissing diabase sills host quartz-calcite veining with silver and cobalt mineralization. Historic exploration dates largely to the period from 1900 to 1920 and was focused on the delineation of high-grade mineralized structures followed by underground development. Neither of these mines has ever been investigated by modern exploration methods guided by current ore deposit modelling criteria nor has any drilling been completed. The project is located close to Elk Lake, Ontario, less than 45 minutes along provincial highways from both Kirkland Lake and Temiskaming Shores.

Stripping and trenching at Cobalt-Frontenac by the vendor in 2012 in the vicinity of the shaft exposed a 30-metre-wide outcrop hosting a NE-trending, sheared quartz vein that returned grab values ranging from nil to 11.2 g/t Au and channel samples including 3.0 g/t Au over 0.50 metres. Selected grab sampling at Paragon-Hitchcock, conducted by the vendor from a muck pile, representing material from the shaft and underground level, returned values ranging from 8.79 to 414 (g/t) silver, 0.06 to 9.86 g/t gold, and 0.08 to 9.25% cobalt.

Chrysler Lake is underlain by favourable geology that is on strike from nearby known mineral occurrences. The property is considered to be highly prospective for cobalt and silver occurrences as the geological setting is similar to that of the Cobalt mining district which is known for its past producing high grade mines, where the mineralization is strongly associated with Nipissing Diabase sills and dykes. The Chrysler Lake area has been overlooked historically due to the lack of outcrop, however geophysical interpretations and work done by the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) has highlighted the areas previously unrecognized potential.

Further details of cobalt projects are contained in news releases June 14 and Nov 1, 2017 and on the Company's website at www.explorex.ca.

Gary Schellenberg, CEO of Explorex commented, "The work in Ontario is focused on advancing the two projects in preparation of a more extensive winter programme and setting the stage for more detailed work early next year. These projects will be the focus of much additional work and the basis from which we expect to expand our portfolio of cobalt enriched projects"

The scientific and technical disclosure in this news release has been supervised and approved by R. Kemp P.Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101. He is not independent of the Company.

The surface rock grab samples reported in this release are designed to show the presence or absence of mineralization and to characterize mineralization. They are not intended to provide nor should be construed as a representative indication of grade or mineralization on the properties.

About Explorex Resources Inc.

Explorex is an exploration company that owns 100% of the Chrysler Lake project, and has an option agreement to acquire 100% in the Cobalt-Paragon project, both of which are located within the Cobalt Embayment region of north-eastern Ontario. The cobalt projects form a nucleus of a strategy to acquire additional projects where the commodity focus is on metals critical to rechargeable battery technology. The Company also owns 100% of the Silver Dollar project, subject to issuance of an additional 800,000 shares.

On behalf of the board,

Gary Schellenberg,

CEO

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, CEO or Mike Sieb, President at 604.681.0209 or Ron Birch at bircress@shaw.ca; phone 1-800-910-7711

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements.
LONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2017 / Gabriel Resources Ltd. ("Gabriel" or the "Company") (TSX: GBU) announces the publication of its Third Quarter Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis Report for the period ended September 30, 2017.

Summary

The Company's core focus remains the progression of its arbitration case against Romania before the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") in accordance with the provisions of the Canada-Romania and UK-Romania bilateral investment treaties for the promotion and protection of foreign investment (together the "Treaties") ("ICSID Arbitration").

On June 30, 2017, Gabriel filed its memorial on the merits and quantum of its claims ("Memorial") which seeks compensation for all of the losses it has incurred as a result of Romania's breaches of the Treaties in an amount equivalent to $5.7 billion.

On July 5, 2017, Ro?ia Montana Gold Corporation S.A. ("RMGC") was served with a decision by the Romanian National Agency for Fiscal Administration ("ANAF") assessing a VAT liability in the principal amount of RON 27m (approximately $8.6m), relating to VAT reimbursed to RMGC in the period 2011 to 2016 ("VAT Assessment"). RMGC has filed an administrative challenge to ANAF's decision on the grounds that it is fundamentally flawed, unlawful and abusive and is awaiting a ruling. In addition, RMGC requested a judicial stay of enforcement of the VAT Assessment, which was granted by the Alba Iulia Court of Appeal on October 2, 2017, pending the determination of RMGC's administrative (and if necessary judicial) challenge of the VAT Assessment.

On October 23, 2017, RMGC received a further notification from ANAF in respect of interest and penalties related to the VAT Assessment in the amount of RON 18.6 million (approximately $6.0 million) which it understands are also subject to the judicial stay of enforcement.

In late September 2017, the International Council on Monuments and Sites ("ICOMOS") conducted a site visit in respect of the inclusion of the "Rosia Montana Mining Cultural Landscape" on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") World Heritage List. It is the Company's understanding that the Ministry of Culture is currently undertaking some form of inquiry to assess the lawfulness of the Romanian Government's submission of the nomination file to UNESCO in January 2017.

As at September 30, 2017, the Company held $37.8 million of cash and cash equivalents.

The net loss for the third quarter of 2017 was $7.2 million (Q2 2017:$13.7 million).

Jonathan Henry, Gabriel's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Romania continues to demonstrate its bad faith against Gabriel and RMGC through ongoing discriminatory, abusive and retaliatory ANAF activities such as the VAT Assessment and the related interest and penalties, which are without merit. The Memorial details strong factual and legal arguments supporting Gabriel's firm belief that the Company will prevail in its international arbitration case against Romania."

Further information and commentary on the operations and results of the Company in the third quarter of 2017 is given below. The Company has filed its Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and each is available for review on the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.

For information on this press release, please contact:

Jonathan Henry

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mobile: +44 7798 801783

jh@gabrielresources.com

Max Vaughan

Chief Financial Officer

Mobile: +44 7823 885503

max.vaughan@gabrielresources.com

Richard Brown

Chief Commercial Officer

Mobile: +44 7748 760276

richard.brown@gabrielresources.com

Further Information

Status of the ICSID Arbitration

The ICSID Arbitration seeks compensation for all of the losses and damages suffered by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gabriel Resources (Jersey) Ltd. (together "Claimants"), resulting from the Romanian State's wrongful conduct and its breaches of the Treaties' protections against expropriation, unfair and inequitable treatment and discrimination in respect the Projects and related licenses.

The Claimants submitted their Memorial on June 30, 2017. The Memorial filing is scheduled to be followed by the following key submissions:

- Romania to file its response to the Memorial ("Counter-Memorial") by February 15, 2018.

- The Claimants to file their reply to the Counter-Memorial ("Reply") by September 5, 2018.

- Romania to file its response to the Reply ("Rejoinder") by February 19, 2019.

- Romania to file its response to the Memorial ("Counter-Memorial") by February 15, 2018. - The Claimants to file their reply to the Counter-Memorial ("Reply") by September 5, 2018. - Romania to file its response to the Reply ("Rejoinder") by February 19, 2019. A hearing on the merits of the claims before the tribunal appointed to hear and determine the ICSID Arbitration ("Tribunal") is currently scheduled to occur in Washington D.C. from September 9 to 20, 2019.

Certain procedural orders and decisions of the Tribunal, together with certain of the principal submissions filed by the parties during the ICSID Arbitration, have and will continue to be published on the ICSID website at the following location: https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/cases/casedetail.aspx?CaseNo=ARB/15/31.

The Memorial is subject to the confidentiality provisions of Procedural Order No.3 which can be found on the ICSID website. Gabriel anticipates that the Memorial will be published on the ICSID website in due course in accordance with those provisions and the determination of the Tribunal as appropriate.

RMGC Investigations

As previously disclosed by the Company, RMGC was served with the VAT Assessment by ANAF in the amount of RON 27m (approximately $8.6m) on July 5, 2017. The liability relates to VAT previously reimbursed to RMGC in respect of its purchase of goods and services from July 2011 to January 2016.

On August 9, 2017, RMGC filed an administrative challenge before the Romanian tax authorities against the VAT Assessment, which is ongoing. RMGC also filed a request for a stay of enforcement of the VAT Assessment before the Alba Iulia Court of Appeal on August 10, 2017. On October 2, 2017, the Alba Iulia Court of Appeal admitted RMGC's request for a stay of enforcement of the VAT Assessment, pending the determination of RMGC's administrative (and if necessary judicial) challenge of the VAT Assessment. This ruling may be appealed by ANAF within 5 days of notification in writing to the parties of the Court's decision and the legal basis thereof, which has yet to be received by RMGC.

Notwithstanding the Court of Appeal's decision of October 2, 2017, RMGC received a further notification from ANAF in respect of interest and penalties related to the VAT Assessment for RON 18.6 million (approximately $6.0 million) on October 23, 2017. It is the Company's understanding that, similar to the VAT Assessment, the interest and penalties are also subject to the judicial stay of enforcement.

The Company believes the VAT Assessment is fundamentally flawed and abusive. Further, the Company believes that the procedure followed by ANAF to arrive at the VAT Assessment, and the subsequent interest and penalties, was improper and unlawful and that the VAT Assessment conflicts with Romanian fiscal laws as well as the mandatory applicable principles of EU law. The Company intends to pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the VAT Assessment and the interest and penalties and to fully protect its rights and assets.

In parallel with the VAT Assessment, and for a period of over two years, a separate directorate of ANAF has continued to pursue an ad hoc investigation of a broad range of operational activities and transactions of RMGC and an increasing number of its suppliers, consultants and advisors over an extensive period spanning 1997 to 2016 (the "ANAF Investigation"). RMGC still awaits formal indication of the grounds for the ANAF Investigation and believes that it has no justification, that the breadth and depth of ANAF's demands are intentionally abusive, and that it has been initiated in an attempt to intimidate and harm RMGC and Gabriel in view of the dispute with the Romanian State and the filing of the ICSID Arbitration.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

The Company's average monthly cash usage during Q3 2017 was $2.8 million, including costs in respect of the ICSID Arbitration (Q2 2017 monthly average: $3.0 million, Q1 2017 monthly average: $1.7 million). At the end of Q3 2017, accruals for costs in respect of the ICSID Arbitration amounted to $3.7 million (Q2 2017: $7.1 million, Q1 2017: $4.6 million). For the remainder of 2017, the Company expects the costs to be incurred for the ICSID Arbitration to reduce.

Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017 amounted to $37.8 million.

Financial Performance

The net loss for the third quarter of 2017 was $7.2 million, a decrease from a loss of $13.7 million in the prior quarter and a loss of $42.0 million in the corresponding period in 2016, reflecting lower incremental legal and other advisory costs pursuant to the ICSID Arbitration in the third quarter following the submission of the Memorial and a $34.4 million non-cash charge in Q3 2016 on the issue of in-the-money equity instruments. Accreted finance charges of $1.8 million on the convertible notes in issue are reflected in the loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 (Q3 2016: $1.5 million).

UNESCO World Heritage List

As previously disclosed, on January 4, 2017, the Romanian Ministry of Culture submitted the nomination file ("Nomination File") for the inclusion of the "Rosia Montana Mining Cultural Landscape" on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the Company's understanding that on March 1, 2017, the Ministry of Culture was informed by UNESCO that the Nomination File had been sent to ICOMOS for evaluation.

In September 2017, RMGC was informed that ICOMOS had constituted a team to conduct a site visit of the nominated area, which was facilitated by the Ministry of Culture and subsequently took place between September 25 and 29, 2017.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned initiatives, the Company is aware of several public statements attributed to various Romanian ministers and government officials (including the Prime Minister) who have questioned whether the Nomination File was prepared in accordance with applicable law and whether its submission to UNESCO was properly authorized. It is the Company's understanding that the Ministry of Culture is undertaking some form of internal inquiry to assess the lawfulness of the submission of the Nomination File.

The Company understands that ICOMOS will communicate a recommendation to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in or around March 2018 and that the World Heritage Committee will assess the Nomination File and adopt a decision at its 42nd session in July 2018.

Rosia Montana Project Development (including Permitting and Litigation)

In the context of the above disclosures concerning the development of the Rosia Montana Project and the ICSID Arbitration being the core focus of Gabriel, and the group of companies of which it is parent ("Group"), readers are advised to refer to the Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2016 ("AIF") published on March 29, 2017, a copy of which is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for information relating to the status of the Rosia Montana Project, RMGC's exploitation license in Romania, the Group's exploration and development activities in Romania, the Rosia Montana Project approval and permitting process, and reported gold and silver resources and reserves. Except as disclosed in the Company's public filings thereafter, there has been no material change in the information therein from the date of publication of the AIF to the date of this press release.

About Gabriel

Gabriel is a Toronto Stock Exchange listed Canadian resource company. The Company's principal focus has been the exploration and development of the Ro?ia Montana gold and silver project in Romania. The Rosia Montana Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Europe, is situated in the South Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania, Romania, a historic and prolific mining district that since pre-Roman times has been mined intermittently for over 2,000 years. The exploitation license ("License") for the Rosia Montana Project is held by Ro?ia Montana Gold Corporation S.A., a Romanian company in which Gabriel owns an 80.69% equity interest, with the 19.31% balance held by Minvest Ro?ia Montana S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining company. It is anticipated that the Rosia Montana Project would bring over US$24 billion (at US$1,200/oz gold) to Romania as potential direct and indirect contribution to GDP and generate thousands of employment opportunities.

Since the grant of the License in June 1999, the Company has focused substantially all of its management and financial resources on the exploration, feasibility and subsequent development of the Rosia Montana Project. Despite the Company's fulfillment of its legal obligations and its development of the Rosia Montana Project as a high-quality, sustainable and environmentally-responsible mining project, using best available techniques, Romania has blocked and prevented implementation of the Rosia Montana Project without due process and without compensation.Accordingly, the Company's current core focus is the ICSID Arbitration. For more information please visit the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.

In this press release, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the uncertainties associated with: the ICSID Arbitration, actions by the Romanian Government, conditions or events impacting the Company's ability to fund its operations or service its debt, exploration, development and operation of mining properties and the overall impact of misjudgments made in good faith in the course of preparing forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors including those set out below, that may never materialize, prove incorrect or materialize other than as currently contemplated which could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects," "is expected," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "projects," "estimates," "assumes," "intends," "strategy," "goals," "objectives," "potential," "possible" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results "may," "could," "would," "should," "might," or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

the duration, required disclosure, costs, process, and outcome of the ICSID Arbitration against Romania;

changes in the liquidity and capital resources of Gabriel, and the Group;

access to funding to support the Group's continued ICSID Arbitration and/or operating activities in the future;

equity dilution resulting from the conversion or exercise of existing securities in part or in whole to Common Shares;

the ability of the Company to maintain a continued listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange or any regulated public market for trading securities;

the impact on business strategy and its implementation in Romania of: unforeseen historic acts of corruption, uncertain fiscal investigations; uncertain legal enforcement both for and against the Group and political and social instability;

regulatory, political and economic risks associated with operating in a foreign jurisdiction including changes in laws, governments and legal regimes and interpretation of existing and future fiscal and other legislation ;

volatility of currency exchange rates, metal prices and metal production;

the availability and continued participation in operational or other matters pertaining to the Group of certain key employees and consultants; and

risks normally incident to the exploration, development, and operation of mining properties.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and investors should not infer that there has been no change in the Company's affairs since the date of this press release that would warrant any modification of any forward-looking statement made in this document, other documents periodically filed with or furnished to the relevant securities regulators or documents presented on the Company's website. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, subject to the Company's disclosure obligations under applicable Canadian securities regulations. Investors are urged to read the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory agencies including Gabriel's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016, which can be viewed online at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Gabriel Resources Ltd.
HONG KONG (dpa-AFX) - Japan will on Friday release September figures for its tertiary industry index, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The index is expected to fall 0.1 percent on month after sliding 0.2 percent in August. Japan also will see October figures for M2 and M3 money stock; they are expected to hold steady at 4.1 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively. Hong Kong will provide Q3 numbers for gross domestic product; in the three months prior, GDP expanded 1.0 percent on quarter and 3.8 percent on year. Singapore will see September figures for retail sales - which are expected to add 0.3 percent on month and 3.5 percent on year. That follows the 0.3 percent monthly decline and the 3.5 percent yearly gain in August. Indonesia will release Q3 numbers for its current account; in the three months prior, the current account deficit was $4.96 billion. 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.
- More than 300 medical professionals in attendance, with presentations from over 40 international surgeons

- Scientific sessions available for viewing on Medacta's website

Medacta Japan, a subsidiary of Medacta International, the privately held, family-owned global leader in the design of innovative joint replacement and spine surgery products, today announced the success of its 2nd Japanese M.O.R.E Symposium, held on September 30 to October 1, 2017 and attended by over 300 medical professionals.

Reflecting Medacta's ongoing commitment to continuous medical education, the event focused on how implant design, techniques and patient-specific treatment can improve outcomes and patient satisfaction in the changing orthopaedic landscape, positively impacting the sustainability of the healthcare system.

More than 40 Japanese orthopaedic surgery experts presented at the meeting, covering topics on innovation, education and healthcare sustainability, with important contributions from international experts who traveled from Australia, Europe and the United States to attend the event.

"Surgical education and training has been a pillar of Medacta's mission and identity since the company began. We believe it is the foundation for optimal clinical outcomes and both patient and surgeon satisfaction," said Francesco Siccardi, Executive Vice President of Medacta International. "The success and the incredible growth of Medacta Japan, in both joint and spine, is a further confirmation of that belief. We're honored that a growing number of surgeons depend on us as a reliable partner, and we will do our best to maintain our vision for a bright future in Japan."

For more information about the 2nd Japanese M.O.R.E. Symposium and Medacta, including scientific sessions, visit: https://2more-jpn.medacta.com/.

About Medacta International

Medacta International is a world leading manufacturer of orthopedic implants, neurosurgical systems, and instrumentation. Medacta's revolutionary approach and responsible innovation have resulted in standard of care breakthroughs in hip replacement with the AMIS system and total knee replacement with MyKnee patient matched technology. Over the last 10 years, Medacta has grown dramatically by taking a different approach and placing value on all aspects of the care experience from design to training to sustainability. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in over 30 countries. To learn more about Medacta International, please visit www.medacta.com or follow @Medacta on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006703/en/

Contacts:

For Medacta International, Inc.

Jill Bongiorni, 516-729-2250

Jill@torchcomllc.com
DUBLIN, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The present report is an essential resource for a one looking for detailed information on the world polyethylene terephthalate market. The report covers data on global, regional and national markets including present and future trends for supply and demand, prices, and downstream industries.

In addition to the analytical part, the report provides a range of tables and figures which all together give a true insight into the national, regional and global markets for polyethylene terephthalate.



Report Scope:



The report covers global, regional and country markets of polyethylene terephthalate

It describes present situation, historical background and future forecast

Comprehensive data showing polyethylene terephthalate capacities, production, consumption, trade statistics, and prices in the recent years are provided (globally, regionally and by country)

The report indicates a wealth of information on polyethylene terephthalate manufacturers and distributors

Region market overview covers the following: production of polyethylene terephthalate in a region/country, consumption trends, price data, trade in the recent year and manufacturers

Polyethylene terephthalate market forecast for next five years, including market volumes and prices is also provided

Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION: POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE PROPERTIES AND USES



2. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES



3. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE WORLD MARKET



3.1. World polyethylene terephthalate capacity

- Capacity broken down by region

- Capacity divided by country

- Manufacturers and their capacity by plant



3.2. World polyethylene terephthalate production

- Global output dynamics

- Production by region

- Production by country



3.3. Polyethylene terephthalate consumption

- World consumption

- Consumption trends in Europe

- Consumption trends in Asia Pacific

- Consumption trends in North America



3.4. Polyethylene terephthalate global trade

- World trade dynamics

- Export and import flows in regions



3.5. Polyethylene terephthalate prices in the world market



4. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE REGIONAL MARKETS ANALYSIS



Each country section comprises the following parts:

- Total installed capacity in country

- Production in country

- Manufacturers in country

- Consumption of in country

- Suppliers in country

- Export and import in country

- Prices in country



4.1. Polyethylene terephthalate European market analysis

Countries covered:

- Belarus

- Germany

- Greece

- Italy

- Lithuania

- Netherlands

- Poland

- Portugal

- Russia

- Spain

- UK



4.2. Polyethylene terephthalate Asia Pacific market analysis

Countries included:

- Australia

- China

- India

- Indonesia

- Japan

- Malaysia

- Pakistan

- South Korea

- Taiwan

- Thailand



4.3. Polyethylene terephthalate North American market analysis

Countries under consideration:

- Canada

- USA



4.4. Polyethylene terephthalate Latin American market analysis

Countries overviewed:

- Argentina

- Brazil

- Colombia

- Mexico



4.5. Polyethylene terephthalate Africa & Middle East market analysis

Countries examined:

- Egypt

- Iran

- Nigeria

- Oman

- Saudi Arabia

- South Africa

- Turkey



- UAE



5. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE MARKET PROSPECTS



5.1. Polyethylene terephthalate capacity and production forecast up to 2021

- Global production forecast

- On-going projects



5.2. Polyethylene terephthalate consumption forecast up to 2021

- World consumption forecast

- Forecast of consumption in Europe

- Consumption forecast in Asia Pacific

- Consumption forecast in North America



5.3. Polyethylene terephthalate market prices forecast up to 2021



6. KEY COMPANIES IN THE POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE MARKET WORLDWIDE



7. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE FEEDSTOCK MARKET



8. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE END-USE SECTOR



8.1. Consumption by application

8.2. Downstream markets review and forecast



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/nqwmk2/polyethylene





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
BUENOS AIRES (dpa-AFX) - The United States Department of Commerce decided to impose tariffs between 71.45% and 72.28% on imports of Argentinean biodiesel. In August, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed a 50.29% to 64.71% tariff on imports of the Argentinean biodiesel. The then-preliminary sanction resulted from research conducted by private U.S. biodiesel producers, which accused Argentina of dumping and unfair practices. Thursday's final decision means that the U.S. government considered the American producer's claim legitimate. 'The biodiesel industry has been hurt in recent years by unfairly traded imports from Argentina and Indonesia,' said Doug Whitehead, director of operations for the National Biodiesel Board. In Argentina, the state-owned news agency Telam reported that sources in the Foreign Affairs and Agribusiness Ministries said that the government assesses possibilities such as to address the case to the World Trade Organization (WTO). 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.
FinScience, a Milan, Italy-based fintech startup, closed 1m seed funding round.

A group of unnamed angel investors participated in the round.

Founded in 2017 by a team of previous Google Italia senior managers, who have strong expertise in big data management and in digital intelligence field, FinScience has developed a platform that gives simple access to alternative data to people who work in financial industry. The software leverages AI algorithms, collects, classifies, analyzes and summarizes huge amount of digital data from different sources (social networks, web sites, blogs, etc.) to find signals potentially connected with financial assets price trends in the medium-long term.

FinScience alternative data sets enrich traditional information used for financial analysis.

The company intends to use the capital to support the commercial launch, to enlarge the tech team and to develop FinScience software adding new features and machine learning algorithms to the platform.

FinScience was advised by Epic Sim and GVA-Good Ventures Advisory.

FinSMEs

09/11/2017
Now it has become mandatory to link your Aadhaar number to your insurance policy. The insurance regulator Irdai on Wednesday has asked insurance companies that this linkage has become a statutory norm.

This move is in keeping with the government's step to amend the Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Second Amendment Rules, 2017 making Aaadhar and PAN/Form 60 mandatory for availing financial services. This also includes insurance policies.

Experts believe that this move may have a few short-term challenges, but in the long term, it will be beneficial.

Short term challenge:

From a customers point of view, this is yet another Aadhaar linkage and is definitely a hassle. Thankfully, its not too difficult a process. By now many have already linked their Aadhaar to PAN for filing tax returns, bank accounts, and SIM. The method of linking Aadhaar number to insurance policy is not going to be any different from the one you took for linking Aadhaar to the bank. Which is either by visiting the companys website, branch or via registered SMS.

There are 24 life insurance companies and 33 general insurers. LIC alone has around 29 crore policyholders. As per IRDAI annual report around 262 lakh new life insurance policies were issued in 2016-16, and around 260 lakh new general insurance policies were issued the same year. No one can deny that this move will pose a huge logistical challenge to insurance providers. And since Irdai circular says this move is of immediate effect, its not sure if insurance will accept premium payments without this linkage or if they will allow claims without linkage. Its too early to say anything as the circular was out less than 24 hours ago. However, Irdai has said companies should not wait for further instructions to kick off the facility.

Long-term benefits:

For one, since Aadhaar is already linked to bank accounts, tax filings and PAN, adding insurance will help create a unified platform for financial services.

Secondly, it will also make KYC much easier, as this rules out the need to do multiple KYC.

Thirdly, use of Aadhaar card in the financial sector will immensely help to prevent frauds, even in insurance. In August this year, the government made a strong pitch for the use of Aadhaar number to register deaths to prevent identity fraud. Linking Aadhaar with insurance policies will help identify customers easier. Sandeep Patel, MD and CEO, Cigna TTK Health Insurance says, The linkage of Aadhar with insurance is definitely a positive development. Based on the unique identity, it will now be simple and easy to authenticate our customers, bring in efficiency to our processes while onboarding a customer to settling claims and therefore offer a better customer experience.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating over 3,700 cases of money laundering and hawala transactions, involving tainted assets worth Rs 9,935 crore, as part of its action against black money generated post demonetisation, an official report on Thursday said.

The central probe agency also carried out a "risk assessment" of these cases, registered post the note ban on 8 November last year, and found that a majority of (43 percent) the financial crimes were carried out by perpetrating bank frauds and cheating financial institutions through a maze of shell firms.

The other category of post-note ban financial crimes being probed by the ED include cases of corruption (31 percent), drugs and narcotics trade (6.5 percent), arms and explosives (4.5 percent) and others (8.5 percent).

"The head of this demon (of black money) is the money of corruption and illegal wealth acquired through banking frauds.

"A general review of the cases post demonetisation show that businesses and professionals have collaborated with each other to use shell companies for converting illegal wealth into legitimate assets," the report said.

ED Director Karnal Singh told PTI that the agency was "committed to work against the menace of black money and corruption and to bring professionalism in its working".

The agency had registered and was probing a total of 3,758 cases (3,567 under forex laws and 191 under the anti-money laundering act), issued 777 show cause notices and attachment orders and has conducted 620 searches since 8 November last year to September.

The total value of assets and forex violation amount involved in these cases stands at Rs 9,935 crore with the agency attaching assets worth Rs 5,335 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and issuing notices under the FEMA involving an amount of Rs 4,600 crore, the report said.

The ED, that functions under the Union Finance Ministry, study also found that financial institutions like banks were the most "vulnerable" to money laundering crimes at 48 percent followed by real estate at 35 percent, precious metals like gold investments at 7 percent and the rest 10 percent in other sectors.

The agency, that enforces the PMLA and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in the country, also arrested 54 people post demonetisation as part of these investigations.

The ED found that the "proceeds of crime were laundered mainly through financial institutions (like banks) using shell companies and real estate".

"Even in real estate sector the money for investments has been coming through financial institutions using a maze of shell companies. The shell companies, therefore, are the major modus operandi through which money is laundered," it said.

The agency, according to official sources, had a number of politicians and bureaucrats under its scanner as part of these investigations.

The probe in these cases involve scrutiny of voluminous paper documents and electronic records. Some of the cases require involvement of multiple agencies and the results would show sooner than later, they added.

The agency has also chronicled the various methods used to launder black funds like conversion of stash funds with the help of bank officials, hiring services of professionals like chartered Accountants, investment in gold, bullion and jewellery and advance remittances against imports.

The other most noted money laundering techniques used post demonetisation involved investment of tainted assets in foreign currency, real estate and benami assets, the report said.

The ED had conducted country-wide searches against shell firms early this year and sources said more action against their beneficiaries and operatives would take place in the coming days.

"Most of these firms have dummy directors. They sign balance sheets and other documents on the instructions of the operators (called entry operators). Many such firms are either registered at fictitious addresses or at one-room locations," the report added.
In what could have been an another soporific lecture session or a regular one-sided discussion to mark the launch of a company or product, The Blue Circles day-long panel discussions on Wednesday on Indian Political, Social and Economic Barometer in the backdrop of social media was not only in depth but engaging as well to the audience.

Differences in opinion, disagreements and contrarian views backed by arguments acted as a barometer to analyse the success and lacunas of the Narendra Modi government.

In a threadbare analysis, the panellists tried to delve into the policies of the NDA government  from geo-political to impact of economic reforms.

While on one hand, Modi's policies of demonetisation and implementation of GST were criticised, on the other, his tackling of the recent Doka La stand-off and cross-border terrorism with an iron fist received wide applause.

The first anniversary of the decision of Demonetisation or Note ban on Wednesday made the discussion -- Will the remedies work the system or poison it? -- in the Business and Economy session particularly interesting; the debate ranged from demonetisation, GST implementation, Modis economic policies to his efforts to curb corruption.

Making a scathing attack on the impact of demonetisation and GST implementation, lawyer and founder member of Swaraj Abhiyan, Prashant Bhushan said, Theres no doubt the PM is a very hardworking man, so is Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. But, both have a common trait as both take decisions unilaterally without consulting others, which are purely political and electorally beneficial. As a result, the note ban decision brought disaster in the lives of people. Though GST itself is not bad and had been under consideration for a long time, its implementation was faulty and the process is cumbersome. It has left small traders in great distress. Every data, survey and study show that inequality in economy and income has increased in the last three years.

There has been no progress in appointment of Lokpal to bring transparency. Why does the government not make public the names of bank loan defaulters? he asked.

In defence, BJP national spokesperson on economic affairs, Gopal Krishna Agarwal said, Based on two main promises, PM Modi came to power -- uproot corruption and economic development. He was elected as PM not to manage things but to bring structural reforms. Several steps have been taken to curb black money generation and corruption, through Benami Property Act, for example, and prevent leakages in deliverance of social sector schemes through Jan Dhan accounts. People have started accepting policies of the Modi government, as theyre able to find equal participation in the development process. Action has been taken against 2.11 lakh shell companies created during the UPA regime for money laundering.

Both GST and demonetisation were mammoth exercises, and the latter pushed business transaction into banking channel. The government has identified 50 to 55 major bank defaulters and action would be taken in due course. Its Modi, who, by setting goals, has taken accountability of his commitments made during the election. Next election will be a real test of acceptability of our policy by public, he added.

Addressing the geo-political session, Bharat Karnard, research professor, Centre for Policy Research, argued that Pakistan was neither a threat in the past nor at present and it wont be in future. Pakistans GDP is one-sixth to one-seventh of the market cap of the Bombay Stock Exchange. Its our problem when we see threat in Pakistan. Earlier also, I had said that nuclear installations across western border be removed to gain trust.

Referring to the issue of Doka La stand-off, Karnard added, India needs to have targeted and calibrated use of hard power and it should be used as a cutting edge. India needs to go for strong infrastructure building.

On whether wealth played a decisive factor in war, Hindustan Times foreign editor, Pramit Pal Chaudhuri said, Economic power is very important along with technology, military power and political will, but not the only decisive factor.

When asked whether the geo-politic moves of the current government will benefit India or will we pay a price, former commander-in-chief, Indian Army, Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni, observed from the audience, The Modi government is doing well on geo-political front. The PM through his policies has taken bold steps to ensure Indias strong position at the global level. As far as discourse on restructuring of military is concerned, it should be left on army personnel rather than on panel experts with no military background.

Referring to the impact of social media on an individual, host/ moderator Pavan Choudary, managing director, Vygon asked panelists Madhu Purnima Kishwar and Nitin Pai, Are we better off today or was yesterday better?

Finding interaction on social media better, founding editor of Manushi and professor at CSDS, Kishwar said, It helps me to engage with various kinds of people. Unlike in the past, social media is not restricted only to the elite. Its for all to air their views and opinions freely. When I had criticised a few decisions of Modi, his followers on social media attacked me. But, simultaneously there was a larger group that came in my support. Its real democracy. If someone is extremely malicious and sulphurous, you can block him, unlike in real life or in society.

Pai, founder of Takshashila Institution, argued, Theres lot of rudeness in society against women, against those who are below our class; and its reflected on social media as well. If you are liberal, you have to respect others views as well, rather than being abusive. A section of society or group can enforce anyone to follow certain things. Its for the state to decide and protect ones freedom through law.

Kishwar expressed serious concern over easy access to pornography on social media. If we raise voice against it and ask for a ban, a section including the media opposes it, in the name of liberalism. However, social media can be best used to gain global knowledge, she observed.

Both panelists agreed that there might be sharp disagreements in public discourse like on social media, but it brings out more dimensions.

Firstpost was media partner for the event organised in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In his concluding remarks, Siddharth Anand, co-founder and director, The Blue Circle, said, The Blue Circle will hold similar meaningful panel discussions round the year. The Community will learn, network and bond together through the platforms we curate for them. Members will be chosen through a careful screening process, through a Credibility Scoring Test that weve developed. Our objective is to assist the leader in collaborating with people of their kind to learn and grow together.

The Blue Circle, a new virtual gymkhana, hopes to serve as a platform for top honchos to network, relax and channelize their personal and professional growth among like-minded company.
One of Netflix's latest offerings is an adaptation of Margaret Atwood's 1996 novel Alias Grace. The novel tells the story of a psychiatrist called Simon Jordan, who looks into and researches the behaviour of Grace Marks, a mild-mannered woman convicted of the murder of Thomas Kinnear, the man whose house she worked at, and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery. He must try to figure out if Marks has truly committed the crime and if she is sane.

This adaptation is the second to throw the spotlight back on Atwood's works after the award-winning adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale, starring Elizabeth Moss.

Both series tell us about the relevance of the author's works years after they were published. While Alias Grace and The Handmaid's Tale are favourites in bookstores and literature classes, Atwood's other works, too, are just as significant.

Here's a look at five of her other lesser-known novels which are worth a read:

The Blind Assassin

This novel won Atwood the Man Booker Prize nearly three decades after her first book was published. It tells the story of Iris, who recounts the story of her life and relationships as an old woman. Central to the story is her sister Laura, who writes a book about a politically radical science fiction author called Alex Thomas, which is later published by Iris. The Blind Assassin is a novel within a novel, and there is a tale within the fictional novel too; Alex Thomas writes a story called The Blind Assassin (where Atwood's own novel derives its name from). Thomas has a complicated relationship with Laura and Iris. The novel's sub-plots also include the role that Iris' husband Richard Griffen plays in wrecking the sisters' lives, and the fact that they lost their mother at a young age.

The Edible Woman

Atwood's first novel, which she termed proto-feminist, tells the bizarre tale of a woman who finds herself increasingly losing her appetite and eventually being metaphorically devoured by her boyfriend. The protagonist, Marian MacAlpin, finds that her regular, consumerist lifestyle comes apart as her boyfriend demands that she become more feminine. She begins to ascribe human qualities to the meat and is unable to eat anything towards the end of the novel. It is believed that Atwood drew from her own life experiences.

The Penelopiad

In this novel, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, talks about life in Hades, Helen of Troy, her husband and her relationship with her parents. Her thoughts are interrupted by a twelve-member Greek chorus, and their interludes take the form of a lament, an idyll and ballad, among other literary forms. The Penelopiad explores the themes of the fairness of justice and the double standards of justice between the two sexes. A theatrical adaptation was staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Mythological characters and Greek story lines have been used by Atwood in many of her other works.

Cat's Eye

Atwood's seventh novel was a finalist for both the Man Booker Prize and Governor General's Award. The book is told through the eyes of the protagonist Elaine Risley, who is a controversial painter. She reflects on life from World War II to the late 1980s, as well as contemporary issues with respect to feminism and the art world. The strongest of the memories she recounts are of a group of girls who are both cruel and kind to her, and thus shape her perception of the world. Despite becoming a successful artist, Elaine remains haunted by her childhood memories, especially Cordelia, who is the leader of the group of girls she met as a young girl, with whom she develops a close but complicated relationship.

The Robber Bride

Three women who meet every month to enjoy a meal together are at the center of this novel set in Toronto, Ontario. They are brought together by the influence that a woman called Zenia has on all of their lives; Zenia "stole" each of the men they were with. They believe that she is dead but later discover that she actually staged her death. In a series of three individual confrontations, Zenia tells them that the men they were with did not deserve them. This book, apart from dealing with the charactersitically Atwood-esque theme of the war of the sexes, but also sisterhood.
Sara Ali Khan, one of the most sought-after celebrity kids, is all set for the release of her debut Kedarnath alongside versatile actor Sushant Singh Rajput. If the latest reports are to be believed, she has already accepted an offer for her second venture, even before the release of Abhishek Kapoor's film.

Interestingly, Saras second project will be produced by Anushka Sharma's banner. It is said that she managed to get this project ahead of some well-known Bollywood actresses, who were also being considered for the film. In her second film too, she is expected to play the lead role.

This means that Saif Ali Khans daughter will become the first female actor to be signed by Anushka's production house, which has only made films with the Phillauri actress in the lead role so far.

The project will be a social drama. When Anushka, Karnesh, Prernaa Arora and Arjun N Kapoor (KriArj) were scouting for a female lead, they zeroed in on Sara. Prernaa and Arjun have worked with her in Kedarnath as producers and they like her dedication. When they narrated the script to Sara, she loved it, a source told Mid-Day.

Rumours suggest that Kedarnath director Abhishek urged Sara not to sign her next project before his film was complete. The source further revealed, But Sara didnt agree to that. Kedarnaths release has been delayed due to the winter in North India, pushing release to end of next year. Sara didnt wish to wait that long.

Kedarnath will hit the screens in December next year.
Dominick Brascia, former actor and friend of the now deceased Corey Haim, has made bold claims that Charlie Sheen had sexually assaulted Haim when he was 13 year old, on the sets of the 1986 film Lucas, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The allegation surfaced with an expose by National Enquirer in which Brascia has gone on record that Haim had disclosed Sheens name to him before his death in 2010. According to the report, Brascia said, He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex. Haim said after it happened, Sheen became very cold and rejected him. When Corey wanted to fool around again, Charlie was not interested.

The account reflects back to Haims closest friend and Lucas co-star, Corey Feldmans account from his tell-all memoir titled Coreyography: A Memoir. As reported by People, he had written in the 2013 book, At some point during the filming [of Lucas, Haim] explained an adult male convinced him it was perfectly normal for older men and younger boys in the business to have sexual relations, that it was what all guys do.' So they walked off to a secluded area between two trailers during a lunch break for the cast and crew; and Haim, innocent and ambitious as he was, allowed himself to be sodomised.

According to the National Enquirer report Feldman had alluded to a powerful Hollywood figure over the years but never named him. In 2011, he had said, 'I'm not a huge fan of Charlie Sheen especially the way he's affected other people that I know.' He also said, Haim fought for his entire life to recover from those early experiences and to get his life together.

A defiant 52-year-old Charlie Sheen, who is now living with HIV, has categorically denied the allegations completely to The Hollywood Reporter.

Corey Haim was a teen heartthrob and one of the most promising stars by the age of 21 in 1980s Hollywood. He was known for his role in The Lost Boys, which had made him a household name. After his early success, the young actor battled drug addiction throughout his career and tragically died an early death from pneumonia in 2010 aged 38.
The 2017 Country Music Association Awards marked one of its most political and emotional shows in years, as the night offered powerful moments focused on unifying as a country during a year dominated by gun violence, divisive politics and natural disasters.

Carrie Underwood broke down while singing during the nights 'In Memoriam' after photos of the 58 people who died at a country music festival last month in Las Vegas were shown. Little Big Towns Kimberly Schlapman quoted Maya Angelou when the foursome won vocal group of the year at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, while bandmate Karen Fairchild told the audience, Kindness is an attractive quality.

Here is the full list of winners:

Female vocalist of the year  Miranda Lambert

Male vocalist of the year  Chris Stapleton

Entertainer of the Year  Garth Brooks

Album of the Year  From A Room: Volume 1 by Chris Stapleton

Song of the Year 'Better Man' by Taylor Swift

Vocal group of the year  Little Big Town

Vocal duo of the year  Brothers Osborne

New artist of the year  Jon Pardi

Single of the Year  'Blue Aint Your Color' by Keith Urban

Musical event of the Year  Funny How Time Slips Away by Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson

Music video of the Year  'It Aint My Fault' by Brothers Osborne

Musician of the Year  Mac McAnally (guitar)
For movie lovers who wish cross linguistic boundaries and watch regional cinema, fellow aficionados are usually the first port of call for recommendations. However, these recommendations seem only to cover the classics or 'offbeat' movies and rarely (if ever) encompass 'commercial' movies.

Staying in Mumbai finally presented an opportunity to look past a Sairat or Court, with Faster Fene (popularly called FaFe)  posters for which recently appeared all over the city, even as buzz about the film grew on social media. "Who is Banesh Fene?" people wondered.

Watching a Marathi movie, with no idea of the process behind bringing alive one of the most beloved Marathi fictional characters can be a blessing. Unburdened by knowing how the characters have evolved from their original literary representation, without the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, it becomes easier to see Faster Fene in its bare-bones version.

Director Aditya Sarpotdar and screenwriter Kshitij Patwardhan take a somewhat safe route and make this film a sort of origin story for Fene. It gives a strong base to build a franchise from here.

When Banesh Fene (played with impish innocence by Amey Wagh) moves from the town of Baneshwar to Pune for his medical entrance exams, he stays at his ajoba BR Bhagwat's (Dilip Prabhavalkar) house. Circumstances bring him close to Bhu-Bhu (Shubham More) who is the Topshe to this Marathi Feluda and in the company of a journalist friend Aboli (Parna Pethe), the trio get involved in solving a crime that hides a major scam. The suicide/murder of a fellow medical student is the point from which FaFe soars as a movie to organically lead to a critique of the education system in India. As the investigation progress, Fene comes face-to-face with the man behind the scam  Appa (played by National Award winner Girish Kulkarni).

FaFe works on multiple levels, with the most effective one being its ability to remain believable even during some audacious sequences. With Fene being a teenager, the stunts don't go overboard and there is no unnecessary machismo. He gets beaten up, flung across the breadth of the screen and is nearly drowned in a tank. His dogged persistence and never-say-die attitude keep him on track in the investigation.

FaFe is a simple movie that is content with gently scraping the surface and avoids delving deep into issues. For instance, when Fene faces a "why-we-do-what-we-do" conundrum, a simple explanation by Aboli as to why fighting for the right cause comes with a price and in most cases a cloak of anonymity, is enough to resolve his dilemma.

The movie then moves briskly towards unraveling all the knots with the usual tropes of a detective movie, right from the face-offs between the primary characters to the "don't-you-want-to-know-how-I-did-it" monologue from the criminal mastermind at the denouement. FaFe is predictable, but never boring. That is probably why a septuagenarian reliving their childhood or a 14-year-old putting a contemporary face to the names to the stories, can enjoy the movie equally.

There is a constant thread of humour that runs through this film, with peripheral characters like Tutu, Temple Run and Ambadas leaving the audience in splits while also pulling off interesting plot devices. With impressive production values and an engaging background score, the only drawback in the movie is possibly the ease with which Fene carries off his investigation. Everything happens too easily for this teenager, especially in this time and age. There is nothing that leaves him bothered for too long  or even just long enough to wipe the boyish smile off his face.

Appa, the menacing villain, seems to let Fene off the hook very frequently. There is no consistency in the portrayal of Appa who orders assaults on hapless people with ease and yet struggles to stifle the voice of a teenager. This strikes a jarring note, especially when it is established pretty early on that Appa knows all that is there to know about Fene and is a man who never issues empty threats. If such inconsistencies are not dwelt on further and are overlooked, it is only because Kulkarni plays Appa with a sense of manic pleasure. It might be easy to root for the righteous hero in a book, but for the same to be extended to the on-screen version, the presence of a well-rounded villain is an important requirement. And FaFe wouldn't be half as impressive if not for the character arc of Appa. He might not be the Moriarty for this Sherlock, but he is effective nonetheless. One of the most well-written villains in recent Indian cinema, he also gets to deliver the best lines of this movie. Kulkarni as Appa holds the movie together, and many-a-time overshadows Wagh who is impressive in his own way in the titular role.

However, this works fine as Fene is constantly the underdog in the story, even though it is clear as to who is going to come out trumps towards the end of the movie.

There are enough things happening on screen to avoid any dull moments in this 130-minute movie. The duration itself is a godsend for this genre and brownie points to FaFe for avoiding songs. This might not be an edge-of-the-seat thriller that leaves you astounded, but it is certainly not a movie that lets your attention wander.

Faster Fene is not a Fandry or Natrang that will make it to the list of 'Marathi Movies to Watch Before You Turn 37 ' or something, but it is certainly a film that can open up Marathi cinema to a wider audience and that is more than what many regional movies releasing Friday after Friday manage to do to for their respective industries.
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the film industry continues to be rocked by allegations of sexual assaults with fresh claims surfacing each day.

Days after actress Kristina Cohen accused Ed Westwick of raping her, a second woman has come forward with similar accusations against the Gossip Girl star. In similar fashion to Cohen, Aurelie Wynn posted her story on Facebook describing how she went through a very similar ordeal with Ed Westwick at a party in 2014.

"Like Kristina, I said no and he pushed me face down and was powerless under his weight. I was wearing a one piece bathing suit that he ripped, I was in complete shock..." said Wynn. After the incident, Wynn confided in her boyfriend about her assault, which ended their relationship.

"My other friends and people around me told me it was best not to say anything, to not be 'that girl' and that no one would believe me and think I was just out trying to get my 10 seconds of fame," she said. Wynn said that after hearing the story of Kristina Cohen, who has alleged that Westwick raped her at his apartment, she decided to open up just to "reinforce Kristin Cohen's claim".

"I believe you Kristina Cohen and thank you for speaking up so eloquently and really encompassing what young female actresses have to go through at the hands of men like Ed Westwick. Without you I would not have had the strength to speak up publicly about my ordeal," Wynn said.

Police in Los Angeles are reportedly investigating a sexual assault report filed against Westwick. LAPD spokesman Michael Lopez told AP that the report was filed on Tuesday and the British actor is listed as a suspect.

Westwick, though, denied the allegations on Twitter saying he doesn't know Cohen.
Harvey Weinstein has hired one of America's most celebrated criminal defense lawyers to represent him in New York, a spokesperson for the disgraced mogul said 8 November, as Manhattan prosecutors reportedly prepare a case against him.

Adding Benjamin Brafman to his legal team would be a clear sign that the 65-year-old, twice-married father of five fears possible criminal charges in Manhattan for alleged rape.

Brafman's past clients include the rapper Sean Combs, who was acquitted of weapons charges, and former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who ultimately escaped criminal prosecution for alleged sexual assault in 2011.

Brafman's office, contacted by AFP, did not immediately comment.

US media reported that Manhattan's district attorney was preparing a criminal case against Weinstein. New York police confirm a credible rape allegation against him and have said they are gathering evidence for a possible arrest warrant.

"We do not believe an indictment of Mr Weinstein is imminent," the spokesperson for Weinstein said in a statement Wednesday.

"A formal presentation will be made on Mr Weinstein's behalf in the appropriate course of the investigation, and we strongly believe we will demonstrate that no criminal charges are warranted."

The district attorney's office declined to comment.

"Boardwalk Empire" actress Paz de la Huerta publicly accused Weinstein of raping her twice at her New York apartment in late 2010. New York police called her narrative "credible and detailed."

Around 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct since a New York Times expose was published in early October, with allegations ranging from harassment to rape. Weinstein denies any non-consensual relations.

The New Yorker has called Brafman "the last of the big-time defense attorneys." One of his other clients is former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, once dubbed "The Most Hated Man in America."

When Shkreli was convicted on only three of eight counts at a Brooklyn securities fraud trail, he called Brafman "the greatest lawyer on the planet."

The Strauss-Kahn criminal case collapsed when his accuser changed her story. He subsequently paid her undisclosed damages, which reportedly exceeded $1.5 million.
Actress Manjima Mohan made an assured debut in the Simbu-starrer Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada directed by Gautham Menon. Her face adorned the mobile wallpapers of youngsters then thanks to the insanely hit song Thalli Pogathey composed by Oscar nayagan AR Rahman and the adorably conceived character of Leela in the film.

Now, exactly a year after AYM's release, she's is gearing up for her third Tamil film Ippadai Vellum, where she co-stars with actor-producer Udhayanidhi Stalin. In between, she has had only one release, Sathriyan, in June 2017. Despite getting a dream launchpad, Mohan has been choosing her roles cautiously and without any hurry.

"After Sathriyan a lot of characters on rural backdrop came to me, but I don't want to be stereotyped. If I do two or three films back to back, it will undoubtedly happen. I thought after a break I will take something like that. So, I had to pass those roles," says Mohan in an exclusive chat with Firstpost.

Asked if she's choosy about her roles, and she says, "It's a mix of being choosy and being offered the characters I want to do. A lot of movies came after AYM, but the kind of films I wanted didn't happen. I didn't want to choose something that I don't want to do and regret later. So I decided to wait. And Sathriyan and Ippadai Vellum are the films I wanted to do at that point, whether it's successful or not. And now the Malayalam remake of Queen. I always believe in taking it slow but not too slow either."

With a confident foothold in the industry now, Mohan says she would like to establish herself as a performer in the future: "I want to be known for my work and the films I choose. And if stardom comes my way then, why not? Ten years down the line, people should remember me for my performance. Not many expectations; just my dreams and I hope it will come true."

She further says she looks for certain things before signing a project. "It's a mix of banner, story and the team. The script and the director are very important. And the team too because I have to work for thirty to forty days with the crew. It's good to know the team; otherwise we have to sit and crib," she says.

In one of her earlier interviews, Mohan had said that a few people in the Malayalam film industry were shocked to know that Gautham Menon signed her because she was looking 'fat.'

"I think now the perception has changed. At that point, I was very angry, but now I have started to work on myself. Not that I have lost a lot of weight, but I have lost weight after AYM. If a character demands to shed weight, I have no other choice, and I will do it. Actually, the real problem was not about directors wanting me to lose weight, but the way they said it and how some people used certain words," says Mohan.

Ippadai Vellum, Manjima's latest film which hits theatres today, is directed by Gaurav Narayanan, known for his work in Thoonganagaram and Sigaram Thodu and is produced by 2.0 makers Lyca Productions.

"My role is not a mere frame-adorning role, but I have a very crucial part in the film. Udhay, Soori and I have screen presence throughout the film. It's a very interesting character. I'm not very much like her in real life except for certain areas. Ippadai vellum is the kind of thriller that doesn't give you the time to think and makes you anticipate the further sequences," says Mohan about the film and her character.

At the recent press meet of the film, director Gaurav said Udhay, Manjima and Soori would always be pulling each other's legs on sets. "It's very difficult to work with them (Udhay and Soori) because they keep cracking jokes. When I do a serious scene they will stand at the suggestion side and laugh. Even when Udhay and I were shooting for the song, we would make fun of each other," she says.

Currently, she is busy shooting for her Malayalam film Zam Zam (which means 'Holy Water of Mecca'), an official remake of Kangana Ranaut's Hindi blockbuster Queen, directed by Neelakanta Reddy, who is also helming the Telugu version which stars Tamannaah in the lead. She will be camping in Paris, France for a month-long-schedule of the film before she comes back to India.

On a concluding note, Mohan says, "I was a bit nervous about signing Zam Zam because I have no idea how people receive remakes down south. I am not super confident. I'm just going with the flow. I hope it will come out well."
The meeting with Tanuja Chandra, director of the upcoming romcom Qarib Qarib Singlle, is scheduled for 3:15 pm but by the time the interview begins, it is delayed by almost 90 minutes. When Tanuja announces her appearance, a shower of profuse apologies greets me.

It is her petite appearance and smile, which remains conspicuous. When the session begins, I ask inquisitively, "Why Q and not K in Qarib and whats the mystery behind two L in Singlle?" It looks more pretty and Q sounds more Urdu. The two actors meet on this website called Ab Tak Single and in India, when you are still single after the age of 35, it only means that the ship has sailed. People greet you with a curious ohho expression. The website caters to such people and they also have a very cheesy jingle which says let not single L become double L, explains Tanuja.

Qarib Qarib Singlle is a marked departure from Tanujas earlier flicks which were more seeped in violence coupled with drama. Inform her that her persona does not gel with such films and she is quick to respond that it does and she is fond of the stuff she had made earlier. Thats my zone and I love the part of strong emotion, drama and violence. Making a rom-com is a far difficult task and I stayed away from such films till Qarib Qarib Singlle happened. It requires great effort to charm the audience and frankly, its a difficult genre. I always felt that I was not up to the mark.

Tanuja believes that Qarib Qarib Singlle has certain sweetness to it and has none of the darkness of her earlier films. The germ of the story came from a radio play that her mother, Kamna Chandra, writer of films like Prem Rog and Chandni, had written ages back. The radio play stayed in mind for long. The story was about funny man, also a shayar, who had numerous flings in the past. He harbours the notion that the women must still be weeping and crying for him but the truth is far from that. So the film is actually my mothers story which I co-wrote with Gazal and gave a contemporary feel to it.

It surely comes a shock when Tanuja informs that she had no clue about her lead actress Parvathy before the film. It was through her brother-in-law, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, that she got acquainted with Parvathy. Vinod Chopra had screen tested her for a film that never got made. I was not aware of her work and this is the arrogance of Bollywood people that they dont bother to find out people from other film industries where some amazing work is happening.

The subsequent days were spent fishing her contact details, travelling to Kochi and giving her a narration, which was okayed by her on the same day. Tanuja adds that it was Irrfan Khan who took his own sweet time to say yes to the film. His first reaction when I sent him the synopsis was interesting, let's meet.' Then it was followed by many sessions. It also gave me time to revise the script when he kept pondering over the script.

Its also interesting to note that despite her two decades in the industry, she has directed less than nine films. Why such a low strike rate? Technicians and actors can do three films in a year but directors have to write the script first, meet actors, pitch the script to producers and then mount a team to shoot the film. The whole exercise can take anywhere from two to three years. Also, there is the long journey of post-production. There is uncertainty at every level so considering this, my average is not bad. Also the gap between Qarib Qarib Singlle and her last film has been the maximum. She informs that in the intermittent period, she was busy working on two scripts but both could not materialise as things got scraped at the eleventh hour.

Tanuja is also mighty excited that her brothers tome Sacred Games will finally come alive on Netflix. I am really excited because the book truly belongs to the world of Netflix shows. In limited series you can explore and discover characters so the platform is perfect for the book. Tanuja also believes that Saif Ali Khan in the role of Sartaj Singh will do full justice to the character. Sartaj Singh is such a fabulous character with his quietness and simmering anger. Saif has done some unusual acting in the past and I am confident that he will bring his quirks to the role.

Being a filmmaker who has often made films with female protagonists, it is also imperative to get her views on the crisis that Hollywood is facing these days in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein saga. I am not for justice which is vigilante justice. There has to be a process of law. We must talk about things because there is extreme inequality. This is the kind of treatment that women have been getting for so long. We have to constantly speak against it and keep harping, it does not matter if people get tired of listening to us, signs off Tanuja.
Geneva: Swiss prosecutors on Wednesday ruled out bringing charges over the latest rape allegations against filmmaker Roman Polanski because the statute of limitations for the alleged 1972 assault had expired.

Renate Langer, a 61-year-old former actress, told Swiss police in September that she met Polanski when she was 15 while working as a model in Munich before travelling to his home in Gstaad, where he raped her.

Prosecutors in Bern had previously said they would evaluate the allegations to assess the possibility of mounting a criminal case.

According to laws in place in 1972, the alleged victim had a maximum of 15 years to come forward, the regional prosecutor's office in Bern said in a statement.

"Criminal proceedings would be prohibited under statute of limitation rules", it added.

Langer is the fourth woman to publicly accuse Polanski of sexual assault.

Polanski in 1977 pleaded guilty in the United States to having unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer  aged 13 at the time  but fled the country before he could be sentenced. He remains a fugitive from the US justice system.

British actress Charlotte Lewis in 2010 also accused Polanski of assaulting her just after her 16th birthday in 1983.

In August, a woman identified only as Robin said she was "sexually victimised" by the French-Polish film director when she was 16, in 1973.

Polanski's film career has continued to flourish since he fled the US for France, where many consider him an icon.

He has eight Cesars  the French equivalent of an Oscar  as well as a best director Academy Award for Holocaust drama "The Pianist."
Mid and post-credits scenes have become a recurring staple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Thor: Ragnarok continued the tradition. The third installment of Marvels Thor film franchise saw Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as the hammer-wielding superhero  without a hammer  held hostage on a futuristic planet controlled by an eccentric hedonist played by Jeff Goldblum.

Wait, what?

***SPOILER ALERT***

Well, it turns out Thor has a long-lost sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), who was apparently locked away because she was one-dimensionally super-evil but to keep the plot moving, she, of course, escapes. She's obviously angry and casts Thor to another dimension before taking over the throne in Asgard.

In bizarro Goldblum's planet, Thor is forced to fight his fellow Avenger, Hulk. Lots of quips, CGI-enabled destruction and mayhem ensue, and the writers wrap it all up in pretty little bows as the credits start rolling.

The mid-credits scene shows Loki visit Thor in his quarters as both debate whether relocating to Earth is a smart idea after their celestial home of Asgard home is destroyed by their vengeful sister. As they look out to the vast expanse of the universe in a shimmer of hope, a large spaceship appears in front of theirs presumably foreshadowing the arrival of Thanos and the events of Avengers: Infinity War.

The post-credits scene shows the manipulative Grandmaster convince the Sakaarian rebels that he played a pivotal role in their revolution reasoning that they needed someone to rise against. Its a tie! the ruler of Sakaar jokingly declares.

That said, the film's director Taika Waititi revealed he had shot two post-credits scenes with different fates for the Grandmaster. In an interview with Collider, the director talks of an alternate post-credit scene.

"It was a last minute decision. And the other thing at the end, with The Grandmaster, was something we shot on Gold Coast that was something I planned for a long time. It was either going to be that or it was going to be Topaz and Grandmaster stowing away on the ship at the end... That could be on the DVD in the deleted scenes, those two in the crowd of the Asgardians and he pushes through and goes, Ive never heard of this Earth place but We got to keep a low profile. And they kind of put these blankets over their heads and disband into the crowd."

While the alternate ending would not have been all that relevant to the MCU storyline, it does leave you hoping for a separate story arc of the Grandmaster's adventures on Earth. Or perhaps, a Netflix show?
Ali Abbas Zafar's upcoming film, Tiger Zinda Hai, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif is among this year's most awaited releases. While Bollywood cinephiles are going gaga over the trailer of the film, many are waiting with bated breath to see Khan and Kaif together doing some ground-breaking action (again). But there are a few people not to happy with the film and its trailer.

According to a manoramaonline.com report, the new Yash Raj film is based on the same premise as that of the 2017 Malayalam film Take Off. The makers of the film were reportedly all set to make a Hindi remake of the Malayalam hit. Leading airline company Jet Airways was expected to back the project financially and mark their debut into the showbiz industry.

But with Tiger Zinda Hai and the hype around it, the makers feel that filming a Hindi remake doesn't make any point.

Both these films revolve around a group of nurses hailing from Kerala who had been held in captivity during the ISIS siege of Tikrit, in 2014. The city also happened to be the hometown of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

The Malayalam film Take Off stars Parvathy Menon, Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil in pivotal roles. The film is written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan and produced by Anto Joseph and Shebin Backer.

Tiger Zinda Hai is a sequel to Yash Raj Films' 2012 blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger, also starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. It was directed by Kabir Khan. Tiger Zinda Hai is slated to release on 22 December this year.
Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said the state would give a boost to organic farming by forming a "corridor" along both sides of the river Ganges.

"Organic farming is the way forward. Many enterprising farmers in our state have taken initiatives on their own to take up this type of farming. We are going to promote it in a big way by building an organic farming corridor along both sides of the Ganges flowing through the state," Kumar said.

The chief minister was speaking after welcoming President Ram Nath Kovind who was here to launch the Bihar government's ambitious "third agricultural roadmap", for the period 2017- 2022, containing schemes worth Rs 1.54 lakh crore.

"One of our aims, through this roadmap, is to realise the dream of having at least one dish from Bihar on every Indian's plate." Nitish said.

"The state has already made huge progress in the production of paddy, wheat, maize and potatoes. In terms of per hectare yield of paddy and potatoes our farmers have surpassed their counterparts in China," he said.

But there is vast untapped potential as far as other vegetables, fruits and fisheries are concerned. Previous accomplishments in agriculture followed the first two roadmaps of 2008-2012 and 2012-2017. Future goals are earmarked in the third roadmap, he said.

The chief minister also said the roadmap envisioned use of treated sewage for the purpose of irrigation so that the water is not discharged into rivers.

"Another area of focus is production, storage and distribution of seeds for which our state has largely been dependent on outside help. In view of increasing mechanisation of farming, our government has also decided to incentivise manufacture of machinery used in farming," Kumar said.

The chief minister also claimed that during his tenure, green cover in the state went up "from nine per cent to nearly 15 per cent, thanks to planting of nearly 18 crore trees".

"Our aim is to reach the target of increasing green cover to 17 per cent," Kumar added.

"Measures will also be undertaken to ensure adequate power supply for irrigation purposes. Road connectivity will reach even smaller and more remote villages. Formation of cooperative societies will also be encouraged for better marketing of agricultural produce," he added.

The chief minister also said that "shrinking size of land-holdings is a factor that hampers agricultural productivity. In the third roadmap, there is a proposal for consolidation of land-holdings to arrest this trend".
Raipur: Workers of the the Congress and BJP clashed Wednesday during a protest on the first anniversary of demonetisation, injuring six police personnel.

The scuffle broke out in Gudhiyari area in Raipur during a demonstration rally held by the Congress to mark the note ban anniversary, Raipur Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Shukla told PTI.

"Six policemen sustained injuries while they were trying to control the situation. Two of them suffered head injuries. All the injured have been shifted to a local

hospital," he said.

Leaders of both the parties complained of attacking each other and also claimed that several workers of their respective parties got injured in the scuffle, the SP said.

A probe has been initiated in this connection, he added.

The Congress claimed that BJP leaders and workers pelted them with stones when thy were peacefully protesting against the demonetisation exercise of the Centre in Gudhiyari area which falls under the constituency of state's PWD Minister Rajesh Munat.

"All the senior party leaders, including AICC general secretary and state in-charge PL Punia, were present during the protest. It seems that BJP workers wanted to inflict injuries on senior Congress leaders," state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel said.

Baghel alleged that BJP workers hurled stones on Congress leaders on direction of the minister.

He also accused police of protecting ruling party workers and demanded to register case of attempt to murder against them.

Congress leaders also sought an apology from Chief Minister Raman Singh and state BJP chief Dharamlal Kaushik for the alleged violent act of their workers.

Meanwhile, ruling BJP rejected the charges and said that it was Congress workers who created tension during the protest.

"Congress is leveling false charges on BJP workers after the opposition party was exposed in the fake CD row," BJP MLA and spokesperson Shivratan Sharma said.

BJP workers had gone to the protest site to show black flags to Bhupesh Baghel over the "fake" CD row. But, Congress workers turned violent and started pelting stones on them that left many BJP workers injured, Sharma said.
Doctors across the country are increasingly overworked, with the result that the average consultation time accorded to a patient is on the decline, a report published in the online medical journal BMJ Open has said.

This is about three short of the worldwide average of five minutes per consultation. Bangladesh with just 48 seconds is at bottom of the pile, while Sweden with 22.5 minutes is the best. Pakistan also had an average of under one minute, while China was just over one minute, the survey said. Singapore at two minutes also fared worse than India. The Scandinavian countries routinely outperformed other nations in the world, while the US at 21 minutes fared admirably.

With doctors spending less time at diagnosing people's ailments, the patients are resorting to self-medication, overuse of antibiotics and depending on pharmacies to help resolve their complaints, the report said.

"Little can be achieved in less than five minutes, unless the focus is largely on detection and management of gross disease," the researchers suggested. "An average of five minutes may be the limit below which consultations amount to little more than triage and the issue of prescriptions."

Experts across India said they were not surprised by the study's findings. "It's well-known that patients get less time with doctors due to overcrowding in hospitals," health commentator Ravi Duggal was quoted by The Times of India as saying. He added that doctors at public hospitals even end up consulting multiple patients simultaneously due to overcrowding. "It is, therefore, not uncommon for doctors to mix up symptoms between two patients," he said.

Former Maharashtra Medical Council member Suhas Pingle also blamed overcrowded clinics and an overburdened healthcare system for this problem. "Consultation length will obviously be shorter because there are only so many hours that a doctor can work," the general physician was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday issued a slew of directions to deal with the situation, including banning construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks, while lambasting the Delhi government and civic bodies over the worsening air quality in Delhi and neighbouring states.

"No construction activity will be carried out on structures until further orders... all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which are causing emmissions will also not be

allowed to carry on their functioning" till 14 November, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

An irked green panel also imposed a ban on the entry of diesel trucks more than ten years old and said that no vehicle from outside or within Delhi will be permitted to transport any construction material.

The tribunal told the authorities that holding meetings, writing letters and shifting responsibility from one to the other for non-performance can hardly be made an excuse for meeting "such a bad environmental emergency".

Noting flagrant violation of the prescribed limits of PM (particulate matter) 10 and PM 2.5, it banned construction and industrial activities causing emissions till 14 November. "You (officials) go to the hospital and see what kind of trouble people are facing. You kept playing with people's life. Right to life has been infringed with impunity by the authorities and other stakeholders who have been mere spectators to such crisis," the bench said.

The NGT also directed the authorities and the civic bodies to sprinkle water where PM 10 is found to be in excess of 600 micrograms per cubic metre.

It further directed the authorities to implement EPCA's directions to improve ambient air quality while asking the civic bodies to constitute teams to ensure there is no burning of waste in Delhi-NCR.

The NGT, according to The Financial Express, asked the Delhi government on steps taken to curtail pollution, the number of challans issued to violators and the number of construction sites where work has been stopped.

On the second day of the hearing on air pollution, the NGT slammed Delhi's neighboring states and raised question over their seriousness about the situation.

"You have made a mess of Delhi. You have done what you had to, now we will decide what you have to do. Why didn't you issue any direction for shutting down polluting industries and construction. You did it after we told you to do so. Go to the hospital and see the number of patients that are being admitted," A CNN-News18 report quoted NGT as saying.

The NGT pointed out that is the responsibility of governments to make sure citizens get a clean and conducive environment, added the report.

The green panel, according to India Today, directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to collect ambient air quality samples from different parts of the city and submit an analysis containing details of different pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10.

"Why don't you pass directions to stop construction and industrial activities for a month? What are you waiting for? Are courts your local guardians? What are you doing to the children? Old people are not able to walk," a bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar was quoted as saying by India Today.

The national capital is experiencing 'severe' air quality under a blanket of thick haze, as pollution levels have breached the permissible standards by multiple times. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recorded 'severe' air quality, meaning that the intensity of pollution was extreme.

The NGT had on Wednesday lashed out at the city government and the CPCB for not issuing orders to shut down construction and industrial activities in the capital despite the worsening air quality.

It had also ordered Punjab, UP and Haryana governments to spell out the steps have they taken to prevent crop burning in the states adjacent to the national capital.

The tribunal was hearing a plea for immediate action against the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR stating that it was an 'environmental emergency' that was affecting children and senior citizens the most.

The plea has also sought direction to Delhi and the neighbouring states to file a status report with regard to the steps taken to educate people regarding waste burning and the pollution caused by it.

With no improvements in air quality, Delhi-NCR continued to breathe toxins for the third consecutive day, as major pollutants across all monitoring stations in the region crossed the "severe" level on Thursday.

The data collected from the central government's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (Safar) showed that PM2.5 and PM10 (particles with diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm) were beyond "severe", which stood at more than 500 units.

The safe limit for PM2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre according to the national standards, and 25 micrograms per cubic meter as per the international standards.

Other regions which were marked as "beyond severe" for PM2.5 and PM10 include all 10 monitoring stations of Safar: Dhirpur, Pitampura and Delhi University (North Campus) in north Delhi; Pusa and Lodhi Road in central Delhi; Ayanagar and Mathura Road in south Delhi; the Indira Gandhi International Airport; Noida in Uttar Pradesh, and Gurugram in Haryana.

According to Safar, both PM2.5 and PM10 are expected to be "severe-plus" on Friday as well.

With inputs from agencies
The body of evidence is simply compellingDelhis apocalyptic sky, the thick smog that sits on the city like an unbearable sadness, the acrid smell, the burning sensation in the eyes, the itchy throat, the wheezing of senior citizens that alarmingly sounds like a death rattle, and the air quality index dipping as if in freefall. These are telling details about Delhis residents choking on the air they are condemned to breathe.

But these also testify to the constitutional arrangement in the city-state turning toxic. Delhis air is turning poisonous because its politics too has.

For an office that claims that it is the government of Delhi, the silence of its occupant, Anil Baijal, on the citys deteriorating air quality is bewildering, even shocking. For all the anxiety and alarm spawned by media reports on the citys air quality index, Baijal has yet to publicly offer his diagnosis or solutions or even provide assurances to its citizens gasping in quiet desperation. Perhaps Baijal is of the retiring kind.

But then, come to think of it, why would Baijal want to calm people down, and promise them a future in which the air would be clean and fresh? It isnt the people who have elected him to the office of Lieutenant Governor; it isnt to them he is answerable and accountable.

Baijal is the appointee of the Central government; he is answerable to it alone. It makes sense for Baijal to say whatever he has to on the pollution issue to the Central government. This is more so because of the three-year history of the tussle between the Central government and the Aam Aadmi Party government. The tussle has been over the question: Whos the government of Delhi? Is it the Centres nominee, the Lieutenant Governor, or a government that the people elected?

The manner in which the question has been framed camouflages the bruising battle the Centre has been engaged in arrogating to itself the power to rule over Delhiites. And this despite the AAP winning 67 out of Delhis 70 seats months after the Bharatiya Janata Party swept all the seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi in 2014. The logic behind the choice of Delhiites could be deciphered thusthey wanted the BJP to rule at the Centre, and AAP to solve their everyday problems.

Yet, ever since the AAPs victory in Delhi, just about every proposal of the its government has been stonewalled, including the setting up of mohalla clinics, praised around the world for its novelty, and lowering of fees in schools built on government land. The authority stonewalling these measures has been the Lieutenant Governor, the Centres appointee.

No doubt, the question as to who the government of Delhi is will be answered by the Supreme Court after interpreting the Constitution. Yet, Delhis deadly air quality underscores the perils of having as government an unelected entitywhich the Lieutenant Governor is.

For instance, it is an annual feature of Delhi to have its sky turn forbiddingly dark between end-October to mid-November, give or take a few days. This is because farmers in Punjab and Haryana, as is now well known, take to burning the stalks of crops left behind after the harvest season. The smoke then drifts across to Delhi, leading to the pathetic air quality.

The problem of burning the stubble is linked to the increasing use of mechanized harvestersthese scythe the crop, but dont uproot it. The stalks left behind could be cleared manually to prepare the land for the next sowing season. However, the rising cost of labour has prompted farmers to opt for the more cost-effective method of burning their fields, much to the lament of Delhiites and environmentalists, now an annual feature before the onset of every winter.

The terrible headlines Delhis poor air quality generates at this time of the year should have been enough to goad any government to think of preventive measures. After all, governments are image-conscious, acutely sensitive to angering people.

For starters, the Delhi government could have entered into dialogue with the neighbouring states for encouraging farmers to desist from burning the stubble for instance, subsidising the cost involved in clearing the stalks manually. Alternatively, Delhi and the neighbouring states could have together presented a memorandum to the Central government to allocate funds for bankrolling the removal of stubble manually.

Such plans cant even be contemplated because dyarchy defines the system of governance in Delhi. There is an elected government, but it doesnt have real powers. There is the Lieutenant Government who has those powers, but he isnt elected. He isnt answerable to Delhiites, but to the ruling party at the Centre, which is at loggerheads with AAP, the ruling party in Delhi.

The farcical nature of democracy in Delhi is best proved by the notice of meeting which the Environment Department of the Delhi government issued on 8 November. The notice was addressed to a list of officers. It said, In view of the severe air pollution situation in Delhi, an urgent meeting has been called under the Chairmanship of Honble Lt Governor, Delhi on 8.11.2017 at 5.30 p.m. in the Conference Room, Raj Niwas, Delhi. You are requested to kindly attend the meeting personally.

The first name on the list of officers requested to attend the meeting is that of the Secretary to the Chief Minister, Delhi. And then these words, in bold,  with a request to Honble Chief Minister to attend the meeting.

It should tell Delhites that the man who they chose as Chief Minister is denied even the power to improve the quality of air they breathe.

Democracy can become farcical because of its contradiction, as it is true of what Delhi has. The outline of the farce can be sketchedif Delhiites lament or become furious at the poor air quality, they have the option of venting it on the polling day. But it isnt the Lieutenant Governor who they will be voting against. They will be voting against Delhis ruling party, which the BJP will claim could not provide good governance. But it couldnt provide good governance because it didnt have the powers or these were simply usurped.

Perhaps the Lt. Governor believes that Delhiites, through their racking lungs and incurable coughs, will acquire the sagacity to vote for that party in the next Assembly election that is also ruling at the Centre. The BJP hopes it will return to power at the Centre in 2019. Delhi will have its Assembly elections in 2020.

Delhi is trapped in the circle of futility, because its democracy is farcical, scripted for a dystopia. Baijal has no choice but to remain silent.
New Delhi: Keeping political differences aside, the Centre, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi governments must come together to find a permanent solution to stubble burning which leads to high pollution every year, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday.

He said his government does not want to take any decision to tackle the situation in haste, which later would create a lot of problems for Delhiites.

Addressing a gathering at an event in New Delhi, Kejriwal said banning entry of trucks, construction activities and introducing odd-even is not the solution to high pollution level.

"Setting politics aside, Centre, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi should come together to find a solution to stubble burning which causes high pollution level during this time every year. I have been seeking a meeting with both Haryana and Punjab chief ministers since yesterday (Wednesday), but I have not received any response," Kejriwal said.

He said that fining farmers is not the solution.

The chief minister also hinted that Delhi government may make some financial contribution to stop stubble burning if neighbouring states do the same.

"Punjab and Haryana should evolve a technology and give financial assistance to stop stubble burning. If health cost is a lot on illness, then we may make some contributions because it is the responsibility of all," he said.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on Delhi air pollution
If air quality in Delhi doesn't improve at the earliest, the national capital is likely to witness extremely stringent pollution control measures. These measures, suggested by the Graded Response Action plan (GRAP), are likely to be welcomed by the long-suffering citizens of Delhi, but past experience tells us that the road ahead will not be easy.

The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Tuesday recommended three pollution control measures to be implemented immediately  quadrupling of parking fees in Delhi-NCR; slashing Metro fares during off-peak hours; and a complete closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers across NCR till further notice. These measures are suggested in the sixth level of the 'Graded Response Action Plan'.

The rules come into effect at a time when air quality has plummeted in Delhi. Pollution is said to be at "severe" levels when ambient PM2.5 or PM10 concentration value is more than 250 g/m3 or 430g/m3 respectively.

In pursuant to the Supreme Court order dated 2 December, 2016, in the matter of MC Mehta vs. Union of India regarding air quality in the National Capital Region, a 'Graded Response Action Plan' was prepared for implementation under different air quality index categories: Moderate and poor, very poor, severe and severe+ as per the national air quality index. Seven categories of measures to tackle different levels of air pollution are mandated by the 'GRAP'.

The EPCA is the body that recommends measures to be taken and their implementation. Delhi's air quality has currently reached the sixth level  'severe'  as per the GRAP standards, which meant immediate measures to tackle the situation were to be taken. But soon after the EPCA announced these measures on Tuesday, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Metro authority expressed reservations about implementing them.

Hindustan Times quoted Ranbir Singh, commissioner of East Delhi Municipal Corporation, as saying that decisions regarding parking fees can be taken only at civic body meetings, and no such meeting is scheduled in the near future. "As per the Delhi Municipal Act, we are bound to seek approval from the civic body's deliberative wing before taking any decision on increasing parking rates," he said. However, the official said that he will request the mayor to give an anticipatory nod to increase parking fees.

Similar difficulties were also cited by the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation regarding slashing Metro fares. Quoting an unnamed source in the DMRC, Hindustan Times reported that the corporation cannot take a unilateral call to increase fares, but needs the Centre's approval to do so. "Delhi Metro fares can only be changed by forming a fare fixation committee. The committee's order can be overruled only by another fare fixation committee that only the central government can form," the official said.

The problems cited by the MCDs and the DMRC are an indicator of the reality that the NCR currently faces: Of the three suggested by the EPCA, only one can be implemented immediately, ie, complete closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers. As for the two other recommendations, it remains to be seen if they can be implemented.

And if the EPCA makes the norms any more stringent, like it suggested it would, the challenge in implementing GRAP may become even tougher. The environment protection authority on Tuesday, while announcing these measures, had also said that it would set the bar on pollution control much higher.

Indicating that the EPCA is likely to take the GRAP-suggested norms to a seventh level from the existing sixth, it advised the government to get ready to stop construction activities and to implement odd-even scheme.

The seventh level of GRAP will entail stopping the entry of trucks into Delhi, stopping construction activities, introduction of odd-even traffic norms, and even schemes for private vehicles based on licence plate numbers and minimal exemptions.

But even here, the EPCA may face a barrier in implementing two out of the four norms mentioned. Stopping the entry of truck traffic not intended to Delhi is an old idea of the Centre, and hasn't been fulfilled because of delays in the eastern periphery highway project initiated by it. Trucks headed to other states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have no choice but to pass through Delhi since there is no alternative route bypassing it. This causes traffic snarls and also spikes pollution in the city.

In 2015, the Centre had initiated the construction of an eastern peripheral highway bypassing Delhi for these trucks. But the scheme has seen a number of roadblocks and has also missed deadlines on account of land issues, with local farmers in Noida and Ghaziabad protesting the move. The latest deadline says the highway will be completed by March 2018, but that's too far away for the EPCA to be able to implement the flow of trucks into the city.

Another measure mentioned in the seventh level of GRAP is to stop construction work. And though this isn't impossible, it would require sanction from the Centre, since a number of big-ticket projects are undergoing in and around Delhi, including the construction of more Metro lines.
There is one Delhi which is marked by poignant addresses which are delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort, where pipe and drum bands parade towards Raisina Hill to celebrate the glory of being Indian. Then there is another set of people in the same city hopping dark bars in hipster markets, Louboutin and Gucci boutiques and French gourmet restaurants pairing foie gras with sauternes. One has to drive away from the gladdening sameness of the capital, deeper and deeper into its own heart, where the air is dustier, big garbage bins wait endlessly to be cleared, and a saline stench is a constant presence.

The well-heeled tell tales of blueberry flavoured paper on which joints are rolled, and some more tales of Malana cream as the biggest highlight of a recent trek to the hills of Himachal or that last holiday to Amsterdam where they learnt a new hash cake recipe. As per the Narcotics Control Bureaus Delhi unit, among the areas from which cocaine is trafficked are South Delhis posh localities like Saket, Greater Kailash and Safdarjung Enclave. Cannabis (charas, hashish or gaanja) on the other hand, as the list suggests, is more commonly trafficked in North Delhis Majnu ka Tila, Mangolpuri and Sultanpuriheavily crime-prone ghettos, JJ Colony Bawana, a resettlement colony just off Delhis north-eastern borders and New Delhi & Old Delhi railway stations. Chapters of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anoymous are quite strong in Delhi, with roughly 5,000 members in each. These follow an international model of fellowship of men and women who help each other in their common addiction. Ive been a member of Alcohol Anoymous and I can tell you that in both communities, you can find a software professional and a rickshaw puller, the problem transends classes and the impact on mental peace and family and work life seems just the same, said Yash Badal, who recovered nearly two years ago, but is still a member of Alcohol Anonymous. For instance, Chattarpur, on the Delhi-Haryana border, has rehab homes for the rich and the poor. While Bhumika Foundation Trust has a humble set-up of dormitories and withdrawal and counselling rooms that cost up to Rs 15,000 for a month, Safe House Wellness Retreat is a resort-like rehabilitation facility with a pool, gymnasium, a chef (and a sous chef). Here, a single room can be booked for three months for Rs 9 lakh. Both the rich and the poor may be smoking different qualities of the same drug, but they have much in common. Firstpost walked into urban villages in all parts of Delhi to find out what the capital is doing to itself.

New Seelampur, north-east Delhi: In October 2016, Firstpost had compiled a ground report on New Seelampurs drug crisis. A year later, we found that nothing much had changed in this Muslim-dominated resettlement colony. One can still find an addict in nearly each home. Last year, MLA Haji Ishraq Khan had told us that the DDA doesnt grant them land to build a nasha mukti kendra. One full year has passed and there still isnt any government-funded rehabilitation centre in the area. Addicts lie passed out on the streets of Seelampur, even around a park outside the New Usmanpur Police Station but no one does anything about it.

New Seelampur is a mere 6.3 kilometeres from Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS) but it should be noted that in the Mental Health Care Act 2017, it is stated that independent patients should not be given treatment without their informed consent. Asif Chaudhary, an old resident, said that here, entire families are addicted to cheap cannabis and chemical drugs sold openly at pharmacies. Addiction is a part of life here. I have watched little boys inhale smack along with their brothers and fathers. Even girls are into drugs. It is highly unlikely that these people will admit to themselves that theres a problem, let alone admitting themselves in centres, He shared that several addicts steal electric transformers. Here, people make a living by peeling the plastic off pipes, heaps and heaps of which are strewn about. To get to the copper quickly, these pipes are sometimes set on fire, which generates chemical smoke.If the problem of drugs is fixed, we can focus on improving drainage and the rising levels of pollution, added Asif, pointing to a thick black fog that soon engulfed us.

In New Seemapuri, peddlers zero in on people like eagles swooping down on their prey. Here, two adolescents confessed to us that they peddle for Rs 200 a day. They try to sell us a red and white cycle puncture tube for Rs 50 and a stapled packet of gaanja for another Rs 50. When asked who gives them these drugs, they disappeared into the the dark depths of a ghetto. Rajiv Kumar, who runs the Pardarshita Welfare Foundation for education and health in the area, told Firstpost that in the last four to five years, the region has seen a steep rise in drug addiction. All kinds of nashas are available in every other lane and those consuming them are mostly minors. This has resulted in an increase in the crime rate especially against girls, who end up being molested on their way to school and find it harder to leave their homes, he also mentioned that acid attacks and chain snatchings were common crimes in New Seemapuri.

There was a police booth quite close to his NGO and yet, we ran into peddlers. The police is incompetent, he admitted. On his insistence, a group of women came to his office to speak to us. They shared stories like that of a 14-year-old boy piercing himself with syringes in front of his parents. One made a comment that by burning their bodies with poisons, these children will become old before they even become young.

Bhalswa Dairy, north-west Delhi: This neighbourhood is mostly home to rag pickers and is adjacent to the 21-acre landfill where 2,700 tonnes of garbage is dumped everyday. Here, children who are rag pickers consume drugs every day, said Pushpa, a social worker who often tweets to Delhis Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal about drainage, illegal construction attempts and other municipal problems in Bhalswa. The garbage stench makes it nearly impossible to breathe in Bhalswa. After the high of the addiction sets in, it becomes easier to bear the stensch in the air, said a boy who walked out of a demolished Sulabh toilet. He confessed that he was inhaling smack in there and showed us a thin packet with a brick-red dot on it. This is a cheaper quality drug, purer varieties are white, he said and then waddled away.

Later, Pushpa took us to a middle-aged lady who broke down on being askeded about drug addiction in the area. The lady revealed that three of her sons are addicts, one smokes charas, one smokes gaanja and the third one an alcoholic. She begs to survive and to save her fourth son from falling into the vicious trap.

Meena Bazaar, north Delhi: Firstpost drove from Meena Bazaar right up to ITO near New Delhi railway station and found minors huddling along on main roads. This is the point where New and Old Delhi meet.

There is a small rehabilitation centre for women and children near Meena Bazar. Earlier this year, during our investigation, we had interacted with girls at that centre who had talked about a large begging population in Meena Bazar that drowns its earnings in sulechan (solution). One of the recovering addicts at the centre, Fatima (name changed) wasnt sure if her father was murdered or if he died of alcohol abuse. Ever since she was a child, she had been running away to the traffic signal to beg and sniff sulechan, one bottle of which would cost her Rs 50. She is now learning to dance and is enjoying her lessons in elementary maths and English at the centre. These girls are mostly from the streets. We give them vocational training in cooking, drawing and put them through beauty courses. Here, these girls are given food and shelter and safety and they eventually value that more than their drugs, said a lady who works there as a counsellor.

Loni (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border): Ask Girish Chandra of the Indian Medicine Development Trust (NGO) about the problem of addiction and he will tell you hes a worried man. In 2011-2012, we were running a National Aids Control Organization (NACO) programme for target intervention and AIDS awareness programme in Loni, along the Delhi-UP border. We noticed that at least 700 people were addicted to injectable drugs and were re-using needles, he lamented that although funding for that particular project had ended, the problem might still be alive. Law and order is weaker in border areas and people are more vulnerable. Hygiene and infection and the fright of disease are the last things on an addicts mind. At least the others should think about them, he said.

Sangam Vihar, south Delhi: there are patches of forests, unused land and plenty of potholes on tiny lanes leading to colony clusters in Sangam Vihar. Nestled between tailoring and butchering shops are some modest rehabilitation centres. One of them is Heena Nasha Mukti Kendra, which is run and managed by recovered addicts. Here we ran into a 23-year old recovering addict who shared that he slipped into addiction at the age of 17 and ended up wasting his education. At the peak of his addiction, he dropped out of the mechanical draughtsman course he was pursuing at an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) nearby. He indulged in gaanja for three years and then moved on to smack, both of which, he says, were easily available at Sangam Vihar.

Sultanpuri, north-east Delhi: Sultanpuri comprises of lower-middle class residential clusters that are squashed between two other urban villages, Nangloi and Mangolpuri. Getting here may require one to walk over a railway line or cross a swampy underpass. Residents, who wished to remain unidentified in their war against drugs spoke about illegal betting, gaanja and smack peddling that goes on the open. They shared a copy of a letter they had collectively, albeit anonymously, sent to government authorities to bring to their attention the sorry state of affairs. The letter stated the negative impact of illegal drugs, betting and business on the youth. It accused the Delhi police of being only not only incompetent but complicit.
Editor's Note: This four-part series details the drug crisis in the nation's capital and takes a close look at the victims of drug abuse, their families, the doctors who treat them and the government officials attempting to fight the menace.

Delhi Welcomes You.

A big blue board conveys this peaceful message at the Delhi-Gurugram border.

Covered in truck fumes, that board is 400 kilometers away from the northern state of Punjab, where white powders have embittered the flavour of the Green Revolution, where many young men and women still leave homenot for school or collegebut for public bins to inject needles into their arms, to escape their surroundings or the disappointment of reality compared to their idea of happiness.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, at 51.6 percent, Punjab has the highest percentage of young people who abuse drugs. That's 18 times the national average of 2.8 percent. The addiction issues of the youth of Delhi arent as obvious as their counterparts in Punjab, but for those who wish to see, the problem is as clear as day.

Firstpost walked the narrow streets leading up to ghettos in Seelampur (North East Delhi), New Seemapuri and Bhalswa Dairy (North East Delhi), Sultanpuri (North West Delhi), Sangam Vihar (South Delhi), Turkmaan Gate (North Delhi) and Loni (on the UP-Delhi border).

In some areas, prescription-based drugs such as Avil (anti-inflammatory for aches and allergies), Siazepam (tranquilising muscle relaxant) and Nitrazepam (short-term relief from insomnia and anxiety) were being sold over the counter.

Mothers opened up about how theyre paying the moral and financial price for their childrens' addictions. They held out blackened aluminum foils and explained how smack is inhaled, when the foil is lit from below.

This one-time high costs between Rs 250 to Rs 300. Peddlers who confessed they get paid as little as Rs 100 a day attempted to sell us a red and white puncture tube and a tiny stapled packet of woven gaanja (cannabis) each for Rs 50.

It is quite easy to spot an ad for a nasha mukti kendra behind auto-rickshaws, or on public walls. Until last year, Delhi had five de-addiction establishments funded by the government and managed by NGOs.

This year, a sixth centre opened up for women addicts in Parda Bagh, in Old Delhi, and another sprung up in Alipur near Jehangirpuri, an area home to a large cluster of slums which comprise mostly rag pickers.

Yet another centre, exclusively for children, came up in Amberhai, in South West Delhis Dwarka region. Some of these centres have 15 beds. Others have twice that number.

Delhi also has approximately 500 to 700 private centres, mostly run by recovering addicts who, naturally, understand both the psyche of the addict and the way back.

Homeopaths and ayurvedic specialists said allopathy often fails because addicts get hooked on medicines during treatment. They also said 80 percent addicts relapse after the standard 28-day detox treatment offered in government hospitals.

Although there aren't any recent surveys which map the number of addicts in Delhi, doctors managing these centres peg the figure around 2 lakh.

Last year, Ministry of Social Justice and Welfare collaborated with AIIMS National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre to conduct a national and state-wise survey of people who abuse drugs.

In response to an RTI filed in May 2016 asking Delhis government hospitals for information on de-addiction services offered, the data that revealed shocking details: Specialised drug de-addiction services were stopped at Safdarjung Hospital and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, while Lady Hardinge Medical College and Sucheta Kriplani Hospital had just one individuala childadmitted for drug addiction in the inpatient department in 2014-2015. No one was admitted to the inpatient department for drug treatment in 2015-2016 in these hospitals.

Responding to the RTI query, Institute for Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), which is operated by the Delhi government, stated they have 20 beds for de-addiction.

Earlier this year, the Delhi government, acknowledging the critical and complicated nature of the problem, formed an intersectoral committee.

In February, under the chairmanship of the chief secretary, Delhi government, a meeting of the Intersectoral Coordination Committee was convened. The use of the word intersectoral was the first formal proof and a reassurance that the state was finally responding in earnest.

Secretaries of the Departments of Education, Social Welfare and Health and Family Welfare made presentations. The Delhi Police and Narcotic Control Bureau and Delhi Zonal Unit also weighed in.

The Narcotics Bureau reported 11 vacancies of intelligence officers in the state and an area specific chart of drug types and trafficking hubs that covered almost parts of Delhi, including IGI airport, Uttam Nagar, Saket for heroin and cocaine, colonies in Majnu ka Tila, Nizamuddin, Old and New Delhi railway station as hubs for charas, gaanja and hashish.

The Narcotics branch of the Delhi Police brought to the notice of the committee that kits available with the Narcotics Control Bureau were unable to detect any New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) except Ketamine.

These, by definition, are a range of drugs which mimic the effects of popular drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and LSD. They also shared that under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, the police had a very limited role to play and cognisance can be taken only on the complaint of a drug inspector.

Recently, a provision under section 36 AC has been introduced in this Act. However, this is limited to only spurious and adulterated drugs. In this regard, to curb the menace of drugs, the police need additional powers.

Firstpost also spoke to psychiatrists on the committee drafting the new mental healthcare bill who expressed their discontent about drug addiction still falling under the purview of the Ministry of Social Justice when it is ought to be under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The series will also explore two aspects closely associated with addiction: Crime and the rising number of children and juvenile addicts. With regard to the former, Jyoti Singh's rapists had a history of addiction. Firstpost also interacted with those who have worked closely with addicts inside Tihar.

As per a survey conducted by the Delhi Aids Control Society (DACS) earlier this year, 23,240 street kids have used drugs. Their report, a copy of which is with Firstpost, stated that only six hospitals offer inpatient de-addiction services that exclusively cater to children and have just 30 beds between them.

Outside Central Delhi's Hanuman Mandir, we spotted children smearing Iodex on bread. Others sniffed white fluid on handkerchiefs. They called this sulechan (solution). Other children told tales of loneliness and poverty. They explained that drugs offered them "protection" against the police and also caused them to turn to a life of petty crime to feed their habit.

This series isn't just about facts numbers and policies, but the highs and lows of a society that is slowly turning many of its own away.
Srinagar: From the necessity of talking to Hurriyat separatists to appointing a tehsildar, Dineshwar Sharma heard it all during his visit to the Valley, his first since being appointed the Centre's point person on Jammu and Kashmir last month.

The former Intelligence Bureau chief, who left for Jammu on Thursday for the second leg of his visit to the state, met nearly 30 delegations during his stay in Srinagar, officials said.

Sharma, who arrived in Srinagar on Monday, was flooded with suggestions and requests, ranging from the serious to the mundane, they said.

Many of those who met him stressed the need to talk to separatist groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, a separatist conglomerate comprising moderate and hardline factions.

Some of the groups, especially from downtown Srinagar, said he must engage in discussions with separatists to make his mission successful.

Sharma had told reporters on Wednesday that he would try his best to meet the Hurriyat leaders when he visited the state next.

The groups, comprising mainly youths, emphasised that meeting political leaders from mainstream political parties may a necessity but those favouring separatist ideology should not be ignored, officials said.

The Centre's special representative on Kashmir also met a group of youngsters, who termed themselves 'children of conflict' and wanted the rights and opportunities available to students in other states.

The group spoke about lack of opportunities in the state and said they are viewed with suspicion whenever they venture out of the Valley, officials disclosed.

Some of the delegations that met Sharma highlighted lack of governance and the non-implementation of various central government schemes in the state.

Groups of migrants  both Muslims and Hindus  travelled all the way from Jammu to Srinagar to raise their demand for hiking the monthly relief amount, officials said.

In a surprise demand, some delegations demanded that television channels be reined in as they were instrumental in vitiating the atmosphere in the Valley, deepening the divide and alienating people of this region from rest of the country.

Then there was a group from central Kashmir's Budgam that demanded a tehsildar. The state government, they said, had declared their area a tehsil three years ago but failed to appoint a tehsildar.

Sharma, officials said, assured them that their problems would be looked into by the state government.

According to one official, the youth were at least willing to converse with Sharma and he was given a "deep historical background" into issues facing the present generation for whom violence is par for the course.

There were also those who could not meet Sharma.

Like the "Rahul Gandhi fan club", which came to Hari Niwas, the state guesthouse near the Dal Lake where Sharma was meeting the delegations, but were turned away by the authorities.

During his stay in Jammu, Sharma is scheduled to call on state Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. He will also interact with delegations of political parties, including the BJP, trade representatives and other social organisations.
New Delhi: The AAP has approached former Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan offering him a Rajya Sabha seat and might not nominate its own leaders to the Upper House.

An AAP leader, who did not wish to be identified, said the party will not field any of its leaders for the three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi that will fall vacant early next year.

With its brute majority of 66 in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, a victory looks certain.

Apart from Rajan, the party is also looking for an eminent jurist and a known person from the field of social service for the other two seats, the leader said.

"We have approached him, but he is yet to revert to us," the leader added.

According to NDTV report, Rajan, who is now the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, has said that he has no plans to leave his full-time academic job at the university. "While Professor Rajan is engaged in a variety of educational activities in India, he has no plans to leave his full-time academic job at the University of Chicago," said a statement issued by Rajan's office.

Rajan was not given an extension by the Modi government last year and returned to academics. In the past, he has aired his reservations about the note ban.

The move to not field any party leader to the Rajya Sabha is also seen as an attempt to put an end to the intra-party rivalry. Kumar Vishwas, who has aired his discontent against the leadership is known to be one of the strong contenders.

However, given his present equation with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the chances of party sending to the Upper House him were slim.

"By not sending anyone from the party to the Rajya Sabha will not lead to a heartburn," the leader added.

Delhi sends three members to Rajya Sabha. Currently, the city-state is being represented by Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi, Karan Singh, whose terms end in January next year.

With inputs from PTI
A top Hizbul Mujahideen Over Ground Worker (OGW) was arrested in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, ANI reported.

#Visuals Kulgam, J&K: Hizbul Mujahideen's Over Ground Worker (OGW) Showkat Ahmad Lone arrested by Kulgam Police, one Pistol and 4 rounds also seized. pic.twitter.com/3ae4TGHSxj  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The Kulgam Police arrested Showkat Ahmad Lone, who was reportedly given the task of snatching weapons from security forces by the local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaaz Naikoo.

Talking to Firstpost, Senior Superintendent of Police Shridhar Patil (Kulgam) confirmed that the 45-year-old OGW was arrested by the police during an operation in Kulgam. The police also seized one pistol and four rounds from Lone.

Patil added that there are several OGWs in Kashmir who assist terror groups and are responsible for arranging logistics for terrorists.

He also confirmed Lone was a close associate of Naikoo.

In a separate incident Thursday, militants shot at and injured a policeman in Kashmir's Anantnag district.

The ultras shot at special police officer Ranbir Singh, who was posted on duty near deputy commissioners office, a police office official told PTI.

The official said that Singh, who was hit by a bullet in the abdomen, was taken to the army's 92 Base Hospital.

With inputs from PTI
Income Tax sleuths on Thursday raided the premises of Jaya TV and its associates over suspected tax evasion as part of the I-T department's 'Operation Clean Money' to weed out black money, sources said.

Searches at the Tamil language television channel, which is perceived to be politically disposed in favour of deposed AIADMK leaders VK Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran, were conducted on Thursday morning.

#TamilNadu : Income Tax raids continue at Jaya TV office in #Chennai's Ekkaduthangal in a case of alleged tax evasion pic.twitter.com/IETuuTuqxH  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The allegations against Jaya TV also covers aspects like dubious investments by shell companies, fund flow and fudging of accounts, income tax sources in Chennai told PTI.

Searches at the TV channel's accounts also cover the premises of Midas Distillerie and Jazz Cinemas, they said. The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV.

According to Times Now, former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's Kodanad Estate has also been raided along with three properties belonging to Sasikala.

C Rajashekharan, the lawyer representing Jaya TV, alleged political vendetta as the main reason behind the I-T raids. "I don't want to cast aspersions. The I-T department has all the right to conduct raids. But why conduct raids on one particular faction of the AIADMK? The raids should be conducted in an unbiased manner," he was quoted as saying by Times Now.

CR Saraswathi, a Dhinakaran camp loyalist and a party functionary, told the news channel, "Jaya TV has been running for so many years. We have been paying all taxes. We are very popular among the people and our cadre. The state govt doesn't want us. And I think the central govt is helping them."

CNN-News18 said that friends and family members of Sasikala and Dhinakaran are being raided across four states in 187 locations. Six properties of Divaharan, another relative of Sasikala were also being raided.

The Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction of AIADMK has questioned the timing of the raid especially considering the merged OPS-EPS camp of the AIADMk does not have the majority. The TV channel also highlighted how the raids were launched just three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and a day after the anniversary of demonetisation.

"The raids have taken place just a day after the deputy secretary general (Dhinakaran) questioned demonetisation. We are cooperating with the authorities. My simple question is why target the family?" asked Prasanna, spokesperson of the Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction of AIADMK.

The searches were being conducted by more than 10 groups and are still ongoing, sources told PTI.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: India was on Thursday re-elected as the member of the UNESCO's executive board, its top decision-making body, an official said.

The election was held at the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Paris, he said.

"The news is quite significant and indicates the position of India globally. The executive board is the top decision-making body, so it is an important achievement," the official of the UNESCO India office here said.

The General Conference consists of the representatives of the States Members of the organisation.

It meets every two years, and is attended by Member States and Associate Members, together with observers for non-Member States, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), according to the UNESCO.

"Each country has one vote, irrespective of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget. The General Conference determines the policies and the main lines of work of the organisation.

"Its duty is to set the programmes and the budget of the UNESCO. It also elects the Members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General," it said.
Marital rape is not yet a criminal offence in India, though the matter has been debated by legislators, policymakers, activists and the civil society for a long time. Maneka Gandhi, Union cabinet minister for women and child development, stated that in the Indian context, marital rape cannot be considered a truth:

"[m]arital Rape as understood internationally cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various reasons like the level of education, illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, the mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament," she had said.

Earlier this year, in August, the central government filed an affidavit in the Delhi High Court against petitions by women's organisations who demand that marital rape should be penalised, stating that criminalisation of marital rape will destabilise the institution of marriage, and become an easy tool for harassing husbands.

On 7 November, the Gujarat High Court, in a matter examining questions around whether a wife can initiate prosecution against her husband for unnatural sex under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, condemned marital rape. The high court termed marital rape as a 'disgraceful offence'. Justice JB Pardiwala, who heard this case, expressed his censure for marital rape, at a time when the government is refusing to acknowledge the offence and criminalise it.

The judge had stated: "Marital rape is in existence in India, a disgraceful offence that has scarred the trust and confidence in the institution of marriage. A large population of women has faced the brunt of the non-criminalisation of the practice." The Gujarat High Courts acknowledgement of the issue and the gender dynamics involved in the non-criminalisation is immensely radical.

Moreover, Justice Pardiwala puts out a succinct definition of marital rape - "unwanted intercourse by a man with his wife obtained by force, threat of force, or physical violence, or when she is unable to give consent. It is a nonconsensual act of violent perversion by a husband against the wife where she is abused physically and sexually."

The extant text of the Indian Penal Code, especially the section 375, does not regard non-consensual, coerced sexual intercourse in the ambit of marriage as rape. As per data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015-16, 28.8 percent women have experienced spousal violence, of which 23.6 percent women were in urban areas and 31.4 percent were based in rural areas.

The NFHS-3 (2005-6) indicates that of the nine percent women who report sexual assault, about 94 percent incidents are spousal violence. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that in 2015, there was a total of 1,13,403 reported cases of cruelty against women by their husbands/his relatives.

It may be significant to know that none of these indicators directly refer to the phrase 'marital rape'. Indeed, India is a society that is extremely discomfited to publicly acknowledge that because of gender dynamics and the iron fist of patriarchy, marriages are often precarious sites where women are raped.

So far, the Judiciary's role in the activism for the criminalisation of marital rape has been bleak. For instance, in Harvinder Kaur versus Harmander Singh (1984), the Delhi High Court stated that: "Introduction of Constitutional Law in the home is most inappropriate. It is like introducing a bull in a china shop. It will prove to be a ruthless destroyer of the marriage institution and all that stands for. In the privacy of the home and the married life, neither Article 21 nor Article 14 have any place. In a sensitive sphere which is at once intimate and delicate, the introduction of the cold principles of Constitutional Law will have the effect of weakening the marriage bond."

In saying this, the court proclaimed that there was a zone of privacy between husband and wife that was beyond the realm of constitutional rights and the human rights framework. Very recently, in State versus Vikash (2014), the Special Fasttrack court in Delhi astonishingly ruled that even forcible, sexual intercourse between husband and wife cannot be termed rape. "The prosecutrix and accused being legally wedded husband and wife, the prosecutrix being major, the sexual intercourse between the two, even if forcible, is not rape and no culpability can be fastened upon the accused," the court had said.

It is for this reason that the Gujarat High Court's decision to examine the ambit of sexual coercion in a spousal relationship is interesting. The court is essentially going against the prevalent "Judicial consciousness" around the subject and extracts marital rape out of the myth of matrimonial privacy and in the public sphere.

The matter (Nimeshbhai Bharatbhai Desai versus the State of Gujarat) is one where the court is to decide whether a wife can initiate a prosecution against her husband for unnatural sex under section 377. It also looks at what would happen if a husband forced his wife to indulge in oral sex  would it constitute an offence of cruelty under section 498A or would it attract section 377? Moreover, would such an act also constitute an offence (rape) punishable under section 376?

The judgment begins on a progressive note, condemning the act of marital rape right at the outset and thereafter, putting out the various types of marital rape: i) battering rape, where the wife experiences both physical and sexual violence in the spousal relationship; ii) force only rape, where "husbands use only that amount of force, as it is necessary to coerce their wives"  women who refuse sexual intercourse usually face assault in such cases; iii) obsessive rape, where assaults involve brutal torture and perverse sexual acts.

While the Gujarat High Court's academic approach towards the subject is appreciated, the judgment is flawed. The judgment is perhaps reluctant to look at non-consensual penile-vaginal intercourse as sex. It puts out types of marital rape, without examining the acts involved, and only looks at the effects that such rape might have on the survivor  for instance, battering rape does not give the reader a sense of what acts took place, and indicates that the woman was beaten up and battered during the rape.

This is reminiscent of a piece titled 'The Language of Gender Violence' by Jackson Katz, where he examines that the language of gender violence is often passive, and no one is essentially responsible for the violent incident: "So, you can see how the use of the passive voice has a political effect. It shifts the focus off of men and boys and onto girls and women. Even the term 'violence against women' is problematic. It's a passive construction; there's no active agent in the sentence. It's a bad thing that happens to women, but when you look at that term 'violence against women', nobody is doing it to them. It just happens to them men aren't even a part of it!"

Secondly, by not explicitly including coerced penile-vaginal intercourse within the ambit of marital rape, the condemnation of marital rape remains an empty promise. By not bringing such an act under the ambit of the penal code, the judgment accepts that it is the wife's duty to provide sexual intercourse whenever the husband desires. Such an assumption, emanating from patriarchal thought-processes, draconian.

The Gujarat High Court, like all courts before it, has assumed a zone of matrimonial privacy  a private sphere, where the State cannot interfere, a dominion of the husband, a secluded space for domestic interests. A true form of condemnation of marital rape would be to urge the legislators to consider that the times have changed, review the Indian Penal Code and to include marital rape within section 375.

In 2012, the Justice Verma Committee stated that "rape or sexual assault is not a crime of passion but an expression of power and subordination. No relation, including marriage, supplements an irrevocable consent of sexual activity" and observed, in its report, that "the law ought to specify that marital or other relationship between the perpetrator or victim is not a valid defence against the crimes of rape or sexual violation (...) relationship between the accused and the complainant is not relevant to the enquiry into whether the complainant consented to the sexual activity and the fact that the accused and the victim are married or in another intimate relationship may not be regarded as a mitigating factor justifying lower sentences for rape."

At this juncture, the least that the Indian judiciary can do is be true to constitutional principles when it comes to the issue of marital rape. Mere condemnation is not enough.
New Delhi: India on Thursday rejected China's objection to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country and Indian leaders are as much free to go there as to any other state.

"Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of India and Indian leaders have that much freedom to visit Arunachal as they have in visiting other states in the country," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

To a question on next round of talks between Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question, Kumar said both sides are in touch with each other.

"We do not have any confirmed dates for talks as yet. The two sides are in touch. Once we have some dates for it, we will let you know," he said during a media briefing.

On Monday, China had objected to Sitharaman's first visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday and Sunday, saying her tour of the "disputed area" was not conducive to peace in the region.

During her trip to the state, Sitharaman also visited forward army posts in the remote Anjaw district bordering China to take stock of defence preparedness.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet and routinely objects to top Indian officials' visits to the area.

Asked about China's comment on Wednesday that India's stand on the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is wavering, Kumar said New Delhi's position on the issue is "very clear" and "principled".

"We have seen the relevant remarks. India's position on connectivity is very clear, (it) is principled and is consistent....

"As regards the so-called CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), it is also well known that it violates India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Kumar said.

China yesterday said India's stand on its BRI is wavering, and the CPEC, a part of the project, does not involve any territorial dispute as claimed by New Delhi.

China has been reiterating that the USD 50 billion CPEC which traverses through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a connectivity project and will not affect its stand that the Kashmir issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan through talks.

India has objected to the CPEC as it is being laid through the disputed territory and boycotted a high-profile Belt and Road Forum organised by China in May.

Kumar said India will always be open to any efforts which will address its legitimate concerns in this regard.
New Delhi: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is sending additional fuel supply to Sri Lanka, which is facing a shortage of petroleum.

"In the telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President @MaithripalaS, PM @narendramodi conveyed that India is sending additional fuel to Sri Lanka and assured India's continued support for development cooperation," the prime minister's office tweeted on Wednesday.

In the telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President @MaithripalaS, PM @narendramodi conveyed that India is sending additional fuel to Sri Lanka and assured India's continued support for development cooperation.  PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 8, 2017

The Lanka Indian oil company (LIOC) on Wednesday received flak for the fuel shortage after motorists lined up in long queues at petrol stations. But the company dismissed as "mischievous and factually incorrect" the allegations that it was responsible for the fuel shortage in the island nation.

Also, Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has refused to blame the Indian oil company's subsidiary for the ongoing fuel shortage."I do not agree that LIOC should be blamed," Wickremesinghe told parliament on Wednesday. "We must remember that LIOC outlets helped people during the last petroleum strike," he stressed.
Nashik: One farmer died due to suspected food poisoning and 69 others were admitted in hospitals after they had meal at a seminar organised by a pesticide producing company near Nashik on Wednesday, a health official said.

Condition of three farmers is serious, he said.

The incident took place at Umarale village in Nashik district, where the private company had organised a seminar on tomato crops for farmers.

On eating the food served after the programme, at least 70 farmers complained of vomiting and giddiness. They were taken to different hospitals for treatment, Suresh Jagadale, the civil surgeon of Nashik said.

Later, one of them, Atul Kedar (41), died, he said, adding the exact cause of his death is yet to be ascertained.

Samples of food served to the farmers have been sent for examination, Jagadale said.

He said the farmers are being treated in Nashik Civil Hospital, a rural hospital in Dindori taluka and a private medical facility in the city.
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday restrained the state government from implementing the provisions in the OBC reservation bill, 2017 aimed at increasing the ceiling of the quota beyond 50 percent for the benefit of the agitating Gujjar and four other communities.

A division bench of the court comprising Justice KS Jhaveri and Justice VS Vyas asked Advocate-General Narpat Mal Lodha whether the state government wished to implement the provisions under the bill or keep these in abeyance till the matter was decided by the Supreme Court.

It was of the view that the Rajasthan government must take prior permission of the apex court before implementing the new provisions sought to be introduced by the bill.

Petitioner Ganga Sai Sharma submitted that the state government is keen to implement the provisions in the bill once these were duly approved by the Assembly and once the notification for the act comes into force, it will create complications.

He also said it will multiply litigation as the government will give employment against vacancies which will create third party rights.

Therefore, it is necessary that the state government be restrained from giving effect to the amended provision in the bill to increase from the OBC reservation ceiling beyond 50 percent for the benefit of the Gujjar and four other communities, the petitioner said.

The court observed that the Rajasthan government wanted to take a populist view and try to use it as a shield to increase reservation.

The bench criticised the government's approach, saying it must proceed to get the Constitution amended instead of bringing piecemeal legislation.
Beleaguered Gurugram Police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar on Thursday defended Gurugram Police during a press conference in which he faced tough and often angry questions from reporters over the Ryan International School murder case.

"We followed whatever evidence came before us," Khirwar told reporters. He refused to discuss the specific evidence on the basis of which the police had earlier arrested school bus conductor Ashok Kumar.

"We carried out various investigative steps. I will not be discussing the evidence against somebody. I am sure the CBI will follow up on that," he said.

We had carried out investigation at a very early stage & then we handed over investigation to CBI which I am hopeful will bring culprits to book & bring justice to the family: Gurugram Police Commissioner on Pradyuman murder case pic.twitter.com/zCG2vspcsZ  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The CBI findings in the Ryan schoolboy killing case came as an embarassment to the state police, as the CBI said that a Class 11 student who allegedly wanted the parent-teacher meeting and exams to be postponed had been apprehended in connection with the killing of seven-year-old Pradyuman in Gurugram's Ryan International School. "We did not conclude our investigation. There was not an iota of pressure on us," Khirwar said, when he was asked whether the Gurugram Police was under pressure during the probe.

There was no pressure at all. We did an honest attempt to bring justice to the family: Gurugram Police Commissioner on Pradyuman murder case pic.twitter.com/FBjV8bGdhD  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

"No chargesheet was filed against the conductor," he also said.

The Gurugram Police commissioner also said that a lot of evidence had been sent for forensic examination, the results of which had not reached the police.

"We did not get the results of the forensic examination," he said. "We followed certain leads. Investigation is a time-consuming process which requires a look at facts. We were in process of undertaking those facts when the investigation was taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation," Khirwar said, adding that the police was conducting the investigation "with an open mind".

When asked about the recovered murder weapon, Khirwar said, "A weapon was recovered by the forensic team which was in the flush of the commode. I would not like to characterise it as the murder weapon."

Khirwar was visibly affected by the barrage of accusatory questions. "We did not make up any story. We did not conclude any story," he said.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday had also sought to defend the police, saying the state's investigators were yet to complete their probe.

"Haryana Police had not completed its investigation. When investigations were on, a demand was raised that the matter be handed over to the CBI. It was handed over to them. CBI is now conducting investigations. It is their job, not ours. Where CBI investigation leads to, ultimately what results are there...," he said.

He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event in Chandigarh.

Haryana DGP BS Sandhu had also denied that there was any pressure on the police to solve the case or that they proceeded in haste. Asked if the probe by the Haryana Police was a sham, Sandhu had replied in the negative.

"There was no pressure on the police. We had recommended CBI investigation...It is too early to say anything," the DGP had said, parrying questions about the Gurgaon Police investigations.

When a reporter pointed out that the Haryana Police had after the arrest of school bus conductor Ashok Kumar claimed to have solved the case, the DGP had said, "Koi baat nahin, chalta

hai (It does not matter, it happens)".

Pradyuman, a Class 2 student of the school, was found dead with his throat slit by a sharp-edged weapon on the morning of 8 September. The CBI has not found any evidence so far against bus conductor Ashok Kumar, who was the Gurugram Police's sole accused in the gruesome killing, CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal had said in Delhi.

With inputs from PTI
A day after a Class 11 student was accused of murdering seven-year-old student of Gurugram's Ryan International School, actress Renuka Shahane wrote a post on Facebook saying,"...how violence is considered cool these days and in the run for grades weve left humanity far behind." The actress also requested "International Schools to wake up & start actually educating their pupils".

Earlier on 9 September, the actress had taken to Facebook to express her shock and dismay over the callous manner in which sexual predators are able to target children within institutions like schools, where one assumes children will be safe. Her post was a reaction to the Gurugram school murder and another case of a five-year-old girl being raped by a peon inside the premises of a private school in Shahdara in Delhi, which had sent shock waves across the country.

Raising the question of how safe children really are in schools, she had written, "incident after incident points to laxity about the security of our kids despite the high fees in many "International" schools." Shahane had also called upon parents, teachers, government "to stop making it so easy for sexual predators to get away with crimes."

In a development on Wednesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained a Class XI student in connection with the Gurugram School murder. According to sources in the CBI quoted by IANS, the senior student was seen with a knife inside the school campus on the day the Class 2 was killed.

The CBI has asked for the 16-year-old boy's custody in order to find out if any other people were involved in the crime, and to also unearth the sequence of events leading to the child's death, and to "unearth the conspiracy, if any".

With inputs from agencies
Chandigarh: With the CBI findings in the Ryan schoolboy killing case coming as an embarassment to the Haryana Police, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today sought to defend them saying the state's investigators were yet to complete their probe.

"Haryana police had not completed its investigation. When investigations were on, a demand was raised that the matter be handed over to the CBI. It was handed over to them. CBI is now conducting investigations. It is their job, not ours. Where CBI investigation leads to, ultimately what results are there...," he said.

He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event in Chandigarh.

Asked if he would act against against the state DGP for the failure of police in the case, Khattar said that one cannot say anything when an investigation is on.

Pressed for comments against, he replied, "I have said that when investigations are on, things are not complete. Our investigations was not complete when it was handed over to CBI."

Meanwhile, Haryana DGP B S Sandhu denied that there was any pressure on the police to solve the case or that they proceeded in haste. A asked if the probe by the Haryana police was a sham, Sandhu replied in the negative.

There is no failure of the Gurugram police, he replied.

"There was no pressure on police. We had recommended CBI investigation...It is too early to say anything," the DGP said parrying questions about Gurgaon police investigations.

When a reporter pointed out that the Haryana Police had after the arrest of school bus conductor Ashok Kumar claimed to have solved the case, the DGP said, "Koi baat nahin, chalta hai (It does not matter, it happens)".

A Class 11 student who allegedly wanted the parent-teacher meeting and exams to be postponed was apprehended in connection with the killing of a seven-year-old boy in Gurgaon's Ryan International School, the CBI said today.

In a sensational twist to the case, the high school student, who is about 16 years old, was apprehended late last night for allegedly killing his junior inside the school, said a CBI spokesperson.

Pradyuman, a Class 2 student of the school, was found dead with his throat slit by a sharp-edged weapon on the morning of September 8. The CBI has not found any evidence so far against bus conductor Ashok Kumar, who was the Gurgaon Police's sole accused in the gruesome killing, CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said in Delhi.

The CBI's findings are a major embarrassment for the Gurgaon Police, which had blamed Ashok Kumar for the murder. The Haryana government had in September recommended a CBI probe in the schoolboy killing case.
In a stunning new development in the investigation into the murder of a seven-year-old boy in Gurugram's Ryan International School in September, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday detained a Class 11 student in connection with the crime. The central agency also secured a three-day custody of the boy.

According to an India Today report, the teenager will be subjected to around seven hours of questioning by CBI sleuths, from 10 am to 5 pm, on Thursday. During the course of the interrogation, he is also likely to be taken to the spot of crime and then to the shop from where he got the knife, the report added.

The Class 2 student was found dead on the morning of 8 September with his throat slit by a sharp-edged weapon.

The teenaged boy's arrest has also brought the stark discrepancy in the investigative lines of the CBI and the Gurugram Police under the lens, and has raised critical questions about how the latter operates. The police had earlier held the school bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, responsible for the crime.

But the CBI later gave Kumar a clean chit, raising doubts over a possible nexus between Ryan International School and the Gurugram Police.

CBI's revelations

According to sources in the CBI quoted by IANS, the senior student was seen with a knife inside the school campus on the day the child was killed.

According to The Indian Express, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Gurgaon allowed the CBI to question the accused student for three days. The CBI is learnt to have told the JJB that the boy had "admitted to his involvement in the murder".

CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said the Class 11 student was detained on Tuesday night after an "inspection of the crime spot, scrutiny of CCTV footage, call records, statements and questioning of several people" revealed that he had carried a knife inside the school campus on the day of the crime and used it to kill his junior schoolmate. "The weapon used in the commission of the crime is a knife which was recovered initially by police in Gurugram. It is now with us," Dayal told reporters.

He added the detained student was academically weak and "wanted to have an examination and parent-teacher meeting postponed". Pradhyuman was a "random target", he added.

According to Zee News, the CBI further said that the 16-year-old student later flushed the knife in the washroom.

The CBI took over the case on 22 September from Gurugram Police, nearly two weeks after the incident.

Conductor framed?

These developments have sparked theories about the botched investigation originally conducted by the Gurugram Police. Reports now suggest that the CBI may probe a possible Ryan International School-Gurugram Police nexus in the murder case. CNN-News18 also quoted CBI sources as saying that the police may have even tried to destroy the evidence.

Given that the CBI came to its conclusion based on the same CCTV footage also available to the police, it makes things intriguing. "We have come to the conclusion on the basis of CCTV footage, forensic evidence and scientific evidence. The student has been apprehended. He remains our prime suspect," the CBI spokesperson said.

The police had originally managed to secure a confession from the conductor, and had come to its conclusion based on this. The conductors family, however, claimed that he was being "framed" in the murder. The victim's family also accused the school of a cover-up, and had alleged the police had done a shoddy job. "Ashok was framed due to pressure from the school. He was beaten up and given an injection," the conductor's wife had told CNN-News18.

It was only after sustained pressure from the parents and the media that the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana transferred the case to the CBI.

Another discrepancy in the police's investigation was brought to the fore when CBI ruled out the sexual assault angle in the case. According to ANI, CBI investigators dispelled the police's theory that the seven-year-old was sexually assaulted. An earlier report on CNN-News18 had corroborated the CBI's claim. The report said that the doctor who conducted the autopsy in the case had also said that the Class 2 student was not sexually assaulted. "The second point that came out in the report is that the child died due to excessive bleeding. There was no sexual assault on the minor and no semen marks were found on his school dress," the report quoted Dr Deepak Mathur as saying.

'CBI is framing my son'

The detained boy's father, meanwhile, has claimed that his son is being framed. He said that the CBI told him that his son wanted to skip exams and hence committed the crime. "My son is innocent and is being harassed. He was forced to sign the confession", he told PTI.

According to the India Today report, the father, explaining the sequence of events in detail, said, "We have been cooperating with the police and CBI. They questioned my son four times at their headquarters. They also called us to the school for questioning. They even came to our house. I reached the school at 11:20 in the morning. They made us wait till midnight. Then they told me that my son has committed a murder. They told me that my son is being held for murder. After his arrest, they made me wait for two hours. They said they won't let me go till I sign his confession. Finally, I left the CBI headquarters at 2 am. I feel sad for the boy, but my son is being framed."

However, the CBI claimed that a detailed analysis of call data records also pointed to the involvement of the boy. The investigating agency said the recovery of the murder weapon in a commode in the bathroom also points towards the boy's culpability.

According to The Indian Express report, CBI sources claimed that the boy had bought the knife from a local market. They claimed that while the act was pre-planned, the victim had not been chosen beforehand. "It was a coincidence that the child was alone in the toilet when the suspect decided to act," said the CBI spokesperson.

'Faulty investigation not department's fault'

With the CBI's findings in the case coming as an embarrassment to the Haryana Police, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday sought to defend them by saying that the investigators were yet to complete their probe. "The Haryana Police had not completed its investigation. When investigations were on, a demand was raised that the matter be handed over to the CBI. It was handed over to them. CBI is now conducting investigations. It is their job, not ours," he said, according to PTI.

Asked if he would act against the state DGP for the failure of police in the case, Khattar said that one cannot reveal much when an investigation is on. Pressed for comments, he replied, "I have said that when investigations are on, things are not complete. Our investigations were not complete when it was handed over to CBI."

With inputs from agencies
The Centre's newly appointed special representative to Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, said on Wednesday that he aims to talk to a younger generation of Kashmiris in order to understand their problems and find a way of resolving them. This apart, he said, he also aims to try and meet Hurriyat leaders.

On the last day of his Kashmir visit, Sharma told Firstpost that he was "very much satisfied" with his maiden visit to the Valley, and would try to make every effort to meet the Hurriyat leaders during his next visit, which is slated for the last week of November. He will be arriving in Jammu on Thursday and will stay in the state's winter capital for two days before winding up his five-day visit.

Sharma, known in the intelligence fraternity as the "gentleman spy", said he had full faith in the youth of Kashmir, and said they could change the destiny of the state. "I have full faith in the people and youth of Kashmir. I think they will bring about change that is needed here," Sharma told Firstpost at the house of state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who met him at Friends Colony near Srinagar Airport.

Sharma was appointed by the central government on 23 October to hold "peace talks" and a "sustained dialogue" with the Valley's separatist leadership, in order to bring about normalcy to the state.

Close to a 100 people have been killed in violent clashes following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July last year, and thousands more are injured, many of them permanently disabled for life.

A campaign launched by security forces to wipe out the militants, who had joined different outfits after the killing of Wani, has left more than 170 dead, the highest in the last decade. At the same time, recruitment of youth into militancy is also at its highest level in the last seven years.

Sharma, a former director of the Intelligence Bureau, also called on National Conference working president Omar Abdullah at the latter's residence on the highly fortified Gupkar Road, and CPM leader Yusuf Taragami on Wednesday. "Only serious, credible and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders will help. The onus of restoring credibility to the dialogue process is on New Delhi," Tarigami told reporters after meeting Sharma.

After his meeting, Abdullah said Sharma had asked for suggestions on the job assigned to him, and that sitting in a guesthouse and waiting for people to come and meet him won't yield any results.

"I would say I am very happy to meet so many people from different shades of opinions, and it has been very fruitful till now," Sharma told Firstpost.

The focus, Sharma said, has to be on the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, and that he would go to every extent to understand their problems and try to find out how they could be solved. He said this alone would bring prosperity and stability to the region.

Sources said that most of the people who met the interlocutor over the last three days, including 15 delegations on Monday, 37 on Tuesday, and eight on Wednesday had expressed concerns over news channels trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the Valley and creating an atmosphere of hatred towards Kashmiris outside the state.

"I agree, and some channels have done a lot of damage to Kashmir," Sharma told a delegation of youth from Srinagar, who met him in Srinagar on Tuesday.

Various delegations have told Sharma that the negative perception generated by the Indian media has badly impacted the tourism industry in the Valley and businesses have also suffered because of the "sustained" negative coverage. "Our endeavour would be to see everything gets back to normal here. Only after that would there be a political solution," he told another delegation inside Hari Niwas Guest house, an erstwhile interrogation centre which was the venue for the talks.

According to officials, at least 40 percent of the delegations who met Sharma over the last three days had directly contacted him.

During his next visit, Sharma is expected to visit the various districts of the Valley, particularly in south Kashmir. And it's also likely that he may visit some colleges and meet students from the different districts. "I'm very hopeful that some positive results will be seen in the coming months," he said.
Raipur: A sessions court in Chhattisgarh's Raipur district on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of senior journalist Vinod Verma, who is in judicial custody after his arrest in connection with a case of alleged blackmailing and extortion.

Additional district and session judge Jitendra Jain turned down the bail plea, Verma's lawyer Faizal Rizvi told PTI. The defence counsel had moved the sessions court after a lower court rejected Verma's bail plea on 6 November.

The defence argued that a conspiracy was hatched to arrest Verma as the person who had called for extortion was yet to identified in the case, Rizvi said.

"After hearing the arguments, the court rejected the bail plea considering the seriousness of the case," Rizvi said, adding they will move the high court for bail. Verma is in judicial remand till 13 November.

The journalist was sent to judicial custody on 31 October after remaining in police custody for three days.

After his arrest from Ghaziabad by the Raipur police on 27 October, Verma had said he had a sex tape of a Chhattisgarh minister.

According to the Raipur police, a case of blackmail and extortion was registered at the Pandri police station based on a complaint by a BJP leader Prakash Bajaj who said he "was being harassed over the phone by an unidentified caller who told him that he had a CD of his 'aka' (master)".

After investigation, the search team was sent to Delhi and Verma was held from Ghaziabad in this connection, the police had said. Police also claimed to have recovered 500 "porn" CDs, a pen drive and a laptop from Verma. The Chhattisgarh government had recommended a CBI probe.
Bhopal: Peeved at poor infrastructure in their areas, voters from two villages in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot Assembly constituency boycotted the by-election being held on Wednesday.

The residents of Bairhana and Bichhian villages had earlier warned the Satna district authorities that they will boycott the by-election, if proper roads and buildings were not built in their areas.

The villagers are boycotting the bypoll to press for their demands of construction of roads, school and other developmental works, Madhya Pradesh's chief electoral officer Salina Singh told reporters in Bhopal.

Election officials are requesting the electorate in these villages to participate in the polling, she said.

Polling is underway in the Chitrakoot Assembly seat where about 33.8 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm, an official of the Election Commission said.

The voting started in the constituency at 8 am.

Congress candidate Nilanshu Chaturvedi, BJP's nominee Shankar Dayal Tripathi and 10 others are in fray for the by-election in the Assembly segment, which lies bordering Uttar Pradesh. The BSP has not fielded its candidate in the bypoll.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Prem Singh (65) after a prolonged illness in May. He had won the Chitrakoot seat thrice -- in 1998, 2003 and 2013.

There are 1.98 lakh voters in the Chitrakoot Assembly constituency, an EC official earlier said.

As many as 257 polling booths with VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines were set up for the bypoll, he said.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Madhya Pradesh BJP chief Nandkumar Chouhan had campaigned for the party's candidate.

Besides, Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Union minister Kamal Nath, Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ajay Singh tried to drum up support for their party's nominee.
A woman in West Bengal who had accused MP Ritabrata Banerjee of rape in October levelled fresh charges of intimidation by Banerjee on Thursday, and said that there was a threat to her life, media reports said. The survivor, a resident of Balurghat, had complained that he had established physical relationship with her by promising marriage, a Delhi police official said.

The West Bengal police had then issued summons to the member of Parliament. The notice asked Banerjee to be present before CID officers, Additional Director General of Police, CID, West Bengal Rajesh Kumar said.

The complaint was lodged with the West Bengal police, where a zero FIR was registered, and the matter was later referred to the Delhi Police, he said, adding that her complaint is being examined. The woman had told the South Dinajpur police that Banerjee had established a physical relationship with her at his New Delhi residence.

A month before this revelation, the CPM had expelled Banerjee over his opulent lifestyle saying it clashed with the party ideals. On 13 September, the CPM on Friday had formally announced the expulsion of party MP Ritabrata Banerjee for "serious breach" of party discipline and anti-party activities.

"The CPM's West Bengal state secretariat, on 13 September, had decided expulsion of Ritabrata Banerjee from his primary membership on charge of serious breach of party discipline and also for anti-party activities," Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Surjya Kant Misra had said in a statement.

With inputs from PTI
The Winter Session of Parliament is likely to be delayed this year in view of the ongoing Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh where the BJP is locked in a straight contest with the Congress, said media reports.

The Indian Express quoted top sources in the government as saying that the Winter Session is likely to be put off till campaigning ends for the last phase of the Gujarat assembly elections next month.

There will be a substantial delay in the Winter Session of Parliament. It does not seem like the session will start this month. There are indications that the session may actually start after the last day of campaigning in Gujarat, which is on 12 December, The Indian Express quoted a highly placed source as saying.

Normally, the Winter Session commences from mid-November and ends before Christmas. Going by precedents, the dates for the session should have been out by now as normally the members are intimated around three weeks in advance for them to file notices for questions.

Earlier, IANS had reported that the session could be short this year and the dates would be decided once the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) meets.

So far, the CCPA has not met and there is no official word on when it will meet.

A senior minister in the Union government told Mint that since a large section of parliamentarians would be involved in election campaigning, there is a view that the government should postpone the winter session.

If most of the BJP and Congress leaders would be busy in Gujarat, then only leaders of the third front would be in Parliament. It would be difficult to hold discussions on most of the important legislations in the absence of several MPs, the minister was quoted as saying by Mint.

On 2 November, an NDTV report had said that for the first time ever, the Winter Session of Parliament may not be called this year. The report added that the ruling BJP had discussed the possibility of letting the year lapse without parliament meeting in December.

According to The Free Press Journal editorial, the real reason for giving a miss to the session might lie in the fear that the Opposition would indulge in disruptions and boycotts.

On 23 October, leaders of various Opposition parties had convened a meeting to discuss their future strategy against the NDA government and also to put up a united front ahead of the Winter Session.

With inputs from IANS
Nagpur: Senior BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, who have been critical of the Narendra Modi government on its handling of the economy, will address a convention of farmers in Akola in east Maharashtra on 1 December, party MP Nana Patole said on Thursday.

Patole, who had reportedly said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn't like taking questions, told reporters that Yashwant Sinha will deliver a lecture on the impact of demonetisation and GST rollout on farmers at the event.

Addressing a press conference, Patole said he has offers from the Congress and the Shiv Sena to join their parties.

The BJP leader said he interacts with leaders of various parties on the issues of farmers and will meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

However, Patole denied that he was leaving the BJP.

On the upcoming convention of cotton and soybean farmers, he said Yashwant Sinha will speak on the impact of the recently implemented GST and demonetisation on farmers.

Patole, who represents Bhandara-Gondia seat, didn't specify who is organising the event.

Yashwant Sinha, who had served as finance minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, had caused a flutter with his article criticising the Centre over the handling of the economy, which he said is on the downhill.

Shatrughan Sinha had reportedly endorsed the views expressed by the former finance minister.

Patole also criticised Maharashtra state BJP unit chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari who had taken potshots at him.

Bhandari had asked Patole to concentrate on his work in his constituency instead of criticising the Union government.

Advising Patole to raise the issues on the party platform and not publicly, Bhandari had said the BJP's Central Parliamentary Board will look into Patole's grievances.

Hitting back, Patole said Bhandari should concentrate on ensuring that the assurances given to people by the government get fulfilled.

"Bhandari should stay away from my personal matters. I had raised the issues concerning farmers and the common people on the BJP platform as well as with prime minister. Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) and Bhandari should not spread lies that I have not done so," Patole said.

He said the BJP's constitution does not stop him from raising the issues concerning the common people.

"...If the BJP feels otherwise, then they should give me a letter mentioning so (not to raise public issues) and I will then decide on my future course of action," he said.

In a veiled attack on the BJP-led Maharashtra government, he said the Vidarbha region in the state is witnessing maximum number of suicides by farmers.

The prime minister had announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes as a measure to fight black money, corruption, fake currency and terror funding on 8 November last year.
15:03 (ist)

Tibetans in Dharamsala divided over voting in Assembly poll

Tibetans in Dharamsala, living in exile for long in the second capital of Himachal Pradesh, are divided over securing voting rights in India.

Some of the Tibetans feel that exercising their vote in India could dilute their struggle for freedom while others say that the Tibet movement is in their hearts and voting can't deter them from their struggle.

Although Tibetan voters are around 1,000 in Dharamsala, contestants in the fray for the November 9 Assembly polls cannot ignore this small segment as the presence of some powerful candidates has made the contest tight.

Dharamsala has the largest number of candidates in the fray. Twelve candidates are contesting from the key constituency while the main candidates are Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma of the Congress and former minister Kishan Kapoor of the BJP.
Shimla: Moderate to heavy polling was recorded in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday with 35 percent voters exercising their franchise till 1 pm.

The polling was peaceful but there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVPATs from several places and polling could not be held in Gondla polling booth in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district.

The EVM was replaced but after three votes it again developed some snag. The EVM was being repaired and polling would commence soon, election officials said.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur respectively.

Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in Assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Shimla district recorded the highest polling of 36 percent.

The largest Kangra district recorded 22 percent voting while Kinnaur recorded 35 percent polling.

Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Solan and Sirmaur districts recorded 26 percent, 29 percent, 32 percent, 35 percent and 30 percent polling till noon while Theog constituency in Shimla recorded highest 42 percent polling.

Polling has picked up since noon.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPM (14), Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party (six each) and the CPI (3).

There is a straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2017
Mandi: That charas (Hashish) is the reason many head to Parvati and Malana valleys in Himachal Pradesh's scenic Kullu district is undeniable. The drug is derived from the Cannabis Indica plant, which grows in the wild across the hill state and is also cultivated by many for economic, cultural and recreational reasons. But, with polling for the Himachal Assembly underway, a plant that boosts this region's economy and has repeatedly been portrayed as a menace, is drawing political promises of curbing its cultivation and cultural context.

In Kullu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on the "drugs mafia" during his rally on Sunday put the focus on the drug problem in the district yet again. While the nature of tourists visiting the region has evolved from cannabis connoisseurs to junkies looking for potent synthetic drugs, the demand for legalising cannabis is also drowning out with the BJP's vow to end the drug menace in the state.

With the saffron party promising in its manifesto to set up a drugs control bureau, even the BJP nominee from Kullu, Maheshwar Singh, who had been a vocal advocate of legalising cannabis cultivation for medicinal use, now chooses his words with caution.

"It will be the government's decision at the end of the day. I can only propose a legislation," he said. "I am not in favour of the use of drugs. Products of cannabis can be developed to make clothes and other things, which villagers can sell to earn their livelihood," he added.

The drug menace issue is, however, missing from the Congress' election campaign as its incumbent government may face the repercussion of promising something that it hasn't been able to do, despite starting a drive against narcotics and cannabis cultivation in the state.

In Malana, which is famous for its "M-cream" charas, villagers have started looking towards Himachal governor Acharya Devvrat, who recently visited them and assured that he would talk to some companies that can make clothes from cannabis fibre.

Malana panchayat pradhan Bhagi Ram refused to comment on charas and politics. However, an elderly in the village, Shyam Ram, was forthright in defending the cultivation of cannabis.

"As we don't have any other option, we grow cannabis. How else do you expect us to pay for the children's school fees, phone and telephone bills, and buy clothes and ration? But now, they are arresting us for that too. We will vote for a candidate who will help us legalise charas or allow us to grow the plant for other purposes," he said.

Wheat and other food crops don't grow in Malana, locals have told media in past. The same report quotes BJP's Singh as saying that the Government of India has not been able to provide alternative employment to the people of Malana as planned.

Talking smack

With the knowledge and use of this proven medicinal plant becoming a part of popular culture, the decades-old political rhetoric of "ending the drug menace" is losing its merit. That charas is destroying lives is turning out to be a hollow argument when public discourse is shifting towards legalising and decriminalising its production and consumption. In such a scenario, heroin is finding a mention more often now, whenever leaders promise to curb the 'drug menace' in the interest of the people of the state.

So when, at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's 29 October election rally in Una's Haroli constituency  which is some 200 kilometres from Kullu and borders Punjab  BJP candidate Ram Kumar spoke of heroin getting smuggled into the state and becoming a "problem" there, eyebrows were raised.

Though there was a possibility of heroin and methamphetamine (or chitta as it is locally called) reaching the hill state, police seizures did not indicate an epidemic-like situation similar to that in Punjab. Heroin or smack seizures in the state have increased from 106 grams in 2012 to 700 grams in 2016, but continue to be much less than seizures in Punjab  120 kg in 2016 until October.

Even when it comes to sheer numbers, of the 622 cases registered under the NDPS Act in Himachal in 2016, only 23 were registered in the district. The highest number of cases were reported from Kullu (120), Mandi (119), Kangra (93), and Shimla (80). Kullu may be infamous as a haven for all types of drugs, but most cases there were related to charas seizures.

In Haroli, however, Kumar has already picked up "drugs" as an issue. "Chitta has poisoned our youth. It is being smuggled into the state under the patronage of Congress' state minister Mukesh Agnihotri," he said. He claimed that many have died due to the menace but could not give an exact figure.

Though Agnihotri, who holds the industries portfolio, has refuted the claims so far, he could not be contacted for a comment. A reply to a text message sent to him is awaited.

The SHO of Haroli, sub-inspector Subhash, said narcotic substances were not a problem in the district and their flow had been stopped in recent past, but the influence of Punjabi culture in the area made youth more prone to using opium, heroin, and chitta. "People here prefer these over the traditional charas smoked in upper parts of the state," said a source in Una Police, who did not wish to be named.

"The seizures are of small quantity. We have sealed the border with Punjab, but the drugs make their way into the state nonetheless," the SHO said.

In Malana, a 23-year-old man, Mukesh Chand, while attempting to sell some "super cream", said nothing would change as far as charas was concerned. "We are not selling heroin or MDMA. Police will follow the rules, the government will continue making policy, and NGOs will keep earning money in the name of helping us; but nobody will find a middle path so that we can actually find a way to change our livelihood."

The author is a Rohtak-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.

Click here to follow LIVE updates of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election result.
Mumbai: Thumbing its nose at ally Bharatiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena plans to contest between 50-60 seats in the Gujarat Assembly polls on its own, a senior party official said on Thursday.

A high-level team of the party, led by Gujarati Wing Coordinator and senior municipal corporator from Oshiwara, Rajul Patel, and another leader Hemraj Shah, is currently camping in the neighbouring state to finalise its candidates and political strategy.

"We shall put up candidates in these constituencies, spread mainly between Surat to Ahmedabad, which has a large Maharashtrian-origin population, and even extending to pockets beyond upto Rajkot," Patel told IANS.

This is because a large number of people originating from north Maharashtra, where the Shiv Sena has a significant stronghold, are either living or working in different parts of south Gujarat and other areas. "They are strong believers of our Hindutva agenda and we are going to concentrate on this large chunk in the elections. However, Shiv Sena will not enter into any alliance with any party, though the final decision will be taken only by our President Uddhav Thackeray," she explained.

Party officials in Mumbai said that Sena  an ally of the BJP both at the Centre and in Maharashtra  has contested in Gujarat in the past and managed to dent the ruling BJP in at least three assemblies.

The decision to contest independently in Gujarat is part of a long-term strategy to arrest "the twin influence of BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi" though it had stayed away in 2012, ostensibly to avoid "split in the Hindu votes", a party source said.

This time around, the situation is drastically different and given the current sentiments in Gujarat and other parts of the country, the Sena is hopeful of making its influence felt there.

As part of the strategy in the past few days, Thackeray has met Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar and West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee. It had even invited the young leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, Hardik Patel for a meeting in Mumbai in February.

The Sena is likely to make an announcement of its entry into the Gujarat elections at a media gathering later on Thursday evening.

In the 1960s, known for its anti-Gujarati plank, the party over the years softened its approach and even rewarded several Gujaratis with top posts including in the party, as municipal corporators, legislators and even in Parliament.
Embattled AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran struck a defiant note on Thursday, saying the raids conducted on his properties by the Income Tax department will not deter him, and he will continue opposing the BJP-led Centre's attempts to interfere in Tamil Nadu politics. He also blamed the E Palaniswamy and O Panneerselvam-led leadership of the AIADMK for the raids, calling them a result of "political vendetta".

Speaking to the media outside his residence in Chennai, Dhinakaran said the raids are part of the Centre's tactics to get him and VK Sasikala out of the AIADMK party. "It's been orchestrated by the Centre, and EPS and OPS are both behind this. But I will not bow down. What can they do? Will they send me to jail for 25 years? I have been to jail before. Will they hang me for this? The AIADMK is not just me alone, we also have two crore members who will continue the struggle against EPS and OPS," he said. "No matter what they do and what agency they use, I will not be cowed down by this."

People are watching everything, they understand what is going on. If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming: TTV Dhinakaran pic.twitter.com/oALm1R4PBq  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

His comments came after the Income Tax department raided the premises of Jaya TV and its associates over suspected tax evasion as part of the I-T department's 'Operation Clean Money' to weed out black money. Allegations against Jaya TV also covers aspects like dubious investments by shell companies, fund flow and fudging of accounts, income tax sources in Chennai told PTI.

CNN-News18 said that friends and family members of Sasikala and Dhinakaran are being raided across four states in 187 locations. Six properties of Divaharan, another relative of Sasikala were also being raided.

Dhinakaran said it was "suspicious" that the raids took place just a day after he spoke out against demonetisation. "They asked us to stop the broadcast of the news bulletin where I spoke out against demonetisation. But what wrong did I say? Those who raid the channel don't have the right to tell us what we can and cannot broadcast. And why are they raiding only us? Do EPS and OPS have no benami properties?" he asked.

He also denied allegations that Jaya TV was the AIADMK's party mouthpiece. "EPS and OPS are in government today. Those who looted the state are in power today. But when Jaya TV was launched, where were EPS and OPS? It was 'Amma' and 'Chinnamma' who have been running this," he said.

The party's Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction also said they will cooperate with the authorities, and hoped that things wouldn't get personal. "We are cooperating with the authorities. My simple question is why target the family?" asked Prasanna, a spokesperson of the Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction of AIADMK.

With inputs from agencies
Reuters

Qualcomm Inc has signed $12 billion worth of potential deals with three Chinese mobile handset makers on the sidelines of a state visit to Beijing by US President Donald Trump who has been looking to stir up US-China trade.

Qualcomm signed three non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOUs) to sell components over three years to phonemakers Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo, the US Department of State said in a statement on Thursday.

Qualcomm, which earns more than half of its revenues in China, became the takeover target of rival chipmaker Broadcom Ltd earlier this week. It is also facing a lengthy legal battle with Apple Inc over patent fees it charges.
IANS

Refuting the claims of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the aftermath of Texas church shooting, Apple reportedly said it offered to help the investigating agency in opening the attacker's encrypted iPhone.

The Cupertino-based giant said it reached out to the bureau "immediately" to offer assistance in getting into the gunman's iPhone and expedite its response to any legal process, The Verge reported late on 9 November.

The FBI had said that it has been unable to access the encrypted iPhone used by Devin P Kelley, who killed 26 people at a rural Texas church. "Law enforcement is increasingly not able to get into these phones," Christopher Combs, a special agent at the investigating agency was quoted as saying.

The iPhone Kelley was carrying is said to have crucial information about his activities that led to the shooting. The FBI and Apple have had strained relations after the December 2015 San Bernardino, California, terror attack when the company had refused the agency's request to help it unlock on the phones of the attacker despite a court order.

In a statement, CEO Tim Cook had said the court order sought and obtained by the FBI would pose a serious threat to data security.
AFP

US President Donald Trump has tweeted energetically throughout his Asian tour so far, but in China he will likely be one of a select few to skirt the country's ban on his cherished website.

The Twitter-happy president has fired off a slew of posts, on both domestic and international issues, since he started his trip in Japan and moved on to South Korea on Tuesday.

But when he lands in China on 9 November, Trump will enter the so-called "Great Firewall" of online censorship that monitors people's internet habits and blocks websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Google.

Chinese can face fines or even jail time for unfavourable social media posts. Authorities have further tightened internet controls in recent months, shutting down celebrity gossip blogs and probing platforms for "obscenity".

Asked whether Trump, who will get red-carpet treatment during his state visit, would be able to tweet, Chinese vice foreign minister Zheng Zeguang told reporters: "How President Trump communicates with the outside is not something you need to worry about."

Trump, who has used an iPhone for Twitter posts, could use some options available to people in China to evade the Great Firewall, though US presidents in any case travel with their own sophisticated communications systems.

Trump can't live without Twitter

Web users can circumvent the firewall if they download a virtual private network (VPN) software that allows people to surf the internet as if they were using a server in another country.

But Beijing mandated in January that all developers must obtain government licences to offer VPN software, raising concern it might ban them outright.

Foreign visitors can also access banned websites with their phones if they are in roaming mode but only because the authorities currently allow it, according to experts.

Trump should be able to use roaming "but it depends on the policy of the (Chinese) government. If they chose not to allow you to (use roaming) then they can do it," James Gong, a Chinese cyber law expert at Herbert Smith Freehills law firm, told AFP.

"But if you're the president you should be able to do it. Donald Trump cannot live without Twitter," Gong said.

Mobile devices on roaming in China still use the local telecom service infrastructure, which raises privacy and security questions.

Charlie Smith, co-founder of the anti-censorship group Greatfire.org, said phones using data or virtual private networks (VPNs) are "generally" safe from hacking but it depends on the phone, user settings and other factors.

"As you know, every day in China, almost all mobile phone use is monitored and tens of thousands of people are under close watch," he told AFP.

"US officials should be well trained and prepared for travelling overseas and for maintaining secure communications, as the Chinese leadership are when they travel overseas."

Trump could also use an alternative temporary phone as another way to avoid the risk of compromising his smartphone in a country which is often accused of hacking.

Jail time

While Trump will likely find ways around the firewall, Chinese people face increasingly stringent controls over what they can do, say and see on the internet.

Chinese internet users face three years in prison for writing defamatory messages that are re-posted 500 times under a law passed in 2013. Web users can be jailed if offending posts are viewed more than 5,000 times.

New rules policing content were imposed this year and several of the country's biggest tech firms were fined for failing to remove illegal online content such as pornography and violence.

China has its own version of Twitter, Weibo, which boasts more than 300 million monthly active users.

Weibo users mostly sounded lukewarm about Trump's upcoming visit: One posted a chart showing heavy pollution levels in Beijing and asked if Trump would regret leaving the Paris climate pact.

But people must be wary of what they write.

Last year, a man who wrote a Weibo post critical of China's decades-old land reform policies on a local traffic police account was sentenced to a year in prison, reports said.

Another man, Qiao Mu, a former professor of international political communications in Beijing, recently moved to the United States after being targeted for his social media commentary.

He said authorities closed over 100 of his Weibo accounts and 17 of his accounts on the WeChat messaging service.

"There is no place for me to publish inside China's firewall," Qiao told AFP, explaining that he had tried to start new accounts after each was shut down.
PTI

US auto stalwart Ford announced today a USD 756 million investment with its Chinese joint venture to produce electric cars, just as US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for thorny trade talks.

Ford's investment with Zotye comes as China has signalled it plans to force gas-guzzling vehicles off the road, though the country has yet to lay out a formal timeline for the new regulations.

China will also impose in 2019 a quota requiring automakers to produce a minimum number of new-energy vehicles. The two firms confirmed the establishment of the Zotye Ford Automobile Company joint venture, which will design, build and distribute all-electric passenger vehicles for China, Ford said in a statement.

Ford said Zotye is the market leader in China's all-electric small vehicle segment, noting that the company has sold 22,500 electric vehicles so far this year. Ford sold more than six million worldwide last year.

Trump, who has pressured US company to repatriate jobs to the United States, will address the US trade deficit with China during talks with President Xi Jinping tomorrow. Trump and Xi are also expected to oversee the signing of a slew of business deals, a day after USD 9 billion in agreements were struck between Chinese and US companies.

Peter Fleet, Ford's Asia-Pacific president, told Bloomberg Television that he will meet Xi and Trump and confirm around USD 10 billion in exports from the United States to China. Trump may also address US complaints about intellectual property thefts during his talks with Xi.
tech2 News Staff

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi recently unveiled its bezel-less Mi Mix 2 smartphone in the India market. Almost a month after the launch new photos have emerged of what could be the Mi Mix 2S. The photos reveal an iPhone X-like notch at the top of the display.

With the cutout at the top the selfie camera on the Mix Mix 2 moves from an unconventional bottom position to the more appropriate top. However, it is not quite clear how big the bottom bezels are in the photos, which are available on the Chinese social media website Weibo, so we can't make out the full design of the phone.

The screen on either side of the notch at the top seems to look bigger than the iPhone X so maybe they will display more icons than the latter. The notifications and settings drawers may probably be pulled from either side as well like the iPhone X. However, just like in the case of the Essential phone, if developers are not optimizing their apps to the notch, the top of the screen might remain a blank area as pointed out in a report by GSMArena. No further information has been provided about the phone at the time of writing.

For perspective, in terms of pricing and availability, Xiaomi has priced the Mi Mix 2 at Rs 35,999 for the 128 GB internal storage and 6 GB RAM variant. India will only get the 128 GB storage variant of the device instead of the three variants with 64, 128 and 256 GB internal storage options available in the Chinese market. The phone is available on Flipkart, Mi Home and at Xiaomi's offline retail partners.
tech2 News Staff

Reliance Jio's Prime membership program was announced back in February 2017 for a price of Rs 99 a year. Jio has now announced 'Prime Benefits' for its Prime customer base in the country starting 10 November up to 25 November 2017.

The exclusive benefits in store for Jio Prime customers include triple cashback offers worth up to Rs 2,599 on recharges starting at Rs 399 and above. As part of the cashback offers, users can also avail 100 percent cashback Jio vouchers worth Rs 400 on every tariff plan recharge beginning at Rs 399.These vouchers will be credited in eight separate instalments of Rs 50 each to the Prime user's account, reflected on the 'My Jio' app.

Instant cashback offers of up to Rs 300 are also on offer for users on recharges done through any of Jio's partnered digital payment wallets including Amazon Pay, Axis Pay, FreeCharge, Mobikwik, Paytm and PhonePe.

The company has also tied up with numerous ecommerce brands including Ajio, Yatra.com and RelianceTrends.com this time round with special discount vouchers up for grabs, beginning 20 November. Prime users can avail upto Rs 399 off on Ajio, with a minimum purchase of Rs 1500, while one-way flight bookings through Yatra.com could earn customers a discount of Rs 500.

RelianceTrends.com shoppers, on the other hand, can get an instant discount of Rs 500 on purchases worth Rs 1999 and above. This not the first time Reliance Jio has partnered with e-commerce outlets for offers. It had earlier partnered with Amazon Pay, PhonePe and Paytm back in August this year with a number of cashback offers for its users.

Reliance Jio has also gone on to compare their tariff plans against existing offers from rival telecom providers including Airtel, Vodafone and Idea. The table comparing the tariffs include both Prepaid and Postpaid plans, with a breakdown of all the benefits under each plan. A breakdown of perks enjoyed by Jio Prime members in comparison to those who are yet to avail Prime membership can be found here.

Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
AFP

Russia's telecoms watchdog said Wednesday that Twitter had agreed to store the personal data of Russian nationals on servers located in Russia by mid-2018 to avoid the prospect of a ban.

The statement from Roskomnadzor came after pro-government newspaper Izvestia earlier Wednesday reported that Twitter had agreed to comply with Russian legislation and was now looking for sites for its servers in Russia.

"On 13 April, 2017 Roskomnadzor received a letter from Twitter confirming its readiness to locate servers in Russia by the middle of 2018," the telecoms watchdog said in a statement sent to AFP.

The watchdog had received the letter following a meeting between Twitter representatives and Roskomnadzor officials in March, it said, adding it was monitoring the implementation of the agreement.

There was no official comment from Twitter but a source close to the matter told AFP that Twitter had only agreed to "review" the law.

Twitter is "only reviewing users with 'commercial relationships'  that is, advertisers only and no decision has been made," the source said.

The company wants to ensure that the storage of data in separate locations (outside the United States) "does not create a security risk or any vulnerability for Russian users and their accounts," the source added.

A 2014 law requiring foreign messaging services, search engines and social networking sites to store the personal data of Russian users inside the country has caused widespread concern as it was seen as putting the information at risk of being accessed by Russian intelligence services.

Twitter and Facebook are widely used by the opposition to President Vladimir Putin to coordinate protests and make political statements.

Russia is gearing up for a presidential election in March.

Facebook's Russia branch?

Russia's telecoms regulator has repeatedly warned Facebook and Twitter they could be banned in 2018 unless they comply with the law.

Roskomnadzor also said Wednesday that Facebook had not told it whether it planned to store the personal data of Russian nationals on Russian servers.

Izvestia, citing sources familiar with the situation, said Facebook was gearing up to open a branch in Russia.

"This could mean that the company has decided to develop business in our country according to the norms of Russian legislation. Including the implementation of the norms of legislation about personal data," the Russian watchdog said.

"This can only be welcomed."

The watchdog said it would in the near future conduct a probe to see if Facebook complied with Russian legislation, threatening to take action in case of violations.

Russian internet providers last year blocked the LinkedIn professional networking site after Roskomnadzor said it broke the law on personal data storage.

Russia also fined the popular Telegram messenger app last month for failing to provide the country's security services with encryption keys to read users' messaging data.

Last month Twitter banned advertisements from Russia's state-controlled RT and Sputnik media outlets in response to US intelligence findings that they sought to spread misinformation during the 2016 presidential election.

In June, China implemented a controversial cybersecurity law that tightens restrictions on online freedom of speech and imposes new rules on service providers, including one requiring tech companies to store user data inside the country.
IANS

Ride-hailing app Uber has announced that it will start its ambitious flying taxi project in Los Angeles by 2020 to deal with the city's traffic problem.

When Uber's Chief Product Officer Jeff Holden on Wednesday revealed the plan at the Web Summit, a technology conference in Lisbon, the company also posted a 100-second-long video clip advertising the flying taxi project named "Elevate", reports Xinhua news agency.

In the video, a working mom books a flight through her Uber app and goes to a "skyport" on the roof of a nearby building. After her order code is scanned in her cell phone, she gets into an Uber flying taxi, a plane-helicopter hybrid aircraft with fixed wings and tilt prop-rotors.

The flying taxi takes the woman back to another "roof airport", where an Uber vehicle taxi is waiting for her. She returns home to her children without suffering any stress from daily commute.

The company predicted that a one-and-a-half hour car journey from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the Lakers' home court Staples Centre could take less than 30 minutes using a combination of flying cars and regular cars.

Moreover, Holden said it would actually be cheaper to fly with Uber than your own car.

Los Angeles, the second-largest US metropolitan area, is the third city announced to be working with Uber on the programme after Dallas-Fort Worth and Dubai.

"Los Angeles is one of the most congested cities in the world today," said Holden,

"They essentially have no mass transit infrastructure. This type of approach allows us to very inexpensively deploy a mass transit method that actually doesn't make traffic worse."

Holden also said that Uber has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to create a brand-new air traffic control system to manage these low-flying, possibly autonomous aircraft.
Beijing: US president Donald Trump on Thursday sought China's cooperation in solving North Korea's nuclear crisis as well as other global problems of "great danger" as he held talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to boost bilateral ties.

The two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for talks following the US president's glitzy royal welcome in the Chinese capital.

"I just want to thank you for the warm welcome and I look forward to many years of success and friendship, working together to solve not only our problems, but world problems and problems of great danger and security," Trump said.

"I believe we can solve almost all of them and probably all of them," he said.

Trump is in China as part of a five-nation tour of Asia. He has already visited South Korea and Japan, and will go on to Vietnam and the Philippines later in the week.

Discussion on how to deal with North Korea's threats to the region has dominated Trump's agenda.

Earlier, Trump was given a lavish welcome with a guard of honour and 21-gun salute when he arrived at the Great Hall of the People before his talks with Xi, which were confined to delegations.

Thanking Xi for Wednesday's welcome at the 15th century Forbidden City, he said the dinner which planned for 20 minutes went on for two hours.

"We enjoyed every minute of it with your beautiful wife and Melania together. Their relationship is a great one and our relationship has already proven to be a great one," he said.

"Our meeting this (Thursday) morning in front of my representatives and your representatives was excellent, discussing North Korea. And I do believe there's a solution to that as you do," Trump said.

"We must act fast. And hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone," Trump said.

Referring to over $370 billion imbalance in bilateral trade in favour of China, Trump blamed the previous US administrations for it.

"But we'll make it fair and it'll be tremendous to both of us," he said.

On his friendship with Xi, he said "my feeling toward you is an incredibly warm one. As we said there's great chemistry and I think we're going to do tremendous things both for China and the United States. And it is a very, very great honour to be with you," he said.

Earlier, welcoming Trump, Xi said, "We have had in-depth exchange of view since yesterday (Wednesday) on the China-US relations and importance of issues of shared interest. We reached many common understandings".

For China and the US, cooperation is the only viable choice and win-win cooperation can take us to a better future, he added.

"We agree that the China-US relations have made important progress this year. We have agreed to further promote strategic guidance of summit diplomacy for bilateral relations," he said.

He said both sides should enhance cooperation to resolve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme and Afghanistan.

"Enhance cooperation on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan and other major international and regional issues and work together to take China-US relations to even greater development," he said.

The reference to Afghanistan is being regarded significant as the US has been piling pressure on China's all-weather friend Pakistan to destroy terror havens and withdraw support to Taliban.

"The China-US relationship now stands at a new starting point. China is ready to work with US to enhance cooperation and properly manage differences with mutual respect and mutual benefit. This way we will enable people across the world to benefit more from China-US relations," Xi said.

Trump is being accorded a "state welcome plus" by China during his three-day visit.

Trump is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and attend a reception followed by a state dinner and cultural performances.

Xi, who has been described by Trump as 'King of China' after the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in its once-in-a-five-year Congress conferred him a second five-year term, also hosted Trump and his wife Melania at China's 15th century Forbidden City.

During his reception to Trump on Wednesday, Xi said he believed Trump's state visit to China would achieve "positive and important" results.

Since Trump took office in January, the two leaders have maintained close contact. They already have had two face-to-face meetings and eight phone conversations.
Beijing: US president Donald Trump on Thursday wrapped up two days of intense talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as both sides inked deals worth over $250 billion but doubts lingered about any headway over his efforts to push Beijing to take strong action to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea.

On the second day of his visit, which was marked by lavish red-carpet welcome with an impressive guard of honour by the Chinese military troops, Trump continued his overnight talks with Xi at the Great Hall of People in Beijing.

"Just now, the President and I witnessed the signing of some major cooperation agreements by our businesses. During this visit, the two sides signed over $250 billion of commercial deals and two-way investment agreements," Xi said summing up his talks with Trump, who has been accusing China of not doing enough to address the massive $370 billion bilateral trade deficit.

China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said the two sides signed deals worth some $253.4 billion over the past two days. "This is truly a miracle," Zhong told the media.

On pressuring North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un to halt his nuclear and missile programmes, which was Trump's main agenda of the maiden visit, Xi reiterated China's stand that Beijing is faithfully implementing the UNSC resolutions.

China is North Korea's close ally and top trading partner.

"On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, we reiterated the firm commitment to achieving denuclearisation of the Peninsula and upholding international non-proliferation regime," Xi said.

The two sides will continue to fully and strictly implement the UN Security Council resolutions. At the same time, the two sides commit to working toward a solution through dialogue and negotiation, he said.

On the South China Sea dispute, Xi said, "the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the US".

China claims sovereignty on almost all of the South China Sea which is disputed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. The US has been accusing China of violating international rules and norms by laying claims on the disputed South and East China seas.

Importantly for the South Asian region, Xi said Afghanistan, where US is increasing its presence and pressuring China's close ally Pakistan to rein in the Taliban, also figured in their talks.

For his part, Trump lavished praise on Xi saying "your people are proud of who they are and what they have built together, and your people are also very proud of you".

In apparent reference to North Korea, he said, "as long as we stand together  with others, if necessary  against those who threaten our civilisation. That threat will never happen. It doesn't even have a chance."

He called on China to work "very hard" on the issue, including cutting banking ties with Pyongyang.

"If you work on it hard, it will happen. There is no doubt about it," Trump said. "Time is quickly running out, we must act fast, and hopefully China will act faster."

On Afghanistan, Trump said, "in order to create a more secure future for all and to protect our citizens from extremism and terrorism, President Xi and I also committed to working toward a peaceful future for Afghanistan. Terrorists are a threat to all of humanity, and we will stop radical Islamic terrorism."

Summing up on the outcome of talks on North Korea, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the media that "the key topic of discussion was our continued joint effort to increase pressure on North Korea, to convince them to abandon their nuclear and missile programme".

"Both leaders affirmed their commitment to achieve a complete, verifiable, and permanent denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. President Trump and President Xi will not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea," he said.

The US president has made it clear the need to not just maintain the current peaceful pressure efforts, but to do even more, the official said.

Trump also had a candid conversation about the bilateral economic relationship. He called for China to give fair and reciprocal treatment to US companies and exports to reduce the US trade deficit and rebalance the economic relationship, the secretary of state said.

Trump later met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and attended a business event with Xi followed by state dinner.

He is in China as part of a five-nation tour of Asia. He has already visited South Korea and Japan.

Trump will fly to Vietnam on Friday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
On the anniversary of his surprise victory in the 2016 presidential election, US president Donald Trump on Wednesday reached Beijing on his first visit to China.

This was Trump's third stop in his five-nation Asia tour.

While a foreign tour by a US president is always keenly followed by the international community, his trip to China is considered significant on many counts.

The visit comes just two weeks after Xi Jinping was elected as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China for the second time. More significantly, Xi is now reportedly the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, after his philosophy Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for new era was added to the constitution.

Time magazine established the significance of Trumps China visit in just one simple headline: President Trump meets world's most powerful man in Beijing.

The US president has long been considered the world's most powerful man.

So a well-respected magazine such as Time giving that title to the leader of China underlies the shift in the balance of power between the two nations.

Trumps larger trip to the Asia Pacific region was always being seen through the prism of Chinas rise as a regional power.

On 4 November, The Wall Street Journal called Trumps five-nation tour as the most important by a US president in the last 25 years.

In a region threatened by Chinas bid for regional hegemony, The Wall Street Journal noted that Trumps five-nation tour highlights US' commitment towards Asia.

North Korea crisis

North Korea crisis, which has been lingering since April, as well as bilateral trade, was always expected to be on top of Trumps agenda. China is one of the two neighbouring countries with which North Korea has a close relationship: The other being Russia. This puts Beijing at the centre of the crisis.

As noted by Deutsche Walle, while Beijing does not approve of a military escalation in the region, Pyongyang serves as a perfect buffer between itself and South Korea.

US is an important stakeholder in the region as it boasts of a significant military presence in South Korea and Japan. North Korea has also repeatedly threatened military action against the US and its allies Japan and South Korea, if provoked.

After his interaction with Xi, Trump said, Our meeting this (Thursday) morning in front of my representatives and your representatives was excellent, discussing North Korea. And I do believe there's a solution to that as you do.

Chinas importance in resolving the issue can be gauged by this statement of Trump, We must act fast. And hopefully China will act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone.

Bilateral trade to dominate talks

China is in an advantageous position with the US when it comes to bilateral trade. According to the US census bureau, the country has a trade deficit of $273 billion with China, which has long been a bone of contention between the trading partners.

Washington accused Beijing of backsliding of market-opening promises, and Trump said last week that the US trade deficit with China is "so bad that it's embarrassing."

The visit came in the backdrop of the Trump administration raising import duties on Chinese aluminum foil, stainless steel, and plywood in a bid to re-balance the trade deficit. The Trump administration is also investigating whether Beijing improperly pressured foreign companies to hand over technology.

However, Trump seems to be unprepared for discussing trade. AP quoted the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, William Zarit, who expressed concern that Trumps focus on trade in goods would neglect "structural issues." Zarit said those include limits on access to finance, healthcare, and other industries.

In a volte-face from his presidential campaigning days, where he slammed China for bring a currency manipulator, Trump refused to criticise Xi over the trade imbalance, The Washington Post reported.

Instead he gave China credit. I dont blame China. Who can blame a country that is able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit, Trump was quoted as saying. In the end, China and the US signed deals worth more than $250 billion after the talks in Beijing.

With inputs from agencies
Islamabad: A Pakistani accountability court on Wednesday ordered embattled Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to appear in person on 14 November after he failed to appear before it in a graft case.

Dar did not appear in court as he was undergoing medical check-ups in London for heart complications, his lawyer Aysha Hamid told the court.

The case was filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the light of the Supreme Court order of 28 July that disqualified Nawaz Sharif as prime minister in the Panama Papers scandal.

The NAB had registered three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and Finance Minister Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court, weeks after the Supreme Court order ousted the premier.

Judge Muhammad Bashir ordered Dar, 67, to appear at the next hearing on 14 November along with his surety provider and warned that the surety money bond of Rs 5 million would be confiscated if he failed to appear.

Earlier, three witnesses testified in the case, including Al-Baraka Bank senior vice-president Tariq Javed and Shahid Aziz of the National Investment Trust (NIT) asset management company.

Dar was indicted in September in the case in which he is accused of having assets not in accordance with his known sources of income.
Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates): More than a decade in the making, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors on Wednesday, drawing French President Emmanuel Macron to the Middle East on his first official visit.

Pausing to shake hands on a red carpet lining the all-white path leading to the museum, Macron and France's First Lady walked side by side with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashed.

Macron, who is also scheduled to hold talks with UAE officials, toured the 12-gallery museum -- the first to carry the famed Louvre brand outside France -- shortly after touching down in Abu Dhabi, along with the heads of state of Morocco and Afghanistan.

Macron hailed the museum as a "decisive turning point" in ties with the United Arab Emirates in an interview with local daily Al-Ittihad published on Wednesday.

The opening comes a decade after France and the UAE agreed to a 30-year partnership initially reported to be worth $1.1 billion, including nearly half a billion dollars for the rights to the Louvre brand alone.

The museum design, by France's Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, conjures up the image of an Arab medina as seen through the eyes of a contemporary cinematographer.

A silver-toned dome with perforated arabesque patterns appears to float over the white galleries, creating what Nouvel describes as a "rain of light".

To reach the ground, each ray of light must cross eight layers of perforations, creating a constantly shifting pattern that mimics the shadows cast by palm trees or the roof of a traditional Arab market.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first of three museums to open on Saadiyat Island, where the UAE plans to launch the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry, and Norman Foster's Zayed National Museum.

Some five percent of the museum, which will open to the public on Saturday, is dedicated to contemporary and modern art, including a monumental piece by China's Ai Weiwei.

His 23-foot-high "Fountain of Light" is a spiralling structure draped in crystals inspired by communist plans for a massive monument that never actually saw the light of day.

300 pieces on loan

The main focus, however, is on world history and religions.

Among the exhibits are an early Koran, a gothic Bible and a Yemenite Torah, facing each other and open at verses carrying the same message.

Jean-Luc Martinez, president of the Louvre in Paris, said the new museum was designed "to open up to others, to understand diversity" in "a multipolar world".

It currently has some 300 pieces on loan, including an 1887 self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci's "La Belle Ferronniere".

The oil-rich Gulf emirate has also spent years quietly building its own permanent collection.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is displaying more than 235 works of art from the Emirati collection, including Edouard Manet's "The Gypsy" and works by Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian and Turkey's Osman Hamdi Bey.

The authorities have put in place strict measures to protect the art from the heat in a country where summer temperatures soar well above 40 degrees Celsius (more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit).

The artworks are also guarded by Emirati forces in coordination with French experts.

The museum expects to welcome around 5,000 visitors in the first few days which follow the public opening on November 11, according to Mohammed al-Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Authority.

"Because this is an international museum, we're expecting visitors from around the world," Mubarak said during a media tour ahead of Wednesday's inauguration ceremony.

"So a museum visitor from China will find something that speaks to her, to her history. A visitor from India will find the same."

The Louvre Abu Dhabi project initially sparked heated debate in France, where criticism erupted early on over the sale of a French name to an Arab state.

Questions of labour rights have also hung over the project, linked to the overall status of migrant workers in the Gulf.

The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi comes after a more than five-year delay.
London: Running for election mere months ago, British Prime Minister Theresa May's slogan was "strong and stable government."

The phrase sounds cruelly ironic now, with several senior members of May's Cabinet under fire for missteps or under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct.

Even before the latest troubles, May was a beleaguered leader atop a fragile government. She faces the challenge of steering Britain out of the European Union at the helm of a government split between proponents and opponents of Brexit. And she is weakened after her gamble on a snap June election to increase the Conservative majority in Parliament backfired, leaving her with a minority government.

"We have a prime minister who has lost her authority, and her control of the classroom," opposition Labour Party lawmaker Kate Osamor said on Tuesday, summoning the image of the government as a bunch of unruly children.

The lost lieutenant

A week of mounting crisis for May began when Defense Secretary Michael Fallon resigned on Wednesday, saying his past behaviour "may have fallen below the high standards" expected. A female journalist had accused him of repeatedly touching her knee at a function in 2002; another said he had given her an unexpected and unwelcome kiss.

Fallon had been one of May's most stalwart lieutenants, often deployed to speak for the government in broadcast interviews. His resignation was a blow to May  made worse when she upset many Conservative lawmakers by replacing him with the widely mistrusted Gavin Williamson, a disciplinarian chief party whip famous for keeping a pet tarantula on his desk.

Sleaze scandal

Fallon may not be the last minister forced out by a growing scandal over sexual abuse and harassment in British politics.

Since revelations emerged about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, researchers, political staff and journalists have begun to come forward with allegations. Several lawmakers have been suspended by their parties, and two government ministers are under investigation.

First Secretary of State Damian Green  effectively the deputy prime minister  is facing a civil service investigation after a young party activist accused him of unwanted touches and text messages. A former senior policeman also says extreme pornography was found on a computer in Green's office in 2008  a claim he strongly denies.

International Trade Minister Mark Garnier is being investigated over claims he sent his secretary to buy vibrators from a sex shop. Garnier has called the episode "hijinks" but conceded he may have had "dinosaur" attitudes in the past.

In a bid to stem the scandal, May and other party leaders have agreed to set up new measures to help people working in Parliament report abuse.

Blundering Boris

Blustering Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has never been known for tact, and many were surprised when May made him Britain's top diplomat.

Now he stands accused of endangering a British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran with his loose talk.

The husband and employer of Nazarin Zaghari-Ratcliffe  serving a five-year sentence for plotting the "soft toppling" of Iran's government  say she could face more prison time after Johnson told lawmakers last week that she had been training Iranian journalists before she was arrested last year.

Husband Richard Ratcliffe and the charitable Thomson Reuters Foundation say Zaghari-Ratcliffe was on vacation visiting family. They say Johnson's statement was seized on by Iranian authorities as evidence she was engaged in propaganda against the regime.

Johnson accepted Tuesday that "my remarks could have been clearer."

"The UK government has no doubt that she was on holiday in Iran when she was arrested last year and that was the sole purpose of her visit," he told lawmakers in a contrite statement to the House of Commons.

Secret meetings

The latest bad news came when it emerged this week that International Development Secretary Priti Patel held 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while she was on vacation in the country in August  and that she hadn't told the prime minister or colleagues about it.

When news broke about the trip, Patel insisted that "Boris (Johnson) knew about the visit." Her department was later forced to clarify the statement, saying "the foreign secretary did become aware of the visit, but not in advance of it."

Patel apologized, saying the meetings "did not accord with the usual procedures." Others went further, saying Patel was in clear violation of the ministerial code of conduct.

Steven Fielding, professor of politics at the University of Nottingham, said that in normal political times both Patel and Johnson would have been fired. But these are not normal times.

"It's a multi-level crisis," Fielding said. "We are left with a party that is divided over the biggest decision this country has to make, with a prime minister who has no authority and a government that has no majority in the House of Commons."

But he predicted the government will "stagger on," because it fears losing to Labour if it faces an election.

"They know that they are toast if they allow themselves to leave office before Brexit is finalized," he said.
Karachi: A suspected suicide bomber on Thursday killed an additional inspector general and two other police officers in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province in a targeted attack, officials said.

The blast targeted the vehicle of additional inspector general (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel who was passing through a residential area in the provincial capital Quetta. Shakeel was killed along with two police officials while six others, including three officers, were injured, police said.

The TV footage showed that the vehicle was badly damaged in the attack. Shakeel has served as deputy inspector general (DIG) operations, acting DIG investigations and AIG operations, as well as holding a number of other key posts. The injured have been shifted to combined military hospital (CMH) and civil hospital in Quetta, police said, adding that the initial probe showed that it was a suicide

bombing.

The area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been launched in the surrounding areas.

Balochistan governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and chief minister Sanaullah Zehri has strongly condemned the attack. The culprits behind the attack would be brought to justice. The government will not bow down before terrorists, Zehri was quoted as saying by the local media. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Balochistan has been rocked by a series of attacks which raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including those affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the restive province. The unrest has raised security concerns for projects in the $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a transport and energy link from western China to Pakistan's southern Gwadar port.

At least six police commandos and a civilian were killed last month when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a security force's convoy on the Quetta-Sibi Highway.
London: In a new blow to Britain's beleaguered government, the UK international development secretary quit on Wednesday over unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Priti Patel resigned after being ordered back from a trip to East Africa and summoned to 10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Theresa May. If she had not quit, she would almost certainly have been fired. Patel is the second Cabinet departure in a week for a government facing crisis on several fronts, including divisions over Brexit and growing allegations of sexual misbehaviour in politics.

Patel has been under pressure since it was revealed last week that she held 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials, including Netanyahu, during a vacation in Israel in August  and that she hadn't told May or colleagues about it.

Patel apologised, but when details of two further meetings emerged, May acted.

In her resignation letter, Patel said her conduct "fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state".

May replied that it was right Patel had decided to quit "and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated".

Patel said earlier that her meetings in Israel  arranged by Stuart Polak, honorary president of the group Conservative Friends of Israel  stemmed from her "enthusiasm to engage". But critics accused her of breaching ministers' code of conduct and making a major diplomatic gaffe in a region of high political sensitivity.

Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported Wednesday that Patel visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights during her August trip. Britain regards Israel as illegally occupying the territory, which it captured from Syria in 1967.

After the visit, Patel discussed with her department the possibility of British aid being given to the Israeli army to support medical assistance for refugees from the Syrian civil war arriving in the Golan Heights. A fellow minister has said the idea was rejected.

Patel's situation had been made worse by her contradictory statements about the meetings.

When news broke about the August trip, Patel insisted that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson "knew about the visit." Her department was later forced to clarify the statement, saying "the foreign secretary did become aware of the visit, but not in advance of it".

Patel apologised, saying the meetings "did not accord with the usual procedures".

May summoned Patel to Downing Street after details of two more meetings emerged. She also met Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in London on 7 September and foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on 18 September  in both cases without any other British officials present.

The demotion to backbench lawmaker cuts short a rapid rise for 45-year-old Patel, who was first elected to Parliament in 2010, became international development secretary in 2016 and has often been mentioned as a future leadership contender.

Labour Party lawmaker Jonathan Ashworth said Patel's position was untenable even if she had been unaware she was breaking rules when she met Netanyahu and the others.

"If she didn't know, she's incompetent. If she did, she's lying," he told Sky News. "Either way she's got to go."

Patel's departure is an unwelcome new headache for May, and follows the 1 November resignation of Defence Secretary Michael Fallon after sexual harassment allegations against him emerged.

Several lawmakers have been suspended by their parties amid a growing scandal over sexual harassment and abuse in British politics. May's deputy prime minister, Damian Green, is facing a civil service investigation after a young party activist accused him of unwanted touches and text messages.

In another headache for the government, Johnson apologised on Tuesday for saying a British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran had been training journalists when she was arrested. The family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe says she was on vacation, and accused Johnson of putting her at risk of a longer prison sentence with his misleading comments.

May's critics say her failure to fire the foreign secretary shows how weak she is in the wake of June's snap election, which May called in a bid to boost the Conservative majority in Parliament.

The move backfired, and she now leads a minority government deeply divided between proponents and opponents of Britain's exit from the European Union.

Divisions within the British government about what sort of post-Brexit relationship the UK wants with the bloc are complicating divorce negotiations, and the clock is ticking down to Britain's departure in March 2019.
Troubles for the Theresa May government in the United Kingdom escalated on Thursday as UK international development secretary Priti Patel resigned over unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Patel resigned after being ordered back from a trip to East Africa and summoned to 10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Theresa May. If she had not quit, she would almost certainly have been fired, reported AP. Patel has been under pressure since it was revealed last week that she held 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials, including Netanyahu, during a vacation in Israel in August  and that she hadn't told May or colleagues about it.

She apologised, but when details of two further meetings emerged, May acted.

Patel, 45, has been a Conservative MP for the Witham constituency in Essex since 2010, reported The Sun. She was the Conservatives' first female Asian MP.

Born in London to a Ugandan Indian family, Patel completed her post-graduate studies at the University of Essex.

She was appointed as the exchequer secretary to the treasury in 2014. After the 2015 general election, Patel was appointed as the minister for employment at the department for work and pensions.

After David Cameron's resignation, Patel backed Theresa May and was eventually appointed by her as international development secretary.

Patel has expressed her support for the death penalty in the past. "Murderers and rapists and people who have committed the most abhorrent crimes go into prison but then are released back into the community to do those crimes again and again," a 2014 article in The Independent had quoted her as saying.

Before entering politics, she was also linked with big tobacco business. She had earlier worked in PR with consultancy firm Weber Shandwick, where one of her clients was British American Tobacco (BAT), a multi-national London-based tobacco firm.

The Sun article also said that Patel is a long-standing supporter of Israel and a Eurosceptic. She was an important figure in the 'Vote Leave' campaign during the 2016 referendum.

In her resignation letter, Patel said her conduct "fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state". May replied that it was right Patel had decided to quit "and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated".

Patel said earlier that her meetings in Israel  arranged by Stuart Polak, honorary president of the group Conservative Friends of Israel  stemmed from her "enthusiasm to engage". But critics accused her of breaching ministers' code of conduct and making a major diplomatic gaffe in a region of high political sensitivity.

Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported Wednesday that Patel visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights during her August trip. Britain regards Israel as illegally occupying the territory, which it captured from Syria in 1967.

After the visit, Patel discussed with her department the possibility of British aid being given to the Israeli army to support medical assistance for refugees from the Syrian civil war arriving in the Golan Heights. A fellow minister has said the idea was rejected.

Patel's situation had been made worse by her contradictory statements about the meetings.

When news broke about the August trip, Patel insisted that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson "knew about the visit." Her department was later forced to clarify the statement, saying "the foreign secretary did become aware of the visit, but not in advance of it".

Patel apologised, saying the meetings "did not accord with the usual procedures".

May summoned Patel to Downing Street after details of two more meetings emerged. She also met Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in London on 7 September and foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on 18 September  in both cases without any other British officials present.

With inputs from AP
Karlsruhe (Germany): Germany's top court Wednesday ordered parliament to recognise a "third gender" from birth, potentially making it the first European country to offer intersex people the option of identifying as something other than male or female.

The ruling, hailed as "historic" by Germany's Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, marks a major shake-up for gender policies in Europe's biggest economy just a month after same-sex marriage was legalised.

Current regulations on civil status are discriminatory against intersex people, the Federal Constitutional Court said, noting that the sexual identity of an individual is protected as a basic right.

Legislators must by the end of 2018 pass a new regulation to offer a third gender option in birth registers, the court added, ruling in favour of an appeal brought by an intersex person.

In the meantime, courts and state authorities should no longer compel intersex people to choose between identifying as male or female, said the top court.

The plaintiff had brought the appeal after several lower courts had ruled against a bid to introduce the gender options "inter" or "various" in the birth register.

The intersex person was registered as female, but a chromosome analysis found the plaintiff to be neither male nor female.

Intersex is a broad term encompassing people who have sex traits, such as genitals or chromosomes, that do not entirely fit with a typical binary notion of male and female.

So intersex people would have features that are neither wholly female nor wholly male, or a combination or neither.

Berlin pledged to follow through with the ruling, with interior ministry spokesman Johannes Dimroth saying that the government "stands ready to implement it".

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency called the court ruling a "historic decision for intersex people" and urged lawmakers to "carry out a comprehensive reform of current legislation towards a modern gender identity law."

'Small revolution'

The agency's call was echoed by the pressure group German Institute for Human Rights which said parliament should overhaul current rules to "improve legal protection and recognition of the diversity of physical gender developments, gender identities and gender expression."

Welcoming the ruling, activist group Third Option said on Twitter that it was "completely overwhelmed and speechless. That's a small revolution in the gender area."

Under current rules, Germany allows babies born with characteristics of both sexes to leave the gender options of male and female blank.

The existing law is intended to remove pressure on parents to quickly make a decision about controversial sex assignment surgeries for newborns, but many advocates say it does not go far enough.

Wednesday's court ruling therefore takes a big step forward, by requiring a new gender option from birth.

According to the United Nations, between 0.05 and 1.7 percent of the global population is intersex -- about the same percentage that have red hair.

Sometimes this is apparent at birth, at other times it becomes noticeable in puberty.

People who identify as intersex are recognised on official documents in some countries, including Australia, India, New Zealand and Nepal.

Belgian runway model Hanne Gaby Odiele significantly raised awareness of neutral gender issues earlier this year by publicly revealing that she is intersex.

New York, America's largest and one of its most liberal cities, last year issued the first US birth certificate marked "intersex".

But in May, France rejected "neutral sex" on official documents, with its highest appeals court ruling against a request by a person born with neither a penis nor vagina.
Syria said at UN climate talks in Bonn on Tuesday that it would join the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States as the only nation to say it will remain outside the landmark treaty. "We are going to join the Paris Agreement," the Syrian delegate, speaking in Arabic, said during a plenary session at the 196-nation talks, according to Safa Al Jayoussi of the IndyAct NGO, who was monitoring the session.

The United States ratified the 2015 pact but US President Donald Trump announced earlier this year that he would pull out, saying the pact did not serve US interests. "It is our understanding that the government of Syria announced today their intent to join the Paris Agreement," Nick Nuttall, the spokesman for the UN climate body, told AFP.

Other parties at the 12-day negotiations, tasked with elaborating and implementing the agreement, welcomed the news. "Syria joining the Paris Agreement will be a good thing," South Africa's chief negotiator Maesela Kekana told AFP.

War-torn Syria would be the 197th country to sign on to the climate pact, which vows to hold global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius. Openly isolated on the climate issue at G-7 and G-20 meetings earlier this year, the United States said it intended to withdraw "unless the president can identify terms that are more favourable to American businesses, workers, and taxpayers."

The Trump administration has not said what those terms might be.

"This means Trump is in splendid isolation  no one wants to be in his company," said Alden Meyer, a veteran climate analyst at the Washington-based Union of Concerned Scientists. "With Syria on board, now the entire world is resolutely committed to advancing climate action  all save one country," said Paula Caballero, director for climate change at the World Resources Institute. "This should make the Trump administration pause and reflect on their ill-advised announcement about withdrawing from the Paris Agreement."

Signed in the French capital in December 2015, the treaty entered into force on November 4, 2016. According to the terms, no country can formally submit their intent to withdraw until three years after the date of entry into force. It will then take one year to fully withdraw, meaning the earliest the United States could officially withdraw is the day after the 2020 election.
Mo:Mo is served with "tomato achar' aka tomato sauce, which again varies from one person to another. There is thick tomato sauce, runny tomato sauce, tomato sauce made with peanut, sesame seeds, or some recipes call for sichuan pepper. Depending on the recipe, tomatoes are roasted, cooked, or boiled before mixing with other ingredients. You will have to check back later for tomato achar recipe.

For now, enjoy a step by step video on how to make Nepali Chicken Mo:Mo:
A 15-year-old student is using technology to improve the lives of amputees across the globe.

Stephane Hatgis-Kessell, a pupil at the Dwight School in New York City, developed software to create a 3D-printed hand.

Every time you open and close your hand your muscle moves a little bit, so even amputees who dont have parts of their hand, they still have that muscle intact. So my sensor simply picks up on that, Hatgis-Kessell told FOX Business Stuart Varney on Varney & Co. on Wednesday.

The teen innovator, who has worked on the software since sixth grade, said every part of the device can be customized to the users needs. While other products of its kind can cost around $65,000, according to Hatgis-Kessell, his prosthetic mechanism costs $300 to make.

My goal is to distribute it to especially victims of war in countries that dont have the great technology that we do in the United States, he said.
KONGSBERG, Norway (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) will work with the U.S. government as it talks to Germany about a replacement for its Tornado fighter jets, its chief executive said on Thursday, adding she believed Lockheed's F-35 would be the "best choice" for Berlin.

Germany is kicking off the process of replacing its 85 Tornado jets, which will go out of service around 2030. The program could be worth billions of euros in coming years.

The German air force last month issued a formal request for information about the F-35, as well as three other jets: the F-15 and F/A-18E/F, both built by Boeing Co (NYSE:BA), and the European Eurofighter Typhoon.

On Wednesday, the chief of staff of the German air force said the country needed a "fifth-generation" replacement for its Tornado fighters that is hard to detect on enemy radars and can strike targets from a great distance.

Lieutenant General Karl Muellner's comments indicated a preference for the F-35, which meets those requirements.

"I saw in the media that there is an interest in the F-35, and we stand ready to support the U.S. government on their interactions with the German government on their assessment of the F-35," Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson told Reuters during a visit to Norway.

"I do think it would be the best choice for them," she added.

She was non-committal when asked how many planes Lockheed could potentially sell to Berlin, saying it was up to Germany.

Lockheed Martin also hopes to increase its sales of the F-35 to South Korea, Hewson said.

"Their initial buy is at 40 (aircraft), but I hope that over time they will look at additional buy," she said.

"We are happy that the F-35 is being considered by a number of countries around the world ... Countries like Belgium, Finland, Canada and others are going to continue to look at the program and make their decision," she added.

Many German allies in Europe, including Norway, the Netherlands, Britain, Italy, Turkey and Denmark have selected the F-35 and some have received initial deliveries. Belgium is expected to make a decision next year.

(Writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche and Adrian Croft)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE:FCAU) said on Wednesday it hopes to reach an agreement over a fix for vehicles linked to a U.S. diesel emissions scandal by next spring if not earlier.

In May, the U.S. Justice Department sued Fiat Chrysler, accusing the company of illegally using software that led to excess emissions in nearly 104,000 diesel vehicles sold in the United States since 2014. It also faces numerous lawsuits from owners of those vehicles.

Company lawyer Robert Giuffra said at a court hearing in San Francisco the company expects to win U.S. approval of its proposed fix for the emissions issue by the end of March or early April. Testing is expected to last about three months and start later this month, he said.

In July, Fiat Chrysler won approval from federal and California regulators to sell 2017 diesel vehicles after it came under scrutiny for alleged excess emissions in older diesel models.

Giuffra has said the company hopes to be able to use updated emissions software in the 2017 vehicles to address concerns over 2014-2016 Fiat Chrysler diesel vehicles. A court mediator, Ken Feinberg, on Wednesday met with the company, government and lawyers for owners to talk about the testing plans.

Giuffra has said the engine and emissions controls were identical in the older vehicles to those in the 2017 models.

Regulators have said that the older Fiat Chrysler diesel vehicles had undisclosed emissions controls that allowed vehicles to emit excess pollution during normal driving.

The company has denied wrongdoing, saying there was never an attempt to create software to cheat emissions rules.

Fiat Chryslers emissions case came after Volkswagen AGs diesel emissions scandal prompted increased industry scrutiny. The German automaker pleaded guilty in March to having intentionally cheated on emissions tests for vehicles it sold since 2009.

Volkswagen has agreed to spend up to $25 billion to address claims from U.S. owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers, and offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting U.S. vehicles.

Regulators are also investigating emissions in Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles, but have yet to take any action. Daimler AG withdrew a request for approval to sell its 2017 Mercedes-Benz diesel models in the United States in May.
Chipotle Mexican Grill's (NYSE: CMG) third-quarter earnings announcement hit the market with a thud. The company missed analyst expectations on both the top and bottom lines by reporting revenue of $1.13 billion, versus a $1.14 billion estimate, and adjusted EPS of $1.33 versus a $1.63 estimate, according to estimates from Thomson Reuters. Perhaps the most disappointing metric was a paltry 1% comparable-restaurant sales increase, versus meager expectations of 1.2%.

Not surprisingly, shares sold off during the session following the Oct. 24 earnings announcement, to the tune of 14.6%. As of this writing, shares are down 28% year to date, while the broader S&P 500 is up 15%.

It's important to note that earnings are a backward-looking measurement, while investing should be forward-looking. That's why it's best to ask where the company is headed. And for Chipotle's path forward, it's a simple story: It needs to regain the brand equity it lost over the past two years. The combination of multiple foodborne-illness outbreaks and a data breach have punctured the veil of a company once bold enough to declare "Food With Integrity" as its mission statement.

Product perception is reality, at least in the short term

Chipotle has lost its mojo and entered into a negative feedback loop. The best example has been the company's queso troubles. What was established as a simple add-on to increase per-ticket prices received harsh judgement from customers and the press. In the long run, is bland queso germane to the investing thesis? No, but it does demonstrate that the company's former can't-miss reputation amid a fawning press no longer exists.

That said, it was slightly concerning that CEO Steve Ells said the queso rollout "successfully change[d] the narrative about Chipotle." I don't think a shift from sick customers and stolen data to a poorly received product isn't exactly improving brand equity. There's discussion of possible future menu additions, but Chipotle's management must understand it's no longer given the benefit of the doubt, as with the sofritas rollout. New menu items can help change the narrative, but only if the items are well-received by the public.

Blocking and tackling as a competitive advantage

Another thing investors should continue to monitor is the quality of the stores, as on-the-ground execution will be paramount to changing perceptions. The biggest reason for Chipotle's astronomical rise was a uniform, top-notch experience, something hard for franchised restaurants with diverse ownership to copy. As the company grows, it's harder to consistently monitor every restaurant. A recent video purporting to show rats at a Dallas-area location, for example, brought more negative press to a company struggling to recover from norovirus outbreaks.

Chief Restaurant Officer Scott Boatright noted during the quarterly conference call with investors that the company will be slowing the rollout of new stores to "restore emphasis on a strong training culture." An emphasis on "blocking and tackling," as in improving basic in-store execution, will yield positive results in the future.

On Wall Street, success begets outsize expectations and competition

In many ways, Chipotle is a victim of past success. For years, the stock was a highflier and even now, shares trade for nearly 60 times earnings. Meanwhile, shares of competitor McDonald's trade hands for approximately half of Chipotle's valuation.

It's understandable as growth has slowed that multiples compression would cause a stock drop. However, it's important to note that even in this poorly received quarter, Chipotle increased its top line by 8.8% and its GAAP-compliant diluted EPS by 155% over the prior year. Chipotle is still growing, albeit not at the level analysts and traders desire.

An additional way Chipotle is haunted by its past is copycat competitors. By essentially creating and redefining fast casual, the company has inspired a host of competitors that have essentially reverse-engineered its operations. Nothing Chipotle did was patentable, nor proprietary, and many competitors have copied the burrito-maker down to the line assembly and the industrial-motif eating area. It's an increasingly crowded space, but as the genre creator, Chipotle can succeed in if it can execute.

What's the cure for a diminished reputation amid increased competition and a rich valuation? Simply put: great execution and time. It's not what impatient investors want to hear, but it's most likely Chipotle's path forward. For patient investors, this may be a great opportunity to buy an unloved stock of a company on transient weakness.

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Oil prices settled slightly lower on Wednesday after U.S. government data showed rising domestic crude production, a surprise build in U.S. stockpiles and a decline in monthly Chinese crude imports, a triple blow that was offset somewhat by rising tensions in the Middle East.

Brent futures fell 20 cents, or 0.3 percent, to settle at $63.49 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 39 cents, or 0.7 percent, to settle at $56.81 per barrel.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a report that U.S. crude production rose to 9.620 million barrels per day during the week of Nov. 3, the highest weekly output on record according to federal energy data going back to 1983.

"The most notable thing in the EIA report was that production increased. Were on our way to set record crude oil production in 2018," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.

The current all-time high for average annual output was 9.637 million bpd in 1970, according to federal energy data.

The EIA also said crude stocks increased by 2.2 million barrels, shocking the market after analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 2.9 million-barrel draw and industry group the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a decline of 1.6 million barrel.

China's October oil imports fell to just 7.3 million bpd from a near record-high of about 9 million bpd in September, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

Traders said they were also watching escalating tensions in the Middle East, especially between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Brent crude hit $64.65 earlier this week, its highest since mid-2015, as political tensions in the Middle East escalated after a sweeping anti-corruption purge in top crude exporter Saudi Arabia, which in turn has confronted Iran over the conflict in Yemen.

Brent futures have gained around 14 percent in the last month alone, propelled largely by evidence that output cuts by OPEC and its partners are reducing the global oil glut.

"Stronger oil fundamentals and investor inflows have been the catalyst for higher oil prices, but adding further support now is a focus on several geopolitical risks that have been looming over oil markets for a while," said analysts at Citi.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' 2017 World Oil Outlook showed the group predicts demand for its crude will rise more slowly than previously expected in the next two years, as higher prices from its supply policy stimulate output growth from rival producers.

(Reporting by Scott DiSavino. Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London and Henning Gloystein and Jamie Freed in Singapore; editing by David Gregorio and Marguerita Choy)
Congressional Republicans have released their proposal for tax reform, and it includes a number of key provisions that will affect every taxpayer. Yet amid corporate tax reductions, the eventual elimination of the estate and alternative minimum taxes, and a simplified structure of tax brackets, some more specialized provisions of the tax bill haven't gotten the attention they deserve. In particular, the Republican tax plan would make substantial changes to the tax breaks that people get for costs related to education, taking away some valuable provisions and making significant changes to others. Those who face educational expenses in the near future or who are still paying down student debt need to understand the implications of the tax plan on their finances.

Say goodbye to student loan interest and tuition and fees deductions

The Republican tax plan would eliminate the current provisions allowing many taxpayers to deduct the interest they pay on student loans as well as a certain amount of the tuition and required fees that they pay. Under current law, single filers making $65,000 or less or joint filers making $130,000 or less can deduct up to $2,500 of their student loan interest payments. Partial deductions are available for incomes up to $80,000 for singles and $160,000 for joint filers. The same income limits also apply to the tuition and fees deduction, which allows deductions of up to $4,000 for money spent toward these educational costs.

One of the biggest benefits of both of these deductions is that taxpayers can claim them even if they don't itemize. Eligible taxpayers have been able to adjust their gross income downward to reflect these above-the-line deductions. With 13.4 million taxpayers claiming student loan interest deductions and another 3.9 million claiming the tuition and fees deduction according to the most recently available IRS data, the elimination of these two provisions will have a substantial impact on taxes for a substantial fraction of the American public.

The Lifetime Learning Credit won't last a lifetime under the plan

Also on the chopping block is the Lifetime Learning Credit. This provision allows taxpayers to deduct expenses for a wide array of educational expenses that include not only traditional college degree programs but also certain types of work and vocational training as well as isolated courses that weren't part of the pursuit of a degree. Taxpayers can get a 20% tax credit on up to $10,000 in tuition expenses.

About 2.5 million taxpayers claimed the Lifetime Learning Credit. Given that the American Opportunity Tax Credit is generally more favorable for those who are in traditional college programs, most of these Americans are likely nontraditional students seeking to improve their career skills or gain other valuable knowledge.

Making up for lost breaks

The Republican tax bill does make one favorable move for education. It extends the popular American Opportunity Tax Credit, which more than 9 million taxpayers claimed according to the most recent year's IRS data, to cover a fifth year. Current law allows this credit for the first four years, with 100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000 in expenses eligible for the credit. That works out to $2,500 per year for up to four years.

To qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, students must be at least half-time. The full credit is only available for those with incomes of up to $80,000 for singles or $160,000 for joint filers. The bill would cut the maximum value of the credit in the fifth year by half, maxing out at $1,250.

A potential tax increase

In addition to eliminating existing breaks, the tax bill would also potentially add taxes to a currently tax-free benefit. Currently, employers can offer tuition assistance of up to $5,250 without their workers having to include that money as taxable income.

Under the plan, this benefit would go away. Such awards would get taxed in the same way as your wages or salary, increasing your tax bill in a way that would require you to take cash out of pocket to pay the additional tax.

A learning experience

Education is expensive, and students and parents need all the help they can get. The Republican tax proposal makes changes that on the whole have some negative implications for families paying educational expenses. Although the extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit will cushion the blow somewhat, lost tax breaks in the Republican tax bill will still hurt millions of taxpayers, especially those who've finished their traditional college education and are trying to dig out from student debt.

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The founder and CEO of Chobani has no regrets about moving his Greek yogurt company to south-central Idaho, a region he has dubbed the "Silicon Valley of food" but has been embroiled in the national debate over refugee resettlement that spread to boycotts and outcry against the yogurt giant from far-right bloggers and conspiracy theorists.

"I hear the conversations here and there, but it's a peaceful community that we all love," said Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant. "It's the home of Chobani."

Ulukaya spoke to The Associated Press before a Thursday announcement of a $20 million expansion of the company's facility in the city of Twin Falls  the world's largest yogurt plant  to serve as its global research and development center tackling how yogurt is made and consumed.

It's a project Ulukaya says he's been planning for several years. As to what innovations the company plans for the 70,000-square-foot facility, Ulukaya isn't sharing yet. He said the focus will be on offering natural and non-synthetic products.

The project follows a series of expansion efforts by Chobani since opening its Idaho plant in 2012. The $450 million, 1 million-square-foot plant is the company's second after Ulukaya started Chobani in New York. The company employs 2,000 workers, including 300 refugees.

However, Chobani's time in Idaho also has taken a darker turn as anti-immigrant advocates have seized on the company's open stance on refugees. Fringe websites have falsely claimed that Ulukaya wanted to "drown the United States in Muslims." Other websites, like Breitbart News, falsely attempted to link Chobani's hiring of refugees to an uptick in tuberculosis cases in Idaho.

Ulukaya told company employees in a memo last January that he was very concerned about Trumps executive order on immigration and vowed that Chobani will have their backs every day and every step of the way.

To counteract the hateful rhetoric, Chobani sued right-wing radio host Alex Jones earlier this year, saying that Jones and his InfoWars website posted fabricated stories linking Ulukaya and the company to a sexual assault case involving refugee children in Twin Falls. Jones originally promised to never back down in his fight against the yogurt giant but eventually retracted his statements in a settlement.

During the week of April 10, 2017, certain statements were made on the Infowars, Twitter feed and YouTube channel regarding Chobani LLC that I now understand to be wrong. The tweets and video have now been retracted, and will not be re-posted, Jones said in a statement. On behalf of Infowars, I regret that we mischaracterized Chobani, its employees and the people of Twin Falls, Idaho, the way we did.

Ulukaya declined to comment on the Jones lawsuit but said the rise in anti-refugee sentiment has never delayed a project he wanted to pursue. And he says he is committed to being a welcoming company.

"Don't leave anyone out," he said. "At Chobani, we believe in second chances."

During Thursday's expansion launch, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter praised Chobani's impact on the community.

"This new investment in Twin Falls reflects Chobani's commitment to Idaho and to the people who have responded so positively to its corporate citizenship," Otter said in a prepared statement.

"Congratulations to all those who are contributing to Chobani's growth, just as Chobani is contributing to ours."

Strong economic growth in south-central Idaho  an agriculture-dominant area dubbed the Magic Valley  led Ulukaya to describe the region as the "Silicon Valley of food," pointing to the wide range of food manufacturing plants that have invested in food science since Chobani moved to the state.

"It's an ecosystem generated for food making," he said. "There's now a general knowledge around food science that wasn't there 10 years ago."

The boon extends to Chobani's Idaho workers, who earn an average of $15 an hour, more than twice the minimum wage of $7.25.

The company's new facility will be open for employees to enjoy, featuring sweeping windows to overlook the rural farm landscape and Sawtooth Mountains, complete with an exercise room, kitchen and visitors center.
The American economy is still buoyant and people are traveling, trends that continue to boost growth in the U.S. airline industry despite a recent uptick in fuel prices.

The business has never been known as a fruitful source of shareholder dividends, but thanks to this success, the situation has changed -- more are inclined to hand out dividends to their investors. It nearly goes without saying that not all are created equal; here's the airline sector payout that I think flies above the rest.

Flying in tight formation

The dividend-paying carriers traded on U.S. stock exchanges generally tended to pay out at around the same rate well into 2017. At least they did until Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Panama's Copa Holdings hiked their payouts. Now, Delta's yields 2.4%, and Copa weighs in at 2.5%. Behind them, Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) and China Southern Airlines both yield just under 2%.

A bit down the ladder is Hawaiian Holdings, which recently initiated a 1.4% dividend. The low end belongs to the sub-1% yields of American Airlines Group and Southwest.

Hawaiian's payout is too new to be reliable, while those of American and Southwest are too low to make the cut as best dividend stock (no matter the other positive qualities both companies possess). Meanwhile, Latin American economies have a history of being volatile, which would dampen my enthusiasm for Copa Holdings.

As for China Southern, it's a profitable operator in a market full of people hungry to travel. Competition is intensifying in the country, though, and higher costs are biting into the company's bottom line. As such, it's not a strong candidate for the best dividend prize.

That leaves the two U.S. airlines: Delta and Alaska.

Consolidation and growth

Of the pair, Alaska is the company bulking up. Last year, it acquired Virgin America in a deal valued at $2.6 billion, boosting its already strong lineup of West Coast routes.

It also added considerably to the top line. In Alaska's Q3, revenue shot up by 35% on a year-over-year basis thanks largely to the consolidation of Virgin America. The company's adjusted operating profit, by contrast, declined at a 13% clip, while its free cash flow turned negative.

This can be traced to Alaska's performance in California, a competitive market with pricing pressure on a number of popular routes. In the near future, Alaska is likely to eliminate some capacity on the less-busy circuits, which, if done effectively, should goose FCF and the bottom line. In other words, the airline is in consolidation mode, so it might be some time before those fundamentals improve significantly.

Delta has had its struggles recently, most prominently the natural disasters that plagued its home region of the Southeast U.S. In spite of that, the resilient company's Q3 results were encouraging, with revenue growth approaching 6%, the strongest showing in several years. Growth in the Latin American market helped, as did the take from the Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer program.

As a result, adjusted operating profit didn't crater as much as it might have, given those headwinds. At the end of the day, it slipped by under 10% on a year-over-year basis.

Going forward, it seems that continued strength in fuel prices (typically an airline's No. 2 cost item) will keep dampening profitability in the near future. On the plus side, Delta is anticipating 2% to 4% growth in passenger unit revenue, on the back of anticipated growth in its key revenue sources, and an approximate 2% expansion in capacity.

And the winner is...

Basically what we have is one airline that's still digesting a recent acquisition, and a more established operator showing good signs of growth. Of the two, I feel the latter currently has a better chance of improving its profitability and cash flow once 2018 rolls around. This, by extension, should provide the resources to at least maintain, if not increase, the dividend. So, my choice for best airline dividend stock is Delta.

10 stocks we like better than Delta Air LinesWhen 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 Delta Air Lines wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of October 9, 2017

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Copa Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Students who attended for-profit colleges filed more than 98 percent of the requests for student loan forgiveness alleging fraud by their schools, according to an analysis of Education Department data published Thursday.

The study by The Century Foundation represents the most thorough analysis to date of the nearly 100,000 loan forgiveness claims known as borrower defense received by the agency over the past two decades and paints an alarming picture of the state of for-profit higher education in America. The study was provided to The Associated Press ahead of publication.

The report comes as Education Secretary Betsy DeVos faces criticism for erasing two Obama-era regulations that would have added protections for students. Review of tens of thousands of claims has stalled and the AP reported last month that the department now is considering abandoning the practice of full loan cancellation in favor of partial forgiveness. Student advocates point to the Trump administration's ties to the for-profit industry and accuse DeVos of putting industry over students.

The study found "a disproportionate concentration of predatory behavior among for-profit colleges" that raises "serious concerns about the federal government's current approach to providing relief to students who have been defrauded and misled."

The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Of the more than 98,800 complaints received by the department as of mid-August, 98.6 percent came from students at for-profit schools, while only 1.4 percent of them were filed by those who attended non-profit institutions. For-profit schools account for only 10 percent of national enrollment and 18 percent of federal student debt, according to government data.

More than 75,000, or 76 percent, of claims came from students who attended the now-shuttered Corinthian schools, followed by more than 7,300 students from the ITT Technical Institute chain, as well as students from American Career Institute, the Education Management Corporation and others. The Century Foundation received the data through a Freedom of Information Act request.

"The for-profit college industry scams students across the country and taxpayers and that's why the industry, including industry insiders who are now staffing the Department of Education, is now fighting so hard against rules that would clarify the borrower defense process," said Toby Merrill, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending at Harvard University, a legal services clinic that represents defrauded students. "If for-profit schools don't want to be responsible for borrower defense claims and reimbursing taxpayers, then they could simply not cheat their students."

Steve Gunderson, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the industry lobbying group, dismissed the report as an attack on the industry. He suggested that the Obama administration was to blame for the influx of borrower-defense claims from for-profit college students.

"It doesn't surprise me that the Century Foundation issued a report suggesting for-profit colleges are to blame for borrower defense claims. Look no further than the Obama Administration's destruction of ITT Tech and Corinthian," Gunderson told the AP in a statement. "This report confirms what we've long known: There are dozens of groups coordinating their efforts to destroy our sector."

For-profit colleges expanded dramatically over the past two decades, with enrollment rising from around 230,000 in the early 1990s to a record 2 million in 2010. They recruited aggressively, targeting non-traditional students  usually older people who had jobs and could only study part-time. They also focused heavily on women, people of color and veterans. But after graduating, many students struggled to find jobs that were promised to them or to transfer credits to other schools, leading to massive student loan defaults. A 2010 government study found that all of the 15 for-profit colleges evaluated by undercover agents made deceptive statements to prospective students and four of them encouraged fraudulent practices.

The Obama administration cracked down hard on for-profit colleges, pressuring Corinthian and ITT to close and approved at least $655 million in loan cancellations from those chains in recent years. At the same time, the administration also passed revisions to the borrower defense regulation and to another similar rule, known as gainful employment, with the aim of increasing students' protections.

DeVos moved to dismantle or stall those provisions. There's now a backlog of 87,000 complaints that haven't been ruled on. DeVos said she intends to fight fraud, but believes the Obama revisions were written too broadly and could allow for unsubstantiated claims.

In an interview with Politico published last week, DeVos suggested there was no substantial difference between for-profit and non-profit schools. "Let's be clear, it's for-profit or not-for-profit is simply a matter of tax status  fraud anywhere needs to be rooted out," she told the publication.

But Tariq Habash, one of the authors of the Century report, said the study offers evidence to the contrary.

"This highlights a clear difference between for-profits and non-profits. It's not just the tax statuses. It's the control structure that governs these entities," Habash said.

For-profits, he said, "are financially motivated to maximize their profits, they have conflicting interests and one will always win over the other."

___

Follow Maria Danilova on Twitter at https://twitter.com/m_education_ap
What happened

Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA) sold off 9.7% in October after updating investors on its future. That included the decision to outspend cash flow by as much as $1 billion this year, with another significant gap anticipated next year. That shortfall has investors concerned that Apache is a step behind rivals that intend on living within cash flow in 2018.

So what

Apache told investors in mid-October that it was on pace to outspend cash flow by $1 billion this year, which is a significant departure for a company that believes it should live within cash flow. It also thought it would outspend cash flow by about $500 million in 2018, and that's assuming oil averages $55 a barrel. The company believes that this is the right decision because it needs to spend above what it's bringing in so it can complete the testing and begin development of its Alpine High play. In addition, it needed to invest money in building the infrastructure required to support that recent discovery.

That said, most of Apache's rivals plan to live within cash flow in 2018. Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) is one of those more fiscally conservative peers. CEO Al Walker detailed the company's plans in September, saying:

Anadarko plans to use some of its cash balance to repurchase shares as well because it believes that is a more attractive use of cash than drilling more wells in the current low oil price environment. The market seems to agree since the stock has rallied more than 15% over the past three months while Apache's has barely budged despite last month's volatility.

Now what

Apache is making a big bet that its investments to get the Alpine High play up and running will pay big dividends over the long term. That said, it's paying the price in the short term since the market punished its stock last month for deciding to continue investing above its means as it finishes up the initial buildout of the infrastructure needed to develop the field more efficiently. However, if Apache is right, Alpine High will drive growth for years to come, which could eventually make last month's slump a distant memory.

10 stocks we like better than ApacheWhen 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 Apache wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of November 6, 2017

Matthew DiLallo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Trump administration on Thursday hit another 10 current and former Venezuelan officials with financial sanctions over corruption and abuse of power allegations related to President Nicolas Maduro's ruling party's crackdown on opposition.

In addition, the administration criticized a law passed this week that clamps down on social media and broadcasters by ordering prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who instigates hate.

The Treasury Department said the new penalties on the 10 officials were imposed following what it called flawed regional elections last month in Venezuela. Those elections were marred by irregularities "that strongly suggest fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of governorships," it said.

The sanctions freeze any assets that the affected officials have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them. Among the officials named are the country's former communications and food ministers, Ernesto Villegas and Carlos Osorio, along with others involved in organizing elections. Treasury said the officials all had a role in undermining electoral processes, media censorship, or corruption in government-administered food programs.

"As the Venezuelan government continues to disregard the will of its people, our message remains clear: the United States will not stand aside while the Maduro regime continues to destroy democratic order and prosperity in Venezuela," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

At the State Department, spokeswoman Heather Nauert criticized the media law, which was adopted on Wednesday and prohibits Venezuelans from spreading any message through television, radio or social media that instigates violence or hate.

Nauert called the law the government's "newest tool to suppress freedom of expression" and told reporters it is specifically designed "to suppress dissenting voices."

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza blasted the sanctions as another attempt by the U.S. to intervene in Venezuela's internal affairs.

"These acts are part of a systemic campaign of aggression by the U.S. government against Venezuela," he said on Twitter. "They attempt to again generate instability and violence in our country."

The Trump administration has targeted dozens of current and former Venezuelan officials including Vice President Tareck El Aissami, who the U.S. accuses of playing a major role in international drug trafficking. The U.S. imposed financial sanctions prohibiting American banks from providing any new money to the government or its state-run oil company in August, following a controversial election for an all-powerful assembly that the opposition boycotted.

Mysteriously absent in repeated rounds of sanctions have been key Maduro allies like constitutional assembly president Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello, a socialist party leader.

The latest round of sanctions includes three officials with the government-stacked National Electoral Council, which the opposition has accused of manipulating the vote count in at least one of the nation's 23 states where gubernatorial elections were held in October. Opposition leaders also accuse Electoral Council officials of giving pro-government candidates an edge through actions like last-minute voting center relocations in predominantly opposition strongholds.

Though independent polls leading up to the election had widely projected that opposition candidates would claim a majority of the governor offices up for grabs, Electoral Council results showed they won just five states. The winning opposition candidates were then required to take an oath before the pro-government constitutional assembly in order to take office.

Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela's communications minister and another close Maduro ally, said on Twitter that it was no coincidence that the new Trump sanctions come as the government and opposition are poised to renew dialogue.

He said talks with the opposition will resume in the Dominican Republic on Nov. 15. The government and opposition sent representatives to explore the possibility of dialogue in September but the talks fizzled after the October election.

Opposition leaders provided few details, but said they hoped to agree upon new electoral standards necessary to ensure a fair presidential election in 2018.

The sanctions come a week after Maduro announced that he would begin restructuring Venezuela's debt, characterizing it as the best way to get around U.S. financial sanctions that he said are crippling the oil-dependent nation. Venezuelan officials have invited bondholders to Caracas in order to discuss debt restructuring on Monday.

___

Christine Armario in Bogota, Colombia contributed.
One month after his dismissal, Comey testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Major focal points from that testimony included Comey saying he had turned over his memos to Mueller and calling the president a liar.

Comeys testimony was pretty controversial, Fitton, whose lawsuit is largely based on a Fox News report, said on After the Bell.

Judicial Watch requested all records of communication between Comey and the Justice Department, which includes any communication to Mueller, in the run-up to Comeys testimony. Fitton also suggested that Comeys removal of his memos upon his dismissal may be illegal.

We want to know what he took with him, if there were documents the government owns that he took, we want to be able to get them if necessary, he said. Its a scandal, quite frankly, that he was able to take these memos with him, frankly, in order to use to get back at Donald Trump for firing him.
FOX Business host Neil Cavuto called U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin a horrible marketer for the GOP tax plan during his monologue on Cavuto: Coast to Coast on Thursday.

His tone, just disastrousa horrible marketer for this horrific plan thats unraveling Its beyond a joke beyond incomprehensible how they are taking what is an easy run to the end zone and turning it into an interception. I cannot fathom it, but its all sort of unraveling right before our eyes, Cavuto said while discussing the treasury secretarys interview with Maria Bartiromo at the Economic Club of New York.

Heres the full speech from the show:

For my money it was [Mnuchins] generally dismissive tone about people who are going to be paying more in taxesjust deal with it. That was essentially what he was saying to Maria and never addressing the fact that so many of the tax cuts built into this are going to people who dont pay taxes.

Now, we are not minimizing what they do paypayroll taxes and the likebut when it comes to income tax relief, the folks who are paying a big part of the bill are not really getting any benefit from this bill, despite what you hear. And saying that to that crowd at the Economic Club in New York, already wincing it, losing some very big deductions their way, by the way, that rope in a lot of middle class taxpayers as well.

I think people are stepping back from this and concluding, you know, weve got some problems here and we are on top of this for the next two hours folks because whether you are on the left or the right, Democrat or Republican here, there do seem to be significant differences between a House plan thats out and a Senate plan that is coming out later today. A Senate plan that will keep in place, we are told, a lot of the key over themes that you hear from the House in trying to make sure that we get some tax relief. But it might be delayed, it might come in phases. And when it comes to that corporate relief it might not come next year at all. Thats sort of like a Debbie Downer for folks but Ive got to tell you, I think the overall tone relayed by the treasury secretary with Maria, said much, much more.

It said that this complaining and whining, if you will, on the part of those who dont like what they see, and particularly high-income groups who dont feel appreciated, that he had little tolerance for that. Now you may be in that crowd as well and just say yeah they are whining a lot. But I am telling you this is beginning to unravel on a couple of key areas. Not the least of which is people crunching the numbers.

This is all about what you net my friends. Its all about whether people can look forward to getting more net paycheck relief. In other words, whatever their take home pay is now, they would ideally like to see having more take home pay roughly a year from now. Some are going to get that, not all. In fact, now we are getting growing indications, maybe not nearly as many as you think.

I think when that sinks into a lot of people, whether you are for or against this, they are going to say this is not really tax reform. In fact this isnt really that big a tax cut. This is increasingly looking like a big disappointment. Now again, that could be an extreme interpretation.

But Im telling you, the markets arent down 181 points right now on talks that a tax cut is going to be delayed for companiesthat was well baked into the cakeand well rumored and telegraphed 24 hours ago when we heard it was being kicked around. No, no, no my friends, I think whats going on here is a dismissive attitude and a disconnect between both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue and now between the House and the Senate.

Bottom line: They dont know. Theyre not in sync. Theyre nowhere close.
A second woman has accused actor Ed Westwick of sexual assault, just days after another actress came forward with allegations against the Gossip Girl star.

Aurelie Wynn, a former actress who went by the stage name Aurelie Marie Cao, shared the allegation in a lengthy post on her personal Facebook page Wednesday.

Wynn said her experience with the British actor was similar to the one his first accuser, Kristina Cohen, described Monday on via her own personal Facebook page.

The woman said Westwick sexually assaulted her in July 2014 at the actors vacation rental. Wynn said she and others decided to sleep at the home, where there were "plenty of bedrooms," after hanging out until early in the morning when Westwick allegedly pushed her down and sexually assaulted her. Wynn said she told the actor "no" but felt powerless under his weight. She also alleged the actor ripped the one-piece bathing suit she was wearing during the ordeal.

ED WESTWICK BEING INVESTIGATED BY LAPD FOLLOWING RAPE CLAIMS MADE AGAINST HIM

Wynn said she left after Westwick fell asleep and told her then-boyfriend, Glee actor Mark Salling, of the incident.

Salling reportedly pretended not to know Westwick and blamed her for what happened. Wynn said Salling broke up with her soon after the alleged assault.

Salling, 35, pled guilty last month to possessing child pornography. He will serve four to seven years in prison.

Wynn said she kept quiet about the incident due to the intimidation in the industry but decided to come forward after reading Cohens claim against Westwick.

I am so incredibly thankful all of this is finally coming to light and that there is justice in the world. I believe you Kristina Cohen and thank you for speaking up so eloquently and really encompassing what young female actresses have to go through at the hands of men like Ed Westwick. Without you I would not have had the strength to speak up publicly about my ordeal, Wynn concluded.

On Thursday, Westwick released a statement regarding Wynn's claim.

"It is disheartening and sad to me that as a result of two unverified and probably untrue social media claims, there are some in this environment who could ever conclude that I have had anything to do with such vile and horrific conduct. I have absolutely not, and I am cooperating with the authorities so that they can clear my name as soon as possible," Westwick tweeted.

Following Cohens allegation, Westwick released a statement Tuesday on his social media pages denying the claims.

I do not know this woman. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape," Westwick, 30, wrote.

Cohen, 27, alleged Westwick raped her three years ago at a get-together at his home.

ED WESTWICK DENIES RAPE ALLEGATION AFTER ACTRESS MAKES CLAIM AGAINST GOSSIP GIRL STAR

I was paralyzed, terrified. I couldnt speak, I could no longer move. He held me down and raped me, Cohen wrote.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Fox News Wednesday that an alleged victim filed a sexual assault report Tuesday against Westwick at their Hollywood division.

Cohen told The Associated Press that she filed a police report this week but the LAPD did not identify the alleged victim in the investigation.

A rep for Westwick did not immediately return Fox News' request for comment.
Italian superstar Gina Lollobrigida captivated audiences when she rose to fame in the 50s and 60s  but now the most beautiful woman in the world is sharing a dark secret about her past.

The Telegraph reported Lollobrigida, who is now 90, announced to Italian TV for the first time Wednesday that she was sexually molested twice. The first horrifying incident occurred when she was 19.

TERRY CREWS FILES POLICE REPORT AFTER ALLEGING HE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY A HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE

The revelation came after she was asked for her opinion on the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The 65-year-old producers reign in Hollywood came crashing down after the New York Times claimed he sexually harassed women for three decades. Actress Rose McGowan, in particular, accused him of rape.

Lollobrigida was able to identify with the victims.

The first time I was 19, I was still going to school, Lollobrigida recalled. The second time, well, Id rather not talk about it. I was married and I was starting out in films.

Lollobrigida refused to identify the men who molested her. However, she mentioned one was Italian and the other foreign.

Still, Lollobrigida was determined not to let her terrifying encounters prevent her from pursuing a career as an actress. She would go on to become a sex symbol, so popular that Humphrey Bogart once claimed she made Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple. Lollobrigidas first film, in fact, was with Bogart in 1953s Beat the Devil.

She cemented her status as an in-demand star when she appeared in films opposite some of Hollywoods top leading men, including Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Anthony Quinn and Frank Sinatra, to name a few. She also earned a Golden Globe for her 1961 romantic comedy Come September alongside Rock Hudson.

Some of her most notable films include 1956s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and 1959s Solomon and Sheba where she appeared as the sexually-charge queen. Her last film appearance was in 1997 before she officially retired from acting.

Lollobrigida resides in Rome and has since developed a career in sculpting and photography. In 2015, Vanity Fair reported her fortune may have been worth around $50 million. Shes also recognized as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

I have never made any compromise, remaining independent and always alone, she told the magazine at the time. My strength is my free spirit, and my great imagination gives me strength and vitality.
Swiss prosecutors say they won't pursue an investigation of Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski over allegations by a German woman that he raped her when she was a teenager 45 years ago.

Prosecutors in the Swiss capital, Bern, said Wednesday that the statute of limitations for the alleged crime of sexual actions with children had long since expired.

The 61-year-old plaintiff filed a criminal complaint in September alleging Polanski raped her at his chalet in Gstaad, in Bern canton (state) in 1972. The statute of limitations was 15 years at the time.

Polanski's lawyer, Herve Temime, said in an email to The Associated Press that he "takes note" of the Swiss prosecutors' decision.

Temime added that the allegations mentioned in the complaint were "contested by Mr. Polanski and unfounded."

The 84-year-old Polanski has been a fugitive from U.S. justice since he fled to France in 1978 after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor in California.
On Nov. 1, Ocean Spray hosted its annual Thanksgiving Cranberry Bog at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, headlined by special guest Chef Curtis Stone. At the festive event, the celebrity chef chatted exclusively with Fox News Lifestyle about go-to recipes, Thanksgiving disasters, and secrets to take the stress out of hosting for the first time.

A new study shows that this year nearly 20 million Americans will be hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year. Do you have any golden rules youd recommend for them to follow in the kitchen? As hosts?

"So the first thing you do as a new host, right, someone whos doing Thanksgiving for the first time  you say, Im going to call my mum or Im going to call my granny or Im going to call my aunt and try to get those family tips and tricks. And thats really clever, so clever, actually, that Ocean Spray put together, what theyre calling the CranMas. You can actually call them live, and speak to them, and get sort of to get tips and tricks, and you can actually do that on Ocean Sprays Facebook."

THANKSGIVING DINNER: SURVEY SHOWS PEOPLE NOT TOO CONFIDENT IN TURKEY-ROASTING ABILITIES

"The golden rule for me is to get organized, write yourself some lists, write yourself some notes, and give people jobs. So, call people that are coming, because you know, when youre the guest, you arrive and you think, Should I sit, should I stand, should I stay in this room, or that room? you know, it takes a minute to feel comfortable, even if its family. So I think if you give them a job, like, Youre in charge of the wine, so if they bring the wine, and open it, make sure everyones got something they can do, your wheels are turning and it starts to work."

Through your years as a chef, have you ever found yourself in the middle of any funny or terrible Thanksgiving disasters?

"It wasnt Thanksgiving but it was Christmas, it was when I lived in London, and me and my mates, we didnt have family there, so it was a group of guys who lived together. Wed put the duck in the oven, get things cooking, and then wed walk down to the pub and have a pint and we watch the Queens speech, its an English tradition. And one year we locked ourselves out. We had a second floor apartment. It took us 45 minutes to figure out how to get in, but we were starting to get very worried, because the duck was in the oven. But we managed to borrow slash steal our neighbors ladder, and climb up to the second floor and get in before it turned into a total disaster. The duck was a bit dry that year (laughs)."

'PIONEER WOMAN' REE DRUMMOND NAMES THE ONE FOOD YOU'LL NEVER FIND IN HER KITCHEN

Any trendy new cranberry recipes we should try out this Thanksgiving?

"One interesting way to use it is brine the turkey in cranberry juice. Brine is just a liquid or water thats been salted or sweetened with whatever flavors you like. If you think about cranberry juice, its tart, but its also sweet, you add some salt, and some other flavors, and youve created this delicious cranberry brine. I did a chocolate cranberry bread and butter pudding, which was delicious."

"Cranberry sauce can be as simple as three ingredients  sugar, cranberries and water  but you can put in orange zest, cinnamon, spice it up  theres a thousand different ways to use cranberries."

Any go-to recipes that a Thanksgiving table is incomplete without?

"Its a personal thing, and I think family tradition is really important, so you should ask around, What are the must haves on Thanksgiving? I always think, stick with the soul of winter, fall into winter. And thats root veggies, like carrots, potatoes, Brussel sprouts, kale, stuff like that. Stay in that season. Dont do snow peas, that doesnt make sense."

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Any other advice or wisdom youd like to share with our readers on how to throw a lovely, stress-free Thanksgiving? How to be a great guest?

"Get all of your do-aheads figured out ahead of time. Go through your list, and if you dont have enough of these, change it. So a pie, for instance, can totally be made the day before and just baked day of. Cranberry sauce can be totally made the day before."

"If you work through it and youre like God, Ive got to do everything last minute, then you should change the plan. Being a good guest, you should bring wine, thats what a good guest does."

Anything else youd like to share?

"Family is everything, and the more organized you are, the more time you have with them. A little tip I like to do, I go through my recipes or even what Im going to serve, the menu, and I write post it notes for everything Im going to do. I pull out all the dishes, I set the table the day before, and I literally put the post it note roast turkey in the dish that Im going to serve the turkey. Then Im like Ah! I need a knife and fork and I get that out as well."

"Then, the day of, you dont have to think, you just go, Oh, boom  that happens there, there, and its easy."
A diner in New Jersey is adding an 18 percent gratuity to the bills of kids who dine without their parents.

Wayne Hills Diner, on the Hamburg Turnpike in New Jersey, is located across the street from a middle school, and is often hit with groups of 20 to 30 kids at a time.

Peter Logos, one of the diners owners, told NBC New York that when these large numbers of kids come, especially on Fridays, they tie up waitstaff, and often dont tip.

A lawyer for the diner said its not fair for the waiters and waitresses, who wait on these groups of children for up to one or two hours without receiving a tip afterward.

CELEBRITY LEAVES HUGE TIP FOR BOSTON COLLEGE STUDENT AT RESTAURANT

However, parents are not on board with the mandated gratuity.

"My daughter was coming to me, telling me that every time she and her friends went to the diner, they're being charged the gratuity," Melissa Desch told WCBS-TV. "And when I asked her why, she said [it's] because they're children."

Desch said she and her family have been eating at the diner for years, and was surprised by the change, which she feels unfairly targets her 11-year-old daughter and other children at the Schulyer-Colfax Middle School.

"I was angry because I had been there the week before and I had been there with a group of five, some kids and some children, and I was not charged this gratuity, Desch said.

Desch said she brought the issue up to management, who defended their decision  and even said parents should teach their children how to tip.

"He said that's policy because the kids run out and he feels that they don't tip well, and they don't know how to tip," she said. "I said I could understand that, but again, they're not being given the option, they're being forced to pay them."

Now several parents are boycotting the restaurant based on the upcharge.

"There are enough parents that are willing to not let their kids go back there, and if it's the same group [my daughter is] always hanging out with, it could be 20-30 kids," Desch said. "I'm never going to go back, not after this."

Many of the kids affected, though, arent upset.

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One Wayne High School student told NBC New York, "I think it's good only because these people here work very hard, and they deserve more than 50 cents or a dollar as a tip."

"Some people just don't know how to [tip], and it just makes life easier," another student said.

The owners have pointed out that the menu clearly states at the bottom, management reserves the right to add 18 percent gratuity.

"It's not about the establishment," Desch said. "I've been going there since I was a child. But with them, they don't understand and they just pay the bill, And you know, she doesn't understand that she has a right to not pay a tip.
Stressing before Christmas? Listening to the cheerful, jolly music will not help you relax, a British psychologist said.

In fact, listening to Christmas music could harm a persons mental health, clinical psychologist Linda Blair told Sky News.

Blair said the continuous playing of Christmas music in the car or at stores reminds people of all the things they need to do before the holiday arrives.

Youre simply spending all of your energy trying not to hear what youre hearing, Blair told Sky News.

Blair said store workers were more at risk of being mentally drained by the array of cheerful music. The same songs being played constantly makes it hard for employees to tune it out and unable to focus on anything else.

MOM OF 5 DELIVERS BABY ON SIDE OF ROAD

Christmas music is likely to irritate people if its played too loudly and too early, Blair told Sky News.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Best Buy began playing holiday music on Oct. 22, making the electronic store the first to stream the songs. A few days later, other stores such as Sears, Ulta and Michaels followed suit.

Mood Medias programming executive, Danny Turner, told the Tampa Bay Times that he urges stores to stop playing novelty music because it could annoy customers.

STUDY FINDS TOO LITTLE SLEEP IS SAME FOR BRAIN AS TOO MUCH BOOZE

The one I have in mind is 'The 12 Days of Christmas,' Turner told the Tampa Bay Times. Once Im at the third day, Im counting how many days are left. You dont want any songs that feel like they last for 12 days.

The newspaper also conducted a poll about the most appropriate time to start playing Christmas music. More than half of the participants said it was best to begin listening to holiday music after Thanksgiving.
An Arizona mother had piled her 17-month-old daughter into the back seat on Wednesday, and was en route to the hospital to deliver her fifth child when contractions forced her to pull over to the side of the road.

I had to pull over because I had a contraction that would not stop, Shannon Geise told Fox 10 Phoenix.

Geise said her water broke around midnight, but she figured she had a few hours to spare so she took a shower and packed her hospital bag. But about five minutes from the hospital, and with her daughter watching television in the backseat, Geise was forced to pull over.

CONJOINED TWINS GET CUSTOM JUMPER TO HELP THEM WALK, STAND

I was involuntarily, basically, pushing. The first time my body just pushed, I felt him go down, she told Fox 10 Phoenix. The next time, his head came out, and then I pushed two more times, and his shoulder and everything came out, and I was kind of just in shock. This is not happening to me. This is not happening to me.

Geise gave birth to baby Sebastian in her front seat, and after hearing him cry, dialed 911.

Theyre like Do you need an ambulance? Are you going to keep going? Geise told the news outlet. Honestly, it would be quicker for me to just go.

Geise drove herself, her daughter and newborn Sebastian to the hospital, where staff measured the infant to be 6 lbs., 7 ounces.

Geise said the familys Denali is being detailed ahead of their release from the hospital.
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time to gather with family over good food and drink, but things don't always go exactly as planned.

As Reddit users are more than happy to share in several different forums, Thanksgiving isn't always the festive feast they hoped it would be  and they have no shortage of crazy, disgusting, or just plain odd stories to tell.

If you think your turkey-days are over the-top, these Thanksgiving horror stories will have you feeling grateful for every uneventful holiday meal you've ever celebrated:

An emotional evening

As a paramedic, holidays were not something guaranteed. [] One year I was working Thanksgiving and [] we get a request by police to respond to the scene of a domestic situation. It's 2 p.m. in the afternoon and most everyone is sitting down to eat their turkey. This family was the same, except an argument started over something pretty silly. I think it was about who should carve the turkey. Anyway, [the] argument becomes heated, fists begin to fly between the men. Women are screaming at the men to stop it. One of the women grabs her purse and takes out her pepper spray and proceeds to pepper-spray the men who are fighting. Another woman grabs her own spray and sprays the first woman. This was all done while still around the table. Another person at the table calls the police. By the time the police arrive the fight has stopped but now there are [three] people with pepper spray in their eyes, the dinner is ruined and others are leaving.

 contributed by Reddit user tobusytocare

BLACK FRIDAY 2017 DEALS AND PROMOTIONS

A dishwasher disaster

I burned water and flooded the house with bubbles."

"It was the first Thanksgiving I had ever cooked, and what made it worse was that my future in-laws were coming over. They are both extremely high-powered business people. []

I tried to cook and prepare everything in one day, which was a mistake. Their plane landed and my future-spouse went to go pick them up while I watched the food cook. I decided that all the dirty cooking dishes needed to be washed before they arrived and began loading the dishwasher. Unfortunately I had no dish-tabs and decided to use dish-soap. [] Looking back I believe a dime-sized amount would have sufficed, but I was panicking and just squeezed the bottle liberally. Ten or fifteen minutes later I started noticing a film of bubbles pouring out of the bottom of the dish washer. [] The jets hadn't stopped completely when I opened the door and sprayed some of the bubbles onto the ceiling. [] Somewhere in the process of cleaning up the bubbles and running up and down the stairs to fetch more absorbent materials, I remembered the pot I left on the stove. A horrible black, [smoky] stench greeted me about the same time and the fire alarm above the stove was chirping. The water had boiled away and the pot was dry as a bone and super hot, the material it was made out of started to crack and left a horrible smell wafting up in the kitchen.

 Reddit user Battle_mommy

The too-big turkey

The time we had to remove the oven door to get the turkey out.

 Reddit user kazurious

THANKSGIVING DINNER: SURVEY SHOWS PEOPLE NOT TOO CONFIDENT IN TURKEY-ROASTING ABILITIES

Cat got your pies?

My sister showed up with [four] pumpkin pies, each pie had a cat footprint in it, I took one home and threw it away, I think we all did.

 Reddit user moneydearest

Bait and switch

[It was] my first semester of university after moving to Canada from America. My uncle offered to have me over. I spend 12 hours travelling from my university to his place, only for him to put me to work on demolishing the bathroom tiles. Then, he puts me to work on figuring out how many tiles he needs. Then, it's time for me to go home on a 12-hour journey and have a midterm. I was told we'd be celebrating Thanksgiving. I didn't even get a nice dinner out of it.

 Deleted Reddit user

A nauseous night to remember

Happened years ago. My nephew wasn't feeling very good and decided to eat way too much food. Threw up all over the dining room table where the family was eating. Spent the next hour outside in the freezing cold trying not to vomit. Apparently I'm the type of person that can't see, smell, or hear someone throwing up without getting extremely nauseous.

 Reddit user VaporRadioMan2014

Grandmas extra ingredient

Found grandma's wedding ring in the turkey one year  she did not even know it was not on her finger.

 Reddit user CAN_ZIGZAG

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A Thanksgiving story

My moms short-haired black lab stole the turkey roll (yes its a thing) from the kitchen counter and my mom caught her, had a tug of war between the dog and her. Dog won, we ordered Chinese instead.

 Reddit user Blueeyedfire

The grouchy grandpa

The night before Thanksgiving, we were helping prepare dinner at my grandfather's apartment in New York. His then-girlfriend was there helping us cook. My grandfather learned that the place we were ordering part of our dinner from had messed up, and we weren't getting cranberry sauce. My grandfather, who had a temper, threw a fit and was yelling at the man on the phone. His girlfriend tried to calm him down, and he yelled at her. They got in a screaming match, which ended with her taking the turkey, out of the oven, and outside the apartment with her.

"We ended up eating at a crummy Chinese restaurant on Thanksgiving.

 Reddit user ElderCunningham

A mother-in-law and her microwave

"My in-laws are terrible cooks and my [mother in law] is easily stressed. To avoid the stress, she cooked everything two weeks ago, froze all the food, then reheated in the microwave just before eating. We're talking leathery ham pieces soaking it pools of fat, bland turkey with messed-up texture from being frozen, mashed potatoes with chunky globs of cream cheese, and cream of mushroom straight from the can spooned on top of green beans with onions [] no mixing, no heating in the oven.

"Other meals have consisted of expired ingredients and on-the-edge rotten produce.

"We 'took a walk' and went to the gas station to eat a hot dog."



 Reddit user ilmwa
A recent op-ed by Matthew Taylor in the Daily Californian  the student newspaper at the University of California, Berkeley  levels an anti-Semitic attack against me and falsely states that I have blood on my hands and am culpable of the perpetuation of  atrocities by Israel. The student newspaper refuses to publish my factual response to its attack, so I am doing so in this piece.

In his op-ed, Taylor criticizes a cartoonist at his student newspaper for caricaturing me as a predatory spider crushing a Palestinian with one foot and holding up an IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) soldier who assassinates a Palestinian civilian, with blood on my hands. But at the same time, Taylor says the cartoon was fair criticism.

In support of his conclusion, Taylor proclaims  without citing any evidence  that Israel is in fact an egregious human rights abuser, murders unarmed and innocent civilians, including underage Palestinians, commits intentionalatrocities and engages in pinkwashing.

He calls me a privileged professor who is culpable for the perpetuation of Israels atrocities, despite my long record of advocating a peaceful two-state outcome between Israel and the Palestinians.

I would not usually reply to such ignorance and oversimplified attacks. But because these false accusations have become a staple of hard-left attacks singling out only the nation-state of the Jewish people for such defamation, I will disprove each of them in turn.

Let me begin with pinkwashing. The accusation that Israel is pinkwashing its bad treatment of Palestinians by its good treatment of gays is a new variation on a discredited old theme.

The core characteristic of anti-Semitism is the assertion that everything the Jews do is wrong, and everything that is wrong is done by the Jews. That is the bigoted thesis of the anti-Israel campaign whose supporters absurdly claim that Israel is engaging in pinkwashing.

Bigots such as Taylor hate Israel more than they care about gay rights, so they would apparently prefer to see Israel treat gays the way Israels enemies do. To the unthinking anti-Semite, it doesnt matter how the Jewish manipulation works.



The anti-Semite just knows that there must be something sinister at work if Jews do anything positive. The same is now true for the unthinking anti-Israel bigot. In fact, the very Israelis who are most supportive of gay rights are also the most supportive of Palestinian rights. Pinkwashing is an anti-Semitic canard.

Moreover, Taylor argues that Israel commits intentional atrocities against innocent Palestinians including children. The reality is that the Israeli militarys efforts to stop Hamas from indiscriminately killing Israeli citizens with rockets and through terror tunnels has been the opposite of indiscriminate, as Col. Richard Kemp and other military experts have attested.

Kemp has argued that no other country in history has gone to such great lengths as Israel to distinguish between military and civilian targets, even in the face of an enemy that regularly uses its own population as human shields, and that hides military equipment in schools and hospitals.

Israels efforts to protect its citizens compare favorably to military bombing campaigns led by the U.S. and NATO in Iraq, Syria, and other areas in which civilians have also been used as human shields. Israel goes to enormous lengths to reduce the number of civilian casualties  even to the point of foregoing legitimate targets that are too close to civilians.

Yes, Israel has defended its citizens against terrorist attacks by underage Palestinians because Palestinian terrorist leaders deliberately recruit underage Palestinians. When I engaged in a debate on the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement that targets Israel at the Oxford Union, I issued the following challenge to the audience and to my opponent:

Name a single country in the history of the world, faced with threats comparable to those faced by Israel, that has a better record of human rights, compliance with the rule of law or seeking to minimize civilian casualties. The room was completely silent.

Taylor also refers to the security barrier erected by the Israeli government  in response to a spate of deadly suicide attacks where the bombers had infiltrated from Palestinian villages in the West Bank  as the apartheid wall.

In doing so, Taylor reveals his own ignorance of the realities on the ground, and wrongly exploits the apartheid analogy and devalues the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa during the days of white minority rule and mandated segregation and discrimination against that nations black majority.

It is well known that Israel recognizes fully the rights of Christians and Muslims and prohibits any discrimination based on religion. Muslim and Christian citizens of Israel (of which there are more than 1 million) have the right to vote and have elected members Israels parliament, some of whom even oppose Israels right to exist.

There is complete freedom of dissent in Israel. Muslims, Christians and Jews alike practice it vigorously. That cannot be said of any Arab or Muslim state, or of the Palestinian Authority.

Taylor reveals his own bigotry when he says that Israels apologists intimidated the Daily Californian into retracting the entire cartoon. But as he himself acknowledges, the most significant criticism came from the universitys Chancellor, Carol Christ, who is not an Israel apologist.

Taylor also mendaciously fails to mention that I adamantly opposed withdrawing or censoring the anti-Semitic cartoon, because I want the world to see it and hold accountable those responsible for it. Likewise, I would oppose censoring Taylors anti-Semitic op-ed.

Yes, anti-Semitic. Let me explain why. I agree that there is a vast difference between actual anti-Semitism and legitimate criticism of Israel. But Taylor is not merely criticizing Israel. He is deliberately lying about its actions and policies in order to delegitimize its very existence.

Taylor is singling out only the nation-state of the Jewish people for such defamatory delegitimization, and he is invoking the crassly anti-Semitic libel of pinkwashing. Finally, he uses code words  such as privileged and Israels apologists  to suggest a conspiracy of Jewish power that censors anti-Israel expression.

So yes, Taylors op-ed falls on the anti-Semitic side of the very line he proposes: actual anti-Semitism versus legitimate criticism of Israel. In that respect his op-ed is even more bigoted than the spider cartoon he condemns as crossing the line into anti-Semitism. The spider cartoon crossed the line with historic images. Taylor crossed the line with current lies.
If theres one politician who can understand Donald Trumps frustration with a wildly biased news media, its British Prime Minister Theresa May. Her countrys press is on an all-out campaign to force her resignation.

The assault began in June, when May called a snap election that barely kept her in office. Her Conservative Party lost so many parliamentary seats that the prime minister was forced to form a coalition government with the pro-Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party.

The knights of the keyboard and the czars of TV cameras asked why May had been so foolish to test her popularity when she did. Shes no Maggie Thatcher, they intoned dolefully. No one mentioned that that sentiment reeks of sexism.

The next wave of bile concerned her halting attempts to start negotiating Britains exit from the European Union, which voters decided to do last year. When she ran into an as-expected hostile reception from E.U. officials, the British press decided first, that she was unsuited to such delicate talks, and then, that she was sounding too tough (more sexism?).

When the issue of sexual harassment crossed the ocean from America like a plague, Britain found that it, too, was home to powerful men who misbehaved. Among them were politicians from Mays Tory Party. Defence (thats how they spell it) Minister Sir Michael Fallon was hounded out of his position for having touched the knee of a female journalist during an interview -- twelve years ago. The journalist, by the way, said she was not offended and considered the fuss being made about it foolish.

But the press would not be assuaged by such politically incorrect babble. Fallon had to go, which allowed pundits to ask if Mays cabinet was crumbling.

To answer their own question, they next went nuclear about Priti Patel, an up-and-coming Tory politician  until this week. Her offense: visiting an Israeli military hospital in the Golan Heights to arrange for the delivery of medical supplies to Syrian patients.

And whats wrong with that, you ask? The Golan Heights was seized by Israel during the so-called 1967 Six Days war. Syria still claims that land as its own, and Patels visit to disputed territory was lambasted as insensitivity toward the Arab world. More evidence of the PMs ineptitude. Patel resigned.

Has Theresa May lost control? The question stayed on the screen at Sky News most of Tuesday, with overeducated talking heads murmuring their disapproval of the lady who lives at 10 Downing Street. WWHD? (What would Hillary Do?)

The British news medias blatant attempt to force May out of office is so similar to Americas rabid anti-Trump press corps that they might consider a bet: the first countrys journalists to drop all pretense and say we are now political partisans gets a years supply of beer  warm or ice-cold, depending on who wins.

A plague on both your houses.
What if the government doesnt really deliver for us? What if its failures to protect our lives, liberties and property are glaring? What if nothing changes after these failures?

What if the National Security Agency -- the federal governments domestic spying apparatus -- has convinced Congress that it needs to cut constitutional corners in order to spy on as many people in America as possible? What if Congress has bought that argument and passed a statute that put a secret court between the NSA and its appetite for all electronically transmitted data in America? What if that secret court -- called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court -- is supposed to protect personal liberty but instead has become a wall behind which the NSA hides?

What if the Constitution only permits warrants for searches and seizures that are based on probable cause of crime? What if the Constitution requires that all warrants for searches and seizures specifically describe the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized? What if the courts have ruled that electronic surveillance constitutes a search and seizure within the meaning of the Constitution?

What if the FISC issues warrants based on a lesser standard than probable cause of crime? What if its standard is probable cause of speaking with or knowing someone who has spoken with a foreign person? What if this is such an absurd and loose standard that it violates the Constitution and ends up protecting no one except the spies who pretend to employ it?

What if the FISC is a facade? What if the NSA spies on all people all the time while hiding behind FISC-issued warrants? What if the stated purpose of spying on everyone all the time is to keep us safe from terrorist acts by trading liberty for security? What if that trade has never worked?

What if the NSA has convinced President Donald Trump and his immediate two predecessors that it needs to spy on everyone in America to keep us safe, no matter what the Constitution says? What if those three presidents have bought that argument?

What if NSA spying is really done without any warrants? What if this spying captures in real time every keystroke on every computer and hand-held device -- as well as the content of every email, text message, telephone call and fiber-optic cable transmission -- in the United States 24/7?

What if NSA computers have direct and unimpeded access to all mainframe computers of all telecoms and computer service providers in the U.S.? What if the acquisition of all this data is known in the intelligence community as bulk surveillance?

What if the Constitution is the supreme law of the land? What if the Constitution, with its requirement of warrants based on probable cause and specifically identifying targets, expressly prohibits bulk surveillance? What if bulk surveillance is not only unconstitutional but also useless because it produces information overload -- too much data to sift through in a timely manner?

What if President Trump and his immediate two predecessors have unleashed the NSA to acquire all communications data about everyone in America even though it's obvious that the NSA cannot possibly sift through it all in a timely enough manner to keep us safe?

What if the Islamic State-inspired extremist who drove a rental truck on a New York City bicycle and pedestrian path and killed eight people last week did a dry run of his killing plans the week before? What if one of his own cellphones recorded portions of the dry run? What if the NSA had that recording but did not notice it until after the attack?

What if the same killer who drove the rental truck stored 90 video clips of other Islamic State-inspired killings on a cellphone? What if the NSA had those videos but did not notice them until after the attack?

What if the same killer who drove that rental truck also stored nearly 4,000 photos of Islamic State atrocities on a cellphone and the NSA, which has had the repellant photos since the killer first stored them, did not notice them until after the attack?

What if liberty is our birthright and cannot be taken away by government without a jury trial? What if the NSAs allies in government wrongly and foolishly think that the surrender of privacy to Americas 60,000 domestic spies somehow keeps us safe?

What if the genius of the Constitution -- if followed -- is not only its protection of privacy but also its requirement that the government focus its searches and seizures on people who it has reason to suspect are engaged in criminal activity and about whom judges have ratified the evidence to support those suspicions? What if the Constitution requires the government to leave the rest of us alone?

What if the government stinks at keeping us safe but is very good at invading our privacy?

What if this bulk surveillance is about power and control and not about safety? What if the NSA has selectively leaked what it knows about some folks for political purposes? What if President Trump himself and his former national security adviser have been victims of those leaks?

What if the use of intelligence data for political purposes and not for safety is a profound danger to democracy? What if government cant keep us safe? What if we falsely think that it does keep us safe? What if that delusion makes us less safe? What if governments bulk acquisition of private data makes us less free? What if government works not for us but for itself? What do we do about it?
The Republican defeat in New Jersey is unsurprising. The deep-blue state went for Hillary Clinton by 14 points, and on Tuesday the next governor, Democrat Phil Murphy, won by 13. The Republican nominee, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, simply couldnt escape the gravitational pull of her unpopular boss, Gov. Chris Christie, whose favorability in exit polls was a sad 22%.

The GOPs loss in purple Virginia is far more problematic, with grave ramifications for the 2018 midterms. Mrs. Clinton carried the state by 5 points, but Democrat Ralph Northam won the governorship Tuesday by almost 9.

Thats hardly the worst part. The Republican nominee, Ed Gillespie, took about 11,000 more votes than former Gov. Bob McDonnell did in 2009 when Mr. McDonnell won that years race with 59%. In fact, Mr. Gillespie won more votes than any Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate in history, yet he netted only 45%.

In 2013 the GOPs nominee for governor took 45.2%, even though he collected 100,000 fewer votes than Mr. Gillespie did. The difference is that turnout this year was up 16% from 2013. Most of the additional voters were white independents and Democrats in the suburbs who wanted to send President Trump a message.

To continue reading Karl Rove's column from The Wall Street Journal, click here.
Carrier Corp., the HVAC manufacturer that had planned to move its operations to Mexico before President Trump staged a much-heralded intervention, is gearing up for a final round of layoffs.

Less than four months after it laid off nearly 340 employees at its Indianapolis factory, Carrier said Tuesday that 215 employees will be terminated on Jan. 11.

The company originally had planned those layoffs for late December, but delayed the move until January. The number of layoffs is slightly lower than the 275 employees who initially would have been impacted  the company said fewer workers were affected because of voluntary attrition.

Employees at the Indianapolis plant reportedly do not feel they have job security.

"They just don't have any faith in this plant staying in Indianapolis," Robert James, the president of a union that represents plant workers, told The Indianapolis Star.

Shortly after Trumps election, Carrier announced that it had reached a deal with the then president-elect to keep approximately 1,070 jobs in Indianapolis for 10 years in exchange for up to $7 million in various incentives.

The highly publicized deal, which protected about 730 manufacturing jobs, abruptly reversed the plan Carrier announced in February 2016 to move its factory to Mexico and eliminate nearly 1,400 jobs.

Although Carrier employees appeared elated in widely circulated photographs after Trump struck the deal with the company, the mood in Indianapolis has apparently soured as layoffs continue.

Trump came in there to the factory last December and blew smoke up our a---s, Brenda Darlene Battle, a longtime Carrier employee, told The New Yorker. He wasnt gonna save those jobs.

But the company said in a statement: More than 1,100 jobs remain at the Indianapolis facility in keeping with our 2016 commitment.
Carlos Danger is looking for a pen pal.

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who reported to prison this week to begin a 21-month sentence for sexting with a 15-year-old girl, is hoping to stay in contact with the outside world.

Weiners away message on his personal email addresses provide specific instructions on how to stay in contact with the disgraced Congressman, the New York Post reported Thursday.

Thanks for reaching out, the message says. Starting November 6th, Ill be away for a while but I would love to stay in touch. As quaint as it may sound, the best way to reach me is by sending a letter. When you write, ill get you the information about how email might work.

So please include your full mailing address here and of course include it when you write, Weiner says in the message. And although you didnt ask  yes, you may send me books via Amazon. (No crockpots or washers/dryers though)

Weiner then provides information on how to contact him via the Federal Medical Center in Massachusetts.

ANTHONY WEINER SCANDALS: FROM POLITICS TO SEXTING CASES

Weiner, whose political career and later run for New York City mayor was derailed because of continuous sexting incidents  sometimes under a Carlos Danger pseudonym  was sentenced in September after he pleaded guilty in May to a charge of transmitting sexual material to a minor.
Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, on Thursday announced plans to retire from Congress, becoming the latest influential Republican lawmaker to opt against running for re-election.

Its been an honor to serve #VA06 - thank you for your support and trust, Goodlatte tweeted. Its time to step aside. Ive decided I will not seek re-election.

In a letter posted on his congressional website, Goodlatte, 65, who was elected to Congress in 1992, said his decision was influenced by being term-limited in his role on the Judiciary Committee.

With my time as chairman of the Judiciary Committee ending in December 2018, this is a natural stepping-off point and an opportunity to begin a new chapter of my career and spend more time with my family, particularly my granddaughters, he said.

Goodlattes announcement follows the retirements of other Republicans, including Texas Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee; Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake; Texas Rep. Lamar Smith, the chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent.

REPUBLICANS WHO WONT BE COMING BACK TO CONGRESS AFTER 2018 MIDTERM ELECTIONS

It also comes two days after elections in Virginia, where Democrats made significant gains in the state legislature and won all the state's top offices.

Bob Goodlatte has been an integral member of Congress since he was first elected, National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement. From his Chairmanship of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to his work on Agriculture, he has been a dedicated representative to Virginias 6th District and to the rest of the country.

Fox News Mike Emanuel and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, has multiple times brought articles to impeach President Trump to the House floor.

Each effort to impeach the president has failed, and he hasnt garnered support from some top lawmakers in his party, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. But Green said he isnt giving up, contending that Trump is the quintessential person that impeachment was designed for.

The House overwhelmingly rejected Greens impeachment resolutions in December and January.

What does impeachment mean?

Congress has the ability to remove a sitting president from office before his term is finished  an authority granted by the Constitution.

Along with the president and vice president, all civil officers in the U.S. can be removed from office if they are impeached and convicted of bribery, treason or other high crimes and misdemeanors, according to the Constitution.

How does impeachment work?

Article One of the Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment; the Senate has the sole authority to try all impeachments. If the president is being tried, the Chief Justice should preside over the trial.

The House must vote, requiring a simple majority, to adopt the articles of impeachment. Before a vote, the House Judiciary Committee  or another special committee  may investigate the articles.

The House is able to vote to impeach even if the committee does not recommend doing so.

Should that vote be reached, then the House will appoint members  called managers  to act as prosecutors as the proceedings then go to trial in the Senate. The president is able to have defense attorneys.

The Senate would need a two-thirds majority in order to find the president guilty. Should that happen, the president would be removed from office and the vice president would take the president's place.

Have other presidents been impeached?

Only two U.S. presidents have been impeached  and neither were removed from office.

Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998.

While the proceeding began against former President Richard Nixon, he was not actually impeached. Nixon was the only president to resign from office.

Fox News' Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sen. Bob Menendez will not face a new bribery and corruption trial after all, federal prosecutors said last month.

The Department of Justice had announced earlier this year that it intended to retry the New Jersey Democrat after a federal judge declared a mistrial in the case in November, but ultimately walked away from the pursuit.

Menendez was accused of accepting a plethora of donations and gifts from a wealthy friend in exchange for political influence. Both Menendez and the doctor, Salomon Melgen, maintained their innocence.

From the very beginning, I never wavered in my innocence and my belief that justice would prevail. I am grateful that the Department of Justice has taken the time to reevaluate its case and come to the appropriate conclusion, Menendez said on social media following the announcement.

Menendez is up for re-election this year. He was selected to replace former Gov. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., in the Senate in 2005. He rejoined the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee as its ranking member on Feb. 6, after stepping down from the post when he was indicted in 2015.

Read on for a look at what Menendez was accused of and what happened in the trial.

What was Menendez accused of?

Menendez, 64, accepted an abundance of campaign donations, gifts and vacations from Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist, prosecutors alleged when Menendez faced trial in 2017. In return, prosecutors claimed, he used his position to lobby on behalf of Melgens business interests.

Melgen allegedly directed more than $750,000 in campaign contributions to entities that supported Menendez, according to the indictment, which prosecutors said were inducements to get Menendez to use his influence on Melgen's behalf. Prosecutors have also accused Menendez of trying to hide the gifts.

Melgen paid for Menendez and his girlfriend to stay for three nights at a Parisian hotel where rooms typically cost about $1,500 per night and allowed the senator the use of his private jet, according to prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors said that Menendez sold his office for a lifestyle that he couldnt afford.

The indictment also alleged that Menendez pressured State Department officials to give visas to three young women described as Melgen's girlfriends.

What was the senators defense?

Both Menendez and Melgen pleaded not guilty  and Menendez has vehemently denied the accusations against him.

Throughout the original trial, defense attorneys sought to prove that Menendez and Melgen have been friends since before the former became a senator, and the trips were nothing more than friends traveling together.

Is there anything else to know about Salomon Melgen?

Melgen, 63, was convicted of 67 counts of health care fraud in April 2017 in what the Palm Beach Post called one of the biggest Medicare fraud cases in the U.S.

Melgen was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Feb. 22 for Medicare fraud, as he persuaded patients to undergo treatments they did not necessarily need.

Aside from Menendez, Melgen has given significant amounts of money to a variety of Democratic lawmakers, according to public records.

How did the trial end?

After the jury again informed the judge they could not reach a decision, U.S. District Court Judge William H. Walls declared a mistrial, saying he found no alternative.

The mistrial was declared on Nov. 16.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Rand Paul's office fired back Thursday at the attacker who left the Republican senator with six broken ribs, calling the "violent" assault a "blindside" and seeming to challenge reports that the clash stemmed from a landscaping dispute.

Paul's senior adviser Doug Stafford issued the senator's most detailed statement yet on the nature of the attack, just hours after Paul's neighbor Rene Boucher entered a not guilty plea in court.

"Last week Senator Paul was vigorously assaulted by someone in his neighborhood. This is a serious criminal matter involving serious injury, and is being handled by local and federal authorities," Stafford said. "As to reports of a longstanding dispute with the attacker, the Pauls have had no conversations with him in many years."

Stafford said the first so-called "conversation" with the attacker "came after Sen. Paul's ribs were broken."

"This was not a 'fight,' it was a blindside, violent attack by a disturbed person," Stafford said. "Anyone claiming otherwise is simply uninformed or seeking media attention."

The statement seemed to counter widespread media speculation about what led to the attack, including accounts that it may have stemmed from a longrunning landscaping dispute.

But Paul's office still did not shed light on what the motive may have been, and neither has Boucher.

Boucher's lawyer has said the attack had nothing to do with politics, but has not elaborated.

The accused attacker, meanwhile, appeared in Warren County Circuit Court Thursday before Judge Brent Potter. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault stemming from last week's attack.

Boucher and his lawyer, Matthew Baker, agreed to a pre-trial conference scheduled for Nov. 30 to review the charges. The defendant is free on a $7,500 bond.

Before his office issued the statement, Paul circulated two reports on Wednesday that seemed to question the 'landscaping dispute' explanation.

Paul posted on his Twitter feed a report linking to a Breitbart News story headlined Rand Pauls neighbors say reports blaming savage assault on landscaping dispute are fake news, and one from The Washington Examiner titled, Rand Pauls neighbors rip media landscaping dispute reports.

Meanwhile, the senator's injuries are worse than initially thought.

Paul, R-Ky., on Wednesday shared a medical update saying he had six broken ribs and a pleural effusion.

A pleural effusion is the build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Pauls office initially said the senator broke five ribs after the incident.

Displaced rib fractures can lead to life-threatening injuries such as: hemopneumothorax, pneumothorax, pneumonia, internal bleeding, laceration of internal organs and lung contusions, Stafford said earlier this week. Senator Paul does have lung contusions currently.

The senator is still expected to return to Capitol Hill in the coming days.

As for the single misdemeanor charge, State Police told Fox News on Monday that in Kentucky, there is a statute that considers an assault a felony only if there is serious physical injury.

Sources in the Paul's office told Fox News' senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano that the senator has been told to expect federal charges to be filed against his attacker.

Though the State Police was unable to provide Fox News a timeline for when their investigation will be complete, a spokesman said it is up to Commonwealth prosecutors whether Bouchers charges could change from misdemeanor to felony based on the severity of those injuries.

Prosecutors will review our case in its entirety and theyll make a determination if it will be bumped up to felony, Jeremy Hodges, master trooper and public affairs officer for Kentucky State Police Post 3 at Bowling Green, told Fox News on Monday. The senators injuries are part of the investigation.

According to the police report, the victim, Rand Paul, told police that his neighbor came onto his property and tackled him from behind, forcing him to the ground and causing pain. The report also said the defendant admitted going onto Pauls property and tackling him.

MOTIVE MYSTERY IN RAND PAUL ATTACK: NEIGHBOR'S LAWYER SAYS IT HAD 'NOTHING TO DO' WITH POLITICS

Bouchers attorney told Fox News on Monday that Boucher and Paul have been neighbors for 17 years and were prominent members of the local medical community and worked together when they were both practicing physicians.

The unfortunate occurrence of November 3rd has absolutely nothing to do with eithers politics or political agendas, Baker told Fox News. It was a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial. We sincerely hope that Senator Paul is doing well and that these two gentlemen can get back to being neighbors as quickly as possible.

When contacted by Fox News throughout the week for clarification, Baker declined to elaborate on the trivial matter that led to Pauls injuries.
Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore lashed out Thursday at what he called "the Obama-Clinton machine's liberal media lapdogs" after The Washington Post reported on a woman's claims that the former judge and staunch social conservative initiated a sexual encounter with her when she was 14.

In a series of tweets Thursday evening, Moore claimed "The forces of evil will lie, cheat, steal  even inflict physical harm  if they believe it will silence and shut up Christian conservatives."

Amid calls for hime to drop out of the race, Moore added, "Our nation is at a crossroads right now  both spiritually and politically. Our children and grandchildrens futures are on the line. So rest assured  I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!"

The Post story centered on allegations made by Leigh Corfman, now 53. She told the newspaper that Moore, then an assistant district attorney, first approached her in 1979 outside a courtroom in Alabama where she was sitting with her mother. On another occasion, she said Moore, then 32, took her to his home in the woods and kissed her.

During a subsequent visit, Corfman reportedly claimed he took off her shirt and pants; touched her over her bra and underwear; and guided her hand to his underwear. She said the two did not have sexual intercourse, and that she ended up getting dressed and asking Moore to take her home, according to the Post.

I wanted it over with  I wanted out, she told the Post, apparently recalling her train of thought at the time. Moore did take her home, she said.

The report caused immediate problems for Moore with his own party as he heads into the Dec. 12 election against Democrat Doug Jones. Several GOP senators called on him to step aside if the allegations are true  and at least one senator, Arizonas John McCain, said he should drop out regardless.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who backed Moores rival Luther Strange in the GOP primary, said in a statement: "If these allegations are true, he must step aside."

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., head of the Senate GOP campaign arm, called the allegations deeply troubling and said: If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election.

Jones' campaign told multiple news outlets: Roy Moore needs to answer these serious charges.

But Moores campaign issued a statement saying the report is baseless and false.

National liberal organizations know their chosen candidate Doug Jones is in a death spiral, and this is their last ditch Hail Mary, Moore campaign chairman Bill Armistead said. Judge Roy Moore is winning with a double-digit lead. So it is no surprise, with just over four weeks remaining, in a race for the U.S. Senate with national implications, that the Democratic Party and the countrys most liberal newspaper would come up with a fabrication of this kind.

This garbage is the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation, he said.

The Post noted that the legal age of consent in the state is 16, and sexual contact by anyone 19 or older with anyone between 12 and 16 years old is considered second-degree sexual abuse.

The statute of limitations, though, has long since passed.

The Post interviewed three other women who were teenagers at the time who claimed Moore pursued them when he was in his 30s, though he did not force them into any type of sexual relationship.

I have prayed over this, Corfman told the Post as to why she came forward, All I know is that I cant sit back and let this continue, let him continue without the mask being removed.

Alabama's Republican governor, Kay Ivey, responded: These allegations are deeply disturbing. I will hold judgment until we know the facts. The people of Alabama deserve to know the truth and will make their own decisions.

Fox News' David Lewkowict contributed to this report.
Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled their own version of a tax reform bill that would cut billions in taxes for individuals and corporations  while clashing with the version preferred by President Trump and House Republicans by delaying a corporate rate cut for a year to lower the cost of the bill.

The move came as a key House committee on Thursday approved a revised version of its tax bill, which included restoring the adoption tax credit after protests by family advocate groups and other interests.

The Senate's bill, though, injects new drama into the debate.

According to aides on the Senate Finance Committee, the plan would permanently lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, but those cuts wouldnt kick in until 2019. Unlike the House version, it would leave the mortgage interest deduction untouched.

The Senate bill also differs from the House in that it would fully repeal the state and local tax deduction. Calls to strip the popular deduction have drawn bipartisan opposition from lawmakers in high-tax states like New York and New Jersey. The House version only included a partial rollback of the deduction as a result of such pushback.

This is a process, and there are definitely going to be differences between the Senate version and the House version, Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson said on Fox News Outnumbered Overtime on Thursday. From my standpoint, the good news is we are pretty well unified about what the goal of tax reform should be.

SENATE TAX BILL TO INJECT NEW DRAMA INTO HILL NEGOTIATIONS

The Senate plan, crafted on the Senate Finance Committee led by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, would maintain the existing number of tax brackets, instead of reducing them from seven to four, as called for by the House plan. However, it would drop the second-lowest bracket from 15 to 12 percent, and the highest from 39.6 percent to 38.5 percent.

It also preserves charitable deductions, expands the child tax credit from $1,000 to $1,600 and makes no changes to 401k plans.

House and Senate Republican leaders have been hoping to be united on tax reform to avoid a repeat of this summers ObamaCare repeal debacle. But differences between the Senate and House bills could slow or sideline the legislation, though leaders are aiming for swift passage.

Republicans in the Senate can pass the legislation with a simple, 51-vote majority if it doesnt increase the deficit after 10 years. However, they have just 52 senators in the chamber, giving them only the slightest margin for defections.

The Senate made several failed attempts this past summer to use a similar budget-related procedure to repeal and replace ObamaCare with a 51-vote majority, denying Trump a major legislative victory.

The president has gone back and forth about when he wants the bill on his desk, publicly setting a Christmas or New Years deadline, then purportedly giving no deadline to Senate Republicans in a closed-door, Capitol Hill meeting before leaving for Asia.

In the House, the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday afternoon approved their bill after last-minute changes.

Committee Chairman Kevin Brady's changes were being made to meet the $1.5 trillion maximum that the bill is allowed to add to the nation's $20 trillion debt. A preliminary estimate by Congress' nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation said the House measure as currently written would add $74 billion more to 10-year deficits than allowed.

Today, we took yet another critical step toward delivering real relief to the American people," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. "I want to thank Chairman Brady and the Ways and Means Committee for making important improvements to this historic legislation."

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the bill is expected to come up for a vote on the House floor late next week.

Fox News' Alex Pappas, Joseph Weber and Chad Pergram and Fox Business Adam Shapiro and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Its not that the markup session of the Republican tax reform legislation before the House Ways and Means Committee isnt important.

Its just that whatever was supposed to come out of those lengthy deliberations wont be as salient as two other things: a managers amendment to the bill, drafted by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and a companion tax reform measure prepped by the Senate Finance Committee.

The markup session of the Republican tax bill was supposed to drag deep into the night -- until it wasnt.

Lobbyists, reporters, members of the public and congressional aides piled into the cavernous House Ways and Means Committee hearing room in the Longworth House Office Building for the markup at noon Monday. But it became clear after three days of work on the tax bill, whatever was going on in that room wasnt the main event.

This is a faux markup, said one lobbyist.

Ways and Means Committee Democrats girded for battle. They expected to offer dozens of amendments to the bill. But by mid-afternoon Wednesday, Democrats reversed course. It was clear Brady would retreat behind closed doors to iron out a managers amendment  the final and often substantial revision to a bill. So why should the Democrats hang around to change a bill which Brady was revamping anyway?

Democrats switched their strategy. Theyd vote on a few amendments in the early evening and that would be it. Theyd want to see what Brady concocted. No midnight oil. No spots of tea or Red Bull required  at least on the Democratic side. Democrats would leave a tower of boxes, all containing amendments and tax proposals, stacked by the dais, never to be offered. Instead, it would be up to Brady and his staff to toil past the witching hour, drafting the ultimate legislative refinement.

This poses an important question. If Republicans aimed to tackle tax reform for months, why wasnt this etched out long ago? Why the sprint now?

Bradys contrivance  cobbled together with House GOP leaders  is designed to score just enough votes to lug the legislation across the finish line. But rolling out a host of changes, sight unseen, will prompt even more questions. You never quite know whats in the package or can comprehend the consequences. A lot of forces are at work.

Its kind of like Jackie Chan. You can only fight off 1,000 guys and win in the movies, quipped Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind.

Brady must now align the bill with special budget rules which allow for only $1.5 trillion in additional debt. Republicans aim to use the budget reconciliation process to sidestep a Senate filibuster, but one penny of debt above $1.5 trillion disqualifies the package for the filibuster-free process. A congressional analysis of the legislation suggests the bill tacks on an additional $1.7 trillion in debt. Last week, Brady predicted the bill would come in at $1.51 trillion in deficit spending.

Still, the GOP faces an uphill climb to contour the bill into its final form. Republicans worry about tax increases which could be built into the legislation down the road. In other words, theres a tax cut now. But taxes climb to curb deficit growth and help the Senate fit the plan into the budget reconciliation process. One source declared that lawmakers would engage in fiscal contortions to tailor the bill for budget reconciliation.

The Senate tax bill could very well eclipse whatever the House develops. That may infuriate House Republicans. Senate Republicans will hear about the bill midday. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to release its version of the bill whenever the House concludes its markup session.

Details are the quintessence of tax reform. Information-starved interest groups and lobbyists will clamor to interpret whats in the Senate bill, simultaneously wondering if they have enough specifics.

While traveling in Asia, President Trump called in to the mobile phone of National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn late Tuesday. Cohn and White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short huddled with 12 Democratic senators at the Library of Congress on tax reform. Sources say the president spoke 90 percent of the time. Democratic senators told the president hed score 70 to 80 votes if he contoured the legislation toward them.

Of course, many Democratic senators facing re-election from battleground states would love to earn credibility on tax reform. But not if the legislation fails to address their concerns.

I think [Trump] is listening. But I dont know if [House Speaker Paul] Ryan, R-Wis., and [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell, R-Ky., and [Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin] Hatch, R-Utah, are, said Sen Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

They heard the frustration and a total lack of input from our side of the aisle, said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., of Republicans.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, doubts any Democrats will support tax reform if GOPers take the other side for granted.

The wall of unity among Senate Democrats is very strong, said Wyden.

Democrats certainly dont know whats in the managers amendment or the Senate Republican bill. Republicans dont even know. But Republicans say they have one thing going for them.

Theres an energy. An optimism, professed one source engaged in the process.

Its often said Trump doesnt like to get bogged down in details. And on tax reform, that could be the key for congressional Republicans, too.

Capitol Attitude is a weekly column written by members of the Fox News Capitol Hill team. Their articles take you inside the halls of Congress, and cover the spectrum of policy issues being introduced, debated and voted on there.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters Thursday in Beijing that President Trump will likely meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in some capacity  possibly even a formal sit-down  on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit later this week.

Tillerson said at least an informal "pull-aside" is likely at the summit in Vietnam, but a formal "bilateral" sit-down is "still under consideration."

"We're working with the Russians, as you know, in a number of very difficult areas. And we have been in contact with them," Tillerson said, responding to a reporter's question during a press briefing after Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"The view has been if the two leaders are going to meet, is there something sufficiently substantive to talk about that would warrant a formal meeting?" Tillerson said.

Trump met over the summer with Putin at the G-20 summit in Germany. The U.S. and Russia have since been in a diplomatic tit-for-tat, all while the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign escalates.

Tillerson said the two nations have "significant conversations" underway on various issues including Syria and Ukraine.

When asked if Russian meddling into the 2016 election was on the list of things to discuss, Tillerson responded bluntly: "It stays on that list."
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that they have agreed to pursue the denuclearization of North Korea together, as Trump promised not to replicate failed approaches of his predecessors.

Trump and Xi met with U.S. and Chinese officials for two hours on Thursday morning and, in joint statements to reporters, affirmed their commitment to addressing the threat posed by North Korea.

As long as we stand together, that threat will never happendoesnt even have a chance, Trump said on Thursday. The entire civilized world must unite to confront the North Korea menace and the entire world is watching us right now.

Trump and Xi discussed their mutual commitment to complete the denuclearization of North Korea, and Trump said they promised not to replicate failed approaches of the past.

And there were many, Trump said, seemingly slamming past administrations for their struggle dealing with the rogue nation.

Xi said that China would work on a solution for dialogue and negotiation with North Korea, and reiterated their firm commitment to achieving a denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Trump also criticized China for its very one-sided and unfair trade deals, while also saying he couldnt blame China for taking advantage of the U.S. in past years, in yet another swipe at past administrations.

TRUMP SAYS US TRADE WITH CHINA HAS NOT BEEN FAIR, URGES COUNTRY TO SQUEEZE NORTH KOREA

I dont blame China. Who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China credit, Trump joked Thursday.

Xi promised to open more doors for foreign companies in China and described the U.S.-China relationship as one standing at a new historic starting point.

The Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the United States, Xi said.

But on North Korea, Trump praised Chinese efforts in restricting trade with Pyongyang and, further, called on all countries to stop doing business with the rogue regime.

The presidents comments, and the newfound joint agreement between Trump and Xi, come in the midst of his 13-day foreign trip to Asia. The president so far has visited Japan, South Korea and China.

Fox News' Kristin Brown contributed to this report.
Defeated Alabama GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore found himself at the center of controversy a month before the election as multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Democratic nominee Doug Jones beat Moore on Dec. 12 in the highly contentious race.

The women alleged that Moore was sexually inappropriate toward them while many were in their teens and Moore was in his 30s. Leigh Corfman, now 53, alleged that Moore first approached her in a courtroom in 1979. She alleged that Moore touched her in private areas when she was 14.

Moores campaign responded to the allegations, calling them baseless and the very definition of fake news.

Since the allegations were published, several potential Republican colleagues in the Senate  including some who endorsed Moore  called on the former judge to step aside from the Dec. 12 special election. However, President Trump has stood by him.

Heres a look at Moore and how he came to be the Republicans pick for Senate.

The special election

Moore won the Alabama GOP primary runoff for a seat in the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Sen. Luther Strange.

Strange was appointed to finish out Jeff Sessions term when he was tapped as the U.S. attorney general. He was strongly backed by President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who both visited Alabama to campaign for the senator.

But former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon pitted himself against Trump in the race as he backed Moore and campaigned for him on the eve of the election.

ROY MOORE WINS ALABAMA SENATE PRIMARY: WHAT TO KNOW

Following the election, Trump tweeted that he spoke to Moore for the first time and credited him with running a fantastic race.

Previous political work

A former Alabama chief justice, Moore has been dubbed the Ayatollah of Alabama by critics who believe he too closely mirrored his political and judicial responsibilities.

He was twice removed from Alabamas Supreme Court.

The first time, he was removed when he refused to move a boulder-sized Ten Commandments monument from the statehouse; he was permanently suspended in 2016 after he instructed probate judges to deny marriage licenses to gay people.

Moore used those Supreme Court controversies to boost his support among conservative evangelicals; he told Republican voters that those cases were akin to battle scars for standing up for what he believes. On his campaign website, Moore said he was suspended for upholding the sanctity of marriage as between one man and one woman.

Other controversies

Moore was called racially insensitive when he used dated terms to seemingly describe Asian people and Native Americans during a campaign speech.

Now we have blacks and whites fighting, reds and yellows fighting, Democrats and Republicans fighting, men and women fighting. Whats going to unite us? Whats going to bring us back together? A president? A Congress? No, its going to be God, he said.

He also suggested the 9/11 terrorist attacks were a punishment from God and said God was upset with the U.S. because we legitimize sodomy and legitimize abortion," CNN reported.

Fox News Kaitlyn Schallhorn and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A biotech startup has just gotten approval from the FDA to unleash a new weapon against potentially dangerous mosquitoes. The weapon? Mosquitoes. As Gizmodo explains, a company out of Kentucky called MosquitoMate will sell male mosquitoes infected with a bacterium to businesses and homeowners in 20 states still to be named, along with DC.

The idea is that the males will mate with female Asian tiger mosquitoes in the wild, resulting in eggs that won't hatch. The Asian tiger (Aedes albopictus) can spread diseases such as Zika, yellow, fever, and dengue, and the company plans to roll out the strategy next summer in Lexington, Ky., before expanding elsewhere.

"It's a non-chemical way of dealing with mosquitoes, so from that perspective, you'd think it would have a lot of appeal," an entomologist at the University of Maryland in Rockville tells Nature.

"I'm glad to see it pushed forward, as I think it could be potentially really important." MosquitoMate will raise the infected insects at its Kentucky lab, separate the males from the females (the logistics of this part are daunting and still a work in progress), then release the males at selected areas to go forth and not multiply.

The boys, dubbed ZAP males, don't bite humans. The bacterium being used is Wolbachia pipientis. The company is working on a plan for another mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, which is a primary culprit in the spread of the Zika virus, and other companies are testing similar strategies in China and Brazil.

(This man's Twitter account was blocked over a mosquito-related tweet.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: US Mosquitoes Will Soon Have a New Pest: Mosquitoes
An out of control Chinese space station could smash into a major world city at the beginning of 2018.

The European Space Agency said the 8.5-tonne Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, satellite could hit "any spot" between two latitude lines in the northern and southern hemispheres.

ESA experts said the 12-metre long craft would crash into Earth's atmosphere at some point between January and March 2018.

The UK should be safe, according to ESA's calculations, but New York, Los Angeles, Beijing, Rome, Istanbul and Tokyo are among major cities that could be at risk - although the potential impact area is so large that residents shouldn't be too worried about impending death from above.

Holger Krag, head of ESAs Space Debris Office, said: "Owing to the geometry of the stations orbit, we can already exclude the possibility that any fragments will fall over any spot further north than 43N or further south than 43S.

This means that re-entry may take place over any spot on Earth between these latitudes, which includes several European countries, for example.

The date, time and geographic footprint of the re-entry can only be predicted with large uncertainties. Even shortly before re-entry, only a very large time and geographical window can be estimated.

Although it's hoped the craft will burn up in the atmosphere, ESA said "some portions of it will survive and reach the surface".

However, it was quick to stress that no human has been killed by space debris throughout the history of spaceflight

Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard University astrophysicist, previously warned there was no way of telling exactly where the space station was going to plunge to Earth.

You really cant steer these things, he said last year.

Even a couple of days before it re-enters we probably wont know better than six or seven hours, plus or minus, when its going to come down."

The station will reduce significantly in size as the Earth's atmosphere burns it up.

However, large chunks of metal could still fall to Earth and injure or kill anyone present at the impact site.

McDowell added: "There will be lumps of about 100kg or so, still enough to give you a nasty wallop if it hits you."

Chinese space chiefs are less concerned about the risk posed by their space station.

A spokesperson for China's space agency said: "Based on our calculation and analysis, most parts of the space lab will burn up during falling."

China is pouring billions into its space programme and working to catch up with the US and Europe."

Beijing regards its military-run space programme as a symbol of the country's progress and a mark of its rising global stature.

As well as building a space station, it intends to eventually put one of its citizens on the surface of the moon.

In April, China vowed to send a craft to orbit Mars, land and deploy a rover to explore the surface by 2020.

This story originally appeared in The Sun.
Google says it will improve its algorithm after surfacing fake news tweets on Texas gunman Devin Patrick Kelley, who killed 26 people in a horrific church attack Sunday.

After the shooting, Google showed a carousel of posts Popular on Twitter containing false stories describing Kelley as a Muslim and a left-wing extremist, the BBC reports. Kelley was described in the tweets as having links to the Antifa anti-fascist activist group, according to USA Today. Authorities have given no indication that the shooter was connected to Antifa.

The tweets were briefly surfaced by the search giant Sunday.

LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: FACEBOOK, GOOGLE SURFACED FAKE NEWS

Danny Sullivan, Googles public liaison for search, explained that the tweets were ranked by Googles algorithm. Given issues yesterday, we want to improve that, he tweeted Monday.

Bottom line: we want to show authoritative information. Much internal talk yesterday on how to improve tweets in search; more will happen, he added, in a subsequent tweet.

Google search was also in the spotlight following last months Las Vegas massacre after surfacing threads from the 4chan message board website that misidentified another man as the shooter.

PRESIDENT OBAMA WARNED MARK ZUCKERBERG ABOUT FAKE NEWS ON FACEBOOK, REPORT SAYS

Sullivan acknowledged the issues related to the Las Vegas shooting and noted that the search giant had made changes to its Top Stories feature.

Top Stories should have correct info. So with the Texas shooting, we especially watched to see if Top Stories got it right, he tweeted Monday. Answer: early changes put in place after Las Vegas shootings seemed to help with Texas.

Sullivan added that Google made changes to Top Stories and is still improving those. We'll do same with tweets. We want to get this right.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer admitted on Capitol Hill Wednesday that the Silicon Valley giant still doesnt understand how hackers managed to compromise the information of billions of Yahoo users.

In an opening statement to the Senate Commerce Committee, Mayer apologized to Yahoos users, blamed Russian agents for the breach and said that Yahoo quickly worked to protect user accounts and contact law enforcement.

The digital diva  who left the helm of Yahoo earlier this year after it was acquired by Verizon  was forced to testify with a subpoena after she refused several requests to testify voluntarily, according to a Tuesday report. A Mayer spokesperson said Tuesday she was appearing voluntarily.

As CEO, these thefts occurred during my tenure, and I want to sincerely apologize to each and every one of our users, Mayer told the Senate Commerce Committee, testifying alongside the interim and former CEOs of Equifax and a senior Verizon Communication executive.

Unfortunately, while all our measures helped Yahoo successfully defend against the barrage of attacks by both private and state-sponsored hackers, Russian agents intruded on our systems and stole our users data.

Nevertheless, Yahoo still does not fully understand how the act was perpetrated, Mayer admitted.

Mayer noted that after Yahoo discovered the first hacks in late 2016, Yahoo required all of its users to change their passwords if they hadnt, and scrapped old security questions.

Verizon acquired most of Yahoos assets in June, the same month Mayer stepped down. Verizon disclosed last month that a 2013 Yahoo data breach affected all 3 billion of its accounts, compared with an estimate of more than 1 billion disclosed in December.

In March, federal prosecutors charged two Russian intelligence agents and two hackers with masterminding the 2014 theft of 500 million Yahoo accounts, the first time the US government has criminally charged Russian spies for cyber crimes.

The cyber thieves  identified by Mayer as Russian intelligence officers and state-sponsored actors  did not get their hands on passwords in clear text, payment card data, or bank account information, Yahoo said at the time.

Mayer testified along with interim Equifax CEO Paulino do Rego Barros Jr. and former Equifax CEO Richard Smith, as well as Verizons chief privacy officer Karen Zacharia and Entrust Datacard CEO Todd Wilkinson.

In September, Equifax revealed that hackers had stolen the personal information of over 140 million US consumers from its website.

This story originally appeared in the New York Post.
SCHUYLER  A Colfax County District Court judge told the driver in a June 2016 crash that killed a 15-year-old Schuyler girl that his words of apology and sorrow rang hollow before sentencing the man to prison for manslaughter.

Judge Mary C. Gilbride sentenced 23-year-old Angel Lopez to 12 to 20 years for the Class 2A felony during Wednesday's hearing.

Your apology, thoughts and prayers are not enough, Gilbride told the defendant while making eye contact with about 10 family members of Isabella Brandt, a passenger in the 2005 Honda Accord driven by Lopez that slammed into a tree along West Sixth Street in Schuyler around 11 p.m. on June 15, 2016.

Brandt was pronounced dead shortly after the crash and a 15-year-old boy who was also inside the Honda required 14 staples to close a gash on his head.

Nothing can bring back your loved one, Gilbride told the family members in the courtroom gallery. Its so tragic.

The judge gave Lopez, who pleaded no contest to the charge, credit for 209 days already served in the Platte County Detention Facility while awaiting the outcome of the 18-month-old case.

In exchange for Lopezs plea, the prosecution dismissed charges of driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury, second-offense DUI, second-offense reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle during revocation.

During Wednesdays 30-minute sentencing hearing, Special Prosecutor Edward Vierk of the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office described the late-spring night that ended with Lopez's vehicle jumping a curb and going airborne before crashing into a tree.

There was no reason for Mr. Lopez to be driving that night, Vierk told the judge. Isabella never got to see her 16th birthday. All her dreams were cut short by Mr. Lopez.

According to court documents, Lopez and the teens were parked in the picnic area near the Oak Ballroom when a Schuyler Police officer attempted to make contact to notify them of the park curfew.

The vehicle drove away, and the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, which led to a brief pursuit before the officer ended the chase. The crash happened minutes later.

An affidavit supporting his arrest says Lopez told an emergency room nurse at the Schuyler hospital he had like 10 beers that night. Officers also found a half-empty bottle of tequila inside his vehicle, court documents state.

Lopez was arrested in Schuyler the week before the fatal accident for DUI, driving during revocation and procuring alcohol to a minor following a traffic stop that involved the same teenage boy injured in the crash.

Three months earlier, the Schuyler man was convicted of DUI in Platte County and had his license revoked for one year.

He also has previous convictions in Nebraska for reckless driving in 2014, driving under suspension twice in 2013 and driving under revocation in 2014 and May 2016, according to court documents.
Passengers waiting in a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport terminal witnessed a terrifying scene on the evening of Nov. 7, as a Hawaiian Airlines Flight 875 landed on the tarmac with its engine engulfed in flames.

En route from Paine Field, Wash. to SeaTac, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the Airbus A330 aircraft traveled as a ferry flight, meaning that it was only ferrying crew members  and not Hawaiian Airline passengers  at the time, CBS News reports.

No injuries were reported.

FLIGHT DIVERTED AFTER WOMAN UNLOCKS HUSBAND'S PHONE AND UNCOVERS AFFAIR

Naturally alarmed by the sight of a fiery plane, Sea-Tac staffers and travelers alike sounded off on Twitter, some sharing video of the incident.

An A330 ferry flight from PAE to SEA experienced a left engine issue on final approach at SEA tonight. A left engine fire reported upon landing was extinguished, the airline confirmed on Twitter later that night.

UNITED FLIGHT ATTENDANT SUES FOR HER RIGHT TO WEAR CLOGS

Contrastingly, the FAA offered a different explanation for the aircraft fire. The aviation authority told CBS that the plane "experienced a right engine flyer fire upon landing. By the time that fire crews had arrived at the aircraft, the flames had already been extinguished," an airport spokesperson confirmed to the outlet.

The FAA continues to investigate the situation.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
Federal officials in Houston announced 22 alleged gang members were indicted for sex and drug trafficking, the sale of firearms, human smuggling and stealing identities.

Federal prosecutors say a 37-count indictment was handed up earlier this month in Houston and partly unsealed Wednesday. The conspiracy-related counts are linked to sex trafficking, prostitution, transportation of immigrants, plus drug and weapons charges.

Houston FBI announced 13 of the alleged gang members were in police custody but nine were still being sought. The bureau tweeted photos of the suspects on Thursday.

The suspects were believed to be part of the Southwest Cholos crew, a violent street gang prevalent in Houston, the Houston Chronicle reported.

PENCE TELLS TEXAS SHOOTING VICTIMS WE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOUR SIDE

Federal prosecutors alleged the violent gang members lured undocumented immigrants into the U.S., promising them jobs to pay off their debts, but forced them into prostitution. The gang reportedly forced the undocumented immigrants to work in brothels in Houston and Mexico.

The gangs brothel in southwest Houston was considered its base of operations for methamphetamine and heroin peddling, gun trafficking and human smuggling, prosecutors alleged.

The gangsters reportedly threatened violence against the undocumented immigrants families if they refused to work in the brothels.

The members also tattooed the immigrants with nicknames as a reminder of who they belonged to, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The gangs network of criminal operations extended from Texas border with Mexico to popular resort city Cancun, the indictment stated.

MEXICAN CITIZEN EXECUTED IN TEXAS FOR DECADES-OLD KILLING VOWS HE WILL BE BACK FOR JUSTICE

The Houston Chronicle reported the undocumented immigrants paid $40,000 a person to the violent gang in order to be transported into the U.S. Authorities reported they found 16 immigrants hidden in stash houses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Goldman requested the suspects be deemed a flight risk and be held in jail without bond. The suspects could face 10years on a minimum sentence of drug trafficking to 20 years if found guilty of human smuggling.

The District Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Texas released the names of the nine suspects still at large as: Juan Carlos Contreras-Cervantes, Raul Moreno Reyna, Melisa Bazan Dominguez, Anadalit Duarte, Bianca Stephanie Reyna, Claudia Jackely Soriano-Hernandez, William Alberto Lopez, Walter Lopez and Israel Juarez Sifuentes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Air Force's top civilian official acknowledged Thursday that the domestic abuse charges for which Texas church massacre gunman Devin Patrick Kelley was court-martialed in 2012 "should have been reported" to the FBI.

Air Force Secretary Dr. Heather Wilson told reporters a draft report into why the service failed to disclose Kelley's criminal history was expected "sometime next week."

The Air Force had previously said that Kelley's conviction was not submitted to the FBI for entry into its National Criminal Information Center database, but it left open the question of whether it was obliged to do so.

Wilson said the Air Force had launched what she called a "'full-scale review" of Kelley's case "and all others like it."

"We are looking at the entire Air Force database to see whether things were reported correctly or whether some other things were not reported correctly and then correcting the 'Why?" Wilson said. "We know it wasnt [reported] in this case. We are doing this review to find out whether we have other cases where it was not properly reported."

Wilson did not say how many other cases were being investigated, but did say that Air Force investigators had interviewed "about 100 people involved in [Kelley's] case" since Sunday night.

It will take longer, she said, to finish a full review of Air Force databases to learn whether the problem is systemic. She said one database goes back to 2002 and another to 1996.

When asked by Fox News if she knew the Air Force had issues reporting service members' criminal histories to the FBI, Wilson answered, "I have been [Secretary of the Air Force] for five months. No, I did not know that before this."

The shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas killed 26 people and injured 20 others. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said 12 of the 26 victims had ties to the Air Force, "either [as] members or with family ties."

"Given its close proximity to both Randolph and Lackland Air Force Bases, this is a community with extensive ties to the Air Force," Goldfein said.

Kelley was convicted of assault against his wife and stepson in an Air Force court-martial in New Mexico in 2012 and served 12 months in confinement before being given a bad-conduct discharge in 2014.

An Air Force record of the Kelley court-martial says he pleaded guilty to multiple specifications of assault, including striking his wife, choking her with his hands and kicking her. He also was convicted of striking his stepson on the head and body "with a force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm."

Earlier this week, a Pentagon official confirmed to Fox News that Kelley had briefly escaped from a New Mexico mental institution near the base where he was awaiting trial on the abuse charges.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Benghazi attack suspect Mustafa Al-Imam pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to charges stemming from the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. Special Mission and Annex in Libya, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans.

Al-Imam, a slight man with a salt-and-pepper beard, entered the courtroom for his arraignment wearing an orange jumpsuit with matching slippers. He entered the plea through his attorney, Matthew Peed.

Al-Imam has been indicted on one count of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists resulting in death. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, diplomat Sean Smith and former Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.

During the subsequent detention hearing Peed argued the evidence against Al-Imam is "not nearly as serious as the government is claiming."

Peed said evidence is limited to video showing Al-Imam leaving the U.S. facility in Benghazi with some equipment around midnight. Al-Imam's attorney said the government claims the equipment was used later during the attack on the annex, but Peed said Al-Imam knew nothing about that and had nothing to do with the planning of either attack.

Peed argued Al-Imam should be allowed to stay in a halfway house with GPS monitoring since he's not a flight risk or a possible harm to the community because he is not in good physical condition.

"He has arthritis, moves slow and is very thin," Peed said.

The government countered Al-Imam has associations with key conspirators connected to the crime and has violent proclivities and contacts.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson agreed with the government and ruled Al-Imam be held without bond.

A date hasn't been set for a status hearing.
Indiana police officers reportedly engaged in a wild car chase early Tuesday morning to nab a suspected drunk driver -- only to find a 7-year-old boy was the one behind the wheel.

La Porte police officers spotted the car without its headlights on pulling out of a parking lot about 3 a.m., WSBT reported. The officers began following the car and watched it swerve down both lanes driving 15 miles per hour.

The car soon sped up and, when officers activated their sirens and lights, the driver kept going, doubling his speed until he fishtailed on the state highway, eventually crashing through a metal fence.

Officers advanced on the vehicle and found the 7-year-old hiding in the back seat. He was taken to the police station where his mother picked him up and explained to police the vehicle belonged to her boyfriend, according to WSBT. She said her son drove off when he was left alone in the car with the keys in the ignition.

She added the boy was also having behavioral problems at school.

Its unclear if police are pursuing charges in the case.
What a mutt.

A southern California man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly pouring scalding hot water on a caged dog, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Enping Qu, 22, allegedly poured the water on the dog at least five times. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs office told the paper that a witness recorded part of the incident after hearing the dog yelp in pain.

The report said authorities arrived at the scene and found the dog that was warm to the touch and a kettle filled with water at 129 degrees.

The man was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and the dog was taken to a local veterinarian. There is reportedly video of the incident, but it will not be immediately released.
A California man was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly dumped boiling water on his girlfriends dog while it was locked in a cage, police said.

Two teens called police around 5 p.m. when they heard a dog whimpering and spotted the cage on the balcony of a Chino Hills apartment, the San Bernardino Sun reported. They quickly pulled out their cellphones and recorded Enping Qu, 22, pouring boiling water on the dog at least five times, according to police.

You could hear the horror in the girls voice when she said, Oh my god, is that boiling water? Deputy Dan Renear told the San Bernardino Sun on Wednesday.

Police went to Qus apartment and discovered the dogs coat and skin were warm from the water. A tea kettle in the apartment had water that measured to 129 degrees.

From the video that we have for evidence the dog was yelping," He said. "When we got up to the apartment, the dog was skittish and scared."

Police used a translator to speak to Qu, who said the dog belonged to his girlfriend, who wasnt home at the time. He also claimed he thought he was pouring cold water on the dog, Renear said.

The dog was taken to a veterinarian and is recovering at the Inland Valley Humane Society. The pet will remain there as police investigate the incident.

Qu was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and later released on bail.
Chicago Public Schools announced Thursday that the district has reinstated a principal accused of falsifying student data at a high school run at a county jail after an investigation found the accusations unproven.

In September, the watchdog for the nation's third-largest school district recommended Principal Sharnette Sims of York Alternative High School be fired. Inspector General Nicholas Schuler alleged in a seven-page report that the school at Cook County Jail regularly granted attendance and course credit to students who'd left the jail or been moved to solitary confinement.

Sims was removed from the school and Sheriff Tom Dart banned her from entering the jail.

However, school and city officials alleged in their own investigation that there were errors in the initial report and said the inspector general didn't visit the school or interview Sims' supervisors. District officials said they reviewed years of emails, conducted dozens of interviews and checked data before concluding Schuler's accusations were "unsubstantiated and unfounded."

"Principal Sims is owed our thanks for her efforts at York, as well as a sincere apology for the blight on her reputation," district CEO Forrest Claypool said in a statement. "Dr. Sims has devoted herself to helping young people at risk and has done remarkable work under difficult circumstances."

Schuler said he stands by his independent report and was still reviewing the Chicago officials' investigation. But he disputed the claims in Thursday's report, adding that releasing a "public report attacking an investigation" by his office was unprecedented.

According to district officials, the inspector general accused school officials of falsifying district scores it doesn't receive and made wrong conclusions about how students earn credits. Chicago officials also alleged a "racial element" to the watchdog's investigation, saying that while 70 percent of the school's teaching staff are African-American like Sims, eight of the 11 staff members interviewed are white and one is Asian. Of the two African-American teachers interviewed, one was critical of Sims or York.

Schuler said his office did visit the school and 15 members of the school's staff were interviewed. He said "race played no part" in the investigation.

Sims returned to school Thursday. The district declined to make her available for an interview.

School officials said they met with Dart, who assisted in the investigation.

Chicago has run some version of a school for young people at Cook County jail since the 1920s. The current model took shape after a 1992 class action lawsuit brought by the Legal Assistance Foundation and the Northwestern University law school's legal clinic calling for the right to education for all detainees. In 1998, the school was named after the late Consuella York, a longtime jail chaplain.

___

Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sophiatareen .
Whiteness caused Texas church shooter Devin Kelley to open fire on parishioners Sunday, killing 26 people, according to a controversial Drexel University professor.

George Ciccariello-Maher, the liberal professor who was booted from campus for tweets blaming the Las Vegas massacre on Trumpism and white victimization, now claims white entitlement is the motivating factor behind mass-shootings.

Whiteness is never seen as a cause, in and of itself, of these kinds of massacres, Ciccariello-Maher said in an interview with Democracy Now!, adding, despite the fact that whiteness is a structure of privilege and its a structure of power, and a structure that, when it feels threatened, you know, lashes out.

He promoted the interview on Twitter as a discussion about white masculinity, militarism, and terror after Sutherland Springs.

Ciccariello-Maher, who now only teaches online classes, said the public needs to be asking questions such as: What makes white men so prone to this kind of behavior?

Though Ciccariello-Maher acknowledged he didnt know all the facts about the Texas massacre, he said feelings of frustrated entitlement and an institutional apparatus that trains people in violence and makes them feel theyre on the losing side of history can lead them to resort to violence.

Ciccariello-Maher said recent mass killers have clear mental issues, but he added the cause needs to be identified outside and beyond that

Ciccariello-Maher said the far right demonizes Muslims and jumps on any violence by people of color, but doesnt want to talk about the real deep structures of white supremacy in our society...not just the fringe, not just the Nazi movements, but what people are going through every day and what it is that is driving people to these kinds of situations, where they feel so entitled to dominance, that when thats questioned, they can explode in these very, very unpredictable ways.

Ciccariello-Maher connected President Trump to the rise in mass shootings.

Trump makes hay out of the fact that white men, in particular, feel as though theyre the victims of this society, despite being in absolute control of it, Ciccariello-Maher said. And this is something that is powerfully dangerous, and its why were not seeing only the rise in violent attacks, more generally, and the rise of far-right movements, but were certainly seeing, you know, clearly, sort of some very serious incidents of mass violence, as well.

Following the massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Ciccariello-Maher retweeted the controversial tweet he sent out after the Las Vegas shooting: A White Man.

This professor has a history of contentious tweets. In 2016, he tweeted: all I want for Christmas is white genocide.

When asked for comment, Ciccariello-Maher told Fox News: I dont talk to mercenaries.

Drexel University did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
COLUMBUS  A 21-year-old Columbus man pleaded guilty to his role in an armed robbery at a downtown bar.

Devin Piper entered his plea in Platte County District Court to aiding and abetting the Aug. 16 robbery at Avenue Bar.

Judge Robert Steinke scheduled Piper for sentencing Jan. 5 on the Class 2A felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

Piper admitted he went into the 26th Avenue bar that day to see if the bartender was alone, then waited outside in a getaway vehicle while his accomplice committed the robbery.

Malinda Honea, 30, of Columbus, is accused of entering the business and threatening the bartender with a loaded pistol before stealing $625 from the cash register and joining Piper in the getaway car.

Honea, who was arrested for robbery, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana-one ounce or less, is set to enter a change of plea Nov. 27 in district court.

Piper was initially arrested for aiding and abetting robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. The weapon and drug charges were dismissed.

According to Columbus Police, the robbery began with Piper walking into the local bar, asking about the dinner special, then leaving.

A short time later, Honea entered the business with a handgun and told the bartender, who was seated at the bar eating lunch, to put down her phone, according to police.

(Honea) racked the slide on the firearm then walked behind the bar and opened a cash register, Sgt. Bret Strecker wrote in his probable cause arrest statement. Honea then told the bartender that she had to do this, and that she would kill if she had to do so.

Police officers arrested Honea and Piper, who had a Glock .40-caliber pistol hidden in his waistband, two days after the robbery.
Police in Kansas say an elementary school secretary was arrested Wednesday in connection with an emailed bomb threat that forced a school district to cancel classes and afterschool activities over two days earlier this week.

Claudia Rodriguez-Oviedo, 32, was being held in the Pratt County jail on felony charges of aggravated criminal threat and unlawful use of computers.

In a statement, police said staff members at Pratt High School received the threat from a fake email account Monday. In response, Unified School District 382 canceled classes at all schools Tuesday while law enforcement officials searched all Pratt school facilities. No device was found.

In a letter to the districts parents, Suzan Patton wrote that late-night developments Tuesday led to Rodriguez-Ovideos arrest the following day. She did not elaborate on what those developments were. Pratt Police Det. Jeff Ward said officers acted on information obtained through a cooperative investigation by school officials and local law enforcement officers.

Rodriguez-Oviedo had been listed on the Pratt Public Schools website as a secretary at Southwest Elementary School. Her image was removed following her arrest.
A Florida doctor has been ordered to serve four years in prison and pay $2.1 million in restitution for his part in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud and money laundering scheme.

Joaquin Mendez previously had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Benjamin G. Greenberg announced the latest plea on Thursday.

Prosecutors say three co-defendants in the case established sober homes, where people go for addiction treatment, and provided kickbacks and bribes to people with insurance who agreed to live in the homes. Their insurance was billed and members of the scheme prospered.

Records show the 52-year-old Mendez was hired to evaluate patients and prescribe treatment. Prosecutors say Mendez knew fraudulent insurance claims were being filed.
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Developing now, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017:

Fox News Interview: Donna Brazile accuses Clinton campaign of being "condescending and dismissive" of her

U.S. Navy to run rare 3-carrier military drill amid North Korea tensions

Senate to unveil its version of a tax reform bill

The co-founder of the firm behind the Trump dossier agrees to return to Capitol Hill to testify

CMA Awards poke fun at Trump as Garth Brooks wins Entertainer of the Year

THE LEAD STORY: Donna Brazile appeared to back away from some of the harshest claims made in her new book about last years presidential election in an interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson. The former interim head of the Democratic National Committee lamented the Clinton campaign was "condescending and dismissive" toward her and complained that she didn't have total control of the party's resources ... In the wide-ranging interview, Brazile described her book as a "forensic examination" of the failures of the DNC and Clintons presidential campaign. Previously released excerpts from Brazile's book accused Clinton's top male campaign staffers of sexist treatment. But in the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" interview, Brazile characterized her conflict with campaign manager Robby Mook as a "generational" difference. When asked why she leaked questions at a Democratic primary town hall to members of Clintons campaign, she said she didnt want the candidates to be "blindsided" - eliciting laughter from Tucker Carlson.

U.S. NAVY SHOW OF STRENGTH: Three U.S. military aircraft carriers are heading to the same part of the world at the same time, to take part in a rare military exercise not seen in a decade ... The USS Ronald Reagan, based in Japan; the USS Theodore Roosevelt, based in San Diego; and the USS Nimitz, based at Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton, Washington, will commence the strike force exercise in the Western Pacific Saturday through next Tuesday. The units will conduct coordinated operations in international waters to demonstrate the U.S. Navys unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinated strike force effort. The announcement of the military exercise made no mention of President Trump's trip to Asia. But the maneuvers are connected with a string of moves to showcase U.S. military strength as Washington and its allies put diplomatic pressure on North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program and cease the testing of ballistic missiles.

TAX REFORM PUT TO THE TEST: House and Senate Republican leaders were hoping to be united on tax reform to avoid a repeat of this summers ObamaCare repeal debacle. But that plan will be put to the test as the Senate prepares to unveil its version of the tax bill today, which reportedly could eliminate popular state and local tax deductions and include additional changes from the House bill  Any big differences between the competing bills could slow or sideline the legislation, though leaders are aiming for swift passage. Senate Republican leaders reportedly are considering the elimination of the state-and-local tax deductions, while the House is pushing only for a partial rollback and still deliberating in committee.

FUSION GPS CO-FOUNDER RETURNING FOR MORE TESTIMONY: The co-founder of the opposition research firm behind the unverified and discredited Trump dossier has reached an agreement with the House Intelligence Committee to testify voluntarily on his involvement in the controversial project ... The Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson last appeared on Capitol Hill in August, when he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee for 10 hours. His new testimony, scheduled for next Tuesday, comes following recent revelations that the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign funded the dossier.

THE 2017 CMA AWARDS IN REVIEW: The 51st Annual CMA Awards saw the best in county music come together, but it was Garth Brooks that took home the top prize, being crowned entertainer of the year ... Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the show for the 10th consecutive year. They opened the show on a somber note by listing off recent tragedies, such as last month's mass shooting in Las Vegas and Texas church shooting last Sunday. But then the show pivoted to political quips, with Paisley and Underwood poking fun at President Trump. The stars commented on the recent controversy surrounding the CMAs press guidelines, noting that the show is supposed to be free of politics. Paisley lamented not being able to sing topical songs such as, "Way Down Yonder on the Scaramucci," "Hold Me Closer Bernie Sanders," "Harper Valley DNC" and "Stand by Your Manafort." Paisley then strummed a guitar and sung a parody of Underwoods Before He Cheats with lyrics aimed at President Trump.

AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS

BANNON DOWNPLAYS DEM VICTORIES: "What we had [in Virginia] was an establishment candidate in Ed Gillespie ... Virginia, because of Northern Virginia, is a blue state. Gillespie needed to embrace Trump more."  Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, on "Hannity," refuting liberal claims that Democrats' Election Day victories were a rebuke of Trump. WATCH

POLITICS AND THE LAW COLLIDE: "We're going into a very dangerous period where we are using criminal laws as an extension of politics. There's this cottage industry coming up with crimes you can charge President Trump with."  George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley, on "The Story with Martha MacCallum," reflecting on new calls for President Trump's impeachment and Hillary Clinton's imprisonment. WATCH

ACROSS THE NATION

Mexican citizen executed in Texas for decades-old killing vows he 'will be back for justice.'

Benghazi militant charged for providing material support, resources to terrorists.

Expert team prepares to retrieve remains of fallen WWII servicemen from up to 350 feet below ice.

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS

General Electric signs $3.5 billion deals in China.

U.S., AT&T at odds over CNN in Time Warner deal.

Panera Bread to buy Au Bon Pain, CEO stepping down.

NEW IN FOX NEWS OPINION

Judge Napolitano: What if government stinks at keeping us safe but is great at invading our privacy?

Gregg Jarrett: Did Comey obstruct justice by protecting Hillary Clinton from prosecution?

Rep. Marsha Blackburn: To save lives and money, we must cut off federal funding for sanctuary cities.

HOLLYWOOD SQUARED

Kevin Spacey cut from movie coming out in December

Will anti-Trump CNN Boss Jeff Zucker kill $84.5 billion deal?

Terry Crews reportedly files a police report over sexual assault.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?

Pennsylvania man charged with DUI after showing up to vote a day early.

Oregon police respond to call for help, turns out to be pet parrot.

Dolce & Gabbana is releasing a $110 pasta collection for the holidays.

STAY TUNED

On Fox News:

Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Actor and GOP congressional candidate Antonio Sabato Jr. talks about Trump's presidential election victory, one year later, Democrats in chaos over Donna Brazile bombshells and more; Fox News' Lea Gabrielle gives guide to Veterans Week events.

Your World with Neil Cavuto, 4 p.m. ET: House Majority Whip Steve Scalise takes on Election Day fallout, tax reform latest, the Texas church massacre and more.

Special Report, 6 p.m. ET: Bret is on the scene in Beijing on President Trump's trip to Asia with live analysis and breaking news.

On Fox Business:

Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sounds off on the state of the economy, President Trump's pick to succeed Janet Yellen and more; and Jim Reid-Anderson, Six Flags CEO, Chris Waldeck, Lee Jeans president and Rep. Roger Williams of Financial Services Committee take on tax reform and Trump's trip to Asia.

Varney & Co., 9 a.m. ET: Former Reagan economist Art Laffer takes on Trump's trade talks with China; James Kallstrom, former FBI assistant director, sounds off on new questions on James Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email case.

The Intelligence Report, 2 p.m. ET: House Budget Chairwoman Diane Black on the state of tax reform.

On Fox News Radio:

CHECK IT OUT - Fox News Radio has launched the Fox News Rundown! This long-form podcast features insights from top newsmakers, along with reporters and contributors from across all Fox News Channel platforms. All episodes of this podcast can be found at: www.foxnewsrundown.com. Want it sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher.

#OnThisDay

2012: Retired four-star Army Gen. David Petraeus abruptly resigns as CIA director after an affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, is revealed by an FBI investigation.

1989: Communist East Germany throws open its borders, allowing citizens to travel freely to the West; joyous Germans dance atop the Berlin Wall.

1620: The passengers and crew of the Mayflower sight Cape Cod.

Thank you for joining us on Fox News First! Enjoy your Thursday and we'll see you in your inbox first thing Friday morning
An Iowa country supervisor died on Tuesday after being buried underneath a pile of corn, reported The Daily Nonpareil.

Russ Kurth, 63, was checking on a faulty door that was leaking corn inside a grain bin when the door malfunctioned and released an onslaught of corn that buried Kurth, the Harrison County sheriff said.

The accident happened just north of Missouri Valley. Another man was with Kurth at the time, but was unable to save him.

The local fire department was not able to remove Kurth from the corn until more than an hour later. He was pronounced dead later at a nearby hospital, reported the Des Moines Register.

Authorities told the Register that the container had recently been filled.

Grain entrapment accidents are not uncommon, and are on the rise according to a study from Purdue University, reported the Miami Herald.

"It only takes a matter of seconds for a person trapped underneath mounds of grain to suffocate," William Field, a Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering, told The Progressive Farmer.
A man was convicted Thursday of fatally shooting a New York City police officer in 2015, an act described by a prosecutor as "remorseless."

Demetrius Blackwell, 37, was found guilty of murder and other charges in the death of police Officer Brian Moore, the son of a New York Police Department sergeant.

The 25-year-old officer and his partner were in street clothes in an unmarked car when they attempted to stop Blackwell, who was suspected of carrying a handgun. Authorities say the Queens resident opened fire, striking Moore in the head. He died two days later and was posthumously promoted to Detective First-Grade. His partner wasn't hurt.

"At the end of the day, there was justice done for Brian's killing but it is a hole and it is a void that will never ever be filled," said Irene Moore, the victim's mother.

In closing arguments following a three-week trial, prosecutors said Blackwell was more concerned about who won the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao bout as Moore lay dying at a hospital.

"He's remorseless and just doesn't give a damn," Queens Assistant District Attorney Dan Saunders said.

The defense argued that Blackwell has severe mental health issues and was not in control of his actions.

"Mr. Blackwell has seizures and psychosis mixtures that shows he was not responsible," his attorney David Bart argued. "He acted badly, wrongly and stupidly, but it was not intent to kill," he added.

Blackwell now faces the possibility of life in prison.
A man who claimed to be the first Dreamer to be deported under the Trump administration was arrested again for attempting to return to the U.S. for the second time this year, authorities said Wednesday.

Juan Manuel Montes, 23, was taken into custody near Calexico, Calif., for illegally re-entering the U.S. late Monday night, the U.S. Border Patrol said.

Montes was spotted by agents just north of a border fence, and allegedly ran from them for about 200 yards before lying down. He then attempted to get up again and run, but was quickly caught, the Border Patrol said.

Montes was booked into the Imperial County Jail and faces a felony charge that could land him in jail for two years, according to USA Today.

Montes lawyers have claimed that their client was the first-known participant in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to be deported under President Trump. The U.S. has denied that, saying that Montes left the country voluntarily causing him to lose his protected status under the DACA program.

Montes, who came to the United States when he was nine, has a cognitive disability that likely stems from a childhood brain injury, according to his lawyers.

Montes attempted to enter the U.S. in February days he claimed the Trump administration deported him to Mexico, according to USA Today. The Border Patrol caught him trying to scale a fence.

Border Patrol Agents will always stop, detain, and arrest anyone making an illegal entry into the country irrespective of their immigration or citizenship status, the agency said.

The DACA program gave work permits and deportation protection to nearly 800,000 illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

The Trump administration announced in September the program was ending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Craig Grossi knew the risks.

A Marine deployed to a remote part of Afghanistan, Grossi was well aware that he shouldnt befriend the short-legged, white-furred, innately well-behaved dog. For safety reasons, Marines are warned against buddying up to animals; if caught, the pup could be put down.

Grossi knew the rules. But still, he approached the canine  an unusual loner without a pack  with a stick of beef jerky in his hand. And the dogs tail wagged.

It was 2010 and Grossi was in the midst of his eight-year stint with the Marine Corps, doing intelligence work in Afghanistan. His new friend, dubbed Fred, became a fast and obedient recruit. He didnt bark during patrols  except once to alert his troop of danger  silently endured a secret helicopter ride and cozied up to the men in his unit.

Grossi likes to say that that the pair saved each other  and thats certainly evident. While risking his life to serve his country, Grossi also took professional risks to protect Fred from the war in the Middle Eastern country, arranging to have him sent to his family in the U.S. while he finished his tour.

And for Grossi, while naturally a happy person, the effects of war and career struggles took a toll.

Thats where Fred came in. Coming home to him every day and his stubborn positivity, Grossi told Fox News, adding thats the motto hes taken. Its not a naive, just smile through whatever youve got going on, kind of approach; its the opposite. Its recognizing that there are circumstances in your life that are within your control and ones that arent. Its allowing yourself to focus only on the things you can control.

Our adventures and our life and our commitment to stubborn positivity is just beginning.

The peculiarity of Fred was also evident in how he came to meet the four-legged Afghan. Most dogs in these situations tend to gravitate to where there is people and food, Grossi said. But Fred didnt come to them; Grossis unit landed on him in Sangin, he said.

He hadnt had any real positive human interaction. He was hot and hungry and covered in bugs, Grossi said. But still, Fred was friendly.

Now, Fred is bug-free and enjoying the fresh air, cold weather and green foliage of Maine. Hes also the star of his own Instagram account with more than 43,000 followers.

Grossi turned his unique relationship with Fred into a book.

Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other, recently published by HarperCollins, flips back and forth between the harrowing experiences in Afghanistan and their cross-country travels in 2015.

Finding the motivation was really about giving myself the permission to write. For me and for other veterans, its something we have to overcome in terms of drawing attention to ourselves or doing anything that we might perceive as selfish or self-indulgent, Grossi said.

Its something that I owe to the men and women that I served with and the awesome people that have come into my life. I owe it to them to share this story, he added. The story is bigger than me and its bigger than Fred.

So whats next for the duo?

The book is just the start, Grossi said. The two are still exploring, still finding ways to challenge one another.

Our adventures and our life and our commitment to stubborn positivity is just beginning.
The Mexican citizen executed Wednesday night for killing his 16-year-old cousin wrote in a handwritten statement that he will be back for justice, "You can count on that!"

Ruben Ramirez Cardenas, 47, was given a lethal injection after several federal court appeals failed to halt his punishment for the February 1997 killing of Mayra Laguna, 16. She was abducted from her family's apartment and beaten to death.

Asked by the warden to make a final statement, he replied, "No, sir."

As the lethal dose of pentobarbital began, he took a couple of breaths and then began snoring. After less than a minute, all movement stopped.

Twenty-one minutes later, at 10:26 p.m. CST, he was pronounced dead, making him the seventh convicted killer put to death this year in Texas, which carries out capital punishment more than any other state.

In a handwritten statement released afterward, Cardenas thanked his family, attorneys and the Mexican consulate for their help.

His punishment was delayed for about four hours as last-ditch appeals for the former security guard focused primarily on efforts to have trial evidence undergo new DNA testing. In a filing to the U.S. Supreme Court hours before his execution, lawyers argued Texas was violating Cardenas' due process rights and a state statute that covers forensic testing. They asked the justices to halt the execution for a court review.

They also asked the justices for more time to appeal a lower court's rejection of a federal civil rights lawsuit in which they claimed his due process and civil rights were being violated because Texas officials wouldn't release evidence so it can undergo new DNA testing.

Attorneys for the state said the lawsuit was improper and that state courts already refused the DNA request because Cardenas could not show that more advanced tests would exonerate him. DNA results in evidence at Cardenas' trial were not false, state attorneys said.

The high court, without comment, rejected both appeals.

Earlier this week, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, rejected a similar appeal seeking DNA tests. Cardenas' attorneys argued the new testing would be better than the now-obsolete testing that left "persistent doubts about his guilt and the integrity of his conviction."

Laguna was snatched from a bedroom she shared with a younger sister at her family's public housing apartment in McAllen in South Texas. In a confession to police, Cardenas said he and a friend drove around with the high school student in his mother's car. He said he had sex with the teen and then punched her as she fought him after he unbound her arms to let her go.

"I didn't plan on doing this, but I was high on cocaine," he told authorities.

He said after he hit the teen in the neck, she began coughing up blood and having difficulty breathing. After trying unsuccessfully to revive her, he said he tied her up "and rolled her down a canal bank."

Her body was found in a canal near a lake in the Rio Grande Valley in far South Texas. Its what happened next that has Mexican officials and human rights groups arguing he shouldnt be put to death.

Cardenas' defense team, funded by the Mexican government, claims the United States violated an international treaty by denying Cardenas the opportunity to speak to his countrys consulate after his arrest.

Its a significant treaty violation, Gregory Kuykendall, an Arizona attorney authorized to speak on behalf of Mexico, told the Houston Chronicle.

If Texas officials execute Cardenas, they would be in apparent violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

In 2004, the U.N.s international court in the Hague ruled that the U.S. must review cases similar to Cardenas. Then-President George W. Bush told states to comply but the Supreme Court overruled him and said it was up to Congress  not the president  to order states to obey.

Since then, Congress has dragged its feet.

The result: an illegal loophole states are exploiting to execute foreign nationals in violation of international law, the ACLU says.

Laguna's sister, Roxana Jones, said she had waited 21 years for justice to be served.

"Words can't begin describe the relief it feels to know that there is true peace after so much pain and sorrow," she said in a statement.

Cardenas' attorney, Maurie Levin, contended eyewitness testimony against Cardenas was shaky, that little physical evidence tied him to the killing and that his confession was obtained after 22 hours of isolation and intense police questioning.

She also said that authorities acted improperly when not telling the Mexican-born Cardenas that he could get legal help from the Mexican consulate.

Cardenas grew up in the Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The friend who was with Cardenas during the abduction, Jose Antonio Lopez Castillo, now 45, was convicted of aggravated kidnapping and is serving a 25-year prison term.

Fox News' Barnini Chakraborty and The Associated Press contributed to this report
A school in New York City on Wednesday shut down after a 3-year-old boy, severely allergic to dairy, died after eating a grilled cheese sandwich, reports said.

Elijah Silvera died on Nov. 3 after he went into anaphylactic shock from eating a grilled cheese at the Seventh Avenue Center for Family Services in Harlem, The Daily News reported. He was rushed to the Harlem Hospital pediatric emergency room, where he died.

Silvera was served the sandwich despite them [the school] knowing and having documented that he has a severe allergy to dairy, according to a GoFundMe page. The New York City Health Department released a statement late Wednesday that the school will remain closed as the investigation continues, Fox 8 reported.

"There is nothing more important than the safety of our children and we are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will get to the bottom of what happened here. In the meantime, were closing the Center for Family Services and continuing to aggressively investigate what happened and whether the facility could have done something differently to prevent this tragedy," the statement read.

Silveras GoFundMe page has raised nearly $18,500 and will go toward an independent autopsy report.
Police say a man threatened to blow up a bank in South Carolina when he wasn't able to open an account with a declined check.

The Herald reports Rock Hill police arrested 28-year-old Brian Ritter at a BB&T Bank on Tuesday shortly after 2:30 p.m.

According to a police report, a bank employee said Ritter got angry and yelled, "Maybe I should blow up this place." He was applying to open an account with a check the bank had declined. Patrons and employees became alarmed and called police.

Ritter also has a drug court warrant in Ocean County, New Jersey. He was cited for disorderly conduct and placed on hold for Ocean County officials, who told police they would move to extradite him.

It's unclear if Ritter has a lawyer.

___

Information from: The Herald, http://www.heraldonline.com
LINCOLN  The Nebraska attorney general has chosen Norfolk bank robber Jose Sandoval as the next condemned prisoner to die, after a 20-year hiatus in executions.

No request to the Nebraska Supreme Court for an execution warrant has been made, but Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes served notice Thursday to Sandoval of the lethal injection drugs that would be administered to cause his death if an execution takes place.

State regulations require the prisons chief to notify condemned inmates 60 days prior to the attorney general requesting an execution warrant from the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Corrections officials would seek to inject diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracuriam besylate and potassium chloride. Diazepam is a sedative better known as Valium, fentanyl is an opioid, cisatracurium is a muscle relaxant that causes paralysis and potassium chloride stops the heart.

Nevada has a similar drug protocol.

The drugs were purchased in the United States and received into the department's inventory on Oct. 10, according to Dawn-Renee Smith, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

She would not name the company or suppliers from which the drugs were purchased. The department has the drugs and has tested them, according to a news release.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, a longtime opponent of the death penalty, said he doubts an execution will be carried out any time soon.

He and others need to know where the drugs came from, and whether there was a private compounding company manufacturing the drugs, he said.

Other issues that have to be resolved, he said, include whether or not this combination of drugs has been used anywhere else, even though that would not bind Nebraska. Also whether or not the combination of drugs would be effective in accomplishing an execution and whether they were designed to be used to take someone's life.

The fact that the department is withholding certain information indicates that it is not fully transparent and may feel there are weaknesses in what they are doing, he said.

Chambers charged that the notice of intended execution drugs is timed to coincide with Gov. Pete Ricketts' re-election campaign.

ACLU of Nebraska executive director Danielle Conrad said the organization was horrified" that the department planned to use Sandoval as a test subject for an untested and experimental lethal injection cocktail.

"This rash decision will not fix the problems with Nebraskas broken death penalty and are a distraction from the real issues impacting Nebraskas Department of Corrections: an overcrowded, crisis-riddled system," she said.

America is a nation turning away from the death penalty, Conrad said, with more and more states seeing that ending capital punishment means improving public safety. Fiscal conservatives, faith leaders and public safety officials are increasingly leading efforts to replace the death penalty.

The ACLU will continue to discuss the states misguided plan with experts locally and nationally and evaluate the grave constitutional, legal and policy questions associated with this untested protocol, she said.

Sandoval, 38, who is housed on death row at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, was convicted and sentenced to death 13 years ago for killing five people at the Norfolk U.S. Bank branch in September 2002.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said in a statement he agrees with the notice that was given to Sandoval, who planned the Sept. 26, 2002, bank robbery where five employees and customers were killed in less than a minute.

The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld Sandovals convictions and death penalty sentences and the U.S. Supreme Court denied further review of the sentences.

Sandoval never filed any challenges to the Supreme Court decisions, Peterson said.

Peterson said he is prepared to request the Nebraska Supreme Court issue Sandoval's execution warrant after at least 60 days have passed.

The last execution in Nebraska was Robert Williams in December 1997. It was carried out with an electric chair.
A pregnant woman is accused of burning her roommates ferret to death in a hot oven after an argument about stolen clothes, New Hampshire police said Wednesday.

Ivana Clifford, 26, of Manchester, allegedly sought revenge on Cara Murray after she accused her roommate of stealing her clothes. Manchester police arrived at the apartment about 2:40 a.m. Wednesday after firefighters removed a burnt item from the apartment. Murray told WHDH that Clifford threw Angel, the 2-year-old ferret, in the oven and turned up the heat.

We love our animals so much. It was just devastating, Murray told WHDH. How can someone be so cruel to put an animal in your oven and cooking it alive.

She added: To lose a ferret is like losing a kid. I just cant believe she did that.

Murray and her boyfriend said they were awoken when the smoke alarm went off and heavy smoke filled their apartment. The boyfriend dashed to the oven to find the ferrets lifeless body, Murray said.

My boyfriend opened it and there was a dead ferret inside the oven, she said.

Firefighters said the ferret had distinct linear burn marks on its body that were consistent with the shape of the oven coil. Though Clifford claimed she killed the ferret because of stolen clothes, Murray told WHDH that her roommate did it because it had nipped her on the foot. Clifford, who is 32 weeks pregnant, also said her roommate shouldnt have the pet because of her pregnancy, police said.

Clifford was charged with animal cruelty and is being held on $10,000 bail.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A customer of Tennessee restaurateur Donald Crump said she just wanted the owner to make her fries great again.

But Crump ended up arrested, accused of choking the woman after she complained about the cold french fries  though Crump insists he merely removed the woman for disrespecting his business.



Crump, founder of Crumpys Hot Wings in Memphis, allegedly got into a tiff with Rinesha Moore last Friday when she approached the counter complaining her fries werent smoking. Moore told WREG she placed the order over the phone and went to pick it up 45 minutes later.

I saw that my food was kinda.its usually smoking but it wasnt smoking this time, it was kinda dry so I said can I get some fresh fries, Moore told the station.

She said when she confronted the 61-year-old restaurant owner about the supposedly cold food, Crump was nonchalant and blamed her for being late to pick up her order. He then allegedly refused to refund her money.

I was probably a little bit late but they told me 25-to-35 minutes over the phone and usually they dont have the food ready when I get there, so I gave them just a little extra time, the customer said.

Moore recalled shoving the food on the counter, and the fries then dropped to the floor. Three witnesses told police they saw Moore throw the allegedly cold food on the floor before the argument escalated.

He pushed me into the fishbowl and he did it with his two hands and he literally started choking and strangling me, like I barely could breathe, Moore told WREG. He said 'Dont disrespect my store' as he was choking me.

She added: If I cant get any fresh food and youre not giving me my money back, what else could possibly be done and youre the manager.

Moore said she went to the hospital on Sunday because she suffered painful injuries from the incident.

Though witnesses said they saw Crump choking the woman, Crump told WMC Action News he grabbed her to remove her for disrespecting his business. He said there was video evidence to back up his claim, though he didn't immediately provide it because he said he had to consult his lawyer.

Crump was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
A report released by Sen. Mike Lees office says that opioid-related deaths are occurring more frequently among younger Americans, particularly those who are single or divorced and lack a college education.

Never-married and divorced Americans are 32 percent of the U.S. population, but were 71 percent all those who died of opioid overdoses in 2015, said the report by the senators Social Capital Project, which examines various aspects of the nations social fabric.

Americans who were 25 or older and had a bachelors degree or higher made up 33 percent of the population, but only 9 percent of opioid overdose deaths. The 40 percent whose highest level of education was high school accounted for 68 percent of opioid-related deaths, said the report, titled The Numbers Behind the Opioid Crisis.

Opioid-related deaths are not evenly distributed, Lee, a Utah Republican, told Fox News. The big takeaway is that theres a strong social component to our opioid crisis. Opioid addiction seems to have a high rate of correlation to social isolation. Those with a strong family or a good job seem less likely to become victims.

The report said: The effects of our opioid crisis on families, communities, and workplaces are far-reaching. For the first time since 1993, life expectancy in the United States declined, with one research paper estimating that opioid overdose deaths accounted for 2.5 months of the 4 months decline.

The increase in opioid-related drug overdose deaths is a significant contributor to the troubling mortality trends among white non-Hispanics.

Opioid overdose deaths have risen among whites and Native Americans, while they have remained low for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the report said. For Hispanics and African-Americans the rates were far lower, at about 10 percent, than they were for non-Hispanic whites but higher than they were for Asian-Americans.

Most people who abused painkillers were not the ones who received the prescriptions for them; rather, they got them  often through theft  from someone who was being treated with them, the report said, echoing other studies.

Despite the closeness of social networks among prescription opioid abusers, they can remain remarkably isolated from other friends and family members who remain largely unaware of misuse or addiction, the authors noted.

Families seem to provide a strong defense, perhaps the strongest, against becoming addicted in the first place...We need pro-family policies, we need to identify policies that might be harming families or undermining them.  Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah

Lee said that while the opioid epidemic is complex, there are steps that the government can take to address the social aspects underpinning addiction and overdose rates.

Families seem to provide a strong defense, perhaps the strongest, against becoming addicted in the first place, Lee said. Theres not an easy, simple answer. We need pro-family policies, we need to identify policies that might be harming families or undermining them, that might be discouraging people from getting married or that punish them for doing so, or other policies that erode the family structure.

Lee said that the private sector could benefit from some of the more generous flexible schedule policies that the government has for public employees, allowing them to take time for family events or to take care of personal family matters.

Another suggestion is to review policies or legislative proposals that hit hardest those who are married and have children, he said.

One simple one [to rethink] is the marriage tax penalty, which adversely affects people who get married, or built-in parent tax penalties, which are more subtle.
The Texas church where a gunman opened fire, killing more than two dozen people on Sunday, will be demolished, the pastor announced this week, saying the building was too stark of a reminder of the deadly massacre.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs as a place of worship. He expressed hope that the site would be converted into a memorial for the 26 people who were killed.

He added that he wants to put a new building on the property the church owns. A national Southern Baptist spokesman said Pomeroy discussed the plan with the denomination's top executives, who traveled to the rural community in a show of support.

Sites of previous mass shootings have also been torn down over the years. Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., was replaced with a new school building elsewhere after a gunman killed 20 children and six adults in December 2012. A one-room Amish schoolhouse near Lancaster, Penn., was demolished in 2006, 10 days after a gunman took children hostage and shot and killed five girls ages 6 to 13.

"Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church, if the attacker's desire was to silence their testimony of faith, they failed."  Vice President Pence

The owner of Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., turned the building into a memorial for the 49 victims who were killed in June 2017.

Pomeroy and his wife were out of town when Devin Kelley barged into the church on Sept. 5 and fired at a group of churchgoers, killing 26 people, including an unborn baby, and leaving 20 others wounded. Pomeroys daughter, Annabelle, was among the people killed that day.

Eleven people remain in the hospital on Thursday, a spokesman at University Health System in San Antonio said. Two adults and two children remained hospitalized, with their conditions ranging from good to critical.

Vice President Pence joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday at a memorial service for the victims after meeting wounded congregants at a San Antonio hospital and the families of the people killed in Floresville. Pence called Kelley deranged and said the incident was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history.

"Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church, if the attacker's desire was to silence their testimony of faith, they failed," Pence said.

Police continued to uncover more details about Kelleys past and what led him to carry out the massacre. Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt said on Tuesday that Kelley attended a fall festival at the Sutherland Springs church five days before the shooting. Authorities believe the gunman carried out the attack because of a domestic dispute between him and his mother-in-law, Michelle Shields. She was not present at the service that Sunday.

Earlier Wednesday, Pence said President Trump had ordered federal agencies to provide extensive help to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Undercover Homeland Security investigators trying to sneak mock knives, guns and explosives past TSA agents at airports reportedly were successful around third-quarters of the time, according to multiple reports of a classified briefing that was given to a House committee.

The undercover agents carrying the items slipped past security checkpoints more than 70 percent of the time, CBS News reported, while a source told ABC News that the figure was around 80 percent.

"I found that briefing disturbing," Rep. Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said at a public hearing Wednesday. "We need to do more to confront the growing threats aimed at the aviation sector."

The Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General gave the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) eight classified recommendations to correct the vulnerabilities.

PITTSBURGH AIRPORT WILL ALLOW NON-FLYERS PAST SECURITY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 9/11

We take the OIGs findings very seriously and are implementing measures that will improve screening effectiveness at checkpoints, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. We are focused on staying ahead of a dynamic threat to aviation with continued investment in the workforce, enhanced procedures, and new technologies.

The TSA said it conducted tens of thousands of internal tests in 2016 and 2017, but did not disclose the results.

Pekoske also told the committee Wednesday about CT scanners, which provide three-dimensional images that make it easier for TSA agents to detect dangerous items in carry-on baggage. The scanners are currently being tested at checkpoint lanes in airports in Phoenix and Boston.

"To invest in the CT technology requires funding above what TSA currently has," Pekoske said during the public hearing Wednesday. He added that the system hasnt been implemented beyond checked bags in airports because the machines until recently have been too heavy and large to fit in checkpoint areas.

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER WALK THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY BAREFOOT

New technology will also strengthen our ability to keep up with emerging threats, said McCaul, R-Texas. Taking down airplanes is a constant goal of terrorists, but how they go about trying is always changing.

Undercover Homeland Security agents found in July that TSA workers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport failed 95 percent of security tests.

And in 2015, Homeland Security officials confirmed to Fox News that TSA screeners failed 67 out of 70 tests -- or 96 percent  at American airports.
The U.S. Border Patrol is shrinking according to new data released Wednesday that said that the agency is losing agents to other federal law enforcement and job requirements.

According to a Government Accountability Office survey, Border Patrol loses on average 900 agents a year but only hire 523 a year, The Washington Post reported.

The data reveled that remote working conditions and competitions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are among the reasons that Border Patrol has staffing issues.

Applicants are also struggle to pass a difficult polygraph test, The Post reported.

President Trump has called for an additional 5,000 agents but it seems unlikely. As of May, Border Patrol had 19,500 agents despite a law that requires a minimum of 21,370 agents.
A top Israeli government minister says that following the surprising resignation of Lebanon's prime minister, Israel is planning a diplomatic offensive against Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah at the United Nations.

Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz told The Associated Press on Thursday that he believes conditions are ripe for the world to take a stand against Iranian actions in the region.

He says Israel will work with its allies to seek better enforcement of a 2006 cease-fire agreement that called on Hezbollah to disarm and stay away from Israel's border.

Katz believes Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation exposed what he called "Iran's intentions."

Hariri said last weekend that he was stepping down and accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs.
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Egypt's president says the defeat of the extremist Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria is likely to have forced militants to seek a safe haven in neighboring Libya, from which they will later cross into his country.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi also says Egypt's ongoing arms buildup is designed in part to equip the country to deal with terrorism and redress the "strategic imbalance" in the region created by conflict and turmoil engulfing several countries in the area.

He refused to be drawn into specifics about militants' movements, saying it was only "natural" for them to move to Libya, where militias wield influence over large swathes of territory, and eventually to Egypt.

"This is a threat not just faced by us, but also by Europe," he told reporters late Wednesday.
The two Hawaiian women whose tale of survival in the Pacific Ocean is being picked apart by Coast Guard officials and researchers now claim crew members of the Taiwanese ship that towed them to a U.S. Navy vessel were actually trying to kill them.

Jennifer Appel told NBC News on Wednesday the vessel was purposely ramming them, although she did not explain why.

"The Taiwanese fishing vessel was not planning to rescue us," she said. "They tried to kill us during the night."

The ship discovered the two women and their dogs on Oct. 24, around 900 miles southeast of Japan, before they were towed to the USS Ashland, the Navy said.

"We were never 'lost at sea.' We knew where we were the entire time," Appel told NBC News. "While the media portrayed a rescue with the Taiwanese fishing vessel, they were actually the reason why we called for help."

"They tried to kill us during the night."  Jennifer Appel

Appel claims instead of using an emergency beacon (EPIRB) she had on board her ship to call for help, she decided to get on a surfboard and climb onto the deck of the Taiwanese vessel. She then reportedly called the Coast Guard for help using a satellite phone on board the other ship.

I was able to get on a surfboard and get on their boat, make an actual phone call, she told NBC News. Because no one spoke English, it was easier and safer for me to relay the information to the U.S. Coast Guard-Guam sector that we were in danger without them realizing what we were saying. If I had thrown the EPIRB at that point, he [the captain] would have known.

In an interview with Matt Lauer, Appel and Tasha Fuiava also defended other sensational claims from their story, including a supposed mass attack by 30-foot tiger sharks that experts immediately questioned.
Page Content

During the opening of the 8th edition of the European Conference on Public Communication - #EuroPCom today - EU leaders, communication professionals and EU political representatives made the case for finding new ways to effectively engage citizens in the European project as well as dealing with a lack of trust by the general public. The goal was to establish active channels for two-way communication through listening, debating and implementing feedback. This approach also lies at the heart of the CoR's communication campaign Reflecting on Europe.

Organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in partnership with the other EU institutions, EuropCom brought together over 600 public communication professionals, including high-level political representatives, to debate current challenges in both EU and public communication.

Along the theme "[Re]shaping European dialogues", this year's edition placed particular emphasis on how to engage citizens in the European project whilst examining the cross-over between communication and engagement, and mapping the latest trends in communication and digital marketing.

Opening this two-day event today in Brussels, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the CoR, emphasised: "There are no simple answers to the complex issues facing Europe today and there is no simple way to communicate on these issues. We need a new participatory democracy that transforms the way the EU communicates so it listens, engages and responds. We need a future people's EU budget that improves people's lives, is more visible and places cohesion policy at its core. We need a new narrative that backs facts with emotion and pulls all our resources together so we work in partnership."

Matti Maasikas , Deputy Minister for EU Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, added: "We should all dare to make the positive case for the European Union. The cost of no EU is simply too high. For example, the role of Presidency of the Council of the EU has offered Estonia better opportunities to explain the essence of the European Union and bring people closer the core of the work done by the institutions, and explain the values we stand for. Our aim has been to explain the substance of policies in plain and simple language using a mix of channels, including audio-visual storytelling and blogs which have been received well."

Jaume Duch Guillot , Director-General for Communication of the European Parliament, stressed: "Our communication should stay objective, factual, and trustful. It should also shift to embrace emotion; to define the messages according to the target audiences; to be strategic and consistent. Not forgetting that, as public communicators, we are dealing with taxpayers money: so we need to be cost-efficient and result-oriented, more than ever."

The Deputy Secretary-General of the European Commission, Jean-Eric Paquet, emphasised the Juncker Commission's ambitions to make the EU more transparent and accountable: "Better Regulation and the #EUHaveYourSay tool give now citizens the possibility to track how and when the Commission acts, and share their views at any stage of the policy-making process. In fact, this makes the Commission one of the most transparent and accessible public organisations worldwide."

Michael Smyth, European Economic and social Committee's Vice-President for Budget, said: "Combating mistrust and engaging people on European issues must start with ordinary people and organised civil society on the ground rather than in the Brussels bubble or in the academic world. It is not enough to combat misinformation by communicating real facts and figures. When talking to people we have to dare to be passionate and communicate also feelings. We must also listen to them, address their real feelings and expectations and make their voice heard by the decision-makers."

EuropCom Award

As in previous editions, the the EuropCom Prize recognises outstanding EU-related communication campaigns developed by a national, regional or local authority. A jury consisting of of EU communication experts attributed the award to the province of Antwerp for its " Pop up Europe " campaign. The initiative, launched in May 2017, aims to "bring Europe to its municipalities" and prompt discussions about Europe with "fun, interactive and free activities", such as exhibitions, theatre plays, movies, contests, and school activities. By combining a mix of activities for all kinds of audiences, "Pop up Europe" seeks to reach out to all people, not only well-informed or pro-EU citizens.

which, as part of its contribution to the ongoing political reflection on Europe's future, aims at collecting citizens' feedback on the ground and make these voices heard at EU level. This consultation is complemented by a pan-European The event is also to be seen in the context of the CoR's extensive consultation process called " Reflecting on Europe " political reflection on Europe's future, aims atcollecting citizens' feedback on the ground and. This consultation is complemented by a pan-European online survey . As a result, the CoR will adopt its vision on the future of Europe from a local and regional perspective in the first semester of 2018.

Special Prize 2017

In line with the focus of this year's edition on engaging citizens in the European project, a new Award was given to celebrate citizen-lead innovative communication projects designed to boost citizen engagement with the EU. A Special Prize was awarded to " WhyEurope ", a pro-EU initiative led by young Europeans which, mainly through social media, seeks to spread "positive populism" about Europe, using simple yet emotional pictures regarding the EU.

Note to the editors

EuroPCom , the European Conference on Public Communication, is the annual meeting point for EU communication managers and senior experts from local, regional, national and European authorities. This two day event provides a space for public communication professionals coming from all EU Member States and beyond to discuss how to improve public communication and raise awareness of the European Union and its policies.

The programme for EuroPCom 2017 features a wide range of workshops, networking sessions and lectures on issues such as how to tackle Euroscepticism, "Surviving in the world of fake news", "Raising emotional engagement with Europe", "Exploring innovative engagement approaches", "Interactive Cities", the "Age of Big Data", and the rise of "MADCOMs".

The event is an initiative of the European Committee of the Regions, organised in close cooperation with the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee.

Contact

Carmen Schmidle

Tel. +32 (0)2 282 23 66

carmen.schmidle@cor.europa.eu
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Israel's military is holding its largest-ever air drill with pilots from eight countries simulating combat scenarios.

It said on Thursday that Germany, India and France are taking part for the first time in the two-week drill codenamed "Blue Flag." The exercise is held every two years.

Dozens of fighter jets and other aircraft face off in training exercises and drills, ranging from air battles to dealing with anti-aircraft systems.

The drill comes as Israel faces challenges from neighboring Syria where the Iran-backed Shiite Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is fighting alongside government forces.

Israel fears its archenemy Iran will establish a Shiite "corridor" on its doorstep, with land links from Iran to Lebanon, allowing for the movement of militants and weapons across the region.
Police have arrived at the official residence of Israel's prime minister in what is believed to be part of an investigation into corruption allegations.

Police have previously questioned Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations that he received gifts from Hollywood and business figures. A separate probe is looking into secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily.

Israeli media say police were questioning Netanyahu for the fifth time on Thursday. A police spokeswoman declined to confirm that.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and called the accusations against him a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media. The scandal has yet to threaten his lengthy rule, but has harmed his public approval ratings.
An appeals court in Mauritania has released a blogger who had been sentenced to death for an online post deemed blasphemous by authorities.

The court in Nouadhibou city on Thursday sentenced Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mkhaitir to two years in prison and a fine. He has already served nearly four years, so he was released.

Mkhaitir was arrested in January 2014 and charged with apostasy over a Facebook post that condemned the use of religion to justify discrimination against his caste.

It was the first death sentence handed down for apostasy in Mauritania since the African nation's independence in 1960.

Amnesty International welcomed the new ruling and called on authorities to ensure that he lives without threat of physical attack.
Mike Tyson was defeated Thursday without a single punch thrown, as Chilean authorities denied the ex-boxer entry into the country due to Tyson's criminal past.

The former heavyweight champion was not permitted to enter the South American country and was instead sent back to the U.S., Chilean officials said.

The countrys equivalent of the FBI said Thursday that Tyson doesnt meet requirements for entry, apparently due to his criminal background.

The Chilean Police of Investigations also tweeted Interpol agents would escort him onto a flight back to the U.S.

Tyson served three years of a six-year sentence in the 1990s for raping a teenage beauty-pageant contestant. He also has been convicted of assault and cocaine possession.

In 2013, he was forced to scrap promotional appearances in London because the convictions kept him from entering Britain.

According to reports, Tyson was heading to Chile to take part in a promotional event for a local TV channel.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
There were multiple things to blame for the October ambush in Niger that left multiple U.S. service members dead, including insufficient training and preparation as well as the teams deliberate decision to go after a high-level Islamic State group insurgent without proper command approval, the Pentagon has said.

Four U.S. soldiers were killed in October 2017 by Islamic militants who attacked their convoy in Africa with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns. The body of one soldier was not found for two days.

The Pentagons report, released on May 10, took three months to complete, spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement. Defense Secretary James Mattis found institutional and organizational issues, not isolated to this event that must be addressed immediately by the Department of Defense, she said.

However, no amount of investigation or corrective action will ease the agonizing grief that the families of our fallen must feel, White said. The Department hopes that the families will take pride and comfort in knowing  as this investigation makes clear  that their loved ones fought and died bravely in defense of our Nation, its people and the values we hold dear.

From President Donald Trumps calls to the families of the deceased to the White Houses delayed response to the ambush, details about the attack have drawn intense scrutiny and criticism. Read on for a look at what happened in Niger.

Who were the Americans killed?

Sgt. La David Johnson, 25; Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, 35; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson 39; and Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, 29, were killed in the attack.

The bodies of some of the Americans killed were recovered by a U.S.-contracted helicopter, a U.S. official previously told Fox News. Sgt. Johnson's body wasn't found until two days after the attack as he and some Nigerien soldiers were separated from the others during the battle, the Pentagon said.

According to the report, the four killed gave their last full measure of devotion to our country and died with honor while actively engaging the enemy. It said none were captured alive by the enemy and all died immediately or quickly from their wounds.

What did the Pentagon say happened?

The Pentagons summary lays out a confusing chain of events that unfolded on Oct. 3-4, ending in a lengthy, brutal firefight as 46 U.S. and Nigerien forces battled for their lives against more than 100 enemy fighters. Amid the chaos, the report identified repeated acts of bravery as the outnumbered and outgunned soldiers risked their lives to protect and rescue each other during the more than hour-long assault.

Military officials found that the U.S. forces didnt have time to train together before they deployed and did not do pre-mission battle drills with their Nigerien partners. And the report found that there was a lack of attention to detail and lax communication about missions that led to a general lack of situational awareness and command oversight at every echelon.

According to the report, the Army Special Forces team left their camp on Oct. 3 to go after an Islamic State leader who was suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an American aid worker. But the team leader and his immediate supervisor submitted a different mission to the higher command, saying they were going out just to meet tribal leaders. That less-risky mission was approved, and when the team got to the location, the insurgent wasnt there.

Senior commanders, unaware of the teams earlier actions, then ordered the troops to serve as backup for a second teams raid, also targeting the leader. That mission was aborted, however, when weather grounded the second team. The original group was then ordered to another location to collect intelligence on the insurgent, which they did without problems.

It was on their way back to the home base when they stopped for water at the village of Tongo Tongo, about 120 miles north of Nigers capital. There, the group was ambushed by Islamic State-linked militants armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and small firearms.

The Pentagon said it could not conclude that the village willingly (and without duress) aided and supported the militants in the attack.

What else should you know?

The report included multiple recommendations to improve mission planning and approval procedures, re-evaluate equipment and weapons requirements and review training that U.S. commandos conduct with partner forces.

Mattis has directed Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, head of U.S. Africa Command, to take immediate steps to address shortfalls and has given senior leaders four months to complete a review and lay out a plan for additional changes.

Why were troops in Niger?

U.S. forces have been in Niger for more than 20 years and a joint special operations task force was created by the U.S. in 2008.

In 2011, U.S. and French forces set up a counterterrorism force in the country, led by the French, with 4,000 troops and 35,000 Nigerien troops. There were 800 U.S. troops in Niger and 6,000 U.S. troops within 53 countries in Africa, Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last year.

But the presence of American soldiers in Niger reignited a debate about the Authorization for Use of Military Force  a public law enacted after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. At issue is whether the law gives the president the authority to take action against all terrorist organizations, not just Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

What was the White House's response?

The White House has been widely criticized for its response to the attack  especially in the delay in acknowledging the ambush.

President Trump, too, was criticized for his public feud with a Democratic congresswoman and Sgt. La David Johnsons widow. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., accused Trump of making insensitive remarks to Myeshia Johnson.

Trump has denied Wilsons allegations, but the mother of the deceased soldier has backed up Wilsons claims.

White House chief of staff John Kelly said he was "heartbroken" that Wilson used the conversation she overheard to attack Trump. Kelly, whose Marine son died in Afghanistan, added that the president did the best he could in the situation.

Because of the White Houses response to the attack, its been called the presidents Benghazi by some Democrats, referencing the controversial attack in 2012 that left four American service members dead.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nigerian police say two suspects in the abduction of four British missionaries have been arrested while a third was killed in a shootout.

State police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said Thursday that the suspects were arrested in Nigeria's oil hub of Warri on Wednesday.

The Britons were working for a Christian medical charity providing free services to residents living near isolated Niger Delta creeks when they were kidnapped in mid-October.

U.K. authorities have said three of the missionaries were released, but the fourth  Dr. Ian Squire  was killed.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria. A number of high-profile abductions have been carried out by militants in the Niger Delta region and by the Islamist group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria.
An Afghan official says a suicide bomber has killed one businessman and wounded two others outside a restaurant in northern Balkh province.

Shir Jan Durani, spokesman for the provincial police chief, said the attack Thursday in the capital Mazari apparently targeted businessman Abdul Ghani, who was killed.

Abdul Razaq Qaderi, deputy provincial police chief, said Ghani was a former militant and former governor of Marmul district .

Durani said police are continuing to investigate.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
One of the travelers accusing website TripAdvisor of scrubbing first-hand accounts of rape, blackouts and other injuries blasted the company Wednesday for its response to her, even as TripAdvisor rolled out a series of vague warning badges on the pages of some Mexican resorts listed on the site.

Kristie Love posted in 2010 that she had been raped by a security guard at the Iberostar Paraiso resort near Playa Del Carmen, and the stunning warning had been removed from TripAdvisor's reviews until this year. Love sent a letter to the companys CEO on Wednesday, accusing TripAdvisor of refusing to protect people and only being concerned with their own growth and earnings, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

My fight to expose the truth about what occurred to me when I was sexually assaulted in Mexico in 2010 was for the sole purpose to educate and protect others, the 35-year-old from Dallas wrote.

The Journal Sentinel initially reported no one from TripAdvisor contacted Love to apologize, though CEO Steve Kaufer wrote in a LinkedIn post last week the company apologized to the victim for her experience.

WHAT APOLOGY? I've yet to hear a word from TripAdvisor, and certainly not an apology! an agitated Love wrote in a reply to Kaufers Nov. 3 post.

Love eventually was contacted by Kaufer and was made aware of a press release the company put out, in which it said it was horrified that this victim experienced this assault on her vacation in Mexico, and other travelers should be aware of this incident.

TripAdvisor also admitted to removing Love's post.

"At the time, we had a policy whereby we judged content to be in breach of our guidelines if it did not adhere to family-friendly language," it said. "More than seven years ago that meant all language needed to be G-rated. A few years ago, we changed that policy to allow more descriptive reviews on the site about first-hand accounts of serious incidents like rape or assault."

RESTAURANT THREATENS LEGAL ACTION OVER NEGATIVE TRIPADVISOR REVIEW

TripAdvisor also said it was rolling out "a 'badge' notification to apply to businesses to alert consumers of health and safety or discrimination issues at that business reported on within the media or other credible sources of information."

But on TripAdvisors website Thursday, the so-called badges appeared to distance themselves from the serious issues that have been raised.

TripAdvisor has been made aware of recent media reports or events concerning this property which may not be reflected in reviews found on this listing, a box with red text reads on top of some pages, including ones for the Iberostar Paraiso Maya and Grand Velas Riviera Maya resorts. Accordingly, you may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans.

Those were just the first three, TripAdvisor spokesman Brian Hoyt told the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal. Well be monitoring news coverage moving forward.

Tourists who spoke to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for its original report on the alleged deleted posts said their messages were frequently removed because they were labeled by TripAdvisor as hearsay.

To me its like censoring, Wendy Avery-Swanson had told the newspaper after her review of a Mexican resort  in which she said she blacked out after being served alcohol at a swim-up bar  was scrubbed off the website. It wasnt hearsay. It actually happened to me.

The Massachusetts-based travel giant says it employs hundreds of people to police the content of its 535-million user reviews of hotels and restaurants around the world and also uses software to detect fake ones.

But thats not enough for some lawmakers.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., urged the Federal Trade Commission last week to investigate TripAdvisor, saying she's concerned the company may be prioritizing profits over providing an open, honest forum for traveler reviews, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Argentinas president is calling on the Trump administration to implement a total embargo on oil exported from Venezuela to the United States.

Speaking to the Financial Times during a trip to New York City, Argentine President Mauricio Macri became the first Latin American leader to advocate publicly for the U.S. to impose such strict measures on Venezuela, and claimed that the move would enjoy broad support throughout the region.

I think we should go to a full oil embargo, Macri said earlier this week. Things have gotten worse and worse. Now, its really a painful situation. Poverty is going up every day, sanitary conditions are getting worse every day.

Macri's call comes as Venezuelas now-chronic economic and political crisis becomes increasingly acute. Last week Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the country could no longer pay its foreign debts -- raising fears of a default unless the loans are forgiven. On the streets of Caracas and other Venezuelan towns and cities, citizens have for months had trouble obtaining everything from medical supplies to basic food stuffs.

Home to the worlds largest oil reserves, Venezuela was for decades an economic leader in the Western hemisphere and, despite a massive gap between rich and poor, was a major destination for neighboring Colombians and other Latin Americans fleeing their less prosperous and more troubled homelands.

But in 1999 with the rise to power of late leader Hugo Chavez  whose social and Marxist economic reforms initially endeared him to the poor but also set up an unsustainable system of state spending  Venezuelas economy began to creep toward a crisis.

The situation has been exacerbated by Maduro, Chavezs successor, who took power in 2013, and by a plunge in global oil prices in 2015. By late summer of 2017, Venezuela's oil-dependent economy had shrunk by about 35 percent  more than the U.S. economy did during the Great Depression.

A widespread protest movement in cities across the country against the Maduro regime continues and has so far claimed more than 120 lives amid a violent government crackdown.

Its just a terrible situation, Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., told Fox News. In the short term the Maduro government is only going to try to consolidate its control and the million-dollar question is where the cracks will show in the government.

The dire humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and Maduros repression of opposition lawmakers and the media has led to widespread condemnation from countries around the globe.

Despite the claim by Argentinas Macri that Latin American leaders would support a full oil embargo, experts are skeptical. In addition, the U.S. is unlikely to implement a full embargo on Venezuelan oil given the disruption it would cause in Americas own refining industry.

Macri got away from himself when commenting on the sentiment of the region, Arnson said. There is a deep concern about the situation in Venezuela and there is a deep dialogue about what to do, but there is also nobody calling for that tough of a line. That was an exaggeration by Macri because generally Latin America is opposed to any U.S. unilateral action.

Arnson also noted that any move to enact a full embargo against Venezuelan oil imports, which makes up 8 percent of U.S. crude supplies, would draw strong opposition from members of Congress representing Gulf Coast states.

Lawmakers in Louisiana and Texas, where Citgo has refineries that employ around 3,500 people, have already warned Trump that any more unilateral sanctions would be problematic for the U.S. economy, hurt the countrys global competitiveness and raise oil costs.

Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson asked the Treasury Department in a letter earlier this week to sanction the 545 members of Venezuela's newly elected constituent assembly and ban U.S. imports of oil until "constitutional order" is restored.

Since Trump took office in January, the president has approved numerous sanctions against members of Maduros government and the country itself in an attempt to ratchet up pressure on Caracas to reverse course and meet opposition demands.

In August the White House announced new sanctions that prohibit U.S. financial institutions from providing new money to the Venezuelan government or state oil company PDVSA. The sanctions also restrict PDVSA's U.S. subsidiary, Citgo, from sending dividends back to Venezuela as well as ban trading in two bonds the government recently issued to circumvent its increasing isolation from Western financial markets.

On Thursday, the Treasury Department sanctioned 10 current and former Venezuelan government officials for allegedly undermining electoral processes, media censorship, or corruption in government-administered food programs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The prize was awarded today at the European Conference on Public Communication - #EuroPCom - in Brussels on 9 November. A jury made up of EU communication experts selected the most appealing and convincing EU communication campaign developed by a national, regional or local authority. The EuropCom Award aims to honour outstanding EU-related communication campaigns and promote professional communication at all levels of governance.

The province of Antwerp launched its new " Pop up Europe " in May 2017 with the aim of stimulating conversations and debates about Europe throughout the province, with "fun, interactive and free activities for everyone", such as exhibitions, lectures, theatre plays, movies, contests, and school activities. The objective is to enable citizens "to discover Europe close to home". By combining a mix of activities for all kinds of audiences, "Pop up Europe" also seeks to reach out to all people, not only well-informed or pro-EU citizens.

Giving the Award, the European Committee of the Regions President and Senator the German-speaking Community in Belgium, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, said, "The Pop up Europe campaign celebrates how creativity and innovative local communication can inspire people to talk about Europe. Instead of trying to bring citizens closer to Europe, it brings Europe closer to home".

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Upon receiving the prize, Peter Bellens, Deputy of European Affairs at the Province of Antwerp, said: "The Pop up Europe campaign at the Belgian province of Antwerp succeeds in engaging a broad range of citizens for the European idea by combining high-brow and low-brow activities and turning the EU into a local issue. Thereby its not a ready-made one-size-fits-all concept, but a thoughtful program, elaborated in close collaboration with each local community to fit their local needs and opportunities."

EuroPCom , the European Conference on Public Communication, is a yearly initiative from the European Committee of the Regions, organised in close cooperation with the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee. During this two day event, over 600 public communication professionals from all EU Member States and beyond gather together to discuss how to improve public communication and discuss major challenges in both EU and public communication. Under the heading "[Re]shaping European dialogues", this year's edition places the emphasis on how to engage citizens in the European project and in public affairs more generally.

The programme for EuroPCom 2017 features a wide range of workshops, networking sessions and lectures on issues such as how to tackle Euroscepticism, "Surviving in the world of fake news", "Raising emotional engagement with Europe", "Exploring innovative engagement approaches", "Interactive Cities", the "Age of Big Data", and the rise of "MADCOMs".

More information:

Contact:

Carmen Schmidle

Tel. +32 (0)2 282 23 66

carmen.schmidle@cor.europa.eu
Police are searching for a Charlottesville man suspected in a stabbing that happened Tuesday night in Orange County.

According to the Orange Sheriffs Office, officers responded to the 27000 block of Old Office Road shortly after 9 p.m. for a reported stabbing. When they arrived, officers found a 38-year-old man who had been stabbed. The man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

An investigation led police to believe that Michael Everette Jackson stabbed the victim, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Police believe Jackson, 42, stole a 2000 Ford sedan from the home of the stabbing victim. The vehicle was later found crashed at the intersection of Zachary Taylor Highway and Everona Road.

Police, who said they would not be releasing further details at this time, have issued warrants for Jackson on malicious wounding, armed robbery and home invasion.

Anyone with information about Jackson is asked to call the sheriffs office at 540/672-1200.
A Spotsylvania County man who earlier this year provided the drugs that resulted in his wifes death and molested a 15-year-old girl was ordered Wednesday to serve 13 years in prison.

Ralph Daniel White, 46, was convicted in Spotsylvania Circuit Court of voluntary manslaughter, distributing illegal drugs as an accommodation, child abuse and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

As part of a plea agreement, White was sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison, with all but 13 years suspended. The sentence exceeded the recommended state sentencing guidelines, which called for a maximum penalty of just under eight years to serve.

In court records, prosecutors Colleen Barlow and Crystal MontagueHolland wrote that White earned a sentence above the guidelines because he set new standards for depravity in causing his wifes overdose, molesting the girl and forcing the girl to use drugs.

Barlow said prosecutors agreed to the deal in part to keep the girl from having to testify in front of a jury.

According to the evidence, deputies and rescue workers went to a county home on March 16 for a reported overdose. White led deputies to a downstairs bedroom, where his wife was on the floor, blue and not breathing.

Rescue workers used Narcan in an attempt to revive her, but could not. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies found evidence of drug use there, including syringes, a burnt spoon and a cut straw with powder. White told deputies that the last time he saw his wife responsive was about an hour earlier, when she injected him with heroin before injecting herself.

An autopsy showed that the victim had heroin, cocaine and fentanyl in her system.

Twelve days after the fatal overdose, the 15-year-old girl met with Detective Kelly Mills and told her that White made her go to a drug house and made her use drugs. Some of the drug runs occurred late on school nights, the girl said.

Court records state that on the night of the overdose she accompanied White on another drug run. After they returned, she fell asleep at the home where White lived, woke up later and saw White pacing back and forth whispering, What do I do now?

The girl said she went back to sleep because she was scared and woke back up when the deputies and paramedics arrived.

The girl also described to Mills several sexual assaults that took place in February and March. She said White blamed drugs for his actions.

The plea agreement states that White admitted taking the girl with him to buy drugs, but denied ever touching her inappropriately. But Mills recovered a text message in which White asked the girl to meet him in the bathroom and the girl responded that she did not want to. White then said he had two more blasts and ordered the girl to come do them with him.

The girl is in intensive treatment for sexual abuse and substance abuse addiction, court records show.

Attorney Anna Lindemann represented White.
HERE I AM writing about another mass shooting. This is getting to be a monthly occurrence.

This time an idiot with an apparent grudge against his mother-in-law shot up a small-town church in Texas. Twenty-six men, women and children were killed and others wounded.

The weapon of choice? A semi-automatic rifle similar to the one used by the Las Vegas shooter, a rapid-fire killing machine.

There is no sense in preaching another sermon explaining why such weapons should be banned because those who oppose the idea would never listen.

And, yes, I know that the man who stopped the church killer was a neighbor with a rifle.

But are these mass killings ever going to stop? In 35 days there have been five major attacks. On Oct. 1, a Las Vegas shooter killed 59 people and injured hundreds more. Sunday in Sutherland, Texas, there were 26 deaths.

In between, there were mass killings in Maryland (Oct. 18three people dead), in New York City (Oct. 31eight people killed) and at a Colorado Walmart (Nov. 1three people dead).

That is 99 innocent people dead in just over a month. Ninety-one of those people were killed with guns, while eight were run down with a truck. (Not included, of course are all the single-victim murders that occur daily on our streets.)

Can any other civilized country match that recordsave maybe the war-torn countries in the Middle East? The United States may be dropping in any number of world categories, but when it comes to mass murder by civilians, we are still No. 1.

It also should be noted that of the 99 dead, only the eight pedestrians in New York were killed by a foreign-born terrorist. The other 91 were slain by Americans out to kill Americans.

Times have definitely changed. It used to be that there was safety in numbers. These days, the bigger the crowd, the more likely you are to get shot.

It is akin to the way hunters used to fire shotguns into huge flocks of passenger pigeons. Shooters today dont want just one victim, they want bodies everywhere.

We are a nation consumed by hate, a country segmented into large and small political, religious and ethnic groups not unlike the Sunnis, Shiites and other splinter groups in the Middle East. We are a house divided.

Americans are safe nowhere, not walking alone on the streets of our cities or in groups at work, at school, at concerts, while shopping or even at church.

We already want to arm school teachers so what do we do nowgive guns to preachers and priests? Do we have the deacons sit in the choir loft or in the balcony with shotguns on their laps? Do we arm Sunday School teachers? Do we install metal detectors at church doors?

You tell me, brother.

I understand that murder is part of the human condition, but not at the rate were going about it. According to government statistics, there were more than 15,000 murders in this country last year, almost 2,000 in California alone.

Fifteen-thousand murders in one year. Thats four times the number of fatalities in the Iraq War! Thats almost five times as many deaths as occurred in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

At this rate, Americans will have murdered more Americans in four years than were killed in the 11-year Vietnam War. We have come a long way since Cain slew Abel.

These mass killings have become so prolific that we cant get past one before another occurs. It is beginning to look like a race against time to see how many shootings we can pack into one month or who can set a new body count record?

I know these semi-automatic weapons cant shoot themselves, but if they are easily accessible, they will be used. I also understand that if they are illegal, some will be purchased on the black market. But we have got to at least make it tougher for wackos to get them.

No, I am not a Democrat and no, I am not a Republican. And yes, I own guns. But I dont own or need a semi-automatic rifle.

So now while the politicians discuss gun control, we sit back and wait for the next mass shooting, which might occur before this column gets printed.

Do I worry about foreign terrorists? No, I worry about the next American man who walks through the door at the grocery store or makes his way down the aisle during the 11 oclock worship service.

It is a sad situation.
Almost a dozen people made it abundantly clear that they strongly oppose Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins effort to allow some of his deputies to double as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

[The deputies] have no business trying to enforce immigration laws, Michael McClary told the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors during a public forum Wednesday night.

Calling the program known as 287-g an ill-advised scheme and profiling, McClary asked the supervisors to deny Jenkins any extra funding for the program if it comes to Culpeper.

The sheriffs office applied to Homeland Security earlier this year for permission to allow up to six of his deputies to operate under the dual role.

Marty Bywaters, who works for Goodwill, told of a mother who came in seeking employment because her husband, who had lived in this country for 14 years, was deported following a traffic stop.

He was sent home and now she is here with four children trying to find work, Bywaters said.

He added that Culpeper does not want the reputation of Prince William County, the only other jurisdiction in Virginia that is involved in the 287-g program.

That program has cost Prince William about $20 million over five years, Bywaters told the supervisors.

Felecia Chavez, wife of Culpeper town councilman Keith Price, told how she had been caught up in an immigration sweep years ago in Colorado.

I was picked up because of the color of my skin, she said. Dont let us be afraid of going outside.

Rebecca Layne said that Jenkins office should not take on the national governments role. She added that this affects women and children and spreads resources thin.

Marilyn Dunphy, who also said she didnt want Culpeper to become another Prince William County, was even more direct.

We didnt vote in ICE, she said. We voted in Sheriff Jenkins.

Donna DeAngelis, the chairman of the local Persisters group, said she had talked to Jenkins for two hours in August but that he was unmoved by her arguments against implementing the program.

She said the sheriff rejected her desire to hold a town hall meeting on the issue but did agree to hold a less-formal group meeting.

He has not responded to our request for that meeting, she said.

Cindy Thornhill, a building contractor who said she had recently lost her best worker because he went back to his home country, said that Hispanic workers are crucial to her industry.

They should not be afraid to live here, she said.

Jenkins has been asked to appear before the Board of Supervisors at its December meeting to explain his plans.
Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier

"When you shake a veteran's hand today, look them in the eye and give them a heartfelt thank you," said USAF Ret. Col. Jen Fullmer, parade grand marshal, who spoke at the event.
Dr. Taran Gujral receives grant from American Lung Association

The American Lung Association has awarded a $200,000 research grant to Dr. Taran Gujral of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, whose work focuses on diagnosing gene mutations in cancer patients to inform effective treatment plans.

Gujral, an assistant member of the Human Biology Division at Fred Hutch, will use the two-year grant to develop more precise, individualized treatment options for lung cancer.

Most recently he has been studying gene mutations in thyroid and pancreatic cancer patients. In a study published earlier this year, he observed that 20 different cell lines from pancreatic cancer patients all responded to the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine (Gemzar) in a laboratory setting, but most patients did not respond in the clinical setting. He went on to discover the reason why: tumor cells in some patients have a sensing mechanism that literally pumps the drug back out before it can be effective. Further, he discovered how cancer cells that carry a gene mutation known as STK11 overcame this sensing mechanism and were more responsive to the drug.

STK11 is the second-most-frequently occurring mutation in non-small cell lung cancer, which makes up 80 percent of lung cancer cases. Knowing that gemcitabine is already approved for therapy in patients with lung cancer, Gujral realized that further research could have imminent lifesaving impact for those living with the disease.

Gujrals long-term goal is to establish a Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical diagnostic test to identify patients who carry the STK11 mutation. Armed with this knowledge, doctors can make informed decisions about whether the patient will benefit from gemcitabine treatment, and thereby provide optimal treatment plans and eliminate unnecessary side effects.

Gujral also hypothesizes that he can change the mutated cells behavior, thereby increasing the ability of gemcitabine to stay within the cell long enough to be effective. Validating this hypothesis with a mouse study would provide a path for therapeutic options for patients with this lung cancer mutation.

What drives me is making an impact in patients' lives, Gujral said. Research is a continuous and intense process, not a short-term outcome. We bear the responsibility of committing ourselves faithfully over the years to provide validated scientific insights and to address unmet medical needs. Doctors, patients and their caregivers should know that we are making progress, and the findings are going to be useful.

Bev Stewart, senior vice president with the American Lung Association, Mountain Pacific Region, agrees. We need more treatment options to fight lung cancer. Each lung cancer research project funded brings us closer to realizing our vision of a world free of lung disease. In speaking with Dr. Gujral about this project, I am reminded of the hope research grants us all and proud the American Lung Association is able to ensure such promising ideas are brought to light.

 Adapted from an American Lung Association news release
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A Pinch of Salt: The election is over, I think, so what now?
In "Inherit the Wind," based on the historic Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, a young man is imprisoned for teaching the theory of evolution in school.

On the surface, the play is an argument between religion and science or creationism vs. evolution, but a more fundamental debate is going on underneath, says director Nathan Bush.

"For me, and this is actually in the play, free thought is on trial as well," Bush said.

The classic courtroom drama, written in 1955 by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, opens Thursday night in Oregon State University's Withycombe Hall main stage theatre. It is the opening production of OSU Theatre's 2017-2018 season "In the Public Eye."

Bush, an OSU acting instructor, is making his directorial debut with the production.

He said the Scopes Monkey Trial in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, was the first trial in America history to be broadcast live.

"This was viewed as the trial of the century when it happened, and via radio the American public was able to tune in," Bush said.

"Inherit the Wind" is a theatrical retelling of the case against teacher John T. Scopes. The characters in it are representations of the real people involved.

Thomas McKean plays Bertram Cates, the character based on Scopes. Cates goes to jail for teaching evolution in a state-funded high school. Such teachings were against the law, and Cates draws ire from the deeply religious community.

"You can't say that there is a religious community in this town, because this whole town is a religious community," Bush said.

"Just because a man decides to teach the theory of evolution, because he is scientifically literate doesn't make him any less of a child of God. This is what the play deals with," he said.

The impending trial draws two very well-known attorneys into town.

Matthew Harrison Brady, played by Mike Stephens, is a inspired by William Jennings Bryan, a three-time presidential candidate who carried the torch in the fight against evolution. The Christian fundamentalist heads the prosecution.

Leading the defense team is Henry Drummond, played by Joe Cullen. Drummond is inspired by Clarence Darrow.

Bush said Darrow was a very famous agnostic lawyer at the time, and likened him to the late Johnnie Cochran, who led the team that defended O.J. Simpson at his trial for murder.

"You had these giants converging in this very small town in the South taking on this monumental, ideological case. And you have this guy Scopes and this entire town caught in the middle of it," Bush said.

The production has a large cast the combines OSU students and community members.

"I've got a tremendous cast of 32 individuals who have been working extremely hard," Bush said.

In addition to Cates and the two opposing attorneys, the drama features three other principal characters.

Rachel Brown (Lindsey Esch) is romantically linked to Cates, but she's emotionally conflicted in the play, because she is also the preacher's daughter, Bush said.

"She loves Bertram Cates, but she's torn between the expectations of her father and the community," he said.

Her father is Rev. Jeremiah Brown (Robert Best), who is the town's religious authority.

"My reading of it, he walks a very thin line between just religious dedication and fanatical," Bush said. "His sermons are so fiery that they could almost instigate a riot or a mob mentality."

The final principal character is a reporter from Baltimore named E.K. Hornbeck (Cole Haenggi). Bush describes him as a "button pusher," who holds an elitist view and mocks everyone in the southern Christian town throughout the play.

"This town kind of explodes with the fever that this trial is stirring up," Bush said. "The townsfolk are their own character, and in a way they go through the biggest journey of any of the other characters."

Bush said even though "Inherit the Wind" was written in 1955, it's particularly timely today.

"We haven't been this blatantly divided in American history for quite some time," he said. "Everybody has taken a side, not just politically, but scientifically and religiously."

The director hopes the audience can find commonality, humanity and may even see themselves in some of the characters.

"We don't leave the town the same way we found it, and hopefully we won't leave the audience the same way we found them," he said.
Artist and author Sharon Louden will discuss her recent book, The Artist as Culture Producer, at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, in Oregon State University's Construction and Engineering Auditorium at the LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis.

The talk and Loudens visit are part of the School of Arts and Communications Visiting Artist and Scholars Lecture Series. A reception with the artist will be held before the lecture at 6 p.m. in the Myrtle Tree Alcove at LaSells Stewart Center. The event is free.

The book describes how artists extend their practices outside of their studios.

Louden's work is held in major public and private collections in the U.S. and abroad. Her work has been exhibited in numerous venues around the country and has been written about in The New York Times, Art in America, Washington Post and more.

Louden's books will be available for sale at the event and she will be signing books following her presentation.
You could say that Margaret J. Anderson was well ahead of her time: The Corvallis author was writing books for young adults in the 1970s, well before authors like John Green and J.K. Rowling transformed the genre into the hot thing in fiction.

Now, the 85-year-old is enjoying a resurgence: A local publishing house, Lychgate Press, has issued new editions of two of Anderson's novels for young adults, and has just published a new book, "From a Place Far Away," a memoir of her days growing up in Scotland during World War II.

She'll read from the memoir and sign books during an appearance 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Grass Roots Books and Music, 227 SW Second St. in Corvallis.

Anderson has written 26 books in a variety of genres, but her fiction for young adults, published by Alfred A. Knopf and other big-name houses in the 1970s, won her fans worldwide and praise from reviewers, including The New York Times, which listed her novel "To Nowhere and Back" as one of its outstanding books of 1975.

The books were translated into a number of different languages (copies of some of the translated volumes line the shelves of her north Corvallis home) and she said she's received fan letters from around the world.

The novels inevitably fell out of print. But a chance encounter between Anderson and Wendy Madar led to the reissued books.

Four years ago, Madar, a Corvallis author in her own right and the retired associate director of Oregon State University's Center for the Humanities, launched Lychgate Press. It was fueled by Madar's increasing frustration with the publishing business: "Too many writer friends were seeing their earlier books go out of print, and my own mystery publisher was taking up to two years to bring out a new book," she said in an email.

The encounter with Anderson jogged Madar's memory about the young-adult novels: "My children loved her books so of course I read them and was delighted by the unexpected but believable child worlds she created," Madar said. "There is always some surprise, something a reader does not foresee. These stories have kept their readability for decades now  my grandchildren are just discovering them. I am very happy to be part of ensuring that they endure to continue finding readers."

There's another family connection as well: Anderson's granddaughter Jana Anderson has designed the covers for the new editions of the novels. (The first two novels reprinted are "To Nowhere and Back" and "In the Keep of Time.")

Madar didn't originally plan to publish the memoir, but when Anderson mentioned that she had written it, Madar pounced on it: "We loved it."

For Anderson's part, she didn't intend to write a memoir: The project started as episodes she wrote for her Thursday night writers' group  but the response to her stories from other members of the group persuaded her to keep going. She'll read portions of "From a Place Far Away" during her Tuesday night appearance at Grass Roots.

Anderson eventually left Scotland, that place far away, in search of adventure: "I was actually going to travel all over the world," she said, and she worked as a biologist and statistician.

She met her husband, Norman, in western Canada, and the two came to Corvallis when he started work on an entomology degree at OSU. They returned when Norman got a job offer from OSU. It's probably not a coincidence that insects figure in several of Margaret Anderson's books.

Lychgate is working to reissue another Anderson novel, "Searching for Shona," and Anderson herself is grateful for the opportunity for her works to reach a new audience  even if it meant, in some cases, that she had to retype the manuscript for the new publications.

"I have outlasted all my contacts" in the publishing world, Anderson said. "It was very lucky that I met up with Wendy."
October 7, 1928  November 3, 2017

Dorothy Wayne Bishop, widow of Joseph Bishop and formally a Turner resident, died in Prairie City, Oregon with her family at her side.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 10 at the Jefferson United Methodist Church in Jefferson, followed by a graveside service at the Jefferson Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association through Driskill Memorial Chapel 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR. 97845.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department and the Benton County Sheriffs Office. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Corvallis Police Department

TUESDAY, NOV. 7

THEFT: 7:48 a.m., 4400 block of Northwest Appletree Place, Corvallis. A woman reported that at least $20,000 of her belongings were stolen from her room in October, including diamond rings, power tools and a laptop.

HARASSMENT: 12:48 p.m., 400 block of Southwest Third Street, Corvallis. A woman reported she had been standing in line at the Safeway deli when a man she did not know kicked her in the back of her leg. When the woman confronted the man, he said he did not kick her. Police gathered a photo of the suspect from the stores security cameras and are looking for him.

COUNTERFEIT MONEY: 3:30 p.m., 1900 block of Northwest Ninth Street, Corvallis. An employee at Oregon State Credit Union reported the bank received a counterfeit $100 bill in a deposit. The employee does not suspect the person depositing the bill knew it was counterfeit. Police entered the bill into evidence.

Benton County Sheriffs Office

TUESDAY, NOV. 7

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: 12:50 p.m., 24300 block of Old Peak Road, Philomath. A man reported that on Saturday someone accessed an outdoor area for his Harriss hawk and disconnected the hawks leash from the perch.
You owe your readers an apology for Bennett Hall's one-sided story on the Jordan circus. The article implied protesters were from and/or affiliated with PETA. Not at all the case. Most of us were just local citizens concerned about the performing animals being hauled around the country in small cages for the majority of the year.

Elephants are chained when outside cages. Food and water are withheld so there are no unfortunate messes in the ring. This is an obvious fact even if Mr. Hall chose not to further investigate behind-the-scenes abuse.

To give extensive coverage to the Jordan spokesperson, who depends on the circus for his livelihood, is a disservice to the animals who cannot speak.

Also, Mr. Hall's interview with the Lebanon woman and the two children accompanying her about "not seeing the animals abused" presented as proof is mind-boggling. This is merely an opinion by someone who is ignorant of the facts. Mr. Hall had a chance to present both sides, giving readers an opportunity to learn more. Instead he chose to spread the myth of the "happy animals in the traveling circus." This level of journalism is upsetting considering Mr. Hall's qualifications.

I sincerely hope Mr. Hall is decent enough to research the subject of wild animals in traveling circuses and honest enough to write a retraction of his article.

Ange Crawford

Corvallis (Oct. 26)
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.
English brochure explains carnival : Cop23 visitors invited to carnival session opening

Bonn Carnival is for everybody - and Bonn wanted to extend a special invitation to Cop 23 participants for the session opening this weekend. But of course the invitation is open to all and this is a great chance for the international community to experience carnival tradition in the Rhineland.

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Bonns carnival committee and Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan have invited all Cop 23 guests to come out on Saturday and enjoy the kick off to carnival season. The official start is at 11:11 am on the 11th of November and the big event in Bonn city will take place at Marktplatz. Because the opening of the carnival season just happens to coincide with the climate conference, the Bonn carnivalists thought it would be nice to invite visitors from all over the world to enjoy this German tradition.

For those who dont know what carnival in Germany is all about, the Bonn carnival committee has published a brochure in English. It explains the history, tradition and all of the important days of carnival from Shrove Thursday to Rose Monday. A helpful guide to carnival in Bonn, it also lists all the important dates so you can mark your calendars. Please see this link for the Carnival in Bonn brochure in English.

The flyers in English will also be handed out at the Marktplatz in Bonn city center on Saturday, November 11. Bonn carnival royalty will be presented on stage and some of the moderation will be held in English.
An opportunity for foodies and beer lovers to get lost in a world of food and drink from a hand-selected range of food trucks and breweries from around New Zealand.
xspraise at 9-11-2017 07:48 AM (5 years ago) (m)

One of Robert Mugabes sons, Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, is trending online internationally after he filmed himself pouring hundreds of dollars worth of champagne over his diamond-encrusted wristwatch at a luxury nightclub in South Africa.

One of Robert Mugabes sons, Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, is trending online internationally after he filmed himself pouring hundreds of dollars worth of champagne over his diamond-encrusted wristwatch at a luxury nightclub in South Africa.

Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, Mugabes youngest son, uploaded the video to Snapchat hours after bragging that he got the 45,000 wristwatch (over N21million naira) because his daddy runs the whole country.



The footage, filmed in a nightclub in the posh Sandton area of Johannesburg, South Africa, shows Robert Mugabes son, Chatunga enjoying a life of unimaginable wealth while almost three quarters of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line



Chatunga filmed himself, brother Robert, and friends partying in a nightclub in Sandton, South Africa, where they are based.



Robert is briefly seen with his arm around a girl before the footage cuts to an image of Chatungas wrist, complete with watch and gold chain, then champagne flowing over his arm.



The bottle is Armand de Brignac Ace Of Spades gold, which retails for around 200.



The video appeared online just weeks after Mrs Mugabe announced she is suing a Lebanese jeweller for failing to deliver a 1million diamond ring she bought to mark her 21st wedding anniversary with dictator husband, Robert Mugabe.



Ahmed claims to have received threats from officials from Zimbabwes spy agency as well from Grace herself and her son from her first marriage, Russell Goreraza.



Goreraza himself is also no stranger to a life of luxury, having reportedly imported two Rolls Royce limousines worth 4million into the country recently.



Chatunga and his brother Robert Jr, the two sons of Robert and Grace Mugabe, are well-known for their hard partying lives of luxury.



You recall the pair caused an international incident earlier this year while in South Africa, after they disappeared on a wild night out, prompting their mum, Mrs Mugabe to go looking for them.







Finding 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels instead, Mrs Mugabe allegedly beat her over the head with an electrical plug when she was unable to say where her boys had gone.



That led to a warrant being issued for Mrs Mugabes arrest, though she was eventually granted diplomatic immunity and allowed to leave the country.



















Press play to watch the video below: Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, Mugabes youngest son, uploaded the video to Snapchat hours after bragging that he got the 45,000 wristwatch (over N21million naira) because his daddy runs the whole country.The footage, filmed in a nightclub in the posh Sandton area of Johannesburg, South Africa, shows Robert Mugabes son, Chatunga enjoying a life of unimaginable wealth while almost three quarters of Zimbabweans live below the poverty lineChatunga filmed himself, brother Robert, and friends partying in a nightclub in Sandton, South Africa, where they are based.Robert is briefly seen with his arm around a girl before the footage cuts to an image of Chatungas wrist, complete with watch and gold chain, then champagne flowing over his arm.The bottle is Armand de Brignac Ace Of Spades gold, which retails for around 200.The video appeared online just weeks after Mrs Mugabe announced she is suing a Lebanese jeweller for failing to deliver a 1million diamond ring she bought to mark her 21st wedding anniversary with dictator husband, Robert Mugabe.Ahmed claims to have received threats from officials from Zimbabwes spy agency as well from Grace herself and her son from her first marriage, Russell Goreraza.Goreraza himself is also no stranger to a life of luxury, having reportedly imported two Rolls Royce limousines worth 4million into the country recently.Chatunga and his brother Robert Jr, the two sons of Robert and Grace Mugabe, are well-known for their hard partying lives of luxury.You recall the pair caused an international incident earlier this year while in South Africa, after they disappeared on a wild night out, prompting their mum, Mrs Mugabe to go looking for them.Finding 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels instead, Mrs Mugabe allegedly beat her over the head with an electrical plug when she was unable to say where her boys had gone.That led to a warrant being issued for Mrs Mugabes arrest, though she was eventually granted diplomatic immunity and allowed to leave the country.Press play to watch the video below:

Post Reply I am Victor, I write reportage on sport news and latest metro happenings in Nigeria. Posted: at 9-11-2017 07:48 AM (5 years ago) | Hero
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the victory of his party, APC in the presidential election in 2015 signified the exit of Nigeria from hell.

According to him, nobody should pray for the return to power of the former ruling party, PDP.In an interview with newsmen in Abuja, the minister said the APC is not scared of the the possibility that PDP would return to power in 2019.He said;

Quote

Now, as to whether we are afraid that the PDP would win, I can tell you absolutely, we couldnt even contemplate it because it would be a tragedy for Nigeria to fall back into the hands of PDP. Look, we have very painstakingly taken this country through hell, I mean, they dropped us in hell, and we are taking you people out of hell, we cant come back to Egypt.



No, I am serious, it is not about APC, it is about President Muhammadu Buhari, its like the kind of revelations that are coming out, the kind of rot, you want those people to come back and preside over the affairs of Nigeria again.



Now, let me ask you for instance what would happen to the investigations that have been held if the PDP should win in 2019? They would be swept under the carpet
felicilin at 9-11-2017 12:42 PM (5 years ago) (f)

The gloomy future of youths has been painted with the mass exodus of younger folks desperately seeking greener pastures in Europe.

The gloomy future of youths has been painted with the mass exodus of younger folks desperately seeking greener pastures in Europe. Two men, one of them an Egyptian and the other a Libyan, have been arrested and charged in Italy as investigators look into the deaths of 26 Nigerian women and girls, who are suspected to have been murdered while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

The bodies of the women were brought to the southern Italian port of Salerno by the Spanish ship Cantabria on Sunday, and prosecutors opened an investigation over suspicions that the women, some as young as 14, may have been abused and killed.

The bodies were recovered by Cantabria, which works as part of the EUs Sophia anti-trafficking operation, from two separate shipwrecks  23 from one and three from the other. Fifty-three people are believed to be missing.

The men arrested have been named as Al Mabrouc Wisam Harar, from Libya, and Egyptian Mohamed Ali Al Bouzid.

The pair are believed to have skippered one of the boats. They were identified by survivors who were among the 375 brought to Salerno by Cantabria.

An autopsy on the bodies should be completed over the next week. Salerno prefect Salvatore Malfi told the Italian press that the women had been travelling alongside men and when the vessels sank, unfortunately, the women suffered the worst of it.

But in response to concerns that the women were being trafficked for the s*x trade, he added: S*x trafficking routes are different, with different dynamics used. Loading women on to a boat is too risky for the traffickers, as they could risk losing all of their goods  as they like to call them  in one fell swoop.

Marco Rotunno, an Italy spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said his colleagues were at the port in Salerno when the bodies were brought in.

It was a very tough experience, he said. One lady from Nigeria lost all her three children.

He added that 90% of migrant women arrive with bruises and other signs of violence.

Its very rare to find a woman who hasnt been abused, only in exceptional cases, maybe when they are travelling with their husband. But also women travelling alone with their children have been abused.

Most of the survivors were either Nigerian or from other sub-Saharan countries including Ghana, Sudan and Senegal.

The survivors brought to Tripoli also included Nigerians and Senegalese.

I wanted to reach Italy. I dont know what to do now, said Dora Omoruyi, a 23-year old arts student from Benin, Edo state, known as hub for human traffickers to smuggle women to Italy where they often end up as prostitutes.

I see no future in Nigeria, there are no jobs, she said, standing next to a group of weeping Nigerian survivors.

The survivors were among over 2,560 migrants saved over four days. People still continue to attempt the crossing despite a pact between Italy and Libya to stem the flow, which led to a drop in arrivals by almost 70% since the summer, according to figures released last week by Italys Interior Ministry.

Two men, one of them an Egyptian and the other a Libyan, have been arrested and charged in Italy as investigators look into the deaths of 26 Nigerian women and girls, who are suspected to have been murdered while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.The bodies of the women were brought to the southern Italian port of Salerno by the Spanish ship Cantabria on Sunday, and prosecutors opened an investigation over suspicions that the women, some as young as 14, may have been abused and killed.The bodies were recovered by Cantabria, which works as part of the EUs Sophia anti-trafficking operation, from two separate shipwrecks  23 from one and three from the other. Fifty-three people are believed to be missing.The men arrested have been named as Al Mabrouc Wisam Harar, from Libya, and Egyptian Mohamed Ali Al Bouzid.The pair are believed to have skippered one of the boats. They were identified by survivors who were among the 375 brought to Salerno by Cantabria.An autopsy on the bodies should be completed over the next week. Salerno prefect Salvatore Malfi told the Italian press that the women had been travelling alongside men and when the vessels sank,But in response to concerns that the women were being trafficked for the s*x trade, he added: S*x trafficking routes are different, with different dynamics used. Loading women on to a boat is too risky for the traffickers, as they could risk losing all of their goods  as they like to call them  in one fell swoop.Marco Rotunno, an Italy spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said his colleagues were at the port in Salerno when the bodies were brought in.he said.He added that 90% of migrant women arrive with bruises and other signs of violence.Most of the survivors were either Nigerian or from other sub-Saharan countries including Ghana, Sudan and Senegal.The survivors brought to Tripoli also included Nigerians and Senegalese.she said, standing next to a group of weeping Nigerian survivors.The survivors were among over 2,560 migrants saved over four days. People still continue to attempt the crossing despite a pact between Italy and Libya to stem the flow, which led to a drop in arrivals by almost 70% since the summer, according to figures released last week by Italys Interior Ministry.

Post Reply Posted: at 9-11-2017 12:42 PM (5 years ago) | Hero
felicilin at 9-11-2017 01:57 PM (5 years ago) (f)

Patrick Akporuno, the chairman of the Delta Post Primary Education Board (PPEB), was last week arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over an alleged illegal possession of a firearm.

Patrick Akporuno, the chairman of the Delta Post Primary Education Board (PPEB), was last week arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over an alleged illegal possession of a firearm. trouble started for Mr. Akporuno over two weeks ago during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting at his residence in Owhelogbo, Isoko North local government area of Delta State. At the meeting, he was said to have imposed on the people his cousin who is contesting for the councillorship position in the forthcoming local government elections.

According to "Akporuno in his usual larger-than-life" manner, threatened the party members in the ward, said a PDP youth who attended the meeting, warning that anyone who dared to oppose his cousin's councillorship candidature would be ruthlessly dealt with.

According to the youth, Akporuno said that governor Okowa had already instructed him to be in charge of the party in the ward, and that he had the governors backing to install whoever he chose.

He said some of the party youths present challenged the PPEB chairman. trouble started for Mr. Akporuno over two weeks ago during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting at his residence in Owhelogbo, Isoko North local government area of Delta State. At the meeting, he was said to have imposed on the people his cousin who is contesting for the councillorship position in the forthcoming local government elections.According tosaid a PDP youth who attended the meeting, warning that anyone who dared to oppose his cousin's councillorship candidature would be ruthlessly dealt with.According to the youth, Akporuno said that governor Okowa had already instructed him to be in charge of the party in the ward, and that he had the governors backing to install whoever he chose.He said some of the party youths present challenged the PPEB chairman. Quote "But this did not go down well with Akporuno and he used an object suspected to be a cut-to-size gun to hit one of the youths who challenged him and while blood was gushing out from his head, Akporuno smartly put a distress call to men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ozoro to come to his rescue that he's been attacked by cultists and armed robbers in his house and SARS came and arrested these innocent youths to Asaba and kept in detention for over two weeks before they were charged to court."

It was however learned that the youths, after languishing in detention for that length of time, were granted bail by an Ozoro Magistrates court but were immediately rearrested at the premises with the instructions of Mr. Akporuno, an action that was strongly condemned by the Magistrate. They were finally granted bail a few days later.

According to a source, shortly after the release of the youths, one of them, whose uncle is said to be a Benin City lawyer simply identified as Nathaniel Oba, allegedly petitioned the PPEB boss of Zone 5, in the Edo State capital, leading to Mr. Akporuno being was whisked away for illegal possession of a firearm.

It was gathered that it took the intervention of the Bishop of Oleh Diocese, John Usiwoma Aruakpor and other prominent sons of Isoko and Delta State, to gain the release of the PPEB boss.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Office of Zone 5, Benin City, DSP Emeka Ihenacho, who could not confirm the arrest of the PPEB chairman, simply said there may have been a petition against him, but did not disclose the reasons for the possible petition. "I was not told about his arrest, but it is possible he must have been petitioned and based on that, he was invited."

Also telephoned for a comment, Mr. Akporuno tried to bully our correspondent. "You are very stupid, what is your business if I was arrested in Zone 5, Benin? he shouted. Is that how you practice your journalism?" he further asked, before hanging up the call.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Oba confirmed the board chairman's arrest in Benin City but did not disclose the content of his petition.

Appealing that the matter should not be reported in the press, he said: We are already meeting for settlement. We are brothers, though we taught him a lesson. We dealt with him and next time he won't frame up innocent people."

Confiding in SahareReporers, a former ward chairman in the community, said that since Akporuno was appointed the chairman of PPEB, the community has not known any peace and that oppression, injustice, and intimidation has become the order of the day.

He used the name of the governor to intimidate everybody, the source said. He fights people in public. He [is unbefitting of] that office he is occupying. Very irrational and erratic human being. As we talk he is having a serious battle with school principals over some illegal imposition of levies. Meet school principals they will oblige you."

Also telephoned for a comment, Mr. Akporuno tried to bully our correspondent.he further asked, before hanging up the call.Speaking on the issue, Mr. Oba confirmed the board chairman's arrest in Benin City but did not disclose the content of his petition.Appealing that the matter should not be reported in the press, he said:Confiding in SahareReporers, a former ward chairman in the community, said that since Akporuno was appointed the chairman of PPEB, the community has not known any peace and that oppression, injustice, and intimidation has become the order of the day.He used the name of the governor to intimidate everybody, the source said.

Post Reply Posted: at 9-11-2017 01:57 PM (5 years ago) | Hero
In preparation for what promises to be a busy school year, the Cumberland Valley School Board approved adjusted attendance boundaries for the 2018-19 school year on Wednesday night.

The change affects 115 district students living in the Walden development and several nearby homes in Silver Spring Township, although these families already were expecting attendance changes for next year, Superintendent Frederick Withum III said. Due to the impending opening of the new Winding Creek Elementary School, these students will be transferred from Silver Spring Elementary School to Winding Creek at the start of the 2018-19 school year.

Until now, these 115 students expected to attend Green Ridge Elementary School next year. Withum said the students parents and guardians already have been notified about the change.

Winding Creek Elementary School is scheduled to open in August 2018, followed by the opening of Mountain View Middle School in March 2019. Construction of Winding Hill and Mountain View started this year at Bali Hai and Lambs Gap roads in Silver Spring and Hampden townships. The schools construction remains ahead of schedule, according to Michael Willis, the districts director of business and support services.

As a result, the school board approved the districts 2018-19 calendar on Wednesday night with a starting date of Aug. 27. Previously, district administrators wondered if they would have to select a later start date for 2018-19 if construction at the new elementary school would fall behind schedule.

Mr. Willis has guaranteed that the (new) elementary school will be opening on time next year and that construction is ahead of schedule, Withum said. We will be opening school at our regular time next year.

The board also approved the first reading of a revised district policy regarding career and technical education.

This makes it the responsibility of the district to tell students the economic impact of these program, Withum said. He added the district also must be notified by a vo-tech if an expected wage a student would earn after completing a program would be less than the income for a family of three that qualifies for reduced-priced school lunches.

Finally, district officials said goodbye to retiring board members Thomas Griffie and Barbara Gleim. Both are leaving the board after serving eight years of service.

Its been a pleasure to serve and an education on both the public and private sector, said Griffie, who said he now plans to spend more time with family in Montana.
This year, a few whisker hairs just might do the trick.

Every year, members of the Danville Fraternal Order of Police look forward to taking children Christmas shopping through its Cops & Kids program.

Its a fun day for both cops and kids  police get to buddy up with children they have often met through the course of their regular job and take them on a $100 shopping spree, while the children often get to see police officers in a new light  and get some unexpected gifts their families cannot otherwise afford.

Most of the time we come into contact with kids its because of a conflict, Capt. Dennis Haley said. This is one of the few times its not.

To help raise money for the shopping trip this time around, the Danville Police Department named November No Shave November and have invited coworkers and the public to sponsor a police officers beard-growing effort with a $10 donation. At least 55 officers signed on to give up their razors this month, in some cases with entire divisions participating, detective Pete Bailey said.

And even if an officer picks up his razor during No Shave November, many have donated money for the effort, Haley said.

Bailey came up with the idea for No Shave November at a Fraternal Order of Police meeting, after exploring what other police departments were doing to raise money for charitable endeavors.

He took the idea and ran with it, said Danville Sheriffs Office Capt. Kelly Johnson, president of the FOP.

Each child in the program is taken on a $100 shopping spree at Target by a local law enforcement officer. Half of the money is spent on necessities, such as a coat or boots, while the other half is burned up in the toy department.

Some officers have participated as volunteer shoppers several times, others only once or twice. It all depends on who is scheduled to work on the Saturday the cops and kids invade the store, said detective Cpl. John Pulley, who has shopped twice with the kids so far.

Its always a good time, Pulley said. Its surprising how often the kids want to get something for someone else  a brother, or a cousin. They care more about them than for themselves.

Several of the officers mentioned shopping with kids who wanted to get things for other people, and how stunned some of the children are when they realize they can pick things out for themselves.

Their reactions are priceless, Lt. Mike Wallace said. The child will say, Can I get this? and when you tell them, Yes theyll say, Are you sure?

Wallace said sometimes a child will pick up a toy that would cost the whole $50 allotted for toys, and a conversation happens about how that was certainly possible, but the other things they were interested in would have to be forgotten.

Each of the half-dozen or so law enforcement officers interviewed for this article said it is not unusual for officers to reach into their own pockets when the cost of the items dropped into the shopping cart topped $100.

The FOP will meet Tuesday to add up what they had raised before the institution of No Shave November and get an idea of how much that effort will add. Bailey said Wednesday that the officers had raised about $500 so far.

Depending on how well fundraising goes, the number of children taken shopping varies, but in recent years, about 25 kids have enjoyed an unexpected shopping trip, Lt. Jerry Pace said.

There is no formal system for signing up for the Cops & Kids shopping expedition, Pace said. Instead, officers meet children throughout the year who can benefit from the program, or hear about a child in need from a neighbor, someone from social services or a school teacher or counselor.

We always try to save a few spots for kids who lose everything in a house fire, Pace said. There always seem to be a few fires right before Christmas.

The public is invited to chip in for the program, with no donation too small, Bailey said. If someone can sponsor a child for $100, thats great, he said  but $10 to sponsor an officer doing No Shave November or just a few dollars will be gratefully accepted.

Every little bit helps, Bailey said.

Donations can be made by calling (434) 836-1418, Johnson said.

Well set up a time we can pick it up, she said.

<<BREAKOUT>>

Want to help?

Donations can be made by calling (434) 836-1418.
With the furor of the campaign season behind him, Democratic Gov.-elect Ralph Northam returned to his more laid-back self Wednesday morning as he called for unity, announced his transition team and outlined his priorities for his upcoming four-year term.

After outperforming expectations by beating Republican Ed Gillespie by almost 9 percentage points in a race dominated by harsh attack ads, Northam repeatedly invoked the fabled Virginia Way as he called for a bipartisan reset.

We live in the greatest state in this country. And we have so much potential, Northam said at a news conference in Richmond. And its time to put some of the ideology, put some of the divisiveness aside and bring people to the table.

As some Democrats continued to blast Gillespie for ads they said were racially tinged, Northam seemed ready to move on.

Hes a good man, Northam said of Gillespie. And he ran to make Virginia a better commonwealth. And so I appreciate that. Ed is willing to heal Virginia with me, to bring people together.

After Democrats rode a wave of animosity toward President Donald Trump to a sweep in statewide races and major gains in the House of Delegates, Northam said hell stand up to Trump in some areas, and work with him in others.

If he plans to build up the military, that obviously would be very good for Virginia, Northam said.

Northam said that when he takes office in January, he will focus on economic improvement in rural areas, promoting diversity, fighting the opioid crisis and expanding access to health care.

With Democrats on pace to flip more than a dozen seats in the House, the prospect of passing some form of Medicaid expansion suddenly seems within reach for Northams term after McAuliffe was unable to get it through the GOP-dominated House.

I dont mind calling it something different if we need to, Northam said. I dont mind working with people from both sides of the aisle. But when we have 400,000 working Virginians that dont have access to coverage, I find that unacceptable.

Northam also announced that longtime aide Clark Mercer will serve as his chief of staff, putting to rest any speculation about who will coordinate the inner workings of his administration. Mercer has served in the same capacity during Northams current term as lieutenant governor.

Everybody knows Clark. Were trying to promote Clark. He lives in the shadow of the secretary of the commonwealth, Northam said, referring to Mercers wife, Kelly Thomasson, a current member of Gov. Terry McAuliffes Cabinet.

The transition team that will help Northam form a Cabinet before his inauguration in January will be led by Marianne Radcliff, a veteran of multiple administrations who now works as a lobbyist for Kemper Consulting; Doris Crouse-Mays, a longtime labor organizer and president of the Virginia AFL-CIO; Joni Ivey, the recently retired chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Robert C. Bobby Scott, D-3rd; and Todd Stottlemyer, CEO of the Inova Center for Personalized Health in Falls Church.

After Northams morning news conference, the governor-elect was scheduled to head over to the Executive Mansion to meet with McAuliffe and scope out his future home.

Asked if he was surprised by the size of his win Tuesday night, Northam answered with a smile.

This is my sixth campaign that Ive run. I usually come in around 10 points, Northam said. So I was a little bit shy of that last night. But it was pretty much par for the course.
Capital One Financial Corp., the largest private employer in the Richmond area, is exiting its home mortgage origination and home equity business, which will affect about 10 jobs here.

Companywide, 950 jobs will be cut, primarily in Plano, Texas, which will lose 750 positions in the origination and home equity business. Another 130 positions will be cut in St. Cloud, Minn., following by 25 positions in Melville, N.Y., with smaller cuts made at other locations including the Richmond area.

Affected employees were notified Tuesday, a company spokesman said. They were given at least 60 days notice and offered transition assistance.

Home lending is complex and highly competitive business, the company said in a statement. "It is a crowded field with multiple players and borrowers have a broad range of options. Were in a structurally disadvantaged position, given the challenging rate environment. Were not in a position to be both competitive and profitable."

The McLean-based credit card issuer and bank will service its existing and pending mortgage loans. It will continue to offer specialized multi-family financing to the real estate development and investment community as well as lending in affordable housing support for low- to moderate-income home buyers.

The Dallas suburb of Plano was dealt a double blow. In a separate announcement also made Tuesday, Capital One said it will shutter a call center associated with its retail bank there, resulting in the loss of another 200 jobs in Plano.

"Our retail and direct bank customer are increasingly able to service through their preferred channel, whether in a branch, a cafe, our mobile tools or our contact centers," the company said. "This has reduced our overall call volume and shifted the types of service our contact center agents provide customers."

The transition will take place over the next several months until the call center closes in early summer 2018. The decision does not affect other call centers, including one in Chesterfield County, a spokesman said.

Even after the cuts in Plano, Capital One will employ about 5,000 people there.

The Richmond area is the hub of operations for the company, employing as 11,000 people, mostly at the company's offices in the West Creek office park in Goochland County. Companywide, Capital One employs 49,000.

The company said the decisions to exit a business and close a call center were not made lightly, as it recognizes the impact on employees.

Employees may apply for other jobs at Capital One. If they are not transferred into other positions, they will be eligible to receive severance packages, including retraining assistance and outplacement services.

In late September, Capital One announced a restructuring of its U.S. card business, resulting in an unspecified number of job cuts here and elsewhere.
Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed is one step closer to becoming a federal prosecutor.

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved Freeds nomination for U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by a voice vote Thursday.

Freed must now be confirmed by the full Senate before taking the position.

President Donald Trump nominated Freed for U.S. attorney in September.

I am honored to be nominated to lead the hard-working career prosecutors and civil attorneys in the Middle District, Freed said at the time.

If his nomination is confirmed, Freed will leave office roughly two years into his four-year term to become the federal prosecutor for cases arising out of more than 20 counties in Pennsylvania, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Perry and Adams counties.

A successor, who will serve out the remainder of Freeds term, will be elected by the countys Common Pleas Judges, according to Rich Long, executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.
CALGARY, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - PRIZE MINING CORPORATION ("Prize" or the "Company") (TSXV:PRZ) (OTCQB: PRZFF) (MQSP:GR:FRANKFURT) is pleased to provide a corporate update and project summary on it's Kena Project located near Nelson in southeastern British Columbia. Prize acquired the Kena Project in April 2017 and concurrently completed an equity financing for proceeds of $6 million.

The current Kena Project resource estimate is set out below and was calculated using a base-case cut-off grade of 0.3 grams per tonne gold.

Indicated mineral resources of 24.89 million tonnes at 0.6 grams per tonne Au for 481,000 ounces Au;

Inferred mineral resources of 85.79 million tonnes at 0.48 grams per tonne Au for 1,318,000 ounces Au.

The resource estimation used gold intercepts from 176 drill holes in the Gold Mountain, Kena Gold and high-grade zones of the Kena Project and was prepared according to CIM 2014 guidelines.

The Kena Project also has a copper porphyry target that remains untested by exploration.

The Company's 1,550-hectare contiguous Daylight Property which is located on the northwest corner of Prize's Kena Project, has various high-grade gold showings and four historical mines. This land package is referred to as the Daylight Property (see map link). https://www.prizemining.com/site/assets/files/1792/kena-daylight-tougnhut-map.jpg)

The four historical mines situated on the Daylight Property have historical grades as set out below.

Great Eastern mine area with historical grades of 37.53 g/t gold and 52.2 g/t silver (B.C. Minfile 082FSW172). 1



Starlight mine area with historical grades of 28 g/t gold and 140 g/t silver (B.C. Minfile 082FSW174). 1



The Daylight mine area with historical grades of 27 g/t gold and 15 g/t silver (B.C. Minfile 082FSW175). 1



Victoria mine area with grades reported of 28.9 g/t silver and 2.56 per cent copper (B.C. Minfile 082FSW173).1

Note:

1. Historical mining took place in the early 1900s. Based on the Company's understanding of historical practices, it is likely that hand sorting of ore took place and that the actual grades varied.

With the intent of employing a district wide exploration approach, the Company acquired the Toughnut Property in June 2017. The 1,010-hectare Toughnut Property lies contiguous on the west side of Prize's Daylight Property. The Toughnut claims strategically cover over a 3.5-kilometre strike length of the Silver King shear structure, including most of the mineralized land between Prize's Daylight claim block and Prize's Sand claim block to the northwest. This was a strategic acquisition for Prize as it now controls what management believes to be the most significant part of the mineralized Silver King shear zone.

The Toughnut showing (MF 092FSW294), which includes old pits, shafts and trenches, had grab samples from Pacific Sentinel in 1989 that returned 6.64 g/t, 8.65 g/t and 32.8 g/t Au, with associated silver ranging between 33 g/t and 175 g/t Ag. Follow-up diamond drilling by Valterra Resource in 2010 returned a best intercept of 6.9 g/t Au and 143 g/t Ag over 2.0 metres, and 4.05 g/t Au over 8.0 metres in hole VTN10-005.

The Gold Eagle showing (no recorded Minfile) located 500 metres north of the Toughnut showing was drilled by U.S. Borax in 1988, which reportedly returned a strongly anomalous intercept of 90 g/t Au over 1.53 metres from reverse circulation hole S88-43 (AR 19503). In 2010, Valterra Resources also drilled the property with its best results being 4.02 g/t Au and 9.52 g/t Ag over 24.33 metres (including 4.0 metres of 14.47 g/t Au and 3.46 g/t Ag). The zone has been tested to 73 metres depth and remains open along strike and downdip.

Feisal Somji, Prize's Chief Executive Officer, commented that "The purpose of the Daylight and Toughnut acquisitions is to allow Prize to focus on the exploration potential of areas with higher grades and, if successful, build our overall resource base from the 8,000-hectare Kena Property to include higher grade material. Collectively, the 1,550-hectare Daylight and the 1,010-hectare Toughnut Properties strategically cover a five-kilometre strike length of the central and eastern segments of the one kilometre wide Silver King shear system. Combined with the Kena Property, Prize has consolidated the ownership of the district for the first time and will be completing a district wide exploration effort for years to come."

In July, Prize announced the completion of its Phase 1 exploration program on the Daylight and Toughnut Properties completing a total of 1,289 soil samples over 32.23-line kilometres and increasing the density of soil samples in both properties to 50 metres by 25 metres. In addition, 326 grab and composite rock samples were collected. Michael McPhie, a seasoned mining veteran, also joined the Company's Board of Directors.

In August, the Company announced the results of the sampling program which included an 8,009 ppb (8g/t) Au soil sample on the Daylight-Starlight Trend, and rock samples showing as high as 20.6 g/t Au and 188 g/t Ag from the Toughnut adit.

A statistical analysis of the 4,152 historical results was carried out in August 2017 and indicates the historical gold grades are of comparable quality with the 2017 results. The net combined database, comprising 5,418 soil sample results has been utilized to define 41 gold soil anomaly targets on the Toughnut and Daylight Properties.

In September 2017, the Company announced an expanded program on the Daylight and Toughnut Properties increasing the number of soil and rock samples collected as well as the number of ground geophysical line kilometres surveyed. The Company also announced the start of an environmental baseline study with a long-term view towards potential mine planning.

In October 2017, the Company became DTC eligible on the OTCQB US market and compiled all historical and newly acquired data, with an announcement to initiate a discovery focused drilling and trenching program on the Daylight Property.

Prize, which currently has a cash position of $3.5 million, has almost completed its initial drill program and results are expected before year-end. Lastly, Prize expects to receive the drill/trenching permits for the Toughnut Property program later this month and will continue its drilling and trenching program from the Daylight Property to the Toughnut Property with results from the Toughnut Property anticipated to be received in the new year.

Jarrod Brown, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

For additional information regarding the Kena Project, including the Daylight Property, and the exploration targets on the Kena Project, please refer to the independent technical report entitled "Technical Report for the Kena Project, Nelson, BC" dated June 2, 2017 a copy of which is available on SEDAR under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

About Prize Mining Corp.

Prize is a Calgary-based junior mining issuer with offices in Calgary, Alta., and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Prize is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mining properties. Find out more at: www.prizemining.com.

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Reader Advisory

Forward-Looking Statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "potential", or other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "could" occur.

The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Prize, including expectations and assumptions concerning the upcoming trenching and drilling program on Prize's Daylight Property and the timeline for receipt of a permit which would allow for an exploration program on Prize's Toughnut Property. Although Prize believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Prize can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. There is no assurance that the result of these exploration programs will be successful. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, exploration risks and that required regulatory and third-party approvals and consents are not obtained on terms satisfactory to the parties within the timelines provided.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained herein to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Prize Mining Corp.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 9, 2017) -

(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated)

Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX:TXG) reported today the Company's financial results for the third quarter of 2017, as ramp-up continues at its El Limon Guajes Mine (ELG) in southwest Mexico. The Company also provided the following update to the previously announced blockade situation at ELG.

Blockade Update:

This is day 7 of the blockade, that resulted from a conflict between two unions

The military is patrolling the area and attending the site

Care and maintenance activities resumed yesterday

Discussions are underway with the Federal Police (Gendarmerie) to provide security personnel to the site

Blockades are illegal, but they also have a political aspect to them. Excellent political support has been received from State and Federal governments to advance the legal charges and to find a negotiated resolution to the dispute between the two unions

The Operations team is optimizing the plan for an efficient plant start up, once the blockade is removed





Fred Stanford, President & CEO of Torex stated: "The current blockade situation overshadows the many successes that the team has accomplished in 2017. These include, ramping up the plant to 90% of design throughput. Achieving design recoveries. Building the SART plant and installing additional tailings filtration capacity. Developing into the Sub-Sill deposit and producing the first development ore in less than a year from the discovery hole. Advancing the Media Luna design, successfully concluding negotiations for long term Media Luna land leases, and beginning the in-fill drill program for Media Luna. On the financial side the project finance debt was renegotiated with improved terms and flexibility for future growth. While it is impossible to be definitive, we expect the blockade to be resolved in the near term and we can then continue to build on the successes of 2017, as we transition into what should be a catalyst rich, and steady state 2018."

This release should be read in conjunction with the Company's third quarter 2017 Financial Statements and MD&A on the Company's website or on SEDAR.

HIGHLIGHTS

Plant ramp-up focused on closing the 10% gap to design throughput levels

Gold recovery in the quarter averaged 87%, consistent with design expectations.

Plant throughput in the quarter, 1,152 kt, averaged 12,522 tpd, or 89% of design capacity of 14,000 tpd in the quarter. Throughput in October 2017 of 403 kt, averaged 12,991 tpd, or 93% of design capacity of 14,000 tpd.

Mine production in the quarter, 8,686 kt, averaged 94,413 tpd, an increase of 4% over the prior quarter.

Gold produced totalled 67,337 ounces for the quarter and 212,711 ounces for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.





Positive grade reconciliation for the quarter of 114% to the reserve model

Total ounce reconciliation of 100% to the reserve model for the quarter.





Higher grade tonnes deferred to Q4/2017 as a safety precaution during a heavy rainy season

Average grade processed in the quarter of 2.35 gpt is lower than average reserve grade, resulting in higher costs per ounce. Average grade mined in the quarter was 2.53 gpt.





Outlook

Our ramp up has proceeded to the level of 90% of design throughput. With the recent illegal blockade, the Company is expecting to produce less than 300,000 ounces of gold for 2017, below our published guidance targets.





Sub-Sill growth potential confirmed by step-out drilling

Sub-Sill step-out drilling demonstrated high grade intercepts in the quadrant to the northwest of the current Sub-Sill resource area, and confirmed the potential for additional resources in this direction.



An update to the Sub-Sill reserve and resource estimate is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.





Media Luna Project progressing

25-year common land, lease agreement signed for the use of the land required for the exploration, construction, and mining of minerals at Media Luna.

The Company initiated an in-fill drilling program budgeted at $15 million to upgrade, to the Indicated confidence level, 25% of the current inferred Media Luna resource of 7.4 million Au Equivalent ounces (51.5Mt @4.48g/t Au Eq.). The program will form the basis for a Media Luna feasibility study scheduled for the second half of 2019.





New loan facility strengthens balance sheet and increases flexibility for funding growth options

Debt refinancing was announced in June 2017, executed in July, to replace the project finance facility entered in 2014.





Financial results

Net loss totalled $1.6 million, or $0.02 per share, on a basic and diluted basis for the quarter, and net income of $12.4 million, or $0.16 per share, on a basic and $0.15 per share on a diluted basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Adjusted net loss 1 , which excludes, amongst other items, unrealized derivative and foreign exchange gains and losses, totalled $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share on a basic and diluted basis for the quarter, and Adjusted net earnings 1 of $5.7 million, or $0.07 per share on a basic and diluted basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

, which excludes, amongst other items, unrealized derivative and foreign exchange gains and losses, totalled $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share on a basic and diluted basis for the quarter, and Adjusted net earnings of $5.7 million, or $0.07 per share on a basic and diluted basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Earnings from mine operations totalled $17.1 million for the quarter, and $48.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Cash flow from operations totalled $45.1 million for the quarter, and $80.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Revenue totalled $100.5 million and cost of sales totalled $83.4 million, or $1,066 per ounce of gold sold for the quarter. Revenue totalled $274.1 million and cost of sales totalled $226.1 million, or $1,040 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Gold sold for the quarter totalled 78,254 ounces sold for total proceeds of $99.9 million at an average realized gold price 1 of $1,277 per ounce. Gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 totalled 217,399 ounces for total proceeds of $271.6 million at an average realized gold price 1 of $1,249 per ounce.

of $1,277 per ounce. Gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 totalled 217,399 ounces for total proceeds of $271.6 million at an average realized gold price of $1,249 per ounce. Cash balances as at September 30, 2017 totalled $80.3 million (including restricted cash of $13.8 million).

Total cash costs 1 of $728 per ounce of gold sold for the quarter, and $703 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

of $728 per ounce of gold sold for the quarter, and $703 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. All-in sustaining costs 1 of $1,035 per ounce of gold sold for the quarter, and $985 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

of $1,035 per ounce of gold sold for the quarter, and $985 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Ore in stockpile as at September 30, 2017 was 0.5 million tonnes at an average estimated grade of 1.52 gpt.





1 Total cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, average realized gold price and adjusted net (loss) earnings are financial performance measures with no standard meaning under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Refer to "Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures" in the Company's Q3 2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis for further information and a detailed reconciliation.

Please refer to Figure 1 for "Average Tonnage Processed Per Day and Throughput Rate" and Figure 2 for "Guajes and El Limon, Reconciliation of Grade and Ounces".

Qualified Persons

Scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dawson Proudfoot, P.Eng., Vice President, Engineering of Torex Gold Resources Inc. and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 9:00 am (ET) where senior management will discuss the Third Quarter 2017 operational and financial results.

Access the conference call as follows:

Webcast access: A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

Telephone access: Please call the numbers below approximately ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call.

Toronto local or international 1 (416) 915-3239 Toll-Free (North America) 1 800-319-4610 Toll-Free (France) 0 800-900-351 Toll-Free (Switzerland) 0-800-802-457 Toll-Free (United Kingdom) 0 808-101-2791

The webcast will be archived on the Company's website.

About Torex

Torex is an emerging intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Gold Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometers southwest of Mexico City. Within this property, Torex has the El Limon-Guajes Mine, which announced commercial production in March of 2016 and the Media Luna Project, which is an early stage development project, and for which the Company issued a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in 2015. The property remains 75% unexplored.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Notwithstanding the Company's efforts, there can be no guarantee that the Company will not face unforeseen delays or disruptions. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, the expected resolution of the blockade in the near term, the expected successful ramp-up and achieving full production, the plans to complete the construction of the SART plant on time and budget and expected successful start-up, commissioning and operation of the SART plant and the expected cost saving from the operation of the SART plant, the expected continued operation of the tailings filtration plant at design levels, plans to complete the access ramp to El Limon Deep, plans to mine and process the material from the Sub-Sill area and the expectation that the material will help achieve the production guidance targets, plans to complete the infill and step-out diamond drilling program on the Sub-Sill deposit, plans to upgrade the mineral resource estimate and complete a mine plan for the Sub-sill deposit and other future exploration and development, and continued safety and security. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including those risk factors identified in the Company's annual information form ("AIF") and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A").

Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management, which may be identified in the AIF or MD&A, made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions include, without limitation, the resolution of the blockade in the near term and regaining access to the ELG Mine without disruption, the continued ramp-up to full production and continued operation of the tailings filtration plant at design levels, timely access to the high grade material, the timely completion of construction, start-up and commissioning of the SART plant and expected cost savings, the mineral resource estimate for the Sub-Sill deposit, the timing and receipt of any required approvals and permits, the ability of the Company to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner, the ability of the Company to obtain financing on acceptable terms, the ability of the Company to access the Morelos Gold Property and the ability to conclude the land access agreements for Media Luna. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the figures associated with this news release, please visit: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/TXG_Figures_1-2.pdf
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov 9, 2017) -

Editors Note: There is an image associated with this press release.

Pasinex Resources Ltd. (CSE:PSE)(CSE:PSE.CN)(CNSX:PSE)(FRANKFURT:PNX) (The "Company" or "Pasinex") is pleased to announce a maiden Mineral Resource estimate by CSA Global (UK) Ltd of 200,000 tonnes averaging 31% Zn for the Company's 50%-owned Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey. This resource equates to 61,600 tonnes of contained zinc metal or approximately 135,700,000 lbs of zinc. Three quarters of the resource tonnage is oxide at an average grade of 29% zinc and one quarter of the tonnage are zinc sulphides at an average grade of 35% zinc with additional silver credits.

Pinargozu Mineral Resources

Mineral Resource Estimate as at 30 June 2017

Reported at a cut-off grade of 10% Zn Zn Grade Zn Metal Density Pb Metal Ag Metal Classification Material Ktonnes % Ktonnes (t/m3) Ktonnes Koz Inferred Oxide 150 29 43.5 2.8 1.2 520 Sulphide 50 35 18.1 3.4 1.2 160 Total 200 31% 61.6 2.9 2.4 680

Notes:

Reporting cut-off is 10% Zn for both Oxide and Sulphide Resources. The Mineral Resource Estimate has been depleted for mining up to 30th June 2017. The effective date of Mineral Resource is 30th June 2017. Figures have been rounded to the appropriate level of precision for the reporting of Mineral Resources. Due to rounding, some columns or rows may not compute exactly as shown. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ dry tonnes. All tonnage figures are in metric tonnes. The Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council, and procedures for classifying the reported Mineral Resources were undertaken within the context of the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not demonstrate economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

President and CEO of Pasinex Resources, Mr. Steve Williams, commented: "This result now formally underpins our high-grade zinc production and direct ship operation (DSO) for the next few years. We have found that mining is the best way to explore the potential of this extraordinary deposit. Underground development routinely exposes additional mineralization outside the defined resource volumes. We will now focus aggressively on resource expansion and discovery. Specifically, new underground drives are planned to get into the best locations for underground exploration drilling."

Note that since the "effective date" of 30 th June 2017, the tonnage of this Mineral Resource estimate has been depleted by approximately 20,000 tonnes of high-grade direct shipping material, mined at a rate of 150 tonnes per day, about 60,000 tonnes per year.

June 2017, the tonnage of this Mineral Resource estimate has been depleted by approximately 20,000 tonnes of high-grade direct shipping material, mined at a rate of 150 tonnes per day, about 60,000 tonnes per year. Note that Instrument 43-101 does not require an issuer to file a technical report to support a production decision based on mineral reserves because under Companion Policy

43-101CP, 4.2(6) - Production Decision the decision to put a mineral project into production is the responsibility of the issuer, based on information provided by qualified persons.

43-101CP, 4.2(6) - Production Decision the decision to put a mineral project into production is the responsibility of the issuer, based on information provided by qualified persons. Pasinex took this decision, in 2015, to proceed to production not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating their economic viability and technical feasibility. As a result there is an increased risk of failure.

The Mineral Resource is categorized as Inferred due to factors including high variability in bulk densities, locally poor core recoveries especially in some oxide drill intersections, uncertainty over stope depletion volumes, and, in some areas, drill-hole spacing. All these issues are currently being addressed with a view to improving the classification of the resource.

Grade of the sulphides resource is lower than the threshold for DSO. This category includes lower grade transitional mineralization and selective mining and sorting will continue to ensure DSO grades are achieved.

Exploration of the Horzum Zinc Trend

Regional and near mine exploration will focus particularly on the nearby Akkaya Zinc Prospect using a new structural lineament analysis of the Horzum Zinc Trend by Murphy Geological Services in Ireland. Pasinex is working closely with its consultants to interpret the results of recent drill-core resistivity and conductivity measurements with the goal of building a much more robust geophysical model of the Horzum Zinc Trend. Finally the team is researching the use of ionic-leach technology. This maybe a way to "see through" transported alluvial fans which spill into steep canyons at the highly-prospective intersection of cross-faults with the sub-crop of the prospective carbonate host-rock.

To view Figure 1 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/PSE-Figure1.pdf

Qualified Persons

The information in this news release relating to the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey has been prepared under the supervision of Maria O'Connor and Dr. Neal Reynolds of CSA Global and John Barry of Pasinex Resources.

CSA Global (UK) Ltd ("CSA Global") has undertaken an independent Mineral Resource estimation in accordance with CIM guidelines and the requirements of Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) effective June 30th, 2017. A NI 43-101 Technical Report is currently being prepared and will be filed with the Ontario and British Columbia Securities Commissions within the next 45 days.

Maria O'Connor BSc (Hons) is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Maria O'Connor is a Principal Resource Geologist and full-time employee for CSA Global (UK) Ltd and takes responsibility for the Mineral Resource Estimate reported here. Maria O'Connor has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which she has undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Dr. Reynolds (PhD, Economic Geology) is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Dr. Reynolds is a Director of CSA Global, and visited the Pinargozu Mine between 28 May and 31 May 2017. He is responsible for Sections 1 to 12 of the NI43-101 report relevant to this Mineral Resource Estimate. Dr. Reynolds has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Maria O'Connor and Dr. Reynolds are independent of the issuer as described in Section 1.5 of NI 43-101 and have reviewed and approved this news release and consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which this appears.

The Company's Qualified Person is John Barry, who holds a MSc in Geology from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Professional Geologist with the European Geological Society. Mr. Barry is the Senior Technical Advisor to Pasinex Resources with 29 years of extensive global experience in exploration, mining and mine development and is a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release, reviewed and approved its contents.

About Pasinex

Pasinex Resources Ltd. (CSE:PSE)(FRANKFURT:PNX) is a metals company which is a 50% owner of the high grade Pinargozu zinc mine which is in production and, under its DSO Program, is shipping directly to zinc smelter / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Company has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development and production. The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc company based on building a large land within a productive CRD district in Turkey.

The Pinargozu Mine is included in the 50-50 company, Horzum Arama Isletme AS, which is a corporate joint venture between Pasinex and Turkish mining house, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). Akmetal AS is one of Turkey's largest family-owned conglomerates with the nearby past-producing Horzum zinc mine.

Visit our web site at: www.pasinex.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

PASINEX RESOURCES LTD.

Steve Williams

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although Pasinex Resources Ltd. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, exploration results, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES./

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX:EXN; EXN.WT; EXN.WT.A) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal public offering of 7,393,750 units (collectively, the "Units"), including 768,750 Units issued upon partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at a price of $2.00 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $14.8 million (the "Offering"). The Offering was underwritten by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, as sole bookrunner and together with PI Financial Corp. as co-lead underwriter, on its own behalf and on behalf of Cormark Securities Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc. and Maison Placements Canada Inc.

As previously announced, each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $2.80 at any time on or before December 31, 2018. The Warrants are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol EXN.WT.A.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration at the Company's Platosa Project in Durango, Mexico and Miguel Auza Project in Zacatecas, Mexico and for general corporate purposes. For additional details regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, please see the Company's short form prospectus dated November 2, 2017 that is available under the Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

In connection with the Offering, Eric Sprott purchased 1,250,000 Units (for total consideration of $2,500,000) and, based on Mr. Sprott's SEDI filings, now holds an aggregate of 16,261,182 Common Shares and 6,871,746 warrants, representing a 19.2% interest in the Company on a non-diluted basis and a 25.3% interest on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of all warrants held by Mr. Sprott (prior to the Offering, Mr. Sprott held 15,011,182 Common Shares and 6,246,746 common share purchase warrants). Mr. Sprott received approval from the Company's shareholders at the most recent annual and special meeting to purchase up to 32% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis.

The Company has been advised that the Units acquired by Mr. Sprott were acquired for investment purposes. Mr. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional Common Shares either on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the Common Shares either on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors. A copy of Mr. Sprott's early warning report will appear on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and may also be obtained by calling ?(416) 362-7172 (200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J2).

The securities offered in the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Excellon

Excellon's 100%-owned Platosa Mine in Durango has been Mexico's highest-grade silver mine since production commenced in 2005. The Company is focused on optimizing the Platosa Mine's cost and production profile, discovering further high-grade silver and carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) mineralization on the Platosa Project and epithermal silver mineralization on the Miguel Auza Property and capitalizing on the opportunity in current market conditions to acquire undervalued projects in Latin America.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release, which has been prepared by management. This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the Offering, the timing of the closing of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, the receipt of regulatory approvals, the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option and future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company. Although the Company believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities in Canada or in the United States.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events, results and/or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Excellon Resources Inc.
Almonty Industries Inc. (TSXV: AII):

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Almonty Industries Inc. (Almonty or the Company) (TSXV: AII) announces that it intends to initiate a Normal Course Issuer Bid (the Bid), subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). The Company intends to purchase, from time to time, as it considers advisable, up to 7,331,011 common shares (which is equal to 4.3% of the outstanding common shares) on the open market through the facilities of the TSXV or any other means that may be approved by the TSXV. The price that Almonty will pay for any common share under the Bid will be the prevailing market price on the TSXV at the time of such purchase. Common shares acquired under the Bid will be subsequently cancelled. Almonty currently has 169,302,805 common shares outstanding. The Company has appointed Integral Wealth Securities Limited to act as its broker through which the Bid will be conducted.

The Bid is expected to commence on November 15, 2017 and will terminate on November 14, 2018 or such earlier time as the Bid is completed or terminated at the option of Almonty. A copy of the Form 5G  Notice of Intention to make a Normal Course Issuer Bid filed by the Company with the TSXV can be obtained from the Company upon request without charge.

The Company is commencing the Bid because it believes that, from time to time, the market price of its Common Shares may not properly reflect the underlying, intrinsic value of Almonty, and that, at such times, the purchase of Common Shares for cancellation will increase the proportionate interest of, and be advantageous to, all remaining shareholders.

About Almonty

The principal business of Toronto, Canada-based Almonty Industries Inc. is the mining, processing and shipping of tungsten concentrate from its Los Santos Mine in western Spain and its Panasqueira mine in Portugal as well as the refurbishment of its Wolfram Camp Mine in north Queensland, Australia, the development of its Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea and the development Valtreixal tin/tungsten project in north western Spain. The Los Santos Mine was acquired by Almonty in September 2011 and is located approximately 50 kilometres from Salamanca in western Spain and produces tungsten concentrate. The Wolfram Camp Mine was acquired by Almonty in September 2014 and is located approximately 130 kilometres west of Cairns in northern Queensland, Australia and has produced tungsten and molybdenum concentrate, although the Wolfram Camp Mine is not currently producing due to ongoing refurbishment of the processing plant. The Panasqueira mine, which has been in production since 1896, is located approximately 260 kilometres northeast of Lisbon, Portugal, was acquired in January 2016 and produces tungsten concentrate. The Sangdong mine, which was historically one of the largest tungsten mines in the world and one of the few long-life, high-grade tungsten deposits outside of China, was acquired in September 2015 through the acquisition of a 100% interest in Woulfe Mining Corp. Almonty owns 100% of the Valtreixal tin-tungsten project in north-western Spain. Further information about Almontys activities may be found at www.almonty.com and under Almontys profile at www.sedar.com.

Legal Notice

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 announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of (i) an offer or invitation to purchase or otherwise acquire, subscribe for, tender, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, (ii) the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or otherwise acquire, subscribe for, tender, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or (iii) the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to this announcement or otherwise.

The distribution of this announcement in or into certain jurisdictions may be restricted by the laws of those jurisdictions. Accordingly, copies of this announcement are not being, and must not be, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any jurisdiction where it would be unlawful to do so. Persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, nominees, trustees and custodians) should observe these restrictions. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

When used in this press release, the words estimate, project, belief, anticipate, intend, expect, plan, predict, may or should and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. This press release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Commencement of a Normal Course Issuer Bid and the possibility of purchases being made thereunder. These statements and information are based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and reflect Almontys current expectations.

The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the intentions of management. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Almonty with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and assumptions which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Actual results relating to, among other things, the Bid, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for tungsten and other minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Almontys forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

Almonty has also assumed that material factors will not cause any forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006180/en/

Contact

Almonty Industries Inc.

Lewis Black, 647-438-9766

Chairman, President & CEO

Info@almonty.com
VANCOUVER, B.C., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ceylon Graphite Corp. (Ceylon Graphite) (TSX-V:CYL) (OTC:CYLYF) (FSE:CCY) announces that Sarcon Development (Pvt) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ceylon Graphite, has purchased a 2017 HY-2T type Core Drilling Rig from H.H. Drill-Tech Drilling Machinery Co. Ltd., a arms length party, based in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. Thirty (30%) percent of the purchase price of the rig was payable on signing of the definitive purchase agreement, and the balance will be paid on delivery. Upon completion of the acquisition, Ceylon Graphite will own two drilling rigs in Sri Lanka.



Ceylon Graphite is expected to take delivery of the rig in late November 2017, with the view of having it operational by early December 2017. The rig will be used to conduct drilling programs at grids held by Ceylon Graphite to confirm the quality and quantity of the graphite mineralization. It is expected that the rig will drill a minimum of 10 to 12 meters a day. With two operating drilling rigs, Ceylon Graphite anticipates being able to drill an additional 3 to 5 grids by the end of the first quarter, 2018.

Upon completion of the drilling program, and provided the results of the program are favourable, Ceylon Graphite intends to apply for a Class B mining licence, with the ultimate goal of establishing mining operations.

Bharat Parashar, Chief Executive Officer, said, We are fortunate to be able to take delivery of the rig as the dry season approaches. This will allow us to make up for time lost during the very heavy monsoons this year. Sri Lanka has had more than its average rainfall this year and this has slowed drilling, however, we hope to reverse this trend in the coming months. We expect the drilling program will confirm the attractiveness of our grids both in terms of quality and quantity of graphite mineralization.

Qualified Person

Robert Marvin, P. Geo (ONT) is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the geological information provided in this news release.

About Ceylon Graphite Corp.

Ceylon Graphite is a public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange that is in the business of exploring for and development of graphite in Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka has granted the company exploration rights in a land package of over 100km. These exploration grids (each a square kilometre in area) cover areas of historic graphite production from the early twentieth century, and represent a majority of the known graphite occurrences in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan graphite is known to be some of the purest in the world, and currently accounts for less than 1% of the world graphite production.

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes statements about Ceylon Graphites grids, Ceylon Graphites plans to undertake additional drilling and to develop a mine plan, Ceylon Graphites intention to apply for a Class B Mining License and to commence establishing mining operations. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Ceylon Graphite, including the assumption that, the drilling exercises will confirm the presence of high quality graphite, sufficient financial resources will be available, the records from the drilling exercises prove to be accurate, there will be no unanticipated delays or costs materially affecting Ceylon Graphites exploration, development and production, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including a Class B Mining License and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things, an inability to reach a final acquisition agreement, inaccurate results from the drilling exercises, a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents, an inability to access financing as needed, a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Ceylon Graphite, a failure to comply with environmental regulations and a weakening of market and industry reliance on high quality graphite. Ceylon Graphite cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive.

These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, Ceylon Graphite does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com)





Further information regarding the Company is available at www.ceylongraphite.com

Bharat Parashar, Chairman and & Chief Executive Officer

info@Ceylongraphite.com

Corporate Communications

(604) 559-8051
VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX, NYSE-MKT: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or "the Company") has filed a National Instrument 43-101 technical report with the Canadian securities regulators relating to the Arctic Project which supports the resource estimate previously announced on April 25, 2017 which is of sufficient quality to support the Arctic pre-feasibility study ("PFS"). The technical report is entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Arctic Project, Northwest Alaska, USA and prepared by Bruce Davis, Robert Sim and Jeff Austin, all of whom are "Qualified Persons" under NI 43-101 (the "Technical Report"). The Arctic Project is estimated to contain at a base case of 0.5% copper equivalent cut-off grade, an in-pit indicated resource of approximately 36 million tonnes of copper grading 3.07% (see Table 1) that are expected to form the basis for the PFS and the Company's first reserves in the Ambler Mining District. The PFS is on target to be released in the first quarter of 2018.

Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals, commented, "We are excited in the progress made to date towards finalizing the pre-feasibility study for our high-grade Arctic Project in Q1 2018. Arctic is pretty special  we predict it will be one of the highest grade open pit copper projects in the world. Arctic is also located in the geographic center of a 100 Km long belt containing over two dozen known grade polymetallic deposits and occurrences. It is not hard to envision a central milling concept with the other deposits potentially feeding the mill beyond the mine life at Arctic. With the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project ("AMDIAP") now in the formal permitting process and public scoping meetings taking place, it is exciting to see the Ambler Access Road finally taking shape."

Table 1. Estimate of Mineral Resources for the Arctic Deposit





Average Grade: Contained metal: Class M

tonnes Cu % Pb% Zn% Au g/t Ag g/t Cu Mlbs Pb Mlbs Zn Mlbs Au koz Ag Moz Indicated 36.0 3.07 0.73 4.23 0.63 47.6 2,441 581 3,356 728 55 Inferred 3.5 1.71 0.60 2.72 0.36 28.7 131 47 210 40 3

Base Case cut-off grade of 0.5% CuEq.

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. See "Cautionary Note to United States Investors."

Resources stated as contained within a pit shell developed using metal prices of US$3.00/lb copper, US$0.90/lb lead, US$1.00/lb zinc, US$1300/oz gold, US$18/oz silver, mining costs of US$3.00/tonne, milling and G&A costs of US$35/tonne, metallurgical recoveries of 92% for copper, 77% for lead, 88% for zinc, 63% for gold, 56% for silver and an average pit slope of 43 degrees.

Inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It is expected that a majority of the inferred resources will be converted to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration.

The sensitivity of mineral resources, contained within the resource limiting pit shell, is demonstrated by listing resources at a series of cut-off thresholds as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Sensitivity of Mineral Resources to Cut-off Grade





Average Grade: Contained metal: Cut-off CuEq% M

tonnes Cu % Pb% Zn% Au g/t Ag g/t Cu Mlbs Pb Mlbs Zn Mlbs Au koz Ag Moz Indicated 0.25 36.0 3.07 0.73 4.22 0.63 47.61 2,441 582 3,356 729 55 0.5 36.0 3.07 0.73 4.23 0.63 47.62 2,441 581 3,356 728 55 0.75 35.9 3.08 0.73 4.23 0.63 47.72 2,440 582 3,355 728 55 1.0 35.7 3.09 0.74 4.26 0.63 47.97 2,436 581 3,353 728 55 1.5 35.5 3.11 0.74 4.28 0.64 48.22 2,432 580 3,349 727 55 Inferred 0.25 3.8 1.58 0.56 2.52 0.34 26.76 133 47 212 42 3 0.5 3.5 1.71 0.60 2.72 0.36 28.69 131 47 210 40 3 0.75 3.0 1.93 0.65 3.04 0.36 31.99 129 44 203 35 3 1.0 2.5 2.29 0.73 3.52 0.37 37.04 124 39 192 29 3 1.5 2.3 2.46 0.76 3.71 0.39 39.32 122 38 184 28 3

Base Case cut-off grade of 0.5% CuEq is highlighted in table.

Mineral resource estimates are made from a 3D block model based on geostatistical applications using commercial mine planning software (MineSight v11.60-2). The block model has a nominal block size measuring 10 x 10 x 5 m and utilizes data derived from 152 drill holes in the vicinity of the Arctic deposit. The resource estimate was generated using drill hole sample assay results and the interpretation of a geological model which relates to the spatial distribution of copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver. Interpolation characteristics were defined based on the geology, drill hole spacing, and geostatistical analysis of the data. The effects of potentially anomalous high-grade sample data, composited to two metre intervals, are controlled by limiting the distance of influence during block grade interpolation. The grade models have been validated using a combination of visual and statistical methods. The resources were classified according to their proximity to the sample data locations and are reported, as required by NI 43-101 (as defined herein), according to the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Model blocks estimated by three or more drill holes spaced at a maximum distance of 100 metres are included in the Indicated category. Inferred blocks are within a maximum distance of 150 metres from a drill hole. The estimate of Indicated and Inferred mineral resources is within a limiting pit shell derived using projected technical and economic parameters.

A copy of the Technical Report is available on the Company's website at www.trilogymetals.com and under the Company's profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Qualified Persons

Mr. Bruce Davis, FAusIMM, the president of BD Resource Consulting Inc., and Mr. Robert Sim, P.Geo., of Sim Geological Inc., have reviewed the technical information related to the Arctic deposit in this news release and approve the written disclosure contained herein. Messrs Davis and Sim are independent "qualified persons", within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Neither Bruce Davis of BD Resource Consulting Inc., nor Robert Sim of Sim Geological Inc., nor any associates employed in the preparation of the Arctic Project resource estimation have any beneficial interest in Trilogy Metals. Messrs Davis and Sim are not insiders, associates, or affiliates of Trilogy Metals. The information in this press release is not dependent upon any prior agreements concerning the conclusions to be reached, nor are there any undisclosed understandings concerning any future business dealings between Trilogy Metals and Messrs Davis and Sim who were retained by Trilogy Metals to prepare the Arctic Project resource estimate and are to be paid a fee for their work in accordance with normal professional consulting practices.

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements related to the timing of completion of the PFS, anticipated activity and development at Arctic and the Ambler Access Road are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various 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 include the uncertainties involving the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2016 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Arctic Technical Report have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource and reserve information contained therein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth in this press release or the Bornite Technical Report may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.
TORONTO, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lydian International Ltd. (TSX:LYD) (Lydian or the Company) announced today its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. All dollar amounts referenced in this news release are, unless otherwise indicated, in United States dollars.



Third Quarter 2017 Highlights

During Q3 2017, Lydian achieved full-scale construction at its Amulsar Gold Project. The workforce exceeded 1,400 employees and contractors, with significant work advancing at all elevations. Earthworks remained the principal focus for much of the quarter, but activities increasingly transitioned to concrete and equipment assembly. As of September 30, 2017, total commitments reached 80% of estimated total project costs, and overall completion was tracking on plan at 60%.

Howard Stevenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lydian International, stated, During the third quarter, we continued to make significant progress in the construction and development of the Amulsar Gold Project. We received the second advance of $25 million under the Term Loan Agreement, utilized an initial $36.7 million under the ING Bank equipment financing facility, and ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $72 million. With total project cost commitments at 80% and overall project completion at 60%, we continue to de-risk the project and move closer to becoming a large-scale gold producer in 2018.

Mr. Stevenson continued, We are also proud to have published Lydians first Sustainability Report. Our inaugural report reflects our Companys commitment and comprehensive approach to sustainability and is a significant step in our journey towards developing and operating a world-class mine in Armenia. To read the Sustainability Report, please visit www.lydianinternational.co.uk.

Recent Developments

Key developments occurring during Q3 2017 and more recently include:

Materials Handling System  Fabrication, delivery and assembly of crushing and conveying equipment progressed as planned. Most remaining equipment for the crushing and screening plant arrived at site. This included the three secondary cone crushers, the primary crusher, apron feeder, motors, and the dust collection system. Also, the major supply of structural steel for the crushing plant was delivered. Pre-engineered steel buildings for the crushing and screening plant have also been delivered to site.

Crushing and screening components are warehoused on-site. Assembly will begin as concrete work is completed. Deliveries for the overland conveyor included the pre-cast concrete sleepers and most of the modular overland conveyor galleries. Assembly of the galleries is progressing with about one-third of the units complete. Placement of the sleepers and setting of the conveyor galleries has commenced.

Earthworks to prepare the crushing area and overland conveyor platforms were a priority during the quarter. This work progressed well in the crushing area, but geotechnical conditions required additional excavation and backfilling. This delayed handover for concrete work by about one month. A limited section of the overland conveyor platform also requires additional work due to geotechnical conditions. Given the ability to advance work in other sections along the platform, this is not expected to cause delay. The crushing area platform was completed at quarter end and turned over to the structural, mechanical, piping and electrical contractor. Concrete foundations are now being poured. Placement of pre-cast sleepers and setting the modular conveyor galleries has also commenced along the conveyor corridor. Construction of the crushing and screening plant and the overland conveyor are scheduled to proceed concurrently. Time allowances to offset weather constraints have been made in the planning, but winter weather will be a driver in keeping to the current schedule.

Mine Operations  One Caterpillar 6040 hydraulic shovel, one Caterpillar 994 loader, and four Caterpillar 789D haul trucks arrived as scheduled during Q3 2017. The 6040 shovel, which is the largest load to be transported to site, cleared customs and was delivered without incident. With this delivery and other equipment received during the quarter, transportation and logistics risks have been greatly reduced. Mining equipment is being assembled on site by Zeppelin, the local Caterpillar dealer. Five additional 789D haul trucks are expected to arrive during Q4 2017.

Construction of the mine haul road continues to advance and will provide access from the mine pits to the crushing plant and barren rock storage facility (BRSF). Initial access along the west face of Erato is now complete, which will support acceleration of work at higher elevations. Construction of the BRSF has also commenced. Once the first deliveries of the mobile mining fleet are commissioned and operators are trained, Lydian plans to supplement construction of the mine haul road with this equipment.

Heap Leach Facility  Topsoil stockpiling is complete and construction earthworks are advancing with the dam raise, toe-bench embankment back fill, and preparation of the sub-base for the geomembrane. Installation of the primary underdrain piping is complete and installation of the secondary piping network is advancing. Fabrication of the geomembrane liner continues with delivery and installation expected to begin in Q4 2017. Fabrication of pre-engineered steel buildings is under way.

Processing Plant  A concrete batch plant is assembled and operational adjacent to the ADR platform. Concrete pours for equipment foundations were completed and additional concrete work for the ADR plant is ongoing. Fifteen containers of pre-assembled modules for the carbon-in-column and carbon regeneration circuits have shipped from the manufacturer with delivery expected during Q4 2017. An additional 16 containers of gold recovery equipment and materials are scheduled to ship within the coming weeks.

Infrastructure  Other earthworks are advancing for the truck shop, truck wash bay, administrative facilities, and mine warehouse platforms. Steel for the truck shop buildings has arrived at site. Phase 1 of the residence camp is completed and occupied. Galvanized steel structures for the main 110kV substation switches have been received, and the modular e-house for the crusher area and plant transformers have shipped from the manufacturer. Excavation for pre-cast concrete installation at the substation has started and installation of the 35kV electric distribution towers to the crushing and screening plant is in process.

Financing  Lydian received the second advance of $25 million under the Term Loan Agreement. The Company also utilized an initial $36.7 million under the ING Bank equipment financing facility, including $32.8 million received by Lydian and $3.9 million to be funded from ING to the export credit agency. Lydian has arranged a total financing plan of $442 million, of which $167 million remains available, subject to satisfaction or waiver of applicable conditions, as of September 30, 2017.

Sustainability  Biodiversity programs are successfully advancing as planned to achieve compliance with Armenian and international standards. Potentilla porphyrantha studies demonstrate positive potential for ex situ conservation and propagation from seed. Planning activities and assessments are being completed in support of establishing the Jermuk National Park as a biodiversity offset. Lydian is also supporting Armenias implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative with membership on the EITI Multi-Stakeholder Group and participation in several working groups. Lydian published its 2016 Sustainability Report.

To view construction photos and videos, please visit www.lydianinternational.co.uk.

About Lydian International Limited

Lydian is a gold developer focusing on construction at its 100%-owned Amulsar Gold Project, located in south-central Armenia. Amulsar will be a large-scale, low-cost operation with production expected to begin in the third-quarter of 2018. Open pit mining and conventional heap leach processing contribute to excellent scale and economic potential. Amulsar will be Armenias largest gold mine and make Lydian one of the largest emerging gold producers of 2018. Estimated mineral resources contain 3.5 million measured and indicated gold ounces and 1.3 million inferred gold ounces. Gold production is targeted to average approximately 225,000 ounces annually over an initial 10-year mine life as outlined in the Q1 2017 Technical Report. Existing mineral resources beyond current reserves and open extensions provide opportunities to improve average annual production and extend the mine life. Lydian is committed to good international industry practices in all aspects of its operations including production, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. For more information and to directly contact us, please visit www.lydianinternational.co.uk.

For further information, please contact:

Doug Tobler, CFO

+1 720-307-5087 (d) or +1 303-905-4442 (m) Pamela Solly, Vice President of Investor Relations

+1 720-464-5649 (d) or +1 303-810-4863 (m) Or: moreinfo@Lydianinternational.co.uk

Caution regarding forward-looking information



Certain information contained in this news release is forward looking. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects, is expected, intends, anticipates or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, will, would, should, or occur or the negative or other variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements with respect to: the realization of mineral resource estimates and the timing of development of the Amulsar Gold Project, including the expected start date of production; the current Amulsar Gold Project construction schedule, including the Companys plan to begin and advance various on-site construction activities; current expectations regarding forthcoming operational objectives and the timing and satisfaction of such objectives; the Companys approach to sustainability, including the biodiversity programs; the fabrication, delivery, and assembly of certain equipment; the ability to access funds under current and future financing arrangements and the timing and terms of such funding; results of future exploration and drilling; the commitment to and implementation of good international industry practices; the expected gold production from, and life of mine of, the Amulsar Gold Project; the expected mining methods at the Amulsar Gold Project; and the expected cost of operations at the Amulsar Gold Project. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking information to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered when the property is developed.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, without limitation: changes in gold and silver prices; adverse general economic, market or business conditions; failure to achieve the objectives of the future exploration and drilling programs; regulatory changes; as well as "Risk Factors" included in the disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was shot several times during a traffic stop likely saved his own life by applying a tourniquet to his leg before help arrived, authorities said Wednesday as they released more details of the confrontation along a highway.

Cpl. Seth Kelly, 39, remained hospitalized in critical condition after suffering gunshot wounds to his neck and shoulder area and to his leg in the close-quarters gunfight. The 13-year veteran was set to undergo another surgery to remove a bullet.

Hes battling. Hes certainly not out of the woods by any means, but ... he is a very strong individual, and he displayed a will yesterday that he wanted to live and get through this, state police Capt. Richard DAmbrosio said at a press conference.

The suspect, 22-year-old Daniel Khalil Clary, of Effort, faces charges that include attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault. Clary, who was shot and remains hospitalized, has given a statement to police.

Hes not denying his involvement, Lt. Joseph F. Sokolofski said.

Kelly was helping another trooper arrest Clary, whom they suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana, when Clary began fighting with the troopers, police said. The struggle lasted nearly two minutes, and at one point all three men were wrestling and rolling around the right lane of Route 33, in Plainfield Township, north of Philadelphia, as cars and trucks whizzed by them on the left, DAmbrosio said.

Despite being hit with a stun gun, Clary managed to break free, retrieved a semi-automatic pistol from his car and opened fire on Kelly and Trooper Ryan Seiple, authorities said. Both troopers returned fire, hitting Clary several times. Clary then fled, driving himself to a hospital where he was taken into custody.

Kelly had the presence of mind to grab the tourniquet he wore on his service belt and apply it to his bleeding leg, DAmbrosio said, more than likely saving his own life.

Seiple, 31, was injured during the scuffle but was not shot. Officials thanked emergency medical workers at the scene and staff at St. Lukes Hospital in Fountain Hill, where Kelly was flown, for saving his life.
The Trump administration signaled Tuesday that it would allow states to impose work requirements on some adult Medicaid enrollees, a long-sought goal for conservatives that is strongly opposed by Democrats and advocates for the poor.Such a decision would be a major departure from federal policy. President Barack Obama's administration ruled repeatedly that work requirements were inconsistent with Medicaid's mission of providing medical assistance to low-income people.The announcement came from Seema Verma, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, who was scheduled to address the nation's state Medicaid directors Tuesday. A news release issued in advance of the speech said allowing states to have work requirements is part of her plan to help give states more flexibility."The thought that a program designed for our most vulnerable citizens should be used as a vehicle to serve the working-age, able-bodied adults does not make sense, but the prior administration fought state-led reforms that would've allowed the Medicaid program to evolve," Verma said in a copy of her remarks released moments before she spoke."For people living with disabilities CMS has long believed that meaningful work is essential to their economic self-sufficiency, self-esteem, well-being and improving their health," she said. "Why would we not believe that the same is true for working-age, able-bodied Medicaid enrollees?"Eight states _ Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Maine, Utah and Wisconsin _ have submitted requests to CMS seeking to require non-disabled Medicaid enrollees to either work or provide community service.The advance copy of Verma's remarks did not say when she would rule on the pending applications, but one CMS official said it would likely be before the end of the year.Studies show the vast majority of Medicaid enrollees are already working, looking for work, going to school or caring for a relative.About 59 percent of nondisabled adults on Medicaid do have jobs, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)Verma emphasized the agency's commitment to considering proposals that would give states more flexibility to test efforts to move enrollees out of poverty."Every American deserves the dignity and respect of high expectations, and as public officials we should deliver programs that instill hope and say to each beneficiary that we believe in their potential," Verma said.States and the federal government split the costs of the $575 billion Medicaid program, which covers 74 million people. States are allowed to set benefits and eligibility rules within broad federal guidelines.Since the 1990s, the federal government has increasingly allowed states to temporarily waive Medicaid rules to give states the ability to experiment with how they administer the program. States have used those options for efforts such as adding monthly premiums or customizing their expansion of Medicaid under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.Two long-term requirements of such waivers are that they do not increase federal costs and they improve health coverage of the poor.CMS said Tuesday that expanding access is no longer a key purpose of federal Medicaid waivers. This statement represents a philosophical change in the program that would open the door to approve work requirements, which states acknowledge would reduce number of people enrolled."It tells me that the agency is preparing to disavow a central objective of federal law and instead will attempt to accomplish exactly what the law does not countenance, namely, a reduction in the level of assistance available to the poorest and most medically vulnerable Americans," said Sara Rosenbaum, a health policy and law professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.Verma's decision had been widely expected. Before being appointed to CMS, she was a health care consultant and she helped the Indiana and Kentucky Medicaid programs draw up their waiver requests, including work requirements. To avoid a conflict, CMS said Verma will not be involved in decisions on those two states.A decision to support work requirements would likely end up in a court battle, said Jane Perkins, legal director of the National Health Law Program, an advocacy group. Perkins said CMS has power to allow states to experiment with the Medicaid program but not by curtailing eligibility."This is really a change in the complexion of the Medicaid program where CMS is saying to states, 'Come tell us what you want to do and if you want to cut back the program, we will give you the go ahead,'" Perkins said. "That is inconsistent with congressional intent" of Medicaid waivers.Verma's address to the National Association of Medicaid Directors meeting marks one of her few public appearances since taking office. Despite overseeing Medicaid and Medicare _ programs that affect more than 120 million Americans _ she has given few interviews or public speeches.She has frequently been mentioned as a possible replacement for Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, who resigned in September following allegations of wasteful travel spending.Republican governors defend work requirements, saying such a mandate would provide "dignity" to enrollees and spur them to not count on the government entitlement program."This program offers opportunities for individuals to take control of their life," Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, said in July when revising his work requirement proposal.Opponents of work requirements assert that many Medicaid enrollees already work and a mandate is counterproductive. Denying people access to health care could keep them from staying healthy and being able to be employed, they say.Verma's speech came after an announcement by CMS on Monday that it would streamline the often-arduous process to get Medicaid waivers. It offered to fast-track some requests and said it would allow states to get waivers for up to 10 years _ five more years than currently allowed.Verma also said the federal government would release scorecards showing Medicaid outcomes, but she gave no details on what measures would be evaluated.Most Medicaid enrollees are in private managed care plans, which get evaluated each year by states, looking at everything from vaccination rates for children to cancer screening rates for adults.More than 16 million people have been added to Medicaid since 2013, mostly as a result of 31 states expanding eligibility under the federal health law.
Just hours after a Medicaid expansion was endorsed by nearly 60 percent of Maine voters, Gov. Paul LePage and his Republican allies in the Legislature were vowing to delay, if not derail, the first-in-the-nation, citizen-initiated law that would provide health care to as many as 70,000 low-income residents.As supporters of the ballot-box law were declaring victory, LePage and conservatives in the Legislature, who say the expansion will bust the state's budget, were girding for a political battle that is likely to spill into and dominate the State House when lawmakers return in January.This year the Legislature repealed or significantly altered four ballot box measures dealing with voting, taxes for public schools, marijuana legalization and the minimum wage. Those moves angered not only supporters of the measures but also some lawmakers, who said the will of the people and their rights under the Maine constitution were being violated.A total of 343,838 ballots were cast on Question 2, a higher-than-expected turnout, and the measure passed by a tally of 202,616 to 141,222, or 59 percent to 41 percent.But in a defiant statement early Wednesday, LePage promised to reject the expansion unless the Legislature, without raising taxes or tapping into surplus revenues, finds a way to pay for it. Expansion is projected to cost the state about $50 million a year, while drawing down another $500 million in matching federal funds under the Affordable Care Act.Throughout the day Wednesday, leaders from both parties issued statement after statement either praising or blasting Tuesday's results, making it clear that the path forward for Medicaid expansion will be a rocky one.Top State House Democrats, some of whom worked with Republicans to repeal or alter other recent ballot box laws, vowed to stand with voters and defend their decision on Medicaid."Any attempts to illegally delay or subvert this law will not be tolerated and will be fought with every recourse at our disposal. said Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, D-Freeport. "Mainers demanded affordable access to healthcare yesterday, and that is exactly what we intend to deliver."Senate Minority Leader Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, likewise said there was no room for negotiation."When Gov. LePage and his allies tried to defeat Medicaid expansion at the ballot box, Mainers turned out at the ballot box to reject his lies. And we won," Jackson said. "And when, inevitably, Gov. LePage and Rep. Fredette conspire this year to overturn the voters' will and take health care away from 80,000 Mainers, we will rise up to resist them. And we will win."Jackson was referring to House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, who has kept the House minority caucus in lockstep with LePage to sustain most of the governor's vetoes and accomplish other policy objectives. Fredette said there could only be an expansion of Medicaid if it came without imposing new taxes or drawing down surplus revenues."I acknowledge the passing of the referendum dealing with the expansion of Medicaid," Fredette said. "However, I do not believe House Republicans will support any tax increase or the raiding of the rainy day fund to pay for an ever-expanding state government due to the out of control referendum process."Sen. Eric Brakey, chairman of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, framed Medicaid expansion as a move that would inevitably drain resources from other state programs."I will not vote to spend a penny on Medicaid expansion for able-bodied adults while our seniors and intellectually-disabled adults go without basic services," said Brakey, R-Auburn, who chastised his colleagues for not accepting the recreational marijuana law approved at the ballot box last year.When the Legislature convenes in January, it will have to take procedural steps to make Medicaid expansion fit within existing state statutes, as well as provide funding for it. Lawmakers could do that through stand-alone legislation or as part of a broader supplemental budget bill that adjusts state spending in response to changing revenues.Beyond that, it's unclear what might occur in the State House come January. The Legislature could amend the ballot-box law, but any legislative bill to expand Medicaid would need two-thirds support to overcome a LePage veto. Without that the underlying ballot-box law remains in place. Lawmakers could also amend the ballot measure to delay its implementation date. That would push the fight over Medicaid to the next governor and the next Legislature, which will be seated in January of 2019.Adding to the uncertainty at the state level is the murky future of the Affordable Care Act, which encourages Medicaid expansion but will surely be under siege again as long as Republicans control Congress and the White House.LePage, who has already vetoed Medicaid expansion legislation five times, offered no details Wednesday on what steps he might take to hinder expansion. He could direct the state Department of Health and Human Services to delay the rulemaking that will be needed to implement the fine print in the ballot measure. But such a move would also likely spark a battle in the Legislature, which is split near evenly -- with Democrats controlling the House of Representatives and Republicans the Senate.LePage also reached back in time Wednesday to blame former independent governor Angus King for a state health care debt that LePage claims reached nearly a billion dollars by 2013."The last time Maine experimented with Medicaid expansion in 2002 under then-governor Angus King, it created a $750 million debt to hospitals, resulted in massive budget shortfalls every year, did not reduce emergency room use, did not reduce the number of uninsured Mainers and took resources away from our most vulnerable residents--the elderly and the intellectually and physically disabled," LePage said.LePage signed a bill in 2013 that directed revenue from the state's wholesale liquor business to pay off a $183.5 million state debt to Maine's 39 hospitals for unreimbursed care under Medicaid. The state payment drew down an additional $307 million in federal matching funds.The Medicaid expansion vote Tuesday extends Medicaid eligibility to people making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level -- or just under $17,000 a year for a single person -- with the federal government paying 90 percent of the cost of expansion.Backers of the ballot measure, including David Farmer, a spokesman for Mainers for Health Care, the committee that ran the campaign to pass expansion, said LePage couldn't "unilaterally" block the will of the voters."More than 70,000 Mainers have already waited too long for health care," Farmer said. "They shouldn't have to wait any longer. The governor cannot ignore the law or the Constitution of Maine. Simply put, the governor does not have veto power of citizen's initiatives and he cannot ignore the law."Others also said the issue could be settled by the courts, if LePage and Republicans continue to fight off expansion.Robyn Merrill, executive director of Maine Equal Justice Partners, a nonprofit advocacy group that launched the referendum effort, noted that, by law, the ballot measure becomes law within 45 days after the Legislature convenes early next year, and then the administration has 180 days to implement expansion."If they fail to do that, there would be legal recourses," Merrill said, adding that her organization could go to court to force the law's implementation."It's the law now. The administration needs to implement it," she said.Mitchell Stein, a Maine-based independent health policy consultant, said that "anything is possible" if the LePage administration balks at putting expansion into effect."We are in uncharted territory," Stein said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up in court."He pointed out that nothing in the ACA itself mandates implementation in a certain time frame, because when the ACA became law in 2010, it was intended that Medicaid expansion be mandatory. Two years later the U.S. Supreme Court struck down that requirement and ruled that Medicaid expansion must be voluntary for states.Maine is not only the first state to approve expansion by ballot referendum, but it's also the first to approve it with an executive branch that's openly hostile, Stein said. In all other expansion states, governors were supportive.
Arizona is joining more than two dozen other states in giving convicted felons a foot in the door for employment.In an executive order Monday, Gov. Doug Ducey directed state personnel officials to ban the box, eliminating any questions on initial job applications about whether a person has a criminal record.None of that keeps the question from coming up. But the concept, according to the governor, is to ensure that people are not eliminated from even being considered.This is to allow people that have paid their debt to society, who have served their time, to have some hope of a job or a career or an opportunity, Ducey said.The idea is not new. The National Employment Law Project reports 29 states already have similar laws or policies in place.The group also says nine states have eliminated the question for private employers, something the governors executive order does not do.Several Arizona cities, including Tucson, Tempe and Phoenix, have similar policies.
Dear Editor:

In the Oct. 12 Bill Tracker: Preventing 'surprise balance billing' in health care, you described a situation where a patient is hit with a surprise bill, even though they were seen at an in-network facility. I believe there is a lack of understanding as to why this happens. Many insurance companies do not contract with hospital specialists as a way to defer costs to the patient.

The problem of these out-of-network charges is rooted in insurance industry business practices. It comes when the patient needs to use hospital services and goes to an institution that they think is in-network. To the patients surprise, they get stuck with a large bill they were not expecting. In essence the patient is taking on risk that they think they are getting rid of by buying insurance.

State lawmakers have proposed a plan to address this issue. Unfortunately, the plan benefits insurance companies and not the patients I serve and care for. Pathologists are strong advocates for requiring insurers to maintain health insurance plan network adequacy for hospital-based physicians. Specifically, we advocate that insurance regulators require health insurance plans to have sufficient numbers of in-network physician specialists (pathology, radiology, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology) at in-network hospitals.

The insurance industry opposes our advocacy efforts in this area. The failure to have adequate insurance networks of hospital-based physicians means that even when patients purchase insurance products, their services could come from out-of-network physicians at in-network facilities. These narrow and ultra-narrow networks created by health insurance companies shift costs to patients and the physician community strongly opposes this action.

The legislation pending in Harrisburg does not address the problem; it ignores the state oversight of the insurance industry and their coverage obligation to patients.

Jacob Gildea

Hampden Township

Pathologist at UPMC Pinnacle
Denver has been slow to jump on the bandwagon of public-private partnerships. Well, it used to be. The city recently embraced P3 deals in a big way.In August, the city council gave final approval to a $1.8 billion agreement to have private vendors, led by the Spanish company Ferrovial Airports, take over concessions and renovations at the Denver airport for 34 years. Mayor Michael Hancock told the council it was the best option on the table. You either raise taxes, you raise costs or you enter into P3s that enable us to level off the costs and share the burden with private partners, he said.Now the city is considering public-private partnerships to expand the convention center, renovate the performing arts center and convert the National Western Center, home of the annual livestock show, into a campus for food and agriculture research and development. As a city, we need to ask with every project moving forward whether a P3 is a good fit, says Chris Herndon, a city council member.Agreement on the airport deal is far from universal. The major airline carriers in Denver are worried about fee increases. Some citizens have raised concerns about losing accountability of a major public asset to private firms, with a foreign contractor in charge.City Councilwoman Robin Kniech concedes that Ferrovial, which runs Londons Heathrow and other big airports, knows a lot more about design issues than the city does. Still, she says, design work could have been contracted out, without entering into a public-private partnership. One mistake many states and localities have made in recent years is signing contracts and feeling like a problem has been taken off their hands. Good contract management remains essential when outsourcing services or programs.In the end, though, a majority of the council concluded the deal with Ferrovial was a good move for the city. Kniech ultimately was won over by the fact that Denver is retaining ownership of the facility, with the right to renegotiate parts of the deal as circumstances evolve over time. We avoided a mistake other cities have made, she says. Its not like we turned over the keys and said, Well see you in 30 years.But Kniech and her colleagues know that while a P3 can untangle many financing hurdles, its not a panacea. Somewhere along the line, weve formed this notion that its free money, or someone elses money, she says. Youre getting up-front private money, but youre always paying that back over time.
The online theft of money from Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) member accounts discovered on Halloween was not the result of a hack, an agency official said, but sparked an FBI investigation and changes to security practices.The incident at the state pension fund that began in mid-October came to light on Tuesday, Oct. 31, when IPERS received a telephone call indicating one of its more than 350,000 members had not received a check.The agency, which counts more than 115,000 retirees among its members, ran system queries and discovered 103 retiree accounts had been "compromised," according to Judy Akre, IPERS director of communications.The amount thieves took electronically amounted to several hundred thousand dollars, Akre said, but by reaching out to banks and financial institutions involved, a portion of that money was able to be "reverted" to its previous destinations. IPERS had assets of about $30.7 billion as of June 30.The theft appears to have happened when thieves gained access to Social Security numbers and dates of birth for members and were able to leverage this information to register for IPERS online account access, then alter existing direct deposit information, Akre explained."It would be as if someone jumped onto your employer's system and posed as you and logged in as you and updated your personal information. They had the information they needed to establish a user name and password and get their online access. But we'll be doing a lot of changes right now to strengthen that accessibility," the director of communications said.It's unclear how the criminals obtained the member information, though Akre said they did not get the Social Security numbers from IPERS.When IPERS learned of the incident, it immediately disabled online account access and made telephone calls to alert members who had been affected.Online account access was restored on Wednesday, Nov. 2 with exceptions: direct deposit information cannot be changed online; online member access remains unavailable for the 103 retired members whose payments were redirected; and the 103 fraudulent accounts detected have been disabled.IPERS has reissued the payments affected to their "original financial institutions," Akre said, and members should receive their money on or before Monday, Nov. 7.With an investigation ongoing, the communications director said it's too early for IPERS to offer advice to other state pension funds."I guess the best advice would be more directed to everyone, the general public, as far as online access and being very vigilant. Check your online account very frequently and change passwords," Akre said.State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, a member of the IPERS' Investment Board, told the Des Moines Register that he credits IPERS for catching the incident but called it "a very serious concern.""But this has to be stopped or this great system that we have will just have to be changed," Fitzgerald told the Register's William Petroski.Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in the state Department of Public Safety (DPS), confirmed via email that IPERS contacted his agency, but said he referred it to the FBI and DPS has "no involvement" in the investigation.Huston Pullen, public affairs officer for the FBI in Omaha, Neb., said via email that the agency is "aware of the situation" and in communication with local authorities, but declined further comment.
Women claimed big victories on Tuesday in a night that marked many firsts and could signal the start of a sea change for women in politics.The sheer volume of success for women candidates was a surprise to many, mainly because they were running against incumbents who historically win re-election 90 percent of the time. But not this year. Incumbents in Georgia, New Jersey and Virginia all lost their seats to women.It would be foolish to make too much of any one race, says Jean Sinzdak, associate director of Rutgers Universitys Center for American Women and Politics. "But all of this together -- theres something going on right now.A handful of cities elected their first female mayor or -- in the case of Seattle, its first in nearly a century. Women were electedto the mayor's office for the first time in Manchester, N.H., and Newton, Mass. There's also more to come as Atlanta (which has only had one woman mayor) and New Orleans (which has never had a woman mayor) are both holding mayoral runoff elections between female candidates.Other firsts on the local level include Nassau County, N.Y., electing its first woman executive, and in Boston and Boise, Idaho, voters electing enough women that their city councils will now be either majority or near-majority female for the first time in their history.At the state level, women in Georgia, Virginia and Washington claimed victory in open legislative seats formerly held by men or outright defeated male incumbents to make gains in state-level representation.Notably, women in Virginia led the surge in flipping 11 of 16 Republican-held seats in the House, with one race too close to call on Wednesday. Starting next year, the chamber will have at least 28 women serving. Thats a record high and an increase of more than half.Election night was also historic for minority and LGBTQ women.Charlotte, N.C., elected Vi Lyles to be its first black woman as mayor, and Sudanese-American Mazahir Salih became the first Muslim and first immigrant to win a seat on the city council in Iowa City, Iowa. Sheila Oliver was elected New Jersey's first black woman lieutenant governor, and the first two Latinas were elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.An openly transgender woman won a statehouse seat for the first time in Virginia, while Andrea Jenkins in Minneapolis became the first transgender woman elected to a city council in a major city. Lisa Middleton in Palm Springs became California's first transgender candidate to win a city council seat. And in Seattle, Jenny Durkan will be the city's first lesbian mayor.In some ways, the groundswell of victories can be viewed as a direct result of the many women inspired to run after President Trumps surprise defeat of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a year ago. Certainly, some races had the tone of a referendum on Trump.In New Jersey, 32-year-old Democrat Ashley Bennett was inspired to run against Republican Atlantic County Freeholder John Carman when he mocked the Womens March on his Facebook page. She won with nearly 60 percent of the vote.In Virginia, transgender candidate Danica Roem ran against long-time Republican Del. Robert Marshall after he sponsored a so-called bathroom bill in the state legislature. Roem, 32, campaigned on ideals like inclusion and equality, but her main platform spoke to local concerns, such as better transportation and infrastructure. She won with 54 percent of the vote.But Mirya Holman, a political science professor at Tulane University, cautions that change in politics doesnt happen in a matter of months. She sees this as a culmination of the work that organizations promoting female candidates -- like Emilys List and Ready to Run -- have been doing for years.We also had five women elected mayor in Utah, she says, which is just amazing because that is not a liberal place. But the reason is that the Republican party in Utah has been working really hard to encourage women to run.The surprise victories this week for so many first-time female candidates has many hopeful that mainstream donors and organizers -- who generally don't gravitate toward unknown women candidates -- will take notice. But, Rutgers Kelly Dittmar notes that Virginia -- where a whopping nine of 30 women challenging incumbents won their race -- is now a solidly purple and leaning blue state. So, expecting the same level of upsets next year in red states might be overly optimistic.We have to be a little careful about saying Virginia is like other states, she says. But there is a lot of hope that this inspires funders and parties to invest more.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation acknowledged Monday that it is looking into details surrounding a sexual harassment scandal in the Kentucky Capitol that led to Jeff Hoover's resignation Sunday as speaker of the House of Representatives."The FBI received information regarding sexual harassment and retaliation claims made by employees working in the state capitol," said David Habich, a spokesman for the FBI in Louisville. "We are reviewing that information and the allegations surrounding it to determine whether or not there is a violation of federal law."House Republican leadership said they have not recieved any inquiries from outside law enforcement agencies.The confirmation comes after the Herald-Leader reported Saturday that House Republican Communications Director Daisy Olivo was contacted by the FBI about the sexual harassment scandal.Olivo told the Herald-Leader that she was isolated by Republican leaders after she reported the emotional duress of a co-worker to Hoover in early September. On Thursday, the day after she reported a "toxic" work environment in the House GOP leadership office to officials with the Legislative Research Commission, she was relieved from her duty of communicating with the press, the primary responsibility of a communications director.State Rep. C. Wesley Morgan told the Herald-Leader Saturday that he reported the sexual harassment scandal to the FBI.The scandal rocked the capitol this weekend, with Governor Matt Bevin, a Republican, calling for the resignation of any lawmakers and staff who were involved in settling a sexual harassment claim.Hoover and three other GOP lawmakers were accused of sexual harassment by an employee in the House Republican leadership office in a settlement demand letter sent to Hoover last month, said Olivo, who has seen the letter. The letter also accused Republican Chief of Staff Ginger Wills of creating a hostile work environment.On Sunday, Hoover confirmed that he and others had reached a confidential settlement with the staffer following mediation. Hoover acknowledged that he exchanged "inappropriate text messages" with the accuser, but denied that he or other lawmakers sexually harassed the woman. He said there is not a culture of sexual harassment within the House Republican Caucus.The other lawmakers named in the demand letter -- Rep. Brian Linder of Dry Ridge; Rep. Michael Meredith of Oakland and Rep. Jim DeCesare of Bowling Green -- were temporarily removed from their positions as committee chairmen by the House GOP leadership team Sunday evening, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.DeCesare, who was a member of Republican leadership before the GOP took control of the House of Representatives last November, chairs the Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Meredith is chairman of the Committee on Local Government, and Linder co-chairs the Public Pension Oversight Board.
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GIS  09 November, 2017 : The necessity to promote gender equality as a key element for a healthy and prosperous society as well as the basis for human rights was the gist of the speech of the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, this morning at the launch of a one-day Capacity building programme for prison officers on gender issues held at the Prison Training School in Beau Bassin.

The Minister stressed that gender equality lays the foundation for a more sustainable society as it is the solution to many challenges including poverty. On that score, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare is upholding its efforts in reaching out to various audiences to raise awareness on gender concepts, she said. The capacity building programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Defence and Rodrigues (Prison Department) with the objective of equipping officers with necessary knowledge on gender concepts.

The training for prison officers follows a similar initiative held in October for officers from various departments and units of the Mauritius Police Force. The aim is to assist public institutions in mainstreaming gender equality at all levels with a view to eliminating bias and discrimination and finding ways for men and women to have access to the same opportunities. The next occupational target groups are the nurses and trade unionists, announced the Minister.

Speaking on the purpose of the capacity building programme, Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo stated that the prison officers, after the training, will be much more sensitive to gender issues and incorporate gender perspectives at the workplace. Officers will be able to draw upon the knowledge and understanding acquired from the capacity building programme and apply a rights based approach in their activities, she pointed out. The Minister also proposed that the training programme provided by the Police and the Prison Service to new recruits comprises a module on gender concept.

The Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Premananda Appadoo, for his part, recalled that the rate of incarceration for women, standing at around 5%, remains far lower than the rate for men. He underlined that the Mauritius Prison Service provides appropriate services for women in the criminal justice system and that the rights and needs of women detainees are respected. A Mother and Baby Unit and a Self-Care Unit are among the facilities available for pregnant women and nursing mothers at the Women Prison, he said.

Regarding the staff of the Mauritius Prison Service, the Commissioner said that women prison officers undergo identical training programme, including physical training and drill, as their male counterparts and enjoy same pay and working conditions. Moreover, he made an appeal for the Prison Service and the Gender Equality Ministry to extend their collaboration so as to come up with a rehabilitation programme for convicted perpetrators of domestic violence and child abuse.
On the heels of the devastating wildfires in Northern California, hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria, the FCC rejected the five largest wireless carriers requests for more time to implement upgrades to Wireless Emergency Alerts.It was September 2016 when the FCC adopted rules to enhance wireless alerts, including increasing the maximum length of messages from 90 characters to 360 characters and requiring that providers support embedding phone numbers and URLs in alerts.Since then, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) sought delays in implementing the new rules. The FCC finally rejected the industrys reconsideration of the rules.Its amazing that it took four disasters to make this come about, retired Adm. David Simpson, former FCC public safety and homeland security bureau chief told the San Francisco Examiner. It should be an embarrassment to the commission, but its done.Francisco Sanchez, a member of the FEMA National Advisory Council Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee, expressed relief that the changes can be pursued.From my perspective, all of the recommendations approved last year by the FCC were a consensus agreement out of dialog between public safety officials, social scientists, mobile phone developers and technology experts, and the fact that the industry would ask for more time on issues they agreed to is concerning.Sanchez said that the rules still fall a bit short of whats needed and far short of what technology allows. He said if there was the ability to send geo-targeted alerts to just those immediately effected is the single most important public safety issue, and that more alerts would have been sent during Harvey and other disasters if officials had that ability.Using the device to be able to tell you where you are to decide whether you need to get that alert is essential for us to provide public safety information not only during Harvey, the evacuations during Maria, the wildfires in California but also during the kind of mass shootings weve seen recently, Sanchez said.In Sonoma County, Calif., more than 20 people died in the wildfires, and county officials said they didnt send out emergency alerts because they couldnt narrow down the recipients and were worried theyd cause too much alarm for others.What public safety officials would like to see is to be able to draw a polygon and have confidence that everyone in the polygon will get the alert and the people outside the polygon will not see it, Sanchez said. The technology is there but theres a resistance by the carriers to implement that because its a voluntary program and there has been a delay by the FCC requiring it. At this point, not having that is costing us lives.Dianna Bryant, executive director for the Institute for Rural Emergency Management, said the alerts are especially important to rural residents and travelers. Im especially interested in rural communities, since the budget for them to pay for different notification systems is always limited, and subscribing to some opt-in texting notification system isnt always available, she said.And especially for travelers and visitors who would not normally be included in any type of notification system that a local community might subscribe to, this provides a way that even people travelling through those areas can receive some notification.The rules adopted by the FCC in 2016 when implemented will: increase the maximum length of WEA messages (from 90 to 360 characters) for 4G LTE and future networks; require participating wireless providers to support inclusion of embedded phone numbers and URLs in all WEA alerts, including WEA Amber alerts, which will enable the public to click to see a photo or to call authorities; require participating wireless providers to deliver the alerts to more granular geographic areas; create a new class of alerts (Public Safety Messages) to convey essential, recommended actions that can save lives or property (e.g., emergency shelter locations or a boil water order); require participating wireless providers to support transmission of Spanish-language alerts; and make it easier for state and local authorities to test WEA, train personnel, and raise public awareness about the service.
Beware of viruses masquerading as virus protection. Do your research and make sure youre purchasing your virus protection from a reputable brand, Garbus says. Be careful of virus protection software that appears magically and tells you it detected a virus. If you dont recognize the brand, ignore the findings. That notification may be a virus itself, Garbus says. Install firewall protection. Make sure your hardware and software are protected with firewalls and software that scans the environment for worms, harmful attachments and attacks. Set up procedures and protocols for data access. Its important to make sure access to data is limited. For example, the system administrator role should be handed out to a limited number of employees who should not share log-in information with each other. Also, when an employee leaves, make sure their access is taken away and passwords changed. Have backups of all important data. If you have your information backed up in an offsite location, then you wont lose it to cyber kidnappers. Whether its large companies or small businesses, too often people forget to back up their data, Garbus says. Be careful about Google search results. Sometimes a Google search itself makes you vulnerable. You dont want to download anything unless you know you are on the correct site. Garbus says the criminal hackers now have very sophisticated strategies to get you to click and download their malware and can infect your environment very quickly. Figure out what kind of ransomware youre dealing with. If your system is hijacked, know this; Not all ransomware is equal and you may not need to pay the ransom. One type of ransomware basically locks you out of your applications and processes. It may create a barrier between you and the computers interface so you cant get past the ransomware attack screen. But the good news is this type of ransomware can be cleansed and your files restored without paying the ransom. A second type of ransomware is more insidious. It encrypts and renames your files so you dont have any access to them until you give in to the ransom demands."

See text below that I've copied directly from some information I received via email. I thought the tips were good ones since ransomware is a significant threat to people and organizations."Ransomware can quickly cripple a business and the problem appears to be growing, as evidenced recently when the U.S. government issued a warning about Bad Rabbit, a ransomware attack that spread through Russia, the Ukraine and other countries.Such attacks can be costly for businesses because ransomware infects a computer, blocks access to computer files, and demands that money be paid before the computer is released.If theres no data backup, the business could be in serious trouble.Most attacks are against financial, medical and retail business sectors, says Penny Garbus, co-founder of Soaring Eagle Consulting Inc. (www.SoaringEagle.guru) and co-author ofThe ransoms are usually $1,000 and most companies pay it. In some cases these days, though, money isnt the goal. I think they are moving towards more terroristic attacks and are being paid simply to create havoc.Unfortunately, even paying a ransom is no guarantee a companys data will be freed because on occasion the perpetrators demand even more money, she says.The worst-case scenario, though, occurs when the attacker has so completely destroyed data files and infected hard drives that they are unable to get the data back, Garbus says. The cost can run into thousands or even millions of dollars to get the company up and running again.So how does a business protect itself against ransomware? Garbus suggests a few precautions.Businesses should review their security processes at least once a year, Garbus says. You may want to hire an outside source to review security and, if you believe it necessary, even hire a professional hacker to look for holes in your system.________________________________________About Penny GarbusPenny Garbus, co-founder of Soaring Eagle Consulting Inc. (www.SoaringEagle.guru), is co-author of Mining New Gold  Managing Your Business Data.
(TNS) -- Giving citizens access to databases covering everything from police-involved shootings to blight remediation can help cities work more efficiently by boosting public trust and allowing people to point out where mistakes are happening, a Louisiana Smart Growth Summit speaker said Wednesday.Lamar Gardere, who served as chief information officer for the city of New Orleans from 2014 to May, said fighting blight in the city became easier after people could see that their complaints were being cataloged, assigned and corrected.People could see what they were seeing in real life was showing up in the data, said Gardere, who now heads The Data Center, a New Orleans-based group that wants to use information collected by government agencies as a way of developing sound policies.Gardere was one of the speakers during a Smart Cities session during the final day of the summit. The event was sponsored by the Baton Rouge-based Center for Planning Excellence in the Shaw Center for the Arts that featured speakers from south Louisiana.The success of revealing data in cleaning up blight led New Orleans leaders to put detailed information about police shootings on the internet. This helped build trust and accountability in the department. People appreciate being able to see information and have a dialogue about it, Gardere said.Using big data technology from federal, state and local government databases is one of the hallmarks of a smart city. This is leading to changes like showing which neighborhoods are more likely to experience house fires, so fire departments can know the areas where they should distribute smoke detectors.Its not rocket science, but it is hard, said Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux. Smart city initiatives are going to be the way to figure out what needs to happen.City leaders shouldnt be afraid to venture out and take a risk on developments, like Lafayettes decision in 2004 to build a municipal fiber network, providing high-speed internet service to households and businesses across the parish. Thats led competitors like Cox and AT&T to offer better and cheaper service in Lafayette and for the LUS Fiber network to get better to keep up with those competitors, Robideaux said.People want leaders to have a vision and push for it, he said. People will appreciate it in the long run.Lafayette is now using the fiber network to help with two parishwide monitoring programs. One will use about $40,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deploy 300 air sensors around the parish. The sensors will be placed on traffic lights and at schools early next year to measure for particulate matter and ozone. Theyll be up for about a year.Will LaBar, vice president of CGI, an information technology and business service provider with offices in Lafayette, said the next step is to place similar low-cost water monitors across the parish to give strategic direction on how to deal with issues involving climate change and development.Well be measuring down to the coulee (drainage) level so we can wrestle with the issues we are dealing with, he said.Justin Ehrenwerth, president and chief executive officer of the Water Institute of the Gulf, said data from federal and state sources could be used to provide real-time forecasting of flooding events several days before a heavy rainfall. This could allow first responders a chance to get in position to help people and for potentially affected residents to get to high ground.Ehrenwerth said a statewide flood forecasting network could be set up for probably less than $20 million in about three years. Some parishes would be ready quicker than that, he said. The biggest part is the inland flood models. After all, some of the floodmaps for East Baton Rouge Parish were developed in the 1970s and 1980s and have been outdated by decades of development.
(TNS) -- WASHINGTON  For President Donald Trumps national emergency on opioid abuse to get traction in Appalachia and the rural South, the treatment effort will have to overcome some stubborn logistical barriers  and an obscure legal hurdle complicated by the presidents own push to reduce regulatory burden.A shortage of treatment options, transportation limitations and widespread poverty have made opioid abuse hard to stop and even tougher to treat in rural areas where the problem has hit hardest.To help make anti-addiction medications more available in rural areas, Trumps emergency declaration called for expanding telemedicine services that allow addiction specialists to treat rural patients remotely through video consultations rather than in-person visits.The National Institutes of Health is even funding a $1.7 million study of a mobile phone and tablet app called emocha that could help doctors remotely monitor rural patients adherence to daily drug treatments that help fight opioid addiction.The technology allows patients to use their phones to record themselves taking the anti-addiction drug, buprenorphine, and send the video to medical personnel for verification. Patients can also use emocha to report cravings, side effects or other symptoms of addiction without compromising their privacy.Folks who are addicted to opioids tend to often be very disenfranchised generally, not just geographically but in many other ways, and often have a difficult time managing their medications. The value of emocha is that it works as well in urban Baltimore as it does in rural West Virginia and elsewhere, said Dr. Robert Bollinger, who first conceived emocha while working in Uganda as director of the Center for Clinical Global Health Education at Johns Hopkins University.The university licensed the technology to Baltimore-based emocha Mobile Health in 2014. The app is also being used to monitor the treatment of patients with tuberculosis and hepatitis C, said Sebastian Seiguer, CEO and founder of emocha Mobile Health.Other emerging technology, such as online digital counseling apps, along with pharmaceutical innovations including longer-lasting doses of buprenorphine could help bridge the geographic and clinical gaps faced by opioid abusers in isolated areas.Last week, an advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration recommended the agency approve potential weekly and monthly injectable doses of buprenorphine that could lighten the drug regimen for patients now using the daily pill or oral film formulation, which is applied under the tongue.But before these potential advances can be realized fully for rural opioid patients, the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration must address a problem with the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008. And one of Trumps executive orders  discouraging the creation of new rules  could be getting in the way.The Ryan Haight law was designed to stop inappropriate prescribing by shady internet pharmacies, but critics say it goes too far, blocking doctors from prescribing controlled substances and anti-addiction medications without first having an in-person evaluation.For nearly a decade, the American Telemedicine Association has been asking the DEA to waive that requirement so doctors can prescribe for far-flung patients based only on video consultations.This was one of those unexpected consequences from a law that was not very well written originally nine years ago, said Peter Yellowlees, president of the American Telemedicine Association. And every year since, weve been trying to get the waiver. Its been a long process and the DEA, in my view, has been very slow with this.The DEA under President Barack Obama never delivered on its initial Unified Regulatory Agency intention to promulgate waiver guidelines in October 2015, the ATA noted in a letter to the DEA.Yellowlees said he knew of no special-interest groups that opposed the measure. The American Medical Association supports easing federal certification requirements for physicians to begin prescribing buprenorphine and says doctors who prescribe other drugs should be able to prescribe the drugs used to help opioid addicts.Its very strange, said Yellowlees, a psychiatry professor at the University of California, Davis. Ive had personal meetings with DEA staff. DEA people have come to our conferences at our request. And there is a very simple way of modifying this, but for whatever reason theyve just never gone down that pathway. I dont understand it.DEA spokesman Rusty Payne said the agency is working on the waiver guidelines, but its unclear when the waiver will be ready and what it will entail.A senior DOJ official suggested the effort could be delayed by a Trump executive order that discourages creation of new rules by requiring agencies to eliminate two rules for every new one created. The White House did not respond to questions about the matter.Resolving the legal obstacles could prove critical for rural Southern towns that account for 22 of the 25 cities with the highest rates of opioid abuse and 17 of the top 25 cities ranked by misuse of opioid prescriptions, according to a study by Castlight Health, a medical benefits platform provider.Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas have multiple cities in both rankings.With more than 2.5 million Americans who abuse opioids, there simply arent enough clinics to provide the necessary treatment. And about half of those who take buprenorphine to beat their addiction drop out of treatment after eight weeks, Seiguer said.Were trying to see if emocha can change that, he said. Watching someone take their meds is the only proven way to make sure they do, Seiguer added.People perform better when theyre observed, Seiguer said. And (with emocha) the patient now has somebody who is in touch with them and who is contacting them and somebody who actually cares. That social support angle is what keeps the patient in care longer.
(TNS) -- Voters in Vail, Louisville and 17 other Colorado cities and counties Tuesday voted to take internet service into their own hands in a move that could lead to providing citizens an alternative to the entrenched cable internet provider. Fort Collins voters, who voted to do so two years ago, passed a measure to finance exploration of a city-owned broadband utility.According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, which has tracked broadband votes for years, the 19 cities and counties join about 100 others in the state that previously opted out of Senate Bill 152. That bill, passed in 2005, restricts local governments from using taxpayer dollars to build their own broadband networks.These cities and counties recognize that they cannot count on Comcast and CenturyLink alone to meet local needs, which is why you see overwhelming support even in an off-year election, Christopher Mitchell, director of the Community Broadband Networks initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, said in a statement.Passage, however, doesnt mean cities and counties will start offering their own broadband internet service.In 2005, cable and internet providers campaigned to stop cities from offering internet service. At the time, Steve Davis, an executive at Qwest, which is now CenturyLink, told The Rocky Mountain News, I think its inappropriate for public tax dollars to be invested in competitive businesses. At minimum, taxpayers should have the opportunity (to vote on the matter).The law passed, but it gave citizens the right to opt out in order to explore the possibility of building a municipal broadband network.The city of Longmont became the first to do so in 2011, and about three years later, the city began offering internet service at speeds of a gigabit per second, which was much faster than the 20 mbps available from the local cable provider. In August, the city said nearly 90,000 residents can now get gigabit service , which starts at $49.95 a month for residents who sign up within three months of the service launching in their neighborhood.About 53 percent of the population uses the citys high-speed internet service, Longmont officials said.Centennial, which opted out in 2013, is building its own internet backbone in the city and letting private companies such as Ting Internet offer broadband service In Fort Collins, which opted out of SB 152 in 2015, voters Tuesday approved the 2B measure to take the next step. The measure allows the city to issue $150 million in securities and debt to pursue the best way to offer broadband to its residents.But the cable industry isnt abandoning support of SB 152. Cable providers campaigned heavily against the Fort Collins move, spending more than $256,000 in television and radio ads, according to campaign report filings by Priorities First Fort Collins . More than half of the amount came from a $175,000 contribution from the Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association, which represents companies such as Comcast.The CTA and its members oppose cities, towns and other government entities building, owning and operating broadband networks where existing networks are in place, said Pete Kirchhof, executive vice president of the association, pointing to the troubled EAGLE-Net Alliance, which was formed in 2010 with $100.6 million in federal bailout funds to provide broadband service to underserved and rural areas. With or without voter approval, if government-owned networks are going to compete with private entities, there should be a far more level playing field. Governments should not be able to use taxpayer dollars to overbuild existing networks  and then compete against private companies for customers.Comparably, the Fort Collins Citizens Broadband Committee collected $8,288.13 and spent $3,021.98 as of Nov. 1, according to the groups campaign report filing . Funds were spent on ads, consulting fees and yard signs.According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, which tracks broadband developments nationwide, voters in the 19 Colorado cities and counties said yes to municipal broadband by a high margin  at an average yes rate of 83 percent. The institute also estimates that out of Colorados more than 270 cities, about 185 have not opted out. However, since 30 counties have opted out, the cities may not need to, said Nick Stumo-Langer, who is with the institute.
       :   MLA ,        41 
Aaron Call, a Minnesota Information Technology Services (MNIT) executive, has been named interim chief information security officer (CISO) as the states first-ever CISO Chris Buse returns to the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA).MNIT made the announcement on Tuesday, Nov. 7 via news release , pointing out Calls background in IT, the law and criminal justice which leave him uniquely positioned to implement enterprise security architecture for the state.Buse, who is poised to become deputy legislative auditor for OLAs financial audit division, must first be confirmed by the state Legislative Audit Commission. If successfully confirmed, hell transition to his new position at the end of November, a MNIT representative said in an email to. As a 19-year former OLA executive, his return to the agency appears likely.Call, pictured at left, has been the director of information security for MNIT since September 2014 according to his LinkedIn profile, managing the Enterprise Security Office and a cybersecurity team that fends off more than 3 million attempted cyberattacks per day.State Chief Information Officer Thomas Baden said Call has already been a tremendous asset to the state, adding: State systems and Minnesotans data are increasingly under attack, and those attacks are growing more sophisticated.Buse, who became CISO in June 2007, agreed Minnesota has to be vigilant and nimble to counter ongoing attempted cyberattacks. The state, Buse said, is in great hands with Call. His expertise and dedication fully equip him to move the state forward as we work together to protect all Minnesotans, Buse said.As the states inaugural CISO, Buse was instrumental in forging its strategic plan and vision, guiding cybersecurity and developing state-of-the-art threat intelligence capabilities. A MNIT representative said his leadership "built the cybersecurity foundation for the state."Buse also helped spearhead consolidation of Minnesota executive branch IT under the CIO, following passage of the 2011 IT Consolidation Act.The consolidation, which began in late 2011, has met its primary goals of consolidating people, dollars and assets, delivering cost-savings and improving efficiency, the state said in a report earlier this year. As of 2016, the consolidation had also yielded a cost avoidance of $60 million.MNIT, officials said, has fully consolidated staff and resources and has achieved a more than 90 percent financial consolidation. Its plans for the next five years are to achieve full financial consolidation, allowing it to begin building centralized records of technology investments, directly manage and monitor costs and anticipate needs and future demand.In the months and years ahead, the department intends to invest in modernization, which will include increased cloud migration and other infrastructure updates.The reports authors called these plans a fundamental necessity to building a digital government that is responsive to citizen needs and secure by design.
(TNS) -- CHESTERFIELD, Va.  The Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights Police Departments recently introduced a smartphone application that allows citizens to submit crime tips safely and anonymously from their mobile devices.The app, called P3, is a digital platform of the police department's Crime Solvers program.Since the local Crime Solvers program began in 1984, the Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights Police Departments have adapted to new technologies to benefit the program. The mobile application, available on both iOS and Android platforms, was recently added, allowing tipsters to use a one-click process to submit anonymous tips for any jurisdiction that subscribes to the P3 app service.The P3 application was first introduced to the community this past summer, and since then has led police to successful investigations of a high-volume of various crimes, including high-profile cases that led to arrests in both Colonial Heights and Chesterfield County.Crime Solvers  in both its P3 application and anonymous tip line platforms  is widely used due to the fact that tipsters remain 100 percent anonymous through the whole process."It's important that everyone is aware that every tip that comes through the app and through the tipline is completely, 100 percent anonymous," said Chesterfield County Police Department Senior Detective Chris Rizzuti. "We have no idea where the calls, online submissions and P3 app submissions come from. There are even laws in place in the state of Virginia that protect the anonymity of Crime Solvers tipsters."Two state laws exist to limit the disclosure of criminal records and to maintain the confidentiality of those records. These laws guarantee tipster anonymity through the entire investigative process and establish Crime Stoppers programs.The law also states that individuals who submit anonymous tips are eligible for a cash reward if the tip leads to solving a case or catching a fugitive."We can keep the tipster updated on the status of the case, and let them know if they're eligible for a cash reward," said Rizzuti. "Even when receiving the cash reward, the tipster remains anonymous. We give you a code number and pass phrase, and you can go to a local business and pick up your check. No conversation is needed at all."Police encourage community members with information about any crime to submit their tips with guaranteed anonymity by downloading the P3 mobile app, by calling the Anonymous Tipline at 804-748-0660, or by submitting a tip online at CrimeSolvers.net.Community members can also stay updated on current wanted felons by visiting CrimeSolvers.net and following Crime Solvers on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram @CrimeSolversCHH
Lewis Hamilton says he will remain focused on beating Sebastian Vettel over the next few years in formula one.

Many are talking about young sensation Max Verstappen joining the title battle next year, but new champion Hamilton expects his 2017 rival Vettel to remain strong.

"Sebastian just signed for three more years with Ferrari, which is good," Spain's Diario Sport quoted the Mercedes driver as saying in Brazil.

"In my head the objective is to keep making his life difficult.

"Perfection is the goal," Hamilton added. "I want to get as close as possible to perfection."

To that end, although Hamilton himself is targeting victory in Brazil, Mercedes has its eye on the bigger picture this weekend.

Team boss Toto Wolff says that because both titles are already wrapped up, Mercedes will take the opportunity to test for 2018 in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

"We are looking at the next two race weekends as the first two grands prix of 2018," he said.

Mercedes confirmed in a statement that in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, "new and interesting concepts" will be tested in a "series of experiments".

(GMM)
Two instructors with the U.S. Army Joint Culinary Center of Excellence in Fort Lee, Virginia visited culinary students at UniTec Career Center in Bonne Terre Tuesday morning to give a demonstration on cooking and discuss options with the military.

UniTec Chef Instructor Shannon Pyatt said they had a two-man team of culinarians out Tuesday. They flew in from Virginia and they spoke to the students about culinary opportunities in the military.

They also got into the kitchen and did a demo for them, Pyatt said. They did a dish to show them the kind of things you can do in the military and what they offer culinary-wise. They were also able to inform the kids about their options for the culinary industry.

Pyatt said she was approached about the idea by a recruiter when he came to UniTec last week.

This is a new program. They are flying them out to different areas and these two sergeants are actually instructors for the culinary program in the military, said Pyatt. He thought I might like to have them out and he managed to get them out here pretty quickly. We are very excited about this opportunity. We have a lot of students who really want to go into the culinary industry.

Pyatt said with this being a smaller area, it is a little more difficult as far as schooling and opportunities.

I think that UniTec is great stepping stone and building block for their culinary, Pyatt said. They will get their ProStart Certification while in this class, which is something I actually earned in college. They will have a head start with that and it will help them, whether they go into the military or college, because we have articulation agreements with some colleges.

Pyatt said the colleges will accept credits and certifications from UniTec.

Since this is Veterans Day week, we are doing a lot to honor our military. We will be serving a lunch on Friday, said Pyatt. Every year the Culinary Arts Program makes a lunch that is free for veterans and their spouses. We are making an Italian buffet this week for our veterans to come in. Its from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The opportunity for Australia is clearwe have access to vast energy resources through sun, wind, biomass, natural gas and coal, all of which can be used to produce hydrogen, allowing us to potentially become a leading exporter of low emission renewable energy.
The North American Daimler subsidiary Thomas Built Buses introduced the Saf-T-Liner C2 Electric Bus or Jouley with intended production to begin in 2019. Jouley will drive up to 81 children. During the development of the Saf-T-Liner C2 Electric Bus Thomas Built Buses was able to draw upon Daimlers electric technology resources.

Three major school bus manufacturersDaimler subsidiary Thomas Built Buses, Blue Bird and Navistar subsidiary IC Busintroduced battery-electric school buses at the recent National Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference and Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio (NAPT). Two (Thomas Built Buses and Blue Bird) use an electric powertrain from Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI); the third, IC Bus, uses a common Volkswagen Group electric drivetrain from Volkswagen Truck & Bus.

The first generation Saf-T-Liner C2 Electric Bus comes equipped with the PowerDrive 7000ev powertrain from EDI, which provides 100-160 kWh of battery capacity and a baseline of 100-miles range and an operating range up to 100-miles between charges, with an option for a higher range with additional battery packs.

Among its features is the PowerSuite vehicle control software and the PowerTracker telematics and diagnostics system that tracks bus location and provides real-time monitoring of potential issues.





Integrated exportable power enables the transfer of stored energy on board the bus for use in opportunistic V2G applications.

With a market share of 38.7%, Thomas Built Buses is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America (YtD 08/2017). Thomas Built Buses is a member of the Daimler global truck group and draws upon Daimlers worldwide resources for technology and innovations. Fuso, a Daimler company, recently introduced the FUSO eCanter, the first all-electric light-duty truck in series production, with sales in the US, Japan and Europe.

The powertrain for the Blue Bird Vision Electric Type C school bus is supplied by ADOMANI, with drivetrain and vehicle control software developed and produced by technology partner EDI.

Blue Birds all-new Type C bus features up to 100 miles of electric range, with a full charge time of under 8 hours by utilizing a Type 2 charger and a battery capacity of 150 kWh. This announcement follows a recent unveil of Blue Birds Type D All American Rear-Engine Electric school bus at the STN tradeshow in July 2017, powered by the same ADOMANI/EDI partnership.

The Navistar IC Electric Bus chargE is an electric CE Series concept school bus developed with alliance partner, Volkswagen Truck & Bus. The company expects to launch its first unit as early as 2019.





The new chargE concept electric school bus incorporates a common group electric drivetrain from Volkswagen Truck & Bus that is quiet, does not produce any emissions, and can be built to address any school bus customers specific requirements. The range of the chargE can exceed 120 miles, while the powertrain can deliver up to 260 kW (about 349 peak horsepower).

At the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta this past September, Navistar and Volkswagen Truck & Bus Group announced plans to develop an electric-powered, medium-duty vehicle for Navistars Core (US and Canada) market, which it also expects to launch as early as 2019. (Earlier post.)

The chargE concept vehicle represents the second electric powertrain vehicle coming out of the alliance built with a common group electric drivetrain from Volkswagen Truck & Bus.
The success of the eBike was first demonstrated in 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where UPS focused on developing a new and sustainable method of delivering goods to urban areas. UPS placed four containers at central locations in the city for interim storage of packages for UPS drivers. From these points, deliveries were made on foot or with specialized electronically-assisted cargo tricycles that ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions each working day. ( Earlier post .)

UPS launched an eBike that will deliver packages in downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. The electrically-assisted tricycle will help reduce carbon emissions in addition to traffic, noise and air quality challenges in Pittsburgh. The deployment is part of UPSs Cycle Solutions and the companys Rolling Laboratory, which tests alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles.





Due to the success of the pilot, the Hamburg program has already been extended. That model serves as a prototype for the companys new eBike in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The eBike is equipped with battery-powered electric motors that makes it possible to cover longer distances than traditional bikes, carry substantial loads and navigate hills and other terrain. Maximum energy efficiency is achieved when combining battery power and human power simultaneously. The eBike can be operated solely on battery power or pedal power.

UPS will evaluate the reliability, design, integration to the citys infrastructure and acceptance of the vehicle. The intent is to operate the eBike in Pittsburgh as weather permits on a regular route year-round.

UPS has numerous cycle solutions deployed around the world. The company currently operates inner-city delivery projects with delivery on foot and by bike in Frankfurt, Offenbach, Hamburg, Munich, Oldenburg and Herne, Germany, as well as in Leuven and Mechelen, Belgium; Rome and Verona, Italy; Toulouse, France; and Dublin, Ireland.

Working with cities like Pittsburgh to provide them with a delivery solution that helps reduce congestion and emissions and improve air and noise quality is the latest example of how to meet the needs of todays cities. We have many vehicle options when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment including our cycle solutions that provide greater mobility and fewer emissions. Barb Jaram, UPS Mid Atlantic District president

Using its Rolling Laboratory approach, UPS deploys more than 8,500 low-emission vehicles to determine what works best in each situation. Solutions range from old-fashioned pedal power and electric-assisted bicycles in dense urban areas such as London and Hamburg to electric and hybrid electric vehicles in the US, and natural gas, renewable natural gas and propane globally.
Jennifer Holden, an employee with Green River's Solid Waste Division, reacts to a unanimous vote to contract with Wyoming Waste Systems during the Green River City Council meeting Tuesday night.

With two votes, the Green River City Council effectively ended its solid waste division and contracted with Wyoming Waste Systems for its solid waste disposal.

The Council voted unanimously to contract with Wyoming Waste Systems, followed by unanimous approval of a severance package for employees in the city's solid waste department.

For residents, the switch to a private solid waste company means a monthly garbage bill, which Mayor Pete Rust said would be $31.50 for basic services. According to the city's finance director Chris Meats, the cost the city would have charged would have been $41-$43 per month. Residents will also get the added benefits of multiple containers, which will allow them to dispose of recyclables and green waste, as well as regular household refuse. Residents paying for garbage service will also be able to take 1,800 lbs., of garbage to the city's transfer station each year. However, that service does not extend to residents opting not to utilize Wyoming Waste Systems. The city will also receive a yearly franchise fee from Wyoming Waste Systems for use of the city's transfer station.

"I think it's a good agreement," Councilman Gary Killpack said about the city's contract.

The severance package approved by the Council Tuesday night gives full time solid waste employees a half year of pay as part of its package.

Employees taking the package will receive lump sum payments if agreeing to the package. Full-time employees will receive a lump sum equivalent of 28 weeks of pay based on 40 hours of the employee's base hourly rate. Full-time employees will also be eligible for payout of their Incentive Time Off. Part-time employees will receive a lump sum payment equal to a third of their wages earned between Nov. 1, 2016, and Oct. 31, 2017.

City documents state nine full-time employees and three part-time employees are eligible for the package. According to city documents, employees will receive an intent to participate form and a waiver and release form Wednesday and need to sign both documents and turn them in by Dec. 22. The employees' last day of work will be Dec. 31, with their lump sum payments being issued by Jan. 12, 2018.

Councilman Allan Wilson said the severance agreement was something the Council had sent city staff "back to the drawing board" numerous times during its creation.

"There was not going to be much when we started," Wilson said.

Wilson, along with other Council representatives, said the decisions to privatize its solidd waste services and approve the severance package were difficult ones to make.

"Never did we forget about these employees in solid waste," Councilman Robert Berg said.

Green River city engineer Mark Westenskow said construction of the solid waste transfer station is nearly complete, with the contractor currently going through the final punch list of items.

"It's about ready to go," he said.

Westenskow said the city is moving ahead with closing the landfill, though they're still accepting waste to help fill in the remaining space. Westenskow said space is an issue, but they're on track with closing it at the end of the year.

Westenskow said the process is more than simply putting a padlock on the gate to keep people out, saying a lining will need to be installed to prevent leakage into the local soils, along with dirt work to cover the landfill. He said the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has been accommodating in regards to the closure, saying they've provided some funding and an extended time line to close it.
The Washington County Sheriff's Department has released the name of a man shot and killed late Tuesday evening.

The man has been identified as Jeffrey Lee Ribble Jr., 25, of Cadet.

Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen said the man's brother-in-law was placed into custody following the shooting but has since been released pending further investigation.

Deputies were called to the 11,000 block of Red Rock Rd. Tuesday evening for person down/nature unknown call. While responding they learned that a person had been shot.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they located the shooter, Ribble and Ribbles sister, said Jacobsen. The arriving deputies located Ribble in a heavily wooded area near Red Rock Road ... The sister and her husband are cooperating with the investigation and were transported to the sheriffs office for questioning.

Jacobsen said through the investigation it was determined that the brother-in-law had an unrelated warrant so he was arrested but later released.

The investigation is still ongoing and the sister was interviewed and released, Jacobsen said. The next of kin also has been notified. The person was located on a trail in the woods and was shot in the chest area, with what we believe to be a .22 long rifle, but at this point there were several weapons seized.

Jacobsen said so they arent sure if it was the rifle or a pistol that was used, but they have no reason to believe at this point that anyone is in any danger. He added they believe it was an isolated incident.

An autopsy was scheduled and performed Wednesday afternoon on Ribble. The investigation is still ongoing.
With Veterans Day falling on a Saturday this year, veterans will have a few opportunities to join in on special lunches and programs.

Pete Rust, Green River Mayor and veteran, said historically, taking care of ones country and the values of that country is something that should be celebrated.

To celebrate that basic value, just seems to me, (is) very, very important to share that, he said. It just brings us all together.

Rust said Veterans Day is about the value this country has on its freedom and what this countrys armed forces do to defend it. Those who served this country and who are currently serving due so the ensure Americans still have the freedoms they enjoy every day. They need to know their sacrifice hasnt gone unnoticed.

I hope that they feel appreciated for the sacrifice that they made, Rust said. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.

Sometimes Rust said he gets the impression that Vietnam veterans still struggle with the way they were treated when they returned from war. Over the years, times have changed and hes hoping those struggles will lessen with time.

I would hope they could get over it, Rust said. They should feel honored. They should feel proud.

Rust served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Germany for 15 months. He helped process troops going back to the U.S. During this time, the soldiers lived in tent cities.

One thing Rust recalled was when he went back to the U.S. things were much different.

He missed out on simple things such as popular songs or shows and styles while he was in Germany.

It wasnt bad, it was just different, Rust said about his experience in Germany.

All current military members, veterans and residents are welcome to attend the following lunches and programs.

* The Golden Hour Senior Center will be serving a free lunch to all veterans on Thursday at 11 a.m. This meal will consist of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy coleslaw, green beans, dinner roll, cake and a beverage.

* The students of Monroe Intermediate School will be hosting a special Veterans Day program Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Lincoln School Auditorium. The MIS choir and LMS band will perform. Guest speakers also attend the event.

* A veterans freedom run will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday at the American Legion Tom Whitmore Post 28. This fundraiser will support and benefit local veterans during the holidays. It is a 10k, 5k, and 1-mile run/walk and medals will be given for first, second and third place in each age group. The veterans will be escorted by Green River Girl Scouts for the 1-mile walk and receive a free T-shirt upon registration. The American Legion Post 28 color guard will lead the 1-mile escort. The Green River High School band will play at the finish line with the Green River Fire Department giving a presentation of the American flag. Green River Boy Scouts will direct runners onto the 10k and 5k courses.

* 242 United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball Celebration will take place Saturday at 5 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Rock Springs. The cost is $35 per person for the dinner and tickets are available at both the Green River and Rock Springs chambers of commerce and the Green river American Legion.

The evening will include a charity auction, gift certificate raffle and gun safe raffle.

Guest speaker United States Marine Corps Navajo code talker Samuel T. Holiday is scheduled to attend the event. All money raised will go to charities. Formal attire and military dress is requested.
The county may bill the Union Pacific Railroad over costs associated with fighting a wildfire east of Rock Springs.

Two weeks ago, the county fire department was dispatched to fight a fire near Tipton Road, which was caused by UP employees grinding rails as part of maintenance work on nearby tracks.

The fire quickly expanded to more than 450 acres before being contained. Damages included power poles owned by Rocky Mountain Power, as well as railroad ties and some fencing.

While giving his report to the board of county commissioners, Commissioner Randy Wendling said fire warden Mike Bournaz...
Soaring high over the Arizona desert, condors search the landscape for meat. Anything will do: a gut pile left by a hunter; a lightning killed bison; or a tourist falling over the edge of the Grand Canyon.

On an autumnal drive through northern Arizona, my Uncle Gerry Gagnon and I turned off a highway to the House Rock condor viewing area. The white guano-stain marks, just beneath the nests of the great birds, can be seen with the naked eye from miles away. The dark spots, against the blue sky, are condors. They glide swiftly and seemingly without effort. They fly alone or with a partne...
The St. Francois County Commission has learned that the county will be presented one of two 2017 County Achievement Awards by the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) at the organizations annual conference being held Nov. 20 at Osage Beach.

In a letter sent to Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher last month, MAC Executive Director Dick Burke wrote that it was his distinct pleasure to inform the county that it was being recognized for its execution of a plan to recycle tax money for the creation of a morgue.

Gallaher told the Daily Journal that he couldnt be more pleased that the county is receiving the honor.

The Missouri Association of Counties asked us to tell them of our innovative method of developing a morgue without cost, he said. You know the story, but our county had been using a private morgue service for decades and that service was about to end due to the consolidation of our two area hospitals. The building housing the morgue was to be closed and it fell to the county to see that the service was continued.

Gallaher noted that the construction or purchase of a building to house the morgue would have cost the county around a million dollars and required two years to complete.

We had neither the time nor money to do so, he said. We were on a short budget and had precious few weeks to finish the project. Talks with BJC/Parkland Health Center led to their donation of the 26,000-square-foot building located at 1101 Weber Road in Farmington. We then converted a portion of one of the wings into a morgue, making it several times bigger than the morgue then in use under the belief that if we build it, they will come. The morgue was out of service for a grand total of one day. That was the day the equipment was moved from the old to the new areas. The morgue has been in constant service at the new location since June of this year.

According to Gallaher, at that time St. Francois and 19 other counties were using the private morgue service.

Now, with increased size, better storage space and additional amenities, other counties are joining those already using the morgue, he said. The private service still operates the morgue, but St. Francois County receives payment for each autopsy performed. So, the increasing number of autopsies from these additional counties increases our income.

Along with the new morgue facilities, the question remained about how the county could best use the additional space in the massive building.

We quickly realized that we were paying rent for office space, as were other entities, he said. We started converting the doctor's offices into legal offices by the removal of extra cabinetry and plumbing, as well as changing paint colors and other things. Much of this labor was provided free of charge by donating those items to employees and an area school that removed the items and hauled them away.

"It was a thrill to watch our maintenance people handle this project. They learned to paint, install floors, repair drywall and do other jobs to speed the pace and minimize costs. All of this was done with an eye on the budget while still producing quality workmanship."

And what is the end result of all that effort?

We now have a beautiful office building, Gallaher said. Our county was short of meeting rooms, so we added two to that site and will start scheduling our meetings  and those of our tenets  in those areas. There is still about 30 percent of the building available for county use for things such as storage and even the possible movement of some of our other offices into that facility. In this manner, we can increase our efficiency and effectiveness.

Gallaher said the big picture is that the county received a large building in excellent condition and at no cost which now allows for the collection of rent from outside sources, along with saving a substantial amount of money because of not having to rent space elsewhere.

This total income, when combined with income from the morgue, is enough to pay the annual operating costs of the building, he said. This is a great thing for the county.

Gallaher said attendance at the conference is required by law and that every Missouri county will be represented when the award is presented.

We are going to be thrilled to represent St. Francois County residents at the awards ceremony when we receive this significant recognition of achievement, he said.
Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging think tanker, aspiring novelist, "tribal elder", parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, Speedboat, proudly banned from Twitter so officially more dangerous than the Taliban, eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me.
LEXINGTON  Two women are in jail under $500,000 bail each on drug charges.

The Davidson County Sheriffs Office Vice Narcotics Unit arrested Lilia Suarez Vera and Maria Paola on Thursday during a traffic stop at Belmont Road and Old Salisbury Road, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Vera, 26, of 377 Helen Young Drive was charged with trafficking opium/heroin, possession of paraphernalia and providing fictitious information to an officer.

Paola, 19, of the same residence was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During the investigation, detectives seized $8,774 in cash and 99 oxycodone tablets.

Both were placed in Davidson County jail and are scheduled to appear in court Nov. 30.
Updated at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9

WENTWORTH  A new charge accuses Eden businessman Mickey Snow of luring a mentally disabled teenage girl to his house house for sex.

The Rockingham County District Attorney's office announced Monday that a grand jury presented a new indictment against Snow and filed four superseding indictments to make clerical changes to previous charges.

The grand jury issued a new charge of advancing the prostitution of a minor that alleges Snow directed the victim to his house at 318 Bearslide Court in Eden for sex.

The News & Record does not identify the victims of sex crimes.

Snow, 76, is one of four men accused of participating in a prostitution ring in Eden involving two teenage girls whose mother arranged for them to have sex with older men for between $5 and $20. The mother, Teresa Vanover, said in court when pleading guilty to charges connected to the case that she used the money to support a drug habit and pay for her husband's medical bills.

Snow is the only person who has not pleaded guilty in the case.

Snow gained international attention in 2015 when he led investigators on a manhunt crisscrossing the globe until being arrested by the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok.

Eden police charged Snow with six counts of promoting the prostitution of a minor, six counts of statutory rape, six counts of patronizing a prostitute who is mentally disabled, four counts of patronizing a prostitute and four counts of second-degree forcible sexual offense.

On Monday, grand jurors split two of the statutory rape offenses into two counts of statutory rape of a person who is 13, 14 or 15 years old and two counts of statutory sex offense with a person who is 13, 14 or 15.

Under the revised charges, authorities allege that Snow had vaginal intercourse and performed sexual acts on the minor and gave a more exact timeframe to when the offenses occurred.

Snow is out of jail on $15 million bail. He is scheduled for trial on Feb. 19.

WENTWORTH  Mickey Snow, a prominent Eden businessman, faces a new charge Monday for his alleged connection in an Eden prostitution ring.

Snow, 77, of 318 Bearslide Court in Eden, is now charged with advancing the prostitution of a minor.

He is one of four men accused of paying Teresa Vanover between $5-$20 to commit sexual acts on her mentally disabled teenage daughters.

The Rockingham County District Attorney's office announced the new charge in a news release but provided few details.

Since 2015, Snow has been charged with 26 offenses: six counts of promoting the prostitution of a minor, six counts of statutory rape, six counts of patronizing a prostitute who is mentally disabled, four counts of patronizing a prostitute and four counts of second-degree forcible sexual offense.

In addition to the new charge, the district attorney's office stated that the grand jury filed four superceding indictments that kept the charges the same, but required a clerical change or additional information.

The district attorney's office did not clarify which charges changed.

Snow gained international attention in 2015 when crisscrossing the world before being arrested in Bangkok and extradited back to Eden.

Snow is out of jail on a $15 million bail, which was reduced on Sept. 1 from the $25 million bail Snow paid in 2015.

He is expected to go to trial on February 19.
GREENSBORO  UNC-Greensboro will be the first school in the UNC system to offer a masters degree in international business.

The university got approval last week from the UNC systems Board of Governors to offer the new degree starting next fall. The program will be housed in UNCGs Bryan School of Business and Economics.

UNCG expects to launch the online degree program with 10 full-time and 10 part-time students. Eventually, the university projects enrollment to reach 50 students. The university plans to hire two new business professors for its newest degree program.

McRae Banks, dean of UNCGs business school, said Wednesday that full-time students should be able to complete the program in a year. Students who attend part-time will need two or three years to complete it.

Banks said the new masters degree program is an expansion of the business schools focus on globalization. In recent years the Bryan School has added classes on international business and faculty with a global business background.

Banks said many students in the new masters degree program could be international students who take part in X-Culture, a program that a UNCG business professor started in 2010 to bring together students from UNCG and other universities around the world to work together on case studies, and, later, consulting projects.

Now, about 6,000 students from 50 countries take part each semester in X-Culture. The program emphasizes international collaboration and teaches students how to navigate the cultural and language challenges that pop up in global business dealings.

We feel we have a lot of strength in the international area, Banks said. As we continue to build it, its something we think we ultimately can be ranked in.

Only two other North Carolina universities, both private, offer masters programs in global or international business. They are Duke University and Gardner-Webb University.

Clarification, Nov. 12: A UNC-Wilmington spokeswoman says its business school has offered an international MBA program for about a decade. UNCG, meanwhile, says its new master's offering is unique to the UNC system because it's not based on a traditional Master of Business Administration program.
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (AP)  The Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed by a gunman during Sunday services will be demolished, the pastor said.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this week that it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church as a place of worship.

A national Southern Baptist spokesman said Pomeroy discussed the plan with the denomination's top executives, who traveled to the rural community in a show of support.

The spokesman, Sing Oldham, said the pastor described the building as "too stark of a reminder" of the massacre. Pomeroy expressed hope he could turn the site into a memorial for the dead and put up a new building on property the church owns.

On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of the gunman.

Pence told the crowd that the attack was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman "deranged."

"Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church, if the attacker's desire was to silence their testimony of faith, they failed," the vice president added.

The governor said Texans come together at times of crisis and tragedy. "It's what we do," Abbott said. People in the crowd responded "amen."

He also proclaimed Sunday, Nov. 12 a statewide day of prayer.

Pence also visited with wounded congregants at a San Antonio hospital and met with families of the dead in Floresville, not far from Sutherland Springs. He went from table to table at a high school library, attempting to console devastated family members.

"The whole country is praying over you," he told one man who lost his sister-in-law.

He stopped to talk with John Holcombe, whose family was decimated by the shooting. Holcombe, who suffered shrapnel wounds, lost his wife, Crystal, who was pregnant with their first child. Also killed were three of her children, his parents, a brother and a toddler niece.

Pence hugged 7-year-old Evelyn Holcombe, who survived by running out of the church.

Earlier Wednesday, Pence said President Donald Trump had ordered federal agencies to provide extensive help to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

Also Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety released an official list of those killed in the rampage. The eight male victims and 17 female victims ranged in age from 1 to 77.

Eight of the fatalities were children or teenagers. The oldest of them was 16.

Authorities said the 26 dead also included Crystal Holcombe's unborn baby. All the victims died at the scene, except for one child who died at a hospital.

Eleven people remained hospitalized with wounds they suffered in the attack.

___

Associated Press Religion Writer Rachel Zoll in New York contributed to this report.
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (AP)  Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of Sunday's massacre at a small-town Texas church.

Pence told the crowd Wednesday evening that the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman "deranged."

"Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church, if the attacker's desire was to silence their testimony of faith, they failed," the vice president added.

Abbott began the service by praying "for healing and for help."

The governor said Texans come together at times of crisis and tragedy. "It's what we do," Abbott said. People in the crowd responded "amen."

He also proclaimed Tuesday a statewide day of prayer.

Authorities have reviewed video from inside the church where a gunman killed more than two dozen, including footage that shows the assailant shooting victims in the head during Sunday services, a U.S. official said Wednesday.

The official's account of the video is consistent with statements made by survivors of the attack. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The same U.S. official confirmed that the attacker's cellphone was an iPhone and that the FBI had not yet asked Apple for help obtaining data from the device.

The church regularly recorded its services, and the footage investigators have seen shows several minutes of the attack because there was "no one to turn it off," according to a law enforcement official who has seen the video. The official also spoke on condition of anonymity because that person was not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation.

The law enforcement official was among those who went inside the First Baptist Church after the attack and said several of the pews were overturned, although it was unclear if that was from the attack or from rescue efforts. Bullets had splintered the walls and pews, leaving shards of wood all over the floors.

Pence arrived in Texas on Wednesday, visiting wounded victims at a San Antonio hospital and later meeting families of the dead in Floresville, not far from Sutherland Springs.

Pence went from table to table at a high school library attempting to console devastated family members.

"The whole country is praying over you," he told one man who lost his sister-in-law.

He stopped to talk with John Holcombe, whose family was decimated by the shooting. Holcombe, who suffered shrapnel wounds, lost his wife Crystal  who was pregnant with their first child  three of her children, his parents, a brother and a toddler niece.

Pence hugged 7-year-old Evelyn Holcombe, who managed to survive by running out of the church during the attack.

Earlier Wednesday, Pence said President Donald Trump had ordered federal agencies to provide extensive help to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

The agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio division said Tuesday that agents had not been able to retrieve data from Devin Patrick Kelley's cellphone.

In a statement Wednesday evening, Apple said it's offered the FBI technical advice after learning the bureau was trying to access the phone. The company said the FBI had not requested its assistance.

Depending on the model of iPhone and what security features it had, FBI agents might have had a short window to use alternative methods to access its data.

For instance, if the iPhone used Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensing system, agents could have tried placing the dead gunman's finger on the phone to unlock it. But that would only have worked within 48 hours of the last time the phone was locked.

Meanwhile, more details emerged about the gunman's past. School records showed that Kelley had disciplinary problems in high school.

In fall 2006, Kelley's sophomore year, he was suspended and sent to an alternative school for two months after an unspecified drug-related incident.

He was suspended twice as a junior and three times as a senior for reasons including "insubordination," ''profane language/gestures" and "dishonest/false records."

With each passing year at New Braunfels High School, his grades slipped as well, according to the records.

A B-student overall as a freshman, he failed several classes by his senior year and ended up ranked 260 out of 393 students in his graduating class in 2009. He finished with a 2.3 grade-point average.

The records also listed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as one of his medical conditions.

A former friend said Kelley asked her for sexual favors and prevented his first wife from communicating with her friends. Kelsey Huckaby told Austin television station KTBC that Kelley was "kind of controlling of his girlfriends" in high school.

Huckaby said she lost contact with Kelley until he responded to a Facebook post she made in April asking for a place to stay for her and her boyfriend. She said Kelley offered to let them stay in a trailer on his property if she performed weekly "sexual favors" for him.

Also Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety released an official list of those killed in the rampage. The eight male victims and 17 female victims ranged in age from 1 to 77. Eight of the fatalities were children or teenagers. The oldest of them was 16.

Authorities said the 26 dead also included the unborn baby of a woman who was killed.

All the victims died at the scene, except for one child who died at a San Antonio-area hospital.

Eleven people remained hospitalized with wounds they suffered in the attack.

___

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo in Los Angeles and Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report.

___

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It would seem to me that this is the point where we should stop covering mass shootings in the news.

It does not matter how many stories get printed or run on TV. We all know what the result will be: nothing.

Nothing is going to change as a result of the shooting in Texas.

Just as nothing changed following the Las Vegas shooting, after Sandy Hook, after Aurora, or after Orlando.

Nothing is going to change, so why do we keep talking about it?

Sure, dozens of people may lose their lives, but weve come to accept that. We have decided that any type of limitation or regulation on guns is too high a price to pay.

Why should we take a single action that potentially could save a single life? There used to be a time when a life was worth more than anything. But now, our gun-shop-owning representative either doesnt care about saving lives, or hes a coward.

Im not in favor of banning all guns or anything to that extreme. But we have seen the result of inaction: further loss of life.

Man up, Congressman Ted Budd, and at least pretend lives matter more than your products.

Cody Jones

Greensboro
It can be tough to find the perfect holiday gift for the beer snob in your life, but Samuel Adams is making it a little easier this year.

The brewery announced in late October the release of its 2017 Utopias line. Sam Adams releases a batch every two years, according to Fortune.com, and the most recent creation is a doozy.
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GREENWICH  Imagine that youre out at a family dinner and your fathers eccentric co-worker joins you, as usual. His mustache sticks straight up like an insects antennae, and his huge eyeballs arent altogether un-bug-like.

His name is Salvador Dali, and he itches to sketch something, but none of the waitstaff seem to have a pen. So he commandeers your mothers lipstick and uses its tip as ink. The result is a breathtaking drawing, improvised at a moments notice with a tool that would make most art snobs laugh, if it were not wielded by one of the most celebrated minds of the 20th century.

The way he was going out of the banality of the day, of the routine, was kind of astounding to me, said Christine Argillet, who lived the anecdote.

She is the daughter of Pierre Argillet, Dalis on-again-off-again publisher for 45 years. Between the ages of 5 and a half and 17, she spent late June through early September at an inn across from his home in Spain so her father could supervise his work.

When Pierre passed away in 2001, his family decided to share the wealth of Dali prints and originals that he had preserved over the years. Since then, the Argillet collection has toured around the globe, gracing museum and gallery walls from Singapore to Tokyo and from Rotterdam to Moscow.

Now, the works are stopping by Connecticut for the first time, at C. Parker Gallery in Greenwich. The exhibition, which consists of two Dali originals as well as signed prints at varying price points, will depart by the weekends end.

In many ways, the Argillet collections visit to Greenwich is unparalleled. Gallery owner Tiffany Benincasa said that, to her knowledge, no other Dali exhibit of this breadth and scope has come to the area in a decade.

We have a great opportunity, but its a small window, she said.

Benincasa admitted that, in the past, she has been wary of mounting works by Dali because of problems with authentication. The artist used different signatures, and forgeries have run rampant in the art market.

But, she said, the Argillet name lends credibility to these particular pieces because they are literally coming from Dalis publisher.

Christine Argillet will spend all of Thursday in airports so that from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, she can give presentations on her fathers collaboration with Dali and answer questions from Greenwich collectors at C. Parker Gallery.

As someone who witnessed the masters process, she has plenty of stories about how each work developed.

You want to know the provenance. You want to love the piece. But you also want to know the history behind it, Benincasa said.

The collection ranges in date until the 1970s, when Dali decided that in his old age, engraving practices were too taxing. He tried to convince Pierre to collaborate with him on lithographs, but Argillets father had no interest in glorified posters.

Though Argillet said her father and Dali shared a kindness, elegance and complicity until the end, their relationship was often fraught. Known for his over-the-top persona, Dali showed little regard for the rules of his trade. For example, when Pierre would arrive to pick up his commissions, the artist would occasionally have sold them to someone else without permission.

Sometimes, there was a contract for 20 etchings and Dali would do just one, Argillet remembered. That happened.

In the summers, when the Argillet family and Dali were neighbors, Pierre was much happier because he could exercise more influence and ensure his etchings were completed.

Pierre would sometimes recommend that Dali explore a particular theme. Then, he would wait, unsure if a reply would ever come.

My father used to say, I proposed to Dali a topic. If it resonates for him, then he will say yes,  Argillet recalled.

One idea  mythology  especially captured the surrealists attention. After his time in the United States, where he watched Jackson Pollocks dripping technique, Dali decided to tackle the complicated relationship between fate and free will that was often explored in Homeric epic and, more generally, Greco-Roman culture.

In his Mythology series, which comprises part of the Argillet collection at C. Parker Gallery, he threw acid over copper plates to create a stain that was spontaneous and uncertain.

Indeed, classical allusion inundates a good number of the works on display. In one print far from the Mythology samples, two torsos and heads merge into a single being, reflecting Aristophanes theory of love from Platos Symposium.

Aristophanes claimed that, at one time, humanity had another form. Man and man, woman and woman, and man and woman were conjoined so that two bodies were one, until Zeus decided to weaken the population by dividing them in half. Thus, throughout their lives human beings are destined to search for the person who makes them whole.

Though the image automatically conjures memories of Aristophanes speech, Argillet offered another reading  one based in the artists life.

When Dali came into the world, his parents had just lost a son who was also named Salvador. His family would take him to visit his older brothers grave as a child, which confused and disturbed him.

He would see his name etched in stone, and he wouldnt understand why part of himself was buried and why the other part was alive, Argillet said. He was always obsessed with the idea that part of him was in the ground.

As demonstrated by that story about his sibling, whom he rendered in 1963, Dali approached much of life with an acute sensitivity. In a series about one of Spains most popular traditions  bullfighting  the artist reacted harshly to the sports brutality.

You see his hate of violence, how he would see the bullfights as very barbaric, and he would mock them, Argillet said.

Other pieces in the collection are inspired by World War I, or the Spanish Civil War, which Argillet said profoundly affected Dali.

Though he could sometimes wander into psychologically loaded territory, he was not always heavy, or burdened by the tremendous weight of his times. Indeed, part of what people find so engaging about Dali is how he was, and how he never feared being larger than life.

He has the philosophical and the intellectual component, right? Benincasa said. But he also has that whimsical side, that playful side that was so much part of his persona. I mean, just the mustache, the ocelot the turtle with the ash tray that walked around his house.

Argillet remembered him as very whimsical, very charming, very elegant, always extremely positive.

Dali loved to be challenged, she said. He could draw anything.

Benincasa said she hopes Greenwich locals will see the exhibition before it leaves. After all, an integral part of her gallerys mission is to make art less opaque or unreachable.

And if theres anyone with the mystique to enamor a public, its the man with the iconic mustache.

Art is, Benincasa began, its so many things in life.
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GREENWICH  With control of the Board of Estimate and Taxation at stake, town Republicans and Democrats are eagerly awaiting final certification of Tuesdays election results.

Final results had not yet been released by the towns Registrar of Voters office as of Wednesday night, leaving several key races in flux.

What is certain is that First Selectman Peter Tesei won a record sixth term in office, albeit by a far smaller margin than he previously has won. Selectman John Toner was also reelected but Selectman Drew Marzullo was not. Democrat Sandy Litvack, who challenged Tesei, is slated to take Marzullos seat on the board.

Additionally, incumbent Republican Tax Collector Tod Laudonia appears to have been unseated in an upset victory for Democrat Howard Richman. That race had not received formal certification as of late Wednesday but Richman appeared to have built up a big enough lead to avoid a mandated recount.

But it is the race for the BET which had a lot of eager eyes waiting for results on Wednesday. In an unexpectedly close race that took multiple twists and turns, both Republicans and Democrats were trying to find out which party had gotten the most collective votes for its six-person slate. The race has traditionally been dominated by Republicans but Democrats put up a far stronger than expected performance and could have snatched a close victory.

The party that wins the most votes is allowed to pick a chairman of the BET, which brings with it the ability to make committee assignments and provide a tie-breaking vote on the otherwise evenly split board.

Unquestionably, the results are a departure from recent history, Jeff Ramer, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and a member of the BETs Democratic caucus, said on Wednesday, adding the party did not mind waiting an extra day to get an official certification.

Initially it appeared as though Democrats won control of the BET on Tuesday night. Unofficial results posted at the Republican Town Committees campaign celebration showed the Democrats winning the BET by a vote of 32,761 to 32,650. Similar numbers were also posted at the Democratic headquarters.

However, close to 11 p.m. Tuesday, new numbers came out from the Registrars of Voters office that gave Republicans the advantage. According to the late Tuesday numbers, the Republican slate captured 35,088 votes compared to the Democrats 34,547

Then, on Wednesday, another change took place as it appeared Democrats actually had the lead again.

Republican Registrar of Voters Fred DeCaro III did not specify what was causing the delay, except that the office wanted to make sure it had an accurate count.

While the BET race remained in doubt, a Democratic victory for Richman seemed more certain on Wednesday. At their campaign headquarters on Tuesday night, Democrats cheered Richmans apparent win.

Richman called the results incredible Wednesday, and said he felt his message had resonated with voters.

During the campaign, he had accused Laudonia of not managing the tax collectors office well and cited issues like late deposit of payment checks and tax bill adjustments not going out in a timely fashion. Laudonia blamed the problems on the fact that his his departments budget had been cut two years in a row, forcing him to lay off two employees.

The budget cuts in both years were pushed for by members of the BETs Democratic caucus.

Richman said Wednesday he was eager to get to work.

I feel its a great opportunity to fix things here, he said. The tax collector has not gotten along well with the BET in recent years and thats going to change ... especially if the Democrats do win it. But either way I cant wait to get started.

Laudonia did not speak Tuesday night but indicated on Wednesday he would not seek a recount if the totals fall outside of the margin to trigger an automatic one. He said he was not aware of how much of a deficit he was looking at in his race with Richman

I know the registrars of voters will do their job properly, Laudonia said.

Laudonia had won big victories in each of his four previous elections, including a 2015 campaign against Richman.

Thats why we have elections, Laudonia said. People win and people lose.

The BET and tax collector results were part of an unexpected night in Greenwich politics, which saw Republicans struggling to hold onto their advantage in a town they typically dominate. Just two years after crushing Democratic challenger Frank Farricker with 75 percent of the vote, Tesei beat Litvack by less than 1,000 votes.

Tesei had won blowout victories in all of his five previous elections but found himself in far closer competition with Litvack. According to numbers at Republican headquarters on Tuesday night, Tesei got 53 percent of the vote with 7,147 votes to Litvacks 6,253. Toner, who was elected to his second full term, ended up getting the most votes with 7,220.

While those numbers are also awaiting final certification, Teseis victory is not in doubt.

After the results came in, both Tesei and Republican Town Committee Chairman Stephen Walko criticized the high level of spending in the BET race and the influence of outside groups in town politics. They did not specify names but the race has seen the heavy involvement of groups like Indivisible Greenwich, which was formed in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump.

To be engaged is the essence of democracy and I think thats wonderful but I dont think we should carry on with these notions that these groups are not political and are not pushing a particular agenda, Walko said on Tuesday. These groups were calling themselves anti-Trump but Peter Tesei is the furthest thing from someone who behaves in a President Trump-like manner. They have different styles and to try and attack him on that level is not fair and not true.

Ramer on Wednesday praised the involvement of groups like Indivisible and March On Greenwich, which also formed in response to Trump.

He said people were inspired to be involved thanks to several issues, including Trumps election, the alleged conduct of RTM member Christopher von Keyseling, who lost his reelection bid after an arrest, and a proposed change in the rules for electing the school board, which Ramer called a Republican power grab  a frequently voiced charge by opponents  that would politicize the Board of Education.

There are vibrant grass roots movements that have sprung up since the presidential election, salient among them are Indivisible and March On, Ramer said. These are groups of energized local residents wishing to become involved. Their commitment of time and effort played a huge role in bringing forward new candidates and in getting out the vote.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
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GREENWICH  In a classroom at the Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center, an adult student read a textbook blurb about an immigrants struggle to learn English.

In the scenario, she moved to a neighborhood where everyone spoke her native language, and none of her friends knew English. She wanted to gain fluency, but she had no way to practice.

Pobrecita, said one of the students, a Spanish word that roughly translates to poor girl.

Eight classmates brainstormed together, offering advice on how to resolve this somewhat fictionalized but familiar problem. The woman could watch TV in English, or pick up an English book, they said.

Or she could go to English school, like them.

For over 40 years, Literacy Volunteers has provided a place for women and men 17 or older to advance their knowledge of the English language, free of charge. During the 2016-17 academic year, about 145 volunteers logged over 12,000 service hours with 824 students in Stamford and Greenwich.

On Nov. 15, Literacy Volunteers will sponsor its 17th-annual Scrabble Challenge at the Stamford Hilton Hotel so they can continue to provide quality education and resources to local adults who want to improve their English.

As part of Family Centers, Literacy Volunteers caters to some of Fairfield Countys least served demographics. Forty-six percent of students in 2016 reported that their family incomes were under $10,000, and 33 percent said they made between $10,000 and $24,999 per year. Thirty-eight percent of participants had less than a twelfth grade education in their home countries, while 15 percent were unemployed and seeking work now that theyre in the United States.

We cant pay, said Ofelia Affon, who has been attending Literacy Volunteers courses for over a year. We dont want to lose these classes. They help us a lot.

For a good number of the students, English is not only a skill, but also the key to their future. To have any possibility of achieving their aspirations, they must be able to navigate the language.

Affon studied accounting in Peru, but these days, she dreams of opening her own local baking company.

On the Wednesday after Halloween, she brought elaborately decorated cupcakes for everyone at Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center. Moist and elegant, they exuded the kind of artisanal vibe at elite bakeshops.

Though her pastries pass muster, Affon said she will need to speak English if she is to ever have her own business in the U.S.

Andrea Ospino, 19, has a similar story. She moved stateside from Colombia only a month ago, and she attended her first Literacy Volunteers class last week because she wants to be a translator. More than that, she knows that English can be an access point for the life she hopes to lead.

I want to travel around the world and get to know cultures, she said.

For two hours on a recent Wednesday evening, tutors talked roomfuls of adults through workbooks, like the ones from French or Spanish class in high school. Someone confused ride and write, and a facilitator patiently described the difference.

In one of the sessions, students learned phrases to express a lack of understanding. Can you spell that? they asked patiently, mimicking their tutor. Excuse me? they said.

In another classroom across the hall, a table of women practiced conjugating in past tense.

I need more practice, one student admitted.

The facilitator asked a woman if she wanted a hard or easy example to conjugate.

Easy, easy, easy! she exclaimed.

These were Chris Feys students, all of whom were excited to be there, even if the past tense proved challenging. Fey sympathized with their struggles, admitting that this exercise could be called English is annoying. 

Affon, who studies with Fey, said that through word of mouth, more and more students are showing up to learn from him each week.

We need a bigger table, she joked.

The director of Radiology at Greenwich Hospital, Fey is in his second year teaching for the program. He said that during the 2016-17 calendar, he was astonished by how much he grew to admire the men and women who benefit from Literacy Volunteers.

The people in last years class were tremendously hard workers who worked all day at various trades and then still at the end of the day found the time to try to improve their ability to function in the culture, he said. They wanted to be a more integral part of America, like many other peoples ancestors who have come.

The participants in Literacy Volunteers are often immigrants. In a Journal of Student Writing published over the holidays last year, some of them expounded their experiences after coming to the U.S. One admitted that some people here  punish you because of the color of your skin or the language that you speak.  Another wrote that he had traveled to our country for a better future for him and his wife.

Yet another wrote, I miss my family. In this country everybody feels alone.

But a few pages later, someone countered, I am so glad to be in this country.

Fey said that in his sessions, he tries to incorporate the history of the immigrant experience in America and emphasize that our nation is a work in progress.

Im not trying to make the class political, but I think its fair that people realize that theyre part of a long American tradition of immigration thats not starting with them, he continued.

In response to the anti-immigrant sentiment that has invaded the U.S., Fey offered his observations from a year at Literacy Volunteers.

The idea that the immigrants coming to the country are somehow negative characters who cause a problem is completely the opposite of what I see, he said.
Angelika Graswald's case was puzzling from the beginning. And now it has ended, still essentially a puzzle.

It started on a windy evening in April 2015. Graswald and her fiance, Vincent Viafore had a few drinks, then decided to go kayaking on the Hudson River. At some point, Viafore's boat capsized and he vanished under the turbulent waters. Graswald paddled against the current, out of reach. His body was found weeks later.

At first, it seemed like an accident. But after Graswald gave a series of conflicting and callous statements about Viafore's death in a police interrogation, prosecutors in Orange County, New York, charged her with second-degree murder. They said she wanted out of the relationship and had sabotaged his boat in hopes of killing him. She also had a financial motive, they alleged: his death would have given her a shot at his $250,000 life insurance policy.

Now Playing: Angelika Graswald, charged with murdering her fiance Vincent Viafore in 2015 by sabotaging his kayak before his fatal trip on the Hudson River, pleaded guilty Monday to criminally negligent homicide, PEOPLE confirms Video: Brandpoint

The Hitchcock-like intrigue brought national attention to the case. The CBS News show "48 Hours" devoted an entire episode, titled "Death on the Hudson," to dissecting the relationship between Graswald and 46-year-old Viafore, and investigating the tactics police used during her interrogation.

Graswald, 37, and her defense attorneys insisted on her innocence, saying police had coerced incriminating statements out of her. But in July, shortly before the case was set to go to trial, Graswald pleaded guilty to criminal negligent homicide, admitting that she had removed a drain plug from his kayak, knew that a locking clip on one of the paddles was missing before they went out. She also said she knew he was at risk because he had been drinking, had left shore without a life jacket and that she did not help him as he flailed in the water.

On Wednesday, Graswald was sentenced to up to four years in state prison, as the Associated Press reported. She could be paroled before the end of the year, having received credit for time-served.

The sentencing closes the books on the case, but seemed to leave a number of issues unresolved.

In court, Judge Robert Freehill said the apparent sabotage of Viafore's kayak wasn't the main issue. Rather, he said, it was Graswald's inaction as Viafore struggled in the cold, choppy waters and her failure to "perceive a substantial risk."

"Was it removing a plug from the kayak, which appears to have been done months ago? Was it tampering with the clip on the paddle? Not really," the judge said, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. "It was the immediate acts of you being in your (kayak) and Vincent floundering in the water and you not taking any steps to try to help him."

Freehill added that Graswald's self-absorption was a factor in Viafore's death. "You could have walked out on Vinny if you were unhappy," he said, "rather than whatever it was in your mind that led to removing the plug and the other acts you took."

None of the parties signaled they were pleased with the outcome.

"I loved Vince very much and miss him terribly," Graswald said in a statement through her lawyer, Richard Portale, according to the Associated Press. "I don't believe I was treated fairly. This entire process was incredibly one-sided and unjust."

"I am not a murderer," she said. "I've said that from the beginning. If I could do anything to bring Vince back, I would."

Viafore's relatives also expressed disappointment.

"As far as I'm concerned, we did not get justice," his mother, Mary Ann Viafore, told NBC New York.

His sister, Laura Rice, read a victim impact statement before the judge issued the sentence, imploring him to give Graswald the maximum punishment.

"My brother did not deserve to have his life end this way," Rice said, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. "Our family feels Angelika should be held accountable for the actions she has admitted to . . . a short, four-year-sentence does not seem just. Serving a portion of that sentence seems even more unjust."

"When I think of my brother's last moments alive," Rice added, "I think of the pain he must have endured and I visualize him trying to survive hypothermia in the freezing cold river, confused and not understanding why the woman who said she loved him and wanted to marry him did nothing to help him."

Graswald's defense attorneys had previously argued that police coerced statements out of her during an 11-hour interrogation in 2015. They also said that removing the kayak plug would not have caused it to fill with water, and that rough waves could have more easily caused it to capsize. They also noted that it was Viafore's own decision not to wear a life jacket and that his blood alcohol level was .06.

Graswald, a Latvian immigrant, could face deportation after her sentence is complete. She was the main beneficiary on Viafore's life insurance policy, under which she still stands to gain $250,000, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. She could take legal action to claim those assets.
Real question is: How does Snoop Dogg feel about Cereal Milk? Photo: Katherine Frey/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Milk Bar has welcomed its first-ever outside investors, after nine years in the immensely popular Crack Pie business. Christina Tosis cult chain  which has grown from the original East Village outpost to 12 spots spread across four cities and two countries  just closed on a Series A funding round, and while Milk Bar isnt revealing a precise amount, The Wall Street Journal hears it was an an eight-figure investment.

The money also all came entirely from one source  RSE Ventures  giving it a significant minority interest in the company. Milk Bar plans to put that capital toward launching in new markets, which Tosi assures Fortune will be done in a thoughtful and individualist way. (New York, D.C., Vegas, and Toronto are it for locations right now.)

RSE is also an investor in the reservation app Resy and trendy fast-casual pizzeria chain &pizza, but its otherwise mostly a sports-focused fund. The fund conveniently also just invested in Momofuku Holdings  David Changs restaurant group where Tosi got her start. RSE is also co-run by Stephen Ross, the founder of the $50 billion real-estate firm Related Companies. Related is the Hudson Yards developer, it owns Equinox Fitness, and it has done major projects in tons of international cities like Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and London. That expertise cant hurt if Milk Bar wants to strategiz[e] how to reach overseas fans, as a rep tells the Journal.

RSEs other co-founder, Miami Dolphins vice chairman Mike Higgins, tells Fortune theyd like to position Milk Bar more as a lifestyle brand. This might mean partnering with other retailers besides Target to sell packaged mixes, pushing the new proprietary coffee line, and creating more branded merch. He tells the magazine their money represents a tremendous opportunity for Tosi to achieve her potential as Martha Stewart for this generation.
Junes Eatery chefs Muluba Habanyama and James Watson. Photo: Matt Barnes/Courtesy of the Casey House Foundation

Toronto is home to a new, first-of-its-kind pop-up  the worlds only restaurant where every piece of food is made by someone with HIV. Organizers say the impetus was a recent poll that found that the thought of dining with somebody whos HIV-positive still paralyzes them with fear. The survey by Casey House, Canadas only hospital dedicated to people living with HIV/AIDS, found that nearly half of Canadians wouldnt eat a meal prepared by someone with the disease, even though health experts say the infection cant be transmitted that way. To combat the stigma around food prep, Casey House decided it was time to pull a bold stunt.

The pop-up, called Junes Eatery after Casey Houses co-founder June Callwood, launched this week. It advertised two four-course dinners made by 14 HIV-positive chefs for $125  one yesterday, the other today. Both of them sold out.

Organizers told The Guardian that they even welcome negative coverage, though, as the entire point of the pop-up is exposing the ignorance and blame around HIV and AIDS. They did their best to test people, too  organizers say they mailed jars of soup prepared by the HIV-positive team to newsrooms across Canada. It seems they didnt really care what became of that soup in a box, as long as it challenged media to examine their own beliefs before writing about the event.
Head to Metta for a casual holiday. Photo: Jemma Hinkly/New York Magazine

Turkey time is approaching. Yes, you can cook at home  traditional, wholesome  but the best part of living in New York City is that there are plenty of places to go out for a meal, or even just to pick up some sides. Top restaurants and markets are roasting turkeys, mashing potatoes, baking pies, and doing everything else necessary for a great holiday meal. Heres where youll want to head this Thanksgiving.

If you just want to go to a neighborhood spot.

If youre tired of the same old turkey.

If you want a blowout, fancy meal.

If you want something traditional.

If you have to feed a vegetarian.

If youre in charge of the pies.

If youre eating in, but dont actually want to cook.

If you just want to go to a neighborhood spot.

Celestine

How Much: $75 for a three-course prix fixe, $45 for children under 12

Looking for waterfront views with your sweet-potato-and-marshmallow casserole? The new Dumbo spot will serve potted foie gras with toasted challah, roasted turkey with sage gravy, a duo of Colorado lamb with sugar-plum puree, sides like that yam casserole youve been craving, and desserts, including chocolate-challah bread pudding.

Greenwich Grille

How Much: $45 to $48, a la carte

Keep it low-key at Harold Moores new restaurant, where along with the regular menu, hell serve three Thanksgiving meals: turkey with gravy and mashed potatoes ($45), ham with sweet-potato casserole ($45), or a combination of both ($48). Each comes with stuffing, cranberry sauce, green-bean casserole, and Brussels sprouts, and there will be pies.

Joseph Leonard

How Much: $65 for a three-course prix fixe

Stick to the classics at this West Village spot, where youll find pumpkin soup with toasted pepitas, roast turkey with traditional gravy, rye stuffing with caramelized onion and Gruyere, bourbon sweet-potato puree, and more.

Houseman

How Much: $85 for a four-course family-style meal, $65 for wine pairing

At the neighborhood restaurant in Tribeca, youll eat confit turkey legs with walnut-date sauce, long-grain rice with collard greens, and bourbon-boiled peanuts, kabocha squash with amba yogurt, and apple and parsnip pie.

If youre tired of the same old turkey.

Claudette

How Much: $75 for a three-course prix fixe

Dinner at the Provencal restaurant means twists on familiar ingredients, like sweet-potato flavor, mushroom-caraway stuffing, turnips-and-apple chutney, baharat-spiced pumpkin spice, and roast turkey.

Dumpling Galaxy

How Much: $50 for tickets

Helen You makes the best dumpling in New York at her Flushing restaurant Dumpling Galaxy, and has become known for her creative approach and flavors. Shes collaborating with Queens food guy Jeff Orlick for a Thanksgiving dinner, that, he says, blends Chinese and American flavors without being too cute. On the menu: soup with bite-size dumplings, a cranberry saucelike relish, fried-rice stuffing, sauteed string beans, Peking duckstyle roast turkey, sweet dumplings, and pie.

LAmico

How Much: $72 for a three-course prix fixe, $36 for wine pairing

At the Italian restaurant, choose from appetizers like cacio e pepe and Parmesan sformato with prosciutto; entrees, including pumpkin ravioli and wood-fire-roasted turkey; and desserts like pecan pie and tiramisu.

Maialino

How Much: $115 for four courses, $65 for a kids menu

The Roman restaurant will serve its Italian-American Thanksgiving, with tortelli di castagne and turkey with polenta, and another menu of Maialino classics, like malfatti with braised pork, turkey soup with egg, and more.

Metta

How Much: $55 for adults, $25 for children

If you dont want the same old American standards, this wood-fired Argentine restaurant is serving a family-style meal of snacks like farmer cheese with pickled fennel; sides like chicory salad with anchovy dressing, Argentine-style skewers called galeto, and gravy and stuffing; and poached pear with ice cream.

Mifune

How Much: $90 for a special tasting menu

Head to the Japanese restaurant November 20 through Thanksgiving for an unconventional holiday meal of turkey takikomi rice, arare-battered scallop, miso-cream turkey fricassee, pumpkin mont blanc, and more.

If you want a blowout, fancy meal.

Craft

How Much: $110 for a three-course vegetarian dinner, $150 for three-course dinner

Expect family-style dishes like sea scallops and black truffle, roasted stripling steak and free-range turkey, and a dessert spread featuring apple crisp, spiced doughnuts with maple ice cream, and pumpkin pie.

Eleven Madison Park

How Much: $245 for four courses, $135 for wine pairing

At Daniel Humms recently revamped fine-dining destination, youll eat a fancified spread of chicken veloute with black truffles, roasted turkey with caramelized apples, foie-gras torchon, sides like potato mousseline, and desserts, including a pecan tart with malt ice cream.

Jean Georges

How Much: $188 for a four-course prix fixe, $98 for children 8 to 10

Go all out with options like peekytoe crab dumplings, butter-poached lobster with passion fruit, and an entree choice of caramelized beef tenderloin or turkey with foie-gras stuffing. Or you can get some of the same dishes at Nougatine (a la carte, or $118 for a four-course tasting menu), but as part of a set menu with tuna tartare, butter-poached lobster, turkey and foie-gras stuffing, and pumpkin pie with toasted meringue.

The NoMad

How Much: $155 for a three-course prix fixe, $65 for children

At the hotel restaurant, theyre serving appetizers like foie-gras torchon; main courses like bone marrowcrusted beef and roasted turkey with butternut squash; an assortment of classic sides, including chestnut stuffing; and tableside desserts.

Temple Court

How Much: $125 for three courses, menu here

The Beekman Hotel spot (nee Fowler & Wells) will serve hamachi with sea urchin, and sweetbreads with Brussels sprouts for appetizers; turkey with the fixings and wagyu steak Diane (an extra $25) for entrees; and Baked Alaska, honey-nut cheesecake, and apple tarte Tatin for dessert.

If you want something traditional.

American Cut

How Much: $75 for three courses

The midtown steakhouse will serve specials like a lobster bisque with scallops, and turkey with chestnut and sausage stuffing; sides like Brussels sprouts with maple glaze; and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

Bowery Meat Company

How Much: $98 for a five-course prix fixe, $55 for wine pairing

One of New Yorks favorite steakhouses will serve cauliflower soup, turkey with sausage stuffing and more sides, pumpkin ravioli with mascarpone, and classic pies.

The Breslin Bar & Dining Room

How Much: $85 for a family-style meal, $45 for wine pairing

Over in the Ace Hotel, April Bloomfield & Co. are cooking squash and wild-rice soup, venison terrine en croute, an entree choice of turkey or rainbow trout, and pumpkin or pecan pie.

The Dutch

How Much: $125 for three courses, menu here

If youre downtown, the New American restaurants menu includes appetizer choices like Chinatown calamari and New England clam chowder; a family-style main course of roast turkey with maple-chestnut mashed potato, gravy, andouille sausage, and much more; and a choice of dessert that includes a pumpkin cream puff and chocolate ice cake.

Le Coq Rico

How Much: $90 for four courses, $50 for wine pairing

Looking for an all-poultry meal? Head to this bistro, where youll eat duck-foie-gras terrine with cranberry chutney, turkey consomme and black-truffle ravioli, stuffed turkey with sides like cabbage and chestnut fricassee, and a dessert of gingerbread and caramelized apple tart.

Leuca

How Much: $75 for a four-course prix fixe, as well as a limited a la carte (menu here)

If your family is visiting at Williamsburgs William Vale, consider Andrew Carmellinis restaurant where youll have choices, including octopus with nduja, turkey breast with wood-smoked squash, and Sicilian pistachio cake.

If you have to feed a vegetarian.

abcV

How Much: A la carte

Jean-Georges Vongerichten isnt changing a thing at his vegetarian restaurant, where you can eat the regular menu of dosas, green-chickpea hummus, wok-fried ramen noodles, and more.

Dovetail

How Much: $150 for three courses, $130 for the vegetarian menu, $75 for childrens menu

If youre on the Upper West Side and have veg-heads in your caravan, youll find plenty to like here. Theres roast turkey with sweet potato, creamed winter greens, and pecans for meat eaters; honey-squash veloute, and maitake mushrooms with pears and capers for vegetarians; and desserts like Scotch panna cotta for all.

Little Park

How Much: $95 for three courses, menu here

Andrew Carmellinis Tribeca hotel restaurant will also be open, and keeping its vegetable-centric approach. Starters include beet risotto with goat cheese and squash cavatelli with crab, while the main course of roasted turkey is served family-style with sweet-potato gratin and other sides. For dessert, theres pumpkin cake, apple strudel, and chocolate cake.

Narcissa

How Much: $84 for three courses

At the Standard hotel in the East Village, Narcissa will serve restaurant signatures like its carrot Wellington, plus turkey breast and stuffed leg, mashed potato, and bread-pudding brulee.

Reynard

How Much: $95 for a three-course prix fixe

Eat apple-and-sunchoke salad or whole wood-roasted cauliflower; entrees like wood kissed turkey with mushroom gravy and rib of beef with whipped marrow; sides like maple sweet potatoes; and chocolate budino or apple pie for dessert.

Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolates chocolate-pecan pie. Photo: Courtesy of Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate

If youre in charge of picking up the pies.

Daly Pie

How Much: $30 to $35, order here

Youll have plenty of options from this shop, which is taking orders through November 19 for its apple crisp, vegan apple, chocolate-bourbon-pecan, lumberjack (maple-pear-walnut crisp), and other pies.

The Dutch

How Much: $42 each

The New American restaurant will make its pumpkin, pecan, and caramel-apple pies available for you to pretend you made them yourself.

Houseman

How Much: $50 per pie

Go classic southern with a pecan pie, or get a tweak on the American favorite in apple with parsnip.

Ice & Vice

How Much: $42, order here, $89 via Goldbely for customers outside New York

No one makes ice cream as good as Ice & Vice, and the Lower East Side shop has a special Gingerbread Man ice-cream pie available for the holiday.

Great Northern Food Hall

How Much: $8 to $38, order here

One of New Yorks better bakeries has classic apple and pumpkin pies, as well as pumpkin-walnut loaf ($8) and maple-pumpkin muffins ($23) for brunching.

Greenwich Grille

How Much: $32 to $35

If youre in the Village, order your pumpkin or pecan pie, cranberry cheesecake, or apple cobbler by noon on November 21.

Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate

How Much: $22

This great chocolatier will make a chocolate-pecan pie with maple-syrup topping, available for preorder, or in limited quantities on Thanksgiving.

Morgensterns

How Much: $39 to $48.50, preorder here

Its good pie for a good cause. A dollar from every pie will go to the Ali Forney Center, which serves homeless and runaway LGBTQ youth. Flavors include Mississippi mud pie with chocolate crust, pumpkin pie with sugar-cone crust, and lemon-cardamom meringue pie.

Runner & Stone

How Much: $5 to $33, order here

Supplement your sides with a spiced pecan, flourless chocolate tart ($33), dried-plum-and-walnut Linzer tart ($28), apple tart with almond crumble ($28), and pumpkin tart with maple meringue ($28). (Theyre also baking loaves like the cheddar-stout bread ($9) for sopping up sauces, and selling stuffing mix ($5) to make the cooking easier.)

Smile to Go

How Much: $36 to $40

Need some pep in your pumpkin pies step? Get a bourbon pumpkin pie here. Theres also pear-and-cranberry crisp and maple pecan, as well as a cookie platter  perfect for a more low-key celebration.

If youre eating in, but dont actually want to cook.

Bklyn Larder

How Much: $6.50 to $133

If youre in or around Park Slope, head here for all your needs. Their menu includes green-bean casserole ($17.50 per pound); cauliflower gratin with Gruyere ($6.50 for small, $13 for large); harvest cheeses ($59, feeds 8 to 12); pies ($40, feeds 8 to 10); and brined, rolled, and sausage-stuffed turkey ($67 for a half-roll that feeds 4 to 6, or $133 for a whole roll that feeds 8 to 10).

Blue Smoke

How Much: $100 to $225

Want to have a Turkey Day like back in the South, but dont want to cook? The barbecue spot has packages for four, six, and ten people with smoked turkey, cornbread stuffing, biscuits, pies, and more.

Daily Provisions

How Much: $168 to $485 for packages, $42 for pies

The Gramercy cafe has full meals for groups of 4, 8, and 12, with packages that include rotisserie turkey, gravy, a kale-and-marinated-broccoli salad, turkey-giblet-and-mushroom stuffing, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables.

Fleishers

How Much: $8 to $15 a pound for turkey, order here

Its unlikely that youll find better-quality turkeys anywhere else than this butcher, where you can reserve and then pick up pasture-raised and heritage-breed birds from November 20 through November 22.

Foster Sundry

How Much: $6 to $14; order turkey, duck, or ham here

The Bushwick market makes great prepared foods year-round, and for the holiday will have preportioned buttermilk-biscuit dough ($8 for a pack of six), gravy ($7 a pint), apple butter ($6 for four ounces), stuffing sausage ($14 a pound), and more. Along with foods to help you with your sides selection, the market has local turkeys, whole roast ham cured and smoked in-house, and Long Island duck.

Houseman

How Much: $50 per person, two-person minimum for the meal.

Cover all of your bases with confit turkey leg, slow-poached turkey breast with gribenes salad, long-grain rice with collard greens, cranberry sauce, gravy, and more.

Marlow & Daughters

How Much: $7 to $55

In Williamsburg, youll find turkey ($7 to $10 a pound) and ready-to-eat sides like an apple poppy-seed roll ($55), potato gratin, roasted Brussels sprouts ($25 a quart), sausage stuffing ($30 a quart), and more.

Smile to Go

How Much: $25 to $150

You can cover all of your bases here, getting sides like sourdough stuffing with dates and sweet Italian sausage ($25 for small, $50 for large), green beans with shallots ($25 for small, $50 for large) and other vegetables, a half or whole apple-cider-brined turkey ($75 or $150), and more.

White Gold Butchers

How Much: $119 to $196 for turkeys, $7.50 to $18 for sides

Need a turkey on the Upper West Side? April Bloomfields butcher shoprestaurant will have both raw and cooked turkeys (pick up November 20 through 23 for raw, November 22 through 23 for cooked, or Manhattan delivery November 20 through 22). You can also supplement your sides with roasted pumpkin ($16 a quart), turkey stock ($12 a quart), buttermilk mashed potatoes ($16 a quart), and more.
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Haiti - FLASH : False checks, the Ministry victim of a mafia network





Wednesday the highest authorities of the Ministry of the Interior gave an update on the case of falsified checks https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22489-haiti-flash-network-of-counterfeiters-within-the-ministry-of-the-interior.html having been used to hack an account of the Ministry.



At this press conference, Max Rudolph Saint-Albin, the Minister of the Interior and Fednel Monchery, Director General, declared that the Ministry was not responsible for these dishonest acts.



"It is a mafia network that is the cause of misappropriation of state mone [...] We have discovered many accomplices in the state, in the private sector who are involved in this network that steals the money. Justice has come to discover this network which has long been involved in fraudulent transactions such as fake checks, credit card piracy, creation of fake companies and others... [...]



It is thanks to the collaboration, the vigilance, and the collaboration of the DG and the new administrators of the Ministry that already 12 accomplices in this case have been identified. The police in the context of the investigation of the Ministry discovered in the houses where it had a warrant to search, a lot of fraudulent material and equipment to make fake checks..." stating that the investigation is on the right track.



Max Rudolph Saint Albin pointed out that several national and international institutions are combining their efforts to complete this investigation and apprehend all the individuals who would be involved in this case. Among the individuals apprehended by the PNH in the context of this case, some were already the subject of search notices for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking and financial crimes.



The Minister of MITC took the opportunity to call on other Ministers to urge them to conduct regular bank reconciliations and use the online access service of their ministry's bank accounts. The Minister encourages the Professional Association of Banks (APB) to reinforce the regular procedures of control relating to the information of the customers.



The Minister Max Rudolph Saint Albin invites the public to trust the state institutions, while recalling that the Administration Moise and the Lafontant Government intend to lead a flawless fight against corruption.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22489-haiti-flash-network-of-counterfeiters-within-the-ministry-of-the-interior.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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It is 100 years now since the Bolshevik rats started this. Something else also happened in 1917, at Fatima. The Fatima predictions say this will get worse, not the mealymouthed attempts by the Vatican to say otherwise. It is all around us, it is so obvious. It is good versus evil. And God has used people far worse than a Trump as His tools.
Doyle rejoins Bacardi to oversee 'potential' brands and travel retail

By Jo Gilbert

Bacardi has made a new appointment in its senior leadership team.

Industry veteran Maurice Doyle re-joins the company following a stint away by stepping into the role of president of incubation brands and global commercial development.

As part of the leadership team in Bermuda, Doyle will be in charge of driving some of Bacardis smaller, high potential premium brands such as Angels Envy, St-Germain, Banks, Santa Teresa, Facundo Rum Collection, and Leblon.

He will also be in charge travel retail globally.

Its great to welcome back a seasoned leader who has shown a particular talent for nurturing smaller, premium niche brands that become sustainable, long-term success stories, said Mahesh Madhavan, chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited.

Doyle spent 17 years with Bacardi in travel retail, commercial and marketing roles before leaving in 2009.

Since then Bacardi, Doyle has served as chief marketing officer at William Grant & Sons where he had accountability for travel retail and other global commercial functions.

Most recently he served as chief operating officer for Suntory's non-alcoholic division across Africa, Middle East & Caribbean.

Doyle said: Both the incubation and travel retail business have tremendous commercial opportunities, each serving as a platform to access premium consumers and introduce them to new experiences. I look forward to their continued development and consistent growth.

Bacardi, whose high profile brands include Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka and Bombay Sapphire gin, has a presence in over 170 countries and owns in excess of 200 brands and labels.














Educational attainment for the age groups who are about to retire has crept up very close to the levels of young age groups. The increase in the education level of the adult population is therefore set to almost come to an end in the early 2020s, they argued in an article published on the website of Statistics Finland .

The age group born in the 1970s is for the present set to remain the most educated age group in the history of Finland, indicates an analysis by Aleksi Kalenius and Hannu Karhunen.

Kalenius is a senior specialist in education and science for the OECD and UNESCO, and Karhunen a senior researcher at the Labour Institute for Economic Research.

Finland, they wrote, currently ranks close to the average for developed countries in terms of educational attainment for young people but could see its ranking decline in the years to come.

The share of people with only a basic education degree has not decreased in Finland since the mid-1980s, they highlighted. By 2020, the share of people with only a basic education degree will be relatively even across the entire 2064 age group, and the decades-long rapid decrease in the number accounted by the lowly educated of the working-age population will come to an end.

They also pointed out that the share of people with higher education qualifications has begun to decline since the age group born in 1977: the share of people who had completed a higher education degree by the age of 30 has dropped from 42.9 per cent for those born in 1977 to 39.0 per cent for those born in 1984.

Kalenius and Karhunen do not, however, agree with the interpretation that emigration is the main reason for the decline in educational attainment for young people in Finland.

They reminded that although people with higher education qualifications who have moved abroad accounted for over four per cent of the entire age group at one point in time, roughly 60 per cent of the people have since returned to Finland.

Brain drain has therefore rather mitigated than exacerbated the decline in educational attainment level, wrote Kalenius and Karhunen.

The decline in educational attainment level is a concern regardless of the reasons behind it, remind Patrizio Laina, an economist at the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), and Juhana Brotherus, the chief economist at the Mortgage Society of Finland.

The real competitiveness problem: education levels have begun to decline in Finland, Laina tweeted in response to the article by Kalenius and Karhunen.

An alarming situation in Finland. Education cuts will worsen the development further, added Brotherus.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Vesa Moilanen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
PHILANTHROPIST Dame Stephanie Shirley has received one of the countrys most exclusive honours.

The 84-year-old semi-retired businesswoman, who lives in Phyllis Court Drive, Henley, was made a Member of the Order of Companions of Honour for services to the computing industry and philanthropy in the Queens birthday honours.

She is one of only 65 people across Britain and the Commonwealth who can hold the title at any time.

Other current holders include musician Paul McCartney, actress Dame Maggie Smith, author J K Rowling and former prime minister Sir John Major.

Dame Stephanie, who was made an MBE in 1980 and a dame in 2000, was presented with her medal by the Duke of Cambridge during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The award recognises her successful IT career and subsequent charity work, including her support for people with autism.

She had planned to attend with her husband Derek but he was unwell so she travelled to the capital with three friends the day beforehand and stayed overnight at the Savoy Hotel.

They returned to the hotel after the investiture for a celebratory lunch.

Dame Stephanie said: Ive always been a big believer in arriving on time so I was fashionably early, which meant I got a seat near the front with a wonderful view.

The room had a flat floor so I wouldnt have seen much if Id sat towards the back.

The ceremony lasted about an hour-and-a-quarter, which is a long time, although its understandable as there were almost 160 people to get through. The Duke was wonderful with everybody he spoke to, though I must admit I cant remember what we discussed. He focused on everyone in turn and had a proper talk with them, so it didnt feel at all rushed.

The only downside to being at the front was that I was first up and, not having the example of anyone in front to follow, I forgot to curtsy.

I felt a bit embarrassed but I know it wasnt a problem as they are very understanding.

Dame Stephanie was born in Germany to a Jewish father who lost his post as a judge under the Nazis.

She was sent to Britain with her sister Renate in 1939 under the Kindertransport refugee scheme and grew up in foster care in the Midlands.

She completed her secondary education in Oswestry, Shropshire, and then obtained British citizenship.

She began working as a computer programmer at the Post Office Research Station in London and obtained a mathematics degree by taking evening classes.

She married in the early Sixties and founded the software company Freelance Programmers in 1962, which employed mostly women. Her teams projects included programming the flight recorder for Concorde.

Early in her career she adopted the pseudonym Steve Shirley in order to stand out in the male-dominated business world.

She later served as non-executive director for several companies, including the John Lewis Partnership, before her retirement in 1993.

In 1986 she set up the Shirley Foundation, which funds research into autism and related conditions like Aspergers syndrome.

She was inspired to do so by her autistic son Giles, who died following an epileptic seizure aged 35.

Over the course of her life, she has donated more than 67 million of her personal wealth to various good causes.

Talking about her latest honour, she said: I was surprised, delighted and proud because I arrived in this country as a refugee and have always wanted to give as much back as possible.

The enormity of it really hit me at the ceremony and although I didnt burst out crying, I did shed a little tear.

The Queen presented my OBE and the Prince of Wales presented my DBE so Ive now met the current monarch and two future ones. Ive been to the palace several times now but its always an honour to attend.
Police evacuated the Lebanon Walmart late Wednesday evening after a suspect sent what officers termed "very serious threats" to several employees.

Lebanon Police Chief Frank Stevenson said a male suspect, apparently distraught over a recent break-up with a store employee, sent the threats through either voice or text message to employees. As a precaution, officers evacuated and secured the Walmart in response to fears that the man had entered the store with a gun.

Shopper Cassie Richey told the Democrat-Herald she was in the checkout line at about 9:20 p.m. when a voice over the intercom ordered everyone out of the store.

"Walking out with the employees, they said an employee's ex showed up with a gun," she wrote in a Facebook message.

However, it was not clear as of 12:30 Thursday if the suspect had actually entered the store, nor was it known how many employees were working at the time.

Richey said the Oregon State Police, Lebanon Police Department, Linn County Sheriff's Office and a police canine unit were on the scene. Representatives of those agencies were still searching the store at 12:30 a.m. A cellphone video showed officers searching vehicles in the parking lot. Armed officers guarded the store with Heckler & Koch G36 rifles.

At 10:15, Richey said police moved her and about 40 others, including the Walmart employees, to the nearby Carl's Jr. and deployed an officer to guard the door. As of 12:30 a.m., they were all still inside. Some, in fact, were cleaning the restaurant while others waited patiently for the incident to end.

Stevenson reported just before midnight that a sweep of the store and surrounding areas showed that the suspect was not in the area.

"We think we know where he is," said Stevenson, indicating the suspect may have fled to another part of the city.

Stevenson said the department would make an announcement when an arrest is made. He said there is no reason to believe the public is in danger.

Walmart corporate officials were not immediately available by phone to comment on the incident.
Two Southeast Asian women will wrap up a month-long stay in Albany on Saturday, having spent their time in the area learning how local government works in the United States.

Alexis Abetria, from the Philippines, and Yen Vu, from Vietnam, came here as professional fellows through the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, an organization that gives participants an opportunity to spend five weeks in the United States, four of which are spent working directly with American counterparts in individually tailored work placements.

For Vu and Abetria, that focus meant local government. Vu holds an international law degree and works for the Two Worlds Transparency, a Vietnam-based nongovernmental organization. Abetria holds an international relations degree with a masters in China studies, and currently works with the office of the president of the Philippines, in the Filipino equivalent of the U.S. State Department.

Both women are interested in bringing transparency to local government in their home countries, and both say observing government here has provided a great example, and has given them some best practice examples they hope to establish back home.

"The U.S. is one nation that has the most transparency in government," said Abetria.

While she has observed how local government works to fund its own growth and projects, and has marveled in the process by which citizens can voice concerns on any given project, implementing such practices at home will be challenging, she said. With a unitary form of government, policy making and funding in the Philippines is "top to bottom," said Abetria.

"Also, in the Philippines, if the government decides to put up a building, it will just build it," she said, "with no interest or consideration for public input or environmental impact."

Abetria said her chief focus is with funding. She wants to find ways to introduce what she calls "participatory budgeting" to fund local projects.

She cites the Community Development Block Grant program as an example of what she hopes to establish back home. That program, she said, is unique in that it provides federal money that can be used at the discretion of local government and voters. In the Philippines, she said, use of federal funds is directed through agencies tied to the president.

Another part of the American system she was surprised to see is the blend of government and business.

"With some downtown projects, people will tell me, 'we can make money from this to fund other projects," she said. "That is not something we see in the Philippines."

For Vu, transparency in government is also a goal, and she also hopes to bring lessons learned here to her home country. But the chief concern for her is corruption. Her challenge is in working with a centralized communist government, where bribery is almost expected if anyone wants to get anything done.

"In Vietnam, you have to pay the bribe to speed up the process," she said, citing newly enacted anti-corruption laws aimed at fixing the problem.

"We don't have the check and balance," she said. "In Vietnam, how can we say whether the (Communist) party wants to fight corruption? Here, you have an amazing system."

While the women spent a substantial amount of time working here, they also found time for fun. City government leaders took the pair on trips to Crater Lake, Silver Falls, the coast, and three vineyards.

The women agreed that Crater Lake was the most impressive of the sights. The pair also mentioned the 14 different wines they sampled during tours of Willamette Valley and Ankeny vineyards, as well as Coria Estates Winery.

"We went to dinner at Frankie's after the wineries and I was so full I could't finish," said Abetria, who says steak and ribs are her favorite food.

Vu and Abetria also rented bikes, but remarked the experience was a little scary at times, because crossing the road was a bit daunting, even though their home countries have large biking populations and heavy traffic.

Vu also said she had a perception of Westerners as being very cold people, but coming here showed her otherwise.

Abetria is one of 35 Filipinos in the United States for the program, Vu is one of almost 20 from Vietnam. On Saturday they will fly back to Washington, D.C. to wrap their trip and reunite with their fellow fellows. That city, both say, is not as a good a representation of America as their host city.

"In D.C., everyone is working, and everyone is from somewhere else," said Abetria. "Here, I can see the authentic American families."
In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, we heard calls to ban so-called bump stocks, the accessories that allow semiautomatic weapons to fire more rapidly: The devices apparently were used by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock.

But would a ban on those accessories lead to a decline in gun violence in the United States? If you're searching for studies that would offer some data on that topic  or, for that matter, on many topics related to U.S. gun violence  chances are pretty good you'll likely come up empty.

That's because the federal government, which pays for the majority of scientific research in the United States, doesn't allow research into gun violence.

In fact, the federal government since 1996 has specifically banned funding research into gun violence. The Dickey Amendment, passed in 1996, states that "none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control."

While there is, arguably, a little wiggle room there  research into gun violence does not necessarily translate into gun-control measures  a funding decision Congress made that year made the congressional intention clear to researchers: According to Lacey Wallace, an assistant professor at Penn State University, the legislation came with a $2.6 million budget cut. That amount exactly matched the amount of money the CDC had spent on firearms research the previous year. The result: Researchers, especially those in academia, have been discouraged from studying gun violence. And few private organizations are willing to provide funding for such research. (The online version of this editorial includes a link to a piece about this issue Wallace wrote for the online site The Conversation.)

If your question now is whether it's appropriate to consider gun violence a public health issue, Wallace provides some of the answers: Gun violence, she reported, is a leading cause of premature death in the United States. It kills more people each year than diseases such as HIV, hypertension and viral hepatitis.

Wallace quoted CDC figures showing that 33,954 people were killed by firearms in 2014; about the same number of people died in motor vehicle accidents that year.

Yet the debate about how best to stop mass shootings such as the Las Vegas massacre and this week's shooting at a church in Texas goes forward without the benefit of any good recent data that could be used to help evaluate policy suggestions. The resulting vacuum is one of the reasons why this debate always is stuck in neutral  wheels spinning, lots of smoke, but no movement in any direction.

The Dickey Amendment came in the wake of a CDC-funded study led by physician and epidemiologist Arthur Kellerman; the study found that having a gun in a home increased the risk of homicide. The study, as you might imagine, proved controversial: After the results were published, the National Rifle Association lobbied lawmakers, arguing that the CDC was inappropriately using its funds to push for gun control.

Lawmakers agreed with the NRA's position. Still, some federal funding for gun research remained available through the National Institutes of Health, due to an executive order from the Obama administration. But that directive faded as the Trump administration came into power.

It's hard to imagine a similar situation in any other public health area. Would we block federal spending on research into opioids for fear it might identify smarter policy options to deal with addiction? Would we stop funding research projects into obesity because we didn't to offend soft-drink manufacturers?

The debate about gun control isn't going away. But without the ability to further study the issue, we're likely to keep rehashing old arguments. Repealing the Dickey Amendment could be a good first step toward casting new light on the issue. (mm)
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  An agreement was signed Wednesday giving Tri-Cities Airport the go-ahead to purchase $8.5 million in revenue bonds to fund the expansion of Aerospace Park.

The Aerospace Park Intergovernmental Financing Agreement was signed by the mayors of Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City and the counties of Sullivan and Washington during a ceremony attended by about 100 local and state leaders at the airports mezzanine.

Aerospace Park is a 160-acre site adjacent to the airport that, when completed, is touted to ensure that the aerospace industry has the physical infrastructure to bring high-paying jobs to the region. Almost $23 million was previously invested to install utilities, construct an access road and grade 21 acres of the site.

Bristol, Tennessee, allocated almost $800,000 in its budget to help fund the almost $18 million project, Kingsport will pay just over $1.5 million, Johnson City and Washington County will pay almost $2 million each, and Sullivan Countys portion is nearly $2.3 million. Bristol, Virginia, a member of the Airport Authority that governs the airport, could not participate in the agreement because of ongoing financial difficulties.

The combined $8.5 million will be used to try and garner matching funds from the Tennessee Aeronautical Economic Development Grant Fund.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the $15 million reimbursement grant was created to impact job creation and investment opportunities in aerospace and its related programs and activities. A grantee spends the money, submits receipts and documentation to TDOT and then receives reimbursement monies from TDOT.

Republican Tennessee gubernatorial hopeful Randy Boyd, who was at the signing, was a part of the task force that helped create the grant after Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill to amend the Regional Airport Authority Act. The act allows cities and counties to create boards, equivalent to those of a corporation, to serve as the governing bodies of airports.

Boyd, who was then Tennessee commissioner of economic development, said it was the task forces job to make sure that the airports stay sustainable.

I realized that the airports across the state are the front doors to our communities, and all across the nation they were losing funds, he said. This TDOT grant focuses on economic development  so now airports have to focus on how they are going to bring economic growth into their communities to get a portion of the funds.

Boyd added that since the creation of the fund, the airport in Oak Ridge and other airports are interested in the grant.

That just means that the airports vying for the grant will have to think more broadly to get funding, he said.

Tri-Cities Airport Executive Director Patrick Wilson said the ability to complete the park and offer a large site to aerospace businesses will make the airport stand out in the highly competitive aerospace market.

The competition for aerospace industry is not just regional, Wilson said. Its worldwide. And Aerospace Park will give us the edge to bring those industries into the region.

The five mayors agreed that it was a historical day for the region.

Bristol Tennessee Mayor Jack Young said the region hit a cooperative milestone.

Im convinced that, with the signing of this agreement, our brightest days are ahead, Young said. And as we put up local dollars, its our hope that the state will fund the other portion of whats needed to bring the project to completion.

Johnson City Mayor David Tomita said the document contained the blood, sweat, tears and emotion of those involved in the yearlong process.

But our children and grandchildren will look back at what we did today and be proud, he said.

Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable called the effort a labor of love.

Washington County, Tennessee, Mayor Dan Eldridge said the partnership signifies that local governments can work together to make the region better.

We have created a template for cooperation between local governments in the region to bring in quality jobs, he said. We have also created a foundation to build on, and Im looking forward to the greater opportunity we have to work together in the future.

The next step in the process is for the airport to submit its application to TDOT, which should be in the next few weeks, Wilson said.

TDOT will release its criteria to obtain the funds, and its the goal of the airport to do everything it can to get at least matching funds from the state, he said. The funds should be awarded by early 2018. We can then put the project out for bid, and, hopefully, by late summer, we can start construction.
BRISTOL, Va.  Southwest Virginia voter turnout was generally higher Tuesday than the previous gubernatorial election, but still lagged behind the rest of the state.

Statewide turnout was 47.8 percent, a 5 percentage point gain over the 42.7 percent recorded in 2013, according to figures from the Virginia Department of Elections and the Virginia Public Access Project.

Turnout was generally lower in the cities and counties from Bristol to Blacksburg, which registered an average turnout of 43.2 percent. While that was higher than 2013s 37.9 percent average, it was still about 4.5 percent below other parts of the state.

Turnout topped 50 percent in densely populated Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and the greater Richmond area.

In Washington County, turnout was 46.1 percent, a 4 percentage point increase from 42 percent in the 2013 gubernatorial contest.

In Wise County, turnout rose slightly from 35.3 percent in 2013 to 37.7 percent on Tuesday, Registrar Allison Robbins said.

Thats not a significant number. Two percent is less than 200 voters, so its hard to say what makes somebody come out. It could be any number of things, Robbins said.

In Bristol, 39.9 percent of the citys 10,822 registered voters cast ballots in both statewide and two contested local races an increase from the 34 percent turnout for the 2013 gubernatorial race.

Much of that was driven by the citys two most populated precincts as 44.5 percent of voters in the Van Pelt Elementary area and 41.9 percent of registered voters in the Virginia High area came out Tuesday. That contrasts with 25 percent turnout in the City Hall precinct and 31.3 percent in the 1st Precinct, which includes the Euclid Avenue and Gate City Highway neighborhoods.

I think the local races really helped drive turnout in those areas, city General Registrar Penny Limburg said Wednesday following the Electoral Boards canvass of results.

David Maples defeated Joe Mink and Randy Campbell to succeed retiring Jack Weisenburger as the citys next sheriff. Maples won all four precincts  claiming his broadest margins in the two most populated districts.

Revenue Commissioner-elect Cloe Eva Barkers vote totals were similar to Maples even though she is a Democrat and Maples is a Republican in a city that historically votes heavily GOP. There was no GOP candidate on the ballot in that race, but write-in candidate Rodger Williams had party backing.

Barker received more votes than Maples in two of four precincts and finished with 16 fewer votes overall in her first run for public office.

Williams, who entered the race after the filing deadline, finished with 622 of the 736 write-in votes cast or 16.9 percent of total votes. Travis Campbell, who ended his campaign last week, received 34. Others receiving write-in votes included city employee Kelly Miller, City Councilman Bill Hartley, former City Attorney Pete Curcio and God, who received at least two votes.

State Delegate Israel OQuinn, R-Bristol, was the citys top vote-getter with 3,442, followed by incumbent Commonwealths Attorney Jerry Wolfe with 3,404, and Treasurer Angel Harris with 3,328. All were unopposed.

In a unique trend that was duplicated statewide, unsuccessful lieutenant governor candidate Jill Vogel and attorney general candidate John Adams each received more votes in Bristol than the man atop the GOP ticket, gubernatorial hopeful Ed Gillespie, who lost to Democrat Ralph Northam. Gillespie finished with 3,004 city votes, compared to 3,007 for Vogel and 3,036 for Adams.

Vogel received more votes than Gillespie in Wythe County, but Adams netted more votes than both of them in Lee and Tazewell counties and the city of Norton.

Statewide, Vogel received nearly 50,000 more votes than Gillespie and Adams got almost 38,000 more votes than the gubernatorial nominee.
A few decades ago, Louis Perna II wanted see the country and figured the best way to behold it would be by foot.
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One under-reported item in the analysis of Tuesdays election has been the kind of candidate Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam was in Virginia; specifically, from the Republican point of view, what kind of candidate he was not.

Northam was not the candidate Republicans hoped to see emerge from his Democratic Party primary contest against liberal darling Tom Perriello. Unlike the new-era Bernie-ites who have no sense of how government works (Georgias Jon Ossoff comes immediately to mind), Northam is an experienced, sensible and mostly thoughtful candidate.

And it is worth noting that in 2017s marquee races for mayor of New York, governor of New Jersey and governor of Virginia, the winners were all stylistically similar Democrats. Attacking them as leftists is challenging. Northam in particular wasnt a good bad guy for Republicans. He wasnt the stereotype Republicans hope to see.

Republicans get ourselves worked up about the Democrats fealty to grievance groups such as Black Lives Matter, Antifa, etc. But none of that imagery was present in Northams persona. In fact, days out from the election, Northam showed that he has some flexibility in distancing himself from the lefts corrosive positions on matters such as sanctuary cities, and it does not appear to have eroded any of the Democrats turnout.

With that said, Northams win in Virginia makes asking the question, Who will the Democrats nominate in 2018? all that more pressing. Throughout the country, Democrats have become increasingly emboldened in their use of identity politics to create fissures within American society. But in Northams case, he is a reassuring character who doesnt seem threatening to affluent Republican suburbanites. And while were at it, the same can be said of someone like Doug Jones, the Democrats candidate for Senate in Alabama. I still think Roy Moore will win, but Ive spent some time at home in Alabama recently and have been surprised by the number of Doug Jones for Senate yard signs cropping up. Of course, every Southern politician always thinks they can forecast an election by anecdotal yard sign visibility. Thats almost always wrong.

So, I dont know if Republicans are deceiving themselves or if Northam and Jones are the last of their kind, but I am left wondering whether the Democrats are going to nominate the extremists Republicans are hoping for.

In politics, everything is just talk until there is an election. And on Tuesday night, Democrats proved they are still capable of nominating a reasonable, non-threatening character. But will that extend beyond Virginia to other races throughout the country in 2018? Im not sure. Either way, Republicans should reflect on Tuesdays election and realize that we shouldnt believe too much of our own spin. After all, not every Democrat is a caricature.
(JTA)-The time is just after the defeat of Nazi Germany. Two Orthodox Jews disembark from a train at a rural station in Soviet-occupied Hungary and, after offloading a heavy bag, they begin a silent, hour-long walk to a nearby village.

The purpose of their journey is not known. But their arrival in the village sets in motion a series of tragic and violent events, as some residents worry the visitors will expose crimes they committed during the Nazi occupation, with potentially deadly consequences for the perpetrators.

Such is the premise of the award-winning Hungarian movie "1945." The black-and-white feature, filmed last year, is one of just a handful of movies ever produced in Hungary about the theft of Jewish property during the Holocaust. In the U.S., the film will premiere Nov. 1 in New York, with a national rollout to follow.

Despite being a low-cost production lacking marquee names, "1945" has found major success at international film festivals. It won awards at the San Francisco Film Critics Circle as well as at the Berlin Film Festival and the Jerusalem Film Festival. One critic called it a "subtly crafted masterpiece."

And while the film is fictional, it has struck a nerve among Hungarian Jews whose families lived through the suspicion and hostility depicted in the movie.

"It is an important production which, despite being fictional, nonetheless describes for the first time in film the reality of what actually happened to us," Peter Feldmajer, a former leader of Hungary's Jewish federation, told JTA.

In the film, the two silent Jews-Samuel Hermann and his son-arrive on a fateful summer day: the wedding day of a son of the village's de facto mayor. Fearful that the Jewish arrivals are an expeditionary force for Jews who used to own property there, the town's leader frantically mounts cover-ups of his own crimes. A group of villagers armed with pitchforks menacingly gather around the newcomers as they pray for their dead in the village's disused Jewish cemetery.

The scene is an obvious reference to the 1946 anti-Semitic pogrom in the city of Miskolc, during which two Jews, including one police officer, were murdered by participants of what began as a workers' demonstration and escalated into a lynching.

"This scene accurately and bravely represents why it was impossible for Jews to seek justice in the postwar period," said Feldmajer, whose father was a Holocaust survivor from a Hungarian village where locals stole his family's property.

Robert Frolich, the rabbi of Budapest's main synagogue, praised the filmmakers for depicting the threat of violence rather than its use, which was unusual

"The pogroms happened here and there," he said. "But the fear of having to give back the property, the shame of what was done to Jews-even if only by not defending them-that was common, that was the rule, and this is the first film that I'm aware of capturing this.

"This element of the Holocaust-the neighbors, the shop owners who took everything the Jews had and didn't want to give it back-that has remained a taboo, which this film helps break," he added.

After the fall of communism, the Hungarian government instituted several laws that were supposed to facilitate restitution claims for property privately owned by Jews. But the procedure put in place "made it difficult for many potential claimants" to receive compensation, according to the World Jewish Restitution Organization, citing the laws' narrow definition of an heir along with foot dragging by justice authorities.

These problems were partially addressed in restitution for heirless property. But it did not address the problem of individuals who tried but could not receive compensation for artifacts and real estate stolen from their families in Hungary, where more than half of the prewar Jewish population of 825,000 was murdered.

In parallel, over the past 15 years, Hungary's political scene took a rightward shift. Prominent politicians from Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party have in recent years been promoting or tolerating the glorification by others of the legacy of Nazi collaborators and ardent anti-Semites, triggering an open row with the Jewish community and liberals. Among those honored with statues in Budapest alone since 2013 are Miklos Horthy, the country's pro-Nazi wartime leader, and Gyorgy Donath and Balint Homan, two Holocaust-era politicians who prompted anti-Semitic laws.

In this political climate, even productions about the Holocaust that do tackle Hungarian complicity-including the Hungarian film "Son of Saul," which won the 2016 Oscar for best foreign language film-have been denounced by nationalists from the anti-Semitic Jobbik party, who urged the national film fund to withhold funding for "Holocaust productions," as one party leader called them.

Amid the hasty cover-up efforts depicted in the film-including the silencing of remorseful accomplices-"1945" also tackles how neighbors who used to be friendly turned on their Jewish compatriots while under the rule of Nazis and their allies. In many instances, this was done not out of ideological hatred, but in order to survive their new circumstances or make the most out of them.

At the same time, the film also acknowledges those who kept valuables for Jewish neighbors and who despised the looting by other non-Jews.

"Mostly it gives us an idea for the first time of how they felt, the Jews and the non-Jews, in those chaotic days after World War II," Frolich said.
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A BBC producer has thanked the residents of Hertford for the warm welcome the crew have received while filming a new major TV drama.

An all-star cast, including Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, have been shooting scenes for the upcoming three-part show A Very English Scandal in the town centre this week.

The BBC TV crew have been filming on Fore Street since Monday (November 6), with Whishaw pictured with Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison near The Salisbury Arms.

Due to the filming there have been several road closures throughout the town, with Fore Street and Parliament Square among those shut.

And the producer of A Very English Scandal Dan Winch has praised the co-operation of residents throughout the week so far.

(Image: Alison Jenkins)

He said: Seeking out the right location for a period drama can be tricky, but we have been so lucky to find ourselves here in Hertford.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone in the town for helping us make filming possible.

The warm welcome and co-operation from residents and businesses has been terrific. We would like to offer our sincerest thanks.

(Image: Alison Jenkins)

The owner of the GingerLillie boutique in Market Place, Alison Bates, which has been given a period makeover for the filming, called the shoot great for the town.

However not everyone has been impressed by the use of Hertford as a filming location by the BBC.

(Image: Alison Jenkins)

Jane Maples, owner of Jane Maples Florist, called it a farce when speaking to The Mercury on Monday, criticising the decision to close Fore Street.

A Very English Scandal is based on the real life trial of former Liberal Party leader Jeremey Thorpe, played by Hugh Grant, who was accused of attempting to have his ex-lover Norman Scott, played by Ben Whishaw, killed.
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Police investigating an attempted burglary in Bishops Stortford are appealing for witnesses after two suspicious incidents occurred in the same area on the same night.

The first incident, which saw offenders attempting to gain entry to a house on Lincoln Close in Thorley, occurred at around 7pm on Tuesday (November 2).

The perpetrators entered the rear of the property by climbing over the locked side gate, then attempted to break in through a window.

Police say they believe the offenders made off in the direction of the Badgers area after failing to gain entry.

Around 40 minutes later, police received a report of a separate incident involving suspicious behaviour at an address nearby in The Paddock, Thorley Park.

According to police, a woman reported hearing rustling outside her house.

After opening the door, she saw two men acting suspiciously before they left in a vehicle.

The men were described as wearing hats and scarves masking their faces.

It is not yet clear if the incidents were related.

Officers are requesting that anyone who saw anything suspicious in either incident to call 101 quoting ISR 653 of November 7.
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When a Kansas City museum put a Vincent Van Gogh painting under the microscope, it found an unlikely intruder: a grasshopper trapped in the canvass painterly whirls for 128 years. Mary Schafer, a conservator at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, came across the tiny dried, brown carcass in the lower foreground while studying the painting of olive groves.

I was mainly trying to understand the different layers of the painting and how it was constructed, and thats how I came upon part of the body of this little grasshopper, she said. The fact that we have this little surprise of a grasshopper is a fun way to have a new look at a Van Gogh.

The find, announced this week, reflects the artists practice of painting in the outdoors, where it was often windy enough to send dust, grass and insects flying. I must have picked up a good hundred flies and more off the four canvases that youll be getting, not to mention dust and sand, Van Gogh mused in an 1885 letter to his brother Theo.

Undated photomicrograph courtesy The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art captures a grasshopper embedded in the paint of the painting Olive Trees (Saint-Remy, June/July 1889) by Vincent van Gogh. (AFP)

When one carries them across the heath and through hedgerows for a few hours, the odd branch or two scrapes across them. But Van Gogh was no bug killer.

Paleo-entomologist Michael Engel of the University of Kansas told the museums team that the grasshoppers thorax and abdomen were missing, and no sign of movement was evident in the paint around the insect, indicating it was already dead when it landed on Van Goghs canvas.Olive Trees is part of a series of some 18 paintings Van Gogh completed on the subject in 1889 in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France, where he had checked himself into an asylum. He died the following year. Sand also was found in Seascape near Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (1888), a work he is believed to have painted from the beach on the Mediterranean. It is now held at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

The Nelson-Atkins museum made its own find as part of an effort involving curators, conservators and outside scientists to take a fresh look at its collection of 104 French paintings and pastels using a variety of tools, including x-rays, ultraviolet light, the microscope and taking minuscule samples of the work.

Looking at a tiny slice of Olive Trees, conservation scientist John Twilley determined that Van Gogh had used a type of red lake pigment that faded over time due to light exposure.
The Congress appears to be on a sticky wicket in terms of ticket distribution in Gujarat, an issue that has cost the party dear in past elections, as it gears to finalise its candidates on Friday for the first phase of assembly polls to be held on 89 seats on December 9.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi will chair the crucial meeting of the Central Election Committee or CEC that decides candidates from shortlisted contenders. Two party panels at the state level sifted through the resume of 1,500 applicants for all the 182 constituencies.

The CEC will discuss at least three names on each seat before finalising a contestant.

This is the best chance the Congress has in Gujarat. They have to tread this path very cautiously otherwise they may lose some seats, said political analyst Achyut Yagnik.

Ticket distribution is an important element in any elections. Congress will need to withstand pressure from different factions and quarters, Yagnik added.

Factionalism has been rampant in the Gujarat Congress in the past and paratroopers, a term loosely used for political turncoats who switch parties at the time of elections, have also ruined the Congress chances on many occasions.

Soon after his anointment as the Congress vice-president at Jaipur in January 2013, Rahul resolved to give block, district and state units a greater say in candidate selection. He also stated that paratroopers, rebels, discards from other parties and outsiders will not be accommodated in the organisation or given tickets.

But these norms have repeatedly gone for a toss with paratroopers in many elections given preference over party loyalists.

Take, for example, the Gujarat assembly elections in 2012 when many Congress contenders were ignored in the selection process with outsiders getting the mandate.

As many as 25 Congress rebels, including former deputy chief minister Narhari Amin, former city mayor Himmatsinh Patel and ex-legislator Naresh Raval, joined the poll fray.

Many defeated outsiders later dumped the Congress for the BJP.

Rajendrasinh Chavda, one of the party candidates from Himmatnagar constituency in Sabarkantha district, left the BJP to join the Congress just before the elections. He was given party ticket as well.

Rajendrasinh is the son of Ranjitsinh Chavda. who was the minister of state for cottage industries in the Narendra Modi government in 2002.

Ranjitsinh was among the 62 people named as accused by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, in the murder of her husband along with 68 others in Gulberg society on February 28, 2002, during the anti-Muslims riots.

A year after winning the elections, Rajendrasinh deserted the Congress to rejoin the BJP.

Congress leaders, however, dismissed suggestions that the rebels will play the spoilsport in the coming polls.

Its a do or die situation for every Congress leader and worker in Gujarat. Everyone knows its abhi nahi to kabhi nahi (now or never). So, we dont anticipate much rebel trouble this time, party spokesperson Kailash Kumar Gadhvi said.

Keeping its flock together and restricting the number of rebels will be a daunting task for the party leadership. It has to do a fine balancing act to check the repeat of 2012.

Apart from getting the caste calculations right, the party leadership also has to resist all pressures from senior leaders seeking tickets for their relatives and loyalists.

The Patel and Dalit agitations clearly suggest caste consciousness. So, caste has not disappeared. Who will decide the winnability? asked Yagnik.

He said the gap between Congress and BJP was around 10% and in the last elections, the grand old party lost many seats by a margin of less than 5000 votes.

That also, they have to keep in mind, Yagnik said.

The nervousness among the leaders in the western state, where the party feels confident about its chances, is obvious with the D-day approaching.

In the 2007 and 2012 elections, our calculations were upset by wrong selection of candidates. We are keeping our fingers crossed this time, said a Gujarat Congress leader who did wish to be named.

We hope the momentum generated by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi remains sustained till the end and the best opportunity we have this time is not squandered, the leader added.

The real test for the Congress, however, will begin once the ticket distribution is over.

The BJP is certain to field the 12 Congress legislators who revolted against the party during the Rajya Sabha elections on August 8 this year. For its part, the Congress will re-nominate the 43 legislators who voted for Ahmed Patel as a reward for their loyalty.

We will not be doing any favour to them. Denial of tickets to these legislators will not go down well with the people and the cadre, said a Congress leader on the condition of anonymity.

Polling on the remaining 93 seats will be held in the second phase on December 14.

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Shakuntala Devi looked on nonchalantly as a men on motorbikes with saffron flags drove past her towards Una, about 50 km away. She continued to chat with her neighbours in Sumurkhurd  a village in Himachal Pradeshs Una district  about monkeys, pigs and jungli cows, who came down from the hills and damaged their maize crop a few weeks ago.

Their hopes now hinged on wheat, a bigger concern than the fate of chief minister Virbhadra Singh or his challenger, Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Not that the government doesnt touch their lives. Shakuntala Devi gets Rs 650 per month as widow pension. Nishi Devi gets subsidy for her LPG cylinder directly in her husbands bank account. Many in Sumurkhurd got Rs 12,000 for toilet construction and Rs 75,000 to construct a house.

But they are not sure which government  the central or state  is behind these benefits. Such confusion abounds in the hill state amid competing claims for credit by the BJP and the Congress. Cryptic smiles greet queries about voting preferences. Virendra Kanwal (three-term BJP MLA seeking re-election), of course, said Thakur Chhajuram, joining the conversation. But its not because of the NDA governments welfare schemes. Kanwal is very humble and is amidst them all the time be it marriage or funeral. Besides, its good to have the same government at the Centre as well, explained Chhajuram.

This is the narrative the BJP has been building in its attempt to dislodge chief minister Singh. But on the ground, the dominant narrative is that of the people having opted for change in every election since 1990  a phenomenon that cannot be explained by socioeconomic developmental records because theres not much to choose between the two parties in the state thats done well in terms of increasing literacy rate, state GDP growth and arresting infant mortality rate.

Its a very close contest this time. Raja sahib (Virbhadra Singh) has surprised everyone with his spirited campaign, said Dr Harish Thakur, head of political science department at Himachal Pradesh University.

Barking up the wrong tree?

The Congress made the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation its central planks but these issues didnt seem to draw much traction beyond media headlines. Nishi Devi of Sumurkhurd village told HT she had no evidence but was sure kaalaa dhan (black money) was unearthed.

Harjinder, owner of a small store at Tutu village on the outskirts of Shimla, was upset about GST as his profit margins were hit. He used to buy a packet of kurkure for R 8.80 and sell it for R 10 earlier. Post-GST, he buys it for R 9.40 now. Everybody has to do it. I will also get by. It is pinching big traders more, said Harjinder.

The apple-growers in Jubbal-Kotkhai and Theog constituencies on the outskirts of Shimla were vocal critics of demonetisation but that may not help the Congress as the discourse was dominated by the failing law and order situation following the gangrape and murder of a 16-year-old in Kotkhai earlier this year.

The Congress did look better prepared than previous state elections but seems to be missing touch with the ground, as was evident from its emphasis on GST and demonetisation- in both speeches and in the party manifesto. The BJPs decision to make the gangrape case a poll plank seemed to be drawing traction but its attack on Singh over corruption charges may not have stuck.

When he (the CM) comes for Janata Darbar every morning, he gives out at least R 5,000-6,000 to anyone in need. He has so much of ancestral property. Accusing him of corruption worth Rs 5 crore is only politics, said Hariram Thakur of Bathalong village in Arki, Virbhadra Singhs new constituency.

Apprehension about corruption charges against Singh did not look limited to Arki. Corruption is not a big issue in this election. Most of the people are not convinced about allegations against Virbhadra Singh, said Dr Thakur.

The Congress has tried to play the victim.

Virbhadraji ki beti, Himachal ki beti ko shaadi ke din CBI ka chhapa dalwane wale BJP ko #jabab dega Himachal (Himachal will reply to the BJP that ordered a CBI raid on the day of marriage of Virbhadrajis daughter, Himachals daughter), read a WhatsApp message sent out by the party.

The BJP kept the heat on though. Look at mining mafia, forest mafia! In Chamba and Shimla, thousands of trees were felled and illegally sold. Kidnapping of kids, Gudiya case we have been raising our voice on so many issues and here the chief minister is busy applying for bail and appearing in court cases, Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur and Dhumals son, told HT.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Principal Players

The BJP starts with an edge, given the peoples mandate for change every five years. The party also seems to be ahead of the Congress in managing the perception battle. Schedules of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal are all over local papers. Helicopters carrying top BJP leaders criss-cross the sky. The Congress, however, seemed to be hamstrung due to a resource crunch, with only Virbhadra Singh given a helicopter to lead the campaign.

For the BJP in a state where Rajputs constitute over one-fourth of the population, Dhumals declaration as the BJPs chief ministerial candidate was seen as an attempt to woo the dominant community. But some in the party are worried about the implications of denying the mantle to two prominent Brahmin leadersShanta Kumar and JP Nadda. Brahmins constitute about one-fifth of the states population.

In the absence of a wave in favour of any party, local factors could influence the poll outcome in many constituencies. Dhumal, for instance, is facing a stiff challenge from Congress candidate and erstwhile protege, Rajender Singh Rana, in Sujanpur. The BJPs CM candidate had to rope in Adityanath to campaign in his constituency. There are reports of rebellion by BJP leaders in many places, including Kangrawhere Shanta Kumar still holds sway-- that comprises 15 assembly constituencies.

The Congress has its own share of intra-party rebellion. For instance, Vidya Stokes failure to contest from Theog seatand the nomination of a young leader as the party candidatehas significantly undermined the partys chances in that seat. The party has expelled former Shimla deputy mayor and the CMs close aide, Harish Janartha, who is contesting as an independent candidate from Shimla. Another Virbhadra loyalist, Hardeep Baba, is contesting as an independent candidate from Nalagarh. Among other Congress rebels contesting are former vice-president Puran Chand, six-term MLA and former minister Singhi Ram, and former minister Vijai Singh Mankotia.

As people go to the polls on Thursday, the Congress and the BJP remained optimistic. The Congress said it was confident of a clear victory in 32 of the 68 assembly constituencies and neck-and-neck contest in as many constituencies. BJP sources said their internal surveys gave the party at least 45 seats in the assembly, which might go up.

On December 18 when the results are declared, it will be clear which party caught the pulse of the people.

(With inputs from Gaurav Bisht in Shimla)

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The film Om Shanti Om was a trendsetter  from the dialogues (Remember Ek Chutki Sindoor?), to the music (chartbusters such as Dard E Disco and Ajab Si), everything was a big hit. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and debutante Deepika Padukone in the lead, the film was seen as a spoof on Bollywood itself, and people absolutely loved it.

This revenge-cum-reincarnation film, directed by Farah Khan, had actor Shreyas Talpade playing the role of Oms (played by Shah Rukh) best friend, Pappu Master, who always encourages him to pursue his dream of becoming a big movie star. Remind Shreyas about the film completing 10 years, and he reveals how he landed the role. Iqbal (2005) had released, and I and Nagesh (Kukunoor, director of Iqbal) had wrapped up Dor. I and Farah used to go to the same gym, and I had skipped a day. The next day, someone told me that Farah had left her number for me. I called her up, and she told me she was making a film, and whether I would like a narration. It turned out to be Om Shanti Om.

Shreyas also goes on to relate what transpired on the first day of shooting, as Shah Rukh got late. The first scene we had to shoot for was the scene where I tell Om Tu hero banega. We had been given a call time of 8.30 in the morning, and Shah Rukh got late. He came and apologised to everyone, even though we were technically nobody, for being 45 minutes late. Farah, too, said, Kya Shah Rukh, teri khud ki production hai (you are the producer of the film) and you yourself are late?! He politely said to us, I am sorry, but you all please come by 10am tomorrow because I cant come by 9 am. We all just cracked up! Shreyas says.

The film went on to have its world premiere at Leicester Square. Shreyas tells us the incredible experience the cast had there. The interviews were happening on the red carpet. I and Shah Rukh were waiting in the loo for our turn. So he said, Yahaan pe Tom Cruise ki film ka bhi premiere hua tha. We need to make sure ki apni film ke liye bhi log aayein. Record tod de and stuff like that. He proposed that we should dance on the red carpet to our films songs to attract enough people. I got charged up and agreed, the 41-year-old recalls.

But what happened next left Shreyas awestruck. I, Arjun (Rampal, the antagonist in the film) and Deepika reached and were waiting for SRK. There must have been only 20-30 people then. But the moment SRKs car came, from nowhere a huge crowd started gathering. It took him an hour to complete the distance of 50 metres from the red carpet to the theatre door, because the press and people went crazy seeing him. He was so humble to think that not many people would turn up for the premiere! he says.

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There are two sets of viewers emerging in India, more so this year.

While superstars still enjoy the privilege of being, well, superstars, and a large group of loyal fans they have nurtured over the years roots for them. Then there are others who are willing to shed the same amount of money on films with good content and without stars.

The second group doesnt bother about the star value of a film and whether it will be a good idea to spend Rs 250-300 on a ticket. In the ten months of 2017, the filmmakers have shown the willingness to break away from the traditional mindset that only star-driven formula films can make good money.

In fact, the opposite has happened. Apart from Golmaal Again, most of the other highly successful films offered fresh takes. Be it Akshay Kumars Toilet Ek Prem Katha or Jolly LLB 2, or even Varun Dhawans Badrinath Ki Dulhania, directors dared to leave the urban set-up and entered rural landscapes.

Then there are films such as Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Secret Superstar and Hindi Medium which tried to find the middle ground, a bit of humour, a dash of drama kind of films.

At this juncture, a new formula seems to be emerging thats not blatantly market driven, but isnt experimental either. Its a blend of typical Bollywood sensibilities and new way of packaging things.

Hindi Medium was a good example of this mixture. It had a message-oriented approach, featured popular music and good actors. Its a deadly mix, but its in the usual bracket, which means its a better mixture prepared with the same ingredients.

In that regard, Irrfan Khans next Qarib Qarib Singlle is a more audacious attempt. Two middle-aged people go on a trip together to explore the possibility of love in director Tanuja Chandras film, and it doesnt look arty. In fact, its vibrant and presented like any other love story.

Tanuja Chandra, in a conversation with HT, explained how the story of Qarib Qarib Singlle took shape. She said, My mother wrote the story. It was a radio play, but we adapted it to suit the medium. Its a story of people like you and me, not about someone who we have never seen in our lives.

In the same interview, Irrfan said a very remarkable thing. He said, I want to see films where men and women are not competing against each other. Both the genders have their own peculiarities.

This statement draws our attention to how Bollywood has been presenting the gender roles. Most of the times, its about catching the current trend for the sake of some quick bucks rather than contributing profoundly to the ongoing debate.

Digging deep into it, in 2017, there arent many films that released pan-India and can be called experimental in true sense. Though there are films like Shlok Sharmas Haraamkhor, Vikramaditya Motwanes Trapped, Anshai Lals Phillauri, Shubhasish Bhutianis Mukti Bhawan, Amit Masurkars Newton, and a couple of other films that broke the conventional mould this year but they are very few in numbers. They werent pan-India releases either. In fact, most of these films won the heart in film festivals circuits but not of the masses.

Out of these, Newton did good business but the news of it being Indias Oscar entry contributed significantly to it.

If the number of such films is not even ten in an entire year, despite producing most number of films in the world, its probably not a good condition for diversity.

Shlok Sharma, the director of critically acclaimed Haraamkhor, who has shot his new film Zoo on an iPhone, says, If you honestly ask me, both of them can co-exist because, they both have their own specific audience. Having said that, in 2017 we also saw a lot of content- driven films reaching a wider audience. A lot of independent producers, not attached to the big studios, are also coming forward and are putting their trust in the vision of the content and character-driven films and film-makers. So times are changing.

Sharma seems hopeful about the future, but becoming experimental in true sense is still a far-fetched idea in Bollywood.

Interact with the author @nawabjha

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Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his brother were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate to appear before it at its Lucknow office, in connection with an online fraud case.

Siddiquis brother Shamas Nawab Siddiqui and their lawyer reached the ED Zonal office in Lucknow on Thursday, and were investigated by the authorities for an hour.

Calling the allegations baseless, Shamas Nawab Siddiqui said, All allegations on us are false. We have shown all our papers and mails to the authorities.

The actors brother added if ED called them again, then they would come again. Nawazuddin could not make it today, he further said.

Digging the money trail while investigating an e-commerce ponzi scheme, the Lucknow zone of the Enforcement Directorate discovered links between the directors of Webwork Trade Links Private limited and Siddiqui.

Probes revealed the company directors had paid close to Rs 1.15 crore to the actor for an endorsement deal. ED called Siddiqui for an explanation from him over the monetarily transactions.
As the trailer of Salman Khans upcoming film, Tiger Zinda Hai, gets record views, it has had an unlikely victim. The film appears to be inspired by the rescue operation launched by the Indian government to bring back Indian nurses abducted by Islamic State in Tikrit, Iraq in 2014. The subject was earlier tackled by a Malayalam film, Take Off, whose Hindi remake was in the works.

Reports now suggest that director Mahesh Narayan has shelved plans to remake the film after watching the trailer.

According to an Indian Express report, Mahesh dropped his plans for a Hindi remake as he found Tiger Zinda Hai similar to his 2017 hit film. Much like Katrina Kaif-starrer Tiger Zinda Hai, Take Off was also inspired by the real-life rescue operation of Indian nurses.

Malayalam thriller Take Off features Parvathy, Asif Ali, Kunchako Boban and Fahadh Faasil in lead roles. It is about Sameera, a nurse who wants to move to Iraq for a better salary. Her husband does not support her decision and they get divorced. She later marries Shahid, her colleague. After they move to Iraq, the couple faces many troubles.

While there is no official confirmation yet, Mahesh retweeted a tweet which said, #TigerZindaHai is basically #Salmansplaining Malayalam film #TakeOff for a Bollywood audience.

Watch Tiger Zinda Hai trailer here:

Watch Take Off trailer here:

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Tiger Zinda Hai is a sequel to Salmans 2012 hit film, Ekk Tha Tiger that also featured Katrina. Tiger Zinda Hai is slated to hit theatres on December 22.

How were Indian nurses rescued from Iraq

Forty-six nurses from Kerala decided to take up jobs in war-ravaged Tikrit, Iraq for higher salaries. Once in the country, they realised that their world would be limited to the hospital building as war between Iraqi forces and IS continued around them.

In July 2014, the IS forces made their way to the hospital and took the nurses hostage before blowing up the hospital. The women were taken to Mosul and kept at an undisclosed location. The nurses were freed after Indian government intervened, allegedly with the help of Saudi authorities. No lives were lost in the operation.

Salman Khans film appears like a highly dramatised account of the rescue.

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The November edition of the Class of 2018 seeks to understand the wide disparities among Delhis 1,015 government schools that are attended by 15 lakh children every day.

HTs data team teased out these differences, and their implications, by comparing four schools against city-wide data compiled from the Unified District Information System for Education, a national database maintained by the National University of Education Planning and Administration.

The analysis reveals how high enrolment rates and classroom sizes affect learning outcomes.

The first two schools  the Government Girls Senior Secondary School and Government Boys Senior Secondary School - are actually run out the same building, colloquially called Sangam Vihars Pahadi wallah school.

In the mornings, approximately 5,500 girls squeeze into the buildings 66 airless classrooms; the evening shift is for the 3,066 boys who stream in once the girls leave.

Shaheed Amir Chand Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, the third school we picked for this exercise, has only 1,839 students from nursery to Class 12. Colloquially known as Ludlow Castle Number 2, this school was established in 1970 and served as one of the citys first model schools.

Down the road from Amir Chand is the fourth school - Ludlow Castle Number 1. With even fewer students (881), the school is a part of the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya (RPVV) program and is regarded as one of the best government schools in the city.

Heres what we found.

Rising school enrolments, limited resources

Delhis largest government school has 5,600 children, the smallest only 89.

The number of students that go to a school is determined by its surroundings. In Sangam Vihar, the high population density of the area creates one of the largest schools in the city. When children from the catchment area apply, the school is bound to enrol them under the Right to Education Act.
The image was telling: Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad effusively welcoming the newly-inducted BJP member, Mukul Roy with flowers at the party headquarters. A former Trinamool Congress leader, accused in the Saradha and Narada scams, now being treated as a prize catch by no less a figure than the law minister. It was almost as if his entry into the ruling party had dramatically purified Roy of any corruption taint. As a key aide of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Roy switching sides may be seen as a blow to Mamata but where does it leave the BJPs claim of being a party with a difference which is tough on political corruption? After all, didnt the prime minister ride to power proclaiming, na khaoonga, na khane doonga?

It isnt just Roy. In Maharashtra, Narayan Rane, whom the BJP once projected as one of the prime symbols of political corruption in the Congress, is now all set to be an NDA ally. Roy at least can claim to be a prominent figure in Mamatas inner circle; Ranes influence is waning in Maharashtras Konkan belt. That the BJP has chosen to accommodate him is a sign that the party now has an open door policy to anyone who wants to join it. Where does that leave Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss claim that he wants to change the states venal political culture?

Take also the election-bound states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. In Gujarat, the BJP has taken on board supporters of former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, whom the present BJP leadership once scathingly described as integral to the Congresss corrupted culture. In Himachal, the BJP has inducted Anil Sharma, a senior Congress minister and son of Sukh Ram, the politician who in the mid-1990s sparked off a prolonged BJP agitation against corruption after his alleged involvement in a telecom scam.

The power politics of the new BJP can be contrasted with the idealism of the old BJP. The BJP of the Vajpayee-Advani era once took pride in its ideological isolation, infusing its Hindutva distinctiveness with a moral fervour. The lofty moralism may have been hypocritical at times  the BJP had tied up with Sukh Rams party to form a government in Himachal in 1998 too  but there was an overarching sense of not compromising with its core beliefs for temporary advantage. Advani, after all, was the neta who resigned from the Lok Sabha after his name came up in the Jain hawala diaries while Vajpayee famously lost a Lok Sabha confidence vote by just one vote.

By contrast, the new BJP has taken a more pragmatic approach to political alignments. In its hunger for untrammelled power, there has been a willingness to shed any moral compunctions while constantly seeking political expansion. Then, be it in the Northeast, where the BJP has sought to break parties to form governments, or in Goa, where the party hastily cobbled an overnight alliance despite being second best in the elections, or in Tamil Nadu, where the party is keeping all options open, the message being sent out is clear: the BJP will not hesitate to use its dominant position in national politics to capture power.

The last time any party was as successful in using the instruments of state power to achieve a near monopolistic position in Indian politics was the Congress under Indira Gandhi. Then, be it the dismissal of Opposition-ruled governments or imposing puppet chief ministers in key states, the Indira-ruled Congress sought hegemonical status by making almost all potential rivals subservient to the individual at the top. It is this Indira playbook which the BJP seems keen to emulate: the fact that the opposition remains disjointed and leaderless after the 2014 debacle has made the task easier.

But in its growing Congressification, the BJP runs a risk of sacrificing its ideological core for instant political gratification. Yes, unlike the Congress, the BJP has the more durable RSS organisational machine to compensate for any perceived moral compromise in its quest for power. But the BJP leadership too must realise that political credibility is not a fixed deposit: sooner or later, the public will ask the question: is the BJP becoming, as its former ideologue Arun Shourie recently suggested, Congress plus a cow?

Post-script: The prime ministers meeting in Chennai with veteran DMK leader M Karunanidhi has set the cat among the pigeons. Is the party inextricably identified with the 2G scam also a potential BJP ally of the future? Watch this space.

Rajdeep Sardesai is a senior journalist and author

The views expressed are personal

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DEHRADUN: Neelam Negi, Sapna Bisht are among the 11 girls who did their military fathers proud with achievements in academic and other fields.

On Thursday, Indian Military Academy commandant Lt. Gen. Sanjay Kumar Jha felicitated the girls on the occasion of Uttarakhands Foundation Day at an event held by the Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan.

Sapna, a class 10 student at Kendriya Vidyalaya Ordnance Factory, had scored a Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) of 10, in her exams. It is a matter of pride to be the daughter of an armyman. We get respect from the society when the people come to know about our fathers serving the country. The army families sacrifice a lot in their daily lives and the nation must acknowledge this, she said.

Neelam, a class 12 at Kendriya Vidyalaya IMA, was also felicitated for achieving 10 CGPA in Class X exam. She has already participated thrice in national debate competitions. My father Hayat Singh Negi served in Garhwal Rifles. We feel sad when our fathers are unable to attend festivals. They toil on the border so that we remain safe. The KV student expressed her wish to join the Indian army to carry forward the proud tradition of her family.

At the programme held at the Martyrs Memorial in Cheer Bagh, former Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay said the Centres Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign was aimed at improving the condition of girls in the society. It is heartening to see girls excel in all walks of life, the BJP leader said. The Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan is a brainchild of Vijay.
Severe air pollution is all around us. Like many other people who live in Delhi or the National Capital Region (NCR), I too am affected by one of the worst smogs in recent times that has engulfed us.

When I speak to people near my house, some say they are worried about the foul air but others couldnt care less. If I advise them to wear a mask or get an air purifier at home (both of which they can easily afford), they simply are not interested.

Now lets talk about how scary the pollution scenario is. One of the most dangerous pollutants is Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), suspended particles in air measuring 2.5 micron and below (1 micron = 1 millionth of a metre). PM 2.5 is dangerous because it easily passes through our bodys natural filters and sinks into our lungs and tracts.

For the last few days, we have consistently witnessed the Air Quality Index (AQI) never going below the 300-400 levels. For most part of the day, the AQI ranges between 400-600. Look at, as example, the average AQI for the last seven days, as recorded by Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) monitor at HSPCB, Gurugram.

The minimum average reading it has shows in last seven days is 335, which classifies as Very Poor as per Hindustan Times Air Quality Map, which aggregates data from various sources including CPCB.

Took pollution readings at six locations during the Gurgaon-Delhi office commute. PM 2.5 did not drop below 600 ever!  @htTweets pic.twitter.com/CiIQMY9Nd4  Ambrish Bajaj (@AmbrishBajaj) November 9, 2017

I wanted to check pollution levels in various part of Delhi-NCR for the past few days. I drive everyday from Sector 15 in Gurugram to Hindustan Times office on KG Marg in cental Delhi for work. On my way to office, I drop my wife at her workplace on Lodhi Road.

To check air quality, I bought a reasonably good AQ monitor. And on Thursday in my morning drive to work, I carried the AQ monitor along. During my route of about 1.5 hour, I stopped my car at six key points to check PM 2.5 levels. The result of this tracking reinforced the worries about the grave situation we are going through. The highlights of data points taken taken at various locations are as follows:

1. PM 2.5 never dropped below 600. Such levels are classified as Severe

2. PM 2.5 almost consistently increased driving from Gurugram to New Delhi.

3.The lowest reading just outside my residence in Sector 15, Gurugram was 606 and the highest reading was 766 at KG Marg, New Delhi.

4. The readings across six locations were:

PM 2.5 readings in Delhi and Gurgaon

This my experience of tracking pollution along my office route. Do you share your experience of pollution in Delhi @httweets on Twitter.

(Ambrish Bajaj is product head at hindustantimes.com)
At a national workshop on school education held in New Delhi earlier this week, Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar said the day is not far when there will be digital blackboards in all class rooms in schools in the country. His dream of equipping schools, many of them in far-flung areas without basic amenities, with such tools (found mostly in private SMART schools), is in sync with the NDA governments vision of harnessing digital power to push the countrys development processes . The minister, however, is putting the cart before the horse. Fancy tools cannot improve dismal learning levels of Indias students unless the State ensures the basic requirements of students are met: Infrastructure (classrooms, toilets etc), better quality text books, and well trained, motivated teachers.

One of the key factors for such low learning levels is the lack of teachers who can teach. India has 16,000 teacher education institutes with 1.3 million seats. The sheer number of institutes makes it difficult to improve their quality. The majority of the teachers who graduate from these institutions dont make the cut. Worse, there are no centres of excellence in teacher education.

Not surprisingly, less than 6% of the seven lakh teacher education programme candidates, who appeared for the September 2014 Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) conducted by CBSE, passed the exam. According to MHRD, there is a shortage of 1.2 million teachers across the nation and District Information System for Education data (2013-2014) shows that the continuous professional development of teachers is not exhaustive with only 22% of all primary teachers undergoing any in-service training during the previous academic year. The shortage of teachers and poor coverage of in-service training only weakens the delivery capacity of schools, many of which are dealing with first-generation learners. These learners get no additional help from their families.

If teachers are neglected, so are the principals of the schools. As a report by the Central Square Foundation, correctly points out, principals are usually chosen based on seniority and view their role as administrators rather than leaders. In the absence of specific qualifications to become a principal, there is no specialised training on offer. Besides these problems, the school academic support system ---- Block and Cluster Resource Centres ---- is in disarray and burdened with data collection and other administrative tasks. The entire support structure for teachers needs to be revitalised and focused on the vision of classroom change. Digital Blackboards can wait, although we shouldnt forget them.
One of the most shameful realities of life in India today is caste-based discrimination. Affirmative action, in the form of reservations for marginalised castes, has existed since independence in government institutions.It was intended to give people a leg up, not be an entitlement that they and theirs could enjoy in perpetuity. And it was certainly not intended as an election sop to be handed out to affluent communities. Nitish Kumars proposal for reservation in the private sector has once again revived the debate of whether reservation is a good idea at all. There can be no disagreement with the fact that caste-based discrimination is prevalent in India. The fact that inter- caste marriages are still seen as worthy of comment, the spate of killings of Dalits in many states in India, and the visible lack of members of the marginalised communities in positions of authority clearly indicate that there is a problem.

Seventy years after independence, despite reservations of all hues, this scenario has not improved drastically. This suggests that the problem needs different solutions. Simply extending the existing framework to the private sector cannot be that solution. The problem of discrimination is not something that arises only at the level of employment or higher education. The problem is endemic and must be addressed at the grassroots. Ensuring that students of marginalised communities are provided the requisite education at the primary and secondary levels  at par with their upper caste colleagues  is one of the most effective means of eliminating discrimination. Given that many schools in rural India have been known to make Dalit children sit separately even at the government-mandated mid-day meal; it is clear that this problem is deep rooted.

To transfer the burden of a failed system to the private sector, with its pressures of profit-making, bottom-lines and competition is unfair. The best way to ensure that companies hire people from all communities, genders, and backgrounds is to make sure that people of all classes, genders and castes acquire the skills needed to be competitive. A problem bigger than caste is poverty; and ensuring that debilitating poverty does not get in the way of education is the responsibility of the government. This will need a large commitment  both financially and socially  in the education sector. Improving the state of our rural schools, and the universal education programme, and ensuring that teachers are trained and meet quality criteria, are some of the crucial steps needed to make not merely the educational standards of the country better, but also in creating awareness and fighting ills such as caste, religion and gender-based discrimination.
The Supreme Court recently issued a notice to the ministry of civil aviation and Air India after the public carrier denied a job to a transgender person allegedly on the basis of gender. Shanavi Ponnusamy, 26, an engineering graduate from Thoothukuddi in Tamil Nadu, underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2014 and subsequently trained to become a member of the cabin crew of an airline. But she was rejected since the ministry of civil aviation hasnt yet created a category for transgender persons.

Ponnusamy isnt the only one fighting such obstacles and prejudices. A sailor from Visakhapatnam was sacked by the Indian Navy on October 9 after a sex-change surgery. Sabi Giri, born Manish Kumar Giri, was pink-slipped ostensibly for breaching recruitment regulations and eligibility criteria. The Navy restricts recruitment of women to certain departments. Last week, the Delhi High Court asked the Navy if Giri could get another posting.

Batting for affirmative action, it is the judiciary which has repeatedly come to the rescue of transgender people facing discrimination. In 2014, a landmark Supreme Court judgment recognised that they should enjoy all the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Acknowledging the inherent biases that kept trans-people on the fringes of educational institutions and workplaces for reasons other than their ability, the apex court ordered setting aside quotas for them in jobs and education for the first time. But a bill tabled in the Parliament last year to formalise the rights of transgender people is yet to become law.

Clearly, just legislation or affirmative action by employers cannot be enough to change the peoples attitude. The highly publicised appointment of 23 transgenders by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited hit a speed-bump when 11 of them quit in the first fortnight itself. Most of them cited difficulties in finding accommodation, prohibitively high rentals and the jibes from co-workers as the reasons that drove them to this decision. They said they were abused and ridiculed whenever they ventured out for work or otherwise.

Now, the Union social justice ministry is examining whether to do away with a contentious definition in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 which focuses on biological features rather than an individuals freedom to choose his or her gender. A change in definition will be a step towards undoing some of the discrimination meted out to transgender people. It can empower transgender persons with an option to choose their gender independent of surgery or hormones. Clearly, it needs to be accompanied by systemic changes and greater sensitivity from employers. Ms Ponnuswamy shouldnt be discriminated against for dreaming of soaring above societys biases and asserting her gender identity.
New Delhi The government is in the process of finalising the new national education policy which aims to transform Indias education system and make it a learner-centric one instead of teacher-centric. To make the country a global player in education, the entire system is also being liberalised with renewed push for private sector participation.

Such changes are necessary as India is also a nation with a high outflow of students, spending about $20billion on international education.

This was part of the conversation at the 13th FICCI Higher Education Summit 2017 today, with Dr N Saravana Kumar, joint secretary, HRD ministry, saying in a special address that the highly regulated education sector is being liberalised to ensure India becomes an attractive education destination.

Sudhanshu Pandey, joint secretary, ministry of commerce and industry, said globalisation of Indian education was key as the country spent billions on students studying abroad and was one of the few nations with a high outflow of students. In the wake of protectionism, knowledge-sharing and student exchange programmes were critical. Around five million students move around the globe for education.

The summit, with the theme Leapfrogging to Education 4.0: Student at the Core, was organised by FICCI with the support of the HRD and commerce ministries, Services Export Promotion Council and All India Council for Technical Education.

Pandey said students had been at the core of education and will remain at its epicentre in future as well. The need was to create and facilitate an ecosystem where students could attain excellence in their chosen domains. He added that a bridge of understanding needed to be created between industry and academia to enable both to move forward together.

In a video message, Prakash Javadekar, HRD minister, said that the government had come out with learning outcomes and was providing greater autonomy to the institutes to pursue research, development and innovation. Several programmes such as Swayam had been initiated to promote online learning. Quality benchmarking of institutes had also been done to make them competitive globally.

Suresh Prabhu, commerce minister, in his message, urged the stakeholders, including industry and academic, to recommend ideas to promote the business of education globally. With internet, new business opportunities had emerged and India must take advantage of it, he said.

Representing Finland, the partner country, participating in the summit with a 15-member delegation, Nina Vaskunlahti, ambassador of Finland to India, said her countrys education system stands on four pillars of equality, efficiency, quality and internationalism. With an education system rated among the best in the world, the country will be forthcoming in sharing its knowledge, technology and best practices in the education domain with India, she said.

On the occasion, FICCI-EY report Leapfrogging to Education 4.0: Student at the Core and FICCI Report on Social Outreach in Higher Education were released.
Kolkata IIT Kharagpurs tie-up with the University of Manchester (UoM) is aimed at developing a world class programme for working professionals on health informatics.

The two educational institutions had signed an MoU to this effect in June last. On November 3-4, teams from both institutes held a series of discussions for undertaking joint research or technology projects and international academic programmes in scientific, technical and other areas, an IITKGP spokesperson said.

The two sides will work towards developing a course for working professionals in the domain of health informatics, the spokesperson said.

A team of eight UoM professors and administrators, led by their associate vice president, Prof Stephen Flint, visited the IITKGP campus on November 3 to 4.

Dean of alumni affairs and International Relations at IITKGP, Prof Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay, said enhanced exchanges between IITKGP and the UoM would not only help develop research programmes having global impact but also provide an opportunity to students to avail of world-class training programmes.

The joint research projects are being considered in biomedical informatics, advanced materials, smart textiles and earth-environment- water sciences. This initiative will be one of its kind in India, the spokesperson said.

These researches can be supported through various funding such as Newton Bhabha Fund and Global Challenges Research Fund.

The two sides also discussed opportunities for international Masters and PhD programmes.
Optimists and happy people are healthier overall, enjoying lower blood pressure and less depression and anxiety, among other measures, according to a new research conducted on college students. The findings, published in the Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical Research, suggest that universities should creatively design wellness programmes and centres that dynamically integrate body, mind and spirit into a seamless unit. Previous research also suggested that noticing nature could increase your happiness.

College students generally suffer high rates of anxiety and depression and often neglect physical self-care and exercise. Researchers from the University of Michigan and Fudan University in China set out to learn the extent to which body mass index (BMI) and positive outlook affect the physical and mental health of college students in Chinas Fudan University.

The study showed that a positive outlook and BMI both contributed significantly to good health, said Weiyun Chen, Associate Professor at University of Michigan. The researchers asked 925 students to rate four indicators of psychological well-being  hope, gratitude, life satisfaction and subjective happiness. They also calculated students BMI based on self-reported body weight and height.

To assess physical and mental health, the researchers asked students various questions about their sleep quality and how often they felt healthy, energised, worthless, fidgety, anxious or depressed. Taken together, the four psychological variables and BMI accounted for 41% of the total variance in health, Chen said. Individually, subjective happiness had the most significant impact, followed by hope, and then BMI, the study showed.

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As thick smog continued to engulf the city on Thursday and the air quality index (AQI) value shot up to 494, the district administration enforced Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) ordering closure of all schools on Friday and Saturday, among several other restrictions on construction.

All government and private schools in the city will remain closed for the next two days (Friday and Saturday) due to continuing smog situation as per the Graded Response Action Plan, deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said.

All petrol vehicles manufactured over 15 ago and diesel vehicles made more than 10 years ago will not be allowed to ply on city roads, Singh said after a meeting at the NGT, adding that all construction activities has also been halted till November 14.

As per the orders of the National Green Tribunal, 15 year old petrol vehicles & 10 year old diesel vehicles will not be permitted to ply on roads in Gurugram from November 10 (tomorrow), deputy commissioner tweeted.

All construction activity of any kind in Gurugram, by private or government, is prohibited till 14th November, he wrote in another tweet.

Singh said that if the current situation persisted for another 48 hours, then more stringent measures would be adopted. The AQI rose to 494 on the index on Thursday. In the interim, all brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers have been shut till further orders.

As Gurgaons air quality dropped to the severe category on Wednesday for the first time since Diwali, when the AQI value touched 459, the district administration told civic bodies to sprinkle water on dusty roads. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) was told to sweep such roads with machines.

MCG officials started sprinkling water on the Railway Road, Kadipur Road, Sheetla Mata Road, Pataudi Road, Old Delhi Road, and Sector 9 road.

Implementing measure under GRAP is also set to affect traffic.

The entry of heavy goods in the national capital has been banned by the Delhi government, the Gurgaon traffic police will be diverting heavy traffic from entering New Delhi. Some traffic congestion is expected on NH 48 (Delhi-Gurgaon expressway), Gurgaon police tweeted on Thursday.

To intensify public transport, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Haryana roadways have been told by the district administration to ampup its services.

Teams have been formed to check open burning of waste. Hotels and eateries have been forbidden from using coal or firewood, and resident welfare associations have been told to provide an electric heater to security guards to ensure they dont burn combustible items to keep warm.

Residents have also been advised to report cases of waste burning on the swachhta app. The Gurgaon police has been directed to keep vigil on visibly polluting vehicles and ensure strict enforcement of PUC norms.

Measure taken under GRAP

All private and government schools to be closed till Sunday

All brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers shut till further orders

All petrol vehicles manufactured more than 15 ago and diesel vehicles made 10 years ago have been banned immediately

All construction activities has also been halted till November 14

MCG told to sprinkle water on dusty roads and do mechanized sweeping Use of coal or firewood banned in hotels and open eateries

RWAs told to provide electric heaters to security staff in winters to avoid open burning of combustible items

To boost public transport, DMRC and Haryana roadways have been directed to increase the number of trips

Gurgaon traffic police to divert heavy goods traffic from entering into New Delhi as Delhi government banned entry.

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A 16-year-old student of Gurgaons Ryan International School, detained by the CBI in connection with the murder of eight-year-old Pradyumn Thakur, confessed to his crime in front of his father and an independent witness, the agency has told a juvenile court.

The juvenile was on Thursday taken to a certain place by Central Bureau of Investigation officials for the corroboration of his statement.

A special crime team of the CBI, which is questioning him, remained tight-lipped about the exercise, saying it could affect the probe.

However, sources said during the questioning session between 10am and 5pm, allowed by the juvenile court in Gurgaon, he was taken to a certain place to substantiate his statements on the activities before and after the crime. The court has sent the juvenile to three-day CBI custody.

In its note seeking remand of the suspect, the agency said on Wednesday his custodial interrogation was needed to ascertain if there were other people involved in the crime.

The Class 11 student, apprehended on Tuesday night, is being kept at Sewa Kutir in Kingsway Camp, from where he was brought to the CBI headquarters in New Delhi at 10.45am for questioning, the sources said.

They said the agency will go through an extensive corroborative exercise, which will include the identification of the person and shop who sold him the murder weapon -- a knife, and crime scene recreation, among others, before filing its report in the court.

Pradyumn, a Class 2 student of the school, was found dead with his throat slit inside the premises on September 8.

According to the agency, the suspect, believed to be weak in his studies, allegedly slit Pradyumns throat to get the school to declare a holiday in order to defer a scheduled parent-teacher meeting (PTM) and an examination.

The agency did not find any evidence of sexual assault, a CBI spokesperson said on Wednesday.

In a big twist to the case, the agency also rejected the Gurgaon polices theory that the killing was the handiwork of school bus conductor Ashok Kumar. The CBI has said that there was no evidence against Kumar so far.
The CBI detained a 16-year-old boy for the murder of a Class 2 student of Gurgaons Ryan International School not only turning the murder case on its head but also sparking a debate if the accused should be tried as an adult.

A Gurgaon juvenile justice board (JJB) on Wednesday evening gave the Central Bureau of Investigation three-day custody of the Class 11 student, detained two months after eight-year-old Pradyumn Thakur was found with his throat slit outside a school toilet.

Pradyumns fathers lawyer, Sushil Tekriwal, said he would ask JJB to treat the boy as an adult.

Senior advocate Sanjay Hedge told Hindustan Times that the accused could be treated as an adult only if the JJB certifies that this is a crime which fell within the ambit of the amended JJB act.

Set up in all districts of the country, the juvenile justice board deals with children in conflict with law. There have been several cases in recent years when the board has ordered juveniles to be tried as adults.

This has been made possible after Parliament amended the juvenile justice act in December 2015 to allow children aged between 16 and 18 to be tried as adults for heinous offences such as murder and rape.

To arrive at the decision, the JJB takes note of the age of the accused and the offence. It also conducts a preliminary assessment if the child is mentally and physically capable of committing the crime and knew the consequences of his action.

If the JJB decides against the Ryan students court trial, he will spend a maximum of three years in a reform home if the board finds the murder charge to be true. If he is tried as an adult and found guilty in a court, the punishment could range from death to life imprisonment.

Child rights activist and advocate Anant Asthana, too, said that the JJBs word would be final. Advocate Meera Bhatia, however, suggested caution. First we have to find out whether he has actually done the crime or not. Subsequently, if he is found guilty, he could be tried as an adult for the crime, Bhatia said.

The demand to lower the juvenile age limit to 16 gained ground after one of the convicts in the December 16, 2012 gang rape and murder of a physiotherapist in Delhi spent three years in a reform home as he was a few months short of 18 at the time of the crime. His four accomplices were sentenced to death, a punishment that has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Juvenile crimes shot up by about 25% from 2011 to 2015. Cases registered against juveniles grew from 25,125 in 2011 to 31,396 in 2015, the latest National Crime Record Bureau data shows.

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Undue haste in closing the probe into the murder of an eight-year-old student in Gurgaons Ryan International School and the media spotlight may have made the police commit several mistakes and overlook key clues, the victims family and legal experts alleged on Wednesday.

The charges came hours after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained a Class 11 student of the same school and said the older boy allegedly committed the murder to get examinations and a parent-teacher meeting postponed.

Barun Chandra Thakur, the father of the victim Pradyuman Thakur, asked Hindustan Times how the police special investigation team (SIT) failed to identify and investigate a student, who was not only visible in surveillance footage but was also the first to report the crime.

We were never satisfied with the theory of the Gurgaon police, he said.

Why did the Haryana police ignore the CCTV footage? This was either deliberate or it was done to divert attention from the school management, he alleged.

Thakurs lawyer Sushil Tekriwal said the arrest of a 42-year-old school bus conductor hours after the crime indicated bungling of the probe. We have been insisting from Day 1 that the police botched up the case.

The police, however, denied all allegations of a lapse in the probe and said any missing link in the case was probably because the investigation was abruptly transferred to the CBI. The case was transferred otherwise our investigation could have gone in that direction as well, said Haryana director general of police, BS Sandhu.

Ashok Bakshi, deputy commissioner of police (South Gurgaon) who headed the SIT, said they had received no official communication from the CBI. The investigation was conducted by us and handed over to the agency and they are now working on it, he said.

Pradyumn, a student of Class 2, was found dead in the school toilet with his throat slit by a sharp-edged weapon on the morning of September 8. The same day, Gurgaon police arrested bus conductor Ashok Kumar but failed to satisfy the victims family or establish a motive, leading to the probe being given to the CBI.

The agency claimed its investigators were still probing charges of destruction of evidence against the school management. But activists based in Gurgaon said the scale of the alleged botch-up raised questions.

Mistakes do happen but such a major faux pas by the police needs some answering. If Ashok Kumar has been deliberately framed, then it is a heinous crime, said SK Sharma, an activist whose son also studies at Ryan International School.

Some officials of Gurgaon police admitted that the police could have made a mistake due to public pressure. The police have lesser resources, less time and a lot of pressure to deliver results which can lead to such situation, said a Gurgaon police official dealing with the case.

Legal experts indicated that the polices eagerness to close the case coupled with public and media glare forced the SIT to make hasty conclusions.

What was the need to commit that the chargesheet will be filed within a week? From day one, the police fixed responsibility on a single person who was also the most vulnerable, said Gurgaon-based lawyer Rajiv Kaushik.

Another weak link of the investigation was the motive for the murder, added the experts.

It is important to establish the motive in a heinous crime like this and this was always in doubt. None had the answer why Ashok will kill a boy in a public toilet, inside the school when he had no such history, said a public prosecutor, who did not want to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Family members of Ashok Kumar questioned why the police had made the conductor confess in front of a camera. They beat him so badly that there was no way out for him but accepting the crime, alleged Ami Chand, Kumars father.

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A former TV news anchor said Wednesday that Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted her teenage son last year at a Nantucket restaurant, adding to mounting allegations of misconduct against the House of Cards actor.

Heather Unruh said her son, who was 18 at the time, was star struck during a chance encounter with Spacey at Club Car Restaurants crowded bar in July 2016. Unruh said Spacey bought her son drink after drink and then stuck his hand down the drunk teens pants and grabbed his genitals.

Unruh said her son panicked and froze while Spacey insisted he come with him to a private after-hours party to drink with him more.

Spacey ultimately left to use the bathroom and the teen ran away at the urging of a nearby woman who could tell he was shaken, Unruh said. Unruhs son ran back to his grandmothers house, woke up his sister and called his mother, who joined them in Nantucket the next day, she said.

Unruh said her son didnt report the assault at the time because he was embarrassed and scared. Her family was emboldened to come forward now that others have gone public with allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey and other celebrities, she said.

To Kevin Spacey, I want to say this: Shame on you for what you did to my son, Unruh said, flanked by her daughter and lawyer Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented hundreds of clergy sexual abuse victims.

A lawyer for Spacey didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday. A publicist said last week that Spacey is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment.

Unruh said the teen filed a report with police last week, and she said a criminal investigation has begun. She said her son has turned over evidence to authorities, but her attorney said they could not elaborate on what he provided.

Nantucket Police Chief Bill Pittman said Massachusetts law doesnt allow them to confirm or deny a report of sexual assault.

Former Boston television news anchor Heather Unruh holds back tears while speaking Wednesday, November 8, 2017, in Boston, about the alleged sexual assault of her teenage son by actor Kevin Spacey in the summer of 2016 on Nantucket. (AP)

Cape & Islands Assistant District Attorney Tara Miltimore said a person has provided information to police about an indecent assault and battery and that authorities are waiting to hear from the persons attorney.

Garabedian said he is conducting his own investigation and did not say whether they intend to file civil action against Spacey.

Unruh said her son had never met Spacey before the encounter, and Garabedian said they dont know why Spacey was on the island at the time.

She said her son continues to struggle with the emotional effects of the encounter. The teen, who was not named during the press conference, asked her to speak publicly on his behalf, she said.

Hes committed to doing what he can to stop Kevin Spacey from victimizing anyone else, she said.

Since actor Anthony Rapp first went public with accusations against Spacey late last month, several other men have come forward with stories of harassment and assault.

The mounting allegations caused Netflix to cut ties with the actor and suspend production on its sixth season indefinitely. The company also scuttled its Gore Vidal biopic, with Spacey starring as the author.

In a recent interview with BuzzFeed, Rapp said Spacey made sexual advances on him during a party in 1986, when he was 14. At the end of the night, an inebriated Spacey picked him up, placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him, Rapp said. Rapp said then-26-year-old Spacey was holding him down tightly, but he was able to get away and left the apartment.

Spacey has said he doesnt remember the encounter but apologized if such drunken behaviour occurred.

Harry Dreyfuss, the son of actor Richard Dreyfuss, also has said that Spacey groped him in 2008 when he was 18 while his father was rehearsing a play at Spaceys London apartment.

London police said have also said have begun investigating an alleged 2008 sexual assault reportedly linked to Spacey.



On Thursday, Spacey was fired from Ridley Scotts upcoming film All the Money in the World. His part will be played by Christopher Plummer, and Scott intends to retain the films December 22 release date.

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Smog-like conditions continued in Delhi on Thursday morning as air quality deteriorated and visibility dipped leading to 41 trains being late due to fog.

Delhis air quality continued to remain in the severe zone. The air quality index (AQI) at 7.30 am was recorded at 468, which was worse than Tuesdays average AQI of 448.

Read | Odd-even 3.0 to combat Delhi smog: All you need to know about the previous drives

Here are the live updates:

7.20pm: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh urges PM Narendra Modi to sanction Rs 100 bonus per quintal as incentive to compensate farmers to manage crop residue: PTI

5.48pm: Environment ministry forms seven-member committee to monitor short-term and long-term solutions to air pollution, reports PTI.

5.45pm: Women driver and two-wheelers to be exempted from odd-even scheme

5.30pm: Transport minister Kailash Gehlot urges PM Narendra Modi to convene emergency meeting with chief ministers of Delhi and adjoining states.

4.48pm: Delhi transport minister says exemptions under odd-even scheme to remain the same as last time. Scheme to implemented from 8am to 8pm.

4.47pm: We are calling a meeting of cabs and taxis tomorrow and we will ensure that there will be no surge pricing by Ola-Uber cabs, says minister Gehlot.

4.46pm: IGL stickers for cars will be available from tomorrow at 22 CNG stations across Delhi. Also extra buses are being arranged. But we will not requisition for school buses, says transport minister Gehlot

4.46pm: The odd-even scheme is being rolled out as a part of the graded response plan

4.45pm: Ministers will also have to abide by the scheme.

4.41pm: Odd-even will be implemented from November 13 to 17. Request people and all agencies to cooperate. Exemptions will be same like last time, says Delhi transport minister Kailash Gehlot: ANI

4.27pm: Amarinder Singh attacks his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal over crop stubble burning. Mr.Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr.Kejriwal doesnt understand this problem, says Singh: ANI

4.25pm: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh asks Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene meeting of chief ministers and Union ministers over the poor air quality: ANI

4.12pm: Measures such as stopping construction work, banning trucks and closing schools have been taken in response to the worsening Delhi air quality. Also, the vehicle rationing odd-even scheme will likely be back from next week.

4.10pm: Appeal to opposition parties to stop politics over the situation and give us solutions. We are willing to work together, says Gopal Rai

4.08pm: The chief minister met the L-G in an emergency meeting.

4.05pm: The Punjab and Haryana governments are not helping. This isnt the time for blame-game: Rai

4pm: The Centre has remained quiet; the BJP and Congress are portraying the situation as something the Delhi government has concocted, says the AAPs Gopal Rai.

4pm: Delhis Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) holds press conference. Gopal Rai begins speaking.

3.50pm: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has again written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking compensation for farmers for crop resident management to check the dangerous trend of stubble burning: ANI

2.20pm: Odd-even to be enforced between November 13-17 in Delhi: Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot to PTI.

2pm: To tackle pollution in Delhi, odd-even plan to return from November 13, reports ANI new agency.

1.30pm: Already in touch with states in NCR region, asked them to implement graded action plan. Constantly monitoring situation. There should be no reason to panic, take precautions try to stay indoors & dont expose children to polluted air: Environment minister Harsh Vardhan.

1pm:

The Delhi metro will run 3317 train trips from Thursday instead of 3131, an increase of 186 train trips to provide increased capacity in this weather. @htTweets @htdelhi  Faizan Haidar (@FaiHaider) November 8, 2017

12.50pm: If everyone, central govt, UP, Punjab & Haryana govt, come together & put aside politics a solution can be found: Arvind Kejriwal.

12.46pm: Decision on Odd-Even formula will be taken by today or tomorrow, if need arises: Arvind Kejriwal.

12.43pm: Until state govts dont find economically viable solutions to crop burning it will not stop: Kejriwal

12.40pm: For a month (from mid Oct to mid Nov) the whole northern India becomes a gas chamber, not just Delhi, says Delhi CM Kejriwal.

12.05pm: NGT has asked Delhi Government on the steps taken to curtail pollution, the number of challans issued to violators and the number of construction sites where work has been stopped.

Industrial activities to not be carried on in Delhi, till the next hearing directs NGT. NGT also directed, all the public authorities should depute an officer to monitor the polluting activities  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

11.55am: The National Green Tribunal lashed out at the Delhi government and the Central Pollution Control Board on Wednesday for not issuing orders to shut down construction and industrial activities in the capital despite the worsening air quality.

11.15am: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has urged farmers to avoid burning stubble.

This is a matter of concern, we have taken all possible steps in Haryana. We have also requested people burning stubble to not do so, Khattar told ANI.

10.20am:The Environment Pollution Control Authority said a decision on whether or not to implement the odd-even car rationing scheme will be taken later today.

9.30am: Thursday became the coldest of the season so far with minimum temperature at 13.8 degree Celsius. Wednesday was the second coldest with minimum temperature dropping at 14 degree Celsius.

9am: Stubble burning in Haryana continues even as pollution levels rise in the region and neighboring states, reports ANI news agency.

8.15am: 41 trains arriving late in Delhi due to weather conditions, nine rescheduled and 10 cancelled.

8am:

#Smog seen in the national capital: Visuals from India Gate, residents say it is posing a major health risk #Delhi pic.twitter.com/OfIv1zTEae  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

7.45am: All schools in Delhi will remain shut till Sunday.

7.30am: As the average daily air quality index (AQI) hit a season-high 478, the lieutenant governor of Delhi banned the entry of trucks inside city limits, halted all construction activities, and ordered civic bodies to enforce a fourfold hike in parking fees.
The opposition Congress has accused the Madhya Pradesh government of trying a cover-up after a medical report, which has since been junked, of a 19-year-old gang-rape victim said the sex was consensual.

The civil services aspirant was raped allegedly by four rag-pickers close to the government railway polices Habibganj station in Bhopal on October 31, causing widespread anger as fighting over police jurisdiction delayed the filing of complaint.

The initial medical report, prepared after the woman was examined on November 1, at the Sultania Zanana Hospital said, Two boys named took her near the sewage and then into the tunnel where they had sexual intercourse with her with her consent of (sic) will.

Hindustan Times has a copy of the report, which the hospital, says was filed by two post-graduate students. The citys Gandhi Medical College is attached to the hospital where students go for internship.

The final medical report is awaited.

How can lady doctors commit such a grave mistake and write such insensitive remarks about a rape victim. Licence of such doctors should be immediately cancelled, the victims mother told the Hindustan Times on Thursday.

Medical report is vital to a rape case and doctors rely on bruises and injury marks to ascertain if sex was forced but if there is a delay, like in this case, such marks can fade or go away.

The report was a crime and a conspiracy, Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said. The way the police delayed lodging the report in the first place, passing the buck from one police station to another, and now this medical report proves that a conspiracy was afoot to dilute the case, he said, demanding a criminal case against erring doctors.

Under fire, hospital authorities and police said it was a mistake which was rectified.

The errors made by the students were spotted by an expert committee and the report rejected, Sultania hospital superintendent Dr Karan Pipre said. A show-cause notice was issued to them, he said. Someone played a mischief, took a photograph of the report and circulated it, he said.

The hospital had learnt its lesson and now on, only experts would write the medico-legal report, he said.

Police, too, dismissed the report as wrong. It is a wrong report. We have rejected it a long time back. Why are you all bringing this up now, Hemant Shrivastava, who is investigating the case, said.

The state government had transferred senior police officials after it emerged that the girls parents, both police personnel, hunted down one of the alleged rapists and it was then a case was registered.

Madhya Pradesh is one of the most unsafe and dangerous places for women in India. One woman is raped in the state almost every two hours.

Data submitted in the assembly in February this year shows 11 women were raped every day and six gang-raped almost every week in Madhya Pradesh between February 1, 2016, and mid-February 2017.
The Supreme Court of India referred a case alleging corruption involving members of the judiciary to a five-judge Constitution bench  the first time such allegations are being taken seriously enough for such a move.

The case concerns admission to a medical college run by the Prasad Education Trust in Lucknow. Earlier this year, the government barred the college from admitting students in the year 2017-18 and 2018-19. The trust sought relief in both the Allahabad high court and the Supreme Court. In an order dated September 18, a bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra refused relief for the 2017-18 academic year and asked the Medical Council of India to inspect the college afresh for the year 2018-19.

But that wasnt the end of the matter. On September 19, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Investigation Report against Justice (retired) IM Quddusi and a certain Bhavna Pandey under the anti-corruption law. The CBI said the two had assured the Lucknow-based medical colleges representative that they could facilitate favourable orders from the Supreme Court.

The CBI claimed the former judge and Pandey had demanded huge gratification for inducing public servants by corrupt and illegal means. Three days later, the two and four others including a hawala operator, were arrested. Within 48 hours, a special CBI judge gave bail to Justice Quddusi, an order that was never challenged.

Interestingly, the Supreme Courts reference of a petition based on the CBIs FIR to the Constitution Bench was preceded by high drama.

On Wednesday, a petition filed by Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) based on the CBI complaint was mentioned before Justice Jasti Chelameswars bench. He ordered it to be listed for hearing on Friday.

On Thursday, a similar petition filed by Kamini Jaiswal came up before Justice Chelameswar. The petition argued for a court supervised investigation by a Special Investigation Team into the matter. Since this case has brought to light an instance of corruption in the very highest echelons of power, including the justice delivery system, the CBI, a government controlled agency, may not be best suited to continue this investigation, the petition said.

Terming the accusations made against judiciary in the case registered by CBI as serious and disturbing, a two-judge Bench headed by Justice Chelameswar on Thursday, said, Looking at the gravity of the allegations, we feel the matter is important not just for the institution but also the nation. Allegations pertain to the functioning of this court (Supreme Court). Therefore, we feel it should be heard by a constitution bench. The bench said the five most senior judges of the court would hear the case.

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, who appeared for Jaiswal , urged the bench that the CJI Dipak Misra should not be a member of the bench since he had heard the original case. That is why we have ordered first five judges in seniority, the court replied.

Dave asserted that since the allegations involve the judiciary at the highest level, the probe needs to be handled sensitively and a retired CJI should supervise it.

When the matter was being argued, Justice Chelameswar received a note from the office of CJI Misra, the contents of which were not revealed. However, the note was made a part of record by Justice Chelameswar. Hindustan Times could not ascertain what the note said.

Eminent jurists termed the allegations in the CBI case disturbing, if they were true. Supreme Court advocate Gopal Sankaranaryanan said: Sooner we have the air cleared the better. I am confident that the judges of the court will put their heads together to ensure that the interest of the institution will always be foremost and nothing be done that would dilute its majesty.

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Less than a month into demonetisation last year, a widow Sarvesha Devi was waiting for her turn for five hours in a bank queue of nearly 500 people in Kanpur Dehat on December 2 when she went into labour.

Her mother Shashi Devi took her to a corner, where she delivered a boy. He was named Khazanchi, meaning cashier, as his mother had been waiting to see the cashier of Jhinjhak branch of the Punjab National Bank to withdraw her widow pension under a state government scheme.

Then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav narrated the story of Khazanchi Nath in most of his public meetings in the run up to the state assembly elections, turning the child almost into a mascot of the hardships people faced after the Centre recalled high-value currency notes to cull black money on November 8.

Though his campaign failed to sway electorates and his party was trounced by Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP in the polls, the SP leader has not forgotten the mascot, a year after the move that generated intense political debate.

On Thursday he sent Rs 10,000 to the family with a message that he would visit them to celebrate the boys first birthday next month.

Taking a dig at the Centre over demonetisation, Akhilesh on Wednesday tweeted: Khanzachis mother doesnt know what black money is. We cannot celebrate demonetisation but for sure will celebrate the birthday of Khazanchi.

He called up chairman of Jhinjhak nagar panchayat Raj Kumar Yadav and asked him to visit the family in Jogidera in Jhinjhak area of Kanpur Dehat to hand over the money.

Raj Kumar met the family on Thursday morning to give the cash to Sarvesha, who is raising four children. The eldest child Priti is suffering from tuberculosis.

Its not the first time that the SP leader gave financial aid to the family.

After he had announced Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who died in bank queues, Akhilesh especially called Sarvesha and Khazanchi to Lucknow and handed them a cheque, considering it as a special case.

Khazanchis family belongs to the tribe of snake-charmers and his father Aareshwar had died of tuberculosis six months before his birth.

Living in abject poverty, the illness and untimely death of Sarveshas husband left the family in heavy debt. Sarvesha said she had already spent Rs 80,000 from the financial aid given by the previous government on repayment of debts.

After my husbands death, his brother Anil Nath threw us out of the house. I am living with my mother and surviving on widow pension, she said.

Sarvesha has been allotted a house under the Ram Manohar Lohia housing scheme and expects to move there shortly.

I want my children to get good education and jobs. I dont want them to endure poverty, she said.

I spent some time with Khazanchi. The boy smiles a lot. I will brief the party president about the problems that the family is facing, Raj Kumar said.
The NDA government has argued that demonetisation has effectively wiped out Rs 6 lakh crores of black money from the Indian economy, even as an angry Opposition has dubbed it as a failure crippling jobs and small industries.

A finance ministrys background note to a parliamentary panel stated that based on RBI reports, there is a reduction of around 50% of high-value notes that would have been in circulation if the demonetisation had not happened. The Opposition, however, has argued that as nearly the entire cash has returned to the system, the efforts to curb black money has not yielded the desired results.

The Parliaments standing committee on finance, however, decided to expand the scope of its review of demonetisation and black money and will now seek inputs from states and various ministries to study the full impact of demonetisation. A draft report that was under preparation from August has now been shelved, said a member of the finance panel.

The ministry note said that as on November 8, the specified bank notes (high-value) were of the value of 15.44 crores. And given the growth rate of these bank notes in previous years, the notes would have amounted to Rs 18 lakh crore in November 2017.

Reserve Bank of India has reported that the specified bank notes of estimated value of Rs 15.28 lakh crores was deposited back by June 2017. The estimated high-value notes at September-end are approximately Rs 12 lakh croresa decrease of 50% of the high value notes that would have been in circulation today without demonetisation, the note said.

It also pointed out that new high-value notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were of the order of Rs 2.94 lakh crores and 6.57 lakh crores respectively on March 31, 2017.

Several Opposition members, however, continued to question economic affairs secretary Subhash Garg and financial services secretary Rajiv Kumar on the merits of demonetisation on Thursday. Some members asked the officials on the cost incurred by the government to scrap the two high-value notes and then bring in the new Rs 2000 notes. A member wanted to know about the cost of demonetisation and why the banks, sitting on piles of money after the huge cash inflow during demonetisation, are not giving enough credit. According to members, the officials sought time for a written reply.

One BJP member reportedly admitted that in his constituency, many bidi workers are jobless and starving after demonetisation.

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A day after the Punjab and Haryana high court asked the Haryana government to clear its stand on the controversy surrounding the states claims that family of Faridabad Muslim youth Junaid Khan, who was lynched in June, demanded money for settlement, the government on Wednesday reiterated its stand (end).

An affidavit was filed by deputy superintendent of police (DSP railways) Mohinder Singh on Wednesday stating that submissions of the petitioner (Junaids father) that he had not demanded money and had not attended a village meeting on the issue were false.

The matter has now been adjourned till November 17 as court was informed that proceedings in the trial court has been adjourned till November 27.

..the deponent was informed by the secret informer about the participation of the petitioner in the Panchayat proceedings where the petitioner raised demand of Rs 2 crore and 3 acre of land from the accused party for the settlement of the murder, his affidavit says.

The DSP claimed that when he exposed the conduct of the petitioner, Jalaludin, he filed the plea alleging defamation and false accusations. The government had made the claim orally on Thursday in high court during the hearing of petition filed seeking CBI probe into Junaids murder.

In the formal reply submitted on Tuesday the state had not reiterated the claims of DSP. However, upon notice from high court on fathers statement that accusations were made to malign his image, the DSP filed an affidavit on Wednesday.

The matter has now been adjourned till November 17 as court was informed that proceedings in the trial court has been adjourned till November 27.

Meanwhile citing huge pendency of cases before it, the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) stated in its response that the matter be not handed over to it since it is overburdened. CBI responded to courts notice whether it can take up the investigation.

The challan has been filed in a trial court in Faridabad and charges too have been framed against six persons including murder against a few. The lynching case had hit international headlines with accusations that those behind it were right wing sympathizers. The government has maintained that the fight took place for the seat and during altercation derogatory words were uttered by the accused and there was no communal angle to it.

Junaid Khan, was lynched to death by a mob suspecting him of being a beef eater aboard a Mathura-bound train in Faridabad district on June 22 this year.
Indias legal process for approaching Malaysia for the extradition of Zakir Naik, charged by the NIA for radicalising youths, is nearing completion and soon an official request will be sent, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday.

Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said that the ministrys internal process was underway in the case.

The formal request for assistance of a foreign government in such cases requires a legal process. We are nearing the completion of this exercise. Soon an official request will be made to the Malaysian government. The internal process we have to complete is also underway, he said.

According to media reports, Naik was in Malaysia after obtaining permanent residency five years ago.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged Naik and the Mumbai-based non-profit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) that he founded in 1991 with indulging in unlawful activities and promoting religious hatred.

The government has imposed a five-year ban on the IRF under the countrys anti-terror laws and has declared Naik an absconder.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to the Philippines on November 12 to attend the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits on November 14 during which bilateral trade and investments as well as other key issues will be discussed.

Preeti Saran, secretary (East) in the external ministry, on Thursday said the two sides will review the bilateral trade and investments and discuss important regional issues as well during the summit.

Ministry officials also said the government is working on bilateral meetings between the prime minister and other leaders on the sidelines of these summits.
Saritha Nair, the main accused in Keralas multi-crore solar panel scam, has a rags-to-riches story that could make a movie about ambition, crime and wooing the powerful.

Saritha, 39, and her partner Biju Radhakrishnan allegedly flaunted their contacts with the states Congress party leaders to cheat businessmen in Kerala and NRIs abroad to invest in solar plants. A judicial commission on Thursday indicted former chief minister Oommen Chandy, his former ministers, and other Congress leaders for allegedly helping Saritha and Biju.

Saritha was born in a middle class family: the second daughter of a clerk with the Nair Service Society, an influential organisation of Keralas Nair community, in Chenganur in Pathanamthitta district. She was a bright student, topping her school final examination but her family plunged into crisis when her father died when she was in her teens.

Saritha married at 18, had a son but the marriage did not last long and to fend herself she joined a share-brokering business and trained to become an air-hostess.

She gave up on being an air-hostess and started working with HDFC Banks credit card section as a part-time employee and its here that she had her first brush with crime. She was arrested in 2005 for siphoning off the investments of customers. She gave birth to her second child when she was in jail.

She later came into contact with Biju Radhakrishnan, the employee of a finance company who is accused of murdering his wife.

Saritha and Biju entered the solar business in 2010 and formed a fictitious company called Team Solar. In 2011, they approached Chandy, who was chief minister then, through intermediaries. It was during that time that Saritha took a new name, Lakshmi B Nair.

After establishing contacts in the corridors of power, the two allegedly conned businessmen and NRIs into investing in bogus solar power and windmill projects in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

It is said that the two exploited Chandys open-door policy, which made him one of the most accessible politicians, to the hilt.

Sarithas relationship with Biju strained after alleged affair with K B Ganesh Kumar, an influential minister in the Chandys Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government.

Kumars closeness with Saritha cost him his ministerial berth. He had to resign after his wife filed a case of domestic violence against him.

Soon, allegations against Saritha and Biju started trickling out and police filed 37 cases against them. Complainants alleged the couple had duped them of Rs 20 crore, excluding people who kept their mouths shut for they feared a scandal.

Saritha and Biju were sentenced to three years in jail and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each in December last year.

Saritha, during police investigation, alleged politicians had sexually exploited her. As she fought cases against her, intimate videos of her started appearing in social media. She blamed an Inspector General-level police officer for leaking the videos.

Saritha is out on bail and Biju is in jail, facing a double life-term for murdering his first wife.

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The onus of moving ahead on finalising the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), a set of guidelines for appointing judges, is on the judiciary and not the government, the law ministry has said.

Hours after the Supreme Court disposed of a petition on the delay over finalising the MoP on Wednesday, minister of state for law and corporate affairs PP Chaudhary told HT, The government is acting as per the judicial order of December 2015. The Supreme Court is also expected to respect it.

The revised MoP has been stuck due to differences between the two sides since January 2016.

The SC collegium  a body of Indias five top judges headed by the Chief Justice  objected to certain clauses in the draft sent by the government. The document has changed hands between the two sides a few times since then, but remains a draft due to lack of consensus.

The ministrys assertion of its stance could further widen the rift between the executive and the judiciary, which have failed to reach a consensus on the issue. An SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had on Wednesday recalled an October 27 order of a lower bench asking the government to explain the delay in notifying the guidelines. Officials say the stand-off between the two sides will not be easily resolved till the collegium agrees to the governments proposals.

On December 16, 2015, a fivejudge constitution bench headed by Justice JS Khehar had delivered a detailed ruling asking the government to prepare a fresh MoP in consultation with then Chief Justice TS Thakur to ensure transparency in judicial appointments to 24 high courts and the Supreme Court. The observations are equally applicable to the government and the judiciary, Chaudhary said.

The same bench had earlier, in October 2015, quashed the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act that came into force earlier that year, reinstating the over two-decade-old system of the collegium appointing judges.

The ministry had already stated its position in a letter to the top court this July, a top government official involved in the process said. A letter was sent to the secretary general (of the apex court) nearly seven weeks before Justice (JS) Khehar retired as the CJI. The government made it clear that the new MoP must follow the guidelines laid down in the December 2015 judgment to reform the process of appointing judges, the official said. It is for the Supreme Court to respond.

The Centre asserts that the December 2015 judgement has empowered it to reform the appointment process, and bring in transparency.

Last month, the SC collegium resolved that it would start posting reasons for recommending or rejecting names for judicial appointments.

The real process of reform should start with high court collegiums that recommend names for appointment to the Supreme Court collegium. The apex court has only 31 judges, while the high courts have 1,079. It is eventually the high court judges who get elevated to the Supreme Court, the official said, when asked to explain the reasons behind the Centres push for revamping the MoP.

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A 22-year-old woman, who her family claimed was mentally unstable and kept in chains to prevent her from escaping, was rescued by her neighbours in Telanganas Jagtial town on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.

An eye-witness said Chityala Geetha, a resident of Vani Nagar area, was found crying in front of her house with her hands tied with an iron chain in the evening. Geetha told the neighbours that she was being tortured by her brothers and sisters-in-law, who made her do all the household chores.

When I tried to run away from home unable to bear their torture, they tied my hands with an iron chain behind my back and locked it, she said.

Geetha said she lost her father a few years ago and was living with her brothers  Chityala Narayana, Ramesh and Srinivas  since then.

She claimed to have done her graduation in arts and worked as a teacher in a private school for some time. She alleged that her sisters-in-law Manasa, Latha and Radha had been ill-treating her for the last few years and forcing her to do all the household work including bathing their children, washing their clothes etc. Even her brothers used to beat her regularly, V Srinivas, a local resident, said.

The neighbours with the help of local municipal councillor Guggilla Harish took her to Jagtial police station, where her chains were removed. The police summoned her brothers and questioned them.

Her brothers said Geetha has been mentally unsound since she was 11 years old and they had spent a huge amount of money on her treatment. She used to hurl stones at people at times and that was why they kept her chained, they told the police.

The woman appeared to be very much disturbed mentally though she was speaking normally at times. We are sending her to the hospital to get her checked. If she is found normal, we will take action against the brothers as per the law. In any case, chaining a person is not proper, Jagtial town police inspector R Prakash told Hindustan Times.

Jagtial district superintendent of police Ananta Sarma said the woman should be shifted to the State Home for Women and Child Welfare in Hyderabad if it is found that her family members tortured her.

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President Ram Nath Kovind, on Thursday, launched Bihars Rs 1.54 lakh crore, third agriculture road map (2017-2022), saying proper implementation of measures outlined, particularly those related to water management, could help Bihar emerge leader of the second green revolution.

On his first visit to the state, following his elevation from Patna Raj Bhawan to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Kovind said he was pleased to launch the road map, at Bapu Sabhagar here, in the centenary year of Mahatma Gandhis Champaran Satyagraha movement for bringing about a change in the lives of farmers.

I am hopeful that the third road map, since 2008, will bring about a change in the lives of farmers, who continue to grapple with the twin onslaughts of flood and drought. It also prepares the foundation for nation building, he said.

The President said the previous road maps had helped the state to usher far reaching changes in agricultural practices. There has been a 90% jump in paddy productivity, from 1.3 ton to 2.5 ton per hectare. Krishi Karman awards in paddy, wheat and maize production is an indicator of the achievements so far, he said.

Recalling his association with the state, the President said that though he was not a Bihari by birth, he was more of Bihari by virtue of the knowledge and culture he acquired from the place and its luminaries.

All stakeholders should start working for Bihars image building, he said, apparently prompting that it would help create the platform for pushing one Bihari food item on the plate of every Indiana target of the government.

Coming to specifics, Kovind said the emphasis on organic farming and creation of organic corridor along the Ganga River can bring about a big change. The focus on updating land records is another good initiative, he added.

Water management will, however, remain the key, Kovind said, expressing his satisfaction on the launch of four related schemes, including the stress on ground water recharge and revival of the age-old ahar and pyne system of irrigation.

The integration of the idea for rainbow revolution for improving farm income will provide a sustainable foundation and efforts should be made for improving shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Sudha Dairy is a living example. Its products have crossed Bihars borders and are available in north and eastern states, the President said.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar said that learning from past experiences the state government was determined to build on it. We are in the process of completing survey and settlement of land records, which will help in tackling land disputes and pave the way for land consolidation and increasing productivity, he said.

Kumar said that after achieving milestones in paddy, wheat and maize productivity, the state had set its eye on improving vegetable production. In order to jump to pole position, from number three position now, we are adopting organic farming and working on providing dedicated power feeders for agriculture and improving rural road connectivity for better market access, he said.

Bihar Governor Satya Pal Mallik, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, agriculture minister Prem Kumar and ministers of remaining 11 departments concerned were also present at the launch function.

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he Rajasthan health department has strengthened manpower and ramped up anti-larval and fogging drives to combat the spurt in the number of dengue cases in Kota and Jaipur, officials said on Thursday.

State health minister Kali Charan Saraf reviewed the situation and directed officials to control the surge in the mosquito-borne disease.

Following the health ministers direction, manpower has been strengthened by deputing three additional epidemiologists in Jaipur and two in Kota, said additional director (rural health) Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur.

The epidemiologists will analyse the patterns, cause and effects of the vector-borne disease along with identifying the risk factors for the disease and targets for preventive healthcare, he said.

This apart, six teams of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, medical and health department and district administration, will be carrying out anti-larval and fogging drives for 15 days in Jaipur, Mathur said.

In Kota, 125 litres of pyrethrum and 11 fogging machines have been issued along with an additional ELISA machine has been sent for diagnosing dengue, he said.

A team from the Centre has been sent to Kota to investigate the rising number of dengue cases and a proposal has been sent to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme to send a team.

Apart from this,  77 lakh has been allocated to Kota for purchasing two ELISA machines and a PCR machine.

From January 1, 2017 until now, a total 6,674 cases have tested positive for the vector-borne disease of who 10 have died.

The worst affected districts are Kota, leading with 1,731 cases, followed by Jaipur with 1,663 cases, Dholpur 592, Ajmer 287 and Bharatpur with 248 among others.

The number of cases of dengue has started to decline now, Mathur said.

The cases started rising in the state from the second week September with 318 people testing positive for dengue, which steadily increased every week to 432, 754, 853, 664, and 1,102 until October last week and in the first week of November, the cases declined to 494,a health department official said.

In Jaipur, there were 68 cases of dengue in second week of September, which went to 39, 131, 310, 261, 251, 241 week after week and in first week of November, the cases were only 120.

Similarly, in Kota, there were 67 cases in the second week of September, which went up to 120, 130, 111, 121, 119, 228 every week and in the first week of November, there were185 cases, the official said.

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A PIL was filed in the Rajasthan high court on Thursday against the state government and the striking in-service doctors seeking disciplinary action against them and their dismissal from service.

The PIL was filed by advocate Dr Abhinav Sharma against the state government, principal secretary of the home department, director general of police, chief medical and health officer Churu, Dr Ajay Choudhary, in-service medical officer Dr Durgashanker Saini, Rajasthan State Medical Council and ACMM No. 11 Jaipur Metropolitan.

Through the PIL we want to highlight the hardships being caused by the striking doctors to the general public for their own vested interest. The demands of the doctors are self-centric and personal in nature and have no bearing on patient welfare, Abhinav said.

A division bench headed by justice KS Jhaveri listed the matter for hearing on Friday. The court said that a copy of the PIL be served to the advocate general and directed that he come prepared for hearing as the court will take cognizance against the striking doctors, said Abhinav.

The PIL sought a direction by the court that the strike of the in-service doctors  called by Dr Ajay Choudhary, Dr Durgashanker Saini and in-service medical officer be held unconstitutional and illegal.

Abhinav said that the strike called by the doctors is in violation of a high court order given in 2012 which stated that doctors cannot resort to measures like strikes to sort out their issues with the government.

Abhinav along with fellow advocate Anand Sharma had also filed a complaint to the State Human Rights Commission. The commission chairman, Prakash Tatia, had passed an order on November 6 directing the agitating in-service doctors to immediately rejoin service. But the doctors had defied it, said Abhinav.

The PIL sought that the State Medical Council strike off names from the rolls of those agitating doctors who are absenting themselves from duties and the trial in charge-sheet and FIR dating to 2012 against Dr Choudhary and others be proceeded and concluded within a period of three months.

Sharma said he has attached copies of the chargesheet and FIR filed against Dr Choudhary for leading a strike in 2011. Also attached were copies of orders dismissing 12 other doctors who had joined in the 2011 strike.

The PIL urged the court to direct the state government to launch disciplinary action against the doctors and those booked under the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1970 and who are dismissed on account of insubordination and indiscipline or, dereliction of duty should not be reinstated.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended the Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE) tag for University of Rajasthan (RU) till March 2019, vice-chancellor RK Kothari said.

The tag will help the university, facing financial crunch, in getting grants from the commission.

RU, the states oldest and largest university, was selected by the UGC for the UPE scheme in the 12th plan period (2012-15). As of now, there are 15 universities in the country with the UPE tag. They include Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Jadavpur University, Kolkata; and University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.

The UPE scheme was initiated by UGC during its ninth plan period to provide substantial support to selected universities to help bring them at par with the world-class universities. Promoting credit-based modular system, academic programmes relevant to socio-economic needs of nation, and examination reforms were some of the other objectives of the scheme.

The extension of UPE tag will facilitate the release of Rs 25 crore grant to the university. Of the total promised grant of Rs 50 crore, we have already got half. We did not get the remaining Rs 25 crore as the review could not take place for some reasons. The UGC team will visit us this month end and most likely approve the remaining grant, said prof AK Nagawat, convener of the universitys coordination committee for UPE.

The upper limit for financial assistance for a university under the scheme is Rs 50 crore out of which 30% is to be spent on the focus area identified by the university earlier. The focus area in case of RU is Materials and Converging Sciences: Nano Particles, nano-composites and multilayers. The remaining amount of the total grant has to be spent on holistic development of the university.

From the initial grant, RU has already spent Rs 8 crore on the focus area and another Rs 9 crore for the construction of library building, Nagawat said. About Rs 1-2 crore of grant will be used in introducing e-governance in the university.
Japan sends water purifiers to support flood victims in Vietnam

The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has just donated 105 water filtering systems to help residents in the two central provinces of Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Nam cope with aftermath of flooding.





Japan International Cooperation Agency delivers 105 water filterers to support flood victims in Vietnam on November 8.







The filterers were delivered to local authorities on November 8.



Speaking at the ceremony of delivering the aids, which was attended by Minister at Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, Nagai Katsuro, and representative of the JICA Vietnam Office, Shu Kitamura, Head of the General Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Tran Quang Hoai highly appreciated the timely support from the Japanese Government to Vietnamese people.



"The aid has demonstrated the close friendship and cooperation between Japan and Vietnam," Hoai stressed, adding that they will soon send the donations to flood victims in Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Nam provinces.









The filterers arrived at Da Nang International Airport on November 7.

Vietnam has been making efforts to cope with aftermaths of widespread flooding caused by typhoon Damrey which swept through central Vietnam last weekend.



The National Committee for Search and Rescue reported that storm Damrey that hit Vietnam on November 4 and following downpours and floods had claimed 89 lives and left 18 missing and 174 other injured in central and Central Highlands localities as of 5pm on November 7.
Less than a week after joining BJP, former Trinamool bigwig Mukul Roy faced trouble from a rather unexpected quarter on Thursday.

Namrata Dutta, the Bengaluru-based software professional who has accused Rajya Sabha MP and former CPI(M) member Ritabrata Banerjee of raping her by promising marriage, lodged a police complaint against Roy alleging he was putting pressure on her to withdraw her complaint against Banerjee.

Thursdays complaint was lodged at Balurghat police station in South Dinajpur district where Dutta has her permanent residence. Inspector-in-charge of Balurghat police station, Sanjay Ghosh, told the media that charges against Mukul Roy were registered under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 195 A (threatening someone to give false evidence), 214 (offering gift to shield an offender) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Read: Mukul Roys induction leaves Bengal BJP disturbed, Left happy and Congress indifferent

Incidentally, Banerjee was supposed to get married to his fiance Durba Sen on Thursday evening. The couple, as well as Archana Majumdar, a physician close to Mukul Roy, were named in the new complaint filed by Namrata Dutta. Majumdar was earlier named in a complaint and even interrogated by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Majumdar telephoned me and warned I would be in trouble if I didnt withdraw my complaint because Mukul Roy is a very influential person. So, I lodged a complaint under non-bailable sections of the IPC against Roy, said the techie. I was even told that Ritabrata is related to him, she added.

A man called me and said a sum of Rs 8 lakh had been deposited in my bank account, and I should go silent. The voice sounded like that of Ritabrata, alleged Dutta.

Read: Court asks Ritabrata Banerjee to surrender in three weeks

Roy dismissed the allegation. I dont even know who Namrata Dutta is. I havent even seen, or talked to her. Bengal is witnessing a police rule. Some people are scared of me because they know how much damage I can do if I get proactive, Roy said in Kolkata. Though he did not name any political party it was apparent that he was pointing finger at Trinamool Congress leaders.

Banerjee, however, did not hesitate to accuse the CPI(M) of conspiring against him. Certain leaders in the CPI(M) are after me and this entire episode (the complaint by Namrata Dutta) is their handiwork, Banerjee said on Wednesday after he emerged from a four-hour grilling by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sleuths.

Read: Ritabrata Banerjee enjoying protection of Mukul Roy, alleges woman who accused him of rape

38-year-old Banerjee was expelled from CPI(M) for anti-party and anti-communist role in mid-September. He, too, filed a police complaint, alleging extortion by Dutta.

Incidentally, photos and videos of intimate moments of Banerjee and Dutta have gone viral on social media. There are also speculations that Banerjee is keeping in touch with Roy and trying to join the BJP.

Before lodging the first police complaint in the second week of October, Dutta tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to her posts on Twitter. Her main allegation was that Banerjee promised marriage and got intimate with her but subsequently turned his back on her.
The DUQC (Delhi University Queer Collective) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Delhi Queer Pride on November 12 by consolidating students from the LGBTQI+ community. Whats new is that the students have shared their journeys and experiences on online platforms in a campaign called The Pride Writeathon, jointly organised by the collective and Youth Ki Awaaz, an online content publishing platform, and whats interesting is that the majority have shared their stories under their real names  a striking departure from what has, so far, been the norm.

We all talk of queer pride but no one knows the struggle behind the pride.

 Rafiul Alom Rahman

We all talk of queer pride but no one knows the struggle behind it. The campaign is an effort to bring out these stories and what goes on behind them, whether they are tales of love, hate, desire or anything else, says Rafiul Alom Rahman, the founding member of DUQC and an LGBTQ activist.

The campaign is a run up to thr annual Pride March, to be hold on November 12, in the Capital. (Raj k Raj/HT Photo)

The campaign that started recently, featured thirteen stories at the time of going into print, and is a part of the run-up to the annual Pride March to be held in the Capital. What is amazing here is that students are sharing their experiences online under their own names. For other queer students who havent come out yet, this will be great encouragement and will also help them get a sense of belonging, Rafiul adds.

Realizing the need to bring people out of anonymity becomes imperative, since the subject is still taboo among circles queer individuals inhabit, including their homes.

A movement of this sort is necessary to normalise people about the queer community, says Srestha Bhattacharya, a third year Sociology student from Miranda House, Delhi University (DU), who identifies as a bisexual. Even though my family have accepted my orientation, they arent comfortable with it. My mother tells me that she has accepted it, but says agar koi puchega, toh I wont be able to talk about it, she says.

I was 10 years old when my father beat me up for dressing like a girl.  Keshav Kumar (name changed)

For some others, like Keshav Kumar (name changed), a second-year gay student from Ramjas College, the situation was much bleaker  both at home and educational institutions. My mannerisms were very feminine and that did not sit well with my father at all. I was 10 years old when he beat me up for dressing like a girl, he says, adding, Things outside of home werent very different either. I was always bullied. People told me I looked girly, and some went as far as calling me a chhakka and a hijra, Keshav recalls.

Grave misconceptions and inaccurate knowledge is one of the reasons behind the victimisation and segregation of the community.

Having experts and counsellors in colleges is only one side to it; a peer structure that is positive needs to be built.  Harish Iyer

Harish Iyer, an activist and a visiting faculty in a Mumbai college, feels that such movements should also include teachers. It is not just about students; universities and colleges should make it conducive for the faculty to come out. There should be no fear of prosecution. Whats most needed is to create peer groups in colleges as thats where most discrimination comes from. Having experts and counsellors in colleges is only one side to it; a peer structure that is positive, needs to be built, he explains.

Ashok Row Kavi, LGBTQ activist and founder of Humsafar Trust, agrees for the need of a support system, but says that such activism lacks a solid foundation. Children get bullied and become victims of predatory sex. Coming out is fraught with a lot of dangers as there can be violence on the campus. These things need to be taken into consideration before coming out. Build allies and friends of LGBT by involving parents and peers. How do you know that if someone says I am gay, he wont be beaten up? Its like throwing them to the wolves. I think its thoughtless activism, he says.

A message that Iyer wants to convey to youngsters who want to come out to their parents is to allow them time to adjust. They need to understand that it took them years to understand their sexuality, but when they come out to their parents, they expect an instant reaction. Parents would have to unlearn years of conditioning to learn and accept it, opines Iyer.

Rituj Sahu, a 26-year-old student of Young India Fellowship program, who hasnt yet come out to his parents, feels that ones dignity should not be compromised, no matter what. When you come out, dont put yourself at the mercy of anyones approval, says Sahu.
A monorail train caught fire at Mysore Colony station in Chembur on Thursday morning. Services have been shut down following the incident, and are likely to resume only in the afternoon.

Disaster management officials said the fire broke out at 5.20 am and was brought under control in around 40 minutes. Three fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot to put it out.

As it was early morning, there was no rush at the station when the fire broke out. No commuters were injured.

Prima facie, it looks like the fire was caused by a short circuit, a fire brigade official said, requesting anonymity. Metropolitan commissioner UPS Madan has ordered an inquiry by an independent committee to determine the cause of the fire. He has also asked for a check on all operational monorail trains.

A statement released by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) said fire broke out before services began at 5.30 am.The motorman noticed smoke coming from the last coach and called the fire brigade immediately. The fire was extinguished by 6am, Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director, MMRDA, said.

Currently, the city has one monorail line which runs along a nine-km route, covering seven stations, from Chembur to Wadala.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Congress alliance retained power in the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) by comfortably bagging the posts of mayor and deputy mayor in the election held on Thursday.

This comes despite the rebellion by a section of Congress corporators, who fielded a rebel candidate for the post of deputy mayor. Significantly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remained neutral and did not support the Shiv Senas spirited bid to unseat the Congress-NCP alliance. The victory comes as a boost for NCP strongman Ganesh Naik.

Sources said NCP chief Sharad Pawar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis got together to facilitate the win. Fadnavis ensured that the BJP did not support the Sena. Pawarsaheb played an important role, said NCP chief Sunil Tatkare.

In the mayoral polls, NCPs Jaywant Sutar trounced Senas Somnath Waskar by 29 votes. Sutar got 67 votes while his opponent got 38. I will work to provide basic facilities to Navi Mumbai residents, said Sutar.

In the deputy mayor elections, three Congress corporators voted against official candidate Mandakini Mhatre, but she won by 26 votes, defeating the Senas Dwarkanath Bhoir.

In the Navi Mumbai civic house of 111 members, 52 belong to the NCP. They are supported by 10 Congress and five independent corporators. In the Opposition, the Sena has 38 members, while the BJP has six.

Till recently, Sena strongman Vijay Chaugule was set to contest the Mayoral polls and was in touch with a section of the Congress and independent corporators. However, the BJPs decision to not support the Sena derailed his plans and he did not contest.

The Senas claims that BJP ministers are corruption allegedly angered the party, which thus decided against supporting the Sena. Six of seven elected representatives of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the Mumbai civic body recently defected to the Shiv Sena, further angering the BJP.

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As ties between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) get more strained and bitter, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has decided to take on its ally in the Gujarat Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in December.

The Sena, which continues to be the BJPs ally in the Maharashtra government despite fractious relations, plans to contest between 50 and 70 seats in Gujarat. Significantly, the party did not contest the 2012 Gujarat polls; then it had said that it did not want to divide Hindu votes.

A team led by senior Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai is in Ahmedabad currently to identify candidates as well as the seats to be contested. Accompanying Desai are the partys Gujarati faces Rajul Patel and Hemraj Shah. We have not finalised the numbers yet, but the Sena will contest 50 to 70 seats. We will field candidates from Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, a few seats in Saurashtra, including Rajkot, Kutch, among other constituencies, Desai told HT.

A senior Sena leader reiterated that the party would extend support to Hardik Patel, leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, in the remaining constituencies. So far, Patel has not announced any move to field candidates.

The Senas move looks to be specifically aimed at hurting the BJPs chances, though Desai refutes it when asked. In the past couple of years, the Sena has been fighting against the BJP - we have done it in Maharashtra [in various civic polls] and other states as well. Wherever we have a sizeable presence, we have contested, he said.

The party cadre has been doing a lot of ground work, and if we keep away at the time of polls, it does not go down well [with party workers], Desai added.

The Sena will contest the Gujarat polls on the hardline Hindutva agenda, a poll plank once adopted by the BJP. A senior Sena leader said: The Hindutva agenda has a lot of supporters. The BJP has forgotten it conveniently, but we have not. Confirming the campaign plan, Desai said: The ideology of the Sena is based on Hindutva, so yes, we will be going all out on that agenda.

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Ruby Moon Where: G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture, Mahalaxmi When: November 11 and 12, 7.30 pm Cost: Rs 550. Tickets available on insider.in

On a quiet day in the suburban town of Flaming Tree Grove, six-year-old Ruby, clad in a red dress, left home to visit her grandmother at the end of the street. She never returned. Years later, her parents Sylvie and Ray Moon are still trying to figure out what happened when they receive an anonymous package containing a body part from Rubys favourite doll.

Over the next few days, more packages, each containing bits of the dismembered doll, arrive at the Moons doorstep.

First staged in 2003, playwright Matt Camerons Ruby Moon went on to become a much-acclaimed Australian production, finding its way into school curricula too. The whodunit will premiere in India this weekend, with actors Tavish Bhattacharyya and Kyla DSouza playing Ray and Sylvie.

Directed by Glenn Hayden, Ruby Moon is part of an initiative by The Peas and Carrots Theatre Co to bring more Australian productions to India. Its a play that transcends borders. Its themes of grief, loss and marriage are universal, Hayden says.

Hear from others whove staged the play

Apart from portraying the couple, Bhattacharya and DSouza also play the role of the male and female neighbours in the town. As part of their preparation, the duo watched interviews of people whose children had gone missing and researched visual depictions of grief and despair.

Its not a linear, straightforward script. With each character and scene, youre changing the audiences perceptions, says Bhattacharya.

Hayden also references Theatre of Catastrophe, the term coined by British playwright Howard Barker to describe narratives where each member of the audience draws their own interpretations, instead of a collective response. The audience will experience heightened catastrophe. The play forces them to introspect, posing more questions than answers, he says.

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A sessions court has acquitted a 28-year-old man of rape charges after the complainant, now his wife, admitted that she had filed the police complaint in a fit of anger after he had gone incommunicado for a week.

The woman told the court that they had sorted out their differences since then and are now happily married with a child.

In 2016, the Shivaji Nagar police had booked Mohmad Faizan Khan after his girlfriend filed a complaint alleging that he had raped her under the pretext of marriage.

The couple had met in 2011 at a wedding, fallen in love, and had informed their parents. In the meantime, in 2014, Khan took a rented apartment in the city, where the couple started meeting and got into a sexual relationship. In August 2015, the woman said she got pregnant, but terminated the pregnancy after Khan asked her to. In early 2016, Khan went to his native place in Uttar Pradesh to meet his parents for a week. She alleged that during his stay there, he went incommunicado, which upset her, and she went to the police.

A year after the case came up for trial, when she was summoned to depose before court, she did not support the prosecutors case and during cross-examination denied that Khan had forced himself on her and admitted that he had never refused to marry her. She added that as soon as Khan returned to the city, he had reached out to her and they had settled their differences.

Based on this testimony, the court acquitted Khan last week.
After Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said his party would love to join hands with a like-minded party in the future, the Maharashtra Congress said any decision on an alliance will be taken by its national leadership. However, the Congress also said the NCP should come clean on its relationship with the Shiv Sena.

It is good that the NCP has realised that it should join hands with us to avoid the division of secular votes. The decision about coming together will be taken by our party high command, but for that the NCP will have to first clarify what its relations with Shiv Sena is, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan told HT.

The state leadership of the Congress also questioned its former allys change of mind. Why does NCP want to come closer to us after three years of hobnobbing with the BJP? Pawar has shared dais with the PM, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and praised them. The party has now realised the change in political air, which has forced it to try to come closer to us. By reiterating that Pawar will play an important role in 2019, the party is making fun of itself, another state leader said. Meanwhile, city unit of Congress held protests at Azad Maidan and a candle march at Juhu Chowpatty to mark the anniversary of note ban.

Shiv Sena mum on Pawar meet

A day after it came to light that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the latters residence sometime ago, the Sena continued to maintain silence on the issue. Even as Pawar confirmed that such a meeting took place and made it clear that he would not support the BJP or the Sena for government, Thackeray has not refuted the claim.

On the other hand, Sena insiders said the party leadership wanted to show that it was exploring all options since the BJP plans to induct former CM Narayan Rane into the state cabinet.

Confirming that the meeting was held on the day Thackeray and his son Aaditya met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, a senior Sena leader said, We keep meeting political leaders. Whats new in that? We discussed many issues with him [Pawar], including the current political scenario. We made it clear that we will make our own strategy.

Meanwhile, Sena mouthpiece Saamana taunted NCP leader Praful Patel for saying that Pawar could be the next PM in 2019.
The saturated Mumbai airport added 11 more flights  at least seven for international destinations  to its winter schedule that began from October 15. These flights operate between 11 pm and 3 am.

A September report released by a Sydney-based aviation think tank, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said the Mumbai airport had reached 94% of its maximum passenger handling capacity of 48 million. It predicted that by 2018, it will reach its saturation point. The city airport currently handles 45.2 million passengers and sees around 930 flight operations daily.

Why late night or early morning slots? An airport official said this was because domestic passengers do not prefer taking late night flights. Air traffic is less at night as compared to day operations. Airlines first apply for a request of additional slots to the airport operator who then forwards it to the Air Traffic Control (ATC), which checks the availability of a time table.  The slots were allotted by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in mid September.

Most of the new flights are between 11pm and 3am and fly to regular destinations such as London, Amsterdam, Riyadh, Kuwait and Colombo.

Meanwhile, GoAir has pressed an additional flight to and from Patna. We have added 202 more flight in India this winter compared to 171 flights in the same period last year, said a spokesperson of the airline.

Similarly, Jet Airways has added a Mumbai- Delhi flight, taking the number of Delhi flights to 17 daily. There are 50-odd flights to the Capital from Mumbai. Jet Airways has increased flight frequency to London, Kuwait and Riyadh. Dutch carrier KLM, which revived its operations to Amsterdam after a gap of more than a decade, operates three flights per week. Sources said Indigo too had increased frequency of flights in winter schedule. Its spokesperson was not available for comment.
For the first time ever, the Railways have started installing sharp, barbed metal wires - called concertina wires - to seal illegal entry and exit points on railway premises across Mumbai and dissuade people from crossing tracks.

Every year, around 3,000 people lose their lives on the local railway network. Of these, most people die while crossing tracks. To deter people, the Railways have, in the past, built cement-concrete walls along tracks, but there are many spots where the walls have been damaged or broken deliberately to allow illegal entries and exits.

Officials hope the wire fences will help reduce the number of track deaths.

The Railways have already started identifying vulnerable spots on the local suburban network and installing these spiked fences. Central Railway (CR) officials said they have fitted them along the tracks on the Thane-Airoli, Currey Road-Chinchpokli and Parel-Dadar stretches. We are fixing wires at stretches commonly used to cross tracks, said SK Jain, divisional railway manager, CR.

The audit teams formed after the Elphinstone Road station stampede on September 29, to arrive at both short- and long-term measures to prevent a repetition of the incident that claimed 23 lives, recommended that a 17.5km-long concrete wall be built to seal railway boundaries.

Previously, the Railways have installed iron barricades between tracks at railway stations as people would hop across tracks to change platforms instead of using the foot over-bridges. These barricades have proved quite useful in stopping such trespasses at stations.
The Uttar Pradesh government-appointed committee of three ministers to tackle realty issues in Noida and Greater Noida has warned builders that they will either deliver flats by December-end or go to jail, officials said.

The ministers made the statement during a meeting with the chief executive officers of Noida and Greater Noida authorities in Lucknow on Wednesday, called to discuss the delivery schedule of flats.

On August 22, UP government had constituted a three-member committee to look into homebuyers issues. The committee comprises industries minister Satish Mahana, urban development minister Suresh Khanna and minister of state for industry and sugar mills Suresh Rana. The committee has held many meetings with the builders to expedite delivery.

On September 12, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed the Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities to deliver 50,000 flats in three months. However, builders are yet to expedite delivery and offer relief to homebuyers.

The government wants builders to expedite delivery of flats to provide relief to homebuyers. If the builders do not deliver or solve buyers issues as per their promised schedule, we will initiate legal action against them. The committee made it clear that whoever fails to deliver is bound to face stringent action, said Alok Tandon, chief executive officer of the Noida authority.

Of 50,000 flats,12,500 flats are to be delivered in Noida, 27,500 in Greater Noida and 10,000 in areas under the Yamuna Expressway authority.

Now, the committee has instructed the builders to deliver flats by December-end to evade action. The authorities are trying to help builders in delivering flats to benefit buyers.

There are 31 projects for which occupancy certificates (OC) are about to be issued. It will help around 20,000 buyers in getting delivery, provided the builders complete all formalities related to OC application. We will meet them on November 15 to resolve minor issues and expedite delivery, said Debasish Panda, CEO of the Greater Noida authority.

The builders will be able to deliver flats faster if the UP government further relaxes the process of issuance of OCs. For example, the authorities should start issuing OC to a ready building without asking for land dues at this stage. And once the OC is issued, the authority can recover land dues per flat at the time of registration. If the government supports the builders, delivery will happen quickly, said Getambar Anand, CMD, ATS Builders, and president of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed its first charge sheet in the multi-crore government fund transfer scam in Bihar against seven people, including the late founder-director of the cooperative society in Bhagalpur district that is allegedly the main beneficiary of the financial fraud.

The charge sheet was submitted in the court of special CBI judicial magistrate-cum-additional chief judicial magistrate Gayatri Kumari in Patna on Wednesday under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Corruption Act.

Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samitis founder Manorama Devi died of illness at the age of 65 on February 13, while the other four accused named in the charge sheet are currently lodged in jail.

The others named in the charge sheet are Bhagalpurs land acquisition officers Rakesh Kumar Jha and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Bank of Baroda senior manager Barun Kumar Singh, Indian Bank accountant Ajay Kumar Pandey, retired branch manager of Bank of Baroda Arun Kumar Singh and nazir of district board Rakesh Kumar.

The special public prosecutor of CBI, Akhtar Hussain Khan, said land acquisition officers Rakesh Kumar Jha and Rajiv Ranjan Singh were evading arrest.

More charge sheets are likely to be filed soon as the role of cooperative registrar Satish Kumar Jha, Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samitis office-bearer Sarita Jha, Bhagalpur district magistrates steno Prem Kumar, Bank of Baroda officer Atul Ranjan and alleged middleman Vanshidhar Jha was also under investigation.

The scam involving the cooperative society came to light when a District Urban Development Authority (DUDA) cheque for Rs 10.32 crore, issued by the district magistrate under the Mukahyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, bounced on account of lack of funds.

The CBI took over the investigation of the scam on August 25 after chief minister Nitish Kumar recommended a probe by the premier investigating agency.

The size and scope of the scam have been increasing by the day and so far diversion of more than Rs 1,400-crore fund from various departments in Bhagalpur, Banka and Saharsa districts in east Bihar to the Samiti has been detected.

Sixteen FIRs have been registered at different police stations in Bhagalpur, Banka and Saharsa districts. So far, 19 police complaints have been lodged and 18 accused arrested by the special investigation team of Bhagalpur Police, which began the probe initially.

One of the accused Mahesh Mandal, the father of a Janata Dal (United) leader, died while undergoing treatment in judicial custody.

Out of 19 complaints, 12 have been transferred to the CBI. The other seven FIRs are related to embezzlement of funds at block levels and they will be handed over to CBI soon, said an official at the state police headquarters.

The scam took place between 2007 and 2013 when deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi was the finance minister though the government says the Samiti was authorised to transfer funds in 2003 when RJD chief Lalu Prasads wife, Rabri Devi, was the chief minister.

The Samiti is accused of embezzling crores of money from different accounts of district administration with the alleged connivance of government officials and bank staff on the pretext of several welfare schemes.

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The Congress party held a candle march in Phase 8 Dussehra ground here on Wednesday where Punjab Pradesh Congress president Sunil Jakhar lashed out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying, The ego of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot be larger than the interest of the nation.

Jakhar said the wrong policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have manifested in demonetisation. This has not only affected the economy of the nation but also the parliamentary form of government.

Before implementing demonetisation neither the finance minister Arun Jaitley nor the former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan were taken into confidence. The prime minister is behaving in a dictatorial manner. Demonetisation has resulted in unemployment and lack of jobs.

Will win HP, Gujarat polls

He said the Congress victory in Gurdaspur by-election was the flame and torch will be seen in Himachal Pradesh elections, while the heat will be felt in Gujarat elections. The government still has one and a half year left with them and they need to acknowledge their mistake. The government should come out and apologise for the deaths of 150 people who had died while standing in the queues.

Manmohan Singh a nice soul, but Cong forcing him to oppose note ban

The union minister of minority affairs said the former Prime Minster Manmohan Singh believes that demonetisation was a good step, but the Congress party is forcing him to speak against it. The members of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday celebrated the first anniversary of demonetisation as anti-black money day.

Addressing the media on the first anniversary of demonetisation at the Bharatiya Janata Partys office here in Sector 33, Naqvi said, Singh is a nice person and a mature politician and he is happy with the decision of note ban, but the Congress for their own vested interest is dictating him to oppose it.

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (right) with Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon at BJP office in Sector 33. (Sikander Singh/HT)

The BJP-led government has brought development in the past three years. It has brought reform, performed and transformed and despite that Congress is opposing it, he said.

The minister said due to the demonetisation digital payments have increased in the entire country. Today, even the small villages, one can make transactions through ATMs and even across the world, investors have shown interest in India. Also, due to demonetisation we have increased the income tax net to 57 lakh people and terror activities have reduced in the valley, he said.

He added, The people of the country have accepted the note ban, but only few corrupt people and Congress are opposing it and in reality people are not against it. Even soon after the demonetisation, BJP won the MC elections last year and later in Uttar Pradesh.

Later in the evening, the members of Bharitya Janta Yuva Morcha carried out a signature campaign for anti-black day celebrations at the Sukhna Lake.
The UT Police on Thursday arrested a woman for allegedly leaking the Haryana Civil Service (judicial) examination.

Accused Sunita, the alleged mastermind of the leak, has been remanded to three-day police custody.

In an internal probe conducted by the Punjab and Haryana high court, it was earlier found that the question paper of Haryana Civil Service (judicial) examination conducted on July 16 was leaked.

Haryana Public Service Commission had put out an advertisement for recruitment of 109 HCS officers (judicial) on March 20. The matter had reached court in August on the petition of one Suman, a Pinjore resident, who had sought a CBI probe alleging that paper leak was a package deal offered by those involved, to some candidates.

It was alleged that the prelims toppers in two different categories  Sunita and Sushila  could not qualify any competitive examination in the past. But in this exam they had exceptionally high numbers.

The HC probe panel had also recommended registration of an FIR against Balwinder Kumar Sharma, registrar (recruitment), whose name had figured in the paper leak case, and two candidates,including Sunita

A Special investigation team (SIT) was constituted under superintendent of police (SP-crime and investigation) Ravi Kumar.

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The Chandigarh administration has decided to rehabilitate the family of a 10-year-old girl, who gave birth to an infant after being raped over a period of seven months by her maternal uncles, in an effort to alleviate their trauma.

The move to shift the girl and her family out of the house came days after the two accused  one employed as a cook and the other a security guard at the same hotel  were sentenced to life imprisonment. The child has undergone severe trauma. The family has been trying to resume a normal life, but doing so is difficult because people in the locality know the victim, an official said on the condition of anonymity.

Must read | 10-yr-old rape victims child is now free to be adopted

Though the father was initially unwilling to shift, he has now sought time till the school session is completed. The family that owns their rented accommodation has also decided to move out.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act provides for the victim to be shifted out of the locality where the rape occurred to help her overcome her trauma, the official said. However, such rehabilitation is carried out only in the rarest of rare cases, and usually, the victims family moves out on its own.

A few months ago, the child welfare committee had recommended that the victim be shifted out of their one-room accommodation because staying in such conditions was unhygienic. Sources said they have been allocated a house in another sector of Chandigarh, and would be moved there soon.

Even though every effort was made to keep the childs identity a secret, shifting the family has become inevitable because of all the media attention received by the case, the official said.

Four months of twists and turns

The girls mother took her to a hospital after she complained of stomach-ache in July, only to find that she was 30 weeks pregnant. Her parents approached a local court with a petition that they be allowed to abort the foetus, but in vain.

One of her maternal uncles, who worked as a guard, was arrested for the crime. The case, however, hit a hurdle when the DNA of the accused did not match that of the infant  who was born on August 17. The girl then revealed that she was also raped by the second maternal uncle, a cook by profession. The two were then convicted by a fast-track court.

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The plain farming chore of burning after-harvest paddy stalks as farmers prepared their fields in Punjab and Haryana for the wheat crop never headlined so much as in the past month.

The swirling smoke from the fire is blamed for the thick haze that has shrouded New Delhi, where the conditions were exacerbated by fog, dust, vehicle exhaust fumes and no high wind to blow the toxic air away.

The air quality in Chandigarh too has become very poor with the air quality index (AQI) hovering in the 301-400 range, against the acceptable limit of 100.

Farmers switching to mechanical harvesters, introduced in the early 1980s, could be the genesis of the problem. The machine cuts, threshes and cleans rice from ripe paddy in a matter of hours, saving days of menial labour.

Over the years, more farmers bought these machines and those who didnt have one could get a harvester on rent for a nominal Rs 1,300, or hereabouts, for an acre.

The downside is that harvesters skim from the top and leave 80% of the paddy plant  six to eight inches long  on the field. Except for the Basmati variety, the straw is useless.

Unlike wheat stalks that are used as animal fodder, the paddy straw has high silica content that animals cant digest. And Basmati with its low silica content is grown only in 450,000 acres.

Since farmers need to sow wheat within a fortnight of harvesting paddy, they burn the straw, or paraali, to save time, labour and money.

About 3 million acres are cultivated for paddy in Punjab and 20 million tonnes of stubble are generated every year, said Jasbir Singh Bains, the states director of agriculture.

The spike in stubble burning is blamed on the PUSA variety of rice, which is harvested late.

Authorities took drastic measures to check the smoke from the countrys food bowl such as fining farmers  up to Rs 5,000  who were found setting fields afire. Punjab government data show 2,338 farmers were fined so far and Rs 65.92 lakh collected in fines.

According to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, instances of paddy stubble burning were less this year compared to the past.

Manjeet Singh Makkar, who heads the farm machinery and power engineering department at Punjab Agricultural University, suggested three solutions.

His first suggestion is the straw chopper-cum-spreader. This machine chops the stubble and mixes it in the soil either with the help of water or a rotavator, a tool that has a steel shaft and blades and can be fitted to a tractor.

The second suggestion is a straw management system and a happy seeder. The first can be fitted to a combine harvester. It cuts the straw into small pieces and scatters it evenly. Next, a happy seeder mounted on a tractor can be used to sow wheat and put the cut straw over the area as mulch, which improves soil fertility. The two machines cost Rs 1.25 lakh each.

The third solution is a baler, which bales the straw. These can be used in power plants or cardboard factories.

Punjab agriculture director Bains said the state sought a central grant of Rs 900 crore for a crop residue management project this May. The state proposes to offer farmers 40% subsidy on balers, rakes, rotavators and happy seeders. The Centre released 48.5 crore.

These machines require an investment of more than Rs 2 lakh, but small and medium farmers dont have the money. Most are reeling from debts. The cheapest machine, a cutter-shredder, costs Rs 45,000 or more. Use of farm labour is the most expensive at Rs 6,000 an acre.

Given a choice between a box of matchsticks and machinery worth Rs 2 lakh, what will you choose? asked Billa Singh, a farmer in Phagwara.

But Navtej Singh Bains, the director of research at Punjab Agricultural University, believes new machinery is the only way out.

If every village procures one or two happy seeders, the problem will be solved. Farmers are now renting these machines for Rs 1,300 an acre. The cost is bound to fall if more farmers buy the seeders, he said.
Nayantharas highly anticipated Tamil socio-political thriller Aramm releases in cinemas this Friday. This will be her second release of the year after Dora and interestingly both these projects feature her in leading roles. She plays a district collector in Aramm, directed by Gopi Nainar, and hes all praise for the actor who gave him the much needed directorial break. In an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, Gopi said that the film wouldnt have been possible without Nayanthara. I may have made the film anyways but it wouldnt have been so big without Nayanthara. It wouldnt have got this kind of limelight had she not agreed to be part of this project, he said.

Quiz him on how he managed to bring Nayanthara, a popular star across southern industries on board and he said, I had almost given up on the film after being turned down by several producers. Most people felt my story was only suitable to be made as a documentary. I met producer Rajesh through a common friend and he wanted me to narrate the script to Nayanthara. Fifth minute into the narration, she stopped me and said that she will do the project. Gopi believes its his storys strong social angle that caught Nayantharas attention. She found the social angle in the story relevant even today. Personally, she is also socially responsible and she felt itd make sense to do this project. She owned the film and made sure that it got made, even while some people tried to stop the film, he added.

Talking about Nayantharas role, he said she will be seen as a fierce collector who has to deal with a life and death situation in a village. I believe weve successfully broken her usual image and Im sure audiences will like her in this new avatar. When I pitched the story and explained that she plays a collector, she visualised how she has to look in the film. I was really impressed with her level of involvement. Did that involvement at any point become interference, considering she was a star and can easily call the shots? Never. Once she commits to a project, she totally surrenders herself to the director and the script. She will deliver what is needed and I can proudly say in the case of Aramm, she pushed herself to the edge.

Gopi hopes the audience will embrace the film as it addresses a very important social issue. The relevance of the issue can be felt even today. Its a very powerful film and I believe itll create a huge impact.

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Vijay Sethupathis next film Junga is neck-deep in work. The films unit finished a month-long shooting schedule in Europe on Tuesday, reports The News Minute. The team had camped in Europe and has shot at exotic locations across Europe.

The films leading lady Sayyeshaa tweeted to confirm the news on November 7 along with a picture of the team. The films team will return shoot after a short break. They will resume shoot in Chennai before leaving for Bangkok for another schedule.

Sayyeshaa posted another picture from the airport in which she mentioned that she is headed for Chennai. Accompanying her is an elderly lady, possibly her mother.

The film, produced by Vijay Sethupathi at a budget of Rs 20 crore, is the story of a local don who goes to Paris to woo his lady love. Directed by Gokul, the film is expected to complete its shooting by December. The makers expect to release the film by January next year.

According to The News Minute, the bulk of the film (about 60%) will be shot in France with some portions canned in Austria, Croatia, Bulgaria and Chennai. This is supposed to be the most expensive film in Vijays career. He agreed to produce it as he was impressed with the script. He has not taken any remuneration and has reportedly produced it on a profit-sharing basis.

This is the second time director Gokul and Vijay are working together, having done Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara in the past.

Junga will see Vijay in a totally new avatar. Not only will there be shades of comedy in his role, the actor will sport a clean shaven look as well.

Riding high on the success of Vikram Vedha, Vijay Sethupathi has some high profile projects in his kitty -- he will star in Mani Ratnams multi-starrer and Chiranjeevis historic drama, Sye Raa Narasimha.

Saira Babu and Dilip Kumars grandniece Sayyeshaa, who starred in Tamil film Vanamagan, plays a girl born and bred in Paris in Junga. She made her acting debut in Telugu film Akhil, which was the launch film of Nagarjunas younger son Akkineni Akhil. She has been posting pictures from the Paris schedule for a while. Take a look.

Shooting with the super talented and humorous Raju Sundaram master in #Paris ...song shoots are my absolute favourite #eiffeltower #Junga pic.twitter.com/wDDag1Qc7B  Sayyeshaa (@sayyeshaa) October 31, 2017

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We are in the last leg of the year, and its the perfect time to take off on a long winter vacation. Its also that time of the year when there are several cultural festivals held across the country, offering a glimpse of the cultural landscape of the place you are visiting. Here are 5 festivals that you cant afford to miss:

Naga tribesmen rehearsing their traditional dance during Hornbill Festival. (Wikimedia Commons )

> Hornbill Festival, Nagaland

Date: December 1 to 10

The Hornbill Festival is a celebration of Naga heritage and an opportunity to meet people from several tribes of Nagaland, savour local food, listen to Naga songs, and browse through their traditional art. Watch out for the traditional archery and wrestling events.

Leh Palace lit up for Galdan Namchot. (Wikimedia Commons)

> Galdan Namchot, Ladakh

Date: December 12

The festival celebrates the birthday of Je Tsongkhapa, a famous teacher of Tibetan Buddhism who is the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It also marks the beginning of new year celebrations in Ladakh. Monasteries and buildings are lit up with butter lamps and traditional dishes such as Thukpa and Momo are prepared.

In a Theyyam performance, the performer takes on the role of heroes and ancestral spirits. (Wikimedia Commons )

> Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy, Kerala

Date: December 6 to 15

At this 10-day Theyyam dance performance festival, you can watch a variety of Theyyam styles like Elayoor Theyyam, Chamundi Theyyam, Panchoorla Theyyam and Muthor Theyyam. The performer takes on the role of heroes and ancestral spirits.

At the Poush Mela, you can shop for local artefacts and watch folk dances. (Wikimedia Commons)

>> Poush Mela, West Bengal

Date: December 23 to 26

Poush Mela in Santiniketan is a rural carnival. It was started by the Tagore family. Today, it is one of the top tourist attractions at Santiniketan. You can listen to Baul music, watch local folk dancers perform and shop for local artefacts.

> Winter festival in Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Date: December 29 to 30

Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan and the Winter Festival is one of the most popular events. Artisans gather to showcase their handicrafts and art. You can also listen to folk songs and watch music and dance performances of Ghoomar and Gair.

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Please join us for Business After Hours on Nov. 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. This month Business After Hours will be hosted by the Comfort Inn located at 2970 Idaho St.

The Comfort Inn provides a family friendly atmosphere for your stay, whether youre planning a vacation getaway or business trip. Conveniently located off Interstate 80 (Exit 303), the Elko hotel offers cozy accommodations, friendly service and a delicious breakfast, which includes their famous waffles and healthy breakfast options. The hotel also offers 100 percent pet free and smoke free rooms, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, indoor heated pool, premium bedding, meeting space, guest laundry, flat-screen TVs, and more.

The Comfort Inn is a great go-to destination for work-related trips and family getaways alike. Dont forget that you can earn rewards, including free nights and gift cards, with the Choice Privileges Rewards program.

The Comfort Inn is partnering with the Ruby Mountain Resource Center to help with the Coats for Comfort coat drive. If you bring a new or gently used coat to donate, you will be entered into our free raffle with a chance to win a gift card to Pizza Barn. If this will be your first time attending Business After Hours you may be entered into our other free raffle with a chance to win a gift card to Raleys for your Thanksgiving turkey!

Business After Hours is free and open to the public. It is a great place to meet business leaders, other community members, and learn about events that are happening in our area. There will be food, beverages, and raffles.

Please contact the Chamber with questions: 738-7135.
It was typical of President Donald Trump to tweet about his November 2016 victory on Wednesday, the day after his party suffered a resounding defeat in the just-concluded elections that did not augur well for the congressional polls next year, as it has been seen as a repudiation of his politics and policies.

Congratulations to all of the DEPLORABLES and the millions of people who gave us a MASSIVE (304-227) Electoral College landslide victory!, he posted, seemingly from Air Force One on his way to China with a picture of himself with aides, possibly to celebrate his stunning November 8, 2016, victory.

But back at home in the US, buoyed by the November 7, 2017 victory, Democrats declared the start of their comeback with the goal of reclaiming control of the two chambers of Congressthe Senate and the House of Representativesfrom Republicans.

The door is certainly open for us, said Nancy Pelosi, top Democrat in the House, going over the election results with reporters and the implications for the 2018 congressional races.

Pelosi said she was reminded of victories in similar elections in 2005 that led to Democrats taking the two chambers in 2006.

Democrats posted victories in an entire range of elections held on Tuesday to governorships in Virginia and New Jersey, legislatures, municipal and judicial bodies, using an unprecedented demographic and cultural mix of candidates that were so representative of the new America.

And, at the same time, they are so radically different from Trumps coalition of angry, dispossessed and insecure white voters in parts of the country devastated by globalisation and those that live in imminent fear of it. He has promised them retributory succour from their present misery.

But the president has offered them no real plans, no rescue or rehabilitation or re-employment programme, other than the headline-grabbing withdrawal of the US from trade pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which might have helped them. But they will never know.

News reports about the election results were in agreement about the chief reason behind the Republican disaster  it was a manifestation of simmering resentment against Trump, his personality, his politics and his policies among college-educated Americans, a lot of whom are life-long Republicans.

Voters are taking their anger out at the president, and the only way they can do that is by going after Republicans on the ballot, Charlie Dent, a Republican member of the House of Representative, told The New York Times. He has already announced he is retiring, and that could explain his candour.
Former President Barack Obama, free of a job that forced him to move to Washington for eight years, showed up to a downtown Chicago courthouse for jury duty on Wednesday morning. Then he heard the words most prospective jurors pray for: Youre dismissed.

The 44th presidents motorcade  considerably shorter than the one when he lived in the White House  left his home in the Kenwood neighborhood on the citys South Side and arrived at the Richard J. Daley Center shortly after 10 a.m.

Obama  wearing a dark sport coat, dress shirt, but without a tie  waved to people who gathered outside.

Former President Barack Obama waves to a crowd of people as he attends Cook County jury duty at the Daley Center on November 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (AFP)

Shortly before noon, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans told reporters that the former president had not been selected for jury duty. But Obama was ready to serve if told to do so, Evans said.

In fact, Obama was also summoned in 2010 but that was during the period when he was the most powerful leader in the world, and he was able to postpone reporting, according to his spokeswoman, Katie Hill.

On Wednesday, Obama did get the prospective juror experience of sitting through a decades-old, 20-minute video in which Lester Holt now the anchor of NBC Nightly News but back then on local news explained the ins and outs of jury duty.

People rush the doors of the jury assembly room as former President Barack Obama departs after being dismissed from jury duty in the Daley Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, in Chicago. (AP)

Obamas experience was a bit different than the others who watched the video. When he arrived there was a feeding frenzy as crowds of people inside the courthouse took photos and videos of the former president. As happens most days, would-be jurors brought books, but on Wednesday some people brought books Obama had authored in hopes he might sign them. He obliged them and posed for photographs, Evans said.

Look at this. Did you know I was coming? he asked one man who held a copy of Obamas Dreams From My Father.

Thomas Pearson, who took the video and called the experience of shaking hands with Obama the best thing I experienced in my entire life, said he wasnt going to show up for jury duty until his mother texted him that Obama would be there.

Former President Barack Obama arrives for Cook County jury duty at the Daley Center on November 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (AFP)

For his troubles, Obama is in line to receive $17.20  the daily rate of pay for performing this civic duty. Hill said that the former president would donate it to Cook County.

Obama is the highest-ranking former public official to be called to jury duty in Chicago. But he is not the first former president to be called to jury duty. In 2015, former President George W. Bush answered the jury duty call in Dallas. He was not selected to sit on a jury. And in 2003, former President Bill Clinton reported for jury duty in federal court in New York City. He also was not selected.

Nor is Obama the first famous Chicago resident to be called to jury duty. In 2004, Oprah Winfrey was on a Chicago jury that convicted a man of murder. A decade later, Lawrence Tureaud, better known as Mr. T, showed up to a suburban Chicago courthouse for jury duty, sporting his usual mohawk, but without the gold chains for which he is known. Mr. T was not chosen to sit on a jury.
A group of influential American lawmakers have urged Californias education board to adopt textbooks in schools that represent Hindus and Indian Americans with dignity.

The move comes ahead of the meeting of the all-powerful California State Board of Education this week where it would be making a final decision on whether to adopt, reject, or adopt with changes textbook drafts submitted by various publishers.

At a time of great division in our country and around the world, the importance of ensuring that the next generation is brought up respecting religious and cultural diversity, equality and pluralism is critical, Congresswoman Gabbard said in a recent letter to the Board.

At its meeting this week, the Board is expected to take a decision on California Department of Educations Instructional Quality Commission which had earlier rejected the problematic textbook drafts from publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for adversely reflecting upon Hinduism and failing to include adequate materials about the LGBT community, amongst other reasons.

Instructional Quality Commission is a State appointed commission tasked with reviewing curriculum materials.

Ahead of the meeting, a broad coalition of more than 75 interfaith and community groups, 17 state and federal elected officials and 38 leading academics urged the State Board of Education (SBE) to reject textbooks portraying Hinduism, Jainism and Indian history inaccurately and in a stereotyped manner.

These textbooks and instructional materials will determine what students learn in their classroom for the next decade and play a central role in educating students and preparing them to be successful, engaged individuals in the society, Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to US House of Representative, said.

Its essential that all elements of students learning reflect values of diversity and inclusion, allowing students to remain secure in their identity and beliefs while obtaining the best education possible, she added.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, California state legislators Tony Mendoza, Bill Dodd, and Kevin McCarty also wrote individual letters to the California education board.

California State Assembly member Ash Kalra, the first Hindu and Indian-American to serve in the state legislature, similarly spearheaded a letter from a bipartisan group of 12 State legislators.

It is very important that the State Board of Education only adopts textbooks that present India and Hinduism accurately and reject material that is prejudiced and hateful, said Shantharam Nekkar of Hindu Education Foundation USA.

However, South Asian Histories for All (SAHFA), a multi- faith and inter-caste coalition, is urging the board to approve only those textbooks that tell a neutral and factual history of South Asia.

The group alleges that the proposed textbook covering ancient South Asia has major errors, including hiding the history of caste oppression.

SAHFA alleged that some Hindu nationalist lobby groups are trying to hide basic historical factsincluding erasing the history of caste oppression.

Hindu American Foundation, on the other hand, alleged that there is a last minute efforts from some fringe activist groups, not representing the majority of Hindus, nor scholars of Hinduism and India, who continue to promote politically driven views, reflect adversely on Hindu and Indian Americans in violation of California law, and are inconsistent with the State History-Social Science Framework that was adopted in 2016.

In presenting its viewpoint several members of a group calling itself South Asian Histories for All have made vitriolic bigoted statements about Hinduism in public testimony and on social media, as well as making several ad hominem attacks on leading members of the Hindu American community, said Samir Kalra, senior director at the Hindu American Foundation.

We ask the SBE to recognise the often hateful nature of these statements when considering this groups submission, Kalra said. PTI LKJ AMS AKJ AMS
A bomb killed a senior Pakistani police official on his way to work and two others on Thursday in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, an official said.

Baluchistan was rocked by a series of attacks late last year that claimed over 180 lives and raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including fighters affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the province.

The violence has raised concerns about security for projects in the $57 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a planned transport and energy link from western China to Pakistans southern deep-water port of Gwadar.

Three individuals have embraced martyrdom including (Additional Inspector General) Hamid Shakeel and his driver, provincial government spokesman Anwar Ul Haq Kakar told Reuters.

Shakil was on his way to work in the provincial capital, Quetta, when the bomb exploded, targeting his vehicle, Baluchistan police Inspector General Moazzam Jah told Reuters.

Three police officials were seriously wounded, he added.
International development secretary Priti Patel resigned on Wednesday evening, over two months after she met Israeli leaders during a family holiday without informing the foreign office or Downing Street.

The 45-year-old politician tendered her resignation after a meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street, which took place upon being summoned to London from an official tour of Africa. She is the second cabinet-level minister to leave in a week after Michael Fallon, who had earlier resigned as defence secretary over allegations of sexual harassment.

Patel has been under a cloud since last week, when it emerged that she had held a series of meetings with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while on vacation this August. The meetings broke convention, and possibly also the ministerial code, as the Foreign Office was not informed in advance.

Even as a political storm arose over Patel reportedly planning to give departmental aid to the Israeli army for a project at the Golan Heights in Syria, an area occupied by Israel in 1967 but not recognised by London, she tendered an apology as well as some details of 12 meetings conducted by her.

The situation turned worse when it was revealed that she had held two more meetings with Israeli leaders that were not disclosed to May, who reprimanded her on Monday for the earlier discretions.

Worse, reports said she also visited the Golan Heights  an area not usually visited by British leaders and officials in keeping with Britains official stand on the issue  during the holiday. Few party MPs backed her amid demands for her sacking.

Patel said in her resignation letter that while it had been a tremendous privilege to serve in the cabinet, her actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state.

While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated. I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened, and offer my resignation, she added.

Responding to Patels letter, May wrote that while it was right that Israel and the UK work together, that must be done formally. She added that she was glad to accept Patels apology on Monday and welcomed her clarification, but as more details came to light, it is right that you have decided to resign.

You should take pride in what you have achieved as secretary of state, she added.

Patel was the first Indian-origin MP to hold a cabinet-level post in British political history. The row added to the political woes of May, who is already grappling with tough Brexit negotiations in Brussels.

The daughter of a Gujarati couple who migrated to Britain in the 1970s from Uganda, Patel was first elected to the House of Commons in 2010. She steadily moved up the Conservative ladder to be considered as one of the top three next likely party leaders.

A prominent pro-Brexit minister, she has been in the forefront of the Conservative governments interface with the Indian community in Britain since 2010, including Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the UK in November 2015.

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It was a sacking dressed up as resignation, but Priti Patels exit from a cabinet post in the Theresa May government on Wednesday brought to an end the short tenure of the first Indian-origin person to sit at the high table of British politics.

Patels stint as the international development secretary lasted a little over 15 months. Before her induction in Mays cabinet in July 2016, the only other Indian origin MP to hold a senior ministerial post was Keith Vaz, who was minister of state for Europe from 1999 to 2001.

With Patels resignation, May is faced with another cabinet vacancy after Michael Fallon quit last week amid allegations of sexual harassment. She is expected to go in for a minor reshuffle on Wednesday.

After Patels departure for holding unauthorised meetings with top Israel leaders while on a family holiday she blamed it on her enthusiasm  the only Indian-origin minister in the May government is Alok Sharma, the minister of state for housing and planning.

Patels appointment at the cabinet level was the high point in the history of British Indian participation in politics, even if there are mixed reactions in the community here and in New Delhi over community MPs upholding Indian interests in parliament here.

As May wrote to Patel, responding to her resignation letter, You rightly take pride in being the first British Indian Cabinet Minister  a significant achievement, which follows your work as exchequer secretary to the treasury and minister of state for employment.

What Patel did cannot be defended, but her intentions were good. Her ambition to be party leader may have been dented temporarily but I am sure she will be back, C B Patel, a community leader and publisher-editor of Asian Voice, told Hindustan Times.

If Mays government lasts, they cannot ignore her for long. She acted like a good Patel woman and did not try to defend the indefensible. She was a bridge between Britain and India. (Prime Minister) Narendra Mod had a good equation with her, he added.

Industrialist Swraj Paul added: She is a great asset to the country. I am sure she will be active again.

There are currently 12 MPs of Indian origin in the House of Commons. Patel was part of former Conservative leader David Camerons bid to win over the Indian community and was given the symbolic title of Indian diaspora champion when the latter became prime minister in 2010.

Active in community and religious events, Patel, then as an MP, hosted the politically significant Gujarat Day in the House of Commons on May 1, 2014, days before Indias general election that brought Modis BJP to power.

She was also in the forefront during Modis visit to London in November 2015, eliciting an enthusiastic response when Modi named her as he addressed the large diaspora gathering at the Wembley stadium during the visit.

Now outside government, Patel, a leading figure in the Brexit camp, can be expected to pile pressure on the May government as tortuous negotiations continue in Brussels over the minutiae of Britain leaving the European Union, expected by March 2019.

The Westminster grapevine is already buzzing with talk that the prime minister may find it more difficult to deal with Patel -who left Downing Street smiling after resigning on Wednesday-outside the cabinet than inside it.

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Sri Lanka says it will investigate allegations by more than 50 ethnic Tamils that they were abducted and tortured by police or army soldiers long after the nations civil war ended.

An Associated Press investigation published Wednesday offered detailed testimony from 20 of the men, along with photographs of injuries they said were sustained when they were raped, branded or beaten repeatedly in custody. The men, now seeking political asylum in Europe, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals against relatives who remain in Sri Lanka.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry official said in a letter sent Thursday to the AP that the government strongly condemns torture and will ensure such allegations are investigated and prosecuted. It urged those with evidence of abuse to come forward and report it.

One of the men tortured in Sri Lanka said he was held for 21 days in a small dank room where he was raped 12 times, burned with cigarettes, beaten with iron rods and hung upside-down.

Another man described being abducted from home by five men, driven to a prison, and taken to a torture room equipped with ropes, iron rods, a bench and buckets of water. There were blood splatters on the wall.

A third man described the prisoners as growing accustomed to the sound of screaming. It made us really scared the first day but then we got used to it because we heard screaming all the time.

Raped, branded or beaten repeatedly, more than 50 men from the Tamil ethnic minority seeking political asylum in Europe say they were abducted and tortured under Sri Lankas current government. The previously unpublished accounts conjure images of the countrys bloody civil war that ended in 2009  not the palm-fringed paradise portrayed by the government.

One by one, the men agreed to tell their stories to The Associated Press and to have the extensive scars on their legs, chests and backs photographed. The AP reviewed 32 medical and psychological evaluations and interviewed 20 men. The strangers say they were accused of trying to revive a rebel group on the losing side of the civil war. Although combat ended 8 years ago, the torture and abuse occurred from early 2016 to as recently as July this year.

Piers Pigou, a South African human rights investigator who has interviewed torture survivors for the past 40 years in the worlds most dire countries, says the sheer scale of brutality is nothing like he has heard before.

The levels of sexual abuse being perpetuated in Sri Lanka by authorities are the most egregious and perverted that Ive ever seen.

Most of the men say they were blindfolded as they were driven to detention sites. They said the majority of their captors identified themselves as members of the Criminal Investigations Department, a police unit that investigates serious crimes. Some, however, said it appeared their captors and interrogators were soldiers based on the types of uniforms and insignia they were wearing.

In an interview last week in Colombo, Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake denied the torture allegations.

The army was not involved  and as for that matter  Im sure that police also were not involved, he said. Theres no reason for us to do that now.

The Sri Lankan government minister in charge of the police agreed to an interview with the AP last month but did not follow through.

Despite its denials that widespread torture still persists, Sri Lanka has repeatedly failed to investigate war crimes allegations stemming from its 26-year civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who were fighting for an independent homeland, and the Sinhalese-dominated government. The Tigers, as they were known, were designated as a terrorist organization after a wave of suicide bombings. The governments forces were accused of targeting civilians, which is considered a war crime under international law.

At the end of August, human rights groups in South America filed lawsuits against Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Sri Lankas ambassador to Brazil and other South American nations. He is accused of overseeing military units that attacked hospitals and killed, disappeared and tortured thousands of people at the end of the war.

Upon the ambassadors return to Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena vowed that neither Jayasuriya nor any other war hero would face prosecution  a pledge that rights groups said illustrates the governments refusal to investigate its own soldiers accused of war crimes.

Nevertheless, Sri Lankas international profile is on the rise.

In May, the European Union restored the special trade status that Sri Lanka lost in 2010 after the country had failed to implement key international conventions. Sri Lanka is also paid to participate in U.N. peacekeeping missions and was recently asked to sit on a UN leadership committee trying to combat sexual abuse. An AP investigation earlier this year found that 134 Sri Lankan peacekeepers participated in a child sex ring in Haiti that persisted for three years  and no one was ever prosecuted.

Zeid Raad al-Hussein, one of the UNs top diplomats who has pushed for accountability in Sri Lanka, was aghast at the APs accounts of the 52 tortured men.

While the UN is unable to confirm this until we mount an investigation, clearly the reports are horrifying and merit a much closer inspection from our part, especially if they occurred in 2016 and 2017, said Zeid, the U.N.s High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The International Truth and Justice Project has gathered testimony from more than 60 Sri Lankans across Europe  52 of whom were part of the APs investigation. The group has been lobbying governments and international organizations to get justice for victims. Staff assigned the men witness numbers to protect their identities and the AP agreed to share their stories on condition of anonymity because the men fear that they or their families in Sri Lanka could face reprisals.

The men said they were accused of working with the Tamil Tigers, but the government insisted in its interview with the AP that the rebel group is no longer a threat. Nearly all of the men were branded with tiger stripes. One man had nearly 10 thick scars across his back.

Most of the men said they were sexually abused or raped, sometimes with sticks wrapped in barbed wire. Though rape carries a significant social stigma, the victims said they felt obligated to tell their stories.

I want the world to know what is happening in Sri Lanka, a 22-year-old known as Witness #205 told the AP during an interview in July. The war against Tamils hasnt stopped.

A white van abduction

Unlike most of the victims, Witness #249 admits to having been a member of the Tigers nearly a decade ago, joining up when their ranks had been depleted in the final stages of the war. He walks with a limp, caused when a piece of shrapnel left in his leg from a battle in which nine of his friends were blown up.

After the war, he returned to the family farm, helping his father. Last year, he married his high school sweetheart, and began collecting donations for victims of the war.

Soon after his wedding in 2016, he said, he was snatched off the streets, arriving at a torture room hours later.

They heated up iron rods and burned my back with stripes, he told the AP, closing his eyes and rocking back and forth. On another occasion, they put chili powder in a bag and put the bag over my head until I passed out. They ... raped me.

His father eventually bribed the security officers to free him. He was hospitalized for 10 days after his release. Most of the men said their families paid an average bribe of 500,000 Sri Lankan Rupees (around $3,250) and up to $20,000 to be smuggled into Europe  hefty sums that sometimes forced their families to sell parcels of land.

Many of the other victims said they had never worked for the Tamil Tigers. But all told similar tales: they were abducted at home or off the streets by men in white or green vans, they were tortured for days or weeks or months, a family member often secured their release through a bribe, and they made their way to Europe using smugglers.

I didnt even get a chance to say goodbye to my wife before I fled for England.

Now, after all he has endured, Witness #249 relates to the tragic characters in the works of his beloved Shakespeare: broken and cursed.

Last year, Sri Lankan authorities were called to Geneva to testify before the UN Committee against Torture. When questioned about allegations of continued use of torture against suspects in police custody and impunity for alleged perpetrators, Sri Lankas Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya said the countrys constitution prohibited torture and that strengthening human rights was a cornerstone of its current agenda. He also said strict action would be taken against perpetrators of human rights violations.

But advocates say that hasnt happened.

Unless those responsible for these crimes are tackled head on and held accountable, this will not end, said Frances Harrison, project manager for the International Truth and Justice Project.

Many Tamils contend that the government continues to target them as part of a larger plan to destroy their culture. Tamils speak a different language and are largely Hindu, unlike the largely Buddhist Sinhalese majority.

More than 100,000 people were estimated to have died in the war, including at least up to 40,000 civilians in its final months, according to UN estimates. Sri Lankan authorities have denied targeting civilians and dispute the toll.

Witness #205, who reported that he was held for 21 days and tortured, said he was accused of belonging to the Tamil Tigers.

He, like the majority of the other victims, said one of his captors identified himself as a member of Sri Lankas Criminal Investigations Department.

These survivors are the walking wounded of an invisible war in which rape has become the ultimate covert weapon, said Harrison.

60 Cigarette burns

Many of the victims meet each week at a London church for English classes and counseling sessions.

In July, a new member of the group stepped forward revealing at least 60 cigarette burns on his legs and chest. At 19, he was the youngest victim of the group and trembled when speaking of his sexual abuse.

Whats striking is that Im seeing men who are younger and younger, meaning that they would have had very little to do with the war, said Dr. Charmian Goldwyn, who has seen nearly 200 Tamils who say they were tortured. Some of the cases occurred before 2015 but she has also seen men who have described more recent abuse.

She assesses their mental and physical health and often testifies in their asylum hearings. Branding and scars often make it easier to prove torture for an asylum claim but it becomes more difficult to prove sexual abuse.

Gary Anandasangaree, a Tamil lawmaker in the Canadian government, said there is a large degree of distrust from asylum seekers who fear for the families they left behind. He said people who sought asylum in Canada had calls to their families intercepted. The families in Sri Lanka were then questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department.

The reports of recent torture are not surprising, he said. I heard similar stories on a visit last year.

Though the men are relieved to be in Europe, asylum can take years, and even if granted it isnt necessarily permanent. Britain, like many countries, is buckling under pressure from anti-immigration groups.

For a 34-year-old taxi driver known as Witness #199, the fear of being rejected for asylum is crippling.

In 2014 while still in Sri Lanka, he visited his wife in the hospital after she gave birth to a son. With the war behind him and a new life ahead, he was overjoyed to be starting a family in his homeland  where he finally felt safe.

After leaving the hospital, a man standing next to a white van started calling my name, he said. I wasnt scared at that point so I just got in.

The men asked him to pay a bribe and when he told them he couldnt, they released him on the condition he pay in two weeks, he said.

My uncle said the men would keep coming back to ask for money so he advised that it would be best if I left the country.

He fled to Switzerland, but was rejected for asylum eight months later.

Back home, he said, he was visiting friends when he was abducted again.

This time, he was held 23 days, branded with iron rods and raped after a group of men entered his cell and forced him to drink a bottle of alcohol, he said. Some forced him to perform oral sex on them and beat him when he refused. He lost consciousness. When he woke up, he was naked, covered in semen and bleeding from his rectum.

Seeing the bottle left in his cell, he broke it and tried to slash his wrists.

Two days later, he was released and made his way to the UK.

Within days of arriving and applying for asylum, he tried to kill himself again, this time by drinking bleach.

He hasnt seen his baby boy since he was born.



The torture room

Some have cast doubt on the mens stories, saying that the marks could have been caused during the war or even that the men could have inflicted the injuries themselves to gain sympathy on asylum applications  an assertion that that medical and academic experts say is not credible.

Witness #203 said he was forced to join the Tigers as a child soldier at 16. He was studying to be a teacher when he found himself on the battlefield. For four months, he was tasked with collecting the body parts of fallen fighters killed in the extensive shelling soldiers so they could be buried.

Then, last year  seven years after the war ended  he said he was abducted in a white van and driven for two hours.

From his location, he believes he could have been taken to the notorious Joseph Camp, a military installation in the north of Sri Lanka that has been the source of numerous torture claims over the years.

For 11 days, he says men stripped him, touched his genitals and forced him to touch theirs. The 12th day was worse.

I was put on a bench face down with my hands tied under it and my feet tied to it, he told the AP.

After refusing to sign a confession written in Sinhalese, the majoritys language, he said his torturers threw a rag soaked in petrol into a bag and shoved the bag onto his head. He passed out. When he awoke he was in a torture room.

It was there that the soles of his feet were thrashed and his back was beaten with a metal pipe. His captors then heated up long metal rods so they could brand him with the marks of a tiger.

He was released on the 13th day after his father paid a bribe and found a Muslim trafficker to arrange for a fake passport for passage to the UK. In the same month after he arrived, he tried to hang himself with a wire rope. More than a dozen of the victims have tried to kill themselves.

From all of the beatings, especially on the soles of my feet, the pain had taken over. But what haunted me the most is all of the sexual torture that went on.

Many of the men said they signed false confessions after the torture.

The road to recovery will be no easy journey for the men, acknowledges Caroline Roemmele, who supervises some of their counselling.

A mixture of antidepressants, sleeping pills and pain medication brings comfort to some. Others find solace in telling their stories even though each word awakens memories of their traumas.

Its a long process, said Roemmele. But the human race wouldnt have survived if we couldnt survive trauma.
Ravindra S Bhallas journey to become the first Sikh mayor of Hoboken, a city of 55,000 on the Hudson river, wasnt easy.

The Sikh-American City Council member topped five other candidates on Tuesday and succeeded Dawn Zimmer, who decided not to seek a third term.

While campaigning for the mayoral race, the Indian-American born and raised in New Jersey was called a terrorist in targeted racist attacks. Anonymously distributed flyers featured a picture of Bhalla with the message Dont let TERRORISM take over our Town!

The 44-year-old politician responded to the flyers, saying last week they were troubling but we wont let hate win. I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character -- not by the color of our skin or how we worship, Bhalla wrote in a Facebook post.

But that wasnt the first time the Democrat was attacked over his religion. He told The Huffington Post he was bullied and harassed at a public school because of his turban.

At this point in my political career, I have a thick skin, he said. This is not something that is new to me, Bhalla said.

On winning the election with a margin of about 600 votes, Bhalla feels exhilarated and grateful to have the opportunity to serve Hoboken, according to a New York Times report.

He hasnt shied away from criticising US President Donald Trump either, whose election and divisive politics, he believes, have fuelled racist attacks in America. He claims he is everything that Trump hates.

A brown man wearing a turban and a proud American with the know-how to stop his assaults on our countrys values, Bhalla, told The Nation explaining his comment.

A lawyer who has studied from the University of California at Berkeley, the London School of Economics and Tulane Law School -- Bhalla said he plans on prioritising infrastructure, commuting and open space.

His win is a boost for representation of the Sikh community in American politics. Simran Jeet Singh of the Sikh Coalition tweeted after the Democrats victory: I cant tell you how much it means that my daughter will have civic heroes who look like her father. Im crying right now.

Sikhs have been at the receiving end of hate crimes, often because of the traditional turbans they wear. A segment by Hasan Minhaj in The Daily Show with Trevor Noah showed earlier this year that many in the US are unaware Sikhism is a monotheist religion separate from Hinduism and Islam.

According to the Sikh Coalition, since the 9/11 terror attacks, Sikhs are more likely to be targeted in cases of profiling, bigotry and backlash than the average American.

Still, Bhalla -- a father of two -- insists his candidature isnt just because of votes from the Sikh community. I didnt run as the Sikh candidate... I ran as the candidate who happened to be Sikh.

Its perhaps telling that 2017 was an election of firsts. Apart from a turbaned Sikh being elected the mayor, a transgender Democrat won a seat in the Virginia state legislature against a Republican incumbent who openly boasted of being a homophobe.

First Transgender woman elected to State Assembly.

First turbaned Sikh elected as Mayor.

African American elected Lt Governor in Virginia.



This is the America we know. This is the America we want. pic.twitter.com/7xPZvUsDpp  Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) November 8, 2017

This is the America we know. This is the America we want, summed up Simran Jeet Singh in a tweet.

(With agency inputs)
China and the US have signed business deals worth more than $250 billion, including the purchase of Boeing aircraft and a project to jointly develop liquefied natural gas in Alaska.

The signing ceremony was carried out in the presence of US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Xi revealed the figure while addressing a gathering of business leaders and officials at the Great Hall of the People after the signing ceremony. China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, he said.

Being the worlds biggest developing economy and developed economy, China and the United States are highly complementary rather than competitive, Xi said when meeting with business delegates from both countries.

We are willing to expand imports of energy and farm produce from the United States, deepen service trade cooperation. We hope the US side will increase exports of civil technology products to China. We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in the United States. We also welcome US companies and financial institutions to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, he was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency

This is truly a miracle, Chinas commerce minister Zhong Shan said at a briefing in Beijing.

The massive deal comes in the backdrop of Trumps complaints of the trade deficit that his country has with China. But they do not resolve many business and trade problems that the US government and companies have raised concerns about, including lack of access to sectors in the Chinese market, cybersecurity, intellectual property theft and Communist Party of China cells inside foreign firms.

William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, was quoted by Reuters as saying that the deals pointed to a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship between the two countries.

Yet we still need to focus on levelling the playing field because US companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China, he said.
The US and China have reached a consensus on fighting terrorism and upholding peace and stability in south Asia, the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) said on Thursday.

The situation in south Asia, especially in war-torn Afghanistan, featured during talks between visiting US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi said China was committed to working with the US on North Korea, Afghanistan and other issues of international concern, MFA spokesperson, Hua Chunying said at a regular ministry briefing.

On his part, Trump said radical Islamic terrorism had to be stopped.

The two sides discussed anti-terrorism issue and uphold peace and stability in south Asia and they reached a consensus on this, Hua said.

China and the US share common interests in fighting terrorism and the two parties stand for stronger anti-terrorism cooperation, Hua added.

Separately, officials from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held talks on counter-terrorism in Beijing on November 7.

Officials from the three countries discussed counter-terrorism at a meeting co-chaired by assistant foreign minister, Li Hueli.

Hua said the officials exchanged views on counter-terrorism situation and strengthening security cooperation.

Hua added that foreign minister Wang Yi met officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan and lauded their efforts in countering terrorism in the south Asian region.

Both countries appreciated Chinas efforts in improving their bilateral ties.
SPRING CREEK  Silver Sage is celebrating Fall. On Oct. 12, the Silver Sage Chapter met for the nationals parent meeting. We played games, held a taco eating contest, and practiced swing dancing.

The Nevada Rangeland competition was held on Sept. 26 in Eureka. The students competed by identifying Western Range plants to determine forage factors that affect grazing animals and wildlife. The Silver Sage team placed second, with Bailey Brown ranking third individually.

The team left for nationals in Idaho on Nov. 5. Competitors str Lindey Smith, Bailey Brown, Walker Fowers, Zach Glenn, Matt Wines, Lilly Potts and Elena Petersen.

On Oct. 23, Silver Sage left for the national convention and exposition in Indianapolis, Indiana. Throughout the week, the chapter saw a rodeo, went paintballing, tried zip lining, walked through a haunted house, and stepped foot on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track.

Representing Spring Creek High School, students competed in the following agriculture events:

Agriculture mechanics  Kaycee Smith, Mitchell Scott, Zach Glenn and CJ Writer earned silver overall with Scott individually earning gold. The agricultural mechanics team was sponsored by Norco, Airgas and Praxair. The team thanks these companies for their contributions.

Floriculture  Kelsey Cruson, Sierra Knight, Darian Ackerman and Macy Rice earned silver. The floral team thanks their sponsor, LeeAnnes Floral Design, for helping them make it to nationals.

The marketing team  Dionne Stanfill, Angel Hood and Chandler Baker placed bronze with their marketing plan on the local business, Silver Sage Honey.

Dekklan Albisu and Lindey Smith competed in agriscience fair, both placing bronze.

Congratulations to the competing teams and those who qualified for FFA nationals.

Silver Sage is looking forward to the CDE introduction meeting on Nov. 16 after school.
The United States and China had a frank exchange of views on the disputed South China Sea during a visit to Beijing by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said.

China claims almost the entire strategic waterway through which about $3-trillion worth of goods pass every year, building and militarising artificial islands. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have conflicting claims.

The issue is likely to feature prominently at two regional summits starting this week, one in Vietnam and the other in the Philippines, which Trump and several leaders will attend. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Vietnam meeting.

We had a frank exchange here in China on maritime security issues and the South China Sea. The US position remains unchanged, Tillerson told reporters.

We insist on upholding freedom of navigation, that claimants be consistent with international law and that claimants should stop construction and militarisation of outposts in order to maximise prospects for successful diplomacy, he added.

Both Xi and Trump expressed support for the protection of peace and stability in the South China Sea, Chinas foreign ministry said in a statement following the leaders talks.

Both leaders also support the peaceful resolution and management of the dispute via talks and in accordance with accepted international law, it added.

Both sides support the protection of freedom of navigation and overflight for all countries, in accordance with international law, it said.The United States has angered China with freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-controlled islands in the South China Sea, which have been continued by the Trump administration.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in an apparent policy shift, said on Wednesday he planned to ask China to make clear its intentions in the South China Sea, during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Vietnam.

Since coming to office 16 months ago, the firebrand leader has been conciliatory to Beijing, despite a ruling by an international arbitration court favouring the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China.

In the past, Duterte has repeatedly said he will raise the sea dispute at the proper time and avoided the issue when Manila hosted two regional meetings this year.
Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, has been named as the chairperson of the World Hindu Congress to be held in Chicago next year, organisers of the mega event announced on Thursday.

Held once every four years, World Hindu Congress (WHC) is a global platform for Hindus to connect, share ideas, inspire one another and impact the common good.

Organised by the World Hindu Foundation, the first Congress was held in New Delhi in 2014. The second WHC will take place in Illinois in Chicago from September 7 to 9 next year.

Hindus from across the world would be able to come together, share ideas and inspire one another as we seek ways to positively impact the communities around us and the world, Gabbard, 36, said.

The three-term Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard is currently the co-chair of the House Congressional caucus.

With all thats happening in the world, the universal message of aloha - love, peace, respect and unity - is so needed. I am looking forward to working with you and seeing you soon, Gabbard said in a video message to the organisers.

Abhaya Asthana, coordinator of WHC, said that the organising committee was looking for a recognised leader who is courageous, bold, principled, progressive, accomplished, articulate and above all a practising Hindu.

Undoubtedly, she brings with her all these attributes and more, Asthana said.

We are thrilled to have her on the team and look forward to working with her for a successful World Hindu Congress 2018, Asthana said.

Gabbard is an Iraq war veteran and a member of the powerful House Foreign Relations Committee.

The inaugural WHC held in November 2014 had seen participation of 1800 delegates from 53 countries.
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Employees of Newmont Mining Corp. set records for percent participation and donations dedicated to the companys charitable workplace giving campaign in Nevada this year.

Seventy-five percent of Newmonts Nevada employees participated, pledging $1.45 million to area nonprofit organizations to be distributed in 2018. The mining company plans to match equally the employee donation to raise the total to a record $2.9 million.

Were so proud of our employees generosity, as this years campaign represents the largest amount weve ever raised as part of our workplace charitable giving programs, said Nancy Ostler, executive director of the Newmont Legacy Fund.

Company representatives revealed the record-breaking stats to a crowd of employees posed in front of a haul truck at the Long Canyon Mine between Wells and West Wendover on Nov. 8. Ostler helped unroll a banner depicting the amount in big, bold, gold letters before the group as she made the announcement.

This is just a cool investment in our community and building that legacy that were all building, so thank you so much, she said.

Pamela Smith, Newmont external communications manager, chimed in with a hearty, Thank you, guys! The miners erupted in applause.

This is the companys eighth year conducting the program, through which employees can elect payroll deductions to contribute to a nonprofit of their choice. Newmont covers all the administrative costs of the program so that 100 percent of employees contributions and the company match go to help some of the more than 200 Nevada-based nonprofits.

If you have a passion for something, youre going to donate more, Oslter said, explaining that allowing employees to choose their benefactors might have boosted interest, which is up 5 percent from the 2016 campaign.

Also this year, Newmont launched a Legacy Fund in Colorado, through its Cripple Creek & Victor Mine. With 30 percent employee participation, a total of $140,000 was raised.

The combined Nevada and Colorado campaign totals translate to nearly $3.1 million that will benefit communities in both states in the coming year.

On behalf of everyone at Newmont, I express our sincere gratitude to all Legacy Fund participants for their boundless generosity, Ostler said. I also want to personally thank the hardworking, dedicated campaign coordinators who continue to make the Legacy Fund a tremendous success. Their deep commitment to creating value and improving lives through sustainable and responsible mining is truly heartwarming.

Newmont also announced that its Endowment Fund, founded in 2010, reached $2.1 million in 2017. The fund is dedicated to helping sustain local communities after the mining company has finished operations in northern Nevada. This resource continues to grow by about $300,000 each year through employee and Newmont donations, investment income and outside sources.

So we are really in celebration mode, Ostler said. Newmont has always had a culture of giving.
The self-confessed promiscuous Hollywood star Charlie Sheen has sensationally been accused of having illicit sex with a minor, the then child actor Corey Haim when he was just 13-years-old

It's being alleged that the former child actor, who died tragically young in 2010, was cajoled by Charlie Sheen into having sex on the set of the 1980s movie 'Lucas'.

A representative for the actor said that Sheen, who is now HIV positive, "categorically denies" raping a minor.

A friend of Corey Haim's, Brascia has told the National Enquirer magazine: "Haim told me he had sex with Sheen when they filmed 'Lucas'.

"He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex. Haim said after it happened Sheen became very cold and rejected him. When Corey wanted to fool around again, Charlie was not interested."

Corey Haim's best friend Corey Feldman had already alluded some years ago to the alleged rape in his autobiography, 'Coreyography: A Memoir.'

He wrote in his book: "At some point during the filming [of 'Lucas,' Haim] explained an adult male convinced him it was perfectly normal for older men and younger boys in the business to have sexual relations, that it was 'what all guys do.'

"So they walked off to a secluded area between two trailers during a lunch break for the cast and crew. And Haim, innocent and ambitious as he was, allowed himself to be sodomized."

While all the way back in 2011, when Corey Feldman was asked about Charlie Sheen in an interview he snapped: "I'm not a huge fan of Charlie Sheenespecially the way he's affected other people that I know."

Corey Feldman took to Twitter recently to declare that "the war has begun". The actor has repeatedly spoken out about how both and his his dear friend Corey Haim were abused by Hollywood industry big shots.

IN CASE U MISSED IT, THE WAR HAS BEGUN, IF U FOLLOW ME, HELP ME: https://t.co/wU3kV0uddi  Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) October 25, 2017
The Australian producer and DJ will play on Friday 24 with support from Irish duo, Kilnamana.

Touch Sensitive is set to play Ireland for the very first time since dropping his album Visions in September. Noting how its been four years since his last hit single, Pizza Guy, he says: Ive always had a two or three year gap between releases, so why break the tradition now?

No less, the DJ will be giving party goers a supreme slice of Slow Motion House, a swaggering baseline and some syncopated synthesizers. Speaking about his new material: It was fine line between sounding like right now and it being a bit more ambiguous as to when it was made...[Besides], todays techniques are gone tomorrow.

The artists affiliation with Future Classic now sees him penned in with label mates Hayden James, Flight Facilities, Flume, Chet Faker, Charles Murdoch and Anna Lunoe. Pairing well with Kilnamana on support, both acts are sure to don electro synth-pop shoes for the occasion.

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Tickets are 13.50 including booking fee and are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.ie. Doors open at 11.00pm. Over 18s. ID required.
Fresh from two sell-out nights at Dublin's 3Arena, Picture This have announced that their debut album, Picture This will be getting a Deluxe Edition reissue.

Available on November 17th, the deluxe edition will feature two brand new tracks, 'Gritty Picture' and 'Body and Mind', along with their festive song, 'This Christmas'.

Picture This was originally released at the end of August and instantly went to number one, making them the highest charting entry for a debut artist in 2017. It has since been certified platinum, while remaining in the top five for a eleven weeks and counting.

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Picture This Tracklist:

Take My Hand

Dream

You & I

Addicted to You

Everything I Need

Jane

Never Change

Carry On

Smell Like Him

Let's Be Young

95

Difference

Saviour

Gritty Picture*

Body and Mind*

This Christmas*
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WASHINGTON - Justice Department officials told AT&T that its $85 billion bid to acquire Time Warner is unlikely to be approved without major changes, a move that is driving the two sides toward a high-stakes legal battle over one of the biggest media deals ever.

The deal would transform the telecom company into a media empire with control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. studios as well as satellite cable provider DirecTV. Antitrust officials want AT&T to either sell off DirecTV or Turner Broadcasting, which includes CNN - conditions that AT&T is unlikely to agree to easily.

But three people briefed on the situation had conflicting accounts of the specifics.

One of the people said Wednesday that the Justice Department, at a meeting in Washington this week, pressed AT&T to divest CNN, which has been criticized repeatedly by President Donald Trump. But the other two denied that happened, adding that it was in fact AT&T that had proposed the sale of the news network as a potential compromise. The three people spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely talk about the private discussions.

Conflicting news reports about the role of CNN in the talks prompted AT&T's chief executive, Randall Stephenson, to release a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying he has "never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so."

Antitrust regulators have been examining the AT&T-Time Warner deal for more than a year, and any notion that it would be easily approved evaporated Wednesday as reports about the Monday meeting leaked out.

Earlier Wednesday, AT&T's chief financial officer said he is no longer confident that a deal will be completed this year.

The proposed tie-up is part of a push by cable and telephone companies to own the content that flows through their pipes. In 2011, Comcast, the nation's largest cable provider, became the first to swing a massive deal of this kind when it acquired NBC Universal.

AT&T's tie-up with Time Warner would give the telecom giant large control over a massive media ecosystem. The combined company could own HBO television shows, superhero films set in the DC Comics universe, including the forthcoming "Justice League," and the Harry Potter franchise. It would also have a distribution network that includes AT&T's wireless network, home Internet platform and DirecTV, which it purchased in 2015.

Some antitrust analysts said that the Department of Justice's moves send a message that the federal government is looking skeptically at such megamergers.

"We may be on a collision course to litigation unless something changes," said Gene Kimmelman, a former antitrust official and the president of Public Knowledge, a consumer group.

The case would be a high-profile test for Makan Delrahim, who was appointed by Trump to head the Justice Department's antitrust division. Delrahim is regarded in Washington as a politically savvy antitrust expert and was a vocal supporter of Trump's in 2016.

The legal battle would also be unusual because antitrust officials rarely challenge companies that are not buying direct competitors.

Dallas-based AT&T could argue in court that the administration is blocking the deal for political reasons. Trump has frequently accused CNN of biased coverage.

"A judge is likely to be a great deal more skeptical of DOJ's arguments because of Trump's obvious agenda," said Berin Szoka, president of TechFreedom, a libertarian think tank. That might make it more likely that AT&T would refuse to settle, he added.

"The really interesting question is whether AT&T might convince the court to force DOJ to turn over internal correspondence with the White House over the issue, which might reveal clear evidence of politicization of the process," Szoka said.

White House officials declined to comment.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said it "is committed to carrying out its duties in accordance with the laws and the facts. Beyond that, the department does not comment on any pending investigation."

Trump also said at a rally before his inauguration that the AT&T-Time Warner tie-up would be "too much concentration of power in the hands of too few."

The jab at AT&T and Time Warner surprised policy analysts who said presidents and candidates for office generally avoid commenting on pending deals for fear of influencing - or appearing to influence - the process.

Democrats jumped on the news to accuse the administration of putting politics ahead of policy.

Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democratic commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission, tweeted Wednesday: "Wait, are we really going to make the TheJusticeDept use antitrust law to force the sale of a cable channel because the president doesn't like its news coverage? You can dislike consolidation but still find this extremely disturbing if true."
In 2006, the endowments of Indiana University and Texas Christian University invested millions of dollars in a partnership, hoping to mint riches from oil, gas and coal.

The partnership was formed by the Houston-based Quintana Capital Group, whose principals include Donald Evans, an influential Texan and longtime supporter of former President George W. Bush. Little more than a year earlier, Evans had left his Cabinet position as commerce secretary.

Though the group had an impressive Texas pedigree, presidential cachet and ambitions for operations in the U.S., the new partnership was established in the Cayman Islands. The founders promised their university and nonprofit investors that the partnership would try to avoid federal taxes by exploiting a loophole called "blocker corporations," which are typically established in tax havens around the world.

The Paradise Papers, a trove of millions of leaked documents from a Bermuda-based law firm, Appleby, reflect some of the tax wizardry used by American colleges and universities. Schools have increasingly turned to secretive offshore investments, the files show, which let them swell their endowments with blocker corporations, and avoid scrutiny of ventures involving fossil fuels or other issues that could set off campus controversy.

Buoyed by lucrative tax breaks, college endowments have amassed more than $500 billion nationwide. The wealth is concentrated in a small group of schools, tilting toward private institutions like those in the Ivy League and other highly selective colleges. About 11 percent of higher-education institutions in the United States hold 74 percent of the money, according to an analysis in 2015 by the Congressional Research Service.

"It's overwhelmingly weighted towards the 1 per-cent," said Dean Zerbe, former tax counsel to the Senate Finance Committee. "Most of the schools are the most elites in the country."

The House GOP tax plan includes a 1.4 percent tax on the investment income of private colleges and universities with endowment assets of $250,000 or more per student. It would not apply to public schools. If passed, the new tax would affect about 70 elite private colleges, though it would not touch the type of offshore benefits the Texan partnership pursued.

On Monday, 45 education groups declared their opposition to the bill in a letter to Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee.

College and university endowment earnings are usually tax-exempt. But as endowments have sought greater investment returns in recent years, they have shifted more of their money out of traditional holdings like U.S. equities to potentially more lucrative investments. These include private equity and hedge funds that frequently borrow money, opening them up to tax consequences.

When schools earn income from enterprises unrelated to their core educational missions, they can be required to pay a tax that was intended to prevent nonprofits from competing unfairly with for-profit businesses.

Establishing another corporate layer between private equity funds and endowments effectively blocks any taxable income from flowing to the endowments, the reason they are called blocker corporations. The tax is instead owed by the corporations, which are established in no-tax or low-tax jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands or the British Virgin Islands.

The use of blocker corporations has raised concerns among policymakers in recent years. That's partly because they cost the U.S. Treasury millions of dollars, but also because they legitimize an opaque offshore network sometimes used for nefarious purposes.

"They're not cheating. They're not hiding money or disguising money," said Samuel Brunson, a law professor at Loyola University Chicago who has studied endowment taxation. "But they're adding money to a system that allows people, if they want to hide their money, to do it." Not only do the universities benefit - so does the wealthy and influential private equity industry.

Perhaps illustrating the sensitivity of the topic, officials at most of the college and university endowments that use blocker corporations, including Colgate, Dartmouth, Duke and Stanford, declined to comment specifically, citing policies against discussing their investments.

An exception was the Quintana shareholder Fort Worth-based Texas Christian University, whose chief investment officer, Jim Hille, acknowledged that the $1.5 billion endowment had used blocker corporations. Hille said the decision to use one often came down to whether the expected return would offset the cost of establishing a blocker corporation.

References to such corporations in the Appleby files, shared with The New York Times by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which obtained them from the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, date back at least to 2003.
ELKO  Elko police arrested a former casino food service worker Wednesday on a warrant charging multiple counts of embezzlement.

Sergio A. Estrada, 29, of Elko allegedly embezzled funds from December 2016 through July 2017 while he was employed at Stockmens. He targeted several parties, beginning with the Elko Rotary Club, according to Lt. Mike Palhegyi.

Estrada is accused of taking the checks and cash given to him by individuals and depositing them into his personal account at Wells Fargo.

Court documents said Estrada is suspected of making several deposits totaling more than $10,000. Investigators met with eight people who said they gave Estrada the money as deposits for events and receptions at the Stockmens.

Estrada worked at the Stockmens as a catering supervisor and was placed on administrative leave in July, after a report from the Sunrise Rotary bookkeeper that the Stockmens did not receive five of the clubs checks totaling $1,203.93.

Estrada denied that he accepted the checks despite photocopies presented by Elko police officers. He failed to show up for a subsequent police interview, according to Palhegyi, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On checks allegedly deposited in the suspects account, the word Stockmens was crossed out and replaced with the suspects name, court documents say.

One victim told police Estrada took $3,000 as a deposit in March for an event in September, but received it back after he called her and told her he wasnt working at the Stockmens.

Estrada faces two counts of embezzlement of over $3,500, four counts of intent to utter a fictional bill and check, and three counts of embezzlement ranging from $650 to $3,500. Bail is $90,000.
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Federal prosecutors want to know more about efforts billionaire investor Carl Icahn may have made while he was an adviser to President Donald Trump to change the renewable fuel credits system that was costing one of his companies millions of dollars.

Icahn's company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week that it had received a subpoena for records related to the federal Renewable Fuels Standard and Icahn's role with the White House.
DENVER - Leo Tanguma is in no hurry to return to the city that holds his ultimate achievement.

He has had plenty of time to rethink all that happened decades ago, when he painted "The Rebirth of Our Nationality" on the facade of a factory along a desolate, industrial stretch of Canal Street in Houston's East End.

One of the largest works of America's Chicano mural movement, the piece had become so faded in 30 years that it was barely visible when Harris County bought the property in 2013.

County officials committed $70,000 to recreating the mural as part of an $8 million renovation. Tanguma, though, declined to re-paint it himself. At 75, he can no longer climb scaffolding.

Instead, he is directing the project from a basement studio at his home in the leafy Denver suburb of Arvada, with the aerosol artist Gonzo274 serving as his "hands" on the job.

They are an unlikely father-son pair - the almost forgotten, rabble-rousing radical who sees painting as a political protest, and the popular former tagger whose own recent images shower urban buildings with happiness and sunshine.

Tanguma chose Gonzo, whose real name is Mario Figueroa, Jr., from a list of candidates to recreate the mural because he felt they had a lot in common. Figueroa felt a sense of awe as a small child each time he saw the painting from the back seat of his parents' car on Sunday outings.

PART 1: Read more about why Tanguma chose Gonzo

He began the recreation by whitewashing Tanguma's unsalvageable original over the summer. Then he took a carefully-scaled sketch drawn by Tanguma - an exact duplication - and transferred it onto the building's facade in September. He has spent recent weeks blocking in large chunks of color, a foundation for finer details that likely won't be completed until sometime next year.

"I hope people get the idea of what it meant," Tanguma said. "It carries a meaningful message."

A signature work

Houston was a dramatically different city in the early 1970s, when Tanguma, his friend Remigio "Sparks" Garcia and a group of students from Texas Southern University tackled the 240-by-18-foot facade of what was then the Continental Can Company at 5900 Canal Street, a little less than three miles from downtown.

While some in the city's Mexican-American community sensed they were finally achieving equality with Anglos, others felt the festering anxiety of racism - tension that ultimately led to riots in 1977, after Houston Police murdered Vietnam veteran Jose Torres Campos and dumped his body into Buffalo Bayou.

Tanguma - a son of Texas-born farm workers with Mexican ancestors - stood firmly in the social protest camp.

He was motivated by his own experience and the work of the Mexican muralists who championed workers in the early and mid-20th century. All of the supplies for the mural were donated by people in the community.

Tanguma had befriended the legendary muralist and Texas Southern University professor John Biggers, who encouraged him to paint human experience. He also traveled to Mexico, with Garcia and others, to meet his idol, the legendary muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros.

At the time, Chicano artists across the U.S. were depicting Mexican history in their work, creating images of Aztec culture and revolutionary heroes such as Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa.

Siqueiros told Tanguma that was pointless, because Mexican artists had already painted those stories, eloquently. He encouraged Tanguma to convey a more unique narrative depicting Chicanos - American citizens with Mexican ancestry, like himself.

Inspired partly by Siqueiro's famous "March of Humanity," Tanguma's mural contains 70 characters who move from both ends of the huge piece toward a central couple who reach out to them from the center of a rose blossom on a ground of skulls. The parading figures illustrate the struggles of Mexican-Americans to overcome adversity and racism - farm laborers, soldiers, factory workers and political activists, male and female, young and old.

Ignoring the pleas of passersby who thought he should tone down his inflamatory images, Tanguma knew he was doing the right thing when an elderly woman watching him paint "Rebirth" asked, "Is this for the poor people?"

It was.

As he still does with all of his public works, Tanguma incorporated the faces of passersby or participants who shared their stories during the mural's creation. Jesse Sifuentes, a Galveston native who worked on the mural during his freshman year at TSU, appears as a soldier in a photograph held by a woman.

Sifuentes, now a well-known local artist and teacher, believes "Rebirth" set a precedent for all of the public art in Houston that would follow.

But Tanguma, himself, was almost forgotten, for reasons that hardly seem fathomable in one of the most diverse cities of the 21st century. His ideas for projects grew ever more controversial because he wanted to use his art as a voice against police brutality, environmental pollution and the Americanization of Chicanos. Invariably, his ambitious projects were de-funded or - worse - destroyed while they were in progress.

Sifuentes remembers Tanguma as "very radical." Others recall him as quiet but intense, a man who never smiled and didn't play by the art world's unwritten rules.

Jim Harithas, who came to Houston in the 1970s to direct the Contemporary Arts Museum, invited Tanguma in 1973 to display a maquette of "We The People," a proposed project the artist wanted to create with a crew of ex-convicts. Tanguma hoped a patron might see the model for a free-standing, sculptural mural at the museum and pay for its creation.

The maquette depicted an America built by non-immigrant equals - white, black, brown and native people.

"People said it was what we needed: A signature work for the city," Tanguma said. "I was just a community artist from the barrio, but in some ways that made me the ideal muralist. I'd learned on my own, by reading and meeting the masters."

Harithas said he extended the display an extra two months after Tanguma refused to remove it - an unheard-of demand. Still, it couldn't be on display forever. Tanguma still thinks Harithas was caving to pressure from museum benefactors who didn't like the politics of the piece. Either way, it ended with a brawl after Tanguma punched Harithas in the face.

"He was tough and wiry, and 15 or 18 years younger than me," Harithas said. "But when I finally got him down I thought, 'If I hit him, it will destroy my Chicano program.' "

Tanguma became such a polarizing figure that no one complained when he disappeared. Aside from "Rebirth," almost nothing of his time here has survived.

Tanguma concedes that maybe he was too "preachy." He's not angry any more, he said, "but I needed friends in those days, and people in Houston had no interest in confronting the system."

After his first wife died of cervical cancer in 1983, the artist packed up his family and moved to Denver, convinced that Houston would never be hospitable. If he was going to earn a living as a social protest artist, he would have to do it somewhere else.

Starting strong

In mid-September, Tanguma sat at the dining table of the comfortably cluttered home he shares with his second wife, Jeanne. A cancer survivor, he appeared meek and quiet. Jeanne knows his stories as well as he does, and sometimes prompts his thoughts.

"I want to tell you just positive things, but there are so many awful things," Tanguma said.

His first mural, hastily drawn in chalk in the early 1950s, survived only a few minutes and earned him a whipping.

The classroom in the South Texas community of Beeville was in chaos that morning, without a teacher. Tanguma wasn't the first to head to the blackboard, but he could draw better than any of his classmates.

Many of the children feared and detested Sheriff Vail Ennis, a hard-line lawman who had killed members of their families but was never convicted of murder.

"Draw me killing the sheriff!" the other students goaded. So young Leo sketched a mob hanging Ennis and attacking him with machine guns and machetes.

Then a big, Anglo teacher arrived with a wooden ruler. She whacked Leo as she forced him to erase his offensive drawing.

Tanguma found his inner revolutionary that day, understanding early that his art could be a potent tool for protest and a voice for the oppressed.

Tanguma's parents dreamed of owning a small "ranchito" but picked cotton and mowed lawns to keep their family of five afloat. In their two-room house, with only a makeshift shower his father built, everyone slept on the floor. They were devout Baptists in a community that was largely Catholic - so Tanguma was an outsider of sorts even then.

Tanguma loved his parents. They were good people, he said. But like his siblings, he was pulled from school in the sixth grade to help in the fields. He left home at 14 with his older sister Dina to find better work in Pasadena.

At 15, he lied about his age to join the Marine Corps. A wise sargeant sent him home from training camp, but Tanguma made it into the Army at 17, in 1958. He got an ideal assignment in Germany, painting murals of American scenes at a new recreation hall. He spent his free time in the library, listening to music and earning his GED.

Tanguma returned home in 1962, married and had three kids, always struggling to make ends meet. He drove a bookmobile for a while, worked at a chemical plant, tried a move to New Orleans but came back, settling his family in the Baytown home of his mother-in-law.

He sold a few small paintings and wanted to go to college but had no money for it. A financial aid officer at the University of Houston sent him to TSU, where he captured Biggers' attention.

"Dr. Biggers gave me a lot of courage," Tanguma said. "But he didn't confront the system the way I did."

By the time he left for Colorado, Tanguma was determined to be smarter about earning commissions. "I didn't want to wait 10 years to do the murals I wanted to do," he said.

He met Jean soon after he arrived, at a war protest meeting. She had to chase him but knew they were soulmates. She loves his compassion. He calls her his rock.

In Colorado, his path finally looked brighter.

The Denver Art Museum hired him to create the 64-foot-wide, eye-popping "The Torch of Quetzalcoatl" during four months in 1984, as visitors watched.

Two permanent murals, "In Peace and Harmony with Nature" and "Children of the World Dream of Peace," have been fixtures at Denver International Airport since 1994.

Yet controversy still found Tanguma: For a few years, conspiracy theorists insisted his airport murals were Satanic. Others have called his work visual sermons. He remains an enigma.

Even the art in his home reflects this.

Aglow from the sunlight of a bay window, the paintings on the Tangumas' living and dining room walls possess a child's sense of wonder, nostalgia and sweetness.

The artist thinks of his grandfather when he looks at his canvas of an elderly farmer giving his lady a bouquet of sunflowers. The self-portrait by the front door depicts an elderly man and his young grandaughter, reaching toward a starry sky as they run through a flock of butterflies.

In the low-walled studio of the dim, L-shaped basement, more provocative, socially-conscious works fill every nook, cranny and wall, alongside new paintings with fiercely colorful depictions of Aztec heroes. Long tables crowd the biggest space, holding sketches for the Houston mural.

Out in the pristine garage, a central fragment of "The Torch of Quetzelcoatl" - the big piece created at the Denver Museum of Art - rests against a wall alongside newer paintings that have not been shown publicly.

Like most of Tanguma's murals, "The Torch" was designed to be portable; painted on wood he saws into swoopy sections, then layers. He mixes sand into his acrylic paints to evoke the texture of walls - a trick he learned from Siqueiros.

Many of Tanguma's canvases have a central focal point, with subjects converging from opposite sides, like the figures of "Rebirth."

"You can't just say something all negative and leave it there," he explained. "You need to propose a solution."

Tanguma is pleased to see his Houston masterwork recreated.

He's put his resentment far enough behind to think about the future: He has recently sketched a 21st century version of "Rebirth" that he'd like to see created as a companion piece to the original.

"I still see so much need for the kids in the streets," he said.

For that proposal, he has drawn the punkish pachuco - a figure that represents him as a young man - holding a diploma.

***

PART 1: Aerosol artist Gonzo to re-create one of Houston's iconic murals

Molly Glentzer writes primarily about visual arts and dance but also looks at city-changing civic projects such as public parks and gardens. Tips welcome; she's always open to great, human stories. Follow her on Twitter at @mglentzer.
Jada Franklin has used Wikipedia more times than she can count. But she's never been on this side of the controls, writing and editing entries. Until now.

It's a little before 11 a.m. on a weekday, and Franklin is the second visitor of the day to a small computer room, tucked in to the back of a massive library at the center of University of Houston's campus. She's here for a Wikipedia edit-a-thon as part of the university's two-day conference honoring the 40th anniversary of 1977's National Women's Conference,l Nov. 6-7 in Houston.

The goal of the all-day editing session is simple: to increase the number of women editing Wikipedia entries. While content on the online encyclopedia can be created and edited by anyone with a fun fact and an internet connection, only about 10 percent of Wikipedia editors are women, and the share of female-focused biographies only rings in at 17 percent.

By upping these figures on Wikipedia, which is the fifth-most visited website in America, organizers at the Houston event hope they can help provide greater awareness of women's accomplishments and contributions to society.

And Franklin is about to be part of that.

Increasing representation

Bethany Scott, coordinator of digital products at the university library, walks over to Franklin's computer terminal and begins explaining the process. They create a user name for Franklin, and in less than five minutes, the junior majoring in psychology is ready to begin her role as an editor.

Scott has a long list of topic pages that could use some work, many with ties to the women's movement in the late 1970s, as a nod to the conference's theme. Some need citation. Others, like the page Scott is editing about the 1977 conference, could use additional facts and fleshing out. And a few are just a jumbled mess of bad grammar and spelling.

"I think I'll start with spelling and grammar," Franklin says. She'd like to get her feet wet before taking on something that carries more weight. But, with three of her classes canceled smack in the middle of her day, she's sure she'll have time to wade deeper.

This is the second time this year that UH has hosted an edit-a-thon in the name of upping women's participation in Wikipedia. During the university's initial attempt in March, 20 women edited 30 articles, and created another eight. All told, they added 8,250 words to Wikipedia, their work has been viewed more than 15,000 times since their changes.

It doesn't sound like much when you consider that there are more than 5.5 million articles stuffed inside the English language version of Wikipedia, and more than 40 million total worldwide. But small steps matter, says Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight, a contractor for Wikimedia'sgender diversity mapping project. She is also one of the founding members of Wikipedia's Women in Red movement, which advocates for an increase in female representation on the site.

And the University of Houston isn't the only organization hosting events like this. In recent years, the number of edit-a-thons focused on recruiting female editors has been steadily increasing, thanks to a concerted effort by grass-roots feminists.

"In early 2010, 2011 and 2012, a lot of people started writing biographies about women in the month of March, March being Women's History Month," says Stephenson-Goodknight, who has made more than 120,000 edits on Wikipedia. "And then in 2014, a survey was done, and a report was published that showed about 14.5 percent of the biographies on English Wikipedia were about women."

Stephenson-Goodknight began giving talks about the massive under-representation of women editors and content about women, and requesting audiences pitch in to help women make up more of the entries on the website.

"We're now at 17.16 percent," she says. "Because, keep in mind, while we're writing these biographies about women, all the dudes out there are still writing biographies about men. And in much larger numbers. So for our numbers to go up, we can't just match them. In terms of numbers, we have to write more each month than they're writing."

'It's a responsibility'

There are also a lot of blanks to fill in.

"A lot of times, when you find an article about a woman, it's when they were born, when they're married and when they die," says Darah Vann, a graduate student in the history department at UH, as she fixes up the spelling and grammar on a page during Tuesday's edit-a-thon.

Vann often uses Wikipedia as an entry point in her academic research. But when a page only contains barebones information, it doesn't do her much good. And when it contains information that doesn't seem fairy or fully accurate, she takes it upon herself to flesh it out with the best scholarly information she can find.

"Wikipedia is the first place you kind of pop in on to check on a subject. So once you pop in on a subject that you know more about, you're sort of like 'Ummm, wait a minute. That's not quite right,'" she says as she taps away at the page for the International Women's Day. "And just realizing that you can go in and change things and add what you know is liberating - and also scary."

But even when she finds herself intimidated by the thought of being an authority behind the keyboard on a topic, she knows it's necessary.

"I feel like it's a responsibility," she says. "There are things I know, things that I have struggled with looking up, and had to dig really deep to find. And other people should also have access to that."

Just imagine how robust her grade school book reports would have been if she'd had immediate access to all the knowledge people are pumping onto the internet these days.

'Record of Humanity'

Stephenson-Goodknight has a copy of a Venezualan encyclopedia from 1957. She analyzed its contents and found that only 3.6 percent of entries were about women. And while low literacy rates among women for centuries in the past limited the number of primary source materials available about women's lives, that doesn't account for a gap that wide, she says.

"I think it's important that the record of humanity is right," she says. "So why do we want the numbers to be more balanced? Well, I can tell you - 3.6 percent? That can't truly be the sum of all human knowledge. And sure, we've done better already. If we're at 17.16 percent, we've done a lot better already. But we do can better than that, too."

On Tuesday, 10 women made their way to the little alcove in the library, editing 15 articles and adding 1,700 words to the "record of humanity."

The numbers were smaller than they had been during the March event, but that hardly matters to Scott, the UH library coordinator. She knows that over the course of time, even small changes like this will amplify as the number of Wikipedia users who access these pages grows exponentially by the day.

"Many of the people who participated last time were doing this for the first time," Scott says. And that pattern repeated itself on Tuesday. "Now that they have some confidence in this, we're hoping they'll try it again sometime."

Franklin, the UH junior, thinks that's a real possibility for her. After spending her first hour correcting spelling and grammar, Franklin dives in deeper, checking out articles in need of heavier lifts. She adds citations, and smooths the translation of an article from Swedish to English. As her confidence grows, so too does her speed. By day's end, she's edited several pieces.

"I'd do this again," she says. "It's interesting and I'm learning stuff too."
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Editor's note: This is Part 3 of a five-part essay exploring the ways that Houston's food community rallied after Harvey. Read Parts 1 and 2 here.

Part 2

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Like me, Camille Kenney, owner of Renaissance Chicken, had been inspired by Richard Knight's pop-up relief efforts.

Kenney, a local farmer who raises chickens in Sealy, Texas, and sells the eggs at Houston farmers markets, wanted to donate 80 pounds of frozen chicken. I agreed to meet her in a Target parking lot at Fry Road and I-10 in Katy.

I-10 at Eldridge Parkway was backed up for miles. Floodwaters were deep on both sides of the freeway, blocking several lanes. Boats were parked on off-ramps and feeder roads, their owners still making rescues in the neighborhoods affected by the controversial controlled release from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, whose 70-year old infrastructure, designed for a smaller, less developed city, was threatened by Harvey's deluge.

Past Eldridge, it was a surprisingly quick run to Fry Road. With the chicken in back, I headed to the Heights. Though Presidio had been closed for the last several days, co-owner and chef Adam Dorris had been cooking hot meals for Harvey relief.

When I arrived, the staff was busy prepping the restaurant to reopen that evening. Dorris put the chicken in water to thaw. Even though his restaurant was going to be open, he still planned on spending his mornings cooking meals for first responders and survivors.

At 12:30 p.m., my dad, who had managed to get back to his house, texted, "Water only rose about a foot more. So believe we have dodged the bullet for now." But he was worried about his mother-in-law's house.

Then Knight texted asking if I could help make sandwiches. He could no longer cook because Les Ba'get's staff was deep cleaning the kitchen in anticipation of opening the next day. Restaurants operate on thin margins, so being closed for several days, like many restaurants were in the days following the storm, is a major financial burden: rent, utilities, vendors and staff still need to be paid. And still these restaurateurs were generous.

When I arrived at Les Ba'get, the dining room was buzzing with chatter and the sounds of knives and spoons clinking against glass jars. Two rows of tables had been set up and a diverse group was lined up on both sides of the tables making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I grabbed a knife and a spoon and started slathering.

As the sandwiches were loaded in cars headed for George R. Brown, we cleaned the dining room and gathered supplies to be moved to the Midtown Kitchen Collective. Around 8 p.m., owner Cat Huynh arrived to lock up. He graciously offered us beer.

Thursday, Aug. 31

Like Knight, Adam Brackman, a partner at Axelrad and New Living, found himself performing boat rescues.

Also, like Knight, he wanted to do more. Not only did he put a call out to some friends in the Cajun Navy, he donated the use of a building he co-owned: the former SEARCH homeless shelter at Fannin and McGowen.

Emily Jaschke

In the upper floors, he housed the Cajun Navy. The first floor became central command for the Midtown Kitchen Collective.

When I arrived there Thursday morning, Knight, chef Dimitri Voutsinas (who grew up in Queens and will be helming the kitchen in the soon-to-open Emmaline on West Dallas), several professional cooks and a handful of amateurs like me were already stirring pots and chopping vegetables. After prepping beets and dicing onions, I jumped into the dish pit to spend the day scrubbing pots, cutting boards and sheet pans.

From there, I witnessed nonstop hustle and bustle. There was the constant din of the pros shouting "corner," "behind," "knife," and "hot"  sounds familiar to anyone who has been in a restaurant kitchen on a busy Saturday night.

On the other side of the swinging doors separating the kitchen from the former dining hall, 30 to 40 volunteers were prepping countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, meat and cheese sandwiches and tacos.

And sommelier Cat Nguyen was organizing crates of onions, jars of mayonnaise and redirecting donated meat to available refrigerator space. Nguyen, who couldn't get to her apartment, had spent the last few days as one of the key people organizing the restaurant industry's relief efforts and was now setting up a pop-up "grocery store" where area chefs could acquire the ingredients they needed to prepare meals for those affected by Harvey.

David Leftwich

All day, I watched a steady stream of food donations flow by on dollies and carts with defective wheels, all headed to Nguyen's "store"  crates of spinach; tubes of frozen ground local Wagyu beef; cans of powdered mashed potatoes; 10-pound boxes of pasta; two-pound cans of tomatoes; cases of off-brand mayonnaise; 50-pound bags of rice; 25-pound bags of carrots.

A cross section of the large, complex food system required to feed a city like Houston.

Around 12:30, Plant It Forward Farms tagged me in a Twitter post. Most of the crops on their three Houston farms had been destroyed by the storm. But the Congolese-refugee farmers still wanted to donate the 100 pounds of okra they managed to harvest. Knight and his team turned them into gumbo  another one of those very Houston moments.

By the end of the day, several thousand hot meals and thousands of sandwiches and tacos and been prepared and delivered to hospitals, first responders and shelters in the Houston area, Beaumont and Port Arthur.

And Knight, Small, Nguyen, Van Horn, Ferrante, Jonathan Beitler, Claudia Solis, Matthew Wettergreen and several others had set up a command center at a counter in the dining hall.

For the next 10 days, they used this makeshift collection of computers, whiteboards, and Post-It notes to field hundreds of requests from the website they established Tuesday: I Have Food I Need Food. They managed hundreds of volunteers and coordinated the acquisition, delivery and distribution of thousand and thousands of pounds of donated meat, produce and dry goods.

Emily Jaschke

And, most importantly, they oversaw the production and delivery of more than 250,000 meals to a region in crisis.

David Leftwich is the executive editor of Sugar & Rice, a Gulf Coast food and culture publication based in Houston. He is also the author of the poetry chapbook The City.





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Two Houston police officers were taken to the hospital Wednesday evening after a three-car crash in northeast Houston.

The crash happened about 7:40 p.m. at the intersection of Tidwell and Homestead, said John Cannon, spokesman for the Houston Police Department.

The officers were in a police cruiser, headed east on Tidwell, en route to an emergency call with the car's lights and siren activated.

The cruiser slowed when it reached the intersection to clear traffic on Homestead that had a green light, Cannon said.

A blue Chevy Monte Carlo traveling north on Homestead did not yield the right of way to officers, and slammed into the police cruiser. After the impact, the cruiser spiraled out of control and hit a silver Nissan Ultima.

The two officers - a man and a woman - were taken to Memorial Hermann. The female officer, who was in the passenger seat, had multiple fractures to her pelvis area.

The male officer's hand was injured.

Both officers had one year on the force. They are assigned to the northeast patrol station, Cannon said.

The drivers of the Chevy and the Nissan sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

The driver of the Chevy did not appear to be intoxicated. He was questioned at the intersection and then released, Cannon said.
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The Texas Department of Transportation's proposal to widen Texas 99 from a four-lane to a six-lane divided highway drew mixed reviews from some residents at an Oct. 24 open house at Cinco Ranch High School.

Comments ranged from concern about road noise which some think is excessive now to the project not providing enough lanes to accommodate traffic.

TxDOT is accepting project comments through Nov. 8. Comments may be sent to Hou-PIOWebMail@txdot.gov or to the TxDOT District Office, Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251.

In addition to adding lanes to the 6.6-mile segment between Interstate 10 and FM 1093, the project would add a center cable median barrier and modify several ramps. TxDOT's meeting notice said minor amounts of right of way would be required for right-turn lanes at major intersections, but it did not anticipate displacements. Some right of way might be needed for yet-to-be identified detention ponds.

TxDOT's online Project Tracker identifies Phase 2 of a Grand Parkway widening project to a six-lane road from just north of Kingsland Boulevard to Fort Bend County as under development. The construction cost/estimate is listed as $8.7 million but the entry has no set date.

While the project is intended to improve mobility, Oscar Slotboom of Westchase thinks traffic warrants more lanes. A regular user of Texas 99, he said, "Traffic has become worse than ever." He talked of backups even on Saturdays. If it backs up on Saturdays, it needs to be widened, he added.

Mike Stone, Fort Bend Grand Parkway Toll Road Authority project manager, who said the authority's portion ends at the Westpark Tollway/FM 1093, called the northern portion oversubscribed with way more cars than capacity.

TxDOT's Transportation Traffic Count Database System shows annual average daily traffic northbound on the Grand Parkway just north of Highland Knolls at 54,979 in 2016. That number for southbound traffic is 39,994.

Should TxDOT proceed with the proposed widening, though, the authority is doing some engineering work that would involve building direct connectors from the Westpark Tollway to the Grand Parkway, similar to what exists at the Katy Freeway and the Grand Parkway. Motorists southbound on the Grand Parkway can directly access the Westpark Tollway now.

"If they (TxDOT) were to make those improvements, the direct connectors would make more sense to do," said Stone. "There's no point to build a direct connector to a road that is at a complete standstill with traffic. Getting people to a traffic jam faster - who would pay to do that?" asked Stone.

Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers also is proposing some projects along the Grand Parkway which would be funded through the $218 million mobility bond issue on the Nov. 7 ballot and coordinated with TxDOT.

Proposed Precinct 3 projects include two-lane southbound frontage roads from north of Cinco Ranch to Westheimer Parkway and from north of Fry Road to FM 1093 and ramp relocations.

The authority recently completed lane and signal modifications at FM 1093/Texas 99 to accommodate another through lane, which Stone said motorists are already using.

In two weeks, the authority also plans to open an extension of the Westpark Tollway from west of the Grand Parkway over to FM 723. Since the Fort Bend Westpark Tollway was completed in August 2005, traffic volumes have increased dramatically, said Stone. "Twenty-seven thousand people used the road yesterday (Oct. 26)," he said.

When Chris and Joann Dau built their home in Cinco Ranch 25 years ago, they were surrounded by a greenscape. But now they and Mitch Abahusayn of Grand Lakes speak about the level of road noise already being excessively high and are concerned what added lanes will mean.

"The noise level at the current state is unacceptable at our house," said Abahusayn. Even with double-pane windows on their house, he said his wife still sleeps with ear plugs

"You can't have a conversation in our backyard. You have to shout," said Joann Dau. "Our double-pane windows vibrate."

And after talking with a local Realtor, she said she learned that the No. 1 complaint is the noise level. "Home values are dropping." Homes near the Grand Parkway are on the market longer than other sections of Cinco Ranch, she added. "Helpless, hopeless and depressed" is how Chris Dau describes his state after spending so much money on their house and then not really being able to enjoy it.

Abahusayn talked of the need to build sound barriers to protect residents who live near the Grand Parkway.

Meyers said he is advocating for TxDOT to do a sound study.

He also is an advocate for grooved roadway to replace concrete which is intended to muffle road noise.

When Precinct 3 puts in access or frontage roads, Meyers said, "Segments of our project will have soundwalls." Those segments will be near residential areas, he said.

Meyers also added a side note.

While the roads are intended to provide traffic congestion relief, he said county roads also are part of the drainage system and designed to convey floodwaters away from structures.
In the latest in a series of violent acts near a Midtown homeless encampment, a man was found shot to death late Tuesday night after area residents heard gunfire.

The encampment, which sprawls beneath the Interstate 69 bridge near the intersection of Caroline and Wheeler, has become a serious trouble spot for the city, with multiple reports of violence since late August.

The latest victim, who had not been identified Wednesday, was believed to be in his 50s and a resident of the encampment. He died of a single gunshot and was found in a parking lot, according to the Houston Police Department. Investigators were continuing to look for the gunman, who witnesses said rode away on a bicycle.

The homeless camp, a cluster of tents and salvaged furniture in the shadow of the Interstate 69 bridge, is home to about 70 people, said Shere Dore, an advocate for the homeless who visits four times a week.

Mayor Sylvester Turner has tried to get rid of it with an ordinance, which has been tied up in court since last summer. Now it's a burgeoning problem that has neighbors upset and trying to take action.

"It's one of those issues we're still grappling with," Turner said after a City Council meeting Wednesday. He plans to address the issue Thursday morning at a press conference. The situation "has worsened and is much more serious," he added, now that violence has become a regular occurrence.

The latest string of incidents began in August when a homeless man was shot in the leg in an empty lot near the camp. The alleged gunman in that case, Jamin Stocker, 33, was charged in August in connection with the incident. ,He had not been arrested as of Wednesday.

Another man was stabbed in the chest Oct. 12 in the 1200 block of Wheeler, less than a block away from the encampment. And on Oct. 22, 47-year-old Anthony Ross was gunned down outside a tent.

On Wednesday morning, a man who lives at the encampment said that in a matter of weeks he has lost two friends to violence. The man, who goes by the name "Cowboy" and on Wednesday wore a straw cowboy hat, said the encampment has become more tense and dangerous for everyone in the past few months, with violence and drive-by shootings.

Meanwhile, unhappiness has been building for months in the surrounding neighborhood. The residents who live nearby say they, too, feel unsafe and want the city to take some action.

In early August Kristy Banks, whose home is about 300 yards from the camp, started circulating a petition asking for the area "to be re-purposed for community use," she said. The petition, which has nearly 1,000 signatures, asks for police presence around the clock and for better lighting.

"It's very dark under that bridge," she said, and some of the streetlights don't work.

The encampment sprung up in the late summer of 2016, said Dore, the advocate for the homeless, after police pushed the homeless population out of Hermann Park and other areas nearby.

"They all seem to have congregated in the Wheeler area," she said. "Word of mouth happens quickly, and people end up staying under the bridge."

As the population grew, so did the mess. In August, the city declared the area a public health hazard. City workers did what the health department called a "deep clean," gathering up several tons of trash, human waste, dirty furniture and old mattresses.

Banks, who started the petition, has lived in a house near Caroline and Wheeler since 2012. Since the encampment developed, she said she has witnessed public urination and defecation, drug deals, "open prostitution" and violence.

"The deaths and the violence have just seemed to escalate," she said. "There were never murders like there are now.  When is enough going to be enough?"

So far, the mayor has not found a solution. The city filed an anti-encampment ordinance that went into effect in May, but the ACLU of Texas swiftly filed an emergency motion to stop it. In August, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to block the city from enforcing the ordinance.

Turner said briefs are due Thursday in federal court in the case on whether the temporary injunction will be made permanent. "Hopefully the judge will be ruling within the next week or so," he said.

Christopher Eriksen, who lives in a condo nearby, said he can see the encampment from his living-room sofa. He has complained to police and city officials, he said, but hasn't gotten more than promises.

"We've been dealing with this for at least a year now," he said. "The city hasn't taken care of anything, and people (in the encampment) have become very territorial. They know the city isn't going to do anything. It's become a zone where you can just do whatever you want."

Mike Morris contributed to this report.
This story was updated Nov. 10 to include a response from attorneys.

A federal judge in Houston has given the government three weeks to decide what its current policy is on providing federal relief to houses of worship damaged during Hurricane Harvey.

The ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Dec. 1 to explain whether it opposes providing nonprofit rebuilding funds to religious groups.

"Christmas may come early for hard-hit houses of worship in Texasthe court has set the clock ticking on FEMA's irrational religious discrimination policy," said Daniel Blomberg, an attorney at Becket, the religious liberty law firm that represents the churches. "It can't come soon enough."

He argued earlier in the week that FEMA was singling groups out unfairly.

"Discriminating against houses of worshipwhich are often on the front lines of disaster reliefis not just wrongheaded, it strikes at our nation's most fundamental values," Blomberg said.

Justice Department attorneys declined to comment.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Everything you need to know in the storm's aftermath

In the past, FEMA has rejected funding applications by religious groups whose facilities were damaged during natural disasters, but an attorney for the agency said in a Houston courtroom this week that FEMA and Justice Department officials at the highest levels are reconsidering whether faith groups should be eligible.

Now Playing: Flooded-out cars from Harvey and Irma are starting to flood the used-car market, including in Chicago. Video: Fox32

The judge's ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed in September by three Southwest Texas churches whose buildings were damaged during Hurricane Harvey. The churches are seeking an immediate injunction forcing FEMA to consider their applications along with all other nonprofits.

Ellison rejected FEMA's request to stay the injunction. He said he intends to rule on the injunction soon, but in the meantime, he has set aside three weeks for the parties to explain their positions.

The Houston lawsuit filed on behalf of the Rockport First Assembly of God in Aransas County, Harvest Family Church in Cypress and Hi-Way Tabernacle in Cleveland, Liberty County claims the government's disaster relief policy violates the Constitution by denying faith groups the right to apply for funds.

The suit cites a U.S. Supreme Court case in which the court held in June that the Missouri state government could not discriminate by denying funds to a church group that applied for playground equipment because it was affiliated with a religion.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal justice for the Houston Chronicle. Send her tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com or follow her on Twitter.
RICHMOND, Va. - The American suburbs appear to be in revolt against President Donald Trump after a muscular coalition of college-educated voters and racial and ethnic minorities on Tuesday dealt the Republican Party a thumping rejection and propelled a diverse class of Democrats into office.

From the tax-obsessed suburbs of New York City to high-tech neighborhoods outside Seattle to the sprawling, polyglot developments of Fairfax and Prince William County, Va., voters shunned Republicans up and down the ballot in off-year elections. Leaders in both parties said the elections amounted to an earsplitting alarm bell for Republicans ahead of the 2018 elections, when the party's grip on the House of Representatives may hinge on the socially moderate, multiethnic communities surrounding major cities.

"Voters are taking their anger out at the president, and the only way they can do that is by going after Republicans on the ballot," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "If this isn't a wake-up call, I don't know what is."

The Democrats' gains were deep and broad, signaling profound alienation from the Republican Party among the sort of upscale moderates who were once a pillar of their coalition.

Democrats not only swept Virginia's statewide races but neared a majority in the House of Delegates, a legislative chamber that was gerrymandered to make the Republican majority virtually unassailable. They seized county executive offices in Westchester and Nassau County, N.Y., and captured bellwether mayoral elections in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Manchester, N.H., all races that had favored Republicans only months ago.

In Washington state, Democrats won a special election to take control of the State Senate, establishing total Democratic dominance of government on the West Coast. Democrats took council seats in vote-rich Delaware County, in the Philadelphia suburbs, a perennial battleground for control of the House.

Georgia elects Dems

Even in the Deep South, Georgia Democrats captured two state House seats where they previously had not even fielded candidates while snatching a State Senate seat in Buckhead, Atlanta's toniest enclave.

"Republicans are being obliterated in the suburbs," said Chris Vance, a former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. "I don't think the Republican Party has a future in any state like Washington or Virginia, or Oregon or California, or many other places, where the majority of the voters are from urban or suburban areas."

Vance placed the blame squarely on Trump: "Among college-educated suburbanites, he is a pariah." In Washington, D.C., congressional Republicans braced for a new wave of retirements just one day after another pair of House members, veteran Rep. Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey and Rep. Ted Poe of Texas, declared they would not seek re-election. Dent, channeling the exasperation of his colleagues, suggested an exodus might be imminent.

"Our guys know they're going to be running into a fierce storm," said Dent, a leader of his caucus's moderate wing who has already announced he will not run again. "Do they really want to go through another year of this?"

Even in the White House, where Trump's first reaction was to savage Ed Gillespie, the party's defeated gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, two advisers acknowledged on Wednesday morning that Trump was likely to help drive Democratic turnout next year in much the same way his predecessor, Barack Obama, did for conservative voters during midterm elections.

Democrats were as buoyant as Republicans were dejected. Party leaders gleefully predicted that the Senate, where the Republicans hold a two-seat majority, might now be in play, and they said that their fundraising and candidate recruitment would take off going into the new year.

"We'll get a lot of candidates who are going to want to run, and I think for donors who have been on the sidelines, dispirited for the last year, I'm telling you people are jazzed up," said Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, the ever-upbeat former national Democratic Party chair.

Suburban resurrection

Democrats still face formidable obstacles in the 2018 election, including some not at work in this week's elections. If a suburban insurrection might help Democrats take the House, the Senate seats at stake next year are overwhelmingly in conservative, rural states, where feelings about Trump range from ambivalent to positive. So far, only two Republican Senate seats appear in play, the Arizona seat being vacated by Jeff Flake and Dean Heller's seat in Nevada.

In House races, Democratic candidates are likely to face Republican attacks tying them to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the unpopular Democratic minority leader, and a range of liberal policies, like single-payer health care, that are causing divisions in the Democratic ranks.

But to many Democrats and, much to their consternation, some Republicans, the results recalled the last time a radioactive Republican was in the White House and voters took out their frustrations on a Republican-held Congress. In 2005, Democrats rolled to victory in Virginia and New Jersey, presaging a wave election in 2006, and inspiring throngs of Democrats to run for office in difficult districts.
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's president said Wednesday he fired his deputy and longtime ally for scheming to take power, including by consulting witch doctors, while Emmerson Mnangagwa said he has left the country after "incessant threats" to him and his family.

The demonization of the deposed vice president is the clearest sign yet that President Robert Mugabe, who at 93 is the world's oldest head of state, is preparing his wife, Grace, to succeed him.

In a statement obtained by The Associated Press, Mnangagwa said he was safe but did not mention his location. "I will be communicating with you soon and shall return to Zimbabwe to lead you," the statement said.

Mugabe spoke publicly for the first time since dismissing Mnangagwa, who had been seen as Mugabe's potential successor.

Mugabe told thousands of cheering supporters that Mnangagwa had plotted to take over since becoming a vice president in 2014.

Mnangagwa replaced Joice Mujuru, who had been ousted and accused by Mugabe of using witchcraft to take power.

"We have kicked him out for the same reasons that saw us chasing away Mujuru," Mugabe said of Mnangagwa. The president, who has proved to be one of Africa's most wily politicians, added: "People were told that I will retire in March but I did not. Upon realizing that I wasn't, he started consulting traditional healers on when I was going to die."

In the statement, Mnangagwa said that "my mouth has never uttered a single foul word against the president nor have I ever contemplated bringing him harm in any way." He adds: "This party is not personal property for you and your wife to do as you please" and calls Mugabe "one stubborn individual who believes he is entitled to rule this country until death."

First lady Grace Mugabe, 52, has been endorsed by ruling party groups to take over from Mnangagwa as vice president at a party congress next month, placing her in prime position to succeed her husband.

"No one will remove the president except God," the first lady told the crowd, without directly addressing her ambitions. "God grant me the serenity to accept things I can't change. I love my president. I will help him to make the country prosper." On Sunday, she told a rally that she was ready to take over from her husband.
Nov. 8

Bryant K. Arthur, 30, of Fullerton, California was under felony arrest at 1050 Connolly Drive for resisting a public officer, battery on a police officer, battery by a prisoner, and damaging jail property. Bail $47,280



Sergio A. Estrada, 29, of Elko was arrested under a felony warrant at Ruby Radio for two counts of embezzlement of more than $3,500, four counts of intent to utter a fictional bill/note/check, and three counts of embezzlement ranging between $650 to $3,500. Bail $90,000



Joshua J. Gemberling, 34, of Elko was arrested under a warrant for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail $675



Dana A. Hamlett, 45, of Elko was arrested under a warrant for four counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail $2,238



Eduardo M. Quesada, 25, of Elko was arrested at Elko County Jail for battery and disturbing the peace. Bail $1,495


Among the many thoughtful responses to the horror of the Sutherland Springs massacre last Sunday morning was a New York Times essay by Patrick Blanchfield, a faculty member at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research. In his essay Blanchfield suggests that the word "waste" is appropriate as we try to come to terms with the toll of American gun violence. "Waste in many ways - as lives cut short, as potential squandered, as futures foreclosed."

That word - waste - caught our eye in part, because it also came up last week during a Chronicle editorial board meeting with Don Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post. Graham, in town as keynote speaker for the annual dinner of the Center for Houston's Future, has devoted time and effort the last few years to the plight of so-called Dreamers. These are young people who came to the United States as children under age 16 with their parents, who are undocumented immigrants. The Dreamers, whose average age was 6 when they got here, have no way to change their status.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other anti-immigrant right-wingers are determined to deport them to their countries of origin, places where most of them have never lived. To do so would be nothing less than a colossal waste, Graham contends. We agree, and we suspect most Houstonians do, as well.

At the moment, some 800,000 Dreamers - 10 percent of them in Houston alone - are protected under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, but DACA is scheduled to be phased out next spring. If Congress can't come up with a plan to protect them, they run the risk of being rounded up by the uniformed zealots enforcing immigration laws these days. They're likely to be sent back - somewhere.

Consider the young men and women we would be kicking out of the country. Not only are they undocumented through no fault of their own, but they also have to be free of any criminal conviction to be protected by DACA. If they commit a crime, they are kicked out of the program and risk being deported.

They must be students in U.S. schools or graduates of those schools, and they must have entered this country before 2007. DACA does not provide them access to Pell Grants or college loans or any other federal benefits. It does provide them an opportunity to study and then work, free of being dogged by deportation fears every day of their lives.

To deport them would be a waste of potential for ambitious young people to make something of themselves, a waste of opportunity for them to contribute to the common good in the nation where they've spent most of their lives. Graham points out that DACA makes money for Texas from in-state tuition payments to state colleges and universities and through state taxes on Dreamers' earnings. If allowed the opportunity, they'll continue to contribute long after they've received their degrees. They'll be nurses, teachers, programmers, businessmen and women - in short, taxpayers.

As Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo pointed out last week in the pages of the Chronicle, members of Congress have it within their power to protect Dreamers, including the 124,000 who live in Texas. "We hope they seize this moment to enact legislation to protect Dreamers," he wrote. "Such legislation could pave the way for fixing other aspects of our immigration policies, including proposals to secure our borders, reform visa programs and give law-abiding immigrants pathways to legalization."

Weeks after Hurricane Harvey laid waste to Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast, we are painfully familiar with the concept. Why in the world would we want to lay waste to human lives?
Yet again

Regarding "Another massacre" editorial (Page A13, Tuesday), when I saw the report of Sunday's church shooting in Sutherland Springs, I thought "here we go again another month, another mass shooting." As expected, our political leaders tell us that now is not the time to talk about guns. But if not now, then when?

The National Rifle Association would have us believe that stricter controls on the sale of assault weapons equal elimination of the Second Amendment. That's not true. When the U.S. had an assault weapons ban between 1994 and 2004, Americans were still free to buy handguns for self-protection or single-shot rifles or shotguns for hunting.

Assault weapons are designed as instruments of war with the purpose of killing large numbers of people in a short amount of time. I cannot imagine a true sportsman using an AR-15 to hunt quail, ducks or deer.

With the increasing frequency of these mass killings, we might as well begin flying our flags at half-staff all the time.

Aletha Evert, Houston

Common sense

The U.S. Congress has lost its moral compass and its fortitude to do right for the American people. The slaughter of elementary school kids in Newtown, of African-Americans in a South Carolina church, of gay folks in Orlando, of country music fans in Las Vegas and of small-town Baptist worshipers near San Antonio has not made the members of Congress act.

Each member should have the courage to support background checks and linked databases for all gun purchases whether in a store, online, gun show or private transaction and ban any device that permits a firearm to perform like an automatic weapons.

These are common sense points that will benefit all and will not infringe on sports, hunting or self-protection uses of firearms.

John Martinez, Houston

Response

It seems that the only response to mass shootings in America are prayers and candlelight vigils. There appears no way to curb mass shootings; another one will happen. Is this the price we as Americans have decided to pay for the privilege of owning military-style assault weapons? Should the debate on mass shooting be about limiting the number of casualties and not about trying to eliminate them altogether?

Blaming the shooting on mental illness is not an answer; it is a cop-out. There is a fine line between a responsible gun owner and an unstable person with a gun. There is no way to tell when that line will be crossed. Grieving and ignoring and moving on is not much of a response to mass shootings, but it is the one Americans have chosen.

Gonzalo Martinez, La Porte

Mental health

The editorial missed the key issues. It lays blame on the National Rifle Association and the politicians they supposedly own, yet this shooter had no connection to the NRA. In fact, none of the shooters from Major Nidal Malik Hassan at Fort Hood in 2009 to the shooter in Sutherland Springs were members of the NRA. It took a good guy with a gun to stop the shooter on Sunday.

Improving the nation's mental health care would be more useful than new gun laws. There are already numerous gun laws on the books, yet not a single one of them could have prevented this tragedy. Background checks are already in place for gun purchases. The Air Force's failure to notify the FBI is the main culprit in this shooting.

Roger Vernon, Tomball
A local man is held in the Texas County Jail on $500,000 bond and faces a pair of felony charges after an incident Nov. 5 at his residence in Cabool.

As result of an investigation by a Texas County Sheriffs Department deputy and a pair of Cabool Police Department officers, Keith Thomi  son, 41, of 13200 Sunrise Drive at Cabool, is charged with unlawful use of a loaded weapon while intoxicated and second-degree domestic assault.

Officers responded to a report of a fight at the residence (address unreported) at about 4:15 p.m.

The police officers arrived first and made contact with Thomison, who had apparently been the aggressor in the situation and was being restrained by two witnesses. When the officer took Thomison into custody, they observed that he was extremely drunk, according to a report.

The deputy then arrived and interviewed the two witnesses and Thomisons wife, who all stated Thomison had consumed at least 15 beers and some whiskey and had taken a .22 caliber rifle outside and started shooting it into a bank in front of the house. The wife reportedly told him to stop the shooting, which made Thomison angry and he started yelling at the others.

Thomison reportedly then went into the house to get more bullets, and one of the witnesses grabbed the gun away from him. Thomison reacted by punching the witness and continued into the house to get a pack of 500 bullets, according to a report.

The wife reportedly responded by getting Thomison in a headlock and wrestling him to the ground. One of the witnesses then ran to assist while the other called 911.

Thomison was finally taken to jail and the rifle and a small bottle of bourbon were seized as evidence.
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ELKO  Tribal disputes, a court system divided between three states, and a lapsed liquor license are problems currently plaguing the Elko Indian Colony at a time when the tribe is looking at proposals for marijuana businesses and a potential casino.

An order of contempt and incarceration was issued Nov. 6 against Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone council chairwoman Lydia Johnson by the Court of Indian Offenses and signed by Magistrate O.R. McGee.

The document alleges Johnson, a member of the Battle Mountain Band Colony who was elected to a three-year term in 2015, presided over a meeting Nov. 3 with four members of the Tribal Council that does not equate with a quorum of the Council under the Tribes Constitution.

The warrant also alleges that during the meeting, six actions took place: tribal administrator Phaline Conklin was fired, Alice Tybo and Gilbert Temoke were removed from the tribal council, the meeting was conducted without regard for Elko Band vice-chairman Davis Gonzales, the signers of the tribes bank account were changed, and the Board of Commissions of the Housing Authority was apparently disbanded.

It further states that Johnson is to be immediately arrested and incarcerated.

Plaintiffs listed in the complaint are Gonzales and Te-Moak council members David Decker, Steve Brady, Tybo and Temoke.

The document comes within weeks of meetings conducted by the Elko Band Council to hear marijuana business proposals from Josh and Terra White of Cannabis Consulting Group LLC and Jon Goldstein representing Louis Armstrong & Associates of Southern California.

Goldstein also represented a group of investors who are interested in establishing a casino on the colony.

Currently, the tribe is facing other issues explained by Elko Band council member Felix Ike and South Fork member Elwood Mose, both former tribal chairmen. These include the disbandment of the tribes court system, and the expiration of a liquor license in late September that resulted in alcohol being pulled from the shelves of the Smoke Shop.

Ike said looking back, he believes the court was removed from the colony because he discovered last December the Bureau of Indian Affairs owed the colony about $107,000 in back rent for the courthouse starting in 2000.

I pursued it and the Band Council supported me, Ike said, explaining that the council wrote letters to the BIA requesting payment to avoid eviction.

On January 27, the Te-Moak court was officially closed. Tribal leaders were informed Oct. 12 by a letter from the BIA that courts from the Te-Moak Tribe, Winnemucca and Skull Valley, Utah, were being transitioned to the Southern Plains Region to a recently developed Court of Indian Offenses of the Western Region.

A court administrator, deputy court clerk, prosecutor and public defender were assigned to all three tribes, with McGee assigned to the Te-Moak Tribe specifically. Now, court actions are processed in three locations: the BIA office on Argent Avenue; Adarko, Oklahoma; and in Phoenix.

The move has thrown the colonys legal actions into limbo, said Ike.

Marriages, divorces, restraining orders  granted or not granted, Ike said. I dont know how youre going to do it. Another problem, Ike said, is that no one knows where to file those documents or how long it will take for them to be processed.

Ike said if a tribal member is arrested on a misdemeanor charge they may be held in Elko County Jail for 48 hours before being released, but it is unclear to him if and when an arraignment is held.

A felony goes through the federal [authorities] and the FBI has jurisdiction, Ike said, adding that there are civil and criminal cases still open that have not had a ruling.

The tribal police force is also facing a shortage, Ike said. Initially, we had 12  but we have about six or four [officers].

He also predicted that with the inadequate law enforcement it will fall back on the county and the city.

One action that is pending is renewing the tribes liquor license that expired Sept. 28, removing a key source of revenue from the Smoke Shop and gas station.

It can be renewed and go through the procedure in the tribes ordinance, said Ike.

Mose said the lapsed liquor license is a sign that the Elko Band has a long way to go before the colony brings in a marijuana dispensary.

They cant process an ordinance or pay the fee required by law, Mose said. There are signs [at the Smoke Shop] that say they dont have anything to sell.

Other tribes

Other marijuana dispensaries opening on tribal land within the state are meeting mixed success.

On Oct. 16, the Las Vegas Paiute tribe opened a 15,500 square foot marijuana retail store, the NuWu Cannabis Marketplace.

The facility expects to employ 100 people to serve about 2,500 customers each day, reported the Las Vegas Sun. It was built on land privately owned by the tribe, and the revenue will go back to the tribe.

In Ely, the city council agreed to enter into a compact with the Ely Shoshone Tribe at their meeting Sept. 28 by a 3-2 margin. However, the Ely Times reported that three days later, Mayor Melody VanCamp vetoed the action.

VanCamp cited several reasons to the Ely Times, saying that the contract with the tribe would provide a monopoly for one company for five years; be unfair competition for potential medical and recreational marijuana businesses that might come to Ely; and discourage new businesses from opening in Ely.

Finally, VanCamp said, she was concerned the federal government could come in and shut down the business  [because] it still remains illegal at the federal level.

On the Nov. 9 agenda, Ely City Council members will hear a first reading for an ordinance to regulate the medical marijuana industry in the City of Ely, establishing regulatory requirements, licensing requirements, and related matters.

Ready or not?

Ike believes the Elko colony is ripe for business, but must overcome disagreements, have communication among leadership and tribe members, and have unity in their actions.

If were going to be dealing with something large like a possible casino development or even cannabis,  do it by a referendum vote  rather than a handful of people, Ike said. Several people should not make that decision in regards to what the tribe wants to have, and the tribe is composed of Elko, South Fork, Wells and Battle Mountain.

The ultimate decision is the tribes, Ike said, not the Elko Bands.

Mose believes the colonys troubles reflect a larger problem within the tribes culture.

This to me is an expression of people who have lost their way, Mose said. It is not the tribal way of doing things.
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Hospitals face mounting pressure to do more to make workplaces safe for healthcare workers after a survey revealed that nearly seven in 10 workers have experienced assault.



The poll, conducted for the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, included among 770 front-line nurses and personal support workers in seven cities including Toronto and an additional 1,200 workers in other healthcare jobs, according to The Toronto Star.



Sixty-eight percent of nurses and PSWs have experienced physical violence at least once on the job over the past year, and 42% experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment and assault.



Of those working related jobs, 24 per cent reported experiencing at least one incident of violence in the past year and 58 per cent said theyd been subjected to non-physical violence.



Moreover 44 per cent said they feared reprisal from their employer if they spoke up about violence on the job.



The Ministry of Labour has increased the inspection of hospitals in response to concerns about violence. There are also appeals to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include explicit protections against reprisal for workers who report violence on the job.



Other proposals include the installation of alarm systems and protective barriers in hospitals.



Talks between hospitals and health-care unions broke off in September even as the Ontario Hospital Association said it was disappointed at the failure of negotiations.



It is important to reiterate that the health and safety of employees has been, and will continue to be a priority for both the OHA and our member hospitals, the association said in an email to The Star.



While we know that the work performed by healthcare providers is often challenging and demanding, acts of violence are never accepted as something that staff members should expect to face within the workplace.



Health-care unions, however, allege that the hospitals refused to write a letter to government asking for investments in workplace safety to prevent violent assaults.



Youve got frankly a hierarchal environment where there is a reluctance to acknowledge or address the problem, Michael Hurley, OCHUs president, told The Star.





Related stories:

Feds seek feedback on workplace violence

$125K fine for workplace violence
Humane Society International/Canada and Chiots Nordiques are heading to Manawan, Quebec to hold a mass spay-neuter clinic for stray and roaming dogs. The organizations expect to sterilize more than 100 dogs and help counter canine overpopulation in the area. This is the second time the team visits this Atikamekw community.

Ewa Demianowicz, senior campaign manager for HSI/Canada, said: We are thrilled to go back to Manawan and provide essential veterinary services to this community. We saw first-hand the harmful impacts of canine overpopulation in 2014 when we first visited the area. The animals were emaciated and struggling to survive, and the people taking care of them were desperate for help. By going back this year, we are providing ongoing support to maintain a healthy dog population in the community.

Support the efforts of HSI/Canada to save lives.

Eric Coia, president of Chiots Nordiques, added: Our team of volunteers is ready and excited to help Manawan manage its stray and roaming dog population. We will be setting up a three-day temporary clinic and we will be sterilizing dogs from morning to night. Our objective is to tend to almost all dogs in the area to make sure we have the most impact possible. We are extremely thankful that HSI/Canada is assisting us in providing these essential services to remote communities like Manawan.

Dogs hold an important place in First Nation communities, but the lack of access to veterinary services in these areas has led to overpopulation of stray dogs and neglect. Mass sterilization is an efficient and humane method to control the dog overpopulation crisis these communities face. These clinics not only help animals in need, they also contribute to these communities by reducing the incidence of dog bite injuries and zoonotic diseases.

Media Contact: Christopher Pare, 514 395-2914 x 206, cpare@hsi.org
Carl Court via Getty Images

It was only a matter of time before the Conservative government got itself into yet another scandal, the latest being Priti Patel's decision to meet with Israeli politicians, including the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without informing the Foreign Office.

Undoubtedly such a meeting that not only contradicts what is stated British Foreign Policy but also flouts international consensus by intending to conduct business in what is considered illegally occupied territory is wrong and warrants Priti Patel's resignation. Yet just when you think matters couldn't get much worse, up pops another Conservative MP, showing breathtaking ignorance and hypocrisy, claiming that Priti Patel's career was accelerated because she was 'Asian'.

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Here comes the 'he/she only got to where they are because of a quota' argument. An argument that I've often heard directed towards people from ethnic minority backgrounds, usually by those who are very keen on shielding their own positions of privilege from scrutiny. Yet we must ask ourselves, is it really Priti Patel who has been benefiting from her race and ethnicity or have there been quotas which historically have been favouring individuals from the other end of the spectrum, namely those from public schools who are of a particular race and gender?

We already know that Britain has some of the lowest social mobility rates in the developed world. 24% of vice-chancellors, 32% of MPs, 51% of top Medics, 54% of FTSE-100 chief execs, 54% of top journalists, 70% of High Court judges went to private schools. It's pretty clear who has a stranglehold on public life in Britain.

Yet what are we then to make of those who will be screaming straight away 'but it's all about merit, if they're not good enough, they're not good enough'. Surely we only select on merit? But clearly, we don't. What are we to make of someone like Boris Johnson, our gaffe prone Foreign Secretary who remains in his post despite endangering the plight of jailed British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe by saying that she had been teaching journalism. Yet another blunder in a catalogue of errors by a Foreign Secretary who clearly is no longer occupying his position on the basis of merit alone. If he had been, he'd have gone long ago.

Donald Trump unashamedly used his race and gender to get ahead in America, but the same voices that talk about diversity diluting the quality of work, very rarely mention how the likes of Trump have benefited from a quota that parachutes men with Trump's background into positions of power and influence despite lacking in quality. Do we really believe then that all those who come from our own country's privately educated elite all got to where they are based solely on merit and not because of the privileges that they have had?

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ELKO  All members of the Elko City Planning Commission passed a motion for the Head Start of Northeastern Nevada preschool to obtain a permit covering its module being constructed on Silver Street and Sweetwater Lane.

This building currently meets all existing city codes, said Assistant City Manager Scott Wilkinson. We just need to make sure we have this plural wording for the future plans.

The Planning Commission did not approve a conditional use permit for the future 1,500 square foot modular office building, a 6,000 square foot classroom modular building, and two additional playgrounds. Head Start will have to come back and apply for another conditional use permit about five or seven years down the road, according to Wilkinson.

The commission also expressed concerns with the new building being approved on Silver Street and the amount of traffic with parents dropping off and picking up their children from the facility.

We can use stripes and potentially insert a median to regulate traffic on that road, as I have been in discussion with [Catherine] Wines, said Wilkinson. Well paint the curbs red for no parking on the street and take whatever measures to improve that.

In the current Head Start building on Silver Street there are 20 students and three teachers, and they will be moving into the new building for classroom space. The new building will allow Head Start to have a total of 54 students and 12 teachers, according to the plans presented to the commission.

Planning board members expressed their concerns with the safety of the children and parents as they access the facility, where there are only 40 parking spaces allotted between both buildings.

It would be advantageous to squeeze in five more spaces if possible until the road is more developed, said Chair Aaron Martinez. Condition 1 proposed needs to be slightly modified for all usages as I could see this as a big problem in the future, and more spaces would help.

These concerns developed as they looked at the total numbers of teachers, parents, and students for the future building plans as well. These calculations totaled around 28 teachers, 110 students, and all of the parents of those students.
On November 10th 1977, Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards performed a procedure which was to result in the world's first IVF baby. Almost nine months later, Louise Brown was born and since then more than five million babies have entered this world after being conceived with the help of medical intervention.

Happy 40th birthday In Vitro Fertilisation.

I was first introduced to the concept of IVF twenty years later in 1997. I was a teenager, doing A Levels, and I remember it well as a debate in my religious studies class. Back then that's all it was though, a debate, a concept, not something tangible that truly existed, and definitely not something which would go on to shape my life, in the way that it has. At that point in time I didn't know about infertility, I didn't understand that people couldn't get pregnant naturally. We were spending our school days putting condoms on bananas and being taught how not to get pregnant, no one ever raised the question 'what if I can't?'. Of course, that was partly our age and partly ignorance of the age we were living in, when infertility wasn't spoken about and IVF was deemed as a controversial way in which to conceive, when, if couples didn't have a child it was, most probably, thought that the woman was "barren" and no one was talking about male infertility.

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The same thing then happened 14 years later during my wedding preparation course; we were asked to share with our partner our hopes and dreams of a future family. We were told how important it is for couples to be in agreement about wanting children and how exciting, yet life-changing, having a baby actually is. Infertility didn't get a mention, and that was only six years ago.

Perceptions are changing though and certainly for the better. Celebs now do it, and talk about it, family friends have done it and spoken out, aunties and uncles do it and it's known that currently 1 in 6 couples are experiencing infertility, on some level. We've also discovered that men can be infertile too, and will talk about it, with male infertility counting for around 50% of cases today. We have come far but not yet far enough.

Ignorance is still rife. Phrases such as 'Just adopt', 'Just relax' and other "well meaning" platitudes are still uttered, along with infertility myths, and when was the last time you had a conversation about involuntary childlessness? Controversially IVF is pushing harder at ethical boundaries; NHS funding is regularly in the press, genetic testing takes place and donors are used to help same sex and heterosexual couples, and individuals, conceive; a lot has happened in the 40 years since that first embryo transfer.

Whether you agree with it, or not, IVF has indubitably changed the world. Throughout the past four decades the medical science surrounding fertility treatments has improved dramatically, and research in to infertility has increased: Being infertile is now, no longer, wholly synonymous with being childless.

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I've often felt that infertility has the ability to strip couples of choices which were once taken for granted. We don't get to decide when to have a child and choosing whether to have a larger family comes with added complications. After our first failed cycle, I became aware that IVF doesn't always work but, invariably felt that at least it gave me that element of choice I had so desperately been craving.

Infertility cuts deep in to the soul. It plunges a knife into your heart and can leave you questioning whether you want to live. It consumes you and takes over rational thinking and logic. It makes you investigate everything, looking for the reason as to why this is happening to you. I spent months trying to work out what I was being punished for when, in reality, there was no castigation; it was for me, simply, life. Then there's also the guilt. Guilt that with every failed cycle you're continually letting everyone down, guilt from whichever party is medically responsible for the infertility, and guilt about the feelings experienced throughout the whole process; jealousy being the main culprit.

I had always wanted a family. I'm a good mother and have a lot of love to give. Whilst, one day, I would like to adopt or foster, I was also desperate to conceive. I wanted to be pregnant. To feel my baby moving and growing inside of me, to give birth, create life and to know my child from that very first magical cry. I wanted to be, and felt I had a right to be, like every other mother who can conceive naturally. And IVF gave me that right.

IVF isn't easy. It's a tough medical process and emotionally it leaves you in tatters. For some it's incredibly difficult deciding whether to even go ahead and start the procedure, let alone being faced with the harsh reality that it hasn't worked and it might be time to stop.

In many ways I have a love / hate relationship with IVF. I love that my prayers were, finally, answered but I hate that I had to have IVF and experience everything it encompasses. During our cycles I regularly had to remind myself that no matter how tough IVF was, for me, infertility was tougher. Yes, it can be addictive, yes, it is expensive but yes, it can work. IVF gives hope and it can make dreams come true.

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Determination can only get an infertile so far but combine willpower with science and therein lies the potential to change the world. I'm proud my son is an IVF baby; I'm in awe of how he was created, and with 300,000 other IVF babies, just in the UK, I can rest assured in the knowledge, that as he ventures on his journey throughout life, he will meet many more little miracles of science, like him. Other children who also began their lives in a petri dish, whilst anxious parents-to-be awaited phone calls, further medical procedures and finally, hopefully, that confirmation of a pregnancy which, in some cases, took years to come.

There is no shame in infertility, no embarrassment in IVF and no taboo. For me; there is simply pride and I am, forever, indebted to those pioneers behind In Vitro Fertilisation, and the scientists who continue in this field. Thank you IVF, and happy birthday.
donfiore via Getty Images

Catalonia's independent republic was short-lived. It was born and then died within three days - but the argument over its sovereign future will endure for much longer.

Mariano Rajoy, Spain's conservative Prime Minister may have de jure control of Catalonia for now, but, his power grab is feeble at best - even with Catalonia's leader Carles Puigdemont thoroughly thwarted.

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Spain isn't exactly the kind of nation that exemplifies a happy marriage of semi-autonomous states, in fact, various secessionist factions are a plague which swarm the Iberian Peninsula and cause grief the nation over.

Whether it's in the Canary Islands, the Basque Country or Catalonia, there is a nationalist settlement in virtually all of Spain's autonomous communities, except in Madrid, the seat of Spain's centralised power, but none of them is as impassioned or as divisive as Catalonia's.

By following the Spanish rule of law, the recent independence referendum was categorically illegal. As a liberal, I find democratic referenda being illegal a difficult idea to coalesce but that doesn't change the situation.

As Spain's constitution legally disallows such a vote, there is no doubt that Catalonia's insistence to hold the independence poll in the first place was antagonistic - and at worst, cynical.

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Of course, there have been wrongs committed on both sides of this constitutional crisis, though the fault is not shared equally. Whilst Catalan nationalists were flagrantly anarchic in their behaviour, the use of police viciousness to quell what was ultimately a planned expression of public will is repugnant.

Mariano Rajoy's handling of Catalonia has not only been one of violent tyranny but of colossal stupidity too. Does he really believe that a culture like Catalonia will be beaten in to submission, thus abandoning dreams of full independence? What is his end game - that Catalonia will be overcome by an all-consuming dose of Stockholm Syndrome?

All the Spanish government have done is ensure further disunity, further resentment towards the capital and ensure that Catalan's drive for independence will grow stronger and stronger.

The Spanish polices acts of brutalism were so overpowering they could and should be punishable by sanction by the European Union.

Of course, in turn that doesn't make the result of Catalonia's recent vote legitimate. While police were violently seizing ballots from peaceful voters, Spanish unionists were staying at home en masse, bastardising any result in its entirety.

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Though social media, in its never ending quest to virtue signal at any given opportunity, is awash with Catalan flags, there isn't any hard evidence that a majority of Catalonians want independence anyway.

In fact, in all of the ruckus caused by the Spanish government and Catalan nationalists, everyone seems to be forgetting the rest of Spain and the some 300,000 unionist protestors who marched through Barcelona last weekend.

Whilst, I accept, support and champion that the very essence of liberalism and one of its central tenets is self-determination, Catalan independence has a very specific problem that wasn't true of say Scotland's referendum, in that it is Spain's most dynamic economy.

Much like it wouldn't have been fair in the wake of the Brexit vote if the short-lived 'Londependence' tantrum had taken off, it would also be a slap in the face to the rest of Spain if Catalonia upped sticks and left them out to dry.

Of course, Catalonia can boast over being the biggest contributor to both Spain's GDP and exports, but it's economy which is heavily reliant on infrastructure could never have thrived if it wasn't for the investment funded, at least in part, by Spanish citizens outside of Catalonia.

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In the wake of any constitutional crisis, the obvious course of action should be a constitutional re-draft. Whilst, Spain's autonomous communities already have a wide array of powers, Catalonia does not have full control over its own markets, energy or healthcare - so revisiting the devolved powers of all regions seems a good start.

A second point of order for Spain is to transition the country officially in to a federation so citizens of richer autonomous communities like Catalonia don't feel short-changed when their taxable wealth and income is used to subsidise other areas.

Finally, Spain must revisit its rigid constitution which, by law, disallows any attempt at separatism through any means possible. As secessionist movements can be a fickle beast with little scope for sober second thought, as we've seen in the UK, Spain could offset these issues by introducing a supermajority clause.

Say, if two-thirds of Catalonia's parliament voted to hold a binding vote on independence and two-thirds of Catalonia's electorate voted to leave Spain, then Madrid should respect that as the clear - and importantly stable - will of the people.
There are plenty of reasons to be frustrated with the media.

Depending on your political affiliations, whatever you watch or read can appear biased or skewed, reporting only one side of the story.

I recall unscrupulous colleagues making up quotes and filing them to the news desks before a press conference took place, so that they could leave quickly. These were the days before social media or the internet, so the race to be first did not exist in quite the same way.

The cut in advertising budgets has also meant that sub-editors have been cut, meaning it is impossible to read a single edition of any newspaper without finding spelling or grammatical errors.

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As a former journalist on a range of national newspapers, I recall being screamed at if even a comma was out of place in my copy.

The pace of filing news these days means that fact-checking and quality of writing often gives way to getting the content out, to entice more online traffic or views.

When a story turns out to have been grossly exaggerated or just plain wrong, as is often the case with some of the UK tabloids in particular, the disproportionate corrections do little to address the concerns over 'fake news'.

Contrived stories, where journalists impersonate someone in order to entrap them, most recently prompting the England Manager Sam Allardyce to leave his post, or those which have involved phone hacking, do little to provoke sympathy in the fourth estate.

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US President Donald Trump even blamed the media for inciting the racial tensions prevalent at a rally in Charlottesville during the summer.

While instances of 'fake news' and social media manipulation need to be addressed, the emergence of the smartphone now makes media of us all.

No longer do you need shorthand or a job on a newspaper to write a blog or post images and videos that can shape opinion, sell products and perhaps even inspire others.

The nature of 'news' now means that Kim Kardashian's latest selfie or a celebrity scandal is of far more interest to the attention-poor, media-blitzed generation for whom long form journalism just takes too much effort.

But society needs a strong and balanced media, to keep the establishment, organisations and individuals in check.

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How balanced our media can be in this age where foreign powers are said to be able to post 'news' that suits their agenda to convince the masses is certainly up for debate.

But for every typo, every exaggerated headline, every factual inaccuracy, there are tens of journalists who just want to expose the truth that affects any or all of us in one way or another.

When the pilot shortage and flight cancellations hit the headlines, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary staged a press conference where he admitted that mistakes had been made and apologised.

He's clearly gone through some media training since his early days, where offending anyone and everyone seemed to be his strategy for gaining attention.

But it was with frustration and disappointment that I read comments from Ryanair chief marketer Kenny Jacobs this week, who described 700,000 cancelled flights as "not that big of a deal" and that the media were to blame for the furore that surrounded the issues.

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Anyone in a senior position at an organisation has to consider their key audiences whenever speaking about issues that they have faced.

Jacobs was talking at an industry summit, where he may have assumed that an audience with marketers would sympathise with his standpoint.

He went on to say that customers were the priority, not the media, even though the latter speak for and to the former. Ryanair used to pride themselves on being a no-frills airline, remember, where customer service came second to cheap prices.

The digital age and greater consumer expectations have changed all that.

Jacobs entirely missed the point that the mismanagement caused by Ryanair's operational problems caused great inconvenience to passengers and that the issues prompted deserved criticism.

It's another case of one spokesman not following the messages said by one of his colleagues, in an age where authenticity and consistency are vital to gain public confidence.

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Courting the media and engaging with the public on social channels may not seem important to everyone, but as technology becomes more and more predominant in our lives, honest and engaging communication has become fundamental.

Building strong relationships with journalists still provides opportunities to promote your story without huge advertising spend. But expect them to take you to task if you make a mistake - it's their job to do so, after all.
There's a great myth surrounding the Hollywood elite. And that's the myth of fertility.

Each week it seems like a new middle-aged celebrity is gracing the cover of a glossy magazine and telling the world about falling pregnant.

And while they're usually fit and fabulous, A-listers are - statistically speaking - no more fertile than the rest of us.

A study this week revealed how high-profile mums were "glamourising" pregnancy in later life.

Fertility in women declines rapidly from the age of 35, making it hard to get pregnant naturally.

The research, by the New York University School of Medicine, found that of 240 celebrities who featured in stories about pregnancy, just two talked about using assisted reproductive therapy (ART).

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That was despite 56 per cent of the female celebrities studied being 35 or older - so statistically speaking many more may have had help.

Researchers said their findings reflected "continued stigma surrounding the use of ART".

Make no mistake, infertility isn't an easy subject to talk about. And I'm not saying celebrities should feel obliged to disclose their deepest, darkest fertility struggles. I know what an intensely personal subject it is.

But there is still such a lack of open discussion that by failing to talk it, this simply fuels the stigma.

One in six couples will experience difficulties conceiving. It's only right we should talk openly and honestly about these problems in a meaningful way.

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Imagine being sat in a doctor's waiting room, anxiously waiting to talk about difficulties you're facing getting pregnant, and being faced with a glossy magazine proclaiming the arrival of a baby by a 40-year-old celebrity mum without any reference to reproductive medicine they may have called on.

These 'miracle' pregnancies not only make hopeful parents increasingly anxious, but they also raise expectations.

For women aged 35 to 37, the success rate of IVF in the UK using their own eggs is around 27 per cent.

For women aged 40 to 42 this drops to 13.6 per cent. Over the age off 44, success rates drop to 1.9 per cent, according to figures from the NHS.

Chances can be greatly increased by the use of donor eggs - and it's often the only way women over the age of 45 can get pregnant.

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In the last year IVF Cube carried out 395 fresh cycles using eggs from young, healthy donors.

Research carried out by the clinic this year revealed one of the main reasons patients from the UK and Ireland travelled to the Czech Republic for treatment is because of the availability of donor eggs.

Donors have revolutionised getting pregnant for older women and should be celebrated, not swept under the carpet.

I truly want women to feel comfortable to share the challenges they have encountered on their fertility journeys, in the hope it might how others how there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"We thought you were police."

I'm frozen just for a moment - my palms clammy, while my mind quickly tries think of a convincing response.

Martin Sellner, the Austrian leader of Generation Identity, a European far right group, is sitting on a tatty sofa and has fixed me with a steely stare. It feels like he's about to find me out.

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I manage to stammer, 'Did you?', before regaining my composure.

I've been undercover in the new British far right for a year, and this is the first time my status as an infiltrator has really been tested.

Luckily, the conversation, held in someone's living room, moves on.

I'd set out with two other women to infiltrate groups in the British far right for an ITV documentary, Undercover - Inside Britain's New Far Right, aiming to discover how these groups operate in the internet age.

What I discovered was that far from being the old image of skinheads with jackboots and swastika tattoos, those who identify with the far right now are much more likely to be wearing Barbour or North Face clothes, and have sharp haircuts.

They use Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, blogs and podcasts to get their views across, which connects with young people. This image change is actually drawing women in.

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The fact they seemed so ordinary - and welcoming - was a surprise. Yet underneath the gloss and the friendliness, it became clear that some of the same old attitudes remain.

I first met Anne Marie Waters - one of the far right's leading figures who came second in UKIP's leadership election - at the launch of her campaign manifesto in Rotherham. She struck me as being petite, visibly anxious with an air of inoffensiveness.

Yet I'd already seen her describing Islam as a 'killing machine', at a rally organised by the ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson. It became clear she has a gift for public speaking which draws people in.

I gave her a lift in my car to her party conference after working my way into her inner circle - and her views in private were even more blunt than her public statements.

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Relaxed in a pink T-shirt, she spelled out her take on life inside her head.

She said: "The idea that these f***ers can just come and take it all. Stop all Muslim immigration now."

It sounded like a phrase from some obscene lectern speech - and in a way, it was. This woman was hoping to become leader of the fifth-biggest political party in the UK.

She went further - intimating she'd let Robinson join her version of UKIP and climb the ranks: "Regardless he can't stand for election because of his record. But I'll certainly open up the party for him to join. If he makes his way up, then there will be no objections from me."

Getting to this point wasn't easy. I'd managed to get close to Anne Marie by deliberately posting messages sympathising with her views on Facebook, and turning up to events where she would be speaking, to get close to her. My aim was to work my way into her inner circle.

I was in a unique position where I had to keep my own views firmly to myself because I was immersed in another world. Anne Marie's non-confrontational nature could make her extreme views seductive. I had to be careful to not let her ideology creep over me. Yet I most definitely became desensitised.

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On the campaign trail, I discovered that not only was Anne Marie a close associate of Tommy Robinson, she was using ex-BNP activist Jack Buckby to run her bid for UKIP leadership.

Buckby seemed edgy when I met him, and explained why: "I'm basically the campaign manager. But I don't make it too public. Because she's already gained shit because she's 'friends' with me."

As I infiltrated Anne Marie's world, I was recruited by one of her associates into an organisation called Generation identity - a pan-European far right movement which uses slick videos to spread its message on the internet.

I signed up to the Generation Identity Facebook group - but first I needed to be vetted. A Norwegian man called Tore set up a video call with me. I told him I was 27 and a carer. He revealed that groups like GI have fairly innocuous aims on the surface. But as I held the phone in my hand, what he told me had a sinister undertone.

He said: "We think that if you stop the immigration to England that's good. But you still have a problem with the birth rates. And what we call the Great Replacement."

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Having passed the test, I went along to meet some activists at a pub in North London. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I walked into the pub to see the group sitting around an old wooden table.

I knew activists for these groups tend to be paranoid, and spend a lot of time trying to weed out moles like me. I knew I had to be careful. But what struck me was that those I met were largely well-dressed, middle-class, educated people. One, called Liam, supped on a pint of lager as he revealed his views in what sounded like a public school accent.

"I'm like the only white man on my road basically... We have fit guys, fit girls, who read, who are intelligent. Like you can pick and choose what team you wanna play for. Do you wanna play for the degenerates or the patriots?"

What shocked me most was his claim to have been on a GI training camp in France.

He told me: "There was a good ratio of boys and girls as well, it was really, really good, we'd be training for two hours in the morning. At the end of the week it was really good, we had like a mock demonstration. It was like really realistic because they had like pepper spray everything, it was really organised."

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This led to the meeting with Sellner, where he nearly called me out. He reveals that someone else in the group has been exposed as an undercover reporter. It was at that point I left - and I didn't go back.

I've already received abuse on the back of my involvement - and it's good to know that my going undercover has struck a nerve.

But the hipster rebranding of the far right by individuals like Tommy Robinson, Jack Buckby, Waters, and Martin Sellner shows that the haircuts might have changed, but some of the old views remain the same.

When the programme makers asked Generation Identity for their response, they claimed this programme is a 'hit piece', with remarks and speeches taken out of context. They say they don't have a hidden agenda, want to preserve European ethno-cultural identity, and would not work with American groups.

The man in the pub told the programme makers he had only received self-defence training in France.

Anne Marie Waters said she opposes racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and oppression usually associated with the far-right. She has clearly and consistently said she does not blame all Muslims, but is criticising the Koran, and it is her fundamental right to do so. What others say at events is not her responsibility, and she does not agree with every view at events she speaks at. She did not try to conceal her involvement with Jack Buckby. She says much of what we recorded on covert camera she has said in public. She doesn't believe the UKIP election was a fix.

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Jack Buckby said he explained to our reporter how dangerous neo-Nazis are and he left the BNP partly because of anti-Semitic abuse. He has never condoned violent activity or terrorism and deleted his tweet because it was not clear. He says he abhors the far right and is not a racist. He says he talks about Islam but does not demonise the Muslim community.
Toby Melville / Reuters

Dear Boris Johnson, Foreign Minister (UK)

I write to you in your capacity as my local MP, and in your capacity as Her Majesty's Foreign Secretary, in light of the gravity of events that have erupted in the last couple of weeks in the autonomous region of Kurdistan in Iraq.

Whilst I am extremely proud to be British, both born and raised in London, and devoted to the service of others, I am equally proud to be the son of refugees that originated from Kurdistan Region and understand my responsibilities to discharge my duty of raising awareness when there is injustice. I had multiple charity trips to the region and a key architect in forming the largest British collection of English books (100,000 books). I met & learnt from young and talented medical students, as well as the opportunity to visit universities including the American University of Duhok to see innovation & a society hungry to succeed.

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It is unfortunate but not surprisingly to see 'fake news' across social media regarding the Kurdistan Region leadership and people. In light of powerful neighbours, and the current economic situation this is not surprising albeit not a true reflection of the region, as testament to the 93% who voted YES in the regions referendum.

I am concerned that Iranian backed PMF forces with the Iraq federal police was allowed to attack Kurdistan Region's integrity, people, and democracy on the back of the region undertaking a democratic referendum - which 93% voted YES.

My principal concern is that our ally, the US, (and also potentially UK) weapons supplied appeared to have been discharged in re-taking the disputed areas; which is a clear violation of user & aid agreements. British taxpayers did not consent for weapons contributed to combat ISIS, to be used by the Iraqi Government to kill or intimidate innocent Kurdish communities.

This raises grave ethical, &, security questions around the governance of providing such weapons, and whether they have been abused by the Iraq government. I require assurance in the spirit of both a humanitarian but also as a British taxpayer that this will be investigated by the Foreign affairs committee to ensure that the UK government aid has not been abused or contributed to the appearing possibility of a genocide-driven campaign on Kurds & Kurdish forces in disputed areas.

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Boris, you visited Kurdistan Region, and met the community whom were pluralistic in nature and devoted to peace & stability. It is not a crime for the youth to have dreams of prosperity and the elderly to have dreams of a fruitful retirement without fear of attack from fanatically-driven neighbouring regimes.

I want to know whether both as my MP, and as Foreign Secretary, you will support the Kurdish community by speaking up to end an escalation of conflict. I want to know your position on whether the UK will if necessary continue the no-fly zone protection for the Kurds in light of the scars of the Iraqi Chemical attacks; should the Kurdistan Region be threatened from any further assault in the next coming weeks.
A post shared by Nkateko Maswanganye (@takkies7) on Sep 9, 2017 at 1:33am PDT

I'm a 27-year-old South African choreographer and the founder of Rockingnheels, a dance workout concept for ladies of all ages and backgrounds who want to get fit while feeling fabulous. My aim is to inspire and empower women to love themselves as they are, and to bring out their confidence through dance.

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I'm a fitness fanatic and a firm believer in working out no matter what. At the time of writing I'm 7 months pregnant with my first child and for a while I struggled with all the physical changes I've been going through.

A post shared by Nkateko Maswanganye (@takkies7) on Oct 11, 2017 at 11:06pm PDT

As weird as this sounds, my life seemed to start the moment that stick came back positive. The day I found out I was pregnant I was filled with so much joy and excitement because I've always dreamed of starting a family. After the initial rush my brain started flooding with the first wave of crazy questions; what about my income? Will my brand ambassador work stop because companies won't like my new body? Will I still be able to dance and teach my class? Will I still be booked for events and gigs?

My next big question was how will I survive not being in control of my body? MY BODY! My biggest freak out has been that apparently my body is going to change forever. I was only about five weeks in and already I was worried about my future shape and stressing about the potential downsides of my pregnancy. The self-inflicted pressure to have a 'perfect' pregnancy body kicked in almost straight away.

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A post shared by Nkateko Maswanganye (@takkies7) on Oct 24, 2017 at 3:51am PDT

Around my 14th or 15th week I started to notice my stomach beginning to show, particularly after eating. Even though I eat clean most of the time, I started questioning my food choices and whether I was eating too much or the 'wrong' food. I know, retrospectively this sounds very strange. I spent hours on Google trying to find the best pregnancy eating plans and meals. Social media wasn't a great help either, there's ladies out there nine months pregnant looking like they all they've done is eat a big lunch. There's pressure everywhere.

And my wardrobe... as my baby grew everything started getting tighter. I had to say good-bye to my high waist jeans and tight shorts. Some items didn't even get past my ever-growing thighs and I haven't found fashionable maternity clothes that suit my style. However, I hadn't stopped exercising and I wasn't going to stop. Gym and dance fitness instructing carried on as normal as I found exercising perked me up and gave me loads of positive energy.

Even though I made sure I took medical advice and I stopped ab work in the 2nd trimester, I was amazed at some of the comments on social media. African's can be traditional in their thinking and I had plenty of people suggesting that pregnancy was effectively a medical disorder and I shouldn't be doing any exercise at all. Such is the pressure on so many women on my continent. Despite all my fears about my changing body when we announced the pregnancy at 4  months amazingly very few people had noticed.

A post shared by Nkateko Maswanganye (@takkies7) on Aug 27, 2017 at 10:57pm PDT

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After sharing the news, I started to see sense. Sure, I wanted to stay healthy, fit into my clothes and look good on social media, but I realized that I was being unfair on myself and pregnant women in general. Is there even such a thing as having the "perfect" mum bod anyway? So, I put my big girl panties on and I took on the pregnancy with all my might and made the decision to get on with embracing my ever-changing shape. As women we have such powerful bodies and we only realize it when we fall pregnant. My body is doing incredible things and going through all these changes so that I can carry my baby girl into the world. How can I not love my body for that irrespective of what's happening to my body shape?

What has really helped me is working with women who are going through life's tough challenges, ladies who sometimes rely on me to give them that extra confidence to get through genuine and very real issues. With this context abandoning a pair of jeans or picking up some cellulite is irrelevant, there is more to life than just worrying about being out of control of my body.

I'm loving pregnancy now because I've learned to appreciate my pregnant body. I'm on track to gain between 15kgs to 18kgs, my cellulite is visible, my wardrobe is a disaster and I'm embracing it all.

A post shared by Nkateko Maswanganye (@takkies7) on Oct 21, 2017 at 9:41am PDT

There is no "perfect" mum bod. Being pregnant is such a magical time. Look after yourself and your baby, but remember no matter what size you are, no matter how big your belly is compared to the next pregnant woman, you are beautiful just the way you are. Anything else is your imagination.

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Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco on top of the state this past summer for the opening of the War Memorial.

Mazzucco Leaving Adams Post for Eastern Massachusetts



Mazzucco has been a big proponent of the town's arts and cultural projects, getting into the spirit here at last spring's MAGIcon and boosting the efforts of the Adams Arts Advisory Board. ADAMS, Mass.  Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco will leave his post and take a new position as the general manager of Norwood.



"Im sad about leaving not only the job but the area," Mazzucco said Wednesday after the Selectmen's meeting. "It is a beautiful area and Adams has some interesting characters. It is a good community and I am going to miss it."



Before the board started its business Wednesday, Chairman John Duval announced that Mazzucco has been offered the position in Norwood, closer to where he grew up.



Mazzucco, whose three-year contract with the town runs out Jan. 8, said he has been taking job interviews over the past few months closer to his hometown of Randolph.



"I will be working and living in a community that is about 15 minutes from where I grew up," he said. "It is really about me going home. I have lived outside of the area where I grew up for about six to seven years and I just decided that the next phase of my life and career would be better served where I grew up."

Mazzucco was offered the position by the Norwood Selectmen on Tuesday, selected over two other finalists Natick Deputy Town Administrator William Chenard and Norfolk Town Administrator Jack Hathaway, according to a story in the Norwood Patch . He would replace the town's longtime manager John Carroll, who served in the post for 40 years.

Norwood has a population of more than 30,000 and is located outside Boston. Adams has a population of about 8,500. They do have Potterwold in common  Harry and the Potters are from Norwood and Ilvermorny, of course, is in Adams.

Norwood's Selectmen Chairman William Plasko told Norwood Patch that Mazzucco could be "a nice breath of fresh air."

"I know every time I talk to him I feel younger and enthused myself," he said.



Duval said Mazzucco's departure was no surprise and it was clear that over the past few months he was looking to relocate and attending interviews.



"He wanted to be closer to home and that is understandable," he said. "He did well in many of his interviews and we knew it was only a matter of time before he got one."



Mazzucco was assistant city manager of Caribou, Maine, when Mazzucco was assistant city manager of Caribou, Maine, when took the position back in 2014 and after former Town Administrator Jonathan Butler resigned. Through the years, Mazzucco has made strides to develop a more transparent budget process, develop a more sustainable budget and made efforts to spark economic development in the community.



"I am really proud of a lot of the financial progress that we made," he said. "I'm also glad that C.T. Plunkett is open today."



Even resident and town meeting member Jeffrey Lefebvre, who has often been critical of town government, thanked Mazzucco for his service.



"I just want to turn around and thank Tony for all of his years here," he said. "He was one of the only town administrators I could actually communicate with and I want to thank him and wish him the best of luck."



Mazzucco saw projects like the Berkshire Scenic Railway to completion as well as the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Extension but noted it would have been nice to see the Greylock Glen through.



"The Glen is the big thing and we are still working on it," he said. "Donna [Cesan, director of community development] has made great progress and I would have liked to have seen her complete the project."



Duval said the Norwood manager retires Dec. 1 and that the selectmen must negotiate an agreeable separation date with Mazzucco.



Duval said after this, the Selectmen will start the process of hiring a new town administrator.



"We will move on," he said. "We have been here before."
Proving identity is a routine part of modern daily life. Many people must show a drivers license to buy alcohol at a store, flash an ID card to security guards at work, enter passwords and passcodes to retrieve email and other private information, and answer security validation questions when calling banks or credit card companies for customer service.

Authentication is also getting easier for people: Take the iPhone, for example. Unlocking the early versions required a multi-digit passcode. Then Apple introduced Touch ID, which would unlock the phone with a fingerprint reader. The latest version, just out, is the iPhone X, which can use its camera to perform facial recognition to authenticate a user.

As a software security researcher looking at authentication technologies for hand-held devices, I am fully aware that the technologies change, but the challenge remains the same: How can a digital system authenticate an analog humans identity?

Three factors of identity

There are three main ways of proving an identity. One involves something you know  like a password or your mothers maiden name. This method assumes the authorized user will have information no unauthorized user does. But thats not always the case: For 145.5 million Americans affected by the Equifax security breach revealed in September 2017, reams of previously private information may now be known to criminals.

A second method of authentication is with something you have  such as a key to your homes front door or a smart card to swipe at work. This assumes a limited number of people  possibly as few as one, but it could be a small group of users, like a family or co-workers  are allowed to enter a physical space or use a digital service.

A third way is by authenticating the individual human being  who you are  with some aspect of your biology. There are various type of these biometrics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scanning and voiceprints. This strategy, of course, assumes that the bodily feature is unique to the particular individual  and, crucially, that the digital system involved can tell the difference between people.

Using two or more methods together can improve security and is called two-factor, or multi-factor, authentication.

The consequences of digital authentication

This increasing dependence on digital authentication may actually result in less security. While cameras, sensors and other devices can make authentication easier for people to accomplish, they carry their own weaknesses.

When a system seeks to authenticate an individual, it must compare the information the person is presenting  what they know, what they have or who they are  against a previously stored database of authorized users. As the Equifax security breach makes clear, those databases are themselves vulnerable to attack. Information stolen from there could be used somewhere else  for instance, to identify which bank a particular person uses and answer security questions when calling to transfer money. Or the database itself could be corrupted, altering information so an attacker would be able to fake his way into a physical space or system.

Another potential security threat inherent in biometrics in particular is that criminals dont need to guess a password, or force someone to reveal it: The simple presence of the victim  even at gunpoint  can supply the fingerprint or face to authenticate and unlock a system.

Future complications

As authentication becomes more complicated, using multiple factors and secure communications between sensors and databases, users become less willing to jump through all the hoops. So security managers try to make the process easier for them without weakening the protections. This commonly happens on websites that urge users to log in using their Facebook or Google accounts; those sites rely on the advanced security of the tech giants rather than creating their own authentication systems.

In one futuristic scenario, authentication could occur without a user even noticing: When you walk into a store, facial recognition could identify and authenticate you. Then, at checkout, youd need only to scan your purchases and leave  the store will automatically charge the credit card of your choice. This isnt science fiction: Amazon has patented a system for doing exactly this in its Amazon Go cashier-less convenience stores.

This is possible in part because of the increasingly common practice of computer systems authenticating each other  so the stores system would recognize you, connect to the credit card company and authorize your purchase all on its own.

It may be more convenient, and even more secure, than a magnetic strip on a plastic card in your wallet. But the potential dangers will require much higher security for private information, particularly biometric data. A real identity still comes down to flesh and blood.
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Charlie Sheen has denied claims he raped Corey Haim when the late child star was aged 13.

The Two and a Half Men actor was alleged to have sexually assaulted Haim while they were filming 1986 teen comedy Lucas.

"Charlie Sheen categorically denies these allegations," his spokesman told The Hollywood Reporter.

 Lucas - trailer

Actor Dominick Brascia said his close friend Haim told him "he had sex with Sheen" during production of the film. Sheen was aged 19 at the time.

Haim died of pneumonia aged 38 in 2010 after a long battle with drug addiction. He had spoken of being sexually abused as a teenage Hollywood star.

Fellow former child star Corey Feldman claimed in his memoir Coreyography that Haim had been abused on the set of Lucas.

He wrote: "At some point during the filming... an adult male convinced him it was perfectly normal for older men and younger boys in the business to have sexual relations, that it was what all guys do.

Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures charlie-sheen-1.jpg Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures charlie-sheen-2.jpg Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 625906.bin AFP/GETTY IMAGES Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 631007.bin Getty Images Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 631009.bin Getty Images Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 630998.bin Getty Images Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 631002.bin Getty Images Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 631004.bin Getty Images Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 631000.bin Getty Images Charlie Sheen: Life in pictures 631006.bin Getty Images

The Lost Boys star Feldman has long alleged he was abused by a Hollywood paedophile ring in his youth.

Los Angeles Police Department this week confirmed it had launched an investigation after he reported allegations during an appearance on The Dr Oz Show last week.
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The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating Corey Feldman's claims that he was sexually abused by men in Hollywood as a child.

"Corey Feldman filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department. There is no further information at this time, and his report is being investigated,' a spokesperson told the Mail Online.

This confirmation follows him tweeting on Monday (sic):

"IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN UPD8: I JUST COMPLETED A FORMAL SIT DOWN INTERVIEW W @LAPDHQ SPECIAL DIVISION, & GAVE THEM ALL THE INFO I KNOW! THIS WAS OFFICIALLY THE 1ST FORMAL REPORT EVER TAKEN ON ANY OF MY CASES, AS SBPD NEVER FOLLOWED UP BACK IN 1993, & HAS NO RECORD OF MY COMPLAINTS.

"THE LAPD WILL BEGIN AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION NOW! THINGS R HEATING UP, IM PRAYING 4 SAFETY!"

 Corey Feldman calls LAPD to report sexual assault on TV

Last week, Corey Feldman publicly identified a man he alleges molested him when he was a child film star in the 1980s.

The Goonies actor named his former assistant and co-star Jon Grissom as one of his abusers during a TV appearance in which he also reported the allegations to police.

Feldman has long told of being sexually abused by a Hollywood paedophile ring, which he is trying to make a film about, but has never previously named those responsible.

He named Grissom, an actor who had small roles in films alongside Feldman in the 1980s, on The Dr Oz Show.

"That is him," said Feldman as presenter Mehmet Oz held up a photo of Grissom on a mobile phone. "That is the guy."

The Lost Boys star said Grissom had sexually assaulted him when he was aged 13 or 14.
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Karin Dor, the German actor who played Bond girl Helga Brandt in You Only Live Twice, has died aged 79.

The news was announced by her son who confirmed Dor had died in a care home on Monday.

Dor became popular in the 1960's for playing heroines in Karl May and Edgar Wallace films but is best remembered for playing an assassin sent to kill James Bond - played by Sean Connery - in 1967 film You Only Live Twice.

Bond fans will recall her character initially kidnapping 007 before being seduced by the British spy - an act that sees Brandt fed to a pool of piranhas by the villainous Blofeld.

Another of her key credits was in Alfred Hitchcock film Topaz, having initially found fame in Germany for acting in dozens of German films throughout the 1950s and 60s.

Alfred Hitchcock film 'Topaz'

The actress, as reported by Bild newspaper, failed to fully recover from a heavy fall she suffered last year.

Dor - who scored her first acting gig aged 17 - was married three times, her most recent husband being US stuntman and actor George Robotham who passed away in 2007.

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Actor Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man last year, by the alleged victims mother.

Former television anchor Heather Unruh alleged at a press conference in Boston that Mr Spacey had purchased her teenaged son drink after drink and then grabbed the young mans genitals.

To Kevin Spacey, I want to say this: Shame on you for what you did to my son, Ms Unruh said, according to the Associated Press, adding that Nothing could have prepared my son for how that sexual assault would make him feel as a man.

Ms Unruh said her son had filed a police report, spurring an investigation. A spokesman for the Nantucket, Massachusetts police department said he could not confirm or deny whether that was the case, noting that state law makes reports of sexual assault confidential.

The Independent was unable to reach a spokesman for Mr Spacey, whose former public relations representative recently severed ties. Last week, a representative said the actor - an Academy Award winner and star of the Netflix show House of Cards - was taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment and that no other information will be available at this time.

Kevin Spacey: his accusers Show all 6 1 /6 Kevin Spacey: his accusers Kevin Spacey: his accusers Anthony Rapp In an interview with Buzzfeed, he claimed that Spacey had made sexual advances on him when he was 14 years old, attending a party at the actor's apartment.



Spacey responded to Rapp's allegations in a statement, saying he is beyond horrified to hear his story but does not remember the incident Rex Kevin Spacey: his accusers Roberto Cavazos The actor wrote on Facebook that he encountered Spacey at the bar of London's Old Vic Theatre, where Spacey was artistic director from 2004-15, and that the actor tried to grope him against his will Twitter Kevin Spacey: his accusers Daniel Beal The British barman alleged the actor approached him as he took a cigarette break while working at a West Sussex hotel, sitting down beside the then 19-year-old on a bench, flashing his privates and telling him, "It's big, isn't it?", before trying to pull his hand toward him.



When Beal returned to the bar to work, Spacey allegedly followed him and insisted on giving him a Swiss watch worth 5,000 in value. "I thought he was joking but he took off his watch and gave it to me," Beal stated. "Looking back I realise it was to keep me quiet." Dan Beal/Facebook Kevin Spacey: his accusers Tony Montana The filmmaker has accused Spacey of groping him while he was in an LA bar in 2003. "I went up to order a drink and Kevin came up to me and put his arm around me," he said. "He was telling me to come with him, to leave the bar. He put his hand on my crotch forcefully and grabbed my whole package." Youtube Kevin Spacey: his accusers Anonymous A man, identified as John, which is not his real name, said he was left traumatised after waking up to find Spacey lying on him in the 1980s BBC Kevin Spacey: his accusers Harry Dreyfuss The son of actor Richard Dreyfuss, Dreyfuss junior has claimed that Spacey groped him while his father and Spacey were rehearsing for a play in London in 2008

Multiple men have accused Mr Spacey of sexual harassment or assault. Actor Anthony Rapp, the first to come forward, claimed that Mr Spacey had made unwanted advances on him when Mr Rapp was 14. Mr Spacey responded that he did not remember the incident but owed Mr Rapp the sincerest apology.

Mr Spacey and surrogates have not specifically addressed any other allegations since Mr Spacey responded to Mr Rapp's accusation.

In the wake of the allegations, Netflix has axed further production of House of Cards and Sonys TriStar have pulled a film in which Mr Spacey stars from an upcoming film festival, citing the current allegations surrounding one of its actors. The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has also announced it will no longer give the actor a special Emmy award, while Mr Spaceys agent and publicist have dropped him as a client.
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Portia de Rossi has accused Steven Seagal of sexual harassment and claimed the actor unzipped his trousers during an audition.

The Australian actor, who is famed for playing lawyer Nelle Porter on Ally McBeal, claimed the actor informed her it was it was imperative they had chemistry away from the film set during an audition for a film starring Seagal.

My final audition for a Steven Seagal movie took place in his office. He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants, De Rossi said on Twitter.

De Rossis allegations come after fellow actor Julianna Margulies claimed she had a similarly sexually inappropriate encounter with Seagal. Last week, The Good Wife lead character said a female casting director asked her to go to the actors room to go over a scene at 10pm when she was just 23.

Margulies was informed it was between her and another actress for the role, which would have gained her a Screen Actors Guild card, widely perceived to be an opening to the industry.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Margulies said the casting director was not present when she arrived at the hotel but Seagal was. When she entered his hotel room, she said: I saw his gun, which I had never seen a gun in real life.

She added that she somehow, she managed to get out of the room, "unscathed."

"I never was raped. And I never was harmed. And I dont know how I got out of that hotel room  I sort of screamed my way out," she said.

In October, former actress and Inside Edition correspondent Lisa Guerrero claimed the actor invited her to audition in his private home in the mid-1990s and carried the meeting out in a silk kimono.

The Independent contacted representatives of Seagal, who has yet to respond to the allegations, for comment.
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Dir. Angela Robinson, 108 mins, starring: Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote, Luke Evans

Early on in her subversive and unashamedly kinky new feature, writer-director Angela Robinson teases the audience into thinking that this will be yet another tasteful and conventional campus-set costume drama. Psychology professor William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans) is seen lecturing at Radcliffe College (part of Harvard). It is 1928.

He is in an immaculate tweed suit. His female students are dressed as formally as he is. His wife and fellow teacher Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall) sits on a window ledge during her lectures. Only when she first speaks do we realise how mischievous Robinsons intentions really are. Elizabeth complains bitterly about the cocksuckers whove denied her a professorship yet again. She is being discriminated against, she protests, because she has a vagina.

Elizabeth uses language in aggressively coarse fashion to signal her anger at how she is treated by the male-dominated academic establishment. Even before Elizabeths rants, during the films prelude, Robinson has already thrown in references to bondage, torture and spanking.

There are shots from the 1940s of Americans burning copies of Wonder Woman as if they are banned books in Nazi Germany. The mystery, which the film gradually elucidates, is what links the respectable Ivy League couple from the 1920s with the scandal surrounding the comic book heroine 15 years later.

There has been controversy as to how accurately Professor Marston And The Wonder Women reflects Marstons real life and relationships. The film is based on a true story but his relatives have complained that it takes liberties with Marstons complicated private and creative life. What it does offer is a playful, poignant and always surprising account of the birth of Wonder Woman.

Director Robinson looks for the connections between Marstons psychology lectures, in particular his championing of DISC theory, and the emergence of the Amazonian warrior who is still a fixture in popular culture today.

DISC stands for dominance, inducement, submission and compliance, which Marston defined as four of the key human behavioural traits. As he and Elizabeth explore the secrets of human nature, they trample on sensitive territory. In one of the films best and most bizarre scenes, we see them hiding in the college dorm of their new teaching assistant; beautiful young student Olive Byrne (Bella Heatchote), as she takes part in a sorority initiation rite.

 Professor Marston And The Wonder Women - Trailer



This involves Olive and all the other female students dressing up in baby outfits. Olive is instructed to spank one of the young women, who has been speaking out of turn, with a paddle. Marston and Elizabeth are amused and aroused by what they watch while Olive finds the experience shameful and disturbing but it excites her too.

We are able to gauge their feelings because they ask one another about it later while using an early prototype of the lie detector Marston has also been busy designing. When they show emotion, the needle of this machine scratches up and down in a mini frenzy. It helps them determine that they love and lust after each other.

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What starts as a strait-laced biopic about a pioneering scientist quickly veers off into Henry And June territory. Elizabeth is worried that the young teaching assistant may steal her husband but Olives desire is as much for her as it is for her husband. Unsurprisingly, their menage a trois causes a scandal and they end up expelled from their Ivy League Eden.

They have to scramble to make a living. The trio form their own unconventional version of an all-American family (one man, two women, children with different mothers) and do their best to get on with the neighbours, who have no idea of their interest in fetishism and sadomasochism.

Much of the film is jaunty and humorous. Rebecca Hall plays Elizabeth in wonderfully imperious and outspoken fashion. She is the real Wonder Woman here. Luke Evanss Marston is a dashing figure, a former spy who enjoys conspiracy and adventure, on the battlefield and in the bedroom.

Bella Heathcote, last seen looking distraught in Fifty Shades Darker, is playing an ingenue here who turns out to be far more single-minded in her desires than the older couple who take her in tow. Olive is the niece of Margaret Sanger, a leading feminist campaigner from the period, and shares her aunts fierce resistance to patriarchal conventions.

The sex scenes are always played at least partly tongue-in-cheek. Even so, the narrative becomes progressively darker. It unfolds in flashback as Marston is interrogated late in his life by the Child Study Association of America and their McCarthy-like head, Josette Frank (Connie Britton).

27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Show all 27 1 /27 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Black Panther Released: 12 February 12 February Director: Ryan Coogler Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Greatest Showman Released: 1 January 1 January Director: Michael Gracey Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Darkest Hour Released: 12 January 12 January Director: Joe Wright Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Released: 12 January Director: Martin McDonagh 12 JanuaryMartin McDonagh Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones > Twentieth Century Fox 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Coco Released: 19 January 19 January Director: Lee Unkrich ,p>Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Renee Victor 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Downsizing Released: 19 January 19 January Director: Alexander Payne Cast: Matt Damon, Christopher Waltz, Jong Chau, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Early Man Released: 26 January 26 January Director: Nick Park Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Fifty Shades Freed Released: 9 February 9 February Director: James Foley Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Maze Runner: The Death Cure Released: 9 February 9 February Director: Wes Ball Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Shape of Water Released: 16 February 16 February Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Annihilation Released: 23 February 23 February Director: Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Lee, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Dark River Released: 23 February 23 February Director: Clio Barnard Cast: Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley, Sean Bean 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Red Sparrow Released: 2 March 2 March Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Jeremy Irons 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Tomb Raider Released: 16 March 16 March Director: Roar Uthaug Cast: Alicia Vikander, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Dominic West, 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 A Wrinkle in Time Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Ava DuVernay Cast: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Pacific Rim: Uprising Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Steven S. DeKnight Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Roman J Israel, Esq Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Dan Gilroy Cast: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo Columbia Pictures 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Isle of Dogs Released: 30 March 30 March Director: Wes Anderson Cast: Bill Murray, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ready Player One Released: 30 March 30 March Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Avengers: Infinity War Released: 27 April 27 April Director: The Russo Brothers Cast: Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Untitled Han Solo Film Released: 25 May 25 May Director: Ron Howard Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Released: 8 June 8 June Director: J.A. Bayona Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pine, B.D. Wong, Toby Jones 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Deadpool 2 Released: 1 June Director: David Leitch 1 JuneDavid Leitch Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Zazie Beetz, Josh Brolin 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ocean's 8 Released: 22 June 22 June Director: Gary Ross Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Munn, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Matt Damon 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ant-Man and the Wasp Released: 29 June 29 June Director: Peyton Reed Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Soldado Released: 29 June 29 June Director: Stefano Sollima Cast: Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Donovan, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Incredibles 2 Released: 13 July 13 July Director: Brad Bird Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson



Frank cant help but notice the multiple references to bondage and submission in the Wonder Woman comics which the kids of America are reading with such glee. Marstons health is failing. He has a bad cough. He struggles to defend himself from her accusations that he has been peddling obscene material.

It is never quite clear whether Wonder Woman is a way for him to make money after his academic career hits the reefs or whether the comics give him the chance, as he memorably puts it, to inject his ideas about sex and submission right into the thumping heart of America.

Hes a complicated character, part visionary, part huckster and part pornographer. Hes fascinated by Freud and Jung but even more obsessed by burlesque and by the seamy world of Charles Guyette (JJ Feild), the king of fishnet fetish.

Theres a grim scene in which he and Elizabeth and Olive are caught in flagrante by the neighbour. The scene highlights the impossible situation in which theyve entangled themselves. For the sake of their children, they want to be part of mainstream society at the same time that they are living an utterly unconventional, Bohemian lifestyle.

Professor Marston suffers from some of the same problems as its characters in defining its identity. It has all the trappings of a traditional period drama that yearns to be taken seriously and yet its also often very tongue-in-cheek and risque.

Suffering sappho! was one of Wonder Womans slogans. The humour a--nd the social comment cant help but rub uncomfortably together. The film, though, is funny and startling. You wont be able to look at Lynda Carter or Gal Gadot in their Wonder Woman finery in quite the same way once youve seen it.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women hits UK cinemas 10 November
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After some encouragement from Top Boy superfan Drake, Netflix has announced that it is working on a new season of the British drama.

The new 10-part season will premiere in 2019 and pick up where the original show left off, with Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson (Kano) reprising their roles as Dushane and Sully.

Their characters - two drug dealers returned to London from exile - will team up again and attempt to dominate the trade.

The news was announced by Netflix via its social media accounts.

The first two seasons were broadcast on Channel 4 and are currently both available to view on Netflix. The last season ended in 2013.

Also attached to the new season are Top Boy's original creative team: Charles Steel, Alasdair Flind, Ronan Bennett and Yann Demange.

Bennett, who wrote the first two seasons and is signed up to write the third, said he was delighted with the planned revival.

Drake and his business partner Adel Future' Nur have signed on to executive produce with Maverick Carter and Jamal Henderson.

Drake posted a photo of the "team that made it happen" on his Instagram following the announcement.

Vice president of original content for Netflix, Cindy Holland, said: "We couldn't be more excited for Netflix members around the world and a new generation of fans to discover the authentic, raw and real world of Top Boy.

"Drake came to us several months ago with a passion to help bring this series back to life, and we're thrilled to support the original creative team to do just that."
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The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, celebrated his only daughters wedding in a lavish ceremony on Wednesday.

Kahiyang Ayu wed property businessman Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution in front of 8,000 guests, the BBC reports.

Held according to Javanese traditions, the ceremony was followed by a parade which was broadcasted live on Indonesian TV channels.

(AFP (AFP)

The momentous occasion took place in the city of Surakarta, which is in Central Java.

Widodo led the wedding ceremony while vice president Jusuf Kalla and Maruf Amin, head of the Indonesian Ulema Council, acted as witnesses for the bride.

(AFP (AFP)

I give the hand of my daughter Kahiyang Ayu in marriage to Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, son of the late Erwin Nasution, with a dowry of prayer clothes and 80 grams of gold, Widodo said in the ceremony, The Nation reports.

As is tradition, the ceremony begins when an army general requests that Widodo and his wife, first lady Iriana, give permission for their daughter to marry,

Once permission is granted, the ceremony can take place as normal.

(AFP (AFP)

It concludes when Said Agil Siraj, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, leads a series of prayers.

In addition to the 8,000 attendees, thousands of members of the public took to the streets of Surakarta to celebrate the matrimony.

The wedding was also screened live at a restaurant in Jakarta for members of the public who couldnt make it to Surakarta, which is the brides hometown.

The ceremony took place in the Graha Saba Buana building, the same spot where Ayus sister, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, got married in 2015.
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On Thursday Donald Trump and the Chinese President Xi Jinping announced $250bn in deals between the two countries.

The White House has been spinning it as part of the Presidents job-based diplomacy.

The agreements spanned industries from energy, to technology, to aviation. But what is the substance of them?

There was very little detail announced. A number of them are non-binding, so could easily collapse. Some would probably have happened anyway.

Below we take a look at some of the announcements.

Energy

It was announced that China plans to invest $100bn in US energy projects.

This will include an $84m Chinese state investment in West Virginian shale gas and chemical manufacturing and $43m for Alaskan liquefied natural gas.

But the reality is that China has been eager to invest in Western energy for years. It was famously rebuffed by the US Congress when it attempted to buy a minor American oil company called Unocal way back in 2005.

The problem has been Western reticence to allow Beijing to do so. Trump is simply giving China what it has long wanted.

Aviation

The announced agreement by the Chinese state to buy $37bn of jets from Boeing is potentially more significant and fits with Trumps big pledge to force other countries with trade surpluses with America to import more.

Yet its unclear how many of these plane orders are actually new.

Some have noted that back in 2015, when President Xi visited a Boeing factory in the US, a deal for a remarkably similar size purchase was announced.

Computer chips

It was announced that the US chipmaker Qualcomm has established a $12bn deal over three years to supply components to Chinese smartphone brands Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.

Yet the deal is non-binding. Moreover, Qualcomm already collects more than half of its global revenues in China, raising doubts about whether this is anything more than organic growth.

Soybeans

China pledged to import $5bn of soybeans from the US. This follows Chinas dropping of a 14-year ban on US beef imports earlier this year. Both should in theory be a boost for American farmers.

Yet the soybean deal is non-binding. And China is already a massive customer of US soybeans.

In 2016 the US supplied 38.2 million tonnes, or 40 per cent of Chinas imports of the vegetables.

With Chinas consumption of soybeans projected to grow anyway, it is not particularly surprising it will be importing more from the US in the coming years.

What do these deals amount to?

The US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, admitted to journalists in China that the deals were pretty small in the context of the US-China goods trade deficit, which was around $350bn in 2016.

There is nothing novel in all this posturing. It is commonplace for leaders from all countries to announce a shopping list of corporate deals at such meetings.

It happened when Xi Jinping came to the UK in 2015, when 30bn of deals were supposedly unlocked.

Some of it is new, a lot of it is re-announced. Some of it never happens.

But whats notable is that Trump made such a noise about Chinas supposed rape of the US through currency manipulation when he was campaigning to be President.

He once accused Beijing of perpetrating the greatest theft in the history of the world.

Now he is following the same script on commerce as all his predecessors.

And analysts have noted he extracted no commitments from his Chinese hosts to increase domestic market access to US services firms, which now make up the bulk of the American economy.

In a sign of how the Trumpian rhetoric has softened, he even declared on the trip: I don't blame China. After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the sake of its citizens? I give China great credit.
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The Justice Department has reportedly asked AT&T and Time Warner to ditch Turner Broadcasting, a company that owns a suite of cable channels including frequent Donald Trump foil CNN, as a potential requirement before approval of a pending $85.4 billion merger deal between the companies.

Justice Department officials have indicated that selling DirecTV could possibly be another way to win approval, people with knowledge of the deliberations told the New York Times.

The potential requirements lay the groundwork for a fight as the two companies look to merge, making a giant company that could offer wireless and broadband internet services, just as upstarts like Netflix are disrupting the traditional media landscape.

Recommended Trump adviser tirade of abuse against CNN journalists

Mr Trump frequently singles out CNN for what he perceives as an anti-Trump bias, and has even tweeted a gif of him beating up the CNN logo.

The President has also criticized the proposal, saying that it is the kind of deal that destroy democracy, and said on the 2016 campaign trail that it is the type of power structure that he is fighting against.

Analysts have said there are few legal grounds on which to block the merger, in spite of critic concern that the proposal is illustrative of claims that there is too much consolidation in the media and telecommunications industry.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. 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A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Executives at AT&T had originally hoped to cobble a deal together before the end of the year, but that timeline has been imperilled recently. John Stephens, AT&Ts chief financial officer, said at a recent investor meeting that the Department of Justices (DOJ) approval was the only remaining obstacle.

We are in active discussions with the DOJ, Mr Stephens said. I cannot comment on those discussions. But with those discussions, I can now say that the timing of the closing of the deal is now uncertain.

The chief executive of AT&T, Randall Stephenson, has attended at least two meetings with Mr Trump in the course of negotiating the merger. Just after one of those meetings, Mr Trump took shots at CNN on Twitter, saying their credibility will soon be gone! Mr Trump told Mr Stephenson that he was doing a good job after the second meeting.

I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so, Mr Stephenson said in a statement provided to Reuters following the news that the Justice Department was considering the requirement.

In an email provided by a DOJ spokeswoman, White House spokesman Raj Shah said that Mr Trump "did not speak with the attorney general about this matter," and that "no White House official was authorized to speak with the Department of Justice on this matter."

In a separate statement, DOJ's new antitrust chief, Makan Delrahim, said he has "never been instructed by the White House on this or any other transaction under review by the antitrust division."

Executives at both AT&T and Time Warner have reportedly balked at the request to ditch CNN, since the proposal is a vertical merger, meaning that they do not currently compete directly.
Ucoms mobile customers will benefit from the best internet roaming rate of 8 AMD/MB when travelling to Georgia, Egypt or the UAE

Ameriabank Launches Google Pay and Google Wallet Support for Card Users in Armenia

Karen Vardanyan donated 112 million drams for the medical equipment for National Center for Infectious Diseases.

UCOM HAS INTRODUCED FUTURE NETWORK WI-FI 6E ROUTERS

Statement by the Spokesperson on the conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts

Foreign Minister of Armenia to participate in the Fifth Paris Peace Forum

Armenia: EU and Armenia Hold annual Dialogue on Human Rights

Todays Shushi, Occupied and Cleared of Armenians, is a Real Example of Turkish-Azerbaijani Policy of Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh

Ookla, the the global leader in internet testing and analysis has awarded Ucom

Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Google Ad

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces
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AstraZenecas drug sales fell again in the third quarter, hit by generic competition to former blockbusters like cholesterol pill Crestor, although the pace of decline slowed as it looks to new cancer treatments to revive its fortunes.

Product sales were down 3 per cent compared with 11 per cent during the first half of the year. Emerging markets proved a bright spot, with Chinese sales up 12 per cent, the company said on Thursday.

Total revenue rose 9 per cent to $6.23bn (4.75bn), helped by a $997m payment from Merck & Co, which struck a cancer drug partnership deal with the British group in July.

That was not enough to stop a fall in core earnings per share (EPS), which exclude some items, of 15 per cent to $1.12. But the overall results were better than expected and the shares rose more than 2 per cent in early trade.

Industry analysts, on average, had forecast quarterly earnings of $1.04 and revenue of $5.95bn, according to Thomson Reuters data.

For the full year, AstraZeneca said it expected 2017 core EPS performance to be towards the favourable end of the guidance range of a low to mid-teens percentage decline.

Chief executive Pascal Soriot believes the drugmaker has reached a turning-point as its pipeline of new medicines starts to deliver - and consensus forecasts also point to a recovery in sales and profits from next year.

Still, the speed of AstraZenecas turnaround remains uncertain as the drugmaker goes head to head with industry giants like Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck in the fast-growing but fiercely competitive cancer drug market.

AstraZeneca suffered the biggest ever daily fall in its shares three months ago, following the initial failure of a key lung cancer trial dubbed Mystic.

But it has since rebuilt investor expectations, helped by impressive data from two other lung cancer trials, involving the drugs Tagrisso and Imfinzi that were presented at a medical congress in Madrid in September.

And just last week it won early US approval for its Calquence, marking its first entry into the blood cancer market.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

However, results from another immunotherapy lung cancer trial called Arctic have been delayed again and are now not expected until the first half of 2018.

AstraZeneca is also refilling its drug pipeline in other areas, such as respiratory medicine. A new drug for severe asthma is awaiting US approval by the end of this year and could get a green light in Europe as early as Friday.

This impressive momentum is set to continue with regulatory and data milestones that have the potential to show how our science-led strategy and pipeline-driven transformation are delivering for patients and shareholders, Mr Soriot said.

Reuters
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China and the United States have signed additional business agreements valued at $250bn during President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing, though some were less than binding commercial contracts.

The agreements signed at a ceremony attended by Mr Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, included sales of US-made chipsets, jet engines and auto parts.

Such contract signings are a fixture of visits to Beijing by foreign leaders and are intended to defuse foreign complaints about China's trade policies.

Many of the contracts signed appeared to represent purchases Chinese mobile phone makers, airlines and other customers would have made anyway that were saved for signing during Mr Trump's visit.

Others included a cooperation framework on shale gas and a memorandum of understanding on industrial development.

Mr Trump has ratcheted up his criticism of China's massive trade surplus with the United States - calling it embarrassing and horrible last week - and has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices, fuelling worries of increased tension between the world's two largest trading countries.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Trump vowed to change one-sided and unfair trade relations with China but said he does not blame Beijing for taking advantage of the US in the past.

The US President said trade between the US and China has not been very fair for the US and cited the large trade deficit between the two global powers.

Mr Trump said called for immediate action on the unfair trade practices that drive the deficit along with barriers to market access and the theft of intellectual property.

His Chinese counterpart said Beijing believes cooperation between the two countries is the only correct choice and that relations between the sides have entered a new historic starting point.

Several corporate CEOs are in Beijing as part of a delegation led by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Some in the US business community have expressed worry that contract wins could come at the expense of resolving long-standing complaints over market access restrictions in China.

This shows that we have a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship, and yet we still need to focus on levelling the playing field because US companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China, said William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Mr Trump railed against China's trade practices during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and threatened to take action once in office. But he has since held back on any major trade penalties, making clear he was doing so to give Beijing time to make progress reining in North Korea.

Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
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The UKs 100 biggest publicly listed companies have collectively more than doubled the proportion of board positions occupied by women in the past six years, but a major Government-backed review has found that much more still needs to be done to achieve real gender diversity across corporate Britain.

The Hampton-Alexander Review, published on Thursday, shows that almost 28 per cent of board positions at FTSE 100 companies are now occupied by women, up from just 12.5 per cent in 2011.

But Sir Philip Hampton, who chaired the review with the late Dame Helen Alexander, said that corporations need to quicken the pace of progress to achieve real, notable change.

He urged the reviews voluntary 33 per cent target for women in senior positions at FTSE 100 companies by 2020 to be extended to senior executive leadership positions across the whole of the FTSE 350  the index which includes the 350 biggest publicly listed companies in the UK.

Over the next three years, he said that at least 40 per cent of all appointments to senior positions would have to be filled by women if FTSE 350 firms are to hit the target.

Since 2011, the number of all-male FTSE 350 company boards has already fallen from 152 to just 10.

Recommended UK lags dozens of developed countries in WEF gender gap report

Some of our largest companies have made significant progress towards meeting these challenging targets, both on boards and in their leadership teams. We should be seeing all FTSE companies now making strides to improve the gender balance at the top, Sir Philip said.

We have seen time and time again that our most successful companies are those that champion greater diversity and inclusion, and our largest companies are stepping up their efforts on this issue in order to reap both the societal and economic benefits, he added.

Lady Barbara Judge, chairwoman of the Institute of Directors, said that progress on the FTSE 100 showed that there are plenty of talented women out there just waiting to be given the chance to show they belonged in the board room.

The next challenge is to create a step-change in the proportion of senior executive positions held by women. In this way, we can build a pipeline of female talent to consolidate and build on the improvements we seen in the past few years, she said.

Commenting on the review, professional service firm KPMGs deputy chair Melanie Richards said that while the target set out by Sir Philip are ambitious, there are are clear commercial benefits to achieving it.

With the scale of global change we are now seeing, UK businesses who access the best talent at all levels will set themselves apart from their competitors. Diversity needs to be a top priority for all UK businesses, not just those leading the FTSE, Ms Richards said.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that women with the talent, drive and ambition to one day lead the UKs largest companies have exactly the same opportunities to do so as their male counterparts, she added.

Despite making strides towards greater diversity at board level, the FTSE 100 still only had six female chief executive officers during the fiscal year 2016.

And stubborn gender pay gap has also cast a harsh spotlight on the UKs diversity problem in recent months.

A recent report by the World Economic Forum on the gender pay gap placed the UK 15th in a global ranking, behind G20 peers France and Germany.

Britain ranked only 53rd in terms of economic participation and opportunity, largely because of the gaping divide in unpaid work between the sexes. The report showed that 57 per cent of all work that UK women do is unpaid, compared with just 32 per cent for men.

And at times of great change, its all too easy to let things to slip backwards, said Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, commenting on Thursdays review.

This must not be allowed to happen. Today's report is a timely reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure capable women can progress from entry-level to senior management positions.
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NHS standards intended to ensure senior clinicians and staff responsible for urgent tests are available at weekends have no link to reduced death rates, a study has found.

Researchers evaluated 123 NHS trusts on the seven-day working standards but found no link between performance and differences in outcomes of patients admitted at the weekend or mid-week  the so-called weekend effect.

The findings cast more doubt over the evidence base used by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to force through a "seven-day working" contract that led to the first all-out doctors strike in NHS history.

And the study concludes that, with NHS resources being squeezed, chasing targets may divert care away from the most at-risk patients  though it is unlikely to cause direct harm.

Mr Hunt claimed on the BBC Today programme in 2015 that a shortage of weekend staffing was responsible for 6,000 avoidable deaths a year.

Despite the author of the study he cited saying this was inaccurate, this premise led to the introduction of seven-day working contracts, beginning with junior doctors. It also saw priority clinical standards for seven day services introduced by the Government in 2015, with all NHS trusts required to be compliant by 2020. These include a requirement that emergency admissions are reviewed by a consultant within 14 hours, and that there must be seven-day access to X-rays, MRI scans and lab tests.

But other studies have demonstrated that patients who are admitted at weekends tend to be sicker already, and this could account for some of the differences in mortality.

The latest study, by researchers from the University of Manchester and published in Emergency Medicine Journal, found significant variations in trusts' performance against the seven-day standards.

Trusts were assessed before and after the standards were announced, over three years from April 2013 to March 2016.

On average, trusts met the standards for patients to have seven-day access to investigations or surgery on eight of the nine treatments specified.

Around half (54 per cent) of the recommended medical scans and tests, were available at weekends, and the average trust met the standard for a review by a consultant doctor within 14 hours of admission on five out of ten (49 per cent) of recommended medical specialties.

It also evaluated how likely a patient was to die if they were admitted midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) or at the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), and found no association with delivery of the standards. The authors conclude: The results add to the increasing body of evidence questioning the link between levels of service provision and weekend death rates."

In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Doctor in acute medicine, Melissa Haskins, holds up a 'I ain't afraid of no Hunt' sign whilst striking with other junior doctors outside her hospital, St Thomas' Hospital in London Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Accident and emergency junior doctor, Jennifer Hulse, holds a homemade placard outside St Thomas' Hospital as she strikes with colleagues in London Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Demonstrators and Junior doctors hold placards as they protest outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, in Basingstoke during a strike by junior doctors Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Demonstrators and Junior doctors hold placards as they protest outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, in Basingstoke during a strike by junior doctors Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike A supporter displays a slogan on her bag during a junior doctors' strike outside St Thomas' Hospital in London Reuters In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike The picket line outside King's College Hospital in London PA In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike The picket line outside King's College Hospital in London, as thousands of junior doctors begun the first all-out strike in the history of the NHS after the Health Secretary said the Government would not be "blackmailed" into dropping its manifesto pledge for a seven-day health service PA In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Junior doctors and supporters take part in a strike outside the Royal United Hospital in Bath Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Doctor in acute medicine, Melissa Haskins, holds up a 'I ain't afraid of no Hunt' sign whilst striking with other junior doctors outside her hospital, St Thomas' Hospital in London Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary visits a British Medical Association picket line at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, to show support for striking junior doctors on the second day of the union's annual health conference PA

While implementation of these standards is unlikely to result in any direct harm to patients, the requirements may divert care away from the most high risk patients, limiting clinicians abilities to prioritise patients based on their professional judgement.

The lack of association between the stated aims of the seven day services policy and the clinical standards being introduced to meet these aims suggests that the four priority clinical standards should be reviewed before compliance for all NHS hospitals is mandated in 2020."

Dr Robert Harwood, chair of the British Medical Associations consultants committee, said: The issue of weekend mortality is a complex one. We know, for example, that more seriously ill patients tend to be admitted at weekends, so its a complicated picture.

With current services stretched, its important that any calls for additional staffing must be met with the necessary investment, otherwise we risk stretching existing staff more thinly, which could compromise safe patient care.
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The average time a British patient spends with their GP will not match the current length of consultations in Lithuania, Belgium and Portugal until 2086 if trends continue, a new study has found.

With an average appointment time of 9.22 minutes, British patients see their family doctor for less time than patients in the United States, Sweden, Canada, Spain and Japan.

But GP leaders said family doctors were working harder than ever and limits on appointment lengths are the only way to ensure resources stretch to every patient.

Available data shows the average appointment in the UK has increased by 4.2 seconds a year, according to the study published in BMJ Open. If current trends continue, by 2086 UK patients would have appointments that are 15 minutes long, they say.

Patients in France already have 16-minute appointments while those in the US have 21.07 minutes of face-to-face time with their GP and Swiss patients are seen for an average of 17 minutes. Those in Lithuania, Belgium, Portugal, Luxembourg, Iceland, Cyprus and Peru currently have 15-minute consultations.

New analysis, led by experts at Cambridge University, examined data on average consultation length across 67 countries. They found that patients in 28 countries had longer consultations than British patients.

The authors wrote that a recent survey of GPs, including some from the UK, found that over a third were dissatisfied with the time they could spend with each patient.

Their analysis examined 178 studies to determine GP consultation lengths.

They found that the average appointment varied from just 48 seconds in Bangladesh to 22.5 minutes in Sweden. There were 15 countries with appointment times of less than five minutes, 25 countries with a consultation length of five to 9.9 minutes, 11 countries with 10 to 14.9 minutes, 13 countries with a consultation length of 15 to 19.9 minutes and three countries with a consultation length of more than 20 minutes.

The authors raised concerns that patients in 18 countries, covering half the worlds population, spend five minutes or less with their GP. Such a short consultation length is likely to adversely affect patient care and the workload and stress of the consulting physician, they wrote. A lack of time in the consultation is a key constraint to delivering expert generalist care.

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They added: Policy makers can compare their country with others to consider both what a desirable and mean consultation length should be, and also how administrative requirements can greatly influence how scarce time is spent when patients consult physicians.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the British Medical Associations GP committee, said: GPs are working harder than ever before to deliver more appointments to patients and find new ways of providing care more efficiently. However, we have long argued that the standard 10-minute consultation is often inadequate for many patients, especially for the increasing number of older people with complex and multiple conditions.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: The time GPs have to spend with our patients is precious, and the more time we are able to spend with them, the better patient-centred care we are able to provide  so its concerning to see that every UK study included in this research shows that we are spending less than 10 minutes on average with our patients during their consultation.

Offering longer appointments means offering fewer appointments, and our latest analysis of the independent GP Patient Survey found patients will already be waiting a week or more for an appointment with a GP or practice nurse on 100m occasions by 2020.

PA
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A scorned woman murdered her ex-boyfriend by pouring sulphuric acid over him and laughed: if I can't have you no-one can, a court heard on Wednesday.

Jealous Berlinah Wallace, 48, threw the corrosive substance in the face of Mark van Dongen that covered most of his body.

He suffered 25 percent burns and suffered such serious injuries he was left paralysed - only able to move his tongue, Mark, 29, lost a leg, his left eye, and most of the sight in his right eye following the sulphuric acid attack, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Civil engineer Mark was left wanting to end his life and eventually successfully applied for euthanasia and died 15 months after the attack.

Wallace carried out the attack out of jealousy after the couple split up and Mark began seeing another woman, the court was told.

In the weeks before the attack Wallace carried out internet searches including 'can I die from drinking sulphuric acid?' and searched for graphic images of acid attack victims.

Fashion student Wallace denies murder and applying a corrosive fluid after pouring acid over Mark van Dongen at 3am on 23 September 2015. Adam Vaitlingam QC, prosecuting, said: The defendant had bought a bottle of sulphuric acid, which she bought online from Amazon.

Mark Van Dongen (SWNS)

At around 3am, as Mark was sleeping in bed, she poured the acid into a glass.

She then went into the bedroom, and woke him up. She laughed and said 'if I can't have you no one will' and she threw the glass of sulphuric acid into his face.

It covered his face and parts of his upper body and dripped onto his lower body as he moved.

Covered in burning acid, Mark ran out into the street in his boxer shorts, screaming for help.

The court heard couple had a five-year-relationship and lived together but it hit the rocks when Mark began seeing another woman in August 2015.

Shortly before his death, Mark, a Dutch national, told colleagues that Wallace had been violent towards him, and seemed genuinely scared.

The couple appeared to rekindle their romance, exchanging loving messages promising to try to make the relationship work again on 22 September, the day before the attack.

Mark sent her a message saying: I love you, I always have. I'm truly sorry for what I've done, we need to work on our relationship.

You and me are meant to be. I've always known that. I will treat you as you deserve to be treated. You are my princess.

Wallace replied: It means a lot hearing these words. You are the love of my life. God does not make a mistake in this. I love you with all my heart.

The couple planned to cook dinner together when Mark returned to work, but that evening he went out to see his new girlfriend Violet Farquharson, the court heard.

Court artist sketch of Berlinah Wallace (SWNS)

The pair argued when he returned to Wallace's flat in Bristol, at 10pm and she told him she would stay in a hotel that night, the court heard.

But at 3am, Wallace returned to the flat and tossed a glass of acid over Mark, who was lying in bed wearing just his boxer shorts, it is alleged.

He ran out into the street screaming where horrified neighbours took him into a flat and got him to stand under a shower at the advice of paramedics.

Mark was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, and asked paramedics to 'please check that my girlfriend is OK' - fearing Wallace would target Violet next.

Mr Vaitlingam said: They could see Mark had severe burns - they said it looked as though he had had grey coloured paint poured over him and that the acid had burned through the top layer of skin.

He kept saying he couldn't see and asked if he still had eyelids.

Police arrived to find Wallace sitting on the sofa in the living room and noted there was a glass beer mug on the floor next to a piece of cloth and what appeared to be an artist's paintbrush.

Mr Vaitlingam added: The defendant was asked what the substance was that had injured Mark and she said 'Acid. I was using to to distress some fabric' and indicated to the glass, cloth and paintbrush on the floor.

A police officer who accompanied Mark in the ambulance recalled how he screamed in pain for the entire journey, and radioed ahead to ask for officers to visit Violet.

Emergency consultant Dr Rachel Oaten said Mark screamed kill me now, if my face is left looking like this. I don't want to live. when he caught sight of himself in a mirror.

Mark was kept in an isolated ward in ICU for six months before being moved to a burns ward, spending a total of 14 months at Southmead.

The burns covered 25 per cent of his body and skin had to be surgically removed.

Marks left leg was amputated below the knee and he lost the vision in his left eye and was partially sighted in his right eye.

He eventually regained speech but was permanently paralysed from the neck down.

Mark fell into a depression and, Mr Vaitlingam said: Sometimes he said he wanted to live, at other times that he wanted to die.

On November 22 2016 a care home in Gloucester was found and it was understood Mark would require a lifetime of constant and dedicated care.

He told his father he wanted to return to Belgium and his father hired an ambulance to take him to the Maria Hospital in Overpelt.

Doctors there confirmed he was paralysed for life and taking maximum doses of pain relief. He applied for euthanasia, which was approved after three consultants examined him.

It was decided this was a case of unbearable physical and psychological suffering and Mark's life was taken on 2 January 2017.

Mark Van Dongen (SWNS)

In a police interview Wallace claimed Mark assaulted her and she poured the liquid over him as a response to his aggression.

She said it was he who had poured the acid into the glass, encouraging her to drink it with her tablets, but that she had not realised it was acid, Mr Vaitlingam added.

When she threw the contents of the glass over him, she believed it was water she was throwing.

The court heard both Wallace and Mark were HIV positive and had been together for five years.

Richard Smith QC, defending, said Wallace claimed it was Mark who put the acid in the glass and urged her to drink it, and that she never left the flat that evening.

Mr Smith said: It is Berlinah Wallace's case that that evening as he had often done before, Mark had encouraged her to consider drinking the sulphuric acid they had bought for clearing the drains.

Mark gave evidence from beyond the grave on Wednesday - as a video was played to the jury of him giving a statement to police.

The film shows Mark describing the attack and saying it happened because she was jealous he had left her.

In the film Mark is seen lying in a hospital bed with his face and chest severely burnt and disfigured.

He was interviewed by Detective constable Sue Pesticcio, part of the Major Crime Team in Bristol, on 6 July 2016.

Speaking in the 26-minute interview, Mark confirmed his date of birth and address.

Conducted in English without an interpreter, he sometimes struggled to make himself understood and several times DC Pesticcio asked him to repeat what he had said.

When asked what time he arrived home in the hours before the attack, Mark said: About 6pm.

Yeah because she was calling me, crying that she wanted to have money to go back to South Africa. I went back because I felt sorry for her.

When asked if it was money to buy a 'place' in South Africa, he said: No, money to buy a plane ticket to go to South Africa.

Recalling the moment Wallace entered the bedroom they shared, Mark said: She woke me up and said that 'if I can't have you no one can.'

And she laughed and just threw the acid, it was square box of acid with about an inch of acid in it. I only went back because I felt sorry for her

Yeah I was running on the street in my boxer shorts. They fell off because the acid eating away.

And then I met my upstairs neighbour and she took me in her house and got the police.

When asked if he knew where Wallace had got the acid from, Mark said: No.

She bought it online that's what I heard.

Cause an acid that strong a UK person cannot buy it in the shop. In a list of only certified people can buy it.

He described the container as a Tupperware box, about 20cm x 20cm and 15cm deep, filled with an inch of liquid.

Asked if he knew why Wallace did it, Mark said: Yes. Because she was jealous. Because I left her a month before this happened.

I promised to pay money into her account until she finished university. I made first payment of 750 into her account and I was still paying 250 a week after that.

And I didn't even need to because we weren't married that was pure goodwill and now she chooses to do this.

Mark said he believed Wallace went to a park rather than a hotel, and returned about midnight.

He said again: Wakes me up and says 'if I can't have you no one can' and then she laughed and threw the acid.'

In the harrowing witness statement, Mark told how he knew straight away it was acid because it was burning like fire.

When asked if there had ever been sulphuric acid in the flat he said: Why would we have acid at home?

''You can't do anything with it unless you are a company dealing with car batteries.

Court artist sketch of Berlinah Wallace (SWNS)

And when asked who bought it, he said: Oh she will have bought that. Using my account 'cause she always used my account because she did not work.

Mark said: She started arguing with text messages and messaging me.

I already had a friendly conversation then she was pestering me on the phone earlier in the month.

I went to the police... and they got her a what to do you call it... uh... I don't know but that if she were to do it again she would be arrested.

A year before the acid attack, Wallace poured boiling water over Mark during a petty argument, he told police in the video.

In a second interview Mark told officers of how Wallace subjected him to domestic violence - and made it appear he was abusing her by punching herself in the face.

He told them Wallace would stand in front of a mirror punching herself in the face, even giving herself a black eye - then threaten to tell police he had hit her if he tried to leave.

The allegations spanned more than a year and included accusations that Wallace would hide his passport to prevent him going back home to Holland.

The couple had a good relationship with Wallace's ex-husband Ray, and Mark said he thought his attacker tried to make it seem that she was being beaten up.

Then we would go and visit Ray and then she would sit in the house with her sunglasses on so maybe Ray would think I hit her or something, I don't know, he said.

And when we went there to visit she would put on her sunglasses in the living room so it looked like that I have hit her but that she was trying to hide it or something.

I think that after she did that she was quite embarrassed that she used to do that.

He told police of one occasion where Wallace accused Mark of cheating after she spotted a Costa Coffee bill on a bank statement and was angry for two weeks.

Wallace would hide his passport, and did so the week of the acid attack, the court heard, so he could not book a flight to Holland or a hotel.

He said this had happened in the days before 23 September.

Mark said: Yeah I was looking for it the whole week but I couldn't find it because I had already moved out of the apartment.

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I only came back because I felt sorry for her but I knew that she had my passport.

The interview was carried out on 28 July at Southmead Hospital and he urged officers to look into GP records for the boiling water attack as the burns were obscured by the acid injuries.

The case is being presided over by The Honourable Justice May DBE.

The defendant faces two charges.

One of murder and one of applying a corrosive fluid.

She denies both.

SWNS
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A man who died at a euthanasia clinic after he was paralysed in an acid attack, used his tongue to spell out the name of his killer, his father told a court.

Mark Van Dongen, 29, was paralysed from the neck down, grotesquely scarred and all but blinded by the attack in September 2015, Bristol Crown Court heard.

His ex-girlfriend Berlinah Wallace, 48, was said to have told him: If I cant have you, no one else can.

Mr Van Dongen ran out into the street screaming in pain in the Westbury Park area of Bristol before a neighbour took him to a nearby flat, put him in a shower and called 999.

Dutch-born Mr Van Dongen suffered 15 months of pain before dying at a clinic in Belgium in January.

His father Cornelius told the jury that it was four months before he was able to communicate with his son by using an alphabet and another five months before they could speak.

He stuck his tongue out and he spelt out Berlinah, he said. He was lying in his bed and she was suddenly behind his bed and she shouted she couldnt have my life. If I cant have it nobody else will get it.

These are the words I remember he said. He stepped outside and shouted really loudly for help.

Cornelius Van Dongen, giving evidence through a Dutch interpreter, said his son was transferred from a care home in Gloucester to a hospital in Belgium in November last year because he was distressed and could not settle.

He wanted to return to a normal life  thats what he wanted, he said, fighting back tears. The fact that he couldnt move his arms was the straw that broke the camels back.

He completed his application for euthanasia. He said that, My life has come to nothing and there is nothing left. He said, All I have is a different ceiling to look at.

The court heard that Mr Van Dongen had developed an acute lung infection which would require a tube being inserted in his throat and a 95 per cent chance of him losing his voice.

Adam Vaitilingam QC, prosecuting, asked Cornelius Van Dongen: What did he say about not wanting the tube in his throat?

The witness replied: He didnt want any more pain and didnt want any more surgery and wanted to be able to talk to me until the last seconds. He didnt want to go on any further and he just wanted to die.

He confirmed he was present when his son died on 2 January.

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He also told the jury his son was scared of Wallace and had called the police several times about her but received no support.

He was scared and he was afraid of her. You can see what happened, he said.

Wallace, of Westbury Park, Bristol, denies charges of murder and applying a corrosive fluid. She claims she thought she was throwing a glass of water at Mr Van Dongen.

The court heard the couple had been seeing each other for five years and lived together in Wallaces flat.

The trial continues.

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Police forces are failing to respond to low-priority crimes because of significant stress caused by continued budget cuts amid a huge rise in demand, a report has found.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICFRS) warned that increasing drops in spending were having a negative effect on the response to crime.

Inspector Mike Cunningham, said that some offences deemed to be low-priority are waiting a long time to be solved or even seeing nothing done at all.

Under austerity and under cut-backs, the requirement to prioritise has become more acute in recent years, he said.

Often forces are using an assessment of the threat, harm and the vulnerability of the person calling.

Sometimes they get that absolutely rightbut sometimes they can be misapplied or poorly managed and vulnerability can be missed.

Mr Cunningham said inspections across England and Wales found that some incidents of crimes including assault, violence against the person and criminal damage had not been responded to but that individual mistakes rather than a systematic failure were responsible.

 Trump links rise in UK crime to 'radical island terror'

The inspector said it was the first time an efficiency inspection had found the UKs police to be under significant stress but stopped short of repeating calls by senior police officers for increased funding.

The service would have to demonstrate how that money is going to be usedand what benefits it would bring for the public, Mr Cunningham added.

HMICFRSs annual report on efficiency concluded that forces could do more to modernise the way they work, including updating archaic computer systems and using the internet more to engage with members of the public.

The assessment came days after Amber Rudd told police she did not want to see them asking for more money in response to rising crime, while hailing an increase in police transformation funding and calling for more efficiencies to be made.

According to financial plans drawn up by police forces, revenue expenditure will fall by 6 per cent from 12.3bn this year to 11.6bn in 2020/21.

The number of police officers  already at the lowest level since 1985  is predicted to drop further to 120,217 in the same period.

The National Police Chiefs Council has been leading arguments for the Government to give forces more money to deal with the rising terror, violent crime and 999 calls.

Chief Constable Sara Thornton, the groups chair, said that most forces are making progress improving efficiency after making 1.6bn savings in the last five years.

HMICFRS cites sophisticated analysis of demand, effective tools to help manage it and ambitious and impressive collaborative plans, she added.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd addresses the National Police Chiefs and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Conference (PA)

While some forces require improvement in this area, HMICFRS recognises that forces with particularly difficult financial positions have more limited opportunities to invest to improve efficiency.

Of the 42 forces inspected, 10 were found to require improvement on efficiency, including the Metropolitan Police, Nottinghamshire, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

Only two  Durham and Thames Valley  were listed as outstanding and the rest were graded as good.

Greater Manchester Police was excluded from the full inspection because of its response to the arena bombing, which was ongoing during scheduled visits by officials.

Recommended How big data can now be used to predict where crime will happen

Matthew Scott, of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said that although the need to spend public money with absolute efficiency was accepted, real terms protection is needed to deliver the service the public expect going forward.

The current settlement for policing, especially the flat cash arrangement, no longer ensures the resilience of police forces to respond to further increases in demand, he added.

Specific investment is needed now in order to ensure the service is able to meet the challenges we face.

HMICFRS said police had become the service of last resort for shrinking public services, particularly in mental health, and will have to increase cooperation with local authorities, the NHS and other agencies to respond to all cases.

In reducing demand, it is important that forces do not simply suppress it, its report warned.

HMICFRS is beginning to see examples of forces taking action to prioritise their demand in such a way that low-priority and less urgent incidents can be left unresolved for long periods.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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While the prioritisation of tasks is important, forces need to ensure that victims receive a quality of service that meets their needs.

Where there is shortfall of resources, the report said police staff are compensating by working even harder and doing overtime, which unions say is driving increasing mental illness and long-term sick leave.

In a small number of cases, this is not sufficient and the needs of the public are not adequately met, the report said, highlighting understaffed control rooms relying on outdated technology.

While 999 calls have increased by 10 per cent in a year, data on the 101 service is patchy but callers have complained of long waits that frequently cause them to hang up.

As well as the dropping number of police officers, HMICFRS has raised concern over fewer staff working in contact centres and other back-room areas, which have borne the brunt of cost-cutting.

Mr Cunningham said forces would have to start saying no to things to continue providing the service that the public needs and expects.

Prioritisation might not be an up-front say no but thats what actually happens, he added. Some types of incidents trump others, and quite properly too.

The Metropolitan Police has already released guidelines instructing officers to stop investigating some low-level crimes with no prospect of conviction as it works to save 400m by 2020.

At a time of shrinking budgets is it right that the things that seem to be growing are the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the HMICFRS and the Home Office? Commissioner Cressida Dick asked a conference last week.

HMICFRS is calling on police forces to draw up ambitious plans to tackle future crime, adapt to modern ways of communicating with victims and ensure staff have the skills they need.

A screenshot of the predictive crime hotspot mapping used by Kent Police

Mr Cunningham told The Independent that the internet and social media had made it easier for criminals to target victims on an industrial scale across force lines and even international borders.

If forces dont prepare themselves they are going to be hit  this is happening now, he added.

The Inspectorate has also made the case for putting more resources into prevention, amid warnings from senior police officers that crucial neighbourhood policing is being reduced by cuts and the response to terror attacks.

Mr Cunningham said that while aimless and uninformed police patrols would not be efficient, sending officers to known hotspots where they could both prevent crime and reassure residents would be welcomed.

Nick Hurd, the policing minister, said the public rightly expect the police to adapt and transform for the future, adding: The Government recognises that demand on the police is changing and we are sensitive to the pressures they face.

That is why I am leading a review of demand and resilience, as well as assessing how forces can improve efficiency, increase productivity and make prudent use of over 1.6bn of financial reserves.

The HMICFRS contested the figure, which it put at 1.4bn while warning that more than two thirds of reserves already been allocated for future investment and the rest were contingency funds held in case of a major incident such as a terror attack.

The Metropolitan Police Service said it was disappointed by its requires improvement grade, which was driven mainly by 101 call waiting times and lacking analysis of staff skills.

The Met is here to keep London safe and that will always remain the priority, a spokesperson said. The organisation is currently undergoing an incredibly ambitious change programme to help the organisation effectively manage resources and demand to become the safest global city in the world.
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A woman suffering from an eating disorder died alone in her home after her benefits were cut because she was too ill to attend an Employment Support Allowance meeting.

Elaine Morrall, a mother of four, was found dead in her freezing flat in Runcorn, Cheshire, wearing a coat and scarf earlier this month.

Ms Morralls family said the 38-year-old had her benefits cut after failing to turn up for a meeting because she was in intensive care in hospital.

In an open letter posted on Facebook, Ms Morralls mother Linda blamed the Department of Work and Pensions for her daughters death, saying she was left unable to afford to put the heating on.

How many people have got to die before this government realises they are killing vulnerable people? she wrote.

My daughter lived in Boston ave. She died on the afternoon of 2 November 2017 at home on her own. She was 38yrs.

In the cold with her coat & scarf on. Because she wouldnt put her heating on until her kids came home from school. Why?? Because she couldnt afford it.

Elaine Morrall was left unable to afford to put the heating on, her family said (Facebook)

Because she was severely depressed. Suffered from eating disorder & many other problems for many years.

Mainly due to authoritarians of 1 form or another. I can give you details. Was in & out of hospital in recent months in intensive care.

But was deemed not ill enough for ESA. Had her benefits stopped numerous times, which in turn stopped her housing benefit.

No income but expected to be able to pay full rent. Was told being in intensive care was not sufficient reason for failing to attend a universal credit interview.

I went to the job centre to inform them that she couldnt attend. But benefits stopped again.

Recommended Pressure grows on May over universal credit after damning report

Uncaring housing taking her to court. Shes due to go to court on monday. Is being dead now enough reason. Is that whats had to happen to prove she was ill??

How many people have got to die before this government realises they are killing vulnerable people??

What are you and your fellow councillors going to do to protect your constituents??

Halton MP Derek Twigg, who is working with the family, said the case was tragic and he was providing assistance.

The family are grieving and request that they are given the privacy, time and space they need at this time, he said.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA

A spokesperson for the DWP said: Our thoughts are with Ms Morralls family at this difficult time.

We understand that people cant always attend appointments, which is why we will re-arrange alternative times.

Assessment decisions are made with consideration of all the information provided, including supporting evidence from a GP or medical specialist.

Anyone who disagrees with a decision can appeal.

Universal credit rolls six working-age benefits into a single payment, but since the scheme was launched, hundreds of thousands of claimants have had to wait six weeks or more for an initial payment, forcing many into debt.

A report published earlier this year by Southwark and Croydon councils, who were among the first in the country to roll out the new regime, found the credit system had the potential to be catastrophic and lead to a spiral of debt.
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Drug seizures in England and Wales have plummeted in the past five years as drug-related deaths reach a record high, new figures show.

Data released by the Home Office shows there has been a 36 per cent drop in illicit substances seized by the police and Border Force since 2012.

The figure fell from 148,553 to 138,955 in 2016/17, a drop of 6 per cent compared with the previous year and the lowest number of seizures since 2004.

It marks a continuation of an ongoing decline, with seizures having dropped by 11 per cent in 2016, 13 per cent the year before.

The fall comes as drug-related deaths in England and Wales hit a record high, with 3,744 people fatally poisoned by both legal and illegal drugs in England and Wales in 2016 - the highest number since comparable statistics began in 1993.

When those figures came out in August campaigners said it was time for the Government to take responsibility for the increase, as they accused it of ignoring advice on how to reduce deaths and protect the most vulnerable drug users.

The rise in deaths isn't matched with a rise in the number of illicit substances being seized. The new data shows that seizures by police forces decreased by 8 per cent between 2015/16 and 2016/17 (from 143,248 to 132,283), while there was an 8 per cent decrease in the number of police recorded drug offences.

However, seizures made by Border Force increased by 26 per cent over the same time period, after having dropped by 13 per cent the previous year. The majority of seizures (95 per cent) were made by police forces in England and Wales, but Border Force seizures tended to be for larger quantities.

Cocaine was the most commonly seized Class A drug, with almost half of all Class A seizures involving the substance, although the figure was down by 4 per cent on the previous year.

 Global commission call for legalisation of drugs

The Crime Survey for England and Wales suggested earlier this year that cocaine is the second most commonly used drug after cannabis, with the National Crime Agency recording a significant increase in purity of both crack and powder cocaine that may partly explain the increase in deaths.

More than half of all drug-related deaths recorded in the last year involved an opiate, mainly heroin or morphine, followed by antidepressants, benzodiazepine, cocaine, paracetamol, and amphetamines.

Eytan Alexander, founder of UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT), one of the countrys largest rehabilitation facilitators, told The Independent drug seizures were "just one part" of the fight against drugs, but urged that police must do more to tackle the problem.

There are no visible signs at the coal face of treating addiction that the flow of drugs onto the streets show any signs of abating, but seizures are just one part of a complex strategy in the fight against drugs and the misery that they cause," he said.

We must prevent drug use in our communities as well as help those who are dependent to recover but, ultimately, cutting budgets by 100million annually is a huge threat to achieving that. But the Police must do more to stop the supply of drugs and the organised crime associated with it.

Charity Transform Drug Policy Foundation highlighted that drug seizures were a minor cost of business for organised crime, comparing it to the food wastage supermarkets face in their supply chains.

Martin Powell, head of campaigns at the charity, said: Like alcohol Prohibition, global drug prohibition has gifted a vast criminal opportunity to organised crime groups, who control the international drugs market."

He added: What are portrayed as massive seizures are a minor cost of business for organised crime, less significant than the food wastage supermarkets like Morrisons factor into their supply chains.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant 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winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA

UK police, customs and Navy seize just 1 per cent of heroin destined for the UK, but a report from Downing St concluded that seizures of 60-80 per cent would be needed to put dealers out of business.

Mr Powell said that the only way authorities can take control of the drug markets is by decriminalising them.

The only way to take the market from criminals is to put governments in control by legally regulating drugs - as Canada is currently preparing to do for its cannabis market," he said. Even the UK Governments recent evaluation of its own strategy acknowledged that the illicit drug market is so resilient that enforcement has only localised and short-lived impacts, and traffickers can easily recoup the cost of any seizures."

A Home Office spokesperson said: Tough enforcement is a fundamental part of our drug strategy, published this summer. We are taking a smarter approach to restricting the supply of drugs: adapting our work to reflect changes in criminal activity; using innovative data and technology, and taking coordinated partnership action to tackle drugs alongside other criminal activity.

Seizures of drugs by Border Force have risen by 26% compared to last year, including a number of significant cocaine seizures. This shows the determination of the Government to work with law enforcement colleagues to prevent drug trafficking, and bring those responsible to justice.
Trump's victory is like an earthquake (video)

Voice of America Armenian service A year ago, in a speech that delivered by Donald Trump, he vowed his voters, working Americans, who were dissatisfied with the situation in the country. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left, and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America.  Trump's victory was like an earthquake to the US political field. His presidency, however, began with many controversies. In the first months of the Presidency, Trump recorded three important victories such as appointing a new member of the US Supreme Court, causing a deadly shot to Daesh terrorists, and continuing high economic performance. However, the failure of Donald Trump's initiative in healthcare reform had a bad influence on the president's reputation at the Republican Senate. As a result, today's Donald Trump's political agenda is frozen, analyst Allan Lichtman states. The number of supporters of Donald Trump continues to diminish, according to Larry Sabato. Today, the majority of Americans evaluate the work of Donald Trump as a president negatively. However, the ruling style of Donald Trump and the investigation of Russia's interference may still change the current situation.
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A white supremacist group is recruiting British members and sending them to military-style training camps abroad, an investigation has revealed.

Generation Identity (GI), a pan-European group, officially launched its new UK branch last month but undercover reporters from ITV found supporters had already been taking part in its activities.

One man secretly filmed for the documentary Undercover  Inside Britains New Far Right, described GIs week-long camp in France as really good.

Wed be training for two hours in the morning, he added. At the end of the week  we had a mock demonstration.

It was like really realistic because they had like pepper spray, everything. It was really organised.

The same man asked: We have fit girls, fit guys which side do you want to play for? For the degenerates or the patriots?

A senior Norwegian member of GI told a reporter who infiltrated the group for six months: We want young normal people, who want to get involved and we train them.

A Generation Identity training camp in summer 2016 (YouTube)

Glossy videos show around 200 members practicing hand-to-hand combat and exercising at the Identitarian Summer University, before passing out wearing uniforms bearing GIs logo in a military-style parade.

GI, which started in France and has spread across Europe, claims it represents indigenous Europeans and propagates the far-right conspiracy theory that white people are becoming a minority in what it calls the Great Replacement.

It announced its presence in the UK by dropping a banner on Westminster Bridge reading Defend London  Stop Islamisation last month and is recruiting new members.

Damhnait McKenna, the leader of GI UK and Ireland, claimed the organisations ideology on ethno-cultural identity and calls for all illegal immigrants to be repatriated, were not extreme.

We want to bring a revival to our culture and our way of life, she told The Independent. Our biggest concern of course is becoming a minority in our own country.

Ms McKenna claimed that Islamisation was under way in Britain and Ireland, adding: Islam isnt a religion in my opinion, its more of a political force.

Asked about the volume of racist and antisemitic responses from supporters replying to the groups online posts, the 38-year-old said anyone who tries to bring up the Jewish question is prevented from formally joining GI.

But a group revealed to be a branch of the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action claimed it shared GIs ideals, using the groups colour scheme and running its own training camps.

Members of Scottish Dawn undergoing combat training, shown in a video called Braveheart Fight Club uploaded in September 2017

Scottish Dawn described itself as an Identitarian social movement and led marches and protests before being banned in September.

Designating Scottish Dawn as a terrorist group alongside another National Action faction called NS131, Amber Rudd said it was a vile racist, homophobic and antisemitic group which glorifies violence and stirs up hatred while promoting poisonous ideology.

Ms McKenna claimed GI had no links to the mental faction and said she was not concerned about government or police action against her group.

Support for GI has been rising across Europe during a series of terror attacks claimed by Isis, while it also hijacked concerns over the arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants in Europe by crowdfunding a boat to interfere with rescues in the Mediterranean Sea.

Using slick videos and a high-profile social media presence, GI is targeting teenagers and young people in what researchers have called the weaponisation of internet culture.

GIs leaders reject the labels far-right or alt-right and claim they vet members for extremism, but analysts say the organisation is pure in its white supremacy.

Nick Lowles, the chief executive of Hope Not Hate, told ITV it was more middle class than traditional street movements, adding: Their ability to spread their message and fund their operations has never been as high as it is now.

The leaders of GIs UK and Ireland branch attended last months Traditional Britain Conference, alongside defeated Ukip leadership candidate Anne Marie Waters.

Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell

The anti-Islam activist was filmed socialising with senior members of the group during ITVs documentary, where she was caught on camera claiming the UK was becoming an Islamic state.

The EU agreed to turn Europe into an Arabian Islamic continent, in return for trade essentially, Ms Waters added.

She took second place in the Ukip leadership race but a spokesperson for the party said she was no longer a member, adding: Her extreme views have no place in Ukip.

The documentary comes after the leaders of the Governments counter-extremism programme revealed the number of people referred over far-right radicalisation was rising.

Of the total 7,631 people referred to Prevent in the 2015/16 financial year, 65 per cent (4,997) were suspected of Islamist extremism and 10 per cent (759) of right-wing extremism.

But the figure of right-wing radicals rises to a quarter for those going through the Channel programme, which aims to turn people away from extremist ideologies.

For young people there is a kind of utopia in far-right or Islamic extremism, an intervention provider said.

What these groups have understood is that young people need narratives and theyve created narratives that make a complicated world seem very simple.

Undercover  Inside Britains New Far Right will air on ITV at 10.40pm tonight (Thursday)
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A former Big Issue seller who spent years living on the streets, has won a place to study English Literature at Cambridge University.

Geoff Edwards, who got a U in his English Literature O-level, started his course at the renowned institution after completing an access course at the prestigious institution.

I didn't think of applying to Cambridge. I didn't think Cambridge University would take someone like me," the 52-year-old told the Cambridge News. "But my tutor encouraged me to apply. It is the first thing I am proud of in my life.

The 52-year-old said he enjoyed reading from a young age and that there were always books in his childhood home in Liverpool, where his father worked as a postman and his mother held down an office job.

Mr Edwards said he didnt enjoy school, and left with O-levels in mathematics and English language but got a U, or unclassified, in English literature.

After leaving school, he left Liverpool to work as a field labourer in Kent, Gloucestershire and Scotland. He said he always had a book on the go.

After arriving in Cambridge, the work dried up and Mr Edwards began living in squats when possible and on the streets when not, picking up books from libraries and charity shops, reading as a way to escape.

With help from homeless charities he began to sell the Big Issue, saving up 20 to go to London on Mondays to pick up the magazines, which he then sold on the streets of the city for the rest of the week.

He said selling it helped him gain back some self-respect and prompted him to realise that he needed to do something different with his life.

Mr Edwards went to an open day at Cambridge Regional College, where he arranged to do a gateway course, and then an access course, which would enable him to go onto do a BA in English Literature.

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Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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The 52-year-old gained distinctions for every subject on the access course and his tutor recommended he try for Cambridge, where he took up his place last month.

Mr Edwards said attending the university to study something he loved was a dream of his, adding that he was still getting used to the idea that it was actually happening.

This is what I have always wanted to do, but no-one in my family had been to university so I didn't even consider it, he said.
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A nine-year-old boy who stood up in class to declare his support for Isis is among thousands of children referred to the Government's counter-extremism programme.

The majority were flagged to Prevent because of concerns over potential Islamist views but the number attracted to the extreme far-right is growing.

In one case revealed by the Home Office, teachers reported a boy from West London who declared his support for Isis after watching violent propaganda videos online.

A senior Home Office official said Haaruun* stood up in class and said he supported Isis, adding: He had watched Isis execution videos after searching for news coverage of the Paris attacks.

It led to him to ones showing brutal executions and burning people.

After a year of support, including mentoring and counselling through the Governments anti-radicalisation programme, case workers say he has turned his life around.

Of the total 7,631 people referred to Prevent in the 2015/16 financial year, 65 per cent (4,997) were suspected of Islamist extremism and 10 per cent (759) of right-wing extremism.

Officials said Sikh and Northern Ireland-related radicalism was also seen, while a significant proportion could not be put into one category because of a more general propensity towards mass murder and violence that covers several groups.

 MI5 chief warns that Britain is facing an unrelenting terrorist threat

The majority of those referred were men and boys aged 20 and under, with ages spanning between young children and the over 60s.

More than 2,100 referred were under the age of 15, with the group including 532 girls, while 2,100 more were between 15 and 20 and another 1,200 aged 21 to 30.

London saw the highest number of referrals, followed by the East Midlands, North East, North West and West Midlands, with most people reported by teachers, police or local councils.

Around a third of all those flagged were deemed to need no further action, half were passed on to alternative services and 14 per cent were considered by the counter-radicalisation Channel programme.

The breakdown means that only 5 per cent of those referred received specialist help to stop them being drawn into radicalisation, including ideological and religious mentoring.

Diane Abbott, the Shadow Home Secretary, said the figure showed that Prevent  which costs around 46m a year - isnt working, vowing that Labour would review the controversial programme if in Government.

People reported to the initiative go through several levels of screening and only those who police are not investigating for terrorism are considered for help from Channel  a voluntary scheme that aims to turn people away from extremist ideology.

It offers support with mental health, employment and education, as well as offering ideological mentoring, until a specialist panel decides they are ready to leave the programme.

Around 70 per cent of people doing through Channel are Islamists but more than a quarter are right-wing extremists and officials expect the number to rise this year, which has seen National Action become the first far-right group banned as a terrorist organisation in the UK.

The number of people referred to Prevent over far-right extremism is rising (National Action)

One man, 47-year-old Dan*, was a neo-Nazi who became involved in white power groups while drinking heavily.

He said Channel had made him feel more valued as a person and made me see there was more to life than what I was doing, adding: Without the help of this process, I am sure I would be in prison now.

But 63 people - one in six - dropped out of the scheme in 2015/16, leaving any potential terror risk they pose to be assessed by the police

The senior Home Office official refused to confirm whether any former Channel subjects had gone on to commit terror offences, following a series of Isis-linked attacks carried out by jihadis who had been reported to authorities and were known to security services.

Prevent doesnt claim to be 100 per cent successful Channel panel members cant predict the future, he said.

People on Channel are not suspected of being terrorists, they are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

The programme will not be used for Isis fighters returning from the groups former territories in Syria and Iraq, who are likely to be prosecuted or subjected to control orders by police and intelligence services.

Asked whether the Governments attempts to remove terrorist propaganda from the internet were successful, leaders said it was more important to inoculate young people against extremist content.

A Prevent co-ordinator said authorities were playing whack-a-mole with new technology.

We have to be realistic  that content is always going to be there and it will still proliferate, he added.

The chief suspect for the Parsons Green bombing had reportedly been reported to Prevent (EPA/WILL OLIVER)

Online propaganda is accelerating radicalisationit is the petrol poured on the fire but its not the tinder that starts the fire in the first place.

Officials said many of the children seen are on the autistic spectrum, while mental health issues are common.

Half the people referred to Prevent are eventually referred to other services, including education, local councils, health and community groups because their vulnerability is assessed as not linked to radicalisation.

A Channel intervention provider specialising in the far-right said education was needed to ensure people know the methods being used by extremists to target them.

You cant police the internet, he added. As a society we need to understand where the risks are and investigate those who are vulnerableso they can be resilient.

Prevent is supporting youth groups and schemes for both children and adults to raise awareness of extremist content online.

It is also pushing for the creation of counter-narratives that can be used to combat extremist messaging.

What Isis and these other groups have understood is that young people need narratives, and theyve created narratives that make a complicated world seem very simple, an Islamist intervention provider warned.

Prevent  set up over a decade ago as part of the Governments wider Contest counter-terror strategy  has been dogged by controversy and opposition by groups accusing it of discriminating against Muslims and worsening radicalisation.

Timeline: The emergence of Isis Show all 40 1 /40 Timeline: The emergence of Isis Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2000 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (pictured here) forms an al-Qaeda splinter group in Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq. Its brutality from the beginning alienates Iraqis and many al-Qaeda leaders. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2006 Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Al-Zarqawis successor, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2009 Still al-Qaeda-linked ISI claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 155 in Baghdad, as well as attacks in August and October killing 240, as President Obama announces troop withdrawal from Iraq in March. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2010 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes head of ISI, at lowest ebb of Islamist militancy in Iraq, which sees last U.S. combat brigade depart. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2012 In Syria, protests (pictured here starting in Daree) have morphed into what president Assad labelled a real war with emergence of a coalition of forces opposed to Assads regime. Syria group Jabhat al-Nusra are among rebel groups who refuse to join, denouncing it as a conspiracy. Bombings targeting Shia areas, killing more than 500 people, spark fears of new sectarian conflict. Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia-led government. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2013 Al-Baghdadi renames ISI as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or Isis, as the group absorbs Syrian al-Nusra, gaining a foothold in Syria. In response, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Ladens successor) concerned about Isis expansion orders that Isis be dissolved and ISI operations should be confined to Iraq. This order is rejected by al-Baghdadi. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - January Isis fighters capture the Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, giving them base to launch slew of attacks further south. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis declares itself the Caliphate, calling itself Islamic State (IS). The group captures Mosul, Iraqs second largest city; Tal Afar, just 93 miles from Syrian border; and the central Iraqi city of Tikrit. These advances sent shockwaves around the world. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Around the same time Isis releases a video calling for western Muslims to join the Caliphate and fight, prompting new evaluations of extremists groups social media understanding. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis take Baiji oil fields in Iraq - giving them access to huge amounts of possible revenue. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August James Foley is executed by the group as concerns grow for second American prisoner, fellow reporter Steven Sotloff. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August Obama authorises U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, helping to stall Isis along with action by Kurdish forces following the deaths of hundreds of Yazidi people on Mount Sinjar. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release video showing Steven Sotloffs murder prompting Western speculation his executioner is same man who killed Mr Foley. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Obama tells us that America will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release a video appearing to show David Haines, who was captured by militants in Syria in 2013, wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in the desert while he reads a pre-prepared script. It later shows what appears to be the aid worker's body. Rex Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Peshmerga fighters scrabble to hold positions in the Diyala province (a gateway to Baghdad) as Isis fighters continue to advance on Iraqi capital. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Aid worker Alan Henning is killed. Self-imposed media blackout refuses to show images of him in final moments, instead focuses upon humanitarian care. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Isis raise their flag in Kobani, which had been strongly defended by Kurdish troops. The victory goes against hopeful western analysis Isis had overextended itself, while alienating much of the Muslim population through the murder of Henning. Victory causes fresh waves of Kurdish refugees arriving in Turkey. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - November American hostage, who embarced values of Islam, Peter Kassig and 14 Syrian soldiers are shown meeting the same fate as other captives. But intelligence agencies will be poring over the apparently significant discrepancies between this and previous films. Seramedig.org.uk Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis has released a video revealing the murder by burning to death of a Jordanian pilot held by the group since the end of December 2014. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have released videos which appear to show the beheading of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February American aid worker, Kayla Mueller was the last American hostage known to be held by Isis. She died, according to her captors, in an airstrike by the Jordanian air force on the city of Raqqa in Syria, though US authorities disputed this. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have posted a gruesome video online in which they force 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages to kneel on a beach in Libya before beheading them. Egypt vowed to avenge the beheading and launched air strikes on Isis positions. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February The British Isis militant suspected of appearing in videos showing the beheading of Western hostages has been named in reports as Mohammed Emwazi from London. Rex Features Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - March Isis triple suicide attack has killed more than 100 worshippers and hundreds of others were injured after the group members targeted two mosques in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Iraqi forces have claimed victory over Isis in battle for Tikrit and raised the flag in the city. EPA/STR Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 35 people queuing to collect their wages and injured 100 more. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis media arm released a 29-minute video purporting to show militants executing Ethiopian Christians captives. The footage bore the extremist groups al-Furqan media logo and showed the destruction of churches and desecration of religious symbols. A masked fighter made a statement threatening Christians who did not convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis has been "incapacitated" by a spinal injuries sustained in a US air strike in Iraq. He is being treated in a hideout by two doctors from Isis stronghold of Mosul who are said to be "strong ideological supporters of the group". Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis has also claimed responsibility for killing 300 of Yazidi captives, including women, children and elderly people in Iraq AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis attack on Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas was its first action on US soil. Two gunmen were shot and killed after launching the attack at the exhibition. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi have been named as the attackers at the Curtis Culwell Centre arena in Garland. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isiss deputy leader, Abu Alaa Afri, a former physics teacher who was thought to have taken charge of the deadly terrorist group, has been killed in a US-led coalition airstrike. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May US special forces have killed a senior Isis leader named as Abu Sayyaf in an operation aiming to capture him and his wife in Syria. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Iran-backed militias are sent to Ramadi by the Iraqi government to fight Isis militants who completed their capture of the city. Government soldiers and civilians were reportedly massacred by extremists as they took control and the army fled. Charred bodies were left littering the city streets as troops clung on to trucks speeding away from the city. Ramadi is the latest government stronghold to fall to the so-called Islamic State, despite air strikes by a US-led international coalition aiming to stop its advance in Iraq and Syria. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis rounded up civilians trapped in Palmyra and forced them to watch 20 people being executed in the historic citys ancient amphitheatre. The Unesco World Heritage site was overrun by militants, threatening the future of 2,000 year-old monuments and ruins. Thousands of Palmyras residents fled but many are still living within the city walls, while the UN human rights office in Geneva said it had received reports of Syrian government forces preventing people from leaving until they retreated from the city. Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May A group of Isis-affiliated fighters have captured a key airport in central Libya. The militants took control of the al-Qardabiya airbase in Sirte after a local militia tasked with defending the facility withdrew from their positions. Affiliates of Isis, already control large parts of Sirte, the birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a former stronghold of his supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media. According the Air Force Times, General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Kurdish forces captured a key military base in a significant victory in Raqqa as well as town of Tell Abyad. YPG fighters, backed by US-led airstrikes and other rebels, consolidated their gains, when they seized the key town on the Syria-Turkey border. They are now just 30 miles to the north of Raqqa and have cut off a major supply route deep inside Isis-held territory. Ahmet Silk/Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has released gruesome footage claiming to show the murder of more than a dozen men by drowning, decapitation and using a rocket-propelled grenade as it seeks to boost morale among its fanatical supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has begun carrying out its threat to destroy structures in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, blowing up at least two monuments at the Unesco-protected site as Syrian government troops made advances on the Islamists positions. AFP

By releasing detailed statistics on referrals for the first time, the Home Office is hoping to combat suspicion and mistrust around its counter-extremism strategy, and improve engagement.

Despite the large number of cases needing no further action, officials said no reports had been made unnecessarily, but a human rights group hit out at the potentially devastating and stigmatising effects on those incorrectly referred.

Martha Spurrier, the director of Liberty, said: Religious groups, teachers, students and cross-party politicians have all raised serious concerns that Prevent fuels racial and religious discrimination  yet the Government has failed to publish any figures on the religion or ethnicity of those referred.

"How can ministers even begin to command public trust in Prevent without real honesty and transparency about its impact?"

Chief Constable Simon Cole, the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) lead for Prevent, said it needed public support to be successful.

Each of these 7,631 referrals was someone trying to guide a person they had concerns about away from harm and towards the help they may have needed," he added.

Partners in the police and other public sectors are getting better at identifying appropriate referrals. But if we are to successfully stop vulnerable people from being drawn into violent extremism, then family members, friends and community leaders must come forward sooner to us with their concerns.

Ben Wallace, the security minister, said the Prevent programme was just one of a number of ways to safeguard vulnerable people from exploitation.

The voluntary Channel scheme has seen real results in helping divert people away from terrorism and violence," he added. The programme is helping to save lives and keep us safe.

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality
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A woman's murder could have been prevented if police had responded to her 999 call almost 90 minutes before she was found injured after being attacked by her brother, investigators have found.

Elizabeth Bowe, 50, was found severely injured at her home in St Andrews in September last year after being assaulted by her brother Charles Gordon, and later died.

At around 8pm on the evening of the assault, Ms Bowe telephoned Police Scotland using her brothers mobile telephone, to report that her brother had stolen her mobile telephone and that he was refusing to return it to her.

She informed the service adviser that she was a vulnerable person, was in a domestic violence situation and required her telephone to call for help if she needed it.

Police Scotland held extensive records on its systems identifying Ms Bowe as a vulnerable person who had been the subject of domestic abuse. This included allegations that she had been assaulted by Mr Gordon in the past.

The service adviser told the 50-year-old police officers would attend to see her and categorised the call as a Grade 2 priority  a call which requires a police response to be sent within 15 minutes.

But the incident was then transferred to a control room, where it was assessed by a Communications Controller who considered that a crime had not been committed and there was no requirement to send police resources to deal with the report.

At 8.12pm the communications controller attempted to contact Ms Bowe and on receiving no reply, left a voicemail message stating: Your brother is in the house. He has not stolen your phone. The Police are not going to attend.

At around 9.24pm, Charles Gordon telephoned Police Scotland via the 999 emergency system stating that he had killed his sister.

Police resources were immediately sent to the home where they found Ms Bowe seriously injured. Gordon was arrested and subsequently convicted of her murder, and in July this year he was sentenced to life in prison.

The Commissioner Kate Frame said: Had Police Scotland timeously dispatched resources in accordance with their call priority system following Elizabeth Bowes 999 call 1 hour and 24 minutes earlier, officers may have arrived at her home prior to her receiving the injuries from which she died and thereby prevented her death.

She has made a number of recommendations to the Chief Constable to ensure that priority calls from vulnerable persons such as Ms Bowe are responded to appropriately.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party 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in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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A statement on behalf of Ms Bowe's family said: The past year has put a terrible strain on the family and we now just want to move on with our lives. The circumstances of the death of Elizabeth, who was a caring mother and grandmother, was a shock to us all and we appreciate the support we have received, but would now wish our privacy to be respected.

Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said: Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Elizabeth Bowe and all those affected by her death. Police Scotland accept the findings of the Pirc report and continue to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.

In addition, since the incident in September 2016, Police Scotland have given risk and vulnerability training to over 800 staff, which assists in identifying and assessing risk at the first point of contact as well as capturing the right and relevant information.
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Boris Johnson has sidestepped questions about the future of jailed British woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after Iranian state TV reported that he had made an unintended confession that she was training journalists in the country.

The Foreign Secretary is facing calls to step down over his mistaken comments  made to MPs last week  amid fears the Iranian authorities have taken the claims as a justification for her continued imprisonment.

Irans state broadcaster said his remarks were proof of the accusations against Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained in Tehran on spying charges while on holiday with her daughter 18 months ago.

Mr Johnson refused to refer to Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe by name when ambushed by reporters in Washington, saying that his department had some difficult cases it was working on in Iran.

This comes as her husband Richard Ratcliffe described the devastating impact of her detainment on the family, as the couples young daughter Gabriella, now three, remains with her grandparents in Tehran after her mothers arrest.

Mr Johnson sidestepped questions over whether he was unsackable, saying he had made very good progress in meetings in Washington on the future of Irans nuclear deal.

He told Sky News: The crucial thing is that here in Washington they are very sceptical about Iran, you saw what the President had to say, but we think there is great value in that nuclear deal.

We think its worth a great deal of energy and effort, to try to keep alive that basic symmetry of stopping the Iranians from acquiring nuclear weapons in exchange for some economic progress.

Pressed on Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes future, he said: We have some difficult consular cases in Iran and we are working on all of them.

The 38-year-old charity worker was separated from her young daughter Gabriella when she was arrested as she tried to return home to London in April 2016.

Gabriella remains in Iran with Nazanins parents, while her mother is in a high-security prison and her father Richard is in London.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA

A statement from the Free Nazanin Campaign said: Nazanins parents watched the main evening news in growing horror last night night. They remain in a state of shock and disbelief.

As the news stories unfolded from Iranian state media... Nazanins father tried to call her lawyer, and eventually spoke to him late at night  to ask what was going on, what did this mean.

Her lawyer was unable to calm him. Following the news Nazanins mother was too distressed to complete cooking the family meal and was unable to speak to anyone for a number of hours.

Mr Johnson faced calls to resign over the blunder but he refused to apologise, using a statement in the Commons to clarify the remarks and to say there was no connection between his comments and fresh charges levelled against Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The under-fire Foreign Secretary also lavished praise on Donald Trump for penetrating corners of the global consciousness in an interview with Fox News.

Mr Johnson told the right-wing news channel the US President was one of the huge great global brands and insisted the US President's method of tweeting early in the morning no matter how rambunctious was an effective way of communicating.
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Boris Johnson has come under renewed pressure over his mistaken comments about a British woman imprisoned in Tehran after Iranian state TV said the remarks were an unintended confession of a real plot".

The Foreign Secretary has been widely condemned for his suggestion that charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists in Iran, prompting fears her five-year prison sentence would be lengthened.

Iran's state broadcaster said his remarks were "proof" of the accusations against the mother-of-one, who was detained by Iranian authorities on spying charges while on holiday 18 months ago.

A TV report, entitled 'Confession', said his remarks were seen as an "unintended confession of the UK government about the real plot behind her trip to Iran and proof of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's accusations against her.

The item said his statement falsified the British claims that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was in Iran for "humanitarian purposes" and would be "very costly to the British government" for it cast all the "efforts over several months of the UK government's institutions and networks to the four winds", according to a translation seen by The Independent.

Mr Johnson has faced calls to resign over the blunder but he refused to apologise, using a statement in the Commons to clarify the remarks and to say there was "no connection" between his comments and fresh charges levelled against Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The fallout of his gaffe was overshadowed yesterday by Priti Patel's resignation from the Cabinet after the International Development Secretary held a string of secret meetings with senior Israeli figures without informing Downing Street.

Mr Johnson, who is on a trip to Washington, said he was planning to meet the family of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe but refused to respond to questions about whether he had got his facts wrong.

He told Sky News: "I'm very happy to meet the family, Mr Ratcliffe, I think, I'm very much hoping to see him before I go to Iran in the next few weeks."

Ms Zaghari-Ratliffe, 38, was separated from her young daughter Gabriella when she was arrested as she tried to return home to London in April 2016.

Gabriella, now three, remains in Iran with Nazanins parents, while her mother is in a high-security prison and her father Richard is in London.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA

MPs called for him to apologise during a recent Commons appearance, when he refused to acknowledge his mistake.

Tory backbencher Anna Soubry previously told The Independent that Mr Johnson had "failed to meet the high bar of competence and dignity we expect of the Foreign Secretary".

"He was given a great opportunity to prove he was more than an affable loose cannon and he has been found seriously wanting."
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Labours deputy leader says the current political turmoil could topple Theresa May at any time, as he suggested Priti Patels secret meetings in Israel had been suppressed by No 10.

Tom Watson has written to the Prime Minister demanding further details of the sacked cabinet ministers summer talks  pointing to evidence the Foreign Office had known about them at the time.

I was told that the Foreign Office deliberately asked Downing Street to remove details of the briefing she received from Foreign Office officials when she was in Israel, Mr Watson claimed.

Recommended Theresa May told to replace Priti Patel with Brexiteer

If true, it shows that there was knowledge that Priti Patel was running a sort of independent foreign policy earlier  and that shes not been sacked for breaching the ministerial code in doing that, but shes been sacked because it became public that she was doing that.

The allegation came as the deputy leader echoed a report that EU leaders now suspect the cabinet chaos in London could trigger the Governments downfall.

It does seem to me that we are in a very unstable situation at the heart of government and that random events could bring the Government down, Mr Watson agreed.

We are ready with our manifesto, we would be prepared to go into a general election with a bold set of policies.

Mr Watson said he had been told that the former International Development Secretary met officials from the British consulate general in Jerusalem, while on holiday in August.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant 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winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA

That appeared to prove the Foreign Office had known all along  posing the critical question of whether the Prime Minister had been informed.

The letter posed nine questions, including whether there were any minutes taken and whether Ms Patel was acting with your authorisation.

Why was it not made public that Priti Patel had met British consular officials during her visit to Israel? Mr Watson demanded to know.

Did you, or did the FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office], request that information about Priti Patel meeting British consular officials be suppressed? If so, why? If not, why was it not published?

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, he added: I would like to know the facts of this case, because it is very unusual.

Meanwhile, The Times reported one European leader saying Brussels is now considering all options, from the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal to a decision to reverse Brexit.

There is the great difficulty of the leadership in Great Britain, which is more and more fragile. Britain is very weak and the weakness of Theresa May makes [Brexit] negotiations very difficult, the leader said.

If Ms May is ejected from office, she would be replaced by another Conservative leader  unless Tory MPs vote to overturn the Fixed Term Parliaments Act to stage another general election.

Given the current Conservative weakness, that is highly unlikely, but Mr Watson added: If Theresa May collapses, then the country is in a very bad place and would require a general election.

The Prime Minister moved quickly to replace Ms Patel, who resigned last night admitting her actions in Israel fell below the high standards expected, with Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt.
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The appointment of Penny Mordaunt, the new International Development Secretary, has been met with a positive reception  unlike Gavin Williamson last week.

The 44-year-old was promoted from her ministerial position at the Ministry of Defence after the dismissal of her dear friend Priti Patel, who resigned from the Government after the emergence of a series of undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials.

Mordaunt, who has worked under several Conservative leaders in various capacities, was also tipped last week to replace Sir Michael Fallon as Defence Secretary following his resignation over regarding allegations of misconduct.

She is now in charge of the UKs 13bn annual aid budget. But unlike her predecessor Mordaunt has not previously called for the abolition of the Department for International Development (DfiD), which will likely be met with sigh or relief among civil servants in the department.

Her background as a reservist in the Royal Navy made her a natural fit for armed forces minister in 2015  the first woman to hold the position. When May took office last summer she was moved over to the Department for Work and Pensions as minister for disabled people.

She became better known after featuring in ITV's reality divingshow Splash! and was also criticised for delivering a speech on poultry welfare in the Commons for the sole purpose of saying the word cock several times after Royal Navy colleagues dared her to.

But, like Patel, Mordaunt, was a keen a supporter of Brexit and a leading advocate. Her promotion will likely please nervous Eurosceptics in the Conservative party who did not want an increase in the number of Remainers around Mays Cabinet table.

Recommended Penny Mordaunt joins the cabinet following Priti Patel departure

She did, however, come under heavy criticism during the campaign after making the false claim that the UK could not veto Turkeys membership of the bloc. The then-Prime Minister David Cameron effectively accused Mordaunt  his own minister  of lying about the countrys accession, saying she had made a very misleading claim.

She is absolutely wrong, he said. Let me be clear, Britain and every other country in the EU has a veto on another country. That is a fact.

And during the 2016 Conservative leadership race, Mordaunt threw her support behind Andrea Leadsom  even joining her supporters for an awkward Leadsom for leader march on Parliament.

In an article for Conservative Home, she wrote: Determining the right course for leaving the EU requires a unique skill-set: a staunch commitment for a future outside the EU, a passionate belief that our best days lie ahead, and robust and proven negotiation skills. This isnt a time for politics as usual and, as David Cameron said in his statement outside Downing Street, the country now needs fresh leadership.

Ive decided to support Andrea because I know she is the best candidate to deliver this, she added. I would challenge you to find anyone in Parliament who understands more about the European Union and its failings than she has learned in the past few years.

At the 2017 snap election Mordaunt  unlike many of her colleagues  managed to increase her majority and gained nearly 55 per of the vote share in the constituency she has lived in since the age of two.

According to Mordaunts personal website she was educated at a local comprehensive, worked as a magicianss assistant before studying drama at the Victoryland Theatre School and philosophy at Reading University. She was born a twin and is the daughter of a paratrooper-turned-teacher.
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Theresa May faces a make-or-break month after chaos in her Cabinet saw her lose a second top minister in a week.

After Priti Patel was effectively sacked on Wednesday, senior Conservatives told The Independent the Prime Minister has until Christmas to improve the Governments performance.

Ms Patel was pushed out after she embarrassed Ms May by holding a series of unofficial meetings with top Israeli politicians, without telling Downing Street.

It appeared she would avoid losing her job after disclosing details of the meetings and apologising, but she then angered the Prime Minister when it emerged some details had been withheld.

It comes as two other cabinet members, Damian Green and Boris Johnson, are also in the spotlight, as pressure mounts to make progress in Brexit talks, amid the growing sexual harassment scandal and just days after Ms May forced Sir Michael Fallon out of his job following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

One minister told The Independent the loss of her ministers did not in itself pose a terminal threat to Ms Mays Government, but argued that the direction of travel had to change.

The frontbencher said: There is cumulative effect and there is a danger for the Prime Minister that she could be perceived as having lost control of events.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA

That is a very difficult thing to regain once that perception is created.

This next month to six weeks is make-or-break time. Not just domestically, not just with the EU withdrawal Bill and the Budget, but with the European Council in December and whether we get sufficient progress in Brexit talks.

Another senior Conservative said: She has until Christmas to turn it around.

Ms May forced Ms Patel to quit after she held a series of meetings with top Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without informing Number 10, and then still did not disclose all the details despite being given the chance.

The ex-international development secretary arrived at Downing Street at about 6pm on Wednesday for an hour-long face-to-face with the Prime Minister, having been ordered back to the country from Africa.

In a letter to Ms May published afterwards, Ms Patel said: I accept that in a meeting with organisations and politicians during a private holiday in Israel my actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state.

 Theresa May under pressure to sack Boris Johnson and Priti Patel over humiliating errors

While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated.

I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the Government for what has happened and offer my resignation.

In response the Prime Minister reminded Ms Patel that cooperation between Israel and the UK had to take place formally, and through official channels.

Priti Patel puts on a brave face as she leaves Downing Street (Getty)

She added: Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated.

It first emerged last Friday that Ms Patel had travelled to Israel for a 13-day visit, which she described as a holiday paid for by herself.

During the trip she was accompanied in meetings by Lord Polak, president of Conservative Friends of Israel, and discussed departmental business.

It triggered accusations that she had ignored ministerial rules that she should tell the Foreign Office about overseas business and embarrassed Ms May who was kept in the dark about it for months.

Theresa May met Benjamin Netanyahu without knowing Ms Patel had met him a few weeks before (Getty Images)

When the trips emerged, Ms Patel initially told a reporter that Boris Johnsons Foreign Office had been informed, but later admitted in a statement that it was not.

She publicly apologised and accepted that she had not acted in accord with the usual procedures, and was forced at a meeting with Ms May to set out all of the appointments she had in Israel, 12 in total.

But over the next two days details of her trip and other meetings emerged that had not been shared, including that she discussed the idea of handing UK aid cash to the Israeli army to carry out humanitarian operations in the Golan Heights, that she had visited an Israeli field hospital there and had a further meeting with another Israeli minister, Gilad Erdan, in Westminster  which he tweeted about.

One fellow frontbencher told The Independent: It was inevitable and right and frankly I would have just sacked her immediately without summoning her home, and then told her to find her own way home.

She broke every elementary rule in the book.

Ms Patel won some backing from Brexit supporting MPs, but even many of those accepted what had happened, with one Conservative saying: She had to go didnt she. You get the suspicion she was out their canvassing for a leadership bid.

Recommended A timeline of how the Patel scandal developed

Thats what it feels like  something that was ambitious, but ultimately rather clumsy.

Another Tory said the furore around her meetings may yet be damaging, despite her removal, adding: Its not entirely clear that we have got to the bottom of who said what to whom, but this does seem mainly self-inflicted.

Labour said it would continue pressing for more information about how much the Prime Minister knew about Ms Patel's secret meetings.

Shadow International Development Secretary Kate Osamor said Ms May must either get control of her decaying government or step aside.

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman Jo Swinson said: Number 10 must answer questions about their complicity in this scandal.

 Boris Johnson claims no connection between his comments and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's sentence

Ms Mays authority will now be under intense scrutiny as she handles difficulties faced by other ministers  she cannot be seen to be letting them get away with mistakes or misdemeanours, but can ill-afford to further destabilise her administration by sacking more of her cabinet.

On Tuesday Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson found himself furiously backpedalling over comments he made about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The 38-year-old British woman was arrested and jailed in Iran, accused of spreading propaganda, with a central part of her defence being that she had never worked teaching journalists in the country, but was merely there on holiday.

But when Mr Johnson mistakenly told MPs in a public hearing that she had been teaching journalists, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was hauled in front of an Iranian court and threatened with another five years in prison  on top of her existing five-year sentence.

Ex-defence secretary Michael Fallon was pushed out a week ago following claims that he made inappropriate advances on journalists and made poorly judged comments to other MPs before becoming a minister, and after joining the cabinet to fellow frontbenchers too  though he denies it.

Damian Green, Ms Mays effective deputy, and Mark Garnier, face Cabinet Office investigations over allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Mr Green denies allegations against him.
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Theresa May has been warned to promote another Brexiteer into the Cabinet to keep the balance of her top team in the wake of Priti Patels dramatic departure.

The International Development Secretary, a prominent Brexit supporter, was effectively sacked on Wednesday for holding a string of unofficial meetings with senior Israeli figures without informing Downing Street.

The weakened Prime Minister is now facing pressure from pro-Brexit Tories to replace Ms Patel with another Eurosceptic MP and to retain the balance of her Cabinet, which would tip in favour of Remain after Ms Patel's departure.

It comes after Ms May provoked outrage in her party by appointing former chief whip Gavin Williamson to replace Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, who resigned last week amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, an ally of Ms Patel, acknowledged that she had to resign and said the Prime Minister would want to retain "strong Brexit views" among her senior ministers.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It would be wrong therefore, I think in her own mind, to make any great changes to the balance of the Cabinet.

"I think we are all Brexiteers now, so the question is to what degree do you want someone in that job to be in support of David Davis and others, and I think therefore the balance on having strong Brexit views is one that in all probability the Prime Minister will certainly look for."

Senior Tories told The Independent that the Prime Minister faces a "make or break" month to get a grip on her fragile administration, while questions marks still hover over a number of her top team.

Staunch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said Ms Patel's replacement must be someone who is "enthusiastic about Brexit".

The Conservative backbencher told Channel 4 News: I think the majority of Conservative members of Parliament are now both pro-Brexit in form and in meaning.

There are some who have a veneer of pro-Brexit about them but arent really. And there are a very small number who are deeply hostile.

But I dont think it necessarily has to be someone who campaigned for Brexit. But it does have to be somebody who is now enthusiastic about Brexit. I think thats correct.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

Witham MP Ms Patel was forced to fly back from Africa for a confrontation with the Prime Minister on Wednesday after it emerged that she had held 12 meetings with Israeli figures including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a family holiday in August.

She then held two additional meetings, one in the UK and one in the US, following her return from Israel.

Boris Johnson also faces questions over his future after he risked lengthening the jail sentence of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, a British woman imprisoned in Iran, by mistakenly telling MPs she had been "teaching journalists"

Damian Green, Ms Mays de-facto deputy and close ally, and International Trade minister Mark Garnier both face Cabinet Office probes over allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Mr Green denies allegations against him.
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Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

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EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

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The nation's transgender community, after a year of tremendous opposition from state legislatures and the President, is rejoicing over the election of Andrea Jenkins, who gender advocates say has made history as the first openly transgender black woman elected to public office in the United States.

Jenkins, who has been elected to the Minneapolis City Council, became the second openly transgender candidate to win a race on Tuesday night. Democrat Danica Roem is poised to be the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature in the country, beating a 13-term Virginia incumbent who called himself the state's chief homophobe and who introduced a bathroom bill earlier this year that would have restricted the bathrooms his opponent could use.

Jenkins, 56, said she believes her and Roem's victories are proof many of the nation's communities won't succumb to hatred, bigotry or transphobia - and are willing to fight for social justice and equality for all minority groups.

Transgender people have been here forever, and black transgender people have been here forever, Jenkins told The Post after her election night win. I'm really proud to have achieved that status, and I look forward to more trans people joining me in elected office, and all other kinds of leadership roles in our society.

Recommended Roem becomes first transgender person elected to state legislature

Roem echoed Jenkins's sentiments Tuesday night as her margin of victory became clear.

This is about the people of the 13th District disregarding fear tactics, disregarding phobias... where we celebrate you because of who you are, not despite it, Roem said.

Jenkins won about 73 percent of the vote in Minneapolis's Eighth Ward, where she is known for addressing youth violence and improving the south-central ward's neighbourhoods. Jenkins helped redevelop the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South by working with small business investors, community advocates and artists. She said she hopes to further that sort of development across more Minneapolis neighbourhoods once she takes her seat on the City Council in January.

We're really trying to bring some resources to underserved, underinvested communities, she said. Those are the issues we're paying close attention to.

Advocates say Jenkins will be the first openly transgender black woman elected to public office in the United States. Althena Garrison, a black woman, became the first transgender person elected to a state legislature in 1992 but did not campaign as openly transgender, according to The Advocate. The first openly transgender woman of colour voted into public office is Kim Coco Iwamoto, who in 2006 was elected to Hawaii's Board of Education, gender advocates say.

In her acceptance speech, Jenkins said that as an African-American trans-identified woman, I know firsthand the feeling of being marginalised, left out, thrown under the bus, KMSP-TV in Minneapolis reported. Those days are over. We don't just want a seat at the table, we want to set the table.

Jenkins is a poet, activist and historian who is passionate about social issues, in part because of her experience as a transgender woman. She won a 2011 Bush Fellowship to work on transgender issues, and currently curates the Transgender Oral History Project at the University of Minnesota. There, she has interviewed 194 people about their experiences as transgender and gender nonconforming people, recording their conversations so that historians and the public can access primary source material about the transgender community. She said the project is one of the largest of its kind, and that she hopes to reach 200 interviews by the time she takes her position on the council.

One of the reasons we take that approach is because transgender people have been undercover for so long. They didn't have... artefacts and factual records, she said. We had to go out and collect those stories, digitise them and make them available online.

Jenkins has spent 12 years working for two different council members, most recently Elizabeth Glidden, who currently holds the Eighth Ward seat and who did not seek reelection. Jenkins's election to the City Council after so many years of serving Minneapolis is a natural transition, said Cecilia Chung, senior director of strategic projects at the Transgender Law Center.

To have a black councilwoman winning an elected office seat kind of blows it out of the water for the trans community, Chung said. That means that anything is possible at this point. This is a good sign for any transgender people of color who are considering running for office. Now, the sky's the limit.

Jenkins wasn't the only black transgender person running for a seat on the Minneapolis City Council. Phillipe Cunningham, a transgender man, ran in the Fourth Ward race.

Mara Keisling, the founder and executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said the wins by Jenkins and Roem are especially meaningful at a time when the president and state legislatures have pushed bills that scale back protections for transgender people or limit their ability to use bathrooms that match their gender identity. Many of those bills, such as those in Texas and North Carolina, have failed or have been repealed.

The two of these folks who won tonight, and the still handful of trans folks still up tonight, that's an amazing thing for the kids who will wake up tomorrow morning knowing tomorrow will be a little better, a little easier, a little cooler to be trans, said Mara Keisling, the founder and executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

I hope it sends a warning that trans people are strong and determined and are willing to stand up for themselves and for each other, she said.

Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade Show all 8 1 /8 Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AFP/Getty Images Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AFP/Getty Images Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP

Jenkins said she believes some people's opposition toward transgender individuals is eclipsed by the support and appreciation others show for the transgender community. Transgender people, Jenkins said, aren't asking for special rights - just the human rights allotted to all American citizens.

Having transgender people elected in public office means we'll be able to make policies and direct conversations in ways that can ensure equity and fairness and justice for transgender people, she said.

The Washington Post
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Eighteen male Brazilian MPs chanted "life yes, abortion no" after voting to ban terminations for rape victims and women whose lives are in danger.

One Congressman brandished a replica of a foetus and claimed abortion was "Satanic" during a meeting of a special committee led by an Evangelical Christian majority.

The committee voted 18-1 to criminalise abortion in Brazil in all situations, including for women who have been impregnated through rape or are endangered by their pregnancy.

The lone vote against the ban was cast by the only woman present during the session, Erika Kokay of the Workers Party.

Abortion is illegal in predominantly Catholic Brazil except when the pregnancy is the result of a rape or puts the mother's life at risk. In 2012, the Supreme Court authorised the abortion of fetuses with anencephaly, a rare and fatal condition in which the baby develops missing a major part of the brain and skull.

More than a million abortions are carried out at clandestine clinics each year in Brazil and thousands of women end up in hospital as a result of botched procedures, according to government estimates.

But even the limited circumstances in which terminations are legal have been targeted by a growing pro-life Evangelical caucus in Congress that has led to a conservative trend in lawmaking on social issues.

"To defend abortion, like it or not, is a Satanic, diabolical and destructive act," Evangelical Congressman Pastor Eurico told the committee on Wednesday, while brandishing a replica of a 12-week-old foetus.

The committee has been considering proposals to extend maternity leave for mothers of premature babies.

The move to criminalise all cases of abortion will now be subject to a full vote in the lower house of Brazil's Congress. As an amendment to the country's constitution, it would require the support of two-thirds of both chambers of Congress to become law.

The measure could clear those hurdles as part of a trade-off for other legislation the governing coalition seeks to pass, such as pensions reform needed to plug a gaping budget deficit.
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The hosts of the Country Music Awards took to song to poke fun at US President Donald Trump.

Musicians Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, who have hosted the ceremony for the past 10 years, began the event on a serious note by acknowledging the recent Las Vegas shooting in which 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival and the recent Texas church shooting when 26 people, including children, were gunned down.

Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, and Underwood were among those who sang touching tributes to the victims.

But, the hosting pair launched into some political banter soon after.

The CMAs was recently slammed for initially banning journalists from asking artists about gun control, political affiliations, and the mass shootings. Among the critics was Paisley.

Late last week the restrictions were lifted and the organisation apologised and said "the sentiment was not to infringe and was created with the best of intentions to honour and celebrate Country Music."

Underwood joked that the pair "can't be doing any of our silly little songs because this year's show is a 'politics-free zone.'"

Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Show all 5 1 /5 Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Beyonce performs onstage with Martie Maguire of Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Rick Diamond/Getty Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Beyonce (R) performs onstage with Emily Robison and Natalie Maines of Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Rick Diamond/Getty Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Beyonce performs onstage with Martie Maguire of Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Rick Diamond/Getty Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Beyonce (2nd R) performs onstage with Emily Robison, Natalie Maines, and Martie Maguire of Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) Rick Diamond/Getty Beyonce performs at the Country Music Awards Beyonce (2nd R) performs onstage with Emily Robison, Natalie Maines, and Martie Maguire of Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Rick Diamond/Getty

Paisley shot back with lyrics lampooning classic songs like "Way down wander on the Scaramucci" and "Hold me closer, Bernie Sanders."

Eventually, the two ignored the "politics-free zone" "guidelines" given by the CMA and did a cover of Underwood's hit song "Before he Cheats" that focused on Mr Trump's Twitter habit.

"Right now, he's probably in his PJs, reaching for his cellphone...he's probably asking Siri, 'How in the hell do you spell Pocahontas?'" Paisley sang along with his guitar.

"In the middle of the night from the private seat of a gold-plated White House toilet seat, he writes, 'Liddle Bob Corker,' 'NFL' and 'covfefe,'" the pair sang with Underwood finishing the chorus with a flair and an exchange on how to actually pronounce Mr Trump's now-infamous Twitter error.

Paisley finished by singing: "It's fun to watch it, that's for sure, until little Rocket Man starts a war. Then maybe next time he'll think before he tweets."
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Fox News has hired one of Donald Trumps most controversial former aides Sebastian Gorka as a national security strategist.

Mr Gorka, who was ousted from the White House in August after reportedly being forced out by new Chief of Staff John Kelly, was a Fox News contributor before he joined the Trump administration.

The London-born strategist, who has prompted controversy for his comments about Islam and white supremacy, said he was pleased to be returning to what he dubbed the anti-fake news team.

Such a great feeling to be back with the anti fake news team that includes people like you Gianno Caldwell! he wrote on Twitter.

Sorry if I wasn't clear! I have just signed with Fox News and Fox Business to be their National Security Strategist, he added.

The decision was first announced by Fox News host Sean Hannity in an interview with Mr Gorka on his daily radio program.

"Welcome to the Fox family. You're a true patriot hero and an amazing, amazing political analyst and strategic analyst, Hannity told Mr Gorka.

Thank you for being with us and we're so happy for your success."

Iran's 'Trumpism' contest Show all 10 1 /10 Iran's 'Trumpism' contest Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images

The former White House deputy assistant responded by thanking Hannity for supporting his decision to move to the channel.

He said: "You've been a great supporter, not only of myself, but of the administration and the president, and it's great to be back as part of the superb Fox family".

Fox News, who President Trump has granted 19 interviews to since entering the White House, has been criticised for its overly favourable coverage of the US president.

Representatives of Fox News, which was the most-watched cable news network in the US in October, have yet to confirm Mr Gorkas new position.

Mr Gorka said he would not miss doing appearances on other networks and rubbished them as the fake news industrial complex.

Fox doesn't generate propaganda. Those outlets do. I went on them as a deputy assistant to the president to push back on the literal propaganda they were pumping, he told The Hill.

Now I've got another role to play with Fox News - which is just crushing it in terms of viewership, and there's a very good reason for that. They speak truthfully about this administration, unlike everybody else."

His remarks come after several Fox News employees last week complained the channel was beginning to feel "like an extension of the Trump White House in the wake of its recent political coverage.

A number of TV personalities and senior Fox employees were reportedly aghast by the channels stories on the indictment of two former Trump campaign officials. While the indictments dominated coverage on other major channels, they were downplayed by several Fox News hosts.

Instead of reporting on what the majority of news organisations deemed to be the day's biggest political news story, the conservative news outlet instead focused on hamburger emojis and allegations regarding former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In a statement, a Fox News representative said the network covered the breaking news "accurately and fairly across both news and opinion programming.

Mr Gorka, who was closely aligned with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, left his role in the Trump administration after Mr Bannon was ousted. While Mr Gorka claimed he resigned from the position, a number of White House officials disputed his account of events.

Shortly afterwards he announced he would be joining back up with Mr Bannon, executive chairman of Breitbart News, at the far right publication where he himself formerly served as the national security editor.

Mr Gorka, who regularly appeared on cable news shows to promote President Trumps policies, was a highly divisive, controversial individual in the Trump team. The former aid, who veteran intelligence professionals and diplomats viewed as an ideologue lacking real-world experience, was forced to deny allegations of neo-Nazi links after wearing a medal awarded to his father by Hungarys Order of Vitez.

Born in the UK to Hungarian parents, Mr Gorka lived in Hungary from 1992 to 2008 but became a naturalised American citizen in 2012.

Mr Gorka, who has been accused of having ties to the so-called alt-right movement, appeared on BBC Radio 4 Todays programme in October. The BBC were fiercely criticised as many argued he should not have been given a platform after another interview where he blamed black African crime for shootings in America.

In response to the stream of complaints about his appearance, a spokesperson for the BBC said: This was a robust interview, as listeners would expect on Today, where a former Trump adviser was questioned about White House policy.
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A woman who admitted removing a plug from her fiance's kayak before it capsized in the Hudson River but maintained she was falsely accused of intentionally causing his death has been sentenced to up to four years in a New York state prison.

Angelika Graswald, 37, pleaded guilty last summer to criminally negligent homicide in the death of her fiance, Vincent Viafore, 46, of Poughkeepsie. Her sentence, of 16 months to four years, means she could be released on parole as soon as late December, based on the amount of time she spent in jail awaiting trial.

I loved Vince very much and miss him terribly, she said in a statement read by her lawyer, Richard Portale, after the hearing. I don't believe I was treated fairly. This entire process was incredibly one-sided and unjust.

The sentencing wrapped up an unusual case that began when Graswald had a chance encounter with police investigators when she returned to lay flowers on the Hudson River island that she and her fiance had visited the day he died.

Police initially considered Viafore's death in choppy, frigid waters during the couple's 2015 kayaking trip an accident. But Graswald made some suspicious comments to investigators, including mentioning that she had removed a plug from the kayak before they put it in the water.

Graswald was questioned for 11 hours and told police she was ambivalent about Viafore's drowning because they had been in a bad relationship.

I wanted him dead, and now he's gone and I'm fine with it, she said during the interrogation.

Police and prosecutors developed a theory that Graswald, also of Poughkeepsie, plotted to kill Viafore to collect some of the $250,000 from his life insurance policies. Graswald initially was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Her trial was about a month away in July when prosecutors abandoned the murder accusation amid questions about whether they would be able to prove a case based mostly on her contradictory statements.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

In exchange, Graswald, a Latvian national, pleaded guilty to the negligent-homicide charge. She could face deportation after her sentence is completed, prosecutors said.

Viafore's relatives have said they wanted a harsher punishment.

My brother did not deserve to have his life end this way, Viafore's sister, Laura Rice, said in a pre-sentence victim impact statement. Our family feels Angelika should be held accountable for the actions she has admitted to where a short four-year sentence does not seem just.

AP
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A man has been charged with murder after desecrating the body of a young woman who turned down his marriage proposal.

Christopher Tucker, a 34-year-old from Pennsylvania, allegedly murdered 19-year-old Tara Serino after she turned down his marriage proposal, telling him that she was sleeping with other men.

After the rejection, Ms Serino reportedly made an off-hand comment that Mr Tucker should kill her. Mr Tucker allegedly told police at that point that he snapped, and choked Ms Serino until he thought she was dead.

He then allegedly admitted to poking her eyes out, snapping her neck, and finally beating her with a hatchet, police said. He then wrapped her in a rug, and fled the state to Illinois.

Mr Serino was later arrested at a truck stop after he allegedly tried to break into a farmers combine. Police there took him to a hospital for evaluation, and proceeded to execute an arrest warrant from the Pennsylvania State Police.

Detectives searched Mr Tuckers home after his alleged confession and found Ms Serinos body. He is being held in an Illinois jail, pending extradition back to Pennsylvania.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Tucker lived in Berks County, which is located about halfway between the cities of Philadelphia and the states capital, Harrisburg.

The county is mostly rural, with 415, 271 people living there as of the 2010 Census.
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The deaths of three teenagers was streamed on Facebook Live when a police helicopter opened fire on the vehicle they were travelling in.

The group were filming themselves driving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when officers fired bullets into the car in an anti-drug operation.

Three of the four men died as the camera continued to film.

One passenger can be seen using his phone to film the group, who laugh and joke with loud music in the background.

Gunfire can then be heard in the video, after which the phone drops to the floor.

The incident is believed to have happened in the Sao Goncalo neighbourhood.

It left three teenagers dead and a fourth injured, Brazilian news site Folhamax reported on Monday.

The suspects were alleged to have been security guards for a drug-trafficking gang.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Earlier this year, Amnesty International reported a spike in violence and killings by police in Rio de Janeiro, as well as soaring rates of other human rights violations.

In 2016, there were 920 killings by police documented in the city, up from 419 in 2012.

Brazil has a high number of homicides overall, with nearly 60,000 people killed in the country in 2015.
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The Texas church where 26 people were killed in a mass shooting will not reopen its doors, its pastor has said.

Pastor Frank Pomeroy of the First Baptist of Sutherland Springs told the Wall Street Journal that services would continue as usual in a community centre down the road.

Theres too many [people] that do not want to go back in there, he said of the church building, where a lone gunman opened fire on Sunday. Mr Pomeroys daughter was killed in the shooting.

The pastor added that the church may be turned into a memorial, but were playing it day by day right now.

Temporary memorials have already sprung up around the church. Dozens of stuffed animals, flowers, and candles lay under the police tape that currently cordons off the building. Twenty-six white crosses were arranged in a field nearby, representing the 26 dead.

Outside a gas station next door, someone placed a candle, a flower, and a teddy bear on the ground in an impromptu tribute to the victims.

An impromptu memorial has popped up outside a gas station in Sutherland Springs (Emily Shugerman/The Independent)

Some outlets have reported that the church building will be torn down, but a spokesperson for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) told The Independent this had yet to be confirmed.

Frank Page, president of the SBCs executive committee, and Steve Gaines, SBC's president, visited Mr Pomeroy recently to discuss the shooting. During the conversation, Mr Pomeroy expressed his personal desire that perhaps the church would be raised, said Roger Oldham, SBCs Vice President of Communications.

Mr Oldham emphasised that the church itself would continue operations  no matter what happened to the building.

The church didn't close, he said. The church is the people.

 Americans rally around Sutherland Springs residents as they attempt to piece their lives back together

An anonymous donor has already agreed to fund the construction of a new building, Mr Page told the National Catholic Reporter. But Mr Pomeroy has said it is too soon right now to tell whether the building will be rebuilt.

I want to get through all the funerals before I do anything, he told the Journal.

Several organisations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, have offered to pay for the funeral services. One funeral home in San Antonio has already offered free caskets. Several GoFundMe pages have also been started to help survivors pay for the funerals of their family members and friends. One such fundraiser has already raised nearly $237,000.

Texas church shooting Show all 9 1 /9 Texas church shooting Texas church shooting The site of the mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas Reuters Texas church shooting First responders are at the scene of shooting at the First Baptist Church Reuters Texas church shooting Enrique and Gabby Garcia watch investigators at the scene of the mass shooting AP Texas church shooting Law enforcement officials investigate the scene at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas Reuters Texas church shooting Carrie Matula embraces a woman after a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs Associated Press Texas church shooting Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church Getty Images Texas church shooting Community members come together for a candlelight vigil for the victims of the deadly church shooting in Sutherland Springs Laura Skelding/AP Texas church shooting Mourners participate in the candlelight vigil held for the victims Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP Texas church shooting A vehicle is hauled onto a flatbed truck where the suspect in a deadly church shooting was found dead in Guadalupe County William Luther/Austin American-Statesman via AP

It is unclear how much it would cost to rebuild the church, or turn it into a memorial. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where nine people were killed in a church shooting in 2015, raised almost $42,000 for the construction of a memorial this year. Architect Michael Arad, known for creating the World Trade Centre Memorial in New York, has agreed to design it.

But other memorials to mass shootings have proved controversial. Adam Lankford, a professor of criminology at the University of Alabama, said memorials can sometimes become a pilgrimage site for other potential mass shooters.

If you have something that specifically marks the site, that could be something that these copycats and at-risk individuals want to visit, Mr Lankford previously told The Independent. It creates a landmark.

The best option, Mr Lankford said, is to let the locations fade into history, in the same way we hope the memory of these offenders do.
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Barack Obama has celebrated victories for Democrats in the first US statewide elections since Donald Trump entered the White House.

This is what happens when the people vote. Congrats Ralph Northam and Phil Murphy, Mr Obama said in a Twitter post.

And congratulations to all the victors in state legislative, county and mayors' races. Every office in a democracy counts!

In Virginia, Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie following an election campaign marked with clashes over immigration and Confederate statues.

Meanwhile, Democrat Phil Murphy easily beat Kim Guadagno to become New Jersey governor, with the Republican struggling against the unpopularity of Mr Trump in the state and the outgoing Republican Governor Chris Christie's historically low approval ratings.

A number of the winners in Tuesday's elections were from minority backgrounds, leading to speculation Mr Trump's presidency motivated more black and minority ethnic people to vote.

A black transgender activist, Andrea Jenkins, was elected to the Minneapolis City Council, while a Hispanic woman won the mayors race in Topeka, Kansas and a Sikh man was elected mayor in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Vietnamese, Latina and transgender candidates also won state legislative elections and black candidates became lieutenant governors in New Jersey and Virginia. In Helena, Montana, a Liberian refugee was elected mayor.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The results are thought to be an early bellwether of the outcome of next next year's midterm congressional elections.
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Former US President Bill Clinton has said President Donald Trumps repeated comment regarding the fake news mirrors what he called dictators club of world leaders that seek to "abolish the line between fact and fiction".

Mr Clinton was speaking with late night television host Conan OBrien in a revealing interview on the first anniversary of Hillary Clintons stunning election loss.

He said regarding the dictators club - to include leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - that "they want to abolish the line between fact and fiction and truth and lie because they figure if you don't know what's true, and you don't think you can ever know, that pretty soon everybody will accept that democracy is no longer possible."

The current President has tweeted about the fake news - a term he said he coined - in some manner 127 times since winning the election, 42 times about CNN, The New York Times, and NBC News alone.

Mr OBrien astutely asked if the former President was talking about foreign countries now or here?

Mr Clinton remained silent for a minute.

You just said a lot by saying nothing, Mr OBrien noted.

 Trump accuses 'dishonest media' of fake news at campaign rally

We need to tell all these people that just make up stuff on the internet to knock it off, Mr Clinton stated, hinting at the proliferation of false news sites and their promotion on social media channels like Facebook.

Mr Clinton reflected on his own anniversary as well - it has been 25 years since his first presidential election victory in November 1992.

He thinks that thankfully the country is more diverse, but the thing thats not so good is were in the middle of when the audience for the Conan show shouted Trump!

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Believe me, I know, especially today, said the almost-First Man.

What followed was the type of speech Mr Clinton has become known for post-presidency, an almost academic lecture of each of the current administrations policies he finds problematic.

He listed voter disenfranchisement, curtailing immigration, and attacks on the elderly and poor.

But, the biggest issue according to Mr Clinton was the divisiveness in the country.

We need to just go out and start going up to people who are mad at us and say lets get over it...weve got to live together, he said.
Moldova presidents official welcoming ceremony held at Armenia Presidential Residence (video)

At the invitation of RA President Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon today arrived in the Republic of Armenia on official visit. President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan met President Igor Dodon and Mrs. Galina Dodon at the Presidential Palace. After the official welcoming ceremony, a private meeting was held between Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Igor Dodon. Greeting his counterpart, President Sargsyan noted that the President of Moldova is a welcome visitor and highly appreciated President Dodons official visit to our country, which is held in the year of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Moldova. This is a good opportunity to analyze the work we have done over the past 25 years and to outline the prospects for further development. Our peoples have boasted close ties of friendship for many centuries, and our interstate relations are built on a very solid basis. I am just convinced that your visit will give a strong impetus to bilateral relations. We are eager to build up close ties of interaction in all aspects of political, economic and humanitarian close cooperation. We have no limitations in terms of cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats. You are welcome to Armenia. I am very glad that you are in Yerevan. This is your first official visit, and I hope that such visits will be paid annually, President Serzh Sargsyan said. Thanking Serzh Sargsyan for the invitation, Igor Dodon described his official visit as historical, given the fact that it is the first ever visit paid by Moldovan Presidents to Armenia during the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Neither official nor working visits have been paid during these years. Therefore, considering our common historical ties and shared interests both within the CIS frameworks and the emerging integration projects within the CIS, I have decided to come over. Undoubtedly, we pay great attention to this visit. Yes, we have signed many agreements over the past 25 years. We have already signed fifteen agreements, with seven arrangements being prepared at this point of time. We have much to talk about; there are specific results and, of course, perspectives. I hope to discuss with you in detail your experiences within the Eurasian Economic Union. I know you are going to sign a cooperation agreement with the European Union in the near future. I think that countries like Moldova and Armenia are doomed to having good relations with everyone both in the West and the East. We, in Moldova, more than ever need to master Armenias expertise of cooperation with the EAEU and the EU. I wish to thank you for your support of our position in becoming an EAEU observer. We have maintained regular contacts on the matter. That is why I am sure that we will work together in this direction from now on. You know that there is an Armenian community in Moldova, with whom we have strong ties of cooperation. Settled down in Moldova for several decades now, they feel at home in our country. I want to thank you for the first serious step taken on the way to deepening our bilateral relations. I mean the opening of the Armenian Embassy in Kishinev last year. This year we started to cooperate very actively with your Ambassador to Moldova. All this evidences that we are in for a new level of bilateral relations, Moldovan President Igor Dodon stated.
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Under-fire Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has lavished praise on Donald Trump during an interview with Fox News, lauding the US President for penetrating corners of the global consciousness.

Amid mounting calls for his sacking over comments that could see a British woman receive a longer jail sentence in Iran, the Foreign Secretary told the right-wing news channel the US President was one of the huge great global brands.

Asked about perceptions of the US President from outside the states, Mr Johnson said said his method of tweeting early in the morning no matter how rambunctious was an effective way of communicating.

He continued: And yes a lot of people dont like it and a lot of people relate to it. In an age when people have been turned off politics its more direct and its more communicative than a lot of previous presidents

I think youve got to realise the American President is just one of the huge great global brands  he is penetrating corners of the global consciousness that I think few other presidents have ever done.

Ending the three-minute long interview the Fox News presenter praised the Foreign Secretary, adding: Boris you were made for television  I like the way you turned in the middle, thought about things, you are just a great guest. Thanks so much for joining us.

Recommended Boris Johnson lavishes praise on Donald Trump in Fox News interview

Mr Johnsons comments come after Iranian state TV said the remarks about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe  detained in Iran for over a year  were an unintended confession of a real plot.

The Foreign Secretary had previously mistakenly said that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists in Iran, prompting fears her five-year prison sentence would be lengthened.

Iran's state broadcaster said his remarks were proof of the accusations against the mother-of-one, who was detained by Iranian authorities on spying charges while on holiday 18 months ago.

A TV report, entitled 'Confession', said his remarks were seen as an unintended confession of the UK government about the real plot behind her trip to Iran and proof of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's accusations against her.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news 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Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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Mr Johnson has faced cross-party calls to resign for the blunder this week but he refused to apologise in the Commons, telling MPs that there was no connection between his comments and the fresh charges from the Iranian judiciary.

During a separate television interview on Sky News, the Foreign Secretary was asked about the case. We have some difficult consular cases in Iran and we are working on all of them, he replied.

He also said he would be very happy to meet the family of Ms Zaghari-Ratliffe, who was separated from her young daughter Gabriella when she was arrested as she tried to return to London in April 2016.

Three-year-old Gabriella remains in Iran with the womans parents while her father, Richard, is in London lobbying the British Government for his wifes release from the high-security prison in Iran.
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The manufacturing plant where Donald Trump promised to save jobs will proceed with its final round of layoffs.

Carrier Corporation  an air conditioning, refrigeration and heating manufacturer  has announced it will cut 215 employees from its Indiana factory in January. The announcement marks the final phase of the layoffs announced in November 2016.

The company originally planned to shut down the plant and lay off approximately 1,400 people as part of a plan to shift production to Mexico. In December, the President-elect announced that Carrier would keep at least 1,070 jobs at the plant in exchange for up to $7m in incentives.

"They're going to have a great Christmas," Mr Trump told a cheering crowd. "...And by the way, that number is going to go up very substantially as they expand this area. So the 1,100 is going to be a minimum number."

The number, however, would not go up. In May, Carrier announced that it would still be laying off more than 600 people that year, while sticking to its promise of employing at least 1,100 people at the plant. Nearly 340 of those layoffs happened in July. Now, the company has announced that 215 more of them will take place in January.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 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This last round of layoffs was originally scheduled to cut 275 employees from the plant on 22 December.

In a recent statement, however, the company said it would only be laying off 215 employees due to attrition. They pushed the date back to January because of increased demand at the plant, a company spokesperson told The Independent.

The second round of layoffs brings the total number for the year to 553  less than the approximately 630 it originally announced.

 Trump gets roasted at the CMA awards

Carrier employees have said they felt mislead by the Presidents promise to save the plant.

"To me this was just political, to make it a victory within Trump's campaign, in his eyes that he did something great," Carrier employee TJ Bray told CNBC in June.

Mr Bray, who will keep his job for now due to seniority, added: "I'm very grateful that I get to keep my job, and many others, but I'm still disappointed that we're losing a lot."

Robert James, the president of the local steelworkers union, added that many of the remaining Carrier workers are still nervous about their futures.

"They just don't have any faith in this plant staying in Indianapolis," he told the Indy Star in July. "There's just too much uncertainty."
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Its embarrassing that President Donald Trump did not take questions from reporters during his first trip to China, an ex-spokesman for former President Barack Obama has said.

Jay Carney, who served as White House Press Secretary from 2011 to 2014, suggested the Chinese frequently tried to limit press accessibility when Mr Obama visited Beijing.

The Chinese try this every time, Mr Carney tweeted. Its a test of will and principle. Letting them dictate press access is an embarrassing capitulation.

I once had to tell Chinese officials that Pres. Obama would not show up for the press avail unless there would be a Q&A, he added. They backed down.

During an appearance on Thursday alongside his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Mr Trump declined to take questions from reporters.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said it was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today.

Mr Obama did not take questions during his first visit to China, according to CNN, but former presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton did.

Mr Trump has frequently attacked the media, calling coverage he doesn't like fake news.

In August, Mr Trump launched a real news series on his Facebook page  viewed by critics as another effort by the President to discredit traditional, independent news organisations.

Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images

Tom Rosenstiel, the executive director of the American Press Institute, said the programme smacks of state-run news, and were not supposed to have state-run news in the United States of America.

Mr Trump is currently on his first trip to Asia as President. During meetings with leaders, he is expected to discuss how to resolve the conflict over North Koreas expanding nuclear and ballistic weapons programme.
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President Donald Trumps fourth nominee for federal judge has been deemed not qualified by the American Bar Association.

Brett Talley, currently a lawyer for the Department of Justice, was unanimously voted as unsuitable for a position on the bench for US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

The ABA, a 400,000-member voluntary professional organisation, rates all presidential judicial nominees with a rating of "qualified," "well qualified," or "not qualified" and has done so since the administration of former President Dwight D Eisenhower, save for President George W Bush's time in office.

The organisation sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee explaining the vote of its Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. Mr Talley was found lacking in the recommended experience - 12 years as a practising lawyer and significant trial and courtroom experience.

The ABA, after speaking to Mr Talley's peers, found that none questioned his "integrity and temperament."

However, that is not to say Mr Talley is a stranger to controversial opinions.

In one particular blog post from 2013, he wrote that desperate times called for him to urge readers to join the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the wake of the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Twenty children and six adults were killed that day.

Mr Talley wrote that calls in Congress to review gun control legislation in light of the massacre were part of the greatest attack on our constitutional freedoms in our lifetime.

 Trump says Texas shooting 'not a guns problem'

These politicians either do not know or do not care that an armed, responsible citizenry is the last and greatest bulwark against tyranny that a nation can have, he wrote.

Mr Talley joins the company of Charles Goodwin - a nominee for the US District Court in western Oklahoma, Holly Lou Teeter - a nominee for the US District Court in Kansas, and Leonard Steven Grasz - a nominee for the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit covering parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Arkansas, Missouri, North Dakota, and Nebraska.

All four received unanimous votes with one abstention.

The Trump administration ended the informal relationship between the independent ABA and White House back in March.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

White House Counsel Donald McGahn announced the administration would no longer give the ABA's Standing Committee special access to nominees, adding in a letter that "In a country as diverse as ours, we believe it is essential to give all interested parties the same opportunity to evaluate candidates for judicial service."

The organisation's response during has been to continue its reviews in an objective manner.

Republican Senator Ben Sasse, in an email to Politico, said the ABA was simply driven by a "political agenda".

However, the organisation rated Mr Trump's Supreme Court nominee and current Justice Neil Gorsuch as "well qualified" earlier this year. In fact, 24 of Mr Trump's 32 nominees have received that highest rating.

None of former President Barack Obama's nominees for the lower federal courts received a "not qualified" rating. Eight of Mr Bush's and four of former President Bill Clinton's nominees received the rating, but both had nominated hundreds of judges for courts around the country.

The four nominees still have a chance of being confirmed for their positions by the Senate, however.
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George Papadopoulos reportedly met with a UK Foreign Office official two months before the 2016 US election.

A campaign's foreign policy aide for President Donald Trump - whom the White House has referred to as a low level "volunteer" - Mr Papadopoulos is already under indictment as part of Robert Mueller's investigation into potential collusion between Mr Trump's campaign team and Russian officials.

Mr Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Russians.

Recommended Aide who lied to FBI repeatedly represented Trump campaign

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman told the BBC that Mr Papadopoulos had met with an official from the department two months before the presidential election, "As you would expect in the run up to an election we seek to build links with figures in both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns," the spokeswoman adding that the type of meeting was "normal diplomatic business."

However, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders asserted last month that Mr Papadopolous' role was "extremely limited" and that he conducted "no activity...in an official capacity on behalf of the campaign."

Mr Trump also tweeted that the aide was "has already proven to be a liar" after the aide pleaded guilty to making false statements.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

It is unclear at this time whether Mr Papadopoulos met with the Foreign Office official in an official capacity or not, nor who the official was.

Scott Stedman, a student at the University of California - Irvine, reported the news first on the website Medium.

He wrote: "Papadopoulos had a one-on-one working-level meeting with the unnamed FCO official. The meeting took place with an unidentified, high-ranking member of the UKs department that handles foreign affairs."

Based on information in Mr Papadopoulos' court documents, he was in communication with campaign's officials for nearly his whole time with the campaign, which began on 21 March 2016.

He sat in on at least one meeting with Mr Trump and now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions later that month and in April of last year had contact with a "London-based professor, Joseph Mifsud, who introduced him via email to a Russian national with "connection to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs".
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Donald Trump did not to take questions from reporters during a key press conference on his first state visit to China.

It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, later said.

Most of Mr Trumps predecessors  including Bill Clinton and George W Bush  agreed with their Chinese counterparts to take questions at official press conferences, according to CNN.

While he also did not take questions on his first China trip, Barack Obamas 2014 conference with Xi Jinping became particularly awkward when a US reporter asked the leaders about press freedom  a thorny issue in Chinas atmosphere of censorship.

Thursdays appearance by Mr Trump and Mr Xi was billed as a news briefing, and constituted a reduction of already minimal press interaction during previous visits by American leaders.

At the event Chinese companies signed contracts to buy American jetliners, soybeans and other goods.

The visit comes at a time when Mr Trump faces uncomfortable questions at home about Russia and possible gun control following deadly mass shootings.

 Donald Trump says he doesn't blame China for 'taking advantage of America'

Mr Xi almost never takes questions from reporters.

Meanwhile, as Chinese television showed Mr Trump and Mr Xi visiting the imperial palace in Beijing, censors scrubbed comments about Mr Trumps visit from Chinas lively internet forums.

Reports by propaganda outlets including the ruling Communist Partys main newspaper, the Peoples Daily, dominated posts on the popular Twitter-like microblog service, Sina Weibo.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

The comments function on most posts, which can attract witty remarks from Chinese internet users, appeared to have been disabled or limited. Only a few dozen carefully chosen comments with positive messages were allowed.

According to Free Weibo, a site that tracks online censorship, posts that were deleted include humorous comments about the remarkable lack of traffic congestion in Beijing as Trumps motorcade passed Tiananmen Square.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Voters may have rebuked Donald Trump on election night, but wins for Democratic candidates in already left-leaning states are not a foolproof sign that the party will dominate during next years midterm races, experts and pundits say.

To win a majority in the US House of Representatives next year, Democrats must flip 24 Republican-held seats as well as successfully defend 10 incumbent senators running for re-election in states that Trump won in 2016.

In the Senate, Democrats only need a net gain of three seats in the 100-member Senate to have a majority. But they are also defending 25 seats  10 of which are in states that Mr Trump won.

I think one commentator had it right the other day when noting that it is easy to place too much weight on the Virginia governor's race because it is an off-off election year and it's just about the only real race to look at right now, Mark Peterson, a political science professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, told The Independent.

That gives it attention but perhaps inflates its actual significance, he said.

He added that there was more favourable signalling for the Democrats than I anticipated, despite noting that it's important, again, not to over interpret the data.

But these outcomes must have elevated concerns among Republicans running in 2018 in areas that are more Democratic-leaning, Mr Peterson said.

As well as the maths, the Democratic Party must deal with a range of internal divisions over tactics and policy that threaten to create more disunity.

While Tuesdays election results may not be a great indicator of what is to come in 2018, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that they should be a giant stop sign for the Republican tax plan, which he said hurts the suburbs by eliminating the state and local tax deduction.

The House tax bill currently calls for limiting the deduction  a possible sticking point for legislators from high-tax states such as New York and New Jersey, where constituents greatly benefit from it.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

You want to pass this tax bill? You want to hurt the suburbs? Make our day, Mr Schumer said, who has declared that the election results show that suburbs dont like Mr Trump.

Along with winning notable gubernatorial races in both Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats also made gains in the Virginia legislature  with the election of the commonwealths first transgender legislator  and inroads in suburban areas rich with professionals and those with college degrees.

Nearly six in 10 Virginia voters said they disapproved of the job Mr Trump was doing as President, according to exit polls, and twice as many people said they were motivated to go to the polls to reject him than those motivated to support him.

Ralph Northam, the Democratic candidate for governor in Virginia, pummelled Republican Ed Gillespie, winning 54 per cent of the vote.

In his victory speech, Mr Northam  a 58-year-old pediatrician and Army veteran  said, Virginia has told us to end the divisiveness.

On Wednesday, at a news conference at Virginia's Capitol Mr Northam added: I think what this message was yesterday that Virginia sent not only to this country, but to this world, is that the divisiveness, the hatred, the bigotry, the politics that is tearing this country apart, that's not the United States of America that people love.

Nr Northam promised to govern in a Virginia Way that promotes compromise and honest disagreements. He said his areas of focus would include improving rural Virginia's economy and expanding health care coverage for the state's poor.

While on a trip in Asia, Mr Trump appeared to explain away the loss  the only one he has addressed so far  by saying that Mr Gillespie had not embraced his policies.

Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for, Mr Trump tweeted. Dont forget, Republicans won 4 out of 4 House seats, and with the economy doing record numbers, we will continue to win, even bigger than before!c

The commonwealth went to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in last years presidential race.

Later, from Beijing, Mr Trump appeared more concerned with his own election victory a year ago - tweeting: Congratulations to all of the 'DEPLORABLES' and the millions of people who gave us a MASSIVE (304-227) Electoral College landslide victory!

Mr Trump posted a photo of himself with a collection of former campaign aides turned White House staffers.

Ms Clinton was criticised during the campaign for referring to half of Mr Trump's supporters as belonging in a basket of deplorables.

Other Republicans and Democrats were quick to link the President to the losses.

I do believe that this is a referendum on this administration, said Republican US Congressman Scott Taylor of the swing Virginia Beach when speaking with the New York Times.

I certainly didnt see this ass-kicking coming; this is pretty stunning, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told Politico. Republicans have two problems: their president and their agenda. And I dont think either of those liabilities are disappearing anytime soon.

Following Mr Northams victory, Democrats are able to say they successfully ran an anti-Trump campaign on a statewide level  and are likely to re-employ that strategy again and again during 2018s key congressional and gubernatorial races.

The conditions are there for a big result in 2018. The Presidents approval rating is stuck in the 30 per cent range, and the party in control of the White House almost always struggles in mid-term elections.

This year, high-profile races had generally been fought in reliably Republican areas until Tuesday.

The big question in 2018 might prove to be whether Democrats can have it all: Will it be possible to combine a Virginia-like near sweep of Republicans in Clinton-supporting districts?And will they be able to win white working-class districts that had been the preserves of Mr Trump? If they can do both, they may be able to retake the House.
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US President Donald Trump called on China to do more to resolve the North Korean nuclear threat but says he does not blame Beijing for the trade deficit between the two nations during a Beijing visit that sought to play-up the strength of the US-China relationship.

On North Korea, Mr Trump said China can fix this problem quickly and easily, urging Beijing to cut financial links with North Korea and also calling on Russia to help.

Mr Trump was speaking alongside President Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital to announce the signing of about $250 billion in commercial deals between US and Chinese firms, a display that some in the US business community worry detracts from tackling deep-seated complaints about market access in China.

Mr Xi said the Chinese economy would become increasingly open and transparent to foreign firms, including those from the United States, and welcomed U.S. companies to participate in his ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure-led initiative.

Mr Trump made clear that he blamed previous US administrations, not China, for the trade imbalance between the two nations. "After all," he said, "who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit if their citizens?" Mr Trump also repeatedly praised Mr Xi, calling him a very special man.

But we will make it fair and it will be tremendous for both of us, Mr Trump said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Trump is pressing China to tighten the screws further on North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons. At least modest progress is hoped for, though there are no immediate signs of a major breakthrough, a US official said earlier.

Referring to Mr Xi, Mr Trump said: I do believe there's a solution to that, as do you.

In a show of the importance China puts on Mr Trump's first official visit, the welcoming ceremony outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People overlooking Tiananmen Square was broadcast live on state television - unprecedented treatment for a visiting leader.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Xi said he had a deep exchange of views with Mr Trump and reached consensus on numerous issues of mutual concern.

For China, cooperation is the only real choice, only win-win can lead to an even better future, he said.

 Chinese government orders all North Korean firms to close in China

Mr Xi said China and the United States strengthened high-level dialogue on all fronts over the past year and boosted coordination on major international issues, such as the Korean peninsula and Afghanistan.

Relations between China and the United States are now on a new historical starting point, Mr Xi said

Mr Trump and Mr Xi hit it off at their first meeting in April at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and continued their bromance on Wednesday with an afternoon of sightseeing together with their wives. However, deep divisions persist over trade and North Korea.

And while Xi is riding high after consolidating power at a twice-a-decade Communist Party Congress last month, Trump comes to China saddled with low public approval ratings and dogged by investigations into Russian links to his election campaign.

Trump has ratcheted up his criticism of China's massive trade surplus with the United States - calling it embarrassing and horrible last week - and has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices.

For its part, China says US.restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and on high-tech exports need to be addressed.

Several corporate chief executives were in Beijing as part of a delegation led by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, with General Electric and semiconductor maker Qualcomm Inc among those announcing billions of dollars in sales to China.

But Qualcomm's agreement to sell $12-billion worth of components to three Chinese mobile phone makers over three years is non-binding, and critics say such public announcements are sometimes more show than substance.

This shows that we have a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship, and yet we still need to focus on levelling the playing field because US companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China, said William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Trump railed against China's trade practices during the 2016 US presidential campaign and threatened to take action once in office. But he has since held back on any major trade penalties, making clear he was doing so to give Beijing time to make progress reining in North Korea.

A US official said both sides were in sync about wanting to minimise friction during the visit and recreate the positive tone of the April summit.

Trump was not expected to put much emphasis in his talks with Mr Xi on thorny issues such as the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, claimed by China as its own, though the leaders' aides may deal with those matters privately.

China has repeatedly pushed back at suggestions it should be doing more to rein in North Korea, which does about 90 per cent of its trade with China, saying it is fully enforcing UN sanctions and that everyone has a responsibility to lower tension and get talks back on track.

Reuters
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Donald Trumps pick to oversee American immigration enforcement said a promised wall would not need to cover the entire US-Mexico border and signalled leniency toward young unauthorised immigrants.

The President selected Kirstjen Nielsen to head the Department of Homeland Security, which would place her in charge of the agency that manages immigration enforcement  one of Mr Trump's signature policies. He has vowed to build a wall spanning the border.

But Ms Nielsen said such a wall would not need to stretch from sea to shining sea, echoing DHS chiefs and others  including her former boss, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly  who say geography and cost would make that idea unfeasible.

Border fencing already marks some sections of the border, but rugged physical terrain and private property rights would make a comprehensive physical wall difficult.

Ms Nielsen was tabbed to fill a vacancy atop DHS left by Mr Kellys departure, part of an Oval Office shakeup that saw former chief Reince Priebus forced out.

The Trump administration has trumpeted the building of wall prototypes as a sign of progress on one of the President's central campaign promises. But a price tag that could run into the tens of billions, according to some estimates, makes for a hefty political hurdle. Congress so far has shown little inclination to allocate the needed funds, and Mexico is not offering to pay despite Mr Trump's assurances it would.

Mr Trump has also moved to allow the dissolution of an Obama-era executive program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which allows immigrants who arrived in the country illegally when they were young to avoid deportation and receive work permits. Asked about DACA, Ms Nielsen said Congress must reach a deal to extend the programme and suggested she would take a permissive approach if Congress fails.

Life on the US-Mexican border Show all 12 1 /12 Life on the US-Mexican border Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico A house stands next to a section of the border fence separating Mexico and the US Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico The border fence in Tijuana stretches all the way to beach Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Migrants can often be spotted trying to cross the rusty barrier Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Joaquin, 36, a chef from Guatemala who says he was deported from the US Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico A shack stands next to a section of the border fence Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Tourists pose for a picture at the border Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico A family burns rubbish near the fence Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Joaquin makes a living by selling rubbish Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Neither Trump nor the wall is going to stop anyone, says Pedro Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Mexicans have built homes right next to the fence Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico Mexican Carlos, 27, who says that he was deported from the United States, heats up tortillas at his house near the double fence that separates Mexico and the US Reuters Life on the US-Mexican border Tijuana, Mexico A girl climbs stairs near a section of the fence

We owe it to them to find a permanent solution, Ms Nielsen said in reference to the roughly 700,000 young immigrants who have secured DACA protection.

If the programme does expire, Ms Nielsen said, she would not direct Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target immigrants who were previously covered and would generally not allow ICE to access personal information people submitted in DACA applications.
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The US Navy is set to carry out a rare military exercise involving three aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific.

Timed to coincide with the last leg of Donald Trump's Asia tour, it will be the first time in a decade the USS Ronald Reagan, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Nimitz have operated together.

The display of military might comes amid heightened tensions in the region over North Korea's nuclear missile programme.

The operation will take place over the weekend and into early next week, the US Navy said in a statement. It is thought the drills will take place in the Sea of Japan, which borders the secretive communist state.

"It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three," said US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift.

"Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the US Pacific Fleet's unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region."

The strike force plans to conduct air defence drills and defensive air combat training, the navy said.

It is the first time that three carrier strike groups have operated together in the Western Pacific since exercises in 2006 and 2007 off the coast of Guam.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Earlier this week, Mr Trump issued a stern warning to North Korea, repeating his vow that the US will defend itself and its allies against Pyongyang's nuclear aggression.

He directly addressed the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, telling him the weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger.

Mr Trump is currently in China on 12-day tour of five Asian countries. Earlier this week he was forced to scrap a surprise visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea because of bad weather.
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A four-year-old girls stolen puppy has been returned to the family seemingly by the thieves who took it.

The eight-week-old labrador, Sasha, was taken along with a laptop, an iPad and jewellery from the familys home in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday.

The puppy had only lived with the family for one week before she was stolen and has a medical condition.

In an attempt to get their pet back, the owners - including four-year-old Maia - posted an appeal on social media that was widely shared.

A couple of days later, Sasha turned up at home - having apparently been dropped off by the remorseful thieves who took her.

A Croydon Hills family have been reunited with their puppy after it was stolen during a burglary on Monday morning, Victoria police said in a statement issued on Thursday morning.

Labrador Sashas owners noticed their beloved pup had been returned to the backyard of their Croydon Hills Drive home about 7.20am this morning.

Speaking to Australia's ABC News, Ryan Hood told reporters his daughter had been left devastated when their dog was snatched.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

We didnt want to get our hopes up. And then this morning, my wife got up to make herself a coffee, walked past the sliding door and noticed that there was a figure moving by the kennel, he said.

We think whoever took her has either has a conscience or got scared and just dropped her over the fence, we dont care to be honest, were just glad to have her back.
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A political activist who founded an Arab nationalist group which sought an independent state inside Iran has been shot dead in the Netherlands, police said

Iranian Ahmad Mola Nissi, 52, established the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA), which seeks a separate state in the country's oil-rich southwestern Khuzestan province.

A Dutch police statement said a suspect was detained at the scene of the shooting in The Hague after trying to flee.

His involvement in the incident is being investigated, it said. Emergency services were at the scene quickly and reanimated the victim, but he died shortly later.

Ahwazi Arabs are a minority in mainly ethnic Persian Iran, and some see themselves as under Persian occupation and want independence or autonomy.

They say they are deprived of decent living standards and civil rights.

In an interview with Reuters in July, Mola Nissi said the movement wanted to liberate Ahwaz lands and people from the Iranian occupation.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

ASMLA's armed wing, the Mohiuddin al Nasser Martyrs Brigade, has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Iran, including the killing of two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards in January.

Shia Muslim Iran accuses its main regional adversary, Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, of funding separatist groups active in Iran, a charge Riyadh denies.

Reuters
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A Spanish Supreme Court judge has ordered the Catalan parliament speaker to be jailed pending her release on bail of 150,000 (133,000), amid an investigation into her role in the region's banned push for independence, a court source said.

Carme Forcadell, will be held in custody until the bail is paid, the source said.

Ms Forcadell and five regional lawmakers testified on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds.

Four other officials would also be released on 25,000 bail, while a fifth would be freed on certain conditions without bail, the source said.

On Thursday, High Court Judge Carmen Lamela rejected an appeal presented by their lawyers for their release, a court spokeswoman said.

Ms Forcadell had earlier told the Supreme Court that the 27 October independence declaration was not legally binding, according to court sources, in a comment that could undermine the region's secessionist push.

The Catalan independence push has deeply divided Spain, dragging it into its worst political crisis since the return of democracy four decades ago and fuelling anti-Spanish sentiment in Catalonia and nationalist tendencies elsewhere.

Ex-speaker of the Catalonia parliament Carme Forcadell, centre, arrives at the Supreme Court in Madrid (AP)

But the struggle has also divided Catalonia itself, and cracks have begun appearing within the pro-independence movement.

On Tuesday, deposed Catalan president Carles Puigdemont's PDeCAT party failed to agree on a united ticket to contest the election with another secessionist party, making it difficult for the pro-independence camp to govern the region after the vote and press ahead with its bid to split from Spain.

Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan independence supporters react to the news that the Catalan Parliament voted to declare independence Getty Images Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan separatists react as the Catalan Parliament votes the independence of Catalonia Rex Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People react as they celebrate the unilateral declaration of independence of Catalonia AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan government members, pro independence deputies, and Mayors from pro indpendence towns sing the Catalan anthem REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People celebrate after the approval of the declaration of a uniteral independence EPA Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan pro-independence mayors raise their batons as they gather in the parliament AFP/Getty Images Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catala president Carles Puigdemont sings the Catalan anthem AFP/Getty Images Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Protesters shouts slogans during a rally outside the Catalan Parliament AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People react as they watch on giant screens a plenary session outside the Catalan regional parliament REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence An aerial view shows thousands of people gathering near the Catalan regional Parliament EPA Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Protesters during a rally outside the Catalan Parliament AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People react as they watch on giant screens REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Leftist party CUP leader Anna Gabriel casts her ballot REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence A protester reacts AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Popular Party leader Xavier Garcia Albiol gestures REUTERS

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the election following the independence declaration, which also prompted him to dissolve the Catalan parliament and fire Mr Puigdemont's administration.

Ms Forcadell at the time described Mr Rajoy's actions as a "coup" and an "attack against democracy".

The Supreme Court, which handles cases against defendants with parliamentary immunity, will decide whether to remand Ms Forcadell and the other five legislators in custody pending the investigation, or release them under certain conditions.

The same court decided on Thursday to take over two other cases against Ms Forcadell and the lawmakers currently overseen by the Catalan High Court, suggesting judges were looking to centralise all legal proceedings involving the independence vote in one court.

Spain's High Court has issued an arrest warrant on sedition and rebellion charges for Mr Puigdemont, who went into self-imposed exile in Belgium last week, and against four former members of his cabinet who are with him in Brussels.

"Mr Puigdemont has fled, but Mr Puigdemont will come back and answer to Spanish justice. I have no doubt (about this) at all," Spain's Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido told Spanish television on Thursday.

The deposed leader appealed without success for EU intervention over the crisis.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, speaking from the Spanish city of Salamanca, called on Europe to reject all forms of separatism.

"Nationalisms are a poison that prevent Europe from working together," he said.

Reuters
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Donald Trump will meet Vladimir Putin in Vietnam tomorrow, the Kremlin has said.

The leaders, who discussed allegations of Russian meddling in the US election during their first face-to-face meeting in July, are both planning to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the city of Danang.

Their paths will cross this week amid an intensifying investigation into claims of collusion between the Republican's election campaign and Moscow.

Mr Trump said before embarking on his Asia tour that he may meet with Mr Putin in Vietnam about Syria, Ukraine and North Korea.

Moscow is thought to be keen on talks as it bids to improve strained US-Russia relations.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies on Thursday that a meeting would happen on Friday but said the timing and format had yet to be finalised.

"Right now the time of the meeting is being agreed. It will be on the 10th [of November]," Mr Ushakov told agencies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said plans for formal talks remained under discussion but added the leaders' paths would cross at some point.

He added: "As for the content of the meeting, there is no agreed agenda."

 Vladimir Putin insults American politicians and distances himself from Trump

But US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, on a visit to Beijing with the President, questioned whether the two leaders would have enough to discuss to warrant formal talks.

"There's never been an agreement, certainly not to a full bilat[eral]," he said, although he added it would not be unusual if the two men had a spontaneous "pull-aside meeting" if they bumped into each other.

"The question is whether we've got sufficient substance [for a more formal meeting] and we're working with the Russians, as you know, on a number of difficult areas," said Mr Tillerson.

"We're in contact with them and the view is that the two leaders are going to meet if there's something sufficiently substantive to talk about that would warrant a formal meeting."

Mr Putin and Mr Trump spoke in person for more than two hours during their first meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg in July.

The Russian President assured Mr Trump Moscow had not meddled in the 2016 election, although the White House denied reports the US leader had accepted his word.

They also discussed Syria, Ukraine, terrorism and cyber-security.

But ties have soured since then.

In August Mr Trump grudgingly signed off on new sanctions against Russia, a move Moscow said ended hopes for better relations. Mr Putin subsequently ordered Washington to cut its embassy and consular staff in Russia by more than half.

Any meeting between the two heads of state this week would come under close scrutiny as special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian election meddling deepens by the day.

Last week three former members of Mr Trump's team - including ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort - were charged by Mr Mueller.

Investigators reportedly also have enough evidence to indict the President's former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
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Grisly photos of the Faroe Islands traditional grindadrap, which sees migrating pilot whales and dolphins herded towards the shore and slaughtered, have been released by a campaign group.

Bright red blood can clearly be seen in harbour waters and the creatures can be seen with deep slashes around their neck areas, their heads nearly severed.

The pictures were taken by activists from Sea Shepherd Global, who posed as tourists to conceal their identity.

The Faroe Islands government said the annual event was sustainable and provided local communities with hundreds of kilograms of food and resources.

But Sea Shepherd Global claimed it was a barbaric and senseless slaughter. Its members observed a number of hunts between July and September this year, the group said.

They said that this year had "proved to be one of the worst grindadrap years in recent memory by the men of the Danish Faroe Islands."

They added that 1,691 pilot whales and white-sided dolphins were killed during 24 individual hunts.

Dead whales and dolphins following a grindadrap hunt in the Faroe Islands (Sea Shepherd Global)

As migrating pods of whales pass near the shore, fishermen in boats herd them even further in. As they become stranded they are hauled up the beach and killed with a spinal lance.

Defending the grindadrap, the Faroe Islands' government told Fox News: Sea Shepherd representatives will go to any lengths to paint a negative picture of the Faroese whale hunt as barbaric, unnecessary, evil and lunacy describing Faroese as sadistic psychopaths, with the aim of inciting anger and outrage against the people of the Faroe Islands.

Dead whales and dolphins following a grindadrap hunt in the Faroe Islands (Sea Shepherd Global)

It added: Each whale provides the communities with several hundred kilos of meat and blubber  meat that otherwise had to be imported from abroad.

The long-term annual average catch of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands represents less that 1 per cent of the total estimated stock.
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Marine Le Pen has been stripped of her immunity from prosecution over a series of images she posted on Twitter by Frances parliament.

A row erupted after the far-right French politician posted images that showed the decapitated body of Isis victim James Foley and captioned it Daesh is this.

The pictures were later deleted after there was an outcry on social media, including from Mr Foleys family.

She also uploaded images of a man shown in a cage before being burned alive and another of a man in an orange jumpsuit being run over by a tank.

Now, a cross-party committee in the French Parliament has removed the protection Ms Le Pen receives by being a deputy in the National Assembly.

In theory, Ms Le Pen could face a fine or even imprisonment if found guilty of the crime of publishing violent images. She took to Twitter to respond to the decision and said: "Better to be a jihadist returning [to France] from Syria than an MP who denounces the abasement of Islamic State: one takes fewer judicial risks".

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

It is not the first time Ms Le Pen has had her immunity stripped. The European Parliament took similar steps when Ms Le Pen was an MEP.

She was placed under investigation for alleged misuse of European Parliament funds  something Ms Le Pen denies.
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Saudi Arabia has ordered its citizens out of Lebanon amid skyrocketing tensions between their two governments.

A brief statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency called on all Saudis living in or visiting Lebanon to depart, and warned against travel to the country.

"Due to the circumstances in the Lebanese Republic, the kingdom asks its citizens who are visiting or residing" in the country to leave it as soon as possible, a Saudi Foreign Ministry source quoted by the agency said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri shocked his country Saturday when he announced in a televised statement out of Saudi Arabia that he was resigning. He has not been seen in Lebanon since.

He said his country had been taken hostage by the militant group Hezbollah, a partner in his coalition government and a major foe of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia says it considers Hezbollah's participation in the Lebanese government an "act of war" against the kingdom.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said he will not consider the premier's resignation until the two meet in person.

Also on Thursday, Mr Hariri's political party called for his immediate return to Lebanon.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Following a meeting of his Saudi-aligned Future Party in Beirut on Thursday, the party issued a statement saying it was "necessary" for Hariri to return "to restore Lebanon's dignity and respect."

The statement read by former Prime Minister Fuad Saniora seemed to indicate that Mr Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia against his will.

Mr Hariri resigned his post abruptly on Saturday in a strange, pre-recorded speech.

 Young Syrian refugee haunted by relatives' deaths adapts to life in Lebanon

In his absence, Lebanon has been awash with speculation the 47-year old prime minister may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have denied Mr Hariri is under house arrest.

AP and Reuters
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The number of women and girls in prison around the world has jumped by more than half since the turn of the century, according to a new report.

Researchers calculate that more than 714,000 females are held in penal institutions, a 53 per cent rise on the 466,000 estimated to be behind bars in 2000.

The number includes those on remand and awaiting trial as well as inmates who have been convicted and sentenced.

By comparison, the assessment finds the number of male prisoners globally has gone up by around a fifth over the same period.

Women and girls now make up 6.9 per cent of the global prison population, says the study published by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research at Birkbeck, University of London.

The analysis, based on the latest available information at the end of September, puts the number of females locked up in the United Kingdom at around 4,400.

This number includes 3,974 in England and Wales, 51 in Northern Ireland and 360 in Scotland.

These were all up compared with 2000, when they stood at 3,350, 23 and 203 respectively, amounting to an overall rise of more than 800 since the start of the century.

The fourth edition of the World Female Imprisonment List says the female prison population has risen in all continents in the last 17 years.

It says: In Africa the rise has been somewhat less than the increase in the general population of the continent and in Europe the increase in prisoner numbers has been similar to the general population increase.

By contrast, rises in the female prison population in the Americas, in Asia and in Oceania have been respectively about three, four and five times the increases in the general population of those continents.

More than 200,000 female prisoners are in the US, followed by China (more than 107,000) the Russian Federation (48,478), Brazil (about 44,700), Thailand (41,119) and India (17,834), according to the report.

It also points to variations in trends seen since the last edition of the research was published two years ago.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The female prison population levels in Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines and Turkey have risen sharply, while substantial falls have been recorded in Mexico, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Roy Walmsley, director of the world prison brief at the Institute for Criminal Policy Research, said: The surprisingly sharp rise over recent years in the number of women and girls in prison, the substantial variations in female imprisonment levels between neighbouring countries, between different regions and between different continents, and the fact that female imprisonment levels have been increasing at a very much faster rate than male imprisonment levels should prompt policy makers in all countries to consider whether it is really necessary to hold so many women and girls in custody.

Female imprisonment has a high financial and social cost, and its excessive use does not contribute to public safety.

PA
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The best possible start to winters journey into sunshine? A flight that leaves at a civilised hour, and arrives in time for a drink, dinner and a good nights sleep. So let me commend BA2676, which takes off from London Gatwick around noon. Two thousand miles later, you stroll off the plane at the western tip of Cyprus just after 6.30pm. Assuming the arrival and taxi into town is a smooth as last time I was there, I can picture myself sipping a Keo at the waterside Captains View and planning the next days adventures by shortly after seven oclock.

A five-minute walk from this very bar is an Archaeological Park, where the waves of cultures washing through the eastern Mediterranean are evident in the mosaics and rock-cut tombs. Paphos is enjoying a year in the sun as European Capital of Culture (shared with the rather less sunny Aarhus in Denmark), a celebration that will leave the town enriched.

The beaches unroll south-east from here, with some excellent waterside hotels, or head north-west to find some blissfully empty stretches of sand in hidden coves along the Akamas Peninsula.

When asked for a good winter getaway, Cyprus is one of my instant answers; the Canaries comprise another. Within about four hours of leaving West Sussex, you are touching down on a dramatic volcanic island off the north-west shoulder of Africa.

Despite their location, they are emphatically Spanish, which spells great cuisine, hotels and culture.

For the height of adventure, choose Tenerife. The largest of the Canary Islands is home to Spains highest mountain, Teide, which you can ascend on foot (apply online for a permit) if you fancy a challenge or, effortlessly, by cable car. At lower altitudes, the Orotava Valley has some great day-long hikes through pine forests draped across spectacular landscapes. Tourism in Tenerife took shape in Puerto de la Cruz in the late 19th century, and it remains a tranquil corner of the island. The towns Jardin Beach was designed by the Canarian architect, Cesar Manrique.

Enjoy stunning views of the mountains and the sea at Mirador del Rio in Lanzarote

Manrique created his greatest works on his home island of Lanzarote. His mission was to preserve and beautify, using nature as his inspiration. His inland home, a magnificent study in organic architecture, serves as a shrine to his memory.

The power of the planet is evident at Timanfaya National Park, the closest Europe gets to the surface of the moon, with heat and steam seething from the earth. Youll find sunbathers on Lanzarote beaches year-round, but for my favourite in the Canaries, hop on a ferry to the island of La Graciosa and enjoy the solitary splendour of Playa Francesa.

Book a British Airways holiday with a deposit and pay the balance as late as ive weeks before you travel (150 per booking up to a holiday of 1,500). Terms and conditions apply. Visit BA.com/wintersun
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Ceske Budejovice, or Budweis as its known in English, is the capital of southern Bohemia and lies on the Czech Republics longest river, the Vltava. The central square is lined with fine Renaissance and Gothic buildings, overlooked by an imposing 16th-century tower. So far, so engagingly central European. However, Ceske Budejovice is pre-eminent in the Czech Republic for something other than architecture: Budweiser Budvar beer.

First things first  yes, Budweiser Budvar. Yes, there is a beer produced by a US-based multi-national with a very similar name  a situation which has concentrated Americas finest legal minds for decades and means, in certain EU countries, US Budweiser beer can only be sold as Bud.

Recommended How this Prague suburb went from sleazy stag dos to hipster paradise

But Budweiser literally means of Budweis, and while the American Budweiser has little to do with Ceske Budejovice, there are many breweries that do.

Ceske Budejovices historical wealth and pretty buildings are based on beer  its reputation as a brewing city dates back to the 13th century, and it was, at one point, the official imperial brewery for the Holy Roman Empire.

Today, the town is still known for its breweries, and Budweiser Budvar is the best known  as well as the oldest and largest still in existence. Now owned by the state, its been making beer in exactly the same way, with exactly the same materials, for over a century.

Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Show all 9 1 /9 Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Budvar's cellars and conditioning tanks Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Brew kettles at Budweiser Budvar Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Saaz hops are known as 'noble hops' because of their pedigree Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Moravian malts in the brewery Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Josef Tolar was brewmaster for 26 years Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Filtration of the wort in the brewery Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing Ceske Budejovice's fortune was built on beer Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing The brewery is the oldest and largest in Budweis Budweiser Budvar Inside Budweiser Budvar, the home of Czech brewing 'Beer sommelier' Ales tastes the brew Budweiser Budvar

Its credentials have paid off. In 2004, Budweiser Budvar was awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status by the EU. Its beer now stands alongside the likes of Melton Mowbray pork pies and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese as traditional products made in a traditional way, in a specific region.

Its brewed using artesian water, Saaz hops from Zatec in northern Bohemia (known as noble hops because of their high-quality pedigree), Moravian malted barley, and yeast. Crucially, it undergoes at least 90 days maturation, for a total 102-day brewing time. By way of contrast, popular mass-market beers are sold after just 72 hours.

Im learning all this at Ceske Budejovice itself  the brewery is open for both tours and tastings. Josef Tolar  recently retired from the role of Budweiser Budvars brewmaster  is our guide. Smartly dressed in jacket and tie, wearing glasses and sporting a neat moustache, he has the air of a popular schoolmaster. A good thing, since Ive come to this city with its 1,000-year-old brewing heritage to soak up all things beer-related.

We start at a wellhead outside the modern brewery, watching clear, cold water flow through a glass tube. Down there, Josef says, theyre drawing Ice Age water. There was no industry, no agriculture at that time  so the water is pristine. No wonder it hurts to be mistaken for the US brand.

We go inside, up several flights of stairs and onto a balcony overlooking vast copper mash tanks. On the brewhouse floor, we reach into a sack for a handful of fragrant green hops, crumble them on our palms and breathe in deeply. Budvar use fresh hops, not processed pellets, and after a lively, zingy lungful its impossible not to smile. Josef suggests I stick my head through an open panel in one of the mash copper tanks and look down. Theres not much to see, but a heady brew of alcoholic Shreddies suffuses my head.

At the side of the room, polished copper pipes track along a wall. Josef opens one of several brass taps to pour a glass of immature beer, examining the colour and tasting the contents. The flavours are fresh but fleeting. There is a promise of great things, but something is missing: time.

Later, in the cold of the maturation cellars, we walk among tanks containing dizzying volumes of beer, comparing varying ages of Budvar Original and Dark, together with other beers not often seen outside the country: Special, Cvikl and Strong. In 1990, Budvar brewed 450,000 hectolitres a year and exported to 18 countries; now, they make 1,600,000 hectolitres and sell to 76 nations.

For beer connoisseurs sampling straight from the tank is a near religious experience. In the absence of light, movement and oxygen, flavours remain intact. Josef, unsurprisingly, is in his element. Nuances of each brew are identified and compared. Each glass gulped is dangerously refreshing.

Unpasteurised and unfiltered, this is beer as good as it gets. Beer is, of course, part of Czech culture  and, down in the cellars, I can see why.

Travel essentials

Getting there

The writer flew with Jet2, who offer flights from Newcastle to Prague from 73 return. Other airlines with regional departures include easyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair. From Prague, trains run at least once an hour to Ceske Budejovice. The journey takes two hours and costs from 13 each way.

Staying there

The Hotel Zatkuv Dum in Ceske Budejovice has doubles from 39, B&B.

More information

Tours of Budweiser Budvars brewery are available throughout the year and cost from 120 koruna (4) per person. To book, see visitbudvar.cz

czechtourism.com

czechstories.com
If we are not clever, we will not have a good future - Prime Minister to Students (video)

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received representatives of the students protesting against the draft law "On Status of Military Servicemen" at the Government Building. Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan also attended the meeting. "We want to hold today's meeting, taking into account that every one of you feels his duty and responsibility for the country. If there is anxiety that with these legislative amendments we may break something, it is also necessary to consider the examples of countries that are similar to us; whether the arguments brought by you work in those countries or not, whether science suffers because of them or not. We all realize that if we are not clever, we will not have a good future. In that sense, we are very well balanced, we calculate every step that can hurt it," said Karen Karapetyan at the beginning of the meeting. Then the students presented their concerns and observations. The prime minister and the defense minister have emphasized that about seven dozen government-led decisions will be envisaged, and representatives of the protesting students have been invited to be involved in the draft working group and submit their suggestions and approaches. However, the students did not accept the proposal.
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Brexit is responsible for the continuing flight ban from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh, a leading tourism figure has claimed.

For two years, British airlines have been banned from flying to Egypts leading tourist resort. The prohibition was brought in five days after a crash on 31 October 2015. It is thought that a bomb was placed on board a Russian jet at Sharm El Sheikh airport: 224 people died when their Metrojet charter flight from to St Petersburg in Russia crashed in the Sinai desert.

The UK Government took the unprecedented step of banning British airlines from flying from the Red Sea airport.

Other countries have removed their bans on flying, and there are frequent flights to Sharm El Sheikh from Germany, Italy, Switzerland and other European countries.

Restrictions on flights to Egypt were partly blamed for the demise of Monarch Airlines last month.

The Egyptian authorities have lobbied vigorously for flights to restart, but as recently as a month ago the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said: We have to be mindful of the security concerns and the risks to the travelling public of the United Kingdom.

We hold back only for good security reasons.

Yet Gerald Lawless, chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council, told a conference in London that David Cameron was about to end the ban  but his resignation after the EU referendum put paid to the plan.

David Cameron admitted to us at our summit in Bangkok he was about to allow it but it got put on the back burner, said Mr Lawless at the International Travel Crisis Management Summit.

The Independent has had corroboration of this version of events from a senior travel industry source.

Egypts tourism minister, Mohamed Yehia Rashed, told The Independent: The timing now is perfect to see the comeback of British tourism to Sharm El Sheikh.

The threat that is currently in the tourism environment in general is not addressed to Egypt. It is addressed to every human being trying to travel. They put the fear into the minds of people to get them sceptical about travelling.

People are sceptical to come to London, to Paris, to Barcelona, to New York.
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But the Icelandic airline, Wow Air, claimed this week: We are offering flights from London to New York for less than the cost of taxes  essentially paying for our guests to fly.

The carrier went on to assert that it will fly passengers from Stansted to New York for 99. And if you search online for 99 London New York, you will see that publications from The Sun to Hello! magazine have presented the story as though it were true.

To quote the celebrity gossip magazine: Budget airline Wow Air is launching a new route from Londons Stansted airport to New Yorks JFK International, and theyre offering some seriously cheap tickets to celebrate, at just 99 each way.

As a piece of fake news, it is a classic. To start with, Wow Air isnt launching a new route from Stansted to JFK. It will fly you from Essex to Keflavik airport in Iceland, where you must change planes to reach New York. And there are no 99 one-way fares. Its not that they have all sold out; they were never there in the first place. When Wow Air launches services to New York JFK next summer, the lowest one-way fare I can find is 170.

On the airlines website, you can read: Stansted to JFK from 99. But tantalisingly, when you click further it becomes clear that the 99 deal is available only as part of a round-trip; that coming back will cost you substantially more; and that an unexpected booking fee is added to the transaction.

The cheapest round-trip ticket I can find is priced at 251. That is an excellent fare, but not quite as good as the 234 return deal on Primera Air, which is launching flights from Stansted to New Yorks Newark airport next April. And without the need to change planes mid Atlantic.

Nevertheless, with a single make-believe press release, Wow Air has wowed the world. Demonstrating the principle that a fib can travel halfway around the globe while the truth is putting on its boots, even a New Zealand publication assured its readers that 99 fares were available.

Should we care that fake news has leapt from the 350m Brexiteers battle-bus claim to the realm of travel? I think we should. The coming year is going to be a marvellous time to fly the Atlantic, and Wow Airs innovative, expanding route network is a component of that. But pretending that London-New York costs 99 one-way does no one any favours. Prospective sub-100 travellers will be disappointed to find that they have been duped, and genuine claims by rival airlines may be undeservedly treated with suspicion.

When British Airways promotes 377 return flights from Gatwick to California, these fares are actually available on a range of dates through the winter. BA also has a tempting World Traveller Plus upgrade for just 135 on the overnight flight coming home from Oakland. Offering extras is just fine, but the basic fare must exist.

And that line about Wow Air flights costing less than the taxes, essentially paying for our guests to fly? Government fees from London to New York via Iceland total 105, which is certainly more than 99. As, regrettably, is the air fare.
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Of the many venerable institutions that Donald Trump has assaulted over the years, perhaps the most egregiously is the Republican Party itself. I cant bring myself to repeat the famous tape-recorded lines about grabbing women and the rest that, Im sure you recall, emerged so sensationally during the election last year. But I think many Republicans will have a similar sense that their own party has been wantonly violated by this grim human being. He said that he could do anything because he was famous, and so it seems, he has.

Now, the Republicans are starting to suffer some real damage. The most sensational result in the latest elections (not opinion polls) was the loss in the gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey, the very places where modern Republicanism has built a hitherto strong base.

Though he was standing down after an eight-year term, the outgoing (in every sense) Governor Chris Christie will have understood the message sent by the voters of his state. He was, after all, one of the many senior names usurped from any pretensions of national leadership by The Donald last year.

 Alec Baldwin: Melania loves my Trump impersonation

There is a paradox here. Trump is not a Republican, in any true sense  but he is damaging Republican candidates, the Republican cause and besmirching the Republican name. He is, as he sometimes says of his internal opponents, a Rino  Republican In Name Only.

Trump, in case you hadnt realised, is a Trumpite: running a Trumpite machine and getting support from people who are Trumpites first, Republicans second, Christians third and Americans maybe last.

Even before the run of disappointing results for the GOP, many in his own party were more than willing to defy, criticise and even ridicule him. They did so, after all, when he managed to whip all the other rivals for the Republican nomination last year. Perhaps the most high profile and unprecedented have been the attacks on Trump by his last two Republican predecessors  George HW Bush and George W Bush.

Bush the elder called Trump a blowhard, an all-the-more-powerful adjective for being both accurate  Trump is after all an America first bragger  and for its politesse (because we have become all too used to people swearing about Trump). More hurtful must have been Bush Junior's reported disdain that Trump doesnt understand what it means to be President. To place yourself in a position where you can suffer being patronised by the likes of Dubya is a sort of achievement in itself.

May I continue? Only last month, Tennessee Republican Bob Corker told the media he believes Trump's legacy would be the "debasement of America". The unfortunately named Arizona Senator Jeff Flake hasnt stinted, either. He sees Trump as "reckless, outrageous and undignified"  hard to argue with.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

"We must never regard as 'normal' the regular and casual undermining of our democratic norms and ideals," he went on, adding his shock at the "flagrant disregard for truth or decency, the reckless provocations, most often for the pettiest and most personal reasons". Flake concluded: There may not be a place for a Republican like me in the current Republican climate or the current Republican party."

That is the wrong conclusion. I mean, it is right in the sense that Trump and the Trumpites are making life uncomfortable for the more liberally-minded traditional Republicans who still remain. Even a Republican with views identical to Ronald Reagan would find life a little difficult in todays Republican movement.

After successive infiltrations by the religious Right, by the so-called Tea Party tendency and by wave after wave of fundamentalist libertarians, not to mention the iron grip of the gun lobby, the Republican Party is not a safe space for many people of moderate views.

All true, but what do you do? You fight back, thats what.

What does anyone do when they find their party being swamped by alien views, boorish manners and, frankly, slightly unhinged personalities whose ideas and policies will do the country nothing but harm?

You should not walk away. The right answer is to stay, fight and defy them. That is what John McCain did when he cast his vote against Trumps healthcare reforms. Trumps proposals are, after all, an ill-disguised exercise in personal vendetta against Barack Obama and all he stands for.

That negative, anti-Obama motivation, including the ludicrous birthing movement, is something that has provided the one consistent leitmotif for the entire Trump phenomenon (those jokes a few years back at Trumps expense by Obama at a White House dinner must have really hurt).

What those proud patriots in the Republican Party must do is fight back, and stand up to the Trumpites and their allies. They need to get religion out of national politics. They need to get real about gun control. They need to re-learn the basics of free enterprise economics, the value of free trade and the benefits of globalisation. They have to re-educate themselves in the now-neglected doctrine of compassionate conservatism.

It is, I concede, more than likely that, come 2020, Trump may win again on the short-term success of his protectionist trade policy and the jobs it will indeed protect. But it will again not be a victory in the national interest for the longer term, nor will it be a true victory for the Republican Party and its better traditions. There is a long march ahead for those fighting for some basic sense and decency in American politics.
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When Saad Hariris jet touched down at Riyadh on the evening of 3 November, the first thing he saw was a group of Saudi policemen surrounding the plane. When they came aboard, they confiscated his mobile phone and those of his bodyguards. Thus was Lebanons prime minister silenced.

It was a dramatic moment in tune with the soap-box drama played out across Saudi Arabia this past week: the house arrest of 11 princes  including the immensely wealthy Alwaleed bin Talal  and four ministers and scores of other former government lackeys, not to mention the freezing of up to 1,700 bank accounts. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salmans Night of the Long Knives did indeed begin at night, only hours after Hariris arrival in Riyadh. So what on earth is the crown prince up to?

Put bluntly, he is clawing down all his rivals and  so the Lebanese fear  trying to destroy the government in Beirut, force the Shia Hezbollah out of the cabinet and restart a civil war in Lebanon. It wont work, for the Lebanese  while not as rich  are a lot smarter than the Saudis. Every political group in the country, including Hezbollah, are demanding one thing only: Hariri must come back. As for Saudi Arabia, those who said that the Arab revolution will one day reach Riyadh  not with a minority Shia rising, but with a war inside the Sunni Wahhabi royal family  are watching the events of the past week with both shock and awe.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

But back to Hariri. On Friday 3 November, he was in a cabinet meeting in Beirut. Then he received a call, asking him to see King Salman of Saudi Arabia. Hariri, who like his assassinated father Rafiq, holds Saudi as well as Lebanese citizenship, set off at once. You do not turn down a king, even if you saw him a few days earlier, as Hariri had. And especially when the kingdom owes Hariris Oger company as much as $9bn, for such is the commonly rumoured state of affairs in what we now call cash-strapped Saudi Arabia.

But more extraordinary matters were to come. Out of the blue and to the total shock of Lebanese ministers, Hariri, reading from a written text, announced on Saturday on the Arabia television channel  readers can guess which Gulf kingdom owns it  that he was resigning as prime minister of Lebanon. There were threats against his life, he said  though this was news to the security services in Beirut  and Hezbollah should be disarmed and wherever Iran interfered in the Middle East, there was chaos. Quite apart from the fact that Hezbollah cannot be disarmed without another civil war  is the Lebanese army supposed to attack them when Shia are the largest minority in the country (many of them in the army)? These were not words that Hariri had ever used before. They were not, in other words, written by him. As one who knows him well said this week, this was not him speaking. In other words, the Saudis had ordered the prime minister of Lebanon to resign and to read his own departure out loud from Riyadh.

I should add, of course, that Hariris wife and family are in Riyadh, so even if he did return to Beirut, there would be hostages left behind. Thus after a week of this outrageous political farce, there is even talk in Beirut of asking Saad Hariris elder brother Bahaa to take his seat in the cabinet. But what of Saad himself? Callers have reached him at his Riyadh home, but he speaks only a few words. He says I will come back or Im fine, thats all, only those words, which is very unlike him, says one who must know. And what if Hariri did come back? Would he claim that his resignation had been forced upon him? Dare the Saudis risk this?

 Saudi Arabia's crown prince: Country will return to 'moderate, open Islam'

He certainly did not anticipate what happened to him. Indeed, Hariri had scheduled meetings in Beirut on the following Monday  with the IMF, the World Bank and a series of discussions on water quality improvement; not exactly the action of a man who planned to resign his premiership. However, the words he read out  scripted for him  are entirely in line with the speeches of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and with the insane President of the United States who speaks of Iran with the same anger, as does the American Defence Secretary.

Of course, the real story is just what is going on in Saudi Arabia itself, for the crown prince has broken forever the great compromise that exists in the kingdom: between the royal family and the clergy, and between the tribes. This was always the bedrock upon which the country stood or fell. And Mohamed bin Salman has now broken this apart. He is liquidating his enemies  the arrests, needless to say, are supposedly part of an anti-corruption drive, a device which Arab dictators have always used when destroying their political opponents.

There will be no complaints from Washington or London, whose desire to share in the divvying up of Saudi Aramco (another of the crown princes projects) will smother any thoughts of protest or warning. And given the smarmy reporting of the Crown Princes recent speeches in the New York Times, I have my suspicions that even this elderly journalistic organ will be comparatively unworried by the Saudi coup detat. For that is what it is. He unseated the interior minister earlier this year and now Mohamed bin Salman is getting rid of his opponents financial power.

But ruthless men can also be humble. Hariri was allowed to see the King  the original reason for which he believed he was travelling to Riyadh  and even paid a visit to the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates this week, an ally-nation of the Saudis who would prevent him jumping on a flight to Beirut. But why on earth would Hariri want to go to the Emirates? To prove that he was still free to travel when he cannot even return to the country which he is supposed to be ruling?

Lebanon is always going through the greatest crisis since its last greatest crisis. But this time, its for real.
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One qualification Penny Mordaunt brings to the Department for International Development is her gap-year experience working in hospitals and orphanages in Romania after the 1989 revolution. But we can guess that the main reason for her promotion to the Cabinet is that she, like Priti Patel whom she replaced, was a Leave campaigner in the EU referendum.

Not that she was much good at that. Her most notable outing during the referendum campaign was when she insisted on live television that the UK couldnt stop Turkey joining the EU. This was, as her leader and Prime Minister David Cameron gently pointed out, completely wrong, because the UK has the right to veto any countrys accession to the EU.

But the most important consideration in this minimal reshuffle was to maintain the balance in the Cabinet between Remainers and Leavers. Of the 22 full cabinet members, seven advocated leaving the EU, and Theresa May knew that if she allowed that number to fall to six there would be a backlash from Eurosceptic Conservative MPs.

Having experienced the fury of Tory MPs upset by last weeks promotion of Gavin Williamson, the chief whip, to head the Ministry of Defence after Michael Fallons resignation, May did not want to risk that again. The reaction to Williamsons appointment came mainly from those MPs resentful of his closeness to the Prime Minister and lack of experience as a departmental minister. At least Mordaunt has served in two departments, defence then work and pensions, and was a minister of state, the rank just below cabinet status.

But it is her status as a Brexiteer that was probably decisive. Assuming that May would not countenance a cut in the number of women in the Cabinet, Mordaunt was the only female Brexiteer at minister of state level. If it had not been for those considerations, Alistair Burt or Rory Stewart, already DfID ministers and both Remainers, might have been better qualified.

 Priti Patel out: Theresa May forces International Development Secretary to quit

This second mini-reshuffle in a week confirms Mays weakness. She has to manage the Tory factions as if they were separate parties. The coalition of Leavers and Remainers is as real as that between Tories and Liberal Democrats from 2010 to 2015, when Tories would have to be replaced by Tories and Lib Dems by Lib Dems.

But Mays middle position is as much a strength as a weakness. She straddles the Leave-Remain divide as one of the most reluctant Remainers before the referendum who has since sought to deliver an uncompromising version of Brexit. That means neither side wants to oust her, for fear she would be replaced by a leader from the enemy.

Recommended Theresa May is still losing her grip on the Government

May has often been compared to John Major recently, who also held together a Tory government divided on the question of Europe for longer than seemed possible. But the truth about Major is that, although he appeared to be holding the ring between the pro-EU and Eurosceptic factions, he was really on the pro-EU side. So far May has managed to avoid revealing whether she really stands with those who want to stay close to the EU after we leave or with those who want the freedom to diverge from EU rules.

Sooner or later, May will have to choose sides in her own partys civil war. But today she continues to be even-handed between them.

At least Mordaunt doesnt go into the International Development department with a record of having suggested it should be abolished, as Patel did when she was appointed last year.
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Each year, when the Poppy Appeal is launched, a raging debate ensues regarding the true meaning and symbolism of the poppy and whether  given modern circumstances  it is right or moral to wear it. Some claim that to wear the poppy implies a tacit approval of British foreign policy, including Western foreign interventions of the past decade. Many Muslims, even of an otherwise moderate religious disposition, regard supporting the Poppy Appeal as a betrayal of their fellow Muslims who have been killed or displaced as a result of recent military conflicts.

As a young British Muslim, I look to the example of the Prophet Muhammad to help me in cases of moral dilemma. And on this issue, I believe that he would have supported the Poppy Appeal. Why? Because the time of remembrance is not representative of a particular political mindset; rather, it reflects the silence that marked the cessation of hostilities after the First World War  the silence of peace after a catastrophic global conflict.

The money raised by the Royal British Legion (RBL) does not go to buy arms or weapons, but to help those in the military and their families. The Poppy Appeal is not about politics, but about people. And helping people in need was exactly what the founder of Islam taught and practised.

The Prophet taught that loyalty towards ones country of residence is an essential part of ones faith. What better way to demonstrate this loyalty than to help those who have fought for it? The soldiers that are helped by the RBL are mainly ordinary men and women serving their country.

 Sky News presenter questions Breitbart editor over poppy

If unjust wars have been declared and fought by our Government over recent years, it is not the servicemen or women that are to blame. The role of a soldier is not to make complex political decisions, but simply to follow orders and defend their nation. Soldiers cannot be held accountable for the transgressions of their governments.

Even if, hypothetically, British soldiers were in some way culpable for the death of Muslims around the world, the example of the Prophet suggests that the Poppy Appeal should still be a cause worth supporting. Muhammad was known for helping wounded enemy soldiers, even during the heat of battle. With regards to prisoners of war, he was careful to treat them as well he treated members of his own family, and freed them at the earliest prudent opportunity.

Even if a Muslim wrongfully considers British soldiers as the enemy of peace, or the enemy of his fellow Muslims around the world, the Prophet's forgiving and chivalrous example tells us that a human life is always worth saving.

Even during times of defensive warfare, the Prophet forbade injustice, always striving to attain reconciliation at the earliest opportunity. Even in the heat of battle, he advised his followers: Do not kill women and children, nor religious recluses; and do not kill the elderly. Create peace in the land, and treat the people with benevolence, for surely, Allah loves the benevolent.

Therefore, if Islam teaches that one should maintain ones morals and strive for peace even during the heat of battle, there appears no scope for refusing to help the RBL in raising money to help British soldiers and their families, even if one disagrees with their actions on the battlefield.

As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, each year I see our members sacrificing their days, taking to high streets, rail stations, airports and stadiums across the UK to sell poppies. Over the past 10 years, the organisation has raised over 200,000 for the RBL.

The zeal of these young volunteers is encouraged by their guiding force: the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who conveys the regular message that honouring those who fought to defend and safeguard ones country is an important principle of Islam and in fact is an important principle of peace.

There is a similarity between the message of the poppy and the message of the Prophet. Both are perverted for material gain, politicised to create disorder and division. Yet both messages, at their core, are about helping humanity when in need, providing shelter and support for the most vulnerable, seeking to respect, protect, and celebrate life  rather than destroy it.

I am a young British Muslim, and I will be wearing a poppy: not in spite of the values of my faith, but directly because of them.
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Syrian patients, young and old, many with severe injuries, are being operated on by doctors in Israel; they are often provided with medicine to take back across the border; some return later for further treatment.

This has been going on for a while and Priti Patel could have seen it taking place at the Ziv Medical Centre, in Safed, in Golan or a number of other hospitals like the Western Galilee in Nahariya. She could have gone there with necessary clearance without having to be accompanied by Israeli government officials.

Instead the former DfID Secretary chose to go to an Israeli army field hospital on the Golan Heights where a similar service is provided by military personnel. She was taken to the facility, barred to the general public, by Israeli officials. Afterwards she asked civil servants at her department to examine whether British aid money for Syrian humanitarian operations can be diverted to the Israeli military.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the 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Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters

The UK does not recognise Israels annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria. Patel had broken the protocol that British ministers and officials do not go to the Golan, and certainly not Israeli military facilities there, with Israeli officials. Furthermore, she did not tell the Foreign Office or Downing Street about the visit. The news that it took place was broken by the Haaretz newspaper.

No 10 said in a statement: The Secretary of State did discuss potential ways to provide medical support for Syrian refugees who are wounded and who cross into the Golan for aid. The Israeli army runs field hospitals there for Syrians wounded in the civil war. But there is no change in policy in the area. The UK does not provide any financial support for the Israeli army.

Priti Patel must have been aware of UK policy on this issue. So would the Israeli government. It is highly surprising if both she and they thought such a visit could be kept secret. Similarly it is difficult to believe that they would be unaware of the repercussions when news of it did come out.

There is another important factor in this. More than 2,000 injured Syrians are being treated in Israeli hospitals. Although they include civilians, families, the majority of them are now men of fighting age: and their numbers are growing. Many are rebels fighting the Assad regime in Syria, including members of extremist groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra.

 Priti Patel out: Theresa May forces International Development Secretary to quit

I have met patients at the Israeli hospitals who make little secret of belonging to hardline jihadi groups. There have been scuffles in some wards between extremist and moderate fighters. Not all of those treated are grateful for the medical care they receive, some have threatened staff: We will come back and slaughter you all.

But, crucially for the Israelis, the jihadi groups are fighting the Lebanese Hezbollah, Israels mortal enemies, whose militia is in Syria alongside the Iranians and Russians, propping up the Assad regime. During a visit earlier this year to the Golan I was told by a 19-year-old Israeli soldier from the field hospital that he makes no distinction between those who come seeking help. I dont know and I dont care, my job is to do the best I can to help anyone who arrives here injured. But, he acknowledged later, that it was Hezbollah who are the obvious enemy.

A major in the intelligence corps pointed out that missiles coming across the border have been from the regime side, with their Iranian and Hezbollah contingents, not from the rebels. In Syria, she added the West thinks Sunni terrorists are worse than Shia terrorists. We dont make that distinction.

But the reality is that the Israelis do make a distinction, they are siding with the Sunni groups against the common enemy  the Assad regime, Hezbollah and the Iranians. The former Israeli defence minister Moshe Yaalon has publicly confirmed that Israel was treating these fighters under a deal to help protect the border.

This makes sense to the Israelis on the basis of my enemys enemy is my friend. But the view from the West, as the Israeli major pointed out, is very different. It is the Sunni extremists of Syrias civil war, not the Shias, who have carried out terrorist attacks on the streets of London and Paris, Berlin and Barcelona. It is an ongoing threat which will not diminish anytime soon with Isis and al-Nusra taking jihad to the West as they lose territory in Syria and Iraq.

The overall aim of British humanitarian aid must be to try and ensure that it reaches all communities suffering in the Syrian devastation. Diverting money to the Israeli military medical programme in the Golan will not be the best way of achieving this. Priti Patel, one would have thought, would have understood that.
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The fall of Priti Patel, a rising Tory star, came as no surprise in Whitehall. Since she moved to the Department for International Development (DFID) last year, the word among officials has been that the only development she is really interested in is of her own career.

Patels overweening ambition was on display at last months Tory conference, with a look at me speech comparing herself to Margaret Thatcher. Her hopes of following in her heroines footsteps have now been dealt a heavy blow by her slow-motion sacking from the Cabinet. The arch-Eurosceptic will be free to criticise Theresa May from the backbenches  notably on Brexit. Dark warnings by Patels allies that she could inflict hard damage failed to save her skin.

Her lack of judgement in her first Cabinet post will dent her prospects in the Tory leadership race when May stands down. By technically resigning before she was sacked, Patel will hope to bounce back one day. But the damage could be fatal. She tried to run before she could walk and was exposed as out of her depth, one senior Tory told me.

Mays decision to send Patel to DFID  a department she previously wanted to see abolished  returned to haunt her, as did her appointment of Boris Johnson to the Foreign Office. Both Johnson and Patel were leading lights in the Leave campaign. Both were patently unsuited to their Cabinet roles, undermined May and ignored the rules on collective Cabinet responsibility by pursuing their own agendas  on Brexit and Israel respectively.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 14 November 2022 Members of the hospitality sector demonstrate outside parliament in London. The head of the Confederation of British Industry is urging the UK government to relax immigration rules to help British companies with severe staff shortages, ahead of the chancellors autumn statement EPA UK news in pictures 13 November 2022 England celebrate winning the mens T20 World Cup in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia AAP Image/Reuters UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA

In normal times, both would have been fired well before Patel was finally shown the door by May last night after being summoned back from a trip to Africa, with the media monitoring her every mile of the way.

Patel was accused of misleading May, the Foreign Office and the media about her freelancing in 12 secret meetings with Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during her family holiday in August. It appeared to be a naive but deliberate attempt to ignore the rules and change government policy  by switching some aid money to Israel  at a sensitive time in an always sensitive region.

Just before Patels fate was sealed, the Jewish Chronicle claimed that Downing Street was aware of a further meeting between Patel and an Israeli foreign ministry official in New York in September and told Patel not to disclose it, and was informed about her talks with Netanyahu soon after they happened. The claims were seen as a desperate last attempt to save Patel. But No 10 insisted that she did not tell it about the Netanyahu talks or another meeting with an Israeli minister at the Commons in September. Patel admitted the affair had been a "distraction" and offered May a "fulsome apology."

May knew she would not have a shred of credibility left if she left Patel in her job. But her departure will not buy the Prime Minister much credit. Allowing her to resign rather than formally dismissing her will smack of weakness to some Tory MPs. Mays judgement when she named her first Cabinet in July last year looks pretty woeful.

Johnson remains in place despite a catalogue of mistakes at the Foreign Office; his humour, over-confidence and reluctance to master a brief do not suit the world of diplomacy. Putting noses out of joint around the globe is one thing, but he has now made his worst error yet. He might have extended the jail sentence of the British woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe by suggesting she was simply teaching people journalism in Iran when she was actually on holiday. Johnsons grudging half-apology in the Commons on Tuesday has further damaged his standing among Tory MPs.

 Priti Patel set to be sacked

Some Tories think May was clever to hand Johnson a senior post so he would crash and burn. I rather doubt that; in doing so, he has damaged May and highlighted her weakness. The Prime Minister is back where she was before her Tory conference disaster, when senior advisers urged her to restore her authority through a wide-ranging reshuffle that would prise Johnson out of the Foreign Office.

Although there was a mini-reshuffle last week when Sir Michael Fallon was fired over allegations of sexual harassment, May is unlikely to risk a big shake-up today when she fills the vacuum created by Patels departure. The timing of the Patel saga is terrible for May. The sex scandal is likely to claim more ministerial victims. The Cabinet Office is investigating Damian Green, the de facto Deputy Prime Minister. You cannot have a reshuffle every week.

Johnsons fate is intertwined with Philip Hammond's, as hardline Brexiteers warn that May cannot shift the Foreign Secretary without also moving the Chancellor, the champion of a softer Brexit. But the Budget is only two weeks away and so she cant change her Chancellor now.

Maintaining the balance between Remainers and Leavers in any shake-up would be difficult. But support for May is draining away among her ministers and backbenchers, with many saying: We cannot go on like this. A full-scale reshuffle is Mays last chance to create a functioning government that lasts into the new year rather than stumbles from one day to the next. She will have to take it.
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Among the diplomatic minefields facing the UK as it leaves the European Union, relations with Israel might not seem anywhere near the top of the list. If ever this was true, however, it changed over the past week. The coincidence, no more, of the centenary of the Balfour Declaration and revelations about the very busy summer holiday enjoyed by the  now former  International Development Secretary forced the exposure of some very uncomfortable truths.

Lets start with the short-term politics. We are invited to believe that Priti Patel, an independent-minded Brexiteer promoted to head DfID when Theresa May first became Prime Minister, took a private holiday in Israel during which she had at least 12 meetings that might, under other circumstances, have been considered official.

She also visited a charitable hospital in the Golan Heights, where Israeli doctors have treated injured Syrian resistance fighters. She returned with a proposal that some of her departmental budget be channelled towards the Israeli military to help fund this work.

How many times can one cabinet minister breach protocol in a single trip? We are told that she set off without the knowledge of either the Foreign Office or No 10, and had no diplomatic minders for any of her meetings. If she was escorted by anyone, it was by Lord Polak, honorary president of the Conservative Friends of Israel, who is thought to have fixed up many of the meetings.

 Priti Patel out: Theresa May forces International Development Secretary to quit

Protocol is there for a purpose and the risks here are obvious, from creating the impression of an alternative UK foreign policy to the opportunity for gaffes. Setting foot in the Golan, which is occupied territory, was a further no-no for any UK official. Then even to float the idea of aid money going to the Israeli military, even if earmarked for a laudable purpose, would have provoked a public outcry, had the proposal gone any further than it did.

Now it may be that this version is correct, and Patel was an inexperienced and ambitious minister who foolishly decided to indulge in a spot of diplomatic freelancing in a particularly volatile part of the world. Even before the first small cracks started to appear in the official omerta about who knew what when, however, the totality of this seemed improbable  even if it has been validated by her resignation and will now be hard to dislodge.

What the Priti Patel episode does illustrate, though, is the delicate path that the UK  not the EU, not the international community, but specifically the UK  must tread when it deals with the Middle East in general, and with Israel in particular. And a lot of that has to do with the continuing legacy of the note that Lord Balfour wrote to Lord Rothschild 100 years ago this month.

In recent weeks, I have heard many explanations about why Balfour penned his note as and when he did, as historians and politicians revisit his declaration. The reasons given range from Britains strategic calculations in what would turn out to be the penultimate year of the First World War, trying to curry favour with the Zionist movement to bring the US into the war, to a desire to minimise French influence in the Middle East, or even the ambition to control the whole of Palestine when the war was over.

Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Show all 8 1 /8 Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Protesters wave Palestinian flags and carry a defaced photo of Theresa May and Arthur Balfour AP Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration A young protester holds a sign reading 'UK government should hang it's head in shame...' REUTERS Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians participate in a march to protest the 100th anniversary of Britain's Balfour Declaration AFP/Getty Images Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Protesters participate in the march AFP/Getty Images Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Protesters gather in the centre of the West Bank city of Ramallah AFP/Getty Images Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians protest against the Balfour Declaration on its 100th anniversary EPA Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians protest EPA Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinian protesters burn a mock of Prime Minister Theresa May and Arthur James Balfour EPA

But the contemporary official UK gloss has two strands. The first is pride that Britain was effectively the midwife of a Jewish homeland, a pride enhanced and further justified by the undoubted success of the state that was eventually created in 1948. The second is an equal stress on Balfours insistence that creating a Jewish homeland should not be at the expense of the rights of the indigenous population. This aspect is regarded as unfinished business. Both strands featured in Theresa Mays carefully judged speech at a formal dinner to mark the anniversary.

The immediate difficulty for the UK through the centenary was that the guest of honour at the dinner was the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu  which inevitably placed the pride element a long way ahead of any recognition of Palestinian claims. The more enduring difficulty was, and is, that the Palestinians, the Arab countries and very many Muslims in the UK regard the Balfour Declaration as the beginning of very many of their woes and an act, quite simply, of British betrayal.

Every expression of pride in the part played by Britain in assisting the state of Israel to its birth, every British celebration of the Balfour Declaration, serves only to confirm them in that view. As does the presence across the Middle East of more than 5 million Palestinian refugees, and the non-existence, as yet, of a Palestinian state.

Given the extent to which the Balfour Declaration has become a liability to UK diplomatic influence  as it has, leaving a trail of distrust across the Middle East long before the Iraq war  it is worth asking why successive Governments, and the Foreign Office in particular, have persisted in claiming credit for the existence of the state of Israel. There was no reason for this.

One of the most interesting contributions I heard in all the current discussions about Balfour came from an Israeli politician and self-described Zionist and atheist, Einat Wilf. At a conference in London, organised by the UK pro-Israel think tank Bicom and Jewish News, she argued that it was neither Balfour nor Britain that brought the state of Israel into existence, still less that made it a success. It was Jews themselves, who accepted the territory when it was offered to them, fought for it, and made it flourish.

Why has the UK not adopted something closer to this version of events? Why does it still claim credit for the creation of the state of Israel and insist on the pride element, even 100 years on? Why have our Governments over the years not given the bulk of the credit to those who created the state of Israel  those who essentially took the opportunity, and ran with it? Or to the League of Nations, or the UN, which gave the Balfour Declaration international force?

This would have given more credence to UK statements of support for the Palestinians, attempts at evenhandedness, even expressions of regret for the Palestinians plight. Even if it did not enhance UK influence in the region, it might have drawn some of the sting of the treachery charge.

Alas, it is hard not to divine in the UKs continuing need to claim credit, its continuing pride in the Balfour Declaration, a nostalgia for the days of Britains great power status  and now, even, a desire to resurrect it as we set out alone from the moorings of the EU. Maybe there are other, more benign, explanations. But it is regrettable that the centenary was celebrated in London as it was. It will take more than the scalp of an ill-advised International Development Secretary to enhance the UKs image and influence in a region where, all those years ago, we held sway.
Atop a jagged, 50 foot high cliff on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera sit two enormous boulders, known as "The Cow and the Bull." Each is several times taller than a person; the squatter and wider of the two, the 'Bull,' weighs around a thousand tons. The boulders are a tourist attraction, but in recent years, they've become much more than that - a scientific mystery that has been intensely scrutinized because of the lessons it could hold about climate change.

Scientists don't know for sure how these boulders got to their exceptional location - they couldn't have rolled uphill to the top of the cliff; there's no higher cliff from which they could have fallen - but they suspect it has something to do with the Atlantic Ocean far below them.

One possible explanation has frightening implications for the present. Two years ago, famed climate scientist James Hansen, drawing on the work of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington geologist Paul Hearty, suggested they had been put in placeby catastrophic superstorms more than 100,000 years ago, at a time of higher seas and dangerous weather dynamics. These conditions, Hansen fears, could return again if polar ice sheets melt rapidly, upending ocean circulation and potentially causing a host of other difficult-to-predict scenarios.

A new scientific study, however, counters that while the boulders were indeed probably put in place by violent waves long ago, it wouldn't have required superstorms to get them there. Published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the work by Alessio Rovere of the University of Bremen and Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and his colleagues suggests that even storms of today's strength could have moved the boulders - at least back when seas were 20 to 30 feet higher, as they were during part of the Eemian warm period, circa 125,000 years ago.

The new study, though, could hardly be called good news for those who will live with the consequences of climate change. It uses the boulders to underscore the lesson that as seas rise once again in our future, they will be able to unleash even more of the ocean's destructive power upon present day human structures. Storms won't even need to have stronger winds - the oceans will do much of the work.

"As soon as you start rising sea level, you have higher energies on that cliff," said Rovere, who conducted the new research with scientists at institutions in Germany, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

The controversy over Eleuthera's boulders underscores just how little we know about how the oceans will react to climate change. The seas are rising, but only relatively slowly so far - we don't know how much this could speed up. And as they warm up they may also foster more intense hurricanes or perhaps even other kinds of large scale storm systems.

Early reaction Monday's paper, however, suggests the ongoing debate over the mysterious boulders of Eleuthera is unlikely to end any time soon.

Hearty and Hansen believe that during a period of dynamic climate transition over 100,000 years ago, enormous storm waves swept the boulders upward from a lower and older cliff face. Other boulders on the island of Eleuthera, Hearty suggests, were carried even farther afield.

Hearty believes this is part of a "trilogy" of evidence of disastrous change on Eleuthera at the time. He also argues that small bubbles from vast waves were left as high as 80 feet above sea level on the island, and that long and angled rock walls farther inland, which Hearty calls "chevrons," represent ancient sand dumps from these waves.

Rovere and his colleagues traveled to Eleuthera in 2016 hoping to investigate Hearty's hypothesis, and to add some mathematics and computing power to the endeavor. So they used a photographic algorithm to estimate the weight of the rocks (the Cow, they found, weigh 383 tons; the Bull they estimated at 925), and boat measurements to determine the shape of the seafloor offshore, which drops off very quickly into extremely deep waters - a phenomenon that helps the ocean funnel its energy at the cliff.

Then, the researchers ran simulations of a variety of storms hitting the cliff with different sea levels superimposed. And they found that with Eemian sea levels, the smaller rock, the Cow, could be moved by waves moving around 20 miles per hour or more - while at around 25 miles per hour and higher, the same applies to The Bull. (The study assumed the boulders had stood on the edge of the cliff and were moved inland to their current position, which is contrary to Hearty's idea that they were moved from a considerably lower position.)

With seas this high, the study found that three recent storms - Hurricane Andrew of 1992, Superstorm Sandy of 2012, and the so-called "Perfect Storm" of 1991 - all produced waves with enough power and speed to move the boulders. (In fact, even present day lower sea levels, the study suggests that smaller boulders on Eleuthera were indeed moved by Hurricane Andrew.)

However, three experts on the geology of the Bahamas - including Hearty - contested aspects of the new work, while praising some others.

Hearty said the new work "contains important technical observations that shed some light on the physical characteristics and mechanisms of transport of the megaboulders," and noted that it "supports wave transport of the boulders by storms, as we have maintained since 1998, despite many challenges."

But he noted that the boulders are only one part of the evidence that he has adduced to support the superstorm hypothesis. And he posed this question: If storms of the present are powerful enough to move rocks this big, "then why aren't there many Holocene and historical boulders at lower elevations as large as the megaboulders?"

John Mylroie, a geologist at Mississippi State University who has also studied the rocks, added that during the Eemian period long ago, the cliff face was different than at present - jutting farther out into the sea, and with higher cliffs - which he believes poses a problem for the calculations.

"The authors have accounted for the +6 m sea level position 120,000 years ago, but not for how the coastline was configured at that time," said Mylroie by email. This means, he said, that "more energy would have been needed than they calculated."

Pascal Kindler, a field geologist at the University of Geneva who has studied the rocks, also questioned the analysis. On the one hand, he noted that the 'Bull' is actually made up of three separate boulders on top of one another, which might have been easier to move than the study supposes. But at the same time, he argued (like Hearty does) that the rocks come from an older and lower cliff face, rather than the cliff edge - making them even harder to move.

"It means that the flow velocity required to lift these boulders must be greater than that calculated by Rovere et al," Kindler said.

(Not that Mylroie or Kindler agree with the superstorm hypothesis: Mylroie has suggested that the rocks could have been created by erosion and weathering, and Kindler thinks that a large collapse of the seafloor offshore could have created a mini-tsunami that did the work of lifting the boulders.)

Asked about what it would mean if the rocks indeed came from farther below, Rovere answered that "we would probably need higher flows."

But he added that "based on what we observe basically everywhere in the Caribbean, there is no other evidence that a boulder has been taken from the base of even a small cliff and brought up, surpassing an entire cliff."

Clearly, the origin of the boulders remains debated. Nobody, though, seems to be contesting the main punchline of the current study - as seas rise, so do our risks from damaging ocean waves hurled by storms.

"If you raise sea level, you will have more energy on cliff and coastal barriers," said Rovere. "That's the real problem we will have to deal with if sea level keeps rising."
Vice President Mike Pence pledged Wednesday to residents of Sutherland Springs, Texas, that the Trump administration would "find out why" a gunman was able to buy firearms in advance of his shooting rampage there despite his violent past and would work with Congress "to ensure that this never happens again."

"Three days ago, evil descended on this small town and on this small church," Pence said as his stood on the street in front of First Baptist Church, where 26 churchgoers were killed Sunday by Devin P. Kelley, who should have been barred from purchasing firearms because of a domestic violence conviction while serving in the Air Force.

"He lied on his application. He had a history of mental illness, and there were bureaucratic failures," Pence said, promising an Air Force investigation of the matter would be completed "in days, not weeks."

Pence said the Pentagon is also reviewing policies on how such convictions get entered into a national database used to screen gun purchasers.

Pence's visit - which came while President Donald Trump is on a 12-day trip to Asia - also included a hospital visit with some of those injured Sunday, meetings with law enforcement officials and an appearance at a nearby high school where a vigil was being held.

"The Bible tells us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and that will be our prayer for you, for this whole community," Pence said before leaving the church for the vigil.

Upon arriving at the high school, Pence, accompanied by his wife, went to the library where dozens of relatives of victims were waiting, many seated at tables.

Pence hugged many of them and asked about their connections to the attack.

"The whole country's praying over you," Pence told one man who had lost his sister-in-law. "This church family is touching the whole country."

"If you would please tell the president we thank him," a man asked Pence, who replied: "He wanted us to be here. He's in Beijing, but I guarantee you his heart's here."
Experience African culture  no plane ticket required. The African Center, a local organization that supports African-born residents and their families within the metropolitan Indianapolis area, will offer the community a taste of African culture. On Saturday, Nov. 11, from 510 p.m. at Georgetown 14 Digital Cinemas, the community is invited to enjoy African food and film while forging new friendships at the 2017 Taste of Africa and Africana Film Festival.

Many local African restaurants are donating food to the event, including Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant and Eko African Restaurant and Banquet Hall. Shola Ajiboye, a board member with the African center who is working to inform the greater Indianapolis community about the festival, says the food is simply a tool; the greater goal is connecting communities.

When you want to learn more about a community and a culture, you want to learn about their food, about their languages, about their ways of life. When you shake somebodys hand, you are basically tasting the spirit of that person, explained Ajiboye. There is that gap we try to bridge between our brothers and sisters from here, and we are using this opportunity to connect. There is no better way to do that than over a kitchen table.

After dinner, attendees will have the opportunity to view African films. Ajiboye says the cultural, social and political messages intended by the films producers are not typically delivered to American audiences, and he would like to change that.

When an African producer interprets their culture, its quite different from the way a non-African interprets those messages. Through these movies, it will let people know the African ways of life and culture as interpreted by Africans filmmakers themselves, not with others interpreting it for them.

By the end of the night, Ajiboye hopes that stereotypes will be shattered.

We all have pre-conceived notions about others. Some will say, Why do these Africans seem to not like us? We want people to not just come and eat, but come and meet people, network and be ready to ask questions. This platform is great for people to talk and have conversations that are enriching and lead to community progress.

2017 Taste of Africa & Africana Film Festival

When: Saturday, Nov. 11, 510 p.m.

Where: Georgetown 14 Digital

Cinemas, 3898 Lafayette Road,

Indianapolis, IN 46254

Tickets: Free, register on Eventbrite.

For more information, visit facebook.com/AfricanCenter USA.
Autumn Art Fair

Start your holiday shopping early this year and support local artists at the Garfield Park Autumn Art Fair. This free two-day event features crafts and artwork from some of the citys most talented creatives. The event takes place Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. and Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. Learn more at facebook.com/GarfieldParkArtsCenter.

For The Culture

Enjoy an intimate night of hip-hop, soul and spoken word with Mariah Ivey and TribeSouL. For The Culture takes place on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., in Indianapolis. A $10 cover charge gets you in. Learn more at facebook.com/iamMariahIvey.

Bashiri Asad and DeRobert & the Half Truths

Soul men Bashiri Asad and DeRobert & the Half Truths will take the stage at the Jazz Kitchen on Friday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and can be found at thejazzkitchen.com.

Mommas Boy

Mommas Boy is a dramatic and comedic tale about a woman who is forced to choose between the man she loves and the son she gave birth to. The production will come to Old National Centre on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Learn more by visiting oldnationalcentre.com or calling 317-231-0000.

Naptown Soul Club

Every third Saturday of the month, Pioneer restaurant hosts Naptown Soul Club, a dance night focused on regional artists who have paved the way for generations of soul and R&B to thrive and prosper in the Midwest. The event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10:30 p.m. and costs $5 at the door. Learn more at pioneerindy.com.

Campfire at Holliday Park

Bundle up and enjoy a family-friendly Friday night around the campfire at Holliday Park on Friday, Nov. 17, from 6:308 p.m. The event costs $5 per person. Visit facebook.com/IndyHollidayPark for more.

Graphic Fantasies

Join Cynthia Lynn Stigger for an evening of soft music, socializing, wine and hors doeuvres, as she debuts her second novel, Graphic Fantasies, a true book of adults fantasies. This event will be held Sunday, Nov. 12, from 47 p.m. at 1345 N. Illinois St. in Indianapolis.
JMel Dowdells thirst for entrepreneurial life started when he was young. My mom and I moved to Los Angeles; we were living in a hotel for months, he recalls. She had a hot plate and shed fry chicken and fish and make sandwiches. Wed go sell them in MacArthur Park close by. We used the money to survive. Thats really what gave me my fearless, entrepreneurial spirit.

Growing up, Dowdell and his mother moved around a lot. No matter where his life took him, he was always drawing. When his aunt applied to Vincennes University on his behalf and he realized he could major in art, he jumped at the opportunity. I fell in love with college and never wanted to come back, he said.

Upon graduation, Dowdell began working at Honey And Me in Franklin, Indiana, as a graphic designer. He went to a trade show and quickly became one of the top sales associates. His boss began sending him to shows across the country, where hed consistently sell the most products. Thats when he envisioned creating his own products to earn money.

In 2009, Dowdell drew his first set of Button Nose Kidz, named after an old nickname a friend gave him. After creating them, he drove to Atlanta hoping manufactures would license his characters. All he heard was no.

That was the fuel that lit the flames. I went to work even harder, he said.

While doing trade shows for Honey and Me, he spoke with their manufacturer. He contacted them three years later and they wanted to work with him but needed prototypes. Dowdells aunt made his first prototype, and he found a designer who turned them into mascot costumes, but he needed money.

Dowdell began meeting with people around the city who he thought could help him. Along the way, he picked up business partner Hilary Ricks, a criminal defense lawyer and family friend.

After he created the kidz, he stopped by and showed me the portfolio, Ricks said. I started checking in and becoming useful until he agreed to let me in.

Now, Ricks serves as the vice president of operations and oversees the non-creative side of the business.

Together, they went to Ken Thorpes office, an investor Dowdell knew from his college fraternity. This was Dowdells third time asking Thorpe to invest in his business; this time he had prototypes, books and a new partner. When they arrived, a chalkboard in Thorpes office read No Investing in New Companies. The pair was momentarily defeated but continued with their pitch. Thorpe loved it. He gave Dowdell an apartment and enough money to work on the Button Nose Kidz full time.

Thorpes investment, among others, has taken the business to new heights. The company hosted a trade show in Los Angeles to launch the brand. Dowdell is now a member of the Toy Association, a nonprofit representing the top toy manufacturers in North America. The Button Nose Kidz has been featured at six international trade shows, including three appearances at the International Toy Fair New York, the largest toy trade show in the world.

Today, the company has 33 products including 16 books, sold on their website and Amazon. Each Button Nose Kid has a back story, and theyre all from diverse backgrounds. Ricks thinks this makes the characters relatable. As a criminal defense lawyer, I see problems arise because kids dont have good role models, she said. I see these characters as role models. Theyre funny and arent always well behaved, but they learn from their mistakes.

The entrepreneurial life isnt all roses. Dowdell still faces challenges when looking for financial support, but he refuses to let that stop him. The thought of being the failure that everyone expects me to be is what keeps me going, he says. Every time someone tells me no I just say, Im gonna do it myself, Ill be back.
I remember a conversation I had with former IMPD Chief Troy Riggs.

Riggs is a good person, someone who is really sincere, and I am always able to speak very candidly with him. Riggs is also highly skilled in law enforcement, and he has a national reputation for being progressive, fair and instituting out-of-the-box and highly effective initiatives.

During this particular conversation with Riggs, we discussed the strained relationship between people of color and law enforcement. We also talked about some of the police-action shootings of unarmed Black men that had occurred nationally. I specifically told him that when  not if  such a thing happened in Indy, the manner in which his department responded from the beginning would be key in working to reduce or increase the tensions between Blacks and police officers.

Riggs shared what he thought would be the best way to approach such an instance, and I shared mine. When our conversation ended, I felt confident that if such a thing occurred on Riggs watch, IMPD would do the right thing.

I wasnt as confident in how current IMPD Chief Bryan Roach would handle things.

I have nothing against Roach and, in all fairness, I havent had the type of deep, one-on-one conversations with him that I had with Riggs. I have also been told by multiple sources that deep down, Roach doesnt share many of the same perspectives that Riggs did, nor is he as forward thinking. Again, since I dont know Roach as well as I do Riggs, I cant provide my insight on his character at this point.

So while I was unsure of how Roach would handle the aftermath of the police-action shooting in June that resulted in the death of Aaron Bailey, an unarmed Black man, I was confident in the mayor and his leadership. I was cautiously hopeful that under Hogsetts leadership, Roach would do the right thing.

In my editorial last week, I noted, It will take strong, courageous leaders like (Mayor Joe) Hogsett  to put procedures and processes in place that not only sound good, but also are actually being adhered to by officers.  Given the flawed criminal justice system and the mistrust that people of color have for police officers, Hogsett and his counterparts nationwide have a tremendous task before them. I think our mayor can be the one to make impactful and positive change. I also believe that the way he addresses the dysfunction between law enforcement and the community will be part of his legacy in Indianapolis.

Hogsett delivered.

And Roach delivered.

This week, people throughout the city were stunned to learn that Roach suspended Michael Dinnsen and Carlton Howard, the two officers who shot and killed Bailey. In addition, Roach also recommended their termination to the Civilian Police Merit Board.

As I mentioned, people were shocked.

What Roach and Hogsett did is monumental in a lot of ways, and it certainly deviates from the general actions we see in situations similar to this one throughout the country.

Hogsett is setting a tone  a strong, no-nonsense tone similar to that which he exhibited during his days as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. He is committed to making positive change and holding people accountable  even the boys in blue.

Roach is also setting a tone. He is letting Indianapolis, and the rest of the country for that matter, know that he believes in police accountability. Perhaps what makes Roachs decision so powerful is not only what the community thinks, but also the officers on his force. His decision sends a very clear message to the officers of IMPD. That message is that no one is above being reprimanded. Roach is making it clear that he expects his officers to follow policy and procedures. He expects them to be fair, and he is holding them accountable.

Within a matter of days, Hogsett and Roach have started to chisel away some of the boulders that reflect the tense relationship between police and people of color.

Are Hogsett and Roachs actions the end all, be all? No.

Will some IMPD officers continue to racially profile people of color? Of course.

There is still much work to be done, and there are still tons of challenges that exist between minorities and law enforcement. However, we are off to a good start. And Hogsett and Roach are well on their way to securing their positive and progressive legacies in Indianapolis.
Sen. John McCain is a patriot. Now, as he battles against a brutal affliction, he has earned recognition as a man of honor. He has served his country, often at great sacrifice. And even now, he is using his stature to warn this country against a wayward course.

Contrary to Donald Trump, McCain is a true American hero. Shot down over North Vietnam in 1967, he was seriously injured and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was tortured after he refused an offer to be repatriated ahead of other captives who had been held longer. Instead, he stayed with his fellow prisoners for five long, painful years.

After he retired from the Navy, McCain was elected first to the U.S. House of Representatives and then to the Senate in 1987. As a senator, he was a conservative who sought to get things done. He joined with Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin to sponsor campaign finance reform.

He pushed for reopening diplomatic relations with Vietnam. He worked with Sen. Ted Kennedy, another Democrat, on comprehensive immigration reform. He gained a reputation as a maverick. When he won the Republican nomination for president in 2008, he ran a brass-knuckled campaign, even naming Sarah Palin as his running mate. Yet he refused to traffic in hate and lies.

He famously defended Barack Obama at one of his rallies when a supporter said, I cant trust Obama. I have read about him and hes not, hes not  hes an Arab. No maam, McCain said. Hes a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues.

Later, after supporters voiced their surprise, he would not pander, saying: He is a decent person and a person you do not have to be scared (of) as president.  I want everyone to be respectful, and lets make sure we are. Because thats the way politics should be conducted in America.

In recent years, McCain has grown more conservative as the Republican Party has lurched to the right. Yet he has continued to show his independence. When Donald Trump scorned McCain during the presidential primaries as not being a hero because he had been shot down, McCain did not take the bait.

But he also did not sign up for the choir. When Trumps Access Hollywood tape came out, McCain withdrew his endorsement, even though he was in the midst of a tough race for re-election. He stated the simple truth that Trumps demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults rendered it impossible to offer even conditional support, and vowed to write in a good conservative Republican when he voted.

McCain was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Since then, he has repeatedly raised his voice to warn Americans against extremism. He voted against the Republican bill to repeal health care reform. As a man of the Senate, he was particularly agitated at the irregular procedures used to try to rush through what would have been a massive change impacting millions.

He called for the Senate to return to regular order. He voted against the attempt to transform health care with only Republican votes for a bill that most senators had no time to read, with no hearings and no time for a full Congressional Budget Office estimate.

Accepting the 2017 Liberty Medal this month, McCain called for Americans to stay true to the ideals we have advanced around the globe, and denounced as unpatriotic half-baked, spurious nationalism cooked up by people who would rather find scapegoats than solve problems.

He did not name Donald Trump and his political assassin Steve Bannon, but he did not need to. McCain is not a saint. He knows how to throw a punch. This week, commenting on the Vietnam War, he made a fundamental point while putting the shiv in Donald Trump.

One aspect of the conflict  that I will never, ever countenance is that we drafted the lowest income level of America and the highest income level found a doctor that would say that they had a bone spur, he said.

Trump, of course, took five deferments to avoid service in the war, the last of which was for a bone spur. A staunch conservative, McCain stands against much that I believe is vital to this country. He opposed health care reform and joined in the Senate obstruction of all things Obama.

He supports the endless wars without victory in the Middle East, and voted for the invasion of Iraq, surely the worst debacle since Vietnam. He supports tax cuts for the rich and cutting services for the vulnerable. He opposes Medicare for All, tuition-free college, expanding Social Security, lifting the minimum wage and more. He is a patriot, not a progressive.

His stance, however wrong-headed, is held without venom. We can agree to disagree. These disagreements on policy and on principle, however, do not erase the reality that John McCain is a man of the Republic, serving it with honor in the winter of his years. He deserves our gratitude and our respect.
Do an image search of the word soldier online, and the pictures revealed will be overwhelmingly white and male. However, African-Americans and women have a long history of contributing to the U.S. armed forces. All-Black units were formed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts as early as the Revolutionary War, and during WWI, the Marine Corps and U.S. Navy allowed women to enlist.

Today, Black women enlist in the military at much higher rates than white or Hispanic women, and they represent nearly a third of all women in the armed forces. According to the Pew Research Center, while Black men represent about 16 percent of the male enlisted population, 31 percent of women enlisted are Black.

Kimberly Williams

Local army veteran Kimberly Williams says military service has become a family tradition. Her mother, brothers, cousins and even her high school sweetheart-turned-husband are veterans, and she has ancestors who served as early as WWI.

But when Veterans Day rolls around each year, the celebration can be bittersweet. Williams shares a Nov. 11 birthday with her mother, who passed away after a battle with cancer. On Veterans Day, Williams often finds herself reflecting on the life of the woman she calls her superhero.

Her mother, Annette Louise Lewis, graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1958 and entered the Army two years later. Stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama, Lewis was excited to explore life outside of the Midwest. But not all of Lewis experiences were positive.

During the time she was in the Army, it was segregated. In the South, there were times when they would pull up to eat in Alabama, her white counterparts could go into the cafeteria and eat, but they had to bring the Black soldiers food back onto the bus. So she wasnt allowed to eat with them while she was serving the country in uniform. She also slept in segregated barracks, yet she served with integrity and dedication, said Williams.

Despite the discrimination Lewis faced, she encouraged Williams to follow in her footsteps. Williams enlisted in the Army and traveled to Europe and Germany with her husband. She appreciates her daughter, Adrienne Dodson, having the opportunity to see the world.

I exposed my child to something different, something outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was in Germany exposed to the culture and language and was taught in a Department of Defense school. It was an adventure for me as we traveled and saw things we wouldnt usually see, said Williams.

Some of Williams favorite memories include holidays overseas. She recalls sharing the Thanksgiving table with young military families from a variety of backgrounds.

We would have Latinos, Asians, caucasians and a diverse group of people around the table. We brought our traditions to that, and we celebrated our Thanksgiving and Christmases away from home. They became like family, and we met people who will be our friends for life, said Williams.

Frida Davis

Army veteran Frida Davis was also inspired by family to serve. When Davis was only 7 years old, her uncle visited her familys home dressed in his Navy service uniform. He shared stories of his travels and experiences, and sparked Davis interest in the armed forces. At age 17, Davis decided she wanted to enlist. Though her brother had recently enlisted in the Marine Corps, her father told her she had to reconsider.

My father was a WWII veteran, and he was very adamant that the military was not a place for a female, especially a Black female. Black men were discriminated against in WWII, so he asked, What do you think they would do to you? So I let it go, and I waited, explained Davis.

When the opportunity to join the Army presented itself again, she was a 27-year-old single mother of two looking for ways to earn extra income. The goal of building a better life for her children inspired Davis to join the Kentucky National Guard in 1976, where she served as a platoon leader and later became the first-ever Black female recruiter in Kentucky.

Being a female (in the National Guard) during that time was very unheard of, especially a Black female. Most of the men who surrounded me were white. We had to keep up with the guys, and that was hard. It tested your stamina but made you mentally strong, said Davis. When my company was preparing to go overseas, my father gave me an ultimatum.  He said, Either you will come home, or you will sign your two babies over to me before you go to Germany.  When I had to make that choice, my children came first.

Ximenla Garrido

Davis daughter, Ximenla Garrido, followed in her mothers footsteps and became a medic in the Army at age 28. Her priority was education and providing a better life for her children, but she feels she gained more than she expected.

I got to travel, and I learned so much about myself as far as being a leader and what you can do when you put your mind to it, said Garrido. There are women who have this issue that they cant speak out; when you go, you learn to be outspoken. I have so much pride, and that is something no one can take.

Williams feels that despite the dangers of war, women should not count themselves out when it comes to service.

There is danger in being a soldier, but women are natural protectors, she said. Women make very good soldiers, because a woman will do whatever is necessary to get back home to her family.

Cathay Williams, born a slave in the state of Missouri, was the first known African-American woman to enlist in the Army. Williams disguised herself as a man, changed her name to William Cathy and was declared fit for duty in 1866. She was assigned to Company A of the 38th Infantry, one of four all-Black units, and only her cousin enlisted in the same regiment knew her secret.
Israelis celebrate it. Palestinians despise it. Britains promise to Zionists to create a Jewish home in what is now Israel, turned 100 last week, with events in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Britain drawing attention to the now-yellowing document tucked away in Londons British Library.

Historians still muse about Britains motivations, and its commitment to the declaration waned in the decades after it was issued. Yet the 67 words penned by a British Cabinet minister still resonate 100 years later, with both the Israelis and Palestinians seizing the anniversary to reinforce their narratives.

Each side marked the centenary in starkly different ways, shining a light on the chasm between Israel and the Palestinians that some say was cleaved on Nov. 2, 1917.

Its so divisive even today because Zionists think that the Balfour Declaration laid the foundation stone for modern Israel  and theyre right to think that  and by the same token non-Jewish Palestinians and Arabs see it as the foundation stone of their dispossession and misery, said Jonathan Schneer, a historian who authored a book on the document.

The declaration was the result of discussions between British Zionists seeking political recognition of their goal of Jewish statehood and British politicians embroiled in the First World War. Written by British Foreign Secretary Lord Arthur Balfour and addressed to Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild, a British financier and Zionist leader, the declaration promised British assistance to create a Jewish homeland.

His Majestys government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, the declaration goes, continuing with a caveat: It being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.

British motives for issuing the declaration include imperialist political calculations meant to secure a foothold in the Levant amid the collapse of the Ottoman Empire to the messianism of British politicians steeped in biblical history, hoping to restore Jews to their ancestral home.

The declaration served as the basis for the British Mandate of Palestine, which was approved in 1920 by the League of Nations. The following decades saw a spike in the number of Jews immigrating to Palestine as Zionist state institutions took root. With that came increased friction with the Arab population.

Israel views the pledge as the first international recognition granted to the Jewish peoples desire to return to its historic homeland. It sees Britain as having played a supporting role in a narrative dominated by the determination, heroism and pioneering spirit of the early settlers who fought to build the state.

While the state would not have arisen without settlement, sacrifice and a willingness to fight for it, the international impetus was, undoubtedly, the Balfour Declaration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week. The Palestinians say that the Balfour Declaration was a tragedy. It wasnt a tragedy. Whats been tragic is their refusal to accept this 100 years later.

The Palestinians see the declaration as the original sin, a harbinger of their nakba, or catastrophe, the mass displacement that resulted from the war surrounding Israels creation in 1948. That refugee crisis reverberates across the region today, and the Palestinians have cast Israel, through the declaration and its imperialist British patrons, as a colonial enterprise.

The Palestinians, who have spent recent years seeking recognition for their state at international institutions, are demanding British accountability. They want an apology and have threatened to sue Britain over the declaration.

We asked them to make it right, to make this historical oppression right by recognizing the state of Palestine and apologizing to the Palestinian people, said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki. He said they have asked Britain to issue a new declaration that would be more favorable to the Palestinians, a request he said London rejected.

By the 1930s, a new government in Britain backed away from its earlier promise to the Zionists, with an official commission of inquiry deciding that Britains mandate over Palestine, with its constant internecine violence, proved untenable. The 1937 Peel Commission recommended that the land be split between Arabs and Jews. Relations between the Jews in Mandatory Palestine and Britain would further deteriorate before Israel declared independence.

Israel would later capture more territory in the 1967 Mideast war, including east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, land the Palestinians want for their state. The years since have seen repeated spasms of violence.

The Balfour Declaration is being used by both sides to advance a present agenda, said Martin Kramer, a historian at Jerusalems Shalem College. There are reasons for Israelis to be grateful for it and reasons for the Palestinians to regret it, but its history. It cant be changed.
Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.  Holy Quran 4:95

Saturday, Nov. 11, marks an important day for remembering the brave men and women who have served our nation and given us abundant freedoms; yet America is still divided racially, and classism is giving power to white nationalism.

The divisive America is not what our brave men and women of our armed forces fought and died for. Nor did these soldiers enlist to defend a legal system in America that continues to fail people of color and those who are financially unstable.

As we reflect upon and honor these men and women on Veterans Day, let us keep in mind why they fought and who they fought for. It is upon the solemn words within the U.S. Constitution that veterans swear to defend our nation; even when our nation was inept at securing African-Americans soldiers their constitutional rights when they returned home.

Even to this day, veterans continue to fight to receive proper compensation for their physical injuries with little or no hope for help with their mental and spiritual injuries. Silently, the families of veterans witness their loved ones suffer these ravaging effects of war. Too often family members of veterans do not realize how they are being negatively affected by post-traumatic stress as they try to help the veterans in their families.

Let us also salute and respect the fact that our veterans fought for all Americans to have a fair share of America, which includes protection of the civil and human rights for every man, woman and child to have equal protection under the U.S. Constitution.

Veterans sacrificed so that every American can have a quality of life that sustains wholesomeness and safe neighborhoods where citizens respect the police  not fear the police! Americans living in fear at home is not what veterans fought for. They fought for equal protection under the law  yet across America and in Indianapolis we have not yet achieved that equality of protection.

Veterans fought so that we would have sustainable neighborhoods made possible by a fair distribution of our tax dollars, but that does not happen. The evils of gentrification continue to displace people based upon skin color, financial status and the level of their education. This is not what our brave men and women fought and died for. Yet these evils persist right here in Indianapolis. The ultimate reason for honoring those who fought and died seems to be in vain when we continue to see disparities in our communities that deny individuals and communities the basic rights of freedom, justice and equality.

Our schools are more segregated today, based on economics and a tracking system, than ever before. Why send our soldiers abroad to fight a designated enemy only to return home to find blatant enemies in our school systems and the gentrification of neighborhoods? As long as better education opportunities continue to elude many poor whites and African Americans, modern-day forms of Jim Crow will continue to exist. This is not what our veterans fought for!

One way to truly honor and respect our men and women of the military is for us to fight for our share of America and Indianapolis in our schools, our neighborhoods and our families. We must claim our liberties and stand up for what is just or, when necessary, kneel as our brother Colin Kaepernick has demonstrated.

Our brave veterans fought abroad so that we can fight locally using the laws of the land. Lets stand up and truly salute our veterans by being the best Americans possible. We dishonor our soldiers and we slight the value of Veterans Day when we let people trample over our due rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

Michael Mikal Saahir is the imam at Nur-Allah Islamic Center. He can be reached at nur-allah@att.net.
Trump Pushes War with Iran

By Finian Cunningham

November 08, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Ir an has responded furiously to what it called reckless Saudi threats after the latter accused Iran of an act of war in carrying out a long-range ballistic strike near the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Iran categorically denied any involvement in the missile attack at the weekend, which reports say was mounted by Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabias southern border.

However, the Saudi rulers were quick to accuse Iran of supplying the Houthi militants with the ballistic weapon and thereby carrying out an act of war on Saudi Arabia. No evidence was presented in support of the Saudi claims.

Nevertheless, the Saudi position was immediately backed up by US President Donald Trump who, while on a tour of Asia, asserted: Iran just took a shot at Saudi Arabia.

This automatic concurrence of views between Trump and the Saudi rulers suggests a level of concerted thinking by Washington and Riyadh, with the aim of incriminating Iran.

In other words, Saudi Arabias provocative accusations against Iran  which could serve as a pretext for a military escalation  are not just isolated bluster from Riyadh.

The alarming thing is that the Trump administration has been coordinating its hostile rhetoric towards Iran for several months now, along with Saudi Arabia and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. All three allies have been using virtually the same talking-points, making hollow accusations against Iran of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East region.

Trumps threat to tear up the international nuclear accord with Iran and the reimposition of economic sanctions is also part of what appears to be an agenda of stoking a confrontation with the Islamic Republic. Before its 1979 revolution, Iran was a loyal client regime of the US. Washington, it seems, has never gotten over the loss of its Persian vassal state.

So, when the Saudi rulers accuse Iran of an act of war over the missile strike at the weekend, that suggests another step being taken in furthering a concerted agenda worked out by the US, Israel and the Saudis for setting up a conflict.

All of this has to be put in a much bigger regional context in which there has been a dramatic shift in geopolitical power. Russia, Iran, Syria and Lebanons Hezbollah have emerged as new dominant political forces in the strategically vital Middle East.

The defeat of the US-led axis, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, in the proxy war in Syria is a momentous setback. The newly established dominance of Russia and Iran is anathema to the US and its regional clients.

This why the US and its client regimes are seeking to sow conflict elsewhere in the region and towards Iran in particular. Its a nefarious consolation prize for having their regime-change plans spectacularly upended in Syria by Russia and Iran.

When Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri was summoned to Saudi Arabia at the weekend to tender his resignation, it was obviously a ploy to smear Iran and its ally Hezbollah. Hariri claimed in a Saudi television broadcast that he was running for his life to escape an assassination plot hatched by Iran and Hezbollah.

The sensationalist claims made by Hariri were dismissed by Iran as ridiculous. Even Lebanese President Michel Aoun treated the claims with derision, saying that he expects Hariri to return to Beirut immediately and explain his surprise resignation while standing in his own country, not from a TV studio in some foreign capital.

But the point is that the Saudi-Hariri publicity stunt appears to be yet another step in a concerted agenda to destabilize the region and provoke a confrontation with Iran.

Amid the turmoil over the past week, the Saudi royal family has embarked on a major purge of potential rivals within the kingdom. The purge is purportedly an anti-corruption crackdown. But its clear from the list of senior royals being arrested and detained that King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), are making an ambitious power grab to consolidate their autocratic rule.

MbS, the 32-year-old heir to the Saudi throne, has emerged as a vitriolic enemy of Iran, promising earlier this year that he would take the battle to Iranian territory. Saudi rulers and their Wahhabi fundamentalist version of Islam have always viewed Shia Iran as an apostate nation. But MbS has taken this traditional sectarian hostility to a higher level. And with Trumps dubious blessing.

It is evident that the Saudi rulers are working hand-in-hand with the Trump administration and the Israeli leadership to deeply poison relations with Iran.

Trumps first overseas visit as president was to Saudi Arabia, followed by Israel, during which he singled out and denigrated Iran as the regions number one villain.

While dozens of Saudi royals, including government ministers, were being arrested over the weekend, Trump reportedly gave his tacit endorsement in a phone call with King Salman and the Crown Prince, according to the New York Times.

The NY Times also reported that only days before the crackdown, Trumps senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner was in Saudi Arabia where he met with the rulers. There seems little doubt therefore that Trump was fully briefed on the forthcoming night of the long knives and that he gave a nod of approval.

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What this points to is that the Trump administration is indulging the Saudi power grab as a quid quo pro in firming up the anti-Iran axis of Washington-Riyadh-Tel Aviv.

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has long been urging a pre-emptive military strike against Iran. The previous US administration under Barack Obama rebuffed that belligerence, pursuing diplomacy instead with Iran, which resulted in the international nuclear deal that was signed in July 2015, along with Russia, China and the European Union.

Now, sinisterly, there is a wholly different and dangerous triumvirate in place  in the form of Trump, an ambitious young Saudi prince, and Netanyahu  all espousing overt hostility towards Iran.

The level of coordination in this US-led axis leaves one with the stark conclusion that Trump is willingly pushing a war with Iran.

It is just one more illustration of how destructive and nihilistic US foreign policy is in the Middle East.

Wars, deaths, violence, sectarian hatred never seem to satisfy Washingtons bloodlust.

But in taking on Iran, American intrigue may meet its final downfall. Especially too because the people of the region are increasingly becoming aware of how malicious American power operates.

Along with Iran, Russia has been vindicated as a power whose foreign policy is one of seeking genuine partnership and stability. A US-led war against Iran will be seen as a last desperate act of a decrepit American empire.

Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent.

This article was originally published by Strategic Culture Foundation -

See also - Trump may have pushed Saudi Arabia and Iran closer to war
CIA Director Met NSA Whistleblower Regarding DNC Hack Theory  at Trumps Request By Duncan Campbell, James Risen November 08, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - CIA Director Mike Pompeo met late last month with a former U.S. intelligence official who has become an advocate for a disputed theory that the theft of the Democratic National Committees emails during the 2016 presidential campaign was an inside job, rather than a hack by Russian intelligence. Pompeo met on October 24 with William Binney, a former National Security Agency official-turned-whistleblower who co-authored an analysis published by a group of former intelligence officials that challenges the U.S. intelligence communitys official assessment that Russian intelligence was behind last years theft of data from DNC computers. Binney and the other former officials argue that the DNC data was leaked, not hacked, by a person with physical access to the DNCs computer system. In an interview with The Intercept, Binney said Pompeo told him that President Donald Trump had urged the CIA director to meet with Binney to discuss his assessment that the DNC data theft was an inside job. During their hour-long meeting at CIA headquarters, Pompeo said Trump told him that if Pompeo want[ed] to know the facts, he should talk to me, Binney said. A senior intelligence source confirmed that Pompeo met with Binney to discuss his analysis, and that the CIA director held the meeting at Trumps urging. The Intercepts account of the meeting is based on interviews with Binney, the senior intelligence source, a colleague who accompanied Binney to CIA headquarters, and others who Binney told about the meeting. A CIA spokesperson declined to comment. As a general matter, we do not comment on the Directors schedule, said Dean Boyd, director of the CIAs Office of Public Affairs.

Binney said that Pompeo asked whether he would be willing to meet with NSA and FBI officials to further discuss his analysis of the DNC data theft. Binney agreed and said Pompeo said he would contact him when he had arranged the meetings.

It is highly unorthodox for the CIA director to reach out to someone like Binney, a 74-year-old ex-government employee who rose to prominence as an NSA whistleblower wrongfully persecuted by the government, for help with fact-finding related to the theft of the DNC emails. It is particularly stunning that Pompeo would meet with Binney at Trumps apparent urging, in what could be seen as an effort to discredit the U.S. intelligence communitys own assessment that an alleged Russian hack of the DNC servers was part of an effort to help Trump win the presidency.

It is possible Trump learned about Binney and his analysis by watching Fox News, where Binney has been a frequent guest, appearing at least 10 times since September 2016. In August, Binney appeared on Tucker Carlsons Fox show to discuss his assessment that the narrative of Russia hacking the DNC during the 2016 campaign is untrue, stating that many people are emotionally tied to this agenda, to tie the Russians to President Trump. Binney said he is not sure how Trump found out about his analysis.

However the meeting came about, the fact that Pompeo was apparently willing to follow Trumps direction and invite Binney to discuss his analysis has alarmed some current and former intelligence officials.

This is crazy. Youve got all these intelligence agencies saying the Russians did the hack. To deny that is like coming out with the theory that the Japanese didnt bomb Pearl Harbor, said one former CIA officer.

Binney, for his part, is happy that the meeting occurred and eager to help Pompeo and Trump get to the bottom of the DNC email theft because he believes the intelligence community has not told the truth about what happened.

I was willing to meet Pompeo simply because it was clear to me the intelligence community wasnt being honest here, Binney said, referring to their assessment of the DNC email theft. I am quite willing to help people who need the truth to find the truth and not simply have deceptive statements from the intelligence community.

The analysis by Binney and his colleagues aligns neatly with Trumps frequent public skepticism of the intelligence communitys assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 campaign to damage Hillary Clintons candidacy and help elect Trump. The declassified summary of a U.S. intelligence community report , based on the work of the CIA, the FBI, and the NSA and made public in early January before Trumps inauguration, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russias goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. Trump has frequently raged against the accusation that he won the presidency thanks to help from the Russians, labeling the charge fake news.

The Director stands by, and has always stood by, the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, Boyd, the CIA spokesperson, said.

Binneys claim that the email theft was committed by an insider at the DNC also helps fuel one of the more bizarre conspiracy theories that has gained traction on the right: that the murder of a young DNC staffer last year was somehow connected to the data theft. Binney said he mentioned the case of Seth Rich to Pompeo during their meeting.

The meeting raises questions about Pompeos willingness to act as an honest broker between the intelligence community and the White House, and his apparent refusal to push back against efforts by the president to bend the intelligence process to suit his political purposes. Instead of acting as a filter between Trump and the intelligence community, Pompeos decision to meet with Binney raises the possibility that right-wing theories aired on Fox News and in other conservative media can now move not just from conservative pundits to Trump, but also from Trump to Pompeo and into the bloodstream of the intelligence community.

Some senior CIA officials have grown upset that Pompeo, a former Republican representative from Kansas, has become so close to Trump that the CIA director regularly expresses skepticism about intelligence that doesnt line up with the presidents views. Pompeo has also alienated some CIA managers by growing belligerent toward them in meetings, according to an intelligence official familiar with the matter.

The CIA, however, strongly objected to this characterization. The Director has been adamant that CIA officers have the time, space and resources to make sound and unbiased assessments that are delivered to policy makers without fear or favor, Boyd said in an email to The Intercept. As he has stated repeatedly, when we deliver our assessments to policy makers, we must do so with complete candor. He has also pushed decision making down in the organization, giving officers greater ownership of their work and making them more accountable for the outcomes. These changes are designed to make CIA more agile, aggressive and responsive.

Yet indications of Pompeos willingness to support Trump at the risk of tainting the intelligence process have occasionally broken into the open in recent months. In August, the Washington Post reported that Pompeo had taken the unusual step of having the CIAs Counterintelligence Mission Center, which would likely play a role in any inquiries by the agency into Russian election meddling, report directly to him. That move has raised concerns within the agency that Pompeo is seeking to personally control the CIAs efforts to investigate accusations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

More recently, at a Washington event in October, Pompeo said that U.S. intelligence had determined that Moscows intervention hadnt impacted the outcome of the election. He was quickly criticized for the comments, and the CIA had to issue a clarification saying that the intelligence assessment on Russia hadnt been altered.

While Pompeo seems to be actively taking Trumps side on contentious issues like Russian collusion, Dan Coats, the former Republican senator who now serves as director of national intelligence, has been largely missing in action . Coats has been reluctant to push for an aggressive Trump-Russia investigation, according to a source familiar with the matter.

By contrast, Coatss predecessor, James Clapper, saw himself as the public face of the intelligence community and its spokesperson. Now out of government, Clapper, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, has become an ardent advocate for a thorough investigation of Trump and Russia. Clapper told Politico in late October that the Russian election hacking was designed to help Trump win. The Russians have succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, he said.

With Coats largely out of the picture and Pompeo actively siding with Trump, the intelligence community is effectively leaderless as it struggles to come to grips with its role in the Trump-Russia inquiry. The lack of aggressive support from the intelligence community could hamper the ongoing investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into possible collusion between Trump and Russia. Eventually, that lack of support could make it more difficult for Muellers team to glean information from inside Russia.

Pompeos meeting with Binney came just days before the first charges from Muellers investigation were made public on October 30. Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort and his business partner Rick Gates were charged in a 12-count indictment in connection with their work with a pro-Russian party in Ukraine. It was also disclosed that George Papadopoulos, a former Trump foreign policy adviser, pleaded guilty earlier in October to making a false statement to the FBI in connection with his efforts to develop Russian ties during the campaign. Through a plea agreement, Papadopoulos is now cooperating with Muellers investigators.

Clearly anxious as the Mueller investigation looms over his presidency, Trump has continued to promote alternative theories that would exonerate him and his campaign. Binneys analysis falls squarely into that category.

Binneys adherence to a widely disputed theory about the DNC email theft that is favorable to Trump marks a new twist for a retired government employee who has become an outspoken critic of the intelligence community to which he once belonged. Binney grew up in Pennsylvania, majored in math at Penn State, and joined the Army in 1965. He was assigned to the U.S. Army Security Agency, learning communications traffic analysis and, in 1967, was assigned to NSA headquarters. In 1970, he joined the NSA as a civilian and remained at the agency for the rest of his career. He rose through the ranks to become the agencys technical director for world geopolitical and military analysis and took over the NSAs Signals Intelligence Automation Research Center, a kind of skunkworks to test out new ideas.

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Late in his career, he began to clash with NSA management, particularly over efforts to drag the hidebound agency into the internet age. He advocated for a sophisticated data search and analysis project called ThinThread that his team had developed in-house, which he believed would help the agency more effectively sift through the torrent of digital information that was starting to appear on the internet. But Binney was outraged when the NSAs leaders went instead with a more expensive alternative called Trailblazer, offered by an outside contractor. Binney, who thought Trailblazer was deeply flawed and represented a massive sop to a powerful defense company, took his concerns to a congressional staffer involved with NSA oversight. By doing so, Binney angered top NSA officials who were pushing Trailblazer.

Binney retired in the fall of 2001, but not before he learned that the agency was beginning its massive post-9/11 domestic spying program. Binney did not go to the press to discuss the NSAs domestic spying program, but he did, along with others, complain to the Defense Departments Inspector General about the Trailblazer program.

After the New York Times disclosed the domestic spying programs existence in 2005, Bush administration officials wrongly suspected Binney was part of a small group of NSA officials who were sources for the story. As part of a criminal leak investigation, Binney and others had their homes raided by the FBI.

They were never charged, but Thomas Drake, another NSA official who the government thought was part of the same group, was charged under the Espionage Act and accused of leaking information about the controversial Trailblazer program to the Baltimore Sun. The governments case against Drake eventually collapsed, ending with his agreement to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of exceeding the authorized use of an NSA computer.

Drake and Binney both emerged from the governments draconian leak investigation as prominent whistleblowers. Their fame grew after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden went public in 2013 and provided the press with access to a trove of NSA documents about the agencys mass surveillance programs. Binney was featured in Citizenfour, the Oscar-winning 2014 documentary about Snowden directed by Laura Poitras; he was also the subject of a 2015 documentary titled A Good American. (Poitras co-founded The Intercept following Snowdens 2013 disclosures.)

In the 2016 presidential election, Binney says he opposed Clinton and voted for Trump. This past summer, as the Mueller investigation was heating up, Binney co-authored a memo , published by members of a group of former intelligence officials called Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), making the case that the DNC emails were not hacked by Russia, but stolen by an insider. The memo argued that the emails were likely downloaded directly from a DNC computer onto a thumb drive or some other external device.

Forensic studies of Russian hacking into Democratic National Committee computers last year reveal that on July 5, 2016, data was leaked (not hacked) by a person with physical access to DNC computer, the memo states. The memos conclusions were based on analyses of metadata provided by the online persona Guccifer 2.0, who took credit for the alleged hack. Key among the findings of the independent forensic investigations is the conclusion that the DNC data was copied onto a storage device at a speed that far exceeds an Internet capability for a remote hack.

The memo garnered attention on the right, but its claims have been disputed. It cited timestamps embedded in the Guccifer files showing when theyd been copied, and used this data to extrapolate how quickly theyd been copied from one computer to another. The analysis on which the VIPS memo was based, conducted by a blogger called The Forensicator, showed that the files were transferred at a speed roughly equivalent to the rate at which data can be downloaded to a USB thumb drive. VIPS claimed that speed was much faster than what is physically possible with a hack, and so the files had to have been stolen by an insider with direct access to the computer system.

But this argument led to a tense split within the VIPS group. Among others, Drake, who for so long had been closely associated with Binney, publicly opposed the memo, joining a group of dissenting VIPS members who have attacked it.

A number of VIPS members did not sign this problematic memo because of troubling questions about its conclusions, and others who did sign it have raised key concerns since its publication, states a competing memo written by Drake and other VIPS members and published September 1 on the website of The Nation magazine, which had earlier published a story about the Binney memo.

Drake and the dissenters complain that the original memo was deeply flawed and came to biased conclusions based only on a sketchy analysis of information that originated with Guccifer 2.0, which the U.S. intelligence community believes is a front for Russian intelligence. The dissenters also point out that it is indeed possible for a remote internet transfer to occur at the speeds identified in Binneys memo. The environment around Trump, Russia, et al. is hyperpolarized right now, and much disinformation is floating around, feeding confirmation bias, mirroring and even producing conspiracy theories, the Drake memo says.

In an ideal world, VIPS would at least retract its assertion of certainty. Absent real facts regarding proof of leaks or hacks (or both), how many hypotheses can one copy onto the head of a digital pin?

The controversy surrounding the July VIPS memo didnt seem to deter Pompeo from meeting with Binney. In late September, Binney was in Amsterdam, where he has been working to set up a new data analysis firm called Pretty Good Knowledge, when his wife called to tell him that he had received a call at home from the CIA directors office, asking to set up a meeting. Binney returned the call to Pompeos assistant and scheduled the October 24 meeting.

Binney, who has serious medical problems and uses a wheelchair, asked a colleague from Pretty Good Knowledge, Chris Parker, to accompany him. Parker said in an interview that he helped Binney get into Pompeos seventh-floor office at CIA headquarters, shook hands with the CIA director, and then waited outside the office during their meeting. Marco Visser, a Dutch employee of Pretty Good Knowledge who happened to be in Washington at the time, said in an interview that he wanted to accompany Binney and Parker because he had never been to CIA headquarters and was excited to see it, but was not allowed to go because he is a foreign national.

Binney said he was not told what the meeting was about until he sat down with Pompeo. He said that in addition to Pompeo, two other CIA staffers, who gave only their first names, attended the meeting and asked technical questions about Binneys analysis. When Pompeo asked Binney what evidence he had to support his analysis of the DNC email theft, Binney says he told him that it was based only on the online analyses of information published by Guccifer 2.0.

Binney said that since their meeting, he has not heard from Pompeo about scheduling follow-up meetings with the NSA and FBI.

This article was originally published by The Intercept -

Two Top NSA Veterans Expose Shocking History of Illegal Spying
House Leadership Pulls a Fast One for al Qaeda

By Connor Freeman

November 08, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - House Concurrent Resolution 81 (H.Con.Res.81) is sponsored by Representatives, Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Walter Jones (R-NC), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and 39 other lawmakers. The resolution commands an end to U.S. participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

The sponsors of this resolution contend that such participation, which began in March 2015, was never authorized under the War Powers Act of 1973. Per the War Powers Act, any congressman can pose a legal challenge and is guaranteed a floor vote on the issue. This is known as a privileged resolution.

On November 1st, the night before the vote was scheduled to take place, House leadership swiftly pushed through a Rules Committee vote, denying the resolutions privileged status. Thus, preventing the guaranteed floor vote.

What was their justification? Apparently, the House Rules Committee feels that the war in Yemen has yet to rise to a level where the War Powers Act is applicable.

After preventing the vote on H.Con.Res.81, the House Leadership has said it shall permit a compromise resolution on the war in Yemen. The debate, scheduled for the week of November 13th, will discuss the legality of U.S. involvement in the war. The vote will be non-binding.

Five peace activist groups, heavily engaged in promoting the resolution, said just after the Rules Committee vote:

We remind the House leadership that under the War Powers Resolution of 1973,

introduction of United States Armed Forces includes the assignment of member of such armed forces to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany the regular or irregular military forces of any foreign country or government when such military forces are engaged

U.S. refueling of Saudi-UAE planes bombing Houthi targets in Yemen meets that definition.'

Therefore the War Powers Act, clearly applies to the war on Yemen.

The House leadership is lying to the American people, supporting the continuation of the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, violating the War Powers Act, and attempting to prevent Congress from stopping yet another illegal and unconstitutional war.

Conservatively, since the beginning of 2017, at least 10,000 people have been killed in this war. The heroic and indispensable Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee has said the toll could be as high as 60,000 deaths.

The Saudis are ruthlessly bombarding the Yemenis and their civilian infrastructure. The coalition wants to cripple the people of Yemen to the point of submission. Their end goal is to force Yemens civilians to stop supporting the northern tribesmen if only to alleviate their suffering.

U.S. involvement is most critical to the Saudi effort in this war. The U.S. military is training Saudi Arabian forces. The U.S. is refueling the coalitions warplanes not just in the air with tanker sorties, but also on its bases peppered throughout the region.

As of February, according to an article written by Oriana Pawlyk for Military.com :

Saudi Arabian coalition jets bombing Houthi rebel sites in Yemen increasingly turn to U.S. Air Force tankers for refueling support almost two years after the conflict began. Since April 2015, the Air Force has logged 1,778 tanker sorties for the operation, Air Forces Central Command spokeswoman Capt. Kathleen Atanasoff told Military.com on Tuesday. That includes 1,069 over the past year, an increase of 360, or 50 percent, from the 709 in the previous period. These operations are ongoing, with aircraft refueling occurring daily, Atanasoff said in an email. The services tankers such as KC- 135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders participated in 7,564 refueling events with coalition aircraft, with about 54 million pounds of fuel off-loaded in support of Saudi operations in Yemen, Atanasoff said.

Donald Trump, doing his best Barack Obama impression, has been more than happy to sell the Saudis hundreds of billions of dollars worth of weapons to continue their genocide. These include planes, ships, rockets, precision-guided bombs, cluster bombs, etc. American defense contractors, particularly Lockheed Martin and Boeing, are likewise more than happy to rake in their handsome profits from Yemens destruction. With Jared Kushner playing the role of matchmaker for Mohammed bin Salman and Marillyn A. Hewson (CEO of Lockheed), the profits will surely escalate.

However, the Saudis have another powerful ally in this war, al Qaeda. This certainly makes the upcoming debate on Yemen a great opportunity for the House to finally get around to discussing the legality of high treason. Or more specifically, fighting another war for al Qaeda.

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In addition to the coalitions sadistic air campaign, Yemini civilians are threatened and attacked on the ground day in and day out by Sudanese mercenaries, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and a local Islamic State affiliate. All of whom support the coalition.

In an article published in The Hill , Gareth Porter and retired Col. Lawrence Wilkerson (former Secretary of State Colin Powells Chief of Staff) said:

U.S. intelligence and counter-terrorism officials have regarded AQAP as even more of a foreign terrorist threat to the United States than ISIS . It mounted efforts to bring down U.S. airlines three times between 2009 and 2012, and nearly succeeded twice. But the Saudi/UAE war in Yemen has made them the most powerful indigenous armed group in southern Yemen, with more money, arms and territorial control than ever before. The Saudi-led coalition and the forces of the Saudi backed former regime have allied openly with AQAP and even fought alongside them. As a result of the war AQAP is now poised for the first time to compete for national power in Yemen.

See the map below of the military situation in Yemen as of this July for an idea of just how much territory AQAP has consolidated. The areas shaded white are controlled by AQAP, the pink areas are controlled by Hadi-loyal forces, and the green areas are controlled by the Houthi/Saleh alliance:

This is further evidence that U.S. involvement in the Saudi war is illegal. When asked for a justification for U.S. involvement in the Saudi/UAE war, both Barrack Obama and Donald Trumps administrations have cited the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). That AUMF permits military action only against those entities who perpetrated the attacks on 9/11. In other words, military action is only permitted against al Qaeda. Yet, this war is being fought on behalf of al Qaeda against their enemies, the Houthis.

Indeed, Asher Orkaby made the point in Foreign Affairs that, far from being aligned with extremists, the Houthi movement has repeatedly clashed with the Islamic State and AQAP So, in addition to the fact that this war was never authorized under the War Powers Act, it is also clearly not covered under the current AUMF.

Since the Obama administration, this is at least the third major conflict wherein the U.S. has found itself aligned with, fighting along side, arming, and/or supporting al Qaeda. This was official policy notably during the regime change operation in Libya and in the failed regime change operation in Syria. It is very important to note that if things had gone to plan in Syria, al Qaeda would have almost certainly taken Damascus.

Neoconservatives are now calling for a new AUMF to explicitly define the enemy more broadly as proponents of so called, radical Islam. The radical Islam handle is a red herring callously promoted by the fake news establishment. It is meant to dumb down and obscure the realities of these conflicts for domestic audiences. The cynical neoconservatives are pleased to have Americans view all Arabs and Muslims as one homogenous and terrifying collective. Most Americans are designedly oblivious to the differences between Sunnis, Shiites, and other branches of Islam. It is in the interests of the War Party for American voters to see such radically opposed groups as Daesh and Hezbollah as cut from the same cloth. This is obviously done in order to prevent rational discussion of these conflicts from ever taking place. For if the American people were well informed of the consequences of U.S. policy abroad, especially in the Middle East, they would probably not even passively support their regimes policies.

In 2013, popular sentiment from people of all political stripes helped to prevent Obamas would have been Iraq-style invasion of Syria. I believe one of the primary reasons for this was the effectiveness of the famous I will not fight for al Qaeda in Syria social media campaign undertaken by active military personnel. Americans do not want to support and subsidize al Qaeda in Syria, Libya, Yemen, or anywhere else for that matter. The reason these horrific policies persist is not the peoples apathy, its their ignorance.

This is a particularly indefensible war, even by U.S standards. If they choose to, this is a war the American people can end. The establishment is certainly not comfortable publicly debating and defending their Yemen policy. Exposing the realities of this conflict and ending the war in Yemen could trigger an anti-war domino effect. Not since the Vietnam War has there been more fertile soil for an American anti-war movement.

Please continue to call your Congressmen and women and tell them to vote against the war on November 13th. Give them some good talking points for the debate. Please share, retweet posts from Yemenis on the ground, post news items, write blog posts, write articles, and speak your mind about the war in Yemen on social media. Do not be afraid to talk about the U.S.-Saudi/AQAP alliance. We have the truth on our side.

This article was originally published by The Libertarian Institute -
November 08, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - As the U.S. prepares to send more troops to Afghanistan to combat ISIS and the Taliban, and the specter of a war hangs over every tweet the President writes about North Korea, its important to remember that the U.S. has been fighting in and bombing several countries in the Middle East and Asia for 16 years. According to a new study, all that war has cost the U.S. taxpayers $5.6 trillion , which is over three times what the Pentagon estimates.

According to the Wall Street Journal , the study, conducted by researchers at Brown University led by Neta Crawford, aims to reflect costs the Pentagon doesnt include in its own calculations, since war costs arent borne by the Defense Department alone. Heres more :

War costs are more than what we spend in any one year on whats called the pointy end of the spear, Crawford said in an interview. There are all these other costs behind the spear, and there are consequences of using it, that we need to include. For example, the studys estimates include recurring expenses such as long-term medical care for veterans and war costs incurred by the State Department. Costs also reflect related spending by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and others.

The study does not include costs for U.S. aid to countries like the Philippines or partners in Europe or for operations in Africa.

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Democrat Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed said it was critical for studies like this one to be produced as Congress debates budgets, tax cuts and wartime policies, especially since the interest for the money borrowed to fight the war could add trillions to the national deficit by itself.

Moreover, as costs for the Veterans Affairs Administration rise while Vietnam veterans age, those costs will continue to increase as veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other (future?) theaters of war grow older, too.
Browns Regrets Over Illegal Iraq War





EVERYONE, bar former prime minister Tony Blair, now accepts that the Iraq war was a horrendous "mistake".



By Amit Roy

November 09, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - So for ex-prime minister Gordon Brown to say in his just-published memoirs, that he wished he had done more to stop Britain taking military action against Iraqs president Saddam Hussein by standing shoulder to shoulder with US president George W Bush in March 2003, is not entirely convincing.

In London, an estimated two million anti-war protesters were ignored by the Blair government which insisted Saddam had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) ready to be fired within 45 minutes.

Brown, a "principled" man, could have taken the Labour party with him had he chosen to oppose the war, but instead, he was quite aggressive in backing Blair. Now he claims the Americans had intelligence that threw doubt on whether Saddam possessed WMDs, but that this was not shared with Britain, which was misled by its closest ally.

Even without this intelligence, plenty of people realised back then that Saddam, though a brutal dictator, did not present a strategic threat to Britain. The war killed thousands, further destabilised an already unstable region, attracted Islamist militant groups into Iraq where there had been none, and gave some home-grown British Muslims an excuse to take up terrorism and even carry out suicide bombings.

For Brown to now say his job as chancellor of the exchequer was merely to provide funds for the war is the equivalent of saying I was only following orders.

No wonder he has a troubled conscience: I ask myself over and over whether I could have made more of a difference before that fateful decision was taken.

Yes, Gordon, you could have.

For him to admit the Iraq war was illegal must count as crocodile tears.

We now know from classified American documents, that in the first days of September 2002 a report prepared by the US Joint Chiefs of Staffs director for intelligence landed on the desk of the US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, he writes in My Life, Our Times.

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He goes on: Commissioned by Rumsfeld it is now clear how forcibly this report challenged the official view. If I am right that somewhere within the American system the truth about Iraqs lack of weapons was known, then we were not just misinformed but misled on the critical issue of WMDs.

Given that Iraq had no usable chemical, biological or nuclear weapons that it could deploy and was not about to attack the coalition, then  war could not be justified as a last resort and invasion cannot now be seen as a proportionate response.

Its more than a personal tragedy that he did not say then what he is saying now  that the war was illegal.

This article was originally published by

Eastern Eye

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Washington's Wonderful World of Corruption



Top officials sell out to anyone for anything



By Philip Giraldi

November 09, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - One of the interesting side benefits, if one might call it that, of the everlasting investigation into Russiagate is the window provided on the extreme corruption of U.S. politicians and government officials. It has become evident that anyone can seemingly buy political and media support for nearly anything as long as enough money is put on the table. And worse, the sell-out has clearly been going on for some time, with the disease disproportionately afflicting former senior officials that have been engaged in national security.

If this corruption from the top down does not constitute a crisis that directly challenges the credibility of the entire U.S. political system, it is not clear what more would be needed to make the case. And it was not carried out by the Russians or anyone else seeking to bring down our so-called democracy. We Americans appear to have done it all to ourselves through inexplicable tolerance for a combination of greed and fundamental dishonesty on the part of our elected and appointed government officials.

A recent story that received remarkably little play in the media provides some insight into how it all works, driven by a money-fueled corruption that sells out American interests by those who once had sworn to protect them.

The several articles that covered the story described how some prominent figures in the U.S. national security community actively sought a Turkish government sourced contract to use their resources to bring about the character assassination and eventual extradition of American green card holder Fetullah Gulen from Pennsylvania. Gulen is, to be sure, a controversial figure who is the founder in his native Turkey of a movement called Hizmet, which is in turn linked to hundreds of schools worldwide that claim to teach a curriculum that fuses a moderate and tolerant form of Islam with high academic achievement in traditional courses of study, including the sciences.

Critics of Gulen claim that his movement is a cult and that the schools are used to brainwash students, who continue to do Hizmets bidding after they obtain positions in government, the military or within the educational system. The current president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames Gulen for the attempted coup that took place last July and has sought his extradition. Erdogan has a strong motive for finding a scapegoat as he has sought to aggrandize his power in the wake of the coup, which has resulted in the imprisonment of tens of thousands of Turks while hundreds of thousands more have lost their jobs.

That Gulen is actually guilty of initiating the coup attempt has not been demonstrated by any reasonable standard. An extradition request submitted to the U.S. government by Ankara was reported to be not very convincing. There have also been suggestions, by me among others , that Erdogan knew about the coup in advance and let it happen so he could crackdown on opponents, which is certainly what has happened. Erdogan has, since the coup, frequently expressed his frustration with the U.S. Department of Justice extradition process, claiming that he has been betrayed by Washington. He has more generally speaking behaved like a madman, antagonizing all his former friends in Europe while also unnecessarily complicating relations with the United States over the two countries roles in Syria.

Enter former General Michael Flynn and former Bill Clinton CIA Director James Woolsey, both of whom were national security advisers to candidate Donald Trump during his campaign when they competed for contracts with Turkish businessmen linked to the Erdogan government to discredit Gulen and possibly even enable his abduction and illegal transfer to Turkey. If, as a consequence of their labors, Gulen were to be somehow returned home he would potentially be tried on treason charges, which might in the near future carry the death penalty in Turkey.

Both Flynn and Woolsey are highly controversial figures. Woolsey, in spite of having no intelligence experience, was notoriously appointed CIA Director by Bill Clinton to reward the neoconservatives for their support of his candidacy. But Woolsey never met privately with the president during his two years in office. He is regarded as an ardent neocon and Islamophobe affiliated with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) and the AIPAC-founded Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP). I once debated him on NPR where he asserted that Israel does not spy on the United States, a delusional viewpoint to be sure. Former CIA Senior analyst Mel Goodman, recalling Woolseys tenure at the Agency, commented in 2003 that [he] was a disaster as CIA director in the 90s and is now running around this country calling for a World War IV to deal with the Islamic problem. This is a dangerous individual

Flynn, is, of course, better known, and not for any good qualities that he might possess. He is, like Woolsey, an ardent hawk on Iran and other related issues but is also ready to make a buck through his company The Flynn Intel Group, where Woolsey served as an unpaid adviser. In the summer of 2016 Flynn had obtained a three-month contract for $530,000 to research Gulen and produce a short documentary film discrediting him, an arrangement that should have been reported under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, but the big prize was a possible contract in the millions of dollars to create a negative narrative on the Hizmet founder and put pressure on the U.S. government to bring about his extradition.

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Woolsey and Flynn, both Trump advisers at the time, found themselves in competition for the money. Flynn had a New York meeting at the Essex House with the businessmen accompanied by the Turkish Foreign and Energy Ministers as well as Erdogans son-in-law on September 19th 2016 where, inter alia, the possibility of kidnapping Gulen and flying him to Turkey was discussed. Flynn has denied that the possibility of kidnapping was ever raised, but Woolsey, who was at the meeting for a brief time, insists that whisking away Gulen in the dead of night was on the agenda, though he concedes that the discussion was hypothetical.

On the next day, Woolsey and his wife met separately with the same two Turkish businessmen at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City and discussed with them a more general but broadly based $10 million plan of their own that would combine lobbying with public relations to discredit Gulen both in the press and in congress. Woolsey stressed that he had the kind of contacts in government and the media to make the plan work.

Woolsey did not get the $10 million contract that he sought and Flynns well-remunerated work for Turkey reportedly consisted of some research, a short documentary that may or may not have been produced, and a November op-ed in The Hill by Flynn that denounced Gulen as a radical Islamistwho portrays himself as a moderate.

But the real story about Flynn and Woolsey is the fashion in which senior ex-government employees shamelessly exploit their status to turn money from any and all comers without any regard for either the long- or short- term consequences of what they are doing. The guilt or innocence of Fetullah Gulen was never an issue for them, nor the reputation of the United States judiciary in a case which has all the hallmarks of a political witch hunt. And if a kidnapping actually was contemplated, it begs one to pause and consider what kind of people are in power in this country.

Neither Flynn nor Woolsey ever considered that their working as presidential campaign advisers while simultaneously getting embroiled in an acrimonious political dispute involving a major ally just might be seen as a serious conflict of interest, even if it was technically not-illegal. All that motivated them was the desire to exploit a situation that they cared not at all about for profit to themselves.

No one expects top rank ex-officials to retire from the world, but out of respect for their former positions, they should retain at least a modicum of decency. This is lacking across the board from the Clintons on down to the Flynns and Woolseys as Americans apparently now expect less and less from their elected officials and have even ceased to demand minimal ethical standards.

Phil Giraldi is a former CIA Case Officer and Army Intelligence Officer who spent twenty years overseas in Europe and the Middle East working terrorism cases. He holds a BA with honors from the University of Chicago and an MA and PhD in Modern History from the University of London.
Home Is Hillary Just the Fall Guy for the Intel Agencies and their Moneybags Bosses?



By Mike Whitney November 09, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - For nearly a year, Hillary Clinton failed to admit that her campaign and the Democratic National Committee had provided funding for the notorious dossier that alleged Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election. Then, two weeks ago, the Washington Post published a blockbuster article that proved that Clinton had been misleading the public about her Campaigns role in producing the report. Heres a snippet from the article in the Post: The Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee helped fund research that resulted in a now-famous dossier containing allegations about President Trumps connections to Russia and possible coordination between his campaign and the Kremlin, people familiar with the matter said. Following the articles publication, Clinton went into hiding for more than a week during which time she huddled with her political advisors to settle on a strategy for dealing with the crisis. On Wednesday, she resurfaced on the Daily Show where she was treated with kid gloves; no hardball questions were asked and she was given plenty of time to recite her prepared remarks without challenge. Naturally, she downplayed her role in contributing to the year-long hacking-collusion investigation that has tied up both Houses of Congress, implicated the nations main law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and deepened divisions between Washington and Moscow. Heres part of what Hillary said in the interview: When Trump got the nomination of the Republican Party, the people doing it (gathering raw intelligence for the dossier) came to my campaign lawyer, and said, would you like us to continue it. He said Yes. He is an experienced lawyer and knows what the law is. He knows what opposition research is. Its part of what happens in a campaign where you get information that may or may not be useful and you try make sure anything you put out in public arena is accurate. So this thing didnt come out until after the election and its still being evaluated. Clinton wasnt asked why her campaign tried to obfuscate their role in financing the dossier or whether she felt any remorse for the way the Russia hacking allegations had ballooned into 4 major investigations on Capitol Hill. She wasnt even asked to comment on the motives of the people who continued to fund the dossier after the DNC terminated their contract in November 2016. Wasnt she suspicious that these new financiers might have more nefarious objectives in mind, after all, who continues a smear campaign after the election is over, unless, of course, they intend to inflict even more damage on the two main targets, Trump and Russia? Wouldnt Hillary have figured that out? Technically speaking, Clinton was right, it was opposition research, which in political parlance means digging up dirt on ones opponent. And, yes, it is perfectly legal. But the Trump dossier was much more than that. It was presented as the work of intelligence professionals who were unattached to any political organization. Had the public known that the dossier was financed by the Clinton campaign, they would have known that it was a malicious and defamatory hit-piece aimed at improving Clintons chances of winning the election. And when Hillary opines that the dossier was not released before the election, it is certainly not from lack of trying. Her colleagues made every effort to shop the piece to their friends in the media before the balloting, but all of them backed away. The report was simply too lurid and far-fetched to be believed. (In October, just weeks before the election, former M16 agent, Christopher Steele, who authored the dossier, met with reporters from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Yahoo News.) The Democrat leaders have not won any friends in the media by concealing their support for the dossier. According to an article at The Hill: The New York Times senior White House correspondent Maggie Haberman and reporter Kenneth Vogel are slamming Hillary Clintons campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), saying they lied about funding for the so-called Trump dossier. Folks involved in funding this lied about it, and with sanctimony, for a year, Haberman tweeted to her more than 650,000 followers on Tuesday. (NYT journalist Kenneth Vogel offered this comment on Twitter) When I tried to report this story, Clinton campaign lawyer @marceelias pushed back vigorously, saying You (or your sources) are wrong,  Vogel tweeted, referring to Clinton campaign lawyer Marc Elias. (New York Times reporters blast Dems over Trump dossier funding claims, The Hill) Clearly, Clinton did not want the American people to know the real origins of the dossier for fear that they would dismiss its findings as politically-motivated and unreliable. So they lied, and by lying, they helped to fuel the anti-Russia hysteria thats swept across the country sabotaging any chance for rapprochement between the two nuclear-armed superpowers. But, why? Why would Hillary persist with the hacking-collusion meme after she had already lost the election and had nothing to gain by smearing Trump? Thats not a question that can be easily answered, but I suspect it has less to do with Hillarys presidential ambitions than it does with the way her campaign found common cause with powerful members of the intelligence community who wanted to use the hacking narrative to pursue their own geopolitical strategy of isolating, punishing and demonizing Russia. Russian meddling became the perfect rallying cry for the CIAs broader information operation (IO) that was designed to poison public opinion against Russian aggression and to reign in Trumps plans to normalize relations with Moscow. The fact that the CIA had essentially extracted a credible narrative from sections of the notorious dossier, left Hillary with no other option except to play-along even after the votes had been counted. As a result, Clinton became the fall guy in a darker, deep-state propaganda campaign for which she is only partially responsible. Heres a little background from Joe Laurias must read article The Democratic Money Behind Russia-gate: the Steele dossier was shared with the FBI at some point in the summer of 2016 and apparently became the basis for the FBI to seek Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against members of Trumps campaign. More alarmingly, it may have formed the basis for much of the Jan. 6 intelligence assessment by those hand-picked analysts from three U.S. intelligence agencies  the CIA, the FBI and the NSA  not all 17 agencies that Hillary Clinton continues to insist were involved. If in fact the Steele memos were a primary basis for the Russia collusion allegations against Trump, then there may be no credible evidence at all. (Consortium News) So, were the Steele memos the primary basis for the Russia collusion allegations against Trump? This is the pivotal question that still remains largely unanswered. As Lauria notes, the FBI did in fact use the salacious and unverified dossier to obtain at least one FISA warrant. This is from The Hill: The FBI used the dossier alleging Russian ties to President Trumps campaign associates to help convince a judge to grant a warrant to secretly monitor former campaign aide Carter Page, CNN reports. FBI Director James Comey has cited the dossier in some of his briefings with lawmakers in recent weeks as one of the information sources used by his bureau to bolster its probe, U.S. officials briefed on the investigation told CNN. (FBI used Trump dossier to help get warrant to monitor ex-aide: report, The Hill) The article proves that the nations premier law enforcement agency was using parts of a discredited raw intelligence report that was paid for by the DNC and was clearly commissioned as a part of a smear campaign to spy on members of the opposition party. Clearly, one could easily make the case that the FBI was abusing its extraordinary police-state powers to subvert the democratic process. The FBI, under James Comey, also attempted to use agent Steele for future research but abandoned the idea after parts of the dossier began to surface in the media making it politically impossible to maintain the relationship. This is from a February article in the Washington Post: The former British spy who authored a controversial dossier on behalf of Donald Trumps political opponents alleging ties between Trump and Russia reached an agreement with the FBI a few weeks before the election for the bureau to pay him to continue his work, according to several people familiar with the arrangement. The agreement to compensate former MI6 agent Christopher Steele came as U.S. intelligence agencies reached a consensus that the Russians had interfered in the presidential election by orchestrating hacks of Democratic Party email accounts.. Ultimately, the FBI did not pay Steele. Communications between the bureau and the former spy were interrupted as Steeles now-famous dossier became the subject of news stories, congressional inquiries and presidential denials, according to the people familiar with the arrangement, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. (FBI once planned to pay former British spy who authored controversial Trump dossier, Washington Post) The fact that the FBI was willing to build its investigation on the sensational and unverified claims in the DNC-bought-and-paid-for dossier, suggests that the real motive was not to reveal collusion between Trump and Moscow or even to uncover evidence related to the hacking claims. The real goal was to vilify Russia and derail Trumps efforts at detente. Its also worth noting , that Steeles earliest report implausibly alleges that the Russian authorities had been cultivating and supporting US presidential candidate Trump for at least 5 years. (No one had any idea that Trump would run for president 5 years ago.) The report also details perverted sexual acts involving Trump and urinating prostitutes in a hotel in Moscow. (All fake, of course) The point we are trying to make, is that Steeles first report focused on corruption, perversion and blackmail, whereas, his second installment completely changed direction to cyber-espionage operations on foreign targets. Why? It was because, on July 22, 2016, just days before the Democratic National Convention, WikiLeaks published 20,000 emails hacked from DNC computers revealing the corrupt inner-workings of the Democratic establishment. In response, Steele decided to craft a story that would support the Dems plan to blame the Russians for the moral cesspit they-alone had created. In other words, his report was a way of passing the buck. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Steeles July report helped to prop up the threadbare hacking storyline that was further reinforced by the dubious cyber-forensic analysis of DNC servers performed by CrowdStrike, a private company co-founded by a virulently anti-Putin Russian. The hacking theme was also aided by the deluge of unsourced, evidence-lite articles cropping up in the media, like this gem in the Washington Post: Russian government hackers penetrated the computer network of the Democratic National Committee and gained access to the entire database of opposition research on GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to committee officials and security experts who responded to the breach. The intruders so thoroughly compromised the DNCs system that they also were able to read all email and chat traffic, said DNC officials and the security experts. The intrusion into the DNC was one of several targeting American political organizations. The networks of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were also targeted by Russian spies (Russian government hackers penetrated DNC, stole opposition research on Trump, Washington Post) Whats remarkable about the above excerpt is that it follows the same basic approach to propaganda as nearly all the other pieces on the topic. Unlike the lead-up to the Iraq War, where journalists at the New York Times made every effort to create a believable storyline that included references to aluminum tubes, Niger uranium, mobile weapons labs, etc. The media no longer tries to support their narrative with evidence or eyewitnesses. The major media now simply tells people what they want them to think and leave it at that. Even so, it doesnt require much critical thinking to see the holes in the Russia hacking story. One merely needs to suspend judgment long enough to see that main claims all emerge from (Democratic) sources who have every reason to mislead the public. Heres an excerpt from Joe Laurias article that sums it up perfectly: The two sources that originated the allegations claiming that Russia meddled in the 2016 electionwere both paid for by the Democratic National Committee, and in one instance also by the Clinton campaign: the Steele dossier and the CrowdStrike analysis of the DNC servers. Think about that for a minute. In other words, possibly all of the Russia-gate allegations, which have been taken on faith by Democratic partisans and members of the anti-Trump Resistance, trace back to claims paid for or generated by Democrats. If for a moment one could remove the sometimes justified hatred that many people feel toward Trump, it would be impossible to avoid the impression that the scandal may have been cooked up by the DNC and the Clinton camp in league with Obamas intelligence chiefs to serve political and geopolitical aims. (The Democratic Money Behind Russia-gate, Consortium News) Russia-gate is entirely a Democratic Party invention. Both sources of information (Crowdstrike and Steele) were chosen by members of the Democratic hierarchy (through their intermediaries) to create stories that coincided with their political objectives. Due to the obvious bias of the people who funded the operations, neither the methods nor the information can be trusted. But thats just part of the story. The bigger story relates to the role played by the nations premier intelligence and law enforcement agencies. And thats where we see signs of institutional corruption on a truly colossal scale. As we noted earlier, the Clinton smear campaign would probably have ended after the votes were counted had not the intel agencies, particularly the CIA, decided the hacking story could be used to inflict more damage on Russia. It wasnt Clintons decision to gather more information for the dossier, but others whose motives have remained largely concealed. Who are they? According to a timeline in the Daily Caller: November: The contract between the Democrats, Fusion and Steele ends along with the presidential campaign. Nov. 18: Arizona Sen. John McCain and a former assistant, David Kramer, are told about the existence of the dossier by an associate of Steeles, former British diplomat Sir Andrew Wood. Kramer travels to London later that month to meet with Steele and find out more about the dossier. Steele forwards a copy of the dossier to Fusion, Kramer and McCain. Dec. 9: McCain provides a copy of the dossier to then-FBI Director James Comey during a meeting at the latters office. Dec. 13: Steele writes the final memo of the dossier. It alleges that a Russian tech executive used his companies to hack into the DNCs email systems. The executive, Aleksej Gubarev, denied the allegations after the dossier was published by BuzzFeed on Jan. 10, 2017. He is suing both BuzzFeed and Steele. Jan. 6: Comey and other intelligence community officials brief then-President-elect Trump on some of the allegations made in the dossier. Jan. 10: CNN reports that the briefing of Trump took place four days earlier. Citing that reporting as justification, BuzzFeed publishes the dossier. (The Daily Mail) John McCain? Is that who were talking about? Was it McCain who paid former M16 agent Christopher Steele to add another report to the dossier? Why? Is it that hard to imagine that a Russophobic foreign policy wonk like McCain who has expressed his vehement hatred for Vladimir Putin on the floor of the senate would hire a mud-slinging free agent like Steele to craft a story that would further demonize Russia, discourage Trump from normalizing relations with Moscow, and reinforce the theory that the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 elections? Does that mean that McCain may have told Steele (or his intermediaries) precisely what he wanted the final draft to say? It certainly seems probable. And heres something else to mull over. This is from the Business Insider: Steele gave the dossier to Republican Sen. John McCain. McCain then gave it to the FBI director at the time, James Comey. Comey, along with the former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan, briefed both President Barack Obama and then-President elect Trump on the dossiers allegations in January. Intelligence officials purposefully omitted the dossier from the public intelligence report they released in January about Russias election interference because they didnt want to reveal which details they had corroborated, according to CNN. (Mueller reportedly interviewed the author of the Trump-Russia dossier  heres what it alleges, and how it aligned with reality, Business Insider) This is a damning admission that the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that was released on January 6, and was supposed to provide rock-solid proof of Russia hacking and collusion, was built (at least, in part) on the thin gruel and specious allegations found in the sketchy Trump dossier. Former CIA Director John Brennan has refuted this claim, but theres significant circumstantial evidence to suggest that it is true. On December 9, 2016, The Washington Post reported that the CIA determined that Russian hacking was conducted to boost Trump and hurt Clinton during the presidential campaign. This same theory that was propounded in the ICA report just a month later. It appears that Brennan and his hand-picked intelligence analysts decided to carefully comb the dossier cherry-picking the most credible allegations to weave into their dubious intelligence Assessment. So even though large sections of the dossier were scrapped, the report itself was used as the foundation for the ICA. Brennan spearheaded the anti-Russia campaign from the get-go. As early as August 2016, Brennan was providing classified briefings to ranking members of Congress expressing his conviction that Moscow was helping Trump to win the election. The former Director offered no proof to back up his claims nor has he since then. It was also Brennan who gradually persuaded Clapper, Comey and Morrell to join his anti-Russia jihad, although all were reluctant participants at first. Were they won over by compelling secret evidence that has been been withheld from the public? Not likely. Its more probable that Brennan was merely able to convince them that the powerful foreign policy establishment required their cooperation on an issue that would have grave impact on Washingtons imperial plan for Syria, Ukraine, Central Asia and beyond? Some readers might remember when Brennan testified before Congress way-back on May 23 and boldly stated: BRENNAN: I encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and U.S. persons involved in the Trump campaign that I was concerned about because of known Russian efforts to suborn such individuals and it raised questions in my mind, again, whether or not the Russians were able to gain the cooperation of those individuals. Its clear that Brennan had no information or intelligence that would lead a reasonable man to think that anyone in Trumps entourage was colluding with Russian officials or agents. The whole story is spun from whole cloth. The disturbing implication however is that Brennan, who was an outspoken supporter of Hillary and equally harsh critic of Trump, was using the CIAs intrusive surveillance powers to spy on a rival political party in the heat of a presidential campaign. If that is not a flagrant example of subverting democracy, then what is? Heres a clip from the Washington Times: It was then-CIA Director John O. Brennan, a close confidant of Mr. Obamas, who provided the information  what he termed the basis  for the FBI to start the counterintelligence investigation last summer.Mr. Brennan told the House Intelligence Committee on May 23 that the intelligence community was picking up tidbits on Trump associates making contacts with Russians But he said he believed the contacts were numerous enough to alert the FBI, which began its probe into Trump associates that same July, according to previous congressional testimony from then-FBI director James B. Comey. (The Washington Times) It all started with Brennan, hes the ringleader in this dodgy caper. But Brennan was not operating as a free agent pursuing his own malign political agenda, but as a strong-arm facilitator for the powerful foreign policy establishment which includes leaders from Big Oil, Wall Street, and the giant weapons manufacturers. These are the corporate mandarins who pull Brennans chain and give Brennan his marching orders. This is how power trickles down in America. So while the moneytrail may lead back to the DNC and Hillarys Campaign, the roots of Russia-gate extend far beyond the politicians to the highest-ranking members of the permanent state. Milke Whitney lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition . He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com . This article was originally published by Counterpunch - Brazile: Clinton campaign was a 'cult - See Also - Zero evidence that Russia hacked DNC, says NSA whistleblower (VIDEO) Washington orders RT America to register as foreign agent by Monday Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
The Global Shift to Authoritarianism



By Chris Hedges and Pankaj Mishra



In the year since the election of Donald Trump, many have attempted to answer why modern societies are increasingly turning to "strongmen" and explain why authoritarian movements are increasing in popularity. Author Pankaj Mishra examines this problem in depth in his latest book, "Age of Anger: A History of the Present," and shares his theories with Truthdig columnist Chris Hedges.

Watch the full interview, which includes a segment on the New Deal by correspondent Anya Parampil, in the video above.

November 09, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Mishra explains that resentment is taking many different forms around the world, from jihadism in the Middle East to the rise of white supremacist movements in America. "We have to look at the underlying sources of [this resentment], which is this enormous process of dispossession, of dislocation, and psychological and spiritual disorientation," Mishra says. "People who, now desperate for meaning, bond together in these forms of negative solidarity."

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The two go on to discuss how modernization and globalization have negatively impacted people around the world.

"You have all the makings here of social and political calamity," Mishra argues. "This is a situation of large numbers of people who feel trapped, who feel powerless, who are full of fear. And out of these feelings, they find themselves compelled to invest their fate in various strongmen."

This article was originally published by Truth Dig -
Priti Patel Resigns - Israel Lobby Mourns The Loss Of A Valuable British Asset By Moon Of Alabama November 09, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - A British Minister of Hindu heritage was fired after it emerged that she secretly met Israeli officials in Israel and elsewhere without informing the Foreign Office. Back in Britain she then tried to arrange additional finances for Israel's arming of al-Qaeda in the Golan heights. The affair shines light on the nefarious influence of the Israel lobby on British politics. Priti Patel was International Development Secretary, responsible for British aid to various countries and organizations. She is a Thatcherite Conservative, a vocal supporter of Britain's exit from the European Union and of Hindu fascism in India: She has been a strong cheerleader of the Narendra Modi government, publicly praising a number of its policies including demonetisation. In August Patel went on a "family holiday" to Israel. Instead of enjoying the beach she met dozens of Israeli officials from Prime Minister Netanyahoo down to the heads of Zionist aid organizations. She was shepherded by one Lord Polak, a long time Israel lobbyist in British politics. Polak accompanied her to every meeting. None of these were disclosed to the British Embassy, the Foreign Office or Downing Street. Cabinet rules demand that all such meetings are coordinated and briefed through these official channels. Stuart Polak is a major character in Zionist lobbying in Britain: Ennobled by David Cameron two years ago, Lord Polak is a veteran of Westminsters corridors of power. He has taken literally hundreds of Tory MPs to Israel over the years, educating them about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and securing their support in parliamentary votes and the public arena. Under his guidance, CFI became the biggest lobbying group in Westminster, holding lunches for 700 guests, making countless Downing Street visits, and developing contacts throughout Israel and the Middle East. Polak fled when the media tried to question him about his Israel visit arrangements for Patel. One of Patel's meetings was at an army hospital in the Israel occupied Syrian Golan heights where the Israeli military patches up al-Qaeda Jihadis which were wounded while fighting the Syrian government. Only last week the Israeli army in the occupied Golan supported a murderous attack of al-Qaeda Jihadis on the Syrian Druze village of Hader in the Quneitra area. The Jihadis in the Golan are surrounded by Syrian government forces. Their only supply line is through Israel occupied land. Druze in Israel who protested against the attack were arrested . Back in Britain Priti Patel asked her department to move British aid money from Palestinian causes to the Israeli military operation in the occupied Golan. (Funny how the Guardian in its wrap-up fails to mention that point ...) Additionally to her busy holiday, Priti Patel had two other meetings with Israeli officials which she similarly did not disclose. When it became clear yesterday that Priti Patel's behavior would cost her her job, the British Zionist lobby launched a rescue attempt. Based on anonymous sources the Jewish Chronicle claimed that Prime Minister May had been informed about two of the meetings and had ordered Patel to not disclose them: Number 10 instructed Development Secretary Priti Patel not to include her meeting with the Israel foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on 18 September in her list of undisclosed meetings with Israelis which was published on Monday, the JC has learned. Downing Street immediately denied the claim and no other source backed it up. The blackmail attempt failed. The Jewish Chronicle also was at the forefront of the slander campaign that tried to smear the British labor leader Corbyn as anti-semite. The Independent notes about the Patel affair: [T]here is another point about all those meetings which Patel helpfully, if belatedly, detailed in her apologetic statement on Monday: their remarkable one-sidedness. Patel heads a department which has a long history of humanitarian and development funding for Palestinians. Indeed she has taken a close interest in that funding, going so far as to announce a review last year which has already resulted in notable cuts of some 17m. This includes, to the widespread dismay of NGOs, cuts in funding to Gaza, where humanitarian and economic conditions are generally agreed to be at their direst ever. Cutting aid money to a devastated Gaza while handing it to the Israeli occupation army that supports Takfiris fighting Syria is beyond the already extreme British Zionist sculduggeries. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Prime Minister May is herself a strong Zionist. She recently celebrated the Balfour declaration in which, a hundred years ago, the British empire promised land it did not own to a people that did not exit at the cost of the owners and inhabitants of that very land. That promise, handed to a very influential Jewish banker, opened new credit lines for the British war against Germany. It also reinforced lobbying efforts in the U.S. for entering the war on the British side. May asked the British people to feel "pride" for the treacherous paper and completely ignored the devastation it caused for the Palestinian people: The Israelis will be celebrating  and why not, for it set Britains seal on the future Israeli state in Palestine. Perhaps Israel would not have been created without it. But the fearful suffering and tragedy of the Palestinian refugees which was to follow in the coming years suggest that the Balfour letter  through its very wording  was certain to create a terrible wrongdoing which to this day curses the place we used to call the Holy Land. In January AlJazeera broadcasted an in depth investigation on the Zionist lobby in Britain. It proved that the lobby is directed by and its slander campaigns run from Israel's embassy in London. Peter Oborne and James Jones just published a long paper on The pro-Israel lobby in Britain . They find: The Friends of Israel groups in the House of Commons have firmly established themselves in the interstices of British political life . Their heavy presence at party conferences is taken for granted, their lunches and dinners an ingrained part of the Westminster social scene, the donations a vital part of the political financing. An environment now exists where MPs and ministers feel cautious about criticizing the foreign policy of the Israeli state, wary of opening themselves to criticism on the home front.

...

While this pro-Israel lobbying is lawful, it is emphatically not transparent. We have shown in this pamphlet that journalists very rarely declare their [Britain Israel Communications & Research Centre] funded trips to Israel. We have also shown how patterns of donations from [Conservative Friends of Israel] members to Tory candidates are sometimes opaque. Indeed, the financial structure of the CFI as a whole is obscure.

...

A similar observation applies to other pro-Israel pressure groups. While BICOMs work is entirely legitimate, it is by no means transparent. They never declare, for example, which journalists go on trips and who they meet. Oborne and Jones also find that the Israel lobby does not reflect the opinion and values of British Jews. It is an extremely right-wing syndicate arranged to disguise its sources of money and the foreign interests involved in it. The Zionist lobby in Britain is vicious. It operates in the dark and hides its financing. This affair removes the curtain it uses to hide its malicious influence. It does not welcome the disinfecting sunlight this affair shines on it and is mourning the loss of its valuable asset. Priti Patel has been removed as a minister but is still a conservative Member of Parliament. The new revelations about her and the sinister powers influencing her will hopefully convince the British voters to finally kick her out. This article was originally published by Moon Of Alabama - I can confirm that #Israel, with help of #NusraFront has created a land-air corridor linking #Jordan to #Lebanon via #Syria allowing #Saudi jets to reach Lebanon unchallenged. @BBCNawalMaghafi  Ali AlAhmed (@AliAlAhmed_en) November 9, 2017 Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section.
Cold Day in Hell Before ICC Goes After US for Committing War Crimes By Francis Boyle November 09, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The ICC prosecutors decision to pursue a probe into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan is completely political and won't amount to anything, law professor Francis Boyle believes. He said it will be a cold day in hell before any Americans are prosecuted. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, announced last week that her request to launch an investigation had been handed over to a pre-trial court. She said that if her request is granted, the probe will focus upon those most responsible for the most serious crimes committed in connection with the situation in Afghanistan.

However, Francis Boyle, an international law professor at the University of Illinois, told RT that while Bensouda is likely to get approval for the investigation, the move is simply a propaganda stunt. He added that Bensouda has no desire to go after any Americans who committed war crimes.

You have to understand, this is all political, said Boyle. He noted that the African country of Burundi has already pulled out of the ICC, and South Africa has voiced the same intention.

So she's in a position and the court is in a position that almost all of Africa is going to pull out of the ICC because the only people in the dock over there are black, tin-pot dictators from Africa, Boyle said. He called the court a Western, racist, imperial tool which is being used against Africa.

Because of this, the so-called white man's court will not be going after Americans, Boyle said. It will be a cold day in hell before we see Bensouda doing so, he added. Boyle noted that the ICC has never gone after the Americans, the NATO states, Britain, Israel, despite clear-cut jurisdiction to do so.

Boyle went on to accuse the US government of committing a Nuremberg crime against peace by invading Afghanistan and attacking it and blowing them back to the Stone Age and killing a million Afghans. He added that I doubt very seriously Bensouda is going to deal with any of that.

The United States illegally and criminally invaded Afghanistan and attacked and destroyed them... and then they set up all these torture campus over there, they've been torturing these poor people forever. And at a minimum, the United States has probably killed a million Afghanis [sic] since October 2001, he said.

The Americans should have been investigated a decade ago at least, said Boyle, who filed an ICC complaint against former US President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, among others, in 2010, over their policy of extraordinary rendition perpetrated upon about 100 human beings. He added that the American government knows full well they'll be able to sabotage her [Bensouda], stop her. Nothing's going to come of it.

However, Boyle predicted that Bensouda would likely come back with a verdict that it was actually the Taliban who was responsible for crimes. Or she might apportion blame, but that's ridiculous too...if you read all the United Nations reports of human rights violations coming out of Afghanistan, they all blame the Taliban. And it's a joke.

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Although the ICC statement doesn't name specific parties that would be subject to the investigation, a report released by the prosecutor's office last year said there is reasonable basis to believe crimes were committed by US military forces deployed to Afghanistan, and in secret detention facilities operated by the CIA. It also points the finger at the Taliban and Afghan government forces.

Boyle noted that although the US can technically be prosecuted by the court  despite not being a member  the ICC pretty much do what they're told to do, citing money received from Europe, Japan, and South Korea, as well as the influence of America.

Meanwhile, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan said earlier on Thursday that at least 10 civilians may have been killed in an airstrike in the north city of Kunduz last week, despite a US military investigation stating that no evidence of civilian deaths had been found.

Boyle previously served on the board of Amnesty International USA and drafted legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention, known as the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989, which was signed into law after being unanimously approved by both chambers of the US Congress.
A State High court in Anambra has sentenced 2 Men to death by hanging after they stole a ladys handbag, telephone and other personal effects at gunpoint. Justice Okey Onunkwo said there was sufficient evidence to convict the duo.

According to Punchng, the suspects, Anene Maduka, Ikenna Obi and Osadebe Ezeh on February 2, 2017 allegedly stole a mobile phone, a handbag and N10,000 cash belonging to one Miss Chinonye Ogujiuba of Eziama Uli.

The Nokia phone was valued at N15,500, while the handbag was estimated at N2,500.

Anene Maduka, charged with the other suspects was, however, discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence.

Delivering the judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Okey Onunkwo, said there was no sufficient evidence against the first defendant (Maduka).

The judge said:
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has linked the death of Asiwaju Bola Tinubus first son, Jide Tinubu to his fathers interest in taking over President Muhammadu Buharis job.

According to him, one year and six months before the 2019 presidential election, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos state, APC National Leader, Buharis closest and most powerful ally in southern Nigeria and a man who, it is rumoured, himself has presidential ambition lost his first son.

This is contained in an article titled: The angel of death that stalks the corridors of power.

Fani-Kayode also recalled other instances that involved those who have had the privilege to be in the presidential villa.

He wrote: Chief Bisi Onabanjo, the first democratically-elected Governor of Ogun state lost his first son. Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first democratically elected Governor of Lagos state, lost his first daughter. Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, the second democratically-elected Governor of Oyo state lost his son.

Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, the first Minister of Finance of Nigeria was killed. Chief Alfred Rewane, one of the founding members of the Action Group and a leading figure in NADECO, was killed. The list is endless and I could go on and on.

Alhaji Musa Yaradua was Minister of Lagos Affairs in the First Republic. He was blessed with a long and peaceful life. However two of his sons were not so lucky.

His first son, General Shehu Musa Yaradua, who was number two to General Obasanjo when he was military Head of State and who for many decades was one of the most powerful men in the country, was murdered whilst he was in prison. His second son, President Umaru Yaradua, was cut short in his prime by a strange and inexplicable ailment after he had been President for only three years.

He was succeeded by his number two, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan lost his brother and his mother-in-law one year after he became President. After losing the presidential election in 2015 he lost his Special Advisor on Political Affairs and his Chief Security Officer within a matter of months.

Worse still those that he had been deputy to throughout his political life, either as Deputy Governor or Vice President, always suffered one form of misfortune or the other, whether it be death, shame, incarceration or impeachment, and he would end up stepping into their shoes and taking their place.

When it comes to our military rulers the story of consistent tragedy is no different- General Aguiyi-Ironsi, our first military Head of State was killed. General Yakubu Gowon, our second military Head of State, was toppled from power, exiled, lost his brother and his first son was jailed.

General Murtala Mohammed, our third military Head of State, was killed and lost both his son and son-in-law. General Olusegun Obasanjo was our fourth military Head of State and we touched on his misfortunes earlier.

General Muhammadu Buhari, our fifth military Head of State, was toppled from power, locked up for three years, lost his mother whilst he was in detention and was not allowed to attend her burial, lost his number two (General Tunde Idiagbon) in very strange and suspicious circumstances and later lost two daughters.

General Ibrahim Babangida, our sixth military Head of State, was eased out of power and compelled to step aside amidst massive controversy and turmoil and later lost his wife.

His number two, Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, lost his first son, Chief Ernest Shonekan, our first and only Interim Civilian Head of State, was badly humiliated and toppled from power.

General Sani Abacha, our seventh military Head of State, lost his son, was removed from power and was killed. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, our eighth military Head of State, as far as I am aware is the only exception and appears to have escaped any misfortune.

-Herald
Popular Nigerian actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, has said she is willing to donate her cornea to the blind when she dies.

The mother of two announced this yesterday via her Instagram page.

She wrote.

I pledged my cornea to Eye bank of Nigeria, and what that means is when I leave this earth I willingly donate my cornea to help give the gift of sight especially as I would no longer be needing it

Then she proceeded to ask fans about their opinions. What are your views on this and becoming a donor in general?

I would really appreciate your kind feedback so we can start the conversationwill you be willing to do it for a loved one or a stranger?

How do you SEE it? Factors that prevent most people from doing this is fear but of what exactly? she asked
No matter what country he goes to in Africa, whether its in Guinea, Nigeria, Mozambique, Botswana, Kenya or Sierra Leone, pop star Davido gets the same reaction: teeming crowds and adoring fans.

The 24-year-old icon is one of the favourites for Best Artist at this years All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which takes place in Lagos this weekend.

AFRIMA, sponsored by the African Union, is Africas equivalent of the American Grammy Awards, with interest reflecting the continents rich seam of emerging talent.

Davido (Nigeria), Wizkid (Nigeria), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Sarkodie (Ghana) and DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast) are leading a musical revolution: Afrobeats.

The genre was born in Nigeria but has spread across Africa as fast as the rhythm of the bass in a nightclub.

Videojournalist Hugo Claveau, who wrote and directed the documentary, Afrobeats, From Nigeria to the World, told AFP:

Nigerians knew how to mix all the influences of Afropop: Congolese soukous, Ivorian coupe-decale, Ghanaian Highlife, Jamaican dancehall. They created a sound for all of Africa. They created the first pan-African music.

Banning Eyre, an African music specialist, added:

Its very interesting for me, because its totally different from what weve seen in the African scene for the past 30 years.

Afrobeats, a name given in homage to the Afrobeat of the 1970s, was born about 10 years ago with pioneers such as 2Face, DBanj and P-Square.

The internet and satellite television channels did the rest.

Efe Omorogbe, 2Faces manager and the head of the Now Muzik Limited label said:

Music channels like MTV or Channel O made a big impact on exporting Nigerian music. For the first time you could sit at home in South Africa and you see the best of Nigerian artists.

In its wake came the French channel TRACE, which in turn led to TRACE Naija two years ago, where Nigerian music accounts for about 60 percent of its output.

TRACE Africa is one of the most popular channels in French-speaking Africa and about a third of its programming is exclusively Nigerian.

Omorogbe said the channels broke the boundaries. Now Africa makes one boundary, not 53.

The increase in festivals and events such as AFRIMA has equally allowed artists to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate.

Wizkid, for example, sings on My Soweto Baby with the South African DJ Buckz.

Ivory Coasts DJ Arafat and Nigerian Iyanya use their song Fever to call on Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, Nigeria to dance together.

The internet has again been a game-changer.

Kenyan Afro-pop star Sauti Sol sent me a beat and I liked it, I thought it was cool, said Kritzbeatz, a 22-year-old Nigerian music producer.

So I did a mix with my sound and now we have Whine for me. He came to Lagos for an event, so we took this opportunity to shoot the video clip.

Huge market

African pop stars are fighting among themselves to work with Nigerians in hope of breaking into a huge market of nearly 190 million people, where pop music is ever-present.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, a journalist with the Music in Africa magazine, said:

Smaller markets naturally look towards Nigeria. Tanzanians cant afford to do music for the Tanzanian market only. But Nigerians are very proud of their music and very resistant to whats coming from the outside.

In Nigeria, music is business, where sponsors and patrons can invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to finance a concert.

By signing Wizkid, Davido or DBanj, record labels Sony and Universal are finally turning towards African pop music instead of the world music of Salif Keita or Youssou NDour to conquer the African market.

The financial rewards are considerable.

Claveau said:

There are all falling over themselves to sign contracts with Nigerian artists. But the guys developed their business by themselves. They conquered the continent and dont need them to fill stadiums in Africa.

What they want now is export themselves to the United States or Europe but for that the main players are still timid.

source: 36ng
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday in Austria said it recovered loots totalling N738.9 billion or $2.9 billion between May, 2015 and October 20, 2017.

This was confirmed by the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, stated this at the ongoing 7th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption holding in Vienna.

The spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, gave account of Mr. Magus engagement in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

In a presentation titled: International Cooperation in Relation to Technical Assistance: The Nigerian Experience, Mr. Magu said the sum was exclusive of smaller currencies in Durham, CRA and British Pound.

He stated that the commission had made a lot of recoveries locally using the mechanism of the non-conviction based forfeiture provided under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Within this year alone, the commission recovered stolen assets running into several millions of US Dollars and billions in naira.

These include the sum of $43 million recovered from Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigerias former Minister of Petroleum and N2 billion spread in seven accounts within three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Salary Accounts, he explained.

Mr. Magu, who was said to be a panellist at the Implementation Review Group attended by over 100 delegates, detailed the Nigerian efforts in asset recovery.

He said the country had also made progress in specific cases related to Abacha loot, Malabu Oil, Diezani and associates, and the arms procurement scandal.

These efforts, he said, cut across Switzerland, USA, UK, UAE, Jersey Island and Panama.

In his recommendations, the EFCC boss sought improved coordination and cooperation among state parties in asset recovery.

He said this could be done through the consideration and adoption of measures that would remove traditional barriers such as bank secrecy in line with Article 46(8) and dual Criminality Article 46(9) as well as simplify legal technicalities in the recovery and repatriation of stolen funds.

He further sought measures to reduce cost of recovery of assets for developing countries and ensure speedy return of all stolen assets to victim states in line with the current resolution sponsored by Nigeria.

He also called for sanction and prosecution of any financial institution that violates AML/CFT measures and the maintenance of a public register on beneficial ownership.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has received global commendation for its doggedness in tracing and recovery of its stolen assets, according to the commissions spokesman.

Mr. Uwujaren said the commendation came at a meeting between Mr. Magu and Nassar Abaalkhail, the head of International Collaboration, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Saudi Arabia.

The meeting, which held on the sidelines of the conference, followed Mr. Magus presentation, Mr. Uwujaren said.

He quoted Mr. Abaalkhail as saying that Nigerias efforts at loot recovery were remarkable.

From what I have heard, Nigerias effort at asset tracing is remarkable. Nigeria is indeed a role model for countries, including developed countries.

We have so much to learn from Nigeria, he said.

Mr. Uwujaren said the Iranian National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, Mohsen Mardal, also commended the Nigerian presentation.

Similarly, the Commissioner, Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Agency, Ady Macauley, said the EFCC was not only formidable, but a pride to the African States.

My men were in Nigeria a fortnight ago to understudy your operations, I must confess, we have a lot to learn in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery.

Source: (NAN)
Portia de Rossi, actress and wife of TV host Elle DeGeneres has come forward to accuse Legendary actor Steven Seagal of Sexual Harassment during an audition for one of his movies.

Taking to Twitter page, the 44-year-old actress wrote:

My final audition for a Steven Segal movie took place in his office. He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants. I? ran out and called my agent. Unfazed, she replied, well, I didnt know if he was your type.  Portia de Rossi (@portiaderossi) November 8, 2017

This comes days after American actress and producer Julianna Margulies opened on her alleged encounter with the actor.

Sharing her experience with Sirius XMs Just Jenny she said she met Seagal in a hotel room after a casting director told her he wanted to rehearse a scene:

He made sure that I saw his gun, which I had never seen a gun in real life, she said. I got out of there unscathed. I never was raped, and I never was harmed. I dont know how I got out of that hotel room.

Also taking to Twitter today she urged that more actress join her exposing their horrible and humiliating experience with Seagal.

Aaaand another one.

More actresses join me in publicly sharing our horrible and humiliating experiences with Steven Seagal. Thank you Jenny McCarthy, Rae Dawn Chong, Julianna Margulies & now Portia de Rossi. #MeToo #Enough #NoMorehttps://t.co/kjRdxImJHx https://t.co/37oGkswqGV

Source: Linda Ikejis blog
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says the young man who blew the whistle on the massive stash of money recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, is now a millionaire.

Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, stated this in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement.

Uwujaren said Magu spoke at the ongoing 7th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

On April 7, EFCC operatives broke into a four-bedroom apartment on Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, and pulled out $43m, 27,800 and N23m stashed in a wardrobe.

The commission said the discovery followed an operation triggered by a whistle blowers alert received by its Lagos office.

Uwujaren quoted Magu as saying that the whistleblower was already a millionaire by virtue of the percentage he was officially entitled to.

We are currently working on the young man because this is just a man who has not seen one million Naira of his own before.

So, he is under counselling on how to make good use of the money and also the security implication.

We dont want anything bad to happen to him after taking delivery of his entitlement. He is a national pride, he said.

The EFCC boss called on Nigerians who want a positive change in the country to take advantage of the whistle-blowing policy announced by the government early this year.

He noted that aside from contributing to the eradication of corruption, potential whistleblowers also stood to benefit from the illicit acquisition by the looters.

So, we encourage more whistleblowers to come forward with genuine information that will lead to recoveries from looters of public treasuries.

That is part of the ways we can put an end to the looting madness in the public sector.

When they know that they have no place to keep the loot, as all eyes are on them, they will find looting of public treasuries unattractive,  Magu said.

On June 7, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

Source : (NAN)
A Peoples Democratic Party Governor has begged President Muhammadu Buhari to contest for re-election in the 2019 presidential election.

A Governor elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state on Thursday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

He revealed this in an interview with State House correspondents during his visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of Buharis visit to Ebonyi, scheduled for next week.

When asked if the President had confided in him that he would run for president again, Umahi said since it was his own desire to seek a second term as governor, he also wished the President to do the same thing.

Any first term governor would want to go for second term. Whatever you wish yourself, you should be honest enough to wish another person the same.

Since Mr. President is on his first term and I am on my first term, it is my wish to re-contest and I will as well wish the President the same thing: to re-contest, the governor said.

Umahi said the state government was fully prepared to receive the President.

We are fully prepared for the visit. We pleaded with Mr. President for the visit and before then, we have been preparing, we are fully prepared, he said.

The governor disclosed that during his visit, Buhari will inaugurate a number of projects.
The mother of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Mike Omotosho, have been abducted, with the kidnappers demanding N100m ransom for the release of the septuagenarian.

The victim was abducted by four gunmen at her house on Lobalade Street, Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara State, around 8pm on Sunday.

It was gathered on Wednesday from a family source that the gang reached out to the family and demanded N100m ransom.

The source said, When mama (Elizabeth) was kidnapped on Sunday night, they went away without leaving behind anything with which we could reach them. But they have reached out to us and demanded that N100m should be paid to them as ransom

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Akayi Okasanmi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said he was unaware of the N100m ransom demand.

He, however, said the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, were on the trail of the abductors to ensure the safe release of the victim.

He explained that the command was also working with a rescue team established by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to ensure the safe return of Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, many leaders and delegates of the Labour Party in Kwara State held inter-faith prayer sessions for the release of the victim.

The state Acting Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkareem Onagun, pleaded with the abductors to release Elizabeth.

He said, We strongly appeal to the abductors to, in the name of Almighty Allah, kindly release the old woman to join her family.

Our national chairman has never been in government. He is somebody who has been assisting individuals and the less privileged. We believe that the Almighty God will shine his eyes on him.

We are pleading with the abductors that the woman should be returned safely to her family without any ransom. They should consider Mikes philanthropic gestures at state and even national levels.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Security operatives are committed to a successful, free and fair gubernatorial election in Anambra, South-eastern part of Nigeria come the 18th of November, 2017.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has said that it would deploy a total of N11, 000 personnel for the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election slated for November 18, 2017.

Also, 30 sniffer dogs and four drones would be deployed, including ambulances and medical teams as well as 115 vehicles, 15 of which would be deployed to the riverine areas of the state.

The Anambra State Commandant of the Corps, Mr John Ahwen disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, yesterday, explaining that the move was to ensure total security of lives and properties during the exercise.

Ahwen said the officials to be deployed to the state would be moved from seven states namely Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, Edo, Delta and Imo.

According to Ahwen, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Mr Hillary Madu, would be the ground commander and would be assisted by two Assistant Commandants-General.

The NSCDC boss enjoined the electorate to come out en-masse to participate in the election without any fear of molestation.

The people of the state should feel free and secure to exercise their franchise during the election because the security agencies are out to protect them, he assured.

Recall that the Nigeria police had earlier promised to also deploy 28,000 officers for the election and three helicopters to cover the three senatorial zones of the state.

Meanwhile, Ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed non-sensitive materials to all the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.

INECs Head of Voter Education in the state, Barr Owette Emmanuel disclosed this yesterday during a training exercise organized by an observer group, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement(YIAGA) for its Watching The Vote (WTV) team and trainers in preparation for the election.
A 37-year-old man, identified as Mathew Ankyoor,has been remanded in prison by an FCT High Court on Wednesday for allegedly beating his eight-month pregnant wife to death.

The judge, Peter Affen, adjourned the case until November 16 for the hearing of bail application filed by the defendants counsel, Ocheme Adama.

Motion for bail is hereby fixed for hearing on November 16.

In the interim, the defendant shall be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the hearing and determination of the motion for bail, he said.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Donatus Abah, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 5, at Lugbe village, Abuja.

Mr. Abah told the court that the defendant beat up his wife, Doosur Ankyoor, who was carrying eight months pregnancy to death.

He said the defendant beat her severally leading to her death and that of the unborn child.

He said the offence contravened Sections 221, 235 and 236 of the Penal Code.

Section 235 deals with preventing the child from being born, and 236 causing the death of an unborn child.

Mr. Ankyoor pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His counsel, Mr. Adama, had prayed the court to grant bail to the defendant to enable him take care of the three children left behind by his late wife.

Source : (NAN)
A businesswoman,identified as Omirafe Taiwo, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a retired Assistant Police Commissioner of N20m, was on Thursday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates Court in Lagos.

The suspect identified as Taiwo is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, issuance of dud cheque and stealing, but she denied the charge.

Sgt. Friday Mameh, the prosecutor, insisted that the accused and others still at large conspired and committed the offences at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, between April and Sept. 21.

He said the accused fraudulently obtained N20 million from the complainant, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Noah Adeosun under guise of selling a building to him.

Mameh alleged that on June 29, the accused issued a dud cheque for N20 million in favour of the complainant.

According to the prosecutor, when the cheque was presented, it was dishonoured due to insufficient funds.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 314 (1) (2), and 321 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos Stat, 2015.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Jude Ozemoya, urged the court to release the accused to him, promising to produce her in court throughout the trial.

The accused is my client, I know her very well and I will make sure she attends courts proceedings, the lawyer said.

In her ruling, Magistrate Olanike Olagbende cautioned the counsel to ensure that the accused is produced in court, threatening to put him in the dock instead.

She, however, released the accused to Ozemoya and adjourned the case until Dec. 5 for mention.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Veteran Nigerian musician Eedris Abdulkareem in a recent interview blasted Psquares Peter and Paul Okoye for embarking on solo careers, saying they were done in the industry.

Paul aka Rudeboy has now reacted on Instagram, throwing shade at the musician

Pls I advise!! before u get high, make sure you arrange beta food by the side to back am up.otherwise! oyo is the case. You wont even remember the way to the studio.. #veterans, he wrote.

Source: Linda Ikejis blog
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, ordered the Nigeria Police to unseal the headquarters of the Peace Corps and pay them a compensation of N12.5m.

The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to pay the sum of N12.5m as compensation to officials of Peace Corps of Nigeria who were unlawfully arrested, brutalised and illegally detained since February 28.

The court further ordered the Police to immediately unseal the corporate headquarters of the Peace Corps situated in Abuja, which was sealed since February 28, when police invaded the premises during its official commissioning.

The fundamental human rights enforcement suit was filed against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Security Service and its Director General and the Attorney General of the Federation, by the Incorporated Trustees of the Peace Corps of Nigeria on behalf of the National Commandant, Dickson Akor and 49 others.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that the police and other security agencies involve in the invasion of the were reckless in their action and acted outside their statutory powers.

In the judgment that lasted for about two hours, Justice Kolawole held that the police who acted as real antagonist to the existence of Peace Corps have no business to have acted the way and manner they carried out the arrest of the Peace Corps official and sealing off their office for about 10 months ago.

The court agreed that the police and other security agencies have statutory powers to make arrest, however. Such powers must be exercised with decorum and in compliance with relevant laws and protect the fundamental rights of citizens.

In the instant case, justice Kolawole held that the respondents failed to established that the peace corps officials have committed crime when they swooped on them.

Specifically, the judge said that the allegations by police and others that the peace corps was engaging in military and para-military training was not established to justify their unlawful actions.

Justice Kolawole said that the allegations of extortion of money from innocent Nigerians and the threat to national security made against the peace corps officials was not established with any document of the corps.

The court also faulted the claim by police that the acted on an intelligent report to have invaded the wad amorphous as there was nothing placed before the court to established the claim.

The respondents have not furnished the court with materials to prove that the acts of the applicants amounts to threat to national security.

Security agencies should not take refuge under amorphous and cover of Security Reports which have not been produced in this court to trample on the rights of citizens.

The pending criminal charge against the applicant which the respondents made reference to did not show that the applicants are operating a security outfit or a para- military outfit, but rather the charge borders on money laundering and Advanced Fee Fraud.

On the allegations by the Police that Peace Corps of Nigeria was an illegal organisations, the court held that the legality of the Peace Corps had been affirmed by four court judgments attached to the suits.

Justice Kolawole held that Peace Corps of Nigeria as a registered body has the right to acquire property which cannot be illegally sealed with evidence that it was acquired with the proceeds of crime.

The report of the search warrant on the house of the Commandant of the Peace Corps exhibited by the police did not show anything incriminating.
17-year-old Actress, Regina Daniels recently shared pictures of herself in her matriculation gown on her Instagram and we shared the pictures.

Recall the actress in August revealed that she gained Admission into a tertiary institution in Nigeria, but she has since refused to disclose what University.

Now, according to an exclusive source, we can authoritatively confirm to you that shes currently studying Mass Communication at Igbinedon University, Okada in Edo state.

Now, heres the thing, the source who spoke to us, confirmed to us, that the management of the Private University queried and sanctioned the actress for not attending lectures for a whole 1 month after her resumption.. Details of the sanction wasnt fully revealed to us.

The source further alleged that she drives a Lexus SUV to attend lectures, and stays in a beautiful hostel within the school premises. She reportedly she acquired the brand new Lexus SUV during her first week of resumption.

The source who apparently is close to the actress also confirmed to us that she is indeed 17 years of age, and not 16.

Source :- YabaleftOnline
Veteran actor Christopher Plummer will replace fallen star Kevin Spacey in the Ridley Scott police drama All the Money in the World, a source at Sony said on Wednesday.

Spaceys career is in free fall over sexual assault allegations, the latest of which emerged earlier Wednesday.

Plummer will swap for Spacey, as the crew race to reshoot scenes from the film which Sonys TriStar still plans to release on December 22, the source said.

They are committed to the 12/22 date  if anyone can pull it off its Scott, the source added, asking for anonymity.

Plummer will now play US millionaire J. Paul Getty in the story about the 1973 kidnapping of his teenage grandson John Paul Getty III.

A Massachusetts mother on Wednesday accused Spacey of sexually assaulting her 18-year-old son on the holiday island of Nantucket last year and said police had opened a criminal investigation.

Police could not confirm or deny any such report was filed but the womans accusation is the latest against Spacey, who was dropped last week by Netflix.

He was its star actor in the hit series House of Cards.

According to British media, London police are investigating Spacey for an alleged assault in 2008.

He has also been publicly accused of attempting to rape a 15-year-old boy in New York and of making advances on actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14 years old, more than three decades ago.

source: Punch
Financial-services firm The Bancorp Inc. has hired two new vice presidents to help expand its small-business lending to the funeral-home, self-storage and senior-living industries. Teresa Carlson and Kelly Isley join the company with significant experience in Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, according to a press release.

Carlson will serve as vice president, SBA business development officer, focusing on the funeral-home industry as well as general small businesses nationwide. She brings more than 24 years of experience in SBA lending to the position. She previously served in the same capacity for Mission Valley Bank.

Isley will serve as vice president, SBA new markets. In this role, shell work with the banks small-business lenders to expand market share into a broader range of industries. She has more than 17 years of financial-services experience including SBA expertise, the release stated. She previously served as chief operating officer for a national lender-service provider.

This is an exciting time for The Bancorp, said Jeff Nager, executive vice president, head of small-business lending. Kelly and Teresa are key additions who will add greater depth and expertise to our team as we take our first steps into expanding our offerings across new markets.

The Bancorp specializes in providing private-label banking and technology solutions to non-bank companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. The company has traditionally focused on health-benefit banking, institutional banking, payments and specialized lending. Its subsidiary, The Bancorp Bank, is a merchant-sponsor bank, Automated Clearing House (ACH) originator and prepaid card issuer.
Central and Eastern European insurance broker MAI CEE has appointed its Poland head of employee benefits Ewelina Jaworska as group employee benefits leader.Effective immediately, the promoted executive will be in charge of growing the independent insurance brokers employee benefits business across its Central and Eastern Europe operations. She will also, however, retain her responsibilities as Poland head of employee benefits.With a Masters degree in human resources and labour economics, Jaworska started her career in 2005 as an insurance broker in MAI CEEs international division. She became head of employee benefits in Poland in 2007, achieving double-digit growth year on year. Within the construction insurance specialist, the Polish division is among the strongest performing by brokerage growth.We are in the process of a significant build-out of our business and have identified employee benefits as a key target area for expansion, said MAI CEE chief executive Jan Stok. Ewelina joins to build on her significant achievements in growing our employee benefits practice in Poland.Stok continued: This is a key growth area for our business, as falling unemployment in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland creates competition for labour, and employee benefits programmes help employers attract the very best talent in the market. Ewelina is a recognised leader in employee benefits in our region, and we look forward to welcoming her to the group leadership team.Last October MAI CEE appointed former Marsh senior client executive Petr Antosik as employee benefits broker amid a major push into domestic markets. The firm, currently with 200 staff, is ramping up its workforce by 12.5%.
In a gesture that pays respect to the history of art, Chubb has donated a damaged sculpture to a conservation and preservation group.



Specifically, the insurer is donating LEsclave de Michel-Ange (S 20) to the Yves Klein Archives in Paris, France.



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Chubb chose to donate the sculpture after it had sustained damage due to an accident during transit. The insurer took possession of the art piece after settling the insurance claim with the Canadian collector who previously owned it.



Rather than manage the sculpture as salvage, we decided to donate it to the Yves Klein Archives for historical preservation and educational purposes, explained Chubb Personal Risk Services Canada SVP Paul Johnstone. Because of the damage sustained to the piece and the unique and rare materials Yves Klein used in his work, the sculpture could not be repaired, but it can continue to live on as part of the artists records with the Archives.



It is rare to have a piece donated back to our Archives for conservation and our historical records, commented Yves Klein Archives head Daniel Moquay. We are excited to add this to our collection to preserve the very unique and broad works of Yves Klein.



World-renowned French artist Yves Klein created the sculpture, based on an earlier piece by Michelangelo. Kleins take on the Renaissance sculpture is painted with a synthetic resin  International Klein Blue (IKB)  that he helped create.






There must be easier ways to make a buck. A Florida couple is in hot water after allegedly shooting themselves in a staged robbery in order to get an insurance windfall.Lindsey Pelton and Doug Teixiera told police that masked intruders broke into their Deltona, Fla., home on October 26 and stole $7,000 worth of money and jewelry. Pelton and Teixiera also claimed the intruders held them at gunpoint and then shot them both.That story unraveled before the bullet wounds even had a chance to start knitting, according to a report by the International Business Times. Police officers quickly noticed inconsistencies in the couples story. They also noticed that the gun that had shot Pelton and Teixiera was still in the house.We found a .22-caliber gun hidden, an officer said. When they were confronted, they said, Oh, yeah, yeah, the home invaders didnt bring their own gun. They got hold of our gun. I mean, the story just fell apart and it stunk from the very beginning.The couple said they were in the shower when the invaders broke in, but police found the shower and bathmat dry. When they checked surveillance footage of the area, there was no sign of the masked men the couple described.Pelton and Teixiera, unsurprisingly, have been charged with evidence tampering and providing false information to law enforcement officers. Police allege that the couple intended to get an insurance payout from the property owner, who had failed to repair a broken door lock, the International Business Times reported.They make up this story to create a scam so they can sue the homeowner because he wouldnt fix a locked door, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. In the process of doing that, they put fear and panic in the city of Deltona.A neighbor of the couple told local news affiliate WFTV-9 that she was amazed at their behavior.Honestly, Im disappointed, she said. Isnt it easier to get a job than to try to commit insurance fraud?
Hub International has announced that it will acquire the assets of Wells Fargo Crop Insurance Agency, the crop insurance broker business of Wells Fargo Insurance. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.



Wells Fargo Crop has offices in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana. The company offers insurance brokerage services for more than 130 types of crop, as well as standard federal multi-peril and crop hail coverage.



Following the acquisition, the Wells Fargo Crop team will become part of Hub International Mountain States Limited. Jeff Kemink, Wells Fargo Crops national crop insurance manager, and Jean Hinsverk, assistant vice president and operations manager, will join Hub Mountain in leadership roles.



Hub Mountain is aggressively investing in its drop and agriculture business, said Rene LeVeaux, Hub Mountain president. This acquisition will position Hub Mountain as one of the largest crop brokers in the Midwest and Northwest. As such, we will continue to provide additional resources to ensure our crop and agriculture clients receive the best products and service to protect their operations.



Our clients will continue to receive the same dedicated sales and service support from team members who have assisted them in the past with their crop and operations protection, Kemink said. By joining Hub, they will also benefit from Hubs extensive network of insurance specialists in management liability, employee benefits and risk services to best help them protect and grow their businesses.




German reinsurer Munich Re recorded a 1.4bn (US$1.63 billion) loss for the third quarter of 2017, in the wake of natural catastrophes in the US and Caribbean regions, but it expects a significant market recovery in the future.The company announced on Thursday that it faced 3.2 billion (US$3.72 billion) in major claims, mostly from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Due to the claims scale, it expects insurance rates to rise in the January reinsurance renewal season. According to the reinsurers estimates, the three weather disturbances have caused market-wide insured losses of around US$100 billion.After retrocession and before taxes, Munich Re incurred major losses with 3.17 billion (US$3.68 billion) in the third quarter, a huge jump from the 277 million (US$321.9 million) for the third quarter of 2016.Meanwhile, Munich Res insurance arm Ergo saw its operating profits more than double, reaching 297 million (US$345.14 million) in the third quarter.In its entirety, Munich Re expects group profits to be quite small for the entire 2017 calendar year, given the 146 million (US$169.7 million) in losses for the first nine months of the year.Jorg Schneider, chief financial officer of Munich Re, said in a statement: The major losses from natural catastrophes in the third quarter have had a substantial impact on our result. Despite business being otherwise good, this means that we can only post a small profit in 2017. But our capitalization is strong, and we are able to take full advantage of opportunities arising from the likely market recovery.
These are busy times for financial results and there is a common theme emerging among the major players  catastrophes have had a serious impact.In the case of Italian insurance giant Generali , the result has been a 5% slip in profits for its property and casualty business on the back of 260 million euros worth of claims relating to natural catastrophes, such as the spate of hurricanes in the US. Indeed its net profits overall dropped back by close to 10% to 1.5 billion euros primarily due to an impairment charge the business took when it decided to sell its Dutch business to ASR for 143 million euros.The insurer has also been stung in terms of its life insurance performance  profits dropped by 2% primarily due to higher costs.Nevertheless, there was some good news for the firm which reported flat operating profits overall at 3.6 billion euros. Its strongest performers, however, were outside the realm of insurance  Banca Generali, the groups banking operation, producing the most notable success.Overall, the firms solvency ratio stood at 195% at the end of September  a rise from 178% compared to one year earlier. Speaking to The Financial Times, Ralph Hebgen, an analyst for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, noted that this was higher than expected with operating profits missing consensus forecasts.Luigi Lubelli, the firms chief financial officer, remained positive, describing the nine-month results as a strong performance and adding that the business continues to grow.
For the more than eight million people who buckle into an airplane seat every day, there is a lot expected in terms of aero-safety. And for the manufacturers of airplane parts, there is a lot of risk involved should something fail.



Companies engaged in manufacturing aerospace components face a high level of exposure  greater, in fact, than many other manufacturers.



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Kyle Sparks, chief underwriting officer for aviation at Starr Insurance, recently spoke with Insurance Business about the insurers products and completed operations liability coverage.



Any manufacturer, whether it be an airframe manufacturer, an engine manufacturer, or a sub-component manufacturer, is going to have the need for aircraft product liability because most large casualty programs will have an aviation exclusion, he said. So thats where we come in with our aerospace product for aircraft product liability.



Its going to take care of any bodily injury or property damage arising out of an aircraft crash because of a defective product that someone manufactured.



And the product covers every aspect of aircraft building, from the largest components, like jetliner frames, down to the screws in an armrest, Sparks said.



Were going to insure anything from a major airframe manufacturer such as Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, down to somebody thats making something as little as an armrest for an aircraft, he explained. So, its quite a diverse product.



For some manufacturers involved in airplanes  such as companies manufacturing screws and rivets used in aircraft construction  their products will be used across a range of industries. But often their standard liability program for that screw or rivet will pick up everything else, but will exclude aviation exposure.



Starr insures everything from small private planes, to domestic and international passenger planes, to helicopters, military aircraft and missiles, and spacecraft and satellites.



The limits Starr offers are, necessarily, huge, Sparks said.



For [jetliners], whether youre the airframe manufacturer or the sub-component manufacturer, youre dealing with catastrophic exposures, because youve got a couple hundred people on an aircraft, he said. You can have some very large losses, so limits on some of these large aviation programs are going to go to $2 billion or more.





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A Texas insurance agent has been arrested for defrauding customers.Kristi Lynn Hooten, 40, was arrested Wednesday after an investigation by the Hopkins County Sheriffs Office. Hooten operated the Connect Insurance Agency in Sulphur Springs, Texas.Authorities said that Hooten had been selling customers auto insurance and creating fake insurance cards, but not actually providing coverage. Instead, she allegedly kept customers insurance premiums for herself, according to a report by local radio station KSST.Investigator Wade Sheets told KSST that the alleged fraud came to light after a customer needed to file an insurance claim and was given the run-around. Investigations revealed that Hooten used legitimate companies and official-looking policy numbers to scam customers.Additional fraud claims surfaced once Hooten was arrested, KSST reported. In an email to the station, one listener wrote: My parents were scammed by (Hooten) and it was a manufactured home insurance policy she sold to them.Connect Insurance Agency is now closed, according to KSST. Sheets told the station that anyone who purchased insurance from Connect should contact him. Although Hooten did not scam all of her customers, Sheets said, some may have been cheated and not yet discovered it.
Overall - $25.35 billion GWP, up 1%

EMEA - $10.97 billion, down 2%

North America - $11.6 billion, flat

APAC - $1.75 billion, up 8%

Latin America - $1.96 billion, up 12%

Overall - $3.47 billion annual premium equivalent (APE), up 1%

EMEA - $2.46 billion, up 10%

North America - $40 million, down 19%

APAC - $134 million, up 10%

Latin America - $836 million, down 19%

While Zurich s overall property & casualty gross written premium (GWP) is up (1%), things would have been a tad better if not for the decline in EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa).Announcing its financial results for the first nine months this morning, Zurich reported the following numbers:Property & casualtyLifeThe decrease in GWP for EMEA property & casualty was due to reductions in Germany, the UK, and Spain. As for the life APE sales for North America, Zurich did not elaborate. In Latin America, the drop was attributed to lower sales of corporate protection in Chile.I am pleased with the development of our businesses in the year to date, particularly against a challenging industry backdrop in the third quarter, said group chief financial officer George Quinn. We expect the third quarter natural catastrophe events to drive improvements in pricing across our business.As reported three weeks ago, Zurich estimated third quarter claims for its property & casualty business in relation to hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to be $700 million net of reinsurance and before tax ($620 million after tax).Meanwhile Quinn added: The Group is strongly capitalised and has continued to make progress against its strategic targets.
House Republicans plan to vote this week on a bill to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been delayed.A House staffer blamed the delay on a technical issue that was the result of bundling several flood insurance bills together into one piece of legislation in an attempt to get it to the House Floor.House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) have been pushing to get the bill passed, according to a Houston Chronicle report.The bill we support will begin to make the flood insurance program more stable and sustainable for the people who count on it, Scalise and Hensarling said in a joint statement this week. Being from Louisiana and Texas, we are all too familiar with the devastating effects of floods and the havoc they wreak on communities.However, the legislation has received pushback from some insurance professionals. The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) has come out against the bill , saying that if passed into law, it would cause increased costs that could force independent insurance agents to stop participating in the NFIP.
A coalition of business and environmental groups is demanding congressional action on flood insurance overhaul before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expires December 08.



The SmartSafer coalition sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives urging them to pass a compromise bill that would extend the NFIP to 2022.



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This legislative package moves the flood program in the right direction and contains needed reforms that will better protect those in harms way, the environment, and taxpayers, the letter said. The coalition wants Congress to surmount a stumbling block placed in flood reforms way when a scheduled House Rules Committee hearing for the bill was postponed indefinitely, Reuters reported.



Clearly theyre trying to make sure theyve got all their ducks in a row and theyve got all the votes they need, said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a conservative group that is part of the coalition.



Join us at our Future of Flood 2017 event in Florida on November 16. Click here to register.



But Joshua Saks, the legislative director of the National Wildlife Federation, told Reuters that the compromise bill had its problems  one of which was that it didnt guarantee money earmarked for flood mitigation projects would ever be spent.



We need an Apollo project of mitigation right now, Saks said. We need billions right now up front.





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US taxpayer is going to pay one way or another on flood insurance

House reaches deal on flood-reform bill as insurance agents lobby against it
Its not if youre getting hacked  its when.



Cyber insurance has been around for almost 30 years, but the data is changing every few months on how people get hacked and the type of cyber breaches that are out there. With every cyber breach, there are new nuances to how it happened, leading to endless questions on how to mitigate the next unknown peril.



Insurers can work with software companies, cybersecurity companies and data analysts to generate solid cyber insights to assist with the underwriting process and help brokers, according to Keith Moore, CEO of CyberPolicy, a subsidiary of San Francisco-based insurtech CoverHound.



Brokers and agents who ask commercial clients about their cybersecurity practices might not always get the best answers because a true understanding of cybersecurity is still not quite there among smaller businesses, Moore told Insurance Business.



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By partnering with cybersecurity experts, brokers can put asset monitoring and active monitoring in place, which will enable them to assess a small to mid-sized business better than they can assess themselves. Its important to generate a multi-view and multi-solution approach to cyber risk within a business.



CyberPolicy is a unique brand that offers instant online binding and quoting with choice for cyber insurance. As an insurtech start-up, the company has agility within the market and has landed partnerships with companies like Symantec, SecurityScorecard and UpGuard to offer different scoring mechanisms and approaches to cybersecurity.



Effective cyber insurance is all about plan, prevent, insure, according to Moore. Its particularly important for small to mid-sized businesses who arent as well versed in how to identify and react to a cyber breach, he said.



When we were launching our commercial efforts at CoverHound, we found that small business owners were quite consistent when talking about general liability and professional liability  but they all had different outlooks on cyber insurance, Moore commented.



We decided the best way to deal with that was to create a new brand that we could position as a very specific cyber insurance offering, with links to various cyber security companies, managed security service providers (MSSPs) and people offering cyber software solutions.



CyberPolicy has experienced phenomenal growth since its creation in October 2016. Moore attributes the sites success to its new angle and unique branding.



Is this a step towards the bespoke cyber product the industry is yearning for?
Several lobby groups in Wisconsin are battling over a proposed workers compensation bill that could make or break the states system.The bill, which sets a fee schedule for medical care in the state, was proposed as a means to control treatment costs. Forty-four other states have passed similar laws in the past, and Wisconsin is the latest to consider such legislation.Under the bill, the fee schedule would set rates for medical care at 2.5% higher than the average negotiated prices for regular health insurance plans.The Workers Compensation Employers Coalition (WCEC)  composed of 46 employer associations across Wisconsin  believe that the bill could help curb rising workers comp medical costs.Chris Reader, director of health and human resources policy of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (itself a member organization of the WCEC) believes that workers comp costs in the state are too high due to the lack of a meaningful cost-control mechanism.[Employers are] seeing that theyre paying more, and they just dont quite understand why, Reader said at a panel Tuesday debating the bill.On the other hand, several healthcare groups in the state are staunchly opposed to the bill.Wisconsin Medical Society senior vice president of government relations Mark Grapentine told La Crosse Tribune that the bill is unnecessary, as overall workers comp claims in the region are about the same as the national average. Grapentine said that this is due to workers using fewer medical services and returning to their jobs three weeks shorter than average.Grapentine also added that the bill is a solution in search of a problem.The Wisconsin Hospital Association and groups representing chiropractors and physical therapists also dispute the bill, reasoning that under the current system, there was an 8.5% drop in workers comp premiums for the fiscal year starting October 01, which shows that it works and does not need fixing.
LP Insurance Services has appointed John Bolce as the regional manager of its Las Vegas office. Bolce now oversees the sales, productivity and growth of the companys Las Vegas, Phoenix and Sacramento offices.Bolce is a company vice president and a member of the board of directors. Hes also an active broker with more than three decades of industry experience. Bolce joined the Sacramento location of Lucini/Parish Insurance in 2001, growing the companys commercial department to nearly $10 million by the time it was acquired by Wells Fargo in 2007. While at Wells Fargo Insurance Services, he served as construction practice leader.Bolce became a principal and shareholder at LP Insurance Services in 2012. He serves as vice president and regional manager of LPs Northern California, Phoenix Metro and Southern Nevada divisions.Im excited to be a part of the Las Vegas team, Bolce said. I look forward to experiencing a new region and helping to grow the southern Nevada group.
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Breaking EV Stock News: Mullen's (NASDAQ: MULN) 'Strikingly Different' EV Crossover Tour Heads to Texas After Completing a Successful Sold Out Stop in Las Vegas

BREA, Calif. - November 15, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today that it has successfully completed the third stop of the Mullen FIVE Strikingly Different EV Crossover Tour in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Breaking AI Stock News: FatBrain (OTCQB: LZGI) Acquires UK-based Forecasting Innovator Predictive Black To Help SMEs Optimize Cash Management

NEW YORK, NY - November 15, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow (some call SMEs), has acquired Predictive Black Ltd, a UK-based innovator of real-time cash management, financial insights and business wellness for SMEs.

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New Fashion Designer Launches this Holiday Season in Kelowna and Online; Sweet Dees Creations  Fun, Flirty and Affordable

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More than half of Irish people are worried about firms leaking their personal data but fewer than half are aware of their rights surrounding data protection, a report has found.

Research commissioned by security company Netwatch found almost six out of 10 worry about a data breach, as well as concerns about how their data is handles by companies.

The survey of 1,000 people also found that just two out of five understand their rights when it comes to how businesses handle their data.

Fewer than a quarter are aware of how long businesses are authorised to retain CCTV footage, and only a quarter know how to request access to CCTV footage in which they have been filmed.

Netwatch chief executive David Walsh said: The results are not altogether surprising given the current climate of regular data breaches. Irish people are extremely worried about how secure their data is.

Additionally, Irish people may not fully understand their own rights when it comes to data protection, particularly with CCTV.

He said Irish businesses had to ensure that they are compliant with EU regulations by keeping customers fully informed.

They can do this by making sure that CCTV usage is fully signposted, ensuring that they are retaining data for the correct amount of time, and allowing access to personal data when requested, he said.

The Data Protection Act says data retained must be justified and not excessive  security for a business would be acceptable but filming employees constantly would generally fall below the threshold.

The survey also found that fewer than a quarter understand what the incoming general data protection regulation is.

The regulation, which will be introduced next May, is designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe and to protect citizens data privacy.

Unlike a directive which is brought in over time, the regulation will be implemented on day one.

It not only applies to organisations within the EU but also to firms that do business inside member states.

If companies fail to comply with the regulation, they can be fined up to 4% of annual global turnover or 20m.

Analysis: 15
EU member states will meet again today to decide if glyphosates expiring EU license can be renewed.

Re-authorisation in the EU of the worlds most commonly used herbicide, better known as Roundup, must happen before December 15.

The European Commission has proposed a five-year renewal, but major member countries oppose this, with little sign of consensus, despite Germany trying to drum up support for a three-year extension. France and Belgium want the chemical to be phased out. Ireland has supported Commission proposals in relation to the renewal of the approval of glyphosate, to date. Others generally favouring licensing of glyphosate so far have been Bulgaria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland and the UK.

Countries believed to have opposed a ten-year renewal of the glyphosate licence are Belgium, Greece, Croatia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden, with Germany and Portugal abstaining. However, it will be up to the Commission to decide, if member states cannot agree.

If the licence is not renewed, and the chemical is phased out for use in the EU, the next aim for anti-glyphosate campaigners is likely to be an EU ban on importing food grown using the herbicide.

In this way, the glyphosate decision could be a major setback for the EUs livestock production, which is heavily dependent on grain imports.

A ban could be implemented through the World Trade Organisation by the EU reducing its maximum residue levels for glyphosate to 0.01 milligrams per kilogram, on health grounds, compared to the 20 milligrams per kilogram limit now allowed for some crop imports.

The situation has led to Canadas grains industry accusing Italy of jumping on the glyphosate bandwagon in order to limit imports of Canadian durum wheat, widely used in pasta making, which competes with Italian grain.

Italy is believed to be one of four EU member states opposing a glyphosate licence, who previously abstained in votes on the product.

The glyphosate decision has become subject to emotions and politics, despite a positive assessment of the chemical by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Chemicals Agency, said EU farmer and agricultural co-op leader Pekka Pesonen.

He was reacting to the EU Commission proposal to re-authorise the glyphosate herbicide active substance for only five years, instead of 15 years. He said it is unacceptable, and will undermine credibility in the EU institutions, and put at risk safe food supplies. There should be no question but to re-authorise its use for the full 15 years, said Mr Pesonen.

This widely used active substance contributes to feeding a growing population and to ensure agriculture conservation and fertile soils.

Using glyphosate has many environmental benefits, as farmers dont need to till the soil which reduces soil erosion, keeps soil fertility and soil organic matters up, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Parliament has called for a full glyphosate ban within five years.

Over 1m people have signed a European citizens initiative calling for a glyphosate ban.
However, speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Varadkar said Mr Halligan has his confidence. The support for the Taoiseach is significant and should see him keep his job.

Minister Halligan has expressed regret for what he said. This incident should not have happened. Minister Halligan has accepted that, a source close to the Taoiseach said last night.

Mr Halligan said of the incident that it was an innocent mistake.

I have always strived to be a family-friendly employer. The people I have working for me have kids and I try to be as flexible as possible. The question was asked in that context. I regret the incident but certainly I meant no offence, he told the Irish Examiner from Thailand where he is on a trade mission.

Last night in a statement, the Independent Alliance members said they have full confidence in Mr Halligan. He made a mistake and he has apologised for it.

However, the Labour Party condemned his actions saying he broke the law and said he should consider resigning from office.

This is a very serious matter. The minister broke the law. The minister discriminated against a civil servant. He should do the decent thing now and consider his position, said Labour TD Sean Sherlock.

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, where Mr Halligan is based, has been told to pay 7,500 in compensation to a senior official who was deemed to have been discriminated against after Mr Halligan asked her in a job interview are you a married woman?.

He said his staff members had offered to write character references and the Workplace Relations Commission accepted his bone fides as a good employer.

The union representing the civil servant yesterday described the questions as shameful.

General secretary of the Public Service Executive Union, Tom Geraghty said it beggars belief that 40 years after the enactment of the first Employment Equality Act 1977 anybody, let alone a government minister, would think that it is acceptable to ask questions based on an outmoded view of the role of a mother.

We hope that that the publicity around this case makes it clear that it is never okay to ask discriminatory questions or to make discriminatory assumptions regarding candidates simply because of their family circumstances.

The executive officer has been employed by the Civil Service since 1993. She had applied for one of two posts of private secretary in May 2016 to two junior government ministers in the same government department.

At the interview, Mr Halligan said to her I shouldnt be asking you this, but ... Are you a married woman? Do you have children? How old are your children?.

Taken off guard, she confirmed that she was married and that she was the mother of two children and she indicated their ages. In reply, the minister observed, you must be very busy.

At a Workplace Relations Commission hearing into the officials claim of discrimination under the Employment Equality Acts, the junior ministers words at the interview were neither challenged or denied.

In her ruling which found that the woman was discriminated against, adjudication officer, Penelope McGrath found the comments to be so outmoded.

It was ill-advised of the minister of state to have so pointedly obtained information that had nothing to do with this candidates suitability for a position, and a position for which she had determined she was eligible to compete.
New figures show that just 1,375 out of more than 35,000 tenancies in Cork which are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board were visited by environmental health officers during 2016.

There are approximately 17,500 private rental accommodation units in both the city and county administrative areas.
David OConnor and Jim Hamilton of BDO were appointed as joint provisional liquidators to the Charleville Credit Union in the High Court last month, on foot of an application by the Central Bank which said the north Cork institution was in a distressed financial position.

In a statement yesterday, Mallow Credit Union expressed its sadness at the situation in Charleville and said its board was of the opinion that it was incumbent upon them to offer a full credit union financial service to the people who reside or are employed in that common bond.
Thomas Hussain Healy, aged 45, of 8 Liam Lynch Park, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, was yesterday found not guilty of assault causing serious harm to Seamus ODriscoll, 50, at Stag Park Avenue, Mitchelstown, on March 27, 2015.

John ODriscoll, aged 57, of the bungalow, Carrigane, Mitchelstown, who denied making a death threat to Seamus ODriscoll if he gave evidence in court, was found not guilty of that charge.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain thanked the jury, which delivered a unanimous verdict after an hour of deliberation at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

Seamus ODriscoll testified that he was delivering meat to another house at Stag Park on March 26, 2015, when he was asked to come in for a drink with others who were having a party. He said that in the course of this night, a broken bottle was held up to his neck and he left the house.

On my way home I was hit from behind. I was assaulted by Thomas Healy and his son Kelvin. I went upstairs in my house and got a shotgun. I came to the front door and left a shot in the air, said Seamus ODriscoll.

The guards came later and they took possession of the gun, which was fair enough.

Seamus ODriscoll said that the following morning, the woman living in the house where the drinking had taken place asked him to come back.

He claimed he ended up alone in the sitting room with John ODriscoll.

He made me go down on my knees and he threatened he would kill me if I took this to court. He threatened to shoot me and put me in a bodybag. He threatened to kill my dog as well  he is my pride and joy.

As for the injury, Seamus ODriscoll said he was left with no sight in the eye in which he was struck.

Ray Boland, defending John ODriscoll, suggested Seamus ODriscoll had made up his complaint against his client. He replied: I did not make it up, it is the truth, I am not in the habit of lying.

Mr Boland put it to Seamus ODriscoll that his own behaviour at the drinking session in the house and caused offence. You were making lewd and dirty suggestions to women present, suggested Mr Boland.

Seamus ODriscoll replied: That is un-correct.

John ODriscoll, who was accused of threatening to kill Seamus ODriscoll and kill his dog if he gave evidence of being assaulted, said he drank about 12 cans of Budweiser on the night and stopped drinking at around 4am. He said it was known as a drinking house and that he was a heavy drinker at the time.

He denied a suggestion by Imelda Kelly, prosecuting, that the alcohol would have affected his memory. He denied threatening to kill Seamus ODriscoll and his dog if he gave evidence.

Before the end of the trial, Judge O Donnabhain directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty by direction against a third man, Kelvin Dolan, aged 21, of 8 Liam Lynch Park, Mitchelstown, a son of Thomas Hussain Healy, who had also denied a charge of assault causing harm to Mr ODriscoll.
The US-based Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR) made the claim after the State paid out 30,000 over an abortion case, for only the second time in its history, in response to a UN ruling on the matter.

At the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment yesterday, two pro-life organisations cancelled meetings with the group and chairwoman Catherine Noone accused pro-life members Ronan Mullen and Mattie McGrath of trying to undermine her.

The committee also heard from the CRR, which said Ireland remains at risk of further abortion payouts.

On Tuesday, it emerged the Government has agreed to pay Wexford woman Siobhan Whelan 30,000 in compensation after she had to travel to Liverpool for an abortion in 2010. She had been told her unborn child had a congenital brain malformation classified as a fatal foetal abnormal.

The move followed a UN Human Rights Committee ruling a similar payout to Amanda Mellet last year.

Asked by Independents-4Change TD Clare Daly where Ireland needs to get to to protect the State from further cases as presumably there are much more cases, CRR regional director for Europe Leah Hoctor said Ireland must make abortion services practically accessible now.

Accepting she is not aware of any pending cases, Ms Hoctor said it may happen Ireland will continue to come before the committee unless changes are made.

Meanwhile, as revealed in yesterdays Irish Examiner, North Carolina paediatrics expert Prof Marty McCaffrey and the Both Lives Matter group wrote to the committee to say he will not take part in what has become a kangaroo court.

During private session before yesterdays meeting, Ms Noone repeated her call for pro-life witnesses.

In public session, she and other committee members were accused of bullying by pro-life Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who later said he and Mr Mullen were the result of a pregnancy before responding to laughter by shouting that this is why this committee is a total charade.

The Pro-Life Campaign held a media briefing at the gates of Leinster House during yesterdays committee hearing, with spokesperson Cora Sherlock saying there is little point in pro-life groups attending.

At a later meeting, consultant perinatal psychiatrist at Holles Street, Dr Anthony McCarthy, said we cannot wish abortion away, before telling Fine Gael TD Kate OConnell both abortion and full-term pregnancy can cause mental health issues.

As the committee ended, Ms Noone referred to Oireachtas chair rules by saying she does not have to read out letters from witnesses saying they will not attend. After being criticised by Mr Mullen and Mr McGrath, Ms Noone accused them of trying to undermine her.

Sinn Fein TD Jonathan OBrien said: Im losing my temper here.

Mr McGrath claimed: Are you threatening us, are we going to be knee-capped?
Caitlin Taylor, 14, had taken off her seatbelt when she dropped her mobile phone in the front car well and had not refastened it, the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee was told yesterday.

The driver of the car, Sarah OConnell, of Sean Moylan Park, Mallow, Co Cork, was an unaccompanied learner driver, without displaying L plates, on June 15, 2014, at Knockeenahone, Scartaglen, when the incident occurred.

She had told gardai she got a provisional licence eight months previous and had taken 10 lessons. She was not used to nighttime driving, Ms OConnell told gardai.

She is contesting a charge of careless driving causing the death of Ms Taylor. Judge Thomas ODonnell is due to charge the jury today.

Ms OConnell, now 24, told gardai the teenager had asked her to drive to Scartaglen on that Sunday evening when they met in a shop.

They left Mallow around 9.30pm and were 60km into their journey, and just 5km from Scartaglen, when Ms OConnells car failed to take a bend, went over a ramp-like mound, and dropped 2m into a low-lying field before tumbling a number of times and ejecting Ms Taylor.

Her vehicle was in good condition and she had not exceeded an 80km speed limit, the court heard.

Ms OConnell has not driven since.

Ms Taylor, discovered some 6m from the car, sustained a fractured skull and upper spinal chord injury.

Neither woman had alcohol or drugs. The trial was told by Tom Rice, prosecuting, it was most likely that Ms OConnell had not been wearing a safety belt either. Her 18-month-old daughter was unharmed and was still strapped into her booster seat in the car.

Garda forensic examiner James OBrien said the road surface was dry. There were county council warning cones at the point where the car entered the field, as the council intended carrying out signage and remedial work, but the work had not started.

Sarah OConnell. Picture: MacMonagle, Killarney

Garda OBrien deduced that Ms OConnell was not breaking the speed limit. The car had travelled across a mound which acted like a ramp, dropped 2m into the field, went head over heels or somersaulted a number of times, before landing 16m into a sloping field.

The cars rear bumper was detached, all the glass shattered, the roof was damaged, and shoes and clothes were strewn around the field.

Ms Taylor had been thrown from the vehicle in the course of the tumble and the airbags had not held her slight frame, said Garda OBrien. The front windscreen, still in one piece, was found alongside Ms Taylor.

The car had a full NCT, was in good order, and was taxed, and Ms OConnell was fully insured, the court was told.

In a prepared statement and subsequent interview with gardai in August 2014, Ms OConnell said she remembered how Ms Taylor had taken off her safety belt to retrieve her phone, which had fallen, and had not put it back on.

She said she had known Ms Taylor for two years as she hangs around with the same people as herself.

That Sunday evening when she went to Foleys shop in Mallow, she met Ms Taylor. Ms OConnell told gardai: She wanted a lift to Scartaglen. She said she wanted to meet a fellow. She did not tell me who he was.

They had stopped in Ballydesmond when Ms Taylor said she wanted to put on make-up. Before the incident, her phone had rung and she had dropped it. She took off her belt to retrieve her phone and had not put the seatbelt back on before the incident, which happened very soon afterwards, Ms OConnell said in her statement.

Asked if she had a full licence, Ms OConnell said she did not, and was not displaying L plates or accompanied by a qualified driver.

She said she lives with her parents and helps in their horse-rearing business.

Ms OConnell told gardai she believed she had hit a pothole but was not certain.

Asked if she had been distracted by Ms Taylor dropping her phone and taking off her seatbelt, Ms OConnell said this was a possibility.

Civil proceedings are being taken, Mark Nichols, defending, advised the court.

Dazed and distraught at the scene and concerned for her friend, Ms OConnell was seeing a counsellor and was getting flashbacks and had not been sleeping after the incident, the trial heard.

Closing speeches continue and Judge ODonnell is expected to charge the jury today.
Social entrepreneur and UCC Quercus scholar Emily Duffy, 18, said she is in talks with groups who work with the homeless in the city with a view to replicating a successful project in Dublin, which employs 20 homeless people making the so-called Duffily Bag.

Most of the bags we make are used in Dublin, but now that Im studying in UCC, it makes sense to do something similar in Cork, she said.

Emily, from Limerick, who is in her first year of studying commerce, was speaking after a meeting this week with UCC president Patrick OShea. Mr OShea heard about her invention and invited her to a meeting to hear more about the product. He bought a bag and said he would help spread the word of her invention.

Emily was just 14 when she invented a homeless wrap and showcased it at the 2015 BT Young Scientist competition.

The so-called Duffily Bag is designed to alleviate the problems faced by people sleeping rough. It is lightweight, waterproof, heat-retaining, non-flammable, and highly reflective. The hood, which doubles up as a pillow, has a pouch for storing valuables .

The Mendicity Institute in Dublin, a charity helping the homeless in the capital since 1818, heard about the product in 2015 and forged a partnership with Emily which led to the creation of an employment project which sees 20 of its service users paid 10 an hour to make Duffily Bags. Hundreds have been distributed in Dublin, where the homeless problem is at crisis point.

Hundreds more have been distributed to refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk, and many more have also been sold in London and Canada.

Emily said she hopes to replicate the employment project with a homeless charity or agency in Cork soon.

It is not a money-making venture. This is to help the homeless, she said.

There are various ways to support the manufacture of the bags, including sponsoring a bag to cover the cost price and other options to make an additional donation. The cost of producing the bags is reduced if bulk orders are placed.

You can find out how to support the venture by visiting duffily.myshopify.com
Whats an Irish filmmaker to do when one of the worlds most famous women takes an interest in your fledgling project?

For Nora Twomey, the answer was simple  to hightail it on a flight across the Atlantic, and let on that you happened to be in town anyway.

Thats how the Cork animator first came to meet with Angelina Jolie, who was so enamoured with her film that she signed up as an executive producer. Now the rest of the world is poised to fall in love with it too.

Twomeys solo directorial debut, The Breadwinner, is attracting early awards-season attention and rave reviews.

Described by the Hollywood Reporter as jewel-bright and heart-wrenching, it tells the story of Parvana, an 11-year-old Afghan girl who dresses like a boy so that she can support her family after her father is imprisoned under the Taliban regime.

Jolie, a producer as well as actor who has long worked as a special envoy for the UN, was on board as soon as she read the script and saw early concept work.

She read it and looked at the work that we had done to date, and really responded to it, says Twomey.

I hopped on a plane, flew over, pretending I was there on business, met her. She very much aligned with the sensibility that we were aiming for.

"She really understood the complexities of Afghanistan and the history of Afghanistan and had, for over a decade and a half, been involved in girls education in Afghanistan.

Walking into one of the most important meetings of her career, Twomey must have felt it vital to not be overwhelmed.

Literally, because I had hopped on a plane and been to airports, the magazine stalls were full of Angelina Jolie, these very glamorous, glossy pictures.

"To walk into a meeting with her it was just herself and myself. But youre meeting someone whos very down to earth, very chatty, very warm.

Whats weird as well is shes probably the most famous person Ive met, so when youre talking to someone like that, because youre so familiar with their face, you think you know them. She was very welcoming.

For Twomey, a co-founder of Kilkenny-based animation studio Cartoon Saloon with Tomm Moore and Paul Young, the film has been a labour of love. The well-established studio has created such award- winning films as The Secret of Kells, but this is Twomeys first big solo run.

Growing up in a farming community just outside Midleton, she could not have considered such a successful career in animation possible.

My sisters would have all drawn. And my mother loved literature and poetry. An appreciation was there. My father growing up would have liked telling us stories. The love of storytelling was there. But certainly in the 70s and 80s it was something you would think of as a past-time rather than something you would build a career around.

Even at the time and in terms of film and that, before the Film Board came into being in Ireland, it was something that was American or English. It was only when the Neil Jordans or the Jim Sheridans started making their films that it became something that you realised Irish people could do.

The Breadwinner tells the story of an Afghani girl who pretends to be a boy.

As a child, drawing became more and more important to her.

Most children will draw, as a means of communication. And then at the age of nine or ten, a lot of children give it up. I would have just continued on.

"As I continued on at school, and really didnt fit into the mould of school, I retreated more and more into my imagination and more into drawing. My copybooks, the backs of them, were full of doodles. For me, I suppose, it became a stronger, as opposer to a weaker, thing.

Most children, unfortunately, will give it up and its a pity because I think drawing is such a relaxing thing anyway, no matter what your skill level, its a great thing to do, because it slows you right down and it makes you observe the world around you.

Like many teenagers, Twomey struggled to find her place in the school system and left as soon as she was able, taking a job with local porcelain doll artist Judy Cuddy.

It brought back confidence  I would create something in the morning that existed in the evening time, she recalls.

Realising that art was her calling, she took a factory job in Midleton to help raise the funds to get back into the education system.

I did a year foundation course in Colaiste Stiofain Naofa in Cork city. That gave me a broad idea of what fine art is like, what ceramics is like, textiles, all of the different disciplines I could go into.

"There, I met some of the other students who were planning to do animation. They told me what animation was and that you get to draw every day and get better and better at your drawing.

"For me that sounded amazing, so I got my portfolio together with the help of the people who were running the course, and went off up to Dublin.

My sister helped me a lot as well, shed done art for her Leaving Cert. Based on my portfolio I got into Ballyfermot.

Twomey worked at Brown Bag before setting up Cartoon Saloon with Young and Moore. When she came across the novel The Breadwinner, she endeavoured to bring it to the screen in a journey that has taken four years.

Deborah Ellis has a wonderful way of writing about challenging subject matters in a way thats not sentimental, but at the same time is quite respectful of the audience shes writing for.

"I read it in an evening, absolutely fell in love with the character of Parvana and the fact that she was flawed. This very human character in very extraordinary circumstances.

In some senses her life was very alien to mine, but in other senses there were things that I understood very well, in terms of the family dynamic and how much she loved her father. These little things that we all understand.

The film opens in the US next week (and will be released by Element Pictures in Ireland next spring) and is being widely discussed as an Oscar contender for best animated feature.

For me the big win is if people go and buy a ticket. What we make films is for people to go and see them. Were storytellers and we want people to participate in the story.

I feel very proud, honestly, to represent the 300-plus people who worked on this film. All of these people put so much work into this project, so its wonderful for it finally to be out there and starting to get seen by audiences.

Twomey and Jolie have collaborated and come to know each other well. Has she ever confessed she didnt happen to be in the area on the day of that first meeting? She laughs.

No, but Im sure shed be quite used to people pretending!
A can of Dutch Gold will cost 1.58 under new laws on minimum pricing under discussion in the Seanad.

Will someone not think of the poor students?

In recent days and weeks, a fierce lobbying campaign has been launched by the alcohol industry to combat the Public Health Alcohol Bill.

Politicians and the media alike have been bombarded by slick pr agents about how the planned moves would

destroy the retail sector and the embryonic native craft beer industry.

80,000 Customers Sign Petition Against Section 20 of Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, came one press release.

DRINKS INDUSTRY SLAMS MISLEADING AND INACCURATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BRIEFING AHEAD OF ALCOHOL BILL DEBATE, came another in bold capital print for added emphasis.

And on and on and on it has gone.

The planned bill, which is seeking to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol and also restrict the visibility of the alcohol in shops, has been the source of considerable criticism within Fine Gael and across the Dail floor since it was first introduced in 2015.

The length of time it has taken to get to this point is a clear indication of how tricky politically it is.

Former junior minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy ran into the sand when she tried to progress this issue against the strong objections from many of her colleagues.

While she is no longer in office, the issue has remained on the agenda and the divisions were evident on Seanad floor yesterday.

While a number of Senators like Frances Black and Dr James Reilly argued passionately and convincingly in favour of the bill, plenty of his colleagues lined up to seek to have it watered down, weakened and diluted.

Among those seeking changes included Mayo Senator and former TD

Michelle Mulherin, ex-TD Kieran ODonnell, Cork senator Tim Lombard and Cavans Joe OReilly who all wanted the bill amended while voicing some support for the health aspects of it.

There was a lot of concern about increasing prices in the South while prices in the North remain unchanged, saying it would lead to many crossing the border.

Independent Senator Victor Boyhan also raised concern about the likely impact on tourism, saying he had just returned to Ireland and came across advertisements about whiskey tours.

Health Minister Simon Harris had to brace himself for a long session in order to get through the bill and sought to highlight the virtue of the proposed changes.

He said Ireland has an opportunity to be a world leader in public health policy and it should not be wasted.

Despite the major stumbling blocks, Harris was appearing to get his way and significant issues like segregation were overcome.

But the booze companies have vowed to fight on, the war is not yet over.
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Local Dems sweep; town rejects pot Every Democrat on the local ballot won their race Tuesday, including Jamestown resident Peter Neronhas re-election as the states top prosecutor, and local voters followed suit with the statewide trend...

Voters rebuff allowing retail pot sales in shops By a margin of 157 votes, the electorate decided Tuesday not to allow local businesses to cultivate, manufacture, test or sell recreational marijuana in Jamestown. The referendum to allow the...

School board agrees to contract with North Kingstown Jamestown students entering high school can continue to choose North Kingstown as their destination for grades 9-12. We are pleased to continue this historic partnership, said Ken Duva, superintendent of...
GREENSBORO  A 21-year-old Greensboro man who was shot while visiting a friend Monday night died from his injuries early Tuesday morning.

Stephen Nathan McKinney Jr. of 1205 Larchmont Drive was outside 1701 Eastwood St. when he was shot, according to a police news release. During the investigation, police discovered that the building at 1705 Eastwood Ave. had also been struck by gunfire. No one was injured there.

McKinney was being taken by private vehicle to a local hospital when police and EMS met them at the intersection of McConnell Road and English Street about 10:50 p.m. He was transferred to the ambulance and taken to Moses Cone Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 1:20 a.m., police said.

Police said no suspects have been identified.

This marks the city's 38th homicide of the year.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000 or text keyword badboyz and the tip to 274637.
WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  The Connecticut NAACP wants a felony hate crime charge immediately filed against a white former college student accused of smearing body fluids on her black roommate's belongings.

The NAACP has scheduled a rally Wednesday outside the West Hartford police department.

Former University of Hartford student Brianna Brochu was charged Oct. 28 with misdemeanor criminal mischief and breach of peace. Police said last week they were seeking a hate crime charge.

Police said Brochu claimed in an Instagram post to have tampered with her roommate's belongings, including putting her toothbrush "where the sun doesn't shine" and rubbing used tampons on her backpack.

Police and Brochu didn't return messages seeking comment.

Hartford State's Attorney Gail Hardy says investigators are still waiting to talk with Brochu's roommate before deciding how to proceed.
PHOENIX (AP)  A 94-year-old Phoenix woman freed herself from the trunk of her car hours after she was abducted from her condominium by a man who put her in the trunk, drove the car away and parked it at a shopping mall, police said Wednesday.

The womans ordeal began early Tuesday when the man in his 30s forced his way into her home in the suburb of Scottsdale, said Sgt. Ben Hoster, a police spokesman.

The man tied the woman up, put her in the trunk of her four-door sedan and drove it a short distance to the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, Hoster said.

The unidentified woman spent about seven hours in the trunk until she managed to get out. A passer-by saw her and called 911. The woman was taken to a hospital for an evaluation, but Hoster declined to comment on whether she suffered injuries.

Hoster also would not say whether the woman knew her kidnapper, how she freed herself from the trunk or if anything was stolen during the abduction. He said the investigation was still in its early stages.

Brian Czupek, who lives in the same complex as the victim, was walking home from the mall Tuesday afternoon when he saw police vehicles in the parking lot and officers with the victim.

I thought someone was getting busted for something. I didnt know it was a kidnapping, Czupek said.

He realized the connection to his neighborhood when he saw the womans home roped off with police tape.

Most residents of the complex are retired people who stay in Arizona during the winter, Czupek said.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WASHINGTON  Tuesdays Democratic sweep obliterated a series of outdated story lines in American politics and opened a new era.

Forget those repetitious tales about some piece of President Trumps base still sticking with him. Its now clear, from Virginia and New Jersey to Washington state, Georgia, New York, Connecticut and Maine, that the energy Trump has unleashed among those who loathe him has the potential to realign the country.

In droves, voters rebuked his leadership, his party and the divisive white nationalist politics that was supposed to save Republican Ed Gillespie in the Virginia Governors race, the centerpiece of the GOP catastrophe.

Instead, Ralph Northam, the Democratic lieutenant governor who was much-maligned until election night for being boring, swept to victory on a massive turnout with the largest percentage for a Democrat in Virginia since 1985. On top of this, Democrats picked up at least 15 of the 17 seats they need to win control of the Virginia House of Delegates and were within 200 votes in four other districts. There were comparable Democratic gains in state and local contests elsewhere.

Widespread reports of new organizing and activism on the progressive side of politics were often written off before Tuesday because earlier this year Democrats lost four special Congressional elections in very Republican constituencies. Typically overlooked were sharp shifts away from the GOP in all these districts. Its now clear that the backlash against Trump is the most consequential fact of American politics.

Other right-wing narratives died as well. Anti-Obamacare sentiment was once an asset for the Republican Party. Not anymore. On Tuesday in Virginia, the exit poll found that health care was the top issue in the governors race, named by close to 40 percent of voters. Health-care voters backed Northam by better than 3-to-1. In Maine, voters defied their erratic arch-conservative governor, Paul LePage, and voted for the ACAs Medicaid expansion.

The gun issue was supposed to hurt Democrats whenever it was salient. It was the No. 2 issue in Virginia, after health care. But in an historic rebuke to the National Rifle Association, voters who said they cast ballots on gun policy split narrowly. Sane gun policies are no longer a political third rail. Its time for fearless opposition to the NRAs extremism.

The alibis of those whom the voters rejected were another source of satisfaction for the anti-Trump movement. Trump, as is his habit, chose to live in his own factual universe. Having tweeted his strong support for Gillespie when Election Day dawned, he didnt even wait for all the ballots to be counted to rebuke Gillespie because he did not embrace me or what I stand for.

Republicans take note: You can demean yourselves all you want by trumpeting Trumpian themes. It wont buy you gratitude, and  except in the most deeply red parts of the nation  it wont buy you victory. The leader of your party is a boor, and, as Northam declared in his effective Democratic primary advertising, a narcissistic maniac.

Perhaps even more revealing was the response of Jerry Falwell Jr. Those who lose usually try to figure out why the voters rejected their side. Not Falwell, who proposed shipping the voters of northern Virginia, known locally as NOVA, somewhere else. DC should annex NOVA and return the governance of VA to Virginians!, Falwell tweeted. The founders intended DC to include all fed employees who are conflicted.

Falwells tweet was instructive. Republicans really do want to retreat into their own world. Already, the meme on the right is that the GOP will be fine as long as it passes an oligarchic tax bill that redistributes money away from wage and salary earners and toward corporations, the heirs to big fortunes  and, well, to people like Trump. Self-deception is the most dangerous habit in politics.

And thus a brief memo to Democrats: Youd be fools to descend into sectarian infighting between your moderate and progressive wings. The results on Tuesday showed that voters across a broad spectrum backed candidates of various ideological hues to demand a new political direction. Your first job is to rally what we now know is an American majority that sees Trumps presidency as a disaster for our nation.
A. BOYD JOYCE, Sandy Ridge

No reasonable similarities

The writer of the Nov. 4 letter We must change compared evangelical Christianity to radicalized Islam. He wrote that evangelical Christianity deserves no more respect than that of ... radicalized Islam.

How many evangelical Christians have driven a truck into innocent people on bicycles? How many evangelical Christians have ignited a bomb in the public square to take the lives of unknowing people? How many evangelical Christians armed with weapons have fired shots into unsuspecting crowds? None. None. None.

Instead, evangelical Christians have fought to protect the lives of innocent unborn babies. Evangelical Christians defend those in court whose businesses are threatened because those who live unbiblical lifestyles are trying to force their immoral agenda. Evangelical Christians offer financial aid to those who have suffered tragedies.

There are no reasonable similarities between evangelical Christianity and radical Islam. The differences can be summed up in three words: good vs. evil. Surely, no one would put Franklin Graham in the same category with Osama bin Laden.

This just touches the surface of why the letter was so misdirected. It is time more evangelicals speak up and defend themselves against such attacks. The letter writer owes the evangelical Christian community an apology.

***

VINA MODARESS, Winston-Salem

Polite politics

So, about Southern culture.

Its impolite to talk about politics. I dont like to call it politics. I like to call it issues that are important to everybodys lives.

Many decades ago, people in the South decided to make talking about politics impolite. They may have been talking to somebody who perhaps was a former slave owner. This was a way of keeping people uninformed about the real issues that mattered to their lives and to keep white people in power and the poor and people of color down.

Oh gosh, if you talk about politics you may start talking about slavery, race, equality and womens rights. Oh no, they may find out what their senators are really doing to them. We sure do not want people to be informed about these issues.

Well, this is 2017. Its not time to be polite anymore. Its time to open our mouths and start talking about what really matters to us. Even if we dont agree on everything, thats OK. At least we will have started a dialogue.

Its time to start informing ourselves, reading the news, voting, being an activist for the issues we care about. Our senators and House representatives are working hard in Washington, D.C., to strip us of our rights and our voice and using our political system to get rich. I dont think that we should sit politely by while they do this.

***

MONTY OWEN, Winston-Salem

Foreign workers

President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort has been granted 70 visas to bring in foreign workers for the winter season, The Palm Beach Post reported on Nov. 3. Thats a 9 percent increase from last year, when Mar-a-Lago hired 64 workers under the H-2B visa program.

These are cooks, waiters, maids and housekeepers who will make between $10 and $13.34 an hour.

Is this how to make America great again?

Please submit letters online to Letters@wsjournal.com or mail letters to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Letters are subject to editing and are limited to 250 words. For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/opinion/submit_a_letter.
Amazon Studios has reportedly opened an investigation into harassment allegations against Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor  claims the Emmy-winning actor vehemently denied as baseless.

Deadline reports that the allegations stem from Tambors former assistant Van Barnes, who worked for him from 2014 to this year, according to a LinkedIn profile.

The transgender Barnes reportedly implied inappropriate behavior by the actor in a private Facebook post, prompting the company to launch the investigation.

Tambor, 73, addressed the probe, and strongly denied any misconduct, saying that Barnes claim left him appalled and distressed.

I am aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her, he said in a statement to Deadline. I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any others person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation.

Tambor has starred as transgender matriarch Maura Pfefferman on Transparent since 2014. Though the series is not currently filming, Amazons investigation is reportedly in the stages of talking to members of the shows production team, as well as the actor himself.

Barnes appeared in one episode of the series, as well as on Caitlyn Jenners E! reality series I Am Cait.

The allegations against Tambor come just weeks after the resignation of studio head Roy Price.

Price was suspended and  shortly after resigned  from the company after an executive producer on the Amazon series The Man in the High Castle accused him of lewdly propositioning her in a taxi in 2015.



2017 New York Daily News

Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com

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GREENSBORO  On the third anniversary of the fire that ultimately killed Stephen White, a jury chose to spare the life of his killer.

On Wednesday afternoon, jurors returned a verdict of life in prison without parole for 29-year-old Garry Gupton in the penalty phase of his murder trial. Their decision not to choose the death penalty came after eight hours of deliberation. On Oct. 30, the same Guilford County Superior Court jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and arson.

Stephen was our beloved son, brother, and uncle and loyal friend who served our great country with honor and courage, the family said in a written statement to the media. Justice would not have been served without the jurors attention, energy and time away from their families.

Defense attorney Wayne Baucino said he was pleased with the jurys decision.

Since Oct. 2, the seven women and five men on the jury have listened to details of that night and watched surveillance videos of the moment that White and Gupton met on Nov. 8, 2014, at the Chemistry Nightclub, a gay bar and lounge in Greensboro. White, an openly gay man, frequented the nightclub. Gupton was struggling with his sexual identity and, that evening, visited the nightclub for the first time, according to testimony.

Jurors saw surveillance video of the men leaving together in a cab that they took to the Battleground Inn.

They heard Gupton testify that before leaving with White he had consumed large amounts of alcohol and overdosed on his prescription medications.

Gupton told jurors that inside the hotel he had sex with White and during that moment he suddenly envisioned himself surrounded by members of ISIS in a Saudi Arabian desert.

Gupton said he then punched, strangled and beat White before he set fire to a comforter next to Whites unconscious body and left him for dead.

Guilford County Assistant District Attorney Robert Enochs said after the trial that he believes Gupton lashed out at White because he was struggling with his sexual identity and got scared.

I realized Im representing a marginalized part of our community, and that added stress and weight to this case, Enochs said. I hope I did Stephen and his community proud.

Guptons attorneys, Baucino and Ames Chamberlin, tried to convince jurors that he was insane at the time of the assault.

Video from police officers body cameras showed a chaotic scene outside the hotel as firefighters found Whites hotel room burning and Gupton screaming to investigators that Middle Eastern terrorist groups were inside with explosives and that they shouldnt go in the building.

Instead, jurors found Gupton guilty of first-degree murder both out of malice and in the course of committing another felony. They also convicted him of first-degree arson, leading Judge Michael Duncan to sentence Gupton to a minimum of five years and three months in prison on that charge.

Gupton set the fire at the Battleground Inn while it was heavily occupied. Several first responders suffered smoke inhalation trying to save the guests and White.

Whites injuries were severe, and jurors spent the past five weeks reviewing photos of burns that covered 54 percent of his body. He spent six days in the burn unit of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. The fire burned through skin and muscles, exposing bone in some places. Doctors amputated his arms to stop the spread of infection, but he died on Nov. 15, 2014.

Before the attack, White had served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Joint Security Force and the Federal Air Marshal Service, and had worked for Blackwater Security.

Whites sister Kathy Clark spoke to the jurors before Duncan sentenced Gupton.

I promise you he is looking over you with a grateful heart, she told them. My mother is grieving and we will continue to grieve for the rest of our lives, but we are at peace now that the murderer is convicted.
Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 53F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 28F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

A mainly sunny sky. High 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Chu Ngoc Anh, Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, and Julie Bishop, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, visit technological stalls. (Photo: VGP)

Speaking at the event, Chu Ngoc Anh, Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, said that the cooperation between Vietnam and Australia is increasingly developing and innovation is a new pillar in the two countries strategic partnership, contributing to strengthening bilateral relations.

According to Julie Bishop, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government of Australia has adopted a development support program for Vietnam, entitled Aus41nnovation, using a capital of USD10 million. The money will be spent on activities to promote innovation potential, increase Vietnams innovation system, and carry out pilot projects in areas that Australia is experienced in.

Our first activity is to send Australian experts to Vietnam to design a roadmap for a future of digitalization, she said.

Australia hopes to provide experts for Vietnam for gaining progress in poverty reduction and maintain impressive economic transformation to a middle income country, which will allow Vietnams important sectors, including agriculture and production, to be modernized while ensuring that Vietnam can forecast occupational opportunities for the future work force./.
Residents of Maine on Tuesday voted to expand access to Medicaid [text] to an additional 70,000 low-income individuals under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [text, PDF], making it the first state to implement this expansion by referendum. Maine was one of the remaining 19 states that refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA, and the referendum passed with 60% of the vote [Ballotpedia materials].

Maine Governor Paul LePage vetoed the previous five attempts by the State Legislature to expand the program. Responding [press release] to approval of the referendum, LePage said

The last time Maine experimented with Medicaid expansion in 2002 under then-governor Angus King, it created a $750 million debt to hospitals, resulted in massive budget shortfalls every year, did not reduce emergency room use, did not reduce the number of uninsured Mainers and took resources away from our most vulnerable residents  the elderly and the intellectually and physically disabled  Therefore, my administration will not implement Medicaid expansion until it has been fully funded by the Legislature at the levels [Department of Health and Human Services] has calculated, and I will not support increasing taxes on Maine families, raiding the rainy day fund or reducing services to our elderly or disabled.

Maines [Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) [official website] estimates that this expansion will cost Maine taxpayers approximately $315 million over the next five years. Furthermore, DHHS claims the expansion would not affect children or pregnant women [press release] but instead would allow childless, able-bodied adults into the program and increase eligibility for parents of dependent children. Most of these individuals already have access to subsidized health care under the current system.

Maines results come as proponents in other holdout states, including Utah [Salt Lake Tribune report] and Idaho [Bloomberg report], have taken steps to get the Medicaid expansion issue on their respective state ballots in 2018.
The war gripping Yemen has killed around 8,650 people since a Saudi-led military intervention in 2015, and brought the impoverished country to the brink of famine.

The conflict is underscored by the regional rivalry between Iran, a supporter of Yemen's Shiite Huthi rebels, and Saudi Arabia, which heads a nine-member coalition backing the president.

Here is an overview:

- 'Decisive Storm' -

In March 26 the coalition launches operation "Decisive Storm" with airstrikes on Huthi rebels to defend embattled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who seeks shelter in Riyadh.

Besides Saudi Arabia, the Sunni coalition comprises the Gulf monarchies Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, along with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan.

Later named "Restoring Hope", it aims to defeat the rebels who have controlled the capital since September 2014 in addition to large swathes of northern, central and western Yemen.

- Aden liberated -

In July 2015 the government announces the liberation of southern Aden province from rebel control after more than four months of fighting. It is their first success since the coalition stepped in.

The coalition supplements its air power with hundreds of ground troops and by mid-August loyalist forces have retaken the whole of the south.

However they face a growing presence of fighters from Sunni jihadists of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

In January 2017 pro-government troops backed by coalition planes and ships launch operation "Golden Spear" around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

- Failed ceasefires -

The UN and US organise three rounds of fruitless peace talks, in June and December 2015 in Switzerland and in April 2016 in Kuwait.

Seven truces are agreed, but all broken.

The severing in January 2016 of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran complicates the task.

The internationally recognised government, led by Hadi, establishes a "provisional" base in the port city of Aden in late September 2016.

Two months later, the rebels and allied forces of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh form a government of their own in the capital Sanaa, dousing hopes of a UN-brokered national unity government.

- Carnage -

In October 2017 the coalition is placed on a UN blacklist for killing and maiming children in the conflict.

It was in 2016 responsible for 683 child casualties and for 38 verified attacks on schools and hospitals, according to a UN report.

There have been other accusations against the coalition, including of hitting a wedding hall in Mokha in 2105 in an air strike, killing 131 people. The coalition denies responsibility.

The UN also says coalition planes have dropped banned cluster munitions and killed two times more civilians than other forces.

- Escalation -

On November 4 Huthi rebels fire a missile in the direction of the international airport in Riyadh. Intercepted and destroyed, it is the first to reach the Saudi capital.

It leads Saudi Arabia to accuse Iran of "blatant military aggression" through its support of the rebels.

The coalition shuts down Yemen's borders and halts aid deliveries in response.

Iran in turn accuses its rival of war crimes and the rebels threaten to attack ports and airports in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

- Famine -

The UN warns on November 8 that Yemen faces mass famine unless the coalition ends the blockade and allows aid deliveries to enter.

It could "be the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims," UN aid chief Mark Lowcock says.

Some seven million people are at risk of famine and an estimated 17 million -- 60 percent of the overall population -- are food insecure, according to UN figures.
Im Heng, Cambodian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh city, addresses the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

In his speech, Truong Minh Nhut, President of Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, reviewed Cambodias history in its national building and protection, confirming that the two neighbours Vietnam and Cambodia set up traditional friendship, good cooperation and solidarity and support each other in the previous struggles for national liberation and the current national construction.

The two countries leaders and peoples have been striving to reinforce and strengthen the solidarity, friendship and cooperation in socio-economic development; working closely with each other on international forums, in order to heighten the friendship and traditions between the two countries, for the benefit of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, he said.

According to Mr. Nhut, his organization has been actively carrying out people's diplomacy activities with Cambodian people, organizing social welfare programs, and supporting Cambodian poor people and overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia, contributing to increasing the cooperative relations between the two countries.

During the ceremony, Im Heng, Cambodian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh city, thanked the city Union of Friendship Organizations for organising the celebration of the Cambodian Independence Day, which he said shows the affection and solidarity between the two countries leaders and peoples.

On behalf of the Cambodian Royal Government, Mr. Im Heng expressed his thanks to the Vietnamese Party, Government, army and people for doing their utmost and sacrificing in assisting Cambodias liberation from the genocidal regime, bringing independence, happiness and prosperity for Cambodia at present./.
The flood victims were presented gifts (Photo: VNA)

The activity aims to respond to the call of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to help victims to overcome difficulties.

The delegation presented VND1 million to each of 35 households in Dong Nghe commune, while 70 households in Suoi Nanh commune received VND500,000 each.

Mr. Dang Minh Tan, Chairman of the Dong Nghe communal Peoples Committee, thanked the overseas Vietnamese for their kind hearts and timely support for the people to restore productivity and stabilize their lives./.
iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- The father of the man who officials say gunned down worshipers Sunday at a rural Texas church has broken his silence.



"We we are grieving, our family is grieving," Michael Kelley told ABC News Wednesday at his home in New Braunfels, Texas, located about 35 miles north of Sutherland Springs, where the worst mass shooting in Texas history occurred.



After Kelly's son Devin Kelley opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, 26 were left dead, according to police, who have included an unborn child in the death count.



Authorities said 20 other people were injured, ten of them critically.



Devin Kelley died after the shooting.



"I don't want our lives, our grandchildren's lives, destroyed by this media circus," Michael Kelly said, adding that the family has nothing else to say at the moment.



As ABC News reported Wednesday, Devin Kelley is seen on video methodically walking into the pews and executing his victims, a law enforcement official told ABC News.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Accordingly, No.2 Chau Khe primary school (Chau Khe commune, Con Cuong district) is the beneficiary of the lighting systems powered by 200W wind generator and 600W solar generator (worth about USD22,000), while pupils will get hundreds of educational kits.

GV Energy is a RoK company specializing in providing products using renewable energy such as solar power and wind power generators.









Photos: Thanh Hai

Renewable energy brings many benefits to the economy, society, environment and peoples health. Power generated from renewable energy such as wind power, solar energy has become a trend that has attracted many countries all over the world.

Renewable energy development is one of the critical solutions in response to climate change; creating new economic opportunities, benefiting enterprises, helping the poor access clean energy, reducing environmental pollution and ensuring national energy security.

Mr. Jung Suk Won, GV Energy CEO, said that KOTRA Global SCR activities not only contributes to promoting the advantages of eco-friendly energy products of GV Energy in particular and Korea in general, but also enhances the good relationship between the two Governments and businesses.

In the future, it is projected to coordinate with local authorities in order to install more hydropower, wind and solar power generation systems in the nation.

KOTRA Global CSR is a social contribution project that has been continuously implemented for many years, contributed to creating a supportive business environment through the cooperation between Korean enterprises and other countries, thus actively contributing to solve social issues, educate human resources, and promote cooperative strategies.

Especially since 2011, KOTRA has cooperated with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the RoK Embassy in Vietnam to hold CSR Awards in order to honor the best RoK enterprise which has the best CSR activity in Vietnam./.
EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini

The typhoon that has struck the nation over the past days has taken many lives and caused considerable damage, adding to the toll of a number of storms in the past weeks. The EU side expressed its heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families and loved ones, and to all those affected.

The bloc stands alongside the Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese authorities at this time, in particular the emergency services and response teams who are working to save lives and minimize the damage to homes, livelihoods and infrastructure.

EU is in touch with the Vietnamese authorities and ready to help. A 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is closely monitoring developments and will send a team in the coming days to assess the damage and explore any assistance requested by the Vietnamese authorities at this difficult time./.
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
WINTER SPRINGS, Fla.  Dowhy Towing & Recovery has one of the best-looking tow trucks in the nation, according to Tow Times magazine.

The Kearney-based companys 2014 Dodge 5500 chassis with a Vulcan 894 towing unit stood out among hundreds of entries received from around the U.S. and Canada.

I was pretty excited about it. It was definitely a surprise to me, said Logan Dowhy, owner of Dowhy Towing. I know its a good-looking truck, and I have confidence in it.

Dowhy started the company in 2010 when he was just 23 years old. It was kind of a dream, he said.

The Dowhy rig was judged first place light-duty winner in the 2017 26th-annual Shine n Star Tow Truck Photo Beauty Contest sponsored by Tow Times and Ford Trucks.

The Dowhy trucks red and black graphics with custom-chain decals got the thumbs up from a panel of towing industry judges who voted it the best-looking light-duty tow truck, according to a press release.

Dowhys award was announced in the November issue of Tow Times magazine.
GOTHENBURG  One of Gothenburgs manufacturing facilities is set to close within a year, company officials announced.

In a news release, the Engine Mobile and Hydraulic Platform of Parker Filtration Group, an operation group under Parker Hannifin, announced the closing of the facility at 300 W. First St. in Gothenburg as part of a manufacturing realignment plan.

Parker Hannifin is the owner of Baldwin Filters parent company, CLARCOR Corp. Production will be transferred to the Baldwin Filters plant in Kearney.

Gothenburg City Administrator Bruce Clymer said the closing of the plant is a huge blow to the community, a town made up of about 3,500 people, according to the United States Census Bureau in 2010.

Baldwin is one of our larger employers and most certainly, you know, a big user of our city services. So, yeah, its gonna hurt, he said.

The process of closing will begin immediately and should be completed by the end of October 2018, according to the Parker news release. The Gothenburg operation manufactures filtration products primarily for transportation and off-highway markets and employs about 140 people. Parker also has a facility at 1000 12th St. in Gothenburg, but only the First Street facility will be closing, Aidan Gormley, Parkers director, global communications and branding, said in an email to the Hub.

Employees at the Gothenburg facility will be offered opportunities in the Kearney plant, but the exact numbers have yet to be determined, Gormley wrote. The move could result in higher employment levels at the Kearney plant, Gormley said in his email.

When asked whether other Nebraska communities could expect more layoffs or facility closings, Gormley said, Parker is committed to Nebraska and maintains a number of facilities in the state, including Gothenburg, and is (a) significant employer there.

This plan to close manufacturing in Gothenburg in no way reflects the performance of our dedicated employees there, the news release from Parker stated. We are committed to easing the transition for all our employees, including severance pay, re-employment opportunities and outplacement support. We very much appreciate the support we have received from the Gothenburg, Nebraska, community over the years.

Though Gothenburgs Clymer doesnt know Parkers plans for the building, he said if it does sell, Gothenburg leaders will work hard to find another company to fit within the community.

In February, Parker Hannifin, a corporation specializing in motion and control technologies, purchased CLARCOR Corp. in a $4.3 billion sale. As a result, the Franklin, Tenn.-based CLARCOR became a wholly owned subsidiary of Parker, headquartered in Cleveland.

With the buyout there was excess manufacturing capacity and redundant capability across both businesses, according to the news release. The realignment is intended to allow for greater focus and scale in the remaining facilities and will ensure higher quality and shorter lead times for customers.

There are currently no plans for the Gothenburg building as of yet.

Typically, we would look to sell the facility once its closed, Gormley wrote.

Kearneys Baldwin Filters employs about 1,000 people and is the top manufacturing employer in the Kearney area, according to Buffalo County Economic Development.

In addition to the Baldwin facilities in Kearney and Gothenburg, Parkers other Nebraska plants are at McCook, Alliance and Lincoln.
For the most part, collected data has shown that a high percentage of the media personnel are liberal in philosophy, pro-abortion and anti-conservative politically. This doesnt include all media, but enough. World view does make a difference in how news and events are covered.

Since President Obama agreed with the liberal point of view, the national media went out of their way to spin anything he and his family did in a positive manner. They did the same with the Clintons, often covering up for Bill Clintons accusers of sexual impropriety.

Present Donald Trump holds a diametrically different world view. This brings out the opposition in many in the media.

Despite media spin and opposition from both parties, Trump is trying to keep his promises. He nominated a conservative justice who now sits on the Supreme Court. Trump also has nominated other conservative justices to lower court positions.

Trump has brought faith back into the White House, making it OK to be a Christian and serve the public good.

He signed a law overturning an Obama regulation forcing states to fund Planned Parenthood, whose business isnt so much to help women, but to sell abortion at any stage. The government has spent billions supporting Planned Parenthood, when this enterprise should be a private business. The president seeks to defund Planned Parenthood.

In May, the president signed an executive order to protect those who oppose abortion and gay marriage. He said, We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied or silenced anymore. And we will never ever stand for religious discrimination. He also told the United Nations that abortion is not family planning.

Under this president, during the first six months of 2017, more Christian refugees were admitted to our country than Muslims. This is a clear reversal of Obama policy.

No president is perfect, but it is time we acknowledge we have a president who cares for this country, cares to uphold the laws of this country, to protect the citizens of this country and is truly seeking to follow the law. But dont expect many in the media to let you know these positives.

Whether you support or do not support the current administration, the office of the president should be respected. We also need to pray that God will move in the heart of the president to do what is right for our country. As I have prayed for each president, I pray now for President Trump. I hope you will join me.

Carolyn R. Scheidies is a Kearney resident and regular contributor to the Hub.
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FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, file photo, a Merck scientist conducts research in West Point, Pa. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, the Food and Drug Administration approved sales of Merck and Co.'s Prevymix, the first drug to prevent life-threatening infections in adults after a bone marrow transplant. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Danica Roem, who ran for house of delegates against GOP incumbent Robert Marshall, is greeted by supporters as she prepares to give her victory speech with Prince William County Democratic Committee at Water's End Brewery on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, in Manassas, Va. Roem will be the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature in the United States. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via AP)
More than 125 active and former armed forces members were welcomed and honored Wednesday morning during Christian Life Schools annual tribute to veterans.

The event has grown to be among the largest of its kind in the state.

This year was the biggest Ive seen it, Staff Sgt. Edwardo Vargas III, of Kenosha, said during a reception at the school afterward for veterans, current service members and family members.

Vargas, in his 18th year in the Wisconsin National Guard, is assigned to the 457th Chemical Company stationed in Burlington. He has been deployed twice. His first deployment was to Kuwait and Iraq. His second also took him to Iraq.

Outfitted in desert camouflage fatigues Wednesday, Vargas was accompanied to the CLS thank-you tribute by his wife, Yoceline, and their son, Edwardo IV.

Its a really nice connection with the community and veterans on the part of (Journey Church) and the school. Its pretty cool, said Vargas, who last attended the event four years ago when their daughter, Eva, was in preschool here.

I think for veterans it gives them some recognition for what theyve given to the country. For a lot of service members and veterans thank yous are awkward. But sometimes its nice to have an attaboy.

Sitting at the same table, Navy veterans Danny Rodriguez and Carl Stanton, both of Kenosha, shared similar sentiments about the salute by the school community.

Stanton, 91, served as a radio operator aboard an Army attack ship transporting troops from island-to-island in 1944-45 in the South Pacific during some of the fiercest fighting in World War II.

Rodriguez enlisted in 1970 as a seaman recruit and medical corpsman, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant commander as a Nurse Corps officer before he retired in 1994. He did all his duty stateside during his 24-year career.

I come here because of all the veterans who served, the students and the blend of patriotism and God, Rodriguez said. The event is wonderful. Ive attended it for five years now. Its red-circled on my calendar. I stand in great humility when I look around and think about all that our veterans did, and it makes me proud. I dont come here for me as much as I do for for everyone else.

Sometimes, I wonder, with all the protests and things, if our core values still exist. And I come here, Rodriguez added, observing the activities around him, and they still do.

Stanton first attended last year. It feels like the wider welcome home he didnt receive after returning from World War II. This, and Heroes Cafe hosted weekly for veterans by Festival Foods, 3207 80th St., mean something special to him.

I finally found a place to go among friends and learn the history of what theyve done with their lives after their service. I meet someone new each week. Needless to say, its been an education for me the last five years, Stanton said.

Festival, MB Sweet Treats, O&H Bakery, Performance Foods, Simple Market & Bakery and Sysco donated the food, beverages and other reception items enjoyed by the more 250 family members and veterans.

During the program beforehand, Upper School Principal Troy Tennyson invited CLS Superintendent Susan Nelson to the stage. Nelson, whose son, Marine Lance Cpl. Richard Nelson, was killed in Iraq, was greeted by a prolonged standing ovation.

Mrs. Nelson knows what it means to sacrifice, Tennyson told the audience. Her father, husband and son served. Looking out on the veterans present, he added, She considers it a pure joy to honor all of you.

It was Nelsons idea, Tennyson said, to grow the CLS event into something bigger because she wanted students to come to know and honor those who serve and understand what that means in protecting the freedoms they might otherwise take for granted.

Daniel Zimmerman, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans and a retired career Army intelligence officer, served as guest speaker. He told the audience they were the largest group he ever addressed from the podium.

What a great thing to do, celebrating veterans the way you are, Zimmerman said.

He reflected on Veterans Day dating back to the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month marking the end of World War I in 1918, when it originally was celebrated as Armistice Day. Since then, some 2 million more U.S. service men and women have fallen on behalf of America in wars and other armed conflicts, he said.

People celebrate veterans Day in different ways. There is no right way, Zimmerman said. Without events like these, the courage and sacrifices (of veterans) will be forgotten.

Tennyson introduced keynote speaker Rod Nordlund, a retired Navy quartermaster senior chief, as his uncle and one of his role models growing up, a good man ... who will give you the shirt off his back.

Nordlund served 27 years in the Naval Reserve and three years on active duty, two of those years, 1969 and 1970 in the South China Sea aboard the U.S.S. Oriskany, an attack aircraft carrier, off the coast of North Vietnam in Yankee Station southeast of Hanoi, Haiphong and the island of Hainan Dao.

He talked about the quartermasters job driving the ship and navigating through demanding seas in a war zone, accidents, crashes, rescuing pilots from the water, participating with the ship in a multi-force operation to free POWs.

At the close of his remarks, he called on fellow veterans to stand. As at other times during the event, they drew a sustained, thunderous standing ovation.

Nordlund stood at attention, raised his hand just above his right eye and snapped off a sharp hand salute to them.

You gave up your time, some of you in war, others in peace, Nordlund told them. Thank you. Welcome home.
For one local couple, The Long Road Home  an acclaimed eight-part miniseries that debuted this week on the National Geographic Channel  really hits home.

Jeffrey and Cathy Deans son, Christopher, was involved in the 2004 ambush depicted in the drama.

The series is based on a book written by ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz and tells the true story of the soldiers in the First Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, who were attacked on April 4, 2004, in Sadr City, a section of Baghdad.

When they were ambushed, they found themselves trapped in a maze of streets and buildings.

Thats where Christopher Dean comes in.

At the time, the West Point graduate was the tank platoon leader of a Quick Reaction Force. His unit was getting ready to leave Iraq when they got the call to go out and save the trapped platoon.

Dean led Company C, 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment through intense action to save 19 trapped soldiers. The First Cavalry Division had already lost one soldier and had others who were wounded.

Deans force fought and killed the attacking enemy without ground troop support. In the fight, one of Deans soldiers was killed and another wounded.

Soon after the rescue mission was complete, Deans parents received a call that their son had been wounded.

The first we heard about it was when Cathy got a phone call from Germany, saying he had been wounded, said Jeffrey Dean.

Christopher Dean was manning the machine gun in his tank during the rescue mission and was hit by shrapnel in his neck and arm, his dad said. Later that night, Christopher himself called his parents, saying he was OK.

The battle

The younger Dean and his tank platoon had been in Iraq since 2003 and were getting ready to return to Germany when they got the urgent call to go in and get those soldiers out of Sadr City.

Two relief parties had already gone in, but they couldnt find the trapped platoon and turned back, Jeffrey Dean said. So they called up the Quick Reaction Unit.

Jeffrey Dean  an Army veteran who earned two Silver Stars as an infantry officer in the Vietnam War  said these ambushes are done in order to use the trapped U.S. soldiers as bait.

This was a ploy, Jeffrey Dean said. We saw this in Vietnam, too. They grab a small unit and run them out of ammunition. Then, as people come in to rescue the troops, they shoot at the rescuers.

Christopher Deans company was called The Crusaders, and Deans call sign was Crusader Blue One as the commander.

Cathy Dean said the battle in Sadr City happened as it was getting dark. They couldnt tell the fire from the insurgents and the fire from the men who were trapped. Plus, there were fires burning in the streets. People had pushed cars and appliances into the streets to trap the tanks.

The rescue took about 2.5 hours and was a real fight, Jeffrey Dean said. You couldnt see anything, and they were being shot at from all areas.

Cathy Dean added, When youre fighting in a tank with insurgents all around you, you have to fight from out of the hatch on top of his tank. He had to expose himself to survive.

Also, the trigger on his machine gun was shot off, and Christopher Dean had to use his 9mm pistol and a rifle in the thick of the battle when they were jumping onto the tank, Jeffrey Dean said.

There arent exact casualty numbers from the battle, but more than 500 insurgents were killed. Thats how intense it was, Jeffrey Dean said. It was the hardest fight up to that point of time in Iraq.

Talking with his son after the battle, Jeffrey told him: You were really lucky to get everyone out of there. They were shooting in the streets, from the buildings, climbing on top of the tanks. Cathy Dean added, Chris wasnt going to leave without getting all of them.

The premiere

Christopher Dean is now stationed in Charlottesville, Va., working for Army Intelligence. He went to a premiere of the first episode of The Long Road Home in Washington, D.C. and met all the stars and everything, Cathy Dean said. Martha Raddatz came up and hugged him and said thank you, and a general came up and wanted photos taken with him.

Asked if theyll be watching from their home on Kenoshas north side, both Deans quickly answered: You bet. Were going to watch it and tape it.

I want to see how they portray the battle, Jeffrey Dean said.

Christopher Dean liked what he saw of the series, and there will be more about The Crusaders in later episodes.

A couple guys told Chris the movie should have been about what the rescue group went through, too, Jeffrey Dean said, adding of his son, Hes a good boy. Hes done real well.
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When I found out my patient was in the hospital again for the third time in six months, I wondered why her asthma had flared. Was the cold weather bothering her? Was her treatment regimen inadequate? When I spoke with her, I discovered the heartbreaking truth: she had been limiting her albuterol inhaler use because she simply could not afford to take it as much as she needed.

For many of the over 600,000 Massachusetts residents who suffer from asthma, albuterol is a necessity. Albuterol inhalers allow asthmatics to go about their lives without worrying about the threat of debilitating respiratory attacks. Unfortunately, this necessary drug is slowly becoming out-of-reach for too many. In the past ten years, albuterol, despite being approved by the FDA over 25 years ago, has gone from costing less than $15 to over $100 per inhaler. Price hikes like these are not just statistics  they have real, sometimes catastrophic effects on patients like ours.

Our representatives in the Massachusetts State House now face an opportunity to prevent unnecessary suffering and increase the affordability of needed drugs  if theyre willing to step up to the plate.

The Massachusetts State Senate is considering a sweeping healthcare cost containment and reform proposal released last week, and part of this bill aims to increase drug price transparency by asking pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers to disclose cost information. While this is an important step and may seem impactful on the surface, a closer analysis reveals that the provisions are largely toothless  we expect they will fall short of creating the level of transparency we need to protect patients from drug price gouging.

Pharmaceutical companies would need to report changes in net expenditures on subsets of brand-name and generic drugs. The problem with net expenditures is that this information fails to shed light on the costs of production, research and development (R&D), marketing, and other expenses and would obscure the true costs of these drugs. Further, the bill requires the disclosure of aggregate, company-level research and development expenditures. Aggregated R&D costs would certainly fascinate researchers studying the pharmaceutical industry, but knowing how much a company is spending across all drugs will not help policymakers or payers negotiate better rates or lower costs. We need a detailed picture of R&D and manufacturing costs for each drug, particularly for those with large proposed price hikes, to improve bargaining power and harness the force of public scrutiny to lower prices. The bills most serious weakness is that it does not empower policymakers to do anything with the information collected.

Real drug price transparency requires more specific and comprehensive reporting requirements and a clear path for action. While we applaud the Senate for their attention to escalating drug costs, we strongly urge them to strengthen these provisions. A bill introduced this year by Senator Mark Montigny (S. 652) provides a roadmap for how to do that.

Senator Montignys legislation requires detailed reporting for the ten most expensive drugs in Massachusetts and drugs that have seen significant price hikes (>50 percent hike within the past five years or >15 percent within the past year). Information collected would include the actual cost of drug production, the R&D costs for individual drugs (clinical trials and other regulatory requirements), advertising costs, lobbying expenses, prices for foreign purchasers, and profit margins for each drug. In addition, the bill empowers the attorney general to use this information to file lawsuits and designate drugs as having excessively higher than justified cost  the equivalent of a scarlet letter that can be used to draw the attention of policymakers, providers, and payers, and concentrate scrutiny on pharmaceutical companies, fueling public backlashes like the one that brought down the price of the EpiPen.

Legislation like this can bring a level of transparency to drug prices that our patients sorely need. Last month, my patient stopped taking his blood thinner after he had a stent placed in his heart because the medication was too expensive. A few weeks later, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died. As physicians, we did our part, but the system failed our patient. His tragic death was preventable  its now up to our state legislators to do their part.

Zoe Tseng is an internal medicine physician and co-chair, Health and Public Policy Committee, Massachusetts Chapter of American College of Physicians. Suhas Gondi is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Today (Thursday) marks the 22nd anniversary of the disapearance of 21-year-old Callan woman, Jo Jo Dullard. She was last seen making a phone call from the public phone box at Moone, Co Kildare around 11.30pm on Thursday, November, 9, 1995. Now, a Kilkenny priest has reiterated his request for information to establish where Jo Jo's remains are located. Fr Willie Purcell, parish priest of Clara, Kilkenny has said he can be contacted on 0876286858.

Don't be afraid, we just need to bring Jo Jo home for Christian burial, he said, adding that the people of Kilkenny will never forget her or her family.

Back to 1995 - Jo Jo had missed the last bus home from Dublin that evening and rang a friend living in Kilkenny to say she was hitching a lift from Moone.

A short time later a woman answering Jo Jos description was seen getting into the back of a car in Moone. The same vehicle was observed in Castledermot which is five miles from Moone at around 11:55pm on the same evening.When she never reached her destination, Jo Jos family became concerned and reported her missing.

Interestingly, ealrier on the night of November 9, 1995, Jo Jo thumbed a lift from outside the Garda Station in Naas to Kilcullen, and from there to Moone.

The case went cold for 15 months until a taxi driver came forward and said that he saw a girl matching Jo Jo's description, running barefooted, from the back of a car, in some distress at 1.20am on November 10 at Dunkitt, Kilmacow.

The man, who was a taxi driver, saw a red car, with English number-plates parked at the side of the road. He said that one man was urinating beside the car and suddenly a woman ran from the left-hand rear door of the car towards the front. A second man appeared from the back of the car, and he followed the woman, grabbed her by the hair, got her in a bear-hug and then dragged her back to the car. They then took off in the direction of Waterford.

The taxi driver said that this all happened in a matter of seconds as he was driving past the car. The Gardai believe these men to be Irish. A further witness report outlines the story of a girl matching Jo Jos description who was seen in apparent distress, also in Waterford around 2:30am that same night. This deeply disturbing report has never been resolved.

A number of other men have been questioned in regards to Jo Jos disappearance including the notorious Larry Murphy and a convicted serial rapist who operated in Kildare around the time of her disappearance, without success.
Yesterdays close: Gained almost $8 on the session to settle at 1283.7

Fundamentals: Tax-reform is in the spotlight with the House Ways and Means Committee redrafting their bill and Senate Republicans said to release their own version. A failure to show progress this week will help boost Gold. President Trumps $250 billion in China deals have grabbed headlines but is doing very little to help equity markets. Traders should keep an eye on the S&P and weakness will bring support to the metal.

Technicals: Price action settled clearly above resistance at the 1280.5-1281.6 level and now eyes the 1291.3-1292.9 level in order to begin to squeeze shorts ahead of the weekend. The session high comes in at 1289 and we want to see follow through on the session in order to hold this positive momentum. The bears look to reject resistance and suppress price action back below 1280.5-1281.2, which includes the 100-day moving average, to regain an edge.

Bias: Bullish

Resistance  1291.3-1292.9**, 1298.4-1300**, 1308.4-1312.6**

Support  1280.50-1281.2**, 1262.8-1269***, 1243.6**
(Adds economists' quotes and context)

* Sept core orders -8.1 pct m/m vs forecast -1.8 pct

* Core orders forecast -3.5 pct in Q4 vs +4.7 pct in Q3

* Core orders a volatile leading indicator of capex

By Stanley White

TOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Japan's core machinery orders tumbled at their fastest pace in more than two years in September, a decline that companies expect to persist into October-December in a sign that business investment is losing momentum.

The 8.1 percent fall in machinery orders was more than the median estimate for a 1.8 percent decline and follows a 3.4 percent increase in the previous month.

Economists say the weakness is likely temporary because rising corporate earnings and domestic labour shortages should push up capital expenditure next year, but there are some doubts about the pace of gains.

"Capital expenditure tends to track corporate earnings, so investment will remain in a growth phase," said Hiroaki Muto, economist at Tokai Tokyo Research Center.

"Next year domestic and overseas economies may not run as hot as they did this year, so the pace of gains in capital expenditure could be more moderate."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made increasing capital expenditure a priority in his economic agenda to raise productivity and help Japan cope with a declining population.

The Bank of Japan also regularly points to capital expenditure gains as a reason to be optimistic that the economy will create more jobs and continue to grow.

However, machinery orders tend to be very volatile, so the decline in September is not likely prompt economists to change their outlook.

Orders from manufacturers fell 5.1 percent month-on-month in September, driven by lower orders for cranes and other heavy machinery used in construction.

Service-sector orders fell 11.1 percent, led by falling orders for trains, and computers and servers used in finance and insurance, Cabinet Office data showed on Thursday.

Companies surveyed by the Cabinet Office expect core orders to fall 3.5 percent in October-December after a 4.7 percent rise in the previous quarter.

"The fourth-quarter forecasts don't look that healthy, so a little caution is advised," said Kentaro Arita, economist at Mizuho Research Institute.

"However, I'm not pessimistic because the reasons for capex to rise remain in place."

Compared with a year earlier, the core orders, which exclude those for ships and utilities' electrical power equipment, fell 3.5 percent in September, versus the median estimate for a 1.9 percent increase.

Japan's economic growth is expected to slow somewhat in July-September due to slightly weaker consumer spending, but economists are optimistic that any loss of momentum will be brief.

(Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Sam Holmes & Shri Navaratnam)
BRASILIA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - An agreement struck on Thursday on an amended pension reform bill capable of winning passage in the lower house of Congress will keep the establishment of a minimum retirement age, a key clause to bolster Brazil's costly pension system, the lawmaker responsible for overseeing the legislation told reporters. Congressman Arthur Maia said he hopes the new bill will be able to save the Treasury half of what the original measure proposed. Maia said an initial text could be ready by the end of the day and a final one after the Nov. 15 national holiday.

(Reporting by Silvio Cascione)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
FRANKFURT, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank's top supervisor said he would welcome leaving the oversight of clearing houses, a key point of contention ahead of Brexit, to the European Securities and Markets Authority market watcdhog.

With 90 percent of euro derivatives cleared in London, European regulators are keen to ensure they keep their grip on clearing houses, middlemen between buyers and sellers of securities, even after Britain leaves the European Union.

Daniel Nouy's comments chime with complaints by ESMA that the new system proposed by the European Commission, whereby ESMA takes the leading role but is supported by the ECB and other central banks, is too complex.

"I welcome for example the possibility that ESMA would be the supervisor for the CCP (central clearing counterparty)," Nouy told the European Parliament's committee on economic affairs in Brussels. "Simplicity is helpful."

Stressing this was a personal opinion, Nouy said it would be more efficient than joint supervision by both institutions.

"The current situation, where there's a lot of people around the table (in a) large college... is more complex," Nouy said. "Simplicity is a recipe for efficiency."

(Reporting by Balazs Koranyi and Francesco Canepa; editing by Mark Heinrich)
BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The euro zone should agree on a mechanism to provide loans to countries hit by an economic crisis, without demanding reforms in return as in case of all the bailouts so far, the governor of the French central bank said on Thursday.

"I suggest creating a 'Stabilisation Lending Instrument' at the euro area level (..) that would provide loans to euro area member states faced with an asymmetric economic shock," Francois Villeroy de Galhau told a conference in Brussels.

He said the new loan instrument should be available without triggering a bailout programme and austerity measures, but would be available only to states that respect EU fiscal rules that set a limit on government deficit and debt.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; editing by Jan Strupczewski)
ACCRA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Ghana scooped $221.4 million worth of a three-year domestic dollar bond at a 6.25 percent yield on Thursday, boosting the new government's plans to explore local funding sources, arrangers said. Initial guidance for the bond, the second to be issued by the major commodities exporter and open only to Ghanaian investors, was 6.25 percent.

(Reporting by Kwasi Kpodo; editing by Mark Heinrich)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Metals producers are looking for new projects but want them in regions that are considered safe for investors, says EY, a global financial advisory service. A number of companies have run into issues trying to operate in nations such as Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where officials have changed various mining laws, meaning an uncertain investment climate, EY says. In many instances, the government is seeking a bigger slice of the revenue. As commodity prices continue to increase, appetite for investment in existing projects is expected to grow, says Jim MacLean, EYs Canadian mining and metals leader. In an effort to improve balance sheets, companies are looking for lower-risk havens for investment and that means investing in proven assets. In a report on risks facing the mining sector, EY says regulatory risk and social license to operate appear as two of the top 10.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Mandalay Reports 3Q Loss; Cerro Bayo Still Shut Down

Mandalay Resources Corp. (TSX: MND) reports a loss in the third quarter as production fell when operations were suspended at Cerro Bayo in Chile. The net loss was $7.2 million, or 2 cents per share, compared to income of $549,000, or zero cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago. The adjusted loss, before special items, was $1.7 million, compared to a $1.1 million adjusted profit a year ago. The company produced 25,819 gold-equivalent ounces. Mandalay says it sold 23% fewer than in the same period a year ago. Coupled with the move in prices, revenue of $35.4 million was $13.1 million lower than in the third quarter of 2016. Mandalays financial performance in the third quarter of 2017 was negatively affected by the operating suspension at Cerro Bayo in response to the June 9, 2017 flooding of the Delia NW mine, says Mark Sander, president and chief executive officer. Operations at Cerro Bayo remain suspended and under force majeure; as a consequence, there was no production at Cerro Bayo during the quarter. The mine was moved to care and maintenance this fall in order to conserve cash as the company assesses the overall situation. We expect ongoing care-and-maintenance costs to decline to a rate of approximately $1.5 million per quarter going forward. Sander says. He adds that with our two operating mines performing well in the third quarter, the company is maintaining revised guidance for the full year of 114,000 to 128,000 gold-equivalent ounces.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Silvercorp Metals Posts Profitable Quarter





Silvercorp Metals Inc. (TSX, NYSE: SVM), a Canadian company with multiple mines in China, remained profitable in its fiscal second quarter of 2018 ending on Sept. 30. The company lists net income of $11.1 million, or 7 cents per share, compared to $12.4 million, also 7 cents, in the same quarter a year ago. Metal sold includes some 1.6 million ounces of silver, 16.9 million pounds of lead and 5.6 million pounds of zinc, compared to 1.8 million ounces of silver, 19.9 million pounds of lead, and 5.9 million pounds of zinc in the prior-year quarter. Officials report that less metal was sold than a year ago and realized prices for silver fell 7%, although they increased for lead and zinc. Officials say production was affected by downtime due to a power-grid upgrade, government inspections and explosive supply limitations due to a local-government safety measure, and typhoon conditions. A lower head grade was reported for the Ying Mining District. All-in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits, were $2.26, compared to $3.15 in the prior-year quarter.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Fortuna Silver Mines Remains Profitable In 3Q

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM; TSX: FVI) reports net income in the third quarter of $10.3 million, or 6 cents per share, compared to $10.2 million, or 8 cents, in the same period of 2016. The slightly higher net income was driven mostly by lower income-tax expense of $5.2 million since the effective tax rate for the third quarter was lower, the company says. Adjusted net income was $13.1 million, up from $10 million a year ago, mostly after adjusting for a $2.2 million loss on financial instruments for the most recent quarter. Silver and gold production was 2 million and 13,412 ounces, respectively. "We have had yet another quarter of strong operating and financial results at our operating mines in Peru and Mexico, positioning the company well on track to meet our annual production targets and financial objectives, says Jorge A. Ganoza, president and chief executive officer.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Torex Reports Continuation Of Blockade, 3Q Net Loss

Torex Gold Resources Inc. (TSX: TXG) reports a third-quarter loss and continuation of a blockade at its El Limon Guajes Mine in Mexico. The company lists a net loss of $1.6 million, or 2 cents per share, compared to a profit of $23.6 million, or 30 cents, in the third quarter of a year ago. The adjusted loss, excluding special items, was $1 million, or a penny per share. Gold output during the quarter totaled 67,337 ounces, down from 77,915 in the year-ago period. The company reports that the blockage at the El Limon Guajes Mine is in its seventh day, with military personnel patrolling the area. The mine is back under care and maintenance. Fred Stanford, president and chief executive officer, says officials expect the blockade to be resolved in the near term. With the blockade, the company says it now expects to produce less than 300,000 ounces of gold for 2017, below its published guidance targets.
NAIROBI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Kenyan shilling was stable against on Thursday due to subdued dollar demand from sectors like energy and manufacturing, and traders said they expected it to gain support from tight liquidity in the money markets. At 0905 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 103.50/70 per dollar, the same as Wednesday's close. ...........................Shilling spot rates .....................Shilling forward rates .......................Cross rates ..................................Local contributors .......................Central Bank of Kenya Index .....................Kenyan Bonds contributor pages ...............Treasury bill yields ..................Central bank open market operations .........................Horizontal repo transactions , ................Daily interbank lending rate .............................Kenya Bond pricing ..................Real time Africa economic data <ECI & AFR> ...........................African economic news .................................NSE-20 Share Index .................................NSE-25 Share Index .................................NSE All Share Index ...........................FT NSE Kenya 15 Index .......................... FT NSE Kenya 25 Index SPEED GUIDES: (Reporting by John Ndiso; Editing by George Obulutsa)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
DUBAI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets may stay under pressure on Thursday because of concern about the impact of Saudi Arabia's anti-corruption probe, but there are some signs that selling in the Saudi bourse could begin to ease.

The Saudi stock index closed marginally higher on Wednesday only because state-linked funds bought shares in an effort to avert a panic, fund managers said - a pattern seen throughout this week.

But trading volume, though still active, shrank by about a third from Tuesday, suggesting selling by wealthy individual invstors seeking to exit the market was not as frantic as previously.

Also, stocks in companies related to people detained in the probe began to stabilise. Al Tayyar Travel , whose founder Nasser bin Aqeel al-Tayyar has been arrested, fell only 3.5 percent after plunging 10 percent on each of the previous two days.

Kingdom Holding , the investment vehicle of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was also detained, rebounded 0.7 percent after losing 21 percent over the previous three days and reaching book value.

In a fresh sign that the probe may affect asset flows beyond Saudi Arabia's borders, however, banking sources told Reuters that the United Arab Emirates central bank and securities regulator had asked banks and finance companies in the UAE to provide information on the accounts of 19 Saudi citizens, including some who Saudi authorities have said are being held.

It was not clear whether regulators were acting at the request of Saudi authorities or simply sekking to understand how much money might eventually be pulled out of the UAE as a result of the probe.

Among individual stocks, Abu Dhabi National Energy Co may see some selling pressure after reporting a third-quarter loss attributable to shareholders of 194 million dirhams ($52.9 million) versus a year-earlier loss of 524 million dirhams. In the second quarter, it had posted a tiny profit.

(Reporting by Andrew Torchia)
WELLINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Finance Minister on Friday said one impact of proposed changes to the mandate of the country's central bank could be looser monetary policy in some circumstances.

In an interview with Reuters, Labour's Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand had yet to make a recommendation for the position of governor, though it was expected to do so by March.

Robertson said he was prepared to reject that recommendation if he felt it was not the "right person" for the top job. A willingness to put the proper emphasis on maximising employment would be an important consideration, he added.

"I have got to make the right decision and I will make that on the basis of a person who I think will be best for upholding the Reserve Bank's very important role, but also being willing and ready to adopt the new processes of the review," said Robertson.

(Reporting by Ana Nicolaci da Costa and Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Toby Chopra)
BUCHAREST, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Romania sold a planned 300 million lei ($75.31 million) worth of April 2019 treasury bonds on Thursday, with the average accepted yield at 2.31 percent, central bank data showed. Debt managers last sold the paper in September 2016 at an average yield of 1.39 percent. So far this year, Romania has sold about 38 billion lei and 340 million euros of domestic bills and bonds. It has tapped foreign markets for 2.75 billion euros of 2027 and 2035 Eurobonds. Series: RO1519DBN037 Issue date 13/11/2017 29/09/2016 Auction date 09/11/2017 22/09/2016 Maturity 29/04/2019 29/04/2019 Avg.yield (pct) 2.31 1.39 Avg. accepted price 100.2683 102.7910 Highest accepted yield 2.31 1.40 Tail (highest yield minus 0.0 0.01 average yield) Total bids 699 mln lei 2,770 mln lei Allotted 300 mln lei 500 mln lei Bid-to-cover ratio 2.3 5.5 ($1 = 3.9837 lei)

(Reporting by Radu Marinas)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
MOSCOW, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska will retain a 65.2 percent stake in En+ Group , which manages his aluminium and hydropower businesses, after an initial public offering (IPO) closed last week, the company's documents showed.

The IPO of En+ was the first major primary equity raising by a Russian company in Britain since Western sanctions were imposed on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis. En+ and Deripaska are not under sanctions.

En+ raised a total of $1.5 billion from selling new and existing shares in the IPO, held in both London and Moscow. Following the deal, Russian bank VTB will hold a 3.8 percent share and another 6.2 percent will be held by AnAn, a partner of China's CEFC, the document showed.

En+ plans to repay a VTB loan of $942 million in full from the proceeds raised, according to the document.

(Reporting by Anastalia Lyrchikova and Katya Golubkova; Editing by Christian Lowe)
HANOI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0523 GMT.

November 9 USD/VND mid-point 22,469 USD/VND interbank 22,712/22,715 USD/VND unofficial 22,775/22,790 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.43/36.65

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.6-1.2

1 week 0.8-1.3

1 month 1.7-1.9

3 months 3.4-4.0

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom)
TOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Automaker Subaru Corp plans to recall about 400,000 vehicles for the Japanese market after discovering that it had been following improper procedures for final inspections at domestic plants, the company said on Thursday.

It widened the scope of the recall from a previous expectation for 255,000, adding that costs associated with the issue would exceed 10 billion yen ($88.18 million).

Last month Subaru said that for more than 30 years, final inspections of new vehicles at its main Gunma complex north of Tokyo were sometimes done by inspectors who were not listed as certified technicians, violating transport ministry requirements.

($1 = 113.4100 yen)

(Reporting by Maki Shiraki)
STOCKHOLM, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Sweden's central bank bought 1.125 billion Swedish crowns ($134 million) of government bonds in a reverse auction as part of its quantitative easing programme, it said on Thursday. It bought 500 million crowns of 2020 bonds at an average yield of -0.462 percent and 625 million crowns of 2023 bonds at 0.113 percent. Investors offered to sell the Riksbank 1.803 billion crowns and 1.650 billion crowns in the two bonds respectively. ($1 = 8.3773 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Johan Sennero, editing by Niklas Pollard)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
ZURICH, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Swiss blue-chip SMI was seen opening 0.1 percent lower at 9,258 points on Thursday, according to premarket indications by bank Julius Baer .

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks:

ZURICH INSURANCE The insurer posted a 1 percent rise in adjusted nine-month property and casualty premiums and said it expects insurance prices to rise after hurricanes and earthquakes likely made the third quarter the industry's costliest. CREDIT SUISSE A 13.3 billion Swiss franc withdrawal in the third quarter at Credit Suisse's domestic business came from the pension fund for Swiss railway operator SBB, newspaper Handelszeitung reported, citing comments by Markus Huebscher, the fund's managing director. The fund deposited the funds at JP Morgan, Handelzeitung said.

UBS UBS named Joe Reece, Javier Oficialdegui and David Chin to manage its corporate-client services business in the Americas, Europe and Asia, respectively, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing an internal memo. COMPANY STATEMENTS * Bobst Group SA said it is expecting for 2017 a 4-6 percent sales increase compared to the 1.447 billion Swiss francs achieved in 2016, and an operating result (EBIT) margin close to the minimum mid- to long-term target of 8 percent of sales, compared to 7.2 percent in 2016. The net result will increase as well from CHF 84.3 million achieved in 2016, but will grow less than the operating result (EBIT), the company said. * Ypsomed said net profit for the first six months of the business year 2017/18 amounted to 23.4 million (previous year 22.4 million francs) and that it expects a growth in turnover of approximately 18 percent versus the presently forecast 15 percent and increases the forecast to an operating result of around 60 million francs for the business year 2017/18. * Schmolz + Bickenbach said sales volume rose 3.6 percent to 405 kilotons in Q3 2017 from 391 kilotons in Q3 2016 and confirmed its outlook for full-year 2017. * Sunrise Communications said Q3 net income rose year on year to 442 million francs, driven by the tower disposal's gain and reiterated its 2017 full-year guidance. * Zueblin Immobilien Holding posted net comprehensive income of 5.5 million francs for the first six months of the 2017/18 financial year. * LEM Holding first-half net profit was up 19.7 percent at 26.5 million francs. * Bank Cler said Peter Alois Schnellmann has been appointed its new head of sales. * Evolva announces the successful completion of the 86 million Swiss franc rights offering and private placement. * Datacolor AG will propose Jvo Grundler be elected as a new member of the board of directors at its ordinary general meeting on Dec. 7. Peter Beglinger decided not to stand for re-election to the board of directors. ECONOMY * The Swiss unadjusted unemployment rate came in at 3.0 percent in October, unchanged from the previous month, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said on Thursday. (Reporting by Zurich newsroom)

Daily Swiss stock market report in German................ All SMI constituent stocks............................ News on major Swiss stock price moves.................. FTSE Eurotop 300 index................................ DJ STOXX index........................................ Top 10 STOXX sectors............................. Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors........................ Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors....................... Top 25 European pct gainers... , losers... Swiss mid-cap index SMI futures Swiss all-share index Market statistics Swiss market digest Sector overview All Swiss news Swiss research news All equity news INTERNET ADDRESSES: Swiss Exchange / Eurex STOXX Ltd SPEED GUIDES: ))

Keywords: MARKETS SWISS STOCKS/
PRAGUE, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Czech Finance Ministry did not sell any 0.45/23 government bonds in the second, non-competitive round of an auction on Thursday.

Issue status: REOPENED, 15th tranche Maturity: October 25, 2023 with 0.45 percent annual coupon

Settlement date: November 10, 2017

AUCTION DATE 08/11/17 11/10/17 AVG. ACCEPTED YIELD 0.939 0.809 AVG. ACCEPTED PRICE 97.178 97.897 HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 0.951 0.841 LOWEST ACCEPTED YIELD 0.918 0.774 TAIL (max yield less avg. yield) 0.012 0.032 ALLOCATION AT THE CUT-OFF PRICE 67.611 59.413 (%) TOTAL INVESTOR BIDS (bln crowns) 7.238 7.532 NON-COMPETITIVE BIDS (bln crowns) 0.000 0.304 SOLD (bln crowns) 4.000 4.304 FINMIN (RETAINED "+"/SOLD "-" FROM 0.000 0.000 OWN PORTFOLIO) BID-TO-COVER RATIO (1st auction 1.810 1.807 leg) AMOUNT OUTSTANDING AFTER NEW SALE 41.930 37.930 (bln crowns)

NOTE. In the second round, bonds are allotted to primary dealers at the average price and yield set in the first round. Dealers are not required to buy any bonds in the top-up round.

Details of the government's debt auctions can be found on page .

(Reporting by Mirka Krufova; Editing by Jan Lopatka)
ISTANBUL, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Turkey's export revenues will exceed the government's medium term programme target of $156.5 billion by the end of 2017, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said on Thursday.

"I believe exports will exceed the medium term programme goal of $156.5 billion and that they could reach a record-high of $157.6 billion in 2017," he said.

The government's medium term programme, a three-year policy roadmap, shows exports increasing to $169 billion in 2018, to $182 billion in 2019 and to $195 billion in 2020. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Tuvan Gumrukcu)
ISTANBUL, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Here are news, reports and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Thursday.

The lira stood at 3.8725 against the U.S. dollar at 0536 GMT, little changed from a close of 3.8695 on Wednesday.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year bond was at 12.25 percent in spot trade on Wednesday and rose to 12.33 percent in Thursday-dated trade.

The main BIST 100 share index fell 0.34 percent to 111,894.54 points on Wednesday.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Asia stocks hovered near a decade high on Thursday following another record breaking day on Wall Street, while the New Zealand dollar rallied as hawkish-sounding statements by the country's central bank boosted the recently battered currency. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.3 percent and in close reach of a 10-year high set the previous day. ERDOGAN

President Tayyip Erdogan holds a meeting with lawmakers from his ruling AK Party at party headquarters (0800 GMT). He then makes a speech to neighbourhood administrators in the presidential palace (1100 GMT) before regular weekly meetings with the head of the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) Hakan Fidan (1400 GMT) and the armed forces chief General Hulusi Akar (1500 GMT).

YILDIRIM IN UNITED STATES

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim meets U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to Washington. He will then travel to New York where he will met with representatives of the Jewish community and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before addressing a meeting of investors and business people.

DEFENCE DEAL WITH FRANCE, ITALY

Turkey signed a letter of intent with France and Italy on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation on joint defence projects including air and missile defence systems, Turkish defence ministry sources said. TURKISH AIRLINES Turkish Airlines said on Thursday its net profit surged to 2.438 billion lira ($630 million) in the third quarter from 548 million lira in the same period a year earlier. KOC HOLDING Conglomerate Koc Holding said on Thursday its net profit climbed 31 percent to 1.290 billion lira ($334 million) in the third quarter from 981 million lira in the same period a year earlier. TUPRAS The oil refiner said net profit rose to 992.2 million lira in the third quarter from 580.9 million in the same period a year earlier. MIGROS The retailer said it had a loss of 70.5 million lira in the third quarter after a loss of 1.4 million lira in the same period a year earlier. TOURISM REVENUES

Turkey's crucial tourism sector should see revenues grow to $30 billion in 2018, helped by planned new incentives for tour operators and rising visitor numbers, the country's tourism minister, Numan Kurtulmus, said on Wednesday. For other related news, double click on:

Turkish politics Turkish equities Turkish money Turkish debt Turkish hot stocks Forex news All emerging market news All Turkish news For real-time quotes, double click on:

Istanbul National-100 stock index , interbank lira trading , lira bond trading (Writing by Daren Butler)
(Adds details from Egerton Capital, background)

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Activist investor TCI Fund Management on Thursday called for a formal shareholder meeting to vote on removing London Stock Exchange Chairman Donald Brydon, saying the company had not explained why Chief Executive Xavier Rolet was leaving.

TCI, founded by British billionaire Chris Hohn, said in a letter to the LSE that it also wanted the company to terminate its search for a new CEO and, if Rolet accepts, extend his tenure until 2021.

LSE said on Oct 19 that Rolet is to step down by the end of 2018, just under a decade after he took charge. Under Rolet's tenure LSE's share price has risen from around 6 pounds ($7.89)per share to 37 pounds. The exchange must now arrange an extraordinary shareholder meeting within three weeks or TCI will conduct its own meeting within three months at the company's expense, the hedge fund said.

TCI first raised its complaints about Rolet's planned exit in a letter to the LSE last Friday, in which it said Brydon and the board were trying to force the CEO out, an allegation denied by the exchange on Monday. A subsequent letter to the LSE on Tuesday demanded the company let Rolet speak about his reasons for leaving and reiterated a threat to call the EGM if the company did not act. TCI holds just over a five percent stake in LSE, enough for it to be able to call such a meeting.

A source close to LSE shareholder Egerton Capital said the hedge fund would back TCI in a resolution for Rolet to remain at the company.

A spokesman for the LSE declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. ($1 = 0.7607 pounds)

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan and Simon Jessop,; editing by Rachel Armstrong)
(Adds details)

ACCRA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Ghana scooped all $221.4 million tendered for a three-year domestic dollar bond at a 6.25 percent yield on Thursday, boosting the government's plans to explore local funding sources, arrangers said.

Initial guidance for the bond, the second to be issued by the major commodities exporter and open only to Ghanaian investors, was 6.25 percent.

Ghana is emerging from a fiscal crisis that has left it with high deficits and a steep public debt that forced the government into a credit deal with the International Monetary Fund worth around $918 million in 2015.

The bond, which will mature in November 2020, was issued through a joint book-building arranged by Barclays Bank, Stanbic Bank and brokerage firm Strategic African Securities. Settlement is slated for Nov. 13.

The West African country last year issued its debut dollar denominated domestic bond worth $94.64 million in two-year paper with a coupon of 6 percent after an initial price range of 5.5-6.5 percent. The government of President Nana Akufo-Addo, who assumed office in January, has pledged to cut waste and restructure public debt which reached nearly $32 billion, or 68.6 percent of gross domestic product, at the end of June.

(Reporting by Kwasi Kpodo; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
* Edra to launch sukuk before year-end

* CIMB, Maybank, RHB hired; roadshows have begun

* IPO plans still on track - source

(Adds background, source's comment on IPO plans)

By Liz Lee

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Malaysian independent power producer Edra Power Holdings has hired three domestic banks to raise 5.28 billion ringgit ($1.25 billion) through a sukuk programme, two sources familiar with the deal said on Thursday.

The wholly-owned unit of China General Nuclear Power Corp hired CIMB Investment Bank as the sole principal adviser and financial adviser, while Maybank Investment Bank and RHB Investment Bank are joint lead managers for the debt programme.

Roadshows for the sukuk are under way, and the company plans to launch it before the year-end, a source said. The sources declined to be named because of the private nature of the deal.

According to IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication that reported the deal earlier, Edra met with investors in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Edra has been seeking an IPO this year. In February, it withdrew its request for a proposal to hire banks for its IPO and then relaunched it in May, targeting to raise $500 million to $1 billion. A document seen by Reuters showed that the company had aimed to list by the last quarter of this year.

A source close to the deal said Edra's plans to raise funds via an IPO remained intact, despite the huge debt issuance.

"Yes, they are still talking about their IPO plans. Their balance sheet is healthy, that's why they can leverage to take on projects," the source said.

The company is Malaysia's second-largest independent power producer. Formerly owned by state fund 1MDB, it was sold to China General Nuclear Power Corp in 2015.

(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
(Adds further company response)

By Fergus Jensen, Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Sam Wanda

JAKARTA/TIMIKA, Indonesia, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Armed separatists have occupied five villages in Indonesia's Papua province, threatening to disrupt Freeport-McMoRan Inc's giant Grasberg copper mine, which has already been hit this year by labour unrest and a dispute over operating rights.

A state of emergency has been declared and around 300 additional security forces have been deployed to the mining area of the eastern province after a string of shootings since Aug. 17 that killed one police officer and wounded six.

"They want to disrupt Freeport's operations," said Suryadi Diaz, a spokesman for the Papua police.

"(Freeport) is rich but they are poor, so they just want justice," Diaz said, adding that the militants were a splinter group of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM).

Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Pratama said the company was "deeply concerned" about security and was using armoured cars and helicopters to ferry workers to and from the Grasberg mine in the province's Mimika regency.

He said attacks had been launched along the road near the town of Tembagapura, about 10 km (6 miles) from the mine, where families of employees - including expatriates - live.

He added that so far there had been no impact on production and shipments from Grasberg, the world's second-biggest copper mine.

Last year Freeport Indonesia contributed about a quarter of the parent company's global sales of 4.23 billion pounds (1.92 million tonnes) of copper.

Arizona-based Freeport, the world's largest publicly listed copper producer, has already been grappling with labour problems at Grasberg and a lengthy dispute with the Indonesian government over rights to the mine. SHOTS FIRED

The mine has also be dogged by major concerns over security due to a low-level conflict waged by pro-independence rebels in Papua for decades. Between 2009 and 2015, shootings within the mine project area killed 20 people and wounded 59. Papua and neighbouring West Papua provinces make up the western half of an island north of Australia, with independent Papua New Guinea to the east. The provinces have been plagued by separatist violence since they were incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised U.N.-backed referendum in 1969.

President Joko Widodo has sought to ease tension in the two provinces by stepping up investment, freeing political prisoners and addressing human rights concerns.

Police spokesman Diaz said around 1,000 local residents and migrant workers who pan for gold in Mimika were being prevented by the separatists from leaving the five villages.

Security forces had entered the occupied area on Thursday, police and military sources told Reuters, but it was not clear if they had been able to evacuate any of the residents.

"Perhaps they feel envious with the company's presence," Papua Police chief Boy Rafli Amar told Reuters. "We are trying to maximise protection for the community ... because people have been raped and some have had goods stolen."

In one attack in late October, shots were fired through the windscreen of an ambulance that was ferrying a villager who had just given birth, police said.

The water supply of Tembagapura town had also been contaminated with kerosene, Boy said, but police had not been able to ascertain if it was an act of sabotage carried out by the same group behind the shootings. "JUST WILD THIEVES"

In a video purported to come from the National Liberation Army (TPN-OPM), part of the OPM group, dated Sept. 29, a guerrilla action coordinator named as Joni Beanal reads out an open letter warning of attacks on Freeport in order "to destroy it".

"The main reason for the integration of Papua into Indonesia was a conspiracy by America and Indonesia in the interests of mining exploitation by Freeport MacMoran in Papuan soil," the coordinator said on the video, which was seen by Reuters.

Reuters was not able to verify the authenticity of the video. Papua police spokesman Diaz dismissed the recording as "old". Freeport spokesman Pratama declined to comment on the matter.

Papua Military Commander Major General George Elnadus Supit said the TPN-OPM posed no significant threat and were "just wild thieves who are perhaps being used by a separatist group".

Concord Consulting group warned that a harsh crackdown on the militant group could backfire.

"Militants in Mimika will be able to hide among the local population - many of whom share their rejection of Indonesian rule," the security consultancy said in a note on Wednesday.

Freeport contributed $20 million towards Indonesian government-provided security protecting workers and infrastructure in 2016, about one-third of its local security budget.

The company paid $668 million to the Indonesian government last year in income taxes, royalties and export duties, making it one of the country's single largest taxpayers.

The Panguna copper and gold mine in neighbouring Papua New Guinea was abandoned in 1989 after a campaign of sabotage by the rebel Bougainville Revolutionary Army.

Echoing the situation in Papua, there was deep resentment among the indigenous Bougainville people about the wealth going to the Papua New Guinea central government and the mine's then operator, Conzinc Riotinto of Australia Ltd, a forerunner of Rio Tinto .

(Reporting by Fergus Jensen and Agustinus Beo Da Costa in JAKARTA; Additional reporting by Sam Wanda in TIMIKA; Editing by John Chalmers and Alex Richardson)
(Adds quote, results, background)

By Marja Novak

LJUBLJANA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Slovenian household appliances maker Gorenje is actively seeking a strategic partner to help it to improve cost efficiency and strengthen the brand, it said on Thursday.

Gorenje is among the smaller brands in Europe with a European market share of about 4 percent, struggling to make headway against the might of global players including Sweden's Electrolux and U.S. rival Whirpool .

Electrolux this year announced several acquisitions in Europe and elsewhere, while Whirlpool also announced acquisitions in the United States and China. Gorenje said it hopes to find a suitable partner and potential shareholder by the end of the third quarter of 2018.

The company made its announcement as it posted a 12 percent increase in nine-month net profit to 4.6 million euros ($5.4 million) on sales up nearly 5 percent at 944 million euros.

However, its said a rise in the price of raw materials means it will fall short of its full-year target of a 13 million euro profit with 4.6 percent sales growth.

"The globalisation and consolidation trends that have characterized the industry over recent years have further stimulated the group to proactively search for available strategic partnership opportunities," Gorenje said.

The company, which is Slovenia's second-largest exporter, announced a year ago that Japan's Panasonic had decided against a bid for Gorenje, saying the possible takeover would not fit with its investment strategy. Gorenje's share price has since lost about 33 percent, against a more than 7 percent gain for the blue-chip SBI index .

Panasonic still owns 10.7 percent of Gorenje, with the government's investment company Kapitalska Druzba the largest shareholder with 16.4 percent. ($1 = 0.8593 euros)

(Reporting By Marja Novak; Editing by David Goodman)
(Changes dateline, adds details)

By Darren Whiteside

BOGOR, Indonesia, Nov 9 (Reuters) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday unveiled a new policy aimed at deepening ties with Southeast Asia, as the North Asian economic powerhouse seeks to curb its reliance on traditional trading partners like China and the United States.

Moon made Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy, his first state visit to the region and was accompanied by a delegation of around 200 business leaders.

The "New Southern Policy" aims to better connect South Korea to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping and expand the economic influence of Asia's fourth-largest economy in the region home to more than half a billion people.

"Korean diplomacy in Asia has been more towards Japan, China and Russia. But I see that it should expand to new horizons," Moon told a business forum in Jakarta, where he pledged to "dramatically strenthen cooperation with ASEAN".

South Korea's presidential Blue House has said the policy will mirror Moon's "New Northern Policy" aimed at expanding cooperation with China, Japan, Russia, and Mongolia.

Indonesia and South Korea signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding on a light rail transit (LRT) system in Jakarta, part of a series of pacts reported to be worth up to $1.9 billion.

A recent year-long diplomatic standoff between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system has exposed the dependence of Korean companies on Chinese customers and likely exacerbated Seoul's urgency to diversify ties.

During a joint news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump this week, Moon said he was aiming for a more "balanced diplomacy," which would include Russia, ASEAN countries, and members of the European Union.

Moon held talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at a state palace in Bogor, south of Jakarta, and discussed infrastructure, trade, and also tension on the Korean peninsula.

"I appreciate President Moon's position that he remains open to resolving any disputes through dialogue," Widodo told a news conference in the Dutch colonial-style palace.

Indonesia has traditionally had good relations with North Korea and maintains diplomatic ties and is one of a small number of countries with an embassy in Pyongyang.

A number of South Korean companies already have or are planning big investments in Indonesia. Steel giant POSCO has a multi-billion-dollar joint venture with Indonesia's Krakatau Steel, Hyundai Motor is setting up a car factory, and Samsung Electronics Co assembles smartphones in the country.

Indonesia is also emerging as an important market for South Korean defence equipment and the countries are cooperating on a venture to jointly build a fighter plane, dubbed KF-X.

Moon said South Korea aimed to boost trade with Indonesia to $30 billion by 2022 and eventually to more than $50 billion.

Trade between the countries was worth about $10 billion in the first nine months of 2017, up nearly a fifth from the corresponding 2016 period. Korean foreign direct investment rose about a quarter to $1.37 billion.

Both leaders said the relationship between the countries had been redefined as a "Special Strategic Partnership".

South Koreans make up one of Indonesia's largest expatriate groups, with numerous Korean restaurants and bars in parts of Jakarta.

Besides corporate muscle, Korea's soft power has also grown in Indonesia alongside other countries in Southeast Asia.

Korean K-Pop is hugely popular among Indonesians, with long-established fan clubs and bands, like BTS, touring the Southeast Asian country. Indonesian Twitter accounts dedicated to Korean pop idols have around a million followers.

(Additional reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe, Kanupriya Kapoor, Cindy Silviana and Nilufar Rizki in Jakarta and Christine Kim and Hyonhee Shin in SEOUL; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Michael Perry)
(Adds number known to be detained, no comment by regulator, context)

ABU DHABI/DUBAI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates central bank and securities regulator have asked banks and finance companies in the UAE to provide information on the accounts of 19 Saudi citizens, banking sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Saudi authorities have previously confirmed that almost all the 19 have been detained in a sweeping corruption investigation. One of those is Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of international investment firm Kingdom Holding .

The regulators' request was contained in a circular sent earlier this week and banks have responded, the sources said, adding that the banks had not been asked to freeze the accounts.

The UAE's securities regulator, the Securities and Commodities Authority, declined to comment while officials at the central bank were not available to comment.

Commercial bankers said they believed UAE authorities were acting at the request of Saudi authorities, but this was not confirmed. Saudi officials have said they will try to recover billions of dollars of illicit assets from dozens of senior businessmen and officials detained in the probe.

Saudia Arabia has mutual legal assistance arrangements with other Gulf Arab countries that help it seek such information in criminal cases.

(Reporting by Stanley Carvalho and Tom Arnold; Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Nov 9 (Reuters) - Vietnam's State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) on Thursday set a minimum price for a 3.33 percent stake sale in dairy firm Vinamilk at 151,200 dong per share ($6.66 each), it said in a statement.

That was based on a Thursday close at 162,500 dong ($7.15 each) and a 7 percent trading band allowed on the exchange.

The sale, expected on Nov. 10, is part of the government's plan to divest from state-owned enterprises.

A successful stake sale would reduce state ownership in Vinamilk, Vietnam's biggest listed firm, to 36 percent, enough to retain veto rights.

($1 = 22,712 dong)

(Reporting by Mi Nguyen; editing by Jason Neely)
By Syed Raza Hassan

KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The World Bank expressed concern on Thursday that Pakistan's growing fiscal and external imbalances were threatening hard-earned gains in economic growth and stability.

A biannual report issued by the bank said Pakistan's economic growth had accelerated to 5.3 percent in the 2017 financial year - the highest in a decade - and was projected to touch 5.8 percent in the 2019 financial year.

But as growth had picked up, it said, internal and external imbalances had re-emerged and the fiscal deficit had expanded, with revenue mobilisation weakening and spending rising. The current account deficit had reached highest in a decade.

"Pakistan has made good progress in making its economy more stable in recent years," said the World Bank's country director for Pakistan, Illango Patchamuthu.

"In order to sustain this hard-won achievement, Pakistan will need to continue with economic reforms and pursue policies that make the country compete better in global markets."

With 2 million people joining the labour force every year, encouraging entrepreneurship will be important to meet the challenge of creating jobs, increasing productivity and creating economic opportunities, especially for women, the report said.

The report said foreign direct investment had increased during as a result of Chinese involvement. Beijing has committed $57 billion to build road and rail infrastructure and enhance energy production in Pakistan as part of its "One Belt, One Road" plan.

(Reporting by Syed Raza Hassan; editing by Andrew Roche)
Trump Warns North Korean Leader Not to Underestimate U.S.-South Korean Will

By Jim Garamone, DoD



WASHINGTON  President Donald J. Trump warned North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un on Tuesday not to underestimate the will and power of the United States and urged him to rid his country of nuclear weapons.



Trump, who spoke before the National Assembly in the South Korean capital of Seoul, said the United States stands with South Korea in opposing the North.



The president, in the midst of a trip through Asia, said North Korea has pursued its nuclear weapons and missile programs "in defiance of every assurance, agreement and commitment it has made to the United States and its allies."



North Korea promised to freeze its plutonium program in 1994. It did not. "In 2005, after years of diplomacy, the dictatorship agreed to ultimately abandon its nuclear programs and return to the treaty on nonproliferation," Trump said. "But it never did. And worse, it tested the very weapons it said it was going to give up."



In 2009, the United States again offered to negotiate with North Korea. The regime answered by sinking the South Korean navy ship Cheonan, killing 46 sailors. "To this day, it continues to launch missiles over the sovereign territory of Japan and all other neighbors, test nuclear devices, and develop ICBMs to threaten the United States itself," the president said.



'We Will Defend Our Common Security'



"The regime has interpreted America's past restraint as weakness. This would be a fatal miscalculation," Trump said. "Today I hope I speak not only for our countries, but for all civilized nations when I say to the North: Do not underestimate us. And do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity, and our sacred liberty."



The 38th parallel that separates North and South Korea is the line "between peace and war, between decency and depravity, between law and tyranny, between hope and total despair," the president said.



The line has been drawn by other oppressors in the past, and holding that line is the choice free nations have made through history, Trump said. "We have learned together the high cost of weakness and the high stakes of its defense," he added. "America's men and women in uniform have given their lives in the fight against Nazism, imperialism, communism and terrorism. America does not seek conflict or confrontation. But we will never run from it."



Trump said the United States will not let itself or its allies be blackmailed or attacked. "We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction," he said. "We will not be intimidated. And we will not let the worst atrocities in history be repeated here on this ground we fought and died so hard to secure."



Trump flatly stated that the time for excuses is over and that now is the time for strength. "If you want peace, you must stand strong at all times," he said. "The world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens with nuclear devastation."





Seeking Cooperation From Russia and China



He specifically called on Russia and China to join the rest of the world in isolating the North Korean regime in Pyongyang. He asked all nations to fully implement U.N. Security Council resolutions, downgrade diplomatic relations with the regime, and sever all ties of trade and technology. "It is our responsibility and our duty to confront this danger together, because the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the fewer the options become," he said.



Trump addressed the North Korean leader directly, saying the weapons he is building are not making his regime more secure, but rather are putting it in grave danger. "Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face," Trump said.



Despite all the crimes committed by the regime since 1950, the nations of the world will offer a path to a better future for the North Korean people, the president said. "[The path] begins with an end to the aggression of your regime, a stop to your development of ballistic missiles, and complete, verifiable, and total denuclearization," he said.



South Korea stands in stark contrast to the North, Trump said. "In just a few decades, with only the hard work, courage, and talents of your people, you turned this war-torn land into a nation blessed with wealth, rich in culture and deep in spirit," he said. "You built a home where all families can flourish and where all children can shine and be happy."



South Korea is an independent, confident, peace-loving and respected nation, and is a strong ally of the United States, Trump said. "We are nations that respect our citizens, cherish our liberty, treasure our sovereignty, and control our own destiny," he added. "We affirm the dignity of every person and embrace the full potential of every soul. And we are always prepared to defend the vital interests of our people against the cruel ambition of tyrants."

Published November 9, 2017
By Park Hyong-ki



Kakao's Indonesian social networking service (SNS) Path Mobile is "practically out of business" after years of suffering losses since the Korean mobile messenger acquired it a couple of years ago, said sources with knowledge of the situation.



Path may still be running its service for its existing users. But the sources say the acquisition is considered a "failure, and the social media might as well be closed for business."



The Korean company bought the closed-end SNS based in Indonesia when it was one of the top three social media there.



Path ranked second when Kakao acquired it, a source noted.



Another source said Path had the potential to become the No. 1 at one point before Kakao's acquisition in 2015.



There were various reasons behind the failure to keep Path afloat.



Simply, luck was not on Kakao's side.



Above all, Kakao did not have any executives with experience in global business management, the first source said.



The company may have recruited talents from global tech giants such as Google, but Kakao did not and does not have anyone in the top management with the skills to take on the global market, he added.



On top of that, the second source said it is really difficult to develop a business model around a closed-end SNS platform, which ultimately led Kakao's Path toward its demise.



As Path started to lose its edge, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have completely dominated the Indonesia SNS market, a third source from Indonesia said.



Facebook's WhatsApp has become Indonesia's most-used messenger, he added, noting SoftBank has been an aggressive investor in the region, following the Japanese tech giant's big hit with Alibaba in China.



Song Ji-ho used to head Path after the takeover.



Song was Kakao's chief financial officer, and is currently a board member and is in charge of generating synergies between Kakao and its subsidiaries.



He is Kakao founder Brian Kim's "right-hand man," who manages all the company's investment and financial affairs, the first source noted. Brian's Korean name is Beom-soo.



The failure of Path, however, taught the investment and tech communities a lesson  it is not worth paying a lot of money to acquire a second or third-ranked company in this winner-takes-all market, two of the sources said.



Kakao's Path posted a net loss of 13.7 billion won, with a book value at 54 billion won, as of June this year, according to the Korean company's audit filing.



Kakao said Path is still in service, but it has not been doing well.



IPOs of Kakao's units



Kakao is considering initial public offerings (IPO) of each of its units including Kakao Mobility, Kakao Pay and Kakao Bank, the sources say.



However, it is highly unlikely Korea Investment Holdings' Korea Investment & Securities will be their lead manager, as speculated by the press.



Kakao and Korea Investment Holdings have had a strong partnership since the inception of the mobile messenger company.



Korea Investment introduced investors to Kakao Mobility for its pre-IPO fundraising. Korea Investment is also Kakao Bank's biggest investor.



Despite their ties, Korea Investment would stay behind the scene and officially send out requests for proposals for the IPOs.



This is because it would most probably have to offer a "discount" on its IPO service to Kakao's units if Korea Investment handles the task.



Korea Investment would not likely take this path as it seeks to maximize its return on its investment.



Also given its investment track record, the units would go for public listings on the KOSDAQ. This is 99 percent sure, said one of the sources, adding that they would first list on the tech-heavy index, then could relocate to the KOSPI as they become bigger, like Kakao.



However, they said this will not happen in the near future as they still got a long way to go before actually seeing profits.










By Nam Hyun-woo



The National Pension Service (NPS) has channeled its money in global investment firm KKR's Asia Fund III, which focuses on promising companies in Japan and India.



According to the pension operator, Thursday, it has invested in the $9.3 billion fund, which closed in June this year as one of the largest funds investing in Asia-based companies.



The NPS did not disclose the exact amount, but sources said the investment is worth 220 billion won ($197.63 million).



One of the Korean companies invested in by the fund is LS Group. In July, KKR and the group signed a 1.05 trillion won partnership deal that allowed the former to acquire LS Mtron's copper foil and flexible copper clad laminate businesses.



After the fund raising, KKR named Korean-American Joseph Bae as co-president of the firm, recognizing his contribution to the successful closure of the Asia Fund III.



In the previous $6 billion Asia Fund II, KKR posted 20.6 percent in a net internal rate of return, drawing keen attention from institutional investors.



KKR has maintained a strong track record of investing in Korea from its pan-regional private equity funds since 2009. The firm made headlines here with a deal involving Oriental Brewery along with AB InBev and Affinity Equity Partners.





KKR-LS deal



This year, the conglomerate decided to spin off its automotive and copper units for the deal with KKR.



The contract also allows the two parties to establish a joint venture, which will own LG Automotive together. LS is expected to get 53 percent in the joint venture and KKR will have the remaining 47 percent.



Instead, KKR will acquire full ownership of LS Mtron's copper foil and flexible copper clad laminate segment and will set up a separate company. LS Automotive is one of Korea's leading auto parts manufacturers, supplying switches, interior lamps and human machine interface systems to carmakers. Its major clients include HyundaiMotor and Kia Motors.



Copper foil is mostly used for large capacity lithium-ion batteries, such as those for electric vehicles.



LS Mtron has been supplying its products to global battery giants including LG Chem and other manufacturers in Japan and China.



Flexible copper clad laminates are mostly used for making displays. Since 2009, KKR has invested around $800 million in the Korean market.




Dancers perform during Ocean Park's promotion event at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul last week. / Courtesy of Ocean Park



By Jung Min-ho

Ocean Park, the largest amusement park in Hong Kong, is stepping up promotions to attract Korean tourists  who now account for 10 percent of all foreign visitors.

As part of this effort, Chief Executive Matthias Li Sing-chung visited Seoul last week and announced his company's special deals for Koreans.

Those who purchase two tickets from any of its partner tour agencies can get one at half price; if they buy three, they can get one for free.

Those who have a ticket for Everland or Lotte World  two of the most popular amusement parks in Korea  can also get an Ocean Park ticket at a 20 percent discount.

Speaking to reporters and travel agents at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Li invited everyone to this year's Christmas event, which he said will be the largest ever.

He also revealed the plans to build a new water park and a six-story Marriott hotel scheduled to open next year. Fullerton hotel is expected to open two years later.

The number of visitors to amusement parks in Hong Kong has declined in recent years. In an effort to rekindle their popularity, Ocean Park has turned its eye to overseas markets.
Seoul stocks outperforming amid rising tensions



By Kim Jae-kyoung



SINGAPORE  "The more North Korea conducts nuclear and missile tests, the better" for the market.



This is the equation applied by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore to describe how Korean and other East Asian exchanges are reacting to North Korea's saber-rattling.



Ironically, the KOSPI, South Korea's benchmark stock index, has been soaring over the past month, in tandem with rising tension on the Korean Peninsula caused by Pyongyang's ballistic missile and nuclear provocations.



Market analysts said investors are betting on Korean stocks on the belief there will be no military conflict despite the bombastic rhetoric both from the United States and North Korea.



"In my view the Korean market performance reflects no war," Mikio Kumada, executive director of Global Strategist at LGT Capital Partners in Hong Kong, told The Korea Times.



"Instead (there is) an expectation of improved international cooperation with all stakeholders. That is reflected in the fact that all regional markets are outperforming."



He also said Korean markets are being buoyed by an improving economic situation due to the revival of global trade and increased domestic political stability with the Moon Jae-in presidency.



"It's interesting that in the middle of all of this war rhetoric, the U.S. and South Korean stock markets are doing fine," said William Brown, adjunct professor at Georgetown School of Foreign Service.



"Does this mean investors are crazy? I think most people recognize the chances of a shooting war are slim."



Amid continuing threats from Pyongyang, the KOSPI hit a record high of 2,557.97 on Nov. 3, up nearly 200 points from the end of September.



The rallies were powered by foreign investors who posted net buying of over 3 trillion won in October when tension on the peninsula reached its peak following the North's sixth nuclear test.



According to a recent report by the RSIS, market bullishness is not isolated to South Korean stocks but is a common phenomenon for East Asia's equities.



The report, co-written by Kumada and Michael Raska, professor at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, a unit of the RSIS, said the strength of East Asia's equity markets becomes particularly evident when compared to those of North America, Western Europe and Japan.



Since the beginning of the year, the MSCI Korea Index in U.S. dollars has jumped around 40 percent, while the MSCI Far East Index has increased about 33 percent.



That compares to about 20 percent, 14 percent, and 13 percent for the equivalent stock market indices of Europe, Japan, and the U.S., respectively.



In the report, Kumada and Raska said the positive economic and market trends may provide an important argument as to why hardly anyone in the business world takes North Korea's saber-rattling seriously.



"The pronounced strength of the Far Eastern indices may imply a benign geopolitical outcome on the Korean peninsula is in the making," they said.



"As a crowd, investors seem to have a clear vision. The current security developments on the Korean Peninsula are not leading toward a destructive war, but a pragmatic recognition of North Korea's nuclear status."



From this viewpoint, they think North Korea's current crisis escalation may paradoxically signal a willingness to engage in a process that points toward some form of a negotiated settlement, enabling a breakout from the current geopolitical deadlock.



"Restarting talks with North Korea amid conditions of strategic distrust and varying geostrategic interests would of course not be a straightforward deal," they said.



"However, potential realistic goalposts for restarting talks would include establishing crisis prevention mechanisms and communication links with Pyongyang to mitigate any potential escalation pressures or miscalculations."



In its latest report, global credit ratings agency Fitch also expects an outright war on the Korean Peninsula will be averted.



"While the current level of tension is high, strains on the Korean Peninsula are not new, and have followed a familiar pattern of rise-and-fall cycles in the past," it said.




By Yi Whan-woo



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that Japan is lodging an "inappropriate" protest over Cheong Wa Dae inviting a former "comfort woman" to U.S. President Donald Trump's state dinner in Seoul, Tuesday.



It also said Cheong Wa Dae's selection of the menu for the banquet, which featured shrimp caught in waters off Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, was decided after "taking relevant factors into account."



"Our government made the decision  in a comprehensive manner," Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said during a regular press briefing. "We see it as inappropriate to raise issues over the menu for a state dinner and its invited guest."



Noh said South Korea conveyed its view to Japan through a diplomatic channel.



The announcement came after Japan reacted sensitively to the invitation of Lee Yong-soo, a surviving victim of Japan's wartime sex slavery, to the dinner hosted by Cheong Wa Dae during Trump's state visit to Korea.



Japan has claimed that the issues on sex slavery should not be put on the international stage in line with the controversial Seoul-Tokyo accord on "comfort women" in December 2015.



Regarding Dokdo, it claimed its sovereignty over the islets and said the "Dokdo shrimp" could disrupt the efforts for a trilateral alliance with the U.S.



On Wednesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono delivered a message of protest to Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in Danang, Vietnam, where the APEC summit will take place on Saturday and Sunday.



Both Kang and Kono are there to accompany their respective leaders _ President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.



Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga separately raised the issue over Lee's invitation, Tuesday.



When asked about "Dokdo shrimp," Suga asked Korea to refrain from any measures that can affect the Seoul-Washington-Tokyo alliance against Pyongyang's military threats.








By Jun Ji-hye



Three U.S. aircraft carriers and their strike groups will soon begin rare combined exercises in waters near the Korea Peninsula while President Donald Trump is traveling in Asia, the U.S. Navy announced Thursday.



The three carriers  USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt  are also set to train together with the South Korean Navy in the East Sea, according to Seoul's Ministry of National Defense.



The U.S. 7th Fleet said the three-carrier strike force exercise will take place in the Western Pacific from Saturday to Tuesday.



"It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three," said U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, Adm. Scott Swift. "Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the U.S. Pacific Fleet's unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region."



The strike forces will conduct air defense drills, sea surveillance, replenishments at sea, defensive air combat training and close-in coordinated maneuvers, the 7th Fleet noted.



It will mark the first time that three carrier strike groups have operated together in the Western Pacific since exercises Valiant Shield in 2006 and 2007 off the coast of Guam, it added.



For his part, defense ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said consultation between Seoul and Washington are currently ongoing to schedule their combined naval drills in the East Sea.



"We will let you know once the consultations have been finalized," he said.



Moon added that a trilateral drill between South Korea, the United States and Japan is not part of the plan.



The rare exercise comes as President Trump has been conducting his Asian tour from Nov. 3 to 14 that includes South Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.



During his speech given to the South Korean National Assembly, Wednesday, Trump said, "Currently stationed in the vicinity of this peninsula are the three largest aircraft carriers in the world loaded to the maximum with magnificent F-35 and F-18 fighter jets. In addition, we have nuclear submarines appropriately positioned."



Trump also said, "When I say to the North: Do not underestimate us, and do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity, and our sacred liberty."



President Trump is reportedly considering observing the rare exercise from on board one of the carriers.



Military officials here said the exercise will have a considerable effect in pressuring the Kim Jong-un regime.



After conducting two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests in July, the Kim regime has been claiming that it is capable of striking targets on the U.S. mainland with an ICBM carrying a nuclear warhead.












By Yi Whan-woo



South Korea will form a negotiating team by the end of this month to discuss with the United States how to share the cost of American troops stationed here, foreign ministry officials said Thursday.



They said South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Chang Won-sam will lead the Seoul delegation for the defense cost-sharing talks.



Chang is expected to be officially appointed next week.



He will begin developing strategies once his team is formed and other issues are finalized, such as securing an office, according to foreign ministry officials.



The negotiations will decide Seoul's share of the cost of stationing the 28,000 members of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) for 2019 through 2023.



Seoul and the U.S. hold talks on defense cost-sharing every five years under the Special Measures Agreement (SMA).



The talks are likely to begin in 2018 as the U.S. also needs to choose its top negotiator and make preparations, although the two sides may hold preliminary meetings this year.



Under the last SMA in 2014, Seoul paid about half the cost -- 944.1 billion won ($847.4 million) in 2016, 932 billion won in 2015 and 920 billion won in 2014.



Seoul's outlay covers the salaries of South Korean employees at U.S. bases, South Korean contractors and service agents, military construction, logistics procurements and maintenance and munitions storage.



Meanwhile, analysts speculated that Seoul's costs may rise to more than 50 percent.



They said U.S. President Donald Trump, as part of his "America first" policy, has been demanding South Korea pay more, while Seoul argued that its share is actually higher because it has been covering additional expenses.



President Moon Jae-in said he and Trump agreed on sharing "reasonable" levels of the defense costs during their summit in Seoul Tuesday.



The press release by the two allies Wednesday had a slight change to that wording. It stated that Moon and Trump acknowledged the "desire for equitable cost sharing of United States military forces stationed in the Republic of Korea."



Analysts speculated that the word "equitable" indicated that Trump, although he reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the Seoul-Washington alliance, was still not satisfied with South Korea's role.



"The word equitable hints at Washington's willingness to raise Seoul's share of the defense cost to exactly 50 percent or higher," Korea Defense Network President Shin In-kyun said.



When asked about South Korea paying 92 percent of the $10 billion to relocate the USFK headquarters and building Camp Humphreys, Trump said the U.S. also "actually spent some of that money."



"And, as you know, that money was spent, for the most part, to protect South Korea, not to protect the United States," he said during a joint press conference with Moon Tuesday.



The analysts said the defense cost-sharing talks could influence Seoul's efforts for an early takeover of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington.




By Jun Ji-hye



South Korea may develop its own nuclear-powered submarines or purchase then from the U.S. to better deal with North Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) threats.



President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to begin consultations on South Korea's acquisition and development of cutting-edge weapons that would include nuclear-powered submarines and surveillance assets.



The two heads of state reached the agreement during their summit in Seoul, Tuesday.



After the summit, a Cheong Wa Dae official said on condition of anonymity, "We may purchase the weapons or co-develop them with the U.S.," adding there were various details to review including technical aspects and international norms.



Military sources here said the most realistic measure would be to purchase two to three U.S. nuclear-powered submarines first amid the North's mounting SLBM threat, as the development and construction of such a submarine would take at least five years.



Pyongyang has been reportedly stepping up efforts to build newer, bigger submarines equipped with vertical missile launch tubes to fire SLBMs from underwater.



Sources said South Korean sailors would be able to learn skills and knowhow while operating the U.S.-made nuclear subs before the nation completes development and construction of its own subs.



"Generally speaking, six to nine nuclear-powered submarines would be necessary to properly operate in the East, South and West Seas," a source said, asking not to be named.



During his presidential campaign, President Moon vowed to develop home-grown nuclear-powered submarines, pledging to make efforts to gain support from the U.S., which virtually controls the uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel reprocessing of South Korea.



Calls for developing the nuclear subs were ignited after the North successfully launched an SLBM in April last year. Another SLBM fired in August that year flew about 500 kilometers, indicating a significant improvement compared to previous tests.



Supporters for having nuclear subs say they are the only way to counter the North's SLBM threat, saying they could strike an enemy submarine before it launches a missile. A nuclear-powered sub can operate underwater indefinitely as long as other conditions such as food supplies are met, making it difficult for the enemy to detect.



The Republic of Korea Navy currently operates Type 209 attack submarines, propelled by diesel-electric transmissions, and the Type 214 that uses air-independent propulsion.



The Type 209 is capable of remaining underwater for only about two to three consecutive days as it needs to surface frequently to access air, while the Type 214, an improved version of the Type 209, is capable of continuing underwater operations for a maximum 13 to 14 days.



Skeptics, however, say Washington has never sold its nuclear subs to a foreign country as the relevant technologies are top secret.



Regarding the issue, Moon Sang-gyun, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, said, "The two allies will carry out consultations to give shape to the agreement between the heads of state of the two nations."




Ex-defense minister says he was ordered to spread political propaganda



By Jung Min-ho



Former President Lee Myung-bak will likely be questioned soon by prosecutors after the former defense minister disclosed that Lee ordered him to operate a military team to spread pro-government propaganda while he was in office.



The prosecution has requested an arrest warrant for Kim Kwan-jin, who is under suspicion of creating and running a secret team to "back up" the right-wing Lee government online against liberal politicians and their supporters between 2010 and 2012.



Kim served in the post from December 2010 to June 2014 and became the National Security Office chief under Park Geun-hye, Lee's successor from the same party.



Kim reportedly told the prosecution that he was directly ordered by Lee to pick "our people only" when the ministry was recruiting people for the mission at its cyberwarfare unit.



It is obvious that "our people" were not those from the Jeolla provinces, the stronghold of the liberal parties. In fact, the prosecution found clues that the ministry screened out those from the region. For that, Kim is facing charges of abuse of power.



Prosecutors have also requested an arrest warrant for Lim Kwan-bin, a high-ranking ministry official who allegedly helped Kim with the illegal political activities.



Lim is also suspected of receiving a bribe of 30 million won ($27,000), which the prosecution suspects came from the National Intelligence Service.



Kim admitted to being informed of the secret online team's activities, but denied that he let them do so in order to attack liberal politicians and their ideas. He claimed it was a part of the military's strategy to fend off online security threats from North Korea.



He also insisted that former President Lee did not specifically ask him to weed out people from certain regions when he said "our people." Kim noted he understood the message as nothing more than "select patriotic people only."



A special team investigating the case within the ministry has reportedly found documents in which the former president ordered Kim to select only the people they preferred.



Prosecutors believe that Kim regularly reported the online team's activities to Cheong Wa Dae.



One of the things the team allegedly did was glorify Lee as a charismatic leader who could protect the country from the rancorous regime in the North.



Kim Hyun, spokeswoman of the ruling Democratic Party, urged the prosecution to look into the former president immediately.



"Given what has been revealed, questioning Lee seems inevitable," she said. "Investigators should look into Lee, the mastermind behind the illegal scheme."




A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates the opening of Sunshine Land on Wednesday. / Courtesy of Hankook Ilbo



By Chyung Eun-ju

If you want a taste of military life, Sunshine Land theme park is loaded with opportunities.

South Korea's premier army experience center opened in Nonsan City in South Chungcheong Province on Wednesday.

Visitors can take part in dynamic combat action at the 32,497-square-meter center that took three years to build and cost 10 billion won ($9 million).

Sunshine Land shows what it is like to be in the nation's military through leisure sports. They can be experienced in the combat zone, the virtual reality experience center, the screen shooting range, the multi-purpose stadium and the survival experience center.

Sudden Attack Studio inside the theme park borrowed the concept from the nation's popular first-person online shooting game "Sudden Attack."





Visitors to Sunshine Land play a survival shooting game. / Courtesy of Hankook Ilbo



Facilities at Sunshine Land were inspired by structures from the 1950s and the film sets of TV dramas and movies that highlighted historical or cultural features.

South Korean TV drama "Mr. Sunshine" on tvN, scheduled for release next year and starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri, will film at the center.

"South Korea's biggest army experience center Sunshine Land will potentially increase tourism demand and fuel the growth of Nonsan in the future," Mayor Hwang Myung-seon said. The city attracts over 1.3 million tourists a year.

"To make the center a tourist attraction that represents the Korean wave, we will develop unique Nonsan tourism merchandise," Hwang said.




Chinese tourists watch the shores of North Korea at the Yalu River near Dandong in Chinese province of Liaoning Province. The Chinese government banned trips to North Korea on Tuesday, a day before the United States President Donald Trump's state visit. / Yonhap



By Rha Hae-sung



China banned trips to North Korea Tuesday, just a day before the arrival of United States President Donald Trump on his five-nation Asian tour.



The travel ban comes amid heightening tension between the U.S and North Korea. On Sept. 1, the U.S prohibited its citizens from visiting North Korea after the death of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who was imprisoned for stealing a piece of North Korean propaganda from a Pyongyang hotel he stayed in.



Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years' hard labor, just a few hours before he was to leave. He was detained for more than a year and returned to the U.S. in a coma. He later died.



About 1,000 Americans visited North Korea every year before the travel ban.



China's decision to halt trips to North Korea might cut a North Korean revenue stream. It has been estimated that 580,000 Chinese visited North Korea during the first half of this year alone.




President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo after signing an agreement to boost bilateral trade and business cooperation between their two countries during a summit at the presidential Bogor Palace, Thursday. / Yonhap



By Kim Hyo-jin

President Moon Jae-in and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo agreed to strengthen bilateral economic and security cooperation in their summit, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.

They released a "joint vision" statement following the summit, in which they agreed to elevate relations to a "special strategic partnership" by expanding their exchanges.

The statement is the first of its kind adopted with a Southeast Asian country.

For better security coordination, the leaders agreed to establish new consultative bodies in the foreign and defense sectors and vowed to enhance economic cooperation in various industries including chemical engineering, transportation and infrastructure.

They set the aim of increasing trade to $30 billion by 2022.

Both leaders renewed their support for the "complete, verifiable and irreversible" denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; while Widodo expressed his backing for Moon's effort to take initiative in easing tensions on the peninsula.

Widodo accepted Moon's invitation to visit South Korea next year, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The move comes as Moon is actively seeking to broaden exchanges with ASEAN countries as part of efforts to diversify the country's diplomatic and economic partners.

Strong ties with Indonesia are expected to boost Moon's "New Southern Policy," a vision to expand the country's economic influence to ASEAN countries.

"My goal is to enhance relations with ASEAN to the same level as that with our four neighboring countries. I'm determined to push the New Southern Policy to enhance cooperation with ASEAN to a groundbreaking level." Moon said during a business forum attended by 350 officials and business leaders from South Korea and Indonesia, earlier in the day.

"From trade-oriented relations, I'd like to expand them to those weighing on technology, culture and the arts, and personnel exchanges."

Moon has underlined the need to diversify foreign relations from the four powers  the U.S., China, Japan and Russia  to diplomacy with European, ASEAN and African countries.

The move was part of a change to the country's trade structure that has been centered on China and the U.S. Concerns were rising over the limitations of this amid China's economic retaliation following a row over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense battery in South Korea, and heightened protectionism in the U.S.

The new policy is expected to be on a par with the "New Northern Policy" Moon outlined in Russia in September, which aims to facilitate economic cooperation with Central Asian countries, Mongolia, China's three northeastern provinces and Russia's Far East.

Moon even vowed to expand South Korea's diplomatic presence to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff, and further secure stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia during a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump after their summit Tuesday.

In the business forum, Moon stressed cultivating relations with Indonesia as the key to such efforts, outlining ways of further improving bilateral ties.

He pointed out priority sectors for broadened economic cooperation, including Fourth Industrial Revolution-related strategy, the defense and medical industries and transportation.

Exemplifying the ongoing bilateral project of building a steel mill and petrochemical plant, he pledged to spur the current shift of cooperation from light industries to heavy ones. He also said, "South Korea is the best partner for an Indonesia that is seeking to be the largest manufacturer and exporter among ASEAN countries."

Earlier in the day, both countries signed a $1.9 billion-worth memorandum of understanding in transportation and infrastructure. They also signed a $230 million-worth MOU on building public housing with the South Korean company Hanhwa participating. Indonesia's MNC Group and South Korea's POSCO signed an MOU on a new city project in Indonesia's Lido area.

Moon began his eight-day tour to Southeast Asia in Jakarta Wednesday.

He started his second day paying tributes to fallen soldiers at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, where Indonesia's independence fighters and national leaders are laid to rest.

Indonesia is a key trading partner of South Korea and one of the largest Asian importers of the country's military equipment. Both countries have expanded economic exchanges since establishing a strategic partnership in 2006.
Rep. Kim Sam-hwa of the People's Party, a member of the Korean Parliamentarian Friends of UNICEF (KPFU), speaks during an event at the National Assembly, Wednesday, commemorating the group's 10th anniversary. From left are Cho Kyoung-tae and Rep. Kang Hyo-shang of the Liberty Korea Party, Rep. Kim, Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Kim Se-yeon of the Bareun Party./ Courtesy of UNICEF Seoul Office



By Kim Se-jeong

The Korean Parliamentarian Friends of UNICEF (KPFU) celebrated its 10th anniversary, Wednesday, at the National Assembly complex.

Founded in 2007, the KPFU is a group of lawmakers supporting the United Nations Children's Fund, which is dedicated to delivering humanitarian and development aid to mothers and children in impoverished countries around the world.

"Children in Korea received UNICEF help after the Korean War," Rep. Kim Se-yeon of the Bareun Party, who currently leads the group, said during a speech. "It wasn't just food and vaccines they received. The aid planted dreams in the minds of those children who became the backbone of Korea's prosperity. Korea is now a donor country. I believe we can help as lawmakers to realize UNICEF's dream for the world and we're happy to be part of it."

As well as making private donations to UNICEF, the KPFU has pushed the Korean government to increase its overseas development assistance (ODA) budget for UNICEF.

Among 46 members across party lines, 10 attended the ceremony, including Rep. Kim Sam-hwa of the People's Party, Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea and Reps. Cho Kyoung-tae and Kang Hyo-shang of the Liberty Korea Party.

Cynthia McCaffrey, director of UNICEF Global Innovation Centre, flew from New York to attend the event. She thanked the lawmakers and the Korean government for their support.

"While the Republic of Korea started out 70 years ago as a UNICEF beneficiary, over the last 10 years, UNICEF has counted on you as a trusted, reliable and most of all effective partner. We are grateful to be on this journey together with you because together, we will get it done."

The event also saw local children speaking out about their lives and struggles and asking the lawmakers to take action, and the representatives vowed to do so swiftly.
By Ted Gover

According to intelligence estimates, Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is on course to attaining the capability of striking the U.S. mainland with a nuclear weapon within a year. Other reports claim that North Korea may already possess this capability.

Prudence requires that Washington assume Pyongyang can attack the U.S. with a nuclear weapon and that any armed conflict with North Korea would involve the threat of a nuclear strike against the U.S. and its allies.

Beyond this, a non-nuclear conflict with North Korea would be costly given the 30 million South Korean citizens, 200,000 U.S. citizens and 25,000 U.S. military personnel concentrated in greater Seoul, all of whom are within range of the North's rocket battery artillery.

This reality requires that the U.S. and its allies construct a North Korea policy that involves a long game of strategic deterrence, containment and sanctions while leaving the door open to negotiations.

Perhaps the first step in this process is for Washington to acknowledge that Kim Jong-un is unlikely to abandon his nuclear weapons programs due to sanctions and urging from the White House, Beijing and others. Kim's primary focus is the survival of his regime and he knows of the fates of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Saddam Hussein in Iraq, both of whom are dead after their non-nuclear states were overthrown by outside powers.

It bears saying that Kim is also keenly aware of Ukraine's current situation which, at the urging of Washington, London and Moscow in return for guarantees to its territorial integrity, gave up 2,000 nuclear weapons in 1994. Yet, as it stands today, the Crimea and most of eastern Ukraine is under Russia's control.

Pyongyang has taken note. Regardless of the cost of economic sanctions, it will not engage in arms talks until it has mastered and demonstrated the capability of conducting a nuclear strike against a U.S. city.

Washington can protect against a nuclear North Korea by recommitting to some of the first principles applied during the Cold War against the Soviet Union, i.e., utilizing a long-term strategy of containment, sanctions and deterrence with overwhelming capabilities.

This approach, although imperfect, has worked well on the Korean peninsula over the past 65 years. While it has failed to prevent North Korea from developing a nuclear weapons program, it has prevented another Korean war.

Without such a framework, the risk of a nuclear North reigniting hostilities on the Korean peninsula rises while the chances of a U.S.-China strategic agreement regarding the North decreases.

The end goal is that in years to come Pyongyang will enter into disarmament discussions, the regime will come to an end or a different type of leader will emerge in Pyongyang.

Going forward, the need for a long-term strategy is in order, similar to the approach used towards Soviet Union during the Cold War.





Ted Gover (tedgover@gmail.com), Ph.D., is instructor of Political Science at Central Texas College, U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
by John J. Metzler





UNITED NATIONS  The recent killing of four U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers in

Niger tragically highlighted a quiet but lethal conflict in sub-Saharan Africa's Sahel region.

Here in the confluence of the arid and largely forgotten lands of Mali, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania lay a vast land plagued by endemic poverty and wracked by drug and human smuggling, ethnic violence, and now emerging as a hotbed of Islamist terrorist groups.

France sponsored a special UN Security Council session which addressed the clear and present danger of this brewing crisis; UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed the meeting was aimed at "preventing the region form sinking into chaos,"

Admitting that the region's "weak institutions, exclusion and marginalization of certain groups were exploited by extremists and terrorists," the Secretary General warned adding, that "porous borders facilitated human trafficking, as well as arms and drug smuggling."

Regional states, have formed a security agreement the Sahel G 5 to combat the menace. This joint force supplements the UN's peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as well as the ongoing French military counter-insurgency operation Barkhane.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian put the matter into clear focus, "Terrorist groups in the Sahel represented a global threat" which was financed by drug trafficking and human smuggling. He added, "Those groups were determined to spread terrorism across the region."

Minister Le Drian stated, "facing the menaces the Sahel knows, the response can only be in the nature of security, there can't be a durable peace without durable development. A effort must be made to stabilize the region."

Speaking later at the Council on Foreign Relations, Minister Le Drian recounted, "In 2013, there was an attempt by Islamist groups to take over Mali and to transform Mali into a kidnapped state. It would become an Islamist state with all the consequences that you can imagine." He added "France intervened then upon request by the government in Mali and with the support of the U.S. to prevent this from happening. And then we had to extend our military action because terrorism, of course is borderless and groups don't stay in one country."

The current French Operation Barkhane force stands at 4,000 troops. The UN's Mali peacekeeping mission numbers 13,000.

Calling for America's continued commitment to multilateral missions, Minister Le Drian advised, "In the beginning of this century, we are extending our alliance by fighting together in the Sahel and in the Levant... I think today that America has few allies who have at the same time the political determination and the capacity to do that, and France is one of these allies."

The Sahel crisis has equally underscored the danger and breadth of human trafficking and illegal migration; smuggling networks have kept a stream of West African migrants streaming into Libya in the hope of entering Italy.

Relating to this danger, Italy's Ambassador Sebastian Cardi warned that the security threats of terrorism and illegal trafficking "had a devastating impact on an already fragile political situation and were a threat to the entire world." He noted the "devastating face of that situation on the shores of his country."

While pledging is country's continued contributions in the fight against terrorism, Chad's Foreign Minister Hissein Brahim Taha stated, "significant international support must come in a timely fashion."

American UN Ambassador Nikki Haley warned that the threats from terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel "were daunting" and thus pledged $60 million towards the Sahel G5 security group.

What does this mean for the USA? As Islamic State is being shattered in Syria and Iraq by

U.S. and allied military forces, the terrorist threat has metastasized from Syria to the Sahel.

Ambassador Haley advised, "The United States is committed to stabilizing the Sahel region

But we believe that the G5 force must be, first and foremost, owned by the countries of the region themselves." She added, "We expect that the G5 countries will take on full regional ownership of the force within a period of three to six years, with continued U.S. engagement."

In other words the USA will play a supporting role, but regional African states themselves must bear the military burden.





John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China."
Deregulation, NK issue top priority



Tuesday marked the 17th Foreign Company Day, designed to celebrate foreign businesses' contribution to Korea's economic growth and to induce more of the same.



Foreign companies play an increasingly important role in the national economy. About 17,000 foreign-invested firms are operating in Korea, accounting for 12 percent of total corporate sales, 21 percent of exports and 6 percent of employment.



In the ceremony, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Paik Un-kyu said, "The government will create an environment in which foreign-invested enterprises can concentrate on their business and grow as Korea's economic partners."



The Moon Jae-in administration needs more than just words, however. New foreign direct investment pledged to Korea in the first nine months of this year totaled $13.59 billion, retreating 9.7 percent from a year ago, according to the ministry tally. Actual investments made by foreign investors and companies in the first three quarters stood at $8 billion, up 9.1 percent year on year. As things stand now, however, it is uncertain this year's total will reach the $10.6 billion recorded last year.



All these figures show Korea can hardly be called a country for foreign investors. Foreign direct investment takes up 12.9 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, slightly higher than a third of the OECD member countries' average of 35.6 percent. This is too low a level, even considering the "Korea discount" _ derived from security risks resulting from North Korea's nuclear threats.



Increases in foreign direct investment not only expand the government's tax revenue and create more jobs but helps to ease security concerns by making it harder for Pyongyang to make massive-scale military provocations.



Improving the business environment for foreigners should be one of the principal tasks facing the Moon administration not least because its priority in economic policy is providing more jobs.



Moon's opponents criticize some of this administration's moves for scaring away would-be foreign investors. They cite the rise in the legal minimum wage and shortened working hours as examples. Some foreign participants in the meeting of the presidential panel to create jobs reportedly made similar complaints.



Come to think of it, however, the increased minimum wage barely reaches the median level of that of OECD members, and Korean workers are still among those that work the longest hours in the club of relatively wealthy countries, even under the curtailed workweek.



That means the government should instead focus on something else, such as slashing administrative red tape, providing far better services for would-be investors and working out a contingency plan not to let security risks spill over to hurt the economy.

Luring foreign investment is vital, but Korea cannot go back to the labor conditions of some Third World countries in the 20th century.




By Donald Kirk





At least he gave it a shot. He really wanted to make it up to Panmunjom but was turned back by the weather.

For most visitors, the fog that hung over the line between North and South Korea would not have been too much for a beautiful U.S. Air Force helicopter to navigate.

It wasn't as if there were high winds or a terrific downpour. The passenger in this case, however, was the president of the United States. Nobody wanted to take the remotest chance on the helicopter going down with the Trumpster himself on board.

If anything should happen to him, who would believe for a moment that he wasn't the victim of some terrible North Korean plot? Just imagine the rumors and "reports" that would have been circulating  not just right away but for years to come.

As it was, having not succeeded in what would have been a surprise, unannounced sortie to the Demilitarized Zone, Donald Trump showed up on time, two hours later, Wednesday at the National Assembly, The speech was all over television, on Korean and international channels, in Korean and English, but I joined the journalistic mob, including the White House press corps.

All that was missing was a line to the effect, "I have looked inside North Korea and seen the evil of the regime." It's possible to interpret what he wound up saying in quite different ways.

One interpretation that I would dispute, after having also heard him standing beside President Moon Jae-in in their briefing at the Blue House the previous evening, was that he was showing a more moderate position or that he truly believed negotiated accommodation with North Korea might be possible.

Don't count on it. The Trumpster, after going through pleasantries and praise for South Korea's accomplishments, in his assembly speech launched into one of the most all-around denunciations of North Korea that I have ever heard. Okay, we're all aware of the many reports on North Korea, ranging from rape to executions to starvation, but rarely do we hear them all summarized in one non-stop denunciation.

What is Trump trying to get across? Does he think he's preparing South Koreans, like Americans, for war, or at least for a limited strike on North Korea's nuclear and missile complexes? Or is he saying North Korea gets one more chance, then, bang, Armageddon?

The speech was well organized, carefully crafted. He got to the real point toward the end, climactically, dramatically. "The time for excuses is over," he declaimed. "Now is the time for strength. If you want peace, you must stand strong."

Yes, that was an applause line, but looking down from the spectators' seats on the assembly members at their desks below, I could not help but notice that not everyone was clapping. Although assembly members were uniformly polite in applauding as he was introduced and then as he was leaving, clearly not all of them were on board with what some saw as a possibly dangerous policy.

It could have been his allusions, both in the press briefing and in his speech, to those three U.S. aircraft carriers, plus a nuclear submarine, lurking in nearby waters that showed he had not given up on "the military option" or a "preemptive strike."

No, the Trumpster did not use either of those stock phrases, which President Moon doesn't like at all, but he might as well have when he talked about the carriers with F35s and F18s on their decks. Most assembly members did applaud when he concluded that riff by declaring, "I want peace through strength."

Left unstated was how that strength might be used  as a threat, an act of intimidation, or in a real shooting war. It's dead-certain that Trump discussed the odds with Moon, but we will probably have to wait a while before getting the full unexpurgated version of their summit conversation.

Moon himself appears eager to get along with Trump  but not to the extent of joining in rhetoric that he believes would ruin any chance for serious dialogue with the North. Words aside, he evinced his support for the U.S.-Korean alliance by joining Trump on his visit to the new U.S. headquarters complex at Pyeongtaek and then waiting in vain for him at Panmunjom.

Did the Americans really have to call off Trump's visit to the DMZ? Looking at weather reports, why did they not arrange for his motorcade to take him there by road rather than rely on a helicopter? What a photo-op that would have been  the two of them shoulder to shoulder, staring across the line into the jaws of the tiger!





Donald Kirk (www.donaldkirk.com) has been covering war and peace in Asia for decades.
By Jhoo Dong-chan

GM Korea and Mercedes-Benz Korea are still refusing to recall their cars equipped with faulty Takata airbags that were found to propel shrapnel at passengers when deployed.

Nineteen people have reportedly been killed globally by the Japanese automotive supplier's faulty airbag systems, while 200 people have been injured in related accidents.

More than 100 million cars have so far been recalled worldwide due to Takata airbags since 2013, and the government also requested domestic and foreign imported car brands to expand their recall plans for affected vehicles with Takata airbags last year. However, the two companies still refuse to comply with the government request.

Mercedes-Benz Korea has enjoyed its highest sales record this year, selling 58,606 cars during the January-October period, but is now under fire for its evasive stance on passenger safety.

Consumer groups say the two carmakers' responses are extremely regrettable.

"GM Korea and Mercedes-Benz's response to the government's request on Takata airbags is irresponsible," consumer group Citizens United for Consumer Sovereignty said. "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should impose a penalty and force the recall with the two companies."

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 17 car brands have sold vehicle models with Takata airbags in Korea. Of them, 14 brands are carrying out the related recall.












By Jhoo Dong-chan



The big three shipbuilders have clinched a series of eco-friendly shipbuilding deals, raising expectations the nation's shipyards may have finally hit bottom after suffering years of an "order cliff."



According to industry sources, Wednesday, Samsung Heavy Industries won a contract to build five very large crude carriers (VLCCs) equipped with the shipbuilder's latest desulfurization scrubbers in September.



Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) also inked its biggest deal in five years to build 10 very large ore carriers (VLOCs) propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for domestic shipper Polaris Shipping in September. Polaris Shipping ordered another five VLOCs from HHI last month.



These contracts are about building eco-friendly vessels ahead of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) enhanced regulation on emissions of sulfur oxides, which is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2020.



Environment groups claim vessels now emit more pollutants than vehicles do around the world, and the IMO plans to strengthen its sulfur oxide allowance to 0.5 percent from the current 3.5 percent beginning in 2020.



Experts say the IMO regulation is expected to mark a watershed to reshape the entire industry, which has long suffered from the "order cliff."



Under the regulation, ship-owning companies are required to change their entire fleets into low-sulfur-oxide-emitting or LNG-propelled vessels. They could also install desulfurization scrubber systems on their existing vessels.



"Shipping companies should decided to either change or refurbish their entire fleet to meet the regulation," a Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) official was quoted as saying.



Shipbuilding industry insiders welcome the IMO's enhanced regulation.



"Korean shipyards' eco-friendly technologies are far more advanced compared to their Japanese and Chinese competitors," an HHI official said.



"Also, HHI has recently developed the world's largest LNG-propelled VLOC together with British Lloyd's Register. I believe the nation's shipyards will receive more orders next year thanks to increased demand for eco-friendly vessels."



Shipping companies are, however, expected to spend a large amount to refurbish or change their ships to meet the IMO regulation. Now the nation's sole global shipping company HMM is likely to install desulfurization scrubber systems on its 13 vessels. Each scrubber is priced at around 7 billion won ($6.2 million). It has also charted 48 ships.








PJSC Hnydavsky Sugar Plant (Lutsk) plans to build a biogas plant, according to the company's website.

According to the report, the plant will generate electricity by burning pulp on cogenerators.

As reported, Hnydavsky Sugar Plant plans to spend EUR15 million on modernization of the facilities within five years. In 2017, in particular, special pressing machines for squeezing pulp will be purchased, which will allow improving production performance.

The refinery also plans to purchase molecular presses that will allow cleaning sugar beets production waste and, as a result, receiving fertilizers and water purification units.

According to information on the website of Hnydavsky Sugar Plant, the capacity of the enterprise allows processing 5,000 tonnes of sugar beets per day.

Hnydavsky Sugar Plant in 2016 received UAH 15.22 million of net profit against UAH 3.61 million of net loss in 2015. Its net sales income increased by 28.4%, to UAH 576.4 million.
The Kyiv Administrative Court of Appeals on November 6 obliged PrivatBank to return UAH 1.05 billion, $266,200 and EUR7,800 to the Surkis family, the press service of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has told Interfax-Ukraine.

The NBU filed a cassation appeal to the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine and appealed to the court with the request to stop the execution of the decision until the dispute is settled in the cassation instance.

"We believe that the courts of the first and appellate instances violated the procedural legislation, ignored the evidence in the case and made an unjust ruling. At the moment, the possibility of applying to the Supreme Council of Justice is being studied," the NBU spokesman said.

At the same time, he stressed that the decision on the entry of the state into the capital of PrivatBank, adopted in December 2016, is a justified and lawful decision implemented in accordance with the law of Ukraine on the system of guaranteeing individuals' deposits, Article 41.1.

"This decision allowed not only to protect more than 20 million citizens of Ukraine who keep funds in this bank and use its services, but also avoid systemic risks for the banking sector, which became the key to maintaining financial stability in the country," the regulator said.

As reported, Ihor Surkis and his brother Hryhoriy Surkis, as well as other persons affiliated with PrivatBank, filed 42 lawsuits against the NBU.
Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Ihor Rainin has met with President of Holtec International Kris Singh and discussed cooperation in the energy sector, according to the official website of the Ukrainian president.

Rainin praised the efforts of the American company in implementing two projects in Ukraine: the construction of a spent nuclear fuel storage facility for Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the centralized storage of spent nuclear fuel for Khmelnytsky, Rivne and Yuzhnoukrainsk nuclear power plants.

"This is a global problem, and we pay considerable attention to it," he said.

The parties discussed the prospects for a further implementation of these projects.

Rainin also thanked Singh for the decision to join the National Investment Council under the president of Ukraine.
Historic ties of north Meck span throughout region Though the north Mecklenburg area didnt see significant population growth until a few decades ago, its rich history dates back to the Revolutionary War. That was the basis of...

An easier-than-expected first mammogram experience HUNTERSVILLE  Scheduling a cancer screening probably ranks somewhere on your to-do list between "clean out the garage" and "donate those clothes that don't fit." Sure, you'll get to it at...
National Nuclear Generating Company Energoatom and Holtec (the United States) have started building a centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility in the Chornobyl zone, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported.

"The project to build the centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility in combination with the diversification of supplies of fresh nuclear fuel is an outpost of Ukraine against the hybrid war," Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion said at a ceremony devoted to the beginning of construction works.

He recalled that earlier Ukraine faced a problem when Russia refused accepting spent nuclear fuel from Ukraine for storage for near three years. Then it made the nuclear energy complex operating in the crisis conditions.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch said that the United States backs the centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility project in every way and recalled that OPIC provides guarantees for $250 million to build this facility.

She said that the centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility is a strategic facility for Ukraine. It would allow cutting dependence on Russia and save billions of U.S. dollars, she said.

Yovanovitch said that according to her information, since the moment of initiating the project (20050 and until now Ukraine had spent around $2 billion to remove spent nuclear fuel to Russia for temporary storage.

Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk said that thanks to the storage facility Ukraine would be able to cut its expenses by 60%.
Friends from the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted and honoured to welcome Ambassador Thomas Shannon, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and his delegation, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this evening.

This is our second meeting in the last two months or so. Ambassador Shannon and I met in New York in late September, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, when he called on His Excellency the President, to discuss the growing interaction and partnership between our two countries. Ambassador Shannon also met Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera during his visit last month to Washington DC. The Hon. Speaker of our Parliament and a multi-party delegation were in Washington in late September. The level of heightened interaction between our two countries, at all levels, is indeed heartening.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Under Secretary Shannon is no stranger to Sri Lanka, and to all our leaders, and indeed to all of you.

This is his second visit to Sri Lanka. His first visit took place in December 2015. You would all recall, I am sure, that he held a press briefing in this same building during his first visit in December 2015, at which the dates for the first US - Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue were announced. Accordingly the inaugural Partnership Dialogue between the US and Sri Lanka took place in Washington DC., in February last year, 2016, shepherded by none other than, Ambassador Shannon.

Today, I am delighted to announce that Ambassador Shannon and I, together with respective officials of both countries, have held the 2nd US  Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue.

It is, in many ways, an important milestone for our two countries.

As you know, the United States and Sri Lanka have been friends for generations. We have benefitted greatly from our interactions including in the fields of trade, commerce, people-to-people contact, education and cultural sectors, as well as defence and security cooperation. The relationship between our two countries was intensified following the elections in 2015, where the people of Sri Lanka voted for strengthening good governance, democracy, rule of law, reconciliation and sustainable peace  values that our two democracies cherish. This enabled the setting up of the mechanism called the Partnership Dialogue which enables our two countries to build our relationship on a firm basis and structure, and enhance our cooperation across a wide range of areas.

The second Partnership Dialogue today, indicates the consolidation of this important and useful mechanism for discussion on a wider range of important issues, and areas of cooperation, between the United States and Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Shannon is the senior-most US official in the new US Administration to visit Sri Lanka. And the second Partnership Dialogue between our two countries, with Ambassador Shannon leading the US delegation, indicates the commitment on the part of the United States and Sri Lanka, across administrations, for strengthening relations spanning a broad range of areas of cooperation.

We have agreed on a Joint Statement following our discussions, which you will receive as you leave this Press Interaction. As you will read in the Joint Statement, cooperation between the United States and Sri Lanka cover a multitude of areas, from law enforcement to counter narcotics, counter terrorism, helping address fiscal and debt challenges, strengthening rule of law, transparency and democracy; reconciliation and livelihood support efforts; and military cooperation  just to name a few.

Under Secretary Shannon, in his remarks, will address some of these, and also speak about new areas of cooperation and assistance to Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Shannon,

Your visit takes place close on the heels of USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, the first US Navy aircraft carrier to visit Sri Lanka in 32 years. We have had several ship visits during the last two years. Moreover, the US Marine Corps helped us to establish the Sri Lanka Marine Corps. We are extremely pleased and appreciative of these developments, and increasing military cooperation, which yields mutually beneficial bilateral and regional strategic and security benefits.

The participation in AugustSeptember, of Acting Assistant Secretary Wells, in the Indian Ocean regional conference that was held in Sri Lanka, was encouraging for us, in terms of the US engagement in pursuing joint initiatives that enhance security, stability, transparency and economic opportunity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ambassador Shannons visit this time is a very brief one. He arrived this evening, and will leave tomorrow morning. Apart from discussions with senior government officials and ministers, he has called on the Honourable Prime Minister earlier this evening, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well.

Under Secretary Shannon,

I am grateful to you for undertaking this visit, but I hope that your next visit to Sri Lanka would be a longer one. We look forward to staying engaged with you in the coming days, weeks and months, as our two countries work towards enhancing our bilateral relations and also engage on areas of mutual concern, regionally and globally.

I must also express my gratitude to you for your leadership in promoting US-Sri Lanka relations across administrations, and for the support you provided me personally in my capacity as Ambassador for Sri Lanka to the USA, in Washington, until recently.

I want to also place on record, our appreciation for the tireless efforts of Ambassador Atul Keshap, and his dedicated team in Colombo, who work with us closely to make the bonds between our two countries ever stronger, with each passing day.

I now invite Ambassador Shannon to address you, after which, both of us will take two questions each from the media.

(Courtesy of US Embassy, Colombo. https://lk.usembassy.gov/)
PRESS RELEASE

NSAs William Binney Interview Blows Open Russia Hack Claim

Nov. 8, 2017 (EIRNS)William Binney, former technical signals expert at the National Security Agency, was interviewed for 15 minutes today by RT on his meeting yesterday with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, which is reported to have occurred at the direction of President Trump.

The prominent coverage given to Binneys meeting with CIA chief Pompeo shows that the "Russia-gate" lie has not been accepted by President Trump, who urged his CIA chief to meet with Binney. Binney said Trumps urging Pompeo to talk to talk to him, "was the hopeful sign for me."

Binney reasserted that the speed of the download of the data from the DNCs computer was too fast to have been hacked; it had to be downloaded in two parts on a local device. The best transmission speed achieved was one-fourth of what was necessary.

Binney said he told Pompeo that the intelligence agencies, which claimed "high confidence" in a "hack," were not telling the truth, and cited their initial denials of missiles in Cuba, the Tonkin Gulf lies that started the Vietnam War, and Weapons of Mass Destruction allegedly held by Iraq. The intelligence agencies "have no credibility now," said Binney.

Binney cited Presidents who presented evidence for military action, saying President Kennedy presented aerial surveillance photos of Soviet missiles in Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis; Reagan presented Japanese radio intercepts of orders to shoot down the Korean airliner in 1983. Binney said no such evidence has been offered for the Russian hacking accusation, though many lawmakers have described it as an act of war. The intelligence agencies think they are running the country, Binney said.

Binney said his meeting with the CIA director had occurred because

"the President said he should talk to me, and try to get some facts on the Russia issue. That was a hopeful sign for me.... That indicates he is not getting facts from our intelligence agencies. Thats really bad."

Binney knocked down the notion that Trump was trying to divert from his problems.

"I dont buy into mindless drivel; they have zero evidence [of hacking]. You cant believe them," said Binney.
PRESS RELEASE

Bailout Has Again Put Greece on Road to Bankruptcy

Nov. 8, 2017 (EIRNS)The infamous bailout of Greece to save the European financial system, is pushing Greece into another bankruptcy unless the debt is cut considerably, was the assessment of the Greek Parliaments State Budget Office (PBO), which made its report public on Nov. 6.

The report warns that after 2020, interest payments on Greece debt will increase dramatically, requiring 84.3 billion in the six years from 2021 to 2026 for interest payments alone, according to data from the Public Debt Management Agency.

"Without a serious lightening of the debt, Greece will be bankrupt," warned Prof. Panagiotis Liargovas, director of the PBO. He also called for suspending the insane requirement for Greece to maintain high primary budget surpluses, because they are "asphyxiating the economy, generating a vicious cycle of recession."

According to the Greek daily Kathimerini, the report also called for revamping the high tax policy, which has all but collapsed growth. The report stated that

"the tax policy implemented in recent years, based on the increase in taxation, is hampering growth in the country. The continuation of the tax-centered policy increases the economys suffocation, while on a practical level a large part of the taxes are not collected."

It further notes that

"the distribution of the tax burden among citizens is not balanced, with a large section of taxpayers paying minimum taxeswhich highlights the high rate of tax evasion and the high rate of povertyand relatively high incomes being taxed excessively, creating counterincentives for labor."

The tax is 36.4% of domestic product, whereas the same proportion in Europe, on average, is 26.9%.

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos later challenged the PBO assessment, claiming that it was based on information from 2014. PBO admitted it did not have available any more recent data, but maintained that this did not change the substance of its assessments. The PBO declared,
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on December 13, 2017 is to consider the provision of a loan of $40 million to Nibulon JV LLC, the EBRD has said in a press release.

"The loan is to support the expansion and modernization of Nibulon's grain logistics infrastructure in 2018-19, including the construction of river terminals, transhipment crane, river fleet and Mykolaiv terminal enhancement," the bank said.

The project will support Nibulon's strategy aimed mainly at the expansion and optimisation of its river grain logistics facilities in order to increase grain trading volumes reducing the share of road and rail transportation, which will lead to the improvement of profitability, efficiency, as well as to the reduction of environmental footprint.

Nibulon has all the required environmental, health and safety (EHS) permits for its current operational activities and is undertaking all necessary studies for obtaining required permits and licences as part of the design process for the project.

The EBRD said that the bank could increase the loan to $50 million. The total cost of the project is near $140 million.

Nibulon LLC was established in 1991. It is one of the largest operators in the grain market of the country. It has elevators with a total capacity of about 2 million tonnes, as well as its own transshipment terminal with a capacity of 5 million tonnes in Mykolaiv.

Nibulon cultivates 82,000 hectares of land, owns and operates the second largest network of internal elevators and river terminals, a sea terminal in Mykolaiv. The company exports mainly maize, wheat and barley to more than 20 countries. The annual volume of exports reaches 4.5 million tonnes.
In August, PEN Center USA withdrew its prize nomination of John Smelcers young-adult novel Stealing Indians, citing concerns that Smelcers claims to be a member of the Ahtna tribe were fraudulent, and that his writing was, in the words of one critic, rife with stereotypes and riddled with errors. As novelist Marlon James asked on a public Facebook post (more or less rhetorically), Why does this always happen? Why do these people keep making the same stupid mistakes?

Kevin Youngs new work of nonfiction, Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News offers a rich and thorough answer to James question. Chronicling the history of such fakers as Smelcer, Young offers a long history of the hoax, beginning with a series of famous humbugs from P. T. Barnums sideshow. Barnum began his career by exhibiting a woman named Joice Heith, whom he claimed had once been George Washingtons nanny (putting her age at 161 years old)  an early example in a long line of black Americans put on stage to be gawked at by whites for who they were and, crucially, who they were not.

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Barnums humbugs set the stage for a long and winding tour of impostors and forgers: from 19th century Spirit photographers like William H. Mumler and Barnum, to Clifford Irvings hoaxed Autobiography of Howard Hughes in the 1970s to recent newspaper fabulists Jayson Blair and Stephen Glass, and on and on right up to Rachel Dolezal, who resigned her position at a local NAACP in 2015 when it was revealed she was a white woman who had been portraying herself as black. And while it can be tempting sometimes to see hoaxes as more or less victimless crimes (certainly Barnum thought they were), Youngs litany instead makes clear that theres far more at stake here.

Bunks examples demonstrate that again and again, the archetypal hoax involves a white person adopting the posture of a minority figure. In literary (and sometimes literal) blackface, plagiarists ventriloquize voices from the hood that never existed: Margaret Selzer, for example, who renamed herself Margaret B. Jones in her fictionalized 2008 memoir Love and Consequences, transforming herself into an orphaned half-white, half-Native child raised in South-Central Los Angeles by a black foster family.

Why this persistent need among some white people to imagine themselves as marginalized?

Meanwhile, other whites adopt Asian guises (Michael Derrick Hudson publishing poetry under the name Yi-Fen Chou), or claim to have survived the Holocaust, as Swiss Gentile Bruno Grosjean did when he reinvented himself as child Auschwitz survivor Benjamin Wilkomirski in his faked memoir Fragments: Memories of a Wartime Childhood. John Smelcers deceptions are hardly original in this regard.

Why this persistent need among some white people to imagine themselves as marginalized? Young suggests that these hoaxes, in some way, may be necessary for white supremacy: inevitably, it takes white people pretending to be black, Native American, and Jewish in order to fulfill the stereotypes that white people have about those communities. Take Archibald Belaney, for example, a white Briton who in the 1920s wrote a series of works as Grey Owl, either an Apache or Ojibwe (the story kept changing). Even after he was unmasked, defenders still claimed he was honoring the Native American tradition he was imitating, or that his environmental message was valid even if the messenger was not. But as Young points out, to render Belaney an environmentalist ahead of his time, or his hoax as somehow honoring Native ways, is to ignore the ways in which Grey Owls very ideas of extinction and the Wild are tied up not only with each other but also with white stereotypes about Indigenous peoples.

Just as hoaxes like Jones play up ghetto stereotypes, a hoax like Belaneys stokes the suspicion that Natives are just fake whites. The hoax, Youngs examples reveal, is rather a kind of coded confession, revealing not only a deep-seated cultural wish  not of whats true but of what we truly believe.

But it is not just a history of hoaxes Young is after; Bunk also offers a tour of the hoaxing of history: how the hoax threatens to overwrite actual history in favor of its pablum and nonsense. The history of the hoax is chiefly the hoaxing of history: a forgery pretending it has one, inevitably better and older than it really is; the plagiarist or impostor or spirit photographer insisting that no history exists except what I say there is.

When Grosjeans fabulism was called out, he responded by appending an afterward to Fragments stating that while his memoir may bear little connection to actual facts, there was value in it nonetheless  not as fiction but as a true picture of faulty memory. Such spurious contortions do real damage to how we see and understand the world, offering consolation to Holocaust deniers and those who are unwilling to face history as it is.

Young compares a work like Fragments to another Holocaust memoir, Elie Wiesels Night, noting that it, too, involved some deal of artistic license  but that this is not the same as untruth. As opposed to hoaxers, artists enlarge, rather than reduce the world: opening up possibility and imagination, breaking stereotypes rather than embodying them. The hoax, Young writes, is the very absence of truth, which usually means art is absent too  hoaxes regularly substitute claims of reality for imagination, facts for form, acting as if artifice is the antithesis of art. Besides the cost to truth, and to lived and lost lives, a collateral yet not insignificant cost is to the idea of fiction. A hoaxer takes the strange and wondrous world and reduces it to pre-packaged goods, because the hoaxer knows theyre easy to swallow that way. By not risking anything new, hoaxes actually diminish experience as not big enough to sustain us.

Young is perhaps better known as a poet, his most recent collection Blue Laws was longlisted for the National Book Award, and he was named poetry editor of the New Yorker earlier this year. Bunk, like his previous nonfiction book The Grey Album: On the Blackness of Blackness, which won the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize in 2012, is long, overstuffed with anecdote and argument, a stylistic counterpoint to his spare, minimalist poetry. Its 477 some pages (plus another hundred of notes and sources) may seem daunting to some readers, but its a wild, incisive, exhilarating tour through Western cultures sideshows and dark corners. Like a sideshow barker, Young writes with unbridled enthusiasm, a showmans conviction, and a carnys canny, telling a story that at times defies belief.

And every word of it is true.

Dickey is the author, most recently, of Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places.

Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News

Kevin Young

Graywolf: 480 pp., $30
On a wall above Robin Benways dining room table rest dozens of porcelain thimbles, each one housed in its own tiny curio-cabinet shelf. Her family brought them back as gifts for her grandmother from wherever they traveled; after she died, Benway said, she discovered that inside each thimble is a little piece of paper with her handwriting that says who gave it to her and when. Benway wrote much of her latest YA novel, Far From the Tree beneath those mementos.

Its her sixth book, and one of five finalists for the National Book Award in young peoples literature. The awards will be held Wednesday in New York.

Far From the Tree tells the story of three biologically related teenage siblings who suddenly become part of one anothers lives. The bonds of family  how theyre formed and displayed and strengthened  are a preoccupation of her work.

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What makes your family your family? Benway asked, sitting on her living room floor in Silver Lake. Her home is bright with natural light and dotted with glossy-painted vintage furniture she refinishes herself. Hudson, her rescue dog, trotted from the balcony door to her lap.

I wanted to make sure that if a young person read the book they would feel impacted by it.  Robin Benway

Her questions about family tumbled out at a clip; because shes excited by them.Is it blood? Is it time? Is it shared experiences? Is it all of the above? Is it none of the above?

Far From the Tree probes these family themes. When middle sibling Grace puts her baby up for adoption, she goes in search of her biological family, discovering a younger sister, 15-year-old Maya, and an older brother, 17-year-old Joaquin. As they begin to forge relationships and gain entrance into one anothers lives, secrets emerge and braid their stories further; they need to find each other in order to find themselves. Far From the Tree knits family ties, but it also tackles serious subject matter, including teen pregnancy and racial discrimination in foster care.

The novels lead-up had been struggle  until it struck with a bang. After abandoning another concept she reluctantly told her publisher that the book would be late. A week later, outside of a Costco, Benway heard the first lyric to a Florence and the Machine song  a falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes  and the inspiration was immediate.

This is a book about adoption she recalled thinking. I knew Grace and Maya and Joaquin, and Im sitting in the parking lot and I literally tapped out an email to my editor. She wrote back almost immediately: This is the book. Well-plotted and told from multiple perspectives, Far From the Tree pairs pitch-perfect teenage voices with an empathy for their real pain and complex struggles. After she puts her baby up for adoption, Benway writes, Grace needed to be tethered to someone again, and like all family, she and her siblings lives become intertwined. Its not just their mom; its not the biological, said Benway. Its caring about one another.

What makes your family your family? ... Is it blood? Is it time? Is it shared experiences? Is it all of the above? Is it none of the above?  Robin Benway

Benway has no personal experience with adoption; she spent roughly half a year on research, reading about racial identity in foster care and transracial adoption. In private adoptions, she tells me, a white girl might be $10,000 more than an African American boy and that children of color are placed in foster care at a higher rate, which creates a cycle thats impossible and expensive and disruptive.

The more she read, the more strongly she felt that all three of these kids cant be white, because I dont know how to tell a story about adoption and not talk about race and talk about the effect it has on the foster care system. Of course, by making that choice, then I felt a lot of responsibility, she said. Im a white woman from Orange County, Calif. I carry so much privilege. In the novel, Grace and Maya, both white, live with their adoptive families; Joaquin, who is Latino, has remained in foster care.

More than anything, Benway said, I wanted to make sure that if a young person read the book they would feel impacted by it, whether theyd be able to sympathize or empathize with these characters.

For Benway, writing in a heightened state of teenage feeling is part of the appeal of young-adult literature. Its such an emotional time  you feel things so strongly, whether its romance or sadness or uncertainty. She embraces a shift toward challenging subjects in contemporary realism written for younger readers  its tough stuff, and it should be  and says the genre as a whole possesses the room to go deep. I think thats what YA really captures, whether its a dystopian novel or its a romantic comedy, theres always going be heightened emotion because its not so much the setting or the plot. Its about the feeling.

Benway credits her knack for capturing teen voices to memories of being that age and treading the line between who youre becoming and how you want to be perceived. (Of her red-headed adoptive familys gallery of portraits, dark-haired Maya asks Grace: Did you see the Sears Portrait Studio out there. One of these things is not like the other.) Benways characters speak with a brashness that belies vulnerability; their desire to belong  so urgent at the precipice of adulthood  is palpable. I remember that, she said. Having to speak differently to different people  and yet I was never really saying what I felt.

She was adolescent, yet adult. I was really serious. Its easy to imagine her as a studious kid; plot points for each main character in Far From the Tree still hung on her wall  on color-coded Post-its. Ive been like, 40 years old since I was 10 years old, she joked with a big, bright laugh.

The day she discovered shed made the National Book Award long list, Benway was helping her mother pack for a move in Orange County. I let out a noise, she said. My mom just came running. Her brother, to whom she dedicated Far From the Tree, checks her Goodreads page and sends her quotes from his favorite reviews, and above her writing space sit those thimbles, the tenderness of gathering them and preserving their stories is a gesture that reaches out. Especially in the past year, post-election, there have been so many family fights and breakups. Ive seen friends go through it, she said. Bonds may crack, dissolve, even break, but family remains. Even if you think you can walk away, she said, you cant.

agatha.french@latimes.com

@agathafrenchy
ChargePoint has installed 16,000 electric vehicle chargers in California and 42,000 total across the United States. Now its heading to Europe. The Silicon Valley company said Friday its struck a deal with TSG to help ChargePoint expand there.

TSG provides equipment and services to fueling stations in 22 countries across Europe. In TSG, Weve found a partner we believe can give us a footprint across many markets, said Christopher Burghardt, ChargePoints newly hired managing director for Europe.

The ChargePoint deal follows an announcement Friday that four major automakers plan to build a network of 400 fast-charging stations across Europe. The network, a joint venture called Ionity, is co-owned by BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen.

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The idea is to allow electric car owners to plan cross-country and, eventually, cross-continent trips on main thoroughfares with confidence theyll be able to recharge. Many of the stations will be built at commercial rest stops. The scheme is similar to Teslas coast-to-coast Supercharger network  although those charging ports work only with Tesla cars.

Separately on Monday, pan-European electric utility giant E.On said it will install 10,000 individual charging ports over the next several years.

Ionity didnt say how many individual ports it will install, and E.On didnt estimate how many stations the 10,000 ports would represent.

Nor did ChargePoint, a private company, provide ultimate numbers for its expansion plans, though a spokesperson said ports are being installed at a rate of more than 600 a month. For all companies, the early focus will be on major markets in Germany, France and Britain.

As a result of Teslas success selling all-electric luxury cars, European automakers have announced plans for dozens of pure-electric and plug-in hybrid models into the next decade. Combine that with serious political pressure in Europe to limit or even eventually ban internal combustion engines, along with the black eye the auto companies suffered in the diesel emissions cheating scandal, and Europe is moving at a quicker pace than the U.S. to drive the market for electric cars, said Mike Tinskey, global director electrification and infrastructure at Ford.

The trick, not just for Europe but for the rest of the world, is persuading customers to buy electric cars, which continue to hold a tiny fraction of the total market.

ChargePoints move into Europe is being financed in part by a $125-million financing round earlier this year led by Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz. ChargePoint sells charging ports to homes and businesses, and earns recurring revenue by servicing them.

russ.mitchell@latimes.com

Twitter: @russ1mitchell
Students who attended for-profit colleges filed more than 98% of the requests for student loan forgiveness alleging fraud by their schools, according to an analysis of Education Department data published Thursday.

The study by the Century Foundation represents the most thorough analysis to date of the nearly 100,000 loan forgiveness claims known as borrower defense received by the agency over the last two decades and paints an alarming picture of the state of for-profit higher education in America.

The report comes as Education Secretary Betsy DeVos faces criticism for halting two Obama-era regulations that would have added protections for students. Review of tens of thousands of claims has stalled, and the department is considering abandoning the practice of full loan cancellation in favor of partial forgiveness. Student advocates point to the Trump administrations ties to the for-profit industry and accuse DeVos of putting industry over students.

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The study found a disproportionate concentration of predatory behavior among for-profit colleges that raises serious concerns about the federal governments current approach to providing relief to students who have been defrauded and misled.

The Education Department said it needs to review the report before commenting.

Of the more than 98,800 complaints received by the department as of mid-August, 98.6% came from students at for-profit schools, while only 1.4% were filed by those who attended nonprofit institutions. For-profit schools account for only 10% of national enrollment and 18% of federal student debt, according to government data.

More than 75,000, or 76%, of claims came from students who attended the now-shuttered Corinthian schools, followed by more than 7,300 students from the ITT Technical Institute chain, as well as students from American Career Institute, the Education Management Corp. and others. The Century Foundation received the data through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The for-profit college industry scams students across the country and taxpayers, and thats why the industry  including industry insiders who are now staffing the Department of Education  is now fighting so hard against rules that would clarify the borrower defense process, said Toby Merrill, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending at Harvard University, a legal services clinic that represents defrauded students. If for-profit schools dont want to be responsible for borrower defense claims and reimbursing taxpayers, then they could simply not cheat their students.

Steve Gunderson, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the industry lobbying group, dismissed the report, calling it an attack on the industry. He suggested that the Obama administration was to blame for the influx of borrower-defense claims from for-profit college students.

It doesnt surprise me that the Century Foundation issued a report suggesting for-profit colleges are to blame for borrower defense claims. Look no further than the Obama administrations destruction of ITT Tech and Corinthian, Gunderson said in a statement. This report confirms what weve long known: There are dozens of groups coordinating their efforts to destroy our sector.

For-profit colleges expanded dramatically over the last two decades, with enrollment rising from around 230,000 in the early 1990s to a record 2 million in 2010. They recruited aggressively, targeting non-traditional students  usually older people who had jobs and could study only part-time. They also focused heavily on women, people of color and veterans. But after graduating, many students struggled to find jobs that were promised to them or to transfer credits to other schools, leading to massive student loan defaults. A 2010 government study found that all 15 of the for-profit colleges evaluated by undercover agents made deceptive statements to prospective students and that four of them encouraged fraudulent practices.

The Obama administration cracked down hard on for-profit colleges, pressuring Corinthian and ITT to close and approved at least $655 million in loan cancellations from those chains in recent years. The administration also passed revisions to the borrower defense regulation and to a similar rule, known as gainful employment, with the aim of increasing students protections.

DeVos moved to freeze those revisions before they went into effect. Theres now a backlog of 87,000 complaints that havent been ruled on, according to the TCF report. DeVos said that she intends to fight fraud but that she believes the Obama revisions were written too broadly and could allow for unsubstantiated claims.

In an interview with Politico published last week, DeVos suggested there was no substantial difference between for-profit and nonprofit schools. For-profit or not-for-profit is simply a matter of tax status  fraud anywhere needs to be rooted out, she told the publication.

But Tariq Habash, one of the authors of the Century report, said the study offers evidence to the contrary.

This highlights a clear difference between for-profits and nonprofits. Its not just the tax statuses. Its the control structure that governs these entities, Habash said.

For-profits, he said, are financially motivated to maximize their profits, they have conflicting interests, and one will always win over the other.
Fierce competition from Lyft is holding Uber back from achieving profitability in the United States, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said Thursday.

In one of his first major interviews since taking the helm at Uber in August, Khosrowshahi said ride-hailing competitor Lyfts heavy spending on subsidies to keep the cost of rides artificially low has forced Uber to continue doing the same, leading to financial losses.

The U.S. is very competitive right now, between us and Lyft, so I dont see the U.S. as being a particularly profitable market for the next six months, he said.

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When asked what will happen after six months, Khosrowshahi said: It depends on where the competition goes. Right now, we have a situation where Lyft is spending very aggressively to gain share.

Lyft took issue with Khosrowshahis characterization of the company. Since Lyft was founded, Uber has attempted to stop Lyfts momentum by subsidizing and spending to gain market share, Lyft spokeswoman Alexandra LaManna said in a statement. It hasnt worked. More and more passengers and drivers are choosing Lyft because they believe ethics matter and they value a great service experience.

Financial documents for Uber and Lyft that have been leaked over the years have shown that, despite bringing in enormous revenues from millions of car rides, both San Francisco companies continue to operate at a loss because they spend heavily on subsidies.

Subsidies are one of the main ways ride-hailing companies can gain market share. Drivers will typically work for the company that offers the best financial incentives, while passengers flock to the service that charges the least.

In China, Uber met its match in Didi Chuxing, the incumbent ride-hailing company that outspent its rivals to attract drivers and passengers. Uber sold the China arm of its business to Didi last year in a deal that valued the joint entity at $35 billion.

In the United States, though, neither Uber nor Lyft has shown interest in conceding. Uber remains the market leader, and its war chest is also larger; to date, it has raised about $15 billion in debt and equity at a private valuation of about $70 billion.

Lyft, meanwhile, received a $1-billion funding injection last month in a round led by Alphabet Inc.s investment arm, CapitalG, which values the company at $11 billion.

The ultimate goal for both companies is to cut back on subsidies. In some overseas areas Uber has been able to do this, Khosrowshahi said, leading to profitability in those markets. With Lyft nipping at its heels in the U.S., though, it could be a while before Uber is in the black.

tracey.lien@latimes.com

Twitter: @traceylien

UPDATES:

2:05 p.m.: This article has been updated with a statement from Lyft.

This article was originally published at 10:05 a.m.
November is turning out to be Postmodernism Month in this column. Last week I tried to raise some alarm bells about a misguided new plan from architecture firm Snhetta to remake Philip Johnson and John Burgees 1984 AT&T Building in New York.

We turn our attention this week to Chicago, where another landmark of extroverted postmodernism, Helmut Jahn s 1985 Thompson Center, faces an even bigger threat. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has announced plans to sell the state office building to a new owner, who presumably would replace it with something taller and a whole lot less 80s gauche. The city and state have also offered up the Thompson Center site for possible redevelopment as part of their pitch to Amazon to land the online giants planned second headquarters.

Many of the elements of this preservation drama are depressingly familiar: building by important architect approaches middle age; falls out of fashion; suffers from deferred maintenance; begins as a result of deferred maintenance to lose whatever charm or verve it once had; falls further out of fashion; becomes demolition target. Nearly every work of architecture whose loss we mourn has essentially followed that same script, from coast to coast, from the Beaux Arts-style Pennsylvania Station in New York (born 1910, died 1963) to the Art Deco Richfield Tower in downtown Los Angeles (1929-69).

Yet theres a twist when it comes to postmodernism  a twist that preservationists, architects and civic leaders would be wise to consider closely. Because the movement was born in the 1970s of frustration with the ubiquity and self-seriousness of late modern architecture, its best-known expressions tended to be scrappy, to play the underdog. Where modern towers were boxy, exceedingly careful about their posture, postmodern ones tried to experiment with form and (especially) with silhouette. Where those older buildings were proper and hyper-rational, the new ones were comfortable with irony or took chances with ornament and color.

A poster for Nathan Eddys short documentary on the Thompson Center, now streaming online. (Link Salas)

That makes the battle to preserve them tricky. It can be tough to take threats to these buildings seriously in large part because the buildings never seemed to take themselves seriously, at least not completely. They were trying to topple architectures conventional wisdom, and they did so by undermining both good taste and aesthetic decorum. Their energy was cheeky and adolescent  sometimes brilliantly so. They were brash. Those qualities are tough to reconcile with the buildings new vulnerability.

When Jahns Thompson Center opened (it was known then as the State of Illinois building), it suggested a gleeful, near-manic mashup of the Pompidou Centre in Paris, by Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano , with the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles. It was high tech meets steampunk. And it was all wrapped in a color scheme of light blue- and salmon-colored panels, at which some critics have turned up their noses but which strike me as the key to the buildings kitschy power.

(I hope you realize that my 80s gauche reference earlier was very much a compliment.)

Though the building was designed to hold offices for 3,000 state employees, it looks more like a cruise ship or a hotel  like a hallucinogenic spin on one of architect John Portmans impressively scaled Hyatt Regency interiors. Inside a glass curtain wall that sweeps in a broad quarter circle across its front facade, the atrium is a riot of movement (thanks in part to a set of elevators gliding up and down one wall), shifting light and exposed structure.

The building  commissioned by Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson, for whom it would later be renamed  was controversial from the start. Plenty of Chicagoans hated or were faintly embarrassed by it. The air-conditioning system famously didnt work. Paul Goldberger, reviewing Jahns design for the New York Times, called it all pretty shrill, and not a little vulgar. Paul Gapp of the Chicago Tribune was more positive on balance, writing that the center succeeds brilliantly in its interior in most respects, but fails as an object on the cityscape.

An aerial view, showing the buildings curving front facade. (Nathan Eddy)

What struck me above all, when I visited the building in September, for the first time in several years, was the way Jahns design marries wild optimism with civic pride. This is a work of architecture (finished when Jahn, now 77, was just 45) that uses exuberance and playfulness in service of high ideals. It wants you to approach public life with as much enthusiasm as Jahn clearly did.

That combination has largely disappeared from government architecture in the intervening years. Even when our civic buildings manage to beat the odds and achieve some architectural distinction (as for example in the new federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), they tend to do so with an unsmiling, buttoned-up sense of mission. They dont experiment with color. They certainly dont exhibit a sense of humor or modesty, the way Jahns design does, with its rapid-fire allusions to architects he seems happy to concede, simply by quoting them with such zeal, deserve a place in the canon above his own.

The Thompson Center captures as well as any public building in America a moment when civic ambition and a youthful, freewheeling kind of architectural experimentation seemed compatible. Its worth saving for that reason alone.

Starship Chicago, a 16-minute documentary by Nathan Eddy thats now available online, makes a strong and entertaining case for the Thompson Centers appeal. But its tough to imagine Rauners administration, facing a serious budget crisis in Springfield, suddenly deciding that the building deserves a full restoration and the infusion of cash that would be required to execute it.

At this point, a mixture of public-education efforts about the buildings architectural significance (of which Starship Chicago is a promising example), discussions about how it might best be repurposed and shameless stalling tactics seems most appropriate. Rauner is up for re-election next year. His approval ratings are low and sliding lower.

christopher.hawthorne@latimes.com

Twitter: @HawthorneLAT

MORE ARCHITECTURE:

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The Brooklyn-based ensemble the Knights bombed when it was in residence at the Ojai Music Festival in 2014. Although the chamber orchestra has friends in high places through its association with Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble, there was noticeable annoyance among sophisticated patrons who recognized artistic and musical standards not comparable with those of the finest and most progressive Southern California ensembles.

Ojai, however, hardly meant goodnight, Knights. The group has continued to perform regularly around New York City, to tour (including to prestigious European festivals) and to work with top-flight soloists. The main attraction of its latest recording is a powerful performance of Osvaldo Golijovs gripping cello concerto Azul, featuring Ma as soloist. On the other hand, the recording also includes an embarrassingly schmaltzy arrangement of Dvoraks Song of the Moon that might have otherwise voided the Knights hip credentials.

On Wednesday night, the Knights opened falls classical season, or what little there is of one, at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. The main attraction this time was the exceptional Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital, who seemed to be the draw for a well-dressed crowd and maybe the reason for ticket prices that began at $70 and rose to $120.

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The news, though, included the evenings other soloist. Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh performed along with Avital and also premiered his new concerto, Concertino Grosso.

One of the more promising aspects of the international classical music scene is that the inspiring camaraderie of these two great players from opposing countries is no longer uncommon. The spectacular results of Daniel Barenboims West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which trains promising Israeli and Arab musicians together, is now a triumphant fact of musical life.

What was striking about Avital and Azmeh was not their differences but what they shared. The concert began with violas standing in the back and intoning middle C as Avital and Azmeh gingerly began a joint improvisation. A tentative noodle on the mandolin, and its softly sugared response on the clarinet, gradually grew into exuberance. The mandolin evoked an Arab oud. The Middle Eastern character of Azmehs rhapsodic clarinet brought to mind klezmer.

Throughout the inconsistent evening, these thoughts of like-mindedness came and went. Some of what transpired was awful. Some of it was acceptable. And moments were truly inspired.

To begin at the bottom, the orchestral arrangement of Schuberts song The Shepherd on the Rock by Knights leader, violinist Colin Jacobsen, was cringe-worthy. Schuberts piano part was transferred to strings, sliding from note to note as though playing on the soupy soundtrack of a 1930s Hollywood tearjerker. Avital accompanied the middle section with the kinds of mandolin tremolo you might expect to hear in an Italian restaurant of yesteryear.

The vocal part oddly went to Knights flutist Alex Sopp. Azmeh played Schuberts original clarinet part with ostentatious freedom that actually wasnt free enough. Had he let go all the way, this could have become an effective jazz piece, and Jacobsen could have gotten away with anything he liked as backup.

Avitals big piece was his arrangement of Bachs First Harpsichord Concerto. It didnt work, either. Too much harpsichord counterpoint was lost. The Knights do not have the focus for Baroque music, and that was also a problem in Purcells Fantasia Upon One Note, the followup to the improvisation that opened the concert. Ironically, the Knights might have been just right for Anna Clynes exquisite mandolin concerto, Three Sisters, that Avital premiered this summer in Hamburg.

Azmehs own Concertino Grosso, which had had its world premiere two days earlier in Ithaca, N.Y. (not far from where Clyne wrote Three Sisters), is likable. He is a versatile clarinetist, able to seduce with a rare intimacy and explode in ecstasy. He wrote in a dialogue with Jacobsen that was full of nostalgia. He allowed for a melodic nostalgia for his homeland, also the source of his earlier November 22nd, which also was on the program.

But it wasnt until the evenings final work  Jacobsens arresting arrangement, in collaboration with Siamak Aghaei, of an Iranian folk tune  that everything came irresistibly together. Avital and Azmeh added their two cents worth, improving further what is already an authentically brilliant multicultural arrangement. The Knights clearly have something meaningful to say, just not in traditional classical music.

mark.swed@latimes.com

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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) that holds 30% of shares in Raiffeisen Bank Aval (Kyiv) has said that the Ukrainian bank could buy minority stakes in the bank.

"Raiffeisen Bank Aval was glad that the squeeze-out scheme was approved, as well as other banks and it can apply it," Associate Director of the Economics, Policy and Governance department at the EBRD Olyana Gordiyenko said at a roundtable devoted to new public joint-stock companies and new prospects held in Kyiv.

The press service of the EBRD told Interfax-Ukraine that Raiffeisen Bank Aval could really use the squeeze-out option foreseen in the law on amending some Ukrainian laws regarding the improve the corporate governance in joint-stock companies.

The press service said that UkrSibbank (Kyiv) where the EBRD holds 40% of shares could use this option.

The total number of shares issued by Raiffeisen Bank Aval is 61.495 billion. Taking into account the fact that as of June 30, 2017, 68.28% of the shares belonged to Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI, Austria) and 30% to the EBRD, minority shareholders hold 1.72% of shares or slightly more than 1 billion securities.

Since early 2017, the value of the bank's shares grew 2.16-fold.

As reported, the law adopted on March 23, 2017 by the Verkhovna Rada introduced the squeeze-out and sell-out options.

Raiffeisen Bank Aval was founded in 1992. According to its data, as of June 30, 2017 RBI owned 68.28% of the charter capital in the financial institution, the EBRD held 30%.

Raiffeisen Bank Aval ranked fifth among 88 operating banks as of July 1, 2017 in terms of assets (UAH 60.912 billion), according to the National Bank of Ukraine.

UkrSibbank was founded in 1990.

BNP Paribas S.A. (France) owned 59.9996% of the bank's charter capital by early January 2017, while the EBRD held 40%.

UkrSibbank ranked sixth among 88 operating banks in Ukraine in terms of assets by July 2017 (UAH 42.321 billion).
Netflix is known for not only keeping the streaming numbers for its programs and original films from the public, but often from the showrunners and movie directors who create the content as well. In theory, youd think that would mean South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has little evidence as to whether his film Okja, which was released on the streaming service in June, has been watched as much as his previous two global hits, The Host and Snowpiercer. But that doesnt seem to be the case. Sitting at a conference table in a hotel ballroom here, he pulls out his phone and starts searching Instagram for images inspired by the adorable super-pig Okja and Mija, the Korean girl who loves her.

People upload fan art of Okja and Mija. Theres so much of it and a lot of crew members send it saying, Oh, there are fans all over the world that watched the movie, Bong says through an interpreter. The text accompanying the art, he says, is sometimes Portuguese, sometimes Japanese.

To elicit such a powerful reaction, Bong spent six months working with a designer to get the gigantic creature at the heart of his film just right.

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The designer is the same guy who did the monster in The Host, [Hee Chul Jang], Bong says. Hes really talented and it was a very interesting process during screenwriting. Then we moved to the CG version, so it was really lucky that [we] met Erik-Jan De Boer who was the VFX supervisor for Richard Parker, the tiger in Life of Pi.

What I was going for was that the animal had to be big in size but the feeling and the look that it gave off had to be innocent and vulnerable. A feeling that it wouldnt necessarily harm others, but it would be harmed by others.

Addressing themes of the environment, animal rights and hard-core capitalism, the films villain is the fictional company behind Okja and other genetically engineered animals, the Miranda Corporation, led by the not-so mentally stable CEO Lucy Miranda, played big by Tilda Swinton. The company wants to round up the creatures for inspection and potential harvesting.

So while Okja needed to look cute and sympathetic while on the run, Bong didnt want it to appear unrealistically cartoonish. Audiences needed to believe that such an animal might exist somewhere in the world. But how to accomplish this? The visual effects team had an answer  give it eyes inspired by a beagle.

Okjas eyes, how clear they are, the innocence, the kindness within thats embedded in her eyes, Bong says. Many people have a puppy. It was the most efficient, easy and simple way for the audience to really feel for Okja.

Not everything was so well-planned from the start. Something developed during the storyboard process, Bong says. The moment where Mija brushes Okjas teeth in her house? That was an idea presented by the production team and the VFX team working together.

Other memorable artistic collaborations find Mija sleeping on Okja as the latter rolls over onto its back or when the super-pig stumbles crossing a creek and Mija looks back to see if its OK. That particular moment was just one that came from unexpected interactions between young actress Ahn Seo-hyun and Stephen Clee, the visual effects animation supervisor who stood in for the CG Okja on set much of the time.

The heart of Bongs epic wouldnt be as impactful though if it didnt take the issue of global food production so seriously. Theres an expression that the moment we create a slaughterhouse out of glass, everybody in the whole world would become vegan, Bong says. What the food industry is always trying to do is try to thicken the walls of the slaughterhouse so that nobody can peer inside it.

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Costume designer Consolata Boyle had the fun and formidable task of making real-life characters believable in a nearly unbelievable story. In Victoria & Abdul, her ninth project with director Stephen Frears , Judi Dench stars as Queen Victoria and Ali Fazal as the handsome Indian servant Abdul Karim, her late-in-life teacher and best friend.

The drama is based on journalist Shrabani Basus book, Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queens Closest Confidant. Their relationship was hidden for nearly a century, partly because most evidence of it was destroyed by royal officials who disparaged the rise of the servant.

In many ways, Victoria and Abdul is the sequel to Mrs. Brown, the 1997 film also starring Dench as the monarch in an earlier, questionable relationship with a servant, this time the Scottish John Brown.

The secrecy surrounding her connection to Abdul allowed Boyle and the director to imagine this mysterious, unknown world of theirs, the Irish Boyle said during a recent visit to Los Angeles.

Costumes help reveal their identities. Before viewers see either Abduls or Victorias face, the film opens with a close-up of Abduls shoes as he runs to his job as a clerk at a prison. Then a limp Victoria is glimpsed from behind half-a-dozen handmaids toting layers of her garments. Thats when Boyles storytelling begins.

Sketches of costumes from Victoria and Abdul. (Consolata Boyle)

What did you want to say with Abduls shoes?

With the shoes, you see the lightness of touch and the speed of his movement  hes a young man. Those slippers are elegant and functional and utterly simple. Hes a mere clerk. And then he is wearing a simple, coarse, unbleached linen chugha [knee-length tunic]. Everything is simplicity.

And the monarch is the opposite?

Yes, but since [her husband] Albert died, Victoria is in the deepest stages of mourning. That was a challenge because there was a lot of black. I worked very closely with the lighting department and cameramen to discuss the best ways of making black interesting, not flat, as well as giving a feeling of the darkness of the court. History is on my side in that way because Victorian clothes were always very heavily embellished. The texture and layering on it is exhaustive.

Shes rarely without gobs of gems. How did that illuminate her clothes and character?

Victoria was obsessed with jewelry. She had jewelry made, and Prince Albert designed jewelry for her. As well as her ceremonial jewelry, she had all of her personal, intimate jewelry. Her childrens milk teeth were set in gold and silver and made into beautiful charm bracelets and earrings. We found some incredible mourning brooches made with twisted hair and had exact replicas made.

Sketches of costumes from Victoria and Abdul. (Consolata Boyle)

Was Abdul the human doll that Victoria liked to dress up?

She definitely loved decoration. If you see any photographs of Victoria in old age, she is encrusted with jewelry, texture and embellishment even from the tip of her head, where she is wearing her small little crown because she was too frail to carry the big, big crown. Then there is Abdul, who is like a reflection of herself, this beautiful young man whom she loved looking at. Also, through him she could imagine the light, and color and air and richness of India.

As he advances from servant to confidant, his clothes and especially his turbans become commensurately elaborate. Some of those turbans looked as if they were made of dozens of yards of fabric.

They were. We found an expert in the early days of prep in London. He gave us master classes in turban wrapping. We had masses of practicing, and lots of tears until we got it absolutely bang-on right. Every one of them is very laborious, but eventually, they can be stitched together, otherwise we would have been holding up camera.

In a scene where the monarch is dining comfortably outside in frigid weather while everyone else shivers, an attendant quips that shes upholstered. Were the clothes that heavy?

She really, really was upholstered. Its a little smoke and mirrors too. Queen Victoria was tiny  under 5 foot, but her waist was like 60 or 62 inches. Judi was in padding from morning till night. So you have to create a feeling of weight  the mass of heavily encrusted fabric in layers upon layers, with all the underpinnings and corsetry and trains, but it cant burden the performer.

Sketches of costumes from Victoria and Abdul. Credit: Consolata Boyle (Consolata Boyle)

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Eddie Izzard looked like quite the dandy as her son, Bertie.

He was a bit of a peacock. He loved his clothes. He was vain, obviously because he had nothing else to do. If the story or the budget would have allowed, we would have showed how many times a day they changed clothes  something would come off and another thing would go on.

You have helped make some of the most recognizable women on the planet look like other famous women. You costumed Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, and Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. What did you learn about dressing Dench as Victoria?

Like all great actors, she knows how to use her costume. She knows how to utilize every piece  every glove, every bag. She knows exactly the moment when and the value of how each item might work in a scene. You just believe what she does.

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With more than 150 qualifying films, the competition in the Academy Awards documentary feature category is more crowded than ever. By December, voters will narrow the field to a 15-title shortlist. Here are a few strong contenders to make that first cut.

Chasing Coral

In 2012, Chasing Ice followed environmental photographer James Balog as he charted the devastating effects of climate change on glaciers in Greenland and Alaska, using time-lapse imagery to drive an urgent ecological message.

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Five years later, Ice director Jeff Orlowski returns with Chasing Coral. The companion movie, which won an audience prize at this years Sundance Film Festival, likewise turns a time-lapse frame on the planets imperiled coral reefs. The underwater scenery of healthy phosphorescent reefs and ghostly dying coral is unarguably mesmerizing and aims to sway global-warming skeptics, although the filmmaker is reluctant to call the documentary a sequel.

We were really trying to avoid the Chasing title, Orlowski said, but the spirit of the film is very similar.

He was led back to the theme by one of the new movies subjects, Richard Vevers, an advertising executive turned ecological activist who saw Chasing Ice and contacted Orlowski to propose the coral project. Along with another activist, Zack Rago, the men spark an adventurous undersea endeavor to for the first time photograph a coral reef in the act of bleaching  a dramatic prelude to its death.

The two, activists rather than men of science, help bring a necessary human dimension to the story. Scientists are trained to be objective and not show emotion, Orlowski said, which makes it difficult to get audiences to relate emotionally.

Technical issues were an entirely different challenge. To get the footage he needed, Orlowski couldnt use automated cameras. Instead, his team set up camp on an island for four months and logged more than 200 hours underwater. It became this self-imposed burden, he said. The tediousness would pay off because this has never been seen before. It shows the world a very, very different story of whats happening on our planet.

City of Ghosts

Conflict in Syria was the impetus for several important documentaries this year, including Last Men in Aleppo and Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS. The ravaging of Raqqa, which Islamic State, or ISIS, claimed as its capital, and the underground network of Syrian journalists who bear witness, is the focus in City of Ghosts.

The picture, which won the top prize for U.S. documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, is director Matthew Heinemans follow-up to the Academy Award-nominated Cartel Land, which plunged the filmmaker into the lethal terrain of the Mexican drug cartels.

This time, Heineman wasnt dodging gunfire. He filmed the Syrian activists of the organization Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, who work remotely in undisclosed European locations to document atrocities secretly filmed by colleagues back home.

I would have been killed instantly if I went to Raqqa, said Heineman, who was drawn to the subject by what he called a propaganda war between the activists and Islamic State, savvy in its use of viral media to promote its cause. Those often disturbing images made for a balancing act in the edit room. I didnt want to shy away from that, he said. At the same time, I didnt want people to run out of movie theaters because its so gruesome.

The circumstances of his subjects lives become the films heart, however, as the camera offers an intimate portrait of immigrants cloistered in safe houses and often on the move, mourning the deaths of friends and family while wary of threats both from Islamic State and European nationalists.

For the most part, its guys hiding out in smoky rooms, and so how to find the drama in that and humanize that experience was one of my largest challenges, said Heineman, whose film empathizes with the fear and anguish these guys live in every single day.

Jane

Three great love stories come full circle in Jane, which revisits the historic encounters between primatologist Jane Goodall and the chimpanzees of Gombe, Tanzania, in the early 1960s.

Theres the affection between Goodall, now 83, and the primates with whom she bonded and did groundbreaking research, and the romance with Dutch filmmaker Hugo van Lawick, sent by National Geographic to Gombe in 1962 to document Goodalls work.

But, ultimately, said director Brett Morgen, the film is a love story between a woman and her vocation.

Morgen, who has crafted nonfiction portraits of such pop culture figures as Robert Evans and Kurt Cobain, was commissioned by National Geographic Documentary Films to make a new movie from a rediscovered bounty of unseen 16mm footage made by Van Lawick, to whom Goodall was married from 1964 to 1974.

The historical value of Hugos footage is second only to me to the NASA moon landing, said Morgen, noting Goodalls observation of the chimpanzees use of tools, among other breakthroughs in her intimate studies. What he was able to capture was something that had never happened before in the history of civilization, and it would never happen again, and it was also captured in such an artful and cinematic way.

The vibrant scenes are intercut with Morgens own conversation with Goodall, filmed by cinematographer Ellen Kuras. Like the filmmaker, the anthropologist was at first reluctant to engage in the project. She made me work for it, Morgen said. He made progress in their interview once he showed Goodall a sequence of herself and Van Lawick falling in love, which she had not seen before. Then, he recalled, We had this wonderful day.

Although Jane flashes back more than 50 years, Morgen suggests that its subject has never been more relevant.

We were at the Hollywood Bowl the other night in the shadows of [Hollywood producer] Harvey Weinsteins scandals, Morgen said. And I see Jane walking down the carpet with a little girl dressed up as her, and the contrast was just too much.

Whose Streets?

Sabaah Folayan first went to Ferguson, Mo., a month after the Aug. 9, 2014, police killing of Michael Brown Jr., an unarmed black teenager, set off waves of protest in the St. Louis suburb.

She had to discard her plan to write about the long-term traumatic effects of such events on protesters and police. It was so chaotic and so fight-or-flight, Folayan said, that the only way to keep up was to start filming. Whose Streets? which takes its name from a popular chant, became an inside-out look at Ferguson through the lives of several key activists, confronting institutional racism and police crackdowns.

It was a dramatic introduction to filmmaking for Folayan, who also worked closely with Damon Davis, a St. Louis-based multimedia artist, who co-directed. Through the documentary community, I got a boot camp for a first-time filmmaker as we were making the film, she said.

To give punch and immediacy, the filmmaker used extensive footage that had been taken on cellphone cameras and posted on social media, drawing on the example of Jehane Noujaims Egyptian revolution documentary The Square. That also gave editor Christopher McNabb a Herculean task.

We had joked back when we were still in production that he was going to have to edit a movie made completely out of Vine clips, Folayan said. Significantly, McNabb was able to create a consistent perspective from the vantage point of the protesters. One rule she adhered to was to never use the protests as fodder for a B roll, which is common in televised reports. Our biggest asset was our unique perspective and the powers and experiences we were bringing into the situation, she said. We leaned into that trusting that it was going to turn out well.

The Work

Locked away inside the maximum-security walls of New Folsom Prison, heavily tattooed men convicted of violent crimes find spiritual release in a group therapy program that brings even the toughest gang member weeping to his knees.

The men are part of a program called the Inside Circle, originated two decades ago by a former Folsom inmate. The Work, which won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary this year at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, takes audiences into the volatile core of a four-day session. The film captures one of the two times a year that men from outside the prison are invited to join the inmates circles, which smartly provides surrogates for the viewer.

Theres a sort of magic that shows up when people start telling the truth authentically, said Eon McLeary, a producer of the film along with his brothers Miles and Jairus, who also directed, with the later addition of co-director Gethin Aldous. The brothers had participated in Inside Circle programs for years before they shot inside Folsom in 2009, connected through their father, James McCleary, chief executive of the foundation and a leader of the sessions.

The bare-bones production languished for years as the brothers sought funding with no strings attached. It got dire, Miles McLeary said.

But the production lapse had an unexpected benefit. By the films SXSW premiere, several of its subjects had been paroled and now appear at screenings.

The program was instrumental in saving my life, said Eldra Jackson III, a former gang member and inmate known in the film as Vegas, who served 24 years and now is a family man and business owner. Prior to that, I was a self-styled machine.

Jackson, who plays a key role in the documentarys most quietly intense scene, credited the filmmakers with conveying the essence of the the work, not only the hyper-masculine tension in the room.

Can spirit translate in film, he asked, expressing a concern that the movie powerfully satisfies, or will people outside see this and say, Oh my God, its just a bunch of maniacs in there running around yelling and screaming and hollering for no good reason, thats why theyre locked up, keep them in there.?

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The Final Year captures the closing stretch of Obamas presidency  and the rise of a new order
In The Final Year, filmmaker Greg Barker rides shotgun with the principals of then-President Obamas foreign policy team as they hopscotch the globe in the waning days of his administration. The director intended to make a campaign film like The War Room, which followed Bill Clintons rise to the White House, but in reverse, he said, to capture the emotion and drama inside a presidency that was rushing to the finish line.

Then his paean to policy-making got a startling third-act twist: Donald Trump.

Ive never had a film where the experience of watching it is so changed by the mood or politics of the moment, said Barker, whose narrative chugs toward election night like a freight train headed for a cliff. Yet if the goal is to expose the human dimensions of statecraft, the film succeeds with poignancy. After their years of effort in Obamas second term, these fervent public servants are heartbroken in the closing stretch.

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The camera witnesses a teary-eyed Ben Rhodes, the high-profile Obama speechwriter and national security advisor, with his head in his hands. Samantha Power, the U.N. ambassador, struggles to keep her composure as spirits deflate at an election party with Madeleine Albright and Gloria Steinem.

In a bittersweet turn, what seems catastrophic for the Obama legacy that the films subjects so vigorously worked to secure gives The Final Year unexpected gravitas.

If Hillary [Clinton] had won, the film would be seen more as about the craft of diplomacy, the art of pushing water uphill, said Power, a former Obama advisor who served at the U.N. during his second term. By virtue of the changes that have occurred, it does cast more light than I think we were aware on the substance of what we were trying to do.

The film follows Power, Rhodes and Secretary of State John Kerry, with appearances by Susan Rice, the national security advisor, and Obama, as they advance  and sometimes stall  on several fronts, including a nuclear deal with Iran, the struggle to resolve conflict in Syria and the warming of relations with Cuba. Barker and his crew were in constant motion, whether tracking Obamas historic visits to Laos and Hiroshima or hopping on a ship with Kerry in Greenland to witness the effects of climate change.

We were in that bubble, said Barker, who traveled to 21 countries in three months.

Power, who was acquainted with Barker through his previous work, could appreciate his mission, having once been an observer of government as well. People on the outside really dont know what its like on the inside, she said. What compelled me was the way Greg talked about his aspirations for the film. As American faith in government plummets, there was hope that more exposure would breed more respect, Power said. Not because we had all the right answers, or we were going to look like a well-oiled machine, but because people were trying so damn hard.

The ambassador, a scholar and former war journalist who won a 2003 Pulitzer Prize for a study on genocide, also opens the door into her life away from the global stage. Power decided it was important to include her role as a working mother. It was OK to show the inelegance of the juggle  having those cameras around when youre putting your kids to bed at night.

Private and professional life dovetail when the diplomat gives a passionate speech at her nannys naturalization ceremony. In a million years, I wasnt thinking about a new administration potentially coming in and deporting people, collecting social media data from new immigrants or having a Muslim ban, she said.

As he filmed breaking news events, Barker had an advantage over the network and cable reporters who often also were present. He was free from the constant reactive demands of a 24-hour news cycle. Because the documentary would be released a year after the events, it gave its subjects the blessing of posterity. Theres stuff you can say, Power said, and youre a little more liberated.

Given the new presidents efforts to undo many of Obamas signature foreign policy accomplishments, The Final Year may not only induce nostalgia for a suddenly bygone moment but also serve as a kind of counterpoint.

I think people are watching the film and playing the contemporary narrative in their mind at the same time, Barker said. It will be interesting for people who didnt like President Obama, as well. Im very curious to take this out into the wider world and see how it plays.

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Its the day of the New York Film Festival premiere of Wonder Wheel, and, as she slides into a booth at a midtown restaurant, Kate Winslet has shifted her focus to another opening  her 17-year-old daughters school play.

Winslet finishes texting her daughter, Mia, for an update and we debate whether its more challenging to raise an adolescent girl or boy. (Winslet also has a 13-year-old son, Joe, as well as a 3-year-old boy, Bear.) Basically, we decide its a draw.

Winslets powerful, confident turn in Wonder Wheel drew strong reviews at the New York festival. In the Woody Allen film, she plays Ginny, a postwar Coney Island waitress harboring deep regrets about her past and holding onto a desperate hope that she might escape her lifes misery and at last find happiness.

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During the interview, Winslet, 42, shared her thoughts about disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein and how she pointedly refused to thank him at the Oscars. (The Times published a story last month on that subject.)

I wont be pushed around or bullied by anyone, Winslet said. I was bullied as a child. Never again. Certainly not by Harvey Weinstein.

Thats a good place to pick up the conversation.

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You mentioned you were bullied as a child. What happened?

I was very chubby, so I was teased for that when I was 7 or 8. Really horribly teased. Locked in a cupboard, stuff like that. And then when I was a teenager, I was bullied again for similar reasons.

Is that a reason youve been outspoken on body image over the years?

We have to somehow instill this idea in young women that their body is their strength, that their body is something to be proud of and can carry them, as opposed to being something they just dont like and continue to criticize and comment upon. So we have to try to help young women reach that place of acceptance at a younger age.

Actress Kate Winslet. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times )

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How do you do that with your daughter?

Positive reinforcement, all the time. I tell her, God, you look amazing! Do you feel good? How do you feel? Just making sure that she feels strong and confident. But more importantly  because you dont want to over-compliment as then it becomes meaningless  I tell her how proud I am of myself. So she isnt exposed to me saying negative comments about myself in front of her because shes going to learn from that and copy it.

You just did that crazy mountain survival movie [The Mountain Between Us]. Do you feel stronger now than at any point in your life?

I do. Its an absolutely amazing feeling because I feel like my physical strength is improving with age as opposed to dwindling.

What was harder: The Mountain Between Us or Titanic?

Wonder Wheel. [Laughs] A lot harder than both of them, believe you me.

Why?

Because of the size of the role, because of the size of the emotions of my character and my absolute determination to make her my own character and not a cliched version of the woman whos neurotic or drinks too much. Shes much more tragic than that because she has real dreams. She truly believes that the life shes living is not hers, and, of course, it absolutely is.

She has huge regrets and shes trying to escape all the time, wanting to move on, just being breathless. So as a consequence, I truly felt physically breathless for the whole of the shoot.

Like actually out of breath?

Oh my God, yes! I was in this permanent state of flight or fight. Literally. I felt I was going to take off, like a proper adrenaline fuel, which is not like me. Usually, Im quite good at being calm and contained  not methodical, but I know how to cope. I know how to pace myself. Ive got good stamina. This  this maxed me out in ways I cant even describe. I was in a permanent state of fluttering panic, always trying to think ahead. And that never went away, not for one second, over those seven weeks and 132 pages.

Did you anticipate having these kinds of feelings when you started filming?

When I first read the script, I just  Im not making this up. I sat there and said, Well, this is a real shame because this is such an incredible part and I just cant play her because I dont know how. And I just really, truly cant put myself through this.

Obviously, you changed your mind. What happened?

[Laughs] What happened is that my husband and kids were like, Mum. Get a grip. Obviously, youre doing it. Just shut up. Or: Mum, its Woody Allen. Youve got to do it. Come on. Do it.

Now that my kids are older, they really are involved in all of it. If mums doing a job, we all sit down and talk about it. It becomes a family experience. Everyone, apart from the 3-year-old, tested me on my lines for this.

You mentioned your initial doubts about doing this movie. Did the sexual abuse allegations in Allens past give you any pause?

At the end of the day, you look at the facts. Hes an 81-year-old man who went through a two-year court case. As far as I know, he wasnt convicted of anything. Im an actor; hes a director. I dont know his family. Ive heard and read exactly what youve heard and read. I know as much as you do. Thats all I can say.

When we were talking about you not thanking Weinstein at the Oscars, I remembered that great shot of your parents in the audience 

And my dad whistling, right? Thats my dads whistle. And the hat? He wears that hat all the time.

He wore it to the Oscars!

He wore it to the Oscars. The first time we ever went to the Oscars, when I was 19, my God, none of us could believe it. What were we even doing there? It still feels extraordinary that these things happened in my life and within my family. Im really one of the most unlikely people that any of this would have happened to. [Laughs]

Unlikely in what sense?

I didnt come from privilege or money. When I say that, nobody ever quite believes me because I speak quite well and Im English, so therefore surely Ive had some training. Surely Ive grown up having people bring me tea in china cups.

I remember my parents cutting the coupon out of the back of the magazine to send off to get two free coffee mugs. Our house was full of things from coupons out of the paper, reduced-priced yogurts bought on their sell-by date. I came from a lovely, grounded family of people. We never had anything but each other. That gave me a foundation of strength.

Both your parents were stage actors, right?

No, my mum was never an actress. It is a misconception. She was in hospital the last two weeks of her life  she passed away in May  and she said, Oh, darling, please make sure they know I would have hated being an actress. I was truly so shy and, I dont know, I always felt like it was a bit like showing off. So that was one of my mums dying wishes.

And she was so sad to not see Wonder Wheel. [Pause.] Im trying really hard not to cry. She was so sad not to see it. And I sent an email to Woodys assistant and I said, Listen, my mum is dying, and she is devastated that she is not going to see the film. She was more excited about me working with Woody than anyone Ive ever worked with.

So I wondered if he could just send a little clip to her to see. And he did. Woody sent a couple of scenes for her to watch and recorded a little video, which was amazing. He said, I had the pleasure of working with your daughter, and oh my God, it meant the world to her. She showed all her friends in hospital when they came to visit. That was really something. Ill never forget it.

glenn.whipp@latimes.com
After years of filming and editing, Yance Ford thought he had finished making Strong Island in 2014. And then it hit him.

I didnt have the film that I wanted to have, said Ford, whose Netflix documentary meditates on his brother Williams 1992 slaying, systemic racism and the implosion of their middle-class African American family in a Long Island suburb.

I realized what I had done by accident was to make a great film about grief, said Ford, who was 19 when his older brother died after a tense encounter at a notorious neighborhood chop shop. He was unarmed. The white teenage mechanic who shot and killed him was never prosecuted. The grand jury considered it a case of self-defense.

The more Yance Ford dug, and the more he was willing to expose in family artifacts and first-person interviews, the closer Strong Island got to the complex and achingly personal memoir that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won a special jury prize for storytelling.

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The filmmaker, a longtime series producer for the Public Broadcasting Services POV, began shooting in 2008, and in late 2014 decided to revamp everything. I started carrying my hard drives with me, he said, and my laptop.

The decision led Ford to Copenhagen, where over four months in 2015 he worked closely with Danish editor Janus Billeskov Jansen, part of the team that made the bold Indonesian mass killing documentaries The Act of Killing (a 2014 Academy Award nominee) and The Look of Silence.

Jansen was wading into this pool of racial tension that was very unfamiliar, Ford recalled. I was going to be, quite frankly, living in an almost exclusively white country.

Those jolts were crucial to reshaping the film.

It was a scary moment for everybody, but it was a good decision, said Joslyn Barnes, who began as an executive producer of the project and then became its hands-on producer, guiding Ford in the new direction.

Ford, living alone away from his partner, felt completely out of place. And that let me focus just on the film.

Encouraged by Jansen, Ford began breaking rules he had made for the film, such as not appearing on camera. The first-person perspective is now elemental. The forensic details are more extensive, as is the emotional power in the pages of Williams diary and photographs the filmmaker uncovered. He included new material from interviews, notably with his mother, who had died unexpectedly in 2012. I had a lot of her being sad and not enough of her righteous anger, Ford said. My mother is capable of expressing so many emotions at once, I had to let her do that.

There also were unexpected side effects of an editor from a different culture.

The Danes didnt understand the American legal system at all, Barnes said. They kept forcing us to explain, explain, explain.

Although Strong Island aligns with an ongoing spate of true-crime documentaries and podcasts, as well as other recent films about American racial injustice, Fords aesthetic choices speak to ambitions in cinematic form.

Enlisting cinematographer Alan Jacobsen, Ford looked for visual inspiration in the photography of William Eggleston and Carrie Mae Weems kitchen table series. He reflected on the poetic imagery of Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzman, particularly his Nostalgia for the Light and the way it captured these almost flecks of dust in the light. Ford rejected the routine nonfiction practice of the B-roll. Every image in the film has its own meaning.

Another model, in a fashion, was the Charles and Ray Eames short film Powers of Ten. The one that starts on a picnic blanket and goes all the way out into space, Ford said. And then it comes back to the picnic blanket, and goes all the way into the molecules. I feel like for me Strong Island is that film. Both the view from space, and the view from inside the single-cell organism crawling across the picnic blanket.

Despite Fords success in translating personal trauma into a universal message, he wants audiences to confront a core issue after the intense emotions the film so artfully evokes.

The thing I want you to ask is that question about reasonable fear, he said. Its not rhetorical. If people can take that extra step into the intellectual wrestling with the question of whose fear is reasonable, that for me would be the ultimate prize.

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Forget Luke Cage, Black Panther and Nick Fury. The real black superhero carries a briefcase filled with law books and a copy of the U.S. Constitution in his jacket pocket.

His name is Thurgood Marshall.

The strong-willed civil rights activist and Supreme Court justice is nothing if not heroic in the October release Marshall. With Chadwick Boseman in the title role, director Reginald Hudlins movie is the true story of an early case in Marshalls career when, as the founder and only lawyer working for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, he defended a black chauffeur (played by Sterling K. Brown) accused of raping his white employer (Kate Hudson).

Josh Gad from left, Chadwick Boseman and Sterling K. Brown in a scene from Marshall. (Barry Wetcher / Open Road Films via AP )

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Marshall was fighting insurmountable odds at the time, says Boseman, dealing with limitations of space and time as he bounced around the country taking on racially charged cases that were dangerous and seemed unwinnable. The idea he could walk into those spaces in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, go up against crowds of people who dont want him to be there and try cases  and walk in with audacity  you could say thats super.

Adds Wil Haygood, author of Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination that Changed History: He never took on cases that were easy. He took on cases that others said, There is no way this is winnable, and he took on cases in enemy territory.

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 Chadwick Boseman stars as Thurgood Marshall, along with Sterling K. Brown, Kate Hudson, Dan Stevens and Josh Gad in Marshall.

Connecticut in 1941, where the legal action in Marshall takes place, was not the Deep South, but racism was still pervasive. The judge in the case (James Cromwell) refused to let Marshall speak in court, so he had to seek out white counsel to do his talking. The only person who would help him, reluctantly, was a young Jewish insurance defense lawyer named Sam Friedman (played by Josh Gad), who had no background in criminal law. This meant Marshall had to school him in the intricacies of trial procedure, and it also means that the film not only shows how Marshall trained lawyers to follow in his footsteps, but highlights the often close relationship between blacks and Jews in the early days of the civil rights struggle.

The modern civil rights movement began not as a movement of large groups of people, but one man traveling around bringing lawsuits, says Michael Koskoff, a Connecticut attorney who wrote the Marshall screenplay with his son Jacob. Marshall believed they needed an army of lawyers, and if lawyers were not trained, the black community would not get their rights. Before there was a movement of civil disobedience, there was a movement harnessing the power of the law.

Chadwick Boseman in a scene from Marshall. (Barry Wetcher / Open Road Films via AP )

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Boseman notes that when it comes to the black-Jewish relationship, there is a kinship in terms of oppression. The Jews know what its like to not be a part of the larger society. Even in this film theres an inner circle in Bridgeport that Josh Gads character cannot get into, and thats part of the story. Also in this film, its 1941, prior to the U.S. entering World War II, and that war was a clear case where white supremacy was a part of the war, and Josh Gad has to decide what he is going to do in terms of white supremacy at home.

At the end of the film, Marshall is called away from Connecticut and sent to Mississippi to litigate yet another troubling case. Hes like a legal Superman, fighting for truth, justice and the American way  yet its not the America that is, but the one he wants it to be.

Or as Boseman puts it: He made America live up to its dream, that all men are created equal. How do you do that? You challenge the laws. You are not accepting them; you are making them.

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An exhaustive account of Tracy Letts accomplishments would be, well, exhausting. The actor, playwright and screenwriter won the 2013 Tony for his portrayal of George in a revival of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and another Tony in 2008, along with a Pulitzer, for his play August: Osage County. The longtime member of Chicagos Steppenwolf Theatre Company wrote the film adaptation for August as well as his other plays Killer Joe and Bug. He starred in Showtimes Homeland as senator and then CIA director Andrew Lockhart, and currently plays Molly Shannons husband Nick in HBOs Divorce. His play Superior Donuts was adapted as a sitcom, and recently began its second season on CBS. Letts lives and breathes theater so much, he met his wife, actress Carrie Coon, when both acted in Virginia Woolf.

He also knows a great script when he sees one. Reading Greta Gerwigs Lady Bird, it was so easy to tell how good it was on the page, he says, sitting in a Beverly Hills hotel suite during a recent visit from his Chicago home. And the movie came out looking exactly the way I thought it was going to look from reading the script. Its really smart, really funny, really warm.

Writer-director Greta Gerwig and co-stars Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts discuss the film Lady Bird.

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The film centers on the coming-of-age battles between a teen daughter who calls herself Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) and her equally strong-willed mother Marion (Laurie Metcalf). Letts plays father and husband Larry, a gentle soul who tries to avoid confrontation at all costs.

Its not the kind of role Letts usually gets. Im 6-3, Ive got a deep voice, a certain, I dont know, gravity or something that people see, so they want to put me in a suit and have me order drone strikes. This part was delightful, because its temperamentally much closer to who I really am. Im not a guy who actually orders drone strikes, Im a guy who likes to sit and read the newspaper. Gerwig, who also directs, offered him the role after she met Letts and realized he was an old softie, he adds.

Larry does his best to support both his wife and daughter as they rage against each other. When I first read it, I thought, he believes the job of parenting is essentially over. His wife thinks theres more yet to do, and that in some ways is the conflict between them, as well as the conflict between Lady Bird and her mom. Which was very playable, very understandable. I dont have kids, but I would imagine, you dont necessarily, as parents, get to the same place at the same time, in terms of making that decision, Oh theyre ready to be released into the world.

The film is Gerwigs solo directorial debut, but nothing about her seemed like a first-time director, he notes. She seemed very confident. I mean the confidence comes out of her manner of flustered insecure person, but the truth is shes very self-assured, she knows exactly what shes doing.

Hes equally effusive about his costars. He and Metcalf are both Steppenwolf members, but have never worked together before, which is just weird. For those of us in the Chicago theater crowd, and were not a big tribe  were small but mighty  weve known for a long time that Laurie is one of the greats. With her Tony Award for A Dolls House, Part Two, and now her performance in Lady Bird, people are finally starting to wake up and see what weve known for a long time in Chicago.

Her role as Marion is a powerhouse, while Larry takes a back seat in the fights, but they also clearly have each others backs. Its so established theres a relationship here between these two people. In a movie thats so rich with those teen relationships, to have that adult relationship in the background I think was really important and really well done.

Larrys relationship with Lady Bird is just as key. If I had any trepidation going into it, it was about making a father-daughter connection, and I didnt have to worry about it, because we clicked from the first time we met. Saoirse Ronan is one of my favorite people in the world. Shes clearly a great actress, but shes also a great presence. All of these women are women you want to hang out with, so I feel really lucky that I was part of that.

The story of Lady Bird is a womans story, thank God, and boy, if I got to be in womens stories like that one, and be the fourth guy down on the totem pole or whatever, that would be a great place to be.

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Here are the 2018 SAG Awards nominees reactions to their nods

The on-camera talent recognized during the 24th Screen Actors Guild Award nominations on Wednesday shared their excitement and gratitude for the special honor bestowed upon them by the acting community.

The SAG Awards serve up laurels for actors and ensemble casts working in television and film as voted by their peers. The awards show, hosted by The Good Place star Kristen Bell, will take place on Jan. 21.

LIST: The 2018 SAG Award nominees

In statements to the Los Angeles Times, several nominees repeatedly thanked their drama families, particularly the casts and crews of their respective projects. Heres what some of them had to say about the recognition:

Alison Brie. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Alison Brie, GLOW

It is such a great honor to be recognized by my fellow actors with this nomination. I am so proud to be part of a show that celebrates the craft of acting, with all its pitfalls and glories, and to be able to work with such a diverse group of insanely talented women. GLOW has meant the world to me and Im deeply thankful for this recognition for me and the cast. Thank you SAG-AFTRA!!

Millie Bobby Brown. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things

Screen Actors Guild! Thank you SO much for recognizing me and our cast for the second year in a row! This means the world coming from you, our peers. I am so lucky and honored to have the privilege of playing Eleven  a strong, powerful, badass, strange, wonderful character! Cant wait to celebrate with my Stranger Things family!

Timothee Chalamet. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

What an incredible morning! This nomination is very close to my heart because its from the actor. When we made Call Me By Your Name, we had no idea what it would turn into. The experience in making the film with Armie [Hammer] was so special, and yet, we just didnt know. Simply put, Ive been blown away by the response this film has received. And, to be included in ensemble along with my Lady Bird family (congrats, Saoirse [Ronan]!) makes this recognition that much more special.

David Harbour. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

David Harbour, Stranger Things

If it isnt wildly apparent by now, Ill say it directly  I love actors! To be recognized by my peers in such distinguished company gives me a special joy. And Millie [Bobby Brown] and the show! Beyond.

When I act, when I create, I feel alive, full to bursting, and I feel of service to the mysterious goodness that firmly exists in this world. I have been rewarded with a life that indulges in the primacy of self, but at its core and at its purest and its best, it is a life of service. A service to audiences. To prod and poke when necessary, to comfort and entertain when times seem dark, to ever expand the human experience, to offer a reason to live, to celebrate to the gods the great gift and scourge that is consciousness. Sometimes it means expressing iron intellect and rigorous truth that bonds us all in the achingly profound wisdom of no escape. Sometimes it means revealing the intimate moments of endurance, of unexpected kindness, unasked for love. And sometimes it simply means making a fierce and joyful noise, to spin, to twirl, to throw your hands up with the relentless dips and climb aboard this roller coaster of life. Ya know, to dance. *insert Hopper dancing gif*

Thank you for recognizing me, as it might mean itll be easier to get more jobs doing it.

Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

I am beyond thrilled to have received the honor of this nomination. And to receive it from fellow colleagues is huge to me. Guillermo [del Toro], this film and the entire cast and crew hold a very special place in my heart and always will. Each and every one of them made me better. I am truly delighted more than I can really express in words but my heart is fit to burst with pride for us all. Thank you dearest SAG members. Thank you for your embrace.

Sean Hayes. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Sean Hayes, Will & Grace

I am so honored to be recognized in this category with these extraordinary actors. I love acting because I love actors. I also like to bake sometimes.

Richard Jenkins. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water

I am thrilled and humbled to be nominated by my peers for a SAG Award. This union is very close to my heart. Well, the SAG card is in my wallet, so its a little further south.

Zoe Kazan. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Zoe Kazan, The Big Sick

Thank you to SAG for honoring The Big Sick ensemble with a nomination. It means so much to us, especially from our acting peers. I am deeply proud to be a part of this film and to have brought Kumail [Nanjiani] and Emily [V. Gordon]s story into the world, especially at this time. We are particularly moved to have been recognized as an ensemble, as this was such an extraordinary collaborative experience Im excited to be reunited once more with my movie family, and to share this with Kumail, Holly [Hunter], Ray [Romano], Zenobia [Shroff], Anupam [Kher], and Adeel [Akhtar] and everyone else who helped bring The Big Sick to life.

Nicole Kidman. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

What an amazing morning! Thank you to SAG-AFTRA for recognizing Big Little Lies in such a significant way. Ive been acting since I was 14 and have dedicated an enormous amount of my life to my craft so to be acknowledged by my acting family is the most incredible honor.

Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Laura Linney, Ozark

I am so proud to be included in a list of such wonderful actresses who have raised the bar so high. What an amazing year for women in television. And I am especially proud to be representing Ozark with my TV spouse, the ever deserving Jason Bateman! Thank you SAG-AFTRA!

Marc Maron. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Marc Maron, GLOW

I am stunned and excited to be recognized by other actors in this way. I really never thought this was possible in my life. It helps to be surrounded by amazing actors and to have such a defined and well written character as Sam Sylvia and to be on a show as unique as GLOW. I am just a small part. So, thanks SAG for recognizing me and the mind-blowing ensemble that is GLOW.

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick

We are so lucky to have been graced with the enormous talents of every single member of our cast. They each put a piece of themselves into our story and we are thrilled at being recognized. Thank you. And a special shout out to Holly Hunters individual nomination!

Now we have to go tell our real parents that they arent actually nominated.

Bob Odenkirk. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

I am thrilled to get this nomination from my fellow actors! At Better Call Saul I am surrounded by an ensemble of excellence  Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, everybody raises my game. Thank you to SAG-AFTRA.

Gary Oldman. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Gary Oldman, The Darkest Hour

No actor could ever deny the special satisfaction that comes from being recognized by your fellow artists  we all share the same challenges, insecurities, and uncertainties, chief among them, the question am I any good? this nomination, and in the wonderful company of the other nominees, is so very satisfying.

Margot Robbie. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Margot Robbie, I, Tonya

Im so incredibly moved and excited to be nominated by my fellow actors. I feel very fortunate to be able to have had the opportunity to bring Tonyas story to the big screen. Thank you to Steven [Rogers] for his brilliant and unique script, to Allison [Janney] and Sebastian [Stan] for being such incredible screen partners and to Craig [Gillespie] for his amazing direction and perfectly capturing the tone and essence of the film. Im so honored to be recognized among the truly powerful and wonderful women in the category. I cant wait to celebrate with everyone.

Sam Rockwell. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

It is such an honor to be nominated by your fellow actors, I have been a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild for as long as I can remember. To share it with this wonderful ensemble whom I have had the pleasure to work with over the years and others I got to collaborate with for the first time is truly special. I want to thank Martin McDonagh, our director and writer, for crafting these characters, as well as Woody [Harrelson], Fran [McDormand] and the rest of the cast who brought the town of Ebbing to life on screen. I am thrilled.

Ray Romano. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Ray Romano, The Big Sick

This is awesome but I wont believe it till the recount.
A soft-spoken teacher with a social media dependence endures a twisty emotional road in Japanese filmmaker Iwai Shunjis overlong yet alluring A Bride for Rip Van Winkle, a movie that could be described as contemporary cyber-gothic. We meet recessive, unguarded Nanami (Haru Kuroki) when she meets her future husband, Tetsuya (Go Jibiki), through her favorite app.

It also introduces her to a mysterious hipster businessman named Amaro (Go Ayano) who promises to help Nanami pad her wedding with fake relatives. Thats just the first of three hours in an odyssey of misfortune and deception for Nanami that, after her marriages collapse, sees her take a job as a maid in a disused mansion alongside a friendly, force-of-nature actress named Mashiro (a magnetic Cocco).

By the time the two develop a swooning attachment to each other that involves intimate karaoke and a romp in rented wedding gowns, weve grown accustomed to the abiding strangeness of Iwais vision of our tenuously connected modern world.

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Long a sensitive if coolly precious arbiter of haunted loneliness (All About Lily Chou-Chou, Vampire), Iwai, with his woozy, hovering camera, could be accused of emotional cruelty for what he puts Nanami through on her path to self-awareness about others machinations and her own fragility. But the path beckons, as in a fractured fairy tale  or any peril-laden quest for love  in which the air of something vaguely threatening is never far behind the pockets of comfort.

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A Bride for Rip Van Winkle

In Japanese with English subtitles

Not rated

Running time: 2 hours, 58 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Royal, West L.A.

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As a result of shellings of the Ukrainian anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces by militants one Ukrainian serviceman was and another three injured on Wednesday, that ATO headquarters press center reported on its Facebook page.

According to it, a total of 19 truce violations were recorded, and the Ukrainian armed forces returned fire on 13 occasions.

"The situation in the anti-terrorist operation area did not see any substantial changes at the end of the past 24-hour period. The adversary continued to shell positions of the Ukrainian armed forces, using mortars and the whole range of infantry weapons," the press center said.

In particular, militants used 120mm and 82mm mortars and infantry fighting vehicle weapons against Ukrainian positions near Pavlopil in the Mariupol sector. Anti-tank grenade launchers and machineguns were fired in the vicinity of the town of Zaitseve.

"The situation was most tense in the Luhansk sector last night," where militants used infantry weapons against Ukrainian positions near Krymske, Novooleksandrivka, Luhanske, and Katerynivka.

"One serviceman of the Ukrainian armed forces was wounded and another one sustained a combat injury at around 6:00 p.m. as a result of one of these shelling attacks," it said.
In the final days of World War II, Brunhilde Pomsel was among the party faithful holed up in the Fuhrerbunker. Even at 103, her age when she was interviewed for the potent documentary A German Life, her memories of that subterranean shelter are vivid  the flow of alcohol, the news of Adolf Hitlers suicide, the flour sacks stitched into a white flag of surrender.

But its her recollections of how she came to work for the leaders of the Nazi regime, motivated by career self-interest rather than political convictions, that give the film its chilling resonance.

In what might be considered a companion piece to the 2002 documentary Blind Spot: Hitlers Secretary, Pomsel speaks at length about her prewar experiences and her years as a well-paid, and willfully ignorant, stenographer in Joseph Goebbels ministry of propaganda. Her gaze is clear, and the deep creases in her face, captured in striking black-and-white close-ups, are a century-old topography.

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The films four directors  Christian Krones, Olaf S. Muller, Roland Schrotthofer and Florian Weigensamer  are interested not in condemning her, but in illuminating the ways that complacency leads to complicity and the extreme becomes normal. They punctuate the interview with powerful archival footage  newsreels, private recordings, propaganda films  some of it previously unreleased and some of it, from the camps, unbearable.

We all like to imagine ourselves as brave resisters. Pomsels unapologetic account of being one of the cowards is a haunting, ever-timely reminder of how easy it can be to cash the paycheck and look the other way.

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A German Life

In German with English subtitles

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Town Center 5, Encino

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If you care at all about film, youve seen Casablanca, but shouldnt you see it again, especially on a big screen? A triumph for a splendid cast top-lined by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, nominated for eight Academy Awards and winner of three  best picture, director and screenplay  its a picture whose pleasures never grow stale.

Against considerable odds, this World War II tale manages to be as political as it is romantic. Something inexplicably magical happens, creating a story where humor, idealism, cynicism, espionage melodramatics and even deadly gunplay all have a role. Its almost like a whole season of movies crammed into a single 102-minute package.

Brought back by Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies, Casablanca will play on Nov. 12 and 15 at 2 and 7 p.m. at AMC, Regal, Cinemark and other Los Angeles-area theaters.

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@KennethTuran
As brainy, vital and captivating as its eponymous star, the documentary Bill Nye: Science Guy should warm the hearts and minds of science lovers, weather enthusiasts, environmental watchdogs and astronomy buffs, all while inspiring viewers to ask questions and seek answers.

Directors David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg enjoyably profile Nye and his journey from mechanical engineer to popular PBS kids show host (his smart/silly Bill Nye, the Science Guy ran for 100 episodes in the 1990s) and his current incarnation as a science statesman.

Although Nye remains a rock star among millennials and others who grew up on his TV series, a classroom staple, he now stays busy serving as chief executive of the Planetary Society (co-founded by the late astronomer Carl Sagan) and battling the anti-science movement. To that end, Nye rousingly faces off here against creationist Ken Ham and meteorologist/climate-change contrarian Joe Bastardi.

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But the film is not completely blinded by science. It also peeks into the author and sometime actors personal life, including his bonds with his brother and sister, both of whom, unlike Nye, have hereditary Ataxia, a neurological disorder. Nyes romantic commitment issues, lack of offspring and seeming need for the spotlight are also addressed.

A trip to Greenland to study ice cores and the launch in Cape Canaveral, Fla., of a solar-powered spacecraft add stirring visuals to this fun, fast-paced portrait.

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Bill Nye: Science Guy

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Playing: Landmark Nuart Theatre, West L.A.

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Theres an inescapable sense of immediacy and real risk within No Greater Love. Directed by U.S. Army Chaplain Justin David Roberts while he was on active duty in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011, this documentary gives viewers an intimate look at the life of soldiers, capturing the dangers present both at war and at home.

As chaplain, Roberts couldnt carry a weapon when he was deployed with the legendary 101st Airborne Division, so he documented his battalions experiences with a camera. He captures arresting footage of attacks by insurgents, as well as quieter moments with his fellow soldiers. In addition to the video from Afghanistan, Roberts also includes interviews with the men after theyve returned home, where post-traumatic stress disorder is as significant a threat as the bullets and bombs were on the field of battle.

Roberts documentary exists beyond politics and beyond religion, devoting its energy to story after story of bravery. The film isnt always as technically proficient as the audience might want it to be  especially its sometimes distracting editing  but its both effective and affecting in its emotionally raw narrative.

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In the moment and years later, these men reveal the impact of war on themselves and their families, and its a testament to their character. No Greater Love may leave viewers emotionally wrecked, but theyll emerge with additional respect and gratitude for the soldiers sacrifice.

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No Greater Love

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Playing: Art Theatre, Long Beach

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For Sharon Ditmore, the signs of the holidays showing up in this city devastated by fire are both comforting and depressing.

Ditmore lost her home in the working-class neighborhood of Coffey Park and has been living in a friends guesthouse. She cant help but think back to the Thanksgiving gatherings she enjoyed with family members in the home she and her husband had rented for nearly 30 years.

But in the future, she and the thousands of others who lost homes see nothing but uncertainty. With rents surging as high as $13,000 a month in the aftermath of a fire that destroyed 3,000 Santa Rosa homes, they are not sure they will be able to afford to stay in the increasingly expensive wine country city.

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My landlord said he plans to rebuild, said Ditmore, 62, who ran a day-care business out of her home. If I can afford to move back, I will. But like so many others, Ill have to wait and see.

Hers was one of hundreds of homes that burned down last month in Coffey Park, where about 40% of the residents were renters. A website recently posted by Gallaher Construction Inc. of Santa Rosa, titled Bring Back Coffey Park: Looking to Rebuild or Sell?, has only stoked concerns that a neighborhood reduced to ashes will be rebuilt as something vastly different.

A month after wildfires ripped through this city of more than 160,000, there are debates about the fate of working-class residents and undocumented immigrants, the shortage of available housing for displaced residents that has pushed rental rates into the stratosphere, and whether the firestorm will trigger an exodus of engineers, doctors and nurses, teachers, emergency responders and agricultural workers  and with it an economic downturn.

The dissension is playing out at town hall gatherings, on social media platforms and in the opinion pages of local newspapers as the hard facts about the economic and social costs of rebuilding efforts start to take hold.

We dont want teachers, police officers, firefighters and county workers who lost their homes to move elsewhere with their insurance checks.  Shirlee Zane, chairwoman, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Its chaos here because weve got big issues with big cost considerations  and no plan in place to tackle them, said Keith Christopherson, who owns a construction company that built hundreds of the ridgeline homes destroyed in Santa Rosas affluent Fountaingrove district.

When people ask what itll cost to rebuild their homes, I say, I dont know, to keep their spirits up, he said. But the truth is that costs and rent payments will be pushed up by code upgrades and severe shortages of local available housing, labor and basic building materials such as wall board, concrete and paint.

As of Tuesday, amid the largest debris-removal campaign in state history, about 13,000 claims have been submitted by Sonoma County residents for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance of some kind, officials said.

The federal government has advanced $5.8 million to residents who lost their homes, and the state has requested $7.9 billion from Washington to fund long-term recovery efforts, state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said.

Santa Rosa and Sonoma County officials expect to start creating temporary housing options next week for seniors on fixed incomes. But the vast scale of the destruction has left them grappling with questions about how they can afford to recruit, house and pay for an army of laborers to expedite construction of permanent homes without deep cuts in funding for basic services.

Weve lost a major source of revenue, property taxes, which account for roughly a third of our budget, said Shirlee Zane, chairwoman of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. That means every single person who lives and works here is going to be affected.

We dont want teachers, police officers, firefighters and county workers who lost their homes to move elsewhere with their insurance checks, she added. So, were trying very hard to find the healthiest way forward. In the meantime, we have to have patience.

Targets of criticism include Rebuild North Bay, a new nonprofit organization composed of 18 influential business leaders, fundraisers, bankers and lawyers who say they are dedicated to establishing plans to rebuild homes and protect the dominant forces in the local economy: wine and tourism.

The groups unveiling at a recent town hall gathering, however, drew sharply mixed reactions. Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, for example, stood up and expressed disappointment over the lack of diversity among its leaders  nearly all of them white men  in a county where 26% of the population is Latino.

Some others questioned the 501(c)(4) status of the group  led by James Lee Witt, a former FEMA director  which, unlike the more common 501(c)(3) status, allows it to engage in unlimited lobbying and promotion of political candidates.

In response to those concerns, Ken Garcia, a spokesman for the group, said, Were working on a plan to create a more diverse board.

Some homeowners were dismayed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors recent adoption of a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of new vacation rental permits. The move was intended to keep emergency housing available for displaced residents  not wine country tourists.

But some residents saw Airbnb and other short-term rentals as a means of providing some of the only temporary housing available for people who lost their homes  and lucrative income streams for the property owners.

Its not the first time short-term rentals have stirred controversies in the aftermath of a disaster. When a leaking Southern California Gas Co. natural gas well forced thousands of San Fernando Valley residents out of their homes in late 2015, rates at nearby hotel and motel rooms jumped as high as $8,500 a month.

Theres talk in town about price gouging, as the median rent in Santa Rosa has surged to $2,982  a 16% increase since September, before the fires, according to Zillow Real Estate Research. Countywide, median rent rose 36% to $3,224 over the same period.

Price gouging is not a matter that I take lightly, Sonoma County Dist. Atty. Jill Ravitch said. I am prepared to prosecute those unscrupulous individuals who try to turn a profit at the expense of our neighbors and friends.

But property owners who are benefiting from the rent uptick say its the result of insurance companies doing their jobs.

Ive been getting a lot of hateful messages from people who think were taking advantage of the situation  but theyre wrong, said Randy Knight, chief executive of 5StarVR.com, a vacation rental company whose recent offerings on Zillow included a 4-bedroom Santa Rosa home listed at $13,000 a month. These people dont realize that were responding to insurance companies desperately trying to accommodate clients who need a place to live.

Ronald and Marcela Arowcavage would not argue with any of that. Immediately after listing for $12,000 a month a 3,300-square-foot home they bought for $370,000, we were bombarded with inquiries from insurance company representatives, Ronald Arowcavage, 58, said.

On Saturday, the Arowcavages leased the house on a tidy, leafy street in the town of Windsor, just off Highway 101 and about three miles north of Santa Rosa, for one year to two displaced Fountaingrove property owners who plan to share the premises.

Their insurance companies, Ronald said, were handling the payments.

Louis.Sahagun@latimes.com

@LouisSahagun

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Threat suspect: In some copies of the Nov. 8 California section, an article about a former Soka University student accused of making criminal threats toward the school said that David Kenneth Smith posted on YouTube under the name Kind David. The name was King David.

Uzbek community: In the Nov. 5 Section A, an article about New Yorks Uzbek community reacting to the recent terror attack that killed eight people was accompanied by a photo of a cafe named for the capital of Tajikistan. The cafe, in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, is part of the Tajik community, not the Uzbek.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers representative, by email at readers.representative@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.
California State Universitys board of trustees unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday encouraging leaders of the nations largest public university system and each of its 23 campuses to support and advocate for the continued protection of their 8,300 Dreamer students and hundreds more faculty and staff members.

Chancellor Timothy P. White urged the trustees to take a public stand at their meeting in Long Beach.

This resolution  is a rare occurrence, but these are rare and unique circumstances, he told them. Its something that we dont normally do. But because of its importance, we decided to stand up.

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Educational leaders nationwide have been pushing back since President Trumps decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which has offered protection from deportation and the ability to work to young people who came into the country illegally as children, often called Dreamers.

In September, University of California President Janet Napolitano sued the Trump administration  the first legal effort by a university to block the decision. Last month, in a push organized by the American Council on Education, more than 800 college and university presidents and chancellors signed a letter urging Congress to pass legislation as soon as possible to preserve protections for the roughly 700,000 young immigrants in the country now facing possible deportation.

If we are unable to protect these Dreamers, we will be shutting the door to an entire generation of individuals who seek to contribute their best to America, they wrote.

At Cal State, White said, most are the first in their family to attend college, and they work hard to further their educations. Many serve as campus leaders and have ambitious goals centered on improving the lives of others across their communities.

Cal State student trustee Jorge Reyes Salinas, a DACA recipient who pushed for Wednesdays resolution, described his experiences to trustees and administrators. I did not find out or even think about my immigration status until sophomore year of high school, as I applied for ... courses offered at a community college, he said. Now the fear of going about your day, that constant worry of being detained or deported, is real and tangible in the life of every Dreamer.

Sixteen of Cal States campuses have established Dream Centers to provide students mental health services, academic support, financial assistance and legal services. An employee assistance program offers the same sort of help to faculty and staff. Each campus has designated at least one point person to help students without legal status. (A list of services, campus by campus, can be viewed here.)

Like other higher learning institutions, Cal State has also made it clear that, unless otherwise required by law, we will not enter into agreements with law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws, as White wrote in a February memorandum.

Read more: Cal State will not help deport undocumented students under Trump, chancellor says 

White said Wednesday that the trustees resolution adds more muscle to the conversation.

His priority now, he said, is to get as many members of the Cal State community to make the case for DACA, particularly in districts represented by Republican lawmakers.

Were going to keep our foot on the pedal and press as hard as we can, along with many others, he said. There are tens of thousands of voices now. We are working hard to make Congress respond.

rosanna.xia@latimes.com

Follow @RosannaXia for more education news
A 23-year-old man who sued the Trump administration over his deportation to Mexico but later dropped the suit was arrested early this week after illegally reentering the country for a second time, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Juan Manuel Montes-Bojorquez entered the country illegally about 3.5 miles east of downtown Calexico shortly before midnight Monday, according to a Border Patrol statement.

Border Patrol officials said Montes-Bojorquez ran about 600 feet north of the fence before Border Patrol agents caught up to him. The agency said that at one point the man lay on the ground, but then got up and fled as the agents approached him.

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After a brief foot chase, agents caught and detained the subject. The man was arrested and transported to the Calexico station for processing, the statement read.

Montes-Bojorquez made headlines when he was deported to Mexico on Feb. 19, making him the first person with protected status under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, to be deported under President Trump.

Montes-Bojorquez, who had been living in the U.S. since he was 9 and has a learning disability after suffering traumatic brain injury as a child, was thrust into the center of the heated debate on illegal immigration following his deportation.

In April, attorneys representing the young DACA recipient filed a lawsuit demanding that federal officials release information about why he was deported. Montes-Bojorquez said he had permission to live and work in the U.S. under the Obama-era immigration program that protected young people who were brought to the country illegally as children.

Montes-Bojorquez argued that he was approved for DACA in 2014 and that he had renewed his status in 2016, which wouldnt have expired until two years later.

At the time, the Department of Homeland Security said that Montes-Bojorquezs DACA status had expired and that the young man had voluntarily left the U.S. for Mexico, which would have made him ineligible for the DACA program.

In his lawsuit against Trump, Montes-Bojorquez said he was walking to a taxi station in the border town of Calexico after visiting with a friend when a Border Patrol official stopped him. He was detained when he failed to produce identification and was taken to a Border Patrol station, where he alleges in his lawsuit that he was forced to sign documents and was not allowed to see an immigration lawyer.

DHS officials later corrected themselves, saying that Montes-Bojorquezs DACA status had not expired, but they said because he had left the country, he was ineligible for the program.

Days after Montes-Bojorquez was deported, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said he was arrested after he illegally entered the U.S. by climbing the fence over downtown Calexico.

The arrest Monday made it the second time that Montes-Bojorquez attempted to reenter the U.S. illegally. He was arrested and placed in the Imperial County jail pending charges of reentry after removal.

Border Patrol agents will always stop, detain and arrest anyone making an illegal entry into the country irrespective of their immigration or citizenship status, said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim.

Under federal law, illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported is a felony offense punishable by a fine and up to two years in prison, according to the Department of Justice.

Times staff writer Cindy Carcamo contributed to this report.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.

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CHP officer claims discrimination over his Air National Guard service
A lawsuit filed by a California Highway Patrol officer is alleging discrimination and harassment in his Central California station over his requests for leave to serve in the Air National Guard.

Officer Christopher Lutz alleges that his supervisors in the Oakhurst Station, east of Merced, made it difficult for him to report for his guard duty on time, belittled his service as an inconvenience to his colleagues and falsely accused him of filing improper requests for leave.

Lutz is seeking damages in state court in Sacramento for discrimination, retaliation and defamation.

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The lawsuit, filed in July, has become a test of whether claims can be brought against the state under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA, the federal statute that protects civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and members of reserve units.

The California attorney generals office argues that the state is legally immune to such claims. It has asked a judge to dismiss portions of the case alleging violation of the federal law. It argued in a court filing that, as a sovereign state, California cannot be sued under the statute.

Superior Court Judge David I. Brown scheduled a hearing on the motion for Dec. 4.

The lawsuit alleges that Lutz, who has been a CHP officer since 2005, encountered resistance to his leave requests after his 2011 transfer to Oakhurst, a small station at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.

His complaint says supervisors told him and others that his absences from the CHP because of military duty and training caused inconvenience for the supervisors, managers and other highway patrol officers.

They told Lutzs co-workers that he was to blame when the station was short staffed and officers were required to work extra hours.

He also alleged that he was shunned in the field, causing him to respond to emergencies without backup.

After Lutz filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, the lawsuit said, then CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow  who became head of the UC Davis Police Department in July  told officers in his National Guard chain of command that he was dishonest and fraudulently creating military duty orders.

A National Guard investigation cleared him but was thoroughly embarrassing and humiliating and damaging to his military career, the complaint said.

Lutz alleged that his supervisors also denied him state employment/retirement credit for the time he was away on duty and required him to schedule vacation to get time off for his duty.

According to the complaint, Lutz served in the Army National Guard from 1996 to 2002, then joined the Air National Guard. He has piloted C-130 transport aircraft on more than 100 combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. He has also led missions fighting wildfires in the U.S.

A statement from the CHP said the agency would not comment on the case but is committed to supporting our military personnel while serving stateside or deployed overseas during peacetime or times of war.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Michael D. Gowe declined to comment on the case. In filings to the court, he contested the courts jurisdiction under the uniformed services act, arguing that the War Powers Act of the Constitution did not give Congress the authority to abrogate a states sovereignty.

Although there is no reported California decision on this issue, other states courts have concluded that Congress lacked the authority under Article I to abrogate state sovereign immunity in enacting USERRA, the motion said.

It cited an appeals court ruling in Minnesota that held that, while Congress may have wanted to abrogate state immunity against USERRA claims, it lacked the authority to do so.

A ruling for the state would not entirely derail the case, parts of which were filed under California law.

doug.smith@latimes.com

@LATDoug

UPDATES:

3:20 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the CHP.

This article was originally published at 2:30 p.m.
A complicated subway project designed to seamlessly connect three rail lines in downtown Los Angeles will open a year later than expected, despite efforts to make up for time lost during construction, L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said Tuesday.

The new opening date for the Regional Connector is December 2021, six months after the deadline established by federal officials and a year after the agencys target date of December 2020. The schedule change will not jeopardize $830 million in federal funding for the project, Metro officials said.

We still have four years to go, project manager Gary Baker said, adding that work should reach the halfway point early next year. But Im confident that well be able to successfully meet our schedule.

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The delay follows months of setbacks beneath the streets of downtown Los Angeles, home to some of Southern Californias oldest infrastructure. Aging water pipes and fragile utility lines required reinforcement before crews could safely dig beneath them, officials said.

Cost overruns for utility work, consultants, land acquisition and legal fees have twice prompted Metros board of directors to approve budget increases. The Regional Connectors $1.75-billion budget is 28% higher than originally forecast.

The 1.9-mile Regional Connector project calls for two light-rail tunnels between Union Station and the 7th Street/Metro Center stop in the Financial District. When the link opens, the Blue, Gold and Expo lines will be converted to two routes that will allow passengers to ride from Santa Monica to East Los Angeles, and from Azusa to Long Beach, without transferring.

Federal transit officials see the project as a linchpin in the regions expanding rail network. The tunnels are expected to boost rail ridership by 17,000 trips a day and shave as much as 20 minutes from some journeys.

Metro accepted a $670-million federal grant and a $160-million loan for the Regional Connector in 2014, and agreed to open the project to passengers by May 29, 2021.

Metros new deadline of December 2021 will not jeopardize the projects funds, Baker said, because the agreement includes provisions for unforeseen conditions, which includes deteriorated utilities.

Federal officials know that sometimes, projects encounter these issues, Baker said. They want to make sure theres a mechanism to have a new look at the completion date and to revise it if needed.

In a prepared statement, a Federal Transit Administration spokesperson said the agency is not aware of any implications to other Los Angeles projects.

Near the site of all three future stations  at 1st Street and Central Avenue, 2nd Street and Broadway, and 2nd and Hope streets  crews have discovered 100-year-old water pipes and electrical vaults made of materials that are more fragile than todays equivalents, Baker said.

One aging water pipe in Little Tokyo was made of riveted steel. In the Financial District, workers found several electrical vaults made of masonry. Replacing deteriorated electrical lines in the Civic Center cost more than $27 million.

The structures were not a danger to the public but needed to be reinforced before crews could excavate, Baker said. Metro has paid to upgrade those structures, rather than the utility companies, he said.

Climb inside the massive tunnel 60 feet below downtown L.A. 

This fall, the Regional Connectors 1,000-ton tunneling machine struck a steel structure beneath 2nd Street, delaying progress for about a month as crews did repairs. The steel may have been piles abandoned after the construction of Los Angeles Police Department headquarters a decade ago.

The damage from striking the steel structure, and the cost of the resulting delay, will cost between $5 million and $7 million, Baker said. But, he said, crews may be able to make up for lost time as they dig the second tunnel.

laura.nelson@latimes.com

Twitter: @laura_nelson

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Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on Wednesday summoned the country's Ambassador in Kyiv Rade Bulatovic to Belgrade to discuss current issues concerning relations with Ukraine, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said on its website.

"As is known, Serbia has said more than once that it has respected the territorial integrity of Ukraine from the onset of the crisis in Ukraine. This was also confirmed during Serbia's OSCE chairmanship. In addition to that, Serbia has taken a series of specific steps to prosecute Serbian citizens fighting abroad, including in Ukraine, thus demonstrating its commitment to honoring its obligations as part of international law," the ministry said on its website.

Dacic also recalled that Ukrainian mercenaries had been involved in crimes committed by Croatian forces against the Serbs in Croatia, and, unlike Serbia, Ukraine has never condemned these crimes.

"The goal of diplomatic missions in foreign countries should become an improvement of bilateral relations between states... Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic will discuss further steps regarding relations with Ukraine with Ambassador Bulatovic over the next few days," it said.

Serbia remains committed to building good relations with Ukraine based on the principles of mutual respect and will not allow these ties to be offered up as a sacrifice to "international relations that have nothing to do with Serbia," it said.

Serbia's Foreign Ministry earlier condemned remarks made by Ukrainian Ambassador in Belgrade Oleksandr Aleksandrovych who criticized Russian-Serbian relations, and also Aleksandrovych's claims alleging Serbian mercenaries' role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin summoned Aleksandrovych for consultations afterwards.
Near the bustling corner of Hollywood and Highland, Coty ODonohue sells bottled water, sodas, cellphone accessories and other knickknacks to tourists strolling down the Walk of Fame.

Were out here trying to make an honest dollar, said ODonohue, a 22-year-old from Michigan trying to launch his career as a hip-hop artist. It should just be legal.

Los Angeles is preparing to legalize the familiar vendors who hawk hot dogs, ice cream and other food and goods on its sidewalks, a longtime dream of local activists.

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But under newly proposed regulations, vendors could still be banned near hot spots such as Dodger Stadium, Staples Center or Hollywood Boulevard, which was lined with vendors like ODonohue selling everything from sodas to jewelry to T-shirts emblazoned with images of Frida Kahlo and the Notorious B.I.G. on Tuesday afternoon.

Sidewalk sellers would also face an intricate list of restrictions on where they can set up stands or pushcarts on each block. And city lawmakers could clamp down more before vending becomes legal, declaring additional areas off-limits in the face of concerns about cramped or unsafe sidewalks.

Los Angeles has long grappled with how to handle such vendors, who are a common sight on its sidewalks even though they are banned. Four years have passed since Councilmen Jose Huizar and Curren Price proposed that L.A. legalize and regulate sidewalk vending, arguing that legitimizing the industry would be a boon to taxpayers, customers and entrepreneurs.

Its alarming to know that we are the largest city without a vending policy. Today the system is a failure. Its an embarrassment, Councilman Joe Buscaino said Wednesday.

This year, lawmakers voted to decriminalize vending amid fears that immigrant vendors could be jeopardized by criminal charges under the Trump administration, limiting the possible penalties to administrative fines. And they are also taking steps to eliminate criminal charges for peddling, another code section enforced against vendors.

Now L.A. lawmakers are deciding precisely where and how sidewalk vending will be permitted, setting out how vendors will apply for city permits, how they will be taxed and what fines they could face for flouting the rules. At a Wednesday hearing at City Hall, two council committees backed a set of proposed regulations, which will now go to the entire council for a vote.

Under the draft rules, only two carts would be allowed per block on each side of the street in commercial and industrial zones. Mobile vendors who sell food could do business in residential areas as long as each sale does not last more than seven minutes. Sidewalk sellers would also have to follow complicated rules about where they can set up shop.

For instance, they would be banned from doing business within five feet of driveways, bus benches, fire hydrants, crosswalks, outdoor dining areas and any area improved with lawn, flowers, shrubs or trees; within 10 feet of transit shelters, the rear of a parking meter, or the front of any marked spot for parallel parking; within 20 feet of historic monuments and murals, sculptures or fountains funded or managed by a city program; and anywhere that interferes with window displays, puts people in danger or impedes access to adjacent businesses.

Vending would also be prohibited within 500 feet of Dodger Stadium, the Hollywood Bowl, Staples Center, the Coliseum, Hollywood Boulevard and any other venues singled out by the Board of Public Works. Price said those venues were chosen because they have a surge of crowds during events and vendors could worsen congestion.

Sidewalk vendors could not set up shop near schools during school hours, unless they sell exclusively healthy food such as fruit or vegetables. And more restrictions could be on the way: The City Council is supposed to come up with criteria to expand, limit or prohibit sidewalk vending in designated areas, dubbed Special Sidewalk Vending Districts, before permits are handed out.

Business groups that include brick-and-mortar shops have pressed for neighborhoods to be able to choose if they want more, less or no vending at all. They have also lobbied for L.A. to require sidewalk vendors to get permission from neighboring property owners. And in Hollywood, they have urged the city to totally ban vending along the Walk of Fame.

Ultimately, there are going to be some areas where it is not going to make sense, said Kerry Morrison, executive director of the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance, which manages two business improvement districts in the area. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, she said, is absolute chaos right now.

Morrison and other Hollywood business advocates complained that some vendors have blocked the famed stars on the sidewalks with their tables and obstructed people getting off buses. Ed Bell, general manager of Madame Tussauds Hollywood, said the company has attractions across the globe, but nowhere is the street scene as hazardous and chaotic as outside our doors.

The L.A. Street Vendor Campaign argues that the proposed rules are excessively strict. For instance, the group said the complex regulations on where vendors can operate on each block, which are virtually identical to existing restrictions on news racks, would end up barring vending on streets with parking meters.

The campaign argued that any additional restrictions on where vendors can ply their trade should be based on health and safety concerns, warning that such requirements should not become tools for arbitrary exclusion. And the group charged that it would be unfair to give brick-and-mortar shops a veto over other kinds of businesses.

If you open the door on this issue, youre going to have a lot of problems with extortion and graft, said Cynthia Anderson-Barker, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild.

Alejandra Rodriguez, who sells toys in Hollywood, said that if the city allows neighborhoods to bar vending for any reasons other than safety, it would create invisible walls.

Are you on the political side of racists like Trump or on behalf of hardworking women? Rodriguez asked in Spanish.

After hours of testimony and discussion, lawmakers backed the recommended rules. They also asked for city staffers to draw up a process that would allow property owners to prohibit vending on the sidewalks in front of their property, which drew boos and shouts from the crowd. Price said he personally disagreed with that idea but would wait to hear from staff.

Wednesdays decision still leaves many questions unresolved, including what fees will be charged on vendors to fund enforcement. Business owners have argued that the administrative fines have done little to discourage scofflaw vendors and are pressing for more aggressive enforcement as the new rules move forward.

The proposed regulations would not affect people hawking art or other expressive items, which are already allowed on city sidewalks, according to city staff.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesEmily
An eruption of gunfire near a Vons supermarket in Cheviot Hills prompted the stores evacuation Wednesday evening, police said.

A man on a bicycle opened fire on another person around 6 p.m. near a Vons store in the 9800 block of National Boulevard, near Manning Avenue, according to Los Angeles Police Officer Irma Mota.

No one was injured, but one of the men ran into the store, prompting the evacuation, said Mota, an LAPD spokeswoman. It initially was unclear which man ran inside, but police determined the gunmans intended target had fled into the supermarket while the shooter ran away on foot, she said.

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A lengthy search for both men came up empty, said Mota, who did not offer a motive in the attack.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.
Survivors of sexual assault and harassment gathered Wednesday in Beverly Hills to announce the Me Too Survivors March on Sunday afternoon in Hollywood.

As traffic moved slowly along Wilshire Boulevard, more than a dozen women and men stood together, holding signs that read #MeToo March and #Endthestigma.

The group was there to announced the march, to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood. The event is in response to the #MeToo campaign, a social media movement that grew out of accusations by actresses against movie producer Harvey Weinstein and encouraged other women from various backgrounds to share their stories.

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This goes beyond Hollywood, said Brenda Gutierrez, the lead organizer of the march. I think its time that were no longer silenced, no longer shamed and that we can end the stigma and I think thats a big message of this march.

If one person can come out and seek help, then Ill be happy, Gutierrez said.

She said the idea of the event came last month when she followed Alyssa Milanos Twitter request that women tell their stories of sexual harassment or assault with the hashtag #MeToo.

If youve been sexually harassed or assaulted write me too as a reply to this tweet. pic.twitter.com/k2oeCiUf9n  Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 15, 2017

Gutierrez said she shared the tweet on her Facebook account, used the hashtag #MeToo and left to attend a rally against Presidents Trumps travel ban involving several Muslim countries. When she got home and checked her Facebook account she saw more than 40 women she knew had come forward about their experiences.

I wasnt surprised because I know it happens a lot, she said. Its sad, but why are we only talking about it when someone famous is talking about it?

Gutierrez said the hashtag and movement opened up old wounds about her own personal experiences. After seeing the number of women who responded to her Facebook message she decided that there should be a place for all survivors to gather.

Sexual violence is an epidemic that touches the lives of survivors beyond the predominantly white and wealthy Hollywood celebrities that have come forward with allegations against Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein, said Hussain Turk, a survivor of rape and sexual battery. And the perpetrators arent just the exceptionally few and rich white men who occupy influential positions of fame and power.

Among other issues brought up at the press conference was the death of 26-year-old Gemmel Moore, who was found dead at the home of Ed Buck, a high-profile political activist and contributor to the Democratic Party in California and Los Angeles County.

Supporting the group was Chelsea Byers, chair of the Campaign To End the Statute of Limitations on Rape and Sexual Assault. Byers said the campaign targets statute of limitation laws in 30 U.S. states.

If youre raped in the state of Pennsylvania, you have 12 years to report that crime, she said.  If youre raped in the state of Arizona, theres no time limit.

The statute of limitations are among the most heinous of gagging mechanisms codified into law. These arbitrary time limits exist in 30 U.S. states and effectively eliminate the possibility for any justice through our legal system.

Gutierrez, the lead organizer, said she hopes the march will help her heal from her own experiences and hopes it will also help unite other survivors.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.
Precipitation carrying tainted water through the Tijuana River into the Pacific Ocean triggered beach closures Tuesday evening from the international border to Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach.

Signs warning swimmers of sewage-contaminated water along the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park will be posted until bacteria levels return to normal, according to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health.

Such water pollution has occurred for years during the rainy season, regularly preventing beachgoers in San Diegos South Bay region from using sections of their coastline.

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The pollution from stormwater runoff adds to spills from aging pipes and potentially hazardous discharges from the deteriorating San Antonio de Los Buenos sewage treatment plant in Punta Bandera, located about six miles south of the border.

According to a Union-Tribune analysis of beach-closure data from the county, Imperial Beach has had sections of its shoreline off-limits to swimmers for more than a third of the year on average in the last decade.

When the system is working correctly, pumps in the Tijuana River divert flows of treated wastewater to the treatment plant along the coast.

However, even mild precipitation can overwhelm the system, causing public utility officials in Baja California to shut down the pumps. Tijuana received less than half an inch of rain Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com

Smith writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
As he travels across Asia, President Trump is pushing an ambitious, if still vague, new foreign policy: a free and open Indo-Pacific stretching from the West Coast to Japan, down through Southeast Asia to Australia, and west across another ocean to India.

Trump is seeking to link the vast Indo-Pacific  far larger than the familiar Asia-Pacific  in a conscious effort to expand Americas traditional strategic interests to include India, the worlds most populous democracy, as a counterweight to China, a protectionist totalitarian state, according to a senior administration official accompanying the president in Asia.



For the record: An earlier version of this article said President Trump would speak at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Saturday. He will speak at the summit on Friday.

Over the last month, the head-scratching term has emerged in White House speeches, Cabinet meetings and media briefings, as well as Trumps comments and statements this week in Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and Da Nang, Vietnam, where he told an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit audience that the city was in the very heart of the Indo-Pacific.

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Whether the shift in semantics represents a shift in strategy is less clear.

When Trumps national security advisor, H.R. McMaster, previewed the trip in Washington on Nov. 2, he claimed Trump had placed 43 calls to Indo-Pacific leaders. McMaster then used the term eight more times, including a shout-out to Mondays meeting of the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations, which does not include India, in the Philippines.

At the ASEAN 50th birthday party in Manila, the president will discuss how to strengthen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific to further efforts against transnational terrorist organizations, McMaster said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson already had set the bar high. Speaking to the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Oct. 18, he cited the Indo-Pacific 23 separate times, describing economic and foreign policy challenges and concerns for countries on Chinas periphery.

The term is not entirely new. President Obama and his first secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, both tried it out but preferred Asia-Pacific or the Pacific Rim. Leaders in Japan, India, Australia and elsewhere have used it. The Pentagon has long embraced it. U.S. Pacific Command, based in Hawaii, likes to say it controls the oceans from Bollywood to Hollywood.

Some foreign policy experts cautioned the White House not to portray the emerging policy as aimed at China.

Many if not most of the countries of the region would have great trepidation if asked to sign up to an anti-China containment policy, said Daniel Russel, an assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Obama administration. No one wants to have to choose between the U.S. and China.

Russel also cautioned about the sheer size of the region  more than half the globe  that the policy seeks to pull together. Trying to embrace all of South Asia and all of East Asia is a pretty formidable undertaking, he said.

Others applauded the presidents new way of seeing the geopolitical sphere, one that links democratic and some not-so-democratic allies in common purpose.

When I hear Indo-Pacific, I hear the world is round and Asia is more than just the East Asia littoral; it is linked and tied to the Indian Ocean by shipping lanes, air traffic, even cultural overlays, said Dean Cheng, a senior research fellow who specializes in Asia at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Though the U.S. has been a Pacific power since the late 1800s, and the dominant one since World War II, its power projection and military alliances rarely extended across the Indian Ocean to what was historically seen as a separate part of the world. But the White House cites a different history.

The United States is an Indo-Pacific power, said the senior administration official traveling with Trump. Weve been one since the dawn of our republic. Our security and our prosperity depend on the United States maintaining access for free flow of commerce to this region, because were a Pacific nation.

Asked if the new policy was aimed at containing Chinas rise, the official said certainly not and instead emphasized the importance of India  which views China as a political rival and potential military threat  to U.S. security and prosperity.

We have strong and growing ties with India. We talk about an Indo-Pacific in part because that phrase captures the importance of Indias rise, the official said.

India, not surprisingly, has embraced that idea. It sees the rhetorical shift as recognition of its growing geopolitical stature and improving ties with Washington.

It reflects how allies and partners are seeing their region  increasingly linked, with interests and activities crossing the Indian and Pacific Ocean dividing line, said Tanvi Madan, director of the India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

Bolstering the shift is Trumps personal affinity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his distaste for Muslim-dominated Pakistan, as well as concern about Chinas growing military and economic power and Chinese President Xi Jinpings recent rise to Mao Tse-tung -like status.

White House aides said the new policy includes an emphasis on freedom of navigation. That issue is relevant in the regional disputes of the South China Sea, where China has built up islands and shoals into military facilities, and where Washington has irked Beijing for years by sending warships and surveillance planes close offshore.

China is going to play a larger role in the Indian Ocean  and India is going to play a larger role in the Pacific Ocean. That fact alone is what underlines the Indo-Pacific term, said C. Raja Mohan, director of the Carnegie India think tank in New Delhi. That trajectory is going to remain the same irrespective of what they call it.

Under Modi, India has sought to project itself as a rising power and found ways to gently challenge Chinese hegemony in the wider Asian region, in particular by forging closer trade and diplomatic relationships to the east, with Japan and Vietnam.

The White House says the new policy also aims to keep the regions economies open to free trade. That goal was complicated by Trumps decision to abandon the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation trade pact negotiated by the Obama administration that deliberately excluded China.

Michael J. Green, a national security aide under President George W. Bush, questioned how the White House could call for a free and open Indo-Pacific while pushing an American-first approach to trade relations. That hinders the integration of countries into an open and free trading system.

Others cautioned against expecting an Indo-Pacific alignment to go far in containing China, the largest economy in the region by far.

The White House will be disappointed if it thinks of India as the left arm to Japans right arm in a democratic pincer movement to contain China, said Christopher K. Johnson, a former China specialist at the CIA now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. I dont think [the Chinese] are breaking a huge sweat about that.

Wilkinson reported from Washington, Bengali from Mumbai and Bennett from Beijing. Times staff writer Noah Bierman in Washington contributed to this report.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

brian.bennett@latimes.com

UPDATES:

Nov. 10, 1:30 p.m.: This article was updated with a Trump comment from a summit in Vietnam.

This article was originally published Nov. 7 at 7:40 a.m.
Scott Dozier was calm and chatty as he appeared by video in a court here Wednesday  he wanted his execution to go forward next Tuesday with no delays.

No, Im not going to change my mind, he testified. I am still resolute and steadfast in this, and my primary goal at this juncture is to get this done.

But there was one complication with his request: The 46-year-old death row inmate said he continued to oppose the states plan to kill him using a drug protocol that has never been used in an execution and includes cisatracurium, which paralyzes the body.

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The state has not clearly articulated why it wants to use the drug. But other states have been embarrassed in recent years by executions gone wrong, and the paralytic drug would potentially mask spasms or other undesirable effects from the fatal combination of the other two drugs, fentanyl and diazepam. Nevadas last execution was 11 years ago.

Dozier appeared in jailhouse garb and glasses and engaging in some light banter with Clark County District Court Judge Jennifer Togliatti over his penchant for regularly writing her letters.

The judge pressed the states attorneys on whether Nevada had enough of the other two drugs to carry out the execution. Assistant Solicitor General Jordan Smith said it had more than double the necessary amounts to kill Dozier.

There was anticipation that the judge would rule Wednesday on whether Nevada could carry out the execution.

But she said she wouldnt let the execution proceed before the new protocol was approved by Nevadas chief medical officer  an official who took the job a week ago after the previous person who held it stepped down.

Smith said the approval was a formality and that the protocol would be signed. Togliatti has asked the lawyers to return to court Thursday at 11 a.m.

Doziers attorneys face an unusual situation in that they are fighting for a client who wants to die.

A medical expert testified last week that the execution was at risk for problems because of the new drug protocol and inexperienced personnel. He said the paralytic drug  if not administered correctly  could cause pain and suffering.

Wesley Juhl, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said the organization has several concerns about using a paralytic drug, including its ability to mask any mistakes.

He said Doziers body would be unable to reflexively react to any potential problems during the process  including if the doses of the other drugs were somehow miscalculated.

The new protocol was adopted last month and remains under court seal and unavailable to the public. The execution would be the first in Ely State Prisons new execution chamber, which was completed last year and cost more than $800,000.

Brooke Keast, spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Corrections, said in an email this week that the staff is practicing everything as the execution date looms closer.

Dozier was convicted in 2007 of murdering and dismembering 22-year-old Jeremiah Miller at a Las Vegas motel in 2002. He also was convicted in Arizona 12 years ago for the murder of 26-year-old Jasen Green.

david.montero@latimes.com

Twitter: @davemontero
After visiting the site of last weekends church massacre outside San Antonio, Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday it was a crime that the gunman was able to buy guns while having a military domestic violence conviction.

The U.S. Air Force is moving aggressively to review its policies on reporting convictions to national criminal databases, and plans to report back in a matter of days, not weeks, Pence said at a televised news conference outside First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs.

The gunman, Devin Kelley  who killed 26 churchgoers  passed background checks to buy four guns between 2014 and 2017 despite being court-martialed by the Air Force a few years earlier  an oversight that Air Force officials have attributed to a bureaucratic error.

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We will find why this information was not properly recorded in 2012, and we will work with leaders in Congress to ensure that this never happens again, Pence said, adding that military officials were working to make sure national criminal databases were not missing other military convicts.

Pence added of Kelleys gun purchases: He lied on his application, had a history of mental illness, and there were bureaucratic failures.

Pence and his wife, Karen, arrived Wednesday to console victims families and greet the two bystanders who shot the gunman and chased him out of the small town outside San Antonio, and who Pence said undoubtedly saved lives.

Pence met victims being treated at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and emerged looking somber.

This evil must come to an end in this land, Pence said of the shooting, adding, Faith is stronger than evil.

This evil must come to an end in this land. Faith is stronger than evil.  Vice President Mike Pence

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott described meeting one young victim who was shot in the spinal cord exactly where Abbott suffered his own spinal injury. Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, said he told the victims mother, You know, one day, he may grow up to be governor.

The reality is, yes, there have been tremendous tragedies, said Abbott, a Republican, but Texans stepped up to meet another challenge after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the state over the summer. When Texas faces a tragedy, Texans come together and respond profoundly.

Pence also planned to attend a prayer vigil at a local high school Wednesday night.

Some in Sutherland Springs and the surrounding towns dont want all the attention theyve been getting, however. The town, which has just a few hundred residents, has been overwhelmed by reporters and news crews who flew in from around the nation to cover the attack, which was Texas deadliest mass shooting in modern history.

Sheryl Ramsey, 43, lost her mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law in the shooting, she said.

She lives in the neighboring town of La Vernia, down the street from the home of Therese and Richard Rodriguez, who were among those killed.

Ramseys family didnt want to line up to shake Pences hand, she said, and she doesnt think Therese and Richard would have wanted this attention either. Her family is trying to avoid the hordes of media and politicians who have descended on their community.

We dont want all of that, she said on the phone Wednesday, her voice breaking. We just want to be able to process all of this and figure out how to move forward, so. Were just trying to stay out of limelight.

matt.pearce@latimes.com

sonali.kohli@latimes.com

Twitter: @mattdpearce, @Sonali_Kohli

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The Verkhovna Rada committee on national security and defense discussed on November 8 the major provisions that could be reflected in the second reading of bill No. 7163 on securing Ukraine's sovereignty in Donbas, including the provision on the date of the beginning of Russian aggression.

An Interfax-Ukraine reporter said that committee secretary Ivan Vinnyk (the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction) voiced positions on the key provisions of the draft law prepared by a working group consisting of a representative of the committee, a representative of the Ukrainian president in the Verkhovna Rada, as well as representatives of the foreign, justice ministries and the Presidential Administration.

According to Vinnyk, it is proposed to change the title of the bill and name it "The draft law on restoring Ukraine's state sovereignty over Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation."

In addition, he noted that the working group was in favor of determining in the preamble of the draft law the date of the beginning of Russian aggression - February 20, 2014.

The working group also formulated proposals on the use of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donbas.

In addition, the working group wants the preamble of the draft law include a reference to Crimea and also considers it expedient to return to the draft law the provisions mentioning the Minsk agreements. Such a provision was removed from the text of the document during the vote for this bill at first reading.

Many committee members expressed their support for the proposals of the working group. However, they insisted that the committee proceed to vote for specific proposals. The head of the committee, Serhiy Pashynsky, ignored their proposals. He insisted that the committee should agree on the major provisions to be reflected in the second reading of the bill and then, at the next meeting, move directly to the vote for specific wording and articles of the draft law.

MPs submitted almost 700 amendments before the second reading of the bill.

As reported, bill No. 7163 on the peculiarities of the state policy on securing Ukraine's state sovereignty over temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on October 4, 2017. Ukrainian lawmakers adopted this bill at first reading on October 6.
For the last several years, Los Angeles game plan for alleviating the housing crisis has been to encourage housing construction  lots of it  near transit stops.

L.A., like many cities in California, hasnt built enough homes to keep up with population growth. The result is a housing shortage that has driven rents to record highs, fueling the growth in homelessness and forcing many workers to pay more than they can afford  or pushing them out of the area and into long commutes.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has set a goal of 275,000 new housing units being built by 2035. In Garcettis vision, two-thirds of the homes should be within a quarter-mile of a transit stop.

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Linking housing construction to transit makes a lot of sense. Los Angeles County taxpayers are spending billions of dollars to construct new light rail, subway and dedicated bus lines. These projects can be the catalyst for a new urban landscape that is more densely developed to accommodate more housing, and more walkable and transit friendly to reduce Angelenos reliance on their cars, easing traffic congestion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Los Angeles should be building more housing, especially affordable housing, right next to transit stops in desirable communities close to jobs.

The good news is that Los Angeles officials have been working on new Transit Neighborhood Plans that aim to allow more homes, jobs and shops within a 15-minute walk of rail and busway stations. The plans also include design standards, sidewalk improvements and landscaping enhancements to create attractive neighborhoods around the stations.

The bad news? The citys first effort, the Expo Line Transit Neighborhood Plan, falls short of the ambitious urban planning needed if Los Angeles is ever going to make a dent in the housing crisis.

The plan would regulate future development within half a mile of five stops from the Culver City station to the Bundy station. Although it would allow more housing to be located around those stops  4,200 to 6,000 new units by 2035  thats a drop in the bucket compared with Garcettis goal. The plan would let developers build denser, taller projects in exchange for including affordable units, but it requires fewer units for low-income residents than the citys other incentive programs do.

Research has shown that the arrival of a new public transit station in a community increases the likelihood of gentrification and the displacement of longtime, low-income residents. Thats why Los Angeles should be building more housing, especially affordable housing, in just these sorts of places: right next to transit stops in desirable communities close to jobs.

There are two reasons for the paltry number of new homes allowed by the plan. One is that large swaths of land around the Expo Line stations are single-family neighborhoods that have been deemed off-limits for rezoning and increased density. Yes, single-family neighborhoods are part of the character and fabric of L.A., but its hard to see how the city can house its current occupants, let alone the growing population to come, without at least pondering looser restrictions that allow more triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes.

The other reason is that the plan aims to preserve industrial land for new and expanding employers. That makes it easier for companies to locate in L.A. and create good-paying technology, research or manufacturing jobs that grow the local economy, raise incomes and boost the citys tax base.

But the Expo Line plan anticipates the creation of twice as many jobs as homes. There is already a tremendous jobs-housing imbalance on the Westside. Just look at commuting patterns on the Expo Line and the 10 Freeway  lots of people head west in the morning for work and the opposite direction in the evening. So, yes, provide the space for more jobs near transit stops. But also build more homes.

The Expo Line Transit Neighborhood Plan is the citys first attempt at redesigning communities around transit stations. It should be a model for building denser, more affordable, more walkable, more environmentally minded neighborhoods. Los Angeles leaders should not settle for slight improvements over the status quo. The housing crisis, global warming and the future of the city demand more.

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As political observers consider the wave of Democratic victories across the country Tuesday and what it might mean for President Trump, its important not to overlook Philadelphia  where voters elected as their top prosecutor a criminal defense lawyer who campaigned on ending cash bail, the death penalty, civil asset forfeiture and the war on drugs.

Larry Krasner is not the only progressive elected district attorney in the U.S., but he instantly becomes one of the most visible, serving the nations 10th largest largest urban area. (Krasners jurisdiction, Philadelphia County, has the same boundaries as the city of Philadelphia.)

He also becomes the latest weapon in a voter rebellion of sorts against the backward-looking and counterproductive criminal justice policies put in place by U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions since he took office in February.

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For example, Sessions ordered his federal prosecutors to seek the toughest possible sentences  as opposed to the most just or the most rational. He brought back programs to transfer surplus military equipment (such as armored vehicles and grenade launchers) to police. He all but rejected the possibility that his department would take jurisdiction over law enforcement agencies that systemically violate civil rights. He called for reinstating programs under which police permanently seize, without a trial, property that was allegedly involved in crimes.

Larry Krasners election is a message from voters that they want to move more quickly on the road toward a sweeping overhaul of the justice system.

By contrast, Krasner is a frequent critic of police practices who vowed to make the justice system more just for the poor, for nonwhites and for other people who too often are punished out of proportion to their offenses, more often and more severely than those with money or privilege. His election gives a boost to a criminal justice reform movement that began in earnest just over a decade ago, after the fallout of the various foolish wars on drugs, on gangs and on crime.

He follows in the footsteps of reform-oriented prosecutors elected a year ago  on the same ballot, ironically, as tough-on-crime presidential candidate Donald Trump. Consider Kimberly M. Foxx, elected states attorney for Cook County, Ill., which includes Chicago. Or Kim Ogg, elected district attorney of Harris County, Texas, which takes in Houston. Or Aramis Ayala, state attorney for Floridas 9th Judicial Circuit, which includes Orlando. They and a handful of others have correctly seen their role as not merely holding criminals to account, but exercising their prosecutorial discretion to prioritize the most serious crimes and ensure that the accused are treated fairly.

What about supposedly liberal California?

This state produces many leaders in the drive to make the justice system more just, but few of them are elected district attorney. As in most states, DAs here are elected by county, but county lines are not evenly drawn. A third of the states population lives in Los Angeles County, which has twice elected moderate-to-conservative Democrat Jackie Lacey. San Francisco and other Bay Area counties tend to elect more progressive prosecutors. But most California counties are geographically small and located in more rural parts of the state where voters lean farther to the right than the states population as a whole.

The result is that most California DAs (and sheriffs, who also are elected by county) are more attuned to old-school law-and-order approaches than to the criminal justice reforms overwhelmingly embraced by voters in a series of statewide elections.

Its not simply that these officials tend to be more politically conservative. A strong criminal justice reform movement based on conservative principles is being advanced by elected officials in red states like Texas. Rather, many of Californias elected prosecutors seem trapped in the 1990s lock-them-up era.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, has long been a majority Democratic and liberal city and county served by police and elected district attorneys who didnt reflect the majority populations more progressive attitudes toward law and justice. Krasners predecessor, Seth Williams, cast himself as a reform-oriented district attorney but left many disappointed, even before his conviction on corruption charges.

Krasner is different from Williams, Foxx, Ayala and perhaps all of the others in that he wears his progressivism more openly, is more vocal and, reportedly, can be fairly abrasive. His lack of experience as a prosecutor will be taken as something of a thumb in the eye of the 300 lawyers in the office he will soon lead. His numerous lawsuits against the Philadelphia Police Department will most certainly be viewed disfavorably by cops, with whom his prosecutors must work. His election, though, is a message from voters that they want to move more quickly down the road toward a sweeping overhaul of the justice system. Lets hope he can deliver.

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After a shellacking at the polls on Tuesday, Republicans might not need any new reasons to abandon their unpopular tax overhaul. But heres one more: It could lead California to finally dismantle Proposition 13, one of the states last remaining GOP accomplishments.

The federal tax plan, introduced by House Republicans last week, was carefully constructed to penalize Americans who live in Democratic-leaning states. It would repeal the state and local tax deduction, which 1 in 3 Californians use. And it would cut in half the deduction for mortgage interest, capping it at $500,000 for new loans. This change would hardly affect most of the country  less than 3% of all homeowners carry over half a million in mortgage debt  but it would bite places like New York and California hard because of their expensive real estate markets.

Californias endangered GOP lawmakers have been remarkably muted about the pending assault on their constituents. Only one, Darrell Issa of Vista, has come out against the tax bill. Meanwhile, East Coast moderates have negotiated a compromise that would simultaneously help their states and make California the biggest loser.

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Under the compromise, Americans will be able to deduct property taxes of up to $10,000, but not income taxes. Thats rough if your state happens to have the nations highest income tax and one of the countrys lowest property tax rates. That is, if your state is California.

California voters are far more progressive than they were 40 years ago; they have consistently recommended taxing themselves to fund necessary investments.

The natural response to this turn of events would be to rebalance the revenue mix. California Democrats could offer a bargain: Lower personal income tax rates combined with a property tax rate more in line with the rest of the country. Of course, that would require voters to first repeal Proposition 13, which since 1978 has severely limited property taxes.

The result could be highly progressive. If income tax cuts are on the first $50,000 of income, everyone would benefit, but the main winners would be the working poor and the middle class. Plus, tax increases on property do not directly affect renters, who are, in general, lower income-earners than homeowners. (Landlords surely could pass property tax increases on to renters, but if the changes to housing taxes work as expected to actually reduce prices, the effect would be muted.)

Because property taxes remain deductible, Californians likely would save money. And the new tax system would be more predictable, less reliant on volatile income and more on home values, which outside of the historic housing bubble of the 2000s are generally more stable.

Proposition 13s legacy has been to reward the wealthy while constraining state and local spending on key priorities like education. This has stunted economic growth and widened inequality across the state.

Proposition 13 has been a particular boon to corporations. Absurdly, manufacturing facilities or office buildings can change hands numerous times without triggering a tax reassessment because of complicated deal structuring. Freezing corporate property tax rates at 1978 levels costs California $9 billion a year, by some estimates.

Democrats have quietly discussed moving to a split-roll  assessing commercial and industrial properties at full market value while keeping residential property tax rates the same. But efforts to make even modest changes related to Proposition 13, like closing the reassessment loophole, always have gotten bogged down in the Legislature.

If, however, property taxes become deductible and state income taxes arent, thats a flashing red signal to fundamentally change the revenue structure at the ballot for individuals and corporations alike.

Never before have Proposition 13 reformers been able to tell voters that they must fix the law to save them money. Donald Trump and his cadres of Republicans in Congress, not a caricature of tax-and-spend state lawmakers, would be the poster child; it would play out as simply cleaning up the mess created by Washington.

California voters are far more progressive than they were 40 years ago; they have consistently recommended taxing themselves to fund necessary investments. Our tax code reflects a snapshot in time from the days of Howard Jarvis, not the current public will.

If Congress makes Californias tax code massively unfair to state residents, voters will respond by agitating for change. Ironically, then, congressional Republicans could prove the catalyst necessary to end Proposition 13 once and for all.

David Dayen contributes to the Nation, the Intercept and the New Republic. He lives in Los Angeles.

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Petition drive to repeal California gas tax increase temporarily slows down By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. ( (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)) Paid signature-gatherers for a ballot measure that would repeal gas tax increases may be hard to find on the streets of California this week. Organizers say its not a money issue, adding that they needed to briefly halt paid signature-gathering to catch up on collecting petitions from volunteers. The petition drive has so far collected more than 327,800 verified signatures of the 587,407 needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot, according to Dave Gilliard, the political strategist behind the drive. We knew it was popular but the incredible pace is even faster than we expected so we outran the capacity of our verification operation over the Christmas holiday and told our crew managers to slow down so we could catch up, Gilliard said. We will be back up to speed by the end of this week. The gas tax and vehicle fee increases signed by Gov. Jerry Brown are expected to raise $5.2 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and expanded mass transit. The gas tax jumped from 18 cents to 30 cents per gallon on Nov. 1, and vehicle fees of at least $25 kicked in Jan. 1. The gas tax repeal petition is breaking records for both paid and volunteer signatures and were using the next two weeks to catch up on validation of signatures already received, said Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio talk-show host. As a grass-roots-funded effort we are also continuously raising funds and volunteer support. We are highly confident well qualify this Initiative for the November 2018 ballot. Facebook

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State pot bureau ready to enforce Californias new marijuana laws as license applications flood in By Patrick McGreevy The state has issued 104 licenses for retail stores to sell marijuana for recreational use in California and 239 other applications for those permits are pending, officials said Tuesday. An official with the state Bureau of Cannabis Control added that the agency is prepared to begin taking enforcement action against pot shops that are not properly licensed. The bureaus enforcement team is ready to respond to any complaints it receives and start doing compliance checks and site visits at any time, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the bureau. Selling marijuana without a license is a crime punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $500. Those convicted of engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license will also be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of the license fee for each violation. A new report issued Tuesday indicated the bureau has issued 478 temporary licenses to firms to test, distribute and sell medical and recreational marijuana, which began Jan. 1 after voters approved a legalization initiative, Proposition 64, in 2016. Businesses have received 153 licenses to sell marijuana for medical use. Another 1,458 firms have applied for licenses that are still being processed. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has separately issued 207 licenses to marijuana growers. Facebook

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Two possible instances of discrimination reported after California issues drivers licenses to immigrants here illegally By Jazmine Ulloa The California Research Bureau on Tuesday released its first report on incidents of discrimination under a 2015 state law that has provided drivers licenses for hundreds of thousands of immigrants here illegally. Researchers found no complaints have been made against government agencies tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws. But two possible instances of discrimination were reported in focus group interviews conducted by Drive California, a coalition of advocates studying the impact of the new law. In one case, a woman in Fresno was told her license was not a valid form of identification at a retail store, though it was unclear whether the incident reflected intentional discrimination or simple ignorance of the license marking, the report states. A MoneyGram clerk in another case denied a license holder the ability to cash a check. The same person was later rejected again at a bank. The state Department of Motor Vehicles has issued 960,000 AB 60 drivers licenses as of Nov. 30. The state research bureau produced the report for the Legislature as part of the new law, which declares discrimination against an AB 60 license holder a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Facebook

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California lawmaker proposes requiring panic buttons for hotel workers in response to widespread sexual harassment By Patrick McGreevy More than half of hotel workers surveyed report being sexually harassed at some point. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) Alarmed by a survey indicating sexual harassment of hotel housekeepers is widespread, a California state lawmaker on Tuesday proposed requiring employers to provide panic button devices to their employees so they can summon help if abused by a guest. The bill to be introduced Wednesday by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) would also require individual hotels to impose a three-year ban on guests who engage in harassment on the property. We want to protect our most vulnerable women workers, hotel maids who are going into rooms alone, from sexual harassment, said Muratsuchi, who co-authored the bill with Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward). The legislation signals that concerns over sexual harassment that dominated the state Legislature last year will continue to be an issue for lawmakers as they begin the new legislative year Wednesday. Harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, comedian Louis C.K. and other high-profile men have involved sexual misconduct in hotel rooms. A survey in July by Unite Here Local 1 found that 49% of female hotel workers in Chicago had experienced a guest answering the door naked or exposing himself. The report titled Hands Off, Pants On, found 58% of hotel workers said they had been sexually harassed by a guest. Californias Unite Here Local 11 has been calling for the action proposed in the legislation. It is the intent of this measure to protect hotel employees from violent assault, including sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and to enable those employees to speak out when they experience harassment on the job, said the introduction to the legislation introduced by Muratsuchi. In addition to requiring hotels to provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in rooms, the bill requires hotels to take written complaints from employees and keep them for five years. Any complaint backed by evidence including a statement given under penalty of perjury would result in a guest being banned from a hotel for three years. Hotels would also be required to post a notice on the inside of hotel room doors warning guests about the consequences of sexual harassment. Updated at 4:10 pm to include comment from Assemblyman Muratsuchi. Facebook

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Money, Republican malaise and Tom Steyer: These are the things to watch for in Californias 2018 statewide elections By Seema Mehta Get ready, California. What had been a behind-the-scenes dash for cash closely watched by few other than political observers is about to burst into public view. Voters this year will decide who will succeed Democrat Jerry Brown as the next governor and whether they will send Sen. Dianne Feinstein back to Washington. Before the June 5 primary, candidates will ramp up their campaigns with messages on television and stuffed into mailboxes. Heres a primer on the states two marquee races. Read More Facebook

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Fickle L.A. County is pivotal in the race for California governor By Phil Willon Home to a quarter of Californias 5.2 million registered voters, Los Angeles County is the biggest prize in Californias 2018 race for governor. For two hometown Democratic candidates especially  former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang of Torrance  doing well in L.A. County is essential if they hope to best the front-runner, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Yet this overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold continually bedevils even the most adept campaigns. Read More Facebook

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A renewed brawl over single-payer healthcare in California is on deck for 2018 By Melanie Mason Carolyn Angela Chen, a registered nurse, gives a free hepatitis A vaccination to Glenn Gardner, 52, at Joshua House Clinic (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) California officials are bracing for healthcare battles in Washington to have a major impact on the states budget and programs. Activists and politicians are planning a showdown over whether or not to establish a single-payer healthcare system in the state. And prescription drug manufacturers are the target of a number of bills meant to target the rising costs of medication. Sound familiar? Turns out the brewing healthcare battles in California in 2018 arent all that different from those from 2017. Heres a primer on the upcoming healthcare agenda in California: Read More Facebook

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How California lawmakers plan to protect the online privacy of consumers in 2018 By Jazmine Ulloa (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) With federal regulation rollbacks and a rise in data breaches, California lawmakers this year are looking for ways to protect consumers and their personal information. Some legislation under consideration could give people more notice and control over what data is collected, without having to pay for privacy or better services. Other bills could provide free credit freezes for consumers and require new privacy features for products that connect to the internet. Read More Facebook

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2018 will see California motorists pay more to the state to repair roads and bridges By Patrick McGreevy The new year brings with it new vehicle fees in California ranging from $25 to $175 depending on the value of your car, but Republican lawmakers are hoping to qualify a ballot measure in November to repeal the higher charges. The fees and a 12-cent increase in Californias gas tax last year are part of a plan by Democrats to raise more than $5.2 billion annually to deal with a backlog of road and bridge repairs. Petitions to qualify a repeal initiative are circulating now. Read More Facebook

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A rent control battle tops the list of California housing issues to watch in 2018 By Liam Dillon A new-home community in Anaheim in 2016 (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers arent wasting any time in tackling one of the most contentious issues in state housing politics this year. On Jan. 11, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee is set to hold a hearing on legislation that could lead to a dramatic expansion of rent control policies across the state. The debate over rent control could spill over onto the 2018 ballot, where Californians also could see proposals to expand or curtail the property tax restrictions ushered in 40 years ago by Proposition 13. Lawmakers will have to wrestle with how to follow up a package of housing bills that passed last year. The measures provided new funding and regulations designed to encourage homebuilding, but are unlikely to make an appreciable difference in housing costs. Read More Facebook

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Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is resigning By John Myers Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas abruptly announced his resignation from the California Legislature on Wednesday, citing health reasons. Ridley-Thomas, a Democrat from Los Angeles, informed Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) Tuesday night. The reason for this difficult decision is that I am facing persistent health issues, Ridley-Thomas, 30, said in a written statement on Wednesday. On December 18th, I underwent surgery for the fifth time this year. Although I expect a full recovery, my physicians advise that I will need an extended period of time to recuperate. Earlier this year, Ridley-Thomas was absent from work for more than two weeks. Staff members initially said the absence was a personal leave, then said the time off was due to unspecified medical reasons. His resignation letter on Wednesday offered no additional details. When I resume public life, I intend to remain active in civic affairs, where my passion lies, he said in the statement released by his office. Ridley-Thomas was first elected to the Assembly in a 2013 special election. He is the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Before winning elected office at age 26, the younger Ridley-Thomas worked as an aide for Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price and managed a 2012 Assembly campaign in San Bernardino County. In a statement about his sons decision, Mark Ridley-Thomas said he and his wife more than anyone, have seen him struggle with health challenges this year, and we fully support his decision to step down from the state Legislature so that he can recuperate with complete rest, in accordance with his doctors orders. His solidly Democratic district includes the west Los Angeles neighborhoods of Westwood, Culver City, Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills. He is chairman of the influential Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, which oversees all tax-related legislation. Ridley-Thomas is a proponent of changes in the operation of the state Board of Equalization, though his plan would have allowed the agency to ultimately retain many of its duties. A more substantial shake-up was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in June. Ridley-Thomas was the author of a bill signed into law in October giving the Los Angeles Unified School District the power to preserve some of its existing single-gender schools. He was unsuccessful, though, in an effort to stop local governments from imposing taxes on streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu. Ridley-Thomas departure will require a special election in 2018. He is the fourth Southern California legislator to leave office this year. The election of Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) to Congress also required a special election. The other two lawmakers Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills)  stepped down in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, which both men have denied. A special election to fill Bocanegras seat will be held on April 3, with a potential runoff on June 5. A special election date has not yet been set for Dababnehs seat. My colleagues and I wish Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas all the best going forward as he deals with his health challenges, Rendon said in a statement. The Assembly will continue to assist the residents of the 54th Assembly District until a new assemblymember is seated. This post was updated with comment from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, as well as more information about special elections. It was originally published at 11:10 a.m. Facebook

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California Senate Democrats are considering some ideas to counter the GOP tax plan By Liam Dillon Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Democrats in the California Senate are planning to write legislation to lessen the effects of the elimination of popular tax breaks in the GOPs overhaul of the federal tax system. To finance broad-based corporate tax cuts and reductions in individual tax rates, the GOP plan caps the deductibility of state and local income and property taxes  a benefit used often in suburban areas of California. The Republican tax scam disproportionately harms California taxpayers, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said in a statement. Our hard-earned tax dollars should not be subject to double-taxation, especially not to line the pockets of the Trump family, hedge fund managers and private jet owners. De Leon, who also is running for U.S. Senate, said the state Senate is working with law professors at UCLA, UC Davis and the University of Chicago to develop the legislation. Ideas being considered, according to a de Leon spokesman, include: Reducing state personal income taxes through a tax credit program and offsetting that amount through payroll taxes.

Allowing individuals to make voluntary gifts to the state of California, which would be deductible as a charitable donation under federal law. The deduction for the donated amount would replace the state and local tax deduction. Lawmakers return to Sacramento in January.

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L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti admits considering a 2020 bid: I am thinking about this By Seema Mehta Eric Garcetti (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Its no secret Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is interested in running for president. When reporters ask about his intentions, he has used all sorts of ways to deflect, typically by saying hes focused on his day job  for the moment. But speaking in Spanish to a Univision reporter this week, Garcetti edged ever closer to the telltale admission hes actually considering it. I am thinking about this, said Garcetti, who is partly of Mexican heritage but learned Spanish attending private school. The majority of time goes to my work as mayor of Los Angeles, but every [citizen] should think about what our role is in these difficult times, in these dangerous times. Garcetti added that he expects many mayors to run for president, and noted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently visited Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest. Garcetti has long been rumored to be flirting with a White House bid, and he has fueled such speculation by traveling out of state to places such as the early presidential primary state of New Hampshire to campaign for a mayoral candidate. Facebook

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Gov. Brown makes judicial appointments, including attorney who helps train Legislature on anti-sexual-harassment policies .@JerryBrownGov makes two court of appeal and 33 superior court appointments including Lauri Damrell in Sacramento. Damrell, an attorney at Orrick, testified at the Assemblys recent hearing on sexual harassment, outlining the assemblys current prevention efforts.  Liam Dillon (@dillonliam) December 22, 2017 Facebook

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Californias former top cop forms marijuana distribution firm in new age of legalization By Patrick McGreevy Former California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer is going from enforcing laws against marijuana to legally distributing the drug under the states new rules that allow the sale and possession of pot for recreational use. With state-licensed sales of marijuana starting Jan. 1, Lockyer has co-founded a firm, C4 Distro, that will distribute packaged marijuana concentrates and edibles to stores in Los Angeles. He says Californias new regulated system has a chance to be a model for the rest of the country. For me as somebody who was on the law enforcement side for so many years, I saw the inadequacies of the effort to regulate something just by calling it illegal, Lockyer said. I think legalizing will help stabilize and help legitimize this industry and result in better consumer protection and other public benefits. Lockyer, a Democrat who served in the state Assembly and was leader of the state Senate, has co-founded the firm with Eric Spitz, who was chairman and president of the former parent company of the Orange County Register. The businessmen aim to get their products to pot shops in L.A. in late January or early February, Spitz said. Asked if he uses marijuana himself, Lockyer, 76, said, Not in any recent times, but there were college years. He said he sees his involvement in the marijuana industry as a mixture of helping to pay for his kids college tuition and public service to help the new regulations work. This whole industry has to come from the dark side to the light, he said. By focusing on delivery to as many as 700 stores that might open in Los Angeles, C4 Distro hopes to capture a targeted market while other firms distribute statewide. The business has a warehouse in southeast Los Angeles County and is close to applying for a distributors license from the state, Lockyer said. Lockyer served a quarter century in the state Legislature before he was elected as state attorney general in 1999. He left that office in 2007 when he was elected as state treasurer, serving until his retirement from politics in 2015. Before co-leading a group that bought the Register newspaper in 2012, Spitz served as chief financial officer at Narragansett Brewing Company. Spitz left the Registers Freedom Communications in 2016. 2 p.m.: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said Spitz left Freedom Communications in 2015. Facebook

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House passes disaster aid bill with wildfire funding, 18 Californians vote no By Sarah D. Wire (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Eighteen of Californias 53 House members voted no on an $81-billion disaster aid package Thursday, which includes funds for Californias recent wildfires. The 17 Democrats and one Republican voted no on the bill, which passed the House by a 251 to 169 vote. The Senate is not expected to take up the bill until January, when Congress returns from its holiday break. The entire California delegation had recently signed onto a letter asking for the disaster aid. In a speech on the House floor before the vote, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) pleaded with colleagues not to take a political stance on a disaster aid bill. Dont play politics on a vote to give aid to the people of Texas, to the people of Puerto Rico and to the Virgin Islands, to the people of Florida, and to the people of California that are still fighting the fires. Dont play politics on a bill where you hope to maybe stop another. That would be the worst of any politics Ive seen played here, McCarthy said. Here and now, right before Christmas, dont vote against aid for Americans who just lost everything. Several of the Democrats who voted no also voted against the spending bill Thursday, and said that they felt they could not support either because the bills did not include Democratic priorities for the end of the year, including protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Others said the aid bill doesnt provide enough money for California and doesnt treat Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands fairly in terms of competing for the funds. The 18 representatives voting no were: Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro)

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)

Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles)

Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park)

Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana)

Anna Eshoo (D-Menlo Park)

Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles)

Ro Khanna (D-Fremont)

Barbara Lee (D-Oakland)

Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove)

Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey)

Linda Sanchez (D-Whittier)

Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough)

Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin)

Norma Torres (D-Pomona)

Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) Facebook

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Three California House members cross party lines on spending bill to keep government open By Sarah D. Wire Three California House members crossed party lines Thursday on a vote to pass a spending bill that will keep the government open until mid-January. Democratic Reps. Jim Costa of Fresno and Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert joined the majority of Republicans to vote for the bill. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine joined Democrats to vote against it. The bill, which funds the government through Jan. 19, passed the House 231 to 188, right before representatives left for the holidays. Costa said in a statement that he voted yes because keeping the government open is Congress job, but he called the vote a continuation of the dysfunction in Washington. It further illustrates the damage that results from partisan politics and irresponsible leadership. It is unacceptable that we have to resort to funding the government for weeks at a time because we cannot sit down together  Democrats and Republicans  and negotiate a real budget bill, Costa said. Hunters staff said the congressman was concerned that military spending in the bill was extended for only a short period. He had wanted the spending to be extended until September. Facebook

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Poll points to all-Democrat runoffs in California races for governor and senator By Seema Mehta Californians could see two Democrat-on-Democrat contests in the states premier races in 2018, according to a new poll released Thursday. In the gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom remains the front-runner with the support of 26% of likely voters in a Berkeley IGS poll. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came in second with the backing of 17%. The poll found notable demographic differences in the two mens bases of support. Newsom had strong leads in the Bay Area, where he once served as the mayor of San Francisco, as well as among white voters, liberals and the wealthy. Villaraigosa saw strong backing in Los Angeles County, among Latino voters and among those who earned less than $40,000. Republicans splintered in the race, placing businessman John Cox and Assemblyman Travis Allen in a tie for third place with 9% each. Two other Democrats, state Treasurer John Chiang and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin, each won the support of 5% of likely voters. If Republicans fail to consolidate behind a candidate in the June primary, voters will for the first time see no GOP candidate on the November ballot for governor. Its a repeat of what occurred in the 2016 U.S. Senate race, and what is likely to occur again in the 2018 U.S. Senate race if the field does not grow. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has the support of 41% of likely voters in her reelection bid, but her rival, fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, won the support of 27%, according to the poll. There is no GOP candidate in the race. Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, has enormous advantages in fundraising, name recognition and support among powerful political groups. However, the poll found that nearly one-third of likely voters said they are undecided or would like to support another candidate. Facebook

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California legislator wants to curb sexual harassment in Hollywood and eating disorders for models By Melanie Mason Fashion models show off the BCBG MAX AZRIA Spring 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week. (Richard Drew / AP) A new proposal by a California assemblyman is taking aim at two of the more criticized phenomena in the entertainment industry: sexual harassment and unhealthy body standards for fashion models. The legislation, by Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), would require the states Occupational Safety and Health Standards to adopt guidelines for fashion models in an attempt to combat the prevalence of eating disorders and excessive thinness in the industry. This is the second time Levine has tried to take on the fashion industry. His similar bill to impose standards on models sputtered in 2016. This time, Levine also is trying to address the prevalence of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry by requiring that talent agencies  which represent actors, performers and other artists  provide training on sexual harassment and how to identify and prevent inappropriate behavior. I believed women who told me their stories of abuse when I introduced legislation to provide workplace protections in the fashion industry in 2016 just like I believe them now, Levine said in a statement. Its time that law reflects societys rejection of sexual harassment in all workplaces, including Hollywood. My bill aims to address the problem before it starts, but also empowers survivors with the tools to report these cases. Facebook

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Local Indivisible group picks Democrat to endorse against Rep. Duncan Hunter By Christine Mai-Duc Ammar Campa-Najjar, 28, is running against Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) With an already crowded field of contenders hoping to unseat Rep. Duncan Hunter and months to go before the candidate filing deadline, one local activist group has made an early endorsement in the race. Indivisible CA50, made up of activists mostly in San Diego County, announced Thursday that its endorsing Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat and public affairs consultant whos challenging Hunter. The endorsement comes as liberal activists and interest groups all over the state are grappling with whether  and how  to winnow down the dozens of candidates vying for 10 GOP-held seats in California. The group held more than half a dozen endorsement meetings to allow members throughout Hunters district to vote on their preferred candidate. One of the candidates, Pierre Beauregard, dropped out of the race recently and endorsed Campa-Najjar. In a statement Campa-Najjar said in a statement that the nod represents the enthusiasm of hundreds of progressive grassroots activists. Indivisibles national political director Maria Urbina said the endorsement was the first made by any California chapter in the 2018 midterms. Aside from Campa-Najjar, two other Democrats are running for Hunters seat: Josh Butner, a school board trustee and former Navy SEAL, and realtor Patrick Malloy, who ran last year and lost to Hunter by nearly 27 percentage points. Hunter will also face at least two GOP challengers: Shamus Sayed and Andrew Zelt. Hunter is not considered to be particularly vulnerable in next years election, but an investigation into his alleged misuse of campaign funds has caused at least one election handicapper to move his race from solid Republican to the likely Republican column. Facebook

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San Francisco is getting a new mayor and creating a political star. Who will it be? By Mark Z. Barabak San Francisco is the city everyone loves, even if they hate it. The stately Victorians, like a gingerbread dream come to life. The majestic Golden Gate Bridge, standing like heavens portal above the fog. The plucky cable cars, scrabbling up its impossible hillsides. It can almost make you forget the bands of ravaged homeless, the paralyzing traffic, the scent of human waste wafting from sidewalks outside the citys posh eateries and palatial tech headquarters. San Francisco is getting a new mayor, owing to the sudden death of incumbent Ed Lee. All of the grandeur, and all of the grit, accompany the position. To say the race is wide open  Lee having died just about a week ago  is an understatement. Read More Facebook

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure over a fix for Dreamers By Sarah D. Wire California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure from activists and fellow Democrats to withhold support for a spending bill that would avert a government shutdown in exchange for protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Feinstein said in October that protections for so-called Dreamers are the most important thing we can get done, but the senator known for her moderate bent said this week that she wont try to block the end-of-the-year spending bill over it, and has not offered an explanation. Dreamers this week flooded Feinsteins five California offices and her office on Capitol Hill. Two UCLA students refused to leave her Capitol Hill office after three hours Tuesday and were briefly detained by police. On Wednesday, about a dozen students and parents returned and were asked to leave after about 30 minutes of shouting in her office lobby. Read More Facebook

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The GOP tax plan passed. Now Democrats have another big issue to use in the midterms By Sarah D. Wire As GOP leaders in Congress met behind closed doors to hash out the details of their massive tax overhaul, a group of UC Irvine graduate students met in Rep. Mimi Walters district, fretting about how the plan could cost them money. About 20 miles north, dozens of activists in top hats stood outside Rep. Ed Royces Brea office as they chanted, Shame on you! And up in the Central Valley, protesters gathered outside Rep. Jeff Denhams Modesto office to sing Protest ye dreary congressman  Remember that he voted to take healthcare away. To save himself from taxes now, so you will have to pay. Read More Facebook

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Kevin de Leon to Feinstein: Dont come back to California without forcing a government shutdown over Dream Act By Jazmine Ulloa State Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), left, and Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), right. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Taking direct criticism to the woman he is attempting to unseat in next years U.S. Senate race, California Senate leader Kevin de Leon on Wednesday urged Democrats to block a year-end spending bill as leverage to pass a Dream Act  clean of GOP demands for increased border security. At a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, De Leon commended Sen. Kamala Harris for pledging to block the measure, saying he could not understand why her colleague Sen. Dianne Feinstein had failed to take a similar stance in pushing for legislation to protect the so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. Dreamers make up hundreds of thousands of Sen. Feinsteins constituents, and while talking a good game on Dreamers, when it comes to standing up and supporting them, she is AWOL, said De Leon (D-Los Angeles), who has attempted to position himself to Feinsteins left as he campaigns for her seat. His statements follow days of demonstrations by young protesters at legislators offices in Washington and California. The coalitions of activists have been calling on Democrats to hold up the spending bill, a move that could force a government shutdown. They want to pass Dream Act legislation that would provide protections and a path to citizenship to young people without legal residency in the U.S. At least two young protesters were arrested Tuesday outside of Feinsteins Capitol Hill office, and more demonstrations took place at her offices in Washington and San Francisco on Wednesday. Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) have sponsored Dream Act legislation but have not pledged to hold up the spending deal. A separate bipartisan group of senators is advocating punting the issue to January. President Trump has asked Congress to come up with a solution by March. Standing next to De Leon and immigrant rights advocates on Wednesday, state Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) said advocates had to double down the shame on any Democrat who thinks its time to wait on the issue. De Leon said they had made that message clear to Schumer, saying, It is time to find your spine, sir. To Pelosi and Feinstein, he said: Dont come back to California if you havent demonstrated your leadership and your courage to stand up for these young men and women. I can tell you this, De Leon said. If the Republicans were on the other side, they wouldnt hesitate for a nanosecond to shut down the government to move forward what they believe in. Facebook

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12 California Republicans vote to support tax overhaul for a second time; Rohrabacher and Issa say no By Sarah D. Wire The House gave final approval for the GOP tax bill Wednesday, with 12 Republicans in the state delegation again voting in favor of the bill. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Darrell Issa of Vista voted no. The House and Senate both passed the bill Tuesday, but, because Democrats raised procedural objections that forced the bill to be changed in the Senate, the House had to vote on the bill again Wednesday before sending it to President Trump for his signature. Though many California taxpayers are expected to see an initial income tax cut under the plan, a significant number probably will have higher taxes because of the lost deductions. Analysts also expect the biggest cuts to flow to corporations and the states wealthiest residents. Republicans are expected to head to the White House later Wednesday for a celebration with Trump. No House Democrats, including the 39 from California, supported the bill. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) was not present for the second vote, but she voted no on Tuesday. See the Republican votes here: Facebook

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Californias Democratic senators vote no on GOP tax bill Californias @SenKamalaHarris and @SenFeinstein join rest of Democrats in the Senate in voting no on the GOP tax bill, which passed 51-48 along party lines. Sanders, who is an Independent, voted with Democrats.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "At a time when wages have stagnated and working Americans are trying to do more with less, this tax plan pulls the rug out from the middle class to give billions to those who already have so much. This is an attack on our values, and Americans deserve better," Harris said.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "Californians will be hit especially hard by the cap on the state and local tax deduction, making it more difficult for communities to pay for services that our families rely on, Its no wonder a bill that primarily benefits the wealthy is so unpopular..." Feinstein said  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 Facebook

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GOP tax overhaul passes House with help from a dozen California Republicans By Sarah D. Wire Despite weeks of consternation from some California House Republicans, a dozen of them joined their colleagues to pass an overhaul of the U.S. tax code Tuesday. Two  Reps. Darrell Issa and Dana Rohrabacher  voted against the plan. In the weeks before the vote, Republican Reps. Mimi Walters of Irvine and Steve Knight of Palmdale cited new caps on popular deductions as reasons they were uncertain about whether to vote for the bill. Both worked behind the scenes on changes and ultimately supported the bill, which passed the House on a near party line vote 227-203. Knight said hes satisfied the changes are enough to to turn what would have been a tax increase into a tax cut for his constituents. Read More Facebook

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More than half of Californians oppose GOP tax bill, according to new poll By Sarah D. Wire House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) arrives for a news conference about the tax plan. (Win McNamee / Getty Images) More than half of Californians oppose the GOP tax bill expected to be approved by Congress today, and just 20% believe it will have a positive affect on their families, according to a poll released Monday. Just over half of California voters, 51%, oppose the tax bill, and 30% support it, according to the newest IGS Poll, a survey by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. And the belief falls largely along party lines, with Democrats opposing the bill by a more than 4-to-1 (67% to 15%) margin and Republicans supporting it 3 to 1 (60% to 21%). The House and Senate are expected to vote on the tax bill Tuesday. Californias Republican members of Congress largely support the bill despite some concerns about how cuts to the state and local tax deduction and mortgage interest deduction might affect Californians. Democrats in the delegation oppose it and have said they will use the vote against vulnerable Republicans in the 2018 midterm elections. When asked about the impact they think the bill will have on themselves and their families, just 20% of the polls respondents said they think it will benefit them directly, while 40% foresee a negative impact. About 27% do not expect much of an impact, and 13% said they dont know if theyll be affected. The poll of a random sample of 1,000 registered voters was completed by telephone in English and Spanish from Dec. 7 to 16. Facebook

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A quick look at some of the biggest tax changes for Californians By Sarah D. Wire (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) Congressional Republicans are framing their tax cut bill as a Christmas gift that will give Americans an average tax cut of $2,059. For Californians, especially in the wealthier areas along the coast, the situation isnt as clear-cut. When the measure comes up for a vote in the House on Tuesday morning, its expected to pass along party lines. At least two Republicans say they will join Democrats in the California delegation to oppose the plan because they fear it will hurt their constituents bottom line. Take a quick look at what some of the biggest changes in the tax bill might mean for average Californians. Read More Facebook

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Lawmakers, pot growers say Californias marijuana cultivation rules favor big corporate farms By Patrick McGreevy Californias new rules allowing marijuana cultivation favor large corporate farms despite a promise in Proposition 64 that small growers would be protected, according to a group of state lawmakers and marijuana industry leaders who called Monday for the policy to be changed. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued emergency rules last month that allow for small and medium-sized farms of up to a quarter acre and one acre, respectively, to get licenses for the first five years. That five-year head start for small farms was promised in Proposition 64, the initiative approved last year by voters that legalized growing and selling marijuana for recreational use. Individuals and businesses can get only one license for a medium-sized farm, but the new rules do not set a limit on how many small-farm licenses can be obtained by one person or business. That could allow a corporation to assemble a 20-acre farm by obtaining 80 licenses for a quarter-acre each, opponents worry. Democratic state Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Mike McGuire of Healdsburg, Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and the California Growers Assn. asked for swift action by the state agricultural department to change the rule. This is clearly a broken promise, McGuire said. For two years, every discussion has included a cap on cannabis grows and the Department of Food and Agriculture needs to fix this massive loophole they have created. This last-minute revision rolls out the red carpet for large corporations to crush the livelihood of small family farmers. With cultivation licenses set to take effect next month, the lawmakers also promised legislative hearings on why the rules were drafted to disadvantage small, mom-and-pop farms. California only has one chance to get this right, and it is already on the wrong path with this last-minute change that flies in the face of what the backers of Prop. 64 promised, said Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Assn. This single decision will hand over the California marketplace to multinational corporations and a wealthy few at the expense of thousands of growers who are ready to play by the rules and provide economic opportunity in communities that until recently were criminalized or  at the very least  marginalized. The industry estimates there are about 3,500 independent growers on track to get a state license in the first half of 2018. Allens group estimates that number could grow to as many as 10,000 or 15,000 by the end of 2020, but not if large corporate farms are allowed in early. The agricultural agency issued a response later: A one-acre canopy limit has not been in proposed regulations at any point and was not included in the emergency regulations due to the fact that Proposition 64, the law guiding the process, did not provide authority to include it. However, local jurisdictions may impose that limitation on their own if it meets the needs of their constituents. Updated at 5:10 pm to include comment from agricultural agency. Facebook

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Final tax bill dramatically softens blow to mortgage interest deductions in California By Christine Mai-Duc Last-minute changes to the Republican-led tax overhaul seem to be tailor-made to entice support from California GOP lawmakers, several of whom voted against a previous version passed in the House last month. The House version, passed with the support of all but three California Republicans, had proposed capping the mortgage interest deduction at loans of $500,000 or less. Republicans in high-tax, expensive states had voiced concerns the bill would have major effects in their districts. But the final version of the bill dramatically slashed the percentage of new mortgages that would be affected if the package becomes law. *New mortgages over $500,000 include data through Sept. 2017. New mortgages over $750,000 include data through Oct. 2017. Source: Times analysis of data provided by CoreLogic The particulars of the mortgage interest provision and other popular deductions were major sticking points as House and Senate negotiators hammered out a compromise between the two versions. A previous Times analysis showed that more than half of new mortgages this year in Rep. Dana Rohrabachers coastal Orange County district exceeded the $500,000 cap laid out in the House version. Text of the new bill released Friday outlined a cap of $750,000, which would apply to just under a quarter of new mortgages there through October 2017. Rohrabacher was one of three California Republicans, along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) who previously voted against the measure. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) said she supported the House version after receiving assurances from leaders that the bill would be changed to account for the loss of deductions, The percentage of new mortgages over the cap dropped from 48% to 14%. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), whose district had 1% of mortgages exceeding the $500,000 cap proposed previously, saw that share drop almost to zero; 27 of 7,515 mortgages in his congressional district this year have been for more than $750,000. The House is expected to vote on the final tax bill Tuesday. Facebook

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A major change to Proposition 13 takes its first step toward the 2018 ballot By Liam Dillon A commercial property in San Bernardino County that could face higher property taxes under a proposed ballot measure (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Proponents of making a dramatic change to Californias landmark Proposition 13 property tax restrictions took their first step to getting a measure on the November 2018 statewide ballot Friday. The change would allow the state to receive more tax dollars from commercial and industrial properties by assessing them at their current market value, an effort known as split roll because existing tax protections on homes would remain in place. Advocates of the measure, including the League of Women Voters of California and community organizing nonprofits California Calls and PICO Network said the change could raise billions of dollars that could be spent on public schools and community colleges. I think the cumulative effects of the unfair tax system have gotten to the point where its created crippling economic impacts on the state, said Melissa Breach, executive director of the League of Women Voters of California. Backers filed their proposed initiative Friday. The attorney generals office will prepare an official title and summary for the measure and it will receive a financial analysis. From there, advocates will decide if they will collect signatures to put the measure on the ballot. Proposition 13 passed in 1978 amid concerns that rising property taxes could force people out of their homes. The ballot measure limited property taxes to 1% of a propertys value at the time of purchase and ensures that the assessed value on which taxes are based can only increase by a maximum of 2% a year  no matter how much a propertys market value goes up. Split-roll measures have been long debated in state politics, but business groups and anti-tax groups have expressed substantial opposition to the idea, arguing that it would cause major harm to the states business climate. Breach said she expected an avalanche of big money against the measure should it go forward, but said that her organization wouldnt get involved without believing it could raise sufficient funding.S For the record 1 p.m., Dec. 18: An earlier version of this post said the split roll ballot measure would allow California to charge higher tax rates on commercial and industrial properties. It would allow the state to assess those properties at current market value, not charge higher rates. Facebook

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Three more women accuse California assemblyman of sexual misconduct By Melanie Mason Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) A Los Angeles woman has filed a police report alleging Democratic Assemblyman Matt Dababneh had sex with her without consent four years ago, adding new allegations of sexual misconduct to those that led the politician to announce his resignation last week. He says her claims are false. Nancy Miret, 26, told The Times that when she was 22 and a recent college graduate, she spent time with Dababneh over two months in late 2013, primarily at his Encino apartment. At the time, Dababneh was running for Assembly to represent the western San Fernando Valley. They had consensual sex on one occasion, but after that, Miret said she had multiple nonconsensual sexual encounters with Dababneh that left her traumatized. Miret, who now works in commercial real estate, is one of three women interviewed by The Times who have made new allegations concerning Dababnehs behavior. These allegations are false and Im confident that when all the facts are in, it will clearly show that these claims are not true, Dababneh told The Times. Read More Facebook

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San Diego business is first in California to be issued license to sell marijuana for recreational use By Patrick McGreevy A San Diego medical marijuana business is the first firm to be issued a license by the state of California to sell marijuana for recreational use, officials said Thursday. Torrey Holistics received two of the first 20 licenses granted by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control this week to sell or distribute marijuana, although the licenses do not take effect until Jan. 1, according to bureau chief Lori Ajax. An additional 180 firms have applied for licenses but they are being processed. Last week, we officially launched our online licensing system, and today were pleased to issue the first group of temporary licenses to cannabis businesses that fall under the Bureaus jurisdiction, Ajax said in a statement. We plan to issue many more before January 1. The bureau is issuing temporary, four-month licenses to firms initially, but will eventually require firms to undergo background checks and pay a $1,000 application fee for yearlong permits. Tony Hall left a chemical distribution business two years ago to start Torrey Holistics with a friend and classmate at San Diego State. He said he was ecstatic to have the first recreational permit in California. He also obtained a new license to continue selling marijuana for medical uses. We feel fricking great about it, he said Thursday. Its just exciting. This is a once in a multi-generational event, he added, likening it to the end of prohibition. Added Ruthie Edelson, the firms marketing director, We will be open at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Last year, voters approved Proposition 64, which makes California one of eight states that allow the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational uses. Facebook

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Conservative activist group files a lawsuit over Los Angeles County inactive voter list By John Myers A Washington-based conservative-leaning activist group filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging Los Angeles County officials are refusing to cancel the registrations of voters who are ineligible to cast a ballot. The legal action by Judicial Watch comes four months after the organization first accused elections officials across the state of maintaining registration lists that are larger than their voting-age population. The lawsuit also names Secretary of State Alex Padilla as a defendant and alleges the voter lists violate the National Voter Registration Act, or NVRA. They dont care about removing ineligible registration, said Robert Popper of Judicial Watch. I think we have a very strong lawsuit. The lawsuit names four Los Angeles County voters as co-plaintiffs and asserts that a countys two lists of voters  the file of active voters and those whose registration has been placed on inactive status  should be combined into a single total. The inactive list includes people who havent cast ballots in recent elections and havent responded to inquiries from elections officials. Though the names on that list are considered voters, they are not counted in official registration reports and are not mailed election material. Popper led an effort earlier this year to estimate the size of each countys voting-age population using the Census Bureaus American Community Survey. He said the surveys five-year average of county populations was then adjusted by focusing just on the estimate of those over the age of 18, and then comparing that with the combined active and inactive voter lists. Popper dismissed any concern that the resulting number might be skewed by the different standards used by counties for the inactive list, which could include names of voters who moved or died and thus be an imperfect guide. I believe that a court is going to accept our numbers, he said. Dean Logan, the registrar of voters in Los Angeles County, said his staffs practices are consistent with federal law. This lawsuit appears to fundamentally interpret the requirements of the NVRA in a manner inconsistent with ensuring voter enfranchisement and appropriate list maintenance, he said. The lawsuit also alleges that Los Angeles elections officials failed to provide Judicial Watch with requested data about the size of the inactive list, and accuses Padilla of failing to address the groups concerns about California not following NVRA rules. In a statement on Thursday, Padilla said county inactive-voter files are not out of compliance with the law. He criticized Judicial Watch for its baseless assertions, bad math, and flawed methodology. Local elections officials have said very few inactive voters show up on election day, and that any who do would be asked to cast a provisional ballot  one that isnt counted unless the voters eligibility is confirmed through additional review. Popper insisted that if the list is never used, theres no reason to keep it. Judicial Watch, which sued for access to Hillary Clintons emails in 2016, alleged that its calculations show 11 California counties with questionable voter registration totals. Facebook

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Voters in California GOP districts may get calls asking them to thank their member of Congress for tax plan By Sarah D. Wire Voters in four key Republican-held congressional districts could get a robocall starting Friday urging them to call and thank their member of Congress for supporting the tax bill. Its a last minute effort by American Action Network, a politically active nonprofit connected with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) that has spent millions to shore up Republican support for the bill. The robocalls include the members office number. The four California members being targeted are Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock, David Valadao of Hanford, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Mimi Walters of Irvine. All four represent districts that backed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and are Democratic targets in 2018. Knight and Walters had been particularly vocal about their concerns with the plan, saying it might raise taxes for their constituents. The final text of the bill is set to be released Friday, with a vote expected early next week. In total, American Action Network plans to place 1 million robocalls in 29 districts nationwide. Facebook

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Merry Christmas Republicans in Congress: Funny or Die video goes after California lawmakers over DACA By Christine Mai-Duc As members of Congress try to pass a controversial tax bill and a measure to keep the federal government funded, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is hitting Republicans hard over another unresolved issue: the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children who could face deportation if lawmakers dont act. Amid negotiations over a long-term spending bill, Democratic leaders have been pushing their GOP colleagues to include a fix for those who were granted temporary protection under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA. President Trump announced an end to the program earlier this year and gave Congress a March deadline to address it. Funny or Die and BOLD PAC released a video Friday featuring comedians skewering GOP members, including two in California, for their inaction. In the video, Oscar Nunez, best known for his role on The Office, calls out Reps. Steve Knight (Palmdale), Ed Royce (Fullerton), Carlos Curbelo (Florida) and John Culberson (Texas), who get to go ahead and celebrate as thousands of Dreamers are banished from the only country theyve ever called home. How many broken promises can fit in a stocking? Nunez asks later. Im asking for a congressman. The political action committee says its spending six figures on the weeklong buy, which will go out nationwide across Funny Or Dies social media channels. They are known for blasting out irreverent, often viral parodies that play to young audiences. The video will also be targeted to constituents in each of the four congressional districts. A separate video released by the ACLU last week also urged members of Congress to strike a deal on DACA. Many California Republicans have remained mum on the issue, particularly those facing tough races in 2018. So far, only Reps. David Valadao (Hanford), Jeff Denham (Turlock) and Mimi Walters (Irvine) have pressured fellow Republicans to come up with a solution before Congress breaks for Christmas. Following Trumps decision, Knight said the issue should receive attention by Congress. Royce, who has taken hard-line stances on immigration in the past, urged his colleagues to provide a permanent, legislative solution that gives certainty to these kids. Neither elaborated on what that solution should be. Facebook

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For a prominent California consumer group and savvy political consultants, documents reveal a close financial relationship By John Myers If theres a clear mantra for Consumer Watchdog, one of Californias most visible and vocal advocacy groups, its that hidden financial relationships shouldnt shape politics and public policy. The Santa Monica-based nonprofit has spent more than three decades reprimanding politicians and interest groups for doing the bidding of those who give them money. Its official motto is expose, confront, change. We are loud, and we speak more of a populist truth than the way people usually talk to each other in Sacramento, said Jamie Court, Consumer Watchdogs president. Read More Facebook

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Regional director resigns from California Democratic Party amid sexual misconduct claims By Jazmine Ulloa A regional director with the California Democratic Party submitted his resignation on Thursday, nearly two weeks after a 23-year-old woman reported that he sexually assaulted her last year, spurring party leaders to seek his ouster. Craig Cheslog served as Region 2 director spanning the East Bay, Napa, Sonoma and the Clearlake areas. In a statement, his lawyer, Mary P. Carey, said she and her client were confident that a full and fair exploration of this matter, undertaken in an appropriate, fact-governed venue, would exonerate Mr. Cheslog. We are prepared, if necessary, to put forward the facts of this matter in just such a venue, she said. Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman and other officials initially called for Cheslogs removal in a Nov. 29 letter to state party secretary Jenny Bach. They said he was seen acting in an inappropriate and sexually aggressive manner toward a member of the party in a public area of the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel, following a Nov. 18 executive board meeting. The level to which this activity advanced made a number of those in attendance uncomfortable, the letter stated. It added that another member reported that Mr. Cheslog raped her at a CDP executive board meeting the previous year. Party officers said the incident occurred during a weekend where the prevention of sexual harassment of women in politics was a dominant theme in the wake of the #metoo movement. Before the meetings conclusion on Sunday, the California Womens Caucus approved a resolution making clear that sexual harassment, bullying and other forms of abuse are grounds to lose endorsements and be stripped of party membership. Maddy Dean, who was not named in the letter, spoke at the meeting about her experiences of sexual harassment in the movie industry, and told the Times that she reported Cheslog. She said she could not provide further details about her allegation as she explores possible legal paths moving forward. This was about protecting other women and in particular other young women, she said of reporting the assault. In his own letter to Bach on Thursday, Cheslog did not acknowledge any wrongdoing. He said he was stepping down to prevent any personal misconduct allegations from creating a distraction with the party at a critical moment in national and state politics. I am confident of the results that would be forthcoming in a fair, fact-based exploration of this matter, he said. Since the report, Cheslog has been fired from his job at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate media and technology. He also has stepped down from his position on the Acalanes Union High School District Board of Trustees. The conduct represented a serious violation of both company policy and the way in which our employees are expected to conduct themselves in the community at large, Common Sense spokeswoman Corbie Kiernan said in a statement. We immediately suspended Mr. Cheslog and conducted an investigation. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Cheslogs employment with Common Sense was terminated. 4:05 p.m.: This post was updated with Cheslogs resignation from the school board. Facebook

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Sen. Bob Hertzberg will cooperate with investigation into unwanted hugs By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Bob Hertzberg works at his Senate Chambers desk. He faces an investigation into unwanted hugging (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) said Thursday he will cooperate with a state investigation into complaints from a former legislator that she was uncomfortable with his repeated hugs after she asked him not to touch her. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said Thursday that a team of outside attorneys will investigate a complaint by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Hertzberg has made her uncomfortable with hugs that were too close and lasted too long. Hertzberg, well-known for hugging other lawmakers, said he supports having any allegations investigated by the two outside law firms. I just learned of the investigation, and will fully cooperate, he said. The use of an independent third party investigator is essential to improving transparency and trust in the system. Halderman said Thursday she was encouraged that her concerns will be investigated, but said it was disturbing  that attorneys for one of the law firms selected, Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, contributed more than $90,000 in campaign funds to sitting legislators including Hertzberg. Halderman, a surgeon, served in the state Assembly from 2010 through 2012 and said Hertzberg hugged her multiple times even after she asked him to stop because she was uncomfortable. The last incident occurred in a hallway of the Capitol, she claimed. I told him I dont care to be hugged. Dont touch me,  Halderman recalled. He then grabbed me and pinned my arms to my side and used his hands to press my lower back into his groin and he essentially pinned me so I couldnt push off of him to get away the way I ended previous hugs. It was certainly so over the line, she added. Halderman said a current female senator and assemblywoman also have complained about inappropriate hugs from Hertzberg. However, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) defended Hertzberg, saying she has known him for many years and he has always acted as a gentleman. I have never felt uncomfortable with him, and have always felt his hugs were a display of affection - which I appreciate, she said. I consider him a dear friend. Updated at 5:30 pm to include comment from Sen. Galgiani. Facebook

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Rep. Maxine Waters asks Justice Department to investigate fake letter tweeted by Republican opponent By Sarah D. Wire (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Rep. Maxine Waters is asking the Justice Department to look into a fake letter posted to Twitter by her Republican challenger that falsely indicated the congresswoman wants to resettle tens of thousand of refugees in her Los Angeles district. The GOP candidate, Omar Navarro, posted the letter on what looks like official House of Representatives letterhead to Twitter on Monday. The letter, which purports to be from the congresswoman, says the congresswoman wants to bring refugees to her congressional district after the 2018 election and perhaps even once I have secured the Speaker of the House position. Navarro accompanied the tweeted letter with a message: According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District. As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. Its been retweeted more than 680 times. But the letter is a forgery and a fake, her chief of staff, Twaun Samuel, said in a news release. The letter, dated June of this year, also contains several inaccuracies. It references multiple committees and subcommittees Waters does not serve on, and lists an address for a district office that has been closed for nearly a decade. Waters filed a complaint about the tweeted letter with the House general counsel, who forwarded the complaint to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and the fraud section of the Criminal Division for the United States Department of Justice. The complaint states that Waters has not communicated with the letters purported addressee  Teri Williams, who is president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles-based OneUnited Bank, about any refugee resettlement program. Impersonating a federal official and misusing a federal seal are federal crimes. Navarro, who is backed by big name far-right conservatives, said Thursday that the letter was sent to his campaign through Facebook by a person he didnt know. He said neither the Justice Department or Waters staff has asked him about the letter. I dont know if its real or not, so I put it out there, Navarro said, adding that he believed his followers would help him determine if it is real. It doesnt say that I know. Its according to this document  what, am I supposed to send it to her and get an email back from Maxine? According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District.

As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. #VoteNavarro2018https://t.co/vO8YUsyPp3 pic.twitter.com/k7ef0H20if  Omar Navarro (@RealOmarNavarro) December 11, 2017 Facebook

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Sen. Tony Mendoza refuses to take a leave of absence amid harassment probe By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), left, talks earlier this year about a pending bill with Sen. Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado Hills). (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Defying pressure from legislative leadership, state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) refused Thursday to take a leave of absence until an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him is concluded early next year. Mendoza has denied allegations by former employees that he treated three female aides inappropriately, inviting them to hotel stays and asking one to visit his home to work on her resume. I am very disappointed that certain Senate Rules Committee members are apparently asking me to take a leave of absence or resign before any investigation has even begun and without giving me an opportunity to defend myself, Mendoza said in a statement. This is contrary to the very concept of due process, which is a pillar of our American system of fairness and judicial prudence. These actions bypass any process in a rush to judgment. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) earlier Thursday called on Mendoza to take a leave of absence. Mendoza had previously been stripped of his leadership positions, including chairmanship of the Senates committee on banking and insurance. Mendoza questioned statements urging him to step down, saying they leave him concerned about the fairness of the investigation. He also said he has been disappointed that he has been told he cannot publicly address allegations. I was not appointed to the position I hold, but was elected by the voters in my district, he said. I am grateful to the voters in my district and thank them for their trust and their continued support. The Senate owes them an opportunity to hear the truth. I assure them that I will vigorously defend myself to clear my name. Facebook

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State Senate leader asks Sen. Tony Mendoza to take leave of absence amid sexual harassment investigation By Patrick McGreevy (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Senate leader Kevin de Leon said Thursday he has strongly suggested that Sen. Tony Mendoza take a leave of absence until the completion of an investigation by outside attorneys into allegations that Mendoza sexually harassed three former aides. Given the severity of the allegations against Senator Mendoza I do not believe he can perform the duties in Sacramento right now while the investigation is being conducted, De Leon told a packed news conference in his Capitol office. I believe Its the right thing to do, its the fair thing to do, to take a leave, he said. The Senate leader also said the outside attorneys have been asked to investigate complaints by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) inappropriately hugged her on multiple occasions in a way that made her uncomfortable, even after she asked him to stop. De Leon also announced the hiring of two law firms to handle the Mendoza and Hertzberg investigations, and all future probes of harassment and abuse involving Senate employees. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, did not immediately respond to the request to step aside. De Leon, a Democrat from Los Angeles who had been Mendozas roommate before the allegations were made public, said he made the suggestion to Mendoza in a meeting Thursday morning. If Mendoza refuses to take a leave, the Senate has the power to suspend him without pay, but De Leon said that is not currently under discussion. There is an effort underway to force his expulsion in January when the Legislature returns to Sacramento. Former Mendoza employees have claimed that he gave inappropriate attention to a female fellow and intern, inviting one to his home and hotel and giving the other alcohol in a hotel even though she was underage. Another former female aide told the Sacramento Bee that Mendoza invited her to one-on-one dinners and a weekend at Pebble Beach. Mendoza has denied the allegations. The Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and Van Dermyden Maddux law firms have been retained for two years, according to Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), who participated in their selection. Have you experienced sexual harassment in government or politics? Tell us your story   In addition, the state is contracting with Weave, a Sacramento crisis-intervention organization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, to provide counseling and to establish a hotline for Senate employees who are victims of sexual assault. The hotline number is 1-800-729-1443. America is finally reckoning with entrenched inequities in our personal and professional relationships and in workplaces of every type, De Leon said. Nowhere is this reckoning more important than in the halls of power  our political institutions. Facebook

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Watch live: California Senate leader addresses sexual misconduct at state Capitol Facebook

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California state senator pledges to bring back net neutrality rules just as FCC votes to repeal them By Jazmine Ulloa Demonstrators rally in support of net neutrality outside a Verizon store in New York on Dec. 7. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Moments after the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to roll back net neutrality regulations, a state senator pledged to introduce legislation that would preserve open internet protections for consumers in California. Net neutrality is essential to our 21st century democracy, and we need to be sure that people can access websites and information freely and fairly, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement. If the FCC is going to destroy net neutrality and create a system that favors certain websites just because they can pay more money, California must step in and ensure open internet access. The announcement of the proposal came shortly after the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality in an expected 3-2 party-line vote, with Republicans calling for an end to the utility-like oversight of internet service providers. The Obama-era rules put in February 2015 barred broadband and wireless companies, such at AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. from selling faster delivery of certain data, slowing speeds for certain video streams and other content, and discriminating against legal material online. Before the vote, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai argued loosening the regulations would allow the online economy to flourish. FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the the two Democrats on the commission, said the rollback would inhibit the openness that has made the U.S. internet the envy of the world. Supporters of net neutrality are expected to file suit to try to halt the repeal plan. Weiners attempt to institute net neutrality rules in California could have challenges. The FCC order states that allowing state and local governments to adopt their own separate requirements, which could impose a heavier burden on companies, could disrupt the balance between state and federal regulations. The preemption of state and local net neutrality measures is something that could be challenged in court. Amid such legal battles state legislation could face heavy lobbying efforts from internet providers arguing against uneven regulations. A bill by Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) was shelved last legislative session over similar disputes. It would have enshrined in state law other FCC regulations that were rolled back this year by President Trump and Congress. The Internet privacy rules limited what broadband providers can do with their customers data. The bills defeat capped a behind-the-scenes battle that pitted telecom companies against state internet service providers and brought other bills to a halt in the state Senate as negotiations unfolded over legislation that would have had national significance. UPDATES 7:57 a.m.: This post was updated with additional information about the potential legal case. LA Times reporter Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report. Facebook

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L.A. County sheriffs office failed to follow policy for issuing concealed weapon permits, audit says By Patrick McGreevy Handguns are displayed at the Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas in 2016. ( (John Locher / Associated Press)) The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has repeatedly failed to follow its own rules for issuing concealed weapon permits, the state auditor concluded in a report released Thursday. L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell disputed some of the key findings of the audit, saying state officials misinterpreted the policy. The department policy requires applicants to provide convincing evidence of a clear and present danger to life or of great bodily harm to get a license, but the audit found the department issued 24 licenses during the last few years without sufficient evidence. Most of the 197 active licenses in L.A. County as of August went to current or former law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, the audit found. The lieutenant in charge of reviewing applications told auditors that people in law enforcement satisfy the departments requirements by the nature of their jobs. However, making that decision based solely on the applicants profession both directly contradicts Los Angeless written policy  which specifically states that no position or job classification in itself shall constitute good cause for issuance  and has led the department to treat applicants inequitably based on their occupations, the audit says. McDonnell said the audit identified some legitimate issues, and the department has added a checklist to the application process in order to show requirements have been met. But he disagreed on the reports sweeping conclusion that the department consistently failed to follow its own policies. The LASD policy simply requires that the applicant provide convincing evidence that his or her life or physical safety is threatened, the sheriff said. He said the policy does not require additional documentation of that evidence if sufficient information is provided in the application. Auditors also concluded that Sacramento County issued some licenses without proper documentation and that San Diego Countys renewal process led it to inappropriately renew some licenses. Facebook

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Anti-Issa effort discloses donors: Leo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Ted Danson and more By Joshua Stewart A political group that has brought professional political organizers into the campaign against Rep. Darrell Issa has received its most significant contributions to date  from actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities. Fonda gave $100,000 to Flip the 49th! Neighbors in Action, which recently registered as a political committee to get Issa, R-Vista, out of office. Comedian Bill Maher gave $15,000 to the group, a rebuke of a politician who has twice appeared on his talk show. Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer gave $2,500, as did Academy Award recipient Leonardo DiCaprio. Actor Ted Danson gave $1,500. Flip the 49th gave the The San Diego Union-Tribune a list of donors more than a month before its required to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Read More Facebook

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California Senate GOP leader: Release Capitol whistleblowers from non-disclosure agreements By Melanie Mason California Senate Republican leader Patricia Bates is wading into the sexual harassment debate that has swept up the Capitol and is calling on her Democratic colleagues to allow whistleblowers to speak out by releasing them from non-disclosure agreements. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) wrote in a letter to the Democratic legislative leaders  Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount)  that Senate Republicans are calling for the Legislature to allow victims or witnesses who may have signed such agreements to share their experiences publicly. This release from NDAs would empower victims of sexual harassment, create a new atmosphere for resolving sexual harassment or discrimination concerns, increase public awareness and transparency, and ensure that both the Senate and the Assembly fulfill their obligations to the public and their employees for providing a safe and welcoming workplace environment, Bates wrote in the letter, dated Dec. 12. The Republican senator also laid out suggestions to improve the Legislatures handling of sexual harassment complaints, such as jointly convening both houses rules committees  which act as the chambers human resources departments  to have a comprehensive, bicameral and bipartisan review. Bates wrote that the Joint Rules Committee should consider the assigning of an outside entity for assuming responsibility for all issues regarding sexual harassment. She said the California Highway Patrol or an inspector general could serve that function. Bates is currently serving on a panel designated by the Senate Rules Committee to select an outside law firm to investigate sexual harassment complaints. De Leon, in a statement, said he agreed with Bates that sexual harassment is a bipartisan, bicameral problem that requires bipartisan, bicameral solutions. Many of these recommendations we are already pursuing and evaluating in some form and we look forward to working in collaboration with Senator Bates  as we did with the independent selection panel  on additional reforms in the weeks to come, De Leon said. With regard to non-disclosure agreements, De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the Senate is discussing with attorneys and anti-harassment experts about what options are available without violating the privacy rights of past victims. John Casey, a spokesman for Rendon, said the Assembly does not ask for NDAs in settlement agreements. The Speaker agrees with both the Legislative Womens Caucus and the Rules Committee chair that any sexual harassment policy should be both bicameral and bipartisan, Casey said. Facebook

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California plans to send out licenses for pot sales this month  but they wont be effective until Jan. 1 By Patrick McGreevy Patrons shop at Bud and Bloom, a Santa Ana marijuana dispensary, last year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California officials said Wednesday they plan to use email before the new year to send out some licenses to sell marijuana to speed up the transition to a regulated market. The licenses will not go into effect until Jan. 1. Proposition 64, which legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use, required the state to begin issuing licenses by Jan. 1. Because that date is a state holiday, the bureau originally planned to begin sending them out on Jan. 2. That has changed. Much of the date discussion  Jan. 1 versus Jan. 2  was based on whether or not wed be able to be open on a state holiday, said Alex Traverso, a bureau spokesman. The solution to that issue was to issue licenses with an effective date of Jan. 1 since licenses will be issued electronically. That eliminates the need to have the office open on Jan. 1. He said that, as of Wednesday, the bureau has not yet sent out any emails with licenses approved to begin operating Jan. 1. Facebook

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Californias budget director makes last ditch effort to urge GOP members to vote against tax plan By Sarah D. Wire House Republicans hold a news conference after the House passed the GOP tax bill. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) As closed-door negotiations over the final tax bill come to an end, the head of the California Department of Finance is making a last-ditch effort to convince Republicans in the states congressional delegation to vote against the plan. In a letter to the entire delegation Wednesday, Finance Department Director Michael Cohen detailed 10 issues in the current tax proposals about which the state is worried. Some of Cohens concerns may be addressed in the deal that House and Senate leaders said they reached Wednesday morning. Details of the agreement are not yet public. Cohens concerns range from potentially billions less in federal funding available to California to offset the $1.4 trillion the plan is expected to add to the federal deficit, to the environmental effect of ending green energy tax credits. Californias 39 Democratic representatives are expected to oppose the final tax bill, which could come before both chambers of Congress by early next week. Three California Republicans  Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Tom McClintock of Elk Grove  voted against the original House version, and several other California Republicans have indicated they might be willing to vote against the final plan. Cohen specifically pointed to issues that have been raised by the uncertain House members, including the proposal to lower the cap on the mortgage interest deduction, the plan to limit state and local tax deductions and the elimination of a deduction for uninsured personal property damaged in natural disasters such as fires. Facebook

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California lawmakers have fought sexual misconduct on military bases, farms and college campuses. Will they police their own house? By Jazmine Ulloa Over the past decade, California lawmakers have worked to help curb sexual violence in the workplace and other spheres of public life. They have pushed college campuses to keep better track of incident reports, created whistleblower protections for military officers who file claims and established sexual harassment training for farmworkers and janitors. Now, as more than 140 women have come forward in an open letter to denounce a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in the California Legislature, activists and employment lawyers say lawmakers have not held colleagues and staffers to the same standards demanded of those in other fields. Members [of the state Assembly and Senate] are quick at pointing the finger at other folks, said Fiona Ma, a former Democratic assemblywoman from San Francisco who is now running for state treasurer. But they dont want to look inside and fix their own house, air their own dark, dirty laundry. Read More Facebook

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Californias cap-and-trade climate program could generate more than $8 billion by 2027, report says By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown signs an extension of Californias cap-and-trade program in July. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Although Californias cap-and-trade program was designed to combat climate change, a new analysis predicts it could also provide significant cash  as much as $8 billion in a decades time  for state and regional programs. The report issued Tuesday by the independent Legislative Analysts Office projects a wide range of revenue generated by the sale of permits for companies to emit greenhouse gases beyond a state-ordered emissions cap. The most recent auction of those emission permits brought in more than $800 million. The analysis warns that annual cap-and-trade revenue beyond 2020 is highly uncertain, and offers a possible range from $2 billion in 2018 to almost $7 billion in 2030  the final year of the program under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown signed in July. The estimate of $8.3 billion in 2027 is the high-water mark for any year in the report. Researchers cite a number of factors that make a specific prediction impossible, including future technology that allows industries to cut greenhouse gas emissions easily and thus pass on purchasing emission allowances. While it is clear that there will be additional revenues to the state beyond 2020, the amount that will be generated annually is highly uncertain, the report reads. Money collected from the sale of pollution permits is required to be spent on programs combating climate change. A portion of the money also is earmarked for the states high-speed rail program. The report urges lawmakers to provide oversight for future decisions made by the California Air Resources Board, the agency that has taken the lead on climate change efforts. In particular, the analysts warn that allowing businesses to stockpile too many permits  ones bought at current low prices  could lead to excessive greenhouse gas emissions in future years, potentially even causing the state to miss its annual benchmark as soon as 2024. Facebook

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Vice President Pence meets with California lawmakers about massive fires By Sarah D. Wire Briefed bipartisan group of California reps on the fed response to #CAwildfires. @POTUS approved an emergency declaration last Friday & @forestservice is providing air & ground assets including 1,000 personnel. Together, we will help the people of CA restore, rebuild & recover. pic.twitter.com/zn7QdbCZOQ  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 12, 2017 A handful of California representatives discussed the federal response to their states wildfires Tuesday with Vice President Mike Pence. Attending the West Wing meeting were House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara). It was a very bipartisan-spirited meeting. He clearly understood the significance of the fires and the impacts, Brownley said after the meeting. She said Pence offered federal assistance and recognized that recovery was going to be very important and that we want to work together to make sure that we can get the resources needed. President Trump signed an emergency declaration for the Southern California fires last week. Pence visited California this fall to view fire damage in Northern California. He stayed engaged and specifically wanted to make sure that FEMA and the other organizations were continuing to meet or exceed all expectations, Issa said after the meeting. We mostly thanked him for the fact that hes taken a personal interest and his team has been at the heart of the domestic coordination. There was no discussion about reinstating a federal tax deduction for uninsured damage repairs that would end up in the House and Senate tax bills, Brownley said. If you cant deduct uninsured property loss, its devastating. It would be devastating, Brownley said. Facebook

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We must talk about the health aspects of climate change, Schwarzenegger says in Paris By Kim Willsher (Thibault Camus / Associated Press) He showed up at Paris City Hall on Monday on a green bicycle and wearing a green tie to talk climate change with the mayor. But Arnold Schwarzenegger almost didnt make the trip from Los Angeles. One of the wildfires scorching Southern California was threatening his home. Luckily we have extraordinary firefighters, he told a group of officials and journalists. The actor and former governor of California was speaking in Paris as the founder of R20, a nonprofit based in Geneva that aims to help regional, state and local governments reduce their carbon emissions by developing clean energy sources. Read More Facebook

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A special recall election for state Sen. Josh Newman would cost a lot more than waiting for the June primary, state says By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) faces a recall campaign (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) State finance officials said Monday it would cost about $2.67 million for a special election on the recall of state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), but only $931,000 to put his potential recall on the regular June primary ballot, which will also feature races for governor and congressional seats. The savings  and the time it took to complete the financial assessment  could give ammunition to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown to put the recall measure on the primary ballot, possibly improving Newmans chance of staying in office. The higher turnout expected in the primary might benefit Newman as he tries to fend off the Republican recall drive. The financial analysis was a new requirement of a law approved this year by the Democrat-controlled Legislature that has slowed the Newman recall. Brown and legislators now have 30 days to review the election cost report. The deadline for calling a special election was last week, 180 days before the June 5 primary, although state officials have been known to extend such deadlines. In this case, that is unlikely. Carl Demaio, a former San Diego City councilman who is leading the Republican-funded recall, denounced the lengthy new process Monday, but said it will not save Newmans political career. This is about a shameful tactic by Sacramento politicians to keep politicians who break public trust and engage in misconduct in office for as long as possible, he said. Republicans launched the recall after Newman voted with the majority of le
After days of basking in the flattery of other world leaders, President Trump dished out some of his own Thursday, bestowing kind words and gestures on an unlikely counterpart, Chinas Xi Jinping, a communist leader who just tightened his grip on power in a country Trump accused during the campaign of raping U.S. workers.

Trump called Xi a very special man with whom he has great chemistry. He congratulated Xi on the recent Communist Party Congress, which gave new authority to the Chinese leader. And although he challenged Xi on the economy and the menace of North Korea, he cast more blame on his American predecessors than on Xi for the trade imbalance.

I dont blame China, Trump said at a ceremony involving U.S. and Chinese business leaders. Who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit.

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Xi set the table for the cozy mood by playing the role of gracious host. He unfurled the gilded trappings of the Chinese Communist Party for Trump, complete with goose-stepping soldiers, a 21-gun salute on Tiananmen Square and an elaborate banquet in the Great Hall of the People. At the state dinner, he played a video montage of their time together that included Trumps granddaughter, Arabella, singing in Chinese, recorded during Xis visit to Palm Beach, Fla., in April.

In a series of talks with top party leaders under the gold chandeliers of the Soviet-style hall, Trump pressed China to open its markets to more U.S.-made products and do more to push North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

Together we have it in our power to finally liberate this region and the world from this very serious nuclear menace, Trump said when the two made a joint statement to reporters, adding that it will require collective action.

The two leaders didnt take questions from reporters, breaking with a precedent from the Obama administration during which the U.S. insisted on allowing questions.

Speaking earlier to the business leaders, Trump talked bluntly about the U.S. trade imbalance with China.

We have to fix this because it just doesnt work, he said. It is just not sustainable.

Xi was more detached in his comments than Trump, who spoke in personal terms about what he called a terrific initial meeting Wednesday night and a dinner that went longer than expected because the men were having such a great time.

Later, Trump blamed prior U.S. administrations for creating a trade imbalance, saying, Its too bad that past administrations allowed it to get so far out of kilter.

Trumps language, putting the U.S. and China on near-equal footing, could play to Xis favor. The Chinese president is eager to assert China as a world power rivaling America.

Xi spoke in far different terms, celebrating a Chinese economy that is entering a new phase, from high-speed growth to high-quality growth.

During the joint statement to the media, the two leaders said they agreed to cooperate on trade imbalance reduction, North Korea and cyber security, as well as on cracking down on illegal shipments to the United States of the powerful opioid fentanyl, which has contributed to a sharp rise in drug overdoses in the U.S.

Throughout, Trump seemed to be making an attempt to play on Xis ego in the same way that other world leaders have appealed to his.

China can fix this problem easily and quickly, and I am calling on China and your great president to hopefully work on it very hard, he said, referring to North Korea. I know one thing about your president: If he works on it hard, it will happen.

Trump seems to have relished his tour of Asia so far, visiting three countries where he was lavished with praise, feted and, above all, treated with respect, at a time in Washington when Trump is constantly feeling disrespected, insulted and under siege.

Arriving at the Great Hall of the People, an enormous edifice completed in 1959 for the 10th anniversary of the Communist Partys taking of control of China, Trump wore his signature wide, bright-red tie, which matched the dozens of red banners flapping along the roof of the hall.

A massive red vase holding fake flowers several stories tall stood in the middle of the empty square, where in 1989 hundreds of thousands of Chinese citizens camped out for six weeks to demand democratic reforms before the government cleared the area in a brutal and deadly crackdown.

After shaking hands with the Chinese and American delegations, Trump and Xi stood together inside a gold reviewing stand with a red-and-yellow awning as a military band played each countrys national anthem.

At one point, just after the two leaders walked past the troops standing in formation, Trump seemed more eager to assert his dominance and take control of the pace of the event. He patted Xi on the back and told the Chinese leader he wanted to stop to watch the military band. Xi stood at Trumps side and waited. Beautiful, Trump said.

Trump relished the neat rows of children  jumping and cheering and waving Chinese and U.S. flags.

Along the streets of Beijing, red banners inscribed with white Mao Tse-tung-era Chinese characters encouraged citizens to study and follow Xi Jinping thought.

The Xi meeting, buffing up one of the important relationships in Trumps presidency, is likely to be followed by a second summit eliciting intense interest.

Trump is set to head to Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday for an economic conference also being attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian officials said Trump and Putin will meet there, but U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was noncommittal, saying it was unclear if the two leaders would sit down or talk briefly while standing on the sidelines of the conference.

If were going to have a meeting with them, make sure its a meeting thats meaningful, Tillerson said, adding that a list of important issues that could come up includes Russian actions in the Syrian conflict and the border dispute in Ukraine.

The meeting is likely to be controversial, given the accelerating investigation at home into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives involving Russian meddling in U.S. elections.

Asked if that matter is something Trump will talk to Putin about, Tillerson said, It stays on that list.

President Xi, thank you for such an incredible welcome ceremony. It was a truly memorable and impressive display! https://t.co/J9x51h1LBe pic.twitter.com/g4Z7mO5cV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2017

brian.bennett@latimes.com

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

ALSO

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UPDATES:

10 a.m.: This article was updated to add additional detail on the previous practice regarding presidents taking questions from reporters while in China.

This article was originally published at 5:20 a.m.
Battered from attacks by lawmakers and the public over the criminal activity taking place on their platforms, large internet companies have stopped fighting a push in Congress to combat online sex trafficking by holding them more accountable for the content on their sites.

The abrupt turnabout by the trade association representing such firms as Google, Facebook and Amazon enabled senators backed by victims rights advocates and almost every state attorney general on Wednesday to advance a measure limiting the legal immunity of websites where trafficking is promoted.

The Commerce Committees unanimous passage of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act signaled a weakening of Silicon Valleys political clout as politicians lose patience with the reluctance of some tech companies to more aggressively help victims and law enforcement. The measures advancement comes as firms face withering attacks on Capitol Hill for the platforms they unwittingly provided to Russian operatives seeking to influence American elections.

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Online sex trafficking has likewise become a public relations problem for the firms. Lawmakers bristled at their refusal to consider stripping some of the immunity protections offered by the two-decade old Communication Decency Act, which have allowed websites, such as Backpage.com, to profit off of the illegal behavior of their posters. Judges have pointed to that immunity in dismissing claims by victims against such sites  sometimes in the face of what judges have acknowledged may be compelling evidence that the firms condoned trafficking.

This is a momentous day in our fight to hold online sex traffickers accountable and help give trafficking survivors the justice they deserve, said Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a sponsor of the bipartisan bill. After the Internet Assn. dropped its opposition to the bill late last week, the number of co-sponsors on the measure has grown to 44. Among those who have joined in support are both of Californias senators, who had previously avoided taking a position as the tech companies they represent fought the bill.

The swift passage of the measure through committee set off a backlash in Silicon Valley, where some other influential players accused the Internet Assn. of betraying the values of a free and open internet.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned the measure would be disastrous to free speech and online communities. In a blog post, it accused big tech companies of embracing censorship and selling out small startups who wont be able to afford to defend themselves against the wave of litigation the measure would invite. The foundation and other critics warn the measure would be ineffective at fighting trafficking and push online companies to block and filter out postings that have nothing to do with illegal activity as a precaution.

Some in Congress are heeding such warnings. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Wednesday immediately put a legislative hold on the bill, delaying its movement to the floor.

Having written several laws to combat sex trafficking, I take a backseat to no one on the urgency of fighting this horrendous crime, Wyden said in a statement. However, I continue to be deeply troubled that this bills approach will make it harder to catch dangerous criminals, that it will favor big tech companies at the expense of startups and that it will stifle innovation.

Critics of the measure warn companies could ease up on efforts to find and block traffickers because knowledge of that activity could heighten their exposure to liability. The bills proponents say the latest revisions were tailored to protect firms that are aggressively policing their sites from such lawsuits.

The big internet companies ultimately gave in, said Eric Goldman, co-director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University, because the fight had become too damaging. It was hurting the internet communitys overall perception inside the Beltway, he said.

Some longtime foes of big internet companies celebrated their defeat.

This is a big chink in Silicon Valleys armor, said Jaime Court, president of the California-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog. It will lead to more scrutiny of other ways Facebook and Google and Amazon are complicit in what amounts to criminal activity. The companies are going to have to police their platforms better if they dont want Congress to take more action.

evan.halper@latimes.com

Twitter: @evanhalper
Californians overwhelmingly support Sen. Dianne Feinsteins reelection bid, and she is far better known than her top rival, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Voters are more divided in the governors race, creating a closer contest between Democrats Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa.

Newsom leads Villaraigosa by more than 10 percentage points in an election that is shaping up to be competitive, the USC/Times poll found. Newsom, the states lieutenant governor, has dominated early polls and fundraising.

It has all the potential to be a real race, said Bob Shrum, the director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC. Maybe in California were going to have an election thats not foreordained. He added that the poll results suggest a repeat of the 2016 Senate contest that featured two Democrats on the fall ballot since no Republicans made it past the top-two primary. The odds of the GOP being shut out in both races are very high, Shrum said.

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The online poll of 1,296 registered California voters was conducted between Oct. 27 and Nov. 6, one year from the 2018 election. The race for governor has grown increasingly contentious, as the Senate contest gets more crowded. The margin of error was four points in either direction, and higher for subgroups.

Both contests are expected to be among the nations marquee races in 2018 as the Democratic Party undergoes a turbulent power struggle between its progressive left and more centrist establishment, especially on issues such as single-payer healthcare. Many millions of dollars will be spent on these premiere political posts in the nations most populous and economically powerful state.

Democrats hold a 19-point voter registration edge over Republicans and the GOP has not elected a statewide candidate since 2006. The poll indicates that Democrats iron grip on political power in California will not weaken any time soon.

Newsom, who briefly ran for governor in 2009 before dropping out, had the support of 31% of registered voters who plan to cast ballots in the June 5 primary. He was followed by Villaraigosa who had the support of nearly 21%.

Two Republicans  Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach and businessman John Cox  are running for governor. Allen stood in third place, winning the support of 15% of voters who plan to cast ballots in the primary. Cox received the support of more than 11%  and the difference between them was within the margin of error. Allen, a Huntington Beach state lawmaker, has little money but is a familiar face to state Republican Party activists. Cox, who is lesser known in state GOP circles, has put $3 million of his own money into his campaign.

According to the poll, 43% of Republican voters favored Allen and 33% backed Cox. A fair share of Republicans  15%  sided with one of the Democrats. Villaraigosa topped that list, winning the favor of 6% of GOP voters.

The Republicans running for governor, on the other hand, were shunned by Democratic voters: Cox and Allen each had the support of about 1.5% of voters from the other party.

Coxs standing is roughly tied with state Treasurer John Chiang, a Democrat who has raised several million dollars and is aggressively campaigning across the state. Chiang had 12% support. Former state schools chief Delaine Eastin, also a Democrat, lagged far behind at 4%.

The top picks among independent voters  a growing share of the California electorate  were Newsom and Villaraigosa. Twenty-seven percent backed Newsom and 26% chose Villaraigosa. Among Republican candidates, Allen won 13% of independents compared with 8% for Cox.

Newsom dominated across racial groups and genders, with the sole exception of Latino voters, who favored Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, by nearly two to one.

The group is pivotal to Villaraigosas campaign. The same goes for voters in Southern California, where Villaraigosa leads in Orange and San Diego counties as well as the Inland Empire.

Voters in Los Angeles County, where Villaraigosa made his name in politics and a linchpin of his path to the governors mansion, were split between the two leading candidates. Newsom and Villaraigosa were effectively tied at about 20% each among registered voters. Up north, on Newsoms home turf, the former San Francisco mayor swamped Villaraigosa, with support from more than 53% of registered voters in the Bay Area compared with Villaraigosas 6%.

The field is not settled, with former GOP Rep. Doug Ose considering entering the race.

Its the most competitive contest in California since 2010, when billionaire Meg Whitman spent more than $178 million  including $144 million of her own money  trying unsuccessfully to stop Jerry Brown from returning to the governors mansion. Brown, who also was governor from 1975 to 1983, is finishing his second term of this era and remains the most popular elected official in the state with a 44% job approval rating.

In the U.S. Senate race, Feinsteins bid for a fifth full term was expected to be a sleepy affair until state Senate leader Kevin de Leon announced he would attempt to unseat his fellow Democrat.

Feinstein, who has represented California in the Senate for a quarter-century, is known for her measured tone and approach. But she has drawn criticism from liberal voters over her strategy in dealing with Trump, notably her call for patience with his presidency earlier this year.

De Leon  along with potential Senate candidate and billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer  have seized upon such remarks as they try to capitalize on Trumps deep unpopularity among California Democrats.

They face enormous challenges. The USC/Times poll found that in a faceoff between Feinstein and De Leon, she cruises to victory with the support of more than 58% of registered voters who say they plan to vote, compared to De Leons 31%.

Follow California politics by signing up for our email newsletter 

If Steyer decides to run, he saps support from both candidates  a greater share from De Leon. In a three-way race, he had 17%, Feinstein won half and De Leon won the support of nearly a quarter of voters who plan to participate in the primary.

Few voters know who these men are. About 80% of registered voters did not know enough about De Leon to form an opinion of him, and roughly three-quarters said the same about Steyer. He could attempt to change that by using his personal wealth to saturate the airwaves. Thats an advantage De Leon does not have.

De Leon needs to raise an enormous amount of money if hes going to get known, to become competitive, Shrum said.

More than 34% of registered voters viewed Feinstein favorably, compared with 30% who viewed her unfavorably.

Among registered voters who plan to cast ballots, she dominated among genders, races and in every region of the state. Even among GOP voters who plan to vote in the Senate contest, Feinstein won the support of nearly 39%.

seema.mehta@latimes.com

phil.willon@latimes.com

Twitter: @philwillon @LATSeema

Yes, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Trump can be a good president. Theres a lot more to the story

The 2018 race for governor

Methodology

Full data and crosstabs

Coverage of California politics

UPDATES:

12:25 p.m.: This article was updated with details about how voters view a three-way Senate race with Dianne Feinstein, Kevin De Leon and Tom Steyer.

This article was originally published at 9:05 a.m.
Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

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Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

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Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

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Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

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Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

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Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

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Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

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Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

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Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

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Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

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Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

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In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

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Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

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Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

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Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

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Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

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Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

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After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

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Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

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Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

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Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

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Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko does not support the idea of breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia, Ivan Vinnyk, a deputy of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction, said.

According to the Pryamy channel, the deputy made the statement after his faction met at the Presidential Administration on Wednesday night.

"The president does not support the idea of breaking off relations with Russia. The idea I have submitted for the parliamentary committee's consideration is still being pondered; we will be working out modalities," Vinnyk said.

On Wednesday, a group of unaffiliated deputies in the Verkhovna Rada submitted an amendment for the second reading of the bill on ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty over Donbas, which would bind the government to break off diplomatic relations with Russia.

The deputies' amendment would compel the Ukrainian government to initiate the termination of diplomatic relations with the "aggressor state," originally established on February 18, 1992, within three months of the law's taking effect.

The newspaper Kommersant said on November 9 that Verkhovna Rada deputy Vinnyk of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc was planning to propose an amendment to the Donbas reintegration bill which would stipulate the termination of diplomatic relations with Russia.
Wait  did the president really say, Mission Accomplished? By Marc Olson Some are recalling the last time a president declared Mission accomplished, in May 2003 when George W. Bush was talking about Iraq. (Stephen Jaffe / AFP/Getty Images) President Trump on Saturday morning thanked his allies in a tweet that declared the airstrikes on Syria perfectly executed, but he might have wished hed stopped there. Instead, he ended his message with the phrase, Mission Accomplished! Thats a line that might have a previous president shaking his head. On May 1, 2003, President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq under a Mission Accomplished banner aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. That war, which began in March 2003, grew into a prolonged conflict that didnt end until 2011. In 2008, the White House said it had paid a price for the backdrop. A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018 Facebook

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Auditor says Pentagon is censoring key data on the war in Afghanistan By Shashank Bengali The Pentagon is blocking the release of data showing how much of Afghanistans territory lies outside government control, censoring a key metric used to gauge progress in the 16-year war, a watchdog agency said Tuesday. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, an auditing agency established by Congress, said in its latest report that the Pentagon instructed it not to release unclassified data on how many districts and people are controlled or influenced by insurgent groups. This is the first time SIGAR has been specifically instructed not to release information marked unclassified to the American taxpayer, the head of the agency, John F. Sopko, wrote in a letter. Sopko also said the U.S.-led military coalition, for the first time since 2009, classified information about the size and attrition rates of the Afghan security forces, important indicators of progress in building up army and police forces on which the U.S. already has spent $70 billion since 2002. The decision to withhold more information from congressional oversight and the public comes amid growing violence in Afghanistan and an intensifying combat mission involving a greater number of American troops. Following a series of bombings in Kabul that left at least 136 people dead in 10 days, President Trump signaled on Monday that he was focused on trying to win the conflict militarily, saying, We dont want to talk with the Taliban. But data released by SIGAR since 2015 have shown how the insurgents have gained ground against Afghan security forces. In its previous quarterly report, the watchdog said that only 57% of Afghanistans 407 districts were under Afghan government control or influence as of August 2017, the lowest level of control since it began tracking the statistic in December 2015. The steady decline in government control should cause even more concern about its disappearance from public disclosure and discussion, Sopko wrote. The watchdog also accused the Pentagon of overstating the impact of its efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking, among the Talibans main sources of revenue. The Pentagon touted airstrikes that destroyed 25 drug labs in November and December, saying it eliminated nearly $100 million of Taliban revenue. The labs being destroyed are cheap and easy to replace, SIGAR said. According to some estimates, they only take three or four days to replace. Facebook

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Women journalists shunted to rear for Pences visit to Western Wall By Noga Tarnopolsky The view from the womens section. (Noga Tarnopolsky / Los Angeles Times) Vice-President Mike Pences 48-hour visit to Israel stumbled into a public storm Tuesday when female reporters covering his final stop at Jerusalems Western Wall were penned behind four rows of their male colleagues. White House officials told stunned journalists that the arrangement emanated from a request made by the Western Wall rabbi, Shmuel Rabinowitz, and followed Western Wall rules. Some women journalists said they could not recall such treatment in the past. In a statement to Israels Channel 10 news, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said it was exactly as it was during the visit of the U.S. president to the Western Wall last May. Later in the day, in a statement to the newspaper Haaretz, the foundation blamed the United States embassy in Tel Aviv and Israeli security officials for the segregation, and announced they would reexamine the way they handle such events. Women who covered previous VIP visits said the Pence arrangements were significantly more onerous than previous visits, when male and female journalists were separated but not offered substantially different work conditions. LIVE coverage of our male colleagues granted access to cover VP at Western Wall as we are penned into #PenceFence pic.twitter.com/k3svkxfQsa  Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) January 23, 2018 The arrangement reflected procedures at the Western Wall, Judaisms holiest site, where on regular days, men have access to two thirds of the area available for prayer. Tal Schneider, the diplomatic analyst for Globes, a financial newspaper, protested that the separation of men and women may be valid for the requirements of Orthodox prayer, but no one is praying here. We are here to work. I dont appreciate being restricted in my ability to work because I am a woman, she said. The discriminatory attitude towards women is infuriating and is unbefitting of a modern country. Yael Freidson, the Jerusalem affairs correspondent for Yediot Ahronot, Israels widest circulation newspaper, said she worried that her editors could choose male colleagues for the next assignment, knowing they would have better access. Before Pence arrived, journalists were herded onto a specially constructed platform in the middle of the Western Walls esplanade, with women guided to the right behind a white fence, and men, many carrying cameras, directed to the left, where they had more than double the space. Towards the end of the vice presidents 10-minute visit, male journalists were permitted into the VIP tent where he received a gift from Rabinowitz, while the women remained in their enclosure. None of the men publicly protested the treatment of their female colleagues. Israels Association of Women Journalists filed a formal complaint with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, herself a woman. Facebook

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Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, after his pardon from Trump, says hell run for Senate in Arizona By Kurtis Lee (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who last year was pardoned by President Trump in a case stemming from his enforcement tactics aimed at immigrants, announced Tuesday he will run for the open Senate seat in his home state. I am running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Arizona, for one unwavering reason: to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump in his mission to Make America Great Again, Arpaio, 85, said on Twitter. Hell enter a Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake. Last summer, Trump pardoned Arpaio, who was convicted in July of criminal contempt for violating a federal court order to stop racially profiling Latinos. It was Arpaios roughly quarter-century as sheriff that gave him a national reputation for his tough treatment of people suspected of being in the country illegally. Repeated court rulings against his office for civil rights violations cost local taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. In the early 1990s, Arpaio directed construction of a tent city for immigration detainees, a measure he said was intended both to alleviate overcrowding and to underscore his aggressive enforcement measures. But it was open to the burning Arizona sun, and drew widespread criticism. After Trump entered the presidential race in July 2015, Arpaio invited him to Phoenix to talk about a crackdown on illegal immigration. He endorsed Trump just before the first votes in the Iowa caucuses in 2016 and frequently spoke out on behalf of Trumps campaign. Facebook

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President Trump ends controversial voter fraud commission By Kurtis Lee President Trump signed an executive order late Wednesday ending the voter fraud commission he launched last year as the panel faces a flurry of lawsuits and criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Trump signed the order disbanding the commission rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. The Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, created by executive order in May with the stated goal of restoring confidence and integrity in the electoral process, has faced a barrage of lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns, as the commission sought personal data on voters across the country. Read More Facebook

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Congress returns to work with slimmer GOP majority to accomplish Trumps agenda By Lisa Mascaro Congress returns to work this week with unfinished business on spending, immigration and other crucial issues, but with an even narrower GOP majority that will make it tougher to move on President Trumps agenda. The House and Senate will convene Wednesday, swearing in the newly elected Democratic senator from Alabama, Doug Jones, and Minnesotas Tina Smith to replace a fellow Democrat, Sen. Al Franken, who is resigning as the latest high-profile public figure sidelined by allegations of sexual misconduct. The change gives Republicans only a one-seat margin in the Senate. Trump, fresh off passage of the GOP tax cuts bill, is pushing lawmakers to pivot quickly on his new year priorities of infrastructure investment and immigration, as well as his foreign policy agenda. But another legislative victory seems far off. Republicans have struggled to hold their majority together and Congress first must tackle critical stalled agenda items that leaders punted to 2018. Read More Facebook

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Trump threatens to cut off U.S. aid to Palestinians By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump on Tuesday angrily threatened to cut off U.S. aid to Palestinians as punishment for what he called their failure to show appreciation or respect to the United States. Writing on Twitter, the president compared the Palestinians to Pakistan, a nuclear-armed ally that abruptly drew his ire this week and a similar threat to drastically curtail aid. He accused the Palestinians of recalcitrance in what he described as their refusal to negotiate a peace deal with Israel. Palestinian officials have said they can no longer use Washington as a broker to restart peace talks with Israel following Trumps Dec. 6 decision to overturn decades of U.S. policy and recognize the disputed city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and ultimately to move the U.S. Embassy there. The Palestinians also claim part of Jerusalem as the capital of an eventual independent state. Until now, the United States and most of the world agreed the citys political status was a matter to settle in final peace talks. The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned any effort to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, and the Palestinian leadership said it would not meet with Vice President Mike Pence, who had planned a trip to the region. That trip is on hold. [W]e pay the Palestinians HUNDRED [sic] OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect, Trump wrote on Twitter. [W]ith the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them? In response to Trumps tweet, Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, issued a statement saying: Palestinian rights are not for sale. By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israels capital Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city. We will not be blackmailed, she said. President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions! The United States does not pay large amounts of money directly to the Palestinian Authority, the government that rules over parts of the Palestinian West Bank. Instead, most money goes to the U.N., refugee or aid agencies and even Israel to pay for roads, welfare, schools, security and other Palestinian projects. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, said Tuesday that the administration was planning to cut off one of those organizations, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, until the Palestinians return to the negotiating table. UNRWA, which receives around $300 million annually from the U.S., for years has been the lifeline to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It was not clear if Haley was threatening to cut all U.S. support for the agency. Special correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Facebook

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The White House stops short of calling for government overthrow in Iran By Brian Bennett President Trump wants Iran to give its citizens basic human rights and stop being a state sponsor of terror, his top spokeswoman said, but the White House stopped short of calling for a change of government in Tehran. If they want to do that through current leadership, if thats possible, OK, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. Sanders praised the organic popular uprising, which she said the widespread protests in Iran represented. The protests grew out of years of years of mismanagement, corruption, and foreign adventurism have eroded the Iranian peoples trust in their leaders, she said. Earlier Tuesday, Trump called Irans government brutal and corrupt and wrote in a tweet: The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching! Trump also blamed President Obama for foolishly giving Iran money that he said went to fund terrorism. The money he referred to were funds belonging to Iran that had been frozen by the U.S. and were released as part of the deal in 2015, which blocked Irans development of nuclear weapons. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Facebook

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Retirement of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch clears the way for a Mitt Romney revival By David Lauter The retirement of Utahs senior senator, Orrin G. Hatch, opens the way for a widely expected Senate bid by Mitt Romney, the Republicans 2012 presidential nominee and a frequent critic of President Trump. Although Romney previously served for two terms as governor of Massachusetts (and was raised in Michigan, where his father was governor and his mother ran for the Senate), he comes from a prominent Mormon family with strong ties to Utah. He also served as chief executive of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Hes viewed as a strong candidate for the Senate seat. Romneys criticisms of Trump, however, could prompt a challenge in a Republican primary. Trump was widely reported to have tried to convince Hatch to run for a seventh term, in part to head off a Romney candidacy. Last month, Romney and Trump were on opposite sides of one of the biggest political fights of the fall  the battle over the Senate seat from Alabama. The president strongly supported Roy Moore, the Republican candidate who had been accused of sexual misconduct by several women. Romney called Moore a stain on the GOP. Roy Moore in the US Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation. Leigh Corfman and other victims are courageous heroes. No vote, no majority is worth losing our honor, our integrity.  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 4, 2017 On Tuesday, Romney tweeted praise for Hatch, but did not immediately reveal his own plans. I join the people of Utah in thanking my friend, Senator Orrin Hatch for his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation. Read my full statement: https://t.co/YwjUpjez5y  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 2, 2018 Facebook

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U.S. calls on Iran to unblock social media sites amid protests By The Associated Press The Trump administration is calling on Irans government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites as Iranians are demonstrating in the streets. Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein says the U.S. wants Iran to open these sites. He says Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are legitimate avenues for communication. The United States is encouraging Iranians to use virtual private networks, known as VPNs. Those services create encrypted links between computers and can be used to access blocked websites. Goldstein says the U.S. is still communicating with Iranians in Persian through State Department accounts on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. He says the U.S. wants to encourage the protesters to continue to fight for whats right. Goldstein says the U.S. has an obligation not to stand by. Read More Facebook

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Trump blasts Democrats in advance of immigration meeting By Brian Bennett The day before a meeting of administration officials and congressional leaders on outstanding legislative business, President Trump accused Democrats of doing nothing to hammer out an immigration deal to protect from deportation people brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA  just interested in politics, Trump wrote in a Tweet on Tuesday morning, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by its acronym. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer along with the Republican leaders, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are scheduled to meet on Wednesday at the Capitol with Trumps legislative director, Marc Short, and budget director, Mick Mulvaney. The White House on Tuesday said the meeting is to discuss separate spending caps on military and domestic programs. Yet the Democrats insist the discussion also must include a variety of legislative issues that Trump and Congress punted into the new year  on immigration, the budget, healthcare and more. That stance reflects Democrats leverage: Republicans need Democratic votes to pass a government-funding bill and avert a federal shutdown when the current funding expires Jan. 19. Democrats especially want separate legislation replacing the Obama-era DACA program; Trump in September ordered a phase-out of the program, beginning March 6, and called on Congress to act before then on an alternative way to address the plight of the group. However, Trump has demanded that any alternative must be part of a package including both money for a border wall and immigration limits. Democrats are opposed. Facebook

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Pakistan hits back after Trump accuses its leaders of lies and deceit By Aoun Sahi Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies and deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. Read More Facebook

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Trump again cheers on Iran protests By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size --- were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 The presidents earlier hailing of the protests drew condemnation from Irans government. A Foreign Ministry spokesman called his comments deceitful and opportunistic. Following an overnight report of the first two fatalities stemming from the protests, Trump raised some eyebrows by expressing concern over human rights violations as authorities move to crack down on the demonstrations. During his first year in office, the president has shown scant inclination to press foreign governments to respect the fundamental rights of their citizens. The USA is watching closely for human rights violations! Trump said in his tweet Sunday. Some domestic critics have pointed to the presidents inclusion of Iranian nationals in his travel ban, suggesting he was more interested in bashing the Tehran government than in supporting freedom of speech in Iran. Even some of the presidents allies said that supporting the protesters on social media did not amount to making policy. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he had urged Trump to give a national address laying out his Iran strategy. President Trump is tweeting very sympathetically to the Iranian people, Graham said on CBS Face the Nation. But you just cant tweet here. You have to lay out a plan. Facebook

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Australian diplomats tip a factor in FBIs Russia inquiry By Associated Press Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer. (Alastair Grant / Associated Press) An Australian diplomats tip appears to have helped persuade the FBI to investigate Russian meddling in the U.S. election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign, the New York Times reported Saturday. Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos told the diplomat, Alexander Downer, during a meeting in London in May 2016 that Russia had thousands of emails that would embarrass Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, the report said. Downer, a former foreign minister, is Australias top diplomat in Britain. Australia passed the information on to the FBI after the Democratic emails were leaked, according to the Times, which cited four current and former U.S. and foreign officials with direct knowledge of the Australians role. The hacking and the revelation that a member of the Trump campaign may have had inside information about it were driving factors that led the FBI to open an investigation in July 2016, the newspaper said. White House lawyer Ty Cobb declined to comment, saying in a statement that the administration is continuing to cooperate with the investigation now led by special counsel Robert Mueller to help complete their inquiry expeditiously. Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and is a cooperating witness. Court documents unsealed two months ago show he met in April 2016 with Joseph Mifsud, a professor in London who told him about Russias cache of emails. This was before the Democratic National Committee became aware of the scope of the intrusion into its email systems by hackers later linked to the Russian government. The Times said Papadopoulos shared this information with Downer, but it was unclear whether he also shared it with anyone in the Trump campaign. Facebook

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Trump offers fresh support for protesters in Iran as demonstrations continue By Lisa Mascaro Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! pic.twitter.com/kvv1uAqcZ9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2017 President Trump again offered support Saturday for anti-government protesters in Iran, where a third day of demonstrations, the largest in years, spilled across the country amid fears of a crackdown. Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump took a break from playing golf near his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to tweet clips from his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September when he called for Iranian democratic reforms. Iranian authorities warned of potential violence as the street demonstrations, which began over economic conditions, swelled into frustrations with the theocratic rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump has maintained a hawkish stance toward Iran, sharply criticizing the landmark nuclear disarmament accord that Tehran reached with then-President Obama and five other nations in 2015. In October, Trump declined to certify the accord to Congress although the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency says Iran is complying with it. Several conservative GOP senators signaled their support for Trumps position and backed the protesters in Iran. Others in Congress did not immediately respond, however, amid conflicting reports over who had organized the demonstrations. Even after the billions in sanctions relief they secured through the nuclear deal, the ayatollahs still cant provide for the basic needs of their own people, said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a Trump ally and opponent of the nuclear deal. We should support the Iranian people who are willing to risk their lives to speak out against it, he added. Trump initially tweeted his support on Friday night. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement at that time as protests spread. There are many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with the regimes corruption and its squandering of the nations wealth to fund terrorism abroad, Sanders said. The Iranian government should respect their peoples rights, including their right to express themselves. The world is watching. Facebook

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When it comes to U.S.-Russia relations, it takes two to tango, Kremlin says By Sabra Ayres The deteriorating relationship between the United States and Russia is one of the biggest disappointments of 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman told reporters today. Russia would like to rebuild relations between the two adversaries, but it takes two to tango, Dmitry Peskov said today during a conference call with the press. We want and are looking for good mutually beneficial relations based on mutual respect, mutual trust with all countries, primarily with European ones, including the United States, but it is necessary to dance tango, as they say. Peskov blamed the ongoing anti-Russian Russophobia in Washington for playing a major role in blocking the two countries from moving forward in their relationship. U.S. investigations into the Trump presidential campaigns alleged collusion with the Kremlin during the 2016 U.S. election and accusations that the Kremlin tried to interfere with the electoral process continue to cast a dark shadow over the relationship, he said. Peskov told reporters that Moscow was perplexed by the investigations. The Kremlin has continued to deny having any involvement with the Trump campaign or doing anything to interfere with the American election. This is definitely a U.S. domestic affair, but in this case it naturally hurts our bilateral relations, which is regrettable, Peskov said. Relations between the U.S. and Russia have been categorized as the worst theyve been since the end of the Cold War. This year, Washington and Moscow have engaged in a diplomatic tit-for-tat in which both sides have been forced to reduce diplomatic staff, embassy properties have been repossessed by the hosting countries and visa services have been interrupted. The U.S. diplomatic mission to Russia shrank from 1,200 personnel, including some Russian local staff, to just over 450 across all its three consulates and embassy in Moscow. In the U.S., Russia was forced to vacate its San Francisco consulate. Moscow has also blamed anti-Russian sentiments on the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee to ban Russian teams from wearing their tricolor uniforms or flags during the upcoming games in South Korea. The international body accused some of the Russian national teams of doping. Facebook

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U.S. and Turkey resume reciprocal issuing of visas but frictions remain By Tracy Wilkinson The United States and Turkey began issuing reciprocal visas again on Thursday, more than two months after normal visa service was suspended in a dispute over the arrest of two U.S. diplomatic staffers in Istanbul  the latest friction between the two nominal allies. The State Department said it was lifting the visa restrictions after it was assured by the Turkish government that U.S. Embassy employees would not be arrested when performing their official duties. But the Turkish Embassy in Washington denied assurances were offered concerning the ongoing judicial processes, and suggested that the arrests were legal and justified. It is inappropriate to misinform the Turkish and American public that such assurances were provided, the embassy said in a statement. The dispute has aggravated the already tense relationship between the United States and Turkey, which is a member of the NATO military alliance. The two countries have clashed over U.S. support for Kurdish rebels in Syria and over Turkeys demands that the U.S. extradite a Turkish cleric who lives in rural Pennsylvania. After a failed coup attempt killed more than 250 people in July 2016, Turkeys autocratic president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, launched a harsh crackdown on his political opponents, arresting or firing tens of thousands of teachers, police, journalists, military officers and others. Erdogan accused Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic educator and former political ally, of orchestrating the coup. Gulen, who has lived in a compound in the Pocono Mountains, has denied any involvement. The Justice Department has so far denied Turkeys repeated demands to extradite Gulen. Erdogan raised the issue again at the White House in May, but his visit ended in a public relations disaster when his security guards brutally beat peaceful protesters outside the Turkish ambassadors residence. Two Turkish employees of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul were arrested this fall for alleged ties to the 2016 coup attempt. The U.S. responded by suspending most visa services at its missions in Turkey in October. The Turkish government reciprocated in November. State Department officials said they have repeatedly demanded more information about any formal charges against the two employees. They reiterated on Thursday that serious concerns about the allegations remained. Facebook

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Trump: China caught RED HANDED allowing oil to reach North Korea By Brian Bennett (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) President Trump isnt taking a holiday vacation from Twitter. In one of three tweets early on Thursday from his West Palm Beach golf club, he charged that China was caught RED HANDED allowing oil shipments to reach North Korean ports. Pronouncing himself very disappointed, Trump in effect was acknowledging the failure of his months-long effort to convince China to clamp down further on energy shipments going to the isolated country, which relies heavily on Beijing, as a way to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2017 Trumps tweet came after a South Korean newspaper published what it said were U.S. spy satellite images of Chinese ships selling oil to North Korean ships. The United Nations Security Council, which includes China, has voted repeatedly to restrict fuel shipments to North Korea. Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping in November to cut off North Koreas oil supply entirely, the American ambassador to the U.N., Nikki R. Haley, said at the time. It is unclear if Trumps admonishment of China was based on news reports or classified information he received from U.S. intelligence officials. There was no daily intelligence briefing on Trumps public schedule Thursday. He is expected to return to Washington next week after spending the Christmas holiday and New Years Eve at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Facebook

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President Trump again falsely claims hes signed more bills than any president By Brian Bennett President Trump visits a firehouse in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. (Nicholas Kamm / AFP) After another morning at his Florida golf club, President Trump visited firefighters and paramedics at a West Palm Beach firehouse and praised his own performance as president, including with a false boast. Trump touted his administrations work to roll back government regulations and cut taxes and claimed credit for the stock market hitting record highs. He also said hes signed more bills into law than any other president, which isnt true. We have signed more legislation than anybody, Trump said, standing in front of a rescue vehicle inside the fire station. We have more legislation passed, including  the record was Harry Truman a long time ago, and we broke that record, so we got a lot done, Trump said. An analysis by GovTrack, a website that tracks bills in Congress, shows that Trump has signed the fewest bills into law at this point than any president in more than 60 years, back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Facebook

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Trump administration urges Russia to reinstate monitors in Ukraine, lower violence By Tracy Wilkinson Sergei Lavrov (AFP/Getty Images) Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Russia on Wednesday to reinstate its military personnel at a monitoring station in eastern Ukraine intended to quell escalating bloodshed. In a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, Tillerson also urged Russia to lower the level of violence and underscored the Trump administrations concern over increased fighting in Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement. Russia last week withdrew its monitors from the Joint Center on Coordination and Control, which is tasked with verifying a much-violated ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists. Moscow cited what it called restrictions and provocations from Ukrainian authorities that made it impossible for the observers to do their jobs. Washington has accused the pro-Russia forces of being responsible for many of the truce violations. Late last week, the State Department also announced plans to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, a decision that angered Moscow. The State Department statement did not say whether the weapons deal came up in Tillersons conversation with Lavrov. The two also discussed North Korea, its destabilizing nuclear program and the need for a diplomatic solution to achieve a denuclearized Korean peninsula, the statement said. Russia has offered to serve as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang, but direct talks do not seem likely at this point. Facebook

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U.S. sanctions two more North Korean officials for ballistic missile program By Tracy Wilkinson The Trump administration announced sanctions Tuesday against two more North Korean officials for their alleged role in Pyongyangs expanding ballistic missiles program. The Treasury Department is targeting leaders of North Koreas ballistic missile programs, as part of our maximum pressure campaign to isolate [North Korea] and achieve a fully denuclearized Korean Peninsula, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement. The nuclear-armed country tested an intercontinental ballistic missile last month that U.S. officials said appeared capable of reaching New York or Washington, a significant milestone in the countrys growing arsenal. The Treasury Department identified the two North Korean officials as Kim Jong Sik, who reportedly is a key figure in the ballistic missile program and led efforts to switch missiles from liquid to solid fuel (which makes them easier to hide before launch), and Ri Pyong Chol, who was reported to be a key official in the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The sanctions block banks, companies and individuals from doing any business with the targeted officials. It also allows the U.S. government to freeze any American assets owned by the officials. On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to add more sanctions on North Korea, its third round this year. The new measures order North Koreans working abroad to return home within two years, and ban nearly 90% of refined petroleum exports to the country. In a statement published Sunday by North Koreas state-run KCNA news agency, the foreign ministry denounced the new U.N. sanctions as an act of war. We define this sanctions resolution rigged up by the US and its followers as a grave infringement upon the sovereignty of our Republic, as an act of war violating peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region and categorically reject the resolution, it said. Facebook

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Salt Lake Tribune calls on Sen. Orrin Hatch to not seek reelection in scathing editorial Perhaps the most significant move of Hatchs career is the one that should, if there is any justice, end it. The last time the senator was up for reelection, in 2012, he promised that it would be his last campaign. That was enough for many likely successors, of both parties, to stand down, to let the elder statesman have his victory tour and to prepare to run for an open seat in 2018. Clearly, it was a lie. Read the editorial>> Facebook

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Christmas Eve, Trump on Twitter: New attacks on FBI official, decrying Fake News By Laura King President Trump launched a Christmas Eve attack on FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, whom he accuses of favoritism toward his former opponent, Hillary Clinton, and also returned to a longtime favored theme, excoriating the news media for failing to sufficiently extol his accomplishments. .@FoxNews-FBIs Andrew McCabe, in addition to his wife getting all of this money from M (Clinton Puppet), he was using, allegedly, his FBI Official Email Account to promote her campaign. You obviously cannot do this. These were the people who were investigating Hillary Clinton.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017 Thank you President TRUMP!! pic.twitter.com/LKdkT0FL99  oregon4TRUMP (@shawgerald4) December 23, 2017 The Fake News refuses to talk about how Big and how Strong our BASE is. They show Fake Polls just like they report Fake News. Despite only negative reporting, we are doing well - nobody is going to beat us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017 Trump, who is spending the holidays at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, also sent Christmas greetings to deployed military personnel, praising them for success in the fight against terrorism. The early-morning swipe at McCabe followed a flurry of tweets attacking the deputy FBI chief on Saturday. McCabe, who has been a lightning rod for Republican attacks on the FBI, is expected to retire early in the new year. How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wifes campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017 FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?!!!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017 Critics say the president and his allies are in the midst of a systematic campaign to denigrate the FBI and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is looking into potential collusion by the Trump campaign in Russias attempts to sway the 2016 presidential election. In a pair of statements on Twitter, Trump again expressed scorn regarding news coverage of his administration. For months, the president has been particularly critical of reports regarding the Russia investigation and more recently has repeatedly complained he does not receive enough credit for a booming stock market. In his video conference message to troops overseas, the president made apparent reference to the fight against the militants of Islamic State, who over the last year have lost most of the territory they previously controlled in Iraq and Syria, including former strongholds in Mosul and Raqqah. Were winning, Trump told military personnel deployed in Qatar, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay and aboard the guided missile destroyer Sampson. Reporters traveling with the president heard his address, but were ushered from the room before he took questions from the troops. The president often breaks with longtime custom and makes politically charged statements at events in which he addresses military personnel. Facebook

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Trumps Wells Fargo tweet cited in court hearing as reason to remove Mulvaney as CFPB acting chief By Jim Puzzanghera A recent tweet by President Trump about possible penalties against Wells Fargo & Co. was cited during a court hearing Friday as a reason for removing White House official Mick Mulvaney as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The attorney for Leandra English  the bureaus deputy director who has said she is the rightful acting head  said Trumps tweet showed he was trying to exercise improper influence over the independent consumer watchdog. I think that [tweet] shows you this isnt just some hypothetical concern, the attorney, Deepak Gupta, told Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia during a nearly two-hour hearing. Read More Facebook

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Trump administration recognizes Honduran presidents reelection By Tracy Wilkinson The Trump administration on Friday formally recognized the incumbent president of Honduras, conservative Juan Orlando Hernandez, as the winner of a bitterly contested presidential election held last month. In a statement, the State Department congratulated Hernandez while also acknowledging widespread irregularities in the Nov. 26 vote and calling for a robust national dialogue to overcome political discord in the Central American country, a close ally of the administration. The Organization of American States, which monitored the election, said it was so flawed that only a new round of voting could establish a fair and transparent outcome. But the U.S. rejected that determination. Uproar over the contest led to demonstrations in Honduras that left numerous civilians dead after state security forces opened fire on the protests. Activists and others voiced criticism Friday of the administrations decision. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a leading Democratic voice on Central American issues, said he was angry and deeply disturbed by the State Department decision. The recent elections in Honduras were deeply flawed, chaotic and marred by numerous irregularities, McGovern said. U.S.-Honduran cooperation on matters such as drug-trafficking, violence and immigration requires a credible, legitimate government that has the support of its people, in Honduras, McGovern said. Hernandezs victory also was controversial because it was the first time a sitting president was allowed to run for re-election, barred until now by the Honduran Constitution. Facebook

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Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says fixing DACA is no emergency until March By Lisa Mascaro Amanda Bayer, left with banner, and Marisol Maqueda, right, join a rally in support of so-called Dreamers outside the White House. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday hes committed to allowing a vote on a bill for so-called Dreamers in January, but sees no rush to resolve the deportation threat posed by President Trumps decision to end a program protecting immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. There isnt that much of an emergency there, he said. There is no emergency until March. Well keep talking about it. Trump called for phasing out by March the Obama-era program that allows the young immigrants, many of them longtime residents, to get two-year deferrals of any deportation threat so they can legally attend school or work. Beneficiaries must be vetted for security purposes. Trump told Congress to come up with a legislative alternative for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which President Obama created by executive order, to protect those currently eligible. A bipartisan Senate group has been working with the White House, but talks stalled this week amid administration demands for curbs on legal immigration flows in exchange for protecting the DACA recipients. Meanwhile, Dreamers and immigrant advocates stormed the Capitol in recent days pressing for the help promised by Trump and Democratic congressional leaders that failed to materialize in the years final legislation. Advocacy groups say more than 120 immigrants each day are falling out of compliance without DACA renewals, putting them at risk of deportation. The number that is projected to swell to more than 1,000 a day in March. Weve been gridlocked on this issue for years, McConnell said. We want to have a signature. We dont just want to spin our wheels and have nothing to show for it. Facebook

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President Trump signs tax bill By Noah Bierman (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump on Friday morning signed a sweeping tax-cut measure  his first major legislative achievement  before heading off for a Christmas vacation at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Fla. The president also privately signed a short-term spending bill to fund government operations through Jan. 19. Congress approved it Thursday, after Republican leaders were unable to bridge differences in their own party as well as with Democrats to get agreement on funding for the full fiscal year. The stopgap bill punts fights on immigration and other issues to January. The tax bill, approved earlier this week in Congress in largely party-line votes, slashes corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and also includes a host of other provisions for individuals, all intended to boost the economy. Critics point to nonpartisan analyses showing that the package, including changes greatly reducing the number of estates subject to taxes, steers the bulk of tax benefits to top earners and the wealthy, including Trump, despite his repeated claims that hell take a hit. Trump signed the bill quietly Friday, but held a public ceremony with Republican lawmakers on Wednesday after the bills passage; he also tweeted about the measure extensively. He is expected to hold another public ceremony after the New Years holiday. Facebook

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Pelosi urges Ryan to prevent Republicans from curtailing Houses Russia probe By Chris Megerian House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin greets House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Friday urging him to ensure the Houses investigation into Russian interference with last years presidential campaign is not cut short. The American people deserve a comprehensive and fair investigation into Russias attacks, wrote Pelosi, of San Francisco, in her letter. Political haste must not cut short valid investigatory threads. The House Intelligence Committee has been probing the issue since March 1, and Democrats have repeatedly warned that Republicans are trying to wrap up its work prematurely. Pelosi said Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, should take urgent action to ensure this investigation can continue. AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said Pelosi simply wants to see this investigation go on forever in order to suit her political agenda. Whether it concludes next month, next year, or in three years, she will say it is too soon, Strong said in a statement. She added, The investigation will conclude when the committee has reached a conclusion. The committees work is led by Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas). His spokeswoman, Emily Hytha, said he remains committed to conducting this investigation as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible. With more interviews scheduled, the investigation shows signs of extending into next year, Bloomberg reported Friday. BREAKING: Steve Bannon and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski have been sent letters requesting they testify to House Intel panel in early January, per @HouseInSession  Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) December 22, 2017 Facebook

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Congress votes to avert government shutdown, but Senate fails to pass disaster aid package By Lisa Mascaro ( (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)) Congress approved a temporary spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, but failed to complete work on an $81-billion disaster aid package to help California, Gulf Coast states and Puerto Rico recover from wildfires and hurricanes, as lawmakers scrambled Thursday to wrap up business before a Christmas break. The stopgap measure continues federal operations for a few more weeks, setting up another deadline for Jan. 19. But it left undone a long list of priorities that members of both parties had hoped to finish this year. Read More Facebook

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Wells Fargo says raises were not linked to tax bill passage  then backtracks By James Rufus Koren Wells Fargo & Co.s move to raise its minimum pay to $15 an hour was part of a long-term plan and not related to the passage of the Republican tax overhaul as the company implied, said a bank spokesman, who later backtracked and stated the hikes were a result of the bills approval. The bank was among several large corporations to publicly announce pay raises or new investments immediately following the final House vote in an apparent public relations offensive to boost the popularity of the tax bill The San Francisco bank had implied the direct linkage to the tax legislation in a news release Wednesday, shortly after Congress passed the tax overhaul, which slashes the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% starting Jan. 1. Read More Facebook

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Obamacare signups beat expectations, despite Trump administrations opposition By Noam N. Levey President Trump with Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Despite Trump administration efforts to discourage people from signing up, the number of people enrolling for Affordable Care Act coverage nearly hit last years level, the government revealed Thursday. Exchange open enrollment for 2018 coverage ended w/ approx 8.8M people enrolling in coverage. Great job to the @CMSGov team for the work you did to make this the smoothest experience for consumers to date. We take pride in providing great customer service.  Administrator Seema Verma (@SeemaCMS) December 21, 2017 The 8.8 million people who enrolled in the 36 states that use the federal governments healthcare.gov system significantly exceeded most forecasts. The Trump administration stopped most outreach and other efforts this year aimed at getting people to sign up. The president also repeatedly said publicly that Obamacare was dead. Open enrollment continues in California and several other states that run their own healthcare marketplaces. The figures from the federal government indicate that when those states wrap up for the year, the number of people covered by Obamacare will be nearly the same as in 2017. Read More Facebook

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U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly condemns U.S. policy change on Jerusalem despite Trumps threats By Tracy Wilkinson The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted Thursday to condemn President Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite Trumps threats to punish countries that voted against the U.S. position. The resolution passed in an emergency session at U.N. headquarters in New York with 128 in favor, nine opposed and 35 abstentions. The nonbinding resolution demands that Washington rescind its declaration, which included a plan to transfer the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in coming years. The resolution value is mostly symbolic, showing how isolated the U.S. is in the move. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., warned this week that she would be taking names of countries that opposed the U.S., and Trump on Wednesday suggested he might cut U.S. aid to governments that voted in favor of the resolution. Let them vote against us, Trump said. Well save a lot. We dont care. The U.S. recognition of Jerusalem reversed decades of international consensus on the political status of the divided city. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital in a future independent state. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said the U.N. was facing an unprecedented test and that history would remember those who stand by what is right. Facebook

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Democrats defend Robert Mueller, saying Russia investigation must be allowed to continue By Chris Megerian Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) speaking during a committee hearing earlier this year. (Molly Riley / Associated Press) House Democrats said they will fight Republican attempts to discredit and undermine the work of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating whether President Trumps associates helped Russian meddling in last years election. There is an organized effort by Republicans, in concert with Fox News, to spin a false narrative and conjure up outrageous scenarios to accuse special counsel Mueller of being biased, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said. Trump has said he has no plan to fire Mueller, but Democrats are alarmed by escalating criticism of the special counsels work. Why is the president afraid of the facts and the truth? Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said. He added, No matter what the facts are, were satisfied if the investigation is complete. A letter of support signed by 171 Democratic members of Congress will be sent to Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, a former FBI director, and oversees his investigation. Rosenstein has defended Mueller in the face of Republican criticisms. Facebook

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U.S. blacklists Myanmar army general who it says oversaw atrocities against Rohingya Muslims By Shashank Bengali The Trump administration on Thursday blacklisted a Myanmar army general who it said oversaw human rights abuses committed by security forces against Rohingya Muslims. Imposing economic sanctions against the general, Maung Maung Soe, was the toughest action the United States has taken in response to a brutal army offensive that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has described as ethnic cleansing. In a statement, the Treasury Department said it had examined credible evidence of Maung Maung Soes activities, including allegations against Burmese security forces of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and arbitrary arrest as well as the widespread burning of villages. The Rohingya are an ethnic and religious minority of about 1 million people in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, also known as Burma. The United Nations says that more than 640,000 Rohingya have fled the country since August, after the army launched clearance operations in response to attacks carried out by a Rohingya insurgent group against security forces. Rohingya refugees in crowded camps in neighboring Bangladesh have described horrific violence by Myanmar forces, including mass rapes, summary executions and children being burned alive. The aid group Doctors Without Borders estimates that 6,700 people were killed in the first month of the operation. Myanmar authorities deny committing atrocities and say that only a few hundred fighters were killed. Maung Maung Soe was chief of the armys Western Command, which carried out the offensive. He was transferred from his position last month, according to news reports. He was one of 13 individuals worldwide who were blacklisted Thursday under a new U.S. law that gives the Treasury Department authority to target officials for human rights abuses and corruption. Others included former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh; Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the late Uzbekistan dictator Islam Karimov; and Artem Chaika, son of Russias prosecutor-general. Today, the United States is taking a strong stand against human rights abuse and corruption globally by shutting these bad actors out of the U.S. financial system, said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. The sanctions freeze any assets Maung Maung Soe holds in the United States and bars Americans from doing business with him. It is also a sign of how quickly U.S. relations with Myanmar have soured. Under the Obama administration, the United States forged closer ties with the former military dictatorship and eased economic and political sanctions as the country began implementing democratic reforms. But Myanmar, which does not regard the Rohingya as citizens, has lashed out at the international community over the current crisis. It has jailed journalists, blocked access to affected areas in the western state of Rakhine and this week barred a U.N. human rights investigator from entering the country. Rohingya activists said the U.S. action would not have much effect on a country that survived under economic sanctions for years. It is the whole military institution that has a policy to persecute these people, said Nay San Lwin, a Rohingya activist and blogger in Germany. According to the U.S.s own definition, the army is carrying out ethnic cleansing. They have a responsibility to protect these people. Sanctions on one person are really not enough. Facebook

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Dreamers will have to wait until next year for Congress long-promised protections By Lisa Mascaro Amanda Bayer, left with banner, and Marisol Maqueda, right, join a rally in support of so-called Dreamers outside the White House. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)) A promised year-end deal to protect the young immigrants known as Dreamers from deportation collapsed Wednesday as Republicans in Congress  fresh off passage of their tax plan  prepared to punt nearly all remaining must-do agenda items into the new year. Congressional leaders still hope that before leaving town this week they can pass an $81-billion disaster relief package with recovery funds for California wildfires and Gulf Coast states hit during the devastating hurricane season. But passage even of that relatively popular measure remained in doubt as conservatives balked at the price tag. Rather than finish the year wrapping up the legislative agenda, the GOP majorities in the House and Senate struggled over their next steps. Read More Facebook

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Chants of protest drown out any caroling this holiday season at the Capitol By Lisa Mascaro U.S. Capitol Police arrest a man wearing a Santa Claus hat during a protest against the Republican tax bill. (Alex Edelman / AFP/Getty Image) Outside the U.S. Capitol, the lights on a towering Christmas tree are flipped on each evening, giving the Engelmann spruce a festive twinkle; inside the marble halls, wreaths and garlands decorate doorways and alcoves ahead of the holidays. But the spirit of the season has been punctuated by other sights: a Jumbotron parked across from the Capitol reflecting pool broadcasts images of young immigrants who face deportation; Little Lobbyists, children with complex medical needs, were featured in a recent news conference; protesters filed into the visitor galleries to shout against the Republican tax plan. While its beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Capitol, its also shaping up to be a holiday season of protest. Read More Facebook

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Tax bill simplifies filing for some but complicates it for others  and dont count on that postcard By Jim Puzzanghera A priority of the Republicans tax overhaul was simplification, and they drove home the point this fall with an omnipresent prop: a red-white-and-blue postcard. Were making things so simple that you can do your taxes on a form the size of a postcard, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) said last month, pulling one from his jacket pocket as he and Republican leaders unveiled their bill. They gave a couple of the cards to President Trump at a White House meeting a few hours later and flashed them often during news conferences and TV interviews in the coming days. Read More Facebook

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Top U.N. human rights official reportedly wont seek reelection The top United Nations official for human rights, who has frequently criticized the Trump administration, has reportedly decided not to seek a second term, saying his work had become untenable. Zeid Raad Hussein, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, notified his staff in an email that was obtained by several news outlets, including Agence France-Presse. Staying when his four-year term is up for renewal at the end of August might involve bending a knee in supplication, AFP quoted Husseins email as saying. Hussein is a Jordanian prince who has criticized, among other things, President Trumps attempts to ban visitors or refugees from six predominantly Muslim countries. The news comes a day before the U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote on a nonbinding resolution condemning the Trump administrations formal declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a decision that went against international consensus. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has warned she will be taking names of those who vote against the United States on Thursday. Trump echoed that sentiment Wednesday, voiced support for Haley and implying to reporters that he would consider cutting off U.S. aid to countries that vote against the U.S. Well, were watching those votes, Trump said. Let them vote against us. Well save a lot. We dont care. On Monday, the United States lost a Security Council vote 14-1 on a binding resolution that would have required Washington to rescind its declaration. Haley then vetoed the resolution. Facebook

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Top Democrat warns Trump not to fire Mueller or interfere with his investigation By Chris Megerian Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, one of the top Democrats involved in the congressional inquiries into Russian interference in last years election, said Wednesday that any attempt by President Trump to interfere with the separate criminal investigation would be a gross abuse of power. Warner, who is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, delivered his warning from the Senate floor as Republicans escalate their criticism of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and his team of prosecutors and FBI agents. Some Democrats believe Trump is laying the groundwork to fire Mueller even though the president has publicly denied it. Mueller was appointed in May after Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey. In the United States of America, no one, no one is above the law, not even the president, Warner said. Congress must make clear to the president that firing the special counsel or interfering with his investigation by issuing pardons of essential witnesses is unacceptable and would have immediate and significant consequences. Some Democrats say the White House may try to in effect short-circuit the Mueller investigation by replacing Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who is the only official empowered to fire Mueller. Rosenstein recently told Congress that the special counsel is acting appropriately and that he would not dismiss Mueller without just cause. Facebook

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We have essentially repealed Obamacare, Trump says after tax bill passes By Brian Bennett President Trump at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday at the White House. (Chris Kleponis / Getty Images) President Trump is celebrating Republicans passage of the tax overhaul bill as a two-fer: On Wednesday, in addition to tax cuts, he checked off his promise to repeal Obamacare, pointing to a provision in the bill to end the penalty on Americans who dont get health insurance. We have essentially repealed Obamacare, Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. Other provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act are still in place, and Trump and congressional Republicans failed completely on the replace half of their vow to repeal and replace the program. In Trumps view, however, stripping away the laws individual mandate to get insurance or else pay a tax penalty amounts to repeal of the whole law. Congressional analysts have said that millions of people would lose insurance as a result, either by choice or because they cannot afford it without subsidies, and that premiums would increase for others as younger, healthy people drop coverage. We will come up with something much better, Trump said, adding that block grants to states could be one approach. By his comments, Trump tacitly acknowledged that repeal of the mandate is likely the best he can do following Republicans failure this year to agree on a repeal-and-replace bill. Looking back on his first year, Trump also boasted of his administrations efforts against the Islamic State and increased immigration enforcement. He said he had not given up on funding a border wall or tightening immigration law to limit citizens ability to resettle foreign relatives in the country. He said he would very shortly visit the border with Mexico near San Diego to see wall prototypes that have been built. He didnt answer a reporters shouted question about how he would personally benefit from the tax bill. Facebook

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House gives final OK to GOP tax plan, sending it to Trump By Lisa Mascaro Congress gave final approval to the GOP tax plan Wednesday, 224-201, after the House took an unusual do-over vote to clear up differences with the Senate-passed bill. The $1.5-trillion package now heads to President Trump, who plans to sign it into law. The House had approved the tax bill on Tuesday but was forced to take another vote Wednesday because a couple of provisions in the version it approved were found to be in violation of Senate procedures. Those provisions were dropped before the Senate gave its approval early Wednesday. Critics complained the Republicans rushed to pass the sweeping tax plan to deliver Trump a year-end legislative victory, but supporters shrugged off the problems as minor. The tax plan dramatically cuts corporate rates and provides some individual rate reductions, overhauling the tax code for the first time in 30 years. Facebook

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Trump administration effort to block immigrant from having an abortion fails By David Savage Scott Lloyd is director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) President Trumps lawyers rushed to the Supreme Court and U.S. appeals court in Washington on Monday evening to file emergency appeals seeking to prevent an immigrant in detention, dubbed Jane Roe in court, from having an abortion. That set the stage for a legal showdown on whether the administration can block pregnant minors in custody from choosing to have an abortion. But the legal clash, which the administration has seemed eager to have, fizzled out Tuesday when the governments lawyers admitted the 17-year-old unaccompanied minor in their custody was actually 19. They said they had obtained her birth certificate and realized she was not a minor after all. As a result, Roe, who is 10 weeks pregnant, will no longer be held in a detention center for immigrant minors, and will not be subject to an administration policy that tries to prevent minors in immigration detention from having abortions. Administration lawyers told appeals court judges Tuesday night that Roe was being sent to a facility for adults and likely would be released until her immigration status can be resolved. In a brief order, the D.C. Circuit Court agreed to put the case on hold, but told government attorneys to confirm that she will be permitted to obtain an abortion. The administration had earlier tried to delay another young woman, referred to in court as Jane Poe, from having an abortion, but officials relented on Monday because she was 22 weeks pregnant and nearing the time limit for a legal abortion. Facebook

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Senate panel rejects Trumps pick to lead Export-Import Bank, a leader in the effort to shut it down By Jim Puzzanghera A Senate committee on Tuesday rejected President Trumps nominee to lead the Export-Import Bank, extending the chaos at the embattled agency whose job is to help U.S. companies sell their goods abroad. Two Republicans joined all Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee in voting against former Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) to be the banks president. Garrett had been a vocal critic of the Ex-Im Bank and a leader of a conservative effort that shut the bank down for five months in 2015 by blocking its congressional authorization. He and other bank opponents branded the banks aid as crony capitalism. Read More Facebook

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Congress proposes $81-billion disaster aid package, including funds for California wildfires By Lisa Mascaro Congress is set to consider an $81-billion disaster aid package that includes wildfire recovery money for California and other Western states as well as hurricane relief with a price tag reflecting a year of record-setting natural calamities. The legislation, the text of which was released late Monday, would provide almost twice as much as the $44 billion the White House sought last month to cover relief efforts along the Gulf Coast and in the Caribbean. Republican congressional leaders added more money after California lawmakers objected that the administration had failed to include help for areas damaged by wildfires and Democrats protested that the overall amount President Trump asked for was insufficient. Read More Facebook

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White House blames North Korea for worldwide WannaCry cyber attack By Noah Bierman The Royal London Hospital, a victim of the unprecedented global cyberattack in May. (Niklas Hallen / AFP/Getty Images) The White House officially blamed North Korea on Tuesday for the cyberattack in May known as WannaCry that infected hundreds of thousands of computers in 150 countries, affecting healthcare, financial services and vital infrastructure. Thomas P. Bossert, assistant to the president for homeland security and counter-terrorism, noted in a briefing with reporters that the consequences were beyond economic. He warned that North Koreas malicious behavior is growing more egregious. Bossert did not specify what evidence American officials have to blame North Korea, citing security issues, but he cited the countrys prior attacks as revealing hallmarks of how Pyongyang and its network of hackers operates. He said other allied countries had joined the United States in making the determination. The administration did not announce any penalties on the regime, which is already subject to severe sanctions over its nuclear program. They want to hold the entire world at risk, Bossert said of North Koreas rulers, referring to the nations nuclear and missile provocations as well as its alleged cyberattack. Given its isolation and international sanctions, North Korea is desperate for funds. Bossert said the country did not appear to make much money on the ransom attack, as word spread that paying a ransom did not result in getting computers unlocked. Its primary goal, he said, was spreading chaos. Bossert and Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary of homeland security for cybersecurity and communication, said the United States, through a combination of preparation and luck, escaped the worst of the attack, as a patch to the malware was found before U.S. companies and other interests were severely crippled. However, Manfra said, We cannot be complacent. Bossert added, Next time were not going to get so lucky. Manfra praised Microsoft and Facebook for their efforts to combat WannaCry and to block more recent attempts to hack U.S. systems. She and Bossert urged more cooperation and information-sharing from American and multinational companies, arguing a united front is vital to protecting against bad actors who do not differentiate between government and business. Bossert rejected criticism that the the Trump administration has more aggressively called out North Korean cyberattacks than it has Russias meddling in the 2016 election. He said the administration has continued the national emergency initiated by President Obama. Facebook

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GOP lures some mountain bike groups in its push to roll back protections for public land By Evan Halper When their vision of creating a scenic cycling trail through a protected alpine backcountry hit a snag, San Diego area mountain bikers turned to an unlikely ally: congressional Republicans aiming to dilute conservation laws. The frustrations of the San Diego cycling group and a handful of similar organizations are providing tailwind to the GOP movement to lift restrictions on the countrys most ecologically fragile and pristine landscapes, officially designated wilderness. Resentment of these cyclists over the longstanding ban on mechanized transportation in that fraction of the nations public lands presents a political opportunity for Republicans eager to drill fissures in the broad coalition of conservation-minded groups united against the GOP environmental agenda. Read More Facebook

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Vice president postpones Israel trip a second time in case his vote is needed to pass tax cut bill By Noah Bierman (Ethan Miller / Getty Images) Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his trip to Egypt and Israel for a second time in case he is needed to break a tie in the Senate for the tax bill that is expected to pass narrowly this week. Two White House officials confirmed the changed schedule, which they say is unrelated to to protests in the region over the administrations decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Pence had initially been scheduled to leave last Saturday. Late last week, the White House moved the trip back a few days to Tuesday night, in case Pence was needed to break a Senate tie. But Monday, they decided to postpone the trip further, to January, given the possibility of a late Senate vote and the coming holidays. He wants to see it through the finish line, said a White House official, referring to the tax measure that is a centerpiece of the Republican legislative agenda. We dont want to leave anything to chance. The mid-January dates will allow Pence more breathing room to merge schedules with embassies and hotels, the official said. Trump still plans to address the Israeli Knesset, a high-profile venue to discuss the Jerusalem decision where it is most popular. Facebook

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Trump judicial pick who drew ridicule at hearing withdraws By Associated Press A White House official says the Trump judicial nominee whose qualifications were questioned by a Republican senator has withdrawn his nomination. Matthew Petersen, who was nominated by President Trump to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has been the subject of widespread ridicule since he was unable to define basic legal terms during his confirmation hearing Wednesday. A White House official says Petersen has withdrawn his nomination and that Trump has accepted the withdrawal. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the development publicly. Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy pressed Petersen, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, who testified he had never tried a case, on his qualifications to the bench. Facebook

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Trump says McCain will return to Washington if needed for tax vote By Laura King President Trump said Sunday that Sen. John McCain, who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, was returning home to Arizona for the holidays but would come back to Washington if needed to cast a vote on the Republicans tax overhaul bill. The Arizona Republicans office announced last week that McCain was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington for complications from his cancer treatment. McCains daughter Meghan tweeted earlier Sunday that her 81-year-old father would be spending Christmas in Arizona. The Senate is expected to vote early this week on the tax cut legislation, but the GOP appeared to have secured sufficient support without McCains vote. John will come back if we need his vote, Trump told reporters as he returned from a weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David. Hes going through a very tough time. Facebook

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Putin calls Trump to thank him for U.S. help foiling terrorist strike By Laura King Vladimir Putin phoned President Trump to thank him for what the Russian president said was CIA help in foiling a terrorist attack, the Kremlin said on Sunday. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the two leaders conversation to reporters. It was the second time that the two leaders had talked in four days; Trump called Putin on Thursday to thank the Russian leader for lauding the U.S. economy. Putin, in his annual year-end news conference, had praised Trump for a strong performance by the U.S. stock market. Perhaps ironically, given his credit to the CIAs recent help, Putin at that news event dismissed as hysteria the consensus among American intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign. In reporting Putins call to Trump on Sunday, the official Russian news agency Tass said Putin thanked his American counterpart for information shared by the US Central Intelligence Agency that had helped break up a plot to set off explosives in St. Petersburgs landmark Kazan Cathedral and elsewhere in the city, which is Russias second-largest. Russian authorities last week had credited their countrys counter-intelligence service, the FSB, for foiling the attacks. They reported that seven people affiliated with Islamic State had been detained in St. Petersburg in connection with the plot. The FSB, the successor organization to the KGB, announced Friday that the group had planned to carry out the attacks on Saturday, and that one of those in custody had confessed to the cathedral bomb plot. Facebook

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Mnuchin: Government shutdown unlikely but could happen By Laura King Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said on Sunday that a government shutdown this week was unlikely but possible. A two-week stopgap spending bill passed by Congress earlier this month provided enough funding to keep the government running through Friday. A deadlock on another temporary funding measure would open the door to a possible shutdown. I cant rule it out, but I cant imagine it occurring, Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday, suggesting everyone had an interest in avoiding the government grinding to a halt and federal workers going unpaid, especially in the holiday season. I would expect that both the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, understand if they cant agree on this, they need to have another short-term extension to move this to January, the Treasury secretary said. We cant have a government shutdown in front of Christmas. In May, irate over concessions made to Democrats in hammering out a spending measure, President Trump tweeted that a good shutdown might help matters. While both parties agree that a government shutdown involves a degree of disruption that is not beneficial to either side, shutdowns in 1995-96 and in 2013 mainly caused a backlash against Republicans. The latest funding measure is to be taken up after a vote on a massive GOP tax overhaul, expected by midweek. Facebook

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Trump transition team says sensitive emails should not have been shared with Robert Mueller By Chris Megerian (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) President Trumps transition team is crying foul over how special counsel Robert S. Mueller III obtained emails for his investigation into Russian meddling in last years campaign and possible Trump campaign complicity. Kory Langhofer, a lawyer for the transition team, sent a letter to Congress on Saturday saying there was an unauthorized disclosure of emails. While the Trump transition is long over, the transition team remains a nonprofit organization. Its emails were hosted by the General Services Administration, a federal agency. Mueller reportedly obtained the emails directly from the agency. There are attorney-client communications, Langhofer said in an interview. There are executive-privileged communications. He added, What were asking Congress to do is to take some legislative action to make sure this never happens again. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsels office, defended the process for obtaining emails. When we have obtained emails in the course of our ongoing criminal investigation, we have secured either the account owners consent or appropriate criminal process, he said. The letter was first reported by Fox News. A request for comment from the General Services Administration was not immediately answered. This story has been updated with a comment from the special counsels office. Facebook

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Virginia house arrest is ending for Paul Manafort By Chris Megerian (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) A federal judge agreed Friday to end Paul Manaforts house arrest in Virginia, allowing President Trumps former campaign manager to return to Florida while awaiting trial. The decision followed a dispute between Manaforts legal team and prosecutors working for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who accused Manafort of violating a court order restricting public statements about the case. Under the terms of the judges order, Manafort will be allowed to live at his home in Florida as long as he stays within Palm Beach and Broward counties and obeys a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. If he misses a court appearance, he would forfeit four properties valued at $10 million total. The deal, which includes GPS monitoring, is not as permissive as Manafort originally sought. He had asked to be able to travel freely among Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington. Manafort faces criminal charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty. Facebook

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GOP negotiators enhance child tax credit to win over Sen. Rubio By Lisa Mascaro Republican negotiators slightly increased the refundable portion of the expanded child tax credit in their tax plan, raising it to $1,400 in hopes of winning back Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) support ahead of next weeks vote. Rubio announced Thursday he was withholding support after negotiators ignored his push to make the expanded tax credit, which increases from the current $1,000 to $2,000 in the proposed bill, fully refundable for lower- and moderate-income filers. The refundable portion in the original bill was $1,100. The Florida senator argued that was not enough to help working-class Americans, many of whom already view the GOP plan as tilted toward the wealthy. Rubios office was waiting to see the final text before commenting on whether the change was enough to win him over. We have not seen the bill text, and until we see if the percentage of the refundable credit is significantly higher, then our position remains the same, Rubios spokeswoman said. Negotiators meeting Friday before unveiling the bill said they thought they had the support they needed from Rubio and other holdouts. Im confident both chambers will pass it next week, said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Facebook

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Sen. Marco Rubio opposes GOP tax bill, depriving leaders of crucial support By Lisa Mascaro 20.94% Corp. rate to pay for tax cut for working family making $40k was anti-growth but 21% to cut tax for couples making $1million is fine?  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 12, 2017 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) says he is currently opposed to the GOP tax plan because it fails to include his proposed enhancements to the child tax credit, leaving leaders without crucial support ahead of next weeks expected vote. Republicans can only lose two GOP senators from their slim 52-48 majority as they push the plan forward under special budget rules to prevent a Democratic filibuster. Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday altered his planned Israel trip so he could be on hand, if needed, to cast a tie-breaking vote. Rubio, and GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, have fought to increase the child tax credit, doubling it to $2,000 in the GOP plan, but they also want to increase its refundability. They argue it will lower taxes on middle-income families at a time when the tax plan is being criticized as tilted to the wealthy. Sen. Rubio has consistently communicated to the Senate tax negotiators that his vote on final passage would depend on whether the refundability of the Child Tax Credit was increased in a meaningful way, Rubios spokeswoman said. Lee stopped short of opposing the bill, but his spokesman said Wednesday he is undecided. GOP leaders, though, have said they believe they have the support for passage. Facebook

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White House gives Roy Moore a unsubtle shove: Time to concede By David Lauter (Alex Wong / Getty Images) The White House sent a clear signal Thursday to the defeated Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama: Its time to concede. Roy Moore refused to concede the race on Tuesday night when Doug Jones, the Democrat, was declared the winner. Election night results show Jones winning by about 1.5 percentage points, three times more than the states standard for a recount. Although a few absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted, theres no indication they would change the result. On Wednesday, Moore notably did not call to congratulate Jones  even as President Trump and other leading Republicans did. Instead, he released a video declaring the battle rages on. Asked at the daily news briefing whether the White House thinks Moore should concede today, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, It probably sounds like it maybe should have already taken place. Sanders also dismissed the idea, pushed by some Moore supporters, that Jones victory was tainted in some fashion. Asked if the Democrat had won fair and square, she said, I think the numbers reflect that. The states Republican senator, Richard Shelby, offered a similar comment in an interview with MSNBC in which he said he was willing to work with Jones. If I was 25,000 votes behind, its not going to change much, Shelby said. Facebook

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House Speaker Paul Ryan says hes not leaving anytime soon By Lisa Mascaro House Speaker Paul D. Ryan shot down suggestions Thursday that he might soon be retiring. Stories often circulate that party leaders, especially the House speaker, are stepping aside. Ryans tenure has been as rocky as that of his predecessor, Rep. John Boehner, who abruptly resigned in 2015 amid GOP infighting. Asked Thursday if he would be leaving, Ryan answered a simple no, as he left his weekly press conference in the Capitol. Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who reluctantly took over the speakers gavel after Boehners departure, had just finished talking up the GOP tax plan, which leaders hope to pass next week. He also outlined his sweeping agenda for his longtime goal of entitlement reform of welfare benefits next year. Two stories published Thursday suggested Ryan may soon be out. This is pure speculation, said spokeswoman AshLee Strong. As the speaker himself said today, hes not going anywhere anytime soon. Facebook

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GOP leaders reach tax deal, cutting corporate rate to 21% and top individual rate to 37% By Lisa Mascaro Republican leaders on Wednesday agreed on a revised plan to cut taxes that would lower the corporate rate from 35% to 21% and drop the top individual rate for the richest Americans to 37%, according to GOP senators and others briefed on the deal. The tentative accord marked a significant step in the Republican push to have a tax bill on President Trumps desk by Christmas. Leaders did not release details of the compromise or the text of a final bill as negotiations continued. Its critically important for Congress to quickly pass these historic tax cuts, Trump said Wednesday, promising that Americans could begin to reap the benefits of the plan as early as February, if passed. Critics, however, said the latest changes  particularly the lowering of the top individual rate from the current 39.6%  only reaffirmed several independent analyses that show the bulk of the savings from the Republican plan would go to businesses and the wealthy. Read More Facebook

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Farenthold to retire from House amid harassment accusations By Associated Press Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold wont seek reelection next year, two Republicans said Thursday, adding his name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics, the arts and other fields. The accusations against Farenthold surfaced in 2014, when a former aide sued him alleging sexually suggestive comments and behavior and said shed been fired after she complained. The lawmaker said he engaged in no wrongdoing and the case was settled in 2015. But the House Ethics Committee said last week that it would investigate Farenthold after congressional sources said hed paid an $84,000 settlement using taxpayers money. Though Farenthold said hed reimburse the Treasury Department, such payments have drawn public criticism from people saying lawmakers should use their own money for such settlements. A House official said Farenthold spoke twice Wednesday to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), while another official said the congressman spoke once with Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) who heads the GOPs House campaign committee. Those discussions suggested that Farenthold may have come under pressure from leaders to step aside. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. Last week, three lawmakers facing accusations of sexual harassment announced their resignations. Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) have already left Congress while Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has said he will step aside soon. Mike Bergsma, Republican county chairman in Farentholds home county of Nueces, Texas, said Fare
The Laguna Beach City Council on Tuesday took a stand against new oil and gas drilling off the California coast by adopting a resolution that opposes the practice.

At the urging of representatives from organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation and Oceana, the council unanimously adopted a resolution that opposes oil and gas drilling in federal and state waters.

Mayor Toni Iseman suggested the council adopt the resolution in response to President Trumps executive order that aims to expand offshore drilling for gas and oil. Trump issued the order in April.

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Increased domestic energy production on federal lands and waters strengthens the nations security and reduces reliance on imported energy, the order said. Moreover, low energy prices, driven by an increased American energy supply, will benefit American families and help reinvigorate American manufacturing and job growth.

Speakers decried such techniques as methods of the past that pose potential disastrous environmental effects, such as oil spills.

Can we guarantee there would never be an oil spill or a catastrophic blowout like the [2010] Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf [of Mexico]? Laguna Beach resident Sara Lowell said in speaking of questions she would ask Trump. Can they guarantee that new offshore drilling could never impact Laguna Beachs robust tourism economy and our coastal way of life?

[The resolution] furthers our commitment to addressing climate change by rejecting the antiquated notion that expanding and investing in fossil fuel extraction is in our nations best interest.

Trumps executive order promotes a stronger dependence on fossil fuels, which goes against city and state action to promote a greener, more sustainable lifestyle through alternative energy sources that result in cleaner air and greater protection of natural resources, a city staff report said.

There have been no new oil and gas leases in California since 1969, according to the state legislatures website.

That year, 3 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the waters off Santa Barbara, creating a 35-mile-long oil slick that killed thousands of birds, fish and sea mammals.

Councilman Steve Dicterow said he remembered one of his textbooks in college in 1976 containing information about alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power.

Instead of trying to do more drilling off the coast, why havent we done what we did with the Manhattan Project and what we did with the man-to-the-moon project? Dicterow said. We put all these national resources into developing nuclear weapons and all this energy into a space program that yielded technologies that make our lives better. Why have we not done something like that for energy?

Iseman said the next step is to get other cities on board with the resolution.

Im really glad youre here, Iseman said. Your words were so powerful. Its very heartening to know the power of the individual and the power of your focus.

The resolution will be sent to Lagunas state and federal representatives.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
Laguna Beachs early master artists will be among the painters and sculptors celebrated in the 2018 Pageant of the Masters, themed Under the Sun.

The Festival of Arts annual summer live-action re-creations of classic artworks will spotlight local color and reflect on the early 20th century, when artists such as Guy Rose, Anna Hills, William Griffith, Joseph Kleitsch, Phil Dike and Julia Bracken Wendt were attracted to Southern Californias natural landscapes, pageant director Diane Challis Davy said Wednesday at the festivals annual meeting.

The works that will be re-created during the 90-minute production were shown in a video montage.

They included Claude Monets The Boat at Giverny, Edouard Manets The Luncheon on the Grass, Joe Rosenthals famed photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima, and gilt bronze works of Femmes-Fleur lamps and Nouveau ornamental figures.

The pageant, which will run July 7 to Sept. 1 at the festivals Irvine Bowl in Laguna Beach, will end with the traditional finale, Leonardo da Vincis The Last Supper.

Under the Sun will feature surprises along with acknowledging two local milestones: the 85th anniversary of living pictures at the Festival of Arts and the 100th anniversary of the Laguna Art Museum, organizers said.

Next summers show may present more than one builder, in which the creative and technical crews draw back the red curtains and show how a living picture is put together. It has been an audience favorite since it was first included in the 1966 pageant.

Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman, an ex-officio member of the festival board, said the nonprofit festival is crucial to the citys arts culture.

We have good bones in this town and I think as a community we want to honor that in our future, Iseman said.

Festival President Fred Sattler remarked on the pageants completed 2017 season, themed The Grand Tour.

The production was the first time the creative team conceptualized a character and story line in the first act. The pageant also welcomed a new conductor, Corey Hirsch, who led a 29-piece orchestra to enhance the transitions from scene to scene.

Treasurer David Perry said the 2016-17 fiscal year was a financial as well as an artistic success for the pageant. Perry reported unaudited revenue of about $10.4 million and expenses of $8.82 million, resulting in net income of about $1.6 million.

Unaudited Festival of Arts assets were reported at $25.6 million, with liabilities of $8.4 million, resulting in net assets of about $17.2 million.

Board member Pat Kollenda said the festival awarded $95,900 in scholarships to college students.

After seven years as board president, Sattler announced he will serve as treasurer for 2017-18. Perry will be president, Scott Moore vice president and Kollenda secretary.

There was no board election this year, as three incumbents ran unopposed. Kathy Jones, Wayne Baglin and Bob Moffett will serve new three-year terms.

Tickets for the 2018 Pageant of the Masters will go on sale to the public Dec. 1 for $15 to $240.

For more information, call (800) 487-3378 or visit pageanttickets.com.

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has said that Ukrainian border guard Serhiy Kolmohorov became a victim of Russian aggression and that a compromise will be found between prosecutors and defense lawyers during a repeated consideration of the case.

"In fact, the woman killed in the course of these events and the border guard, Senior Soldier Kolmohorov, became victims of this undeclared war. Both of them became victims and hostages of those events, and at some point we did not have proper legislative framework," he told journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday, November 8.

Lutsenko said that there were legal circumstances in this case, but the side of justice was no less important.

"We will have to find a balance, and I hope that the prosecution and the defense team will be united while debating and competing for the court's decision. We are united in ensuring that both the law and justice could give a precedent decision for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and all innocent victims of this war," Lutsenko said.

As reported, in September 2014, Kolmohorov, carrying out an order, used weapons to stop a car, killing a passenger.

On November 15, 2016, the Prymorsky District Court of Mariupol found Kolmohorov guilty of committing crimes under Part 1, Article 115, Part 3, Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and sentenced him to 13 years in prison, depriving him of the right to hold posts of a representative of law enforcement agencies for three years and stripping him of the military rank "senior soldier."

Donetsk Regional Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the court of first instance.

On November 6, the Higher Specialized Court for Civil and Criminal Cases sent the Kolmohorov case for a new trial to a court of first instance and released him from custody.
Beer enthusiasts had more to cheer about Tuesday night as the Costa Mesa City Council signed off on plans to open two new microbreweries.

The unanimous approvals for applications from Salty Bear Brewing Co., which will open at 2948 Randolph Ave., and Brewing Reserve of California, which will move into 2930 College Ave., will bring the number of microbreweries in Costa Mesa to six.

Salty Bear and Brewing Reserve were approved by the city Planning Commission in September, but council members called up those decisions for additional review.

Brewing Reserve will take about 3,000 square feet of building space in a multi-tenant complex.

Though the bulk of that will be devoted to the industrial side of the operation, plans also call for a 940-square-foot tasting room where patrons can sample the microbrewerys wares.

Ultimately, the goal is to be a community gathering place  were not necessarily that place where people come to consume a lot, said Teryle Aguilar, who co-founded Brewing Reserve with her husband, Steve. Its more to make sure that people are coming in to taste our beers and that were really providing something new and unique in the market.

Some people, though, questioned whether the chosen location is an appropriate fit for the brewery, as several houses and apartments are nearby.

Several area business owners also rose in opposition, saying theyre concerned that Brewing Reserve patrons might park, litter or trespass on their properties, potentially creating a security issue.

This has nothing to do with the people that are applying for this, said Don Fredriksen, who owns Fredriksen Custom Marine Woodworking, less than a quarter-mile from the brewery site. Were just concerned with the location.

Council members, however, said they think onsite parking will be sufficient and that the Aguilars will be quality operators.

This is going to be a major upgrade, Councilman John Stephens said. The building itself right now is in rather crummy condition.

Council member Sandy Genis  who was elevated from mayor pro tem to mayor later in the meeting  urged concerned business owners to promptly report any issues that arise so we can respond accordingly.

The other approved microbrewery, Salty Bear, will take up about 3,200 square feet of existing building space and include a 1,600-square-foot tasting room.

The operation is envisioned as part of a larger project called Camp Out  which would be an annex to the Camp commercial center just to the east on Bristol Street. The two properties would be linked by a pedestrian path and share an outdoor common space with a shade structure and campfire area.

A separate 500-square-foot outdoor patio also would be developed for microbrewery patrons.

Were trying to make it a nice local establishment where people can hang out, feel really comfortable, Salty Bear owner Joe Scagliotti told the council. Its kid-friendly, its dog-friendly  Im going to put everything I have into this.

Council members, as they did with Bootleggers Brewery, another recently approved microbrewery on Randolph Avenue, stipulated that, should the city form a parking district in the area at some point, Salty Bear would agree to participate.

City staff members are working on a proposal to prepare a comprehensive parking plan for the Sobeca District, a 39-acre area around the Camp and the Lab, another commercial center on Bristol.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoney
After a neighborhood backlash, the Huntington Beach City Council denied a local preservationists plan to relocate a 112-year-old home to a downtown residential lot.

Joseph Santiago wanted to place the nearly 2,000-square-foot house on a lot at 506 Seventh St., which already contains a house and a detached garage. The 1905 home, which currently is in a storage lot, is distinctive for its Colonial Revival and Victorian architectural touches. It was owned by John and Martha Hearn, who had ties to Huntington Beachs beginnings.

But in a unanimous vote Monday night, the council upheld the Planning Commissions decision in June to deny the project, effectively killing Santiagos plan.

The vote came after more than an hour of public comment dominated by downtown residents who didnt like how the Hearn house would need a host of variances for approval. They also criticized Santiagos restoration of the Manning house on 10th Street  a 1906 home owned by the citys first mayor, Ed Manning, that Santiago placed on top of the garage of another old house.

Councilwoman Jill Hardy called the Hearn house proposal just too big of a project for a small space. She suggested moving the house to Central Park to create a historic district there.

Though some residents were skeptical that the Hearn house is historic at all  This is not a case of George Washington slept here,  one woman said  city officials said it was identified as such in a 1986 city survey.

Ron Cole, Santiagos attorney, said his clients project had broad community support, including an endorsement from the Huntington Beach Historical Society and about 70 other people.

Santiago argued that fear, speculation, exaggeration and very few facts have plagued his effort.

Its a worthy project, he said.

One of Santiagos supporters, David Eastman, said that, unlike during the Manning house effort, Santiago has financial backing this time to complete his project.

Having the old home on Seventh Street would add to the vitality and richness of the city, which you need, Eastman said.

Area resident Chris Hart, however, called the house an ill fit.

Simply, its like putting 10 pounds of sand in a 5-pound can, he said.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
As part of the Newport-Mesa Unified School Districts new program to educate staff about student suicide prevention, parents were invited to a seminar Tuesday night at Corona del Mar High School to learn about what experts say is a rising crisis nationwide.

We feel it wont happen in our backyard, but its happening everywhere, said Angela Castellanos, district coordinator of mental health and outreach services. Weve had incidents where our students have died by suicide, so were not isolated from the phenomenon.

The district program, approved by the school board in July, will train all staff members who have contact with students  including administrators, teachers, cafeteria workers and custodians  on how to identify youths who may be at risk of suicide and how to intervene.

Students will receive training later this year.

The program follows Gov. Jerry Browns approval in 2016 of Assembly Bill 2246, authored by state Assemblyman Patrick ODonnell (D-Long Beach), after a spate of suicides in recent years among teenagers in San Diego and Palo Alto.

The state requires school boards to develop and adopt policies on suicide prevention that specifically address high-risk groups such as children bereaved by a loved ones suicide, youths with disabilities, mental illness or substance abuse problems and those who are homosexual, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality.

Though the law requires only that districts implement a plan focusing on seventh through 12th grades, Newport-Mesas includes every grade.

That decision was made after four upper-grade elementary school students shared that they had suicidal thoughts last school year, Phil DAgostino, district director of student and community services, told the school board earlier this year.

A task force of students, teachers, counselors, school psychologists and parents began customizing a plan for the district in March. The task force will continue to advise the district as the program is implemented.

About 25 parents attended Tuesdays seminar, where Castellanos led a presentation on suicide risk factors and warning signs and the districts plan.

Similar seminars will be held this month at other district high schools.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among children and young adults ages 10 to 24, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Orange County, about 2,800 residents intentionally harm themselves enough to require medical treatment, and nearly 280 commit suicide every year, according to a 2015 report by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Being the victim of bullying is one of the biggest pieces that may lead to suicide, Castellanos said. Other potential warning signs, she said, are self-inflicted injuries  which often are shared on social media  a failed relationship and substance abuse.

Youre the expert on your kids, she said. Youre here today learning about warning signs. Make sure if you have any concerns about your students, dont wait  connect with the school to get help you need.

A guide sheet available to parents at the seminar encourages them to remain calm, listen to their childrens feelings, be honest and supportive and, when necessary, contact a local mental health or family service agency.

Pamphlets were available from the Costa Mesa Family Resource Center, Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living and One Recovery, a program with a location at CdM High School and one at Ensign Intermediate School where students can confidentially share their experiences and feelings.

During the Q&A portion of the meeting, some parents shared frustration about their students dealing with bullying at school, including one who cited anti-Semitic remarks.

Neither the parents nor district officials would elaborate about specific incidents. DAgostino said the district is aware of such issues and is working to address them.

DAgostino cited as a resource the Positive Behaviorial Interventions & Supports program, a framework funded by the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education Programs intended to develop school culture that leads to social, emotional and academic success for all students.

CdM is a very socially oriented, socially complex school, DAgostino said. We live in the O.C.  status and images and culture are all wrapped up in the kids identities.

Its really important if you see something, you say something.

Seminar schedule

Following are upcoming parent seminars on suicide education and prevention strategies:

Nov. 15: 6 p.m., Newport Harbor High School reading room, 600 Irvine Ave, Newport Beach

Nov. 21: 6 p.m., Costa Mesa High School theater, 2650 Fairview Road

Nov. 29: 6 p.m., Estancia High School theater, 2323 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella
Most of my life, Ive been trying to build an estate, said Richard Dick Pickup, but when you reach your 80s, you realize that material things pale in comparison to what mankind can do with these monies.

Pickup, a life-long stock broker and investor is a recent donor of a $15-million-dollar gift to the Hoag Neuroscience Institute.

Surrounded by several hundred distinguished guests coming together for a dinner celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the institute, Richard Pickup remained at his table accepting a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd made up of scientists, doctors, medical professionals and Hoag Hospital donors at large following the announcement of the Pickup family transformative gift.

It is the third largest donation ever made to the hospital.

Making the announcement to the dinner crowd, Hoag president and chief executive officer Robert T. Braithwaite said: The Pickup family gift is further affirmation of Hoags growing national leadership in neurosciences. We are deeply grateful for their support and trust.

The modest Richard Pickup chose not to speak; however he addressed the crowd via pre-recorded videotape.

His message was clear: This is a man intent on giving back to a community and its hospital, both of which have been a constant element behind his success in life.

The recent passing of his brother suffering from Alzheimers disease further enhanced the Pickup purpose to make a difference.

I have found over the years that if you have passionate, educated people dedicated to long-term success, like those at Hoag, they make things happen, said Pickup in his video address.

Several distinguished speakers followed and paid homage to his words.

Dr. Flynn Andrizzi, president of Hoag Hospital Foundation, commented: The extraordinary innovation of the neuroscience institute would not be possible without the immense generosity of community members.

Also front and center addressing the crowd was Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki representing the Ron and Sandi Simon Endowed Chair within the institute.

The Simons, among Newports most respected and charitable couples, were also in attendance.

Champion fundraiser Cindy Stokke, former co-chair with Randy Turner of the campaign advisory committee, received accolades for the tremendous campaign effort leading up to the Pickup donation.

Others at the podium included Dr. Michael Modic who flew in from Cleveland, Ohio, at the nationally respected Cleveland Clinic where he is the Chief Clinical Transformation Officer.

Modic praised the progress of Hoags Institute over its first 10 years, bullish on its future for the next decade.

Community activist Jerry Jones echoed the sentiments.

The setting for the upbeat dinner celebration was the ballroom of the Newport Beach Country Club, one of the Pickup and Martin family-owned properties in Newport Beach which also includes the Balboa Bay Resort and the venerable Balboa Bay Club, among others.

The evening began with a cocktail reception at dusk followed by a three-course dinner of exceptional quality that began with a serving of roasted butternut squash soup followed by an entree of pan-seared filet and locally caught sea bass.

Richard Pickup was joined by his wife, Donna Pickup, and her daughter Julie Hamilton who had flown in from Lexington, Ky., where she and her husband raise national champion thoroughbred horses.

Richard Pickups daughter Devon Martin and her husband, Pickup business partner Kevin Martin, his son Todd Pickup and wife Natalie Pickup were all front and center to support their dad.

Sharing congratulations, dessert and coffee were close Pickup friends and associates Stephanie and Tim Busch, Joe Moody and Caroline Davenport, Rev. John Huffman, Peter and Gini Ueberroth, Curt and Varla Knauss, Ginger and Tony Allen, Joan and Andy Fimiano, Kurt and Wendy Lyon, and Barbara Venezia and Stan Tyzack.

In honor of the Pickup gift, Hoags Neuroscience Institute will be renamed the Pickup Family Neuroscience Institute.

Richard Pickup added: There have been breakthroughs in cancer and cardiology and other areas of medicine, but there is still so much that is unknown about the brain.

From Alzheimers to addictions and other brain disorders, we have a lot to learn. I am hoping that in the next 10 years or so we can make significant strides in these areas.

As the crowd dispersed from the country club, Richard Pickup told friends that he hopes to be present for the 20th anniversary of the institute.

All of those hearing his words responded: You can count on it.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
Forging a consensus on school calendars is as difficult to achieve as it is for other controversial time-related matters, from the incomprehensible rationale for changing our clocks twice a year to the excruciatingly long wait for the final season of Game of Thrones.

So its no surprise that Newport-Mesa Unified School Districts proposal to switch to what its calling a collegiate calendar is stirring an emotional response.

The term collegiate calendar is apparently a euphemism for Were going to push up the start of the school year to mid-summer. You know, just like some  by no means all  colleges and universities do.

It probably didnt help that the district first floated the idea of moving up the first day of school by three weeks, from the day after Labor Day to the middle of August  Southern Californias hottest month on average  during an October heat wave when many students baked in non-air conditioned classrooms.

Nevertheless, Newport-Mesa is forging ahead with its plan to seek input from the community through a survey and a series of informational meetings that opponents of the calendar change view more as a propaganda campaign. The Daily Pilot previously reported that many parents and students at one of these meetings, held recently at Corona del Mar High School, spoke in favor of the proposed calendar.

So I suspect that critics of the plan, who resent the seemingly constant assaults on family summer time, are right about at least one thing: This is already a done deal. For better or worse, Newport-Mesa will likely join a growing cavalcade of school districts that have been opting to begin their school years sooner than in times past.

There are often plenty of compelling reasons offered for making this change, and Newport-Mesa is no exception when it comes to justifying why moving up the start of school makes sense.

Among those reasons are:

Starting earlier means the semester can end before winter break, relieving students of the stress of studying for finals over the holidays and teachers from time-wasting reviews.

Additional days off could potentially be added during the fall and spring semesters.

The school year can end earlier, allowing students to get a jump on summer activities and jobs.

An earlier school calendar would better conform to the nationwide schedules for Advanced Placement classes taken by high school students.

All these points sound reasonable enough. But my skeptical nature leads me to think that behind these arguments lies one glaring, overarching motivation for beginning the school session earlier: Competition.

Lets face it: schools have been in a hotly contested horse race for a long time now, and despite a good deal of hand-wringing throughout the educational community and a growing backlash by fed-up parents, that remains the reality. Moving up the instructional calendar is just one more facet of this quest to catch up with, or get a leg up on, the competition  which, in this case, is other schools.

Those previously mentioned Advanced Placement students take the big final tests for those college-level classes on the same day in May throughout the nation, which means that the kids at schools with earlier start dates have an inherent advantage.

Newport-Mesa officials might genuinely feel pity for students who have long sacrificed their summer vacations to study for their AP classes before school starts. But they are also likely moved by the hope that improved AP test results and pass rates afforded by more class time would give them a lot to brag about.

For public schools, much is also riding on the statewide standardized tests given each spring. Although a great deal of lip service has been given to de-emphasizing test scores in the still-new Common Core era, the stigma associated with low or stagnant results lingers like a stubborn stain.

And when certain schools and districts outperform their peers, school administrators simply cant resist the temptation to boast far and wide about this supposed representation of educational excellence.

Just like AP tests, the standardized tests require considerable prep work. I doubt that Newport-Mesa officials are immune to the expectation that additional instructional time before those tests are taken will yield the kind of positive results that will make the schools  and by extension them  look good. Job security is powerful motivation.

To be sure, none of this is reason enough to completely discount the idea of changing the date for schools to start. Theres nothing written in stone that governs academic calendars. Indeed, there was a time when summer vacations werent an ingrained part of our culture, and school calendars were largely determined by the particular needs of the communities they served.

But times change, and the inclination nationwide to consider school calendars in terms of competitive advantage is now the norm. Thats the world we live in, and what we can continue to expect until, well, perhaps until we figure out a better way to win.

PATRICE APODACA is a former Newport-Mesa public school parent and former Los Angeles Times staff writer. She lives in Newport Beach.
These past two months have been busy times for members of Oakmont League of Glendale.

The first big event was the Past Presidents Tea held at the beautiful home of current club president Lydia Trout. The tea table was creatively enhanced with flower arrangements and other accouterments that make such a traditional tea lovely. Of course, the tea and coffee was served from sterling silver tea and coffee pots. The dainty foods offered were plentiful and savory.

Just last week, members and guests of the league met at Oakmont Country Club for a luncheon and a fashion show presented by Jades fashion boutique located in South Pasadena.

Marianne Reyes, owner of the boutique, was the delightful commentator for the fashion show that presented casual to evening wear.

League members modeling the fashions included Fernanda Genthon, Ellen Farwell, Carol Eldred, Kim Klosterman, Sharon Swinford, Nina Ratliff and Lydia Trout.

The food served that day had a very autumn flavor with a butternut ravioli dressed in a butter and sage sauce and, for dessert, a warm berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

***

Hillsides Education Center in Pasadena held its 35th anniversary open house on its Avenue 64 campus.

During the program, Hillsides President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Costa praised the school for tending not only to the students academic needs but their emotional and social ones.

Several Las Candelas members, including Ellyn Semler, an LCF resident and immediate past president, were in attendance. Las Candelas has been helping Hillsides for some 30 years. The group provides monthly enrichment assemblies for students, provides field trips, sponsors a monthly store as incentives for students to achieve in class, organizes a yearly academic fair, and throws a year-end pizza party for the students.

***

After all these years that Ive been writing this column, youve probably figured out how much I love musical theater  well, all music in general!

The other night I went to the opening of Bright Star at the Ahmanson Theatre.

With its setting in 1940s Appalachia, with flashbacks to the 1920s, there was much for me to appreciate.

Steve Martin and Edie Bicknell wrote the book, lyrics, and the music for this play that drew me in immediately.

Martin, who has been showing off his chops on the banjo for many years, naturally wanted to feature this old time Appalachian music genre.

My ancestral roots are from the hills and hollows of West Virginia, where my daddy was born. My grandfather played the fiddle and most of the cousins I have met not only play fiddles, but several of them make their own instruments.

I was feeling quite at home with the music of the play  it just made my heart sing.

Before the play began I met a lovely young woman in the lobby who was wearing a superb dress made of a unique tapestry fabric.

We sat down to chat and she told me that her guitar-playing husband Eric Davis was part of the onstage orchestra. He was classically trained, but she said he was particularly loving the music in the play.

Susan Davis, my new friend, told me she too is a musician and plays the violin. She is a professor of music at a university on the East Coast.

During the intermission of the play I started chatting with my seat mates Jay and Val Davidson, whose daughter Kaitlyn is in the cast. She takes the lead in a huge production number in the second act that is dynamite!

The Davidsons came from their home in Kansas City for the weekend to watch their daughters opening performance. They told me they usually try to attend at least one performance of a play Kaitlyn is in. As you can well imagine, this takes them to many different states in our country.

JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Canada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.
In response to a new state law designed to enhance voter participation, the La Canada Flintridge City Council voted Tuesday to move its next election from March 2019 to March 2020.

The city has a history of conducting standalone city council elections in March of odd-numbered years, canvassing its own ballots and adopting the outcome of the elections.

On Sept. 1, 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 415 into law, requiring local governments to consolidate their municipal elections to a statewide election date. The mandate states the consolidation needs to take place by no later than 2022 if a citys elections have drawn 25% less than the average turnout by local voters for the previous four statewide general elections.

According to City Clerk Tania Moreno, La Canada Flintridge saw a 25.51% turnout in the March 2009 municipal election, a 31% turnout in March 2011, a 22.44% turnout in March 2013 and a 28.47% turnout in March 2017.

In the last four statewide elections, La Canada Flintridge saw a 68.98% voter turnout in November 2010, a 79.96% turnout in November 2012, a 48.74% turnout in November 2014 and a 78.72% turnout in November 2016, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office.

The City Council was asked to consider whether to move the municipal elections to November or keep them in March.

Staff recommends March of even years, City Manager Mark Alexander said.

He cautioned the council that if the city moved its municipal elections to November, there could be ballot-crowding issues.

City Council elections could get lost in the campaigns happening simultaneously, Alexander said.

The councils 4-0 decision (Councilman Jon Curtis was absent) to follow staffs recommendation will allow incumbents to serve an additional year in office in the current cycle.

Mayor Michael T. Davitt said he appreciates that the November general election could potentially bring a higher voter turnout, but he sided with the staff recommendation.

For a local small municipality, the independence from state measures, governors race and presidential race are important so people dont get lost in that, he said. The council is a non-partisan type of operation. Im more comfortable with the March date.

Mayor Pro Tem Terry Walker agreed, calling March a better choice for the municipal election.

We have never been partisan on the council and I would hate to see that come into it, she said.

Also approved during Tuesdays meeting was a $900 spending request for Davitt to travel to Washington, D.C. Dec. 10 through Dec. 12 to attend federal advocacy meetings regarding sober-living homes. In May, Davitt was named president of the California Contract Cities Assn. The resolution states that as a city impacted by the issue of sober living homes, Davitt can attend the meeting and address the citys concerns and municipalities concerns on a national level.

Matt Sanderson is a contributing writer to Times Community News.
La Canada Unified School District voters weighed in on the future of local education Tuesday, casting ballots to elect three school board candidates and roundly approving Measure LCF, a $149-million school bond to rebuild and modernize campuses, by 71.33%

As a result three La Canada parents  incumbents Dan Jeffries and Kaitzer Puglia and board newcomer Joe Radabaugh  are expected to be sworn into the LCUSD Governing Board in December.

Jeffries, who works as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles City Attorneys Office, was the top vote-getter, receiving a total of 2,104 votes, or 26.55%.

Following close behind was Radabaugh, a retired Nestle executive, who earned 1,964, or 24.78% of the ballots cast. Taking the third seat was current board Vice President Puglia, a professor at Pasadena City College, who received 20.26% of the votes, with 1,606 ballots cast in her favor.

JPL engineering manager Chris Salvo and land-use attorney Josh Gottheim trailed behind with 1,164 and 1,088 votes, respectively.

During a regular meeting of the LCUSD board Tuesday that happened to coincide with election night, Supt. Wendy Sinnette recounted the history of Measure LCF, from the first time in 2015 members of the districts Technology Review Access Committee came to understand a bond would be needed to fix schools aging infrastructure, to recent campaigning by the Citizens for Modernizing LCUSD Schools committee.

Since May of last year, this group has worked tirelessly, Sinnette said. It is a testament to their extreme dedication to our district and, no matter the outcome of tonights election, theyve got all of our eternal gratitude.

The school bond required 55% of voter approval for passage.

Puglia and Jeffries, who attended Tuesdays school board meeting until nearly 9:30 p.m., said Wednesday they were not aware of the incoming election results until the meeting adjourned.

I could see other board members passing notes back and forth, and showing their screens, said Jeffries, 59, of the initial results showing him in the lead. I was very excited. Then I came home to be with my campaign staff, my wife and [three] kids.

He commended Gottheim and Salvo for putting their names in the race and contributing to a rigorous, issues-focused campaign.

Puglia left the meeting to watch the campaign returns at home with husband Joe, a Valley Sun columnist, and a gathering of friends.

Im just appreciative to the community for their continued support, the 56-year-old mother of two said Wednesday of her election and Measure LCFs passage. Its a winning night for me but also for our community and our students.

Radabaugh, a 48-year-old father of two, attended much of Tuesdays school board meeting before heading off to meet up with a small group of supporters. He said hed learned of the preliminary results from someone sitting next to him, a fact confirmed later when a school board member gave him a thumbs up as he left.

I had a text from one of them saying congratulations, but I didnt think congratulations were in order until we saw the first batch of election results come in, he said, adding he got confirmation at around 11 p.m.

Im super honored by the amount of people who were willing to help me get up to speed on the [districts] past and look to the future, Radabaugh added. I want to hit the ground running.

In separate email responses, Salvo and Gottheim thanked their supporters and expressed appreciation for all they learned on the campaign trail.

Who knows what the future holds? Salvo said.

sara.cardine@latimes.com

Twitter: @SaraCardine
A U.S. citizen charged with subversion in Zimbabwe and accused of insulting its 93-year-old president as a sick man on Twitter should be freed on $1,000 bail, a judge ordered Thursday.

Martha ODonovan also must hand over her passport and report to police twice a week. The New Jersey native will return to court on Nov. 15.

The 25-year-old ODonovan faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the subversion charge. She also faces a charge of undermining the authority of or insulting the president, which carries up to a year in prison.

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ODonovan, who was arrested Friday, has denied the charges as baseless and malicious.

It was the first arrest since President Robert Mugabe last month appointed a cybersecurity minister, a move criticized by activists as targeting social media. Zimbabwe was shaken last year by the biggest anti-government protests in a decade. Frustration is growing in the once-prosperous southern African nation as the economy collapses.

ODonovan had been working with local social media outlet Magamba TV, which describes itself as producing satirical comedy sensations.

A court over the weekend dismissed her lawyers attempt to have the charge of subversion dropped. The lawyer argued that police had not notified ODonovan of the charge at the time of her arrest at her home in the capital, Harare.

The group representing ODonovan, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights says it has represented nearly 200 people charged for allegedly insulting Mugabe, the worlds oldest head of state, in recent years.

Mugabe, in power since 1980, is already running for reelection next year.
A fugitive polygamist from Arizona has been arrested with four wives and a concubine on the grounds of a conservative religious community in the northern Mexican desert highlands.

More than two dozen U.S. citizens, apparently disciples of the polygamists commune, have been detained in the same hamlet in Mexicos Chihuahua state.

And its all linked to the slayings of three young Americans, two of them sons of the polygamist, shot dead weeks earlier in a nearby rural enclave called Black Ranch.

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Authorities say the polygamist is a suspect in the slayings.

The puzzling criminal case  and its seemingly disparate elements  came to light last weekend as more than 100 Mexican law enforcement personnel descended on the polygamists compound, with assistance from the FBI and U.S. consular officials, Chihuahua state prosecutors said.

Mexican law enforcement authorities released an account of the raid that raised as many questions as it answered. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the State Department in Washington declined to comment.

At the center of the case is Orson William Black, 56, a former member of a breakaway Mormon sect. Black has been wanted in Arizona for almost 15 years on five felony counts of sexual misconduct involving a pair of underage sisters.

Black was arrested during last weekends raids, Mexican authorities said, along with others described as four wives and one concubine. A total of 26 U.S. citizens taken into custody may face deportation, Mexican prosecutors said.

Among them are two young women who have lived all their lives in Blacks commune, Cesar Peniche Espejel, Chihuahua state attorney general, told reporters this week.

In a bizarre twist, Mexican authorities say police also seized 65 preserved exotic wildlife parts and pelts, among them lion-skin and bearskin rugs, a pair of elephant feet, various stuffed birds and remnants of other creatures, including zebra and buffalo heads. Authorities did not specify whether the cache was a trophy collection or had another purpose.

Black was placed in Mexican federal custody for alleged human trafficking and possession of wildlife species, state prosecutors said.

According to Mexican authorities, Black is also being investigated in connection with the killings of the three Americans  a boy and two men  whose bodies were discovered Sept. 10 in Rancho El Negro, or Black Ranch, about three miles from the site of last weekends raids. Black has not been formally charged in the killings.

Mexican authorities identified the slain victims only as Michael B., 15; Robert W.B., 19; and Jesse L.B., 23.

Details about the killings are sparse, but Mexican news reports indicate that the three were gunned down execution-style at the entrance to a trailer home.

Some media accounts have suggested that the trio shared the surname Black. But their exact relation to the now-detained polygamist has been unclear.

On Wednesday, however, Felix Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Chihuahua prosecutors office, confirmed that two of the victims  Michael B. and Robert W.B.  were Blacks sons. The parentage of the third victim, Jesse L.B., had not yet been ascertained, Gonzalez said.

The motive has not been clarified and is still being investigated, Gonzalez said of the killings.

The victims were found on one of five area properties owned by Black, the spokesman said.

The ranch where the slain men were found, like the settlement where Black was arrested, is situated in the sprawling Chihuahua municipality of Cuauhtemoc, hub of the regions large Mennonite population.

It was unclear why the accused pedophile chose to hide out and set up his own polygamist commune amid land settled by agrarian Mennonite communities. The two groups would appear to be unlikely neighbors. Mennonites, who began settling in Mexico in the 1920s after emigrating from Canada, practice a conservative, pacifist Christian faith that views marriage as a lifelong monogamous commitment between a man and a woman.

Photos released by the Chihuahua state attorney generals office, which were apparently taken as Black was being arrested, show a man identified as the polygamist: a baldish, bespectacled figure in a sleeveless T-shirt. A rectangular strip covers his eyes in the photos, as is customary in Mexican mug shots distributed to the press.

Black, who also goes by the name Larry William Black, entered Mexico illegally and lived with members of his commune on the five different properties that he had purchased within or in the vicinity of Mennonite settlements, Mexican prosecutors said.

Among other things, the attorney general said, investigators are trying to determine how Black had access to funds to buy land and other assets during his time in Mexico.

Mexican authorities also seized a dozen vehicles at Blacks compound, with both Mexican and U.S. license plates. Chihuahua shares a long border with Texas and New Mexico.

A U.S. federal complaint against Black alleges he entered Mexico in 2003 to avoid prosecution in Arizona on the sexual misconduct charges.

Arizona news reports at the time indicated that Black viewed himself as a prophet or archangel.

Black, a former resident of Colorado City, Ariz., was described as estranged from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon splinter sect that endorses a form of plural marriage. The renegade sect has long been a dominant force in the adjoining towns of Colorado City and Hildale, Utah.

The breakaway sects leader, Warren Jeffs, a self-professed prophet, is serving life in prison for sexually assaulting two underage followers whom he took as brides.

Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report.

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT

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Ukrainian Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin has denied reports of the alleged disappearance of funds that were arrested under the procedure of special confiscation as part of the investigation into the so-called "gas case" on the accounts of Quickpace in Oschadbank and then the parliament determined the procedure for further use of this money.

"The Kramatorsky court, while convicting one of the participants of a criminal organization, issued a ruling applying a special confiscation of the money that was on the accounts of Quickpace in Oschadbank. The funds, in the amount of $156 million and about UAH 218,000, were directly transferred by Oschadbank to the account of the State Treasury Service of Ukraine. The further fate of these funds was determined by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which adopted this summer a law on changes to the state budget, determining the targeted use of these funds," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday, November 8.

Yenin noted that the Prosecutor General's Office did not understand the purpose of lengthy interrogations of Oschadbank management by representatives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), since the information on the seized funds "could easily be obtained by applying directly to the State Treasury Service."

He said that according to the law, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) should make a respective assessment of the NABU's actions and that the investigation of the Prosecutor General's Office would take into account the information about the confiscated funds of Quickpace for "determining the role of Mr. Onyschenko [MP Oleksandr Onyschenko who left the country] in this situation."

Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko, in turn, also denied statements by the NABU about the alleged disappearance of funds from Oschadbank.

"I have just talked with Mr. Sytnyk [NABU Director Artem Sytnyk] regarding an unpleasant situation. It is a well-known fact that about $1.5 billion was transferred from Oschadbank and other state banks to the state budget as part of the implementation of the decision on special confiscation of funds and property of the criminal group of [former Ukrainian President Viktor] Yanukovych. We have certificates from Oschadbank that they transferred these funds, certificates of the treasury service that these funds were transferred to the state budget," Lutsenko told journalists in Kyiv on November 8.

He said that the NABU's allegations about the alleged disappearance of funds from Oschadbank "are untrue."

"It's not worth making such serious accusations... The entire activity of detectives who so aggressively question Mr. Pyshny [Oschadbank Board Chairman Andriy Pyshny]... indicates only one thing: people are looking for the text of the court decision, but the text of the court decision is lawfully kept secret, and the removal of secrecy by the court is not allowed," he said.

"Therefore, the desire of certain individuals who want to begin the procedure for returning these funds in London and receive the text of the decision of the Kramatorsk court is ruined," Lutsenko said, adding that, in his opinion, national interests are above any other interests.

When asked whether this means that NABU detectives are somehow working for Yanukovych's lawyers, Lutsenko said: "No, according to my version, NABU detectives demand that Oschadbank head Pyshny provide the documents that could be necessary for attacks on Ukraine. Let their leadership figure out why they do it."

On November 8, the NABU's press service reported that the bureau was trying to determine the fate of about $156.8 million and UAH 218,100, which belonged to Quickpace Limited, a company connected with MP Onyschenko, and which were arrested in the accounts of Oschadbank as part of the so-called "gas case" and that NABU detectives were conducting an investigation against Oschadbank officials.

"NABU detectives established that as of October 17, 2017, despite the existing encumbrances (an uncontested court decision on their arrest), these funds disappeared from the accounts in PJSC State Savings Bank of Ukraine. The bank explained this situation by the fact that these funds were allegedly transferred to Ukraine's state budget on the basis of the verdict of the Kramatorsk Court of Donetsk region, which approved an agreement on the recognition of guilt with citizen Arkadiy K.," the report says.

"During the interrogation, officials did not provide any information in support of the transfer of these amounts to the state budget, referring to the prohibition to disclose this information. Thus, it is not yet known where and under what circumstances the funds were transferred," the NABU said.

As a result, NABU detectives registered criminal proceedings on Oschadbank officials committing unlawful actions with property that was seized. The pre-trial investigation continues.

The NABU also denied statements made by MP Tetiana Chornovol about the bureau's alleged intentions to return any funds to MP Onyschenko, who is suspected of organizing a "gas scheme" and inflicting about UAH 3 billion worth of losses to the state.

Oschadbank denied the NABU's accusations about the disappearance of about $156.8 million and UAH 218,100.
The Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction did not discuss the possibility of breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia at its meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the cabinet's representative to the parliament, Vadym Denysenko, a member of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction, said.

"It is a myth. There was no such discussion [...] A discussion is something that involves a debate. This issue does not fall within the remit of this law. It is primarily about the integration of Donbas, and breaking off diplomatic relations is not a matter for the Verkhovna Rada at all," Denysenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.

He declined to say what the president might have said on this issue.

"I relayed to you word for word what was said at the faction's meeting yesterday," Denysenko said when asked whether Poroshenko had given his opinion on the idea of severing diplomatic relations with Russia.

The faction held its meeting at the presidential administration headquarters on Wednesday evening, he said.

"The faction's meeting was at the presidential administration, and it takes place with the president once every two or three months on average. There are no secrets here," he said.

Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction MP Ivan Vinnyk said earlier in televised remarks that the president does not support the idea of breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia.
A mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent 14 humanitarian trucks to the areas of the Donetsk region uncontrolled by Kyiv, the State Border Service of Ukraine said in a statement on Thursday.

"Fourteen trucks carrying humanitarian cargo crossed the Novotroitske checkpoint for the uncontrolled territory yesterday. The ICRC mission provided hygiene and food-care packages and office supplies with a total weight of 273 tonnes," the statement said.
Polish border guards have detained 17 Ukrainian citizens in Opole Province, because their stay in Poland was contrary to the declared goals and one of the detainees worked illegally, Radio Poland reported on November 8, citing captain of the Silesian department of the Polish Border Guard Service Katarzyna Walczak.

"Border guards established that the stay of foreigners in Poland contradicts the goals declared when applying for a visa at Polish consulates in Ukraine. In this regard, the commandant of the border guard service in Opole issued the decision for 16 Ukrainian citizens on the obligation of return [to Ukraine]," she said.

Another detainee, Walczak said, "was caught working illegally." The man did not have a work permit or a statement of the employer's intention to entrust the work to a foreigner. The court ruled that a Ukrainian citizen must pay a fine and leave Poland.

According to Walczak, the detention was made during a joint raid by border guards and inspectors of the State Labor Inspectorate in Opole, who checked compliance with the rules of legality of employment, labor law and safety regulations in a logistics center in Opole Province.
The termination of diplomatic relations with Russia cannot be part of the law on the de-occupation of Donbas; that initiative requires a separate document, the Ukrainian Presidential Representative to the Verkhovna Rada and a member of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction, Iryna Lutsenko, said.

"There should be a completely different law, so if the legislators who have made suggestions regarding the president's strategy deem this possible, they should suggest another law. It cannot be a two-sentence paragraph. It should be a law, and a procedure should be laid down to regulate the actions of particular agencies, the opening and closing of borders, and many other procedural matters. This is not an issue for the Donbas re-integration law," Lutsenko told reporters in parliament on Thursday.
A female student at Liberty High School appears to have frightened off a man bothering her on the way to school Wednesday.

The incident involving the driver of a blue sedan may be connected to reports of indecent exposure on South Side Bethlehem and a reported luring attempt of a Liberty student Nov. 2, authorities say.

A Bethlehem Area School District community alert issued Wednesday evening described the suspicious activity, which also included the same car being spotted Tuesday night in the bus channel at the Linden Street school.

"We are asking that our community review safety precautions with their children," stated the alert issued about 6:30 p.m. in a automated call, by mail and on the district website. "Do not approach the male or the vehicle. Do not engage or respond to the individual and immediately call 911 and then report it to Detective Moses Miller at 610-997-7674 or 610-865-7187."

Wednesday's incident involving the Liberty student reportedly occurred about noon near Pine and East Fairview streets, across from Grenadier Boulevard and the Liberty campus. The female said she was walking to school when a black male in a blue sedan approached her.

"After a brief verbal interaction, the student pulled out her cellphone and the driver continued driving east on Fairview Street," states the alert, which followed Bethlehem police notifying the district of the reports and ongoing investigation.

"The Bethlehem Police believe this may be connected to the earlier reports of the blue Toyota Corolla," it continues.

Earlier reports expanded on the description of the perpetrator as between 25 and 35 years old and in good physical shape.

Prior to the Liberty incidents, a male perpetrator matching this description was seen exposing himself and masturbating in view of women in the parking lot of St. Luke's University Health Network's Union Station Plaza.

Police were investigating a possible link between the exposure and initial Liberty incident, police Chief Mark DiLuzio said over the weekend.

"This is the reason we alerted BASD and the public and why we need everyone's help -- we need to find and ID this guy," DiLuzio said.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Corporal Rogelio Morales, returned home after months of active duty to surprise his son, Jaziah, at Miller Heights Elementary School's Veterans Day celebration. Thank you, Corporal Morales! Posted by Bethlehem Area School District on Thursday, November 9, 2017

Here's some sunshine to get you through the rest of this work week.

After months of active duty, Cpl. Rogelio Morales Jr. returned home Thursday and surprised his son during a Veterans Day celebration at his Miller Heights Elementary School.

When his dad walks through the doors, Jaziah darts out of the crowd of students sitting on the floor and throws his arms around his neck.

Father and son then share a long, well-deserved hug to thunderous applause.

Morales, who has been gone for seven months, returned to the Lehigh Valley on Saturday night, and was hiding out at his mother-in-law's house.

Morales said he sneaked over to see Jaziah sleeping, but Kayla White, his wife and Jaziah's mother, was afraid he would wake the boy and ruin the surprise.

Jaziah's kindergarten class wrote letters to active duty military personnel, and White said the 5-year-old was upset Thursday morning thinking about the assembly and that his dad wasn't there.

On Thursday, Morales carefully made his way to the principal's office to wait for the assembly. White said their son didn't seem to recognize the name when the speaker said "Corporal Morales."

Morales said as he walked in he was looking for his boy, but couldn't see him until his little head popped up above the crowd.

Jaziah looked excited and that he was holding back tears, White said, and he waited till she told him to go to his dad.

"My heart was beating and tears wanted to come out," Rogelio Morales said. "I told him I missed him. I loved him. He said, 'I missed you, too.' ... I told him I'd come back."

White was at the front of the assembly to take pictures, and her mom was in the audience filming the happy reunion with her phone. The tears came easy for everyone watching.

his daddy is home! Posted by LaLa Marie on Thursday, November 9, 2017

Jaziah got to leave school early, and the family went out for lunch together. Now that dad is home, Jaziah "doesn't want anything to do with me," White said, laughing.

The smiles and laughter today are more than just happiness for a returning father and husband.

Morales, who was based in Fort Hood, said he was in a troop carrier that was washed away June 2 as it tried to dive through a water crossing during a flash flood.

Nine soldiers died after the truck overturned into a creek, according to The Army Times.

"It feels like a relief," White said. "It's nice to know he is home and safe."

Morales officially retires Dec. 6, and plans to go back to school for computer networks and security. Until then, he plans to enjoy time with his family at their Bethlehem Township home.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Raymond Shields (Courtesy Photo for lehighvalleylive.com)

Gunshots rang out Wednesday night following a crash involving multiple vehicles along Washington Street in Easton.

Police were first called at 11:05 p.m. for a crash at Washington and 15th streets.

Then came calls for five other crashes on Washington Street, between 11th and 13th streets, followed by reports of a fight and multiple calls for gunfire in the 100 block of Washington Street.

The driver, Raymond Shields, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault while DUI and related offenses, said Easton police Capt. David Beitler.

Shields, 28, of the 1300 block of Washington Street in Easton, also has a warrant out of New Jersey on a dangerous drugs charge, and is being held on $110,000 bail in Northampton County Prison.

An injured woman was taken from the scene to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, according to emergency radio reports.

Police said the gunfire is under investigation, but that the incident involved a person confronting Shields after the crashes.

Police found at least one casing on South 12th Street and recovered a firearm; Beitler said there was no evidence anyone was struck by a bullet.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Senate Republicans unveiled their tax reform legislation, which differs from the House plan and sets up negotiations party leaders hope to wrap up in a hurry.

Pennsylvania's senators, both of which site on the Senate Finance Committee that drafted the plan, came away with polar-opposite, party-line views.

"Big day today, I am very excited about the product we have," U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said in a statement. "This tax reform package is going to directly lower the tax bill, and therefore, be a pay raise for the overwhelming, vast majority of Pennsylvanians who are getting up every day and going to work and supporting their families. And that's very good news.

"But it doesn't end there. It is also going to be very helpful to all of my constituents because I'm convinced were making exactly the kind of changes we need in our tax code to encourage a really strong period of economic growth."

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., called the proposal worse than the House plan presented Nov. 3.

"By going further than the House of Representatives and fully ending the deductions for state and local taxes, the latest version, released by Senate Republicans, is a direct attack on over 1.5 million Pennsylvania households who claim this deduction, meanwhile it contains massive tax giveaways to the wealthiest and biggest corporations," Casey said in a statement.

"Under this scheme, vital deductions for Pennsylvania families are eliminated, while companies who shipped jobs and intellectual property overseas get a huge tax break," he continued.

Republican leadership in the House and Senate have committed themselves to votes before Thanksgiving so that the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas could be devoted to reconciling the two versions. That would get it to President Donald Trump for his signature by year's end.

"I think that is achievable and I will be working very hard in an effort to make that happen," Toomey stated Thursday.

Here is The Associated Press' report on what's in the Senate proposal:

Senate Republicans' sweeping tax legislation includes a one-year delay in plans for a major corporate tax cut despite strident opposition from the White House and others in their own party. Their bill would leave the prized mortgage interest deduction untouched for homeowners in a concession to the powerful real estate lobby but would ignore a House compromise on the hot-button issue of state and local tax deductions.

On the other side of the Capitol, the House Ways and Means Committee approved its own version of the legislation on a party-line 24-16 vote, amid intense political pressure on the GOP to push forward on the first major rewrite of the U.S. tax code in three decades. It's President Donald Trump's top priority and a goal many Republicans believe has grown even more urgent in the wake of election losses on Tuesday that displayed an energized Democratic electorate.

Yet as the Senate Finance Committee unveiled its bill, a few stark differences emerged with the version approved by the House tax-writing committee, underscoring the challenges ahead in getting both chambers to agree on the complex and far-reaching legislation that would affect nearly every American.

Democrats are strongly opposed to the GOP rewrite, so the Republicans must find agreement among themselves to have any hope of passage.

The Senate bill would fully repeal the state and local deduction claimed by many taxpayers, an idea that has drawn vigorous opposition from House Republicans in New York and New Jersey and resulted in a compromise in the House version of the bill that would allow property taxes to be deducted up to $10,000.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told The Associated Press that the Senate's total-repeal approach would face tough sledding in his chamber. As for the hard-fought compromise, he said, "I think it'd be difficult not to have it in the final bill."

On the other hand, the House bill would cap the mortgage interest deduction, an idea that caused intense blowback from the real estate lobby, but the Senate tax measure would leave it unchanged. That means homebuyers would continue to be able to deduct interest payments on loans of up to $1 million as permitted under current law; the House bill would reduce the limit to $500,000.

In a change sure to cause a major dispute, the Senate measure includes a one-year delay in lowering the corporate tax rate, which is to be cut from 35 percent to 20 percent. Delaying that reduction would lower the cost of the bill to the Treasury, but the delay is opposed by the White House and some Senate Republicans.

"The president would like this to go into effect right away," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday on Fox Business Network.

Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., told reporters late Wednesday he'd argued against any delay in the tax help for businesses, saying "that's nothing but a Washington gimmick. This is about getting the economy going. The sooner we get this in place the better we are."

The feverish efforts by Republicans in both chambers Thursday were aimed at fulfilling their self-imposed deadline. But the Senate already seemed unlikely to meet that deadline because of complex rules governing how it must consider the tax bill.

The House and Senate bills are broadly similar in their general outlines. Both would drastically reduce the corporate tax rate and also lower rates for individuals, while eliminating deductions claimed by many people.

The House version would collapse the current seven tax brackets into four, while the Senate would retain seven. The House bill would entirely eliminate the estate tax, while the Senate version would retain it while doubling the exemption level. Both versions would retain an adoption tax credit that had initially been eliminated in the House bill, but that adoption advocates fought to restore.

Both would increase a child tax credit, though not to levels sought by Sens. Marco Rubio and others, an indication of how individual provisions will need to be negotiated with one lawmaker after another in the weeks to come. House Republicans appear on track to pass their version of the bill next week, but in the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a slim 52-48 majority that has proven difficult to corral.

Democrats are angrily opposed to the GOP rewrite, arguing it's a giveaway to the rich and corporate America. Republicans contend that the tax reductions will help the middle class, even though some independent analyses have found that the wealthy and corporations benefit disproportionately.

The tax bill must deepen federal deficits by no more than $1.5 trillion over the coming decade. If Republicans don't meet that, the measure would be vulnerable to a bill-killing Senate filibuster by Democrats that GOP senators lack the votes to block. It also cannot add to red ink beyond the first 10 years without facing the same fate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
TRENTON -- Democrat Phil Murphy's victory in the governor's race Tuesday night drives New Jersey "full-steam ahead" toward legalizing marijuana and cultivating an estimated $1.3 billion industry, the sponsor of the legislation said.

Throughout the campaign, Murphy has embraced the idea of making marijuana available for recreational use for people 21 and older. Early on, he made his support well-known that he would sign a legalization bill when it arrived on his desk.

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, who controls which bills the 40-member Senate debate and vote on, said his goal was to get the measure passed within 100 days of the Murphy administration.

Murphy has said he is also counting on the sales tax from legal cannabis -- an estimated $300 million -- as a key revenue source to help fund education programs and the public worker pensions.

"Assuming Murphy wins, it's full-steam ahead," state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, the sponsor of recreational cannabis bill that is still undergoing revisions.

"The election of Phil Murphy gets us a giant step closer. Without him, I don't know where we would be. He has a 100 percent commitment to it," Scutari said.

Scutari said "it would be a waste" to hold another hearing on his legalization bill while Gov. Chris Christie remains in office. The Republican governor has called legalizing pot "beyond stupidity" and a public health hazard that could promote the use of opioids and heroin.

Christie finishes his second term at noon on Jan. 16.

Scutari said he continues to meet with people interested in the rapidly growing marijuana industry to make "improvements" to his bill (S3195). He declined to say what has changed since he held a public hearing on the proposal in June.

The revised bill will not contain a provision to let people grow their own cannabis plants -- a request by marijuana activists and some people registered with the medical marijuana program who complain the marijuana prices are too high, Scutari said.

The law "should provide opportunity for business -- an economic opportunity," Scutari said.

Scutari also said he is trying to develop language that would promote cannabis entrepreneurship among minority communities disproportionately affected by arrests and convictions -- another concern raised at the hearing. Giving anyone a leg-up in what will undoubtedly be a competitive marketplace would not meet legal muster, he said.

"I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with it. After tonight, I will," he said.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Kyiv has time until mid-Nov to observe conditions for receiving third tranche from EU

Kyiv is working on observing the conditions for receiving a third tranche of assistance from the European Union (EU) in the amount of EUR 600 million, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"We continue working on them [the conditions]. I think that we have time until the middle of November," she said on Thursday.

Earlier she said that if Ukraine fails to fulfill a number of conditions of the EU by the end of October, it may not receive the third tranche of macro-financial assistance from the EU in the amount of EUR 600 million.

She said that this assistance program from the EU is terminated on 4 January, 2018, and if Ukraine does not have time, it will be necessary to conduct new negotiations.

Ukraine needs to observe the following conditions: creation of conditions under which it would be impossible to violate the obligations of Ukraine in the free trade zone with the EU (as a moratorium on the sale of round wood or the introduction of additional export duties), ending with the creation of an automated system of preliminary verification by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) of electronic declarations using access to all registries, including the State Fiscal Service. To solve this issue, it is necessary to make changes to the laws, and also NACP should conduct organizational actions to start the operation of such a system.

The requirement is also to create an open register of unreturned loans.

In addition, it is also required to solve the issue of social benefits to the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Klympush-Tsintsadze said that tangible progress had been made in this issue - the Ministry of Social Policy conducted a re-registration and sends statistics on the implementation of payments to the EU on a weekly basis.
A Pennsylvania State Police corporal gravely injured in a shootout at a traffic stop made it through a second surgery, but is still in critical condition, state police said.

Seth Kelly underwent emergency surgery after being shot multiple times Tuesday morning on the side of Route 33 in Plainfield Township. He had his second surgery at St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, Trooper Marc Allen said, and is stable in critical condition as of Thursday morning.

Authorities said Kelly saved his own life by using a tourniquet he kept on his utility belt to stem the bleeding from one of his injuries. Kelly was struck once in the leg and at least one other round hit him in the neck/shoulder area.

Daniel Clary, of Effort, was a stopped driver who allegedly fought with Kelly and Trooper Ryan Seiple, then opened fire on the pair.

The 22-year-old Clary, who was also shot multiple times and is hospitalized, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on attempted homicide and related charges. Clary was arraigned from his hospital bed, but his bail was set at $1 million for when he is released.

An attorney has not yet entered an appearance for Clary, according to court records. The Northampton County public defender's office said it did not represent Clary at his arraignment.

Seiple is the son of Colonial Regional police Chief Roy "Buzzy" Seiple. Roy Seiple said he was heading home when he got the call about his son, and it was the worst feeling he ever had.

Seiple was treated at an area hospital for abrasions and bruises, and was released, his father said.

Pennsylvania State Police trooper Cpl. Seth Kelly, 39, left, and Trooper Ryan Seiple, right.

Following protocol, Ryan Seiple has been placed on administrative leave while state police and the Northampton County district attorney's office investigate the incident, Allen said.

State police are tracking down people who called 911 as Clary, Kelly and Seiple wrestled on the highway.

Allen said if anyone saw something and has not reached out to state police, they should call the Belfast barracks at 610-759-6106.

Reporter Pamela Sroka-Holzmann contributed to this report.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
By Elizabeth Bugaighis



I love school. I always have. On the occasion of the 96th celebration of American Education Week that begins Nov. 13, I write this open "love letter" to our schools and our teachers. Nationally, this week focuses on public schools which are near and dear to my heart. But I think it fitting to consider all the people and institutions that edify us along the way.

Early in our nation's history the common school movement that occurred between 1830 and 1860 created the quintessential one-room schoolhouses that dotted the American landscape. The common school crafted a basic framework for the co-educational public school system, a system that provided free universal education. Horace Mann, considered by many as the "father of the common school," espoused egalitarian principles that included the crucial idea that "Education is best provided in schools embracing children of all religious, social, and ethnic backgrounds."

In many ways our schools still strive to attain that vision. While America developed an effective comprehensive public school system, our school children today do not have equal or equitable schools. Even after the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education that called for school desegregation, we still struggle with equality.

Two brief examples underscore this point. Recently journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones received a MacArthur Fellowship better known as the MacArthur "genius" grant, for her work on illuminating the persistent racial segregation of America's schools. Pennsylvania has, by far, the nation's largest disparity of school funding. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, low-income school districts in the commonwealth receive 33 percent less state and local funding than wealthy districts, a situation that perpetuates social and economic inequality.

I never planned to hold the title of dean of education, but feel privileged to do so. Every day I work with the faculty and staff members at Northampton Community College who are helping students become our next generation of schoolteachers.

As the college culminates its 50th anniversary this same week, I am proud to show others the college's first catalogue which features an associate degree in education. From Northampton's inception it provided a pathway into careers in education. Today in classroom discussions with future teachers, professors address both the current reality of schools, and the role of continued advocacy for positive change.

American Education Week, celebrated the week prior to Thanksgiving since 1921, is the perfect time to take a moment to say thank you -- to a teacher, a professor, or someone else in your life who helped educate you in some way.

I'll kick it off by saying some public "thank yous" here. Thank you to my mother, Bonnie Tyler, who retired at age 75 from a public school career working with some of the highest-need populations of students. Thank you to Wanda Busa, my inspirational third grade teacher at Oaklyn Elementary School in New Jersey, where I received an excellent foundation that served me well. Thank you to Gary Olson, a professor who opened for me a new perspective on the world after I arrived at Moravian College.

And finally, thank you to all those who believe in and support our schools as the place in which children learn, side by side, the valuable lessons that help them grow into informed and contributing members of our families, communities, and country.

Elizabeth Bugaighis is the dean of education at Northampton Community College.
UPDATE: A phone call to fleeing driver ended tri-county pursuit, police say

The chase lasted more than two hours, sending authorities speeding up and down major roads in Warren and Hunterdon counties, but appears to have ended back where it began.

Hackettstown police initiated the pursuit, which went back and forth on Routes 57, 31 and 46, according to police and radio reports. A man was taken into custody about 10:45 a.m. on Route 57 at the edge of town, police confirmed.

Radio reports indicate the chase started about 8:30 a.m. as Hackettstown officers pursued a vehicle west on Route 57 in Mansfield Township. It reportedly continued into Hunterdon County, going up and down Route 31 through Hampton and Glen Gardner before returning to 57 East through Hackettstown, then turning west on Route 46. A call at 10 a.m. reported the vehicle had turned around on 46 in White Township and headed north on Free Union Road. Speeds reportedly reached 70 mph at times.

It ended with the suspect being taken into custody behind a Route 57 car wash at the eastern edge of town.

New Jersey State Police confirmed they were involved at points in the pursuit, including providing helicopter assistance.

Hackettstown police have not yet confirmed what preceded the chase, but said more information will be released Friday.

#BREAKING: Video shows Hackettstown police and other agencies in pursuit of a vehicle on Route 57. @wrnjradio @NJerzyFireAlert pic.twitter.com/zPsE0KPKCL  Jay Edwards (@JayEdwardsWrnj) November 9, 2017

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A special Laois Offaly Garda Division taskforce will swing into action this week to crack down on gangs responsible for a wave of burglaries and attacks.

Divisional Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlon has allocated a team of eight Gardai to focus on preventing crime and catching criminal gangs who have left a trail of destruction in recent weeks.

The team will work with gardai on the ground and be supported by the regional armed garda Emergency Response Unit supported by national units.

Armed checkpoints will feature during the operation which will activate at times that Gardai believe the gangs are most likely to strike.

The initiative is in response to a recent wave of violent burglaries in which armed gangs came face to face with Laois and Offaly gardai. Chief Supt Scanlon said he and his colleagues are 'extremely concerned'.

It is understood the gangs struck in Laois and Offaly but also roamed around neighbouring counties and as far away as Cork. The most violent incident involved the beating of a farmer with iron bars in south Offaly. In another incident a shot was fired at a garda who gave chase.

"As a response to a surge in burglaries I have put a taskforce in place led by a sergeant that is going to operate for a month to try and make an impact," said Chief Supt Scanlon.

He said the public deserve a dedicated response.

"We are going to deny them the freedom of movement to drive around in the night with impunity. There is going to be a significant risk to criminals coming out to commit crime at night," he said.

He appealed to the public for help but also had a warning to people not to discuss their neighbours with strangers.

"I'd actively ask anybody who knows anything about these characters to come forward. What happened to the man in Offaly was absolutely shocking," he said.

"We would ask people to respect the privacy of individuals and not suggest they have money when they may not have any.

"I would also ask people to look in on family, neighbours or friends who are living alone who are feeling afraid at the moment. There has been a strong tradition in rural Ireland of people looking in on each other and I'd ask that that be renewed," he said.

The garda also advised elderly people to take advantage of the Senior Alert Scheme by obtaining a personal pendant alarm. He also urged people to have family and neighbours' phone numbers programmed into their mobile phones for emergencies.

He has alerted the public who own high spec cars, especially Audis, to be extra careful in securing their cars and store keys safely within houses.

He urged people to contact the gardai immediately and not take matters into their own hands if they suspect that an attempt is being made to steal a car.

He said such calls can be hugely helpful in preventing thefts and in help gardai tracking down gangs.

The family groups involved are understood to have been based in Kildare and Laois.

Gardai warned that, while they have substantial intelligence on the those involved in the recent crime wave, other gangs and individuals who are also capable of burglary.

In terms of resources Chief Supt Scanlon said he would never refuse extra resources but added that the Laois Offaly Division has benefited from new recruits. He added that it does take time for new recruits to build the policing experience needed especially in rural areas.

He expects the Regional Armed Response Unit to convert to 24 hour coverage in the coming months. He said lessons could be learned from the initiative being taken in Laois Offaly.
Roaming gangs that have caused havoc in Laois Offaly and other parts of rural Ireland have nowhere to hide according to Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan.

Minister Flanagan was responding to the actions taken by the Laois Offaly Garda Divison to stem a crime wave across the midlands which saw on farmer beaten with iron bars and a shot fired at gardai.

Divisional Chief Superintendent John Scanlon revealed to day that the public deserved a response. A taskforce of gardai has been set up and for the next month will work with local gardai, armed gardai with national back up.

GARDA WARNING TO ROAMING GANGS AS TASKFORCE IS SET UP

Minister Flanagan said he criminals will not escape justice.

As Minister I have a clear message to criminals: there is no place to hide. Gardai have the resources and the skills to prevent crime and to ensure offenders pay the price.

"There may be a perception that rural towns, villages and townlands are soft touches for thieves and burglars  that perception is wrong. I am confident that a new Garda Task Force to tackle Crime in the Laois-Offaly division will be highly effective.

Minister Flanagan said the taskforce would be supported by the Emergency Response Unit which is armed.

"I welcome and fully support their efforts, and I am confident that measures such as armed checkpoints will send the message to the crime gangs that Laois-Offaly is no safe harbour for them," he said.

The Minster said the steps taken would go hand in hand with the anti-burglary measures under Operation Thor  the success of which have been borne out by the latest available CSO crime figures.

He said that since the launch of Operation Thor in late 2015, the CSO figures show a 30% decrease in burglary nationally, for the twelve months of 2016. Operation Thor has mounted over 87,000 targeted checkpoints leading to over 6,000 arrests for crimes including burglary, handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences.

OPINION - ARE LAOIS AND OFFALY A HAVEN FOR GANGS TO ROAM

Minster Flanagan said the recession negative impact on policing was being addressed.

The catastrophic economic recession had a negative impact on Garda numbers and Garda resources but Fine Gael in Government has turned the table both economically and in terms of Garda resources. Since we re-opened Templemore College, 1,400 new Gardai have been recruited and this recruitment continues apace with 800 more young women and men set to join next year. Those new recruits then go to stations around the country, including to Laois/Offaly which has been assigned 18 additional Gardai in the last year," he said.

The TD claimed that garda could respond to thieves who think the motorways and fast cars are the means to escape.

Our motorway network may be seen as an advantage my criminals but Garda intelligence and investment in new top of the range vehicles will stop criminals from exploiting our infrastructure. Over 720 new Garda vehicles have come on stream since the start of 2015.

As successful arrests in the last 24 hours have shown, Gardai are targeting criminals who prey on householders and the net is closing on them," he said.

LAOIS MAN CHARGED AFTER PURSUIT THAT ENDED IN KILDARE AFTER TIPPERARY RAID
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A man, who reversed a tractor into a Garda patrol car on New Years day, has been jailed for two years.

Shane Mulligan, with addresses at Ballinakill, Enfield and 127 Brayton Park, Kilcock, was jailed for six months consecutively on each of four offences - two years in total - at Kilcock District Court sitting held in Naas last Tuesday, November 7.

David Powderly, solicitor, representing Mr Mulligan, said his client was pleading guilty to a number of offences.

Mr Mulligan has already spent some time in custody and told the Court of his jail experience: It's hard. I've never seen anything like it.

The Court was told that on New Year's Day last, at around 1.30am, Gardai came across a blue tractor travelling on the wrong side of the road in the Kilcock area.

When they came near to it, the tractor started to reverse towards them, and damaged the bonnet of the patrol car while the Gardai were still in it.

There were five charges of dangerous driving as a result of that occasion, as well as criminal damage to the patrol car.

The tractor drove off, and Gardai continued to try and stop it, but at different places including Ballycahan, Kilbride, and Newtown, Kilcock, it went to reverse into them again, and they had to try and avoid it.

At one point they left the patrol car to avoid injury.

Mr Mulligan abandoned the tractor in Enfield village.

It was not a nice way to welcome in the New Year, Judge Desmond Zaidan commented.

Mr Mulligan also pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath test, but the Court heard that he was insured to drive.

Mr Powderly said the events were alcohol related.

He was definitely under the weather. He remembers little about it, said the solicitor.

Judge Zaidan said: This was a frightening experience for the Gardai.

Another Garda said that when a doctor was called to the Garda Station to do the tests, Mr Mulligan complained of chest pains.

The Court heard that on October 9 this year, Gardai visited Mr Mulligan's family home to look for him.

He threatened the life of a Garda and his family after becoming aggressive and damaged the patrol car, for which he received a six month sentence.

Mr Mulligan also got six months for assaulting the mother of his child at Enfield on September 29 last.

He dragged her out of a car and punched her in the face in the presence of their three year-old child.

Judge Zaidan was told that at one point, the woman, withdrew a statement of evidence against Mr Mulligan's behaviour.

Mr Powderly said that Mr Mulligan had difficulties at school with undiagnosed dyslexia.

He said there was also a hint that other childhood difficulties were not diagnosed.

When he left school, he worked as a plasterer and was not dependent on the State.

Mr Powderly said his client had a very good family and they had tried to help him as far as they could.

He has put a lot of people in danger, said the solicitor, who added that Mr Mulligan's family were heartbroken.
Thursday, November 30 will see a concert in the old Dara Cinema in Naas in aid of Naas Foodbank.

The band I Draw Slow will perform songs from their album Turn You Face to the Sun. They will be supported by Sina Theil and Keith Plunkett.

Tickets are 15 and will be available shortly from Naas Food Bank.

The roots band I Draw Slow have been consistently honing their craft over the course of the last 10 years and selling out venues in Ireland and releasing their records to critical acclaim.

Main Street Foodbank is an initiative started in December 2012, and since then, with support from the local community, their drop-in centre has been operating every week.

As of September 2017, an average of 93 individuals and families access the service for help.

In Ireland, food poverty has emerged as an increasingly important issue. Recent findings by the Department of Social Protection show that 10% of the population in Ireland are living in food poverty.

Organisers say that redundancy, illness, debt, family breakdown and paying for the additional household costs are just some of the reasons why people go hungry.

The tickets are available by clicking here
First deputy head of Ukraine's National Police, head of criminal police Viacheslav Abroskin on Wednesday met with chief of the Czech criminal police Jaroslav Vild and a delegation of Czech police officers. During their meeting the two discussed cooperation.

"We presented the structure of our criminal police and discussed ways to work jointly to combat organized crime. We discussed issues which have arisen during the formation specialized crime units over the past 17 years," Abroskin said on his Facebook page.

National Police Chief Serhiy Kniazev said after the meeting that a representative from the Czech side and Ukraine would sign a memorandum on cooperation and exchange of information between their respective police forces.
Two research reports published this week highlight the impact the recession had on families and communities in Ireland, with those in more rural areas, disadvantaged communities and one parent households more negatively impacted.



The publication of Pobal Deprivation Index confirms SVP experience that small towns were hit hardest during the recession and are benefiting less from the recovery.



SVP volunteers in small town and more rural areas are still seeing the consequences of job loss, cut back in services, emigration and austerity for struggling households. These communities are unable to take advantage of the recent economic improvements due to poor social infrastructure, such as a lack of public transport, broadband and key services. said Kieran Stafford, SVP National President.



The data also shows that those in disadvantaged communities in urban areas, saw further increases in deprivation in the past number of years. For example, between 2011 and 2016, a number of communities in Limerick have moved from being categorised as very disadvantaged to extremely disadvantaged.



There is a real danger, that without a concerted effort to tackle entrenched poverty, entire communities will continue to be left behind, said Kieran Stafford.



Dr. Tricia Keilthy, SVP Head of Social Justice and Policy said that the Pobal data is a key resource for policy makers to enable a targeted approach towards tackling deprivation, poverty and disadvantage in communities across Ireland.



A separate report published by the ESRI, shows that while all families were impacted by the recession, in absolute terms, one parent families experienced the greatest increase in economic stress.



One parent families are the largest group assisted by SVP and we have seen first-hand the impact austerity and recession has had on one parent families. The cuts and changes to the One Parent Family Payment has also made parenting alone more difficult and created additional barriers to education and employment, said Dr Keilthy



"Last month, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, published a report which showed these reforms increased poverty among one parent families. It is critical that the new National Action for Social Inclusion has a specific target with supporting actions to reduce poverty rates in one parent households, she said
Troy Studios has been confirmed as the venue for an intensive Production Assistant bootcamp for graduates, trainees and new entrants to the film industry.

The three-day bootcamp, which runs at the beginning of next month, will give participants the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the role of Office, Set and Location Production Assistant.

The event is being run by Screen Training Ireland and Limerick and Clare ETB, in partnership with Universal Cable Productions.

According to the organisers the bootcamp, which will feature tutors including Jody Brockway Leigh Paonessa Chuck Canzoneri and John Crumpton, will be a two-day thorough, intensive, real-world programme designed to give participants a full and practical understanding of what is required to succeed in the industry.

Participants will also complete a one-day Health & Safety programme offered by BECTU, and accredited under the BBC/BECTU/PACT/Skillset Production Safety Passport Scheme.

Participants will be divided into two groups for the P.A. Bootcamp: One group will complete the training between Tuesday, December 5 and Thursday, December 7 while the second group will be accommodated between Thursday, December 7 and Saturday, December 9.

For more details and to register for the bootcamp, see www.screentrainingireland.ie
THIRTY-three companies across Limerick have been nominated for awards in the annual Chamber Regional Business Awards.

The shortlist of companies across 11 categories was revealed at a special breakfast event this Thursday morning in the Greenhills Hotel at the Ennis Road.

Chamber chief executive Dr James Ring says, as ever, the quality of the entrants to the awards  now in their seventh year  is impressive.

The quality is always good. We always get a very good mix of companies. This year, because of our two new categories, we have had a cohort of companies which would have never entered before. It's encouraging to see this, he said.

These categories will honour community and voluntary sector, and employers which make an effort to develop the talent in their workplace.

A lot of our entrants would be long-standing businesses, so that would be encouraging to see. The numbers have gone up again this year. We are just shy of 200 entries this year, Dr Ring added.

In the last few weeks, an independent panel of judges have been whittling the entries down to just three in each category. Of the 11 categories, one will be named Limerick Chamber regional business of the year.

Chamber president Ken Johnson will also hand over a special lifetime achievement style award to an individual at the black-tie gala event in the Strand Hotel next Friday, November 17.

Full list of nominations:

Innovative start-up company of the year

Get the Shifts

Cloud Cards

Ingenium

Best Small to Medium Sized Enterprise

Conack Construction

Antaris Consulting

TouchStore

Best Innovation (Research and Development)

Hooke Bio

GKinetic Energy

On Semiconductor

Best Large Company

Optel

Shannon Group

Roadbridge

Best Family Business

Flannerys Bar

JJ Kavanagh

D & M Garden Centre

Best Corporate Social Responsibility

Kirby Group Engineering

Applegreen

WP Engine

Best Business Service provider

Sd Worx

First Choice

H & MV

Best Food Service Business

Wicked Wholefoods

Tuscany Bistro

Funky Donut

Best Culture, Hospitality and Tourism

Hunt Museum

Clonshire Equestrian Centre

University Concert Hall

Best Community and Voluntary sector

Doras Luimni

Limerick Suicide Watch

Saoirse Addiction Treatment

Best employer: talent development and workplace wellness

Holmes OMalley Secton

EY

Uber

For a profile of each nominee, check out Business Leader in next weekends Limerick Leader print edition.
A CONVICTED killer who robbed a mobile phone from a Pakistani man in Limerick city centre has avoided a prison sentence.

Robert McNamara, aged 43, who has an address at Roxboro Road, admitted his role in the incident which happened at Ellen Street shortly before 8.30pm on March 4, 2015.

The victim, who was aged in his late 40s, was walking from Ellen Street to Patrick Street with his phone in his hand, when he became aware of two people coming towards him in a menacing fashion.

After asking him for a cigarette they raised their fists in a threatening manner and demanded his phone, before fleeing the scene. The phone was never recovered.

Imposing sentence, Judge Tom ODonnell noted the defendant was very intoxicated when arrested a short time later. He said his previous record, which includes a conviction for manslaughter, was an aggravating factor.

However, he noted that McNamaras mental health has improved in recent times and that he is currently engaging with the Probation Service.

According to a report prepared for the court, the defendant has an insight into his behaviour and now represents a moderate risk of re-offending.

He has made genuine efforts to turn his life around, stated the report.

The judge imposed a two and-a-half year prison sentence which he suspended in its entirety.
GARDAI say two young children who had been reported missing from their home in Limerick for more than a week have been found safe and well.

A nationwide appeal was issued last Thursday as gardai sought the publics assistance in locating five year old Arnel Azad and his two year old brother Ayaan Azad.

Arnel and Ayaan were last seen on Tuesday, October 31, when they left their home  at Ballintine Place, Steamboat Quay on the Dock Road  in the company of their father, Selim Azad.

In a brief statement, issued this Wednesday night, the Garda Press Office confirmed both boys have been located.

Arnel Azad (5) and his brother Ayaan Azad (2) who were missing from their home at Ballintine Place, Steamboat Quay, Dock Road, Co. Limerick have been located safe and well, it read.

Gardai, who previously indicated they belived the boys had travelled to the Dublin area with their father, have not confirmed where they were located.
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Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan has expressed hope that after an investigation into his activities by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) all assumptions and accusations would be lifted.

He said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday that around five criminal cases related to abuse of power in the Ukrainian infrastructure sector, including two cases against top officials and multibillion embezzlements are being investigated by the NABU.

He said that many investigations were initiated thanks to requests of the Infrastructure Ministry and on the basis of the ministry's documents, as the ministry is actively working with the NABU since the moment of its creation.

"The only case concerning me is fact-finding regarding my dwelling was taken first. Maybe it was the simplest, and I hope that we will quickly find the answer to all questions the detectives have. I will recall that the issue of residence of the infrastructure minister was raised in mass media. I gave all the explanations to journalists. I hope that we will be able jointly with the NABU to finish this case and say that all the suspicions and any assumptions are lifted," he said.

As reported, NABU detectives conducted investigative actions on November 3 as part of a pretrial investigation into possible illegal enrichment and possible declaration of unreliable data by Omelyan. It was reported that the investigation is underway.

During the pretrial investigation, the NABU established that starting from December 10, 2016, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, his wife and son, lived in a house that since September 27, 2016, has belonged to his wife's first cousin once removed. Approximate value of the house is UAH 7 million.

NABU detectives pointed out that according to the information of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, the wife's cousin once removed doesn't receive the income to afford buying such a house.

Also, during the period from March 23, 2009 to March 23, 2011, the mother of his wife's niece once removed issued an authorization to drive her Lexus RX 350 to Omelyan, "which indicates their confidential relationship."

The NABU also said that on March 29, 2017, the infrastructure minister filed an electronic declaration for 2016 stating that he actually lives in an apartment that belongs to his wife. At the same time, Omelyan did not indicate his right to use the real estate, namely, the home where he lives. NABU says that the information provided by Omelyan in the declaration for 2016 differs from the actual one by UAH 7 million, which is more than 250 subsistence minimums for able-bodied people.

NABU detectives said that a pre-trial investigation established that Omelyan has been using the 2015 BMW X5 car which costs around UAH 1.59 million. The said vehicle belongs to the minister's brother. However, this car, which is used by the minister was not mentioned in his declaration for 2015 and 2016 contrary to Article 46 of the law of Ukraine on the prevention of corruption.

According to NABU, Omelyan put false information in his income declaration, so the latter's actions bear the signs of an offence under Article 366-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

In his turn, Omelyan said that there was no false information in his declaration.
Saudi Arabia has lifted a temporary ban on imports of Ukrainian poultry products imposed over avian influenza outbreaks in the middle of March 2017, according to a posting on the website of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine.

The information was received from the Food and Drug Authority of Saudi Arabia.

The ministry of Ukraine said that the decision was made after studying a report of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) dated May 14, 2017. It says that no avian influenza is recorded in Ukraine.

As reported, in the middle of March 2017 Iraq, China, Qatar, Yemen, Jordan and other countries imposed a ban on supply of poultry from all territory of Ukraine.

Hong Kong, the EU, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) applied the regional principle. These countries ban shipments of poultry only from those Ukrainian regions where outbreaks of avian influenza were recorded.
The Polish side has positively perceived the initiative of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland. Warsaw is ready to host a Ukrainian delegation to clarify the state of bilateral relations, the Polish Radio reported on Thursday with reference to the office of Polish President Andrzej Duda.

"Krzysztof Szczerski, the Head of the Presidents Office, positively perceived the offer of the Ukrainian side on the holding of the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Poland and Ukraine in the near future. The meeting should help make clear the recent decision and events in the Ukrainian-Polish relations," the message reads.

The Office of the president of Poland passed the administration of the Ukrainian president the information on the readiness of Szczerski, the co-chairman of the Consultative Committee from the Polish side to host the Ukrainian co-chairman with the delegation.

The presidential office noted that it "will be the next possibility to represent the expectations on topical issues of the Ukrainian-Polish relations after the visit of Piotr Glinski, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Witold Waszczykowski, the Foreign Minister of Poland."

"President Andrzej Duda also looks for the personal steps of President Petro Poroshenko in the context of the current status of the bilateral relations," the office said.

As reported, on November 8, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko initiated a special meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland to prevent further escalation of tension between the two countries

"Recent strong statements by representatives of the Polish authorities addressed to Ukraine and its leadership cause serious concern and cannot be left without proper response. In order to strengthen the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland, and to avoid further escalation of tension, recognizing the need to resolve any outstanding issues in bilateral relations exclusively in a civilized European way. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has initiated the holding of an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland," Tseholko wrote on his Facebook page.

The press secretary also recalled the Consultative Committee is an advisory agency designed to facilitate the implementation of agreements between the heads of both states aimed at deepening the friendly relations between Ukraine and Poland. It is headed by the foreign policy advisers of the presidents of the two states.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda said on November 7 he expects that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman will not allow people with anti-Polish views to occupy important public posts. He noted that such people "do not build cooperation between our countries, they are destroying them." Therefore, there should be no such people in Ukraine's big politics, in politics, which has international significance."

Duda noted that there are such people in Ukrainian politics. "It's also necessary to speak loudly that there are people in important positions in Ukraine who have almost openly anti-Polish views, this is unacceptable," the Polish president stressed.
On Monday, November 13, at 10.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference, entitled "Reform of Ambulance Service: Myths and Realities." The participants include chairman of the council of the Kyiv City Health Workers' Trade Union Larysa Kanarovska; head of the Supervisory Department of the Center for Emergency Medical Care and Medicine of Catastrophes of the City of Kyiv, chairman of the All-Ukrainian NGO 'All-Ukrainian Association of Emergency, Medical and Disaster Medicine' Volodymyr Rogov; chairman of the trade union of the Center for Emergency Medical Care and Medicine of Catastrophes of the City of Kyiv Natalia Stakhova; deputy rector for scientific work of the National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education named after P. Shupik and head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Professor Ivan Zozulia (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. More information at: http://www.kmppoz.org/, http://www.facebook.com/kmppoz, or by phone: (044) 288-14-29, (044) 235-10-30.
KYIV. Nov 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) together with the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Services will present the concept of dealing with long-term construction by late 2017. "There are long-term construction facilities that have been in this state for decades, and there are buildings that can go into this status. We are working on the concept to take into account the interests of all parties, and I think this concept will be presented to the public for discussion by the new year," Head of the Construction sector at BRDO Olena Shuliak said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine. Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Services Lev Partskhaladze noted the development and discussion of the concept will be held during round tables in the ministry within the next several days.
In an effort to protect students and allay rising concerns of parents over the discovery of alarming levels of lead contamination in plumbing fixtures at 10 Oakland public schools, district administrators launched a new round of water quality tests this week at all campuses.

The latest testing, which began Thursday, is being conducted by the East Bay Municipal Utility District as an added check on the process. Since August, the Oakland Unified School District has performed tests on about 70 of the 86 schools in its jurisdiction. Tests are set to be conducted at the remaining schools over the next few weeks, said John Sasaki, a district spokesman.

EBMUD, the East Bays main water provider, is starting from scratch at each school. As of Friday, it had taken water samples from Allendale, Bella Vista, Bridges and Chabot elementary schools, said Sasaki. It also took samples at McClymonds High School, where earlier tests detected lead in water fixtures.

Though the results of the tests will not come back for at least 10 days, Courtney Jones, president of the Chabot Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, said she was relieved that school district officials were taking the problem seriously.

Obviously, as a parent of two children at Chabot Elementary, just knowing theres a potential of lead in water at any OUSD school is concerning, Jones said Friday. Just as a human being, that was the first thing that was alarming to me. I felt a lot better knowing that OUSD was doing the due diligence.

The Oakland Unified School District and the EBMUD are evaluating the quality of high-use water sources such as faucets and fountainheads. Teams began taking water samples Thursday morning to check if lead was present in water sitting in pipes or fixtures overnight, district officials said.

The school district began testing water at schools in August, but now is partnering with EBMUD in hopes of providing greater peace of mind for those concerned by lead in the water, Sasaki said.

Were doing this as kind of a back stop, if you will, he said. Theyre doing this in support of us to reassure the public our water is good.

In October, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring all schools to test faucets for lead by 2019. Californias municipal drinking water system permits required EBMUD as of December 2016 to provide its services to any public or private school in a district that asked for testing.

Several school districts in the state had signed up for testing with their local water utility in January, but the Oakland Unified School District opted to conduct tests independently back then.

Since testing began in August, Oakland school officials have found 10 schools had at least one source on campus with elevated levels of lead, Sasaki said. In those cases the fixture was either replaced immediately or taken out of service.

Those schools are Glenview Elementary, Burckhalter Elementary, Joaquin Miller Elementary, Brookfield Elementary, American Indian Charter High (Lakeview Elementary campus), Fruitvale Elementary, Thornhill Elementary, Encompass Academy, East Oakland Pride Elementary and McClymonds High.

The Chronicle reviewed the water tests, finding one of the poorest quality results was in a kitchen tap at the temporary Glenview school on 54th Street, where 430 children are attending classes while the Glenview campus in the Oakland hills is being renovated. The amount of lead in the tap totaled 60 parts per billion, four times the federally recommended maximum of 15 parts per billion, according to the tests done by the school district.

Sasaki said every case involved lead in a fixture, which meant that the high levels were present only the first few seconds after turning on a water source that had been dormant overnight. Had the lead infiltrated the piping system, Sasaki said, it would be a much more serious problem like what prompted a major crisis in Flint, Mich., that exposed tens of thousands of residents to lead contamination in the last three years.

Still, CalPIRG health advocate Jason Pfeifle said even minute exposure to lead could prove detrimental, causing permanent damage to a childs cognitive development and intellectual and academic abilities. Overexposure has also been linked to higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, he said.

The potential for serious side effects should prompt school officials to test every water source on every school campus instead of limiting sample sizes to high-use areas, he said.

Testing is a start, but it isnt enough. Oakland Unified currently doesnt have a plan to test all water taps at all schools, which means theres still risk of exposure for kids, Pfeifle said Friday.

He recommended officials follow the example of the San Diego Unified School District, which is working to bring their levels to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.

American Academy of Pediatrics announced in 2016 that lead in school water fountains should not exceed 1 part per billion, considerably lower than the federal maximum of 15 parts per billion.

Pediatricians say thats not safe, Pfeifle said. Its just not a health-based standard. The 15 parts per billion standard was an administrative tool for water districts. It was never intended as a safety standard for kids.

Pfeifle said he plans to someday enroll his now-2-year-old son in the Oakland Unified School District, so hes pushing for safety for my kid and for the kids who are currently going to school.

In San Francisco, district officials announced in late October that some water samples from West Portal and Malcolm X elementary schools and San Francisco International High School exceeded federal lead limits. Officials provided bottled water for the campuses.

As widespread water testing continues, Pfeifle says proactive measures are preferable, such as installing filters certified to remove lead.

Schools should be taking a preventative approach, Pfeifle said. The focus should really be on preventing lead exposures before they happen, rather than testing and waiting before they find a problem.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Jill Tucker contributed to this report.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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Self-driving cars are still a decade away from widespread use, perhaps longer, two automotive engineers from San Antonios Southwest Research Institute said Thursday.

But when self-driving cars and trucks prove themselves as safe and efficient, use will rapidly become ubiquitous in the same way smart phones quickly replaced flip telephones, they said.

The comments from Ryan Lamm and Terry Alger came during a panel discussion before the four-day 2017 San Antonio Auto & Truck Show opened at the Convention Center downtown. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the show that ends Sunday, inspecting more than 300 vehicles on display from about 70 area dealerships.

The Southwest Research Institute is helping develop technologies for self-driving vehicles for both the U.S. military and commercial carmakers, said Lamm, director of the applied sensing department of the institutes Intelligent Systems Division.

The U.S. military wants vehicles that can operate in harsh environments in platoons without human drivers who would be exposed to danger, Lamm said. The institute built an autonomous freightliner truck called Big Red with automated sensors, radar and vision systems, he told members of the Texas Auto Writers Association who are attending the auto show.

Research and development of regular self-driving cars and trucks will take years, said Lamm and Alger, director of spark-ignited engine research and development department at the institutes Powertrain Engineering Division.

They explained that there are five levels to get to fully autonomous vehicles. The car itself is level one. Level two is cruise control. Level three would begin automated driving, but drivers must be ready to take over whenever problems or emergency situations occur. Level four would allow self-driving all the time but only in limited areas, like parking lots. Level five is brain off everywhere, allowing passengers to read, watch movies or even sleep, they said.

As an industry, we are between levels two and three, Lamm said.

When there is one automonous car, there is not much advantage. Other drivers could hit the automated car, Alger explained, adding, It will be a decade before there are lots of autonomous cars, but then there will be a cascade where it happens quickly. He explained further that self-driving vehicles will be able to communicate with each other in networks pinpointing their destinations and where they will be at certain times to avoid collisions.

That would speed traffic and make vehicles more fuel efficient. The CO2 (carbon dioxide) benefit could be insane, Alger said.

But self-driving research and development will take years to perfect because it now is taking a back seat to other research aimed at reaching a government fuel efficiency goal of an average of 54.5 miles per gallon of gasoline for each carmakers fleet by 2025, Alger said.

Alger said costs would have to be affordable. It will take the right hardware and the right price, he said.

Lamm said challenges for self-driving cars include being able to stop before reaching washed-out, flood-damaged roads and avoiding ducks and ducklings crossing a road. He displayed a photo of red stop sign that, with certain placement of white and black tape, could be misinterpreted by a self-driving car as a sign for a 100 mph speed limit.

I dont think (autonomous cars) are coming as fast as we think it is coming, Lamm said.

The 49th annual San Antonio Auto and Truck Show hosted by the San Antonio Auto Dealers Association does not have any self-driving autos on display, but it does present the latest auto technologies, including electric cars and advanced integration with mobile telephones.

Fords electric-car, the Fusion, includes a cellphone app that will allow electric-car owners to see when their car is fully charged at a public charging spot so they can move it, allowing other electric cars to charge there. The 2018 Ford F-150 offers a pre-collision assistance system using camera and radar systems that can apply brakes to prevent collisions.

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder has a rear-door alert that chirps when drivers leave the car without removing items that had been placed in the back seat before the drive. The alert was developed by two Nissan engineers who also are mothers who were concerned about the deaths of children left alone in cars. The alert is being tested before being added to other Nissan models.

Other highlights of the auto show include new sport utility models being added by luxury carmakers Jaguar and Maserati. Dodge is unveiling a blue special-edition Ram 1500 pickup for 2017, which goes on sale this month. It is the Rams final special edition planned by Ram.

Among the most expensive European luxury models  the Lotus, Bentley and Rolls Royce cars  a highlight is a special-order 2018 Aston Martin DB 11 that was made to celebrate British Queen Elizabeths 50-year jubilee anniversary. The queen and Prince Philip are known as Aston Martin enthusiasts, and they gave son Prince Charles one for his 21st birthday in 1969. The price of the special-order, handmade 2018 Aston Martin is $262,878.

On Thursday, the Green Car Journal magazine editors named the winners of its 2018 awards for environmentally friendly models. The Green Car commercial vehicle award went to the Ford Police Responder Hybrid. The magazines Green Truck award went to the Chevrolet Colorado. The 2018 Performance Green Car award went to Mazdas MX-5.

dhendricks@express-news.net

This article was updated to correct that the Chevrolet Colorado won this years Green Truck award.
The fatal shooting of Kate Steinle on San Franciscos Pier 14 had the characteristics of an unintentional discharge, a forensic firearms expert said in court on Wednesday.

Alan Voth, a former officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, testified as part of 45-year-old Jose Ines Garcia Zarates defense that the killing that sparked a political firestorm around immigration policy had been an accident.

The defense has long maintained that Garcia Zarate, a homeless man with a history of nonviolent drug crimes and deportations, had unintentionally set off a gun he found just moments before, wrapped in cloth under his seat on the pier on July 1, 2015.

The round fired from that gun went on to travel between 12 to 15 feet, then bounce off the ground and fly 78 more feet to strike Steinle, 32, in the back as she strolled with her arm around her father.

While the prosecution contends that Garcia Zarate aimed the gun toward Steinle and pulled the trigger  an intentional act showing the malice needed for a second-degree murder conviction  Voth testified that the single fired shot and the ricochet, coupled with a lack of a known motive and firearms training for the person handling the weapon, point to an unintentional discharge.

Theres no apparent reason to fire a shot into a concrete pier, he said.

But Voth also testified that as a forensic firearms investigator, he would also examine the actions of the shooter directly after the discharge to determine if the shot was intentional.

Are you aware the defendant threw the weapon into the water seconds after firing it? asked Assistant District Attorney Diana Garcia, who has previously argued that Garcia Zarates disposing the gun and leaving the scene following the shooting were indicators of guilt.

Prosecutors have previously said Garcia Zarate indicated in at least some of his statements to investigators that the firing was intentional, such as when he told them not long after the shooting that he fired at a sea animal. However, his accounts of what happened were contradictory, and at one point he said the gun went off when he stepped on it.

The fully loaded pistol, a .40-caliber Sig Sauer, had been stolen four days earlier from the nearby parked car of an off-duty federal ranger, but no one was arrested in the burglary. Prosecution and defense experts have given conflicting accounts of how likely it was that the gun could have gone off without an intentional pull on the trigger.

Garcia Zarate had been on track for a sixth deportation when federal authorities, in March 2015, brought him to San Francisco to face a 20-year-old warrant in a marijuana case. When city prosecutors dismissed the case, the Sheriffs Department, relying on the citys sanctuary policies for immigrants, released Garcia Zarate despite a federal request to hold him for removal. News after the killing of that release thrust San Francisco into a national debate about immigration enforcement.

The jury is expected to begin deliberations next week.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
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Filmed by an active-duty U.S. Army chaplain stationed in Afghanistan, and focusing on soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division's "No Slack" battalion, the documentary "No Greater Love" is a remarkable film about war and its effect on soldiers. As a chaplain, director Justin D. Roberts did not carry a weapon, instead using a camera to gain unparalleled access - to intense combat stories and to open a discussion of the resulting psychological trauma.

Interspersing war footage with interviews with soldiers and their families, Roberts takes his time to put combat operations in context, with officers describing the tactical nightmare of fighting in a mountain range with limited visibility and few escape routes. Most of the film focuses on two missions with heavy casualties. As soldiers recall each excruciating detail, they get emotional on camera.
Benjamin Genocchio, exec utive director of New York's prestigious Armory Show and half of an art world power couple with Washington, D.C., museum director Melissa Chiu, was pushed out Wednesday only hours after a New York Times report detailing sexual harassment allegations against him.

Genocchio is the latest high-profile figure to be accused of sexual harassment in the wake of accusations made against film producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and Michael Oreskes, who has since resigned as NPR's head of news.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the Armory Show said that allegations against Genocchio made earlier this year were investigated and that the organization "concluded they did not rise to the level of sexual harassment. We have only recently learned of the allegations related to Mr. Genocchio's previous employment."

Deputy Director Nicole Berry will serve as executive director.

The statement did not say whether Genocchio remained an Armory staffer, was suspended or had been fired, and a representative there said the Armory would have no additional information.

The Times detailed complaints about Genocchio dating to when he worked as editorial director at Louise Blouin Media from 2011 to 2014 and as editor of Artnet news, a position he left to take over the Armory Show last year. At one point, a group of 20 Artnet employees gathered to openly discuss their complaints.

Colleen Calvo, a marketing coordinator then, told the Times that during a 2014 holiday party, Genocchio had touched her pants and said, "Is this the only time I get to touch your ass without getting yelled at?"

Genocchio, 48, did not respond to emails requesting comment. In a statement to the Times, he said he "never intentionally acted in an inappropriate manner nor spoke to or touched a colleague in a sexually inappropriate way. To the extent my behavior was perceived as disrespectful, I deeply and sincerely apologize and will ensure it does not happen again."

A native of Australia, Genocchio got his PhD in art history from the University of Sydney. He moved to New York in 2001.

Report of the allegations comes as the Hirshhorn Museum, under Chiu's direction, is on the upswing with record crowds and fundraising thanks to such exhibits as February's Yayoi Kusama show and the just-opened "Mark Bradford: Pickett's Charge," a work that Chiu and the museum commissioned. The Hirshhorn is the Smithsonian's modern and contemporary art museum.

A Hirshhorn spokeswoman said that Chiu declined to comment on the allegations. Bradford, reached through a representative, also had no comment.

In 2015, Genocchio was caught editing his wife's Wikipedia entry to delete references to criticism of her hiring of Gianni Jetzer, a New York-based curator, and also removing passages that described the backlash she faced for a decision to host the museum's 40th-anniversary gala in New York. He also added praise for Chiu's fundraising prowess. The online encyclopedia's content is user-generated, and contributors are told to avoid conflicts of interest.

The Times report on Genocchio did not surprise Amanda Coulson, who is the artistic director of the Armory-affiliated Volta art. She declined to comment on Genocchio - she didn't work with him and never witnessed anything in the report. But a Volta worker who did work at the Armory came to her to complain about Genocchio, and Coulson allowed her to work from home.

"As a woman who has worked in the art world since I was 25 years old," said Coulson, who is 51, "I could count many, many times when I got pressured, when I was made to feel uncomfortable, when I got demeaned," she said. "I'm just glad now we're at a period where it seems that younger women are given the possibility to speak the truth about how those things make them feel."
"I'm a crazy-sick sex addict like David Duchovny in that show and in real life," Ilana tells her best friend Abbi on the Comedy Central series "Broad City."But in a recent episode, Ilana won't let on that she's on her way to see a sex therapist because she hasn't had an orgasm since Donald Trump was elected president.

"Let it out, Ilana," the therapist says as Ilana bursts into tears. "You're not alone. Orgasms have been down 140 percent since Trump was elected. It's been horrible for everyone."

No, that's not a real statistic. Yet Ilana hasn't been alone in her sexual frustration. Several shows recently have been depicting women as unsatisfied. Like Ilana, they're determined to do something about it - and a finding man isn't necessarily part of the equation.

We know that the increase in female show-runners can lead to more diversity on screen, and all the series mentioned in this story have them. It's also leading to deeper looks at women's sexuality that are more explicit than ever before - and more critical of the status quo, where men are more likely to feel satisfied and women, frustrated.

Yes, yes, yes: We've come a long way since "The Contest," the 1992 "Seinfeld" episode that revolved around masturbation but didn't dare utter that word. And since "Sex and the City," where Samantha scheduled day-long appointments with her vibrator. A generation ago, it was groundbreaking to acknowledge that women and men took control of their own sexual pleasure if there was no one around to help. (Remember how Elaine had to convince the guys that she should be part of the contest?)

Now shows are taking the next step and saying that women deserve more in the bedroom. A recent episode of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," for example, takes aim at male cluelessness about the female body. A millennial administrative assistant, Maya (Esther Povitsky), informs her colleague Tim (Michael McMillian) about the orgasm gap between heterosexual women and men. "Did you know that studies show that women only orgasm 39 percent of the time during sex while men finish 91 percent of the time?" Maya says. He did not. Tim is also shocked to realize that the "electric toothbrush" his wife loves so much might be another device making up for any deficits in the bedroom.

This caricature of the clueless dude is an old trope. Sara McClelland, an assistant professor of women's studies and psychology at the University of Michigan, thinks characters like Tim let men off the hook, rather than pushing them to consider their potential role in the orgasm gap. "Lots and lots of men do know that their female partners are not having orgasms," McClelland says, but characters such as Tim make "all men look benignly incompetent."

"To me, there's a bigger issue, which is not something about ignorance but more about: Some people's pleasure is valued more than others," says McClelland, who links this disparity to the gender pay gap. Young women are also often told that their bodies are really complicated, which makes the possibility of orgasm seem"off the table even before it's had the chance to get on the table."

While "Seinfeld" danced around the notion of sexual release, today's language is a lot more explicit. Rachel Bloom, the star and co-creator of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," said on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" that she "had to have many conversations with legal about why it wasn't graphic or lewd" to say the word "clitoris" on the orgasm-gap episode.The body part has been mentioned on "Family Guy" and "The Office," but Bloom says her show is the first on network television to explain the clitoris' function.

TV historian Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, who's written a book on "Seinfeld," says current depictions of women's sex lives differ in two main ways since the "Sex and the City" era. "There's a little more female-centricity and a little more normalization," Armstrong says. Female pleasure is seen as an important aspect of self-care and independence; on "Being Mary Jane," for example, Gabrielle Union's character takes care of herself in her office before heading out for a date, the implication being that, however the night goes, she doesn't need a man to make her happy. And the "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" conversations take place in West Covina, California. "This isn't these exotic, wealthy, insanely thin, beautiful women of 'Sex and the City' that felt a little untouchable," Armstrong says, adding, "Now it's a lot more just part of these fairly normal-seeming lives."

Now that women's sexual needs are viewed as normal, not being able to fulfill them is where the shame lies. "The Bold Type," a new Freeform show, follows the lives of three 20-somethings working at a women's magazine. In the second episode, Jane Sloan (Katie Stevens) is tasked with writing a story about her best orgasm. Slight problem: Like 10 to 15 percent of women out there, she's never had one. Admitting as such while working at a magazine that, in Jane's words, is "all about having the most amazing sex ever," makes her feel like a "fraud."

The characters on "The Bold Type" are fictional women, but they grew up in the "Sex and the City" era. Which means they might feel like a failure at being a liberated woman for not figuring out "how to be a sex goddess in addition to all the other things I'm supposed to be doing," Armstrong says.

"We have this notion that women have the information to be in control of their pleasure and their bodies, but we've never given it to them," Armstrong says, noting the inadequacy of sex education in the United States.

In her research, when McClelland asks a woman "Are you satisfied?" she usually hears: "'Yeah, he makes me feel really safe.' But safety is a thing that they've come to think of as usual and orgasm is not," she says, adding that safety and reciprocity should be taught in tandem.

"Broad City's" link between sexual and political impotence is more than a plot line aimed at connecting with disappointed liberal viewers. It's a comment about the kind of equality McClelland envisions: where everyone has a right to pleasure, but no one person's satisfaction matters more than another's. So while Ilana's mind flashes back to political rallies and Trump's pussy-grabbing comments during her attempts at self-gratification, her sex therapist tells her to go high while her world goes low.

"Orgasms are a journey," she advises. "They start in your mind. You're frustrated that a sexual-assault-bragging steak salesman has become our president. You need to find a way to rise above it in spite of him. Look inside yourself."

Eventually, Ilana breaks her year-long fast while picturing powerful women. Images of Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Beyonce, Maxine Waters, Billie Jean King, the cast of "Golden Girls" and dozens of others flash across the screen, a montage to remind her that even when the world seems to be stacked in favor of men, women are still in the driver's seat of their own lives and their own fantasies.
"Anybody who talks about California hedonism has never spent a Christmas in Sacramento."

That's the Joan Didion quote that precedes "Lady Bird," Greta Gerwig's solo writing-directing debut in which she chronicles a year in the life of a 17-year-old high school senior - the title character - who longs to escape her home town.

Didion, whom Gerwig calls her patron saint, looms large in "Lady Bird." "That was the first time I read a writer who wrote about where I was from," Gerwig recalled at the Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia in October, of discovering Didion as a teenager. "And she's not just a writer, she's a great writer. She's one of the great writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. I just couldn't believe it when I read it. Because I always thought writers had to be from New York. And this woman was writing about the exact place I was from and where she was from, and it was so meaningful."

Didion's 1961 Vogue article "Self-respect" exerts a particular pull on Gerwig's movie, which she says is about "learning how to answer for yourself and what you are and what you do." The movie more than deserves the comparison to one of the finest essays written in the English language, the struggles of its pimply teenage heroine every bit as thoughtfully limned as Didion's cooler but equally measured appraisals of identity and character.

"Lady Bird" makes the case for reframing female stories as epics on a par with genres usually coded as male: Our heroine's crucible might be a snug middle-class home and the sleepy streets of Sacramento, but her movie is just as big and canonical as a film about young men evacuating Dunkirk or the ponderous existential crisis of a blade runner in 2049 Los Angeles.

Patronizing assumptions having to do with gender and genre are already dogging "Lady Bird." Because Gerwig set the film in her home town, and because it roughly tracks with her own chronology (it takes place during 2002-2003, just a few years after she graduated from high school), it's being called "autobiographical," a sneaky way of erasing the intentionality and superb craftsmanship behind a film that feels both spontaneous and utterly inevitable.

As Gerwig said during a question-and-answer session after the Middleburg screening: "You put such a tremendous amount of work in, such a tremendous amount of shaping and writing and working with these actors to invent these characters and make them whole people and the way it looks and the way it feels. ... You worry when someone says, 'Oh, that's just your life.' "

The "that's just your life" problem is akin to the obstacles female filmmakers encounter within an overwhelmingly white and male industry. Gerwig spent a decade amassing 350 pages of material for the film, which she carefully honed and refined while starring in and sometimes co-writing and co-directing such "mumblecore" classics as "Hannah Takes the Stairs" and "Baghead," and later "Greenberg," "Frances Ha" and "Mistress America." She co-wrote the latter two films with Noah Baumbach, but while doing media events for the films she noticed that journalists asked her if she "helped" write them. "It was like, 'Did you get to be there with him when he was writing?' " Gerwig recalled at a panel of female filmmakers at Middleburg, as if "this entire story comes from a 46-year-old man and it's about girls who are best friends."

Even during the rollout of "Lady Bird," Gerwig said, the thinly veiled doubts about her expertise are staggering. During an interview for a cinematography magazine, her director of photography, Sam Levy, was asked if he made all the technical decisions and she "just worked with the actors." There's an assumption, she said, "that the guy would be the one to figure out the look of the film, and that I would just go along with whatever he did."

Like the work of Claire Denis, Claudia Weill and Chantal Akerman - all of them important influences - "Lady Bird" and its maker are easily underestimated, the daily tasks and quotidian moments they contain minimized in comparison with the Heroic Acts of Great Men. Gerwig noted that Akerman's "Jeanne Dielman," about a woman going about her day cooking, cleaning and doing routine chores, constitutes "the lowest image on the cinematic totem pole ... and she elevates it."

The same could be said of Gerwig, who has made a movie that shouldn't be called "small" because it's about a young girl, or "just your life" when it's the product of meticulous, assured decision-making about everything from structure and visual language to casting, camera placement, costumes and exquisitely calibrated emotional tone. The days of Greta Gerwig being underestimated as mere muse, helpmeet, mumblecore queen or erstwhile America's sweetheart are as safely ensconced in the rearview as Sacramento itself. "Lady Bird" is the work of a filmmaker - a great filmmaker - saying goodbye to all that.
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What seemed like a regular Veterans Day ceremony at Trautmann Middle School Wednesday morning turned out to be a special moment for one eighth-grade student and his sisters.

Eric Ramos was both ecstatic and in disbelief when he was reunited with his father during the school's annual ceremony. After serving 10 months abroad with the U.S. Army, Sgt. Juan Ramos walked into the school's gymnasium, surprising his children.

His 13-year-old son, who attends Trautmann Middle, stood from his seat at the sight of his father and ran toward him and hugged him.

"I was ecstatic and full of joy," Eric said. "All the emotions. I was happy and I couldn't help myself from going to hug him and cry."

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Ramos was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq as part of Iraqi Freedom Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

"It took me a bit to get here," Ramos said.

Ramos had a lengthy journey, consisting of about five plane trips, before being reunited with his family. He flew from Kuwait to Shannon, Ireland and boarded a flight headed stateside to Maine. Once back in the states, Ramos made his way to Fort Bliss in El Paso, stopped in Dallas and then Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. His wife, Marissa, picked him up Tuesday evening from San Antonio. And finally, he was home.

By the time they arrived home, Marissa said all four of their children were fast asleep, allowing her to sneak Ramos in and keep the surprise safe for the following day.

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"The kids didn't know," Marissa said. "This morning he had to go hide in the garage until everybody was out of the house. I'm just happy that he's back, that the kids have their dad back, I have my husband back and we'll be able to be together for the holidays."

Although a family vacation didn't pan out, Ramos said he's excited to be home and looking forward to returning to his family life. Eric was especially elated about experiencing father-son bonding time. He said he can't wait for his dad to teach him how to drive or shave, and is excited to simply spend more time with him.

"Their dad is their dad, their life," Marissa said.
A man attempted suicide by jumping from the bleachers at the United ISD Student Activity Complex, according to authorities.

On Tuesday night, the Laredo Fire Department responded to a call that a young man had jumped from the stadium bleachers. Authorities arrived at the scene around 8:30 p.m. and said they discovered him on the ground with critical injuries.
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A man linked to an auto-theft ring has been sentenced to eight years in prison, according to the Webb County District Attorney's Office.

Vicente Lozano Reyes, 40, pleaded guilty Oct. 23 to third-degree felony theft and five counts of unathorized use of a vehicle, a state jail felony before 111th District Court Judge Monica Z. Notzon.

"The LPD Auto Theft Task Force has successfully zeroed in on these criminals who are not only stealing vehicles but are also enabling drug cartels by outfitting them with an endless stream of cars," said Claudio Trevino, Laredo Police Department chief.

READ MORE: Laredo police searching for 'armed and dangerous' suspects in Zetas auto-theft ring case

"The Laredo PD will continue to make positive strides, along with the great guidance of the District Attorney's Office, so that our citizens can feel safe that their cars are secure."

On Dec. 23, 2015, LPD's Communication Division received a call from a man stating to police that his vehicle was stolen at his place of business by the 6000 block of Springfield Avenue.

LPD's Auto Theft Task Force led an investigation and identified Lozano Reyes as the person of interest. He had previously been investigated on similar auto theft charges.

RELATED: 2 women, 1 man indicted in Laredo drug trafficking case

"It was revealed that between Nov. 29, 2015 and Dec. 25, 2015, he stole eight motor vehicles (worth a combined) $63,000," the District Attorney's Office said. "Lozano Reyes would steal the vehicles in Laredo and transport them into Mexico."

Lozano Reyes was arrested and charged with theft for intentionally or knowingly, unlawfully appropriating eight vehicles without the owners' consent.

Assistant District Attorney Aaron Bundoc prosecuted the case for the state.
Puerto Rican college students have moved to universities on the continental U.S. as the island struggles to recover from Hurricane Maria, stoking anxiety among some that bright young students may not return when they are needed the most, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The exodus of college students from hard-hit universities plagued New Orleans campuses after Hurricane Katrina. It's a fate that Houston-area colleges were largely able to avoid as they were left largely unscathed by Hurricane Harvey.

Campus operations and classes mostly resumed one week after Harvey, though universities have donated money and supplies to thousands of faculty, students and staff across the city affected personally.

At the University of Houston, students had to evacuate one dorm and a few areas of the campus took on water, while at Rice University, the undergraduate dean sent regular messages to parents and families, assuring them that students were safe and sound.

Still, that didnt stop academics around the country from volunteering to take on Houston students or academics, perhaps not totally understanding that Houston campus closures were temporary.

Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire offered a fall semester scholarship for students at Houston-area colleges and universities. Officials there did not respond to a request for comment on how many students enrolled.

Hundreds of scientists volunteered lab space for Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico scholars on a Google Doc that circulated after the storms.

And on the coast, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi took on researchers at the University of Texas at Austins marine science institute, whose Port Aransas campus was hit hard in the hurricane.

The Wall Street Journal reports that all system campuses are now open and that 95 percent of students have returned to class. Tulane University and Brown University, among others, have taken on Puerto Rican students after Maria, it reported.

The Journal writes:

More than 860 students displaced by the storm in Puerto Rico are now attending one of 28 public colleges in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Education, though schools havent finished reviewing the prior enrollment records of those students.

If I was a young person, I can totally get wanting to go study abroad or do an exchange program, said Catherine Mazak, an English professor at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez. On the other hand, so many people have left.

Lindsay Ellis writes about higher education for the Chronicle. You can follow her on Twitter and send her tips at lindsay.ellis@chron.com.
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Voter turnout was down across Texas, with about 6 percent of the state's 15 million registered voters casting ballots.

The turnout in Webb County, however, was more than 10 percent. A local jail referendum  rejected by 73 percent of voters  bolstered the higher turnout.

This year, 12,737 of the Webb County's 124,400 registered voters cast ballots.

Elections Administrator Oscar Villarreal said he was not exactly impressed by this off-year election turnout, but was pleasantly surprised.

"I'm glad more people went out to participate. You have elections so people can go out and express their opinions. It's hard when people leave it up to a few people to decide on issues," he said.

The county's last off-year election did not have any local propositions. Only 2,873 of the county's 116,000 registered voters in 2015 cast votes for the state constitutional amendments that were on the ballot, about 2.5 percent.

READ MORE: Laredo reacts with memes after voters reject new $125M jail by a landslide

But Villarreal recalls that almost half of these votes  1,404  were cast on Election Day. During mid term and presidential elections, he said typically 60 to 65 percent of voters come out during early voting. But again this year, in an off-year election, almost half the votes were cast on Election Day.

His office tabulated 6,647 votes in early voting and 5,986 from Election Day. After Villarreal saw the early voting total, he said he anticipated that 3,000 or 4,000 people would come out on Tuesday. But many ended up going to the polls after 5 p.m. when they got off work, he said.

These totals are not yet final. Villarreal said there are some mail-in ballots that can still be accepted, and the one person who voted on a provisional ballot has until Monday to show his ID to the Elections Office so his ballot can be counted.

The Webb County Commissioners Court is scheduled to canvass the final election results next Thursday, Villarreal said.

RELATED: Voters reject proposal for $125 million jail facility in Webb County

Texas' low turnout likely stems from voter fatigue, "exacerbated by measures people might not find relevant to their daily lives," said David Crockett, chair of the political science department at Trinity University.

Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen added that the two legislative sessions earlier this year could have worn out voter intrigue. The sessions spanned a total of 169 days, including a 29-day special session that ended Aug. 15. Bexar County's voter turnout was 3.68 percent.

Voters also tend to find ballot measures "somewhat opaque," Crockett said, echoing the oft-cited complaint that propositions can be confusingly worded.

On the ballot Tuesday were seven constitutional amendments that included a property tax break for spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. Other state propositions established new term limits for gubernatorial appointees and made several changes related to home equity loans, including a lower cap on loan fees.

Texas and Webb County voters approved all seven amendments.

The San Antonio Express-News contributed to this report. Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com
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A car fatally struck a woman late Wednesday in northwest Harris County.

The woman was hit about 10 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Texas 249 at Antoine, said Sgt. S. Wolverton with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The woman had gotten off of a bus at the intersection. She crossed Antoine, then attempted to cross Texas 249 against the light, walking right into the path of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner.

The driver of a Toyota 4Runner was headed northbound on Texas 249. She was unable to stop in time and struck the woman, Wolverton said.

Witnesses told investigators the driver was traveling at the speed limit. They also said the woman who was hit was talking on her cell phone at the time of the crash and may not have noticed the incoming traffic, Wolverton added.
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Tomball's annual holiday parade and Miss Tomball Pageant will highlight first responders' efforts during Hurricane Harvey.

Harvey rained down several feet of water in Tomball, damaging homes and businesses that lead some residents to be rescued by first responders.

"We want to give our great gratitude to honor them," said Bruce Hillegeist, president of the Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 18, the 52nd holiday parade will line up in downtown Tomball.

The grand marshals for this year's parade include Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, first responders from the city of Tomball, Harris County agencies and the Texas National Guard.

The 2018 Miss Tomball Pageant will be hosted at 7 p.m. at the Salem Lutheran Church Worship Center at 22601 Lutheran Church Road. Teenage contestants will compete for a chance to earn a scholarship. Kyla Hall is Miss Tomball 2017.

Tickets to attend the pageant are available for $20 at the Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce or at the door before the event.

For more information about the parade or pageant, contact the chamber at www.tomballchamber.org or call 281-351-7222.
Higher enthusiasm and polarization were the key features of Tuesday's governor election in Virginia, suggesting that President Donald Trump has energized voters on all sides.

Academic studies have found that wall-to-wall negative television advertisements can discourage votes and keep them home.

Turnout, however, was the highest in 20 years for a gubernatorial race, 5 percentage points and 10 percentage points higher than the last two. And voters in the urban and rural regions of the state broke more heavily to the Democrats or Republicans than they had in the prior elections.

Looking at the state in six regions shows every one of them split by party more forcefully than four years ago, when Democrat Terry McAuliffe defeated Republican Ken Cuccinelli by 2.5 percentage points. The three relatively urban regions - northern Virginia, Central Virginia around Richmond and the Hampton Roads - each gave governor-elect Ralph Northam bigger vote margins than McAuliffe earned over Cuccinelli. On the flip side, Republican Ed Gillespie scored bigger wins in the three more-rural regions, Shenandoah Valley, Southside and Southwest Virginia.

Northern Virginia was bombarded by Gillespie television ads about MS-13 gang violence and child pornography, but the area gave Northam a vote advantage of more than 260,000 votes, expanding the region's dominance over the rest of the state. It was more than twice the size of McAuliffe's margin there.

Central Virginia voted surprisingly Democratic, giving Northam a margin almost four times as big as McAuliffe's.

Gillespie's success compared to Cuccinelli in Shenandoah, Southside and Southwest Virginia, showed that he turned out voters in the Republican areas.

Early returns indicate a significantly higher turnout for this year's governor election than seen in the last four gubernatorial elections. The last governor elected with a higher voter turnout was Republican Jim Gilmore in 1997.

Compared to recent races, turnout was higher in all six regions, a sign of widespread interest and enthusiasm.

Once again, however, Northam gained the advantage. The highest turnouts were in in Central Virginia and northern Virginia, areas he won handily. Shenandoah Valley had the next highest turnout, but the relatively small area could not come close to offsetting the higher turnouts in bigger areas.

Northam's vote margin in Hampton Roads was more than 4,000 votes bigger than Democrat Hillary Clinton's last year, a surprise since so many more people vote in presidential elections. Northam's military background and hometown on the Eastern Shore may have provided extra momentum in that region.

Northam's margin in Central Virginia around Richmond was similarly more than 4,000 votes bigger than Clinton's there.

His margin in northern Virginia did not top Clinton's, but it was bigger than President Barack Obama won it by in either of his winning campaigns.

Gillespie was not able to mount anywhere close to Trump's margins in the Republican areas. Gillespie outperformed Cuccinelli, but did not draw the sheer vote advantage that Trump generated.

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Reuben Fischer-Baum and Chiqui Esteban contributed to this report.

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About this story

Virginia Department of Elections results for past governor races, registration data and turnout statistics. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections for past presidential. Virginia Department of Election results via Associated Press for 2017 results as of 10:55 p.m. with 99 percent of precincts reporting.
After an election night that surpassed their wildest hopes, Democrats returned to a familiar squabble: How should they run to win in 2018?

The victory of Virginia Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, D, part of a blue wave that spread across the country, gave Democrats confidence they had not known since the hours before Hillary Clinton lost the presidency. Some Democrats even saw an end - or at least a pause - to infighting between a much-derided "establishment" and their left-wing base.

"Jobs, health care and education for all - we run on the basics," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who stumped across his state for Northam and successful House of Delegates candidates. "We avoid stupid infighting."

It's not quite that peaceful. In interviews, memos and a flurry of conference calls, left-wing groups created or rebuilt since the 2016 election claimed the electoral wins as victory for their own philosophies - and gave little ground in the battle over what direction the party should take or what issues win office.

But a larger conclusion also emerged for many Democrats: that the litmus tests of a restive base can linger without unraveling campaigns or keeping voters at home. Tom Steyer, a billionaire whose environmental group NextGen poured money into Virginia, said the race was too important to stay out of despite disagreement about pipelines. Many more voters than expected agreed this week - a model for more victories next year, even for candidates who don't fit every Democrat's vision of perfection.

"I think the reason people are voting for them is that they want to say, 'We're going to elect everybody that we think would upset Donald Trump,'" said Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. "'We think Donald Trump would be upset to see Latinos, and women and gays and different people from different religions - anything that isn't white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant? We'll vote for that.'"

For NARAL, an abortion rights group, Northam proved "that pro-choice candidates can run and win on their support for reproductive freedom." Run for Something, founded by Hillary Clinton's 2016 email director, helped first-time down-ballot candidates across the country outperform the top of the ticket. Democratic Socialists of America celebrated the victory of Lee Carter, a former Marine who won a Virginia House of Delegate seat in a race the state party considered unwinnable.

"We saw a lot of reverse coattails in Virginia, driven by inspiring candidates," said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which won in at least 13 of 15 Virginia delegate races.

Most Democrats dodged the argument altogether. Tuesday's victories were broad, pulling Democrats into power in once-conservative suburbs and helping far-left candidates in cities win landslides.

Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., a moderate from southern Illinois who is helping Democrats craft an economic-focused campaign message next year, said she was especially heartened by Virginia Democrat Danica Roem, who became the first openly transgender person to win a seat in the House of Delegates by defeating the state's most conservative, divisive lawmaker.

"Look what she was talking about," said Bustos. "She wasn't talking about the fact that she was transgender - other people were talking about that. She was talking about transportation. No matter who our candidates are or what their candidates are, the number one lesson is, focus on the economy."

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said that national political dynamics were beginning to look like they did in late 2005, a year before Democrats retook control of Congress. President Donald Trump's unpopularity seemed to have stoked what Schumer expected last year - a suburban rejection of Republicans who are stumbling over how to handle their president.

"We are getting our best candidates to run, we are unified like the party was in Virginia, we are winning in places we didn't think possible and the other side is busy fighting with each other," Schumer told reporters on Wednesday. "Our Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate, while they grumble about him to us privately, are afraid to change course."

Until Tuesday night, it had been the Democrats, roiled by fresh arguments about the 2016 presidential primary, who were grumbling privately. Their victories, like Trump's, suggested that party infighting was not necessarily important to voters seeking change.

Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said that his suburban Philadelphia district saw "more first-time candidates who'd never thought about running this cycle than all the other cycles I've been in politics" - and that most of them won.

Over the summer, Boyle delivered a keynote speech at a fundraiser for Democrats in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, a county outside his congressional district that had been dominated by a Republican "machine" for more than a century. At the fundraiser he met Brian Zidek, a man who "woke up the morning after the election in 2016" and decided to run for a County Council seat. On Tuesday, Zidek was one of two Democrats elected to the five-member council, breaking a century-long Republican grip.

"Until Tuesday night, that was one of the question marks I had in my mind: To what extent would voters treat their local Republicans the same way they view Trump?" said Boyle. "It was clear Tuesday night they made no distinction."

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-Va., who watched his Fairfax County turn deep blue on Tuesday, called the president "the gift that keeps on giving" for local Democratic candidates.

"I don't think there's any simple formula and I don't think it mattered," he said. "What mattered is that they were Democrats."

Other Democrats argued that the party had won by sharpening voters' focus on why government had stopped working for them. Former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., who leads a well-funded campaign to end legislative gerrymandering by electing Democrats, said he was pleased to see that Northam campaigned on a pledge not to approve new legislative and congressional maps unless they're drawn up by an independent commission.

"I think that ultimately resonated with people looking for fair line drawing after the Census in 2020," said Holder. "That's something, and particularly out of Virginia, about which I'm very optimistic."

Democratic centrists, meanwhile, argued that the Virginia race proved that the party needed to tack away from the left. In a tweet, former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford Jr., who once led the moderate Democratic Leadership Council, said that Northam's victory was a win for "Blue Dog" moderates, a dwindling element in the party.

Matt Bennett, a spokesman for the center-left Third Way, also emphasized that Northam had won after defeating progressive primary challenger Tom Perriello, a former congressman who had been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

"Democrats in Virginia took a look at both approaches, and they rejected rigid ideology and litmus test politics and chose a broad, inclusive path," Bennett said in a statement. "The general election voters of Virginia ratified that choice in a resounding fashion."

Perriello, reached on Wednesday evening, was bemused by Third Way's analysis.

"If we've reached the point where Third Way is celebrating a $15 minimum wage, free college, and criminal justice reform, I'll take it," said Perriello. "We saw Ed Gillespie spent a couple of months trying to make the classic tax and spending attacks stick, and they didn't, either with swing voters or base Republicans."

Northam had faced criticism from the left, which Republicans attempted to exploit. His first debate with Republican nominee Ed Gillespie was interrupted by a protester decrying Northam's neutral stance on building energy pipelines; his victory speech was awkwardly delayed after protesters heckled him for opposing "sanctuary cities" in the commonwealth. In the campaign's waning days, reporters asked why Sanders had not campaigned for Northam, and a left-wing group condemned his sanctuary city stance as "racist."

But Northam, running in a state that has trended away from Republicans, made few other concessions to the center. In a memo to reporters after Northam won his primary, Gillespie's campaign warned that his endorsement of a $15 minimum wage and stiff pollution controls opposed by friends of the coal industry would make him unelectable.

"Ralph Northam is far to the left of the incumbent Democratic governor, previous Democratic governors and gubernatorial nominees, and, most importantly, the Virginia electorate," wrote Gillespie campaign manager Chris Leavitt.

In an interview Wednesday, Sanders said he did not stump for Northam because he was not asked to, and he dismissed the idea that the election validated "centrist" politics at the expense of the populist left.

"Northam won because people today, more than perhaps any time in my lifetime, realize that you can't sit it out," said Sanders. "Whether Tom Perriello would have done better than Northam - nobody knows that."
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Democrat Ralph Northam beat Republican Ed Gillespie in the Virginia governor's race by almost nine points. He outperformed his predecessor, Terry McAuliffe, as well as Hillary Clinton, pushing Virginia toward a reliable blue.

The victory came in a familiar way for Democrats: a surge of support in urban areas around Richmond and Hampton Roads and a giant Northern Virginia margin of 260,000 votes, double McAuliffe's win in the District of Columbia suburbs four years ago.

Gillespie may have won more than twice as many counties as Northam, and Republicans increased somewhat their winning margins across a broad western and southern swath of rural and small-town Virginia. But there was little sign of the Donald Trump surge that swept across GOP strongholds just a year ago and raised Republican hopes statewide.

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High division, high turnout

Comparing Election Day precinct results with 2013 shows how neighborhoods shifted the governor's race in different directions in Virginia's largest urban centers compared with other areas. Democrats bettered their showing by 12 percentage points or more in about 30 percent of the state's precincts. Republicans did so in about 20 percent of precincts.

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The Trump effect

Both Northam and Gillespie significantly built up their party's neighborhood strongholds, much the way that Trump and Clinton did last year.

Where Trump performed far better than Mitt Romney, Gillespie grew the Republican margin by almost eight percentage points compared to the 2013 governor's race. Northam beat his predecessor by more than 10 points in similar areas. Tuesday exit polls suggest Trump was likely a factor in both. More than 1 in 3 voters said they voted to show opposition to the president, while almost 1 in 5 say they did it in support.

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A racial divide

A key component of the surge for Democrats were voters in minority neighborhoods, where Northam won three-quarters of the votes overall and more than 80 percent in African-American neighborhoods. Margins grew by 10 points in Hispanic neighborhoods.

In predominantly white neighborhoods, the large political divide remained about the same, with Democrats and Republicans dividing up the votes that went to third-party candidates back in 2013.

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Widening polarization by education

Neighborhoods where most adults have a college degree showed one of this election's largest shifts. Northam increased the Democratic win to 63 percent, up by almost 10 points. Gillespie gained five points in neighborhoods where most adults stopped their education at high school.

According to statewide exit polls, Clinton lost the white college-educated demographic in Virginia by four points last year, while Northam won it by three.

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What does this all mean for 2018?

Tuesday's signs of growing enthusiasm among Democrats in the Trump era could herald challenges next year for Republicans in swing areas. In Virginia's 10th Congressional District, for example, Republican Barbara Comstock won another term but Clinton finished ahead of Trump. On Tuesday, seven Republican incumbents in the state legislature with districts touching Comstock's were defeated by Democrats. Precincts in the 10th District gave Northam a win of more than 55 percent on Election Day, significantly more than four years ago, and built upon the same political trends seen in precincts statewide.

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The Washington Post's Kevin Uhrmacher and Chiqui Esteban contributed to this report.

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About this story: Data from Virginia Board of Elections and U.S. Census Bureau.
BEIJING - President Donald Trump lavished praise on Chinese leader Xi Jinping here Thursday, touting "great chemistry" between them while refusing to criticize his counterpart for the trade imbalance that Trump railed against during his campaign.

Speaking at a joint appearance with Xi in front of business leaders, Trump said the U.S. trade relationship with China is "a very one-sided and unfair one." But, he quickly added: "I don't blame China. Who can blame a country that is able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit."

During the presidential campaign, Trump accused China of "raping" the U.S. economy and threatened to label the country a "currency manipulator" - even though economic analysts have said Beijing has not artificially suppressed the value of the renminbi for years, a tactic designed to make exports cheaper. In his remarks here, Trump reiterated that the United States must "change its policies," but he offered no details about actions his administration will pursue.

"We've gotten so far behind on trade with China and frankly many other countries," Trump said ahead of a bilateral meeting with Xi, before adding he has "great respect" for Xi for "representing China."

Trump blamed past U.S. administrations "for having allowed it to get so far out of kilter. We'll make it fair, and it'll be tremendous for both of us. My feeling toward you is incredibly warm. We have great chemistry. I think we'll do tremendous things, China and the U.S."

Trump echoed those points in a series of tweets Friday morning before leaving Beijing, including one in which he said, "I blame the incompetence of past Admins for allowing China to take advantage of the U.S. on trade leading up to a point where the U.S. is losing $100's of billions. How can you blame China for taking advantage of people that had no clue?"

Trump's comments drew quick criticism Thursday from Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

"The president may not blame China, but I do, and so do millions of Americans who voted for him and others who have lost their jobs at the hands of China's rapacious trade policies," he said in a statement. "After campaigning like a lion against China's trade practices, the president is governing like a lamb. Rather than treating China with kid gloves, the president should be much tougher with China - as he promised he would be on the campaign trail."

Their high-stakes, two-day summit is being closely watched for signs of how the leaders of the world's two biggest economies will be able to cooperate on issues from North Korea to trade to cybersecurity amid mounting challenges in the Asia-Pacific. Trump is hoping to win concessions from Xi, but the Chinese leader is in a strong position after having consolidated power at a Communist Party congress last month.

The two countries announced memorandums of understanding to increase trade by $253 billion, which the leaders said was a sign of greater cooperation.

In contrast to Trump's effusive praise, Xi appeared reserved and spoke in carefully scripted language about "win-win" cooperation and a "new starting point" for the bilateral relationship - language Beijing has employed in a bid to get the United States to agree to allow China to operate in its "sphere of influence" in Asia without meddling. Xi did not talk in personal terms about Trump.

The United States and China had clashed on issues from cybersecurity to trade in the final years of the Obama administration, though they had struck a landmark climate deal during Barack Obama's 2014 visit to Beijing that served as a prelude to the Paris climate accord.

Trump has announced intentions to withdraw the United States from that agreement, but Xi has pledged to make China a leader on reducing carbon emissions.

Xi vowed to work together in the "spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit."

During a joint statement with Xi in front of reporters, Trump reiterated his harsh criticism of North Korea and said he and Xi discussed their shared goal of pursuing the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula. "We call on all responsible nations to join together to stop arming and financing and even trading with the murderous North Korean regime," Trump said.

But the two leaders did not take questions from reporters, a win for Xi, who oversees an authoritarian system that has sought to sharply limit free speech and press freedoms.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, briefing reporters after the meetings, said the U.S. delegation was "quite pleased" because there was "no disagreement" on North Korea. Trump pressed Xi to fully implement the economic sanctions on Pyongyang authorized by the United Nations Security Council, Tillerson said, and Xi outlined additional steps his government is taking to crack down on banks doing business with the North.

"There was no space between both of our objectives," Tillerson said. But he cautioned that Xi also emphasized that "it will take time" for the new sanctions to create stress on the North.

On trade, Tillerson called the deals struck at the summit relatively "small in the grand scheme of things," given a trade deficit of more than $300 billion a year.

"In terms of really getting at some of the fundamental imbalance that exists, we have a lot more work to do," Tillerson said. Asked about Trump's change in tone on trade from the campaign, Tillerson said the remarks were intended as "a little bit tongue in cheek." But he added that the imbalance has stretched for decades and was fanned by the "benign neglect" from past U.S. administrations.

"His characterization is that you cannot not blame a large developing country for doing what they have to do," Tillerson said.

Chinese state media appeared pleased with the summit. The Global Times, a newspaper known for its nationalist rhetoric, declared that Trump "respects our head of state and has repeatedly praised President Xi Jinping in public."

Tao Wenzhao, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Science's Institute for American Studies, said in an interview that Trump's decision not to blame China "shows that he understands the complex reasons behind the trade imbalance. The trade imbalance cannot be corrected overnight."

On Trump's first full day in China - the third stop on a five-country, 12-day trip through Asia - Xi greeted him with a lavish reception at the Great Hall of the People, a display that included three horn players in red uniforms, a military band and ceremonial cannon fire.

Trump, who has suggested he would like to stage a military parade in Washington over the July 4 weekend, seemed impressed. He called the parade "magnificent."

"I already had people calling from all parts of the world," he added. "They were watching. Nothing you can see is so beautiful."

The Chinese have described Trump's trip to the country as a "state visit plus" and so far have lavished him with special treatment. He arrived Wednesday afternoon for a sunset tour of the Forbidden City, the ornate Chinese imperial palace stretching from the Ming to Qing dynasties, before taking in a performance of the Peking opera.

Trump effusively thanked Xi for hosting him and first lady Melania Trump at a dinner after his arrival a night earlier, saying their meal was scheduled to last less than half an hour because Trump was tired after a long day of traveling from Seoul. Instead, Trump said, it went on for more than two hours.

"I enjoyed every minute of it," Trump said. At another point, Trump told Xi: "You are a very special man."

Trump arrived in China while being dogged with political problems back home and facing the lowest approval numbers of his presidency. And despite the pageantry surrounding the visit and an eagerness of the Chinese to reset their relationship with the United States, Xi - now arguably his nation's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong - appeared emboldened to demand concessions from the United States.

Asked if Trump had been too deferential to Xi on the Chinese leader's home turf, Tillerson replied: "I didn't detect that at all."

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Emily Rauhala in Beijing and John Wagner in Washington contributed to this report.
In an effort to stem the increasing opioid-related overdose deaths, the Justice Department announced Thursday that anyone who possesses, imports, distributes or manufactures any fetanyl-related substance can be criminally prosecuted.

Justice officials said that overseas chemical manufacturers, aided by domestic distributors, try to evade regulatory controls by using analogues - or structural variants - of fentanyl that are not directly listed under the controlled-substance law. That has forced prosecutors to overcome difficult evidentiary hurdles to convict traffickers under another law, Justice officials said.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the department's action to include all fetanyl-related substances on the Drug Enforcement Administration "drug schedules" will give his prosecutors an important tool amid the nation's opioid overdose epidemic.

"By scheduling all fentanyls, we empower our law enforcement officers and prosecutors to take swift and necessary action against those spreading these deadly poisons," Sessions said.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, sometimes mixed into heroin or cocaine. Most illicit fentanyls come into the United States through the mail or express shipping systems or are imported across the southwest border, according to the Justice Department.

Every day, 55 Americans die of overdoses of synthetic opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The overdose death rate from synthetic opioids approximately doubled between 2015 and 2016 when more than 20,000 people died of overdose deaths, a Justice official said.

Last summer, the DEA warned police officers, firefighters and other first responders who might come into contact with fentanyl to be careful about touching or inhaling any powdery white substance. In a case in Ohio, an officer passed out about an hour after brushing the substance off his shirt. He was revived with four doses of naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids.

In October, federal prosecutors charged two Chinese nationals who sold fentanyl to Americans over the Internet in a large international conspiracy case.

When Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced the charges, he said that one of the men charged, Xiaobing Yan, operated websites that sold fentanyl to U.S. customers and also ran at least two chemical plants in China that could produce tons of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Rosenstein said then that fentanyl's chemical structure can be modified to create analogues inside the bounds of U.S. and Chinese law.

Thursday's action is aimed at targeting those modifications. A Justice official described the effort as way to stop the dangerous "Whac-A-Mole" game being played when manufacturers and distributors tweak the chemical structure of fentanyl to evade the law.

"DEA is seeing new fentanyl-related substances crop up at alarming rates," said a DEA official. "This . . . action gets us ahead of the chemists, ahead of the dealers, who would engage in this mad chemistry to avoid controlled substances."

The Justice Department's action on fentanyl variants is a temporary change to the DEA's drug schedule and will last up to two years, with a possible one-year extension.

"I also urge the many members of Congress who clearly share our concern and alarm over fentanyl's role in our opioid overdose epidemic to do their part by permanently scheduling these lethal substances," Sessions said.
Less than two months after Republicans' latest effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act imploded, Maine voters overwhelmingly decided to expand Medicaid to tens of thousands of people.

But the state's Republican governor, Paul LePage, seems determined to stop the measure from going into effect, setting the stage for a legal battle that could reverberate across the nation.

LePage issued a statement Wednesday saying he will open Medicaid to new people only if the state legislature fully funds it without raising taxes, without pulling from the state's rainy day fund or without taking money from the elderly or disabled. That's despite the fact Maine residents voted on the initiative knowing it would likely raise taxes.

"Credit agencies are predicting that this fiscally irresponsible Medicaid expansion will be ruinous to Maine's budget," LePage said.

Supporters of the ballot measure say that LePage has no choice but to implement it. He can't veto it.And even if he could, top officials in the state legislature say they're willing to figure out a way to fund it.

By mid-August, a new group of qualifying Mainers should be able to enroll in Medicaid. If they can't, LePage could open himself up to a lawsuit. Once a state elects to participate in the Medicaid program, as Maine has, that state is legally bound to comply with federal law.

LePage's office did not respond for comment on the potential for a lawsuit. LePage has vetoed a bipartisan legislative deal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act at least five times during his six years in office, and he's supported congressional Republicans' various plans to roll back Obamacare and significantly cut funding for Medicaid. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, R, was one of the defining "no" votes that ultimately ended the GOP efforts, saying the plans would pull the rug out from too many in her state.

LePage's refusal to expand the program except under very specific conditions throws down a significant roadblock in what was supposed to be an unmitigated success for progressives. Maine was the first state Tuesday to expand Medicaid by ballot box, and it won by nearly 20 percentage points.

Progressives were hoping their victory in Maine could give them a shot of momentum to expand the program in other states. In Alaska and Idaho, groups have already started similar Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives for next year.

"The initiative passed by at least 59 percent," said Jonathan Schleifer, executive director of the Fairness Project, which helped put together the ballot initiative. "LePage won his most recent reelection by 48 percent. It's clear what and who the people support." He said his organization will support legal action to try to get the Medicaid expansion implemented.

The Fairness Project has spent the past year in Maine - and a sizeable chunk of the $2 million spent on the expansion - laying the groundwork to expand Medicaid. After Trump won the election and Republicans held on to Congress, they went to their tried-and-true method of ballot initiatives to push back.

The left has had spectacular success over the past four years going around Republican legislatures to change state policy on everything from guns and minimum wage with ballot initiatives. In fact, when put to the voters over the past 20 years, minimum wage increases have rarely lost.

Last November was no different. Voters in four out of four states resoundingly approved minimum wage hikes in 2016 (including Maine, where voters approved one of the highest minimum wages in the nation).

In Arizona, the vote for a high minimum wage outperformed Trump by 10 percentage points. Voters in eight of nine states also voted to ease restrictions on marijuana, and three of four states voted to put in place gun restrictions.

Ballot initiatives are an important tool for progressives in the Trump era, much like how conservatives used them in the '90s when Democrats dominated government. Other national groups descended on Maine to help this pass. Planned Parenthood's Maine political group said they knocked on over 8,600 doors in Portland over the last week of the election.

Not all progressive ballot advocates are as bullish on Maine's ability to change the health-care landscape.

Kellie Dupree with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which helps progressive groups strategize ballot initiatives, said expanding Medicaid can be a tough sell as it requires taxpayer money.

"We'll wait to see how these policies shape up," she said before the vote took place.

Advocates will also have to see if, in Maine, they can actually get the expansion implemented.
WASHINGTON - A growing chorus of Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have called on Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from a special election in Alabama if allegations prove true that the former judge initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago.

"If these allegations are true, he must step aside," McConnell said in a formal statement on behalf of all Republican senators.

Other Republican senators weighing in included Jeff Flake of Arizona, David Perdue of Georgia, John Thune of South Dakota, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on Moore to step aside as well - and without couching his statement with "if true" language.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," McCain said. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of."

More for you Woman says Senate candidate Moore initiated sexual encounter...

Vice President Mike Pence also "found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office," said spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

Moore has denied the allegations and given no indication that he will exit the race. "Our children and grandchildren's futures are on the line," he tweeted Thursday. "So rest assured - I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!" Moore also emailed a fundraising pitch off the revelations. "I believe you and I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values," he wrote.

The state Republican Party has the power to disqualify Moore from the election, according to the Alabama secretary of state. If that happens, McConnell and other Republicans would face the challenge of figuring out which candidate would run in Moore's place - and how to win an election in which it is too late to replace the former judge's name on the Dec. 12 ballot.

Under Alabama state law, the ballot cannot be changed within 76 days of an election. However, in the event of either disqualification or withdrawal, votes cast for Moore would not be certified.

In addition, state law allows write-in votes to be cast in general elections, as long as the names are for living people and written in without using a rubber stamp or stick-on label. Despite a state law barring candidates from appearing twice on ballots in the same election cycle, Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., who lost in the primary to Moore, would be an eligible write-in candidate, said John Bennett, an official at the state secretary of state's office.

Several state Republicans suggested Thursday that the party is unlikely to disqualify Moore.

Samuel Givhan, the senior vice chairman of the state party, described The Washington Post story as "allegations from somebody who has been silent for over 40 years" who was speaking out just weeks before an election. When asked about the Senate majority leader's call for Moore to step aside if the accusations are found to be true, Givhan said, "I'm not sure Sen. McConnell has any say so in this."

Jonathan Gray, a Republican consultant in Alabama who is not working with any of the Senate candidates this year, was more pointed: "I think it was already perfectly well stated that no one in Alabama gives a s--- what Mitch McConnell or John McCain thinks we should do."

A group close to McConnell that spent millions of dollars to oppose Moore in the primary called on Gov. Kay Ivey, R, and the state party to investigate the allegations. "If there's even a shred of evidence to these accusations, Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Republican Party need to do everything in their power to remove Judge Moore from the ballot," said Steven Law, chief executive of the Senate Leadership Fund. "There is no place in our party for sexual predators."

Strange avoided reporters' questions in the Capitol on Thursday, but Shelby, his Alabama colleague, said: "Luther Strange is a good senator, he's a friend, and I support him. I don't know what he's going to do, but we'll see what develops."

In an extensive report published Thursday, The Post detailed the allegations against Moore by the then-14-year-old and three other girls who were between the ages of 16 and 18 when they said the incidents occurred.

None of the women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moore's Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls.

Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they don't know one another.

The news struck the Capitol with a thunderbolt Thursday afternoon. As senators headed in for an afternoon vote on a Transportation Department nominee, reporters swarmed Republicans in a bid to get their reaction.

McConnell was hounded more than usual as he headed to the Senate Chamber, with reporters shouting questions at a lawmaker they know usually stays mum when asked questions in the hallway.

Once he stepped onto the floor, McConnell quickly voted and conferred with aides. Moments later, Strange came to the floor and headed straight for McConnell. They conferred for several moments before McConnell asked an aide to track down his top spokesman, Don Stewart.

"You can't make this up," mouthed one of McConnell's aides to another colleague.

Stewart came to the floor and told McConnell and Strange that a statement was being sent to reporters. In it, McConnell called on Moore to step down if the allegations are true.

Strange, seemingly unsure of what to do, was instructed to vote and leave the chamber as quickly as possible.

McConnell then conferred with other senators, including Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Thune. Stewart also assured the senators that a statement was out but then, realizing that reporters were watching from above, instructed McConnell, "Please go."

He walked toward the back door of the Senate Chamber, paused momentarily and stepped out. Several reporters were waiting for him in the Ohio Clock Corridor.

McConnell's inner circle spent late Thursday morning discussing the repercussions and how Republicans should move forward - and grousing that if Strange, their preferred candidate in the primary, was still the nominee, they would not be answering questions about Moore's conduct.

"If it's true, the Republican Party doesn't have any place for pedophiles and he should step down immediately," said Josh Holmes, a McConnell confidant and his former chief of staff. "Steve Bannon is responsible," he added about the McConnell foil and former White House chief strategist, for enabling candidates such as Moore who are out of the GOP mainstream.

That view was shared by Scott Reed, a political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who opposed Moore's nomination. "Here we go - another Steve Bannon special," Reed said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe, Karoun Demirjian, Paul Kane and David Weigel contributed to this report.
LORTON, Va. - Michael Ross has been a loyal Republican for as long as he can remember. But voting in Virginia's gubernatorial election Tuesday, the retired advertising man said he rejected every Republican on the ballot and chose Democrats - whether he knew anything about them or not.

His reasons were not rooted in any particular candidate, issue or a change in political philosophy, but in an ever-expanding antipathy toward President Donald Trump and the party that propelled him to the White House.

"I've been with the Republicans my whole life, but what the party has been doing is appalling," said Ross, 72, as he was about to get a haircut Wednesday in Lorton, a suburb about 20 miles south of Washington. "It's completely divisive and the politics of this country has gone berserk. Trump has demonstrated that he doesn't deserve to be president."

On the ballot, Virginia's election was about the state's future and who would assume a slew of elective offices, from governor to attorney general to seats in the House of Delegates. Yet a year after Trump won the White House, voters in Virginia said in post-election interviews that their choices were shaped more by their attitude toward the president than any candidate close to home.

Ask them to identify an issue championed by Democratic Governor-elect Ralph Northam and they may fumble for an answer. Ask them the name of the man who was elected lieutenant governor and they might have to think for a moment. Ask them to identify who they chose for the House of Delegates, and they were likely to reply with a blank stare.

But ask them why they voted Democratic, and their answers were precise and infused with anger.

"I don't like Trump and I don't like where our politics are going," said Patty Potts, 48, an education programmer who lives in Lorton. Her husband, Mike Potts, 51, a software process engineer, regards himself as a fiscal conservative and a loyal Republican who researches candidates before voting. But he chose all Democrats on Tuesday, and said he didn't need to study the candidates' biographies or positions.

The fact that they weren't Republicans was all he needed to know.

"The Republicans are just so negative," Mike Potts said. "We have kids - 10 and 7 - and we need a little hope. The Republicans aren't giving us any. I'm protesting and it feels good in the sense that I'm registering my concerns about it. Normally, I would like to know a little more about whom I'm voting for but right now I'm overwhelmed by the protest aspect of it."

His sentiment was shared by Democrats, who said they were focused more on who they were opposing than who they were supporting.

"It could have been Dr. Seuss or the Berenstain Bears on the ballot and I would have voted for them if they were a Democrat," said Toren Beasley, 60, a marketing executive, as he left a Starbucks in Lorton. "I might do more analyses in other years. But in this case, no. No one else gets any consideration because what's going on with the Republicans - I'm talking about Trump and his cast of characters - is stupid, stupid, stupid. I can't say stupid enough times."

Northam is a soft-spoken man who twice voted for President George W. Bush and was little known before his bid to succeed Gov. Terry McAuliffe , a Democrat. Yet the governor-elect was the recipient of more votes than any candidate in the commonwealth's history of gubernatorial campaigns, and he got more votes than any Virginia Democrat in the last 32 years.

The outpouring is rooted in the state's population growth, as well the fury provoked by Trump's presidency. But it's less certain whether Northam's nine percentage point victory over Republican Ed Gillespie - and Democrats picking up 15 seats in the state legislature - is evidence that voters are embracing Democratic policies.

"The danger is that the party misreads the election as a mandate - winners do this all the time," said Mark Rozell, a political-science professor at George Mason University. "They take a landslide victory and make it an affirmation of everything that they campaigned on, their policy positions, and themselves personally, when, in reality, it's that the other candidate is worse or unacceptable. Or it's about a national political climate that was driving the Democratic mobilization."

Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., whose district includes northern Virginia, said he was reluctant to interpret Tuesday's results as a mandate if only because "anyone who claims it almost always overreaches."

But Connolly said Democratic victories in the legislative races, as well as the top statewide contests, represents a "consolidation" of Democratic power, particularly in Northern Virginia, where Republicans were trounced.

"It was an affirmation of a Democratic approach," he said. "Trump fueled what happened and the fuel was red hot and intense. But it wasn't a mindless reaction to Trump. It was a cognizant choice to switch course to a more open, inclusive and welcoming agenda."

Not in all cases. Even if they reject Trump, several voters said they remain open to Republican candidates.

Kathryn Shaw, 57, a homemaker who lives in Stafford, believes Trump is a "megalomaniac - everything is about him, it's not about the country. It's about his ego and how he's being perceived." But Shaw said she voted for Gillespie because "I didn't like what Northam stood for," citing his abortion rights stance.

"As long as the Republican doesn't seem crazy, I will vote for them," Shaw said. "Trump is the exception, not the rule. It's his personality, not what he's doing. He just doesn't seem stable."

Paul Gallagher, 51, a consultant who lives in Lorton, also voted for Gillespie even though he dislikes Trump, and prefers to support candidates on a case-by-case basis. Gallagher said that the 2016 presidential election was when he used his vote to send a message. He rejected both Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton and supported Gary Johnson, the Independent candidate.

"Both parties can be effective or ineffective," he said. "The country is polarized. We need people to go down the middle."

But other voters said they are sufficiently repelled by Trump's conduct as president - the tone of his rhetoric, his use of Twitter - that they saw the election as a chance to rebuke the Republican Party as a whole.

"Trump is very rude, he has no heart, and I believe, as a Christian, you have to give respect in order to get it," said Dawn Smith, 55, a cashier at Giant who lives in Woodbridge and who voted for the Democratic ticket. "He's always trying to destroy people, send people back to their countries. I just don't like the guy."

Martin Andrews, 66, a retired contracting purchaser who lives in Fairfax Station, said he voted for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, but that he said he used his vote for Northam to convey his unhappiness with how Trump comports himself.

"I just think we've become less civil in our discourse and that Trump is setting the tone," he said. "He's coming from a place where it's impossible to interface with the other party - and we just don't need that."

Dave Hughes, 59, a web designer who lives in Springfield, said he was more focused on Washington than Virginia as he voted for Northam Tuesday. His mission, he said as he sat outside a Panera, was "sending Trump a message that we're not going to sit back anymore."

That neither Northam or Gillespie impressed him was of no significance, he said. What mattered more was that "Trump would take credit if Gillespie won," Hughes said. "That was his thing and that could not happen."

Sitting with her cup of soup inside the Panera, Sandra Kilburn, a retired pediatric physical therapist, recounted having voted for George H.W. Bush and other Republicans in previous elections.

But Democrats were her choice Tuesday, up and down the ballot.

"Our nonpresidential president," she said, citing her reason. "I'm appalled."
WASHINGTON - A second Libyan militant brought to the United States to face charges in the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, that killed ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans pleaded not guilty Thursday in Washington.

Mustafa al-Imam, 45, captured by U.S. Special Operations forces in Misurata, Libya, on Oct. 29, was ordered to remain in custody by U.S. Magistrate Deborah A. Robinson, as he had since been flown to the federal courthouse in Washington on Friday.
WASHINGTON - For years, as he rose from California state government to Congress, Jared Huffman felt justified - even a bit smug, perhaps - when he'd decline to answer questionnaires about his religious beliefs.

He'd always put one form or another of unspecified, decline to state or "none of your business," said the 53-year-old House lawmaker, who comes from a left-leaning district that runs from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. That made him one of nine members of Congress of 535 who opted this year to keep their spiritual profiles blank.

"I don't believe in religious tests, and I don't believe my religion is all that important to the people I represent, and I think there's too much religion in politics. For those reasons I felt good about not even answering it," he said during an interview in his office.

Then came Donald Trump and his self-described "Muslim ban." And Alabama candidate and Judge Roy Moore and his drive to return Christianity explicitly to U.S. law. And Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' campaign to shift more public money to religious schools.

To him, those are cynical expressions of faith.

"I've seen religion wielded in such negative ways around here, lately. Trump does it all the time, so implausibly."

But that wasn't the entire story. As someone who grew up in a very religious home - his family followed an offshoot of Mormonism - Huffman didn't feel entirely forthcoming being silent about the source of his values.

So on Thursday, he will release a statement saying he is a humanist, a loose philosophy based on the idea that humans should work to improve society and live ethically, guided by reason, not necessarily by anything supernatural. While there are some humanist organizations and congregations, generally it describes a worldview, not an affiliation.

The definition of "atheism" is simply the absence of belief in any deities.

Experts on religious identity in Congress say Huffman seems to be only the second member in contemporary records to describe his ethical system as not being God-based. The first was long-serving Democrat Pete Stark, also of Northern California, who made news a decade ago when he came out as an atheist. Historians debate the specific spiritual views of the earliest members of Congress, and records for many are thin.

The number of members who decline to offer a description of their faith identity has bounced between five and 10 since the 1960s, according to the Pew Research Center, which used data from CQ Roll Call - a news site that compiles a highly used guide to lawmakers - and the Library of Congress.

U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., became the first member to identify as "unaffiliated," in 2013, and has remained private about her beliefs since. Her spokesperson has added only that she does not consider herself an atheist.

Huffman is believed to be the first to call himself a "humanist," saying the tag "atheist" offers a level of certainty he doesn't feel - and perhaps arrogance.

"I'm not hostile to religion, and I'm not judging other people's religious views," he said. He also thinks that in 2017, people like himself should be able to be open about their basic faith perspective.

Numbers aside, the decision wasn't easy. Humanist and secular groups reached out to him in 2014 when he appeared on "The Colbert Report" in a feature about lawmakers. In that, the comic host ribbed Huffman for leaving his status vague.

"Unspecified? Come on, grow a pair. What is it? Are you an atheist?" Colbert cracked.

"I don't know," Huffman replied.

"Agnostic then?"

"Perhaps."

Colbert's journalist character picked up his pen.

"I'll just put you down for 'heathen-slash-hell-bound.' "

Huffman said that at the moment, he's a "nonbeliever, a skeptic," but he's open to having his mind changed. "I suppose you could say I don't believe in God. The only reason I hesitate is - unlike some humanists, I'm not completely closing the door to spiritual possibilities. We all know people who have had experiences they believe are divine . . . and I'm open to something like that happening."

Huffman had stuck with his unspecific profile. But in the past year, he became more alarmed with certain appearances of religion in policymaking, and became more driven by the desire to make space in public life for nonbelievers.

After consulting with everyone from his wife to the Rev. Pat Conroy, the House chaplain, to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Huffman decided that the right thing to do was switch his category. He thinks his constituents will appreciate it. Just one friend advised against it, saying it could hurt him politically.

"I don't believe my religion is necessarily relevant to the work I do. But I do think it doesn't quite feel right to just take a pass on the question, because your religious views can speak to your moral and ethical framework on the world. And that is something I think the public is entitled to know," Huffman said.

Ron Millar, who runs the Center for Freethought Equality, said there is definitely a risk. The center is the advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association.

"Obviously there is a stigma, so there could be some pushback. But we're only going to get rid of that stigma when more elected officials openly identify," Millar said. "It's similar to the LGBTQ community."

While Huffman doesn't identify as atheist, he is aligning himself with Americans whose primary worldview is non-theist - and who are concerned with the separation of church and state.

Openly identifying as atheist is still seen as a political negative, though the negative numbers are declining. A Pew poll last year found 51 percent of U.S. adults say they would be less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who does not believe in God - a bigger drawback than having an extramarital affair or having financial troubles. But Huffman doesn't feel alone.

"I think in this day and age, it needs to be okay for there to be a member of Congress with my particular religious views, and I will tell you there are many who would agree with me - this place is full of humanists, agnostics and folks with nonreligious views of various types who are driven to public works for reasons that have nothing to do with religion."
President Donald Trump's proposed transgender military ban stigmatizes an entire group of people and is likely already having a negative effect on active-duty service members trying to plan for future military assignments, a federal judge said Thursday.

The comments from U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis came during a court hearing in Baltimore in one of four cases throughout the country brought by transgender service members challenging the administration's policy slated to take effect in March.

"They are certainly suffering a stigma that exists by virtue of the president's statements," Garbis said.

Attorneys for the six active-duty service members in Maryland are asking the judge to block the order that would prohibit transgender men and women from enlisting, possibly subject current service members to discharge and deny certain medical care. The order reverses an Obama administration policy allowing transgender men and women to serve openly and to receive funding for sex-reassignment surgery.

Government lawyers said in court filings that the challenge is premature because the president's policy is not yet in effect and is still being reviewed by the Defense Department. In the interim, the government said, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has made clear that no service members will be discharged or denied reenlistment solely because they are transgender.

"The president did not decide to discharge all transgender people after March 23," said Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate. "It is speculation, built on speculation."

More broadly, Shumate said the court should not second guess the president when it comes to military affairs.

The Maryland lawsuit was initially filed days after President Trump surprised military leaders and members of Congress in July when he abruptly announced the proposed ban in a series of tweets. After announcing the ban, Trump said he was "doing the military a great favor" by "coming out and just saying it," rather than waiting for a Defense Department study.

As in other lawsuits challenging the president's policies, Trump's words were used against him in court on Thursday.

"Taking the president at his word in his tweets and in his memo is not speculation," said American Civil Liberties lawyer Joshua A. Block, the lead attorney for the transgender service members. "If you read the president's words, it is clear what he means," said Block.

The hearing in federal court in Baltimore came one week after a judge in Washington sided with a separate group of transgender service members in issuing a preliminary injunction against the policy and saying that it "does not appear to be supported by any facts."

Garbis rejected the government's request to put the Maryland case on hold pending its appeal in the D.C. lawsuit and centered his questions on the section of the president's order that would halt government funding for sex-reassignment surgery. Garbis did not indicate when he would rule.

In the D.C. case, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote, "There is absolutely no support for the claim that the ongoing service of transgender people would have any negative effect on the military at all. In fact, there is considerable evidence that it is the discharge and banning of such individuals that would have such effects."

Kollar-Kotelly, however, did not rule specifically on the provision that bars funding for medical care because she said none of the plaintiffs had shown they were likely to be affected.

In the Maryland case, Block told the court Thursday that two plaintiffs are in the process of trying to schedule transition-related surgical care and will not be able to receive surgery before the policy's March start date.

Seated in the front of the courtroom Thursday was Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brock Stone, who is based at Fort Meade and has served in the Navy for 11 years, including a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. Stone has been receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is trying to schedule surgery related to sex reassignment in 2018, according to the lawsuit.

"People have medical plans. They need to move forward with their lives," Block said.

But the government lawyer told the court that no one has yet been denied treatment and that it is too soon to say whether exceptions in the policy that allow for funding certain surgical procedures already underway would apply to the plaintiffs.

"They may very well fall in that exception," Shumate said. "I can't make any commitment."

Garbis seemed dissatisfied with the government's answer.

"You're not willing to say they will meet the exception?" he asked.

Estimates vary widely about the number of transgender military members. One recent study by the Rand Corp. put the number on active duty at about 2,500, while another from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimated that there were 15,500 on active duty, in the National Guard and in the reserves. Eighteen other countries allow transgender troops to serve.
WASHINGTON - On Monday, as the Department of Homeland Security prepared to extend the residency permits of tens of thousands of Hondurans living in the United States, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly called acting secretary Elaine Duke to pressure her to expel them, according to current and former administration officials.

Duke refused to reverse her decision and was angered by what she felt was a politically driven intrusion by Kelly and Tom Bossert, the White House homeland security adviser, who also called her about the matter, according to officials with knowledge of Monday's events. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

"As with many issues, there were a variety of views inside the administration on a policy. The Acting Secretary took those views and advice on the path forward for TPS and made her decision based on the law," DHS spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement, referring to a form of provisional residency called temporary protected status. He added that it was also "perfectly normal for them to discuss the issue before she had reached a decision."

A White House official confirmed the calls to Duke on Monday but said Kelly's frustration had to do "with Duke's lack of decisiveness."

With the extension of the Hondurans' residency permits, Kelly told her that the TPS decision "keeps getting kicked down the road" and that the additional delay "prevents our wider strategic goal" on immigration, the White House official said.

Duke, who was confirmed by the Senate in April, has informed Kelly that she plans to resign, the officials said. Hoffman said there is "zero factual basis" to the claim that Duke has said she will step down, and he disputed the claim that Kelly called to pressure Duke, insisting she had reached out to him to solicit advice on the TPS decision.

DHS had until the end of the day Monday to announce its plans for some 57,000 Hondurans and 2,500 Nicaraguans who were allowed to remain in the United States under TPS after Hurricane Mitch hit Central America in 1998.

An additional 50,000 Haitians and 200,000 Salvadorans were nervously awaiting the decision, as their residency permits will expire early next year. Trump administration officials have repeatedly cited the TPS program as an example of what they say is U.S. immigration policy gone awry, because a program designed to be temporary should not be used to grant long-term residency in the United States.

Duke had decided to end the TPS designation for the Nicaraguans, giving them until January 2019 to leave the United States or change their immigration status. But Duke felt that she did not have enough information for the much larger group of Hondurans, so she deferred, granting them a six-month extension, administration officials said Monday when they announced the TPS decision.

As DHS officials prepared to make that announcement, Kelly made an urgent call from Japan, where he was traveling with President Donald Trump. He was "irritated," administration officials said, and did not want his handpicked nominee for DHS secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, to face potentially uncomfortable questions about TPS during her confirmation hearing.

"He was persistent, telling her he didn't want to kick the can down the road, and that it could hurt [Nielsen's] nomination," one administration official said.

Duke held her ground, the official said. "She was angry. To get a call like that from Asia, after she'd already made the decision, was a slap in the face."

"They put massive pressure on her," said another former official with knowledge of the call.

Duke wanted to proceed cautiously, because the Central Americans have lived in the United States for two decades or more, and she had been contacted by former U.S. diplomats who implored her to weigh the decision carefully.

Congress created the TPS designation in 1990 to refrain from deporting foreign nationals to nations too unstable to receive them following natural disasters, civil strife or a health crisis. Previous administrations have repeatedly renewed the residency permits every 18 months, and over the years TPS has become a target of immigration hard-liners who say the law has been abused.

Trump wants to overhaul the U.S. immigration system, replacing a model based in part on family reunification with a "merit-based" approach to favor skilled labor.

The White House official said Kelly did not mention Nielsen by name during the calls with Duke but told her that "this shouldn't be a problem for the next secretary to deal with."

The pressure from the White House ended up delaying Monday's announcement, which DHS officials did not make until an 8 p.m. conference call with reporters, just hours before the deadline, as tens of thousands of immigrants and their families remained in suspense.

In public, at least, the White House has deferred questions about TPS, calling the decision a prerogative of Homeland Security officials, in consultation with the State Department.

Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sent a letter to Duke essentially giving DHS a green light to send the Nicaraguans and Hondurans back, telling her that conditions in Central America had improved.

White House officials said Kelly acknowledged during the call that the decision was Duke's to make. But she felt the pressure amounted to a direct intervention in the process, administration officials said.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said the White House had given assurances that it would not interfere in the TPS decision-making process. "They told us one thing and turned around and did something completely different," Van Hollen said in an interview. "I'm glad the acting secretary stuck to her professional opinion."

Maryland has 22,000 TPS recipients, he said.

Duke, a DHS veteran, has informed Kelly that she will resign once Nielsen takes over, according to several officials, even though Trump has publicly asked her to remain in the deputy role.

Nielsen, who is Kelly's deputy at the White House and was his chief of staff when he ran DHS between January and July, appeared to breeze through her Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday and did not face especially tough or contentious questioning.

No one asked her what she planned to do with the 300,000 TPS recipients who will lose their legal status and face deportation if their residency is not renewed. Their families include an estimated 275,000 U.S.-born children.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs postponed a vote on her nomination scheduled for Thursday, citing "a large number of questions" about Nielsen's testimony to the panel Wednesday.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the committee chairman, said members had submitted 197 written questions for Nielsen, far more than any previous nominee. He rescheduled the committee vote for Monday.

Senate aides say the White House is pushing for a full vote on Nielsen to get her confirmed before the Thanksgiving recess.

Duke, who returned to DHS to be Kelly's deputy earlier this year, was never among the top candidates for the secretary job, lacking the law enforcement and counterterrorism credentials typically associated with that role. But she is considered a skilled manager and has earned praise for her stewardship of the massive federal agency, which has 240,000 employees, 22 subagencies and a $40 billion budget.

Nielsen, a cybersecurity expert, began her career as a Senate staffer, then crafted legislation and policy at the Transportation Security Administration. She was a White House adviser for emergency preparedness and disaster management under President George W. Bush, a job that put her at the center of the administration's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina.

Kelly brought Nielsen to the White House to be his deputy, and she earned a reputation as a disciplinarian, with unwavering loyalty to the retired Marine Corps general.
AUSTIN - In the last day of trial on Texas abortion procedures, Texas attorneys displayed a graphic photo of a surgical tray filled with blood and small human parts, such as feet, to argue that a fetus should be afforded "a more humane" manner of death.

A ruling in the trial is expected by the end of the month.

Darren McCarty, an attorney for the state, said a fetus should be killed through an injection or other methods before abortion providers perform the most common second-trimester procedure, known as dilation and evacuation.

During the procedure, doctors use surgical instruments to remove the fetus. The state refers to the procedure as "dismemberment abortion."

"The state of Texas' interests of banning a living dismembering that results in that," McCarty said pointing to the photo, "is a sign of a progressive society."

State sued by providers

Earlier this year the Republican-led Legislature passed Senate Bill 8, a set of comprehensive abortion regulations that banned dilation and evacuation - a medical procedure used to remove a fetus using surgical tools - unless the fetus is deceased.

Whole Woman's Health, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers sued the state because they believe the law will further limit access to abortion.

Wednesday capped a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel that featured testimony from abortion providers and medical experts who claim methods used to cause fetal demise have not been adequately studied and are not medically necessary. They also argue that most providers will need additional training.

In closing arguments, Janet Crepps, an attorney for the providers, said the state is limiting access to the abortion procedure by imposing a requirement that doctors do not believe is medically necessary and has not been proved to be effective.

"SB8 will turn back the clock on advances in medical care that has made second trimester abortions both safe and accessible, forcing physicians to either stop performing (dilation and evacuation) or face prosecution," Crepps said.

Restraining order in place

The state disputes that it is trying to limit second-trimester abortions and instead argues it's only requiring that fetal demise occurs prior to the procedure, something that the state says is afforded by law.

Throughout the trial, the state presented testimony from medical doctors who say dilation and evacuation procedure is inhumane, and that causing fetal demise prior to the procedure is safe, effective and does not complicate procedures for most providers.

Under SB8, doctors would face criminal charges for violating the ban, except in a case of a medical emergency. The law was set to go into effect Sept. 1, but Yeakel blocked its implementation with a temporary restraining order which remains in effect.

In closing the trial, Yeakel called the case highly political and commended the lawyers on their arguments.

A case like this one, Yeakel said, exposes "a lot of emotions from people of good will on both sides. They are hard cases for the lawyers to try, and they are hard cases for the court to consider."
Mass shootings in the United States will occur again and again and again.

There is no other country in the world that has such a high rate of firearm violence as the U.S. There are more than 30,000 firearm deaths a year.

For children alone, 1,300 die and 5,790 are treated for firearm violence each year.

We need solutions to mitigate these travesties. So what solutions did politicians give when asked about the mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs?

President Donald Trump responded, All Americans are praying to God to help the wounded and the families of the victims.

And when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was asked by Chris Cuomo on CNN what solutions he could offer, the governor said, Using the forces of God to overcome evil.

Dont expect God to solve this public health concern for us. God gave us free will so that we could study problems and explore solutions.

Faith is powerful, but solutions must be guided by science. Funding for firearm violence research is desperately needed.

In the scientific community federal funding is usually proportional to the level of mortality of a given disease. For example, a study conducted by Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York showed that between 2004 and 2015, cancer and heart disease mortality was the highest of all diseases, at near 200 per 100,000 individuals. Investigators received over $10 billion in funding to support research to prevent them.

During the same time period, mortality from hernias and gastrointestinal disease was under 1 per 100,000 individuals and investigators received $100 million to support research to prevent them.

But firearm mortality is 10 times higher (10 per 100,000 individuals) than that for hernias and funding to prevent such injuries was only 20 percent of the total received to prevent hernia mortality ($20 million).

Firearm violence research is underfunded and understudied.

What is halting firearm violence research? Conservative politicians.

Since 1996, funding for prevention of firearm violence at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has fallen by 96 percent.

In 2013, it was only $100,000 of the agencys $5.6 billion budget.

This all started in 1996 when Rep. Jay Dickey, R-Arkansas, introduced language in the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill stating that, none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control.

In 1997, Congress took $2.6 million of funding the CDC had appropriated for firearm violence research and reappropriated it for traumatic brain injury.

In 2011, Congress added a similar clause to legislation that regulated the National Institutes of Health funding for firearm violence.

Why is it that conservative politicians restrain funding to study methods to prevent firearm violence?

It is their distrust of government and, thus, the need for guns to overthrow the government.

The Second Amendment states, A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

This amendment took its origin from Virginias state constitution right after U.S. independence from England. Virginias state constitution stated that, a well regulated Militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free State.

I cant imagine a well-regulated militia of neighbors taking on the U.S. Marines.

So what is the solution to firearm violence? We dont know!

Unfortunately those studies do not exist. Firearm violence is a serious public health problem and we just cant have unproven solutions. We need sound science.

Consider this as a health initiative and not as a menace to the Second Amendment. We need to take this public health problem away from politics and turn it over to science.

Roberto P. Trevino is a physician and director of the Social & Health Research Center in San Antonio.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R), and U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) and his wife Melania Trump pose for a photo in front of Taihedian, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, during their visit to the Palace Museum, or the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 8, 2017. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan invited U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump to the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, after the U.S. president started his state visit to China in Beijing Wednesday.

They walked along the museum's central axis, also the axial line of Beijing, and visited Taihedian, Zhonghedian and Baohedian, three main halls of the Forbidden City.

In front of Taihedian, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Xi and Peng took photos with their guests after walking through the Gate of Supreme Harmony.

During the tour of the ancient palace, Xi briefed the visiting couple on the museum's history, architecture and culture, which received high praise from them.

Taihedian is one of the largest wooden structures in China and the largest hall in the Forbidden City. Emperors of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties held their enthronements and wedding ceremonies in the hall.

Zhonghedian, the Hall of Central Harmony, is a square building with windows on all four sides. Officials would kowtow to the emperor from here before he presided over grand ceremonies in Taihedian. The emperor examined sacrificial writings in Zhonghedian before offering sacrifices to the ancestors, to heaven and to earth.

Baohedian, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, served as the wedding venue for Emperor Shunzhi of Qing Dynasty. At every Chinese New Year's Eve and on the fifteenth day of the first month on the lunar calendar, emperors held banquets here to entertain vassals, imperial kinsmen and high-ranking ministers.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the controversies and hullabaloos, the Solar Commission report was tabled in Kerala Assembly on Thursday. Prepared by Justice G Sivarajan Commission, the action taken report will also be published on government websites.

The 1,073-paged report on English has already translated into Malayalam and will be given to members of the assembly and media. The assembly session has began with KNA Khader of Muslim League who won the Vengara by-poll taking oath, followed by the tabling ofsolar commission report.

The Solar Commission report was the much awaited report ever since the Pinarayi cabinet decided to book former CM Oommen Chandy and others in this case.
Thiruvananthapuram: Saritha S Nair, one of the prime accused in the sensational solar scam on Thursday said that she hopes for the best.

When asked about the Justice Sivarajan Commission report, Saritha said that she handed over all the evidence to the commission. She also added that she will respond after the report is published.
The 25th anniversary APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place in Danang very soon, on November 10 and 11.

We greatly value the APEC forum for the ample opportunities it affords all participants to engage in discussions and coordinate positions on a variety of economic, social, environmental, and cultural issues. Our countries strive to cooperate based on the principles of consensus and voluntary participation, mutual respect and willingness to compromise, regardless of the political situation. This is what APECs unique spirit of partnership is all about.

As a major Eurasian power with vast Far Eastern territories that boast significant potential, Russia has a stake in the successful future of the Asia-Pacific region, and in promoting sustainable and comprehensive growth throughout its entire territory. We believe that effective economic integration based on the principles of openness, mutual benefit and the universal rules of the World Trade Organisation is the primary means of achieving this goal.

We support the idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade area. We believe this is in our practical interest and represents an opportunity to strengthen our positions in the rapidly growing APR markets. I want to note that over the past five years, the share of APEC economies in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 23 to 31 percent, and from 17 to 24 percent in exports. And we have no intention of stopping there.

Of course, the large-scale project to create the APEC free trade area should be carried out with due account of the experience gained from implementing key integration formats in the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasia, including the Eurasian Economic Union, in which Russia cooperates with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Our union has been developing dynamically, and we are eager to build relations with all countries and associations that are interested in doing so. Vietnam, the host of this years Forum, was the first state to sign a free trade agreement with the EAEU. As a result, our trade grew significantly and became more diversified. Talks on a trade and economic cooperation agreement with China concluded a short while ago. Talks with Singapore have begun, and we are working on the possibility of signing a free trade agreement with ASEAN.

On a related note, I would like to mention our idea to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership. We suggested forming it on the basis of the Eurasian Economic Union and Chinas Belt and Road initiative. To reiterate, this is a flexible modern project open to other participants.

Comprehensive development of infrastructure, including transport, telecommunications and energy, will serve as the basis for effective integration. Today Russia is actively modernising its sea and air ports in the Russian Far East, developing transcontinental rail routes, and building new gas and oil pipelines. We are committed to implementing bilateral and multilateral infrastructure projects which will link our economies and markets. Among other projects, I am referring to the Energy Super Ring that unites Russia, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and the Sakhalin-Hokkaido transport link.

We pay special attention to integrating Russias Siberian and Far Eastern territories into the network of APR economic ties. These efforts include a whole range of measures to enhance the investment appeal of our regions, and to integrate Russian enterprises into international production chains.

For Russia, the development of our Far East is a national priority for the 21st century. We are talking about creating territories of advanced economic growth in that region, pursuing large-scale development of natural resources, and supporting advanced high-tech industries, as well as investing in human capital, education and healthcare, and forming competitive research centres.

We hope that our foreign partners, primarily from APEC economies, will play an active role in implementing these programmes and projects. All the more so, as foreign participants of the annual Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok already had a chance to gain confidence in the prospects and feasibility of our plans.

We have an equally serious approach to involving small and medium-sized businesses in APEC economic integration processes, and supporting female entrepreneurship and start-up companies run by young entrepreneurs. Of course, we attach special importance to strengthening our cultural ties and expanding our contacts in the sphere of science and education. Looking ahead, we will focus on forming a common APR education space, one of whose centres could be the Far Eastern Federal University.

We believe that establishing effective cooperation to support innovation is the most important task we face in this dynamic era. As such, Russia has put forward a number of specific initiatives. These include unifying digital economy and trade rules, harmonising national technical standards, coordinating strategies for forming high-tech markets, and creating a uniform conceptual framework for the digital space. We have also shared with our partners our experience in providing e-services to the public. In addition, we suggest starting consultations within APEC on international information security and protection of computer software.

Preventing and providing relief following natural disasters and man-made accidents, epidemics and pandemics is another challenge that requires a joint response by all APR partners. Of course, we need to tackle food security issues together and think about how to meet the region's rapidly growing demand for high-quality and healthy food. Russia is one of the worlds leaders in exports of grain, vegetable oils, fish, and a number of other foods. We expect to become the leading supplier of ecologically clean food to our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region. To do so, we are taking measures to increase agricultural output and improve productivity.

We intend to engage in substantive discussions of all these topics during the upcoming summit in Danang. I am confident that, acting together, we will find acceptable solutions to the challenge of supporting the steady, balanced, and harmonious growth of our shared region, and securing its prosperity. Russia is ready for such a collaborative effort.
Singapore is the fourth most visited city in the world, with 17.6 million visitors in 2017. This makes it the second time in a row Singapore has snagged the fourth spot on the recently released Euromonitors ranking of the Top 100 city destinations. By 2025, Singapore is also slated to overtake London as the third-most visited city, which will make the ranking a largely Asian-dominated one.

Owing to the rise in demand of Chinese outbound tourism, the list sees a domination of Asian cities in its ranking. Asian cities are increasingly making it way onto the list; from 34 cities in 2010 to 41 cities in 2016.

The reason behind this? Its proactive in harnessing their smart city efforts. On the other hand, the travel landscape in Europe has been affected by events like Brexit and terrorist attacks. For instance, Paris dropped in ranking following its two high-profile attacks in 2015.

Scroll through the gallery above for the top 10 most visited cities of 2017!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

Read More:

Secret Paradise: Traveling through Indonesias hidden gem islands

Offbeat Destinations: 10 Underrated Asian cities to put on your travel list

10 Fairytale castles in Asia you absolutely have to visit
Halfway through Q4, countries are releasing Q3 GDP numbers and many research outlets happily note economies are finally growing in sync. Huzzah! Granted, broad-based global growth isnt necessary for stocks to rise higherthis bull market has run eight years despite weak spots and regional contractionsbut it shows how far the expansion has come. While backward-looking, these GDP reports show the global economy was in solid shape entering Q4. More investors realizing this reality could contribute to warming investor sentimenta bullish development.

North America Is Dealing With Some Natural Disasters

US Q3 GDP rose 3.0% annualized, a smidge below Q2s 3.1%the first back-to-back quarters of 3% growth in three years. While headlines called this impressive growth despite hurricanes, key areas experienced slowdowns. For example, personal consumption expenditures slowed to 2.4% from Q2s 3.3%, and trade was also weaker: Exports rose 2.3% and imports contracted -0.8% (compared to Q2s respective 3.5% and 1.5% rates). This import contraction actually contributes to a higher headline GDP numbera statistical quirk as GDP calculates trade as net exports (exports  imports)which misses the fact imports represent domestic demand.

Q3s big GDP contributor, though, was gross private domestic investment (GPDI), which sped up from 3.9% in Q2 to 6.0% in Q3. However, this wasnt due entirely to big business investment. Rather, change in private inventories added 0.73 percentage point to growthmuch higher than last quarters 0.12 percentage pointcomprising the majority of GPDIs overall 0.98 percentage point contribution to GDP. This metric is subject to interpretation, though. Are firms stocking up in anticipation of upcoming demand, or are they struggling to clear the shelves? We think its the former. Inventories were pretty depleted after Q1, and they barely budged in Q2. With demand still high, Q3s rise seems like some good old-fashioned restocking.

Even with this context, dont forget GDP gets revised frequentlyboth in the short and long term. Hurricane skew could still show up. Whether this leads to a higher or lower headline growth number, however, isnt meaningful for forward-looking stocks. What is relevant for investors: The US economy continues chugging along.

While US growth persisted through some destructive hurricanes, two big September earthquakes knocked Mexicos economy. Q3 Mexican GDP contracted -0.2% q/q (-0.8% annualized) as services fell -0.1% and industrial output dropped -0.5%. Analysts expect a Q4 rebound, led by a reconstruction-related construction pickup. Though disaster recovery spending isnt stimulus, in our view, this does show how natural disasters can skew data temporarily. This was Mexicos first contraction in 17 quarters, and while we cant know how GDP would have done sans earthquakes, weakand even contractionaryquarters happen during economic expansions. Overall, the Mexican economy hasnt substantially changed, and considering some creeping dour sentiment toward the countryespecially with contentious ongoing NAFTA negotiationssmall positive realities could beat lowered expectations.

Brexit Noise Doesnt Halt UK or Eurozone Growth

In the UK, Q3 GDP rose 0.4% q/q (1.6% annualized), higher than Q2s 0.3%a compelling counterpoint to those continually fretting Brexits economic impact. Services rose 0.4% q/q, same as Q2s growth rate, led by the business services and finance sector (up 0.6%). Notably, all four main service industries[i] expanded, just as they did in Q2. Though services continue driving UK growth, it wasnt the only contributor. Productions four primary subsectors grew, too, with manufacturing up 1.0%. While the preliminary release doesnt provide a ton of detailwe will know more about expenditure data in the second releasestarting next year, we wont have this pickle. The ONS announced there will be two quarterly estimates of GDP rather than the current three. The preliminary estimate will be pushed back two weeks while the second estimate will come out sooner, and the preliminary will finally have expenditure data. To make up for the longer wait, the ONS will add a monthly GDP estimate starting in July 2018 (which will report May data).

Across the Channel, eurozone GDP grew for an 18th straight quarter, up 0.6% q/q in Q3 (2.4% annualized) from Q2s 0.7%. Like the UK, we dont have much data color hereAustria, Belgium, France and Spain have thus far reported Q3 growthbut it adds further evidence of the eurozones long-running expansion.

Emerging Asia Is Growing, Too

Several Asian economies also released growthy GDP reports. China grew 6.8% y/y in Q3, in line with expectations. The data were released during the 19th Party CongressChinas biggest political eventso some voiced doubts about the numbers accuracy (a long-running media gripe). Though these doubts are understandable, we dont believe Chinese growth is significantly weaker than official numbers suggest. Data from Chinas trade partners show economic activity in the country hasnt plunged off a cliff, so while the specific figures deserve skepticism (as any data from any country would, given the impossibility of measuring economic activity precisely), China probably isnt tanking. More importantly, growth remains in the governments target range. We dont anticipate big, unexpected changes for the foreseeable future, even following the conclusion of the Party Congress. The governments primary focus is social stability, and that means supporting economic growth as necessary.

In Korea, GDP sped up from Q2s 2.7% y/y to 3.6% in Q3. Strong exports drove a 1.4% q/q growth rate, the fastest since Q2 2010. Regional tensions havent stopped South Korea from enjoying robust economic growth and strong equity market performance this year. If a hot war was a probable threat, Korean stockswhich have the most to loseprobably wouldnt be up more than 46% year to date.[ii] Though tourism has been down, this isnt all directly related to Pyongyangs sabre-rattling. South Korea has been in a flap with China over the former hosting a US missile defense system, and Chinese tourism to Korea has dried up. However, this looks temporary and has already started rebounding.

Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwanese GDP grew 3.1% y/y in Q3, up from Q2s 2.1%. While domestic demand was solidprivate consumption rose 1.9% and imports accelerated to 6.5%exports drove growth, jumping from 5.0% in Q2 to 11.2% in Q3 thanks to strong demand for electronic components. Indonesia, Southeast Asias largest economy, announced GDP grew 5.1% y/y, slightly higher than Q2s 5.0%. Household consumption rose 4.9% y/y, repeating Q2s growth rate, and analysts credited a rebound in commodity prices for the pickup in trade. Exports rose 17.3% y/y while imports picked up 15.1%major jumps from Q2s respective 3.4% and 0.5% figures, although the magnitude of the jump could be skewed by the timing of the autumn festival. Either way, though, the broader trade trend is growth.

These numbers covering July  September dont tell you about future growth, but other indicatorslike The Conference Boards Leading Economic Indexessuggest the global expansion isnt in danger of ceasing any time soon. Overall, the economic drivers underpinning this bull market remain positiveone reason we remain bullish about the foreseeable future.
STUARTWhile it will take Martinsville and Henry County several more days to finalize their election results, Patrick County didnt have that problem. County officials released the finalized results Wednesday night, making several victories official.

Among the local elections in Patrick County on Tuesday, Sherri M. Hazlewood was elected Patrick County clerk of court, and two incumbents  Supervisor Roger T. Hayden and School Board member J.D. Morse -- were defeated.

Hayden, seeking a third term representing the Dan River District on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, was defeated by Jane Scales Fulk. J.D. Morse, who was seeking another term representing the Smith River District on the Patrick County School Board, lost to write-in candidate Walter Scott.

In the clerk of courts race, Hazlewood received 2,592 votes (47.6 percent), Robert M. Bob Hiatt received 1,996 votes (about 36.7 percent), and Teresa Hall Roberson received 842 votes (about 15.5 percent).

Hazlewood, of the Wayside community, is a 28-year employee of the Patrick County Circuit Court Clerks Office. She has held positions of senior deputy clerk and courtroom clerk since 1995.

Hazlewood said Wednesday she attributes her victory to dedication to her job throughout the past 28 years and getting to meet and to know people through her job. She also attributed it to working hard campaigning the last few months, meeting people I didnt know and letting them know about my experience.

Im just so grateful for the opportunity, Hazlewood said of her victory. I am so happy citizens of Patrick County have seen fit to entrust the leadership role of the clerks office to me. I look forward to doing my best for them.

Asked her top priorities now, Hazlewood said: I look forward to offering the same continuity and stability in this transition that everyone has been used to over the past three decades during Mrs. Gasperinis tenure. I look forward to updating and keeping current with new technology, and serving the citizens of Patrick County in the best way I know how.

(This was a special election for clerk of court to fill the unexpired term of former clerk Susan C. Gasperini, who retired April 1.)

Hiatt, of Stuart, is director of the 27th District Court Service Unit of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Roberson, of the Moorefield Store community, is a probation and parole officer and former sheriffs deputy.

In the race for Dan River District supervisor, Jane Scales Fulk received 516 votes (53.7 percent) and Roger T. Hayden received 443 votes (46.1 percent).

Fulk, of Ararat, and Hayden, of Claudville, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Fulk worked at Renfro Hosiery Mills, Lowes Foods, Roses, Ego Hour Beauty Salon (as co-owner), and most recently for 35 years as the judicial assistant to the Circuit Court judge of Patrick County in Stuart, where she retired in 2014.

Hayden is retired and drives a school bus for Patrick County Schools. He worked at Proctor Silex in Mount Airy, North Carolina, for 25 years, in a number of jobs, including machinist. He worked for Micro Metrics in Meadows of Dan for 15 years, in sales and service, and computer-aided design. He worked intermittently and part time for the Patrick County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (now the Farm Service Agency) for 37 years, as a compliance technician for the flue-cured tobacco program in Patrick County.

In the race for the Smith River District seat on the school board, write-in candidate Walter Scott received 728 votes (about 66.9 percent) and J. D. Morse received 341 votes (31.3 percent).

Scott and Morse, both of Stuart, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In two uncontested local races, Brandon J. Simmons was elected to represent the Dan River District on the school board (Kandy Burnett did not seek re-election to that seat), and Crystal P. Harris was re-elected to represent the Smith River District on the board of supervisors.

Patrick County Registrar Susan Taylor said 5,674 people voted, 47.5 percent of the 11,944 registered voters.
MARTINSVILLE  A trustee who escaped from a work detail Sept. 13 was apprehended Wednesday in the Villa Heights area. The arrest came as a result of an active investigation/manhunt by the Martinsville Sheriffs Office, Martinsville Police Department, the Henry County Sheriffs Office, the Virginia State Police and the U. S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Dekey Trevor Penn, 33, was charged with escaping custody, according to officers with the Martinsville Sheriffs Office and Martinsville Police Department.

Penn worked as a trustee on the back of a garbage truck. The group was collecting garbage on the west side of Martinsville when Penn jumped from the truck around Fayette Street, at the former Paradise Inn. He removed his cap and orange vest behind the former Paradise and walked away.

Martinsville Sheriff Steve Draper said Penn originally was convicted of child endangerment and was on probation after he was released from jail. He was arrested and incarcerated again in June, after violating that probation.

He has been in and out of our facilities several times over the years for non-violent offenses and never has been a problem with us, Draper said.

On Wednesday, Draper thanked the City of Martinsville Police Department as well as the task force consisting of Martinsville PD; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the United States Marshals; the Virginia State Police; and Henry County Sheriffs Office.

"In addition, I want to thank all of the Martinsville Sheriffs Office deputies, Martinsville police officers, Henry County sheriffs deputies, Virginia state troopers as well as the other neighboring police agencies that have assisted in searching for Mr. Penn," Draper said. "Special thanks as well to Chief Eddie Cassady, Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Buddy Davis and Sheriff Lane Perry for their assistance and resources the past several weeks. With this cooperation and great working relationship Im happy to have Mr. Penn in custody without incident.

Officers did not provide other details about how and where Penn was apprehended.
The Chinese guided-missile destroyer Haikou attached to the 27th Chinese naval escort taskforce is sailing into the Port of Djibouti on November 6, 2017 for a 5-day in-port replenishment and rest. The taskforce consists of the guided-missile destroyer Haikou, the guided-missile frigate Yueyang and the comprehensive supply ship Qinghaihu. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Xin)
WINDSOR LOCKS -- Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines began nonstop service Thursday from Hartford-Springfield's Bradley International Airport to Tampa and Fort Meyers in Florida.

Its seasonal, cold-weather service to warm-weather destinations will run through April 11, 2018, according to the airline.

Spirit also flies from Bradley to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Those flights began in April and in June and have no set end date.

On its website, spirit.com, the airline says it offers tickets from Bradley to Fort Lauderdale for as low as $44 for Dec. 1 or for as much as $159 on short notice. These prices are for one-way flights.

Spirit is a no-frills operation. Base fares don't include hauling luggage or providing a drink.

"We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Spirit Airlines at Bradley International Airport, as the Fort Myers and Tampa service bring us to five nonstop routes added by the airline over the past seven months," Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director Kevin A. Dillon said in a press release. "Spirit's service has been very well-received by our Bradley passengers, and we are pleased to continue enhancing options for our travelers."

We are excited for todays launch of nonstop flights to Tampa & Fort Myers on @SpiritAirlines! pic.twitter.com/jpT6Bk80py  Bradley Intl Airport (@Bradley_Airport) November 9, 2017

Bradley is seeing an increase in business. Through august, Bradley has seen 4.3 million passengers in 2017 compared with 4 million in the same time period of 2016.

Other recent additions to Bradley's flight offerings include:
Influenced by both French and Chinese food traditions, Vietnamese cuisine is an elegant fusion of Far East flavors and techniques.

Greater Springfield is fortunate to have a number of eateries that specialize in this world-class style of cookery; one of the best of these is Bamboo House on Bemont Avenue.

Housed in a cluster of shops, the restaurant has a small but attractive dining room; booths are the primary seating choice.

The establishment's extensive menu features ninety-odd Vietnamese specialties.

Pho, an iconic Vietnamese dish, is well represented by options like Pho Bo Vien (with beef meatballs -- $8.25) and Pho Ga (noodles with chicken - $8).

Other noodle-based dishes like Bun Cha Gio (egg rolls with vermicelli -- $8.25) and Banh Hoi Thjt Heo Nuong (noodles with grilled pork - $13.95) are available, as are combination plates such Com Ga Nuong (grilled chicken with steamed rice -- $8.50).

Bamboo House seafood selections include Mux Xao Xa Ot (calamari with lemongrass -- $12.95) and Canh Chua Ca Bong Lau (hot and sour catfish soup - $24.95).

Appetizers on the kitchen's agenda range from Bo Nuong Lui (grilled beef sticks -- $9.50) to Muc Chien Gion (fried squid -- $9.50).

We began our meal with two of the starters suggested.

Laudably savory, Cha Gio (Vietnamese spring rolls -- $8) were fried-crisp tubes of rice paper wrapper filled with minced pork and vegetables, a mixture pleasingly accented with ginger and garlic. As is traditional, fresh lettuce leaves, cilantro, and mint were provided to wrap the warm rolls in, a practice that creates a unique interaction of temperatures and textures.

We also ordered Banh Xeo (shrimp and pork yellow pancake -- $9.50). More serious snack than starter, the two turmeric-infused rice flour pancakes had been sprinkled with crumbled pork and folded over a filling of steamed shrimp and fresh bean sprouts.

Vietnamese barbecued pork (Com Suon Nuong - $8.50) benefits from a marinade in which honey, shallots, garlic, sesame oil, and other flavorings elaborate on pork's inherent richness.

Fashioned from two grilled, thin-cut chops served over steamed rice, the pork barbecue delivered meaty pleasure enhanced by sweet and smoky notes.

Tep Xao Hot Dieu (shrimp with cashew nuts -- $12.95) was an effort that exemplified Vietnam's culinary debt to China. A stir-fry style preparation, the presentation incorporated a colorful variety of vegetables such as bamboo shoots, baby corn, broccoli, strips of yellow bell pepper, and more.

A "master" sauce enlivened with peppery nuances glazed the dish, which also included whole shrimp and a generous sprinkle of cashew nuts. Expertly steamed rice was served on the side.

Though it's now emblematic of Vietnamese cuisine, pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) is, according to food historians, a relatively recent invention.

The hallmark of great pho is its broth, and the soup base prepared at Bamboo House is exemplary stuff, with a mellow beef flavor enhanced with spices and herbs such as cloves, star anise, and ginger.

Served in the style of southern Vietnam, the pho at Bamboo House comes with bean sprouts and a lime wedge on the side; chili sauce and hoisin are available as table condiments.

The soup itself includes a plentiful measure of rice noodles and a generous allocation of sliced rare steak. Thin-cut scallions and a garnish of vinegared onions complete the meal-in-a-bowl.

In addition to its Vietnamese repertoire, Bamboo House serves an abridged collection of Chinese restaurant favorites.

Appetizers such as Pork Dumplings ($7) and Wonton Soup ($3) are available, and classic Cantonese-style dishes such as Shrimp Fried Rice ($8.95) and Pork Lo Mein ($9.95) can also be ordered.

Kung Po Chicken ($12.95), Happy Family ($14.95), and Seafood Bird's Nest ($16.95) are just a few of the additional Chinese dishes the kitchen is ready to prepare.

Offering an assortment of authentically crafted specialties, Bamboo House, we agreed, is a great place to explore the memorable taste bud experiences Vietnamese cuisine has to offer.



Name: Bamboo House Vietnamese Restaurant

Address: 676 Belmont Avenue, Springfield

Telephone: (413) 732-0741

Website: None

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entree prices: $8.95 - $30.95

Credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Handicapped access: Accessible, with rest rooms equipped for wheelchairs

Reservations: Not normally taken






Former Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen on Wednesday denied a tabloid report that he allegedly sexually assaulted Corey Haim when the late actor was 13 years old and Sheen was 19.

"Charlie Sheen categorically denies these allegations," a spokesman for Sheen told The Hollywood Reporter.

The two actors worked together on the 1986 film Lucas. Haim died from drug-related causes in 2010.

Haim's longtime friend, actor Dominick Brascia, told the National Enquirer that Sheen sexually assaulted Haim during that film's production.

Haim's name has been in the news recently after his mother dismissed stories from Corey Feldman about the late actor being abused by a Hollywood pedophile ring, which Feldman claims he also fell victim to.
Portland (People's Daily)-When you take flight from Boston to China, probably there are Maine lobsters in the cargo, Annie Tselikis told Peoples Daily. As the executive director of the Maine Lobster Dealers' Association, Tselikis has focused company efforts on meeting lobster demand from Chinas emerging middle-class market. Its a decision that has yielded positive results.

Photo: Zhang Niansheng, Peoples Daily

As an established base in the US lobster industry, Maine has benefited from Chinas growing market. Middle class consumers in China now know more about nutrition, care more about health and sustainability. Thats a big advantage for our industry. Nowadays the market is not only in Beijing or Shanghai, but also expands to second-tier and third-tier cities, said Tselikis.

Our lobster industry has seen tremendous export growth to China in recent years. This growth reflects both the market opportunities in China and the daily pride our harvesters, dealers, and processors take in sustaining our 400 year old fishery. In addition to being an iconic image of Maine, our lobster industry leads the state in export sales; with the highest rate of growth being to China. The Maine International Trade Center works closely with our lobster dealers and processors, leading several trade shows and trade missions to China. Serving Maine lobster during our State of Maine receptions has always been one of the highlights of our trips to China, Jeff Bennett, a senior trade specialist with the Maine International Trade Center, told Peoples Daily.

In 2010, China made up less than one percent of all US lobster exports. Current statistics from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Department of Commerce show reveal US lobster exports to China jumped to 14% in 2016, a figure that involves 17 million pounds with a market value of $136 million (USD).

Perishable products like lobster were difficult to consume in the past due to challenging infrastructure that involved days drive to New England. Today modern logistics make it possible to ship lobsters to China from Maine within 30 hours. Compared with lobsters from Australia or New Zealand, Maine lobster prices have made the market in China competitive.

When the 2008 financial crisis hit, Maines lobster market tumbled. During this period lobster companies began looking at Asian markets. In 2012, Maine witnessed a record high lobster haul, and prices dropped to $2.69 (USD) per pound. Spurred by the experience, the industry turned to the global market, including China. Last year, Maine had another record high harvest, and this time the price was stable enough to keep all happy, noted Tselikis.

The lobster industry has long been a staple of for the Pine Tree States economy. In the coastal rural part of Maine, locals rely heavily on fisheries.

The Washington Post ran an article about Maines endeavor to grasp the Chinese market. Even as foreign competition has devastated parts of the U.S. economy, China ranks among the biggest international customers for a vast array of other industries, from ginseng to airplanes to pork. Maine lobsters are just a tiny sliver of the $116 billion in annual exports to China, a figure that has nearly tripled in the past decade, the paper concluded.

Our industry could benefit directly from a good trade relation between the two largest economies of the world. If our country failed to maintain a good trade relationship with China while our major competitors like Australia or Canada did so, people in my industry would be very, very concerned, Annie said.
Outback Restaurant is one of the dining chains offering a deals for America's military members. (Outback photo)

By RAY KELLY | rkelly@repub.com

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Many restaurant chains will honor American servicemen, past and present, with dining discounts and deals this weekend.

Be prepared, most discounts or deals require a military ID or proof of service.

Here are some of the dining offerings:

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Friendly's

As its way of saying "thanks," Friendly's Restaurants will be offering veterans and active duty military a free "Big-Two-Do" breakfast to start off their day on Saturday, Nov. 11.

During lunch and dinner, the Friendly's thank-you offer will switch to a complimentary "All American Burger" with fries and a beverage.

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Denny's

Denny's locations nationwide also have a Veterans Day thank-you planned. Active or inactive military personnel with a valid military ID will be provided with a complimentary "Build Your Own Grand Slam" breakfast on Friday, Nov. 10 from 5 a.m. until noon.

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Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse is honoring Americas military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage. This offer is available to Military Personnel and veterans with ID.

Also receive 15 percent off your purchase from Nov. 12-Dec 31, 2017.

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Applebee's

On Saturday, veterans and active duty military who show proof of military service can choose from one of seven free meal offerings.

Selections include Double Crunch Shrimp, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad, American Standard hamburger, Butcher's Meat and Potatoes, Chicken Tenders Platter and Three-Cheese Chicken Cavatappi.

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Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts is expressing its appreciation in the form of a free doughnut on Nov. 11. No purchase is required, but there is a limit of one free donut per customer.

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Hooters

Hooters invites all veterans and current servicemen and women to enjoy a free meal from a select menu. Requires drink purchase. Only valid at participating locations.

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will be honoring military veterans on November 11 with a free piece of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola cake for dessert.

Free entrees (from a special menu selection) to veterans and active military will be the "thank you" offer at participating Chili's Restaurants on Nov. 11.

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Ruby Tuesday

On Saturday, Ruby Tuesday is offering a free appetizer (up to $10) at participating locations, proof of service required.

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Golden Corral

On Monday, Nov. 13, the 16th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States military.

If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corrals Military Appreciation dinner.

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On the Border

On the Border locations will be providing active and retired military with a free Choose 2 or Choose 3 Combo Meal on Saturday, Nov. 11, while Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brew will serve veterans and active duty military a no-charge Tavern Double Burger and fries on the same day.

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Little Caesars

Free pizza or $5 HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo to all US Armed Forces veterans and active military members between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 11. With proof of military service, at participating stores nationwide. Call ahead to verify participation.

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Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub

From 11 a.m.  4 p.m.on Nov. 11, veterans and active military can buy one meal and get one free from the 9 Real Size Entrees for $9.99 Menu.

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Texas Roadhouse

A special Veterans Day menu will be in effect at Texas Roadhouse restaurants on Nov. 11, with veterans and active duty military entitled to order a free lunch from that special selection.

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The donation is the fruit of a cultural deal signed by Cameroon and China in Yaounde in January 2016.

Cultural cooperation between Cameroon and China continues to grow from strength. This follows the donation on November 2, 2017 of equipment for cultural purposes by the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon,Wei Wenhua, to the Cameroon Minister of Art and Culture, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

The Minister described the gift the material worth 32 million FCFA (about 375,055 RMB)

as further evidence of the fact that culture is the best link to friendship and cooperation between peoples in general, and between Cameroonians and Chinese in particular. The donated equipment includes computers, musical instruments and theatre performance material.

According to Wei Wenhua, the gift from the Chinese Ministry of Culture is fruit of the visit to Cameroon in January 2017 by the Vice Minister of Culture, Ding Wei. This gift is proof of the friendship and solidarity of Chinese people towards Cameroonians. I hope the donation will enable the Ministry of Art and Culture to strengthen and promote Cameroonian culture, the Ambassador stated.

Narcisse Mouelle Kombi said the gift was demonstration of the dynamism of socio-cultural cooperation between the two nations. He added that the material will enable the ministry to improve the quality of performances by artistes and other cultural stakeholders.

*Kimeng Hilton Ndukong, a contributor to Peoples Daily Online, is Sub-Editor for World News with Cameroon Tribune bilingual daily newspaper in Cameroon. He is currently a 2017 China-Africa Press Centre, CAPC fellow.
2017-11-16 07:30:00

University of Montana

Contact: Lisa Beczkiewicz: 406.258.3389 [email protected]

Free summit to focus on creating a culture of health in Missoula

A free summit at the University of Montana on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 7:30 a.m. to noon, will bring together public- and private-sector leaders, planners, advocates, and decision makers to learn about effective strategies for advancing health equity in Missoula.

The Missoula Invest Health team is sponsoring the summit, titled "Building A Healthier Missoula: Promoting Health Equity For All." Missoula Invest Health is one of 50 teams from mid-sized cities around the nation selected for funding by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund for a new initiative that brings together diverse leaders to develop new strategies for increasing and leveraging private and public investments in neighborhoods facing the biggest barriers to better health. The initiatives principal goal is to transform the way local leaders work together to create solution-driven, diverse partnerships that make changes in low-income neighborhoods to improve resident health and well-being.

Missoulas team includes leaders from the City of Missoula, Missoula City-County Health Department, NeighborWorks Montana, Providence/St. Patrick Hospital, and United Way of Missoula County. For the last 18 months, the team has been examining health disparities in three Missoula neighborhoods, and promoting strategies to address them.

"As it turns out, the way we design communities changes the way people live, and when we design our places to serve all of us, all of us do better," said Mayor John Engen, who will speak at the summit. "This summit is about creating a community culture that intentionally plans for development that encourages active, healthy lifestyles for all Missoulians, no matter where they live in the city. Everyone deserves a safe, healthy, fun, accessible place to live, and this summit is designed to get us closer to that goal," he said.

The half-day summit will focus on ways to incorporate the concept of health equity in policies, plans and programs to improve health outcomes for all residents. The keynote speaker is Janna West Kowalski, MS, a national community health expert with County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The summit will also include stories from a community resident panel and breakout sessions on the subjects of active transportation, healthy food, outdoor recreation, quality housing, and urban forestry. Participants will discuss existing or new policies and plans in these areas, and recommend strategies for implementation.

More information is available from Lisa Beczkiewicz, [email protected]; 406.258.3389.

Register online at http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/2036/Missoula-invest-health.
Cited as one of the best creative youth development programs in the country

Representatives from the MAPS Media Institute http://www.mapsmediainstitute.com a rural, tuition free, media arts

program based in Hamilton, MTwere in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to receive the

nations highest honor for creative youth development programs. Executive Director,

Clare Ann Harff, and MAPS student, Myles Smith, accepted the 2017 National Arts and

Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Award on behalf of the MAPS organization.

MAPS Executive Director, Clare Ann Harff says:

"We are incredibly honored to receive this award as it recognizes the dedicated

work of the entire MAPS community: founders Peter & Susan Rosten, students and

families  past and present, funders, clients and our community supporters. It reinforces

MAPS core belief that investing in our youth is investing in our future. By creatively

engaging students through relevant media arts, MAPS better prepares them for success

in school, their careers and in their community."

***

Governor Steve Bullock Congratulates MAPS Media Institute

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo0XlgO3uOs

***

Chosen from a pool of 285 nominations, MAPS is one of only 12 creative youth

development programs nationwide to be recognized at Thursdays ceremony.

The NAHYP Award honors engagement in the arts and the humanities to

generate a wide range of positive outcomes for teens, including increased academic

achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment, as well as improved literacy and

language abilities, communication and performance skills, and cultural awareness. Since

1998, these awards are presented through a partnership between the National

Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and

Federal Arts and Culture Agencies Honor < the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in cooperation with the National

Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA).

In 2014, and again in 2016, the MAPS Media Institute was among the top 50

finalists for this award. This year, MAPS was honored as a winner. In addition to this

national recognition, MAPS will receive $10,000 to support its programming and to

engage more young people from the community.

Founded in 2004, by retired Hollywood producer, Peter Rosten, MAPS

programming encourages Montana students to develop creativity, communication skills

and confidence through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math)

based media arts and service learning programs. MAPS goal is to inspire and prepare

Montanas rural, under-served, 8th  12th grade students to succeed in the 21st Century.

MAPS helps young people view their lives through a lens of possibility  engaging with

their communities as supportive citizens, while gaining real world experience through

media arts.

MAPS free-of-charge program bridges filmmaking, graphic design, music

production, computer science, entrepreneurship and community service. Students are

mentored by professional teaching artists. Through project based instruction and access

to industry standard equipment, students are introduced to the creative process and

taught how to apply their skills for future success. MAPS creates life-long learners ready

to engage with the modern world.

The atmosphere at the MAPS Media Institute is electric and the results are

remarkable.

As described by Cinda Holt, of the Montana Arts Council,

" the MAPS Media Institute has become not only an exemplary organization,

but what we consider a Gold Standard of arts driven youth education in our state. Using

relevant media tools, MAPS turns underserved students into capable media artists and

communicators and is truly a life-changing program for its participants."

Currently, MAPS serves youth in Ravalli County and on three Montana Indian

Reservations. MAPS recently received funding to develop a statewide educational outreach program, the MAPS Media Lab, a mobile unit outfitted with equipment, MAPS

instructors and established curriculums.

MAPS founder Peter Rosten passed away last April, leaving an amazing legacy

of curiosity and learning, humor and hope. Rosten retired to the Bitterroot Valley after a

successful Hollywood career, and, according to his wife, Susan Rosten, "He was

enamored at the honesty and sincerity of the people here, especially teenagers. MAPS

is his proudest business accomplishment."

Along with many other honors, Peter Rosten was a 2016 Silver Circle inductee of

the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. His

vision and work for the rural youth of Montana was the subject of a 2015 New York

Times article. It clearly anticipates how MAPS prestigious 2017 NAHYP Award is a

fitting testimony to his unique vision, dogged dedication, and infectious delight in the

creative human spirit.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock shares that:

"MAPS better prepares our Montana students for the jobs of the future while they

explore their passion in the media arts. While this award is for everyone, without Peter

Rosten, there would be no MAPS. Peter was always willing to share his talents and

make the world around him a better place."

And Senator Jon Tester commented:

"It was my pleasure to visit the MAPS program last year and I was impressed

with both the high quality of their work and the enthusiasm of the students. Investing in

the arts makes our communities stronger and more vibrant and it opens the doors to

new ideas and innovation."

In closing, MAPS student Myles Smith adds:

"MAPS is a place where I get to be creative and work on ideas with other

students, students from all over the valley. We learn about making art, but we also learn

how to communicate and gain confidence by bringing our ideas to life. All high school

kids should have a place like MAPS."

Clare Ann Harff

406-363-4824

[email protected]

For more information about the MAPS Media Institute, please visit

http://www.mapsmediainstitute.com.

For more information about the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards,

visit http://www.nahyp.org/.

***

MAPS receives prestigious national award

Leaders of the Hamilton-based MAPS Media Institute are in Washington, D. C., today to be honored by federal arts and culture agencies as one of the best after-school and youth development programs in the nation.

The awards for MAPS effectiveness in engaging youth in the arts or humanities come from National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

MICHELLE MCCONNAHA m[email protected]

http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_c9c56799-aa04-5a39-bc38-870c3daae0bd.html#tracking-source=home-featured
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised US President Donald Trumps "successful and historic visit" to Beijing on Thursday afternoon, as the two leaders addressed tensions on the Korean Peninsula and bilateral trade relations at a press conference in the Great Hall of the People.

President Xi noted that while China and the US have different opinions on certain topics, common ground can be found with good communication, cooperation, and respect.

Earlier in the day, the leaders held talks which touched on cooperation on achieving peace in Afghanistan, before overseeing the signing of commercial deals worth 253.5 billion US dollars.

Korean Peninsula denuclearization

Xi emphasized Chinas commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and said both sides would "strictly implement" UN Security Council sanctions.

The Chinese president stressed that solutions could be found "through peaceful communication and consultation."

Trump earlier agreed that a solution to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) issue was possible, telling Xi: "I do believe there's a solution to that, as do you."

At the press conference, Trump described the DPRK as a "nuclear menace" and warned that the world "not to replicate failed approaches of the past."

"All responsible nations must join together to stop arming and financing, and even trading with the murderers in the North Korea (DPRK) regime," Trump said.

The US president added that "collective action, collective strength, and collective devotion" was essential to a finding successful solution to the DPRK issue.

Trump spoke out a day after issuing a grave warning to Pyongyang not to test the US while addressing South Koreas National Assembly in Seoul, while offering "a path to a better future" through the denuclearization.

Xi and Trump also spoke of working together to achieve stability in Afghanistan, with Trump said they were both "committed to working towards a peaceful future for Afghanistan."

Trade relations

Xi underlined that China planned further reforms and steps to open up market access to foreign companies, which he said would increase the space for further China-US trade and investment.

The Chinese president urged US companies to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The issue of access to the respective markets of each country was in focus ahead Trumps visit, with the US president previously criticizing Chinas trade surplus with the US.

At the press conference, Trump stated: "We want a vibrant trade relationship with China, we also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship when it comes to trade."

In brief remarks earlier in the day, Trump twice blamed previous US administrations for trade imbalances between China and the US.

"The US really has to change its policies because theyve gotten so far behind on trade with China, and frankly with many other countries," he said. "And I have great respect for you for that, because youre representing China.

"Its too bad that past administrations allowed it to get so far out of kilter. Well make it fair and itll be tremendous for both of us."

Commercial deals

Xi and Trump oversaw the signing of commercial deals and MOUs at the conclusion of the US-China Business Exchange.

Agreements with a combined total value 253.5 billion US dollars of cooperation deals between Chinese and US companies in industries as diverse as liquefied natural gas, aviation, soybeans, and banking.

One gas deal alone -- between Alaska, Alaska Gasline Development Corp, Sinopec, China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Bank of China  involves a total investment of up to 43 billion US dollars.

China-US ties

Xi said the meetings with Trump had set a solid relationship for the growth of China-US ties.

"The meeting between me and President Trump sets the tone and laid a solid foundation for the solid development of China-US relationship. It will achieve more results and more benefits for people around the world."

The US president added he looked forward to building an even stronger relationship between our two countries.

Earlier on Thursday, Xi and Trump inspected a guard of honor outside the Great Hall of the People at an official welcome ceremony for the US president.

China is the third leg of Trumps five-nation Asian tour, after visits to Japan and South Korea. The US president is due to leave Beijing on Friday for an APEC meeting and state visit in Vietnam, before rounding off his trip at an ASEAN conference and the East Asia Summit in the Philippines.
California employers can no longer ask job applicants about their prior salary and  if applicants ask  must give them a pay range for the job they are seeking, under a new state law that takes effect Jan. 1.

AB168, signed Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown, applies to all public- and private-sector California employers of any size.

By Kathleen Pender

http://www.sfgate.com/business/networth/article/New-law-bans-California-employers-from-asking-12274431.php
Weve http://business.mt.gov/ got several datacenter prospects who are interested in facilities meeting the following specifications. Would you please send us any sites you have meeting the specifications, including lease rates/term (or price if the building is for sale), photos if available, distance to the closest commercial airport, power availability and building size.

Please send any buildings that fit this description by the end of the day on Tuesday the 14th to Ken Fichtler

For lease or sale

Industrial/warehouse space (must be open, high ceilings, office space is not required)

Building must be at least 50,000 sq ft (more is better)

At least 15 mw of available power (more is better)

Fiber connectivity nearby

Also, were interested in sites for datacenters that would be newly constructed, meeting the specifications below. This is a longer term effort so we can wait until December 15th for your sites. Again, please include all the particulars of the sites, photos if available and distance to the nearest commercial airport.

For sale only

At least 80 acres

Zoned to support commercial/industrial buildings at least 300,000 sq ft in size

At least 15mw of available power (renewables are strongly preferred)

Fiber connectivity nearby

Thanks,

Ken Fichtler

Chief Business Development Officer

Governors Office of Economic Development

State of Montana

http://business.mt.gov/

Office: (406) 444-5470

Mobile: (406) 600-3595
Most children dont imagine themselves becoming economic development advocates when they grow up, and as a child Joe Willauer was no different.

Today, however, Willauer would likely tell you that helping businesses thrive is what gets his blood flowing in the morning.

Willauer took over as Butte Local Development Corp. http://www.bldc.net/ executive director in August after the former director Pam Haxby-Cote left in March to become Montanas commerce chief.

ANNIE PENTILLA [email protected]

http://mtstandard.com/news/local/butte-s-new-local-development-director-shares-vision-for-economic/article_a768e0b7-7b04-57ae-95ce-1c1df93be007.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-2
Le Bureau du Directeur des Poursuites a redige un communique pour mettre les points sur les i apres celui de lAttorney General sur le fait que le rapport de lenquete judiciaire sur le deces de Soopramanien Kistnen.

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Pravind Jugnauth a commence sa conference de presse sur la visite de la delegation mauricienne sur les iles au Nord de Diego Garcia comme rapporte par la presse local et internationale.



Remerciements Teleplus

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BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and U.S. companies signed deals worth more than 250 billion U.S. dollars during President Donald Trump's state visit to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday revealed the figure after he and President Trump witnessed the signing of the agreements.

China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, Xi said.

Deals include purchases of Boeing aircraft, Ford automobiles, U.S. soybeans and joint development of liquified natural gas in Alaska.

Being the world's biggest developing economy and developed economy, China and the United States are highly complementary rather than competitive, Xi said when meeting with business delegates from both countries.

"We are willing to expand imports of energy and farm produce from the United States, deepen service trade cooperation. We hope the U.S. side will increase exports of civil technology products to China. We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in the United States. We also welcome U.S. companies and financial institutions to participate in the 'Belt and Road Initiative'," he said.

Given the rapid growth of bilateral trade, it's unavoidable to have friction, said Xi. The two sides should uphold the principles of equality and mutual benefit, mutual understanding and accommodation, and handle disputes through dialogue and consultation, he said.
Voters in Marion showed their strong support for doing away with the old hotel, motel and restaurant (HMR) rule when it came to the on-premise sale of beer.

The issue of allowing the on-premise sale of malt beverages was on the ballot in the Marion election, along with the mayor and City Council race.

The results were 373 votes, or 72.85 percent, in favor with only 139 votes, or 27.15 percent, in opposition. The overwhelming support for doing away with the HMR rule means businesses like Refinery 13 taproom can serve beer without having to operate as a private club.

Tuesday night, patrons at the taproom were celebrating the results of the special election.

I think its a huge victory for Marion and a huge victory for Refinery 13, said co-owner Sarah Jacobs to The McDowell News as she waited on customers. Thank you for the citizens of Marion for promoting growth.

Late last year, the City Council first heard a request from Sarah and Ryan Jacobs. They asked for a special referendum to do away with an old rule that forced them to open their new business as a private club.

Marion was under a restriction where the only places allowed to sell beer on-premises were hotels, motels and restaurants (HMR). Sarah and Ryan Jacobs said they could not run a restaurant. Their new business, Refinery 13, had to get around this HMR restriction by opening as a private club. Therefore, first-time customers at the new taproom had to fill out an application and pay a $1 fee so they can go in and enjoy some craft beer.

Having to register as a private club in the state of North Carolina is costly for the business owner and more employees have to be hired to monitor and sell the memberships along with keeping track of the paperwork, said Sarah and Ryan Jacobs.

Almost a year ago, they asked the Marion City Council to call for a referendum about removing the HMR restrictions. Such a move required a vote of the people but due to state law it had to wait until this month.

Refinery 13, which has become very popular since it opened in March, features products from breweries in Morganton, Burnsville, Asheville, Brevard, Charlotte and other North Carolina cities.

As of Tuesday night, Refinery 13 had 2,462 members. The money from each one of the $1 fees has gone to support the Friendship Home.

Sarah Jacobs said even with the resounding victory on Tuesday, the change will not be automatic. She still has to withdraw her private club status with the state of North Carolina.

In a similar matter, Brown Mountain Bottleworks in Morganton had to open first as a private club because of the old HMR restrictions there. But in 2015, voters in Morganton voted overwhelmingly to do away with the restrictions. That special vote was done as part of their municipal election as well.

Numerous other cities and towns in North Carolina have likewise removed their HMR restrictions. They include Asheville, Black Mountain, Brevard, Conover, Forest City, Hendersonville, Glen Alpine, Hickory, Lincolnton, Mills River, Newton, Mooresville, Rutherfordton, Statesville, Tryon, Valdese, Waynesville, Weaverville, among many others.

Marion officials previously stated their strong support of having the restriction removed.

I was very glad it passed by such a wide margin because it indicates there is a strong interest by a lot of people not only about Refinery 13 but other businesses, said Mayor Steve Little on Wednesday.

This change now allows breweries, meaderies and taprooms inside Marion to serve beer not made at their facilities. For example, a brewery can now serve other beer from another similar operation and a meadery can now serve beer from another place.

Mica Town Brewing is getting closer to opening for business. Keepers Cut Meadery is now under construction along West Henderson Street. Another taproom, called Spillway Bridge & Co., is in the works for downtown Marion and it will be located on South Main Street. Marion could also get a second brewery, this one on West Henderson next to the meadery.

The city of Marion already allows for on- and off-premise sale of wine and hard cider, according to information from Mica Town Brewing.

All of this is a positive development for downtown Marion. Businesses of this type are often owned and operated by young entrepreneurs and attract a similar crowd, said city officials.

This appeals especially to younger adults, said Little. That indicates a new demographic of the people coming to downtown Marion. It is not only a good place to have a business but they can be successful financially doing so.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, from Nov. 10 to 11.

China, as the worlds second largest economy and the largest contributor to world economic growth, has received significant attention during the APEC Leaders Week.

Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean that you cannot escape from, Xi said at the World Economic Forum held this January, adding that any attempt to channel the waters in the ocean back into isolated lakes and creeks is simply not possible.

On the APEC CEO Summit that took place on Nov. 8 within the framework of the APEC Economic Leaders Week 2017, Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, said she totally agrees with Xi.

A total of 176 Chinese enterprises and over 300 Chinese entrepreneurs have registered to attend the APEC CEO Summit.

A Vietnamese man reads Chinese President Xi Jinpings book The Governance of China at the press center of Chinese delegation to Da Nang APEC Summit.

A breakfast meeting was held by the APEC China Business Council (ACBC) on Nov. 8, participated by 14 entrepreneurs from China and the US. The US side stressed that the meeting should be made into a routine activity of the APEC Leaders Week.

It is a reflection of the importance laid on China and the recognition of Chinas influence by the Asia Pacific region, said Sun Xiao, secretary general of the Council.

Yin Gang, president of China Railway Signal & Communication Corp Ltd., told Peoples Daily Online that China will definitely have a profound impact on the Asia Pacific region as it enters a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi offers broad space and substantial opportunities for both Chinese and US enterprises, said Richard Smith, President and CEO of Global Trade Services at FedEx Express. The two countries should join hands and make efforts in building the free trade system of the Asia Pacific region, he added.

APEC is the economic cooperation mechanism with the highest level, broadest coverage, and most influence in Asia Pacific region.
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Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)

Job Description

TITLE: Country Implementation Manager

LOCATION: Kinshasa

REPORTS TO: Technical & Research Director

"Sometimes in life there is that moment when it's possible to make a change for the better. This is one of those moments."

-Elizabeth Glaser

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, working in 15 countries and at over 5,500 sites around the world to prevent the transmission of HIV to children, and to help those already infected. Today, because of the highly successful work of the Foundation and its partners, pediatric AIDS has been virtually eliminated in the United States. With a growing global staff of over 1,000 nine of 10 who work in the field the Foundations global mission is to implement HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide.

Job Summary

Overview:

Through the Catalyzing Pediatric TB Innovations (CaP-TB) project, EGPAF will support the rapid roll out of models of care to improve pediatric TB case finding, diagnosis and treatment and support the use of an innovative new formulation of pediatric first-line fixed-dose combination TB treatment in 9 sub-Saharan African countries and India. This four-year project has been approved for funding by Unitaidandaims to improve the morbidity and mortality associated with pediatric TB in these countries and catalyze improvements in care in other high-TB burden countries. Project implementation, operational as well and financial reporting will be done using EGPAFs standard tools and techniques, as well as elements specifically developed for this UNITAID-funded project.

The Country Implementation Manager is responsible for providing the day-to-day oversight and coordination to effectively implement the CaP TB project in COUNTRY. He/she will be a key member of the country and globalCaP TB project team, and will work in close coordination with EGPAF staff in COUNTRY and at the global level. This position will work closely with representatives of the Ministry of Health in COUNTRY, especially with the National TB program, as well as national and international implementing partners, and representatives from other donors and normative agencies.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience supporting the implementation of complex health intervention implementation programs, working collaboratively with donors and other partners. Strong program management skills will be required. The country implementation manager will also work closely with the strategic information and evaluations manager for the project to monitor key project outcomes and work with others in the country team to appropriately manage budgets and contracts. Regular communication and close collaboration with the EGPAF regional directors and globalCaP TB team will be required to provide leadership, facilitation, coordination and support in managing and implementing the CaP TB project.

Strong communication skills, the ability to work well with a country and global team, and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities will be key qualifications for this role. This position requires the ability to manage different agendas with different timelines, the capacity to keep things moving forward and provide ongoing and responsive guidance to country teams.

Essential Responsibilities:

Serve as the key institutional resource and focal point for the CaP TB project in COUNTRY

Support development of appropriate country specific systems to ensure consistent, high-quality project management;

Lead the in-country process of updating country operational plans semi-annually;

Support the MoH in initial site selection for implementation of innovative models of care to improve the lives of children living with or at risk for TB.

Provide oversight and support to the CaP-TB project staff in COUNTRY to ensure on-time and effective project implementation, includingprogrammatic, M&E and advocacy aspects

Support human resource planning, annual work plan and budget planning and monitoring, use of data for decision making and ensuring program results;

Contribute in a timely fashion to project reports to donor;

Provide regular updates to the Country Director, Technical Director and Global CaP-TB team;

Disseminate information and lessons learned through the project to other national partners;

Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence by providing, facilitating or coordinating high quality programmatic support to national partners

Assist in the management of relationships with partner organizations;

Assist in the management of relationships with country teams of key TB technical agencies which have a presence in the country

Required Qualifications

The Country Implementation Manager will be thoroughly committed to EGPAFs strategy and mission. He/she should have demonstrated leadership and relationship management experience.

Minimum bachelors degree, preferred masters or other advanced degree in public health, management or business, with at least 8 years of management experience

Unwavering commitment to quality programs and excellence in organizational and project management with the ability to achieve strategic objectives

Experience with managing large and/or complexhealthcare implementation projects

Experience working and/or living in low income countries

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities



Strong ability to think strategically, with equally strong practical ability to translate strategic ideas into implementation

Demonstrated knowledge of the COUNTRY health system, knowledge of the national Tuberculosis program will be strongly preferred/essential

Integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with demonstrated passion for EGPAFs mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a management team

Solid judgment and apparent leadership skills

Ability to communicate with a range of colleagues across diverse countries and cultures

An individual who is able to handle a variety of constituencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities

Strong analytical skills and common sense

Strong work ethic

Tactful, respectful, and keen diplomacy skills

Ability to travel regularly, and at short notice, within COUNTRY to visit the various project implementation sites

Ability to travel abroad for meetings with other CaP-TB implementation managers, and the Global CaP-TB team

Excellent oral and written English skills.

How to apply.

Please apply in English onlyfollowing instruction on the EGPAF website no later than November 19, 2017. The link below will also direct you to the position mentioned above. https://chj.tbe.taleo.net/chj05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=PEDAIDS&cws=1&rid=1344

Notes: This is a local recruitment open to Congolese citizens only. If a candidate living outside Kinshasa is selected, the Foundation is not liable to pay a relocation package to the candidate.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that he does not support war in a region which faces enough turmoil.

"I am not with resolving any issue through war. We have had our experience with war. Wars are always bitter experiences and have very tough consequences," El-Sisi said when asked about the possibility of war with Iran or Hezbollah.

"The region faces enough turmoil," he said, adding that crises can be resolved through "dialogue."

El-Sisi made his remarks during a press conference in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, as part of the World Youth Forum Egypt is hosting.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind the firing of a missile at its capital Riyadh by rebels in Yemen and said that it could be regarded an act of war. Iran denied it was behind the missile launch.

Saudi officials also accused Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah of "declaring war."

El-Sisi reiterated his support for Saudi Arabia, one of Egypt's closest allies, saying that "the security of the Gulf is a red line."

When asked about a Saudi campaign of mass arrests of royals and ministers in a massive anti-corruption purge, El-Sisi said he "fully trusts Saudi Arabia's leadership," adding that "no measure taken in the kingdom is not in accordance with law."

During the conference, El-Sisi also addressed his government's efforts to tackle terrorism and economic reform measures.

He told Egyptian and foreign reporters that he believed his government was making progress in facing its two main challenges, the economy and terrorism.

He said the situation in Sinai, where an Islamist insurgency is based, "is improving day by day."

El-Sisi also stressed that the country is incurring a massive financial cost in its fight against terrorism, which he said exceeds that of regular wars.

About the murder of Italian PhD student Giulio Regeni in 2016, which has strained ties with Italy, El-Sisi said: "we are keen on revealing the truth and holding those responsible to account and we are working in full cooperation with the Italian side."

When asked about the upcoming presidential elections, El-Sisi said he would introduce a balance sheet of what he has achieved during his four-year term, which began in May 2014, before he announces if he will run for a second term.

"In the coming two months, we will announce what has been achieved and based on people's feedback, we will react about whether or not to run," he said



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The president said the nationality of the arrested foreign perpetrator will be revealed be after the of end of the World Youth Forum

All the perpetrators of a terrorist attack that killed 16 Egyptian police officers in the Western Desert in October have been killed bar one foreigner who has been arrested, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday.

El-Sisi said that Egyptian authorities would reveal the foreigners nationality and confession after the end of the World Youth Forum, which is ongoing in Sharm El-Sheikh this week, state-run MENA agency reported.

"The perpetrators of the Wahat attack were aiming to target Wadi El-Rayan Monastery, El-Sisi said in his comments on the sidelines of the forum, which concludes on Friday.

The Coptic Orthodox monastery is located in Fayoum governorate, around 100km south of Cairo.

The Egyptian president also said that army and police forces are currently combing the country's Western Desert region to eliminate any possible terrorist hideouts in the area.

Eleven police officers, four conscripts and one sergeant were killed in a shootout while raiding a terrorist hideout in Bahariya Oasis, about 135 kilometres (83 miles) southwest of Cairo. The ministry of interior said that 15 terrorists were killed during the shootout.

A police officer was abducted by terrorists during the shootout but the Egyptian army and police forces managed to rescue Mohamed El-Hayes in a joint operation on 31 October.

Following the shootout, Egyptian security forces launched a number of operations targeting hideouts in the Western Desert area, and reported they had killed numerous terrorists.

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The meeting came on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum, which is being held in the Red Sea resort town, and concludes on Friday.

According to a statement by El-Sisis office, the French minister expressed his appreciation for the events of the forum, saying it represents a great opportunity to enhance communication between youth from all over the world, to spread the ideas of peace and dialogue.

The statement said that El-Sisi appreciated the French minister's participation in the forum and the cooperation between Egypt and France.

Le Drian also described El-Sisi latest visit to Paris as crowning the relations binding Egypt and France at all levels during the recent period, according to the statement.

El-Sisi visited Paris last month, his first such visit since the election of President Emmanuel Macron in May.

The visit saw the signing of agreements worth 440 million euros to finance several development projects in Egypt.

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Syria's army declared victory over Islamic State (IS) militants on Thursday, saying its capture of the jihadists' last town in the country marked the collapse of their project in the region.

The army and its allies are still fighting IS in desert areas near Albu Kamal, the last town the militant group had held in Syria, near the border with Iraq, the army said.

But the capture of the town ends Is era of territorial rule over the so-called caliphate that it proclaimed in 2014 across Iraq and Syria and in which millions suffered under its hardline, repressive strictures.

Yet after ferocious defensive battles in its most important cities this year, where its fighters bled for every house and street, its final collapse has come with lightning speed.

Instead of a battle to the death as they mounted a last stand in the Euphrates valley towns and villages near the border between Iraq and Syria, many fighters surrendered or fled.

In Albu Kamal, the jihadists had fought fiercely, said a commander in the pro-Syrian government military alliance. But it was captured the same day the assault began.

This sealed "the fall of the terrorist Daesh organisation's project in the region", an army statement said, using an Arabic term for IS.

The fate of its last commanders is still unknown -- killed by bombardment or in battle, taken prisoner but unidentified, or hunkered into long-prepared hideouts to plot a new insurgency.

The last appearance of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared himself caliph and heir to Islam's historic leaders from the great medieval mosque in Iraq's Mosul, was made in an audio recording in September.

"Oh Soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centres of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets," he said.

Mosul fell to Iraqi forces in July after a nine-month battle. IS's Syrian capital of Raqqa fell in October to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, after four months of fighting.

But all the forces fighting IS in Syria and Iraq expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare, a tactic the militants have already shown themselves capable of with armed operations in both countries.

Western security chiefs have also said its loss of territory does not mean an end to the "lone-wolf" attacks with guns, knives or trucks ploughing into civilians that its supporters have mounted around the world.

MIDDLE EAST CHAOS

As it did after previous setbacks, IS leadership may now stay underground and wait for a new opportunity to take advantage of the chaos in the Middle East.

It might not have long to wait. In Iraq, a referendum on independence in the northern Kurdish region has already prompted a major confrontation between its autonomous government and Baghdad, backed by neighbouring Iran and Turkey.

In Syria, it was two rival campaigns that raced across the country's east this year, driving back IS -- the Syrian army backed by Russia, Iran and Shia militias, and an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by the United States.

Syrian officials and a senior advisor to Iran have indicated the Syrian army will now stake its claim to Kurdish-held territory. Washington has not yet said how it would respond to a protracted military campaign against its allies.

Hezbollah is a critical part of the Tehran-backed alliance helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It was Hezbollah fighters who played the key role in ousting IS from Albu Kamal, a commander in that alliance told Reuters.

IS's FALLEN 'STATE'

Baghdadi's declaration of a caliphate in 2014 launched a new era in jihadist ambition. Instead of al Qaeda's strategy of using militant attacks against the West to spur an Islamist revolution, the new movement decided to simply establish a new state.

It led to a surge in recruitment to the jihadist cause, attracting thousands of young Muslims to "immigrate" to a militant utopia slickly realised in propaganda films.

IS leadership ranks included former Iraqi officials who well understood the running of a state. They issued identity documents, minted coins and established a morality police force.

Unlike previous jihadist movements that relied on donations from sympathisers, IS territorial grip gave it command of a real economy. It exported oil and agricultural produce, levied taxes and traded in stolen antiquities.

On the battlefield, it adapted its tactics, using heavy weaponry captured from its enemies during its first flush of military success, adding tanks and artillery to its suicide bombers and guerrilla fighters.

It imprisoned and tortured foreigners, demanding ransoms for their release and killing those whose countries would not pay in grotesque films posted online.

The number of those treated in this way was as nothing to the multitude of Syrians and Iraqis IS killed for their behaviour, words, sexuality, religion, ethnicity or tribe. Some were burned alive, others beheaded and some dropped from the roofs of tall buildings.

Captured women were sold as brides at slave auctions. But as IS was pushed from territory in recent months, there were pictures of women pulling off face veils and smoking previously banned cigarettes.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Saudi Arabia's crackdown on corruption has spread beyond its borders as regulators in the United Arab Emirates ask UAE banks for information about Saudi citizens detained in the investigation, a possible prelude to freezing their accounts.

The UAE central bank has requested commercial banks and finance companies in the UAE to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudis, commercial bankers told Reuters on Thursday, declining to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Almost all of the 19, including billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and former National Guard chief Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, are known to be among dozens of senior officials and businessmen detained in the corruption inquiry.

Commercial bankers said UAE authorities had not explained why they wanted the information, but believed the authorities were acting at the behest of the Saudi government, which has said it aims to recover billions of dollars of illicit assets identified in its investigation.

Central bank officials in the UAE, a federation of seven emirates, were not available to comment, and Saudi officials in Riyadh, who have frozen over 1,700 domestic bank accounts as part of the crackdown, did not respond to requests for comment.

The UAE, particularly its most commercially prominent emirate Dubai, is one of the main places where wealthy Saudis park their money abroad. In addition to bank accounts, they buy luxury apartments and villas in Dubai and invest in the emirate's volatile stock market.

Huge amounts of money may be at stake. Corruption has over the years siphoned off $800 billion from Saudi state revenues, an official at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has estimated; bankers believe much of it is held abroad, in countries including Switzerland and Britain.

ASSETS SOLD

Some wealthy Saudi individuals have been liquidating assets within Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf countries this week, apparently in an effort to move money out of the region and escape the crackdown, private bankers and fund managers said.

In Riyadh, rich individual investors have been selling equities heavily, although buying by state-linked funds has helped to support the market. In Dubai, shares in real estate developers have sunk as investors worry about the impact on the property market of a pull-out by Saudis.

The UAE commercial bankers said they had not been asked to freeze the Saudi accounts at their institutions, but they believed the central bank's request for information might be a prelude to such action.

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French President Emmanuel Macron announced he will visit Saudi Arabia on Thursday night for a meeting with the kingdom's powerful crown prince.

Macron, on his debut visit to the Middle East, made the surprise announcement at a news conference in Dubai that he would hold talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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SEBEWAING -- Christ the King Lutheran School of Unionville and Sebewaing recently held its annual Trunk or Treat event.

The past few events have drawn crowds of over 500 children along with their parents.

This year's event included 45 decorated trunks, a wagon ride provided by Zagata Farms, bounce houses provided by Bay Shore Camp of Sebewaing, a petting zoo sponsored by the local 4H chapter, and a parent-led baked good sale.

There was an important reason for the 45 decorated trunks that the young children were able to enjoy though.

Principal David Kaiser challenged the parents of the school, as well as the corresponding churches that if there were 40 or more decorated trunks, he would dress up in a "pretty" outfit.

The school and church families did not want to squander this challenge. The following week, Kaiser rewarded the the school for its efforts.

He showed up to each of his school campuses dressed as a "pretty" princess riding a unicorn.

The school students and parents enjoyed this event too.

"I wanted to find a way to increase parent involvement in Trunk or Treat," Kaiser said. "Last year, we had 17 cars. This year, we rocketed way past that number. I felt this was a challenging, but attainable way for the parents to step up for their children."

"CTK will continue to offer this safe alternative to regular trick or treating, especially when we hear of the horrific stories of candy with needles, blades, and even drugs in Oregon, Wisconsin, and as close as Flushing, Michigan," he added. "We want all parents to know that their children can come to our school campus and enjoy an evening of fun."
SEBEWAING  Although Tuesdays ballot proposal to fund mosquito suppression in Sebewaing Township passed, the village of Sebewaing was not covered in the proposal.

The wording on the ballot was wrong. It only covers the township and not the village because of the way it was worded. It said it would cover the un-incorporated part of the township. The village is incorporated so that left them out, explained township Supervisor Kurt Bach.

Only 111 votes were cast, and the ballot issue passed by 81.96 percent, with 91 votes yes and 20 votes no.

Sebewaing Townships roughly 2,739 residents who live within the townships 1,331 square miles will benefit from the suppression program, but the approximate 1,759 residents who live in the 2 square miles of the village were left out.

Because of that, the village of Sebewaing may have to pass their own ballot issue for mosquito control.

Im going to be talking to our attorney to see if there is a way to cover the village because it is part of the township, said Bach.

If it is decided the village cannot be included in the townships approval of the issue, the village has the option of going for its own mosquito suppression program.

The effort to get a mosquito suppression program was suggested to the township by resident Justin Tietz who presented petitions for a suppression program that had over 250 signatures.

Im very happy the issue passed. It was needed. Im kind of bummed it didnt include the village, said Tietz. They need it too.

According to the Huron County Clerks office, there will be an election May 1, and Sebewaing Village officials could put a similar proposal on that ballot.

Sebewaing Village Trustee Matthew Cummings was dismayed to learn the village wasnt included in the townships ballot.

It is need in the village also. I dont think there would be any problem with it passing, he said.

Water is a prime breeding ground for mosquitos. The township and village has a river running through it, and the village has Saginaw Bay on its border.

The program is what the people wanted. It passed in the township, said Bach, noting he will be talking to the township attorney if the village portion of the township could be included.

The cost and details of the mosquito suppression program have yet to be worked out.

The township started exploring mosquito suppression in July, and in August, approved creating a special assessment district to fund mosquito suppression on the November ballot.

Initially, there were some concerns about whether the township could put such an issue on the ballot. Once it was determined it could be done, ballot language had to be drafted by the deadline to get it on Tuesdays ballot.

There are about 2,100 parcels of property in the township; and depending on the type of suppression program selected, the estimated cost would be about $53 to $66 a year per parcel.

During the coming months, the township board will decide on the scope of suppression programs such as aerial spraying of some areas, roadside spraying, ditch spraying, and residential.

The township meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be Dec. 5.
KINDE -- A shed fire wound up causing an estimated $30,000 worth of damage at a Kinde-area residence over the weekend.

According to Kinde Fire Chief Adam Zimmerman, a passerby called in the fire at 1265 W. Kinde Road around 4 a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, the shed was fully engulfed in flames.

"It already had to be burning for a little bit before we got called," said Zimmerman.

Inside the 10-by-20 foot shed were a bunch of tools and a vehicle, all owned by the home's renter Leroy Boyer.

A total of 25 firefighters from two departments were on scene for around two hours putting out the fire. Kinde firefighters received a full assist from the Port Austin Fire Department.

Zimmerman said the cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature, due to a faulty electrical cord.

No injuries were reported.
France sold two Gowind-class corvettes of state-owned shipbuilder Naval Group to the United Arab Emirates, President Emmanuel Macron told a new conference on Thursday.

The deal also includes an option for two more vessels, the French presidency said in a statement.

The president's office did not disclose financial details.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Friday, Black-eyed Sallys is hosting a Road to Memphis fundraiser, as Easy Baby prepares for the International Blues Challenge. They will be competing in the worlds biggest blues gathering. There will be a fine week of bands from around the world.

Chicago blues artist Lurrie Bell will be at Black-Eyed Sallys on Saturday. This is a blues event that brings in one of the Citys premier guitarist to Hartford. Son of harmonica legend Carey Bell, spent his childhood in the company of many of the big names in blues world. They all helped to shape and school him in the blues, but none as much as his fathers long-time employer Muddy Waters.

He lived for a time in Mississippi and Alabama, playing mostly in the church. At 14, he moved back to Chicago and continued to play in church as well as forming his first blues band while attending high school.

Since the onset of the new millennium, Bells profile has been steadily rising. At last count Lurrie Bell has now appeared on over 50 plus recordings either as leader or featured sideman. Lurrie Bells elegant and intense guitar playing and passionate vocals have made him a favorite at clubs and festivals around the world and have earned him a reputation as one of the leading lights in the future of the blues.

Bells elegant and intense guitar playing and passionate vocals have made him a favorite at clubs and festivals around the world. Living Blues Magazine named Bell Best Male Guitarist in 2014, followed by a Blues Music Award for Traditional Blues.

Doyle Bramhall II and Althea Grace are touring through the area. Saturday, they play Infinity Music Hall Norfolk. Tuesday, they will be at FTC Stage One. The duo starts on Friday in New York at Daryl's House.

As the son of the late Texas music legend Doyle Bramhall, he was raised in a home filled with the blues and rock n roll styles indigenous to Texas. At age 18, Doyle Bramhall II was recruited by the Fabulous Thunderbirds to hold down the guitar slot. Since that early break he has stuck out as a solo artist, performed as a member of Roger Waters' band, produced albums by Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow, and, most notably, settled into a comfortable role as Eric Clapton's not-so-secret weapon and right-hand man.

Bramhall II is also a distinctive vocalist, composers and producers in contemporary music.

FTC Warehouse has The Subdudes on Thursday. The Subdudes cover the field with their music. They are the kings of the subtle sort of groove that sneaks up and gets you hooked before you know it. Even in their most stripped-down form, the dudes radiate funk and soul and blues and New Orleans. Take the jam down to just an accordion and some hand percussion and they'll still make you groove like nobody else. Join the original lineup as it reunites for a special one-night performance in The Warehouse their another appearance at FTC - this November. They are coming to Hartford soon.

Jeff Pitchell continues his Legends Live On tour at Toads Place on Friday. Allman, Betts, and Vaughan are on the bill.

Saturday is a Marine Corps Birthday party and all Veterans celebration at the Brass Horse Cafe with Rich Badowski Blues Band playing at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, The Mohegan Sun is holding another Locals Live at Wolf Den. This week the Balkun Brothers are one of the bands.

Bread Box Theater has an Artist Showcase coming Tuesday. Jake Kulak with Braiden Sunshine will be there.

Sponsored by Face Arts Music, the annual Jams for Cans Benefit Concert is a night of live music benefiting the Deep River Food Pantry. Admission is five or more non-perishable items, toiletries or a monetary donation. for the Deep River Food Pantry. The Dizzy River Band is one of the performers.

The Blues Jam is on once again. Jason Arnold, Paul Dabrowski and Steve will be hosting THE Blues Jam on Sunday Nov 12 at The Old Well in Simsbury. This will be the first blues jam at this spot.

Connecticut resident and one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, Jaimoe was presented the Harriett Tubman Medal of Freedom last week. Jaimoe was recognized for his role in progressing the fight for civil rights. The Allman Brothers Band was one of the first integrated bands to find success in the segregated South, and went on to transcend the South and become an international band.

This is not the first time Jaimoe has been the recipient of a major award for his work and influence in the music world and beyond. He won a Grammy Award in with the Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and earned a GrammyLifetime Achievement award with the Allmans in 2012. Jaimoe also has two Historic Markers on The Mississippi Blues Trail, honoring his role in the local and international worlds of blues and R&B.

Jaimoe now performs on tour with his group, Jaimoies Jasssz Band.

Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.
Photo courtesy of the Parrot Club

MIDDLETOWN  The Parrot Club's biggest annual event, Birdie Bash 2017, features an exciting line-up of activities for exotic bird enthusiasts at a new location: the Elks Club in Middletown, Connecticut. You'll be in head-turning company on Saturday, Nov. 11. Ashford, Connecticut-based Horizon Wings is bringing four live owls to the event, which is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Bird lovers of all ages will marvel at a great horned owl, a barred owl, a screech owl and a northern saw-whet owl. These Connecticut nativesall non-releasable due to injuriesare fascinating to observe and photograph up-close, and you'll learn about their lives and habits and the threats they face in the wild during an 11 a.m. presentation.
The White House expects to announce upward of $250 billion in business deals in China this week, an administration official said -- exactly the sort of U.S. jobs-based diplomacy that President Donald Trump likes to deliver when traveling abroad.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross boasted of that number Wednesday in a meeting with chief executives in China but offered few details, according to two people who attended the meeting. A U.S. official confirmed the amount.

Earlier in the day, Ross announced $9 billion in deals involving about 20 companies, with energy and industrial businesses featured prominently. They included industrial giants such as DowDuPont, Honeywell International, General Electric and Bell Helicopter. Many of the agreements involved existing Chinese partners.

"Addressing the imbalance in China trade has been the central focus of collaborative discussions between President Trump and President Xi," Ross said before a signing ceremony in Beijing. "Achieving fair and reciprocal treatment for the companies is a shared objective."

The exact details of pending deals could not be learned Wednesday night. Many of the deals are expected be in the form of nonbinding memorandums of understanding, not contracts.

Representatives from more than 20 companies planned to accompany Trump, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday and sits down for formal talks with President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Among the CEOs taking part in the visit are Kevin McAllister of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Steve Mollenkopf of Qualcomm and Keith Meyer of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, according to a list provided to U.S. companies in China that are part of the trade mission, obtained by Bloomberg News.

Trump has long complained that China engages in unfair trade practices and has pledged to fix the trade deficit with China, the U.S.'s largest. Trump has long argued that his background as a businessman makes him uniquely qualified to attract business deals.

The deals are expected to focus heavily on the energy sector. One of the biggest deals the Trump administration is currently negotiating is a multibillion-dollar energy investment from Chinese oil and gas giant China Petroleum & Chemical that would bring thousands of new jobs to hurricane-ravaged areas in Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This deal, too, would be a memorandum of understanding.

According to a government document obtained by Bloomberg News, the companies tentatively listed as working on China-related deals in conjunction with the trip include names such as Westinghouse Electric, Alaska Gasline Development, Boeing and Qualcomm. Also on that document were General Electric and Honeywell, the deals Ross announced Wednesday.

The companies represent a variety of sectors from life sciences to heavy machinery. Other companies that may have deals in progress, according to the document, include Cheniere Energy, Terex, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Applied Materials.

Details of the project in the hurricane zones in Texas and the Virgin Islands are yet to be finalized, but the Chinese company, known as Sinopec, is in negotiations to partner with ArcLight Capital, a Boston-based infrastructure investment firm, and Freepoint Commodities LLC, a Connecticut commodity trading firm. The deal is expected to be worth more than $7 billion in investments in the U.S.

The project would include construction of a 700-mile pipeline from the Permian oil field in western Texas to the Gulf Coast, as well as a storage facility there. Separately, Sinopec would expand the existing oil storage facility known as Lime Tree in St. Croix, according to a person familiar with the proposal.

The deal will still need final approval from officials in both the U.S. and China.

Most of the deals announced Wednesday weren't broken out with separate valuations from the $9 billion package. In a separate statement following a signing ceremony, JD.com Inc. agreed to buy $1.2 billion of beef from the Montana Stock Growers Association and pork from Smithfield Foods over the next three years, as part of a larger agreement by the Chinese online retailer to import $2 billion of U.S. goods over that period.

Among the other deals, DowDuPont signed a tire contract with bicycle-sharing startup Beijing Mobike Technology. The U.S. company last year began to work with Mobike on development of new tires, and about 2 million bicycles already use their tires, the official China Daily reported Tuesday.

Honeywell International inked a memorandum of understanding with China's Oriental Energy to cooperate on an ethane dehydrogenation project of 600,000 tons a year. Like DowDuPont, its deal also involves an existing Chinese partner. Honeywell announced in May that two Oriental Energy subsidiaries had licensed its technology to begin producing propylene.

Honeywell also signed a service contract with Spring Airlines, China's biggest budget carrier that flies over 130 routes with a fleet of Airbus A320 planes. The deal would further develop Honeywell's ties to China's aviation industry. The U.S. company is a supplier to the C919, a new single-aisle plane being produced by state-owned Commercial Aircraft of China Ltd.

Bell Helicopter signed a helicopter purchase contract with Reignwood Group. The subsidiary of Textron already had orders from Beijing-based Reignwood for 60 helicopters, according to a China Daily report in July, including an order for 50 made at the China Airshow in 2016.

Caterpillar signed a cooperation deal with Shenhua Group, China's largest coal miner that also has major electricity and railroad assets and is in the midst of a merger with China Guodian. The U.S. Soybean Export Council reached a soybean purchase agreement with a Chinese industry association.

General Electric and China Datang Group also signed a cooperation contract. The two companies had announced an agreement last year to use GE technology to manage the performance of Datang power plants.

At the ceremony, Ross said any pending deals would have to go through a national-security review process, a sore point for the Chinese government. In September, the White House blocked the sale of U.S.-based Lattice Semiconductor to a Chinese firm citing national security concerns, and a month earlier the president authorized an investigation into Chinese intellectual property theft.

The administration is also weighing whether to impose penalties on Chinese aluminum foil imports amid accusations the product is being sold at below-market rates, though the Commerce Department said it would delay its determination on the anti-dumping probe until after the president's visit.

Ahead of the trip, the U.S. and China announced an agreement to recognize each other's aircraft safety approvals. The deal may boost China's aviation industry and make it easier for companies like Boeing to sell products there.

The Sinopec deal alone could reduce the trade deficit between the countries by as much as $10 billion a year, according to one person with knowledge of the negotiations. And the project's focus on areas impacted by recent hurricanes could also provide a political benefit to the president, who has faced criticism over his handling of storm damage, particularly in Puerto Rico.

Just 44 percent of Americans approve of the president's handling of the federal response to recent hurricanes, while 47 percent disapprove, according to a CNN poll released Monday.

The president will likely emphasize U.S. liquefied natural gas and its role in lowering the trade deficit, and negotiate for China to buy more LNG from the U.S. in the future, two people familiar with the matter said.

--With assistance from Li Hui Jeff Sutherland and Nick Wadhams
Three Gulf states advised their citizens against travelling to Lebanon on Thursday and asked those already there to leave as soon as possible.

The official Saudi Press Agency, citing an official Foreign Ministry source, said the kingdom was asking citizens who were visiting or residing in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible.

Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also warned nationals against travel to Lebanon via official news agencies later in the day. Bahrain had urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on Sunday.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on Saturday while in Saudi Arabia, accusing Iran and the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah of sowing strife in Arab states and saying he feared assassination.

The Saudi minister for Gulf affairs has accused Lebanon of declaring war against the kingdom, and alleged that the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah was involved in firing a missile at Saudi Arabia from Yemen on Saturday.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would make a previously unscheduled trip to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to see Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss "regional questions, in particular Yemen and Lebanon".

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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A military appeals court has overturned the conviction of a former Marine Corps scout sniper involved in desecrating the bodies of enemy fighters in Afghanistan in 2011, finding that the actions of the service's top officer at the time tainted the case.

The decision, by the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, was handed down Wednesday, five years after the original conviction.

In December 2012, Staff Sgt. Joseph Chamblin was sentenced to 30 days' confinement, docked in pay, and demoted to sergeant for participating in an incident in which multiple Marine snipers attached to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, urinated on enemy corpses and then posted a video of the act to YouTube.

When the video got public attention, the incident made global headlines, creating a black eye for the Corps and prompting many prominent American leaders to denounce the snipers' actions.

The scandal would continue to make headlines in the years following, after a Marine attorney, Maj. James Weirick, came forward to allege that the then-commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Jim Amos, had attempted to interfere with the cases to ensure harsh punishments for the Marines involved. Evidence of this alleged interference mounted.

A 2012 affidavit from then-Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, appointed by Amos as the oversight authority for the sniper cases, states that Amos told him the Marines involved needed to be "crushed" and discharged from the Corps.

Waldhauser, now the four-star commander of U.S. Africa Command, also alleged that Amos asked him whether he would give all the snipers general courts-martial, the highest form of criminal trial. When Waldhauser responded he would not, Amos allegedly told him he could make someone else the convening authority for the cases.

Two days later, Amos did just that, appointing then-Lt. Gen. Richard Mills to take over. He told Waldhauser he had "crossed the line" in their previous conversation and was removing Waldhauser to fix that problem.

Weirick and another attorney, Col. Jesse Gruter, who both worked for Mills when he took over the sniper cases, alleged in affidavits that Amos and his attorney, Robert Hogue, continued to exert influence over the sniper cases.

In February 2012, Hogue requested that photos and videos of the sniper incident be classified as secret, a move that Weirick and Gruter saw as improper and designed to disadvantage legal defense teams for the snipers facing charges.

When Gruter complained about the alleged improper classification, he claims Amos' top lawyer, Maj. Gen. Vaughn Ary, tried to get him removed from Mills' legal team.

In spring 2012, Amos took to the road with a presentation he called the "Heritage Brief," a discussion with Marines intended to promote discipline and good behavior. The brief contained a photo of the sniper incident with the headline, "What Does America Think of Her Marines Today?"

Since the sniper cases were still being adjudicated, the brief raised concerns about unlawful command influence, a situation in which actions of a senior officer prejudice a legal case.

Around the same time, Amos met with Mills and asked him which Marines he planned to prosecute. Shortly thereafter, Lt. Gen. John Paxton, then-commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force, from which all the snipers were based, sent a memo to Amos with "updates and recommendations" about the sniper prosecutions.

Since the commandant was supposed to be completely hands-off regarding the legal proceedings, this memo also raised red flags for Gruter.

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Even though Chamblin pleaded guilty and got a relatively light sentence under a pretrial agreement, the appeals court found evidence of unlawful command influence that was never cured or eradicated in the case.

"The highest-ranking officer in the Marine Corps told [Waldhauser] that the appellant and his co-accused should be 'crushed,' " the court wrote. "This is an unusually flagrant example of UCI. We find that UCI this direct, and occurring at this level, is highly corrosive to public trust in this proceeding."

Gruter, who recused himself from the sniper cases over his belief that the government was withholding evidence of Amos' actions constituting unlawful influence, said in an affidavit that he would have advised a number of remedial measures to remove any taint from the cases after Amos removed Waldhauser and replaced him with Mills as the oversight authority.

"A member of the public, aware of these facts and this assessment from the [oversight authority's staff judge advocate], would lose confidence in the fair processing of this case," the court found.

Likewise, the court found, Amos' use of the sniper cases in his Heritage Brief would erode public confidence in the fairness of prosecution proceedings.

Because so much time has passed since Chamblin was convicted, the court decided that dismissal of charges, rather than retrial, was the only fair remedy.

"We ... find that public confidence in military justice requires dismissal with prejudice in this case," the court found.

Allegations of unlawful command influence would continue to color Amos' tenure until he retired in 2015.

Multiple oversight agencies, including the Defense Department Inspector General, investigated the allegations and cleared him of wrongdoing.

But at least one previous conviction has been overturned on appeal as a result of his Heritage Brief: the case of Staff Sgt. Steve Howell, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2012 but had his conviction and 18-year sentence overturned in 2014 because of the appearance of unlawful influence in the case.

Chamblin, who left the Marine Corps shortly after his conviction, published a book in 2015 called "Into Infamy: A Sniper's War."

Reached for comment by Military.com, he declined to discuss the case before the government decides whether to appeal the ruling. It can do so anytime within 30 days from the date of the decision.

In all, eight Marines were punished in the fallout from the sniper scandal. Several received administrative punishments. Staff Sgt. Edward Deptola and Sgt. Rob Richards, like Chamblin, pleaded guilty and received demotions at special court-martial proceedings. It's not clear if Richards' and Deptola's cases are also under appeal.

Richards, who was severely wounded in 2010 and had been nominated for a Bronze Star for valor on the 2011 Afghanistan deployment, died in 2014 at the age of 28. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Weirick would ultimately be fired from his position after sending an email regarding the cases to Peter Delorier, one of Amos' attorneys. Delorier perceived the strongly worded missive as threatening.

"It is a positive step that the court exposed the illegal and unethical conduct of Jim Amos and Vaughn Ary, but their reprehensible conduct also deprived the other Marine snipers of a fair hearing," Weirick told Military.com in a statement. "Those cases must also be vacated to ensure justice and help restore public confidence in the military justice system."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix was drunk on power all the time -- and on his trademark Fireball Whisky sometimes as well, a military prosecutor argued on Wednesday.

After eight days of trial and testimony from dozens of witnesses, the defense and prosecution made closing arguments in the high-profile case of Felix, a former drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina, who is accused of harassing and assaulting many recruits but saving his worst and most creative torments for a few who identified as Muslim.

Beginning Thursday morning, an eight-member military jury will deliberate over whether, among other charges, Felix forced recruits to choke each other, ordered them to drink chocolate milk until they vomited, and, on two occasions, loaded Muslim recruits in an industrial dryer in interrogation-style hazing rituals.

The allegations that have drawn the most attention, however, surround the March 2016 suicide death of recruit Raheel Siddiqui, a Pakistani-American from Michigan who leapt to his death from the third floor of a Parris Island squad bay, according to military investigators.

Felix, who at the time was already under investigation for the alleged dryer incident, is accused of calling Siddiqui a terrorist, slapping him and forcing him to run back and forth in the squad bay minutes before his death.

Felix is accused of routinely calling Muslim recruits "terrorist," referring to a Kurdish recruit, Rekan Hawez, as "ISIS," and forcing another Muslim recruit to conduct a mock beheading of a platoon mate while shouting, "Allahu Akbar."

The Marine's military defense attorneys, however, contend these accounts are overblown, contradictory and unbelievable.

In addition, they allege a key government witness, Sgt. Michael Eldridge, is actually responsible for some of the malfeasance of which Felix is accused. Eldridge, a former drill instructor, testified as part of a plea deal that will result in a lower-level administrative proceeding for him, with a limited maximum sentence.

A decorated Marine who enlisted in 2002, Felix faces three charges of maltreatment, one charge each of drunk and disorderly conduct and dereliction of duty, and eight counts of violation of a general order in connection with hazing accusations.

His charge sheet lists instances of physical assault or abuse of 14 different recruits from three platoons within the space of a year.

He is also accused of obstruction of justice and false official statement over allegations he lied to a military investigator and encouraged recruits not to discuss the investigation into Siddiqui's death.

If convicted on the graver charges, Felix could face years of confinement and a punitive discharge from the military.

Over the course of the trial, the prosecution called nearly 70 witnesses, including former Marine recruits and drill instructors who gave eyewitness accounts of Felix's alleged hazing activities. They also called an industrial dryer expert, who testified that Parris Island's "Speed Queen" dryer model could carry and tumble a 168-pound Marine recruit.

Some seven of the government's witnesses were also called to testify by the defense, a source said. In addition, the defense called just one expert witness Wednesday: Dr. Karen Kelly, a burn pathologist from East Carolina University.

Kelly was asked to address the claims of Lance Cpl. Ameer Bourmeche, a former recruit who alleged Felix, after drinking Fireball with fellow drill instructors forced him to conduct physical "incentive training" in the shower.

Then, Bourmeche claimed, Felix ordered him soaking wet into the dryer. Felix allegedly turned the dryer on three times, stopping to ask Bourmeche at intervals whether he was still Muslim.

Kelly cast doubt on one account from Bourmeche that alleged he was tumbled in the dryer for 30 seconds at one point. In 30 seconds, she said, the dryer would rise to temperatures over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to deliver third- or fourth-degree burns in less than a second.

Bourmeche emerged without physical evidence of burns.

However, she acknowledged, shorter durations in the dryer would result in lower temperatures and likely less physical damage.

"If I were in a dryer, three seconds would seem like an eternity," she said.

Lt. Col. John Norman, who delivered the closing argument for the government, painted Felix as a serial bully who abused his authority to make life hell for those under his leadership.

"He punched them, he walked on them, he choked them, he kicked them. He degraded their religion and he put them in industrial appliances," Norman said. "He targeted the Muslims and he singled them out for maltreatment."

Norman said the former recruits who testified corroborated each other's accounts, including multiple occasions in which Felix choked recruits or forced a recruit to choke a platoon-mate in punishment for failure to perform.

In one instance, he said, Felix ordered some 30 to 40 recruits into the squad bay's tiny laundry room and then walked on their bodies.

Particularly troubling, Norman said, was an account in which Felix allegedly made one recruit choke another. A third recruit, standing by, allegedly moved in to take over the choking because he perceived the other recruit wasn't following the drill instructor's order forcefully enough.

"The culture has been created in this platoon so that, unordered, [another recruit] steps in to choke one of his platoon mates," Norman said.

In the case of Siddiqui, the trial skirted around the recruit's death. Siddiqui's parents, who maintain Siddiqui did not kill himself recently filed a $100 million wrongful death against the Marine Corps.

But Norman said Felix's actions on the day of Siddiqui's death -- when the recruit woke up complaining of a sore throat and saying he had been coughing up blood -- showed a lack of care for the recruit.

Felix allegedly forced Siddiqui to run "get-backs" in the squad bay when he could not sound off. When Siddiqui collapsed on the floor, clutching his throat, Felix is accused of slapping him on the face, hard enough that the sound echoed in the squad bay.

"Siddiqui reacts to turn away from it and immediately brings his hand up. Siddiqui's crying," Norman said. "Why would you slap a conscious person? Felix must have been really mad. Siddiqui gets up and he runs away."

According to a command investigation, he would not stop running until he had leaped off the building.

The attorney who gave the closing arguments for the defense, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clay Bridges, said the allegations against Felix were frequently contradictory and often rose to the point of absurdity.

How, he said, was the jury supposed to believe that Felix had forced recruits to pound chocolate milk and then exercise until they vomited in the middle of a crowded chow hall with officers standing around?

Some alleged assaults can be explained as reasonable corrections, including two instances in which Felix is accused of slamming a recruit's rifle against his face, drawing blood.

"If unexpected bodily harm occurs, the accused is not criminally liable," he said.

Bridges said he didn't buy the narrative that Felix targeted Muslims. Hawez, the Kurdish recruit, was selected for squad leader after Felix found out he was a Muslim, he said. And Bourmeche, he said, was only expressing curiosity about the faith.

Both the government and the defense agree Felix inappropriately drank Fireball Whisky with other drill instructors. But Bridges said the act only represented bad judgment, not dereliction, and added that there was no evidence Felix was drunk except for the smell of the cinnamon-flavored liquor on his breath.

The evidence, Bridges said, pointed to Eldridge as the instigator in the alleged dryer incident with Bourmeche, though Eldridge testified with protection in the case.

"Sgt. Eldridge took the government for a ride," he said.

The jury is expected to hand down a verdict tomorrow in the Felix case.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
An Indigenous airman, who had to cut his braids when first joining the Air Force two years ago, is now one of the first in...
NATO countries have still not agreed how many extra troops they will send to Afghanistan to boost local forces in their fight against the resurgent Taliban, the alliance's chief admitted Thursday.

NATO this week announced it wanted to send around 3,000 extra troops to Afghanistan, bringing the Western military footprint up to about 16,000 soldiers to help the Afghans break the stalemate in the 16-year fight against the Taliban.

But after talks with the alliance's 29 defence ministers in Brussels, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged there were still "gaps" in the roster that needed to be filled.

"We are now in the process of increasing the troop level," Stoltenberg said.

"We haven't finalised that so it's not possible to provide any final figures when it comes to how much different countries are going to contribute."

The additional troops, most of them American, will help train and advise local Afghan forces who have struggled to hold Taliban and Islamic State (IS) militants at bay while suffering heavy casualties.

Washington has asked NATO allies to contribute 1,000 extra troops for Afghanistan to add to 2,800 US forces, but diplomatic sources say they may have to be content with just 700.

Stoltenberg said NATO had made progress but was still in the process of gathering troop commitments.

"We got some new announcements from some nations during the meeting today but we staill have some gaps that we will continue to work on," he said.

NATO leaders are optimistic that 2018 could see Afghan forces start to gain momentum against the Taliban, thanks to renewed training efforts, a growing air force and thousands of extra Afghan commandos.

Plus US President Donald Trump has given American forces greater leeway in how and when they can hit the Taliban, and Afghan forces are increasingly going on the offensive.

But the Taliban poured scorn on NATO claims of success.

"The Taliban are those who, in defence of their belief and country, forced the half-million NATO-led world forces equipped with modern weaponry and technology to kneel down," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

Immediately following the summit, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis hosted a separate meeting with partners from the coalition fighting the IS group in the Middle East, where the Islamist militants continue to lose territory.

Mattis said coalition partners are looking to the United States for a clear plan about what follows the physical defeat of IS.

"Maybe three-quarters of the questions I am getting asked now is (about) going forward. It's not about are we going to be able to stop ISIS, are we going to be able to overcome ISIS. They are now saying: 'What's next? How is it looking?'" Mattis told reporters this week using another acronym for the group.

Following back-to-back losses, including of their Syrian and Iraqi strongholds of Raqa and Mosul, IS fighters are down to defending their last holdouts along the Euphrates River valley.

America's military involvement in Syria has until now been focused solely on fighting IS, but with the Islamist militants on the ropes, Washington must articulate its longer-term interests and what role, if any, US forces will play in Syria.

A French source said allies were keen to hear what Mattis had to say about the role of Iran -- a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- following Trump's tough rhetoric against Tehran.

"We are wondering how the speeches by top US officials on the need to push back the Iranian presence in the region is going to manifest itself in real terms in the military strategy," the source said.

NATO members agreed Wednesday to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations, with the alliance also upgrading other capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia.

The changes are part of NATO's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe.

The North Korean nuclear crisis has also been high on the agenda in Brussels.

Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test -- its most powerful to date -- and Stoltenberg said the crisis demanded a united international effort.

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After the Marine Corps hit extreme readiness lows in its battle-worn aircraft in 2014, pulling some planes off the flight line to mitigate risk, pilot flight hours and aircraft availability are slowly improving, the head of Marine aviation said Thursday.

But, he added, the service continues to feel the effects of its readiness pit, with junior pilots accumulating far fewer flight hours over time than their predecessors.

Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, who became the Corps' deputy commandant for aviation in July, testified before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

"Newly winged aviators ... [are] the foundation of the future of aviation," Rudder said in prepared testimony. "When I compare these 2017 'graduates' of their first fleet tour to the 2007 'class,' those pilots today have averaged 20 percent less flight hours over their three-year tour than the same group in 2007."

On average, he said, Marine aviators are now averaging 15.4 flight hours per crew per month (HCM), compared with 16.4 HCM a decade ago. While the current number represents a year-over-year improvement for the Marine Corps, it's still lower than optimal for pilots.

Meanwhile, he said in his prepared testimony, the service remains 20 percent shy of the congressional mandate for ready basic aircraft -- a mandate that represents "the minimum requirement for tactical proficiency."

In Marine tactical aircraft, he said, about half of the planes on flightlines are flyable.

Reduced average flight hours and readiness rates come as the Corps contends with a recent spike in aviation mishaps.

In fiscal 2017, the service's mishap rate climbed to 4.40 per 1,000 flight hours, a 10-year high. The Corps' Class-A mishap rate, involving more than $2 million in aircraft damage or loss of life, also climbed to a 10-year high, with 10 major mishaps compared with eight the previous year.

Rudder stressed that there have been no findings linking low readiness rates and Class-A mishap rates. However, he called pilot flight hours "the true metric of health in aviation."

"Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph] Dunford recently commented on the current flight hours our aircrew are getting compared to what they used to fly," Rudder said. "He also discussed the different responses a high-hour aviator and a low-hour aviator may have in a given scenario. He concludes that the high-hour aviator is better-armed to make a split-second assessment and respond to an anomalous situation correctly."

Readiness is not only a problem for the Marine Corps' most aged platforms, such as the CH-53E Super Stallions nearing retirement. The relatively new MV-22 tiltrotor Osprey has ready basic aircraft rates of 48 percent, Rudder said, a status he called "unacceptable."

"The MV-22s were deployed ahead of schedule in 2007 and have been in combat for over a decade," he said. "This high demand signal required us to put them into operation as fast as they were coming off the line."

Independent readiness reviews are now underway for most Marine aircraft platforms, including the Osprey and Super Stallion.

Rudder said the service is also using a seven-year multi-year procurement contract for Ospreys to save money and contribute more resources to efforts to modernize the aircraft and move them to a common configuration.

He asked Congress to provide stable and predictable funds that the Corps can use to modernize and fix older aircraft while it works to procure new ones.

"Marine aviation readiness is improving, but fragile," Rudder said. "Our readiness recovery lies in modernization of our aircraft, and fixing the ones we have."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Military spouses who are transferred across state lines with their service member could be reimbursed by the Defense Department for at least some of the cost of getting a new professional license, thanks to a measure in an annual Defense Department policy bill.

Currently, military spouses are responsible for all costs stemming from professional license regulations, such as getting a state-specific teaching certificate, taking a state's bar exam or receiving a specific state's nursing license.

As a result, applications, tests and license fees can costs families thousands of dollars after every military move.

The new measure, included in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), gives the Defense Department and Coast Guard permission to reimburse up to $500 of those fees.

Military spouse career advocates hailed the measure as a major step by Congress toward better supporting military families.

"Anything that facilitates an opportunity to make life easier for military spouses to stay in their desired industry ... is a step in the right direction," said Elizabeth O'Brien, who directs spouse programs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's nonprofit foundation, Hiring our Heroes. "I think it's fantastic."

Brooke Goldberg, head of military spouse programs at the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), agreed. About half of the spouses MOAA has surveyed are in career fields that require a professional license, she said, adding that helping military families cover that cost just makes sense.

"It's taken us a long time to get spouse licensure reimbursement," she said. "It's necessary and right."

The reimbursement measure was originally offered by Rep. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican.

"Military spouses wear their own patches of service and share a true sense of duty to our country," Stefanik said in a statement to Military.com. "Military spouses serve too, and this update will help alleviate unnecessary stress and expenses, help ease the transition, and will give these spouses and their families some deserved predictability."

To be eligible for the payment, spouses must have received a new license due to a permanent change of station (PCS) move, and that new license must be in their existing career field, according to the legislation.

The bill, which still must be passed by the full House and Senate and signed by the president, does not dictate how spouses should apply for the reimbursement or a date by which the policy could be in place.

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
The speaker of Catalonia's sacked parliament appeared before Spain's Supreme Court on Thursday in the latest legal case brought against separatist leaders for their role in the region's divisive independence bid.

Carme Forcadell and five former Catalan lawmakers are accused of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds after Catalonia's parliament voted last month to split from Spain.

A judicial source said prosecutors had asked for Forcadell and three others be detained on rebellion charges, which in Spain carries a maximum jail sentence of 30 years.

They are suspected of having followed a "concerted strategy to declare independence", before the official declaration on October 27, deepening Spain's most serious political crisis in decades.

That declaration was annulled Wednesday by Spain's Constitutional Court.

The Catalan crisis has prompted hundreds of businesses to re-register outside the wealthy northeastern region and caused disquiet in a European Union still dealing with Britain's shock decision to leave the bloc.

On Wednesday, a general strike called in Catalonia by a pro-independence union triggered widespread travel chaos, cutting Spain's main highway link to France and the rest of Europe and disrupting trains from Barcelona to Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

Authorities said around 150,000 people were affected.

Encouraged by their charismatic figurehead Carles Puigdemont, Catalan leaders voted to declare unilateral independence from Spain after going ahead with a banned referendum on October 1.

Separatists said 90 percent of voters opted for independence, but critics counter that pro-unity supporters had boycotted a plebiscite that violated Spain's constitution.

In response, the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy suspended Catalan autonomy dismissing its parliament and government, and organised new regional elections for December 21.

A judge in Madrid last week ordered that eight members of Puigdemont's sacked government be detained for their role in the secession drive.

The Supreme Court could also decide to place Forcadell and the former lawmakers in pre-trial detention.

Forcadell's spokesman told reporters that as Catalan parliamentary speaker she didn't "have the freedom to stop a vote" in the chamber on independence.

Outside the court on Thursday a small group of protesters gathered, holding banners against independence.

There were also a handful of separatist supporters, facing opposition cries of "Jail for Puigdemont!"

Puigdemont and four former Catalan ministers are in self-imposed exile in Belgium and are due to appear before a judge next week after Madrid issued a EU-wide warrant for their extradition.

The 54-year-old deposed leader has ignored a summons to appear before a judge in Madrid, saying he wants guarantees he will receive a fair trial.

His presence in the European capital has raised some fears of stoking communal tensions in Belgium after Flemish separatists in the ruling coalition there spoke out in support of Catalan independence.

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, who was in Spain on Thursday, said that the bloc was "against any form of separatism that weakens Europe".

Despite the crisis, the EU on Thursday upgraded its growth forecast for Spain to a robust 3.1 percent for this year, leading the eurozone's major economies.

EU economics commissioner Pierre Moscovici said that the Catalan independence drive had so far only had a slight impact on Spain's overall economy.

Puigdemont in a letter to the Catalan daily El Punt Avui on Thursday called for "the liberation of political prisoners held by the Spanish state."

Amnesty International however said on Twitter that the jailed ministers could not be considered "political prisoners... as they are accused of acts that may constitute a criminal offence."

Catalonia, a region of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain's GDP, is deeply divided over independence.

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ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan's Best is on the hunt for the best Italian restaurant in the state and they stopped by three Ann Arbor favorites on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

MLive.com's John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman started their Ann Arbor tour at poll winner Paesano's Restaurant, 3411 Washtenaw, followed by stops at Mani Osteria & Bar, 341 E. Liberty and Silvio's Organic Ristorante e Pizzeria, 715 N. University.

Homemade pastas, breads and desserts along with Italian wine and many house specials were served up.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Thursday that the recommendations agreed upon by youth participants in a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly, which took place as part of the first World Youth Forum, will be presented to the international body in New York.

Participants in the Security Council simulation primarily discussed three main threats to international peace and security: terrorism, cybersecurity, and unregulated migration, according to the World Youth Forum's official website.

Youth representatives from 20 countries participated in the simulation, which began on 4 November and ended Thursday with the forum's conclusion in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh.

Diaa El-Din, a law student who represented Egypt in the simulation, told MENA news agency that preparations for the UN simulation began three months ago as participants were chosen and trained in preparatory workshops.

The president called on the participants to submit a well-rounded summary of the recommendations and decisions reached during their sessions, suggesting that their conclusions are widely relevant to the world today.

A delegation of youth will travel to hand the document to the UN, with coordination from Egypt's foreign ministry.

The Egyptian president also recommended the organization of WYF workshops around the world to address different regional issues, as well as the forming of an expert committee to address such challenges as illegal immigration, radicalism, and illiteracy.

President El-Sisi additionally hailed the global role of the United Nations in adopting international law, which he lauded for protecting less powerful nations since the founding of the 193-member body over 70 years ago.

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[November 08, 2017] Pakistan - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Broadband sees rapid growth in Pakistan Pakistan's telecom market had been struggling for a long time with the transition from a regulated state-owned monopoly to a deregulated competitive structure.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04175349



As well as capital input from the government, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been active in providing capital for country's telecom sector.

The fixed line market in Pakistan remains underdeveloped due to the dominance of the mobile segment. Further, the number of fixed telephone lines is slowly declining as the mobile segment continues to expand.



Overall penetration dropped from 2.6% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2015 and 1.5% in 2017. The market is predicted to decline further over the next five years to 2022 as the mobile segment continues to grow for both voice and data/broadband usage.



The country's mobile operators are all fighting for a larger share of the market, forcing down prices and subsequently Average Revenue Per Unit (ARPU). The operators have been shifting their focus to Value Added Services (VAS) in order to improve revenues.



In 2017 Mobilink and Warid merged their operations into a single brand, Jazz, which saw the number of mobile operators reduce from six to five. Further market consolidation is predicted over the next five years as the operating margins of the major operators come under further pressure.



Two main challenges facing mobile operators in Pakistan remain: a largely rural population with up to 70% of the population live in rural areas and difficulty serving those areas ofthe country that are politically unstable.







4G network rollouts continue across the country. By 2017 over 30% of Pakistan population was covered by a 4G network.



Pakistan has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past five years with market penetration increasing from below 1% in 2012 to 24% in 2017. However the mobile broadband market is still at an early stage of development with penetration well below most other Asian countries. Strong growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022.





Fixed broadband penetration is Pakistan remains very low mainly due to the dominance of the mobile platform. Also, the limited and declining number of fixed lines in Bhutan is restricting more widespread development of fixed broadband. Over the next five years to 2022 low to moderate growth is expected from a small base.



DSL dominates the fixed broadband market. Its market share has been rising over the past five years whereas HFC and FTTH each constitute for a very low market share of the overall fixed broadband market.



Increased smartphone adoption, internet penetration, and digital awareness due to adoption of 3G and 4G services are drivers for e-commerce adoption. However there still are a number of factors are inhibiting adoption including lack of awareness in both consumers and merchants and issues with customer fulfillment.



Key developments:

Rapid roll out of the 3G and 4G networks has seen strong uptake of mobile broadband.

The fixed line market remains underdeveloped due to the dominance of the mobile segment.

This market is predicted to decline further over the next five years to 2022.

Fixed broadband penetration is Pakistan remains very low mainly due to the dominance of the mobile platform.

mobile broadband services have totally overwhelmed the fixed broadband sector of the market;

E-commerce in Pakistan will be a US$1 billion market by 2020.

4G network rollouts continue across the country.

Mobilink and Warid merged their operations into a single brand, Jazz.



Key companies mentioned in this report:

Pakistan Telecommunication Co Ltd (PTCL); Mobilink (PMCL); Ufone (PTML, PTCL's subsidiary); Telenor Pakistan; Warid Telecom; Zong; WorldCall; TeleCard; Instaphone, PakNet; Wateen Telecom (subsidiary of Warid Telecom)



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04175349



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[November 08, 2017] Bhutan - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Economy - Statistics and Analyses

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bhutan's mobile market continues to expand

The number of fixed telephone lines in Bhutan is gradually declining from a very small base as the mobile segment continues to expand. Bhutan had been isolated from the rest of the world for a long time, both generally, and particularly in terms of its telecommunications. Its mountainous landscape made it especially difficult to build the necessary telecoms infrastructure. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05069774

Penetration is predicted to drop further by 2019 as this declining fixed-line trend continues.



Bhutan also came late to the internet. Development continued down a slow path, as the country embraced online activity cautiously. Fixed broadband penetration in Bhutan is increasing moderately from a very relatively small base. The fixed broadband market is predicted to continue to grow moderately over the next five years to 2022. The limited and declining number of fixed lines in Bhutan is restricting more widespread development of fixed broadband. The mobile market in Bhutan has grown strongly over the past few ears however the growth rate has subsided over the past few years as the mobile market begins to mature. Slower and declining growth is predicted to continue over the next five years to 2022 as the mobile subscriber market further matures.







B-Mobile is the leading mobile operator in Bhutan . TashiCell is its only market competitor, and has been bridging the gap over the past few years.



Mobile broadband has seen strong growth in Bhutan over the past five years and this strong growth is predicted to continue over the next two years to 2019.





The mobile networks have provided a major boost to internet access in the country, largely on the back of EDGE/GPRS, 3G and more recently 4G platforms.

4G LTE networks are now gaining traction in Bhutan with both major mobile operators offering 4G services. Key developments:



Bhutan's telecom sector has been continuing on a steady development path.

TashiCell has been bridging the gap over the past few years in the mobile market.

The mobile market in Bhutan has grown moderately over the past few years.

Mobile broadband has seen strong growth and this is expected to continue.

4G LTE networks are now gaining traction in Bhutan.



Companies mentioned in this report

Bhutan Telecom, B-Mobile, DrukNet, Samden Tech, Tashi InfoComm, TashiCell, Ericsson, Reliance, Airtel.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05069774



About Reportlinker

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[November 08, 2017] Uganda - Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations - Statistics and Analyses



NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reforms within the telecom sector in Uganda have provided the country with one of the most competitive markets in the region. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03388806



The entry of MTN Uganda as the second national operator to compete with Uganda Telecom in all telecom sectors revolutionised the availability and quality of services. The incumbent telco in recent years has fallen victim to corruption and mismanagement, with the result that it failed to provide the services which customers wanted, and was unable to compete effectively. The main shareholder LAP Green also consistently failed to make the necessary investments in networks and infrastructure. Uganda Telecom went into receivership in early 2017, and the government reasserted control of the company.



A simplified and converged licensing regime has significantly reduced barriers to market entry and increased competition, but this has also led to price wars which have dented operator revenue. Fixed-line infrastructure remains poor, with low penetration, and in consequence fixed-line broadband penetration is also low. In consequence, consumers have flocked to mobile infrastructure o provide voice and broadband services.







With seven mobile networks, Uganda's mobile market remains overcrowded. There have been some market acquisitions over the last few years, including the sale of Orange Uganda to Africell Holding in mid-2014. The cost of international bandwidth has fallen dramatically following the landing of international submarine fibre optic cables on the African east coast, to which landlocked Uganda is connected via a national fibre backbone extending to its borders with neighbouring countries. This has helped reduce the previously exorbitant cost of broadband and provided the necessary mobile backhaul to carry the growing traffic which has resulted from the widening reach of LTE networks.



Key developments:

National Broadband Infrastructure project leading to dramatic reduction in broadband access cost; government takes over ownership of bankrupt Uganda Telecom; new Ministry of ICT & National Guidance formed; utility UETCL contracts ZTE to extend its fibre transmission networks; telecoms regulator and Broadcasting Council merged into a single regulatory body; report update includes the regulator's market data to December 2016 , operator data to Q2 2017, recent market developments.





Companies mentioned in this report:

Uganda Telecom (UT, LAP Green), MTN Uganda, UMEME, SEACOM, Infocom (Altech, Liquid Telecom), Internet Solutions.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03388806



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[November 08, 2017] Peru - Fixed Broadband Market - Statistics and Analyses

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadband subscriber penetration in Peru is considerably lower than the Latin American average, despite the government efforts to encourage the development of the sector. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05178646



The shortcoming in broadband penetration is partly due to barriers such as poverty, limited levels of literacy among some demographics, low computer penetration, and rugged topography which has made the extension of fixed-line infrastructure in some areas difficult. Perhaps the biggest problem is the lack of market competition, which has made broadband services in Peru among the slowest and most expensive in the region.



Many of these difficulties are being addressed, and strong broadband growth is anticipated in coming years. Much of this progress will feed off the government's national broadband plan, which aims to provide internet connectivity via a fibre-optic backbone to the more remote regions of Peru. A number of contracts were signed during 2015 and 2016 for some affected regions, and by the end of 2017 eight large-scale fibre networkswill be connected to the national network. This work has been a significant undertaking, requiring substantial funds to implement.







In addition, the expanding LTE networks are providing mobile broadband to an increasing number of rural communities, particularly following the auction of spectrum in the 700MHhz band in 2016, as well as providing improved connectivity in urban areas.

This report provides an overview of Peru's broadband market, accompanied by relevant statistics, analyses, and subscriber forecasts.



Key developments:

Movistar and Google extend balloon-based broadband delivery trials; government to fund more regional broadband projects by end-2017; Olo launches an LTE service intended as a replacement for its WiMAX offering, Movistar to deploy converged DOCSIS3.1 and FttP network; government contracts two operators in initial stage of national broadband project; Direct TV enters broadband market via its LTE network; report update includes the regulator's market data to June 2017 , telcos' operating data to Q3 2017, recent market developments.





Companies mentioned in this report:

Telefonica del Peru (Movistar), America Movil Peru (Claro), Nextel Peru, Americatel Peru, Terra Peru, EMax, Olo del Peru (Olo), VelaTel/Perusat, Star Global Com, Best Cable Peru, DirecTV.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05178646



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[November 08, 2017] Costa Rica - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Rica's liberalised telecom sector has seen substantial growth in all sectors in recent years. Although competition was slow to develop there is now effective competition in all sectors. The state owned operator ICE remains the dominant provider of fixed-line services, while the regional operators Claro and Movistar are significant players in the important mobile services market. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03200257 The number of fixed-lines fell for a number of years though more recently the decline has been offset by growing consumer use of VoIP services. This has been stimulated by the recent hike in tariffs for fixed-line calls. Costa Rica's broadband market is the most developed in Central America, with the highest broadband penetration for this sub-region. Geographical distribution however is unequal, with a much higher digital gap than in the case of telephone services. Compared with the whole of Latin America, Costa Rica's broadband penetration lags behind Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and some Caribbean islands. There was a steady increase in overall telecom sector revenue for a number of years, peaking at 24% 2014 though this has since fallen, being a more moderate 3% in 2016. Fixed-line voice services account for about 5 of revenue while revenue from VoIP services, though increasing sharply in recent years, still accounts for only 1%. Total investment by operators has fallen in recent years, from 2.2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012 to only 0.7% in 2016. Overall sector revenue has accounted for 3% of GDP in the three years since 2014.



The Costa Rican telecom sector has showed greater resilience than most in the region, and with the implementation of number portability there is greater scope for increased competition in coming years. The DTT market continues to develop, with the first digital broadcast made in 2012, though there are as yet few subscribers to the service. The switch to DTTV is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Key developments: Regulator concludes multi-spectrum auction, with Movistar and Claro securing licenses; prepares tender for an additional 15 projects funded by Fonatel;

ICE investing more in multi-technology NGN project;

Coopesantos launches FttP services in areas San Pablo, San Marcos and Santa Maria;

Regulator expected to auction 100MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz band by late 2018;

Telefonica launches OTT Movistar Play service;

Regulator determines that there is sufficient competition in several telecom market segments;

Master Plan for DTT adopted, with analogue broadcasts to close in December 2017;

ICE unifies its two pay-TV operations under a single brand;

Sutel adopts LRIC model to calculate access and interconnection rates;

Report includes the regulator's market data reports to 2016; telcos'

financial and operating data updates to Q2 2017, recent market developments. Companies mentioned in this report include: Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), RASCA, Tigo, Cable Tica. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03200257 About Reportlinker

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[November 08, 2017] Benin - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Benin government set to restructure state-owned telcos Development within Benin's telecom market continues to be restricted by the poor condition of the country's fixed-line infrastructure. The use of fixed-line voice and internet services is low, and consequently little revenue is derived from these sectors. Mobile networks account for almost all internet connections, and also carry most voice traffic. As such, it is this sector which is attracting most investment among operators. There has been some progress resulting from improved international internet connectivity and the rapidly escalating bandwidth available, which has led to lower access pricing for end-users. This additional bandwidth has assisted mobile network operators to expand their networks, and provided the necessary backhaul capacity to support the growing use of mobile data applications and service, including m-commerce and m-banking. Improved telecoms infrastructure has the potential to transform many areas of the country's economy, bringing a greater proportion of the population into the orbit of internet commerce and connectivity.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03249286



The fixed-line monopoly operator be.Telecoms (rebranded from Benin Telecoms in October 2015) has also expanded its fixed-wireless and DSL-based broadband services in recent years, extending its national fibre backbone and international fibre connections. Long-established plans to privatise the company have thus far come to ought, though the government is developing its strategy to sell of the company's assets, including the mobile services unit Libercom which will be spun off as a new entity with separate assets.







The mobile telephony sector enjoys effective competition between Libercom, South Africa's MTN, Etisalat's Moov, Globacom's Glo Mobile, and Bell Benin.



Competition among these players pushed market penetration about 87% by mid-2016.





Although fixed-line internet services have been available in Benin since 1995, access is limited to a small proportion of the population. Fixed-line internet represents only a small fraction of all accesses, with most connections being made via the mobile networks.



Key developments:



Bell Benin has its licence revoked; Libercom cited for poor management practices; government restructures state-owned telcos; Benin Smart City construction starts, Canal+ signed deal with the Beninese Electric Power Company to provide internet services via powerlines; MTN Benin and Glo Mobile fined for poor QoS; Vodafone signs partnership agreement with Globacom; MTN Benin signs five-year Managed Rural Coverage deal with Ericsson; Orange commissions new connection from the ACE submarine cable, connecting Benin with Tenerife; be.Telecoms launches LTE services; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donate funds to a mobile vaccine registry program; report update includes telcos' operating data to Q2 2017, regulator's market data to March 2017 , recent market developments.



Market penetration rates in Benin's telecoms sector 2017 (Mar)

Penetration of telecoms services: | Penetration

Fixed-line telephony | 0.5%

Internet users | 33.1%

Mobile SIM (population) | 87.2%



Companies mentioned in this report:



MTN, Moov (Telecel), Libercom, BBCom (Bell Benin), Glo Mobile (Globacom), be.Telecoms (Benin Telecoms, formerly OPT), Kanakoo (BeninNet), Isocel, EIT, FirstNet, Arts Bobo, Sobiex Informatique, Global Trading Agency, Afripa Telecom, Thuraya, Nitel, Suburban Telecom, CEB.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03249286



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At least 27 people were killed and 69 others injured after a speeding passenger bus fell into a ravine in Pakistan's Punjab province, officials said today.

The bus carrying more than 100 people was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town last night.

"The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation," Muhammad Afzal, the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station.

Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition whereas many injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, the Dawn News reported.

The bus originally was to go to Raiwind via Islamabad- Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route. "The motorway is closed after 10 pm due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway because of which the driver opted to go through Grand Trunk Road," Afzal said.

"The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident.

He also ordered the authorities concerned to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident, the report said.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads and faulty vehicles.

In April 2014, some 15 people were killed in a bus crash in Kallar Kahar.
Kinetic Group and Norton Motorcycle Company have announced their plan to collaborate in India. The companies announced their plans during the ongoing EICMA 2017 exhibition.

The new deal, which will enable Kinetic to represent Norton all over south-east Asia will also pave way for the introduction of two-wheeler models from the British manufacturer to the Indian market.

The new deal will also mean that besides the import of fully built units from Norton in a few months to India, Kinetic will also begin the assembling of Norton models at its plants.

The venture will now result in the introduction of Nortons famed models i.e. Norton Dominator and Norton Commando to the Indian market. The models, which were showcased jointly by Kinetic and Norton during the EICMA exhibition will, according to OverDrive, be available in India in just a few months.

Both bikes come with 961 cc air/oil cooled parallel twin engines. Having five-speed gear transmission, the bikes generate 80 PS power at 6500 RPM and a torque of 90 Nm at 5200 RPM. While the Dominator costs around Rs 19 lakh in the foreign markets the Commando which comes in two different variants i.e. cafe racer and sport will approximately cost Rs 13 lakh.

The tie-up with Norton will be a boost to the prospects of the Pune-based Kinetic Engineering Limited that already has tasted success through tie-ups with foreign brands. It had earlier joined hands with Honda with which it manufactured and sold the famous Kinetic Honda two-stroke scooters.

The fact that it beat Mahindra Two Wheelers, who were interested in cracking a deal with Norton Motorcycle Company, could be seen as a big success for the manufacturer, who also got into a similar agreement with Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta in 2015.
netflix

The Canadian province of Quebec has told Ottawa it will impose a sales tax on online companies, such as video streaming service Netflix Inc , and called on the federal government to reconsider its own decision not to do the same, La Presse newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The move contrasts with the federal Liberal government's policy, which opposes slapping sales tax on Netflix and other providers of online services.

In September, Ottawa announced a deal in which Netflix would spend C$500 million ($393 million) over five years to create Canadian content, with C$25 million earmarked specifically for French-language content.

Canadian content producers and broadcasters have complained that they struggle to compete against Netflix, YouTube and other online rivals who do not pay sales tax nor contribute to funds created to support domestic content.

The finance minister of the mostly French-speaking province wrote to his federal counterpart on Tuesday to formally inform him of the decision, according to La Presse. It said the province estimates it could raise between C$10 million and C$20 million ($7.9 million and $15.7 million) a year by taxing Netflix.

The Quebec finance minister did not offer an immediate comment, while Netflix said in a statement that it pays all taxes where required by law.

Quebec charges sales tax at a rate of 9.975 percent, while the federal rate is 5 percent. Adding provincial sales tax to Netflix's "standard" C$8.99 a month plan would add more than C$1 a month to the cost for Quebec residents.

Quebec is required to inform Ottawa 60 days ahead of any move to alter an agreement on tax harmonization and the letter comes after its legislature in October passed a motion calling on all foreign web-based companies to charge provincial sales tax on their Quebec-based customers.
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We had initiated coverage on Lumax Industries (Lumax), a lighting solutions provider to automobiles, catering to all major segments. The company posted a strong set of numbers for the September quarter. Market leadership, marquee clients in its kitty, its focus on developing technologically advanced products and adoption of LED-based products provide an improved earnings visibility for the company and therefore merits investors attention.

The companys revenues grew 25 percent (YoY), led by a volume growth of 16 percent. More importantly, the product mix was skewed towards expensive LED products. EBITDA margin witnessed a small blip of 60bps on the back of realization of price hike pending from the customers.Lumax generated most of its revenues from front lighting (69 percent of total) and from passenger vehicle segment (68 percent of total). After the GST hangover, passenger vehicle segment is posting healthy numbers, which is expected to get reflected in the coming quarters results.

What we like about the company:

In terms of percentage of total revenues, Maruti Suzuki is the largest client with 32 percent share followed by Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) and Mahindra and Mahindra with 11 percent share each. The top 5 customers generate around 73 percent of the total revenues.

Lumax has a strong financial and technical collaboration with Stanley Electric Company (Stanley), Japan, which is a world leader in vehicle lighting and illumination products for automobiles. Lumax gets strong cutting-edge technology from its foreign partner that keeps it ahead of competition. Apart from that, the company also has in-house research and development facilities and design studio that helps it in working on innovative products.Auto companies had a bumpy ride in FY17, as demonetization and BS-IV implementation impacted sales. This was followed by GST-led de-stocking, hurting auto companies across the board. Normalcy is returning and stocking has resumed as was evident from the monthly auto sales for the last three months. This augurs well for Lumax, as it the largest player in the auto-lighting space.

Moreover, Lumax is unaffected by the electric vehicle disruption, going forward, as the products it makes are immune to EV adoption.

The management continues to be very positive on the adoption of LED lamps and indicated that the adoption is faster than they expected. They also indicated that LEDs are high margin products for the company and the wider adoption of LEDs would unlock huge potential both in terms of sales growth and margin expansion.

Moreover, the governments decision to make automatic headlamp on (AHO) mandatory in two-wheelers from 2017 has started to provide an additional kicker to growth. Additionally, BS-VI norms to be implemented by 2020 would require the vehicles to be more energy efficient, which would lead to the adoption of LEDs.

The management also mentioned that they are aggressively focusing on LED products and they had around 25 percent of revenues coming from LEDs in the September quarter, up from 5 percent at the end of FY17. The management believes the share of LED-based products can be raised to 40-50 percent of total revenues by 2020.

Lumax has commissioned a new facility in Sanand, Gujarat, with a capacity of 300,000 lamps annually. This facility would supply primarily to Maruti and Tata Motors in the passenger vehicle segment and Honda and Hero in the two-wheeler segment. The peak revenue from this facility is expected to be Rs 275-300 crore. The management believes that they can get 100 percent utilization from this facility by FY20.The share price has risen over 28 percent since our initiation which has put the valuations on the higher side. The company is trading at valuations of 22.2 and 18.8 times FY18 and FY19 projected earnings. We advise investors to accumulate shares for long-term benefits.

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State Bank of India (SBI)

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State Bank of India (SBI) will open more branches in Nepal and consider options to re-enter Vietnam under a three-year goal to grow its international operations to as much as 15 percent of total business, a senior executive said.

India's top lender, with assets of more than $500 billion, was catapulted into the league of the top 50 global banks this year after it merged five subsidiary banks with itself.

But mergers and acquisitions are expected to play only a tiny role as SBI seeks to ramp up growth in the overseas business, which now makes up about 11 percent of all operations. Instead, it will rely on organic growth and ensure profitability is not forsaken.

SBI, which is present in 35 countries but has more than half of its 206 offices in Asia, aims to increase the number of offices in neighbouring Nepal to 100 in the next one year from 88 currently to better tap a market it considers "under-penetrated" for banking, said Siddhartha Sengupta, a deputy managing director who leads the bank's international business.

The Indian government majority-owned bank is also looking at options to re-enter Vietnam, where it closed its office long ago, possibly through a partnership, Sengupta said, noting the Vietnamese economy, and trade between the Southeast Asian nation and India, were growing rapidly.

"We had an Asian focus. But we are trying to make that focus sharper," Sengupta said in an interview with Reuters.

"In terms of inorganic growth, whatever our aspirations are would be far smaller compared to what we have seen in the domestic market. We have a limited dollar balance sheet."

The Indian lender's overseas push comes at a time when rivals in China, Japan and Southeast Asia are expanding outside their home nations and have made far deeper inroads into Asia, often through M&As.

SBI's overseas growth plan also comes at a tricky time for India lenders who have been burdened with a record $146 billion in bad loans.

Sengupta said the overseas growth would be in a "risk-mitigated" fashion and not at the cost of profitability. The expansion may not lead to a substantial rise in the total number of international offices as SBI is also shutting unprofitable ones, he said.

Siddharth Purohit, an analyst with Mumbai's SMC Institutional Equities, said it was prudent for SBI to be choosy in growing its international exposure.

"Some other Indian banks have reduced their international exposure recently, one reason being their main clients, the Indian corporates, are also going slow on overseas acquisitions and the focus is on cutting debt at home."

As part of its plan, SBI is aiming to partner with Japanese regional banks to offer products and services for small- and medium-sized companies there that plan to set up manufacturing base in India to cater to big Japanese companies including automakers in India.

The bank will also step up its offerings in neighbouring Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Sengupta said, adding SBI plans to pursue more collaboration and syndication opportunities at the annual meeting of the Asian Bankers Association it is hosting in Mumbai next week.

SBI expects a new subsidiary that will house its retail operations in the United Kingdom to begin functioning in January-March 2018, Sengupta said.
Union minister Ananth Kumar challenged Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for an open debate on the issue of blackmoney and alleged that scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore had taken place during the UPA rule.

"The Congress is synonymous with blackmoney, corruption and scams," the Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister alleged while talking to reporters here this evening.

He alleged that scams like 2G spectrum auction, coal block allocation, and the chopper deal, among others, collectively worth Rs 12 lakh crore, had taken place during the 10-year rule of the UPA government between 2004 and 2014.

"Today, Rahul baba is touring Gujarat...He is seen only in Gujarat (campaigning) and there he is speaking about demonetisation and GST. I challenge Shri Rahul Gandhi to come for an open debate and open discussion on the issue of black money, on the issue of 10 years of scams and corruption of the UPA government," Kumar said.

"I will not say the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh ...but it was led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi because they were guiding and dictating it and indulged in scam of Rs 12 lakh crore which is all blackmoney," the minister said.

Kumar, a BJP MP from Bengaluru, said that on November 8 last year the Modi government took a historic decision against blackmoney in the country by way of demonetisation.

"People who have lost blackmoney are observing 'black day'," he said.

The minister said that around 1.5 lakh people deposited over Rs 4.92 lakh crore during the demonetisation, which is one-third of total cash/currency deposited. "How come such a small section amass such huge unaccounted money," he asked.

According to him, in the last one year (post- demonetisation) the stone pelting incidents in Kashmir came down to 639 from 2,683 reported during November 2015 to November 2016. Similarly, Left-wing extremism incidents decreased post-noteban and came down to 831 from 1,071 during the same period.

The Modi government has closed around 2.24 lakh shell companies in the last one year, which were having huge number of bank accounts, he said, adding that 58,000 bank accounts belonging to 35,000 companies revealed that they deposited Rs 17,000 crore and also withdrew Rs 17,000 crore and now all of them are under net.

"I want to ask Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and P Chidamabaram...why didn't he (Chidamabaram) do in the 10 years of the UPA rule what Narendra bhai Modi did in one year. Why didn't he close so many fake companies...why he did not reduce high demonetisation currency...why he did not take action against fake accounts...questions are there. Because they wanted to hide those 12 lakh crore of scam and corruption," Kumar said.
U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping are seen during a walk along the front patio of the Mar-a-Lago estate after a bilateral meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RTX34MDB

Cash-rich China on Thursday wooed the US by signing deals worth more than USD 250 billion during President Donald Trump's first visit, amidst his criticism of the Communist giant's unfair business practices and the "chronic imbalance" in bilateral trade.

The deals were signed at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump at the Great Hall of the People after the two leaders held wide-ranging talks. Xi had hosted Trump yesterday at the iconic Forbidden City, home for Chinese emperors.

In statements to reporters after their talks, Xi and Trump offered placatory views of US-China ties, and insisted that differences between the two countries would be cast aside in place of a cooperative partnership.

"We want a vibrant trade relationship with China," Trump said. "We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade and the concrete steps it will take to solve the problem of massive trade distortion."

Ahead of his visit, Trump has said the massive trade deficit in bilateral trade is a shame and has been pressuring China, the world's second-largest economy, to open its huge market more for US products and firms.

The US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated USD 648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lion's share with about USD 478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at USD 169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

In his remarks, Xi also offered a conciliatory view of the US-China ties, insisting that bilateral differences could be resolved.

"As two distinctive countries, our two sides may have different views or differences on some issues. This is natural," Xi said. "They key is to properly handle and manage them."

Trump also said he does not fault China for taking advantage of differences between the way the two countries do business.

"I don't blame China," Trump said during remarks to business leaders of both countries.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens? I give China great credit."

Instead, Trump said previous US administrations were responsible for what he called "a very unfair and one-sided" trade relationship with China.

This, he said, allowed the trade deficit to take place and to grow.

The deals signed between Chinese and American companies included the purchase of 300 Boeing planes, US-made chipsets and soybeans.

Chinese and US companies signed trade and investment deals worth more than USD 250 billion, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Other official media reports put the figure around USD 253 billion. However, it is unclear how much of that figure is past deals being re-announced or simply the potential for future deals.

Facts have shown that China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, President Xi said.

Significantly, China also managed to push its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was earlier criticised by the US.

China's Silk Road Fund, a unit under the People's Bank of China to promote the Belt and Road international trade initiative, will set up a joint fund with the US, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

China had set up a USD 40 billion Silk Road fund to assist the BRI projects.

Among a long list of agreements ranging from shale gas to car parts, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the state energy group, signed a USD 43 billion deal to jointly explore natural gas with the US in Alaska, the Post report said.

China's sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, will offer financial support. Bank of China, a Chinese state-owned bank, will help with finance, too.

Chinese phone makers, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo will sign deals to buy products from Qualcomm, the US telecom mobile chip-maker, the report said.

The US tech firm Broadcom made a USD 105 billion takeover bid for Qualcomm earlier this month.

China Investment Corp is to set up a joint fund with Goldman Sachs. Other deals include the Chinese purchase of planes from Boeing and the imports of Tesla cars into China, the report said.

Both sides inked deals worth USD 9 billion yesterday.
Moderate to heavy polling was recorded in Himachal Pradesh today with 35 per cent voters exercising their franchise till 1 pm. The polling was peaceful but there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVAPTs from several places and polling could not be held in Gondla polling booth in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district.

The EVM was replaced but after three votes it again developed some snag. The EVM was being repaired and polling would commence soon, election officials said.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur respectively. Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Shimla district recorded the highest polling of 36 per cent. The largest Kangra district recorded 22 per cent voting while Kinnaur recorded 35 per cent polling. Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Solan and Sirmaur districts recorded 26 per cent, 29 per cent, 32 per cent, 35 per cent and 30 per cent polling till noon while Theog constituency in Shimla recorded highest 42 per cent polling. Polling has picked up since noon.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

There is straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala.
In a scathing attack on the Congress, which is celebrating the first anniversary of demonetisation as a 'black day' today, Union minister Smriti Irani said that the note ban decision was "definitely a tragedy for the Gandhi family".

She was apparently referring to an article by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in the 'Financial Times' in which he termed demonetisation as a "tragedy".

"I think that demonetisation is definitely a tragedy for the Gandhi family which is now synonymous with the word corruption," Irani alleged.

The information and broadcasting minister was addressing a press conference at the UP BJP headquarters here.

"It is definitely a tragedy for the gentleman who had wanted to withdraw Rs 4,000 just for show, and then took hiatuses in overseas destinations unknown to many Indians," she said in an apparent jibe at Rahul Gandhi.

The Union minister claimed that demonetisation was definitely a tragedy for "Mr Gandhi" as election after election had been lost under his leadership.

Continuing her tirade, she said the Congress was saying that Rahul Gandhi will be the president of the party soon but changed its tune after surveys and polls by TV channels suggested that losses in Gujarat and Himachal polls were imminent.

"So, yes personally Mr Gandhi must be facing a lot of trouble internally and that is why he ....(is) shooting from the shoulder of the prime minister," she said.

Irani's comments came against the backdrop of the Congress vice president accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "robbing" the country of its economic prowess and "damaging" India by converting people's anger due to joblessness into "communal hatred".

In his article in the 'Financial Times' on the first anniversary of demonetisation, which he termed as a "tragedy", Rahul Gandhi said the livelihood of millions of honest Indians were destroyed due to this "thoughtless act" of the prime minister.

"Modi's reforms have robbed India of its economic prowess," he alleged, adding that demonetisation had wiped out 2 per cent of GDP and "ruined" the lives of millions of workers.

On Goods and Services Tax, Irani said, that in the GST Council, the state governments are also there along with the Centre.

"All the decisions are taken in one voice. Whenever there is any issue at the regional level or in any sector, then the council takes a positive stand," she said.

Asked whether the Gujarat Assembly elections will be a refrendum on GST, she said, "Whenever Gujarat goes to polls, some organisations and people linked with the Congress, they come with such speculation. These are just speculation. It is nothing new for us. The voters go with the BJP everytime. The results will show that the BJP gets votes for development in Gujarat."

She said that the Congress has already conceded defeat in Himachal Pradesh.

"When the Congress party does not have faith in its own leader, then how can the people of Gujarat repose their faith in the Congress. This is not possible," she said.

On whether Patidar leader Hardik Patel and others were working as the B team of the Congress, Smriti Irani said, "They are working for the past one and one-and-half years. This is not new, and our organisation in Gujarat has already alerted the public about this. These leaders who are today siding with the Congress had earlier from public platform announced that they had nothing to do with the Congress. Their U-turn vindicates our stand."

Irani thanked the people of the country for extending co-operation in the fight against black money and corruption.

She said that the Benami Property Act has been implemented by the BJP government at the Centre after 28 years.

Replying to a question, Irani said that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the elections in Gujarat have always been fought on the development plank.

In 2014, the Lok Sabha elections were also contested on the issue of development, she said.

"Before May 2014, the Supreme Court had asked the then Congress government in the Centre to constitute a SIT against black money. The order was not implemented by the Congress government. In fact, in the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the decision to constitute SIT was taken," she said.

Elaborating about demonetisation, the Union minister said, "Last year, the currency which was in circulation was Rs 17.77 lakh crores, which has now redcued by almost Rs 3.89 lakh crores. Information about suspicious transactions has been shared by the banks with the government. Last year the number of suspicious transactions was 61,361, while in the past one year it has increased to 3,61,214."

She further stated that other financial institutions also share information about suspicious transactions. Last year the number of such transactions was 40,333, while in the past one year, it has increased to 94,836.

"During income tax searches, there has been a jump of 38 per cent in undisclosed income found. The self-assessment of taxes has gone up by 34.25 per cent. As many as 2.24 lakh shell companies have been closed and agencies are investigating them.

More than 1 crore labourers have come under ambit of employee provident fund. Almost 56 lakh new tax payers have filed returns. These statistics of last one year show the success of demonetisation," the Union minister said.
In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Prashant Jain of JSW Energy spoke about the results and his outlook for the company.

Q2 of FY18 was a seasonal quarter and then there was a shutdown which we had planned in our Maharashtra unit because of which the plant load factor (PLF) was lower. Going forward, we need to see that other power plants are running at a better PLF, he said.

Specifically about long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), he said that we have already finalised long-term PPAs with government of Haryana and government of Punjab. All this will be fructifying in the current financial year. We are also concentrating on our domestic coal strategy and we will be able to do long-term PPAs for Vijaynagar unit, he added.

Going forward, the mobility is going to be redefined with new technology coming in as electric cars and then we will be designing cars for Indian markets, Indian consumers and Indian roads and it will be a Made in India car, said Jain.

The company has signed a MoU with the government of Gujarat to set up a complete manufacturing facility for electric cars as well as for battery manufacturing. We envisage close to Rs 4,000 capital expenditure in the next three-four years timeframe which will be funded by equity and debt, he further mentioned.
Shree Cement posted a mixed set of earnings in second quarter ended September 30, 2017, as cement did slightly better than the low expectations but power business continued to struggle.

Throwing more light on the earnings and outlook going forward HM Bangur, MD, Shree Cement told CNBC-TV18 that as far as cement is concerned the worst seems to be over for the industry -- the impact of demonetisation, GST etc is behind.

The company is expecting better results in Q3FY18 compared to that of Q3FY17 because of low base effect, he said.

He said availability of sand was a problem for the cement makers but now it should be over within few weeks and moreover, historically the demand for cement in Q3 is maximum, said Bangur.

When asked if they stick to volume growth of 12 percent for FY18, Bangur said the growth would be in region of 8-9 percent instead of 12 percent, mainly because in North India due to climatic conditions the demand may not be as robust as expected.

However, the company would be able to achieve sales volumes of 20 million tonnes in FY18, he said. Last year they did 18 million tonnes.

The pressure on margins was due to increase in transportation costs and freight costs. The freight costs increased by approximately 17 percent YoY, about Rs 200 a tonne.

The Supreme Court has banned use of Petcoke and Furnace oil in Delhi-NCR region. However, all those who follow the emission standards have no fear of using Petcoke in other part of the states, said Bangur.

Emission norms are monitored online, so one can break them, he added.

Talking about the power business, he said basically that is for their own consumption. From their overall turnover, 95 percent is cement and 5 percent is power.

Although power was not performing well in first half, it has improved in Q3 but one does not what will be the price of power next month because the prices are very dynamic.

The company is always on lookout of acquisitions but nothing has been confirmed as yet
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) asks active Board involvement and quarterly updates by banks and financial institutions to keep a check on cyber security threats.

"Banks are now required to place before the Board cyber security arrangements and the status of such arrangements on a quarterly basis. The intention is that the Board level focus will ensure sustained compliance," said Meena Hemchandra, Executive Director, RBI, at a cyber-security summit organised by the CII.

With increasing digitisation, cyber-crimes have taken center-stage and there is a larger threat of leakage of data and information at the digital level increasing the requirement of higher quality technology to protect businesses and consumers from frauds.

Last month, the RBI levied a monetary penalty of Rs 6 crore on Yes Bank for failing to report a cyber-security breach of its ATM network, and for breaching its rules regarding Income Recognition Asset Classification (IRAC).

Hemchandra said cyber security is emerging as a leading risk for the financial industry in particular. Banks as well as supervisors are also taking various measures to address concerns of cyber risk.

According to her, at present, banks receive threat information from various sources. RBI has also started giving its advisories, through CISO (Chief information security officer) forum.

The central bank has set up an IT subsidiary ReBIT in 2016 and also announced, in February 2017, the setting up an inter-disciplinary Standing Committee on Cyber Security.

On June 2, 2016 the RBI issued a circular on cyber security framework which mandated banks to comply with a certain baseline scenario of preparedness indicated therein.

In July this year, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, PP Chaudhary told Rajya Sabha that India witnessed more than 27,000 cyber security threat incidents in the first half of 2017 (till June). This number for the full year in 2016 was 50,362.

Addressing a gathering of cyber security officers and tech experts from the industry, Hemchandra listed 10 key checks to be kept by financial entities to strengthen cyber security and create a safe environment.

Key 1o checks to prevent cyber frauds

The ten checks include board level involvement as there is no time to lose, place quarterly updates before the Board by the IT department, appropriate organisational arrangement, have a CISO with suitably qualified senior level functionary, independent line of reporting to the IT head, who reports to the Board, etc.

The other important checks include patch management as delay and unavailability of patch at the right time can be a threat, addressing crisis management with a calibrated approach and not through a knee-jerk reaction so that we don't lose trail of data and demand higher standard from the vendors and third-party outsourcers.

The financial company must also have own quality assurance themes by doing away with obsolete hardware and software and adopt latest technology, include skill level training, periodic fresher courses, etc., have a high frequency oversight framework so that security arrangements are sustained and lastly enhance consumer awareness.
The merger of X with Y is based on the recommendations of the Committee headed by Shri Bibek Debroy. What 92-year-old practice came to an end in fiscal year 2017?

Eliminating corruption and weeding out black money from the economy will not happen overnight but the process for this purpose has begun, Bibek Debroy, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, said.

The noted economist and a Niti Aayog member also said that corruption hits relatively the poor more whereas clamping down on it would would impact the rich.

Debroy made the remarks while talking to PTI about a new book, 'On the Trail of the Black: Tracking Corruption', that he has edited along with Kishore Arun Desai, an Officer on Special Duty at NITI Aayog with Debroy.

When asked if ending corruption and weeding out black money is possible, Debroy said: "It's happening all the time as we speak."

The government last year on November 8 announced demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes to crack down on black money and parallel economy in the system.

"Look at the number of benaami properties that have been seized, the number of searches and seizures, the number of shell companies against whom action has been taken... ," he said.

Debroy, 62, however lamented that individually some citizens find easy way out, like paying bribe to a traffic cop after jumping red light, and then complain about corruption.

He also said that some people, for almost seven decades now, have lived with the "chalta hai" and "nothing will happen" attitude, but were now upset with the government.

"Now that things have started to happen, some people are upset. So I look at it positively, it (corruption and black money) is not a problem that would be solved overnight but I've given you some instances (of the process)," he said.

To a question on recent data leaks about offshore dealings, Debroy said whether the Panama Papers or the Paradise Papers, the government has already announced there will be investigations and probes are underway.

Debroy also cited an "anecdotal" figure to say the ratio between black and white money in Delhi has gone down.

"All of us who live in Delhi, in NCR, are familiar of the proposition that it used to be a 50:50 ratio (black and white money). Obviously after November 8, it has taken a hit. It is purely anecdotal -- but a lot of people who deal in property have told me that the 50:50 ratio has now come down to 20:80 (black to white money). I'm talking about Delhi," he said.

The book 'On the Trail of the Black: Tracking Corruption', published by Rupa Publications and launched yesterday, traces the cross-sectoral prevalence of corruption  from agriculture and real estate to education and electoral finances  in a comprehensive manner giving readers a ringside view of its cumulative and cascading impact on the common citizen.

Sonal Bhadan, Aparajita Gupta, Suprana Jain, Swati Saini, Shashvat Singh, Dhiraj Nayyar, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Shambhavi Sharan, Bhavana Kohli, Anna Roy, Ritika Aghi, Kheya Melo Furtado, Sneha Palit, Alok Kumar Dubey, T V Somnathan and Ranveer Nagaich have contributed to the book.

They have suggested concrete steps to uproot corruption and examine issues using consistent, fact-based, diagnostic and analytical approach.

Debroy said the planning for the book began almost a month after the landmark note ban announcement and the process took around six months.

"A lot of the commentary (on Demonetisation) has been in the nature of caricature because critics have often tended to suggest that 8th of November was the answer to everything under the sun. The government never stated that," he said.
Indian consumer electronics and durable makers need to expand their "size and scale" to be a part of the global supply chain, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said.

The industry would have to be one of the key drivers of growth of the Indian economy, he added.

"India is growing around 7.5 per cent... But the challenge is you need to grow at higher rates and the challenge is that we need to grow at higher rates over a longer period of time, three decades or more.

"It's not possible to do it without appliances and consumer durable industry," Kant said.

He was speaking at the annual function of the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA).

Kant said the industry needs the "right ecosystem" to grow and be a part of the global market.

"If you have to grow, then you need a right ecosystem and the right ecosystem to my mind is that we are in a globalised world and in globalised world we must be a part of the global supply chain. You can never grow by thinking of the domestic customers only," he said

Kant further said the government is dismantling several old rules and regulations, making them simpler for ease of doing business.

He also asked industry captains to "have the hunger and ambition to think in terms of size and scale".

"You look at Japan, Korea and China... all these countries have done it on the back of global market penetration. The big bucks are there.

"Penetration in the export market is the key and you can never do it without size and scale and therefor whatever this industry does it must think size and scale," he added.

During the event, CEAMA launched a report in association with consultancy firm PwC which said that the Indian appliance and consumer electronics (ACE) industry is expected to grow at 9 per cent CAGR over the next five years.
The Goods and Services (GST) Council will begin its two-day meet today in Guwahati. While cutting rates on 150-200 items under the 28 percent slab is on agenda, the Council is also likely to take up the proposal of bringing real estate under its umbrella.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that there is a strong case to bring real estate under the ambit of the new tax regime.

While delivering a lecture at the Harvard University, Jaitley had said: The one sector in India where maximum amount of tax evasion and cash generation takes place and which is still outside the GST is real estate. Some of the states have been pressing for it. I personally believe that there is a strong case to bring real estate into the GST."

Currently, GST is levied on services related to realty. A 12 percent tax is levied on construction of a complex, building, civil structure or intended for sale to a buyer, wholly or partly. However, land and other immovable property have been exempted from GST.

Another sector that may come under GST is power. Experts say that the move is to replace value-added tax (VAT) on state-level duty on electricity with SGST.

Besides these, the Council has been working to make GST filing simpler. The Council may also consider a proposal to allow filing of the summary GSTR-3B by businesses and doing away the requirement of three monthly returns  GSTR 1, GSTR 2 and GSTR 3. If not all, the facility may be allowed for medium-sized firms.

Talking about the positives of extending the indirect tax regimes purview, Jaitley pointed out that this will benefit the consumers who will only have to pay one "final tax" on the whole product.

"As a result, the final tax paid on the whole product in the GST would almost be negligible," he said.

Jaitley said the reduction in eventual expenditure coupled with incentivising people to enter the tax net may also help reduce the size of "shadow economy".

"Frankly, over the last several decades, serious efforts, real efforts to expand this base had not been made. You had marginal efforts," he said, adding that systematic efforts to challenge the "shadow economy" were made only recently.

"In the last few years, the bulk of the increase in tax payers has not been in terms of number of companies but individuals who are coming into the tax net," he said.
Punjab traders today asked the GST council to consider bringing down the GST rate on dry dates to 5 per cent at par with raisins and cashew nuts from 12 per cent at present.

Traders raised this demand as the 23rd meeting of the GST Council started in Guwahati today.

"We are demanding from the GST council to reduce the GST on dry dates from 12 per cent at present to five per cent as in the case of raisins and cashew nuts," said All India Dry Dates Association, President, Anil Mehra said today.

Dry dates are imported from Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Mehra said about 20 lakh bags (70 kg per bag) of dry dates are imported annually from the neighbouring country.

"Currently, the landed cost of dry dates stands at Rs 42 per kg and if the GST on this item is reduced, its cost will drop by Rs 3 per kg," Mehra said.

He pointed out that GST on raisins and cashew nuts was charged at 5 per cent.

The imported dry dates are supplied in various states including Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
DG Shah

There is perpetual tension between competition and exclusivity. The competition supports multi-source supply. The exclusivity requires protection for a single source. Both have bearing on access to medicines.

The competition ensures access, the exclusivity denies access. This tension

got heightened during the negotiations on the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) as developed countries egged by the Big Pharma pushed for higher IPR protection.

The TRIPs Agreement extended the varying terms of patent protection to a uniform period of 20 years, providing legal monopoly to the innovators.

What followed is history. The generics invaded the regulated markets, giving rise to many patent litigations. The last two decades witnessed

intense conflicts between the Intellectual Property (IP) owners and the generics across the continents. This will continue as the innovators seek to extend their monopoly beyond the 20-year period.

However, the onslaught of generics is so intense that the innovator companies are now looking for a shelter beyond IP protection. They are

exploring new avenues to keep generics/biosimilars at bay.

The innovator companies are frustrated with judiciarys stricter interpretation of patentability norm across the major markets. In addition, many governments burdened with unsustainable health expenditure are having a relook at the IP laws.

Both these have aggravated innovator companies concerns about maintaining exclusivity. Hence, they are looking for ways and means by which they can curb the menace of the generics at source of origin.

The battle has therefore moved a few steps backwards. Though, the issues are somewhat different, the confrontation seems to be the re-run of the past. This time round, the issues relate to:

 Innovators blocking access to pharmaceutical referenceproducts for bioequivalence testing, thereby delaying/

denying generic entry;

 Innovators using distribution safety protocol, knownas Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), to

impede generic/biosimilar drug development; and

 Innovators challenging the marketing approval grantedby the drug regulatory authority to prevent biosimilar

products.

These problems are not new. As the judiciary became more circumspect in its evaluation of alleged patent infringement, the innovator companies are seeking new ways of blocking generics. Till now, they used to block generics after the companies applied for regulatory approval. Now, they seek to block generics at the development stage itself.

This gives them multiple opportunities to delay or block the entry of generics. The modus operandi is not only unethical but is abusive.

In India, the innovator companies turned to obtaining commercially sensitive information from the office of the drug regulator. They hired a third-party to seek information about generic companies that have applied for import of samples of patented products for development.

A law which allows citizens right to information on matters of public importance, is thus abused to seek private information. Thus, equipped with authentic information about the generic companies regarding their development plans, the innovator companies move to the Court.The case is filed to restrain the company from breaching its patent.

In reality, the company is only importing samples for development.

Another abuse of law. More importantly, the company seeking permission to import is listed as a second or third defendant. The first defendant is an

unknown entity  an executive or an independent director of the company.

Thus, when the matter is listed, it would not show the name of the company, the real defendant. This ensures that the real defendant is not present in the Court. The matter is heard. The applicant (innovator company) claims that launch of a generic version is eminent. It will cause the right holder irreparable damage and gets ex-parte injunction, restraining the company from pursuing all activities related to the development of generic version. Yet one more abuse of law. By the time

this unethical and abusive practices came to light, several cases were heard. The innovators succeeded in some, failed in others. They include companies such as Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, etc.

The second and more prevalent practice is not providing samples for bioequivalence. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has intervened in legal disputes between generic and innovator companies for not providing their products for testing. In 2014, FTC backed Mylans REMS Antitrust Lawsuit against Celgene for bioequivalence testing. There may not be many such cases, but they could be economically significant. This practice has also attracted attention of the US law makers.

The US recently reintroduced a bill: Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2017 (CREATES Act). It speaks for the innovators abusive practices. Though CREATES Act allows generics to sue innovators

for not providing sufficient quantities of REMS products, experts doubt if it would provide optimum solution to the issue. It is possible that under the current regime in the USA, the innovator companies may behave differently to avoid glare of the President.

They may also not flout laws to pursue longer period of exclusivity, having regard to the new Administrations focus on raising competition to

reduce drug prices in the US.

Among the multiple opportunities that innovator companies now use is one of challenging the decision of the drug regulatory authority. In India, Roche sued Biocon and Mylan to restrain them from selling their biosimilar of breast cancer medicine Trastuzumab. Roche also challenged the drug regulator for approving their biosimilar. It won, but lost in appeal through an interim order. The parties have sued each other for contempt.

Subsequently, Biocon and Mylan claimed abuse of dominance by Roche before the competition authority. The competition authority ruled prima facie abuse of dominant position and ordered investigation.

Roche has challenged the investigation order raising a fundamentalissue: is patent enforcement anti-competitive? While, the matter is still subjudice, it suffices to say that competition authorities have woken up to the abusive anti-competitive practices of innovators. The points to note are innovator companies recourse to litigations to prevent/delay entry

of biogeneric and generic companies reliance on the competition authority.

The writer is CEO of Vision Consulting Group and Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)
When market turns hot, investors should use the opportunity to book some profits. The market usually turns volatile when it is trading near record highs.

The right strategy for investors is to look for opportunities to buy stocks on declines, and book profits when the markets trade near highs to maximize their profit.

Warren Buffett once said investors should look at market fluctuations as your friend rather than your enemy; profit from folly rather than participate in it. Investors might not be able to avoid volatility but they could use the swing and turn into a profitable trade.

Foreign investors pulled out money from Indian equity markets in the last 6 out of 12 months. However, on a net basis they are still net buyers to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore, while domestic investors have poured in over Rs 100,000 crore in the same period, Moneycontrol.com showed.

The Indian market witnessed a strong liquidity wave which took benchmark indices to record highs in the year 2017. Top 20 stocks where foreign investors pared their holding in the last three quarters are the ones which have more than doubled investors wealth in the year 2017.

Stocks, where FPI pared their stake, include names like Graphite India, Bombay Dyeing, Gravita India, GVK Power, Future Enterprises, Edelweiss Financial Services, Dewan Housing Finance etc. among others.

Note: The actual holding could vary from companys actual holding based on calculations

Many stocks which have more than doubled investors wealth saw some profit booking which is a healthy sign for the markets. Investors should also regularly book profits in quality stocks and later buy them on declines.

Some analysts see churning in FPI portfolio but that should not be your base case for buying or selling stocks, suggest experts. Investors should evaluate each and every stock based on their own risk profile before they take the decision to exit or even to book partial profits.

The fall in FIIs holdings can be conspicuously seen in cyclical stocks which have outperformed the markets by a wide margin. The right way to play the cyclical stocks is to sell them when the underlying commodity prices in which they deal are roaring ahead, Jimeet Modi, Founder & CEO, SAMCO Securities told Moneycontrol.

For Ex: Graphite India Ltd is selling graphite electrodes which are commanding high prices due to international factors. But, soon the supply will increase of electrodes and prices will cool, but by that time it would be too late to sell the stock. Hence, FIIs are selling such cyclical when the going is good, he said.

Riding on the liquidity wave many stocks especially in the small and midcap space witnessed strong rally which pushed the valuations beyond historical averages. Investors can look at booking profits in some stocks while holding the rest of them for the long term.

The Indian markets now trade at historical highs with Nifty trading at a PE of 26.9x TTM basis compared to PE of 22.5x TTM prior to demonetisation, with banks and NBFCs being major gainers.

The S&P BSE Midcap index is trading at a P/E of 41.66x and a P/B of 2.87 while the S&P BSE Smallcap index is trading at a P/E of 85.67x and a P/B of 2.54, according to BSEIndia.com.

Our view is to stick with high-quality stocks and sectors within the mid-caps as they are likely to continue its outperformance in the long-term. Secondly, the valuation parameter like Price/Earnings of midcaps are looking very dear, due to increased demand from domestic investors and lower earnings growth due to disruptive developments, Vinod Nair, Head Of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Though the valuation needs some normalisation, we feel that the extent of price erosion is limited as you adjust your investment horizon in accordance with the changed investment methodology of retail investors, stabilisation in business activities which will correct the earnings picture and healthy outlook for the Indian economy, as a result P/E's are not very overwhelming, he said.

What should investors do?

Investors should do their own research rather than blindly following the strategy of foreign investors. India is in a bull market and investors should take advantage and invest wisely.

One way to make big money in equity markets is to look at quality mid and smallcap stocks which could offer huge growth potential as compared to their largecap names. Investors should maintain an ideal mix of small and midcap stocks along with largecap names to hedge against extreme volatility.

Bull market is all about growth investing. In order to take advantage of Indias bull market, they have correctly adopted this strategy. Capturing growth in small and the midcap stock is actually the mantra to make big money. Even Indian investors should follow this strategy, said Modi of Samco Securities.

Following FIIs blindly will not help. Each stock or sector will have to be evaluated on its own merits and one should not be carried away by what FIIs are doing, he said.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

Market regulator SEBI has imposed penalties on 22 entities including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), for 'manipulative trading'. The regulator has imposed total penalties worth Rs 6.9 crore on all entities.

Rupani's HUF has been accused of manipulative trading through a company called Sarang Chemicals, reports the Business Standard.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has directed Rupani's HUF to pay Rs 15 lakh, while three other individuals have been asked to deposit Rs 70 lakh each or more.

The list of 22 entities includes two brokers, who were involved in the trading. SEBI has levied penalty of Rs 8 lakh on both, separately.

According to the report, the manipulative trading happened during the January 2010-June 2011 period. The regulator had issued show cause notice to all the 22 listed for violations under the Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP)  which is related to fraud in the securities market.

In an order dated October 27, SEBI said that the violations by the companies and the two brokers have been established and has hence, imposed monetary penalty on each. The notice has been for two categories - one for price manipulation and the other for misleading appearance and creating fake volumes in the shares of Sarang Chemicals.

The artificial volume in the company was created by trading among themselves, the notice said.

Rupani's HUF has been classified under the second category.

The report further says that during the investigation period - January 2010 to June 2011 - 20 entities purchased shares, which accounted for 33 percent of the market value. These shares when sold later accounted for 86 percent of the market value.

It is observed that noticee numbers 1-9, 18 & 20 by trading voluminously amongst themselves had first generated interest among the other investors to trade in the scrip and when the other investors started trading in the scrip due to such false impression of market, some of the group entities (noticee numbers 1-5 and 10-17) had offloaded shares in the market at an increased price... Such pattern of trading clearly reveals the ulterior/malafide intent and certainly such activities of noticee numbers 1-18 & 20 is in violation of regulation 3 (a) to (d), 4 (1) & 4 (2) (a), (b) & (e) of the PFUTP Regulations, the Sebi order says.

Rupani didn't reply to SEBI's show cause notice, the report said.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India is planning to define thresholds which if not met, will lead to stocks being subject to Graded Surveillance Measures.

Graded Surveillance Measures are applied to securities which witness an abnormal price rise not commensurate with financial health and fundamentals

These measures, aimed at enhancing market integrity, include reduction in price band, periodic call auction and transfer of securities to Trade to Trade category from time to time.

A SEBI analysis has found that stocks of companies with free float market capitalization of less than 10 crores and average daily turnover of less than 1 percent of free float are easy to manipulate.

Accordingly, there is a view within the regulator that stocks that fall below both these thresholds should be subject to Graded Surveillance Mechanism, sources told Moneycontrol.

Once placed under Graded Surveillance, these stocks could be subject to restrictions like once a week trading or once a month trading, if the regulator has reason to believe that the price is being manipulated. Also, the exchanges can seek additional margins as surveillance deposit for an extended period.

SEBIs intention is to ensure that investors do not lose money by investing in dubious companies. However, many in the market do not agree with the approach.

Says Alok Churiwala, Managing Director, Churiwala Securities, It is not the bidding of the regulator to make a qualitative assessment of the health of company financials. Markets world over termed as efficient when there is minimal intervention by regulator.

At the same time, there is a view within the government that many of the small cap companies are in fact nothing but conduits for money laundering. Also, even if many of these companies were to delist, it would make no big difference to the investing community.

A source familiar with the development told Moneycontrol, After this exercise, the number of listed companies could reduce significantly. Even now only 1000 to 1500 companies have decent trading volumes.

In August, the SEBI had placed 331 listed companies under GSM, suspecting them to be shell companies.
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Bonanza Portfolio

The Nifty50 corrected 100 points from fresh highs in the last two days and we witnessed strong volumes on the charts. In Tuesday session, long unwinding was seen in the index and on Wednesday we saw a short built up in index suggesting bulls are losing control on the street and bears entering from higher levels.

The index managed to close above 10,300-mark in Wednesdays session. A strong support is placed at 10,250 and holding above the same level, we expect the rally to continue towards 10,355-10,400 in coming sessions.

In the short term time frame, the index is trading in an oversold zone, we may expect a bounce but overall strength will come only if Nifty sustains above 10,400 level.

On the derivative front, highest open interest is at 10,000 PE followed by 10,200 PE which will act as strong support for November and on higher side 10,500 CE have highest open interest followed 10,400 CE so will act as resistance as of now.

We recommend positional traders to hold on to their position with keeping stoploss level below 10,250 on closing basis and rallies should be used to exit long positions. The Nifty50 will continue with its overall uptrend if it manages to sustain above 10,400 level.

Here is a list of four stocks which can give up to 13% return in short term:

Crompton Greaves: BUY | Target Rs 260 | Stop Loss Rs 210| Upside 13%

The stock rallied from 137 to 245 levels in the span of three months and from there it retraced back to its 38.20% level. A strong support of 200-DMA and 38.2% retracement zone acted as a strong base for the stock as we witnessed a strong pullback in the stock.

On daily charts, the stock broke its triangle pattern recently with decent volume and on the weekly charts, the stock has broken its consolidation area. The momentum indicator such as relative strength index (RSI) which is hovering near 60 is again in a bullish zone.

Traders can take a position at the counter at current levels to any dip near 220 for the targets of 260 and a stop out levels can be kept below 210 on the closing basis.

3M India: BUY | Target Rs 17500| Stop Loss Rs 14000| Upside 12%

The stock is trading in a super uptrend since long and if we look at the last week chart setup, we have witnessed a strong Cup and handle pattern breakout on the weekly charts in the presence of good volume that suggest the stock is all set to go further higher from current levels.

If we look at the monthly charts, it seems that the stock has broken its bullish flag pattern and an inverted head and shoulder pattern, which are both bullish in nature.

Considering technical setup, traders can accumulate the stock at current levels to any dip near 14800 for the target of 17500 with a stop loss below Rs 14000 on a closing basis.

Brigade Enterprises: BUY | Target Rs 310| Stop Loss Rs 260| Upside 10%

The stock was in a consolidation period for the last three month and just last week, the stock has given a volume breakout.

On the daily charts, the stock has broken from its inverted head and shoulder pattern with strong volumes and currently, the prices are hovering above breakout zone.

On the weekly charts, the stock has broken from its bullish flag pattern which is considered being a bullish continuation pattern.

Considering technical breakouts, traders can initiate buy call on the stock at current levels to any dip near 275 for the target of Rs 310 with a stop loss below Rs 260 on a closing basis.

TTK Prestige: BUY | Target Rs 7000| Stop Loss Rs 6300| Upside 6%

The stock is trading in a strong uptrend since long and in the last two month, we saw some correction in the counter which dragged the stock towards 6k levels.

On the weekly charts, stock took a support at its 50-days exponential moving average and we have seen a strong pull back with volume recently.

If we study the weekly chart, the stock has broken from its bullish flag pattern and small downtrend channel pattern recently with very good volumes suggesting it is ready to continue its overall trend.

Considering above technical evidence, Bonanza recommends a buy call on stock at current levels to any dip near 6400 for the target 7000 with keeping stop out level below 6300 on a closing basis.

The author is Senior Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio Ltd. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Hardly any soul will disagree that setting up a startup is a mammoth task.The challenge is not just about streamlining a business idea, finding the right people, or zeroing in on the relevant target audience.

The crucial part of incorporating a new business concerns with structuring it in compliance with law.

Roma Priya, a Delhi-based lawyer has set out to iron out the process for the startups.

Most startups organize their business idea well, will have good business prospect, but falter on legal issues like should it be private or public limited. Then there are issues of intellectual property where I have seen a number of cases where third-party vendors claim IP. Its damaging for a company, Priya says.

Priya, with nearly a decade of experience in structuring startup deals, founded Burgeon Bizsupport in 2015 and claims to have represented structured several venture deals for clients including GSF Accelerator, Zo Rooms, Niki,ai, and Innerchef among others.

An ex-council at Sand Hill, Roma feels the investment climate has changed manifold since she started working with startups in 2011.

Sand Hill represents venture capital and private equity funds in fund formations and represents companies in financing.

One of the first deals she was involved at Sand Hill was Sequioa Capitals investment in mobile wallet startup Freecharge, which was later bought over by Snapdeal and then Axis Bank.

According to Priya, the investment climate has changed manifold since then.

One of the major changes between then and now, she says, is that most VC firms would invest only in tranches.

But now, startups and investors both are looking at closing larger rounds as the startup ecosystem matures in India.

When I started in this career there were a handful of startups and venture funds were still experimenting, investment used to be in tranches. Not bucket loads of money that were bestowed upon startups between 2012 and 2015, she says.

Funding in tranches actually hurt the startups, making entrepreneurship inaccessible.

Investors began to realise that putting a startup through uncertainty regarding funding is detrimental to growth, feels Roma.

Today, the process has come full circle.

Investors are not afraid to fund big ticket deals today, but at the same time they have turned cautious and are looking at the right metrics. Evaluation and due diligence is much more sophisticated, she adds.

Although most affirmative rights or veto power enjoyed by investors have remained the same, venture capitalists are exerting greater control over a start-up's spending and operations, which have also found space in term agreements.

There are different ways to do that. Investors can control unnecessary expenditure by mandating acquiring consent from the board above a certain cost, or periodically monitoring the income statement to keep a track on expenditures, she says.

A case in point is Indias first unicorn company, e-commerce player Flipkart, which burnt several crores of its funding money in expenses, after it secured large ticket funding between 2015 and 2016.

Investor Tiger Global is said to have tightened the noose around its neck at the time. Flipkart is now streamlining its costs through various internal and marketing initiatives under Kalyan Krishnamurthy.

Flipkart is not alone. Companies such as Snapdeal, AskMe among others burnt themselves with huge expenses on advertising, offering mind boggling remuneration to Bollywood actors as brand ambassadors.

While AskMe shut shop, Snapdeal recently snubbed a buyout offer from Flipkart, hoping to pivot the company to a new profitable model.

Still, several early-stage startups need handholding in legal matters such as structuring of a company, equity distribution, fund raising and so on.

Fund raising for instance is a typical pain point. It can get complex especially if there are foreign investors. It requires several RBI compliances to be fulfilled. Many startups have faulty company structure to start with which make legalities difficult to streamline in later stages, says Priya.

She recalls a bootstrapped startup without naming it, which filed a legal case against a vendor when they couldnt afford it. They overshot their budget and they had to look for legal counsel, she elaborates.
Equities

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Shares of Va Tech Wabag and Bombay Dyeing rose 3-5 percent intraday Thursday on robust Q2 numbers.

Va Tech Wabag has recorded 42 percent jump in its Q2 net profit at Rs 37.6 crore and total income rose 14 percent at Rs 886.5 crore.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was up 34 percent at Rs 58.96 crore and margins were up 120 bps at 8.7 percent.

Bombay Dyeing has turned profitable in the quarter ended September 2017 as it report profit at Rs 52.8 crore versus loss of 36.5 crore in the same quarter last year.

Income of the company was up 35 percent at Rs 692.2 crore.

EBIDTA increased to Rs 168 crore versus 20.7 crore and EBITDA margin was up at 24.3 percent versus 4 percent.

The company's real estate sales were up 250 percent at Rs 321.6 crore versus Rs 91.8 crore

At 09:48 hrs Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company was quoting at Rs 205.80, up 5 percent and Va Tech Wabag was quoting at Rs 589.90, up 0.39 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
Ashwani Gujral of Ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, "As far as individual stocks are concerned Reliance Industries is a buy with a stoploss of Rs 900 target of Rs 935. Tata Sponge Iron is a buy with a stoploss of Rs 960 target of Rs 995. Britannia Industries is a buy with a stoploss of Rs 4,750 target of Rs 4,900."

"I dont think yesterdays news can take Arvind much higher than where it is. That is out of the picture. Now Arvind if it has to find support it has to be near Rs 395-400. Fresh rally will probably take some time in happening. For the moment if you made money if you got around Rs 360 etc. This is probably still the time to book profit."

"Jayant Agro-Organics should be sold. It is almost at 200-day moving average but maybe I would still go with Heritage Foods or Avanti Feeds, those are better agri style companies than Jayant Agro."

"Chances are Reliance Capital could go even lower because now becoming a holding company. Anyway the stock chart hasnt been looking positive for the last three or four months, so maybe it is a good idea to get out of capital and get into Reliance Industries which at some point will resume its rally and probably make fresh highs," he added.
Angel Broking's currency report on EURINR

EURINR spot is expected to fall today as German "wise men" sound alarm over "overheating" economy which shall keep the currency pressurized. The ongoing political tensions in Catalan and Germany shall further put pressure on the shared currency. Germany's Greens overtake liberals in poll as coalition talks continue while Ex - Catalan leader Puigdemont freed with conditions in Belgium.

EURINR spot is expected to fall today as German "wise men" sound alarm over "overheating" economy which shall keep the currency pressurized.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Sushil Finance's report on crude oil

Oil prices settled slightly lower on Wednesday after U.S. government data showed rising domestic crude production, a surprise build in U.S. stockpiles and a decline in monthly Chinese crude imports, a triple blow that was offset somewhat by rising tensions in the Middle East. The EIA also said crude stocks increased by 2.2 million barrels, shocking the market after analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 2.9 million - barrel draw and industry group the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a decline of 1.6 million barrel. China's October oil imports fell to just 7.3 million bpd from a near record - high of about 9 million bpd in September, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. Traders said they w ere also watching escalating tensions in the Middle East, especially between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Brent crude hit $64.65 earlier this week, its highest since mid - 2015, as political tensions in the Middle East escalated after a sweeping an ti - corruption purge in top crude exporter Saudi Arabia, which in turn has confronted Iran over the conflict in Yemen. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' 2017 World Oil Outlook showed the group predicts demand for its crude will rise more slowly than previously expected in the next two years, as higher prices from its supply policy stimulate output growth from rival producers.We expect crude oil prices to trade positive on the back of concerns over the arrests of some Saudi royal family members and ministers on corruption charges.

For all commodities report, click here

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Shares of Petronet LNG touched 52-week high of Rs 275.30, advancing 5.7 percent intraday Thursday on robust September quarter numbers.

The company has posted a 28 percent increase in September-quarter profit to Rs 589 crore against Rs 459.56 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.

Income of the company rose 17.5 percent at Rs 7770 crore against Rs 6614 crore.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of the company was at Rs 898.7 crore and EBIDTA margin was at 11.6 percent.

The Q2 has reported highest ever LNG processed by company. Its Dahej terminal processed higher ever volume with capacity utilisation at 110 percent. The Kochi terminal operating at 16 percent capacity, company told to CNBC-TV18.

Motilal Oswal has maintained buy rating on the stock with a target of Rs 275 in its report dated November 8, 2017.

At 11:36 hrs Petronet LNG was quoting at Rs 275.30, up Rs 15.15, or 5.82 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
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Cement, calcined petroleum coke and specialty chemicals maker Rain Industries share price touched a fresh record high of Rs 373.90, rising as much as 10 percent on Thursday post stellar earnings performance.

With maintaining buy call on the stock, Motilal Oswal said it has raised target price to Rs 492 (from Rs 362 per share) following increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) estimates and carbon margins.

It has raised estimates for carbon margins from USD 100 per tonne to USD 120 per tonne. As a result, consolidated EBITDA has increased by 17/22/21 percent for CY17/CY18/CY19, it added.

Rain Industries reported very strong earnings growth, driven by structural changes in market dynamics for its carbon business. Consolidated EBITDA increased 49 percent YoY to Rs 673 crore, beating Motilal Oswal's estimate of Rs 500 crore by a wide margin, due to both stronger margins (USD 118 per tonne versus estimate of USD 85 per tonne) and volumes (475kt versus estimate of 425kt CPC volumes) in the carbon business.

Chemical division was affected by fire at one of its plant in Europe, seasonally low demand and higher input prices. Despite lower prices, margins in the cement business improved due to the benefit of waste heat recovery and operational improvements.

Profit during the quarter grew by 93.3 percent year-on-year to Rs 253.4 crore and revenue increased 36.5 percent to Rs 3,050.8 crore.

Motilal Oswal said the market is now facing shortage of calcined petroleum coke (CPC), while the GPC (green petroleum coke - the key input) market is not as tight. Further, Rain has invested in desulfurisation plants and mixers, which allow it to use higher sulfur GPC relative to competitors.

Therefore, the research house believes CPC margins for Rain will settle at a higher level than the USD 120 per tonne achieved in 2011. "We are raising estimates for CPC volumes by 3/8/2 percent for CY17/CY18/CY19," it said.

Similarly, the brokerage firm expects coal tar pitch margins to benefit from supply-side correction in its key market and additional demand from aluminum production ramp-up in North America and graphite industry.

As the 200kt pet tar distillation expansion project in Europe is on track, we are raising volumes by 9 percent to 700kt for CY19," Motilal Oswal said.

At 10:06 hours IST, the stock price was quoting at Rs 367.00, up Rs 27.05, or 7.96 percent on the BSE.
Sudarshan Sukhani of s2analytics.com told CNBC-TV18, "There are four buying opportunities and one sell. The sell is easier, it is Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services. It is part of the NBFC space which I am not upbeat on in the short-term."

"Buys are scattered, starting with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, where a narrow range day yesterday could lead to another breakout today, so that is a buying opportunity, also a part of the favoured pharma pack."

"Then I have Tata Steel, the stock has been going one way up. A brief correction could have ended yesterday. A narrow range day, also it closed higher, the Nifty closed lower. So two good points for a momentum trade on the upside," he said.

"Voltas has a very attractive chart apart from the fact that it has good results, the chart suggests a significant up move. It is not just a swing trade. You could actually take a position even if there is a gap up and hold on," he said.

"Finally, I have Page Industries, it has been in a one side rally, a very brief correction could be coming to an end. So, more or less I am generally hoping that lower levels in the Nifty will hold and these midcaps will then rally," he added.

"Reliance Industries is a buying opportunity for any investor who doesnt have this in his or her portfolio. There is a minor dip and quite possibly this dip could go lower also, there is no need to time this investment. You should be buying if you dont have it. As a trading call, this stock has to stop falling before we consider a trade on the long side and that should happen in a day or two."

"Among oil & gas stocks, I like the Petronet Group, Petronet LNG and as well as Gujarat State Petronet they are now flat after a strong rally and there is a trading call. I think Petronet gives its results today. If there is a minor dip that is a buy."

"We have been missing out tech stocks which should do well. So, Tech Mahindra and Hexaware Technologies. Hexaware is at lifetime new highs and Tech Mahindra is breaking from a large breakout base, already in a bull run. Both should also be looked at for buying."

"I am looking at Rain Industries, but it rallies every day, it is very difficult for a trader to buy it. So, you have to wait for corrections before you can actually enter."

"There are two stocks that are coming in play. One is Aurobindo Pharma. It has already been in a strong uptrend and there is a buying here and second is Reliance we were talking about it in the morning and it is possible that a short-term low is in play, so Reliance should be considered for a buying for the day."

"HSIL which is Hindustan Sanitaryware that is a better stock to buy as compared to Kajaria Ceramics."

: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping

The US and China today signed deals worth more than USD 250 billion, including an agreement on 300 Boeing planes, during President Donald Trump's maiden visit amid his criticism of the Communist giant's unfair business practices and the whopping USD 370 billion trade deficit.

The deals were signed at a ceremony attended by Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.

It included the purchase of US-made chip sets, jetliners and soybeans.

Chinese and US companies signed trade and investment deals worth more than USD 250 billion, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Other official media reports put the figure around USD 253 billion.

Facts have shown that China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, Xi said.

Significantly, China also managed to push its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was earlier criticised by the US.

China's Silk Road Fund, a unit under the People's Bank of China to promote the Belt and Road international trade initiative, will set up a joint fund with the US, Hong Kong- based South China Morning Post reported.

China had set up a USD 40 billion Silk Road fund to assist the BRI projects.

Among a long list of agreements ranging from shale gas to car parts, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the state energy group, signed a USD 43 billion deal to jointly explore natural gas with the US in Alaska, the Post report said.

Chinas sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, will offer financial support. Bank of China, a Chinese state- owned bank, will help with finance, too.

Chinese phone makers, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo will sign deals to buy products from Qualcomm, the US telecom mobile chip-maker.

The US tech firm Broadcom made a USD 105 billion takeover bid for Qualcomm earlier this month.

China Investment Corp is to set up a joint fund with Goldman Sachs. Other deals include the Chinese purchase of planes from Boeing and the imports of Tesla cars into China, the report said.

Ahead of his visit, Trump has said the massive trade deficit in bilateral trade is a shame, and has been pressuring China to open Chinese markets more for US products and firms.

The US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated USD 648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lion's share with about USD 478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at USD 169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

Chinas customs administration released figures showed a trade surplus of USD 26.6 billion with the US in October alone.

Both sides inked deals worth USD 9 billion yesterday.
US military personnel are taking part this week in the largest international army operation ever held deep in the Amazon jungle of northern Brazil, in a sign of closer U.S.-Brazil defense ties.

Troops from Brazil, Colombia and Peru will set up a temporary military base in their tri-border region for a week-long logistics exercise in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Brazilian army officials said.

About 50 U.S. personnel will be present for the exercise, including 19 observers and 31 members of the Montana Air National Guard who will be based out of Manaus providing air transportation, a U.S. embassy statement said.

The United States will provide a Hercules C-130 transport plane to move personnel and equipment, the Brazilian army said.

The presence of U.S military personnel in Brazil's Amazon region underscored improving defense relations between the two most populous countries in the Western Hemisphere after more than a decade of distancing under leftist Brazilian governments.

In March, then-commander of the U.S. Army South, Major General Clarence K. K. Chinn visited military installations in the Amazon and was decorated in Brasilia. Bilateral agreements on defense cooperation and information security have taken effect recently after years of stalling in Brazil's Congress.

The Brazilian general in charge of the operation said he was "astounded" by criticism of the U.S. involvement in the exercise in a globalized world where Brazil maintains good relations with China, Russia and the United States.

"It's a senseless conspiracy theory raised by leftist parties," General Guilherme Theophilo Gaspar de Oliveira, the Brazilian Army's logistics commander, told reporters, as he praised deep U.S. experience and know how in disaster relief.

The Brazilian Army said it was the first time such a large military exercise has been held in the Amazon and would help prepare the armed forces of the three neighboring countries for a humanitarian crisis such as mass migration.

Brazil has kept a close eye on economic and political upheaval in neighboring Venezuela that could trigger such an exodus. More than 30,000 Venezuelans have already fled over the border into the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, according to federal police.

The Brazilian Army said Venezuela is one of the 19 countries sending observers for the so-called United America Operation.

Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann will attend the jungle exercises on the weekend and then fly to Washington for three days of talks with Pentagon officials, his press representative said.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

A day after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh claimed that Narendra Modi had never met him over Narmada project issue during the latter's tenure as the Gujarat chief minister, the current state CM Vijay Rupani today alleged that Singh was lying as Modi had met him in 2011 and 2013 to discuss the issue.

He also said that besides these meetings, Modi, as the former Gujarat CM, had also written several letters to Singh over the issue.

Rupani shared several documents related to the correspondence and meetings between Modi and Singh on the Sardar Sarovar dam issue.

As per these documents, Modi had written several letters to Manmohan Singh urging him to grant permission for the "construction of spillway piers to its full height and bridge as well as installation of gates (to be kept in raised position) on Sardar Sarovar dam over Narmada".

"Instead of giving an explanation to the people of Gujarat for delaying the Narmada project, Singh resorted to telling total lies about meeting Modiji. These documents clearly show that Modiji had not only written to Singh several times, but also met him to represent about the stalled work on the dam," Rupani told reporters.

Singh had yesterday said that Modi never met him to make a representation about the Sardar Sarovar dam when the latter was the chief minister of Gujarat.

Singh's claim came weeks after Modi had alleged that although he had met the then PM several times on the issue of raising the height of the dam, there was no assurance from the erstwhile UPA government on finishing the project.

Rupani said, Modi had written to Singh about various issues regarding the project, including the environmental permission and rehabilitation issues, in January 2011, June 2011 and in August 2013.

"Modiji made a representation when Singh visited Gujarat in March 2011. It is also on record that Modiji held a meeting with Singh at the PMO in February 2013 and discussed the issue for almost 45 minutes. Despite that, Singh is claiming that Modiji never met him over the issue," he said.

Rupani added that the people of Gujarat will give a befitting reply to the Congress in the upcoming Assembly polls for stalling the project.

Polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.

Nearly 56 years after its foundation was laid, the Sardar Sarovar dam became a reality with Modi dedicating it to the nation on September 17 this year.

The foundation stone of the dam was laid on April 5, 1961 by the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. However, it took 56 years to finally complete the construction due to litigations and protests by the affected villagers.

Modi, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat, had sat on a 51-hour fast in 2006 as the UPA government refused to grant permission to raise the height of the dam citing incomplete rehabilitation work.

In just 17 days after becoming the prime minister in 2014, the Modi government gave the permission to raise the height of the dam to over 138 metres and install the gates.

The work on raising the height of the dam to 138.68 metres was recently completed, which will allow maximum usable storage of 4.73 million acre feet of water.
Cracking the whip on benami properties and huge cash deposits made after the demonetisation, the income tax (I-T) department has seized 541 properties and frozen bank accounts holding funds to the tune of 1,800 crore, reports The Economic Times.

According to the newspaper, the tax department has initiated actions against those entities which have not yet filed returns.

To curb the menace of black money in the economy, the government enacted the stringent Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 on November 1, 2016, which allow authorities to confiscate such assets. The person found guilty of the offence could face a jail term of up to seven years and may have to pay a fine of 25 percent of the fair market value.

Nearly 22,000 cases where irregular behaviour have been noticed - where people either filed returns for the first time or revised previous returns have been identified. The cases identified also include some high-profile politicians and their relatives. After completing the legal process, the taxmen will start the process of auctioning seized assets.

While campaigning for the state assembly election in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in his speech on November 4 that his government would target benami properties.
The Centre is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government for a second airport in Chennai required by 2030-2035, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said today.

Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey and AAI officials have held two meeting with the Tamil Nadu government in the last three months to discuss the matter.

"Eighteen months back, we were handling 28 movements per hour (at Chennai) and after making improvements in our air navigation system, we hope to reach 40. With this, we expect we will be managing Chennai till 2030 or 2035. But a city like Chennai will definitely require a second airport thereafter," Mohapatra told reporters.

According to a study carried out by aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), Chennai handled 18.4 million passengers in 2016 and is expected to reach its maximum capacity of 23-26 million passengers by 2020, if traffic grows at an estimated rate of 12.5 per cent.

The CAPA adds that while there are plans to expand capacity to 30 million passengers per year at Chennai airport, airside (hangars, runway, parking bay) constraints could pose a big challenge.

The think-tank estimates an expenditure of $500 million for a second airport in Chennai.

Mohapatra said that a decision will be taken later on whether the second airport will be a greenfield airport (new airport on unsused land) developed on public private partnership model or whether it will be developed by the AAI.

Another city that will need a second airport is Kolkata and the West Bengal government has suggested the Durgapur airport as an option.

But Mohapatra added that Durgapur is at a fair distance from Kolkata and many airlines have not shown interest in the airport so far and, therefore, the Centre has asked the state government to explore another location.

The Centre is also exploring land pool model of infrastructure development as an alternative to land acquisition.

"That is the way forward to plan airports in the future," the AAI Chairman said.

The civil aviation ministry has proposed this model to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for developing new airports in the state.
Q19. Which state in India became worlds first organic state?

Food regulator FSSAI on Thursday released a unified regulation on organic foods to ensure that these food items are actually organic.

At the Organic World Congress held in Greater Noida, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) unveiled a common logo for organic foods as a symbol of authenticity and trust.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations 2017, along with the 'Jaivik Bharat' logo and 'Indian Organic Integrity Database Portal' at the event, FSSAI said in a statement.

The portal, developed by FSSAI along with APEDA and PGS- India, would help consumers verify the authenticity of organic foods.

The regulation for organic foods covers under its ambit two existing systems of organic certification - National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) of APEDA, Department of Commerce and Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) of Agriculture Ministry.

The regulation provides for recognition of other certification systems in the future.

FSSAI is mandated to regulate organic food in the country under the provisions of Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The regulator said that it had initiated the development of this regulation about a year ago, through extensive consultations with various stakeholders including related ministries, agencies, NGOs, farmer organisations etc.

A draft regulation was notified seeking comments from stakeholders and only after taking all inputs into consideration, the current regulation has been released.

Under this regulation, any foods offered or promoted for sale as organic foods are required to comply with all the requirements of NPOP or PGS-India or any other certification system that may be approved by FSSAI in future.

"However, direct sales of organic food by small farmers, producer or producer organisation to the end-consumer is exempt from this requirement," it said.

All organic foods under the regulation have to comply with other regulations of FSSAI as applicable.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday said his government has prepared an action plan to eradicate malnutrition from the state by 2022.

The government will seek assistance from social organisations and corporate houses to achieve this target, the CM said at a UNICEF programme here.

"We have to reduce mother and infant mortality rates by 2022," Das asserted, adding that tribal and Dalit areas are the worst-affected.

The CM said his government would spend funds on this programme from the Corporate Social Responsibility Council, set up in 2015 to address the pressing issues in the state.

An integrated nutrition mission programme has also been set up recently and its meeting will be convened at the earliest, he said.

Elaborating on his government's plan of action, the CM said, every year four to five districts will be selected for the programme and the government will also take assistance from social organisations to launch awareness campaigns in the remote areas.
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SpiceJet announced the expansion of its domestic and international flight network as part of which it will connect Ahmedabad with Bangkok besides launching several new flights on the local routes.

The new flights, to be launched between December 1 and December 10, will boost leisure and business travel in the upcoming holiday season, the budget carrier said in a release.

SpiceJet is all set to start operating the first-ever daily direct flight to Bangkok from Ahmedabad from December 7, it said.

With the introduction of the new Varanasi-Ahmedabad flight, the temple town will now have convenient connections to Bangkok, Dubai, Muscat and Goa via Ahmedabad, the release said.

The Gurgaon-based private carrier currently operates 384 average daily flights to 52 destinations - 45 domestic and 7 international.

The airline will also introduce daily non-stop flights on the Jaipur-Jodhpur, Surat-Jodhpur, Ahmedabad-Varanasi and Bengaluru-Bagdogra sectors, besides introducing services to Varanasi from Ahmedabad from December 7, the release said.

In addition, a third frequency between Bengaluru- Kolkata and second frequency on the Ahmedabad-Bengaluru, Chennai-Goa and Surat-Goa routes will be launched next month.

A seasonal non-stop direct flight on the Delhi-Port Blair sector is also being rolled out from December 10 to February 9 next year. The route will be serviced with a Boeing 737 plane, it said.

"Adding new flights, new frequencies, scaling up operations and enhancing our overall network will remain a constant endeavour for us at SpiceJet as we eye new growth markets," said SpiceJet chief sales and revenue officer Shilpa Bhatia.

While the flight on the Ahmedabad-Varanasi route will be operational on all days except Sunday, the airline will be operating a daily flight on the Ahmedabad-Bangkok route.

The airline will also launch a new daily direct flight on the Ahmedabad-Bengaluru route from December 1, thereby connecting the financial capital of Gujarat with other domestic and international destinations, it said.

SpiceJet will be operating an additional frequency on the Bengaluru-Kolkata route and has added a new flight on the Bengaluru-Bagdogra route, it said.

The Bengaluru-Bagdogra route will be operational on all days except Tuesday.

The new flights introduced on the Goa-Chennai, Surat- Goa, Jaipur-Jodhpur and Jodhpur-Surat routes will be operational on all days starting December 7 with the Q400 fleet.

According to the airline, the new Surat-Jodhpur flight will give a boost to the textile traders while giving tourists a one-stop convenient connection between Jodhpur and Goa via Surat.
February 04, 2020 / 12:14 PM IST

ANI

BJP

Himachal

BJP

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People in #HimachalPradesh are saying ' BJP 60 mein baaki sab 8 mein', which means Congress will go down to single digits: Anil Baluni,BJP Media Cell Chief pic.twitter.com/kRFrfWj1jZ

 ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Media Cell Chief:Pradesh says, '60sab 8

19:25 BJP confident on winning 60 seats, decimating Congress

As the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls ended today, the BJP expressed confidence of getting a huge majority, claiming that the tally of the incumbentCongress would be reduced to single digit in the 68-member House.

"People have given their mandate. The five-year corrupt rule of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is going to end. We will get over 60 seats and the Congress tally will be confined to single digit. It will disappear from the state after results are announced," BJP media head Anil Baluni said.

19:00 AIR News| All India Radio says that 74% was recorded till 5 pm.

18:53 JUST IN | ANI reports: 74% voting recorded till now in HP polls, ECI says that it is likely to go up

18:02 POLLING TIME ENDS



Polling time in #HimachalPradeshElections ends; visuals from a polling station in Mandi. pic.twitter.com/QZaSJiy3Bn  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017



#HimachalPradeshElections | Polling concludes peacefully in all 68 constituencies; Around 70% voters exercise their franchise till 5 PM. All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 9, 2017

17:53 Sirmaur district, which faced EVM machine malfunction and delay in start of voting, still has a line of more than hundred voters at its Rajgarh booth. They are being given voting slips so that they can cast their votes, reported News18.

17:23 Today's election was by and large peaceful. No untoward incident has yet been reported, except for a dozen of glitches in EVM and VVPAT machines in some polling booths.

17:14 Himachal Pradesh polling ends. Only people already standing in queues can vote now.

17:11 Till 4 pm Chaupal recorded voter turnout of 70%, Shimla urban constituency recorded 66%, Shimla Rural 62%, Jubbal Kotkhai 75%, and Nalagarh 80%, as per News18 report.

17:00 Voter turnover in Una district till 4 pm: 67.09%

In Kullu district till 3 pm: 66.14%

16:50 News18 journalists covering the Himachal Pradesh polls were attacked in Dharamshala post-midnight on Wednesday where a cameraman sustained a fracture in his arm. The channel said the attackers were BJP cadres.

After complaints, the police has lodged an FIR against Dharamshala's BJP candidate Kishan Kapoor's son Sakshat Kapoor, a News18 article said.

16:38 64.8% votes have been polled by 4 pm, as per media reports.

16:18 Former Himachal Pradesh CM and BJP candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal, his son and MP Anurag Thakur pose after voting along with other family members in Hamirpur.

16:10 Polling could not initially be held in Gondla polling booth in tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, reports PTI.

The EVM was replaced but after three votes, but the new one again developed some issue. The EVM was being repaired and polling was on the way of restarting, election officials had said.

15:42 Kinnaur district recorded 57 percent voter turnout till 2 pm, Zee Punjab reported.

15:30 With Bihar government forming an alliance with the BJP without an election, BJP currently is in power in 18 states while Congress is ruling in only six states, including Himachal Pradesh.

If Congress loses this election, its hold will further be reduced to five states and BJP will have as many as 19 states under its fold.

14:58

Veteran Congress leader Vidya Stokes has cast her vote in Shimla.

Even though she is an eight-time legislator, her nomination paper was rejected by the Election Commission of India.

14:55 Himachal Pradesh registered a record amount of 75 percent votes in 2012 where Congress won.

This time, the State Election Commission said it expected above 85 percent voter turnout, the Quint reported.

14:31 By 2 pm, 54.09 percent votes have been polled. Three more hours to go till voting ends.

14:13 Around 30 percent voting has been recorded till 1 pm in Himachal Pradesh, IANS reports. Voting will continue till 5 pm.

13:48 Kinnaur has recorded the highest voting percentage at 35 percent by 12pm, Indian Express reported.

13:42



Right before his wedding, a bridegroom casts his vote at a polling booth in Manali's Baashing village #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/a2zYx0jQCk  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017



13:40 Shimlas urban constituency is facing a four cornered contest. While BJP has fielded three-time MLA Suresh Bharadwaj as their candidate, Congress has denied ticket to former contestant Harish Janartha and instead chosen Harbhajan Singh Bhajji.

Janartha was defeated by Bharadwaj in the 2012 election. But the rebel-Congress leader has nominated himself as an independent candidate from the same seat and has support of a section of the Congress party in the state.

Another contestant is the ex-mayor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation--Sanjay Chauhan who belongs to the CPI(M).

13:28 A total of 337 candidates, including 60 sitting MLAs, are contesting for power over the 68-member legislative assembly of Himachal Pradesh.

Here's what happened in the last Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly election in 2012.

With 70,000 jobs for youth per year, Himachal has been kept away from the epidemic of unemployment, widespread elsewhere. Himachal is with progress, Himachal is with Congress. #DevbhoomiWithCongress #himachalpradeshelections Himachal Congress (@INCHimachal) November 9, 2017

12:49 28.6 percent votes have been recorded as being polled till 12pm.

12:45 Congress tweeted: "From Human Index to Per Capita Income, all the indicators bespeak the shining vibrancy of Himachal under Congress. The land hails progressive development once again."

Here's a quick look at the key indicators of the state.

12:27 Polling was delayed in Sirmaur district by 15-20 minutes because of faulty VVPAT machines.

One of the two polling booths facing EVM problems in Kinnaur, has resumed voting process.

12:21 Women voters show their voter identity card as they wait in a queue to cast their vote at a polling booth in Chamba on Thursday.

12:09 A quick look at the BJP and Congress candidates fighting the Himachal Pradesh election. There are a total of 338 candidates from all parties.

12:03



India's first voter Sh Shyam Saran Negi has voted, yet again. The 100-year old has never missed an opportunity to vote pic.twitter.com/kuLDZmYPh6  Raghvendra Rao (@raghvendra_rao) November 9, 2017



11:51 More than ten of the new VVPAT machines and the conventional EVMs have reportedly malfunctioned in the state. As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up.

#HimachalElections2017 Union Minister JP Nadda casts his vote at a polling booth in Bilaspur pic.twitter.com/wt7a9jrJr0 ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

11:38

11:25 The VVPAT machine is not working in one polling booth of Sujanpur assembly seat, Hindustan Times reported.

BJP's chief ministerial candidate is Prem Kumar Dhumal is contesting from Sujanpur.

VVPATs are being used with EVMs in the Himachal election for the first time.

11:07 While Congress fights anti-incumbency and corruption charges, Virbhadra Singh said the party was confident of getting a majority in the election.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP's CM candidate, told ANI, "We aimed to get 50 plus seats but now that we are receiving so much support from all sections of the society, we expect it to cross 60"

10:57 BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra in an interview to India Today accused Congress of nepotism in the hill-state and affecting politics and economy with the practice.

10:47 Amid tight security, 13.27 percent votes have been polled in the first two hours of the election, ANI reports.

Above 50 lakh voters are to choose the fate of their state today. Counting will take place on December 18.

10:39 Adventure sports and development of religious tourist spots are on the card if BJP comes to power, Anurag Thakur tells India Today.

Funds worth Rs 70 thousand crore would flow into Himachal Pradesh from the Centre for infrastructural development, says Prem Kumar DhumalBJPs chief ministerial candidate.

Both of these BJP leaders cast their vote earlier today.

10:28 Mukesh Agnihotri--Congress MLA from Haroli in Una district and Industry minister in the Himachal Government--has won elections in 2007 and 2012. He has casted his vote a while back.

10:22 Mukesh Agnihotri--Congress MLA from Haroli, Himachal Pradesh and Industry minister the Himachal Government--has won elections in 2007 and 2012.



Casted my vote today with family. HP has always shown its bent towards progress and prosperity & thus #DevbhoomiWithCongress- Always was and will be. pic.twitter.com/CWQzS7n3IB  Mukesh Agnihotri (@MAgnihotriOFCL) November 9, 2017



Today HP has a Choice to vote for a party which keeps promises or for a party full of hate & Jumlas. Vote  #DevBhoomiWithCongress

  ,    , 

Vote for Congress@OfficeOfRG @vidyarthee @KBByju @INCHimachal pic.twitter.com/AXa76Umr5b  Roop Singh Chadar (@roopsinghchadar) November 9, 2017

10:10



#HimachalPradeshElections Virbhadra Singh and his son Vikramaditya cast their votes at a polling booth in Shimla. Virbhadra Singh says the Congress party will be victorious with full majority pic.twitter.com/CKm4rxorbo  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017



10:07 EVMs are not working at Jagatsukh and Solang booths In Manali. Additionally, two polling booths at Kinnaur are facing the same problem, reports Times of India.

BJP's Prem Kumar Dhumal and Anurag Thakur cast their votes.

Hamirpur: BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal and BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur cast their votes. #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/pNxe6IzYu0 ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

9:57 As many as 37,000 polling officials are on duty today. For law and order maintenance in the state, over 17 thousand policemen and 65 companies of the paramilitary have been deployed in Himachal, as per the Election Commission.

Counting for the single-phase election will start at 8 am on December 18. Counting for Gujarat election will also be held on the same day.

9:52 Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur, shows confidence on election day



Time has come, people have made up their mind to get rid of Congress who has looted Himachal Pradesh. The state needs a senior leader like Dhumal ji to look at the affairs of Himachal which is under the debt of more than Rs 50,000 crore: Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur pic.twitter.com/omnuKAVxKY  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017



The state Excise Department has seized 3.26 lakh bulk litre of liquor and Rs 1.48 crore in cash from different parts of Himachal Pradesh since the announcement of the poll, a spokesman for the department told PTI.

They seized over Rs 14 lakh cash today itself, he said.

9:40 BJP's chief ministerial candidate is Prem Kumar Dhumal who is a two-time former CM of the state. He is contesting from Sujanpur against Congress's Rajinder Rana who was once Dhumal's political protege before changing parties.

9:35 Virbhadra Singh earlier said that this was going to be his last election. He is the longest serving CM of Himachal Pradesh.

Even with a frail health, the senior politician has addressed more than 90 rallies ahead of the election.

His son Vikramditya is set to take over his father's role. This time he is contesting his debut election from Singh's seat in Shimla (rural) while Singh is contesting from BJP-stronghold Arki.

A government teacher named Kamlesh Kumar, who was designated poll duty, has been booked for allegedly clicking a selfie while casting his postal ballot in Himachal's Mandi, PTI reports.

Kumar later circulated the selfie on social media, an election official said. The serial number of the ballot was clearly visible in the selfie and the teacher later sent the photo to his friends, which went viral on WhatsApp.

Kumar's vote has been cancelled and he has been withdrawn from poll duty, the official said.

9:17 This election is vital for chief minister Virbhadra Singh--the octogenarian Congress leader who will be facing his eighth legislative assembly election while hoping for the seventh term as the CM of the hill state.

9:16 More than 50 lakh people will cast their votes for the 68-member legislative assembly of Himachal Pradesh.

Main parties in the electoral battle are the incumbent Congress, and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Himachal

Welcome to the live coverage ofPradesh Assembly Elections 2017.
5:07 pm No need to panic over air pollution in Delhi: Union Environment Minister

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said there was no need to panic over the poor air quality in Delhi and hoped the situation would return to normal in the "next few days".

Vardhan, who was here to participate in a function organised by the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography said, "From yesterday to today, things have become better (on the air pollution front in Delhi).

All this actually got precipitated because of weather conditions."

4:02 pm A study suggests that people in India's capital can live nine years longer if the country meets the WHO's air quality standards.

The Air Quality-Life Index (AQLI) report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) suggests that if India meets the national Air Quality Standards or WHO standards for PM2.5particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size, several cities would gain in terms of life expectancy. Read full report here.

3.59 pm Delhi government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, will re-implement odd-even scheme for five days beginning November 13. Transport Minister for NCT of Delhi Kailash Gahlot announced this development on Thursday. However, the minister did not announce if the government is implementing the scheme to test the waters or if it is a norm to be followed henceforth.

The odd-even scheme allows privately-owned cars to run on the roads based on the last digit of their licence plates. Cars with an odd-numbered license plate are allowed to run on odd-numbered dates - such as 1,3,5, etc. Similarly, the even-numbered license plate during the remaining days. For more click here.

3:33 pm UN calls for proactive approach to Delhi's pollution woes

Tackling environmental pollution, such as the haze that has enveloped Delhi, calls for an "all-encompassing approach" over and above measures such as a ban on firecrackers and controlling the volume of vehicles on the roads, a top UN official said today. Air pollutant touched calamitous levels here yesterday, as a thick grey smog hung low across the region, prompting the government to declare schools closed till Sunday, halt construction activity and ban the entry of trucks in the city.

"Environmental situations such as the current Delhi smog cannot be tackled just by addressing the issue of the number of cars or banning firecrackers. There has to be an all- encompassing approach," UN Resident Coordinator Yuri Afanasiev said on the sidelines of an event in Delhi.  PTI report

2:33 pm The image shows Aerosol Optical Thickness for the month of October over India generated by Aqua/MODIS satellite. The redder the colour, the more the concentration of aerosol in the air.

Tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere are called aerosols. Examples of aerosols include windblown dust, sea salts, volcanic ash, smoke from fires, and pollution from factories. These particles are important to scientists because they can affect climate, weather, and people's health.

People's health is affected when they breathe in smoke or pollution particles. Such aerosols in our lungs can cause asthma or cancer of other serious health problems. However, scientists do not fully understand all of the ways that aerosols affect Earth's environment. Source: NASA.

2:20 pm Crop stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is being blamed for the thick grey smog which hangs in Delhis air. But, are they the real villain? Read here: NASA pictures show heavy stubble burning, but is it really the villain here?

2:15 pm The NHRC today sent notices to the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana in view of "life-threatening" pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region.

The National Human Rights Commission also criticised authorities for not taking proper steps to tackle the "hazard", amounting to the violation of the right to life and health.

The rights panel sought reports within two weeks from different Union ministries and the three governments on "effective steps" being taken and proposed to tackle the situation.

#OddEven policy to be implemented in Delhi from November 13th to 17th: Sources pic.twitter.com/wr1yO9lz69

2:05 pm After Delhi High Court the National Green Tribunal today issued a slew of directions to deal with the situation, including banning construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks, while lambasting the Delhi government and civic bodies over the worsening air quality in Delhi and neighbouring states.

"No construction activity will be carried out on structures until further orders... all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which are causing emmissions will also not be allowed to carry on their functioning" till November 14, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

An irked green panel also imposed a ban on the entry of diesel trucks more than ten years old and said that no vehicle from outside or within Delhi will be permitted to transport any construction material.

1:43 pm Air purifier manufacturers are witnessing a spike in sales in the Capital and adjoining areas as consumers resort to panic buying with air pollution in Delhi-NCR breaching critical limit.

Companies like Xiaomi, Eureka Forbes, Blue Air, Panasonic India, Honeywell and Sharp said they have witnessed multi-fold jump in demand for air purifiers in the last couple of days. Air purifiers from different brands are available at a price range of Rs 9,000 to Rs 36,000 depending on power and features.

1:31 pm Delhi High Court issued a directive to Delhi government to curb the killer fog. Calling it an "emergency situation", a bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the government to consider the option of "cloud seeding" to induce rainfall artificially, as an immediate step to bring down the dust and particulate matter in the atmosphere.

It directed the Delhi government to seriously consider a ban on further construction in the city to the extent possible and implementing the 'odd-even' vehicle usage scheme as a short-term measure.

1:05 pm At 1235 hours, PM2.5 concentration across Delhi (in micrograms per cubic metre): Anand Vihar- 621, Punjabi Bagh- 861, Mandir Marg (Central Delhi)- 668, Dwarka- 638, PGDAV College- 741, Mother Dairy, Patparganj- 831. Data is provided by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The recommended concentration of PM2.5 in the air is 60 micrograms per cubic metre.

12:51 pm Delhi's problem is not unique in the world. China's capital Beijing deals with smog every year. However, it has developed a concrete mechanism to ease the plight of its citizens. For more read: Two capitals, one story: How Delhi and Beijing cope with the menace of pollution

12:45 pm Since Monday evening, Delhi is blanketed by a dense smog, a mixture of smoke and fog, which is creating health hazards and has resulted in multiple accidents on roads. Hospitals across Delhi-NCR reported an increase in patients with respiratory problems. Due to low visibility flights and trains are delayed by several hours. The Delhi government has ordered the city schools to shut its gate till Sunday. Heavy vehicles like trucks have been barred from entering the national capital.

On Thursday morning, almost all stations run by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed a very high concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 in the air
The Reserve Bank of India has reduced its note printing to the lowest in five years due to no space in its currency chests, a source-based report in the Mint said.

The scarcity of space in the vaults of RBI and commercial banks is due to the bulk of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes that are still lying in these chests, sources said.

Currently, for the fiscal 2018, the currency order amounts to 21 billion pieces of currency, which is down from last years 28 billion pieces, the Mint report said.

Moreover, the average annual order for banknotes was 25 billion pieces over past five years.

In November last year, the government implemented demonetisation following which the higher currency of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 came back into the banks.

According to the report, RBI has only partly finished the remonetisation process.

The current order of currencies does not consider the fresh printing of notes needed to replace around 12 billion soiled notes issued to circulate after the note-ban.

The sources said that last November, RBI had re-issued soiled notes of Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50 denominations while the economy went through a severe dearth of cash.

RBI data shows that currency in circulation amounted to Rs 15.3 trillion as of October 13 this year. It is down by 10 percent compared to last year, giving slight hope to the governments push for a cashless economy.

Space is limited in the RBI vaults even though over half of the demonetised notes have been transferred from the chests, a senior executive of a private bank told Mint.

According to a recent PTI report, RBI had processed about 11.34 billion demonetised Rs 500 notes and 5.25 billion demonetised Rs 1000 notes worth around Rs 10.91 trillion  till mid-October.
New Delhi: A view of Parliament in New Delhi on Sunday, a day ahead of the monsoon session. PTI Photo by Kamal Singh (PTI7_16_2017_000213B)

The joint forum of 10 central trade unions will stage three-day mass dharna before Parliament against the policies of the central government.

The joint forum is expecting over 50,000 workers from various states, sectors and federations to join the protest today. During the three day protest different set of workers form various states and sector will stage dharna.

"The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, comprising Central Trade Union Organisations and all major industry /establishment wise federations have decided to stage three days' mass dharna before Parliament against the anti-worker, anti-people and anti-national policies of the Central Government on November 9-11, 2017," a joint statement said.

According to the statement, the Joint Trade Union Platform represents workers and employees from all major sectors of industries and services viz - coal, steel, transport, telecom, petroleum, electricity, port & docks, engineering, construction, scheme-workers etc and employees of central and state government, Railways, banks, insurance, defence production, etc.

It said this 'mahapadav' is intended to demand the government to concede the unanimous demands which the joint trade union movement has been raising since the last over eight years.

It is a step towards preparation for the next higher phase of united struggles, including indefinite countrywide strike, if the government continues to ignore the demands of the workers and proceed with its pro-corporate agenda, it added.

Amarjeet Kaur of All India Trade Union Congress said that their talks with Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar failed yesterday as the ministry's top brass kept beating around the bush for four hours without providing concrete solutions to issues raised by central trade unions particularly through its 12 points charter of demand.

She said,"Everyday different set of workers from various states and sectors would participate in the dharna. We are expecting over 50,000 workers' presence tomorrow and subsequent days.

The ten central trade unions which have called for the protests are: Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC); All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC); Hind Mazdoor Sabha HMS); Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU); All India United Trade Union Centre (AICCTU); Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC); Self Employed Womens Association (SEWA); All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU); United Trade Union Congress (UTUC); Labour Progressive Federation (LPF).

Unions said,"The anti-people and anti worker policies of government at the centre are inflicting horrific miseries and hardships on the crores of common people from every walk of life. Unemployment is getting aggravated with every passing day, calling the bluff on the Modi Governments promise of generating additional two crore employment every year".

On notes ban, the unions said, "Demonetisation, under the utterly false pretext of curbing black money, had further depressed wages and perpetuated closure of industries. It has shattered the entire economy, particularly the unorganised sector, the SME sector and the small traders and peasants... Even after one year, the economy is yet to recover from its damaging impact".

They were of the view that hasty implementation of GST had further aggravated the miseries of people through fuelling price rise and jeopardising services, trade and various occupations.

Unions also alleged that the government has been arrogantly ignoring the 12 point charter of demands, including minimum wage, social security and workers' status and accompanying benefits for the scheme workers.

On labour reforms, the statement said, "In addition, in order to promote "ease of doing business", the Govt has embarked on arrogant pro-employer amendments of all labour laws aimed at imposing conditions of slavery on the working people.
The Congress today demanded removal of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani over the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) slapping fine on his firm for alleged manipulative share trade.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also took a dig at the ruling party on the issue, saying the revelation "was another tale of 'na khaoonga, na khane doonga'".

He was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of not allowing corruption under his watch.

Referring to allegations against BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah and NSA Ajit Doval's son Shaurya Doval, Gandhi said the case involving Rupani's entity belonged to the series of irregularities. Both Jay Shah and Shaurya Doval have denied the allegations against them.

"Na Khaoonga, na khane doonga ki kahani; Shah-zada, Shaurya aur ab Vijay Rupani (the tale of not allowing corruption; Shah-zada, Shaurya and now Vijay Rupani)," Gandhi tweeted.

Another Congress leader, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, accused Modi of being tight-lipped on the issue involving Rupani. He asked the prime minister to come clear whether the BJP would face the coming Gujarat Assembly polls under a chief minister fined by the capital market regulator.

Gujarat is going to poll in two phases on December 9 and December 14.

Speaking to reporters, Singh said, "The people who talk about zero tolerance against corruption should show zero tolerance in this case. We demand Rupani's resignation. If he doesn't, the prime minister should sack him."

According to media reports, the SEBI charged 22 entities, including Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), for "manipulative trade" in a little-known company, Saran Chemicals. The HUF has been asked to cough up Rs 15 lakh.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal's (SAT) order published on its website today, however, said that the Sebi will pass a fresh order in the case of alleged manipulative share trade involving Rupani's HUF and 21 others.

In its order, the SAT said "Sebi shall pass fresh order after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the parties".

The tribunal has "set aside" the penalty order, dated October 27, after hearing an appeal filed by Akash Harishbhai Desai, one of the 22 entities penalised by the regulator for alleged manipulative trading in the shares of Saran Chemicals Limited during the January-June 2011 period.
Following reports of alleged tax evasion by AIADMK mouthpiece, television channel Jaya TV, Income Tax officers launched an early morning raid on its premises on Thursday.

The Tamil channel is controlled by AIADMK and arrested party leader VK Sasikala, while it was founded by late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

According to sources, the I-T raids started around 6.30 am on Thursday morning.

The latest development could have a significant impact on Tamil Nadu politics, with the ruling AIADMK faction engaged in a bitter battle with rebel Dhinakaran and his supporters.

Moreover, this is likely to become the oppositions latest ammo in criticizing AIADMK and its functioning.
Britain's Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, October 3, 2017. REUTERS/Hannah McKay - RC146AB7F110

A 'family holiday' to Israel and meeting Israeli politicians on her trip has cost Priti Patel - an Indian-origin Conservative Party politician in the UK - her cabinet minister's post and possibly her political career.

Patel, who was the UKs Secretary of State for International Development, resigned from her post on Wednesday after her meetings with Israeli politicians and officials during the holiday became public.

The controversy that led to the resignation started after it became public that Patel met senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during her 'family holiday' to Israel last August.

Though the visit was personal and the trip was paid for by Patel, the revelation that she met key political figures without informing authorities and was accompanied by Lord Polak, president of Conservative Friends of Israel was termed as a serious breach of protocol.

It was also learnt that Patel, following the visit had discussed in the UK, the prospect of providing aid to Syrian refugees, through Israeli armed forces that run hospitals at Golan Heights that the UK has not recognised as Israeli territory.

Patel soon responded by acknowledging her mistake and apologising for conducting meetings without informing the foreign ministry. The UK Prime Minister's office at Downing Street had made it clear that Prime Minister May had accepted her apology and with Patel flying to Africa for an official visit it seemed that the matter was over.

However, another revelation that Patel conducted additional meetings with Israeli officials after her holiday including one at the parliament complex with Israeli minister Gilad Erdan that she allegedly had kept a secret from May made matters worse.

Patel who was asked to cancel her African tour was immediately summoned by Prime Minister back to London. After this, on Wednesday, Patel tendered her resignation.

According to PTI, Patel in her resignation letter, apologised again and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

Patel's resignation is being seen as an anti-climax as many expected that she was on her way to becoming the future leader of the UK. An unflinching Thatcherite, Patel was one of the most vocal supporter of Britain's exit from the European Union and enjoyed immense faith from Theresa May. It is also a blow to the ruling Conservative Party which is facing one crisis after another.

(With inputs from PTI)
petrol diesel price hike

India on Thursday sent an emergency shipment of 21,000 kilolitres of petrol to Sri Lanka which is facing a shortage of the fuel.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the shipment was sent from Paradip in Odisha and is expected to reach Trincomalee port in Sri Lanka in a day.

"The supplies have left Paradip today, with 21,000 kilolitres and is expected to reach Trincomalee port in a day. Additional supplies are available at Kochi if so needed," he said.

In a telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday had conveyed to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena that India is sending petroleum supply to the island nation.

The Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) on Tuesday received flak for the fuel shortage after motorists lined up in long queues at petrol stations.

But the company dismissed as "mischievous and factually incorrect" the allegations that it was responsible for the fuel shortage in the island nation.
A Jordanian boy poses with an image of Mars projected on a wall during a gathering to watch the red planet in Amman's sky January 28, 2010. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN - Tags: SCI TECH) - GM1E61T0AYQ01

Over 1.2 lakh Indians have registered with the NASA to send their names to Mars. The Indians are part of a group of over 24 lakh people who have registered their names with NASA as part of the US space agency's InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission.

People who submitted their details and registered through the NASA site were provided with an online boarding pass. These names will be etched on a silicon microchip using electric beams. The chips will be attached to the hull of the landing vehicle that will land on the red planet.

The programme by NASA, which has now been closed, received an overwhelming response from around the globe and by the time the booking ended about 24,29,807 people had got their 'boarding pass'. The symbolic gesture by NASA is aimed to increase interest among common population towards space exploration and NASA.

Source: NASA website

As per a report in the Times of India, while the US and China had the largest number of people who submitted their names for the mission, India with 1,38,899 submissions came third.

The high interest shown by Indians for the mission is attributed to the rising interest of the countrymen towards space programs following the recent achievements of ISRO - particularly the success of the Mangalyaan mission.

Scheduled to land at Mars equator in November 2018 the InSight mission will be launched in May next year from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The mission by NASA is aimed at gathering data on the red planets interior by monitoring the Marsquakes.

As per the NASA website , the mission in its quest to answer the question about how terrestrial planets were formed will delve deep beneath the surface of Mars, detecting the fingerprints of the processes of terrestrial planet formation, as well as measuring the planet's vital signs. Its pulse (seismology), temperature (heat flow probe), and reflexes (precision tracking).
Syria's army declared victory over Islamic State on Thursday, saying its capture of the jihadists' last town in the country marked the collapse of their project in the region.

The army and its allies are still fighting Islamic State in desert areas near Albu Kamal, the last town the militant group had held in Syria, near the border with Iraq, the army said.

But the capture of the town ends Islamic State's era of territorial rule over the so-called caliphate that it proclaimed in 2014 across Iraq and Syria and in which millions suffered under its hardline, repressive strictures.

Yet after ferocious defensive battles in its most important cities this year, where its fighters bled for every house and street, its final collapse has come with lightning speed.

Instead of a battle to the death as they mounted a last stand in the Euphrates valley towns and villages near the border between Iraq and Syria, many fighters surrendered or fled.

In Albu Kamal, the jihadists had fought fiercely, said a commander in the pro-Syrian government military alliance. But it was captured the same day the assault began.

This sealed "the fall of the terrorist Daesh organisation's project in the region", an army statement said, using an Arabic term for Islamic State.

The fate of its last commanders is still unknown -- killed by bombardment or in battle, taken prisoner but unidentified, or hunkered into long-prepared hideouts to plot a new insurgency.

The last appearance of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared himself caliph and heir to Islam's historic leaders from the great medieval mosque in Iraq's Mosul, was made in an audio recording in September.

"Oh Soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centres of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets," he said.

Mosul fell to Iraqi forces in July after a nine-month battle. Islamic State's Syrian capital of Raqqa fell in October to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, after four months of fighting.

But all the forces fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare, a tactic the militants have already shown themselves capable of with armed operations in both countries.

Western security chiefs have also said its loss of territory does not mean an end to the "lone-wolf" attacks with guns, knives or trucks ploughing into civilians that its supporters have mounted around the world.

MIDDLE EAST CHAOS

As it did after previous setbacks, Islamic State's leadership may now stay underground and wait for a new opportunity to take advantage of the chaos in the Middle East.

It might not have long to wait. In Iraq, a referendum on independence in the northern Kurdish region has already prompted a major confrontation between its autonomous government and Baghdad, backed by neighbouring Iran and Turkey.

In Syria, it was two rival campaigns that raced across the country's east this year, driving back Islamic State -- the Syrian army backed by Russia, Iran and Shi'ite militias, and an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by the United States.

Syrian officials and a senior advisor to Iran have indicated the Syrian army will now stake its claim to Kurdish-held territory. Washington has not yet said how it would respond to a protracted military campaign against its allies.

Aggravating the region's tensions -- and raising the possibility of turmoil from which Islamic State could benefit -- is a contest for power between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

It has developed a religious edge, pitting Shi'ite groups supported by Iran against Sunni ones backed by Saudi Arabia, infusing the region's wars with sectarian hatred.

A senior Iranian official this week spoke from Syria's Aleppo of a "line of resistance" running from Tehran to Beirut, an implicit boast of its region-wide influence.

In recent days the rivalry has again escalated as Riyadh accused Lebanese Hezbollah of firing a missile from the territory in Yemen of another Iranian ally, the Houthi movement.

Hezbollah is a critical part of the Tehran-backed alliance helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It was Hezbollah fighters who played the key role in ousting Islamic State from Albu Kamal, a commander in that alliance told Reuters.

ISLAMIC STATE'S FALLEN 'STATE'

Baghdadi's declaration of a caliphate in 2014 launched a new era in jihadist ambition. Instead of al Qaeda's strategy of using militant attacks against the West to spur an Islamist revolution, the new movement decided to simply establish a new state.

It led to a surge in recruitment to the jihadist cause, attracting thousands of young Muslims to "immigrate" to a militant utopia slickly realised in propaganda films.

Islamic State's leadership ranks included former Iraqi officials who well understood the running of a state. They issued identity documents, minted coins and established a morality police force.

Unlike previous jihadist movements that relied on donations from sympathisers, Islamic State's territorial grip gave it command of a real economy. It exported oil and agricultural produce, levied taxes and traded in stolen antiquities.

On the battlefield, it adapted its tactics, using heavy weaponry captured from its enemies during its first flush of military success, adding tanks and artillery to its suicide bombers and guerrilla fighters.

It imprisoned and tortured foreigners, demanding ransoms for their release and killing those whose countries would not pay in grotesque films posted online.

The number of those treated in this way was as nothing to the multitude of Syrians and Iraqis Islamic State killed for their behaviour, words, sexuality, religion, ethnicity or tribe. Some were burned alive, others beheaded and some dropped from the roofs of tall buildings.

Captured women were sold as brides at slave auctions. But as Islamic State was pushed from territory in recent months, there were pictures of women pulling off face veils and smoking previously banned cigarettes.

(Reporting By Angus McDowall, Sarah Dadouch and Lisa Barrington; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Britain's Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, October 3, 2017. REUTERS/Hannah McKay - RC146AB7F110

British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to appoint a new aid minister on Thursday following a resignation which has left her with the difficult task of finding the right person to maintain fragile unity in a cabinet divided over Brexit.

On Wednesday, Cabinet Minister and strong Brexit supporter Priti Patel resigned over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials, saying her conduct had fallen below the standards required of her post.

That has forced May into her second cabinet reshuffle in a week after former defence minister Michael Fallon resigned in a sexual harassment scandal that has also led to investigations into the conduct of two other ministers including May's deputy.

The instability in her top team adds to what is already a difficult situation for May.

An ill-judged snap election in June cost her party its majority in parliament and has left her authority badly weakened at a time when she is trying to negotiate Britain's departure from the European Union in Brussels and heal deep divisions within her own party.

Sixteen months after Britain narrowly voted to leave the EU in a referendum, opinions are still split over Brexit at every level from voter to minister.

Although May and her cabinet are united in their intention to take Britain out of the EU, her ministerial team is seen as a delicate balancing act between lawmakers who are still identified as 'remainers' or 'leavers' according to how they voted in the referendum.

In replacing Patel, a prominent leaver, May has to try to maintain that balance whilst also placating younger members of the party, many of whom are angry at her mishandling of the snap election campaign and feel they should be given a chance to regenerate the party's support.

Failure to satisfy the party is seen as a risk to May's future as leader. She is reliant on uniting all her lawmakers to pass legislation, including the laws needed to enact Brexit, and if she is unable to do so the Conservative party - historically intolerant of weakened leaders - could seek to replace her.

That would not automatically trigger a fresh national election, however, with many Conservatives afraid that the opposition Labour Party, led by socialist Jeremy Corbyn, could cast them out of power.

Labour performed far better than many had expected in June's election.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
BLUE BELL  There are two kinds of veterans: the ones who talk about what they did and those who dont want to talk about anything, said Arthur Breyer, a Normandy Farms Estates resident who was captured by the Nazis during World War II. I want to talk about everything. In 1943, Art was drafted into the Army Specialized Training...
November 09, 2017 Priti Patel Resigns - Israel Lobby Mourns The Loss Of A Valuable British Asset A British Minister of Hindu heritage was fired after it emerged that she secretly met Israeli officials in Israel and elsewhere without informing the Foreign Office. Back in Britain she then tried to arrange additional finances for Israel's arming of al-Qaeda in the Golan heights. The affair shines light on the nefarious influence of the Israel lobby on British politics. Priti Patel was International Development Secretary, responsible for British aid to various countries and organizations. She is a Thatcherite Conservative, a vocal supporter of Britain's exit from the European Union and of Hindu fascism in India: She has been a strong cheerleader of the Narendra Modi government, publicly praising a number of its policies including demonetisation. In August Patel went on a "family holiday" to Israel. Instead of enjoying the beach she met dozens of Israeli officials from Prime Minister Netanyahoo down to the heads of Zionist aid organizations. She was shepherded by one Lord Polak, a long time Israel lobbyist in British politics. Polak accompanied her to every meeting. None of these were disclosed to the British Embassy, the Foreign Office or Downing Street. Cabinet rules demand that all such meetings are coordinated and briefed through these official channels. Stuart Polak is a major character in Zionist lobbying in Britain: Ennobled by David Cameron two years ago, Lord Polak is a veteran of Westminsters corridors of power. He has taken literally hundreds of Tory MPs to Israel over the years, educating them about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and securing their support in parliamentary votes and the public arena. Under his guidance, CFI became the biggest lobbying group in Westminster, holding lunches for 700 guests, making countless Downing Street visits, and developing contacts throughout Israel and the Middle East. Polak fled when the media tried to question him about his Israel visit arrangements for Patel. One of Patel's meetings was at an army hospital in the Israel occupied Syrian Golan heights where the Israeli military patches up al-Qaeda Jihadis which were wounded while fighting the Syrian government. Only last week the Israeli army in the occupied Golan supported a murderous attack of al-Qaeda Jihadis on the Syrian Druze village of Hader in the Quneitra area. The Jihadis in the Golan are surrounded by Syrian government forces. Their only supply line is through Israel occupied land. Druze in Israel who protested against the attack were arrested. Back in Britain Priti Patel asked her department to move British aid money from Palestinian causes to the Israeli military operation in the occupied Golan. (Funny how the Guardian in its wrap-up fails to mention that point ...) Additionally to her busy holiday, Priti Patel had two other meetings with Israeli officials which she similarly did not disclose. When it became clear yesterday that Priti Patel's behavior would cost her her job, the British Zionist lobby launched a rescue attempt. Based on anonymous sources the Jewish Chronicle claimed that Prime Minister May had been informed about two of the meetings and had ordered Patel to not disclose them: Number 10 instructed Development Secretary Priti Patel not to include her meeting with the Israel foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on 18 September in her list of undisclosed meetings with Israelis which was published on Monday, the JC has learned. Downing Street immediately denied the claim and no other source backed it up. The blackmail attempt failed. The Jewish Chronicle also was at the forefront of the slander campaign that tried to smear the British labor leader Corbyn as anti-semite. The Independent notes about the Patel affair: [T]here is another point about all those meetings which Patel helpfully, if belatedly, detailed in her apologetic statement on Monday: their remarkable one-sidedness. Patel heads a department which has a long history of humanitarian and development funding for Palestinians. Indeed she has taken a close interest in that funding, going so far as to announce a review last year which has already resulted in notable cuts of some 17m. This includes, to the widespread dismay of NGOs, cuts in funding to Gaza, where humanitarian and economic conditions are generally agreed to be at their direst ever. Cutting aid money to a devastated Gaza while handing it to the Israeli occupation army that supports Takfiris fighting Syria is beyond the already extreme British Zionist sculduggeries. Prime Minister May is herself a strong Zionist. She recently celebrated the Balfour declaration in which, a hundred years ago, the British empire promised land it did not own to a people that did not exit at the cost of the owners and inhabitants of that very land. That promise, handed to a very influential Jewish banker, opened new credit lines for the British war against Germany. It also reinforced lobbying efforts in the U.S. for entering the war on the British side. May asked the British people to feel "pride" for the treacherous paper and completely ignored the devastation it caused for the Palestinian people: The Israelis will be celebrating  and why not, for it set Britains seal on the future Israeli state in Palestine. Perhaps Israel would not have been created without it. But the fearful suffering and tragedy of the Palestinian refugees which was to follow in the coming years suggest that the Balfour letter  through its very wording  was certain to create a terrible wrongdoing which to this day curses the place we used to call the Holy Land. In January AlJazeera broadcasted an in depth investigation on the Zionist lobby in Britain. It proved that the lobby is directed by and its slander campaigns run from Israel's embassy in London. Peter Oborne and James Jones just published a long paper on The pro-Israel lobby in Britain. They find: The Friends of Israel groups in the House of Commons have firmly established themselves in the interstices of British political life. Their heavy presence at party conferences is taken for granted, their lunches and dinners an ingrained part of the Westminster social scene, the donations a vital part of the political financing. An environment now exists where MPs and ministers feel cautious about criticizing the foreign policy of the Israeli state, wary of opening themselves to criticism on the home front.

...

While this pro-Israel lobbying is lawful, it is emphatically not transparent. We have shown in this pamphlet that journalists very rarely declare their [Britain Israel Communications & Research Centre] funded trips to Israel. We have also shown how patterns of donations from [Conservative Friends of Israel] members to Tory candidates are sometimes opaque. Indeed, the financial structure of the CFI as a whole is obscure.

...

A similar observation applies to other pro-Israel pressure groups. While BICOMs work is entirely legitimate, it is by no means transparent. They never declare, for example, which journalists go on trips and who they meet. Oborne and Jones also find that the Israel lobby does not reflect the opinion and values of British Jews. It is an extremely right-wing syndicate arranged to disguise its sources of money and the foreign interests involved in it. The Zionist lobby in Britain is vicious. It operates in the dark and hides its financing. This affair removes the curtain it uses to hide its malicious influence. It does not welcome the disinfecting sunlight this affair shines on it and is mourning the loss of its valuable asset. Priti Patel has been removed as a minister but is still a conservative Member of Parliament. The new revelations about her and the sinister powers influencing her will hopefully convince the British voters to finally kick her out. Posted by b on November 9, 2017 at 11:29 UTC | Permalink Comments
Hundreds of wine enthusiasts interested in learning and experiencing some of the intricacies of the bottling process joined members of the Guglielmo Winery staff in Morgan Hill Nov. 4 for its seasonal Bottle Your Own Red Wine event.

The bountiful turnout of wine club members, non-members and first-time visitors made for one of the busiest bottling events of the year for the local winery, located at 1480 E. Main Ave.

November is always one of our busiest ones. We were busy from the moment we opened the line to almost 2:30pm, said Karolyn Dudley, Guglielmos wine club manager. This particular time of year, a lot of people are ordering large amounts of wine by the case, not so much single bottles.

At Saturdays bottling event, the winery crew went through 24 barrels, accounting for about 600 cases of wine, Dudley shared. This Novembers blended red consisted of Zinfandel (35 percent), Teroldego (26 percent), Barbera (12 percent), Cabernet Franc (9 percent), Petite Sirah (6 percent), Syrah (6 percent) and Mixed Reds (6 percent), all from Guglielmo Private Reserve Stock.

That changes every time, said Dudley of the blended combination. We offer it for tasting in our tasting room two weeks beforehand and we take pre-orders if they cant come that day.

Guglielmos staff, including winemaker/owner George Guglielmo and winemaker Nikolas Zorn, assisted patrons in the old-fashioned bottling process that made the Nov. 4 event special. Participants placed up to a sixpack of bottles in the portable bottling machine, which automatically stops the flow from the barrel once filled. They then remove the bottles and hand them to a senior worker who corks them with an old-fashioned cork machine.

Its a lot of fun, said Dudley of the bottling event that the winery hosts four times per year on the first Saturday of February, May, August and November. We get a combination of both (members and nonmembers) coming out to the event. Plus we get people visiting for the first time and thats really exciting.

Participants paid $6 for each 750ml bottle and $11 for each 1.5-liter bottle.

A family tradition at Guglielmo

Guglielmo Winery has been a family, wine-making tradition in Morgan Hill since 1925. The family-owned winery produces a wide variety of award-winning varietals from more than 80 acres of Santa Clara Valley estate vineyards, as well as from other premium winegrowing regions within California.

Guglielmo Winery produces nearly 40,000 cases annually under three different labels: Guglielmo Private Reserve, TRE, and its oldest label, Emiles.

Along with the trio of family partners in wine George, Gene and Gary Guglielmo, the family winery announced earlier this month that Angelia Guglielmo, Genes daughter and the great granddaughter of founder Emilio Guglielmo, has joined the winery in the Customer Relations and Sales Development department.

She definitely feels that her roots were planted here at the winery from the day she was born and she feels like she has finally arrived home, said marketing director Elaine Stoddard of Angelia. Her past, present and future all revolve around the family winery and she is anxious to be an integral contributor to the familys heritage and legacy.
Denied an opportunity this week to demonstrate to the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees their compliance and qualifications for $11.5 million in state rehabilitation funds, leadership of the Charter School of Morgan Hill presented their case in four three-minute segments.

The quartet of speakers at the Nov. 7 school board meeting made enough of an impression on the Morgan Hill school board that five trustees agreed to discuss the charter qualifications as an agenda item at an upcoming board meeting. It was not determined, whether that would be during a regular or special session.

I would like to give the board the opportunity to consider reiterating the support we gave on May 16, notwithstanding the issues I think we must address regarding some of the funding and other charter issues that have been raised by the district, said Trustee David Gerard, who was supported in that effort by vice president Tom Arnett as well as trustees Mary Patterson and Gino Borgioli.

Board president Donna Ruebusch also requested a public discussion on the charter issue to answer several questions she had regarding their finances, including whether they met a July 1 deadline for providing all budgetary documents to the district and if the charters payroll is dependent on donations or private funds.

Id like to better understand the role of the private donations, said Ruebusch, who, along with Trustee Ron Woolf, was against the school boards May 16 approval for support of the charters Prop. 51 application to the state. Id like to (review) the charter school plan for addressing the deficit spending beyond private donations.

Charter leaders say their piece

With a visual timeline displayed for trustees to follow her remarks during the public comment portion of the Nov. 7 meeting, Charter Principal Susan Pfefferlen outlined the series of events that led to a negative declaration from the states finance authority.

I keep asking myself how we always seem to be back in the same disheartening place, said Pfefferlen as she questioned the school district administrations timing in sending a noncompliance letter to the California School Finance Authority without notifying the charter. We are scratching our heads trying to understand why nothing would have been communicated to us.

The local charter applied for a chunk of the $9 billion in Prop. 51 state funding after receiving the required approval from the Morgan Hill board in May, despite opposition from district staff. The $11.5 million was to be used to modernize the old Encinal campus on Monterey Road in the northern outskirts of Morgan Hill. Since then, however, the state authority disqualified them from consideration based on an assessment by district administration that the charter was not in good standing with its authorizer.

At the Nov. 7 meeting, Charters chief financial officer, Mary Roensch, covered the issues posed about the schools finances. She claimed they were clearly blindsided by the assessment of the CSFA that we were ineligible for the Prop. 51 program because of our lack of financial soundness. According to Roensch, the charter provided all documents to the county and district verifying their financial stability and multi-year projections in August upon request, and never heard anything back stating otherwise.

We have not been delinquent in providing any of our ongoing reports required by the district, the county office of education or the state. Our financial audits have had no negative findings, Roensch said. There is no question to our financial soundness.

In his public commentary, Charter board chair Claud Solanas said he was disappointed the issue was left off the Nov. 7 agenda despite the urgency of the matter.

How and why this is not on tonights agenda remains a big unanswered question on many, many minds, said Solanas, who had also sent an email to board trustees prior to the meeting.

State rehab funds would benefit Morgan Hill students

Charter School Executive Director Paige Cisewski was the last of the four speakers to address the school board during public comments. Like her counterparts, Cisewski defended the charters financial status and justification for seeking the state rehab funds to fix up the Encinal site.

Cisewski also mentioned the money would replace the existing portable classrooms, most more than 25 years old, as well as upgrading the school bathrooms built in 1955 and 1960.

The CSMH students, who are Morgan Hill public school students, deserve a chance to have a more modern, updated facility, Cisewski said. This proposition is a win-win for everyone. If we are fortunate enough to receive the funding, it would be used to improve one of the districts schools at no direct cost to the district.

In its application, the Morgan Hill charter school requested financing for an $11,577,416 project with half coming from Prop 51 and half via a matching loan from the state. The project includes modernization of four restrooms and nine permanent classrooms as well as modernization or replacement of 11 portable classrooms, according to a May 16 district report.

Lastly, Cisewski requested the board direct the superintendent to submit a positive declaration to the state finance authority and withdraw the previous letter, or pass a resolution at its Dec. 5 meeting regarding good standing and compliance with the terms of the charter so they can still be considered for the grant money.

It would be wonderful if we had a professional, collaborative relationship with district staff, and I continue to hope that we will get there, Cisewski said. These disagreements are stressful and frankly take an abundant amount of effort and time that could be directed toward supporting my CSMH staff and improving learning for all students.
Paul Heinauer (center) with Carl F. Tompkins Award for Excellence. Also shown with Paul left to right: Doug Clarke, Jo Ann Nemeth, son Adam Heinauer, wife Paula, daughter Lauren Heinauer Barber and Jeff Olive.
As a Dallas businessman, Jeffrey Payne thinks he has the tools to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in 2018. He said his professional background gives him insight into serving Texans.

I believe that when youre loyal to your employees, theyre loyal to you, Payne said before a Midland appearance Wednesday. The same thing works for state government. You treat your constituents  all of your constituents with respect. You work for them.

Payne said hes willing to work with Texans who have various political viewpoints. The states Democratic Party hasnt had a governor in office for more than two decades, and Payne said he brings a new perspective to the table. He also thinks the party has been shedding the mold it had in the past.

I believe theyre finally waking up to the fact that if you keep running the same campaigns out of the same box, you get the same results, Payne said. They realize they have to embrace a different idea and a different way and different candidates.

Payne sat down with the Reporter-Telegram on Wednesday before a scheduled appearance at the Midland County Democratic Party headquarters. He plans to be back in the area during his campaign.

The candidate has lived in Dallas since 2005, after Hurricane Katrina displaced him from New Orleans. He said people in this state showed him hospitality as he started over.

Payne owns businesses in diverse sectors. Hes open to talking to communities such as Midland about expanding opportunities beyond the oil and gas industry. He said his business experience also influences his thoughts about state expenditures.

As liberal as I am on social issues, Im quite conservative when it comes to finances, Payne said. I own five businesses myself. I have to balance my checkbooks. I believe the state should balance theirs as well.

Payne hopes to inform people about his policies as he seeks the Democratic nomination in March. He thinks his experiences could appeal to conservative voters.

Most of my background other than business is philanthropy work and raising money for those who are deserving, Payne said. And I know in the heart of every Texan is that desire to make their life better.

The candidate wants to end the so-called Robin Hood school funding. Under the system, Midland ISD and other school districts that are property rich send money to the state to be distributed to property poor school districts.

What I see in those districts that are rich as far as their property tax, if theyre not having to send money to Austin, they can actually end up lowering their property tax because theyre not having to send money out of Midland, Payne said.

He said he would want underfunded districts to get the money generated after closing property tax loopholes for large corporations. Also in the education realm, Payne wants to discontinue the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) to allow teachers to focus on other classroom needs.
GfK Netherlands TAM Contract Extended

SKO, the industry body responsible for the reporting and monitoring of viewing behaviour in the Netherlands, has renewed GfK's television audience measurement (TAM) contract until 31st December 2018.



GfK is already contributing to joint innovation projects with SKO (Stichting KijkOnderzoek), with the aim of anticipating changing viewing behaviour, with TV and video viewing being measured across several devices. The emphasis lies on measuring live television viewing on tablets and smartphones.



GfK and SKO will work together on several innovation projects, including data on viewing video across all devices, as well as watching other services through TV. Bas de Vos (pictured), GfK's Global Director Strategy Media Measurement, comments: 'We are proud of the trust that SKO places in us as a partner, and we are looking forward to deploying our technologies and expertise to help shape the viewing study of the future'.



Web sites: www.kijkonderzoek.nl and www.gfk.com .




WHY MIKE MENTZER MATTERS

Written by Peter McGough

08 November 2017

Why Mike Mentzer Matters

The Unique Legacy of a Bodybuilding Original

Last weeks story about Mike Mentzer (see http://forums.musculardevelopment.com/showthread.php/144715-Mike-Mentzer-The-Untold-Story-of-the-Journey-to-his-Final-Days) ended with the question It seemed the curtain had come crashing down in tragic Shakespearian style on Mike Mentzers last act and his name would fade into just a footnote on 20th century bodybuilding .. or would it? The following represents a very personal answer concerning the man who died, aged 49, 13 years ago on June 10, 2001.

THE MIKE I KNEW

I watched Mike Mentzer's star rise in the '70s and later came to know him a little. When I came to California in 1992 the guy I most wanted to meet was Mike Mentzer. Eventually I spent many hours with him talking about things bodybuilding and things not bodybuilding.

In my experiences with Mike he was always more amiable and humorous in person than how he came across in his writings, where he tended to be belligerent and hectoring. His text would accuse you of just about being an imbecile if you didnt agree with him. It was an unfortunate trait, insomuch as it put others with differing views straight into combative mode. But the seed of his no-prisoners-taken delivery was his passion and the reality that he had truly thought out what he was writing to the nth degree. And if he took a verbal swing at you once in a while, well, what the heck! -- as long as he spelled your name right.

He was also one of the most honest people I ever met -- particularly in discussing the mental gremlins that affected him. I did a major feature on him back in 1994, which required extensive interviews with him, during which he told me of the crazy things he did when he was going through his pre-1990 psychotic phases. Instead of detailing them as he related them I chose to simply write, Stories began to proliferate in the bodybuilding world of a crazed Mike Mentzer indulging in increasingly bizarre behavior: running naked through the streets; directing traffic; prophesying the end of the world; being arrested by the police numerous times; waiting for aliens to land. Some of these stories are true, some are not.

I left out some of the things he actually told me had happened and upon publication he asked me why I had omitted them. I answered that I didnt want to unduly embarrass him. He thanked me for my consideration, but laughed, "I've been through so much that if you tried to embarrass me, you couldn't do it! If I had a problem seeing those things in print, I wouldnt have told you in the first place." I found it impossible not to like him.

Others from afar seem openly critical of some of Mikes decisions and lifestyle choices. He wasnt perfect  nobody is. I honestly think that while his physical genetics were extraordinary, it was his inherent mental makeup that consigned him to much trauma in his life and a tragic end. For my part I learned long ago not to judge anyone unless you had walked in their shoes.

CONSIGNING THE 1980 MR. OLYMPIA TO HISTORY

As for the much promoted belief that the 1980 Mr. Olympia destroyed him and caused him to fulminate on its abomination for the rest of his life, Mike refuted that out of hand. In 1994 he told me, "A couple of days before the 1980 Olympia, before I even knew Arnold was entering, I had decided it would be my last competition. The Olympia ceased to be relevant long ago. There was a time when I never thought I could say such a thing. I was obsessed by being a bodybuilder, obsessed by the thought of being Mr. Olympia. And even though, during those times, I never completely neglected my mind, if I could go back, I'd reverse the priority: The development of my body would be secondary to developing my intellect."

He continued, "I rarely think about the 1980 contest. I'm bored with it. I mean, 14 years after the event, how much more can I say?" He paused, and then smiled. "Enough time has elapsed to allow me to look back and giggle at the exertions I went through in my obsession of wanting to be compared with others  of the need to be the best built man in the world. I now see myself, as I think we all should, as an individual."

Interestingly enough, Joanne Sharkey, Mikes business manager, who still oversees his website (mikementzer.com) confirmed that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a year before Mikes death called Mike to enquire about Ray Mentzers health problems, and had offered assistance. None was required, but the pair buried their differences. Indeed, John Balik, Ironman publisher, reports that shortly before his death, Mike referred to his former nemesis as "The best bodybuilder who ever lived."

WHY MIKE MATTERS: THE BOTTOM LINE

In his varying roles of competitor, trainer and author Mike Mentzer strode like a colossus across the bodybuilding firmament, and even in death he continues to influence a legion of followers and ignite passionate debate. Its pretty remarkable considering that his best placing at the Mr. Olympia was second in 1979, and that his pro career lasted just two seasons--1979 and 1980.Among retired bodybuilders from that pre-1980 era, only Arnold Schwarzenegger attracts more present-day comment.

Mike wrote more articles (and he did write them, they were not ghosted) than any other top class competitor or even most bodybuilding writers. He was a learned man with a vast vocabulary, but unlike some who exercise such verbiage, he wasn't showing off: it just came naturally to him. Likewise he had a grand, almost olde-worlde style of phrasing speech, which combined with his signature moustache lent a Corinthian, almost Victorian, aspect to his persona.

I once told him that reading his articles when they first began to appear in MUSCLE BUILDER/POWER (the forerunner of MUSCLE & FITNESS and FLEX) during the late '70s was like a breath of fresh air. I added, "But I bet you've heard that a million times before?" He gave a wry smile as he responded, in that clipped almost Rhett Butlerish accent, "Yes! But I sure can stand hearing it again."

Not everyone agreed with the extremes of his Heavy Duty training principles, but what cannot be denied is that Mike Mentzer made a major impact on the sport as a competitor and a trainer. Even though he did not win the Mr. Olympia title, he still, to me, had one of the most powerful, indeed Herculean, physiques of all time. His training philosophy offered solutions for its adherents. If something works, what more can you ask? Even for those who thought otherwise, Mentzer's stridence alone forced the examination of the science and logic of different training systems. Nobody else had that Now, think about it, why exactly are you doing that? influence on the masses. His ultimate contribution was that more than any other authority he, directly or indirectly, made us all think about what we were doing and why. And as his thriving business (mikementzer.com), and ubiquitous presence on web boards proves, he is, 13 years after his death, still doing it.



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More fallout from the sexual harassment allegations against actor Kevin Spacey, as the Oscar winner is cut from an already shot movie, set to hit theaters within weeks.

Kevin Spacey replaced by Christopher Plummer

Boston news anchor says Spacey touched her son

Spacey was axed from the film, "All the Money in the World," directed by Ridley Scott, which premieres on Friday, Dec. 22.

&amp;amp;nbsp;

Movie cast agreed to re-shoot all scenes involving Spacey, who played the part of a reclusive, aging oil tycoon and donned heavy makeup and prosthetics and replacing him with actor Christopher Plummer.

It is a race against the clock, because to be eligible for Oscar contention, the film must hit theaters before the end of the year.

In the wake of the allegations, Sony Pictures also pulled the flick from the American Film Institute Fest and said in a statement that despite it being a "superb film," considering the ample allegations around the actor, it would be "inappropriate to celebrate at a gala."

The controversy surround Spacey began in late October, as Anthony Rapp, an original cast member of Broadway's "Rent," accused the actor of harassing him when he was 14 years old. Since then, allegations have mounted around the Oscar winner.

On Wednesday, a former Boston TV news anchor said that the actor sexually assaulted her son.

Heather Unruh wiped back tears when she told the story of how the actor bought her 18-year-old son many drinks at a restaurant in Nantucket on July 2016, then touched him inappropriately.

Online, people are pointing out how unprecedented the move was to remove Spacey from the film.

Sony is cutting Kevin Spacey out of ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD and replacing him entirely with Christopher Plummer. Film will still be released in December!

Kudos to Sony for doing this. It's an unprecedented but right move.  Connor Behrens (@ConnorFilm) November 9, 2017

Others, worried Plummer was trending on Twitter because he passed away, were relieved that was not the case.

#TFW you realize "Christopher Plummer" is NOT trending because he's dead but because he replaced Kevin Spacey in a movie. Winner! pic.twitter.com/4FvxXYGjxL  Only4RM (@Only4RM) November 9, 2017

It was just last week that Netflix dumped Spacey from "House of Cards," the wildly popular political show.

NPR reports that Netflix is still deciding if the show will go on.
State.gov(WASHINGTON) -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said talks here between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping forged an "unequivocal" agreement between both countries that North Korea cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons.



"There is no disagreement on North Korea. We were pretty pleased by the fact that the Chinese have been really clear and unequivocal that they will not accept a North Korea with nuclear weapons," Tillerson told ABC News' Cecilia Vega in a briefing at the conclusion of the summit.



"Our efforts are complementary - not in any way contradictory - to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table about how they will denuclearize their country," he said.



While the comments highlighted a key area of common ground, officials gave no indication of new steps China would take to help resolve the standoff with North Korea or a clear timeline for other possible moves in the future.



Tillerson acknowledged that Trump and Xi differ in timing, tactics and approach to pressuring the Kim Jong Un regime. He said China believes the sanctions currently in place need time to have maximum effect.



"We've had some tremendous discussions on that today and I think things will happen, I believe things will happen," Trump said during the meeting with Xi.



White House aides have said Trump believes Xi uniquely holds the key to resolving the crisis in North Korea. China is the Kim regimes largest financial benefactor and has multiple points of leverage -- from cross-border trade, to bank accounts and oil exports.



Tillerson suggested Trump showered Xi with flattery in their meetings to try to drive home that point.



"President Trump has been very clear with President Xi - that you are a very powerful neighbor of theirs, you account for 90-plus percent of their economic activity, you're a very strong man and you can solve this for me," Tillerson said.



At a joint press conference by Trump and Xi, both men expressed optimism for a solution short of war.



"As long as we stand together, with others if necessary, against those who threaten our civilization that threat will never happen. It doesn't even have a chance," Trump said.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
SOUTHINGTON  Democrats feel hard work and the shortcomings of the local Republican Party, not national trends, led them to take a majority on the Town Council in Tuesdays election.

Two Democratic newcomers took seats on the council, defeating incumbent Republican Paul Champagne and Republican challenger Peter Santago.

Chris Poulos, one of the Democrats who won a seat, said he knocked on 1,400 doors and that fellow Democrat Kelly Morrissey, who also earned a council seat, visited 2,500 houses.

We worked hard. The whole team worked hard, Poulos said.

Republicans have held a majority on the council for eight years. With vote totals coming in Tuesday, Democrats at first thought theyd only been able to pick up one seat and would remain the minority party. The room erupted in cheers and hugs when they realized theyd taken two seats and control of the council.





Poulos said he feels voters were looking for candidates with integrity who will work with members of both political parties. Hes seen so much tension on the council recently and a very partisan setup.

Its very important to me that I put forth a collaborative effort, he said. My style is to collaborate towards consensus and progress.

Morrissey said overall Democrats did a good job getting their message out and canvassing the town.

We, as an entire team, did that, she said.

All three incumbent Democrats, Chris Palmieri, John Barry and Dawn Miceli, picked up more votes this year than in the 2015

municipal election. Incumbent Republicans Michael Riccio and Victoria Triano lost votes from two years ago although Tom Lombardi, the third incumbent Republican, increased his vote totals.

The Republican ticket didnt include incumbents and veteran politicians Cheryl Lounsbury and Ed Pocock III whose vote totals from 2015 would have given them council spots in this election.

Brian Callahan, Republican town chairman, held those two responsible for Tuesdays defeat, saying that their public conflicts with council and party leadership fractured the GOP.

William Dziedzic, a Republican challenger who won a seat, said this year might have been more favorable to Democrats.

On a national level, there may be weaknesses or vacuums in the Republican presidential administration that I think Democrats took advantage of, he said.

Results still coming in, but CT towns that went from R to D control:



Farmington

Glastonbury

Southington

Guilford

Bristol

Clinton

South Windsor

etc. etc. etc.



Wow.  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) November 8, 2017

Dziedzic had praise for his opponents, including unaffiliated candidate Jack Perry, who he felt ran a good campaign. Perry fell about 60 votes short of taking a council seat.

I got to meet the new Democrats, I think theyre pretty stand-up people. Im looking forward to working with them, Dziedzic said.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com

203-317-2230

Twitter: @JBuchananRJ
The U.S. Justice Department started a long-delayed distribution to victims of Bernard Madoffs Ponzi scheme, tapping a $4 billion fund created through settlements with some of the con mans oldest customers and his bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The Madoff Victim Fund will return $772.5 million to more than 24,000 victims worldwide, the first in a series of distributions. The payouts will eventually become the largest of forfeited funds in the history of the Justice Departments victim-compensation program, the agency said Thursday in a statement.

Almost nine years after Madoffs arrest, investors are still trying to recover money from a fraud that erased $17.5 billion in principal and more than $40 billion in fake profits that victims believed was held in their accounts. Some have recovered more than $10 billion from another fund overseen in bankruptcy court through a separate process.

Bernie Madoff committed one of historys largest and most devastating frauds, said Joon H. Kim, acting U.S. Attorney in New York. This office not only prosecuted Madoff himself and others who helped perpetrate his fraud, but has remained committed to recovering money for his victims.

The administrator of the fund, Richard Breeden, said in June that the Justice Department had approved more than 35,000 petitions claiming total losses of more than $6.5 billion. He met a target for issuing distributions by the end of the year. A similar deadline for the end of 2016 was missed.

Breeden denied about 24,000 petitions earlier this year, according to his website. Breeden is taking claims from investors in so-called feeder funds that placed their money with Madoff, while the process overseen in court does not. In the court process, feeder funds must file claims and then distribute their recoveries, if any, to their own customers, many of whom didnt know their money had been placed with Madoff.

The compensation fund was created in 2012 to repay thousands of Madoffs victims after the U.S. seized $2.4 billion from the estate of one of his biggest investors, the late Jeffry Picower. The fund grew by $1.7 billion following a 2014 forfeiture deal with Madoffs bank, JPMorgan Chase, which was accused of turning a blind eye to the scam.

Many of the victims being paid by the fund couldnt get claims in the bankruptcy case because the feeder funds are defunct and being liquidated offshore. Some feeder funds, however, have paid their customers with money they got from the bankruptcy process, overseen by a trustee, Irving Picard.

Breedens firm racked up $38.8 million in billings through the end of 2016, the Justice Department said in May in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from Bloomberg News. The disclosure led to criticism from some victims and legal experts that the process was taking too long, particularly since Breeden is being paid out of the victims fund.

The delay caught the attention of at least one member of Congress, a Florida Republican whose state was hit hard by the biggest Ponzi scheme in the nations history. Representative Vern Buchanan, whose district includes retiree-friendly Sarasota, said in September hed consider uniting Floridas entire congressional delegation to put pressure on the Justice Department if money didnt start flowing by the end of this year.
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A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stabbing his boyfriend to death in an apartment in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, authorities said Thursday.

Othman Al-Muttalaby of San Francisco was taken into custody Tuesday at San Francisco General Hospital while being treated for an injury, police said.

Officers responded about 3 p.m. on Nov. 2 to an apartment in the 300 block of Hayes Street to conduct a welfare check on Keith Harris, police said.

Harris, 48, was found with multiple stab wounds on the floor of the apartment, police said.

He died at San Francisco General Hospital.

Al-Muttalaby, also known as Alkoraishie Ali on social media, was at the hospital being treated for an injury when sheriffs deputies tracked him down, police said.

There was no information immediately available on Al-Muttalabys injuries.

Im just really confused as to the why, because Keith was just really generous and he was just trying to get Ali help, Arthur Patterson, 52, of San Francisco, a friend of Harris, told The Chronicle before Al-Muttalabys arrest.

He added that Harris friends suspected Al-Muttalaby was the killer when he disappeared after the stabbing.

Al-Muttalaby was charged with murder and domestic violence, according to the San Francisco district attorneys office. He is being held without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

Keith was just a very kind person, he was really smart, and he was really generous just with his time, Patterson said.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Last Friday, Vine Street in Los Angeles was filled with a record 4,500 fans, waiting for the unveiling of Selena's Hollywood Walk of Fame star a moment that brought her sister to tears.

Suzette Quintanilla, Selena's older sister and the drummer of the "Y Los Dinos" band, spoke with Pero Like, a vertical of Buzzfeed, about the Queen of Tejano's newest honor that was years in the making.
From a pancake breakfast to a slice of Coca-Cola cake for dessert and every course in between, free meals abound as San Antonio-area restaurants say thank you to Americas servicemen and servicewomen this Veterans Day.

RELATED: Aldaco's closing at The Dominion, but La Fogata will open there
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Some things to know before you hit Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar: Pull your hair back. Dont wear a tie. Put the Wet-Naps on ready-alert. There will be shell to pay.

Tools included. Some disassembly required.

Consider the Seafood Feast. For $38, its a collective boil of whatever the market and season have to offer that day. For me, it was shell-on shrimp, good smoked sausage and mussels. It was corn on the cob and potatoes and the grand Alien-esque spectacle of snow crab clusters, the kind that challenge your cracking and picking skills.

RELATED: Review: DeeWillie's BBQ smokes with style in SA's Northeast Side

Seafoods the big draw at Pinch, but the preludes have their moments as well. Pinch Fries come with crab laid over hot, handcut fries with sweet mayo, scallions and hot sauce. Thats a lot happening in a paper boat for $12. And the chicken wings have none of that manufactured bar-food look about them. Just full wings, tips and all, fried with a chile sauce that brought more fire than sugar.

My defining moment at Pinch came with the first slosh of the O.G. garlic butter from the Seafood Feast bowl. I tipped the bowl to my mouth like a Viking. Ruined a vintage tie, and my breath for a day. I have no regrets.

For the full review, including Pinchs plans for a bar, please visit our subscriber website at ExpressNews.com.

More Information Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar * 124 N. Main Ave., 210-971-7774, pinchboilhouse.com Quick bite: The Texas coast meets Southeast Asia for seafood boils and Vietnamese sandwiches. Hit: Seafood Feast boil, chicken wings Miss: Poor lighting, drink options, Dirty Bird sandwich Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday Price range: Fries, wings and salads, $5-$12; banh mi sandwiches and bowls, $6.95; sandwich specials, $7.95-$8.95; seafood boils, $10-$21 by the pound; add corn potatoes, sausage and rice, $2-$4; Seafood Feast mega-boil, $38. Alcohol: None yet. Bar coming soon. BYOB allowed until then. **** Superior. Can compete nationally. *** Excellent. One of the best restaurants in the city. ** Very good. A standout restaurant of its kind. * Good. A restaurant that we recommend. (no stars) We cannot recommend this restaurant at this time. See More Collapse

msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking
For those looking to leave Thanksgiving preparation to the pros, there are plenty of turkey-oriented options. From brunch buffets to prix fixe dinners, read on to find out where the best dine-in options are on Thanksgiving Day.

RELATED: Where to get a takeout Thanksgiving Day meal in San Antonio in 2017
1 Shooting victims: Authorities in Texas on Wednesday identified the 26 victims of the church massacre in Sutherland Springs, Texas, three days after a black-clad gunman stalked through the pews of First Baptist Church and killed or wounded nearly every member of the congregation during services. The attack tore through the small community outside San Antonio, with the shooter targeting children, a pregnant woman and senior citizens alike. Among those shot dead in the church were eight men and 17 women. Seven of those killed were 14 or younger. Officials said the toll of 26 dead included the unborn child of Crystal Marie Holcombe, who was pregnant. The other victims were between 1 and 77 years old.

2 Spacey out: Kevin Spacey is getting cut out of Ridley Scotts finished film All the Money in the World and replaced by Christopher Plummer just over a month before its supposed to hit theaters. People close to the production who were not authorized to speak publicly said Wednesday that Plummer is commencing reshoots immediately in the role of J. Paul Getty. All of Spaceys scenes will be reshot, the people said. Co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams are expected to participate. Scott is intending to keep the films Dec. 22 release date. The film was originally set to have its world premiere at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Nov. 16.
Construction began on the intersection at W. Lake Houston Parkway and Northpark Drive after a notice to proceed was issued Oct. 30.

Updates were given during the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority joint board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Intersection Improvements

Construction at W. Lake Houston Parkway and Northpark Drive is currently in the first of four phases. The left turn lane has been excavated and is being replaced, along with trees that were removed.

During construction Tuesday, Nov. 7, contractors hit a gas line that was not properly marked by CenterPoint. Emergency response arrived quickly and the leak was repaired without incident.

Kingwood Safety Association board member Dee Price relayed information given at the Super Neighborhood Council meeting about the intersection improvements during the committee meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

A Super Neighborhood Council Report issued during the Kingwood Service Association Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8, listed the intersection improvements as: extending the northbound left turn lanes on W. Lake Houston Parkway; adding southbound right turn lanes on W. Lake Houston Parkway; decreasing the median size on eastbound lanes at the intersection so the left turn lane can be shifted and the outside lane can be used as a right-turn only lane; and shifting the North Park Drive eastbound lanes, east of W. Lake Houston Parkway, to make a right turn lane.

After completing intersection improvements at W. Lake Houston Parkway and Northpark Drive, construction will begin at W. Lake Houston Parkway and Kings Crossing Drive to add sidewalk, ramps and a northbound right-turn lane.

The expected completion date for both projects is spring 2018.

The TIRZ10/LHRA board approved three proposals for Walter P. Moore to conduct traffic counts at six other Kingwood area intersections.

"These are intersections that are within the mobility study that we had identified as needing improvements on. There needs to be some updated traffic counts to verify the improvements that we still show in the mobility study," said Stan Sarman, TIRZ10/LHRA chairman.

The intersections are: Kingwood Drive at Woodland Hills Drive, and Kingwood Drive at Willow Terrace Drive; Kingwood Drive at Trailwood Village drive (and Woodland Grove Drive), and Kingwood Drive at Green Oak Drive; and Kingwood Drive at Royal Forest Drive, and Kingwood Drive at Chestnut Ridge Road.

Data collected through the intersection studies will be analyzed and Walter P. Moore will present a report with their recommendations to the board.

"Then, we can decide based on what the recommendations are which ones of these intersections we want to go forward with (next,)" Sarman said. "We probably won't be able to afford all six of them at one time. We'll have to do, as we're doing now, a couple of them at a time (as funds become available.)"

Northpark Drive

The Northpark Drive Mobility Improvement project is on hold, pending Houston City Council's approval of the extension of the life of TIRZ10, annexation map, and project plan, according to Sarman.

"It's my understanding that's moving along as far as needing to be approved, but I don't have a deadline," Sarman said.

The board is recommending city council extend the life of TIRZ10 from 2027 to 2053.

Ralph De Leon of TIFWorks, and Sarman continue to attend meetings of the Houston Galveston Area Council's Technical Advisory Committee for information about when the next call for projects will be.

"We want to be in line to jump on that as soon as possible," Sarman said.
The defeat of Islamic State in its last major foothold in Syria also marks a crucial juncture in the country's larger war, as rival U.S.- and Russia-backed forces that have pushed the jihadist group to the brink now turn to consider each other.

The battle for the town of Abu Kamal in Deir Ezzor province ended when Islamic State fighters were driven out, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in text message Thursday. The oil-rich eastern region near Syria's border with Iraq had been one of the militants' most important sources of funds, and its strategic significance resulted in a race to claim victory there. That contest has been won by the military of Syrian President Bashar Assad and its allies in Moscow and Tehran, over a Kurdish-Arab force partnered with the West.

Securing Deir Ezzor adds to the gains racked up by the government since Russia's military intervened in 2015 in support of Assad. The president now controls all Syria's major urban centers. The rest, including the fractured beginnings of a self-administering Kurdish region in the north, is ruled by opponents. What comes next might include localized cease-fire agreements, a push toward broader peace talks, or more conflict -- or all three. But whatever it is, more than anyone else, Assad will dictate the terms.

"The demise of the Islamic State as a conventional force this year is going to give the loyalists the momentum and the opportunity to try to finish the war next year," said Omar Lamrani, senior military analyst at Texas-based advisory firm Stratfor.

"We're at the end in the sense that there certainly is not going to be a rebel revolution," said Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, who has run an influential Syria commentary forum for much of a war now in its seventh year. "There's a raggedy ending here, with bits and pieces left."

In September, Assad's troops, backed by Russian airstrikes and Iranian-supported militias, broke a three-year Islamic State siege of Deir Ezzor city, sited on the western bank of the Euphrates River, and a nearby airbase. The deployment of his full range of military assets signified an intent to reimpose government authority over as much of Syria as possible, especially its major economic resources and sensitive border areas.

A counter-move began a few days later. U.S.-armed, Kurdish-led militias peeled off from their own fight against Islamic State in the jihadist capital of Raqqa to embark on a high-speed drive toward Deir Ezzor, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) to the southeast. They captured several oil and gas facilities, including the country's biggest: the Conoco gas field and the Al Omar oilfield.

The prize of Abu Kamal, though, was beyond them.

The collapse of the Islamic State's self-declared "caliphate" is the latest development to shift the dynamic of a brutal war of attrition that's left half a million people dead in Syria, millions more stuck in refugee camps, and much of the country in ruins.

Top officials in Moscow, which at some point will want a reward for its investment in Syria, and in Washington, where President Donald Trump emphasizes the importance of "killing terrorists" not nation building, may soon decide its time to prod their local partners toward the difficult compromises required to end what's left of the war.

The Kurds, who make up less than 10 percent of Syria's population but have built a considerable fighting force with western help, have largely avoided confrontation with Assad's troops. They have carved out a semi-autonomous, non-contiguous region in the north and the northeast and, with U.S. backing, led the fight against Islamic State.

Stratfor's Lamrani expects Assad's administration to reach an understanding for minimal autonomy in the Kurdish areas, though one that falls far short of what Iraq's Kurds have.

"They will give them the right to have Kurdish language in schools, local councils," he said. "But in terms of security and foreign policy, those are the two things they will never give because that means your central rule is undermined."

Even that level of offer probably won't last, said Robert Ford, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington who served as U.S. ambassador to Syria from 2011 to 2014. Assad's government might accept some kind of an agreement with the Kurds but it won't keep it as doing so would risk other provinces making similar demands, he said. "They have to think about the precedent because Syrians will be thinking about that, too."

"Eventually the regime will confront the Kurds. It's a matter of time," said Ayham Kamel, head of the Middle East and North Africa department at Eurasia Group. Turkey opposes all moves toward Kurdish autonomy in Syria's north, fearing it would embolden its own secessionist community. The NATO ally has in recent months increasingly been aligning its policy in Syria with that of Russia.

Elsewhere in Syria, the potential for violence persists in the areas outside regime control: Idlib province in the northwest, half of Daraa in the southeast, and eastern Ghouta province just outside Damascus. But it's unlikely to last long, according to Lamrani.

"If they take Idlib, and if they can finish off eastern Ghouta, they won. That's it," he said.

If the opposition is to have any substantial influence over Syria's future, it may need to quickly coalesce around accepting painful government conditions for talks -- topped by Assad's continuation in office, said Kamel.

"Reconstituting the Syrian political order is going to be an incredibly difficult mission," he said. "It has to be about power sharing."
NEW HAVEN  Somewhere along a short path around the corner of Temple and Chapel streets, Roberta Hoskie lost a $10,000 check.

And somewhere along that same path, Elmer Alvarez found the check  and promptly returned it.

I thought I had it with my stuff in my car, Hoskie, president and CEO of Outreach Realty Services, said Thursday. I must have had it and it slipped.

Hoskie lost the check Wednesday morning. Without realizing she had lost it, she got a phone call the same morning informing her a check made payable to her had been found. She stepped out to Temple Street to find and meet Alvarez a short time later. While doing so, Alvarezs friend told Hoskie that Alvarez is currently homeless.

The scene unfolded in a Facebook live video posted by Hoskie Wednesday. The video details the story while searching for Alvarez and strategizing how to help him moving forward. The 22-minute recording had more than 13,000 views by Thursday afternoon.

I dont care what you say. There are so many really good people in this world, Hoskie said as the video begins. I dont know who this guy is. But I dropped my check and he called  I didnt even know I dropped this check  and he called me.

Alvarez said he wanted to do the right thing.

First of all, I believe in God, Alvarez said Thursday. My faith is what keeps me going through. ... I always believe that once you do right, right always comes back to you. Because God dont like ugly.

Alvarez broke down in tears after Hoskie presented him with another check. He said hes hoping to get his life back together and is currently looking for a job. He said Thursday he placed himself in the position of the person who lost the check. He said he told his friend that he needed to find the person after finding the check.

Hes a good person. He talked to me and said, thats the right thing, Alvarezs friend said in the video.

Before becoming a local real estate agent , creating her own business, establishing seminars and businesses classes, Hoskie was another person struggling.

She, too, was once homeless, living in the Douglas House Shelter in New Haven.

To come from a place of being homeless to owning multiple companies, I represent something different, Hoskie said

Hoskie, who was described by many New Haven residents as an inspiration, was the New Haven Registers Person of the Year in 2015.

Hoskie said she is offering Alvarez free classes at her real estate school. Yet, even her own kind gesture exposed the prejudice Hoskie said homeless people face every day: The bank Alvarez visited to cash his check hassled him.

Thats unfair. He had a check, he had a signature  he had a license, Hoskie said.

The outpouring of support has overwhelmed Hoskies Facebook page, which was inundated with suggestions for how to help Alvarez. She said she even got calls from people as far as California and Texas seeking to help. She said anyone interested in helping Alvarez can reach her at rhoskie@outreachrealtyservices.com.

She plans to keep in contact with him and helping himmove forward to teach him how to fish. Alvarez said he will try to take advantage of the blessing he said hes received from Hoskies helping hand.

I know it sounds so cliche, but you cannot judge a book by its cover, Hoskie said, adding: There needs to be more people like Elmer.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901 or esteban.hernandez@hearstmediact.com.
WASHINGTON - Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowksi, R-Alaska, released legislation Wednesday that would open Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling for the first time in a generation, by calling for at least two major lease sales over the next decade.

The budget measure directs federal officials to auction off mineral rights in areas encompassing at least 400,000 acres each in the refuge's coastal plain, which is also known as its "1002 area." The measure requires at least a 16.67 royalty rate and dictates that the revenues would be evenly split between the federal government and Alaska.

Surface development on the coastal plain must not span more than 2,000 acres, according to the bill.

Murkowski, who has scheduled a markup on the bill for Nov. 15, said the measure represents "a tremendous opportunity for both Alaska and our country."

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that such sales, the first of which must take place within four years of the bill's enactment, would raise nearly $1.1 billion over the next decade.

But environmentalists have questioned those projections, noting that recent sales on Alaska's North Slope have failed to produce the level of revenue that would generate that much money. They note that Congress has held off authorizing exploration in the refuge for more than three decades, partly out of concern that it could damage the habitat for polar bears, caribou, migrating waterfowl and other species.

Adam Kolton, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, said in a statement that it could give oil buried beneath the refuge "to China and other countries hungry for exports."

"It would allow roads, pipelines, gravel mines and well pads to be erected across the entire birthing grounds of the Coastal Plain, where caribou calve and where polar bear mothers den," Kolton added.

But Republicans see the drilling measure as a crucial way to raise revenue for their broader budget bill, and the idea enjoys support from the Trump administration. The Interior Department is exploring whether to allow seismic exploration in the 19.6 million-acre refuge for the first time in more than 30 years, but only Congress can greenlight oil and gas drilling there.

Alaska's junior Republican senator Dan Sullivan, its sole House member Don Young, R, and its Independent governor, Bill Walker, released a joint statement with Murkowski endorsing the bill.

"Much like Midwestern states harvest the resources that grow on the ground, like wheat and corn, Alaska must harvest the resources in our ground," Walker said.
BEIRUT - Syrian government forces said Thursday they had recaptured the Islamic State's former border stronghold of Bukamal, shrinking the group's remaining territory and leaving the militants with only a few enclaves.

The move into Bukamal, also called Abu Kamal, in eastern Syria choked off a key route for the Islamic State across the border with Iraq.
Saudi Arabia advised its nationals to leave Lebanon, further fueling fears of a heated confrontation with Iran in a country long known for being a battleground for proxy wars in the Middle East.

The guidance was due to the "situation" in Lebanon, the official Saudi Press Agency cited the foreign ministry as saying, without giving details. It comes five days after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri unexpectedly resigned in a speech from Saudi Arabia. Kuwait said it also called on its nationals to leave.

Lebanon is in the cross-hairs of the escalating tension between Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-led Iran, who are on opposite ends of conflicts across the Middle East. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a missile at the international airport in Riyadh -- an attack Saudi officials said could be an Iranian "act of war."

That day, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri -- a pro-Saudi politician -- abruptly resigned, issuing a statement in Riyadh blaming Iran for meddling in Lebanon's affairs via its proxy, Hezbollah.

Iran denied supplying Houthi fighters with missiles, and accused Saudi Arabia of trying to escalate tensions.

"The safety net Lebanon had is no longer in place," Sami Nader, head of the Beirut-based Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, said by phone, adding that Lebanon may face the same kind of economic sanctions imposed by a Saudi-led alliance on Qatar since June. "We should expect further escalation from Saudi Arabia against Lebanon."

After Hariri's resignation, Saudi Arabia warned the Lebanese government of the dangers of Hezbollah, accusing the group -- which is part of the Lebanese government -- of being involved in every terrorist attack that threatens the kingdom. It has denied forcing Hariri to resign.

"We won't accept Lebanon taking part in a war against Saudi Arabia," State Minister for Gulf affairs Thamer al-Sabhan said in an interview with al-Arabiya television. "The Saudis will take all political measures and more to confront Hezbollah."

French President Emmanuel Macron said he will make a stopover in Riyadh Thursday night on his way back to Paris from Dubai, to discuss regional issues with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Topics will include the political crisis in Lebanon, wars in Yemen and Syria, and tensions with Iran.

The "stability and security" of Lebanon is France's priority, Macron said. The president said he had "informal contacts" with Hariri, declining to comment on his decision to resign.

Other Gulf nations are rallying around Saudi Arabia against Iran. Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirates minister of state for foreign affairs, called for Iran's ballistic program to be tackled as "an urgent priority" after the Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport.

Iran is also central to the Saudi-led embargo on Qatar. The alliance accused it of sponsoring terrorism and cozying up to Iran, charges the Gulf nation has repeatedly denied.

Hariri stepped down at a time when Iran and its allies are widely seen to have won the proxy war against Sunni powers in neighboring Syria. Lebanon, a battleground of proxy wars during its 1975-1990 civil war, has largely avoided the sectarian massacres that ravaged its larger neighbor for more than six years. Even so, the conflict has weighed on Lebanon's economy, cutting major trade routes and bringing more than 1 million refugees into the country.

The instability has rattled financial markets. Lebanon's $1.54 billion Eurobonds due 2022 tumbled, sending the yield up 40 basis points to 8.31 percent as of 4:16 pm in London, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said this week that markets are stable and that there was no run on the country's banks.

In a statement Thursday, Hariri's Future Movement called for the former prime minister's return to Lebanon, saying that it would support him regardless of circumstances.

---

Bloomberg's Gregory Viscusi contributed.
Christine Stuart / ctnewsjunkie / Christine Stuart / ctnewsjunkie

HARTFORD  The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association is pushing back with its own academic research against the third annual report to the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Advisory Board.

The annual report, which is mandated by the Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act, is compiled by the Central Connecticut State Universitys Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - A man who allegedly attacked Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., in his yard last week and broke at least six of his ribs pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge Thursday.

Rene Boucher, 59, a retired anesthesiologist, appeared in Warren County District Court on Thursday morning with his attorney. He faces a possible 12-month sentence and a $500 fine if he is convicted of fourth-degree assault, according to County Attorney Amy Milliken.

With Kentucky State Police and FBI investigations continuing, it remains unclear whether more serious federal and state felony charges are on the way.

New details emerged Thursday about the day of the attack, when five hours apparently elapsed between the time police responded to Paul's home and the moment they arrested Boucher.

But the mysterious nature of the attack remained unsolved. Police, and Paul himself, were unaware initially just how serious his injuries were - and Paul did not immediately seek medical attention, police said. In addition, no new evidence emerged Thursday to help explain a motive for the altercation.

"During the initial investigation, all indications pointed toward a minor injury to the Senator," Trooper Jeremy Hodges, a spokesman for the Kentucky State Police, said in a text message, explaining why it took five hours to arrest Boucher. "He had not been checked by a doctor. We can't arrest for a misdemeanor assault without a warrant in Kentucky unless it's domestic violence-related or it happens in an officer's presence."

Paul's Senate office offered no comment Thursday.

Fourth-degree assault is the most serious charge prosecuted by the Warren County attorney. More serious state charges would come from Commonwealth's Attorney Christopher T. Cohron. Federal charges, in turn, would fall to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Louisville. Stephanie Collins, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Louisville, offered no information on the likelihood of a federal prosecution.

Matthew J. Baker, Boucher's attorney, said his client had not been home since the incident. Baker also told reporters that the incident "was unequivocally not about politics." Earlier in the week, he had characterized the incident as "a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial."

On Thursday, Doug Stafford, a senior adviser to Paul, disputed Baker's characterization of the incident.

The senator "was vigorously assaulted by someone in his neighborhood. This is a serious criminal matter involving serious injury, and is being handled by local and federal authorities," Stafford said in a statement. "As to reports of a long-standing dispute with the attacker, the Pauls have had no conversations with him in many years. The first 'conversation' with the attacker came after Sen. Paul's ribs were broken. This was not a 'fight,' it was a blindside, violent attack by a disturbed person. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply uninformed or seeking media attention."

A political motivation would drastically increase the likelihood of federal charges under a law that makes it a crime to assault a member of Congress "on account of the performance of official duties." That charge comes with a possible sentence of eight years - 20 if a weapon is involved - as opposed to the 12-month sentence and $500 fine Boucher faces.

The potential for federal charges is "a concern. I hope that doesn't happen," Baker said. But based on his research and understanding of the case, he said he does not think federal charges will be warranted.

Boucher has no criminal history, and prosecutors are not aware of any previous incident between the two men, Milliken said.

The courtroom was packed for the arraignment with out-of-town reporters there to see, for the first time, the man who allegedly attacked Kentucky's junior senator, who also ran unsuccessfully for president in 2016.

The scene was so out of the norm for locals that the judge and prosecutor both pulled out their cellphones to take pictures of the large crowd, marveling that they'd never seen the courtroom so full and possibly never will again.

According to Baker, Paul has retained personal injury lawyer Thomas N. Kerrick of the Kerrick Bachert firm in Bowling Green. A message left at Kerrick's office had not been returned as of late Thursday morning, and a receptionist said the attorney was traveling.

Boucher often frequented Spencer's Coffee, a popular spot on the square in Bowling Green, said barista Ben Fox-Ezell, 29, of Auburn, Ky. Boucher's habit of wearing a beret and ascot made him conspicuous, Fox-Ezell said. Boucher often brought a chessboard and played with a friend.

"He's always really nice and super soft-spoken," said Fox-Ezell, who added that while Boucher used to talk with staff and customers, he never heard Boucher discuss politics.

Dominic Lanphier, 51, of Bowling Green, who is a mathematics professor at Western Kentucky University, does not know either man but noted that it is "peculiar" that the reported details of the attack have shifted from Paul suffering only minor injuries to revelations that he has several broken ribs and is unable to travel to Washington.

"It's one of those things that I think you only get the whole story as it leaks out bit by bit," Lanphier said.

---

O'Keefe reported from Washington.
As Republicans barrel toward producing broad tax-cut legislation, three Senate Democrats are trying to leverage their way into the negotiations.

Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were the only three Democrats in the chamber who declined in August to sign their party's list of conditions for supporting tax legislation. Soon after, the wooing -- and occasional needling -- began, including a private dinner with President Donald Trump and visits by the president to their home states.

Now that House Republicans have released their tax plan, with Senate Republicans set to follow suit as early as Thursday, the views of the three minority-party lawmakers are suddenly in demand.

At Manchin's behest, White House economic adviser Gary Cohn and Marc Short, the administration's chief lobbyist, headed to Capitol Hill on Tuesday afternoon to meet with a group of about a dozen Senate Democrats about the tax plan. In a sign of the administration's unease with a Republican-only strategy, Trump surprised the group by calling in via Cohn's mobile phone from Seoul.

"He thanked us for being there and hoped that we can find a path and we can all work together," Manchin said. Trump said he "would like to get a bipartisan deal done," but Manchin said he told the president that Republicans weren't acting like they're interested in Democratic input.

So far, the three Democrats aren't giving any specifics on what could get their votes. Their importance stems from the wafer-thin Republican Senate majority, which in July doomed the GOP's long-promised repeal of Obamacare. If more than two of the 52 Republicans in the Senate balk at the party's final tax proposals, their leadership will be hunting for Democrats who might be inclined to go along.

Manchin, Donnelly and Heitkamp -- all three of them facing re-election next year in states Trump won by wide margins -- fit the bill. And by showing they are at least willing to negotiate, the three Democrats have a counter-argument to Republican campaign opponents.

Both Manchin and Heitkamp have been citing their discussions with Trump -- including a Sept. 12 dinner with the president -- as they stake out ground.

"The principle here is that we were told repeatedly by the White House, by the president himself, that he did not want the benefits to accrue to the wealthiest Americans," Heitkamp said in an interview. "We need to better understand why that's not a promise that's being fulfilled."

The attention hasn't always been pleasant. When Donnelly stood near Trump as he delivered a tax-cut speech at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Sept. 27, the first-term senator found himself on the receiving end of an explicit political threat.

"If Senator Donnelly doesn't approve it -- because, you know, he's on the other side -- we will come here, we will campaign against him like you wouldn't believe," Trump said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Publicly, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been dismissive when asked whether he'll be looking for bipartisan support of a tax bill.

"My guess is once we've demonstrated we could get 50 votes and could pass it without them, that we might get a few Democrats," McConnell said Nov. 4 on MSNBC.

But as Republicans continue wrangling over details in the tax plan, those 50 votes aren't assured.

Republicans including Bob Corker of Tennessee and John McCain of Arizona say they're concerned about the potential impact of deep tax cuts on the U.S. budget deficit. Susan Collins of Maine has objections about ending the estate tax and eliminating the state and local tax deduction. And Rand Paul of Kentucky wants to lower the corporate tax rate to just 15 percent rather than the 20 percent in the current plan. He has joined Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ted Cruz of Texas in pressing for the repeal of Obamacare's individual mandate as part of the legislation.

Manchin, Heitkamp and Donnelly are in hotly competitive races on the 2018 ballot. They've taken steps to carefully line up with Trump on some issues since he won their states handily a year ago. All three voted for Trump's Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, and have worked to show their party independence in other ways while mostly voting with other Democrats.

Trump's cratering approval ratings may give them room to maneuver within their own political considerations even if they decide to vote no on the tax plan.

Manchin immediately attacked the House GOP plan late last week, yet signaled he's open to negotiation. He said the House bill failed his test: that it help working-class people in his home state, help the state create jobs, and avoid adding significantly to the U.S. budget deficit.

Manchin is one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents on the ballot next fall, representing a state that Trump carried by 42 percentage points. Still, the moderate voting record he has assembled appeals to home-state voters. He was elected to the Senate in 2012 with 61 percent of the vote. But in 2018 there are a number of GOP rivals for the seat, including such top-tier candidates as U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

Heitkamp says she sees potential for bipartisan talks in the Senate, as opposed to the more-partisan push in the House. After the House released its bill, she cheered the fact that House Republicans scotched a plan to reduce the amount of pretax funds Americans can put into 401(k) retirement plans, but said much more needs to be done to help the middle class and ensure the deficit doesn't jump.

Trump carried North Dakota by 36 points, and Heitkamp -- now the only Democrat elected to statewide office there -- won her seat in 2012 by fewer than 3,000 votes. So far, Republican state Sen. Tom Campbell is running against her, and others, including U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer, could enter the race.

Donnelly said he's eager to stay in talks on the tax plan with the White House and other lawmakers. His top objectives: curbing outsourcing of jobs overseas and aiding the middle class.

"I'm the hired help for Indiana, and this was another opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss priorities important to Hoosiers with the White House," he said in a statement after Tuesday's meeting. "I'm going to continue engaging with the Administration and my Senate colleagues as we work on tax reform."

Donnelly, a former House lawmaker, won his 2012 Senate race with just 50 percent of the vote. Trump carried Indiana by 19 points, and it's the home state of Vice President Mike Pence. That's made Donnelly a top Republican target in 2018. Half a dozen Republicans are running in a primary to face off against Donnelly, including Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita.

Donnelly may have the most political breathing room because Trump's popularity has dropped substantially in Indiana. Trump's approval rating was just 41 percent in an October poll by Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs.

Donnelly could have significant influence if he holds out his support and decides close to a Senate vote, said Indiana political analyst Ed Feigenbaum, editor of Indiana Legislative Insight newsletter that tracks Hoosier-state politics.

"As long he keeps pushing his version of the narrative, which is that he won't support anything but a middle-class tax cut, he's able to help drive the debate," Feigenbaum said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who regularly strategizes with Trump-state Democrats over their re-election strategies, is giving them some space. Asked Oct. 31 whether he would "whip" all Senate Democrats to oppose the broader GOP tax plan that emerges, Schumer said that "everybody is going to make up their own mind."
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FAIRFIELD  Democratic success Tuesday night at the polls wasnt limited to the Representative Town Meeting.

In addition to getting a solid majority on the RTM, the Democrats now have a 6-3 majority on the Town Plan and Zoning Commission and picked up three seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

And the Trump tsunami, as one Republican called it, knocked out Tom McCarthy, R-7, who had been the RTMs majority leader, and fellow Republican Hank Ference, District 8, who served as the deputy moderator.

It also didnt allow a former RTM moderator, Jeff Steele, to make a comeback to the legislative body. Other Republican incumbents on the RTM that lost their re-election bids were Robin Orriss, R-3, Carol Way, R-5, Ray Neuberger, R-6, and Bill Perugini, R-9.

More Information Vote Totals in Fairfield First selectman No race Board of Finance (full term) Christopher D. Skoczen (D): 5188 John Mitola* (D): 6060 Christopher DeWitt* (R): 5436 Tom Flynn* (R): 6096 Board of Finance (4-year term) Sheila Marmion* (D): 7360 Board of Finance (2-year term) Elizabeth Zezima* (D): 7271 Board of Education (full term) Jennifer Leeper* (D/WFP): 7365 Marc Patten (D): 5701 Jennifer Jacobsen* (D/WFP): 7625 John Convertito (D): 6595 Nicholas Aysseh* (R): 5300 Jeff Peterson* (R): 5806 Board of Education (2-year term) Christine Vitale* (D): 6380 Sally Connolly (D): 5212 Board of Assessment Appeals (full term) Kathleen Griffin* (D): 6320 Harold Zawadski* (D): 5361 Trey Bickers (R): 5037 Carol DePietro* (R): 5479 Board of Assessment Appeals (2-year term) William (Liam) Burke* (D): 6422 Tassos Recachinas (R): 4707 Town Plan and Zoning Commission (4-year term) Steve A. Levy* (D): 5831 Mark Corcoran* (D): 5919 Gerry Alessi (R): 5279 Thomas Noonan* (R): 5393 Town Plan and Zoning Commission (2-year term) Donan Meyer* (D): 5731 Daniel C. Ford (R): 5555 Town Plan and Zoning Commission (alternate) Fredda Gordon* (D): 5636 Peter Elliott* (D): 5895 Rich Grauer (R): 5154 Michael E. DeGiacomo* (R): 5238 Zoning Board of Appeals (4-year term) Sharon Strelzer* (D): 5752 James Baldwin (R): 5439 Zoning Board of Appeals (2-year term) Dan Landry (D): 5400 Kevin S. Coyne* (R): 5728 Zoning Board of Appeals (alternate) Jane Gitlin Nishball* (D): 5732 Daphne Dixon* (D): 5747 Fairth Dillon* (R): 5443 Charles Zystra (R): 4996 Constable Kevin Flynn* (D): 6110 Jay Wolk* (D): 5446 Ruth Smey* (D): 5938 Charlene Lebo* (D): 5845 Mark C. Dunlevy* (R): 4977 Harry R. Ackley Sr.* (R): 5126 Frank Rowe* (R): 4874 Joe Peddle (R): 4729 RTM District 1 Tara Cook-Littman (D): 625 Nancy Carberry (D): 570 Nancy Lefkowitz* (D): 666 Mary Hogue (D): 584 Ed Bateson* (R): 710 Keith S. Varian* (R): 684 Stephen D. Chessare (R): 648 Peter Ambrose* (R): 761 RTM District 2 Erin Lopez* (D): 575 Cindy Perham* (D): 605 Bill Gerber* (D): 595 Eric Newman* (D): 570 Bill Llewellyn (D): 502 Timothy Lynch (D): 494 Jeff Steele (D): 528 Harry R. Ackley Sr. (R): 479 RTM District 3 Douglas A. Jones (D): 695 Heather Dean* (D): 795 Matthew Jacobs* (D): 704 Sharon Pistilli* (D): 746 Alex Durrell* (R): 729 Robin Orriss (R): 649 Diane Pagnozzi (R): 668 Ron Drew (R): 634 RTM District 4 Alice Kelly* (D): 965 Marcy Spolyar* (D): 935 Phil Pires* (D): 943 Solomon Briks (R): 511 Frank O'Reilly* (R): 606 RTM District 5 Josh Garskof* (D): 533 Joseph Siebert* (D): 512 Ruth Smey* (D): 553 Jay Wolk* (D): 498 Andrew G. Semmel (R): 335 Carol J. Way (R): 429 Roger V. Autuori (R): 341 Sally Connolly (R): 430 RTM District 6 Steve M. Berecz* (D): 343 Pamela Jones* (D): 370 Matt Ambrose* (D): 365 Hannah Gale* (D): 349 Jason Li (R): 242 Shannon P. Bowley (R): 230 Matt Boland (R): 230 Raymond Neuberger (R): 278 RTM District 7 Mark A. McDermott* (D): 455 Jill Vergara* (D): 486 Lauren Bove* (D): 464 Karen Wackerman* (D): 452 Alex Plitsas (R): 335 Thomas Keane (R): 317 Tom McCarthy (R): 345 Michael R. Mears (R): 313 RTM District 8 Rip Littig (D): 549 Kerry Berchem* (D): 611 Nhi Tran (D): 535 Susan Burstein (D): 595 Pamela Iacono* (R): 733 Peter Tallman* (R): 686 Christine Messina* (R): 677 Francis (Hank) Ference (R): 600 RTM District 9 Margaret Horton* (D): 725 Crow Mullineaux (D): 654 Andrew Chase Gausepohl (D): 593 Dru Georgiadis* (D): 827 Brian Farnen* (R): 724 Clifford Smith (R): 581 Dorene Herron* (R): 720 Bill Perugini (R): 649 RTM District 10 Greg Alprin (D): 532 Lisa Winjum (D): 571 Laura Karson (D): 586 Kevin J. Lennon (D): 565 Michael D. Herley* (R): 787 Frank W. Petise* (R): 733 Samuel W. Cargill* (R): 757 Eric Sundman* (R): 756 See More Collapse

Until Tuesday, the RTM held a slim two-seat majority on the legislative body. After the unofficial results came in from the Secretary of the States Office, it showed a 23 to 17 Democratic majority.

While his party won the RTM seats, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Steve Sheinberg said, The people of Fairfield are the winners in this election.

This is what happens, Republican Pam Iacono told supporters gathered at Flipside. Iacono was, until now, the RTM moderator. We got caught up in a Trump tsunami.

She said the GOP will continue to hold (First Selectman) Mike Tetreaus feet to the fire on taxes. People are leaving this town and there will be no one to left to pay the taxes.

Besides the RTM, Democrats came out ahead in the towns other races, too.

Gerry Alessi, the Plan and Zoning Commission vice chairman, lost his re-election bid, as did Albert Grauer, who was looking to continue on the board as an alternate. Both are Republicans.

On the Zoning Board of Appeals, James Baldwin, a Republican, lost his bid to retain his seat. Baldwin, an attorney, has been involved in the legal battle over last summers special election.

The makeup of the Board of Education remained in Democrats hands, but the party picked up one more spot with Christine Vitale winning a two-year term to fill out a vacancy. Incumbent Mark Patten, a Democrat, finds himself off the board, his spot taken by a fellow Democrat.

Republicans express concern

Republican Town Committee Chairman James Millington said the Democrats will now have to do the heavy lifting for the town of Fairfield, something they have not been willing to do in the past.

He said residents need to pay attention to what the Democrats do, adding that they will be the ones having to make cuts to the budget, instead of throwing stones.

Millington said hed heard from some voters upset with Trump but added it is hard to measure what impact that might have had on Tuesdays local elections.

Fairfield is a town where it is really hard to predict where voters are going to go, he said. We are split equally between Republicans and Democrats. For some reason, the Republican base did not come out in the numbers we had hoped.

Over the next two years, he said, the elected officials are going to have to make decisions to cut services find savings, or raise taxes.

The RTM is now controlled by a very liberal group of Democrats and it will be interesting to see how they proceed, Millington said, adding the GOP will be a vocal minority, fighting to turn Connecticut around. Now, we need to put partisan politics aside and move forward working with those who got elected to deliver results for the town of Fairfield.

Democrats celebrate wins

At the Bear and Grill, RTM member Heather Dean, who won re-election in District 3, said, Its so nice to be celebrating. Its been a hard-earned fight, and the pendulum has finally swung in the other direction.

Democrats swept Districts 2, 5, and 7, and picked up a seat in District 1, historically a Republican stronghold.

Were very pleased that the people of Fairfield have spoken loud and clear, Sheinberg said, and have given the Fairfield Democrats the majority on the RTM.

The DTC chairman said winning the RTM will allow them to provide support to Tetreaus initiatives and enact a program of fiscal responsibility, while effectively funding town services, and our schools and our seniors.

It looks like such a clear majority in a mid-term election, Sheinberg said. We won a seat in District 1, and thats historic.

Unlike some, he wasnt buying the anti-Trump theory as to why the twon swung blue on Nov. 7.

The Fairfield Democrats ran an outstanding slate of candidates who contacted voters to earn their support, Sheinberg said. They ran on our vision of keeping Fairfield affordable and desirable.

The first selectmans seat and the Board of Selectmen are not up for re-election until 2019.
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More than a dozen suspected members of a ruthless Houston street gang accused of tattooing their sex trafficking victims are behind bars, charged by federal authorities with everything from smuggling immigrants to illegal firearms sales and drug trafficking.

The violent Southwest Cholos crew, which boasts members with street names like "Pantera" and "Troubles", preyed on undocumented immigrants who were forced to work in brothels around Houston and in Mexico, prosecutors say.

The gang ran a transnational criminal network stretching from a Houston apartment complex, to towns along the Texas-Mexico border to the Mexican resort of Cancun, according to 37-count criminal indictment unsealed late Wednesday.

Ten suspects made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson on Tuesday and Wednesday, most shackled in the casual street clothes they were wearing at the time of their arrests. The majority are set to reappear before the judge on Thursday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Goldman told the judge he considers them all flight risks and requested they be held in detention without bond, pending a hearing.

Twelve suspects were arrested Tuesday, on top of two already in custody. Another eight are still at large and being sought by the FBI.

The gang members enticed undocumented immigrants with promises of passage to the U.S. and restaurant jobs to pay off smuggling debts. But instead, the unwitting victims were forced to work as prostitutes in gang brothels, including one at the Carriage Way Apartments in southwest Houston. Prosecutors allege the complex was the gang's base of operations for methamphetamine and heroin peddling, gun trafficking and human smuggling.

When the women refused to work as prostitutes, the gang members allegedly threatened violence against their families.

Raids conducted Tuesday by agents across the city resulted in a string of arrests, as well as the rescue of seven trafficking victims. Previously, they'd already identified another six woman forced into the sex trade, including a 14-year-old girl.

On top of the brutal threats to harm their families, the alleged gangsters further terrorized their victims by tattooing them with nicknames to mark them as property and exert their control.The brothels, in Houston and elsewhere, operated from 2009 to 2017, according to federal charges.

But since April of this year, at least nine of the defendants also became involved in a related human smuggling scheme, prosecutors say. Together they smuggled immigrants from China, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Central American into the U.S. using gang-controlled stash houses in the Rio Grande Valley.

The smuggling victims forked over as much as $40,000 apiece to be transported into the U.S and overland to Houston by the gang. During this week's arrests, authorities discovered 16 immigrants hidden away at the secret stash houses.

The gang was largely a family operation headed by Freddy "King Mono" Montes, his mother Maria Angelica "Patty" Moreno-Reyna, 51, and Giovani Alexander "Whiteboy" Alecio, 26, all of Houston.

The government alleged that other leaders of the gang were Patty's husband, Erik Ivan "Casa Grande" Alvarez-Chavez, 39, and her four other sons - William Alberto "Payaso" Lopez, 27, Walter Lopez, 26, Eddie Alejandro "Monterrey" Torres, 38, and Jose Luis "Lucky" Moreno, 23, all of Houston.

The federal charges include multiple conspiracy counts ranging from sex trafficking of a minor and possession of methamphetamine to importation of aliens for immoral purposes, immigration law violations and making false statements.

One by one on Wednesday, the judge told them the possible sentences they faced on the allegations, and many learned they were facing life sentences on the sex trafficking conspiracy. Some of the alleged gang members also face a 10-year minimum sentence on the drug trafficking counts. The human smuggling charges could bring a maximum 20-year sentence, and the firearms trafficking could add another five years.

The FBI, DEA, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston police, the Texas Anti-Gang Center and ICE all worked on the investigation and arrests.
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Amid international outcry and claims of global treaty violations, Texas on Wednesday executed a Mexican national who has long professed his innocence in the rape and murder of his 16-year-old cousin in the Rio Grande Valley 20 year ago.

Ruben Cardenas Ramirez thanked his lawyers and declared his innocence one last time before he was pronounced dead at 10:26 p.m.

"I love you all very much. And I know that you love me too. Life does go on," he told his family in a written statement just before his execution.

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"I will not and cannot apologize for someone else's crime, but, I will be back for justice! You can count on that."

In the days before the 47-year-old's death, Mexican officials held press conferences in Mexico City and Houston, decrying the execution they said followed from flagrant disregard for international law. Amnesty International, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations all condemned the state's use of its harshest punishment.

"I am extraordinarily disappointed with this outcome and at the same time overcome with pride at the efforts made by his lawyer, Maurie Levin, and her team of lawyers," said Gregory Kuykendall, an Arizona attorney authorized to speak on behalf of Mexico. "And I'm equally proud of the Mexican government for so diligently pursuing every avenue of defense conceivable."

But for the victim's family, Wednesday's outcome was a final relief. The slain teen's sister - who witnessed her abduction 20 years earlier - declared "justice was finally served," and reminisced over the murdered girl's smile and loving nature.

Police first zeroed in on the Guanajuato native as the prime suspect in the shocking crime just hours after Mayra Laguna's disappearance on Feb. 22, 1997. Roxanna Laguna later said she had spotted a man slipping in through the window and snatching her older sister from the bed they shared.

When authorities pulled in Cardenas and his buddy Tony Castillo for questioning, at first they only admitted to a wild night out, filled with booze and cocaine. But after hours of interrogation, they confessed to the killing.

Later, prosecutors say, Cardenas led investigators to Mayra's body, tossed in a canal off the beaten path.

"This guy is guilty as sin," Hidalgo County prosecutor Ted Hake reaffirmed in the weeks before the execution.

But defense counsel alleged that the multiple confessions were coerced and said police led Cardenas to the dump site and not the other way around.

Aside from raising questions about the evidence, lawyers for Cardenas and representatives of Mexico have harped on alleged violations of a consular treaty and a World Court ruling.

When authorities in Hidalgo County first arrested Cardenas they did not immediately tell Mexico or notify the accused of his right to talk to his country's consulate, according to court documents  an apparent oversight that violates Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

A 2004 U.N. World Court ruling mandates that foreign nationals who weren't told of their consular rights are allowed a review to examine whether that oversight influenced the outcome of the criminal case.

Yet it was because of the lack of consular notification that Mexican officials didn't find out about the arrest for five months - long after Cardenas had given multiple, conflicting confessions that his lawyer argues were coerced.

Cardenas repeatedly asked for a lawyer, but authorities ignored his pleas until 11 days after his arrest, instead pushing on in their interrogations without telling him about his consular notification rights, his attorney alleged in court filings.

But a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision deemed the U.N. order unenforceable unless Congress takes legislative action  and it hasn't.

Wednesday's planned execution would be the fifth time Texas put to death a Mexican national in apparent violation of international law, officials said Tuesday.

Cardenas spent his final days pecking away at his typewriter and visiting with family, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records. On Wednesday he refused breakfast and was transferred to the death chamber in Huntsville.

Meanwhile, in a flurry of last-minute filings, Cardenas' lawyers struggled in a futile bid to save his life.

On Monday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals slapped down a pair of appellate claims seeking DNA testing, calling the request a possible stall tactic that wouldn't be enough to prove innocence anyway.

Then on Tuesday, defense attorney Levin filed a civil suit targeting prison officials she says refused to let her watch the execution. Citing previous botched lethal injections in other states, Levin argued for the need for phone access during and before the punishment.

Federal courts denied the claim on Wednesday, along with a suit demanding DNA testing in the case. Within hours, the Fifth Circuit denied the latter claim on appeal.

Carrying out the execution without more testing "violates the most basic notions of fairness and justice," Levin said.

The Hidalgo County District Attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

With hours to go before Cardenas went to the death chamber, his counsel filed two appeals begging the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution. The court denied both just before 10 p.m.
GPD

TMZ reports that 'All My Children' star Shane McDermott was arrested in Galveston Sunday after a night of drinking.

According to police, McDermott was at a bar around 2:00 a.m. when he became involved in a "verbal altercation."
Voter turnout in Bexar County for Tuesdays election reached its lowest point in at least 23 years, with just 3.68 percent of the countys registered voters casting ballots.

Though turnout typically runs low during elections that do not decide statewide or national races, Bexar County had never recorded a November election turnout below 4 percent, according to county data beginning in 1994.

The countys turnout figures this year are unofficial and could shift slightly when military ballots come in later, said Jacque Callanen, Bexar Countys elections administrator. But turnout is unlikely to surpass the 4.18 percent number recorded in 2001, the countys previous low.

The pool of registered voters has increased steadily in Bexar County during the last couple decades while the number of voters turning out has remained largely steady. Callanen pointed out that about 3,000 more people voted this year than in 2001, when the county had 23 percent fewer registered voters.

Nearly 1.05 million people were registered to vote for the November election this year.

Turnout also was down across Texas, with about 5.77 percent of the states 15 million registered voters casting ballots. That figure approaches turnout from the 2011 election, which yielded a 5.4 percent statewide turnout.

The low turnout likely stems from voter fatigue, exacerbated by measures people might not find relevant to their daily lives, said David Crockett, chair of the political science department at Trinity University.

Callanen added that the two legislative sessions earlier this year could have worn out voter intrigue. The sessions spanned a total of 169 days, including a 29-day special session that ended Aug. 15.

Voters also tend to find ballot measures somewhat opaque, Crockett said, echoing the oft-cited complaint that propositions can be confusingly worded.

On the ballot Tuesday were seven constitutional amendments that included a property tax break for spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. Other state propositions established new term limits for gubernatorial appointees and made several changes related to home equity loans, including a lower cap on loan fees.

Voters approved all seven amendments.

Though every registered voter in Bexar County could play a role in deciding the state propositions, the scattering of municipal races and local measures was limited only to residents within those jurisdictions.

Some Bexar County voters therefore found themselves looking at a faceless ballot, which typically yields low turnout.

We tend to get higher turnout when its candidate-driven, as opposed to issue-driven with the amendments, Callanen said. And I think also with candidate-driven elections, the candidates are much more involved, doing robocalls, bringing the election to a broader selection.

In other election news, voters filled the three at-large positions on the Green Valley Special Utility District board of directors, voting in Christina Miller, Nicholas A. Nick Sherman and Jackie Nolte. The four-candidate pool also included Donnovan Jackson.

The water utility serves parts of Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties.

jscherer@express-news.net | Twitter: @jaspscherer
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In their first public session as a full body discussing proposed changes to San Antonios ethics laws, City Council members decided they need more time to deliberate before voting to institute the measures.

Among the suggestions from the Ethics Review Board  a group of residents appointed by the City Council to adjudicate ethics complaints made against elected and appointed officials  are to require campaign contributions quarterly rather than semi-annually during non-election years and broaden the scope of who cannot make contributions to political campaigns while involved in the pursuit of high-profile contracts.

Council members cited a number of reasons to not immediately move forward to a vote, though Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the body should quickly take up some of the measures, the low-hanging fruit that could be quickly implemented while some of the other issues are further deliberated.

The ethics board worked for about two years on the recommendations its chairwoman, Adriana Rocha Garcia, made to the council Wednesday. Some of the suggestions fell short, however, of the lofty goals set by council members Roberto Trevino and Rey Saldana, and the mayor.

Theyve sought an independent ethics czar outside of the citys organizational chart  someone whos beholden to neither the mayor and council nor the city managers office.

The board also rejected a proposal from Councilman John Courage, which would require that candidates and officeholders report the occupations and employers of their political donors. While such disclosure is generally required at the state and federal level, state law does not require it for municipal campaigns.

Courage, who has previously run legislative and congressional campaigns requiring such disclosures, said financial contributions are the mothers milk of politics.

He supported several of the other recommendations but suggested that the ethics board was missing the target by passing on his proposal to increase disclosure.

I dont think were disclosing enough if we just know the name Joe Smith, but we dont know what Joe Smith does or who hes working for, Courage said.

Council members also on Wednesday identified new issues, like whether campaign contribution limits  currently $500 for council candidates and $1,000 for mayoral candidates  should be increased.

Not long into deliberations, it became clear there wasnt consensus among council members with some appearing unwilling to err on the side of transparency.

Councilman Greg Brockhouse shunned additional reporting periods for campaign finance reports, and Councilman Clayton Perry balked at both an independent ethics auditor and requiring disclosure of the occupations and employers of political donors.

It brings up a lot of questions, Perry said of the independent auditor, worrying aloud about who would watch over that official.

He deemed the additional disclosure an invasion of privacy, saying he harbors big concerns about that.

Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said she had mixed feelings about Courages proposal because she knows some of her contributors would have likely not given to her campaign had they needed to disclose their occupations and employers. But she said she sees the need for the disclosure and suggested that shed be comfortable requiring the additional information when a contribution is $250 or more.

Now, the board plans to reconvene to further deliberate and form more recommendations for council members, who likely will also discuss the matter in one-on-one conversations with their colleagues. Meanwhile, the city has engaged Common Cause  a national, nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works on creating open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest  to help further San Antonios bolstering of its ethics and campaign finance ordinances.

Its unclear when, exactly, the council will begin voting on various changes to those laws.

jbaugh@express-news.net | @jbaugh
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A San Antonio City Council vote on raising water and sewer rates for the next two years has been postponed until December.

In an email, an employee of City Manager Sheryl Sculley's office told council members the vote on San Antonio Water System rates has been moved to Dec. 7 because of the absence of District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales.
Dead, arrested, or on the run, 19 cartel leaders sit at the head of a handful of criminal groups bringing drugs into the U.S., according to a new federal Drug Enforcement Agency report.

The 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment lists leaders of the following Mexican cartels: Los Zetas, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, the Juarez Cartel, the Beltran Leyva-Organization and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion.
Keith Braden and his wife Debbie met in San Antonio and had been active for decades at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, where he was gunned down last Sunday.

His brother, Bruce Braden, said Debbie Braden and the couples 6-year-old grandaughter were hit by bullets and remain hospitalized. Keith Braden, 62, a longtime H-E-B employee, did not survive.

A former mail carrier and mental health specialist who lives in Indiana, Bruce Braden said he got a call from another brother, Phil Braden, last Sunday at around 6 p.m. telling him the horrible news.

My heart dropped. My mind flashed back to our childhoods, growing up in Mount Pleasant, outside Pittsburgh, where we would play in the woods behind our house, Bruce Braden said. My dad hunted, my uncle hunted, and we had a shotgun in the house. I wonder what Keith was thinking when he saw the gunman in the church.

Now Playing: Latest updates: Sutherland Springs church shooting Video: San Antonio Express-News

All four Braden brothers served in the military, he said. Keith Braden was in the Army and National Guard. A recent cancer survivor, he had been a strict but loving dad to his three kids, now adults, and to his grandchildren, Bruce Braden said.

The brothers would sometimes go two or three years without seeing each other but they tried to stay in touch by phone, Bruce Braden said.

He said his brother did not have an easy time in school - he was left-handed and the nuns tried to make him right-handed, which I think crossed his wires - but he was a hard worker. His boss at the H-E-B in Floresville, unit director Jason Smith, agreed.

Keith started with us when we opened the store in 2004, Smith said. You never wondered what Keiths opinion was. But he got along with everyone. Everybody loved Keith.

He was organized and focused and I think he also brought that to projects around his house, Smith added. He was always working on something, and I bet he was the type who never had to call a repair person.

Bruce Braden said the talk from public officials about thoughts and prayers falls flat with him. His grandniece, hit once, has a shattered hip and internal injuries, while Debbie Braden was hit three times, and both are in stable condition at University Hospital, he said.

God was not in control the day my brother got shot, he said. God expects us to do the right things down here on Earth. They call this a senseless act, but what is senseless is that America cant protect itself from people who should never have guns.

This is a mental health issue, he said, calling President Donald Trump an accomplice for signing a bill Congress passed in December to undo an Obama administration regulation that would have added about 75,000 persons with mental illnesses or deemed unable to handle their financial affairs to a national background check database.

One final request Bruce Braden has discussed with family members planning his brothers military funeral is to forgo the traditional rifle volleys.

I think hearing the guns would be too traumatic, he said. Weve all had enough gunfire.
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He didnt get a last-minute reprieve.

As the clock had ticked closer to midnight, attorneys on both sides waited in a tense standoff while the Supreme Court made its decision on the last appeals of a Mexican man slated for execution late Wednesday in Huntsville.

Finally, nearly four hours after he was scheduled to be executed, the court ruled against the 47-year-old Ruben Cardenas Ramirez, who has long professed his innocence in the 1997 rape and murder of his 16-year-old cousin.

I am extraordinarily disappointed with this outcome and at the same time overcome with pride at the efforts made by his lawyer, Maurie Levin, and her team of lawyers, said Gregory Kuykendall, an Arizona attorney authorized to speak on behalf of Mexico. And Im equally proud of the Mexican government for so diligently pursuing every avenue of defense conceivable.

In the days before Cardenas trip to the death chamber, Mexican officials held news conferences in Mexico City and Houston, decrying the planned execution they said followed from flagrant disregard for international law. Amnesty International, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations all condemned the states use of its harshest punishment.

Police first zeroed in on the Guanajuato native as the prime suspect in the shocking crime just hours after Mayra Lagunas disappearance on Feb. 22, 1997. Roxanna Laguna later said shed spotted a man slipping in through the window and snatching her older sister from the bed they shared.

When authorities pulled in Cardenas and his buddy Tony Castillo for questioning, at first they only copped to a wild night out, filled with booze and cocaine. But after hours of interrogation, they confessed to the killing.

Later, prosecutors say, Cardenas led investigators to Mayras body, tossed in a canal off the beaten path.

This guy is guilty as sin, Hidalgo County prosecutor Ted Hake reaffirmed in the weeks before the execution.

But defense counsel alleged that the multiple confessions were coerced and said police led Cardenas to the dump site and not the other way around.

Aside from raising questions about the evidence, lawyers for Cardenas and representatives of Mexico have harped on alleged violations of a consular treaty and a World Court ruling.

When authorities in Hidalgo County first arrested Cardenas, they did not immediately tell Mexico or notify the accused of his right to talk to his countrys consulate, according to court documents  an apparent oversight that violates Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

A 2004 U.N. World Court ruling mandates that foreign nationals who werent told of their consular rights are allowed a review to examine whether that oversight influenced the outcome of the criminal case.

Yet it was because of the lack of consular notification that Mexican officials didnt find out about the arrest for five months  long after Cardenas had given multiple, conflicting confessions that his lawyer argues were coerced.

Cardenas repeatedly asked for a lawyer, but authorities ignored his pleas until 11 days after his arrest, instead pushing on in their interrogations without telling him about his consular notification rights, his attorney alleged in court filings.

But a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision deemed the U.N. order unenforceable unless Congress takes legislative action  and it hasnt.

Wednesdays planned execution would be the fifth time Texas put to death a Mexican national in apparent violation of international law, officials said Tuesday.

Cardenas spent his final days pecking away at his typewriter and visiting with family, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records. On Wednesday, he refused breakfast and was transferred to the death chamber in Huntsville.

Meanwhile, in a flurry of last-minute filings, Cardenas lawyers struggled in a futile bid to save his life.

On Monday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals slapped down a pair of appellate claims seeking DNA testing, calling the request a possible stall tactic that wouldnt be enough to prove innocence anyway.

Then on Tuesday, defense attorney Levin filed a civil suit targeting prison officials she says refused to let her watch the execution. Citing previous botched lethal injections in other states, Levin argued for the need for phone access during and before the punishment.

Federal courts denied the claim on Wednesday, along with a suit demanding DNA testing in the case. Within hours, the Fifth Circuit denied the latter claim on appeal.

Carrying out the execution without more testing violates the most basic notions of fairness and justice, Levin said.

The Hidalgo County district attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

With hours to go before Cardenas went to the death chamber, his counsel filed two appeals begging the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution, The court denied both just before 10 p.m.
In the wake of Sundays deadly mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, San Antonio Councilman John Courage called Wednesday for an audit of the citys Municipal Court records to ensure that it has turned over family-violence convictions to the state or federal government.

The call for the audit comes after the U.S. Air Force acknowledged that it had failed to report the shooters military-court conviction on domestic violence charges to the FBI, which maintains a database used for background checks that are a prerequisite to a legal firearm purchase.

As chair of the Audit and Accountability Committee, I want to make certain that San Antonios reporting mechanisms are adequately utilized, Courage wrote in an internal memo he sent Wednesday to several city officials.

Courage said that time is of the essence and that he hopes to have the audit concluded by the end or the year or early in 2018.

City Attorney Andrew Segovia said Municipal Court has handled about 600 family-violence cases annually in the past few years. The number of annual convictions  what would be reported to the state or federal government for the background-check database  wasnt immediately available. Cases handled at the Municipal Court level are Class C misdemeanors, the lowest-level charge in Texas.

It is my aim to ensure convictions involving family violence within our municipal courts are being reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System of the FBI and/or the Department of Public Safety in order to prevent those with a proven propensity of violence from acquiring and possessing firearms, Courage said in a press release.

On Sunday, 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley killed 26 people  ranging in age from 77 to an unborn baby  and wounded 20 others in a shooting rampage at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg said he supports Courages proposal.

Examination of our own reporting processes is one way we meet our obligations to the public we serve, he said. Im all for it.

Councilman Manny Pelaez, who has been actively seeking suggestions on social media for combatting gun violence, said he, too, supports Courages plan to audit municipal court records and processes.

I back any effort to keep firearms out of the hands of people that have been determined by a court to be a danger to their loved ones and their neighbors, he said. We cant continue to ignore that a domestic violence record is an element in these mass murderers profiles.

Meanwhile, hes forming some ideas of his own.

Im exploring if and to what extent we can add a geo-fenced text-message alert emergency system. Universities have these opt-in systems for students and faculty. They send instant warnings to the entire campus warning about active shooters, he said. I think we can do the same on a wider scale.

Pelaez said he wants a push-notification system similar to Amber Alerts and emergency-weather notifications  not something for which users would first have to proactively register.

jbaugh@express-news.net | Twitter: @jbaugh
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As officials prepared for their second press conference following the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, a horde of reporters gathered in front of them, notepads and video cameras ready to go.

Huge, white satellite vans began lining each side of the street like brick walls around 6 a.m. Monday, their operators scurrying around prepping for the next hour's news segment.

RELATED: Victims of Sutherland Springs church shooting officially identified

Now Playing: At the intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and Farm-to-Market Road 539, which is essentially all there is to Sutherland Springs, national news crews set up tents and their reporters stood tall, bright lights in front and the gruesome crime scene behind them. Video: San Antonio Express-News

On Monday, the morning after Devin Kelley killed 26 people and wounded another 20 at the quaint First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, reporters from across the country descended upon the city that no one had heard of on Saturday.

At the intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and Farm-to-Market Road 539, which is essentially all there is to Sutherland Springs, national news crews set up tents and their reporters stood tall, bright lights in front and the gruesome crime scene behind them.

The locals had all but disappeared, either retreating into their homes or getting the hell outta dodge while they still could without being "bombarded" by the media, to use a word from Sherri Pomeroy, who's husband, Frank, is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.

"My students that live near the church could hardly sleep because of all the bright lights," said Tambria Read, a visual arts teacher at Floresville High School. "We've never seen anything like this."

RELATED: Uncle of Sutherland Springs church gunman calls him a 'coward'

The population of Sutherland Springs is somewhere around 600 people, though the figures vary. No official estimate exists of the total number of reporters who visited the unincorporated community, but a very conservative estimate would put the number at about 200, temporarily increasing the town's population by more than 30 percent.

Everywhere you looked, someone was carrying a camera or holding a recorder to someone's mouth. Read said she and several other community members had spoken to "too many reporters" by Tuesday, but they might've had it easy.

People like Stephen Willeford, the Texas hero who confronted Kelley in a gunfight and was lauded as having possibly saved several lives, got the worst of it. A quick public records search brought up his home address, and within two hours of his name being publicized, he had about 30 contact cards from reporters jammed in his doorway and a DPS agent staged outside to yell at any others who would dare approach.

Reporters took notice of the issue too.

"I'm having a hard time accepting that the amount of media descending on Sutherland Springs could, debatably, equal the town's population," tweeted Andy Jacobsohn, a photographer for The Dallas Morning News. "This coverage by various state, nat and intl media doesn't seem suitable or kind for a 'one-horse town' to manage following this tragedy."

His colleague, Lauren McGaughy, who reports for The News from their Austin Bureau, chimed in, saying the "townsfolk have all retreated."

No one was out except reporters.

"This is a serious conversation we need to be having," she tweeted. "There gotta be, there IS, a better way to cover this."

RELATED: Vice president in S.A. today to visit church shooting victims

A vigil was held for the victims of the shooting Monday night, but some, like Adam Murray, a digital sales manager for Hearst Media Solutions who lives in Sutherland Springs, decided not to go.

"I was told there were more camera flashes than there were candles," he said.

Murray used that time to organize a BBQ plate sale scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Adkins, Texas, to help raise money for the victims' families as well as a YouCaring donation page to help raise money for the event.

"It's almost like there's this completely separate entity," Murray said of the spectacle surrounding the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. "Everyone else is just doing."

Like Murray, Read mentioned that people living in the Sutherland Springs are avoiding the epicenter of the tragedy, which largely consists of four layers: the church itself, a huge law enforcement tent surrounding the church like a moat, a no-man's land of police tape, and finally, on the very outside, the desperate and hungry reporters scrounging for information.

"Even though we've been inconvenienced by the amount of media, the people around the churches have come together," she said.

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns
The Wilson County Sheriff's Office is warning potential donors of fake fundraising accounts set up for the families of the victims of the Sutherland Springs shooting on Sunday, in which 26 people were killed and another 20 wounded.

"We understand that during a tragic event people want to reach out and help the victims and their families," reads a post from the sheriff's office's Facebook page. "While any and all help is appreciated please keep a close watch at who and what you donate to. As much as we like to believe that every GoFundMe account or website is collecting money for the families, the reality is they are not."
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A Texas prison inmate is facing new charges in connection with a state-wide prostitution ring he allegedly operated from inside his cell, according to the attorney general's office.

The suspected inmate, 28-year-old Martin Eddie Herrera, now faces charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution and compelling a child to prostitution.

RELATED: 22 alleged gang members accused of running Houston brothels filled with undocumented immigrants

Two other suspects allegedly involved in the prostitution ring, Geneieve Aguirre and Bernard Blanchard, were arrested in December 2016 on similar charges. They have since bonded out of jail.

According to Herrera's arrest affidavit, he was the leader of a prostitution ring that operated across Texas, including cities like San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi and Dallas. He was able to to do, despite his incarceration, with the assistance of secret cell phones stashed in his cell.

He was allegedly able to recruit two girls, aged 17 and 18, through Facebook.

"Who wants to make some money?" he allegedly posted. When the victims responded, he directed them to Blanchard, who was located at a home at 10 Moonwalk Crest on the Northwest Side, authorities said.

The home allegedly operated as a brothel, where the two victims would have sex for money. Blanchard would also drive the women from the home to various locations across the state to meet with clients, officials said.

According to the affidavit, the girls got to keep half of their earnings, while the other half went to Geneieve Aguirre.

Herrera was able to communicate with the girls through text messages and phone calls until his phones were confiscated. At that time, Aguirre allegedly took over the prostitution ring, authorities said.

RELATED: 18-wheeler narrowly misses San Antonio home after careening off Interstate 35

The 17-year-old trafficking victim was later arrested and booked into the Bexar County Jail. On Sept. 2, 2016, a Bexar County deputy contacted officials with the attorney general's office about the suspected prostitution ring.

About two weeks later, state officials met with Blanchard, who allegedly told them the girls posted ads on Backpage.com and had sex for money. He gave them locations of at least one hotel where the girls conducted business, and authorities later discovered receipts that backed up his claims, according to the affidavit.

Blanchard and Aguirre were arrested a few months later, and though an arrest warrant for Herrera was signed by a judge in Nov. 2016, he wasn't jailed on the charges until this week.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns
A carwash owner shot a man who was allegedly breaking into the business Wednesday morning, according to Schertz police.

Officers responded to the shooting around 5 a.m. at the carwash in the 400 block of Main Street, according to a news release.
While executing an arrest warrant Wednesday, Bexar County deputies found marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription drugs and $22,000 in cash in a home on the East Side of San Antonio, officials said.

Deputies assigned to the Bexar County Sheriff's Fugitive Apprehension unit received information that Carlos Tolentino Jr., 37, was staying in a home in the 2000 block of Wyoming Street, authorities said.
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Wednesday would have been Rene Blancas Jr.'s fourth birthday.

Instead, the 3-year-old boy was killed Saturday night after being shot in the head in an apparently road rage incident on the southwest side of San Antonio.

As police continue searching for shooter, Councilman Rey Saldana renewed his call for the community to come forward with information about the crime.

RELATED: San Antonio boy fatally shot riding in back of vehicle identified

"His family and friends mourn his loss as they struggle to find answers to such a senseless tragedy. Though they may feel inconsolable and desperately seeking an explanation for their tragic loss, I continue to keep them in my prayers," Saldana said.

He ended the statement with his plea to San Antonio residents.

Now Playing: San Antonio police say a three-year-old boy was shot while traveling in the back of a family vehicle Saturday night, Nov. 4, 2017. The victim later died at University Hospital. Video: 21 Pro Video

"I hope our community can aid them during this moment of need and I urge anyone with information about the shooting incident to come forward and contact the San Antonio Police Department," the statement read.

Police believe the shooter was driving a gold or beige 2000 Honda Civic. The case is being investigated as a capital murder.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP (7867).

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA
Authorities arrested the man accused of pushing a man off of a moving car during a robbery in June.

On June 20, a man reported he was robbed in the 12900 block of Luckey Road after agreeing to buy shoes from someone over Facebook, officials with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said.
Eleven people remain hospitalized with wounds from a shooting at a small-town Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed.

A spokesman at University Health System in San Antonio said two adults and two children were still hospitalized Thursday. Doug Finley said conditions of the four ranged from good to critical. Finley declined to be more specific.
Vice President Mike Pence is blaming the Air Force bureaucracy in addition to the gunman for a massacre at a South Texas church that left more than two dozen dead.

Pence spoke at a news conference Wednesday afternoon outside the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where the shootings happened.
Known for her kind heart and generous nature, Virginia Moody was a natural at helping others find their way.

An experienced executive who worked at various Air Force bases, including in Germany and Brooks AFB, and at USAA, Moody eventually struck out on her own, starting Moody & Associates in 2001.

She was a really special person in the community, friend and colleague Melissa Vela-Williams said. She was one of those warm, kind of maternal women who took you under her wing; I gleaned a lot of knowledge from her.

Moody died Nov. 5 just a few days after celebrating her 66th birthday.

The oldest daughter among eight children raised in rural Alabama, Moody went to college after graduating from high school.

Becoming pen pals with her future husband after her cousin, who was his Air Force roommate, told her to write to him, the couple corresponded for quite awhile before meeting in person.

Marrying in 1971, Moody became an Air Force wife, living in Germany for several years before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her husband retired in the 1980s.

My mom always worked, her daughter Octavia Moody said. Overseas, she supported a lot of base commanders as an executive secretary and held other positions.

With a bachelors degree and dual masters degrees, Moody began working on her doctorate in adult leadership education while her husband finished his bachelors degree in New Mexico.

More Information Virginia Moody Born: Nov. 1, 1951, Alaska Died: Nov. 5, 2017, San Antonio Preceded by: Mother Betty Joyce Rozell; two brothers Survived by: Husband Walter L. Moody; daughters Octavian Moody and Sonja Moody; son Walter L. Moody II; father Leroy Doty Sr.; two grandchildren; two brothers; three sisters Services: Funeral at 11 a.m. Thursday at Community Bible Church, 2477 N. Loop 1604 East; burial at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery See More Collapse

Moving the family to San Antonio after she was offered a position at Brooks AFB, Moody worked mostly in human resources and diversity.

Hired at USAA in the mid-1990s, Moody was assistant vice president of human resources and corporate culture by the time she left to start her own business in 2001.

She always had a passion to help people or to help them find out what their passion is, her daughter said.

Even with a full-time career, Moody stayed involved withher three children, making it home for dinner every evening and never missing their school events.

You could see her in the stands, always there to support us, her daughter said. And she never forgot a birthday. She believed that birthdays are your personal days, and you need to celebrate.

But perhaps most important to Moody was her faith.

In our household, it was God first, family second, her daughter said.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
Hillary Clinton is so thoughtful. As busy as she is peddling a book that blames her election loss on everyone but herself  including members of her own party  the 2016 Democratic nominee still makes time to worry about others.

And lately, she has been worried about, of all things, her chief nemesis: the GOP.

There are a lot of things that I worry about, she recently told ABC News. This is actually on my list, of what I worry about. The Republican Party is imploding.

The former Goldwater girl insists she is not alone in reaching this conclusion.

Weve seen in the last week, weve seen Bob Corker, weve seen Jeff Flake ... there are a lot of other people in the Republican Party who feel exactly the same way.

Neither Sen. Flake nor Sen. Corker is seeking re-election, and so they can speak freely. Both have been critical of President Trump and his policies, and theyve been hammered for their defiance on Fox News and conservative talk radio.

Clinton thinks the implosion stems from the fact that the GOP has purged the moderates and been taken over by extremists.

No argument. Clinton is spot-on when she talks about what has become of the Republican Party in the Trump Era.

But imagine how much more effective her criticism would be if some of it were aimed at her own party, and  even better  at herself. When she talks about the Republican Party being at the mercy of its financial backers and a cabal of leaders who  maintain power for themselves and those who are like-minded, she could just as easily be talking about the Democratic Party. The two parties are twinsies.

Of course, Clinton wont admit that she and her husband, and all the shady dealings in Clinton World dating back to the 1970s, have hurt the Democratic Party. But its true.

Thats what made Clintons comments about how the Republicans are imploding so surreal. Apparently, she is much better at self-deflection than she is at self-reflection. Does she honestly not see that her own party is also coming apart?

Take a peek behind the Democratic curtain, and youll see its a mess back there: The elites have left behind the working-class. The white ethnics who helped put the Democratic Party on the map in the 20th Century cant see any common cause with the Latino and Asian immigrants who will help define the 21st Century. Democrats havent even started the homework assignment they were given a year ago when Trump vanquished Clinton; instead of coming up with an economic message to win back the disaffected white Democrats in Rust Belt states who put Trump in the Oval Office, Democratic leaders have bet the farm on Special Counsel Robert Mueller III and Russia, Russia, Russia.

Hillary has only made the mess worse. Not only did her campaign conspire with the Democratic National Committee to short-circuit Bernie Sanders, she had the gall to write a book in which she blamed Sanders for creating the impression that she was dishonest and untrustworthy. Not only did she alienate  or at least fail to inspire  Latinos, youth, and African-Americans, she then blamed them for not turning out to vote for her.

Then you have the scandals. Just as Democrats want the country to focus on Muellers 12-count indictment of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, they have to contend with questions about why the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee may have paid for a yet unsubstantiated dossier alleging immoral and improper behavior by Trump. And there are fresh accusations from within her own party that the Democratic primary was rigged by the Clinton campaign against Bernie Sanders.

About all this, the Democratic Party would like Clinton to say, well, nothing. But she wont be ignored, or keep quiet. It was vintage Hillary who told attendees at the annual Womens Media Awards that she doesnt intend to be silenced.

Republicans have to be delighted to hear that, and Democrats must be filled with angst.

It makes you wonder: Whose side is Hillary really on? You know the answer: Hillarys.

Instead of constantly demonizing Trump, the Democratic Party needs to confront the real threat. Heres a hint: She is wearing a pantsuit.

ruben@rubennavarrette.com
Gerardo Serrano has his pickup back, seized two years ago by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, which insisted that the owner forfeit the vehicle to the federal government. This because agents at the border found munitions of war in it.

Serrano of Kentucky credibly explained that these five .380-caliber cartridges and a bullet magazine were mistakenly left in the truck when he crossed the border to visit family and stopped to take a picture from one of international bridges in the Eagle Pass area.

A happy end to the story?

No, Serrano isnt happy, nor is the story over. Serrano had to wait two years to get his truck back, and hes still out money. And the Institute for Justice, which represented Serrano in this case, tells us this will not be the end.

And thats a good thing. Thats because the seizure of Serranos truck is just a sliver of the cases that require scrutiny. Perhaps the class-action lawsuit filed on Serranos behalf and others like him shortly before the trucks return will provide a glimpse into the Byzantine realm of civil asset forfeiture.

Express-News reporter Jason Buch, writing of the trucks return, noted that Customs and Border Patrol carried out 8,590 asset forfeitures in 2015, seizing $51.47 million in property. He cited records released in March in response to a 2016 request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Critics of the governments forfeiture program claim that federal law enforcement agencies  often working in concert with state law enforcement  routinely make such seizures on the flimsiest of evidence that the property was used in a criminal enterprise; that they make it exceedingly difficult for the owners to retrieve their property (in the hope that they will simply relinquish it without fuss); and that much of this is a ruse to augment law enforcement coffers.

Serranos case raises the possibility that some or much of this could be true.

After he stopped on that bridge in September 2015, he was pulled from his truck, handcuffed and asked for the pass code to his cellphone. He refused, and agents searched the truck, finding the rounds and the magazine. He was then informed his truck, on which he was making $692.97 in monthly payments, would be seized because it was used to smuggle munitions of war.

Serrano asserts that the seizure was retaliation because he refused to give agents the pass code to his cellphone. And the chronology here gives that assertion some credibility.

The options offered Serrano: giving his truck to the federal government; going through an administrative process in which authorities would determine if they could keep his truck; or paying a $3,804.99 bond to refer his case to the U.S. attorneys office, which would decide whether it would file a lawsuit to seize the truck. He paid the bond.

Question: What about folks who dont have nearly $4,000 hanging around?

Both Customs and Border Patrol and the U.S. attorneys office declined to comment to Buch. Litigation is pending. And were glad it is.

Robert Everett Johnson with the Institute for Justice told us that authorities are mistaken if they believe returning the truck will make the lawsuit go away.

He explained that it is a class-action lawsuit and that Serrano must be made whole financially.

That bond money hadnt been returned as of this writing, and there is the matter of car payments that were still being made and the cost of other transportation, Johnson said.

We hope another outcome will be a fuller explanation than provided so far by the federal government on why Serranos truck was seized, why there was such a delay in its return, and whether its procedures can stand up to legitimate scrutiny in all such cases.

Meanwhile, Congress has been mulling whether it will defund efforts by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions  a big fan of forfeiture  from ramping up the program. He is undoing some restraints placed on the program by the previous administration.

According to the Institute for Justice, states have been stepping up to require criminal convictions in most or all such cases. That is the direction the federal government should go as well.
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You only turn 300 once, San Antonio. Its crucial we get the Tricentennial right.

Are we on track? Its fair to wonder. Recent news stories have raised a number of questions about the Tricentennial Commission, the nonprofit tasked with putting on the yearlong celebration for San Antonios 300th birthday.

Fundraising has been lackluster, and the Tricentennial Commission is nowhere near its goal of raising $10.3 million from the community  although there are signs fundraising may be improving.

The handling of a coveted and lucrative media partnership smacks of favoritism from the commissions paid staff. And the volunteer board appears unwilling to take a critical view of staffs handling of this most important celebration.

RELATED: USAA pledges half-million to Tricentennial Commission

As Express-News reporter Josh Baugh recently highlighted, Tricentennial staff had been in talks with KSAT-TV for months about a possible media partnership before putting out a request for proposals in April to all broadcast outlets.

The request for proposals was issued after executives with WOAI-TV complained to City Manager Sheryl Sculley, Baugh reported. In the end, KSAT won the partnership.

Lionel Sosa, a volunteer committee chair, told us staff didnt choose KSAT. The volunteer board made the selection. He said KSAT delivered a slick presentation with 25 people that was simply better than WOAIs presentation.

In a video posted to Facebook, Jeff Coyle, a city spokesman, said other media outlets could have spoken with commission staff just as KSAT did. He noted the Tricentennial Commission is not required to put out RFPs because it is a nonprofit, local government corporation.

But these responses ignore a crucial fact: KSAT had months to prepare, putting it at a competitive advantage. Other media outlets did not. KENS 5 didnt even make a pitch due to the short notice.

At some point the commissions CEO, Edward Benavides, who has extensive government experience, should have recognized the obvious messiness of talking so much with one broadcaster about such a potentially lucrative and coveted partnership  and the lead time that would give for any potential RFP.

READ MORE: San Antonio officials negotiated lucrative TV deal with KSAT months before other stations could bid

Benavides brother, Brendan Benavides, is the executive producer of KSATs Good Morning San Antonio show. Sosa said that family connection played no role in the selection of KSAT.

Maybe. But the whole situation looks bad, as does Sosas unwavering support of Edward Benavides.

There should have been a standard process for awarding all contracts and partnerships, big and small, and strict guidelines about conversations with potential bidders and conflicts of interest.

No wonder fundraising has been sluggish.

To be clear: The Tricentennial is an important event. One that, ideally, will celebrate our rich history and culture. But we cant fault members of the business community who have questions about making large commitments to an operation so obviously flawed.

Beyond this, we remain perplexed why the organization let go its professional fundraiser, who helped raise $5 million in nine months. Thats another questionable staff decision.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who was elected this summer and inherited the fundraising shortfall, has emerged as a chief fundraiser.

In a promising sign, San Antonio-based USAA recently pledged $500,000 to the cause  more than $6.1 million has been raised at last count  and officials have expressed confidence that other large donations are coming. Maybe Nirenberg and others can right the ship.

RELATED: 20 arts projects get funding for the Tricentennial

But remember, the Tricentennial celebration kicks off New Years Eve, less than two months from now. At this point, the ship shouldnt need righting.

San Antonio is turning 300, and we are all lucky to not only be part of that story but to celebrate this unique moment in our shared history. But staffs poor handling of key issues is undercutting community support and confidence.

Again, you only turn 300 once, San Antonio. Is the commission getting this right?
While narrating the details surrounding his escape from Zimbabwe through Mozambique after being fired from Government by Robert Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed the reason behind his unexplained and unannounced trip to South Africa last Saturday.

Mnangagwa revealed that he was declared poison free by doctors last week. When he was poisoned during a Zanu-PF interface rally in Gwanda in August, Mnangagwa was admitted in a South African hospital after he was airlifted from Zimbabwe. Said Mnangagwa:

You have heard about me being taken ill at a rally in Gwanda. I am not so clear as to at what stage I took the poison, but I took it. I was airlifted to South Africa and I recovered; thats why I am here. I am aware that the poison content at the time was around 361 percent, but after six days it came down to about 11 percent. I am happy that last week I was declared (poison) free. It is now undetectable. So we are the same now in terms of poison content.

Mnangagwas administration has denied that the President had gone to South Africa for a medical check up. They also denied reports of a medical emergency. Former President Robert Mugabe was usually criticised for not disclosing the reason(s) behind his trips overseas especially to Singapore.

 Herald

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By John Eichberger

BUENOS AIRES  The inaugural NACS Fuels Summit Latin America concluded yesterday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after a day and half of networking and evaluation of trends that will dramatically affect the convenience and fuels retailing market.

Pablo Popik, Subsecretary for Refining and Marketing within Argentinas Ministry of Energy and Mining, shared with attendees that the Latin American region needs cross-border collaboration to achieve major goals, such as reducing energy consumption and improving the environment.

The Fuels Summit helped facilitated such collaboration, noted Enrique Levallois, executive manager commercial for YPF, who said the event created an environment for operators throughout Latin America to begin generating cross-border relationships that did not previously exist, as well as develop opportunities to grow as an industry by learning together.

The final day of the conference opened with a specific look at the future of fuels, featuring Javier Diaz with S&P Global Platts; Milton Costa, the secretary general of IBP (Brazilian Institute of Petroleum); and Kenneth Siefken, vice president of marketing for Terpel. The general message from this session was that government policy has a major influence on the market, from the introduction of electric vehicles to support for biofuels. However, the consumer must remain the primary target for the retail community, regardless of the types of vehicles they drive.

Gray Taylor, executive director of Conexxus, walked the audience through the catalogue of new technologies that could affect and potentially disrupt the industry. Noting that there is more computing power in todays smartphones than was required to land a man on the moon, Taylor explained that new technology and computing capabilities can eliminate the need for mobile apps, generating the ability for retailers to delivery loyalty-type, customized services to customers without requiring them to sign up.

Henry Armour, NACS president and CEO, led a discussion with Levellois and Jeff Murphy, NACS strategic partner for Latin America, about the future of fuel retailing. The panel was generally optimistic about the industry going forward, but noted that retailers will have to work hard to achieve success. This includes looking beyond the current channel for new ideas to enhance the customer experience, to create the store as a destination for the consumer and to strive to take friction out of the consumer experience.

The final panel dove directly into the retail fueling experience and how to enhance service for the consumer. Taylor joined Carlos Amorim with Wayne Fueling Systems, and Andre de Stefani with Ipiranga, to discuss new strategies and the direction fuel retailing might take. The audience noted that not one person attending the Fuels Summit operated self-serve fueling stations, and Taylor noted that may be a blessing because full-serve can be a strong strategic advantage in delivering value to the consumer. Dont make the same mistakes as America, he cautioned.

The panel discussed the progression to mobile payments and remote order, both of which are being implemented by Ipiranga. The NACS Fuels Summit Latin America closed with Armour delivering an executive summary of his learnings and observations from the two-day event. He summarized that there are three types of people: those who let things happen, those who make things happen, and those who wonder what happened. We began to explore the future of fuel retailing at this conference, now lets go make it happen, he said.

Look for full coverage of the NACS Fuels Summit Latin America in the January 2018 issue of NACS Magazine, and learn more about NACS international engagement and upcoming global events hosted by NACS at www.convenience.org/international.
SEATTLE  Starbucks Coffee Company announced the opening of the first Princi bakery and cafe location in the United States at its Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle.

The Roastery, which opened in December 2014, is designed to be an immersive and sensorial space that redefined customers expectations of a retail environment, says the company. Completing this customer experience is Princi, offering freshly baked Italian food crafted from Rocco Princis recipes, which has gained a devoted following in his six stores across Milan and in Londons Soho neighborhood.

Princi will become the exclusive food offering in all new Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations including Shanghai, opening in December 2017, Milan in late 2018, and New York, Tokyo and Chicago thereafter.

Rocco Princi is an artisan who, at an early age, discovered a love of bread making and through determination as well as an obsession for finding the perfect ingredients, has created an Italian food experience that I think is unparalleled, said Howard Schultz, executive chairman of Starbucks. His passion for authentic food and respect for Milanese culture come through in everything he does, and I think our customers are going to fall in love with Princi.

Born in Calabria, Italy, Rocco Princi began as a bakers apprentice and opened his first store at the age of 21 in the Villa San Giovanni. With the motto, hot bread all day, demand quickly exceeded his expectations and Rocco moved to Milan, opening a shop in 1986. Designed with ovens as the centerpiece of his stores, Rocco Princi and his team bring the theatre of baking to life using simple, yet sacred artisanal techniques, and exceptional ingredients sourced specifically for each fresh food offering. Sourced without compromise and baked without shortcuts is what defines Princi food.

At the newest Princi location in Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, a team of bakers and chefs bring over 125 years of experience to Princi recipes. Much like Roccos European locations, the Seattle store is centered around ovens with food across every daypart baked fresh onsite. More than 100 menu items will be available daily, using ingredients imported from Italy, 25 of which are specifically for Princi.

Today, I am realizing a dream that I have had since I was a young man, and I am grateful to Howard for his vision to bring Princi to the world, said Rocco Princi, founder of Princi. Having worked side by side with the team that Starbucks has assembled, I have seen firsthand their talent as well as the attention they have given to ensuring that the fresh, authentic, handcrafted ingredients that define the Princi experience are being honored. I am excited and humbled that the people of Seattle will now be able to experience our food.

In 2016, Starbucks joined a global investment team, which includes Milan-based Angel Capital Management and Pekepan Investments, to expand Princi bakeries into international markets. In addition to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations, Starbucks plans to open Princi standalone stores starting in 2018.
A leading Belarusian-born volunteer worker and campaigner for the rights of victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Adi Roches Chernobyl Children International charity.

Julie Shynkarenka, a former language teacher, journalist and entrepreneur, lived for many years in one of the most highly radioactive contaminated regions of Belarus.

She says that she and her family had no idea of the seriousness of the Chernobyl disaster as it was kept totally hidden from them and remained surrounded in secrecy for many years afterwards; however, all of them have since suffered from the consequences of the catastrophic explosion.

Julie grew up in Gomel (pop. 520,000), the second largest city in Belarus, which was directly in the path of the deadly fall out from the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 26 April 1986.

Gomel, just 130 kms from Chernobyl, suffered serious contamination from the explosion with an alarming rise in illnesses linked to high levels of radiation exposure. Today Gomel is a leading centre of radiation medicine where efforts continue to cope with the catastrophic consequences of Chernobyl.

Julie Shynkarenka says she and her family were among the thousands of victims of the disaster. Chernobyl is located just across the border in Ukraine but those of us who lived in the path of the radioactive cloud that came with the wind into our country have lived with the consequences of that terrible disaster all of our lives

The full scale of the Chernobyl accident only emerged years later, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Ireland, led by Chernobyl Children International, became one of the first countries in the world to offer emergency relief to the victims and survivors of the nuclear accident.

In 1993, Julie was sent to Italy for a month-long recuperation programme by a local relief organisation based in Gomel. She was suffering from serious eyes defect and had almost lost her sight. Her sister, Anna, had problems with her thyroid glands and bones.

Julie and Clonmel's Adi Roche welcome Chernobyl children to Ireland for a Christmas holiday.

She recalls The awful truth is that when Chernobyl happened, people in Belarus knew nothing about its impact or seriousness. All information about it was hidden and kept secret. Every spring and summer we would go to live with our grandparents in the village of Rechytsa, which is even nearer Chernobyl and grow our own vegetables unaware that we were sowing them in contaminated ground.

I remember the first weekend after the explosion we were working on our grandparents farm, sowing potatoes. We knew nothing about the disaster which had taken place so near us. We had no idea that it was going to cause us so much tragedy. We were completely failed by the State.

Julie graduated from Gomel State University in 2001 and worked for a time as a language teacher. She came to Dublin to study Tourism Management and Marketing in 2002, afterwards working with the investment firm Oyster Capital Partners and later became a news presenter and journalist with the first Russian internet TV station in Dublin- 2Dublin.tv.

Coming to Ireland, Julie says she was immediately impressed by the extraordinary work that Irish people had been doing for children in Belarus who were affected by the Chernobyl disaster. I almost couldnt believe it, she said.

What happened in my country makes me both very sad and very angry. The fallout from Chernobyl caused huge economic, social, environmental and health problems. There was huge disruption and dislocation with thousands of people becoming environmental refugees as they were forced to move out of the most contaminated areas.

That damage and suffering is still continuing and I wanted to help in some way as soon as I was able. I became aware of what Irish volunteers with Adi Roches Chernobyl Children International were doing all over Belarus, even in my own hometown of Gomel, and I offered to help in any way I could.

Julie began to work as a volunteer with CCI making several trips back to Belarus in recent years - in the company of Adi Roche, board member Ali Hewson and teams of Irish volunteers working to improve the lives of vulnerable children. It is an unending struggle to find the resources to support the programmes which CCI has established and is providing in my country, she says and it is a great honour to be appointed to the Board of Directors.

Irish people have played an extraordinary role in helping the child victims of Chernobyl, many of whom were abandoned in grim orphanages, suffer from the most serious illnesses and have to cope with severe disabilities. It is inspiring to witness what has and is being done to improve their lives in even the remotest villages in my country.

Commenting on her appointment, CCI Founder and Voluntary CEO Adi Roche said:

Being a native of Belarus, Julie has an added understanding that will hugely benefit the organisation in terms of local negotiations and relationship building. However, most importantly, Julie has lived through the fallout from Chernobyl and is an inspiration for so many like her who continue to live in its dark shadow

We are so fortunate to have someone as qualified and as warm-hearted as Julie join our Board of Directors. Its the beginning of a very exciting era for CCI as we further develop ground breaking programmes that are going to forever change the lives of the children of Chernobyl.

Shynkarenkas induction brings the total number of Directors on CCIs Board to 9, which includes businesswoman Ali Hewson and former Minister Liz ODonnell. The Board is chaired by Chartered Accountant Peter Lacy.
Scientists are as sceptical as they come  but many still engage in personal rituals or use totems in the lab and field.

While investigating how experience can influence brain circuitry, students and postdocs in Robert Froemke's neuroscience lab have developed various rituals to 'bring luck' to their investigations.

The electrophysiologists of the group, who record the activity of single neurons, watch their monitoring apparatus obsessively, even though their experiments can run unattended.

By contrast, the molecular biologists leave their experiments to run unmonitored to avoid 'jinxing' the results, Froemke says. Superstitions reach into every corner of human endeavour  including the science world.

One student routinely calls off her Friday-night plans, because in the past when she's cancelled, she's noticed that she had greater success with training the mice in her studies.

Froemke's lab members know that none of these minor rituals actually improves the odds of their experiments working, but they do them anyway  if somewhat furtively.

Such rituals tap into something deep about the human condition, says Froemke, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute faculty scholar at the New York University School of Medicine.

As a graduate student, he recalls, he wouldn't leave his own neuronal-recording experiments, even to visit the toilet. It's both heartwarming and a little heartbreaking, he says. These things make the science really personal and the process our own.

Whether in archaeology or astronomy, rituals and lucky charms abound among rational, logical scientists who are fully aware that engaging in them has no effect whatsoever on their science. Some principal investigators decry them as distractions or a waste of energy. But other lab heads and behavioural experts support their use, arguing that they serve important roles that might benefit research.

There is some evidence that rituals can soothe anxiety and reduce stress levels, and might therefore serve to prepare experimentalists for a gruelling day's work1. The uncertainty and long hours of science can be hard to deal with  so hard that some labs and scientists turn to familiar rituals and routines to lower the pressure, build team spirit and normalize the culture of frequent failure.

Rituals, say psychologists and behavioural-science experts, can also personalize a project and bring an illusion of control to an unpredictable endeavour. By the very nature of the word, experiments are often not going to work, says Stuart Vyse, an emeritus behavioural scientist at Connecticut College in New London who has studied the psychology of superstition.

Researchers who are setting up complex experiments or planning a risky field expedition prepare meticulously for every contingency, he says. But that might not seem like enough to some people. Once the person has done everything they can think of that rationally can help the outcome, then they are looking for something extra, Vyse says.

The benefits of distraction

For Loren Davis, an archaeologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis, and his team, that something extra was a totem dubbed Rock Ness. At a dig in an Idaho canyon in 2007, Jessica Curteman, then a master's-degree student in Davis's group, unearthed a rock that looked like the head of the mythical Loch Ness monster. Curteman whipped out a marker pen and drew an eye on it. Ever since, Rock Ness has enjoyed a prominent place in the field each summer to 'watch over' digs around the western United States, says Davis, who studies early human inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest.

Curteman, now a senior archaeologist for the cultural-resources department of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon, is the keeper of Rock Ness. She says that the propped-up rock 'reminds' team members at the field site to keep the floors and walls of their excavations neat and organized as they uncover fossils and artefacts. Sometimes, she reports with a wink, the rock seems to 'move closer' to researchers who need an emotional boost, perhaps to yank more sandbags out of a site or to deal with a disruptive rodent burrow.

Dimitris Xygalatas, an experimental anthropologist at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, has found evidence both in and out of the lab that repetitive hand motions and ritualistic prayers soothe anxiety.

In one lab study, his team induced anxiety in a group of participants by asking them to prepare a public speech on an artwork2. A control group was not given the stress-inducing task. Both groups were then asked to clean the artwork while their hand motions were recorded and analysed. The high-stress group showed more-repetitive and predictable  or more-ritualized  hand movements. The work, say Xygalatas and his co-authors, suggests that people perform rituals as a way of coping with anxiety. Behavioural ecologist Walt Koenig checks on an acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus).

In fieldwork not yet published, Xygalatas's team induced stress in study participants by having them write about a natural disaster. The researchers found that indicators of anxiety, including increased heart rates, were reduced more quickly in individuals who participated in ritualistic prayers afterwards, compared with those who did not.

Aside from alleviating physiological stress, argues Xygalatas, a ritual can also confer a psychological lift. If it boosts your confidence and you believe you are going to be better and less stressed, then you are going to perform better, he says.

But some group leaders see rituals and lucky charms as a waste of time, or a distraction from the hard work of research. Patrick Druckenmiller, Earth-science curator at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks, has never developed rituals during fieldwork, nor does he encourage it. I am mostly on my guard the whole time, making sure that work is getting done, the field crew is reasonably happy and, most importantly, safe, he says. Distractions, he adds, can be dangerous at the remote field sites in the Arctic where he and his team work, with harsh, unpredictable weather and the risk of bear encounters. In such settings, there is little time or opportunity to develop other follies.

But some researchers say that rituals and routines, such as doing a brief dance before running an experiment, saluting a cuddly toy above the bench or listening to a specific playlist of songs, can help scientists to relax. This can be an important aspect of work that often requires both fine motor control and sharp focus. Benelita Elie, a PhD student in cancer biology at the City University of New York, likes to set the tempo of her music playlists to match the tempo of her bench work. During shorter experiments, she always hums along to a specific piece by Bach that she knows by heart. It gives me predictability, she says, in a space where there is a lot of unpredictability.

Team totems

When rituals or totems are part of a group setting, Xygalatas says, they can become traditions that promote social bonding. Rock Ness brought a sense of fun to Davis's field team and helped them to gel. It's an intellectual pursuit, but it's also a lot of physical labour, and we all have to work as a team to get things done, he says.

Michael Long, a neuroscientist at New York University School of Medicine, says he has seen lab rituals that served to lighten the mood after inevitable experimental failures. During Long's graduate-school days at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, he developed a daily ritual to ward off failure  and the routine spread through his lab. Studying delicate slices of rodent brains, he had to keep the cells alive in a lab dish for several hours and record the activity of the firing neurons. The tricky experiments took all day, but Long wouldn't know until the end whether he had obtained good recordings. On those days, he started buying lunch at his favourite hot-dog shop, Spike's Junkyard Dogs.

Once the person has done everything they can think of that can rationally help the outcome, then they are looking for something extra.

The days I ate at Spike's, I had beautiful slices. It happened every time, so then everyone else in the lab started going to Spike's more and more often, recalls Long. A lab mate's husband even adopted the practice, and ate there before a job interview. I don't even know if they liked hot dogs, says Long with a laugh.

Some scientists partake in group rituals that have a serious side. In Japan, it's common practice for universities and research institutes to hold an annual memorial service for animals that have been killed as part of experiments. Researchers say that they participate in these services to show appreciation and gratitude for the animals and to console their spirits3.

About half of the services are religious in nature, and those are about evenly split between Buddhist and Shinto rites, says Naoki Morishita, an ethics professor at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in Japan, who has studied the ritual services. He says that they are deeply rooted in Japanese cultural and spiritual beliefs. Communication with the soul of the dead is at the heart of it, he says. Japanese researchers participate to express feelings of gratitude and appreciation. They do not feel calm without it. In that sense, the memorial service is important for them.

Routine success

Elsewhere, researchers use rituals and habits on a daily basis. In his work, Walt Koenig, a behavioural ecologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, has two routines to help him to locate the nests of acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) and band the birds for study.

To find active nests, which are usually 612 metres above the ground in the cavities of oak trees, Koenig yells, Hello? in a specific, drawn-out vocal tone towards nest holes to get a bird to peer out. I'm sure that it has to have that particular nasal quality to get them to look out, jokes Koenig. Catching the adult birds is a feat that involves climbing a tree, setting an ambush to trap the birds inside the cavity and sawing a new entrance from which to carefully remove them. It's something of an art form, says Koenig.

So, when he triumphs, Koenig performs his second ritual, both as a celebration and as a quirky benediction for the bird's continued health. When I finish banding and measuring them, I kiss them on the head and say, 'Live long and prosper.'

He has passed the rituals on to junior researchers as a symbolic way of sharing his successes, and says that he would be disappointed if they failed to repeat his speeches. You hope that your little rituals will make it work the next time round, he says. I do indeed show them and claim, only partly tongue-in-cheek, that such things are important to the project.

For his part, Davis carries a personal totem in his pocket  a replica of a 13,000-year-old spear point  to remind him how luck led to the discovery of the original.

On a field trip to Idaho in 1997, he accidentally used the wrong compass setting, and so incorrectly laid a baseline that shifted his field site. That mistake uncovered a pit loaded with stone tools and spear points. It was an incredible find that documented the technologies of some of the earliest hunter-gatherers in North America. If I had not set the line wrong, Davis says, we would have missed it.

A collaborator of Davis's, Dennis Jenkins at the University of Oregon in Eugene who also studies North America's earliest inhabitants, always dons his lucky field hat before entering a work site, and takes it off when he leaves in the evening. He also considers his bright orange, multi-pocket field vest and the buck knife that hangs from his belt indispensable items that support his field 'persona', which he says helps him to lead students through dicey situations.
By Online Desk

Alarmed by the critical levels of air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday has decided to implement the odd-even policy. This will be the third edition of the policy. The scheme was earlier enforced twice in 2016/.

"The odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in Delhi for a five-day period from November 13," city Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said today.

Under the policy, private vehicles are allowed to run based on the last number of their licence plates.

Odd-numbered cars are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars can only run on even dates.

Gahlot said had yesterday said that the Delhi government would be ready to roll out the scheme if air pollution levels persist in 'severe plus' category for 48 hours. Two-wheelers will be exempted if the road rationing measure comes into effect, he had asserted.

With no improvement in the air quality, Delhi-NCR continued to breathe toxins for the third consecutive day, as major pollutants across all monitoring stations in the region crossed "severe" level on Thursday.

The data collected from the central government's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (Safar) showed that the PM2.5 and PM10 (particles with a diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm) were beyond "severe", which stood at more than 500 units.

Irked by the prevailing air pollution levels, National Green Tribunal earlier in the day issued a slew of directions to deal with the situation, including banning construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks

"No construction activity will be carried out on structures until further orders... all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which are causing emissions will also not be allowed to carry on their functioning" till November 14, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The green panel also imposed a ban on the entry of diesel trucks more than ten years old and said that no vehicle from outside or within Delhi will be permitted to transport any construction material.

Meanwhile, Delhiites woke up to another hazy day on Thursday, as a thick blanket of smog still engulfs the city. The pollution level in Punjabi Bagh and R.K. Puram were at the maximum with Air Quality Index reaching up to 799 and 652 respectively, which is comparatively less than in the past three days.

FULL REPORT: Delhiites wake up to another smoggy day, train services severely affected

Expressing concern over the increasing pollution level in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday asserted that the state is taking every possible step in this regard.

Alarmed by the critical levels of air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday has decided to implement the odd-even policy. This will be the third edition of the policy. The scheme was earlier enforced twice in 2016/. "The odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in Delhi for a five-day period from November 13," city Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said today. Under the policy, private vehicles are allowed to run based on the last number of their licence plates. Odd-numbered cars are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars can only run on even dates. Gahlot said had yesterday said that the Delhi government would be ready to roll out the scheme if air pollution levels persist in 'severe plus' category for 48 hours. Two-wheelers will be exempted if the road rationing measure comes into effect, he had asserted. With no improvement in the air quality, Delhi-NCR continued to breathe toxins for the third consecutive day, as major pollutants across all monitoring stations in the region crossed "severe" level on Thursday. The data collected from the central government's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (Safar) showed that the PM2.5 and PM10 (particles with a diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm) were beyond "severe", which stood at more than 500 units. Irked by the prevailing air pollution levels, National Green Tribunal earlier in the day issued a slew of directions to deal with the situation, including banning construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks "No construction activity will be carried out on structures until further orders... all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which are causing emissions will also not be allowed to carry on their functioning" till November 14, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said. The green panel also imposed a ban on the entry of diesel trucks more than ten years old and said that no vehicle from outside or within Delhi will be permitted to transport any construction material. Meanwhile, Delhiites woke up to another hazy day on Thursday, as a thick blanket of smog still engulfs the city. The pollution level in Punjabi Bagh and R.K. Puram were at the maximum with Air Quality Index reaching up to 799 and 652 respectively, which is comparatively less than in the past three days. FULL REPORT: Delhiites wake up to another smoggy day, train services severely affected Expressing concern over the increasing pollution level in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday asserted that the state is taking every possible step in this regard.
By Online Desk

The University of Hyderabad on Wednesday had suspended 10 students including two women students with immediate effect on charges of misconduct, physical and verbal assault on its officials.

Three of the students have been suspended for two years while the rest for six months.

The decision was based on the recommendations of a committee constituted on a surprise raid conducted on at the Men's Hostel J.

An inquiry panel found Pratyush Nirjher, Atira Unni V (MA-sociology) and Sagnik Saha (PhD-history) guilty of refusing to comply with rules, preventing officials from discharging their duties and indulging in verbal assault, for which they were suspended for two years.

Read Pratyush Nirjher's full letter below:

SHOWING THE CHAOS

The warden

J & K Hostel

2/11/2017

Sub: Response to the show cause notice issued by the warden

Dear Sir,

The show cause notice issued to me Dated on 27/10/2017 is seeking explanation for two crimes committed by me.

1. The fact that you found a lady in my room

2. Why did I shout at the Warden

Following is the explanation for these two things in detail.

Explaining why there was a woman/ why cant there be a woman?

Pratyush Nirjher.

hoto | facebook )

First of all the very language of this official notice is denigrating women. You found a lady in the room, as if you find a bottle or a knife or a heater, or any lifeless object. And this sense of negation of an active woman subject generated in your language was proved not an accident when one of the Wardens at the time of the raid, silenced this woman while she started to intervene in the conversation that was going on.

It was a smoothly violent objectification and invisibilization- Madam, you are not supposed to talk!!

I understand that such a notice has been sent to me on the ground that entry of women in Mens Hostels is against the hostel rule book. Whenever the students have raised this issue of free mobility within the campus, you refer back to this holy rule book to defend your restriction on the student community.

Now, for the fact that this rule is muddled with a number of discrepancies and ironies that I find it hardly possible to understand the rationale on which it is grounded on.

So, I request an explanation for the following problems and ambiguities in the rule itself.

1. How does the rule book define the hostel space? Is it a public space or a private space? If it is a public space, free access to any public space to the citizen is ensured by the constitution of India. I believe your hostel rule book cannot bypass the constitution. The other case, if you define it as a private space, then this infiltration of the authority into the private spaces of students is a blatant violation of our fundamental right to privacy. In that case this very act of surprise-regular raids without the prior intimation given to the students, which is no doubt a barging into our privacy, is also unconstitutional.

2. Is it about the security of women? Then the rule certainly presupposes the patriarchal-brahmanical notion that women are naturally weak / meek creatures who should be controlled and protected (by the men folk consisting  father, husband, son, wardens etc.). The second question is that how do you determine what is womens security? In what all places and circumstances do you consider women to be insecure? In my case my female friend and classmate, whom you met in the room during the raid, was sick and I was about to take her to the hospital. I am the closest friend to her in the campus and obviously she feels more comfortable and secure around me than anyone else especially in such a situation when she was in the need to be taken care of. For her to feel safe and secure at the moment was to be in that room with me, which your rule of security would call a crime! So it is clear that it is not really about the security of anyone, your security is rather a tool for control and oppression.

Its then your surprise raids with a bunch of staffs and security personals and threatening of the students through different means- sometimes violent words and absurd notices (as in my case) otherwise through direct harassment ( as happened two months ago in K hostel) are the real security threat for them inside the mens hostel.

Harassments, violence, and any sort of breach of a womans bodily integrity can happen in any place inside the campus other than the hostels, like class rooms, labs, libraries, auditoriums, on their way to and way back from classrooms, library etc. The logic of your project of security -that is to restrict or deny womens access to these potential places of threat-what happens if it is extended to all the possible places of threat? To what extent will you go? Stopping women from going to gym, night canteens, sports complex, then libraries, labs, classes at last, then lock them up in the hostel rooms??

3. Is the restriction in the name of morality and culture? If this rule is grounded on the great Indian morality and culture, then you are contradicting your own terms. The Irony is that in this same university, Tagore International House has a common residential arrangement for male and female students, while womens entry into mens hostels is criminalised among the Indian students. What message are you trying to convey through this differential rules? Is it that Indian men, the product of the culture that your rule professes are potential harassers not the foreigners - a remnant of the colonial mentality that the Western culture is more civilized and superior than the Indian- inferior one?

Or is the attempt here is calculated to preserve the regressive heterosexual bourgeois norm in the name of saving Indian culture? But it can be historically seen that the very rule-which tries to preserve heterosexual norm-breaks it apart. For example the rules through which you are trying to create a wall between men and women, by giving them less and less space to interact with each other, in the name of preserving Indian culture will create a condition where men start treating women not as friends, classmate or partners in their life and work, but mere objects of sexual-desire, which will make this campus more and more unsafe for women. BHU-the epitome of championing Indian morality and culture where these rules are implemented more strictly, is an open example of the culture of most harsh form of harassment of women on daily basis.

So are you trying to implement that culture of harassment in our university also? Havent you learned a lesson from what happened in BHU few months before?

Explaining why did I shout on the warden/Why are you silencing us?

Shouting is an expression of anger. This anger is the product of the mental trauma through which we are going on in our everyday life because of the food, maintenance and health crisis in the campus. The events which are taking place in last two months are the proof that you and other authorities are not interested in resolving these issues at all. Two months before, when spontaneously more than 50 students of J&K hostels besieged you and started expressing their anger on different complaints, issues and the way you harassed some of the residents of K hostel and humiliated them by passing sexist comments, clicking the pictures of the undergarments of their female friends during the raid, and demanded from you written explanation for the same or resignation from your post, you ran away. Now you are back again with raids, circulars, show-cause notices, fines etc. and started using them as the tools for witch-hunting the students to create an environment of fear so that you can silence us.

Why are you silencing us? Is there some hidden agenda or interest of yours, which you are trying to protect and execute through these acts?

No protests please, we don't want Rohith Vemulas: University of Hyderabad asks students to sign affidavit

Few days before administration came up with a circular which restricts the entry of food vendors in the campus supposedly in the interest of shopkeepers inside the campus. But we understand that it is clearly in the interest of the administration who wants to make more money in the form of rent from these shopkeepers. And just after that you started raiding the hostels so that you can stop students from cooking inside the rooms and indirectly force us to do two things- First, if we are not in a condition to eat in the mess firstly because of the poor quality of the food served there or because of some other problems like-health issues or ethnically different food habits, we are forced to eat from outside, like-Gopanpally or Shopcom or somewhere else. But this can be done only by those students who have scholarships or who come from a higher socio-economic background. The shopkeepers of Gopanpally use the money, which they earn from us, to pay the tender of shops inside the campus, which directly goes to the administration and some middle men (who can be any one, like-students or staffs etc.) in the form of rent. Such a nexus between administration-middle men-shopkeepers inside and outside the campus is made operational by extracting money from students. Second, those who come from weak socio-economic background are forced to eat in the mess from where some agents are generating a lot of money in the form of corruption.

The poor quality of the food an obvious consequence of this corruption, has created a general health crisis in HCU. Jaundice, typhoid, different sort of infections, gastric troubles etc. are now a general condition among the students. Here the extended part of this large unholy nexus comes into play - the health centre- the insurance company- and hospitals. And this part is most threatening because they are making money even out of this crisis by directly exploiting our sick body and mind. In such a condition, if someone falls sick and has to order fruits or some other healthier eatables / food online in the moment of sickness what are they supposed to do? Suppose their hostel is south campus, do you want them to go to main gate to receive their parcels? How will they manage it if they are sick and do not have enough friends who can help them in such moments? This is absurd, shameless and violent anti-students rule.

I know that there will be an attempt from your part to individually target and witch hunt me, which have always been your tool to supress the loud and assertive. But my voice is just one of those voices echoing the anger and agitation of the whole student community. I believe you cannot silence us all.

So, the student community demands an official explanation for all the questions raised in the letter as soon as possible from the warden office.

PRATYUSH NIRJHER

Room NO: 119. MH: J 2/11/2017

Among the suspended include Tinanjali Dam, a representative of the Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH), Dam has been suspended for six months.

The Students Union of the University of Hyderabad condemned the suspension order and called it unfair. There was no representative from the student community on the panel and it is against the rules. Therefore, we demand that the suspension order should be revoked with immediate effect, said Seerag P, president of the Students Union.

Wardens and security staff raided the J Hostel on November 3 and reportedly found a female student in one of the boys' room.

According to university rules, girls are not allowed into the mens hostel. The matter soon escalated and police had to be called in. On November 4, an inquiry committee was set up and it submitted its report on November 6.

The University of Hyderabad on Wednesday had suspended 10 students including two women students with immediate effect on charges of misconduct, physical and verbal assault on its officials. Three of the students have been suspended for two years while the rest for six months. The decision was based on the recommendations of a committee constituted on a surprise raid conducted on at the Men's Hostel J. An inquiry panel found Pratyush Nirjher, Atira Unni V (MA-sociology) and Sagnik Saha (PhD-history) guilty of refusing to comply with rules, preventing officials from discharging their duties and indulging in verbal assault, for which they were suspended for two years. Read Pratyush Nirjher's full letter below: SHOWING THE CHAOS The warden J & K Hostel 2/11/2017 Sub: Response to the show cause notice issued by the warden Dear Sir, The show cause notice issued to me Dated on 27/10/2017 is seeking explanation for two crimes committed by me. 1. The fact that you found a lady in my room 2. Why did I shout at the Warden Following is the explanation for these two things in detail. Explaining why there was a woman/ why cant there be a woman? Pratyush Nirjher.hoto | facebook)First of all the very language of this official notice is denigrating women. You found a lady in the room, as if you find a bottle or a knife or a heater, or any lifeless object. And this sense of negation of an active woman subject generated in your language was proved not an accident when one of the Wardens at the time of the raid, silenced this woman while she started to intervene in the conversation that was going on. It was a smoothly violent objectification and invisibilization- Madam, you are not supposed to talk!! I understand that such a notice has been sent to me on the ground that entry of women in Mens Hostels is against the hostel rule book. Whenever the students have raised this issue of free mobility within the campus, you refer back to this holy rule book to defend your restriction on the student community. Now, for the fact that this rule is muddled with a number of discrepancies and ironies that I find it hardly possible to understand the rationale on which it is grounded on. So, I request an explanation for the following problems and ambiguities in the rule itself. 1. How does the rule book define the hostel space? Is it a public space or a private space? If it is a public space, free access to any public space to the citizen is ensured by the constitution of India. I believe your hostel rule book cannot bypass the constitution. The other case, if you define it as a private space, then this infiltration of the authority into the private spaces of students is a blatant violation of our fundamental right to privacy. In that case this very act of surprise-regular raids without the prior intimation given to the students, which is no doubt a barging into our privacy, is also unconstitutional. 2. Is it about the security of women? Then the rule certainly presupposes the patriarchal-brahmanical notion that women are naturally weak / meek creatures who should be controlled and protected (by the men folk consisting  father, husband, son, wardens etc.). The second question is that how do you determine what is womens security? In what all places and circumstances do you consider women to be insecure? In my case my female friend and classmate, whom you met in the room during the raid, was sick and I was about to take her to the hospital. I am the closest friend to her in the campus and obviously she feels more comfortable and secure around me than anyone else especially in such a situation when she was in the need to be taken care of. For her to feel safe and secure at the moment was to be in that room with me, which your rule of security would call a crime! So it is clear that it is not really about the security of anyone, your security is rather a tool for control and oppression. Its then your surprise raids with a bunch of staffs and security personals and threatening of the students through different means- sometimes violent words and absurd notices (as in my case) otherwise through direct harassment ( as happened two months ago in K hostel) are the real security threat for them inside the mens hostel. Harassments, violence, and any sort of breach of a womans bodily integrity can happen in any place inside the campus other than the hostels, like class rooms, labs, libraries, auditoriums, on their way to and way back from classrooms, library etc. The logic of your project of security -that is to restrict or deny womens access to these potential places of threat-what happens if it is extended to all the possible places of threat? To what extent will you go? Stopping women from going to gym, night canteens, sports complex, then libraries, labs, classes at last, then lock them up in the hostel rooms?? 3. Is the restriction in the name of morality and culture? If this rule is grounded on the great Indian morality and culture, then you are contradicting your own terms. The Irony is that in this same university, Tagore International House has a common residential arrangement for male and female students, while womens entry into mens hostels is criminalised among the Indian students. What message are you trying to convey through this differential rules? Is it that Indian men, the product of the culture that your rule professes are potential harassers not the foreigners - a remnant of the colonial mentality that the Western culture is more civilized and superior than the Indian- inferior one? Or is the attempt here is calculated to preserve the regressive heterosexual bourgeois norm in the name of saving Indian culture? But it can be historically seen that the very rule-which tries to preserve heterosexual norm-breaks it apart. For example the rules through which you are trying to create a wall between men and women, by giving them less and less space to interact with each other, in the name of preserving Indian culture will create a condition where men start treating women not as friends, classmate or partners in their life and work, but mere objects of sexual-desire, which will make this campus more and more unsafe for women. BHU-the epitome of championing Indian morality and culture where these rules are implemented more strictly, is an open example of the culture of most harsh form of harassment of women on daily basis. So are you trying to implement that culture of harassment in our university also? Havent you learned a lesson from what happened in BHU few months before? Explaining why did I shout on the warden/Why are you silencing us? Shouting is an expression of anger. This anger is the product of the mental trauma through which we are going on in our everyday life because of the food, maintenance and health crisis in the campus. The events which are taking place in last two months are the proof that you and other authorities are not interested in resolving these issues at all. Two months before, when spontaneously more than 50 students of J&K hostels besieged you and started expressing their anger on different complaints, issues and the way you harassed some of the residents of K hostel and humiliated them by passing sexist comments, clicking the pictures of the undergarments of their female friends during the raid, and demanded from you written explanation for the same or resignation from your post, you ran away. Now you are back again with raids, circulars, show-cause notices, fines etc. and started using them as the tools for witch-hunting the students to create an environment of fear so that you can silence us. Why are you silencing us? Is there some hidden agenda or interest of yours, which you are trying to protect and execute through these acts? No protests please, we don't want Rohith Vemulas: University of Hyderabad asks students to sign affidavit Few days before administration came up with a circular which restricts the entry of food vendors in the campus supposedly in the interest of shopkeepers inside the campus. But we understand that it is clearly in the interest of the administration who wants to make more money in the form of rent from these shopkeepers. And just after that you started raiding the hostels so that you can stop students from cooking inside the rooms and indirectly force us to do two things- First, if we are not in a condition to eat in the mess firstly because of the poor quality of the food served there or because of some other problems like-health issues or ethnically different food habits, we are forced to eat from outside, like-Gopanpally or Shopcom or somewhere else. But this can be done only by those students who have scholarships or who come from a higher socio-economic background. The shopkeepers of Gopanpally use the money, which they earn from us, to pay the tender of shops inside the campus, which directly goes to the administration and some middle men (who can be any one, like-students or staffs etc.) in the form of rent. Such a nexus between administration-middle men-shopkeepers inside and outside the campus is made operational by extracting money from students. Second, those who come from weak socio-economic background are forced to eat in the mess from where some agents are generating a lot of money in the form of corruption. The poor quality of the food an obvious consequence of this corruption, has created a general health crisis in HCU. Jaundice, typhoid, different sort of infections, gastric troubles etc. are now a general condition among the students. Here the extended part of this large unholy nexus comes into play - the health centre- the insurance company- and hospitals. And this part is most threatening because they are making money even out of this crisis by directly exploiting our sick body and mind. In such a condition, if someone falls sick and has to order fruits or some other healthier eatables / food online in the moment of sickness what are they supposed to do? Suppose their hostel is south campus, do you want them to go to main gate to receive their parcels? How will they manage it if they are sick and do not have enough friends who can help them in such moments? This is absurd, shameless and violent anti-students rule. I know that there will be an attempt from your part to individually target and witch hunt me, which have always been your tool to supress the loud and assertive. But my voice is just one of those voices echoing the anger and agitation of the whole student community. I believe you cannot silence us all. So, the student community demands an official explanation for all the questions raised in the letter as soon as possible from the warden office. PRATYUSH NIRJHER Room NO: 119. MH: J 2/11/2017 Among the suspended include Tinanjali Dam, a representative of the Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH), Dam has been suspended for six months. The Students Union of the University of Hyderabad condemned the suspension order and called it unfair. There was no representative from the student community on the panel and it is against the rules. Therefore, we demand that the suspension order should be revoked with immediate effect, said Seerag P, president of the Students Union. Wardens and security staff raided the J Hostel on November 3 and reportedly found a female student in one of the boys' room. According to university rules, girls are not allowed into the mens hostel. The matter soon escalated and police had to be called in. On November 4, an inquiry committee was set up and it submitted its report on November 6.
By PTI

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh today recorded its highest polling in assembly elections with 74 per cent of voters exercising their franchise, the Election Commission said today.

The figure was till 5 pm and the final polling percentage may be revised as final voting figures are yet to be tallied. Polling was still on in about 500 booths.

The previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 assembly polls, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 64.45 per cent.

At a press conference, Saxena said the elections were peaceful and no incident of violence was reported.

A total of 11,283 VVPAT units were used in all polling booths of the 68 constituencies out of which 297 were replaced, Saxena said, adding this was well within the technical limits.

The Congress is currently ruling the hill state and the BJP is eyeing to return to power after a gap of five years.

In the outgoing 68-member assembly, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively. There are four Independent MLAs while one seat was vacant.

The poll results will be announced on December 18.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 10 ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers were among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

"The Congress party will be victorious with full majority," said Singh. [READ FULL REPORT]

On the other hand, Dhumal told ANI, We aimed to get 50 plus seats, but now that we are receiving so much support from all sections of the society, we expect it to cross 60." [READ FULL REPORT]

Elderly woman, Barfi Devi, casts her vote at polling booth number 7 in Samirpur #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/2TILgQi2Pk

The Congress has projected incumbent Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as its chief ministerial candidate, while Prem Kumar Dhumal is the BJP's. Both are contesting the elections.

#Visuals from a polling station in Mandi, voting to begin at 8 AM in all the 68 constituencies #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/Z8fL2OpcxG

Himachal Pradesh Polls 2017: Facts and figures

The 12-day high-voltage campaign, which ended Tuesday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed seven rallies and BJP president Amit Shah six.

ALSO READ: Congress, BJP bank on old guards to woo voters

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed three rallies.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns on the chief minister while the Congress hit out at the BJP over the issue of GST and demonetisation.

Dharamsala has the maximum number of candidates at 12.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog (SC), is in the fray for the eleventh time.

There are 19 women in the fray, six from the BJP and three from the Congress. Seven rebels each from the two parties are also contesting the polls.

At present, the Congress has 35 and the BJP 28 MLAs in the 68-member House. There are four independents while one seat is vacant.

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh today recorded its highest polling in assembly elections with 74 per cent of voters exercising their franchise, the Election Commission said today. The figure was till 5 pm and the final polling percentage may be revised as final voting figures are yet to be tallied. Polling was still on in about 500 booths. The previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 assembly polls, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 64.45 per cent. At a press conference, Saxena said the elections were peaceful and no incident of violence was reported. A total of 11,283 VVPAT units were used in all polling booths of the 68 constituencies out of which 297 were replaced, Saxena said, adding this was well within the technical limits. The Congress is currently ruling the hill state and the BJP is eyeing to return to power after a gap of five years. In the outgoing 68-member assembly, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively. There are four Independent MLAs while one seat was vacant. The poll results will be announced on December 18. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 10 ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers were among those who have thrown their hat in the ring. "The Congress party will be victorious with full majority," said Singh. [READ FULL REPORT] On the other hand, Dhumal told ANI, We aimed to get 50 plus seats, but now that we are receiving so much support from all sections of the society, we expect it to cross 60." [READ FULL REPORT] Elderly woman, Barfi Devi, casts her vote at polling booth number 7 in Samirpur #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/2TILgQi2Pk  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 The Congress has projected incumbent Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as its chief ministerial candidate, while Prem Kumar Dhumal is the BJP's. Both are contesting the elections. #Visuals from a polling station in Mandi, voting to begin at 8 AM in all the 68 constituencies #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/Z8fL2OpcxG  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 Himachal Pradesh Polls 2017: Facts and figures The 12-day high-voltage campaign, which ended Tuesday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed seven rallies and BJP president Amit Shah six. ALSO READ: Congress, BJP bank on old guards to woo voters Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed three rallies. Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns on the chief minister while the Congress hit out at the BJP over the issue of GST and demonetisation. Dharamsala has the maximum number of candidates at 12. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog (SC), is in the fray for the eleventh time. There are 19 women in the fray, six from the BJP and three from the Congress. Seven rebels each from the two parties are also contesting the polls. At present, the Congress has 35 and the BJP 28 MLAs in the 68-member House. There are four independents while one seat is vacant.
The Crown Couple visited the facilities of Nordic Approach. In Ethiopia, coffee production generates 60% of agricultural exportation of the country. Norwegians are at the top of the world in consumption of Ethiopian coffee and make a positive contribution to the economic growth of Ethiopia. Norwegian company Nordic Approach cooperates with local farmers in order to enhance coffee quality.
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New Delhi: The Centre is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government for a second airport in Chennai required by 2030-2035, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said on Thursday.

Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey and AAI officials have held two meeting with the Tamil Nadu government in the last three months to discuss the matter.

"Eighteen months back, we were handling 28 movements per hour (at Chennai) and after making improvements in our air navigation system, we hope to reach 40. With this, we expect we will be managing Chennai till 2030 or 2035. But a city like Chennai will definitely require a second airport thereafter," Mohapatra told reporters.

According to a study carried out by aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), Chennai handled 18.4 million passengers in 2016 and is expected to reach its maximum capacity of 23-26 million passengers by 2020, if traffic grows at an estimated rate of 12.5 percent.

The CAPA adds that while there are plans to expand capacity to 30 million passengers per year at Chennai airport, airside (hangars, runway, parking bay) constraints could pose a big challenge.

The think-tank estimates an expenditure of $500 million for a second airport in Chennai.

Mohapatra said that a decision will be taken later on whether the second airport will be a greenfield airport (new airport on unsused land) developed on public private partnership model or whether it will be developed by the AAI.

Another city that will need a second airport is Kolkata and the West Bengal government has suggested the Durgapur airport as an option.

But Mohapatra added that Durgapur is at a fair distance from Kolkata and many airlines have not shown interest in the airport so far and, therefore, the Centre has asked the state government to explore another location.

The Centre is also exploring land pool model of infrastructure development as an alternative to land acquisition.

"That is the way forward to plan airports in the future," the AAI Chairman said.

The civil aviation ministry has proposed this model to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for developing new airports in the state.
New Delhi: Condulent Chief Executive Officer Ashok Vemuri on Thursday revealed that he had turned down the offer from Infosys to become its CEO.

The former executive at Infosys has delayed chairman Nandan Nilekani efforts to find a suitable for India's second-largest software exporter.

Vemuri had quit Infosys in 2014 after founder N R Narayana Murthy overlooked him for the top post and brought Vishal Sikka as the company's CEO.

Since then, Vemuri moved to mid-sized IT services firm iGATE and helped its promoters sell the company to Capgemini before joining Conduent, a technology services firm carved out of Xerox.

Vemuri, who addressed investors during a post-earnings conference call on Wednesday, categorically stated that he was committed to building Conduent for the next few years at least, with no intention of jumping shipa declaration that seemingly quashes media speculation that he is preparing to return to former employer Infosys as CEO.

...Whenever I have been approached for an assignment such as you described, I have not engaged and rejected any such overture. As far as I'm concerned, that is the end of that, he said in response to a question by an analyst.

Infosys' hunt for a new CEO has been on since co-founder Nandan Nilekani returned in August at the helm of the company after former Sikka quit, making investors' confidence dwindle.

Sikka had cited continuing distractions over Murthy's allegations of corporate governance failures which led to a public spat between the Infosys board led by R Seshasayee and the founders following which Seshasayee and two independent directors also quit.

At the centre of the controversy was the $200-million acquisition of Israeli technology firm Panaya and the subsequent severance pay to former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal. An independent probe had cleared both Sikka and the Infosys board of any wrongdoing.

Vemuri has been the chief executive officer of Conduent since its inception on January 1, 2017.

Prior to Conduent, the front-runner for the post of CEO at Infosys was president, chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of IGATE Corporation, a New Jersey-based global technology and services company, later renamed as Capgemini. During his tenure from 2013 to 2015

Prior to IGATE, Vemuri spent fourteen years in various business development roles at Infosys. From 2012 to 2013, he served as senior vice president and head of Americas and global head of Manufacturing and Engineering Services. Ashok was a member of the board from 2011 to 2013, and was also the key architect of the companys vertical go-to-market model.

Prior to joining Infosys in 1999, he worked in the investment banking industry at Deutsche Bank and Bank of America.

Vemuri is also a member of the World Economic Forum IT Board of Governors and the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in physics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and received his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Surat: Thirty-five years after its release, Bollywood multi-starrer Sholay is back in news for political reasons. The film, its characters and dialogues seem to be a flavour of the poll-pourri in Gujarat this election season.

Rahul Gandhi was the first to enter the screenplay. At an election rally in Ahmedabad last month, the Congress Vice-President rechristened Goods and Services Tax (GST). The flagship central legislation aimed at ushering in uniform tax regime was flawed, he said.

Tugging at his sleeves, Gandhi said GST stands for Gabbar Singh Tax. Gabbar Singh  the savage bandit in Sholay played by Amjad Khan  ravaged Ramgarh for sustenance.

In Surat, another powerful character of the movie has leapt out of the celluloid this election  Thakur Baldev Singh. The police officer whose hands were chopped off by Gabbar. Sanjiv Kumar, the versatile actor who played the shawl-draped Thakur in the film, was from Surat.

A Leuva Patel by caste, Kumars real name was Harihar Jethalal Jariwala.

The Suratis (as the locals are often referred to in Gujarat) were in for a surprise when one fine morning this week they found posters of a Sanjiv Kumar-starrer pasted on the streets of the industrial town. Many years after the actor passed away, Thakur Baldev Singh was back in action  at least in the posters war between the BJP and the Congress. Memes targeting the GST tax regime have generously used Sholay dialogues delivered by Kumar in the film.

Sample this: Gabbar #GST mein aa raha hun. Another poster pasted at the auditorium named after Kumar had a tagline on how the Bollywood actor was unhappy with the state of affairs in the country.

The South Gujarat City of Surat is considered a stronghold of BJP where the party has registered a 90-plus strike rate in the past Assembly polls. The Congress this election is attempting to make inroads in BJP-controlled urban centers and Rahul Gandhi has in the last one week twice travelled to Surat. The target audience is the urban voter traditionally employed in textile and other businesses.

In another short film made by Congress supporters, Gabbar Ke Goley, a lookalike of the Ramgarh dacoit is seen chopping off GST and demonetisation.
Bhopal: The survivors of 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy on Wednesday accused the Madhya Pradesh government of gross betrayal over promised health and other facilities to them.

Organisations representing them have now sought an appointment from President Ram Nath Kovind when he visits the state capital on November 10.

State minister Vishwas Sarang in June 206, after assuming the portfolio for gas relief and rehabilitation, had promised health, employment and social benefits for the survivors on the basis of three-month scientific study of the victims and affected colonies. However, the study never happened, five organisations representing the survivors of the worlds worst industrial disaster told the media on Wednesday.

The minister had also promised bar-coded smart cards for the gas tragedy victims so that their centralised data could be accessed either at Bhopal Memorial Hospital or any of the six gas relief hospitals being run by the state government and treatment could be streamlines, Satinath Sarangi from Bhopal Group for Action and Information (BGIA) said.

Not a single survivor has been issued the smart card till date, he alleged.

The senior gas tragedy activist even claimed that anything regarding cleaning of Union Carbide site, infested with toxic waste, was yet to be done despite the fact the state government owns the land.

The state government had promised to continue Rs 1000 widow pension for women survivors but 17 months down the line, the pension is yet to resume forcing thousands of elderly women to live in abject poverty, BGIA worker Rachna Dhingra claimed.

A sum of Rs 80 crore has lying with the Department of Gas Relief and Rehabilitation but no efforts were made to ensure employment for the survivors kids which is really unfortunate.

With such attitude from the government, we are compelled to once again resort to our protests, Dhingra said.

We are seeking an appointment from the President of India who is visiting MP on Nov 10 for briefing him about the hardships of the survivors, she added.

Sarang could not be contacted to respond to the allegations.
New Delhi: Once again, a frustrated National Green Tribunal lashed out at the Delhi government and the municipal corporations on the mess theyd made of Delhis air. On Thursday, NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took emergency measures further and shut down all construction activity in Delhi till the courts next hearing on Tuesday.

Earlier, Delhi government had banned only civil construction on Wednesday evening.

Kumar told citys various authorities, now we will decide what you have to do. He added that labourers attached to construction projects must still be paid their wages.

The NGT has cried itself hoarse over the years over pollution, asking governments and authorities to take timely action. Kumar again asked the government, Why didnt you issue any directions for shutting down the polluting industry and construction. You did it yesterday as we told you to do so.

He also lambasted the corporations for neglecting garbage and leaf burning, which is significantly contributes to smog in winter. He also axed the MCDs plan to plant trees now, saying if youre planting trees now youre adding to the problem, as it will only lead to more dirt.

The court also directed all the industrial activities in the city and the NCR region, which releases emissions, to stop till the next date of hearing.

All the authorities and state governments have to submit their action plan in furtherance of the directions issued by the NGT in two weeks.

Kumars tirade touched on the shoddy implementation of pollution control norms. No builder covers their construction site, he pointed out. Somebody says I have written a letter. Somebody says I am doing this I am doing that. Why isnt there any impact on the ground?

It is a matter of shame all you public authorities what you are giving to your children, said Kumar.

He directed all corporation, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to constitute teams of its officers to visit areas under their respective jurisdiction. These teams must ensure there is no burning of material and construction material, particularly cement and sand, is lying in the open, in Delhi. Such materials will be seized and builders fined. This order applies to Noida, Ghaziabad, Sonepat, Gurgaon, Palwal, Bahadurgarh, Manesar, too.

Delhi is already the most monitored city in the country. The court now directed pollution boards of the neighbouring states, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to also keep records of the pollution levels. The board shall provide the analysis report to the tribunals of all the 12 parameters on the next date of hearing.

The NGT repeated its previous query on why helicopters arent being used for water sprinkling. This, however, has raised the eyebrows of environmentalists who see helicopters as an unfeasible solution, as theyre designed for dumping loads of water, to douse a fire for example, then sprinkling gently and uniformly over a large area. For now, the tribunal ordered sprinkling of water wherever PM10 is found to be more than 600. The sprinkling of water can be done through the helicopter or the fire brigade department in every area in Delhi. It also called for regular cleaning of roads after the sprinkling of water.

Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana have to ensure there is no crop burning and some benefits are given to farmers as incentives against the practice.

The Constitution of India, said Kumar, has mandated the state and imposed a fundamental duty on the citizens to protect the environment. This is now being breached.

We have no hesitation in observing that all the concerned department and govt have failed to control the situation, said the court. The doctrine of preventive principal has been violated, ignored at every relevant stage, it added.

Indicating the repetitive nature of the crisis, the tribunal referred back to its own set of solution, in a detailed judgment on November 10, last year. The judgement, it said, clearly postulated the steps that were required to be taken on long-term and short-term basis so that the adverse air quality of previous year is not repeated. It has gone unexecuted.
New Delhi: The air in Delhi is more toxic than what human lungs can deal with. And Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has blamed it on crop burning in neighbouring states. He tweeted, We have to find a solution to crop burning in adjoining states. But have we done anything substantial to find a solution?

Well, it seems Pakistan is doing better than India when it comes to controlling crop burning.

This year, according to reports, 2,620 incidents of crop fire were spotted via satellite in Indian Punjab. In Pakistan, the number was limited to just 27.

Now Pakistan is blaming India for causing an incursion of smoke. According to a report in Dawn, the Punjab Environment Department (EPD) has requested the federal government to approach Indian authorities on the pollution issue. They say it has caused smog in different cities of the province, including Lahore. Crop stubble is also being burnt in our cities but the present and the expected level of burning on the Indian side is alarming, an EPD official told Dawn.

While Pakistans Punjab area stretches to 205,344 km2 with a population of 11 crore, Indias is far less. The Punjab area in India is about 50,362 km2 and the population is 2.7 crore.

Though the problem of crop burning has existed in both the countries for decades, it seems Pakistan has been able to tackle it far better than India.

In 2014, Pakistan wasnt very far from India when it came to the problem of crop burning. Lahore, along with New Delhi, was listed amongst the top 10 worst cities for smog in that year.

A satellite image from November 2015 by ISRO showed that Pakistan had a near same incidence of farm fires a couple of years ago. Mohan Guruswamy, the chairperson for the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Delhi, pointed this out on Facebook.

These maps show that crop burning has reduced massively in Pakistans part of Punjab.

1: As shown by NASA in November 2015

2: As shown by NASA in October 2017

Meanwhile, in India, we are still struggling.

Indias National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up Punjab government, saying that even after two years of being asked to come up with an action plan, they have not done much.

The bench has asked if Captain Amarinder Singh-led government can produce a single farmer from Punjab before them who can say the government gave him any kind of assistance to stop crop burning.

The farmers in Punjab and Haryana say there is no affordable alternative to stubble burning. I will set fire to my farm to clear it. If need be, I will pay the fine because there is no other option, Jitendra Singh, a farmer told News18.

Farmers have to clear the fields and ready them for the winter crop in the window between kharif harvest and rabi planting. The window is of 20 days. The highly mechanized agriculture makes the input costs very high. Naturally, pollution is the last thing on their mind.

A fine of Rs 2,500 per acre can be levied if a farmer is caught burning his farm. But that is very little compared to the cost of any alternative method.

Time for us to take a leaf out of Pakistans book?
Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh): It is early morning in Himachal Pradesh's tranquil Kinnaur district. Shyam Saran Negi, a former school teacher, is sitting in front of an old and highly uneven-looking brick wall. The wall, in a way, serves a testament to his age.

Negi is hundred-and-one-years old and was 35 when the independent India went to polls for the first time. His wrinkled forehead and hollow cheeks may show signs of aging, but his enthusiasm to participate in yet another democratic exercise in his home state remains unsullied.

In the last eleven times, since its founding, if there has been one thing constant in the hilly state is a voter, Negi, who has gone to the nearest booth to cast his vote every time Himachal elected its government.

In a brown woolen bandhgala, donning a traditional Himachali skull cap and a pair of dark-shade sunglasses, Negi expresses concern over his health right from the word go. "My time is coming to an end," he starts, but adds, "if I stay healthy, I will definitely go out and vote".

I desire to vote once again in the forthcoming elections, he says, predicating the possibility once again on his health. Negi says that he speaks on the basis of his health at this very moment. "You never know what might happen tomorrow," he says, adding, "sometimes even I don't know if I will see another day."

Negi appeals to everyone, especially the youth, to come out and vote in large numbers.

Himachal Pradesh, where the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government is facing a stiff competition from the BJP, will go to polls on November 9.

Corruption charges have jolted the 83-year-old leader's rule in a state that has continuously oscillated between the Congress and the BJP.
Voting for the 68 Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh began at 8am on Thursday. Over 300 candidates are in the fray including 62 MLAs. The 12-days high-voltage campaign, which came to an end on Thursday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Stay tuned for LIVE updates

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Bengaluru: A day ahead of the Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in Karnataka, the state government has tightened security across several locations in the state, including Kodagu district and virtually turned the district into a fortress.

Police have widened its dragnet over 'anti-social elements' and has warned over 3,000 people to avoid a law and order situation.

Senior police officials told CNN-News18 that prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed at a couple of places, including Chitradurga, where protests had been planned.

Police have already taken over 400 'anti-social elements' into preventive custody.

"We are keeping track of all those who have the slightest chances of causing trouble. More than 3,000 people have been warned of a hefty fine in case they violate law," said Additional DG (Law and Order) Kamal Pant.

The Karnataka governments decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi across all districts was received with severe opposition by the opposition BJP, who called the move a ploy of 'minority appeasement.'

The practice of celebrating the erstwhile Mysore Kings birth anniversary, began two years ago. The state witnessed riots and the death of a Kodagu resident in the first year of these celebrations.

This year, soon after BJP MP Anant Hegde reignited the controversy by rejecting a government invite to the celebrations, President Ramnath Kovind begged to differ from his partys opinion and hailed Tipu as a hero.

Kovind said that the Mysore Tiger died a heroic death while fighting the British and how he was a pioneer in developing the rocket technology that was later adopted by the Europeans.

Taking note of the number of seminars, protests and demonstrations across south Karnataka since November 3 and a bandh in Kodagu district, the state has brought in three companies of

Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Madikeri, Mangalore and Chitradurga.

While the entire police force will be put on high alert, 171 platoons of the reserve police, too, have been deployed in different districts. Bengaluru alone will see more than 11,000 cops on duty.

"We are acting against those anti-social elements who we think could pose to be a problem later. District Commissioners have also been told that they may invoke Section 144 after consultation with the police," Pant told News18.

All Tipu Jayanthi programmes will be organised by the government and private organisations have been asked not to hold any events and instead join the government ones.

Even at the government functions, there will be multiple layers of security, frisking and other security measures.

With Karnataka scheduled for elections soon, the government has permitted pre-planned rallies and yatras by political parties.

The Congress' 'Mane-Manege Congress', BJP's 'Parivarthana Yatra' and the JDS' 'Kumara-Parva Vikasa Yatre' had begun earlier this month and are underway in different districts.

In fact, the BJP Yatra will be going through the sensitive Mangalore region on Friday.

While the BJP rally is most likely to remain unaffected, the party will still have to take permission from local authorities to check on the exact locations and the routes they will take.
New Delhi: Head of the BJP foreign affairs department Vijay Chauthaiwala feels resignation of British Minister of Indian Origin Priti Patel is a big loss to India.

"Since she was actively participating in diaspora events and was an accessible name in the British cabinet, there are apprehensions over losing a strong diaspora connect. Chauthaiwala who is considered a key connection between the BJP and the India diaspora abroad told News 18.com.

She was a very prominent Indian diaspora face, and her resignation will in a way is a loss.; Chauthaiwala added.

A senior member of the Theresa May Cabinet, Priti Patel, resigned last week over allegations of secret meetings with Israeli politicians.

Patel was born to Ugandan immigrants of Gujarati origins who left Uganda shortly before President Edi Amin decided on the expulsion of Ugandan Asians, and came to Hertfordshire, England, in the 1960s, kicked up a storm when she held a host of unauthorized meetings with business and political leaders during a family holiday to Israel in August.

Chauthaiwala emphasized that as an institutional mechanism between two the Conservative government in Britain and BJP in India, the resignation will not hamper the relations.

But from the diaspora connectivity it is not good news, he added. She was a very accessible person, highest ranking minister from the diaspora and an icon, he said. Patel was used to attend important programs in India like the Pravasi Bharatiya event in Gujarat, and was very open about her Indian roots, he added.

In support of Modi before the 2014 general elections in India, Patel lodged a complaint with the BBC alleging bias in national broadcaster's coverage of Narendra Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat.

In January 2015, Patel was presented with a Jewels of Gujarat award in Ahmedabad and she gave a keynote speech at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce.

Till she resigned, Patel played an important role in the bilateral relationship between UK and India.
New Delhi: Delhi government will enforce odd-even car rationing scheme in the city for a five-day period from November 13.

The move was announced by Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Thursday.

The decision comes as air pollution levels spiked in the national capital, covering the city under a thick blanket of smog.

Under the policy, private vehicles are allowed to run based on the last number of their licence plates. Odd-numbered cars are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars can only run on even dates.

In 2016, the scheme was enforced twice -- January 1-15 and April 15-30.

The transport minister says that exemptions have been kept the same because the time is very limited and the government did not want any confusion regarding the exemptions. All CNG-driven vehicles (will need to produce certificate), electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, two-wheelers, vehicles driven by women (with only women passengers), vehicles driven by women (with children below the age of 12), those on the way to hospital for medical emergency (should carry proof), vehicles of physically challenged, emergency vehicles - Ambulance, fire, hospital, prison, hearse, enforcement vehicles, etc  will be exempted. Vehicles of VIPs will also not come under its ambit.

Gahlot said that DTC is acquiring 500 additional buses to improve connectivity during the odd-even period. Delhi Metro has also been asked to run 20 small buses to improve last-mile connectivity.

The odd-even scheme will be applicable from 8am to 8pm. Gahlot said that the government will ensure that app-based cabs like Ola and Uber do not resort to surge pricing.

The move comes after a frustrated National Green Tribunal lashed out at the Delhi government and the municipal corporations on the mess theyd made of Delhis air. On Thursday, NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took emergency measures further and shut down all construction activity in Delhi till the courts next hearing on Tuesday.

Earlier, Delhi government had banned only civil construction on Wednesday evening.

Kumar told the citys various authorities, now we will decide what you have to do. He added that labourers attached to construction projects must still be paid their wages.

"Why didnt you issue any directions for shutting down the polluting industry and construction. You did it yesterday as we told you to do so, he said.
London: Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her Cabinet post over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians, after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May.

Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed through the proper procedure.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric riseof the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

The 45-year-old was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

She must have hoped that the storm around her undisclosed meetings in Israel would die down after a formal apology before she flew out to Africa for an official tour of Uganda and Ethiopia on Tuesday.

But she was unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings as she was ordered to abandon the visit and fly back to London today "at the request of the prime minister".

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patel's apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patel's position within the Cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israel's public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patel's apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about any of Patel's meetings which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patel's resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the country's aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to investigate, or "state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence".

In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to "enthusiasm".

"In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it," she said.

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

Downing Street was also forced to deny that Patel's meetings in Israel had led to any change of political stance on the region after it emerged that in the wake of her visit in August, Patel had discussed potentially providing some of Britain's aid money to Israel's armed forces which run field hospitals in the disputed Golan Heights area.

Britain does not officially recognise Israeli occupation of the area, seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, and DfID was reportedly advised against any such move.

According to an Israeli media report, during her August visit to Israel, Patel also visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights.

Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, said the offer to send aid money to the Israeli army made a mockery of the British government's claim to be "pushing for a two-state solution".

"It was shocking for me a Cabinet minister breaking the ministerial protocol and meeting 12 officials, high-ranking, including Netanyahu," he added.

Patel has been a longstanding supporter of Israel and also a former vice-chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel group.

Meanwhile, it was also claimed that Patel deliberately avoided facing questions over the issue from MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday, by bringing forward her flight to Kenya.

It was left to her junior, DfID minister of state for the Middle East Alistair Burt, to defend his boss' actions in Parliament.

"The meetings were not particularly secret...If I had gone to Israel, I would have wanted a schedule like this," he told MPs.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro-Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behavior towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran.

The prime minister has been desperate not to shake up her already tenuous hold on Downing Street ever since her decision to call a snap general election in June backfired and lost the Conservative party its majority in Parliament. But she has been increasingly seen as a weak leader trying to steady a very shaky regime.
New Delhi: A day after the Ryan school murder probe turned on its head with the CBI arresting a Class XI student of the school for killing 7-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar on Thursday defended the Gurugram Polices investigation and said they had never declared anyone a culprit in the case.

Khirwar said that conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested at an early stage and the police never completed the investigation and filed a chargesheet against him.

He said, Gurgaon Police never got to the conclusion to say that Ashok had sexually assaulted the boy. It was our earnest intention to solve the case as soon as possible and we conducted the investigation based on the physical evidence we had at hand.

When asked why did the police identify and parade the bus conductor in front of the media and public, when now it turns out that he may not have had any role to play in the murder, Khirwar said that the police never paraded him.

He said, We never took him to the media, it was while he was being produced in the court that the media got access to him and identified him.

Earlier, Gurgaon Police had even claimed that they managed to secure a confession from the conductor, which later turned out that the cops had extracted from him by force.

Late on Tuesday night, CBI sleuths arrested the Class XI student from his residence in Sohna and claimed that the accused minor had slit Pradyumans throat and killed him to create a chaos at the school and ultimately postpone an examination and Parent-Teacher Meeting that were scheduled for September 8, the day of the murder.

With the latest development, CBI has almost rid the accused bus conductor of murder charges, while booking the 16-year-old under Section 302 of IPC (murder).
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Wednesday congratulated the people of Chennai for its inclusion in the list of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition.

He also expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hailing the city's inclusion in the list.

"I am extremely happy to hear the news that United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has included Chennai in the Creative Cities Network. I extend my sincere gratitude to UNESCO in this regard," he said in a release.

Stating that it was a proud moment, Palaniswami congratulated the people and the musicians of Chennai.

The chief minister also wrote to the Prime Minister thanking him for extending greetings on the city achieving the feat.

"Congratulations to the people of Chennai on the city's inclusion in the @UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition. Chennai's contribution to our rich culture is precious. This is a proud moment for India: PM," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

Palaniswami, in a letter to Modi, recalled that UNESCO in 2004 had formed 'Creative Cities Network' to promote co-operation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategy for sustainable development.

For its creativity and contribution to music, Chennai was recently included as one among the 64 cities chosen world-wide, taking the total number of such cities in the network to 180, he said.

The people of Chennai love music and it is a "part of their culture and tradition", he added. "On behalf of the people of Chennai and on my own behalf, I thank you very much for congratulating the people of Chennai for this unique distinction", Palaniswami said.

Popular Tamil film icon Kamal Haasan also extended his greetings.

"The recognition & praise for Chennai from @UNESCO for music fans of Chennai is long overdue. We prefer praise from others. Our Honourable PM recognising it affirms our hope that south will not diminish inspite of its detractors," he posted on Twitter.
New Delhi: The Prince who died in Malcha Mahal was a pauper. Not just in the life he lived but also in the claims he made about his family lineage. At least thats what the descendants of Wajid Ali Shah and Begum Hazrat Mahal, currently living in Kolkata, will have you believe in.

They are not the only one calling the Malcha Mahal prince an imposter. Many old families of Lucknow that have for long maintained their discernment for the Royal family concur.

Taken aback by the media reports which referred to one Ali Raza who died in New Delhis 14th centurys Malcha Mahal as Prince, the living members of the Royal Family of Oudh are trying to clear the air on Nawabs lineage.

We want to assert our credibility as the real heirs to the title. We have in the past dealt with the menace of impersonation. My uncle also raised the issue with the government of Uttar Pradesh and the Prime Minister when the impersonator  the mother of the deceased prince called Vilayat Mahal got an allotment in Malcha Mahal on the false claims of royalty, said Manzilat Fatima from Kolkata, who is the great, great grand-daughter of Wajid Ali Shah. She lives in Kolkata and spends her time working to preserve Awadh cuisine.

The Malcha Mahal, Fatima claims, was a Mughal hunting-house or shikargah given to Vilayat Mahal and her two children including the  the dead Prince when the family arrived in Delhi after many a unsuccessful bid to claim the Nawabs title in Lucknow.

The family spent days in the waiting-room of the New Delhi Railway Station before their petition to the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for temporary accommodation in Delhi was acceded to by the government.

Fatimas 89-year-old father, Dr Kaukub Qudr Meerza, is not surprised by the reports of Princes death', because he knows the real Prince is still alive. His Highness, and yours truly, Dr Meeraz, says our family has witnessed the hoax for years now.

The family says one of the immediate relatives Prince Anjum Qudr had in-fact challenged the false claims of Vilayat Mahal before the government.

Qudr wrote a series of letters in 1975 to the UP government and then again in 1985 to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi informing him about the impersonation being done by Vilayat Mahal calling it hoax. The letter is available on the website of their Oudh family to keep people informed about the legend of impersonation. Qudr wrote Begum Hazrat Mahal had only one son Birjis Qadr, who was crowned in 1857.

Details regarding Qadr's children from different wives are available in Kaiserut Tawarikh Vol-2 and other books on the history of Oudh. An auto-biographical Masnavis (illustrated stories) of Wajid Ali Shah Huzn-e Akhtar or Tarikh-e Pari Khana also describe the Nawabs lineage in some detail.

These details corroborate with other sources of information on the exiled King from the poems and Diwan of Birjis Qadr- the only son of the Begum of Oudh.

The original claimants say that there are records of the Political Pension Office of the District Collector of 24 Parganas, West Bengal, from where all heirs of Birjis Qadr drew a political pension after Qadr was assassinated in 1893 in Kolkata. Wajid Ali Shah in his will has named only one son Birjis Qadr (and no daughter) that Begum Hazrat Mahal bore him.

Fraud of the present claimant is obvious from her very name Begum Vilayat Mahal because Mahal is not really an inheritable work, said Qudr in his appeal to the various government. Mahal is a title which used to be awarded by a Muslim King or Emperor in India to his wife after she bore him a son.

Thus when Birjis Qadr was born to Begum Hazrat, that King Amjad Ali Shah awarded the revered title Mahal to the wife of his Crown Prince. Just as Mumtaz, Mughal Emperor Shahjahans wife acquired the title after bearing successor to the Mughal throne.

Nawab Ibrahim Ali Khan of Shish Mahal, Lucknow, where Vilayat Mahal lived briefly before leaving for New Delhi, told News 18.com that the veracity of the claims can be established from the family tree or shajra of Nawab Saadat Khan who established the Oudh dynasty in the early 16th century.

He adds, further that King Wajid Ali Shah, when he was exiled to Matia Burj, Calcutta [now Kolkata] in 1856, took all his sons and daughters with him and only his siblings, divorced wives and close relatives were left behind. Some of his progeny migrated to Pakistan and England later on. Every descendant of King Wajid Ali Shah is registered with the Kolkatta office.

For the record, any title of Maharaja, Raja, Rana or Nawab recognized by the East India Company and later by Her Majestys government was registered with the British Indian Association or Anjuman e Hind in 1861.

The documents are still available at Lucknow Baradari.
Lucknow: In order to improve health services in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government has decided to rope in well-known private doctors to see patients at government hospitals.

The move is part of the state governments attempts to overcome the problem of shortage of doctors in government-run health facilities in the state.

Once the initiative is operationalised, the best medical practitioners from all the major cities of Uttar Pradesh will attend to poor patients via government hospitals. Private doctors will sit in district hospitals and see patients whenever they get time. The government is trying to provide medical consultation of famous doctors and high fee charging doctors for the poor patients.

Speaking to News18, health minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, I have spoken to the doctors via IMA and they have expressed willingness to see patients at government hospital in their free time. Also many doctors said that they can take out some time for patients at government hospitals.

An app is also being developed that will track availability of the doctors in their respective districts. Registrations will also be done via this app which will be launched very soon. As a pilot project, 65 doctors in Saharanpur are already providing their services without charging any fee. They are also seeing patients and conducting surgeries free of cost. I think this is the biggest service for the mankind, Singh added.

With the help of this app, patients will be able to contact their doctors at one click. The consultation fees for such patients will be paid to private doctors from the state government. Apart from this, doctors will also give time to the district hospitals and all their details will be available with the CMO of that particular district. The government is also appealing to private practitioners to spare time for the poor patients at government hospitals.
Washington: The US has announced a grant of nearly USD 500,000 for a non-governmental organisation to come up with proposals to develop early warning systems for "reducing religiously-motivated violence and discrimination" in India.

The US State Department also announced a similar grant for Sri Lanka.

The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice of funding opportunity, said through its USD 493,827 India programme, it seeks to "reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India".

The State Department said that the non governmental organisations applying for the grant should come out with proposals to develop and implement early warning systems to mitigate large-scale violence and implement conflict mitigation programmes between minority and majority groups.

The applicants also need to come out with ideas for successful programme activities to counter hateful or discriminatory public messages with positive messages.

They should also have proposals to educate civil society and journalists about legal protections for religious freedom, particularly for members of religious minorities; document and report religious freedom violations to authorities; and educate law enforcement on human rights standards.

Among other proposals could be ideas to engage law enforcement to better protect rights of religious minorities, including preventing incidents of discrimination and violence and holding perpetrators accountable, the State Department said.

The State Department did not respond immediately to a set of questions on the necessity of such a grant amounting to nearly USD 500,000.

Recipients of grants for India and Sri Lanka would be announced after screening of applications.

According to the information available on the State Department website, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor supports over 28 democracy, human rights and labour programmes in South and Central Asia (SCA).

Current funding for these programmes in South and Central Asia exceeds USD 17 million.

Programme topics include media innovation and development, gender advocacy and equality, and improving protections for political, labour and human rights.

India is not among the countries listed by the State Department as recipient of these funding programmes.

The countries currently receiving grants from US in the region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

For Sri Lanka, the State Department notice of funding opportunity said it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.

Non-Buddhist religious groups have reported discriminatory restrictions imposed by local government officials on religious minorities, the State Department said.

In its latest International Religious Freedom report, the State Department said Christian and Muslim activists stated the government was not doing enough to protect them against religiously motivated attacks.

There were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice their religious beliefs and proselytize, it said.

There was an increase in violent incidents by cow protection groups against mostly Muslim victims, including killings, mob violence, assaults, and intimidation. Hindus threatened and assaulted Muslims and Christians and destroyed their property, it added.

During his confirmation hearing last month, the new US Ambassador-designate to India, Ken Juster said that human rights and religious freedom would be one of his priority areas during his assignment in New Delhi.

Juster was confirmed by the Senate last week.
Actress Esha Gupta, who recently set the internet on fire with her semi-nude, topless photos for a lingerie photoshoot, is breaking the internet once again with her sensuous bikini pictures from her latest photoshoot with one of the leading men's fashion magazine in the country.

The Baadshaho actress, who is clad in a backless swimsuit in one of the photos, is seen turning back and posing for the shutterbugs just before she prespares to take a dive into the pool.

The actress shared the image on Instagram and captioned it, "Don't look back.. unless it's for the camera.. #gq (sic)."

Take a look.

Credit: @ Esha Gupta

In another picture from the same photoshoot, Esha is seen sporting a beige Melissa Odabash bikini which she paired with statement Cornelia Webb neckpiece, posing for the cameras in the water.

Take a look.

Credit: @ Esha Gupta

Here are some other sizzling hot pictures from Esha's latest photoshoot. Take a look.

Credit: @ Esha Gupta Credit: @ Esha Gupta

The actress has often broken the internet by posting photos, wherein she can be seen showing off her sultry, sexy avatar as she poses for the cameras. And this is just another one of those days where the actress has set the social media abuzz with her glamourous photos.
More than a decade in the making, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors on Wednesday, drawing French President Emmanuel Macron to the Middle East on his first official visit. Pausing to shake hands on a red carpet lining the all-white path leading to the museum, Macron and France's First Lady walked side by side with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashed.

Macron, who is also scheduled to hold talks with UAE officials, toured the 12-gallery museum -- the first to carry the famed Louvre brand outside France -- shortly after touching down in Abu Dhabi, along with the heads of state of Morocco and Afghanistan. Macron hailed the museum as a "decisive turning point" in ties with the United Arab Emirates in an interview with local daily Al-Ittihad published on Wednesday.

The opening comes a decade after France and the UAE agreed to a 30-year partnership initially reported to be worth $1.1 billion, including nearly half a billion dollars for the rights to the Louvre brand alone. The museum design, by France's Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, conjures up the image of an Arab medina as seen through the eyes of a contemporary cinematographer. A silver-toned dome with perforated arabesque patterns appears to float over the white galleries, creating what Nouvel describes as a "rain of light".

To reach the ground, each ray of light must cross eight layers of perforations, creating a constantly shifting pattern that mimics the shadows cast by palm trees or the roof of a traditional Arab market.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first of three museums to open on Saadiyat Island, where the UAE plans to launch the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry, and Norman Foster's Zayed National Museum. Some five percent of the museum, which will open to the public on Saturday, is dedicated to contemporary and modern art, including a monumental piece by China's Ai Weiwei.

The main focus, however, is on world history and religions. Among the exhibits are an early Koran, a Gothic Bible and a Yemenite Torah, facing each other and open at verses carrying the same message. Jean-Luc Martinez, president of the Louvre in Paris, said the new museum was designed "to open up to others, to understand diversity" in "a multi-polar world".

It currently has some 300 pieces on loan, including an 1887 self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci's 'La Belle Ferronniere'. The oil-rich Gulf emirate has also spent years quietly building its own permanent collection. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is displaying more than 235 works of art from the Emirati collection, including Edouard Manet's 'The Gypsy' and works by Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian and Turkey's Osman Hamdi Bey.

The authorities have put in place strict measures to protect the art from the heat in a country where summer temperatures soar well above 40 degrees Celsius (more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit).

The artworks are also guarded by Emirati forces in coordination with French experts.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi project initially sparked heated debate in France, where criticism erupted early on over the sale of a French name to an Arab state. Questions of labor rights have also hung over the project, linked to the overall status of migrant workers in the Gulf. The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi comes after a more than five-year delay.
At a time when most people in the capital are battling the haphazardly increasing pollution levels, Nila Madhab Pandas upcoming film Kadvi Hawa seems like an apt lesson to aware people about climatic changes and to get them conscious about the environment and whatever little natural resources were left with.

Tillotama Shome, who plays Parvati in the film which is based on true stories from drought-prone Bundelkhand, believes that there are several issues that plague the world in current times and no holocaust can be called lesser or greater than the other.

On being asked if Indian cinema took a long time to address an issue as significant as this, Shome said, When it comes to films, an image, a story, a thought has to captivate the film-maker until like a pearl a story emerges out of it and becomes a film.

A filmmaker is not obligated to make an issue-based film. Nila's own experiences, certain images and landmarks of his childhood being wiped out by climate change has led him to this film, she shared in an exclusive interaction with News18.com.

She shed light on the fact that pure realism doesnt always make for a good film. A good film needs an original voice, a voice that alters the way we look at ourselves and others, a voice that fractures our reality so that we can look at a plurality of truths and finally a voice that allows us to experience something different. If the masala films of our times are drowning in fantasy then the urge is, sadly to counter it by drowning in realism, she noted.

While Shome maintained that a film is entirely a directors medium, as actors, its their duty to fulfill a part of that vision. It is important to me, that each role I am trusted with requires me to learn something new and that simplifies my decision making.

The rest is as unpredictable as Bombay monsoon, she added.

Shome further added that theres no obligation for her to support a film only because its an issue-based project. The screenplay has to have legs and be the main reason for saying yes or no.

Having featured in films like Monsoon Wedding, Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost, A Death In The Gunj, Hindi Medium and Budhia Singh: Born to Run among others, the actor shared that she takes her own time to decide on a project. I cannot multitask, so cannot do more than one project at a time, hence I take my time. Also, I want to keep learning new things, so that pushes me to say yes to things I have never done.

The idea of doing something I never thought I could do, the possibility of failing miserably but valiantly trying is the only conscious decision I have made in choosing my work, she added while explaining her choice of roles.

Someone acquainted with her work might feel that theres so much more than what meets the eye and that theres so much potential yet to be tapped but Shome explained that its an intrinsic human trait to stereotype and box people in one category.

Actors get stereotyped across the world and yes it is very annoying. But having said that why should we be surprised by that? We slot people based on our first meeting with them, have opinions about them and in more extreme cases, harbor prejudices. This is human nature.

She added, As an actor, it falls upon me to reimagine myself until others can see me differently. Of course, there will always be those amazing directors who see something in you that you never saw and thats a gift.

The film, co-starring Sanjay Mishra, Ranvir Shorey besides the actor, is all set to release on November 24.
Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati has been mired in controversies ever since its initial announcement was made. After the distributors in Rajasthan refused to buy the rights of the film in the wake of trouble from various Rajput groups, fringe outfit Rajput Karni Sena now seeks a complete ban on the film.

Earlier the Karni Sena had allegedly threatened to burn the theatres if the film is played in cinema halls before it is shown to them.

Now, the outfit has raised questions asking who will take responsibility for violence if the film releases.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali should be charged with sedition. He hasn't met us, hasn't shown us the film. So now we want a complete ban on it, threatened the Sena.

BJP MLA Raj Purohit has also extended support to the Sena seeking action against filmmakers. How can a Rajput queen be shown dancing and without ghoonghat? It is against Rajput culture and pride.No community will be able to tolerate it, he said.

He also added that Bhansali should get the film approved by historians and the community. Im going to meet Smriti Irani in two days and will seek action against the film. The pride of the community has to be protected.

Bhansali has invited the wrath of several Hindu fringe outfits who have accused him of distorting the historical facts.

Earlier this year, the same fringe group had vandalised the sets of the film in Jaipur and roughed up the director. They had also destroyed the sets in Kolhapur and set costumes on fire.

In fact, Bhansali took to Twitter on Wednesday night to clarify that there are no dream sequences between Allaudin Khilji and Rani Padmavati. In an accompanying video link, Bhansali, who has so far refrained from commenting on the controversy, explained, "I have always been inspired by Rani Padmavati's story and this film salutes her valour and sacrifice. The film has become a subject of controversy due to some rumours which I have already said are false. The rumours are that the film has a dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji -- and I have already denied it. Now through this video, I am once again making it clear that there is no such scene between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji in our film. We have made this film with a lot of responsibility and have kept the pride and honour of the Rajputs in mind."

The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is all set to release on December 1.

(With inputs from PTI)
Mumbai: Actor Irrfan Khan's forthcoming movie Qarib Qarib Singlle will be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

"It is really great to see your movies reach audiences all over the world. A romantic story like The Lunchbox traveled around the world and with Hindi Medium being appreciated across, it is encouraging as an actor to see your work being explored in new markets," said Irrfan in a statement.

Zee Studios International is releasing the film in the foreign markets.

Vibha Chopra, Head - Zee Studios International, Film Marketing, Distribution, and Acquisition, said: "Unconventional films call for unconventional markets. We are delighted to take Qarib Qarib Singlle to territories like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland where Indian film releases aren't as common... Qarib Qarib Singlle is a simple yet beautiful narrative that is bound to find an audience in these markets."

Qarib Qarib Singlle is a contemporary love story of two people who embark upon an unusual journey which becomes a mad adventure.

The Tanuja Chandra directorial will release in Germany and Austria on November 10 - the same date the film is releasing in India. It will open in Switzerland on November 12.
Mumbai: Multi-talented Bollywood celebrity Farhan Akhtar, who is vocal in his support for gender equality, says there is no point in targeting only the film industry for perpetuating sexual harassment as it exists everywhere. However, he urged the victims to come out and talk about it openly.

Farhan, along with film director Feroz Abbas Khan and Poonam Muttreja of the Population Foundation of India (PFI) were here together on Wednesday as a part of the social campaign 'Bas Ab Bahut Ho Gaya' that is organising a concert titled 'Lalkar' to address the issue of sexual violence against women.

At a time when several women in Hollywood have come forward to voice their experience with sexual harassment in the field, Bollywood has been fairly quiet about it. People have spoken about the casting couch and some women celebrities joined the #MeToo campaign, but not many men have spoken out and women, especially budding actors, who may have even faced it, fear taking names.

What is Farhan's opinion on securing women in the industry to share their stories fearlessly?

Farhan, who is also the founder of MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination), said: "Wherever there is an industry where the power dynamic is in play -- be it corporate, be it film industry, such issues will unfortunately occur. But I think right now, the world over, the environment is such where all the women should feel empowered and secure to come out and share their stories.

"There is a constant dialogue on gender equality, gender discrimination across the globe. I think anyone who has their heart and mind in the right place, will support them."

Asked if he heard any such stories from the industry people of asking to compromise for getting work in a film, Farhan said: "Well, not from the film industry that anyone has come up to me with such a story, but I do come across some such stories from different industries.

"It is true that such situations of molestation, sexual violence at workplace exist in all industries and it is not unique to one industry."

What about the sense of insecurity that actors have in naming and shaming people as far as sexual harassment is concerned?

Farhan said: "If that person has come out and spoken about harassment, it doesn't mean I won't cast that person in my film. They are two completely different things and they should not be confused together."

"What we have seen in reverse is that when somebody has come out about people who have harassed them, there has been a reaction to it. Maybe it was not the one that you expect, but there have been reactions. If someone has something to share, this is the perfect platform to come out. You will be doing yourself and others a favour by coming out and speaking."

Seconding his opinion, Khan said: "There was one maidservant who came out and destroyed an actor's career (referring to actor Shiney Ahuja). That woman had everything to lose and she still stood up. People from the film industry should come up and speak. But this power should not be limited to the film industry. It should be given to women all across the world."

Farhan's MARD started in 2013 and continues to create awareness among youth against violence and discrimination against women.

The concert 'Lalkar' is taking place here on November 21. Musicians like Salim-Suleiman, Papon and Prakriti-Sukriti will perform along with Farhan and share their thoughts on the issue of gender discrimination in society.
Shah Rukh Khan is a doting father and no one can deny it. In fact, we have often seen Shah Rukh speaking at length about his children-- Aryan, Suhana and AbRam-- at various events. The actor had even once said that he wanted his children to complete their studies before entering the showbiz.

His social media pages are also the proof of how much he adores his three kids as the actor always makes sure to timely express his feelings to them by sharing their pictures on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

On Wednesday, Shah Rukh revealed his "three vices" along with a collage of Suhana, Aryan and AbRam.

He captioned the picture: "My three vices in pictures: Grace, Style and Playfulness."

My three vices in pictures: Grace, Style & Playfulness. pic.twitter.com/reXQAxT5q1 Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 8, 2017

Check out a few more pics:

When the lil one goes back to school & is not around to tell u, u use too many filters! A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) on Sep 3, 2017 at 2:05am PDT

A ray of sunshine... A sea of love... Thank you all for the happiness you bring every year! A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) on Nov 2, 2017 at 6:07am PDT

Cause when the feelins right Im gonna run all night Im gonna run to you A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) on Jul 25, 2017 at 11:22am PDT

And a fulfilling Fathers Day at Arth designed by @gaurikhan A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) on Jun 19, 2017 at 3:23am PDT

Thx for the tip mam we r all set for 2017 too then. @gaurikhan A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) on Jun 14, 2017 at 9:54pm PDT

Exhausted after the little ones party!! Jumping Jacks r a killer. Phew. #Repost @gaurikhan with @repostapp  Gemini Gorgeousness... A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) on May 27, 2017 at 11:18am PDT
Varun Dhawan has become one of the most successful actors of this generation. Not only does he enjoy a huge fan following among Indians but also has a big fanbase across various nationalities and perhaps that is the reason why he has become the youngest Bollywood celebrity to have his wax statue for Madame Tussauds museum. But little did the actor know that his massive popularity one day would put him in trouble. Yes, you read it right. Varun has reportedly filed a police complaint against a female fan for sending him "annoying" messages on Whatsapp.

A senior police officer told the tabloid that Varun also got a phone call from an unknown person who threatened him and said if he did not respond to the messages the woman would commit suicide.

After the phone call, Varun apparently consulted his legal advisors and filed a complaint at Santacruz police station. According to mid-day, Varun has also sent a complaint to the cyber police station at BKC.

A Senior police inspector of Santacruz police station, Shantanu Pawar, said, We have received the complaint. A non cognisable offense has been registered. We are on the hunt for the caller.

Varun is currently in Delhi to shoot for upcoming film October. The movie which is directed by Shoojit Sircar will also mark the debut of Banita Sandhu. It is slated to release on June 1 next year.
Lucknow: The municipal elections in Uttar Pradesh will see an interesting contest in Kanpur. After being denied BJP ticket, President Ramnath Kovinds daughter-in-law Deepa Kovind will now contest as an Independent against party candidate Sarojini Devi Kori for the post of town committee chairman.

Deepa Kovind is the wife of President Kovinds nephew Pankaj Kovind and was in the race for the ticket for quite some time. The party is trying to persuade her to withdraw from the contest.

Two members of President Kovinds family were in the race for the BJP ticket, but no one made the cut. According to sources, Deepa will file nomination on Thursday evening.

Deepas husband Pankaj said she that she was preparing for the elections for quite some time and decision to contest as an Independent was taken only after a request from friends and family.

Deepas decision to contest against the BJP may prove to be an embarrassment for the party.
Chennai: Rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran termed Thursdays Income Tax raids at the office of Jaya TV and several close aides of VK Sasikala as "political vendetta".

The Centre is targeting Sasikala and my family. I am not scared of Income Tax raids, he told reporters.

Income Tax officers raided 187 locations across four states on Thursday, targeting 10 groups running shell firms, 3 of which belong to Sasikala's family. The searches have also reached the premises of Midas Distilleries and Jazz Cinemas, I-T officers said. The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV.

Dinakaran accused the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government of acting in collusion against Sasikala. They want to ensure through the raids that Sasikala and I quit politics. They can raid whoever they want, he said.

The rebel AIADMK leader said he is being targeted for criticising demonetisation. Why are EPS (E Palaniswami) and OPS (O Panneerselvam) not being raided. Demonetisation promised to unearth black money. Whose black money was targeted? he added.
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh goes to polls on Thursday with the BJP and the Congress fighting it out in 68 constituencies in the state.

Over 300 candidates are in the fray in the Assembly elections, including 62 MLAs. The ruling Congress led by the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and the BJP led by former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

The 12-days high-voltage campaign, which came to an end on Thursday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress including Prime minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah who addressed seven and six rallies respectively.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed three rallies.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns at Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, while the Congress hit out at the BJP over the issue of GST and demonetisation.

There is a straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in the fray in Dharamsala.

The BJP has fielded four Congressmen including former minister Anil Sharma and given a ticket to on Independent from Chopal while Congress had fielded two independents from Paonta Sahib and Kangra.

Both Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Dhumal have shifted their constituencies and are contesting from Arki and Sujanpur.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog(SC), is in the fray for the eleventh time.

There are 19 women in the fray including six fielded by the BJP and three by the Congress while seven rebels each of BJP and Congress are also contesting the polls.

At present, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively in the 68-member House besides four independents while one seat is vacant.

Over 180 independents and a dozen rebels of the Congress including former ministers Singhi Ram (Rampur) and Vijay Singh Mankotia (Shahpur) are in the fray.

A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.

As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty.

Besides 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force have been deployed, Chief Electoral Officer Pushpender Rajput said.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for ensuring free and fair polls and 29 general, three police, 22 Expenditure Observers and 71 Assistant Expenditure Observers, 1,561 Micro Observers, besides, 193 Sector Magistrate and 789 Sectors officers have also been deployed throughout the state.

Web-casting would be used in 2,307 polling stations in the state for live monitoring of polling activities in the state by ECI and polling would be held from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, the CEO said.

He said the state has 100 per cent Photo Identity Card (EPIC) holders and 7525 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) are being used.

VVPAT machines are being used for the first time in this Vidhan Sabha Election and 10 per cent of total EVMs and VVPATs have been kept in reserve.

The Election Commission has also allowed the electors to cast their vote by producing any one document out of the 12 identity documents.

He said 983 polling stations had been declared vulnerable and 399 as critical to ensure free and fair elections in the State.

The maximum numbers of vulnerable polling stations are 297 in Kangra district and minimum two in Kinnaur district, he added.

He said the Hikkim polling station in Lahaul and Spiti Assembly Constituency, which is situated at a maximum height of 14567 feet, has 194 voters while Ka polling booth in Kinnaur has a minimum of six voters.

Till the 1967 assembly polls, the Congress had a monopoly and barring splinter parties which won two or three seats, Independents filled the gap of opposition.

After a merger of Punjab hill areas in November 1966, the assembly polls were held in 1967 and the Congress won 34 out of 60 seats and the Bhartiya Jan Sangh, for the first time won seven seats. Two seats were bagged by CPI, one by Swatantra Party while independents recorded a victory on 16 seats.

However, in the 1972 assembly polls, held close on the heels of the Indo-Pak war, the Congress bounced back to power, winning 53 out of 68 seats while the Jan Sangh won five seats and Independent bagged seven seats.

The Congress and the Jan Sangh polled 53.54 and 7.75 per cent votes while Independents cornered 28.27 per cent votes.

The Congress fortress was finally demolished by the Janata wave in 1977, leading to the emergence of a two-party system as the Janata Party and the Congress polled 57.19 and 38.38 per cent votes, respectively and won 53 seats and nine seats.

The CPM and the CPI together secured only about two per cent votes.

The Congress staged a comeback in the 1980 Lok Sabha poll, winning all four seats with 52.88 per cent votes as against 36.38 per cent polled by the Janata Party.

The split in the Janata Party led to the emergence of the BJP as the main opposition in the state. It won 29 seats with 35.15 per cent of votes, while the Congress only got 31 seats despite a vote share of 42.52 per cent and failed to get a clear majority.

The Janata Party, the CPI and the CPM accounted for eight per cent of votes.

Riding on the sympathy wave in the wake of Indira Gandhi s assassination, the Congress swept the 1984 Lok Sabha elections winning all four seats with a record 67.58 per cent votes. The BJP s percentage dropped to 23.27.

Sensing the mood of the people, the then Congress government went for snap polls, winning 58 out of the total 68 seats while the strength of the BJP was reduced to seven.

However in the 1989 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won three out of four seats and in the ensuing assembly polls in 1990, the BJP entered into an alliance with Janata Dal and the combination won 58 seats( BJP-47, JD-11) while the Congress got nine seats.

The BJP and the Congress polled 41.77 and 37.35 per cent votes while the JD, which contested 17 seats got 10.82 per cent votes.

In the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, the two parties shared the two seats each even though the Congress polled 46.16 per cent votes, about 3.5 per cent more than the BJP.

The Congress returned to power with a bang in 1993, winning 54 seats.

The BJP won only eight and its vote share declined to 36.18 per cent while the Congress polled 49.36 per cent votes.

The Congress won all four Lok Sabha seats in the 1996 elections, improving its vote percentage to 54.33 while BJP polled 39.62 per cent votes.

The emergence of the Himachal Vikas Congress, a breakaway faction of the Congress in the 1998 assembly polls, severely dented the Congress vote bank polling 9.63 per cent votes against 43.51 and 39.09 per cent votes polled by the Congress and the BJP a new dimension to the political scene in 1998.

The HVC won only five seats but led to a defeat of the Congress in another 14 seats.

The Congress and the BJP won 31 seats each and the BJP formed a coalition government with HVC.

Ahead of the 2003 assembly polls, the BJP and HVC parted ways and the Congress won 43 seats with 41 per votes while the BJP got 16 seats with a vote share of 35.38 per cent and HVC was decimated getting one seat with 5.87 per cent votes.

The BJP won a majority on its own in the 2007 assembly polls for the first time and won 41 seats while the Congress won 23 seats and BSP and Independents three and one seat respectively.

The BJP and the Congress polled 43.78 and 39.54 per cent votes.

Ahead of the 2012 polls, BJP dissidents floated the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) which won only one seat but cornered 4.52 per cent votes.

The Congress and the BJP won 36 and 26 seats polling 43.21 and 38.83 per cent votes. Independents candidates polled 15.87 votes and five independents were elected.

This time there is no third force and as Congress and the BJP have been returning to power alternately since 1985, the BJP is claiming that it is their turn to stage a comeback.

(With PTI inputs)
Shimla: Close to 74 per cent votes were cast on Thursday for the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh Assembly as voting picked up pace in the afternoon, Deputy Election Commissioner Deepak Saxena said.

It is the highest ever voting percentage in the hill state, eclipsing the 73.51 per cent voting recorded in the 2012 assembly elections, officials said.

The polling was peaceful but there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVAPTs from several places. However, there were no delays caused by the snags, officials said.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur respectively.

Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

There is a straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates are in fray in Dharamsala. A total of 337 candidates, 19 of them women, are in the fray. There are 112 independent candidates.

The Himachal Pradesh results along with that of the BJP-ruled Gujarat will be a bellwether of Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity.
Chennai: The Income Tax Department raided the offices of Jaya TV and several close aides of sidelined AIADMK leader V Sasikala on Thursday morning as part of its 'Operation Clean Money'.

Income Tax officers raided 187 locations across four states on Thursday, targeting 10 groups running shell firms, 3 of which belong to Sasikala's family. The searches have also reached the premises of Midas Distilleries and Jazz Cinemas, I-T officers said. The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV.

According to sources, the sleuths also reached the residences of AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran and M Natarajan.

Dinakaran addressed the media soon after and said that the income tax raids are nothing but political vendetta.

The Tamil channel is controlled by AIADMK and arrested party leader VK Sasikala, while it was founded by late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Surana, Sunil, Puducherry Sree Lakshmi, Wind Subramanian are among the other groups that are being raided for shell firms and suspicious fund deposits.

According to sources, the I-T raids started around 6.30 am on Thursday morning. The allegation covers aspects like shell companies, dubious investments, fund flow and fudging of accounts, income tax sources here told PTI.

The latest development is likely to have a significant impact on Tamil Nadu politics, with the ruling AIADMK faction already embroiled in a bitter battle with rebel Dinakaran and his supporters, who control the television channel and its properties.

This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Chennai, met both AIADMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami and DMK supremo Karunanidhi.

The I-T raids could now prove to be a major setback for the Sasikala-Dhinakaran camp.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was prime ministerial material but was disappointing in "terms of his democratic behaviour" as a team person, his one-time colleague in the Samata Party Jaya Jaitly has said.

The activist-turned-author also lashed out at the chief minister for his "lack of humanity" towards elders, particularly his mentor George Fernandes, who co-founded the Samata party along with Nitish Kumar in 1994. In 2003, the bulk of the party merged with the Janata Dal (United).

Jaitly, former president of the Samata Party, was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of her book "Life Among the Scorpions".

She described Kumar as "disappointing" at best. "There was a time when I felt that he was prime ministerial material... he was trained and administratively keen. But from the time we worked together I kept seeing more and more of a person who was disappointing in terms of his democratic behaviour while working as a team," she said.

But what she really can't forgive the JD(U) chief for is his "lack of humanity" towards elders, Jaitly said.

In 2009, then NDA convenor Fernandes, described by Jaitly as a "politician par excellence", was denied a ticket by the JD(U) for the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.

When Fernandes fought the election as an independent candidate from Muzaffarpur, he was expelled from the party.

Jaitly also spoke out on the appointment of Jagmohan as governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

"I remember sitting with George saab in Hauz Khas when Farooq Abdullah phoned him and said 'not to send Jagmohan as the governor of the state otherwise he will quit'. George saab rang V P Singh in front of me and at that time he assured that they were not sending him as the governor," she said.

V P Singh was Prime Minister from December 1989 to November 1990. But Fernandes, Jaitly said, was shocked to learn later that Jagmohan was appointed the governor.

Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi told the prime minister to appoint Fernandes as special in-charge of Kashmir, she recalled.

"But the sad thing was that every time George Saab would try to phone the governor at Raj Bhavan telling them that he was coming to Kashmir nobody would answer the phone," Jaitly said.

She added during the freewheeling conversation that she was propelled into politics during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and decided to fight the forces and the party behind the carnage.

She couldn't bear it, she said. "That's how I decided that I can't be just one of those drawing-room people who will say that how terrible everything is in evening over a glass of whiskey."

In her book, Jaitly looks back at her journey as an Indian politician and recounts how the going got tougher with every success, perhaps because she was a woman.

'Life Among the Scorpions' includes the author's account of major events in Indian politics between 1970 2000, including her experience of dealing with the commission of inquiry and courts regarding Tehelka's sting 'Operation West End'.
Ahmedabad: The Congress has roped in technocrat Sam Pitroda for the Gujarat Assembly election campaign. Pitroda, who says that it is his moral responsibility to assist the Congress as Rajiv Gandhi was a dear firend, will travel to major cities of Gujarat over the next five days and will sit with people from various walks of life before submitting his inputs that will be incorporated in the Congress party's election manifesto.

"Students, women, small businessmen and farmers will be the focus of our meetings over the next five days. Instead of declaring a manifesto, the Congress has decided to listen to people and reflect their demands in the manifesto," Pitroda told the media in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

In a significant statement, Sam Pitroda said that democracy has been hijacked by a few people, not just in India but across the world.

"Democracy does not mean that the winner takes it all. There ought to be collective leadership and that is not being seen in democracies. Now it is all about personality cults," said Pitroda.

Speaking on the contentious issue of reservation, the technocrat said that India is one of the most open countries in the world and while reservation is important for the under privileged sections of society, it in no way stops others from achieving their goals.

"I am a Vishwakarma and the son of a carpenter. Reservation helps in uplifting those who are underprivileged, but that does not stop anyone from achieving his or her own goals," he said.

Sam Pitroda will hold meetings in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara and Jamnagar over the next five days before submitting a report on what could be incorporated into the Congress' manifesto.
A geothermal heat source called mantle plume lies deep below Antarctica's Marie Byrd Land, explaining some of the meltings that creates lakes and rivers under the ice sheet, a NASA study has found. Although the heat source is not a new or increasing threat to the West Antarctic ice sheet, it may help explain why the ice sheet collapsed rapidly in an earlier era of abrupt climate change, and why it is so unstable today. The stability of an ice sheet is closely related to how much water lubricates it from below, allowing glaciers to slide more easily, NASA said. Understanding the sources and future of the meltwater under West Antarctica is important for estimating the rate at which ice may be lost to the ocean in the future.

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Antarctica's bedrock is laced with rivers and lakes, the largest of which is the size of Lake Erie. Many lakes fill and drain rapidly, forcing the ice surface thousands of feet above them to rise and fall by as much as six metres. The motion allows scientists to estimate where and how much water must exist at the base. About 30 years ago, a scientist at the University of Colorado Denver in the US suggested that heat from a mantle plume under Marie Byrd Land might explain regional volcanic activity and a topographic dome feature. Very recent seismic imaging has supported this concept. "I thought it was crazy. I didn't see how we could have that amount of heat and still have ice on top of it," said Helene Seroussi of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. With few direct measurements existing from under the ice, Seroussi and Erik Ivins of JPL concluded the best way to study the mantle plume idea was by numerical modelling.

They used the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM), a numerical depiction of the physics of ice sheets. Seroussi enhanced the ISSM to capture natural sources of heating and heat transport from freezing, melting and liquid water; friction; and other processes. To assure the model was realistic, the scientists drew on observations of changes in the altitude of the ice sheet surface made by NASA's IceSat satellite and airborne Operation IceBridge campaign. "These place a powerful constraint on allowable melt rates - the very thing we wanted to predict," Ivins said. Since the location and size of the possible mantle plume were unknown, they tested a full range of what was physically possible for multiple parameters, producing dozens of different simulations.

They found that the flux of energy from the mantle plume must be no more than 150 milliwatts per square metre. Seroussi and Ivins' simulations using a heat flow higher than 150 milliwatts per square meter showed too much melting to be compatible with the space-based data, except in one location: an area inland of the Ross Sea known for intense flows of water. This region required a heat flow of at least 150-180 milliwatts per square meter to agree with the observations. However, seismic imaging has shown that mantle heat in this region may reach the ice sheet through a rift, that is, a fracture in Earth's crust such as appears in Africa's Great Rift Valley.

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Over 200 government officials, technology experts, scholars, and representatives from tech companies gathered today from all across the Asia-Pacific region for the third annual Huawei Asia-Pacific Innovation Day, held in Kuala Lumpur. The event was co-hosted by Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Malaysia-China Business Council, and Huawei Technologies.

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This year's event focused on fostering digital economy in the APAC region, with a special focus on digital transformation models for emerging markets, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and core industries like services and tourism. At the event, Huawei announced the construction of a new OpenLab in Malaysia, which will serve as an open, flexible, and secure platform for joint innovation with local partners. Huawei has built similar OpenLabs in Munich, Mexico, Dubai, Singapore, and China. Together, these labs support extensive cooperation between Huawei and over 400 solution partners globally.

At the event, Huawei's Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating CEO, Guo Ping, spoke about the different stages of digital transformation, and what countries can focus on at each stage of development. Guo stressed that technological innovation and an open ecosystem are critical to the success of digital initiatives in the APAC region. The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Home Affairs, YB Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, also delivered a keynote speech at the event. He expressed his optimism about the future of digital transformation in the Asia Pacific region. He encouraged all APAC countries to communicate more and work more closely together to drive positive, sustainable economic outcomes.

During the event, Huawei signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the SME Corporation Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Terengganu State Government, and CyberSecurity Malaysia, expanding cooperation across a number of domains, including scientific research, innovation, talent, smart campuses, and cybersecurity. Together, they will promote a thriving digital economy and ensure prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday it planned to check whether Facebook was in compliance with Russian law. The watchdog said in September it would block Facebook starting next year unless the social network complied with a law requiring websites that store the personal data of Russian citizens to do so on Russian servers.

"In the near future Roskomnadzor will plan a series of supervisory activities aimed at analysing the activities of the administration of Facebook in terms of the processing of Russian users' personal information, the terms of services for users, and the content of existing legislation," it said in a statement on Wednesday carried by the Interfax news agency.

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Russian authorities say the law, introduced in 2014, is aimed at protecting Russians' personal data. Critics, however, see its use as an attack on social media in a country that has tightened its control over the Internet in recent years. Last year Roskomnadzor blocked access to LinkedIn to comply with a court ruling that found the networking service guilty of violating the same data storage law.

LinkedIn Corp. has yet to come to an agreement with Russian authorities to restore public access to the service.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogans office says the Turkish leader has met with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in Ankara. The office did not immediately provide details on Wednesdays meeting at Erdogans palace complex. The meeting, however, comes days after a consortium of five Turkish businesses, including mobile phone operator Turkcell, launched a joint venture to design and produce a Turkish-made car. The joint venture was launched under Erdogans urging.

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Lahore: At least 27 people were killed and 69 others injured after a speeding passenger bus fell into a ravine in Pakistan's Punjab province, officials said on Thursday.

The bus carrying more than 100 people was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town on Wednesday night.

"The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation," Muhammad Afzal, the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station.

Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition whereas many injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, the Dawn News reported.

The bus originally was to go to Raiwind via Islamabad- Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route. "The motorway is closed after 10 pm due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway because of which the driver opted to go through Grand Trunk Road," Afzal said.

"The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident.

He also ordered the authorities concerned to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident, the report said.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads and faulty vehicles.

In April 2014, some 15 people were killed in a bus crash in Kallar Kahar.
Chicago: Former US President Barack Obama, answered a jury summons on Thursday, arriving at a Chicago courthouse to perform the civic duty asked of all Americans.

The former leader of the free world was the only juror to arrive by motorcade, however, accompanied by tight security and met by a throng of news media.

As a prospective juror, Obama -- a former law professor -- will join fellow citizens at the courthouse, waiting to see if he is chosen to serve on a trial. He will earn the standard compensation of USD 17.20 per day.

Before heading to court, the former president took time to tweet about last night's high-profile state and mayoral election results are seen as a sweeping repudiation of the politics of his White House successor Donald Trump.

"This is what happens when the people vote," Obama wrote.

"Every office in a democracy counts!"

Obama is not the first US president to show up for service that some Americans either dread or find excuses to avoid. Obama's predecessor in the White House, George W Bush, responded to a jury summons in 2015.

Bush was not selected to serve as a juror, but images of the smiling former president posing with delighted citizens at the courthouse in Dallas, Texas quickly showed up on social media.

Chicago has some experience with high-profile jurors. In 2004, media titan Oprah Winfrey, who at the time produced her talk show out of the midwestern city, was a juror on a three- day murder trial ending in a conviction.

While the Obamas currently live in Washington, the former president and first lady Michelle Obama maintain a home in Chicago, the city where he got his political start.

Chicago is also where the future Obama presidential centre will be built, near the former leader's home in the southern part of the city.
San Francisco/Washington: For about 48 hours after a deadly rampage at a Texas church, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies did not ask Apple Inc to help them unlock the gunman's iPhone or associated online accounts, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday.

A cellphone belonging to Devin Kelley - accused of killing 26 people on Sunday before taking his own life - was sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Quantico, Virginia, crime lab because authorities could not unlock it, Christopher Combs, head of the FBI's San Antonio field office, said on Tuesday.

Combs did not specify what kind of phone Kelley had during the attack in Sutherland Springs, Texas, but a second person familiar with the situation confirmed to Reuters that it was an iPhone.

The first source said that in the 48 hours between the shooting and Combs' news conference, Apple had received no requests from federal, state or local law enforcement authorities for technical assistance with Kelley's phone or his associated online accounts at Apple.

The delay may prove important. If Kelley had used a fingerprint to lock his iPhone, Apple could have told officials they could use the dead man's finger to unlock his device, so long as the phone had not been powered off and restarted.

But iPhones locked with a fingerprint ask for the user's pass code after 48 hours if they have not been unlocked by then.

Officials also could have asked for data from Kelley's iCloud online storage account if he had one. If Apple receives a warrant or court order, it will give law enforcement authorities iCloud data, as well as the keys needed to decrypt it.

If an iPhone user backs up an iPhone using iCloud, the online data can contain texts, photographs and other information from the phone.

The first Reuters source said the FBI had yet to ask as of Wednesday for assistance unlocking the device. It could not be learned whether Apple had received a court order to turn over iCloud account data. It also could not be learned whether the FBI had tried to use Kelley's fingerprint and failed to unlock his phone despite not contacting Apple.

The FBI declined to comment when asked about the type of phone used by Kelly. A spokeswoman referred to Combs' news conference on Tuesday.

The FBI has criticized Apple for how difficult it is to obtain data from its devices when they are locked. The phones contain a so-called "secure enclave" that makes it difficult to crack their encryption, and too many errant attempts to unlock an iPhone can erase all data.

The FBI challenged Apple in court over access to an iPhone after a 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, in which a couple authorities said was inspired by Islamic State killed 14 people. The couple died in a shootout with police hours after the massacre. An iPhone 5C, recovered by authorities, did not have a fingerprint sensor.

The legal issues in the case were never settled because the FBI found third-party software that allowed it to crack the device.

But federal authorities were accused of missteps in unlocking the San Bernardino phone.

Last year, Apple executives who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity criticized government officials who reset the Apple identification associated with the phone, which closed off the possibility of recovering information from it through the automatic cloud backup.
Washington: The US Senate Banking Committee unanimously backed new sanctions targeting Chinese banks that do business with North Korea on Tuesday, just before President Donald Trump visits Beijing for the first time since taking office.

As well as strengthening existing sanctions and congressional oversight, the measure will target foreign financial institutions - in China and elsewhere - that provide services to those subject to North Korea-related sanctions by the US Congress, a presidential order or UN Security Council resolution.

All 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats on the panel voted for the "Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act," clearing the way for its consideration by the full Senate.

The bill was named after a US student who died earlier this year after he was imprisoned in North Korea, further chilling already poor relations between Washington and Pyongyang.

"For too long, we've been complacent about the growing and gathering threat from the North Korean regime," Republican Pat Toomey, one of the bill's authors, said after the committee voted.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, another author, said that in addition to Chinese banks, Malaysian financial institutions might end up in its sights.

Trump is due to wrap up a visit to Seoul on Wednesday with a major speech on North Korea, and then shift focus to China, where he is expected to press a reluctant President Xi Jinping to tighten the screws further on Pyongyang.

Some of Trump's fellow Republicans, as well as many Democrats, have been critical of Trump's bellicose rhetoric about North Korea, and have called for the use of economic tools like sanctions or more negotiations before talking of war.

Washington so far has largely held off on imposing new sanctions against Chinese banks and companies doing business with North Korea, given fears of retaliation by Beijing and possibly far-reaching effects on the world economy.

Van Hollen told reporters on Monday ahead of the committee vote that he wished Trump would follow the model of President Theodore Roosevelt and "speak softly and carry a big stick," adding: "We're trying to give him a little bigger stick with the sanctions."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers said last week they had reached a bipartisan agreement on the sanctions bill. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

The leaders of the Republican-led Senate have not said when the chamber might vote on the legislation.
BEDFORD  About 100 people cheered as they held signs that said Stop here and A county seat deserves a train station alongside the Amtrak train as it passed through downtown Bedford on its way to Lynchburg from Roanoke early Thursday morning.

The Bedford/Franklin Regional Rail Initiative committee organized the rally on Plunkett Street near Court Street to show its support for the construction of a train station there in downtown Bedford.

Attendees gathered at about 6:30 a.m. amid light rain, eating donuts, drinking coffee and listening to Gladys Knight & The Pips song Midnight Train to Georgia.

Bedford resident Shelley Starr said she would ride the train to avoid driving to Roanoke.

Im here to support the rail station, Starr said. Its something Bedford desperately needs. It would benefit economic development in Bedford, plus a lot more people could leave without having to go to another stop.

Thaxton resident Coby Pieterman, who also attended the rally, said she would ride the train to Washington, D.C., or New York.

It just makes sense, Pieterman said.

Bedford Vice Mayor Tim Black said after the train passed that he attended to support the committees efforts to bring a train stop to downtown Bedford.

In June 2015, the committee presented to town council a conceptual station design that includes 94 parking spots and a 700-foot platform. Town council agreed not to sell the land on Plunkett Street while the group continues to advocate for the station.

The town owns the land and dedicated to use it as a train stop, Black said Wednesday. ... I think [a train stop] would drive tourism and economic development for the town and [the] surrounding Bedford and Franklin counties.

Passenger rail service resumed Oct. 31 in Roanoke after a 40-year hiatus. From Roanoke, the train now stops in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Burke Centre, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and other cities along the Northeast Corridor.

Rail initiative committee members estimated if approved, the station could take two years to design and build. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation estimates a stop in Bedford could cost anywhere from $5.7 million and $11.4 million, depending on the final site and platform design. The stop would have to be approved by Amtrak and the Federal Railway Administration, according to The News & Advance archives.

Chris Smith, director of policy, communications and legislative affairs for the DRPT, said previously in an email that the department, as part of its statewide rail plan, is working on a statewide rail station policy that will provide guidance to localities interested in adding or modifying a station. DRPT expects to finalize the plan and policy by the end of the year. DRPT has said it will wait at least two years to collect ridership data on Roanoke before making a decision about a potential station in Bedford.

Steve Stevick, who is on the rail initiative committee, said Thursday the group has been advocating for a train stop in Bedford for three years. Stevick said representatives from the Bedford Area and Smith Mountain Lake chambers of commerce as well as Bedford Town Manager Bart Warner are on the committee.

So its only a matter of time, and the sooner the better, Stevick said about a Bedford train stop.

Stevick said the committee already has collected about 11,000 signatures on a petition to support a stop.

Susan Martin, president and CEO of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Bedford/Franklin Rail Initiative Committee, said she was happy with the rallys turnout, especially because it was early in the morning and raining slightly.

There are community members here who would ride the train, Martin said. It was really fun to see the excitement, the posters people made. Some folks brought their kids.
Update: Doug Washington was named Holy Cross Regional Catholic Schools new principal Thursday morning, and already has big plans for the school moving forward.

The former assistant principal of nine years said he wants to improve student achievement, create a $5 million endowment for the school of about 200 students and launch an aggressive marketing strategy to increase enrollment numbers.

The people that know about Holy Cross love Holy Cross, but not many people know about it, he said.

He wants all of the work toward these goals to be data-driven, he said, so he knows the strategies will be effective.

Washington replaces former Principal Mary Sherry, who came to the school in the summer of 2015 and resigned in June. Washington has been effectively been doing the job of principal since then. In contrast to Sherrys short tenure  she left the school to return to Hawaii  Washington said he plans to stick around long-term.

Stability and consistency is important, he said, especially in terms of marketing the school and increasing enrollment.

Washington has 37 years of experience in education, according to a Thursday news release from the school; he received his masters in education from Lynchburg College and his bachelors of science in education from James Madison University. Hes originally from Lexington but came to Lynchburg for geographical reasons: He said he loves both the mountains and the coast, and Lynchburg was the closest he could get to the coast while still living in the mountains. After a decade-long stint as the middle school director at James River Day School, another private school in Lynchburg, Washington came to Holy Cross.

He said he has enjoyed his informal, and now formal, position as principal because he likes to drive student achievement.

Thats what its all about, really, is student achievement, he said.

Adam New, the schools athletic director, said Washington has the facultys full support.

Everyones very familiar and comfortable with Mr. Washington, he said.

Washington also already is familiar with the school and its families and is supportive of the faculty, New said. His promotion felt like a logical fit.

Virginia Superintendent of the Office of Catholic Schools Ray Honeycutt said in the release issued Thursday Washington is dedicated to sustaining the long tradition of premium Catholic education in the greater Lynchburg region.

And for Washington, one of the biggest things he will rely on in his journey forward will be his faith.

I truly ask for the dear Lords guidance. When he helps us, it seems to turn out right, and when I do it on my own, it doesnt turn out so right, he said. And Im not ashamed of that. It works.

Earlier: Holy Cross Regional Catholic School on Langhorne Road has a new principal, the school announced in a news release Thursday.

Doug Washington was named principal after serving as assistant principal at Holy Cross for nine years. He replaces former Principal Mary Sherry who joined the school in 2015. He has 37 years of experience in education, according to the release, and received his masters in education from Lynchburg College, and his bachelors of science in education from James Madison University.

Mr. Washington is dedicated to sustaining the long tradition of premium Catholic education in the greater Lynchburg region, Virginia Superintendent of the Office of Catholic Schools, Ray Honeycutt said in the release.

The search for a new principal has been ongoing since July, the press release said.

Holy Cross serves students pre-K through 12th grade.
"The world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens it with nuclear devastation," said Trump in his speech. "All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea -- to deny it any form of support."

The U.S president referred to North Korea as "a total failure," and a "twisted regime" ruled by a cult and a tyrant who enslaves his people -- a characterization certain to provoke a harsh rhetorical reply from Pyongyang.

Trump warned the North, "Do not underestimate us and do not try us. We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity and our sacred liberty." Backing the president's words was the presence of three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups and nuclear submarines, which the president said "are appropriately positioned" near the Korean peninsula.

In that speech to South Korea's National Assembly, President Trump had a forceful message for Pyongyang, calling on leader Kim Jong-un to give up all his nuclear weapons for a chance to step on to "a better path."

Donald Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday, his first visit as U.S. President to a nation that has been a focus, often a negative one, in his drive to secure jobs at home. Trade is to top the agenda, but so is North Korea. White House officials say the president intends to press China -- North Korea's closest ally and top trading partner -- to push the North to abandon its nuclear program, the topic of a speech he gave in Seoul just hours before arriving in Beijing.

The U.S. leader had effusive praise for South Korea, contrasting its economic success with the dark situation in the North. "The more successful South Korea becomes, the more decisively you discredit the dark fantasy at the heart of the Kim regime," said the U.S. president.

The speech ended on a hopeful note, which is the Korean dream: the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. But with Kim's weapons of mass destruction posing a greater threat, Trump warned, "the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the few the options become."

President Trump generally took a more optimistic view of diplomacy during his visit to Seoul, which included meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He said progress has been made to diffuse heightened tensions in the region, a striking departure from the tone of his tweets in recent weeks suggesting talks with Pyongyang to resolve the nuclear crisis were "a waste of time."

Speaking on Air Force One on the approach to Beijing Wednesday, a senior White House official said President Trump and the South Korean leader had reaffirmed their commitment for a coordinated global pressure campaign to bring North Korea back to "authentic denuclearization talks," while also remaining committed to use a "full range of military capabilities" to defend South Korea and Japan.

"Authentic" talks, the U.S. official said, would be without preconditions and would entail North Korea agreeing to "reduce the threat, end provocations, and move toward sincere steps to ultimately denuclearize." Preconditions like refusing to put nuclear weapons on the table, the official said, "is a non-starter" for the United States. The U.S. also maintains that any agreement would need to include verification of denuclearization efforts -- a key sticking point in multi-nation negotiations that have been attempted in the past.

The White House official said President Trump would call on Chinese President Xi Jinping to pressure North Korea by, among other things, closing loopholes that have facilitated continued trade between China and North Korea despite UN sanctions.

In a statement issued separately, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump would also make a determination on whether the United States will designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism before the end of his visit to China.

In addition to the North Korea nuclear crisis, Trump will also press his Chinese hosts on that nation's massive trade surplus with the U.S. In a separate development, negotiators for both countries signed up to 20 deals worth $9 billion. Details of the agreements were not revealed, but Reuters news agency says they include a pledge by Chinese eCommerce company JD.com to buy more than $2 billion of food products from the U.S. over three years.

The President and First Lady Melania Trump started their visit to the Chinese capital with a stop at Beijing's Forbidden City, the palace complex of China's past emperors, where they joined President Xi for a look at the restoration of ancient relics.

It is likely President Trump will continue to send out Tweets in China, despite a Chinese block on Twitter. Thanks to communications gear aboard Air Force One, the official said "The President will Tweet whatever he wants."


While much of the attention has been focused on U.S. Democratic candidates who won two significant gubernatorial races Tuesday, there were also sweeping Democratic victories throughout the United States for a number of minority and LGBT candidates. As Democrats won gubernatorial races in the swing state of Virginia and in New Jersey, Election Day was historic for a number of minority and LBGT candidates on state and local levels. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Andrea Jenkins became the first openly transgender woman of color to be elected to public office in the U.S. Jenkins, who was previously a policy aide to the council's vice president, won a seat on the Minneapolis City Council by capturing more than 70 percent of the vote.



 'Chief Homophobe' Defeated Danica Roem became the first openly transgender woman elected to a state legislature when she defeated Virginia Delegate Robert Marshall, who called himself the state's "chief homophobe" and refused to debate Roem, referring to her with male pronouns. "Discrimination is a disqualifier," Roem told supporters Tuesday night shortly before she was officially declared the winner. After serving two terms on the Hoboken City Council, Ravinder Bhalla became the first Sikh mayor in New Jersey, sparking an outpouring of enthusiasm among the estimated 200,000 Sikhs who live in the U.S.



Danica Roem, then the Democratic nominee for the House of Delegates' 13th District seat, holds campaign signs as she canvasses a neighborhood in Manassas, Virginia on June 21, 2017. /AP

Bhalla defeated five other candidates in the race that became divisive after fliers appeared with a picture of Bhalla wearing a turban that read, "Don't let TERRORISM take over our town." Also in New Jersey, Sheila Oliver became the state's first African-American lieutenant governor as the running mate of Governor-elect Phil Murphy, who defeated Republican opponent and current Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno by a wide margin. Oliver joins Justin Fairfax of Virginia as the country's only two African-American lieutentant governors. Fairfax is the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Virginia since 1989.  Seattle Firsts There were two election firsts in Seattle, Washington, where Jenny Durkan was elected as the city's first lesbian mayor and voters selected Zachary DeWolf as Seattle's first openly gay school board member. DeWolf said after his victory he wants to make LGBT students in the city feel like they are accepted and safe. "I want to show that you can be your whole self," he said. Women and minorities also won a number of other contests. Michelle Kaufusi was elected mayor of Provo, Utah, the first time a woman won the position in the city's nearly 160-year history. Kaufusi succeeds Mayor John Curtis, who won the congressional seat that was vacated when Jason Chaffetz resigned in June. Vi Lyles became the first African-American woman elected mayor in Charlotte, North Carolina, after serving as an at-large City Council member for four years. In Minnesota, St. Paul City Council member Melvin Carter III was elected as the city's first African-American mayor after winning more than 50 percent of the vote. "Being able to carry a majority of the first choice votes says to me loud and clear that St. Paul is a city ready for change," Carter told supporters Tuesday night. In Virginia, Kathy Tran was the first Asian-American elected to the House of Delegates. Eliza Guzman and Hala Ayala were the first Latinas to win seats in the state's legislature.


American journalist Martha ODonovan (25)accused of plotting to overthrow President Mugabes Government using Twitter spent another night in custody pending the hearing of her bail application at the High Court today. ODonovans bail hearing was deferred to today to allow the prosecution to file their response.



Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa granted the prosecution application for postponement on the basis that they were not yet ready to argue the bail as they wanted to prepare response. ODonovan is charged with two counts of subverting a constitutional government through masterminding a social media crusade to overthrow the Government by unconstitutional means.



According to the indictment, during the period extending from February to November 2, 2017 in Harare, ODonovan, systematically sought to incite political unrest through the expansion, development and use of a network of social media platforms as well as running accounts namely Magamba Network Trust, @Matigary and @OpenParlyZw, which she operates together with different users with a view to overthrow or attempt to overthrow the Government by unconstitutional means.





It is alleged that on October 22, police investigations showed that Twitter account @Matigary was accessed via Zimbabwe Online Internet Protocol (IP) address 197.211.252.214. The investigations further allegedly revealed that the user was operating using an Apple MacBook computer running Mac OS 10.12.3 using Safari browser version 10.0.3 running on webkit driver build number 602.4.8.

It is alleged that, using the IP address, inquiries with Internet service provider revealed that ODonovan is the one who was assigned the IP address on the day in question. It was further established that she made significant use of the Onion Router (TOR) browser, a tool which is used to hide online activity. On November 3, it is alleged that ODonovan was arrested and two devices were seized namely a MacBook laptop and an iPhone. The MacBook laptop is consistent with earlier investigations.





It is also alleged that contrary to the suspects stated objectives when she entered the country, she engaged in working to raise foreign funding to capacitate a sophisticated online programme of action that is designed to culminate in online activism translating to an offline uprising. Furthermore, it is alleged to be a central component in a highly organised attempt to replicate offline uprisings like what happened in Tunisia and Egypt.





She is alleged to be the mastermind behind an organised social media campaign aimed at overthrowing or attempting to overthrow the Government by unconstitutional means. On the second count, ODonovan is charged with undermining authority of or insulting the President as defined in section 33 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23





It is alleged that on October 11, ODonovan, who is one of the administrators of a Twitter account namely @Matigary posted a message on Twitter, which denigrated the President. The message was widely read and quoted in both electronic and print media, alleged the prosecution. According to the indictment, the message is abusive, indecent or obscene and aimed at undermining authority of or insulting the President. Herald
THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has registered more than two million people under the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR), with Bulawayo Province having the least number of registered voters at 17,5 percent. A ZEC statement shows that only 71 536 people have registered to vote in Bulawayo.



Harare Province has 309 951 registered voters, Mashonaland East 259 731, Mashonaland Central 205 609, Mashonaland West 197 238, Manicaland 271 160, Midlands 272 013, Matabeleland North 106 906 while Matabeleland South has 84 324 registered voters with the registration progress at 28 percent. ZEC is targeting to have registered seven million people at the end of the BVR programme. In an interview yesterday, ZEC commissioner Dr Qhubani Moyo said the electoral commission is pleased to have surpassed two million registered voters. He said even Bulawayo will eventually come to the party.



We observed that Bulawayo has been a bit slow, but is coming up well. We still encourage the people of Bulawayo to go in their numbers and register as voters, said Dr Moyo.

He said the commission was intensifying its voter education programme to draw more people to register.





Dr Moyo said apart from media advertisements, the electoral commission has engaged civic society and political parties to encourage their members to register to vote in next years elections.





The commission has also eased the voter registration process by making registration officers commissioners of oaths. Even political parties are deploying their teams on the ground to encourage people to register, he said.





Dr Moyo said ZEC was convinced that as the registration programme progresses into its third and final phase, more people from Bulawayo will register.





The low figures for Bulawayo can also be attributed to the fact that phase one was concentrated in low density suburbs with few people. Now we have moved to the high-density suburbs that are densely populated, he said.

The second phase of mobile BVR will end on November 13, while the third segment will take place between November 16 and December 1. The last leg will run from December 4 to December 19. Meanwhile, Midlands Province has recorded the highest number of people being turned away under the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise with 4 616 people so far. In a national report released recently, the Midlands Province had some remote areas where the BVR team were struggling to access.





According to the report, the majority of people, who were turned away had brought wrong particulars, which include drivers licences and photocopied national identity cards. Some were aliens while others were deemed under-age. Chief Mapanzure of Zvishavane said lack of information was the major reason why people were being turned away, especially in rural areas.





Here in Zvishavane for example, people are hesitant to go and register to vote because they do not understand the biometric registration process. Some villagers are actually afraid of having their pictures and fingerprints taken saying the process is a security threat. There is no enough information because most of them do not have radios or money to buy newspapers where these BVR advertisements are being placed, he said.





Asked on the proof of residence challenges experienced before, the traditional leader said that was now a thing of the past as chiefs and village leaders were authorised to authenticate peoples proof of residence. herald
IATA is helping us. They have engaged the government and we are still trying to work it out so it might be premature to preempt what is going on. So let that process get to its conclusion (but) if it fails then it will be something else, Zaranyika said.
THE First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe, who has been endorsed by all party structures to occupy the post of Vice President, yesterday assured the nation that she will help President Mugabe towards economic prosperity.



She was addressing thousands of party supporters at Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare who had gathered to show solidarity with the First Family after she was booed by misguided elements during the 9th Presidential party youth interface in Bulawayo last Saturday.



He, (President Mugabe) is also my President. I love my President. I respect my President. I will help him to make this country prosper, said Mugabe to a wild applause from the floor.





She assured President Mugabe that the Womens League and all party structures were behind him whether in happier times or bad moments.





Mugabe said President Mugabe was an anointed leader by God and only the Almighty could decide his fate and not some ambitious people who wanted to take leadership positions through unorthodox means.





You are anointed, President. No one is going to remove you. When God decides to take you, things will happen according to Gods plan, said Amai Mugabe as she quoted biblical scriptures.





She implored people to pray to God and accept that which they could not change in life.

Speaking at the same occasion, Zanu-PF secretary for youth, Cde Kudzanai Chipanga said events in Bulawayo where people booed the First Lady were as a result of infiltration by unruly elements.

What happened in Bulawayo was as a result of infiltration and that did not please the Youth League alone but even God. We want to apologise profusely for that. Whenever there is a good thing happening, Satan would always want to come in but we want to assure you that it will not happen again, said Cde Chipanga.





He commended President Mugabe for sacking former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying that was long overdue.





He said Hurungwe East MP Cde Sarah Mahoka and Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Mandi Chimene were on record warning Cde Mnangagwa over his unbridled ambitions.





We want to thank you Your Excellency, for exercising your powers. People should know that there is only one centre of power, said Cde Chipanga.





He reiterated the need to have a woman as one of the Vice Presidents, saying that was consistent with a resolution that was passed in Victoria Falls a few years ago during the Zanu-PF annual peoples conference.





As Youth League, we have assessed who possibly can take up that position and we feel that no any other person other than First Lady Dr Amai Mugabe. People in Zimbabwe are now addicted to the name Mugabe, said Cde Chipanga.





Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Cde Ignatious Chombo said people who booed the First Lady were bused from places like Kwekwe, the home town of fired former Vice

President Mnangagwa.





All our Presidential interfaces have been going on well except Interface number nine. Instead of pulling in one direction, others pulled in a different direction. Buses were hired from Kwekwe to Bulawayo to boo the First Lady, said Cde Chombo.





He denounced factionalism and said it was understood that former VP Mnangagwa skipped the border to neighbouring Mozambique. herald
Zimbabwe will re-engage its erstwhile coloniser the United Kingdom and the United States of America to mend broken relations and create vibrant trade and economic ties, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Walter Mzembi has said. Addressing heads of diplomatic missions in Harare yesterday, Minister Mzembi said economic diplomacy shall ride on enabling legislation and other legal instruments like the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act and the Presidents 10-Point Plan.





He said in the globalised and interdependent world, an egocentric pursuit of foreign policy would be both blind and defeatist. I shall seek an honest and forthright dialogue with these countries in order to let go the past and explore and pursue mutually beneficial economic opportunities. The rapprochement we seek shall be anchored in new vibrant trade and economic relations, he said.

As we seek new economic relations, we will refocus on the 2015 Lima Process on our debt payment plan. I am confident that together, we can revive that process. We will honour bilateral economic agreements we entered into with our valued partners including Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPAS). Where we have discomforts, we are prepared to find solutions which will not prejudice either party.





Our national interests are the progress and prosperity of our people. I will not be inventing a new foreign policy per se because it is already in place having been spelt out by none other than His Excellency, the President Cde R.G. Mugabe at independence on the 4th of March 1980, when he called on nation to reconcile stating lets turn our swords into ploughshares.

Minister Mzembi said he would be nurturing and consolidating old friendships to make Zimbabwe the most attractive foreign investment designation while regional cooperation and continental integration would also remain key. He commended countries that have stood with Zimbabwe during her time of need including Russia, China, India, Iran, Cuba, Malaysia and Pakistan.





Pan-African principles, values and ethos shall guide our foreign policy in consonance with the direction already charted by our President, a great African icon himself, he said.

I look forward to working closely with our African colleagues to deepen and transform these relations into significant and mutually beneficial economic ties, and most importantly, to realise our integration in line with the SADC Revised Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) as well as the African Union Agenda 2063 towards peaceful and prosperous Africa, he said.




Three unclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups will hold training drills in waters off South Korea starting Friday in a show of force against North Korea.

The USS Nimitz armada entered the South China Sea last Saturday and is presently sailing past Taiwan. The USS Theodore Roosevelt group has been deployed from its home port of San Francisco to the western Pacific and is heading north from Guam. And the USS Ronald Reagan, affiliated with the 7th U.S. Fleet, which had anchored in Busan following joint naval drills with South Korea between Oct. 16 and 20, is cruising along the East Sea.

A military source said, "The three armadas will engage in naval drills in waters between South Korea and Japan starting Friday. They will hold various drills, including aircraft takeoff and landing exercises."

Their presence is a formidable show of force against North Korea.

Japanese warships are taking part in the initial phase of the joint drills, which are set to take around five to six days, while South Korean ships will join in the latter part. The source said, "The U.S. originally proposed three-way joint drills that include the Japanese Navy as well, but Seoul opposed the plan."


No Charges for Cops

in Killing of Man Who

Was 'Biking While Black'
Maine took an unprecedented step Tuesday when residents overwhelmingly voted to expand the state's Medicaid programbut Gov. Paul LePage quickly said he'd block the immediate implementation of the expansion. A statement Wednesday says the referendum, which was approved by a margin of 59% to 41% and would make as many as 80,000 more lower-income residents eligible for insurance coverage through Medicaid, would "cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to give 'free' health care to working-age, able-bodied adults, most of whom do not have dependents." LePage, a Republican who has blocked Medicaid expansion five times already, says in the statement that the state's last Medicaid expansion in 2002 resulted in $750 million worth of debt to hospitals and "massive budget shortfalls every year," while not reducing the number of uninsured residents.

As for this expansion, he says credit agencies predict it "will be ruinous to Maine's budget," and his administration will therefore refuse to implement it "until it has been fully funded by the Legislature at the levels DHHS has calculated, and I will not support increasing taxes on Maine families, raiding the rainy day fund, or reducing services to our elderly or disabled." Business Insider says it's "unclear" whether LePage can actually block the expansion; in Maine, all adopted ballot measures became law 45 days after they're passed. Prior to the governor's statement, the New York Times reported that while he doesn't have the power to veto the referendum, he could attempt to delay its implementation during his final year in office. The Washington Post says if Maine residents aren't ultimately allowed to enroll in Medicaid under the expansion, a legal battle could ensue with LePage potentially getting sued. (Read more Paul LePage stories.)
When New Jersey lawmaker John Carman wondered, via meme, "Will the women's protest end in time for them to cook dinner?" it angered many participants in the January Women's March. On Tuesday, one of them got their revenge. The Inquirer reports 32-year-old Democrat Ashley Bennett defeated Republican Carman for his seat on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders by nearly 1,000 votes out of the 14,000 cast in a strongly Republican district. The board oversees the government in Atlantic County, including Atlantic City, according to the AP. "I am beyond speechless and incredibly grateful to serve my community," Bennett, a psychiatric emergency screener, tells the Inquirer. "I never imagined I would run for office.

Bennett decided to go for it after Carman, 58, posted the meme on Facebook. "Elected officials shouldn't be on social media mocking and belittling people who are expressing their concerns about their community and the nation," she said prior to the election. Voters seemed to agree. "Those statements that Carman made really disappointed women in the community," one resident says. Carman had apologized for sharing the meme but added the women he knows are "strong and confident" enough to not be offended. A spokesperson for Bennett says she will focus on foreclosures and the economy. "She is ready to put in the hours to improve the lives of everyone in her districtand she doesn't plan on making it home in time to cook dinner any time soon," the spokesperson says. (Read more New Jersey stories.)
When the priest says "lift up your hearts" during Mass, you'd better put your cellphone down while you do it. That was Pope Francis' message Wednesday during his weekly address in St. Peter's Square, calling it a "very ugly thing" to see worshipperseven other men of the clothwith their phones out while he leads services, the BBC reports. "Please! Mass is not a show!" he said, per the Washington Post, with the Catholic News Service tweeting that the pope is "exasperated." Another beef the pontiff brought up: kids not knowing how to do the sign of the cross, instead "moving their hand all over their chest," per the Catholic News Agency. Applause can be heard from the audience in a video of his remarks.

Francis has taken on the subject of phones before, telling the faithful earlier this year to swap out their phones for Bibles and warning in last year's apostolic exhortation of the damage to relationships that cellphones can cause. Per CBS New York, locals there mostly agree with the pope's stance, though one churchgoer tries to justify her own phone use. "I have my Bible in my cellphone," she says. "So I'm looking at it, but I'm reading my Bible or finding the Scripture." Not that the pontiff is a total Luddite: The BBC notes his penchant for tweeting and taking selfies with admirers. (Read more Pope Francis stories.)
In September 2015, Berlinah Wallace, upset that her five-year relationship with Mark van Dongen was ending, allegedly threw sulfuric acid over him as he lay in bed at her apartment in Bristol, England. Fifteen months later, van Dongen, 29who lost a leg, ear, and eye (as well as most of the vision in his other eye) and was paralyzed from the neck down and forced to communicate through an alphabet boardchose to end his life in a Belgian euthanasia clinic. Now Wallace, 48, is charged with his murder, the BBC reports. During her trial this weekshe denies the chargesthe court heard from van Dongen's father, who says his son's condition had worsened in the weeks prior to his Jan. 2 death, and he told his father, "My life has come to nothing and there is nothing left."

Wallace and van Dongen had lived together, but their relationship began unraveling in August 2015 when van Dongen began an affair. On the day before the alleged attack, he reportedly told Wallace he still loved her and wanted to make their relationship work, but that night he went to see the other woman again, SWNS reports. After an argument upon his return, Wallace left for a hotel, but she returned around 3am. Prosecutors say she told van Dongen, "If I can't have you, no one will" while tossing the acid onto his face and body; he was wearing only boxer shorts at the time. Neighbors found him screaming in the street and helped him into a shower. One testified in court that van Dongen told them Wallace was to blame, and that they saw her sitting on the couch on her phone, looking "sullen and serious." She says she thought she was only throwing water over him. (Read more acid attack stories.)
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was shot several times during a traffic stop likely saved his own life by applying a tourniquet to his leg before help arrived, per the AP. Cpl. Seth Kelly, 39, remained hospitalized in critical condition after suffering gunshot wounds to his neck and shoulder area and to his leg in the close-quarters gunfight along a busy highway. The 13-year veteran was set to undergo another surgery to remove a bullet. Kelly was helping another trooper arrest 22-year-old Daniel Khalil Clary, whom they suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana, when Clary began fighting with the troopers, police said. Despite being hit with a stun gun, Clary managed to break free, retrieved a semi-automatic pistol from his car, and opened fire on Kelly and Trooper Ryan Seiple, authorities said. Both troopers returned fire, hitting Clary several times.

Clary then fled, driving himself to a hospital where he was taken into custody. Shot and gravely wounded, Kelly had the presence of mind to grab the tourniquet he wore on his service belt and apply it to his bleeding leg, said state police Capt. Richard D'Ambrosio, "more than likely saving his own life." Seiple, 31, received a minor injury during the scuffle but was not shot. Officials, meanwhile, are awaiting the results of a blood test to see what Clary, who remains hospitalized, had in his system. He faces charges that include attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault. Clary's struggle with the troopers lasted nearly two minutes, and at one point all three men were "wrestling and rolling around" the right lane of busy Route 33, in Plainfield Township, north of Philadelphia, as cars and trucks whizzed by them on the left, police said.

(Read more tourniquets stories.)
Florida and New York could soon see an influx of temporary new residents, reports CNN, as FEMA works with those two states to let Puerto Rican hurricane survivors relocate to the US mainland. At the top of the list would be the 3,000 or so people stuck in shelters on the island, which is still 60% without power after Hurricane Maria slammed it in September. FEMA would foot the bill for flying those interested to their interim homes. The initiative would be carried out as part of the agency's Transitional Shelter Assistance program, which offers evacuees "short-term lodging assistance" after a disaster; Florida and New York were selected as destinations due to the existing Puerto Rican communities there. CBS News reports this would be the first time FEMA would attempt this long-distance airlifting effort, or what it calls an "air bridge."

That's because the agency typically puts disaster survivors up in local hotels, but all of Puerto Rico's hotels are full. Once in Florida or New York, participants would stay in hotels there for two months, per ABC News. However, Mike Byrne, a regional administrator for FEMA, says interest is weak: Out of 300 families interviewed Tuesday, only 30 or so perked up at the idea of heading to the mainland. "People really don't want to leave their homes," Byrne says. Meanwhile, the situation in Puerto Rico remains dire, with one ex-school administrator telling the Guardian: "I feel like it's constant begging. I'm a professional woman and now I'm  just crawling for help." And the New York Times reports government officials in Puerto Rico, who've put the official hurricane death toll at 55, are struggling to explain how 472 more people died this September than in September of last year. (Read more Puerto Rico stories.)
The rightwing government in Tokyo was duly incensed when Korea served U.S. President Donald Trump shrimp caught near Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, to which Japan maintains a flimsy colonial claim. Worse in the eyes of the nationalists in Japan was the invitation to a state dinner for Trump on Tuesday of a victim of imperial Japan's sexual enslavement of women during World War II.

A set of dishes served U.S. President Donald Trump during a state dinner at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Tuesday /Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

Tokyo protested through diplomatic channels that Cheong Wa Dae's invitation of sex slavery victim Lee Yong-soo to the state dinner is "against the purport" of a 2015 agreement to compensate the women, which was once described as "a final and irreversible resolution," according to the Yomiuri Shimbun on Wednesday. The controversial deal, which trades indirect compensation for a promise to remove memorials for the victims from the vicinity of Japanese diplomatic missions, makes no mention of what events the victims of the atrocity can or cannot be invited to. The new government of President Moon Jae-in wants to reverse it.

U.S. President Donald Trump hugs sex slavery victim Lee Yong-soo at a state dinner at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Tuesday. /Yonhap

Tokyo also protested against Seoul's effort to assert its sovereignty over Dokdo by serving Trump a dish of shrimp caught there. It said the move is "incomprehensible" since the islets are Japanese. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo need "close cooperation at this time" to respond to the North Korean issue and "avoid any moves that could have adverse effects on trilateral cooperation." Suga added he would not make any official comment on the menu at another country's state dinner but he still wondered why Seoul did what it did. The rightwing Sankei Shimbun called the state dinner "an anti-Japanese banquet."
A Swedish couple is fighting for the right to name their baby Pilzner, and, yes, it's because dad really likes beer. They plan to appeal a decision by the Swedish tax agency Skatteverket, which rejected the name as inappropriate for a child, reports the Local. "I only drink Pilsner and since I was young, I have been referred to as Pilzner," says the baby's father, Matz Pilzner Johanneson. He added the middle name legally as an adult, noting that his own father similarly went by "Pilzner" because it was his own drink of choice. (Saudi Arabia recently rejected the name "Ivanka.")
The New York Times has found a police report embarrassing to the FBI and to one counterterrorism supervisor in particular. It seems the unit chief tied one on while in North Carolina for training, hooked up with an "exotic dancer" at a hotel bar, took her back to his room, and woke to find that she'd stolen his gun, his $6,000 watch, and a small amount of cash, per the Times. More precisely, another agent made the discovery and called police, because the victim was still incapacitated by booze when officers arrived at 6:30am.

Robert Manson, who oversees terror investigations in the Midwest and the Carolinas, is now the subject of an internal investigation. Police in Charlotte haven't made any arrests or recovered the gun, which was a compact Glock 27. The last fact prompted this line in the Times story: "Federal law allows agents to carry concealed weapons while off duty, but not while they are intoxicated." (Read more FBI stories.)
A big-wave surfer is already dreaming of getting back on his surfboard a day after breaking his back in what the Telegraph describes as "mountainous seas" off Nazare, Portugal. Britain's Andrew Cotton, 36, was one of several professional surfers riding big waves Wednesday when a gigantic wall of water came crashing down upon him. A video shows Cotton preparing to abandon his ride before the rolling water appears to throw him dozens of feet, where he lands hard on his back. "What can I say, I got a little excited this morning and [ended] up having possibly the worst wipeout impact wise of my life," Cotton wrote on Instagram after he was pulled from the water, put on a spinal board, and taken to a hospital.

Cotton says he broke the L2 vertebra in his lower spine, but there are "no complications," per Surfer Today. "I'm already looking forward and focusing my energy to get fit and back out there," he adds on Instagram. His wife isn't surprised. "Although it's the worst thing that could happen to most people, to him it's just part of what he does," she tells the Telegraph. Given his "good prognosis for a rapid recovery ... all he will be thinking about is when he can get back in the water." He should expect no sympathy from the waves of Nazare in the future, reports the Independent, noting the area is home to strong winds and the biggest underwater ravine in Europe, which contribute to waves up to 100 feet tall. (A lightning strike killed two surfers on Sunday.)
Three generations of Romania's royal family were embroiled in a very public row Thursday as a disinherited prince's attempts to see his ailing grandfather led his own mother to renounce him. Princess Elena accused her son, Nicholas Medforth-Mills, of disregarding "the privacy, suffering, and dignity" of her 96-year-old father, former King Michael, in a statement issued by the royal house. Her comments came after the royal house filed a complaint to Swiss police Tuesday alleging Medforth-Mills had tried to force his way into his grandfather's home in Aubonne, Switzerland, and had "physically and verbally aggressed" three staff members. "I, Nicholas, just wanted to see my grandfather and say goodbye to him in a peaceful, respectful, and Christian way," said Medforth-Mills in a statement on Facebook. Michael is suffering from leukemia and skin cancer.

Medforth-Mills, 32, Michael's only grandson, was one of the most popular members of the Romanian royal family, which hasn't had any constitutional powers since Michael abdicated in 1947, reports the AP. But in August 2015 his grandfather suddenly stripped him of his title. It later emerged that Nicholas may have fathered a child with a Romanian woman, a situation that was said to have affected Michael badly as an echo of his own unhappy childhood. His father, Carol II, married three times and was forced to give up the succession to the throne over an affair while he was still married to Michael's mother, leaving Michael to be king when he was only 5. Carol later did replace his son as king. Princess Elena said Thursday that Michael was refusing to see his grandson over his failure to clarify the paternity of the child, now 2.

(Read more Romania stories.)
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U.S. President Donald Trump told the National Assembly on Wednesday, "We will not permit America or our allies to be blackmailed or attacked... Do not underestimate us. And do not try us." "We will not be intimidated. And we will not let the worst atrocities in history be repeated here on this ground we fought and died so hard to secure," he added. "That is why I come here to the heart of a free and flourishing [South] Korea with a message for the peace-loving nations of the world: The time for excuses is over... I also have come here to this peninsula to deliver a message directly to the leader of the North Korean dictatorship."

He warned Kim Jong-un that the weapons he is acquiring "are not making you safer. They are putting your regime in grave danger. Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face." But he promised him to "offer a path to a much better future. It begins with an end to the aggression of your regime, a stop to your development of ballistic missiles, and complete, verifiable, and total denuclearization." Trump also urged China to sever all trade with the North.

Trump's North Korea policy is based on isolating the North by maximizing diplomatic and economic pressure, while ensuring that military options are always ready to be used. He delivered the speech right on North Korea's doorstep, as both a stern warning to Kim and a firm pledge to South Koreans.

Trump also calmed fears of the U.S. taking unilateral military actions against North Korea without informing South Korea, or holding direct talks with Pyongyang while sidelining Seoul that would result in a pledge to either reduce U.S. troops stationed in the South. Trump said the precondition to sitting down for talks with North Korea was "complete, verifiable, and total denuclearization."

Trump referred to Kim as a dictator and tyrant and North Korea as "hell," a "prison state" and a "military cult." In reality, such words are not enough to describe the cruelty of the North, where an elite minority rules over 20 million people who are treated like slaves. Now the North wants to destroy the South with nuclear weapons. Thae Yong-ho, the former No. 2 official at the North Korean Embassy in the U.K. who defected to South Korea last year, told the U.S. House of Representatives last week that he believes Kim is capable of anything when threatened.

Those words are a testimony by someone who knows the North Korean leader and also a warning to Seoul. Solving the North Korean menace starts by shaking off any fantasy South Koreans may entertain about the North.

Contrary to concerns, Trump's two-day visit to South Korea reaffirmed the alliance between the U.S. and the South. But in politics, promises can change depending on national interests. Seoul must not give up on its right to defend itself. It should strengthen its own deterrence based on the alliance including re-deployment of strategic weapons and U.S. nuclear umbrella.

Above all, it must let the North Korean leader know that his only option is total denuclearization, as Trump pointed out. Maximum pressure on North Korea can be compromised by the smallest of fissure in the alliance.


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Premier Li Keqiang chaired a symposium with economists and entrepreneurs on Nov 7, to discuss economic work following the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Attendees shared their views on structure adjustment, mass entrepreneurship and innovation, risk prevention, industrial clusters and sharing economy at the event.

They agreed that the economy is maintaining a stable and positive momentum, with improved structure, stronger driving force and higher quality. They also applauded the governments efforts in delegating power and promoting innovation.

Premier Li listened to their suggestions and shared his views. He said the countrys economy is better than expected this year, which is an effective response to some opinions stating that it will suffer a hard landing.

While affirming the achievements, he acknowledged that instability and uncertainty still exist in external environment, structural contradictions in domestic economy and other risks should not be ignored.

We should be prepared for crisis, maintain continuous, healthy economic development while tackling challenges, Premier Li added.

He urged that strategies proposed in the 19th CPC National Congress should be firmly implemented, and called for more efforts in supply-side reform by promoting the initiatives of Internet Plus and Made in China 2025.

The Premier also said new driving engines of the economy should be fostered rapidly and backward capacities be eliminated through legal and market-oriented means such as technology, environmental protection and quality standards.

Next years work plans should be in accordance with the goal of building China into a moderately prosperous society, fully implementing the plans set forth at the 19th Party Congress, said the Premier.

He stressed on the continuity and stability for macro policies, and urged deepening reform and opening-up while further cutting taxes and fees to lower institutional transaction costs. The market will decide the allocation of resources and the government will play a better role, said the Premier.

We should encourage more market players to innovate and become more entrepreneurial, take the innovation and entrepreneurship to higher level and more integrate Chinese economy into the world while preventing the potential economic risks, he said.

Reform and development is for the people, and human resources are the biggest potential for Chinas future economic development, said the Premier.

In recent years, all kinds of reform policies, such as simplifying administration and delegating powers, have helped to improve the climate for encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing talents into play and relieving the pressure on employment, he said.

Using peoples creativity not only creates more value, but also help them achieve their pursuits, thus promoting the continuous and healthy development of the Chinese economy, he added.

Vice-Premiers Zhang Gaoli, Wang Yang, Liu Yandong and Ma Kai, and State Councilors Yang Jing and Wang Yong attended the event.
New Delhi :

Recently, Dangal actress Fatima Sana Shaikh shared a picture of herself draped in a saree in the month of Ramadan for which she was trolled over the social media. Now, despite being trolled immensely, she yet again posted a new picture of herself draped in saree posing in front of a mirror.

In the new picture posted by her, she can be seen in a maroon-coloured saree along with a printed blouse.

As soon as the picture was posted on the internet, the actress garnered huge number of compliments and received appreciation for her style.

The 25-year old actress not only received applauds for the picture but also crude some negative comments. Few of them called her shameless, shame shame shame, some even advised her to become a porn star.

On the positive side, some called her Greek goddess, flawlessly beautiful, bold and beautiful, gorgeous and much more.

One of the user also commented that Aamir Khan has discovered a new era Madhubala.

On the work front, Fatima Sana Shaikh is currently busy on her second film with Aamir Khan titled aThugs of Hindostana. The movie also features Katrina Kaif, Amitabh Bachchan and Jackie Shroff in key roles.

:) Y @arjunkamath87 Y @dsimrock YY @nakitadsouza Y @nekkosha thank you nekkoYY A post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Nov 7, 2017 at 2:08am PST

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New Delhi:

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking compensation for farmers for crop resident management to check the dangerous trend of stubble burning.

Punjab CM has also requested the Prime Minister to convene meeting of Chief Ministers of the affected States along with the Union Ministers for Agriculture, Food and Environment on the issue.

Mr Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem, said Singh.

Have requested PM to convene meeting of CMs of affected States along with Union Ministers. Just my meeting with Delhi CM resolves nothing, said Singh.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged all government to unite for the cause, saying that the entire Northern India would turn into gas chamber if steps are not taken.

The Delhi chief minister said the issue of crop burning must be addressed.

The high increase in PM levels in Delhi is not just due to local reasons, people and government of Delhi are ready to take all steps but these steps will not be enough until solution to crop burning is found, said Kejriwal.

Delhi woke up to 'severe' air quality on Tuesday with a thick haze blanketing the city as pollution levels breached permissible standards by multiple times.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

American investigators from the US Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) are in India in search for remains of United States personnel missing since World War II in the North East.

Kolkata-based US Consulate General office said that the latest search operation is the fifth mission being carried out by American investigators in India since 2013. A team of DPAA was in northeast India for a month in search of remains for US airmen last year too.

According to a statement released by the US Consulate, around 400 US airmen went missing in India during the World War II and it is believed their remains are located in Himalaya Mountains in northeastern India.

According to reports, during the World War II United States provided supplies to the Chinese Army by flying over the Himalayas in the route popularly known as The Hump. Many of the aircrafts deployed in the route went missing and were never to be found in the mountain terrain.

The press release also read that DPAA during its last visits in 2015 and 2016 had recovered remains which are in the process of being identified through DNA testing. One set of remains recovered in 2015 was indentified as US Army Air Forces 1st Lt Robert E. Oxford.

Also read: US President Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping; set to discuss trade, North Korea and Pakistan



MaryKay Carlson, Charge d'Affaires at US Embassy in Delhi said, This is the fifth DPAA mission to India since 2013, demonstrating successful cooperation between the governments of India and the United States. This positive relationship underscores the dedication each nation brings to this humanitarian mission."

Also read: Indian Americans raise USD 2.4 mn for public health in India

DPAA missions are to provide fullest possible accounting for US missing soldiers to their families and Americans.

(With PTI inputs)





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Jammu:

Terrorists attack a police patrolling party near district commissioners office in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag. One police personnel critically injured in the attack.

A senior officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police told News Nation that a platoon of state police personnel were patrolling near the district commissioner office, when militants on bikes opened fire at the patrolling party.

Another police officer said, the militants several rounds of bullets were shot at the patrolling team by semi-automatic rifles, possibly a Ak-47. The terrorists escaped the incident site as police personnel took positions to retaliate.

The officer added that all security forces in the region have been alerted and a cordon operation is being conducted to nab or neutralise the terrorists.

The injured Jammu and Kashmir security personnel was rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.

No militant group has yet not claimed the attack.

Earlier on September 9, a police personnel was killed and two others were seriously injured in a terrorist attack in Anantnag, a few meters away from a meeting venue that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to attend on September 10.

(More details awaited)





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New Delhi:

The Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Sndolan Samiti (PASS) on how reservation will be provided to the Patidar community in educational institutions and government jobs at a late night meeting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal conveyed the three options to PAAS members in a meeting which started around 11:30pm and ended at about 2am.

Dinesh Bambhania, a PAAS convener, soon after the meeting talking to media said, The Congress party gave us three options on how reservations in educational institution and government jobs will be provided to us.

Bambhania denied revealing the details of the meeting or the three options given to them by the Congress. We will keep the options confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, senior leaders, legal experts and social leaders of our community, added the PASS convener.

He further added that the proposal given by the Congress has not touched 49 percent reservation for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options provided are over and above current 49 percent quota.

Bambhania also added that they have rejected Congresss reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class.

Sibal in a press conference said, Todays meeting between Congress and PAAS has brought hope than something can be worked out. We have discussed all the aspects and will do things to provide reservation to the Patidar community as per the constitution.

The Congress leader further added that he will meet the Patidar leaders in the next two-three days. We expect that things will become more clear in the next meeting.

Also read: Gujarat elections: Patidar movement leader Nikhil Savani quits Bharatiya Janata Party, accuses party of bribery



The meeting was held between Congress and PASS to discuss the modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat.

Also read: Gujarat elections: Congress demands judicial enquiry into bribery of Patidar leaders by BJP



Hardik Patel had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the Patidar reservation issue.

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New Delhi:

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Thursday told that Odd-Even to be enforced from November 13 to November 17 in the national capital.

While talking to PTI, he shared the information, saying thatA Odd-Even to be enforced from November 13 to November 17.A

Odd-Even will be implemented from November 13-17. Request people and all agencies to cooperate. Exemptions will be same as last time, said Kailash Gehlot, Delhi Transport Minister.

"We are calling a meeting of cabs and taxis on Friday and we will ensure that there will be no surge pricing this time", added Kailash Gehlot.

Earlier in the day, speaking on deteriorating air pollution conditions in the national capital, A Kejriwal urged all government to unite for the cause, saying that the entire Northern India would turn into gas chamber if steps are not taken.

The Delhi chief minister said the issue of crop burning must be addressed.

#Odd-even to be enforced between November 13-17 in Delhi: Tranport Minister Kailash Gahlot to PTI. a Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 9, 2017

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Shimla:

Amid tight security, polling began on Thursday morning in 68 Assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh spread across 12 districts, with all eyes on the Shimla and Kangra.

The election commission to avoid any untoward incident during polling hours and post polling has deployed more than 15000 security personnel in the state. The commission to ensure fair and peaceful voting in the state Assembly elections have kept around 96 areas under CCTV surveillance.

Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Somesh Goyal informed the media that more than 11,000 security personnel of the state, 6,400 home guards. Uttrakhand has supported us with a battalion, added the top cop.

Around 65 companies of paramilitary forces have been pressed into service in various strategic locations. Each and every security personnel have been deployed strategically to thwart any untoward incident, added Goyal.

The DGP further added that they have taken special measures in the border areas. Security personnel have been deployed in the border areas according to their sensitivity.

Goyal added that in the last few days police seized 71 thousand litres of liquor, 400 types of narcotics and Rs 1.66 crore.

Total of 337 candidates including 62 MLAs fate will be decided by 50.25 lakh electorate, including 19 lakh women and 14 transgenders. The results will be announced on November 18.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Ne:

The Income Tax department on Thursday morning raided the office of Jaya TV in Chennai over alleged reports of tax evasion. The Tamil channel is controlled by AIADMK and arrested party leader VK Sasikala, while it was founded by late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

As per reports, the raids which began at 6:30 A.M. in the morning are still ongoing. The channel is now being controlled by jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikalaas family members, led by her nephew Vivek Jayaraman.A

Sources claim that the searches were part of 'Operation Clean Money'. The tax allegation covers aspects like shellA companies, dubious investments, fund flow and fudging of accounts.

#TamilNadu: Income Tax department conducts raid at Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR (Tamil newspaper) premises in Chennai, in a case of alleged tax evasion pic.twitter.com/LkQSVz4NWN a ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

A senior IT official claimed that raids are being conducted at nine more other firms at various places in Tamil Nadu and across India.

Searches also covered the premises of Midas Distilleries and Jazz Cinemas, they said. The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV.

#TamilNadu : Income Tax raids continue at Jaya TV office in #Chennai's Ekkaduthangal in a case of alleged tax evasion pic.twitter.com/IETuuTuqxH a ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

A

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New Delhi:

The controversial incident of Indigo Airlines staff manhandling a passenger took a hilarious turn when a person named Rohit Choubey tweeted to the airlines asking travel time of Mumbai-Delhi flight but when airlines responded to help him, his witty reply got them stumped. Rohit tweeted that his boss is travelling on an Indigo flight at 3 pm to Delhi, if he is found by the airline staff then he is to be beaten-up.

Rohit wrote on Twitter to Indigo Airlines that "I need help for tomorrowas Mumbai Delhi flightaCan somebody please respond".

The airline responded aHi, Rohit. How may we assist you?a to this he replied, he wanted them to beat up his boss who was travelling to Delhi by the 3 pm flight.

This tweet of Rohit was a satire on a disrespectful treatment met to a passenger namedA Mr. Katyal who was travelling on an Indigo flight about fifteen days ago and was manhandled by the Airline staff.A

The incident was probed by theA designated committee which took action against staff who was main culprit, by immediately terminating his employment.

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New Delhi:

In INX Media case, the Supreme Court adjourned the matter till November 16 on Thursday. Karti Chidambaram will not be allowed to travel abroad in near future.

The Supreme Court asked CBI to respond whether Karti Chidambaram could be allowed to travel abroad for 4-5 days and what can be the conditions imposed on him so that he does not escape.

The CBI will respond in the next hearing.

The apex court read the documents sent by CBI carrying evidences against Karti. The court indicated that the documents carried details of 6 bank accounts belonging to Karti.

However, the CBI advocate Tushar Mehta requested Judge to not make the documents public.

Kartis advocates Kapil Sibal and Gopal Subramanium strongly objected to the Mehtas requests. They said that unless Karti would come to know what CBI has presented, how come he will be answering it.

The advocates said that they are ready for questioning but CBI is not calling them. After courts order, CBI called him for two days and questioned for 5 hours.

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New Delhi:

The security forces on Thursday launched a cordon and search operation in around 13 villages of Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per reports coming in, a few terrorist might have taken shelter in the area. A

Similar search operations were also conducted in months of August and October in Pulwama and Shopian.

In August, security forces had launched multiple cordon and search operations spread across 10 villages of Shopian district in south Kashmir as part of the latest offensive against militancy, officials had said. Dangam, Wangam, Zainapora, Mantribug and several other adjoining villages were cordoned off following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official had said.

#FLASH Security forces launched cordon and search operation in around 13 villages of Shopian district (J&K) a ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

He had said searches were in progress but ano contact has yet been established with the militantsa in these villages.

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New Delhi:

In a bizarre incident, owner of a roadside eatery threw hot oil on a customer who complained about the food served at Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra, news agency ANI reported.

The customer first complained about the quality of food and later engaged in a quarrel over its price with the vendor, as per media reports.

Following the incident, two people were arrested by the police after the victims complaint.

The entire incident was caught on a CCTV camera wherein the eatery vendor can be seen throwing hot oil on the customer after engaging in an argument.

#WATCH:Owner of a roadside eatery threw hot oil on a customer who complained about the food served, in Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar. 2 arrested pic.twitter.com/ypsfVKHRGn  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

ALSO READ: IndiGo staff fights with passenger at Delhi Airport, Airline apologises

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New Delhi:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman AS Kiran Kumar has said that the next step in terms of Mars exploration would be to look for alien life or signs of life. He also said that the resources that could support human habitation need to be investigated.



On future of Mars exploration, he said, "The next step would be to search for signs of life and investigate resources that could support human habitation."



"We need to develop capabilities by solving problems going into deep space also. We need to remain relevant and need to solve issues differently. The world is changing very fast and private entrepreneurs are entering the segment," he said.



Kumar was speaking at an inaugural talk at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) on Wednesday.



He said that ISRO is currently in the process to build reusable launch vehicles. He also said that new technologies for interplanetary missions is also in the works.



Kumar said that this has been done in an effort to reduce the cost incurred in the launch of vehicles.



"We are also on the lookout for equipping with capabilities to carry objects in multiple launches than single launches. We want to reduce cost of access and hence are building reusable launch vehicles," Kumar said.



A three-day brainstorming session on 'Vision and Explorations for Planetary Sciences in Decades 2020-2060' has been organised by PRL to provide a forum for planetary researchers and academicians. They can discuss, explore and present the latest trends, promote understanding and exchange results and opinions in the area of planetary sciences and explorations.



Many newer institutions are setting up an astronomy department in their institutes. One of the IITs has even roped in NASA scientists for their astronomy department.



What is Reusable Launch Vehicle?



A reusable launch vehicle or RLV is a launch system intended to allow for recovery of all or part of its components for later reuse. This contrasts with expendable launch systems, where each launch vehicle is launched once and then discarded. To date, no 100 per cent reusable orbital launch system has ever been created.

Also read: NASA's 2020 Mars Mission to have 23 'eyes' to study atmosphere of red planet



The first major attempt at a RLV was the NASA developed Space Shuttle.

Also read: Video | Aliens living on Mars breathe CO2, claims Russian youth; says he lived on Mars, killed in a war then born on Earth



Life on Mars: Life on Mars has been a topic of discussion among the researchers, conspiracy theorists and space enthusiasts. Conspiracy theorists have time and again made claims of presence of alien life on Mars.



Live feed from NASAs International Space Station (ISS) too has shown suspicious UFO-like objects hovering around several times. However, no solid proof on the presence of alien life has been found yet.

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New Delhi:

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said that inter departmental consultations will conclude soon and they will ask for extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from Malaysia.

On November 3, the MEA said that India will make an official request to Malaysian government very soon once the legal internal process gets completed

As per media reports, Naik was given permanent residency in Malaysia.

Maybe in the next couple of weeks, it will clear what will be the nature of the request, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

In September, when Zakir Naik had emerged from a prominent Malaysian mosque, fans had swarmed to click selfies with the Indian Muslim televangelist.

Critics claim that Naik's presence in Malaysia is a sign of top-level support for hardline Islam in the country.

Accompanied by a bodyguard, Naik made a rare public appearance at the Putra Mosque in Malaysia's administrative capital, where the prime minister and his cabinet members often worship.

Naik has in the past denied India's allegations. In an interview with a television channel in May, he said he was being targeted by the Indian government because of his popularity.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already filed a charge sheet against controversial Islamic Scholar Zakir Naik in the case of money laundering and terror funding. He fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in Bangladesh said that they were inspired by his speeches.

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Mumbai:

Two days after parents of a 21-year-old youth lodged a non-cognisable offence against their son for assaulting them, the boy allegedly committed suicide by setting his house on fire at Mumbais Kalwa township.

The deceased has been identified as Ajinkya Nikalje, a hotel management student. Police said Nikalje set the hall and his bedroom of his house on fire and then hanged himself from the ceiling fan on Wednesday late evening.

According to police, the youths parents were not at home at the time of the incident. Thane Municipal Corporation had launched an operation to douse the house on fire after they received an cry call from the neighbourhood.

The rescue team and neighbours to their shock found the youths body hanging from the ceiling fan when they broke open the door.

Also read: MP: Sehore farmer hangs self; Congress says 13th suicide in Shivraj's district



Police have sent the body of the deceased for postmortem. According to a police personnel Nikalje was a hotel management student and was in depression after he failed in his exams. "His parents had lodged a complaint against the boy after he had attacked them on questioning about his studies two days back," said a police officer.

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New Delhi :

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday pulled up the Delhi Government, Municipal Corporations and neighbouring states regarding deteriorating air quality; while asking them to witness the pitiable condition of people in hospitals and the way their lives are being played with.

NGT has lashed out at the Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Government while asking it to explain steps taken to curtail pollution, challans issued to violators and the number of construction sites where work has been stopped.

Further, the tribunal sought an explanation from the Arvind Kejriwal led government as to why artificial rain hasn't being triggered using helicopters.

#AirPollution matter: NGT pulls up Delhi Government, Municipal Corporations and neighbouring states, asks them to see the pitiable condition of people in hospitals and the way their lives are being played with. Hearing continues  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The tribunal further said that the CPCB's report has shown the extent of danger lurking in the air in Delhi NCR.

#AirPollution matter: NGT observed "Even construction work taking place openly isn't being stopped, and when such a situation has ensued now action is being promised".NGT further slammed neighboring states of Delhi & raised question on their seriousness on the grievous situation  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Referring to the Central Pollution Control Board's report, NGT said that the air quality should have been PM 10 levels which is supposed to be 100, had touched 986.

ALSO READ: Delhi smog: CM Kejriwal says decision on Odd-Even formula soon



The air quality in Delhi-NCR has also significantly gone down and the the PM 2.5 levels which were supposed to be 60, had reached 420.

NGT said, CPCB's report has shown the extent of danger lurking in the air in Delhi NCR. Yesterday PM 10 levels, supposed to be 100, had touched 986, while the PM 2.5 levels, supposed to be 60, had reached 420. This has been the situation since the past week  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

NGT has observed that "It is shameful for all the parties in this matter on what they're passing on to the next generation". The tribunal further slammed neighbouring states of Delhi & raised question on their seriousness on the grievous situation.

"All the constitutional authorities and statutory bodies measurably failed to perform their duties. So far pollution is the concern, it is a joint responsibility of all the stakeholders" said NGT.

READ: Delhi: Kejriwal 'requests' Sisodia to shut schools for few days

Moreover, the NGT observed that: Articles 21 & 48 of the Constitution mandate that it is the responsibility of governments to make sure that citizens get a clean and conducive environment. Right to life is being snatched from people since they're not getting a clean environment.

Industrial activities to not be carried on in Delhi, till the next hearing directs NGT. NGT also directed, all the public authorities should depute an officer to monitor the polluting activities  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The tribunal has also ordered all industrial activities to be immediately stopped in Delhi, till the next hearing. NGT has further directed, all the public authorities to depute an officer for monitoring the polluting activities.

The tribunal has strongly rebuked all the concerned states' while asking their pollution control boards to monitor all parameters.

Delhi High Court directs emergency meeting be called by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change secretary with Chief Secretaries of NCR states & pollution control agencies within three days on pollution.  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The Delhi High Court has directed that an emergency meeting should be called by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change secretary with Chief Secretaries of NCR states & pollution control agencies within three days. Further, the court also directed the govt. to consider the possibility of cloud seeding as a measure to control pollution.

Delhi High Court observes: Odd even scheme last year had unclogged the city, asks Delhi govt to consider implementing "odd even vehicle movement scheme" as a short term measure.  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Delhi High Court also observed that the 'odd-even vehicle movement scheme' in 2016 had unclogged the city while asking the Kejriwal govt to consider implementing as a short-term measure. The court has also raised questions on the decision of increasing parking fees by four times to control pollution.

Air pollution matter: Next hearing on 14th November, NGT asked all concerned authorities and pollution control boards to file status report by then  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

NGT also said that diesel vehicles which are 10 years old and petrol vehicles which are 15 years old, should be prohibited to enter Delhi. The Tribunal also said that trucks carrying construction materials should be banned in Delhi-NCR.

NGT says vehicles more than 10 years, in case of diesel and 15 years in case of petrol, should be prohibited to enter Delhi. The Tribunal also says "ban trucks carrying construction materials in Delhi-NCR"  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The NGT has directed that the next hearing will be held on 14th November. Further, the tribunal has asked all concerned authorities and pollution control boards to file a status report by then.

Air pollution matter: Next hearing on 14th November, NGT asked all concerned authorities and pollution control boards to file status report by then  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

National Human Rights Commission too is alarmed over the life-threatening pollution in Delhi-NCR. The NHRC has also issued notices to the Centre and Governments of Punjab and Haryana on their action plan to tackle it.

NGT has also directed Delhi government to sprinkle water wherever PM 10 is found to be in excess of 600 micrograms per cubic meter.

MoS Environment, Mahesh Sharma said, "This matter shouldn't be politicized, it is the time for everyone to come together and fight this problem."

Alarmed over life threatening high level pollution in Delhi-NCR, notices issued to the Centre and Governments of Punjab and Haryana on their action plan to tackle it: NHRC  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 This matter shouldn't be politicized, it is the time for everyone to come together and fight this problem: MoS Environment, Mahesh Sharma #AirPollution #smog pic.twitter.com/dvJ0ByJins  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

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New Delhi:

A new passenger train, Bandhan Express, to run between Kolkata and Bangladeshs southwestern industrial city Khulna was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee through video conference on Thursday.

Bandhan Express, a fully air-conditioned weekly passenger train, will run between the two cities on Thursday. Modi, Hasina and Banerjee also inaugurated two bridges over river Meghna and river Titas in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Modi during the inaugural run of the train said, The ties of friendship between India and Bangladesh will further strengthen.

Modi speaking in Bengali said, Aaj ei shubho uplokkhe dui desh bashider amar abhinandan janai. Aaj amader moitreyee, bandhon aro sudriro holo (Today I congratulate people of both the countries on this auspicious occasion. Our ties of friendship got more strengthened today.)

Hasina said, The train service is a dream come true for people on both sides of the border. Relations between India and Bangladesh will strengthen with inauguration of the train and bridges.

While Bengal chief minister described the launch as a remarkable moment for India and Bangladesh.

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New Delhi:

One of the longest serving Chief Ministers of India, Congress leader Virbhadra Singh was trusted again for the top job as the party goes in polls in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday.

At the age of 83, Virbhadra Singhs political career is breathing his last and if he fails to overcome the infighting, corruption and anti-incumbency, it will be all but over.

However, Virbhadra Singh still feels he has one last fight left in him and the Congress will emerge as winner under his leadership in the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

The veteran has already announced it would be his last election and he will be fighting from Arki constituency this time instead of Shimla Rural. Congress party has filled his son Vikramaditya Singh from Shimla Rural constituency.

Virbhadra Singh, a scion of the Rampur-Bushahr royal family is part of older generation of the Congress Party. He is often called as Raja Sahib.

He was born in Sarahan area of Himachal Pradeshs Shimla district. He is the son of Raja Padam Singh.

Singh began his political career with Lok Sabha elections in 1962. He served as Member of Parliament for five times -- 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980, and 2009.

Singh was also a member of Indian Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 1976.

Apart from his long innings in national politics, Singh has also been elected to the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on seven occasions from 1983 to till now.

Virbhadra Singh has a long political career and it has been quite clean until August 2009. On August 3, 2009, Anti-Corruption Bureau of Himachal Pradesh registered a case against Virbhadra Singh and his wife.

Also Read : Himachal elections: Red carpet awaits Shyam Sharan Negi, the first voter of Independent India

The ACB alleged that Singh and his wife had breached the Prevention of Corruption Act in 1989 when he was the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

However, Singh and his wife were acquitted in 2012 on the eve of his oath taking ceremony in December 2012.

But this was not the end of problems for Virbhadra Singh and more troubles came his way in 2015 when CBI filled a case against him and his family for owning disproportionate assets.

The cases were filed against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, son Vikramaditya and daughter Aparajita. He termed the cases a witch hunt by the BJP-led Central government and said he and his family will come clean.

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New Delhi:

Online social media, Facebook is finding out a solution to stop revenge porn that requires you to send your own nudes to yourself via the social network's Messenger app.

This will help Facebook to create a digital fingerprint for the picture and mark it as non-consensual explicit media.

So, it is said that if your relationship goes sour, you could take proactive steps to prevent any intimate images in possession of your former love interest from being shared widely on Facebook or Instagram.

In order to solve such image-based abuses, Facebook is partnering with an Australian government agency to prevent it, the Australia Broadcasting Corp reported.

"It would be like sending yourself your image in an email, but obviously this is a much safer, secure end-to-end way of sending the image without sending it through the ether," e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant told ABC.

Once the image is sent via Messenger, Facebook would use technology to "hash" it, which means creating a digital fingerprint or link.

"They're not storing the image, they're storing the link and using artificial intelligence and other photo-matching technologies," Grant said.

"So if somebody tried to upload that same image, which would have the same digital footprint or hash value, it will be prevented from being uploaded," she explained.

Australia is one of four countries taking part in the "industry-first" pilot which uses "cutting-edge technology" to prevent the re-sharing on images on its platforms, Facebook's Head of Global Safety Antigone Davis was quoted as saying.

"The safety and wellbeing of the Facebook community is our top priority," Davis said.
New Delhi:

The Birmingham City University in England on Thursday said that the new entrant in the telecom industry Reliance Jio is expected to launch its own Virtual Reality (VR) app next year.

The company is planning to collaborate with the University experts for launching the VR app, the university said.

Jio Head Aditya Bhat and Creative Director and Ankit Sharma visited the university on Wednesday to explore potential partnerships in the future. They also learned about how the university is teaching the next generation students about VR.

Anand Bhanushali, the Founder and Managing Director of philmCGI also visited the university and said, "Today we have discussed a number of opportunities for collaboration.

ALSO READ: Reliance Jio to offer spree of attractive voice, data plans below Rs 500 to prepaid customers
New Delhi :

Israeli authorities on Wednesday approved new building permits for 240 homes in settlement neighbourhoods of Jerusalems eastern sector, Deputy Mayor Meir Turjeman said. A city planning committee approved 90 units in Gilo and another 150 in Ramat Shlomo, Turjeman said, the latest in a series of moves to enhance Jewish presence in the contested Israeli-annexed Palestinian sector of the city.

Turjeman noted the committee also approved 44 units for Palestinians in their neighbourhood of Beit Hanina. The Ramat Shlomo units are part of plans announced in 2010 to build 1,600 settler homes in Ramat Shlomo, an ultra- Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood in east Jerusalem.

The 2010 announcement came as then US vice president Joe Biden was visiting Israel, provoking fierce US opposition and souring relations with Washington for months.

Wednesday's approvals were granted weeks after the same committee voted on an expansion creating the largest Israeli settlement within a Palestinian neighbourhood in the city.

Jerusalems status is ultra-sensitive and central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Earlier in November, the Israeli ministers were set to approve a bill absorbing major Israeli settlements currently in the occupied West Bank into Jerusalem by enlarging the city limits.

Its opponents argue that it is a step towards full unilateral annexation of the West Bank settlements affecteda move that would be sure to spark international outrage.

But opposition from US President Donald Trumps administration prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove the bill from the agenda, with an official saying diplomatic preparation was needed.

The White House has been seeking ways to restart long- stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and a US official said the bill would distract the principals from focusing on the advancement of peace negotiations. Israeli NGO Ir Amim, which opposes settlement construction, said approving new settler homes distances the possibility of a two-state solution to the conflict.

Jerusalem residents deserve to live in a safe and thriving city, which will only happen once theres a fair agreement that recognises the Israeli and Palestinian ownership of the city, the organisations Aviv Tatarsky said.

Instead of advancing such an agreement, Israeli authorities continue with the same familiar unilateral moves that only distance it, he said.

Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. It sees the entire city as its indivisible capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

With PTI inputs

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New Delhi:

A major road mishap happened in Pakistan's Punjab province when a speeding bus carrying over 100 passengers fell into a ravine killing at least 24 people and injuring 69 others, police said on Thursday.

The overloaded bus was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town last night. "The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation," said Muhammad Afzal, the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station.

Confirming that 24 people had been killed, Afzal said that all the passengers belonged to Kohat area, the Dawn News reported.

Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition while many injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, the report said.

The cause of the accident was not known but apparently overloading was the reason as it was carrying around 100 passengers, the police said. The bus originally was to go to Raiwind via Islamabad- Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route.

"The motorway is closed after 10 pm due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway because of which the driver opted to go through Grand Trunk Road," Afzal said.

"The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident. He also ordered the authorities to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads and faulty vehicles.In April 2014, some 15 people were killed in a bus crash in Kallar Kahar, the same area where last night's accident had occurred.

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New Delhi:

A massive anti-corruption drive that began on Saturday revealed that funds worth at least 100 billion dollar were misused through systematic corruption in the recent decades, Saudi Arabia's Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said.

At least 201 people which reportedly include senior prices, ministers and other influential businessmen were being held for questioning over embezzlement and corruption.

Without naming who is being held, Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said the government has a very strong evidence for this wrongdoing.

While Saudi Arabia is still reeling from monumentals changes that are taking place under new Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, a major anti-corruption drive was started on Saturday.

The Attorney General said that normal commercial activities were not affected by the crackdown and only personal bank accounts of these suspect were frozen.

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman himself is heading this newly-formed supreme anti-corruption committee and its investigations were progressing very quickly, the BBC quoted Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb as saying.

Princes, ministers and a billionaire business tycoon were among dozens of high-profile figures arrested or sacked at the weekend, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidates power.

The purge comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia and Iran facing off over a missile attack from Yemen and a political crisis in Lebanon after prime minister Saad Hariri's shock resignation announced from Riyadh.

(With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi :

US President Donald Trump held talks on Thursday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping following his elaborate welcome ceremony. Trump is expected to raise with the Chinese president the issue of North Koreas nuclear ambition.

Trump is being accorded state welcome plus by China after his arrival in Beijing on a three-day visit on Wednesday. He was received this morning by Xi at the Great Hall of the People after which the two leaders attended welcome ceremony, telecast live.

Chinese troops from all the three services presented a guard of honour with a 21-gun salute.Earlier, the two leaders introduced their official delegation to each other. Trump also introduced his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Xi.

They later began delegation-level talks during which crisis over the North Koreas nuclear programme and the massive trade deficit in favour China in bilateral trade is expected to dominate.

China is the crucial stop in Trumps five-nation tour of Asia. Earlier during the trip, Trump had asked North Korea to make a deal to end its nuclear weapons programme, while also warning it against further provocation against the US and the world.

He also urged China to sever ties with Pyongyang and reiterated calls for Beijing to ramp up pressure. China has maintained it is doing all it can and insists it is fully enforcing UN sanctions.

Trumps tough South Asia policy under which the US is putting pressure on Chinas close ally Pakistan to crack down on terror safe havens is also expected to be discussed during the talks.

Trump is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and attend a reception followed by a state dinner and cultural performances.

Xi, who has been described by Trump as King of China after the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in its once-in-a-five-year Congress conferred him a second five-year term, also hosted Trump and his wife Melania at Chinas 15th century Forbidden City.

During his reception to Trump on Wednesday, Xi said he believed Trumps state visit to China would achieve positive and important results.

Since Trump took office in January, the two leaders have maintained close contact. They already have had two face-to-face meetings and eight phone conversations.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
While visiting Japan, President Trump ate a hamburger, setting off a Twitter firestorm of those both praising and criticizing the choice.

However, his classically American meal has skyrocketed one small business owner in Tokyo to fame.

When Yutaka Yanagisawa, owner of Munchas Burger Shack in the Minato Ward in Tokyo, was chosen to serve the president of the United States, he accepted the opportunity, and itas been paying off ever since.

Sora New 24 reported that customers have been coming to the 40-year-old chef's two burger shack locations by the hordes to buy the Trump burger a a Colby Jacket Cheese Burger made with 100 percent American Angus beef, and costs 1,200 yen ($10.54).
The remaining 11 countries in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal will discuss a proposal for an agreement in principle to proceed after the withdrawal of the United States, Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Thursday.

Ministers from the 11 countries are meeting in the resort of Danang in Vietnam on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Japan's Princess Nobuko diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer

Kyodo - Nov 16

Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and is scheduled to undergo surgery this weekend, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday. Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and is scheduled to undergo surgery this weekend, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday.

Japan's oldest man dies at 111

Kyodo - Nov 16

Shigeru Nakamura, a 111-year-old recognized as Japan's oldest man, died Tuesday at a nursing home in Hiroshima Prefecture where he resided, the facility said. Shigeru Nakamura, a 111-year-old recognized as Japan's oldest man, died Tuesday at a nursing home in Hiroshima Prefecture where he resided, the facility said.

Japanese teen wins International Children's Peace Prize

NHK - Nov 16

Japanese teenager Kawasaki Rena has won the prestigious International Children's Peace Prize for her pioneering work to get more young people to participate in politics and society. Japanese teenager Kawasaki Rena has won the prestigious International Children's Peace Prize for her pioneering work to get more young people to participate in politics and society.

Trial of English-speaking test for Tokyo high schools raises eyebrows

Kyodo - Nov 16

A private-sector English-speaking test will be introduced at the Tokyo metropolitan high school entrance exam for the first time in Japan this month, but the initiative to nurture "speaking skills" faces stiff opposition from some parents and education experts questioning its fairness. A private-sector English-speaking test will be introduced at the Tokyo metropolitan high school entrance exam for the first time in Japan this month, but the initiative to nurture "speaking skills" faces stiff opposition from some parents and education experts questioning its fairness.

Japan's Subaru Telescope will train 2,400 eyes on the sky to analyze "cosmic rainbows"

interestingengineering.com - Nov 16

Japan's Subaru Telescope team just introduced a new instrument that will utilize roughly 2,400 fiberoptic cables to capture light from the stars with immense precision. Japan's Subaru Telescope team just introduced a new instrument that will utilize roughly 2,400 fiberoptic cables to capture light from the stars with immense precision.

Japan's new daily COVID cases to exceed 100,000 for first time in 2 months

Reuters - Nov 16

New daily COVID-19 infections in Japan will exceed 100,000 on Tuesday for first time in two months, Fuji Television reported. New daily COVID-19 infections in Japan will exceed 100,000 on Tuesday for first time in two months, Fuji Television reported.

Bain Capital to buy Japanese clothing company Mash for $1.4bn

Nikkei - Nov 16

Bain Capital of the U.S. will acquire Japanese apparel maker Mash Holdings for about 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in what will be one of the largest private equity deals in the country's fashion industry, Nikkei has learned. Bain Capital of the U.S. will acquire Japanese apparel maker Mash Holdings for about 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in what will be one of the largest private equity deals in the country's fashion industry, Nikkei has learned.

NTT planning launch of super-fast communication network

NHK - Nov 16

NTT says it will soon launch a communications network capable of handling huge volumes of data at very high speeds while using less electricity. NTT says it will soon launch a communications network capable of handling huge volumes of data at very high speeds while using less electricity.

4 days in Fukuoka, Japan: how to eat your way through the city

lonelyplanet.com - Nov 16

Located at the tip of northern Kyushu, friendly and sunny Fukuoka has a coastal location on a bustling trading route that has historically made it a popular choice to visit in Japan. Located at the tip of northern Kyushu, friendly and sunny Fukuoka has a coastal location on a bustling trading route that has historically made it a popular choice to visit in Japan.

Justice Ministry panel puts forward option of joint custody for divorced parents

Japan Times - Nov 16

A Justice Ministry panel released an interim proposal Tuesday that includes an option for divorced parents to be granted joint custody, in what would be a shift from the current policy of granting custody to only one parent. A Justice Ministry panel released an interim proposal Tuesday that includes an option for divorced parents to be granted joint custody, in what would be a shift from the current policy of granting custody to only one parent.

Japan is finally ready to welcome back cruise ships

Stuff - Nov 16

Japan will lift a more than 2 1/2-year ban on international cruise ships that was imposed following a deadly coronavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess at the beginning of the pandemic. Japan will lift a more than 2 1/2-year ban on international cruise ships that was imposed following a deadly coronavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess at the beginning of the pandemic.

Japan retains stake in Russia's Sakhalin 1 oil project

Japan Today - Nov 16

Japan has retained its stake in the Sakhalin 1 oil and gas project in eastern Russia, with a Japanese company receiving a 30 percent stake in a new Russian operator, Tass news agency reported Monday. Japan has retained its stake in the Sakhalin 1 oil and gas project in eastern Russia, with a Japanese company receiving a 30 percent stake in a new Russian operator, Tass news agency reported Monday.

Lawyers probe adoptions arranged by former Unification Church

NHK - Nov 16

NHK has learned that lawyers in Japan have begun investigating adoptions arranged by the religious group formerly known as the Unification Church. NHK has learned that lawyers in Japan have begun investigating adoptions arranged by the religious group formerly known as the Unification Church.

J-Pop group Travis Japans worldwide major debut single Just Dance! dances into the charts

soranews24.com - Nov 16

The groups debut single performs exceptionally well on the U.S. music charts as its members look collectively towards the future. The groups debut single performs exceptionally well on the U.S. music charts as its members look collectively towards the future.

How far can Japan go at the 2022 World Cup?

newsonjapan.com - Nov 16

They were one of the first to name their squad, and Japan were also the first team to arrive in Qatar, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They were one of the first to name their squad, and Japan were also the first team to arrive in Qatar, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Senior Congress leaders assure Muslim League leadership that Sudhakaran will not make statements giving credence to RSS.
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Military veterans at United Rentals have not forgotten about their service  nor has their employer.

Even many years after active duty, time in the armed forces remains a reference point for executives who have served. As they reflect on their experience on Veterans Day, they said they apply in their work at the worlds largest equipment-rental company the lessons they learned while in uniform. They are also determined to help fellow veterans in their organization and in other communities.

In the military, they taught me you can accomplish almost anything, said Rick DeReinzi, United Rentals leadership development manager, who served five years on Army active duty as an infantry officer in the 1990s. Every position Ive ever been in, I just go all out. I know I can get it all done because they give you a lot of responsibility in the military Go ahead and put a task in front of me  because I know Ive been challenged.

Veterans in the workforce

In 2016, veterans comprised some 10.6 million members of the nations labor population, representing about 7 percent of the total, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Connecticuts workforce included about 104,000 veterans, about 6 percent of the total.

Connecticut recorded a 4.4 percent veteran unemployment rate last year, compared with 5.1 percent for non-veterans.

Approximately 1,500 veterans work at Stamford-based United Rentals, representing about 10 percent of its workforce. The contingent spans branches and generations.

Youve got the mind-set and experience of being a part of a team and part of a group that hopefully is working toward the same goal, said analyst and accountant Peter Munson, who served in the Navy from 1966 to 1970. The cooperation and support of each other is important.

Munson and other veterans are humble about their service; they said they do not think their credentials make them superior to their colleagues.

My military experience; I dont really think about it, said director of financial reporting Liam ODriscoll, who served two years in the Navy, with deployments around the Pacific Rim, after enlisting as an 18-year-old in 1992. I came here as a CPA.

But veterans said they appreciate the companys recognition of the armed forces. On Veterans Day last year, the company held a call-in forum for former service members. The event will be held again Friday.

They make it clear that your role as a veteran is valued, ODriscoll said.

Support for veterans

The company runs a Veterans United resource group for former service members. In addition, it makes contributions and deploys volunteers to veterans-focused nonprofits such as the Fisher House Foundation and SoldierStrong.

Were there to support and get information out to our veteran population, as well as support veterans in our communities, said DeReinzi, who reached the rank of captain after deployments in South America and southeast Asia.

United continues to expand its veterans programming. Last year, it launched an initiative in which every new hire who has served in the armed forces receives a welcoming packet  memorabilia includes a United military coin  and an introductory call from a United employee in the Veterans United group.

With such outreach, United aims to add to its ranks of long-serving veterans. DeReinzi has worked at the company since 2010; Munson joined in 2007, ODriscoll was hired in 2001.

Its really just a Hey, if you need anything, heres a contact, DeReinzi said of the new program. If you need to talk about something, if youre having any issues, if youre having questions you cant seem to get answered, anythings on the table. ... The ones I call are very appreciative and sometimes seem a bit shocked somebody reached out and welcomed them to United Rentals. I think theyre a little surprised  in a good way.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
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If youre Hispanic, you are more likely to be pulled over by police in Ridgefield, Newtown and New Milford during the day than you are at night, when its harder to make out a drivers features.

That is according to a new statewide analysis by a group of researchers working for the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project.

While researchers stop short of accusing the three towns of racial profiling, the experts do say that the disparity in daytime and nighttime pullover rates for Hispanics is a statistically significant disparity that warrants more investigation.

[I]f police officers are profiling motorists, they are more likely to do so during daylight hours when race and ethnicity are more easily determined, say the researchers from the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University, who have been tracking traffic stop data for three years. This analytical approach is considered to be the most rigorous and broadly applicable of all the tests presented in this report.

Police in Newtown and Ridgefield said they could not immediately explain why there was a higher rate of stops of Hispanic drivers during the day than at night, except to say that racial profiling was not the reason.

Our police officers are not engaged in any type of explicit profiling, Newtown Police Chief James Viadero said. I take pride in how well our officers work with the community.

Both towns pledged to work with researchers to investigate the reason for the disparity. A follow-up meeting was planned with researchers in Newtown on Wednesday, Viadero said.

In Ridgefield, First Selectman Rudi Marconi said there is a large daily influx of Hispanic day laborers who work in the restaurant and landscaping industries, which may explain why more Hispanics are being stopped than the towns resident population of Hispanics would suggest.

Still, Marconi said, This serves as a good warning and a good opportunity to see if there is something we can fix, if there is a problem. And it is a good opportunity to remind people that racial profiling is wrong.

New Milford police were cited in an earlier 2016 report by the same group for potential racial profiling activity when researchers found 15 percent of police stops involved minorities. Blacks and Hispanics account for only 8 percent of New Milfords population, the report said.

At the time, New Milford Police Chief Shawn Boyne pledged to investigate the findings with the reports authors and fix problems that he found.

New Milford police did not respond to two requests for comment on Thursday. Outgoing Mayor David Gronbach did not return calls seeking a reaction.

The latest report, released Thursday, analyzed 560,000 traffic stops statewide from October 2015 to September 2016.

It found red flags in three other municipalities - Berlin, Norwich and Monroe  as well as the state polices Troop B in northwest Connecticut.

In New Milford, researchers said, the odds that Hispanic motorists would be stopped during the day were 1.8 times larger than at night. In Newtown, Hispanics were 2.3 times more likely to be stopped in the day than at night. In Ridgefield, the odds that Hispanics would be stopped during the day were 2.5 times larger than at night, the report said.

Eva Bermudez Zimmerman, a Newtown resident of Puerto Rican descent who has been active in Latino affairs, said the reports findings were not surprising, given Newtowns aggressive philosophy about traffic stops and the towns growing Latino population.

The police department did just employ a Brazilian police officer who speaks Portuguese, so to me that says that things are moving in the right direction, Bermudez Zimmerman said on Thursday. But I dont think this report is surprising.

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the report showed the need for independent oversight of police.

Biased traffic enforcement undermines faith in our democracy, said David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, in a prepared statement. Local government and state legislators both need to step in and get to work at increasing police accountability and ending racial injustice.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
In honor of Veterans Day, Entrepreneur is highlighting the work of former military entrepreneurs who are building their own businesses, chasing their dreams, and kicking a whole lot of ass in the process. (Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Who are you and what is your business?

Brandon Webb, former Navy SEAL and head sniper instructor. I'm the founder of Hurricane Group, a digital media publishing (military and outdoor content) and e-commerce (subscription box CrateClub) business.



How many people does your company employ?

We employ over 50 people, and a lot of them are veterans. As a veteran-owned business, this is important to our company. We believe in purpose and giving back. Last year we gave over six figures in cash and media to military charities. This year I am letting each member of our team pick their own charity and Hurricane will make a donation on their behalf.

Related: How the Memory of His Fallen Brothers Powers Dakota Meyers Passion

Tell us about your proudest moment while serving.

My time running the SEAL sniper program and producing the best snipers in modern history like American Sniper Chris Kyle and many others who the American public will likely never hear about.

I decided to become a Navy SEAL after leaving home at 16. It was a challenge to myself and an opportunity to serve my country. I was stationed at SEAL Team 3 and deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan right after 9/11. I finished my career as the Navy SEAL sniper course manager at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. It was the most demanding and rewarding assignment and I had the opportunity to work with great people like Chris.

What did being in the military teach you about risk?

It taught me that fear (we all have it) and risk can be mitigated to an acceptable margin that can be executed against with action and purpose. Once you get comfortable confronting your fear over and over, you master it. That's a powerful place to be in life, whatever you pursue as a career.

Related: Check Out This CIA Operative's 9-Step Hotel Safety Checklist

What does the word entrepreneur mean to you?

In one word, freedom. I have the ability to chart my own course and pursue what I'm passionate about, which is creating content on our SVOD TV platform SOFREP TV and our other sites. I also love gear and am like a kid on Christmas eve when it comes to our subscription Crate Club. It's like James Bond in a box every month.

Related: The One Trick This Navy SEAL Used to Turn Failure Into Success

What should people understand about what theyll get when they hire or go into with a veteran?

You'll get someone who can show up on time, be accountable and actually gets shit done. Getting shit done is what it's all about with me personally. My friend is in venture capital and actually said this was my superpower. So many people today think that just being busy is working. It's just not about being busy -- it's about delivering results. If my guys meet their goals and they only put in 20 hours that week? Good on them for great output.

Describe your leadership style.

Exemplary. I like to lead from the front. There's not one aspect of my business today that I haven't done myself. Content creation, sales, bookkeeping, social media marketing, copywriting and customer service. Last year we were overwhelmed with customer service tickets, so I told my team to send me tickets so I could help get us back in the green. I have no problem rolling up my sleeves and getting my hands dirty and I think more leaders should adopt this. There's a massive difference between being just a boss and being a strong leader who inspires people with a sense of purpose.

Related Video: The Secret Business of Training Navy SEALs

Related:



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This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Mason Resources Corp. (TSX:MNR; OTCQB:MSSNF  "Mason Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, effective November 9, 2017, the Company's common shares will commence trading on the OTCQB in the United States, under the symbol "MSSNF". Mason Resources shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MNR".

Stephen Scott, President and CEO of Mason Resources stated, "The OTCQB market will provide our growing shareholder base with increased visibility and transparency by facilitating trading of our common shares in the United States. While our primary listing is on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, we appreciate that some investors prefer to trade in U.S. dollars on the OTCQB market".

Information relating to Mason Resources as well as Real-Time level 2 quotes for Mason Resources will be available on www.otcmarkets.com.

ABOUT MASON RESOURCES CORP.

Mason Resources Corp. is a well-funded Canadian company focused on copper exploration and development in the U.S.A. The Company's key asset is its 100% owned Ann Mason Project  an extensive, prospective land package located in the Yerington District of Nevada. The Ann Mason Project hosts two copper-molybdenum porphyry deposits, Ann Mason and Blue Hill, as well as numerous earlier-stage or untested priority targets. The Ann Mason deposit is currently at a PEA level and is among the largest undeveloped copper porphyry resources in Canada/U.S.A. The excellent infrastructure, year-round access, strong community support and clear permitting process are all factors that contribute to making Yerington, Nevada one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Mason also holds a 100% interest in the Lordsburg property, an exciting earlier-stage copper-gold porphyry project, located within an historic mining district in New Mexico.

Mason Resources' strong financial position and high-quality asset portfolio provide it with a solid foundation and flexibility for growth, by advancing development of Ann Mason towards Pre-Feasibility, introducing one or more strategic development partners, exploring high priority targets or considering strategic acquisitions. Major shareholders in Mason Resources include Mantos Copper (Bermuda) Limited and Hudbay Minerals Inc., owning 17.5% and 13.9%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding shares of Mason Resources. More information on Mason Resources can be found at www.MasonResources.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.

While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of the Company's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions and the environment in which Mason Resources will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum. Uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, unanticipated costs, expenses or liabilities; discrepancies between actual and anticipated production, mineral resources and metallurgical recoveries; the size, grade and continuity of deposits not being interpreted correctly from exploration results; the results of preliminary test work not being indicative of the results of future test work; fluctuations in commodity prices and demand; changing foreign exchange rates; actions by government authorities; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the impact of changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices, including laws, regulations and government practices with respect to mining, foreign investment, royalties and taxation; the terms and timing of obtaining necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability and cost of necessary items such as power, water, skilled labour, transportation and appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk; risks associated with changes in the attitudes of governments to foreign investment; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; inability to upgrade Inferred mineral resources to Indicated or Measured mineral resources; inability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; conclusions of economic evaluations; future prices of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals, permits or licences or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; environmental risks; title disputes; limitations on insurance coverage; as well as those factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion & Analysis available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Mason Resources

For further information: David Jan, Investor Relations, Mason Resources Corp., Tel: 604-673-2001, E-mail: [email protected]
- Strong customer demand, scaled-up operations and higher drill utilization rates drive 39.2% year-over-year growth in revenue and enhanced profitability -

VAL-D'OR, QC, Nov. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. (TSX: OGD) ("Orbit Garant" or the "Company") today announced its financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 ("Q1 FY2018"). All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Percentage calculations are based on numbers in the financial statements and may not correspond to rounded figures presented in this news release.

Q1 FY2018 Financial Highlights







($ amounts in millions, except per share amounts) Three months

ended

September 30,

2017 Three months

ended

September 30,

2016 Revenue $42.5 $30.5 Gross Profit $6.7 $2.9 Gross Margin (%) 15.9 9.4 Adjusted Gross Margin (%) 20.5 17.8 EBITDA2 $5.1 $2.4 Net earnings (loss) $1.7 ($0.2) Net earnings (loss) per share





- Basic and diluted $0.05 ($0.01) Total metres drilled 404,262 318,382

1 Reported gross profit and margin include certain depreciation expenses. For comparative purposes, adjusted gross

margin is also shown excluding these depreciation expenses. 2 EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

"We are experiencing continued strong customer demand for our drilling services both in Canada and international markets, with our volume of metres drilled up 27 percent from the first quarter a year ago. Our fiscal 2018 first quarter marked our eleventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth, underlining the sustained increase in mineral exploration and development activity from our customers," said Eric Alexandre, President & CEO of Orbit Garant. "In Canada, we have made significant investments in project mobilization and employee training over the past several quarters to scale up our operations to meet increased customer demand. We have also invested in expanding our international operations over the past 21 months to diversify our revenue base and access new growth opportunities. We are now realizing a strong return on these investments, with higher drill utilization rates driving strong top line growth, and improved productivity and a more diversified project mix contributing to enhanced profitability."

"We are encouraged by the significant improvement in our financial performance in the quarter and believe the Company is well positioned to build value as we continue to focus on growing our business both in Canada and in our international markets," added Mr. Alexandre. "We recently entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with our Lender that replaces our existing credit facility with a new three-year facility that will provide us with enhanced financial flexibility and support of our growth plans."

First Quarter Results

Revenue in Q1 FY2018 totalled $42.5 million, an increase of 39.2% from $30.5 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2016 ("Q1 FY2017"). Drilling Canada revenue was $31.9 million, up 25.4% from $25.4 million in Q1 FY2017, reflecting increased metres drilled during the quarter. Drilling International revenue was $10.6 million, up from $5.1 million in Q1 FY2017. Drilling International revenue for Q1 FY2018 includes $8.0 million of revenue from operations in Chile, compared to $3.8 million in Q1 FY2017. The remaining increase in International revenue was primarily attributable to increased drilling activity in Ghana and new project revenue from Burkina Faso.

Orbit Garant's fleet drilled a total of 404,262 metres in Q1 FY2018, an increase of 27.0% from 318,382 metres drilled in Q1 FY2017. Consolidated average revenue per metre drilled was $104.78, up 9.6% from $95.58 in Q1 FY2017. The increase in consolidated average revenue per metre drilled is attributable to a significant increase in specialized drilling activity in Chile, which is priced at a higher rate than conventional drilling.

Gross profit for Q1 FY2018 was $6.7 million, up from $2.9 million in Q1 FY2017. Gross margin for Q1 FY2018 increased to 15.9% from 9.4% in Q1 FY2017. Depreciation expenses totalling $2.0 million are included in cost of contract revenue for Q1 FY2018, compared to $2.6 million in Q1 FY2017. Adjusted gross margin, excluding depreciation expenses, was 20.5% in Q1 FY2018, up from 17.8% in Q1 FY2017. The increase in gross profit, gross margin and adjusted gross margin was primarily attributable to higher drilling volumes in Canada and increased specialized drilling in international markets.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $3.7 million (representing 8.8% of revenue) in Q1 FY2018, compared to $3.4 million (representing 11.1% of revenue) in Q1 FY2017. Increased G&A expenses reflect the Company's recent growth in Canada and internationally.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")1 were $5.1 million in Q1 FY2018, up significantly from $2.4 million in Q1 FY2017.

The Company's net earnings for Q1 FY2018 were $1.7 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, in Q1 FY2017.

During Q1 FY2018, the Company generated $1.7 million from financing activities, compared to a negligible amount in Q1 FY2017. The Company withdrew a net amount of $1.5 million during Q1 FY2018 on its secured, three-year revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with National Bank of Canada Inc. (the "Lender"), compared to a draw of $1.7 million in Q1 FY2017. In addition to the above, the Company provided a letter of credit to a bank of one of its subsidiaries of US$1.0 million (or approximately CAN$1.3 million) from the Credit Facility. As at September 30, 2017, the Company had $15.1 million drawn under the Credit Facility, compared to $13.6 million as at June 30, 2017, with the full amount re-classified from long-term debt to current debt, as the Credit Facility matures on December 19, 2017.

Subsequent to Q1 FY2018, on November 2, 2017, Orbit Garant and the Lender entered into an new credit agreement that replaces the Credit Facility with a new three-year credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") consisting of a $30 million revolving credit facility, a US$3.0 million letter of credit facility and a US$3.0 million revolving credit facility. As a result of the New Credit Facility, Orbit Garant's $15.1 million in current debt as at September 30, 2017 will be re-classified as long-term debt (subject to any interim draws or repayments) at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2018, and the Company's working capital will adjust accordingly.

In December 2016, the Company entered into a credit facility with Export Development Canada in the amount of $2.5 million. The purpose of the loan was to assist in financing capital expenditure requirements for the Company's international operations

As at September 30, 2017, Orbit Garant had working capital of $33.5 million ($30.8 million as at June 30, 2017), and 36,096,119 common shares issued and outstanding.

Orbit Garant's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the first quarter ended September 30, 2017 are available via the Company's website at www.orbitgarant.com or SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Conference call

Eric Alexandre, President and CEO, and Alain Laplante, Vice President and CFO, will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The dial-in numbers for the conference call are 647-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191. A live webcast of the call will be available on Orbit Garant's website at: http://www.orbitgarant.com/en/sites/fog/investors.aspx.

To access a replay of the conference call dial 416-849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056, passcode: 8188719. The replay will be available until November 16, 2017. The webcast will be archived following conclusion of the call.

Annual General Meeting

Orbit Garant will host its Annual General Meeting of shareholders on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The meeting will be held in the Diese Room (3rd floor).

About Orbit Garant

Headquartered in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Orbit Garant is one of the largest Canadian-based mineral drilling companies, providing both underground and surface drilling services in Canada and internationally through its 220 drill rigs and approximately 1,300 employees. Orbit Garant provides services to major, intermediate and junior mining companies, through each stage of mining exploration, development and production. The Company also provides geotechnical drilling services to mining or mineral exploration companies, engineering and environmental consultant firms, and government agencies. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.orbitgarant.com.

(1) Management believes that EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure of operating performance before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. However, EBITDA is not a recognized earnings measure under IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Investors are cautioned that EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss (which is determined in accordance with IFRS) as an indicator of the performance of the Company or as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. The Company's method of calculating EBITDA may differ materially from the methods used by other public companies and, accordingly, may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other public companies.

Forward-looking information

This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to business of Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. (the "Company") and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's regulatory filings available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, a forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any such statement or to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances.

SOURCE Orbit Garant Drilling Inc.

For further information: Alain Laplante, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (819) 824-2707 ext. 122; Bruce Wigle, Investor Relations, (647) 496-7856
GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 8, 2017 /CNW/ -- On November 8th, a special ceremony was held in Guangdong International Financial Center to celebrate the official unveiling of the headquarters of Southern Finance and Economic Omnimedia Group. according to the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

Ren Xuefeng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Committee and Guangzhou Party Chief, and Shen Haixiong, a standing committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and head of Guangdong's publicity department, attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony, 8 MoUs were inked between the group and professional organizations including Guangzhou Tianhe District Government, Guangdong Branch of Poly Group, Guangzhou Industrial Investment Fund, Guangdong New Media Industry Fund, Shenzhen Press Group and so on.

Agreements were tailored to pave the way for the headquarters' moving into Guangzhou International Financial Center, as well as co-building the Southern Think Tank and also a subordinate enterprise for holding and financing. Besides, these will boost the group's data business, and help the group gain access to the capital markets.

Established in November of 2016, the group integrates premium finance and economics media resources and productive assets of Nanfang Media Group and Guangdong Radio and Television Station. The group is a key project for Guangdong to implement the central government's deployment and promote the supply-side structural reform in the field of media.

It is introduced that since its foundation, the group has focused on "Media + Finance" strategy, developing the media convergence and forming a media network covering the newspaper, television, radio and online websites.

Now the group has accelerated its data business with the core of Guangdong Free Trade Zone Information Port and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Institute, also the framework of its trading business has gradually been developed, laying importance to Guangdong South Cultural Equity Exchange and Hengqin International Commodities Exchange Center.

SOURCE Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province

For further information: Mr. Liu, Tel: 86 20 83107616
ISTANBUL, Nov. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Off The Grid tells compelling human stories from across the globe, framing them within a bigger picture. It's about individuals whose lives have been affected by unforeseen events, but who decide to take their destinies into their own hands.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8219151-trt-world-off-the-grid-organ-trafficking/

A new episode of Off The Grid - Silent Death on a Syrian Journey - exposes a booming illegal trade in the Middle East: Organ trafficking. Producer/Director Mouhssine Ennaimi visits Lebanon where hundreds of thousands of desperately poor Syrians have taken refuge. With little money for food and shelter, Abu Ahmed and Abdallah have sold their kidneys to organ traffickers. One of them was given only a fraction of the sum promised and faces now health complications. The other one is recovering in a filthy room in a dirty slum hoping to be smuggled to Europe by the organ trafficker.

"In this illegal business, as some people call red gold, silence is usually the rule," said Ennaimi who manages to track down a trafficker. "It took us weeks to secure a meeting with the middle man. He shows no remorse for what he's doing and sees himself as a facilitator," he added.

The documentary also features an organ-harvesting surgical assistant. Despite the risks, he agrees to talk about the organ-trafficking business.

Off The Grid's episode Silent Death on a Syrian Journey will be on TRT World on November 11, 2017 at 09:15 GMT.

Duration: 15 minutes

Producer/Director: Mouhssine Ennaimi

Executive Producer: Alexandra Pauliat

Watch full episodes of Off The Grid here:

Unwanted, The Rohingya Exodus (August 2017)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Ed_M-bxHc

Jarablus Rising From its Ashes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_lqXxffIQc

About TRT World

Turkey's first English-language international news platform was launched in 2015. Headquatered in Istanbul, it has four newsrooms and includes an extensive global bureau network covering major regions and hot spots. It is widely available in all major English-speaking territories and can be accessed via traditional media, including free-to-air, cable and satellite, and other digital platforms, including mobiles, desktops and social media.

www.trtworld.com

twitter.com/trtworld

facebook.com/trtworld

instagram.com/trtworld

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/598712/TRT_World_Off_The_Grid.jpg )



Video:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8219151-trt-world-off-the-grid-organ-trafficking/

SOURCE TRT World
ROME, N.Y. -- A level three sex offender is missing in the Central New York area after breaking free from his GPS ankle bracelet, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced.

Ronald Cook

Ronald Cook, 66, was convicted of first-degree rape after he raped a 24-year-old woman he did not know near Binghamton in 1990 , according to the state Department of Criminal Justice Services.

He was sentenced to 12 1/2 to 25 years in state prison and was deemed a level three sex offender. The state considers him a sexually violent offender and a predicate offender.

DOCCS officials stated Cook cut off his issued GPS ankle bracelet.

Cook was last seen Wednesday afternoon in Rome, Oneida County, wearing a bright yellow windbreaker. The sex offender registry lists his last known permanent address as 129 Eagle St. in Utica.

Cook is 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds. He has gray hair, hazel eyes and needs corrective lenses.

Cook should be considered dangerous, and anyone who sees him is asked to call local law enforcement immediately, according to the department.
Once Southwest Airlines starts flying to Hawaii as early as next year, it may well add a compelling wrinkle to its schedule: flights between the islands.

The carrier is mulling whether to include some in-state travel along with its trans-Pacific routes, which the company plans to offer starting next year.

Southwest Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said last month that island-hopping flights are something it's "obviously" considering-they're attractive in terms of year-round demand, easy weather, and steady prices.

While Southwest would face off against Hawaiian Airlines, a deeply entrenched competitor which enjoys a virtual monopoly in the state, it does have a secret weapon. Andrew Watterson, the Southwest executive who oversees revenue and is in charge of cracking the Hawaii nut financially, worked at Hawaiian for three years and knows the market well.

Flying in Hawaii is "a bigger business than people perhaps have in mind," Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Holdings's chief executive, told Bloomberg's P&L podcast last month. Of the 6 million in-state passengers, about 30 percent are connecting from long-haul flights, he said. This traffic accounts for a quarter of the airline's annual revenue.

"It's a business that sort of carries everyday life here," Dunkerley said of the 30- to 40-minute hops between six islands for school groups and even visits to the doctor. Fares are generally $70 to $100 each way. "It's pretty big business," he said.

More people flew from Honolulu to Maui-1.03 million-than from Boston's Logan Airport to New York's LaGuardia Airport, about 595,000, in the 12 months ended July 31, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. By way of comparison, only three destinations from Chicago's O'Hare Airport-New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco-had more traffic than the Honolulu-Maui route during the same period. Hawaiian offers as many as 32 daily flights between Honolulu and Maui's Kahului Airport; four of the top 10 destinations from the capital are intrastate, accounting for more than 3 million travelers.

The five largest routes in Hawaiian's neighbor island network account for about 94 percent of the carrier's in-state revenue and likely make up higher margins than the airline earns on its flying to the mainland, according to an Oct. 30 research note from Stifel Financial Corp. "Should Southwest come to believe that it can fly within the neighbor islands profitably, we believe this would represent a fairly significant headwind for Hawaiian," analyst Joseph DeNardi wrote.

More Business Passengers denied boarding by US airlines because of oversales in 2017

For now, Hawaiian Airlines flies 85 percent to 90 percent of traffic among the islands, with Hawaii Island Air Inc. carrying a sliver on its fleet of three Bombardier Q400 turboprops. Island Air filed for bankruptcy protection on Oct. 16 amid a dispute with its aircraft lessors. Billionaire Larry Ellison's Ohana Airline Holdings sold the airline to a local investment fund in early 2016. In an email, Island Air CEO David Uchiyama said the carrier "will continue to provide affordable, convenient and reliable inter-island service that rivals any competitor."

Mokulele Airlines, based in Kona, has about 120 daily flights on its fleet of nine-passenger single-engine Cessna Grand Caravans.

For its part, Hawaiian Airlines isn't publicly concerned about the potential incursion. Peter Ingram, Hawaiian's chief commercial officer, cited the carrier's 88 years of experience serving the state. "Throughout the years we have seen a variety of competitive models, and through it all our strategy has proven to be the winning combination," he said.

Indeed, Hawaii has been inhospitable to interlopers in the past. Allegiant Travel Co. acquired a half-dozen Boeing 757s to serve the islands but ran into cost pressures and weak financial performance, quitting in August 2016 after four rocky years. Arizona based-Mesa Air Group Inc. operated CRJ-200 regional jets intrastate as Go! Airlines for seven years until early 2014, suffering heavy losses. Aloha Airlines filed for bankruptcy and shut down in 2008 after more than 60 years of flying in the state.

Hawaiian has been pretty much the last carrier standing. And there are reasons to think Southwest may face some rough surf trying to break into the local market.

For Dallas-based Southwest, intrastate flying is likely to be an exercise in assessing the costs of adding short flights among the multihour journeys from the mainland. Is it more advantageous to park 175-seat Boeing 737s for what could be hours per day or to fly short legs between the long California hauls? The airline also hasn't disclosed when it will begin service to the state, which can occur only after U.S. regulators approve the carrier's plans for extended overwater operations of its Boeing 737-800s. Over time, Southwest plans to transition Hawaiian service to its new 737 Max aircraft.

Southwest may find that its 737s are too large to work inside Hawaii economically, Mesa CEO Jonathan Ornstein said on Tuesday. "I think it's going to be hard to make that work," he said, citing "finite demand" in the local markets, even if fares were to drop.

And there are more potential problems. With Hawaii's heavy skew toward leisure traffic-one-fifth of visitors also take local flights-many people travel there on airline reward points: 11.4 percent to Hawaii, compared with 6.8 percent for the rest of the country, according to an October client report from Wolfe Research analyst Hunter Keay. At Southwest, 13.8 percent of customers fly using their reward points instead of paying for a ticket, Wolfe said. That means more than 18 percent of Southwest's Hawaii traffic may fly on free tickets, Keay contends.

That situation creates "an unideal mix and is high enough to disrupt normal pricing and dampen revenue and cash production," he wrote. "[Southwest] doesn't likely want Hawaii to be a loss leader."

Keay also noted there are already a lot of seats flying to Hawaii in the first place. Airline capacity by seat count to Hawaii will be 27 percent higher in January 2018 compared with January 2014, vs. a 15 percent increase for the rest of the country over that period. Visitor arrivals have increased 5 percent so far this year, to 7 million, compared with 2016, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Southwest declined to comment on the Wolfe report.

---

Bloomberg's Mary Schlangenstein contributed.
WALLINGFORD  The state is in the process of developing new policies for how water is used in Connecticut, and state officials who spent the past two years developing a 650-page report on the subject got feedback from New Haven County residents Wednesday night.

The Connecticut State Water Planning Council is preparing a series of water policy recommendations to give to state lawmakers in time for the start of the 2018 legislative session. The draft report developed by the council  which is made up of representatives of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the state Department of Public Health, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Connecticut Office of Policy and Management  is scheduled to be delivered to lawmaker by Jan. 1.

Joining representatives of the Water Planning Council at the hearing were state Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D-Branford, chairman of the legislatures environment committee, and state Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford.

Kennedy said the state needs to streamline who oversees water usage.

There are very few issues that are more important than making sure we have an adequate water supply, and there is so much bureaucracy overseeing it, Kennedy told the crowd of 17 people who attended the hearing. My idea is to streamline so that people can understand what the difference is between a drought watch and a drought warning.

One example of the bureaucracy Kennedy spoke of is how enforcement of water issues are handled in the state, said Lori Mathieu, Connecticut Department of Public Health Drinking Water Section Chief, who is a member of the Planning Council.

When it comes down to rationing water, its the local health department director that is responsible for deciding when that needs to happen, Mathieu said.

Much of the two-hour hearing was spent discussing who has a right to draw water from the states rivers. Mushinsky said that rather than grant businesses and other entities the right to draw water in perpetuity, there should be process in which water users would be required to reapply for the ability to do so.

Mushinsky also said she favors charging people more to use water during periods in which it is scarce. The goal, she said, would be to discourage people from using it frivolously.

Bob Appicelli of North Haven said the recommendations that the Water Planning Council delivers to the legislature needs to contain prohibitions against bottled water companies using water from public systems to sell to customers.

Somewhere in there, it needs to say that we will not allow you to take this, Appicelli said in reference to bottled water companies.

The period for public comment on the report ends Nov. 20, Mathieu said.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  The city Health Department is seeking a $125,000 New Haven Healthy Start grant to provide perinatal care for women aimed at reducing infant mortality rate in the city.

New Haven Healthy Start Director Kenn Harris said the grant request is a continuation for the city, which has been receiving grant money since Healthy Start was established as a local program in 1997. Harris said the money comes from the federal Healthy Start program and is dispersed locally by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. The program is available in 37 states.

The citys request to apply and accept the award money was part of Thursdays Board of Alders agenda. It was filed under unanimous consent.

City spokesman Laurence Grotheer said that while the city Health Department has received funding for the program for several years, changes in the grants request for proposal means the city is unsure whether its application will be accepted this time around.

If the city were awarded the grant, Grotheer said their goal would be to reach 4,000 women and 2,500 children through their network of agencies and providers.

The grant would help underwrite efforts to improve perinatal health for women and children and reduce the number of infant deaths in New Haven, particularly among African-American women, Grotheer said in a statement. If the citys application is accepted and a grant is once again awarded, the program would include individual case management and home visitation throughout a womans pregnancy.

Harris said the grant also provides programs for men. New Haven Healthy Start works by helping coordinate different providers with several services, including services such as housing, to assist pregnant women.

New Haven Healthy Start program is important for the city because it brings together major partners that work together on behalf of women, children, fathers, the community, Harris said.

New Havens focus on African-American women is due to an unfortunate reality: Harris said black infant mortality rate in New Haven is 2.5 times higher than white infant mortality rate. The programs funded by Healthy Start are available to women of all races.

According to community foundation website, the infant mortality rate fell to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017. New Haven Healthy Start babies had an infant mortality rate of 4.5 deaths per 1,000 births, which was below the state and national average according to their figures. Those figures are a significant drop compared to 30 years prior in 1987; the foundation reported one out of 50 babies born in New Haven died within their first year of life that year.

Grotheer said in his statement the citys goal is to have infant and fetal mortality rates and low and very-low birth weights rates to be lower than the the federally-set Healthy People 2020 objectives.

Chief of Obstetrics at the Yale School of Medicine Dr. Christian Pettker said perinatal care is essentially health care focusing on women, their pregnancy and their infants during, before and immediately after birth.

Pettker praised the citys plan to seek the grant, which he said helps address health care disparities related to race and income.

The grant will provide care thats perhaps even more important in New Haven County, which Pettker said had a premature birth rate of 9.4 percent in 2016. Overall, the countys rate matched the statewide as reported by the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. The state, like New Haven County, received a Cgrade. The nationwide premature, or preterm, rate was 9.8 percent.

Thats a higher rate than we would like, Pettker said. Its actually gone up in the last few years.

Premature births contribute to long-term health problems for infants and children, Pettker said. Premature children can develop learning disabilities and repository conditions, like asthma. Pettker said its not clear why this rate is increasing, though he said this trend is happening as statewide funding for pregnancy care has dipped. Adding grant funding like the one sought by New Haven can help address possible shortfalls.

This is an investment in the health of our children and future adults, Pettker said.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901 or esteban.hernandez@hearstmediact.com.
WASHINGTON - A growing chorus of Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have called on Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from a special election in Alabama if allegations prove true that the former judge initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago.

"If these allegations are true, he must step aside," McConnell said in a formal statement on behalf of all Republican senators.

Other Republican senators weighing in included Jeff Flake of Arizona, David Perdue of Georgia, John Thune of South Dakota, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on Moore to step aside as well - and without couching his statement with "if true" language.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," McCain said. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of."

More News Woman says Senate candidate Moore initiated sexual encounter...

Vice President Mike Pence also "found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office," said spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

Moore has denied the allegations and given no indication that he will exit the race. "Our children and grandchildren's futures are on the line," he tweeted Thursday. "So rest assured - I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!" Moore also emailed a fundraising pitch off the revelations. "I believe you and I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values," he wrote.

The state Republican Party has the power to disqualify Moore from the election, according to the Alabama secretary of state. If that happens, McConnell and other Republicans would face the challenge of figuring out which candidate would run in Moore's place - and how to win an election in which it is too late to replace the former judge's name on the Dec. 12 ballot.

Under Alabama state law, the ballot cannot be changed within 76 days of an election. However, in the event of either disqualification or withdrawal, votes cast for Moore would not be certified.

In addition, state law allows write-in votes to be cast in general elections, as long as the names are for living people and written in without using a rubber stamp or stick-on label. Despite a state law barring candidates from appearing twice on ballots in the same election cycle, Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., who lost in the primary to Moore, would be an eligible write-in candidate, said John Bennett, an official at the state secretary of state's office.

Several state Republicans suggested Thursday that the party is unlikely to disqualify Moore.

Samuel Givhan, the senior vice chairman of the state party, described The Washington Post story as "allegations from somebody who has been silent for over 40 years" who was speaking out just weeks before an election. When asked about the Senate majority leader's call for Moore to step aside if the accusations are found to be true, Givhan said, "I'm not sure Sen. McConnell has any say so in this."

Jonathan Gray, a Republican consultant in Alabama who is not working with any of the Senate candidates this year, was more pointed: "I think it was already perfectly well stated that no one in Alabama gives a s--- what Mitch McConnell or John McCain thinks we should do."

A group close to McConnell that spent millions of dollars to oppose Moore in the primary called on Gov. Kay Ivey, R, and the state party to investigate the allegations. "If there's even a shred of evidence to these accusations, Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Republican Party need to do everything in their power to remove Judge Moore from the ballot," said Steven Law, chief executive of the Senate Leadership Fund. "There is no place in our party for sexual predators."

Strange avoided reporters' questions in the Capitol on Thursday, but Shelby, his Alabama colleague, said: "Luther Strange is a good senator, he's a friend, and I support him. I don't know what he's going to do, but we'll see what develops."

In an extensive report published Thursday, The Post detailed the allegations against Moore by the then-14-year-old and three other girls who were between the ages of 16 and 18 when they said the incidents occurred.

None of the women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moore's Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls.

Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they don't know one another.

The news struck the Capitol with a thunderbolt Thursday afternoon. As senators headed in for an afternoon vote on a Transportation Department nominee, reporters swarmed Republicans in a bid to get their reaction.

McConnell was hounded more than usual as he headed to the Senate Chamber, with reporters shouting questions at a lawmaker they know usually stays mum when asked questions in the hallway.

Once he stepped onto the floor, McConnell quickly voted and conferred with aides. Moments later, Strange came to the floor and headed straight for McConnell. They conferred for several moments before McConnell asked an aide to track down his top spokesman, Don Stewart.

"You can't make this up," mouthed one of McConnell's aides to another colleague.

Stewart came to the floor and told McConnell and Strange that a statement was being sent to reporters. In it, McConnell called on Moore to step down if the allegations are true.

Strange, seemingly unsure of what to do, was instructed to vote and leave the chamber as quickly as possible.

McConnell then conferred with other senators, including Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Thune. Stewart also assured the senators that a statement was out but then, realizing that reporters were watching from above, instructed McConnell, "Please go."

He walked toward the back door of the Senate Chamber, paused momentarily and stepped out. Several reporters were waiting for him in the Ohio Clock Corridor.

McConnell's inner circle spent late Thursday morning discussing the repercussions and how Republicans should move forward - and grousing that if Strange, their preferred candidate in the primary, was still the nominee, they would not be answering questions about Moore's conduct.

"If it's true, the Republican Party doesn't have any place for pedophiles and he should step down immediately," said Josh Holmes, a McConnell confidant and his former chief of staff. "Steve Bannon is responsible," he added about the McConnell foil and former White House chief strategist, for enabling candidates such as Moore who are out of the GOP mainstream.

That view was shared by Scott Reed, a political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who opposed Moore's nomination. "Here we go - another Steve Bannon special," Reed said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe, Karoun Demirjian, Paul Kane and David Weigel contributed to this report.
NORTH HAVEN  A pedestrian was hit by a car on Washington Ave. around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

North Haven Police responded to the area of 281 Washington Ave. where two students and two teachers visiting from Uganda were attempting to cross the street to get to the Exxon Tiger Mart. One of the teachers ran across the roadway and was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound.

The struck pedestrian sustained lower leg fractures and a possible head injury, according to police.

The vehicle was driven by a 17-year-old North Haven resident who is cooperating with authorities.

All northbound traffic on Washington Ave. between Blakeslee Ave. and Temple St. is prohibited at this time. All southbound traffic on Washington Ave. is open.
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WEST HAVEN  After years and years of alternately working with and battling the city both as an insider and an outsider  sometimes as an outsider even when she was an elected insider  Nancy Rossi is about to become the ultimate West Haven insider.

Come Dec. 3, Rossi will take office as mayor  West Havens first female mayor, for the record  after handily defeating Mayor Ed OBrien, who ran a write-in candidacy after Rossi beat him in the Democratic primary, and Republican City Councilman David Riccio, R-At Large, on Tuesday.

She took 45.28 percent of the vote to OBriens 30.64 percent and Riccios 24.5 percent.

She also will be the first grandmother to hold the office  and you can probably expect to see more of her 7-year-old grandson, Arthur Rossi, around City Hall. Rossis husband also is named Arthur. They have two sons, Angelo and Stephen.

Rossi, former chairwoman of the City Councils Finance Committee, already was working on putting together her transition team Wednesday, the day after her 4,825-3,265-2,563 victory. The team will be led by City Treasurer-elect Michael Last and Tom McCarthy, who were her campaigns co-managers, she said during a brief meeting at a picnic table on the Green.

While Rossi didnt make a big deal out of the possibility of being the citys first female mayor before the election and gave it only a quick mention on election night, she doesnt want to downplay it.

It is a big deal, she said, but I believe people voted for me because of my credentials, not my gender.

Asked why she thinks West Haven never elected a woman before, Rossi said, I dont know the answer to that question  I mean, its 2017! I dont know why, but Im glad that we finally have a woman mayor.

Rossi, a certified public accountant  who received flowers Wednesday from her soon-to-be former co-workers at Whitten, Horton + Gibney in Orange  said that righting the citys fiscal ship will be her first order of business.

Economic development will be second  including supporting the economic development already begun by OBrien, from The Haven high-end outlet mall to The Atwood mixed use development and associated project in Allingtown and the Yale New Haven Health System distribution center off Route 34.

Whats already going ... I dont want to change, Rossi said. With regard to The Haven, she said she wants to see it continue and get built.

While Rossi is aware of the resistance many in town have to more housing, she said her sense is that a lot of the problem people have with housing is the idea of developers building more affordable housing in town.

I dont know yet how people would feel about market-rate housing, she said.

As someone who has fought countless battles over obtaining city documents from multiple administrations  first as a private citizen, continuing as a City Council member and then as a private citizen again  making it easier for regular citizens to obtain information also is a top priority, she said.

I want transparency, said Rossi, who had to go to Freedom of Information Commission hearings in Hartford five times last summer alone.

While it may have been difficult in the past, Im planning on changing that, Rossi said. I plan to invite Tom Hennick of the FOIC to town to make sure our employees understand FOI and comply with it.

She said she wants agendas and minutes more consistently posted on the citys website  including backup information  and she wants to get City Council meetings televised again.

To me this is a no-brainer, Rossi said. It really shouldnt be hard ... yet its not done.

Asked if there was anything in particular shed like West Haveners to know, Rossi said, Id just like to thank all the voters. I was humbled, because it was a large margin.

Meanwhile, upstairs on the third floor of City Hall, outgoing Mayor OBrien said hes not sure what he will do when he leaves office.

I dont know, he said. Im looking forward to having some time off and not doing things 24/7.

Asked what he thought happened Tuesday, when OBrien lost but those of his allies who won in the primary won, OBrien said, I really think a write-in is a hard thing to do. We knew that. But I think misinformation was a hard thing to fight back against.

Rossi said of it, I think (voters) went across Row A because they werent sure who was who.

OBrien said he thought that misinformation had been spread about the scope of the citys deficit, the possibility of housing being built near the Metro-North station and how the death of developer Sheldon Gordon might affect The Haven.

During the campaign, Rossi had said that the citys General Fund deficit doubled to more than $16 million, while OBrien said the citys total deficit, including all funds, only increased by about $1 million to $17 million  and that much of the change in the General Fund essentially was the result of a change in how funds were accounted for.

OBrien said hes glad he has served as mayor and weve accomplished much more ... than a lot of administrations. In Washington, when OBrien goes there, West Haven gets recognized for the development that were doing here, he said.

The best thing about being mayor has been having the opportunity to change the course of the city, OBrien said. For most of my adult life its been declining. ... I do feel I left it better than I found it.

Asked if hes willing to work with Rossi on the transition, OBrien said, If Nancy asks for any help, Im definitely going to work with Nancy ... and I hope she keeps the progress going.

Riccio said that as far as he can tell, The only way that West Haven can get back to fiscal recovery is the Democratic Party has to find a way to get back together (and) our party has to find a way to work with the Democrats to make West Haven a better place.

Only working as a team can we make West Haven a better place to be, Riccio said. In order for us to take these steps to put West Haven back where it needs to be, we have to set aside personal difficulties and put the people first.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
WEST HAVEN  The University of New Havens Model United Nations Team won eight awards  more than any other competing college  in a competition last weekend in Washington, D.C., the university said in a press release.

About 1,000 students from 67 universities from around the world competed in the Model UN competition Friday through Sunday at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., the release said.

University of New Haven won one of 12 top-team awards for Outstanding Delegation, four outstanding position paper awards and three outstanding delegate awards, the release said.

Teams at the Model UN competition represent countries on UN committees to explore and research their respective countries stance on global issues such as overfishing, narcotics trafficking, national security, refugees and urbanization.

They are asked to tackle real world problems by discussing, debating and voting on resolutions to solve them.

Sixteen students  eight from the College of Arts and Sciences and eight from the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences  represented the University of New Haven.

At the Model UN, just as at the real United Nations, student delegates representing various countries debate the issues and vote on resolutions to solve the problem.

The University of New Haven students were assigned last April to represent Brazil and spent the last five months researching and writing about Brazils positions on a number of key issues.

I have no doubt that the success of this years Brazil team can be attributed to every one of our students making the decision to put their inhibitions, fears, and insecurities aside and dive in, said Chris Haynes, assistant professor of political science and advisor to the group.

We continually preach to the students that one cannot succeed if one is not willing to fail, Haynes said. They bought in. It is a testament to their character, the program, our supporters and our student leaders. I could not be more proud!

Students participating in the competition included:

Brittany Palmer, 18 of New Haven, a theater and political science major; Haylee Kessler, 20 of West Haven, a political science major; Jaimy Rippe, 18 of Northford, an English major; Michael Caple, 20 of Ansonia, a national security major; Connor Vargo, 18 of Woodbury, a political science major, and Emily Khirisy, 19, of West Hartford, a criminal justice major with a victim services concentration.

Also Jared Bowman, 20, of Albany, N.Y, a political science and national security studies major; Karina Krul, 19, of Audubon, N.J., a marine biology major; Laura Fruzzetti, 18 of Braintree, Mass., a criminal justice and forensic psychology major, and Kaylin Richards, 19 of Staten Island N.Y., a national security major.

Also, Mackenzie Smillie, 19, of Rochester, N.Y., a political science and national security major; Aneesha Kumar, 19, of Hackettstown, N.J., a forensic science major with a concentration in biology, and Pedro Pagan, 18, of Chicago, Ill., a global studies major;

Also, Sequiera Lavender, 19 of Attleboro, Mass., a criminal justice and investigative services major; Carolyn Olortegui, 20 of Bellville N.J., a political science major, and Amanda Nash 18, of Pembroke, N.H., a national security major.
The first time I met New Haven Mayor Toni Harp was during the 2014 Jazz Festival on the Green, where I had taken my daughter. Edie had just turned 3. She bolted for the VIP section, scrambled around Her Honors chair, and face-planted in front of her. While removing grass from Edies mouth, I apologized for the disruption.

Harp looked at me with a mix of dignity and grace, and not a little amusement, as if she were taking a bit of pleasure in watching a new dads fumbling and slouching toward his toddlers early evening meltdown. She had been mayor for about eight months, but she looked at me like this was nothing new. Shed seen it all before.

Alas, I never introduced myself. Edie had bolted again. I recall this memory after Tuesdays election. Toni Harp has secured a third term as mayor. When she launched a political action committee months ago to explore a possible run for governor, the news set the Elm Citys chattering class a-chattering. Post-election, that chatting is likely to begin anew. And why not? In her decades of elected office, Harp has never been defeated.

But not losing isnt the same as winning in politics, and winning the governors race takes more than the mayors race in a city dominated by Democrats, and more than winning a seat in the state Senate. While the world would be a better place if women of dignity, grace and impish senses of humor were the people who governed, we dont inhabit that world. You need those things to win, but you must also have a burning desire.

Its far from clear Harp has that.

Harp is regarded as being very good at policy and governing. Serious crime is down, spending is in check, and the city is going through an economic development boom. And she governs competently amid crisis. After President Donald Trumps election sparked fears of mass deportations, she said: No one should fear, as long as theyre law-abiding, and they contribute to their communities. If he picks a handful of cities and we are one of them, Ive said to my corporation counsel, be ready to sue. We are not going to take this lying down.

What shes not known for is campaigning. My sources tell me she hates it. She reportedly agreed to run for City Hall in 2013 after then-Mayor John DeStefano Jr. announced his retirement, but only if the party machine did most of the work. She has, moreover, a reputation for not slinging mud even when mud is virtually handed to her. An opponent was caught on camera cashing his dead sisters kids life insurance check in 1992. Harp never brought it up. She went on to unseat the incumbent.

This is not to say she cant throw a punch when she needs to. During this years Democratic primary, challenger Marcus Paca likened her to President Trump, accused her administration of incompetence and corruption, and gave voice to various and sundry iterations of muddy trash talk. Harp was restrained for much of the time, but in September, she bared some teeth, surprising those whove known her for decades.

She told Paca during a debate: You served one term as an alder before the ward voted you out. You served less than two years as labor director before you were fired. Given your lack of public accomplishments and lack of experience, how do you propose to get anything done?

And she accused him of running on revenge.

That was the deepest cut, because she was so right. I argued as much in August that Marcus Paca appeared to be running in order to fire the woman who fired him from a super-cush City Hall gig. But that she was right wasnt surprising. What was surprising was her deciding that enough was enough  and punching back. Hard.

Id like to think of Harp as a mayor who speaks softly but carries a big stick. Indeed, her exchange with Paca suggests it. But Im not sure, and even she were, it might not be enough in next years race for governor.

Fact is, the tide is turning against Connecticut Democrats. The Republicans are on the offensive, having closed the gap in the House in 2016 and nearly overtaken the Senate. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is universally unpopular, for a variety of reasons, and this years budget fiasco has been painful. Its going to take more than punching back to win. Its going to take a miracle.

Miracles do happen on occasion. You could say Malloys 2010 victory was one. Democrats surged in municipal elections around the state. They even took over longtime Republican strongholds like Trumbull. If lightning strikes Harp, lets hope she never loses her dignity, grace and impish humor.

John Stoehr is a fellow at the Yale Journalism Initiative and a New Haven resident.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday disclosed that the sum of $50billion is stolen from Africa annually by political leaders and businessmen as well as key players in both public and private sectors.Obasanjo expressed concern that the huge funds meant for the socio-economic growth and development of the African continent are being deployed to illicit activities.He spoke at the first Annual Nigeria Anti Fraud Conference organised in Abeokuta by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Lagos, Nigeria Chapter.The ex-president, who was named as the associations Grand Patron considering his efforts against fraud and corruption in Nigeria, said the increasing smuggling of money is now giving serious concern to past and present African leaders.He noted that Nigeria and other African countries might not develop if leaders and followers turned deaf ears to the ugly trend.He, therefore, called for concerted efforts towards curbing smuggling of funds to foreign lands.Obasanjo charged financial professionals and all members of the association to help fight fraud and corruption in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.He said, $50 billion, annually, is illicitly taken away from Africa. This is a major concern for African leaders, past and present. We are now trying and putting up efforts to ensure that we prevent it.Organisations like you can also help us and Africa fight corruption and fraud in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.Speaking earlier, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACFE, Godwin Oyedokun, lauded Obasanjo for his commitment to sanitising Nigeria during and even after his tenure.Oyedokun said, It is really a delight to host Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Your acceptance of our invitation is an indication that you have the love of this nation at heart. Let me say that two things informed our decision to have you in our midst.First, ACFE, Lagos Nigeria Chapter recognises your role in sanitising the Nigeria system before, during and even after you have left government. Secondly, we want to honour you as our Grand Patron, the one we could always run to, for advice, guidance and mentorship.Thanks very much for honouring us with your presence  may God continue gracefully add to your age.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna), has attacked his state governor, Nasir El Ru...

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna), has attacked his state governor, Nasir El Rufai for blowing N10bn feeding school children.

Sani also condemned the sack of over 21,000 teachers in the state.





He said the ploy was to pave way for employment of politically loyal teachers that will work for El-Rufai as polling agents in 2019.





Its inhuman and the height of lunacy by a man who derives pleasure by inflicting suffering and hardship on others.





How can a governor who blew over N10bn feeding school children only now realise that the teachers are incompetent? he asked.





Sani said el-Rufais action had brought nothing but chaos and confusion in public schools in Kaduna.




The Federal Government says it has completed the first phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects in its custody, with the next phas...

The Federal Government says it has completed the first phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects in its custody, with the next phase to begin soon.The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr Dayo Apata, who stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, said the government was determined to bring all Boko Haram detainees to justice.He spoke at the closure of public sitting/hearing by the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.Apata, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, stated that the prosecution would be done speedily but fairly and efficiently.Although he did not say how many suspects were prosecuted in the first phase, Malami had earlier said the trials of 13 had been concluded.In a statement in September, the minister said over 1,600 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were then in detention facilities in the country, and that their trial would begin on Oct. 9.There have been calls from the public, especially members of the human rights community and civil society organisations, for the prosecution of the suspects in accordance with the law.But the solicitor-general emphasised at Wednesdays event that government cannot sacrifice human rights in a bid to achieve speed in the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects.We are, however, committed to reducing the time frame for which these detainees have to wait for their trial.We are presently working on the modalities for a prosecution guideline for processing of Boko Haram detainee, Apata said.He commended the Chairman and members of the panel for the successful conclusion of their public hearings.The solicitor-general said Nigerians and the international community were eagerly awaiting the panels report, which he hoped would end all allegations of human rights violations against military personnel.He said the government was also looking forward to far-reaching and practical recommendations from the panel that would ensure the military complied with international human right conventions and laws.Chairman of the panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said volumes of memoranda and presentations were received from Nigerians, professional bodies, civil society organisations and international humanitarian organisations.Furthermore, the panel decided to conduct public sitting/hearing where people and groups who have allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance to rules of engagement against the Armed Forces were given opportunity to substantiate their cases.In the interest and spirit of fair-hearing, members of the Armed Forces were also invited to give their own account of defence on each matter brought before the panel.The panel deemed it necessary to take the public sitting to all the six geo-political zones of the country in order to avail Nigerians who may not be able to come to Abuja the chance to present their cases.Also, the panel visited detention facilities, military formations, prisons, including the military commentary in Maiduguri during its tour, all in search of truth, Georgewill said.He said with the conclusion of its public hearing, the panel would now go behind closed doors to consider all the submissions made to it.The chairman thanked Nigerians for their confidence in the panel, and the military for their cooperation.The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Real Admiral Muazu Salami, thanked members of the panel for their commitment.Olonisakin said the maximum cooperation from the military was a demonstration of its deference to the panel and the importance of its task.I wish you well as you enter the concluding phase of your job, and it is my hope that when your report is ready, the Defence Headquarters and its services will be adequately briefed.This is to ensure that whatever recommendations you come out with are implemented, he said.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated the panel on Aug. 11.Its mandate includes investigation of allegations of human rights violations against military personnel in local conflicts and insurgencies across the country.(NAN)
Virtual Reality is a fad to some while others perceives it as a game-changer. Many analysts believe that Virtual Reality will become a mai...

Virtual Reality is a fad to some while others perceives it as a game-changer. Many analysts believe that Virtual Reality will become a mainstream phenomenon due to the present level of consumer interest, technology, and timing.

Photo Credits: www.norwoodlibrary.org





Virtual Reality has gained favor amongst consumers due to attributes such as optical transmission, user-experience, social integration, interactivity and the ability to garner feedback. Let us examine the impact that virtual reality has in some key sectors.





Shopping Experiences

While online shopping provides consumers with the advantage of having products delivered to their doorsteps, it does not allow them the experience of going to a store and selecting items. Virtual reality is set to change this aspect. Virtual reality is changing the way people shop, and in 2016, Alibaba launched Buy+. This virtual reality headset allows customers to wander the store and pick-out products virtually. According to Vice, 30,000 Buy+ headsets had been sold within an hour of its launch. Further, companies such as Amazon and Ikea are creating virtual shopping platforms to increase revenues.





Education

Education is a sector that has readily accepted virtual reality platforms. Through virtual reality, students can interact with each other as significant groups within 3-D environments. Further, it allows students to interact with objects and experience concepts such as the solar system enabling a better understanding of abstract notions. According to the Telegraph, the launch of the Google cardboard headset and Oculus Rift has made this technology accessible to schools. Virtual reality is still nascent and may be cost-prohibitive for some institutions. However, educators are increasingly adopting virtual reality in a bid to enable students from learning to feeling the content.





Casino

Online casino sites are taking over from their land based cousins, however, even though players like the convenience of online they like the appeal of brick and mortar. When it comes to the application of Virtual Reality the casino industry was one of the early adapters. Many online casinos now offer live casino with the ability to play using VR. For the moment VR is more prevalent for roulette, card games and table games but it will eventually make its way to slots and other casino classics.





Advertising

Advertising companies are increasingly exploring avenues to reach out to consumers using virtual reality. Recently, Mountain Dew initiated a promotional event called  Dew VR Snow  wherein users owning the Samsung Gear VR could heli-ski in Utah with professional snowboarders virtually. The campaign was immensely successful with millions of views for the video. While advertising is incorporating various facets of virtual reality, it is treading a fine line. Virtual reality provides an immersive experience for viewers which may be hindered by commercials. Advertising using virtual reality is evolving, and it will find its "sweet-spot" with this new technology in time.





Films

Movie makers in Hollywood are using virtual reality in film production. Noted film-makers such as Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, etc. are relying on virtual reality for their upcoming projects. At film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca, a host of virtual reality-based short films have already been screened. The use of this technology provides an engaging experience for moviegoers. However, it takes control out of the director's hands. The use of virtual reality in movies is a new phenomenon, and it needs to be seen how effective it will be in this sector.
Despite not being able to pay his workers, oil magnate and Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, is set to throw ...

Despite not being able to pay his workers, oil magnate and Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, is set to throw a multi-million naira party to celebrate his defection to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

The event will hold on November 13, 2017 at the Ifeanyi Ubah Games Village, Nnewi.





Meanwhile, one of his aggrieved staff told DAILY POST on Thursday that, the so-called rally has already gulped millions of Naira and our boss still owes salaries ranging from 3 to 9 months.





This is unfair. It was only last week that security staff, bodyguards, Authority 91.9FM radio workers, cleaners at the stadium and Ifeanyi Ubah FC players got two months payment out of their arrears.





But overall, those yet to get any form of payment, including me, in the last 9 months are in the majority. How do we survive? Why are we being treated this way?





Another staff of the company in Lagos, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented that Ifeanyi Ubah was insensitive to their condition.





The source recalled that for years, staff were asked to forget unpaid months or leave the company.





Due to this issue, lives have been shattered, marriages have been broken. Think of those who cant meet family demands. The truth is that since his (Ubahs) ordeal with DSS, work has really slowed down.





So its a case of less money coming in, but those at the top not minding; not giving a damn. They are still living that expensive lifestyle, ignoring poor workers salary arrears of 14 to 16 months!





In 2016, some of us got only 7 to 10 months salary out of 2 months in year. Same thing happened in previous years. And the sad thing is when you complain, the management advise you to walk away.





They literally tell us to be thankful that we even have jobs; that there are millions of unemployed youths that will gladly accept jobs that dont guarantee regular payment.





Imagine what we are going through in our country. Please help us expose them. Our ogas seem okay with the situation because they, of course, get their pay as at when due. We mean nothing to them.





When the Group Head, Human Resources, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd, Mrs Ifeoma Onwuachu, was reached out to, to get the position of the company.





She initially declined to comment on the matter. I dont know what you are talking about, she declared.





Pressed further and reminded that her response was important, Onwuachu quipped: Who gave you the information?.





Our correspondent replied that some staff of the company in Anambra and Lagos cried out about their plight.





The manager then paused and retorted: Well, since they told you that, you can contact the owner of the company.





Im not the owner of the company, so Im not in a position to speak, please.





Recall that Ubah formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, last weekend, ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra.





National Working committee of the PDP had in September suspended him for anti-party activities.





The party got infuriated that Ubah announced his decision to take legal action against the outcome of the governorship primaries that produced Oseloka Obaze, in spite of warnings against intra-party law suits.





I will be approaching the court to determine the legality or otherwise of the PDP primary in the state, Ubah told newsmen.





The election is fraudulent and it is illegal. However, we will allow the court to determine whether the party has the right to trample on its own constitution and the Electoral Act.





The list of delegates used for the election was different from the list of delegates given to the Independent National Electoral Commission.





But in his defection statement, Ubah explained that his decision to join APGA was due to the unfair and callous treatment meted out to him.





Incidentally and regrettably, despite several efforts to expand the horizon of lives one can touch using the seat of power, I have not been lucky enough to achieve my goal, he said.





Unfortunately, having spent most of my political life working assiduously for the PDP and in consideration of the unfair and callous treatment meted out on me despite my several pleas to the party hierarchy, I have decided to call it a day with the PDP.





The political backstabbing has left a sour taste in my mouth and I have come to the conclusion that my service to the PDP is the price I have to pay if I am to succeed in my quest to serve my people. At this juncture, I have left the battle for the Lord.





I have taken a position to champion the cause of the Igbo race by striving to ensure the growth and sustenance of the only party bequeathed to us by the Great Ikemba Nnewi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).




An established gaming industry requires the widespread availability of designers, developers, distributors, etc. working together. The mo...





An established gaming industry requires the widespread availability of designers, developers, distributors, etc. working together. The mobile gaming and casino industry in West Africa is still in its nascent stages. That being said, the gaming industry in Nigeria is also in an early phase with immense scope to grow and develop.

Credits: Gamsole Nigeria





Nigeria has made several strides to tap into the multi-billion dollar gaming industry. According to PWC reports, Nigerias revenues from gaming has increased from USD 65 million in 2013 to USD 117 million in 2017.





However, many of the games played in Nigeria are designed and developed abroad. This does not imply that the Nigerian gaming industry lacks unique concepts or coding abilities. However, the local developers do need to ensure that their products and operations are geared towards a global audience and adhere to international standards.





The development of games needs a nurturing environment comprising of a strong foundation. This would entail an ecosystem consisting of developers, designers, players and governmental support.





Even then, the success of a game is not guaranteed. In Nigeria, the gaming and casino industry is still evolving whereas in other parts of Africa and particularly South Africa there are a number of online gaming and casino sites operating.





This means that local developers need to strive hard to meet international standard if they are to catch up. Further, if the marketing and distribution of Nigerian games are top-notch, the local gamers would veer towards nationally produced games.





Access to funds is a significant issue within the Nigerian gaming industry today. There is no assurance that a specific game will become a phenomenal success.





This means that companies are cautious while extending funds for the development of new games. Further, many start-ups in the gaming industry rely on Venture capitalists and Angel investors as the local investors are reluctant to invest in this sector. The lack of adequate funding has impeded the growth of the gaming industry in Nigeria.





These problems aside, the mobile gaming industry in Nigeria is blossoming and shows no signs of slowing down. A French digital and social game publishing company, Gameloft, has recently opened offices in Lagos in 2016 after experiencing a staggering 536 percent growth in revenues in Africa over the past four years.





Despite challenges in the Nigerian mobile gaming industry, some companies are making huge strides globally. One such Nigerian company, Gamsole, is experiencing millions of downloads from players all over the world. According to Gamsole founder, Abiola Olaniran, the environment in Nigeria is ripe for investing in the mobile gaming industry.





Crossing the borders in mobile gaming is pertinent to the growth of the mobile gaming and casino industry in Nigeria. In fact, the success of a game is dependent on compelling storytelling, and Africa has many exciting stories. The worldwide success of the Japanese game, Nintendo, has shown us that gaming is not restricted by frontiers. In fact, movies produced in Nollywood have experienced global success due to their universal appeal. Hence, Nigerian designers and developers must focus on creating uniquely African games that have a global audience.





The mobile gaming sector in Nigeria has many facets that appeal to international investors and there is no reason that it cant catch up with countries like South Africa. The market is not saturated and has exponential growth potential. The African population itself has better access to mobile phones through which they can monetize mobile games.




Kadunna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, on Thursday, released some of the test papers of teachers in the state and asked parents ...

The governor took to tweeter @GovKaduna, the official account of governor of Kaduna State, to roll out some of the test papers written by teachers in the state.The teachers had embarked on protest on Wednesday, destroying vehicles and vandalising offices of government, over the move by the governor to sack some of the teachers that performed badly in the examinations conducted for them by the state government.On Wednesday, president, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, led the teachers and other workers in Kaduna State in the protest, demanding the recall of teachers sacked by the government.Earlier, president of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Michael Alogba, had also berated the state government over the sack, while demanding that affected teachers should be retrained by the government.But on Thursday, Governor el-Rufai released in batches on his twitter handle, some of the papers used by the teachers in the test.The teachers were tested in English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Current Affairs, among others.Speaking on the latest sack, the governor said many times, the decisions we take offer us no political advantages in a polity long accustomed to the false allure of populism. But we do what is necessary, not minding the direct impact on us.While displaying some of the examination sheets, he said: Here are some of the primary 4 competency test scripts conducted for primary school teachers in Kaduna State. The future of our children must never be politicised.In another post on his twitter handle, Governor el-Rufai said: Here are some of the primary 4 competency test scripts conducted for primary school teachers in Kaduna State. Would you allow someone like this teach your child?He lamented that the affected teachers were meant to teach pupils Mathematics and English Language.We are putting these out in the court of public opinion for Nigerians to make their verdict. Here are some of the primary 4 competency test scripts conducted for primary school teachers in Kaduna State, he said in another tweet.el-Rufai said he had given opportunity to teachers that were sacked to reapply, adding that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had continued to receive application forms from prospective teachers.As at close of work yesterday, the State Universal Basic Education Board received in total, 18,550 applications from prospective teachers. Recruitment is still on.Issuance of temporary appointment letters to successful applicants to commence on 25/01/2018, he tweeted.The governor said no amount of protests would deter the government from recruiting qualified teachers, while giving disengaged teachers the entitlements specified in their terms of service.According to him, teachers who had served from one to five years would have their appointments terminated while those who served for five years and above would be retired compulsorily.Supporting the stand of Governor el-Rufai, Aisha Yesufu, one of the coordinators of #BringBackOurGirls, on her twitter handle, @AishaYesufu, said the right thing is mostly never understood by those whom it is done for. Stay firm on reforming the educational system. If NUT goes on strike and you need volunteers before new teachers are recruited, I volunteer my time until qualified teachers are employed.
Nigerias government was on Thursday urged to order the release of a pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group leader, who has been in custody for nearly two years since clashes with soldiers.Ibrahim Zakzaky, who heads the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife should be freed on health grounds, lawyer Femi Falana said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.The cleric lost the sight in his left eye during two days of unrest in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015 in which soldiers allegedly killed more than 300 IMN members.Now he risks losing the sight in his right eye sequel to the brutal treatment meted out to him by the armed soldiers, Falana wrote.Zakzakys wife, Zainab, was said to be in a far worse state, according to the lawyer, who said he visited the couple in secret police detention in Abuja a few days ago.For reasons best known to the State Security Service, some of the bullets lodged in her body during the brutal attack of December 14, 2015 have not been extracted, he wrote.In the circumstances, she has been subjected to excruciating pain and agony on a daily basis, he added, warning her life was in danger unless she received urgent medical attention.Nigerias government has previously ignored a court order to release the couple. Hundreds of IMN were arrested during the military crackdown in Zaria.Zakzaky has long been at loggerheads with Nigerias secular authorities because of his repeated call for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria.Northern Nigeria is predominantly Sunni Muslim.On Sunday, at least three people were killed in the northern city of Kano when police shot at an IMN procession marking the Shiite day of mourning, Ashura.The march, which begins in Kano and heads to Zaria, has been a regular flashpoint. Last year, the IMN claimed police had shot and killed at least 30 without provocation.
The prosecution in the case involving Shamsudeen, son of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bala opened its...

The prosecution in the case involving Shamsudeen, son of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bala opened its case on Thursday with its witness disclosing how the defendant allegedly acquired N1.1billion property through phoney firms.Led in evidence by the lead prosecuting lawyer, Ben Ikani, the first prosecution witness, Ishaya Dauda (an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gave details of how investigators unravelled the defendants hidden assets.Dauda said the defendant allegedly paid a total of N1.1bn, with which he was said to have bought various properties in different parts of Abuja.He said Shasudeen acquired the various houses in the names of different companies. He said investigators discovered the offences allegedly committed by Shamsudeen while investigating his father.While the witness spoke, the ex-minister, Mohammed, who is also being tried before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Gudu, Abuja sat in court on Thursday to witness proceedings in his sons trial.The ex-Minister is being tired on a six-count charge in which he was accused of receiving gratification and making false assets declaration of some of his properties.In his evidence, Dauda told the court that besides the intelligence received on Mohammed, there was additional intelligence received about Shamsudeens activities, including how he (Shamsudeen) allegedly used the four companies to acquire the properties.Dauda also told the court how the investigative team from the EFCC recovered N580,000 and $60,000 from Shamsudeens residence while executing a search warrant.The witness said.I know the defendant.In the course of investigating a case assigned to me against the former FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, we received additional intelligence concerning purchases of properties by the defendant.We received intelligence that the defendant acquired several properties within the FCT. We worked on the intelligence and we have names of the properties acquired through companies.The companies are Diakin Telecommunications Ltd, Balbac Minning Nigeria Ltd, Intertrans Logistics Global Nigeria Ltd.We extended our investigation to Corporate Affairs Commission. We confirmed that the companies were registered with the CAC.We invited the lawyers that registered these companies by name Ishiaku Shuaibu, who confirmed that he registered those companies.When we asked Shuaibu how he came about the companies, he informed us that one Abdulahi Sani, a staff with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) gave him the name.Abdullahi Sani was invited to our office and was asked about the companies. He (Abdullahi Sani) also informed us that the defendant gave him the names of the companies to register.Our investigation was extended to Abuja Investments Development Company, where theGeneral Manager, Dr. Musa Musa, and the company secretary, Salisu Abdusalam, were invited to our office.Their statements were taken concerning the purchase of properties by the defendant using Diakin Telecommunications Ltd, Balbac Minning Nigeria Ltd, which they confirmed.They said he brought cash to their office. He bought to properties from Abuja Development Investments Company. The properties are located in Apo Area of AbujaAnother property that was purchased by the defendant is at 7, Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja. He brought cash in company with a lady by name, Maimuna Aliyu Sanda.Together, they took this cash to the developer, by name, Farouk Saleh. The cash was in dollars, they told me. But the worth of the property was N210m.Another property was purchased at Sunrise Hill, Asokoro. The defendant made lodgment of N80m to the then Managing Director of the company. The MD, Sami Apougaoude, a Lebanese, now late.Then the defendant contacted a company, K & K Construction Company, to build the said property.He again made a cash lodgment of N100m to Sunrise Hill in error which was then transferred to K &K Construction Company into their Zenith Bank account.He then made a cash lodgment of N110m to K& K directly. Again, he made a lodgment of N200m to K and K Construction Company.All these lodgments were made in the name of the company Birtrus Agro Allied Limited. The last time he made lodgment to K & K Construction company was N296m, the witness said.Dauda said after the payments, in respect of which K&K Construction Company issued receipts, Shamsudeen transferred all his interests to a company, Intratrans Global Limited.The witness said the commission then executed a search warrant at Shamsudeens house at 1B, Embu Street, Wuse II, Abuja.We recovered the sum of N580,000,0000 and $60,000 (USD). Both sums are with exhibit keeper of the commission, he said.Dauda said the investigators later took Shamsudeen to EFCCs office in Abuja, where he made statements and also completed the commissions Asset Declaration Form.Shamsudeens statements and the asset declaration form were tendered by the prosecution and were admitted by the court without objection from the defence lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN).The prosecuting lawyer later objected to an application by Uche that the monies recovered from his clients house should be returned to him because they did not form part of the charge against him.Ikani said the monies were related to the case and promised to tender them through the EFCCs Exhibit Keeper.Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dingba adjourned to December 11 for the continuation of proceedings.Shamsudeen and four companies on a 15-count charge bordering on money laundering and false declaration of assets to the tune of N1,105,719,005.The companies being tried with the ex-ministers son are Bird Trust Argo Limited, Intertrans Global Logistics Limited, Diakin Telecommunications Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited.
Nigerian self-acclaimed male barbie, Bobrisky who was arrested by operatives of the Lagos state police command some days back has been re...





Nigerian self-acclaimed male barbie, Bobrisky who was arrested by operatives of the Lagos state police command some days back has been released.

The snapchat queen took to his instagram page to thank Nollywood actresses Tonto Dikeh and Tayo Sobola and all others who showed concern towards him.







Plenty gist for guys just wait for it. Thanks you all for ur words dm,text messages, cal. All my God fathers, commissioners, lawyers both in Abuja and Lagos, my elder sister mum, my sister Alaba, my best friend, my best friend mum,thanks to He wrote:Plenty gist for guys just wait for it. Thanks you all for ur words dm,text messages, cal. All my God fathers, commissioners, lawyers both in Abuja and Lagos, my elder sister mum, my sister Alaba, my best friend, my best friend mum,thanks to @sotayogaga thanks to @tontolet . And my fans I love u all









Bobrisky sues for calm among Nigerians as he regains his freedom A post shared by Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) on Nov 9, 2017 at 10:30am PST

Recall that the male cross-dresser who recently confirmed that he was indeed gay was arrested on Tuesday, 7th November 2017 by operatives of the Lagos state police command. Recall that the male cross-dresser who recently confirmed that he was indeed gay was arrested on Tuesday, 7th November 2017 by operatives of the Lagos state police command.





Although circumstances of his arrest remain unclear, Bobrisky revealed during a phone interview that business mogul, Toyin Lawani ordered his arrest. He said she accused him of stealing her customers.





Lawani has since denied these allegations of being involved in his arrest.





Bobrisky had recently slandered Toyin via his Snapchat, after she called him a riff-raff during an interview.




U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping attend at a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP)
Tien Manh Do, 38, was arrested Tuesday (Nov. 7, 2017) in the Sept. 22, 2017 assault, which occurred inside of a home in the 13000 block of Chateau Court in New Orleans East.(Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office)
This pickup truck belonging to a St. Tammany Parish firefigher was stolen on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 from outside a Slidell fire station while the owner and other firefighters were responding to a service call.(Slidell Police Department)
Kenneth and Irene Hernandez pay their respects as they visit a memorial with crosses placed near the scene of a shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing and wounding many. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Louis C.K. arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., in Feb. 2016. The New York Times has published an expose in which multiple women go on the record describing sexual misconduct by the comedian. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Kate Miller is a nurse for Hospice of Southwest Iowa.

Millers interest in end-of-life issues first peaked when she was in seventh grade and wrote a paper on physician-assisted suicide.

She said she always felt called to the hospice philosophy. She started her nursing career at the Mercy Care Center (a nursing facility) and transferred to Alegent Palliative Care. The Palliative Care program was in its infancy, and Miller felt fortunate to help it grow.

Her favorite part of the job was that she could start with a patient on palliative care and follow them through the hospice journey.

Miller states that she loves what Hospice of Southwest Iowa has to offer the patients and families facing a terminal illness. She is so glad that Medicare recognizes that and has a comprehensive Hospice Benefit that covers all of the patients needs from medications to equipment in addition to the nursing care.

Miller has been with Hospice of Southwest Iowa for nearly three years and said that she feels like Hospice is where she belongs.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation officers have charged Nicholas W. Slater, 31, of Glendale, Arizona, with deer poaching in Lake Manawa State Park.

The poaching allegedly occurred on Nov. 19, 2016, said conservation officer Adam Gacke.

Slater was charged with misdemeanors for not having valid deer licenses; violating restrictions on the lawful transportation, taking and possession of deer; hunting on game refuge; and not paying fees.

The total fines for Slater are $2,243.20, plus liquidated damages for an antlered deer scoring 150 points or less. A judge will determine the exact total of liquidated damages.

These charges are part of a large, multi-state investigation that is ongoing, Gacke said.

Though the public didnt have a role in this matter, Gacke said, the agency considers the public key when it comes to identifying violators and urges anyone to contact the agency upon seeing violations.

The public is our biggest asset for finding people hurting our natural resources, Gacke said.

Slater will appear in court in Pottawattamie County, Gacke said.
In an effort to control gun violence, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on two gun-related issues that emerged from the recent shootings in Texas and Las Vegas, said Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, who chairs that committee.

The hearing is tentatively set for Nov. 14, he said during his weekly press conference with Iowa reporters on Wednesday.

The hearing will focus on bump stocks, a device that can simulate fully automatic fire with a semi-automatic weapon. The hearing will also focus on the enforcement, or lack thereof, of federal and state reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Authorities have said the Las Vegas shooting suspect, Stephen Paddock, had a dozen rifles modified with bump stocks.

The committee will also seek solutions for strengthening the NICS in the wake of this weeks shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Devin Kelley, the identified gunman, received a bad conduct discharge from the U.S. Air Force after being court-martialed on a domestic violence charge. That information, however, was not provided to the NICS.

We want this to be a comprehensive hearing on guns, but it started as a result of the bump stock situation that came from the disaster in Las Vegas, Grassley said.

He added that a report should be coming from the Air Force on its failure to inform the FBI of Kelleys background.

This is very embarrassing to them, and they are studying what went wrong; and if they dont take action, then we will take action, Grassley said.

On another issue, Grassley announced legislation to help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimers disease, autism and related conditions.

The bill, which passed the Senate by voice vote in the 114th Congress, is named in honor of two young boys diagnosed with autism who wandered away from supervised settings and drowned.

One of the them was a 9-year-old Iowa boy.

Specifically, the bill would allow Justice Department grants to be used for state and local education and training programs to help prevent wandering and reunite caregivers with missing family members who have a condition linked to wandering.
Kay Konz didnt let disabilities keep her from living a life full of accomplishments.

Konz, who died from cancer on Sunday in Lincoln, Nebraska, spent years as an educator in the Council Bluffs area and elsewhere even though she was diagnosed with a genetic eye disorder in her mid-20s that over time left her legally blind.

She dedicated her life helping others, especially children, said her sister, Shirley Cannon. Even to the very end, her concern was for others.

Konz, who was born on a farm outside of Neola, graduated from St. Albert High School in 1975 and later received a bachelors degree cum laude from Nebraskas Dana College in 1979, followed by a masters degree in special education from the University of Iowa.

Konz served as a special education teacher at Bloomer Elementary School in Council Bluffs from 1979 to 1981 and later was a school psychologist for the Loess Hills Area Education Agency from 1983 to 1987. She also taught in Atlantic. She then continued her educational career in Lincoln.

Konz was also involved with support organizations like being president of the Nebraska/Iowa affiliate of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness, as well as a high position in Public Awareness for Fighting Blindness.

She won the Volunteer of the Year Award in 1992 by the National Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation Fighting Blindness, and was among the Outstanding Young Women in America in 1987.

After suffering a brain injury in an accident, Konz became an advocate for those with brain injuries, her sister said.

She was fighting for others through her own disabilities and hardships, Cannon said.

In her spare time, which apparently was rare, considering her professional and volunteer duties, Konz was an accomplished poet, with 150 of them being published, her sister said. Many of them dealt with blindness, including one that showed her determination to live a full life.

It will never go dark and black, you see, like people think it will be, the poem read.

Its not like that, to go blind. To go blind is to stop seeing with your eyes. But I will always see.

Konz enjoyed outdoor activities, including riverboat trips, as well as collecting hats, bird houses and John Deere collectable items, her sister said.

She liked to read, and when she couldnt read anymore, she would listen to (audio) books, especially Harry Potter, Cannon said.

Konz had many devoted friends who cared for her right to the end, Cannon said.

She certainly excelled in everything she did despite her disabilities, Cannon said.

A rosary in Council Bluffs will take place at Cutler-O-Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel this evening at 7 p.m. with visitation from 5 to 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Neola.
The following editorial ran Nov. 1 in The Dubuque Telegraph Herald:

Chances are, every person reading this will know someone whose life has been impacted by Alzheimers disease.

And for those who have not yet been hit by the diagnosis of a close friend or relative, 2025 is looming.

By then, if no cure is found for the dementia-related illness, more than 7 million Americans over age 65 will be affected  a 35 percent increase over todays figures.

In Iowa, where the population older than 65 is higher than the national average, 64,000 people are living with the disease, and that number that will climb to 73,000 in the next eight years.

Similarly, Wisconsin figures will rise from 110,000 to 130,000 by 2025, and Illinois, cases will go from 220,000 to 260,000.

A story researched by IowaWatch and HuffPost, published recently in the TH and newspapers across the state, showed grave concerns on the part of health experts who anticipate an Alzheimers tsunami.

State and federal health care systems are woefully unprepared for whats to come. The rise in Alzheimers coincides with changes in health care support at both the state and national level.

Iowas transition to a privatized Medicaid system 18 months ago gets mixed reviews, as outlined in a story on the front page of Sundays TH. While Gov. Kim Reynolds points to a J.D. Power survey showing high patient satisfaction, area lawmakers have concerns about the most vulnerable Iowans. Rep. Andy McKean, R-Anamosa, noted constituents have lamented significant declines in services.

Medicaid remains the only government program that covers nursing home care, something more and more Alzheimers patients will require. Currently, Medicaid covers half the nursing home patients in Iowa, a number sure to increase as Alzheimers numbers rise.

Those changes in the state come as Congress examines options to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Instead of expanding Medicaid, the Republican plan calls for changing the way the program is funded. Though the details are not yet hammered out, Iowa health care officials fear it would likely force states to eliminate benefits or curtail enrollment.

While many readers might view Medicaid as a supplement for the poor, the reality is that private insurance is unlikely to cover most people through long-term nursing home care. About a third of people turning 65 today will eventually reside in a nursing home. A full three-fourths of long-term nursing home patients rely on Medicaid after personal savings runs out.

As Iowa addresses issues with its Medicaid providers, and Congress considers what comes next for the future of the program, elected officials in all states and federal government must look at the looming Alzheimers tsunami and begin to make preparations. Support for Alzheimers cure research should be a top priority.

Providing a safety net for those who will fall to this devastating disease is something lawmakers must address as well.
LINCOLN  State Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln wants Nebraska voters to decide whether the state should expand Medicaid to more low-income people.

He said Wednesday he plans to propose a ballot measure during the next legislative session, which starts Jan. 3.

Its the right thing to do, Morfeld said. The Legislature and the governor have consistently failed Nebraskans when it comes to providing affordable health care.

His announcement came the morning after Maine voters approved a Medicaid expansion measure. Nearly 59 percent of voters chose expansion, according to unofficial totals.

Voters rejected the position of Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who has vetoed five different expansion bills from the State Legislature.

Nebraskas GOP governors have staunchly opposed Medicaid expansion.

Then-Gov. Dave Heineman and current Gov. Pete Ricketts have fought each version of Medicaid expansion offered in the Nebraska Legislature. Their opposition has been key to blocking proposals for five years straight.

Morfeld introduced the latest proposal this year. Legislative Bill 441 never made it out of the Health and Human Services Committee.

On Wednesday, he said he believes that a proposal to put the issue before voters would stand a better chance of passage.

Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, for one, sounded open to the idea of letting citizens decide, although he said that he would have to know more specifics.

Ricketts spokesman, Taylor Gage, said Wednesday that the governor will work with state lawmakers against expanding Medicaid.

Expansion would not only preference able-bodied individuals over our most vulnerable citizens in our existing Medicaid program, but it also would expose our state budget and Nebraska taxpayers to great financial risk, Gage said.

Morfeld said his new proposal, like LB 441, would expand Medicaid coverage to about 90,000 more Nebraskans than are currently covered.

Those covered would be single adults and couples without minor children, as well as parents and disabled people with incomes up to 133 percent of the poverty level, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act.

The federal government would provide a higher funding match for coverage of the new groups than it does for existing Medicaid recipients.

An analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Office concluded that LB 441 would cost Nebraska more than $79 million over its first four years and bring in $1.72 billion of federal funds. Those totals factor in the costs of the Medicaid expansion and the savings from other state programs that would no longer be needed.

Opponents have argued that Nebraska cannot afford the cost of expanding Medicaid.

In Maine, LePage said voters had made an expensive mistake and he wont implement the new expansion until its fully funded by the State Legislature.

He vowed that he would not support increasing taxes on Maine families, raiding the rainy day fund or reducing services to our elderly or disabled. He previously said he would have to divert $54 million from other programs to pay for the states share of the expansion cost.

Democrats in the state immediately pushed back, saying that Medicaid expansion is now the law of the land in Maine and that they would fight to implement it fully.

Tuesdays vote makes Maine the 32nd state to expand Medicaid, but the first to do so by vote of the people. The measure was put on the ballot through a petition drive.

Expansion backers in Idaho and Utah have started similar efforts to get a Medicaid expansion question on their ballots in 2018.

Morfeld said an initiative petition drive is a possibility if Nebraska lawmakers do not act. The prospect could parallel efforts to boost Nebraskas minimum wage.

Three years ago, backers of a minimum wage hike succeeded with a petition drive and ballot measure after failing with repeated legislative proposals.

The Maine ballot issue was a referendum on one of the key pieces of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans, including Trump, have tried numerous times to repeal the law, failing every time.

About 11 million people in the country have gotten health coverage through the expansion of Medicaid.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.
The Gold Coast Titans have uncovered a combination 10 years in the making and it is one the club hopes will bring immediate success to the Glitter Strip after a lacklustre 2017 season.

Lock Jai Arrow and halfback Ash Taylor have been terrorising their opposition since 2007 when they first played together for the Queensland Schoolboys under-12s side.

A friendship blossomed on that tour, and six years later they reunited when Taylor joined Arrow in the Brisbane Broncos' under-20s side.

They roomed together in Taylor's first year at Brisbane, living in a house near the Broncos' training base at Red Hill.

Both had similar goals and dreamt of playing first grade - but because of the plethora of talent at the Broncos - the opportunities were limited.

It forced Taylor to depart the club at the end of 2015 to join the Titans, and he will be on the Gold Coast until at least the end of the 2021 season after re-signing with the club in October of this year.

Arrow has now joined him at the Titans after being stuck behind young Brisbane forwards Tevita Pangai Junior, Joe Ofahengaue and Herman Ese'ese in 2017, and it is a decision he hopes will result in regular first grade appearances

A Gold Coast junior, Arrow will now play for the city he has always called home, and he is proud to do it with someone who he shares such a strong bond with.

"All up I think I've known Ash since I was about 12 years old. I played under-12s Queensland Schoolboys with him. That'd probably be about 10 years ago now," Arrow told NRL.com

"I went on to live with Ash when he first moved to Brisbane straight after high school. I lived with him for about a year.

"The Broncos owned a house next to the club and they'd put three or four boys who had moved away from home into the house. I think they still do it. It was for boys who were fresh out of high school. We ended coming together in that house and got along really well.

"You had to live over 80 or 90 kilometres from home to get the allowance so it worked out well for us."

Arrow now lives down the road from the Titans' Parkwood training headquarters, and although he is still adjusting to life at his new club, he is happy to have the opportunity to prove himself and earn a starting jersey for Round 1.

"Hopefully I get the opportunity to run off Ash again this year, but I've still got a lot of work to do in the pre-season. If I play Round 1 then that's great, but I'm just taking it as it comes at the moment," he said.

"I'm trying to enjoy myself and get to know everyone currently as it's all pretty new to me here on the Gold Coast.

"In saying that, I'm looking forward to working with Ash again, especially when we get stuck into the skills sessions and get further into the pre-season."

The Titans will face the Raiders in Round 1 of the 2018 Telstra Premiership season.

This video first featured at titans.com.au



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U.S. Steel General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Suzanne Rich Folsom is leaving the company.

Folsom, who started at U.S. Steel in 2014, will resign as of Dec. 29.

Suzanne played a pivotal role in driving the success of the companys efforts to combat illegally subsidized and dumped steel products that are being imported into the United States, President and CEO David Burritt said. Her tireless leadership in this arena benefitted the company, the domestic steel industry, and highlighted the threat that unfair trade represents to manufacturing across the United States. We respect Suzannes decision and are grateful for her many achievements serving the company."

Among her many duties, Folsom led the company's government affairs initiatives at a crucial time when U.S. Steel was fighting a record glut of cheap imports, pushing for more tariffs and tougher restrictions on illegally dumped steel. She also negotiated the collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers Union in 2015 and worked with executives to implement the Carnegie Way cuts.

I want to thank my U.S. Steel colleagues for the opportunity to play a role in the transformation of this great company, one that is such a historic part of the manufacturing industry in our country, and for the chance to help write the next chapter in its storied history, Folsom said. I am proud of all that my team accomplished over the last four years  and I thank them for their dedication and support.

U.S. Steel Deputy General Counsel Richard Fruehauf is filling in while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
GARY  Visitors to Gary/Chicago International Airport will pass through newly landscaped grounds after a $90,000 project to plant 80 shade trees, 400 shrubs and native grasses and wildflowers is complete next spring.

The airport board approved a contract Wednesday with Hubinger Landscaping of Crown Point to do the work, which will include installation of river rock and stone outcroppings, as well as the plant-life, from the airport entrance through the areas adjacent to the road to the terminal and the two fixed-base operator facilities. Islands in the terminal parking lot will also be landscaped.

"It's been roughly 20 years since a landscaping improvement has been conducted at the airport," Executive Director Dan Vicari said. "We're looking at a complete overhaul."

He said the work will complement the reconstruction of Airport Road and the upcoming installation of wayfaring signage to upgrade the airport's image to visitors. The project will begin this fall and be completed in the spring.

Also Wednesday, the board authorized airport administrators to enter negotiations with Lee Companies of Gary to be construction manager for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility planned for the airport.

Lee, which has also worked on expansion projects for Gary Jet Center, one of the airport's fixed-base operators, scored highest among six firms proposing to manage the customs project.

The construction manager will serve as the airport's agent in managing the project to transform a vacant portion of the building that houses the airport's rescue and firefighting building. Customs and Border Protection approved the airport's facility plan in August.

The customs facility will allow the airport to service international flights. Airport officials want the new facility to open early next year.

"We're turning down business because we don't have customs available here now," Vicari said.
The allure of recognizing the contributions small businesses make on the Region's economy has lost no luster with the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center.

The organization's 26th annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards event, also known as E-Day, drew more than 200 people on Wednesday to Avalon Manor in Hobart.

"It's our opportunity to celebrate the contributions small businesses make," said Lorri Feldt, Northwest ISBDC regional director. "(Small business owners) all have a common passion to deliver their products and services and to invest and grow their businesses in the Region."

Feldt said investment by small businesses ultimately results in job creation which is "greatly valued in the Region."

Each award winner was showcased in a short video, which featured their business, a brief history and the work they do.

The 2017 E-Day winners include:

 Small Business Person of the Year: Pete Korellis, Korellis Roofing, Hammond

 Entrepreneurial Success: Donna Hubinger, Hubinger Landscaping, Crown Point

 Emerging Business of the Year: Rich and Leslie Monroe, Monroes Crossing, New Carlisle

 Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Seth Spencer, SERA Solutions, Michigan City

 Family-Owned Business of the Year: Leep family, Pleasant View Dairy, Highland

 Women-Owned Business of the Year: Justine King, Bilingual Speech Solutions, Crown Point

 Small Business Exporter of the Year: Scott Yaeger, FAST International, LaPorte

 Small Business Advocate of the Year: Erica Dombey, Regional Development Company, Valparaiso

 Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert Coolman, Coolman Communities, Valparaiso
LAPORTE  A coupe is different from a coop, but for Dr. Peter C. Kesling, both figured in the purchase of his first classic car.

Seventy years ago, Kesling, then 14, found a 1925 Model T Ford in a widows garage that doubled as a chicken coop. Despite the ear-shattering squawking and frantic beating of wings, Kesling recalled, he bought the vehicle. That purchase started a love affair that has taken him around the world.

Addressing a benefit Wednesday at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum, Kesling shared images and stories from some of the 40 vehicles he owns. Many of them are housed in the museum which he built for his cars and which now contains local history.

Each car has a story and each one has a special meaning to me, said Kesling, an orthodontist and former university professor. People love to come here and see the cars, and that makes me happy.

Keslings luncheon presentation was a benefit for the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra. The museum houses not only many of the doctors vehicles but also the mementoes of the auto industry in Indiana. Hoosier automotive pioneers have contributed tilt steering, cruise control and hydraulic brakes.

None of those features was available in 1903, when two men completed the first transcontinental car drive. Dr. Horatio Crocker and his technician, Sewall Crocker, made the 6,000-mile drive in 63 days. Nearly three weeks of the journey were delayed for repairs, rest and waiting for spare parts.

Not to be undone, Kesling, 71, and his wife, Charlene, purchased a Winton of that same era and completed their own transcontinental drive in a two-cylinder, 20-horsepower engine.

It was amazing, Kesling said of the experience.

The doctors cars are in mint condition, but many of them did not come that way.

We get them in terrible shape  no bumpers, seats, or tires, said Kesling, who inherited his fathers love for cars and ability to work on them.

The museum features an electric car built by Dr. Harold D. Kesling. The vehicle, done in the late doctors favorite color of yellow, was built of Fiberglas and, for safety purposes, is pointed at both ends.

Peter Kesling, whose orthodontic career has taken him around the world, has also trekked the globe for vehicles. Hes even driven internationally, including a 1976 race that started in Istanbul and concluded in California. Kesling got as far as France, and two friends continued the race once the Model T was transported across the Atlantic.

Another vehicle of note is a 1948 Playboy, built in Buffalo, New York. The vehicle features the first retractable hard top, but the black beauty is better known for lending its name to a magazine. Seeking a name for his new mens magazine, the late Hugh Hefner was turned down for Stag Party.

Then he saw an ad for the car, and the rest is history, Kesling said.
Police are searching for a man accused of fleeing a traffic stop on Interstate 65 on Wednesday, striking a police squad car, speeding through a residential subdivision and then crashing a rental car.

A Hobart police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding at about 10:10 a.m. Wednesday on southbound Interstate 65 near mile marker 233, according to a news release from Indiana State Police District 10.

The traffic stop occurred southeast of Lowell about three miles north of Ind. 10.

The 2018 Kia Sportage  a rental vehicle out of Indianapolis  didn't stop and a pursuit was initiated, police said.

The Kia made a U-turn by driving into the median and headed north.

The driver, at that point on the outer shoulder, put his Kia in reverse and drove south as he approached a state trooper working in a construction zone on northbound I-65 northbound, police said.

"The Kia then drove into the median and drove straight at the state police car, swerving at the last minute, hitting the (car)," the release stated.

The pursuit continued southbound. The driver of the Kia braked hard, went back into the median, and then again into the northbound lanes of I-65, police said.

The Kia then went across southbound I-65 lanes, down through the ditch on the west side and through a wire fence into a subdivision, police said.

The driver drove between two homes, crashed the SUV in a wooded area and fled, state police said.

The driver reportedly asked a resident in the subdivision for a ride, but instead fled, leaving a jacket behind, police said.

The trooper involved in the crash was taken to St. Anthonys Hospital in Crown Point with injuries that were not life threatening.

The driver  described as black, approximately 6 feet, 3 inches, and about 240 pounds  was wearing a black T-shirt with white lettering. He reportedly has a stocky built and appears in his mid 30s.

He was last seen in the area of County Line Road and Ind. 10.

Anyone who has information or sees this individual is urged to call 911.
HAMMOND  A 65-year-old man wanted on charges alleging he shot and nearly killed his fiancee's son was arrested Wednesday in South Holland, police said.

Kenneth R. Scott, of Hammond, is accused of shooting his fiancee's 37-year-old son during a drunken argument Oct. 6 at the family's home in the 800 block of 174th Place in Hammond.

Officials with the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Task Force took Scott into custody Wednesday in the 500 block of East 173rd Avenue in South Holland, records show.

After Hammond police arrived at the scene on Oct. 6, an officer found the son braced against a wall in the home with a gunshot wound to his right upper thigh, according to Lake Criminal Court records. A long-barrel shotgun was resting against a nearby closet door.

Officer Matt Siegfried used a tourniquet to stop the man's bleeding before he was taken by ambulance to Community Hospital in Munster, police said. A doctor later told police that Siegfried likely saved the man's life by applying the tourniquet.

Siegfried had recently received the tourniquet for his personal use after completing a tactical training program intended to help officers save their own lives or the lives of their partners if shot in the line of duty. The Indiana District 1 Hospital Emergency Planning Committee has been offering the free training to Region police departments as part of the Save a Cop program.

Scott claimed in a statement to police he and his fiance's son got into to a fight while drinking and he got his gun to scare the man, a probable cause affidavit states. He said he did not remember loading the gun or cocking it, and claimed it was as if the gun shot itself, according to the affidavit.

Scott will face extradition proceedings in Illinois before appearing in Lake Criminal Court on charges of aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
A South Bend man was arrested Wednesday with more than $1,000 in counterfeit bills, a handgun and detailed instructions on how to make fake bills, NICTD Transit Police said.

Timothy Ross, 33, is accused of attempting to pay his fare to South Bend with the counterfeit bills after boarding a South Shore Line commuter train about 6 p.m. in Hammond.

Ross presented the bogus money to a conductor, who notified Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Transit Police, said Robert Byrd, police chief.

NICTD Transit Police Officer Raul Agosto boarded the train at East Chicago and removed Ross for an interview, he said. Agosto found the counterfeit money, instructions and handgun on Ross during a pat down for officer safety, Byrd said.

Ross also was carrying the handgun without a permit, Byrd said.

Ross was wanted by Elkhart County authorities for failure to appear on a criminal recklessness charge. He is being held at Lake County Jail pending charges, Byrd said.

The investigation into Ross is ongoing at the local and federal levels, he said.

Anyone with information about Ross is asked to call Transit Police at 219-398-6000. Callers may remain anonymous.
VALPARAISO  Police say a bomb threat reportedly made to Porter Regional Hospital on Wednesday was determined to be a hoax.

Officers were dispatched at 1:41 p.m. to Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. U.S. 6, according to a news release from the Porter County Sheriff's Department.

Hospital staff told police they received a call to their switchboard from a man stating there was a bomb in the building, the release stated.

"Per protocol, as officers responded, the hospital staff was advised to check the building and advise if anything suspicious was located," the release stated.

"Ultimately, a thorough check completed by hospital staff and their security came back with negative results of anything suspicious or any bombs," the release stated.

The caller ID showed the number had an out-of-state prefix, police said.

Porter County Officers attempted to ping the number and determined it was an internet line associated with scams and was not traceable, the release stated.

"Officers and Porter Regional Hospital Staff and Administration worked together and were satisfied with the investigation and determined there was no viable threat to the Hospital or its patients," the release stated.

The release did not indicate if anyone was evacuated from the hospital during the search.
Police said Thursday they have learned the identity of a man who injured a state trooper during a high-speed, wrong-way chase down Interstate 65, but he remained at large.

Police were working with the Newton County prosecutor's office to file charges against the man, Hobart police Capt. Greg Viator said.

A Hobart police officer was patrolling I-65 while working a federal grant when he attempted to stop the man for speeding near the Lake/Newton County line, Viator said.

The Hobart police officer lost sight of the man before Indiana State Police continued the pursuit, Viator said.

The man, who was driving a rented 2018 Kia Sportage, made a U-turn by driving into the median and headed north. As he approached a trooper working in a construction zone on northbound I-65, he put the Kia in reverse and drove south on the northbound outer shoulder, police said.

The man drove into a median, struck a trooper's car and continued south, police said. The man then braked hard, went back into the media and across southbound I-65, through a ditch and wire fence, between two houses and crashed in a wooded area and fled on foot, police said.

A trooper injured in the pursuit was taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health hospital in Crown Point. He was expected to be OK, state police spokeswoman Sgt. Ann Wojas said Thursday.
GARY | Gary police will have their first interview Wednesday with a man who allegedly has confessed to killing seven woman, six of whom were f
MERRILLVILLE  Authorities executed a federal warrant Thursday morning at a massage parlor off U.S. 30, the U.S. attorneys office confirmed.

Several marked Merrillville and Lake County police vehicles blocked the intersection of U.S. 30 and Taft Street just after 9 a.m., as a caravan of marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles turned west onto U.S. 30 from Taft and surrounded Seoul Spa Massage in the 2400 block of U.S. 30.

Law enforcement officials from the FBI, IRS, Indiana State Police, Lake County Sheriff's Department and Merrillville Police Department could be seen at the scene.

Authorities stood at both the front and back doors of the business. A red open sign in the spa's front window remained lit during the raid.

Another woman wearing a jacket marked "victim services" was seen entering and exiting the front of the business.

About an hour after the raid began, two women exited the back of the business and got into an unmarked pickup truck driven by an FBI agent. Agents then drove away with the women.

Merrillville police blocked the entrance to the strip mall but declined comment, saying the case is sealed.

Ryan Holmes, spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office, said he could not confirm or deny the existence of a sealed case.

However, Holmes confirmed a federal warrant was executed Thursday morning at the business. He declined to comment on the nature of the warrant.

A message sent to Seoul Spa and Massage seeking comment was not immediately returned.

A second federal warrant was served Thursday morning at a home in the 7400 block of Taylor Street in Schererville, Holmes said.

Holmes said he couldn't confirm or deny whether the second warrant was related to the warrant executed at the Merrillville spa.
VALPARAISO  The Valparaiso Police Department will host a Church Security and Safety Training class from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 28 at the the Valparaiso police station.

The training will focus on a number of topics, including child safety inside the church, building security, personal safety inside a church, making your church a safer place, and the development of a church safety team.

The class is designed to be interactive and exchange feedback from class participants.

The training has limited space available, and previous classes have filled quickly. Individuals interested in attending should RSVP to Sgt. Michael Grennes at mgrennes@valpopd.com or by calling at (219) 462-2135. There is no charge for the training.
The 5 stories you need to know today: 'I opened it up and that baby just looked me right in the eyes.'
With corporate tax reform brewing on Capitol Hill, its time to revisit corporate inversions and see how President Donald Trumps tax reform might deal with the issue.

Inversions, you ask? The term sounds like something the Weather Channel might talk about. But this inversion means something different: corporations relocating their headquarters to reduce overall income taxes. And America isnt making it easy for them to stay.

Ireland, for example, is a favorite destination for fleeing corporations. While the U.S. corporate income tax rate stands at 35 percent, Irelands is 12.5 percent. Think Europe is a high-tax continent? The European average rate is 13.85 percent. Hungary is at 9 percent and Bulgaria 10 percent.

In April, Trump instructed the Department of Treasury to examine the Obama administrations efforts to eliminate corporate inversions. Now, instead of using Obama-style regulation to curb runaway corporations, the Trump administration seeks to cut U.S. corporate taxes and reduce the incentive for them to leave in the first place.

But lo and behold, other countries are cutting corporate taxes, too. With lower corporate taxes pending elsewhere, will the United States continue to be left out in the cold? Lets assess the situation.

At present, our 35 percent corporate income tax rate is the third-highest among 202 countries and jurisdictions. We are just below United Arab Emirates and Puerto Rico. The world average tax rate, now resting at 22.96 percent, has been gradually falling since 1980.

The Trump administrations tax reform package calls for reducing the U.S. rate to 20 percent, hoping this will better position us in the corporate income tax sweepstakes. But while 20 sounds a lot lower than 35, what matters is how we compare relative to other places that might attract corporate investment.

The world is not standing still on this matter. The United Kingdom is entertaining legislation to reduce corporate income taxes to 17 percent in 2020. France is pushing to reduce corporate rates from the current 34.43 percent average to 25 percent by 2022  and even replace the countrys notoriously progressive personal income tax rate structure with a 30 percent flat tax. Ireland still beckons with a 12.5 percent corporate rate.

So what should we do? First off, lets come to grips with who bears the burden of corporate taxes. We like to fool ourselves into thinking big corporations are really paying the tax bill out of dark vaults filled with money and gold bars. Sorry, there are no treasure-filled corporate troves. And if there were, the treasure would be owned by people  the corporate shareholders whose investments and business ventures fuel large parts of our economy, including many of our jobs.

Ultimately, of course, people bear the tax burden. Higher corporate taxes mean employees earn less, as do those corporate shareholders. This suggests there should be no corporate income tax at all, in favor of a flat personal income tax that would capture corporate earnings. Why not go directly to those who reap the wealth?

We know the answer to this question. Saying that we will tax rich corporations to provide benefits to less fortunate people and programs has great political appeal, whether it is whats really happening or not. So whittling away at the corporate rate seems to be the best we can do.

But if we are going to whittle, why not get competitive with Ireland and cut the rate to 12.5 percent?
One of the most frustrating aspects of the opioid epidemic for law enforcement and others is that small quantities of drugs 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin easily can be mailed into the United States from China.

Dealers and users can make purchases over the Internet that are delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.

In announcing a national public health emergency on drug abuse, President Donald Trump threw down the gauntlet by saying, And in two weeks, I will be in China with President Xi, and I will mention this as a top priority. And he will do something about it.

The president will be in China through Friday. Congress and the Postal Service should have his back. With drug overdose deaths skyrocketing to 64,000 in 2016, an increase of more than 11,500 deaths, or a 17 percent increase from 2015, this is no time for petty politics or partisanship.

The problem of drug inflows from China has been well documented for years. In February, the congressionally chartered U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission reported, Chemical flows from China helped fuel a fentanyl crisis in the United States, with significant increases in U.S. opioid overdoses, deaths and addiction rates reoccurring over the last several years.

An important way to curtail opioid inflows is to require that all shipments from China through the U.S. Postal Service be preceded with basic electronic data, including who and where it is from, who it is going to and what is in it, before it crosses the U.S. border.

John Kelly, as head of the Department of Homeland Security, testified this information would be helpful for interdiction efforts.

In Congress, a bipartisan measure, the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Protection Act, a.k.a. The STOP Act, would tighten scrutiny on drugs in international mail shipments by requiring seven electronic data information points on international mail.

Introduced in the Senate by Republican Rob Portman and Democrat Amy Klobuchar, the measure is now co-sponsored by a bipartisan and diverse group of senators, including Marco Rubio, Elizabeth Warren and Tim Kaine. Companion legislation in the U.S. House has 242 co-sponsors.

Among those strongly supporting The STOP Act is the 330,000-member Fraternal Order of Police. In a Feb. 27 letter to Sen. Portman, the organizations president, Chuck Canterbury said, Unlike packages entering the U.S. through private carriers  such as UPS or FedEx  U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not receive advance electronic customs data for the clear majority of foreign mail entering the United States Postal Service.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge also is very concerned about the dangers to first responders from these highly potent drugs, which are harmful just to be around.

We wont stop reading headlines of tragic fentanyl deaths or of local first responders harmed by these drugs until we take action to keep synthetic opioids out of our country in the first place, Ridge said in October.

The Postal Service has been opposed to The STOP Act primarily for reasons of costs. At the same time, though, it has been touting its own expanded use of Advanced Electronic Data and urging China to do more in this regard.

Time is not a luxury that America has in fighting the opioid epidemic. Beyond the 11,500 additional deaths in 2016, there are more sobering statistics. In September, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that, Among the more than 64,000 drug overdose deaths estimated in 2016, the sharpest increase occurred among deaths related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs.

Fixing the mail loophole is an important and sensible place to start.
Taking the lead on necessary government policy often leaves the leader exposed, especially where tax increases are concerned.

It can garner the people leading the needed but unpopular charge a whole lot of grief. It takes courage and grit to withstand the critics and political blowback by doing what you know to be right.

So it was refreshing Tuesday when such grit earned Indiana House Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's "Government Leader of the Year" award.

For six years, Soliday pushed hard for a state plan of long-term, sustainable funding for Indiana's crumbling road infrastructure.

The reality of long-term Hoosier road needs called for additional revenue. It was clear from all the data, upon which Soliday, a fiscal conservative by nature, relied.

That led to the unpopular decision of proposing a 10-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase and boosting vehicle registration fees to raise the needed average of $1.2 billion for state and local roads and bridges.

But unpopularity is relative. Plenty of thinking Hoosiers also realize crumbling highways are untenable to our economy and quality of life.

The state had been kicking the can down a pothole-laced, patchwork of road funding plan for years.

Soliday's plan passed both Indiana General Assembly chambers and was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb following the 2017 session.

Now Soliday is taking some political fire over the tax increase.

Nothing worth having is free, and road infrastructure  the most important single backbone of our state's economy  deserves long-term, sustainable care, not short-term triage.

Sometimes leaders must look the masses in the eye and be real with them.

It's what Soliday did, and we now have the sensible fix for Hoosier roads that has so long been on detour.

The chamber award is deserved. The political sniping, from corners that only propose criticism without real solutions, should be ignored by all thinking Hoosiers.
Record Number of Black Candidates Seeking History During Midterm Elections

While some already are household names like Stacey Abrams in Georgia, Val Demings in Florida, and Anthony Brown in Maryland, others like Natalie James in Arkansas, Will Boyd in Alabama,...

Tell the Supreme Court: We Still Need Affirmative Action

One of the great joys of my life is teaching. Im fortunate to teach classes on social justice at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most respected schools in...
TSB CEO and managing director Kevin Murphy is retiring after having been in the role for nearly a decade and with the company for nearly forty years.TSB chairman John Kelly said the board is grateful to Murphys contribution to the business and his willingness to stay on as CEO.Kelly said: Mr Murphy has for some time signalled to the board his intentions. However, he has put that to one side in the interests of the business, to assist with TSB Community Trusts acquisition of Fisher Funds and to complete TSBs recent rebrand.This reflects the dedication and passion for TSB and the community that he is known for, Kelly said.Murphy said: The decision to retire from the bank has been a difficult one, but I feel the time is right having completed a number of initiatives that lay the foundations for the banks ongoing success.Murphy said he intends to pursue directorship opportunities after his retirement. He is set to leave on Jan. 31, 2018.TSB said current TSB director Murray Bain will take-up an appointment as interim managing director to ensure continuity and a seamless transition for employees and customers. Bain has significant banking experience with a community-orientated bank and was an assistant governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Last month, TSB unveiled its rebranding, which reflect its transformation from a local Taranaki bank to a nationwide bank. TSB is now the sixth largest bank in New Zealand with branches across the country and claims to be a recognised leader in providing outstanding customer service.
Logan ready to rise to Singapore challenge

Group One-winning horsewoman Donna Logan is heading offshore to take up the next challenge of her career.

The Ruakaka conditioner, who has enjoyed top-flight success at home and in Australia, has been licenced by the Malayan Racing Association to train in Singapore where she has been granted 36 boxes at Kranji.

Logan and Group One winner Volkstoknbarrell

Photo: Bradley Photography

Logan will follow a trail successfully blazed there by New Zealand Racing Hall of Famer Laurie Laxon, the winner of nine Singapore premierships, and join fellow Kiwi trainers Stephen Gray, Bruce Marsh and Mark Walker.

She admitted to experiencing a raft of emotions when she received confirmation on Thursday evening of her stabling from the Singapore Turf Club.

Its quite daunting really, Im nervous and excited, but I know Im ready for this challenge at this stage of my life, Logan told the NZ Racing Desk from Singapore.

My daughter Sam has proven shes a very good trainer in her own right and my son Robert is grown up as well so this is the time to do it.

Its quite a stringent process and I got my licence from the Malayan Racing Association and Ive passed the medical and now the Singapore Turf Club have granted me boxes.

I was handed a letter tonight, which said congratulations  its all a bit mind-blowing.

I take over the boxes on December 1 and will basically start training up here as of January 1. Graeme Forbes will be my assistant trainer.

Logan, 56, will now begin the process of assembling her racing team in Singapore.

Id like to think that quite a few of my current clients will see the benefit of racing here and it should be very advantageous to our New Zealand racing stable. Te Akau have done it and extremely well.

Logan currently trains in partnership with Chris Gibbs, who will be taking sole charge of the Ruakaka operation.

Chris had to be happy to do that and he is. Ive got great faith in him and it will be another string to our bow, she said.

I think it will be a happy and rewarding move with benefits for both our existing New Zealand clients and new ones.

Logan trained her first winner in 1987 courtesy of Silver Kris, a half-brother to the former champion three-year-old Uncle Remus.

Silver Kris was a maiden and I had to run him out of his grade at Ellerslie to get a start, David Peake rode him, she said.

She subsequently enjoyed a successful training partnership with her husband Dean.

Despite going their separate ways in private life, Logan continued to train with Dean until his passing in 2015 following a battle with cancer and she was later joined in partnership by Gibbs.

Logans current career tally of winners is in excess of 850 with 60 at black type level, including eight individual Group One winners.

Volkstoknbarrell has been her most prolific with success in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m), New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

Logan has also enjoyed classic success with Habibi in the New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with Vapour Trail.

Further domestic Group One success has come her way with Valley Girl in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Zabeat in the Wellington Cup (3200m) and with Good Faith in the Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

Logan has also made her mark in Australia with Rising Romances victory in the ATC Oaks (2400m) and Victory Smile won The Metropolitan (2400m).

I guess the highlights have been Rising Romances win in the million dollar Oaks in Sydney and Habibis win with Dean in the Derby, but every Group One is very, very special.  NZ Racing Desk.
An Auburn University study on the black bear population in Alabama shows a growing number of bears in northeast Alabama and a distinct genetic group in southwest Alabama.

The state has two areas with bear populations: one with an estimated 30 bears centered around Little River Canyon near Fort Payne and another with an estimated 85 bears in Mobile and Washington counties north of Mobile. The latter number could be as high as 165, though.

Professor Todd Steury of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and graduate students Christopher Seals and John Draper conducted the multiyear study and recently published the results in the Nov. 8 edition of the scientific journal, PLOS One.

Their article, Genetic health and population monitoring of two small black bear populations in Alabama, with a regional perspective of genetic diversity and exchange, is online at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0186701.

The researchers collected DNA samples from hair left on more than 300 hair snares placed in bear habitats; finding and collecting bear scat using Auburns EcoDogs program; using game cameras; and tracking bears with radio collars.

We got over 1,000 DNA samples, Steury said. Several groups around the state helped us collect data.

Munford High School students helped gather information in Talladega National Forest; the National Park Service assisted in Little River Canyon National Preserve; and the Birmingham Zoo helped with the capture of bears in north Alabama. The study was funded primarily by the State Wildlife Grants program from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which also helped with fieldwork.

The north Alabama black bear population, which originally migrated from north Georgia, has more than doubled in the past four years. One interesting aspect we observed is that mother bears in north Alabama often have three or four cubs in a litter, he said. Normally a mother bear has only two cubs.

The bears north of Mobile seem to be their own distinct group without any genetic connection to other bear populations. We found high inbreeding in those bears, Steury said. They have the lowest genetic diversity of any comparison population in Southeast.

Previous studies conducted in lab settings have shown low genetic diversity can lead to lower survival rates and lower reproduction rates, according to Draper. However, he says those lab results are very difficult to prove in a wild population.

We look at low genetic diversity as a proxy of likely harmful changes at the genetic level, Draper said. Long-term studies are needed to determine the effect on the population.

Steury says the Mobile bear populations growth rate is unknown at this time and that the population is continuous with bears in eastern Mississippi.

The research team put radio collars on a total of 20 bears in the two populations and received location information via the internet every hour for a year.

The location data was superimposed over Google Earth map images so the locations of individual bears could be mapped. He also used a phone app that would let him monitor the locations and even remotely remove the collar if it got too tight or began rubbing the bear.

Male bears roam widely, Steury said. At two years old, they leave their mother and find a new place to live. Females settle close to the mother bear and expand their range slowly, thus the area occupied by the breeding population is slow to expand. A lot of females dont cross roads or power line right-of-ways. Males will cross them as well as rivers.

He says bears in the South are active in the winter, too, because they dont really hibernate, but will take what could be considered long naps at times. They will build nests on the ground that resemble a birds nest.

The researchers also aged the 20 collared bears by pulling a tiny back tooth, finding an average age of 6 years old and the oldest one being 12 years old. Bears generally live an estimated 18-20 years in the wild and can live 20-30 years in captivity.

The biggest one we trapped and collared weighed 318 pounds, he said. Most were around 150 to 250 pounds.

While technically a game species, there is no hunting season for bears in Alabama because the population numbers are too low. It is illegal to kill a bear in the state.

If you encounter a black bear, you should stay calm, make yourself big and loud, and back away slowly, Steury said. A black bear will almost always run away, but, if you are attacked, you should fight back. That differs from a grizzly bear, which, in that case, you should play dead if attacked.

He also recommends steps to discourage bears from roaming into populated areas, such as not feeding bears and not leaving trash and pet food outside.

If a person sees a bear, he or she should contact a local conservation officer or the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Editor's note: Charles Martin is an employee of Auburn University.
Our latest episode in our never-ending series on airplane trips gone astray because of human frailty comes from east Asia - though it could just as easily have happened in the skies over Los Angeles or Australia or anywhere else on the planet.

It begins in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday morning, when a married couple boarded a Qatar Airways flight for what the Hindustan Times reported was supposed to a holiday in Indonesia.

You'll notice we said "couple." This should immediately create a sense of tension and foreshadow trouble to come.

Will our holidayers find the kind of trouble that a Citigroup vice president and his girlfriend had last year - jailed for disorderly conduct on a flight to California?

Not quite. The husband on Qatar Airways Flight 962 fell asleep about an hour after takeoff, according to India Today.

As he drifted into upholstered oblivion, his wife picked up his phone.

(A brief reminder that sleep is no guarantee against calamity. Never forget the bedbug infestation on board British Airways Flight 84.)

The wife carefully lifted up her sleeping husband's index finger and pressed it against the scanner on the phone, according to the Times of India.

She was "a few drinks down by then," the outlet wrote, as she began to read what on her husband's private screen and "realized that he was allegedly cheating on her."

Some reports about the Qatar flight say the wife began to hit her sleeping husband, while others describe shouting and some unspecified "misbehavior" that proved beyond the flight crew's ability to control.

In any case, Indian federal police told the Times that the pilot had to make a sudden landing at an airport in Chennai, where the couple and their young child were kicked off.

The arrival of a misbehaving passenger into the arms of airport authorities is often the climax of sad plane stories. In May, a sort of rally formed inside a Shanghai airport, as dozens of put-out passengers chanted "Lock him up!" while police escorted a belligerent man off their flight.

Our married couple was in fact locked up in Chennai, the Hindustan Times reported, though only because they didn't have Indian visas.

The woman sobered up, discussed who-knows-what with her husband, and the family were eventually returned to Doha without further incident.

A little anti-climactic, as such stories go. But there's always the next one.
A Kampala-based Indian businessman, also large scale maize and tea farmer, Abid Alam has been detained at Wandegeya police station on the orders of Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, the chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into land matters.



Abid is accused of terrorising residents of Bukooba, Bukompe, Kika A & B, Rwamasanga, Kabagala in Mubende district, who, he allegedly been forcefully evicting from their land from 2008 to date.

Some of the machetes allegedly recovered from Abid Alam's agents used to terrorise residents in Mubende district

Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, the sectary to the Commission of Inquiry issued a warranty of arrest for Abid to all police officers to have him appear before the Commission on November 8, 2017 or thereabouts.



The Commission is investigating allegations that Abid deployed rowdy and armed agents in Bukoba village to further terrorise the residents over the weekend.

One of the guns reportedly recovered from Alam's agent

Among the exhibits allegedly recovered from Abid's agents include machetes, guns and several rounds of ammunition.

In 2008, more than 700 families of Bukooba-Kasawo village petitioned President Yoweri Museveni for his intervention after they accused police of colluding with Abid and his agents to effect what they called illegal eviction.

The residents claimed they were the rightful owners of the 12 square miles of the land in question having purchased it from Mubende land office. Some said they inherited from their grandparents, former World War II ex servicemen. Abid reportedly paid each of the 700 families between Shs 500,000 and 1.5 million to vacate the land.



Then, the residents claimed that the rowdy youths were backed by some police officers to terrorise them at night with machetes and spears at night to force them off their land.

They said that previous attempts to seek help from the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura had proved futile.

Grace Nanjere, one of the residents claimed that her husband David Ssenyama , the area LC 1 chairman was attacked and killed by workers of the Indian businessman in the presence of the police.
Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng

The minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, says government will maintain the current salaries of all medical workers in the country until a comprehensive salary structure review of all public servants.

Aceng disclosed this on Wednesday at press conference held at the government owned Media Center on the ongoing strike by medical doctors across the country.



The medical doctors laid down their tools at midnight on Monday to compel government to give them a pay rise and improve their welfare. They vowed not to resume work until government addresses their concerns.



The health workers want government to increase the salary of medical interns from Shs 960,000 to Shs 8.5 million. They also want medical and teaching assistants to earn Shs 15 million, get a two-bedroom house and a 2.5cc vehicle.



They also want government to pay a senior consultant doctor or professor Shs 48 million including allowances; provide them a five-bedroom house, 4.0cc vehicle and three domestic workers. Currently, a senior consultant doctor earns about Shs 3.4 million, consultant Shs 2.6 million, and a medical officer Shs 1.1 million.



The doctors also want salaries for nurses and midwives enhanced to about Shs 6.5 million besides providing them a three-bedroomed house, 2.0cc vehicle and one domestic worker. However, Aceng says government will only act once the salary harmonization process is completed.



David Karubanga, Public Service state minister, says they will engage Uganda Medical Workers' Union and Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union on the doctor's strike.
A 44-year-old Thai man reportedly died of hypothermia after going to bed on a cold floor with three electric fans flowing air at him all through the night.

Sobthawee Boonkua, from Tambon Nai Muang, in Thailands Chaiyaphum province, had gone to look after his 86-year-old mother, at a relatives house, and decided to spend the night. Fearing that he wouldnt be able to get a good nights sleep due to the heat in the poorly ventilated room, the 44-year-old decided to sleep on the floor and plug in no less than three electric fans to keep cool. Unfortunately, he didnt take into consideration Chaiyaphums drastic drop in temperature at night, and the problems his body would have adjusting to it.

Photo: The Nation

Sobthawees cold body was found last Friday morning, by a relative who immediately called an ambulance and the police. Lt. Colonel Thanasit Apiboonworaset of Muang Chaiyaphum police arrived at the scene at 8:30 am, along with a coroner. After examining the body and interrogating members of his family, the medical examiner concluded that the man had died of hypothermia, because his body couldnt adjust to the sudden difference in temperature and had gone into shock.

The mans brother, Saravuth Boonkua, told police that, to his knowledge, Sobthawee was in good physical shape and didnt suffer from any serious medical conditions.

Originally reported by The Nation, on November 3rd, the news of Sobthawee Boonkuas bizarre death has been doing the rounds online, and getting a host of reactions from commenters. Some expressed their disbelief that someone could die of hypothermia inside a house, in Thailand, while others confirmed that the differences in temperature between day and night are considerable in Chaiyaphum province and that the fans made the air even colder. And then there were those who just posted morbidly funny comments like he died in front of his fans.

Photo: Arbitrarily0

As unlikely as Boonkuas death may seem, its not the first time that sleeping with electric fans has been linked to death as a result of hypothermia. The Korea Herald reports that it is actually a popular myth in South Korea, where it is commonly referred to as fan death. Despite scientists repeatedly trying to debunk it and the lack of any evidence to support that fans could actually cause hypothermia, a lot of Koreans believe this theory and many prefer to bear the heat than sleep with an electric fan blowing at them.
A peculiar beauty trend has taken off in East Asia, and it is proving to be cause for concern. Women are inserting a small set of pegs, called nose lifter, into their nostrils in order to make their nose look more European. Western noses are apparently considered more attractive as theyre sharper and pointier.

The Nose Lifter set consists of two curved silicone pegs, measuring two to three centimeters long, and a hook for adjusting. The pegs are inserted into the nostril and then adjusted to a 45-degree angle. The result is an instant nose job without invasive and expensive surgery. The trend started two years ago in South Korea but has since spread across East Asia after being adopted by prominent YouTube beauty vloggers like Raiza Contawi.

Photo: Nose Lifter

It can fix a variety of nasal shape problems including but not limited to: flat noses, wide and bulbous noses, hook noses, droopy noses, crooked noses, flaring nostrils, upturned noses, dorsal humps, side humps and many others, the product description claims, and guarantees results within 30 seconds

However, despite the popularity of the device, health professionals are beginning to warn against its use, as repeated use can cause irreversible damage to the nose. Professor Richard Harvey, head of rhinology at UNSW and Macquarie University, said to news.com.au, Its putting pressure on the cartilage framework of the nose. Its being manipulated. Its stretching and distorting it and putting pressure on the lining of the nose. So even if you tolerate it at the time, repeated use could result in an ulcer.

Photo: Nose Lifter

Beyond damage to the cartilage, there are further health risks such as bacterial infection, and even inhaling the pegs. Last year, a 25-year-old woman in Taipei almost lost her nose when one of the pegs broke through her nasal membrane and caused a bacterial infection. She couldnt afford rhinoplasty surgery and had opted for the low-cost device instead. Dr. Liao Guoliang, who treated the woman, warned against the device and pointed out how the infection could have spread to the womans brain.

In another incident, a woman in mainland China accidentally inhaled the peg and was taken into emergency care. Xrays showed the device was in her stomach, but it eventually passed through her system. The woman had bought the product online and discovered after the incident that many reviewers had reported similar experiences.

Photo: Magic 1 Nose Lift Set

The product description does not list these potential risks, but health professionals are urging women to beware.

If people really have concerns about the shape and function of their nose they should see a doctor who deals with cosmetic treatments, Prof Harvey said. They can educate you about the pros and cons of such treatment.
There's something fishy about the Justice Dept.'s demand that AT&T unload Turner Networks and its crown jewel CNN before it grants approval of its $85B takeover of Time-Warner?

Is the Justice Dept.s move a pure political play? Are the invisible hands of Donald Trump pulling the strings regarding the CNN divestiture?

After all, AT&T chief financial officer John Stephens told an investor conference that a vertical merger like this hasnt been blocked for over 40 years."

Indeed, the Obama Administration, which was a tad less business-friendly than the Trump White House gave its blessing to the then-blockbuster hookup of Comcast and NBCUniversal.

Trump, of course, is no fan of CNN, which he berates as fake news at every opportunity. During the campaign Trump blasted the AT&T/Time Warner merger with deals like this destroy democracy and an example of the power structure that he was fighting.

Backed with AT&Ts financial muscle, CNN would be an even more formidable player on the worlds media stage. It could hire reporters, add bureaus and invest in the latest digital communications technology. Bad news for Donald?

An independent CNN would be financially weak and in play for takeover by the likes of the right-wing Sinclair Broadcast Group or even Fox News, especially if Rupert Murdoch decides to say good-bye to Hollywood to concentrate on the news business.

There are solid reasons to oppose the AT&T/Time-Warner hook-up, dealing with concentration of power, media consolidation and the sheer scope of the deal.

Its downright scandalous though if Attorney General Jeff Sessions is forcing the divestiture of CNN to win favor with Trump, who is furious that the former Alabama Senator recused himself in the Russian collusion probe.

Trump may think that he's all that matters, but there are still checks and balances designed to check the power of an abusive president.
While volunteering isn't mandatory for all high school students, a lot of teens are required to complete community service as a part of their high school career.

My children  Abbey, 16, and Jaiden, 14  are expected to complete 20 hours of community service every year. These volunteer hours can be earned in any number of ways but must be completed by the end of the school year.

Teens who volunteer receive many benefits from their experiences. One benefit in particular is the potential to lead into a long-term career path. Volunteering also teaches teens compassion, humility, responsibility and other essential life skills they can carry through life.

However, finding the right place to volunteer can sometimes be challenging  even overwhelming. Not everyone has the same personality or interests, so it may be necessary to discuss different options and ideas before making a final decision. Here are a few ideas to help you and your teen decide where he or she may want to volunteer.

For more information, contact your child's school or the organization where your child is interested in volunteering.

1. Soup kitchens or food banks. With the holidays and colder weather coming up, food banks and soup kitchen could definitely use more help as the need increases. Whether your child is serving food or stocking shelves, every little bit helps. Helping those in need is also a great way for your teen to learn humility and appreciation for all they have in their lives.

2. Animal shelters. Local animal shelters are a fun place for animal lovers to volunteer. Duties often include interacting with the animals, as well as taking them for their daily walks. And although there is an age restriction to volunteer, younger teens in Iowa can volunteer with a parent present.

3. The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The zoo is a great place for teens to start earning their volunteer hours. The Zoo Crew, an educational program geared toward teaching volunteers about conservation, research and general animal care, offers many hands-on learning opportunities. Unlike the animal shelter, there is a monetary fee associated, but it's an added benefit. It's returned to you the following year in the form of a free zoo pass. Your child simply has to complete the required number of volunteer hours to earn the pass.

4. Hospitals. If your teen has an interest in medicine or just caring for people in general, volunteering at a hospital may be a good place to start. Duties might include answering phones, delivering newspapers, visiting patients and helping nurses as needed. There are many benefits that come with volunteering at a hospital, including leadership opportunities and learning useful skills and responsibility. Many hospitals have age restrictions as well as a minimum time commitment. Most hospitals also require volunteers to complete volunteer orientation.

5. Retirement communities and nursing homes. Another great volunteer opportunity for teens who enjoy caring for others is to visit the elderly who live in retirement communities or nursing homes. Sadly, there are many aging or ill individuals with zero or limited nearby family members. Simply spending time with someone can brighten their day. Age restrictions may also apply for these volunteer opportunities, but it would be a great bonding experience for any parent and child.

6. Summer camps or swim lessons. If your teen is looking for summer volunteer opportunities, have him or her check out summer camps or even teaching swim lessons. Interested teens can learn invaluable life-saving techniques and leadership skills during their time volunteering. Be warned that there will likely be mandatory training to become a camp volunteer or to teach swim lessons. Teens might also have to go through an interview process.

7. Preschool or childcare centers. One place my daughter, Abbey, loves to volunteer is at her schools preschool. There she spends time with the children, makes crafts and helps the teacher with a variety of tasks. This is a good option for any teen interested in teaching or early childcare.

How does your teen earn their volunteer hours?

***

Amanda Smith, a working mom of two children, writes weekly for momaha.com. Read more from Amanda 
Omaha police plan to clamp down on the recent rise in shootings, and so far, the city is on track to finish 2017 below last years homicide and shooting numbers.

Chief Todd Schmaderer said Wednesday that he has increased patrolling and authorized overtime for street and gang unit officers.

His senior command has held meetings on the uptick in shootings and is working to address the issue.

We are very much on top of the spike in violence that weve had in our city, Schmaderer said at the weekly community Omaha 360 meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Capt. Ken Kanger, who oversees the gang and narcotics units, didnt attribute any specific shootings to gang-related violence but said its a possibility.

Were going to look at potential motives and see whether things are gang-related, he said. Were always watching what is occurring in the city of Omaha and paying close attention to different trends and patterns.

Earlier in the week, Schmaderer said some of the recent violence is linked to a specific gang, but he and his staff have declined to provide further details to avoid compromising investigations.

Xavier Bass, 21, was fatally shot on the North Freeway Sunday afternoon  the citys 24th homicide this year. Police have not arrested a suspect or discussed a motive, except to say that the shooting was not related to road rage.

Last year, 29 people were slain, marking a 13-year low for the city.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office announced on Wednesday that it will increase patrols at places of worship on Sundays in response to the massacre at a Texas church that killed 26.

Chief Deputy Tom Wheeler said hes not aware of specific concerns but said the Sheriffs Office would add the extra security as a precaution for a few weeks.

Just to be vigilant, he said. Well be patrolling outside to be a visual presence in those areas.
LINCOLN  The State of Nebraska took a big step Thursday toward executing its first death-row inmate in 20 years, using an untried combination of lethal-injection drugs.

Attorney General Doug Peterson said Thursday that he is prepared to request a death warrant for Jose Sandoval after at least 60 days, which is the minimum notice period for condemned inmates under the states execution protocol. The Nebraska Supreme Court issues death warrants if an inmate has no pending appeals.

A check of state and federal court records Thursday showed that Sandovals last legal challenge was decided against him in 2011 and that he has no active appeals. Its unclear whether he currently has a lawyer or will contest the states plan to execute him.

But experts say the new four-drug combination officials unveiled Thursday has never been used by another state in a lethal injection execution. Legal challenges over the drugs could further delay what would be the first time Nebraska has used lethal injection to carry out an execution. Twenty years ago, the state relied solely on the electric chair.

Its yet another experimental protocol. Now the lawsuits begin, said Robert Dunham, director of the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, D.C.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services notified Sandoval that it will inject four drugs in the following order: diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracurium besylate and potassium chloride.

Diazepam (brand names include Valium) is a benzodiazepine that is used to produce a calming effect. Fentanyl citrate is a general anesthetic that has been used since the 1960s. As an opioid, it also blocks pain, which has made it a popular a street drug linked to lethal overdoses.

Cisatracurium besylate (brand name: Nimbex) relaxes or paralyzes muscles and is used along with a general anesthetic when intubating patients or doing surgery.

The final drug, potassium chloride, is used to stop the inmates heart. It was the only drug that was also used in Nebraskas former three-drug combination.

Dunham said the four drugs selected by Nebraska have not been used in combination by another death penalty state. The third drug, cisatracurium besylate, has not been used before in an execution, he added.

Kent Scheidegger, legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Sacramento, California, said that in 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court established a fairly high hurdle for those who would stop a lethal injection.

In deciding a lethal injection dispute in Oklahoma, the court said that to prevent an execution, the drug must present a demonstrated risk of causing severe pain in the inmate and the risk must be substantial compared with known alternative drugs, Scheidegger said.

The objection that a drug has never been used before is not valid by itself, he said.

The announcement that Sandoval had been selected for execution was somewhat surprising, given that several other inmates have been on death row longer than he has. Sandoval was the ringleader of a 2002 botched bank robbery that left five people shot to death. He was later convicted of killing two men before the bank shootings. Vivian Tuttle, whose daughter, Evonne, was gunned down by Sandoval as she stood in line to cash a check, said she had been waiting for this day.

He needs to be executed, and Nebraska has the drugs to do it now, Tuttle said Thursday.

Tuttle, who lives in Ewing and just celebrated her 76th birthday, added, I want this over with before I die.

State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, the leading opponent of capital punishment in the state, said the new and untested protocol would inspire lengthy legal action.

Theyre far from being at the point at which an execution can be carried out, Chambers said. I think the rough ride has just begun.

The senator said he thought that Thursdays announcement was more a political and public relations move tied to Gov. Pete Ricketts bid to win a second term as governor.

The Republican governor helped organize and fund a petition drive to reinstate capital punishment last year after the Legislature in 2015 overrode his veto to repeal the death penalty.

Danielle Conrad, director of the ACLU of Nebraska, said she was horrified that the state plans to use Sandoval as a test subject for an unproven lethal drug combination. Her organization, she said, will closely evaluate the constitutional questions raised by the states plan.

This rash decision will not fix the problems with Nebraskas broken death penalty and are a distraction from the real issues impacting Nebraskas Department of Corrections: an overcrowded, crisis-riddled system, she said in a press release.

In the past, Nebraska had faced trouble and controversy when it tried to obtain a lethal injection drug through a broker in India. A federal agency blocked the importation of the drugs. The state spent $54,000 for drugs it never received.

Sandoval was considered the leader of four men who attempted to rob the Norfolk bank. He shot and killed three of the victims.

He is one of 11 men on death row, which is at the Tecumseh State Prison.

World-Herald staff writer Martha Stoddard contributed to this report.
LINCOLN  Public school students couldnt be shuffled off to a bathroom or closet to breastfeed their babies or pump milk under a policy the Nebraska State Board of Education approved Thursday for use in the states schools.

Under the model policy, breastfeeding or pumping students must be given reasonable space and time, in a private, clean space with an electrical outlet, chair and a food refrigerator to store breast milk safely.

The policy, created for adoption by local districts, stems from a state law passed last session. LB 427 requires that local school boards by May 1, 2018, adopt a written policy for accommodating pregnant and parenting students, beginning with the 2018-19 school year.

Local boards can either draft their own policies or adopt the states model. If a board drafts its own, it must meet the minimum standards in the model or the requirements in the law.

The states model policy is based on the law but is more detailed.

John Witzel, vice president of the state board, said the state drafted the policy for local districts not to force but hopefully to guide them.

We wrote out a model policy for all school districts to use, where they wouldnt have to go out and research for themselves, Witzel said. We did all the legwork for them with our lawyers and experts.

The model policy, approved 8-0, aims to keep pregnant and parenting students in school, mitigating some of the hardships and inconveniences, and prohibiting discrimination against them.

By adopting the policy, a district would affirm that pregnant and parenting students of compulsory school age have the right and responsibility to attend school and cant be discriminated against because of pregnancy or parenting responsibilities.

It ensures that pregnant and parenting students wont be penalized when absent because of doctor appointments for themselves or a child.

It allows for pregnant and parenting students to make up missed schoolwork, ensuring that they can return to school after pregnancy and pick up where they left off.

Districts have to provide assignments and additional support to ensure that they keep up with missed work. Districts would have to provide at least one alternate means to complete course work, such as online, home-based independent study or home tutoring.

If in-school child care is not provided, school officials would have to provide a list of qualified licensed child care providers to the pregnant and parenting students.

The policy also notes that pregnant and parenting students could request additional accommodations, which would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Those could include more frequent bathroom breaks, additional time between class periods, a larger desk or additional work space and adjustments to physical education requirements.
Less than two months after Republicans' latest effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act imploded, a purple state just made a decidedly blue-state move to essentially expand Obamacare.

On Tuesday, Maine became the first state to expand Medicaid with a ballot initiative. And it passed overwhelmingly: Maine voters agreed to grant health care to an estimated 70,000 low-income residents by a nearly 20-percentage-point margin by the time the measure was called by election watchers. In other words, a sizable number of voters in Maine just voted to do the exact opposite of what the state's Republican governor and Republicans in Washington have been trying to do.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a bipartisan legislative deal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act at least five times. Since Republicans took control of Washington in January, they've spent more than half the year trying to repeal Obamacare with proposals that would have drastically cut Medicaid. But Maine's Sen. Susan Collins , a Republican, was one of the defining "no" votes that ultimately ended the GOP efforts, saying the plans would pull the rug out from too many in her state.

What happened in Maine could provide momentum for progressives to get voters in other states to expand Medicaid, such as Alaska and Idaho, where groups have already started similar Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives next year.

"This will send a clear signal to where the rest of the country is on health care," said Jonathan Schleifer, executive director of the Fairness Project, which helped put together the ballot initiative. As Republicans have tried to roll back Obamacare, public support for an active government role in health care has spiked.

Schleifer said his group has spent the past year in Maine  and some $2 million  laying the groundwork for this. After Trump won the election and Republicans held on to Congress, they went to their tried-and-true method of ballot initiatives to try to fight back.

"Looking at what progressives were able to accomplish by ballot initiatives in 2016, we asked ourselves what do we do for biggest challenge out there, which is the threat to Affordable Care Act," Schleifer said. "We asked ourselves: What can we do to not just hold the line but to advance things?"

Schleifer is right. The left has had spectacular success over the past four years going around Republican legislatures to change state policy on everything from guns and minimum wage with ballot initiatives. In fact, when put to the voters over the past 20 years, minimum wage increases have rarely lost.

Last November was no different. Voters in four out of four states resoundingly approved minimum wage hikes in 2016. (The last time Congress approved a minimum wage hike, George W. Bush was president.) In Arizona, the vote for a high minimum wage outperformed Trump by 10 percentage points. Voters in eight of nine states also voted to ease restrictions on marijuana, and three of four states voted to put in place gun restrictions.

Ballot initiatives are an important tool for progressives in the Trump era, just like how conservatives used them in the '90s when Democrats dominated government. Other national groups descended on Maine to help this pass. Planned Parenthood's Maine political group said they knocked on over 8,600 doors in Portland over the last week of the election.

Not all progressive ballot advocates are as bullish on Maine's ballot initiative to change the health-care landscape.

Kellie Dupree with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which helps progressive groups strategize ballot initiatives, said expanding Medicaid can be a tough sell as it requires taxpayer money.

"We'll wait to see how these policies shape up," she said.

Most of Democrats' reasons to celebrate this past year has been the absence of legislation. So at the very least, expanding Medicaid in a state like Maine is a notable change of pace for a party largely locked out of power.
Retiring Nebraska State Fair executive director Joseph McDermott spent his last nine years shepherding the fair through its successful transition to Grand Island. He and his team deserve credit for executing the vision of a state fair that remains close to the heart of Nebraska agriculture and making it worth the drive from all corners of the state.

Moving the fair from Lincoln to Grand Island required construction oversight, new plans for maintenance and rethinking what a state fair could and should be.

On each front, the Nebraska State Fair has performed admirably. Attendance this year was up 5 percent, to a total of 379,108. That was within 10,000 of Lincolns 1997 record. The fair is now considered a national leader.

Thats quite a capstone to McDermotts 30-year career. The Grand Island native says hell stay on in 2018 as a consultant to help whomever is chosen to succeed him.

May the new hire ably fill McDermotts shoes.
The Pentagon has known for at least two decades that many military criminal convictions were not being reported in a timely manner, if at all, to the FBI for a database used for criminal background checks and gun purchases.

In many cases, neither records of military convictions nor the fingerprints of those convicted have been shared with the FBI, whose databases are tapped by civilian law enforcement agencies in investigating crimes and by cities and states in issuing gun permits.

The cost of such lapses was never clearer than Sunday, when a gunman killed 26 men, women and children in a Texas church. The shooters military justice record of domestic violence should have disqualified him from buying a gun, but the Air Force has acknowledged his record was not sent to the FBI.

Defense Secretary James Mattis has ordered the inspector general to review the circumstances of these failures, but Congress should also be motivated to investigate. For example, the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System showed that the Pentagon had referred only a single domestic violence conviction as of Dec. 31, 2016.

One.

Where did the others go?

The Pentagon has known about these sloppy and inconsistent reporting procedures for decades  its inspector general outlined even more widespread lapses in 1997.

As recently as February 2015, the Pentagons inspector general reported that hundreds of convicted military offenders fingerprints had not been submitted to the FBI database. It found a failure rate of about 30 percent in cases that required submission of fingerprints and criminal case outcomes.

This is a significant problem that must not take another 20 years to correct.

Members of Congress from Nebraska and Iowa would do well to join Texas Sen. John Cornyns effort to craft a federal law to explicitly require such referrals to the FBI.
OK! Magazine 16 Nov 2022

Former POTUS Donald Trump revealed that he is vying for the White House yet again, unveiling his 2024 presidential campaign.
by  Graham Pierrepoint



As the Harvey Weinstein saga continues to open old secrets and allow Hollywood to bear up and witness some of its most regrettable moments behind the scenes, more people are coming forward to make allegations against some of the biggest names in the business. With Weinstein yet to face charges as a case builds both in the US  and the UK  , it has this week been actor and former theatre director Kevin Spacey who has faced the full force of emerging allegations  with regard to inappropriate sexual activity.

Anthony Rapp led allegations against Spacey in an interview  having stated that the Usual Suspects and House of Cards star had attempted to seduce him in 1986, when he was a minor of 14 years of age. Spacey took to publicly address the issue by apologizing and stating that he had no memory of the incident. High profile members of the gay community, however, have responded in disgust at the actors decision to come out as homosexual at the same time as addressing the allegations made of him  an issue which has been reverberating in the media and online since earlier this week.

It doesnt seem that such allegations are to fizzle out any time soon, however, as more appear to have come forward to allege inappropriate advances  made by Spacey across the years. Among them include director Tony Montana, who alleges that he sought help for PTSD as a result of Spacey having forcefully fondled him in a bar in 2003. Another is actor Roberto Cavazos, who took part in plays at Londons Old Vic theatre when Spacey was artistic director there. Publicly advising of incidents that occurred there some years ago, the actor added on Facebook that There are a lot of us who have a Kevin Spacey story.
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Authorities on Wednesday asked for the public's help in identifying additional victims of a man arrested last month in California on accusations he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in Clackamas County.

John David Bowe

John David Bowe, 48, was arrested Oct. 25 in Pomona, accused of first-degree rape, seven counts of first-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree sex abuse and two counts of second-degree sodomy. Bowe is accused of sexually assaulting the victim Oct. 16 near Sandy, authorities said.

Bowe is being held in the San Bernardino County Jail awaiting extradition to Oregon. He has been a registered sex offender in California since March 2002, a news release says.

"Bowe is known to have frequented locations where children congregate," the news release says, adding that detectives are seeking information on other victims. "Bowe is believed to also have had contact with multiple families with minor children."

Authorities ask that people with information contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949 or https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp, using case number 17-27368.

-- Allan Brettman
As in tax reform, so in restaurants: the rich keep getting richer.

Renata, already Portland's best pasta restaurant, has hired chef Chris Frazier, a Portland native with experience at top Italian restaurants in New York and San Francisco, to be its new Chef de Cuisine. Frazier, who will work under Renata chef Matt Sigler, spent the last year making lovely bucatini all'amatriciana and sweet corn lumache at Portland's Accanto. The move unites the chefs from two of Portland's top five pasta restaurants, and could create an intriguing clash of styles.

Accanto has retooled quickly. The Buckman neighborhood restaurant has tapped partners Erik Van Kley and Gabriela Ramos, whose Taylor Railworks closed last month, to push the restaurant forward while looking back for inspiration (more on that later).

It's a reunion of sorts for Frazier and Sigler, who were friendly rivals in San Francisco's highly competitive pasta scene. Sigler helped build the celebrated pasta program at Thomas McNaughton's Emilia Romagna-inspired Flour + Water as Frazier was nearby at the Delfina's group's Roman-style Locanda, where he first met Renata co-owner Nick Arnerich.

"It's nice having someone who has a pasta background driving service," Sigler says. "We'll be able to smash our styles together. That will make for some interesting growth."

Renata merges Northern Italy's egg noodles, stuffed pastas and butter sauces with West Coast-style seasonality. Incoming chef de cuisine Chris Frazier could present and intriguing clash of styles.

Frazier shores up Renata's kitchen, which has recently seen two cooks promoted to major roles at other ventures. Brandon Cunningham was named chef de cuisine at the French-inspired Rue in August, while Sarah Schneider became the culinary director at the all-woman food collective The Nightwood the following month.

Calling himself a "pasta purist," Frazier says he's still getting used to Renata's Northern-Italy-meets-the-West-Coast style.

"My favorite parts of Italy are pretty much everything south of Rome on the Amalfi coast down to Calabria and Sicily," Frazier says. "For the most part, that's gentler, lighter fare. Pastas are usually not as heavy, or there's never a glaze element to the sauce. There's a lot of genial qualities to that kind of food that have come about just out of necessity. Putting breadcrumbs on pasta because there's no cheese. Because cheese is expensive. Things like that really hit home with me.

"Stylistically, it's not what I'm used to. But it's going to be a collaborative thing in the end. My style will influence theirs, and theirs will influence mine."

Also joining Renata are new bar manager Chris Churilla (The Knock Back, Bit House Saloon) and, on a consulting basis, pastry chef Liz Clements (Coquine, Roe).

Changes are afoot at Accanto as well. The neighborhood restaurant, originally designed as a casual spin-off to Genoa, reached out to Van Kley and Ramos soon after announcing their close-in Southeast Portland restaurant would close in October.

"The planets aligned," Ramos says.

Erik Van Kley and Gabriela Ramos at Taylor Railworks, which closed last month. The couple have been hired at the Buckman neighborhood Italian restaurant Accanto.

Van Kley, the former Le Pigeon and Little Bird chef, spent the past month catching up on sleep, including spending 10 days with his folks in Michigan, eating sandwiches, drinking Manhattans and watching the news.

"There's been a lot of lessons learned in the last two years, hard lessons, sometimes negative lessons, sometimes very positive," Van Kley says. "The most positive was how to build a culture around a restaurant. We're looking forward to being able to bring that mentality to another smaller, more closely knit restaurant."

Accanto's menu will remain Italian -- Van Kley reminds us that his first job in Portland was under former Mario Batali sous chef (and future Bunk Sandwiches kingpin) Tommy Habetz at Gotham Building Tavern -- though the menu will branch out with new techniques and ingredients. Look for the return of Van Kley's charcuterie, last seen at Little Bird. Three-ring binders full of old recipes from Genoa could be the inspiration for throwback dinners in the future.

"I want to modernize things without alienating the existing clientele," Van Kley says.

Renata: 626 S.E. Main St., 503-954-2708, renatapdx.com

Accanto: 2838 S.E. Belmont St., 503-235-4900, accantopdx.com

-- Michael Russell
A critic of a proposed oil-by-rail terminal in Vancouver has maintained a solid lead in a port commissioner race that may shape the project's future.

Don Orange was leading Kris Greene with 64.6 percent of the vote Tuesday night in the Port of Vancouver race. With a second batch of ballots tallied Wednesday, Orange's lead remained steady at 64.3 percent. Ballot counting will continue over the next several days.

The race has drawn more than $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions. It has been seen by some as a referendum on a $210 million project that would handle about 360,000 barrels of crude oil a day.

Orange, who is backed by environmental groups, said he would work to end the Port of Vancouver's lease with Vancouver Energy.

Vancouver Energy and other project backers pumped $370,000, the bulk of cash contributions, to back Greene in the election.

The terminal has been the subject of heated debate in the Northwest. Project developers see it as an opportunity to link domestic crude oil from the Midwest to a West Coast port and bring jobs and money to the region.

Critics say it poses too great a risk to people and the environment, and the dangers extend well beyond the facility to include communities along rail lines.

The project would receive an average of four 1-mile long crude oil trains a day. Oil would be stored on site then loaded onto tankers and ships bound for West Coast refineries.

Vancouver Energy has a 10-year lease at the deep-water port, but the lease allows for changes by either party every 90 days.

A state energy panel is currently reviewing the project. It will make a recommendation to Gov. Jay Inslee, who will have the final say.

Orange received support from the Washington Conservation Voters Action Fund, while Greene was backed by Enterprise Washington Jobs, a political action committee whose top donors include Tesoro and BNSF Railway.

-- The Associated Press
Two weeks after a Clackamas man shot and killed a gray wolf west of La Grande, state wolf experts and advocates say it's important for hunters and hikers to know more about the reclusive canid's behavior before spending time in the wild.

Brian Scott told law enforcement officers he was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot the protected animal on Oct. 27. No charges were filed in the Union County incident. It's illegal to kill wolves in Oregon except under certain circumstances, including self-defense.

The 38-year-old Clackamas resident is an experienced hunter, according to public records. He said he was out in the woods when three animals began circling him. When he moved into an open area, he told Oregon State Police troopers, two of the animals appeared to move in a flanking position behind him and the third started running toward him. That's when he fired his rifle, he said.

He initially thought the animals were coyotes, he said, and promptly called authorities once he realized he'd killed a wolf.

Some of the animal's behavior described by Scott, is normal, according to Amaroq Weiss with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity. Wolves travel, and hunt, in packs. They are social creatures and are curious by nature.

It's unusual, however, for wolves to attack people. "It's just not normal wolf behavior to view humans as prey," Weiss said, saying the rare instances in the U.S. typically involve a rabid animal or a badly injured one.

Weiss said it's important for hunters and others in remote parts of Oregon to understand that wolves will occasionally approach a human out of curiosity. "But once they realize who you are, what you are, they're not coming for you," she said.

She said she's "grateful" Scott contacted authorities. "It's a courageous thing to do," she said, "it's the right thing to do."

In an interview with Capital Press, an agricultural weekly newspaper, Scott said he was prepared to face public scrutiny for the incident and that he took "no pride" in killing the animal.

"I've got to live with what I did for the rest of my life," he told the newspaper, "I killed a wolf. It makes me almost nauseous to think about that moment."

Some environmental groups have questioned whether the entry and exit wounds on the deceased wolf were consistent with an animal running straight at a hunter. That concern is heightened by recent high-profile poaching investigations in Klamath County.

On Wednesday, environmental groups announced they would add $11,750 to the reward for information regarding the illegal killing of OR-25 in southern Oregon. It's the second time in the past month nonprofit groups have raised additional reward money to nab a wolf poacher in Klamath County.

Roblyn Brown, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's acting wolf coordinator, said it's not possible to corroborate or invalidate Scott's claim that he acted in self-defense last month. She said the incident doesn't mean people are in any more danger of a wolf attack in the wild in Oregon

"If someone is concerned for their safety," Brown said, "make sure that animal knows you're present." Hunters and hikers can scare away wolves by yelling, making themselves larger, or firing their weapon in the ground or direction of the wolf, Brown said.

Brown said it is not out of the ordinary for hunters to spot wolves in Oregon. She said she's spoken to hunters who have encountered wolves  a possibility that's heightened during archery season, when hunters use more camouflage and rely on elk scents and calls to lure animals.

But after near-decimation in the early 1900s, wolf numbers are rebounding. That means Oregonians will increasingly see the animals in forested areas.

Weiss, with the nonprofit wolf advocacy group, said the state needs to do more to educate people about wolf behavior in general. The state currently just has "basic factual information" online, Weiss said.

The wildlife agency does have online information on how humans should react when in the presence of wolves, and it posted a quiz this fall highlighting the difference between coyotes and wolves to help boost awareness. Adocates say the agency should post more explicit information about wolf behavior.

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen


A website launched this week in Oregon to help consumers in disputes with health plans.

The site, MyPatientRights.org, is directed at consumers who are denied coverage, experience delays or are unhappy with decisions by their health insurer.

It lists patient rights, such as to see their personal health records and to keep those private. It lists some of the issues patients might face, such as co-insurance costs, high deductibles and adverse tiering, which involves a company putting all medications for a specific condition into the highest cost bracket.

And it helps consumers file a complaint by showing them where to go for help, providing links and including key phone numbers.

There's a personal perspective aspect to the site as with, with tales from consumers of their problems and how they resolved them.

"As health plans are moving to reduce access to new lifesaving medicines, create one-size-fits-all treatment pathways and restrict access to specialists, we must provide consumers with the help and confidence they need to demand the care they deserve," Liz Helms, president and CEO of the California Chronic Care Coalition said in a release.

The coalition, a collection of consumer health groups, has similar sites in 16 other states, including Washington and California. The Oregon site was the latest installment.

-- Lynne Terry
Each year on Nov. 11, Americans honor all those who have served in the armed forces. With Nov. 11 on a Saturday this year, events and closures fall on Friday, Nov. 10 as well. Here's the rundown on how Oregon and Southwest Washington communities are celebrating the federal holiday, what's free for veterans, and what's closed.

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Veterans Day celebrations

Statewide list: As always, the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs posted a list of Veterans Day events across the state on its website. It includes the big celebrations and smaller local events.

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Ross Hollywood Chapel Veterans Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11, Hollywood District in Portland. Begins at Northeast 40th Avenue and Tillamook Street and turns east onto Northeast Sandy Boulevard concluding at 48th Avenue at the flag pole in front of Ross Hollywood Chapel for a flag raising ceremony.

Fort Vancouver Veterans Day Parade: 11 a.m. Nov. 11, begins at Fort Vancouver National Site at Evergreen Boulevard and East Reserve Street, see website for route. There will be a 10 a.m. ceremony before the parade.

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Veterans Day Observance, Beaverton: 11 a.m. Sat. Nov. 11, Bethel Congregational, United Church of Christ, 5150 S.W. Watson Ave. Family friendly community memorial service with choir organized by American Legion Post 124.

Estacada Veterans Day Parade: 11 a.m. Sat., Nov. 11, begins at Estacada High School, 355 N.E. Sixth Ave., travels down Main Street to Fourth Street then turns right on Broadway Street, ends at the Veterans Memorial with a ceremony. Hosted by Estacada Area Support Our Troops Foundation.

Washington County's Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, Hillsboro: 11 a.m.-noon, Sat., Nov. 11. Washington County Veterans Memorial, Northeast Veterans Drive and Northeast 34th Avenue, Hillsboro. Hosted by Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services; Memorial Fund for Veterans of Washington County; VFW 2666 and American Legion 104. Features Doug Lund, a West Point graduate with a degree in military history, who will talk about significant historical events as they relate to being a veteran, with a focus on World War I. Local recording artist Alena Sheldon will sing the national anthem.

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Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, Wilsonville: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, Oregon Korean War Memorial in Town Center Park, 29600 S.W. Park Place. Event includes a speaker, performances of the "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Taps," posting of colors, and cadets' readings about the significance of Veterans Day. Organized by Korean War Veterans Association, Oregon Trail Chapter.

Free Veterans Day Musical Review, Portland: noon Saturday, Nov. 11, German American Society, 5626 N.E. Alameda St. USO-style musical variety show by Tony Starlight and an eight-piece band performing songs covering several decades of American popular music. Lunch provided for the first 250 guests.

City of Cornelius Veterans Day Celebration: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, Veterans Memorial Park, Baseline Street between 12th and 13th Avenues. Keynote speaker is veteran and Washington County Commissioner Bob Terry. Event includes a 7-gun salute by the VFW veterans group, a welcome by Cornelius Mayor Jeffrey Dalin, singing and bagpiper performance. The Washington County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard will post the colors. Hosted in conjunction with American Legion and VFW groups throughout Washington County.

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Statewide Veterans Day Celebration, Salem: 2 p.m. Sat. Nov. 11, Oregon World War II Memorial, Court and Cottage streets, Salem. Hosted by Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. Honoring and remembering the achievements and contributions of all of Oregon's veterans. Featuring remarks by Joshua Groesz, Iraq combat veteran and executive director of The Salvation Army's Veterans and Family Center, and Marianne McNally, daughter of Don Malarkey, WWII hero and member of famed 101st Airborne's Easy Company, who died in September at 96. Also a color guard, national anthem, laying of the wreath and the playing of "Taps."

Troutdale Lions Club Free Spaghetti Dinner for Veterans: 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 11, Sam Cox Building, Glenn Otto Park, 1106 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale. Community members are invited to say thank you to veterans. Please bring three non-perishable food items.

Veteran's Dinner, Forest Grove: 12:30 p.m. Sun. Nov. 12, Forest Grove Elks Lodge, 2810 Pacific Ave. A dinner and dance for Veterans of the Forest Grove Community. Vintage Country Band will perform from 2:30pm to 5pm. Free for veterans, donations requested from non-veterans.

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Discounts and free offers

Veterans looking for the freebies and discounts on Friday and Saturday can check out the list on Military.com, which has offerings for restaurants, retailers, recreation and travel.

Free Oregon Zoo admission: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 10 and 11. The Oregon Zoo will once again offer free admission for veterans and their accompanying family members, as well as for active duty military and the families of those currently deployed with military/vet organization ID, discharge papers or other official identification. http://www.oregonzoo.org/events/veterans-day-0

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U.S. Forest Service: Day-use recreation fees will be waived for veterans in Oregon and Washington on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 11-12.

National Parks: On Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 11-12, all visitors are admitted free in honor of Veterans Day weekend.

Washington State Parks: In honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11 is a "free day," when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park for day use.

Wordstock: Portland's annual book festival on Nov. 11 in the South Park Blocks will admit veterans and active-duty military personnel free in honor of Veterans Day weekend.

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What about U.S. mail?

Friday: U.S. Postal Service offices are open with regular mail service.

Saturday: Post offices will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery.

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What about public transit?

Friday and Saturday: TriMet buses, MAX and WES; C-Tran; and Portland Aerial Tram all follow regular schedules.

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Friday closures

Federal offices and courts: closed

Oregon and Washington state offices and courts: closed

Portland parking meters: Metered parking will be enforced, so pay as usual.

Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro regional center: closed

Libraries

Multnomah County: open

Clackamas County: open

Washington County: Many are closed. Hillsboro Brookwood and Shute and Tualatin libraries will be open. Full list at wccls.org

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District: open

Banks: closed, some in-store branches may be open

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Saturday closures

U.S. Postal Service offices: closed, no regular mail service

Portland parking meters: Meters will be enforced in Washington Park, at the Oregon Zoo and in Willamette Park. Free elsewhere.

Libraries

Multnomah County: open

Clackamas County: closed

Washington County: Many are closed. Hillsboro Brookwood and Shute and Tualatin libraries will be open. See full list of closures at wccls.org

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District: closed
I am writing to express my concern that Republican Rep. Julie Parrish wants to cut funding for healthcare to low income Oregonians. Parrish is co-sponsoring Referendum Petition 2018-301, which is proposed for the Jan. 23 special election. This referendum will block the Healthcare Protections Bill (House Bill 2391), a bi-partisan approach to funding that already carries the support of major health care groups such as the Oregon Nurses Association, the Oregon Medical Association, the Hospital Association, 15 community care organizations and most major Oregon insurers.

The Healthcare Protections Bill is good for the health of Oregonians and for our local economy. It funds healthcare for low income individuals and families, and it stabilizes health insurance premiums for more than 200,000 people. If Parrish's referendum is successful, it will mean drastic increases in services to uninsured patients, driving costs for hospital services, leading to higher insurance premiums for everyone. Medicaid funding provides access to healthcare for low-income individuals, children and families. It also provides access for the elderly, whose funding for Alzheimer's treatment has already been depleted. Parrish has presented no alternative proposal for local funding. This sounds like more "repeal and replace with nothing." Reach out to Parrish. Urge her to not block the Healthcare Protections Bill with the referendum. Do not take away healthcare for Oregonians.

Mary Post and Tamra Walker, Tualatin
UPDATED Tuesday, Nov. 14: Police ID woman found dead after fire at Oregon City homeless camp

***

A woman was found dead after a fire at a homeless camp was extinguished near downtown Oregon City early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Clackamas Fire extinguished the blaze, reported by an Oregon City police officer just after 2 a.m. near the Abernethy Bridge at Washington and 16th Streets, according to a news release.

Firefighters found the body after the fire was extinguished, the news release says.

Clackamas Fire investigators, Oregon City police detectives, and the Clackamas County Medical Examiner's Officer are investigating the death and cause of the fire. The victim's identity will be made public after her family is notified.

-- Allan Brettman
LAS VEGAS -- A judge declined Thursday to release Nevada cattleman Cliven Bundy days before trial, concerned he still doesn't recognize federal authority and has a large incentive to flee with at least 80 years in prison hanging over his head if convicted of four of his 16 charges.

U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro also rejected release requests by Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne and said she would make a decision later on Ammon Bundy.

Bret O. Whipple, the attorney representing the elder Bundy on charges in the 2014 standoff near Bunkerville, urged consideration for the patriarch's age, his failing health and the reduced weight of evidence against him after unsuccessful conspiracy prosecutions against others in the case.

"He refers to himself as an old cow,'' Whipple said, noting that the 71-year-old Bundy arrived in custody with 20 teeth and now has 10 to 15 teeth left because infections are treated by pulling teeth in jail and not with dental care.

"It's been hard on him and his health has really deteriorated,'' Whipple said.

The senior Bundy, his two sons and Payne face federal conspiracy, assault and extortion charges, accused of amassing armed supporters to thwart federal rangers and contractors from carrying out court orders to round up Bundy cattle illegally grazing on public land near Bunkerville.

They have been in custody for almost two years since their arrests in Oregon. Authorities arrested Cliven Bundy on Feb. 10, 2016, as he got off a plane in Portland to visit his sons. Two weeks earlier, Ammon and Ryan Bundy and Payne had been arrested in the 2016 armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon.

Whipple proposed that the court release Cliven Bundy to a house in Las Vegas where he would be under the watch of a retired Las Vegas Metro police officer. He named the couple who rent the home as Keith and Joann Gordon.

Prosecutors said that no circumstances have changed, and pretrial service officers continued to recommend the elder Bundy's detention.

The judge quickly ruled that Cliven Bundy must remain in custody. She noted his lack of respect for federal rules and regulations and said the weight of evidence against him is still strong despite the earlier trials.

Cliven Bundy stands accused as the leader and beneficiary of an alleged federal conspiracy, Navarro noted.

As soon as Navarro made her ruling, Cliven Bundy's oldest daughter, Shiree Bundy Cox, stood up in the third row of the public gallery, pointed to the judge and yelled, "Gloria Navarro, you are an evil, cold-hearted woman."

"I don't care, touch me if you want,'' she said to court security and deputy U.S. marshals walking toward her. "You are a liar. I love you, Dad.''

She kept screaming as she was escorted out, threatening to sue the security if they touched her.

The judge calmly continued to the next defendant, Ammon Bundy, 42, who took the stand for about 40 minutes, pledging to abide by conditions set for his release. His attorney argued that Bundy has one prior misdemeanor violation, hasn't been violent and didn't carry a gun during the Bunkerville standoff.

Prosecutor Daniel Schiess countered that Ammon Bundy's motion for release was filled with "half truths,'' with "plucked statements completely out of context.'' Schiess noted that Ammon Bundy had 11 violations while in custody pending trial, though he didn't say what they were.

"His credibility is not worth your relying on,'' Schiess told the judge.

Schiess then questioned Ammon Bundy, asking him what he'd do if the U.S. Bureau of Land Management went to the public lands near Bunkerville to round up Bundy cattle. Ammon Bundy replied, "I would do as I did before, which is peacefully assemble.''

The judge then asked if he would abide by home confinement and a curfew if ordered.

"I give you my word I'll stay home,'' he replied.

Schiess pressed further, and asked Ammon Bundy if he came to the courthouse and security told him to do something that he disagreed with, would he follow security's direction.

"Yes,'' Ammon Bundy replied.

At several points, Ammon Bundy's lawyer Daniel Hill objected to some of Schiess' questions, but Ammon Bundy, his forearms leaning on the witness stand with his hands clasped in front of him and a pocket Constitution in his front shirt pocket, told his lawyer, "I welcome any questions he wants to ask.''

He also turned to the judge, pledging,"I give you my word to follow these orders and I take that seriously so my answer is unequivocally yes.''

The judge didn't rule immediately on his request, saying she would allow the prosecution team to make more arguments Monday.

But she turned down Ryan Bundy's impassioned plea.

Ryan Bundy asked his wife and eight children -- many of them youngsters reading Dr. Seuss books or writing in a notebook or clutching a teddy bear during the full-day hearing - to stand. He said he wants to provide for them.

"I want to be a good father,'' he said. "This is punishment to them that they don't deserve, even if I deserve it.''

He pledged, like his brother did, to abide by any conditions the court would set. His wife sold their home in Cedar City, Utah, and now has a home in Mesquite, Nevada, he said, or he could live with a family friend in Las Vegas.

"I am excited to go to trial...I really am,'' he said. "Where else would I go? How would it benefit me to try to dodge out of this?''

He said his travel to court from the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump ends up being a 10-hour round-trip with all the transfer protocol, making it onerous for him to prepare for trial.

The prosecutor said Ryan Bundy has violated rules and orders in custody -- 12 between March and August. He recently refused to turn around in an elevator as instructed so he wouldn't see the password key code, for example, and cursed at a deputy marshal who was ordering him to leave the courtroom, Schiess said.

Ryan Bundy created the transit problem himself, Schiess said, by not following orders, strip searches, at the more local Henderson jail, which is closer to the federal courthouse.

Ryan Bundy countered that his actions in jail result because he's being treated like a criminal, a slave.

"Liberty is a precious thing. Being told what to do and pushed around like I'm a dog is egregious,'' he said. "All we are wanting is a little liberty. We're not violent men...but we get tired of this kind of treatment.''

Schiess also cited Ryan Bundy's statement to a federal agent in March 2014, pledging to "do whatever it takes'' to prevent rangers from taking the family's cattle and that he would "have several 100 with me to help.'' He also said Ryan Bundy created a ruckus at the Utah livestock auction site during an April 2014 visit. The local sheriff there was so concerned because Ryan Bundy promised to "stop the impound by force.'' The sheriff contacted Utah's governor, urging the governor to prevent cattle from being taken to Utah out of concern for the potential for a violent confrontation, Schiess said.

The judge said the evidence shows Ryan Bundy remains a danger to the community, pointing to his pattern of defiance in and out of custody. "Those are concerning to the court. I can't disregard them.''

She indicated she had considered placing him in a halfway house, but the evidence before her won't allow that.

"I want to be able to provide this opportunity but the facts just don't permit it,'' Navarro said.

Navarro also denied release for Payne, 34, saying he, too, remained a danger to the community. She cited his guilty plea in the Malheur refuge occupation and his threatening statements as the co-founder of a network of militias, Operation Mutual Defense.

Defense attorney Ryan Norwood conceded that Payne makes provocative statements, such as telling a Montana newspaper reporter that it's OK to kill an officer who is making an unlawful arrest, which a prosecutor highlighted.



"What somebody says and what somebody did is a different thing,'" Norwood said. He noted Payne's prior Army service and honorable discharge. He recommended releasing Payne to live with a cousin in Las Vegas.



The judge disagreed. "It is not just political rhetoric," Navarro said. "It is conduct."



U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown of Oregon also alerted the court that she wanted to weigh in on Payne's continued detention if he were to be released in Nevada. He awaits sentencing in Oregon on a federal conspiracy charge in the refuge occupation.

A jury acquitted Ammon and Ryan Bundy in the Oregon case last fall.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
The Tillamook County Sheriff's office is warning swimmers, surfers, fisherman and anyone visiting the Oregon coast that several large sharks have been spotted near Cape Kiwanda in the last week.

According to a Facebook post from the agency, the sightings started on Thursday, Nov. 2 and continued on the Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

"Please use caution in and around the coastal waters," the post concluded.

Swimmers, surfers, fishermen, everyonebeware. There have been several sightings of large sharks in the area of Cape... Posted by Tillamook County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, November 7, 2017

In July, after a shark warning was issued for Seaside and Cannon Beach, Chris Havel, spokesperson for Oregon State Parks told The Oregonian/OregonLive,"There's 13 different species of shark that live off the north Oregon Coast."



He said Great White is one of those species.

There have been 29 recorded shark attacks off the Oregon coast since 1974. Only one was fatal.

The one fatal attack happened at sea in 1975, when the fishing boat of a couple from California capsized due to possibly a freak wave. The woman, Grace Conger, was killed by blue shark bites. Her husband, Oliver Conger, drowned.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052

lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
A newly released police report shows state Sen. Jeff Kruse gave conflicting stories to law enforcement and the press about what he alleges was an attempted extortion campaign against him.

Kruse, a Roseburg Republican, told The Oregonian/OregonLive and other news media Monday he is the victim of a possible blackmail campaign related to a YouTube video, which shows him shirtless in his home, chatting with a topless woman. A YouTube description purports that the clip shows him masturbating, but the highly-pixelated video does not.

His explanations to police about whether he in fact fielded a demand for money and why he engaged in the video chat differed from the account he gave reporters.

Kruse's claims about the video are the latest in a bizarre turn of events for the lawmaker, who was first elected in 1996. Kruse has also come under fire this year for reports of inappropriate touching by two of his female Senate colleagues and for smoking in his Capitol office. He has denied inappropriate touching and cast the allegations against him as politically motivated.

When asked about the compromising video, Kruse told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he chatted with women online because he was searching for a relationship. He also said no one tried to extort money from him.

Records show Kruse told a different story to an Oregon State Police trooper -- that he had, in fact, faced demands for money from scammers and that he was chatting online with women as part of his own investigation into the tactics of digital schemers.

EXTORTION CLAIMS VARY

According to an Oct. 31 police report, released to The Oregonian/OregonLive Wednesday via public records request, law enforcement first learned about the video of Kruse through Betsy Imholt, chief of staff to Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem.

A trooper then interviewed Kruse at the State Police office in Roseburg. He told the trooper that extortionists demanded money from him -- twice.

Kruse told police the person who surreptitiously recorded the video of him shirtless threatened to send it to his Senate colleagues "if he didn't pay up."

Kruse, 66, said he never paid. Then, the video appeared online. He did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Kruse also told police of a second incident where he "received a video of himself with his shirt off that had been edited to remove his trousers and add a nude male lower half." Kruse said the sender demanded money or else they'd forward the video to his children, according to the police report.

IMPROMPTU INVESTIGATION

Kruse told The Oregonian/OregonLive he signed up for online chat sites to meet women. He told police he was seeking a relationship -- but said he was also conducting his own investigation into online scams.

According to the police report, Kruse said he'd heard several of his constituents had been duped into fake relationships online, then bilked for money once the scammer revealed they'd captured sexually explicit images of the victim. Such a scam is called "sextortion."

Kruse told police he'd been "compiling a long list of folks who'd fallen victim to these schemes" and hoped to write legislation cracking down on the scammers. Kruse said he'd been gathering evidence to take to the state Justice Department.

When police asked Kruse about the grainy video in which he appears shirtless, he said he wasn't sure who he had talked to, since he'd had similar chats with more than a dozen people. Kruse also said he was not masturbating. Instead, he said he was "pretending to masturbate" and "acting" as part of collecting evidence to take to the Justice Department.

Kruse said he fell victim to the scam "because of the cleverness of the criminals," according to the police report. He said he believes that scammers were able to try to extort money from him because he registered for online chat accounts using his real name and contact information.

Police closed the case without identifying a suspect.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedman
The Hillsboro company formerly known as SureID is laying off 25 more employees this week, according to a notice it filed with the state. Including these cuts, the company has reduced its Oregon workforce by more than 80 percent since May.

The new layoffs included customer service positions and perhaps jobs in other parts of the business, according to two people who lost their jobs. The company, now called Fortior Solutions, did not respond to a request for comment.

SureID had previously reported 376 Oregon layoffs since May. In this week's notice, though, it said that it didn't actually eliminate all the jobs it had expected to cut. So this week's cuts bring this year's layoffs to 300.

Additionally, another 35 Oregon employees left last month when the Hillsboro company sold its name and a portion of its business to a New York company, Sterling Talent Solutions.

That left 105 employees, based on data SureID provided to its investors in connection with the Sterling transaction. This week's cuts apparently bring the number of jobs remaining in Hillsboro to 80.

SureID changed its name to Fortior following the Sterling deal. And it narrowed its focus to its core business, providing identity verification to the military and other larger organizations.

Founded in 2001, SureID had been among the most-hyped Oregon technology companies. But it relied heavily on its military contracts and the business came apart this year after it lost a contract with the U.S. Navy that provided 70 percent of that military business.

Under the new Fortior name, the Hillsboro company told investors last month that it planned continued restructuring to reduce its debt, according to a document obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive. SureID had arranged to borrow $25 million from Goldman Sachs in 2015.

Last month, the company said it would use proceeds from the Sterling deal to start paying down debt and to fund operations until the Oregon business could start generating cash. Fortior said at the time it expected it could reach that point in less than a year.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699
A lawsuit filed Thursday seeks to recover data and damages from Portland internet service provider Spirit One, whose email service has been largely unaccessible to customers since September 29.

The suit,

, follows Spirit One's admission this week

during the prolonged outage.

"Our first priority right now is securing the data," said Portland attorney Michael Fuller, who filed the lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Timothy Walton, a Spirit One customer in California. "That could just be devastating if it got in the wrong hands."

Spirit One chief executive John Ogden did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the suit.

It alleges that Spirit One "remained significantly underfunded, failed to implement industry-standard technology safeguards, failed to observe corporate formalities, and co-mingled assets, in part to avoid liability from ongoing complaints and claims against it."

The suit seeks to hold Spirit One's corporate parent, Telecomputer Services Inc., accountable for the collapse in service and says it may also attempt to hold Ogden responsible for the company's problems.

"Many of defendants' customers had tens of thousands of personal, private emails on defendants' servers dating back over a decade," the lawsuit claims. It seeks class-action status to represent additional Spirit One customers. The company hasn't said how many subscribers it has; the suit says there may be more than 7,000.

The lawsuit does not seek specific financial damages and it's not clear that Ogden or Spirit One have any resources to collect. Fuller, the attorney who filed the suit, said it's possible Spirit One had insurance or that there may be other defendants identified later.

But Fuller said that regardless of Spirit One's financial situation, the suit will seek to regain access to customers' email accounts and to ensure their private email stays private. It's possible, he said, a court might order the accounts transferred to another internet service provider.

"We filed this for the most part just to secure the data," he said.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699
BEIJING -- When Chinese leader Xi Jinping said last month that "no country can afford to retreat into self-isolation," he might as well have been talking about Donald Trump as the U.S. president makes his first official visit to Southeast Asia.

As Trump steers his administration's focus inward, China has stepped into what many see as a U.S.-sized void left behind in the region, boosting cooperation on infrastructure, security and trade, flooding eager countries with tourists and offering itself up as a model for developing nations with sometimes dodgy rights records.

China's rise in influence, and the perceived decline of the United States by some in the region, is all the more extraordinary because Beijing has often been seen as an arrogant bully in Southeast Asia, where it is mired in disputes over competing claims in the South China Sea.

Throughout the region, countries have looked at Xi and Trump and found more stability and reassurance from the Chinese president, said Richard Heydarian, a Manila-based Asia specialist and author.

"America is clearly on a downward trajectory in terms of its influence in the region," Heydarian said. "Donald Trump comes in and he sounds even more protectionist than China. So you have a strange, in fact surreal, situation whereby China is now presenting itself as the guardian of the global economic order."

A look at how new approaches from Trump and Xi have countries in Southeast Asia attempting a sometimes awkward balancing act:

TRUMP: "RADICALLY DIFFERENT"

Perhaps Trump was always destined to come up short in any Asia comparison with his predecessor, Barack Obama, whose childhood was partly spent in Indonesia and Hawaii.

Obama, who hosted Southeast Asian leaders last year in the United States, made much of a supposed "pivot" of U.S. attention back to Asia after what his administration portrayed as years of neglect.

The biggest signal that Trump appeared willing to cede ground to China came shortly after his January inauguration, when he withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, saying he preferred one-on-one pacts that brought more benefits to the United States.

Obama had presented the deal among Pacific Rim countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Singapore, as symbolic of U.S. commitment to the region -- and a crucial curb of Chinese power.

As the remaining TPP countries discuss ways to do the deal without Washington, critics say Trump's protectionism will allow China to establish greater inroads.

During a recent trip to Washington, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong nicely summarized the dilemma many in the region face because of a "radically different approach" under Trump.

The Chinese, Lee said, will pursue their objectives "assiduously, quietly farming away, and they will make friends and influence people whether or not you (the United States) are there, and if you are not there, then everybody else in the world will look around and say, 'I want to be friends with both the U.S. and the Chinese, and the Chinese are ready and I will start with them.'"

Trump is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, where he may offer up a broader Asia policy, and meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Philippines.

A scheduled meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could be a good signal on how Trump may be received in the region.

Duterte, who rejected Trump's White House invitation earlier this year, recently told reporters in the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, that he would welcome Trump as "the important leader on this side of the planet."

XI: STANDING "TALL AND FIRM"

During his speech last month at the twice-a-decade Communist Party congress, Xi, who has cemented his status as China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, declared that his nation "now stands tall and firm in the East."

China's judgment that the U.S. is in decline, which can be traced to the onset of the global financial crisis in 2009, "is even more certain today, as it sees U.S. global leadership eroding under President Donald Trump," Bonnie Glaser and Matthew Funaiole, China experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, wrote recently.

Part of the explanation for China's rise in Southeast Asia is Beijing's decision last year to "proactively moderate" its positions on the South China Sea, which it claims nearly in its entirety, said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Renmin University of China.

Beijing has also made progress because of what its critics call a willingness to support countries in the region accused of systematic human rights abuse or corruption.

China's huge shipments of aid and investment to Cambodia help to enable long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen's authoritarianism and repression of the press and political opposition.

Thailand's military rulers, who ousted an elected government in a 2014 coup, have cultivated ties with Beijing as a counterbalance to a disapproving West.

Xi's biggest move in the region, the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, seeks to link China to Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond with a sprawling network of roads, railways, ports and other economic projects.

There have been worries about political and economic interference as Beijing pitches one part of that effort -- a high-speed rail system -- to Southeast Asian nations.

But negotiations in Indonesia and Thailand "notably suggest that rather than acting as a bully and imposing its conditions on host countries, China has actually shown a great degree of flexibility and compromise," according to research and interviews conducted by China experts Agatha Kratz and Dragan Pavlicevic.

As Chinese money, influence and political pressure flood the region, many countries struggle with how far into Beijing's sphere, and away from Washington, it's wise to go. Complicating the debate is strong anti-Chinese sentiment in certain areas.

As a result, some countries have reserved judgment on Trump, raising the stakes for his Southeast Asia trip.

"They hope the Trump administration will be committed more to their region, but they do not want to take a stand or harm their relations with China," Shi said.

--By Foster Klug
The Facebook founders purposefully created something addictive, the social network's first president told Axios in an interview.

"God only knows what it's doing to our children's brains," Sean Parker said in the interview published Thursday.

With each like and comment, Facebook is "exploiting" human psychology on purpose to keep users hooked on a "social-validation feedback loop," Parker said, adding that it is "exactly the kind of thing that a hacker like myself would come up with."

Parker, the billionaire Napster co-founder who later served as Facebook's founding president, made the comments at an Axios event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Speaking to Axios' Mike Allen, Parker called himself "something of a conscientious objector."

"I don't know if I really understood the consequences of what I was saying, because [of] the unintended consequences of a network when it grows to a billion or 2 billion people and . . . it literally changes your relationship with society, with each other. . . . It probably interferes with productivity in weird ways," Parker said.

When helping Facebook get off the ground in 2004, Parker said, he and others involved in the nascent social network thought: "How do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?"

"And that means that we need to sort of give you a little dopamine hit every once in a while, because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post or whatever. And that's going to get you to contribute more content, and that's going to get you . . . more likes and comments."

Although Facebook is a social networking site, it also has immense impact as an advertising platform and news distributor, reaching 2 billion people each month.

The company has made headlines recently with revelations that it sold ads during the U.S. presidential campaign to a Russian firm tied to pro-Kremlin propaganda. The more than 3,000 Russian-bought ads sought to influence different voters based on their political and demographic characteristics, The Washington Post reported.

In a blog post, Facebook's chief security officer Alex Stamos wrote that "we will continue to invest in our people and technology to help provide a safe place for civic discourse and meaningful connections on Facebook."

As criticism increased after revelations of Russia's use of the platform to spread "fake news" and influence voters, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg apologized. In the apology post, Zuckerberg did not mention Russia specifically.

"For those I hurt this year, I ask forgiveness and I will try to be better," he wrote in a brief post published at the end of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jewish people. "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."

According to Axios, Parker joked that Zuckerberg would block him on Facebook after reading what he said in the interview.

-- The Washington Post
President hails Canadian Prime Ministers visit to Vietnam



President Tran Dai Quang (R) meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Hanoi on November 8



President Tran Dai Quang hailed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus visit and his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Week during a reception in Hanoi on November 8. The Vietnamese leader said the establishment of comprehensive partnership during the visit is an important step forward in bilateral ties and will create a new driving force to lift Vietnam-Canada ties to a greater height as the countries share more common interests on bilateral, regional and global aspects. The President spoke highly of new and practical progresses in bilateral links across trade-investment, development and education, national defence, climate change response and settlement of regional and global issues. President Quang voiced his belief that the implementation of the focal content and development orientations clarified in the comprehensive partnership framework will strengthen traditional cooperation fields like economy-trade, education-training, science-technology, and development cooperation, while opening up many new cooperation opportunities in such potential aspects as security-defence, green and sustainable growth, and climate change response. Lauding the outcomes of the talks between Trudeau and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, he said both sides need to actively implement the content of the comprehensive partnership framework so as to bring Vietnam-Canada relations to a new period that is more substantive and effective. The two countries will mark 45 years of their diplomatic ties in 2018, which is an occasion for them to carry out meaningful activities to affirm a new level in bilateral relations. The two sides should maintain high-ranking delegation exchanges and set up new cooperation mechanisms between their ministries, sectors and localities, he noted. He said the countries should expand educational cooperation to help Vietnam have high-quality human resources to serve national development. PM Trudeau valued Vietnams socio-economic achievements over the past years, stressing that among Southeast Asian nations, Vietnam is the leading trade partner of Canada and has the biggest number of students there. He affirmed that the cooperation tradition between Canada and Vietnam will surely serve as a foundation for the comprehensive partnership to grow strongly in the future. He also said that multilateral cooperation will help to boost the relations between the two countries in the coming time. Sharing the view with the guest leader, President Quang suggested the two sides step up cooperation at multilateral forums and international organizations, like the UN, APEC, and Francophonie, saying this will help not only enhance bilateral ties but also enable both to work together in seeking peace and stability in the world. He said Vietnamese people always remembered and thanked valuable assistance given by Canada, especially late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, during their struggle for national liberation, and current support for the countrys nation-building effort. Top legislator applauds Vietnam-Canada comprehensive partnership



Chairwoman of Vietnams National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Hanoi on November 8





Chairwoman of Vietnams National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Hanoi on November 8, hailing the establishment of the countries comprehensive partnership as an important stride.



She said the Vietnamese and Canadian Prime Ministers issuance of a joint statement on the comprehensive partnership is an important stride and a necessary basis to promote bilateral relations in a substantive, stable and long-term fashion.



She took this occasion to thank the Canadian Government for its new projects worth over 43 million USD in total to support Vietnam to cope with climate change, ensure food safety and increase cooperatives capacity.



The host leader voiced her support for Canadas foreign policy of enhancing connectivity with the world and the Asian-Pacific region and reinforcing ties with Vietnam and ASEAN.



Appreciating Canadas contribution to the preparation for APEC events in Vietnam, Chairwoman Ngan said PM Trudeaus participation will contribute to the success of the APEC Economic Leaders Week, promote regional economic cooperation, and help raise Canadas stature in an evolving regional security and economic-trade structure.



This is an opportunity for Canada to show that the country is an important and active partner in the cooperation and development of the region and the world, she added.



For his part, the Canadian leader affirmed his country treasures ties with Vietnam in its foreign policy, noting that on the basis of their sound relations, the two countries should intensify cooperation, especially when they have set up a comprehensive partnership.



At the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on such issues as gender equality, women empowerment and children protection, adding that these fields should become their countries policy priorities.



They also touched upon some regional and international matters of shared concern. Regarding the East Sea issue, they expressed their support for the maintenance of order on the basis of international law, peaceful settlement of East Sea disputes, and full respect for diplomatic and legal processes and international law.- Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong welcomes Canadian PM Trudeau



General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (R) meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on November 8



General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Hanoi on November 8. He welcomed the Canadian PMs official visit to Vietnam and considered it as an important milestone in the two countries relations. He informed his guest about Vietnams reform, development and foreign policies, noting that Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship with Canada. General Secretary Trong applauded bilateral cooperation over the past years as well as the elevation of their relations to a comprehensive partnership during Trudeaus trip. Valuing the outcomes of the talks between Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Justin Trudeau, he asked both sides to implement the reached agreements well and continue enhancing bilateral ties in a result-oriented manner for the sake of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. For his part, PM Trudeau said he is impressed with Vietnams economic development achievements, particularly in improving peoples living standards. He also spoke highly of the countrys foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations. Canada attaches importance to its connections with Vietnam and will remain a good friend of the Southeast Asian nation in a changing world, he said, pledging to strongly step up the two countries cooperation in economy, science-technology, education, and promotion of multilateralism on the basis of respecting law in a globalised world. He also valued Vietnams preparations for and important contributions to the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, which is going to take place in Da Nang city in the next few days.
Art Reach of Mid Michigan has been awarded a grant from the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

A grant of $1,350 was awarded for the Wellspring Literary Series from the Ruth S. and Gerard R. Felter and Florence F. Battenfeld Family Fund, and the Russ Herron Poetry Fund.

"The Wellspring Literary Series is a truly collaborative program," Art Reach Executive Director Amy C. Powell said. "With the funding from the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation, we are able to engage with Michigan poets, Central Michigan University creative writing and music students, as well as Art Reach and Max and Emily's. This program fulfills a true need in our community for access to poetry readings, and creative writing endeavors."

For more information, call Art Reach at 989-773-3689.
Andrew Liveris, executive chairman of DowDuPont, and chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Co., will embark on a China trade mission with President Donald Trump this week.

Liveris will be among other business leaders as well as Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on the mission to reduce America's trade deficit with China, according to a news release. To balance China's trade surplus - which totaled $347 billion in 2016 - the goal of the trade mission is to improve access for U.S. manufacturers to the Chinese market and increase exports of high value U.S. goods and services to China by promoting U.S. commercial success.

The trade mission is part of Trump's first visit to China. Dow entered the Chinese market in the 1930s, and currently, China is Dow's second largest overseas market. Dow also operates 10 business centers, 17 manufacturing sites and has nearly 5,000 employees across China, according to a news release.

"I was lucky to have a front-row seat 30 years ago when late leader Deng Xiaoping opened China to the world," Liveris said in the release. "And in the decades since, I have had the privilege of participating as China's rise has transformed not only China, but the rest of the global economy."

During the trade mission Liveris and Hu Weiwei, the founder of a Chinese bike-sharing company, will sign a memorandum of understanding for the two companies to sustain a long-term partnership on the product market level, the news release states.

Mobike, founded in 2015, is one of the top bike-sharing services, valued at more than $1 billion. The company allows Mobike users to "unlock" a nearby bike and ride it to their final destination for a small fee.

The collaboration between Dow and Mobike aims to make bikes more durable, comfortable and lightweight for users, the release states. The partnership will incentivize new U.S. exports as Dow supplies polyurethane and other products to Mobike's development of next generation bicycles, according to the release.

"The U.S. and China have obviously grown into important partners in trade and other areas and I am encouraged and thankful for the opportunity to participate in the dialogue between these great countries," Liveris said.

The bike-share services has expanded to serve 200 million users, operating more than 7 million bikes in more than 180 cities around the world, including a recent launch in Washington D.C.
On Sept. 2, 1945, Japan's foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri battleship in Tokyo Bay.

Then General Yosijiro Umezu signed for the Japanese armed forces with his aides weeping openly as he made his signature. Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur next signed on behalf of the United Nations as thousands of Navy personnel watched. Wilbur Seamster, a 21-year-old sailor from Midland, Michigan, was on the USS Alabama, anchored next to the USS Missouri at that historic moment.

The United States had been in World War II for six months when 18-year-old Wilbur Seamster enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 18, 1943. Just one week after graduating from Midland Senior High School, he was on his way to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. The next several months saw him completing boot camp, traveling to San Diego, California, where they were barracked in the San Diego Zoo (where the elephants were usually kept). San Clemente Island was next and then San Francisco where they boarded a small yard freighter to go to Hawaii. They stayed on the yard freighter for the next three months (the first week Wilbur was seasick every single day) then they boarded the USS Alabama which would be their home for the duration of the war.

On the USS Alabama they slept in bunks three high with 10 to 12 units in their compartment, which was the first deck below the main deck. Wilbur remembers a young sailor who loved to gamble but had trouble paying his debts, which didn't win him many friends aboard ship. Eventually he was transferred to another ship to prevent trouble. The young man later became quite famous. His name was Bob Fellows and he made history as a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.

For the better part of his time on the USS Alabama, Wilbur positioned the 5-inch guns for firing. There were also the big 16-inch guns for bombarding the islands. He remembers being on watch and the officer in charge had a small button he could push turning the guns to the right or left to shoot at incoming ships or planes.

A Japanese plane was spotted coming in on the starboard side of the ship and the officer panicked, yelling, "We're going to die! We're going to die!" Someone had the presence of mind to grab the button and get the guns into position shooting down the plane. Almost immediately a plane came in portside and the officer panicked again with someone else positioning the guns to shoot the plane down. The officer was credited with both hits.

At one point in the war the USS Alabama was at sea for 90 days with no land in sight. During that time a mine was spotted and a request was sent for a destroyer to "take it out." They couldn't do it and Wilbur watched over the side of the ship as the mine came within a yardstick's length of the USS Alabama. Later, after the USS Alabama had gotten past the mine, another destroyer came along blowing the mine out of the water.

During the 90 days at sea, destroyers would often come to them asking for food because their supplies were down to bread and water. Wilbur also remembers that when they were around the equator, they ran into the phenomenon of phosphoresence water where everything glowed. Another time a flare came out of the sky lighting up the entire fleet but nothing happened and there was no explanation of why a flare had been shot.

The USS Alabama celebrated its third anniversary on Aug.t 16, 1945, racking up an amazing total of 207,000 sea miles as it traveled from the United States to a tour of duty with the British Home Fleet in Iceland and up the coast of Norway before being assigned to Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet to fight the Japanese.

The only major battle that the USS Alabama did not participate in was in the battle for Iwo Jima as it was in the Bremerton Navy Yard undergoing much needed repairs. In a Navy log it stated that the ship was held together by bailing (baling) wire by the ship's personnel.

From Oct. 17, 1944, to Dec. 26, 1944, the battle for Leyte in the Philippines was fought. On Oct. 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur was photographed wading ashore, saying, "I have returned." But the struggle for dominance went on for another 67 days before the Japanese were defeated. The battle of Leyte Gulf had waged for four days marking the largest naval battle in history.

The battle for Okinawa was fought from April 1, 1945, to June 22, 1945. On May 9, the USS Alabama sailed from Ulithi to bombard the island as the infantry fought the Japanese in almost hand to hand combat. Planes from aircraft carriers protected the battleships.

The months of July and August 1945 were hectic months for the war in the Pacific. On July 1, 1945, Admiral Halsey made plans for the battleships under his command to bombard industrial targets on the coast of Japan. Nothing like this had ever been done before. The Navy task force raked Nagasaki to Hokkaido. Even the railroad ferries connecting Hokkaido with Honshu were destroyed.

Factories in Hitachi just 50 miles from Tokyo were bombarded by the battleships including the USS Alabama. Fifteen hundred tons of explosives hit the factories. Expecting to see the huge explosions, the men on the ship lined the deck. Wilbur wrote, 'It was raining so hard we couldn't see the end of our nose."

Bombarding by battleships and attacks from the planes on aircraft carriers had shattered Japanese land forces and ships at sea. Surprisingly there seemed to be little resistance from Japanese forces. Secretly Emperor Hirohito had wanted to make peace and end the war but the Japanese Army and Navy commanders wanted to continue until even they had to admit defeat.

In summation, the USS Alabama took part in 12 consecutive operations as one of the screening ships of the fast carrier task force.

Plans for the invasion of the Japanese mainland never materialized. World War II ended with the Japanese Instrument of Surrender being signed aboard the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945.

Wilbur was honorably discharged on March 10, 1946, having earned the Philippine Liberation Ribbon (two Bronze Stars), the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal (six Stars) and the Victory Medal.

Now 92 years old, Wilbur Seamster can proudly point to his three sons, two grandsons and one granddaughter who have also served in the Armed Forces. Tom and Dick Seamster's story will appear next week.
Three Rivers Corp. recently announced that Wesley Kohn has received his State of Michigan Architectural License.

He recently passed the multi-division Architectural Registration Exam used to assess knowledge and skills regarding the practice of architecture. The path to licensure requires architectural degrees from accredited programs, 3,000 hours of documented experience and the passing of the six-division exam. Kohn received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan and Master of Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Kohn has worked at Three Rivers Corp. for 19 years in the field of architecture, starting as a co-op during high school. His newly acquired license adds another licensed architect to the Three Rivers Design team. Kohn provides design services from the aesthetically conceptual design through construction documents on a variety of multi-sized projects and types.
In the stand-alone films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Thor always seemed to get the short end of the stick.

The Thor films were never as popular as Iron Man, and didn't gain steam like Captain America. They were perhaps a little too serious and a little too dull  none of which was the fault of star Chris Hemsworth, whose performances in the role have been so seamless and charming that he almost doesn't get enough credit.

But "Thor: Ragnarok" has been touted as a different take on the God of Thunder. New director, New Zealander Taika Waititi, whose riotous vampire mockumentary "What We Do In The Shadows," displays a unique comedic sensibility.

They've taken away Thor's hammer, given him a haircut, added some Led Zeppelin and told the set designer the more neon rainbows the better.

The results are pretty decent, though perhaps not the total departure that had been hyped.

The bones of the story are preposterous as ever. It turns out Thor has a long lost older sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), who his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) locked away because she was so dangerous.

An event happens that releases Hela to the world. She's really strong, like stronger than Thor strong, and really angry and basically punches Thor into another dimension and she heads off to Asgard to take the throne.

The movie literally splits in two at this point. Poor Blanchett, who has gone full vamp as Hela, is good as always, but how lame it must be to be in the "fun" Thor movie and have to play one of the most blandly written villains ever.

While she's off waging her deathly serious takeover, Thor gets to join an irreverent comedy sideshow on the planet Sakaar  a sort of wasteland at the end of the universe run by a Grade-A weirdo who calls himself Grandmaster, played, fittingly, by Jeff Goldblum.

It's this section that is pretty amusing and where Waititi's irreverence really gets to shine with pratfalls and witty writing.

It's no surprise that this is right up Goldblum's alley, but the real delight is Hemsworth who knows just how to subvert the Thor character without turning him into a total mockery. He's a real comedic talent, which audiences got a taste of in "Ghostbusters." And Tessa Thompson is fantastic as Valkyrie, a hard drinkin' fighter with a secret past she'd rather forget.

I imagine "Thor: Ragnarok" is one that might improve on subsequent viewings, when you have a chance to relax with the jokes divorced from the pressure of juggling the silly/serious plot.

But it's a fairly flawed movie on the whole with egregious tonal shifts. Some of the gags go on too long with the Hulk with too little payoff and sometimes it seems as though there's a mandate that every 25 minutes there will be a big fight no matter what.

One particular army of the dead sequence seemed like it could have been lifted from a "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie  which is not the most flattering comparison.

While Waititi's energy and wit is apparent in the film, it still feels as though he had to operate from the same Marvel "base flavor" and was allowed on occasion to sprinkle a few of his own original toppings on.

"Thor: Ragnarok" is the most fun of the Thor movies by a long shot, but it is still very much a Thor movie ... for better or worse.
HEYWORTH  The temperature at which the human body functions normally is more than just a matter of degrees Fahrenheit to Richard Gray.

It's an entryway into what he calls "the sub-visible": unseen levels of physical detail not available through mere human sight.

The body's thermal standard of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit offers Gray a window onto that detail ... one that he has appropriated on behalf of the art of photographic portraiture.

Currently, it is represented by a series called the "Veteran Portrait Project," featuring military vets living in Indiana's St. Joseph County who agreed to become subjects for Gray's thermal camera.

The goal of the portraits, he says:"To present an enigmatic trace of one's existence, personal and intimate," and, in the process, "revealing appearances that are profoundly unique and individualized."

The heat image, he continues, "suggests a metaphorical link between a life lived, and the incredible bundle of personal and emotional experiences associated with military service."

A portion of Gray's "Veterans Portrait Project" is coming to the area in what will likely be the most unique and unusual Veterans Day observance at hand this weekend.

Gray, a 1976 Illinois State University alum and current chairman of the Department of Art, Art History & Design at Notre Dame University, will host the free public showing from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Carl E. Miller American Legion Post 624 in Heyworth.

At 3 p.m., he will deliver a talk on the project.

The Heyworth showing comes courtesy of fellow 70s-era ISU alum and close friend Tom Haynes, who had a hand in helping form the McLean County town's own art council (HeART Arts Council).

"One of our missions with the council is to make things available here that would not normally be available," says Haynes.

A perfect opportunity was the prospect of bringing Gray's veteran portraits to town, away from an art gallery environment and in the uniquely apt context of an American Legion hall.

"I get a sense that these portraits give a deeper impression of person," says Haynes of the unusual images, which are of both male and female vets of widely varying ages.

"It's a kind of soulful look at the person through features that wouldn't be visible to the eye in person. You're seeing an aura of the person, but also quite a bit of detail through the heat."

Haynes thinks the portraits can convey "a sense that this person has had a tremendous set of experiences in life ... kind of a sense of what this person has been through."

Gray's portraits have only seen in an exhibit context once before, earlier this year as part of a South Bend (Ind.) Museum of Art show, "The Art of Valor," in which student artists from Notre Dame University and Indiana University made works of art in response to the the oral histories of local St. Joseph County-area vets.

"I volunteered to make portraits of them working with the thermal camera I had been using for the last 8 to 10 years," recalls Gray.

The veterans were intrigued by the approach, which marks the ongoing evolution of Gray's artistic investigations "using industrial and scientific image-capture technologies to re-examine the genre of photographic portrait."

Past endeavors in this field have including using microscopes to photograph human cell tissues in a pathology lab, which led to his experiments using the thermal camera to "image a sitter's likeness without the aid of conventional lighting."

Since thermal cameras are used as military tools in areas such as night vision, Gray thought it would offer an added layer of interest to his exploration of "these veterans who have experienced a range of complex experiences in life through their military service."

The veterans who posed for his portrait project span conflicts from the Korean War to the present, with each subject's image listing the tour of his or her duty in days, not years: "It's more impactful to read that somebody bad, say, 452 days of service in Iraq than 1 years," says Gray.

The portraits were made using a Merlin thermal imaging camera, with the resulting variation in tone representing the sitter's unique heat pattern.

The images are printed on Hahnemuhle 308 rag paper using Canon archival pigment inks.

Gray considers his use of imaging technologies created to support scientific and industrial as "not only trusted conveyors of information, but also as complex provocateurs that have the ability to redefine our understanding of what it means to be photographed."
BLOOMINGTON  Two separate pieces of legislation have been filed to officially name a Bloomington post office and a section of Veterans Parkway in honor of fallen Army Ranger Sgt. Joshua Rodgers.

Rodgers, 22, of Bloomington, was killed in action April 27 in Nangarhar Province during a joint operation with Afghan forces. He was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Dunlap, introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename the post office at 1211 Towanda Ave.

The naming of the Bloomington post office is a small gesture to show our appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice Sgt. Rodgers made fighting for our freedoms, but it is my honor to introduce this piece of legislation in his memory, LaHood said in a release.

Also, by unanimous vote, the Illinois House has approved designating Veterans Parkway in Bloomington-Normal in honor of Rodgers.

The resolution was sponsored by state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. The designation would be ceremonial only, and would not change the addresses of businesses located on Veterans Parkway.

Congressman Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, said he supported LaHood's bill.

He called Rodgers "a hometown hero and we want to make sure that his name and the sacrifice he made for us is remembered for generations to come.

If signed into law, the bill would formally rename the post office the Sgt. Josh Rodgers Post Office. The legislation, co-sponsored by the entire Illinois delegation, has been referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for further review.

Brady noted that Rodgers joined the Army after graduating from Normal Community High School "because he wanted to serve his country and his community. He was a decorated soldier, but he was also a loved and loving son, grandson, brother and friend. He made everyone who knew him proud, and we in turn are proud to honor him with this memorial highway designation.

If approved, the legislation would designate Veterans Parkway from the intersection of Interstate 74 north to the intersection of Interstate 55 as the Army Ranger Sergeant Joshua P. Rodgers Memorial Highway, and directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to erect the appropriate signage.

Family members were not available for comment Thursday.
BLOOMINGTON  A Chicago man remains in the McLean County jail after allegedly resisting arrest and pushing Hudson Police Chief Dale Sparks to the ground on Tuesday.

Robert Mabbott, 50, was charged Thursday with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of resisting arrest in McLean County Circuit Court.

Assistant States Attorney David Rossi said in court that Mabbott filed four suspicious documents with a Lincoln bank and indicated he was going to the United Community Bank in Hudson next. Officials from the Lincoln bank informed bank officials in Hudson and when Mabbott showed up, the Hudson Police Department was called.

Rossi told Associate Judge Lee Ann Hill that when Sparks arrived, he approached Mabbott, who pushed Sparks to the floor inside the bank. As Sparks fell, he grabbed Mabbott's leg, Rossi said.

"How is this possible?" Mabbott asked via a video link from the McLean County jail. "I don't understand."

Rossi asked Hill to set bond at $100,000 due to Mabbotts extensive criminal history that includes convictions in Cook and Lake counties, Wisconsin and Las Vegas. Hill agreed; Mabbott must post $10,035 to be released.

He is due in court for arraignment Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.
FARMER CITY  A crash that killed an Illinois state trooper in June was caused when he failed to reduce his speed to avoid the accident, according to a crash report obtained by The Pantagraph on Thursday.

Ryan Albin, 37, died at 8:45 p.m. June 28 at Carle Hospital in Urbana from injuries suffered in the two-vehicle crash about five hours earlier on Interstate 74 near Farmer City.

The crash report, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, states Albin was westbound in a 2016 Ford state police vehicle at 3:08 p.m. near milemarker 156 in DeWitt County. The report says Albin was driving in the left lane. A second vehicle, identified as a 2014 box van, was also in the left lane in front of Albin, according to the report.

The truck, driven by a 47-year-old Normal man, "was slowed in traffic in the left lane at around the same time as the squad car" that "failed to reduce speed and rear-ended" the truck, the report states.

The report does not state how fast Albin's squad car was going.

State police investigators also talked with five other witnesses. One was to the immediate right of where the crash occurred. A second vehicle was trailing the state troopers vehicle, according to the report. Their statements are not included in the crash report.

The crash occurred in a construction zone with a posted speed limit of 55 mph. There were no construction workers present at the time, the report states.

Albin, who was on duty at the time, was transported to Carle Hospital by the Farmer City Ambulance.

ISP investigators declined to comment further on the report.

Albins K-9 partner, Biko, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, was in the rear of the squad car at the time of the crash. He was examined at the University of Illinois Emergency Veterinary Hospital, then spent the week with Albins family. The dog returned to active duty in District 6, which includes McLean, Livingston and DeWitt counties. A new handler is expected to train with Biko this fall.

Albin grew up near Bellflower and attended Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City and Eureka College. About 600 people attended his funeral on July 6, including Gov. Bruce Rauner and about 400 police officers from Illinois and several other states.
BLOOMINGTON Policy changes promoted by the Trump administration threaten civil liberties in many areas and put vulnerable people at risk for discrimination, a leader with the Illinois American Civil Liberties Union told a Twin City audience Wednesday.

Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, highlighted three areas where he said the potential for discrimination and reversal of current policy is greatest: civil rights based on sexual orientation, women's reproductive rights and immigration.

The concerns expressed by citizens who view the president's policies as dangerous should not be viewed as personal attacks, said Yohnka.

"It would be a mistake to think this is about opposition to the president  it's about opposition to policies and their impact," said the speaker. That opposition has led to tremendous growth in ACLU membership, said Yohnka, and participation in the group's programs.

Gay, lesbian and transgender people face new challenges to employment and other opportunities since Trump's election, said Yohnka.

The government has filed court briefs "that argued people in the U.S. should be able to be fired because they are gay and lesbian," said Yohnka, noting that the shift in policy is contrary to previous anti-discrimination positions taken by the federal government.

Arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court scheduled for Dec. 5 on whether a bakery in Colorado had the right to refuse to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple will provide guidance on the employment issue. A wedding cake may seem like an unlikely premise for a Supreme Court challenge, but the potential for discrimination posed by the case should not be ignored, according to the ACLU spokesman.

The direct correlation between access to birth control and the increase in employment opportunities for women could be broken, said Yohnka, if the Trump administration is successful in making contraception less available.

Immigrants who entered the country illegally and who live in fear of deportation, including those who are part of the program that allows young people to attend college and work without the deportation threat, find themselves facing Trump's relentless campaign to tighten immigration laws, said Yohnka.

"An immigration policy has to be rational. You can't deport 11 million people overnight," Yohnka told the audience of more than 100 people.

The speaker noted the elimination of a priority system for determining who should be deported has resulted in fewer people being sent back to their country of origin since January, an ironic twist for a president determined to reduce the number of immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally.

Yohnka urged people to contact their representatives in Congress and urge swift action on legislation that would allow young immigrants to remain in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

"We ought not leave these kids hanging into the new year," said Yohnka.
The first evening after daylight saving time returns at the start of spring is a little like when you come out of an optometrist's office with a new pair of glasses, seeing everything in clear-eyed wonder, as if for the first time.

I didnt know what I was missing  theres life after 6 p.m.!

Sunlight!

Joy!

Hope!

On the opposite end of this emotional continuum is the end of daylight saving time  a cruel trick to our circadian rhythm that renders us bummed and groggy each fall.

Hello darkness, my old friend.

We found ourselves pondering such melancholy on Monday night, when what had been for weeks a twilight commute was plunged into darkness.

The ritual continues.

We just dont get it.

As we have stated before in this space, why do we endure this man-made irritant, a holdover from temporary fuel-saving efforts during World War I (which is marking its 100th anniversary this year). Why do we do this to ourselves?

The changeover to and from daylight saving time is bad for our sleep cycle and morale. It means kids wait for buses and have after-school activities in the dark. And dont get us started us on the clocks.

Adjusting all the clocks in the house, office and your vehicle is borderline ridiculous.

(And yeah, its technically daylight saving time, not savings, another reason the whole thing is silly.)

Granted, these are decidedly minor inconveniences in the grand three-ring circus that is the human experience. We should be so lucky to be complaining about a dreaded extra hour of sleep  or, worse, the loss of an hour each spring. The humanity!

But that doesnt mean its not annoying. Impractical. Its also unpopular, as history shows.

In fact, daylight saving time actually fell out favor after World War II and some communities dumped it entirely. That caused a bunch of confusion, so the Uniform Time Act was passed in 1966 to get everyone on the same page.

Not that everyone did. The legislation had an opt-out clause, and today American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and most of Arizona don't follow the rule that the rest of us do.

Last year, 13 states considered bills related to daylight saving time, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures, which tracks such things.

And in 2015, Central Illinois state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, introduced legislation to make daylight saving time the standard year-round, although it fizzled. (This editorial board supported the plan.)

Mitchell now is retiring, which begs the question: Who will take up the daylight saving time mantle in Springfield?

We need an answer: Our collective circadian rhythm is counting on it.
Yesterday, Germany's constitutional court ruled that the nation must create and recognize a third gender category. According to the Times, the court decided that insisting on two genders violates a citizen's legal right to privacy.

The third gender category, which may be called "inter" or "various," acknowledges people born with characteristics of both sexes in addition to anyone who does not identify with the gender binary that holds male and female as the only two options.

The BBC reports that the cased was initiated by a person who was assigned female at birth, but whose chromosomes did not confirm either sex. The German government has until the end of 2018 to pass legislation in support of the ruling.

Germany became the first country in 2013 to allow parents to skip registering their newborn babies as a specific sex (others have since followed). Currently, only eight countries recognize more than two genders on legal documents like passports and ID cards - in California, people can register as "nonbinary."

[h/t Jezebel]

Image via Getty
Well, it's here! The long-awaited cover debut of Edward Enninful's revamped British Vogue dropped yesterday and the fashion world is nothing short of smitten. The cover features British Ghanaian model and activist Adwoa Aboah in a Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2018 head wrap and dress (funnily enough, not the look she wore when she walked the Marc runway barely a month ago), lensed by Steven Meisel with aquamarine glitter eyes and red gloss lip by the inimitable Pat McGrath.

Steven Meisel/Vogue UK

Enninful's appointment as Editor in Chief of the UK title this past spring, on the heels of 25-year veteran EIC Alexandra Shulman's exit, brought with it a couple of firsts: One, Enninful is the first non-white editor of British Vogue. Two, he's the first man at the helm of any major Vogue franchise. Enninful, an outspoken advocate for diversity and equal representation in fashion, arrived at a magazine in dire need of a dust up, as Naomi Campbell pointed out this past August. Though the actual circulation of British Vogue is just over 220,000 (relatively small, considering its American counterpoint is about 1.2 million) its potential for creative impact on the industry should not be underestimated, in just the same way the Vogue Italia under Franca Sozzani, also with a smallish circulation of 212,000, was a bellwether for the industry.

And in a way, if anyone could fill the vacuum left with Sozzani's death last winter, it would be Enninful. The two worked often together at Vogue Italia, Enninful famously spearheading and styling the cover of Vogue Italia's 2008 landmark Black Issue (also shot by Meisel). Known for clear-eyed daring and visual withe gave us both the Makeover Madness and Hollywood Style Meisel stories in Vogue Italiait will be thrilling to see what he does on a big Vogue platform.

The cover itself also calls to mind early shots that David Bailey did for the title of Twiggy or Ursula Andress, dewy in headwraps, or a hint of his groundbreaking 1966 cover with Donyale Luna (the first black model to cover British Vogue). A comforting, if nostalgic, throwback, but a reminder that British Vogue has a visual history that, every few decades or so, has shaped fashion.

There were those heady days of Bailey and his favorites in the '60s, then fast forward to Kate Moss and Corrine Day in the '90s with other Brit Packers, and perhaps more recently the ascendance of Brit It girls a la Alexa Chung. Is another such British Vogue moment upon us? Enninful has assembled a crack team of friends and collaboratorsNaomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Steve McQueen among them as contributorsso who knows what he has in store (I predict a lot of humor, candor, and Meisel), but the fashion world is watching and it appears, so far, swooning.

Splash photo by Matteo Pradoni and Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com


Last year Patently Apple posted a report about the newly renovated Regent Street Apple Store in London with a number of jumbo photos. Jony Ive spoke to Wallpaper design news stating: "Like many great cities, London's historic architecture has great significance to the community. On Regent Street, we preserved the incredible exterior facade while opening up the interior of the store to enhance the transparency and flood the space with natural light. By choosing materials sympathetic to the historic nature of the building, we're able to modernize the space while remaining authentic to its surrounds. The actual building features a Grade II Listed exterior facade of portland stone, carrara marble, and hand-cut Venetian Smalti glass tile."

Earlier today I posted another follow-up report on the Apple Piazza Liberty Store in Milan that is stunning and innovative and Apple just opened their new Apple Michigan Avenue Store on Oct 20. Apple is almost known for the creative Apple Store designs as they are products. This afternoon we got a glimpse of the new Wallpaper magazine interview with Apple's Design Chief Jonathan Ive about Apple Park, the Steve Jobs Theater and pushing technology.





This year's iPhone event was to roll out the biggest change to the iPhone since it originally debuted in 2007 and anticipation was almost feverish. Yet for most golden ticket holders to the event, the excitement and buzz was heightened even more because the iPhone X was being unveiled in the all-new Steve Jobs Theater  and then after the event, shown to reviewers around the world in a new hands-on area that is stunning unto itself.

Wallpaper noted that "This was the first up-close mass sighting of the most talked-about new building in the world, a $5bn, or so it's said, Foster + Partners-designed loop of glass, aluminum, limestone and concrete and Apple's new HQ. Guests worked their way up an artificial hill, part of 175 acres of undulating new landscape where once was dead-flat parking facility and dull corporate sheds, most of it owned by Hewlett-Packard. This engineered topography, a fantasy of California, gentle and abundant, was borne of the earth removed to make way for the new building's earthquake-proof foundations, and has been planted with 9,000 trees, including cherry, apricot, apple, persimmon and pear.

'Everything in this theatre, every detail, everything you see around you, is a totally integrated collaboration with Jony Ive [Apple's chief design officer] and his design studio. Over the last nine years, we have become almost one. We talk together all the time, sit and sketch. This is not a Foster + Partners building.'

From the open space above ground, you descend to the auditorium on a curving limestone staircase with a carved, recessed handrail on one side and a gently angular stone slab on the other. 'This whole space should feel carved and it is a carved handrail in a carved space.'

At times, the project pulled in 250 Foster + Partners architects, involving plenty of transatlantic travel and the set-up of a permanent outpost, working alongside Ive's industrial design team. But if the details were worked out with Ive, the big vision also belonged to Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs, who first met with Norman Foster in 2009 and was much consumed by Apple Park during the last two years of his life (he passed away in 2011). That vision was of making work as much like a walk in the park as possible. More pragmatically, it was about bringing together a workforce housed in 100 separate buildings, then choreographing levels of integration and collaboration.

Beyond the new Apple Park building dubbed the Ring, Wallpaper noted Jony Ive talking about pushing technology. The report noted: "Now Ive and his team have to work out where that challenge takes them next. 'We are a fairly tenacious group of designers who are absurdly curious and constantly looking for alternatives. Some of them we can understand right here, right now. Some of them are beyond the technology of the moment. They exist as ideas, they exist to galvanize the development of technology. And some will bear fruit and others won't.'

One More Thing

To get us all thinking, there's one more thing that Ive said that can't be overlooked:

" What I think is remarkable about the iPhone X is that its functionality is so determined by software. And because of the fluid nature of software, this product is going to change and evolve. In 12 months time, this object will be able to do things that it cant now. I think that is extraordinary. I think we will look back on it and see it as a very significant point in terms of the products we have been developing.





You could read this rich report in detail over at Wallpaper here





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Cold as hell!

And just to be clear, for Buddhists using cold to describe hell is not a contradiction. We Buddhists, you see, have cold hells too. Lots of em.

So weve got that going for us too.

As I was saying, though, now its -15 wind chill in White Bear, MN, and getting colder. -45 or so by morning so the schools will probably be closed.

It is so cold that if you walk into the wind for about 3 seconds, your eyebrows will hurt like hell. Thats how cold it is.

By the way, did you know that the buddhadharma has the mystical power to keep you warm in whatever conditions you might find yourself in?

Heres how.

Well  first, some background. Thanks! to Vine student Tim for raising this issue.

In the Genjokoan course in the Vine of Obstacles: Online Support for Zen Training (click here for more  email me at vineofobstacleszen@gmail.com if you are interested in this training) we unpack this more fully but for now Ill keep it short.

In Genjokoan, Dogen uses the word koan that is and was common in Zen. Koan normally means public case. But Dogen uses a different character than is usually used for an.

Dogens an means keeping ones lot. As the second player in the compound ko-an it really brings the point home.

Ko (or public) is about equalizing inequality, emptying what was thought to be nonempty. Thats one foci.

By itself, equalizing inequality has a large woo-woo propensity and we might get a bad case of Zen sickness  using the practice to efface the myriad things, like our own greed, anger, and ignorance and the suffering of the world.

Without an, ko leads to a pernicious view of emptiness, repressing or belittling our direct experience.

An  keeping ones lot  dynamically balances the practice and points to just how close this is, like to this very person, this very thing.

And it isnt one side and then the other, first equalizing and then keeping ones lot, first emptiness and then form.

Koan is total dynamic working.

Koan is actualizing life and death.

I remember the story about when Dongshan left Yunyan. What can I tell people to describe you? he asked.

Yunyan said, Just this person.

This phrase was used in Chinese courts when the defendant plead guilty. So the dialogue might be rendered,

Whats your true (equalizing the unequal) likeness (keeping ones lot)?

Guilty as charged.

Because this life, this practice, this koan equalizes inequality, we keep our lot.

Just this person.

Guilty as charged.

How to keep warm on a cold night?

Its cold as hell!

Or like a poet said,

Though I thought I had cast away the world

And was without self

Snowy days are all the colder.

 from Yasutanis Flowers Fall pp 68, appropriately attributed to Anonymous (thanks! to Vine student Janet for pointing this out)
Patna: President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday inaugurated the 3rd Agricultural Roadmap (2017-2022) of Bihar at the Bapu Convention Hall in Patna in the presence of Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and nearly his entire cabinet members.

{gallery}newsimages2017/nov/110917{/gallery}Mr. Kovind, who resigned as Bihar's Governor earlier this year after being nominated for the President of India's post by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, began his speech by thanking the people of Bihar for giving him the opportunity to serve them as their Governor between 2015 and 2017.

The President, in his address, touched all the bullet points to express his love for Bihar like saying he may not be a Bihari by birth but he was identified as a Bihari by his actions.

"I will never forget the love I received from the people of Bihar. I may not have been born in Bihar but I am a Bihari through and through from inside. My journey from Bihar's Governor's House to the President's mansion will remain etched in my memories for my entire life. There is a statue of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India's first President, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, and I begin my day by bowing before his statue and the statue of Mahatma Gandhi," he said.

Mr. Kovind, who succeeded Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee as the 14th President of India on July 25 this year, formally inaugurated the Rs. 1 lakh 54000 crore 3rd Agricultural Road Map along with a power feeder exclusively for farming purpose in Naubatpur in Patna district.

He also touched issues like organic farming corridor in Bihar and how it could usher economic prosperity in the state for good. The President stressed the need for better water management policies that he said could bring the green revolution in the country.

The current Governor of Bihar Satya Pal Malik in his speech welcomed the President and also praised the Nitish administration for its grand vision in terms of agricultural prospect in Bihar saying the new roadmap would put Bihar on the agricultural map of the nation.

Earlier, the President arrived at the Patna Airport by an Air Force special aircraft at 11:25 am. He was greeted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and a number of cabinet members and top government officials. He also paid floral tributes to Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Loknayak Jaya Prakash Narayan at their statues in Patna.
Saad Hariri's Saudi Resignation: Good News for Iran and Hezbollah

11/09/17

by Aurelie Daher (source: LobeLog)

Lebanon believes Hariri held in Saudi, wants foreign pressure - top official https://t.co/yXdzIKuc63 pic.twitter.com/gZK2OblntS  Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) November 9, 2017

At the end of October, Sunni Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri, an ally of the West and of Saudi Arabia, went to Riyadh for an official visit. On November 1, back in Beirut, he announced that the visit was successful, and that the Saudi regime maintains its support for the Lebanese government. This government was established a year ago, after two-and-a-half years of a harsh power struggle between Sunnis and Shias, an institutional crisis that had previously made experts fear the worst for Lebanon.

Ever since the political deal struck in late 2016, which eventually led to the election of Christian President Michel Aoun, intra-religious tension decreased significantly, and the government finally managed to make some serious progress on both political and economic grounds. Hariri reassured his compatriots that Riyadh was still backing the Lebanese cross-community agreement and did not intend to jeopardize the country's stability.

On November 2, Prime Minister Hariri hosted Ali Akbar Velayati, senior foreign policy advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei. After saying that Saad Hariri was "a respectable man," Velayati reaffirmed Tehran's support for the Lebanese government and the country's stability.

But on November 3, Hariri indicated that he had to return that same night to Riyadh to meet King Salman. In a detail that turned out later to have a major significance, he was asked by the Saudis to come alone, without his staff, not even with his chief of cabinet.

The next morning, Saad Hariri announced his official resignation as prime minister. In an address given live from Riyadh, he stated that he refused to see Lebanon placed under "external and internal" guardianship. His announcement was followed by a strong speech against Hezbollah and Iran, with a hostility that the Lebanese hadn't heard from him for more than a year. He also threatened to "cut the hands" of Hezbollah and Iran, while also accusing them of plotting to assassinate him.

This announcement came as a blow to politicians in Beirut. Even in Hariri's own party, major political figures denied having any clue of what had just happened. The army, the General Security Directorate, and even the police (who usually benefit from Hariri's patronage) all denied the rumor of an assassination attempt. Hariri's attitude was even more confusing because of his lack of communication. Except for a few Sunni radicals, many feared for the country's stability. Even Hariri's political allies officially regretted his resignation and expressed a firm refusal to go back to the years of tense rivalry between the various political actors.

After Hariri's announcement, everyone awaited the address of Hezbollah's secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, a voice that matters both inside and outside Lebanon. It was rather clear that Sunnis as well as Shias were waiting to decide whether to take to the streets or not depending on his argumentation and tone. Nasrallah gave a moderate speech filled with questions regarding Hariri's resignation. He accused Saudi Arabia of possibly forcing his resignation but refrained from blaming Hariri.

The greatest relief came from the Lebanese people. Contrary to Saudi expectations-given the fact that a large part of the official Saudi press sounds somehow enthusiastic at the prospect of imminent Lebanese sectarian chaos-Sunni and Shia districts remained calm. Not a single gathering, blockade, or riot was reported. On Twitter and Facebook, the Lebanese people were echoing their political leaders, wishing that Hariri would have at least resigned from Beirut "for the sake of credibility" and even "out of respect."

But 24 hours later there was strong evidence that the prime minister was held hostage in Riyadh and forced to resign. His captivity was turned into a joke on social media with some users asking Hariri to "blink twice if you were forced to read your resignation speech." On other photo-shopped pictures, Rafic Hariri (Saad's father and former prime minister who was murdered in 2005) was seen rolling his eyes, with the words "I regret getting married and having kids." Shias sent sarcastic though friendly messages of support to their Sunni acquaintances and friends, recommending "in case Hariri was indeed abducted" that they should "ask for the help of Hezbollah," an "organization well-known for their expertise in freeing hostages."

On November 6, a part of the Lebanese media finally reported that Hariri had been summoned to Saudi Arabia, against all expectations. He was placed under house arrest upon his arrival with limited and controlled access to his cell phone, and he was separated from his wife and children. Some sources claim that Hariri's wife and children are currently banned from leaving Saudi Arabia until further notice in order to prevent any "change of heart" from the "former" prime minister after he returns to Beirut. The resignation speech was delivered in hand by Thamer al-Sabhane himself, a Saudi diplomat known for his anti-Shia tweets.

The Lebanese president and chief of parliament were said to have tried to get Hariri "ex-filtrated" with Egyptian and Jordanian help, whereas other officials, allies of the West, asked for an intervention from the French and British ambassadors. Hariri's departure to Abu Dhabi brings no real answers: is Riyadh subcontracting the jailer's job to the Emirates? Or is Hariri now free to go back home?

One thing is certain. The Saudi initiative was part of a larger plan to send a strong message to both Saudi and regional audiences: Hariri's resignation, the arrest of dozens of princes and ministers, and the blockade on Yemen were coordinated to give the world a clear image of Saudi Arabia's new posture.

In Lebanon however, things are already backfiring. The Saudi move had an unexpected result. Whereas Sunnis and Shias in Lebanon have seemed for the last 10 years incapable of sharing common ground on regional alliances, the "kidnapping" of their prime minister at the hands of his own Saudi boss managed to infuriate Hariri's own community. On Sunday, Hariri's party even praised Hassan Nasrallah, calling him a "responsible man" who placed above all the country's "national interest," a first in more than 10 years.

The entire country is now waiting for the return of the man whom the country's officials still insist on calling "His Excellency the Prime Minister." But if the resignation is to stand, the indignation triggered by Saudi Arabia's demonstration of force, exceptionally shared by the Sunnis, would make it clear that Hezbollah will not have to go through much trouble to block a replacement that would overtly support the Saudis. If Riyadh's plan of forcing Hariri to resign was to compel Lebanon to get tough on Hezbollah and push the country away from Iran's influence, the kingdom has, at best, ejected itself from the Lebanese political game. In Tehran, officials are most likely busy opening a fine bottle of non-alcoholic champagne.



About the author:



Aurelie Daher received a PhD in political science from Sciences Po, Paris. She held a postdoctoral fellow position at the University of Oxford from 2010-2011 and a postdoctoral research associate position at Princeton University from 2012-2013. Her work focuses on Hezbollah, the Shiites, and Lebanese politics. A book based on her doctoral dissertation was published in February 2014 under the title Hezbollah, Mobilization and Power (Hezbollah, mobilisation et pouvoir, Paris, PUF, Collection "Proche-Orient", 482 p.) An English version, Hezbollah, Mobilization and Power, will be published at the end of 2015 by Hurst/Oxford University Press.
Gavin Pike, new Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), paid a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the Jubilee House on Monday, 6th November 2017.



He was accompanied by Teye Mkushi, new Finance Director, Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Corporate Relations Director and Rita Rockson, Communications and Engagement Manager of GGBL.



Mr Pike took over from Francis Agbonlahor who retired from the business after 27 meritorious years of service in Diageo.



The courtesy call was an opportunity to formally introduce the new Managing and Finance Directors of Ghanas leading beverage business to the Vice President.



Addressing the Vice President, Gavin Pike said, GGBL, which is a subsidiary of Diageo PLC, has operated in Ghana for over 57years, making significant socio-economic contributions to the development of Ghana through taxes, sustainable job creation and impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives throughout the country, especially in the area of sourcing local raw materials such as cassava, maize and sorghum for the production of our beverages.



He added that GGBL is committed to the long-term development of the country and we will continue to invest in our infrastructure, people and production processes to ensure our products are produced to the highest quality with minimal environmental impact.



We are also encouraged by the macro-economic strides being made in the country and will continue to count on the favourable business environment.



The Vice President commended GGBL for the contribution it is making to the socio-economic development of Ghana and expressed the commitment of his government to creating the enabling environment by developing the appropriate policy framework for businesses to grow and thrive.



Mr Pike joined GGBL from Diageos Headquarters in London where he was Global Head of Mainstream Spirits.



He has also held many senior positions in Diageos subsidiaries in South Africa and Nigeria.



Prior to joining Diageo, Gavin worked for drinks company Distel LTD PTY in South Africa, and previously in various commercial roles in the pharmaceutical industry also in South Africa.



He also had an earlier career in the education sector in the United Kingdom.

Source: Daily Guide









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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that his governments vision of a building a progressive and prosperous Ghana depends very much on the work being undertaken by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).



According to President Akufo-Addo, GRA is a central part of whether or not we are going to succeed as a nation. When we speak about wanting to build a Ghana Beyond Aid, what we are saying is that we should become, like all the progressive countries in the world, a country that depends on its own resources to buttress its own development, and not a country going around cap in hand begging for this or that.



The President explained that Ghana should become a country of dignity and pride, that is able to finance its own development. And, if we are going to be able to do that, you are at the cutting edge. If you succeed, Ghana succeeds. If you fail, we will fail.



President Akufo-Addo made this known on Wednesday, 8th November, 2017, when he visited the Tema Harbour to interact with officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority, as well as apprise himself of the work being undertaken at the harbour.



He told the officials of GRA that the work my government is doing depends so much on you. If you are able to meet our revenue targets, it will then mean that we would be able to finance the expenditures we would need in our social sectors, for our education, for our housing, for our health, amongst others.



President Akufo-Addo added further that we would then be able to invest in those parts of the economy that we would need to invest in to grow our economy, industry, trade and agriculture.



He continued, It is not by accident that we were the first of the black nations on the continent to become free from European colonialism. It is because generations of Ghanaians had fought and worked and mobilised to bring us to where we are today. We have a very proud past. But what will make that proud past count is if we have a prosperous and rich future.



It is for this reason the President encouraged the GRA officials to bear in mind that the time has come for us not to chop Ghana small, but to make Ghana great. If that is where all of us are, we are going to build a Ghana that is going to be the wonder of this world. The world will then see that there are Africans capable of doing it.



President Akufo-Addo, thus urged the GRA to be sincere, active collaborators, co-operating to build the Ghana of our dreams. My part is to try to help define and design the policy. But you are the people responsible for executing it. If the execution is solid, Ghana is solid.



Tema Port Expansion Project



Prior to visiting the Tema Harbour, the President visited the site of the Tema Port expansion project, where he reiterated the commitment of his government towards the rapid development of the country, which will put Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity, during his tenure of office.



The Tema Port expansion, which is a $1.5 billion project, will improve Ghanas trade competiveness, facilitate trade growth and improve revenue mobilisation. The project will also allow the Tema Port to accommodate some of the worlds largest container ships, and improve cargo handling services and capacity.



Describing the project as an exciting development in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo stressed that we just have to wish that everything goes well, so you can meet the contractual deadlines. It is extremely important for the development of Ghana that such a development should take place. As you know, we are committed to a very rapid development of our country, especially its industrial and agricultural sectors.



The rapid development of the country, according to the President, requires the necessary support infrastructure.



This (Tema Port) is one of them, which will ensure that we will have in our country a 1st class port, modern and capable of receiving the biggest vessels in the world, and allowing us to accelerate the pace of our development and of our exchanges, he said



President Akufo-Addo assured the partners of the project of governments support to assist them in fulfilling their contractual obligations in bringing the project online.



It is a massive undertaking. Some of our neighbours are also undertaking important port developments in Cote dIvoire and in Lome, Togo. I have seen the Lome facility myself, but I am sure they will not be superior to what we will have in Ghana, a confident President Akufo-Addo added.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Former deputy Education Minister in charge of Tertiary education, under the erstwhile Mahama administration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has conceded he erred in suggesting that the supposed new location for the campus for the University of Environmental and Sustainable Development  Bunso- is at Kyebi.



The North Tongu legislator alleging the relocation move said: The program which Parliament had already approved was that there will be two main campuses, the Somanya campus and the Donkorkrom campus in the Affram Plains area.



The information I have, which is unimpeachable, credible, is that this government has changed the second campus from Donkorkrom in Afram Plains to Bunso in Kyebi, and that is why they did not want to answer the question. The facility that this house approved in 2016 has to do with funding for two campuses, there is reasonable proximity.



But after the Ministry of education debunked his claims as preposterous Mr. Ablakwa told Francis Abban on Morning Starr that his Bunso in Kyebi claim was an error.



It was a mistake on my part and you noticed that in my subsequent statement which I issued yesterday [Wednesday] I corrected it. I said Bunso in the Abuakwa South Constituency. So thats my error.



The statement I wanted to make was that Bunso is in the Akyem area not Bunso in Kyebi. It was a clear mistake on my part and I apologize for that

Source: Daily Guide









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Audio Attachment: Listen to Abdulai Yakubu Andani during the press conference

The children of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II have cautioned the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan- Dapaah to stay away from matters of Dagbon.



They have asked him to leave it to people customarily entrusted with such responsibilities, following his recent comments at the Kug Naa palace during his visit.



The family warned that the National Security Minister and government were walking in the path that led to the 2002 massacre by his utter display of contempt for the customs and traditions of Dagbon.



The children are demanding for the killer of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II from the Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah.



"We demand of the honourable Minister to tell us who killed our father, Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II," Abdulai Yakubu Andani said.



"We also wish to state that we will resist by any means necessary, any attempt to perform the funeral of Mahamadu Abdulai at the old Gbewaa palace for the reason that he was not the Yaa Naa . . .The year 2017 will not be like 2002," he added.



The immediate family of the murdered Yaa Naa cautioned the minister to stay away from traditional matters of Dagbon to those customarily entrusted with such responsibilities.



Clearly, the provision in the Kan-Dapaah delegation, which allows the family of the Mahamadu Abdulai to occupy the Gbewaa palace for one week to perform the funeral of the said Mahamadu Abdulai is a continuation of the process that led to the murder of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II.



"We have no doubt in our minds that the NPP government is hell-bent on fulfilling their earlier promise to the Mahamadu family, he said.



According to them, they will resist any necessary attempt to perform the funeral of Mahamadu Abdulai at the Gbewaa Palace, adding that it will be a desecration of the memory of their father.



"We are also astonished at the display of contempt for Dagbon customs and traditions and for the people of Dagbon."



According to the dagbon tradition and customs, while the funeral of the late Yaa Naa is pending, the occupant of the skin of the delegation's nominee is required to take up temporary residence in yendi and his responsibility would include contributing to the upkeep of the widow and the overall sustenance of the royal house hold.



Speaking at a press conference, Mr Abdulai Yakubu Andani, the spokesperson for the late Yaa Naa's children said "We will not allow the Abudu gate to perform any rite in the Gbewaa palace because the regent, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Andani is the right person to take up the throne as the next Yaa Naa."



'We will use any means possible to stop any one including the government who will want to force the Abudus to the throne," he added.









Source: Akyereba Kwabena/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Audio Attachment: Listen to Allotey Jacobs

Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made a passionate appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to distance himself and his presidency from the false activities of the General Overseer of Glorious Word International Church, Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah.



According to Allotey Jacobs, the president must "burn the demonic horn" that was presented to him by the false prophet when he visited his church after he won the elections.



He said "Owusu Bempah is not of God and his activities on radio and television clearly depicts so".



He noted that president should not allow himself to be lured by the false prophecies of the "so-called prophet" who is record to have stated that "what transpired in the 2016 elections was not the making of a man but the glorious handiwork of God on the president and for matter Ghanaians."



The Educated Fisherman as Chairman Allotey is affectionately called, urged the President to go down on his knees and pray to God and have the demonic horn the false prophet presented to him when he visited his church at Odorkor-Busia, a suburb in Accra, destroyed.



According to him, the horn the false prophet presented to the president was devilish and must not be countenanced by the presidency.



"The president must throw away the demonic horn given to him by the false prophet before it is too late," he warned.



Mr Allotey Jacobs made this comment on the Epa Hoa Daben show hosted by Kwame Afrifa Mensah on Accra-based Happy FM.



"I love the president and his style in government and he must not be seen to be deceived the likes of Owusu Bempah, a false prophet as such."



"These people must not be given any attention in the Nana Addos government because their activities are questionable in the country.



Such pastors will drag the image of the president into the mud as time goes on," he said.



He further argued that some of the prophetic comments being made by the Rev Owusu Bempah are not true - So any time a pastor makes these statements referring to a leader being elevated should tell you the kind of pastor that person is. That man is a false prophet and it is about time he is told in the face".

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash









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National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has said that despite the eloquent demeanor often displayed by economist Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia when he speaks, the Vice President actually knows nothing about the economy.



Speaking at a press conference organised by the Minority in Parliament yesterday [Wednesday], Isaac Adongo accused the Vice President of consistently peddling falsehood, but the confident way in which he speaks had convinced Ghanaians to accept his lies about the state of the economy.



Bawumia has never understood the economy of Ghana. He has always lied about the economy of Ghana. He said that our debt was about 36 billion and would end at 40 billion dollars. When he came with his budget, he said it was around 26 billion. How did John Mahama miraculously find 14 billion dollars to pay down the debt in three months before we left office? He took the people of Ghana for a ride, he said.



The reality is that, he knows nothing but hes so confident and eloquent that he can confuse all of you. The reality is that hes now managing the economy and must walk the talk. But with this bond, I doubt they will attempt the four billion again because they will not get a third rematch because the investors are already away from it.

His comments come on the back of recent failed attempts by the government to meet its target for the first tranche of the energy bond.



The managers of the bond sought to raise 6 billion cedis under two separate bonds, but accrued a total of 4.6 billion cedis after it closed the auction. The 7-year bond received the targeted 2.4 billion cedis, whilst the 10-year bond accrued about 2.2 billion cedis, below the target of 3.6 billion cedis.



Several critics have described this development as a failure by the government, and a sign of the declining confidence of investors, whilst the government hailed the bond as relatively successful. According to Adongo, the recent failed attempts by the government to meet its target for the first tranche of the energy bond, was an indication of the inability of the Economic management team, led by the Vice President, to manage the economy adequately. Isaac Adongo described the team as over-hyped and stated that Dr. Bawumias eloquence had convinced Ghanaians to accept his lies about the state of the economy.



They rode on the back of the confidence of the economy that the NDC left, to raise a bond of $2.25 billion in four hours. What has now happened that in one month, they still cant raise it? They are destroying the fundamentals that we developed for them. When they were in their honeymoon period and were taking credit we told them to wait and that their time would come. Their time has come and we have been embarrassed, he said.



He claimed that the balance sheet of ESLA PLC after raising the bond was -$3.6 billion, and that no investor would put their money in such a company.

Its only under the best economist that the world has ever produced, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Isaac Adongo added sarcastically.

Source: citifmonline.com









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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- The neighbor charged with attacking U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and breaking several of his ribs pleaded not guilty during a short court hearing Thursday morning.

Rene Boucher, a retired anesthesiologist, remained free on bond after his arraignment in Warren District Court. He is charged with fourth-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail.

Boucher's lawyer, Matt Baker, entered the plea and Boucher spoke only to say he understood the bond conditions, which include staying away from Paul. Baker and Boucher left the courthouse without comment, shedding no light on why Boucher allegedly tackled Paul.

County Attorney Amy Milliken said there is a chance the charges against Boucher could still be upgraded as the FBI and Kentucky State Police continue their investigation.

In a later interview, Baker gave credence to suggestions by neighbors that the attack was motivated by a dispute over property rights.

He specifically cited a story published in the Louisville Courier-Journal that quoted Jim Skaggs, who once led the local Republican Party and developed the community where the men live. Skaggs suggested the dispute might have grown from Paul allegedly blowing lawn clippings into Boucher's yard.

The newspaper quoted Skaggs as saying there had been earlier disagreements between Paul and Boucher over matters such as who had responsibility to trim a tree limb that crossed their property line.

"I think it was a neighbor-to-neighbor thing. They just both had strong opinions, and a little different ones, about what property rights mean," Skaggs said in another story in the New York Times.

In this Sept. 25, 2017, file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Paul says he ended up with six broken ribs after a bizarre attack by his neighbor last week while he was mowing his lawn.

"My analysis would be consistent with his," Baker said of Skaggs' comments, though he would not specify why the two men were allegedly in a property rights dispute.

He repeated his earlier assertion that the incident was not politically motivated.

"It has zero to do with Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, anything like that," Baker said. "It has to do with a disagreement between two neighbors."

Baker said Paul has hired a personal injury lawyer in Bowling Green, Tom Kerrrick, indicating a possible lawsuit.

More than 20 reporters packed into the courtroom along with more than 80 others in the audience facing traffic and other charges, plus several inmates in orange jumpsuits.

Judge Brent Potter even snapped a photo of a battery of TV cameras was set up in the jury box with his cell phone before the hearing. "This is atypical, I'll tell you that," Potter told reporters.

Boucher, 59, has lived next door to Paul in an upscale, gated development in Bowling Green for more than 15 years.

On Nov. 3, he allegedly went into Paul's yard and attacked him as Paul got off a riding lawnmower. According to published reports and an arrest warrant, Boucher came up behind the Republican senator and tackled him without warning. Paul was wearing hearing protection and didn't hear Boucher approach, one neighbor said.

Earlier reports said Paul suffered five broken ribs. However, Paul said Wednesday in a tweet that he has six broken ribs and that an X-ray showed a "pleural effusion," or a buildup of fluid between his lung and chest wall.

Paul has not said what he thinks led to the attack. On Wednesday, however, he tweeted a link to a story on the right-wing Breitbart site in which several neighbors said they disagreed that the attack was related to a landscaping dispute.

"The stories of a 'landscaping dispute,' or a dispute of any sort between Rand Paul and Rene Boucher, are erroneous and unfounded," a friend and neighbor named Travis Creed told Breitbart. "The reason for Mr. Boucher's bizarre attack is known only to him."

Several people quoted in the story described Paul and his family as great neighbors.

By Bill Estep, Lexington Herald-Leader (TNS)
Six dealers accused of selling $750,000 worth of carfentanyl, fentanyl and heroin in Allegheny County this year have been charged, the attorney general said Thursday.

The arrests come after the first known seizure of carfentanyl - a drug 10,000 times more potent than morphine - by the attorney general office's in Allegheny County, said Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania attorney general.

"These dealers sold carfentanyl - a potent, deadly drug that is literally used to tranquilize elephants," Shapiro said. "It is outrageous criminal conduct, we won't allow it, and with strong law enforcement collaboration, we've shut down a drug ring that sold three-quarters of a million dollars of poison in towns across Allegheny County."

A statewide investigating grand jury recommended the charges, brought after an investigation by attorney general and Allegheny County Police Department.

Deondray Beasley, 29, of 16th Avenue, Homestead, was identified by the grand jury and investigators as "the Boss" of the drug ring. He and the dealers are accused of buying and selling carfentanyl, fentanyl and heroin in Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County towns of Munhall, Braddock Heights, North Braddock and Braddock between September 2016 and August 2017.

The investigation of the Beasley-led drug ring began in September 2016, when detectives discovered 23 bags of carfentanyl and 27 bags of heroin mixed with fentanyl in a traffic stop.

Investigators made undercover drug buys of carfentanyl, fentanyl and heroin from Beasley and two conspirators - Derek Williams, 22, of West Virginia Avenue, Munhall, and Dorrean Watson, 30, of Beaver Avenue, Pittsburgh.

Beasley turned over some of the daily management of the enterprise to another dealer, James Wells, 29, of Ridge Avenue, North Braddock. Investigators continued making controlled drug buys from Wells and Patrick Sanders, 27, of Hillview Street, Duquesne, and Rand Wolford, 29, of Talbot Avenue, Braddock.

As part of the investigation, in May Pittsburgh police recovered three handguns, one loaded with armor-piercing bullets, along with ammunition and magazines. Two of the guns seized were accessible by Wells, who lacked a valid permit to carry a firearm.

In September, seized cell phones, drug packaging and processing materials, a blender attachment with drug residue and a loaded Glock handgun from locations in Pittsburgh, Munhall and Homestead frequented by the suspects.

On Oct. 5, Wells was arrested on an outstanding warrant for drug sales in March, and was released on $5,000 bail. When police came to arrest him 150 bags of suspected heroin or fentanyl, a handful of bags of cocaine and a loaded handgun were found in his home. He now remains at large.

"Some of our undercover agents observed these individuals making threats against police officers, but the most dangerous aspect of this criminal organization is they were knowingly putting lives at risk by selling carfentanyl on our streets," said Lt. Jeffrey Korczyk of the Allegheny County Police Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit.

Sanders and Williams were arrested this morning. Beasley and Watson were previously incarcerated in the Allegheny County Jail. Wells and Wolford remain at large.

Felony charges against the six defendants include criminal conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver various drugs. Four of the defendants - Beasley, Wells, Williams and Watson - are also charged with corrupt organizations.
Construction of the Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline will resume promptly.

That was the comment from Williams Partners on Wednesday night after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia dissolved the administrative stay it had issued Monday.

The court's one-page order states the seven environmental groups that wanted to stop the pipeline project had not satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay.

A three-judge panel had issued it saying the court needed time to review the environmental organizations' contention that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's review of the project did not meet the standard for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions.

The groups, which included Concerned Citizens of Lebanon County, Lancaster Against Pipelines, Lebanon Pipe Awareness and Sierra Club, also claimed completion of the pipeline would encourage more drilling for natural gas.

READ MORE: Protesters arrested as pipeline construction begins on natural gas pipeline in Lancaster County

"We are pleased the court has lifted the administrative stay," Williams said in a statement.

"We will promptly resume construction activities on this important pipeline project, which will leverage existing energy infrastructure to deliver economic growth and help millions of Americans gain access to affordable Pennsylvania-produced clean-burning natural gas.

"Thousands of workers in Pennsylvania will be back on the job tomorrow [Thursday]." The stay had stopped all construction activity on the pipeline in Pennsylvania.

Issues raised in motions to dismiss the stay were factors in the court's decision to dissolve it, the ruling stated.

READ MORE: The Atlantic Sunrise pipeline is a path to prosperity for Pa.: Mike Turzai

FERC was among those opposing the stay, claiming it was overbroad.

Williams, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, contended the stay was unwarranted because FERC undertook a nearly four-year extensive review of the project before issuing a certificate of public convenience in February.

Williams' subsidy, Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, then obtained the required permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection and began construction of 186 miles of pipeline in Pennsylvania on Sept. 17.

The nearly $3 billion Atlantic Sunrise project will increase the amount of Marcellus Shale gas that can be transported into the South. The pipeline will cross 10 Pennsylvania counties including Lancaster and Lebanon.

The project includes revising piping in six compressor stations in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina to permit natural gas to flow in both directions.

Earlier Wednesday, the appeals court clarified its stay order saying it applied to construction activities only in Pennsylvania.
It wasn't a cheetah that was running through the streets of Reading last weekend.

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County determined the feline was an African Serval cat, which was turned over to them by Reading police last Saturday.

The cat was taken to a rescue group to specializes in big cats, and it is reportedly doing well, said the Berks County rescue group's Facebook page.

Hi Again! I am reposting this with some better high-quality pics, taken from our own in-house awesome Kennel... Posted by Animal Rescue League of Berks County on Wednesday, November 8, 2017

It is illegal to own an African Serval in Pennsylvania without a permit, and the rescue group says no one in the state currently has such a permit.

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County adds that African Serval cats are wild animals and don't belong in someone's house, and suggest those who want a cat adopt one of the many at the shelter right now.
Homicides, violent deaths, this week in Pennsylvania

A Berks County man is accused of snapping his girlfriend's neck when she refused his marriage proposal. Police say a Philadelphia man beat his brother to death and left him in his basement. And a college student, who had been strangled to death, was discovered by a jogger in Philadelphia.

These are among the violent deaths and homicides reported around Pennsylvania.

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Drug death under investigation in York County

Police in Fairview Township are looking for a man whom they say supplied a lethal dose of drugs to a woman.

Hector Q. Pittman is charged with drug delivery resulting in death after the victim died at a hotel on Limekiln Road in August, police say.

Autopsy results revealed opioid toxicity was the cause of death and she had morphine and fentanyl in her system.

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Hector Q. Pittman

Fairview Township Police.

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One caught, another sought, in shooting death over heroin deal

One suspect was caught this week and police are still seeking another in a Lebanon homicide.

Luis Manuel Marquez-Rivera, 45, of North Lebanon, is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Carlos Villarreal-Berrios on Oct. 28. Jorge Monge, 61, of Lebanon, has also been charged and is being sought in connection to the fatal shooting.

Police say the shooting occurred after an argument during a heroin purchase.

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Luis Manuel Marquez-Rivera.

Lebanon Police

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Berks County man accused of killing 19-year-old who turned down marriage proposal

When his 19-year-old female friend refused his marriage proposal, police say a 34-year-old Berks County man brutally killed her.

Christopher R. Tucker, of Albany Township, was arrested in Champaign County, Illinois, Friday following the killing of Tara Serino, NBC 10 is reporting.

Police say after she turned down his proposal and said she had been sleeping with other men, Tucker snapped, choked her, poked her eyes out, and beat her with a hatchet.

He wrapped her in a rug and fled to Illinois before he was apprehended, police say.

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Christopher Tucker.

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Man found dead in Montgomery County basement, brother charged

Harry Bachman was supposed to meet with a family member Friday night. When the Elkins Park resident didnt show up, the relative went to his home and found a violent struggle had ensued.

And in the basement, they found Bachman's body, NBC 10 of Philadelphia is reporting.

He suffered blunt-force trauma to the head and body. His car was stolen, as well.

It wasnt long before his brother, Jamison Bachman, 60, of Philadelphia, became a suspect, according to reports. Police found Harry Bachmans car at a hotel in Upper Moreland Township and arrested Jamison Bachman without incident.

No motive has been released, according to reports.

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Jamison Bachman.

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Jogger finds missing college student's body in Philadelphia creek

She was a young lady just living her life, doing the right things, Philadelphia Police Capt. John Ryan said.

But 21-year-old Kierra Johnson's life was cut short. She died of strangulation, and her body was found by a jogger Friday in Cobbs Creek, NBC 10 is reporting.

Investigators are unsure if the Hussian School of Art student was killed there, or if she was strangled elsewhere and her body was dumped into the creek. The departments homicide unit is now working to retrace her steps to find who may have been in contact with Johnson in the final hours of her life, according to reports.

She had been reported missing the day before the discovery.

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Kierra Johnson.

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Man shot to death at stop light, 14-year-old injured, in Philadelphia

One man was killed and a 14-year-old boy was injured when a gunman opened fire into a car in Philadelphia Tuesday.

The 24-year-old victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was stopped at a red light in the city's West Kensington section when the shooting occurred, 6 ABC is reporting. He was pronounced dead after crashing through the front gate of a nearby hospital.

Police are searching for the shooter.

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Two dead, officer wounded, after shootings, car chase

Violence erupted in Williamsport Tuesday evening, resulting in three shootings that killed two men and injured a police officer.

Police were called to a Williamsport home and found 33-year-old Shawn Graham, who had died from gunshot wounds.

Police saw a vehicle leaving the scene and followed it, and when they ordered the driver out of the car, he opened fire, hitting an officer, WNEP is reporting.

The driver, 27-year-old Paul Heath, then drove away and got into another shootout with police near a Sheetz in Woodward Township before he took his own life, police say.

The injured officer, Nicholas Carrita, is expected to make a full recovery.

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Williamsport police.

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'I'm sick of him' girlfriend says before stabbing boyfriend to death: police

Police say a 52-year-old McKeesport woman told a witness Im sick of him before stabbing her boyfriend to death in a South Side apartment in Pittsburgh.

Cassandra Locke has been charged with homicide in connection with the death of Daryl Waite, 49, WTAE is reporting.

The stabbing occurred Tuesday night at the Brew House Lofts, where police found a trail of blood from a third-floor apartment through the hallway to an elevator and through the lobby, where Waite was found dead, according to reports.

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Brew House Lofts.

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WILLIAMSPORT - Investigators are tight-lipped on why a man Tuesday night was killed in a Williamsport house and the shooter later took his own life after exchanging gunfire with police following a pursuit.

Due to the nature of the investigation and the interest in maintaining its integrity, no further details will be released at this time, a state police news release states.

That includes information about a second person police say was involved in the first shooting.

Court documents reveal both of the men who were fatally shot had criminal records.

Shawn Graham, 33, who was fatally shot about 6:30 p.m. in the abdomen in the 2200 block of West Third Street, was on probation.

He was last sentenced in Lycoming County in 2015 to 11 to 24 months on drug charges, records show.

Paul Heath, 26, who state police said took his own life following a 10-mile, high-speed pursuit, had a record in Philadelphia that included robbery and firearms charges.

READ MORE: Two men dead, officer wounded after shootings in Williamsport: Police

Investigators gave the following account of what occurred after Graham was shot:

City police Patrolman Nicholas Carrita observed a car in the 1500 block of West Third Street that fit the description of a vehicle seen leaving the shooting scene.

When he stopped the car, the driver - later identified as Heath - got out and opened fire.

Carrita, who has been on the force a little more than a year, was shot in the right arm and other bullets struck his cruiser.

Heath got back into his car and led other officers at high speeds to Jersey Shore, where he turned around at the Thomas Street interchange and headed back toward Williamsport on Route 220.

He stopped at a Sheetz in the Linden area, where he shot at police and officers returned fire before Heath shot himself.

Although there were other people in and near the Sheetz during the exchange of gunfire, police said no one was injured.

Autopsies are scheduled Thursday on Graham and Heath, Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Sr.

Carrita was admitted to Williamsport Regional Medical Center, but Capt. Jody Miller said the wound was not serious.

The investigation into the shootings is being conducted by state and city police along with the county district attorney's office.

Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Montoursville at 570-368-5700.
Police are trying to find those responsible for taking a menorah from outside the home of a rabbi at Penn State University, and leaving it damaged in front of the Sigma Alpha Mu Jewish fraternity.

Rabbi Hershy Gourarie, co-director of Chabad of the Undergrads at Penn State University, said police are trying to find four suspects seen in surveillance footage outside the fraternity.

The large menorah was taken from outside his State College home overnight Oct. 27 while he was observing Sabbath, and was found damaged at 7 a.m. Oct. 28 at the fraternity, he said. Gourarie noted that he hosts many Penn State students at his home.

Gourarie said he knows that none of the Sigma Alpha Mu Jewish fraternity members were involved in the incident. He said the fraternity was also a target in the incident, and its members are cooperating with police.

"This incident is being handled on the highest level and I would like to commend the university for their strong support and zero tolerance for acts of this nature," Gourarie said.

"Chabad's response to this incident will be to rebuild the menorah and increase in programming which will be aimed fostering increased awareness and pride of our Jewish heritage," he said, estimating it will cost $1,800 to replace the menorah.

Gourarie urges anyone with information to call State College police at 234-7150.
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education announced Thursday it has started its search for a new chancellor.

Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira will chair the committee conducting the search, while board Vice Chair Harold C. Shields is serving as co-chair.

The board also will use Wheless Partners, one of the nation's leading executive search consultant and human capital advisor firms, to assist with the search process and candidate recruitment, according to a news release. Shapira said the state system was impressed with the firm's track record and how it goes beyond traditional methods of recruiting to find candidates.



"The next chancellor will lead in shaping the renaissance of this system," Shapira said. "This is an exciting time for the state system. We've completed our strategic review, identified our top priorities, and have begun a system redesign to ensure a brighter future for our 14 universities and the more than 100,000 students we serve."

READ MORE: 'We must be willing to change': Q&A with retiring Pa. state system chancellor

The Board of Governors in July completed a top-to-bottom strategic review of the State System, and in October adopted three priorities to guide the redesign effort: 1) ensuring student success; 2) leveraging the strengths of each university; and 3) transforming the governance and leadership structure.

The chancellor search committee met for the first time Nov. 6 and plans to complete its work by next summer.

"As both a board member and a university trustee, I have the local and the statewide perspective on the role our chancellor plays in the success of the 14 universities, our whole system, and, most importantly, the students," said Shields, who also serves on the Council of Trustees at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and chairs the Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Trustees. "I'm confident our nationwide search will find the right person for the important task ahead."

Other board members serving on the committee are Vice Chair David M. Maser, who also is chair of the Finance, Administration, and Facilities Committee, and Thomas S. Muller, chair of the Audit Committee.

Shapira appointed three additional members to serve on the search committee:

Ryan Long, president of the Student Government Association at West Chester University of Pennsylvania;

Dr. Laura Delbrugge, a faculty member and chair of the foreign languages department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania;

and Dr. Donna Wilson, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

Wheless Partners will work with the committee throughout the search process, the release said. Among its tasks will be to gather stakeholder input, help craft the recruitment materials and actively identify and recruit potential candidates for the position. The search committee will screen candidates and conduct the initial round of interviews. The full board will participate in the final round of interviews and vote on the selection.



Former State System Chancellor Frank T. Brogan retired in September, after serving in the position for nearly four years. Dr. Karen M. Whitney, former president of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, has been selected to serve as interim chancellor.


A pilot taxis a Westjet Boeing 737-700 plane to a gate after arriving at Vancouver International Airport in on February 3, 2014. WestJet is asking a B.C. Supreme Court today to throw out a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses the company of failing to provide a harassment-free workplace for female employees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A bronzed relief of Lt.- Col. Samuel Sharpe created by artist Tyler Briley is seen in this undated handout photo. Hidden away somewhere on Parliament Hill is the bronzed relief of Lt.-Col. Samuel Sharpe. Finished two years ago, the sculpture appeared destined for a spot in the foyer outside the House of Commons to commemorate the former MP and recognize all Canadian veterans struggling with psychological injuries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Tyler Briley *MANDATORY CREDIT*
FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2016 file photo, Louis C.K. arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. The New York premiere of Louis C.K.Aos controversial new film AuI Love You, DaddyAu has been canceled amid swirling controversy over the film and the comedian. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
In general, men are twice as likely to cheat on a spouse than women are. That frequency increases over the lifespan, peaking among the elderly. Among men 18 to 29 who have ever been married, about 1 in 10 is
#FIFA World Cup Captain Son Heung-min willing to risk health for fans It would be too risky for any athlete to return to competition less than a month after suffering facial fractures. But Son Heung-min, the beloved captain of the South Korean men's ...
12 Top-Rated Hiking Trails in Minnesota

Written by Brad Lane

Updated Oct 14, 2022

With landscapes ranging from stunning shorelines to old-growth forests, including exposed bedrock, wide-reaching river valleys, and remnant prairie systems, Minnesota could more accurately be described as the land of 10,000 things to explore.

One of the best ways to see all of Minnesota's natural attractions is by following one of the many hiking trails. From the Boundary Waters up north to the confluence of two rivers in the heart of the Twin Cities, hiking trails in Minnesota offer a beautiful way to explore the state.

Popular things to do on Minnesota's hiking trails include admiring historic lighthouses, climbing high-reaching fire towers, and hiking up to the highest point in the state. Whether you only have an afternoon to check out something like the half-mile Glacial Pothole trail at Interstate State Park, or you have eight months to hike the North Country National Scenic Trail, there is always something unique to explore every step of the way.

Plan your outdoor adventures with our list of the top hiking trails in Minnesota.

1. Silver Creek Trail, Jay Cooke State Park

Silver Creek Trail | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Serving as an origin point for the southern section of the Superior Hiking Trail, Jay Cooke State Park provides many additional trekking opportunities. With the scenic St. Louis River defining much of the landscape, each trail at the state park contains impressive sights. A popular hike among the 50 miles of hiking trails at Jay Cooke State Park is the Silver Creek Trail.

The Silver Creek Trail offers dramatic views of the slanted bedrock landscape exposed by the St. Louis River. The trail begins by crossing the CCC Swinging Bridge over the river. The Silver Creek trail is a 3.5-mile loop, although many hikers end up just doubling back on the segment that follows the river.

To extend your trip on the Silver Creek trail, connections to the Summer Trail and Lost Lake trail are encountered along the way. These trails lead to some of the backcountry camping sites within Jay Cooke State Park. The popular Carlton Trail Trip is also accessible in this region of the park, and provides great views of the St. Louis River. Address: 780 Minnesota 210, Carlton, Minnesota

2. Wolf Creek Falls Trail, Banning State Park

Wolf Creek Falls Trail | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

The real hiking adventure of Banning State Park begins on the Quarry Nature Trail, which takes users alongside the state-designated Wild and Scenic Kettle River. The route also navigates near the ruins of the historic sandstone quarry that occupied the space in the early 20th century.

It's easy to spend a lot of time admiring the Kettle River, as it exposes the bedrock and provides some of the most challenging boating rapids in the state, but if you continue farther south, you can witness another natural attractions that make Banning one of the best state parks in Minnesota.

Not far from the rushing waters of the Kettle River, Wolf Creek Falls provide a serene moving landscape that will reward your hiking efforts. It's a four-mile loop utilizing the Quarry Nature Trail and Wolf Creek Trail to make it to Wolf Creek Falls and back. A few sections of steep hiking are encountered along the way.

The 34-site campground at Banning State Park is in the middle of the route. Address: 61101 Banning Park Road Sandstone, Minnesota

3. Aiton Heights Fire Tower, Itasca State Park

The view atop the Aiton Heights Fire Tower just off the Ozawindib Trail

Located just west of the Chippewa National Forest, Itasca is home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This popular state park is also the beginning of many adventures that include pristine lakes surrounded by old-growth forests and a retired fire tower to climb. What ties all the worthwhile attractions of Itasca together is the sprawling 49 miles of trails found throughout the park.

A good introduction to Itasca is found atop the 100-foot-tall Aiton Heights Fire Tower near the center of the park. The fire tower is accessible with a half-mile hike from the designated Fire Tower parking area.

A better approach is to make a three-mile loop starting at the historic Douglas Lodge and utilizing the Ozawindib and Deer Park trails. This three-mile loop is hilly but not too strenuous. The real challenge (and reward) of the hike comes from climbing the steps up the 100-foot fire tower. Address: 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, Minnesota

4. Little Two Harbors Trail, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Little Two Harbors Trail | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Diverting from the Superior Hiking Trail to get a better view of the Split Rock Lighthouse, the Little Two Harbors shoreline trail highlights many of the features that make the North Shore of Lake Superior so special. Easily accessible from the nearby parking areas, the Little Two Harbors Trail immediately exposes visitors to pebble shorelines, the scenic Ellingsen Island, and the enormity of Lake Superior.

The shoreline trail is also well accentuated by the historic Split Rock Lighthouse atop the lakeside cliffs. Measured at only three-quarters of a mile, the little Two Harbors Trail lends quick access to many of the other popular features of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Hikers here can also access the adjacent History Center, additional shoreline trails, and a trailhead for the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail. Address: 3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors, Minnesota

5. Superior Hiking Trail

Superior Hiking Trail | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Encompassing the entirety of Lake Superior's North Shore, the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is Minnesota's crown jewel of hiking trails. No other pathways in the state provide such constant views and breathtaking moments than the vast, open-water landscape of the Superior shoreline. Breathtaking scenes along the trail include pebble beaches, jutting cliffsides, and forested ravines.

Stretching for 260 miles from Duluth to the US/Canadian border, the SHT weaves in and out from the shoreline. The trail explores the rugged landscape formed by the rippling water and elevation beside it, all the while passing through some of the best state parks in Minnesota.

Scenic destinations like Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Parks provide stunning views of waterfalls and historic structures. While charming towns like Silver Bay and Lutsen provide fun places to resupply. There are trailheads located along the SHT nearly every 10 miles, and more than 90 free backcountry campsites to pitch a tent, making the SHT accessible for day hikes, weekend backpacking trips, and entire thru-hikes.

Whether you trek the SHT for a day, or thru-hike the entire thing in two to four weeks, the amazing views of Lake Superior will inspire you along the way. The average thru-hike of the Superior Hiking Trail, or hiking the trail from end to end, takes approximately three weeks to accomplish. Official site: http://shta.org

6. Eagle Mountain Trail, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

View over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from Eagle Mountain summit

Eagle Point is the highest point in Minnesota and a popular peak to bag throughout the warmer seasons. The summit is one of the top attractions you can only reach by foot in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Standing at just over 2,300 feet, you won't feel the same altitude-induced head rush as some of the western 14'ers, but the 3.5-mile trail leading up to the top isn't just a walk in the park.

Rocky, rutted, and sometimes steep, the Eagle Mountain trail is a wilderness trail. This means it's not as maintained as others you'd find in the state park system. Hike and sometimes scramble your way through the rugged terrain, however, and waiting for you at the top of Eagle Mountain isn't just a sense of accomplishment but also magnificent views of the surrounding Superior National Forest. On clear days, Lake Superior can also be seen in the distance.

7. Glacial Pothole Trail, Interstate State Park

Glacial Pothole Trail | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

For a great roadside attraction, Minnesota's Interstate State Park provides fun terrain to explore and scramble over. This roadside-adjacent state park also features a great view of the geological history of Minnesota. It's situated next to the banks of the St. Croix River and Highway 8, as well as the adjacent Wisconsin Interstate State Park across the river. Perhaps the most popular attraction on the Minnesota side is the half-mile Glacial Pothole Trail.

Glacial Potholes are smooth rock indentations created thousands of years ago by swirling waters of nearby glacial melts. Minnesota's Interstate State Park has more than 400 of these unique geological attractions found within its boundaries. You can easily tour many of these glacial history markers on the family-friendly Glacial Pothole Trail, including a glimpse into the Bottomless Pit, which is thought to be at least 60 feet deep. Address: 307 Milltown Road, Taylors Falls, Minnesota

8. Riverview Trail, Gooseberry Falls State Park

Riverview Trail

Six miles south of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Gooseberry Falls provides even more North Shore attractions in the form of rushing waterfalls. The most popular waterfalls at Gooseberry State Park include the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls on the Gooseberry River. All three can be seen from the ADA-accessible Riverview Trail.

From the Riverview Trail and Gateway Plaza viewing area, those who are looking to see a little more can venture onto the Fifth Falls trail. This trail leads intrepid hikers to a remote waterfall they can enjoy on their own.

After seeing the waterfalls along the Riverview Trail, hikers can continue along the Superior Hiking Trail for overnight adventures. Cyclists have the option to hop on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. Address: 3206 US Hwy 61 E, Two Harbors, Minnesota

9. North River Trail & Prairie Loop, Afton State Park

North River Trail & Prairie Loop | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Located less than an hour from St. Paul and Minneapolis, Afton State Park is a popular place for urbanites of the Twin Cities and beyond to step back into nature.

Featuring a varied landscape that intertwines remnant and restored prairie valleys with wide-reaching river banks, Afton State Park provides more than 20 miles of trail to explore it all. A recommended place to start at Afton State Park is the North River Trail.

The North River Trail parallels the St. Croix River for just over a mile with an even grade, before ascending a bluff to gain a new perspective from a scenic overlook. Other trails in the park can be accessed from the North River Trail, including the Prairie and Trout Brook Loops, which add some extra miles to a trek. These two loops traverse over rolling and steep terrain and expose hikers to vibrant prairie landscapes and secluded wooded ravines.

Afton State Park only offers backcountry campsites to spend the night. All campsites require at least a mile hike to reach. This includes watercraft campsites along the North River Trail. Address: 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, Minnesota

10. Snelling Lake Trail, Fort Snelling State Park

Flowers along a trail in Fort Snelling State Park

Located only two miles east of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Fort Snelling State Park offers a quick natural respite amid the urban landscape. Set against the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi River, Fort Snelling comprises a riverine environment with plenty of trails to explore.

Both the Snelling Lake Trail and Pike Island Trail feature gravel walkways and two- to three-mile loops perfect for an extended lunch break or quick visit after work. The Snelling Lake Trail is a flat, gravel loop that circles its namesake body of water. Excellent views of floodplain forest and Lake Snelling are found along the trail, as well as the access point to the aptly named Picnic Island.

The Pike Island Trail navigates a larger island in the park, and visitors can make a variable-distance loop while exploring. The entire island is fairly flat, and the trails have very minimal elevation gain. Address: 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, Minnesota

11. Sioux-Hustler Trail, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Young fox

Located within the northern part of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, the Boundary Waters consist of one million acres of designated wilderness containing thousands of lakes, streams, and islands to explore.

This uniquely rugged landscape borders the neighboring Quetico Provincial Park in Canada to the north and Voyageurs National Park to the east. Despite the world-renowned attractions surrounding it, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness draws thousands of visitors a year to its remote location.

With more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes to paddle, boating is the main form of transportation in the Boundary Waters. But this water-infused landscape also contains some of the best wilderness hiking trails you'll find in the state. In the western region of the Boundary Waters, the Sioux-Hustler trail provides backpackers the chance to trek through and spend a few nights in the inspiring landscape.

Measuring out to be a 32-mile loop, the Sioux-Hustler trail contains rugged terrain to contend with and a non-maintained route to navigate. With the right equipment and experience, however, this Boundary Waters hiking trail rewards visitors for their efforts.

Passing along numerous beaver dams and plenty of scenic lakes, the true thrill of traveling on the Sioux-Hustler trail is the depth of wilderness you step into with each mile. The Sioux-Hustler trailhead can be reached within an hour drive from Ely along the Echo Trail. Permits are required to travel and spend the night within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

12. The North Country National Scenic Trail

The North Country National Scenic Trail

Stretching from New York to North Dakota, the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) is a cross-country footpath that connects hikers to significant points of interest across seven different states, exposing rich environments ranging from the Green Mountains to the Great Plains.

Passing through 10 different national forests, hundreds of state-designated natural spaces, and countless picturesque backcountry camping sites, the NCT comes in at a staggering 4,600 miles, making it the longest National Scenic Trail in the country.

A few ambitious hikers have attempted to thru-hike the NCT, which requires roughly eight months to complete. With many access points along the way, most people enjoy the NCT by either day hiking or backpacking sections at a time. For more information on the entire route, or how you can volunteer to help progress the NCT, the North Country Trail Association is the first place to go.

Heading west, the North Country Trail enters Minnesota near Jay Cooke State Park and Duluth, and connects with the Superior Hiking Trail as it winds its way up the North Shore and to the US/Canadian border. Veering west at the border, the NCT joins the Border Route Trail and enters the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where the backcountry travel can challenge even the most experienced backpackers.

After making it through the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest, the NCT heads southeast passing through Grand Rapids, the Chippewa National Forest, and Itasca State Park. The NCT passes through the state by heading into the prairie grasslands of North Dakota near Fargo.

Hiking Season in Minnesota

Hiking trail in the Superior National Forest of northern Minnesota

Minnesota's busiest hiking season runs, in general, from mid-May through September, after the bulk of the spring snowmelt has drained away and before the autumn chill sets in. Spring hiking in May and early June is a great time to see migratory birds and enjoy spotting buds on trees and plants emerging from their winter slumber.

Hikers who want to see waterfalls at their most glorious might want to set out in April if the weather is warm enough, and hiking early in the season has the added benefit of much fewer bugs. The downside is that there can be some very muddy trails, and hikers may want to avoid the steeper hikes and ones that require navigating over rocks, which can become dangerously slippery when wet from rain and runoff.

Autumn hiking in late September through early November gives hikers the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of fall foliage, as well as more moderate temperatures. Many spots along the Superior Hiking Trail offer particularly good vantage points for leaf-peeping. Like early spring, this time of year is also nearly mosquito-free.

Those who enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing will find that many of Minnesota's hiking trails are open for winter sports as well, making some of the most beautiful parts of the state accessible year-round.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

More Outdoor Adventures in Minnesota: For a quicker pace on your next trail travels, Minnesota is also home to an impressive collection of mountain biking trails. The state also has an extensive state park system, with one of the most water-fed national parks in the country. Within all the best national and state parks in Minnesota, camping options abound. Check out our best campgrounds in Minnesota article for details.
15 Top-Rated Hiking Trails in Pennsylvania

Written by Anietra Hamper

Updated Jul 13, 2022

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Hiking trails in Pennsylvania range from recreational rail trails that can be done in segments to wilderness backpacking. The appeal of hiking in Pennsylvania is the lush forest landscape that surrounds you, with boundless natural beauty on the trails, including the mountain laurel state flower.

With 121 state parks, 181 rail trails, and sections of three National Scenic Trails in Pennsylvania, all you need is a map, a pair of sturdy shoes, and a sense of adventure. Pennsylvania hiking, while it could be intimidating due to the vast area of forest and parks, is actually not that complicated.

Trail sign in Pennsylvania's Ricketts Glen State Park

Most trails have plenty of signage or are marked with blazes. For day-trip hiking, you can tackle just a section of a traditional backpacking trail, like the Appalachian Trail or North Country Trail in the Allegheny National Forest. For rail trails, you can follow the mile signs and turn around when needed.



For many hikers, day trips are preferred, and there are ample opportunities in almost all hiking locations to take on shorter segments. Ohiopyle State Park in the Laurel Highlands offers some of the best hiking near Pittsburgh (only 68 miles away) and in the entire state. With 79 miles of segmented trails through the park, it is a great option for day hikes.

Lace up your boots and head into the wilderness with our list of the top hiking trails in Pennsylvania.

1. Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania

The Appalachian Trail is the granddaddy of trails to conquer, and nearly 230 miles of it pass through Pennsylvania. The entire 2,190-mile trail traverses through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine. The Pennsylvania section has stunning views and varied terrain, with a 1,760-foot elevation change.

It is easy to tackle a small section of the Appalachian Trail for a day trip or plan a multi-day trek. The truly inspired can take on the entire section that goes from Waynesboro northeast to the Delaware Water Gap.

Much of the terrain is rocky through Pennsylvania, but the Cumberland Valley has a 13-mile section that is flatter with a lower elevation, making it a less strenuous segment.

One of the perks of hiking this trail is the many historic landmarks that you will enjoy along the way. It is best to avoid hiking the Appalachian Trail in the fall during hunting season since sections pass through managed game lands, and in the early spring, when heavy rainfall makes the steep terrain muddy.

2. Montour Trail

Montour Trail

The Montour Trail, which goes through Allegheny County and Washington County Pennsylvania, is the state's 2017 Trail of the Year. The 63-mile recreational trail is one of the most extensive non-motorized rail trails in the United States. The trail is a flat, easy hike for those who are more interested in taking in the surroundings than a strenuous workout.

The full trail stretches 330 miles from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. connecting to several other trails, but there are many sections that hikers use for simple day trips. A 6.3-mile section connects to the Pittsburgh airport.

You might look for Montour Trail events that take place occasionally in the towns that are connected by the trail. Official site: http://montourtrail.org/

3. Ferncliff Peninsula

Ferncliff Peninsula | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

The Ferncliff Peninsula trails are concentrated in a small section of Ohiopyle State Park and make for easy day-trip hiking. There are three miles of four interconnected trails marked by black blazes. The trails, which range from the 0.1-mile Buffalo Nut Trail to the 1.7-mile Ferncliff trail, are all easy to moderate hiking.

The entire peninsula is a unique ecosystem, and since it is surrounded by water, it is home to flora that you will not see anywhere else in the region. Be sure to stop by the educational Ohiopyle Visitor Center before your hike for the best sense of your surroundings. The center has detailed information on the trails and even a topographic map of the peninsula that will help orient you before you head out into the 20,000-acre state park.

If you plan to hike in one of the larger parks, like Ohiopyle, it is best to stay for several days and base yourself out of a central location, like Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, a few miles away.

4. Standing Stone Trail

Standing Stone Trail | Nicholas A. Tonelli / photo modified

The Standing Stone Trail is a rugged trail that taps into your adventurous spirit as you trek among the steep elevations and valleys in central Pennsylvania. This 2016 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year is an 84-mile trail that is part of the 1,600-mile Great Eastern Trail, which starts in Alabama and ends in New York.

Fortunately, there are shorter sections that give you a taste of the difficult hike, minus the time it would take you to backpack the entire length. The trails are clearly marked with orange blazes but they are recommended for experienced hikers. The 4.4-mile Stone Valley Vista Loop near Greenwood Furnace State Park is recommended for both the strenuous hike and the view. Official site: https://www.standingstonetrail.org/

5. Heritage Rail Trail County Park

Heritage Rail Trail County Park

The 21-mile Heritage Rail Trail County Park is one of the most historically scenic trails in Pennsylvania. It runs from York to the border of Maryland. This family-friendly, recreational hiking trail takes you past seven historical railroad structures and runs alongside an operating track.

There are 24 sections that are parceled by distance, so you can choose where and when to start and stop. You can pick up "The Trailblazer" brochure from the York County Department of Parks and Recreation for a few dollars to help plan your hike. If time permits, hop aboard the tourism train that operates on a 10-mile section of track.

6. Quehanna Trail

Sparring elk in Elk State Forest

The Quehanna Trail System, which runs through north-central Pennsylvania, is a wild and primitive landscape with stunningly scenic hikes. The full trail loop is 75 miles through Moshannon and Elk State Forests. Day hikers can start at Parker Dam State Park on the western end of the trail and trek several miles before turning around.

Trails are marked with orange blazes but they are strenuous, so you will want to allow ample time to hike and double-back if you are only planning a few hours. This hike is one of the best for getting a taste of outdoor Pennsylvania in its most primitive form.

7. Great Allegheny Passage

Great Allegheny Passage

While its name seems intimidating, hiking along the Great Allegheny Passage provides many opportunities to customize and plan your distance, especially if you are new to hiking in Pennsylvania. The entire trail runs 156 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland taking you past rivers, railroad tunnels, and linking up with the C&O Canal.

Like other rail trails in the state, it is easy to section the trail along connecting towns and make day hikes out of it. The multi-use trail is clearly marked, letting you know the distance to the next town. There are many trailheads to hop on and off along the way. In Ohiopyle State Park, you can hop on the trail, hike for several miles and turn around, never leaving the state park. Official site: https://gaptrail.org/

8. Kinzua Skywalk

Kinzua Skywalk

Pennsylvania trail systems do not disappoint when it comes to epic views of valleys, mountains, railroads, wildlife, and historic landmarks. The views along the trail to the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk in northwestern Pennsylvania offers all of that and more.

The 301-foot-tall Kinzua Bridge is a broken railroad bridge that is now a pedestrian walkway complete with a glass-bottom section at the end. It provides an epic view of the region and a comfortable day hike. If heights are not your thing, there are a number of hiking trails below in the Kinzua Bridge State Park that enable you to view the bridge from a lower perspective. Official site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/kinzuabridge/

9. Thunder Swamp Trail System

Thunder Swamp Trail System | Nicholas A. Tonelli / photo modified

You will find that many parks and trail systems in Pennsylvania have interconnected networks of trails. Thunder Swamp Trail in the Delaware State Forest is one of them. There are 45 miles of trails that run through natural areas where you get the best taste of the Poconos while being surrounded by mature hemlocks and thick forest cover.

The trails require moderate skill, as you are hiking along ridges and streams. Trails are marked with orange blazes, but it is wise to consult a map before heading out to confirm your route, especially where the trails intersect.

10. Turkey Path Trail

Pine Creek Gorge on the Turkey Path Trail

The Turkey Path Trail in Leonard Harrison State Park is a short and rugged trail that gives you the most dramatic view of what is known as Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. The two-mile trail is strenuous, as it takes you a mile down into Pine Creek Gorge and a mile straight back up.

Along the way, you will encounter a beautiful vista, wooden walkways, bridges, and stunning waterfalls. This day hike lets you explore the state park natural area, which is a National Natural Landmark. There are 4.6 miles of trails throughout the area.

It is a good idea to stop at the visitor center before you start to get hiking conditions for the day, as you will be walking in preserved natural areas that could be slippery.

11. Cook Forest State Park Trail Network

Cook Forest State Park Trail Network

A day hike in the Cook Forest State Park Trail Network will get you up close to some of the most impressive old growth forest and wildlife in the state. The 47-mile trail network includes sections of multi-use trails.

Some of the scenic trails, while offering stunning outlooks onto the Clarion River Valley from the ledges, are dangerous, so extreme caution is advised when on these trails. For the truly adventurous, you can climb up the 80-foot-tall Fire Tower for a panoramic view that lets you see for 20 miles each direction.

First-timers to this trail system should pick up a trail guide from the park office to get detailed descriptions of the routes and terrains before venturing out. Official site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/cookforest/index.htm

12. Balanced Rock Trail

Balanced Rock Trail | Bob / photo modified

The Balanced Rock Trail at Trough Creek State Park is a difficult and steep hiking trail that caters to the experienced hiker. Your trek on Balanced Rock Trail will take you 0.12 miles to the unusual geological formation of Balanced Rock. You can then follow other trails through the park that take you to a scenic gorge, Rainbow Falls, and along narrow ledges and cliffs.

Some of the other impressive trails to explore in the park are the Rhododendron Trail, which takes you to the valley floor where you can see the rhododendrons in bloom in July, and the Cemetery Trail that leads you to a remote 17th-century cemetery.

While the natural rock and landscape along these trails are part of the allure to hikers, it is important to be mindful of path conditions and your gear.

13. Marilla Trail System

Marilla Trail System

The Marilla Trail System is a network of short trails that range from one to eight miles in length. This is an excellent hiking system for birders or photographers due to the vast variety of wildlife species and vistas along the trails. The hiking trails range in required skill level, so there is something for everyone, but you should review a map to determine the most suitable trail for you.

Some of the popular trails in this network include the one-mile Marilla Bridges Trail, the two-mile Marilla Rock Trail loop that features unusual rock formations, and the 2.4-mile Cornelius Connection trail. The trail system can be accessed from Bradford, which is close to the Pennsylvania/New York border.

14. Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail

View from Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail

The protected forest that surrounds the Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail in Kempton, Pennsylvania is one of the best hikes near Philadelphia, only 74 miles away. The area is home to a raptor sanctuary, so it is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the magnificent birds.

The Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail is a 4.5-mile loop with panoramic views of the valleys and mountains that define the area, and it is the best spot to see the protected birds of prey. There are a few other trails on the mountain that you can try through the forests, where you can observe a wide variety of Pennsylvania wildflowers.

15. Great Shamokin Path

If you are the kind of hiker that likes a history lesson to go along with your day outdoors then the Shamokin Path in western Pennsylvania is a good fit. The path was originally used by Native Americans that inhabited the region as a connector between the Susquehanna River and the Allegheny River.

Today, a four-mile trail takes you along a portion of the Shamokin Path that follows Cowanshannock Creek, between NuMine and Rose Valley. The dirt and gravel terrain is easy to walk. You can access the trailheads from Yatesboro along State Route 85 and in NuMine close to the White Lake Picnic Area.

More Ways to Explore Pennsylvania's Outdoors

Pennsylvania is a mecca when it comes to outdoor adventure, with plenty of state and national parks, extensive biking trails, white water rafting and kayaking, off-roading, and rock climbing.

Staying in a main city like Pittsburgh and planning short day trips to scenic parks is a convenient way to pack several stops and activities into one visit. There are enough varied outdoor activities in the state to warrant planning a weekend getaway or staying for a full week.

You can also opt to stay in one of the small towns in Pennsylvania that can take you past some nice lakes to enjoy for a day or past some of the 15,000 miles of designated trout fisheries in the top fly-fishing regions in the state. If you are looking for lodging near some of the trails that you plan to hike, you might want to review our picks for the top resorts in Pennsylvania and the best resorts in the Poconos region.
As I watched Helen Pickett rehearse her new work Tilt for Pennsylvania Ballet last week, there was no doubt in my mind that shes a natural leader. Hovering closely around young corps dancer Jack Thomas during a run through, she pushed him to carve more space through the air with his upper body. Use those hands, do not stop, she said emphatically during a particularly tiring section, at once firm and encouraging. It should feel like youre eating a meal rather than grazing. Yet earlier, Pickett had admitted to me that when she was first approached by a major company to create a ballet 12 years ago, she questioned her ability to lead. Despite growing up in a feminist household, being surrounded by strong female role models throughout her dancing and acting career, and learning the craft of choreography from William Forsythe at Ballet Frankfurt, she says, I still gave more credence to male voices than female voices.

Her realization is one component of a bigger issue in the dance world: that for all of the droves of women and girls who flock to ballet classes and pursue performance careers, the majority of leadership positionsbe it directing, curating or choreographingare held by men. To help illuminate the topic in advance of Picketts world premiere November 912 , last week Pennsylvania Ballet partnered with Philadelphias FringeArts to present Challenges, Chances, Changes: Gender Equity in Concert Dance, a round table discussion among six women leaders in the industry. Joining Pickett was Dance Theatre of Harlem artistic director Virginia Johnson; BalletX executive and artistic director Christine Cox; Big Dance Theater choreographer and co-director Annie-B Parson; Philadelphia Dance Projects executive director Terry Fox; and choreographer Francesca Harper, artistic director of the Francesca Harper Project.

From left: Francesca Harper, Virginia Johnson, Annie-B Parson, Helen Pickett, Brenda Dixon-Gottschild, Christine Cox and Terry Fox. Photo by Chris Kendig, Courtesy Pennsylvania Ballet.

Brenda Dixon-Gottschild

, professor emerita of dance studies at Temple University and author of The Black Dancing Body, led the discussion and chose its title. Beforehand, she asked each participant to discuss a challenge, chance or change that proved a pivotal moment in her career, within an eight-minute time frame. The resulting discussion proved enlightening, troubling and hopeful.

For some, a traditional ballet company environment didnt offer enough opportunities for analytical thought. Johnson, who danced for 28 years as a principal at DTH, admitted that it wasnt until she retired and became the founding editor of Pointe that she started to learn how to trust her vision (as a former dancer and Pointes current editor, I could relate). I suddenly needed to question and observe for myself, she says, adding that through running a magazine and serving as its creative visionary, she found her voicesomething thats proved useful since taking the helm of DTH in 2009. For Harper, who also began her career at DTH, moving to Europe to work with Forsythe at Ballet Frankfurt was the most exceptional experience of my life. She found both empowerment and equity through Forsythes creative process and the companys collaborative environment. Everyone there had something to say. Now in her own work, she says, the thing that drives me is how do we empower each other and create more equity?

Cox talked candidly about why she once saw her more curvaceous body as a curse (one artistic director even told her to get a breast reduction). She suspected it cost her a position at Pennsylvania Ballet when she was 17, although she eventually joined the company later in her career. She also opened up about the intensity of running BalletX on her own after her co-founder, Matthew Neenan, stepped down to focus on choreography. People had a lot of doubts, she says. Even now, she notices that Neenan is sometimes given more attention in the press, even though Cox serves as BalletXs artistic and executive director.

Pickett rehearses corps de ballet dancer Jack Thomas for the world premiere of Tilt. Photo by Arian Molina Soca, Courtesy Pennsylvania Ballet.

While many consider the modern dance world to have a better track record of gender equity, Annie-B Parson and Terry Fox could relate to their fellow panelists. Parson echoed Coxs experience, noting that in a recent article her dances were mentioned three times, yet her name was not. Another time I was described as somebodys wife, she says (Parson co-directs Big Dance Theater with her husband, Paul Lazar). Parson said she personally sent choreographer Alexei Ratmansky a letter suggesting he attend a diversity-training course after he downplayed the lack of women choreographers in the New York Times last spring (though she says he didnt reply). Fox, meanwhile, said that she had a difficult time being taken seriously as an artist at the forefront of the improvisational dance movement, and that she was one of the only female curators in New York Citys downtown dance scene as managing/artistic director of the Dancespace Project. I think theres danger thinking that women have to be of a different vision, she says, in asking that the one woman in the room represent all women.



Many of the panelists admitted how easy it is to perpetuate the status quo, and acknowledged their responsibility as leaders to create change. I only realized last year that I was not reaching out to ballet companies [about commissions] besides DTHI was almost discriminating in my own way, says Harper.

Cox and Johnson agreed that as directors, they need to be vigilant about equity in programming. The change that needs to happen is in female hands, says Johnson. We get to change it, and that is awesome.

Pickett hopes to inspire more women to lead by example, and to mentor young people though her Choreographic Essentials workshops. We must encourage women and men to be part of the conversation, without being vitriolic, she says. Because the world is much better when we can all sit at the table and have a discussion as equals.
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The National Rifle Association has long been one of the most influential lobbying groups in the United States, not only in helping elect pro-gun candidates but also in preventing any common sense gun legislation from getting through Congress.

But, as Sen. Chris Murphy said on Wednesday, the Democratic wave on Tuesday  particularly in Virginia  proves that progressive candidates can win by standing up against the NRA and for sensible gun policies.

Video:

Chris Murphy Says Virginias Democratic Wave Proves That NRA Blood Money Is Losing Its Influence #NRA #2A #GunSense pic.twitter.com/dTY43oH4Ob  Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) November 9, 2017

Murphy said:

It is a real wake up call to Democrats that if you leave the playing field on guns to Republicans alone, you will lose. But if you stand proudly for policies that the majority of Americans support, like background checks, and dont back away from it, you are actually going to gin up turnout and in 2018, its going to be turnout that decides these elections. And I think last night was truly a game-changer on this issue.

For decades, the NRA has held a tight grip on Republicans  and even gun-friendly Democrats  who were too afraid to take strong, common sense positions on gun safety. That stranglehold still exists within the Republican Party, which is why they continue to oppose even the most incremental changes to Americas gun laws, but Democrats are beginning to change.

Nowhere was there more evident than in this years gubernatorial race in Virginia.

Pro-gun organizations poured real money into that race and Democratic candidate Ralph Northam wasnt shy about his position on guns. In fact, on Northams campaign website, he bragged about blocking concealed carry legislation and proudly threw his support behind popular gun control measures, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.

Northam ended up winning the contest by about nine percentage points, a wider margin than most pundits and polls predicted.

Not only did the Democratic candidate win, but among voters who said guns were the most important issue, he split the vote with his Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie. That is a stunning game-changer, as Murphy said on Wednesday.

As gun violence continues to rear its ugly head all across this country, the American people want to see real change, not more extremist, guns-everywhere rhetoric from an organization that is increasingly outside the mainstream of American politics.

Like Northam, future Democratic candidates would be smart to recognize that and campaign accordingly.
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Donald Trump was hoping his trip to Asia would calm the growing global concerns about his unstable behavior since taking office, but it clearly has not convinced Republican Sen. Bob Corker.

According to a report on Wednesday, Corker, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has scheduled a hearing for next week on the presidents authority to use nuclear weapons.

More from The Hill:

A number of members both on and off our committee have raised questions about the authorities of the legislative and executive branches with respect to war making, the use of nuclear weapons, and conducting foreign policy overall, Corker said in a statement announcing the Nov. 14 hearing. This continues a series of hearings to examine these issues and will be the first time since 1976 that this committee or our House counterparts have looked specifically at the authority and process for using U.S. nuclear weapons, he continued. This discussion is long overdue, and we look forward to examining this critical issue.

As The Hill also noted, Corkers hearing to curb Trumps power is among similar moves that have been made by lawmakers in recent months.

Democratic members of Congress Ted Lieu and Ed Markey have proposed legislation that would bar any move by Trump to launch a nuclear attack on North Korea, and GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan said any move by this president to wage pre-emptive war would require the authorization of Congress.

Of course, Trumps temperament has been a concern since before he was even elected a year ago, but those worries have only increased since he took office.

Over the summer, the president added fuel to the fire by telling North Korea they would experience fire and fury like the world has never seen if they continue to pursue a nuclear weapon.

GOP Sen. Bob Corker  who has correctly said that Trumps unstable and irresponsible behavior is pushing the United States toward World War III  may be retiring at the end of his term, but hes clearly not going quietly.
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GOP Rep. Mark Walker twisted himself into a pretzel on Wednesday when he tried to defend the Republican tax plan, specifically a provision in the proposal that would end the tax credit for families with adopted children and instead slash the estate tax for a handful of wealthy families.

Hayes asked Rep. Walker why families who have adopted a child should be forced to give up their tax credit so that Donald Trumps family can inherit more of Donald Trumps money, and the Republican lawmaker had a hard time justifying it.

Video:

GOP Lawmaker Stumped After Chris Hayes Busts Republican Tax Plan For Killing Adoption Credit #taxplan #inners pic.twitter.com/WZS7QKS74B  Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) November 9, 2017

Part of the back-and-forth:

WALKER: Well, I dont know about what Donald Trumps family can inherit. HAYES: Well, you would agree that the estate tax zone-out, phase-out will benefit them? WALKER: Well, I dont know that it has a direct impact on the adoption child tax credit HAYES: Money in, money out.  HAYES: If that stays in, if they get rid of the adoption tax credit  is that a dealbreaker for you on whether you vote for this bill? WALKER: I dont know that its a dealbreaker.  If you can prove to me that theyre still better off then its certainly something that Im gonna support.

Whats stunning about the exchange between Hayes and Walker is that the GOP lawmaker admitted that, even though he opposes the provision that kills this crucial tax credit, he would probably still vote for it.

It goes to show how much these Republican members of Congress are influenced not by their constituents  the folks theyre supposed to represent  but by wealthy donors.

One Republican member of Congress, Chris Collins of New York, even admitted that his vote is heavily influenced by campaign contributors, saying: My donors are basically saying get it done or dont ever call me again.

Meanwhile, the more the American people learn about the Republican tax reform plan, the more they recognize that its just another massive handout to wealthy individuals and big corporations at the expense of millions of middle and lower-income folks.

Republicans can worry all they want about their donors abandoning them for not passing a tax reform plan that caters to the wealthy, but it will be the voters saying dont ever call me again if they do ram it through Congress.
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Following his bosss lead on Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence visited Sutherland Springs, Texas to essentially tell the grief-stricken town that it was everything but guns that led to the unspeakable act of violence that unfolded there on Sunday.

After quoting the Bible and insisting that America come together to root out this type of evil, Pence didnt put forward a single substantive idea on how to prevent this type of violence from happening again, and he made his best effort to downplay the role that guns play in helping perpetuate these acts.

Video:

Mike Pence Goes To Sutherland Springs And Refuses To Talk About Americas Gun Problem #SutherlandSpringsShooting pic.twitter.com/nj7dQpHq7n  Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) November 9, 2017

Pence said:

We gather today to grieve with those who grieve, but also we gather in the resolve that this evil must come to an end in our land.  We now know it was a crime that the assailant was ever able to purchase a firearm in the first place. He lied on his application, had a history of mental illness and there were bureaucratic failures. Im informed by Sec. Heather Wilson that the Air Force is moving aggressively to review why this error occurred and that review will be completed in days, not weeks.

If you thought that being surrounded by survivors of the sickening church shooting in Sutherland Springs would move the vice president to at least consider the role that guns play in these types of mass shootings, youd be wrong.

Instead, Pence hinted that laws are meaningless in stopping criminals from getting their hands on a weapon, emphasized the bureaucratic error that helped the Sutherland Springs shooter get his weapons and briefly mentioned the role that mental illness played in Sundays act of violence.

No mention of Americas gun problem, no proposals to strengthen the broken system that allowed this deranged individual  and many others  to get their hands on deadly weapons and no indication that he and his boss are serious about preventing the next massacre.

The grieving people of Sutherland Springs were treated to the same old rhetoric that blames everything  laws, bureaucracy, mental health  other than guns.

With an administration unwilling to even acknowledge that the United States has a gun problem, not only will we never be able to solve it, but well continue to see these types of mass shootings in the future.
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Republicans were worried when Roy Moore won their partys Senate nomination, but it is even worse than they imagined as multiple women had come forward to accuse more of pursuing sex with them when they were as young as 14 years old.

Leigh Corfman said she was 14 years old when Roy Moore, who was 32 at the time had illegal sexual contact with her. According to The Washington Post, she was not alone, Aside from Corfman, three other women interviewed by The Washington Post in recent weeks say Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s, episodes they say they found flattering at the time, but troubling as they got older. None of the women say that Moore forced them into any sort of relationship or sexual contact.

The fact that Donald Trump admitted to sexually assaulting women on tape and Republicans continued to support him means that Roy Moore is unlikely to be hurt with his base of support by these allegations. In response to The Washington Post story, Moore pulled a page straight out of the Trump playbook and began screaming fake news while attacking The Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Moores Democratic opponent Doug Jones has a very different history with little girls:

I may have the honor of serving Alabama as your senator, but the most important thing I have done is prosecuting those klansmen who killed 4 little girls at 16th St Baptist Church.https://t.co/b2CkvVdA0h  Doug Jones (@GDouglasJones) November 9, 2017

Doug Jones prosecuted the KKK members responsible for Birmingham church bombing, while Roy Moore was trying to seduce junior high and high school girls.

The problem for Moore is that this story didnt come from the Democratic Party or opposition research. The level of detail in the Post story is an indicator that reporters spent a very long time investigating and interviewing Moores accusers.

Alabama Senate polls have Roy Moore leading by 6-8 points, but there are deep reservations among voters about Moore. Democrats have a chance to win in Alabama, but the big message here is that the former party of family values has turned into the party of sexual assaulters, pervs, and creeps. Roy Moore is a candidate in the image of Trumps Republican Party right down to the illegal sexual pursuit of underage girls.
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At least one top Republican has the guts to call for Roy Moore to get out of the Alabama Senate race. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) says the allegations that Moore pursued sex with underage girls are enough to give him the boot.

Here is the statement from McCain

The Moore campaign responded by screaming fake news and attacking the media:

Other Republicans have not gone as far as McCain, but Mitch McConnell said that if the allegations are true, Moore has to drop out, If these allegations are true, he must step aside. The National Republican Senatorial Committee also said that if the allegations are true, Moore has to go.

In the current political climate where powerful people are falling due to sexual harassment, pursuing sex with underage girls could not only doom a Senate candidate but running a candidate like Moore could cause even more injury to the Republican Party.

John McCain is stepping up and speaking the truth. A person of decent character doesnt have these allegations made against them. Most Republicans never wanted Roy Moore, and they have been given a chance to do the right thing and get rid of him. If Moore remains in the race, he will stain the Republican Party at a level equal to Donald Trump.

McCain has more guts in his little finger than the rest of his party, and the GOP would be smart to follow his lead and dump Roy Moore.
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It turns out that the $7 million in tax breaks that Trump and Pence gave Carrier meant nothing as another 215 workers have been laid off and there are no signs that the Carrier plant is going to stay in Indianapolis.

Via Fox News, Carrier Corp., the HVAC manufacturer that had planned to move its operations to Mexico before President Trump staged a much-heralded intervention, said Tuesday it is gearing up for yet another round of layoffs. Less than four months after it laid off nearly 340 employees at its Indianapolis factory, Carrier announced that 215 more employees will be terminated on Jan. 11.

Carrier has no faith in the plant staying in Indianapolis, and workers feel like they have no job security. Nothing about the Carrier plant status suggests that these jobs have been saved.

In December 2016, Chuck Jones who is the union president at the Carrier plant said that Trump never got a guarantee that the jobs would stay in the United States, I dont know what their intentions is. Weve heard no guarantees on if they are staying for what period of time, or if in fact, they will be ultimately phased out. We dont know what their strategy going forward is.

Carrier took $10 million in tax breaks from Trump and Pence and in return gave them a publicity stunt with zero assurances that the jobs would stay in the United States. Carrier took the taxpayers money and kept shipping jobs out of Indianapolis.

It was all a giant scam. The Carrier plant may limp along for a while, but the plant looks like it will be closed eventually.

Trump scammed Carrier workers, Indiana taxpayers, and the media, but the good headlines are long gone because the Trump/Pence Carrier con has been uncovered.
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Donald Trump may be out of the country, but the Russia investigation is boiling hot after White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller was interviewed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

CNN reported that Mueller asked Miller about the Comey firing, The interview brings the special counsel investigation into President Donald Trumps inner circle in the White House. Miller is the highest-level aide still working at the White House known to have talked to investigators. Millers role in the firing of FBI Director James Comey was among the topics discussed during the interview as part of the probe into possible obstruction of justice, according to one of the sources.

Mueller has interviewed former press secretary Sean Spicer, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, and now a member of Trumps inner circle. Mueller also has the original draft of the letter firing Comey, and other documents related to the Comey firing.

It is clear that the Special Counsel is locking in on potentially charging Trump with obstruction of justice. The White House continues to claim that the Russia investigation is winding down, but judging from who Mueller and his team are talking to, things are still heating up.

In Trumps case, it is impossible to say if the cover-up is worse than the crime, but it could very well end up being the cover-up that gets him impeached. Mueller doesnt seem to be anywhere near finished with this investigation, and the fact that it has reached so deeply into the White House suggests that Donald Trump is heading for a world of hurt.

Mueller is going to get to the facts. and it is the truth that may eventually doom Trump.
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By Emily Flitter

NEW YORK (Reuters)  A group of 37 U.S.-based scientists whose research focuses on Arctic wildlife asked two U.S. senators in a letter on Thursday not to open the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, according to a copy seen by Reuters.

The scientists, including several retired former officials from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, said in a letter to Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington that drilling for oil and gas in the refuge would be incompatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established, protecting fish and wildlife populations and the environments in which they live.

Murkowski, a Republican, introduced a bill on Wednesday that would create an oil and gas exploration program on the refuges coastal plain, letting prospectors build any roads and other infrastructure they deemed necessary inside the refuge to carry out their operations. Half of the available drilling royalties would go to the state of Alaska and half to the federal government. The programs administrator would be required to hold at least two lease sales within 10 years after the bill became law.

The scientists said drilling on the coastal plain would be particularly harmful because it contains a unique compression of habitats supporting animals like polar bears, grizzly bears, wolverines, representing the greatest wildlife diversity of any protected area above the Arctic Circle.

A spokesman for Cantwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Murkowskis spokeswoman declined to comment and referred a comment request to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The conflict over whether to allow drilling inside the refuge has deep roots. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the area on the Prudhoe Bay in Northern Alaska has up to 12 billion barrels of recoverable crude, and Republicans, who now control Congress and the White House, have long wanted to open a portion of the refuge called the 1002 area.

Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee, called the 1002 portion a non wilderness area because the government put it aside decades ago for petroleum exploration. Last month, Democrats tried and failed to pass legislation blocking drilling there.

(Reporting By Emily Flitter; editing by Diane Craft)
Watchdog and Public Service reporter

Thad Moore is a reporter on The Post and Couriers Watchdog and Public Service team and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. To share tips securely, reach Moore via ProtonMail at thadmoore@protonmail.com or on Signal at 843-214-6576.
The trial for Russell Laffitte, a former top executive for Palmetto State Bank, continues this week in Charleston's U.S. District Court. He stands accused of helping Alex Murdaugh defraud his former law clients, while using money from his family's bank to prop up the disbarred attorney's shaky finances. Read moreRussell Laffitte offers defense against bank fraud charges on Day 6 of federal trial
He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how,  wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and this midterm election suggests he was on to something. Read moreCommentary: The story of the midterms  'the cult' vs. 'the cause'
Former President Donald Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House on Tuesday, looking to move on from disappointing midterm defeats and defy history amid signs that his grip on the Republican Party is waning. Read moreTrump prepares to launch 3rd campaign for the White House
BYRON  A Rochester woman who was convicted less than two weeks ago in a drunk driving case was arrested Wednesday, accused of ending up in a front yard while driving drunk yet again, officials said.

Laura Jean Jackson, 49, could be charged as early as today with second-degree DUI, driving after revocation and failing to report an accident.

Deputies responded at 1:42 p.m. Wednesday to the 500 block of Byron Avenue North for a report of a vehicle that had jumped the curb, crossed the lawn and struck a tree, said Capt. Scott Behrns of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.

The driver  later identified as Jackson  was getting into another car and appeared to be leaving the scene, the caller said.

As a deputy approached the area, he spotted a vehicle matching the second car's description at Sixth Street and First Avenue Northwest.

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Jackson was the passenger, Behrns said, and allegedly admitted to driving the car in the yard.

A preliminary breath test at the Adult Detention Center indicated an alcohol content of .17, the report says.

The incident comes four days after her driver's license was revoked for the prior incident, which occurred Oct. 28.

That evening, a caller reported seeing a van parked in a parking lot at Silver Lake Center on Broadway Avenue North.

The driver was slumped over the wheel, the caller said.

The van was leaving the lot when the first officer arrived, said Capt. John Sherwin of the Rochester Police Department, with Jackson driving. She claimed to be having car trouble, but was allegedly displaying signs of intoxication.

She was taken into custody, and a 10-year-old in the vehicle was released to relatives, the report says.

Jackson's alcohol content was determined to be 0.19, according to testing done at the Adult Detention Center. The legal limit to drive in Minnesota is 0.08.

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She was charged Oct. 30 with gross misdemeanor counts of driving while impaired and operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 within two hours.

Jackson pleaded guilty that day to the second charge and was immediately sentenced to two years of probation, 90 hours of community work service and ordered to complete chemical dependency evaluation/treatment.

The DWI charge was dismissed.
AUSTIN  Students from Riverland Community College's Agriculture and Food Science Technology Club and the Future Farmers of America chapter at Austin High School participated in their annual Feed-A-Farmer program on Oct. 18.

"It shows farmers that they do play an important role," said Alexandria Hagen, a member of the RCC club. "They may not always be appreciated for the work they do."

Hagen, who hopes to work in agriculture in southern Minnesota after graduation, said the farmers were appreciative of the students' generosity. "They thanked us for the work we did," she said. "They encouraged us to do it again."

The students provided more than 200 lunches and refreshments to area farmers at the Viafield grain elevators in London and the Northern Country Co-op in Oakland. Lunches and refreshments were donated by Austin HyVee.

"Agriculture is a vital component of our regional economy, and showing our appreciation for the hard work our area farmers do is vital for our continued success as an industry," said Nick Schiltz, advisor to the Agriculture and Food Science Technology Club at RCC. "This engagement affords students an off-campus service project where they are exposed to agriculture, the receiving of grain during harvest and communicating with producers."

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Linnay Schweisthal, the FFA advisor at Austin High School, said Austin FFA members were really excited to be involved with the community project. "Having the chance to interact with area farmers during this busy time was great for both the students and farmers," she said.
Seeking action on affordable housing concerns, 11 representatives of CURE  Communities United for Rochester's Empowerment  delivered a second letter to Mayo Clinic Wednesday.

Shortly after noon, the group was again met at the door of the Mayo Clinic Building, where staff members said they would get the letter to Dr. John Noseworthy, Mayo Clinic's CEO.

Noseworthy responded last week to the group's Oct. 18 letter, which sought a personal meeting by Nov. 8. Noseworthy's reply directed the group to the Rochester Area Foundation, where clinic staff are working with others to address housing concerns.

In a written response following Wednesday's CURE visit, Mayo Clinic issued a statement calling the housing needs a "community challenge that is going to take the collective community response."

CURE representatives said they still want a face-to-face meeting with Noseworthy, which would include members of CURE; SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, the union affiliated with CURE; and other allied organizations.

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"He needs to meet with the community, with people who are struggling to survive," said Nancy Adams, a CURE member leader.

Unable to meet directly with Noseworthy, the group said it was sending a notice to Dave Gonyea, Mayo Clinic's director of labor relations, notifying him of plans to picket at the Mayo Clinic's Gonda building from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 20.
RED WING  Expect to make some lane changes beginning Friday on U.S. Highway 61 near Red Wing due to the Eisenhower Bridge replacement project.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, northbound traffic on U.S. 61 just south of the bridge will be switched back to the northbound lanes from the southbound lanes.

The lane switch is part of the project to create a new "button hook" intersection for traffic exiting the bridge onto U.S. 61 after crossing over from Wisconsin.

Crews are still working on the signal system, and the intersection will not be opened until next spring, MnDOT reports. The Eisenhower Bridge replacement in Red Wing is one of two bridge projects that will continue through the winter for MnDOT crews. The other project that will continue is the Winona Bridge reconstruction.

"They'll have people work through the winter at both of those sites," said MnDOT spokesman Mike Dougherty.

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In Red Wing, the work will focus on building up the piers for the new bridge. New piers are in the ground on the Wisconsin side of the river, but a pier in the river and another on the Minnesota side are a priority. "A lot of that, they want to get them built to a level out of the flood plain for spring flooding," Dougherty said. "So when the river rises in the spring, it won't impede the work."

In Winona, the old Highway 43 bridge is having its steel rehabbed. That will be the focus of crews there this winter. "That bridge should be done either late 2019 or early 2020," he said.

In Red Wing, traffic on the new bridge should open in 2019. At that point, the traffic will stop on the old bridge, and it will be taken down in 2020, he said.

Other than those two, bridge and road work across the region should be done for the winter be Nov. 15 at the latest. "We still have a few things out there," Dougherty said. "(Minnesota) Highway 60 between Kenyon and Faribault should wrap up next week."

Aside from those construction zones, traffic cones have been picked up across Southeast Minnesota as projects have been completed over the past few weeks, Dougherty said. For example, U.S. Highway 52 as it approaches Minnesota Highway 58 in Zumbrota will go back to four lanes for the winter. The resurfacing project on the short stretch through Zumbrota was put on hold while the new bridge and roundabouts were completed for Minnesota 58.

Other completed projects include:

Minnesota Highway 42, Kellogg: The bridge on Minnesota 42 just before it intersects with U.S. 61 near Kellogg has been completed. The $923,000 project comes with an improved bridge with wider shoulders and a longer life span. New rock weirs in Gorman Creek will allow for a better fish migration and flood control with reduced maintenance costs.

Minnesota Highway 56, Kenyon and Stanton: A pair of bridges on Minnesota 56 were replaced at a cost of $2.4 million. The project resulted in wider, safer bridges. The bridge south of Stanton crosses Prairie Creek and was completed in August. The bridge north of Kenyon crosses the North Fork of the Zumbro River and was completed in October.

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Interstate 90, Austin: While work on other I-90 bridges in Austin will occur in the future, the bridge at 11th Drive Northeast has two 12-foot lanes, two 8-foot shoulders and a 10-foot sidewalk. The project cost $2.97 million.

Highway 61, Pickwick: The bridge for the southbound lanes over Trout Creek has wider shoulders and a longer right-turn lane. The cost of the project was $1.5 million.
AUSTIN  The search for a missing Austin man has intensified this week as authorities have called in a bloodhound, a drone and a helicopter to assist with the coordinated effort, which now includes members of the public.

However, 72-year-old Dennis Hanson still hasn't been found after being reported missing Monday morning by his wife. He's described as a 5-foot-6 male who weighs 165 pounds. He was last seen wearing red sweatpants and a teal jacket.

Search efforts expanded Tuesday when the Austin Fire Department began using a boat to search a water-filled quarry. The Austin Police Department has also used a bloodhound, while Minnesota State Patrol has flown its helicopter in hopes of finding the Austin man. Freeborn County has also employed its drone to help search the area.

A motorist reported seeing someone who fit Hanson's description Monday morning walking along Mower County Road 4 just south of Austin, but authorities have since expanded the search after failing to locate him in that area.

"At this time we do not have a specific area to look for Mr. Hanson," Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger said Wednesday, according to media reports.

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Authorities are asking anyone with information or tips about Hanson's whereabouts to call 507-437-9400.

A dozen citizens searched East Side Lake Wednesday evening before transitioning to a public meeting at the Eagles Club, where two members of the Mower County Sheriff's Office met them. According to the new Facebook group titled "Find Dennis Hanson," additional search parties will embark throughout the day.

Another public meeting is planned for 7 p.m. at the Eagles Club to coordinate what's being described as a "mass volunteer search" that's scheduled to begin 9 a.m. Saturday at the Austin National Guard Armory building.
There are several possible answers to this question:

1) Of course, because everything is racist.

2) Its anyones guess. The word racist has no meaning.

3) Dont be stupid.

Yes isnt really on the list. Yet the California chapter of the NAACP is trying to get rid of the National Anthem:

The California NAACP is pushing to get rid of the national anthem that theyre calling racist and anti-black. This song is wrong; it shouldnt have been there, we didnt have it til 1931, so it wont kill us if it goes away, said the organizations president Alice Huffman.

You probably have heard something about this faux controversy. It relates to the third stanza of the Anthem, which hardly anyone has ever heard sung. Only recently have activists dredged up that long-forgotten stanza to make political hay out of it. It says:

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,

That the havoc of war and the battles confusion

A home and a Country should leave us no more?

Their blood has washd out their foul footsteps pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.

NAACP leader Alice Huffman says some interpretations conclude that the lyrics celebrate the deaths of black American slaves fighting for freedom. If so, those interpretations are silly. The song celebrates the fact that hireling[s] and slave[s] who fought for the British lost the battle of Fort McHenry. The verse is no more anti-slave (let alone anti-Black) than it is anti-hireling. Francis Scott Key wasnt expressing an opinion on mercenary armies or slavery, he was celebrating his countrys victory over those who fought for the Britishwhoever they may bein the battle.

This is a good example of how the Left, in its ceaseless effort to divide Americans against each other, often shoots itself in the foot.
A year ago tonight, we learned that Donald Trump had defeated Hillary Clinton and would be our next president. Some took the news better than others.

Amber Athey and Justin Caruso of the Daily Caller have collected videos of some who didnt take it well at all.

Heres Rachel Maddow who, after attempting a semi-rational analysis, melts down completely.



Heres Jake Tapper referring to the Clinton campaign as we twice in about ten seconds. Call it shock therapy as truth serum.



Heres Martha Raddatz starting to cry after informing us that Tim Kaine, not exactly a disinterested party, says he doesnt trust Donald Trump to be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces in which his son serves. I know people with sons in the military who didnt trust Barack Obama to be commander-in-chief, and Im sure there were many others like them. Unlike Kaine, the career ambitions of these parents did not turn on who was president. But their concerns seemingly meant nothing to Raddatz.

Lets not forget that Raddatz, who feels Tim Kaines pain so acutely, moderated one of the presidential debates in 2016.



Heres Van Jones in full meltdown mode wondering how hes going to explain the outcome of the election to his children. He should be wondering how, if his kids turn out well, hes going to explain to them why he was a communist revolutionary for ten years and, after 9/11, a truther.

Heres a mix of MSNBC luminaries freaking out:



Finally, heres how the evening unfolded for the clownish Young Turks. It starts with clueless Cenk Uygar, full of optimism, telling his audience hes feeling good about Florida (though hes a little worried about Virginia). Trump carried Florida but lost Virginia pretty handily.

Here comes Hillary, Uygar bellows. Before long, though, he declares a doomsday scenario and proceeds to melt down along with his sidekicks. Not be missed.


CHICAGO  He won two presidential elections and a Nobel Peace Prize, but on Wednesday the former leader of the free world performed the unthinkable  he made Cook County jury duty exciting.

Prospective juror Barack Obama, who ultimately was not chosen to sit on a jury, climbed out of a black SUV in a secure parking garage underneath the Daley Center around 10 a.m. Wednesday as a news helicopter hovered overhead. Then, accompanied by his Secret Service detail, Obama rode a private elevator reserved for judges to the 17th floor, where he was greeted by Chief Judge Timothy Evans.

He emerged smiling as if in campaign mode, shaking hands as he made his way under the fluorescent lights to the jury assembly room. This looks like Chicago right here, Obama said to laughter after surveying the room filled with rows of black plastic chairs, according to one of the jurors who captured it on video. I like that.

The Obamas own a home in the South Sides Kenwood neighborhood  from which Obama was followed by a media scrum to the Daley Center on Wednesdayas well as a residence in Washington, D.C.

His appearance at the Daley Center came as another Chicago celebrity, Chance the Rapper, testified across the street at a City Hall budget hearing, denouncing the citys plans to build a new $95 million police academy.

A security guard at the courthouse warned a gaggle of news photographers, reporters, court staff and attorneys not to photograph the room, but all bets were off once the crowd caught a glimpse of Obama inside. The crowd rushed and pressed against the glass doors as everyone tried to snap a photo.

Hes gorgeous! exclaimed court clerk Sonal Joshi, who briefly came upstairs and caught a glimpse of Obama before rushing back to her post on a lower floor of the building.

On the other side of the doors, many of the other would-be jurors  including Obama there were 168 in all  were in full swoon, applauding the former president as he shook hands and signed copies of his book they had brought along.

They took out their phones to take photos and videos. Obama obliged, according to Evans, but declined to pose, as former President George W. Bush had done a few years ago, with potential jurors taking selfies.

Kelly Bulik, 48, of Chicagos West Ridge neighborhood, felt like a piece of melting butter as she shook hands with Obama. Another potential juror, Molly Miernicki, 23, of suburban Tinley Park, said her family had joked for weeks that she would end up on a jury with Obama but then found herself waiting in anticipation with other jurors.

I actually have to say, it was a great experience, Miernicki said about her brief jury duty. Oh yeah, Im ready (for the next time). Lets see who else is coming.

Obama eventually found a seat and watched a decades-old juror training video hosted by a younger, mustachioed Lester Holt, who was once a local news anchor before landing in the big chair at NBC Nightly News. The former president put a red Juror sticker on the left lapel of his sport jacket.

Obama then retired to a judges chambers  officials would not say which judge  on the 17th floor to work while he was waiting. A spokeswoman later released a statement saying that President Obama believes the most important office in our democracy is that of citizen, and he considers jury duty a core obligation of citizenship.

Evans said that Obama also agreed, after he presented the former president with letters from juvenile detainees awaiting trial on criminal charges, to speak next year at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.

About an hour later and before lunch, Evans told reporters that Obama had not been selected to serve on a jury. Obama was assigned to one of 16 panels, according to a spokesman for the chief judge. Eight of those panels were randomly selected to serve as potential trial juries and the rest  including Obamas Panel 6  were sent home as they were not needed.

Like the other jurors, Obama will be mailed a check for $17.20. A spokeswoman said the former president will return the money to Cook County. And, just like the other jurors who were passed over, Obama will be excused from jury duty for at least a year before being reassigned into the pool of potential jurors who are randomly selected to serve.

I dont know of anybody who receives a summons from me and says, Oh great, I get to serve jury duty, Evans joked. I hope they can see that  if the former president of the United States takes his time to come, anybody ought to be willing to come.

Odds are that if he had been selected, Obama, who was able to postpone jury duty after being summoned in 2010 right before his State of the Union address, would have heard a personal injury lawsuit  the bread-and-butter type of civil case at the Daley Center.

Experienced personal injury lawyers said it would be a risky move to keep Obama on a jury.

He seems like hed be very compassionate, empathetic juror  hes a dad, said attorney Patrick Salvi, who won a record-setting $148 million Cook County jury verdict in August. The only problem is, hes the former president of the United States and hes going to completely control deliberations even if he doesnt want to.



(Chicago Tribunes Nancy Stone and Alyssa Pointer contributed to this story.)



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BUENA BOROUGH  Formisano Farms is big on vegetables, but it doesnt grow the typical tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.

In addition to planting a lot of cabbages, lettuces and Swiss chard, the 300-acre farm focuses on niche produce such as cilantro and basil, baby bok choy and fennel.

Niche crops are specialty plantings that have a small but dedicated consumer base. They are grown in smaller amounts but are of high quality and have a high value.

The state Department of Agriculture doesnt keep statistics on fennel growing in New Jersey but lumps it in with other herbs. Herbs as a group generate $11.4 million a year and are grown on about 1,800 acres, a spokesman said.

The farms newest crop is fenugreek, which is an annual legume grown for greens used in Indian cuisine.

On Wednesday, a crew was busy harvesting some of the 30 acres planted in Florence fennel, a fall crop grown for its large white bulb that has a licorice or anise flavor. It is used raw in salads, roasted, cooked with meats and fish or put into soups.

Cranberry harvest season in full swing for 5th-generation owned company CHATSWORTH  Six Pine Island Cranberry Co. workers, dressed head to toe in protective gear a

First, a tractor mowed the delicate tops down to about 9 inches, then workers pulled the bulbs out of the ground slightly, cut off the bottom and boxed them.

They were trying to beat a predicted hard frost Friday night, when temperatures could drop to 22 degrees, said John Formisano, 81, who runs the farm with his son, John Jr.

They can take 27 or 28 degrees, said Formisano, but not much lower.

A tractor trailer from the Wakefern Food Corp would arrive soon to take hundreds of boxes to ShopRite stores, where the fennel will be on shelves by the next night, he said.

Ever since his father, Ralph, moved the farm to Buena in 1951, fennel has been one of its main crops, Formisano said. Now, they are one of only a few big fennel growers in New Jersey. Once California came online with the ability to grow fennel almost year-round, many growers in New Jersey dropped the crop, he said.

Ralph Formisano was dubbed the Fennel King of New Jersey by New York Times food writer and cookbook author Craig Claiborne in the 1970s. Claiborne even visited the farm to cook a salmon and fennel dish for the family.

He flew in on a small plane that landed at nearby Downstown airfield, mainly used by crop dusters, Formisano Sr. said.

Theres a chapter dedicated to Ralph and the farm in Claibornes 1976 book, Craig Claibornes Favorites from the New York Times.

While fennel is growing in popularity for use in cooking, its still relatively unknown by many outside of the Italian community, said Anita Formisano, John Jr.s wife, who does account keeping for the business.

As a child, I remember eating it after dinner. We called it finocchio, she said of fennel served by an Italian relative. But after that relative died, she never had it again until she met her husband.

John Sr.s wife of 57 years, Mary, cooks with it just about every day during the harvest, she said. She served sliced fennel covered in oil and vinegar, salt and pepper with lunch.

My grandfather (John) grew it in Italy, Formisano said. And when he started farming in North Jersey in 1908, his grandfather grew it there.

Formisanos father Ralph Formisano moved the family farm to Buena from Moonachie in Bergen County after the Teterboro Airport needed his land for a runway expansion. He continued farming fennel here.

The farm also grows a variety of perennial flower plants, including hostas and mountain pinks and has hens and chicks.

To learn more, visit formisanofarms.com.
ATLANTIC CITY  Taking a cue from recent events, the states largest teachers union this week began a conversation on what it means to be an educator in the current social and political climate.

Author and activist Ilyasah Sha-bazz was the first of two guest speakers this year at the 163rd New Jersey Education Association Convention in Atlantic City, themed Standing Together: Social Justice = Education Justice = Student Success.

Ocean City students' recycling app takes first place in STEAM Tank competition ATLANTIC CITY  With an app that helps people learn about recycling, two Ocean City Intermediate School fifth-graders received a first-place a

I always tell my students, you cant complain unless youre doing something about it, Shabazz told NJEA President Marie Blistan during her appearance, which attracted hundreds of teachers Thursday morning.

Shabazz is the daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz and is known for advocating for womens and girls empowerment. Her appearance, which included a student panel discussion, touched on issues from gender identity to race to womens empowerment.

Shabazz said she encourages students to be informed, speak up and hold leaders accountable. For educators, she said, it is important to educate equally and not exclude one group of students.

It doesnt matter, complexion, she said. Whats most important: right, wrong, truth, justice.

Shabazz said children today have a luxury in being able to access and share so much information, and they are using it.

It speaks to their humanity, she said.

The student panel included six Bergen County students from different backgrounds, races and genders.

Shabazz asked the students what they thought their teachers should know.

Conor Murray, who hopes to pursue a career in journalism, said he wants teachers to relate topics and lessons to current events and real-world experiences. Student Devin Raphael, who identifies as non-binary, talked about using language cues that can unintentionally alienate students, such as girls and guys, and suggested more inclusive terms like yall.

Dean Conors, who said he has struggled with his own identity as a mixed-race teen, said teachers should know the impact they have on a students identity.

As an educator, you are the very first people, besides a family member, that students will go to to understand who they are and who other people are, Connors said.

On the convention floor, the NJEA set up a large booth to encourage participation in committees related to sexual orientation and gender identity, urban education, and minority leadership and recruitment.

Elementary school teacher Marie Corfield, of Hunterdon County, said educators deal with social justice issues daily, especially in schools with diverse populations. Acknowledging a lack of diversity in faculties  which are dominated by white women, according to federal data  Corfield said adding diversity to the workforce will help improve student outcomes.

Its huge, she said. When (students) come in and see someone standing in front of the classroom that looks like them, they feel connected.

The teachers convention continues Friday, when the featured speaker is Mike Kuczala, director of instruction for the Regional Training Center, an educational consulting firm based in Randolph.

A ceremony Friday afternoon will honor New Jersey Teacher of the Year Amy Andersen, American Sign Language teacher at Ocean City High School, as well as NJEA Hipp Foundation grant recipients and this years Award for Excellence recipient, Patricio Molina.
A Cumberland County man admitted robbing two banks with an accomplice, acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced Wednesday.

Quintin L. Jones, 35, of Vineland, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Renee Marie Bumb to two counts of bank robbery.

The counts each carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, Fitzpatrick said. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 16.

The charges against Jones alleged accomplice, Nathan L. Wallace, of Vineland, remain pending, Fitzpatrick said.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

On Oct. 11, 2016, Jones and an accomplice robbed a Cape Bank in Upper Deerfield Township.

According to bank employees and video surveillance, two men wearing black hooded sweatshirts entered the bank. While one man crouched near the entrance and pointed what appeared to be a black revolver at employees, the other man approached bank tellers and directed them to place cash into a bag.

Afterward, both robbers fled with $24,926 in stolen money, Fitzpatrick said. Employees observed a tan or gold vehicle with a black soft top rapidly exit the parking lot and turn in the direction of Vineland. Security cameras at the bank and an employee also captured pictures of the car.

Investigators determined the car matched the description of a Chrysler Sebring that was stolen Sept. 22, 2016, during a carjacking in the parking lot of a Walmart in Mays Landing, Fitzpatrick said.

On Oct. 15, 2016, State Police troopers responded to a vehicle fire at a parking lot in Parvin State Park, Pittsgrove Township, Salem County. After the fire was out, troopers determined the vehicle was the same car that had been stolen in the Sept. 22, 2016, carjacking.

The subsequent investigation revealed Jones and another person purchased a gas can at a Walmart in Vineland and took a cab to a Wawa gas station near Parvin State Park, where they purchased gas shortly before police arrived at the car fire.

Bridgeton police investigating four robberies, burglaries BRIDGETON  Police are investigating four reported burglaries and robberies across the city 

Investigators also learned that Jones, who had been staying at a local hotel on Oct. 15, 2016, had been observed by an employee placing a large amount of cash in a bag. Acting on this and other information, State Police later obtained arrest warrants for Jones and Wallace along with search warrants for their residences.

Law-enforcement personnel, who searched Wallaces residence, found clothing consistent with the outfits worn by the two men during the Cape Bank robbery as well as a toy revolver, cash, gloves and a car key that appeared to be for a Chrysler Sebring, Fitzpatrick said.

Jones also admitted robbing Newfield National Bank in Newfield, Gloucester County, with the accomplice. During that robbery, Jones and Wallace stole $5,557 before fleeing in the same stolen Sebring, Fitzpatrick said.
The lack of competitive state legislative races and voter fatigue helped contribute to one of the lowest voter turnouts in the history of gubernatorial elections, according to state voting records.

The low turnout appeared to hurt Republicans more than it did Democrats. Both around the state and the country, Democrats rode a wave of anti-President Donald J. Trump sentiment to win key races.

Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties all saw their voter turnout drop from the last gubernatorial election in 2013.

Statewide, the 2013 governors race between Republican incumbent Chris Christie and Barbara Buono drew only 39.6 percent of registered voters to the polls around the state.

But this years election only saw 35.1 percent of registered voters cast a ballot, according to preliminary numbers.

The numbers do not account for ballots sent in by mail.

Brigid Harrison, a professor at Montclair State University and president of the New Jersey Political Science Association, said rainy weather Tuesday and the lack of competitive races may have kept some voters home.

Only 34.7 percent of the registered voters in Atlantic County came out for this years election, down about 2 percent from 2013.

In Cape May County, 44.3 percent of registered voters came out Tuesday, down about 2 percent from 2013. In Cumberland County, 32.6 percent of registered voters cast a vote, down 5 percent from 2013. In Ocean County, 40 percent of registered voters went to the polls, down from 45 percent in 2013.

The swirling negative vortex, at both the state and national level, has left many throwing up their hands saying, I want none of this, Harrison said.

John Weingart, associate director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, said that while Phil Murphy winning the gubernatorial race may have been a forgone conclusion before the election, the extent of the Democratic victories throughout the state was a surprise.

In Atlantic County, Democrats won both state Assembly seats in the 2nd Legislative District, the sheriffs race, several municipal elections and picked up two seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

It seemed anecdotal before the election that Democrats were energized, but they really turned out to vote, he said, adding that Christies unpopularity played a big role in the races. Eight years can seem like a long time, and Christie was more impossible to ignore than other governors.

Weingart added Democrats may have been able to win more seats if the New Jersey Education Association had not spent millions of dollars in attack ads against Senate President Steve Sweeney, who still won re-election.

The NJEA comes out of this greatly diminished, he said. I still havent heard an argument as to why spending all that money (on one race) was a good idea.

Keith Davis, chairman of the Atlantic County Republicans, also said Christies unpopularity affected races in the area. The issues with the payments in lieu of property taxes that Atlantic City casinos pay, a Christie-backed idea, and Christies support for North Jersey casinos angered local Republicans, he said.

It was constantly about Chris Christie, he said, referencing mailers and television ads that consistently tried to tie local Republicans with the outgoing governor. We used Jon Corzine against Democrats (in 2009), and it came back around this time.

Mike Suleiman, chairman of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee, said he believes Tuesdays heavy rain played a role in the low turnout, but he was still ecstatic with his partys performance.

Many of the candidates who won yesterday have never been involved in politics before, he said, referencing upsets Democrats pulled off on the freeholder board and in Galloway Township. We really localized these elections and focused on local issues. Our candidates appealed to the broader electorate.
VINELAND  Two Cumberland County men face DWI and other traffic charges in separate incidents, police said.

About 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, an officer stopped at Grant Avenue and the Boulevard saw a driver run a stop sign and continue to travel east on Grant Avenue towards Main Road, Sgt. Nicholas Dounoulis in a statement.

The driver, identified as Severino Ramos, 35, of Vineland, was unable to maintain his lane, police said. The officer stopped Ramos, who said he was on his way to work and did not know where he was, Dounoulis said.

The officer conducted a field sobriety test on Ramos, who was unable to maintain his balance, police said. He was taken to police headquarters where he provided breath samples almost twice the legal limit, Dounoulis said.

Ramos was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, operating a vehicle while unlicensed, failure to maintain lane, disregarding a stop sign and two outstanding contempt warrants out of Newark and Passaic County. He was released pending a court date.

About 6:42 p.m. Saturday, police went to the area of Southwest Boulevard and Grant Avenue for a three-car crash and vehicle fire.

Alejandro Osorio, 42, of the Cedarville section of Lawrence Township, rear-ended two cars as he attempted to flee the scene, Dounoulis said. Witnesses removed Osorio from his vehicle after it caught fire.

EMS treated him at the scene, but he wanted to be treated at the hospital for his minor injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed Osorio consumed numerous alcoholic beverages, police said. His blood was drawn at the hospital and results are pending through the State Police laboratory.

Three other people were injured in the crash, Dounoulis said.

Osorio was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, unlicensed driver, uninsured driver and assault by auto. He was released on summonses.
Twice recently, area municipalities started approving plans to add, take away or change things  and twice they reversed course on the threshold of moving ahead.

Some have said they see this as a sign those local governments arent sensitive to constituents interests.

But we think its just the opposite  they proceeded normally and responded appropriately when residents and businesses expressed their concerns.

Early engagement often is better and makes it easier for officials to respond to concerns, but its always a good time for them to listen to their constituents. Failure to do so can leave a community divided and disgruntled.

At the end of September, the Galloway Township Council proposed adding an option for a motorcross track at the townships Pomona Road redevelopment area. That would have helped advance plans for a 46-acre facility to ride, race, rent, service and store off-road motorcycles  and given council the power to regulate or even shut the facility if need be.

Council checked out the noise that some test motorcycles made, talked to some area people and proceeded with the proposal. But toward the end of October, they dropped the ordinance in response to opposition by area residents and a nearby campground owner.

The developer, who operates a motocross facility at N.J. Motorsports Park in Millville, could still seek a use variance for the township track from the Zoning Board, but now getting approval would be more difficult. Thats appropriate given local opposition to the noise of multiple motorcycles.

The same day the Galloway Council reversed course, Avalon Borough Council decided to hold off on its plan to regulate summer ice cream vendors, including banning such trucks from traveling the streets and selling at street ends at the beach.

Council members said they had received complaints about the nonstop noise and possible risk to pedestrians posed by the six trucks operating under permits from the borough. Instead the council proposed licenses for carts to sell ice cream on the beach but without noisemakers to draw attention.

An operator of two of the ice cream trucks said the borough should instead work with him and other merchants to ensure their operations arent a problem. One resident called the proposed ban almost un-American and another found it a little silly.

We think a town should be allowed to have the kind of mobile ice cream vending it prefers, if any. The council is right to hold off on changing regulations until a public consensus on ice cream vending is apparent.

These cases show that residents and businesses need to pay attention and make themselves heard on matters that concern them. Municipalities notify the public of their meetings and actions, and in these two instances, as in many others, their intentions were described in stories in the newspaper.

Citizen participation in local government affairs isnt required, but engagement is essential for democracy at any level to work well.

Local government officials typically welcome the publics views, and those involved in these two instances deserve credit for being receptive to adjusting their rules and plans accordingly.
Contrasting peace, guns

The first weekend of October will remain etched in my memory. I attended a Quaker retreat at a YMCA camp. The theme was Imagine, as in John Lennons song of the same name. It was a beautiful fall weekend of joy, peace and fellowship. One discussion group had the question, What would the world be like if everyone had enough food to eat, enough clean water to drink and there was no violence or prejudice? That would be heaven!

I returned home to the news of the Las Vegas massacre.

Coincidentally there is a display of T-shirts of those lost to gun violence at my Quaker Meeting in Seaville. The display is a memorial to the lost called Heeding Gods Call to end gun violence. There are 83 T-shirts in the display with the dates of death and their ages. These are local persons and they are mostly young. The display will be at the meetinghouse the entire month.

What is the answer? Last year there were 33,000 gun deaths of all kinds in the country, more than those from war and nearly as many as those resulting from auto accidents.

Diane Metz

Cape May Court House

Limbaugh wrong about anti-Trump media bias

I recently listened to Rush Limbaugh on local AM radio, and he cited a presumed expert who said there is no news anymore. The news is all negative responses to anything President Trump does or says in terms of policies and programs. Nothing the president does is given any thought; it is just knee-jerk negativism, which is not news.

I sat in my car, driving, stunned. Usually there is some sense in what Limbaugh says, disagreeable or not. This was crazy. I read newspapers daily and listen to public radio, and from these outlets I always read and hear analysis of the presidents moves, which have included lately the pullback of health-care subsides, what will happen if the U.S. leaves the Iran agreement, what are the implications of leaving NAFTA, and how will North Korea interpret his words.

Is analysis now another word for negativism? It is horrible to think that Limbaughs audience believes him when he tells them that American media is more or less knee-jerk negative toward this president. Everything then becomes fake news because Trump supporters dont like the policies and decisions of the president being analyzed? Rush Limbaugh is not a god because he has a microphone.

Terence ONeill

Wildwood

Tax deduction loss a threat to high-spending officials

Recently, President Trump, using federal departments, has undone some of President Obamas executive orders and agency regulations. Meanwhile, the Sierra Club, the ACLU, mainstream media and others have been excoriating Trump for these actions. Of course, the Little Sisters of the Poor, evangelicals and others have applauded these same actions. And the Senate (51-49) has passed a budget plan that will further raise complaints from those anti-Trump forces. Hopefully, our legislators will get their act together.

However, with the possibility of changing federal income tax regulations to remove the deductibility of state and local taxes (SALT), certain high-tax states (California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, etc.) are in an uproar. This furor was quite predictable because these states have been taxing with impunity. If that SALT deduction is eliminated, these so-called legislators (and local school boards) will be seriously challenged by the citizenry to be more diligent in controlling spending. It would bring squeals from the SALT advocates and all sorts of doomsday scenarios permeating the news and social media.

This cabal of tax and spend officials (legislators, school boards, etc.) who have failed in their fiduciary role need to be taken to task by the media and taxpayers.

Ron Smith

Brigantine
JTI (Japan Tobacco International) commends the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for postponing its decision on the continuation of the ILO's partnerships with the tobacco sector in the fight against child labor. ARISE (Achieving Reduction in Child Labor in Support of Education), JTI's current Public Private Partnership with the ILO, has proven that the most efficient approach is a coordinated one involving all areas of expertise. Elaine McKay, Global Leaf Social Programs Director at JTI said: "Together, we have already withdrawn thousands of children from child labor since its launch in 2011. The issues involved are much more complex than the over-simplified view portrayed by the FCTC Secretariat and anti-tobacco activists, who are more concerned about the source of funding than fighting child labor. It is now crucial that the Governing Body assesses this misdirected pressure on the social mandate of the ILO, and understands fully what is at stake - the future of tobacco growing communities - before reaching a consensus.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130528/617491 )



We will not walk away from our commitment to help eliminate child labor and improve the lives of our farmers, their families and the communities in which we work, and will continue the ARISE program."

JTI is a leading international tobacco company with operations in more than 120 countries. It is the global owner of both Winston, the number two cigarette brand in the world, and Camel outside the USA and has the largest share in sales for both brands. Other global brands include Mevius, LD and Natural American Spirit. With its internationally recognized brand Logic, JTI is also a major player in the e-cigarette market and has, since 2011, been present in the heated tobacco category with Ploom. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI employs more than 26,000 people and was awarded Global Top Employer for three consecutive years. Its core revenue in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, was USD 10.5 billion. JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies. For more information, visit http://www.jti.com.

Achieving Reduction of Child Labor in Support of Education (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO), JTI, and Winrock International. It was developed with the involvement of national governments, social partners, and tobacco-growing communities with the aim to help prevent and eliminate child labor in tobacco-growing communities where JTI does business. The partnership began in 2011, and operates in Malawi, Brazil, Zambia and Tanzania through parties' combined expertise and knowledge to achieve a common goal. For more information, visit http://www.ariseprogram.org.

SOURCE JTI
DUBLIN, November 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Biosimilars Europe Congress 2017" conference has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The global biosimilars sale is predicted to reach $17 billion to $20 billion per year by 2020.

After witnessing outstanding success in our last year's conference, we are delighted to hostBiosimilars Europe 2017 - A conference that offers a rare opportunity to its participants to understand and learn from top experts in the biosimilars field and to share experiences. The conference will also provide a platform to discuss the current vital issues, regulatory issues, market assessment and commercialization and globalization.



At present the sales just in Europe is $1 billion yearly. With the entry of first biosimilar in the US market, the sales are expected to be even higher. Though biosimilars are less costly versions of the biologics, its development is much more complex, this makes its regulatory approval and acceptance by the public more difficult when compared to the generic drugs. With many leading biologics losing their patent protection by 2020; the market entry and opportunity for biosimilars are very huge. Being just 10 years old and still in its nascent stage, there is vast scope for improvisation in very stage, from biosimilar development to market approval. There are many regulatory concerns such as labeling, naming and interchangeability yet to be settled. The cost of these products and acceptance by physicians and patients is still a big challenge.



Thus, the Biosimilars Europe 2017 conference offers a rare opportunity to its participants to understand and learn from top experts in the biosimilars field and to share experiences. The conference will also provide a platform to discuss the current vital issues, regulatory issues, market assessment and commercialization and globalization.



The conference will bring together industry experts to explore the strategies to gain insight into new biosimilar development strategies, different characterization and analysis methods, clinical advancement and successful case studies.



Key Themes:

Current status of Biosimliars market

Bringing Biosimilars and Biotechnology under one roof

Monoclonal antibody Biosimilars

Commercial perspective of Biosimilars

Ethis and Biosimilars

Risk Management Strategies for Biosimilars

Challenges faced when moving towards globalization

Opportunities in emerging markets

IP issues, naming and labeling issues related to biosimilars

Partnership, new investment and business models

Challenges and opportunities for biobetters and monoclonal antibody biosimilars

Clinical trials strategies and new guidelines for biosimilar clinical trials

Benefits and concerns of interchangeable and biosubstitutes and post authorization monitoring

Bringing biosimilars closer to patients and healthcare professionals

New solutions to demonstrate similarity and different characterization methods

Why Attend Biosimilars Europe Congress?

Global Event in Biosimilars

Developing Biosimilar Market in Europe

20+ Expert Speakers from around the world

Attracting Professionals from Global Pharma / Biotech Industry

Bringing together the key decision makers under one roof

Over 10 hours of dedicated Networking and Interactive sessions

A quality, senior level international audience

An unbeatable Senior Level Speaker Line-Up

Who Will You Meet?



VPs, Directors, Heads, Managers, Scientific Advisors, Consultants, Senior scientists and professionals with intermediate to advance knowledge and experience in the following:

Bioanalytics

Biomanufacturing

Biopharmaceuticals

Bioprocessing

Biosimilars

Biotherapeutics

Cell Line

Clinical Immunology Development

Commercial Biologics

Drug Safety

Risk Management

International Audience

Expression Systems

Immunogenicity Testing

Market Entry

Partnering and Licensing

Patient Safety

Product Development

Protein Characterization

Scale-up Processes

Quality Assurance

Regulatory Affairs

Regulatory CMC

Who Should Attend:



Biosimilars Europe Congress 2017 attracts senior level attendees from leading pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, CRO and solution provider companies. Delegates includes VPs, Directors, Heads, Managers, Scientific Advisors, Consultants, Senior scientists and professionals with intermediate to advance knowledge and experience in the following:

Biosimilar Development

Global Strategy

Biologics

Medical Affairs

Patents & Intellectual Property

Biologics Development

Biosuperiors

Follow-On Biologics

Legal Affairs

Commercial Affairs and Development

Market Access

Market Entry

Clinical Development

Commercial Development

Biosimilar Analysis

Regulatory Affairs

Regulatory Compliance

Biosimilar Process Development

Portfolio Management

Strategic Planning

Strategic Marketing

Research & Development

Pharmacovigilance

List of Attendees:



"Bringing together Developers, Key Decision Makers and Solution Providers from the Global Biosimilars Market under One Roof for an ultimate knowledge sharing and networking experience"

WDB Medical Data Inc

Alexion

Boehringer Ingelheim

VIFOR

OLEXACON

AMPLYCELL

LEO

NIHR

NDA

PAREXEL

LGC Group

Bristol- Myers Squibb

Sanofi

Novo Nordisk

Amgen

Merck

Pfizer

Novartis

Roche

For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zgs655/biosimilars



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

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Related Links

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SOURCE Research and Markets
LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenbrier Europe hosted U.S. Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, during a visit to its Greenbrier-Astra Rail facility in Arad, Romania on November 8. Greenbrier-Astra Rail produces bogies and freight wagons for markets in Western and Eastern Europe.

During Ambassador Klemm's visit, he met with management and toured the production facilities. Greenbrier Europe showcased its growth to Ambassador Klemm as it approaches its 20th year in operation during 2018. Ambassador Klemm was joined by Matthew Jones, Political Section, U.S. Embassy, Alexandru Climescu, political specialist, U.S. Embassy, Lucian Crusoveanu, public affairs specialist, U.S. Embassy and Georghe Falca, Mayor of Arad.

Ambassador Klemm's visit follows the merger in June of Greenbrier Europe and Astra Holding GmbH, forming European-based Greenbrier-Astra Rail. The union creates Europe's largest end-to-end freight wagon manufacturing, engineering and repair business to reach markets throughout Europe, Eurasia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia. The creation of Greenbrier-Astra Rail is an important and positive example of investment by an American-headquartered business in Eastern Europe and Romania.

Greenbrier-Astra Rail has combined Greenbrier's European operations, headquartered in Swidnica, Poland and Astra Rail. The combination of the two companies, coupled with Greenbrier's recent investment in Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Mexico, opens a new chapter in Greenbrier's history, creating a larger international footprint and global network. Greenbrier-Astra Rail is capable of supporting many markets from its global facilities, including an expanded platform in Europe and developing markets within the GCC, Africa and Eurasia.

Bernd Boese, Chief Executive Officer of Greenbrier-Astra Rail, said, "We are proud to share this unique moment with Ambassador Klemm." Boese added, "We believe there are significant future opportunities in international markets and our integrated business model ensures we are well positioned to help customers globally with rail solutions."

About Greenbrier

Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America. Greenbrier Europe is an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business with operations in Poland and Romania that serves customers across Europe and in the nations of the GCC. Greenbrier builds freight railcars and rail castings in Brazil through two separate strategic partnerships. We are a leading provider of wheel services, parts, railcar management & regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and related transportation industries in North America. Greenbrier offers freight railcar repair, refurbishment and retrofitting services in North America through a joint venture partnership with Watco Companies, LLC. Through other unconsolidated joint ventures, we produce industrial and rail castings, tank heads and other components. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of over 8,300 railcars and performs management services for 355,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600654/The_Greenbrier_Companies_Inc_GBX_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.gbrx.com



SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX)
About the Authors

Gregory Treverton left the chairmanship of the National Intelligence Council in January 2017. He has written widely on strategy and intelligence, and served in government on the Hill and on the National Security Council staff. Greg is an Executive Advisor to SMA.

Alicia Chen is a senior Political Science and International Relations major at the University of Southern California (USC). She is currently a research assistant at USC's Korean Studies Institute and has previously worked at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

About SMA

We help companies become more competitive. We offer Strategy, Management, and Analytics to improve our clients' competitiveness from market entry, to winning business, to profitable execution. We assist our clients to achieve success on their programs with management consulting; capture support & proposal development; data visualization & publications; program management; integrated program planning & controls; and technical management & engineering. Learn more at www.smawins.com.

Media Contact:

Ajay Patel

President & CEO

ajay.patel@smawins.com

949-975-1550

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Related Links

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SOURCE SMA, Inc.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Beijing, Nov 6 : China on Monday reacted angrily to Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the visit to the "disputed" region will not be conducive to peace on the border.

"As to the visit by the Indian Defence Minister to Arunachal Pradesh, we must be very clear about this that there is a dispute on the eastern section of China-India boundary," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"This visit by the India side to the disputed area is not conducive to the peace and tranquility of the relevant region. We hope the Indian side will work with the Chinese side to continue to make a contribution to properly resolving the boundary issue through dialogue and create enabling atmosphere and condition for this."

On Sunday, Sitharaman paid a visit to Army posts in remote Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China which considers the northeastern Indian state as its own and calls it South Tibet.

Accompanied by Indian Army officers, Sitharaman took stock of the defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"We hope India will work with China for the shared goal to seek a solution that is acceptable to both sides and accommodate our consensus in a balanced way," Hua said.

China expresses anger whenever any Indian minister or foreign dignitary visits Arunachal Pradesh.

In April, ties between India and China took a hit when Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama visited Arunachal Pradesh.
New Delhi, Nov 7 : A day after China raised objection to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday the visit was a "source of motivation" and aimed at understanding issues related to soldiers deployed in forward areas.

"Defence Minister visits troops in forward areas to meet them in person, to understand their various issues that may be engulfing them, and I think visits by Raksha Mantri are always a source of motivation," the Army Chief said in response to a question on China's objection.

"Raksha Mantri has to visit those areas where our troops are deployed. After all it is the Ministry of Defence which is providing support to us," he said on the sidelines of a function here.

China had on Monday reacted angrily to the Indian Defence Minister's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the visit to the "disputed" region will not be conducive to peace on the border. China maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of South Tibet, a claim which is not accepted by India.

On Sunday, Sitharaman visited a forward army post in Arunachal Pradesh and an Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Assam to take stock of the defence preparedness and the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

During the visit to the forward army post of Kibithu, she was briefed on the situation and defence preparedness along the LAC. She also interacted with troops and appreciated their dedication to the service in such remote and inhospitable terrain, a Defence Ministry release said.

Sitharaman later visited Chabua air base, where she took stock of the operational preparedness and infrastructure development at the base.
BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2017 - Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) welcome U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) and his wife Melania Trump at the Palace Museum, or the ... Image Source: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi/IANS

BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2017 - Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R), and U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) and his wife Melania Trump pose for a photo in front of ... Image Source: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi/IANS

Beijing, Nov 9 : Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held talks with his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People.

On Wednesday, Trump arrived here on a three-dayvisit, after urging China to downgrade its diplomatic and sever trade ties with North Korea over its nuclear policy, reports Xinhua news agency.

The third leg of the US President's five-nation Asia tour comes after stops in Japan and South Korea.

This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the North Korean nuclear crisis and the US trade deficit with China.
Beijing, Nov 9 : Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday, saying that bilateral ties were at a "new historical starting point".

The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People here, reports Xinhua news agency.

Trump arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea.

Xi said cooperation was the "only correct choice" for China and the US to maintain healthy relations.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on issues including the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan.

This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the US trade deficit with China.
Chennai, Nov 9 : The workforce in India operations of global wind turbine major Siemens Gamesa may escape the axe if the Indian government comes with more auctions and clarifies on power purchase agreements (PPA), a top company official said.

Siemens Gamesa has announced restructuring impacting 6,000 workers in 24 countries and between April and September, its global revenues fell 12 per cent, as a result of temporary suspension of the Indian market.

Excluding the Indian impact, the global revenues fell just two per cent, Siemens Gamesa said.

"While the organisation is taking all possible efforts to adapt to this market conditions, it is awaiting positive signals from the Government with respect to clarity on PPA's, initiating more auctions to stabilise capacity additions etc., which will help the industry to bounce back to normalcy," Ramesh Kymal, Chairman and Managing Director, Siemens Gamesa India told IANS.

"India will continue to be a major focus for Siemens Gamesa. The company expects the market to stabilise in 2018 and fully recover in 2019," Kymal added.

According to Kymal, it is not possible to specify the countries or the number of employees affected by the parent in each country as of now because the rules of different countries have to be followed.

"The plan will be implemented in the coming months and it is a necessary step to strengthen the group and consolidate its place as a market leader. Discussions will start complying with applicable rules and regulations with each country and the company will inform about the final agreements," Kymal said.

Siemens Gamesa launched a Global restructuring plan driven by integration of legacy structures and by the change in market condition in order to establish a lean and agile organisation, he said.

In a recent interaction Kymal had told IANS: "We have scaled down our nacelle production. We started exports of blades to our sister companies in other parts of the world."

"We did not reduce our workforce as they were deployed in solar energy projects. But this situation cannot continue for long," Kymal had said about Siemens Gamesa India.

In India the government is planning three GW in central auctions up to March 2018, and the market is expected to fully recover in 2019, Siemens Gamesa had said.
Moscow, Nov 9 : In what appears to be a fallout of the US probe into Russia's alleged meddling into the 2016 US presidential election via Facebook, the country's communications regulator has now announced it will scrutinise whether the social media giant was complying with Russian laws.

According to a report in The Moscow Times on Thursday, state media watchdog Roskomnadzor wants to check if the personal information of its citizens on Facebook was safe.

In September, Roskomnadzor had said it would block Facebook if it fails to abide by Russian laws.

"In the near future, Roskomnadzor will plan a string of supervisory activities aimed at analysing the activities of the administration of Facebook in terms of the processing of Russian users' personal information, the terms of services for users, and the content of existing legislation," the Interfax news agency reported citing a Roskomnadzor statement.

Roskomnadzor had blocked Microsoft-owned LinkedIn last year in accordance with a court ruling that the professional networking platform was violating Russia's laws.

In 2015, Russia passed a law that requires Internet firms to store user data in Russia.

"In April, Twitter agreed to transfer its Russian users' data to Russian servers by mid-2018," the report added.

According to Newsweek, the law, signed by President Vladimir Putin, is designed to protect the personal information of its citizens.

The law states that website operators should "ensure recording, systematisation, accumulation, storage, processing (updating, modification) removal of personal data of Russian citizens by using databases located on the territory of the Russian Federation."

About 14 per cent people -- 22.6 million of Russia's 144.3 million population -- were on Facebook in 2016, according to Statista, an online market research portal.

On November 1, Facebook, along with Twitter and Google, defended themselves to US lawmakers probing whether Russia used social media to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Facebook had confessed that as many as 126 million US users may have seen Russia-backed content over the last two years.

Twitter also said it had identified more than 36,000 Russian bots that generated 1.4 million automated, election-related Tweets, which may have been viewed as many as 288 million times.

Google also revealed that Russian trolls had uploaded more than 1,000 political videos on YouTube on 18 different channels.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The Delhi government appears set to implement the third phase of odd-even traffic rule from November 13 to 17, as the national capital faces an environmental emergency.

The Supreme Court appointed environment body and the Delhi Lt. Governor on Wednesday instructed the Delhi government to stay prepared to roll out the odd-even car rationing scheme, with air pollution levels rising alarmingly.

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot is to hold a meeting on the issue in the evening when a formal announcement is to be made, officials said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal re-tweeted posts by media houses saying the odd-even will kick in from November 13.

Government officials said that modalities of the road rationing scheme are being worked out.
Beijing, Nov 9 : Chinese and US companies on Thursday signed deals worth more than $250 billion during President Donald Trump's three-day state visit to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping revealed the figure after he and Trump witnessed the signing of the agreements at the Great Hall of the People, reports Xinhua news agency.

China and the US have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, Xi said.

The deals include purchases of Boeing aircraft, Ford automobiles, US soybeans and joint development of liquified natural gas in Alaska.

Being the world's biggest developing economy and developed economy, China and the US are highly complementary rather than competitive, Xi said when meeting business delegates from both countries.

"We are willing to expand imports of energy and farm produce from the United States, deepen service trade cooperation. We hope the US side will increase exports of civil technology products to China. We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in the US.

"We also welcome US companies and financial institutions to participate in the 'Belt and Road Initiative'."

Given the rapid growth of bilateral trade, it's unavoidable to have friction, said Xi.

The two sides should uphold the principles of equality and mutual benefit, mutual understanding and accommodation, and handle disputes through dialogue and consultation, he added.
Los Angeles, Nov 9 : Actor Charlie Sheen has denied that he sexually assaulted Corey Haim when he was 19 years old, and the late actor was only 13.

"Charlie Sheen categorically denies these allegations," a representative for Sheen said, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Sheen worked with Haim in the 1986 film "Lucas".

Haim's long time friend, actor Dominick Brascia, revealed to the National Enquirer that Sheen sexually assaulted his then-co-star during the film's production. He said that Sheen corrupted Haim with drugs and anal sex.

"Haim told me he had sex with Sheen when they filmed 'Lucas'. He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex. Haim said after it happened Sheen became very cold and rejected him. When Corey wanted to fool around again, Charlie was not interested," Brascia said.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it may allow Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, to go abroad for four or five days as it studied documents submitted by the CBI to oppose his application.

Karti Chidambaram is seeking the apex court's nod to travel to Cambridge in connection with the admission of his daughter.

Asking Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta to take instructions on permitting Karti Chidambaram to go abroad, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud also asked the agency if it intended to further question Karti Chidambaram on the strength of papers it had shown to the court.

The court asked ASG Mehta to seek instructions from the investigating agency as it fixed the next date of hearing on November 16.

The court order came after senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, told the bench that his client was not afraid of anything and offered to be confronted with any document signed by him and was ready to face any question from the agency.

The hearing on Thursday saw both P. Chidambaram and Nalini Chidambaram being present in court and Chidambaram telling Sibal on the points he should advance.

Though Nalini Chidambaram is present in the court on every hearing, for the first time on Thursday, both the mother and father of Karti Chidambaram were present in the court room during the hearing.

The Supreme Court is hearing a CBI plea that challenges the Madras High Court's stay order on the lookout notice against Karti Chidambaram.

The apex court has since stayed the High Court order.

The agency had issued the lookout circular against Karti Chidambaram after investigations into alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media when P. Chidambaram was the Finance Minister in the UPA government.
Beijing, Nov 9 : China on Thursday said President Xi Jinping and his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump have arrived at a consensus to jointly take on terrorism in South Asia.

"This morning, the two Presidents talked and held a joint press meeting. I am not aware of the details of the talks. What I know is that the two sides also discussed anti-terrorism issues and upholding peace and stability in South Asia," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"They reached consensus in this respect," she said.

Earlier in the day, Trump said Xi held talks with him over a range of issues in which South Asia and the strife-torn Afghanistan also figured.

"In order to create more secure future for all and protect our citizens from extremism and terrorism, President Xi and I also committed to working together for a peaceful future for Afghanistan," Trump said.

"Terrorists are a threat to all of the humanity and we will stop radical Islamic terrorism," he said.

(Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS. He can be reached at sharmagaurav71@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The Supreme Court on Thursday referred to a five-judge constitution bench a petition seeking probe into the alleged role of a retired Orissa High Court judge in a scam involving a medical institution and casting its shadows on the functioning of the top court.

The bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer directed the CBI Director to keep the entire record of its investigations into the matter and the case diary in a sealed cover and place it before the constitution bench that will hear the matter on Monday (November 13).

The court said that the constitution bench would comprise five senior most judges of the top court.

The court did not say anything on a plea by senior counsel Dushyant Dave that the constitution bench should not include Chief Justice Dipak Misra as the matter relating to the medical institution in question was heard by the bench headed by him.

On Wednesday, a petition was filed seeking a SIT probe into the matter before Justice Chelameswar and he agreed to hear it.

However, in the post lunch session on Wednesday it surfaced that the matter that Justice Chelameswar had said he would hear was assigned to another bench by Chief Justice Dipak Misra.

In September, the CBI had arrested retired Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi and five others, including the chairman of a private medical college in Lucknow, in connection with the medical admission scam case.
Patna, Nov 9 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday launched the much-awaited third phase of Bihar's Agriculture Road Map (2017-22) here.

The third phase involving an amount of Rs 1.54 lakh crore aims to increase the income of farmers and ensure sustainable development of the sector by emphasising on organic farming through development of organic corridors.

Kovind launched the third phase of the Bihar agriculture road map in the presence of Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Bapu Savagar of Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre here.

"There is a need to work on water management for agriculture growth and high productivity," Kovind said.

He said if improved water management was properly implemented on the ground, the next green revolution would take place in Bihar.

Kovind arrived at Patna airport by a special plane and was received by Satyapal Malik, Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

This is Kovind's first official visit to the state after being elected the President of India in July. He was Bihar Governor until his nomination for the presidential election.

Kovind said he was not born in Bihar but Bihar is his place of work. "I am Bihari not by birth but by work and 'Biharipan' (traits of a Bihari) is my identity."

"The third phase of the Bihar Agriculture Road Map (2017-22)'s main thrust is to increase the income of farmers and promote organic farming on a large scale," Bihar Agriculture Minister Prem Kumar said.

Nitish Kumar in his address said that 76 per cent of Bihar's population was dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. He claimed that Bihar had recorded growth and improvement in the agriculture sector since the first agriculture road map was implemented for 2008-12, followed by the second one for 2012-17.

"Our rice, wheat, maize, potato and vegetables production have remarkably increased."

"Now we are ready to implement the Third Agriculture Road Map for Bihar. A few months ago we invited hundreds of farmers from all the 38 districts of the state to provide them with an opportunity to make suggestions on it.

"We listened to their suggestions carefully and considered their views and suggestions and finalised the road map," he said.

Organic farming is one of the focus areas of the agriculture road map. "We will promote organic farming and help farmers go for it in areas along the river Ganga for protection of the environment."

According to officials of the state Agriculture Department, the Bihar agriculture road map includes programmes by as many as 12 departments, including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Power.

Among other objectives, the road map focuses on setting up an exclusive 1,500 MW power network for the agriculture sector to reduce farmers' dependence on diesel generator sets for farming. The plan also includes an innovative idea of integrating solar power with fisheries.

The state government is also working on a plan to connect villages with a population of more than 250 people through the road network to provide them access to wholesale markets.

It also targeted raising the irrigation capacity of the state from 82 per cent in 2012 to 159 per cent this year and further to 209 per cent by 2022 broadly through 14.64 lakh private tubewells.
Chandigarh, Nov 9 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking compensation for farmers for crop residue management to check the dangerous trend of stubble burning, which has triggered a major smog crisis in the northern belt of the country.

Amarinder Singh also requested the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers of the affected states along with the Union Ministers for Agriculture, Food and Environment on the issue.

Reiterating his request, earlier raised in a letter on July 5 this year, the Chief Minister sought the Prime Minister's intervention for arresting the problem of paddy straw burning by providing a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal as incentive to compensate the farmers to manage the crop residue scientifically.

He pointed out that most of north India, including New Delhi, is currently in the throes of a pollution crisis, induced largely by burning of paddy straw in the paddy-growing areas of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

"The higher courts of the country and the National Green Tribunal have also taken cognizance of the matter.

"However, what is probably not being understood in proper perspective is that a problem which is essentially scientific and economic cannot be tackled through other means, including coercion," said the Chief Minister.

"Scientific management and disposal of paddy straw entails significant cost for the farmer and he naturally prefers the cheaper and easy solution of burning the crop residue," he pointed out, adding that at present there are no technical or biological systems for managing this farm operation that is economically attractive to the farmer.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : A case against unknown persons has been registered after a city businessman complained of repeated extortion calls by people claiming to be associates of Haryana gangster Manjeet Mahal, currently lodged in Tihar Jail, a Delhi Police officer said on Thursday.

Kuldeep Sharma, 42, who has a construction and finance business, contacted police on Wednesday.

The first call came on October 24, with the caller asking Sharma to hand over Rs 25 lakh within six days if he wants to save his life and that of his family members, the police officer said, adding that Sharma dismissed it as prank by his friends.

"But the caller again contacted Sharma on November 2 and threatened him against approaching police. And when Sharma searched for Manjeet Mahal on internet, he was terrified and informed police," the officer said.

Mahal is involved in many cases of gang-wars, murder, extortion, ransom and other crimes in west Delhi's Najafgarh area and various areas of Haryana including Gurugram. His associates, Mohit Kataria and Tinum, have been involved in similar cases, the police officer said.

They often demand money from influential persons, politicians and businessmen in the gangster's name and could be behind the calls to Sharma, the officer added.
Chandigarh, Nov 9 : A three-day 17th All-India Poetess Conference (AIPC) commenced at Punjab Arts Council campus here on Thursday.

Over 350 poetesses from across India and 14 foreign countries, attired in their traditional dresses, took part in the conference.

Organised by the AIPC in collaboration with the Punjab Art Council, the conference was inaugurated by Punjab's Minister for Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Navjot Singh Sidhu.

According to a spokesperson of the conference, prominent poetesses in the conference include: Stream Lete from Shillong, Pooja Gupta from Nepal, Gurinder Gill from Malaysia, Veena Budki from Kashmir, Dr Supriya P and Dr C Radhamani from Kerala, Sunita Murti from Karnataka, Rana Meer from Dubai and Surjeet Kalki from Canada.

In his address, Sidhu said women occupy a prominent place in society and they are the "axis of purity", "goodness" and "gentleness" around which the well-being and progress of any society revolves.

Punjab Arts Council Chairman Surjit Patar said lingual harmony is the need of the hour as it is a perfect way to achieve synchronisation among the vastly different cultures existing in the country.

Lari Azad, AIPC founder, said that apart from Punjabi, poetesses of languages such as Kannada, Bangla, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri are taking part in the conference.
New Delhi : It was shocking news for the Indian community in Britain. The most influential British-Indian politician was ousted from the government in an unceremonious way. International Development Secretary Priti Patel was recalled from her Uganda trip and forced to submit her resignation for breaching the ministerial code of conduct.

What a fall! Just a few days back, she was sort of in the shoes of Prime Minister Theresa May to welcome guests at No 10 Downing Street to celebrate Diwali. We thought -- a Prime Minister in waiting. A proud moment for the 1.5 million Indian-origin British citizens. We are getting closer and closer to the epicentre of British power. Former Prime Minister David Cameron's prophecies will become a reality very soon. But that hope was shattered.

Patel, a former Indian diaspora champion and a Pravasi Bharatiya Puraskar awardee, became a victim of her own actions. Surprisingly nobody was there to mourn for her. Neither any party colleagues like MP Alok Sharma or the influential Conservative Friends of India.

Her departure won't affect India's influence in the power corridors, because the post-Brexit Britain needs India more than India needs Britain. Patel was hiding behind the Ministerial Code of Ethics when India was humiliated by pro-Pakistani Members of Parliament over the Kashmir issue.

She never supported repeated calls from Indian leaders to relax visa rules for Indian students. Patel even campaigned to tighten the visa rules for foreign chefs at curry houses. That caused the closure of hundreds of restaurants across the country.

She was silent when hundreds of immigrants were racially abused on the streets just after the EU referendum. Who cares about immigrants when they are not part of your constituency? With a majority of 27,000 plus votes, Patel was quite comfortable with her agenda.

She burned all her bridges to fulfil a personal agenda to reach No. 10. India was on the back burner whereas Israel and its powerful lobby with plenty of money at its disposal came on the agenda. Indians are top on the British rich list, but they will think twice to open their cheque book. Some of them are already in trouble over political donations for personal favours.

Without a Godfather or backing from any senior leaders, Patel's fate was sealed when the first report exposed her unscheduled meeting with Israeli leaders. The first justification from her was that it was a private holiday and some private meetings.

Later the picture was clear. A private summer holiday accompanied by an Israeli lobbyist and 12 meetings with Israeli ministers and top officials. Then came the shocking news. A private meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Poor May. She came to know about the meeting, when the Israeli Prime Minister arrived at No. 10 with an entourage for an official reception. That forced Patel to file an apology.

In the Commons, Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said that Downing Street regarded the matter "as closed" after Patel was reprimanded by the Prime Minister and reminded of her obligations under the ministerial code. But the report of her another unscheduled meeting with another Israeli minister triggered a major crisis. That put May in trouble.

Patel conducted two meetings in September without the presence of any government officials. One of the meetings was with Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan in Westminster on September 7. Israelis got what they wanted, but Britain has no clue about what they discussed.

It is thought Lord Polak, honorary President of the Conservative Friends of Israel, was present at both the meetings. That sealed Patel's fate.

There are three lessons to learn from Patel's fall. Ambition is good, but over ambition is fatal. Second, if you want to succeed, you have to abide by the rules, especially the ministerial code of conduct. The last one is -- if you want to go fast, go alone. But, if you want to go far, go together.

Patel paid the price for not being part of the community despite her ethnic surname or upbringing. The Brexit campaign was the finest example. When most of the Indian community and its leaders were campaigning and supporting Cameron to remain in the EU, she challenged the arguments by aligning with the right-wing media and right-wing politicians.

She was the poster girl of the "Leave" campaign and that undermined the credibility of her mentor Cameron.

Patel was a creation of Cameron. He was promoting her along with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi to woo the Indian and Pakistani voters. Both worked hard to promote the Cameron agenda to reach No. 10. The strategy clicked. When Sayeeda was honoured with a cabinet berth, Patel was assigned to a junior treasury post.

The immigrant voters in Britain are usually loyal to the Labour Party. But Cameron doubled the ethnic vote share within five years in the government. That helped him to retain power in 2015. He was expecting support from the entire A Team, including Patel and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in his EU Referendum campaign.

Despite differences, most of the Tory leadership, except jilted leaders like Michael Gove, were pitching for "Remain" in the EU. Patel was the first one to jump ship. There was speculation about Patel at Westminster. But she rejected every allegation calling them "mere speculations".

Just after the announcement of the Referendum date, Patel was among the first batch of Tories to reach the Leave Campaign headquarters to offer allegiance. Cameron was betrayed. He was planning to anoint Chancellor George Osborne to the prime post in 2020.

To maintain the gender balance and a move to snub Labour for not appointing Harriet Harman as Deputy Prime Minister to Gordon Brown, Patel was earmarked for a senior post -- probably the deputy Prime Ministership. But she spoiled that opportunity by leaving the Cameron camp.

After losing the referendum, Cameron left No. 10 to pave the way for May. Patel was promoted to the cabinet as International Development Secretary to handle the 12 billion pound UK aid budget. There are many allegations over the spending of the UK aid. Some part of it will end up in the coffers of corrupt politicians in Asia and Africa.

People were expecting that Patel will use her budget diligently. But she was offering a slice of that to the Israeli Army.

By visiting Golan Heights, she undermined the British stance of neutrality on the Arab-Israeli conflict during the centenary of the Balfour declaration. At just 45, a bright young Indian-origin politician has spoiled her opportunity to get into one of the most powerful positions in the world. What a shame.

(Anasudhin Azeez is Editor of London-based Asian Lite. He can be reached at azeez@asianlite.com)
Shimla, Nov 9 : Over 72 per cent of 50.25 lakh electorate in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday exercised their franchise in the assembly elections where the ruling Congress and the BJP were locked in a straight contest.

Election officials said the polling was peaceful and no major untoward incident was reported from the 68 seats. However, there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines at a few polling booths, which led voting continuing at these booths even after the polls officially closed at 5 p.m.

Voters across the state could be seen reaching polling stations even before polling started at 8 a.m. despite the cold in the single phase election.

"Despite minor hiccups as EVMs developed snags at some places, there was no report of any delay in starting the poll process," an electoral officer told IANS.

In the first two hours, the state recorded 13.72 per cent polling but by 4 p.m., nearly 64 per cent of votes were cast.

"The poll percentage is likely to go beyond 72 per cent as polling is still underway (as of 6.30 p.m.) where there were delays owing to snag in EVMs and VVPATs," an election official told IANS.

A total of 337 candidates, 19 of them women, are in the fray. There are 112 Independent candidates. The main contest is between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress has projected incumbent Virbhadra Singh as its Chief Ministerial candidate, while former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is the BJP's. Both are contesting the elections.

Both Singh and Dhumal cast their votes along with family members at their hometowns Rampur and Samirpur respectively.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Congress leader and former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma cast their votes in Bilaspur and Shimla towns.

"The BJP has made false promises, run fake campaigns in the state to lure the voters," Sharma told reporters.

After casting his votes, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is try to get at the helm for the seventh time, said he was confident of the Congress getting a majority.

On the other hand, two-time Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Dhumal said the BJP was aiming to get 60 plus seats this time.

Women, who form 19 lakh of the over 50 lakh voters, turned out in strength in the rural areas. The electorate also includes 14 transgenders.

The Congress and the BJP have fielded candidates on all 68 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist have fielded 42 and 14 candidates respectively.

Shyam Sharan Negi, 100, the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in the assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

For the first time, the Election Commission used VVPAT machines to ensure secrecy of the votes.

The vote count will be held on December 18 along with Gujarat.

The Congress had won 36 of the 68 seats in Himachal Pradesh in 2012 with a 42.81 per cent vote share, while the BJP bagged 26 seats with a 38.47 per cent vote share.

In the 2012 assembly elections, the poll percentage figure was over 75 per cent, the highest since 1977, while it was 68.36 per cent in 2007.
Mumbai, Nov 9 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday sought the help of Belgium in setting up a university in the state exclusively pertaining to diamond industry-related courses, officials said.

At a function in Raj Bhavan to honour the visiting Belgium King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Fadnavis said the state government has decided to set up such a university.

Highlighting the major infrastructure projects taken up in the state, he also sought help from Belgium in the state's infrastructure development and the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission.

Welcoming the royal couple, Governor C.V. Rao said the state was keen on greater cooperation with Belgium in areas of clean energy, infrastructure development, higher education, skill-development and film-making.

In his address, King Philippe said that the diamond trade overwhelmingly dominated Indo-Belgian commerce, accounting for more than 80 per cent of its (Belgian) exports.

He called for further strengthening the economic engagement between India and Belgium by diversifying the trade basket and expanding investment ties.

Later, Rao hosted a lunch for the visiting royal delegation in which his wife Vinodha, Fadnavis, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Chief Secretary Sumit Mullick and other senior officials were present.

Incidentally, Mumbai, the hub of the Indian diamond industry, besides Gujarat, enjoys strong relations with Belgium's historical centre of the diamond industry, Antwerp, with many diamond companies based here having their branches, offices or representatives there.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The family of the seven-year-old boy murdered in the Ryan International School campus in Gurugram has demanded that the CBI must question the Pintos, the founders of the school, and that the arrested 16-year-old student of the school, now a prime suspect, should be tried as an adult.

"The CBI should grill, interrogate and arrest the Pintos' family," Barun Chandra Thakur, father of murdered Class 2 student Pradhuman Thakur, told IANS.

He also said that the Pintos should not be given any "leeway" just because they are "high and mighty".

"They should not go scot free from this incident (murder). Earlier on two occasions they have been able to go scot free pertaining to the deaths of two kids in other branches of the school," he said.

The CBI in the Punjab and Haryana Court had opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Ryan Augustine Pinto, CEO of the school. The owners of the Ryan School -- Francis Augustine Pinto, Grace Pinto and Ryan Pinto -- had filed the anticipatory bail petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court which granted interim bail to them till December 5, which has been challenged by Thakur in the Supreme Court.

Thakur, a resident of Madhubani in Bihar, said that it should not happen again in this case. He said CBI should not leave any stone unturned to bring out the actual culprit behind the murder. The probe should go into aspects like negligence, lapses and deficiencies in the school premises, which have been confirmed and acknowledged by the CBSE in its fact-finding report, he said.

"The case was baffling and it is still baffling now. The entire CBI theory should legally sustain and should be established because after the Aarushi Talwar case the institution of the CBI as a whole and its credibility is in the dock," he said.

"The bungling that happened in the (Aarushi) Talwar case should not happen in this case. We want that justice should be delivered to all in this case," he said.

Thakur said he "hoped" that the CBI has taken all forensic, scientific and circumstantial aspects into consideration while reaching the conclusion that a Class 11 student of the school is the prime accused.

Commenting on the prime suspect, Thakur said, "I would like to say one thing clearly that this boy is a major, and not a minor since he is 17 years old."

"And as per the new amended Juvenile Justice Act he has to be tried as an adult and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) has to constitute a medical board to ascertain the mental framework, culpability and criminality of this 17-year-old," he said.

He also said that he will not leave efforts to get the suspect student tried as an adult and to be given the "death penalty" because it is a "heinous and gruesome crime that comes in the rarest of rare category", Thakur said.

Commenting on the Haryana Police probe into the case so far, Thakur said, "It is pathetic, it is shameless on the part of the Haryana Police to frame someone to get out of the bind because of public outcry."

"The theory propagated by Haryana Police was totally unbelievable for us and, therefore, right from day one we have demanded a CBI enquiry and even approached the Supreme Court seeking it," he said.

School bus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested by the Haryana Police a day after the murder of the Class 2 student. Pradhuman's parents and two other staffers have maintained that the conductor was being made a scapegoat and that someone else committed the crime.

Thakur also said that he was satisfied with the current CBI probe into the case.

His remarks came a day after the CBI brought a new twist to the murder of Pradhuman in Gurugram on September 8.

The CBI on Wednesday said that the crime was committed by a 16-year-old student of the same school who wanted the upcoming exams to be postponed.

The revelation by the CBI completely derailed the Haryana Police's claim that a bus conductor, Ashok, in jail since then, was the killer.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : As Delhi's air quality reeled under "emergency or severe-plus" category, the Union Environment Ministry on Thursday formed a seven-member committee to work out short and long -term measures to fight air pollution.

The Union Ministry held a meeting headed by Environment Secretary C.K. Mishra along with the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) chairman Bhure Lal and member Sunita Narain, along with officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The seven-member committee which will be headed by Environment Secretary Mishra also includes Secretary Science and Technology Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary Department of Biotechnology Prof K. Vijay Raghavan, Chairman CPCB S.P. Singh Parihar, Chief Secretary, Delhi M.M. Kutty.

Besides, Additional Secretary, Niti Aayog and representative of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy will also be part of the team.

"The team will meet at regular, short intervals to draw up a plan and ensure enforcement," an Environment Ministry statement said here.

A decision was taken at the meeting to request respective state governments to fully implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) including control of road and construction dust, garbage burning, control of power plants and industrial emissions, entry of vehicles and several other related factors, the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry also decided to hold the respective implementing agencies accountable in case the directions are not enforced. CPCB has been asked to continuously monitor the situation.
Bonn, Nov 9 : The Climate Action in Financial Institutions initiative on Thursday called on the world's financial community to sign up to a set of key principles for mainstreaming climate action adopted in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The call comes at a time when the entire global leadership is assembled in this former German capital city for the 23rd annual climate change talks of the parties or COP23 at the UN Climate Change Conference.

The initiative at a side event here was co-organised by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and I4CE - Institute for Climate Economics (Secretariat of the Initiative).

Representatives of the institutions supporting the initiative also called on business and industry to join them in implementing the five voluntary principles for mainstreaming climate action.

These principles, agreed at COP21 in Paris by around 20 public and private financial institutions include commit to climate strategies, manage climate risks and promote climate smart objectives.

The Paris Agreement has set a significant challenge for governments and the financial community: aligning all financial flows with a below two degrees Celsius-coherent economy and society.

The Climate Action in Financial Institutions initiative has significant potential to support this commitment and develop and share practice to the benefit of the entire financial community to help implement the Paris Agreement.

Thirty-one institutions are now part of the initiative and they announced the launch of a new online and publically accessible Climate Mainstreaming Practices Database, shared the progress made by the initiative, and specifically how it can support the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the financial sector.

The Climate Mainstreaming Practices Database will help institutions to share their knowledge and experience via concrete case studies to help them take into consideration climate change and implement the principles.

"Since the initiative was launched two years ago, we have come a long way. The case studies contained in this new database launched today will give financial institutions and business a much improved overview of how their peers are integrating climate change in all their operations," said an official statement quoting 14CE Managing Director Benoit Leguet.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : After China expressed anger over Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month, the government on Thursday reasserted that the northeastern state is an integral part of India.

"As you all know, Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in his weekly media briefing here.

"Indian leaders have all the right and freedom to visit Arunachal Pradesh as they have to visit any other part of India," he stated.

On Sunday, Sitharaman paid a visit to Army posts in remote Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China which considers the northeastern Indian state as its own and calls it South Tibet.

Accompanied by Indian Army officers, Sitharaman took stock of the defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Following this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in Beijing that "we must be very clear about this that there is a dispute on the eastern section of China-India boundary".

"This visit by the India side to the disputed area is not conducive to the peace and tranquility of the relevant region. We hope the Indian side will work with the Chinese side to continue to make a contribution to properly resolving the boundary issue through dialogue and create enabling atmosphere and condition for this," Hua said.

China expresses anger whenever any Indian minister or foreign dignitary visits Arunachal Pradesh.

In April, ties between India and China took a hit when Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama visited Arunachal Pradesh.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's failure to implement his electoral promise of 50 per cent profit above the cost of production has resulted in about Rs 2 lakh crore loss to farmers in the country this kharif season, farmers unions said on Thursday.

In addition, the government has failed to stop market prices from falling below the current Minimum Support Price (MSP) so farmers had to sell their produce at lower rates, even below the cost of production in some cases, causing an expected loss of Rs 35,968 crore to them, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella body of over 180 farmer organisations.

Addressing media persons here, the AIKSCC sought complete loan waiver and remuneration of 50 per cent margin above the cost of production as per Modi's promise.

To press their demands, farmer unions have decided to hold a protest, Kisan Mukti Sansad, in the national capital on November 20.

Farmers leader from Maharashtra and Lok Sabha Member Raju Shetty said over one lakh farmers were expected to participate in the protest.

In last few months, AIKSCC leaders held several rallies across the country to unite farmers on these issues, saying there would not have been farmer suicides if the government had not "looted" them.

Farmer activist from Telangana, Kirankumar Vissa, said farmers must have lost Rs 2 lakh crore when their earnings this season, as per the the government data, were compared with the remuneration they would have got with the promised 50 per cent profit on the MSP.

AIKSCC leaders said farmers in Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh were forced to sell produce below the MSP, putting them under financial stress.

So farmers were in a dire need of loan waiver and proper remuneration, said Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India.

On November 20, a draft Bill encompassing the two demands will be introduced in the Kisan Mukti Sansad and it will be debated and passed by the farmers' Parliament.

"We will invite the leaders of political parties and Prime Minister to come to the sansad if they are ready to support the Bill and the demands," said V.M. Singh, convener of the AIKSCC.
New Delhi : Does Bt cotton cause impotency? This startling claim was made by Rajasthan's minister for agriculture, Prabhu Lal Saini, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Global agritechnology meeting at Udaipur.

The minister, while trashing GM mustard technology, said the mere touch of Bt cotton caused impotency. He said the Bt gene was extracted from a soil bacterium found in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after atomic bombs were dropped on the two cities during the Second World War.

He overlooked the fact that a Japanese scientist had discovered the insecticidal properties of the Bt soil bacterium in 1901 and Bt formulations had been used in bio-pesticides since 1938.

Bt cotton is genetically-engineered to be toxic to bollworms, a deadly pest. It has been extensively grown in India since 2002 and covers about 90 per cent of the cotton-growing area. Six institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research had told a parliamentary committee earlier this year that fish, chicken, goats, sheep and cows fed with cottonseed or its derivates like oilcake had not come to any harm.

The minister, from the state which is the largest producer of mustard -- with nearly 47 per cent of the national output -- is also dead set against the genetically-modified mustard hybrid, DMH-11, which the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the regulator, had recommended for cultivation, in May. However, environment minister Harsh Vardhan seems to have put a deep freeze on the decision which is now marked "Pending Further Review".

Saini asserted that he would make a determined effort to ensure that no trials of GM crops took place in the state. He said if one hurried with new technology one would have to repent at leisure, ignoring the fact that GM crops have been cultivated for two decades without reports of any harm to humans, animals or the environment.

When told that DMH-11 did not have any toxic gene and genetic modification technology was being used to produce more efficient hybrids in a plant which was self-pollinating, Saini said new technology usually began with promise but gradually the side-effects overwhelmed the benefits. Aspirin, he said, was prescribed as a blood-thinner for cardiac patients, but apparently that is no longer the case. The Green Revolution, he said, had "oppressed mother Earth" with chemicals and that's the reason why he was emphasising the use of organic farming.

Saini said Rajasthan's farmers were getting a yield of 30-32 quintals of mustard per hectare with existing seeds so there was no need to introduce GM mustard hybrids.

According to the agriculture ministry's statistics, the state's five-year average was 12.33 quintals per hectare, despite about 90 percent of the mustard crop being irrigated.

At the four-day meeting from November 6, multimedia presentations and slogans on standees emphasised that Rajasthan wanted to advance with new thinking and new crops (nayi soch, nayi faslein).

Saini boasted about how, despite starting just a few years ago, the state had bested traditional olive-growing countries like Spain, Israel and Morocco in some quality parameters of its extra virgin oil. He pointed to the cultivation of dates and super-foods like moringa (drumstick), quinoa and chia seeds as examples of a progressive outlook.

But in a traditional oilseed like mustard, where it can make a big difference to a large number of farmers, no new thinking is allowed. Rajasthan seems to have decided that it will be choosy applying any new thinking to only select crops.

(Vivian Fernandes is editor of www.smartindianagriculture.in. He may be reached at vivianfernandesonly@gmail.com)
Gandhinagar, Nov 9 : The Shiv Sena, the Hindu right-wing political party from Maharashtra, will be contesting on 70 to 75 seats of the Gujarat Assembly in the coming elections in the state. The Bal Thackeray party will be using the Hindutva plank to contest, as it feels the BJP has forgotten its old aim of preserving Hindu sentiments.

Informing the media, Shiv Sena National Secretary and a Rajya Sabha MP, Anil Desai, said, "We will be contesting for the Assembly seats. The agenda of Hindutva has always been the forte of the Shiv Sena right from its inception. We feel that the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has won all across the country, in the states as well as the Centre, has forgotten their basic agenda on which the people have voted them for, which too is Hindutva. We will be contesting for the preservation and upholding of our religion, which will be our main agenda."

Desai said, "But Hindutva is not all that we want, but our other basic criteria will be upliftment of the education in the state, which has gone down the drain. There will be also other issues related to health, farmers and development. But we won't be contesting on the caste politics like other parties."

On the issue of reservation for which Hardik Patel, leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), is fighting for, Desai said, "Hardik in the initial days of their agitation came and met Uddhav Thackeray as he did with any other significant political leader and discussed some matters related to Maratha reservation with him. But caste reservation and casteism is not our cup of tea. For us every community is equal."

Desai added that the Shiv Sena won't be having any alliance with any other political party at the moment. The party did not declare from which state assembly constituencies it will be contesting. But according to sources, the party will be contesting in at least eight constituencies in Ahmedabad, and seats where either the BJP or the Congress has won on narrow margins of less than 5,000 votes.

Desai said, "The party has zeroed in on around 50 candidates and another 20-25 likely candidates for the contest."
Paris, Nov 9 : Now, you can experience South Africa's wildlife and vicariously trek its national parks through the eyes and lenses of local wildlife rangers who have captured the essence of the nation.

All this thanks to a team of nature-loving South Africans in partnership with Google Street View and South African Tourism who have released a large collection of 360-degree imagery of the country's wildest areas.

Along with the main attractions from the African country, which include the Kruger National Park, Table Mountain and Cape Point (these three locations are also known as the The Mzansi Experience), viewers can now also look at 170 new trails from South Africa's national parks and reserves.

The e-trails, launched on November 9, extend the existing Street View imagery of South Africa's wilderness areas to include all 19 national parks, 17 previously 'un-trekked' nature reserves and many sites of natural, cultural and historical significance in all the nine provinces of South Africa.

It took more than 200 volunteers from across the country, and 12 months of mapping out the lesser explored parts of South Africa before the images could be put together. Wildlife rangers from SANParks, CapeNature and KZN Ezemvelo, along with guides, hikers, nature-lovers, and tech-enthusiasts worked on the project.

"The hundreds of volunteers who helped along the way proved to be truly passionate about showing the best of South Africa through their participation in the loan program," said Magdalena Filak, Programme Manager for Google.

The project is part of Google's Street View Camera Loan Programme, which encourages people to apply to borrow the 360-degree camera technology and map the planet.

The team of volunteers was coordinated by loan programme partner Drive South Africa. Andre Van Kets, outdoor enthusiast and founder of the Cape Town-based travel company, saw the potential in this technology to showcase South Africa to travellers around the globe.

The applicants to the program capture 360-degree view of the locations using a uniquely crafted multi-camera set up.

"The trekker camera is a 22kg custom-made backpack fitted with 15 cameras pointing in all directions. The on-board technology plots the camera's exact location on the trail. While recording, the camera takes a 360-degree photo every two-seconds. It's basically the off-road equivalent of Google's Street View cars," Van Kets said.

"For the first time, travellers and wildlife lovers from across the globe can explore the full spectrum of South Africa's diverse wilderness areas on Google Maps and Street View," said Sisa Ntshona, CEO of South African Tourism.

Through their gadgets, Street View users can now trace the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, climb seven new trails to the top of Table Mountain, hike the famous five-day Otter Trail, track cheetah on foot, and walk with elephants and other wildlife.

Additionally, seven of South Africa's eight Unesco World Heritage Sites are also on the e-list. Users can experience South Africa's treasured spots like the Mapungubwe Hill that is home to an ancient African civilisation, the Richtersveld that is known for its arid moonscapes, the Drakensberg Mountains that is known for its height, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park that is South Africa's oldest UNESCO site and a critical habitat for a range of species.

All this can be viewed at 'South Africa in 360', a micro-site launched by Drive South Africa. The website is inspired by a similar project showcasing the US National Parks, and is an immersive virtual-reality adventure to South Africa's four top tourist destinations and some of its lesser-known gems.

"This is the way in which we do tourism," said Sisa Ntshona. "Collaborations like this, with entrepreneurs and world-renown brands, Google, that will ultimately define the success of South Africa as a unique destination," he added.

(Surbhi Kapila is with the Media India Group, a global platform based in Europe and India, encompassing publishing, communication, consultation services and event management. She can be contacted at s.kapila@mediaindia.eu)
New Delhi, Nov 9 : Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said "Blue Economy" was proving to be a catalyst in India's progress and the performance of major sea ports was a "clear indicator" of that.

Gadkari's remarks came as he reviewed in Goa the performance of all ports in the country earlier this week.

According to the Shipping Ministry, India's major ports had recorded a growth of 3.27 per cent during April-September period and collectively handled 383 million tonnes of cargo as against 371 million tonnes handled during the corresponding period of the previous year.

"The highest growth was registered by Cochin Port (17.66 per cent), followed by Kolkata, New Mangalore and Paradip with growth of about 12 per cent," the Ministry said in a statement.

During the April-September period, Kandla Port handled the highest volume of traffic (63.13 million tonnes), followed by Paradip with 55.78 million tonnes, JNPT with 37.90 million tonnes, Mumbai with 36.72 million tonnes, and Visakhapatnam with 35.74 million tonnes.

"Together, these five ports handled around 60 per cent of major port traffic," it added.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : With the national capital facing an environmental emergency as pollution levels worsened, the Delhi government has decided to implement the third phase of the odd-even traffic rule from November 13 to 17, state Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on Thursday.

"Air pollution in Delhi has crossed the 'severe' level. That's why we are bringing back the odd-even plan," Gahlot told media persons here.

He said the modalities of the scheme would be the same as earlier, with similar timings and exemptions: private vehicles with odd registration numbers would be allowed on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates between 8 a.m and 8 p.m, and there would be no restrictions on weekends and public holidays.

"We don't have a lot of time left to design the whole programme, hence we are going ahead with the rules that were imposed in the previous two phases," he said.

The first phase of the odd-even rule was implemented by the Delhi government from January 1 to 15 and the second phase from April 15 to 30 last year.

The rule would not apply to the CNG and electric cars, two-wheelers and the cars driven by women with a male companion not above 12.

Vehicles for medical emergencies, occupied or driven by people with disabilities, VVIPs and enforcement cars would also be allowed to run on all days.

Gahlot cited increasing public transport facilities as one of the ways to help the public during the upcoming five-day traffic rationing scheme.

"DTC will hire 500 buses from private vendors at the previous rates. We have also requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to push the feeder bus service," he said.

Gahlot informed that Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) stickers for cars would be available 2 p.m onwards from Friday at 22 CNG stations across Delhi and urged the people to cooperate in the implementation of the scheme.

"I appeal to the people, all agencies and the police to cooperate in these hours of crisis," he said.

The Supreme Court-appointed environment body Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) and the Delhi Lt. Governor on Wednesday instructed the Delhi government to stay prepared to roll out the odd-even car rationing scheme, with air pollution levels reaching alarming levels.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed stubble burning for the "severe" air quality in Delhi and said the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab should come together with Delhi to find a solution.

Backing his point, Gahlot said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene and bring the north Indian states together.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The Supreme Court on Thursday referred to a five-judge constitution bench a petition seeking probe into the alleged role of a retired Orissa High Court judge in a scam involving an Uttar Pradesh-based medical institution that has cast its shadow on the functioning of the top court.

The former High Court judge was allegedly trying to help the Lucknow-based Prasad Educational Trust to overcome a bar on admitting students in its medical college for two academic years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019).

The Trust runs the Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences that was barred from admitting students for two academic years.

The bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer directed the CBI Director to keep the entire record of its investigations into the matter and the case diary in a sealed cover and place it before the constitution bench that will hear the matter on Monday (November 13).

The Central Bureau of Investigation is the second respondent with Union of India being the first respondent in the petition filed by Advocate Kamini Jaiswal.

Recounting the sequence of developments starting with the mentioning of the petition in the morning by senior counsel Dushyant Dave, the bench in its order said, "Having regard to the totality of the circumstances, we deem it appropriate that this matter be heard by the Constitution Bench of the first five Judges in the order of seniority of this Court."

The order said, "Having regard to the importance of the matter, we also deem it appropriate that the matter be listed on Monday, the 13th November, 2017."

The order also referred to the xerox copy of the proceedings "purportedly" issued by the Chief Justice of India, that was placed before the bench by an official of the registry when the hearing was in progress.

The court did not say anything on a plea by senior counsel Dushyant Dave that the constitution bench should not include Chief Justice Dipak Misra as the matter relating to the medical institution in question was heard by the bench headed by him.

The top court order came on a petition by advocate Kamini Jaiswal seeking probe by the Special Investigation Team headed by a former Chief Justice of India and its monitoring by the top court.

Earlier on Wednesday, a petition was mentioned before Justice Chelameswar seeking a SIT probe into the matter and he had agreed to hear it.

However, in the post lunch session on Wednesday, it surfaced that the matter that Justice Chelameswar had said he would hear was assigned to another bench by Chief Justice Dipak Misra.

Referring to the FIR filed by the CBI, Dave said that it indicates that attempts were being made to "unduly and illegally influence the outcome of the petition" which was pending before the top court.

Drawing attention to the trajectory of the dates and the order passed, including September 18 when the top court passed the order and September 19 when CBI registered the FIR, Dave told the court that it seems that the CBI was on the trail of the matter for a long time.

"I pray to almighty that the allegations that are sought to be levelled against the institution (Supreme Court) are false and are bound to be false at the end of an independent investigation," Dave told the court drawing its attention to the contents of the FIR filed by the CBI.

The petition by advocate Kamini Jaiswal says that the "FIR lodged by the CBI names a retired judge of a High Court as an accused, who was allegedly negotiating through a middle man to get the favourable order in a petition pending in this Court. The said petition was being heard by a bench headed by the present Chief Justice of India."

In September, the CBI had arrested retired Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi and five others, including the chairman of a private medical college in Lucknow, which was barred from admitting students for two academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.

Quddusi, B.P. Yadav, Palash Yadav, Biswanath Agrawala, and Ram Dev Saraswat were arrested on September 20 by the CBI on the charge of helping an educational trust that was barred from admitting medical course students for two years.

Quddusi was granted bail on September 27. Bhawana Pandey - the lone woman accused - was granted one-week interim bail on humanitarian ground.

Other four accused - B.P. Yadav, Palash Yadav, Bishwanath Agrawala, and Ram Dev Saraswat - were granted bail by a local court on October 6.
Chennai, Nov 9 : In a massive operation involving around 1,800 officials, the Income Tax Department on Thursday conducted raids at the premises of, among others, close relatives of jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran across Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring states.

Those raided in one of the biggest operations in a single day by officials comprising 10 teams across Tamil Nadu -- including state capital Chennai -- Bengaluru in Karnataka, Hyderabad, Delhi, and other places from 6 a.m. onwards included not only AIADMK leaders' close relatives, but also business houses and other associates, a tax official who did not wanted to be identified told IANS.

The senior official said the searches were conducted in connection with unexplained routing of cash post-demonetisation through shell companies allegedly connected to Sasikala and Dinakaran.

He said the Income Tax department will look at the routing of funds within India whereas other agencies will look into the routing of money outside India.

The places raided included the residence of M. Natarajan, Sasikala's husband, in Thanjavur, Kodanad Tea Estate belonging to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Jazz Cinemas, Midas Distilleries, Sharada Paper and Boards, Senthil Group of Companies, Nilgiri Furniture in Coimbatore, Jaya TV, Namadhu MGR and several other premises in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

The operation was kept secret, so much so that the raiding tax officials hired private cabs and had pasted wedding stickers on the windscreens of vehicles involved in the operation so as not to arouse suspicion.

Dinakaran dubbed the raids "politically motivated" and said he will not be frightened by such actions of the Centre, adding that the officials knocked at their door when his wife was preparing for cow 'puja'.

"Even if I am arrested and jailed for 20 years, I will come out and serve the state at the age of 74," he remarked.

Jaya TV, a satellite channel, and Namadhu MGR Tamil daily, a mouthpiece of the AIADMK, are now under the management control of the Sasikala faction.

Prior to Jayalalithaa's death, both showcased the achievements of the AIADMK and the state. However, after the party broke into factions led by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (who later became Deputy Chief Minister after merging his faction with Palaniswami's), and Sasikala and Dinakaran, they promoted only the Sasikala-Dinakaran faction.

Panneerselvam, after becoming the Deputy Chief Minister, demanded the takeover of the two media outlets by the ruling faction.

A lawyer for Jaya TV charged officials of threatening the channel's staff to shut down transmission which he said was tantamount to "curbing the freedom of speech and expression".

Dinakaran's supporter Nanjil Sampath said the raids were not surprising since the ruling faction wanted to take over Jaya TV and Namadhu MGR "owned by private companies".

DMK Working President M.K. Stalin said there were no answers to questions raised on earlier tax raids on AIADMK leaders and other organisations.

Tamil Maanila Congress President G.K. Vasan demanded that the Centre and the Income Tax Department explain the truth behind the raids and said the action should not be for political reasons or some hidden agenda.

Rajya Sabha MP R. Vaithilingam, belonging to the ruling AIADMK faction, said the raids had nothing to do with the party symbol case pending with the Election Commission for adjudication.

Both Sasikala-Dinakaran and Palaniswami-Panneerselvam factions are claiming the 'two leaves' election symbol as also the party name.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu leader Tamilisai Soundararajan denied her party's role in Thursday's raids and said the operation was a result of "information on tax evasion".
Lucknow, Nov 9 : The Central government is yet to approve a National Litigation Policy despite a policy being formulated in 2010, it was revealed in response to an RTI plea.

Activist Nutan Thakur on Thursday said she was told by the Law Ministry that the policy could not be approved by the government and its reformulation is still under active consideration.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The odd-even traffic rationing plan returned to the national capital and will be in place for five days from November 13 as people continued to inhale toxic air for the third day on Thursday, with the situation expected to be even worse on Friday.

The traffic plan was announced on a day the Delhi High Court said there was an "emergency situation" vis-a-vis pollution in Delhi-NCR and asked the Delhi government to consider implementing cloud seeding to induce artificial rain apart from vehicle rationing on roads.

The Environment Ministry formed a seven-member committee headed by the Environment Secretary to find long and short-term solutions to the worsening problem. AIIMS on Thursday reported a 15-20 per cent rise in cases of respiratory problems being received, which was also the case with Safdarjung Hospital across the road.

The NGT (National Green Tribunal) asked the pollution control boards of NCR to ban all industrial and construction activities in the region till November 14 and directed the Delhi government to sprinkle water on the hot spots using helicopters. It also banned entry of trucks carrying construction material into the NCR.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who inaugurated 20 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations here, blamed stubble burning for the "severe" air quality and said the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab should come together with Delhi to find a solution.

The 'emergency' under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) came into force in Delhi-NCR on Thursday with weather officials saying that change in wind direction is set to further worsen the air quality of Delhi on Friday.

The announcement of the third phase of odd-even rationing traffic plan from November 13 to 17 was made by Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot at a press conference here.

He said the modalities of the scheme, under which private four-wheeled vehicles with odd registration numbers were allowed to run on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., would be the same as the previous phases.

The first phase of the odd-even rule was implemented by the Delhi government from January 1 to 15 and the second phase was from April 15-April 30 last year.

But members of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) said that November 13 "is too late" as the "emergency or severe-plus" category under GRAP calls for immediate implementation of the odd-even traffic rationing move.

The "emergency or severe-plus" situation arises after the major pollutants -- PM2.5 and PM10, or particles in air with diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm, remain above 300 and 500 units respectively for at least 48 hours.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Thursday informed that both PM2.5 and 10 had been beyond the "required limit" since past 52 hours.

On Thursday (since Wednesday evening), all ten monitoring stations of centre's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (Safar) recorded "beyond severe" or 500 plus units of PM10 and PM2.5.

According to Safar, the average PM2.5 was 546 units and PM10 was 895. According to CPCB, at 5 p.m., average PM2.5 in Delhi NCR was 478 units, across 20 active stations (including Alwar in Rajasthan), with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) placed 478 (on a scale of 0 to 500).

The safe limit for PM2.5 and PM10 as per international standards is 25 and 60 microgrammes per cubic meters, while as per national standards it is 40 and 100 units respectively.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that some relief will be visible from Sunday due to rise in wind speed and rains likely on November 14 in the neighbouring states would bring major relief by dispersing the pollutants.

Kejriwal said the one month period from the mid-October to mid-November, when farmers burn the stubble, "the whole of north India and not just Delhi turns into a gas chamber".

He said that in September this year, the PM10 was recorded at 300 units and PM2.5 was 160 and the rise had not happened due to the local problems.

"All of us (North Indian states) will have to keep politics aside and work together to tackle this huge problem of pollution," he said.

He said that farmers should be provided with an economically viable alternative to stubble burning.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a slew of directions to control pollution in Delhi-NCR and banned felling of trees, ordered sprinkling of water on roads to control dust and strict enforcement of construction code.

The court questioned the move to increase parking rates by four times.

In the wake of incessant air pollution and smog, some schools in Delhi shifted their winter opening and closing timings by an hour.

Environment Minister Harshvardhan said in a tweet that crop burning increased this year "due to lack of advanced planning." He also said that air quality will improve in the next few days.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Madhya Pradesh on November 10 and 11, which will be his first visit to the state after assuming office, an official said on Thursday.

He will address the Kabir Pragatotsava and pay tributes at the statue of Rani Jhalkaribai in Bhopal on Friday, said a statement.

He is also scheduled to address the 2nd convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Amarkantak.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 9 : The union government on Thursday constituted a high-level team under Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to assess the crop loss due to pest attack in Odisha.

The team will visit the worst affected Bargarh district and other parts of the state on November 12.

The move came after Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh in New Delhi and discussed the crop damage situation in Odisha.

The Agriculture Minister blamed the state government for not implementing the advisory sent by the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI).

"An advisory was issued by the CRRI to the state government in the first week of October on how to use pesticides. However, the state government did not implement it, leading to the present crisis," said Singh.

Pradhan also attacked the state government for not taking any step to address the plight of farmers.

"It's a matter of concern that the apathy of Odisha Govt made things worse for farmers. Despite several advisories issued to the state by central government institutions, the Odisha government chose not to act. GoI on its part is committed to extend all possible support to mitigate farmers' losses," tweeted Pradhan.

According to the state government, about 1.78 lakh hectares of paddy farms in nine districts in western Odisha has been damaged in the massive pest attack.

In the last 10 days, nine farmers have allegedly committed suicide over crop loss due to the pest attack.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced that a six-member team led by Lok Sabha member Om Prakash Yadav would visit Odisha for four days starting from November 10. The team will start its journey from Bargarh, will meet the farmers and assess the present situation.

Following the direction of BJP President Amit Shah, the team will review the crop loss in districts like Nuapara, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Ganjam and Nayagarh by visiting the affected farmlands, said BJP Kisan Morcha's state secretary Surath Biswal.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a report that market watchdog Sebi had imposed penalties on several entities, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's family, for "manipulative trade", while the party demanded that Rupani must resign.

"Na khaunga na khane dunga ki kahani. Shah-zada, Shaurya aur ab Vijay Rupani (Another story of 'will not do corruption myself, nor allow others')," Gandhi tweeted.

The Congress demanded that either the Gujarat Chief Minister must resign or Modi should break his "silence" and dismiss him over the allegations after the Sebi charged 22 entities, including Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), with "manipulative trades" in a little known company Sarang Chemicals.

"'Zero tolerance for corruption' has become 'zero tolerance for honesty'. India has witnessed a series of scams, scandals and skullduggery involving sons, daughters and a number of BJP leaders. PM Modi, is however on a 'Maun Vrat' (silent).

"The latest in this series is the brazen malpractice and fraud indulged by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's HUF," said Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh, adding that the Sebi found Rupani's family entity guilty of malpractices and artificial trading.

The party demanded that Rupani should resign immediately.

"An investigation should be undertaken about the dubious dealings of Rupani HUF with Sarang Chemicals Ltd. including the reasons and considerations for artificially manipulating the trade volume and consequent price of shares of the company," said Singh.

He sought a probe into whether any insider trading took place and whether any benefits, monetary or otherwise, were exchanged, the connection of Rupani-owned sharetrading firm Rasiklal & Sons with Sarang Chemicals Ltd and if any other entities also need to be investigated.

Singh also said it was time for Modi to break his silence on corruption and face accountability.

He also claimed India is witnessing a new 'Baap-Beta/Beti' culture of favouritism, wrongdoing and malpractices, citing the cases of BJP President Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his son Shaurya Doval, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her son Dushyant Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and his son Abhishek Singh, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son Anurag Thakur and former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and her daughter Anar Patel.
New Delhi, Nov 9 : Congress on Thursday rejected the Solar Judicial Commission probe report which indicted former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other Congress leaders and said they are ready to face any trial.

"We have always said that LDF came to power on completely false and baseless allegations. Mr. Chandy and all other leaders named therein are more than willing to face any trial. We have no hesitation," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Stressing on Chandy's integrity and honesty, Surjewala said that he was "the only Chief Minister in India, who put a video camera in his chamber, so that entire Kerala could see what was happening in Chief Minister's chamber throughout the day".

He said that though Congress had lost the assembly polls, but "as far as integrity of Oomen Chandy and his government were concerned, his honesty and sincerity of purpose were concerned, no person in Kerala has ever doubted it".

"If anybody levels allegations, we welcome it..no problem. We will face a trial and we will prove that we are innocent," he added.

Surjewala however sought to know the reason for the delay in releasing the report.

Chandy on Thursday also said he does not rule out foul play in preparation of the solar judicial probe report in which he has been indicted. The 1,000 page report was tabled at a special session of the state assembly.

The allegations regarding the multi-crore solar energy investment fraud that rocked the then Chandy government in 2013 were led by Saritha Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan.

Among the others who have been found guilty include Chandy's former cabinet colleagues Aryadan Mohammed, Adoor Prakash, A.P. Anil Kumar and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
Rome, Nov 9 : Palestinians will gain a state "at the most opportune moment" for the peace process' "positive outcome", Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said on Thursday.

"The 'recognition' of Palestine will occur at the most opportune moment for a positive outcome to the peace process," Alfano told reporters at a joint press conference here with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad Malki.

"Obviously, we are watching this process also in terms of timing from a the point of view of coordination between Europeans," Alfano said, adding Italy continues to back a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"Our approach remains oriented towards a two-state solution," Alfano said.

Maliki said Italy has always supported the Palestinians and will recognise the state of Palestine in future.

"We are sure that the recognition of Palestine by Italy is only a matter of time," he told reporters at the joint press conference.

Malki thanked Italy, saying: "It has always been at our side and has given us the support we need.

"As long as we have countries like Italy beside us we will be on the right road."

Malki held talks in Rome with Alfano on Thursday during the Third Joint Italy-Palestine Ministerial Committee at the Italian Foreign Ministry.
Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C., Recognized for Family Law Practice The law firm of Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C. is proud to announce it has been named a Tier 1 regional firm in Chicago for Family Law Practice by U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms for 2018.

The law firm of Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C., (AHR) is proud to announce it has been named a Tier 1 regional firm in Chicago for Family Law Practice by U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms for 2018, making this the third year in a row they have received this honor. AHR is one of only 27 Illinois firms practicing family law to receive this honor.

U.S. News determines its Best Law Firms based on client and peer feedback on whether a firm is: knowledgeable; responsive; civil; cost-effective; understanding of a clients needs; and likely to be recommended to another client. The selection panel gave a score to each firm and grouped them in tiers, with Tier 1 being the highest. U.S. News said that it uses a tier system because many of the top-scoring law firms are separated by small margins. U.S. News ranked law firms in 186 metropolitan areas across the U.S. and 122 areas of practice.

Based in South Elgin, Ill., AHR has served Chicago area clients for more than 30 years in the practices of business law, personal injury, family law, real estate and criminal defense. The firm is comprised of a team of award-winning attorneys, including:



Lisa M. Nyuli, who was been a Leading Lawyer since 2010 and a Super Lawyer since 2011;

Scott G. Richmond, who has been a Leading Lawyer since 2015;

Aaron J. Lytle, who has been a Leading Lawyer since 2016; and

Karrsten Goettel, who has been a Leading Lawyer since 2016.

AHRs status as a leading family law firm is largely due to Nyuli, who has distinguished herself as one of the regions most experienced and accomplished family law attorneys. She has been a fellow with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2008, received the Family Law Achievement Award from the Kane County Bar Association in 2003, and has written numerous articles on the topic.

About Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C.:

Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C., is a full-service law firm practicing in the areas of business law, personal injury, family law, real estate and criminal defense. With offices in South Elgin and Huntley, Ill., the firm serves clients in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties. The firms attorneys are accomplished in their areas of practice and leaders in their communities. To learn more about the firm or schedule an initial consultation, call 847-695-2400 or visit attorneys-illinois.com.
Oregon State University's new research database helps address faculty concerns of online and hybrid learning. Any time we can make it easier for (faculty) to engage with the scholarship about online teaching and learning, that's a good thing.

Oregon State University Ecampus has developed a new research database that allows users to explore whether the learning outcomes of online and/or hybrid (online and in-person) education are equivalent to face-to-face environments.

Users can search studies that compare face-to-face and online or hybrid classes to analyze whether the separate modalities provide a similar or different learning outcome for students. Some of this research compares the same classes in one discipline that are being taught across different modalities.

Before faculty spend quite a bit of time designing an online class, they want to know that it will be effective for student learning outcomes, said Katie Linder, director of the Oregon State University Ecampus Research Unit (ECRU). Faculty want to know the research, especially if theyre skeptical about online learning.

According to an Inside Higher ed survey of faculty released last month, only 33 percent of faculty members surveyed agree or strongly agree with the statement, For-credit online courses can achieve student learning outcomes at least equivalent to those of in-person courses at any institution. While that number is up from 19 percent in 2016, Oregon State researchers say theres still a need to address that skepticism.

To respond to this need, the OSU Ecampus Research Unit is providing its Online Learning Efficacy Research Database as a resource for faculty, distance education administrators and anyone else who is interested in what the research says in specific disciplines.

We are not here to convince faculty that online teaching and learning is always effective, Linder said. This database is meant to give them an opportunity to dig in and read the studies themselves and make their own assessments of the outcomes of those studies.

The new database consists of more than 180 studies from 1998 to the present. ECRU staff will update the database monthly, and anyone can submit entries that have not yet been included. The website also houses downloadable lists of dissertations, meta-studies and reviews focused on online education efficacy research, as well as a fact page that describes how database curation decisions are being made.

As a leader in online education, we stand behind our faculty and we care about what their concerns are. When they have questions, our role is to provide answers, and this database does just that, said Lisa L. Templeton, associate provost of the OSU Division of Extended Campus, which houses the ECRU and Oregon State Ecampus, the universitys online education division.

OSUs Online Learning Efficacy Research Database includes studies more recent than another database, No Significant Difference, that only houses research through 2013.

The ECRU database is searchable by a range of categories, including discipline, year, sample size, whether an article is peer-reviewed, journal name and modality.

The database also showcases trends of efficacy research by discipline. For example, business and education yield more results while humanities disciplines have less published research.

We know it can be challenging for faculty to stay up to date with the latest findings about online learning efficacy, Linder said. Any time we can make it easier for them to engage with the scholarship about online teaching and learning, that's a good thing.

View the database at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/research-database.

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About the Oregon State University Ecampus Research Unit: The OSU Ecampus Research Unit makes research actionable through the creation of evidence-based resources related to effective online teaching, learning and program administration. The OSU Ecampus Research Unit is part of OSUs Division of Extended Campus, which houses Oregon State Ecampus, the universitys top-ranked online education provider. ecampus.oregonstate.edu/research.
Secrets of the Dark Closet: is an engaging story of a young girls courage and perseverance as her once happy family begins to unravel. The story opens in rural Iowa in 1899. Secrets of the Dark Closet is the creation of published author Gayle Larson Schuck, a former public relations professional who is a member of Dakota Writers and American Christian Writers who enjoys outdoor adventures with her family when not reading or writing.

A young girls world is shattered, her family shamed and scattered in this coming-of-age story. Webster County, Iowa, 1899. Bessie Kloubec wants to be seen as more grown-up. After all, shes turning eleven. However, shes not prepared for the calamity that begins in the predawn hours of her birthday. Calamity that unravels her formerly happy family and indeed forces her into an adult role.

For the next year, Bessie navigates through a series of family disasters caused by her fathers pain-induced alcoholism. Bewildered but brave, she struggles with her own fear and anger while trying to fix her broken family. But can she?

In 1904, Bessie is almost sixteen when the family moves to LaMoure County, North Dakota. Their secrets left behind in Iowa, they are welcomed into the community. However, when a new family scandal breaks out, Bessies old fear and anger grips her again. Where can she find the healing needed so her heart can move forward?

Based on a true story and told in first-person, Bessies dilemma is as relevant today as it was over one hundred years ago.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Gayle Larson Schucks new book is an engrossing story of courage and determination as applicable to modern readers as it would have been to its heroine a century ago.

View a synopsis of Secrets of the Dark Closet on YouTube.

Readers can purchase Secrets of the Dark Closet at traditional brick and mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, Kobo or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Secrets of the Dark Closet, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Shmoop allowed our students to get comfortable with the assessment. It mirrors the actual test so students knew what they were getting into and could enjoy the studying process.

Smarter Balanced isn't an example of poor grammar or a tasteless brand of margarine: it's the name of the Assessment Consortium that tests students of all grade levels on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). And as students and teachers alike are now judged based on their test scores, being unprepared just isn't an option.

Shmoop (https://www.shmoop.com), a digital publisher known for its award winning test prep and certified online courses, recently released guides to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) for the 6th grade and 7th grade levels. With these new releases and Shmoop's existing guides for 8th grade and 11th grade, all middle schoolers and high schoolers taking the SBAC are now covered by Shmoop.

Shmoop's prep will help students navigate SBAC assessment targets and tackle the technology-enhanced items, including drag and drop, hot text, graphic response, and equation response. The guides also include CCSS- and SBAC-aligned diagnostic assessments, practice items, and performance tasks. That means that students can prepare for the exam with assessments that mimic the actual test, while teachers can use Shmoop's sample performance tasks as a classroom activity. Blended learning at its best.

But what's test prep without proven results? In 2015, Juniors at Palm Desert High School in California used Shmoop's SBAC Grade 11 test prep, and their scores speak for themselves: 80% of PDHS juniors met or exceeded ELA expectations, compared to 56% statewide; and 41% of PDHS juniors met or exceeded math expectations, compared to 29% statewide according to the California Department of Education. That's a 24% and 12% edge on the state average for ELA and math, respectively, after implementing Shmoop. "Everyone was so flustered about the new test," said Assistant principal Charles Mazet, "and Shmoop allowed our students to get comfortable with the assessment. It mirrors the actual test so students knew what they were getting into and could enjoy the studying process."

Individuals and small groups can subscribe to Shmoop for access to SBAC prep and much more, and discounts are available for schools and districts; contact sales(at)shmoop(dot)com for more information.

About Shmoop

Shmoop offers hundreds of thousands of pages of original content. Their Online Courses, Test Prep, Teaching Guides, Learning Guides, and interactive Study Tools are written by teachers and experts and balance a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous concepts. Shmoop sees 16 million unique visitors a month across desktop and mobile. The company has won numerous awards from EdTech Digest, Tech & Learning, and the Association of Educational Publishers. Launched in 2008, Shmoop makes the magic happen from a labradoodle-patrolled office in Mountain View, California.
Dr. Alan Bauman with WTS President Dr. David Kingsley It was truly an honor to be invited to World Trichology Society Meeting this year and be surrounded by so many professionals dedicated to the art and science of helping those with hair and scalp issues, said Dr. Bauman.

Outside of the hair loss, hair replacement and hair restoration industry, most of the general public unfortunately has no idea what Trichology is or what a Trichologist can do to help the tens of millions of people with hair and scalp problems. However, the World Trichology Society (WTS) is working to change that. The ongoing mission of the WTS is to promote leadership in Trichology, the study of hair and scalp health, and excellence in client/patient care through education and advocacy. The 4th Annual World Trichology conference held on October 22-24, 2017 was a comprehensive international trichological meeting for the advancement of hair loss and scalp health knowledge. The conference was attended by an international group of certified trichologists, student trichologists, hair loss specialists, cosmetologists, as well as dermatologists, other physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners with an interest in assisting those affected by hair and scalp problems.

The World Trichology Society conference included presentations from some of the best-known names in trichology, dermatology, hair transplantation and hair loss research. Dr. Alan J. Bauman, a keynote presenter at this years conference, spoke about the advancements in PRP Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Regrowth and guided the audience about what to say and do when speaking with men and women about different hair loss treatment options. A copy of Dr. Baumans presentation may be requested via http://www.HAIR.University website.

It was truly an honor to be invited to World Trichology Society Meeting this year and be surrounded by so many professionals dedicated to the art and science of helping those with hair and scalp issues, said Dr. Bauman. A true industry cornerstone, Id like to recognize and thank Dr. Kingsley for all he has done and continues to do as president of the prestigious World Trichology Society. continued Dr. Bauman.

The event consisted of various networking opportunities and provided a platform for learning about new research, experience-sharing, and discussions of ways to educate the public on trichologists as an important resource for information and evaluations for those experiencing hair loss and scalp problems.

The WTS President, Dr. David Kingsley, who organized and hosted the event was officially named as an honorary HAIR.University faculty member and presented with his official certification from Dr. Bauman. In addition, the WTS organization was acknowledged as a Bauman Alliance Member for their long-standing dedication to educating and helping men and women with hair and scalp issues.

Dr. David Kingsley remarked, "It was truly a privilege for the World Trichology Society to be accredited by such a world-renowned organization. This is an important step for our organization in bringing the science of trichology to the forefront. On a personal note, I'm very honored to become a faculty member along with such a prestigious collaboration of industry experts at HAIR.University."

ABOUT DR. ALAN J. BAUMAN, MD, ABHRS, FISHRS

As a full-time board-certified hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Alan J. Bauman has dedicated himself to providing the highest quality medical care to men and women who are affected by hair loss since starting his specialty medical hair loss treatment practice in 1997. Dr. Bauman has treated nearly 20,000 patients and performed over 8,000 hair transplant surgeries to date. His compassionate, patient-centered philosophy and individualized artistic approach to protecting, enhancing and restoring the health and appearance of the hair and scalp is what sets his practice apart from non-specialists and other practices.

Dr. Bauman received his MD degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Dr. Bauman is one of only 100 physicians worldwide to achieve certification from the esteemed American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) and Fellow status of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (FISHRS).

Dr. Bauman is an author of textbook chapters on the science of hair care and hair transplantation, including eyelash transplant surgery. Hes also been featured extensively in the worlds leading media as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of some of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss such as laser therapy, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and minimally invasive NeoGraft Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) as well as ARTAS Robotic-Assisted FUE hair transplantation. Most recently, Dr. Bauman founded HAIR.University - an online course catalog and educational portal that lists proven hair loss, scalp care and hair system training programs designed for medical and beauty professionals. In addition to teaching and consulting internationally, Dr. Bauman also personally treats patients at his nearly 12,000 sq. ft. Bauman Medical Hair Transplant and Hair Loss Treatment Center in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida.

Appearances, interviews and profiles include the Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Access Hollywood, Dateline NBC, and the Howard Stern show among other local and national TV appearances. Dr. Bauman was selected as a Top 5 Transformative CEO by Forbes and recently voted and named North Americas #1 Top Hair Restoration Surgeon by Aesthetic Everything. Dr. Bauman is also a World Trichology Society Advisory Board Member. Other newspaper and Magazine articles and feature stories include The New York Times, Newsweek, Cosmo, Vogue, Allure, O  The Oprah Magazine and Mens Health among others.

Approximately 50% of Dr. Baumans patients travel to his center in Boca Raton for treatments and procedures. Private individual in-office and long-distance consultations can be scheduled from anywhere around the world online via the BaumanMedical.com web site or by calling +1-561-394-0024.

ABOUT WORLD TRICHOLOGY SOCIETY

The World Trichology Society is an organization dedicated to educating, supporting and promoting trichologists worldwide. It was first formed to help the modern trichologist become better equipped to deal with the fast-paced evolution of the field of trichology into the 21st century.

The Society works to achieve these goals by promoting the science of trichology and educating future trichologists to exacting standards. Furthermore, it supports its members by helping them stay up-to-date with the latest research, and so enhancing the care of people who suffer from hair loss. The Society is also diligent in helping the public through education about the possible causes of hair loss and informing them about the choices of hair loss treatments. It is also committed to provide the public with access to certified trichologists through the World Trichology Society as a helpful step towards receiving qualified advice for a hair loss or scalp condition.

A certified trichologist who serves as the President of the World Trichology Society, Dr. David Kingsley, PhD has been dedicated to the study of the hair and scalp for over 30 years. Dr. Kingsley is internationally recognized as a leading expert in the science and practice of hair loss prevention and has successfully treated thousands of patients throughout his career. While there are many, Dr. Kingsleys most notable credentials include:

 Adjunct member of the American Academy of Dermatologists. He is the only trichologist in the world to have been granted membership to this prestigious organization.

 The only trichologist in North America with a PhD in hair loss research through the University of Portsmouth (U.K.)

 Member of the North American Hair Research Society and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, among several other boards and organizations

 Dr. Kingsley's patients include famous actors, actresses, musicians, and well-known dignitaries.

The World Trichology Societys Trichology Certification Course has been accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. For more information, visit http://worldtrichologysociety.org/

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Russ Kennedy Ive worked with Nasuni as a partner for many years at Cleversafe and IBM, and have always been impressed by the people, the technology, and the opportunity.

Nasuni, the leading provider of cloud-scale enterprise file services, today announced that former IBM Cloud executive Russ Kennedy has joined the company as Chief Product Officer. Kennedy was previously Senior Vice President of Product Strategy and Customer Solutions at object storage innovator Cleversafe from 2011 through its acquisition by IBM He spent the last two years at IBM helping integrate Cleversafe, now IBM Cloud Object Storage, into the IBM Cloud and Storage Systems businesses. In his new role, Kennedy will help shape Nasunis product strategy, while working closely with IBM and other strategic cloud partners to meet growing customer demand for Nasunis cloud-resident global file system.

Kennedys appointment comes on the heels of another strong fiscal quarter for Nasuni, as enterprises look for a more scalable and cost-effective way to manage the exponential growth of unstructured data. Nasunis capacity under management has more than tripled in the first nine months of 2017 due to best-in-class subscription renewal rates, improvements in sales and marketing productivity and new customer wins in manufacturing, architecture, construction, consumer brands and pharmaceuticals, both in the US and internationally. The positive results continue the trend that led Nasuni to raise a $38M growth equity round earlier this year from Goldman Sachs.

We are excited that Russ has joined our executive team to help strengthen our partnerships with IBM and other strategic cloud storage partners, and to help guide our product direction, said Paul Flanagan, Nasuni President. Nasuni continues to grow very rapidly and having another experienced cloud and storage executive on board will help us navigate the many opportunities we have to penetrate the market with our disruptive hybrid cloud approach to enterprise file services. We will continue to invest in our sales, development, and customer service functions to ensure success in the most demanding unstructured data management use cases, and Russ will be instrumental in helping us in each of these areas.

Kennedy has a long track record of success making innovative storage technologies mainstream, both in customer-facing and internal engineering and product management roles. At Cleversafe, Kennedy was instrumental in helping elevate object storage to its current place as a widely-used storage technology. Earlier in his career, he held various leadership positions in product management and development at StorageTek, Sun, and Pillar Data Systems.

"Ive worked with Nasuni as a partner for many years at Cleversafe and IBM, and have always been impressed by the people, the technology, and the opportunity, said Russ Kennedy, Nasunis new Chief Product Officer. With object storage now recognized as the foundation for bringing cloud economics to unstructured data management, the next foundational element thats needed is a file system that can unlock the full potential of object storage for global file sharing, multi-site collaboration, advanced data protection, simple file server management and active analytics. Nasunis innovative global file system best meets that need.

About Nasuni

Nasuni (NAS Unified) is transforming the way enterprises store, share, protect, and manage fast-growing file data. Powered by Nasuni UniFS, the first global file system as scalable as the cloud itself, Nasunis hybrid cloud file services platform combines the limitless capacity, geo-redundancy, and low cost of object storage with the security, performance, and flexibility of local file servers. By using Nasuni and their preferred cloud provider for Network Attached Storage (NAS) consolidation, multi-site file collaboration, archiving, and data analytics, Nasuni customers are meeting global growth, workforce productivity, and cloud-first objectives, while also realizing massive IT cost savings. Nasuni is a privately held company based in Boston, Mass. For more information, visit http://www.nasuni.com.

Social Media Links

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nasuni

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasuni

Blog: http://www.nasuni.com/blog

All company and product names are property of their respective owners.
A sneak peek of the new South Tampa personal training & wellness studio - Driven + SWS We believe in whole body wellness...Our on-site doctor will help clients achieve that.

Tampa Bay wellness seekers can now find care under one roof. Thats the all-inclusive niche of Driven + Sponaugle Wellness Studio (SWS), a hybrid wellness practice that opened its doors Saturday, November 4 at the corner of Swann and Armenia in Hyde Park. Driven + SWS offers Tampa personal training, acupuncture and massage as well as chiropractic services by Dr. Sarah Sponaugle.

We believe in whole body wellness, says Driven + SWS co-owner Luis Echeverry. Our on-site doctor will help clients achieve that.

Dr. Sponaugle calls the Driven + SWS collaboration a perfect fit. Exercise, she says, is a key element in healing for many of her patients. For a doctor to simply walk across the hall to discuss a patients progress with their personal trainer or massage therapist is invaluable.

As a chiropractor, I believe that the body can heal itself if given the tools, Sponaugle says. Here, we offer those tools in a single location.

Sponaugles inclusion also coincides with the introduction of Styku, an infrared body screen that eliminates the need for skin calipers and other body composition measurement tools. Driven + SWS is the first Bay Area location to feature Styku, which provides extremely accurate data for body fat and muscle density.

With Styku, were able to set a baseline and uniquely goal set for each client, Echeverry says. Results are easy to visualize.

To be scanned, a client stands on a turntable for about 30 seconds as the infrared body screen creates a 3-D image. The result is more than a revelation of current body fat percentages and body shape  posture is measured as well. Thats where Sponaugle comes into play.

The scan is used for the development of whole treatment plans and as a stand-alone diagnostic tool. Even small changes are visible thanks to Styku, so personal training regimens and accompanying treatment protocols can be continually monitored.

The Driven + SWS focus is on stability, mobility and rejuvenation of the body at a central private South Tampa studio. With this balanced approach, personal trainers and practitioners strive to improve their clients overall quality of life. For more information about Driven + SWS or Styku or to schedule an introductory personal training or wellness consultation, visit http://www.drivenfit.com.
TMP Worldwide, a global leader in talent acquisition technologies, today announced its partnership with the premier online network for the military community, RallyPoint.

This Veterans Day, TMP is doing more than simply thanking the military community for their service to our country, said Michelle Abbey, CEO of TMP Worldwide. Instead, we are locking arms with RallyPoint to leverage the platforms scale, data and reach into the military community to help us connect our customers to the disciplined, mature and loyal veteran talent that fits our customers needs.

This announcement follows a productive and growing year-long relationship between the two companies where TMPs customers in the education, financial services, telecommunications and transportation industries have continued to deepen their engagement with RallyPoint for top military talent.

If you hire a veteran for any reason other than assessing a strong fit with the position, you are hurting that veteran more than helping them, said army veteran and RallyPoint CEO, Dave Gowel. We applaud companies who set veteran hiring goals, but too often see veteran talent placed in roles where they feel underemployed or out of place. This leads to lack of productivity, frustration and a more difficult transition for that veteran. We are excited to partner with TMP to apply their talent expertise and technology capabilities to RallyPoints data-driven understanding of the goals and interests of those military members within our 1.4 million members who want a more fulfilling career.

Over one million monthly visitors have made RallyPoint a preferred online medium to participate in more than 200,000 discussions spanning all aspects of military and veteran life, adding 10,000+ discussions every month. With a mission to help all members of the military community lead more successful and fulfilling lives, RallyPoints partnership with TMP Worldwide is a natural extension of the platforms efforts to serve veterans worldwide.

ABOUT RALLYPOINT:

RallyPoint is the online platform where warriors talk. With nearly 1.4 million members, RallyPoint is the premier network for military service members and veterans to come together and discuss military life through both professional and personal perspectives. Visit http://www.RallyPoint.com to learn more, and follow RallyPoint on Facebook and Twitter @RallyPoint.

ABOUT TMP WORLDWIDE:

TMP Worldwide is a global leader in talent acquisition technologies, committed to finding new ways to leverage software, strategy and creative to build talent and enhance our clients' employer brands  across every connection point. Over the past 10 years  from healthcare to government to retail to technology and everything in between  we've revolutionized the way companies and candidates connect.
Esther B. Griswold Theatre and Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center at American International College

American International College (AIC) will host sections of the internationally celebrated AIDS Memorial Quilt, the 54  -ton, handmade tapestry that stands as a memorial to more than 96,000 individuals lost to AIDS. In conjunction with its 30th anniversary, The Quilt will be on view at the Griswold Theatre Lobby and West Wing Gallery in the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center on the AIC campus from November 30 through December 3, 2017.

Officially beginning in 1987, The Quilt is a memorial to and celebration of the lives of people lost to AIDS. In the 1980s, many who died of AIDS-related causes did not receive funerals due to the social stigma attached to the disease and the refusal of many funeral homes and cemeteries to handle the deceased's remains. Without the ability to hold memorial services or have access to burial sites, The Quilt was often the only opportunity family members, friends, and survivors had to remember and celebrate the lives of those they lost.

Today, The Quilt is maintained and displayed by The NAMES Project Foundation. Individual quilt panels are typically very personalized and are created by the loved ones of an individual who died of AIDS-related causes. By design, each panel is 3 feet by 6 feet, the size of a human grave. Panels are donated to The NAMES Project Foundation where they are grouped with other similar panels and assembled into 12' by 12' sections called blocks which are on view at local displays of The Quilt. There will be 20 blocks on display at AIC. The response to the announcement that the College will host The Quilt has been very positive, with requests from the Boston area, Cape Cod, and Connecticut to have specific panels included.

One goal of The Quilt is to bring awareness to the enormity of the AIDS pandemic and to provide support to those affected by it. Another objective is to raise funds for community-based AIDS service organizations and to increase funding for AIDS prevention and education.

The AIDS Quilt display will be open to the public on Thursday, November 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, December 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 2 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 3 from 12 p.m.  5 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in Lot I across from the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center on the corner of State and Maynard Streets. Please visit aic.edu/quilt online for more information.
YASH Technologies, a leading application, infrastructure and digital services organization, has launched AASEYA IT SERVICES, a specialist in BPM, CRM, and RPA solutions. With strong expertise on PEGA platform, AASEYA (a subsidiary of YASH) would be the premium partner for companies seeking to accelerate their digital transformation journey.

AASEYA will enable clients to build Digital Process Automation (DPA) Solutions including Customer Engagement, Case Management, Workflow Automation and Strategic Applications on Pegas unified platform. Leveraging the full complement of capabilities and expertise of YASH globally, it will provide the spectrum of Pega consulting and project delivery services.

Manoj Baheti, Founder & CEO, YASH Technologies said, We are constantly looking at ways to foster the tremendous growth momentum that we have been experiencing. In line with our vision to invest in building strategic competencies that complement our solutions and services, we are incubating AASEYA. The winning combination of our strong technology credentials, industry transformational capabilities, and highly capable AASEYA team will make AASEYA the next generation Pega services partner.

The core team at AASEYA includes vertical domain specialists in manufacturing, banking, life sciences, healthcare and utilities with deep expertise in functional business processes. The company has built a Pega CoE in Hyderabad, India to enable clients to understand the most effective roadmap for their unique requirements, allowing them to move ahead with confidence and adopt Pega platform for their needs.

Innovatively reframing business processes in line with evolving customer needs is at the core of the digital transformation agenda of global organizations. YASH is at the forefront of enabling customers successfully navigate through this process, said Bala Navuluri, COO, YASH Technologies. He added, YASHs customers will now be able to leverage AASEYAs strong Pega services in tandem with our deep vertical expertise to meet their digital process automation and customer experience management needs.

Pankaj Jain, a thought leader in architecting and deploying Pega platform solutions to global clients, will spearhead AASEYAs business operations. He will work together with an accomplished team of BPM, CRM & RPA technology leaders in helping organizations leverage the sophisticated Pega platform for augmenting agility and performance.

Commenting on the partnership, Pankaj Jain, CEO, AASEYA Technologies said, With a concerted focus on providing PEGA services, AASEYA IT SERVICES will bring to bear tremendous delivery experience and business process knowledge with YASHs global reach. Armed with subject matter experts who have the knowledge and abilities to deliver value for our clients, AASEYA will be the Go-To partner for Pega customers globally.

About AASEYA IT SERVICES

We at Aaseya are a unique go-to partner for companies seeking to enhance their customer engagements and business operations through Pega. Aaseyas Turnkey solutions help in maximizing business value while optimizing cost. Our team of Pega consultants helps customers to design, build, deploy and manage Pega solutions. We provide an entire gamut of Pega consulting and project delivery services helping reinvent businesses with best-in-class industry solution offerings.

For more information about AASEYA IT SERVICES, please visit http://www.aaseya.com or email info(at)aaseya(dot)com

About YASH Technologies

YASH Technologies focuses on enabling its customers to succeed and drive IT Business Transformation. As a leading technology service and outsourcing partner for large and fast-growing global organizations, the company leverages technology and flexible business models to enable innovation and business value throughout each customers enterprise. YASH customer-centric engagement and managed services delivery framework integrate specialized domain and consulting capabilities with proprietary methodologies and solution offerings to provision application, infrastructure and end-user-focused Right-Sourcing services. Headquartered in the U.S., with delivery and sales centers globally, YASH serves its customers across six continents. YASH is a SEI CMMI (Level 5) and an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization.

For more information about YASH Technologies, please visit http://www.yash.com or email info(at)yash(dot)com
ZyDoc's MediSapien NLP application user interface, illustrating the volume of structured data generated by MediSapien NLP. (NLP: natural language processing.) ZyDocs history of medical informatics innovation is representative of technology company growth trajectories, as it has pivoted from achieving success to seizing new opportunities.

ZyDoc, a New York-based medical informatics company, is pleased to announce its acceptance into the Stony Brook Incubator Program at Stony Brook University. The Incubator Program, which helps technologically innovative companies grow by providing them with a variety of support resources and services, has four locations totaling more than 100,000sf. The ZyDoc R&D team will move into the the New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) this month.

This is a wonderful opportunity to advance ZyDocs research and development in cloud-based, AI-driven medical knowledge management, states James M. Maisel, MD, ZyDoc Chairman. ZyDoc has multiple disruptive, enabling technologies in development now. We have a small, but immensely talented and dedicated in-house team of developers, programmers, and project managers. Through the Incubator Program, we will gain invaluable support in technology development, as well as help in focusing our commercialization strategies.

Dr. Ann-Marie Scheidt, Chair of the Incubator Programs tenant selection and review committee, welcomed ZyDoc to the incubator program: We are delighted that you have chosen the incubator based in CEWIT for your R&D efforts to address the formidable challenges of new natural language processing software and related medical data applications. Stony Brooks research talent and experience in these areas promises exciting and mutually rewarding collaborations at the leading edge of knowledge.

As a healthcare information technology innovator, ZyDoc is well-aligned with the Stony Brook Incubator mission. Selection criteria for acceptance into the program include consistency of the ventures identified or planned industry or business sector with [its] mission of supporting the future leaders of Long Island's high technology economy... [and] demonstration of capacity to achieve the venture's business goals including expertise in chosen technology field(s), market assessment, management team, adequacy of financial support...

ZyDocs history of medical informatics innovation is representative of technology company growth trajectories, as it has pivoted from achieving success to seizing new opportunities. In 1993, ZyDoc developed one of the first EMRs, which was subsequently sold to the U.S. Department of Defense. In 1999, ZyDocs speech recognition medical language models were bundled with Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical. In 2003, ZyDoc shifted focus to web-based transcription services that became the industry standard. ZyDocs mission is to increase the efficiency of physicians to improve patient care and outcomes, lower malpractice risk, and ensure appropriate reimbursement through the use of software technologies and services, including its award-winning, HIPAA-secure, cloud-based e-transcription infrastructure and medical informatics technologies, and its MediSapien web-based knowledge management platform that uses disruptive natural language processing (NLP) and AI technologies.

Today, ZyDoc provides business-to-business services for healthcare entities regarding medical knowledge management and data capture, including: transcription infrastructure and services, EHR data insertion, clinical Natural Language Processing, conversion of unstructured clinical text into structured clinical concepts and terminologies, and processing medical data for reporting, analytics and research. CEWITs and Stony Brooks expertise and resources in the underlying technologies will accelerate the companys growth in developing these cost-saving and qualitative new capabilities for healthcare providers.

About Stony Brook University

One of four multidisciplinary teaching and research institutions in the 65-campus SUNY system, Stony Brook has more than 25,000 students and offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree and certificate programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, journalism, marine and atmospheric sciences, dental medicine, health technology and management, medicine, nursing, and social welfare. A research flagship, Stony Brook is one of the 62 members of the Association of American Universities, comprising the nations leading public and private research institutions. Its Computer Science Department is ranked in the top 15 nationally.

About the Stony Brook Incubator Program

The Stony Brook Incubator Program has four facilities aggregating to 106,000sf, plus a virtual Clean Energy Business Incubator Program funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.The oldest and largest facility, the Long Island High Technology Incubator, offers the only wet lab space in very small footprints affordable by startups and most of its tenants are developing diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices. CEWIT hosts IT companies, including medical IT; its R&D Park neighbor, the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AEC) accommodates energy companies, and a 24,000sf facility in Calverton, near Brookhaven National Laboratory, is a multi-technology operation with food processing lines serving the East End agricultural community. The most recent analysis of tenant accomplishments found that 44 of 80 program graduates are still in business, a success rate that exceeds the typical 10% success rate by 5.5X. The Incubator Program has received New York State-certified Incubator and Innovation Hot Spot awards.

About CEWIT

To best capitalize on the IT revolution, spur economic growth, advance scientific research and develop the technologies of tomorrow, the New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) opened in 2009 as the 100,000sf initial anchor in Stony Brook Universitys Research and Development Park. The Center is a next generation research and educational facility whose mission is three-fold: become recognized as a world leader in interdisciplinary research in the emerging, critical technologies of the information age, address the skilled technology worker shortage, and foster new enterprise development. CEWITs integrated suite of Business Development and Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) functions fit the needs of diverse incubator companies. The staff members combined range of recognized scientific, corporate, consulting, and entrepreneurship/startup venture experience provides a wide range of both scientific vetting and business mentoring to aid in the creation of new businesses and help entrepreneurs to sort out their operating business model and funding options, their time horizons and viability, and how they can gain leverage by application of SBUs intellectual and material assets.
I got an awful lot of help from UMUC and from the education that I got there. Its a huge benefit to the armed forces to have well-educated soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, and its a huge benefit to society, as well. --Gen. John W. Vessey Jr.

University of Maryland University College will commemorate the life of Gen. John W. Vessey Jr. during a Veterans Day ceremony at the university on Friday, November 10. Vessey, a 1963 graduate of the university, rose from the ranks of enlisted men to become the 10th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

As part of the ceremony, UMUC will dedicate a ballroom at its College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center and unveil a triptych highlighting Gen. Vesseys life and accomplishments. CBS Radio will livestream the ceremony on its Connectingvets.com website beginning at 10:03 a.m. on Friday, November 10.

UMUC will also announce the creation of the Gen. John W. Vessey Jr. Military Student/Veteran of the Year Award. The inaugural recipient, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alicia Hunt, is currently serving in Afghanistan and will provide a video message at the ceremony.

Members of Gen. Vesseys family will attend the ceremony, including his daughter, Sarah, who will speak on behalf of the family.

I got an awful lot of help from UMUC and from the education that I got there, said Vessey in a 2009 interview with UMUC. Its a huge benefit to the armed forces to have well-educated soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, and its a huge benefit to society, as well.

Vessey began his military career earlier than most people. In fact, the Minneapolis native was so anxious to join the National Guard that he lied about his age and enlisted as a 16-year-old in May 1939. He earned a battlefield commission during World War II and as a 41-year-old lieutenant colonel, earned a bachelors degree in military science from UMUC in 1963.

In 1970, Vessey graduated from Army Helicopter School as a coloneland its oldest student by a decade and a half. He achieved the rank of general in 1976 and in 1982 became the militarys highest ranking officer when President Ronald Reagan appointed him as the 10th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

When Vessey retired in 1985 with 46 years of service, he was the last four-star World War II combat veteran on active duty and the longest serving member of the Army.

He said that he had tried to pattern his own life after a lecture by Nicholas Murray Butler, Five Evidences of an Education, that Vessey first heard discussed in a UMUC classroom. The lecture praised the correct use of language, refined and gentle dealings with fellow human beings, the power and habit of reflection, the power to grow, and the power to act with efficiency and effectiveness.

With those principles guiding him, Vessey continued to give back to UMUC, serving in 1995 as the first chair of the universitys Board of Visitors and later establishing the General John W. Vessey Jr. Scholarship Fund, which continues to award scholarships to degree-seeking students of The Undergraduate School at UMUC.

About UMUC

Serving the military is firmly entrenched in UMUCs DNA. The university was founded in 1947 to serve adults students, many of whom were veterans returning from World War II. In 1949, the university was among the first to send faculty overseas to teach U.S. troops stationed in Europe. In 1956, UMUC expanded its operation into Asia.

Today, more than half of the universitys 86,000 students are active-duty servicemembers or their families, veterans, reservists, and members of the National Guard.
Salolampi students highlight how easy it is to apply for scholarships. Our unique scholarship program is possible thanks to the dedicated mission of our own nonprofit organization, The Salolampi Foundation, along with generous support from Finnish partner organizations, such as Finlandia Foundation National and its local chapters, said Dean Iida Tervola-Hultberg.

Salolampi Language Village, the nations premier Finnish language immersion program, operated by Concordia Language Villages of Concordia College, is pleased to announce that enrollment has grown by 40 percent since 2016  thanks to its innovative curriculum and robust scholarship initiative.

To celebrate the success of Salolampi, based in Bemidji, Minnesota, students and counselors have created a fun slideshow to demonstrate the easy, step-by-step process for obtaining scholarships. To view the new How-to Apply for Salolampi Scholarships slideshow, please go to: http://bit.ly/2z2f61r

Unlike other language programs, Salolampi Language Village is supported by the Salolampi Foundation, which provides a significant automatic scholarship to each student once they have registered. To bring the tuition fee down even further, students can apply up for up to five Salolampi Foundation Partner Organization scholarships.

Our unique scholarship program is possible thanks to the dedicated mission of our own nonprofit organization, The Salolampi Foundation, along with generous support from Finnish partner organizations, such as Finlandia Foundation National and its local chapters, said Iida Tervola-Hultberg, Dean of Salolampi Language Village. As a result of our combined efforts, every child in the United States and Canada who has an interest in learning about Finnish language, culture, and history has the opportunity to attend Salolampi.

To encourage students to attend Salolampis 2018 summer sessions, Concordia Language Villages also offers incentives to those who register by December 1st, 2017. To take advantage of these additional opportunities over the coming weeks, please visit: http://bit.ly/2zpd38c

About Salolampi Foundation

Salolampi Foundation is committed to sustaining Finnish language and culture through scholarships and funding to support the Salolampi Finnish Language Village. http://www.salolampi.org

About Finlandia Foundation National

Finlandia Foundation National is the leading network of Finnish-American organizations in the United States. Founded in Pasadena, California in 1953, it administers grants, scholarships and programs supporting and celebrating Finnish heritage and Finnish-American culture and traditions. For more information about the 501(c)(3) organization: http://www.finlandiafoundation.org

About Concordia Language Villages

Concordia Language Villages, a nationally recognized program of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., has been a leader in immersion language and culture education for nearly 60 years and offers one-, two- and four-week residential immersion summer camps in Arabic, Chinese, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Sites are located in northern Minnesota and staffed by skilled counselors who are a combination of native and highly proficient language speakers from across the U.S. and around the world. Programs attract nearly 10,000 participants annually from all 50 states and many countries. http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org

For inquiries regarding Salolampi Finnish Language Village, please contact:

Amy Iida Tervola Hultberg

atervola(at)cord(dot)edu
EuroPriSe Seal KiwiVision Privacy Protector has once again received the EuroPriSe re-certification

Genetec Inc. (Genetec), a leading technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, today announced that the KiwiVision Privacy Protector from KiwiSecurity has been re-certified with the European Privacy Seal (EuroPriSe). The European Privacy Seal is awarded to IT-based products that are compatible with European data protection laws and excel in privacy protection. KiwiVision Privacy Protector is the unified real-time video anonymization module in Genetec Security Center, the companys comprehensive, open-architecture security platform that combines video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), communications, and analytics.

GDPR-ready

In addition to this re-certification, the EuroPriSe Authority (Bonn, Germany) has added new testing and criteria to assure all products meet the unique standards that incorporate new requirements mandated by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which goes into effect May 25, 2018. Privacy Protector was evaluated for its capabilities of adherence to the new GDPR legislative privacy requirements, and was confirmed as the only software in the surveillance and safety industry to meet these criteria.

We are pleased to re-certify KiwiVision Privacy Protector, which is now an integrated feature in Genetec Security Center, for the fourth consecutive term by the European Privacy Seal certification authority, said Sebastian Meissner, Head of the EuroPriSe Certification Authority. Additionally, this re-certification comes with the special distinction that the Privacy Protector software is GDPR-ready, meeting the highest certifiable compliance with the European Union (EU) privacy standards, added Meissner.

For a software or hardware product to obtain the GDPR-ready European Privacy Seal, the source code is tested to ensure that there are no vulnerabilities that can be exploited or hacked to suspend privacy protection (destructive anonymization), assuring that product conformity with the GDPR is verified. It is crucial that the examination is conducted by an independent and impartial institution, and that all criteria are made public. The EuroPriSe seal is valid for two years and must be re-awarded after its expiration. This assures that the product always complies with the latest EU privacy laws and policies.

Genetec takes privacy, authorization, encryption, and secure data archiving very seriously in our commitment to help our customers Protect the Everyday, said Cyrille Becker, General Manager for Europe at Genetec. We are pleased that KiwiVision Privacy Protector has once again received the EuroPriSe re-certification, which will extend an even greater level of confidence and trust for Genetec customers, added Becker.

For more information about KiwiVision Privacy Protector and Genetec Security Center, visit: https://www.genetec.com/solutions/all-products/omnicast/kiwivision-video-analytics .

About EuroPriSe

EuroPriSe started as an EU-funded project aimed at establishing a trans-European privacy seal. Today, EuroPriSe offers certifications for IT products, IT-based services and websites throughout the EU. A unique certification, the EuroPriSe seal assures users that their personal data are handled in accordance with European data protection laws. As the only EU-wide, independent privacy seal, EuroPriSe enables enterprises to demonstrate their compliance with European laws and regulations. EuroPriSe certifications have been awarded to businesses of all sizes, including small and medium-sized companies as well as multinational organizations such as Microsoft, SAP and Siemens.

About Genetec

Genetec Inc. is an innovative technology company with a broad solutions portfolio that encompasses security, intelligence, and operations. The companys flagship product, Security Center, is an open-architecture platform that unifies IP-based video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), communications, and analytics. Genetec also develops cloud-based solutions and services designed to improve security, and contribute new levels of operational intelligence for governments, enterprises, transport, and the communities in which we live. Founded in 1997, and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Genetec serves its global customers via an extensive network of resellers, integrators, certified channel partners, and consultants in over 80 countries.

For more information about Genetec, visit: http://www.genetec.com

 2017 Genetec Inc. Genetec and the Genetec logo are trademarks of Genetec Inc. and may be registered or pending registration in several jurisdictions. KiwiVision, KiwiSecurity, Privacy Protector and their respective logos are trademarks of KiwiSecurity GmbH, and may be registered or pending registration in several jurisdictions. Other trademarks used in this document may be trademarks of the manufacturers or vendors of the respective product.
Martin Richards, British F1 supporter travelled with Exclusive GP to the United States Grand Prix. Enabling F1 enthusiasts like Martin Richards to get so close to their heroes and take away memorable experiences is exactly what F1 Experiences was set up for. The GP was a huge success and we look forward to repeating this in Abu Dhabi. Brian Learst CEO, F1 Experiences Past News Releases RSS

With the annual 2017 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix fast approaching, Exclusive GP is excited to offer an exclusive superyacht package in coordination with its recently gained position as the only UK-based F1 Experiences Partner to operate worldwide.

As the main authorised partner of F1 Experience packages for UK tourists visiting Abu Dhabi to attend the upcoming race on November 25th, Exclusive GP has arranged a broad variety of packages for UK residents planning on attending. The company is known for giving its clients unparalleled access to racetrack events.

During the 2017 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in October, Exclusive GP succeeded in arranging to have one of its guests, Martin Richards, to be present next to the podium when Lewis Hamilton won the Grand Prix. Thanks to his placement on the podium, Richards unexpectedly got to be the person who handed the Union Jack to Hamilton before the national anthem played.

Martin Richards, British F1 supporter travelled with Exclusive GP to the United States Grand Prix. The image of an excited Richards handing the Union Flag to race victor Lewis Hamilton was captured on TV and one of the most widely circulated press images from the event.

Martin Richards said; "I am Lewis Hamilton's biggest fan, so to have the opportunity given by Exclusive GP to stand right next to the winners podium was unbelievable. As you can see from my face, for Lewis to run over and grab the Union Jack from me before the National Anthem is a proud memory that I will cherish all my life! If it is at all possible, I was even prouder when he handed it back to me and shook my hand."

The image of Exclusive GP client Richards handing the flag to the Grand Prix winner is one of the most widely circulated press images from the entire event.

Enabling F1 enthusiasts like Martin Richards to get so close to their heroes and take away memorable experiences is exactly what F1 Experiences was set up for. The Austin Grand Prix was a huge success for all those who attended with us and we look forward to repeating this in Abu Dhabi. Brian Learst  CEO, F1 Experiences

Now, in Abu Dhabi, Exclusive GP in conjunction with F1 Experiences, offers full weekend hospitality packages that include watching the Grand Prix from the comfort and luxury of a chartered superyacht, enjoying unlimited open bar access, a walk through the Pit Lane, and Meet and Greets with F1 drivers such as Esteban Ocan. Exclusive GP also offers premium access to the Paddock Club Party, attended by F1 racers like Stoffel Vandoorne.

Joe Sapak, Managing Director of Exclusive GP says: "Abu Dhabi is a firm favourite with British F1 fans. It is undoubtedly the combination of it being the finale of the F1 season, the stunning setting of the Yas Marina circuit with its yachts and floodlit racing and of course the glorious Abu Dhabi November sunshine."

"Exclusive GP has been taking clients to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since the inaugural 2009 F1 race at Yas Marina. That year we were privileged to charter a yacht and host the Yas Marina circuit designer Hermann Tilke and 78 members of his design team and clients.

"It has been very exciting to watch how Formula One has developed F1 Experiences to provide fans with unique benefits and access not available anywhere else. In July 2017, Exclusive GP was proud to be appointed the only Official F1 Experiences Partner in the United Kingdom."

In addition to ultimate access to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and its related after parties and events, Exclusive GP also offers complete luxury transportation services for concurrent Abu Dhabi events. This includes VIP access to local concerts scheduled for late November  Calvin Harris, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, and P!NK will all be performing in Abu Dhabi.

About Exclusive GP

We are specialists in luxury travel to Formula 1, Superyacht, and Supercar Tours Events Worldwide. Catering to both corporate and private clients, providing the highest levels of hospitality and travel regardless of group size.

Delivering sometimes complex multipoint itineraries for our clients takes a level of dedication and attention to detail which Exclusive GP have become renowned for, our expert agents are always on hand to ensure clients are well looked after at every stage, with dedicated coordinators ensuring every aspect of your itinerary is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

We specialise in Money cant buy experiences with our trademark dedication to quality and client satisfaction.

The fact that Exclusive GP is the UK's only Official F1 Experiences Partner is a testament to the high quality service we provide for our customers.

For more information, visit https://www.exclusivegp.com/

Media Contact: Joe Sapak

Phone: +44 (0) 800 634 0002

Email: enquiries@exclusivegp.com
Fast 500 Logo "Telecom companies need to innovate fast - especially with 5G on the horizon - but they are bound to software thats slow to deploy and hard to update. Our global teams can customize solutions in months, not years, because our low-code software requires little to no hand coding."

Beesion today announced it ranked 403 on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Beesion grew 196% percent during the period of 2013-2016.

Beesions chief executive officer, Omar Merchan, credits the transformative power of its low-code technology and its global commitment to customer success with the companys 196% revenue growth.

He said, "Telecom companies need to innovate fast - especially with 5G on the horizon - but they are bound to software thats slow to deploy and hard to update. Our global teams can customize solutions in months, not years, because our low-code software requires little to no hand coding."

The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment, said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers.

Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this years North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment, said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLPs emerging growth company practice. Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this years Fast 500 winners.

About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see http://www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Beesion

Beesion, with offices in Latin America, Europe and the United States, is the pioneer of low-code telecom software. It offers more than 30 low-code software applications and solutions to help Communication Service Providers (CSPs) manage, monetize, and monitor their products and services. Beesions software requires little to no hand coding and is launched, supported and expanded up to 5x faster than traditional software.

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"We have to change the narrative," said Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. "It has to stop being about the deficits of HBCUs and more about their positive contributions to the economy."

WHAT: UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host a forum to unveil a new landmark study, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, examining the economic impact of the nations HBCUs. Underwritten by Citi Foundation and prepared by the University of Georgias Selig Center for Economic Growth  this study examines the spending and employment impacts of the nations HBCUs total  and for 100 HBCUs individually  on their local and regional economies, as well as the lifetime earnings of the 2014 class of more than 50,000 HBCU graduates.

WHO:

UNCF Leadership: UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax; Dr. Brian Bridges, Vice President, Research and Member Engagement; and Cheryl Smith, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Invited Members of Congress:



Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC), Co-chair, Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Co-chair, Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus

Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC), House Minority Assistant Leader

Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA), Member, House Committee on the Judiciary

Congressman French Hill (R-AR), Vice Chair, Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Member, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Chair, Congressional Black Caucus

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Member, Senate Appropriations Committee

Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member, House Education & the Workforce Committee

Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Member, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL), Vice Chair, Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus

Congressman Mark Walker (R-NC), Chairman, Republican Study Committee

HBCU Presidents:



Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, President, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President, Howard University, Washington, DC

Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, President, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, President, Talladega College, AL

Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr., Chancellor, North Carolina A&T State University, NC

Dr. David H. Swinton, President Emeritus, Benedict College, Columbia, SC

Dr. C. Reynold Verret, President, Xavier University of Louisiana

WHEN: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 8 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (EST)

Overview of HBCU Economic Impact Study: 9:15 a.m.

HBCU Presidents Panel Discussion: HBCUs As Catalysts for Community and Economic Development: 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Senate Office Building, Room #902

120 Constitution Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20002

Media Availability immediately following the panel discussion. Please contact Monique LeNoir at (202) 810-0231 or monique.lenoir@uncf.org for details about media credentials.

For more information, visit uncf.org/HBCUsMakeAmericaStrong on November 14

Follow the discussion on Twitter @uncf #HBCUStrong

About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37-member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
ZRent (http://www.zrent.net), an independent division of Leader Bank, is proud to announce that Opportunity Bank of Montana has joined the network as ZRents newest partner bank. The team that created ZRent is continuing to develop innovative products to benefit other financial institutions, and is looking forward to powering new products for Opportunity Bank, including ZRent and Zeugma Rewards Checking.

Opportunity Bank will be offering ZRent to its landlord users as a digital cash management tool to automate rent collection, as well as a rewards checking program known as Opportunity Rewards Checking to attract new relationship customers and increase core consumer deposits. This distinct partnership will allow Opportunity Bank to create a fully customizable and self-branded reward relationship product to meet the individual needs of their customer base.

We look forward to working with Opportunity Bank of Montana, said Jay Tuli, the Executive Vice President of Retail Banking at Leader Bank. We are thrilled to partner in offering innovative products and solutions to the Montana community via Opportunity Bank.

The solutions that ZRent has to offer are powerful tools that we believe will greatly benefit our client base, announced Tracy Zepeda, the Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer at Opportunity Bank of Montana. Staying at the forefront of technology is important to Opportunity Bank, so we are excited to be partnering with another institution that is embracing innovation.

About Opportunity Bank of Montana

Opportunity Bank of Montana opened in Helena in 1922, as American Building and Loan. In 1972, the name of the bank was changed to American Savings & Loan Association. By 1980, the Bank had grown to include branch locations in Bozeman, Butte & Townsend. In 1991, the Bank changed its charter from "savings & loan" to "savings bank" and the name was changed to American Federal Savings Bank. Additional growth came in 2012 by way of acquisition, when American Federal doubled its branch network and increased its footprint across Montana. In 2014, the Bank applied to the state of Montana to change the charter from a federal savings & loan to a state chartered bank. Along with this change also came an exciting new name  Opportunity Bank of Montana.

Today, their customers remain the driving force behind their success and the Bank's nearly century-long commitment to them has earned it a reputation as a leader in community banking. Opportunity Bank of Montana has grown into a full-service community bank with three Helena locations, as well as branches in Big Timber, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Hamilton, Livingston, Missoula and Townsend. Opportunity Bank of Montana plans to finalize an acquisition of Ruby Valley Bank early 2018, making the institution the 5th largest bank in Montana. Opportunity Bank is proud of its Montana roots and is honored to be a partner in your community.

About ZRent and Zeugma Rewards

ZRent (http://www.zrent.net) is an independent division of Leader Bank that creates and markets innovative retail banking solutions to banks and credit unions. The team developed ZRent (http://www.zrent.net), an automated rent collection tool for landlords and property managers, and Zeugma Rewards, a unique checking and savings program that offers powerful rewards to consumers. Both ZRent and Zeugma Rewards have received great reception by retail customers resulting in thousands of new customers and millions of new deposits. To learn more about how becoming a partner bank can benefit your institution email zrent(at)zrent(dot)net or call 781-641-8691.
Dr. Gregory Toback, New London Periodontist, Receives AAP Clinical Research Award

Well-regarded periodontist in New London, CT and Westerly, RI, Dr. Gregory Toback, has received a special honor for his clinical work from the prestigious American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). Dr. Toback and a team of esteemed colleagues published research entitled, "A randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial of post-extraction alveolar ridge preservation, which led the AAP to present them with the Clinical Research Award.

The research conducted by Dr. Toback and his team examined innovative ways to provide patients with better soft tissue healing, as well as improved ridge preservation, before the placement of dental implants. His hope is to expand the abilities of periodontics and enhance treatment options for patients with continued study and research.

The AAPs Clinical Research Award is given to periodontal professionals who offer the public and their peers outstanding published scientific articles with direct clinical relevance to periodontics. Recipients of the Clinical Research Award must present the AAP with articles that meet several key criteria, including direct application to periodontics and an offering of new information.

Dr. Tobacks award-winning research was published in the December 2016 Journal of Clinical Periodontology. Contributing to the information and studies necessary for his piece, Dr. Toback applied his experience as a practicing periodontist in New London, CT and Westerly, RI with his associate Dr. Marianne Urbanski. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, Dr. Toback strives to offer the latest dental techniques and technology at his state-of-the-art practice, Shoreline Periodontics.

Drs. Toback and Urbanski place dental implants and offer related periodontal and gum disease treatments, including the LANAP protocol and Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique. They are currently accepting new patients seeking a periodontist in New London, CT or Westerly, RI. Shoreline Periodontics can be reached by calling 860-443-2428.

About the Doctors

Shoreline Periodontics is a periodontal practice offering personalized dental care for patients since 1998 and is located in New London, CT and Westerly, RI. Leading board-certified periodontist, Dr. Gregory A. Toback, received his B.A. from St. Johns University and his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Connecticut. He also received advanced training in periodontics and dental implants at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Toback focuses on minimally invasive surgeries, offering LANAP and belongs to a small group of dental professionals currently providing the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique for treatment of gum recession. Dr. Marianne Urbanski has been voted one of Connecticuts top dentists for more than seven years by Connecticut Magazine. Dr. Urbanski graduated cum laude from the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where she earned a Bachelors degree in Biology. She also received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and her Masters of Dental Science degree from the University of Connecticut Dental School. Dr. Urbanski prides herself on offering caring, professional treatment to each patient. To learn more about Shoreline Periodontics and their dental services visit their website at http://www.shorelineperio.com or call 860-443-2428 for the New London, CT location, or 401-596-0000 for the Westerly, RI office.
21st Annual Veterans Day Dinner & Profiles of Courage Awards The services that we offer empower veterans to live meaningful and productive lives. We restore dignity and hope to veterans in need daily. Our Veterans Day Dinner allows us to raise the crucial funds needed to serve San Franciscos veteran population. Without support from the community, our work w

On Friday, November 10th, Swords to Plowshares, San Franciscos leading nonprofit veteran service agency, will host its 21st annual Veterans Day Dinner and Profiles of Courage Award Ceremony.

Over 500 community supporters will join to pay tribute to Swords to Plowshares and their tireless efforts to serve thousands of Bay Area veterans and improve their lives. This year, Swords to Plowshares recognizes the dedicated commitment to pro bono services from Cooley LLP and honor our Profiles of Courage, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Miguel Briseno Jr and U.S. Navy veteran, Starcia Cousar. The Master of Ceremony will be Michael Krasny, the host of KQEDs award-winning Forum.

Swords to Plowshares 21st Annual Veterans Day Dinner, Profiles of Courage Awards

Friday, November 10, 2015; 5:30 PM

Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

We take tremendous pride in demonstrating the impact of our work and our veteran clients who overcame incredible obstacles in their transition from combat to community, said Swords to Plowshares Executive Director Michael Blecker. As a Vietnam veteran myself, their stories inspire me. I cant think of a better way to celebrate Veterans Day than honoring these vets who have come so far.

The following awardees will be recognized:

The law firm of Cooley LLP, will be named the 2017 Pro Bono Partner of the Year; their involvement since 2014 includes serving on the pro bono advisory board, staffing legal clinics, taking on individual veterans cases, and serving on Swords to Plowshares board of directors. Attorney John Keker, a founding partner at the law firm of Keker, Van Nest, & Peters LLP, will present the award.

Miguel Briseno Jr, an Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm combat veteran, father of six children, former housing client at Swords to Plowshares; Starcia Coursar, a US Navy veteran, single mother of three young children, and former housing, employment, and legal client of Swords to Plowshares, will be presented with the 2017 Profile of Courage. Each year, Swords to Plowshares recognizes veterans who have turned their lives around and shown great courage in the face of adversity with the Profiles of Courage award. Their stories of triumph speak to the full range of services that Swords to Plowshares provides and illustrate the success of the organizations nationally-recognized programs.

The services that we offer empower veterans to live meaningful and productive lives. We restore dignity and hope to veterans in need daily. Our Veterans Day Dinner allows us to raise the crucial funds needed to serve San Franciscos veteran population. Without support from the community, our work would not be possible, said Mr. Blecker.

Premier sponsors of the 21st Annual Veterans Day Dinner include: Morrison & Foerster Foundation and Morrison & Foerster LLP, William & Sherrie Millichap, Chevron, Gibson Dunn, Latham & Watkins LLP, RHE Charitable Foundation, Cooley LLP, Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP and John & Tina Keker, Qatalyst Partners, Zephyr Real Estate, and Alaska Airlines.

About Swords to Plowshares:

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides case management, mental health assessment and referral, rapid re-housing and eviction prevention services, employment and training, supportive housing, and legal benefits assistance for low-income, homeless and at-risk veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. Swords to Plowshares promotes and protects the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state and national entities. Learn more about the work of Swords to Plowshares, and ways in which you can help, by visiting our website at http://www.stp-sf.org.
eTargetMedia Marketers now have the ability to provide more personalized customer experiences which helps to increase customer engagement. Sending out personalized email campaigns is going to drive holiday sales this season.

eTargetMedia, a leading provider of Email Lists, Postal Lists, Data Append and Creative Solutions announced that email personalization will be the key to driving holiday sales in November and December. Retail sales are expected to increase to over $682 billion during the holiday period according to the National Retail Federation and email marketing will be a huge driving force in increasing holiday sales this season. eTargetMedia is offering a free consultation and 20% off new email list orders to customers who mention this press release.

Email marketing personalization delivers a huge revenue-driving opportunity during the holiday season because it increases customer engagement and interaction with the emails. Most consumers agree that email marketing helps to persuade them to make purchases and Millennials specifically are 63% more likely to make impulse purchases after receiving an email. By including email personalization strategies in a brands emails, marketers can help to motivate the email recipient to make an instant purchase. Email personalization can include featuring the customers name, offering a special discount based on the customers shopping habits or offering products that are tailored to the consumers interests.

Email personalization can also lead to repeat purchases with most shoppers stating that they would likely purchase from a brand again after receiving a personalized email message. In addition to personalized emails, marketers should consider showing product recommendations during the online checkout experience which can also help to drive additional holiday impulse purchases. The best way to take advantage of the power of email marketing personalization is by creating customer profiles for each customer, including demographic, behavioral and psychographic data which can be used to segment and send personalized dynamic content to each customer.

Marketers now have the ability to provide more personalized customer experiences which helps to increase customer engagement. Sending out personalized email campaigns is going to drive holiday sales this season. We have seen a big increase in opens and click throughs when a brand uses a personalized subject line for their campaign. said Harris Kreichman, Managing Partner of eTargetMedia.

eTargetMedia has 20 years of experience in the industry and has built successful email campaigns for some of the top brands in the world including Mercedes Benz, Alcon, MetLife, Marriott, AARP, P&G, TGI Fridays, Anthem, Sony and more. eTargetMedias leading edge technology, smart and dedicated campaign managers and high quality database comprised of responsive prospects can help companies improve their email campaigns, generate revenue, increase brand loyalty and build strong relationships with customers.

eTargetMedia, based in South Florida, provides Email Lists, Postal Lists, Data Append and Creative Solutions to a wide variety of direct marketing customers. eTargetMedia is a member of the Direct Marketing Association. You can download the report and visit eTargetMedia online at http://www.eTargetMedia.com.
Were excited to welcome owner Rob Warner and his team to the Crimson Cup community. Working with entrepreneurs to bring their unique visions to life is a big part of our success as a coffee roaster and coffee shop franchise alternative. Past News Releases RSS Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea...

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Columbus, Ohio Coffee Roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea recently welcomed The Office Coffee & Wine Bar to the group of independent coffee shops, cafes and bakeries it supports in 29 states. The shop at 3280 George II Hwy in Southport, North Carolina held its grand opening in April.

Were excited to welcome owner Rob Warner and his team to the Crimson Cup community, said Greg Ubert, founder and president. Working with entrepreneurs to bring their unique visions to life is a big part of our success as a coffee roaster and coffee shop franchise alternative.

As a realtor, Warner found that he had no place to meet clients, and that the Boiling Spring Lakes area offered limited coffee options. Having previously spent years as a sommelier at a local resort, he decided to combine wine and coffee with meeting space at his late mothers former real estate office.

On the coffee side, The Office serves a full menu of hot, iced and frozen espresso drinks  including mochas, lattes and cappuccinos  as well as iced coffee and tea, cold-brewed coffee, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies and other custom drinks.

Other beverage and food options include a unique mix of wine, coffee, craft beer, cigars and small food offerings such as pastries, quesadillas, soups, salads, wraps and charcuterie trays.

In memory of Warners mother, The Office features Moms Room, with mementos from her office, including a favorite stained glass picture. The shop offers two small offices and a conference room for use by local area businesses, as well as a dining room, wine room and a spacious outdoor deck. It caters to businesses with free Wi-Fi and a wireless printer.

Warner learned how to open a coffee shop through Crimson Cups 7 Steps to Success coffee shop franchise alternative program, which is based on Uberts Book, Seven Steps to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry.

As a coffee roaster and coffee shop franchise alternative, Crimson Cup believes that our company only succeeds when our customers do, Ubert said. As a result, we support coffee shop owners at every step  from scouting a great location and writing a coffee shop business plan to choosing equipment, hiring staff and providing comprehensive training and marketing support.

The companys commitment to ethical operations has resulted in two Torch Awards for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Center for Character Ethics.

Crimson Cup consultants guide new coffee shop owners in development of a coffee shop business plan and assist with site evaluation, on-site training, marketing materials, menu ideas and much more. Our services are designed to help reduce costs, increase profits and eliminate potential headaches, Ubert said.

He added that, unlike coffee shop franchises, Crimson Cup does not charge franchise fees or royalties or lock customers into long-term contracts. We earn our customers business every day through the quality of our coffee and coffee house supplies, comprehensive training, marketing materials and ongoing consultation, he said.

Through its 7 Steps program, Crimson Cup has helped hundreds of independent coffee shops develop into thriving businesses over the past 26 years. It currently supports shops in 29 states, Guam and internationally in Bangladesh.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Since 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced specialty and craft coffee in small batches, which it sells directly to consumers and as wholesale coffee beans. The company also teaches entrepreneurs to run successful coffee houses through its coffee franchise alternative program, which includes a coffee shop business plan. Crimson Cup coffee is available through a community of more than 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 29 states, Guam and Bangladesh, as well as the companys own Crimson Cup Coffee Houses. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.
STRmix, the sophisticated forensic software used to resolve mixed DNA profiles previously thought to be too complex to interpret, has been approved for use by four more U.S. agencies.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Union County (NJ) Prosecutors Office Forensic Laboratory join 29 other U.S. labs which now routinely use STRmix in resolving DNA profiles. This includes everything from federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to state and local agencies such as the Michigan State Police, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the California Department of Justice.

STRmix, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary of use in live casework, is also in various stages of installation, validation, and training in 51 other U.S. labs. Fourteen laboratories in Australia, England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand are now using STRmix.

In five short years, STRmix has moved from being an experimental technology to the broadly accepted norm in cases in which a sophisticated forensic software is required to resolve mixed DNA profiles, says John Buckleton DSc, FRSNZ, Forensic Scientist at the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR).

Buckleton, who developed STRmix in collaboration with ESRs Jo-Anne Bright and Duncan Taylor from Forensic Science South Australia (FSSA), notes that STRmix has been successfully used in numerous U.S. court cases and thousands of cases internationally, while there have been at least 13 successful admissibility hearings in the U.S. for STRmix.

Earlier this year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published its validation of STRmix for use on mixtures of up to five persons. Noting that STRmix offers numerous advantages over historical methods of DNA profile analysis and has greater statistical power for estimating evidentiary weight  all of which can be used reliably in human identification testing  the FBI began using STRmix in its casework in December 2015.

ESR recently launched an upgraded version of STRmix after a full year of technical development and testing. STRmix v2.5 contains a number of new features designed to improve functionality, speed, memory, and ease of use, including: multi-kit functionality, enabling interpretation of DNA profiles from different test kits; a likelihood ratio (LR) batcher tool, allowing users to calculate multiple LRs from multiple reference inputs to a previously run deconvolution; and a combined DNA Index System (CODIS) report.

For more information about STRmix visit http://www.esr.cri.nz/ or http://strmix.esr.cri.nz/.
Dr. Gloria McNeal (center), Dean of the School of Health and Human Services at National University, accepts the Planetree Silver Recognition on behalf of the School. We are pleased to welcome National Universitys School of Health and Human Services as the first academic institution that has achieved Planetree Recognition

The National University School of Health and Human Services, based in California, has been awarded Planetree Silver Recognition for Significant Advancement in Person-Centered Care. As the first academic institution in the world to achieve Planetree Recognition, the private, nonprofit National University will be positioned to train a new generation of healthcare providers in principles aimed at advancing the highest standards of person-centered healthcare.

Planetree, which shared the announcement today, is a global leader in establishing and advancing person-centered health care approaches through partnerships with 700 healthcare organizations in 23 countries. Person-centered healthcare prioritizes the active participation of patients and their families throughout the healthcare process with an emphasis on partnership, compassion, transparency, inclusion, and quality. In the case of National University, which offers programs both in person and online, the Planetree Silver Recognition affirms the commitment of the School of Health and Human Services to meet similar standards within the academic setting.

We are pleased to welcome National Universitys School of Health and Human Services as the first academic institution that has achieved Planetree Recognition, and we look forward to witnessing how the Schools team builds on this achievement to take its commitment to delivering student-centered education on the concepts of person-centered care to even greater heights, said Susan Frampton, President of Planetree International.

National University President Dr. David Andrews also congratulated the School of Health and Human Services for its leadership in student healthcare preparation: Planetree Silver Recognition is a great honor that reflects our Universitys ongoing dedication to ensuring our graduates are receiving the most current and relevant preparation for the jobs and careers of the future.

The Dean of National Universitys School of Health and Human Services, Dr. Gloria McNeal, thanked Planetree for its role in the year-long, all-inclusive process. This Recognition affirms the commitment of our School of Health and Human Services to continue adapting to the most current and relevant needs in healthcare on behalf of our students, preparing them to take on leadership roles that will shape the future of healthcare, ensuring better patient and healthcare outcomes, said Dr. McNeal.

Dr. McNeal said the Recognition sets the foundation for the National University School of Health and Human Services to further align person-centered principles throughout its range of programs which includes nursing, public health, healthcare administration, informatics, integrative health, allied health, clinical lab science, radiation therapy, clinical affairs, and health data analytics.

Person-centered care is becoming an area of increasing focus in health fields since hospitals and health care facilities are being measured according to outcomes that are linked to these approaches. In California alone, there are 12 hospitals and healthcare facilities that are Planetree member sites, of which five have achieved Planetree Recognition, including in the San Diego region Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Sharp Coronado Hospital and Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Planetree International, which has worked with numerous healthcare organizations across the country and globally for nearly four decades, is considered the gold standard for setting standards and assessment of person-centered care. The Planetree Silver Award is an extension of Planetrees established Person-Centered Designation Program, the only program to recognize excellence in person-centered care across the continuum of care in countries around the world. Health care organizations awarded Person-Centered Designation undergo a rigorous process to demonstrate comprehensive implementation and maintenance of person-centered care, as captured in more than 50 specific criteria.

In healthcare facility settings, the criteria include a shared medical record policy, nonrestrictive visiting practices, opportunities for patient and family input into health center operations, recognition of the role of spirituality and the arts in healing, and a physical environment that facilitates privacy, promotes open communication between patients and providers, and is accommodating of family members involvement in their loved ones care. Recognizing that ultimately the patient experience originates with those providing care, several criteria focus on nurturing a work environment that is supportive of staff.

What distinguishes Planetree Recognition among other health care quality awards is the way in which key stakeholders themselves have a voice in assessing the organizations person-centeredness. Silver Recognition was awarded to National Universitys School of Health and Human Services following a series of focus groups with students, staff, and faculty, which attested to culture that genuinely emphasizes person-centered care.

For more information on Planetrees Person-Centered Certification Program, including the criteria, the application process and more, visit certification.planetree.org . For more information about National Universitys School of Health and Human Services: https://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/SchoolOfHealthAndHumanServices.html

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About Planetree

Planetree International is a mission based not-for-profit organization that has partnered with over 700 healthcare organizations around the world and across the care continuum to transform how care is delivered. Powered by over 50,000 focus group attendees comprised of patients, families, and staff, and nearly 40 years of experience working with healthcare organizations, the Planetree approach emphasizes the quality of human interactions that occur within healthcare settings, the importance of connecting healthcare personnel to the purpose and meaning of their work, and practical strategies for engaging patients and family members as true partners in care. These elements have been consolidated into the Planetree Person-Centered Designation Program, which provides organizations with a structured process to guide culture change efforts that yield improvements in clinical and operational outcomes. Drawing on this experience, in 2017 Planetree partnered with the National Academy of Medicine to introduce an evidence-based Guiding Framework for Patient and Family Engaged Care.http://planetree.org/

About National University

Founded in 1971, National University among the largest private, nonprofit institutions of higher education in California. With more than 150,000 alumni, National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students. Four schools and two colleges  the College of Letters and Sciences; the Sanford College of Education; the School of Business and Management; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies  offer more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees and 23 teacher credentials. Programs are offered at locations throughout California and across the nation, and are also available online. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California. http://www.nu.edu/
As a software engineer by trade, I understand very well that agility is the driving force behind innovation. EduBrisks unique learning model can be scaled globally and provides significant benefits to students of all ages and abilities.

Chandra Ambadipudi, chief executive officer of Clairvoyant, a global technology consulting and services company building innovative products and solutions using big data, analytics, and the cloud, has joined the EduBrisks Board of Directors. EduBrisk is an e-learning platform for students, parents, and teachers designed to transform the learning process and ignite the zest for knowledge.

As a software engineer by trade, I understand very well that agility is the driving force behind innovation. EduBrisks unique learning model can be scaled globally and provides significant benefits to students of all ages and abilities, said Ambadipudi. Creating a robust data-driven software platform that is intuitive and easy to use will help scale EduBrisks business. I see tremendous opportunity to work closely with the companys leadership team and other members of the Board to advance the mission of learning.

EduBrisk is the brainchild of Cdr. Saiju Aravind, a former Indian Naval Officer and scientist. Using easy, practical, and replicable processes and methodologies, EduBrisk helps teachers share lessons in an engaging manner with a wide spectrum of students, from the Special Educational Needs (SEN) category to the gifted and talented (GT). The platform offers integrated and personalized teaching and learning techniques while training students to learn in a brain-friendly manner.

Chandra is a highly motivated senior leader in software engineering and big data with a proven track record in building large-scale software platforms, said Saiju Aravind, CEO of Edubrisk. We will benefit from his global vision and deep expertise around big data products, predictive analytics and AI as well as his long association with multiple leading educational institutions globally.

About Clairvoyant

Clairvoyant is an innovative company that is helping businesses redefine their operations and decision making processes by changing their business data into actionable outcomes. Through innovative products and services, Clairvoyant facilitates the journey to cloud computing in a cost-effective and agile manner. We provide best-in-class services and solutions that leverage Big Data and continually meet and exceed client expectations. Our deep vertical knowledge helps support purpose-built solutions to meets our client's unique business requirements. For more information, please visit: http://www.clairvoyantsoft.com
"I look forward to contributing to the firm's continued growth as the Seattle area takes its rightful place among North America's most prominent global cities on the rise." - Stacia Smith, Director of Sales & Seattle Branch Manager, RSIR

Representatives of Realogics Sothebys International Realty (RSIR) announced today the appointment of Stacia Smith to Director of Sales / Seattle Branch Manager overseeing approximately 85 licensed brokers in Seattle with plans to double in size by 2020.

We are elated to welcome Stacia to help lead the next generation of real estate professionals in our Seattle-area offices, said Dean Jones, President and CEO of RSIR. Our brokers will greatly benefit from her nearly 30-years of experience in all facets of real estate while programming a caring and collaborative corporate culture within our fast-growing firm.

Smith brings to RSIR a proven track record of performance as a licensed broker with both residential and commercial acumen, as a former developer of single family homes with project marketing expertise, as a licensed mortgage lender, and as a cultivator of successful business operations in real estate brokerage management. Smith will lead the Seattle-area branch offices including the firms premier Belltown location and the Madison Park branch. Her brokers will be further supported by Bob Wold as Assistant Branch Manager in downtown Seattle and John Madrid as the Assistant Branch Manager in Madison Park along with dedicated Broker Care team members at each office. The new 5,000-square foot Belltown annex, located at 2609 1st Avenue, will soon expand under Smiths leadership in 2018 to become RSIRs new Seattle flagship branch while the former branch office will be dedicated as a services company for RSIRs corporate headquarters and its enlarging marketing department.

Ive long admired Realogics Sothebys International Realty for their innovation in marketing, demonstrated success in growing this global brand regionally, and for market leadership in both new construction and within its prospering Asia Services Group, said Smith. I look forward to contributing to the firms continued growth as the Seattle area takes its rightful place among North Americas most prominent global cities on the rise.

Smith enjoyed a worldly view of business development spending several years living abroad in Paris, France with her family and later co-founded the French American School of Puget Sound in 1995, helping place it in a permanent location on Mercer Island in 1998. She recognizes Seattles meteoric rise as an economic and development capitol of the Pacific Northwest and credits RSIR for building corporate faculties to draw international investment, immigration and corporate relocation. Recently, The Urban Land Institute ranked Seattle #1 for investment prospects according to their closely watched 2018 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report.

Our future resale opportunities are fueled by new construction so I feel fortunate to join this remarkable firm at this remarkable time in Seattle, adds Smith. Were on the cusp of a tremendous cycle for homeownership and together, our brokers will lead a new paradigm in real estate as Realogics Sothebys International Realty continues its rise as an industry leader.

According to Trendgraphix research and NWMLS data, RSIR remains a top producing office in downtown Seattle condominiums and is a project marketing specialist representing several new high-rise communities in the development pipeline. This viewpoint forward is captured by the firms founding efforts with the FutureCast Forum to outline the regions market fundamentals and trajectory in to 2020 and beyond.

Stacia is the perfect choice to manage our Seattle offices as we continue to grow, said Jennifer Johnsen Cameron, the Vice President of Brand Development for RSIR, who hand-selected Smith for the role. Having known her personally for years, shes authentic, savvy and passionate about the company she keeps  we are fortunate to welcome her leadership to RSIR.

An introspective video on Smith has been posted to the company website at http://www.RSIR.com/Videos.

About Realogics and Realogics Sothebys International Realty (http://www.Realogics.com & http://www.RSIR.com) - Founded in 2002, Realogics, Inc. is a leading resource for market research, product development and marketing solutions for developer and lenders of residential and mixed-use projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. Realogics offers turnkey sales management services through its affiliated brokerage at Realogics Sothebys International Realty (RSIR). Recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal amongst the fastest-growing private companies in Washington State for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, RSIR is comprised of 225+ brokers that consistently rank among the top producing among their peers with branches in downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Kirkland, Issaquah and Madison Park.

EDITOR'S NOTE: High-resolution photography and additional details are available upon request.
We owe our growth to the amazing partnerships we've created around the world. Their success and our companys success would not be possible without the passion, innovation, and drive of our whole team who work tirelessly to make our platform the #1 platform for selling digital solutions

Vendasta today announced it ranked 349 on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media,telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Vendasta grew 229 percent during this period.

Vendastas chief executive officer, Brendan King, their success to the success of their 1,100+ resellers, which include digital agencies, publishers, and media companies of all shapes and sizes, as well as their Marketplace of digital solutions with the company's 229 percent revenue growth.

He said, "We are honored to rank on the Deloitte Fast 500 list for three years running. We owe our growth to the amazing partnerships we've created around the world. Their success and our companys success would not be possible without the passion, innovation, and drive of our whole team who work tirelessly to make our platform the #1 platform for selling digital solutions to local businesses."

The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment, said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers.

Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this years North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment, said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLPs emerging growth company practice. Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this years Fast 500 winners.

About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see http://www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About Vendasta

Vendasta is the #1 platform for agencies selling digital solutions to local businesses. By offering a Marketplace of re-sellable products and services and an automated marketing system, agencies are empowered to acquire, retain, and grow their client base. Over 1,100 resellers use the Vendasta platform to sell to 790,000 local businesses around the world. Vendasta has been named one of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Canada and one of the top 500 fastest growing in North America by Deloitte the past two years in a row. Vendasta has also been listed on the Canadian Business Magazines Profit 500 for the second year running. For more information, visit http://www.vendasta.com

Media Contact Information:

Catriona Barcoe

Marketing Coordinator

+1 306 955 5512 ext. 153

cbarcoe(at)vendasta.com
Mercy Corps honors Senator Merkley and Senator Young with Humanitarian Hero Award. Credit: Gina Genis for Mercy Corps Their leadership has been instrumental in mapping a course for U.S. action abroad of which all Americans can be proud.

The global organization Mercy Corps has recognized Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees, and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with its highest honor, the Humanitarian Hero Award.

Senators Merkley and Young have been powerful and passionate advocates in the halls of Congress, protecting humanitarian and development support for the worlds most vulnerable people, says Neal Keny-Guyer, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps. Their leadership has been instrumental in mapping a course for U.S. action abroad of which all Americans can be proud.

As leaders on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Merkley and Young continue to promote strong U.S. leadership abroad, preserving funds that provide lifesaving aid to tens of millions of people around the world and help communities overcome poverty and other chronic challenges.

More than 65 million people are displaced around the world, the highest number since World War II. Mass starvation looms over four countries, with hundreds of thousands of children at risk for their lives, says Keny-Guyer. We are grateful for their leadership and tireless commitment to making the world better.

Mercy Corps created the Humanitarian Hero Award to honor global leaders who join Mercy Corps in its work to empower people to survive through crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Join us and support our work around the world.
Region Finance is a newly formed trade association that aims to redirect $1 billion of local taxpayer dollars into community banks in the Sacramento region. Region Finance is focused on keeping money, accounts and financial decisions here in the Sacramento region, and we are excited that our customer, the City of Elk Grove, has agreed to become the first of many participants in the RISE program, said Steve Fleming, President & CEO of River City Bank.

Region Finance, a newly formed trade association, is aiming to advance regional economic growth by encouraging Sacramento region municipalities to invest $1 billion of its funds into local community banks in the six-county Sacramento region. The City of Elk Grove was the first partner announced by Region Finance for its Responsible Investments for a Stronger Economy (RISE) program following an initial commitment of up to $15 million. The locally based banks plan to support economic development, job creation, and business expansion in the region by reinvesting these funds, along with others that will be dedicated to RISE, in growing local businesses.

Region Finance is focused on keeping money, accounts and financial decisions here in the Sacramento region, and we are excited that our customer, the City of Elk Grove, has agreed to become the first of many participants in the RISE program, said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank and Board Member of Region Finance. This decision represents an important first step in promoting local government investment to generate economic self-sustainability in our Sacramento communities.

TWEET THIS: Newly formed trade association Region Finance aims to redirect $1B in taxpayer dollars to support #Sacramento businesses #local

The City of Elk Grove is excited to be the first municipal partner in this new and innovative program, said Darrell Doan, Economic Development Director for City of Elk Grove. The goals of RISE, supporting local economies and the Sacramento region through business lending, are in perfect alignment with Elk Groves strategy of supporting our small businesses by providing them enhanced access to capital.

As the newest trade association under the umbrella of the Sacramento Region Business Association, Region Finance launched just last week. The association will focus on advancing regional economic growth by improving and expanding access to capital for local businesses and residents while providing local jurisdictions and policy leaders in the region with a unified voice through its innovative RISE program. RISE will spur additional investment in local businesses by increasing the amount of funds held on deposit at qualifying banking institutions headquartered in the region, like River City Bank. At the same time, RISE will continue to ensure the safety, security and yields of municipal funds by modifying municipal financial policies.

To qualify for RISE, a bank must be an FDIC insured bank headquartered in the Sacramento region and must maintain a 5-Star Superior rating with Bauer Financial and a Superior rating of 200 or higher with IDC Financial. Each qualifying institution is required to submit a semi-annual report to the City Manager, Treasurer, and Council detailing loans, investments, and charitable giving made to businesses, consumers, and organizations within the City, and the projected number of jobs created. The City will include an update on the status of the RISE strategy in its quarterly financial reports.

For more information about Region Finance, visit RegionBusiness.org/Region-Finance. To learn more about the City of Elk Grove, visit ElkGroveCity.org, and to learn more about River City Bank, visit rivercitybank.com.

About Region Finance

Region Finance is a new trade association of Region Business for community banks and related institutions focused on advancing regional economic growth by improving access to capital for businesses in the Sacramento region. Region Finance advocates for government entities and regional corporations to keep money local through the use of local community banks whose business leadership, staff and customers are all located in the Sacramento area. Its mission is to catalyze success for the local business community by keeping and expanding the capital available in local banks that allow for a larger investment into the region. For additional information, please visit RegionBusiness.org/Region-Finance.

About River City Bank

Recently named one of Sacramento Business Journals 50 Fastest Growing Companies, River City Bank is the Sacramento regions premier business bank with assets of $2 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service and a Five Star Superior financial rating from the nations leading independent bank-rating firm, Bauer Financial, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned bank in the Sacramento region with an office in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit http://www.rivercitybank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Chicago rapper Dame Dilla recently released his latest music video for his single "Momma House". The video was directed by A Savage Film and can be viewed in its entirety through Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes.

About Dame Dilla:

Dame Dilla started rapping when he was 11 years old. He and his older brother, Shawn Gotty, would listen to Gangster Rap (NWA, Spice One, etc.) and Dame would mimic what he heard. He developed the talent to mimick these artists and soon after began to write his own music. Dilla grew up in the Cabrini Green Housing Projects, one of the most infamous housing projects in the city of Chicago, along with his mother and six siblings. In 1993, Dame and his family relocated to the Uptown Neighborhood on Chicagos North side. Though he was initially happy to be free from the crime-ridden streets of Cabrini, he soon learned the Uptown neighborhood was no different from the one he had known as a child. Like many other young black males in the community, Dame Dilla was enticed by the lures of the streets. Still an avid lyricist, his experiences in the streets influenced his music. According to club owner and former manager of fellow Chicago artists Do or Die, known as "The Godfather", Dame is an incredibly versatile artist in an industry where most artists stick to the latest trends. Dame Dilla has stated,"I want to give what I feel is the unheard voice of the streets of Chicago...No Disrespect to any other Chicago Artist, but I feel the real story of life in our city, the love, the poverty, the history, the hate, the reality of life here should be shared with hip hop and I am the perfect narrator.

About Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes:

Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes are the most widely distributed mixtapes in the world, with over 100 million downloads/plays generated by over 300 volumes officially hosted by major artists. Coast 2 Coast has a solid reach in the new music industry with a digital magazine, DJ coalition, industry tips blog, yearly convention, and more. Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes represents a unique opportunity for artists of all urban genres, from major to indie. For more information, visit http://www.coast2coastmixtapes.com
Through our ongoing discussions, our agents have been very clear in their desire for us to quote more of their business, including their preferred smaller premium accounts.

ICW Group Insurance Companies announced today that effective immediately, it has lowered minimum premium requirements across most top class codes nationwide within its workers' compensation line of business. Minimum premium requirements that previously started as high as $20,000 now start at $2,500.

Through our ongoing discussions, our agents have been very clear in their desire for us to quote more of their business, including their preferred smaller premium accounts, said Kevin Prior, president and CEO of ICW Group. Listening to our loyal agents and then changing how we operate to accommodate them is core to our brand promise.

ICW Group agents can submit business via Snap, the companys underwriting management system. If the account qualifies for its Instant Quote (IQ) program, theyll receive a quote within minutes. Thoroughly evaluating a risk based on its own individual merits is fundamental to our consistently strong financial performance, said Prior. Were excited about applying this same level of due diligence to a broader risk appetite.

Current ICW Group agents and brokers are encouraged to contact their regional business development underwriter for more information about the carriers expanded underwriting appetite. ICW Group invites prospective agents to visit http://www.icwgroup.com/join to learn more about becoming appointed.

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About ICW Group

Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held insurance company domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Workers Compensation, Property and Auto insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims while elevating the trusted agents who advise them. For more information, visit ICW Groups website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
[Tokyo, Japan, November 9, 2017]

Shanghai transcosmos Marketing Service Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of transcosmos inc. , is providing E-Commerce one-stop services for the opening of an official flagship store in TMALL for the Okaidi  Obaibi children's clothing brand (URL: https://okaidi.tmall.com/), which is affiliated with the IDKIDS Group (Headquarters: Roubaix, France) and is popular among Chinese consumers. It supports services ranging from store opening applications, store design and operations, planning and execution of marketing, inquiry response for pre- and post-sales support, and product and order management to CRM management, data analysis and preparation of financial reports all at one stop.

The IDKIDS group is the largest childrens clothing group in France established for 20 years, which also operates other enterprises in addition to Okaidi - Obaibi, including the high-end children's clothing brand Jacadi Paris, game and toy brands, magazines, nursery schools and workshops. It has established physical stores and official websites in more than 50 countries, with 41 stores in 13 cities in China. Okaidi - Obaibi handles merchandise for babies and children from 0 to 14 years of age and respects the individuality of children, using environmentally friendly high quality materials, based on principles including safety and comfort in children's clothing.

The TMALL okaidi official flagship store is an E-Commerce shop opened on a third party platform for the first time within the IDKIDS Group, where transcosmos China, which is certified as a TMALL Five-Star provider, receives product supplied from Okaidi - Obaibi and offers one-stop services ranging from product and order management to logistics and delivery. The online shop officially launched sales on April 24, and Chinese consumers can now buy merchandise such as Okaidi - Obaibi brand baby wear, children's clothing and school bags securely and conveniently through the TMALL platform.

 Okaidi Official Flagship Store Overview

Brand company: France IDKIDS Group

Official flagship store: https://okaidi.tmall.com/

Service start date: April 24, 2017

Target products: Baby & children's clothing, School bags

transcosmos supports Japanese companies and foreign-affiliated companies entering the Chinese E-Commerce market with one-stop services based on many years of experience operating global E-Commerce websites and a track record of providing services in the Chinese market. It opens online shops on behalf of client companies, providing support services including the construction of online shops, organization of product information and store operations, using methods tailored to Chinese consumption habits. It provides an optimal service experience and E-Commerce shopping environment for consumers, while contributing to corporate cost reduction and sales improvement at the same time.

transcosmos has achieved rapid business development since entering China in 1995, and now has 34 offices in 15 cities in China. In the E-Commerce business, it supports business development in China in conjunction with the business and brand strategies of client companies, providing services such as E-Commerce website construction and operation, fulfillment (receipt of goods / picking / packing / shipping), customer care, web promotion and data analysis all at one stop. In addition, transcosmos also offers outsourcing services such as call center, system development, BPO and digital marketing.

In order to deliver the outstanding products of client companies to Chinese consumers, transcosmos will accelerate business development for E-Commerce one-stop services, including cross-border E-Commerce, in the China E-Commerce market, where major growth is expected in the future.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior people with up-to-date technology to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost reduction through our 176 locations across 33 countries with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 49 countries around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the Global Digital Transformation Partner of our clients, supporting the clients transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment.
Nick "Outback" Treglia, APS Advanced Instructor Pilot As the FAA states in multiple advisory circulars and ICAO proclaims in their Manual on Aeroplane UPRT, a well qualified instructor is the most essential component in the delivery of safe and effective UPRT. Past News Releases RSS APS Introduces Upset Training...

APS Announces 2018 Upset Training...

New Master Certificated Instructor...

Aviation Performance Solutions (APS), a global flight training organization specializing in Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), is proud to announce another Master Certificated Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI-A), Nick Outback Treglia. Nick is a retired Naval Aviator with over 9,000 flight hours and thirty years professional aviation experience. His extensive experience in aviation, MCFI-A accreditation, and ongoing Upset Prevention & Recovery specific training certify him among the most qualified instructors in the world to teach Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT). He currently delivers upset training at APS' military division in Dothan, Alabama. Read Nicks full bio: apstraining.com/nick-outback-treglia/

The MCFI-A achievement, accredited by Master Instructors LLC, represents a strong commitment to excellence and also to aviation safety. As the FAA states in multiple advisory circulars and ICAO proclaims in their Manual on Aeroplane UPRT, a well qualified instructor is the most essential component in the delivery of safe and effective UPRT.

APS is committed to hiring and training the most qualified instructors in the world, and part of that training is attaining the MCFI-A designation. says Paul BJ Ransbury, president of Aviation Performance Solutions. These training standards ensure our customers confidence that their instructor has met and surpassed the highest levels of certification by objective, third party evaluators as well as the stringent APS standards of excellence in UPRT-specific training and the absolute best practices in the industry.

ABOUT THE MASTER INSTRUCTOR DESIGNATION

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA. Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer Board of Review. Much like a flight instructor's certificate, it must be renewed biennially. Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.

Learn why the Master Certified Flight Instructor program matters to APS.

ABOUT AVIATION PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS

Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), headquartered at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona, trains thousands of professional pilots and instructors in comprehensive Upset Prevention and Recovery Training skill development. APS provides integrated LOC-I solutions via industry-leading computer-based, on-aircraft (jet and piston), and full-flight simulator Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT). All training is in full compliance with the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid, FAA Advisory Circular 120-109A on Stall Training, ICAO Manual on Aeroplane Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, IATA Guidance Material and Best Practices for the Implementation of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, and the FAA Advisory Circular 120-111 on Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. APS is the only Part 141 Flight School certified in the delivery of complete upset prevention & recovery, stall/spin and instrument upset recovery training courses worldwide. With additional training locations in Texas (USA), The Netherlands (Europe), and military division in Alabama (USA), APS provides global access to the highest quality Upset Prevention and Recovery Training available.
Smartsheet today announced it was again selected to Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. This is Smartsheets third consecutive appearance on the annual listing of rising companies.

Being named to the Deloitte list for a third consecutive time is quite an honor, said Mark Mader, CEO of Smartsheet. We're grateful for the recognition, and excited about our continued success in driving enterprise adoption, with more than 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies using Smartsheet. Were leading a wave of change in the way organizations of all sizes execute their work.

Smartsheet has consistently delivered industry-leading software while managing a sustained period of rapid growth. Since 2012, the company has grown from 30 employees to more than 730 and closed a $52.1 million Series F funding round in May, 2017 to further accelerate adoption.

Deloittes award reflects growing recognition of the Bellevue-based company as an industry innovator and segment leader. In July, Smartsheet was named to the Forbes Cloud 100, the definitive list of the top 100 private cloud companies. In addition, the company was acknowledged as Washington's Best Workplace.

About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognitions, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

About Smartsheet

Organizations need a way to get work done, not just talk about it. Smartsheet is the best way to plan, track, automate, and report on work, enabling you to move from idea to impact  fast. Smartsheets cloud-based work management platform empowers collaboration, drives better decision making, and accelerates innovation for over 70,000 brands in 190 countries, including more than 50 percent of the Fortune 500. Named by Forbes as one of the worlds top private cloud companies, Smartsheet complements existing enterprise investments by deeply integrating with applications from Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Atlassian, and many others.

Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, Smartsheet has more than 730 employees in its Bellevue and Boston offices as of November 2017. To learn more, visit http://www.Smartsheet.com.
Three-dimensional organoids derived from human cholangiosarcoma tumor cells.  2017 Yoshimasa Saito, Keio University. Organoids are budding, cyst-like structures that closely recapitulate the properties of the original tumors

Keio University publishes its October 2017 issue of Keio University Research Highlights. This issue includes updates of recent research by Keio University scientists on ancient antiviral response could help treat cancer and digital 3D-fabrication technology for nursing and healthcare.

Keio Research Highlights website

https://research-highlights.keio.ac.jp/

Ancient antiviral response could help treat cancer

A class of drugs can harness the power of the bodys immune system to fight diverse tumors

https://research-highlights.keio.ac.jp/article/99/ancient-antiviral-response-could-help-treat-cancer

By stimulating a patients immune system, a drug already in use to treat a blood disorder can thwart the growth of a variety of solid tumors, finds a team at Keio University[1].

The drug 5-aza-CdR is currently approved for treating a blood disorder that can lead to leukemia. It inhibits the methylation of DNA, preventing enzymes from chemically modifying genomic DNA. Such modifications can greatly alter the expression of genes that control a variety of critical cellular functions, including cell growth and survival.

Some studies have shown that methylation inhibitors such as 5-aza-CdR could be used to treat other cancers. These effects have generally been attributed to the drugs reactivating tumor-suppressor genes, but the actual mechanism remains poorly understood.

Yoshimasa Saito and his co-workers at Keio University set about figuring out how the drugs work. They began by assessing the effects of 5-aza-CdR on a mouse model of intestinal cancer. The team found that the drug cut the number of tumors that formed by roughly a third and that animals that received the drug tended to have smaller tumors than those that did not.

Having demonstrated that 5-aza-CdR can act on such cancers, the researchers then cultured cells derived from mouse intestinal tumors under conditions that promote the formation of three-dimensional organoids.

Organoids are budding, cyst-like structures that closely recapitulate the properties of the original tumors, explains Saito, This makes them a powerful tool for studying how cancers respond to treatment.

The researchers found that 5-aza-CdR strongly inhibited the growth of tumor-derived organoids and were minimally toxic to healthy intestinal cells.

Delving deeper, Saitos team looked at which genes were turned off and on by this treatment and noticed a striking pattern. Our findings indicated that DNA demethylation suppresses the proliferation of intestinal tumor organoids by inducing an anti-viral response, says Saito. He and his colleagues suggest that the methylation inhibitors are somehow reactivating endogenous retroviruses  ancient viral DNA sequences that have accumulated over evolutionary history and now lie dormant throughout the genome. This initial antiviral response leads to immune activation and the shutting down of tumor proliferation.

These findings represent a major shift in our understanding of the anti-tumor mechanisms of DNA demethylating agents, says Saito.

The team believes the strategy could be effective for treating other cancers, and it has already obtained promising results with organoids derived from challenging tumors such as cholangiosarcoma and pancreatic cancer. We are trying to develop a personalized therapy for refractory cancers, says Saito.

Digital 3D-fabrication technology for nursing and healthcare

Innovative 3D-printed caring-tools to enhance the quality of life of elderly people

https://research-highlights.keio.ac.jp/article/101/digital-3d-fabrication-technology-for-nursing-and-healthcare

3D printing technology has important medical applications, such as manufacturing prosthetic parts, implants, and models of human organs. Here, researchers at Keio University in Tokyo describe the potentially important role of 3D printing in nursing and long-term care for the elderly. Given Japans rapidly ageing society, demand for terminal care in hospitals or care facilities will exceed capacity in the near future. Furthermore, there are insufficient visiting nurses to provide in-house care. Therefore, strengthening in-house care is an urgent task for healthcare of the elderly. The introduction of information technology (IT) is an essential strategy from both aspects of work efficiency and providing high quality care.

Specifically, Shoko Miyagawa and colleagues at Keio University noticed the increased availability of 3D printers in self-help community centers throughout Japan. Based on interactions with nurses, medical practitioners, engineers and material designers, Miyagawa and her collaborators established a benchmark for specific digitally fabricated objects needed by patients and classified them into three types.

Firstly, are self-help devices enabling individuals to carry out specific tasks. For example, someone with paralyzed fingers who is unable to pinch, is assisted by a customized 3D-printed penholder for signing important documents.

Second, caring tools facilitate interaction between care-givers and care-receivers. For instance, cutting out plasters in fun shapes  such as animals  with a laser cutter helps patients overcome negative perception of surgical tape.

Third, Miyagawa and colleagues identified educational objects as tools to learn how to perform therapy actions. For example, a 3D-printed semi-transparent cranial model can be used for practicing the insertion of a tube for vacuuming phlegm from a patients throat with light-emitting diodes acting as guides to follow its position inside the model. The researchers also addressed the question of safety, as the proposed 3D-printed objects must be washable and not produce skin irritation. Another important aspect of the research project of the Keio scientists is an assessment of the usage level of the objects. To this end, the researchers are currently developing an internet-of-things sensing system: a data logger that can collect information about an objects use for one month.

Having established the relevance of 3D printing techniques for improving the quality of life and the independence of elderly people, Miyagawa and colleagues conclude that, in order to make digital fabrication more useful it is necessary to further reduce the cost of introduction and operation and to develop technologies to do so.

Websites

Keio University

https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/

Keio Research Highlights

https://research-highlights.keio.ac.jp/

About Keio University

Keio University is a private, comprehensive university with six major campuses in the Greater Tokyo area along with a number of affiliated academic institutions. Keio prides itself on educational and research excellence in a wide range of fields and its state-of-the-art university hospital.

Keio is Japans first modern institution of higher learning, founded in 1858. Over the last century and a half, it has evolved into and continues to maintain its status as a leading university in Japan through its ongoing commitment to producing leaders of the future. Founder Yukichi Fukuzawa, a highly respected educator and one of the most important intellectuals of modern Japan, aspired for Keio to be a pioneer of new discoveries and contribute to society through learning.
Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Winner The tremendous growth weve seen is due in part to our exceptional focus on our customers and providing them with a best-in-class platform. -- Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4

KnowBe4 today announced it ranked No 70 on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. KnowBe4 grew 2,258 percent during this period.

KnowBe4s chief executive officer, Stu Sjouwerman, credits innovation and development of effective ways to turn employees into a human firewall that can recognize and avoid cyber threats, thereby reducing risk with the companys 2,258% revenue growth. He said, The tremendous growth weve seen is due in part to our exceptional focus on our customers and providing them with a best-in-class platform. The relentless push by cyber criminals and the potential harm from ransomware, phishing attacks, CEO fraud, and other forms of social engineering can be substantial, costing billions of dollars. CISOs and IT managers recognize the effectiveness of the KnowBe4 platform to help them reduce human error and reduce their social engineering attack surface.

The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment, said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers.

Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this years North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment, said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLPs emerging growth company practice. Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this years Fast 500 winners.

KnowBe4 previously ranked #50 as a Technology Fast 500 award winner in its 2016 debut.

Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 135 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 380 percent.

About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see http://www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds most popular integrated new school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 13,000 organizations worldwide. Founded by data and IT security expert Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to security awareness training. Kevin Mitnick, internationally recognized computer security expert and KnowBe4s Chief Hacking Officer, helped design KnowBe4s training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Thousands of organizations trust KnowBe4 to mobilize their end-users as the last line of corporate IT defense.

Number 231 on the 2017 Inc 500 list and #6 in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500. KnowBe4 is based in Tampa Bay, Florida. For more information, visit http://www.knowbe4.com and follow Stu on Twitter at @StuAllard.
Goodwill's Veteran's Day Celebration extends all week including veterans receiving 20% off purchases. Catharine Fleming, Chief Mission Officer for Horizon Goodwill, said, We are excited to be part of a program that cares about our servicemen and women. Veterans do so much for our country, and we owe it to them and their families to make reentry into the community a smooth transition.

Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) will host an open house for veterans on Thursday, November 9, 2017. HGI and AMVETS are partners in a program funded through the Call of Duty Endowment that is helping veterans find employment. Goodwill has been a national leader in this endeavor finding jobs for 25 veterans in 2016 and on target to serve over 175 veterans in 2017. Catharine Fleming, Chief Mission Officer for Horizon Goodwill, said, We are excited to be part of a program that cares about our servicemen and women. Veterans do so much for our country, and we owe it to them and their families to make reentry into the community a smooth transition. We are grateful to be facilitators of their journey to occupational success and watch them flourish as they enter the next stage of their lives.

On Thursday, November 9, 2017, Goodwill will host an open house for veterans support services. The open house will be located at Horizon Goodwill Resource Center 200 North Prospect Street Hagerstown, MD. from 12pm-2pm. There will be food and drinks while the veterans obtain all the essential information about the program and they will be able to sign-up for any services needed at that time. The first 50 veterans will also receive a free backpack and inside the bag is Goodwills newest logoed t-shirt. Anyone who wears the t-shirt to shop at any of the Horizon Goodwill stores on Tuesdays or Thursdays will receive 10% off on their purchases.

We cannot say enough about the gratitude we feel for the men and women who have placed their lives on the line make sure we keep our freedom, said John McCain CEO of Horizon Goodwill. Making sure veterans have a valued place in our society when they are finished with their service is a crucial component to the success of our communities. We believe in giving them every opportunity and removing any barriers we can for them.

As part of Goodwills commitment to their military services, they will be dedicating a giant flag in front of their corporate office building on Friday, November 10, 2017. Former delegate Paul Muldowney and his family will be donating the 8x12 flag that will be raised by the Joint Venture Color Guard at 1:30 pm. Goodwill invites the community to celebrate with them.

About Horizon Goodwill

For 62 years, Horizon Goodwill has helped people find jobs, build their financial stability, and strengthen their families. They receive thousands of donations annually that support 18 stores and 17 counties in four states. Goodwill continues to implement new programs and business services to preserve the positive social and environmental outcomes for the community. Goodwill has been rated #1 above the global brands Amazon and Google for the Brand World Value Rankings for 2016 and 2017. Horizon Goodwill Industries, whose mission is Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities, is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to employment despite significant obstacles. Horizon Goodwill serves over 5,000 clients annually in a 17-county region that includes parts of the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit http://www.horizongoodwill.org @HorizonGoodwill #removingbariers #creatingopportunities #GoodwillChangesLives
Capacity and capability will continue to be the cornerstone of our organization as we continue to set the standard for the rest of the industry to follow.

Draken International, a global leader in advanced adversary air services, has acquired 22 Mirage F1M and F1B fighter jets in an effort to enhance adversary services for the United States Air Force and other Department of Defense clients. The Mirage F1Ms were predominantly flown by the Spanish Air Force and have been fully modernized. This acquisition increases Drakens fleet size to over 100 fighter jets as the company continues to expand its capabilities.

With the completion of the procurement phase, the Mirage F1Ms will soon join Drakens existing fleet of radar-equipped Douglas A-4K Skyhawks and Aero Vodochody L-159E Honey Badger fighter jets. Draken remains the only commercial air service provider to have purchased, imported, certified and executed sustained flight operations with radar-equipped and threat representative fighter aircraft. These important capabilities inherent to the Draken Mirage F1M, L-159 and A-4 are essential for supporting Drakens Nellis AFB ADAIR contract which provides adversary training for the prestigious USAF Weapons School, Red Flag exercises, operational test support, RTU support, and Combat Air Forces abroad.

Draken International is also prepared to use all 22 Mirage F1Ms for various contracts within the US Department of Defense to include the US Navy, US Marine Corps, as well as numerous coalition militaries. As the sole provider of commercial adversary services to the USAF, Draken International is primed to deliver extensive capacity to cover the majority of the 42,000 flight hour requirement for supporting combat readiness training at 12 operating locations throughout the US.

The US Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), which includes the Weapons School (TOPGUN) and Carrier Air Wing Training, is currently reviewing proposals from contract air service providers for a high-end supersonic, radar-equipped adversary solution at Naval Air Station Fallon. Drakens Mirage F1M offers Fallon an extremely cost-effective Mach 2+, radar-equipped platform that meets or exceeds all posted requirements.

In 1996, the Spanish Air Force, along with Thomson-CSF (Thales Group), spent $96M on a modernization upgrade, including cockpit enhancements, LCD MFDs, Advanced HUD, INS/GPS, Electronic Attack systems and a special performance upgrade for the Cyrano IVM radar. The Spanish Mirage F1M fleet was decommissioned in February 2013 and stored in Albacete Air Base, Spain until Drakens purchase in September 2017. After extensive research, these Mirage F1s proved to be the best equipped and lowest time fighters of their kind available to the industry.

Sean Gustafson, VP of Business Development at Draken stated, Our operations and maintenance teams are committed to providing our customers a credible, safe, and cost-effective service. This acquisition strategy is consistent with other fighter fleets we have purchased. In fact, purchasing fighter jets with modern radars and sensors well in advance of expected demand is the principal reason why Draken is the worlds largest provider of this vital service. Capacity and capability will continue to be the cornerstone of our organization as we continue to set the standard for the rest of the industry to follow.

About Draken International

Draken International is the worlds largest operator of ex-military aircraft. The company is based out of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. The organization sets a new standard in airborne adversary support, flight training, threat simulation, electronic warfare support, aerial refueling, research, testing, as well as other missions uniquely suited to their fleet of aircraft. With over 100 tactical fighter aircraft incorporating modern 4th generation capabilities, the company is uniquely positioned to answer the growing global demand for commercial air services. Draken employs world class, military trained fighter pilots including USAF Weapons School Instructors, Fighter Weapons School Graduates, TOP GUN Instructors, Air Liaison Officers, and FAC-A Instructors. For additional information, visit http://www.drakenintl.com.
www.vcgfl.com We are committed to increasing awareness of ALS and raising money for a cure. Were so grateful for the amazing work that the ALS Association is doing for so many," says Stephen Shanton, president and CEO of Venture Construction Group of Florida, founder of the Shanton ALS Foundation.

Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) sponsors the ALS Association Florida Chapter Southwest Florida Walk to Defeat ALS. The annual fundraising event was held on Oct. 28 at WINK Playland at the Miromar Outlets located at 10801 Corkscrew Rd., Estero, Fla. VCGFL staff members laced up their sneakers and walked for a cure with over 100 participants. Funds raised support people living with ALS and advance global ALS research and public policy initiatives aimed at finding treatments and a cure for the disease.

We are committed to increasing awareness of ALS and raising money for a cure. Annually we sponsor events statewide and were so grateful for the amazing work that the ALS Association and Florida Chapter are doing for so many. I know the journey firsthand and will do anything I can to support the advancement for a cure. I lost my father to ALS in 2012 and he was a fighter every step of the way, says Stephen Shanton, president and CEO of Venture Construction Group of Florida, founder of the Shanton ALS Foundation.

The Walk to Defeat ALS is The ALS Associations biggest annual event, which raises funds that allow local chapters to sustain care services and support research for much of the next year. The ALS Association Florida Chapter provides free services and assistance for persons diagnosed with ALS, their families and caregivers. The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy, while also empowering people with Lou Gehrigs Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support. Learn at http://www.alsafl.org.

VCGFL kicked off their statewide Florida ALS Sponsorship Campaign last month at the Miami-Dade Walk to Defeat ALS. Upcoming events include the Palm Beach Walk to Defeat ALS in West Palm Beach on March 17, 2018; the Central Florida Walk to Defeat ALS at Lake Eola in Orlando on March 24, 2018; and the Broward Walk to Defeat ALS in Davie on April 14, 2018. VCGFL is an award-winning restoration company. Philanthropy is an integral part of the companys mission.

About Venture Construction Group of Florida

Founded in 1998, Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) is an award-winning leader in construction, restoration, renovations, roofing, storm damage repairs, and 24/7 emergency services throughout the state of Florida. Specializing in industrial/ commercial projects, VCGFL assists property managers, condominium boards, homeowner associations, association boards, hotels and business complexes with general contractor services, specialty construction, historical restoration, water and flood mitigation, and property repairs due to fire, flood, water, wind and hurricanes. VCGFL won the prestigious Qualified Remodeler Top 500 Remodelers in the U.S., Qualified Remodeler Master Design Award, and is the proud recipient of the 2017 FRSA S.T.A.R. Spotlight Trophy for the Advancement of Roofing Awards in Sustainability and Community Service. With offices in Boca Raton, Ft. Myers, Orlando, Stuart, and Tampa, VCGFL is committed to operational excellence and exceptional customer service. VCGFL takes care of the details every step of the way including roofing, siding, windows, drywall, flooring, paint, gutters to rebuilding properties after major storm events from hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms. VCGFL carries the industrys leading accreditations and is an exclusive certified National Storm Damage Center Preferred Contractor, Platinum Preferred Certified Contractor with the National Insurance Restoration Council, Windstorm Insurance Network WIND Certified Umpire, WIND Certified Appraiser, WIND Certified Fellow, Certified Member of the United Association of Storm Restoration Contractors, Certified Member of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Certified Member of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Industry Members Association (EIMA), Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Mule-Hide Legacy Contractor, Certified CertainTeed Contractor and Duro-Last Certified Contractor. VCGFL credentials have been vetted and screened through independent third party Global Risk Management Solutions. For more information call 866-459-8351 or visit us online at http://www.vcgfl.com.

Media Inquiries:

Matt Orlewicz

Elev8 Consulting Group

Ph: 386.24.ELEV8

Web: http://www.elev8cg.com

###
2017 Fall Leapfrog Safety Grade Earning an A grade is an outstanding accomplishment, and it motivates us to continue our commitment to patient safety standards.

New Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for Fall 2017 were announced by The Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog. Salt Lake Regional Medical Center received an A, ranking them among the safest hospitals in the United States. The Leap Frog Safety Grade assigns A, B, C, D and F letter grades to more than 2,600 hospitals nationwide.

At Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, our patients are our number one priority, which means we are dedicated to providing the highest quality care at all times, said Dale Johns, President of Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Earning an A grade is an outstanding accomplishment, and it motivates us to continue our commitment to patient safety standards, including being mindful of any opportunities for improvement that can benefit patient experiences with our staff and in our hospital. Salt Lake Regional remains dedicated to the community we serve and strives for excellence in quality, safety, and innovation throughout our medical center.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade seeks to help consumers make informed decisions about their medical care by providing data and research on how hospitals protect patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. These safety grades also motivate local hospitals to uphold the highest safety standards and remain transparent about their safety and quality.

To view the full grade for Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, visit http://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.

About Salt Lake Regional Medical Center

Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, now a member of the Steward Health Care Network, has been caring for the residents of the Salt Lake Valley for over 140 years. Built in 1875, it was one of the first hospitals in the Salt Lake Valley. Salt Lake Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services, including emergency care, heart care, advanced surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, maternity care, womens services and help for a broad range of medical conditions. Currently, the 158-bed hospital encompasses 316,000 sq. ft. of medical facilities, including three medical office buildings on campus. Salt Lake Regional Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by an entity that proudly includes physician owners, including members of the hospitals medical staff. For more information, visit saltlakeregional.org or call 1-866-431-WELL (9355).

About Steward Health Care

Steward Health Care, the largest private hospital operator in the United States, is a physician-led health care services organization committed to providing the highest quality of care in the communities where patients live. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Steward operates 36 community hospitals nationwide that employ approximately 37,000 people and regularly receive top awards for quality and safety. The Steward network includes more than 26 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health services, over 7,300 beds under management, and more than 1.1 million covered lives through the companys managed care and health insurance services. Stewards unique health care service delivery model leverages technology, innovation, and care coordination to keep patients healthier. With a culture that prioritizes agility, resourcefulness, and continuous improvement, Steward is recognized as one of the nations leading accountable care organizations. The Steward Health Care Network includes thousands of physicians who care for approximately 2 million patients annually. Steward Medical Group, the companys employed physician group, provides more than 1 million patient encounters per year. The Steward Hospital Group operates hospitals in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

Additional information is available at http://www.steward.org.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American healthcare. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrogs other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
Jake Parker Ultimately, it benefits the millions of American consumers that depend on such security and life safety systems.

President Donald Trump recently signed into law the Power and Security Systems (PASS) Act, P.L. 115-78, culminating a year-long effort led by the Security Industry Association (SIA) to preserve an important provision in federal energy efficiency requirements critical to the operation of security and fire alarm systems.

"The PASS Act provides much-needed certainty to manufacturers, installers and service providers who are among thousands of Americans that work in the security industry," said Jake Parker, SIA Director of Government Relations, "but ultimately it benefits the millions of American consumers that depend on such security and life safety systems."

Drafted with assistance from SIA and in collaboration with the energy efficiency community, the PASS Act extends a policy exempting security and life safety external power supplies (EPS) from having to meet a "no-load mode" energy efficiency standard, since they must always be connected and in active mode by design and no efficiency gains would result.

The new law makes the exemption essentially permanent by removing the July 1, 2017 expiration date on the exemption and providing the U.S. Department of Energy with authority to retain the common-sense policy in any future updates to energy efficiency standards governing external power supplies.

SIA led a coalition of industry groups in working with Congress to secure the exemption in 2011, which included a "sunset provision"a common way of ensuring a new policy set forth in legislation is reviewed by Congress before becoming more permanent.

Preserving this exemption was a key concern for security manufactures and systems integrators. Without it, product redesign and adjustments to manufacturing processes would needlessly increase the cost of the equipment by 200-300 percent according to industry estimates, affecting not just manufacturers but the entire value chain.

Enactment of this important solution would not have been possible without the bipartisan leadership of the bill's sponsors Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., as well as Reps. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Susan Brooks, R-Ind. Over the past two years, Gardner, Welch and Brooks have been recognized with SIA's Legislator of the Year award for their support of this and other policies important to the security industry.

About the Security Industry Association

The Security Industry Association (SIA) (http://www.securityindustry.org) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with more than 800 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members' interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities; and collaboration with other like-minded organizations. As a proud sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA Government Summit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry's top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.
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A similar eviction and demolition action taken by the Gomoa East District Assembly in June this year displaced some of the refugees.

READ ALSO: This Ghanaian kid built a hydraulic excavator from cardboard which is so cool

The refugees say they have nowhere to go if they evicted from the camp.

In an interview with Accra-based Class FM, one of the inhabitants of the area, Tony, said: On Monday [November 6] they came around again letting us know that they are going to carry out a similar demolition exercise that took place in June. If I look at the demarcation where they are starting from and [where it] ends, my brother, meaning that those that came to Ghana in 1992 will be homeless. We are confused and dont know where to go.

Another worried refugee said: UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the Ghana Refugee Board have not given us any notice to move but we just saw people come and start marking some houses that they will break down. It was too disturbing because some of us have children in the home with some born in Ghana. Even if they want to move us back, the UNHCR and the Ghana Refugee Board should call us and the chiefs to talk, then we all know what is going on.

READ ALSO: Sam Okudzeto blasts pastors for taking tithe and using it for blackmail

However, the assembly, insists the refugees are occupying the place illegally hence the need to move them.
In an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, the media personality said due to his dyslexic condition which made it difficult for him to express himself on paper, he was sacked from many schools in Ghana.

Asked which schools he attended, Nana said he attended schools such as Jack N Jill, Accra Academy, Martin De Porres, North Ridge School, Mpraeso Secondary among others.

READ ALSO: Good news for Barbara Mahama as Parliament passes trust fund bill

He was however kicked out from one school to the other because he struggled to express himself on paper.

I struggled and I was kicked out of schools because I was Dyslexic, I struggled before I could finish my O level. I cant put the things I express on paper and I didnt realize I had Dyslexia back then until I sent my son to school in the UK and he exhibited the same traits and the teachers informed me about it. So back here in Ghana, the schools couldnt detect I was suffering from Dyslexia, so I got kicked out of one school to the other. I have serious Dyslexia. I could only write in capital letters, my handwriting was bad. I really struggled, he said.

READ ALSO: Homes of Liberian refugees to be demolished

Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that makes it difficult for people to read. Dyslexia is mainly a problem with reading accurately and fluently. Kids with dyslexia may have trouble answering questions about something theyve read. But when its read to them, they may have no difficulty at all.
In an interview with Accra-based Adom FM, a sister of the deceased, Akua Fosua said they were shocked and sad by what happened to their relative.

She explained that neighbours in the area claimed they heard the victim crying for help and quickly rushed to the scene but saw her lying in a pool of blood.

However, Akua Fosua said the perpetrators bolted for fear of being lynched by residents.
This was to fulfil the promise made by President Nana Akufo-Addo's after Barbaras husband was lynched by a mob in Denkyira-Obuasi now New Oboase.

Speaking to Accra-bases Class FM. Nitiwul said the passage: is not a special treatment.

It is a signal to the people of Ghana that when you die in service, the state will not leave you. It is a new beginning but already there are adequate provisions in the Ghana Armed Forces in such situations.

Major Mahama was the commander of a military detachment stationed at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region to check the activities of illegal miners, popularly known as galamseyers.

Some residents of then Denkyira-Obuasi lynched him on suspicion that he was an armed robber.
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako reportedly told Kumasi-based Nhyira FM Tuesday that Mr Agyepong was used by the then governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) last year for their own gains.

According to him, the suspended General Secretary received a plush vehicle from Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Mahama, to do the bidding of the NDC.

Mr Agyepong has since described the statements as scandalous, saying that his reputation has been damaged.

In a letter dated October 30, 2017, Mr Agyepongs lawyer, Nana Freduah Agyeman Osborn, said his client was requesting a retraction on Nhyira FM and Accra-based Neat FM where the said defamatory comments were made by Friday, 3 November.

The Council also wants an order of the court compelling the first defendant to pay an amount of GHS400, 000 as punitive and exemplary damages to the plaintiff [him] as damages for the defamatory comments.

But Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi repeated the same allegation, saying he is ready for any court action.

In an interview on Accra-based Peace FM Tuesday, Wontumi said he is yet to receive the suit from Kwabena Agyepong and his lawyer.

He believes that Nana Freduah Agyeman Osborn just wants to gain fame through him.
He said he never bought a state land or was in the process of acquiring one.

He was named among 415 past government officials and institutions who were beneficiaries of the distribution of cheap state lands in a recent report.

Spokesperson for the former President, Mr Frank Agyekum in an interview said Kufuor was supposed to have received his retirement benefit including a house and an office.

His reaction comes at the back of the Lands Minister John Peter Amewu who has stated that state lands were given away to cronies like "kelewele" [fried pieces of plantain] without following due process.

The sale of state lands and properties have always been under every regime has always been met with controversies.

The Rawlings administration was accused, under a divestiture programme, of selling state properties including the Nsawam cannery to the then first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

The Kufuor administration was also accused by some Ga youth of selling Ga lands to cronies.
Kirchner, who won a seat in the Senate last month that protects her from going to prison if convicted, submitted a written request to Judge Julian Ercolini asking that the case be dismissed.

The leftist former president faces money-laundering and bribery charges in the so-called Hotesur case, named after a Kirchner family hotel business in Patagonia, the suspected source of the allegedly laundered funds.

"There are at least seven firm judicial decisions which, after analyzing the same acts, have ruled out the existence of any type of illicit activity," Kirchner wrote.

Saying she wanted to avoid a "media show," Kirchner asked her supporters not to gather outside the courthouse as they have several times in the past.

She arrived at the courthouse in Buenos Aires some 90 minutes before the start of the hearing to deliver her letter but declined to respond to reporters' questions.

Kirchner's children, Maximo, 40 and Florencia, 27, have been summoned to testify in the same case next week.

On Twitter, she described the case as a "new chapter of judicial persecution order" by President Mauricio Macri, who succeeded Kirchner in 2015.

In her letter to the court, she said she was "aware that the explanations provided will not even be considered and that the fate of this instruction has already been decided a long time ago."

Several prominent members of her former government have been detained on corruption charges in recent weeks, including ex-public works minister Julio De Vido and Amado Boudou, Kirchner's vice-president from 2011-2015.

Kirchner won a seat in the Senate for Buenos Aires province in last month's legislative elections.

She takes up her seat on December 10.
ABC News(RICHMOND, Va.) -- Celebrating his sweeping victory Tuesday evening in the closely watched Virginia governors race, Ralph Northam made sure he mentioned the profession hes held for nearly his entire adult life.



I want to let you know that in Virginia, it's going to take a doctor to heal our differences. To bring unity to our people. And I'm here to let you know that the doctor is in, Northam announced to a cheering crowd gathered in Fairfax, a suburban town about 20 miles outside of Washington, D.C. And this doctor will be on call for the next four years!



With 39 percent of Virginia voters picking health care as their top issue in Tuesdays election, according to ABC News exit poll data, it seems that Northams emphasis on his professional background paid off.



Northam, a former Army doctor and pediatric neurologist, now rises from the seat of lieutenant governor to governor, winning a race that buttresses Democratic hopes that 2018 will bring a wave of victories spurred by anti-Trump sentiment nationwide.



Heres a bit more on Northams path to the governors mansion:



A slow, steady rise



Northams rise to the top office in Virginia follows a steady rise through the party ranks in the Commonwealth.



Northam is a product of Onancock, a small town on Virginias eastern shore, a rural and agricultural part of the state that has been frequently overshadowed in recent statewide elections due to the outsized focus on the suburban areas outside of Washington, D.C., that have seen an economic and population boom in the last two decades.



He spent eight years as an Army doctor treating soldiers wounded in Operation Desert Storm, later going on to practice medicine in Norfolk and serve as the volunteer director of a childrens hospice in the area.



First elected in 2007 as a state senator, a position he held for six years, Northam was elected lieutenant governor in 2013 alongside Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a heavyweight in Democratic politics and longtime party insider.



Throughout his tenure as Virginias second highest-ranking official, Northam largely kept a low profile, biding his time before launching his gubernatorial campaign.



Northam faced an upstart challenger in the Democratic primary in former U.S Rep. Tom Perriello, who had the backing of Bernie Sanders and other progressive groups, but Northam was able to pull out a narrow victory with McAuliffes backing.



Perriello campaigned aggressively for Northam in the general election and hailed his victory, along with gains in the Virginia House of Delegates, as a sign of whats possible for Democrats in 2018.



I really think this was a moment that the whole country is feeling of a restoration of sanity and core values of inclusion, Perriello said on a call Wednesday with reporters, I think last night was very much an election about changing the sense of what's possible in Virginia and beyond.



A tense campaign in a changing state



Tuesday's victory for Northam comes after a campaign that began as a fairly tame race between two political moderates, but morphed into a fierce political battle centered on issues like illegal immigration, race relations and Confederate monuments.



The soft-spoken Northam is in many ways not a candidate made for the Trump era, where Democrats are hungry for a progressive fighter who will stand up to President Donald Trump at every turn.



Northam did, however, tie his opponent to Trump early and often, and many are pointing to Tuesdays results as tangible pushback against the president and his style of politics.



This was all about Trump, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Democrats are angry, have been all year long, and wanted to send Trump a message. A remarkable number of voters interviewed at the polls put it in just those terms,



According to exit poll data from ABC News, 34 percent of Virginia voters said they were voting to show opposition to Trump, compared to just 17 percent who said they were voting to express support.



Despite the grumblings from some on the left, Northam did embrace issues like gun control, which 17 percent of voters ranked as their top issue in the race, and called for a ban on assault weapons in the state following the deadly October shooting in Las Vegas. Northam also continually hit on the issue of health care, which took center stage in the race as congressional Republicans continued their push to repeal-and-replace agenda throughout the fall.



Northam won victories not in the suburban areas around Washington, D.C., as well as in and around the city of Richmond. He also scored a victory in Virginia Beach, an area won by Democrats only once in the last four gubernatorial elections, and improved on the margins McAuliffe won by in 2013, and even outperformed Hillary Clintons 2016 numbers in some areas.



Northams victory will be used by many to try and gauge the political landscape ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, and its clear that Democrats need to capitalize on the momentum from Tuesday.



Democrats nationally should nominate candidates in every possible district, even some that may look hopeless, in order to be in a position to take advantage of any wave that develops. That'll add a few seats to the Democratic total because they'll win a few long-shot contests, Sabato said.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Canberra has long sent asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia by sea to isolated outposts on its own Christmas Island territory and on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

The detention camps' conditions have been widely criticised by the UN, refugee advocates and medical professionals.

Australia insists its tough immigration policy against boat people dissuades would-be migrants from attempting the dangerous crossing to Australia and has therefore prevented hundreds of deaths at sea.

But the team of 18 independent experts on Thursday voiced alarm at the conditions in offshore immigration processing centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, where children are also housed, pointing to "instances of assault, sexual abuse, self-harm and suspicious deaths."

Australia, it said, should "end its offshore transfer arrangements and cease any further transfers of refugees or asylum-seekers to Nauru, Papua New Guinea or an other regional processing country," they said in a report.

They also urged Australia to close the detention centre on Christmas Island.

And they slammed the closure of the Manus Island centre on October 31 "without adequate arrangements for long-term viable relocation solutions for all refugees and asylum-seekers transferred there."

That facility was closed more than a week ago after the PNG Supreme Court ruled last year it was unconstitutional, and authorities have warned they will move in using force if necessary if those remaining do not leave by the weekend.

Barred from moving to Australia, the refugees there have been offered transfers to another Pacific on facility on Nauru, but reportedly few have accepted.

Water, power and food supplies have been cut with a PNG court on Tuesday rejecting one refugee's application to have them restored.
The Nigerian foreign ministry described the fate of the young female victims -- believed to be aged between 14 and 18 years old -- as "a monumental loss and a sad moment for our country".

The bodies of the victims were brought on a Spanish ship to Italy on Sunday, where the authorities are looking into how they died.

The post-mortems, which are being carried out in Salerno in southern Italy, did not immediately reveal any serious wounds, such as lacerations caused by engine blades, the prosecutor's office told local media.

But it is hoped the autopsies will be able to ascertain whether the girls were abused during the journey, and better determine their ages.

Italian investigators have said there is no evidence yet that they were victims of sex trafficking.

According to the UN, 80 percent of young Nigerian women arriving here are already in the clutches of pimps, or quickly fall into their traps.

According to Italy's interior ministry, more than 111,700 people have reached the country by sea in the first 10 months of 2017, 30 percent down on the previous year.

Despite the drop, traffickers are still sending migrant boats out into the Mediterranean: the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Friday that more than 2,560 migrants had been saved over four days.

In all, 2,839 people have died while attempting the crossing so far this year, it said.
Goldman Sachs chief officer Lloyd Blankfein hosted a fireside chat in September for 250 students from Macaulay Honors College, a New York-based public school, during which he outlined the firm's new outlook on recruiting talent. He told students the firm is no longer "trapping" itself by "recruiting from the same 30 or 40 schools."

Traditionally, it actively targeted a basket of just a couple dozen schools, including those in the Ivy League as well as some higher-ranked public schools such as Brigham Young University and Rutgers University, for instance.

Blankfein said during the fireside chat that for some students from non-targeted schools, getting through the doors of Goldman was akin to a "salmon who had to swim upstream." But increased competition from Silicon Valley has forced the firm to pivot and open its arms to different types of talent. Here's Blankfein:

"It wasn't an act of kindness on my part, or generosity, or trying to create diversity; it was as pure selfish, naked self-interest, we wanted to really extend our net further because everybodys involved pretty much in a war for talent. And we compete against obviously all the other financial services firms, but we compete against all the technology firms."

Goldman's attempt to become the Google of Wall Street has been well-documented (In fact, it's even being taught at Harvard Business School). A recent report byCBInsightsshowed 46% of Goldman's recent job listings were in tech.

The logic behind Goldman's push outside the Ivy League is that it'll help fill those positions. Here's Blankfein (emphasis our own):

"Thirty percent of the people who work in this firm are engineers, are technologists, because of the way the financial markets have gone. So we compete against Facebook and Google and all these other places for talent. And increasingly, everybody casts a wider net, which means in a way we dont go to a lot of campuses now when we screen people. We do a lot of this interviewing electronically, which has allowed us to do a very, very wide net on people."
Republican politicians scrambled into damage control mode after The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for Alabama senator, initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl in 1979 and pursued relationships with three other teenage girls.

But at least two members of the GOP are standing firmly by Moore's side.

Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler called the claims in The Post report "much ado about nothing," even if they are true.

"The allegations are that a man in his early 30s dated teenage girls," Zeigler told The Washington Examiner. "Even the Washington Post report says that he never had sexual intercourse with any of the girls and never attempted sexual intercourse."

Zeigler then compared Moore's alleged actions to those of biblical figures.

"Take the Bible. Zachariah and Elizabeth for instance. Zachariah was extremely old to marry Elizabeth and they became the parents of John the Baptist, Zeigler told The Examiner. "Also take Joseph and Mary. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus."

"Theres just nothing immoral or illegal here," Zeigler said. "Maybe just a little bit unusual."

According to The Post report, a woman named Leigh Corfman said that in 1979, Moore, then a 32-year-old district attorney, approached her in an Alabama courtroom and got her number. He later called the 14-year-old and drove her to his house, where, according to the report, he removed her clothes and touched her through her bra and underwear. Corfman also said that, in one interaction, Moore gave her alcohol.

Moore denied the allegations, calling them "fake news."

Since the report's publication, more than a dozen Republican lawmakers have called on Moore to drop out of his Senate race, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The special election between Moore and Democrat Doug Jones is scheduled for December 12.

I really dont see the relevance of it

Another Alabama lawmaker, Marion County GOP chairman David Hall, joined Zeigler in dismissing the claims in The Post's report.

"It was 40 years ago," Hall told Toronto Star reporter Daniel Dale. "I really don't see the relevance of it. He was 32. She was supposedly 14. She's not saying that anything happened other than they kissed."

Hall also dismissed the accounts of three other women included in The Post's report, who told the newspaper that Moore had pursued relationships with them as teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18. The women said Moore did not engage in sexual conduct with them.

"The other women that theyre using to corroborate: number one, one was 19, one was 17, one was 16. Theres nothing wrong with a 30-year-old single male asking a 19-year-old, a 17-year-old, or a 16-year-old out on a date," Hall said.

And another state politician, Bibb County GOP chairman Jerry Pow, told Dale that although he didn't support Moore's alleged actions, he would still vote for him.
Breitbart News senior editor Joel Pollack blasted The Washington Post for its bombshell story that Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore engaged in sexual misconduct with a then-14-year-old girl when he was 32 years old.

On Thursday, Breitbart News published a story previewing The Washington Post's expose that Moore engaged in sexual misconduct with one teenager, and propositioned several others. Breitbart's story was far more fawning and sympathetic to Moore  their story attempted to undermine The Post's credibility, and painted some of the relationships with the teens as "consensual" and "romantic."

In an interview with MSNBC's Ali Velshi, Pollack also dismissed The Washington Post story, saying the outlet "packaged it with all sorts of other stuff that has nothing to do with the question." He argued that Moore's pursuit of teenaged women shouldn't have been included in The Washington Post's story.

"The 16-year-old and the 18-year-old have no business in that story because those women of legal age of consent," Pollack said.

He added: "The Post has successfully put a narrative out, at least on MSNBC and in other places, that there's this pattern of teenagers. There's really, as far as know, the facts could come out differently but as far as we know, there's only one relationship that's been alleged that's problematic."

Breitbart's Joel Pollack sa... @ Lis Power

Pollack's comments quickly went viral on social media.

I'd like to book this guy o... @ Jeffrey Young

In an email with Business Insider, Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple, an opinion writer who is separate from the news team that broke the story, said he wasn't surprised by Breitbart's story. He said its preview may have actually raised awareness about the Post's story.

"Breitbart cares about clicks and protecting politicians who align with Steve Bannon's ideology, though not always in that order," Wemple said, referring to the former White House chief strategist. "Here, it pursued both at the same time."

He added: "It's a nice illustration of how media diversity works in bizarre ways for the benefit of certain embattled politicians. Such prebuttal journalism isn't my style, but Breitbart does what Breitbart does. And though the goal appears to have been to undermine The Post's story, seems to me that the effect was to provide a boost for it."

During the Alabama Republican primary earlier this year, Breitbart was one of the most vocal backers of Moore over Sen. Luther Strange, who was backed by Republican leaders including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump, who backed Sen. Luther Strange.
Two of Lebanon's major political forces seem to be aligning in blaming Saudi Arabia for the surprise resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri last weekend.

Both Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, and now, somewhat surprisingly, Hariri's own Saudi-backed Future Party have alleged that the prime minister is not being allowed to return to Lebanon.

Hariri  a dual Lebanese-Saudi citizen  resigned on Saturday during a trip to Saudi Arabia. Hariri is part of a joint government that includes Hezbollah, and he used his resignation speech to criticize that group and Iran.

Multiple Lebanese sources, as well as two US officials, told Reuters that Saudi Arabia was directly behind Hariri's resignation. The Lebanese sources also said that Saudi Arabia was now controlling his movements, although to what degree is unclear.

The Lebanese prime minister is politically supported by Saudi Arabia and has not been seen back in his home country since his resignation.

A statement issued by Hariri's Future Party on Thursday said it was "necessary" for the prime minister to return "to restore Lebanon's dignity and respect."

"The statement read by former Prime Minister Fuad Saniora seemed to indicate that Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia against his will," the Associated Press reported.

This is a marked change by Saniora and other members of the Future Party. Saniora told Reuters earlier this week that he had spoken to Hariri since his resignation and that the prime minister would be returning to Lebanon.

Nohad Machnouk, Lebanon's interior minister and a Future Party member, told The New York Times that Hariri had reasons unrelated to Saudi Arabia to be frustrated with the Hezbollah-affiliated government. However, Machnouk also conceded that it looked like Saudi Arabia had at least orchestrated the timing of the prime minister's resignation.

Political polar opposites align to blame Saudi Arabia

The Future Party statement joins earlier remarks by their political rivals, Hezbollah, who also blamed Saudi Arabia for the prime minister's actions.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, said Sunday that Hariri's resignation was a "Saudi decision" that was "forced on him." Nasrallah also said there were "legitimate questions" in Lebanon about whether Hariri was being detained in Saudi Arabia.

The New York Times noted that the Monday front page of Al Akhbar, a newspaper that leans toward Hezbollah, called Hariri a "hostage."

#emo#The Hostage#emo#: Monday front... @ Sarah Dadouch

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said in a CNN interview Monday that claims Hariri was being held by Saudi Arabia were "nonsense," and that as a dual passport holder the Lebanese prime minister would be able to leave Saudi Arabia when he wanted.

Jubeir blamed Hezbollah for Hariri's resignation, saying, "it was Hezbollah who were calling the shots, and he basically said enough is enough."

Hariri has left Saudi Arabia once since his resignation, for a day trip to the United Arab Emirates, a close Saudi ally. He returned directly to Saudi Arabia after his visit to the UAE.

Two top Lebanese government officials told Reuters that Lebanon is planning to work with foreign governments to secure Hariri's return.

Saudi Arabia further stroked regional tension on Thursday, ordering its citizens to leave Lebanon. It's likely a further sign of increased pressure on their regional rival, Iran.

After Hariri's resignation, one member of Lebanon's Parliament told CNN, "We are back to an escalation between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the Lebanese front."

The two US officials who spoke with Reuters indictated that Saudi pressure on Hariri to leave his post was led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also behind the weekend's landmark anti-corruption purge.
Sen. Jeff Flake expressed concern about the Senate GOP's tax reform bill, signaling potential trouble ahead as Republicans race in their attempt to overhaul the federal tax code.

In the statement, Flake said he appreciated the attempt to reform the tax code but said he was worried about its potential effect on the national debt.

"I remain concerned over how the current tax reform proposals will grow the already staggering national debt by opting for short-term fixes while ignoring long-term problems for taxpayers and the economy," Flake's statement said. "We must achieve real tax reform crafted in a fiscally responsible manner."

Flake has been highly critical of President Donald Trump and recently announced he would not run for reelection in 2018.

Flake's concerns are indicative of a possible tripping point for the Senate bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Other GOP senators, such as Bob Corker, have also expressed concern with the potential impact to the deficit and debt.

The bill can only add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years, per Senate rules. White House leaders like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have long said the tax bill will pay for itself after adjusting for increased economic growth from its tax cuts.

The House's version of the TCJA would still add roughly $1 trillion worth of debt, even accounting for economic growth, according to multipleindependent analyses.
And Republicans have a number of ideas of what exactly went wrong.

To no surprise, the more establishment line of thought for what went wrong differed from that of the Trumpian hard right.

Bannonites: Its Gillespie

Trump forces in the party tried tapering the panic by pointing to Virginia's status as a much more blue-leaning state than places that will be up for grabs in 2018.

But they left no doubt as to who was at fault for the Tuesday disaster  Gillespie. They painted the former Republican National Committee chair as having bungled his message, coming off as inauthentic, and trying to appeal to both sides of major issues  particularly on immigration. They also pointed to other Republican candidates down-ballot, particularly the nominee for lieutenant governor Jill Vogel, and their slightly better performance than Gillespie, as proof the problem in Virginia was not Trump or the Trump message.

Vogel, they said, was much more closely aligned with the president and worked to campaign on a hardcore Trump message, coming off as much more authentic than Gillespie.

"While Jill Vogel was campaigning with Corey Stewart and Bikers for Trump, Ed Gillespie was campaigning with George W. Bush," Andy Surabian, a top aide to former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and a member of the pro-Trump Great America Alliance group, told Business Insider. "That tells you everything you need to know about why Ed Gillespie's loss was so big."

The Bannon wing of the party took issue with the establishment pointing to their message and platform as key in Gillespie's loss. And they made sure to note that their preference in the race was Stewart, the Trumpian candidate who lost to Gillespie in the primary.

"It's the McConnell folks who gave us Ed Gillespie," Surabian said. "They were the ones who were cheering him on when he beat Corey Stewart in the primary. So it's beyond disingenuous to pin his landslide loss on the Trump movement."

Barry Bennett, a former Trump campaign adviser, pointed to the more respectable showings from Vogel and Republican Attorney General nominee John Adams as proof Trump was not to blame.

"Most devastating and revealing was that Gillespie received fewer total votes than both the GOP LG candidate and even fewer than the GOP AG candidate," he told Business Insider. "When the top of the ticket underperforms the down-ticket races, it's a sign of a candidate problem. Trump didn't have anything to do with that."

Trump himself was quick to distance himself from Gillespie after the loss.

Taking a quick break from his overseas trip to Asia, he tweeted that Gillespie "worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for."

Establishment: Its Trump

In turn, more establishment-aligned Republicans made it clear who they thought was at fault for the huge losses  Trump.

"Trump stench infiltrated the race," Rick Tyler, communications director for Republican Sen. Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign, told Business Insider. "Eddie couldnt make the stink go away so he ended up trying to convince people it smelled good."

Gillespie tried to embrace the Trump message in the campaign's final weeks, but it did not work. Whether it was because of the message itself or, as Trump's biggest backers point to, Gillespie's lack of authenticity, is not known, though Kyle Kondik, an expert with the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told Business Insider that Gillespie and Republicans "struggled the most in the places where Trump was the biggest drag."

As a result, Tyler said candidates should do one thing in the 2018 campaign.

"Dump Trump," he said.

Josh Holmes, former chief of staff for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, pointed to the national mood as a reason for Gillespie's inability to finish closer to Northam.

"There's only so much that a guy like Ed Gillespie can do," he said. "On paper, he probably has a better suburban sprawl than most Republicans. The problem that he had and that they had down-ballot is that national current is running against them in a pretty significant way. And the issue wasn't that they didn't talk about cultural issues enough."

He criticized the notion that some have presented in the aftermath of Trump's surprising 2016 victory "that as long as you're talking about divisive social and racial issues, that somehow that benefits the Republican Party."

"That, as we saw last night, is an absolute prescription for disaster," he said. "This Bannon view of the world I think is demonstrably and now proven to be untrue."

It wasn't in the pro-Trump areas that Gillespie found himself coming up short, Holmes added.

Responding to the Bannonites who said the problem in Virginia was the messenger and not the message itself, Holmes said "you'd have to accept that Loudoun and Fairfax Counties were responsive to monuments and immigration policies."

"And if you know anything about those two counties, they are not," he continued. "They are suburban, economic, center-right voters, and the idea that they wake up every day and are concerned about whether the monument of Gen. Lee is still standing is a total fantasy."

Reed Galen, deputy campaign manager for Republican Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential bid, told Business Insider that Tuesday should cause Republicans to "take a whole bunch of lessons," but "they won't."

"With President Trump as the leader of the party, the GOP is beholden to his whims," he said. "Congress is now facing the idea they wont have anything to show voters a year from now. If we know that healthcare was the number one issue in Virginia, and we learn from the Maine initiative on Medicaid expansion, Republicans are looking pretty thin. Their tax plan, regardless of reality, has already been shaped as a giveaway to the rich  that wont help with voters, either."

He added: "Everything went wrong for Republicans last night."

But while Galen said the tax bill could be a lost cause with voters Republicans need to win back, others are certain that a win on the tax bill is exactly what the party needs. As one House GOP strategist told Business Insider, Tuesday "showed us Democrats are energized," and that "makes passing key legislation such as tax reform all the more important."

Terry Sullivan, campaign manager for Republican Sen. Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential bid, told Business Insider that it was clear to him Gillespie and Virginia Republicans got crushed because of a "toxic political environment" that is the "only thing that can explain" such a "strong prevailing wind against Republicans."

"Yesterday was absolutely all about the terrible national political environment Republicans face," he said. "Ed Gillespie was a good candidate who ran a good race against Northam, who even the Democrats admit was a terrible candidate. There is nothing on the ground that could explain the huge loss. And for Republicans to lose (at least 15 Virginia House) seats  Paul Ryan should be losing sleep over this."

Sullivan laid out the grim realities for congressional Republicans headed into 2018.
The clean up exercise is planned to repair environmental damages done to the Niger Delta region, due to unchecked oil spillage from exploration activities. The nation's Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo officially kicked off the clean-up exercise in June 2016.

However, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) - a militant group in the region, has also promised to resume hostilities and attack oil installations. Its main ground was the non-commencement of the clean-up exercise. Other groups who do not advocate violence are also frustrated.

No clean-up whatsoever has taken place. People are dying. People are being denied justice, Mr Deinbo OwanaemiEmmanuel, attorney for the Bille kingdom told Reuters.

To the federal government, this is one event that must be prevented from taking place. Not at this time when the countrys economy is recovering and hope to leverage stable oil price and production to spur growth in the short-term.

However, there are more reasons for government's inaction as regards the clean-up program. This is despite the skeletal activities by Bodo Mediation Initiative (BMI).

1. The cleanup fund of US$1 billion is yet in place

The drastic fall in oil price threatens the revenue of government, thus incapacitating the government in the provision of its part of the funding.

According to the clean-up deal, each member of the SPDC joint venture is expected to pay a pro-rata share of the $1bn. Members include the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55% share), SPDC (30%), Total E&P Nigeria (10%) and Agip (5%).

Mr Godwin Ojo, Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), confirmed this position.

From the records we have, the US$10 million promise of initial take-off grant is yet to be released, Mr Ojo raised during an interview with a local media.

And that is not even the question, the government and Shell and other joint ventures have come to the understanding that they will be able to pay $200 million on a yearly basis for the $1 billion recommended by UNEP report. The UNEP report recommended $1 billion initial take-off grant, but the government and Shell are already short-changing the people to have a fixation of $1 billion.

2. Resumption of hostility and oil installation bombings by Militants

Another reason for the clean-up delay, apart form funding, is the attack on oil installations by the NDA. This group attacked many oil installations belonging to Agip-Eni and Aiteo in Rivers and Bayelsa states, thus, adding to already precarious environmental conditions in the area.

This made the government consider halting activities as regards the clean, as the attack seems un-abating.

3. Activities by host communities

Restraints by many host communities to facilitate the clean-up exercise played a great role in creating this situation.

For instance, the SPDC and the Bodo Mediation Initiative (BMI) had signed a memorandum of understanding to restart the clean-up of the Bodo creeks. However, the contractors were denied access to the community.

4. Delay in setting up needed factory and structure

As part of the plan devised by UN engineers, oil companies and the government, a factory is expected to be built to process and clean tens of thousands of tonnes of contaminated soil.

However, there is no news of the establishment of such plant, and the mass replanting of mangroves has yet to begin.
"I think Filipino food is you know, I've been calling it for five years. It's just going to keep getting more and more popular," he recently told Business Insider.

And it's about time  the food of the Philippines is almost uniquely positioned among global cuisines, enjoying a wide range of influences that make it not only delicious, but also surprisingly accessible to the American palate.

Filipino cuisine is a complex and fascinating tapestry of Malay, Spanish, American, Japanese, and Chinese influences, thanks to the island country's fraught history of Western colonization and various occupations.

The pre-colonial Philippines was a center of trade between China, India, and Southeast Asia, bringing tofu, soy sauce, stir-frying, congee, and biryani into the culinary fold.

The arrival of  and bloody conquest by  the Spanish in the 1500s brought chili peppers, tomatoes, corn, and potatoes from South America, as well as an affinity for garlic and onions. The widespread use of Spam in Filipino dishes harkens back to America's 48-year annexation, having wrested it from the Spanish during the Spanish-American War.

Vinegar, plus a profusion of aromatic garlic, are key elements of Pinoy cooking. The trendy flavors of Spanish, Indian, and Japanese food are all present, and there's a fantastic and frequent play between acidity and sweetness throughout.

All of this comes together into a unique and broad culinary culture that seems poised for the American market.

Take the spaghetti served at Jollibee, a fast-food chain that is ubiquitous in the Philippines and is looking to spread stateside. The sauce leans toward the sweeter side, balancing out garlic and tomato with a sugary lightness  and chunks of Spam and sausage make a salty counterpoint. It's an entirely unique take on the pasta dish, yet it has a comforting familiarity to it nonetheless.

And while many are put off by Pinoy foods that are unorthodox by American standards  balut, a boiled duck embryo, or diniguan, a stew of pork offal and pig blood, come to mind  the sheer breadth of meals and culinary traditions means there's bound to be something for everyone.

With its close proximity to Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese food, which American palates crave more and more, it's the perfect time for Filipino cuisine and its unique medley of influences to take over.
According to a report by Google, searches for how to buy bitcoin is now a more popular search term than buy gold. This is not hard to understand considering Bitcoin in the last six month has increased by over 600 percent while Gold only appreciated by 11% percent.

As the virtual currency hits over $7,000 ($7,193 as at November 8, 2017), Google trend shows these five countries are the most interested in Bitcoin trading across the globe.

1. SOUTH AFRICA

The high interest of South Africans in trading virtual currency is not a surprise as the country is leading its integration in the countrys financial system.

South Africa has one of the most advanced financial systems across the globe, as most people in the county see the digital currency as an alternative to banks account and credit cards. There is Etheurum trading within the country which allows for direct trading of Bitcoin using Rand.

2. SLOVENIA

Eastern Europe is leading parts of the world with increasing interest in Bitcoin. Slovenia is one of the leaders in the push.

Bitcoin trading in the country also spiked in both price and volume within the last few month.

3. ESTONIA

Another Eastern European country looking into Bitcoin is Estonia. The countrys interest in embracing blockchain technology is also very high, thus explaining the increase in demand for Bitcoin.

4. GHANA

Bitcoin demand in Ghana has also surged in recent time. This is as a result of investment returns offered by the virtual coin.

There is a high rate of advertisement in the country about Bitcoin.

5. NIGERIA

For Nigeria, the popularity of Bitcoin is driven by both high advertisement and its high returns on investments. At present, there is widespread awareness about trading the virtual currency in Nigeria.
A third woman accused actor Jeremy Piven of sexual misconduct Thursday.

"I tried to push him off and he forced me to the ground, Scourby said.

Scourby said Piven exposed his genitals, held her hands down, and proceeded to ejaculate all over her sweater.

I pushed him off of me and ran down the short hallway to get to the door, Scourby said. I rubbed my chest against the wall to get his [semen] off of my sweater. I ran outside and hailed a cab and I just burst into tears. I cried the entire way back to my hotel.

Piven denied Scourby's claims in a statement to People: Let me be absolutely clear, this simply did not happen. I would never force myself on a woman, ever. I cannot speak as to why a person would create a story like this.

One of Piven's representatives also told People that if Piven were to take a polygraph test it would have clearly proven this allegation to be entirely fabricated, a complete lie. Hes now looking at legal options.

Scourby's accusation follows reality TV actress Ariane Bellamar and "Longmire" actress Cassidy Freeman's allegations against Piven.

Bellamar alleged that Piven groped her on the set of "Entourage" and at the Playboy mansion, in a series of tweets.

Freeman accused of Piven of engaging in "predatory behavior," in an Instagram post. "

After Bellamar's accusations were made, a representative for CBS said that the network is "aware of the media reports" and is "looking into the matter."

CBS is currently airing the Piven-driven drama "Wisdom of the Crowd."

A CBS representative told Business Insider that the network has no further comment at this time.
Don't expect Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to play nice with Microsoft anytime soon.

At an analyst event on Tuesday at his company's annual Dreamforce users conference, in response to a question about whether the companies could ever work together again, Benioff slammed everything about the software giant from its Surface computers to its executive turnover.

In particular, Benioff charged that Microsoft is having little success in the customer relationship software (CRM) market  Salesforce's core business  due to a lack of vision. Thanks to that, Microsoft officials are leaving the company to join Salesforce, he said.

"I like having competitors," Benioff said. "But what I just get blown away with is how they just can't keep, you know, that management team in place."

Microsoft declined to respond to Benioff.

CNBC previously reported on his comments.

Salesforce and Microsoft have never been close; in fact, they've long been rivals in the CRM market. But the companies did appear to warm up toward each other two years ago when Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella gave a keynote speech at Dreamforce.

However, their cold war resumed last year when Microsoft beat out Salesforce to buy LinkedIn. And by all accounts, Benioff still isn't over it.

Benioff began his rant Tuesday by noting that only three people in the analyst briefing had Surface laptops, a not-so-subtle dig at Microsoft's lagging PC marketshare. Then, he took aim at Microsoft's CRM business, saying the company only had 1% of the market.

He then argued that Microsoft's lack of success in CRM is due to what he called "Windows fever." Microsoft's developer events, including its flagship Build conference, are focused on programmers who make software for its core Windows operating system, Benioff said. But Microsoft doesn't really demonstrate the same kind of enthusiasm for its CRM product or developers.

"I haven't seen that in any other part of their business, other than the Windows API," he said.
Despite blowing up an experimental upgrade to its go-to rocket engines, SpaceX says it can continue its record-setting year.

The aerospace company, founded by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, has pulled off 16 rocket launches in 2017. That's double SpaceX's launch count from last year and a frequency rivaling that of its biggest competitors.

What's more, SpaceX hopes to lift off three more of its Falcon 9 rockets  a reusable launch vehicle that's poised to significantly lower the cost of access to space (and maybe save humankind)  before the year's end.

But as Christian Davenport first reported for the Washington Post on Wednesday, an explosion rocked SpaceX's development facility in McGregor, Texas, over the weekend.

The blast occurred in one of two bays the company uses to test Merlin rocket engines  nine of which line the bottom of every reusable Falcon 9 booster.

"No one was injured and all safety protocols were followed during the time of this incident," a SpaceX spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. "We are now conducting a thorough and fully transparent investigation of the root cause. SpaceX is committed to our current manifest and we do not expect this to have any impact on our launch cadence."

That doesn't mean the company doesn't have a problem or delays to deal with, though.

An explosive leak?

SpaceX was testing an experimental new version of its Merlin rocket engine at the time of the blast, a company source who is familiar with the matter told Business Insider.

All Falcon 9 rockets launched today use a design called block-four  a kind of "model year" for the rocket system. Saturday's test was to qualify a more powerful block-five system, which SpaceX has not yet said when it is releasing. (Block-five will help the company launch heavier payloads into higher orbits around Earth while being able to land and reuse its boosters, which are the most expensive part of a rocket.)

Surprisingly, the engine was not being purposefully ignited when it exploded: According to the company source, the blast occurred during a "lox drop," in which liquid oxygen is pumped into a rocket engine to see if it leaks.

"The computers were showing data we didn't like during that test," the source said  and shortly after this the explosion happened. "We're going to investigate what led to that ignition. What does the video show? What do the photos show? What do the computers show?"

Whatever the cause, the testing bay in which the Merlin engine was attached to did not fare well. "It's a two- to four-week repair job," the source said.

A nearby testing bay, which is also used to qualify Merlin engines before flight, was also damaged from the explosion  perhaps by flying metal, concrete, or liquid-oxygen-fueled flames.

Delays for the new model year

Having this second bay knocked out of commission would normally delay SpaceX's launch schedule, since all engines used on Falcon 9 rockets must past a qualification test.

Yet that repair job will take only "two or three days," according to the source, and block-four testing will soon resume.

"This isn't going to have any impact on our launches this year or next year. We can make all the block-fours we want," the source said.

However, SpaceX is pausing development of its block-five Merlin engines not only to investigate the blast, but also make room to keep block-four Merlin engines qualified for flight. This will delay the roll-out of that program until both the investigation closes and the badly damaged bay is repaired.

The company source compared this problem to Toyota delaying the new model year of its Camry with a "a bigger backseat and engine": Most customers won't mind, the source said, since last year's model works fine  and the new version doesn't even have a release date.

The last major explosion SpaceX suffered was in September 2016, when a pressure vessel failed and caused a Falcon 9 rocket to blow up during a launch-pad test, destroying a satellite payload on top. The company also lost a payload in 2015, and failed to ferry a "Star Trek" actor's ashes to space in 2008.

Musk has said he eventually hopes to phase out all of his company's rocket systems, including the upcoming Falcon Heavy rocket, by building a totally reusable "Big F---ing Rocket" system designed to colonize Mars.
According to the Nigerian Christ For All Nations (Cfan)twitter handle, the first miracle involves a former crippled man who now walks.

Apart from this healing, a lot of people also answered the altar call and gave their lives to Christ.

These occurrences validate the 77-year-old evangelist who had promised that Gods words will be preached, miracles will be full and the Holy Spirit will come down. The ripple effects of this crusade will be felt all over the world."

He said this at a news conference at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island on Monday, November 6, 2017.

ALSO READ: All you need to know about Bonnke

This first day attracted thousands of people, about 400 international guests, top spiritual leaders.

In the video below, Peter Vandenberg, CfaNs Vice President, observes, Its the first day and the vast field is filling with people as they stream in from around the great city of Lagos.

"Tens of thousands of volunteer workers are already in place, and the huge choir of over 20,000 voices is ready to sing. The place is filled with a feeling of great expectation as multitudes gather to receive.

Meanwhile, Bonnke has revealed his reason for choosing Lagos, Nigeria as the location for his farewell crusade.

Speaking with Vanguard, he said that this is his favourite country, adding that he always feels the presence of God here.

In his words, Am so glad and honoured that God allows me to come back to Nigeria. Its my favourite country because I have not seen in other Africa countries what God has done here.

If you look back and watch events in the country, they are absolutely amazing and I believe every plan of God will come to pass.

This crusade is not just about passing the torch to the next Cfan leader as the flyers imply, it also celebrates 50 years of Evangelist Bonnkes ministry in Africa.

More people, not less than 30 million persons for the remaining four days, according to the Chairman, Central Working Committee, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola.

The second day, today promises to be more powerful.
History teaches us that when Christianity first came to what is now known as Nigeria through the Portuguese missionary, no particular church was established before they left.

If they had succeeded in consecrating one, Warri would have been the home of Nigeria's first church.

Because when the Augustinian and Capuchin monks from Portugal came in through the Benin River and made contact with the Itsekiris during the fifteenth century, Warri was the first place they appeared.

However, four centuries would have to pass, after the departure of the Portuguese monks, before the first mission of the Church of England, which is the Anglican church, was established in 1842, in Badagry, by Henry Townsend.

After the priestly ordination of Henry Townsend in England- 1842- he set off for Sierra Leone. He would work there only a few months before coming to Nigeria as a result of the Yoruba mission.

And from 1846 to 1867, Abeokuta became the vineyard that he was called to work.

Thomas Birch Freeman is, however, believed to be the first European to enter Abeokuta. He arrived the old city on 11 December 1842.

He would meet with Henry Townsend on 24 December upon his return to Badagry. It was this meeting that birthed the first "Christmas Day" celebration in Nigeria.

Be that as it may, the foundation of Nigeria's first church would be laid in Ake, Abeokuta, by Rev. Andrew Desalu Wilhelm, years after the mission of Rev. Henry Townsend.

The church, which is known as the cathedral church of St. Peters, was completed in 1898.

Being the first of its kind, it was only natural for the church to serve as a rallying point for a good number of early missionaries who were at the time, spreading the gospel of Christianity in Abeokuta and its environs.

Presently, the St. Peters premises now harbours a newer and bigger auditorium where worship and other religious activities are being carried out. But the actual building that was built in 1898 still stands tall till date.

It is used as a tourist site.

The church might not have been named after Henry Townsend who played a very important role in the birthing of Christianity in Abeokuta... but he will surely be remembered because a hall within the church premises is named after him.

Rev. Henry Townsend is the founder of the first newspaper in Nigeria.
He said, the basic education level is a crucial stage because it is the foundation upon which all other levels of education are built. It is our desire, therefore, to ensure that this level of education is strengthened to enhance the future prospects of our children and their ability to cope with the challenges of higher levels of education
Ellie Kendrick, who plays Meera Reed on the show, has confirmed that she probably wont be back in Season Eight.

[Im not appearing] as far as I know. I dont know. Its funny because I always get asked, Whats going to happen? Are you in it? Genuinely the truth is I dont know, Kendrick told Metro.

I wait for the phone to ring and then I find out, but it hasnt rung so I dont know. Ill find out whether I am or not at some point, but for now, I havent been notified so Im yet to discover.

Her exit puts an end to a popular fan theory that Meera is Jon Snow's secret twin.

The last time we saw Meera - an unrecognized hero who stood beside Bran through thick and thin - she was unkindly rejected by Bran Stark in season seven.

But the popular twin theory had fans hoping that she would still be a part of the upcoming season.

Nevertheless, Kendrick knows how she wants her characters story to end.

All I can hope for is Meera is going to come back on a dragon and be the new queen. Thatd be pretty sweet for me. But somehow, not quite sure thats how its going to turn out.

"Game of Thrones" eighth season has already begun filming. Recently, a fan spotted quite a number of cast members in Belfast, including Kristofer Hivju who plays Tormund GiantBane, whom most fans had a solid reason to believe is dead.

The last time we saw him, he was on the run from the White Walkers, who had just destroyed the wall and invaded the North.

This huge spoiler means that the strong-willed Wilding escaped the collapsing wall.
"Silent Night" beautifully blended humour, tension and romance to deliver a well-executed look at the lure of cultism and its aftermath.

Pulse Movies has put together 10 things you probably don't remember about the classic - You can also watch the full video below.

1. "Silent Night" starred Emeka Ike and Victoria Iyamah as members of Black Arrow's robbery gang, which killed a man and his family in the opening scene.

2. The movie starred Ramsay Nouah as Stanley, a rich kid, who, out of boredom, moved to Ajegunle to join Black Arrow's gang.

3. Kate Henshaw starred in the movie as Black Arrow's sister, Ruth, who had an affair with Stanley.

4. Joke Silva and Alex Usifo teamed up as Stanley's parents. Usifo played a Judge, who was too busy for his family.

5. During one of their robbery spree, Stanley was recognised by his brother Vincent and was ordered by Black Arrow to shoot him.

6. "Silent Night" also starred Okey Bakassi alongside Jerry Amilo as the detectives assigned to solve Vincent's murder.

7. After Black Arrow was presumed dead and the gang arrested, they confessed that Stanley brought the gun and was with them on the night of Vincent's murder.

8. The Judge finally sentenced the gang - including his son - to death by firing squad. Before Stanley's death, he got Kate pregnant, who eventually had his son.

9. We bet you also didn't know that "Silent Night" starred Ejike Asiegbu, Chidi Mokeme, Baba Dee and Francis Duru.
Vanguard Newspaper reports that Ankyoor had beaten the wife and mother of three children, to death at their residence at Lugbe Village, a suburb of the FCT on June 5, 2017, during a disagreement.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Donatus Abah, had told the court that the accused had murdered the wife, Doosur Ankyoor, after beating her severally leading to her death and that of the unborn child.

Abah added that the offence contravened Sections 221, 235 and 236 of the Penal Code. Section 235 deals with preventing the child from being born, and 236 causing the death of an unborn child.
In the report, CrossRiverWatch had narrated that the kidnappers who were seven in number, had abducted a businesswoman identified as Mrs. Asimco at Asimco Street along Ogoja Road in the city center and following a distress call, a police patrol team chased them to a forest.

"Following a gun duel, the police killed four of the bandits in the forest while one was arrested alive and taken to the police station and was later shot by a policeman in the station while two of the bandits are still on the run but their victim has been rescued," the report had stated.

CrossRiverWatch also quoted the State Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], ASP Irene Ugbo as confirming the incident, giving kudos to the officers for a job well done.

However, a resident of the area, Abang Ogon, has given another dimension to the incident, saying that the suspects were killed by the police at their station.

According to Ogon, there was nothing like a gun battle between the suspects and the police killed the men extra-judicially.

Ogon who posted the observation on his Facebook page, also posted photos of the suspects at the station to prove that they were not killed during a gun battle.

This is what Ogon posted:

"Ikom KIDNAP; After the police apprehended the bandits, handcuffed them and took them to the police station, they shot them dead and the story is 'they were involved in a gun battle;' a very wonderful gun battle indeed. RespectPolice."

This is not the first time men of the Nigerian police have been accused of carrying out extra-judicial killings of criminal suspects.

Cases of such brutality abound with examples. In 2014, the same CrossRiverWatch reported how six armed robbery suspects were gunned down by the police in cold blood, with the police saying the men were killed during an exchange of gunfire.

However, after a dogged investigation by the online media, it was realized that the victims gruesomely murdered by the blood-thirsty cops who were later dubbed 'Calabar Killer Cops.'

The police officers were later arrested, dismissed and charged to court.
The Exquisite Ladies of the Year (ELOY) Awards is in place to celebrate successful women who have done well in their endeavours. The 2017 edition is the 9th, themed; 'The Year of Inspiration', and is targeted at highlighting women who inspire, motive and encourage other women to be better.

The ELOY team has unveiled this years influencers and they are great women who serve as role models to young ladies have been always inspired and encouraged others in many ways.

ALSO READ:ELOY Awards founder heralds 2017 with why women should support each other

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi is a foremost Nigeria based designer, Joke Silva a renowned actress and business and media personality Peach Hyde were revealed as influencers in a stylish shoot.

About Joke Silva

Joke Silva (born 29 September 1961) is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. A graduate of the University of Lagos and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, she began her career in film in the early 1990s. In 1998 she had a major role starred opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The secret Laughter of Women. In 2006 she won "Best Actress in a Leading Role" at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in Women's Cot, and "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance as a grandmother in White Waters.

Mummy J as she is fondly called is happily married to actor Olu Jacobs. The couple founded and operate the Lufodo Group covering film production and distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, where she is Director of Studies. She is also the pioneering managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University. On 29 September 2014, Silva received recognition as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria's National Honors Awards, at the International Conference Centre, ABUJA.

Over the years Mummy J has won awards all over the world has gotten a lot of recognition for her endeavors in her field and she is known for inspiring and empowering women.

About Lanre Da Silva Ajayi

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi(LDA) is the founder of eponymous design label. In nine years her passion for fashion has gotten stronger making the label a fashion favourite among the media, celebrities and fashion lovers.

The LDA brand first arrived in the Nigerian fashion scene in 2005 with iconic 1940's couture signature designs - a result of what has evolved into a much more modern and cutting-edge brand and a full-blown fashion house.

An LDA woman is the personification of sophistication, femininity, brilliance and boldness, which are the inspiration for each of her collections.

The brand has showcased locally in Nigeria and internationally including the Thisday Africa Rising Festival, London (October 2008), ARISE Africa Fashion Festival, South Africa (June 2009) and the New York Couture Fashion Week (September 2009), Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Lagos (March 2011 & 2012), the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012 Made in Africa by Arise magazine, (September 2011), London Fashion Week (February 2012), the Pitti Immagine Florence (June 2012) and MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week (October 2012& 2013).

LDA has been featured in various African and international media including L'Uomo Vogue, Vogue Black, ARISE Magazine, Daily Mail, Essence.com, Fashion Bomb.com, Zimbio.com, WWD.com, ITN News, NTN24.com, ABCNews.com, Reuters UK and Centric/BET.

She holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Coventry University and a Masters degree in Finance from University of Leicester.

For her contributions to the Nigerian and African fashion industry, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi has received numerous accolades and awards for excellence. She is married with two children.

About Peace Hyde

Peace Hyde is the Head of Digital Media and Partnership as well as the West African Correspondent at Forbes Africa.

In her current role, she is responsible for working across the companys digital platform on revenue and audience growth initiatives as well as the editorial head for the West African region.

Prior to Joining Forbes Africa, she was an education senior management executive in the United Kingdom where she also practiced as a science teacher for 7 years.

She is also the founder of leading education non-profit Aim Higher Africa, which has a focus on empowering unemployed youths in Africa to transform their passion into business.

She is also an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in Black Enterprise, Huffington Post, Ebony and Fox News. She was named to the United Nations Most Influential People of African Decent list for 2017.
1. Have a little respect

Take candid photos of people from a distance, using a zoom lens. It would be very rude to be all up in their face without an explanation. This is also an unobtrusive way to get an authentic sense of local cultures, without any posing.

People around the world are friendly and are surprisingly open to having their photo taken.

Just ask them to pretend Im not here, so you can take authentic, natural shots.

2. What story are you looking at?

Like the saying goes, a great photo opens up the world to people. With adventure travel photography, you need to capture the actions of people during that rush. Whether its surfing at Tarkwa Bay or going down a zip line, people looking at your pictures have to feel that sense of adventure.

Also, if youre spending time with local cultures, you need to communicate a sense of character and how people live.

Whatever it is youre looking at, you need to figure out what the story is and who the main characters are.

3. Show something real

Photographers have obviously got carried away with Photoshop, editing their pictures to the point where they bear no relation to what they saw or to scenes that are even physically possible.

Photos with intensely oversaturated colours might get likes on Instagram but they're likely to be rejected by editors at newspapers and magazines.

Instead, capture something real. There are plenty of incredible sights in the real world, without adding magic effects.

4. Always look around

To take great pictures, you need to pay attention to your environment. Its small details that others might miss or walk by, rather than the obvious main attraction, thats the detail that brings your story to life. Sometimes, it's the spectators at an event, rather than the event itself, that makes the standout photo.

5. Be Original

It takes something original to stand out and make people look. The world probably doesnt need another photo of the Ikoyi link bridge. If you are going to photograph a well-covered subject, you need to find your own fresh take.

6. Seek out interesting places

One of the great pleasures of travel photography is the travel itself. It pays to go to unfamiliar and remote places, even if that means difficult journeys.

The extra effort is usually rewarded with fascinating cultures, wildlife, buildings and other new sights.

Keep an ear out for local festivals or find out about local practices, from religion to art, farming to celebrations, all of which can make for original pictures.

7. Be a decent human being

Photos tell stories, good or bad, and even have an impact on the outcome of those stories, from violence and human rights to wildlife conservation.
Citizens in the presidents hometown of Surakarata hit the streets on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 to witness the wedding parade for the countrys first daughter who marries Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution.

The groom, a property businessman, is a member of the Batak ethnic group.

The brides hugely popular father is from the central Java region and the flamboyant wedding was held according to their traditions.

The evening before the wedding, the president's family took their daughter through a string of several Javanese traditions and for the big day itself, about 8,000 official guests were invited, including many politicians.

As expected of Javanese weddings, people took to the streets wearing ethnic costumes from all parts of the diverse country.

President Widodo also hired 50 cycle rickshaws to carry some of his guests so that all levels of society could take part and also earn some money from it, according to reports.

This colourful ceremony reminds us of that time in 2014 when President Goodluck Jonathan shut down Nigerias capital city with his first daughters wedding.
Here are ten things we drew from that presentation:

1. Clad in light blue babariga and a trademark cap, Buhari made his way into the green chamber of the House of Reps at exactly 2:02pm.

He had a fist up and a wide grin on his face after settling behind the rostrum.

2. The president was ushered into the lower legislative chamber by his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, Senate majority leader Ahmad Lawan, House majority leader Femi Gbajabiamila, House whip Hon Alhassan Doguwa and House Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun.

3. The president addressed lawmakers for 69 minutes. There was plenty of cheering and murmuring at irregular intervals from both sides of the political divide.

4. There was a planned protest by lawmakers, especially from the PDP side of the aisle, but that was shelved following pleas and entreaties from presiding and principal officers of parliament before Tuesdays presentation.

The lawmakers had planned to use the occasion of the presidents budget presentation to voice their disapproval over the poor implementation of the 2017 budget and non-disbursement of monies for constituency projects by the executive.

5. Some lawmakers actually smuggled protest placards into the chamber, but couldnt hold them aloft during the presentation.

Some dissenting placards bore the inscriptions: zero implementation of capital projects is wickedness. "Where is constituency project allocation?"

6. There was intermittent murmuring from some lawmakers during the presidents hour long presentation.

However, those were not enough to disrupt proceedings or create a rowdy session. The APC side of the aisle made sure to keep a lid on proceedings.

7. The 2018 appropriation act proposes N2.428 trillion for capital projects, N3.494 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.014 trillion for debt servicing.

Buhari has placed a ban on unauthorized hiring into MDAs (Ministries, Departments, Agencies) because of the chunk of money appropriated for recurrent expenditure next year.

8. Capital projects account for 30.8 percent of the budget; with emphasis on the East-West road, 2nd Niger bridge, Mambilla power project etc.

ALSO READ:

9. Power, works and housing ministry will receive a chunk of the budget--thats N555.88bn. Education will receive N61.73bn, transportation N263.1bn and health gets N71.11bn when the budget eventually gets passed. Nigeria will spend N2.014trn servicing debts and loans in 2018.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge also told reporters that the result of the test samples are being expected.

According to Today News, Azinge said this during the debriefing session from officials of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

While listing the local government areas where the five suspects were identified, the commissioner also said that experts are handling the cases.

ALSO READ:5 ways to avoid monkeypox infection

Reports say personnel from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have been in Delta state to offer

What you should know

Monkeypox is a 'zoonotic' virus That means it comes from animals. It can be transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to humans.
Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued in Abuja, said Buhari also directed the minister to deploy all the necessary machinery to combat the outbreak of the disease.

The outbreak of the deadly disease was reported in Gidan Dugus village of Wangara district, Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa.

President Buhari, in a telephone call to Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, on Tuesday evening, to find out the details of the incident, commiserated with the governor and the families of the victims.

ALSO READ:Kogi Mysterious disease diagnosed as gastroenteritis

He assured the governor that the Federal Government will provide the necessary support to contain the spread of the disease.

How it started

Media reports, on Nov. 7, had indicated that a strange illness had taken the lives of over 55 children, while 35 others were hospitalized at Gidan Dugus village of Wangara district, Dutse local government area of Jigawa.
The Presidency had said Buhari's office needed renovation because of the damage rodents caused inside the building due to the President's long absence from the country.

Buhari spent over 100 days in London treating undisclosed ailment.

Since his return on August 19, 2017, he has been running the country from an office located inside his official residence and another one located inside the Presidential Banquet Hall.

According to Punch, the President inaugurated the Armed Forces Council inside one of the halls located inside the main office on Thursday.

The President's Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, confirmed the development via his Twitter handle, @BashirAhmad.
While appearing before a Senate ad-hoc committee set up to probe the controversial recall of the former pensions reform chief on Wednesday, November 9, 2017, Magaji told lawmakers that Dambazau played no role in the scandal as he neither saw nor received any mail in the process.

In the wake of the controversy, the minister had issued a press statement to deny any involvement in the scandal and also had a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on November 2, reportedly to discuss his connection to it.

Maina scandal

Maina was recalled and promoted after he had been dismissed by the Federal Civil Service Commission in 2013 following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

In 2015, he was charged alongside former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited before a Federal High Court on a 24-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence through the award of fraudulent biometric contracts.

After he was declared wanted over an alleged N2 billion pension fraud, he evaded capture from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and fled abroad.

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, and Dambazau were reportedly instrumental to the process of Maina's recall.

Magaji's testimony

However, Magaji assured the committee that he was in a better position to be questioned on the matter as Dambazau is completely out of the loop on such ministry matters.

He said, "In a ministry, there are responsibilities. The minister is in charge of policy direction while the permanent secretary's office is in charge of establishment matters, which we are discussing today; and all correspondences to the ministry were sent to perm sec directly and not to the minister.

"The minister has not seen a single mail related to Maina in his office or directed any action other than the perm sec's office. That's why I feel I should be here to assist even though I wasn't in the ministry when this thing happened."

Despite his attempts to stand in for Dambazau, the committee rejected his request and demanded the appearance of the minister himself who was unable to make Wednesday's hearing as he was presenting a memo at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa.

The committee, chaired by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, told Magaji that Dambazau has to appear before the panel because of his position as the political head of the ministry.

A member of the panel, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, said, "It is good that you were invited in person as the permanent secretary of the ministry but first of all, we have to deal with the minister. Most of the things involved are not just about the bureaucratic activities of the ministry; they are political."

Fallout of Maina scandal

After his reinstatement drew public condemnation, President Buhari ordered Maina's 'disengagement' from service and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances of his recall.

The Senateand House of Representatives also set up separate ad-hoc committees to investigate the issue.

The committee set up by the Senate comprises the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the Senate Anti-Corruption Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Interior and the Public Service Establishment Committee.

Officials of the Federal Civil Service Commission
Remember how Nigerians on social media grabbed pitchforks and torches and tried to burn down Okorocha's hardly stellar reputation?

Remember how Okorocha defiantly insisted he owed no one any explanation and promised to "erect as many of such structures as possible"?

He wasn't joking.

Despite the backlash the governor got just last month, he might be about to go ahead with the unveiling of another statue in honour of another foreign leader.

This time, Owerri residents might be about to be blessed with the casted splendour of Africa's first elected female head of state, Liberia's PresidentEllen Johnson Sirleaf.

On Tuesday, November 7, the governor announced that the outgoing president will visit the state for a two-day working visit on Thursday, November 9.

According to a statement signed by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the president will be honoured with a traditional title and a road named after her, both perks enjoyed by Zuma last month.

His statement read, "On arrival on Thursday, Mrs Sirleaf would be taken to the Palace of Eze Imo to be accorded the African way of receiving an august visitor like her and the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri will be expected to decorate her with a Chieftaincy title.

"Taking into account that she took over the leadership of Liberia soon after a bloody Civil War and she has been able to sustain the peace of that Country for ten years now.

"The following day being Friday, November 10, 2017, Mrs Sirleaf will then be at the Rochas Foundation College of Africa where she will meet with the Students and also specifically interact with the Liberian Students. And all these will help to instill confidence in the students and brandish a juicy future for them.

"After her outing to the College, the Liberian President will deliver a lecture to Imo women at Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) and the topic will be women in politics.

"And the lecture is structured to encourage women in the State to develop interest in leadership, especially when it is recalled that Mrs Sirleaf is the first female President in Africa."

ALSO READ: 7 times Gov Okorocha has baffled Nigerians

While the statement is conspicuously missing the mention of a statue, there's sufficient evidence to believe it is most probably in the offing.

Last month when Zuma's N520 million bronze-cast monument was unveiled, it was discovered that there were six other statues covered up at the Freedom Square on Wetheral Road in Owerri.

It was hard to decipher the personalities behind those statues but some hilarious assumptions were made based on the veils used to cover the statues.

All the other statues were covered up with what appeared to be flags of countries of the subjects underneath them.

One particular statue was covered with what appeared, at the time, to be the flag of the United States of America, prompting many to guess that it belonged to its current president, Donald Trump,or former president, Barack Obama.

However, in light of Johnson-Sirleaf's visit, a reevaluation has been done to determine the place of her statue as the Liberian flag looks very similar to that of the USA.

It's very likely now that the statue hidden behind the stars and stripes flag belongs to Africa's first female president and will be unveiled on Thursday or Friday.

While much of the criticism that was lobbed at Okorocha over the Zuma statue had a lot to do with the fact that the South African president is currently unpopular in his own country amid a plethora of corruption cases, Nigerians won't be as hard on Johnson-Sirleaf.

However, many will still fail to grasp the biting significance of erecting statues with hundreds of millions in a state where workers have been reported to be owed several months' allowances.

Governor Okorocha's approval rating might be about to suffer another blip as social media users and political commentators get ready to tear into his unpopular "investment".
Carrying over twenty million passengers on a yearly basis, the airport whos code is LOS, is the busiest airport in Nigeria, and also one of Africa's busiest.

A brief history of Murtula Muhamed International Airport

There used to be a West African Airways Corporation that was formed in 1947 and had its main base at Ikeja. The airport which was built during World War II was at the time, under the above corporation.

Originally, the airport was known as Lagos International Airport. It would be renamed Muritala Mohammed International Airport in the mid-1970s during construction of the then new international terminal.

Named after Gen. Murtala Muhammed who was a military Head of States from 1975 until he was assassinated in 1976, in an unsuccessful Coup Detat, the international terminal which was officially opened in 1979, was modelled after Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

And as a result of it being an international airport, it is opened to service twenty-four hours daily. The domestic terminal is, however, open for only sixteen hours daily.

With Lagos being the centre of Nigeria's activities, Murtula Muhamed International Airport is known to be the main base for Nigerias flag carrier airlines, which are Aero and Arik Air.

Of course, they are not the only airline operating within confines of the airport. There are over forty airlines that fly from Lagos to over sixty destinations worldwide, carrying over twenty million passengers annually.

Be that as it may, the ridiculous state of governance in the country, the facilities that the airport provides for its customers are way behind in comparison to what should be expected.

Mismanagement has succeeded in creating a loop that seems to be giving space to deterioration.

And this is made visible even before admission, from the poor organisation of public transport to the roads that are not in great condition, which usually harbours long traffic jams.

However, the airport is located in Ikeja, a popular suburb of Lagos city of and the capital of Lagos State.
Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Spokesman of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said in a statement that several wooden boats and barges loaded with huge quantity of crude oil were seized.

Troops also destroyed illegal oil dump sites; seized vehicles transporting illegal products and arrested perpetrators of the illegal activities.

A total of 13 cases were recorded across 6 Divisions Area of Responsibility, while firearms and other dangerous weapons were recovered in our anti-cultism operations.

Also, our reinvigorated Anti-Kidnapping Squad busted nine kidnap syndicates who provided useful information about criminals hideouts, their mode of operation and sources of weapons, he said.

ALSO READ: Niger Delta elders threaten to abandon talks with FG

The spokesman attributed the success of exercise to cooperation and support of residents in the three states.
The monarch spoke after a close-door meeting with Gov. Abiola Ajimobi at the Government House, Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akanbi led 11 Beaded Crown Obas from Iwoland to the meeting.

Akanbi said he had spoken with the Olubadan on the crisis, and the discussion with the governor on Wednesday showed that the issue would soon be resolved.

He said that the governor had displayed high level of courtesy and respect for traditional institutions, particularly that of the Olubadan.

ALSO READ:Oyo APC lauds Ajimobi over coronation of new Obas

The monarch said that Ajimobi had insisted that the Olubadan was more like a father to him and should be highly respected.

What really happened

NAN recalls that the state government had, on Aug. 27, elevated and installed 21 new Obas in Ibadan, the state capital.
The Governor disclosed this on Thursday, November 9, while speaking to state house correspondents after a meeting with Buhari.

He said, "Any first-term governor would want to go for a second term. And if what you wish yourself, you should be honest enough to wish another person the same.

"Since Mr President is doing his first term and I am doing my first term, its my wish to re-contest and I will as well wish the president the same to re-contest."

On the visit of Buhari to Ebonyi next week, Umahi said the people of the state are ready to receive the president.

According to him, Buhari will commission some projects carried out by his administration during the visit, including roads and flyovers.

"There are quite a lot of projects that we have executed within these past two and the half years. We have three numbers of twin flyovers that are built across the African Tran Sahara Road running from Enugu to Cameroon passing through Ebonyi state, so we have to build three twin flyovers to decongest traffic on that road, each of the twin flyovers is 700-metre length.

"We have completed two and the third one is 80 percent done, Mr President will commission the two. We also have a mall, what we call Ebonyi mall that is modelled after the famous Dubai mall.

"And we intend for the president to lay a foundation stone of that mall which we will like Mr. President to commission within the next 12 months."

ALSO READ: Buhari allocates 7% to education in 2018 Budget
According to a statement signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, in Abuja on Wednesday, November 8, the soldier died as troops of 28 Task Force Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole engaged the terrorists.

The statement read, "The soldier died from the impact of shrapnel from a detonated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), while three other soldiers were injured by the VBIED mechanism.

"The troops successfully repelled the Boko Haram terrorists' attack in Gulak and neutralised the VBIED mechanism while the terrorists attempted to infiltrate Gulak town."

ALSO READ: Normalcy returns to Gulak after Boko Haram attack
The Police had sealed the national headquarters of Peace Corps on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

The Corps, through its counsel, Kanu Agabi, had filed a motion on notice on October 6, 2017, seeking an order of the court to unseal its office located at No 57 Iya Abubakar Crescent, opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja.

The motion which was supported by 20-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Ogar Christopher Ogar with written addresses and 4 exhibits, said the Police had sealed the Peace Corps office since the day it raided the premises February 28th 2017, when the national commandant of the corps, Dickson Akoh and 49 others were arrested.

Moving the motion on Wednesday, lead Counsel, John Ochogwu said the property in question was leased to PCN, contrary to the submission Police counsel that the Corps built the office with illicit proceed from crime.

Ochogwu, in an emotion laden voice prayed the court to help unseal the office as his client, the PCN had suffered hardship since the office was sealed nine months ago.

In a twist of event, the Police counsel, JCA Idachaba, moved a motion, asking the court for an order to seal the National Headquarters of PCN.

He said, a motion of notice had been filed on the 4th of October, 2017, with a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Sergeant Philip Tsumba and 17-paragraph written address.

Idachaba claimed that the property of the Peace Corps was ill gotten and should not only be sealed by the order of the court, but it should also be temporarily forfeited by the Corps.

The Police denied sealing the office saying the defendant could not produce any evidence to compel the court to believe that the office was locks.

Replying on point of law, Barrister Ochogwu tendered picture evidences, showing the office was under lock and keys with heavy presence of the Nigerian Police and a van belonging to the Force.

He prayed the court to mandate an officer of the court to visit the said office with the view to ascertaining the veracity or otherwise of the claim that the Police sealed the office.

This prayer was, however, objected by Idachaba, who said it would amount to abuse of court process if the court sent anyone to the premises to verify whether it was sealed or not.
Whatsapp has been known to adopt the Apple emojis but recently released their own set of emojis.

Its needless to say that they help in conveying feelings that would otherwise not be well communicated with words,

Emojis just like Pictures could be said to tell a thousand words.

There are however some emojis that Nigerians could really appreciate if Whatsapp were to add to the emoticon library.

Chuckles -

To chuckle is to laugh quietly or inwardly. It is quite different from laughing out loud (LOL).

And as it happens, there are jokes that do not just come out as rib cracking rolling on the floor funny. Yet we are forced to use the LOL in words or equivalent emojis.

This is why it would be cool to have a Chuckle emoji instead of actually writing the word Chuckle which many may not know what you mean.

Yimu emoji -

Yimu is a Yoruba slang to express disagreeing with someone behind his back. It is an emoji that displays a funny facial expression and would be great to have it in emoji format.

The emoji with the side eye is one that come close to what yimu means but does not totally capture that 'Yimu' facial expression.

Sarcasm emoji -

We have a lot of sarcastic peeps in our lives. Wouldnt it be cool to have this sarcastic look in an emoji so the person doesnt have to spell it out in words that he is being a sarcastic jerk. According to science though, a winking emoji could be used to let someone know you are being sarcastic.

'Wasted' emoji

- When you have one too many drinks on a night out with friends, and you finally get your sanity back, it would be nice to do some explaining to girlfriend that you got drunk with a Wasted emoji

Stuck in traffic -
At UN climate talks in Bonn on Tuesday, Syria announced it would join the Paris Agreement, leaving the US as the only nation to say it will remain outside the landmark treaty.

Syrian government sources told AFP Wednesday that Assad had already promulgated a bill ratifying the agreement adopted by parliament last month.

Despite the announcement the French foreign ministry said Syria was not invited to the Paris gathering.

"The December 12 summit aims to bring together key players in the world of climate and finance. Syria has not been invited," the ministry said in a terse statement.

War-torn Syria is the 197th country to sign up to the deal on limiting carbon emissions.

The move leaves the US, which caused an international outcry in June when Trump announced plans to pull out of the pact, the world's sole hold-out.

The US State Department has attempted to downplay the isolation, saying if the Syrian government really cared about air quality "it wouldn't be gassing its own people" -- a reference to a raft of chemical attacks mostly blamed on government forces.

The US has been invited to send representatives to the Paris summit.

But the French, who are still smarting at Trump's decision to pull out, have not yet invited the president himself.
The former leader of the free world was the only juror to arrive by motorcade, however, accompanied by tight security and met with a throng of news media and court staff trying to snap a picture.

"He gorgeous!" one court clerk exclaimed upon spotting the former president, the Chicago Tribute reported. Potential juror Kelly Bulik told the newspaper she felt like a "piece of melting butter" as she shook his hand.

Obama thanked everyone for showing up, and was surprised by some who presented him with copies of his books to sign.

"Thanks everybody for serving on the jury. Or, at least being willing to," he said to laughter.

The former law professor left by midday, along with a number of others who were randomly selected for dismissal, according to the Tribune.

Before heading to court, the former president tweeted in the morning about Tuesday night's high-profile state and mayoral election results seen as a sweeping repudiation of the politics of his White House successor Donald Trump.

"This is what happens when the people vote," Obama wrote. "Every office in a democracy counts!"

Obama is not the first US president to show up for service that some Americans either dread or find excuses to avoid. Obama's predecessor in the White House, George W Bush, responded to a jury summons in 2015.

Bush was not selected to serve as a juror, but images of the smiling former president posing with delighted citizens at the courthouse in Dallas, Texas quickly showed up on social media.

Chicago has some experience with high-profile jurors. In 2004, media titan Oprah Winfrey, who at the time produced her talk show out of the midwestern city, was a juror on a three-day murder trial ending in a conviction.

While the Obamas currently live in Washington, the ex-president and first lady Michelle Obama maintain a home in Chicago, the city where he got his political start.
Daniel Moser, 54, was arrested in the German business capital Frankfurt in April on spying charges after he compiled information on officials tasked by Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia state with uncovering wealth hidden at Swiss banks.

He denied acting with criminal intent and said he was driven by "patriotism, love for adventure, profit-seeking motives and indignation".

As a former policeman, Moser said he merely sought to uncover criminal behaviour on the part of German tax officials as it was a question of "national security".

Taking his confession into account, the court gave Moser a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months and fined him 40,000 euros ($46,000) -- a lighter penalty than the two year suspended sentence and 40,000-euro fine sought by prosecutors.

The absence of a criminal record and the fact that Moser was already in jail for more than six months pending trial were further mitigating factors for the sentence, said the court.

Moser had told the court he was paid 28,000 euros between 2011 and 2013 for the spying job.

Billions in undeclared taxes

Switzerland had been seeking the identities of three German tax officers, hoping to build a case against them for illegally obtaining banking data which are protected under the country's strict secrecy laws.

Swiss banks have come under intense pressure in recent years as several German states started buying CDs or USB memory sticks allegedly containing data on German taxpayers who had parked their fortunes across the border.

Fearing prosecution, many of Germany's rich and famous subsequently came forward to declare their hidden wealth, boosting the tax coffers of Europe's biggest economy by billions of euros.

In his extraordinary court statement in October, Moser, who once worked as a security officer at Swiss banking giant UBS, voiced regret for his action.

He described himself as a "middleman" between the Swiss secret service and a security company -- which apparently helped to compile information on the targeted individuals.

The spying case had sparked outrage in Germany, with Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel rebuking Switzerland over the scandal and summoning Bern's envoy for clarification.

It was especially embarrassing for Switzerland, which in 2015 had signed a deal with the European Union to exchange bank data starting in 2018 as part of an international pledge to clamp down on tax cheats.

Moser has said he planned to return to his home country to work again as a private investigator.

But given that his identity has been revealed in the trial, Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger noted that Moser "can no longer count on getting more cases" as a private investigator.
Trump posted an initial message to thank President Xi Jinping for his warm welcome -- even though the social media platform is not supposed to be visible in the country. He then tweeted a warning against North Korea.

Twitter is among a slew of Western websites, along with Facebook and Instagram, blocked by China's censors in the name of protecting national security.

But Trump was expected to use sophisticated technology available to the US president to circumvent the so-called Great Firewall, with US officials saying they had brought "gear" to "make it happen".

The US president tweeted an AFP photo of his visit to the Forbidden City, where Xi and his wife treated Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to tea and watched an opera performance.

"On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and I, THANK YOU for an unforgettable afternoon and evening at the Forbidden City in Beijing, President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan. We are looking forward to rejoining you tomorrow morning!" Trump wrote.

Trump appears to have used something other than his smartphone to post the message: It had the tag of "Twitter Web Client" instead of "Twitter for iPhone" as in his previous tweets.

In another post, Trump wrote that he was "looking forward to a full day of meetings with President Xi and our delegations tomorrow. THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! Melania and I will never forget it!"

Trump has used Twitter to both praise and scold Xi, especially over his handling of North Korea, which will be the focus of their talks on Thursday along with China's yawning trade surplus with the United States.

Hours after calling North Korea a "cruel dictatorship" during a speech to South Korea's parliament, Trump wrote that Pyongyang "has interpreted America's past restraint as weakness. This would be a fatal miscalculation. Do not underestimate us. AND DO NOT TRY US."

The White House did not say what kind of technology Trump would use to access Twitter.

But web users can circumvent the firewall if they download a virtual private network (VPN) -- software that allows people to surf the internet as if they were using a server in another country.

Foreign visitors can also access banned websites with their phones if they are in roaming mode -- but only because the authorities currently allow it, according to experts.

China has its own Twitter-like website, Weibo, which is closely monitored by the authorities.

Chinese nationals can face fines or even jail time for unfavourable social media posts. Authorities have further tightened internet controls in recent months, shutting down celebrity gossip blogs and probing platforms for "obscenity."

Weibo was ablaze Wednesday with comments about what Trump would do if he could not use his most cherished form of communication.

Since Trump's election in 2016, critics among Chinese internet users have mockingly described American governance as "rule by Twitter."

Some commenters feigned ignorance about the verboten site.

"Fake news. What's Twitter? This website doesn't exist," one quipped.

Others appeared to be asking for explanations about Twitter in earnest, while still others called on Trump to create a Weibo account.
The EU move follows Washington slapping punitive sanctions on Caracas after labelling Maduro a "dictator" as his country slides into chaos and economic collapse.

A blacklist for sanctioned Venezuelan individuals and entities will be created, the EU sources said, though for the moment it will be empty.

"The political aim remains to force the government to get round the negotiating table with the opposition and contribute to getting out of the current political crisis," a diplomatic source said.

"It's a gradual, flexible and reversible tool."

Venezuela has been rocked by deadly protests and economic chaos that has caused dire shortages of food and medicine. The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the crisis.
While insisting that air travel is currently safe from cyber attacks, EASA executive director Patrick Ky told AFP it was incumbent on aviation authorities to take preventative measures to mitigate potential cyber-threats.

Polish officials attending the "Cybersecurity in Civil Aviation" conference also announced the creation of a "rapid reaction unit" for cybersecurity incidents.

Despite the assurances of experts in the field, computer systems failures triggered by hackers or accident have caused flight chaos in recent years.

Poland's flagship carrier LOT was briefly forced to suspend operations in June 2015 after a hack attack.

The airline's spokesman described the incident as the "first attack of its kind".

Thousands of British Airways passengers faced chaos in May as the airline was forced to cancel more than a hundred flights from London's Heathrow Airport following an IT system failure.
Investigations by special prosecutor Robert Mueller and three congressional committees have unveiled many more links between the campaign and Russia than were originally known, and charges against three figures at the end of October raised expectations of more revelations.

Where the investigation's key targets stand:

Donald Trump

Nothing yet has linked the president directly to the Russians. But his firing of FBI director James Comey smells like obstruction of justice to investigators. Analysts expect Mueller won't go after Trump until he has finished with most everyone else on his radar.

Paul Manafort

Trump's one-time campaign chairman was arrested on October 30 on money laundering and tax-related charges in relation to his work for Moscow-backed Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort could be looking at a heavy jail sentence, unless he cooperates with Mueller on the Russia side of the investigation.

Rick Gates

Manafort's partner in Ukraine and a Trump campaign deputy chair, Gates was also arrested on October 30. Analysts say he could be expected to offer evidence against others related to Russia collusion in exchange for lighter treatment.

George Papadopoulos

The first person convicted in Mueller's investigation, Papadopoulos was one of the campaign's foreign policy advisors. He developed his official Russian contacts and tried to arrange a Trump trip to Russia or a meeting with Putin. He also told his supervisors that he was offered "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. Emails indicate his work drew the attention and support of top campaign officials. In a deal that made clear Papadopoulos is actively assisting Mueller, he pleaded guilty to a charge of lying to the FBI.

Michael Flynn

According to NBC, the former White House national security advisor and his son, Mike Flynn, Jr, could be Mueller's next targets. Flynn drew suspicion for his repeated discussions with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak, his paid appearances for Russian firms and his unreported lobbying for Turkey. NBC said initial charges could be linked to the lobbying and money laundering.

Carter Page

Another member of the campaign's foreign policy team, Page has a long association with Russia that raises suspicions. He says trips he made to Moscow before and after the election were for personal and academic reasons. But in a July 2016 email to top campaign officials, he indicated he had contacts with Russian legislators and senior members of President Vladimir Putin's administration. He also proposed a Trump trip to Moscow.

Jared Kushner

Trump's son-in-law is believed to be a major target of the Mueller probe for his contacts with Kislyak, with a powerful Russian banker and with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, who was offering damaging information on Hillary Clinton. His possible role in firing Comey and other White House moves also likely interest investigators chasing obstruction suspicions.

Donald Trump, Jr

Trump's son helped arrange and then attended the Veselnitskaya meeting and has been involved in the Trump organization's Russia-related real estate projects.

Jeff Sessions
He is one of four staff members from the newspaper who went on trial on Tuesday, in the latest case of journalists facing charges under state of emergency laws imposed after the failed putsch to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Two of the other defendants in the case, news editors Mediha Olgun and Yonca Kaleli, had already been allowed to go free while the case was heard. All three remain on trial on charges of "intentionally aiding a terror group" and face up to 15 years each in prison if convicted.

The fourth suspect, the newspaper's owner Burak Akbay, is accused of the more serious charges of "running an armed terror group" and "spreading terror propaganda" and could be imprisoned for up to 30 years.

An Istanbul prosecutor's office in May issued an arrest warrant for Akbay, who is believed to be abroad.

Witnesses in the hearing, some with close links to the government, dismissed the idea Sozcu had any links to the failed coup, raising questions about the viability of the case.

Journalist Fuat Ugur, of pro-government ATV Europe television, told the court he did not think that "Sozcu newspaper is being published by the Fethullah Terror Organisation".

The government blames the movement of US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen for the July 15, 2016 failed coup but Gulen strongly denies the charges.

Ugur's comments were backed by the staunchly pro-Erdogan columnist of the Star newspaper Cem Kucuk, causing surprise on social media.

Over 50,000 people have been arrested since the failed coup, while more than 140,000 people including public sector employees have been sacked or suspended over alleged links to Gulen and his movement.

Critics say the vast crackdown goes well beyond alleged coup plotters and opposition politicians and dozens of journalists have been caught up in the crackdown.

The nationalist Sozcu is on occasion vehemently anti-Erdogan and its angry front pages are regarded with suspicion even by some liberal Turks critical of the president.

It is the second opposition daily to be targeted after Cumhuriyet newspaper.
In what appeared to be a direct political attack, Erdogan said the committee was in a city run by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which has repeatedly labelled him a "dictator" in recent months.

"Their ties with the values of our nation have become so severed that in a district run by the CHP of a major city, a one-in-five gay quota is put forward for the local committee elections," Erdogan said in a televised speech.

"When there is no moderation left in a party, no-one knows where it can lead them. Let them continue like this," he added in a speech to local Turkish officials (mukthars) where he often makes his toughest pronouncements.

It was one of the first times that Erdogan, who regularly promotes family values, has even mentioned homosexuality in a speech, a topic he has generally steered clear of.

Turkish media said the president was likely referring to the so-called City Council (Kent Konseyi) in the Nilufer district of the western city of Bursa, which has a quota for women, disabled and LGBT candidates in elections.

According to its website, the organisation does have a quota where one out of every five candidates must be gay.

The City Council organisation, which campaigns for the environment and holds events including photo exhibitions, gives no political affiliation but the Nilufer district is run by the CHP.

Homosexuality has been legal in Turkey throughout the period of the modern republic and was also legalised in the Ottoman Empire from the mid-nineteenth century.

But gays in Turkey regularly complain of harassment and abuse in much of the country, although there are relatively gay-friendly areas in small parts of Istanbul and Ankara.

The annual gay pride rally in Istanbul, once a major event, has been thwarted by the authorities for three years in a row.
Residents of the small Clinton area community in Arkansas who backed Trump in last year's presidential vote have varied reasons for supporting him, but most center around the idea that the New York billionaire is understanding of their concerns instead of dismissing them and their demographic.

And while Trump's national approval ratings are at historic lows, the Republican president's base, by-and-large, are standing by their man and praising his policies.

Eoff, a 68-year-old with a luxuriant white mustache, ran into various legal issues over a creek running through his property, but now says he no longer worries that the government is keeping watch.

"I cross the river with my cattle, with my truck, every day, and I am not afraid of the government keeping eyes on me," Eoff said.

Shortly after taking office, Trump removed regulations on waterways put in place under his predecessor.

"The people he picked to run his cabinet are hard... knowledgeable people that know what is going on, that understand our way of life," Eoff said.

Mike Fox, who also raises cattle, agreed, saying: "We needed a change."

Fox was at a cattle sale held in an auditorium-like room through which a parade of calves, cows and bulls passed to the rhythm of the auctioneer's voice.

"He has made things better for people in the cattle business," said Fox. "The economy is getting better and more people are eating beef."

'Pulse on the heartland'

Fox welcomed what he termed the "new mindset" instilled by the president.

Arkansas is, along with West Virginia and Mississippi, is one of the poorest states in the country.

In Clinton, a small town of 2,600 residents spread along a wide road, the main employers are schools and the local hospital.

Two large factories closed in the late 2000s and a tornado ravaged a boat factory in 2008. Gas exploration brought a financial windfall for a time but has since dried up.

In an attempt to attract new business, Mayor Richard McCormac launched an overhaul of the wastewater system, but is dismissive of government intervention.

"Entrepreneurs and small businesses drive the economy. Anything the government starts, it never ends," said McCormac, who enthusiastically backed Trump.

Peggy Eoff, who organizes annual chuck wagon races -- the area's most well-known event -- along with her husband Dan, said that Trump "has his pulse on the heartland."

"People here that have to go to work, everybody is sick of what goes on in Washington; they think we are dumb little people that don't know anything, and they underestimated the little country people across the US," she said.

Trump's inappropriate language? A sign of his sincerity. His failure so far to reform the health care system? The fault of Congress.

Three jobs

Voting for Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton was not an option for Peggy Eoff.

Clinton was for years first lady of Arkansas when her husband Bill was governor, a tenure that left a memory here of a cold person distant from the concerns of the rural world.

While he has many supporters, Trump also has detractors in Clinton.

"He is not looking (out) for the average man, he is just looking after a lot of money and for the big people," said Brad Mohr, a veteran who was attending a concert in honor of former members of the military.

Trump says he supports the military, but "he is putting a lot of money into something when we really need to put money elsewhere, like the average person's health care, getting jobs," said Mohr.

Ashton Pruitt, who helps her husband run the office at Pruitt's Mid-State Stockyards in addition to working two other jobs, voted for Clinton in 2016.

The bubbly 29-year-old, who hosts a country music show on local KVOM radio from 6 to 10 am before opening her clothing store, said she has not seen much change since the election.

"I got up and I went to work like nothing had happened," she said.
But the imminent decision marks another turn of the screw as Washington ratchets up rhetoric designed to convince Kim Jong-Un he will not win his latest nuclear stand-off.

It will also add Pyongyang to a very exclusive list. Only Iran, Syria and Sudan are still blacklisted as terror sponsors, and Sudan is expected to be relieved of the title soon.

When will it happen?

Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday that no decision will be made before the president returns from his Asia trip, on which he is rallying opposition to Pyongyang.

This would imply no sooner than November 15 after the Southeast Asian summit, but for some in Washington that is already late.

While the White House has been mulling a decision on the designation since coming to office in January, in July Congress passed a bill demanding an answer by October 31.

Lawmakers have been chivvying the State Department for a ruling since then, but officials privately argue Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson needed time to consult allies.

Why now?

The United States and North Korea have been enemies since the 1950 to 1953 war that split the peninsula between the communist North and the westward-leaning South.

In 1988, Pyongyang was added to the US list of state sponsors of terror after Korean Air Flight 858 exploded in midair on a flight between Baghdad and Seoul in November 1987.

Some 115 people were killed and a North Korean agent later confessed to the bombing.

In 2008, then US president George W. Bush's administration removed North Korea from the list as an incentive to join a round of negotiations on its nuclear program.

Those talks eventually failed and, since Kim Jong-Un took over as dictator from his late father Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have made rapid progress.

Foreign policy hawks in Washington now want to tag the North again, citing in particular Pyongyang's presumed implication in the murder of Kim's older brother and rival, Kim Jong-Nam.

The elder Kim died in February after suspected agents of his brother's regime sprayed a nerve agent in his face in an airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"North Korea was removed from the list in 2008 in part because Pyongyang had promised to end its nuclear weapons program, another promise the Kim regime did not keep," said Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert with the Federation for Defense of Democracies.

"The determination should make it easier for the Trump administration to draw a line with countries, noting that continued business with Pyongyang aids a state sponsor of terrorism."

Which decision?

All signs point to Trump deciding that North Korea deserves to return to the list.

"The president's cabinet is looking at this as part of the overall strategy on North Korea," National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told reporters last week.

"But a regime who murders someone in a public airport using nerve agent and a despotic leader who murders his brother in that manner, that's clearly an act of terrorism that fits in with a range of other actions, so this is something that's under consideration. You'll hear more about that soon."

In addition to the assassination, US officials have been infuriated by the death of Otto Warmbier, a young US student who was arrested in North Korea for a petty offense and held for more than a year before he was released in a comatose state.
No one is quite sure whether MBS' bold move will leave him as the uncontested leader of a more modern, open Saudi Arabia -- or open the door to chaos, rebellion or a regional war.

But Trump is bringing the United States along for the ride.

"I have great confidence in King Salman and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, they know exactly what they are doing," Trump tweeted on Monday, after a round of high-profile arrests.

Dozens of prominent Saudis, among them a dozen royals including billionaire tycoon Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, were arrested over the weekend and may now face trial.

The arrests were the first order by an anti-graft commission headed by Prince Mohammed himself, and many outside observers saw it as a politicized move against rivals within the elite.

Trump, who has tangled publicly with Al-Waleed in the past, had no such doubts, declaring: "Some of those they are harshly treating have been 'milking' their country for years!"

MBS' move comes as he moves to accelerate his Vision 2030 project to modernize the conservative kingdom, but also as Riyadh takes a more aggressive stance in its wider region.

Saudi-led forces are waging a fierce war against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen and Riyadh has led its allies in a boycott of Gulf emirate Qatar, to growing US frustration.

In the wake of an alleged Huthi missile attack against Riyadh airport, the kingdom has accused Iran of "direct aggression" and threatened an equally direct though unspecified response.

And Riyadh was deeply involved in Lebanese premier Saad Hariri's decision to resign his post and flee to the kingdom, precipitating a new political crisis in Beirut.

Some might see this string of crises as headaches the already tumultuous Middle East could do without, but Washington is still standing four square behind its ally.

"We continue to encourage Saudi authorities to pursue the prosecution of people they believe to have been corrupt officials," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"We expect them to do it in a fair and transparent manner."

The hand of Iran

And, pressed on whether Riyadh's aggressive stance towards Iran or its interference in Lebanon was a cause for concern, the spokeswoman instead pointed the finger at Tehran.

"I think we know exactly where the responsibility lies in the region for much of the destabilization," Nauert said.

"We've seen the activities of Iran in Yemen. We've seen the hand of Iran in Syria. We've seen the hand of Iran elsewhere."

Whereas former US president Barack Obama sought to "rebalance" US interests in the Middle East, hoping to straddle the Iran-Saudi divide, Trump has very publicly joined one camp.

His first foreign trip took in Riyadh and his son-in-law Jared Kushner has reportedly formed a close bond with 32-year-old MBS.

But, despite Obama's caution, past US presidents have always maintained close ties with an oil-rich kingdom in the name of regional stability. Is this now a mistake? Perhaps.

"I am very concerned about Trump's unconditional support for MBS," says Barbara Slavin, a journalist and Middle East scholar at the Washington policy institute The Atlantic Council.

For Slavin the feud with Qatar, war in Yemen and domestic crackdown are "extremely risky policies that may well backfire."

Warning of the risks of a backlash at home and war abroad, she told AFP: "In such a situation, it is better to have options, not to put all your diplomatic eggs in one basket."

'Risky move'

And even observers with more sympathy for MBS' objectives, warn that the weeks and months to come will contain many risks for the young heir and his White House friends.

Lori Plotkin Boghardt, an expert in Gulf Arab politics and US-Saudi relations at The Washington Institute, says the need for an anti-corruption drive "should not be dismissed."

Nevertheless, she adds: "The scale and scope of the arrests... is unprecedented in recent Saudi history, especially of this type of elite elements. So this is a politically risky move."

MBS' power grab at home is mirrored in his "risky -- some would say brave, some would say rash -- policies in the region," such as the Qatar boycott and doubling down in Yemen.

"He's essentially attempting to wipe out opponents," Boghardt said.

Simon Henderson, another Washington Institute fellow who has worked as a consultant for Arab governments, is also concerned.

"The events are unprecedented and we don't know where they're going to end up and, frankly, I don't think the Saudis know where they're going to end up as well," he said.
MILAN  Veterans who adopt a cat or dog from the Quad City Animal Welfare Center this Veterans Day will have the adoption fee waived, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, announced today.

Veterans made incredible sacrifices to protect our freedoms, said Rep. Halpin. This pet adoption event is an expression of gratitude to those who have served and the family members who supported their loved one while that service member was overseas.

The Quad City Animal Welfare Center, located at 724 2nd Ave. W. in Milan, is one of 15 participating shelters throughout the state that is waiving adoption fees for veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11. The all-day pet adoption event is an initiative of Comptroller Susana Mendoza along with Fifth Third Bank and Bunker Labs, a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. Rep. Halpin is encouraging Quad-City area military families to take advantage of the waived fee to give a loving home to an animal in need.

For veterans returning home, adopting a pet can help ease the transition into civilian life, said Rep. Halpin. At the same time, this event also helps ease the burden on overcrowded shelters. Im grateful to the generous sponsors who are making it possible and showing their appreciation for local veterans.
EAST MOLINE  Hope Creek Care Center has been fined $27,200 for violations stemming from abuse and neglect of some of its residents, including alleged sexual abuse.

A report by the Illinois Department of Public Health for the third quarter shows the Rock Island County-owned nursing home, 4343 Kennedy Drive, was fined $25,000 for five type A violations and separately, $2,200 for type B violations.

Type A violations apply to incidents in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious mental or physical harm will result, or has resulted.

Jessey Hullon, president of the board of directors for Hope Creek, said he had not seen the report and was not aware of the fine. He said the violations would be addressed during the next board meeting.

Hope Creek executive director Cassie Baker said she had read the report and the fine had been paid by the county.

We want to make sure our quality is always improving, Ms. Baker said. We understand there are issues; its a very large facility. When we get back in compliance, we do have to write a plan of correction.Board vice president Gregg Johnson said board members were briefed on some of the incidents a couple of months ago.

We always ask for incident reports so we know what is going on, Mr. Johnson said. Its one thing to hear about the incidents, but to see it in black and white, its glaring when you read about it. As a board, we always want to be apprised of whats going on.

Numerous falls by patients







Among the numerous violations, it was determined the facility had failed to prevent falls by several patients, three of whom required transfer to a hospital for their injuries. The IDPH report states the nursing home failed to implement interventions after several falls for the three patients requiring treatment.

These failures resulted in a (resident) falling and sustaining a forehead laceration and subsequently requiring transport to a local hospital for placement of sutures to repair the laceration, the report said.

Another patient who was transferred to a hospital Jan. 31, 2017, for associated head injury, facial swelling and purple skin color changes, was found not to be at high risk of falling in assessments done June 1, 2016, and March 3, 2017. But in the nine-month period between those assessments, the patient is documented as falling 19 times. On June 8, 2017, a restorative nurse was unable to provide explanations for two of the falls to IDPH investigators.

On June 18, 2016, the same patient was found on the floor with no alarms going off. The nurse stated in the report that the alarm was not working properly. The patient was found on the bathroom floor in several other incidents, including one time when she was found with her wheelchair tipped over on its side. On Nov. 21, 2016, another fall was reported. The patient used her alarm, but the call light was not answered in a timely manner.

A third patient in the report was documented as falling 16 times at Hope Creek from June 2016 to June 2017, including one time when the patient was found on the floor with the wheelchair flipped over on top of him.

Ms. Baker said testing of alarms is mandated by the state and that there are enough alarms for patients to use to call for help.

We are in full compliance, Ms. Baker said. Every single day we work hard. We are very proud of our facility. I want to make sure Hope Creek provides the best service for our community.

Alleged sexual abuse

Another violation came after the facility failed to properly supervise a male patient with a known history of sexually inappropriate behaviors, possibly resulting in the sexual abuse of other patients.

The patient, admitted to Hope Creek on May 23, 2016, was able to move about independently with bed mobility, meaning he could get in and out of bed without assistance. According to the IDPH report, nurses documented at least nine incidences involving the patient kissing, attempting to kiss, touching, or attempting to touch female patients.

Nurses documented alleged sexual abuse on Jan. 29, 2017, when a female patient was discovered lying on the floor of the male patients room with her pants pulled down and lower body exposed.

In an interview with IDPH officials on June 6, 2017, two certified nursing assistants reported searching for the female resident, who was missing during lunch time.

I noticed (female resident) wasnt in the dining room, said the first CNA. I checked all the rooms in the hallway. I opened (male residents) door after I knocked. (Female resident) was lying on the floor on her side. (Her) pants were down, exposing (her) buttocks. I saw (male resident) zipping (his) pants up.

The second CNA reported the same thing.

I knocked on (male residents) door and opened it. (Female resident) was lying on the floor, covered with a blanket. I moved the blanket and noticed (female residents) pants were down with her private area exposed.

The CNAs called a nurse to the room, who performed an assessment to determine if the female patient was hurt.

I did not check for sexual abuse, the nurse reported. I reported it to my supervisor. I did not send (female patient) to the emergency room to be checked.

According to nurses notes from Feb. 2, 2017, a review of camera footage from the date of the alleged abuse shows the male resident repeatedly attempting to lure the female resident into his room.

The document states the male resident is persistent and insistent. (He) is the instigator. Due to past and present reports from staff, (his) sexual intent has increased.

When asked what is being done to protect residents from possible sexual abuse, Ms. Baker said training and education is provided to all staff members.

We immediately investigate, she said. We go over and beyond to make sure (patients) are appropriately assessed.

Ms. Baker said she has no recollection of the alleged sexual abuse, noting she was assistant director of nursing in January when the incident occurred. She became interim executive director in June, and executive director this month.

Bed railing entrapments

Other violations stem from incidents related to bed side railings, including an occurrence in which a patients head became entrapped between the side rails of the bed and mattress. The report states, the facility continues to use the same unsafe side rail despite the residents previous entrapment and subsequent fall from the bed.

The patient was admitted Aug. 1, 2015, for symptoms of dementia or Alzheimers disease. According to nurses notes from March 16, 2017, at 4:15 a.m., the patient was heard calling help me, and found with their knees on the floor, and head wedged between the side rail and mattress. No injuries were noted, and a bed sensor pad was placed on the bed for safety. A June report notes the patient has a history of falls, but no alternative measures were taken to prevent further accidents.

Hope Creek had several other violations involving bi-lateral half side rails on beds and neglect by staff to assess for entrapment risk to at least 23 patients with a known history of falls. The report by the IDPH states the facility failed to assess for entrapment and the medical records of these patients do not contain informed consent for the use of side rails or any alternatives tried before the initiation of side rails.

During an interview with the IDPH, the director of nursing stated Hope Creek does not obtain informed consents for any resident at the facility prior to the initiation of side rails. Furthermore, the director of nursing admitted the facility did not document alternatives tried prior to using side rails, and confirmed that side rail assessments do not consider the risk of entrapment.

I know alternatives are a problem, the director said. Its a widespread problem. Our side rails are a little outdated.

Ms. Baker said all side rails have been removed from beds following the annual exam by the IDPH.

Our number of falls are decreasing since the side rails have been removed, she said. We chose as a facility to go side rail-free.

When asked if disciplinary action was taken against any employees for their role in neglect or possible abuse, Ms. Baker said, the (personnel) matters were handled appropriately based on company policy.

Rock Island County board member Drue Mielke said what matters most to him is how Hope Creek deals with the violations.

I dont want problems buried, Mr. Mielke said. They need to demonstrate corrective actions to make sure these dont occur again. And they need to be up front with the governing body. Ultimately, we want a safe place for residents. I have a very good friend at (Hope Creek) right now. Its personal.
SPRINGFIELD  Obtaining the drug was easy, but getting rid of it was hard.

When my ankle was reconstructed recently, the surgeon prescribed oxycodone, a powerful opioid painkiller.

I only needed the medicine for a couple days and ended up with a lot left over. I tried to take the remaining pills to a local pharmacy to have them destroyed, but my pharmacist just shook her head.

The law bars her employer from accepting such powerful painkillers, she explained.

Some pharmacies have a special Drug Enforcement Administration permit to accept all drugs, others dont. And some pharmacies have trouble finding a service willing to haul away opioids for disposal.

We are in the middle of an opioid crisis, but our government is making it difficult to safely get rid of these drugs.

Last year, according to the New York Times, more Americans died of drug overdoses than were killed in the entire Vietnam War.

And the American Society of Addiction Medicine reports that 259 million opioid prescriptions were written in 2012  more than enough to give every adult in this nation their own bottle of pills.

With three children in my home, I knew I didnt want to leave one of those bottles sitting on my shelf.

When I was kid, we flushed unused medicine down the toilet.

But we know better now. Sewage systems and septic tanks dont filter out drugs and they end up in our waterways.

The University of Illinois Extension Service explains that even though the chemicals occur at low levels, they are causing changes in behavior, reproduction, and growth in frogs, fish, mussels, and other aquatic animals.

Several friends encouraged me to just flush it or bury it in the backyard.

Sorry, guys, that wasnt going to happen.

When my mother died, her hospice nurse told us to mix her pills with unused kitty litter and have them hauled away with the garbage.

Thats a bad idea too.

Addicts dig through the garbage looking for drugs. In fact, nursing homes have been plagued by folks rummaging through dumpsters looking for used fentanyl patches.

Some police stations and pharmacies have special drop boxes where medicines can be left. But the closest to my house was seven miles away.

I was willing to make the trip, but many people arent.

Every community in Illinois should have a convenient, safe location like a police station where unused drugs can be deposited.

It should be as easy to get rid of a prescription as it is to pick one up.
Id like to address the elephant in the room. That elephant being the Republican Party and their refusal to represent the majority of their constituents. Lets begin with stricter gun control (something that would help lessen the fears parents have when sending their children off to school), 53% of Americans favor this (Pew Research) yet the elephant in the room refuses to consider any such thing. Over 70% of Americans want stricter background checks yet again; the elephant in the room refuses to represent them. 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal. Again, the elephant in the room pushes laws that do the opposite. 74% of Americans do not want social security reduced in any way. But the elephant in the room pushes to do just the opposite, cut social security. 63% of Americans now prefer Medicare for all, but the elephant in the room fights it with all its might. 67% of Americans feel more needs to be done to reduce climate change, but not the elephant in the room. The elephant sides with the fossil fuel industry claiming its not a big concern. Given these few statistics (there are more like them) its obvious that the Republican Party is the party of minority rule, quite the opposite of what our founding fathers envisioned. The Republican Party has become a power cult, not a party that represents the majority of Americans. Remember this while you mark your ballot in this midterm election. Save Democracy! Vote Democratic!
As a pastor I cant even comprehend what it would be like to have half of my congregation murdered during a worship service. As one expert said recently, No one is safe anymore.

Americans are very concerned about what has happened in the past, we worry about what is taking place right now, and many are filled with fear regarding the future.

One headline on CNN.com grabbed my attention: It Can Happen Anywhere. If were not safe in church, in school, at a concert or on a bike path, is there anywhere thats safe? Here are 10 biblical lessons we can apply that will help us stay grounded even when the headlines shout out doom and destruction.

During these days of emotional whiplash in the face of unspeakable evil, these timeless truths are comforting because they provide a framework that will help us process problems in our world and deal with the losses of life that we all experience.

10. God is powerful and in control. Even when bombs explode and a murderer mows down worshippers, God reigns in heaven and earth. The Bible tells us that He works wonders, even when we are not aware of them, and especially when we dont understand what has happened. Isaiah 40:22: He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth

9. God loves to bring good out of bad. This principle helps us see that with God at the center of life, theres always reason to hope. In Genesis 50:20 Joseph says, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good

8. Things will get worse before they get better. As we get closer to the end of the world, the Bible says that things will get increasingly worse: But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1).

7. Live one day at a time. One of the best ways to beat anxiety is to simply focus on the day in front of us: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

6. We are made for a different place. For the believer in Jesus Christ, this world is not our home. 2 Corinthians 5:1 reminds us, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven

5. Jesus meets us in the storms of life. No matter what you are going through right now, or what hurricanes will hit your heart in the future, remember that when the storms show up, so does the Savior. Psalm 46:1 says, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

4. Jesus is coming again. After He ascended into Heaven we read this announcement in Acts 1:11: This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.

3. The Bible is filled with predictive prophecy. When asked about what signs to look for that will tell us that the second coming of Christ is near, Jesus made this statement in Matthew 24:7-8: Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

2. Run to the Lord. This world is not safe. The things we tend to trust in are fragile. God invites us to seek refuge in Him: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

1. Get yourself ready. Im reminded of the passage where some people told Jesus about an event when a number of innocent people were annihilated. Jesus then brings up another situation in which 18 people were killed when a tower fell on them. In both instances, Jesus doesnt give them an answer as to why these things happened. Instead, he personalizes it and says, Unless you repent, you too will perish! (Luke 13:4-5). Are you ready to repent right now and receive what only Jesus can give you?

If you had been in those twin towers when they were toppled, on the bike path in New York, or in the church service in Texas, would you have been ready to meet Jesus?

Are you prepared for what will come next? Remember, it can happen anywhere.
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National has described the current truancy target as 'not ambitious enough', with Luxon wanting 75 to 85 percent of Aotearoa kids at school regularly as soon as possible.

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Under the agreement signed by the director general of the Sudanese Railways Authority Mr Ibrahim Fadl, China Railway Design Corporation and China Friendship Development International Engineering Design & Consultation Company will examine the viability of building a standard-gauge line linking Port Sudan with the Chadian capital NDjamena via Khartoum.

In December 2011 Chads Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation signed an agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for the construction of a 1364km standard-gauge network, including an 836km line from N'Djamena to Adre on the Sudanese border.

In November 2015 a tripartate agreement was signed by the governments of Sudan, Chad and Cameroon to build a line linking Port Sudan with the capitals of the three countries, with financing expected to come from Chinas Exim Bank.

The governments of Chad and Cameroon subsequently signed an aide-memoire with the African Development Bank in July 2017 with the aim of securing funds for a feasibility study into the N'Djamena - Ngaundere section of the line.
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EU court dismisses lawsuit of Ukraines ex-minister over freezing of assets

MOSCOW, November 9 (RAPSI)  The European Court of Justice has dismissed an action filed by former Minister for Revenue and Duties of Ukraine Oleksandr Klimenko, to annul acts of the Council of Europe prolonging freezing of his assets, according to the courts ruling published on its official website.

In May 2014, the Council ruled to freeze assets of several persons suspected of abuse of office by a public office-holder as well as misappropriation of public funds in the context of crisis in Ukraine and undergoing investigation by the countrys authorities. Klimenko was put on the list of such persons in the same year.

The former minister claimed that the actions of the Council lacked legal basis, infringed on his rights of the defense and on the right to effective judicial protection. He believes that the Council failed to provide adequate reasons for these measures and infringed on his rights to property and reputation.

The court ruled that reasons for freezing Klimenkos assets were specific, concrete and set out the factors which constitute the basis for that decision, namely his status of a suspect in a criminal case.

In similar fashion the court dismissed ex-ministers argument that his right to presumption of innocence was violated by actions of the Council. The court noted that Ukrainian authorities are entirely aware of the fact that the applicant is only suspected of having committed the offences in question.

Klimenko was ordered to pay legal costs.
Gogol Center theater directors assets seized as part of embezzlement case

MOSCOW, November 9 (RAPSI)  Moscows Basmanny District Court has seized assets belonging to the Gogol Center theater director Kirill Serebrennikov, who stands charged with large-scale embezzlement, according to the courts spokesperson Yunona Tsareva.

The court ordered the seizure of Serebrennikovs apartment, car, and money in the amount of more than 360,000 rubles ($6,000), over  60,000, and $4,000, Tsareva told RAPSI on Thursday.

Serebrennikov was arrested in late August and then placed under house arrest. Investigators believe that he was an organizer of the budget money embezzlement. The defendant denied wrongdoing.

He allegedly created Seventh Studio stage company to actualize the Platforma project for promotion of art and invited former head of the company Yury Itin, ex- general producer Alexey Malobrodsky, and former chief accountant Nina Maslyayeva, among others, into organization.

Investigators believe that Itin, Malobrodsky, and Maslyayeva were falsifying data for the Platforma projects plans in 2011-2014 on request of the theater director. This data was provided to the Ministry of Culture as the rationale for financing from the state budget.

Earlier, Maslyayeva has testified against Serebrennikov. She said that Serebrennikov, Malobrodsky and Itin organized embezzlement of money allocated for a cultural event. Serebrennikov and Malobrodsky cashed the money with the assistance of Maslyayeva. The woman also said that she entered falsified data in financial reports.

Former official of Russias Culture Ministry and current director of the Russian Academic Youth Theater Sophia Apfelbaum was also charged in the case and put under house arrest. According to investigators, from 2011 to 2014, Apfelbaum signed contracts on state grants in the amount of more than 214 million rubles ($3.7 million) with Serebrennikovs Seventh Studio stage company on behalf of the Russian Culture Ministry, and provided further agreement of received reporting documents, which contained overstated information on quantity and cost of the held events. Thus, she has abetted the embezzlement of about 68 million rubles ($1.2 million) by Serebrennikov and his alleged accomplices, investigators claim.

Apfelbaum admitted that she controlled the movement of cash but pleaded not guilty to embezzlement.

One more defendant, producer Yekaterina Voronova, has been arrested in absentia and put on the international wanted list.
In an increasingly polarized world where seemingly every issue is politicized, what we need more of is unbiased work based on science and facts to inform the public policy discussion. Historically, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has been just such an organization  an institution diligent about providing factually sound, evidence-based information on issues ranging from education, economic development, trade and health. Unfortunately, the organizations Health Division is threatening to undermine that reputation. Its work is at odds with the OECDs commitment to market economies and its core mission to promote policies that facilitate economic growth through innovation, trade, and investment.

There is no doubt that the OECD has an important role to play in collecting and disseminating data in an objective manner that can inform public policy decisions and contribute to more efficient, sustainable and patient-oriented health systems around the world. But the recent work of the Health Committee secretariat undermines free-market principles, relies on misleading data, and fails to appreciate the value of innovation to society.

Former French President Hollande announced in March of 2016 his intention to use the G7 as a platform to create a framework for international regulation of pharmaceutical prices. Although attempts were made to include this mandate at the G7 Leaders Summit in Ise-Shima in May 2016, and then again during the Health Ministerial in Kobe in September 2016, ultimately neither communique included any reference to pharmaceutical pricing.

After failing in the G7, the French government chose to directly commission the OECD Health Division to do their work for them. This work includes a report set to be released by the OECD Health Division at the end of 2017 that could forward policy recommendations that would fundamentally harm the research-based biopharmaceutical industrys ability to develop new treatments and cures for patients.



What is most disturbing about the premise of the Health Divisions current work is how narrowly focused it is on prices and pharmaceutical spending in a few therapeutic areas. It ignores the broader context that is critical to understanding the sustainability of health care systems.

If the OECD Health Division does not scrap its current approach, the anticipated results could showcase policy options for price controls that would strip innovators patent rights through harmful measures such as compulsory licensing -- a limited authorization meant to be used in emergency situations but often leveraged as a backdoor way for governments to circumvent important patent protections.

These options, which go against the OECD's own market principles, would do little to promote sustainability or access to medicines. They would instead curtail the pharmaceutical innovation needed to meet growing health challenges in OECD countries. By mischaracterizing trends in pricing and aggregate spending and ignoring the dynamics of key therapeutic categories, the report could fall well short of the solid fact-based evidence and high standards expected from the OECD when it comes to policy analyses. And this matters because countries count on the OECD to provide high-quality unbiased information to help them make policy decisions.

The Health Divisions work is happening against a backdrop of a U.S. administration that wants to scrutinize contributions to multilateral institutions across the board, and the U.S. Congress is not taking a backseat. Earlier in October, legislation meant to hamper U.S. contributions to multilateral organizations, including the OECD, was introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Heres where the current French government can help right the wrong of their predecessors. They could work with the rest of international community and encourage the OECD to take actions to ensure it will not end up being a target of U.S. action on multilateral institutions. The OECD can prevent any report currently in the works by the Health Division from moving forward without correcting that reports fundamental flaws, such as a narrow scope of analysis, and removing any policy options that undermine innovation without meaningfully improving access or sustainability.

Furthermore, OECD leadership should demand that its Health Division work in close coordination with other OECD branches  like trade, economic policy, and innovation  to take a more balanced view on innovation, access and sustainability. The Health Division should also have to bring together experts from areas such as new technologies, science, and innovation to recommend real health solutions. All of these steps could help course-correct a division astray and bring us back to what the international policy world needs now more than ever  the real OECD.
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The cover of Nathaniel Isaacson's book, Celestial Empire. [Photo provided to China Daily]

When American Nathaniel Isaacson began research on Chinese science fiction as a doctoral student at the University of California, Los Angeles, a decade ago, he thought it would be easy for him to cover the development of Chinese sci-fi in the 20th century.

"Ten years ago, most people didn't know about Chinese science fiction," says Isaacson. "And there were little available materials to study."

However, the more he looked into the field, the more material he dug up.

Early this year, Isaacson presented his findings with analysis in a new book, Celestial Empire: The Emergence of Chinese Science Fiction, which examines the birth of the genre in China in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to the early years of the Minguo period (1912-49).

Since Chinese award-winning sci-fi writer Liu Cixin's works have been translated into English in 2014, more people want to know about Chinese sci-fi.

"But I think it's very important to understand its origin. This was something China has had for 100 years," says Isaacson.

Song Mingwei, a modern Chinese literature scholar at Wellesley College, recommends the book.

"It's a landmark in the study of science fiction. It presents new interpretations of the emergence of Chinese science fiction in the context of colonialism," says Song.

The idea of studying Chinese science fiction came to Isaacson during a course on Chinese modern literature in UCLA, where he was asked to write a paper about a novel, The New Story of the Stone, by late Qing writer Wu Jianren.

At first, Isaacson didn't know what to write, and got no grade for the course, but later on he thought that one could understand this novel through the point of view of science fiction.

The novel is a "sequel" to Cao Xueqin's classic The Story of the Stone, better known as A Dream of Red Mansions, and could be considered a time-travel novel as it takes the main character Jia Baoyu from the early Qing, the possible setting of Cao's original work, to the late Qing period.
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Zhang Ming, China's new ambassador to the EU, submitted his national credentials to European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday in Brussels. (Provided to China Daily)

European Council President Donald Tusk has spoken highly of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, saying it will have a "far-reaching impact" on both China and the world.

Tusk made the remarks on Wednesday in Brussels when he received the credentials of Zhang Ming, the head of China's Mission to the European Union. Zhang succeeded Yang Yanyi in the post one month ago.

According to a news release from China's EU mission, Tusk said China has sent a "clear and important" message from the Party Congress that the country will maintain longtime stability and predictability, which are crucial for both China and the world.

The once-every-five-years congress wrapped up last month, and China outlined its economic and social development road map to 2050 while announcing that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.

In welcoming Zhang, who had been deputy foreign minister, to his new position, Tusk said China ranks high on the EU's diplomatic chessboard. He said he treasured the "personal and work" relationship that he has with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Tusk said he believes that the bilateral relationship between China and EU will be upgraded to a new level through joint efforts.

Zhang, who attended the Party Congress in Beijing last month, explained the outcomes to Tusk.

Zhang Ming, China's new ambassador to the EU, submitted his national credentials to European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday in Brussels. (Provided to China Daily)

Zhang said the congress elected the new CPC central leadership with Xi Jinping at its core and set the direction for China's future. It also said that the Chinese people should have greater confidence about their future.

"I am deeply convinced that the congress is of paramount importance to the CPC and China's development and will have a far-reaching impact on the whole world as well. I am certain that the congress is going to bring new opportunities to China-Europe relations," said Zhang.

Zhang said that in the course of opening up, China never plays a zero-sum game, never dominates others and never pursues selfish interests at others' expense.

Zhang said China places great importance on Europe, considers Europe a diplomatic priority and continues to give firm support to the European integration process.

China is ready to engage more with Europe to forge synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and Europe's development strategies, and fully implement the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation.
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About 13 million first time car/two-wheeler buyers are entering the market every year. If employment creation is such a big issue, where are these people coming from, asks Mahesh Nandurkar.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com.

Employment creation and housing demand/construction activity are two pillars of any economy.

Central bankers and policymakers all over the world rely on data on these activities heavily.

Unfortunately in India, we do not have any high frequency and reliable data available on either.

National Sample Survey Organisation conducted its last employment survey back in 2012.

Since then we havent had anything comprehensive on employment creation in India.

Economists, financial analysts and even policy-makers in India, hence, have had to rely on some proxy data or anecdotal evidence to estimate the trends on employment creation.

Due to demographics, India is witnessing nearly 10-11 million people entering workforce every year assuming the historical labour force participation rate (LFPR).

Creating so many jobs is a challenge for any economy. The key question is how many jobs is the economy creating?

Several commentators have raised concerns on job losses/insufficient job creation. These are clearly overdone in my view.

The actual job creation in the economy is not as bad as its been made out to be.

We looked at company annual reports of listed companies and nearly all listed companies give number of employees as at the end of the financial year.

This is the most authentic and high frequency (once every year) data that one can get.

Our analysis of more than 900 listed companies with a total employee base of 5 million shows that jobs growth has been good at 3.7 per cent during FY17 and 4 per cent in FY16.

This is actually in line with the jobs growth seen for these companies over the last 10 years.

Thus, at least for this sample, the jobs creation has not slowed down over the last two years.

Two questions arise. The first question is: is 3.7-4 per cent good enough? Second: How can we extrapolate this sample to the rest of the economy?

Lets look at the first question. The answer is 3.5-4 per cent jobs growth is quite good.

Indias total working class is about 470 million and nearly 220 million of these are engaged in agriculture.

Agriculture is not creating jobs anymore; in fact, its shedding jobs.

Thus, the incoming job seekers have to be absorbed by the non-agri working class of about 250 million.

As explained above, about 10-11 million people are entering the job market in India every year.

This is 4-4.4 per cent of the current non-agri base.

In other words, a potential non-farming jobs growth of 4-4.4 per cent will create full employment for all the young entering the working class -- an ideal number.

In that context, our sample of listed companies with a jobs growth of 3.7 per cent and 4 per cent is quite respectable.

Now lets move to the second question.

Can we extrapolate the conclusions from our 5 million sample to the total number of 250 million (hence our sample is 2 per cent of total) non-agri jobs in India?

We need to keep the following three things in mind before jumping to conclusions.

1) In the company annual reports, the number of employees quoted is the employees on its payroll.

The increasing trend in India, however, is to hire more people on contract.

This trend may now rise even more as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) allows easier input tax credits.

In a nutshell, if on payrolls jobs growth is 3.7-4 per cent, the overall ecosystem growth is likely to be higher.

2) The revenue growth of these more than 900 companies is lower than gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Thus, the remaining 98 per cent of the economy has probably done better than this sample.

Hence, the chances are that the employment creation in the rest of the economy should be as good if not better.

3) Our sample of 900 companies comprise nearly all the large listed companies including private banks, public sector banks, NBFCs, IT services companies, large manufacturing companies, telecom and media companies, and other outsourcing companies etc.

These companies have access to the latest technology and have used it to automate and improve the employee efficiency.

It would be fair to assume that most of the other small companies (ie, outside our sample) would probably have much less resources to invest in technology to make people redundant.

Hence, our conclusion is that the employment situation in India is not that bad.

Things could improve further if the housing construction market begins improving.

An estimated 25 million workers are engaged in housing construction and this segment has not witnessed any growth over the past five years, as the housing market has been in a lull.

As and when things begin to improve in the housing market and it should ideally, soon, given the best in two decade housing affordability for the mid-end and low-end segment, an estimated 1.5-2 million jobs per year can be created.

One of the biggest contributors to the jobs creation recently has been the growth of consumer credit industry.

Lending to the non-salaried class has now been enabled largely by the combination of UIDAI and credit bureau and a development of credit culture even in smaller towns and villages.

This type of lending is an extremely labour intensive work.

We believe that this industry has just started growing and has decades of growth still left in it and should continue to drive employment creation directly and indirectly.

Of course, we cant afford to be complacent as digital disruption can always change the scenario here.

Lets look at the employment issue from a different angle.

Currently in India, about 22 million new cars and two-wheelers are sold every year.

About 40 per cent of these sales are replacement demand. After removing the replacement demand, about 13 million first time car/two wheeler buyers are entering the market.

If employment creation is such a big issue, where are these 13 million people coming from?

Mahesh Nandurkar is India strategist, CLSA.
'We are moving away from the Modi promise of less government,' says T N Ninan.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

What has received less attention is the sub-text of the announcement, pointing as it does to bigger government -- a trend that is already evident in other spheres.

Basically, we are moving away from the Modi promise of less government.

The manner in which the banks are to be recapitalised will mean a government outlay (most of it from borrowed funds) of over Rs 1.5 lakh crore, split over two years.

If the sum is split evenly, the fiscal deficit this year will go up by about 0.4% of gross domestic product.

This will come on top of the expected shortfall in non-tax revenues so that the year's deficit could inch up to about 4% of GDP -- a slide back from last year's 3.5%, instead of being a move forward to 3.2%.

It will also raise the ratio of government debt to GDP -- which the N K Singh committee has said is already too high.

There is a price being paid for recapitalising the government's banks.

Recapitalisation in the manner announced will also raise the level of government ownership in banks, instead of bringing it down as has been the intention.

More than 70% of the fresh capital to be pumped in is to come from the government whereas in many banks the extent of government shareholding has slipped to well below that level.

Yashwant Sinha is not this government's favourite person, but it is worth recalling that, as finance minister in the Vajpayee government, he had talked of bringing down government shareholding in banks to 33%.

This fits into the pattern set by other developments -- like the public share issue by the General Insurance Corporation. The offer of shares got a poor response from the retail investing public.

Among institutional investors, the biggest investors were other government-owned entities, chief among them being the Life Insurance Corporation. The list also featured some government banks.

This looks suspiciously like those supposedly banned 'phone calls' from North Block having been made to prod government-owned entities to bail out a public sector issue.

Since the price of the new shares fell immediately on listing, all investors have lost value at the moment.

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The pattern of an expanding rather than contracting role for the government extends to new price controls in sectors like pharmaceuticals and the ways in which the Aadhaar number is being used to facilitate a surveillance society, even as a dithering Supreme Court ties itself in knots when questions are posed to it.

Meanwhile, on account of past experience, the private sector's role in infrastructure creation has become more circumspect even as expanding the role of the private sector in areas like defence production has made little progress.

Nor is the promise of less government more likely under another regime.

The Congress offensive is inevitably from the Left, not the Right. This is to be expected, given its long history as a left-of-centre party and its populist heritage.

But please note that its embrace of the leaders of the Patidar agitation must signal a willingness to consider expanding still further the community list for reservations in educational institutions and government establishments.

As a closing thought, all those who quarrel with what they see as the fetish made of GDP growth should ponder how much today's political responses are driven by the pressures that flow from slowing growth and lack of jobs, and how much more room there would be for pro-market policies as well as for welfare measures if the economy were doing better on the growth front.
No new capacity addition is planned for 2018 and capital expenditure plans are on hold

Indian companies raised 40 per cent less in foreign currency loans this year till date at $13.5 billion against $23.6 billion in the same period of 2016.

No new capacity addition is planned for 2018 and capital expenditure plans are on hold.

Corporate fund-raising abroad will remain muted as many companies struggle with high debts and plan to sell assets.

Barring re-financing of old loans by top-rated companies like Reliance Industries, Indian companies were not present in the foreign currency loan market this year, said a banker asking not to be named.

At present, Tata Motors is in the market with a pound-denominated loan to raise $840 million and the proceeds will be used to retire old loans.

Bankers said India was witnessing a declining trend since 2014 in both the volume and number of foreign currency loans.

In 2017, corporate India signed only 41 deals, down 37 per cent from 65 in 2016. Over the same period, fund-raising from the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, was down 15 per cent.

Corporate chiefs say 2017 was a watershed with some large companies going bankrupt or selling assets to remain out of bankruptcy court.

Demand was also weak due to demonetisation and the teething problems of the goods and services tax that was rolled out in July.

Defaults by a few top Indian companies on bonds overseas further affected investor sentiment.

Despite lower rates in the foreign currency market this year, corporate India was busy trying to keep its house in order, said the chief financial officer of a large power company.

Bankers said apart from Reliance Industries, metal-to-oil major Vedanta had raised funds from the international market.

Pharmaceutical company Intas was in the market to raise $1 billion to fund the acquisition of Tevas assets in the UK and Ireland while Mu Sigma also raised $394 million.

With an uptick in factory output, companies will first use their spare capacity and then expand in the coming months.

Analysts said there was a need for private investment to pick up because the momentum was now being maintained only by the central government.

Bankers and corporate bosses expect companies capital expenditure will revive in 2019-20 once the general elections are over.

Stressed corporates could delay the investment recovery by another two to three years, given their low capacity utilisation of 40 per cent and considering the slow growth of earnings of public sector undertakings, ratings agency Indian Ratings said.

Photograph: Yuriko Nakao/Reuters
Firms are offering employees flexi hours; the demand for air purifiers, masks have skyrocketed.

IMAGE: Delhi residents cover their face as smog covers Delhi's skyline. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Paytm founder and Chief Executive Officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma is leaving for a coastal city in south India to escape the smog and pollution choking the National Capital Region.

The employees of his company in Noida might not be able to leave like him, but Paytm is distributing pollution masks among them and is also offering flexible working hours so that they can avoid the peak pollution in the morning and evening.

"We are taking necessary measures to improve the air quality in our offices by getting top-of-the-line air purifiers and more plants. If a colleague feels unwell, we offer health assistance," said Amit Sinha, chief operating officer, Paytm Mall.

Information technology company HCL, which has employee strength of 35,000 in the NCR, is also distributing masks.

"We have various wellness initiatives driven the organisation for the health of our employees. We have a health care centre on campus and employees with serious symptoms, if any, can be readily given assistance. We have also issued an advisory to all our employees, explaining the dos and don'ts," said an HCL spokesperson.

India's biggest online travel agency MakeMyTrip said it was working on ways to help employees procure the right air masks at discounted prices on the office premises.

"We have a clearly defined work-from-home policy for our employees that they can avail of at this time as any other. We are also encouraging employees to carpool through our internal social networking forum. We are working on ways to help employees procure the right air masks," said a company spokesperson.

Multinational companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola and Indian fast-moving consumer goods major Dabur are not considering giving any leave to their employees yet.

Coke has air-purifying systems at its corporate office in Gurugram; others said the air quality on their premises was considerably better than outside.

Raj Rana, chief executive officer-South Asia at Carlson Rezidor (which owns hotel brands such as Radisson and Park Plaza), said the employees working inside the hotel are least affected, since various mechanisms including air filters are in place to ensure a healthy environment for them and for guests.

Work has continued at a normal pace at most corporate entities in Delhi and its satellite cities Gurugram and Noida.

Employee attendance was usual and companies have not yet felt a need to offer them an option to work from home or support them in any other manner.

Unlike the services sector, however, there is little relief for employees of the manufacturing sector.

"In the manufacturing space, such as automobiles, normal plant operations cannot continue without workers. We are left with little option as production and sales targets are to be met. The human resource department is closely monitoring the situation," said an executive with a leading automobile maker with a plant in the NCR.

Large automobile makers in the region such as Maruti Suzuki and Honda continued with their regular operations.

Gurugram-headquartered Bharti Airtel, the largest telecom service provider, did not say if it had done anything.

Sales of air purifiers, masks skyrocket

IMAGE: Traffic policemen wear masks to protect themselves from the smog and air pollution in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo

Air purifiers, masks and respirators have been flying off the shelves since the capital region has come under a thick layer of smog.

Since Monday, sale of air purifiers has doubled. When air quality worsened on Tuesday, marketers saw a 250 per cent jump in sales.

The market for air purifiers is confined to northern India, which contributes close to 80 per cent of the annual sales of Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion).

For the past few years, the market has been growing by more than 50 per cent.

However, growing awareness among consumers -- thanks to promotional activities by all major marketers -- got more consumers into retail outlets this time.

According to industry estimates, the 200,000 units a year market will hit 400,000 units this year.

"We have sold some 7,000 pieces in November, which is 250 per cent higher than the sales in the same period last year," said Kishalay Ray, president, consumer electronics division, Sharp Business Systems.

"During October, too, year-on-year sale was better as we saw 2,800 units fly off the shelves. But sales have skyrocketed since yesterday," he said.

To cash in the growing demand for air-purifying systems, the firm had recently ventured into specialised categories, apart from car and room air-purifiers.

Other consumer durable makers were not too far behind.

Korean major LG, Kent and Crompton Greaves have launched air-purifiers in the past few days.

Kim-Ki Wan, managing director, LG Electronics India, said: "Air quality has been of pressing concern for consumers. Based on this insight, we have developed the latest LG air-purifiers."

Syed Moonis Alvi, business head-purifiers, Panasonic India, said the firm has achieved sales of Rs 2 crore in October 2017, with a 20 to 25 per cent jump over last year.

"We are targeting sales of Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore till December 2017. We are at 8 per cent market share and hope to achieve 10 per cent market share by the end of 2017-18," he explained.

Sudhir Pillai, a general manager at Honeywell Homes and Building Technologies, said: "Over the last two days, we have seen a more than a five fold spike in sales and 8 to 10 fold increase in enquires at our customer care centres. We are already selling aggressively through both online platforms as well as large and small-format retail stores."

Many shops ran out of stock of face masks and respirators. Jai Dhar Gupta, founder of Nirvana India, a seller of designer masks, said supply constraints were a concern as demand was seasonal.
'Nature doesn't bother even if the Supreme Court says it is legal!'

'If something is in the wrong place, it will be damaged or destroyed by nature.'

IMAGE: A woman wades through a water-logged subway after rains in Chennai, November 3, 2017. Photograph: P Ravikumar/Reuters

Another year. Another monsoon and floods again in Chennai.

This grim situation is not confined to Chennai alone. All the big cities in India -- Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad -- suffer when the monsoon arrives.

Why do the citizens of big cities suffer when something natural like the monsoon arrives? What is wrong with city planning in our country?

Environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman discusses rains, the cities of India and our apathy to the environment with Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai.. all the big cities suffer and get flooded when it rains heavily. We blame politicians and the civic authorities.

Are the people also not responsible for this kind of disaster?

The suburbs in Chennai get flooded because we have built multi-storeyed buildings on water bodies.

People buy houses built by builders. Large builders are in collusion with the government to get building norms and regulations changed so that they suit them.

You mean, a real estate-politician mafia...

I would not call it a mafia. What I am saying is, the real estate businesses are in cahoots with the political establishment and they get the law changed to suit them.

For example, the Coastal Zone Regulation has been diluted several times in order to allow more intense constructions close to the sea.

There is corruption by the real estate people and political establishment. And when ordinary people go to buy land, they look only for approvals by the various government agencies.

People think that since there was this government approval, they would have done all the research and it was a safe place for inhabitation.

Everything will be fine until the rain comes.

Are you saying we are not to be blamed at all for the fiasco?

No. People are to be blamed because they do not question the government, not hold them accountable, and do not challenge power.

They cannot to be blamed for buying a plot in a place which has government approval.

If you look at the master plan for Chennai, 2,000 acres of Ennore creek is earmarked for developing hazardous industries.

When the master plan itself says they will build hazardous industries on water bodies, how can you hold people accountable for this kind of disaster?

IMAGE: Flooded railways tracks in Mumbai, August 29, 2017. Photograph: Photograph: Afsar Dayatar/Rediff.com

This is not the case with Chennai alone; Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, all get flooded when it rains. What is wrong with our city planning?

The answer is very simple. Who is the most powerful in a city? The real estate people.

If you look at the Vision 2020 or Vision 2050 for Chennai, it is not prepared by the slum dwellers or the ordinary people of Chennai.

It means the vision of a city is from the eyes of the builders and not from the point of the people who live there.

In Mumbai, there was a proposal to dilute the Coastal Regulation Zone.

Entire Mumbai is a low-lying area and if you are going to build closer to the sea, you are inviting disaster.

The fact that the real estate people have very close connections with the corporations, councillors, legislators is the reason why so many buildings come up in places they were not supposed to.

That's why I say that the Bangalore Development Authority and the Chennai Development Authority and the Mumbai Development Authority are squarely to be blamed.

I will say people are to be blamed only for not holding these people not accountable. These authorities are the ones who have endangered the lives of millions of people.

IMAGE: Water logging at Bilekahalli Ward, Banneragatta Road, Bengaluru, July 29, 2016. Photograph: Kind courtesy @BlrCityPolice/Twitter

Is there any way we can save these big cities? Or are they doomed?

The only way you can save (these cities) is by making them smaller.

Shrinking the cities will go a long way in reducing its vulnerability.

What we are doing is we are expanding all the big cities -- whether it is Mumbai, Bangalore or Chennai.

In the case of Chennai, they want to expand Chennai from 1,189 sq kms to 8,500 sq kms which is nearly 7 or 8 fold.

And expansion takes place on land and not water.

How much water will you require for such a big area?

How many water bodies will you bury in the name of cities?

Right now, you are talking about floods. Four months from now, you will be talking about drought.

It is like swinging from one disaster to another.

If you look at the last 24 months, we have had 5 disasters.

You had floods, you had a heat wave, you had water scarcity, you had a cyclone, and now again floods.

IMAGE: A scene from the August 29, 2017 flooding in Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

You were talking about the expansion of cities, but the fact is cities in their current size are not able to cope with various natural phenomena.

From 1980 to 2015, the built-up area of Chennai of 1,189 sq km has gone up from 47 sq km to 402 sq km.

The area of water bodies has reduced from 180 sq kms to 77 sq kms.

So, there is no way we can save cites like Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai etc unless you de-congest these cities.

Water needs to flow and it's not going to negotiate with you.

Water will not say, okay, you have provided me with a storm water drain, I will take only that route.

For that matter, rivers also have a certain capacity and during the monsoon, it overflows sometimes.

But if you have dense settlements on the banks of the river, it is but natural that the settlements get flooded.

In 1980, only 47 sq kms of Chennai was built up with concrete. Whatever water falls on concrete runs off and go into the drain.

If the drain capacity is adequate, water will go without any problem.

At that time, we had a large area that was open to the sky and water would soak in those open areas.

For example, if you have 100 litres of rain pouring, about 80 litres got absorbed by the soil and 20 litres would flow.

Today, with the concrete areas increasing, only 20 litres get absorbed and 80 litres will flow.

You must also realise that the drain size is the same. You cannot engineer your way by creating storm water drains.

When you do that, you expose yourself to other vulnerabilities.

Similarly, the size of the river has become smaller as you have encroached its banks, so it is bound to flood the settlements on the banks.

In Chennai, they are also talking about making straight channels from inland areas and connecting them to the Bay of Bengal.

If you do that, the sea will come into the inlands in the remaining times.

The three river mouths are already the points of entry for the sea into the city, and if you make five more openings along the coast, the sea will have five more entries to move into the land.

The cyclonic tide will march into the city through five more entry points and inundate low-lying areas and also make the ground water salty.

During the floods, the government is looking at evacuating water.

And during drought, they look at creating new water.

Neither the government nor the people have stopped to think about the water's right to flow or stay.

You may say I have approval from the development authority, but will water ask for the approval before coming into your house?

IMAGE: People carry packets of snacks handed out by volunteers in a flooded neighbourhood after heavy rains in Ahmedabad, July 2017. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Is it because we have stopped respecting nature that we fear rain, thunder and lightning?

Our individual relationship with nature has broken.

No matter what happens to the water bodies outside, we know that our water will come in plastic bottles.

Do you feel our idea of development today is building more high-rise buildings at the cost of nature?

Yes, development doesn't mean building concrete structures.

Today, development is putting concrete on top of open earth and concrete is anti-water.

Is there any solution? Yes, there is: Stop cities from growing. Because all our cities are well past their capacity.

The liveability of our cities has gone down.

Number two, we have to shrink cities in a planned and phased manner.

The way to shrink cities is by providing opportunities in rural areas.

Why do people migrate to the cities? Because there is nothing happening in the countryside.

You have smart cities and an urban renewal mission. Why don't we have smart villages and a rural renewal mission?

We talk about these things when there are disasters and disasters are great moments of learning.

People now know that floods are not due to heavy rains and they have made the connection.

The next step is to act on the connection and make governments accountable.

People also have realised that engineering interventions will not solve the problem, it will only make it worse.

What is required is de-urbanise, de-congest and ruralise the population.

They say environment and development should balance each other, but we should understand that the environment will not do any balancing; the balancing has to be done by us.

There is only one law and that is the law of nature!

Nature doesn't bother even if the Supreme Court says it is legal!

If something is in the wrong place, it will be damaged or destroyed by nature.
Himachal Pradesh on Thursday recorded its highest turnout in assembly polls, with 74.45 per cent of voters taking part in an election in which the Bharatiya Janata Party seeks to dislodge the ruling Congress on the issue of corruption while deflecting attacks on demonetisation and GST.

IMAGE: A group of women show their inked finger after they cast their vote for the state's assembly elections, in Khwangi village, district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Photograph: PTI Photo

By 5 pm, when voting closed, 74.45 per cent of the electorate had voted, Chief Electoral Officer Pushpender Rajput said. The states previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 assembly polls.

The results, to be announced on December 18, along with those of Gujarat assembly polls next month, will be a bellwether for Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity.

IMAGE: People show their voters identity cards as they wait in a queue to cast their votes for assembly polls, at a polling station in Theog, 40 km from Shimla. Photograph: PTI Photo

Sixty sitting MLAs figure among the 337 candidates fighting for a seat in the 68-member assembly in Himachal Pradesh, one of the few states under Congress rule.

Among the contenders are Congress chief minister Virbhadra Singh and the BJPs chief ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The two parties exuded confidence about the result, which both claimed would be in their favour.

IMAGE: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh with wife Partibha Singh and son Vikrmaditya Singh showing their inked finger after they cast their vote at a polling booth, in Rampur. Photograph: PTI Photo

We will get over 60 seats and the Congress tally will be confined to a single digit, BJP media head Anil Baluni said.

The Congress, in turn, thanked the people for supporting the party. We thank them for voting to retain the Congress in power, AICC media panellist Akhilesh Pratap Singh said.

The Congress has 35 MLAs and the BJP 28 in the outgoing assembly. There are four independents while one seat is vacant.

IMAGE: Voting for the assembly, which started at 8 am, came to an end at 5 pm and was peaceful.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Voting for the assembly, which started at 8 am, came to an end at 5 pm. The Election Commission had earlier said 74 per cent voters had exercised their franchise but added that the final polling percentage could be revised after late voting figures were factored in.

The elections were peaceful, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters in New Delhi.

As many as 7,525 polling booths were set up and 37,605 personnel deputed for poll duty in the state of 50,25,941 voters.

A total of 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force were deployed, along with other officials such as observers.

IMAGE: Women voters in a queue show their voter identity card as they wait to cast their vote at a polling booth in Chamba on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo

Chief Minister Singh, 10 of his ministers, eight chief parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former Chief Minister Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

The Congress and the BJP contested all 68 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party fought for 42 seats, the Communist Party of India-Marxist 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI three. There were also 112 independent candidates in the fray.

Dharamsala had the maximum number of candidates at 12.

Singh and Dhumal have both moved out of their old constituencies. While the Congress leader contested from Arki in Solan district, the BJP strongman chose Sujanpur in Hamirpur district.

The 12-day high-voltage campaign, which ended on Tuesday, saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress.

Prime Minister Modi addressed seven rallies and BJP president Amit Shah, six. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed three meetings.

Corruption was the main focus of the BJP campaign with the party training its guns on the chief minister, against whom the Enforcement Directorate had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Congress hit out at the BJP over GST and demonetisation.

IMAGE: A polling staff applying indelible ink on the finger of a woman voter at a polling both during the elections, in Khwangi village in Himachal Pradesh. Photograph: PTI Photo

The election saw 19 women -- six from the BJP and three from the Congress. Seven rebels each from the two parties also contested the polls.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mansa Ram, who was elected for the first time in 1967 from Karsog, fought for the eleventh time.

Web-casting was used in 2,307 polling stations for a live monitoring of polling activities.

A total of 11,283 voter verifiable paper audit trail units were used, of which 297 were replaced, Saxena said.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, 64.45 per cent of the electorate had voted.
Teamwork, the use of feedback, and creative teaching techniques are among the qualities of the British university education system that a group of teachers from Shanghai have experienced so far on a four-month stay in the United Kingdom.

The delegation of award-winning teachers will be at the University of Hertfordshire until the end of year.

The teachers have already noticed differences between the education systems in China and the UK, such as the tendency of British teachers to prefer students to learn in small groups, instead of in large classes, and their emphasis on assessment and feedback.

Meng Miao, a fashion art lecturer at Shanghai Film Arts Academy, said UK teachers are passionate about their work and direct a great deal of effort toward engaging students and developing innovative and creative teaching approaches.

"For example, in the fashion application course here, the lecturer asks students to watch some fashion exhibitions or visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, to gain some inspiration for sketch drawing and fabric style creation," Meng said.

Classrooms in the UK seem to be more lively, Meng added, noting that the role of teachers is largely about communicating with students and guiding them as they complete independent study.

The Chinese teachers said they did not often use small group study and rarely tasked groups of students to work together on projects.

Ding Lining, a lecturer from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, said he was impressed with the spirit of teamwork he has seen so far in the UK.

"In the classroom, after the teacher explained the theoretical knowledge, students were required to have a group discussion," Ding said. "Each member of the group was required to express their views, and, finally, they reached an agreement and sent one representative to speak. This kind of teaching method values unity and cooperation, seeking common ground while preserving differences, and, in the end, they finished the task together."

Leo Chivers, principal lecturer and project manager at the Centre for Educational Leadership within the School of Education at the University of Hertfordshire, said he was pleased with the outcome of the international project that started two years ago. Teachers from Shanghai were selected through a competition involving observed teaching and scrutiny of their course design, development, and implementation.

Chivers believes the project shows that universities can learn from each other, and says it encourages international collaboration and understanding.

"We are able to reflect together on observations of practice and find ways to learn from each other's approaches and cultures," he said. "In doing so, we are gaining an enriched understanding of pedagogy, which will help develop students, lecturers, and universities alike in both countries."
'These combat engineer units are used in war for building bridges for advancing troops.'

'Instead of training by building bridges over the Mula and Mutha rivers in Pune, they will practice by building bridges in Mumbai,' Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat tells Ajai Shukla.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates the Shyok-Setu-I bridge built on the Shyok river in Ladakh by the Border Roads Organisation, September 30, 2017. On her right is General Bipin Rawat, the army chief. Photograph: @DefenceMinIndia/Twitter

Army chief General Bipin Rawat says he has directed the army to build three railway bridges in Mumbai to boost the army's image as an organisation that stands ready to assist the public at times of distress.

"We often hold camps in various towns and cities on the theme of 'Know Your Army'. I would prefer that our citizens get to know their army by seeing us come to their assistance with the efficiency and capability we are known for," Rawat told this correspondent.

The army chief was answering criticism from various quarters, including from Opposition parties and retired army veterans, about the army being employed on civil engineering tasks that were responsibilities of the railways.

Critics averred the army should be training for war, not making up for the inefficiency of civil agencies.

Among three pedestrian overbridges the army has undertaken to complete by January is one that was damaged in a deadly stampede that killed 23 people at Elphinstone Road station on September 29.

The army chief says the army engineering units that will build the overbridges are not being diverted from training.

"These combat engineer units are used in war for building bridges for advancing troops. Instead of training by building bridges over the Mula and Mutha rivers in Pune, they will practice by building bridges in Mumbai. It takes the same skills in either case."

The army chief argued that publicly demonstrating army capabilities would help in resettling soldiers after they retire.

"If we want our offices and jawans who retire young to pick up jobs outside, what better way than to persuade the railways to raise one or two battalions of ex-servicemen to build bridges? Lateral absorption in organisations like the railways will happen if we demonstrate our discipline, capability and adherence to time deadlines," he said.

"I have stopped the expensive advertising campaigns we were running, urging the youth to join the army. We don't really need to advertise. We should create awareness of the army by public assistance," General Rawat said.

He pointed out that the army was the first responder in almost every natural disaster, and whenever the civil administration needed help.

In February, the army built a Bailey bridge in Enathu, Kerala, to assist the civil administration.

In August, after devastating floods in Bihar, army engineers had built a bridge near Katihar.

On October 30, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the army was being co-opted to help the Maharashtra government.

"Given the tragedy that took place at Elphinstone Road station," asks General Rawat, "could the army have refused to assist? If I have a capability, I am duty bound to deploy it."

Given the army's frequent deployment in disaster management and relief, the army chief has asked the defence ministry to permit units to procure disaster management equipment with government funds.

Currently, expenditure on such equipment invites audit objections on the grounds that this is not the army's primary job.

"I told the defence minister that we would always remain first responders. Just equip us for the task."
Income Tax sleuths on Thursday carried out simultaneous multi-city raids on 187 premises including those linked to sidelined AIADMK leaders V K Sasikala and her nephew T T V Dinakaran and Tamil television channel Jaya TV over suspected tax evasion.

Dinakaran, the deposed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, condemned the searches undertaken by the Income Tax department mostly in Tamil Nadu as a conspiracy and targeted the Centre.

Jaya TV premises in Chennai and Dinakarans farm house were searched as part of Operation Clean Money, under which premises belonging to 10 Income Tax assessee groups were searched, a senior I-T official said.

Of the 187 premises where the searches were conducted, most of it were in Tamil Nadu, a handful in Hyderabad, three in New Delhi, and one in Bengaluru, he said.

Such premises also include some which are linked to Jaya TV, Dinakaran, Sasikala, and her brother Divakaran and they all fall under the category of assessees tagged for suspected tax evasion, the official said.

Dubbing the searches a conspiracy, Dinakaran alleged it was to oust him and his jailed aunt from politics.

The searched premises include those belonging to Jaya TV (Mavis Satcom Ltd), its associates, Jazz Cinemas, an alcoholic beverages brewery, Midas Distilleries, a jewellery outlet and other firms, the official said.

The brewery and cinema firm are reported to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV, Sasikala and Dinakaran. Jaya TV, which was named after late chief minister Jayalalithaa and was the partys mouthpiece, is now perceived to be favourably politically disposed towards Sasikala and Dinakaran.

Dinakaran said his farm house off Auroville at Puducherry was searched. He, however, denied that his house in Chennai was raided.

On the raid in the farm house, the I-T official said it was held as part of searches into Jaya TVs account.

Searches were conducted only in the premises of those who held management positions, their associates, confidants or aides, the official said.

Search rationale

On the rationale behind the searches, the official said it was launched after identification of clusters of shell companies, cash deposits in banks after demonetisation and reliable information of acquisition of benami properties and Financial Intelligence Units inputs.

Also, the searches followed allegations covering aspects like shell companies, dubious investments, suspicious fund flow and its transfers and fudging of account.

Dinakaran targets Centre

Hitting out at the Centre, Dinakaran said, Who can direct income tax raids, it is only the Central government... it is apparent that it is the Centre.

Dinakaran is locked in a turf war with the faction led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for control of the party

Without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said, We will not allow the party responsible for this (tax raids) in Tamil Nadu.

He said tax men were sitting at the residence of my secretary Jana who has been for 13 years personal assistant to my wife (Anuradha) at Jaya TV.

A conspiracy is on, he said and added that it was to see that he and Chinnamma (Sasikala) should not be in politics.

He said he and his family had been experiencing such things for over three decades and that they will deal with it legally and not be cowed down.

Jaya TV also reported the searches by tax sleuths in its premises and at Jazz cinemas.

As many as 10 premises in Thanjavur, 13 in Coimbatore one in Pudukottai, four in Tiruchirappalli and one each in Chidambaram and Cuddalore, besides six in Namakkal were among those searched, the official said.

Apart from it, 13 premises were searched in neighbouring Puducherry, the official said.

All these were conducted by more than a dozen teams since Thursday morning, the official said, adding, police security was provided during the searches.

Meanwhile, at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district, raids were conducted at the houses and office premises of Sasikalas husband M Natarajan, her relatives including Mahadevan, Venkatesan and Divakaran and a former councillor of Thanjavur.

A group of 30 I-T officials conducted raids at 11 places in Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli districts from 7 am.

In Coimbatore, I-T sleuths raided the house and business establishments of Arumugasamy, a sand merchant in the city, according to police sources.

The sleuths also carried out raids on the house of one Sajivan, who supplied wood and interiors to the Kodanadu bungalow in Kotagiri belonging to late Jayalalithaa, they said.

Raids were also conducted at the house and wood workshop of Sajivan in Gudalur in Nilgiris district and at three estates--Kodanadu, Curson and Medanadu, they added.

Image: Media personnel stand guard in front of the Jaya TV where IT officials conducted a raid, in Chennai. Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo
From the necessity of talking to Hurriyat separatists to appointing a tehsildar, Dineshwar Sharma heard it all during his visit to the valley, his first since being appointed the centre's point person on Jammu and Kashmir last month.

The former Intelligence Bureau chief, who left for Jammu on Thursday for the second leg of his visit to the state, met nearly 30 delegations during his stay in Srinagar, officials said.

Sharma, who arrived on Monday, was flooded with suggestions and requests, ranging from the serious to the mundane, they said.

Many of those who met him stressed the need to talk to separatist groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, a separatist conglomerate comprising moderate and hardline factions.

Some of the groups, especially from downtown Srinagar, said he must engage in discussions with separatists to make his mission successful.

Sharma had told reporters on Wednesday that he would try his best to meet the Hurriyat leaders when he visited the state next.

The groups, comprising mainly youths, emphasised that meeting political leaders from mainstream political parties may a necessity but those favouring separatist ideology should not be ignored, officials said.

The centre's special representative on Kashmir also met a group of youngsters, who termed themselves 'children of conflict' and wanted the rights and opportunities available to students in other states.

The group spoke about lack of opportunities in the state and said they are viewed with suspicion whenever they venture out of the valley, officials disclosed.

Some of the delegations that met Sharma highlighted lack of governance and the non-implementation of various central government schemes in the state.

Groups of migrants -- both Muslims and Hindus -- travelled all the way from Jammu to Srinagar to raise their demand for hiking the monthly relief amount, officials said.

In a surprise demand, some delegations demanded that television channels be reined in as they were instrumental in vitiating the atmosphere in the valley, deepening the divide and alienating people of this region from rest of the country.

Then there was a group from central Kashmir's Budgam that demanded a tehsildar. The state government, they said, had declared their area a tehsil three years ago but failed to appoint a tehsildar.

Sharma, officials said, assured them that their problems would be looked into by the state government.

According to one official, the youth were at least willing to converse with Sharma and he was given a "deep historical background" into issues facing the present generation for whom violence is par for the course.

There were also those who could not meet Sharma.

Like the "Rahul Gandhi fan club", which came to Hari Niwas, the state guesthouse near the Dal Lake where Sharma was meeting the delegations, but were turned away by the authorities.

During his stay in Jammu, Sharma is scheduled to call on state Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. He will also interact with delegations of political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, trade representatives and other social organisations.

Photograph: Kind courtesy @KaisarGanie26/Twitter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for the Philippines on November 12 on a three-day visit to attend the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits during which boosting regional trade and combating terrorism and extremism are likely to be among the focus areas.

Officials said Indias proposal to host an international conference on countering radicalisation may be discussed during the deliberations at Manila as New Delhi is now looking at finalising the dates for the conclave.

The prime minister will have a tight schedule in the Philippines as besides attending the 15th ASEAN-India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14, he will have a series of other engagements including bilateral meetings with several leaders.

While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit is likely to focus more on trade and investment related issues, leaders at the East Asia Summit are expected to deliberate on matters relating to maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and migration.

ASEAN is central to Indias Act East policy. Therefore our prime ministers participation in the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit provides a very important opportunity to reiterate our commitment to our partnership, Secretary east in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

She said the prime minister will also participate in the ASEAN business and investment summit as well as a meeting of leaders of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

The RCEP, comprising 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries -- India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.

Saran said India remained committed to participation in the RCEP.

In his maiden visit to the Philippines as the prime minister, Modi will also attend a reception by the Indian community and visit the International Rice Research Institute and Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

IRRI is an institute of global repute where a number of Indian scientists are working.

On Indias proposal at last ASEAN-India summit at Lao PDR to host a conference on countering radicalisation, Saran said India was in the process of fixing dates for it.

Saran said during the India-ASEAN Summit, the two sides will review the bilateral trade and investments and discuss important regional issues as well.

The 10-member grouping ASEAN and India comprise a total population of 1.85 billion people which is one-fourth of the global population. The combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.

Trade between India and ASEAN stood at $65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12 per cent of Indias total trade with the world.

Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

Asked about whether Modi will have bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and other leaders, Saran, without giving any specific reply, said the details are being worked out.

She said Modi will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, on November during which all major issues of mutual interest will be discussed.

Saran said a connectivity summit will be held in December while a regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be organised in January next year in Singapore.

Asked about the proposed India-Japan-US-Australia quadrilateral and possibility of a meeting among officials of the four countries in the Philippines, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, India is open to work with like-minded countries.
I look forward to many years of success and friendship, working together to solve not only our problems, but world problems and problems of great danger and security, said US President Trump in Beijing.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania arrive for the state dinner with China's President Xi Jinping and China's first lady Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

China on Thursday signed deals worth more than $250 billion with the United States during President Donald Trumps maiden visit, amidst his criticism of the Communist giants unfair business practices and the chronic imbalance in bilateral trade.

The deals were signed at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump at the Great Hall of the People after the two leaders held wide-ranging talks.

In statements to reporters after their talks, Xi and Trump offered placatory views of US-China ties, and insisted that differences between the two countries would be cast aside in place of a cooperative partnership.

IMAGE: China's President Xi Jinping makes a toast during a state dinner attended by US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

We want a vibrant trade relationship with China, Trump said. We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade and the concrete steps it will take to solve the problem of massive trade distortion.

Ahead of his visit, Trump has said the massive trade deficit in bilateral trade is a shame, and has been pressuring Beijing to open its markets more for US products and firms.

The US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated $648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lions share with about $478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at $169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

In his remarks, Xi also offered a conciliatory view of the US-China ties, insisting that bilateral differences could be resolved.

As two distinctive countries our two sides may have different views or differences on some issues. This is natural, Xi said. They key is to properly handle and manage them.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Thursday. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters



Trump also said he does not fault China for taking advantage of differences between the way the two countries do business.

I dont blame China, Trump said during remarks to business leaders of both countries.

After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens? I give China great credit.

Instead, Trump said previous US administrations were responsible for what he called a very unfair and one-sided trade relationship with China.

This, he said, allowed the trade deficit to take place and to grow.

IMAGE: The two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for talks following the US president's glitzy royal welcome in the Chinese capital. Photograph: Damir Sagolj/Reuters



The deals signed between Chinese and American companies included the purchase of 300 Boeing planes, US-made chip sets and soybeans.

Chinese and US companies signed trade and investment deals worth more than $250 billion, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Other official media reports put the figure around $253 billion. However, it is unclear how much of that figure is past deals being re-announced or simply the potential for future deals.

IMAGE: He said both sides should enhance cooperation to resolve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme and Afghanistan. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters

Facts have shown that China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, President Xi said.

Significantly, China also managed to push its Belt and Road Initiative, which was earlier criticised by the US.

IMAGE: Trump was given a lavish welcome with a guard of honour and 21-gun salute when he arrived at the Great Hall of the People before his talks with Xi. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Chinas Silk Road Fund, a unit under the Peoples Bank of China to promote the Belt and Road international trade initiative, will set up a joint fund with the US, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

China had set up a $40 billion Silk Road fund to assist the BRI projects.

Among a long list of agreements ranging from shale gas to car parts, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the state energy group, signed a $43 billion deal to jointly explore natural gas with the US in Alaska, the Post report said.

IMAGE: Referring to over $370 billion imbalance in bilateral trade in favour of China, Trump blamed the previous US administrations for it. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters



Chinas sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, will offer financial support. Bank of China, a Chinese state-owned bank, will help with finance, too.

Chinese phone makers, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo will sign deals to buy products from Qualcomm, the US telecom mobile chip-maker, the report said.

IMAGE: The First Ladies, Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan. Melania holds up a Chinese calligraphy of the character for 'Fortune' written by a student during their visit to the Banchang Primary School in Beijing, on Thursday. Photograph: Ng Han Guan/pool/Reuters



The US tech firm Broadcom made a $105 billion takeover bid for Qualcomm earlier this month.

China Investment Corp is to set up a joint fund with Goldman Sachs. Other deals include the Chinese purchase of planes from Boeing and the imports of Tesla cars into China, the report said.

Both sides inked deals worth $9 billion on Wednesday.
Britain's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her cabinet post amid a political storm over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians while on a holiday in the Jewish country.

Patel's position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed earlier.

The 45-year-old minister resigned on Wednesday after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May, who had summoned her midway from a tour of Africa.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions "fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated".

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric rise of the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

She was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his 'Indian Diaspora Champion'.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 general election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the 'Vote Leave' campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union.

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patel's apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patel's position within the cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israel's public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patel's apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about any of Patel's meetings -- which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patel's resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the country's aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to investigate, or "state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence".

In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to "enthusiasm".

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro-Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran.

IMAGE: Priti Patel, former secretary of state for international development, at Downing Street in June. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters
Remember these 5 moments when you wanted to yell, scream, whoop, shout, cringe?

Ignoring Angela

Trump made headlines with his vigorous handshakes and prickly body language when he met counterparts from other nations: Consider his 19 second-long handshake with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the stare-down with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Look what happened when he first met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in March.

In a video of the incident, reporters called for Trump and Merkel to shake hands at the end of the photo op.

Hearing the calls for a handshake, Merkel appeared to quietly ask Trump, 'Do you want to have a handshake?'

Trump being Trump either didn't hear her or ignored her request and the two end up not shaking hands.

One CRAZY moment, folks!

Trouble in paradise?

Melania Trump, it appears, isn't a fan of holding hands.

During their visit to Israel in May, the US First Lady swatted her husband's hand away as they deplaned at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.

As POTUS and FLOTUS disembarked, Trump walked ahead of Melania. He then stopped and held his hand back for her to take.

Melania swatted it away much to Donald's dismay. The Internet went WILD!

'You're in such good shape!'

Trump's insults are well documented. He's fond of calling anyone who crosses him: 'Loser'. 'Crazy'. 'Psycho'.

But during his visit to France in July, Donald was caught on camera telling Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron's much older wife: 'You're in such good shape. She's in such good physical shape. Beautiful.'

And if that wasn't embarrassing enough, Trump kissed Madame Macron French style, once on each cheek, before taking both her hands for a prolonged grip in which he appeared to jerk her left arm towards him as she appeared to be struggling to get him to let go.

Donald has always preferred nubile nymphets so his being impressed with 64-year-old Brigitte is BIZARRE.

Silenced on Twitter!

His staff are perenially logged onto Twitter to know what their boss is doing/planning/thinking.

Donald rages on Twitter. POTUS makes policies on Twitter. The most powerful man on the planet undermines America on Twitter.

A week ago, November 2, Donald was silenced for a wonderful 11 minutes as a Twitter employee, on her/his last day at work, deactivated @realDonaldTrump's Twitter account.

Visitors to POTUS' page could only see 'Sorry, that page doesn't exist'.

Alas, 11 minutes later, @realDonaldTrump was back in action. SIGH!

Fishy business

Trump sparked a feeding frenzy on social media when he was photographed dumping a box of fish food into a pond of koi carp on November 6 during his trip to Japan.

Trump and his Japanese host Shinzo Abe began by delicately spooning out the food into the pond for the waiting koi.

Have you known Donald to ever be patient? The man didn't have time for the gentle Japanese way of feeding fish and upended his entire box into the pond.

Fish lovers were outraged, with many pointing out that fish can't absorb such large amounts of food at a time.

Think Trump CARES?!
Apart from hosting and possible maintenance costs, there are not exactly downsides to having your own website. Even if its just a personal blog it can always become more useful down the line, if you utilize it in the right manner. In other words, more
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Cloudy with periods of light snow during the afternoon. High 31F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Scattered snow showers during the evening. Then partly to mostly cloudy overnight. Low 7F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Cameroon : Anglophones

Publisher Minority Rights Group International Publication Date October 2017 Cite as Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Cameroon : Anglophones, October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0416157.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Updated October 2017

Profile

An English-speaking linguistic minority inhabits the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, a legacy of the region's colonial past. Anglophone activists claim that the two provinces, with roughly one fifth of national population but producing over half of the GDP, have been marginalized by a predominately French-speaking government. In 2014, the UN Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination expressed concern at reported inequality between English- and French-speaking populations in the enjoyment of their rights, as did the Independent Expert on minority issues in the same year.

Current issues

Since strike action began in October 2016 at least six demonstrators have been shot dead and hundreds arrested. The strike was started by English-speaking lawyers and teachers, who were protesting against the increasing use of French in the courts and schools. Images of students being teargassed and beaten in November 2016 at the English-speaking University of Buea spread rapidly on social media. The UN Special Rapporteurs on minority issues and on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association called for dialogue and for the authorities to respect human rights norms. In January 2017, the Cameroonian authorities shut down the internet in English-speaking areas in an effort to curb dissent; the UN has also condemned this as a violation of free speech rights. The shutdown lasted three months and had a serious impact on the local economy.

In February 2017, the trial of three leading protesters commenced. The three activists - Felix Agbor Balla, Fontem Aforteka'a Neba and Mancho Bibixy - are charged with, among other things, hostility against the state, secession and civil war. The charges, which could lead to the death penalty, have been brought under 2014 anti-terror legislation, originally intended to be applied in the fight against Boko Haram. The case was repeatedly adjourned during the subsequent months.

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World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Egypt : Baha'i of Egypt

Publisher Minority Rights Group International Publication Date October 2017 Cite as Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Egypt : Baha'i of Egypt, October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a041c6031f.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Updated October 2017

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The group has a well-established history in the country, with the first Baha'i arriving in Egypt during the nineteenth century. Despite their formal organization as a distinct religious community, however, in 1960 their legal status as a recognized group was annulled under the Nasser government. This has contributed to the uncertainty about the exact number of Baha'i in Egypt today, though estimates range from 1,500-2,000 to over 7,000. Though nominally guaranteed equal rights and religious freedoms under the 1971 Constitution, Baha'i in practice have retained a secondary legal status due to ongoing religious discrimination. While personal status issues in Egypt are informed by religious rather than civil law, this recognition only extends to Islam, Christianity and Judaism, not the Baha'i faith. This means that many aspects of the lives of Baha'i adherents, such as marriage, divorce and family relationships, are not recognized by the state. This exclusion was reinforced by the fatwa issued against them in 2003 by Al-Azhar, the prominent religious institution, supporting their continued ban as apostates. These stereotypes have played an important role in the ongoing challenges that Baha'i have faced in their country.

Baha'i have long faced barriers in securing identification cards. This is in part a legacy of Nasser's punitive 1960 Presidential Decree outlawing Baha'i organizations and public activities: this established the basis for much of the subsequent marginalization that the community have experienced. It was further reinforced by the computerization of records in the 1990s, tightening the restrictions on registration and reducing the scope for cards to be issued to persons who do not practise any of the three recognized religions, and the 2004 Circular 49/2004 issued by the Ministry of the Interior. This specifically instructed officials to refrain from providing cards to anyone other than Muslims, Christians and Jews. In particular, it effectively forced practicing Baha'i into a limbo when registering for personal documents. As Egyptian citizens are required to include their religious affiliation and the Baha'i faith is not officially recognized, unlike Islam, Christianity and Judaism, practicing Baha'i were not able to secure official status.

The effect of this institutionalized invisibility was to exclude them from Egyptian society. Without identification, Baha'i found themselves barred from education, health services, employment and even the ability to secure death certificates or legally inherit. The effects were devastating for Baha'i members and effectively forced them into illegality, as not having an identification card is a criminal offence in Egypt. Following a court case launched with the support of activists, in April 2006 the Egyptian Administrative Court upheld the right of Baha'i to be registered on legal documents. However, the victory was short-lived: resistance from Al-Azhar and the government led to an appeal of the verdict in May. In December, after suspending the ruling, the Supreme Administrative Court revoked it altogether.

After a protracted legal case, however, in 2009 Baha'i finally secured the right to an identification card. However, as their faith remains unrecognized by the state, Baha'i are obliged to put a dash in the space instead of their religious affiliation. Marriage and Baha'i personal law are still not acknowledged by the state: married Baha'i who have refused to be issued documentation that lists them incorrectly as 'single' still reportedly face difficulties in setting up a bank account and other basic freedoms. At present, the current legislation still refuses to recognize the validity of the Baha'i faith and maintains their secondary status within Egypt, Their official 'invisibility' has also had a profound impact on their ability to participate in civil and political life. Baha'i were also the target of hostility towards the end of Mubarak's regime and in the wake of his resignation, including the torching of several Baha'i homes: the perpetrators remain unpunished.

Current issues

Following the January 25 Revolution and the events of July 2013, when the army returned to power, the situation of Egypt's Baha'i community is still uncertain. The prescriptions of the 1960 Presidential Decree, despite the revolution, have yet to be annulled. This means that despite the 2009 lifting of the restrictions on identification documents Baha'i have still not received actual recognition as a religion from the state. Indeed, Baha'i still face difficulties when seeking government-issued identification cards and are frequently subjected to public vilification. In December 2014, a public workshop was held by the Ministry of Religious Endowments to warn of the dangers of the spread of the Baha'i faith in Egypt.

Their security also remains an issue. In February 2011, Baha'i homes in Shouraneya were again set on fire, with some reports alleging the involvement of state security officers in the attack. Salafi leaders have also continued to agitate against Baha'i as a threat to national stability. Furthermore, this discrimination has been replicated in subsequent legislation. The Constitutional Declaration of 2011, the 2012 Constitution drafted by the previous Morsi government and the subsequent 2014 Constitution of the Sisi government, while guaranteeing the 'inviolable' right of freedom of religion, extended this only to Islam, Christianity and Judaism - meaning that Baha'i are still prohibited from many basic freedoms, such as practicing their religious laws and constructing places of worship. Though Baha'i representatives lobbied during the constitutional drafting processes to expand religious freedoms to their community, this did not occur.

Updated October 2017

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World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Egypt : Jews of Egypt

Publisher Minority Rights Group International Publication Date October 2017 Cite as Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Egypt : Jews of Egypt, October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0462157.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Updated: October 2017

The history of Jews in Egypt stretches back thousands of years. Despite facing discrimination during the Ottoman era, their social position was strengthened during the nineteenth century and by the early twentieth century they played a significant role in the country's commercial life. At its peak, in the late 1940s, the Jewish community numbered as many as 80,000, concentrated in cosmopolitan urban areas such as Cairo and Alexandria. However, Egyptian Jews were adversely affected by the swift deterioration of Arab-Israeli relations in the wake of the Second World War and the establishment of the state of Israel. The 1948 conflict with Israel encouraged an outbreak of deadly attacks against Egypt's Jewish population, triggering the large-scale migration of thousands of Egyptian Jews over the next few years. Subsequent repression and violence in 1956 and in 1967 following Egypt's defeat by Israel, with hundreds detained and physically abused, encouraged most of the remaining Jewish population to emigrate. Others converted, and by some estimates there were fewer than 200 self-identifying Jews remaining in the country after 1967.

Despite the signing of a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1979, Israel has retained the perception of a hostile state by much of Egyptian society, which has tended to conflate the Jewish faith with Zionism. Decades of propaganda and stigmatization in popular culture and across Egyptian society more broadly, including through state-run and private media, has led to commonplace, derogatory stereotypes of Jews in Egypt.

Egypt's Jewish community has also faced discrimination directly at the hands of the state. For instance, an annual Jewish festival planned for January 2015 was finally cancelled due to a ruling by the Alexandria Administrative Court. Though previously called off in 2012 and regularly opposed by locals, the event commemorated the birthday of the prominent nineteenth-century Rabbi Abu Hasira and attracted hundreds of Jews, including many from Israel, to visit his tomb in the Nile Delta village of Damanhour. The Court's ruling deemed the festival contradictory to Islamic traditions and a violation of public order.

Other sites of important Jewish heritage have also struggled with dereliction or disuse, with all of the estimated 12 synagogues in Cairo and Alexandria now reportedly closed or falling into disrepair due to lack of funds. However, after many years of neglect of Jewish cultural heritage, in the first ever step of its kind, the Ministry of Antiquities announced in June that it would begin registering Jewish antiquities in an effort to protect them from theft and neglect.

Egypt's Jewish community, the country's oldest still-existing religious group, is on the verge of disappearing. In 2015, they reportedly numbered fewer than 30 people, the majority elderly women.

Updated October 2017

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World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Afghanistan : Jogi and Chori Frosh

Publisher Minority Rights Group International Publication Date November 2017 Cite as Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Afghanistan : Jogi and Chori Frosh, November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0463367.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Profile

Jogi and Chori Frosh are semi-nomadic communities belonging to the larger Jat ethnic minority who trace their origins to Tajikistan and Pakistan, respectively, and have historically engaged in seasonal migration around Afghanistan and into neighbouring states. In recent years, these communities have become increasingly sedentary, with more established populations scattered across Afghanistan and in greatest concentration on the outskirts of the main cities of the country's north. Although there is little recent or reliable information available regarding the size of Jogi and Chori Frosh communities in Afghanistan, estimates suggest they make up an estimated 20,000-30,000 people, including approximately 1,500 Jogi families and 350 Chori Frosh families spread across northern Afghanistan. The accuracy of these figures is further complicated by the impact of decades of conflict: this has disrupted the migratory patterns of Jogi and Chori Frosh communities, leading some to flee to other countries temporarily or permanently, or move to other areas of Afghanistan, such as outside Kabul in Charahi Qambar, where they live amongst other internally displaced and nomadic communities.

The lack of information surrounding Afghanistan's Jogi and Chori Frosh communities points to the relative invisibility of the challenges they face, which stands in contrast to the visibility of their distinct cultural practices. Like the majority of Afghans, Jogi and Chori Frosh are Sunni Muslims, predominantly speaking Dari but also community-specific dialects. Despite these commonalities, Jogi and Chori Frosh communities are discriminated against on account of their ancestral origins and related social and economic practices, including high levels of female labour participation rates, for which they are considered 'outsiders'. This has contributed to their severe economic, social and political marginalization, a situation exacerbated by the frequent denial of recognition of their citizenship.

It is important to note that the labels used to refer to these communities have been externally assigned and carry with them negative connotations, having become synonymous with the social categories imposed on what are in practice, disparate groups. The term 'Jogi', for example, is often used in a derogatory manner as a synonym for 'beggar' and bears similarity with other exonyms such as 'gypsy'. Nevertheless, Jogi and Chori Frosh communities have increasingly adopted these labels for self-identification: for this reason and due to the lack of appropriate alternatives to effectively refer to these communities, these labels will be used with due recognition of their shortcomings.

History

Although details regarding the background of Jogi and Chori Frosh communities in Afghanistan are scarce, their presence can be better understood in the context of the origins and migratory patterns of the broader Jat population. Jats are regarded as having originated from what is now the north of India and Pakistan, with some accounts suggesting that migration to areas of Central Asia dated as far back as the 10th century BCE as part of a population transfer between rulers in north India and Persia. Jat populations have since dispersed, and at present are spread across different areas of South, West, and Central Asia, including in Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Constituting peripatetic populations, Jats engage in planned and systematic mobility as an adaptive strategy, often for the sale of goods and/or services, distinguishing them from pastoral nomads such as Kuchi.

Jats do not represent a single ethnic group: rather, those grouped together under the blanket label, 'Jat', have distinct identities, and generally would not self-identify according to this broader classification. This diversity is reflected by the migratory history of Jogi and Chori Frosh. Until part way through the 20th century, Jogi engaged in frequent back-and-forth migration between Tajikistan and Northern Afghanistan, which has since diminished, due significantly to the hardening of borders under the former Soviet regime in Tajikistan. Other members of the Jogi community indicate that they have historically migrated from other areas of the surrounding region, including Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. In contrast, Chori Frosh trace their more recent origins to Pakistan, to which they continue to travel frequently. These disparate histories impact their respective engagement in the economic and social sphere of Afghanistan: for example, female members of the Chori Frosh community commonly sell handicrafts and other goods from Pakistan at markets in northern Afghanistan.

Despite this heterogeneity, there are certain similarities between the Jogi and Chori Frosh communities, and amongst the broader Jat population, most notably a shared marginality. Jogi and Chori Frosh communities have been present in Afghanistan for many decades, though continue to occupy a liminal status within society, considered outsiders who have 'come to Afghanistan'. While the precise origins of this discrimination are not clear, it has drawn on the physical features and social practices of these groups. Jats are generally understood as having 'darker' features, reflective of their assumed Indian origins, and have had their religious affiliations questioned. Also contributing to these processes of 'othering' have been endogamous practices of Jogi and Chori Frosh and their distinct linguistic dialects.

The view that these communities are exogenous to Afghanistan has persisted despite the fact that Jogi and Chori Frosh, as with other peripatetic peoples, have become more sedentary in recent years. This long-term trend of sedentarization is not a complete process and has been influenced by a range of factors. Amongst these include the cementing of state boundaries, processes of urbanisation, and decades of conflict and political instability ranging from the Saur Revolution (1978), Soviet Occupation (1979-1989), civil war (1992-1996), the Taliban regime (1996-2001) and the more recent war in Afghanistan since 2001. While some Jogi and Chori Frosh fought alongside the Mujahidin during the Soviet occupation, many fled the country for Tajikistan, Pakistan and Iran. For example, according to a 2010 study by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Chahari Qambar, an informal settlement outside Kabul, 98.3 per cent of Jogi living in the area had fled the country during conflict or the Taliban regime, having returned since 2003. Insecurity during these years disrupted the migration patterns and therefore livelihoods of these groups, with many choosing to settle in and around Afghanistan's cities in search of improved economic opportunities and access to goods and services.

At the same time, improved transportation infrastructure and processes of urbanization have disrupted their previous role as intermediaries between rural areas and city centres between which they facilitated the transfer of information and petty trade.

These dynamics impacted the scale and nature of migration of Jogi, Chori Frosh, and other nomadic and semi-nomadic communities by increasing the costs associated with these practices: for example, the migration routes of Kuchi pastoral nomads became increasingly unsafe due to the presence of minefields. This has also had implications on the social organisation of these communities. When Jogi in areas such as Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan do engage in migration, they do so less frequently as a family unit, and instead select members to temporarily migrate to cooler areas during the summer, with the rest remaining behind.

Current challenges

In the current context, social and institutional discrimination against Jogi and Chori Frosh have coalesced, further entrenching their liminal status in Afghanistan. The challenges facing Jogi and Chori Frosh in Afghanistan are linked to the socio-political implications of decades of conflict, including the collapse of state structures, as well as influential forces both increasing the salience of ethnicity and pushing for greater homogeneity at various junctures. This is despite the fact that some positive measures have been introduced in recent years, including provisions in the 2004 Constitution stating that all Afghans should be treated equally and that measures should be taken to improve the livelihood of nomads.

A key issue facing Jogi and Chori Frosh is their lack of recognition as citizens of Afghanistan, not only socially, but also at an institutional level. The Afghan Citizenship Law passed in 2000 stipulates that an individual living in the country for over five years, aged over 18, and not having committed any crimes has the right to apply to citizenship. Yet their ability to secure a 'tazkera' - Afghanistan's national identification card - is often constrained. Providing proof of citizenship, the tazkera is effectively a precondition to accessing social services, education, healthcare, and employment: it is also required to secure other documents, such as a passport, marriage certificate, or driver's license, and also property title deeds for land ownership. While lack of a tazkera is not uncommon among many Afghans, what distinguishes the situation of Jogi and Chori Frosh from other communities is the absence of formal channels to access one should they need to do so. Indeed, the Ministry of Interior has in the past stated that in order for Jogi and Chori Frosh to secure the tazkera, parliament would first have to adopt a law recognizing them as citizens.

Notably, the specific challenges faced by Jogi and Chori Frosh have been recognized in the National IDP Policy introduced in 2014, which states that: '[The] MoI [Ministry of Interior] will cooperate with MOWA [Ministry of Women's Affairs], MoLSAMD [Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyred and the Disabled] and MoBTA [Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs] to see that assistance is given to . . . members of certain groups, notably the Kuchi, Jogi and Chori Frosh, who generally do not have Tazkera and who face special difficulties in acquiring them'. This represents a key policy change, as a result of insecurity and limited government capacity including lack of proper training of officials, yet implementation is lagging.

Contributing to these are the formal procedures involved in securing a tazkera. Applications require verification by a local elder registered as an official community representative that the applicant is part of the community, or that they are the child of a community member already registered and in possession of a tazkera. In addition to challenges presented on account of their mobility, it is likely local elders or other family members of Jogi and Chori Frosh applicants would also not possess any bureaucratic record. Furthermore, Jogi and Chori Frosh who have attempted to obtain documentation from government offices have reported discriminatory treatment.

Alternative avenues towards securing the tazkera have also been introduced, including attestations by two Afghans possessing tazkera as well as by the local police department. Similarly, under the Registration of Population Records Act 2014, Kuchi, or pastoral nomads, are able to secure tazkera in their seasonal place of residence, following verification of their identity by a Kuchi malik (or chief) and a close relative.

Although official statistics are not available, surveys have shown that as a result of their non-recognition and linked bureaucratic processes, the majority of Jogi and Chori Frosh remain undocumented. According to a 2011 UNICEF study, in 80 per cent of Jogi homes in the surveyed areas of Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul, no one is registered or has any form of identification. More recent research from 2015 has highlighted that of those Jogi who do possess tazkera, 83 percent have Kuchi tazkera. Further, gendered dynamics regarding tazkera possession amongst the broader population are replicated amongst Jogi, with virtually no recorded female registration rates.

While peripatetic communities such as Jogi and Chori Frosh display considerable adaptability and resilience, the pace of change, non-recognition, and related bureaucratic obstacles have led to low levels of education, severe poverty, and substandard settlement conditions for these communities. Access to education is a particularly acute issue for Jogi communities, with lack of documentation and attendant challenges in securing land ownership being key obstacles towards admission. The 2011 survey commissioned by UNICEF in Mazar-e-Sharif highlighted that 83.9 per cent of Jogi children were out-of-school, as compared to a rate of 47.2 per cent amongst the non-Jogi urban poor.

This contributes to a lack of economic opportunities, with many Jogi and Chori Frosh engaging in economic activities such as begging, the sale of small items, and fortune-telling in order to subsist. These activities and their economic marginality feed into pre-existing stereotypes about these communities, including rumours of prostitution and child abduction. Contributing to this is the high level of female engagement in the labour market - in some areas with rates tenfold higher than non-Jogi women. This, alongside the factors previously noted, including their physical features and language, and in addition to their residence in white tents in rural areas, has reinforced their status as 'outsiders' in Afghanistan. Surveys have suggested that their income is half that of neighbouring urban poor, and they experience considerably higher levels of food insecurity. Therefore, in contrast to the assumption that more sedentary lives in urban areas would improve access to state institutions, public services, and employment opportunities for these communities, Jogi and Chori Frosh have been further locked into a low social standing within Afghan society. Unlike the Kuchi population, they are not afforded any formal opportunities to advance their political participation.

Nevertheless, during the tenure of former President Hamid Karzai, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) submitted a letter detailing the situation of the Jogi community, including their inability to access national identification documents. The AIHRC reportedly received a positive response, including from the Population Registration Department, which indicated that Jogi should be able to receive the tazkera. The response from provincial officials has, however, been mixed. Whilst some tazkera were issued to Jogi individuals, the response in some locations has reportedly diverged from the official line and reflects a continued unwillingness to provide Jogis with tazkera. This highlights ineffective coordination between the various levels of government, but also the persistence of the discriminatory belief that these groups do not belong to Afghanistan.

Ways forward

As a priority, a path towards citizenship must be made clearly available to Jogi and Chori Frosh communities, and any inconsistency between central policy and local implementation addressed, thereby dealing with issues regarding their non-recognition. It is crucial that this is coupled with initiatives to support Jogi and Chori Frosh in securing national identification documents. These initiatives will need to work at various levels: for instance, trainings and awareness raising amongst government officials; efforts to support Jogi and Chori Frosh knowledge of and access to tazkera through providing information and resources; and advocating for more appropriate and accessible registration processes. This should include advancing the implementation of the National IDP Policy, including the provision focused on improving access to tazkera for Jogi and Chori Frosh.

Linked to this, there is a need for further examination of initiatives at the local level to address the absence of documentation amongst these groups to assess their efficacy, recommend improvements, and replicate these efforts if appropriate. This includes Balkh province, wherein 2014 a memo was distributed amongst officials instructing them to provide national identity cards to Jogi if approved by selected representatives of the community linked to the Balkh Provincial Council. Reports from government officials having indicated distribution of over 1,000 national ID cards, yet these figures are contested by local organizations, highlighting the need for further assessment.

Finally, efforts should be made by key actors operating in Afghanistan, including the Afghan government and the AIHRC, to conduct updated research regarding the nationality status of Jogi and Chori Frosh in Afghanistan, and any other semi-nomadic communities that may be affected by statelessness. The absence of research and up-to-date information surrounding these communities contributes directly to the relative invisibility of this issue. This should be disseminated widely to those working in areas in which these communities reside, including humanitarian and development organizations who can include this in the design and content of their activities.

Updated November 2017

Copyright notice:  Minority Rights Group International. All rights reserved.
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This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
THOMASTON  All veterans and their families are invited to attend the 3rd Annual Salute to Veterans on Saturday, 8-10 a.m. at Thomaston Railroad Station, at 242 East Main St.

The Railroad Museum of New England (RMNE) is partnering with the Thomastons American Legion Post 22 and the Thomaston Savings Bank. In addition to a ceremony of appreciation, coffee and breakfast will be served.

Ed Olsace, Commander of Thomastons American Legion Post 22, will be leading the program to commemorate veterans of all wars along with other officials of the Post. Olsace has been planning this event since early September when he met with Steve Casey, President of the Museum, and Kim Curry, Thomaston Savings Bank Branch Manager. We are extremely pleased with the community support we get every year for this worthwhile event, Casey stated. We try to thank veterans every day for their sacrifices, but its great to be part of a team to do something special to recognize them.

We are extremely pleased with the community support we get every year for this worthwhile event, Casey stated. We try to thank veterans every day for their sacrifices so its great to be part of a team to do something special to recognize them.

The Thomaston Historical Societys Robert Magdziarz is adding a special feature to the event. He has posted photos of several Thomaston veterans from different wars on the station bulletin board. Magdziarz, like many young men from Thomaston, left for his military service from the train station. He served in the Army Signal Corps starting in 1953. His brother, Zigmund, also took a train from the station to serve in 1944. Zigmund Magdiarz also served in the Army Signal Corps during World War II.

The RMNE, located at the historic Thomaston Train Station, is a not-for-profit, all volunteer, educational and historical organization that dates back to January 1968. The mission of the RMNE is to tell the story of the regions rich railroad heritage through our educational exhibits and operation of the Naugatuck Railroad.

The museum concept is more than artifacts  it is also a story of the region and the development of society around the railroad. More information about the Railroad Museum of New England can be found at: www.rmne.org.

Media Contact: Steve Casey, 83peachtree@gmail.com, 860.716.4854
TORRINGTON  Torrington poet, author, and freelance writer Patricia Martin will be guest poet at a special event in Woodstock, NY, on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Amina Baraka & The Red Microphone: Concert for Armistice Day and the Eve of the Russian Revolution Centenary will be held at the Colony, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, N.Y.

The event is produced by John Pietaro, a writer and multi-instrumentalist who serves as The Red Microphones director and percussionist. Pietaro organized the event in honor of Armistice Day, the traditional commemoration of wars end, which this year falls on the eve of the Russian Revolutions centenary.

Celebrated poet/activist of the Black Arts Movement, Amina Baraka headlines the concert, which will combine poetry, prose, and free jazz. Baraka has travelled the world, collaborating with her husband, the poet/playwright Amiri Baraka (a.k.a.LeRoi Jones). Following his death, Baraka has become increasingly active as a performance poet, spreading messages of equality and liberty.

The Red Microphone features acclaimed musicians Pietaro, tenor saxophonist and flutist Ras Moshe Burnett, alto saxophonist and pianist Rocco John Iacovone, and bass player Laurie Towers, who partnered with Pietaro in The Flames of Discontent.

Martin will be reading two poems that she wrote specifically for the event, accompanied by improvisational music performed by The Red Microphone. Skin on Poppies speaks to civil and human rights, and Ink and Blood is an epic that weaves excerpts from letters soldiers wrote from the front lines to their families and loved ones back home in wars spanning from the Civil War to Vietnam. In performing Ink and Blood, Martin and Baraka will trade off stanzas, giving the piece two distinct voices.

I am excited to be performing at the Colony with revolutionary poet/vocalist Amina Baraka and The Red Microphone, an ensemble of individuals who are leaders in their own right in the New York City scene, Martin said, in a written statement. I moved to Torrington less than two years ago from New Yorks Hudson Valley, and have performed at the Colony during other events John has produced. Its a wonderful, historic space and a great venue.

Having this opportunity inspired me to create two new pieces. Skin on Poppies touches on the dignity and rights of all people, as we are all connected as human beings. And by using the actual words of soldiers during war timewithout any editorializingI think Ink and Blood makes a somewhat shocking, powerful, and profound poetic plea for peace.

Journey Blue Heaven  one of Woodstocks most beloved musicians  opens the evening with a set of original songs as well as adaptations of other musicians works.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $10.

Martin is an author, poet, performer/actor, and freelance writer/communications professional. A native of Darien, CT, she relocated to Torrington from Woodstock/West Saugerties in New Yorks Hudson Valley. In March 2017 she launched SpeakEasy, a monthly poetry/spoken word event in Torrington. Martin has been featured at numerous venues, including The Museum of the Imagination, The Howland Cultural Center, The Dissident Arts Festival, The Woodstock Fringe, The Byrdcliff, Theatre, and The National Beat Poetry Festivals Kerouac Cafe, among others. Shes been heard on The Woodstock RoundTable/WDST and Women of Note/WKZE, is a monthly guest on Shes Raising the Bar radio show, and has been published in Chronogram, The County and Abroad, Art Times, Chatham Magazine, WaterWrites, and other periodicals. A member of the Authors Guild, Martin is the author of one humor book, five nonfiction books, a spoken word & music CD with composer/producer Gus Mancini.
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The budget approved by the General Assembly and signed into law last month by the governor strands $26.4 million in elderly rental relief within the governors budget office.

In changing the responsibility of paying local rental grants to the towns and cities, lawmakers put the funding into the budget of the state Office of Policy Management. So OPM has the money but lacks the authority to distribute the grants to tens of thousands of low-income senior citizens.

Connecticut municipalities have the power to determine who gets the money, but no way to distribute it to eligible elderly living in apartments, rooms, cooperative housing or mobile homes.

The potentially embarrassing bureaucratic nightmare means that when lawmakers get together again, likely later this month  to finalize issues over Gov. Dannel P. Malloys line-item veto of the tax on hospitals in the $41.3 billion budget  they will have to correct the elderly rental language as well.

More for you Malloy, with no fanfare, signs budget

Ben Barnes, Malloys secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, wrote a letter to legislative leaders this week explaining the problem. Barnes noted that earlier in the month, he advised chief elected officials throughout the state that they would now be responsible for making the payments to renters. Now, I cannot issue checks without the statutory authority to do so.

Legislative solution

Barnes asked House and Senate leaders to address the issue when they resume the current special legislative session.

Any legislative solution should be crafted to specifically address questions such as who processes the checks, who has the responsibility to pay eligible individuals and whether pro-rated amounts will be allowed, he wrote.

Av Harris, director of legislative affairs and public policy for the city of Bridgeport, said Wednesday that if the state budget isnt rewritten, Bridgeport would have to pay $2.5 million to keep the program going for hundreds of city seniors.

This is one of the facets of the budget that we were surprised by, when we took a close look a few days after it was enacted, Harris said. It first looked like it shifted the burden to the municipalities exclusively. A lot of seniors are on fixed incomes and need help to pay their bills. They have to make very difficult choices. If the burden to reimburse folks just fell on Bridgeport alone, it would be a $2.5 M hit that we werent anticipating. We are relieved to see that OPM has the funds.

In 2013, the program paid out $24.5 million for 47,700 individuals, according to the OPM. But for the fiscal year that began on July 1, lawmakers cut it to $12.7 million from the previous appropriation of $27.3 million. Participants must be 65, or be 50 years old and the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of death was qualified for the assistance. Also, disabled people over 18 are eligible, based on income and a one-year residency.

Benefits, in the form of rebates, range from $900 for married couple and $700 for singles.

Senior issues

Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau said Wednesday that while the rental-rebate program represents a $100,000 loss, he expects lawmakers to soon clean up the issue.

Because the money is allocated, when the Legislature meets in a couple weeks to solve a couple issues, they will solve that one, Tetreau said.

But the bigger issue is the termination of the elderly tax credit, which the town of Fairfield included in its current budget.

Weve already sent out our tax bills, and thats a $400,000 revenue loss we have to make up, Tetreau said. Weve already set the mill rate.

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said Wednesday that legislative leaders expect to agree on a new draft of the rebate program when they meet on Thursday to determine a date for a special legislative session.

We agree we need to fix it, Fasano said in a phone interview.

Adam Joseph, communications director for state Senate Democrats, said that the session will likely occur within the next few weeks. The rental rebate program is something on which senior citizens rely in order to make ends meet, he said.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
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TORRINGTON  After a rigorous Joint Medical Staff and Board of Governors search process, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) is pleased to welcome Paul J. Scalise, M.D., Fellow, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, as its new Vice President for Medical Affairs, according to a press release.

Dr. Scalise comes to CHH from the Hospital for Special Care, where he most recently held the position of Chief Medical Officer. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Scalise held positions of Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs, and Chief of Internal and Pulmonary Medicine. He also served in clinical leadership positions at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, where he was Senior Attending in Pulmonology and Critical Care, and simultaneously, served as Medical Director of the Saint Francis Hospital Satellite Weaning Unit.
Savannah, GA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/09/2017 --Flood Insurance protects one's house and assets from loss by rising water from the outside. Think about a creek or river overflowing into one's home, an alarming thought. Homeowner's and other property insurance distinctively keep out this peril.



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North Richland Hill, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/09/2017 --Nothing matters more than safety in the workplace, especially in the construction industry. Given the kind of risk employees are always exposed to, it is a major responsibility of the employers to ensure safety in the workplace. This is why, before hiring any recruit, most of the employers in the construction industry make sure that the candidates they choose are OSHA certified. OSHA Pros USA is one such website tailored to the needs of the individuals aspiring to do well in the construction industry. With over 40 years in corporate safety, they have earned a great reputation for their dedication and support.



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U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has rejected the Cambodian governments defense of its decision to imprison opposition leader Kem Sokha ahead of his trial on charges of treason, and vowed to uphold a threat of banning Cambodian officials from traveling to America if he is not freed immediately.



In a letter to Cambodias Ambassador to the U.S. Chum Bun Rong dated Oct. 23, Cruz had expressed deep concern regarding the Sept. 3 arrest of opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Kem Sokha for allegedly collaborating with Washington to overthrow the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), calling it an attempt to undermine the Cambodian peoples faith in their democratic process.



Cruz said at the time that if Prime Minister Hun Sen did not release Kem Sokha by Nov. 9the voter registration deadline for Cambodias July 2018 general electionshe would push for sanctions banning Cambodian government officials from travelling to the U.S.



The evidence presented against Kem Sokha so far is a video recorded in 2013 in which he discusses a strategy to win power with the help of U.S. experts, though the U.S. embassy has rejected any suggestion that Washington is interfering in Cambodian politics. The Supreme Court plans to rule on whether to dissolve the CNRP for its alleged involvement in the conspiracy on Nov. 16.



On Tuesday, two days before Cruzs ultimatum expired, Chum Bun Rong responded to the senator urging him to view the current situation in Cambodia from our perspective, adding that the democratic process in his country could only be preserved if the rule of law is maintained and fully implemented for the sake of stability.



The ambassador explained that Kem Sokha had been arrested in accordance with Cambodias Criminal Code and suggested his actions would evoke a similar response under U.S. law, pointing to the example of Paul Manafortthe former campaign manager of U.S. President Donald Trump who was indicted last month on conspiracy charges related to money laundering.



He also defended the governments right to uphold the law when it forced the closure of English language newspaper The Cambodia Daily over a sudden tax debt and several local radio stations that had relayed content from Radio Free Asia and other U.S. broadcasters for allegedly failing to report their activities to the Information Ministry in recent months.



It is not fair that the Cambodian Government is criticized and threatened with punitive action for taking legal action to protect its own security, peace, independence and sovereignty, just as any other nations would do, Chum Bun Rong wrote at the time, adding that it does not bode well  for Cambodia and its future if we are forced to make choices that go against our national strategic interests.



The following day, Cruz said in a statement that the ambassadors response amounted to dismissive excuses and empty platitudes, calling the Cambodian governments bid to assuage the U.S. deeply concerning and vowing to act on his threat of a travel ban if Kem Sokha was not released by Thursday.



If specific conditions are not met, including releasing Kem Sokha, allowing radio stations to resume broadcasting at their discretion, and allowing democratic organizations to operate within Cambodia, it will be impossible for the United States and our allies to recognize the legitimacy of [the 2018] elections, he wrote.



Hun Sen must take the first step toward meeting these conditions by freeing Kem Sokha. And he must do so immediately, added the Texas lawmakerwho is a member of the Senates Judiciary, Commerce, and Joint Economic committees.



Otherwise, I will work with my colleagues in Congress and in the administration to see that, as an initial response, specified government officials responsible for these actions are prevented from traveling to the United States.



The correspondence between Cruz and Chum Bun Rong came as a panel of expertsincluding recently nominated Assistant US Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs Randy Schriver, analysts, and Kem Sokhas daughter Kem Monovithyaconvened on Tuesday in Washington and called on America and other world powers to impose sanctions against Hun Sens government.



Cambodia reactions



On Thursday, Council of Ministers spokesperson Phay Siphan suggested Cruzs proposed sanctions would constitute interference in Cambodias internal affairs, but would have no effect on his government.



This is simply an empty threat by the U.S. side, he said, speaking to reporters in Cambodias capital Phnom Penh.



Cambodia is implementing its own laws. We wont bow down or beg anything from Senator Ted Cruz, who is acting only to benefit himself.



But Yoeurng Sotheara, legal and investigative officer for electoral watchdog Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL), told RFAs Khmer Service Thursday that pressure from abroad could have a devastating effect on an impoverished country like Cambodia, which he said cannot afford to be isolated from the international community it relies on for aid.



He urged Cambodias government to reconsider the measures it had taken against the CNRP and the countrys media outlets in order to reduce political tension and ensure a free and fair election next year.



Do we want live like an isolated country or do we want to live freely so our people enjoy rights and prosperity, as well as long-term political stability, he asked.



We will regret that democracy had been built for more than 20 years [since Cambodia implemented democratic elections following the Khmer Rouge era] but was destroyed in a blink of the eye, leaving all of our progress returned to zero.



Asia summits



Senator Cruzs deadline came as New York-based Human Rights Watch called on world leaders to press Hun Sen to drop his governments baseless legal attacks on the CNRP and free Kem Sokha and other opposition politicians jailed on trumped-up charges ahead of summits in Asia scheduled for Nov. 10-14.



Heads of government from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Canada, Australia, and Mexicowill be meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday, while leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be meeting in Manila, Philippines, on Nov. 12, along with ASEAN side-summits involving the U.S., E.U., Japan, and South Korea.



Most of the leaders plan to then attend the annual East Asia Summit in Angeles, north of Manila, on Nov. 13-14.



In a statement Thursday, Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, urged the international community to speak out against Hun Sens bid to eliminate his opposition and maintain political control of the country he has ruled for nearly 33 years.



As ASEAN meets, democracy is failing in Cambodia, Adams said.



Cambodias friends should denounce Hun Sens efforts to reinstate one-party rule and demand that he drop the bogus legal cases against the political opposition and its leaders.



Reported by Nareth Muong and Sovannarith Keo. Translated by Sarada Taing. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Authorities in Shanghai have detained three members of staff and shut down a company day-care facility after video footage of the physical abuse of very small children in its care was posted online.



Police announced the detentions on Thursday after a video of staff at the nursery physically abusing one child and force-feeding another with the fiery Japanese condiment wasabi was uploaded to social media on Wednesday.



Shanghai-based online travel firm Ctrip, which ran the nursery for its employees, apologized for the mistreatment of the children, which sparked outrage on social media, official media reported.



"There was gross negligence by some teachers at the day care center, which ctrip.com entrusted to a third party to manage," the company said in a statement.



"The company has reported the case to the police and will stand with the parents in holding those responsible accountable," it said.



Internal surveillance camera footage date-stamped Nov. 1 showed a woman throwing a toddler's backpack on the ground and pushing her, causing her to fall and hit her head on the edge of a desk. The woman also removes some of the child's clothing.



A second clip dated Nov. 3 showed an employee forcefully feeding something to some of the children who then begin to cry. Parents said the substance was wasabi, a spicy radish condiment used in Japanese cuisine.



The nursery was set up in February and is run by a contractor, School for the Children, which is owned by Modern Family magazine under the aegis of the government-backed Shanghai Women's Federation, which observers said was a political blow to the city's governing elite.



Both the federation and the magazine "strongly condemned" the incident, the Global Times newspaper, which has close ties to ruling Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily, reported.



Ctrip has shut down the nursery, which provided daycare to some 110 children aged from 18 months to three years old, and will gather feedback from employees about whether it should be re-opened.



Ctrip CEO Sun Jie wrote in an e-mail to employees that the company "had never expected" such an outcome.



"By inviting a third-party agency to run the nursery, our original intention was to have a professional and qualified team look after the kids of Ctrip," she said in an email quoted in the Shanghai Daily newspaper.



"We are sad and angry ... We have no experience in kid nursing and education, but we are negligent in supervision," Sun said.



The Shanghai Women's Federation has publicly distanced itself from the scandal, saying that Modern Family magazine is a separate organization.



But an employee who answered the phone there on Thursday said the organization's leadership were all in a meeting about the incident.



"We have heard a number of reports of similar incidents today, and all our employees are out at meetings today," the employee said. "They are in the process of dealing with these matters, and timely updates will be posted on the Shanghai Women's Federation website."



Meanwhile, Modern Family has said that it accepts liability for the incident, state media reported.



"In line with our responsibility to the children and parents, we vow to conduct a thorough investigation and will fully cooperate," the magazine said in a statement quoted in the Global Times.



Amid calls for the general public to boycott Ctrip over the incident, the company held a news conference which showed one of the daycare center staff kneeling and begging parents for forgiveness. However, the parents responded by force-feeding her with wasabi, online videos showed, until police broke up the melee.



Workplace nurseries



The videos emerged after one mother checked surveillance footage at Ctrip offices after her 18-month-old daughter showed repeated signs of distress.



She said the nursery employee had apparently become enraged when her daughter had needed a large number of diaper changes in a short space of time, and treated her roughly.



The nursery was one of the first of 12 workplace nurseries set up in Shanghai in recent years, the Shanghai Daily said.



A Shanghai journalist who asked to remain anonymous said workplace nurseries are a relatively new phenomenon in China.



"They are pretty much all government-run in other cities, and it's hard for a lot of nurseries [to get licensed]," the journalist said. "But the Women's Federation has been directly implicated here, so it's politically very sensitive."



"But I think it's great that we're able to report this, so everyone knows about it," he said.



A Shanghai resident surnamed Pan said new nurseries try to meet the huge demand for childcare by setting up as branches of existing, publicly licensed nurseries, and it is rare for an official body like the Shanghai Women's Federation to be directly involved.



"Usually, they like to stay at arm's length from everything, because they are part of the government and party system, and they hold the rank of a bureau [in the city government]," he said. "But that has all fallen apart with this incident because the management in this case wasn't good enough."



"Now, everyone is trying to apportion blame and responsibility ... maybe these high-ranking organizations want to maintain their public prestige, so they pass the buck," he said.



Reported by Wong Siu-san and Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
As China rolled out the red carpet in a lavish official welcome for visiting U.S. President Donald Trump, signing U.S.$250 billion worth of economic cooperation agreements, pressing Beijing to act to put pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program was among the top priorities for Washington.



After a full state reception with guards of honor from all three services of the People's Liberation Army outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a joint news conference that was -- unusually -- broadcast live on state television. No questions were permitted, however.



Trump called on Beijing to use its influence to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff. Trump wants Xi to put further pressure on North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons by cutting any remaining financial ties with Pyongyang, saying: "China can fix this problem quickly and easily."



Trump also pressed Xi on Beijing's U.S.$26.6 billion trade surplus with the U.S., although he said he blamed Xi's predecessors, calling the Chinese president "a very special man."



Xi responded by hailing Trump's state visit as "successful and historic," pledging to continue to cooperate with the Trump administration on issues of mutual concern and benefit.



"For China, cooperation is the only real choice; only a win-win situation can lead to an even better future," Xi said, adding that Beijing has always wanted a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.



But Xi's stated willingness to work with his U.S. counterpart on a number of issues also serves the newly exalted president's own agenda, analysts told RFA on .



Domestic audience

It is intended to demonstrate to a domestic audience that he is leading China into a "new era," where it takes up a central place in world affairs, political commentator Wei Pu wrote in a commentary for RFA's Cantonese Service on .



"Xi Jinping's 'Chinese Dream' is now being implemented on the world stage," Wei wrote.



While Trump's priority is North Korea, Beijing may already have done everything it thinks it can do to help, he said.



According to Beijing-based economist Hu Xingdou, there is a limit to how much pressure the ruling Chinese Communist Party is willing to put on Pyongyang over its sixth nuclear weapons test earlier this year, for fear of triggering the collapse of the existing regime and a refugee crisis on its doorstep.



"It is difficult for China to cut 100 percent of its trade with North Korea, especially energy such as oil," Hu said. "If they do cut off all trade, including oil, the North Korean regime could collapse very quickly."



"Either that, or China believes there will be a large number of refugees entering China, and there is also the danger of nuclear leaks," he said.



Tseng Fu-sheng, analyst at Taiwan's National Policy Research Foundation, agreed that fear of instability drove China's stance.



"If [Beijing] goes all out to with excessive economic sanctions against North Korea, it could cause massive instability on the Korean peninsula," Tseng said. "This would go against Beijing's national security strategy."



"And yet the U.S. keeps coming back to make the same old points to Beijing," he said.



Human rights sidelined

On trade, Hu said he believes the U.S. could still be the winner in the trading relationship, in spite of the size of the deficit.



"China annually imports about U.S.$100 billion of products from the United States, and has just now signed more than [U.S.$250 billion] worth of deals, which will probably amount to the value of Chinese imports from the U.S. over the next two years," Hu said.



Anhui-based former state prosecutor Shen Liangqing said human rights issues appear to have been sidelined on this visit.



"Previous U.S. administrations probably raised human rights issues with China more that the Trump administration has, but China is a major power now, and one of the largest economies," Shen said. "Nobody can avoid dealing with China."



"My feeling is that the North Korean nuclear issue is more important than trade or than other human rights issues right now, as far as the U.S. is concerned," Shen said.



Meanwhile, according to Wei Pu, there are three stages to putting Xi's "Chinese dream" into practice.



"Step one is that China should be placed on an equal footing with the United States, and step two is that China will replace the U.S. at the center of world affairs," Wei wrote. "Step three will prove for all to see that the China model is superior to the Western one."



"Since Trump became president, Xi has presented China as a stable power that can replace the United States, is willing to shoulder global responsibilities, and which makes generous investments in Asia and Europe," Wei wrote.



"Xi's desire for China to be on an equal footing with the U.S. is what is meant by Xi's phrase 'a new relationship between great powers'."



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wen Yuqing for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
North Korean food products not usually sold abroad are now being sent into China for re-export to earn money for the sanctions-hit regime in Pyongyang, sources in the country and across the border in China say.



U.N. sanctions imposed in August by the world body to punish North Korea for its nuclear weapons and missile tests prohibit the country from exporting coal, iron, seafood, and other goods.



Much is still being sold abroad to earn foreign cash, though, sources say.



North Korean farmers working under government order are now harvesting for sale agricultural goods not previously promoted for trade, a source living in a border city in China told RFAs Korean Service.



North Korea has previously exported pine nuts, but the country is now exporting any agricultural products it has, including dried radish leaves and dried sweet potato stems, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



These kinds of foods are preferred by ethnic Koreans living in China and by South Koreans, the source said, adding, Chinese people do not enjoy eating them.



I dont think that Chinese people will buy these products, so they are probably being re-exported to South Korea after being disguised as originating in China, the source said.



Government order



Also speaking to RFA, a resident of North Koreas North Pyongan province, bordering China, said that the new trade in leaves and stems is being carried out under directives by authorities.



Dried radish leaves and dried sweet potato stems are now being collected because farmers have been ordered by the government to take part in earning foreign currency, the source said, also speaking on condition he not be named.



Radish leaves are used for making kimchi and napa cabbage, and sweet potato stems are also a food item in North Korea, but North Korean peasants are now offering them to their country as a way to boost earnings of foreign currency.



These food goods are already widely available in both China and South Korea, a South Korean businessman working in the import trade told RFA.



But the labor cost for trimming and dehydrating these products is high in both countries, so they tend to import inexpensive products instead of producing them on their own, he said.



Reported by Joonho Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Muslim villagers in western Myanmar's Rakhine state apply for national verification cards in an undated video screenshot.

As many as 18 village leaders who had worked on the issuance of national verification cards in Myanmars violence-ridden northern Rakhine state have been killed in the last three months in Muslim-majority Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, a state government official said Thursday.

The village heads had assisted staff members from the states Immigration and Population Department in issuing national verification cards (NVCs)  the step before the scrutinization of citizenship in accordance with the countrys 1982 Citizenship Law  to Rohingya Muslim residents as one of the programs being implemented to improve Rakhine states development.

The issuing of NVCs to the Rohingya is one of dozens of recommendations put forth by the government-created Advisory Commission on Rakhine State led by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan.

Within three months, up to 18 village heads who have helped with the issuance of NVCs in Rakhine were killed, said Myint Khyine, permanent secretary of the Immigration and Population Department.

He blamed the murders on the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a Muslim militant group that carried out deadly attacks on 30 police posts and an army base in northern Rakhine state on Aug. 25.

The members of ARSA and people who have links and connections to ARSA did it, he said.

The assertion could not be independently verified in a region that the government has kept largely off-limits to outside observers, aid workers, and reporters.

ARSA militants have been accused of invading villages inhabited by non-Muslims in northern Rakhine and of driving out or killing those who live there.

Local Hindus and the Myanmar government in late September said that ARSA militants detained nearly 100 people from several Hindu villages in the Kha Maung Seik village on Aug. 25, killed most of them, and dumped their corpses in mass graves.

The militants also forced the young Hindu women to convert to Islam and took them to a Muslim refugee camp in neighboring Bangladesh.

'Working with police'

Myint Khyine said officials from his department are working with local police to find and arrest those responsible for killing the village leaders, but some are in hiding, and others have fled the area.

They are silent and live as normal people during the day and kill the villages leaders at unexpected times during the night, he said. Thats why it is difficult to get them.

Although we have been working on issuing NVCs in the entire country, the murder cases have occurred only in the Buthidaung and Maungdaw areas, he said.

The two townships, along with adjacent Rathedaung township, were at the epicenter of recent violence during a crackdown on the Rohingya by the Myanmar military in response to the ARSA attacks on Aug. 25.

The area was subject to another crackdown by Myanmar security forces following smaller-scale attacks on border guard stations by ARSA on Oct. 9, 2016.

We have been working with police, the Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement Ministry, and security forces on the NVC process and the protection of immigration employees, Myint Khyine said.

Mobile teams of immigration staffers are issuing about 100 NVCs a day to 300,000 to 400,000 residents of Rakhine state who need to obtain them, he said. They are taking eye scans and fingerprints of applicants using biometric technology.

The process for all people will take one or a few years, he said.

National verification cards issued to villagers in western Myanmar's Rakhine state are shown in an undated video screenshot. Credit: RFA video screenshot More than 7,000 issued

More than 7,000 NVCs have been issued to villagers in Rakhine state since an authentication process began on Oct. 1, according to a statement by the office of President Htin Kyaw on Oct. 29.

Teams working in Maungdaws Shwezar village tract since Oct. 12 have issued cards to more than 100 villagers, the statement said.

Officials temporarily suspended the work on account of the Aug. 25 attacks, but resumed it at the beginning of October in areas that had returned to normalcy, it said.

The crackdown by security forces that included attacks on Muslims following the Aug. 25 violence drove more than 600,000 Rohingya across the border to neighboring Bangladesh where they now live in massive displacement camps.

Myanmar has systematically discriminated against the Rohingya who are viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied certain rights and access to basic services such as education, health care, and jobs.

The final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State issued in late August just before the ARSA attacks recommended that Myanmar review the 1982 Citizenship Law that prevents Rohingya from becoming Myanmar citizens.

Reported by Khin Khin Ei for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Police in Vietnams capital Hanoi called two members of the online Brotherhood for Democracy advocacy group to their offices this week to answer questions concerning their activities, but the two men refused to go, saying they had done nothing to break the law.



The summons came amid a months-long crackdown by authorities on dissident writers and bloggers, and just two days before U.S. President Trump and other world leaders arrive in Vietnam for top-level regional meetings.



Writing on Facebook, Brotherhood member Le Anh Hung said that he had never worked to overthrow the Peoples government, a charge often brought under Article 79 of Vietnams Penal Code to silence political dissent.



Therefore, I am not responsible for meeting with the police, Hung said.



Speaking to RFAs Vietnamese Service on Thursday, Brotherhood for Democracy member Truong Van Dung said he would also refuse to honor the Nov. 8 summons from police.



Yesterday, when they gave me the summons, I told them clearly that I refused to work with them. And I did not go to see them today, Dung said. Its our right to have an association with [Brotherhood founder] Nguyen Van Dai or anyone else we choose.



We told them we have done nothing to break the law.



We will never cooperate with them, even if summoned, because theyre an evil government, while were fighting for our country, he said.



Many arrested



At least six members of the Brother for Democracy, which was founded in 2013 by now-jailed lawyer Nguyen Van Dai, have been arrested in recent months, with former political prisoner Nguyen Van Tuc taken into custody on Sept. 1.



On Aug. 4, police in central Vietnams Quang Binh province took into custody another former political prisoner, Nguyen Trung Truc, on charges of working to topple the countrys one-party communist state. Four other members of the group had been arrested just the week before.



Communist Vietnam, where all media are state-controlled, does not tolerate dissent, and rights groups have identified Article 79 as among a set of vague provisions that authorities have used to detain dozens of writers and bloggers.



On Oct. 7, a group of 17 nongovernmental organizations wrote a joint letter urging world leaders attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this week to press host Vietnam to free bloggers and rights defenders.



The letter mentioned bloggers and activists Tran Thi Nga, Nguyen Van Oai, and Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, a blogger also known as Mother Mushroom. Quynh, arrested in October 2016, and Nga, arrested in January of this year, have been sentenced to prison terms of 10 and 9 years respectively.



Vietnam is currently holding at least 84 prisoners of conscience, the highest number in any country in Southeast Asia, according to rights group Amnesty International.



Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Emily Peyman. Written in English by Richard Finney.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Two Charlottesville journalists are suing city and state law enforcement for information about police safety plans related to the Aug. 12 Unite the Right rally.

Freelance reporters Natalie Jacobsen and Jackson Landers, represented by an attorney from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, on Oct. 31 filed a complaint against the Charlottesville Police Department, Virginia State Police and the Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security after their Freedom of Information Act requests were denied.

In the complaint, the two said they were told their requests were denied because the records contained tactical plans and could endanger law enforcement personnel if they were made public.

At a hearing Tuesday, Charlottesville Circuit Judge Richard Moore heard arguments concerning the Charlottesville Police Departments involvement in the lawsuit. Attorneys for the city argued that the police department should be exempt because it is a part of the city and not a separate public body.

Caitlin Vogus, an attorney for Landers and Jacobsen, argued that the police department should not be exempt from the suit because it is a public body. She said that if some of the information contained in the requested records included sensitive information, it should be redacted and the records should not be withheld outright.

Vogus also referenced a recent article in The Daily Progress that cited a redacted Incident Action Plan, and said that if that was provided for the newspaper, it should not be withheld from other journalists.

That document, however, was not provided to The Progress by the city or city police but by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, argued Richard Milnor, an attorney for the city.

In the complaint, Landers and Jacobsen said the focus of their FOIA requests was on police plans for the Unite the Right rally. The journalists were interested in finding out more about those plans, as well as whether police were told not to respond to acts of violence or to make arrests.

On Aug. 15, Landers  whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, Smithsonian and The Daily Beast  submitted a FOIA request to the city asking for a copy of the (Charlottesville Police Departments) Safety Plan that was used for the rally on Saturday, according to the complaint.

A week later, on Aug. 22, Charlottesville police Lt. Cheryl Sandridge responded, but declined to provide the operation plan because, documents and plans related to the protest are tactical plans and  are exempt from disclosure, her email to Landers said.

On Sept. 18, Jacobsen  whose work has appeared in C-VILLE Weekly, The Oregonian and Tokyo Weekender  submitted a FOIA request to the Virginia State Police asking for the Operational Plan that was devised, authored, and approved by Gov. (Terry) McAuliffe prior to the (August 12, 2017, Unite the Right) rally, according to the complaint.

One day later, on Sept. 19, State Police 1st Sgt. David L. Ostwinkle denied her request and said the plans she was requesting are law enforcement records that contain specific tactical plans, the disclosure of which would jeopardize the safety of officers.

On Oct. 3, Jacobsen submitted another FOIA request, this time to the Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. In it, she asked for the safety plan or Operations Plan for the Unite the Right rally, according to the complaint.

On Oct. 11, Noah P. Sullivan, counsel to McAuliffe, denied her request, saying the records she requested are exempt as working papers of the Office of the Governor  as well as law enforcement-sensitive information, according to his email.

In denying the third FOIA requests, the plaintiffs argue, the Office of the Secretary of Public Safety failed to demonstrate that the records were prepared by or for the Office of the Governor for its personal or deliberative use.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to order the agencies to produce the records. They also asked that the judge personally review all of the records and decide what should or should not be redacted.

Moore agreed with the defendants and excluded the Charlottesville Police Department from the lawsuit, citing it as a department within the city and not a proper party to be sued under Virginia FOIA. He also gave Vogus 21 days to file an amended complaint, in which she will name the city of Charlottesville as a respondent, rather than the police department.

Following the hearing, Landers and Jacobsen said they sued in the interest of public information and to find out whether police were given a stand-down order. Landers, who covered the rally, said he witnessed city and state law enforcement ignoring calls for help as people were beaten in the street.

I witnessed a woman begging them for help and they wouldnt help her, he said. And it seems like quite a coincidence for somewhere between 800 and 1,000 first responders to decide to not do their jobs. Thats not who police officers are  they become cops because they want to help people; I dont believe this was their decision.

After city police were removed from the suit, Landers and Jacobsen said it was a setback, but that they would be filing an amended complaint as soon as possible.

Were a little disappointed, but hopefully with the next petition, things get clarified and we can continue to move forward, Jacobsen said.

Landers and Jacobsen approached the Reporters Committee for representation after their FOIA requests were denied, Vogus said. She said she is representing both pro bono.
Republicans regained a bare majority in the House of Delegates on Wednesday, a day after losing a 32-seat advantage in a wave of Democratic victories that crashed from Northern Virginia through Richmond to Hampton Roads.

But the GOPs 51-49 margin is far from secure, as both parties prepare for weeks of vote recounts in at least four closely contested races that ultimately will decide the balance of power in the House.

House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, faced with possibly losing his dream of becoming speaker of the House after Republicans anointed him earlier this year, said Wednesday that Republicans kept their majority. He cited voting canvasses by local elections officials that turned an apparent 68-vote loss into a 115-vote victory for House GOP Caucus Chair Timothy D. Hugo, R-Fairfax, over Democrat Donte Tanner in the 40th District.

Canvasses also confirmed a 12-vote victory for Del. David E. Yancey, R-Newport News, over Democrat Shelly Simonds in the 94th District, Cox said in a statement that vowed Republicans would maintain a conservative hold over the chamber, despite losing a nearly 2-1 majority.

Our majority may be smaller, but our resolve and commitment to good governance on conservative principles remains strong and unwavering, he said in a two-page statement that blamed Republican losses in statewide and House races on millions of dollars of spending organized by dozens of outside groups.

However, the fight is far from over for Democrats, who have retained a Washington, D.C., law firm to oversee recounts in four contested House districts, including those currently represented by Hugo and Yancey.

House Democratic spokeswoman Katie Baker called Yanceys race too close to call and said late Wednesday, We are exploring all our available options in the race between Hugo and Tanner.

Recounts also are certain in elections for the 27th District seat held by Del. Roxann L. Robinson, R-Chesterfield, after a 124-vote victory over Democrat Larry V. Barnett, and the 28th District, won by Republican Robert M. Bob Thomas Jr. by 86 votes over Democrat Joshua G. Cole.

Thomas narrow margin carries symbolic weight in a Fredericksburg-area district that had been represented for 30 years by Del. William J. Howell, R-Stafford. He spent the last 15 years as speaker of the House building a seemingly impregnable majority that was all but swept away in a day.

Ive had better mornings, Howell quipped Wednesday, before declining to comment on the reasons for the Republican losses.

Republicans have all but given up on regaining seats lost by Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, to Democrat Dawn M. Adams by 326 votes, or Del. N.D. Rocky Holcomb III, R-Virginia Beach, to Democrat Cheryl Turpin by 394 votes

Even if Republicans maintain a slight majority, their political stranglehold over legislation in the chamber will vanish when the General Assembly convenes in January, said House Minority Leader David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, who still has an outside chance of becoming speaker if Democrats can pick up two seats in the recount.

There is no doubt the dynamic is going to change dramatically in January, Toscano said in a jubilant, hourlong conference call with more than 30 media representatives on Wednesday morning.

Those changes include a proportional increase in Democrats on House committees that will be rearranged like a stream bed by the electoral flood. Republicans lost three committee chairmen on Tuesday night  Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, on Militia, Police and Public Safety; Del. Ronald A. Villanueva, R-Virginia Beach, on Transportation; and Del. Richard L. Anderson, R-Prince William, on Science and Technology.

Two Republican committee chairmen already were retiring  Howell on Rules and Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, on Courts of Justice.

If Democrats were to regain even one seat, they could force power-sharing arrangements for committees, including shared chairmanships. On the powerful Appropriations Committee, for example, that likely would mean Chairman S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, would share leadership with Del. Luke E. Torian, D-Prince William, who already serves as a conferee in negotiating the final budget with the Senate.

Four members of Appropriations lost their seats on Tuesday, including two budget conferees: Del. John M. OBannon III, R-Henrico, and Del. Thomas A. Tag Greason, R-Loudoun. Lingamfelter and Anderson also serve on Appropriations, as does retiring Del. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico, whose 72nd District seat was claimed by Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg.

Power-sharing would be harder in electing a speaker to succeed Howell, but Toscano sidestepped the question Wednesday.

The first thing we need to do is count the votes, he said.

Even if Republicans maintain a slight advantage, Democrats will gain significant leverage in blocking conservative social legislation they have counted on Gov. Terry McAuliffe to veto and in advancing progressive policies that have gone nowhere in a House with a 66-34 GOP majority.

There is potential to create coalitions, Toscano said.

Looming over the election is the prospect of another political showdown over expanding health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of uninsured Virginians through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, should the federal law survive additional attacks by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.

The election nearly dismantles the firewall that Howell had built against repeated attempts by McAuliffe to expand Medicaid, and the governor made clear Wednesday that he will try again with the parting budget he will propose next month.

McAuliffe told reporters hes a little jealous that Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, a Democrat who won decisively Tuesday, will have a much more evenly divided legislature than he had.

All the folks who fought me on Medicaid expansion, they got blown out, McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe said that when he presents his final budget, Republicans are not going to have an option because the Affordable Care Act is here to stay.

Now they have to do it, McAuliffe said.

Access to affordable health care was a dominant theme in Democratic bids to upset incumbents such as OBannon, a neurologist who had been a leading opponent of Medicaid expansion and a supporter of unsuccessful attempts at replacing the ACA.

House Democratic pollster Josh Ulibarri said the candidates recast their health care message simply in terms of the value of getting more people affordable health care, period.

It was an issue also exploited by Forward Majority, one of the outside groups mentioned by Cox, which poured $1 million into 16 House races, including Democrat Debra H. Rodmans victory over OBannon.

The group, founded last year by a veteran of Barack Obamas first presidential campaign in 2008 and chaired by a grandson of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, widened the political battleground to include districts that Virginia Democrats rarely had contested, much less dreamed of winning.

We were specifically focused on expanding the map beyond the most contested races with the goal of putting the entire House in play, Forward Majority spokesman Ben Wexler-Waite said Wednesday.

Democrats fielded candidates in 54 of the 66 House Districts held by Republicans, and Toscano said he knew that each had a potential path to victory.

He added, What surprised me is how many found it.
Dawn Adams, partner Maggie Constante, and a small group of campaign staff members nervously watched election returns on TV and on mobile devices from her living room in Richmond on Tuesday.

Pink, purple and blue decorations remained from Adams birthday party the day before. They ordered food from Panera. No one ate right away because they were too busy pacing and looking at their phones  and realizing that first-time candidate Adams actually had a shot at unseating a Republican lawmaker in the Virginia House of Delegates.

About the same time Adams neighbor blew through the door in her bathrobe yelling with enthusiasm, Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, called Adams phone to graciously concede.

She was floored at her victory.

Virginias legislature will look dramatically different come January when a diverse group of Democrats who surged to historic wins on Tuesday will replace Republican men.

In addition to Adams, an openly gay woman, voters elected the first two Latinas to the General Assembly, the first two Asian women, and the first transgender woman. Some of the newly elected Democrats are more liberal than the party leaders and will push issues that arent on the leadership agenda.

Adams said her priorities will be things she heard from voters while doorknocking in the 68th House District: health care, education, economic growth and protecting the environment. After that: Campaign finance reform and ending gerrymandering of legislative districts.

Its certainly an exciting day, said House Democratic Caucus Chair Charniele L. Herring of Alexandria. If you look at the diversity of the candidates we ran and whos won, its pretty impressive. We have over 10 women that will be joining, or hopefully more than 10 but at least 10.

One of the two Latinas is Elizabeth Guzman, who unseated Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter in District 31, which includes parts of Prince William and Fauquier counties. Lingamfelter has held the seat since 2002. Guzman came to the United States from Peru as a single mother and is a social worker and public administrator.

The other is Hala Ayala, who defeated Del. Richard L. Anderson in Prince William Countys District 51. Ayalas mother was Lebanese and Irish, and her father was an immigrant from El Salvador with African roots.

Danica Roem, a former newspaper reporter, will become the first transgender woman in the House in a highly publicized win over conservative Prince William Del. Robert G. Marshall.

Kathy Tran in Fairfax County and Kelly Fowler in Virginia Beach will become the first Asian-American females in the House.

Fowler, 36, is a real estate broker whose grandfather is from the Philippines and whose grandmothers father came from Mexico.

Fowler was motivated to run by the election of Donald Trump to the presidency in November. She took her 8-year-old daughter to the Womens March in Washington the day after the inauguration.

What motivated me to action more than anything was my daughter, Fowler said.

The march, she said, made her realize that a majority of people felt like she did. She joined progressive groups and realized that her lawmaker, Del. Ronald Villanueva, was up for re-election. Fowler became a first-time candidate and won  after first beating a man in the Democratic primary who apologized for offensive social media posts about minorities and women but refused to drop out of the race.

She credits herself and the grass-roots progressive groups that helped her to win. After a newspaper endorsement, state Democratic Party leaders grew especially interested in her race and got involved.

Fowler said she never understood why the conventional wisdom was that the party would pick up four or five seats in the House. Democrats appear to have gained 15 seats in what was a 66-34 GOP majority House, with some races awaiting a recount.

Veronica Coleman, the Democratic challenger to Del. Glenn R. Davis Jr. in Virginia Beachs District 84, could have been another. She nearly beat the incumbent  who ran for lieutenant governor in the GOP primary this year  with little attention on her race from the party in Richmond.

To know we could have gotten more if we would have just not narrowed in and not been too cautious  its a regret, Fowler said. And I hope to be a bigger part of change in that regard in the future.

Party officials also will be working with someone they fought with during the campaign. Lee Carter, a former Marine and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, unseated Del. Jackson H. Miller, R-Manassas, the House majority whip.

Carter and his party had a falling out after he opted not to adhere to strict information-reporting requirements the Democrats require of their candidates.

Several reporters asked House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano of Charlottesville about Carter during a conference call on Wednesday, and whether theyd be able to get along.

Toscano said Democratic leaders were pleasantly surprised by Carters win and said Carter will bring a viewpoint to the caucus, just like everyone else does.

Guzman, who works for the city of Alexandria and backed Bernie Sanders for president, said a key to the motivation for her to run was the chairman of the Board of County Supervisors in Prince William, where she lives.

Corey Stewart portrays people who look like me as people who come to harm this country. He refers to Latinos as criminals, gang members. It was very upsetting to me, Guzman said.

She said she wanted Latino children to live in a place where diversity is embraced. So she ran for office, winning a primary before the general election, because there were no elected Latinos to combat Stewarts rhetoric, she said.

Thats probably why first Corey Stewart and then Trump try to say these things, because theres no one that can prove otherwise ... that we are not that kind of people. That we come here looking for opportunities.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
BLACKSBURG  Former Virginia Tech Provost Thanassis Rikakis  whose resignation was announced last month  is on paid administrative leave through Dec. 31, according to terms of his new university employment offer.

Until August 10, 2018, Rikakis will continue to receive his annual pay of $414,100, based on the terms. On that date, his annual salary will be reduced to $275,000.

When asked why Rikakis was placed on administrative leave, Tech spokeswoman Tracy Vosburgh wrote in an email that  with the naming of an interim provost  Rikakis and Tech President Timothy Sands agreed it would be best to support the new leadership and we are proceeding accordingly.

Tech announced the appointment of Cyril Clarke as the interim provost on Oct. 30. Clarke has been the dean of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine since 2013.

When and if Rikakis comes back in his new job titled presidential fellow for academic innovation, he will be assigned to work at Techs Health Science and Technology Campus in Roanoke and report directly to Sands.

Under the new terms of his employment, Rikakis wouldnt teach a class until 2019.

The Roanoke Times filed a Virginia Freedom of Information Act request for Rikakis terms of faculty offer letter last week and that request was initially denied by Tech, citing the laws personnel exemption.

After the newspaper appealed the exemption, Tech decided to let a reporter review the document this week but would not allow the reporter to make a copy.

Tech also denied a request to review Rikakis resignation letter and declined to say when the letter was officially submitted.

The offer letter was signed by Sands and Rikakis and dated Oct. 30, the day news of his resignation was announced by the university.

The letter further laid out Rikakis duties in his new job.

As part of the appointment, Rikakis will report directly to Sands through May 9, 2019. His duties will include research on a bevy of initiatives that hes been credited with spearheading like Beyond Boundaries, Destination Areas, the PIBB budget model, the Honors College and the Health Science and Technology campus concepts, according to the letter.

Rikakis will not have standard teaching, research and service requirements as part of his job until the fall semester of 2019. He will continue to receive a quarterly car allowance of $2,500 until June 30, 2018.

He resigned as provost amid mounting pressure from a dissatisfied faculty. A pair of faculty-driven surveys made public in October revealed friction between the provost and faculty and had the Faculty Senate weighing a no confidence vote of a high level Tech administrator for the first time in three decades.

After an interview request, Vosburgh wrote in an email that Rikakis was not interested in speaking with you.
RICHMOND  As Virginia Republicans tried to come to grips Wednesday with this weeks elections, almost everyone agreed it had a lot to do with President Donald Trump. They just couldnt agree if the problem was too much Trump or too little.

Given Virginias decades-long tendency to punish the party that just won the White House, it perhaps wasnt all that surprising Tuesday to see Democrats sweep statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. But the down-ballot carnage in the House of Delegates  where Republicans are accustomed to having a stranglehold on power  was shocking, potentially jeopardizing Republican control of a chamber where the GOP had enjoyed a 66-34 majority.

To observers on the right, the explanation for why so many suburban Virginia voters suddenly seemed allergic to voting Republican was simple: They were all itching to vote against Trumps party.

Tucker Martin, a GOP strategist and adviser to Republican Ed Gillespie, said Gillespies unsuccessful campaign for governor was swamped by a wave of anti-Trump Virginians eager to cast a proxy vote against the president in a state Trump lost last year.

He lost by five in Virginia. He hasnt gotten more popular since, Martin said of Trump. And there were a lot of Virginia voters waiting to express their displeasure. Sometimes post-election analysis isnt that complicated.

Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman and political consultant, lost the governors race to Democrat Ralph Northam by roughly 9 percentage points. In raw numbers, Gillespie received more votes than Republican Bob McDonnell when he was elected governor in 2009 and Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe when elected in 2013, an indication there wasnt a massive drop in Republican enthusiasm. But whatever tactics and strategies the campaign employed, Martin said, couldnt overcome the fact that the energy was on the other side.

Gillespie didnt invite Trump to campaign in Virginia, but he tried to rally the Trump base with visceral campaign ads focused on immigration and the Latino street gang MS-13, a sex offender whose voting rights were restored by McAuliffe and Northams opposition to Confederate statues.

Trump diagnosed the problem differently, saying in a tweet Tuesday night that Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for.

U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor, R-Virginia Beach, who was previously a member of the House of Delegates, said the Democratic gains were unexpected and shocking. And he said the reason behind it was Trump.

I dont know how you get around that this was a referendum on the president, Taylor said Tuesday at the GOP election night party in Henrico County. I dont know how you get around it.

The divisive rhetoric from the top contributed to a very high turnout.

Gillespie was not granting interviews Wednesday.

At a news conference outside of CNNs Washington bureau, Corey Stewart, the Trump-style firebrand who came close to defeating Gillespie in the June Republican gubernatorial primary, called for Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Whitbeck to resign and faulted Gillespie for rebuffing offers to have the president come down and help him out.

Stewart  now seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., in 2018  said the party should recover by fully embracing Trump.

Northam won Tuesday by tallying huge margins in the so-called golden crescent, the eastern population centers stretching from Northern Virginia to Richmond to Hampton Roads. Gillespie won handily in the states less populated rural areas, but the red parts of the map simply didnt produce enough votes to counter Democratic-leaning cities and suburbs.

Del. Manoli Loupassi, a centrist Richmond Republican who lost the suburban district hes represented since 2008, said he sees no other rational explanation for the outcome besides Trump.

Why would that many people come out and vote someone out of office whos really done a pretty good job? said Loupassi, a criminal defense attorney and former Richmond City Council member who lost his race to Democratic challenger Dawn Adams, a state health official and political newcomer.

Progressive organizers have said the underestimated strength of the field of Democratic challengers contributed to the blue wave. And some Democrats said Gillespies ads may have added more fuel to the anti-Trump surge.

John Fredericks, a pro-Trump radio host who advocated for bringing the president to Virginia, said Trumps absence left his supporters unenthused. A presidential rally, he said, wouldnt have fired up the Trump opponents any more than they already were.

On the national level, Republicans who are increasingly uncertain about keeping their majorities on Capitol Hill are worried about how damaging Trumps brand of politics may become to the party ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

Donald Trump is an anchor for the GOP, said veteran party strategist Mike Murphy, a Trump critic. We got that message in loud volume in Virginia. The canary in the coal mine didnt just pass out; its head exploded.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, said Tuesdays contests are a lesson to Republicans that catering to the partys conservative base with hard-line appeals and incendiary language turns off the moderate voters they need to win in states like his own.

This is a repudiation of the politics of narrow, Kasich said.

But other party leaders warned against drawing overly broad conclusions about Trump and his political strength.

Democrats say this is a repudiation and this is an anti-Trump vote, but to me the case doesnt stick, said Robin Hayes, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. Donald Trump is extremely popular in a lot of places. His promise to drain the swamp resonated and still does.

White House officials defended Trumps efforts to help fellow Republicans, noting that he has held numerous fundraisers and other events to help the party. And they argued that the best way for incumbents to navigate the political turbulence would be enacting tax cuts and other Trump policies.

The American people expect Republican majorities to deliver on their promises of boosting our economy, cutting taxes and repealing the disastrous Obamacare law, said Raj Shah, a White House spokesman. Nothing would help the political standing of Republicans in Congress more than delivering on the presidents agenda.

Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., conceded that the election results present challenges for incumbents like him. He represents a suburban Philadelphia district that Democrats are targeting aggressively in a region where Democrats won some local and county races for the first time in more than a century.

We dont know if itll be a wave. What we saw yesterday suggests that hypothesis has some merit, but remember, congressional districts are still one by one, Costello told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Democrats are grappling with problems of their own. As celebratory and cathartic as Tuesdays victories were, Democratic leaders know Northams success in Virginia does not necessarily mean there will be a nationwide upswing next November.

Virginia is a microcosm of a large portion of the nation, but it doesnt represent every community or every state, said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif. We have to make sure that we are fighting for the people where theyre at  in the rural and urban communities  and reflect their struggle to have better lives.

Ruiz added, Running purely against Trump is not the full picture.

The Washington Post contributed to this report.
DANVILLE  This year, a few whisker hairs just might do the trick.

Every year, members of the Danville Fraternal Order of Police look forward to taking children Christmas shopping through its Cops & Kids program.

Its a fun day for both cops and kids  police get to buddy up with children and take them on a $100 shopping spree, while the children often get to see police officers in a new light  and get some unexpected gifts their families cannot otherwise afford.

Most of the time we come into contact with kids its because of a conflict, Capt. Dennis Haley said. This is one of the few times its not.

To help raise money for the shopping trip this time around, the Danville Police Department named November No Shave November and have invited coworkers and the public to sponsor a police officers beard-growing effort with a $10 donation. At least 55 officers signed on to give up their razors this month, in some cases with entire divisions participating, detective Pete Bailey said.

And even if an officer picks up his razor during No Shave November, many have donated money for the effort, Haley said.

Haley came up with the idea for No Shave November at a Fraternal Order of Police meeting, after exploring what other police departments were doing to raise money for charitable endeavors.

He took the idea and ran with it, said Danville Sheriffs Office Capt. Kelly Johnson, president of the FOP.

Each child in the program is taken on a $100 shopping spree at Target by a local law enforcement officer. Half of the money is spent on necessities, such as a coat or boots, while the other half is burned up in the toy department.

Some officers have participated as volunteer shoppers several times, others only once or twice. It all depends on who is scheduled to work on the Saturday the cops and kids invade the store, said detective Cpl. John Pulley, who has shopped twice with the kids so far.

Its always a good time, Pulley said. Its surprising how often the kids want to get something for someone else  a brother, or a cousin. They care more about them than for themselves.

Several of the officers mentioned shopping with kids who wanted to get things for other people, and how stunned some of the children are when they realize they can pick things out for themselves.

Their reactions are priceless, Lt. Mike Wallace said. The child will say, Can I get this? and when you tell them, Yes theyll say, Are you sure?

Wallace said sometimes a child will pick up a toy that would cost the whole $50 allotted for toys, and a conversation happens about how that was certainly possible, but the other things they were interested in would have to be forgotten.

Each of the half-dozen or so law enforcement officers interviewed for this article said it is not unusual for officers to reach into their own pockets when the cost of the items dropped into the shopping cart topped $100.

The FOP will meet Tuesday to add up what they had raised before the institution of No Shave November and get an idea of how much that effort will add. Bailey said Wednesday that the officers had raised about $500 so far.

Depending on how well fundraising goes, the number of children taken shopping varies, but in recent years, about 25 kids have enjoyed an unexpected shopping trip, Lt. Jerry Pace said.

There is no formal system for signing up for the Cops & Kids shopping expedition, Pace said. Instead, officers meet children throughout the year who can benefit from the program, or hear about a child in need from a neighbor, someone from social services or a school teacher or counselor.

We always try to save a few spots for kids who lose everything in a house fire, Pace said. There always seem to be a few fires right before Christmas.

The public is invited to chip in for the program, with no donation too small, Bailey said. If someone can sponsor a child for $100, thats great, he said  but $10 to sponsor an officer doing No Shave November or just a few dollars will be gratefully accepted.

Every little bit helps, Bailey said.

Donations can be made by calling (434) 836-1418, Johnson said.

Well set up a time we can pick it up, she said.
The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Eve Rose Keenan along with volunteers and supporters who launched this years Rotherham Poppy Appeal at Town Hall on Monday. Pictured (from left to right) is, Sylvia Hull, Christine Bradley, Cllr Ian Jones, armed forces champion, appeal co-ordinator, Ron Moffett MBE, Sally Moffett, Cllr Rose McNeeley and Linda Bishop. 171860-2

THE leader of Rotherhams Poppy Appeal has praised the generosity of supporters as sellers make a late bid for donations.

Ron Moffett, who is co-ordinationing this years efforts on behalf of the Royal British Legion, said he had been heartened by the level of contributions.

People are being very generous, he said. I believe people now think a poppy is worth 1 when it was about 10p when I was young.

Everyone seems to want to donate and even if they dont buy a poppy they are making donations in other ways such as by direct debit.

One poppy seller based at Catcliffe is understood to have made more than 150 this year for the appeal.

Rotherham East co-ordinator Pauline Ellis said she would go on selling poppies until Sunday, when she will be at Clifton Park for the annual Remembrance Day service.

Events are taking place across the borough on Sunday to allow people to pay their respects to the fallen.
Kerala becomes the first state to introduce uniform gold price based on bank rate Kerala becomes the first state in India to launch uniform gold price based on the bank rate. The decision to introduce a uniform price on 916 purity 22-carat gold was taken at a meeting between officials of Malabar Gold and Diamonds, one of the largest...

De Beers earns $450 mln from ninth rough diamond sale De Beers realised $450 million from the ninth rough diamond sales cycle of 2022 compared to $438 million, a year earlier. The revenue dropped 12.1% when compared to $508 million realised during the eighth sales cycle of the year.

Diamcor realises $266.81/ct from latest diamond sale Diamcor Mining sold 5,518.74 carats of rough diamonds at its first tender and sale of rough diamonds recovered from the processing of quarry material from the Krone-Endora at Venetia project for about $1,5 million, resulting in an average price of $266.81...

Gembridge sees record Q3 sales Digital marketplace Gembridge posted its highest ever sales in the third quarter of 2022, and boosted its listings of high-quality gemstones and jewelry. The jump in transactions coincides with a sharp increase in the number of listings.
A training center for diamond cutting and polishing will be opened in the Russian Far East at one of the educational institutions in Vladivostok. It is expected that the training will be based on short-term and long-term educational programs of the Moscow College of Entrepreneurship No. 11.

The College of Entrepreneurship No. 11 in Moscow is the only accredited educational organization in Russia that provides training for specialists in diamond cutting. College tutors paid a working visit to discuss the training of for the diamond-cutting industry in the Far East.

"The (Indian company) KGK will create about a hundred jobs in Vladivostok, and as the scale production grows, the training will become an integral part of the company's business. In addition, Indian investors intend to open another diamond processing enterprise in Primorye, the M.Siresh company is selecting a site for a new production facility which means that the demand for diamond cutting specialists in the region will increase," - said Roman Dyablov, the head of the Agency for Human Capital Development in the Far East.

The training center for diamond polishing will be opened at the Vladivostok Industrial College of Power Engineering and Communication. Later, its graduates will be able to continue their training at the FEFU Engineering School.




The Diamond Producers Association (DPA), which was established in 2015 by top seven mining companies to support the long term sustainability of the diamond sector, said there are many misconceptions about the industry.

Association chief executive Jean-Marc Leiberherr told the De Beers diamond conference in Gaborone that most consumers were 15 years, if not 20 years back in terms of their understanding of the reality of the sector.

There has been a huge gap in communication about the reality of our sector that has, as you all know have made a significant progress for the past 15 years and we need to reset the clock and explain that while continuing on the journey, he said.

Standing still is not an option.

Leiberherr said synthetic diamond manufacturers had been marketing their products using sustainability as a marketing argument.

We have seen sustainability so far as diamond miners as our licence to operate. We have got to operate sustainably or we wont be able to operate, he said.

Meanwhile, the DPA boss said their ability to prosper as an industry would depend on their ability to win younger consumers.

Millennials are well or better informed generation ever, so meeting their expectations and winning their minds is a challenge, he said.

They think with their hearts and they buy with their hearts everything that they do is driven by their hearts.

Leiberherr said they had developed a marketing platform for younger generations, dubbed real is rare, real is a diamond.

Real is rare, real is a diamond makes a parallel authenticity and the timeliness of a product and the authenticity of the underlining relationship that you express with a diamond, he said.

Now its more than that, its also a commitment for us all to live in a sincere and genuine manner in the diamond sector. Its a promise of transparency and authenticity.

Leiberherr also said that the diamond industry was sitting on a billion-year old miracle of nature that had no equal on this earth in terms of something that was natural, authentic and had not been altered for billions of years.

So what is better than a diamond that can be a symbol of what is authentic, genuine, sincere and precious? he said.



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




The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) have come to a consensus at the 2017 CIBJO Congress, by which the nomenclature used by the International Diamond Council (IDC) will be harmonised with that of CIBJO's Diamond Blue Book, says a press note from CIBJO.

"The CIBJO Diamond Book may now function as the single official reference book for nomenclature in the entire diamond and jewellery industry, with the goal of enhancing consumer confidence," explained Udi Sheintal, the CIBJO Diamond Commission President.

According to CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri: The true beneficiaries of this agreement are the diamond consumers, who will now be able to refer to a single set of rules for describing diamonds. Our Blue Books are living documents, which are reviewed year in and year out on a continuing basis, to ensure that they are current with changing conditions and technological developments. The fact that the CIBJO Diamond Book now endorsed by the WFDB and the IDMA, serves the interest of both the industry and the marketplace.

WFDB President Ernie Blom said: "This is a major step forward that we have worked towards for a long time. The IDC was created by the WFDB and the IDMA to defend the integrity of the diamond, and the step of creating a single, universally applicable book will combat any confusion in the market about nomenclature.

IDC was established in 1975 to provide its founders - the WFDB and IDMA - with a set of universally accepted standards of nomenclature for polished diamonds within the international diamond trade.



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




CIA has released nearly 470,000 new files, some of which provide crucial data into links between Al-Qaeda and ISIS, that were recovered during the May 2011 US raid in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad in which Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed.

This is the fourth tranche of materials from the Abbottabad collection released by CIA's Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

CIA Director Pompeo said the release of recovered al-Qaeda letters, videos, audio files and other materials provides the opportunity for the American people to gain further insights into the plans and workings of this terrorist organization. "CIA will continue to seek opportunities to share information with the American people consistent with our obligation to protect national security," he added.

The material contains audio, document, image, video and software operating system files.

The material, posted in the original Arabic, includes Osama Bin Laden's personal journal and more than 18,000 document files; Approximately 79,000 audio and image files, which include practice reels for public speeches, audio correspondence, and imagery gathered or generated by al-Qa'ida for a variety of purposes; More than 10,000 video files, al-Qaeda "home videos," draft videos or statements by Laden, and jihadist propaganda.

One of the videos shows a clip from the wedding of Laden's son Hamza, thought to be his favorite son and touted as his successor.

CIA press release says these materials provide insights into the origins of strained relationship between al-Qaeda and ISIS; as well as strategic, doctrinal and religious disagreements within al-Qaeda and its allies; and hardships that the terrorist organization faced at the time of Bin Laden's death.

Other themes in the materials include Al-Qaeda's preparations to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and the group's attempts to promulgate its message through Western media; Al-Qaeda's efforts to exploit the Arab Awakening for global jihad; Bin Laden's efforts to maintain unity within the group and among its affiliates, despite disagreements over tactics and doctrine; and Al-Qaeda's efforts to rehabilitate its tarnished image among Muslims due its mistakes and negative media portrayals.

CIA said that some materials in the Abbottabad collection, which are sensitive, pornography or could damage the United States' security, have not been released.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Former Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer apologized on Wednesday for two massive data breaches at the internet company.

"Yahoo was the victim of criminal state-sponsored attacks on its systems, resulting in the theft of certain user information," Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said. "We worked hard over the years to earn our users' trust. As CEO, these thefts occurred during my tenure, and I want to sincerely apologized to each and every one of our users."

Mayer said that Yahoo has not been able to find the intrusion that led to some of the thefts.

The data breach took place in 2013. The company then in 2016 disclosed that the hack impacted about 1 billion accounts, however, last month it was revealed that every account  3 billion in all  was affected by the data breach. Hackers stole email addresses, passwords, birth dates, telephone numbers and more in the attack, but did not access payment card data or information about bank accounts.

Two Russian intelligence agents and two other people have been indicted in connection with the "highly complex" attack of at least 500 million Yahoo accounts.

Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless operator, acquired most of Yahoo Inc's assets in June.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Sogou Inc. (SOGO), the online search and search-related services unit of Chinese online media company Sohu.com Inc. (SOHU), announced Wednesday that it has priced its initial public offering of 45 million American depositary shares, each representing one Class A Ordinary Share, at a price to the public of $13 per ADS.

The total IPO size would be $585 million, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.

Sogou has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 6.75 million ADSs to cover over-allotments.

The ADSs have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and are expected to begin trading on November 9 under the ticker symbol "SOGO."

J.P. Morgan, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, and CICC acted as joint bookrunners for the IPO and as the representatives of the underwriters, and China Renaissance Securities acted as co-manager.

It was on October 13 that Sohu.com said its unit has filed a registration statement on Form F-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed IPO.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Boeing Co. (BA) said that the company and China Aviation Suppliers Holding Company or CASC have signed an agreement for 300 airplanes during a ceremony in Beijing. The agreement was part of the United States trade mission to China, and was signed by Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping.

The agreement includes orders and commitments for 300 Boeing single-aisle and twin-aisle airplanes. The airplanes are valued at more than $37 billion at list prices.

Boeing noted that together with China, it continues to work on mutually beneficial ways to grow and support the aviation market. These efforts include industrial cooperation, the development of technologies to reduce aviation's environmental impact and enhance sustainability, and continued cooperation to support the safety, efficiency and capacity of China's air transport system.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Shares of Commerzbank AG (CRZBY.PK) were gaining around 4 percent in the morning trading after the German lender reported Thursday a profit in its third quarter, compared to loss last year. Revenues increased, while net interest and trading income dropped. Looking ahead, the Bank said it is still expecting a slightly positive net result for the year as a whole.

Stephan Engels, Chief Financial Officer of Commerzbank, said, "We are continuing to make good progress with the run-down of our ACR shipping portfolio. We are on track to achieve our target for the year of around EUR3 billion. With IFRS 9 due to be implemented by the turn of the year, we are currently considering revaluating our Ship Finance portfolio to run it down even faster than previously planned."

In the third quarter, consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders was 472 million euros, compared to loss of 288 million euros last year. Earnings per share were 0.38 euro, compared to loss of 0.23 euro a year ago.

Operating profit was 629 million euros for the third quarter, higher than prior year's 429 million euros.

Revenues before loan loss provisions rose 3 percent to 2.51 billion euros from last year's 2.44 billion euros. In the third quarter, the Bank's underlying revenues came to 2.01 billion euros, down from 2.21 billion euros.

Net interest and trading income was 1.25 billion euros, lower than 1.51 billion euros a year ago. Net loan loss provisions for the third quarter was 168 million euros, down from 275 million euros last year.

The company recorded around 587 thousand net new customers in German retail banking since October 2016.

The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio stood at 13.5 percent at the end of September, up from 11.8 percent a year earlier.

Further, the bank said it is aiming for a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of at least 12.5 percent, including the effect of the introduction of IFRS 9, from 1 January 2018.

The Bank also continued with the implementation of its "Commerzbank 4.0" strategy in the third quarter as planned.

In Germany, Commerzbank shares were trading at 12.15 euros, up 3.67 percent.

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Business News
Repealing Obamacare's individual mandate would reduce the government's Federal budget deficits by about $338 billion over a decade, according to an updated estimate by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT).

But at the same time, the number of Americans with insurance coverage would decrease by 4 million in 2019 and 13 million in 2027.

The current estimate relies on updated baseline projections related to the federal costs of subsidizing health insurance.

Non-group insurance would continue to be stable in almost all areas of the country throughout the coming decade, but average premiums in the personal insurance market would increase by about 10 percent in most years of the decade, the new CBO score estimates.

This is mainly because healthier people would be less likely to obtain insurance and, the resulting increases in premiums would discourage more people to not purchase insurance.

The report also finds that if the individual mandate penalty was eliminated, only a small number of people will continue to enroll in insurance.

The Obama-era Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes a provision, generally called the individual mandate, that requires all U. S. citizens and non-citizens who lawfully reside in the country to have health insurance, or pay a penalty.

So the net effect of repealing the mandate will be savings for the federal government at the cost of fewer people insured, and higher insurance premiums.

President Donald Trump's top legislative priority to repeal and replace Obamacare with a Republican health care plan has not succeeded as it faced opposition from inside the Republican legislators.

Subsequently, a bill to repeal Obamacare without a replacement also met with hurdles in the Congress.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Reflecting his dissatisfaction with the Republican establishment, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., to resign.

Bannon suggested in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday that McConnell should immediately announce his resignation but remain majority leader until the GOP completes its tax reform bill.

"I'm to the point that I think Mitch McConnell, to really bring unity to the Republican Party and get things done, I think Mitch McConnell ought to tender his resignation," Bannon said.

"What he ought to do is offer to resign as soon as taxes are done," he added. "We can't do it in the middle of taxes."

Bannon argued the Senate needs to show a sense of urgency after failing to approve legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare.

The executive chairman of far-right Breitbart News also claimed McConnell has refused to bring up bills passed by the House that would force vulnerable Democratic senators to take difficult votes.

"The House has actually voted on, I think it's 180 bills that the Senate has not taken up, including many bills that would be a very difficult vote for Joe Manchin and Claire McCaskill and Jon Tester and Heidi Heitkamp and all of these red state Democrats that we need to take down in 2018," Bannon said.

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said U.S. officials are still working to determine if President Donald Trump will hold a formal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his ongoing trip to Asia.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing on Thursday, Tillerson said Trump and Putin are likely to meet in some capacity at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam later this week but noted it could be just an informal "pull-aside."

"We're working with the Russians, as you know, in a number of very difficult areas. And we have been in contact with them," Tillerson said.

He added, "The view has been if the two leaders are going to meet, is there something sufficiently substantive to talk about that would warrant a formal meeting?"

Tillerson said the U.S. and Russia are discussing various issues, including Syria and Ukraine as well as allegations of Russian meddling in last year's election.

In remarks in Beijing, Trump called on Russia to help address the threat posed by North Korea, which he called a "potentially very tragic situation."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A record over 74 per cent, highest in four decades, of Himachal Pradesh's 50.25 lakh electorate on Thursday exercised their franchise in the assembly elections where the ruling Congress and the BJP were locked in a straight contest.

"The percentage is expected to go up further. This is the highest poll percentage recorded by the hill state in assembly polls," Dilip Sharma, Director General, Election Commission, told reporters in New Delhi.



Election officials said the polling was peaceful and no major untoward incident was reported from the 68 seats.



However, there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines at a few polling booths, which led voting continuing at these booths even after the polls officially closed at 5 p.m.



Voters across the state could be seen reaching polling stations even before polling started at 8 a.m. despite the cold in the single phase election. Higher reaches witnessed mild rain and snow later in the day.



"Despite minor hiccups as EVMs developed snags at some places, there was no report of any delay in starting the poll process," an electoral officer told .



In the first two hours, the state recorded 13.72 per cent polling but by 4 p.m., nearly 64 per cent of votes were cast.



A total of 337 candidates, 19 of them women, are in the fray. There are 112 Independent candidates. The main contest is between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).



The Congress has projected incumbent Virbhadra Singh, 83, as its Chief Ministerial candidate, while former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, 73, is the BJP's. Both are contesting the elections.



Both Singh and Dhumal cast their votes along with family members at their hometowns Rampur and Samirpur respectively.



Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Congress leader and former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma cast their votes in Bilaspur and Shimla towns.



"The BJP has made false promises, run fake campaigns in the state to lure the voters," Sharma told reporters.



After casting his votes, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is try to get at the helm for the seventh time, said he was confident of the Congress getting a majority.



On the other hand, two-time Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Dhumal said the BJP was aiming to get 60 plus seats this time.



Women, who form 19 lakh of the over 50 lakh voters, turned out in strength in the rural areas. The electorate also includes 14 transgenders.



The Congress and the BJP have fielded candidates on all 68 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist have fielded 42 and 14 candidates respectively.



Shyam Sharan Negi, 100, the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in the assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.



Elections official provided him a vehicle for his transportation to the polling booth from his home.



For the first time, the Election Commission used VVPAT machines to ensure secrecy of the votes.



The highest polling station in the state was been set up at an elevation of over 15,000 feet at Hikkam in Lahaul and Spiti district. It has 194 electors and saw an 85 per cent turnout despite snow in the evening.



In Chamba town, the Election Commission made special arrangements for transporting at least 30 patients from a government hospital to their respective polling booths.



The vote count will be held on December 18 along with Gujarat.



The Congress had won 36 of the 68 seats in Himachal Pradesh in 2012 with a 42.81 per cent vote share, while the BJP bagged 26 seats with a 38.47 per cent vote share.

In the 2012 assembly elections, the poll percentage figure was over 73.5 per cent, the highest since 1977, while it was 68.36 per cent in 2007.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a report that SEBI had imposed penalties on several entities, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's family, for "manipulative trade", while the party has demanded that Rupani must resign.

"Na khaunga na khane dunga ki kahani. Shah-zada, Shaurya aur ab Vijay Rupani (Another story of 'will not do corruption myself, nor allow others')," Gandhi tweeted.

The Congress demanded that either the Gujarat Chief Minister must resign or Prime Minister Modi should break his "silence" and dismiss him over the allegations.

The party's demand came in the wake of SEBI charging 22 entities, including Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), with "manipulative trades" in a little known company Sarang Chemicals.

"Zero tolerance for corruption' has become 'zero tolerance for honesty'. India has witnessed a series of 'scams, scandals and skullduggery' involving sons, daughters and a number of BJP leaders. PM Modi, is however on a 'Maun Vrat' (silent).

"The latest in this series is the brazen malpractice and fraud indulged by Gujarat chief Minister Vijay Rupani's HUF.

SEBI has 'indicted and penalized' 22 entities, including HUF, for "manipulative trades" in shares of a company named 'Sarang Chemicals Ltd' (SCL)," said Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

"The SEBI found Rupani's family entity guilty of malpractices and artificial trading whereby the 22 entities shared amongst themselves more than 2 crore shares which were 87.17 per cent of market volume," he added.

The party demanded that Rupani should resign as Chief Minister immediately.

"An investigation should be undertaken about the dubious dealings of Rupani HUF with Sarang Chemicals Ltd. including the reasons and considerations for artificially manipulating the trade volume and consequent price of shares of the company," said Singh.

"Time for Modi to break his silence on corruption and face accountability," he added.
NEW YORK (AP)  Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace will join Vogue editor Anna Wintour in chairing next year's star-studded Met Gala, which will take on a religious theme: "Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."

The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the news on Wednesday, explaining that the annual spring exhibit and the May 7 gala launching it will examine "fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism," combining works of fashion with works of religious art, including approximately 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican.

Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, will include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said. The items encompass more than 15 papacies.

"Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another," Andrew Bolton, head curator of the institute, said in a statement. "Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion."

The 150 fashion ensembles will come from a slew of designers, including Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Gianni and Donatella Versace, among many others.

The exhibition, which will run May 10 through Oct. 8, is a collaboration between the Costume Institute and the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters.
A book to promote awareness about fire safety among members of the community was launched at Faleata yesterday.

The Fire Reduction Strategy was launched at the Faleata Fire Station by Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

We are building on our already existing Wildfire Reduction Strategy to now focus on structural and domestic fires that occur across the country whilst increasing support for our Fire and Emergency Services in times of largescale disaster, she said.

The implementation of this strategy will occur over the coming years in partnership with S.P.C. and our partners at the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Melbourne, Australia with a commitment to preventing loss of life and loss of infrastructure here in Samoa.

European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Julian Wilson said: This work shows the commitment of island nations like Samoa to focus on proactive steps towards reducing the impact of disaster at national, sub-national and local levels.

In addition to the launching was the handing over of fire reduction strategy materials such as power generators for the National Emergency Services.

The materials include 100 firefighting helmets, a mobile emergency operations vehicle and high frequency radios to increase communication during times of disasters.
Samoa will host the next Pacific Week of Agriculture, and second Joint F.A.O. and S.P.C. Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry Meeting in 2019.

The offer by Samoa was warmly accepted by Ministers during the first F.A.O. and S.P.C. Joint Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry meeting that was held in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The meeting combined the previous Agriculture Ministerial meetings organised separately by F.A.O. and S.P.C.

Ministerial meeting was the culmination of the inaugural Pacific Week of Agriculture held in Vanuatu.

The Deputy Director-General of F.A.O, Maria Helena Semedo highlighted the challenges faced by Small Islands Developing States and called for bold action.

F.A.O. said it was placing great importance on its work in the Pacific and it had increased its staff and technical capacity.

F.A.O. called for working together in innovative ways, and that solutions could be found at the local, regional and international levels.

F.A.Os responses included the Multi-Country Programming Framework (C.P.F.) for the Pacific Islands 2018-2022, and the Pacific regionalisation of the Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrition in SIDS. Papua New Guinea has a separate C.P.F.

The Deputy Director General of S.P.C, Dr. Audrey Aumua, said the region faced huge challenges including from the impacts of climate change.

Non-communicable diseases were the leading cause of death in the region, with life expectancy declining as a result.

Food and nutritional security had to be at the top of the political agenda. In the Pacific, an average of 3 percent of national budgets went to the agriculture sector.

Smallholder farmers produced most of the local food, and innovative partnerships with them will help to promote food security.

The meeting welcomed the presentation on the Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrition in Small Island Developing States (G.A.P. S.I.D.S.).

The programme provides for improved access to safe, sufficient and nutritious foods, the end of hunger and malnutrition in all its forms, and the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources in Small Islands Developing States.

The objectives are to (1) Strengthen the enabling environments for food security and nutrition; (2) Establishing Sustainable, Resilient and Nutrition-Sensitive Food Systems; and (3) Empower people and communities.

The Ministers noted that regionalising and operationalising the G.A.P. in the Pacific requires fewer studies and more tangible actions tailored to the specific social, cultural, technological and demographic characteristics of countries in the region.

The ministers supported the actions being undertaken by F.A.O. and partners to develop a five-year Regional Framework for Accelerating Action on Food Security and Nutrition in Pacific S.I.D.S. F.A.O. affirmed that biodiversity, gender equity and womens economic empowerment would be integral to implementation of the framework in the Pacific.

The F.A.O. intends to consult with partners to further develop actions for inclusion in the framework, and to present the Pacific Framework for discussion at the 34th session of the F.A.O regional conference for Asia and the Pacific to be held in Nadi, Fiji in April 2018.

F.A.O. presented a paper on the Pacific Multi-Country Programming Framework (C.P.F.) 2018-2022.

The C.P.F. is a planning tool for the development of priorities between F.A.O. and member countries.

The aim is to foster a sustainable increase in production, trade and marketing of domestic agriculture products, and the healthy consumption of diverse, safe and nutritious food.

The Ministers noted ongoing challenges such as a rising demand for water from the agriculture and other sectors, and better ideas are needed for the use of scarce water resources, including waste water.

Access to land for agriculture is becoming a problem because of pressure from other sectors, including water catchments.

These and other problems are being exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. It was also highlighted that Pacific island farmers are often unable to access credit, which impacts on their ability to contribute to food and nutritional security, and F.A.O. and S.P.C. should consider this in their work plans.

F.A.O. highlighted its experience with schemes to improve access to credit for farmers.

Programmes to improve market access and trade facilitation are a priority, in terms of their technical aspects. Research and other studies in the region should have stronger links to practical action on the ground.

The valuable contribution by women in agriculture should be acknowledged, given their contribution to agriculture, and in promoting nutrition and food security.

The Ministers also highlighted the increased dependence on unhealthy processed imported food and called for more investment in agriculture that would help to address the serious threat posed by non-communicable diseases, which are having major social, economic and health impacts in the region.

In addition to these, farmers need access to more diverse and resilient seeds and planting materials, and the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, and supported the strengthening of F.A.O. and S.P.C. work in this field.

Building on the joint approach by F.A.O. and S.P.C. for the meeting, Ministers encouraged closer collaboration between F.A.O. and S.P.C. including the possibility of joint programming, and welcomed the focus on gender and womens economic empowerment across F.A.O. and S.P.C. programming.

The need for more agriculture data and statistics that would improve policy decision making and action on the ground was requested by the Ministers.

The Ministers also noted S.P.C. Land Resources Divisions focus on four strategic pillars - genetic resources; sustainable forests and land management; sustainable agriculture for food and nutritional security, and markets for livelihoods value chain, and was developing a new business plan and undergoing internal reforms within the Division.

Representing Samoa were Lopaoo Natanielu Mua, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Tilafono David Hunter, C.E.O. of M.A.F., and Moafanua Tolusina Pouli, A.C.E.O. Forestry M.N.R.E.

The Planning and Development Manager of S.T.A., Faamatuainu Suifua Faamatuainu, and Principal Officer of Policy, Planning and Communication Division of M.A.F., Taimalietane Matatumua-Tuivavalagi, also attended the Pacific Week of Agricultures side event on Agritourism.

The meeting was attended by Ministers from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau and Tuvalu, and Heads of Delegation from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Representatives from the national Governments of Nauru and Niue and representatives from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (A.C.I.A.R.), Technical Centre for Agricultural & Rural Cooperation (C.T.A.), Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (G.I.Z.), International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.), International Fund for Agricultural Development (I.F.A.D.), World Bank (W.B.), Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access Program (P.H.A.M.A.), United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) and the University of the Sunshine Coast attended as observers.
It was nothing but through the grace of God that led to a timely donation allowing baby Jasaiah Kolise to successfully be evacuated to New Zealand for medical treatment.

The Chairperson of the S.V.S.G. board, Georgina Lui, expressed heartfelt gratitude and acknowledged the support from families, friends and partners, who have answered their call for help during the weekend.

God is good and we praise Him always for His merciful love through the generous donors.

It has been a race against time, as the mother sought S.V.S.G.s help for airfares on Saturday morning for their planned trip on Monday, the latest.

Baby Jasaiahs father was still in Savaii because he was the sole bread winner of the family and the mother was helpless.

S.V.S.G. immediately appealed to our family of supporters to help out, and they did.

From Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, East Timor and here in Samoa, our supporters chipped in a dollar or two and by Monday morning, we collected NZ$3,297.00 (T$5,812.59) through the S.V.S.G.s Givealittle page.

We paid for baby Jasaiah and his mothers return airfare totaling T$3,982.40 with the balance of T$1,457.65 presented to the mother for their pocket money.

Additional funds received totaling NZ$161.50 (T$266.47) will be presented to the father as the rest of the Givealittle donation received for Baby Jasaiah.

On Monday afternoon, Father Spatz Silva of the Apia Vicariate of the Catholic Church conducted a prayer service before presenting the return ticket to baby Jasaiah and his mother for their flight to New Zealand on Monday night, pocket money and additional donations from a newly-opened Car Rental business in Apia.

It surely has been a race against time and we are humbled by our Gods grace as He continues to provide for us in our times of need.

Mrs. Lui acknowledges the support from the S.V.S.G. family of supporters.

Thank you for the prayers, the thoughts and the donations.

We have helped in the successful evacuation of baby Jasaiah, now we ask you to continue praying for a successful operation and recovery.
There is no love like a mothers love.

Mothers will always make sure their children receive the best, no matter the circumstances in life.

Meet Ana Kuresa who sells koko esi to make a living for her and her eight children.

The Village Voice team met Mrs. Kuresa, 48, from the village of Nuu-fou, selling koko esi around her area with her two young boys.

Talking with the Village Voice team yesterday, Mrs. Kuresa said selling traditional Samoan sweets was their source of income.

I have been selling for years now and this is where our family gets money from.

I sell koko esi every Tuesdays and Wednesdays while I serve Faausi (Samoan food) on Saturdays.

Mrs. Kuresa said the cost of living in Samoa was very expensive.

I make $80 on Tuesday and Wednesday and it will only last for two days.

Our family comprises 10 people, including my husband and I and our eight children. One already moved out and got married and four are in school at the moment while three others will be in school next year.

Mrs. Kuresa also shared on her expenses.

Usually the money I get from selling koko esi is not enough for us but we make sure that we have to get things we need but not what we want.

Mrs. Kuresa said she enjoyed selling koko esi because it could inspire her children to work hard.

I want my kids to do well in school and get good jobs because of my hard work to let them enjoy what they want.
Everyone is created the same; it is our will power to achieve our dreams that makes a difference.

Here is Solomona Maiava, a 63-year-old from the village of Vaitele-Fou.

Solomona believes that in order to live a simple life, we must work together and have the mind-set that we can get a job no matter our age.

Despite having four children who are all working, Solomona still wants to help his family, even if it means being a grounds man.

He said working also helped him keep fit and healthy.

Solomona is certain that anyone can get a job if they are willing to work instead of staying home doing nothing.

I dont understand why people say that life is hard when life will be made much easier if you get your own job and work hard to help out with your own family. I am 63 years old and I could still work and this is a good exercise for me, Solomona said to the Village Voice team yesterday.

He said we must never worry but rely on God for he was the source of life and everything that we needed and more.

Solomona believes the Lord will bless him and give him the strength to go on every new day.

Talking to the Village Voice team yesterday, he said we would only face obstacles if we didnt humble ourselves.

He believes that humility is the key of living a happy life.

On the other hand, he believes the cost of living has been made easier through the Chinese and their products.

The Chinese shops have been a major help to our family, we mostly shop there. Their prices are affordable and they have almost everything.

I guarantee you the products that you find in the Chinese shops are almost the same as the products of other shops that are expensive, he said.

Solomona wants to lead by example so that his children can idolise him and follow in his footsteps.
Samoa is set to host the 28th meeting of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (S.P.T.O.) Council of Ministers next year.

The decision was made in Vanuatu recently.

Samoas proposal was presented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Papalii Sonja Hunter.

During the meeting in Vanuatu, Regional Ministers of Tourism were reminded that regional collaboration and partnership through learning and exchange will ensure the sustainability of the regional tourism industry.

The comments were made by the, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business from Vanuatu, Joe Y. Natuman.

The Ministers were briefed on a number of regional tourism activities including the progress to date on the agri- tourism initiative by the key partners, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (C.T.A.), S.P.T.O, Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (P.I.P.S.O.), International Fund for Agriculture Development (I.F.A.D.) and the Pacific Community (S.P.C.).

The Ministers expressed their support for planned regional and national activities outlined in the way forward for agritourism development in the Pacific and approved that S.P.T.O. develop proposals and seek funding to support the development and promotion of food tourism in the Pacific.

The Council of Ministers meeting was preceded by the S.P.T.O. Board of Directors meeting where a number of issues related to S.P.T.Os policies, activities, work programme and budget were passed. Prior to the Board meeting, a regional marketing meeting was also held to discuss regional tourism marketing efforts

Other key decisions made in relation to the work of S.P.T.O, include the approval by the Board of Directors of a Terms of Reference for the recruitment of an Aviation Expert to undertake a review of the aviation sector and develop high level strategies and priority regional actions for endorsement by S.P.T.O. members.
Samoans joined the Melbourne Cup fun on Tuesday at Vailima.

This was thanks to the Rotary Clubs biggest annual fundraiser.

The Melbourne Cup Extravaganza at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum was well attended with a display of the crazy unique hats that the Cup is known for.

There was great company, overflowing drinks, food and of course some money to be won.

According to Rotary Samoa Club member Titilia Tuileva, this has been an ongoing annual event for the Rotary Club.

The Rotary Samoa club has been using this Australian exciting event to raise funds for all the projects that we are working on, she said.

She said this was the major fundraiser of their club.

Here are some more photos from the event.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Struggling social-media darlings Twitter and Snapchat are taking on new looks as the services seek wider audiences in the shadow of Facebook.

Twitter is rolling out a 280-character limit for nearly all its users, abandoning its iconic 140-character limit for tweets. And Snapchat, long popular with young people, will undergo a revamp in hopes of becoming easier to use for everyone else.

Both services announced the moves Tuesday as they look for ways to expand beyond their passionate but slow-growing fan bases.

Twitter has said that 9 percent of tweets written in English hit the 140-character limit. People ended up spending more time editing tweets or didn't send them out at all. By removing that hurdle, Twitter is hoping people will tweet more, drawing more users in.

German bureaucrats  notorious for their ability to create lengthy tongue twisters consisting of one single word  celebrated Wednesday.

Germany's justice ministry wrote that it can now tweet about legislation concerning the transfer of oversight responsibilities for beef labeling.

The law is known in German as the Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz.

Munich police, meanwhile, said that "at last" they won't need abbreviations to tweet about accidents involving forklift drivers, or Niederflurfoerderfahrzeugfuehrer.

In Rome, student Marina Verdicchio said the change "will give us the possibility to express ourselves in a totally different way and to avoid canceling important words when we use Twitter."

Others were not impressed, including at least one who quoted Shakespeare: "Brevity is the soul of wit."

And, as Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel noted, change does not come without risk.

"We don't yet know how the behavior of our community will change when they begin to use our updated application," he said. "We're willing to take that risk for what we believe are substantial long-term benefits to our business."

Snap, Snapchat's parent company, did not provide details on the upcoming changes.

During the third quarter, Twitter averaged 330 million monthly users, up just 1 percent from the previous quarter. Snapchat added 4.5 million daily users in the quarter to 178 million, which amounts to a 3 percent growth. The company does not report monthly user figures.

Those numbers pale next to social media behemoth Facebook, which reported that its monthly users rose 16 percent to 2.07 billion.

"The one thing that we have heard over the years is that Snapchat is difficult to understand or hard to use, and our team has been working on responding to this feedback," Spiegel said. "As a result, we are currently redesigning our application to make it easier to use."

His comments came on a conference call with industry analysts after the company posted the lackluster user-growth numbers and revenue that fell well short of Wall Street expectations. Snap's stock was bludgeoned Wednesday, falling almost 15 percent to close at $12.91. The Venice, California, company went public in March at $17 a share.

Snapchat needs to grow its user base beyond 13 to 34 year olds in the U.S., France the U.K. and Australia, Spiegel said. This, he said, includes Android users, people older than 34 and what he called "rest of world" markets.

Meanwhile, Snap said Wednesday that Chinese internet company Tencent has acquired a 10 percent stake in the company. Tencent runs the WeChat messaging app, as well as online payment platforms and games. Earlier this year, Tencent bought a 5 percent stake in Tesla Inc.

As for Twitter, the move to 280 characters was first started as a test in September.

"People in the experiment told us that a higher character limit made them feel more satisfied with how they expressed themselves on Twitter, their ability to find good content, and Twitter overall," said project manager Aliza Rosen in a blog post .

The expansion to 280-character tweets will be extended to all users except those tweeting in Chinese, Japanese and Korean, who will still have the original limit. That's because writing in those languages uses fewer characters.

The company has been slowly easing restrictions to let people cram more characters into a tweet. It stopped counting polls, photos, videos and other things toward the limit. Even before it did so, users found creative ways to get around the limit. This includes multi-part tweets and screenshots of blocks of text.

Twitter's character limit was created so that tweets could fit into a single text message, back when many people were using texts to receive tweets. But now, most people use Twitter through its mobile app; the 140-character limit is no longer a technical constraint but nostalgia.

___

Barbara Ortutay reported from New York. Associated Press writer Frank Jordans in Berlin and AP Videojournalist Paolo Santalucia in Rome contributed to this story.
Dear Editor,

The answer for the question about taxing of Church Ministers earnings is already provided by H.R.P.P. regarding the new tax law.

The new tax law is good news for H.R.P.P. in terms of financial support for our government and our country. But thats not all. There is more good news for H.R.P.P. It is very important for H.R.P.P. to recognize and take notices of some serious problems already faced by Church Ministers and church members of E.F.K.S (C.C.C.S.), Methodist and other Protestant (Presbyterian) denominations because of the tax law.

The first problem is that the tax law is against the truth in the Bible and the Constitution of Samoa. The second problem is the way that has been used to establish and to implement the tax law.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue; they took the tax law into their own hands in a way that is unlawful, disrespectful and counter-religion. Everything that has been done since the beginning until the end in relation to the tax law is inappropriate.

The tax bill before it became as tax law, was passed without recognition and approval of/from other churches in the National Council of Churches (N.C.C). The bill was implemented by force and without a proper agreement between the government and other churches in the N.C.C such as E.F.K.S. and Methodist.

As a result, the tax bill was forced into law and became as an unnecessary law of our country. The disturbing situation shows us that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue are performing religion politics in our government. They respect other religions and disrespect others which means, the religions they are paying respect for, are the only valid religions in our country.

By the way, in other countries, Church Ministers are obligated by their government to pay taxes because it is not new. It is a tradition of pagan government that can be traced all the way back in times of pagan Rome and the Roman Empire.

When pagan Rome converted into Christianity, Christianity was completely affected by the authority of government as well as government politics because of the demand of money. Church leaders were influenced by political powers that gave birth to the power of the Pope that put people under darkness.

Everything about Christianity was dictated to by the political power of the Pope. Even the Bible, people were forbidden to read or to have the Bible. Apostleship and discipleship were also affected. If people dont follow the authority of the Pope, they face crucifixion or become food of beasts and fire.

There were thousands and thousands of people in Rome and all around the Roman Empire who suffered persecutions because they stood up for the Word of God and stood up against the power of politics. Despite of the stress, pressure and pain of persecution, they were willing to lay down their lives for God and His truth. Without those peoples faith in God, we wont be able to have the light of our Lord Jesus Christ in which we get our democracy and freedom we enjoy in these days in our country.

So the imposing of tax on Church Ministers earnings is not a feature of Christianity. It is paganism; it is a tradition of pagan government and a tradition of man. Therefore the error of taxing Church Ministers earnings is not the Churchs fault.

My suggestion about what the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue should have done if they are allergic to the Bible because they are forbidden to have the Bible; they should have waited until the proposals from all churches are combined and presented and then draw a solution from every side.

We called that way as Christianity or democracy. It is fair, balance and more productive than the other prejudice way that pleases only the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue.

The other problem is the consultation timeframe. The consultation timeframe for the tax bill was restricted according to the H.R.P.Ps timing and it is not okay according to the background and the severity of the matter of taxing Church Ministers earnings. When consultations are taken for Biblical and Spiritual matters between Government and Church, the timeframe for consultations should leave open until a proper solution is secured. Therefore, the H.R.P.P. should never restrict the timeframe into some certain timing and possibilities that they choose.

Another problem is the intent of the consultation plan. The intent of the consultation plan of the tax bill in my own view is evil. It is the reflection of the government officials who put the plan together. According to the process for consultations were already taken, I realized, they have developed a strategy of dealing directly with Church Ministers through the back door in order to avoid Heads of each denomination particularly the Protestant (Presbyterian) churches in the N.C.C. It is not the right way to get information the government needed according to structures and systems we run our churches with.

The right way the government should approach Church Ministers is through the front door. That is, the government must deal directly with Heads of each Church in the N.C.C. through the communication network between government and the N.C.C. The government is already aware of the important situation that all churches are running like how the government runs its operations. They are operating on structures and systems or plans and procedures. That is the process the H.R.P.P. and the government should follow and respected.

The last problem is that the tax law is a threat to the work of God in Protestant (Presbyterian) religions. It poses a threat of imprisonment for Church Ministers if they dont follow any aspects of the tax law.

Even church members can also be affected by the tax law. So the tax law has two aims but not one. To tax Church Ministers earnings and to send Church Ministers and church members to the prison. Those are good news for H.R.P.P.

But, there is bad news for H.R.P.P. The meaning of what the government had been doing to the truth, to our religions, to Church Ministers and church members is digging of their own graves. H.R.P.P. will never be free from what they had been doing in regards to the tax law because it is inappropriate.

They left out our religions be forgotten as they have treated our Protestant (Presbyterian) religions as their enemy.

But thats not all; there is more bad news for H.R.P.P.

The correct answer for the question about taxing of Church Ministers earnings, is not found in a political opinion or in the authority of the government. It is very important for everyone to understand, that the question about taxing of Church Ministers earnings is a Biblical and a Spiritual matter. Not only that the question about taxing of Church Ministers earnings is a Biblical and a Spiritual matter but also, it is a Constitutional matter.

Therefore the correct answer or the right answer for the question about taxing of Church Ministers earnings is found only in the Bible the Word of God. Samoa is founded on God, the God of the Bible; God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

That is the first and the highest law of Samoa, its Foundation or its Constitution. Not so long ago, Christianity has been declared in our countrys Constitution as the Official Religion of Samoa. Those are evidences and sources of informations the H.R.P.P. and government should seek to find the truth but they didnt do it as they have decided otherwise on purpose.

So, to justify the right and wrong answer to the question about taxing of Church Ministers earnings, let us turn our attention to the Bible and Samoas Constitution but not political opinions and government authority.

Let the Bible declare the truth and let the Constitution show what and where it stands for. Also, let all Christian Religions present their purposes, their positions and their convictions and match them up with the truth in the Bible in order to find out the religions that served the truth. And the truth according to the Bible the Word of God is that the taxing of priests or Church Ministers earnings is against Gods will. Therefore, the H.R.P.Ps current tax law for taxing Church Ministers earnings is a crime.

The Prime Minister, the Minister of Revenue and members of the H.R.P.P. have completely nullified the truth by turning to their own political opinions and justification. Their turning to their own political opinions and justification instead of God is the acknowledgment of the H.R.P.Ps untouchable political power over everyone including God. It is a symbol to tell us about one of H.R.P.Ps main goals they wish to prove to Samoa that even the churches and God are all under the H.R.P.Ps political power.

The real meaning of what they did is disrespecting of our belief; our faith in God. They abuse our democracy and the authority of our Government. They substitute our belief; our faith in God the truth with their political power and opinions. They replace our rights with their self-interests and violate the Constitution of Samoa with their unchristian tax law.

Remember the leaders of Israel (the people of God and the chosen nation of God) when they confront Jesus regarding the tax law of Rome as describe in (Matthew 22:17-21). They place the tax law of Rome over the law of God. They place Caesar over God. They kept the law of God in their inward parts and in their hearts according to the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-33) (Hebrews 8:10) I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts, however, they abandoned the law of their king and turned to the tax law of Rome to trap their king because they claimed that the king of Israel is not God but Caesar as confirmed in (John 19:15) We have no king but Caesar. Jesus responded to the leaders of Israel with a counter question after the leaders of Israel showed Jesus the penny  Whose image and inscription is this? They answered Jesus  Caesars. Jesus then responded again to the leaders of Israel by saying Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.

While leaders of Israel turned to the tax law of Caesar and Rome to trap Jesus, Jesus turned to Gods law to save leaders of Israel. They turned to the penny, to the image and inscription of Caesar on the penny in order to catch Jesus and put Jesus in the hands of Romes government for the killing of Jesus, but Jesus turned to the image of God and the law of God that is written in their hearts in order to save them from hands of Caesar because they do not belong to Caesar and Rome, they belong to God.

Israelites are people of God. They were created by God in Gods image with Gods law already written in their hearts.

As leaders of our country in government, they should never establish any law against Gods law and also, they should always serve the country with respect. They should not be controlled by money. They should not be representations of money and sources of money.

They should always be representations of God and servants of the truth like our great leaders before them as well as our fore-fathers who inscribed the foundation of Samoa (Samoa is founded on God) on the Constitution of Samoa. O le tulaga lea e lagona ai le agaga fafafetai, i le Susuga ia Olo Fiti Vaai ma lona tulai mai ma le le maasiasi ma le le fefe, e tu mo le finagalo o le Atua, o lo o faavae ai Samoa.

Our country is not founded on the government and politics. Our country is not founded on money and taxes. Our Government is not the truth. Money is not the truth. Tax is not the truth. Jesus is the truth, the one and the only truth. That is the Constitution of Samoa.

The meaning of our Constitution is that Samoa does not have a king like kings that other countries have because the king of Samoa is our Lord Jesus Christ. We are under the control of our king, the King of all kings, the law Maker, the law Giver and the Creator of the universe. King Jesus has arrived in Samoa in 1830. That is, the King has arrived many, many, many years before the arrival of pagan governments in our country.

When pagan governments took over our country with their political powers and with their ammunitions in the power of money, our leaders took back our country in the ways of our King Lord Jesus Christ that were written in minds and hearts of our leaders. They used the power of God. They just did their presentations verbally and through ink, pen and papers and that was all. They didnt want Samoa to be under an authority of a pagan government or under the control of money because Samoa was already in the hands of God, Samoa belonged to God, we are the image of God, and we are under the control of God.

Prior to the departure of pagan governments, Samoa formulated its own government and constituted on God. It is a dedication for our King and it is also a reminder for Samoas future generation especially the leaders of the future about Samoas victory from God.

E pei ona loa ona silafia e lau Susuga i le Faatonu, e le sese lava le mea moni, le Afioga Paia a le Atua. (Roma 8:31) O lenei, se a sa tatou upu i nei mea? Afai ua au ma i tatou le Atua, o ai se faasaga tau mai ia i tatou? Our King, our Lord Jesus Christ should be a priority, the authority of our government is secondary and the power of money is last.

As the government organizes a new plan to bring back Criminal Libel law in hunt for Ghost writers, the government must also organize a plan to bring back the Bible in hunt for the Truth about taxing of priests earnings, then abolish the tax law for taxing of priests earnings and refund all priests monies.

Also, because the government has already asked the Attorney Generals Office to look into reintroducing of the Criminal Libel law, which was abolished by the government in 2013 therefore, the government must ask the Attorney Generals Office to look into reintroducing Gods law and the Bible, which was abolished by H.R.P.P. in 2017.

It is not about Church Ministers or defending of Church Ministers. It is about the truth and for salvation of the H.R.P.P. and our country. The only way that the government can have church monies and Church Ministers monies is either borrow or through donations when church and Church Ministers donate monies as gift or on voluntary contribution.

If H.R.P.P. still refuses to turn around their tax law, then it is still fine with us and our invalid religions. We will wait for the time of our fake God.

For the time being Mr. Editor, the only thing I can do as a small help to ease up the pain of the tax law, is a small advice for Heads of Protestant (Presbyterian) religions through this presentation; this letter. Dont take this situation in a way that they would see or treat our government and the Prime Minister as their enemy.

Despite of the situation we have already faced which is against our belief according to the truth in the Word of God, our government and our Prime Minister still deserve thanks, congratulations, prayers and support.

The new tax law has broken the bond of trust and the love connection of our government and church. Once that bond/connection is broken, it is so hard to regain and to reconnect. The only way to regain the bond of trust and to reconnect the love connection is through forgiveness and good communication. It should be starting from our Church leaders. Let go of the tax law situation by leaving it to God and restore good communication if it is already lost. Share disagreements with respect but dont use disagreements to oppose each other. Without forgiveness and good communication, things will be so much harder for our country. Our country needs solidarity and stability for government and Church as much as the Prime Minister needs solidarity and stability for H.R.P.P. So that relationship is very, very important for the country.

The main reason why that relationship is so important for the country is because we have to be prepared for the unexpected. Expect the unexpected. What ever happens from the unexpected we need to stand together. We need not to point a finger and avoid blaming each other. Put the blame on all of us together, it is everyones fault. When it comes (or may be it is already around), we should accept the situations as they are and work together for great solutions.

We are well aware of the situation about our countrys development. Our countrys development is ahead of its ages since it became independent in 1962 which is great and very important. Despite of the disadvantage about our countrys location in terms of International Trade and Tourism and despite of the disadvantage about our countrys land capacity in terms of availability of natural resources and raw materials for our demand and supply, but our country has been able to overcome the disadvantages through our leaders.

Unfortunately, advancing in development comes with the unexpected. It comes with a cost and a burden to carry which is another huge point to be discussed next time. Jesus has a solution in the Bible for that situation.

The most important thing for now Mr. Editor is the relationship of our government and church. Moving forward with a great start from where we are right now, our leaders should be reunited if they are not.

The solutions of all different problems and issues in our country are in the hands of our leaders in both government and church. Quality solutions and our futures success can only be decided and determined through unity under the guidance of our King, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nanai Malonuu Lealaiauloto Nofoaiga
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has rejected comparisons of the way his Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) government is being run to a dictatorship.

He also denied suggestions that his governments decision to revive the Criminal Libel law, which had been abolished in 2013, is part of a move to restrict freedom of speech.

In hindsight, Tuilaepa said he regrets the decision to remove Criminal Libel from the law books in the first place.

I shouldve never abolished this law which caters to protect victims of defamation, he said.

Tuilaepa accepts that he has critics who have called him a dictator.

There have been writings that accuse me of being a dictator (in relation to the Criminal Libel), he said. But it is not my law.

They (writers) are in favor of those doing the damage. What about those who are victims of defamation?

This is a Christian move to protect the victims who are being defamed. This law is designed as a refuge to people whose names and reputations have been ruined.

Tuilaepa added that Commission has been set up to help reinstate the Criminal Libel law. Tuilaepa said this law was for people who had been defamed online by faceless bloggers and social media commentators.

This law will target only those who defame individuals and tarnish their good names. This is their safe haven.

Looking back, Tuilaepa said: In the small time the said law was abolished, defamation has increased significantly here in Samoa.

Tuilaepa said this law was put in place by previous Members of Parliament.

When it was my time; maybe I was a bit too kind, he said.

With confidence that those who defamed others were no longer in existence, it is why I abolished that law.

But now I know, the previous Members of Parliament knew what they were doing.

Last week, the government announced the Attorney Generals Office has been tasked to look into reintroducing the Criminal Libel law.

It is part of efforts to address the growing number of ghost writers who use fake social media pages to attack members of the public. One such page is known as Ole Palemia.

The Police had launched an investigation to find out who is responsible for the page but up until now they have not been successful. There are other pages.

And now the government has had enough.

The intention is not only to protect the privacy of the individuals and the general public from unsubstantiated, vicious and inciting allegations posted by ghost writers on the social media but to safeguard and ensure peace and harmony in the country remains intact, the statement issued by the government said.

The statement quoted Prime Minister Tuilaepa saying that since the Criminal Libel law was abolished (from the Crimes Act of 2013) some have abused the freedom to express their views in particular the defamatory allegations posted on social media.

Some of these postings could lead to violent confrontation which may eventually cause misery to families and government will not stand by any longer, Tuilaepa said.

Subject to approval by Parliament, the Prime Minister says the new act will ensure that the ghost writers will be brought to justice to answer to their writings.

And they could be liable to be prosecuted with offenses that will include imprisonment.

The H.R.P.P. caucus is in full support, Tuilaepa said.

There are 4,500 hackers in Samoa. Some are children and even lawyers are among the best hackers in the country.

And to find the writers hiding behind anonymity by using their freedom of expression to vent their vile and demeaning allegations on social media will no longer be tolerated. They should be warned now that their days of mischiefs are numbered.

The hackers, added the Prime Minister Tuilaepa, will be used by government to track down the ghost writers.

Its like using a thief to catch a thief, he said.

The proposed Act is anticipated to be tabled in the next Parliament session which is next Monday.
A Samoan church pastor has been sentenced to home detention for lying to Immigration New Zealand, Stuff reports.

But Faaofo Fomai says he was only acting "for the love of God".

According to a story titled Church pastor who lied to Immigration NZ said he was acting 'for the love of God' written by Marty Sharpe, Faaofo Fomai and his church, the Everlasting Gospel Church, had both pleaded guilty to four charges of supplying information to an immigration officer knowing it to be false or misleading.

They were sentenced in Hastings District Court on Wednesday.

Fomai was sentenced to six months' home detention. The church was fined NZ$2000. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years' prison or a fine of $100,000.

The charges related to Fomai's dealings with a Samoan police officer, Uasi Siatulau, whom he promised a job as a youth pastor in his Hawke's Bay church.

Fomai is the reverend minister of the church, which since mid-2013 held Sunday services for a small number of Samoan families in Flaxmere.

In 2015 Fomai offered Samoan policeman Uasi Siatulau work as a Youth Pastor at the church and sponsored him for a work visa as a religious worker.

This was despite Fomai knowing that the charity could not afford to employ Siatulau.

In order to secure the visa for Siatulau, Fomai wrote to Immigration NZ to say the church charity would pay him $700 to $800 a fortnight.

Siatulau wanted to bring his wife and four children with him to New Zealand but was told by INZ that he would need to earn more than the charity was paying. So Fomai wrote to INZ saying the salary had increased to $1350 to $1400 a fortnight.

The family was granted two-year work visas. When the family arrived in New Zealand they were housed at Fomai's home address.

For more details, visit: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/98662484?cid=facebook.post.98662484
Development work on the Faleolo International Airport is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018.

The Project co-ordinator of the Shanghai Construction, Amanda Yuan confirmed the project was making good progress, nearing completion.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi praised the quality of the facility after the completion of the first phase of the project that catered for departing passengers on November 30th, 2017, saying it was a state-of-the-art development.

This new departure area is equipped with modern technology for passengers, he said.

Samoa Airport Authoritys vision is to be the Pacific hub of air travel. It is governments hope that more new air carriers will make use of the new Faleolo facilities to boost our tourism and trade transport.

Tuilaepa said there had been many complaints about the development with the public questioning the governments foreign debt.

Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang says that the second phase is already in progress.

This includes the arrival area which will be housed on the site of the former Faleolo terminal which is being demolished.

Meanwhile, those arriving in Samoa are shepherded through a makeshift area which was formerly used for storing cargo.

Maybe youve seen that the old airport terminal is being demolished, so theyre starting on the second phase now which is the space for the arrivals, he said.

That should be finished by October or November this year.

We will have to work really hard to make sure more airplanes come to make use of the airport, he added.
While Government appreciates the American Samoa Governments decision to lift its ban on taro export, there remains reservations with the conditions for taro to re-enter the territory.

This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopaoo Natanielu Mua.

While the government welcomes the territorys decision to lift the taro export ban, which they unilaterally imposed without officially notifying government, he said the conditions demanded by American Samoa for taro exports to re-enter the territory is unnecessary.

Among the conditions are for local exporters to provide their contact details which include mailing address, email and telephone numbers.

This is on top of a 15 day requirement for local exporters to obtain a permit from the territory before shipping.

We welcome the territorial governments decision made by their own accord to lift the export ban, said Lopaoo.

But I have deep reservations with their conditions. And as I said before, the conditions are unnecessary.

The Minister noted that the further negotiations are expected with American Samoa officials.

And there is also a meeting with the local taro exporters to discuss the American Samoa offer and conditions.

But ultimately before taro exports will resume to American Samoa, there is a bit of ironing out between the two Samoas coupled with concerns raised by local exporters that some of the conditions are uncalled for and could result in disruptions and delays.
Traveling with President Donald Trump on a trade mission to China, Qualcomm officials said late Wednesday that the company has signed an agreement with Chinese smartphone makers Xiaomi, vivo and OPPO to supply $12 billion in components over the next three years.

The deal is non-binding. Qualcomm Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf and officials from the Chinese smartphone firms products signed the memorandums of understanding in Beijing in a ceremony led by President of the Peoples Republic of China Xi Jinping and Trump.

Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf was part of President Trumps Department of Commerce Trade Delegation to China, that included executives of leading American companies.

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Related: Broadcom CEO Hock Tan talks Qualcomm takeover bid with the U-T

The announcement comes as Qualcomm readies to respond to a likely hostile $105 billon takeover bid from Broadcom.

Earlier this month, Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan appeared with Trump in a ceremony in the U.S., where he pledged to return Broadcoms headquarters from Singapore to the U.S.

Regulators globally are expected to closely scrutinize a potential Broadcom-Qualcomm combination. The combined company would be a leading supplier for cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequency filters, transceivers and other chips on smartphone circuit boards.

While Chinese phone brands are largely unknown to U.S. consumers today, analysts believe Chinas smartphone makers have ambitions to sell handsets worldwide in coming years.

Qualcomm said it has been supporting the Chinese mobile ecosystem for almost 25 years and continues to expand its investments in China, establishing a number of branches, joint ventures and research and development centers in Guizhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, among others.

Im honored to represent Qualcomm as part of this important trade delegation, which showcases the importance of win-win business relationships between the U.S. and China, said Mollenkopf in a statement. Qualcomm has longstanding relationships with Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo, and we are continuing our commitment to investing and helping advance Chinas mobile and semiconductor industries.

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mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973
CARLSBAD

Investment lectures

The Carlsbad Senior Center hosts free investment lectures from 1:30 to 3 p.m., with Richard Loth using Morningstars mutual fund data and analyses. The lineup: Monday, The ABCs of Bond Mutual Funds; Nov. 20, Balanced Funds for an Out-of-Balance World; Nov. 27, Overdoing Portfolio Diversification. The senior center is at 799 Pine Ave. Call (760) 602-4650.

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DEL MAR

Brow studio opens

Browology Studio, a full-service beauty studio offering brow, beauty and skin care, has opened in the Pointe Del Mar health and wellness center, 12865 Pointe Del Mar Way, Suite 290. Owned by brow artist Stephanie Bostwick, the studio offers brow shaping and microblading, body waxing, airbrush tanning and facial and skin treatments. Visit browologystudio.com; call (858) 285-0285.

ENCINITAS

Four Moons Spa opens

Four Moons Spa has opened at 775 N. Vulcan Ave., featuring traditional treatments such as nail care, organic and gluten-free facials, and Thai, reflexology, hot stone and couples massages. Also available are yoga therapy, acupuncture, Soul Color + Spirit readings and other healing modalities. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Monday; 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Call (760) 436-5140; visit fourmoonsspa.com.

ESCONDIDO

After 5 Mixer tonight

Check out the latest dental technology at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 Mixer hosted by Citracado Dental Group from 5 to 7 tonight at 500 W. El Norte Parkway. Appetizers and beer/wine. Register at bit.ly/2znEJKV. Free for members; $20 for future members. First-time guests, call the chamber for a free invite. Toys and kids pajamas will be collected for the Dec. 7 Community in Unity event. Visit escondidochamber.org; call (760) 745-2125.

FALLBROOK

Chamber sundowner Wednesday

The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce hosts a free sundowner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Chase Bank, 1091 S. Mission Road. Network and discover your community. Call (760) 728-5845.

OCEANSIDE

Money talk for kids

Financial Success: How to Talk to Your Kids About Money, with Wesley Crandall, will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Church, 1602 S. El Camino Real. For parents and young people who want to take control of their financial future. Email wesley.crandall@icloud.com; call (949) 899-4424.

Social hour Tuesday

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosts Beer N Braggin Social Hour from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Legacy Brewing Co., 363 Airport Road. Free, casual meet-up open to chamber members and nonmembers; bring a friend. Email emerald@oceansidechamber.com or call (760) 722-1534, ext. 110.

RAMONA

Networking event Saturday

Connections Over Coffee, a networking event from the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Dunkin Donuts, 1410 Main St. Call (760) 789-1311.

VISTA

Stock market update

The Vista Chamber Lunch & Learn program at noon Tuesday at the chamber office, 127 Main St., will be Update on the Stock Market, presented by John Monjazi from CEO Based Investing. Workshop and lunch are free; space is limited. RSVP to info@vistachamber.org.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
Fourth-grader Samantha Myers was crestfallen when Garrison Elementary School in Oceanside canceled its theater club in recent weeks.

We only had three more weeks and we were going to do a performance for our school, so it really let everyone down, she said.

The club was canceled, and other after-school activities such as chess club were reduced, as the result of labor disputes between the Oceanside Unified School District and its staff. Teachers, who have worked a year and a half without a contract, suspended voluntary activities in order to highlight the extra hours they put in at their jobs. They also are picketing outside campuses.

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School administrators caution that the district could fall short by more than $20 million over the next two years, and cant afford many concessions.

Samanthas mom is one of those teachers. She said despite her daughters disappointment, Samantha gets the teachers point.

The main reason why were doing this is to obviously let the school board members know, but also to let the parents know all the additional activities that we do outside our regular work day, and that were not compensated for those additional activities, said Carrie Myers, a career lab teacher and yearbook adviser at King Middle School.

Samantha plans to tell the school board about her frustrations next week.

Im going to ask the school board to ask if they could give the teachers a contract and if they could let the schools have their clubs back, she said.

Teachers maintain that its past time to update their pay and benefits.

Teachers have a difficult job, said Jennifer Skellett, president of the Oceanside Teachers Association. The job we accomplish with our students is mission critical. To negotiate for over 490 days is not very respectful to our mission critical work with students.

Administrators say theyre ready to negotiate but warn that increased pension costs and decreased enrollment could put the district in the red in coming years.

The Oceanside district serves 18,500 students at 23 schools and employs more than 2,000 teachers and other staff. This years budget projects $203 million in revenue, with $216 million in spending, said Shannon Soto, associate superintendent for business services. For the 2018-19 school year, thats expected to rise to $209 million in revenue and $220 million in spending.

The district declared a qualified budget in January, which means that it may not be able to meet all its financial obligations. It expects to continue in that status through the 2019-20 school year, Soto said. Because of those projected shortfalls, officials said they plan to keep spending steady, and say any increases in pay or benefits must be offset by cuts elsewhere.

At this time, we are trying to look at things that can be cost-neutral, said Cheri Sanders, associate superintendent for human resources. Whatever we would offer in a salary increase, or possibly in increased retiree benefits, that money would have to come from some form of our negotiations process. It wouldnt be something the district would come up with to cover those costs.

One expense that district officials hope to change is health benefits. Oceanside Unified pays an average of $25,000 per employee annually on health benefits, an expenditure thats two to three times the county average for schools, Soto said. Individual employees pay no contribution toward their health plans, and those who select family coverage pay just $1,000 per year.

It has been one of the more robust and financially attractive for our OUSD employees, Soto said. Because it is very attractive, it is very costly. We are considering placing a hard cap on health and welfare benefits.

She said the district hasnt determined if that cap would impose higher employee contributions, restrict benefits or both. But the district stated in its proposal that it will consider increases to salaries and retirement benefits only if employees agree to a healthcare cap. It is also offering retirement incentives to employees, in order to trim its staff. About a third of its staff, including 322 teachers, would be eligible for those benefits, Soto said.

Skellet said, however, that teachers are unwilling to concede that unless they know more details about the districts plans for their health plans, and say the district hasnt provided that yet. She said that the union believes the deficit projections represent a worst-case scenario  not an inevitability.

We dont want the district to go bankrupt, she said. But at some point we need to start talking about the facts, and not the things theyre scared of, or their fears.

Samantha, however, is frustrated that the dispute between adults is affecting students like her.

Its not fair to the children, she said. They didnt get a kids opinion out of it. We dont get to have a say.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
A plan to restore San Diego Countys only freshwater lagoon to its original saltwater state received unanimous support this week from the Carlsbad City Council.

Now we finally have light at the end of the tunnel, said Councilman Keith Blackburn, who praised the regional planning agency, the San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, for taking over the Buena Vista Lagoon restoration project after it stalled under the states Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2012.

Saltwater is the preferred alternative in the final environmental impact report released in September by SANDAG for the lagoons proposed restoration. The other options are 2) to keep the lagoon filled with freshwater but clean out the weeds and silt, 3) to create a hybrid water body with the western half saltwater and the eastern half freshwater, or 4) to do nothing.

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The 240-acre lagoon at the border of Carlsbad and Oceanside has contained freshwater since property owners installed a weir in the 1940s at the outlet near the beach. The weir is a type of low dam installed at the lagoons outlet near the beach to keep out saltwater and hold in the freshwater supplied by creeks and storm runoff. The present structure was built in 1972.

Like all Southern California lagoons, the Buena Vista has been slowly shrinking. Development has encroached on its edges, along with reeds and cattails, and sand and sediment have clogged its channel. Without extensive dredging and excavation, the lagoon would fill completely in a few more years.

But the proposed restoration has been delayed for years by controversy over whether to keep the weir.

Removal of the weir would allow the ocean tides to sweep in and out, creating a more natural habitat that supports native species of plants and animals. Experts say tidal flows also help prevent flooding and greatly reduce the stagnant water that creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.

Saltwater performs best for flooding, water quality, mosquitoes and more, Keith Greer, a senior regional planner for SANDAG, said in a presentation Tuesday to the Carlsbad council.

Also, state and federal agencies have said they would only provide funding for the saltwater project, he said. That basically rules out the other options.

The hybrid is the worst of all worlds, and it costs the most, Greer said, and doing nothing is not acceptable.

The Carlsbad council voted unanimously Tuesday to write a letter of support for the saltwater alternative.

The project is expected to go to the county Board of Supervisors for approval in January, Greer said. Numerous other federal, state and local agencies also will have to sign off on the work.

Past estimates of the restoration costs range from $43 million to $62 million for the various alternatives. No construction funding has been identified so far, but money could be available through the North Coast Corridor Project, which includes the widening of the Interstate 5 and railroad bridges across the lagoon. One condition of most grants is that the project be shovel-ready, Greer said.

Most of the property owners at the edge of the lagoon and many overlooking it want it to stay filled with freshwater. They say they prefer their open-water views, and that tidal flushing would twice a day expose smelly mudflats, stop people from walking across the inlet, and that a proposed pedestrian bridge would create a safety and security hazard.

Representatives of the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation and the Buena Vista Audubon Society, which has a nature center and offices in Oceanside on Coast Highway at the edge of the lagoon, spoke in favor of the saltwater alternative.

They have chosen the alternative that is best for the lagoon, the community, and the taxpayers, said Natalie Shapiro, the Audubon Society chapter president and a Carlsbad resident.

The lagoon foundation was a reluctant convert to the saltwater alternative, its longtime president, Regg Antle, told the council.

The foundation was formed in 1982 to work for the restoration of the lagoon, he said. Originally, the goal was to keep the freshwater state, but more than 30 years later, nothing has happened, and the foundations board has agreed to back the SANDAG recommendation.

We want the lagoon restored, he said, and the saltwater plan is the only viable option.

No one opposed to the saltwater plan spoke at Tuesdays meeting, but many residents and owners near the lagoon want to keep it the way it is.

Maintaining our lagoon view with substantial open water is of high importance to our community, states a letter supporting freshwater submitted by Robert and Michelle Dupre in 2015 when the draft environmental documents were released.

Creating a saltwater wetland in this important habitat would be a tragic disruption to a well-established ecosystem, wrote Carlsbad resident Elizabeth Jacinto in her comments on the plan.

Adding to the challenges of the proposed change is that the weir is on private property.

About half is owned by the wealthy residents of the Saint Malo Beach Colony, a gated community of large, multimillion-dollar homes built in the 1920s and 30s just north of the lagoon. The other half of the weir is owned by the Carlsbad Beach Homeowners Association, which represents 14 properties at the northern end of Ocean Street in Carlsbad. Both groups oppose the removal of the weir.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
BONSALL

Supermarket Sweep raising funds for SMS

Sullivan Middle School PTSA is raising funds for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) by selling raffle tickets for a Supermarket Sweep at Daniels Market in River Village Plaza. A supermarket sweep is a timed run through the store, filling your cart with as many food items as possible before time is up. Tickets are $10 each. Pick them up through 5 p.m. Wednesday in front of the school at morning drop-off, or at Squareup.com/store/sullivan-middle-ptsa. The drawing is Nov. 16, and the supermarket sweep will be at 7 a.m. Nov. 18.

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DEL MAR

DMH collecting food

Del Mar Heights Elementary is holding a food drive through Wednesday. Help feed families by donating canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups, peanut butter, cereals, oatmeal, rice, pasta and baby formula. Food will be donated to the San Diego Food Bank and the North County Food Bank. The school is at 13555 Boquita Drive. Call (858) 755-9367.

CARDIFF

Workshop offered on plans for school rebuild

The Cardiff School District is hosting a Rebuild Workshop for the community from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Cardiff Elementary School auditorium. The workshop will give a presentation on the site plan for Cardiff Elementary School, followed by discussion of potential developments. Call (760) 632-5890.

CARLSBAD

Three Oranges in performance at LCC

La Costa Canyons theater department performs The Love Of Three Oranges, at 7 tonight, Friday and Saturday, and also on Wednesday, Nov. 16 and Nov. 17. The show, by Hillary DePiano, is appropriate for all ages and combines the adventures of fairy tales with the ancient Italian performance style called commedia dellarte. Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and younger, $10 students, and $14 adults. The theater is at 1 Maverick Way.

YES meeting scheduled

Youth Enrichment Services hosts a meeting with Carlsbad Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Ben Churchill at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at the Calavera Hills Middle School Maker Space, 4104 Tamarack Ave. Tour the Maker Space with Principal Michael Ecker after the meeting. Contact Rosemary Eshelman at reshelman@carlsbadusd.net.

ENCINITAS

Ocean Knoll holding food, coat drive

The Ocean Knoll Holiday Sharing Program, sponsored by the school PTA, aims to provide Thanksgiving food baskets to families in the school community. Suggested items are canned fruit and vegetables, corn husks, peanut butter, potatoes (5-pound bag), canned tomatoes and tomato paste, crackers, cereal, dried beans, rice and pasta, flour, sugar and reusable shopping bags. Please, no glass jars or bottles or expired items. Students are also collecting gently worn coats, in all sizes. Donations will be picked up Nov. 17 and distributed Nov. 20. The school is at 910 Melba Road. Call (760) 944-4351.

ESCONDIDO

Food giveaway at Orange Glen HS

The Feeding San Diego program will hold a food giveaway from 2:30-3:15 p.m. Nov. 16 at Orange Glen High School, 2200 Glenridge Road. Bring your own bags; choose from fresh produce and staple items. First come, first served; open to all families who have students at the school. Call (858) 452-3663.

FALLBROOK

Donations sought for Frazier families

William H. Frazier Elementary School is collecting food for Thanksgiving for its families. Suggested items are Bisquick, flour, rice, beans, canned vegetables or fruit, instant mashed potatoes, corn meal or corn muffin mix, pumpkin pie filling, canned cream soups, sugar, evaporated milk, canned gravy, cranberry sauce, pie crust mix. Gift cards from local grocery stores are also welcome. Last day for donations is Tuesday. The school is at 1835 Gum Tree Lane. Call (760) 731-4340.

OCEANSIDE

Biomanufacturing degree program offered

MiraCosta College is accepting applications for its new bachelors degree program in biomanufacturing. Early application deadline is Nov. 17 for fall 2018 entry. MiraCosta is one of only 15 California community colleges offering a bachelors program to prepare students for careers in the biotechnology industry. Courses cost $46 a unit for lower division classes and an additional $84 a unit for upper division classes. The four-year program is expected to cost about $10,000, not including books, materials and fees. Students should complete all prerequisites by the end of spring semester 2018 and are encouraged to apply now. Visit https://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/biotech/biomanufacturing.html, email kthiele@miracosta.edu, or call (760) 795-6874.

SAN MARCOS

Barona band donates $5,000 to school

The Barona Band of Mission Indians recently awarded a $5,000 Barona Education Grant to Discovery Elementary, to buy 12 Chromebooks and 12 headphone sets to update technology for second-graders. Barona Tribal Councilwoman Bonnie LaChappa presented the $5,000 check. Since the program began in 2006, Barona has awarded more than $3.2 million to California schools. The program has equipped 641 schools with computers, books, iPads, software and other technologies and school supplies. Each grant awarded is $5,000. Download applications at https://barona-nsn.gov/education.

SMHS student wins $1,000 scholarship

San Marcos High School student Angelene Rieta has earned a $1,000 scholarship from the American Red Cross for her work with the agency, including hosting a blood drive this summer as part of the Red Cross Leaders Save Lives program. The blood drive was held at the Escondido Police Department and collected 26 donations. As a result, Angelene was entered in a drawing to win a scholarship and won. Angelene helped form the American Red Cross Club on campus and is the clubs vice president. She plans to attend college to study psychology and prepare for a career in the health industry. Students can sign up now to participate in the Leaders Save Lives program during winter break, Dec. 15-Jan. 15. Visit redcrossblood.org/leaderssavelives.

VALLEY CENTER-PAUMA

Free concert Friday to honor military

Valley Center choirs, marching band and jazz bands join Friday for a free Veterans Day Concert at the Maxine Theater, 31322 Cole Grade Road. Doors open at noon and concert is at 1 p.m. Come early for a fundraiser lunch with the Valley Center Pauma Music Boosters, with meals for $5-$9 of burgers, hot dogs, soup or burritos. This annual concert honors all military, past and present, and features about 175 middle- and high-school performers. Email vcmusicboosters@gmail.com; visit www.vcpmusicboosters.org.

VISTA

VUSD community forum Wednesday

Students, parents, family members, staff and the community are invited to a Vista Unified School District Community Forum at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Vista High School, 1 Panther Way. This is an opportunity to provide feedback and propose revisions to VUSDs Blueprint and Local Control and Accountability Plan for 2018-19. Child care, translation provided.

Please send items to laura.groch@sduniontribune.com at least 10 days before events.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
Open studios, art and performance areas and tastings at more than 15 restaurants in University Heights  expect all at the annual UH Arts Open & Taste of University Heights. This combination of the two events offers guests an afternoon filled with paintings, sculptures, photography and a Shaolin Kung-fu demonstration along with samples of Ethiopian, vegetarian, Italian and other foods.

UH Arts Open & Taste of University Heights: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. University Heights (Buddhas Light Bookstore serves as the information booth and will call, located at 4538 Park Blvd.). The UH Arts Open is free; Taste of University Heights is $20 in advance and $25 on Sunday. (619) 508-4075, (619) 297-3166, or uharts.org.
Ask Roxana Velasquez about the San Diego Museum of Arts Modern Masters From Latin America: The Perez Simon Collection exhibition, and she has one word to describe it: remarkable.

Indeed, the private collection, on display publicly for the first time, is quite a coup for the Balboa Park museum.

We are honored to bring this private collection of Latin American works from Mexico for the very first time, and to share it with the San Diego community and its visitors, said Velasquez, executive director of the museum and curator for the exhibition.

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The exhibition  which opened two weeks ago and will be on view through March 11  is a visual representation of the appropriation and reinvention of modernism in Latin America, and brings together a remarkable selection of artists, Velasquez said.

The exhibition is part of the Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA initiative, a regional effort with more than 70 Southern California cultural institutions participating. SDMAs show features nearly 100 pieces by modern masters from many Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Its a whos who of modern artists  from Frida Kahlo and Rufino Tamayo to Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco, just to name a few.

We asked Velasquez to share her thoughts on six works of art featured in the exhibition.

Fernando de Szyszlo: House Eight (1978)

Fernando de Szyszlo is considered the most important Peruvian visual artist of the modern times. He just passed away. This painting is a powerful portrayal of an Inca warrior using Szyszlos abstract technique and applying vibrant colors that distinguish his work. For him, its about the expression of strong colors in combination with the history of the Peruvian region.

Jose Clemente Orozco: Worlds Highest Structure (1930)

Orozco is one of my absolute favorite artists. This work was done while he was living in NYC, as was Diego Rivera at the time. It was done in 1930 after the stock market crash and is a representation of sadness. Its a reflection of the material losses and the coldness of the conditions. While Rivera could be considered having a positive perspective on humankind, Orozco was skeptical, which can be seen in the contrasting use of colors in this work.

Frida Kahlo: Girl from Tehuacan, Lucha Maria (1942)

Frida Kahlo is best known for her self-portraits and Surrealist imagery. The subject of this painting is not the artist herself, but a girl from Tehuacan, in the Mexican state of Puebla. The paintings meaning is wrapped in symbolism, with the young figure seated between the pyramids of the Sun and Moon with a military aircraft in her hands. This work was completed in 1942, thus the dialogue between the innocence of the girl and the state of the world at that time.

Ricardo Martinez de Hoyos: Recumbent Figure (1984)

Probably the most impressive and surprising paintings of the show are those by Ricardo Martinez de Hoyos. They illustrate the monumental scale of mystery and strength, and are influenced by the Pre-columbian spirit like the chacmool. The combination of color adds vibrancy to the works.

Joaquin Torres-Garcia: Constructive Composition on Blueprints and Figures (1931)

The Uruguayan Joaquin Torres-Garcia is strongly represented by two major pieces that are emblematic of his mastery. He created a unique language of constructivism by condensing subjects into figures of primary colors or a monochromatic palette, forming his own schematic communication.

Modern Masters from Latin America: The Perez Simon Collection

When: Through March 11

Where: San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

Tickets: $8-$15

Phone: (619) 232-7931

Online: sdmart.org

Twitter: @outdoorlivingsd

michael.rocha@sduniontribune.com
Even for Yemenis accustomed to the brutal economies of life under a years-long siege, the effect of a blockade of all air, sea and land ports into the country was a surprise.

Food merchants immediately doubled all their prices. Fuel, in one moment, disappeared from the markets and the price of what remains is insanely high, said Yemeni civil rights activist Baraa Shaiban in a phone interview Thursday from London.

And those who are sick, who need to travel for treatment, theyre the worst hit, Shaiban said.

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The result of the closure by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition could be a famine affecting millions of victims, said Mark Lowcock, the United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, in a Wednesday briefing at the U.N. Security Council.

It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year where tens of thousands of people were affected. It will not be like the famine which cost 250,000 people their lives in Somalia in 2011, said Lowcock.

There were reports Wednesday that Saudi Arabia would allow work to resume at the southern port of Aden, but as of late Thursday, it was unclear whether aid boats had been able to dock, said Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, in a phone interview.

The coalitions imposition of the blockade Monday came after the Houthis  the rebels who seized power three years ago and whom Saudi Arabia views as a proxy for Iran  launched a ballistic missile targeting the airport of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Though the projectile was intercepted, the incident enraged Saudi leaders, who called it an act of war by Iran.

In response, the coalition sealed off the country to address vulnerabilities in its inspection procedures, which had already slowed aid deliveries to a crawl in Houthi-controlled ports such as Saleef and Hodeida. The latter is the main entry point for roughly 70% of Yemens food imports, including those reaching the capital, Sana.

The coalition even shut down entry points under the control of its ally, the internationally recognized government-in-exile of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, which the coalition has supported with a bombing campaign that human rights organizations say has killed or wounded tens of thousands of civilians. It also imposed a siege beginning in March 2015 that has all but crippled Yemenis ability to cope and precipitated a wide-scale cholera crisis that has affected about 900,000 people.

The U.S. has provided arms as well as logistical support, including midair refueling, to the coalition.

The Red Cross said Tuesday that the latest closure prevented it from delivering a shipment of chlorine tablets, necessary for the prevention of cholera, and fears that it will not be able to deliver 50,000 vials of much-needed insulin.

Humanitarian access to the country has also been impeded, the United Nations said.

Saudi Arabia is killing Yemenis not only with cluster bombs, but with starvation and disease, said Nasser Arrabyee, a Sana-based journalist, in a phone interview Thursday. Its a matter of life and death for us.

The Saudi government blamed the Houthis, saying in a letter delivered to the U.N. on Wednesday that their continued resort to violence, refusal to return to legitimacy and abide by the relevant Security Council resolutions, have resulted in the catastrophic humanitarian situation and is obstructing the political solution to the conflict.

It accused Iran of manufacturing and supplying the missile launched by the Houthis, which it said was clear evidence of Irans hostile behavior.

Irans continued role in smuggling weapons to the Houthis is a clear sign of its complete disregard for international obligations.

The closures come as part of a larger escalation by Saudi Arabia against what it sees as Iranian interference in the region. Over the last week, it has in effect deposed Saad Hariri, Lebanons prime minister, and is holding him against his will, according to Hariris party.

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said Tuesday that her government was committed to containing Irans destabilizing actions and will not turn a blind eye to these serious violations of international law by the Iranian regime.

McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator, said that even if aid could reach Aden, it is only one of several ports needed for humanitarian access.

Its not an alternative, and it doesnt have enough capacity to substitute for Hodeida and Saleef, said McGoldrick. Aside from food, he added, the lack of fuel, used to pump clean water, has forced people to take a gamble on untreated water, potentially exacerbating the cholera challenge.

Shipping aid to Aden would force humanitarians to truck shipments to Sana, nearly 200 miles to the northwest, and other Houthi-controlled areas in the north of the country, a journey of anywhere from 12 to 18 hours across a chaotic battlefield with dozens of checkpoints under the control of a patchwork of militias.

It would also allow the coalition to control aid flows in the country  a chilling development for those living in Houthi-controlled areas, said Kristine Beckerle, Yemen researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Given the coalitions immense power over what goes in and out of Yemen, their ability to affect civilian life is exponential, Beckerle said in a phone interview.

Forgetting politics, Sana is the largest population center, with people who have nothing to do with the war, she said. Its  willful ignorance of what it means to civilians to close particular ports of entry.

And although she welcomed the opening of Adens port, she warned that reliance on Aden should not become the permanent arrangement.

Even before Monday, the U.N. was raising the alarm bells and saying it needs more access  and the coalition did the exact opposite, she said, adding that other closures that hurt civilians, such as the shutting down of the Sana airport in August 2016, had been allowed to become the status quo.

Aden port will be a positive development from where we were on Monday, but thats not the baseline, she said.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

UPDATES:

1:20 p.m.: This article has been updated throughout with Times reporting.

This article was originally posted at 5:05 a.m.
Starbucks is known for its high-quality coffee, and now the chain has food to match. November 7 marks the opening of Princi, Starbucks new Italian bakery-cafe at the Reserve Roastery in Seattle. Its the brainchild of acclaimed artisan baker Rocco Princi, who runs six additional standalone stores across Milan and London.

Say farewell to cake pops. The new locations menu offers over 100 authentic items, such as baked eggs, caprese salads, buffalo mozzarella-stuffed focaccia sandwiches, cookies, and tarts. Each dish, priced between $3 and $11, will be made with fresh ingredients imported straight from Italy. You can even swap your White Mocha Latte for a cocktail instead.

Were getting into the food business, Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz told The Washington Post. Princi will be fully integrated with bakery operations, so not only will we be roasting coffee, but well be baking bread, pastries - the kind of Italian pastries youve never seen in America.

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Unlike traditional eateries, Princi will not have a printed menu. Customers will be approached by commessas - or food ambassadors - to guide them through food sampling, tasting, and ordering.

Over the next few years, fans can expect to see the Princi menu offered at Starbucks Roastery Reserve locations in Shanghai, Milan, New York City, Tokyo, and Chicago. Each cafe's kitchen will be stacked with bakers and chefs with a collective 125 years of culinary experience.

For more on the Seattle-based coffee giant, check out these 20 things you didnt know about Starbucks.
The San Diego-based carrier Theodore Roosevelt is joining two other flattops for a major exercise in the western Pacific that begins Saturday.

After leaving Guam on Saturday, the Big Stick is slated to rendezvous with the Japan-based Ronald Reagan and the Nimitz, which is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington.

With more than 21,000 sailors and Marines in the combined task forces, Exercise Valiant Shield will be the largest American maneuvers in the area since similar drills off the coast of Guam in 2006 and 2007.

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It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three, said a news release from the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, Adm. Scott Swift, a San Diego native. Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the U.S. Pacific Fleets unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region.

The Reagan participated in the 2006 exercises, the Nimitz in 2007.

Like those earlier maritime maneuvers, this years Valiant Shield tests the Navys ability to rapidly deploy a trio of strike groups to address a regional crisis. Its slated to conclude on Nov. 13.

The exercise arrives amid rising tensions in the region sparked by the opposition of the United States, Japan and South Korea to North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The strike groups include the San Diego-based cruisers Princeton and Bunker Hill and the destroyers Howard and Pinckney, plus numerous air squadrons drawn from Southern California.

They include the Death Rattlers of Miramars Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, North Islands Battlecats of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron HSM-73 and the Eightballers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
A daring and high-risk plan to prevent the extinction of Mexicos vaquita porpoise by capturing the animals and holding them under human care has been suspended following the death of an adult female last weekend.

We knew from the beginning that this was one of the risks, said Lorenzo Rojas Bracho, the scientist with Mexicos National Insitute of Ecology and Climate Change overseeing an international team working for the past few weeks in Mexicos Gulf of California off the coast of San Felipe. But we were sure that if we did not do anything, they would disappear.

Spearheaded by Mexicos federal environmental secretariat, SEMARNAT, the month-long operation known as VaquitaCPR marked an unprecedented effort to capture these animals--with the aim of repopulating the species. It involved more than five dozen experts, including some of the worlds top marine mammal scientists, veterinarians and technicians.

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VaquitaCPRs proponents said that although the outcome was uncertain, removing vaquitas from the wild was a necessary attempt to protect the porpoises from becoming ensnared and drowning in illegal gillnets set to catch totoaba fish. Fewer than 30 vaquita individuals are believed to currently survive. Known as ex-situ conservation, the approach has been successful in repopulating other species in danger of extinction such as the California condor.

The expeditions first capture, a female calf, was quickly released on Oct. 18 after she showed signs of stress. On Saturday, at about 5 p.m., the team caught a second vaquitaand at first the experts saw no signs of trouble.

Frances Gulland, VaquitaCPRs lead veterinarian, said the animal at first seemed very calm, after she was caught by a group of Danish capture specialists. The vaquita, an adult female who was neither pregnant nor lactating, remained calm as she was transported to a sea pen off the coast of San Felipe.

Gulland said the animal initially looked like she was adapting to the enclosure. She seemed to be recognizing the sides and her swimming began to slow down, said Gulland, who is senior scientist with the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito and a member of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission. But after about an hour in the pen, she really slowed down and went rather limp.

At about 7 p.m., the veterinarians made the decision to release her back into the open water. She took off at an incredibly fast, panicked-type swim on the surface of the water, Gulland said. She appeared almost like a flying fish.

But with the same speed that she swam away, the vaquita suddenly turned back toward the pen. She would have hit it, so three people jumped into the water, and as they held her they said, Oh my goodness, shes not breathing, Gulland recalled in a telephone interview. Despite extensive efforts to revive the vaquita by Gulland and other members of the veterinary team, the animal twice went into cardiac arrest, and was pronounced dead at about 10:30 p.m.

Gulland said the cause of the animals death wont be determined until test results are available later this month, but the assumption is that she died of stress. It wasnt that we did anything wrong with the process, we followed protocol, Rojas Bracho said.

The VaquitaCPR operation formally ends Friday. For the expeditions final days, the scientists have returned to the water, photographing the dorsal fins of vaquitas on the open water for identification and conservation purposes.

Any decisions on how to proceed will come after a scientific review panels goes the VaquitaCPR operation and the full necropsy resultsa standard scientific procedure.

In the meantime, Rojas Bracho said ongoing efforts to track the animals through underwater acoustic devices will continue, as will programs to remove derelict nets that ensnare the vaquitas and cause them to drown.

Notoriously shy, vaquitas exist only in the Upper Gulf of California. The worlds smallest cetacean and most endangered marine mammal, they grow to about five feet and 120 pounds, and are characterized by dark rings around their eyes and mouth.

Considered critically endangered, the species has been at the center of a broader series of problems in the Upper Gulf that involve over-fishing, corruption, organized crime, and the struggle of fishing communities to survive.

Despite a gillnet ban ordered in 2015 by the Mexican federal government as a measure to protect the vaquita, poaching has been rampant in the region. Scientists say the population has fallen precipitously as the animals are caught in illegal nets set by poachers to catch another endangered species endemic to the region, the giant totoaba fish.

Demand in Asia for the totoabas swim bladder by consumers who believe in its medicinal properties has been fueling the illegal fishing. The situation with totoaba trafficking is a very complex situation, Rojas Bracho said. When you have a totoaba swim bladder that is more expensive than cocaine, nobody will stop totoaba fishing. Even though the spotlight is now on Mexico Upper Gulf, illegal fishing has proven difficult to stop, no matter where you are in the world, he said.

Disappointed by the outcome of the capture effort, Rojas Bracho and Gulland said they have no regrets and will continue to search and press for ways to save the speciesincluding enforcement efforts and coming up with alternative sustainable fishing gear for local fishermen.

The scientist in me said, We had to try this, Gulland said. And now we know that its not an option, we have to go back to focusing on the nets. But everything thats been done so far hasnt been enough to stop the nets.

The VaquitaCPR operation was backed by numerous organizations, and key collaborators included the San Diego-based National Marine Mammal Foundation, the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito and the Chicago Zoological Societyand numerous other organizations. But some environmental groups have strongly opposed the plan, saying resources should solely be focused on strict enforcement of the gillnet ban.

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 For the next month, biologists, veterinarians, technicians and four female U.S. Navy bottle-nose dolphins from San Diego are slated to participate in this expedition aimed at locating Mexicos few remaining vaquita porpoises. Dubbed Vaquita CPR (Con

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibble
Southern Californias air quality board broke the law and abused its discretion when it adopted oil industry-backed changes to smog rules the day of a hearing without delaying the vote to give the public more time to comment, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ruled.

Environmental groups sued after the South Coast Air Quality Management District board in December 2015 rejected a staff proposal to cut 14 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution from oil refineries and other big facilities and instead adopted an alternative Western States Petroleum Assn. plan to cut 12 tons per day, and more slowly.

Those amendments to the districts long-running cap-and-trade program for smog-forming pollution, called the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market, or RECLAIM program, were submitted the morning of the hearing by board member Shawn Nelson, an Orange County Supervisor, and approved hours later on a 7-5 vote.

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Judge Amy D. Hogue ruled that the air board violated state law by approving substantial changes to the rules without allowing additional comments and arguments to be presented at another hearing. The decision voids the air boards determination that no further hearing or comment was needed, returning the matter to the district for further proceedings but leaving the rules in place in the meantime.

The air district disagrees with the ruling and will evaluate its response, spokesman Sam Atwood said. We think our board acted completely within its authority, Atwood said.

Environmentalists said the ruling would make it harder for industry lobbyists to push through last minute-changes that weaken regulations and deter air regulators from making backroom deals without notifying the public.

Its a procedural victory, but a victory for people breathing nonetheless, said Adrian Martinez, an attorney for the environmental nonprofit Earthjustice, which filed the suit.

In the March 2016 lawsuit, Communities for a Better Environment, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club said the last-minute changes made the program too weak to adequately cut smog across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where some of the nations worst ozone and fine-particle pollution triggers health problems including asthma, heart disease and premature deaths.

In court proceedings, air district attorneys argued that the board made only small adjustments to the proposed regulation that were not significant enough to trigger another hearing and more public comment. They also pointed to a disclaimer in a public notice about the rule that the board may make other modifications.

The Western States Petroleum Assn., which joined the air district in opposing the lawsuit, argued that the public had enough time to comment on the proposal because Nelson introduced the changes early in the Dec. 4 hearing and before the public comment period. The association also noted that environmentalists failed to request that the matter be continued at that time.

The judge rejected those arguments from the air district and the oil industry.

Western States said it was reviewing the ruling.

The effect of the decision remains uncertain. In March, the air-quality board voted to accelerate reductions in smog-forming emissions under the credit-based RECLAIM program, then phase it out and replace it with with traditional command and control regulations that set emissions rules for each piece of equipment.

The districts market-based program to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution, established in 1993, is favored by industry because of the flexibility it offers refineries, power plants and other major facilities, which comply using tradeable pollution credits.

But in recent years the program came under attack from state regulators, lawmakers and environmental groups, who blamed an oversupply of pollution credits and other problems for failing to achieve promised pollution reductions and allowing refineries to avoid upgrading their emissions controls.

The details of how the program will end are still being worked out.

Atwood said air district staff held two meetings with dozens of stakeholders this afternoon on rule amendments that will phase out RECLAIM and transition it to a command-and-control program.

tony.barboza@latimes.com

@tonybarboza
Three people were hospitalized Wednesday evening after a gang-related shooting on skid row in downtown Los Angeles.

About 7:45 p.m., officers were arresting someone in an unrelated incident when they heard gunshots nearby, said Los Angeles Police Officer Sal Ramirez.

They responded to San Pedro Street north of 7th Street, where they found three people wounded by gunfire.

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Two women, ages 45 and 30, were struck in the abdomen. A 40-year-old man was shot in the leg. All three were in stable condition.

Its unclear what led to the shooting. Police said neither the victims nor witnesses were cooperating.

Authorities did not have a description of the shooter.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchek

UPDATES:

10:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information about the shooting and victims.

This article was originally published at 9:25 p.m.
A young man who made national headlines earlier this year for his lawsuit against the U.S. government  a suit that he recently dropped as it neared trial  was apprehended late Monday after he illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Calexico, authorities said.

It is the second time Juan Manuel Montes Bojorquez, 23, has been arrested this year for illegal entry.

Montes was brought to the U.S. as a child and for the last few years had lived in the Imperial Valley under the protection of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

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Montes claimed in a lawsuit filed in San Diego federal court that he was wrongfully ordered into Mexico early Feb. 19 by Border Patrol who rounded him up in downtown Calexico. Montes said he didnt have his identification on him that would have shown his DACA status, and that agents failed to check their databases.

Border Patrol said there were no records of such an encounter with Montes that day and said he was lying.

Montes was caught crossing into the U.S. late that night, saying he had been robbed in Mexico and was scared. Border Patrol ordered him back to Mexico, claiming that his unauthorized trip to Mexico made him lose his DACA status. DACA participants are not allowed to go to Mexico without prior permission.

Montes has been living in Mexico with relatives ever since.

His lawsuit was on a fast-track to trial in San Diego, expected to start in December, when he decided to drop the case altogether last month. One of his attorneys said the case has been emotionally taxing on Montes, who is cognitively disabled.

About 11:50 p.m. Monday, Border Patrol agents got an alert from their remote video camera operators that someone had crossed the border about three miles east of downtown in Calexico, authorities said.

The person was seen running north from the fence for about 200 yards, then he sprawled on the ground. As agents approached he stood up and began to run away, but agents caught him.

He was identified as Montes. He told agents he was headed to Sacramento.

He was booked into jail on a felony charge of being a deported unauthorized immigrant found in the U.S.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
A former Uber driver who admitted raping or sexually assaulting at least nine unconscious teenage girls and women, including a drunk passenger, will spend more than 80 years in prison, a judge ordered Wednesday.

John David Sanchez, 53, was sentenced by El Cajon Superior Court Judge Evan Kirvin to the maximum penalty for most of his crimes, adding up to 80 years, 4 months in state prison.

The judge called Sanchezs actions reprehensible  indicative of a sexual predator.

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Sanchez had pleaded guilty to 34 counts of rape and sexual assault on his victims, including girls ages 13 and 17 and one count of intimidating a witness.

He would lure some East County high school girls to his San Diego home, then ply them with Xanax, alcohol or marijuana, or a combination of those, Deputy District Attorney Kerry Conway said.

He would stay completely sober. He waited until they were passed out, then have his way with them. He videotaped them so he could watch them over and over again, Conway said in court. What he did is absolutely vile and disgusting.

Some victims and their supporters sat in court for the sentencing hearing, but did not speak.

The case against Sanchez, who also worked as a club disc jockey, broke when a 26-year-old Uber customer accused him of raping her on Feb. 26 last year.

She reported that he picked her up in North Park after shed been drinking. When they reached El Cajon she threw up, then he assaulted her.

The company fired him and later issued a statement saying Uber was cooperating with police in the investigation.

El Cajon police searched Sanchezs home and found numerous videos of him with his victims. They identified a total of seven high school girls and women who never knew theyd been raped or assaulted.

Conway said she believes two other women are shown in some videos, but they have never been identified. The charges against Sanchez included those two victims.

The assaults on all the victims spanned a period from 2011 to 2014, with some who returned to his home and were assaulted a second time.

Conway said the 13-year-old girl who was invited to his home first got her girlfriends to join her, to drink and take drugs.

Defense attorney Peter Blair asked the judge to consider a mix of consecutive and concurrent sentences for the offenses, so that Sanchez would serve up to 29 years in prison.

Kirvin rejected most of that request, giving Sanchez the maximum terms on each count that he could under sentencing laws. He ordered concurrent sentences on three misdemeanor counts of secretly filming a person and invading their privacy with a concealed camera.

In supporting the high prison term, Conway acknowledged that it might sound draconian. But, she said, I think this defendant has earned every single moment of those years.

pauline.repard@sduniontribune

Twitter: @pdrepard
With the nation in the grip of a deadly opioid crisis, California seems to have been spared to some degree when compared with many other states.

But the human toll it has taken on the most populous state is still staggering. California ranks No. 1 when it comes to the raw number of drug-overdose deaths  more than 4,600 victims in 2015, a trend primarily driven by opioids.

We prescribe enough opioids every year to kill every Californian more than twice, said Dr. Kelly Pfeifer at the California Health Care Foundation in Oakland.

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This week, nearly 300 law enforcement, treatment providers, physicians and public policy makers are gathering in San Diego to report on the state of the opioid crisis in California  and to try to figure out how to fix it.

The second California Opioid Policy Summit, held this year at a Mission Bay resort, comes two weeks after President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency.

States such as West Virginia and New Hampshire have been especially devastated by drug overdose deaths, with 41 and 34 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2015, respectively, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While California ranks seventh lowest in the nation for drug death rates in 2015  11 deaths per 100,000 residents  experts warn the overdoses vary widely from county to county, with some regions even harder-hit than the national average.

A new devil has also arrived: fentanyl, an incredibly powerful drug that can kill in extremely small doses, often sold on the streets as look-alike oxycodone pills. Much of the fentanyl comes from precursor chemicals in China and is manufactured in labs in Mexico, then smuggled across the border and distributed across the country. It is also bought on the dark web and mixed into pills or heroin, as recent prosecutions in San Diego have shown.

This is a very dynamic epidemic, said Dr. Karen Smith, director of California Department of Public Health. We are starting to see a bending down in the curve of overdoses and deaths  however, thats almost entirely made up by a decrease in prescribing practices. At the same time, we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of fentanyl- and heroin-associated overdoses and deaths.

In California last year there were 1,925 deaths blamed specifically on opioids, including at least 234 fentanyl deaths, according to the California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. San Diego County accounted for 12 percent of those deaths, with 239.

Getting all the stakeholders to work together in a way that empowers local communities is the only way to combat the epidemic, and make sure it is an effort that is sustainable, Smith said.

In the medical field, that can be done through safe prescription practices. A state database already aims to keep physicians and patients accountable when it comes to who is prescribing what to whom.

But part of the battle is understanding what the line between safe and dangerous is. As a physician, how do you treat your patients pain and prevent future addiction or overdose?

For some doctors, it has taken a wake-up call.

One of Pfeifers came after she left her community health clinic in Petaluma in 2008. At the time, she had been treating a patient for chronic lower back pain and had continued to up her opioid dosage to match the increasing pain.

The patient was overweight, depressed, had stopped working and was experiencing life on her sofa rather than interacting with the real world.

Pfeifer said she cared for the patient and thought she was doing the right thing. She said she felt bad about leaving her care in another doctors hands.

Several years later, Pfeifer ran into the patients sister. The new doctor had a more strict philosophy about opioids and worked hard to slowly taper the dosage down. It worked. The patient lost 15 pounds, her mood improved and her pain was almost gone, the sister reported.

You leaving your practice was the best thing that happened to my family, the sister told Pfeifer.

The doctor was taken aback at first, but it was an important lesson that less is more when it comes to opioids.

A study released this week shows over-the-counter painkillers sold as Tylenol and Motrin worked just as well as opioids on emergency room patients treated for broken bones and sprains.

The state is also working on a strategy to expand medical treatment options for addicts. In the past, California mostly offered methadone to addicts in large clinical settings in cities. But there is a new push to allow primary care doctors to prescribe another crave-blocking drug, Suboxone, which helps addicts manage sobriety.

The method has had great success in Vermont, said Richard Rawson, an addiction expert who spent decades at UCLA School of Medicine and began studying Vermonts opioid problems when he recently moved there. About 1.5 percent of Vermonts adult population is either on methadone or Suboxone, he said. He is now helping California implement a similar system, pairing the medical treatment with behavioral counseling in family doctors offices.

I hope this has the same effect in California as a way to get more people into treatment, reducing overdose rates and reducing all the issues that go along with the opioid problem, including crime and other infectious diseases, he said.

Getting addicts into treatment is another hurdle, one that Smith said needs to be overcome by destigmatizing opioid dependence.

Patients and their families must understand that long-term opiate habits change the brain. This is a biological problem. This isnt about being a weak person or some other issue, Smith said. This is really about your brain and how your brain works and the medications youve been on.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
Three friends from Salt Lake City visited San Diego in early August for the Metallica concert at Petco Park. Two of them unknowingly brought home an unwelcome souvenir.

Mike Johnson, 43, was diagnosed with hepatitis A on Sept. 14, a little more than a month after his trip to San Diego. By that time, his eyes and skin had turned a shade of yellow and doctors told him he was nearing liver failure.

It was a nightmare. I was sleeping 14 to 16 hours a night, Johnson said. I couldnt walk more than 100 feet without getting tired.

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Johnsons friend, Josh Oviatt, 44, spent four days in the hospital.

It was a phenomenal weekend, but were paying for it now, Johnson said. I essentially sacrificed six months of my life for that one weekend of fun.

The third friend, Mike Rinna, 51, had previously been vaccinated for hepatitis A and did not get sick.

The San Diego outbreak has killed 20 people and more than 370 have required hospitalization. As of Tuesday, the county has tallied 544 people infected, and new cases continue to crop up. Its one of the worst outbreaks the nation has seen in decades.

Johnson and Oviatt are unusual cases. Homeless individuals and illicit drug users represent the majority of cases and are considered most at-risk, according to county health officials. The virus is being spread from feces to mouth so unsanitary conditions  particularly among the regions growing homeless population  make it more likely to spread.

Its rare for the public to know anything about those who have contracted the disease. Health officials have been hesitant to release specifics on where cases are concentrated and who has been exposed, citing state and federal health privacy laws.

The weekend of the concert, Johnson said he and his friends had a ball, riding bikes on the Pacific Beach boardwalk, swimming in a hotel pool downtown, and eating and drinking at local bars and restaurants.

Johnson said he contacted U-T Watchdog because of one restaurant in particular.

All three men ate and drank at World Famous, the Pacific Beach eatery that was the subject of a September warning from county officials about possible hepatitis A exposure.

On Sept. 15 the county warned members of the public that they might be in danger of exposure if they went to World Famous at certain dates and times:

Aug. 28, 29 and 30 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Sept.3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sept. 10 and 11 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A U-T Watchdog investigation into the restaurants inspection history revealed that it had repeatedly violated California food laws. County inspection records show World Famous was cited with seven violations under the California Retail Food Code on Sept. 8, a week before the hepatitis A announcement.

Restaurant managers said the inspection issues were an unfortunate coincidence and had nothing to do with the hepatitis A situation. They also said the health issues had been addressed and corrected.

County spokesman Michael Workman said officials are aware of several cases in Utah, including Johnson and Oviatt.

The possible exposure window at World Famous was not in effect when Johnson, Oviatt and Rinna visited the restaurant, Workman said.

We are certain they did not contract hepatitis A from our known case [at World Famous], Workman said. More likely culprits would be publicly-shared bathrooms on or off property, another unknown infected person, or any contaminated surface in or around the establishment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 40 percent of those who contract hepatitis A require hospitalization, but its rare for someone to die from the disease. Death is more common among individuals who are over the age of 50 or have underlying liver problems.

Johnson said he did not know about the outbreak until he and Oviatt started getting sick in early September.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes, stomach pain and vomiting. The usual time period from exposure to showing symptoms is 15 to 50 days, which means Johnson and Oviatt were most likely infected while visiting San Diego.

Johnson said he and his friends sat at the bar at World Famous on August 6, the day of the Metallica concert. They ordered beer, water and some appetizers, all of which were served by the bartender.

They also ate at several other restaurants and spent time at the beach.

According to county health officials, at least 17 food-service workers have been infected so far. Besides the case at World Famous, the county has not notified the public of food service worker infections. Officials say the other cases were not publicized because the infection was not identified in time for exposed members of the public to protect themselves with a vaccine.

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Contact Lauryn Schroeder via Twitter or Email.
Hours before a plane towed a banner in parts of North County calling on Rep. Darrell Issa to pass the DREAM Act, the Congressman joined about a dozen Republicans pushing legislation for dreamers to pass by the end of the year.

Issa did not mention the DREAM Act by name in his speech, and in previous statements the lawmaker has said he would not vote for the DREAM Act. Some Republicans at the conference said it was among the bills that they would support as a solution.

Issa urged members of Congress to come to the middle.

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Since the Trump administration ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in September with a six-month window for Congress to act, beneficiaries of the program and their supporters have launched several campaigns to get legislators to pass a bill on their behalf.

The DACA program gave unauthorized immigrations who were brought to the U.S. as children temporary protection from deportation and permission to work. The DREAM Act is a bipartisan-sponsored bill that would give those immigrants permanent legal status.

Several other bills that would provide ways for DACA recipients to stay in the U.S. have been introduced. Many recipients have voiced support for the DREAM Act as their bill of choice.

A group of 24 elected officials from across San Diego County sent a letter to Congress on Thursday in support of a clean DREAM Act, which would mean that no immigration enforcement measures are added in to the bill as compromises.

Adding on any provision that would harm the family members of DACA recipients goes against our values of treating all our residents with dignity and respect, the letter says.

Issa criticized what he called the enforcement first and all or nothing mindsets.

Both are signs of people who are not willing to stand with the rest of us here today and make a difference in these young peoples lives, Issa said.

The American Civil Liberties Union launched a campaign on Thursday targeting Issa and four other California House members with digital ads in support of the DREAM Act.

A campaign plane was scheduled to fly over a rally around noon on Thursday at Cal State San Marcos with a sign that read REP ISSA: #CAisMyHome pass DREAM Act NOW.

Students staging walkouts from San Diego State University, Mesa College, University of San Diego, Palomar College and Vista High School were planning to join San Marcos students at the rally.

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kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter
Faith and community leaders held a candlelight vigil in Lemon Grove Wednesday evening for the 26 churchgoers slain in a shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

The Rev. Shane Harris, of the San Diego chapter of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, called Sundays attack on the congregation at First Baptist Church in Texas egregious and sad.

They were just praying, he said of the parishioners killed by gunman Devin Patrick Kelly. They were just gathering to seek their God.

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Harris and the other religious leaders said it was important for congregations to come together in light of the mass shooting to show that faith conquers fear.

When fear comes in our communities and attacks our churches, we must stand together, hand by hand, and say that we will not tolerate that kind of fear in our communities, Harris said.

The religious group gathered outside Lemon Groves First Baptist Church, which is part of the same Christian denomination as the church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Jeff Lettow, pastor of the Lemon Grove church, said the Sheriffs Department gave a presentation to a handful of local pastors during a monthly ministerial meeting Wednesday to offer advice on how to prevent shootings and other violence at their churches.

Notable tips included training ushers to be alert and locking doors that arent main entrances, Lettow said.

Sheriffs Lt. Thomas Seiver attended the vigil and stressed the importance of vigilance during church services. He said the Sheriffs Department offers advice to keep churches safe to any in its jurisdiction.

Lemon Grove Mayor Raquel Vasquez, who asked the community to pray for the shooting victims and their families, had a message for community of Sutherland Springs.

Know that we are one community, and we stand in solidarity, Vasquez said.

The gathering ended with a prayer led by Lettow as the crowd of nearly two dozen people around him held up red candles.

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
Five people have been arrested in the killing of a San Diego woman whose body was found near the Riverside County line about a week after she went missing, police said Thursday.

A detective who was searching for Alexandria Nicole Smith found her corpse partly covered by a blanket off a dirt road near the Pala Casino Resort and Spa on Oct 12. The Medical Examiners Office determined the 30-year-old died of asphyxiation, a National City investigator said at the time.

On Wednesday, two men and three women were arrested in the killing. All five were booked into jail on suspicion of first degree murder, among other charges.

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The suspects were identified as: Pablo Valadez, 35, Crystal Melendez, 33; Amber Suarez, 37; Jonnie Isaguirre, 22; and Maria Pereira, 26.

Melendez, Suarez and Pereira were arrested in San Diego. Valadez was in Chula Vista and Isaguirre was in Vista when they were taken into custody.

Investigators were tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding Smiths death.

Smith, who lived with her 10-year-old daughter and her mother in the College Area, was last seen driving from the home about 11 p.m. Oct. 2.

Her mother believed she was going to a party in National City. When she didnt return home, her mother reported her missing.

Two days later, someone found Smiths cracked cellphone while digging through trash for recyclables behind a Vista 7-Eleven. The person who made the discovery charged the phone and then called Smiths mother and the Sheriffs Department.

Her car was found parked in Temecula on Oct. 9.

Investigators had received a number of leads that Smith frequented casinos, and officers visited every casino in the county in search of surveillance footage featuring her or her car.

The detective discovered her body while driving down a dirt road in a wooded area near Pala and Pala Temecula roads. Her decomposing corpse was clothed and her torso was covered with the blanket.

Police said the five suspects were connected, but wouldnt comment further on the killing. Smiths family told investigators she struggled with depression and drug use.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
It started with a written note placed by a fellow student in one of the laundry rooms at UC San Diego.

It basically said, Girls beware, there is someone stealing panties! said Mandy Huang, an 18-year-old communications major who saw the warning on campus.

A couple of weeks later, campus police arrested an 18-year-old male freshman on suspicion of stealing about $2,500 worth of womens clothing. One of several boxes found in the students dorm room contained more than 190 pairs of underwear, according to an article in The Triton, the universitys newspaper.

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Huang said word spread quickly around campus that someone was stealing clothing from the Sixth College residential laundry room. Then another note about the thefts appeared.

By the time the second poster came around, it was getting a bit alarming, she said.

Eventually, another student spotted the teen suspect making off with what appeared to be her laundry. She followed him to his dorm, demanding to see what was inside, according to the Triton report.

Officers who responded found boxes of clothing, including one loaded with underwear.

It certainly feels like a violation of privacy, Huang said. ...The general feeling is just one of disgust. Were quite astounded as to why this occurred.

The student was arrested Oct. 27 on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and possession of stolen property, according to university spokeswoman Christine Clark.

Students who believe their clothing items may have been stolen can contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4359 or via email at detective@ucsd.edu.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
In a hearing that grew testy amid mutual frustration and accusations, state utility regulators heard opposing arguments this week about whether owners of the failed San Onofre nuclear plant should continue receiving funds from a disputed settlement agreement.

In November 2014, the California Public Utilities Commission agreed to a deal divvying up $4.7 billion in premature closure costs. Ratepayers were assigned to pick up 70 percent of the tab, with utility companies covering the rest.

The settlement of costs was reopened in May of 2016, after repeated revelations that improper communications between regulators and utility executives may have tipped the scales in the original deal.

Consumer advocates now say that Southern California Edison and other plant owners should stop receiving proceeds of the settlement from ratepayers until the terms are revised  and unless an investigation into the failure is completed and finds the utilities acted prudently.

The situation demands relief, Matthew Freedman of the Utility Reform Network or TURN, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group in the Bay Area, said at the Tuesday hearing.

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The plant north of Oceanside failed in January 2012 amid a radiation leak from a faulty replacement steam generator.

Cutting off settlement payments to the utilities would send a strong signal not just to the ratepayer advocates in this room but everybody, said Nora Sheriff, a lawyer for the California Large Energy Consumers Association.

Edison representatives said the existing deal is fair and should remain in force. Attorney Henry Weissmann said it would be improper and illegal for commission Judge Darcie Houck and commission President Michael Picker to halt the flow of settlement funds without more formal proceedings.

It can only be a decision of the full commission, Weissmann told regulators overseeing the San Onofre case. The commission has pointed out that that requires a hearing, which is exactly the process we are about to go through.

Picker scheduled the status conference to hear from Edison, minority plant owner San Diego Gas & Electric and various stakeholders about how the commission should proceed in a case that has dragged on for more than five years.

The San Onofre case had been largely on hold for much of the past year while the plant owners and consumer groups sought to negotiate a settlement outside the commission process. Those negotiations ended earlier this year without an agreement.

The San Onofre breakdown in 2012  and the commissions response  were among the subjects of an active criminal investigation into backchannel communications between state regulators and utility executives, active in 2015. The Attorney Generals Office has more recently declined to discuss the current status of the probe.

No decision was made at Tuesdays settlement conference, but Houck said it will be made soon.

We intend to issue a ruling very quickly, she said at the end of the 100-minute hearing. There will be an expedited process toward resolving these disputes.

The conference, convened at the commissions downtown Los Angeles offices, featured several heated exchanges between Houck and Picker and San Diego attorney Michael Aguirre, who is suing the commission to overturn the 2014 settlement

Aguirre criticized Houck and Picker for limiting the number of issues to be included in the discussion. Off limits was Edisons acknowledgment that a framework for the deal was sketched out at an undisclosed meeting in 2013 with then-commission president Michael Peevey in Warsaw, Poland.

The first issue before us is to understand why you are still allowing Southern California Edison and SDG&E to use a decision to collect the remainder of $5 billion when that decision has been shown to be the product of obstruction of justice, Aguirre said.

Aguirre also questioned why the commission never responded to his December 2014 application for formal reconsideration of the settlement.

The ratepayers never got a chance to contest whether they should pay, Aguirre said. You stopped them.

Houck interrupted Aguirre several times, admonishing him that any criminal investigation into commission practices was not part of the discussion at hand and advising him to move on in his presentation.

Please stick to the issues, she told Aguirre.

This is an issue, he shot back. Its a very central issue. The issue is, is there an obstruction of justice going on right now?

Picker later accused Aguirre of bullying and hectoring Houck. Several times during his comments, Aguirre noted for the record that three armed California Highway Patrol officers were standing near him, which he found threatening.

A federal appeals court is now considering whether to allow the commission to resolve the San Onofre case on its own or  as Aguirre requested  shift the proceeding to a U.S. District Court in San Diego.

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jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
A unidentified woman has filed a claim for more than $6 million against San Diego County alleging she was sexually assaulted by a deputy sent to her home in the middle of the night to check on her welfare.

According to the complaint, the woman was rubbed and fondled by a deputy who returned to the home at 4 a.m. on Aug. 20, about an hour after leaving the womans home following whats called a welfare check.

A spokesman said Sheriff Bill Gore is aware of the complaint and placed the deputy on administrative assignment while an investigation is conducted. Gore has previously featured the deputy on social media.

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The department does not comment on pending litigation or investigations, but holds employees to the highest standards, the spokesman said. U-T Watchdog left several telephone messages for Deputy Richard Fischer that were not returned.

Deputies were sent to the claimants home after a miscommunication during a telephone call between the woman and her father, the claim said. The deputies determined that the woman was fine and left.

The claim alleges that Fischer returned to the house by himself an hour or so later and knocked on the door.

Fischer lied to her and said he needed to use her restroom, the claim states. Jane Doe let him into her home, but immediately realized the restroom claim was just a ruse to get in the house.

The deputy told the woman, I think youre cute, and then hugged her for 10 seconds without consent, rubbing his chest against hers, the claim states.

Then, Fischers hands rubbed and fondled Jane Does torso, shoulders, arms, back and buttocks, the claim adds. After the hug was over, Fischer looked at her and commented again that he thought she was good looking.

The deputy hugged the woman again, and she resisted more aggressively, the claim said.

Jane Doe was terrified, yet she was able to order Fischer to leave her home, the complaint states. In total, Fischer was in Jane Does house for 7 to 10 minutes.

Allegations against the Sheriffs Department include sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment and infliction of emotional distress, among others. The womans attorney is Dan Gilleon.

Such cases can be costly for government agencies. In 2014, the City of San Diego agreed to pay $5.9 million to a woman who said she was groped in a 7-Eleven restroom by one of its police officers.

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jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
When Dr. Joseph Joyner moved to San Diego in 1967, he offered black children of the citys southeast community and their parents a professional face most of them never had seen before: a pediatrician who looked like them.

In the black community, Children would go to a general practitioner or family practitioner, but until he came there was no real pediatrician, said Dr. Leon Kelley, a longtime partner of Dr. Joyner. He was really cherished.

Dr. Joyner had originally envisioned a life in academic medicine, but when he came to occupy a more distinctive role, it became very important to him, said one of his daughters, Vallera Johnson.

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He loved the community; he loved giving back to the community, Johnson said.

Dr. Joyner died of natural causes Oct. 26 under hospice care at a daughters home in San Diego after residing at an independent living facility in El Cajon. He was 92.

In an oral history recorded in 2009 by a grandson, Khari Johnson, and archived on YouTube, Dr. Joyner said he originally hadnt intended to become a practicing doctor and that it never became a particularly lucrative profession for him.

I never wanted to practice medicine, he said. I just wanted to be off in a corner with my research with TB and anti-viral agents.

All of my work has been practically missionary in the practice of medicine, Dr. Joyner said. While this work ethic took him to such locations as India and Zimbabwe to treat smallpox, cholera, and tuberculosis, he noted: We have a lot of missionary work that we can do here in the United States.

Dr. Joyner was born Jan. 9, 1925, in Daytona Beach, Fla., the son of a school teacher and a father he met only once in his life, tracking him down at age 25.

At 16, motivated by the attack on Pearl Harbor, he dropped out of high school and lied about his age to enter the Army, serving in Europe, Africa and the Philippines.

It was a fateful move, qualifying the young man for the G.I. Bill under which he got into Morehouse College in 1946. While earning a bachelor of science degree in biology, he shared a philosophy class with Martin Luther King Jr., who had enrolled in the college earlier. Dr. Joyner also remembered attending Ebenezer Baptist Church services conducted by the future civil rights leaders father, Martin Luther King Sr.

Dr. Joyner later attended the University of Chicago, studying microbiology. From 1954 to 1965 he taught medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., which at the time, with Howard University, produced most of the black physicians in the United States. He earned his medical degree at Meharry in 1962 -- a milestone he described as the happiest moment of his life  and did a pediatric residency. Dr. Joyner then went to the University of Colorado on a fellowship in infectious diseases.

His background in virology also sent him to Madras, India, under the auspices of the World Health Organization to treat smallpox, and to Paris-Sorbonne University in France as a visiting fellow and lecturer.

In 1967 Dr. Joyner came to San Diego with his brother-in-law, also a physician, and began his practice in pediatrics.

A 2011 article on San Diegos black medical history in The Journal of San Diego History identified Joyner and Kelley, who retired last year, as the citys first two black pediatricians, and Kelley confirmed that Joyner was the very first.

In 1974 he was among about 10 physicians who established the Southeast Medical Center, on Euclid Avenue near Market Street, becoming a focal point for medical care in the southeast community. Besides Joyners pediatrics, its services included OB/GYN, internal medicine and dentistry. Kelley became a second pediatrician there.

The Journal of San Diego History article said the center was the first medical center in California  and anywhere west of the Mississippi River  to be owned and operated by black doctors, mostly educated at Meharry. The idea was to practice medicine in the community where it was needed, Kelley said.

In addition to his work at the medical center, Dr. Joyner had privileges at several San Diego hospitals including Childrens Hospital, Mercy Hospital, UCSD Medical Center and Paradise Valley Hospital. He worked long hours at hospitals and emergency rooms, Kelley said.

Family members remember Dr. Joyner making house calls, seeing special-needs children on what would normally be days off, and typing up home remedies for patients who could not afford prescription medication. He also established sickle-cell disease testing at churches in the black community. He approached it much the way the South did (with) voter registration/education during the civil rights movement, said his daughter, Yvonne Levette.

Dr. Joyner sold his practice shortly after his wife, Charlie, died in 1990. He continued, however, with missionary work in Africa, including Chikore, Zimbabwe. He had been there in the military, Johnson said, and he wanted to go back.

Dr. Joyner is survived by his son, Joseph W. Joyner Jr., four daughters, Vallera Johnson, Kelli Joyner, Yvonne Levette and Dean Joyner; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Santa Sophia Catholic Church, 9800 San Juan St, Spring Valley. The family suggests donations to a scholarship fund for health club youth at Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in San Diego.
After months combating a deadly hepatitis A outbreak mostly centered downtown, city officials are increasingly focused on another aspect of homelessness: the growing number of people, largely out of sight, camping along the San Diego River.

The San Diego River Park Foundation counted 116 encampments along the river in October, nearly twice last years 61 and the most since its tracking began in 2009. San Diego Councilwoman Lorie Zapf has called attention to the river for months. Right now, to be quite blunt, she said, its being used as a big toilet because there are so many encampments.

Zapf and Councilman David Alvarez have proposed using the former Chargers training facility on Murphy Canyon Road as temporary housing for people living along the river. It makes sense. The venue is near the river; it has showers, restrooms and ample field space for tents like those the city now allows at a site on 20th and B streets; and while the city is erecting three massive  and expensive  tents elsewhere in coming weeks that can accommodate 750 people, that wont help all who need it.

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A mayoral spokesman said no site is off the table but raised cost concerns about security and transportation and said the focus now is opening the three large tents in coming weeks. Yet none of those are reasons not to study simultaneous possible solutions now. Winter cold and rain is coming. Why wait?

Related:

Faulconer just drove home the seriousness of homelessness

How Faulconer handles homeless in 2017 a big question

Hepatitis A outbreak needs broad response

Hepatitis A scare: shame on city, county of San Diego

Faulconers tent homeless plan is half-baked, has too many questions

Hepatitis A outbreak: Public restroom problem something San Diego saw coming

San Diego City Council border wall resolution: wrong priority, wrong time

San Diego steps up homeless response, blunders on housing

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Recent allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and multiple other high-profile men appear to have raised the topic of sexual harassment to the forefront of everyones mind.

Considering up to 85 percent of women report they have experienced some sort of sexual harassment in the workplace, it is fair to say that this subject is on most womens minds on a daily basis. The immense amount of reports from numerous women revealing their long, hidden abuse and torment raises many questions.

Related: When sexually harassed women say Me too, listen to them

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One question may be, well, why now? Why would a woman wait sometimes for decades to come forward against her sexual predator? But especially in cases such as Weinstein, when we hear about the overwhelming accounts of sexual aggression, it is not hard to believe that for every woman who painfully decides to go public with her story, there must be a dozen more who sit silent, who may never speak up.

So this raises the question: Why can some women speak out about their experiences while others cannot, and what factors come into play when making this decision?

The first step for a woman when deciding to speak out about sexual harassment she has endured is to actually realize and be able to label the behavior as harassment. This might sound simple, but when you consider our society, which still openly promotes the sexual objectification of women through the media and now even some in our government, it is not hard to see how a woman may feel the harassment is normal.

She may question herself, feeling as if she is crazy, wrong, or that she is the only one who has a problem with it, leading to increasing feelings of isolation. When sexually attacked, a person experiences a loss of power and identity and women in the work force are already fighting for equal power and representation in leadership, so it becomes easier to understand why it may seem like a better choice to not report harassment to your boss, who is likely a man and possibly even the perpetrator.

Not to mention the retaliation and re-victimization that often occurs for women who do report.

Unfortunately, when deciding if they should speak out, women must weigh the personal pros and cons of reporting a sexual crime. The pros being that if she reports the abuse may stop, the long healing process may begin and maybe she receives financial compensation through retribution  although I feel this is the least likely incentive for women to report, considering court proceedings are stressful, time-consuming and can be costly.

Not every woman is a celebrity, and a single mother on one income is unlikely going to choose attorney fees over supporting her children.

With that being said, the cons to reporting can include loss of employment, fear of shame and embarrassment when family hear the details of the harassment, and the stigma of being labeled a sexual assault victim.

On top of all this, women have the fear that they are somehow to blame or that their consensual sexual history may come into question as we have seen happen numerous times in past sexual assault cases.

Despite all the odds, women still speak out, and, regardless of how a woman comes to this decision, it takes courage and a sense of advocacy for themselves and others. However, what may be one of the biggest determining factors for women who speak out is their sense of support, whether that is support from their family, a therapist, co-workers or even legislation that protects them.

After hearing the many stories from celebrity actresses, it becomes clear that these accounts were not rare, they were not isolated events, they were part of a culture that in fact reinforced the behavior of abuse through the inaction of spectators and lack of support for the women.

However, as more and more women came forward, the sense of isolation was lifted and a support system arose giving even more women the courage to come forward. Recent movements supporting womens rights, such as the Womens March, help give women a feeling of community support and a sense someone has their back.

The recent social media campaign #MeToo helped grow a global support network specifically for sexual assault survivors, or we could just say women.

It would not be a surprise if by continuing the momentum in support of survivors, more women feel empowered to come forward, which sometimes is the first step on the journey to heal.

Gonzales is a licensed clinical social worker and a clinical therapist with experience as a sexual assault advocate, school social worker and a human sexuality educator.

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In what has become a pleasant annual ritual, Poway City Council members were told Tuesday night that the 2016-17 fiscal year ended with far more surplus funds than originally projected.

The final surplus number for the year ending June 30: $4.08 million.

As recently as January, staff members were estimating the general fund surplus would be $1.47 million. Those numbers soared during the second half of the fiscal year for a number of reasons, Finance Director Donna Goldsmith told the council.

Property tax revenues came in $461,063 higher than mid-year projections, while the citys allocation of post-redevelopment property taxes was $291,273 higher than expected, Goldsmith said. Fees for city services exceeded expectations by $431,707, while franchise fees, interest incomes and other revenue sources beat projections by $353,482. Taken all together, that amounts to $1.7 million in unexpected extra money, Goldsmith said.

There was good news on the expense side as well.

Goldsmith said the city experienced $879,429 in unplanned cost savings, including $257,969 saved by Safety Services though fire department position vacancies and newer employees joining at lower salaries and benefit costs. Development Services saved $252,171 through fewer nuisance abatement and storm water engineering expenses, while Public Works saved $196,925 due to lower-than-expected street maintenance expenses, she said.

Added to this positive fiscal outlook were $991,642 in one-time general fund revenues, including proceeds from the sale of an auto storage lot in the business park. (The city sold the lot to itself, but shared in the income with other taxing agencies.)

When the income and expense figures are totaled, the citys general fund, from which most day-to-day expenses are financed, showed $2.6 million more than anticipated in January.

The council agreed to allocate $500,000 of the year-end surplus to a fund to stabilize employee retirement system costs and to use $537,622 to repay a loan to the separate water fund that was used to subsidize higher consumer water rates a year ago. The remaining $2.13 million in surplus funds will be placed in an unappropriated fund for future allocation.

In other matters, the council:

- Approved an agreement with the Rutan & Tucker law firm to represent the city in federal litigation filed by former Mayor Don Higginson challenging the validity of requiring by-district elections under the California Voting Rights Act. The firm represented the city during its creation of four council districts. The firms compensation will not exceed $150,000 over the next three years.

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com
The California Public Utilities Commission has once again postponed its vote on whether to allow San Diego Gas & Electric to charge its customers $379 million in costs incurred from the 2007 wildfires.

The commission had the vote scheduled for Nov. 9, but has placed it on hold until Nov. 30, according to its website.

Ramona resident Diane Conklin, spokesperson of the Mussey Grade Road Alliance and an intervenor at the CPUC, is one of several ratepayer advocates pointing to what they see as an unfair process that could benefit public utilities.

The CPUC has postponed the vote four times since two administrative law judges issued a proposed decision in August denying SDG&Es application to pass the costs on to ratepayers.

That gave two other investor-owned utilities  Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison  time to jump into the case in support of SDG&E, and has given the three utilities a chance to lobby the commission, said Conklin.

The stakes involved are now much bigger than SDG&E alone due to the massive fires in Sonoma and Napa, the cost of which is estimated by some to be in the billions, said Conklin, who added that the Cal Fire investigation into what ignited those Northern California fires had not been completed.

The causes of the Witch Creek and Rice Canyon fires were determined by the CPUC to have been caused by sparks from downed SDG&E lines while investigation into the Guejito fire determined it was caused when a lashing wire owned by Cox Communications hit an SDG&E power line.

In the proposed decision denying SDG&Es application, the administrative law judges stated that they found the utility did not reasonably manage and operate its facilities prior to the 2007 Southern California wildfires.

The CPUC had scheduled a Sept. 28 vote in Chula Vista on SDG&Es application, but postponed the decision three days before. Conklin said the CPUC instead held an All Party meeting Sept. 28 in Chula Vista, which she attended, and representatives from each of the three utilities were then able to talk to the commission in person.

The last minute meeting to include the three utilities is bothersome, said Conklin. If you dont have a process thats fair, then you dont have a process, she said.

The Utility Reform Network (TURN), an advocacy group, also expressed unfairness. In a Nov. 1 letter to the commissioners, TURN stated: Since the PD (proposed decision) was issued, the commission has bent over backwards to let the utilities attempt to make their case.

And in a lawsuit that San Diego Attorney Michael Aguirre filed Oct. 24 on behalf of a ratepayer advocate, he said the CPUC should not have allowed PG&E and Edison to intervene in the case, stating that is a violation of utility customers due process rights under the U.S. Constitution.
SAN DIEGO -- Health officials said Monday that people should notbe worried about the emergence of the latest deadly disease in SanDiego County -- hantavirus pulmonary syndrome -- but they need tolearn some simple precautions that could stop them from beingexposed to the disease.

County public health officials announced Friday that a65-year-old San Diego man had contracted the rare and often deadlydisease, becoming the second person in county history to get thedisease, which is spread through rodent feces, urine and saliva. A32-year-old woman contracted the disease in June.

County environmental health officials said Monday that peoplecan keep from being exposed to the disease by rodent-proofingbuildings and using only wet-cleaning methods -- sponges and mopsinstead of brooms -- when tidying up areas where mice live.

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I dont think were worried, Environmental Health DivisionChief Jack Miller said Monday about the diseases emergence. Whatit tells me is we need to get information out. This is an educationthing.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was discovered in 1993, whenseveral young people living in the Four Corners area -- where NewMexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah share borders -- were suddenlystricken with a serious breathing illness. The illness eventuallykilled about half of them, according to the National Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.

Since then, there have been only 379 reported cases of thedisease -- about 34 per year -- but the disease kills roughly 36percent of the people who become ill. It cannot be spread fromperson to person.

County officials said Friday that the latest victim probablycontracted the disease in the Laguna Mountains in East County andwas surviving. Family members asked that no other information begiven out, county officials said. The county woman who became illin June survived.

Hantavirus is carried in the feces, urine and saliva of rodents,especially deer mice. It is typically spread to humans who inhalethe infected matter after it has dried into dust and is stirredinto the air.

Miller and Chris Conlin, a senior vector ecologist with thecounty, said Monday that there are a lot of reasons why peoplerarely get the disease.

Only about 10 percent of deer mice are normally infected.Although deer mice are prevalent throughout the county, theygenerally dont like to invade peoples homes. And the virus canonly live for a couple of days outside the animals body.

Still, Conlin said, county officials have been surprised that ithas taken so long for a person in the county to become ill with thehantavirus -- mainly because vector control workers have found thevirus in local rodent populations for many years.

Weve been very lucky, Conlin said. We always find it (thevirus) in rodents here. So weve been very lucky up to now.

Miller, meanwhile, said that although most people contracthantavirus in more rural areas, infected mice can be also be foundin more urbanized settings.

Weve detected it in places like Rancho Penasquitos, off BlackMountain Road, and in Carlsbad, he said.

Miller said county vector control workers plan to begin trappingand testing around the area where the 65-year-old victim isbelieved to have been exposed to check to see if there is anincreased evidence of the virus in mice in that area.

Meanwhile, Miller and Conlin said simple measures like usingsponges and mops to clean out that seldom-used backcountry cabin,or that detached tool shed or garage, to stay clear of thehantavirus.

If youre going to be going in and out of buildings like thatyou might want to use caution, Conlin said. You dont want to begoing in there with a leaf blower. Thats not a great move.

Contact staff writer Gig Conaughton at (760) 739-6696 orgconaughton@nctimes.com

Steps to prevent exposure to Hantavirus:

1) When opening a cabin, tool shed or other outbuilding notusually occupied, open all windows and doors.

2) If you find signs of rodents, do not use building.

3) If you have to clean, do not sweep or vacuum. Use wet spongesor mops.

4) Ventilate area for several hours.

5) Use rubber gloves.

6) Use bleach or other disinfectant to spray dead rodents,droppings, nests and contaminated traps.

7) Place disinfected rodents in doubled plastic bags, seal anddiscard.

8) Wash gloves in bleach solution, then soap and water, thendiscard.

9) Thoroughly wash hands.
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At a 1982 medical conference in Moscow, a prominent cardiologist secretly met with blacklisted scientists and found himself a target of the KGB.

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Are you Douglas Zipes, the heart specialist from Indiana? the deep voice over the phone asked, setting in motion the most terrifying yet rewarding series of events in my life.

I sat down on the bed in my tiny room in the Rossiya Hotel in Moscow. I had just checked in after a long flight from the States. Who could know I was here already? Were all the stories I had heard about being spied on in the USSR true?

It was Sunday morning, June 20, 1982, and I had arrived for the World Congress of Cardiology hosted by my friend Evgeny Chazov. I had met Chazov, head of Moscows All-Union Scientific Center of Cardiology and personal physician to heads of state, including Brezhnev and Yeltsin, five years earlier. In addition to being a leading clinician, he was the first to show that a clot-buster drug could interrupt a patients heart attack.

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The Rossiya Hotel was huge, the largest in the world at that time, with more than 3,000 rooms. It sat adjacent to Red Square, a stones throw from the Kremlin, and even housed a secret police station with unmarked jail cells.

Little old ladies sat on each hotel floor 24 hours a day. They had a clear view of who walked into and out of each hotel room. When a guest left his room, he handed the LOL his hotel key, which she returned when he came back. She logged each entry and exit on a sheet of paper locked in a desk drawer.

Are you Douglas Zipes? the caller asked again.

Who wants to know? I responded.

My name does not matter, he replied. Just that I am a refusenik. You know what that is?

Yes, a Jew who has tried to get an exit visa to leave the USSR and has been refused.

More than that  much more, he said and went on to explain how they lost their jobs and could not do research or publish papers. If we dont get some sort of job, he said, the government labels us parasites or hooligans, and then they can do almost anything they want to us, like make us leave Moscow or put us in prison. So, we work in any position, cleaning toilets, sweeping streets, whatever.

Im sorry for that. But why are you calling me?

How brave are you?

I gulped. I didnt like the way this conversation was going. This was the Soviet Union, and the phone line was likely tapped. The caller seemed to realize that also.

I am calling from a pay station outside your hotel. I cannot enter the Rossiya  it is strictly forbidden for Russians without special permission papers. If you come down to the sidewalk now, we can talk more. I will approach you holding a folded magazine under my right arm so you will know it is me. Moscows Jewish scientists are depending on you. Please come.

I knew there was a chance the caller would be caught, but he had to have known that and was still taking the risk. If he was willing to accept that, so was I.

The sidewalk around the Rossiya was busy with pedestrian traffic. Beryozka stores reserved for tourists had tables piled high with Russian fur hats, stacks of painted nesting dolls, and silver spoons bearing a Moscow city emblem. Lacquered boxes, pendants, and trays portrayed brightly colored figures on a black background, illustrating Russian fairy tales.

Street food kiosks sold stuffed potatoes and blinchiki, a toasted Russian crepe, and filled the air with delicious scents. The longest lines queued in front of the ice cream booths hawking rich, creamy scoops of vanilla or chocolate. They were flanked by stalls that peddled kvass, a fermented low-alcohol drink made from rye bread, out of large wooden barrels sitting on the sidewalk. The proprietor poured the sweet red liquid into a squat glass secured by a short chain to the kiosk. After each use, he rinsed the glass with water from a pitcher, wiped the rim with a rag that once was white, and refilled it with kvass for the next customer.

I stood in front of the kvass booth thinking how that would play with sanitation officials in the United States. A man with a hat low over his eyes bumped into me. He held a magazine under his right arm.

Excuse me, he said in Russian-accented English. You are Dr. Zipes, yes?

I nodded.

I am Viktor. Please to walk alongside me so we can talk.

I stood there, hesitant, studying his face. He was slim, clean-shaven, with brown eyes that seemed intelligent and kind. His lined face and wisps of gray hair beneath the brown cap put him in his mid-50s, although Russians often looked a lot older than their age.

As we walked, Viktor cast a wary look around and threw the magazine into a trashcan. He led the way with a nod. When the strollers thinned out, he said, Here it is more quiet and we can talk. It is forbidden to talk to foreigners. We walked along in silence for several minutes. Viktor glanced around a half-dozen times until we were totally alone on the street, away from all the hubbub.

He held out his hand and formally introduced himself. I know you are a cardiologist, but you dont know me. I am a mathematician  or was. I was chairman of my department at the university. A refusenik.

I applied for an exit visa, but the government said I knew state secrets and could not be trusted to leave. So, they took away my job, and now I sweep city streets. They said I must wait 10 years until the secrets are no longer useful. Then I can reapply.

Thats awful, I said.

He shrugged. It happened to all of us. He swept a hand around.

All of whom? I didnt know what I was getting into and had to find out before this went any further. I was in Moscow to lecture at the World Congress of Cardiology, not to be involved in some sort of clandestine activity.

I will explain, he said. Two years ago, we started the Sunday seminars.

He looked at me to see if that registered. He continued when he saw my blank look.

About 30 of us, all scientists of various kinds, all refuseniks denied access to our jobs and laboratories. Some of us were even members of the Russian Academy of Science. We could read no journals or newspapers. We could not attend scientific meetings of any kind.

Like this World Congress?

Exactly. So, when a major scientific meeting was going to be held in Moscow, one of us would invite a visiting scientist to give us a private lecture. We usually did this on Sundays. The subject didnt matter  were all so starved for science, anything new would do. We did this in the apartment of my friend 

He stopped short. His eyes were fixed, staring straight ahead.

A man approached from the opposite direction. He was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a suit, tie, and hat despite the warm day. The man advanced, then stopped in front of us. He squinted at my friend and then me  long, penetrating stares. I could almost hear a camera clicking on and off in his head. He continued slowly, passing between us. He craned his head around for another look before he turned the corner.

I felt my heart race.

What was that about? I asked, a tremor in my voice.

My friend shook his head. I dont know, but there are KGB agents all around, and you have to be alert every minute. Like I said, we are not supposed to talk to foreigners. I could be arrested.

Viktor was silent until we were well out of the mans hearing.

So, we held these Sunday seminars and learned all kinds of new things happening all over the world. It was wonderful.

He paused. And? I prompted.

The apartment was in the outskirts of Moscow, and we thought we were safe. But one evening during the lecture, the KGB burst in. They arrested us and kept us in jail overnight. But the owner of the apartment  a well-known physicist named Victor Brailovsky  was held for ten months in a Moscow prison, then exiled to Kazakhstan. That ended the Sunday seminars.

Im so sorry. That mustve been difficult for all of you.

Yes. We lost a colleague and have had no seminars for two years. We feel so out of touch with the world. Were starved for what is happening. That is why I wanted to talk with you.

I could feel the adrenaline flow. He was sucking me in like quicksand, way over my head. I didnt know this man from Adam, didnt know if I could trust him, didnt know if I was being set up.

I drew a deep breath to calm down and took another look at Viktor. He seemed honest and sincere.

He mustve seen the initial panic on my face and patted my shoulder. I know about you from your last visit, he said. One of our doctors met you in 1977 and said you could be trusted.

Trusted? To do what? I asked, my voice tremulous.

To be our first scientist to restart our Sunday seminars.

I heard the words with a mixture of elation at being chosen by these scientists and fright at the risk it entailed.

Come, he said, taking my elbow and then linking his arm in mine. He guided me to a cafe buried among a small nest of trees. A green awning over its entrance blended with the foliage.

Viktor nodded in its direction. A friend runs this. We can have a nice tea and talk without strangers to listen.

We entered the tiny shop where the proprietor, a short, stout man with a long gray beard and bald head, stood behind a small counter. He glanced up from polishing glasses, inspecting each in the windows light.

The proprietor came forward and greeted Viktor in Russian. Viktor replied and nodded at me. The man smiled, shook my hand, and led us to a table tucked in a secluded corner. Half a dozen empty tables filled the rest of the floor space.

In two minutes, steaming cups of very dark tea appeared on the table, along with a loaf of black bread and a large bottle without a label that looked like water. I knew better. Neither of us reached for the vodka at 11 in the morning.

Viktor ripped off a chunk of bread, dipped it in his tea, and began chewing. Eat, he said, nodding at the bread. It is almost lunch time.

Let me explain, Viktor said, swallowing another chunk of bread. I have a friend with an apartment on the outskirts of Moscow, a real quiet neighborhood where it is likely we would be left alone.

Likely? What about the story you just told me?

He nodded with a sheepish smile.

Whats different this time? I asked.

He made circles with his tea cup. Maybe nothing, maybe everything. It is two years later and maybe the KGB does not care anymore. I cannot give you a guarantee, but if the KGB comes, they will probably leave you alone. At most, you would get a gentle interrogation.

Whats gentle?

Just a little talking.

What happened to the visiting scientist two years ago when the KGB raided? I asked.

He was questioned for a few hours and released.

And what could happen to you?

He blew on his tea and sipped. There is no prediction. They could arrest us or just give us a warning and close down the apartment.

Who would come to this Sunday seminar? I asked.

All refusenik scientists with no jobs, phones disconnected, mail intercepted, and no scientific meetings. We are hungry for new science of any kind.

I thought about that. Why would they want a lecture from me? I was a clinical cardiologist who took care of patients. In college, I had had a difficult time getting an acceptable grade in physics, and now I was to lecture world-class Russian mathematicians and physicists? That gave me as much a chill as anticipating a KGB raid.

Im a cardiologist.

We know. We also know you have published basic research on the heart. Thats what we would like to hear about.

I sat, took a sip of tea, and pushed the cup away. The tea had grown cold.

My thoughts were on my family, my wife and three children in Indiana. Here I was in Moscow, sitting in a tiny cafe on a side street near Red Square with a man Id known for less than an hour asking me to do something my wife  and I guess I as well  would consider crazy.

I also had a responsibility to the World Congress organizers who had invited me to lecture. I could envision the KGB arresting me and the newspapers publishing a picture of me being led off in handcuffs. Delusions or a picture of reality?

The proprietor interrupted my thoughts with a fresh, hot cup of tea.

Do you have enough courage to do this for us, Dr. Zipes?

It was as if Viktor had read my mind. How terribly unjust for these scientists to be denied their lifes work simply because they were Jews and wanted to leave the USSR. I could bring them a bit of nourishment, some daylight from the outside world.

I took a moment to answer. If I do, do you have enough courage to show up?

He didnt blink.

I and 29 others will be there.

Where and when?

Tomorrow at 2:00.

Tomorrows Monday, I said.

He smiled. For you, well rename them the Monday meetings.

Thanks.

The apartment is hard to find, and I would like to introduce you to a friend who will take you there.

Who is this? I asked, suspicion surfacing again.

You still dont trust me, do you?

Im sorry, its just 

He interrupted with a wave of his hand. I understand. The man I will take you to now will show you we are all friends you can trust.

Who is he?

Naum Meiman. Naum was awarded the Stalin Prize for his work in theoretical and experimental physics. Almost like the Nobel Prize. He lost all when he and his wife, Inna, applied for exit visas. He became a refusenik and a member of the Helsinki Watch Group.

I shook my head.

A human rights group in Moscow, formed after the Helsinki Accords in 1975. Naum wrote many documents for them  letters of protest that he published in the West. He smuggled them out somehow.

My mind was ablaze. What in Gods name was I getting into? This was all moving too fast.

Come, Viktor said, gripping my arm. It is a short ride on the underground to his apartment.

Viktor put some rubles on the table and pushed his chair back. That brought the proprietor running over. He swept up the money and jammed it into Viktors pocket, saying something loud in Russian with a shake of his head and a waggled finger. Viktor shrugged, smiled his thanks, and they shook hands.

The open sincerity and trust reassured me. Even so, how dangerous would it be? I stood and shook hands with the proprietor. He held my hand a long time, then covered it with his other hand. The gesture spoke volumes.

I knew Viktor could not guarantee my safety, but whatever happened, I felt good, deep in my gut, that this was the right decision. I had to make my contribution, however tiny, to help these scientists.

Naum Meiman was several inches shorter than I, with a slight paunch and a big smile. Bushy gray eyebrows held almost more hair than his head, which showed a shiny forehead and a halo of gray. I guessed he was in his early 70s.

He and Viktor began speaking Russian in low tones when a stocky woman with an even larger smile interrupted them. Specks of gray flecked her full head of auburn hair. She looked younger than Naum.

Im Inna Meiman, she said with no trace of a Russian accent. She put a hand on each of my shoulders. I dont know you yet, but Im sure Im going to like you, she said, pulling me down to kiss each cheek.

I felt my awkwardness melt in the face of such genuine warmth and hospitality.

Hi, I said. Where did you learn such impeccable English?

Im an English teacher, she replied. Or was. Ive written a textbook on advanced English for Russians. Ive never been out of Russia, but Ive listened to a lot of American tapes.

Please sit down, Inna said, motioning me to a sofa.

Naum sat beside me. Viktor pulled up a chair in front of us while Inna went off to the kitchen, returning with a tray of tea and cookies. Naum handed me a cup of tea and turned up the volume on the radio. I could barely hear him. But no one else could either.

You have agreed to help us? he asked.

I have, but I must tell you, Naum, I have concerns for my safety and yours, I said.

As you should, Naum replied. But we cannot just sit and let the government prevent us from learning new science. Besides, if the KGB does come, they will be more interested in me than you. They watch me pretty closely these days, and Im sure they have planted a bug in my apartment, so they may know already what we are planning.

Really? I asked, my heart doing a flip-flop.

What is your lecture for the World Congress?

Our latest studies on the calcium current.

That will be perfect, Naum said. I will meet you in front of your hotel tomorrow at 12:30.

Inna came over, sat down beside me, and patted my hand. It will be fine, she said. The authorities wont want a big blow-up during the World Congress. Youre too important for something like that to happen.

I raised one eyebrow, a bit skeptical about my own importance. Will you be there? I asked.

She shook her head. Im an English teacher and wouldnt have any idea what you were talking about. But I will meet you after your lecture and will have a surprise waiting.

Inna, not now, Naum said, a warning tone in his voice.

Just a little bit of encouragement, Inna said, smiling.

Frankly, I thought, if I came out of this okay, that would be surprise enough for me.

That evening, sleep wouldnt come, despite a sleeping pill. I lay staring at the ceiling, asking myself if what I was doing was sane  not just for me, but for my family. Was I doing it for my ego, playing to the elusive Walter Mitty in me? I was sure that if the KGB did come and I was arrested  no matter how trivial the charges  there would be hell to pay at home, with my university, and with the exchange program, perhaps even with my cardiology practice.

But how could I turn my back on such courageous people who risked so much for a bit of scientific knowledge from the outside world? The question hung unanswered as I fell asleep at about 2:00 in the morning.

I spent the morning attending lectures at the World Congress, but it was hard to concentrate. I couldnt stop thinking about the refuseniks not being allowed into these halls.

I met Naum at 12:30 outside the Rossiya, as planned. The metro took about 45 minutes, and we exited on the fringe of a small town and walked down a hill to an apartment building, where we started up the stairs. Naum paused at each landing to catch his breath. Angina, he said between huffs. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. I ran out of nitroglycerin. It is hard to get.

On the third floor, he led the way and knocked three sharp raps. The peephole in the door flashed and the door swung wide and we walked into a crowd of people crammed into a tiny living room. Conversation halted as all eyes swung toward us. Then they applauded, I think for themselves as much as for me. Emotional tension showed on each face. I was sure they were remembering what had happened two years earlier.

As I scanned the room, the full significance of what I was doing hit me. This is the elite of the Jewish Russian scientific intelligentsia in Moscow. How incredibly brave they are, and how driven to take this chance for the sake of science. And I am playing a part of that history.

My heart beat like a trip hammer banging my ribs. I tried to slow my breathing, but I was so keyed up, I was almost panting.

Naum walked to the center of the room, his hand gripping my arm to pull me along. He introduced me to the group and said, Lets hold off individual introductions until the end of the lecture since we dont know how much time we will have. He looked meaningfully at me. If all goes well, therell be plenty of opportunity later to meet Dr. Zipes and to chat.

Remember, if we get interrupted, be courteous but courageous. We are doing nothing wrong, just meeting to talk about science. And finally, no political discussions. There could be ears all over.

A small white screen was already set up at one end of the room, alongside a blackboard. At the other end, a slide projector sat on a small table. I loaded my slides, walked to the front of the room, said hello to the group, and began my lecture about cardiac electrophysiology. I started by explaining some fundamental physiology terms that I would ordinarily present to clinicians. Then I laughed, realizing who was in the audience. These scientists could explain those terms to me.

After about 10 minutes, a loud knock on the door interrupted my lecture. I froze in midsentence, and all heads swiveled toward the door. I think we all held our breaths.

Naum stood, patted the air with his hands to reassure everybody, and then put a finger to his lips. He went to the door and looked out the peephole. Then he laughed with a sigh of relief.

Its Igor, he said, opening the door. Why are you never on time? he asked the new arrival, slapping him on the back.

The man shrugged with an embarrassed look and walked in. Two people made a space for him on the floor and I resumed my lecture.

Once I got immersed in the topic, the vastness of what I was doing diminished. I went on for almost an hour, came to the end of my first set of slides, and stopped. Naum, I think this would be a good time for a break.

Good idea, Naum said. Everyone stood. Some stretched, and others made their way to the bathroom in the hall.

A middle-aged woman emerged from the kitchen  I assumed it was the apartment owners wife  with a tray of glasses and cups and a cold pitcher of kvass. Beads of moisture had collected on its surface, coalescing into rivulets running down the side. It made me realize how hot the apartment was. More than 30 of us were jammed into a tiny space. Heavy blue drapes covered the one window.

The woman left everything on the coffee table and returned a moment later with a pot of hot tea and a tray of cookies. People helped themselves to the refreshments, but voices were subdued. We knew we werent out of the woods yet.

After about 10 minutes, Naum asked me, Ready to go again? I nodded. How much longer? he asked.

Maybe 15 or 20 minutes, I said. I want to leave time for questions.

Naum clapped his hands to get everyones attention. Lets reconvene, he said. Dr. Zipes has about 20 minutes left of his formal presentation. Then we can open it up for questions.

When I finished, the questions came. They were sharp and demonstrated the grasp these scientists had of the subject matter  even though it was only peripherally related to their own fields. After the last question, they applauded again. Naum shushed them, nodding at the door, and the handclapping changed to pantomime. Then, one by one, they drifted toward me, introduced themselves, and began to talk  interestingly, no longer about science but about relatives they had in the States. Some asked me to deliver messages. By the time I left, my pocket bulged with messages Id promised to deliver.

Naum advised everyone to leave in staggered groups of no more than two or three. We were the last to go.

Walking down the stairs was a lot easier than ascending, but we now faced hiking up the steep hill to the metro.

As if on cue, a taxi pulled up and the driver shouted something in Russian. Naum put a restraining hand on my arm as we walked toward the cab and mouthed, KGB. Keep quiet.

We were silent in the back of the cab. I was exhausted. I didnt realize how much those two hours had taken out of me. But I felt good inside.

After about 30 minutes, Naum nudged me from my reverie and we exited the cab.

What was that all about? I asked.

KGB tracking me, Naum said. They must have known about the seminar but for some reason did nothing. We were lucky. They wanted to find out where I was going next. Well walk a bit before we meet our friend. Not that it will do much good. Theyre bound to find out.

What friend? I asked. Where are we going?

Youre about to meet one of the bravest women I know.

Ida Nudel was a short, slender woman with chestnut hair, gray streaks, and intelligent eyes set off by round eyeglass frames. Inna Meiman was with her in the apartment Naum took me to.

Thank you for what you just did for our friends, Inna said. That was very daring of you.

My little deed was paltry compared to what Ida had accomplished. She had been released several months earlier after serving four years in Siberia for hanging a banner from her Moscow apartment window in 1978 that said, KGB, give me my visa to Israel. The government charges against her were malicious hooliganism. She had been a known activist since she was refused an exit visa in 1972, campaigning constantly for the other prisoners of Zion. They called her Mama and the Angel of Mercy.

Inna enveloped me in her arms. I told you I had a surprise, she said. Inna put her arm across Idas shoulder. This lady is the personification of courage.

Inna took me by the hand. Come have some tea. I have sandwiches also. I expect youre hungry after your lecture.

Though I had missed lunch, that was the first time I had thought about food.

While we ate, Ida talked about her four years in Siberia. Shed lived alone in a frigid log hut and worked as a night guard at a truck yard. All village residents were warned not to associate with her. It was hard, she said. Very cold and very lonely. She shuddered at the memory and her eyes moistened.

And now, I live a nomads life, wandering from friend to friend. The KGB will not let me return to my own flat or associate with other refuseniks or foreigners. If they knew I was here talking to you, I could be arrested again and sent back to Siberia. All I want is to join my sister, Elena, in Israel. She got an exit visa in 1972, but the authorities wouldnt let me go. They said I knew state secrets while working for the Moscow Institute of Planning and Production.

Im so sorry, I said. Is there anything I can do to help?

Naum took a letter from his coat pocket. He unfolded it and smoothed it out on the table. You can help me get this letter published in an American journal, he said. It describes what we are living through, not just the scientists, but all of the refuseniks.

No problem, I said, retrieving a camera from my briefcase. Ill take a picture of it to bring back to the States.

Naums face paled. He looked about frantically, spied a radio on a table, flipped it on, and cranked up the volume.

He leaned close to my ear. The KGB has certain limits, he said. Obviously, they must know we are all here, including our friend Ida. He glanced at Ida, who smiled. But I think they will leave her alone because of the international interest in what happened to her and that she just came back from Siberia. But they draw the line on some things. He pointed to the ceiling. My mistake.

Directly overhead I saw a tiny metallic protuberance in the ceiling. A microphone, he mouthed. Then he said in a loud voice, No, we dont want you to take any pictures or to be involved in any way. I will handle this.

I nodded and started to put my camera away.

He reached over and stopped my hand. Take the picture, he mouthed. And get it published.

It was almost 7 when I arrived back in Red Square. It had been an incredibly exhausting afternoon, and it felt good to stroll aimlessly past St. Basils Cathedral, stare at its flamboyant splendor, and then walk in front of Lenins mausoleum. The inevitable line of 40 or 50 people waited their turn to get in.

I continued north past the State Historical Museum, turned the corner to the right, and entered GUM, Moscows department store showcase of luxury items for the tourist trade. Rubles were worthless; only hard currency accepted.

I had a late dinner and went to the hotel around 10:00. When I asked for my key, the LOL on my floor gave me a strange look and then handed it to me. When I opened the door, I gasped.

The room had been trashed!

Drawers were pulled out and my clothes scattered about, pockets turned inside out. The mattress lay askew on the bedframe.

I was stunned. I sat down hard on the bed, my head in my hands.

I opened my briefcase and took out the camera. That was why. Someone obviously thought I had come back to the room after leaving Naum and was looking for the film.

What had I gotten myself into? It had all seemed like an exciting adventure  a bit scary to be sure, but still just an adventure. I didnt think Id come to any harm, though that was always a possibility  remote, but still a possibility. I was a U.S. citizen. They didnt imprison U.S. citizens, did they? Of course they did.

I tried to calm down, but my hands shook and I was sweating. I had to get myself together for my lecture in the morning. Fortunately, I would be using the same slides I showed the refuseniks, so that much was done. But I needed some sleep. I took off my jacket and felt a bulge. The messages from all the refuseniks, with phone numbers and names of relatives! What was I going to do with them?

I made sure the door was locked and propped a chair against the doorknob. I undressed and got into bed. I put the film from my camera into the breast pocket of my pajama top. Finally, after much tossing and turning and two sleeping pills, I fell asleep.

The ring of the phone woke me. It seemed like I had just fallen asleep. I looked at the clock on the night table: 4:30 a.m. Who the hell could be calling?

I picked up the receiver and heard  nothing!

Nothing except heavy breathing on the other end  in and out, in and out, like someone straining to catch his breath, a sucked in innhhhhah and a drawn out agghhhah. Over and over.

Hello? Hello. No answer, just the deep, labored breaths.

I hung up. Now I was in a total state of panic. Obviously, someone was trying to frighten me  and they had succeeded. I was terrified.

I tried to think straight. What should I do? Call my wife? What good would that do? Hello, Joan. The KGB just ransacked my room and woke me up early to frighten me. Can you help? Not likely.

Call Chazov? No, Id have to tell him where Id been, what Id done.

Call the police? Ha, I thought. They were the police  the instrument of supreme power. They imprisoned people. They tortured people. They killed them or had them killed. And here I was meeting with refuseniks  and not just anyrefuseniks. One who had just been released from Siberian exile and was warned not to meet with foreigners. Another who was under constant surveillance.

Oh, and dont forget trying to smuggle a letter out to the West. I must have been out of my mind. What could I have been thinking? And what if I were caught with all the notes?

What in Gods name should I do? I had no coherent thought, just mental chaos.

I glanced at the clock. It was almost 5:00 a.m. Forget sleep. I was wound so tight I could explode. My heart was racing, I was in a cold sweat, and I was breathing so fast I was seeing spots in my peripheral vision. My lecture was at 9:00 a.m. I was the third speaker, but I had to be in the hall by 7:30 to give the projectionist my slides. Would I be able to concentrate and lecture? Suppose the KGB came in the middle to get me?

A shower. Thats what I needed to relax, a hot shower. I stayed in the spray for as long as the hot water lasted. That helped, and I began to think a little more rationally.

I would keep the film with me. If I were stopped, I would say they were tourist pictures, and if someone demanded I give up the film, I would try to expose the roll before handing it over. But, what about the refuseniks notes, what could I do with them?

I had been in the middle of writing a scientific manuscript in longhand on a yellow legal pad for my secretary to type when I returned to my office. I planned to finish it on the plane ride home. Suppose I incorporated their notes as part of the manuscript and then ripped their papers to bits?

Calmer, I set about incorporating the names, messages and phone numbers into my manuscript. My handwriting was terrible to begin with, and I made a conscious effort to make it even more illegible. When I finished, I pushed the sheets of manuscript into one of the folders in my briefcase. I doubted anyone would discover them. I tore the refuseniks notes into tiny fragments and put them in my pocket for later disposal.

I glanced at the clock: 6:30. I had better get dressed and leave for the lecture hall. It was a 20-minute walk.

I finished dressing, grabbed my slides and the film, and left. I crossed Red Square, but this time I paid no attention to the landmarks. I was looking for garbage receptacles. At each one, I deposited a little handful of paper shreds. Anyone watching me  were they?  would have thought I was crazy, zigzagging through Red Square from trash can to trash can. But I did it until my pocket was empty.

I finally reached the lecture hall, gave my slides to the projectionist. I couldnt concentrate, thinking about the film in my pocket and how incriminating it would be if I were caught with it.

Just then a colleague sat down next to me.

Frank Marcus from Tucson was a fellow cardiologist Id known for ages. A friend I could trust.

The film was burning a hole in my pocket. I could almost feel heat emanating from it. I blurted everything to Frank.

Look, he said. Ive been a model tourist. Im leaving for home later today. When the lights dim for the next speaker, pass me the film. No one will suspect me of anything, so I wont have any problem getting through customs. Once I get home, Ill mail it to you. Hows that?

I felt the weight of an elephant lift off my chest, and I wanted to hug him. Thank you so much, Frank. Youve saved my life.

I dont know if its that dramatic, but Im glad to help, Frank said.

The lights went down for the first speaker and I slipped him the film. He put it in his inside coat pocket.

One other thing, Frank, if its not too much trouble.

Sure, no problem. What is it? Frank asked.

July first is my wifes birthday. Im scheduled to go to Saint Petersburg tomorrow sightseeing with some of our colleagues for a few days, but I told Joan I would be back in the West by July first and would call her on her birthday. Would you call her, say, on July second or third, and make sure I have been in contact? If I havent, that would mean Im in deep trouble with the KGB and will need some big-time help.

Happy to, Frank said.

I could have kissed him, I was so relieved.

When it was my turn to present, I gave one of the most animated talks Id ever given. I felt like a guy sentenced to death whod been pardoned.

The morning session ended, I thanked Frank again and bolted for open space. I wanted to jump up, kick my heels, and shout, I felt so relieved. The sun was shining, the air was fresh, the grass was green  and I was free!

Or was I?

I left for the airport early the next morning. I was anxious to explore beautiful Saint Petersburg, especially to visit the Hermitage Museum.

When I checked in, the airline agent at the counter said, Oh, yes, Dr. Zipes, we were expecting you.

My heart sank. What had they found out?

My mind raced. Maybe Frank got stopped with the film. Unlikely, I thought. There was no reason to suspect him of anything.

It was also unlikely that the KGB had found my shredded notes. They would have had to retrieve them from five or six receptacles and then piece them together.

They must have proof of my lecturing to the refuseniks, I thought, and meeting with Ida Nudel. I hoped she was okay. Returning to Siberia would be horrible.

The young lady asked me to follow her to a VIP lounge. Would the KGB be waiting for me there?

We entered an empty room.

Please have a seat, she said. Well come and get you. Help yourself to the refreshments. She waved her hand toward the bar.

She was so pleasant, I relaxed a little. But maybe that was what the KGB wanted me to do. Have a few drinks and be ready to talk.

I sat stiffly on the edge of my seat and watched the door, waiting for some big guys to come rushing in. When nothing happened, I got up and started pacing. I searched the ceiling for microphones but couldnt see any.

The ticking clock didnt help. I was getting nervous Id miss my flight. Maybe thats what they intended.

Finally, with only 10 minutes left before takeoff, the young lady entered again, this time with a porter. He tied a large VIP tag to my suitcase and hefted the bag onto a trolley. The young lady said, Please follow him to the car. Have a good trip. She smiled and left.

I had no idea what was going on, so I followed the porter. He led me outside to a waiting van and put my bag inside. I had no choice but to get in. As soon as I did, we sped off onto the tarmac toward an Aeroflot plane. The driver stopped at the staircase leading up into the front of the plane. He got out, started up the stairs with my bag, and nodded for me to follow.

The flight attendant met me as I entered the plane. Good morning, Dr. Zipes, she said. Its a pleasure to have you join us on our flight to Saint Petersburg. She nodded to the first seat in first class. Please sit down. Were ready to take off.

I was speechless, astonished. Instead of being arrested by the KGB, I was being treated like royalty. I collapsed into the seat. In moments, I heard the roar of the engines.

I closed my eyes and tried to piece together an explanation. It had to have been Chazov. He must have saved me. Maybe he had bargained with the KGB, agreeing they could scare me but nothing more. Maybe the KGB had acted independently. Maybe maybe I could guess all I wanted, but I would never know.

Peter the Great founded Saint Petersburg, USSRs second largest city, in the early 1700s. Situated on the Neva River with a Baltic Sea port, the beautiful city is the most westernized in Russia and is its cultural capital.

City officials had arranged a tour of the Hermitage Museum the afternoon we arrived. There were about 40 sightseers, mainly scientists from Europe and the U.S. Our guide was reputed to be a KGB agent, so I was particularly attentive to her directions.

You will have three hours to tour the museum, she said as we pulled to a stop. The bus will remain parked in this lot until you return. Please be prompt. She checked her watch. It is precisely 2:00, so everyone must be back by 5.

The Hermitage was mind blowing, with over 3 million objects (not all on display) housed in six historic buildings. The Winter Palace was one of the six, a spectacular baroque green-and-white edifice built in 1708 on a monumental scale to reflect the imperial power of Russia.

I could have spent days or even weeks at the Hermitage. The three hours evaporated in a flash, and I returned to the bus by 5:00 along with my colleagues  all but one.

Thirty-nine of us waited and waited on the bus until he returned 20 minutes late.

Im sorry, he said, panting and sweating from his run to the bus. I got lost and went to the wrong parking lot.

Our guide, revealing her identity or at least her training, responded, I hope you all see how the freedom of one imprisons many.

All conversations in the bus halted as the intent of her statement struck home. After a few stunned moments, a guy on my left booed and someone across the aisle hissed. Then we all did. Our guide scrunched up her face, turned her back on the group, and plunked down in her seat in the front of the bus.

The following morning we toured more of the city with a different guide, and in the afternoon, I packed my things and boarded a bus to the airport. Thats when my troubles began  again.

The customs agent wore a face that fit his demeanor: anger. Slits for eyes, unshaven beard, creased forehead, and pockmarked cheeks  he also smelled of a dribbled lunch and body odor.

He started with my gold wedding band. When I had arrived in Moscow days before, I had to declare any valuables I brought with me. The Soviets kept tabs on what expensive items, like jewelry, came in and what when out. I had forgotten to list the ring.

Where did you buy this ring? he asked, his tone challenging.

In the U.S., when I got married.

No, you didnt. You didnt write it on the entry form, so you didnt have it when you entered the USSR.

I just forgot to write it down.

What else did you forget to write down?

I think thats all.

Well see, he said. His eyes glittered in anticipation as they locked onto mine. Empty your pockets.

A colleague who had waltzed through customs just before me and was waiting a few steps away asked the agent, Why are you doing this? Hes a VIP. Cant you see the label on his bag?

The agent angrily spit on the ground as he answered. VIP Moscow, not Saint Petersburg! Open everything!

I had to empty the contents of my suitcase, then my wallet, and finally my briefcase. He had me turn my pockets inside out and then patted me down to be sure they were empty. The line behind me lengthened and the waiting passengers grew fidgety, but he ignored them. He fingered each item, held it to the overhead light for study, and carelessly flipped it back into my suitcase. I had a few rubles left in my wallet and I thought he would steal them, but he didnt.

I had nothing to hide, but after Moscow, it was enough to make me break out in a cold sweat. I didnt know whether he knew anything about what I had done, or whether he was just angry at the VIP luggage tag. There was no Chazov here to save me.

Finally, after an agonizing 10 minutes that seemed an eternity, he let me go. I didnt stop shaking until we had cleared USSR airspace.

I called Joan right after we landed. It was a good thing I did. Frank Marcus had called her as soon as he landed, several days before her birthday. He told her he made it out safely with the film and that when he left Moscow, I was still okay  as far as he knew  and I would try to call her July 1. She had been waiting four days for me to call, frantic, imagining all sorts of horrors, until she heard my voice.

When I finally got home, Frank mailed me the film. Unfortunately, the letter was so blurred  I had taken the photo hurriedly  it was illegible and could not be salvaged. All that worry for nothing. However, I followed through on all the messages the refuseniks had given me. One call was very special  to Olga Plam, Naums daughter living in Boulder, Colorado. She had been allowed to emigrate to the U.S. with her husband and son in 1976. Naum had been refused because he knew state secrets from nuclear work 25 years earlier. Olga was very concerned about her fathers health, and I was able to reassure her he was doing well.

Around that time, I became chairman of a committee in our temple focused on the plight of the refuseniks. The problem was not generally known to the Indianapolis Jewish community. To highlight the issue, I suggested we call Naum in Moscow and have him address the congregation via a loudspeaker hooked to the phone so they could hear firsthand what he and other refuseniks were living through.

I wrote Naum and asked whether he would be able to accept a call from us in his apartment. He thought it might be possible since his phone was working again, though the authorities would certainly listen in and he couldnt predict what would follow. We arranged a time and a date several weeks hence.

I contacted Olga and invited her to spend a weekend with us in Indianapolis. I would pay her expenses. She eagerly accepted a chance to surprise her father on the phone.

Excitement was palpable as we prepared for the call. We had filled the temple, and everyone was buzzing about whether the call would go through. Naum picked up, and I could hear the happiness in his voice as we said hello. Then I put Olga on. Oh, my goodness! We couldnt understand a word because they were speaking Russian, but we could hear the joy in their voices.

After three or four minutes, the line suddenly went dead!

Olgas face turned ashen and she held the receiver out to me with a helpless look, a silent plea to fix it.

With a constriction in my gut, I dialed again and again, but the connection would not go through. We imagined the worst, but found out later the KGB disconnected their phone but had left Naum and Inna alone.

Russian cardiologists invited me back to Moscow to lecture a few years after my 1982 trip, but the Soviet authorities refused to give me a visa. I checked with our local FBI for an explanation. They told me my name was on a black list.

This is very bad, they said. Dont even consider going. Youll end up dead in a car accident or mugged in a dark alley.

Naum contacted me in late 1985 to tell me that Inna had a tumor in her neck, which had been inadequately treated after four surgeries by Moscow physicians. Could I help get her a visa to receive treatment in the U.S.?

Through the efforts of many people  I was a minor player  including the press, prominent rabbis, senators (Ted Kennedy, among others), representatives, and a hunger strike by Innas close American friend Lisa Paul, Inna got her visa in January 1987. She was admitted to Georgetown University Hospital for chemotherapy. I spoke with her by phone after she arrived. The travel and the initial medical evaluation had left her exhausted. Before I had a chance to visit, she died.

In 1989, Naum was finally permitted to leave the Soviet Union and moved to Israel. He came to the States for a series of university lectures, and for a medical checkup I performed at Indiana University Medical Center. He died in Tel Aviv in March 2001.

In May 1999, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, I was again invited to Moscow to lecture. The Russians  no longer the USSR  granted me a visa and let me back in. Virtually all the refuseniks who had wanted to leave had departed by then, and the trip was pleasant but uneventful.

My last Russian encounter was an unexpected but happy reunion with my friend Evgeny Chazov. In 1985, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, shared with Bernard Lown, for forming the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.

In 2013, the European Society of Cardiology bestowed its highest award, a gold medal, on both Chazov and me at their annual scientific meeting in Amsterdam for our contributions to cardiology. We shared the stage in a wonderful ceremony that highlighted our work in front of several thousand people.

Evgeny was as warm and friendly as he had been when we first met almost 40 years before, and we were both thrilled to receive the honor and to share it with each other. Though tempted, I did not bring up the refusenik incident. Neither did he.

This article is featured in the November/December 2017 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Subscribe to the magazine for more art, inspiring stories, fiction, humor, and features from our archives.
Sierra Vista, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/09/2017 -- Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona is excited to announce and invite the community to two events.



Tucson Holiday Open House

November 16, 2017

5:30pm-8:00pm



Dr. Weyer and Dr. Moenster are hosting their annual holiday open house. Visit our office, meet the staff and enjoy an evening of wine, hors d'oeuvres and holiday cheer while learning about the latest treatments and products to help you shine just in time for the holidays.



Sierra Vista Open House & Grand Opening

November 29, 2017

5:30pm-8:00pm



Dr. Weyer, Dr. Moenster, & Molly Daneker, FNP, are hosting their annual holiday open house. Visit our office, meet the staff and enjoy an evening of wine, hors d'oeuvres and holiday cheer while learning about the latest treatments and products to help you shine just in time for the holidays.



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Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona's Sierra Vista office was established in 2013 by Dr. Christopher Weyer and Dr. Jamie Moenster. Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona took over the practice of Dr. Richard Weyer upon his retirement, to continue to provide care to Cochise County residents. Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona's Tucson office was established in May of 2014 by Dr. Christopher Weyer and Dr. Jamie Moenster.



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Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/09/2017 -- Adoption of cloud and related services has elevated due to the competitive advantages offered by cloud in business communication, operations and other crucial organizational functions. Enterprises with higher employee size would require huge communication set up to work efficiently. Moreover, with hosted PBX the efforts required to set-up new equipment for business communication is drastically reduced. With the increasing enterprise size, need for robust communication tools has also increased. Such factors have led to increase in demand of hosted PBX market in Canada. The hosted PBX market in Canada is expected to experience higher demand during the forecast period 2017 to 2025.



Canada's hosted PBX market is driven by increasing demand for enterprise mobility and workforce as well as multiple benefits offered by hosted PBX services such as minimized operational expenses, elimination of additional set up costs among others. Growing adoption of wireless services in small, medium and large enterprises is also expected to fuel the demand for hosted PBX market in Canada. It is projected to generate US$459.6 mn in 2017. Furthermore, the market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 18.2% during the forecast period 2017 to 2025 reaching US$1.75 bn by 2025.



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The hosted PBX market in Canada can be broadly classified on the basis of enterprise size and end-use application. Based on enterprise size, the market can be bifurcated into small and medium enterprises and large enterprises. Of these, large enterprises held dominance and is expected to continue boating the larger share through the course of the forecast period. By the end of 2017, overall shares held by the segment is expected to reach 68.7%. However, over the coming years, growth in the small and medium enterprises segment is expected to elevate as they exhibit a higher adoption of hosted PBX with an aim of minimizing operational expenses.



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Telecom & IT to Continue Leading Market as Dominant Application Segment



Based on application, the key segments in the Canada hosted PBX market are include banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), telecom and IT, healthcare, government, retail, hospitality, education and others such as manufacturing and transportation. As Canada holds the reputation of one of the earliest adopters of the latest technologies, it boasts a highly sophisticated telecom & IT infrastructure. Hence the country exhibits a rising adoption of advanced information technology. The companies located in Canada are mostly looking for cost-effective and advanced communication solutions. While this fuels the demand for hosted PBX, similarly given the scenario the telecom and IT sector has emerged as a key contributor to the market. In 2016, the telecom and IT sector held the dominant share of 20.1% in the market. It is expected to remain the market lead through the forecast period.



Besides this the Canada hosted PBX market is also expected to witness rising demand in government, BFSI, hospitality, and retail sectors. The rising demand for better enterprise and workforce mobility, besides the growing awareness about multiple benefits offered by PBX such as elimination of additional set-up cost and minimizing operational expected, will aid the market's expansion in Canada.



Some of the key service providers engaged in Canada's hosted PBX were, 3CX, Mitel Networks Corporation, Bell Canada, BroadConnect Technologies Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Allstream, Inc., Alpha Telecom Services Inc., Birch Communications, AstraQom International, Voysis IP solution Inc.,Ringcentral and Telus Communications.
Pune, Maharashtra -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/08/2017 -- Market Overview on United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Industry:

This report studies the Aerospace Titanium Fasteners market status and outlook of United States and major regions, from angles of players, regions, product and end Application/industries; this report analyzes the top players in United States and major regions, and splits the Aerospace Titanium Fasteners market by product and Application/end industries.



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The report firstly introduced the Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.

Scope of the Report



This report studies the United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners market, analyzes and researches the Aerospace Titanium Fasteners development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.

This report focuses on the Following top players:

B&B Specialties, Cherry Aerospace, LISI Aerospace, Alcoa, TFI Aerospace, 3V Fasteners Company, BMB Fasteners, Cox Manufacturing Company, Tilson Machine



Market segment by Type, Aerospace Titanium Fasteners can be split into

TC4, TC6, TC16, Ti555, Other



Market segment by Applications,

Military Aerospace, Civilian Aerospace



Additionally, this report recognizes pin-point investigation of adjusting competition subtleties and keeps you ahead in the competition. It offers a fast looking perception on different variables driving or averting the development of the Aerospace Titanium Fasteners market. It helps in understanding the key product areas and their future. It guides in taking knowledgeable business decisions by giving complete constitutions of the market and by enclosing a comprehensive analysis of market subdivisions. To sum up, it equally gives certain graphics and personalized SWOT analysis of premier market sectors.

This Study on the United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market is an all-inclusive study of the business sectors up-to-date outlines, industry enhancement drivers, and manacles. It provides market projections for the coming years. It contains an analysis of late augmentations in innovation, Porter's five force model analysis and progressive profiles of hand-picked industry competitors. The report additionally formulates a survey of minor and full-scale factors charging for the new applicants in the Aerospace Titanium Fasteners market and the ones as of now in the market along with a systematic value chain exploration.



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Table of Content

United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market Research Report 2017

1 Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market Overview

1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Aerospace Titanium Fasteners

1.2 Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Segment by Type (Product Category)

1.2.1 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)

2 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market Competitions by Manufacturers

3 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Capacities, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)

4 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)

5 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Productions, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type

6 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market Analyses by Application

7 United States Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis

10 Southeast Asia Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Development Status and Outlook

11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)

12 Aerospace Titanium Fasteners Market Dynamics

13 Market Effect Factors Analysis

Continued



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[DEAD SEA] Data hoarding and inefficient coordination is hampering efforts to solve the increasingly acute problem of access to fresh water in the Middle East, a conference on science for peace has heard.

The Jordan River played a central part in the Arab Israeli conflict as a critical source of water for the region, and water is one of the central issues of the UN-organised World Science Forum, held on the banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan from 7 to 11 November.

The problem is that the yearly amount of drinkable fresh water available to people in the region has dropped to 80 cubic metres per person, way below the water scarcity limit of 1,000 cubic meters per person set by the UN.

A lot of initiatives have been pushing to help countries develop national water energy information systems, El Kharraz

One issue that holds back efforts to safeguard supplies is a lack of sharing of vital data on rainfall and water usage between regions vying for water resources, such as Israel and Palestine or India and Bangladesh.

Sometimes it happens today, in this part of the region, that upstream countries are withholding data and they are using it as a negotiating chip, Andras Szollosi-Nagy, from the National University of Public Service in Hungary, told the conference.

The WSF was hosted by the Jordanian Princess Sumaya bint Hassan, and included presentations from physicist Michio Kaku and a message from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Organisations need to develop water information systems, according to Dr Jauad El Kharraz, head of research at MEDRC Water Research in Oman, adding that this is an important part of the solution.

A lot of initiatives have been pushing to help countries develop national water energy information systems so we can have at the level of the decision-maker a common indicator so [as] to assess  if we are on the right track, El Kharraz explained.

He said data sharing needs to be done between countries but also between energy companies, farming groups and water sectors within countries. There is a lack of coordination between different actors at national level.

Another part of the solution to better data sharing rests on the shoulders of civil society and international organisations, according to Marcia Barbosa from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. They need to create better networks, she said, to find ways in which different sectors could benefit each other.

This is particularly true between the energy and water sectors, which are inextricably linked with water often an integral part of energy production, and energy needed to supply drinking water to homes.

Maybe the region that is thinking about energy, they have water so they didnt link immediately their renewable energy sources with the idea of using water, Barbosa told the meeting. We have to link the people [who are] thinking about the individual problems.
The nation barely survived Barack Obama, but with a doubled national debt. The nation will survive Donald Trump, but with a lot more respect in the world. There will be no bowing down or excuses for supporting Americans and America.

Yes, Trump might be crude at times, but he is no liar. He is not shallow, and surely he is not trashy. Trumps agenda is the same agenda he campaigned on. He brings a desire to root out the cronyism that has infected Washington and the Democratic National Committee for many years and now has infected the Republican National Committee.

It is not the conservative who has lost his/her way. We maintain our normal values and judgment. It was not we who did the under-the-table deal with Iran. It was not we who covered up the Benghazi massacre and lied about it. Nor was it we who sold 20 percent of our uranium resources to Russia. It was not we who received $145,000,000. It was the Clintons.

It is the DNC that strives to keep its electorate ill-informed. It is the DNC that campaigns on catchy phrases but never accomplished anything other than spending money we dont have. It is the DNC and people like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer who lie day in and day out about Trump. Your followers are kept in the dark by your major media friends, because they will not print the truth, but they perpetuate the many, many lies being told about Trump.

Our democracy has been under attack from the left for many, many years. Democrats want to change our country into something it has never been or intended to be. Democrats want to control the entire world with the global warming/climate change myth at a cost that will bankrupt the world. Democrats want to change the United States into a socialist society like Europe.

It is we who are fighting against reaching the tipping point brought on by Democrats' power grab. It is we who want to tell the unvarnished truth. It is we who want to keep the electorate informed of the truth, not made-up lies and phony stories. It is we who want the electorate to be free.

Lets make America great again. Lets keep America great. Duty, honor, country.

God Bless the United States of America.

CHARLES A. BETHEA

Darlington
The new travel rules issued yesterday by the Trump administration 'cleared up many of the mysteries and concerns,' the NCLH chairman and CEO told analysts during the company's earnings call.

'This is going to be very, very good for the cruise industry, and going on a cruise will be the easiest and most hassle-free way to visit the island,' Del Rio said.

Demand for Cuba is 'substantial' and NCLH is doubling the number of its sailings there in 2018, to account for 4% of the company's overall capacity.

Del Rio said the booking curve for Cuba is like that of longer, premium sailings. Typically, short cruises, like Norwegian Cruise Line's to Havana, would book very close-in.

On-board spendingprimarily for Cuba shore excursionsis 'much stronger' than on NCL's Bahamas-only itineraries.

As for the US State Department's weeks-old travel warning, it sparked questions in the first week, but bookings didn't slow.

See also 'Trump's new Cuba rules not seen to impact cruising'
Those rules, which reverse many of President Obama's moves to ease travel to the island, spring from a policy change President Trump announced five months ago.

'Today there were no surprises,' a senior executive from a major cruise company told Seatrade Cruise News. 'Cruise lines are still allowed to bring people.'

And Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. spokesman Rob Zeiger said: 'We're still studying it closely but it does not appear there will be any changes for cruise.'

The new rules do forbid most individual visits, including people-to-people non-academic educational travel, and require US citizens again to travel as part of groups licensed by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control for specific purposes and be accompanied by a group leader.

They also bar Americans from staying at particular hotels, and from patronizing restaurants and shops the State Department has determined are owned by or benefit members of the Cuban military, intelligence and security services. This 'restricted list' will be maintained by the State Department and periodically updated in the Federal Register.

'We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people,' US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in announcing the new rules, which take effect Nov. 9 when they're published in the Federal Register.

But Collin Laverty, a US-Cuba relations expert and president of Cuba Educational Travel, found the regulations 'absolute hypocrisy' at a time when President Trump is meeting with communist leaders in China and Vietnam. He said 'these limited tweaks to President Obamas policy demonstrate the popularity of opening up trade and travel with Cuba,' adding there remain many ways to legally visit the island.

'Americans can rest assured that its still completely legal to visit Cuba,' Laverty said. 'Commercial flights, cruise ships, Marriott hotels, Airbnb and top-notch tour providers continue to operate business as usual, and it takes just minutes to secure your legal trip to the island.'

Though cruises from the US can continue, the new rules are 'disruptive' in terms of US-based lines' ability to invest in port infrastructure improvements, Arnold Donald, president and CEO, Carnival Corp. & plc, noted last June after President Trump announced his policy.

As far as the impact of the US travel warning issued in late September on cruise sales, two different reactions were heard during earnings calls Tuesday.

Lindblad Expeditions CFO Craig Felenstein said his company hasn't seen many new bookings since the warning, while there have been some cancellations. Cuba will still be profitable for Lindblad, he added, but not at the return originally projected.

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley, meanwhile, said that when the warning broke in the media, the company received a spike in queries from customers and travel partners.

'Everybody was trying to seek clarity but after, literally, a few days, things just returned to normal and the business is very good for our Cuba product,' Bayley said.

See also 'Cuba "star of the show" for NCLH, capacity doubling'
Press Release

November 9, 2017 Sen. Joel Villanueva's statement on case vs ex-President Aquino I think it is legally inappropriate to file a usurpation of authority case against then President Benigno Aquino III for his role in the Mamasapano incident. "Usurpation of authority" is defined as the "performance of an act by a person who knowingly and falsely represents himself to be a government official without being lawfully entitled to do so." As the Commander-in-Chief of the police and armed forces, he had the power and authority to call the police operation, even if ill-fated. The former president had to act on a matter of urgent necessity. He deliberately did what should be expected of a leader, and he merely answered the call to act in the best interest of the country and our people. We are positive that the former president will be able to answer to the charges and defend his name and honor.
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Two former San Francisco supervisors have formed an unlikely alliance to intervene in the citys cannabis debate, putting pressure on their successors to adopt policies that would promote the industry and accelerate permits to sell recreational marijuana in the city.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, a dedicated moderate, and San Francisco Democratic Party Chairman David Campos, a committed progressive, both see cannabis as a unifying civil rights issue for the LGBTQ community they represent  a stance at odds with the more conservative residents of Chinatown and the west side, who have called for hard-line restrictions on marijuana sales.

The debate heated up Wednesday when Wiener and Campos hosted a joint news conference outside City Hall. Two hours later, an anti-cannabis group responded with a rally downtown, calling for tighter zoning rules to keep dispensaries away from preschools, child-care centers and residential neighborhoods.

The two events laid bare deep cultural divisions in San Francisco that have been exacerbated by the legalization of recreational cannabis sales, which begin Jan. 1 in California.

These rifts come amid confusion about how cities that want to allow sales of recreational marijuana are going to regulate those businesses; few cities have set up rules, among them Berkeley, Santa Cruz and Oakland.

This is taking us back to a 1930s Reefer Madness mentality, Wiener said at the news conference, echoing comments hed made in a lengthy Facebook rant Friday that criticized the Board of Supervisors for considering a dispensary ban in Chinatown and a 1,000-foot buffer between every pot shop and the nearest school or child-care center.

Such zoning rules, coupled with Supervisor Mark Farrells proposal to mandate 600 feet between dispensaries  twice the distance recommended in regulations that Mayor Ed Lee introduced in September  would reduce green zones to tiny specks in the northeast and southeast corners of the city.

Among the speakers at the former supervisors news conference were Supervisors Hillary Ronen, Jeff Sheehy and Malia Cohen; two members of the Board of Education, and several leaders from the LGBTQ community, whose ties to medicinal marijuana date to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90s.

There is a big queer faction for legalization of marijuana, said former Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, who spoke at the event. Weve always come at it through the angle of patients rights.

Cohen added another social justice angle, saying the proposed land-use restrictions would undermine an equity permit program that she recently presented to the board. It aims to help low-income residents, people with marijuana convictions and their families break into the multibillion-dollar industry.

Its deeply concerning that alarmist, misinformed rhetoric is driving our decision-making at the board, Cohen said.

Such arguments offend cannabis opponents like Ellen Zhou, a volunteer social worker who helped organize Wednesdays counter rally at One Post Street.

We have a lot of Chinese people who voted for Proposition 64, but when it comes to your house, your neighborhood, its different, Zhou said.

She took exception to the notions of Wiener and Campos that some members of the board were being swayed by a vocal minority. Zhou said her group, the San Francisco Community Empowerment Center, represents families all over the city.

Visitacion Valley, the Sunset, Chinatown, she said. Weve had people protesting at public hearings since January.

In October, the group teamed with a Sacramento right-wing organization called the Pacific Justice Institute and successfully persuaded the board to block a high-end dispensary from opening on Noriega Street in the Outer Sunset. The supervisors voted 9-2 to revoke the clubs permit, with Cohen and Sheehy dissenting.

Its unclear how much the board has shifted since. West side Supervisors Katy Tang and Norman Yee have spoken up for rules keeping cannabis stores away from schools and child-care centers. Supervisor Aaron Peskin supports the ban in Chinatown, which is in his district. Farrell, whose district includes the Marina, Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow, has asked for limitations on commercial corridors.

I want to speak to the elephant in the room, which is that certain communities, historically and culturally, have a very different view on cannabis than others, Peskin said Monday at a meeting of the boards Land Use and Transportation Committee.

I was born in Berkeley in the 1960s, so I have a very different view on cannabis than some of my neighbors in Chinatown, he said.

Rafael Mandelman, a member of the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees who is challenging Sheehy for the District Eight seat next year, characterized the cannabis fight as neighborhood politics run amok.

This is one of the few cases where the concerns of a local community may end up pushing something that is wrong, he said at the news conference. The neighbors are wrong if they are trying to keep a well-run dispensary from (serving) the patients that need it.

Ronen, who said at the news conference that she wants to shift the dominant narrative in City Hall, was hopeful that other supervisors would come around.

We have this great opportunity to grow an industry thats going to create all these blue-collar jobs, she said. Its a positive thing.

The cannabis rules go before the full board next week.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan

Online extra

For the Chronicles enhanced cannabis coverage, go to www.GreenState.com
Richard Kamler, an artist-activist known for bringing art into prisons and the prison experience into museums, and floating an inflatable loaf of French bread on San Francisco Bay to disrupt Fleet Week, has died.

Mr. Kamler died on Nov. 1 in the San Francisco home he grew up in. The cause of death was thyroid cancer, which he battled for 12 years, according to his wife, the well-known actress and dancer Joya Cory. He was one day short of his 82nd birthday.

For 40 years, Mr. Kamler created art intended as a tool for social change through installations, sound pieces, sculpture and drawings.

One of his more creative interventions was a protest at San Quentin State Prison on April 20, 1992, the night that executions were to be resumed after the reinstatement of the death penalty. In advance of it, Mr. Kamler went to San Francisco Zoo and recorded the lions roaring. He then organized a small fleet to anchor as close to the shore outside the prison as they could get.

Around midnight, when the execution was scheduled to happen, The Sound of Lions Roaring was cranked up loud enough to be heard inside the prison. It continued until the Coast Guard came to arrest him on charges of noise pollution. It was intended as a mixture of the roar of life and the roar of protest, said Stephen Vincent, a poet and artist who had known Mr. Kamler since the mid-70s.

Mr. Kamler also taught art, at the San Francisco Art Institute and California College of Arts and Crafts on his way to the University of San Francisco, where he was a tenured professor. He served as chairman of the fine arts department from 2006-2009.

His last major exhibition was a career retrospective mounted in 2012 at the Thacher Gallery on the USF campus. That show was titled Celebrating Four Decades of Socially Engaged Art, and it included pictures of some of his installations and interventions, the art itself being impossible to recreate.

This included photos of the loaf of French bread, 75 feet long and 20 feet tall, that was launched on the bay in 1995. The loaf was towed behind a boat operated by Greenpeace and accompanied by the banner Make Bread Not Bombs to protest nuclear weapons tests conducted by France.

Ive always been interested in how art can be used to make a difference, politically, socially and culturally, and lead to transformation, Mr. Kamler told the Chronicles Jesse Hamlin at the time of the show.

Born Nov. 2, 1935, Richard Dean Kamler grew up in the Sunset District and attended Lawton Elementary School on 31st Avenue, near his home. He was a graduate of Lowell High School and UC Berkeley, where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees in architecture.

Upon graduation he served an apprenticeship with Frederick Kiesler, the visionary painter and sculptor.

Mr. Kamlers first major installation was Out of Holocaust, a full-size replica of one of the barracks buildings at Auschwitz, done in 1976 at the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley.

He later worked in collaboration with artist Elin Elisofon to create The Desert Project, an earth installation in New Mexico.

Drawings, photographs and objects from the installation were exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1979. His work was also shown at the McMullen Museum of Art in Boston, Long Beach Museum of Art and on the grounds of the San Francisco County Jail.

Richards intentions were never to become a blue-chip, gallery artist, said Vincent. His lifes work was devoted to re-interpreting the role of the artist as a fully engaged citizen, a legitimate and obligatory member of the public table.

As such, he became interested in the topics of incarceration and capital punishment. In 1981, Mr. Kamler began a three-year stint as artist in residence at San Quentin. During this time he taped interviews with both inmates and their families, as well as with the families of victims of violent crimes.

This became the audio portion of his best-known piece, Table of Voices, (1996-2013). He set up a replica of a prison visiting room, with phones on either side of a divider. Visitors on one side of the partition could pick up the phones and hear the real stories of the victims, as told by family members. On the other side they could hear the stories of the convicted, often expressing remorse.

Table of Voices was installed at Alcatraz and later traveled the United States.

For an exhibition called Maximum Security at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art he built two full-size prison cells, each with a maggot-infested lamb carcass rotting in the corner. Patrons examined this through barbed wire.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

For an exhibition called Last Meal he sculpted out of lead the trays of food that condemned inmates ordered on Death Row in Huntsville, Texas.

In describing the motivation for exploring the last days of condemned prisoners, Mr. Kamler told The Chronicles Hamlin, When you hear that heart stop beating, someone has just been killed. It still affects me.

Mr. Kamler stayed busy until the end. In August 2016, he had his last hometown show at the Far Out Gallery (FOG) on Taraval Street, about 15 blocks from the house where he lived for most of his life.

Mr. Kamler was recovering from cancer surgery, but he made it to the opening, riding from his home on the L-Taraval, to indicate his dedication to Muni.

He was frail but raring to go, said Anne Herbst, owner of FOG. He was still making art and had big plans.

Survivors include Cory, his wife of 46 years, his son Joshua Cory Kamler and daughter-in-law Celina Kamler, and grandsons Maceo and Carmelo Kamler, all of Alameda.

A celebration of his life will be held in January at USF.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_art
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Wearing an orange poncho, gloves and a mask, Teresa Philbin, 58, stooped over with a bent frying pan to sift through the ash of what was once her home in Santa Rosas Coffey Park neighborhood on Wednesday.

So much is gone, she said, occasionally finding something recognizable in the burned ground, like her fathers solid brass scissors, as a light rain began to fall. I look at it, honor it, and throw it away.

Philbin and her family are among the thousands who are struggling to get on with their lives after losing their home in the Wine Country wildfires. She and her husband, Charles, have moved into a friends guest house in Sebastopol while their three sons, ages 18, 20 and 22, are staying with friends in Santa Rosa  a separation that has only added to their anxiety.

But one month after the most devastating wildfire event in California history, the family has learned that they have been approved for an apartment, and theyll likely be back together this weekend. Theyre just waiting for the landlord to finish painting the place.

Its huge, Philbin said. Its all weve thought about for weeks. Its been a giant, giant hill to climb.

While the charred remnants of subdivisions and shopping centers still blight the hills and valleys of the North Bay  and wont be cleared away for months  residents have slowly begun to find stability. Or at least as best they can a bare month after the Oct. 8 disaster.

More than 10,000 people in Sonoma and Napa counties alone were displaced by the fires. Hundreds more lost homes in Mendocino County. Between crashing with friends, staying at motels and Airbnbs, sleeping at emergency shelters, finding new places to live at in-law units or other rentals and even leaving the area, the number of people in need of housing isnt known.

But with the help of state and federal aid workers, local officials say theyve helped close the housing gap, even as the shortfall is exacerbated by the regions already-tight real estate market.

There are still people we need to help, said Santa Rosa City Councilman Chris Rogers, who was fighting for more housing even before the fire. But were wrapping up getting people stabilized. Its really been a patchwork of pulling together resources to get us through this.

Sonoma County officials estimate that before the fire, the county had a 2 percent rental vacancy rate. Now they say it is essentially zero.

This week, the last of nearly three dozen emergency shelters closed after aid groups coordinated to find housing for about 50 people who remained there over the weekend.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is paying for individuals and families to stay at hotels  about 260 households to date  while preparing to bring in as many as 80 mobile home units to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds once the need is identified. Several converted shipping-container trailers used at the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada are also being proposed for use.

We know theres a lot of folks out there and they may be living with relatives now, but after a while, relatives may get a little ornery, said FEMA spokesman William Lindsey. FEMA is expecting the number of people seeking aid to rise as some temporary accommodations dry up in the coming weeks.

Santa Rosas Astro Motel is one of the spots where many have found temporary sanctuary with FEMAs help.

Hotel manager Steven Davila, 38, said he hadnt been looking to make his newly renovated quarters an extended-stay residential complex, but the call beckoned.

Its been a whirlwind, he said. Everyone is just trying to get back to regular lives.

Diane Hamilton, who lost her home at Journeys End Mobile Home Park, is staying at the Astro with her therapy dog Sophie, a white standard poodle, while she looks for a more permanent place.

Shes been on the waiting list at a low-income senior facility in Windsor for four years, but has now been bumped to the top of the list because shes a fire victim.

At 72 years old, I didnt think Id have to be starting over, she said.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

Things havent been easy for Tony McNeil either.

The 52-year-old, who lost his rented home near Calistoga Road and Highway 12, thought hed scored a place to live at the end of October. But it fell through when the landlord found out last-minute that he needed to rent the house to relatives  whod also been displaced by the fires.

McNeil and his girlfriend moved to the Red Cross shelter at the fairgrounds until that site closed. With no new home in sight, he wound up on a friends couch with his Jack Russell terrier, Quincy, and she is crashing with relatives.

Its too bad the shelter had to close, but itll be fine, McNeil said. The housing thing is just really tough right now. Id really rather be in Santa Rosa, but Im looking all over the county for anything we can rent. Everybody is in the same boat.

Willie Tamayo fared pretty well, all things considered.

While it wasnt what the founder and vice president of Santa Rosas La Tortilla Factory expected a month ago when he was living in the citys upscale Fountaingrove neighborhood, the recently arrived rental furniture at his new two-bedroom apartment made things feel a little more homey.

Tamayo, 65, and his wife, Darlene, were lucky to secure a month-to-month lease at a 20-unit housing complex that opened near the junior college just before they lost their home in the fire.

We left with literally nothing, Tamayo said. We realize weve landed in a safe place.

As it is for many, the next step is rebuilding.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency recently began clearing the debris of homes and businesses across the 250 square miles of Napa and Sonoma counties that burned. The agency expects to have a clean slate for construction next spring, but thats only an estimate. The noxious brew of household chemicals, construction materials and everything else that comes with the typical building must be carefully removed to avoid spreading it around, and that will be meticulous, tedious work.

The fire-ravaged counties, as well as the city of Santa Rosa, have already passed a raft of new ordinances streamlining the rebuilding process, such as cutting fees for displaced residents and moving application decisions from boards that meet sporadically to full-time office staff.

As she searched chunk by chunk through the rubble of her Coffey Park home Wednesday morning, Philbin said she is hoping to rebuild as soon as possible. But the apartment that her family is moving into this week, she said, is a perfect temporary measure.

Just then she pulled up a hunk of melted glass and tossed it back into the ash with other tokens of her past.

Its a little Zen, she said. You see something. You acknowledge it. You say goodbye.

Evan Sernoffsky, Kevin Fagan and Kurtis Alexander are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com, kfagan@sfchronicle.com, kalexander@sfchronicle.com
The seven wildfires that swept across Northern California last month destroyed 8,889 structures, officials for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday.

The new preliminary total for the destruction was determined by teams sent to the fire areas to do an accounting of each structure that had been burned, said Scott McLean, a deputy fire chief at Cal Fire.

The Northern California fires erupted on Oct. 8, the same day wildfires also were sparked in Butte County and Anaheim. Combined, those fires destroyed 8,920 buildings  including homes, commercial and outbuildings.

The Tubbs Fire, which started in Calistoga and destroyed portions of Santa Rosa, became the most destructive wildfire in modern California history, flattening 4,655 homes, 94 commercial buildings and 894 outbuildings  barns and sheds  for a total of 5,643 structures. Additionally, 310 buildings were damaged.

By comparison, the Oakland hills fire in 1991, previously designated the most destructive conflagration in California history, wiped out nearly 3,500 homes.

The Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa charred 36,807 acres, including the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove neighborhoods, and mobile home parks, and killed 22 people.

Now Playing: Wineries, schools, hotels and neighborhoods have been destroyed in the recent Bay Area fires. Video: Ted Andersen, SFGATE

The Nuns Fire incinerated 639 homes, 32 commercial buildings and 684 outbuildings  totaling 1,355 buildings throughout neighborhoods in Kenwood and Glen Ellen in Napa and Sonoma counties.

The blaze merged with several other fires, including the Partrick and Adobe, and killed two people while scorching 54,382 acres and damaging 172 structures.

Three homes and three outbuildings were wrecked in the Pocket Fire, which tore through 17,357 acres north of Geyserville in Sonoma County. One home and one outbuilding were damaged.

The Cascade Fire in Yuba County demolished 203 homes, one commercial site and 194 outbuildings for a total of 398 structures. The deadly fire burned 9,989 acres, damaged one home and one outbuilding, and killed four people.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In Napa and Solano counties, the Atlas Fire demolished 781 structures including 445 homes, 17 commercial and 319 outbuildings. One hundred and twenty buildings were damaged  69 residences, 12 commercial structures and 39 outbuildings.

The Redwood Valley fire in Mendocino County destroyed 544 structures  314 residences, five commercial buildings and 224 outbuildings, and one building whose purpose could not be determined. It damaged 16 homes, two commercial buildings, 23 outbuildings and one unknown building.

The Sulphur Fire in Lake County ruined 162 buildings  134 residences, two commercial and 26 outbuildings. It damaged five homes and three outbuildings.

The California Department of Insurance announced Tuesday that 15 major insurers reported that the total of insured losses from the October wildfires topped $3 billion. And that number is expected to increase.

Insurers reported that 10,016 residential properties are partial losses, 4,712 residential properties are total losses and 728 are commercial property losses. Commercial property includes businesses and apartments with four or more units.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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The owner of the swank Palazzo apartment community in Los Angeles knew it had a problem when longtime residents complained about tourists overrunning their pools and gyms and committing late-night party fouls.

Sublets that anger neighbors are nothing new, but Apartment Investment & Management Co. came up with a novel response: Blame Airbnb.

Now Aimco is asking a Los Angeles federal court to stop Airbnb from enabling tenants to illicitly sublet their apartments  not just at the Palazzo, where a penthouse rents for $17,700 a month, but at all apartment complexes across the U.S. where the landlord forbids it.

The San Francisco vacation rental site has faced plenty of resistance from municipalities around the world in its nine years as a business. But companies affected, such as hotels and travel agents, have tended to stick to complaining about the situation, not suing  making this lawsuit by one of the largest residential landlords in the world noteworthy.

Airbnbs inventory of short-term rentals could shrink considerably if a judge rules that the company violates the law by helping renters break their lease agreements, said Eric Goldman, a professor of Internet law at Santa Clara University. Its a close call as to whether Airbnb can fend off Aimcos suit by invoking a federal law that gives Internet companies immunity for content others post on their sites, Goldman said.

Aimco argues that Airbnb does a lot more than just provide a site for property listings, saying it should be held to account as a broker of short-term rental agreements and a processor of payments.

Airbnb, which has 4 million listings worldwide, says it doesnt specifically track the number of sublets advertised on its site. Its terms of service require hosts to follow local laws and regulations and to pledge that their bookings will not breach any agreements with third parties.

Airbnb has argued that most rental activity is innocent, with people renting their primary homes to make ends meet.

We educate our hosts and require them to confirm that they follow the rules, Nick Papas, a spokesman, said in an email. Forward-thinking landlords are embracing home sharing, but its clear that Aimco is continuing its decades-long war on the middle class and making claims that belie the truth and wont hold up.

To be sure, Aimcos frustration with Airbnb isnt a universal sentiment among big landlords.

Opinions within the apartment industry run the full gamut from a total embracing of home sharing to complete opposition, said Jim Lapides, a spokesman for the National Multifamily Housing Council. Its a lively debate inside the industry.

A survey last month by the trade organization showed that 49 percent of renters under 25 are interested in the opportunity to generate extra income through home sharing, compared with 15 percent of renters older than 65, underscoring the risk landlords run of alienating Millennials by going hard against Airbnb.

Aimco claims that its bad debt write-offs have exploded in the past two years because tenants who were caught illegally subleasing their apartments stopped paying rent and were either evicted or moved out voluntarily. There have been hundreds of prohibited short-term rentals at four of its Los Angeles properties and hundreds more at its apartment complexes in popular tourist destinations throughout the U.S., according to an Aimco court filing.

The coming and goings of short-term tourists has created problems at the Los Angeles complexes, with lost travelers banging on the wrong doors in the middle of the night, late-night parties, and drunken and smoking tourists hanging out at the pool, according to Aimco.

The lawsuit depicts the managers of three complexes with a combined 1,382 apartments in the sprawling Park La Brea community  surrounded by museums, trendy restaurants and luxury shops  playing a cat-and-mouse game with Airbnb hosts and guests to intercept and remove unauthorized visitors. This has resulted in some angry confrontations and visitors being surprised to find their Airbnb rentals arent permitted, according to Aimco.

The disruptions have also led regular tenants to pack their bags.

We will move out because its inundated with Airbnb and its no longer a private residence but a hotel or a Motel 8 since Airbnb do not have quality guests, one former Palazzo resident said in an online review the company included in its court filings.

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Some people have leased multiple apartments to make a living from short-term rentals, according to Aimco. Because listings are anonymous and hosts have become savvy to avoid detection of illegal sublets, its difficult if not impossible to link a listing to a specific unit, the company said.

Airbnb hasnt been unresponsive to complaints by landlords. The company last year started a Friendly Buildings Program that keeps owners abreast of the home-sharing activities on their property. The hitch, according to Aimco, is that the information is only available to landlords who allow subletting.

Airbnb also began offering large building management companies a share of hosts revenue. In a further show of solidarity, it has teamed up with a Miami developer to design a 324-unit apartment building that will carry the Airbnb name. Tenants will be encouraged to sublet online, and guests will have access to amenities commonly found in hotels.

Since the startup was founded in 2008, landlords have argued it violates zoning laws and operates as an illegal hotel. Critics have also said abundant short-term rentals drive up housing costs and disrupt neighborhoods.

Authorities in various cities have gone after landlords who illegally turn their apartment buildings into hotels. In Los Angeles, the city attorney announced in September he was bringing charges against a home owner and a property manager for allowing mansions in the Hollywood Hills to be rented on Airbnb to host rowdy parties.

Aimco first sued Airbnb in February, both in Los Angeles and Miami. In June, the company revised its complaint in Los Angeles to sue on behalf of all owners of apartment complexes whose units were illegally sublet, and last month it asked for a court order to prohibit Airbnb from doing business with its tenants until the case is decided.

In the Los Angeles case, Airbnb contends that Aimcos blanket ban on subleasing isnt enforceable under California law. It also argues that as an online service it cant be held legally responsible for the conduct of Aimcos tenants and their guests.

Edvard Pettersson is a Bloomberg writer. Email: epettersson@bloomberg.net
One month to the day after wind-driven wildfires erupted across Wine Country, California regulators on Wednesday proposed a new set of tougher safety rules for power lines, phone lines and utility poles in parts of the state prone to destructive blazes.

The proposed rules by the California Public Utilities Commission, which were first discussed in the wake of another devastating series of wildfires in 2007, would change utility company operations across wide swaths of the state deemed to be at an elevated or extreme risk for wildfires. It could also raise their costs  potentially pushing up utility bills in the process.

In many places, tree branches would have to be kept farther away from power lines than current rules allow. Newly installed lines would have to be spaced farther apart from each other.

Utility companies also would have to fix many safety problems in areas of high fire risk before making repairs in lower-risk zones. Those repairs would also have to follow a set timetable, taking no longer than six months in extreme fire-risk zones.

Screenshot from CPUC

An accompanying map, also under development for years, shows which parts of the state are considered most in danger from wildfires. Most parts of the North Bay hit by last months fires are classified as facing an elevated fire risk, while a few places in the hills north of Santa Rosa receive the highest risk rating  extreme.

The commission, which regulates utility companies in California, started discussing both the map and the possibility of tightening the states fire-safety rules following a devastating series of Southern California wildfires in October 2007 that were linked to power lines swaying, arcing and, in some cases, falling down in powerful winds. Although the commission imposed some tougher regulations in Southern California within two years of the fires, the agency also wanted to develop stronger regulations that would apply to fire-prone areas across the state.

Now, investigators with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, are trying to determine whether Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines and other equipment may have played a role in sparking the Wine Country wildfires that started during a fierce wind storm on Oct. 8. Reports PG&E filed with the commission documented tree limbs and even entire trees falling into power lines across Northern California that night. The commission has launched its own investigation.

The fires, which killed at least 43 people and caused more than $3 billion in damages, by one estimate, have prompted some public officials to question whether California needs tougher fire-safety regulations for its utilities. It remains to be seen whether the proposal, which the commission issued without comment at the end of the day on Wednesday, will satisfy them.

We definitely need to explore whether our current rules are enough, said state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, on Wednesday, before the commission issued the proposal. It does seem like we need to do more in terms of maintaining wires, trimming the foliage around them. The utilities need to do more, and the state needs to do more enforcing.

A PG&E spokesman said that the company had been actively engaged with the commission, Cal Fire and other interested parties in developing the new regulations and fire-threat map.

While we are still reviewing the proposed decision, ultimately we will support regulations that reduce the threats of wildfires and minimize the impact on our customers and their communities, spokesman Greg Snapper said.

The commissions five voting members could vote on the new rules as early as Dec. 14. The commission plans to finalize the map early next year.

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The proposed regulations would require electric utilities and telecommunications companies to inspect their overhead lines on set timetables. Electric utilities, for example, would need to inspect all of their lines in areas of elevated or extreme fire risk each year, something PG&E already does.

Current regulations require electric utilities to trim tree branches back from their power lines, using different minimum required distances based on the voltage of the line. For many rural distribution lines, for example, the distance is 4 feet. Under the proposed rules, those lines in high-fire-risk areas would now require 12 feet of radial clearance.

Development of the fire map and the proposed rules had been delayed both by the complexity of the task and the competing interests of the companies involved.

To build the maps, the commission and Cal Fire brought together representatives of utility companies and state agencies to plot out climate conditions, vegetation types and the location of critical infrastructure. A map draft in 2016 drew criticism after it failed to include an area that had already burned in the 2015 Butte Fire, which killed two people.

The commission also convened workshops of utilities, consumer groups and other interested parties to discuss ways to tighten up fire-safety regulations. But the many businesses, municipal government agencies and other parties involved rarely agreed. A June workshop, for example, discussed 31 proposals. The parties achieved consensus on two.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF
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State utility regulators voted Thursday to require annual background checks for drivers at Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing companies, but decided not to subject them to the fingerprinting required of taxi drivers.

In a 5-0 vote, the California Public Utilities Commission passed rules that mirror the annual checks already required by Lyft and the airport-ride company Wingz, and that drew no objection from industry leader Uber.

The companies will have to use contractors accredited by a national association of background screeners and report the results to the state commission. They must examine criminal records and disqualify drivers who have been convicted of violent felonies or sex crimes, or, within the previous seven years, have been found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, domestic violence or other specified crimes.

Commission members said the changes would strengthen the previous rules, which barred drivers with certain types of criminal records and registered sex offenders but did not require periodic background checks. They rejected arguments by the taxi industry and other critics that the same fingerprint screening that state law requires for cab drivers should be applied to drivers for the ride-hailing companies.

Fingerprinting takes time and money, and, for these companies and drivers, the costs outweigh the benefits, Liane Randolph, the commissioner assigned to the issue, said at Thursdays meeting in San Francisco.

She said fingerprint-check records, which go through an FBI database, are not always accurate, do not include photos of their subjects, and could exclude a disproportionate number of minority drivers if imposed as a requirement.

The commissions plan strikes the right balance, said another commissioner, Martha Aceves. It will protect riders as well as providing all of the folks in our society an ability to work.

All five commission members were appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Advocates of fingerprinting say ride-hailing companies use background checks that are far more limited than the FBI database and have failed to spot numerous drivers with criminal records.

Uber and Lyft are lying to you, Alec Stefan, a Monterey taxi driver and founder of the Monterey Peninsula Taxi Workers Association, told the commissioners during a public-comment period before Thursdays vote. Do your job. Protect the people.

Berman Obaldia, vice president of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, countered that fingerprinting would impose an unfair economic burden on workers, including minority groups, and small-business owners.

Opposition by the ride-hailing companies and their allies has thwarted attempts by California lawmakers to extend fingerprinting requirements to the companies drivers. One law, effective this year, requires screeners to conduct lifetime searches for records of violent felonies and other serious crimes.

Both Uber and Lyft cut off service in Austin, Texas, when it required fingerprint checks for drivers last year. After the state legislature overrode the Austin law, the companies resumed service this May.

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London revoked Ubers license in September and said one reason was the companys safety standards for its drivers. Uber has continued to operate in London while it negotiates with city officials.

In the past, Uber has claimed that it conducted the best background checks in the industry. It dropped those assertions last year and paid $10 million to settle a lawsuit by San Francisco and Los Angeles County. Lyft paid $250,000 to avoid a similar suit.

Both companies praised Thursdays action by the state commission.

We are encouraged by their decision which promotes both public safety and economic opportunity for California drivers, Uber said in a statement.

Lyft said the decision recognizes the strength and effectiveness of our current background-check process.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
One of the two executives who resigned this week from the University of California presidents office wrote emails directing campuses to reveal and sometimes alter their answers in a confidential state auditors survey, which tainted the review and prompted the state to demand an investigation. The other was his boss, who was copied on many of the emails.

Seth Grossman, chief of staff to UC President Janet Napolitano, and Bernie Jones, his deputy, resigned to pursue other opportunities, a UC spokeswoman said Wednesday.

As a result of the emails, three of UCs 10 campuses  Santa Cruz, San Diego and Irvine  changed their survey responses to reflect more favorably on the UC Office of the President, which was being audited by the state. Auditor Elaine Howle, who released the audit results in April, discarded the survey results and said the interference by the presidents office made them useless.

The emails, obtained by The Chronicle, indicate that Napolitano was briefed on the reviews of campus survey responses. And Karen Petrulakis, who was chief deputy general counsel until her departure in July, was also copied on many of the messages between the presidents office and the campuses.

The UC regents hired former state Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno in June to conduct an independent investigation into alleged tampering, and the results are pending. Last month, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill requiring a $5,000 fine imposed on anyone who interferes with a state audit. That law, prompted by the UC debacle, takes effect Jan. 1.

At the time of the audit last fall, the UC presidents office in Oakland had an annual budget of $686 million and nearly 1,700 employees. Among the audits revelations were that the presidents office squirreled away $175 million in reserve funds it didnt disclose to the public, and that it paid employees significantly higher than state workers in comparable jobs.

Angry state lawmakers grilled Napolitano in May, prompting an apology and promises from the president and then-regents Chairwoman Monica Lozano that UC would implement each fix recommended by the auditor. Brown is withholding $50 million in state funding from the university until those are done.

As part of the audit process, Howle surveyed the campuses to learn which services from the presidents office were useful, and which might be a waste of money. The questionnaires were marked confidential and were not to be shared outside campus.

Quickly checking to see when we might expect the documents for our review, Jones wrote to UC Santa Cruz on Nov. 21, 2016.

A day later, Jones followed up: Our expectation is that we review an updated version of the survey responses before it is resubmitted to the auditor.

Jones also told UC Santa Cruz to communicate directly with me, and I can then brief Seth (Grossman) and the President, as needed.

UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal responded a day later, copying Grossman. As you will see, I addressed 98% of your concerns, he wrote, and, in a separate email, referred to Bernies marked up version.

A comparison of survey answers before and after interference by the presidents office showed that administrators at UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego and UC Irvine removed criticism of Napolitanos office or upgraded performance ratings in key areas at the direction of Napolitanos staff.

Jones, whose last day is Thursday, declined to comment on the audit. He said only that his departure, seven years after arriving in the Bay Area, fulfills a long-standing commitment to my family to return back East. He called it a tough choice to leave UC, and a bittersweet transition.

Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for Grossman, said his involvement in the audit survey process was very limited.

The process of working with the individual campuses to review the survey responses was suggested by the universitys internal audit staff and reviewed and approved by the universitys attorneys, Ballard said. The universitys attorneys were directly involved in working with Bernie (Jones) and the campuses responses to the surveys.

UC spokeswoman Dianne Klein said that neither Jones nor Grossman had been forced to leave.

Klein, who is also Napolitanos spokeswoman, did not respond when asked by text and email about the presidents involvement in the surveys.

At UC Santa Cruz, survey responders initially rated technology help from the presidents office as poor. That became good after Napolitanos office intervened. The campus also changed ratings for three services previously judged fair to good. And they changed their ratings of three other services, including help in identifying top-performing high school students, from good to exceptional.

UC San Diegos original survey said administrators were dissatisfied with explanations from the presidents office about how it spends the campus fees that keep it afloat. They became satisfied after the presidents office reviewed it.

At UC Irvine, survey ratings on questions about the quality of collaboration with the presidents office over campus fees were changed from OK to satisfied, and others from satisfied, to very satisfied.

The UC regents will meet in San Francisco on Wednesday and next Thursday. No discussion of the Moreno report is scheduled. The regents will hear an update on UCs progress implementing other areas of the audit recommendations.

COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov

Online extras

Here are links to two sets of email exchanges between the UC Office of the President and several campuses regarding review of campus survey responses:

http://www.sfchronicle

.com/file/252/4/2524

-Emails2.pdf

http://www.sfchronicle

.com/file/252/3/2523

-Emails.pdf

Here is a link to all Chronicles coverage of the state audit of the UC presidents office:

www.sfchronicle.com/

ucaudit
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Why should the dogs have it better than we do? Consider this party survival strategy, employed at the Annual Bark & Whine Ball. (This years 20th Ball is Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Design Center Galleria in San Francisco.) Attendees are invited to dine and dance with your dog, with proceeds benefiting Rocket Dog Rescue, the United States War Dogs Association  both rescuers of pets displaced by the recent fires  and SaveABunny.

Rocket Dog volunteers at this event will be available to take canine guests for a walk. Typically, the walkers approach guests, offering to take a stroll with their four-legged companions. Theres a park very near this years venue, says event co-chair Anne Minkin.

But this time-out option would be great for humans at swanky parties. Most of the time, theres one partner more in the merrymaking mood than the other (who among us hasnt implored a beloved: Can we go home now?). Why not offer 10- to 20-minute strolls for human companions who need a break?

The walkee could take a break from drinking and/or listening to speeches, breathe a little fresh air, and  picture the friendly dogs sniffing each other in the park  use the mini-solo recess as an opportunity to flirt with someone.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and afterward, Minkin says, its never happened that the dog and owner couldnt be reunited.

Tickets for the ball are available at www.clawsf.org.

Joel Goodrich, who is to luxury real estate as Stephen Curry is to hoops, has a slice of the brokers pie in the $17.8 million sale of Kanye West and Kim Kardashians house in Bel Air (Los Angeles County). Goodrich co-represented  with Josh and Matt Altman of Million Dollar Listing  buyer Marina Acton, who lives in Silicon Valley. Acton, born in Ukraine, presides over the San Francisco-based Marina Acton Charity Fund, created, says its site, to facilitate security of personal and professional communications through encryption and digital integrity.

At Octobers Fine Art Print Fair in New York, artist Mildred Howard  one of the artists at the Museum of the African Diasporas Afropolitan Ball last week  showed 12 works in Assegnazione con de Seingalt, a series of prints made at Sharks Ink in Lyons, Colo., from collages of antique engravings, digital images, maps, papers and more.

The works were inspired by a two-volume set of books written about Casanova, who also called himself de Seingalt, in 1734. Shed spotted the books in an antiquarian bookstore in Venice, but didnt buy them immediately. A year later, when they were still on my mind ... I called the owner to see if they were still available, she says. The works based on the books were definitely a big hit in New York.

Dr. J remembered that Kevin Spacey, whose Netflix series House of Cards was shut down after he was accused of unwanted advances on a teenager, is on the advisory board of SFFilm. Spacey was honored with a Peter J. Owens Award in 2002, said the film society, and thus his name was added to the list of members of this very informal advisory board ... not an active group in any significant way, said SFFilms Laura Molinari. She forwarded a copy of the groups formal response to sexual violence revelations in the film industry, which begins with an expression of sadness and anger, and goes on to reconfirm a commitment to making the spaces we occupy as safe as possible for everyone in our community.

Sports department:

Don Bleu emceed the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley awards luncheon on Friday, Nov. 3, and observed, We have more people here today than the 49ers had at their last game. Of course, the Law Foundation has a better record. They win a case once in a while.

And having read the recent item about prices for leisure/cultural attractions soaring sky-high, J.G. noted that theres one weekend activity thats become a bargain: 49ers tickets can be purchased for as little as $12.

P.S. Following up on famous No. 35s. The most famous No. 35 of all, says Robert Wieder: JFK.

Every year at this season, a huge pumpkin that was a contender in the Half Moon Bay pumpkin contest rests outside the MarketBar in the Ferry Building. This years 1,610-pound specimen is a rescue pumpkin. Grown in the Carneros district recently victim to the North Bay fires, it survived the flames only because it had been harvested and brought to Half Moon Bay for the competition. The fires began Oct. 8; the competition was Oct. 9. On behalf of the pumpkin: Whew.

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik

Public Eavesdropping

Because of the delay, Im going to cut you some extra cheese.

Waiter to patron, overheard at a Michelin-starred restaurant by Paul Bollwinkel
The Square satirizes the kind of impotent, progressive relativism that has infected modern art and thought. In an early scene, a reporter  played by Elisabeth Moss  asks a museum curator about a particularly opaque description in the museums current catalog. He launches into an explanation emblematic of academic criticism that has caved in to its own emptiness.

The curator, Christian (Claes Bang), is an affable fellow and an ideal front man, tall and elegant, radiating confidence and rationality. In Bangs performance there is a hint, but only a hint, that Christian might even have a clue that hes a charlatan. In one of his first scenes, he describes a work of art by saying that the absence of something suggests the presence of it, a sophism thats all the rage on college campuses. But as he says this, a look flickers across his eyes, suggesting he doesnt know what hes talking about.

The Square, which won the Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival, is a Swedish film, written and directed by Ruben Ostlund. Its long, always interesting and pointed in its observations, even if all the films elements arent quite integrated. Bang is at the center of the film (Moss appears in only a handful of scenes), and hes a sympathetic figure, a perfectly nice guy contributing to the decline of Western Civilization.

The Square takes its title from a new exhibit the museum is promoting, an approximately 10-by-10-foot space on the ground, which proclaims itself as an oasis of kindness and peace. The simplicity of this has an apologetic sincerity, but it has no power. The movie seems to be saying that this range, between opacity and naivete, represents the available spectrum of art that were currently allowed to look at. It tells of an era in which art itself has become self-despising.

In one scene, we witness the pulling down of a highly middlebrow but communally pleasurable equestrian statue, placed previously outside Stockholms royal palace. Its a moment that epitomizes arts impotence and commodification.

The Square is a long film that doesnt feel long. Its funny throughout  not to say that it inspires many laughs, but its full of irony and absurdity and is very smart. Mainly, though, the film creates a sense of unease, scene by scene. Christian has his wallet and phone pickpocketed in the movies first minutes, and his attempt to get them back creates more trouble. But then, even relatively mild, two-person scenes here create a sense of impending danger, an abyss waiting to swallow up the central character.

In one of the museums exhibition rooms, there is a floor-to-ceiling digital panel showing a man in close-up, acting like an ape. The primitive human being that looks at us through the display expresses a wordless pathos, a victimized and yet mighty force in the human experience. This is the side of life that the sterile art in this museum would like to forget or contain. If The Square has a point  and it probably has several  its that the visceral aspect of life cannot be fully suppressed and shouldnt be denied.

Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MickLaSalle

The Square

Satire. Starring Claes Bang and Elisabeth Moss. Directed by Ruben Ostlund. In English and in Swedish with English subtitles. (R. 142 minutes.)
WASHINGTON - A growing chorus of Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have called on Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from a special election in Alabama if allegations prove true that the former judge initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago.

"If these allegations are true, he must step aside," McConnell said in a formal statement on behalf of all Republican senators.

Other Republican senators weighing in included Jeff Flake of Arizona, David Perdue of Georgia, John Thune of South Dakota, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on Moore to step aside as well - and without couching his statement with "if true" language.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," McCain said. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of."

Vice President Mike Pence also "found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office," said spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

More for you Woman says Senate candidate Moore initiated sexual encounter...

Moore has denied the allegations and given no indication that he will exit the race. "Our children and grandchildren's futures are on the line," he tweeted Thursday. "So rest assured - I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!" Moore also emailed a fundraising pitch off the revelations. "I believe you and I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values," he wrote.

The state Republican Party has the power to disqualify Moore from the election, according to the Alabama secretary of state. If that happens, McConnell and other Republicans would face the challenge of figuring out which candidate would run in Moore's place - and how to win an election in which it is too late to replace the former judge's name on the Dec. 12 ballot.

Under Alabama state law, the ballot cannot be changed within 76 days of an election. However, in the event of either disqualification or withdrawal, votes cast for Moore would not be certified.

In addition, state law allows write-in votes to be cast in general elections, as long as the names are for living people and written in without using a rubber stamp or stick-on label. Despite a state law barring candidates from appearing twice on ballots in the same election cycle, Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., who lost in the primary to Moore, would be an eligible write-in candidate, said John Bennett, an official at the state secretary of state's office.

Several state Republicans suggested Thursday that the party is unlikely to disqualify Moore.

Samuel Givhan, the senior vice chairman of the state party, described The Washington Post story as "allegations from somebody who has been silent for over 40 years" who was speaking out just weeks before an election. When asked about the Senate majority leader's call for Moore to step aside if the accusations are found to be true, Givhan said, "I'm not sure Sen. McConnell has any say so in this."

Jonathan Gray, a Republican consultant in Alabama who is not working with any of the Senate candidates this year, was more pointed: "I think it was already perfectly well stated that no one in Alabama gives a s--- what Mitch McConnell or John McCain thinks we should do."

A group close to McConnell that spent millions of dollars to oppose Moore in the primary called on Gov. Kay Ivey, R, and the state party to investigate the allegations. "If there's even a shred of evidence to these accusations, Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Republican Party need to do everything in their power to remove Judge Moore from the ballot," said Steven Law, chief executive of the Senate Leadership Fund. "There is no place in our party for sexual predators."

Strange avoided reporters' questions in the Capitol on Thursday, but Shelby, his Alabama colleague, said: "Luther Strange is a good senator, he's a friend, and I support him. I don't know what he's going to do, but we'll see what develops."

In an extensive report published Thursday, The Post detailed the allegations against Moore by the then-14-year-old and three other girls who were between the ages of 16 and 18 when they said the incidents occurred.

None of the women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moore's Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls.

Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they don't know one another.

The news struck the Capitol with a thunderbolt Thursday afternoon. As senators headed in for an afternoon vote on a Transportation Department nominee, reporters swarmed Republicans in a bid to get their reaction.

McConnell was hounded more than usual as he headed to the Senate Chamber, with reporters shouting questions at a lawmaker they know usually stays mum when asked questions in the hallway.

Once he stepped onto the floor, McConnell quickly voted and conferred with aides. Moments later, Strange came to the floor and headed straight for McConnell. They conferred for several moments before McConnell asked an aide to track down his top spokesman, Don Stewart.

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"You can't make this up," mouthed one of McConnell's aides to another colleague.

Stewart came to the floor and told McConnell and Strange that a statement was being sent to reporters. In it, McConnell called on Moore to step down if the allegations are true.

Strange, seemingly unsure of what to do, was instructed to vote and leave the chamber as quickly as possible.

McConnell then conferred with other senators, including Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Thune. Stewart also assured the senators that a statement was out but then, realizing that reporters were watching from above, instructed McConnell, "Please go."

He walked toward the back door of the Senate Chamber, paused momentarily and stepped out. Several reporters were waiting for him in the Ohio Clock Corridor.

McConnell's inner circle spent late Thursday morning discussing the repercussions and how Republicans should move forward - and grousing that if Strange, their preferred candidate in the primary, was still the nominee, they would not be answering questions about Moore's conduct.

"If it's true, the Republican Party doesn't have any place for pedophiles and he should step down immediately," said Josh Holmes, a McConnell confidant and his former chief of staff. "Steve Bannon is responsible," he added about the McConnell foil and former White House chief strategist, for enabling candidates such as Moore who are out of the GOP mainstream.

That view was shared by Scott Reed, a political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who opposed Moore's nomination. "Here we go - another Steve Bannon special," Reed said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe, Karoun Demirjian, Paul Kane and David Weigel contributed to this report.
SEOUL  Can Californians learn to be as cool as Koreans in the face of nuclear annihilation?

Visiting Seoul last week, I asked people how they stay sane while living within range of North Koreas weapons. Kim Jong Uns capital, Pyongyang, is 120 miles from Seoul  the same meager distance protecting San Diego from Los Angeles.

Of course, South Koreans have been living productively under North Koreas threats for six decades. For Californians, being North Korean targets is disorientingly new  because of the regimes advances in nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korean propaganda has sown fears with specific threats against California and even animations of nuking San Francisco. The Los Angeles-area Joint Regional Intelligence Center urged state and local officials last summer to update nuclear attack response plans.

Talking to Seoul locals eased my nuclear jitters. Keep calm, and drink beer, I was advised, in an alcohol-friendly Korean twist on the World War II-era British advice to Keep calm, and carry on.

Indeed, the deepest worries I heard from South Koreans involved the reliability of President Trump and whether he is truly committed to honoring the long-standing ironclad American commitment to protect South Korea even if it risked an attack on the United States. The North Korean escalation  through nuclear and missile tests  is often seen as posing a question to the United States: Are you willing to trade Los Angeles for Seoul?

But that question, while frighteningly linking the fates of California and Korea, is seen as mostly rhetorical in Seoul, a city so vital that its destruction is unthinkable.

Instead, South Koreans see the current conflict cynically  as a contest between a dictator, Kim Jong Un, and a reality TV authoritarian, Trump, who both use threats to rile people up and preserve their power  which they, in turn, use to enhance their personal wealth. One Korean scholar, boasting that his country had impeached its own corrupt president, Park Geun-hye, in March, asked me whether the United States might do the same.

Rather than give in to authoritarian madness, locals say, its better to behave nonchalantly. Thats why South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, went on vacation after a North Korea missile test last summer. The news media reinforce such sanguinity; last week, stories about Koreas business world, rising housing prices and the upcoming Winter Olympic Games here in February got more notice than the possibility of a nuclear exchange. During a daylong conference I attended on the future of Korean democracy, North Korea got mentioned exactly once.

Yes, South Koreans are making defensive preparations and discussing the possibility of acquiring their own nuclear weapons. In August, the government conducted a large-scale civil defense drill. And I met a few Koreans who admitted to keeping bags packed with the same items  cash, identification, water, food, first aid  that Californians assemble in their own earthquake kits.

One afternoon, I had coffee with Leif-Eric Easley, who grew up in Long Beach and lives with his family in Seoul, where he is a professor at Ewha University. An expert on international relations and Northeast Asia, Easley argues that North Koreas provocations are meant to divide its neighbors, so not rising to the bait is a good strategic response.

Easley says that Koreans stay cool in the face of threats because they understand the situation well, and knowledge reduces fear. But the risk of war is not zero, and he sees a certain desensitization to the war threat. After North Koreas nuclear test in September, the parks were so full of Koreans enjoying good weather and beer that his family found it hard to find a place to picnic.

After our conversation, I walked by the U.S. Embassy, where I encountered competing protests  one calling for the pursuit of peace with the North and the removal from South Korea of an American missile defense system, the other urging a preemptive American strike on the North.

Both protests had tiny crowds compared with two nearby events: a huge job fair, for young and underemployed Koreans and, in Gwanghwamun Plaza, a rehearsal for a concert by the K-pop group Twice.

The girls in the group were singing their huge hit, Cheer Up. Its about dealing with a boyfriend who texts his love too desperately, escalating into something that might sound threatening.

But the chorus offers some good advice, to girlfriends and Californians alike: Stay cool, and de-escalate the confrontation. Ill act calm, Twice sings, as if its nothing.

Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at www.sfchronicle.com/letters.
Tuesdays off-year election results suggest President Trump and his politics are facing the midterm repudiation they deserve.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northams defeat of Republican Ed Gillespie in Virginias hard-fought gubernatorial race topped a series of rejections of Trumpism. While Gillespie is an establishment Republican who once led the national party, he embodied the GOPs troubled truce with Trump by embracing his divisive politics, stoking fears of immigration and crime and promoting pro-Confederacy revisionism. Northam, a centrist physician and Army veteran, beat him by nine percentage points, twice Hillary Clintons margin a year ago.

In the nations other race for governor, New Jerseys, Trump consigliere Chris Christie, who was resoundingly re-elected to his second term as governor four years ago, reaped the consequences of record unpopularity. Democrat Phil Murphy, an investment banker who ran as a marijuana-legalizing, minimum-wage-hiking liberal, sidelined Christies top Democratic ally in the Legislature before subjecting his lieutenant governor to a 14-point shellacking.

Nor can the administration take much solace in Tuesdays lower-profile results. A trailblazing openly transgender candidate and a man whose girlfriend was shot during a live news broadcast, both former journalists, won legislative seats for Democrats in Virginia. And Obamacare, in the form of a Medicaid expansion referendum, won in Maine.

Granted, the smattering of states and localities that cast their ballots in odd years can be overplayed as omens. Tuesdays races did not usher in the end of the Trump era any more than a round of special congressional elections earlier this year constituted an unqualified disaster for Democrats.

In the wake of this weeks results, Trump tweeted defensively that Republicans won 4 out of 4 of those House races. It was actually four of five. But the greater problem for the president was that despite Democrats questionable approach to a closely watched Georgia race, their candidates over-performed in hostile territory even as they came up short.

Tuesdays results showed the country is still moving in the same direction: away from Trump.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
As California pushes forward in its transition to clean energy, the state faces hard choices in its most futuristic initiative yet: offshore wind power.

State and federal officials are engaged in an intensive planning process for the first auction of zones for development of giant wind farms in the Pacific.

But right before the first auction was to be announced, opposition emerged from an unexpected source: the U.S. Navy. After a year and a half of public hearings and outreach by a state-federal task force, the Navy suddenly signaled in August that it would veto the ocean area off San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties that was expected for the first wind farms. Whats more, the Navy claimed the entire offshore zone stretching from Los Angeles north to Big Sur, comprising 36,000 square miles, saying it is needed for military testing and thus is off-limits to wind farms.

The Navys move, which has not been publicly reported, makes little sense. After all, this vast area is already shared by commercial shipping, the fishing industry, offshore oil rigs and a wide variety of civilian maritime uses. The Trump administration, like the Obama administration, is supporting offshore wind development on the East Coast, so it has bipartisan support.

State and federal officials are negotiating with the Navy to find a solution. But if the Navy refuses to budge, state officials will need to switch to their designated Plan B  a series of potential areas off Sonoma, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, where the Navy has raised no objections. Although interconnection to the grid would be more difficult in these areas, they would be suitable for initial wind farm projects while negotiations continue farther south.

Offshore wind is not just another clean technology. As all mariners know, Pacific winds blow almost constantly, peaking in late afternoon and early evening. For that reason, offshore wind power would help solve Californias daily struggle of balancing its electricity grid as solar output surges at midday and vanishes at sunset, and it would be an alternative to the controversial plan to create a multistate grid for importing power from Wyoming and other Western states.

What makes California challenging for offshore wind is that unlike the shallow waters on the East Coast, where turbines can be fixed to the ocean floor, the deep waters off our coast require turbines to be on floating platforms. The worlds first floating wind farm, which began operating last month off Scotland, has turbines 577 feet high, and Californias probably will be bigger. This will create complex needs for manufacturing, logistics and maintenance  which in turn will require an extensive local supply chain.

As described in a new report by the UC Berkeley Labor Center, this supply chain is unlikely to take root without an unprecedented, high road strategy for long-term planning. Such an approach would include major upgrades to ports, transportation and transmission, as well as legislative and regulatory action to direct utilities and community choice providers to consider offshore wind in their power acquisition plans for the 2020s. The result would be a new industry that provides high-wage jobs, benefits and career training, including for workers from disadvantaged communities.

In Europe, where offshore wind is a major component of the energy grid, new manufacturing clusters at major ports have created tens of thousands of high-paying jobs in wind farm construction and marine operations. On the U.S. East Coast, labor unions and environmentalists have joined with state governments to plan for development of huge wind farms in the Atlantic.

Like other, much-vaunted clean-tech solutions of the future such as advanced batteries, offshore wind is not yet cost-competitive with existing power sources. But recent innovations in Europe have sent offshore wind costs into a fast decline that is expected to accelerate. Global investors are betting heavily that offshore wind will be fully competitive by the time full-scale deployment in California is possible in the 2020s.

None of this will happen in a vacuum. East Coast states are pressing forward, as are Europe, Japan and China. California, a climate leader in so many ways, is lagging behind on offshore wind. The Navy needs to be persuaded to get out of the way and allow California to start the hard work of catching up.

Robert Collier is a policy analyst at the Green Economy Program at the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education.
In a recent radio interview, Donald Trump said that the saddest thing is, because I am the president of the United States, I am not supposed to be involved with the Justice Department. Im not supposed to be involved with the FBI. Im not supposed to be doing the kind of things I would love to be doing ...

Trump then asked, referring to the Justice Department and the FBI, Why arent they going after Hillary Clinton with her emails and with her dossier ...?

In a series of tweets the next morning, Trump called on the Justice Department and the FBI to do what is right and proper by launching criminal probes of Clinton.

Trumps obvious aim was to deflect attention from Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe of his campaign, and of the indictments issued against his former campaign aides. But by calling on the Justice Department to investigate Clinton, and by lamenting that he cannot do the kind of things I would love to be doing, Trump crossed a particularly dangerous line.

In a democracy bound by the rule of law, presidents do not prosecute their political opponents. Nor, until now, have they tried to stir up public anger toward their former opponents.

Our democratic system of government depends on presidents putting that system above their own partisan aims.

As Harvard political scientist Archon Fung has noted, once an election is over, candidates graciousness to one another is an important demonstration of their commitment to the democratic system over the specific outcomes they fought to achieve. This helps re-establish civility and social cohesion. It reminds the public that our allegiance is not toward a particular person or party but to our system of government.

Think of Al Gores concession speech to George W. Bush in 2000, after five weeks of a bitterly contested election and just one day after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Bush. I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country.

Gore publicly bowed to the institutions of our democracy. Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken, he said. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the courts decision, I accept it. ... And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.

Bushs response to Gore was no less gracious.

Vice President Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns; we both gave it our all, Bush said. We shared similar emotions. I understand how difficult this moment must be for Vice President Gore and his family. He has a distinguished record of service to our country as a congressman, a senator and a vice president.

Many voters continued to doubt the legitimacy of Bushs victory, but there was no social unrest, no civil war. Americans didnt retreat into warring tribes.

Think of what might have occurred if Gore had bitterly accused Bush of winning fraudulently and blamed five of the Republican appointees on the Supreme Court for siding with Bush for partisan reasons.

Think of what might have happened if, during his campaign, Bush had vowed to put Gore in jail for various improprieties, and then, after he won, called on the Justice Department and the FBI to launch a criminal investigation of Gore.

Such statements  close to ones that Trump has actually made  might have imperiled the political stability of the nation.

Instead, Gore and Bush made the same moral choice their predecessors made after every previous American presidential election, and for the same reason.

They understood that the demonstrations of respect for each other and for the Constitution confirmed the nations commitment to our system of government. This was far more important than their own losses or wins.

Donald Trump has no such concern.

This is the essence of Trumps failure as president  not that he has chosen one set of policies over another, or that he has lied repeatedly and chronically, or even that he has behaved in childish and vindictive ways unbecoming a president.

It is that he has sacrificed the processes and institutions of American democracy to achieve his own selfish ends.

By saying and doing whatever he believes it takes for him to come out on top, Trump has abused the trust we place in a president to preserve and protect the nations capacity for self-government.

This will be his most damaging and most damning legacy.

 2017 Robert Reich

Robert Reich, a former U.S. secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy at UC Berkeley. He blogs daily at www.facebook.com/rbreich. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters.
Tom Steyer thought my idea about what he should do next was terrible. Not just terrible, but unthinkable. I believe the phrase Joe  no. No way was used more than once.

All I did was suggest that Steyer, one of the nations leading Democratic funders, find himself what I called a left-wing Steve Bannon to help him take on President Trump. You know, one outsized bombastic personality to take on another. A political task rabbit to do his dirty work.

Because the billionaire activist Steyer personifies anti-bombast. Until a few years ago, he often wore tartan ties. Yes, in public.

Tartan aint gonna out-bombast Trump.

So maybe, I suggested, Steyer could better serve his fellow progressives by being offstage, directing his money to places it could promote his ideals.

That didnt go over too well, either. Especially not with someone currently starring in (and paying for) a national TV advertising campaign calling for Trumps impeachment. And who is considering a Senate challenge to California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. And who is publicly declining advice from Democratic establishment figures like House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi about where to spend his money.

With all this in mind, I asked Steyer if he had considered behaving like the conservative Mercer family. Theyre the Trump-loving billionaires who fund conservative think tanks and own a piece of the right-wing Breitbart News site that Bannon runs. Bannon himself recently said, I try to be bad cop to President Trumps good cop. Hopefully, Im there to do the dirty work as his wingman.

But as soon as I said Mercer, Steyer knew where I was going.

No, not even going to entertain that idea, he said.

Joe, do you think the Mercers would pick up the phone to talk to you on a Wednesday night, just as Game 7 of the World Series was starting? Steyer said with a laugh when we talked. No, they wouldnt. But I would. Im willing to do that, to be out front on this stuff.

To back up for a minute, for those unfamiliar with Steyer. Hes a San Franciscan who dropped at least $91 million on left-leaning causes and candidates last year alone. Over the past several years in California, the former hedge fund manager-turned-environmentalist has been funding pro-environment statewide ballot measures and taking on oil companies, Big Tobacco and corporate tax loopholes like only someone with his wallet can. Through his NextGen America, he is funding campaigns to register Millennial voters and help immigrants across the country.

Lately, Steyer has been regularly appearing on your TV screen and Facebook news feed in a video asking for signatures on a petition seeking Trumps impeachment. Hes spent north of $10 million on the TV ads and untold millions more on digital buys to put the 60-second spot in places Trump would see it  like on Fox News, the presidents portal to the outside world.

In the spot, Steyer, labeled as American Citizen and clad in an open-neck denim shirt, explains in hushed tones that Trump is a clear and present danger who is mentally unstable and armed with nuclear weapons. He urges people to tell their representatives in Congress that they have a moral responsibility to stop doing whats political and start doing whats right.

It is resonating  1.7 million people have signed Steyers petition. Perhaps more important, Trump saw it and tweeted: Wacky & totally unhinged Tom Steyer, who has been fighting me and my Make America Great Again agenda from beginning, never wins elections!

Score! Steyer entered the pantheon of Lyin Ted Cruz, Liddle Marco Rubio, Crooked Hillary Clinton and Rocket Man Kim Jong Un.

Then Steyer responded.

Youre right about one thing, Steyer tweeted back. I have been fighting your racism and corporate groveling from the beginning  and always will. Americans deserve better.

Thats an entirely reasonable, smart response  and the wrong tactic to take with Trump. Too tartan.

Complicating matters is that Pelosi was ticked about the ad. She felt it made Democrats seem like they only stand against Trump and not for something. Steyer didnt back down, telling me that while he has immense respect for Nancy ... she and the whole political establishment in Washington, D.C., are dead wrong about this.

To fight this multifront war, Steyer should get a left-wing Bannon to do the dirty work, so he can keep his hands clean and continue to fund progressive causes without being pulled into the swamp.

So maybe Steyers true strength  and value  to progressives lies in what his NextGen America organization did Tuesday to help Democrats win big in Virginia Tuesday night.

NextGen spent $3.3 million on grassroots organizing in Virginia. It didnt spend that money on TV commercials starring Steyer; it spent it on the stuff that wins elections.

NextGen shelled out $2 million for 60 paid staffers and 1,000 volunteers in Virginia to flood 26 colleges in an effort to turn out young voters. The early result: Twice as many voters under 30 turned out for Democratic gubernatorial winner Ralph Northam on Tuesday than did for Hillary Clinton a year earlier, exit polls showed.

NextGen spent $1.2 million to turn out voters in new immigrant communities, knocking on 90,000 doors. And it worked with labor organizations to reach working class communities. The result: Democratic turnout was higher Tuesday than it was in previous midterm elections.

The good news for Democrats: Steyer is setting up similar operations in swing states around the country for next years midterm elections.

Being behind the scenes isnt always the sexiest place to be in politics. But if Democrats really do want to impeach Trump, flipping 24 Republican-held seats to take control of the House might be more powerful than any TV commercial. And if theyre going to do it, theyre going to need Tom Steyers heart and his wallet.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
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Trends are an interesting phenomenon. Most are fleeting even if they come to define an era: the pillbox hat of the 1960s, the bell-bottom jeans of the 1970s, and the shoulder pads of the 1980s. A few trends, however, stick around to become classic, fitting into the culture so easily few of us know exactly how they began.

Food is a little different.

This week, for my main review, Ive visited the new Palo Alto branch of Nobu, a restaurant that started 30 years ago in Los Angeles and continues to offer a snapshot of that era. I also recently went to E & O Kitchen and Bar, which as E & O Trading Company rode the wave of the fusion trend when it opened in 1997.

Through the years the restaurant has adapted to the times, and its about the only fusion restaurant that remains. It blends Chinese, Indian, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and probably a few other cuisines Im forgetting. You can even get a hamburger ($18), with kimchi, Sriracha aioli and togarashi fries.

Its a large restaurant, spread over two stories, something that would be next to impossible to build today. Its really geared to the shoppers around Union Square, but on a recent Saturday night it was filled with families, a group of women having a bachelorette party and other celebrations.

While none of the food is probably as good as youll find at restaurants that specialize in a particular cuisine, there is a wide variety of offerings and everything is good. Lamb naan ($11) is satisfying and filling, stuffed with ground meat. Its enhanced by two sauces: riata and roasted tomato chutney.

Chicken lettuce cups ($15) would have been better if the meat was diced rather than ground because the added shiitake mushrooms gave it an unappetizing brown cast, and the freshwater chestnuts didnt add as much crunch as desired. That said, it was still good.

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The menu offers rolls and dumplings, including pork, and kimchi potstickers ($15.50) served in a bowl in a sauce with soy, chiles and pickled ginger; spring rolls; and dumplings made with butternut squash. Theres also a category for satays, including chicken ($13), prawns ($15), portobello mushrooms ($11) and steak ($14).

The cocktails, which focus on Asian flavors, are also adequately done. And since the restaurant is open all day, its a prime place to take a break from Union Square shopping.

314 Sutter St., San Francisco; (415) 693-0303 or www.eandokitchen.com . Open for lunch and dinner continuously Monday-Saturday; dinner only on Sunday.
It was a relief when, driving into Napa a week after the Wine Country fires, the first smell I registered was that of fermenting grapes, a familiar aroma this time of year.

In the distance I could see the dark scrub of burned hillsides, and occasionally the winds stirred up reminders of the recent devastation. After reading all the stories and watching the videos, I had worried the Napa I had come to love was hopelessly damaged. My purpose on this trip was to try to observe the valley as a tourist might, a person who was coming to relax and wasnt so intimately aware of what happened. From that vantage point it felt as if little had changed since my last trip to Napa Valley, less than two weeks before the fire.

Ive spent many memorable afternoons on the patio at Bistro Don Giovanni, and this Saturday was no exception. The only difference was that previously it would have been impossible to nab a seat without a reservation; this time I was able to walk in and dine with a view of the vineyards beyond. The patio was mostly full and as one staff member said: Things feel almost normal. The food certainly was; the pasta with meatballs and whole-leaf Caesar salad were as good as ever.

Of course, everyone has fire stories, and its hard to ignore that many workers lost every material possession. Yet everyone I spoke to seemed focused on getting things back to normal.

I backtracked to Angele in downtown Napa. As with Bistro Don Giovanni, the patio was full, and a group of about 20 were celebrating an 80th birthday. While the din of conversation seemed normal, I kept hearing snippets of fire talk. Voices seemed to mute a bit as people discussed what they went through, but the word fire always seemed to be amplified.

At Solage in Calistoga, four bridesmaids in lavender dresses made their way down the sidewalk during a wedding party, observed by a few diners having midafternoon snacks and cocktails outside the hotels restaurant, Solbar. It felt and looked normal, but Solbar manager Michael Coyne said many brides have canceled weddings through February, with people thinking the entire valley was charcoal. Sitting on the tree-shaded terrace overlooking the pool and enjoying the fried Petrale sole tacos made by the new executive chef, Massimo Falsini, it felt like the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Calistoga, which looks like it could be a set for a Western movie, was open but a bit sleepy as we crossed over to head down valley on Highway 29 to St. Helena for a stop at Acacia House, the new restaurant in the Las Alcobas hotel resort. The restaurant had just opened to the public when we visited this past July, and it stayed open during the fire to serve free breakfast, lunch and dinners to whoever stopped by, according to James Proctor, the director of rooms.

The wide patio wraps two sides of the newly restored Colonial Revival mansion; with a little imagination its easy to pretend youve stepped back more than a century in time. At least until the food arrives. A guest in the 19th century wouldnt be enjoying a margarita, topped by a salt foam, which has become my favorite version of all time. This is also the place to get the Impossible Burger, which has the texture and look of beef but is made from plants.

My favorite dish is the mixed fall crudites served with sunflower seed hummus with hemp oil.

Our final stops were at Bouchon, which was packed with people waiting for spots at the oyster bar, and at Bottega, across the street in the V Marketplace. As we walked back to the restaurant, we were immediately drawn to the music from a large wedding reception in an event space next door.

It may seem insensitive that people are celebrating in the midst of so much tragedy, but putting people back to work goes a long way in re-establishing the routines that make the valley so alluring to locals and tourists. The best thing we can do is come and celebrate  not as an act of charity, but because the restaurants are as good as ever. Yet its not an act of charity; on my visit all of these restaurants were as good as before.

The one difference: There seems to be a kinder, gentler demeanor at the host stand and in the way diners relate to one another. That, in the end, makes Napa Valley a little less damaged and much more inviting.

What I experienced wasnt the ravages of fire, but the revenge of the residents, ready to get back to work.

Michael Bauer is The San Francisco Chronicles restaurant critic. Email: mbauer@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michaelbauer1
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Few choices can change the trajectory of a young person's life like which college they attend. To help make the decision-making process a bit less stressful, the U.S. Department of Education offers an online fact-finding tool called the College Scorecard. Prospective students can filter schools by state and region, as well as rank them by graduation rate and cost.

But would-be undergrads might notice one surprise hidden in the data. Rank the Californian schools by post-attendance earnings, and Stanford University, widely regarded as one of the state's most selective and prestigious universities, comes in second place.

The number one undergraduate school? Samuel Merritt University, a small private health sciences college in Oakland.

The 'median earnings' figures come from students' average reported earnings 10 years after they first entered the school. The median yearly earnings for SMU students 10 years out is $106,700, according to the scorecard. The median yearly earnings for Stanford students, by contrast, is $85,700. That's a sizable gap.

Now, don't rip up your Stanford pennants yet  those numbers come with a few caveats. Perhaps, most importantly, the earnings data only includes students who received federal loans or grants. About 70 percent of Samuel Merritt University's 506 undergraduates received federal loans in the 2014-15 school year, compared to just 12 percent of Stanford's nearly 7,000 undergrads.

Secondly, as a U.S. Department of Education spokesperson explained, outcomes for the typical student vary a great deal within schools, as well as between them. Schools that offer primarily programs in high-earning fields (like health) would naturally report higher median earnings for its students than schools offering degrees in many different fields, because careers in some of those other fields will drag down the average. (The number 3 and 4 rankings by post-school earnings go to undergrad universities specializing in health sciences, too.)

Lastly, the median earnings figure excludes anyone still in school. Those in grad school 10 years after enrolling in their undergraduate program wouldn't count.

Despite all these qualifications, prospective undergrads should feel confident that the investment will probably pay off. According to Department of Education data, high school graduates aged 25-34 earn on average only $25,000 a year nationwide. But plenty of Californians are uncertain about the benefits of higher education; just half of adults surveyed in a Public Policy Institute of California poll out this month said they felt a college degree was necessary for professional success.

Click through the gallery above to see the top-10 California schools with the highest post-enrollment earnings figures (based on the constraints mentioned above).
Before the rain came the rainbow. On the 40th anniversary of the election of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, shafts of multicolored LED lights rose into the clouds as Harveys Halo came alive in the Castro on Wednesday night.

The light sculptures shine from the top of the old Bank of America building at Harvey Milk Plaza at the corner of Market and Castro and were created by Illuminate, the nonprofit that has bedazzled the Bay Bridge and the Conservatory of Flowers, and is slowly transforming the citys skyline in LED. An estimated crowd of 600 stood on both sides of Castro Street to watch the dedication.

Something magical happens when this many people look up to the light, said Ben Davis, founder and CEO of Illuminate. But before that could happen, the people had to look to a stage set up in Jane Warner Plaza to hear a series of speakers that included former San Francisco supervisors Tom Ammiano and Carol Ruth Silver, and Janice Mirikitani of Glide Memorial Church.

What happened 40 years ago really captured the imagination, said Ammiano, who arrived with his hair dyed blue, though that was coincidental to the colors of the light show. Its Warrior blue, if anything, he said, before noting that Nov. 8 was also the anniversary of the election of President Donald Trump.

Harvey would have had fun with Trump, he said.

Harvey also would have had fun with the lighting, which was accompanied by a recording of We Are the Champions, sung a cappella by Freddie Mercury of Queen.

Harveys Halo is made of 17 lights, each powered to 350 watts. The lights refract through five rainbow flags affixed to the roof of the former bank building, and their floodlight effect could be seen from as far away as Pacific Heights. They will be lighted from dusk to midnight for seven nights, this weekend and next weekend.

Following more speeches, another aspect to the installation appeared. Hope Will Never Be Silent, a phrase attributed to Milk, appeared on the curving cornice of the old bank in white neon letters.

The artwork cost $60,000, privately raised through crowdfunding. According to Davis, $40,000 is in hand and a matching grant is expected to close the gap.

Its just one more thread in a city that is generous with public art, he said.

The 10-foot neon sign will be permanent and will brighten the intersection of Market and Castro streets, near Milks old camera shop.

Late at night, when the bars closed, you could always see Harvey walking along this street, talking to the cops and calming things down, said Ammiano. Milk was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone on Nov. 27, 1978, at San Francisco City Hall.

Hope will never be silent, Ammiano said, taking a long look at the sign. Thats what Harvey embodied.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_art
A lawsuit by current and former Jewish students accusing San Francisco State University of fostering anti-Semitism suffered a setback Wednesday when a federal judge said the students had failed, at least so far, to show any discrimination by university officials.

To prove the students rights were violated, you must allege a specific intent to discriminate, which is missing from the suit, U.S. District Judge William Orrick III said during a one-hour hearing in a packed San Francisco courtroom.

Orrick said he intended to dismiss the suit but allow the students lawyers to refile it. To proceed, he said, they would have to describe events that showed not merely that individual Jewish students were harassed on campus, or that an Israeli speaker was shouted down, but that SFSU officials were responsible for the events and were motivated by religious bias.

Seth Weisburst, a lawyer for the students, told reporters he was confident the suit would be reinstated. During the hearing, he told Orrick that Jews are treated like second-class students on this campus and are afraid to wear the Star of David.

The suit, filed in June, focused on an April 2016 campus appearance by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Six minutes into his speech, about 20 students stood and shouted Free Palestine, Israel is an apartheid state and other chants.

The protesters soon began using a microphone and prevented listeners from hearing most of Barkats speech, according to a report commissioned by the university. The suit alleged that SFSU officials violated Jewish students rights by requiring Barkat to speak far from the center of campus and by instructing campus police to stand down rather than halting the protest.

The suit also said the university discriminated against Jews by denying the Jewish group Hillel a table at a campus Know Your Rights fair this February. The university said Hillel had missed a registration deadline.

Lawyers for the university said the protests against Barkat were expressions of free speech. They said allegations that Jews are insulted and threatened on campus were unproven but, even if true, were not the universitys legal responsibility.

Some protesters statements are offensive but are still protected by the First Amendment, Bradley Phillips, the universitys lawyer, told Orrick. He said the demonstrators were protesting the mayors policies, not his religion, and that his speech was moved from the center of campus to prevent classroom disruption from the anticipated protests.

Weisburst, the plaintiffs lawyer, countered that the university could be held responsible for failing to control others who violate rights.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is having a busy week, what with Dreamforce taking over downtown San Francisco and a second mountain lion sighting near his Pacific Heights home in the past five days.

Benioff shared a second video showing a mountain lion walking past his home about 5 a.m. Wednesday.

"The San Francisco mountain lion walked by my house near the Presidio at 5am last night!" Benioff wrote on Twitter later that afternoon. "City, Park police, and national park service notified!"

Benioff first posted security footage of the initial mountain lion sighting last Saturday on Twitter and YouTube. So far, there has been one other report of a mountain lion Saturday near 27th Avenue and Lake Street, but San Francisco Animal Care and Control (ACC) spokeswoman Deb Campbell said the agency was unable to confirm it. It's currently unclear whether this is the same mountain lion as the one Benioff recorded Wednesday.

READ ALSO: SoCal man accused of pouring boiling water on girlfriend's dog 'at least 5 times'

Spotting a mountain lion in San Francisco is unusual, said Peter Tira with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, but mountain lions roam through just about every county in the state  residents are merely spying these creatures more, due to technology.

"For San Francisco, it's definitely an uncommon occurrence (to see a mountain lion), but mountain lions are around ... they're (just) very elusive, they're very fearful of people and they do a very good job at staying out of our way and avoiding us," Tira said to SFGATE.

"What we have now is, we have trailhead cameras and security cameras, so we're seeing more mountain lions captured on our devices and we have them walking past our houses ... but now we see them more often."

Mountain lions are more known to frequent the Peninsula, and San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, Tira said. With a suspected population between 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions in California, coupled with the fact that the felines have such a huge range  anywhere from 10 to 400 square miles, according to DFW  an occasional sighting in San Francisco does happen, however, when they wander up the coast.

WATCH THIS: CHP helicopter rescues wounded horseback rider from Mt. Diablo

Campbell and Tira said residents merely need to take some common-sense steps to protect themselves and not let mountain lions be opportunistic with family pets. Campbell said residents should be wary, but not overly concerned, adding, "They're shy animals, as far as we know."

Tira agreed.

"You want to be aware, kind of like the situation with coyotes, and you don't want to provide any attractant to suburban areas in the city," he said. "If you have small pets, you want to keep tabs on them, especially in the morning, and not leave them unattended."

Both agencies continue to track mountain lion sightings, and residents can report them to ACC emergency dispatch at (415) 544-9400. For mountain lion safety tips, head to the DFW site here.
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Graduation came early this year, but a few years late in another sense, for some veterans in San Francisco on Wednesday.

They gathered at the Hall of Justice to commemorate their completion of the citys Veterans Justice Court Program. The initiative, a collaboration between San Francisco Superior Court and a variety of city organizations, provides a customized treatment plan to help incarcerated veterans re-enter society instead of re-entering the criminal court system.

Former inmates graduate from the program every month, but Wednesday marked the annual celebration in which all graduates for the year are honored before the upcoming Veterans Day holiday. This year, 33 people have graduated, according to court officials.

Some, like San Francisco resident Herman Holland, shared their story. Holland, a former drug addict, graduated from the program in April after battery and other misdemeanor charges. He wore his red U.S. Marine Corps jacket as he addressed the crowd.

I owe it all to veterans court, said Holland, pausing to cry. Without veterans court and the training I had in the court, Id probably still be doing dope.

San Francisco resident and Army veteran Clarence Cook Sr., said he had stabbed someone and was one strike away from facing a prison sentence of 25 years to life when he entered the program. In December, hell celebrate a year of sobriety, said Cook, 61.

The only thing that saved me was this lady, he said, referring to his case manager, Jenna Ferrara. Got me in veterans court. Best thing that ever happened to me.

Several of the speakers singled out Ferrara as a major help in their rehabilitation process. In her work as a case manager with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she develops treatment programs for inmates, who often struggle with drug addition or mental and emotional roadblocks, some related to post traumatic stress disorder.

The length of the programs generally varies from nine to 18 months.

Seeing people sort of reach their recovery and get their lives on track and feel good about themselves is huge, Ferrara said Wednesday.

What started in 2013 as a pilot program at the Community Justice Center in the Tenderloin has grown into a stand-alone collaborative court located at the Hall of Justice. It has had 124 graduates since its inception, according to court officials.

As of 2016, the last time the court tracked recidivism rates, only six graduates had re-offended.

Graduates like Cook and Holland ended up thriving with jobs at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, coming back to the Hall of Justice on Wednesday to thank presiding Judge Jeffrey Ross and everyone involved in the process.

Ross told attendees that the court had been the most rewarding experience Ive had in his 34-year career.

Im proud that we can do for the men and women who served our country what we are doing, Ross said. The reality is, we have to do this for everyone in the criminal justice system.
Four suspects, including two juveniles, were charged Wednesday in the brazen broad-daylight killing of a teenager outside his Concord high school, officials said.

The Contra Costa County District Attorneys office filed a murder charge against Kristhiam Uceda, 20, of Concord, according to the Concord Police Department.

Bryan Sermeno-Chachagua, 18, of Concord, was charged with hiding the gun used in the killing of 17-year-old Lawrence Janson on Monday afternoon outside Olympic Continuation High School, police said.

Two 17-year-old Concord boys were also charged in the slaying, one with murder after an investigation determined he was driving the car seen fleeing the scene after the shooting. The other boy was charged in connection with hiding the gun after the shooting.

The juveniles were not identified.

No charges were filed against a fifth male juvenile, who was taken into custody shortly after the slaying.

Lawrence, a senior at Olympic, was shot three times at about 1:30 p.m. Monday after he left campus with a few friends, police said.

A black sedan drove up to the teenagers, who exchanged angry words with the occupants of the vehicle before a passenger got out and opened fire, according to the Concord Police Department. The shooting happened at the corner of Salvio and Beach streets and the victim ran about a block back to his school, where he collapsed.

Lawrence was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he died.

A motive in the shooting was not released.

The suspects are being held at the Martinez Detention Facility and Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall.

I want them all to serve, said Raul Bravo, 47, Lawrences father. I want the shooter to get the death penalty. I just want justice for my son. They took my son away from me.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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Hulus new time-traveling sci-fi comedy Future Man is, well, a marvel, as it seamlessly spoofs the Back to the Future movies while creating its own endearingly silly identity. In the process, it reaffirms Hulus growing reputation as a prime generator of creative laughter, which youll see when all 13 episodes of the first season premiere on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Josh Hutcherson plays Josh Futturman, who spends his days cleaning toilets at the Kronish Laboratories, a research facility devoted exclusively to finding a cure for herpes, which afflicts its founder, Dr. Elias Kronish (Keith David). Josh lives with his parents (Ed Begley Jr. and the late Glenne Headly) and is obsessed with video games, one of which opens a portal in time through which a couple of hilariously unearthly video game characters emerge, Tiger (Eliza Coupe) and Wolf (Derek Wilson). Josh has a thing for Tiger, which becomes evident as she and Wolf pop in unannounced through the portal.

They have shown up to inform Josh that he is The Savior of mankind. As such, he has to travel back in time with them to prevent Kronish from getting herpes because the blister-lipped doctors research will eventually lead to the destruction of life.

Tiger and Wolf are woefully ill-equipped to blend in with human beings, regardless of the era. At one point, for example, Begleys character is trying to teach Wolf how to cook and gives him the instruction, Beat the eggs. There is a slight pause as we wait for the inevitable and are not disappointed when Wolf pummels the entire box of eggs to messy smithereens.

Josh is equally ill-equipped to save mankind, and certainly not up for going back in time to kill Kronish before he can get herpes. His efforts to keep Tiger and Wolf from dispatching Kronish entirely arent made any easier with the constant threat of robot-like creatures known as Biotics.

The script is filled with subtle and not so subtle plays on words, so when Joshs loyalty to the cause seems suspect, he is accused by Tiger of being pro-Biotics. Groaners like that fit in just fine with the pop culture references that flow through the first seven episodes of the series made available to critics.

Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Matt Tolmach are executive producers of the series, which was created by Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir. If you look at their credentials, youll understand why the shows humor is often juvenile, raunchy and gross, but always pretty funny.

The performances are worthy of praise, if only because its hard to imagine how the actors maintained straight faces during the making of the series (Goldberg and Rogen direct). Coupe and Wilson almost steal every scene they are in, but they have a lot of competition from supporting players such as Haley Joel Osment as Kronishs sleazy work colleague, Martin Starr as a villainous scientist and Britt Lower as Jeri, another Kronish employee who catches Joshs eye.

Josh Futturman has to be the voice of relative reason in the ensemble, but I stress relative. Hutchersons performance grounds the series both effectively and comically. Hes far more than a boyish straight man for the comedic chaos swirling around him.

Begley and Headly also contribute to the craziness of the series but, sadly, Headly died in June of an embolism and her role will not be recast.

Future Man may not be sophisticated comedy, but its unabashed cleverness and fun are hard to resist.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

Future Man: Sci-fi comedy, 13-episode first season available to stream on Tuesday, Nov. 14, on Hulu.
It's been a month since the devastating and deadly Wine Country Fires broke out. The Tubbs Fire was particularly devastating, as it took 22 lives and burned neighborhoods like Santa Rosa's Coffey Park to the ground.

New drone video, shared by the California Office of Emergency Services on Facebook, shows progress being made in the long rebuilding process.

In the video, you can see a single plot of land being cleared. All that's left on the property now is brown dirt, but it's surrounded on all sides by white ash, the debris of rows and rows of torched homes.

ALSO READ: Aerial photos show destruction of Wine Country fires

It's the first home to be completely cleared in the subdivision.

More than 2,900 homes were destroyed by wildfires in Santa Rosa. About 1,000 of those were in the Coffey Park neighborhood.

The October wildfires caused at least $3.3 billion in insured losses, according to California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, with Sonoma County suffering the most damage. That number is expected to grow as more claims come in.

The destruction of so many homes is leaving the North Bay is a major housing crunch. Home prices are expected to soar in the fire zone as those affected by the destruction start to seek new housing.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.
In Last Flag Flying, director Richard Linklater comes to grips with a reality of life that most people (and movies) would prefer to deny: Bad things can happen from which there is no recovery. There are emotional scars that dont heal. And some guilt will never go away, because it shouldnt go away.

These are grim thoughts, and they make for a grim movie, albeit one that has more than a few moments of illumination. Linklater wrote the screenplay in collaboration with Darryl Ponicsan, who wrote the novel upon which its based. But Linklater never finds a way to sustain a drama from these characters and their situation.

Set in 2003, its the story of three Vietnam War veterans, estranged for years, who come together after the death of one of their sons, killed in action in Iraq. The three men are exaggerated characters, perhaps too exaggerated, in that theyre less like people than archetypal reactions to tragedy. Sal (Bryan Cranston) has become a blustering alcoholic, who fancies himself a truth teller. Richard (Laurence Fishburne) has become an evangelical preacher. Both are men running from pain.

The third man, Doc (Steve Carell), isnt running from pain, but standing in the middle of it. He carries the pain with him from room to room and from place to place. Hes the one who has lost his son, and hes the one who reaches out to these old acquaintances many years later. Hes the saddest of the three men, but in some ways the least distorted by tragedy.

Linklater directs his actors toward big performances. Carell leans a little hard on Docs emotional innocence, but he owns the films best moments. Cranston is way over the top as a New York lout transplanted to Virginia, but he drives the movie. Fishburne is the most restrained of the three, but then he plays the character who has found peace through restraint. His moment of abandon comes when we first meet him, preaching to his congregation in the perfect rhythms of an evangelist.

Linklater was probably right to lean into those performances, because we soon realize ... thats all he has. Last Flag Flying is a two-hour movie that burns out after an hour, as soon as we realize that theres really nothing that can happen in terms of story. The movie presents us with three men, on the older side of middle age, on a sobering road trip to bury one of their sons. This road trip is also, in a sense, a trip into their mutual past. But there are no surprises, because no surprises are possible.

As in his other movies, most notably the Before films starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater tries to keep up the energy through lively dialogue. But he cant do it here, because nothing is really at stake.

For example, in Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, every conversation was made dramatic by our wondering if the two characters were going to fall in love, and admit it, and act on that.

But Last Flag Flying is just three scruffy-looking guys either bantering or telling war stories. The possibilities for redemption, happiness or any transformation at all are limited. And while you can admire, in theory, a movie about that kind of stasis  about a real-life situation in which things are bad and can only, maybe, get ever-so-slightly better  in actual practice, this is a film as depressed as its characters.

Still, there are pockets of illumination: the scene in which Doc (Carell) views the body of his son, and the later scene in which the men visit the mother of a fallen comrade from long ago. These moments cant save the movie, but theyre not to be forgotten.

Mick LaSalle is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MickLaSalle

Last Flag Flying

Drama. Starring Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne. Directed by Richard Linklater. (R. 124 minutes.)
WASHINGTON  California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has reintroduced an assault weapons ban in the wake of massacres in a Texas church on Sunday and during an outdoor concert in Las Vegas last month.

Feinstein said she and 22 other Senate Democrats, including Sen. Kamala Harris, introduced the legislation for one reason: so that after every mass shooting with a military-style assault weapon, the American people will know that a tool to reduce these massacres is sitting in the Senate, ready for debate and a vote.

Under Feinsteins proposal, people who already own such weapons would be allowed to keep them, but within 90 days, their transfer to another person would be required to go through a licensed importer, manufacturer or dealer.

The bill includes, among other things, a ban on bump stocks that allow a semiautomatic weapon to fire as rapidly as a fully automatic one; prohibits the transfer of high-capacity magazines; and requires a background check for any transfer of a gun covered by the bill.

Feinstein has introduced assault weapons bans three times. Her original assault weapons ban was narrowly enacted into law in 1994, with support from three former presidents, Republicans Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford and Democrat Jimmy Carter. President Bill Clinton signed the ban. But to win Senate passage, Feinstein had to include a 10-year sunset clause, which allowed the ban to expire during the George W. Bush administration.

By then, opposition to gun control had become firmly entrenched as a bedrock position in the Republican Party, all but ending any chance for restrictive gun legislation as long as the GOP controlled either Congress or the presidency.

Feinstein tried to reintroduce controls on semiautomatic rifles before and after the first ban expired. Both attempts failed. She tried again after the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre in 2013, but that measure failed 40-60 in the Senate.

Although the effectiveness of her original ban has been debated, she said Wednesday that it was just starting to show an effect when it expired.

Efforts by Feinstein and others to ban bump stocks have similarly foundered in Congress since the Las Vegas shooting, where gunman Stephen Paddock used such a device to commit the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The shooting left 63 people dead and more than 500 people injured.

Opposition to gun control was a peripheral issue 30 or 40 years ago, but now is an ideological marker for those who identify themselves as conservatives, said William Vizzard, a professor emeritus with the division of criminal justice at Sacramento State University who has spent 50 years studying gun laws and violence. He sees no chance of gun control legislation passing the Republican-controlled Congress or being signed by President Trump, who cultivated the support of gun owners during his campaign.

At this point, Vizzard said, any effort to limit the number of automatic rifles also has to confront the problem of the enormous inventory of such weapons now in private hands.

Weve pumped so damn many of these black rifles now into the population that anything that preserves them retroactively means theres going to be a huge population floating around at gun shows and sales, he said. Moreover, a meaningful ban on semiautomatic weapons should include the many millions of semiautomatic pistols now in existence, which he said would generate that much more resistance.

No one knows exactly how many of the more than 300 million guns held in the U.S. are semiautomatic, but rough estimates put them in the millions.

Feinstein acknowledged the problem, but said, Weve got to start somewhere.

The National Rifle Association is using the massacre of 26 churchgoers in Sutherland Springs, Texas, to buttress its argument that more guns are the way to stop gun violence. The group is showcasing on its website the armed civilian who wounded the shooter as he was leaving the church, agreeing with the groups slogan, The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.

Carolyn Lochhead is the San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com




STARKE, Fla.  Florida was scheduled to execute an inmate Wednesday who was convicted of slashing one mans throat and fatally shooting another in 1991.

Patrick Hannon, 53, was scheduled to die by lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Starke.

He would be the third Florida inmate to be executed since August. The state resumed executions in August following changes made to its death penalty sentencing law, which now requires a unanimous jury vote for a death sentence.

The U.S. Supreme Court had found Floridas old sentencing law, which did not require unanimity, to be unconstitutional. However, the new sentencing law doesnt affect Hannons case because the states high court ruled that those decided before 2002 were not eligible for relief.

Hannon was convicted in 1991 of two counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of Brandon Snider and Robert Carter.

It was in January 1991 when Hannon and two other men went to Sniders apartment in Tampa.

Hannons friend, Jim Acker, initially attacked Snider with a knife, according to authorities. Prosecutors said the attacks were motivated by Sniders vandalizing of Ackers sisters apartment. Snider was eviscerated by the initial stabbing, according to court documents, and Hannon sliced his throat, nearly cutting off the victims head.

Sniders roommate, Robert Carter, was also home and fled the violence to an upstairs bedroom, where Hannon dragged him out from under a bed and shot him six times, the jury found.

Hannons jury recommended death unanimously after finding him guilty of both killings.

His requests for a halt to his execution to the Florida Supreme Court have been denied. Hannon had asked for a new sentencing phase, citing recent changes to Floridas death sentencing system.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, who dissented from the rest of the court, wrote that the jury was not given enough information to make an informed decision in Hannons sentencing phase. Hannons jury never heard the substantial mitigation that could have been presented if his counsel had performed a reasonable investigation, she wrote.

Jason Dearen is an Associated Press writer.
SAN FRANCISCO  Disguised Russian agents on Twitter rushed to deflect scandalous news about Donald Trump just before last years presidential election while straining to refocus criticism on the mainstream media and Hillary Clintons campaign, according to an Associated Press analysis of since-deleted accounts.

Tweets by Russia-backed accounts such as America1st and BatonRougeVoice on Oct. 7, 2016, actively pivoted away from news of an audio recording in which Trump made crude comments about groping women, and instead touted damaging emails hacked from Clintons campaign chairman John Podesta.

Since early this year, the extent of Russian intrusion to help Trump and hurt Clinton in the election has been the subject of both congressional scrutiny and a criminal investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. In particular, those investigations are looking into the possibility of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians.

APs analysis illuminates the obvious strategy behind the Russian cyber meddling: swiftly react, distort and distract attention from any negative Trump news.

The AP examined 36,210 tweets posted by 382 of the Russian accounts that Twitter shared with congressional investigators last week. Twitter deactivated the accounts, deleting the tweets and making them inaccessible on the Internet. But a limited selection of the accounts Twitter activity was retrieved by matching account handles against an archive obtained by AP.

MSM (the mainstream media) is at it again with Billy Bush recording ... What about telling Americans how Hillary defended a rapist and later laughed at his victim? tweeted the America1st account, which had 25,045 followers at its peak, according to metadata in the archive. The tweet went out the afternoon of Oct. 7, just hours after The Washington Post broke the story about Trumps comments to Bush, then host of Access Hollywood, about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women, saying, when youre a star, they let you do it.

Twitter handed over the handles of 2,752 accounts it identified as coming from Russias Internet Research Agency to congressional investigators.

Ryan Nakashima and Barbara Ortutay are Associated Press writers.
A month before Alabamas special election, Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore abruptly faced lurid allegations Thursday of sexual misconduct with minors decades ago  and an immediate backlash from party leaders who demanded he get out of the race if the accusations prove true.

The instant fallout followed a Washington Post report in which an Alabama woman said Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, had sexual contact with her when she was 14. Three other women interviewed by the Post said Moore, now 70, approached them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s. All four women spoke on the record to the Post.

The Moore campaign denied the report as the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation.

Defiant as ever, Moore himself issued a fundraising appeal asking for emergency donations in a spiritual battle.

I believe you and I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values, he wrote. I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!

Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice, has made his name in Republican politics through his public devotion to hardline Christian conservative positions. He was twice removed from his Supreme Court position, once for disobeying a federal court order to remove a granite Ten Commandments monument from the lobby of the state judicial building, and later for urging state probate judges to defy the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage.

On Thursday, senior Republicans, including President Trump, swiftly called for Moore to step aside from the Senate race if the allegations are shown to be true. And the man he defeated in the Republican primary, current Sen. Luther Strange, left open the possibility he may re-enter the campaign.

Moores name cannot be removed from the ballot before the Dec. 12 special election even if he withdraws from the race, according to John Bennett, a spokesman for the Alabama secretary of state. A write-in campaign remains possible.

Steve Peoples is an Associated Press writer.

California

investigation

SACRAMENTO  Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza is facing an internal investigation over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a young female employee, including inviting her to his home, Senate Secretary Danny Alvarez confirmed Thursday.

These allegations are being rigorously reviewed and investigated consistent with our legal process, employment standards and privacy protections, Alvarez said.

The allegations against Mendoza, first reported Thursday by the Sacramento Bee, make him the latest California lawmaker in the spotlight since roughly 150 women who work in and around the Capitol wrote an open letter calling out a pervasive culture of sexual harassment. Mendoza said in a statement he would never knowingly abuse his authority nor intentionally put an employee into an awkward or uncomfortable position. His statement did not confirm or deny if he invited the young employee to his home.

Associated Press
MENU**VIDEO**LOCAL*Compensation cut for elite soldiers if injuries last more than 180 daysCTVNews.ca Staff*Published Wednesday, November 8, 2017 10:19PM EST*CTV National News: Military money maneuverNow PlayingCTV National News: Military money maneuverCompensation for injured elite soldiers cut back6K6KElite soldiers involved in Canadas most dangerous and secretive military operations could now lose a special monthly allowance if they are sick or injured for more than 180 days, CTV News has learned.The Department of National Defence quietly rolled out the policy in September.AdvertisementThe new rules mean that personnel with the Canadian Special Operations Forces -- many of whom work on top-secret missions across the globe -- will lose the special compensation if illness or injury restricts their duties for more than 180 days.Paratroopers, submarine crews, pilots and air crews, rescue technicians and ships crews are also among the affected.Sources tell CTV News the Department of National Defence is now enforcing the policy, and pay is being clawed back with little warning.But those most affected by the controversial policy can't speak publicly because their identities remain secret. Some have told CTVs Mercedes Stephenson that they're frustrated and don't understand why they are taking a financial hit over temporary injuries.The Canadian Forces is defending the new rules and says the pay in question is linked to specific duties that troops must be able to perform to qualify.Lieutenant-General Charles Lamarre said the policy is a question of fairness.But we still want to give them a good period of time in which they can get better in roughly half a year, Lamarre said. And if they can't, that allowance will be removed.Critics say the policy could place undue stress on soldiers, who may feel pressured to hide their injuries or rush back to work before they are better.Conservative defence critic James Bezan called the move hypocritical as the Liberal government says its prioritizing mental health.RELATED STORIESCanada suspending special forces operations in IraqFocus on Latvia-Russia border as Canadian troops lead NATO missionTroops who lost tax benefit say government failed themThey are again saying one thing and doing another that undermines not only the Canadian Armed Forces, but the health of our soldiers, Bezan said.The new policy could translate to a loss of more than $23,000 in pay over six months for a JTF-2 assaulter.Chris Dupee, a veteran who has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, says he understands the governments position.I get both sides. I understand the economics of taking away the allowance if you're not deployable I get all that, he said.But he also knows that losing the monthly allowance is a hard blow to military families.That's a big chunk taken out of your family income that you've grown used to, Dupee said.Dupee worries that soldiers who require time to recover may be counting down the days they have left to get back on the job, even if theyre not ready.That's a clock that's ticking. That's something that's going to be constantly embedded into that individual's mind, right? And that's going to be a huge stress, he said.Former Special Forces Commander Steve Day said the policy will have serious consequences on the forces.It will become a morale issue and without a doubt it will affect retention, Day said.We may unfortunately start seeing soldiers and sailors, air men and air women, hiding their injuries if they know that potentially some of their financial compensation is at risk.With a report from CTVs Mercedes Stephenson in OttawaPHOTOSCanadian special forces soldiers, left and right, speak with Peshmerga fighters at an observation post, Monday, February 20, 2017 in northern Iraq. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz6K6KReport ErrorfalseSanta flying in chopper to mall on Remembrance DayfalseNew parental leave program expected in DecemberfalseElite soldiers injured for more than 180 days could lose outfalseNaked arrest leads to kidnapping, resisting arrest chargesfalseDriverless shuttle gets into accident first day on the jobfalseToronto pop-up eatery hires HIV-positive stafffalseSanta flying in chopper to mall on Remembrance DayfalseNew parental leave program expected in DecemberfalseElite soldiers injured for more than 180 days could lose outfalseNaked arrest leads to kidnapping, resisting arrest chargesfalseDriverless shuttle gets into accident first day on the jobfalseToronto pop-up eatery hires HIV-positive stafffalseSanta flying in chopper to mall on Remembrance DayfalseNew parental leave program expected in DecemberfalseElite soldiers injured for more than 180 days could lose outfalseNaked arrest leads to kidnapping, resisting arrest chargesfalseDriverless shuttle gets into accident first day on the jobfalseToronto pop-up eatery hires HIV-positive staffCANADAWhen was Battle of Passchendaele? Most Canadians don't know: pollCharges laid in Edmontons largest fentanyl seizureMan gets life with no chance of parole for 16 years in fatal Toronto gas-and-dash'Walk of shame:' RCMP lay kidnapping charges against naked suspects'Misfits all getting together:' Veterans with PTSD bond over military vehiclesMisleading poppy doughnuts pulled from Calgary Tim HortonsParents angry schools cancelling evening Christmas concertsSnow in forecast: Ontario motorists warned to prepare for winter driving conditionsCompensation cut for elite soldiers if injuries last more than 180 daysFormer forensic officer to continue testimony at trial of Millard and SmichCTV NEWS VIDEO NETWORKfalseLIVE @ 12 p.m. ET: Announcement on parental benefits changesfalseLIVE Soon: News conference on pensions for veteransfalseCTV Exclusive: Compensation cut for some injured soldiersfalseSanta flying to mall on Remembrance Day sparks criticismfalse'Poppy doughnut' at Calgary Tim Hortons causes controversyDON'T MISSfalseCanadian animator Brendan Beesley on bringing 'Coco' to lifefalseGoing viral: Man creates commercial to sell girlfriend's carfalse80s nostalgia big theme among trending toys for the holidaysMOST READMisleading poppy doughnuts pulled from Calgary Tim Hortons369,113 ViewsCompensation cut for elite soldiers if injuries last more than 180 days114,333 Views'Walk of shame:' RCMP lay kidnapping charges against naked suspects85,785 ViewsMOST WATCHEDGrowing up as the son of a key member of Adolf Hitlers inner circleNew parental leave program expected in DecemberCTV News Channel: Car commercial goes viral
I wonder why there's no criticisim of Twitter for keeping these fake Tweets on........?Google says it is "not happy" that its search results displayed false information about Texas gunman Devin Patrick Kelley, who killed 26 people.The search engine displayed a carousel of posts "popular on Twitter" that contained false stories that Kelley was a Muslim and a left-wing extremist.Google's Danny Sullivan said the tweets were promoted by the site's "ranking algorithm", which would be improved."We want to get this right," he said on Twitter Google was criticised in October after the Top Stories section of its search results contained fake news about the Las Vegas shooting.Mr Sullivan, who is Google's public liaison for search, said changes to the site's algorithms had prevented the same situation happening with the Texas shooting."We took deserved criticism after our Top Stories section carried misleading information after the Las Vegas shooting," he wrote."Early changes put in place after Las Vegas shootings seemed to help with Texas."However, this time it displayed false tweets in its search results suggesting Kelley was a member of a pro-Bernie Sanders group, that he had converted to Islam and that he was a "radical alt-left" activist.Mr Sullivan said the false tweets appeared for only a "short time" and they were displayed below legitimate search results.He promised the feature would be improved over time.But some people criticised Google for keeping the function on its search results before it was fixed."Just kill the feature until it works," said journalist Peter Bright.
Durham Museum (801 S. 10th St., Omaha): Zoom Into Nano, through Jan. 7. The exhibit presents a variety of largescale, immersive experiences in the world of nanotechnology. Mid-Western Missions: Agents and Expeditions, through Jan. 14. A Lifetime of Objects: The Story of Byron Reed, 1829-1891, through Jan. 14. Lets Go to Town for Boys Town, through Jan. 21. Through images, documents and artifacts from the Boys Town Hall of History collection and archives, visitors to The Durham Museum will trace the development of this Omaha fixture over the last 100 years.

Admission: adults $11, seniors (62+) $8, children (3-12) $7, children under 2 free.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday and major holidays.

International Quilt Study Center & Museum (33rd and Holdrege streets, Lincoln): Olives Journey, through Nov. 15. Against the Grain: Quilted Leather by Cathy Wiggins, through Jan. 6. Block by Block: American Quilts in the Industrial Age, through Nov. 30. Small Talk, through Feb. 4. Voltage: Quilts by Erica Waaser, through Feb. 25.

Admission: adults, $6; children ages 5-18, $3; children under 5, free; families, $10. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

May Museum (1643 N. Nye Ave., Fremont): Transplanted: The Early Ethnic Settlers of Dodge County.

Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for students. Hours: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Nebraska History Museum (131 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln): Imprinting the West: Manifest Destiny, Real and Imagined, Monday through Jan. 8. The exhibit features 48 hand-colored engravings and lithographs. Dont Touch That Dial: Kalamity Kate and the George Churley Puppets, through June 17, 2018. The exhibit features puppets created by Churley that were prominently featured on the KOLN/KGIN program, Kalamity Kates Cartoon Corral, and hundreds of live programs during the 1970s. Visitors also will be able to see the original Kalamity Kate costume worn by Leta Powell Drake, as well as film footage.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission: Free.

Omaha Childrens Museum (500 S. 20th St., Omaha): Forever Forest, through April 15. Exploring the realities of forests through play, this exhibit includes a tree top climber, a realistic mini replica of a Union Pacific engine, a kid-sized home kids can help build and more.

Admission: $12 for adults (16-59) and children (2-15), $11 for seniors (60 and older) and free for children under 24 months and members. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (28210 West Park Highway, Ashland): Nebraska 150 Aerospace. The exhibit highlights significant contributions of Nebraskans over 150 years of aerospace history. Admission: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and military and $6 for children ages 4-12. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History (14th and Vine streets, Lincoln): Guts and Glory: A Parasite Story, through May 1, 2018. The exhibit explores the hidden world of parasites while showcasing the museums Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. Miss Mie, through Dec. 31. The historic Japanese friendship ambassador doll and its accessories will be on display. Admission: $6 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years), free for children 4 and under, and $13 for families (up to two adults and children). Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays.
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Professional Cool Dad Steve Kerr came prepared to drop big news on the Warriors beat writers Wednesday.

Knowing everyone would ask him who was taking Kevin Durant's starting spot against Minnesota, Kerr decided to have a little fun with the moment.

"Everybody ready to tweet?" Kerr asked, pulling a pair of nail clippers out of his pocket. "OK, Iguodala will start. And just let me know when you guys are done."

While the room laughed (and tweeted the Andre Iguodala news), Kerr calmly clipped and filed his nails.

"You done?" he said after a moment. "Hang on, I got a troublesome cuticle here."

MORE: Draymond Green says he didn't jab online at LeBron James

Kerr had one more moment of comedic gold before the night was through. Frustrated by a non-call on a travel, Kerr jumped up and replicated the violation  and threw in a few dance moves for good measure.

The ref kept an admirably straight face, while Warriors assistant Mike Brown burst into laughter.

MORE: Without Kevin Durant, Warriors showcase depth in rout of Minnesota

Kerr probably won't have to engineer too many more tweet-delays. Durant, who is sidelined with a left thigh contusion, is expected to be back in action soon. Kerr said that if it were the playoffs, Durant would already be playing.
BEIJING  President Trump nodded appreciatively as Chinas Xi Jinping showcased a centuries-old temple in Beijings Forbidden City. He clapped along as the two leaders watched a Chinese childrens opera. And the pair shared a traditional tea and salutations of friendship.

Trumps two-day visit to China opened with diplomatic niceties aplenty Wednesday. But thorny issues await the two world leaders behind closed doors, including potential tensions over trade and Chinas willingness to put the squeeze on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program.

Ahead of his arrival, Trump delivered a stern message to Beijing, using an address to the National Assembly in South Korea to call on nations to confront the North.

All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea, Trump said. You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept.

He called on every nation, including China and Russia, to fully implement U.N. Security Council resolutions against North Korea enforcing sanctions aimed at depriving its government of revenue for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The latest measure, adopted after a September atomic test explosion, the Norths largest yet, banned imports of its textiles and prohibited new work permits for overseas North Korean laborers. It also restricted exports of some petroleum products.

Trumps words drew a caustic response from North Korean state media, which issued a statement Wednesday saying the U.S. should oust the lunatic old man from power and withdraw its hostile policy toward Pyongyang in order to get rid of the abyss of doom.

White House officials said Trump would underscore his public messages about North Korea when he and Xi sit down for private talks on Thursday. China is North Koreas largest trading partner and Trump is expected to demand that the nation curtail its dealings with Pyongyang and expel North Korean workers from its borders. Trump has praised China for taking some steps against Pyongyang, but he wants them to do more.

China is increasingly disenchanted with North Korea over its nuclear weapons development but remains wary of using its full economic leverage over its traditional ally. It fears triggering a collapse of the Norths totalitarian regime that could cause an influx of refugees into northeastern China and culminate in a U.S.-allied unified Korea on its border.

China poured on the pomp and pageantry for Trumps arrival. The president and first lady Melania Trump were greeted at the airport by dozens of children who waved U.S. and Chinese flags and jumped up and down. The couple spent the first hours of their visit on a private tour of the Forbidden City, Beijings ancient imperial palace. Its usually teeming with tourists but was closed to the public for the presidential visit.

The Trumps walked alongside Xi and his wife through the historic site and admired artifacts from centuries past. Trump posed for photos and, with a wave of his hand, joked to Xi about the reporters watching. And he laughed and clapped along during an outdoor opera featuring colorful costumes, martial arts and atonal music.

Trump said afterward hes having a great time in China. But much of the remainder of his stay in Beijing will revolve around deep negotiations over trade with Pyongyang and other matters. The president also is expected to showcase a round of business deals signed Wednesday by Chinese and U.S. companies that the two sides say are valued at $9 billion.

Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin are Associated Press writers.
BEIRUT  Islamic State militants withdrew Thursday from their last stronghold in Syria, a strategic town near the border with Iraq, following a government offensive that has effectively left the extremist groups fighters dispersed in villages and small towns in the desert.

The Syrian military declared the town liberated after intense battles that killed a large number of militants, including leaders. The military said they are still chasing other Islamic State fighters in different directions in the desert.

The liberation of Boukamal is of great importance because it is a declaration of the fall of this groups project in the region generally and the collapse of its supporters illusions to divide it, control large parts of the Syria-Iraq borders and secure supply routes between the two countries, said Army spokesman Gen. Ali Mayhoub in a televised statement.

Syrian pro-government media said Syrian troops had clashed with remnants of militants in the town after they entered it late Wednesday. On Thursday, they reported the town clear of Islamic State fighters.

Pro-Syrian media reported the town was liberated. Al-Ikhbariya TVs journalist reported from the road to the town, joyfully breaking out on camera: Daesh is finished. Live.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces and allied troops, including Iraqi forces who linked from across the border, are combing through Boukamal after Islamic State militants withdrew.

With the collapse of Islamic State in Boukamal, the militants have no major territorial control in Syria and Iraq and are believed to have dispersed in the desert west and east of the Euphrates River. U.S. officials estimated that there were between 2,500 and 3,500 Islamic State militants around Boukamal and that leading members of the group were also believed to have taken refuge in the town. The group has a small presence near the capital Damascus.

Islamic State has suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of separate but simultaneous offensives in Iraq and Syria by the Russian-backed Syrian forces and allied militias as well as U.S.-backed Iraqi and Syrian fighters.

Despite its fall, the groups media apparatus has remained active and its fighters are likely to keep up their insurgency from desert areas.

The swift fall of Boukamal in eastern Deir el-Zour province was accelerated after Iraqi forces seized Qaim, the town across the border last weekend, also controlling a strategic crossing between the two countries.

Sarah El Deeb is an Associated Press writer.
1 Yemen war: The United States on Wednesday accused Iran of supplying Yemens Houthi rebels with advanced weapons, including ballistic missiles, echoing allegations made by Saudi Arabia. A White House statement voiced U.S. support to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners against Tehrans blatant violations of international law. It says missile systems were not present in Yemen before the civil war, alleging that Iran provided them. A Saudi-led military coalition has been at war with the Iranian-backed Houthis for more than two years. The Houthis control northern Yemen while the internationally recognized governments grip over the southern region has been weakened. The government is allied with the coalition.

2 Military abuses: The Mexican government reaffirmed its commitment to human rights after a study found that nearly all cases of alleged abuses against civilians by soldiers fighting the war on drug gangs go unsolved and unpunished. A government statement Wednesday said the Attorney Generals Office is working toward structural and institutional changes to put an end to impunity and pursue human rights violations through the creation of special investigative units. It added that prosecutors already have put in motion changes that address several recommendations in the study released Tuesday by the Washington Office on Latin America.
VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis is seeking to defuse rising nuclear tensions on the Korean peninsula and to boost support for disarmament with a Vatican conference that will bring together 11 Nobel Peace Prize winners, United Nations and NATO officials, and representatives from a handful of countries with the bomb.

For some analysts, Francis address at the gathering Friday will provide a welcome break in the heated war of words between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as Trump continues his first trip to Asia as president.

The Vatican hopes the conference will do more by further discrediting the Cold War-era idea that atomic weapons serve a purpose for deterrence and global security.

For some people, its pie in the sky, conference organizer and top papal adviser Monsignor Silvano Tomasi said. But at this time, I think its very important to alert public opinion that the presence in the world of thousands of atomic bombs doesnt guarantee the security of anyone.

The conference is the first major international gathering since 122 countries approved a new U.N. treaty in July calling for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. However, none of the nuclear powers and no NATO members signed on. They argued the treatys lofty ideals were unrealistic given the rapid expansion of North Koreas nuclear weapons program.

The treaty received a boost from the Nobel committee when it awarded the peace prize this year to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, an advocacy group that was instrumental in getting the pact approved. ICANs executive director, Beatrice Fihn, is one of the Nobel laureates who will address the Vatican conference.

The Holy See has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and supported nonproliferation and disarmament efforts, and historys first Latin American pope has strongly backed that line. But Francis brings to the table arguments based on his other papal priorities: that atomic weapons are a threat to the environment, that the costs of developing them could be put to far better use, and that the world would be a far safer place if dialogue prevailed over confrontation.

Monsignor Tomasi said the Vatican hopes to send both Washington and Pyongyang a clear message through the conference: that the only way forward is dialogue, without excessive aggression in rhetoric.

Nicole Winfield is an Associated Press writer.
New Zealand shares dropped, led lower by NZX and Xero after the latter announced it will de-list from the local stockmarket in favour of Australia.

The S&P/NZX50 Index fell 19.33 points, or 0.2 percent, to 8,021.09. Within the index, 27 stocks fell, 19 rose and four were unchanged. Turnover was $167.4 million.

NZX led the index lower, down 2.5 percent to $1.17.

"Xero de-listing means less fees and less trading, and it's a high-profile business and certainly one of the most high-profile shares," said Mark Lister, head of private wealth research at Craigs Investment Partners. "It's not the sort of headline the stock exchange wants, to have big companies like that decide to go elsewhere."

Xero itself dropped 1.9 percent to $33.41. The stock has surged 95 percent this year, the third-best performance on the S&P/NZX 50 Index behind A2 Milk and Synlait Milk. Today it said net loss was $21 million in the six months ended Sept. 30 from a loss of $43.9 million a year earlier, and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation turned to a $5.4 million gain from an ebitda loss of $25.9 million a year earlier.

"The result was reasonably solid, they've made good progress but that was overshadowed by the news they would de-list off the NZX completely. It's going to be really disappointing for the local stock exchange," Lister said. "It's been a great story, we want to see more companies coming onto the market not disappearing.

"It's definitely bad news and the NZX will be disappointed, as will many of the local market players. It's not the end of the world for investors, they can still buy it on the Australian stock exchange, but it's a loss for the stock exchange."

Synlait Milk fell 2.2 percent to $6.84. Lister said this was a natural pull-back as the stock had become over-heated, and investors may be cautious ahead of the company's annual meeting.

Heartland Bank was the best performer, up 3.2 percent to $1.95. It plans to raise up to $59 million at $1.70 apiece in a discounted rights offer to shareholders to help fund an expanding loan book, which rose at an annual pace of 16 percent in the September quarter.

Sky Network Television rose 2.4 percent to $2.60 and Arvida Group gained 1.7 percent to $1.18.

Trade Me dipped 0.2 percent to $4.32. The company has pared back its expectations for how much revenue property listings will deliver in the current financial year as the country's real estate market keeps slowing but still anticipates annual earnings growth.

Lister said that while the company's property sales business has been weaker than expected, overall guidance being maintained suggests that something else within Trade Me's set of businesses has been doing a bit better than expected.

Z Energy fell 0.4 percent to $7.17. It lifted first-half profit 10 percent to $80 million as the acquisition of Chevron New Zealand's retail network swelled sales, even as retail margins shrank from what the transport fuels company described as the top of the cycle.

Precinct Properties New Zealand fell 0.8 percent to $1.285. It is considering a seven-year bond offer to repay bank debt, and said it would pay a 1.45 cent per share first-quarter dividend, up 3.6 percent on a year earlier.

Goodman Property Trust was flat at $1.32. The NZX-listed commercial and industrial property investor saw first-half profit drop more than 40 percent as valuations fell on its investment properties.

Vital Healthcare Property Trust rose 0.5 percent to $2.215. It expects to meet the conditions attached to buying two private hospitals in Wellington from Acurity Health Group in the next few months. The board declared a first-quarter dividend of 2.125 cents per unit, payable on Dec. 18 and affirmed annual guidance for a cash distribution of 8.5 cents in 2018.

Outside the benchmark index, Warehouse Group gained 0.5 percent to $2.11. Its first-quarter sales were weaker than the year-earlier period after the retailer changed the pricing strategy at its flagship 'red shed' discount department stores to "everyday low pricing".

(BusinessDesk)

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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in Vietnam last night for talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership today, warning again that New Zealand had "come in very late" with its objections to investor state dispute settlement clauses that the new government would like to see dropped from the trade and investment pact.

Trade ministers from the remaining 11 countries in the grouping of Asia-Pacific nations were meeting in Da Nang as Ardern arrived, saying the talks were "down to the wire" and that her Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker had reported "tough going" arguing New Zealand's case.

"Its fair to say it has been tough going and continues to be, particularly the point we are now in when it comes to negotiations but we are continuing to persist along those lines," said Ardern, after a briefing from Parker on her arrival in Da Nang, before he returned to the talks which Foreign Minister Winston Peters, also in Vietnam for the annual APEC leaders' summit, said "will probably go all night".

Leaders of the 11 countries still in the TPP are due to meet early afternoon, local time, Friday for a meeting that could determine the fate of the troubled pact, which stalled earlier this year when US president Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement.

"These negotiations are now down to the wire. It is still not clear what the outcome will be," said Ardern, but New Zealand was at the table and attempting "to balance our exporters needs but also our countrys."

Peters confirmed he had held bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts, including the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.

However, rather than discussing Peters's enthusiasm for resuming free trade agreement talks with Russia, which were included as part of the coalition agreement between Labour and NZ First, Peters said he had discussed "the bigger picture" of the potential for constructive relations between New Zealand and Russia.

The annual APEC leaders' meeting brings together 21 leaders of some of the world's largest economies, including Trump, Chinese president Xi Jinping, and Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan.

Ardern, making her first major outing on the global stage, said she had prioritised formal bilateral meetings with leaders from TPP countries, meaning meetings with Xi and Trump may only occur informally as China is not a member of TPP and the US is no longer.

The US withdrawal was initially assumed to be a death-knell for the deal, but leadership from Japan, Australia and New Zealand under the previous government saw the prospect of a TPP-11 deal revived, with a view to keeping the door open both to the US and potentially other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

However, Japan has strongly resisted reopening negotiations on the detail of the pact and, as a major international investor, supports ISDS clauses that give it protections from unilateral government decisions such as expropriation of assets.

Asked whether TPP-11 would survive if a go-forward plan did not emerge this week in Vietnam, Ardern said it was "definitely coming to a head".

"A number of countries do want to see it come to a conclusion. Its hard to know whether you will be able to maintain your ongoing negotiating position the longer it drags on."

It remains to be seen whether further legislation would be required to allow a revised TPP to proceed, leading to the potential for both the government's support partners, NZ First and the Green Party, voting against it. To forestall that, National Party trade spokesman and trade minister until last month Todd McClay pledged National's support to ensure any TPP-related legislation could pass with support from Labour and National.

Rejecting TPP is a touchstone issue for the left of New Zealand politics, but carries political risks for the new government if New Zealand is seen to have chosen isolation from a major Pacific Rim trade and investment deal.

To try and counter domestic disappointment among its supporters if it signs a TPP-11 agreement with ISDS clauses, the new government has already announced how it will effectively ban sales of existing homes to non-resident foreign investors and signed a side letter with Australia agreeing not to use TPP ISDS clauses against one another.

(BusinessDesk)

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The World Trade Organization has turned down Indonesia's appeal against a ruling that trade barriers imposed since 2011, which hurt New Zealand's beef exports, were inconsistent with global trade rules.

New Zealand had invoked WTO dispute settlement consultations with Indonesia in 2013 and 2014 over 18 trade barriers it said had resulted in an 80 percent drop in the nation's exports to Indonesia of beef and horticultural products such as apples and onions. Prior to the restrictions, Indonesia was New Zealand's second-largest market for beef, worth $180 million a year, and the accumulated trade impact was an estimated $500 million to $1 billion, according to the complaint.

Consultations between the two countries failed to resolve the dispute and in 2015 New Zealand escalated its complaint by requesting the WTO Dispute Settlement Body establish a panel for a hearing. The US made a panel request at the same time and became a co-complainant. Former Prime Minister John Key raised the issue with his Indonesian counterpart during a visit in 2016.

Last December the WTO panel ruled in New Zealand's favour, concluding that the 18 measures were inconsistent with rules under GATT 1994 that prohibit import restrictions. Indonesia appealed that decision in February this year and the appeal was declined in a ruling dated Oct. 12 in Geneva, couched in the WTO's cautious legalese.

New Zealand's response overnight in welcoming the ruling was equally cautious and conciliatory. Trade Minister David Parker praised Indonesia's "exemplary" approach to the WTO hearings, which had been conducted with a "collegial and constructive" tone.

"This decision from the WTO's highest dispute settlement body is an important result for our agricultural exporters and should pave the way to grow New Zealand exports to the Indonesian market," Parker said.

New Zealand's original 2013 complaint cited Indonesia's quotas, import restrictions, and discretionary or non-automatic import licensing schemes, which it said didn't appear to be administered "in a uniform, impartial or reasonable manner as they are applied inconsistently and unpredictably."

"Indonesia has also failed to publish or provide relevant information, including overall quota details, sufficient for governments and traders to become acquainted with them," the original request for consultations said. Indonesian licensing procedures, under which importers were forced to complete multiple steps prior to any imports, were "trade-restrictive and -distortive effects and are broader in scope, and more administratively burdensome, than necessary" and were "applied inconsistently and unpredictably."

Indonesia had argued that the measures were aimed at restricting imports of certain agricultural products where domestic production was deemed sufficient to satisfy domestic demand.

(BusinessDesk)

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Vital Healthcare Property Trust expects to meet the conditions attached to buying two private hospitals in Wellington from Acurity Health Group in the "next few months", says chair Graeme Horsley.

The healthcare property investor signed a conditional deal with Acurity in May of this year, agreeing to buy the Wakefield and Bowen hospitals for $68 million, redevelop them for some $100 million, and enter into 30-year leases with the private hospital operator. That deal was subject to certain conditions being met, including securing Overseas Investment Office approval.

"Whilst those conditions have not yet been satisfied I am advised that we certainly hope to be able to confirm such in the next few months," Horsley today told shareholders at their annual meeting in Auckland. "Both Wakefield and Bowen will be leased to Acurity for initial lease terms of 30 years, reflecting the long-term intent of both parties, including Vital partnering with Acurity as its exclusive real estate capital partner on future opportunities."

The Wakefield development will be the bigger of the two, with Vital expecting to spend about $80 million between 2018 and 2021 whereas the work at Bowen to introduce necessary infrastructure for radiation oncology services would take about 12 months, starting in the first half of next year.

Vital's board declared a first-quarter dividend of 2.125 cents per unit, payable on Dec. 18 and affirmed annual guidance for a cash distribution of 8.5 cents in 2018.

The property investor reported an 11 percent increase in net profit to $14 million in the three months ended Sept. 31, buoyed by a 13 percent gain in net property income to $20.8 million. An $8.7 million gain in the value of Vital's property portfolio offset unrealised losses in foreign exchange. Vital's $1.47 billion property portfolio included $37.2 million of acquisitions in the quarter and $6.8 million of development.

Vital units increased 0.5 percent to $2.215, having gained 9.2 percent so far this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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Shares of Xero and NZX fell after the cloud-based accounting software firm said it would delist from the local stock market in favour of an ASX listing to broaden its pool of investors and analysts.

The announcement is a blow to NZX, which has struggled to stem a flow of New Zealand companies across the Tasman and has little in the way of a pipeline of new firms coming to market. In October, total equities on the NZX fell 5.3 percent from a year earlier to 162 and there were no IPOs or compliance listings. In the year-to-date, IPOs or compliance listings have amounted to $480 million, dwarfed by the $2.77 billion of new debt securities.

Xero fell 4.6 percent to $32.50 and has surged 95 percent this year, the third-best performance on the S&P/NZX 50 Index behind A2 Milk and Synlait Milk. NZX fell 3.3 percent to $1.16 and is up 14 percent this year.

Matthew Goodson, managing director at Salt Funds Management, said the announcement "was completely left field, particularly with (chief executive Rod) Drury being a former director of NZX."

"It's not as though Xero isn't already trading at a premium," he said. "At 11 times forward revenues at this stage of its development, that's right up there with most tech companies globally." With stock markets increasingly dominated by index traders, "there has been forced selling by passive investors" of Xero shares and there may be a "messy several months" as those index flows continue, he said.

Drury did heap praise on the NZX in announcing the departure. "They've been fantastic for us for the last 10 years," he told BusinessDesk. "It has taken no options off the table for us and we've been able to dual-list."

The company said it will keep its headquarters in Wellington but shift its listing across the Tasman to encourage a broader range of analyst and broker coverage and increase its relevance "to a more diverse range of large investors". The move was in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, it said.

NZX said in a statement that it was "naturally disappointed that Xero has decided to leave the local market."

"Xeros listing on the NZX has extended beyond the benefits of solely raising capital. It has supported Xeros growth aspirations, with the company successfully leveraging its local listing to reinforce its brand and compete globally. NZX is pleased to have played a pivotal role in this."

Salt Funds' Goodman said it is possible Xero could drop out of the NZX 50 ahead of its departure date because it has signalled its commitment to leave, spurring a selloff by index-weighted investors. The decline in its stock is "in anticipation of those very significant flows to come." The decision to delist from the NZX was "not about cost at all" because the costs of maintaining the listing were minuscule against the size of its business.

Xero's net loss was $21 million in the six months ended Sept. 30 from a loss of $43.9 million a year earlier, it said in a statement. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was $5.4 million compared with an ebitda loss of $25.9 million a year earlier. Its ebitda margin turned positive at 3 percent from negative 19 percent a year earlier. Operating revenue jumped 37 percent to $187.8 million.

Goodman said the numbers were largely as expected, given the company gives regular guidance updates. Its results for the US "showed no progress whatsoever" even though much of the company's valuation upside depends on that market, he said.

In North America subscribers rose 43 percent to 110,000 while operating revenue climbed 22 percent to $14.5 million. The company breaks down its earnings figures to ANZ and international, with ANZ making a segment contribution of $69.7 million in the first half while international recorded a loss of $11 million. In the year-earlier first half, the international loss was $20 million.

Xero first listed in June 2007 and topped 1 million global subscribers in 2017. Today it said subscribers have risen to about 1.2 million.

Gross margin widened to 80 percent in the first half from 75 percent a year earlier and Xero said today that further improvement is expected "through economies of scale and automation". The company recorded positive operating cash flow of $6.1 million in the first half, a $19.4 million improvement on a year earlier.

The company reiterated that UK customers rose to 253,000 as at Sept. 30, from 212,000 six months earlier. Xero added 79,000 UK customers in the 2017 financial year, where it had been teaming up with the major banks and building an active accounting and bookkeeping sales channel. It has more than 518,000 subscribers in Australia and more than 271,000 in New Zealand, its biggest markets, while in its rest-of-the-world segment it had 47,000 (up 62 percent).

Annualised committed monthly revenue (ACMR) rose 38 percent to $416.9 million, with international ACMR jumping 50 percent and ANZ region by 32 percent. It held about $23 million of cash as at Sept. 30, down from $27.7 million as at March 31. In addition today, Xero said it has arranged a stand-by bank facility of $100 million with Bank of New Zealand and ANZ Bank New Zealand, although it has no plans to draw down on it at this stage.

(BusinessDesk)

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Westland Milk Products says it's a better poster child for New Zealand's clean, green image than some of its rivals and having returned to profit it is now focused on ensuring its returns to farmers stay competitive as it grows.

"When people think of New Zealand they think of clean water, green pastures, forest-covered hills and snowy peaks," said chief executive Toni Brendish, who started in September 2016. "Westland is the exemplar of this landscape. Our shareholders farms literally border world heritage national parks. More than 90 percent of our rivers meet or exceed the criteria for swimmable."

The company also has a simpler story to tell about the providence of its products, she says. "We can literally connect our customers with our farmers whose families have farmed in the same place for generations. They have a passion for their product and a story to tell that can connect the grower to the consumer in a way that a much larger entity would struggle to do."

Hokitika-based Westland eked out a profit of $1.5 million in the 12 months ended July 31, from a loss of $10.3 million a year earlier and has forecast a payout to farmers of $6.40-$6.80 per kilogram of milk solids. The company's 400-plus shareholder-suppliers received an average payout of $5.18/kgMS for the 2016/17 season, compared with the $6.15/kgMS paid by Fonterra Cooperative Group before dividends. Its payout for the 2015/16 season of $3.88/kgMS was the lowest of any New Zealand dairy company.

Since starting with the company, Brendish has focused on reducing production costs, which had been running ahead of rivals. Today she said Westland was on track to reach targeted savings of $78 million, or about $1.20/kgMS, by seeking efficiencies from its processes and systems and trimming costs for transport and logistics.

"Everything we are doing is focused on improving return, growing the company, and diversifying and segregating product to build a high value-high return base that puts a smaller company (compared with Fonterra) like ours on a much more sustainable footing, than trying to survive in the far more volatile bulk commodities arena," she said.

The company has refreshed its governance and leadership team in the wake of criticism about its lagging returns to farmers. Last month shareholders approved a plan to shrink its board to eight from 11 including three independents chosen for their competence. In February it appointed Pete Morrison as chair, replacing seven-year veteran Matt O'Regan. It also has a new chief operations officer, Craig Betty, and in August named Dorian Devers as chief financial officer.

Brendish said Westland's strategy is to grow as "a nutrition company", meaning it is interested in diversifying beyond its milk-based business.

"Increasingly, Westland is moving away from being a 'dairy' company, to being a company that provides nourishment, and that means we will not always be solely reliant on milk. Future products might well contain other ingredients to enable us to reach into the small high-value niche markets where opportunities are still growing exponentially," she said.

Much of Westland's catchment is on the West Coast, where there is a natural barrier to rival processors seeking milk suppliers. However, it also collects milk in Canterbury, where it jostles with rivals including Synlait Milk and Fonterra.

"All Westland shareholders do have a choice. Those in Canterbury and the Maruia areas can choose other companies to supply to, and even those on the Coast have choices," she said. "They can, for example, simply exit dairying and covert to other forms of farming." She said while Westland collects milk in Canterbury, "it is this West Coast connection that differentiates us and opens doors for our differentiated products."

"We have signalled that the 2017/18 payout will be competitive, and that has already seen shareholders express a willingness to stay on with Westland whereas, it is fair to say, 12 months ago there was some talk about taking other choices," Brendish said.

(BusinessDesk)

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CEDAR FALLS (AP)  Dennis Messingham remembers the grilling he received when Ken Jackson interviewed him about renting 135 acres of farmland five years ago.

It didn't let up until Messingham managed to get in a question of his own about the planting practices he planned to use on the field.

"I asked him if I could no-till the beans into the corn, and I thought he was going to faint," recalled Messingham, who rotates between planting the two crops. He assumed Jackson, already in his 80s, would favor the older practice of tilling the field to prepare it for planting rather than the no-till approach Messingham uses to better control erosion.

But his question "was the right answer," Messingham said.

That's because Jackson, who died in May 2016 at the age of 86, had already significantly invested in conservation efforts on the field, located at the northwest edge of Cedar Falls. Since 1988, about 45 acres of the land has been terraced, a conservation practice that minimizes erosion and washing nitrogen from fertilizers into waterways on hilly or sloped land.

A sign next to the field commemorates that decision with the words "Saving our soil for decades." It includes the names KLJ Farms (for Kenneth Leigh Jackson) and Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District, which encourages such farming practices and paid for the sign. It was installed several months ago, replacing an older, worn sign the agency also installed.

It's the only sign noting the use of terraces in the county. Officials said Jackson's family has been continuously using the practice longer than any other landowner here.

Jackson, who owned Century Pattern Co. in Cedar Falls, wasn't a farmer.

"He always wanted to farm," said Jane Jackson, Ken's wife. "When this (land) came available, we had some money and we got it from the bank. He loved to come out and walk the fields."

They also owned other farmland across the Cedar Valley where Ken had implemented various conservation practices over the years. "I would probably say it was in the mid-'60s when he started to put land in conservation reserve," said Mark Jackson, his son. So his father welcomed the opportunity to install the terraces on this land.

Elaine Hammer, conservation technician with the Natural Resources Conservation Services in Waterloo, helped lay out Jackson's terraces. The NRCS works closely with the conservation district.

"It's a little dike we built up, a little dam," she explained. A system of tiles also was installed just below the surface with a series of intakes at the bottom of each terrace, allowing the water to drain. The terraces curve around the sloped land, slowing the water.

"They're normally on this type of land," she said. "This was a perfect piece for this."

Terraces are partially paid for with federal cost-sharing funds on land that qualifies because of topography. Farmers who install the terraces are required to keep them in place for a set number of years  which the Jackson land has far exceeded. The terraces have remained despite the growing size of equipment and newer conservation practices some farmers use instead.

"It's all about carrying on Dad's legacy," said Mark Jackson. "He knew that with bad farming measures, the character of the farm wouldn't last."

Some who installed the terraces in Jackson's era eventually removed them.

"A lot of people like to knock these terraces out these days," said Messingham. "That's a really bad thing. I don't see any reason to take them out if they're already there."

"In certain parts of the state, probably northeast Iowa, it's still pretty common" to have the terraces, Hammer added. "Building new ones is down, really, throughout the state."

Farming Jackson's land was a good fit for Messingham.

"I've been for the conservation ever since I started farming" in 1984, he said. "The rest of the farm that isn't terraced, I farm on the contour. We also are minimal till to no till  no till mostly."

In addition, he plants a cereal rye cover crop after harvest. Along with stopping erosion, cover crops help control weeds.

Messingham acknowledged not everyone farming on hilly land will go through the expense of terracing, which also has the potential of reducing crop yields since not as many acres can be planted in a field. He suggested those farmers may use some of the other methods to slow erosion or keep nitrogen in fertilizers out of waterways.

"I truly think everybody is working toward the conservation end of it," he said. "The Jacksons just went a little further."

___

Information from: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, http://www.wcfcourier.com
ALTA VISTA | Parents of a 4-month-old who died of neglect in August have pleaded not guilty to murder and child endangerment charges.

Zachary Paul Koehn, 28, and Cheyanne Renae Harris, 20, avoided courtroom appearances by filing written arraignments and not guilty pleas on Tuesday and Wednesday in Chickasaw County District Court in New Hampton. They also demanded speedy trials.

Iowa parents charged in death of infant son had drug history ALTA VISTA  Parents charged with murder in the death of their infant son in August had a hi

A trial date hasnt been set, and both parents remain in custody pending trial.

Koehn is being represented by Steven Drahozal with the Dubuque County Public Defenders Office, and the Aaron Hawbaker with the Black Hawk County Public Defenders Office is representing Harris.

UPDATE: Chickasaw Co. infant died of neglect, parents charged ALTA VISTA  The parents of a baby found dead in an infant swing in an Alta Vista residence 

Sheriffs deputies and medics found 4-month-old Sterling Daniel Koehn dead in a swing seat after the father called 911 to their Wilson Street apartment in Alta Vista on Aug. 30. Koehn said Harris had fed the infant earlier that day but when he checked on the child later, he was dead.

Authorities said the child was underweight, and the development of maggots contradicted the parents account of what happened and pointed to the child not having been bathed, changed or moved from the swing seat in at least a week. A state medical examiner ruled Sterlings death was a homicide due to failure to provide critical care, court records state.
Sen. Chuck Grassley wont say if he would support legislation banning bumps stocks  devices that dramatically accelerate a semi-automatic weapons rate of fire  but the Iowa Republican says it would make sense.

Grassley has scheduled a Judiciary Committee hearing on firearms accessories for Tuesday and expects bump stocks, the device infamously used by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock to shoot more than 500 people, to be part of the discussion.

Grassley also predicted that the Air Forces failure to send the name of Sutherland Springs mass shooter Devin Kelly to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System will come up at the hearing, too.

The database, known as NICS, lists those prohibited from buying guns because of crimes or other circumstances.

Kelly received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force after being court-martialed for assaulting his wife and injuring his stepson. His discharge, conviction and year in jail should have been reported to NICS and could have made it more difficult to legally buy a gun.

This is something that will come up in the hearing, for sure, Grassley said during a conference call Wednesday with reporters. This is very embarrassing to them. Theyre studying what went wrong. I presume that if they dont take action, we will.

Legislation to ban bump stocks has been introduced in Congress. Nine senators, including Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and Judiciary Committee members Republicans John Cornyn of Texas and James Inhofe of Oklahoma, have asked the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms bureau of the Department of Justice to review its Obama administration rule allowing bump stocks.

The devices allow a semi-automatic rifle to be shot faster than a person can pull the trigger.

Inhofe suggested that bump stocks should be illegal if they are used to simulate automatic weapons, which are regulated. Grassley seemed to agree.

I dont understand why it would be right for ATF to issue such a regulation when submachines have been outlawed since the 1920s or 30s, he said, adding that 1986 legislation made automatic weapons illegal.

It seems to me that common sense would say they ought to restrict it, I mean, do away with the rule, Grassley said.

Grassley warned that the hearing may have to be rescheduled because the Department of Justice may not be prepared.

He also noted that in 2013, after the Sandy Hook, Connecticut, school shooting, his legislation to require states and local governments to submit the names of people who should be barred from buying guns to NICS got 57 votes  three votes shy of the 60 needed to send it to the Senate floor for a vote.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Shortly after opening on a Sunday, John Chen examined the salad station at Flaming Grill and Supreme Buffet, directing the ladles in the dressing wells so that the red handles all stood at attention in the same direction.

This particular day, his Port Richmond restaurant will serve anywhere from 900 to 1100 guests at the all-you-can eat style restaurant. And today, like everyday, he is ready to go.

Flaming Grill is one of Chen's five buffet restaurants located in Port Richmond and New Jersey. Come spring, he and business partner Michael Ling will open a sixth, this one a 460-seater under construction in Sheepshead Bay.

Each weekday, Chen estimates about 500 patrons peruse the buffets banks with Chinese specialties, copious seafood and even pizza plus the sushi stations and hibachi area where foods are cooked to order.

Just how busy is the restaurant which employs about 30 staffers? Perhaps details on the food can give some perspective.

Each week, Flaming Grill orders around 800 pounds of Atlantic salmon fillet. They serve upwards of 80 pounds of crawfish daily. And patrons do come largely for the seafood.

"The people love it," says Chen who additionally offers Dungeness crab in the rotations along with New Zealand mussels, black mussels, hard shell crabs presented three different ways throughout the week, shrimp in various sauces, bass, squid rings, crab salad, seafood salad, oysters and clams served on the half shell, Manila clams, crabmeat-stuffed clams, bass and sushi rolled continuously from opening until closing by two or more staffers.

For the sushi, Chen says, "That I have no measure. I'd say we serve a lot."

At any one time, over 150 items can be counted in the mix of hot and cold buffets which includes sweets from fruit to Jell-O to housemade cakes and cookies.

His strategy to keeping the inventory fresh is to rely on a single seafood source for all the restaurants. The sheer volume keeps his fishmongers honest, says Chen.

"They have to give you quality stuff. If they don't give you quality stuff, then I'm done with them," he says.

"Mother's Day? It's busy," said the restaurateur with a chuckle. The lines go out the door and down to T.J. Maxx. But they go fast.

What attracts the crowds?

"The price of it," maintains Chen. "There's no restaurant in New York City where prices are as low as this. For $12.99 a plate, it's worth it. I always tell people: If you can find one restaurant that beats my price I will comp the meal."

The price schedule for Flaming Grill is posted at the restaurant's entrance, a straightforward schematic. Monday through Thursday meals cost $8.59 whereas Friday and Saturday are $8.99 per guest. Dinners are $12.59 from Monday through Thursday with Friday and Saturday an additional 40 cents more per person. Sunday is dinner all day for $12.99. Beverages are $1.89 each. And college students, persons over 60 years old, military and police get 10 percent off each meal.

There's even a deal for the kids: Those three to six-years old are $6.59 per person and those seven to ten years are charged $7.99 apiece.

One thing Chen cannot stand is waste, that small percentage of guests who take advantage of his hospitality.

"Pile it on and throw it away. I don't like that. You can always try a little at a time. Most of the people do know that," he says.

But he has no qualms with tossing food at the end of the day. Once it's heated and sitting on the buffet, he says, it won't be recycled.

CHEN ON CHEN

Chen got the bug for the restaurant business when he was two years into college at SUNY. He came to Brooklyn in 1993 from Hong Kong where his dad had established a take-out restaurant called China King in Bay Ridge at 5th Avenue and 78th Street. His dad started the business in 1998, already in the States for about a decade, then brought over Chen, his brother and mother.

"That's how all traditional Chinese people start in [the business], all my friends. A very small, tiny take-out restaurant, that's how they started," says Chen.

"After a few years, my dad needs my help to run the business. I didn't even care for the restaurant business before I helped my dad. After I worked for him for a few years, I fell in love with it," Chen confesses. And he went into a partnership in 2005 with a friend who had an idea to take over an existing buffet place in Kings Farm, Maryland, about 45 minutes from Washington, D.C.

"I was just following what was popular at that time. In 2005, I saw the trend. I saw the investment there. And I saw there's a big possibility I can make it a lot bigger," says Chen. The second buffet restaurant came about in 2007 in New Jersey, this one and three future one all freshly built models.

The Staten Island location was a different proposition. Under different ownership, it's had about a six year run as a buffet-style eatery.

"The previous owners got shut down. When I took over, I changed the name. And I try to change people's minds," says Chen, admitting it's been tough for he and his partner to change people's attitude. They're ownership began in 2016. And, each day they're winning more friends and fans.

With each restaurant open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., there's not much down time for Chen who lives in Brooklyn with his wife and seven-year old son.

"Maybe you get a day or two off, but you're not resting, you're going to another restaurant," he says.

"When you work like me for more than 10 or 12 years, it gets easier," Chen says.

Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet is located at 1501 Forest Ave., Port Richmond; 718-447-6888, Hibachigrillbuffetny.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The fight for a Staten Island man's $40 million fortune now shifts to the key figures in a will that its filers claim stems from a Holocaust love story.

Except they're all deceased.

Lawyers in the Roman Blum case appeared in Surrogate's Court Thursday to begin the discovery process in a second will claiming his estate, including examining the signatures on the will filed on behalf of Polish woman Teresa Musial.

"Ordinarily, we'd get the opportunity to scrutinize the witnesses to prevent fraud, but they're dead," said attorney Richard La Rosa, who represents the public administrator's office. "We're at a point where we need to investigate the will."

Attorney Peter Sipp, who represents Musial, submitted a will on behalf of Helena Pietrucha, who, attorneys contend, was Blum's lover during World War II.

Pietrucha died in 1999.

Musial was Pietrucha's caregiver and confidant for over 20 years, and the sole beneficiary of Ms. Pietrucha's estate, lawyers claim.

Sipp will have to prove the signatures of the witnesses on the will and Blum's signature itself are legitimate, La Rosa said.

Sipp claims the will was hand-drafted by Blum. The lawyer will also need a forensic handwriting expert to examine the document.

"We have the person who can identify the signature of the witnesses," Sipp said.

Blum, a Holocaust survivor from Poland who lived in Annadale and amassed his wealth as a real estate developer, died in 2012 at the age of 97.

His wife died before him and they were childless.

Blum appeared to have no written will.

Blum and Pietrucha were engaged and were separated in Poland during the Holocaust, Sipp said.

The Russians arrested Pietrucha's family in the middle of a cold night and exiled them to Siberia, while Blum was captured by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp, according to the lawyer.

Pietrucha was pregnant in 1939 with Blum's child and lost the baby on the way to Siberia, Sipp said.

The case is back on Jan. 24.

The first will filed by Anthony J. Allegrino, the former upstate man who had filed a petition claiming Blum's fortune, was denied probate for improper execution, according to court records.

Last year, La Rosa alleged Blum's signature on the will filed by Allegrino was a forgery. A forensic expert had determined the signature was fake in September 2014.

Blum's fortune is now down to $19 million after federal estate taxes, the lawyer said.

The public administrator is currently in charge of the estate.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islanders care about their community, especially when it comes to issues facing women and families.

That message was heard loud and clear Wednesday night during a neighborhood conversation sponsored by The New York Women's Foundation.

More than 75 people filled ArtSpace @ Staten Island Arts, a meeting room and gallery at the Urby apartment complex in Stapleton, to pinpoint Staten Island's most pressing needs and brainstorm solutions for each one.

The event lived up to its billing as an exercise in collective action.

Panelists included Diane Arneth, executive director of Community Health Action of Staten Island; Gonzalo Mercado, executive director of La Colmena, a Port Richmond center that supports immigrant workers, and Luiza Tanuri, youth organizer for Make the Road New York, which assists Latino and working-class communities.

Arlette Cepeda, director of the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement at Wagner College, moderated the panel discussion.

Not surprisingly, the opioid crisis, its impact on families and the demand for addiction services were issues at the top of the list.

Arneth said help is available 24/7 at the Next Step Resource and Recovery Center operated by her agency at 26 Bay St., St. George.

"People can just walk in to the center," she stressed. "It's a friendly place, a place to get support."

Next Step offers resources for family members of those struggling with addiction as well as harm reduction counseling, Narcan training to treat overdoses and linkage to detox programs.

Arneth also explained the HOPE (Heroin Overdose Prevention & Education) program, which diverts low-level drug offenders into treatment instead of into court and jail. It was launched last winter as a joint effort between the NYPD and the district attorney's office, she said.

"I see a shift," she continued. "We are recognizing that people can be better helped with services instead of incarceration."

ADVOCATING FOR IMMIGRANTS

The conversation moved to immigrants and the threat of deportation, a situation that has cast a shadow over several North Shore neighborhoods and the families residing in them.

"Folks are living in fear" of raids by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), panelist Luiza Tanuri said. "They are vulnerable; their livelihoods are unstable" following the presidential election a year ago.

Panelist Gonzalo Mercado said the best way to fight fear is with information and a plan of action.

"You have a right to refuse to open the door" if ICE shows up without a warrant, he pointed out as an example.

He said neighbors can watch out for one another.

"It's an opportunity for people to come together. The deportations will increase before they stop," Mercado cautioned.

And he said women and families can be empowered by programs that foster economic development.

He described two worker-owned co-ops for domestic laborers - one for babysitting and childcare and another for general cleaning services - that have been established at La Colmena, his community-based organization in Port Richmond.

In a Q&A session, one audience member asked the panel how racial tensions can be addressed. "People say things here they wouldn't say in any other borough," she pointed out with candor.

"We do see that," Mercado acknowledged, calling for more opportunities for conversation to break down the tensions.

URGING TOLERANCE

Diane Arneth made a passionate plea for tolerance. A lifelong Staten Islander, she recalled seeing vehement resistance to the Rainbow Curriculum, an early effort to introduce LGBTQ issues in the schools.

"You can't hold on to that hate," she said. "We are all human. We share the same goals and feelings and we can work together."

"The vast majority of people are good people who want to do the right thing," she added, overcome with emotion. "This is an opportunity to pull people together rather than push them apart."

The audience responded with applause.

Ana Oliveira, president and CEO of the New York Women's Foundation, commended the panelists and the audience for their wide-ranging dialogue.

"The problems are the solutions; they live in the same place," she said. "I am very moved by the level of this conversation and the togetherness" on Staten Island.

Established in 1987, the New York Women's Foundation is a charitable organization that focuses on women's health and economic issues and funds women leaders building solutions in their communities.

Less than seven percent of foundation funding in the United States goes to women and girls, and one in four women and girls are living in poverty in New York City, the foundation's website points out.

The event at ArtSpace marked the 30th anniversary of the foundation's neighborhood dinner program in the five boroughs.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Students at St. Adalbert's School in Elm Park welcomed more than 150 veterans and their families on Wednesday for the annual pre-Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony.

Students honored the veterans with handmade cards, works of art, special performances and salutes.

"I've been the principal here for 21 years and the one thing I wanted to bring was patriotism and honoring our veterans," said Principal Diane Hesterhagen. "These children are being taught what it means to be patriotic and our veterans who have given so much of themselves for these kids to be able to go to this school."

They performed patriotic songs, and took part in the White Table Ceremony, which recalls members of the Armed Forces missing in action (MIA) or held as prisoners of war (POW).

Seventh-grader Anna Wessel said the day helps veterans "feel better and lets them know they are loved."

Students have been interviewing and writing veterans' stories in a series of published hard-covered books titled "Hometown Heroes." There have been over 250 stories published about local veterans.

CAMPAIGN FOR STATUE

The school is continuing its campaign to raise funds for a life-sized statue of Father Vincent Capodanno, the Navy chaplain who was killed during Operation Swift in Vietnam while tending to a wounded Marine.

They have raised over $6,000 with the help of the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation and other local organizations.

VETERANS OF ALL WARS

Veterans were invited from several wars, including 95-year-old Albert Goldberg, of Brooklyn, who served in World War II when he was 19 years old. He was part of the 3rd Army, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate concentration camps.

When asked how he felt about students honoring veterans, he said: "I feel great, these kids remember us and I appreciate them."

U.S. veterans weren't the only ones in attendance. Soviet Union army veteran, Royvim Chtitsberg, 94, was invited to join in the day's activities. The South Beach resident said he served his country for more than 40 years.

District Attorney Michael McMahon and Sen. Diane Savino attended the breakfast and ceremony where they spoke with and thanked veterans.

Staten Island OutLOUD gave free copies of the book, "True Grit," by Charles Portis, to every veteran. Staten Island Giving Circle gave a check worth $2,500 to Vietnam Veterans of America Thomas J. Chapter 421. Northfield Foundation and other local organizations helped sponsor the event.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The president of a state court officers' union has fired back at the whistleblower who secretly recorded courthouse conversations, contending a $25-million slander lawsuit against him contains a confusing jumble of legally unsubstantiated allegations and should be dismissed.

Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers Association, also seeks sanctions against Richard Luthmann, the controversial lawyer for Michael Pulizotto, the whistleblower, alleging the attorney "engaged in dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in violation of Code of Professional Responsibility" by altering a verification document recently submitted to the court.

"Quirk's position is that each and every cause of action should be dismissed," Quirk's motion said. "The facts are just not there. ... Plaintiff's privilege and right to pursue legitimate litigation is not a license to manipulate the system to punish (Quirk) by bringing frivolous claims."

Luthmann responded quickly.

"They are trying to cast aspersions in every direction. They're spouting fiction. We have the facts," Luthmann said in a phone interview. "I feel very confident that all his allegations are meritless."

Pulizotto, the former chief clerk of state Supreme Court, St. George, filed the suit last month in Manhattan state Supreme Court.

The complaint names only one defendant - Quirk - yet also targets Justice Judith McMahon and her spouse, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, alleging the judge overstepped her authority on multiple occasions to aid her husband and was verbally and emotionally abusive to Pulizotto, who is openly gay, and threatened his job status.

Justice McMahon's lawyer and the district attorney have vehemently denied the allegations.

Pulizotto tape-recorded and wrote notes of his conversations with Justice McMahon, Quirk and other court personnel over a period of more than two years beginning in July 2015, shortly after he was appointed chief court clerk on Staten Island.

Luthmann, his lawyer, is being investigated by a special prosecutor at District Attorney McMahon's request regarding allegations of criminal impersonation, forgery and falsifying business records in an unrelated matter.

Pulizotto turned over the tapes and other documents to the state Office of Court Administration (OCA) months ago.

Lucian Chalfen, an OCA spokesman, said Thursday the agency's inspector general had closed its investigation and compiled a report.

Chalfen declined further comment on the report or its contents.

Some critics have dismissed the slander suit against Quirk as an end-run to try to get at the McMahons.

Quirk, the suit alleges, "has a strong political connection with" the McMahons.

Quirk made "false statements about ... Pulizotto recklessly and without regard to their consequences, and to advance ... Quirk's own personal and political interests," the complaint alleges.

In his motion to dismiss, Quirk alleges Pulizotto's complaint and amended complaint which allege slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress, libel, false imprisonment and other causes of action are "rambling ... confusing, and difficult to answer."

"The complaint contains a confusing succession of discrete facts, conclusions, comments and other subsidiary evidentiary matter whose relevance to a particular cause of action is frequently obscure," Quirk maintains. "Defendants should not be required to answer such a jumble."

The motion also alleges Luthmann doctored a verification page attached to Pulizotto's amended complaint, which was filed just over a week after the original complaint.

The attorney took the verification form for the original complaint, which Pulizotto had signed and Luthmann had notarized, wrote over the date and darkened his own signature in the verification page affixed to the amended complaint, alleges the motion.

Reached by phone Thursday, Bruce Baron, Quirk's lawyer said, "I have no further comment, the motion speaks for itself."

The court has scheduled a conference for Jan. 9.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A photo showing the hull for the new Staten Island Ferryboat named after a local war hero was posted on social media by the city Department of Transportation.

The vessel that is being crafted in Florida will honor the heroism of the late U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis.

"Outside on a sunny day with blue skies, people work on a platform to construct a steel hull," the DOT said in its post on the agency's Facebook page.

The first of three new vessels being added to the city's ferry fleet in the next four years will be named for the New Dorp native who died at age 24 while saving a Polish soldier in Afghanistan.

The new ferryboat is expected to set sail in early 2019.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An unfounded report of a child carrying a gun in the vicinity of PS 50 in Oakwood prompted a soft lockdown at the school on Thursday, according to a law enforcement source.

Safety protocols were administered at the school, located at 200 Adelaide Ave., after one child reported to authorities that another minor may have been in possession of a gun, however, the object was in fact a bicycle handle bar, the source said.

Parents received a message from the school at about 3:40 p.m. alerting them to the incident.

A woman who answered the phone in the school's main office as safety measures reportedly were underway declined to comment.

Students had been dismissed and no police were seen in the area when an Advance reporter arrived at about 3 p.m.

The incident prompted rumors on social media and among parents who contacted the Advance that the lockdown was sparked by a report of an individual with a clown mask and a gun.

The law enforcement source did not hear anything about a clown mask in connection with Thursday's incident.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "Together as one."

That was the message during the interfaith prayer service Thursday morning at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville, where all religious groups and the NYPD gathered together in the mosque.

The service was filled with reflections from leaders, each praying for the same thing.

Imam Tahir Kukaj opened the ceremony speaking about the differences everyone in the room has.

"We all come from different races and faith; we're all different ages, and have different identities," Kukaj said. "But we all have one thing in common, and that is that we are all human beings. Everyone is welcome in here, no matter what you are. We're here to build a more peaceful city, and build a stronger relationship within our community."

"After this service, each and every one of you will be standing shoulder to shoulder, together as unity."

The fifth-grade class from Miraj Islamic School, which consisted of 10 kids, recited the Quran, both in Arabic and English.

Bishop John O'Hara of the Archdiocese of New York read a letter written by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, praising the service.

"I am thrilled this is happenings and should be something exported to all boroughs across New York City, as we listen and learn from each other," Bishop O'Hara read. "We speak as one when we are looking in the eyes of violence like Las Vegas and tragedies like Texas. We all grieve over religious and racial intolerance, but let's strive to be a community and become one. I give everyone in this room a big 'Halleujah' for taking that step."

Rev. Terry Troia of Project Hospitality stated this service was one serious, impressive gathering, as she opened up her prayers.

"Imagine we all gathered like this every week? The world would be a better place," Rev. Troia said. "We live in a world filled with violence. We seek God's wisdom and thank our officers, who risk their lives to save ours. Here, in Staten Island, we are all binding together as one."

Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, the NYPD borough commander, spoke on adversity as he closed the ceremony, saying that each of the reflections before him were messages of love, unity, care, brotherhood and sisterhood.

"A long time ago, I learned to look beyond color and religion. What I see right now is a room filled with bright lights," Delatorre said. "I thought back to high school, when I said I wanted to travel the world to meet different people and learn their cultures. Many are not lucky to have this much of diversity where they live, like we do, here in Staten Island."

Among the many who gathered in the mosque were leaders from Mount Sinai United Christian Church, Christian Pentecostal Church, First Central Baptist Church, Stapleton UAME Church, Staten Island Buddhist Vihara, Staten Island Hindu Temple, Trinity Lutheran Church and the Rabbinical Alliance of America.

Students from St. Peter's Boys High School, Curtis High School, St John's Villa Academy, and St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School were also in attendance -- and Delatorre made sure he sent each one home with wise words.

"The future is your world. You're going to set it. Whether you're a future pastor, officer, teacher, or doctor, you're going to take it over one day," he said. "How you view diversity is important, because we live in a city who has shown we can handle it with respect, and that's why you're all here today."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The new three-story, 732-space parking garage at the Staten Island Mall is open for business.

There is no fee to park in the new garage, which is part of a construction overhaul of the more than four decades-old New Springville Mall that is expected to be complete in 2018.

Mall owners General Growth Properties (GGP) said the expansion would eliminate about 398 parking spaces on the Richmond Avenue side of the Mall, leaving total parking for Mall patrons at 6,328 spots.

The new three-level garage features LED lighting.

"We knew the new parking garage would play a significant role in enhancing our guests' experience at the shopping center," said James Easley, senior general manager of Staten Island Mall.

"We are so thankful to our community for their patience during the construction process, and we are very excited to offer a state-of-the-art parking deck."

A spokeswoman for the Mall didn't respond to Advance queries for a construction progress update.

NEW RESTAURANTS

Included in the construction project is a 40,000-square-foot Dave & Buster's, along with a new food court featuring 12 new dining options, including Shake Shack.

In addition, European retailer Zara has signed a lease with the Staten Island Mall's owners to open a 30,000-square-foot space in the new section of the Mall being built in front of the existing structure, close to Richmond Avenue.

THE CONTAINER STORE

While not part of the Mall expansion project, The Container Store opened last month in the 23,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Sears Auto Body.

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DES MOINES  Officials have announced nearly 215,000 Medicaid enrollees served by AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa under the states privately managed system will be transferred to UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley by the end of this month.

However, officials with the Iowa Department of Human Services said AmeriHealth customers who would rather switch to the Amerigroup Iowa managed care organization instead can do so by Nov. 16 and be eligible for coverage Dec. 1. Otherwise, clients have 90 days  until March 1  to finalize their choices.

The massive swap is because the state and AmeriHealth failed after weeks of talks to agree on a deal for the company to continue being one of Iowas three managed care companies.

Department Director Jerry Foxhoven told members of the Medicaid Assistance Advisory Council that a process to find a replacement for AmeriHealth  the Medicaid insurer with the largest concentration of the states special-needs population  is proceeding. But the new insurer wont be available to Iowans until July 1, 2019.

The developments came to light Tuesday in a sometimes-contentious meeting in which Foxhoven described the transition as a scramble that the system will manage but that Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, called reckless in suggesting a delay.

Officials say Medicaid withdrawal will have little North Iowa impact CLEAR LAKE | Two North Iowa health care providers say their clients will feel little impact 

This is the worst privatization of Medicaid in the country, Bolkcom said afterward.  ... This was sold that it was going to be more cost effective and people were going to be healthier. And were not seeing either of those things.

Foxhoven said Iowas situation is not uncommon given that other states have seen companies withdraw as managers. The state has signed new contracts with Amerigroup Iowa and UnitedHealthcare at an increased of 3.3 percent per-member, per-month.

State officials say the increase will amount to $19.7 million, but Bolkcom said the state share could grow as high as $60 million depending on factors yet to be decided.

The senator pointed to a Legislature Services Agency analysis indicating the state also has agreed to give $54 million in one-time catch-up payments from April 1, 2016, through June 30 plus $23 million in costs pushed into fiscal 2019 that total $137 million.

Foxhoven said new rates are well below the 10 percent yearly increases Iowas Medicaid program experienced as a fee-for-service system. He said contract talks with AmeriHealth ended after the company sought $150 million more.

Foxhoven said he was confident UnitedHealthcare will be able to absorb the AmeriHealth enrollees, but conceded the transition is going to be a little bumpy.

Insurer with biggest special-needs population exiting Iowa Medicaid program AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa  the Medicaid insurer with the largest concentration of the state

Lori Allen of Ames, a public member of the advisory council, expressed concern there may be areas of the state currently underserved by UnitedHealthcare, as well as providers already struggling that might go out of business or patients receiving a different standard of service.

This is beyond bumpy, Allen said. I just see a train wreck down the road.

State officials said they have developed a transition plan and will monitor patients as they switch insurers to ensure there is no gap.

All three insurers saw large financial losses  more than $500 million collectively  during their first year of operation. But AmeriHealth by far saw the largest, nearly $300 million.

The insurer also has the biggest share of the states special-needs population  with more than 23,300 beneficiaries receiving long-term services and support.

At her weekly news conference Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds commended Foxhoven for his handling of the contract negotiations and the transition plan.

Our No. 1 priority is to make sure that the members receive continuity of care and that they continue to receive quality of care and very, very minimal disruption, she said.
MASON CITY | A man is charged with two counts of first-degree murder after two bodies were found in a Mason City home Tuesday.

Codie Matz, 25, of Mason City, had been taken into custody about 3 p.m. and was charged in the evening. He is held without bond. No court date has been set.

MASON CITY | A man considered to be a witness in the deaths of two people found in a Mason City home Tuesday is in custody, police said Tuesday afternoon.

The Mason City Police Department announced Codie Matz, 25, of Mason City, had been taken into custody about 3 p.m. He was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder and held without bail in the Cerro Gordo County Jail. An initial court date has not been set.

Two bodies were discovered during a welfare check of a home in the 300 block of 27th Street Southwest about 7:43 a.m., the department said in a news release Tuesday morning. Police have not identified the people who died.

Police asked for public's help in locating Matz, who had not been seen since 8 a.m. Tuesday.

He was believed to have been heading south from Mason City, Cedar Falls Police Chief Jeff Olson confirmed. Matz had contacts in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area, Olson said, but his department didnt have any contact with him Tuesday.

Matz was taken into custody in Bondurant, KCCI-TV reported Tuesday afternoon. Bondurant is located in Polk County and is a northeastern suburb of Des Moines.

Matz lived in the single-story blue house in southwest Mason City, according to court documents. The house, which is located across the street from the former Madison School property, was surrounded by yellow police tape Tuesday morning.

A neighbor confirmed the home is owned by an older married couple. The Globe Gazette is withholding the names of the homeowners, as police havent identified the people found dead in the house.

Letha Markwardt has lived in the 300 block of 27th Street Southwest since the mid-1960s. She said she has talked to the couple in passing, who she said were "always very nice."

Markwardt also met Matz, who she said was "cordial" to her.

She said it was tragic and shocking to hear what happened in her neighborhood.

"This area has had its difficulties, but you just don't think this would happen," Markwardt said late Tuesday morning.

She woke up around 5 a.m., and noticed police activity at her neighbors' single-story blue house around 7 or 7:30 a.m., she said.

I didnt know what was going on, but I didnt think it could be good, Markwardt said.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, who is investigating with the Mason City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, arrived on the scene about 12:45 p.m.

Several social media posts and comments claimed the Mason City Family YMCA, located about a mile from the house where the bodies were found, was on lock down Tuesday morning. The Globe Gazette confirmed with the Mason City YMCA that it was never on lock down.

Police said they will release more information as the investigation continues.

Previous story:

MASON CITY | A man considered to be a witness in the deaths of two people found in a Mason City home Tuesday is in custody, police said Tuesday afternoon.

Mason City Police Department announced Codie Matz, 25, of Mason City, has been taken into custody. Matz has not been charged with a crime. Police said Matz is being transported back to Cerro Gordo County.

Police said they will release more information as the investigation continues. They have not identified the two people who died.

Previous story:

MASON CITY | The house where police found two bodies Tuesday morning is owned by an older married couple, a neighbor confirmed.

Letha Markwardt has lived in the 300 block of 27th Street Southwest since the mid-1960s. She said she has talked to the couple in passing, who she said were "always very nice."

Police have not released the identities of the bodies found inside the house.

"This area has had its difficulties, but you just don't think this would happen," Markwardt said late Tuesday morning. Police said the bodies were discovered during a welfare check about 7:43 a.m., but haven't provided any further information.

She woke up around 5 a.m., and noticed police activity at her neighbors' single-story blue house around 7 or 7:30 a.m., she said.

The house, which is located across the street from the former Madison School property, is surrounded by yellow police tape. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrived on scene about 12:45 p.m.

Markwardt had also met Codie Matz, who she said was "cordial" to her. Police say Matz, a Mason City resident, is wanted as a "material witness in the ongoing situation."

Matz, 25, was last seen the Mason City area around 8 a.m. Tuesday, police said. He may be in a dark green 1996 Chrysler Sebring with Iowa license plate LE007 and may be armed, according to police.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.

Several social media posts and comments claimed the Mason City Family YMCA, located about a mile from the house where the bodies were found, was on lock down this morning. The Globe Gazette confirmed with the Mason City YMCA that it was never on lock down.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more information.

Previous story:

MASON CITY | Two bodies were discovered Tuesday morning during a welfare check at a residence in southwest Mason City, according to police.

The Mason City Police Department said in a news release the bodies, who have not been identified, were discovered during a check of a home in the 300 block of 27th Street Southwest about 7:43 a.m.

The single-story blue house, which was surrounded by police tape, is owned by a male and female with the same last name, according to online property records. It is located across the street from the former Madison School property.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating Codie Michael Matz, a 25-year-old white male from Mason City. Matz is wanted as a "material witness in the ongoing situation," police said.

Matz may be in a dark green 1996 Chrysler Sebring with Iowa license plate LE007, police said, and may be armed.

He was last seen in the Mason City area around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the police department at 641-421-3636.

The deaths are being investigated by the Mason City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more information.
MASON CITY | Citing an ongoing investigation, the Mason City Police Department has refused to release additional information related to the deaths of two Mason City residents this week.

The Globe Gazette has been seeking additional details which should be available publicly, including the time and recording of the request for a welfare check to 327 27th Ave. S.W. Tuesday, where police say they discovered the bodies of Kenneth and Kathleen Hackbart while responding to that call.

The request for a welfare check is missing from the police department's online log, which lists daily calls for service. The call log is public information.

Mason City Police Capt. Mike McKelvey said in an email Thursday he would pass the request for call log information and call recordings to the legal department.

Because this is an open murder investigation, all media info requests will need to specifically go to the Cerro Gordo County Attorneys Office, McKelvey said in the email.

Cerro Gordo County Attorney Carlyle Dalen did not respond to an email or two phone messages from the Globe Gazette Thursday.

An Iowa Attorney General's opinion issued in 1982 mandates the public has access to the "date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding a crime or incident."

The Globe Gazette asked the police department to indicate statutes that would prohibit releasing this information.

Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley believes the items included in the request are part of the investigative record for this incident, and therefore not public record.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation that has been referred to the Cerro Gordo County Attorneys Office for criminal prosecution, Brinkley said via email Thursday. As such, the Mason City Police Department will not be releasing any additional public information about this case.

While the departments releases did indicate the time, date and specific location of the incident, as required by statute, they did not outline the immediate facts and circumstances, as required, Globe Gazette Editor David Mayberry said.

The newspaper believes that should include when the alleged homicide occurred, who contacted law enforcement, when law enforcement was contacted, what prompted the welfare check, if a weapon was recovered and if the Hackbarts were stabbed once or multiple times.

News releases from the police department did not specify how the Hackbarts died. That information was listed in an amended court filing.

I cannot agree that the department came close to the spirit, intent and purpose of the law in this instance, Mayberry told Brinkley in an email. You have information the public has a right to know.

Brinkley replied the two organizations "may have to agree to disagree."

I believe that your understanding of immediate facts and circumstances is different than ours," Brinkley said.
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SCHLEY | A northeastern Iowa farmer found an unexpected surprise  a black bear  among his corn Tuesday.

Eric Reicks, of Cresco, said he was harvesting his last few rows of Tuesday when his dad called to alert him of something up ahead of his machine.

That something turned out to be a black bear. Reicks captured a few photos of it before it scampered away.

Never would of guessed it to be a bear! Reicks wrote in a Facebook post, which had about 2,400 likes and more than 6,000 shares Wednesday. Glad I wasnt too far from the tractor.

Reicks said he saw the bear about 4 miles northwest of Schley, in Howard County. Schley is about 11 miles southwest of Cresco.

Iowa does not have a breeding population of black bears, the Iowa DNR says, but neighboring Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri do.

So, it is very possible that Iowa will get an occasional bear wandering in from a neighboring state, the DNR said in an educational document.

In April, the DNR said a black bear was spotted in Butler County.

Since black bears are not protected under Iowa code, it is legal for people to shoot them.

However, the DNR says it does not promote harvesting black bears if they are not exhibiting a direct threat to human safety or livestock.

If people see a black bear or find signs of one, such as tracks or scat, they should contact their local Iowa DNR Wildlife or law enforcement staff.
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At 20 years old, Canberra native Emily Williams has been living alone in New York for five years.

At just 15, Emily moved to the city to pursue her dream of becoming a prima ballerina after being offered a four-year traineeship at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School.

A young Emily Williams, photographed before moving to the Big Apple. Credit:Colleen Petch

Having completed her traineeship, Williams plans to stay in New York City, where she is currently a junior artist with the Akjun Ballet Theatre, who perform and rehearse all over the city.

"I would love to continue dancing and exploring this amazing city, I am planning to stay in New York as long as possible," Williams sais.
Canberra's first tram is en route to the capital.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has shared footage of the eye-catching red light rail vehicle making its way from a factory in Zaragoza to a port in Santander.

Canberra's first tram is transported on to a ship. Credit:Karlos Corbella

The tram, travelling on the Heogh Berlin, is expected to arrive in Port Kembla then Canberra from Spain in mid-December.

The ACT government will spend about $65 million on a fleet of 14 trams, each of which will be 33 metres long with 66 seats and capacity to carry 207 people.
The Commonwealth Bank looks set to avoid a damaging second "strike" on executive pay, with influential proxy advisers and the peak group for retail investors supporting the bank's remuneration report.

However, proxy firm CGI Glass Lewis is advising investors to vote against the re-election of one non-executive director, Andrew Mohl, pointing to damage to CBA's reputation caused by the money-laundering compliance scandal.

CBA's money-laundering compliance scandal is likely to be discussed at its annual shareholder meeting next week. Credit:Cole Bennetts

After the bank suffered a fierce shareholder backlash at last year's annual meeting, chair Catherine Livingstone will next week chair her first AGM at the bank after a tumultuous few months for the lender.

Ms Livingstone is likely to face questions over the explosive allegations from Austrac that CBA repeatedly breached anti-money-laundering laws by failing to report thousands of suspicious transactions through its ATMs between 2012 and 2015.
CLEAR LAKE | A new campground near I-35 will be open for up to 82 RVs and their owners, families and friends in April 2018.

Construction workers were laying out concrete for some of those spots in the roughly 100-acre Hidden Lake Campground site Wednesday afternoon, which features multiple large ponds and primary access from Main Avenue.

Aaron Andrews, the property owner, and Erick Molstad, his business partner, proposed the site earlier this year, which sits south of Highway 122, and just east of I-35.

"I've enjoyed it for the last 20 years by myself and with friends," said Andrews, who works at Clear Lake Materials. "If you're ever out here, people say, 'This is the perfect place for a campground.'"

Molstad, who works with Charlson Excavating, said the water/sewer lines have been installed, and that workers are currently adding cable/electric lines for each spot.

He added one of the main reasons for creating the campground was because of demand in the area.

"There's other seasonal campgrounds in the area," Molstad said. "And all of those have a waiting list ... that kind of was the justification for this project."

The campground will offer a shelter house, playgrounds, bathrooms, a beach and other amenities.

Twenty of the 82 available spots in the project's first phase have already been rented. Donja Molstad, Erick's wife and co-worker at Charlson Excavating, said the project should have a total of 210-220 spots for rent after the next two phases are completed, which should take about a year each.

"It's depending on how far we want to develop on the eastern side," she said as she drove a Globe reporter and photographer around the campground Wednesday. "We're thinking about how many regular parking spots for vehicles to have."

The first phase of Hidden Lake Campground is scheduled to open April 14, 2018. Selection is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested can email hiddenlakescampgroundia@gmail.com for more details.
Investors are being pushed out of Australia's housing market with government regulations generating a 6 per cent drop in investor loans as first home buyers record "strong growth" for the first time in years.

In Victoria, the number of loans to first home buyers grew by an extraordinary 57 per cent since June, with a 32 per cent increase in NSW.

Home loan lending fell by 3.6 per cent overall, figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed, well below the markets expectations of a 2 per cent rise and fuelling speculation of a further drop in house prices.

Economists have described the figures as "unambiguously weak" and a result of the "clear influence" of the government's tighter lending restrictions.
A Sydney business has been fined a total of $360,000 for breaching workplace safety laws after a 45-year-old man was killed when his foot became caught under an excavator.

The Sydney District Court fined the business $300,000 and its director a further $60,000 for the man's death at the Harris Holdings waste management facility in Lidcombe in November 2015.

SafeWork NSW took Harris Holdings and its director Harry Zizikas, 47, to court for breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) by allegedly exposing the worker to a risk of death or serious injury. The company and director pleaded guilty.

The court heard that an excavator used to sort waste moved backwards and caught the worker's foot, knocking him down. He was freed from under the machine, but later died.

The minister responsible for SafeWork NSW, Matt Kean, said the penalty was a warning to other businesses and bosses.
Donald Trump's aggression in the North Korean nuclear stand-off has at times appeared a mad, headlong dash into war. Really, it's only one half of a curious, two-sided game the US is playing in dealing with the hermit kingdom and its lone ally, China.

The world has watched Mr Trump use his Twitter account to inflame a delicate situation by insulting Kim Jong-un, threatening "fire and fury", and chastising China for doing too little to help. This week the conflict re-enters its other phase as the two superpowers resume an uneasy waltz.

Mr Trump has enjoyed lavish, flattering receptions on his first trip to Asia as commander-in-chief, as allies Japan and South Korea try to shore up their alliance with the US. The pomp and projections of massive power made by Chinese president Xi Jinping's attentions to Mr Trump have a different goal. They may appear a testament to the leaders' personal relationship, but there's much calculation on the part of the Chinese in their efforts to charm the US president.

China has made a close study of Mr Trump. For all the talk of his unpredictability, he is in many ways an easy person to understand. That makes him ripe for manipulation.
Given how closely Barack Obama was associated with the deepening of US-Vietnam ties, the change of administrations in the United States inevitably raised questions about the relationship's future.

From Vietnam's perspective, some of Donald Trump's administration's early moves raised alarm bells, especially its withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It was a major disappointment for Vietnam. Moreover, despite the Trump administration's continuation of freedom-of-navigation operations, there is a perception in Vietnam that the South China Sea issue figures relatively low in Trump's foreign policy priorities.

In fact, after nine months in office, and amid growing tension in the region, there is little sign that Trump is formulating a comprehensive strategy for Asia. The North Korean nuclear crisis has absorbed most of the US's attention in Asia. Moreover, Trump's initial talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping led some in South-East Asia to fear that a softer US line on the South China Sea could be traded for China's cooperation on North Korea.

Despite their concerns, Vietnamese leaders were proactive in engaging directly with the new US President. In May this year, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was the first South-East Asian head of state, and the third from Asia (after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's Xi) to visit Trump after he took office. The meeting was considered successful and set a positive tone for the relationship.
Sister Margaret Mary Kennedy FCJ (or Peg to close friends and family) was a woman of great faith, grace and style, with a passion for the education of young women. She inspired and empowered generations of girls across the world to be all they could be.

Of strong Irish stock, Ellen Margaret was born in Richmond in 1927, one of three children born to Thomas Kennedy and Elizabeth Collins, who had migrated to Australia in 1922. Growing up in Richmond, she attended the local parish primary school and then Vaucluse College, Richmond for her secondary education with the FCJ Sisters.

Sister Margaret Mary Kennedy.

The Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) is an international society of Catholic sisters founded in France in 1820.

Inspired by the FCJ Sisters' mission of service to others, Ellen entered the society in August 1947 aged 19 and was given the religious name Margaret Mary. So strong was the religious calling in her family that her only sister, Mary, also joined the FCJs. Margaret and Mary had a very loving and supportive relationship that only grew in strength as they carried out their years in service together around the world. In a symbol of their strong bond, Mary died just five weeks after Margaret Mary.
Illustration: Simon Letch That's the next phase of this. You can't quibble with the public's opinion, particularly not having demanded the public be allowed to have its say. But you can quibble with the specific, tangible expression of that will. You can say you're prepared to accept the result, but just not this version of it. Whatever the result of the vote, same-sex marriage will not have become law, and the politics surrounding it will still be very much alive. Credit:AAP Confronted with "yes", you can add an asterisk, then load the fine print with demands that it just so happens the legislation in front of you doesn't meet. Abetz has now given us an outline of those conditions.

And naturally, they rehearse familiar themes. They are the very themes on which the "no" campaign built its pitch. And if the result is as expected, they are the very themes on which the "no" campaign will have lost. Senator Cory Bernardi declared that while he hopes people will respect the survey's result, "we are going to have differences about the shape of any bill that goes forward". Credit:Andrew Meares Note the paradox then. Having argued this survey was needed so the public's voice could be heard, having then asked the public to say "no" on the basis that these freedoms would be under threat, and having most likely seen the public reject that argument, it now offers these very arguments as a basis for rejecting whatever legislation is finally introduced to parliament. It's an attempt to frustrate the popular will on grounds that have already failed to move the public. The upshot of this could be colossal. Already there are reports of a caucus of Liberal politicians working on a list of up to 100 amendments to the Dean Smith bill. Precisely how far these would go is currently under wraps, but Abetz's references to "conscientious objection" and Liberal MP Ian Goodenough's admission this goes "beyond the wedding ceremony" looks geared to a broader watering down of anti-discrimination legislation. Former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott campaigned for a "No" vote in the same-sex marriage postal plebiscite. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Bernardi, for instance, has already suggested businesses should be able to reject customers for any reason they wish  a development that could even legalise a refusal to serve, say, Indigenous people. That would be quite the legislative trade-off. It's not the content of these amendments that really matters  they're unlikely to become law because Turnbull probably couldn't abide them and Labor would reject them anyway. What matters is their mere existence, and the obstacle they pose. Bill Shorten re-affirmed that any Labor MPs who wished to vote against same-sex marriage when, or if, the bill came before parliament, was free to do so. Credit:AAP It's true that Labor already supports the Smith bill, and that Turnbull could therefore pass it in a day or two even without the support of the Abbott-Abetz faction. But it's also true that some within that faction have warned that Turnbull faces a party room revolt if he simply ignores them. In this sense, the postal survey changes nothing. Turnbull was always able to get a same-sex marriage bill past the public and through Parliament. What he could never do was get it past his own party. Now it's possible he still can't.

An Enmore resident has painted a rainbow down the front facade of his property in support of same-sex marriage. Credit:Kate Burke The trouble is that while Turnbull can only prosper with the support of the public, his internal enemies have no such limitation. They are already arguing for broadly unpopular positions. Theirs is now the politics of a sub-culture, standing against the tyranny of the majority. In this, they win as long as they keep fighting. Same-sex marriage works for them as an issue because it gives them something to resist. That's why a postal survey could never end this simply. It could only deliver us to the next fight. All that brings Turnbull back to where he started: staring down the barrel of a gun his own party is pointing at him.

The only reason we've gone through this lamentable process is that Turnbull lacked the political capital to take on the far reaches of his party room because he couldn't risk a revolt. And clearly, given the state of the polls and the government's endless entrapment in hopeless situations like the current dual citizenship saga, his political capital is hardly growing. But at some point he's going to have to do it. He'll have to do something that calls on the revolt he has so studiously avoided. And this surely is that moment. Because if he doesn't, if he succumbs to the latest threats of his reactionary colleagues and retreats into a new political paralysis, his own postal survey will have thoroughly humiliated him. Loading Probably even more than any party-room mutiny would.
First, the Adani family, as distinct from the public company, is particularly exposed on its key asset, Abbot Point. If the mine doesn't go ahead, Abbot Point will be forced to operate well short of "optimum capacity", threatening losses to the family. Hence, a lower-tier investment bank, Jeffries, is apparently attempting to organise a near-junk bond issue towards the refinancing of the heavily leveraged Abbot Point. A NAIF loan will be fundamentally important to investor support for this port.

Second, with some 20-30 globally significant banks, including our Big Four, declaring their unwillingness to finance the Adani project, the company has been scrounging around for financial support. The latest rumour is that support may come from a Chinese company (CMEC, in conjunction with Downer EDI) as both EPC and bringing export credit finance, perhaps also backed by a government-owned Indian bank. Again the NAIF support would be fundamental to such a financial deal. Another rumour has the coal committed to be on-sold from India to Pakistan at near $US130 per tonne, about $50 more than what would be a "market price".

Against this background, the recent decision of Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk to refuse to sign the required support for a NAIF loan threatens to be a real hurdle. But her motives are not clear  ostensibly to deal with an accusation of a conflict of interest, as her partner has worked on the NAIF application. But perhaps it's more to do with her desire to shore up city votes against the Greens. She is still committed to giving royalty relief to Adani  perhaps also wanting to still be seen in some quarters as a supporter of the project.

The political support for the Adani project, especially from the Nationals, is also linked to a desire for the federal government to finance and build a new HELE coal-fired power plant in North Queensland. It would have to be government, as it is most unlikely it would be financed by the private sector, especially with the availability of cheaper solar and wind projects.

Evidence and commonsense suggests that Adani's Carmichael proposal should already be recognised as a "stranded asset". There is absolutely no justification for financial support from either the federal or state governments. To do otherwise is simply "intergenerational theft". Any short-term political arguments are entirely misplaced, the employment benefits exaggerated and the international reputational damage to Australia long lasting.
Like the stars of stage, screen and Sesame Street, the 25-year-old green tree frog called Godzilla was immediately ready for his croak up.

When Godzilla saw an iPhone at the Australian Museum this week, the male frog hugged it. It was an appropriate response given that a new smart phone app called FrogID is being described as an "urgent rescue mission" to save frogs that are vulnerable or endangered.

It's part of a national citizen science initiative to count Australia's frogs, which is being launched by the Australian Museum on Friday.

The app developed by IBM works a bit like the music identification and discovery app Shazam by recording male frog's chirps, barks and croaks. After downloading the app and turning on the location to aid identification, all users have to do is hit record when they think they hear a male frog calling out to attract the females of its species.
Weeks of debate on same-sex marriage may not have shifted Australians' votes on the issue, according to a poll that has found 60 per cent support for change.

The survey taken by YouGov on the eve of the plebiscite result found that hearing the key arguments for and against allowing same-sex marriage "appear to have very little impact on whether respondents support it" according to an analysis by the US Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, which commissioned the survey.

The centre's poll, which also canvassed views in the United States, found that Americans are more likely than Australians to support the right of business owners to refuse services for same-sex weddings because they have religious objections. But the difference was not huge, with 50 per cent of Americans and 43 per cent of Australians saying business owners should have the right to refuse.

Those disagreeing or not having a position were 35 per cent and 15 per cent in the US, and 39 per cent and 17 per cent in Australia.
Almost 600 men still holed up in the Manus Island detention centre are bracing for confrontation after being given two days to relocate to new accommodation and Papua New Guinean authorities warning them "force may be used" if they do not leave voluntarily.

A notice issued at the now-decommissioned centre on Thursday said the facility was returning to PNG defence force control and declared the detainees had no legal justification to stay following the Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday they should move to the new "transit centres".

"If necessary, force may be used to relocate those who refuse to move voluntarily for your own sake," the notice from PNG's Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority said.

"Demolition of fences will commence today and your security and safety here is not guaranteed...This land will revert to [defence force control] and if you still remain here after demolition of the fences, you will be deemed to be unlawfully on a military base and will face eviction or arrest and prosecution."
On a day when an op shop find passed on from grandmother to granddaughter won the $115,000 first prize in Myer Fashions on the Field, mum was definitely the word around Flemington on Oaks Day.

Frances Abbott, the daughter of former prime minister Tony Abbott, said her mother Margie was her greatest inspiration.

"She is a goddess, I love her. She is so strong but so soft. She is kind but firm, I credit everything I am to who she is," Ms Abbott said of her most inspirational woman, the theme of Myer's Oaks Day lunch.

Ms Abbott, wearing a white dress by Misha Collection, said she was sweating on the result of the same-sex marriage postal survey, which is expected next week.
First up in fashion news before a bumper sales guide, this year has seen an array of designers and artists give back to charity, and New Zealand based label Kowtow is the latest to lend a hand.

Founded in 2007 by Gosia Piatek, the conscious label has just released a collaboration with Melbourne artist Caroline Walls, with many of their common aesthetics coming to life. The Building Block basic collection aims to inspire confidence and empowerment by showcasing the work of Walls who put the female anatomy in focus.

Kowtow just released a collaboration with Melbourne artist Caroline Walls.

"I see similarities in my work and Kowtow's design. We have aligned aesthetics: minimalism and a streamlined colour palette which made it feel like a natural and authentic collaboration," says Walls.

The prices range from $99-$129, with $20 from each pared-back T-shirt to be donated to the International Women's Development agency to strengthen safety and security for women in the Asia Pacific region, aiming to break cycles of gender based violence.
Call it the spring racing hangover but it's a bit of a bonsai list this week. Still, where it lacks in quantity it makes up in quality, with one of Australia's best sustainable labels having a clear out. It could even be the sale of the month.

KITX is holding a two-day warehouse sale, featuring ethically sourced and made one-off, samples and signature silhouettes from the No.6 collection. With founder Kit Willow adopting the mantra of "making women look and feel beautiful without harming our planet," expect pieces in silk and cotton, as well as layered velvet, tailored suiting and prints.

9-11 Claremont Street, South Yarra. Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm.

KitX is holding a two-day warehouse sale. Credit:Sonny Vandevelde
A group of activists climbed the Sydney Opera House on Thursday morning and tried to unfurl a banner displaying the words "Evacuate Manus #BringThemHere".

At 10.30am, five members of a group called the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance (WACA) were about to spread the banner across the west-facing sail of the building when they were stopped by police.

The protesters held up smaller signs that said "Australian world leaders in cruelty" and "Evacuate Manus".

The action was in protest against the treatment of refugees on Manus Island.
Droughts come regularly to outback Broken Hill, killing sheep, burning profits and carving farmland into craters. But the wind is constant, said local farmer Greg Lawrence, sitting on a rocky and gusty hill that only a feral goat could love.

"It's not blowing a gale, but there is always wind," said Mr Lawrence. He is one of four property owners whose properties will host the 58 turbines that comprise the 200-megawatt Silverton Wind Farm  the largest in NSW  to be finished next year.

The Hallett Wind Farm in South Australia. Credit:AGL

Mr Lawrence, a sheep and goat farmer, said he could never have imagined the turbines he admired in England on his honeymoon 11 years ago would provide a steady source of income to drought-proof his family's leasehold, Nine Mile Station.

No one will say how much the four property owners will receive: Unlike most wind farms, the Silverton farmers lease land from the Crown, and will share income from the Silverton project with Western Lands.
For the past month Sydneysiders have been subjected to a $2 million advertising campaign singing the praises of the under-construction $16.8 billion WestConnex tollway.

It's a cheerful, animated affair that follows the progress of a little red hatchback along the 33-kilometre route to the sounds of laughing children, singing birds and cyclists happily dinging their bells as they ride through pristine city parks.

"WestConnex is the missing piece of the puzzle that will bring Sydney closer together," the upbeat voice over explains.

"There's a lot to it, but it's part of a larger plan designed with people in mind," it concludes.
"She's going to be in serious trouble when I get her."

That's what Katherine Abdallah told police at her Sydney townhouse the night before she fatally stabbed her cousin, a NSW Supreme Court jury was told on Thursday.

Facing manslaughter charges: Katherine Abdallah. Credit:AAP

Former senior constable Yasir Khan testified that the now 37-year-old then said: "You guys will probably be called back."

The officer was in fact called back the next evening, February 9, 2013, after Suzie Sarkis, 21, had been stabbed to death by Abdallah at the Brighton-Le-Sands home.
Malek Fahd Islamic School will be paid $10 million and get a property worth about $12 million as it continues to sue its founder, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) in a Sydney court.

Students at the Greenacre campus of Malek Fahd Islamic School in 2015. Credit:Nic Walker

On Thursday, AFIC agreed in the NSW Supreme Court to transfer money and property to Malek Fahd a year after the school began litigation seeking $45 million in damages.

Malek Fahd alleges AFIC breached its fiduciary duty and engaged in "unconscionable conduct" by forcing the school to pay inflated rent, including years of rent in advance, to keep the organisation afloat over a number of years.
Queensland Labor have changed their tune about why the premier said her government would veto the Commonwealth Adani loan.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt told ABCs 7.30 the Labor government had decided to veto the loan because of voter backlash.

Queensland treasurer Curtis Pitt said the government would veto the NAIF loan because it was what the community wanted. Credit:AAP/Glenn Hunt

I think what this shows is that we are a government that responds and listens to the concerns that are being raised, said Mr Pitt, who previously supported the loan.

We've made ourselves clear this is a federal government loan scheme, but today we can say yet again that we are not backing a billion dollars of taxpayers' money going to a foreign mining company, Adani.
The fourth round of talks aimed at revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement ended this week in Washington, with Canada and Mexico rejecting a variety of U.S. proposals. The negotiators will be back at the table next month in Mexico City.

The trilateral trade pact has always had its critics. When it went to Congress for approval in 1993, the oppositions claims were so over the top, they were brutally lampooned in one of Saturday Night Lives classic fake advertisements.

The ad, Paid for by United We Stand American and the AFL-CIO, featured Rob Schneider as a stereotypical Mexican. He explained the trade deal this way: It is very simple. This pinata represents the United States economy. And this bat represents NAFTA. Watch what NAFTA does.

After smashing the U.S. economy with the NAFTA bat, Senor Schneider concluded: You see? All the goodies fall down south, to Mexico.

Fortunately, Congress did not fall for the arguments pushed by NAFTAs critics. NAFTA has proved to be a tremendous success for Canada, Mexico and the United States.

In 1994, critics said the United States would lose jobs. But the average U.S. unemployment rate has been lower in the 23 years since NAFTA took effect than in the 23 years prior to the pact. Post-NAFTA, our economy has added, on average, more than a million jobs annually.

Critics said U.S. manufacturing would suffer. Instead, manufacturing output increased by 80 percent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average hourly compensation for manufacturing workers increased from $20.72 in 1994 to nearly $40 today.

Critics said there would be a flood of companies leaving the United States to invest in low-wage Mexico. Instead, since 1994 the United States has attracted nearly $4.5 trillion in foreign direct investment from abroad. The United States remains the worlds most powerful magnet for foreign investment dollars.

The beneficial impact of NAFTA is not remotely controversial among economists who have studied the effect of the agreement. A 2012 survey conducted by the University of Chicagos Initiative on Global Markets found that more than four of every five economists agreed that on average, citizens of the U.S. have been better off with the North American Free Trade Agreement than they would have been if the trade rules for the U.S., Canada and Mexico prior to NAFTA had remained in place.

NAFTA was a true win-win-win agreement, and all three countries have much stronger economies now than they did before NAFTA took effect.

Other countries have attempted to replicate NAFTAs benefits. Since 1994, foreign nations have entered more than 250 agreements liberalizing trade. The most recent is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union. It eliminates 98 percent of the tariffs between Canada and the member nations of the European Union.

Given the advantages America has gained under NAFTA and the free-trade advances other nations have made since 1994, it would be a big mistake to toss NAFTA and turn back the clock to 1993. But there are certainly some areas where the agreement could be improved.

NAFTA was accompanied by side deals on environmental and labor policies. Canadian negotiators have demanded that the United States abolish state right to work laws. And there have even been proposals to add gender equality requirements to a new NAFTA agreement.

Trade deals should stick to trade matters. Issues  old and new  that arent directly related to trade should be dealt with separately.

One way to improve NAFTA would to target it to areas directly related to international commerce, while resisting calls to impose new international environmental and labor regulations through the back door of a trade agreement.

Another possible improvement would be to make it harder for Canada and Mexico to tax competitive U.S. exports through their use of protectionist anti-dumping policies. Canada and Mexico have used these laws to restrict U.S. exports of products ranging from potatoes to steel. A true free trade agreement should give Americans full access to customers in Canada and Mexico.

NAFTA can also be updated to incorporate digital trade issues, which were not relevant back in 1994. For example, Americans should be able to make full use of trading platforms from eBay, Amazon, Google and other companies without interference from government-erected barriers.

NAFTAs model of economic freedom has been widely emulated by other countries. Instead of scrapping the pact, we should build on its success by negotiating an even better win-win-win deal for all three countries.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's Battler Bus has broken down on its way north to Mackay.

The bus began making a loud hissing noise near Marlborough and was parked at a local petrol station awaiting a mechanic on Thursday morning.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is seen inspecting the engine bay of the Battler Bus. Credit:AAP

The federal senator boarded the bus in Rockhampton on the fourth day of her tour of key seats in central and northern Queensland ahead of the November 25 poll.

Ms Hanson started the morning when she refused a halal-friendly McDonald's breakfast on the Queensland election trail, instead taking up a fish and chip shop owner's offer of instant coffee.
It is still uncertain how many of Queenslands new trains will be ready to roll in time for next year's Commonwealth Games, to be held on the Gold Coast in April.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the number of issues with the New Generation Rollingstock was whittled down from 22 in September to five this week.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad at the Downer EDI rail manufacturing plant in Maryborough on Thursday. Credit:Darren England/AAP

We are confident that we are going to resolve those issues in the not so distant future, as soon as thats done, we will make sure that we publicly advertise when these trains are being in passenger service because it will be a breakthrough, she said.

But Ms Trad was not forthcoming with how many of the NGR trains would be on the tracks by the Commonwealth Games.
Labor is set to announce new measures to support veterans ahead of Remembrance Day on Saturday.

A re-elected Palaszczuk government would introduce a range of initiatives to support veterans, ex-Australian Defence Force personnel and their families and current ADF personnel.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk and then-opposition leader Lawrence Springborg at the 2015 Remembrance Day commemoration at Brisbane's Shrine of Remembrance. Credit:Bradley Kanaris

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move was in recognition of veterans' service and sacrifice.

A Labor government would provide 50 per cent public transport discounts for Department of Veterans Affairs white card holders.
Wollongong No.1 for fixed-line broadband In the Ookla testing, Wollongong came out on top for the best fixed-line speeds in Australia overall, with the speed testing company giving it a "speed score" of 94.31 out of 100 (speed score incorporates overall network speed performance for both download and upload speed). Average download speeds in Wollongong were 33.72 Mbps, with an average upload speed of 19.78 Mbps upload. ISP MyRepublic was classed as "fastest" in the area. Geelong came in next, with a speed score of 94.26. For fixed-line broadband, Ookla ranked Australia 56th in the world for average download speeds overall (24.12 Mbps), between Guam and the United Arab Emirates, and 73rd for average upload speeds (8.48 Mbps), between Croatia and Fiji.

Mobile faster than fixed in reality Of particular note from the report was that Speedtest.net data showed fixed-line broadband speeds were significantly slower than mobile speeds in Australia. Specifically, the mean download speed over fixed broadband was 45.4 per cent slower than over mobile. Meanwhile, upload speeds on fixed broadband were 40.8 per cent slower than those on mobile. Ookla said it was intriguing that speeds varied by ISP in Australia, as they should theoretically be consistent across all providers who are on the national broadband network. One possible explanation is the fee ISPs are charged by NBN Co per megabit, which critics within telcos say is too high and should be reduced because it acts as a tax on bandwidth, driving down uptake of faster speeds. Another factor is the mix of access technology, with some areas being served by ADSL, dial-up, HFC, a variety of fibre architectures  from fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the basement to fibre to the premises (FTTP). Meanwhile, people outside the NBN fibre network are served by a combination of fixed wireless and satellite. Optus and Telstra are likely to be ahead in fixed-line speeds because they have the advantage of having access to the HFC cable network, which helps boost their average download speeds. Meanwhile, TPG has been rolling out a fibre to the basement network that has helped increase its speeds.

Another reason speeds vary so much between carriers is because some telcos attract customers at the lower end of the market who wish to purchase only 12 Mbps download speeds and 1 Mbps upload speeds. Telcos respond Telstra said it was pleased Ookla had confirmed the telco had the fastest mobile network. "We recently engaged Systemics to conduct an independent benchmarking survey of the three mobile networks, and after driving 41,000 kilometres around Australia making calls and using data they found Telstra was the leading national provider," a Telstra spokesperson said. While Ookla was one of the more established tests, Telstra said there were still limitations to the accuracy of aggregate third-party measurements given issues with sample size and geographic spread.

"The results can be especially problematic on the fixed network given the different mix of technologies involved," the spokesperson said. "Also these sorts of tests do not provide an overall view of what customers value, such as coverage, support for video streaming and new capabilities such as our support for the internet of things." Meanwhile, an Optus said the company was pleased the Ookla report showed that it offered the fastest fixed broadband internet speeds overall in Australia, "particularly given the significant rise in streaming services". "We will continue to roll out 4.5G network technology to select capital cities which will result in customers' experiencing significant improvements in data speeds," a spokesperson said. They added that it was important to take "a holistic view of a carrier's network which should also include network coverage  including regional and remote towns  and also voice performance". A Vodafone spokeswoman said it was encouraging to see the Ookla results "while our network continues to evolve and meet the needs of our customers as their usage habits change and grow over time".

Asked if any of the mobile providers prioritised speed tests over other data in order to game results, a Telstra spokesman gave a firm "no" while Optus said it did not do this either. Vodafone did not answer the question. Nicholas Demos, MyRepublic's ANZ managing director, said the results were a great indicator of the growing education in the local market since the provider's launch less than a year ago. "There has been a shift in the Australian internet landscape and MyRepublic congratulates Ookla for this survey that provides the public with detailed information on ISP performance by city. This will help provide much-needed guidance to the end customer in what is a cluttered market," he said. A spokeswoman for Vocus Group, which owns iPriumus, said Vocus had recently been reviewing its NBN services following the issuance of the guidance on broadband speeds from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). "This review has included determining the best approach that ensures customers are provided with clear information about the maximum attainable speeds that they can expect to receive, and the expected performance of their service during peak periods," the spokeswoman said.
"We have no idea what we might find," Dr Dean Miller, director of science and media at the Great Barrier Reef Legacy tells me.

"As scuba-divers we can get down to around 30 to 40 metres safely but with this ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) we are allowed to go to 150, so this really turns into exploration in its purist form."

Blueye's Pioneer drone is less expensive and more user friendly than previous gear. Credit:Blueye Robotics AS

Dr Miller is the first to use the brand new Blueye Pioneer underwater drone, embarking on a 21-day expedition to explore the Great Barrier Reef's most remote, unexplored reaches, and assess the region's declining coral reef corridor.

"I don't think there is anyone out there who didn't dream as a kid of being able to see what is down in the deeper regions of our oceans," Dr Miller enthuses.
Plans for new bottle shops or pubs could be knocked back in family-violence hot spots if a coalition of Victoria's health and community groups get their way on proposed "alcohol harm zones".

Alcohol increases the frequency and severity of family violence, says Mark Zirnsak, a spokesman for the coalition, which includes Turning Point, The Salvation Army, the Uniting Church and the Cancer Council.

More liquor outlets equals more family violence, health and community groups say. Credit:Nic Walker

In Victoria, alcohol contributes to 65,000 family violence incidents each year, which is more than half of all family violence call outs attended by police.

"This evidence links the aggressive pushing of alcohol by those who profit from its sales to increases in family violence, child maltreatment and health problems," says Dr Zirnsak, the director of the Uniting Church's justice and international mission.
Exactly a year after he was found not guilty of murdering toddler Nikki Francis-Coslovich, John Torney is back in custody, accused of brutally bashing his de facto partner.

Mr Torney, 33, was refused bail in the Mildura Magistrates' Court on Thursday, The Sunraysia Daily reports..

He faces charges including intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault, making a threat to inflict serious injury and impersonating a police officer.

The court heard Mr Torney's three-month relationship had become increasingly violent leading up to last month, when he is alleged to have punched his partner to the face, threatened to set her on fire and dragged her up a hill by her hair.
Thursday's victory in the Oaks Day Fashions on the Field was far from the first rodeo for Crystal Kimber.

Ms Kimber, who won the $115,000 first prize with a multicoloured skirt she inherited from her grandmother, has been entering the event at Flemington since she was 16.

Myer Fashions on the Field winner Crystal Kimber. Credit:Eddie Jim

One might even go as far as to say she's a serial entrant  Oaks Day is her fourth such even this year.

Ms Kimber, who works in marketing, represented NSW in the final, even though she lives in Victoria, and has previously represented Queensland.
"This is the single most important contract that the Henderson business has ever bid for and will ever bid for."

Austal chief executive David Singleton is speaking about a multibillion-dollar defence contract that could make or break operations at the Henderson shipyard.

Austal has warned that 600 jobs could be axed from Henderson if it fails to win a $3 billion defense contract.

The Perth shipbuilder has warned that 600 jobs could be axed at Henderson if it fails to win a $3 billion defence contract for the Royal Australian Navy's new offshore patrol vessels.

Mr Singleton said he expected to know the decision by the end of this month.
She's sailed far and wide across the world with barely a hitch - but it was the wild waters of Perth's Swan River that have put the Duyfken replica out of action.

Strong northerly winds whipped up waves on the river in October as the historic replica of Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog's ship from the 1600s was berthed at the South Perth Yacht Club.

The Duyfken under sail on the Swan River. Credit:Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation

Torrents of river water, driven by the late winter storm, battered the ship for around twelve hours, and eventually water got into the ship's starboard engine and knocked it out.

The damage bill tallies to at least $120,000 dollars, and none of it is able to be covered by insurance.
Gone are the days of having to make the long trip to the hospital to consult with a doctor.

The doctor may see you now from the comfort of your own home and we are not talking about a home visit  we are talking about holographic doctors.

GP appointments via holograms will soon be the norm. Credit:Silver Chain

The Silver Chain group RDNS is looking towards the future by allowing doctors to appear in a person's home via hologram.

The health care organisation will be undergoing trials for their new program Silver Chain Enhanced Medical Mixed Reality (EMMR), which allows a health care professional to project themselves through a HoloLens headset developed by Microsoft.
As students across Australia continue to prepare for their dreaded exams, many are turning to social media as an outlet for their stress.

It is almost impossible to scroll past a Facebook newsfeed without seeing meme after meme about exams, stress and study fails.

Uni students in Perth are battling through exams.

One university student took to the popular Confessions at Curtin Facebook page to share their frustration over their crammed exam timetable.

The unlucky student posted his timetable on the anonymous page, showing two exams scheduled for 8.30am and 5.30pm on both Friday and Saturday.
WA Court of Appeal judges have reserved their decision after Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi challenged findings she breached the Local Government Act 45 times by not disclosing third party-funded travel and accommodation.

Ms Scaffidi appealed the State Administrative Tribunal ruling and 18-month disqualification penalty, and has stood down from her duties pending the outcome.

Lisa Scaffidi argues against her punishment in the SAT. Credit:Louise Kennerley

She admitted five breaches, including failing to report a $US24,000 BHP Billiton-funded package to the 2008 Beijing Olympics with her property developer husband that included business class flights, but is challenging some other adverse findings.

Arguing against the punishment at an appeal hearing on Wednesday, her barrister Steven Penglis said the SAT wrongly deemed her likely to reoffend, despite a new continuous disclosure regime being easier to comply with, given oversights were less likely than with annual returns.
"When I don't get a certain amount of work done, I'm laying [in bed] thinking about what I could have done. "I like to set myself goals during the day and if I don't achieve them, I'm left stressing at night." Emily said she was aware of several peers experiencing symptoms of anxiety. "As students we don't want to put our hand up and say 'hey, I'm struggling'," she said. "Everyone likes to joke about how hard things are, but if you really get down to the root of it, everyone is suffering.

"A lady that came in [to work] the other day said she basically lost a child for a year  her daughter sacrificed so much and didn't go out with friends because she was studying all the time." Emily expressed her disappointment in the lack of empathy from a number of people who had taken to social media, criticising the students for speaking out. "People say we don't understand what real stress is, but fail to realise that this is all we know," she said. "We don't know what it's like having a mortgage; we don't know what it's like to have kids. "Our life is school."

Headspace community awareness manager Annabeth Bateman said the issue was widespread and the organisation had reported an influx of students seeking advice. "We've seen a big increase since last year," she said. "Our numbers take a huge jump in August and September in the lead up to exams." Ms Bateman said although the students levels of anxiety were at their highest during the examination period, the number of students who seek help generally goes down - and that's part of the problem. "Students are usually busy studying and forget to seek help," she said.

"When you're struggling the most, that's when you really need that support in place." Ms Bateman said lack of sleep was a common concern amongst students. "Anxiety often leads to poor sleep and interrupted appetite," she said. "When students don't get enough sleep it makes things harder for them, because the next day they're only operating on half a tank." The study also indicated that stress, anxiety and pressure levels were found to be highest amongst girls.

But Ms Bateman encouraged students struggling to seek help, in aid of breaking down the stigma around mental health. "Stress is a normal part of life and it's to be expected when you have exams," she said. "But if it's getting to the point where it's interfering with your life, that's when you should be asking for help." School Psychology Service manager Chris Gostelow said exams often brought about additional stress, and school staff had been trained to use a range of strategies to help students cope during these times. "Staff work to build resiliency in students throughout their school years and by the time Year 12 arrives, students are well practised in sitting examinations," he said.

Ms Bateman claimed the impact of exams on mental health was not limited only to senior students. "It's not just year 12's, it's students all throughout highschool  but there's certainly extra pressure on senior students," she said. Emily said her school had recognised the widespread need for support and appropriate measures had been put in place to aid students during this difficult time. "The school psychologist [at Sacred Heart] and the health captains were handing out chocolates saying 'have a kit-kat, have a time out' - it was a great way to advocate the importance of mental health," she said. "We also received advice on how to stay calm during exams  there are some fantastic teachers here that are really supportive.

"It's good that at Sacred Heart we have teachers that aren't seen just as teachers - they're seen as adults and even friends." Emily said she was hopeful WA schools would continue to provide additional support and offered advice for future students. "My biggest regret was not getting into a good study routine throughout year 11 and 12 - the routine itself is so important," she said. "I'd definitely say keep up your sport and social aspect - keeping a balance is so important. "We can't put our life on hold for exams, it's just not reality."
A Morley real estate agent has been issued a life ban from the WA real estate industry after it was found she had been forging contracts pretending to be prospective buyers for a number of Perth homes last year.

Gayla Currie worked for Century 21 Max Comben in Morley when she faked both contracts of offer and acceptance to give to Perth homeowners, and masqueraded as buyers interested in their properties.

Gayla, on the far left, has been issued a life ban from the WA industry. Credit:Channel 7 Telethon Trust

Between May 2015 and March 2016, Ms Currie handled the sale of four properties through the agency, and distributed 22 faked contracts for homes in Balcatta, Westminster, Morley and Stirling.

Over the course of 11 months, Consumer Protection said Ms Currie forged signatures on the offers, finance letters from banks and gave her agency fake phone numbers of her "buyers".
Paris: French grammar is sexist, according to hundreds of French teachers who insist they will no longer mark alternatives to male-dominated rules as wrong.

The call from 314 French teachers placed them on collision course with the Academie Francaise, the hallowed guardians of the French language, which has warned that moves to make French more gender-neutral is placing it in "mortal peril".

A woman reads a banner during a demonstration to support the wave of testimonies denouncing cases of sexual harassment, in France in the wake of mounting allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein last month. Credit:AP

It relates to the rules in Latin languages which assign gender to objects and preference masculine plural nouns and pronouns when referring to a mixed-gender group.

The call to arms came amid soul-searching in France over wider gender inequality in society in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on Wednesday. Credit:AP "This is a major statement," said Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi, an Emirati royal and prominent art collector. "This is saying that we're not playing in the little leagues - we're playing in the major leagues. It's probably the greatest museum in the world, and it will have not just a small branch but a massive presence." Pictures are screened on the pyramid of the Louvre museum in Paris, as part of the launch of the Louvre Abhu Dhabi. Credit:AP The project also figures into internal competition among the UAE's seven constituent kingdoms, each of which is seeking its own distinctive niche, said Kristian Ulrichsen, an expert on the history of the Gulf states at Rice University.

Dubai, he said, embraced business and infrastructure nearly 20 years before the capital Abu Dhabi which ultimately controls the lion's share of the country's oil reserves. Flush with cash, the ambitions of the latter continue to rise. A general view of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Credit:AP In France, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has long figured in discussions that have far transcended the realm of art for art's sake. "The objective was never aesthetic - it was political," said Didier Rykner, a French art historian who is among the project's most outspoken critics. French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on Wednesday. Credit:AP

Authorised by a 2007 act of the French parliament, the new museum is often considered a soft power component of a broader strategic expansion into the Gulf region, which included the installation of permanent military bases in Abu Dhabi in 2009, the French military's first overseas expansion since decolonisation began in the mid-1960s. As Nicolas Sarkozy, France's then-president, said when he inaugurated those bases, they would "show the responsibility that France, as a global power, agrees to assume with its closest partners, in a region that is a fault line for the whole world." This is a stance that Macron, since his election in May, has only maintained, attempting to position France as a chief interlocutor on the world stage, and especially in the Middle East on the question of Iran. In the throes of the Gulf crisis, however, there is also the threat of nearby Qatar, whose capital, Doha, has long established itself as a more open centre of intellectual exchange in the region: it is home to the Al-Jazeera media network, a satellite campus of the Brookings think-tank and an acclaimed art museum of its own, designed by I.M.Pei. Doha's skyline features a prominent skyscraper by the Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, later commissioned to design the Louvre Abu Dhabi. As Nouvel said in an interview: "Now is not the time to talk about that."

"They're trying to discredit Qatar's attempt to build up a simple brand," Ulrichsen said of Emirati officials, "and this will only help them to project an image of benevolent modernisation." For critics, that "modernisation" is little more than a desert mirage. While notably more liberal than its neighbours in the region, the UAE still has repressive tendencies that severely limit freedom of expression, jails dissidents and allows certain offences to be punished according to sharia law. There is also the lingering issue of how - and by whom - the glistening new landmarks on the Island of Happiness were built. For years, journalists and rights advocates accused the development of abusing and exploiting in the process - charges that ultimately warranted the intervention of the European Commission's subcommittee on human rights in December 2013. According to a 2015 Human Rights Watch report, the new Abu Dhabi project saw "some employers continue to withhold wages and benefits from workers, fail to reimburse recruiting fees, confiscate worker passports, and house workers in substandard accommodations." In recent years, the Emirati government has begun reforming the so-called "kafala system" of migrant labour, which exists in many Gulf states and makes migrant laborers dependent on their employers for their visas. But the charges remain, much to the chagrin of Louvre officials.

"We have visited the workers and seen their conditions here, we have verified their conditions," said Nouvel, the building's architect. "And I can assure you - I'm not sure it exists. It does not exist like that in the Louvre Abu Dhabi." But the Island of Happiness is only a literal island. It is not exempt from the law of the land, a reality that has led many to question whether prominent western universities and museums are compromising their values by establishing satellites in Abu Dhabi. Some of these institutions have listened, even going so far as to cancel their agreements. After two professors, both of Shiite origin, were denied security clearance to enter the UAE, New York University's Arthur L.Carter Journalism Institute decided last week to end its relationship with the university's Abu Dhabi campus. Similar critiques have been levied against the Louvre, mostly over the museum agreeing not to show potentially sensitive artworks of a political or sexual nature in Abu Dhabi. "Of course, we can say, 'why should we be here, why should we be doing this?'," said Olivier Gabet, the current director of Paris's Musee des Arts Decoratifs, who served for several years on the new museum's planning committee and taught in the art history program at the Sorbonne's Abu Dhabi campus, which trains local students to enter the museum profession. "But we could say the same in reverse. By the same token, why wouldn't we want to be there, in the midst of a social, educational and cultural transformation like this?"

Saif Ghobash, the director of Abu Dhabi's culture department, said much the same. In an interview, he highlighted one particular gallery as the essence of the entire museum: a small, dark room that displays a Medieval Koran, a Medieval Bible and a Medieval Torah. This might appear an unusual presentation in Abu Dhabi, where there are clear efforts to discourage religious and political symbols of Judaism. There are no synagogues in the Emirates, which allows a limited number of other non-Islamic places of worship such as churches and Hindu temples. The Israeli flag has been banned from many international sporting competitions. "One of the most beautiful books we have is the Yemeni Torah," Ghobash said, referring to the item on display, dated from 1498. "The message of balance and acceptance will be broadcast from this particular gallery." "The museum carries with it the finest tradition of French universalism, and tolerance," said Gabet. "By putting it in Abu Dhabi, one of the new hearts of the Middle East, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and its French and Emirati partners are showing that the Arab world is not confined to obscurantism. Moreover, it's a form of optimism. We have to believe in that, we have to work for it." For the moment, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is almost entirely a French operation, although museum officials say that roughly half of its employees are Emirati citizens.
Washington/Havana: From Thursday, it will be tougher for Americans to visit Cuba and do business in the country, making good on a pledge by President Donald Trump to roll back his Democratic predecessor's move toward warmer ties with Havana.

The restrictions, which take effect on Thursday, are aimed at preventing the military, intelligence and security arms of Cuba's Communist government from benefiting from American tourists and trade, the White House said.

The White House has said the restrictions are aimed at preventing Cuba's Communist government from benefiting from American tourists and trade: US President Donald Trump. Credit:AP

They fill in the regulatory detail on a Trump policy speech in June, in which the Republican president called for a tightening of restrictions. He said then that the Cuban government continued to oppress its people and former president Barack Obama had made too many concessions in his 2014 diplomatic breakthrough with Washington's former Cold War foe.

The regulations include a ban on Americans doing business with some 180 Cuban government entities, holding companies, and tourism companies. The list includes 83 state-owned hotels, including famous hotels in Old Havana such as Ernest Hemingway's erstwhile favourite haunt the Hotel Ambos Mundos, as well as the city's new luxury shopping mall.
Beijing: Donald Trump says his "great chemistry" with Chinese president Xi Jinping will lead to the two men solving "world problems of great danger".

"I believe we can solve almost all of them, and probably all of them," Mr Trump said on Thursday.

He also said previous American administrations, not China, were to blame for the "very unfair" trade imbalance between China and the US.

After an official welcome with a military parade on Tiananmen Square and a meeting with Mr Trump to discuss North Korea and trade, Mr Xi said the two men had reached "many common understandings".
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent Central Committee meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2017.

The urgent Central Committee meeting is scheduled for 14.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs will be present for this meeting.

The agenda point is:

Discussion on the National decree dated November 3, 2017 containing the dissolution of Parliament and the stipulation of Election Day

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 120, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.com and Parliaments Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten.
U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley is the king of understated code-speak. But Monday was no time for parsing words as indictments and plea deals rolled out of the probe into Russian interference in last year's presidential election.

Either Grassley is willing to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller from President Donald Trump or he's not.

Grassley wasn't entirely mute after Mueller announced charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a plea deal with former adviser George Papadopoulos. But Grassley's position atop the Senate Judiciary Committee basically barred a standard "no comment." Instead, in classic Grassley fashion, he drove headlong into the weeds while offering a smidgen of substance served with a twist of deflection and confusion.

"As always, it's important to let our legal system run its course," Grassley's statement reads. "While we don't have any more information regarding the current status of the special counsel's investigation other than what has already been made public, it's good to see the Justice Department taking seriously its responsibility to enforce the Foreign Agents Registration Act."

He then went on about enforcement of FARA, which requires disclosure from those working with foreign entities, which former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is accused of violating. Nowhere did Grassley mention Manafort, Trump or the campaign. He even offered the old "Democrats do it, too" defense. Later Monday, Grassley turned tail and fled a press conference before reporters could ask about the news of the day.

So, in essence, the only statement with any political weight was "let our legal system run its course."

What does that mean, exactly? And, of greater import, is he prepared to push back should Trump succumb to his rage and crush Mueller's investigation, a possibility that, in less partisan times, would create a legitimate constitutional crisis? Grassley intentionally ducked the matter altogether, a troubling signal to send to a White House with a history of leaning on investigators.

Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, wasn't afraid to demand Mueller's investigation continue without interference. Same goes for Utah peer Sen. Mike Lee. Neither of these men are liberals. Both have a long conservative records. And yet, unlike Grassley, they were willing to unequivocally demand that the White House leave Mueller to his work. It's a testament to the seriousness of the situation.

A pair of bills would make it much more difficult to fire Mueller. But those two pieces of legislation are basically stalled. Yet, legislation in the House that's gaining traction among Trump's allies would hamper Mueller by starving him of cash. These are the realities of the moment. No matter how uncomfortable, Grassley has a duty to defend the judicial system against political meddling. His politically driven lack of clarity was especially concerning due to his incessant attempts at justifying investigations of Democrats who do not reside in the White House, a transparent effort to deflect and distract.

One cannot stress the importance of this moment. Trump's former campaign chairman, the man who kept twitchy delegates in line at the Republican National Convention, faces a raft of charges, including conspiracy and failing to disclose his work for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. That same day, a plea deal with Papadopoulos was made public. Papadopoulos attempted to collude with Kremlin-linked agents and then lied about it.

Grassley is no small fish here. His committee wields oversight authority over the Justice Department. Several of the president's most reactionary partisan allies  who have spent weeks attempting to tarnish Mueller's credentials  again pressed for Mueller's firing. Trump, mind you, couldn't directly sack Mueller. He could, however, summon the ghost of Richard Nixon and purge the Justice Department until he found a lackey who would quash the investigation into Trump's presidential campaign.

But Grassley would rather talk about something  anything  else.
THE HAGUE:--- Honourable Minister Plenipotentiary, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York, hosted Honourable Ministers Plenipotentiary of Curacao and Aruba, Mr. Anthony Begina and Mr. Juan David Yruasquin, and Honourable Minister of Education of Curacao, Mrs. Marilyn Alcala-Walle, who is currently on a working visit in the Netherlands, at the Cabinet of Sint Maarten on Wednesday November 8th, in order to through them, formally thank the governments of Curacao and Aruba, on behalf of the Prime Minister and government of Sint Maarten, for their joint efforts in assisting and coordinating emergency aid to Sint Maarten prior to, during, and in the aftermath of the passing of hurricane Irma.

In particular, she thanked the governments for their immediate support to strengthen the capacities on Sint Maarten by sending personnel that crossed various fields of expertise.

With regards to the Government of Aruba, Minister Doran-York extended her gratitude for the Aruban governments emergency medical response to, and the housing of persons in dire need of medical treatment. She also thanked the various Aruban organizations that have offered their assistance to the people of Sint Maarten since the passing of the hurricanes including the citizens of Aruba that took Sint Maarteners into their homes during those difficult days. The Minister also made mention of the schools on Aruba that made it possible for the students of Sint Maarten to continue going to school during their stay.

The Government of Curacao were thanked, for functioning as a hub for the emergency assistance to Sint Maarten after the hurricane. The Minister highlighted her visit to the emergency shelter that was set up in Curacao, while she was on route to Sint Maarten after the hurricane. She thanked the government of Curacao for granting temporary housing and access to basic living necessities to the many Sint Maarteners that were forced to evacuate. Minister Doran-York also extended her gratitude to Minister Alcala-Walle and her Ministry for opening up the schools to the children of Sint Maarten, and thanked the hundreds of families in Curacao that made their homes available during this difficult period.

She noted that this experience, once again, reinforced her belief that the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom are committed to stand together and support each other through thick and thin.

Minister Doran-York presented the Ministers present with a small token of appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Sint Maarten, and thanked them for their continued efforts in the emergency assistance and reconstruction of Sint Maarten.

Minister Doran-York previously recognized and thanked, during a formal setting, the Dutch Government and individual Dutch Ministers for their support and contributions to Sint Maarten.
CUL DE SAC:--- St. Maarten Academy will on Thursday host an information session and Parent Evening for parents of students in Forms two to six (CAPE) to discuss very important matters relating to their children's education.

The information session for Forms 5 and CAPE, which starts at 5:00pm, is geared towards strengthening the school-parent partnership, and providing information for the students' matriculation into colleges and universities after completing high school.

Parents and students will be informed about certain privileges and responsibilities. As such, study financing officers of the Department of Education will be discussing matters regarding Study Financing. Study financing application begins on November 15, 2017and ends January 15, 2018. For further information, students can also visit the website at: www.studyfinancing.sx.

The school has also invited special guest lawyer, Mr. Denicio Brison, to address the concerns of parents and students as it relates to immigration matters. Thereafter, at 6:00pm, students and their parents of Forms two to six will meet with their respective homeroom teachers. Parents who do not show up for this meeting will be called into school subsequently.
OUTSIDE Magazine Names Apto As One of Americas Best Places To Work

DENVER, CO  (Marketwired)  11/08/17  , the leading web-based commercial real estate software for brokers, has been selected as one of OUTSIDE Magazines Best Places to Work 2017. This is the second year in a row Apto has received this award, which recognizes companies that are not only great workplaces for employees, but also respect the environment and encourage a balance between work and enjoying life in the great outdoors.

I chose to relocate to Colorado from the Bay Area after reading an OUTSIDE article. Its not surprising given the numerous companies in Denver that place a great emphasis on both quality of work and quality of life, said Aptos CEO, Angela Tucci. When I began talking to Apto about becoming their CEO, it was clear that they valued the same ideals, so its an honor to be a part of a team thats been included on this list twice.

Apto, which is one of 40 Colorado companies to make the list this year, owes its success and recognition to a collaborative, values-driven company culture that attracts passionate and engaged employees. From kickball leagues and volunteer events to annual camping trips and park days, Apto employees have countless opportunities to spend time together outside of work in their beautiful home state of Colorado.

Companies from across the country entered a rigorous two-part survey process to make the winning list, said Jonah Ogles, Articles Editor at OUTSIDE Magazine. The Best Companies Group evaluates each nominated companys workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. Theres also an employee survey to measure personal experience.

The complete list of OUTSIDEs Best Places to Work 2017 is available at .

Created by and for commercial real estate brokers, Apto is the leading web-based software for managing customer relationships, properties, listings, and deals. Apto serves nearly 10,000 commercial brokers and is the CRM of choice for 6 of the top 8 CRE brands. Aptos world-class software is optimized to meet the needs of CRE brokers, and is the only tool that allows brokers to manage the full lifecycle of a deal anywhere, from any device.

Interested in Apto, our customer success stories or working for us? Visit , call 888-633-6424, or email .
Reputation.com Accelerates European Expansion

REDWOOD CITY, CA  (Marketwired)  11/09/17  , the worlds leading Online Reputation Management (ORM) platform, with customers spanning 100 countries and 77 industry verticals, today announced the opening of operations in Central Europe to accommodate the companys rapid growth in the European theatre. The offices, based in Germany, cover the markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH) and will include the companys business development, sales and customer success organizations.

The D-A-CH region, which is the largest economic market in the European Union, includes many leaders in the automotive, hospitality, healthcare, retail and manufacturing industries. Online reputation has become increasingly important to organizations in the region. The market is expected to triple in size before 2020.

Reputation.com opened its newest office in Germany in order to better serve its growing customer portfolio, which includes some of the regions largest G2000 customers across numerous industry verticals. Reputation.coms European customers are demanding a local presence and local infrastructure to serve their growing Reputation Management needs.

Marketing and business operations are evolving rapidly, and consumers are engaging with brands and businesses in entirely new  and much more transparent  ways than ever before, thanks to digital technologies, said Sven Knierim, Country Manager D-A-CH for Reputation.com. Enterprises in Germany, Switzerland and Austria are looking for the best skills and tools to monitor and manage online conversations and improve customer service.

Looking ahead, Reputation.com will have a presence at the upcoming GastRo trade shows for Hospitality professionals and at Retail World 2017 in Berlin. Knierim stated Reputation.com is actively recruiting candidates across large parts of Europe to join the team.

Reputation.com also has offices in The Americas, Asia Pacific, the UK and Northern Europe. For more information on open positions in Germany, or in any of the other Reputation.com offices, please visit .

Reputation.com, Inc., based in Silicon Valley, pioneered Online Reputation Management (ORM) technology for the enterprise market in 2006. With its SaaS platform, businesses across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific gain actionable insights that help them monitor and improve customer experience, and accelerate revenue. Reputation.com technology has managed tens of millions of consumer reviews and interactions across hundreds of thousands of online points of presence for global companies spanning 77 industry verticals.

Reputation.com is a World Economic Forum Global Growth Company and is funded by the same top-tier venture capital firms that backed Google, Facebook, Cisco and Microsoft. To learn more, visit

Image Available:

Meghan Brown

415-800-5389
AerServ Joins Googles Exchange Bidding Program To Drive Real-Time Competition In Mobile

IRVINE, CA  (Marketwired)  11/09/17  AerServ, the leading inventory and audience management technology for mobile publishers and advertisers, today announced its new partnership with Google for its Exchange Bidding solution. Mobile publishers using DoubleClick for Publishers (DFP) can now have instant access, through a single and seamless integration, to AerServs aerMarket, which contains thousands of premium brand advertising campaigns from leading ad agencies, DSPs, and ad networks.

Historically, mobile app publishers constantly faced the challenge of balancing speed and demand for their inventory, said Josh Speyer, AerServs CEO. Our partnership with Googles Exchange Bidding solves this frustrating issue by significantly streamlining pricing and prioritization decisions for each mobile impression in real-time.

AerServs integration with Exchange Bidding enables publishers to get access to AerServs high quality mobile demand. Now AerServs demand partners can compete for ad impressions based on price and priority, in parallel with other exchanges connected to DFP. Signup and integration into the program is simple and requires no new development. Benefits include no additional overhead, seamless integration to premium brand advertising and the ability to augment your existing stack.

We continue to be encouraged by the potential of Exchange Bidding to help publishers improve their yields and drive revenue growth without compromising users experiences on mobile, said Sam Cox, Group Product Manager, Google. AerServ is a great addition for publishers using Exchange Bidding that can help them increase demand for their mobile and video inventory.

To learn more, contact or sign up here to get started.

AerServ is the leading inventory and audience monetization technology for mobile publishers. AerServ helps thousands of mobile publishers increase revenue through AerServs ad mediation platform, and increase yield by delivering brand-based ads from the aerMarket ad exchange. AerServs mediation layer is powered by OpenAuction technology, the industrys first true, comprehensive unified and simultaneous auction. AerServs entire platform and infrastructure is built with a publisher-first objective and provides best in class support from account managers and software engineers. The company was founded in 2013 and has offices in Irvine, California. Visit AerServ at or follow us on Twitter at @AerServ

Nikki Reyes

WIT Strategy for AerServ

(408) 499-0033
Pasinex Announces Maiden High-Grade Zinc Resource in Turkey

Posted by Publisher Internet

TORONTO, ON ? November 9, 2017 ? Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE) (FSE: PNX) (The ?Company? or ?Pasinex?  http://www.commodity-tv.net/ ) is pleased to announce a maiden Mineral Resource estimate by CSA Global (UK) Ltd of 200,000 tonnes averaging 31% Zn for the Company?s 50%-owned Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey. This resource equates to 61,600 tonnes of contained zinc metal or approximately 135,700,000 lbs of zinc. Three quarters of the resource tonnage is oxide at an average grade of 29% zinc and one quarter of the tonnage are zinc sulphides at an average grade of 35% zinc with additional silver credits.

Pinargozu Mineral Resources

Mineral Resource Estimate as at 30 June 2017

Reported at a cut-off grade of 10% Zn

Classification Material Ktonnes Zn Grade Zn Metal Density Pb Metal Ag Metal

% Ktonnes (t/m3) Ktonnes Koz

Inferred Oxide 150 29 43.5 2.8 1.2 520

Sulphide 50 35 18.1 3.4 1.2 160

Total 200 31% 61.6 2.9 2.4 680

Notes:

1. Reporting cut-off is 10% Zn for both Oxide and Sulphide Resources.

2. The Mineral Resource Estimate has been depleted for mining up to 30th June 2017. The effective date of Mineral Resource is 30th June 2017.

3. Figures have been rounded to the appropriate level of precision for the reporting of Mineral Resources.

4. Due to rounding, some columns or rows may not compute exactly as shown.

5. The Mineral Resources are stated as in situ dry tonnes. All tonnage figures are in metric tonnes.

6. The Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council, and procedures for classifying the reported Mineral Resources were undertaken within the context of the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101).

7. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not demonstrate economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

President and CEO of Pasinex Resources, Mr. Steve Williams, commented: ?This result now formally underpins our high-grade zinc production and direct ship operation (DSO) for the next few years. We have found that mining is the best way to explore the potential of this extraordinary deposit. Underground development routinely exposes additional mineralization outside the defined resource volumes. We will now focus aggressively on resource expansion and discovery. Specifically, new underground drives are planned to get into the best locations for underground exploration drilling.?

? Note that since the ?effective date? of 30th June 2017, the tonnage of this Mineral Resource estimate has been depleted by approximately 20,000 tonnes of high-grade direct shipping material, mined at a rate of 150 tonnes per day, about 60,000 tonnes per year.

? Note that Instrument 43-101 does not require an issuer to file a technical report to support a production decision based on mineral reserves because under Companion Policy

43-101CP, 4.2(6) ? Production Decision the decision to put a mineral project into production is the responsibility of the issuer, based on information provided by qualified persons.

? Pasinex took this decision, in 2015, to proceed to production not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating their economic viability and technical feasibility. As a result there is an increased risk of failure.

? The Mineral Resource is categorized as Inferred due to factors including high variability in bulk densities, locally poor core recoveries especially in some oxide drill intersections, uncertainty over stope depletion volumes, and, in some areas, drill-hole spacing. All these issues are currently being addressed with a view to improving the classification of the resource.

? Grade of the sulphides resource is lower than the threshold for DSO. This category includes lower grade transitional mineralization and selective mining and sorting will continue to ensure DSO grades are achieved.

Exploration of the Horzum Zinc Trend

Regional and near mine exploration will focus particularly on the nearby Akkaya Zinc Prospect using a new structural lineament analysis of the Horzum Zinc Trend by Murphy Geological Services in Ireland. Pasinex is working closely with its consultants to interpret the results of recent drill-core resistivity and conductivity measurements with the goal of building a much more robust geophysical model of the Horzum Zinc Trend. Finally the team is researching the use of ionic-leach technology. This maybe a way to ?see through? transported alluvial fans which spill into steep canyons at the highly-prospective intersection of cross-faults with the sub-crop of the prospective carbonate host-rock.

Figure 1 ? Inferred Mineral Resource model at a 10% Zinc cut-off, at an effective date of 30th June 2017.

Looking north-west.

Source: CSA Global Mining Industry Consultants: Preliminary Resource Summary Deck

Qualified Persons

The information in this news release relating to the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Pinargozu zinc mine in southern Turkey has been prepared under the supervision of Maria O?Connor and Dr. Neal Reynolds of CSA Global and John Barry of Pasinex Resources.

CSA Global (UK) Ltd (?CSA Global?) has undertaken an independent Mineral Resource estimation in accordance with CIM guidelines and the requirements of Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) effective June 30th, 2017. A NI 43-101 Technical Report is currently being prepared and will be filed with the Ontario and British Columbia Securities Commissions within the next 45 days.

Maria O?Connor BSc (Hons) is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Maria O?Connor is a Principal Resource Geologist and full-time employee for CSA Global (UK) Ltd and takes responsibility for the Mineral Resource Estimate reported here. Maria O?Connor has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which she has undertaken to qualify as a ?Qualified Person? as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 ?Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects? of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Dr. Reynolds (PhD, Economic Geology) is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Dr. Reynolds is a Director of CSA Global, and visited the Pinargozu Mine between 28 May and 31 May 2017. He is responsible for Sections 1 to 12 of the NI43-101 report relevant to this Mineral Resource Estimate. Dr. Reynolds has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a ?Qualified Person? as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 ?Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects? of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Maria O?Connor and Dr. Reynolds are independent of the issuer as described in Section 1.5 of NI 43-101 and have reviewed and approved this news release and consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which this appears.

The Company?s Qualified Person is John Barry, who holds a MSc in Geology from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Professional Geologist with the European Geological Society. Mr. Barry is the Senior Technical Advisor to Pasinex Resources with 29 years of extensive global experience in exploration, mining and mine development and is a ?Qualified Person? as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 ?Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects? of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release, reviewed and approved its contents.

About Pasinex

Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE; FSE: PNX) is a metals company which is a 50% owner of the high grade Pinargozu zinc mine which is in production and, under its DSO Program, is shipping directly to zinc smelter / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Company has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development and production. The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc company based on building a large land within a productive CRD district in Turkey.

The Pinargozu Mine is included in the 50-50 company, Horzum Arama Isletme AS, which is a corporate joint venture between Pasinex and Turkish mining house, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). Akmetal AS is one of Turkey?s largest family-owned conglomerates with the nearby past-producing Horzum zinc mine.

Visit our web site at: www.pasinex.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

PASINEX RESOURCES LTD.

?Steve Williams?

Steve Williams Cathy Hume

President/CEO CHF Investor Relations

Phone: 416.861.9659 Phone: 416.868.1079 ext. 231

Email: info@pasinex.com Email: cathy@chfir.com

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although Pasinex Resources Ltd. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, exploration results, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
DENVER, Nov. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vista International Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:VVIT), a pioneer in efficient Waste-to-Energy technology, is pleased to announce that it has closed on the sale of its 18-acre tire processing facility in Hutchins, TX. The sale was closed on November 3, 2017 for gross proceeds of $1.5 million as part of the Company's stated goal of becoming primarily a Waste-to-Energy company. Under this agreement Vista sold the facility and will lease back the property for a one-year period for the sum of $150,000 (sale/leaseback transaction). This lease is designed to give the Company time to clear the site to remediation specifications as required by the state and local authorities. The facility is currently closed as the remediation plan is being coordinated with the proper authorities.

In addition, the Company has agreed that $300,000 of the sale proceeds will be held in escrow until the site is fully remediated. If Vista fails to remediate the site during the one-year period, then these funds will be used by the purchaser for any remaining cleanup efforts. For clarification purposes, this sale is separate from the transaction for the sale of the 9-acre parcel of vacant land the company currently owns, which is adjacent to the 18-acre tire facility and is currently under contract for sale.

Vista International Technologies, Inc. has been producing Waste-to-Energy gasification systems for over twenty-five years, with installations across three continents. The Companys technology has low costs of installation and operation, and allows for the processing of virtually any hydrocarbon-based waste product, including municipal solid waste, waste tires, waste coal, sewage waste, and biomass, among others. The companys Waste-to-Energy systems are emission friendly and extremely efficient, and can be used to produce heat, steam, and/or electricity.



For more information, please call 303 690 8300, or email us at info@vvit.us.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cruz Cobalt Corp. (TSXV:CUZ) (OTCBB:BKTPF) (FSE:A2DMG8) wishes to announce that the company is planning to commence operations shortly on the War Eagle Cobalt Prospect in British Columbia.



Cruz President, James Nelson, stated, "We look forward to starting up operations in BC. Cruz is active on multiple cobalt fronts in Ontario, Idaho, Montana and BC. Cobalt prices continue to be trading near nine years highs and the global focus on EV and battery metals is strengthening, as more car companies and countries move to Electric Cars. Cruz is well positioned to capitalize on this global trend as all of the cobalt prospects are in geopolitically safe jurisdictions.

Cruz currently has nine cobalt projects located throughout North America, comprising of four in Ontario, three in British Columbia, one in Idaho and one in Montana. Cruz's four separate Ontario cobalt prospects are all located in the vicinity of the town of Cobalt making Cruz one of the largest landholders in this emerging cobalt district. Cruz's Ontario projects include the 1,265 acre Coleman cobalt prospect, the 900 acre Johnson cobalt prospect, the 4,980 acre Hector cobalt prospect and the 1,580 acre Bucke cobalt prospect. The company's 4,935 acre War Eagle cobalt prospect in British Columbia covers a past-producing mine. Cruzs USA projects include the 1,940 acre Chicken Hawk prospect in Montana and the 880 acre Idaho Star prospect. Cruz Capital has granted, pursuant to its 10-per-cent rolling stock option plan, six million incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants at an exercise price of 20 cents per share for a term of 12 months.

If you would like to be added to Cruzs email list please send an email to info@cruzcobaltcorp.com or twitter @CruzCobalt

James Nelson

President

604.899.9150

Toll free 1.855.599.9150

www.cruzcobaltcorp.com

twitter @CruzCobalt
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES DISCUSSED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.

IQE plc

9 November 2017

Proposed Placing of up to 67,941,581 New Shares in IQE PLC

IQE plc (AIM: IQE, "IQE" or the "Company"), a leading global supplier of advanced wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, today announces its intention to conduct a non pre-emptive cash placing (the "Placing") of up to 67,941,581 new ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the Company (the "Placing Shares"). The Placing Shares will be issued at a price of 140 pence each and will represent up to approximately 9.9 per cent. of the Company's current issued ordinary share capital.

IQE plc has entered into a placing agreement with Canaccord Genuity Limited ("Canaccord Genuity"), Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited ("Stifel") and Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") (the "Placing Agreement") to act as joint bookrunners in relation to the Placing (the "Bookrunners").

The sale of the Placing Shares is being made to institutional investors only and will be by means of an accelerated bookbuild offering, which is to begin immediately (the "Bookbuild"). A further announcement will be made following completion of the Bookbuild and pricing of the Placing.

Following completion of the Placing the Company has agreed to a lock-up of 90 days.

Rationale for the Placing and use of proceeds

IQE is seeking funding to enable it to scale the business to capture multiple high growth mass market opportunities.

This placing will allow IQE to expand its capital expenditure programme in its new foundry, with the purchase of up to 40-60 new MOCVD machines over the next three to five years.

The additional capacity should enable IQE to address multiple mass market opportunities, including its leading position in the production of VCSEL wafers for use in 3D sensing consumer electronic applications.

IQE is enjoying material demand for its VCSEL wafers from a leading global consumer electronics company for use in one of its mass market consumer products. In conjunction with multiple other customer engagements IQE expects this demand to increase as its technology is applied across multiple consumer applications and platforms.

This placing should also enable IQE to accelerate the development of new products and technology; whilst protecting and enhancing its current positioning in a fast-moving marketplace.

This placing will allow the company to de-gear and should enhance IQE's financial strength and ability to supply global Tier 1 OEMs; both existing and new customers.

This placing in conjunction with the "Cardiff City Deal" should allow IQE to generate incremental sales.

Current trading

On 20 October, IQE confirmed that it had enjoyed a strong Q3 with continuing growth driven largely by the ongoing strong VCSEL ramp for a mass market 3D sensing technology.

The Board remains confident that at current trading levels, the Company is on track to achieve market expectations. Given it remains early into the final quarter, there are inevitably a number of uncertainties between now and the year-end close.

However, should the VCSEL ramp continue along its current growth curve during this quarter, then there is potential for FY17 earnings to exceed current expectations. The Board will continue to monitor current trading and plans to provide a pre-close trading update no later than the end of the year.

Drew Nelson, CEO of IQE said:

"Compound semiconductors are the fundamental enabler of innovations such as wireless connectivity, 3D sensing, biometric sensors, electric and autonomous vehicles, high speed wireless and optical communications, and advanced manufacturing.

The funds raised from this placing will allow the accelerated expansion of our capital expenditure programme in the new epi-foundry in Newport, South Wales, UK, enabling the scaling of our business to capture multiple high growth, mass market opportunities, including our leading position in the production of VCSEL wafers for use in 3D sensing consumer electronic applications along with multiple other consumer applications and platforms."

The Placing

The Placing will open with immediate effect following this Announcement. The timing of the closing of the Placing, the number of Placing Shares and allocations are at the discretion of the Bookrunners and a further announcement confirming these details will be made in due course. Members of the public are not entitled to participate in the Placing.

The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares including the right to receive all future dividends and distributions declared, made or paid by reference to a record date falling after their issue. If all the Placing Shares are placed, it would represent an increase of approximately 9.9 per cent. of the current issued ordinary share capital of the Company. The issue of the Placing Shares is pursuant to the authorities granted at the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 13 June 2017.

The Company will apply for Placing Shares to be issued on closing, to be admitted to trading on AIM ("Admission"). It is expected that settlement of subscriptions in respect of the Placing Shares and Admission will take place and that trading in the Placing Shares to be issued, will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 16 November 2017.

The Placing is conditional upon, inter alia, Admission becoming effective and the Placing Agreement between the Company and the Bookrunners becoming unconditional and not being terminated. Further details of the Placing Agreement can be found in the terms and conditions of the Placing contained in the Appendix to this Announcement (which forms part of this Announcement).

By choosing to participate in the Placing and by making a verbal offer to acquire Placing Shares, investors will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement (including the Appendix) in its entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Announcement, and to be providing the representations, warranties and acknowledgements contained in the Appendix.

Your attention is drawn to the detailed terms and conditions of the Placing set out in the Appendix to this Announcement.

This announcement contains inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of IQE is Chris Meadows, Head of Investor Relations of IQE.

For further information, please contact:

IQE plc

Drew Nelson

Phil Rasmussen

Chris Meadows



Tel: +44 (0)29 2083 9400 Canaccord Genuity (Nomad, Joint Bookrunner)

Simon Bridges

Antony Isaacs

Richard Andrews



Tel: +44 (0)20 7523 8000 Stifel (Joint Bookrunner)

Fred Walsh

Neil Shah

Ben Maddison



Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 7600 Peel Hunt (Joint Bookrunner)

Edward Knight

Nick Prowting



Tel: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

About IQE:

IQE is a leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers with products that cover a diverse range of applications. The Group's outsourced foundry services provides a 'one stop shop' for the wafer needs of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers.

IQE uses advanced epitaxial growth technology platforms to manufacture and supply advanced semiconductor 'epi-wafers' to the major chip manufacturing companies, who then use these wafers to make the chips which form the key components of virtually all high technology systems.

IQE's products are found in many consumer, communication, computing, mobility and industrial applications. IQE's epi-wafers enable a wide range of wireless/RF, photonics, infrared, power, solar, advanced electronics and sensor technologies.

IQE operates multiple manufacturing and R&D facilities across Europe, Asia and the USA.

Important Notice

This announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility of, the Company.

No prospectus or admission document will be made available in connection with the matters contained in this

announcement.

Canaccord Genuity, Stifel and Peel Hunt, which are authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA is acting for the Company and no one else in relation to the Placing and Admission and they will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of Canaccord Genuity, Stifel and Peel Hunt or for providing advice in relation to any matter contained in this document or any matter or arrangement referred to in it. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by Canaccord Genuity, Stifel and Peel Hunt, or by any of their affiliates or agents, as to or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

This announcement (including the Appendix and the terms and conditions set out therein) is directed at

persons in member states of the European Economic Area who are qualified investors within the meaning of

Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended) and, additionally in the United

Kingdom, to those qualified investors who (a) are persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (investment professionals) or (b) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of that Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc).

APPENDIX - TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING

Definitions

Admission the admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM and such admission becoming effective in accordance with the AIM Rules. AIM a market operated by the LSE. AIM Rules the rules for AIM-listed companies and their nominated advisers issued by the LSE. Bookbuild the bookbuild process by which the Bookrunners will determine demand for participation in the Placing by the Placees. Bookrunners Canaccord, Stifel and Peel Hunt Canaccord Canaccord Genuity Limited. Company IQE plc. CREST the system enabling title to securities to be evidenced and transferred in dematerialised form operated by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited. FCA the Financial Conduct Authority. FSMA Financial Services and Markets Act (2000) (as amended). Group the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. LSE London Stock Exchange plc. MAR Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014. Ordinary Shares ordinary shares of 0.01 each in the capital of the Company. Peel Hunt Peel Hunt LLP. Placees relevant persons who are invited to and who choose to participate in the Placing by making an oral or written offer to acquire Placing Shares, including any individuals, funds or others and by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to acquire Placing Shares is given. Placing the proposed placing by the Bookrunners, as agents to the Company, of the Placing Shares at the Placing Price pursuant to the terms and conditions set out in this announcement. Placing Agreement the agreement between the Company and the Bookrunners dated 10 November 2017 in connection with the Placing. Placing Price the single price per Ordinary Share established by the Bookbuild which is payable to the Bookrunners as agent for the Company by all Placees whose bids are successful. Placing Shares the new Ordinary Shares to be allotted and issued by the Company pursuant to the Placing. QIB qualified institutional buyer, as defined in rule 144A under the Securities Act. Regulation S Regulation S under the Securities Act. UK or United Kingdom the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. US or United States United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia and all other areas subject to its jurisdiction. SEC the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Securities Act the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Stifel Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited.

APPENDIX: TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PLACING FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THIS APPENDIX (TOGETHER, THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") AND THE INFORMATION IN IT, IS RESTRICTED, AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THIS APPENDIX ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) PERSONS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA") WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(1)(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE (WHICH MEANS DIRECTIVE 2003/71/EC, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME INCLUDING THE 2010 PD AMENDING DIRECTIVE, AND INCLUDES ANY RELEVANT IMPLEMENTING DIRECTIVE MEASURE IN ANY MEMBER STATE) (THE "PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE") ("QUALIFIED INVESTORS"); AND (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS WHO ARE PERSONS WHO (I) HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE "ORDER"); (II) ARE PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) ("HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC") OF THE ORDER; (III) ARE PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED; OR (IV) PERSONS WHO HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLACING BY THE BOOKRUNNERS (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS"). THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. PERSONS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CUSTODIANS, NOMINEES AND TRUSTEES) WHO HAVE A CONTRACTUAL OR OTHER LEGAL OBLIGATION TO FORWARD A COPY OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD SEEK APPROPRIATE ADVICE BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION. PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ARE REQUIRED BY THE COMPANY AND THE BOOKRUNNERS TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT, AND OBSERVE, ANY RESTRICTIONS RELATING TO THE PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF AN INVESTMENT IN PLACING SHARES.

This Announcement, including this Appendix, does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States. THE SECURITIES MENTIONED HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE US SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR UNDER ANY SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, RESOLD, TRANSFERRED OR DELIVERED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT TO QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS ("QIBS", AS THE TERM IS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), IN RELIANCE ON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC OFFER OF THE SECURITIES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 4(A)2 OF THE SECURITIES ACT MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE SECURITIES MENTIONED HEREIN WILL HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN THE UNITED STATES, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE PLACING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.

EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF AN ACQUISITION OF PLACING SHARES.

The Placees will be deemed: (i) to have read and understood this Announcement, including this Appendix, in its entirety; and (ii) to be participating and making an offer for Placing Shares on the terms and conditions and to be providing the representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings, contained in this Appendix.

In particular each such Placee represents, warrants and acknowledges that:

(a) it is a Relevant Person and undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business;

(b) it is and, at the time the Placing Shares are acquired, will be either (i) outside the United States and acquiring the Placing Shares in an "offshore transaction" in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act or (ii) if in the United States, a QIB and acquiring Placing Shares under an exemption from registration: and under either (i) or (ii) above is acquiring the Placing Shares for its own account; if acquiring the Placing Shares for the account of one or more other persons, it has full power and authority to make the representations, warranties, agreements, undertakings, and acknowledgements herein on behalf of each such person; and

(c) if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, any Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing will not be acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of securities to the public other than an offer or resale to Qualified Investors in a member state of the EEA which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Bookrunners has been given to each such proposed offer or resale.

This Announcement does not identify or suggest, or purport to identify or suggest, the risks (direct or indirect) that may be associated with an investment in the Placing Shares. Any investment decision to buy Placing Shares in the Placing must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information, which has not been independently verified by the Bookrunners.

This Announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning any investor's options with respect to the Placing. Investors and prospective investors should conduct their own investigation, analysis and evaluation of the business and data described in this Announcement. The price and value of securities can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The contents of this Announcement are not to be construed as legal, business, financial or tax advice. Each investor or prospective investor should consult his, her or its own legal adviser, business adviser, financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, financial, business or tax advice.

The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc.

Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this announcement.

Details of the Placing Agreement, the Placing Shares and the Bookbuild

The Bookrunners are acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the Placing and have entered into the Placing Agreement with the Company under which, subject to the conditions set out in that agreement, they have agreed to use their respective reasonable endeavours to procure Placees to take up the Placing Shares at a price to be determined following completion of the Bookbuild (as defined below) (the "Placing Price"), on the terms and subject to the conditions set out therein. The exact number of the Placing Shares to be allocated and issued to each Placee shall be determined following completion of an accepted book building process to determine demand for participation in the Placing by the Placees (the "Bookbuild"). The Placing is not underwritten.

The Bookrunners will today commence the Bookbuild. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares.

The Company and the Bookrunners shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuild as they may, in their absolute discretion determine.

The Placing Shares will, as from the date when they are issued and are fully paid up, rank in full for all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid on the Ordinary Shares after the date of Admission and otherwise rank pari passu in all respects with, and be identical to, the existing Ordinary Shares then in issue and are issued free from all claims, charges, liens and encumbrances.

As a term of the Placing, the Company has agreed that it will not allot, issue, offer, sell, transfer, create any encumbrance over or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares (other than the Placing Shares) for a period ending on the date falling 90 days after Admission.

Application for listing and admission to trading

Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission of the Placing Shares will become effective at or around 8.00 a.m. (London time) on or around 16 November 2017 and that dealings in the Placing Shares will commence at that time.

Participation in, and principal terms of, the Placing

1. The Bookrunners are arranging the Placing severally, and not jointly, nor jointly and severally, as bookrunners and placing agents of the Company for the purpose of procuring Placees at the Placing Price (as defined above) for the Placing Shares.

2. Participation in the Placing will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by the Bookrunners. Each Bookrunner may itself agree to be a Placee in respect of all or some of the Placing Shares or may nominate any member of its group to do so.

3. The Bookbuild, if successful, will establish a single price payable to the Bookrunners as agent for the Company by all Placees whose bids are successful. The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares will be agreed by the Bookrunners and the Company following completion of the Bookbulid. The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares to be issued will be announced on a regulatory information service ("RIS") following the completion of the Bookbuild (the "Placing Results Announcement").

4. Allocations of the Placing Shares will be determined by the Bookrunners and the Company (the proposed allocations having been supplied by the Bookrunners to the Company in advance of such determination). Allocations will be confirmed orally by the Bookrunners and a trade confirmation will be despatched as soon as possible thereafter. A Bookrunner's oral confirmation to such Placee constitutes an irrevocable legally binding commitment upon such person (who will at that point become a Placee), in favour of the Bookrunners and the Company, to acquire the number of Placing Shares allocated to it and to pay the Placing Price in respect of such shares on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Company's articles of association. Except with the Bookrunners' consent, such commitment will not be capable of variation or revocation after the time at which it is submitted.

5 The Bookbuild is expected to close no later than 7:00 a.m. (London time) on 10 November 2017, but may be closed earlier or later at the Bookrunners' discretion. The Bookrunners may, in agreement with the Company, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuild has closed.

6. Each Placee's allocation and commitment will be evidenced by a contract note issued to such Placee by the Bookrunners. The terms of this Appendix will be deemed incorporated in that contract note.

7. Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Placing is confirmed, settlement for all Placing Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Placing will be required to be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under "Registration and settlement".

8. All obligations of the Bookrunners under the Bookbuild and the Placing will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Placing" and to the Placing not being terminated on the basis referred to below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement".

9. By participating in the Bookbuild and the Placing, each Placee will agree that its rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will terminate only in the circumstances described below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement" and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.

10. To the fullest extent permissible by law, neither the Bookrunners, nor the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any responsibility or liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, neither the Bookrunners, nor the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any responsibility or liability (including to the fullest extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of the Bookrunners' conduct of the Bookbuild and the Placing or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as the Bookrunners and the Company may determine.

Conditions of the Placing

The Placing is conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms. The Bookrunners' obligations under the Placing Agreement are conditional on, inter alia:

(a) the execution of the Terms of Sale, setting out the number and price of the Placing Shares, by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners prior to 7.00am on 10 November 2017 or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Bookrunner may agree);

1.1 the execution of the Terms of Sale by the Company and the Placing Agents prior to 7.00 am on the Business Day following the date of this agreement (or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Placing Agents may agree);

(b) publication of an announcement by the Company giving details of the results of the Placing, through a RIS, by no later than 8:00 a.m. on 10 November 2017;

(c) Admission occurring at or before 8:00 a.m. (London time) on 16 November 2017 (the "Closing Date");

(d) none of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Placing Agreement being untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the date of the Placing Agreement or at Admission, by reference to the facts and circumstances from time to time subsisting; and

(e) the Company having complied with or performed of all its obligations under the Placing Agreement to the extent that the same fall to be performed prior to Admission.

Canaccord may on behalf of the Bookrunners, following consultation with Stifel, at its absolute discretion and upon such terms as it thinks fit, waive compliance by the Company with the whole or any part of any of the Company's obligations in relation to certain conditions in the Placing Agreement, save that the condition relating to Admission taking place may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this Announcement.

If: (i) any of the conditions contained in the Placing Agreement, including those described above are not fulfilled or (where permitted) waived by Canaccord by the relevant time or date where specified (or, in each case, such later time and/or date as the Company and the Bookrunners may agree); or (ii) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Placing will lapse and the Placees' rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by it in respect thereof.

Neither the Company, the Bookrunners nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision they may make as to whether or not to waive, or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of, any condition in the Placing Agreement nor in respect of any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally and by participating in the Placing each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Company and the Bookrunners.

Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement

The Bookrunners (acting jointly) in their absolute discretion may terminate their obligations under the Placing Agreement by notice to the Company provided always that Canaccord may on behalf of all the Placing Agents terminate the Placing Agreement to the extent it considers this in its absolute discretion to be necessary in the context of its duties as Nomad to the Company, in each case if at any time prior to Admission:

(a) the Bookrunners become aware that there has been a breach of any of the warranties given by the Company in the Placing Agreement;

(b) the Bookrunners become aware that there shall have been any material adverse change (whether or not foreseeable at the date of this agreement) in, or any development reasonably likely to lead to a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial, operational, legal or otherwise), solvency, liquidity position, or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of any business; and

(c) the occurrence of one or more specified adverse macro-economic changes, suspension or material limitation in the trading on AIM or the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities of any securities of the Company or a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in London or New York which, in the absolute discretion of the Placing Agents, would make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed.

Upon such termination, the parties to the Placing Agreement shall be released and discharged (except for any liability arising before or in relation to such termination) from their respective obligations under or pursuant to the Placing Agreement subject to certain exceptions.

By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by any of the Bookrunners of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of such Bookrunner and that it need not make any reference to, or consult with, Placees and that it shall have no liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise or failure to exercise.

No prospectus

The Placing Shares are being offered to a limited number of specifically invited persons only and will not be offered in such a way as to require a prospectus in the UK. No offering document, prospectus or admission document has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA or submitted to the London Stock Exchange in relation to the Placing and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of their own assessment of the Company, the Placing Shares and the Placing based on the Company's publicly available information taken together with the information contained in this announcement (including this Appendix), and subject to the further terms set forth in the contract note to be provided to individual prospective Placees.

Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement (including this Appendix) and all other publicly available information previously published by the Company by notification to a RIS is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Bookrunners or any other person and none of the Company or the Bookrunners nor any other person will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received. Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation by that person.

Registration and settlement

Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares (ISIN: GB0009619924) following Admission will take place within the CREST system. Subject to certain exceptions, the Bookrunners and the Company reserve the right to require settlement for, and delivery of, the Placing Shares (or any part thereof) to Placees in certified form or by such other means that they deem necessary if delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within the CREST system or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction.

Following the close of the Bookbuild for the Placing, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a contract note in accordance with the standing arrangements in place with the relevant Bookrunner stating the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price and settlement instructions. Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions in respect of the Placing Shares that it has in place with the relevant Bookrunner.

The Company will deliver the Placing Shares to a CREST account operated by the Bookrunners as agent for the Company and the Bookrunners will enter its delivery instruction into the CREST system. The input to CREST by a Placee of a matching or acceptance instruction will then allow delivery of the relevant Placing Shares to that Placee against payment.

It is expected that settlement will be on 16 November 2017 in accordance with the instructions set out in the contract note.

Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of two percentage points above LIBOR as determined by the Bookrunners.

Each Placee is deemed to agree that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the Bookrunners may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the Bookrunners' account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) or other similar taxes imposed in any jurisdiction which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf.

If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the trade confirmation is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation.

Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in a Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.

Representations, warranties and further terms

By participating in the Placing each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) irrevocably acknowledges, confirms, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) with the Bookrunners (in their capacity as bookrunners and agents of the Company, in each case as a fundamental term of their application for Placing Shares), the following that:

1. it has read and understood the Announcement, including this Appendix, in its entirety and that its acquisition of Placing Shares is subject to, and based upon, all the terms, conditions, representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings and other information contained herein;

2. no offering document or prospectus or admission document has been or will be prepared in connection with the Placing and it has not received and will not receive a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Bookbuild, Placing or the Placing Shares;

3. the Placing does not constitute a recommendation or financial product advice and none of the Bookrunners have had regard to its particular objectives, financial situation or needs;

4. none of the Bookrunners, the Company, any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees has provided, nor will provide, it with any material regarding the Placing Shares or the Company other than this Announcement; nor has it requested any of the Bookrunners, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;

5. the Ordinary Shares are listed on AIM and the Company is therefore required to publish certain business and financial information in accordance with the rules and practices of AIM, which includes a description of the Company's business and the Company's financial information, including balance sheets and income statements, and that it is able to obtain or access such information, or comparable information concerning other publicly traded companies, in each case without undue difficulty;

6. the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and that none of the Bookrunners, nor their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them, has or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement contained in, or omission from, this Announcement or any information previously published by or on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation, any information required to be published by the Company pursuant to applicable laws, and will not be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation or statement contained in this Announcement or otherwise. Each Placee further represents, warrants and agrees that the only information on which it is entitled to rely and on which such Placee has relied in committing itself to acquire Placing Shares is contained in this Announcement and any information previously published by the Company by notification to a RIS, such information being all that such Placee deems necessary or appropriate and sufficient to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares and that it has neither requested, received nor relied on any other information given, or representations, warranties or statements made, by any of the Bookrunners or the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees and none of the Bookrunners or the Company or any such affiliate, agent, director, officer or employee will be liable for any Placee's decision to accept an invitation to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement, provided that nothing in this paragraph excludes the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation made by that person;

7. it may not rely, and has not relied, on any investigation that any of the Bookrunners, any of their affiliates or any person acting on their behalf, may have conducted with respect to the Placing Shares or the Company, and none of such persons has made any representation, express or implied, with respect to the Company, the Placing Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information from the London Stock Exchange or any other information; each Placee further acknowledges that it has conducted its own investigation of the Company and the Placing Shares and has received all information it believes necessary or appropriate in connection with its investment in the Placing Shares;

8. it has made its own assessment and has satisfied itself concerning the relevant tax, legal, currency and other economic considerations relevant to its investment in the Placing Shares;

9. none of the Bookrunners, their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them has or shall have any liability for any information made publicly available by or in relation to the Company or any representation, warranty or statement relating to the Company or the Group contained therein or otherwise, provided that nothing in this paragraph excludes the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation made by that person;

10. in making any decision to acquire Placing Shares it (i) has such knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters as is required to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of subscribing for or purchasing the Placing Shares, (ii) will not look to any of the Bookrunners for all or part of any loss it may suffer as a result of any such subscription or purchase, (iii) is experienced in investing in securities of this nature in this sector and is aware that it may be required to bear, and is able to bear, the economic risk of an investment in the Placing Shares, (iv) is able to sustain a complete loss of an investment in the Placing Shares and (v) has no need for liquidity with respect to its investment in the Placing Shares. It further confirms that it has relied on its own examination and due diligence of the Company and its associates taken as a whole, and the terms of the Placing, including the merits and risks involved, and not upon any view expressed or information provided by or on behalf of the Bookbuilders;

11. neither it is nor the beneficial owners of the Placing Shares are, and at the time the Placing Shares are, acquired, will be, a resident of or otherwise located in Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa and further acknowledges that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the securities legislation of Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into any of those jurisdictions;

12. the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered, and that a prospectus will not be cleared in respect of any of the Placing Shares, under the securities laws or legislation of the United States or any state or jurisdiction thereof, Australia, Canada, Japan, or South Africa and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, or delivered or transferred, directly or indirectly, in or into those jurisdictions;

13. that the issue to it, or the person specified by it for registration as holder, of Placing Shares will not give rise to a liability under any of sections 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depositary receipts and clearance services) and that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer Placing Shares into a clearance service;

14. it has complied with its obligations under the Criminal Justice Act 1993, MAR and in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any government agency having jurisdiction in respect thereof (the "Regulations") and the Money Laundering Sourcebook of the FCA and, if making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations;

15. it is acting as principal only in respect of the Placing or, if it is acting for any other person: (i) it is duly authorised to do so and has full power to make the acknowledgments, warranties, representations, undertakings, and agreements herein on behalf of each such person; and (ii) it is and will remain liable to the Company and/or the Bookrunners for the performance of all its obligations as a Placee in respect of the Placing (regardless of the fact that it is acting for another person);

16. if a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, the Placing Shares purchased by it in the Placing will not be acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in a Member State of the EEA which has implemented the Prospectus Directive other than Qualified Investors, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Bookrunners has been given to the offer or resale;

17. it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in the United Kingdom, except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and which will not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of section 85(1) of the FSMA;

18. it has not offered or sold and will not, prior to Admission, offer or sell any Placing Shares to the public in any member state of the EEA except in circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive which do not result in any requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of that Directive;

19. it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) relating to the Placing Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person;

20. it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Placing Shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;

21. if in a member state of the European Economic Area, unless otherwise specifically agreed with the Bookrunners in writing, that it is a "Qualified Investor" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive;

22. if in the United Kingdom, that it is a person (i) having professional experience in matters relating to investments who falls within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Order or (ii) who falls within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("High Net Worth Companies, Unincorporated Associations, etc") of the Order, or (iii) to whom this Announcement may otherwise lawfully be communicated;

23. no action has been or will be taken by either the Company or the Bookrunners or any person acting on behalf of the Company or the Bookrunners that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the Placing Shares in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;

24. it, and any person acting on its behalf, is entitled to acquire the Placing Shares under the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it and that it has fully observed such laws and obtained all such governmental and other guarantees, permits, authorisations, approvals and consents which may be required thereunder and complied with all necessary formalities to enable it to commit to this participation in the Placing and to perform its obligations in relation thereto (including, without limitation, in the case of any person on whose behalf it is acting, all necessary consents and authorities to agree to the terms set out or referred to in this Appendix) and will honour such obligations and that it has not taken any action or omitted to take any action which will or may result in the Bookrunners, the Company or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or advisers acting in breach of the legal or regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction in connection with the Placing;

25. it, and any person acting on its behalf, will make payment in respect of the Placing Shares allocated to it in accordance with this Appendix on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other acquirers or sold as the Bookrunners may in their absolute discretion determine and without liability to such Placee, who will remain liable for any amount by which the net proceeds of such sale fall short of the product of the relevant Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares allocated to it and may be required to bear any stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon such placing or sale of such Placee's Placing Shares;

26. none of the Bookrunners, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees, nor any person acting on their behalf, is making any recommendations to it or advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Placing and that its participation in the Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be, a client of any of the Bookrunners in connection with its participation in the Placing and that none of the Bookrunners have any duty nor responsibility to it for providing the protections afforded to its clients or customers or for providing advice in relation to the Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement nor for the exercise or performance of any of its rights and obligations thereunder including any rights to waive or vary any conditions or exercise any termination right;

27. the person whom it specifies for registration as holder of the Placing Shares will be (i) itself or (ii) its nominee, as the case may be. None of the Bookrunners nor the Company will be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes resulting from a failure to observe this requirement ("Indemnified Taxes"). Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of such Placee agrees to indemnify the Company and the Bookrunners on an after-tax basis in respect of any Indemnified Taxes;

28. these terms and conditions and any agreements entered into by it pursuant to the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix, and any non-contractual or other obligations arising out of or in connection with them, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and it submits (on behalf of itself and on behalf of any person on whose behalf it is acting) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts as regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract (including any dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of such contract or relating to any non-contractual or other obligation arising out of or in connection with such contract), except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the Placing Shares (together with any interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by either the Company or any of the Bookrunners in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange;

29. it agrees to indemnify on an after tax basis and hold the Company, the Bookrunners and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of its representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings in this Appendix and further agrees that the provisions of this Appendix shall survive after completion of the Placing;

30. if it has received any 'inside information' (for the purposes of MAR and section 56 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993) in relation to the Company and its securities, it confirms that it has received such information within the market soundings regime provided for in article 11 of MAR and associated delegated regulations and it has not: (i) dealt (or attempted to deal) in the securities of the Company; (ii) encouraged, recommended or induced another person to deal in the securities of the Company; or (iii) unlawfully disclosed inside information to any person, prior to the information being made publicly available;

31. if it is a pension fund or investment company, its purchase of Placing Shares is in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

32. agrees that the Company, the Bookrunners and their respective affiliates and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements, and undertakings set forth herein which are given to the Bookrunners on their own behalf and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable and it irrevocably authorises the Company and the Bookrunners to produce this Announcement, pursuant to, in connection with, or as may be required by any applicable law or regulation, administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters set forth herein;

33. none of the Company or the Bookrunners owes any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any acknowledgments, confirmations, undertakings, representations, warranties or indemnities in the Placing Agreement; and

34. its commitment to take up Placing Shares on the terms set out in this Announcement (including this Appendix) will continue notwithstanding any amendment that may or in the future be made to the terms and conditions of the Placing and that Placees will have no right to be consulted or require that their consent be obtained with respect to the Company or the Bookrunners' conduct of the Placing.

Additional representations and warranties relating to the United States

35. In addition to the foregoing, by participating in the Placing, each Placee that is located in the United States (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) acknowledges, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) that:

(a) it understands and acknowledges that the Placing Shares are being offered by the Company in a transaction not involving any public offering in the United States within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities law of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States;

(b) it is (a) a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act; and (b) aware that any offer or sale of the Placing Shares to it pursuant to the Placing will be made by way of a private placement by the Company in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

(c) it is purchasing Placing Shares in the Placing (a) for its own account or for the account of one or more other qualified institutional buyers for which it is acting as a duly authorised fiduciary or agent; or (b) for a discretionary account or accounts as to which it has complete investment discretion and the authority to make these representations, in either case, for investment purposes and not with a view to distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act;

(d) prior to any investment in the Placing Shares, it will make its own investment decision to acquire Placing Shares in the Placing on the basis of its own independent investigation and appraisal of the business, financial condition, prospects, creditworthiness, status and affairs of the Company, the Placing and the Placing Shares. It will make its own assessment concerning the relevant tax, legal and other economic considerations relevant to an investment in Placing Shares prior to any such investment;

(e) it acknowledges and agrees that Placing Shares may not be reoffered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred, and that it will not directly or indirectly reoffer, sell, pledge or otherwise transfer Placing Shares, except (a) in an "offshore transaction" in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S; or (b) to a purchaser that it reasonably believes to be a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and that in each case such offer, sale, pledge or transfer must and will be made in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States;

(f) it understands that the Placing Shares are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and that, for so long as they remain "restricted securities", Placing Shares may not be deposited into any unrestricted depositary facility established or maintained by a depositary bank;

(g) it understands and acknowledges that the Company may make notation on its records or give instructions to the registrar and any transfer agent of the Placing Shares in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth and described herein;

(h) it understands and acknowledges that none of the Placing Agents, their affiliates or persons acting on their behalf have made any representation or warranty to it, express or implied, with respect to the Company, the Placing, the Placing Shares or the accuracy, fairness, completeness, verification or adequacy of any financial or other information or opinions concerning the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares and no liability is accepted by any of them for any such information or opinions, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall exclude liability for any representation or warranty made fraudulently; and

(i) it understands and acknowledges that the Company, the Placing Agents and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and agreements, and agree that if any of the representations and agreements deemed to have been made by it by its subscription for, or purchase of, Placing Shares, are no longer accurate, it shall promptly notify the Company and the Placing Agents; and

(j) it understands that the Placing Agreement in relation to the Placing may be provided by the Placing Agents and their affiliates, which may be non-U.S. broker-dealers, acting as agents for and on behalf of their affiliates Canaccord Genuity Inc. and Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc., each a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered broker-dealer, pursuant to intra-group company agreements under Rule 15a-6 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The foregoing representations, warranties, agreements, undertakings, acknowledgements and confirmations are given for the benefit of the Company as well as each of the Bookrunners and are irrevocable. Each Placee, and any person acting on behalf of the Placee, acknowledges that neither the Company nor any of the Bookrunners owes any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.

The agreement to allot and issue Placing Shares to Placees (and/or to persons for whom such Placee is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax relates only to their allotment and issue to Placees, or such persons as they nominate as their agents, direct from the Company for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement also assumes that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement relates to any other dealing in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes may be payable, for which neither the Company nor the Bookrunners will be responsible and the Placees shall indemnify the Company and the Bookrunners on an after-tax basis for any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax paid by them in respect of any such arrangements or dealings. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify the Bookrunners accordingly.

The Company and the Bookrunners are not liable to bear any transfer taxes that arise on a sale of Placing Shares subsequent to their acquisition by Placees or for transfer taxes arising otherwise than under the laws of the United Kingdom. Each Placee should, therefore, take its own advice as to whether any such transfer tax liability arises. Furthermore, each Placee agrees to indemnify on an after-tax basis and hold each of the Bookrunners and/or the Company and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all interest, fines or penalties in relation to stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax and all other similar duties or taxes to the extent that such interest, fines or penalties arise from the default or delay of that Placee or its agent.

In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto) payable outside the UK by them or any other person on the acquisition by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to acquire any Placing Shares.

Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges and agrees that any Bookrunner or any of its affiliates may, at its absolute discretion, agree to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the Placing Shares.

When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with a Bookrunner, any money held in an account with such Bookrunner on behalf of the Placee and/or any person acting on behalf of the Placee will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the FCA made under the FSMA. The Placee acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules; as a consequence, this money will not be segregated from such Bookrunner's money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by such Bookrunner in the course of its own business and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of such Bookrunner.

All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment. The Bookrunners shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.

The rights and remedies of the Bookrunners and the Company under the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to each of them and the exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.

Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.

This information is provided by RNS

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DHEC's proposed update to beach jurisdictional lines would have a big impact on the town of Pawleys Island.
McLean, Virginia, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) awarded Vricon a contract for a Foreign Comparative Test for commercial data, software, and testing to increase the resolution and accuracy of the Commands 3D geospatial data. Vricon also will work to automate workflows to reduce manual processes involved in producing enhanced geospatial data and 3D scene visualizations.

This collaboration between SOCOM and Vricon should result in superior geospatial data, as well a reduction in time-consuming manual work to produce the data, said Magnus Brege, Vricon CEO. These results are increasingly important in a time when national security is dependent upon ever-shrinking timelines and precise information.

The sole source award is based on USSOCOMs assessment that Vricon is the only vendor which currently has the highly specialized software algorithms to generate pre-processed 3D data capable of meeting the governments requirements The contract is valued at approximately $1.3 million.

About Vricon

Vricon serves the global professional geospatial market with world-leading 3D geospatial and digital elevation data and 3D visualization solutions. Vricon is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. For further information, visit vricon.com.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b11c5e0f-7851-405d-ac56-080164e00f0a

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86993422-66cc-4cf5-a0c8-e7cead79303b
French English

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN

This press release does not constitute a solicitation to purchase or an offer of the Bonds (as defined below) or the shares of VINCI (together, the "Securities") in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended). The Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. VINCI does not intend to register all or any portion of the offering in the United States of America or to conduct a public offering of the Securities in the United States of America.

Rueil Malmaison, November 9 2017

VINCI successfully placed an additional tap issue of non-dilutive cash-settled convertible bonds of USD 150 million to be fully assimilated to the non-dilutive cash-settled convertible bonds due 2022 with a current nominal amount of USD 575 million

VINCI announces today the successful placement of an additional tap issue of non-dilutive cash-settled convertible bonds (the "New Bonds") with a nominal amount of USD 150 million.

The initial amount of USD 125 million has been increased to USD 150 million as a result of solid investor demand.

The New Bonds are to be issued on the same terms (save for the issue price) as the USD 450 million non-dilutive cash-settled convertible bonds due February 16, 2022, issued by VINCI on February 16, 2017 and the USD 125 million tap issue issued on 18 May 2017 (together the "Original Bonds"), and, from the settlement date of the New Bonds, shall be fully fungible with and assimilated to the Original Bonds (together, the "Bonds").

Concurrently, VINCI has purchased, on top of the cash-settled call options over its own shares that were bought with regards to the issue of the Original Bonds, new cash-settled call options (the "New Call Options") over its own shares to hedge its exposure to pay cash amounts upon any potential exercise of conversion rights embedded in the New Bonds. The conversion rights will not result in the issuance of new shares or the delivery of existing shares of VINCI upon conversion.

The net proceeds of the New Bonds offering will be used for general corporate purposes.

The New Bonds shall be issued at 111.85 % of their nominal value (plus accrued interests). The final issue price will be determined following a reference period of 6 consecutive trading days after the placement (from November 10 to November 17, 2017 (the "Reference Period") in order to reflect the share price performance and the evolution of the EUR/USD exchange rate. The final tap price will be announced on November 17, 2017.

The settlement and delivery date of the New Bonds is expected to take place on November 22, 2017.





An application for the admission to trading of the New Bonds on the Euronext Access(TM) market of Paris (ex-Marche Libre) and the Open Market (Freiverkehr) of Deutsche Borse will be made with effect from the settlement and delivery date of the New Bonds.

In the context of the offering, VINCI has agreed to a lock-up undertaking in relation to its shares and equity-linked securities for a period ending 60 calendar days after the settlement and delivery date, subject to certain exceptions.

It is anticipated that the New Call Options counterparties will enter into transactions to hedge their positions under the cash-settled call options, through the sale or purchase of shares of VINCI or any other transactions, on market and off-market, at any time, and in particular during the Reference Period and at or around the conversion or redemption of the Bonds.

The New Bonds have been offered via an accelerated book building process through a private placement to institutional investors only or otherwise not entailing a public offering, outside the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan and South Africa. No prospectus, offering circular or other similar document will be prepared in connection with the offering.

This press release does not constitute or form part or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell the New Bonds and the offering of the New Bonds is not an offer to the public in any jurisdiction, including France.

About VINCI

VINCI is a global player in concessions and construction, employing more than 183,000 people in some 100 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities.

www.vinci.com

DISCLAIMER

Available information

The issue of the New Bonds was not subject to a prospectus approved by the French Financial Market Authority (Autorite des marches financiers) (the "AMF"). Detailed information on VINCI (the "Company"), including its Shares, business, results, prospects and related risk factors are described in the Company's registration document, the French version of which was filed with the AMF on February 24, 2017 under number D.17-0109 which is available together with all the press releases and other regulated information about the Company, in particular, VINCI's half-year financial report as at 30 June 2017 and the press release relating to the 2017 Third Quarter results of VINCI dated 24 October 2017, on VINCI's website (https://www.vinci.com).

Important information

This press release may not be published, distributed or released directly or indirectly in the United States of America, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. The distribution of this press release may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes, should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

No communication or information relating to the offering may be transmitted to the public in a country where there is a registration obligation or where an approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country in which such registration or approval would be required. The issuance or the subscription of the New Bonds may be subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; none of the Company nor any of the managers in the context of the issue of the New Bonds (the "Managers") assumes any liability in connection with the breach by any person of such restrictions.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed upon, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information or contained in this press release. The information presented in this press release is subject to change by the Company without notice.

This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of November 4, 2003 as amended (the "Prospectus Directive").

The New Bonds have been offered only by way of a private placement in France to persons referred to in Article L.411-2-II of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier) and outside France (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan), and there will be no public offering in any country (including France).

This press release does not constitute a recommendation concerning the issue of the New Bonds. The value of the Bonds and the Shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional adviser as to the suitability of the Bonds for the person concerned.

European Economic Area

With respect to the Member States of the European Economic Area which have implemented the Prospectus Directive (the "Relevant Member States"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the New Bonds requiring a publication of a prospectus in any Relevant Member State. As a result, the New Bonds may only be offered in Relevant Member States:

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus

Directive; or

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression "offer to the public of New Bonds" in any Relevant Member State, means any communication, to individuals or legal entities, in any form and by any means, of sufficient information on the terms and conditions of the offering and on the New Bonds to be offered, thereby enabling an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the New Bonds, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State.

These selling restrictions with respect to Relevant Member States apply in addition to any other selling restrictions which may be applicable in the Relevant Member States who have implemented the Prospectus Directive.

France

The New Bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold or cause to be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Any offer or sale of the New Bonds and distribution of any offering material relating to the New Bonds have been and will be made in France only to (a) persons providing investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers), and/or (b) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) acting for their own account, as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D. 411-1 of the French monetary and financial Code (Code monetaire et financier).

United Kingdom

This press release is addressed and directed only (i) to persons located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) to investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"), (iii) to people designated by Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order or (iv) to any other person to whom this press release could be addressed pursuant to applicable law (the persons mentioned in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) all deemed relevant persons ("Relevant Persons")). The New Bonds are intended only for Relevant Persons and any invitation, offer of contract related to the subscription, tender, or acquisition of the New Bonds may be addressed and/or concluded only with Relevant Persons. All persons other than Relevant Persons must abstain from using or relying on this document and all information contained therein.

This press release is not a prospectus which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other United Kingdom regulatory authority for the purposes of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

United States of America

This press release may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States of America (including its territories and dependencies, any State of the United States of America and the District of Columbia). This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase for securities in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, the law of any state of the United States of America and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act or the law of the above states. The Bonds will be offered or sold only to non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions outside of the United States of America, in accordance with Regulation S of the Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register any portion of the proposed offering in the United States of America and no public offering will be made in the United States of America.

Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan

The New Bonds may not and will not be offered, sold or purchased in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan.

The distribution of this press release in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law.

The Managers are acting exclusively on behalf of the Company and no-one else in connection with the issue of the New Bonds. They will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the offering and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the same protections as to any of their clients or to provide advice in connection with the offering, the New Bonds, the contents of this press release or any other transaction, arrangement or other matter described in this press release.

In connection with the issue of the New Bonds, the Managers and any of their respective affiliates, may take up a portion of the New Bonds as a principal position and in that capacity may subscribe for, acquire, retain, purchase, sell, offer, offer to sell or negotiate for their own account such New Bonds and other securities of Company or related investments in connection with the issue of the New Bonds, the Company or otherwise.

Accordingly, references to securities issued, offered, subscribed, acquired, placed or dealt should be read as including any issue, offer, subscription, acquisition, placement, dealing or negotiation made by the Managers and any of their affiliates acting as investors for their own account. The Managers do not intend to disclose the extent of any such above mentioned investments or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any applicable legal or regulatory requirements.

None of the Managers and none of their respective directors, employee, advisors or agent accept any responsibility whatsoever which could result from any representation and warranty expressed or implied regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information contained in this press release (or if any information which has been omitted in this press release) or any other information regarding the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates whether written, oral or electronic, whatever the means by which it may be transmitted or made available, or for any loss resulting from the reliance on this press release, the information it contains or otherwise in connection with this press release.
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PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) hosted Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer at the companys Ingalls Shipbuilding division today. Spencer received his first tour of Ingalls since he was sworn in as the 76th Secretary of the Navy in August.



Spencer toured the shipyard facilities with HII President and CEO Mike Petters, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias, Gov. Phil Bryant and Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-4th.

Mike Petters and his team have done an amazing job of really bringing the art form of shipbuilding to a science, Spencer said. If the U.S. Navy has a heart, I would say the shipyards are the blood pumping through that heart. Its on the shoulders of the U.S. Navy to make sure we keep these production lines hot and, therefore, efficient. Ingalls is an amazing shipyard in the size, depth and talent thats here. The workforce is one of the key elements that makes it a critical part of the Navy infrastructure.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file?fid=5a04d5812cfac224cccdc35d.

It was a pleasure touring the nations finest shipyard with Secretary Spencer, Gov. Bryant said. The workforce at Ingalls is building the nations most complex warships, and its important for Secretary Spencer and others in Washington to see first-hand the quality work done by these skilled shipbuilders in Mississippi.

Following his tour of the facilities, Spencer also toured the amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) and the amphibious transport ship Portland (LPD 27).

We appreciate Secretary Spencer taking the time to visit our shipyard and discussing the processes and skills our shipbuilders have in building quality ships for the Navy, Cuccias said. Everything we do is in partnership with our Navy customer, and it is a pleasure to be able to highlight the efforts of our workforce to Navy leadership.

Spencer was sworn in as the 76th Secretary of the Navy on Aug. 3. A Connecticut native, he graduated from Rollins College in 1976 with a bachelors degree in economics. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an H-46 pilot until 1981 before departing active duty to enter the private finance sector.

Im honored to welcome the Secretary of the Navy to Ingalls Shipbuilding in South Mississippi today, Rep. Palazzo said. Im glad that we have a Secretary who joins me in acknowledging the men and women here at Ingalls are the greatest shipbuilders on earth, who build the greatest warships on earth, for the greatest military on earth. Im proud to work with leadership in Washington to uphold a commitment of restoring our military through increasing defense funding and restoring the cuts and budget shortfalls that have threatened our military readiness over the last eight years. A large part of this includes a call for more warships to support the mission of our men and women in the military that will be built right here in South Mississippi.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Integrated Mission Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 37,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:


Algiers, Nov 09, 2017 (SPS) - Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Salek on Wednesday called on all stakeholders in the Western Sahara conflict, namely the United Nations, the African Union and mainly France, to assume their responsibilities and find a lasting solution.

He also denounced the complicity between Paris and Morocco and their desire to undermine and block the peace process in Western Sahara.

Following the speech of Morocco's King Mohamed VI marking the anniversary of Moroccan military invasion of the Sahrawi territories, Ould Salek said that the King of Morocco has reneged on the commitments made by his country under the auspices of the UN and the AU, regarding the referendum on self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

"Morocco is not the only one to block the peace process; France, which is a permanent member within the UN Security Council, is doing likewise," he told a press conference held at the Embassy of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Algiers.

"We have called on the UN Secretary General and his personal envoy as well as the AU to assume their responsibilities," said the Sahrawi Foreign minister.

He underlined that France should play another role to restore peace in the region, adding that "Morocco has undermined all UN efforts."

He also deplored France's attitude vis-a-vis the Western Sahara issue.

"France has intervened in other conflicts in the region, like in Mali, where its sent troops with a view to restoring peace, preserving the borders and establishing democracy in this country, whereas in the case of Western Sahara, France has just done the opposite," he said.

As regards SADR participation in the next EU-AU Summit in Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) in late November, Ould Salek stressed "there would be no EU-AU Summit without SADR. It has been ratified by the AU and there is an agreement between the EU and the AU."

"The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is a fact and a national, continental and international reality. Morocco has to accept it," concluded the Sahrawi Foreign minister.SPS

125/090/700
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WASHINGTON  Feeling the political wind at their backs arguably for the first time in five years, Connecticuts Democratic lawmakers basked in the glow of Democratic electoral victories and predicted a momentum shift against the GOP tax bill.

The high level of turnout is a clear signal to our Republican friends they are facing an energized electorate that understands how cruel and misguided President Trumps policies are, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Its what enabled us to defeat Republican repeal-and-replace health care, and its the same sense of outrage that will ultimately enable us to defeat the tax plan.

In an off-year election where turnout generally is a problem for Democrats, party candidates handily defeated Republicans in key gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.

Connecticut made its own contribution to the Democratic sweep, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

Last nights elections in Connecticut are further proof that Connecticut voters and taxpayers are fed up with what is happening in Washington, D.C. she said. Across our state, Democrats flipped 18 mayors offices and town councils. People are engaged, and they are fighting back against the Trump-Ryan agenda  including their latest tax-cut giveaway to millionaires, billionaires and corporations that will raise taxes on the middle class.

On Wednesday, Republicans showed little interest in scaling back the dimensions of their tax bill, which would consolidate seven brackets into four, reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, phase out the estate tax and double the standard deduction to $24,000 per married couple and $12,000 per individual.

House Speaker Paul Ryan suggested the electoral losses were attributable in part to GOP failure to get its agenda signed into law.

Weve got a promise to keep, Ryan said Wednesday. Weve got to get out and win our promise.

In passing a budget that set up the GOP tax-bill debate, Republicans agreed to a $1.5 trillion tax cut that would have to be offset by tax revenues at the end of a decade. For that reason, Republicans are searching for cancellation of tax breaks, many of which are popular with the public.

Among them: Tax credits for adoption, renovating historic buildings, business and industrial training and cancellation of the deduction for large out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Blumenthal characterized the elimination of the adoption credit as particularly cruel.

Its a matter of simple humanity, he said. For a family that wants to open its home and heart to a child who needs them, why eliminate that deduction? Where is your heart?

The element of the GOP measure with the greatest impact in Connecticut may well be loss of the state and local tax deduction  SALT, for short.

Under the GOP measure before the House, property-tax deductions would be capped at $10,000 and state income tax payments would not be deductible at all.

Trump administration officials have insisted that, when all the features of the tax bill are taken into account, taxpayers in Connecticut and other states who now depend on the SALT deduction will come out ahead.

In addition, Republicans estimate that the corporate tax deduction would yield an average $4,000 for taxpayers, and that a family of four earning $59,000 would get a tax cut of $1,182.

DeLauro, Blumenthal and other state Democrats have consistently characterized the bill as a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, with elimination of SALT as the marquee element for high-tax states like Connecticut.

Loss of SALT as well as another element of the GOP plan capping mortgage interest on new home loans at $500,000 would hurt the Connecticut housing market, a spokeswoman for the states main home-builder association said.

It could tip us into recession, said Joanne Carroll, spokeswoman for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut, noting that a middle-class home in the state actually is in the price range of $750,000 to $2 million. It really is very disturbing.

The GOPs Senate version reportedly does away with the SALT deduction entirely, with no $10,000 property-tax sweetener.

A spokeswoman for the states major hospital association questioned the wisdom of eliminating the deduction for costly out-of-pocket medical expenses.

We are concerned that patients who use this deduction will suffer as a result of this elimination, said Elizabeth Hamilton, spokesman for the Connecticut Hospital Association. ``Tax reform should not come at the expense of the sickest and most vulnerable among us.
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STAMFORD  John Zito racked up more than triple the number of votes Tuesday than he got in the last mayors race, but it was still just 7 percent of the total.

The unaffiliated candidate, who petitioned his way onto the ballot both times, said he had one thought the morning after Election Day: Im done.

Then the phone started to ring. And ring. And ring. Supporters were calling to say, Youre doing better, Dont give up, and Get em next time.

He was tired, Zito said  after the polls closed Tuesday night he stayed up until 3 a.m. collecting most of the 625 campaign signs hed placed around the city.

But the calls, texts and Facebook messages kept coming. Within a few hours, his thought reversed: Maybe Im not done.

He hasnt decided yet whether he will make another run for mayor in 2021, but he is buoyed by the encouragement from regular people who feel like nobody listens to them, Zito said Thursday, sitting at a small table in a Glenbrook coffee shop.

Minutes after Zito took a seat, a tall young man in a red hoodie proved his point, tapping Zito on the shoulder and offering his hand.

Good luck, man, he told Zito as they shook. Keep fighting.

Zito watched the young man walked away. I get that every place I go, he said.

Such instances stoke his belief that he can be mayor, Zito said. He believed it when he made his first run four years ago at age 49, and he believed it this year, even though he has never held elected office, was not endorsed by his Republican Party, raised only $5,000, and was excluded from a candidates debate.

Hes a Stamford native who was raised by relatives and friends after both his parents died when he was a teen. He has street smarts, not political smarts, Zito has said, and hes a union guy, not a college guy  a onetime truck driver, construction worker and oil technician who now owns a heating and chimney service company, J. Zito Services.

His campaign slogan incorporated Stamfords motto: A working man for the City that Works. There should be a place for people like him in politics, Zito said.

People kept telling me they support me because Im not a politician. Politicians make promises they dont keep, he said. After people heard I didnt get invited to that debate, I became more popular than ever. They feel like theyre left out of the system the same way I was left out.

He has said that if he became mayor he would hire a good fiscal team, and his job would be to keep the focus on taxpayers. He has no experience in municipal finances, but he knows everything there is to know about the financial pressure on taxpayers and small businesses in Stamford, he said.

Its why Matt Taylor, one of the owners of Atlas Metals on Poplar Street, was rooting for Zito.

Weve been trying to build a building here for two years, and we cant get anything done. The city is holding us up, Taylor said. They say this is a flood zone so we cant obtain a permit. There are all these problems with the building department, and I was hoping John could help change things.

City Hall bureaucracy hurts small businesses, said Joe Cammarota, owner of Target Disposal Service in Stamford, and politicians dont help. He met Mayor David Martin, who was re-elected Tuesday, when the Democrat was running in 2013, Cammarota said.

He told me, If you have a problem, give me a call, so I did, several times. He never called me back, Cammarota said. I supported John Zito because hes in business himself, so he sees the problems like we do. He understands.

Zito said he feels like he let his supporters down, but that he was let down, too. Only 27 percent of residents went to the polls on Election Day, meaning Martin won with about 11,000 votes in a city that has nearly 68,000 registered voters.

Where were all those people? Im disappointed that they were out there complaining but then they didnt come out and vote, Zito said. I think we should have voting on Sundays or Saturdays, or give people Election Day off, like they do in Europe. This has to change.

Cammarota said he thinks people dont vote because theyre disgusted.

They see corporations come in and get 20-year tax breaks  what do we get? Then the corporations are gone and were still here, Cammarota said. People are leaving Stamford because its getting too expensive. (Zito) wanted to see if he could fix that, but I dont think hell get the chance.

On his way to collect his campaign signs late Tuesday night, Zito called Stamford police. There had been several reports of signs being stolen just before the election, and he wanted to let police know what he was doing, he said.

It had been a long, disappointing Election Day, so why did he go out in his pickup truck before sunrise on that damp, chilly morning?

The metal in the signs is sharp  kids could get hurt. And the signs end up in the streets and make a mess, Zito said. I cant use them again because they say 2017, but I can recycle them.

Theres another reason, he said.

I lived in Colorado for a little while, but I couldnt wait to get back to Stamford. Its home, he said. I hate to hear people say they have to leave Stamford because they cant afford it. Its a shame.

acarella@stamfordadvocate.com.
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STAMFORD - As pundits credit the so-called Trump effect for dramatic Democratic wins in Tuesday elections nationwide, not all city politicians agree that it explains what happened here.

Democrats in Stamford just about swept the offices of the mayor and town clerk, and seats on the boards of representatives, finance and education - even constable races.

Of the 40 seats on the Board of Representatives, Democrats now occupy all but 8.

But it had nothing to do with Republican President Donald Trump, whose acerbic style and dismal approval ratings are being blamed for losses suffered by his party in the closely watched Virginia governors race and elsewhere.

The Democratic successes in Stamford and other towns in Connecticut, and all the way down to Virginia (are) a credit to all the hard work Democrats did, said state Rep. William Tong of Stamford, who celebrated with his fellow Democrat, Mayor David Martin, when he won a second term Tuesday night. It demonstrates that the Democratic message is resonating.

Democratic City Committee Chairman Josh Fedeli said there is a general anti-Trump effect - Democrats were successful across the state. But, Fedeli said, We didnt see it much locally.

We didnt use a lot of anti-Trump messaging, he said. Trump lost Stamford 65 percent to 35 percent in last years presidential race, but we didnt really leverage it.

Martins Republican challenger, Barry Michelson, strongly disagreed.

One of Fedelis opening moves was to write an editorial for the paper questioning where I stand on issues. I think he was one of the fomenters of trying to equate me with Trump, Michelson said. He tried to say I was a white supremacist. Im Jewish  I would not be a white supremacist. It was a divisive strategy.

When he was campaigning, he was asked frequently whether he agrees with Trump, Michelson said.

I told them that my issues have nothing to do with his, that I stand for the citizens of this city, Michelson said. My issues are potholes and finances and high taxes and enforcement of zoning regulations. There was definitely an undercurrent concerning Trump.

Fritz Blau, who heads the Republican Town Committee, said he thinks his partys losses have more to do with an energized Democratic Party. A group of political newcomers called Reform Stamford joined the party this year, and their candidates won eight of 11 races.

I think the tipping point was that the reform group came in and got Democrats to come out and vote, Blau said. The Democrats didnt have much of a game plan until the reform group came in, won their primaries, and went out knocking on doors and making calls.

Republicans did not lose six seats on the Board of Representatives because of the president, Blau said.

I dont see it as an admonishment of Donald Trump, because what does that have to do with your taxes in Stamford? he said. Its too much of a leap for me.

One of the Reform Stamford candidates, newcomer Chris Woodside of District 18, said his race illustrates that politics is local. Despite the trouncing by Democrats, Woodside lost to Republicans, though his race was close and he may have an opportunity to request a recount.

I dont think there was too much of a Trump effect. I think there were three candidates in my district who ran really good races, said Woodside, who supported Bernie Sanders for president in 2016. I think last years election got people more interested, and candidates like Bernie Sanders got more people involved.

He doesnt know whether people got involved out of anger over Trump, or they were energized because of Bernie, Woodside said. But I dont think Trump is enough to get people out. I think you have to organize and knock on doors and give people a reason to vote.

Republican Sal Gabriele, who won another term on the Board of Finance Tuesday, said he thinks the partys losses have to do with diminishing voter turnout, which affects Republicans more because they are outnumbered by Democrats 2-1.

But something else is happening, Gabriele said, and its reflected in the number of votes for Martin.

The mayor got nearly 11,000 votes Tuesday - only about 700 more than four years ago, Gabriele said. But this election Stamford had about 7,000 new voters, and many more of them registered as Democrats than Republicans.

So, with a Trump backlash and a spike in Democratic registration this year, Martin should have gotten at least as many votes as (former Mayor Dan) Malloy got in 2005, Gabriele said.

But he didnt.

Malloy got about 12,400 votes, and that was back when the number of registered voters was almost 10,000 less than it is now, Gabriele said. I think voters arent focused on local issues as much anymore. Maybe the thinking now is more about national issues.

Turnout Tuesday, he noted, was only 27 percent - even less than the 33 percent in the last mayoral race.

Maybe its that people are more dissatisfied with the political parties, since there are more unaffiliated voters than ever, Gabriele said.

Michelson said its time for Republicans to remind people what our brand and our history is. His favorite president, Republican Teddy Roosevelt, cleaned up corporate corruption and enacted consumer protection measures, he said.

Its the party that freed the slaves, that supported womens right to vote, that played a huge role in getting the Civil Rights Act passed, Michelson said. We have a lot of work to do to remind people that Republicans have done a lot of good things.
Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.
Judicial Watch: Justice Department Argues Comey's Leak of 'Flynn' Memo to New York Times was Unauthorized, Compares Comey to Wikileaks

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Judicial Watch announced today that the Justice Department is now comparing former FBI Director James Comey to WikiLeaks. After Comey was fired by President Trump on May 9, 2017, he gave the New York Times a February 14, 2017, memorandum written about a one-on-one conversation he had with President Trump regarding former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Judicial Watch is asking a federal court to order the release of all Comey's unclassified memoranda about his one-on-one conversations with the president.

Comey testified under oath before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that he authored as many as nine such memos about his one-on-one conversations with President Trump. He also admitted , regarding the "Flynn" memo, "I asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter [for The New York Times]  I asked him to because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel." The New York Times published a report about the memo on May 16, 2017. Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed the following day.

On June 16, 2017, Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia after the Department of Justice failed to respond to a May 16 FOIA request ( Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01189)). Judicial Watch seeks:

FBI Director James Comey's February 14, 2017 memorandummemorializing an Oval Office conversation he had with the President on that date regarding former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

In its lawsuit Judicial Watch refutes the Justice Department's claim of exemption for law enforcement purposes:

Ex-Director Comey plainly did not use the February 14 Memo for any recognized or legitimate law enforcement purpose. He used it to settle a score with the President, who had just

fired him.

Judicial Watch argues that if disclosure of the "Flynn" memo would harm the Russia investigation, then the Justice Department should have taken steps to "address Ex-Director Comey's removal of the memo from the FBI, leaking of the memo to the media, and subsequent testimony about the memo, to the extent that testimony was unauthorized and not coordinated with [the Justice Department], the FBI, and/or Special Counsel Mueller. Removal of government records is a federal offense." While the Justice Department compares Comey to WikiLeaks, it makes no claim to have addressed Comey's misconduct. Judicial Watch points out that its "failure to do so further undercuts any claim of harm" to an ongoing law enforcement investigation.
Fitzpatrick Contacts Defense Secretary James Mattis on Bergdahl Ruling -- Says Decision 'Ripe for Civilian Scrutiny'

ATHENS, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Walter Francis Fitzpatrick, III (Ret) submits his following letter to the Secretary of Defense, and is available for comment:



Commander, United States Navy Retired

412 South White Street #215

Athens, Tennessee 37303

Email:

Twitter: @jaghunters WALTER FRANCIS FITZPATRICK, IIICommander, United States Navy Retired412 South White Street #215Athens, Tennessee 37303Email: jaghunter1@gmail.com Twitter: @jaghunters



PAYING TRIBUTE AND HONOR AS ONE OF WE BAND OF BROTHERS

75th Remembrance: OPERATION TORCH

James Norman Mattis

Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20310-1000

Secretary Mattis:

As the military member who declared "resident" OBAMA a FOREIGN BORN DOMESTIC ENEMY in commission of TREASON on, I rise up again to stridently challenge the military discipline process in the handling of Sergeant Beaudry Robert "Beau" Bergdahl's cause and must demand civilian judicial intervention and oversight as provided for in the 1857 Dynes v. Hoover case precedent.

You are called to duty Secretary Mattis to order Defense Department attorneys to aggressively pursue U.S. Supreme Court judicial oversight and review of the Bergdahl court-martial, under the legal and moral authority of Commander-in-Chief Donald John Trump, citing Dynes v. Hoover as legal justification. In obedience to your oath you are mandated to seek remedy and relief by way of petition to the United States Supreme Court to invalidate Bergdahl's military court and then order a rehearing, either civilian or military, of the Bergdahl case.

Recognizing only one of the two tests Dynes v. Hoover sets down, both of the two Dynes v. Hoover tests are satisfied in the Bergdahl court martial:

(1) Bergdahl's military court did not have jurisdiction over the subject or charge; or

(2) Bergdahl's military court failed to observe the rules prescribed by the statutes for its exercise.

In Bergdahl, injury to the court-martial system is manifest and outrageous. It is affirmatively demonstrated complicit with other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); the pre court-martial investigation consequent Bergdahl's self-admitted desertion was partial and incomplete. Military due process was not applied in a fundamentally fair way. That is to say: In the hands of White House "resident" and traitor Obama, the exercise of military due process was grossly unjust and unfair to the three men who were injured and six killed while searching for "traitor Beau," a betrayal to each of those men and a betrayal to every U.S. armed forces Veteran.

Issues to consider in the Bergdahl circumstance are many.

Barack Hussein Obama was declared a foreign born domestic enemy in March 2009. The traitor Obama was called out for his treasonous administration of the military consequent Obama's deployment of active duty military police responding to a civilian police action.

The charge for treason naming Obama rose up from the U.S. armed forces, and was ignored.

Obama was clearly identified as an infiltrator, a traitor, and an impostor holding "residency" in the White House. Obama was forbidden as a matter of constitutional law from commanding the scope and operation of the military discipline system; courts-martial in particular. Yet: Obama's treasonous administration of military, and U.S. government continued unobstructed, full speed ahead throughout his entire residency.

Nothing about traitor Obama's stolen identity and expressed stolen valor while illegally occupying the White House meets constitutional muster. No military court held jurisdiction or authority to convene and administer the military courts in the absence of a constitutionally recognized, legal commander-in-chief.

So much for satisfying the first Dynes test stated above.

Obama's abuse, misuse, disrespect and attacks against our comrades-in-arms are legend.

Obama deployed active duty military police to what was clearly and exclusively a civilian police action. Obama set up our Special Forces operators for ambush in the EXTORTION 17 debacle. Obama stood down Army and Navy forces racing to Libya, Benghazi to save U.S. embassy personnel from brutal and terrifying assaults. Obama relieved the officers of command who tried to fight back.

Meanwhile, Obama aggressively promoted many who did Obama's bidding.

Because of Obama, and Obama's Pentagon, actions of the military courts in the cases of Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance, Lieutenant Colonel Terry Lakin and Staff Sergeant Raymond Girouard must all be made to come under and suffer civilian scrutiny citing the 1857 Dynes precedent.

I add to the Army cases that must be subjected to review those of the U.S. Marine Corps in the various court-martials of the "Camp Pendleton Eight" Convening Authority Mattis, particularly the court-martial of Sergeant of Marines Lawrence Gordon Hutchins, III. And more!

Moving the Dynes' second test regarding strict observance of court-martial statutes.

Taking up command influence first: The military hearing officer in the Bergdahl court-martial, Army Colonel Jeffrey R. Nance, in handing down sentence, took into consideration comments candidate Donald Trump made about traitor Bergdahl.

I refuse to apply the honorific "judge" in a court-martial setting. I offer here calling a military discipline officer a "judge" is like calling Punxsutawney Phil a weatherman.

Solidly a soldier obedient in "Obama's Pentagon" racket, Nance ignored the real influence exerted in the Bergdahl situation expressed and issuing from Obama himself. Expression of traitor Obama's political ideology and ideations was odious as they dripped all over Bergdahl's military discipline experience.

For instance: Traitor Obama placed gag orders on soldiers who knew the truth, who knew in the moment Bergdahl was a deserter.

Because of Obama, officers prosecuting Bergdahl refused to cause the gag order to be lifted, and refused to call fellow enlisted soldiers who knew first-hand about and condemned Bergdahl's desertion as prosecution witnesses against Bergdahl.

Obama awarded Bergdahl the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medals declaring Bergdahl a hero.

Under the pretense of a prisoner exchange in the Bergdahl situation, Obama returned enemy combatants back to their fighting positions taken up against American military members thereby aiding, abetting and comforting an enemy force.

For any number of added reasons, the military prosecution of traitor Bowe Bergdahl went way off the reservation and well outside the lifelines of the procedural statutes representing controlling authority for the conduct of court-martials.

In keeping with civilian oversight of the U.S. armed forces is civilian run, Army officers handling of the Bergdahl case is ripe for civilian scrutiny applying the Dynes v. Hoover test.

All Veterans and many Veteran family members have a stake in this. We all have a stake in this. Each one of us holds standing in rising up the same challenge found here. Individually, signing your own names to challenges and complaints styled to your particular circumstance and signed out by your own hand. I urgently endorse, recommend and insist upon a "we band of brothers" blowback.

Weapons free. Fire for effect. Engage!! Beware the fury of patient men! Here endth the lesson!

Resolute and relentless, I remainBORN FIGHTING,

Signed and issued before me,

This Wednesday, 8 November 2017

at_________hours local (_____________EST)

My commission expires: _____________________.

Copies to include: Commander-in-Chief Donald John Trump, U.S. Attorney General Jeffrey Beauregard Sessions, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts
Ron Eskam joined the Marine Corps in 1977 and made a career of it, retiring in 1997 after putting in 20 years.

Right out of high school, I was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, he said. I was assigned Alpha Company Third Recon Battalion, and I was there from 1977 to 1981. During the time I was there, I did three different Westpacs. I did two six-month floats and one nine-month float. We went to Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and all around the Pacific. It was a good time.

Eskams time in the Pacific allowed him to go to several different survival schools.

I got to go to a survival school in the Philippines, he said. Theres one time we got stranded on an island in the Philippines. We were practicing doing a recon mission, and we had to paddle in with our boats. We went to the island that we were supposed to, and a hurricane came in. The fleet pulled out, and they didnt tell us that they were pulling out. There were 18 of us stuck on this island. It was quite the experience because we were getting hammered by all this wind and rain, and we had no cover at all. We had no communication with anybody. We were stuck for four or five days. We only had ponchos for shelter. The hurricane let up, and the Philippine natives came out and started helping us. They built shelters for us and caught fish for us. We hung out there for about a week before the fleet returned and extracted us.

Eskam was a reconnaissance man.

My job was to gather intel behind enemy lines, he said. S2 would give us our elements of information, and we would go behind lines and gather it. We had two different types of missions. One was a keyhole mission, and the other was a stingray mission. The keyhole mission was to find and gather information. The stingray mission was to go in and extract a key figure like a political person.

After being stationed in Hawaii, Eskam got to come home for a while.

I was stationed here in Scottsbluff as a recruiter, he said. I was stationed out of Denver, but I had to cover western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. So, I got to be a recruiter here for a couple years. During that time, I got married to my wife Jennifer, and we had a son.

Eskam didnt get to stay in Scottsbluff as international events called him away.

There was the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut in October, and a lot of a special duty personnel were pulled back into regular units, he said. I got sent to North Carolina to the second tank division. I had to go there for a year and a half.

Eskam moved on to the next phase of his Marine career. He became the man that Marine recruits love to hate  a drill instructor.

I went to Parris Island, South Carolina, to be a drill instructor, he said. Being a drill instructor was the highlight of my career. I was a sergeant, and I got to compete against gunnery sergeants and staff sergeants to be senior drill instructor. I did four platoons as a green belt and five platoons as a black belt. The black belt is a senior drill sergeant. I was really proud of that as a sergeant. My wife and children were able to live on base with me, and I didnt have to leave there so it was a pretty secure assignment. It was also a good assignment career-wise. It was highly motivating, knowing that you have something to do to shape and mold and build the Marine Corps  especially when youre working with the top 10 percent of NCOs throughout the Marine Corps. The drill instructors are the cream of the crop.

He said basic training is different through the eyes of a drill instructor.

It is kind of funny. You look at yourself when you were a recruit going through there, how everything was so confusing, and you were so stressed out, he said. Now, you are seeing how you deliver it to these guys that are going through it. The recruits are totally confused and discombobulated, so it is kind of funny. But you also get to see how they go from not knowing anything, and they become highly motivated and dedicated to support the Marine Corps and fight for their nation. It is a big-time sense of accomplishment. You take these guys off the streets, and after a couple of months theyre ready to go out and attack. The United States has an edge because of our effective training program.

Eskam extolled the virtues of military service.

You have young men and women coming out of high school and college, and they want to do something to serve, he said. They have this option with the military. It is a good thing for these kids to see that they can move forward and meet their goals by serving in the military.

Eskam eventually returned to the reconnaissance job.

I was with the First Recon Battalion in Camp Pendleton, he said. I was about ready to go on deployment when the Marine Corps recalled me to recruiting duty. There were about 33 of us that got taken. This is because the Marine Corps was hurting on recruits. I came back and was stationed in Cheyenne for about 14 months. I completed that tour, and then I went back to First Recon Battalion.

Eskams adventures were not over with yet.

I went on two more deployments. One was Desert Storm and the other one was Mogadishu, Somalia, he said. I gained lots of good life experiences. You trust in God, and He is going to give you the experience that you need to be successful in this world as long as you follow with the faith that you have. You need to have faith no matter what youre doing, but it is very important in the military. Yes, be true to yourself, but first of all, youve got to be true to your God. We dont have all the answers, but God drives us and allows us to move forward.

Eskam looks forward to Veterans Day on Saturday.

Veterans Day is awesome because it doesnt include everybody, but everybody can be in attendance, he said. And everybody is focused on it. I enjoy honoring the older veterans. I had uncles who were in the Marine Corps before me, and they were excellent Marines and excellent men. My father and brother were also in the Marines. It gives you a good base for life.

Being a Marine is part of the family tradition for Eskam.

I always knew I was going to be in the Marines, he said. When I was a kid, I didnt go out and play army. I went out and played Marines.

Eskam continues to serve his community as a corrections officer for Scotts Bluff County.
I appreciate the way so many of you read my newspaper articles.

Ive been busy these past few months trying to write legislation I hope will be most beneficial for the folks living in the Panhandle as well as for all those living in Nebraska. Today, I would like to update you on what I have been working on.

My first order of business has been to deliver on property tax relief. Over the summer I met with a coalition of senators, farm groups and concerned citizens to put together a legislative resolution for property tax relief. The plan we came up with is called the 50/50 plan, and soon we will be collecting signatures for a citizen-led initiative to ensure that this measure appears on your ballot next year. The 50/50 plan will allow property owners to declare half of that portion of their property taxes that pays for education as a credit or refund on their state income taxes.

I also want to fix the way destroyed property gets valued for property tax purposes. Currently, the value of a piece of property on Jan. 1 determines its value for property tax purposes for the remainder of the year. But, what if your house burns down on Jan. 2? My bill will give the Board of Equalization the authority to prorate a parcels valuation to the date of its destruction. A property owner should not have to pay a full years worth of taxes on property that was destroyed mid-year.

Besides property tax relief, I have also been working to fix the way agricultural land gets valued for property tax purposes. Last year I introduced LB 602, which was designed to change the method of valuation from the current market-based system to an income approach. Although my bill never made it out of committee, the Revenue Committee combined various elements from my bill into LB 461. However, LB 461, in its current form, does not solve the primary problems associated with agricultural land valuations. Consequently, I have been working to fix LB 461 through the amendment process.

Finally, a piece of legislation I hope to recommend for the Consent Calendar is a bill that would raise the rate of pay for gas commissioners from $50 per meeting to $500 per meeting with an annual cap set at $6,000. The rate of $50 per meeting was set back in 1950 and has never been changed. Because gas commissioners get paid by the oil companies, the raise in pay would have no bearing on the States biennial budget. My bill would also allow the director to recommend any future pay increases. The way I see it, $50 per day amounts to charity work, so it is time to give these gas commissioners a well-deserved raise.

Finally, in a few days we will be formally remembering and celebrating our veterans. Personally, I believe we should honor our veterans all 365 days of the year. The reason why we should honor veterans all year long relates to the cost of being a veteran. When it comes to our veterans, we must never forget the slogan that All gave some, and some gave all.
Flags are flying at half-mast, again. This time it is due to a massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

On Sunday a young man dressed in black walked in the small church as the associate pastor, Bryan Holcombe, was walking up to the pulpit. Pastor Holcombe was filling in for Pastor Frank Pomeroy who was out of town with his wife.

In an act of pure hate, the man in black opened fire, killing at least 26 innocent people who came to church Sunday morning to worship God. The victims ranged in age from 18 months to 77 years old.

One couple, Scott and Karen Marshall, were visiting First Baptist for the very first time. Others, such as Richard and Theresa Rodriguez and Dennis and Sara Johnson, were regular active attenders. Sixteen-year-old Haley Krueger had big dreams.

Pastor Holcombe lost his life, his wife died Sunday, along with 36-year-old Crystal Holcombe who had just learned she was pregnant. Along with her unborn child, Crystal also died alongside her other three children; Emily, Megan and Greg all died in the attack.

The youngest victim was also a Holcombe, 18-month-old Noah. Noahs dad, Marc Daniel Holcombe, was also killed.

All of these innocents lost their lives because of one mans hate, a hate that seems so prevalent in todays America.

Sundays senseless hate hit home.

The last church I pastored was very similar to First Baptist. There were about 50 people in the church, mostly families.

We cared for one another, loved one another, we were family.

Some of the family members were there every Sunday, others not so much. Visitors were always welcome. As a family who wanted to grow, we embraced new people, even those who seemed strange, different.

Right before every service the family members would be in their seats. You could quickly tell who was gone because most sat in the same place every Sunday.

Peoples attention would be on getting situated, making sure the kids are where they should be and preparing to worship. A stranger could easily walk in and be noticed, but right as service was beginning, they might not be given much attention. If the stranger opened fire, it would happen so fast and catch everyone off guard.

No one would have thought anyone could and would unleash such unbridled hate.

A church is seen as a safe place. They are places where hate and violence should be kept outside the doors.

At one time, a school was also seen as a safe place; today, neither is seen as such. In fact today, there are no safe places.

We have lost our respect for life, we have lost our respect for one another and we seem to focus on hating one another more than showing respect simply because we are fellow human beings.

We have video games where you get points for killing people. We watch movies and television shows glorifying violence and wonder why we have no respect for life. We can share our hate through social media and add fuel to the hate fires already burning.

Locally, we have hate, but fortunately our hate hasnt boiled over to a mass killing. Its there, hiding below the surface, showing its ugly head from time to time.

It is a hate we must not tolerate, a hate we should not sweep under the rug.

We can pass new laws, but we cant outlaw the hate. New laws will not work unless we somehow learn to once again respect others even if we dont like them.

New laws may make us feel better, but they will have no impact if we cant even follow the laws and procedures we presently have in place.

Hate will find a way to get around new laws.

The Oxford Dictionary defines hate as to feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).

Intense and passionate are strong words. They are words that paint a picture of power, but love can be defined with those same powerful words.

The people who lost their lives, including lead pastor Pomeroys 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle, came to celebrate Gods passionate love.

Whatever life brings to you, Pastor Pomeroy said, grieving the loss of his daughter and close to half of his church family, lean onto the Lord rather than on your own understanding. I dont understand, but I know my God does.

Hopefully, this tragedy will get us to begin talking about the hate we have toward one another. Hopefully, we can seek ways to foster love, respect and teach strong character in one another. Hopefully, we can find ways to turn our hate into respect even for those who see the world differently than we do.

If we do not address the hate we have toward one another the flag will be lowered to half-mast again and again.
AGERPRES special correspondent Dana Purgaru reports: Doctor Raed Arafat, Secretary of State with Romania's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) and head of the Department for Emergency Situations, together with the head of Romania's Representative Office to Palestine Catalin-Mihai Tirlea participated Thursday morning in Ramallah, in an official meeting with the Minister of Health of Palestine, Dr. Jawad Awaad.

The dignitaries exchanged views on the state of the Romanian and Palestinian health care system, underscoring the progress accomplished by the two parties with respect to the development of the health infrastructure, to emergency intervention, medical staff training but also to the importance of investments in this area.The atmosphere of the meeting was relaxed and Arabic, English but also Romanian were used during the talks taking into account that many of those present know Romania well, as participants themselves stated, an important part of the Palestinian medical staff having been trained in Romania.The hosts underscored that the Palestinian health system is rapidly developing, with investments being made in both the infrastructure and the doctors' and nurses' training and patients' treatment. In this respect, the special relation with Romania was brought up, a country in which many Palestinian doctors have obtained their specialization but have also started families, naming them "Romania's best ambassadors" to Palestine."We are proud that you are Palestine's son" were the first words that the Palestinian Health Minister addressed Dr. Raed Arafat. Dr. Jawad Awaad specified that the medical system in Palestine is a good one when compared to that of other Arab regions, and "the maternal mortality ratio is the lowest in this region."The intention to set up a Cancer Centre was also mentioned, a construction due to be accomplished in three years' time, the building requiring a 140 million-euro investment. The Centre will serve for the treatment and nursing of people diagnosed with this disease and the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas will personally get involved in this project, as the Palestinian Health Minister pointed out.In his turn, Dr. Raed Arafat explained the way Romania's insurance system and also the emergency interventions system function, describing the latter as one of the best. He also provided assurances that Romania and Palestine will pursue and improve their good cooperation, because, as described by Dr. Jawad Awaad "there will always be emergency situations here."The meeting took place before the official opening on Thursday, 9 November, of the 2nd Palestinian-Romanian International Medical Congress organised by the Association of Palestinian Doctors and Pharmacists of Romania (AMFPR) in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Palestine, the Embassy of the State of Palestine and the Romanian Department for Emergency Situations, under the aegis of the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.As many as 100 doctors with various specializations from Romania and Palestine, alongside Romanian and Palestinian officials are expected to attend the two-day medical congress taking place in the auditorium of the Red Crescent Association in Al-Bireh.The first Palestinian-Romanian medical Congress with international participation organised by the Association of Palestinian Doctors and Pharmacists of Romania took place in Bucharest, 9 to 11 April, 2014.
National Defence Minister Mihai Fifor met on Wednesday in Brussels with US Secretary of Defence James Mattis, whom he discussed with about the security in the Black Sea region and the Romanian - US military cooperation in Afghanistan, according agerpres.ro.

"On this occasion, the dialogue initiated in September in Washington continued with a focus on the strategic priorities of the cooperation between Romania and the US in the security and defence area, the developments of the security situation in the Black Sea region, as well as the implementation of decisions adopted at the NATO Summit in Warsaw regarding the strengthening of NATO's deterrence and defence posture," Fifor wrote on his Facebook page.

He mentioned, in regards to the Strategic Partnership with the US, that he talked with the US official about opportunities to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in order to consolidate NATO's advanced presence on the Eastern Flank and its unitary approach, with an emphasis on the US participation in the initiatives carried out in the Black Sea region.

"By reiterating that Romania remains a solid, predictable and trustworthy partner of the US, I underscored the significance of the US commitment in the region and the importance of its contribution in implementing the allied adapted presence at the Black Sea," Fifor mentioned.

The Defence Minister added that an important topic on the discussion agenda was the cooperation between Romania's and US's armed forces in Afghanistan, within NATO's Resolute Support mission.

"We showed that Romania observes its commitment to continue its significant participation in this mission and contribute, thus, to the security and stability of Afghanistan," Fifor informed.

He brought to mind that the meeting with Defence Secretary James Mattis took place just one month and a half after the official visit he paid to Washington in September.

"It's a clear proof of the excellent collaboration relations that we managed to intensify this year with the US. On this occasion we conveyed that Romania maintains the commitments took on within NATO and remains a credible and stable allied in the Black Sea region," the Defence Minister stated.

The meeting took place in the context of NATO defence ministers meeting, which is held in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday.
Chief Prosecutor of Romania's National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi said on Thursday at an event in Vienna that the greatest challenge now is preserving the independence of magistrates in Romania, adding that if a law currently under consideration on their statutes passes through Parliament, it will "seriously affect" judicial independence while establishing "political control" over the activity of prosecutors.

According to a DNA press statement, Kovesi was invited to participate in a special event called "Revisiting the Jakarta principles: strengthening anti-corruption agencies' independence and effectiveness," organised at the 7th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)."Before the attending anti-corruption leaders, anti-corruption officials, practitioners and anti-corruption experts from around the world, the chief prosecutor of the DNA delivered a speech titled 'Protecting DNA independence: Relevance of the Jakarta principles,' in which she underscored the prerequisites for achieving credible and real results in the fight against corruption: judicial independence, a specialist anti-corruption organisation, as well as legislation providing investigative tools. Kovesi also highlighted two valences of independence - judicial independence in interactions with the Executive and the Legislature, as well as individual independence of the prosecutors within the internal hierarchy."Kovesi mentioned that since 2013, DNA has brought to court 68 dignitaries: a prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, 11 ministers and former ministers, 39 MPs, 14 senators and one MEP.Of these, 27 have been sentenced under final and binding sentences for corruption and related offences: five ministers, 17 MPs, four senators, and one MEP."The recovery of damage incurred by crimes is an important part of the DNA causes. Over the same period, DNA has ordered liens on assets worth more than two billion euros. These results would no longer be possible if prosecutors in Romania were no longer independent," said Kovesi.According to DNA, Kovesi proposed an "imaginative exercise"."If prosecutors were working under the authority of the Executive, how could they open their investigations of a member of the Government or a state secretary or other important person who is also a member of a political party? Is the investigation fair and unbiased? Would there be any guarantee that there would be no repercussions on the magistrate who opened or completed the investigation? If prosecutors were working under the authority of Parliament, would there be investigations of MPs or senators?"According to her, "the greatest challenge now is preserving the magistrates' independence." "These days a law on the statutes of magistrates is being debated in the Romanian Parliament, which, if approved, will seriously affect judicial independence and establish political control over the activity of prosecutors. Therefore, the Jakarta recommendations are getting increasingly more relevant," said Kovesi.On November 26-27, 2012, current and former heads of anti-corruption agencies (ACAs), anti-corruption practitioners and experts from around the world gathered in Jakarta at the invitation of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Indonesia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to discuss a set of "Principles for Anti-Corruption Agencies" to promote and strengthen the independence and effectiveness of ACAs.Among the Jakarta principles are the following: ACAs shall, in accordance with the basic legal principles of their countries to ensure continuity of the ACA; ACA heads shall be appointed through a process that ensures his or her apolitical stance, impartiality, neutrality, integrity and competence; ACA heads shall have security of tenure and shall be removed only through a legally established procedure equivalent to the procedure for the removal of a key independent authority specially protected by law (such as the Chief Justice). AGERPRES
The Constanta, Galati and Baia Mare county hospitals, the Bucharest Oncology Institute and the Elias Emergency University Hospital will get radiotherapy equipment, to treat cancer patients.

On Thursday, the Government hosted the signing ceremony for the equipping of the five facilities with complete radiotherapy systems. The contracts were signed by Romanian Health Minister Florian Bodog and Jaroslaw Lange, a representative of Elekta Limited UK, the supplier of the medical equipment.Attending the ceremony at Victoria Palace, Deputy Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that it is the first time Romania invests in radiotherapy. "These are five centres, three more currently in the bidding process will follow," Ciolacu said.Bodog said in his turn that the acquisition of these pieces of equipment continues a project with the World Bank."At the beginning of my term, together with the finance minister of that time, I found a blocked World Bank programme at risk of losing funding. Together with the then finance minister, with the government team and with the current government team, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and the finance minister we have accepted deadlines that we cannot miss and we have done so because we want to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals and also for our patients," Bodog said.He also thanked the managers of the five hospitals that will get the radiotherapy equipment.Finance Minister Ionut Misa said that under this project the Government is taking "a step forward" in fulfilling its promises."There will be new acquisitions in the field of healthcare, as promised from the beginning (...). I am convinced that the healthcare system in Romania will improve increasingly more in the future on this path on which we have embarked," Misa said.Also attending the signing ceremony was Constanta County Council Chairman Horia Tutuianu, Galati County Council Chairman Costel Fotea, and Maramures County Council Chairman Gabriel Zetea. AGERPRES
Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar had a professional meeting with chiefs of the Romanian Police, in order to identify measures and solutions for boosting the activity of criminal prosecution in the fight against crime.

According to a release of the General Prosecutor's Office, on Wednesday, Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar attended the professional meeting called "The role of the Romanian Police in inter- and intra-institutional collaboration on fighting crime," that was attended by the chief of the Romanian Police, Police Principal Quaestor Bogdan Despescu, heads of the central structures of the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police (IGPR), chiefs of county police inspectorates and heads of the brigades fighting organized crime."During the meeting, aspects regarding the institutional collaboration between the Romanian Police and prosecutor's office units were discussed, as well as the unitary approach of the issue in the sphere of competence. Furthermore, the participants considered identifying measures and solutions for boosting the criminal prosecution activity," the quoted source reveals. AGERPRES
Minister-delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu participated on Wednesday, upon the invitation of Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa, in the 2017 "Web Summit", in Lisbon, context in which the Romanian official argued for common, inclusive solutions at European level, meant to strengthen the integration process within the EU.

According to a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), during his intervention in the panel titled "Will Europe rise again?", the Romanian dignitary referred to the multiple challenges faced by the European project and to ways to turn these into opportunities for strengthening the EU.The Minister-delegate underscored the need for enhanced communication regarding the achievements and benefits of the Union for the European citizens as well as the need for their deeper involvement in the reflection and decision-making process regarding Europe's future. At the same time, the Romanian official advocated for common, inclusive solutions at European level, meant to consolidate the integration process, with a focus on ensuring sustainable economic growth, job creation and the achievement of economic and social convergence within the EU.The Minister also mentioned the importance of innovation and technology in developing efficient EU policies, highlighting Romania's potential in the digital and cyber security area at European level."Romania's potential in the digital industry must be upheld and capitalised on, especially that all the premises for success are there. We want to promote all of Romania's achievements in all its excellency domains, from the perspective of Romania taking over the Presidency of the European Union Council in the first semestre of 2019, and the IT industry is one of the fastest growing in the last years," the Minister-delegate pointed out.Moreover, according to the release, Victor Negrescu met in Lisbon with the Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs Ana Paula Zacarias, the consultations reconfirming the great level of the bilateral relations and both parties' desire to diversify and deepen the Romanian-Portuguese partnership. AGERPRES
Director General of the National News Agency AGERPRES, Alexandru Giboi, had a meeting on Wednesday, at the headquarters of the agency, with Vice-President of the National Coalition for Modernization of Romania (CNMR) Liviu Besleaga with whom he discussed about the amendment of the AGERPRES law.

Alexandru Giboi and Liviu Besleaga expressed, in a joint press statement, the disagreement with the modification of the AGERPRES law, as proposed and voted by the Senate of Romania."The National News Agency AGERPRES must remain independent of any political interference. AGERPRES is currently a pillar of stability and professionalism of the Romanian press, and its political subordination would lead to the loss of the credibility of this public press institution. With the loss of credibility, the decline of the Agency will follow. The evolution and modernization of AGERPRES can only be ensured by keeping the editorial stability and equidistance. Due to those reasons we do not support the modification of the AGERPRES law as proposed and voted by the Senate of Romania," said Alexandru Giboi and Liviu Besleaga.Also, in this context, CNMR President Alexandru Cumpanasu said he would ask for meetings with parliamentary committees in the Chamber of Deputies to identify the best solutions for keeping the editorial independence and freedom of speech of the journalists with the agency."Following the informal meeting I had with the representatives of the diplomatic environment accredited in Bucharest, they voiced their concern about the increasingly lower independence of journalists in the private or public sector. Unfortunately, there is a control tendency from all areas of society: political, business, underground clans, control over the opinions voiced in the public space and reduction of objective sources of information. As to the AGERPRES law, we will request meetings with parliamentary committees in the Chamber of Deputies to identify the best solutions for keeping editorial independence and freedom of speech of the journalists with the Agency," he said.On October 30, the Senate adopted the legislative initiative for the completion of Law 19/2003 on the organization and functioning of the National News Agency AGERPRES, which proposes the dismissal of the Director General in the case of Parliament's rejection of the annual activity report of the institution.The bill, initiated by PSD senator and Culture minister Lucian Romascanu, and PSD senators Valer-Daniel Breaz, Gabriela Cretu, Ovidiu-Cristian-Dan Marciu and Liviu-Lucian Mazilu, is to be debated also by the Chamber of Deputies as the decision-making body.In the explanatory note of the normative act, the initiators argue that AGERPRES' Director General "enjoys total immunity within his mandate," adding that of "the public cultural institutions under parliamentary control, the National News Agency is the only in whose case Parliament has no instrument of action if it finds a non-performing management."The Director of the National News Agency has sent an open letter to the ambassadors accredited in Bucharest, in which he stressed his willingness for a decent debate on the subject of AGERPRES evolution, "based on professional, objective criteria, not on political criteria."The topic was also taken over by prestigious media institutions such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Euronews or Fox News.ActiveWatch said that the amendments proposed to the AGERPRES law risk to align the national news agency "in the gallery of controllable institutions" and drew attention to the fact that civil society was present but "completely" ignored at debates in the Senate's Committee on Culture and Media. AGERPRES
AGERPRES special correspondent to Ramallah, Palestine, Dana Purgaru reports: Major General Nidal Abu Dukhan, commander of the Palestinian national security forces, said on Thursday in Ramallah that Palestine is interested collaborating with Romania, especially in the area of training for special emergency interventions in extreme situations, such as hostage taking, but also in first-aid classes for disasters.

Abu Dukhan proposed that the theoretical stage of the specialist training be conducted in Palestine, and physical training in Romania.The Palestinian official made these proposals at a meeting with Secretary of State with the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs Raed Arafat, who is also the head of the Emergency Department. The meeting was also attended by the head of the Representative Office of Romania in Ramallah, Catalin-Mihai Tirlea.Arafat said that the way the Palestinian National Security Force operates is similar to that of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie, adding at the meeting that Abu Dukhan's proposals are feasible under a partnership, given that Romania has a vast experience both in emergency interventions and in first aid.The meeting took place on the side-lines of the second Palestinian-Romanian International Medical Congress organised by the Association of Palestinian Physicians and Pharmacists of Romania (AMFPR) in collaboration with the Palestine Ministry of Health, the Embassy of Palestine and the Department of Emergencies in Romania, under the aegis of the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.Attending the medical congress held on Thursday and Friday at the Red Crescent Association Hall of Al-Bireh are over a hundred doctors from Romania and Palestine of different specialties, together with Romanian and Palestinian officials.The first Palestinian-Romanian Medical Congress with international participation organised by the Association of Palestinian Physicians and Pharmacists of Romania took place in Bucharest, April 9-11, 2014.
The Senate's Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu emphasized on Thursday, in the meeting with Kuwait's Ambassador Talal Mansour Alhajeri, the interest of the Romanian side to resume its economic presence on the Kuwaiti market and the importance of identifying new flexible co-operation mechanisms between the business communities of the two states.

"The good cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and within the international organizations to which Romania and Kuwait are members, was evoked. The talks highlighted the agreement of both sides on the need to amplify the bilateral political dialogue and on the importance of capitalizing on the means of parliamentary diplomacy especially by boosting the activity of the parliamentary friendship groups," reads a Senate's release sent on Thursday to AGERPRES The Senate's speaker expressed his confidence that the visits to Kuwait by members of the Executive will contribute to strengthening bilateral trade and will encourage business relations between the two countries.The two interlocutors reviewed the situation in the Persian Gulf region, considering that in order to overcome the current crisis it is important to adopt the path of negotiations and political dialogue.The Kuwaiti ambassador appreciated Romania's position on the developments in the Middle East, based on its traditional relations with the countries in the region and on the deep understanding of the phenomena in the region, the quoted source mentions.
In early 2016, agri-business giant Monsanto Co. faced a decision that would prove pivotal in what since has become a sprawling herbicide crisis, with millions of acres of crops damaged.

Monsanto had readied new genetically modified soybeans seeds. They were engineered for use with a powerful new weedkiller that contained a chemical called dicamba but aimed to control the substances main shortcoming: a tendency to drift into neighboring farmers fields and kill vegetation.

The company had to choose whether to immediately start selling the seeds or wait for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to sign off on the safety of the companion herbicide.

The firm stood to lose a lot of money by waiting. Because Monsanto had bred the dicamba-resistant trait into its entire stock of soybeans, the only alternative would have been to not sell a single soybean in the United States that year, Monsanto Vice President of Global Strategy Scott Partridge told Reuters in an interview.

Betting on a quick approval, Monsanto sold the seeds, and farmers planted a million acres of the genetically modified soybeans in 2016. But the EPAs deliberations on the weedkiller dragged on for another 11 months because of concerns about dicambas historical drift problems.

That delay left farmers who bought the seeds with no matching herbicide and three bad alternatives: Hire workers to pull weeds; use the less-effective herbicide glyphosate; or illegally spray an older version of dicamba at the risk of damage to nearby farms.

The resulting rash of illegal spraying that year damaged 42,000 acres of crops in Missouri, among the hardest hit areas, as well as swaths of crops in nine other states, according to an August 2016 advisory from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The damage this year has covered 3.6 million acres in 25 states, according to Kevin Bradley, a University of Missouri weed scientist who has tracked dicamba damage reports and produced estimates cited by the EPA.

The episode highlights a hole in a U.S regulatory system that has separate agencies approving genetically modified seeds and their matching herbicides.

Monsanto has blamed farmers for the illegal spraying and argued it could not have foreseen that the disjointed approval process would set off a crop-damage crisis.

But a Reuters review of regulatory records and interviews with crop scientists shows that Monsanto was repeatedly warned by crop scientists, starting as far back as 2011, of the dangers of releasing a dicamba-resistant seed without an accompanying herbicide designed to reduce drift to nearby farms.

In 2015, just before Monsanto released its soybeans seeds, Arkansas regulators notified the firm of damage from illegal spraying of its dicamba-resistant cotton seeds. Some cotton farmers chose to illegally spray old versions of dicamba because other herbicides approved for use on the seeds were far less effective.

The EPA did not approve the new dicamba formulation that Monsanto now sells for use with cotton and soybean seeds  XtendiMax with Vapor Grip  until after the 2016 growing season.

Monsantos Partridge acknowledged that the company misjudged the regulatory timeline for approval of its new herbicide.

The EPA process was lengthier than usual, Partridge said.

Monsanto, however, denies culpability for the crisis that followed the two-stage approval.

The illegal misuse of old dicamba herbicides with Xtend seeds was not foreseeable, the companys attorneys said in a response to one class action suit filed by farmers in Missouri. Even if it were foreseeable that farmers would illegally apply old dicamba to their Xtend crops, which it was not, Monsanto is not liable for harms caused by other manufacturers products.

Monsanto's Partridge said in a written statement that the reports of damage from illegal spraying of dicamba on its cotton seeds in 2015 were extremely isolated.

Those who applied dicamba illegally should be held responsible, Partridge said.

Monsantos handling of the delayed herbicide approval may cause the firm legal and public relations damage, but it has boosted the companys business considerably. Instead of halting seed sales while waiting on herbicide approval, Monsanto captured a quarter of the nation's massive soybean market by the start of 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Even the damage from dicamba may have boosted sales. Some farmers whose crops were harmed said in interviews that they bought Monsantos new dicamba-resistant seeds as a defense against drift from nearby spraying. [Read Bryce Gray's Post-Dispatch report on how dicamba divided Missouri farmers here.]

State regulators believe the illegal spraying of dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean crops continued in 2017  after the EPA approved Monsanto's new herbicide. Farmers would still benefit from using old versions of dicamba because it is cheaper than XtendiMax. Many growers also have dicamba on hand because it is legal to use for limited purposes.

Regulators have not yet determined, however, how much damage came from illegal spraying and how much came from the legal application of XtendiMax, which weed scientists say still vaporizes under certain conditions.

Monsanto concedes that XtendiMax has caused crop damage, but blames farmers who the company says did not properly follow directions for applying the herbicide.

The EPA, after delaying a decision on XtendiMax, gave the herbicide a limited two-year approval  as opposed to the standard 20 years  in case drift issues arose.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman, Rick Corker, acknowledged in a statement to Reuters that the release of an engineered seed before its companion herbicide caused problems. The department, he said, is now in talks with the EPA about whether to coordinate approvals of paired seeds and chemicals.

USDA and EPA are in discussions regarding the timing of our deregulations, Corker said in a statement.

The EPA did not comment on whether it planned any policy changes in response to the dicamba crisis.

Early warnings

Dicamba is cheap, plentiful, and has been used as a weedkiller for decades. But its tendency to damage nearby fields had caused U.S. regulators to limit its use to the task of clearing fields before planting or after harvest, when there are no crops to damage and cooler temperatures make it less likely the substance will migrate.

Farmers who illegally sprayed dicamba during growing season are now facing fines of up to $1,000 for each violation of EPA rules limiting the use of dicamba, which are enforced by state regulators.

Farmers with damaged crops have filed at least seven lawsuits  five class-action suits and two by individuals  seeking compensation from Monsanto. The suits claim the company should have known that releasing the seeds without a paired herbicide would cause problems.

Monsanto officials had been repeatedly warned of the potential for damage from illegal spraying of dicamba on seeds designed to resist the chemical.

In October 2011, five scientists from Ohio State University addressed a conference in Columbus focused on the future of dicamba. In attendance were agriculture researchers from across the country as well as representatives of the companies Monsanto, Dow Chemical and BASF.

According to Douglas Doohan, one of the conference's organizers, three Monsanto employees, including Industry Affairs Director Douglas Rushing, attended the meeting. Monsanto had a keen interest in the topic because the company was far along in developing its new line of dicamba products at the time.

In their introduction to the symposium, Doohan and his colleagues outlined what they called an increased risk of illegal dicamba spraying by farmers once dicamba-resistant seeds became available. They also argued that dicamba-resistant seeds  and the illegal spraying that might accompany them  would lead farmers whose crops were damaged to buy their own dicamba-tolerant seeds to protect themselves from further drift, according to conference records.

Monsanto's Rushing gave his own presentation about dicamba to the symposium, according to conference records. Rushing explained the need for a new herbicide-and-seed combination to replace those that had grown less effective as weeds become more tolerant to certain chemicals, according to slides outlining Rushings conference presentation. He raised the issue of damage from dicamba drift, but said the risks could be reduced by using certain kinds of sprayers and taking other precautions.

Rushing could not be reached for comment. Monsanto did not directly respond to questions about the symposium.

Damage reports

Years later, some of what the scientists outlined in their presentations was becoming reality.

Monsanto released its dicamba-resistant cotton seed in the summer of 2015. The seed was compatible with two other legally available herbicides, giving farmers options for dealing with weeds before the EPAs approval of XtendiMax.

But farmers started digging into their dicamba stockpiles anyway, and damage reports started to trickle in. Monsanto officials were among the first to see those reports, according to minutes of an Arkansas Plant Board committee meeting in July 2015.

Jammy Turner, a Monsanto salesman, was on the Arkansas Plant Board, the agricultural regulator that investigated the complaints. He and Duane Simpson, a Monsanto lobbyist, attended the committee meeting. There, the boards Pesticide Division Director Susie Nichols gave a report about drift damage complaints linked to the new seed technology.

At that meeting, lobbyist Simpson was asked by the board what Monsanto was doing about drift damage complaints, according to the minutes. Simpson told the committee that the firm had been telling farmers not to spray dicamba illegally, even over crops specifically designed to withstand it. He said the company would consider pulling whatever licenses Monsanto had given to offending farmers to use its technology.

At an Aug. 8, 2016 meeting of the same committee, Simpson was asked again how Monsanto was dealing with farmers illegally spraying dicamba on Xtend crops. This time, he responded that Monsanto saw no way to pull farmers seed licenses over the issue.

Monsanto did not comment on Simpsons statements in response to written questions from Reuters. The company said it would consider revoking a particular farmers license if asked to do so by state regulators when they have investigated and adjudicated an egregious violation.

Larry Steckel, a weed scientist and professor at the University of Tennessee, said those early damage reports should have been a red flag to Monsanto against releasing its soybean seeds the following year.

"It turned out to be a precursor of what was to come," he said.

Neither Turner nor Simpson responded to calls and emails seeking comment. Monsanto did not comment on the companys involvement in the Arkansas investigations.

By the end of 2015, the damage reports linked to the Xtend cotton seeds were making the rounds among scientists. Weed scientist Michael Owen, a professor at Iowa State University, said he warned at the ISU Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference on Dec. 2-3, 2015 that no dicamba formulations had been approved for use on Xtend crops. He told attendees it wasnt clear when the formulas would be greenlighted, and that the situation was cause for concern.

Monsanto representatives attended that conference, according to ISU Program Services Coordinator Brent Pringnitz, who handled the registration. He would not identify them.

Owen said he also repeated his warning directly to Monsanto officials around the same time, but did not name them.

Monsanto did not comment on Owens assertion that he warned the company about dicamba spraying.

Flawed assumptions

Farmers who spoke to Reuters and others who gave testimony recorded in state records described a variety of reasons why they purchased Xtend seeds before XtendiMax was available.

One farmer in Arkansas, Doug Masters, planted Xtend cotton in 2015 and was caught illegally spraying dicamba, according to Arkansas Plant Board records. He said the Monsanto salesman who sold him the Xtend seeds told him that, by the time the plants came up in the summer of 2015, it would be legal to spray dicamba and he should go ahead and do it, according to the board records.

Masters declined to identify the Monsanto salesman to Arkansas regulators, records show. He declined again, when reached by Reuters, to identify the representative. Masters admitted that he illegally sprayed dicamba, and the Plant Board fined him $4,000, assessing the maximum penalty allowed for four violations.

Monsanto did not comment on Masters testimony to the plant board.

Ritchard Zolman, another Arkansas farmer caught illegally spraying his cotton in 2015, said in a disciplinary hearing held by the Arkansas Plant Board that he'd planted Xtend seeds because he thought he could spray dicamba legally over his fields 14 days before his crops came up from the ground, according to records.

But the Plant Board ruled it was illegal to spray dicamba onto a field where planted crops had not yet sprouted, disciplinary records show. Zolman was fined $3,000 for three dicamba spraying violations, records show.

Zolman declined to comment.

In Missouri, Gary Dalton Murphy III said he and his family planted Xtend soybeans in 2016 after hearing that dicamba would be legal to spray by the summer. He did not say who told him dicamba would be legal that season.

When Murphy learned XtendiMax would not be available, the family got rid of their weeds by hand, hiring extra workers to help.

Additional reporting by Steve Barnes in Little Rock, Ark.

________________
Former governor Jay Nixon is spending some time in the Lone Star State.

On his Twitter account, Nixon let followers know that he was in Austin, Texas, to attend the ACT Workforce Summit.

"In Austin Tx to keynote ACT national workforce summit. Proud that Joplin after (the 2011) tornado was the first certified work ready area in USA," the tweet reads.

Nixon, a partner in the Dowd Bennett law firm, actually is a featured speaker at the event, which runs through Friday.

ACT (yes, the college-test folks) conducts the summit to discuss ways to help people achieve education and workplace success.

ACT works with states to train and then certify workers in fundamental job-performance areas, such as applied math and graphic literacy. Employers then can better gauge the quality of an applicant.

Nixon is being lauded for his making "education and workforce development top priorities."

Specifically during Nixon's tenure, Jasper County, which includes Joplin, became the first county in the nation to become a certified work-ready community. When Nixon left office, there were 81 Missouri counties in the program.
Joe Holleman Joe Holleman is a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

An STLer who has worked in Asia for the last decade or so attended the trade summit Wednesday in Beijing where President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Gentry Sayad, a John Burroughs High (Class of '82) and St. Louis University law school grad, is based in Shanghai with the Kilpatrick Townsend law firm and is the general counsel for the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce.

He is the son of local philanthropist/art patron Elizabeth Gentry Sayad, who said her son spoke briefly with Trump during the event.

When he was practicing law with Armstrong Teasdale in the early 2000s in St. Louis, Sayad served on boards for Forest Park, the Art Museum, the Arts & Education Council and the Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

Sayad was quoted in a Reuters wire story about the summit, after being asked whether the deals signed at the meeting would help fix American trade concerns in China.

"Generally the sense was that this is all a good thing, and that's great," Sayad said. "Now let's see what really happens and whether or not the agreements signed during this trip can become a basis for a better bilateral trade relationship going forward."

In the "small world" category, one of the reporters who worked on Reuters' story about the meeting was John Ruwitch, a 1992 graduate of John Burroughs.
Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Randy Reeves is a wanderer.

Hes been that way for much of his adult life, says his sister, Cathy Gardner.

He used to go dark on us, Gardner says, describing those times when Reeves would just take off, living with friends or on the streets, traveling around the country. She lives in Jonesboro, Ark., where she keeps track of her brother from afar. These days Reeves, 65, lives at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. Louis.

Reeves was born in St. Louis. His family moved to Arkansas when he was 7. He joined the Army at 17, was later diagnosed with mental illness, and has been battling it most of his life.

In October, Reeves signed out from the veterans home, saying he was going to see a friend.

His social worker, Troy Rooks, was out of the office when Reeves left the facility. Rooks says he called to check on him over the weekend and found out he hadnt returned. So he called the phone number of Reeves friend he had gone to visit and asked if the disabled veteran needed a ride back to the veterans home.

He told me he had been discharged, Rooks says.

When the social worker got into work on Monday, he was flabbergasted. He had an email saying Reeves had been discharged from the home. He no longer lived there.

There was no discharge care plan. No mention of where he would go, Rooks says. We didnt know if he had food, clothing or water. We cannot discharge a disabled, mentally ill veteran like that.

Rooks says he met with the administrator of the home, Rolando Carter, who told him Reeves had requested and been granted a discharge from the home. Rooks knew Reeves was in no condition to make such a decision. The Missouri Veterans Home regulations call for a 30-day notice before such a discharge, consultation with medical staff and the social worker, details on where they will be transferred and multiple levels of review.

During a public meeting at North Kirkwood Middle School last month, at which veterans, their families, and employees testified about what they said was poor care at the home under Carters watch, Rooks recalled when Reeves came to the home.

The veteran had been receiving care from the nonprofit Places for People, which provides services to the mentally ill, veterans and the homeless. They adored this man, Rooks recalls, and he promised the social workers there he would look after Reeves.

He was shocked that Carter would discharge him from the facility without so much as a discussion with his medical team or a clue about where he would end up.

Rooks says he begged Carter to change his mind, but that he wouldnt. So the social worker went back to his office and documented the meeting and entered it into the medical records of the veterans home.

In Arkansas, Gardner received a call that her brother had been discharged.

I didnt know what was going on, she says. Bless his heart, I know he isnt easy to deal with at times. He is physically unable to take care of himself.

The next day, Rooks was called into Carters office and told to change the documentation he entered into the computer system. He refused. Eventually, Carter gave him the keys to the facilitys van and told him to go pick up Reeves.

He looked like he was glad to see me, Rooks says.

Reeves is back at the Missouri Veterans Home. He needs to be there, his sister says. She credits Rooks with going to bat for her brother.

Now Rooks, 61, a Marine Corps veteran, is facing rocky times. After refusing to change the document he filed regarding his meeting with Carter, Rooks received a letter of reprimand from the administrator and was put on paid leave for a few days.

Carter did not return requests for comment. He has previously declined to answer questions about individual residents or employees at the Missouri Veterans Home, but has defended the care under his watch.

On Monday, Rooks filed a discrimination and whistleblower complaint with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. I believe that my employer is not following the proper policies, procedures, and regulations associated with veterans care, he wrote. I believe that Mr. Carter retaliated against me because I reported that Mr. Carter was violating a veterans rights.

Rooks complaint mirrors those made by multiple veterans, family members and employees going back to at least February, when the former medical director wrote Gov. Eric Greitens and Lt. Gov. Mike Parson requesting an investigation into the care at the home. Last week, Greitens said he would order an independent investigation of the facility.

In a letter to the Missouri Veterans Commission dated Nov. 3, Parson wrote that it is clear to me the St. Louis Veterans Home has serious problems, and has had a systemic pattern of them for several years.

Rooks agrees with that analysis. He just hopes that whomever eventually investigates, they get started soon, while Reeves still has a place to live, and Rooks is still employed.

I need this job, Rooks says, but Im not going to back down.
WASHINGTON  Negotiators from the U.S. House and Senate late Wednesday night agreed to a $700 billion defense bill that would fund construction of 24 new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets built by Boeing workers in St. Louis.

John LaBombard, a spokesman for Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said several other Missouri-specific projects are in the bill, including $175 million in funding for construction of a new National Geospatial-Intelligence western headquarters in north St. Louis.

The bill also includes several other provisions, including a requirement that the Pentagon look into "child care opportunities" for National Guard members and reservists, that LaBombard said derived from a conversation that McCaskill had with a Missouri National Guard member.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, was also on the conference committee.

The $700 billion is about $26 billion more than President Donald Trump requested for the 2018 fiscal year.
Inside the construction fencing where crane tracks zig zag down Chestnut Avenue, past the Bedford stone sculptures extolling the virtues of military service, downtown St. Louis aged and musty Soldiers Memorial is getting ready to shine.

An extensive, $30 million renovation is underway  one that promises to transform the 1938 building into a fitting tribute to the men and women who served the nation during its wars.

Its very much been a labor of love, said Karen Goering, the Missouri History Museums managing director of operations, during a tour on Wednesday to show off some of the work thats been completed.

Missouri History Museum leaders, who last year took over responsibility for the memorial from the city, say Soldiers Memorial will open Nov. 3, emphasizing that date as if it were etched into the same granite columns encircling the facility.

Were firm on that, said Leigh Walters, museum spokeswoman. Well be open before next Veterans Day.

Stories of St. Louisans in wartime from the American Revolution to todays foreign conflicts will be told on the main floor, said Jody Sowell, director of exhibitions and research. The lower level will host temporary exhibits, but also space for the museum to continue more of its work documenting soldiers stories.

Well actually have a recording studio for veterans oral histories, Sowell said.

The new Soldiers Memorial exhibits will be multi-faceted, similar to the format used at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Artifacts and interpretive text will be accompanied by visual and audio elements, while the museums historic glass display cases in the center of the east and west wings will be used in ways familiar to past visitors.

Were really focused on the individual experience, making it about how St. Louisans were affected or impacted in these conflicts, Sowell said.

Artifacts will range from a large Emerson airplane turret to a tail hook for plane landings on aircraft carriers. One wing will feature the bell from the cruiser St. Louis, commissioned in 1906. (The Navy has featured six vessels named after St. Louis, Goering said, with a seventh, a littoral combat ship, currently under construction in Wisconsin.)

The nearly 40-foot-high walls on the main floor that were opened for installing air systems have been resealed, along with the original marble along the base removed for asbestos abatement. The original terrazzo flooring in those rooms will be polished before the reopening.

New elements, such as an elevator in the east wing, were designed with marble adorning the entry to look as if they had always been part of the Art Deco building. The buildings varied light fixtures are being rewired and restored with LED lighting, while additional lighting was added to the black granite cenotaph in the open entrance highlighting the names of the 1,075 St. Louisans who died in World War I.

Above the cenotaph, the red and gold tile mosaic featuring a star in the middle honoring the mothers of St. Louis dead soldiers has also been restored. Upstairs, an assembly hall and educational programming spaces also have been restored.

The use of restored and recycled materials is also part of the museums goal of being certified as an energy and resource-efficient building. The Leadership in Energy Environmental Design certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The indoor space is expected to be finished by the spring, but Walters said the building needed to cure, or essentially be aired out for any harmful gases, before exhibits are moved in.

South of the building past Chestnut Street, which for one block will be reduced to one eastbound lane, is the Court of Honor. The space is getting a new reflecting pool where water rises through cracks in what looks like a jumbo version of the cenotaph in the building, surrounded by red granite tablets holding the names of St. Louis 2,753 fallen soldiers from World War II.

Just north of the Court of Honor is a new outdoor assembly space, which Missouri History Museum officials want used for programming related to veterans and military history.

Its a very quiet, contemplative space, Walters said.

The Missouri History Museum operates with $10 million annually from the taxpayer-funded Zoological and Museum District, but none of those funds are going into the costs of operating and renovating Soldiers Memorial. Those costs have been covered by anonymous donors, museum officials said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the name of Jody Sowell, which was misspelled in an earlier version.
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During Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, harsh promises about confronting China were a constant theme, rolling off the candidates tongue almost as frequently as Crooked Hillary. To court blue-collar voters, Trump pledged that, as president, he would make China pay for unfair trade practices that have undercut U.S. manufacturers and killed American jobs.

Fast forward to Beijing this week. Now-President Donald Trump displayed a completely different syndrome as the guest of Prime Minister Xi Jinping. Gone was the bluster and tough talk about fighting for American workers whose jobs, he charged, had been squandered by Obama administration pandering to China.

We cant continue to allow China to rape our country  and thats what theyre doing. Trump told a campaign rally in May 2016. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world. He pledged to have China labeled a currency manipulator. He promised to reverse Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization. He would punish China for dumping cheap steel on international markets, thereby undercutting U.S. exports.

In Beijing this week, Trump was instead effusive in his praise of China and Xi, who leads a one-party Communist dictatorship similar to the one in Cuba that Trump regularly denounces. Trump did offer a tiny hint of criticism of Chinese policies, but the tone was nowhere near the confrontational approach of the campaign.

We want a vibrant trade relationship with China. We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade, and the concrete steps that well jointly take to solve the problem of the massive trade distortion, Trump stated Thursday.

He called on China to respect intellectual property rights of American companies and to provide a level playing field for our workers, adding, The United States also continues to advocate for reforms that advance economic freedom, individual rights, and the rule of law.

Trump then quickly switched gears, offering praise for tremendous, incredible, job-producing agreements reached between China and major U.S. companies. Regarding the many unfair practices that worsen the trade imbalance, he said, I dont blame China.

There are, of course, diplomatic protocols that even Trump feels compelled to respect when meeting foreign leaders. He knows that Chinese pressure is required to keep nuclear-armed North Korea in line. Thus, Trump has had to practice uncharacteristic self-restraint.

The result, however, is not a hard-charging, major departure from the way his predecessors dealt with China. Rather, Trump is dutifully upholding their policies and precedents.

So, while China keeps violating international environmental and labor standards while unfairly propping up its currency and subsidizing its manufacturers, American workers keep paying the price. If blue-collar voters expected something different by backing Trump, they must be sorely disappointed.
Frankly Partners with IRIS.TV to Launch Frankly Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative

SAN FRANCISCO,( )

Frankly Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TLK) (Frankly), the leader in transforming local TV broadcast and media companies by enabling them to publish and monetize their digital content across multiple platforms, has launched the Frankly Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative.

Frankly's AI Initiative aims to leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to help media companies increase audience engagement, enhance content relevancy and deepen operational insights. The AI Initiative will include both in-house development and external partnerships to bring a suite of innovative products and services to Frankly's expanding customer base.

"With over 200 media properties on our platform, Frankly is uniquely positioned to enable our customers to enter the next generation in media publishing and monetization by unlocking the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning," said Frankly Founder and CEO Steve Chung. "As traditional media gives way to new digital experiences for consumers, AI has the power to transform how media is created, consumed, distributed and monetized, and our goal is to be at the epicenter of that transformation through our new AI Initiative."

With IRIS.TV, a leading video personalization and programming platform, Frankly AI enables intelligent video playback for consumers globally. "We selected IRIS.TV as the perfect partner to commence our AI Initiative that leverages machine learning to program the right digital video content to the right viewer in real-time with IRIS.TV's market-leading Adaptive Stream technology," said Todd Randak, head of product for Frankly.

Field Garthwaite, CEO and co-founder of IRIS.TV, added, "There's a sea change happening that's affecting how media is distributed, consumed and monetized. Frankly is part of an important shift in how media platform providers innovate and customize audience experiences. Through our partnership, Frankly is able to leverage the power of AI and machine learning to serve up content that is highly relevant, engages audiences and offers up new revenue opportunities for media companies."

Frankly currently processes more than 72,000 minutes of digital video per day for its media customers, and reaches over 60 million monthly active users across its full suite of products. For questions on how you can leverage the Frankly Video AI product, please email partners@franklyinc.com.

About Frankly

Frankly (TSX VENTURE: TLK) builds an integrated software platform for media companies to create, distribute, analyze and monetize their content across all of their digital properties on web, mobile and TV. Its customers include NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX affiliates. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with major offices in New York. To learn more, visit www.franklyinc.com.

About IRIS.TV

IRIS.TV is a cloud-based personalized video programming system that allows publishers and content owners to generate more video views and engage users across all devices. The company's product suite is designed to increase video consumption and simplify operations for web, mobile, and OTT video distribution. The software integrates with existing video players using artificial intelligence and adaptive machine learning to automate streaming of personalized content based on audience preferences, user interaction, and behavioral segmentation. IRIS.TV has hundreds of customers across the world that rely on the company's video programming platform to keep their audiences watching. Based in Los Angeles, IRIS TV's investors include Sierra Wasatch, BDMI, Progress Ventures and individual backers including Machinima founder Allen DeBevoise, Lions Gate CFO James Barge as well as senior executives with Nielsen and AEG.
Helena Mayor-elect Wilmot Collins, dressed in a U.S. Army fleece, running shoes and sweats, belts out the lyrics to Your Man in a deep bass and Baby, lock the door and turn the lights down low, trilling a bit on the last note before breaking out into a laugh.

I love karaoke, man," he said the day after he unseated Helena's mayor of 16 years Jim Smith on a vote of 5,139-4,801, with all but provisional ballots counted. "We went to the Rialto last night after the election and sang. I always start with Brooks & Dunns 'Neon Moon' and then do some Josh Turner.

Collins, 54, is a happy man on Wednesday afternoon. Fielding a dozen different media requests in the morning, he did not get the sleep he was hoping for after a night of celebration.

The New York Times called me, were on top of the BBC right now, Collins said at his kitchen table as his iPhone kept buzzing with more notifications from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, e-mail and text messages.

Hes saying he wants to get a new phone and change the number, Maddie Collins, Wilmots wife, chimes in from the kitchen counter.

While historians say the city had a black mayor before it was incorporated, Collins' status as the first black mayor of incorporated Helena shocked him and resonated in the national sphere.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester called Collins Tuesday night, and that was just the beginning.

I didnt know how big it was until my son brought tweets from Kamala Harris and senators up on his phone, Collins said. This is bigger than I thought.

Collins has a harrowing tale about how he arrived in Helena, and one that has certainly changed the magnitude of his win.

A former Liberian refugee, Collins lived through a bloody civil war, fleeing to Ghana, coming back to Liberia and then being forced to flee again to Cote dIvoire before coming to the United States. He lost two younger brothers in the conflict, one killed by rebels and one dead at the hands of government soldiers. He waited three days in line to get on a cargo ship to Ghana with his wife and when they disembarked, Collins says they were dying of starvation.

I weighed 97 pounds, he said in a tight voice. His pregnant wife came back to Helena to attend Carroll College on a student visa and Collins joined her on a refugee visa two years and seven months later at 2 p.m. on Oct. 15, when he got to see his daughter for the very first time.

I came from a place where the average temperature was 80 degrees, and I come here and its 33 degrees and people are wearing shorts, Collins said, shaking his head.

Now Collins is a child protection specialist for the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and sociology, a master's degree in human resources management and has completed coursework for a doctorate in forensic psychology.

His journey played into the national media explosion around his election. Collins could barely believe it.

Senators sharing and tweeting about it? Im still wrapping my head around it," he said.

But he isnt so much focused on the national implications of his election now.

Nationally this is a different conversation, Collins said. I dont think the people of Helena were thinking about that.  Helena people were looking at it as the better of two candidates.

Collins' newfound fame is something he is watching closely.

If that status brings development to the city, Ill use it, he said. If its only headache and problems, I wont.

He scrolls through 100-plus notifications; his phone has buzzed consistently throughout the interview. The national scrutiny isnt taking Collins away from his campaign goals.

In an Independent Record candidate survey, he wrote about the importance of addressing teen and veteran homelessness, improving tourism and ensuring access to clean water, among other things. He has also said Helena has helped him raise his two children, and he wants to return the favor.
Portions of HD 313 temporarily closed to elk hunting

Given the recent significant weather event and large migration of elk, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has issued an emergency closure of elk hunting in portions of Hunting District 313 including Crevice Mountain, Deckard Flats, Eagle Creek, and Little Trail Creek areas effective through Sunday, Nov. 12.

The objective of this closure is to reduce the harvest pressure on elk in cases where large migrations occur during the general season to an area in which they are greatly vulnerable. This is now the case in hunting district 313 with significant snowfall in surrounding areas. Authority to institute this emergency closure in this area was granted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2016.

This closure applies to elk only.

***

Citizens Climate Lobby hosts speaker

Bruce Maxwell, director of the Institute on Ecosystems at MSU-Bozeman, will speak at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 4-5 p.m. on the recently released Montana Climate Assessment.

Maxwell is one of the lead authors of the assessment that describes past and future climate trends that affect different sectors of the Montana economy. The Montana Climate Assessment project involves researchers, decision makers and other stakeholders with the goal of providing timely and relevant information for the citizens of Montana.

This event is sponsored by Citizens Climate Lobby-Helena. For more information, call John at 475-0079.

***

Author will give talk on book

Bozeman author, Terry Kennedy, will talk about his new book, "In Search of the Mount Cleveland Five," on Thursday, Nov 16, at Montana Wild, 2668 Broadwater Ave., at 7 p.m.

The tragedy on the highest peak in Glacier National Park jumpstarted Kennedys life of mountaineering. He eventually climbed the north face of Cleveland with the brother of one of the missing The book tells the story of years of climbing endeavors with colorful Montana climbers and their close calls, antics, and tears.

The free program is sponsored by the Helena Outdoor Club.

***

Public comment sought on current conservation plans

The Bureau of Land Management put plans in place two years ago to protect sagebrush habitat in order to keep the greater sage-grouse from being placed on the endangered species list.

Now that those plans are being implemented, the BLM is asking the public for input on how those efforts are working and whether they can be improved.

The Montana/Dakotas State Office of the BLM is hosting one of several public scoping meetings to be held across the West, at which the public will be given an opportunity to weigh in with their comments, concerns and recommendations about sage grouse conservation efforts.

Regional residents are invited to come to Billings on Wednesday for a meeting to be held from 4-8 p.m. at the BLM offices at 5001 Southgate Drive. After a brief presentation, participants will have a chance to ask questions and share their thoughts with BLM staff members.

Individuals and organizations may also submit their comments by email by Nov. 27 to blm_sagegrouseplanning@blm.gov.

***

Helena FS agency receives award

Leanne Marten, Regional Forester for the U.S. Forest Services Northern Region, announced the recipients of the 2017 Regional Forester Honor Awards.

The annual awards program recognizes significant contributions to the agencys mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nations forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Excelling as a High-Performing Agency Award

Recipient: Helena  Lewis & Clark National Forest (HLC) Civil Rights Team and Northern Region (R1) Civil Rights Team

Project: Creating a Culture of Courtesy Program

Team Members: HLC  Bill Avey, Tessa Donahue, Mike Munoz, Carol Hatfield, Jenny Woods, Michael Stansbury, Zev Hunting, Mark Bodily, Dan Woods, Denise Pengeroth, Sharon Scott, Catherine Pinegar, Marty Mitzkus, Ron Wiseman, Alex Brooks and Victor Murphy; R1  Theresa Doty, Eric Bowie, Jamilah McConnell, Ted Perkins, Cheryl Smith-Cook, Nic Nordhus and Larkin Matoon

***

Divide Campground reopens

Water is flowing once again at the Bureau of Land Managements Divide Campground thanks to a recent upgrade to the sites water system.

The campground, which had been closed for the maintenance work, is now reopen, said Kelly Scarbrough, Supervisory Outdoor Recreation Planner with the Butte Field Office.

When the new water system is turned on just prior to the 2018 summer recreation season, the 21 RV/camping pads will have access to four potable water hydrants distributed throughout the campground, Scarbrough added. Campers can use the potable water to fill up jugs, but they cannot connect their RVs directly to the hydrants.

For more information, call the Butte Field Office at 406-533-7600.

***

Artist-in-residence applications available

Artists are encouraged to apply for the 2018 Artist-in-Residence Program at Glacier National Park.

The Glacier National Park Artist-in-Residence program offers professional artists focused time to creatively explore the natural and cultural resources of this astounding landscape. It also allows artists the opportunity to share their work with an international audience through educational programs and exhibits.

Each session of the artist-in-residence program offers the artist four weeks of uninterrupted time to pursue their artistic discipline. It also provides the artist with a furnished house located in the park.

The artist is required to present several public programs during their residency. The programs must be related to their experience as the artist-in-residence and can be demonstrations, talks, exploratory walks, or performances.

Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applications are available online at https://.callforentry.org. More information on the program can be found at https://www.nps.gov/glac/getinvolved/air.htm. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2018.

For more information contact, Sonja Hartmann, at 406-888-7851.
After hearing objections from hundreds of people on Medicaid, as well as the doctors and caseworkers who help them, a legislative committee Wednesday halted proposed cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Earlier this year, the Department of Public Health and Human Services, which sets Medicaid rates, proposed lowering how much providers are reimbursed  first by 3.47 percent and then, after public outcry, 2.99 percent.

Reductions to the department's budget were required as part of a law passed during the last Legislature that required cuts if revenues came in less than expected, which happened at the end of June.

Many health care providers who accept patients with Medicaid say that the rates at which they are reimbursed, typically lower than those paid by private insurance, were already insufficient before the proposed cuts. Any reduction would have either caused them to no longer accept Medicaid patients or reduce their services.

The Legislature has the ability to stop the department from enacting the rate reduction by making an objection, something that was first done informally in September and made formal Wednesday. The formal objection, which passed on a 7-1 vote by the interim Children, Families, Health and Human Services Committee, means the reductions can't take effect until January 2019.

The health department has said in the past that delaying the rate cut will only mean a deeper reduction down the road, as the department still has to spend less even if it has to continue reimbursing at the higher rate.

We have major concerns about todays vote," health department Director Sheila Hogan said Wednesday. "This puts us in a precarious situation of being forced to maintain current Medicaid provider rates with money that is no longer available due to legislatively mandated cuts."

Hogan also expressed concern about the fact that just seven members of an interim committee could derail a bill passed by the full Legislature that called for cuts. The bill called for Medicaid rate reimbursement reductions, but the interim committee has said the department is dropping rates too much and should find savings elsewhere.

The health department has 14 days to make a formal response to the objection.

In its objection, the committee said the department had not shown how it tried to reduce costs elsewhere before cutting rates. It also said the department did not explain how it arrived at the 3.47 percent, then the lower 2.99 percent, reduction, and that the cut would put vulnerable Montanans at risk.

Beth Brenneman with Disability Rights Montana told the committee Wednesday the cuts would have forced some providers to no longer see Medicaid patients, making parts of the state suffer.

I doubt the department would be able to demonstrate to federal Medicaid that this is not going to eliminate services or vastly curtail services in many parts of the state, she said.

Rep. Albert Olszewski, R-Kalispell, said the committees objection had merit because of public testimony it heard in opposition to the reduction, as well as a lack of information from the health department to support why the cuts to Medicaid rates needed to be 2.99 percent.

Public testimony today only confirms our commitment and our suspicions of the fact the process has been deficient, he said.

Rep. Kathy Kelker, a Democrat from Billings, was the lone vote against the objection. She said she worried the move would just create deeper cuts down the road.

"The concern should be for the increase in the debt that will occur to the state if we delay the cuts that have already been approved by the Legislature. There are concerns about the process and I think those can be dealt with in a different way. But the longer we delay, the greater the amount of money that will have to be made up in cuts and I don't think that's a wise fiduciary decision."
The Montana Stockgrowers Associations $300 million deal with the Chinese eCommerce company JD.com will likely put more money in the pockets of ranchers in southwest Montana, local legislators and ranchers say.

The stockgrowers' association announced Wednesday that it will supply $200 million worth of Montana-sourced beef to JD.com and that JD intends to invest up to another $100 million to build a new processing facility in Montana.

State Sen. Jeff Welborn, R-Dillon, represents Beaverhead County, the top ranking beef-producing county in Montana. In 2016, Beaverhead had 155,000 head of cattle, 35,000 more than the next largest beef-producing county, Yellowstone.

Welborn said Wednesday that, as with any deal, the devil is in the details, but that it looks as though the JD agreement should be a boon for Montana beef producers.

I feel that any way we can add value to local agricultural communities (is beneficial), said Welborn.

Montana hasnt had a large-scale meatpacking plant in 33 years, and today a majority of the states beef cattle are shipped to large feedlots in the Midwest, where they are later transferred to processing facilities and slaughterhouses.

But the presence of a large-scale slaughterhouse in Montana, such as the one the JD deal proposes to build, would mean that more steps in the process could come back to the state, which Welborn says will put more money in the pockets of Montana ranchers, who would no longer have to ship their cattle on a 20-hour journey to the Midwest.

Bryan Mussard agrees.

The cattle would be born, raised, fed and processed in Montana, said Mussard. This would bring all of that home to Montana.

Mussard is president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. Hes also a Dillon native, owns the Reminisce Angus Ranch nine miles west of Dillon, and has worked in cattle ranching for 33 years.

I just love cows, said Mussard when asked what has kept him in the industry so long.

Mussard couldnt disclose which locations the stockgrowers association are assessing for the potential $100 million slaughterhouse  which is mostly a done deal, he said  but said that the locations reside mostly in southwest and southeast Montana.

Even though the facility wont go up tomorrow, Mussard said ranchers can start selling their meat to JD.com as early as spring by signing up with the stockgrowers association. The process involves ear-tagging cattle to track their movements and origin because the Chinese are very particular about knowing where their meat comes from, Mussard said. He added that Chinese consumers are also enthusiastic about the Montana brand and that JD, which distributes food via the internet, similar to Amazon, plans to market some of the meat as Montana made.

They absolutely love Montana, said Mussard. They love the West.

Karen Byrnes, Butte-Silver Bow community development director, said the county is always interested in bringing new jobs to Butte when asked if Silver Bow would be interested in pursuing the $100 million slaughterhouse.

Well of course, I have to say yes, said Byrnes. We would look at every opportunity  100 percent.

However, she added its too early to say if Butte would attempt to court the stockgrowers association and JD without knowing what their requirements are for things like logistics and transportation.

Republican State Rep. Ray Shaw has lived in Sheridan his entire life.

The three-term legislator grew up in a ranching family, was a rancher himself and today owns a ranch that he leases to a Sheridan family.

For him, and for many others in Sheridan, ranching is a way of life.

I come from cowboy country, said Shaw, pointing out that there are about 7,500 residents in Madison County and about 50,000 cattle. Thats our livelihood.

Like many of the people who spoke with The Montana Standard, Shaw hadnt gotten a chance to look over the finer points of the deal at the time of his interview, but said that, if the deal does what everyone hopes it will do, its sure to be an economic shot in the arm to both the agricultural industry and the state.

This will be a tremendous boost to Montana and to our beef industry, said Shaw.

Shaw pointed out that agriculture is the number one economic driver in the state, contributing $4.6 billion to the states economy in 2015 and boasting a total livestock value of about $2.1 billion that same year, according to the Montana Department of Agriculture.

But its not just about the numbers. Its also about the people.

These producers and the farmers  these guys are the backbone of our communities, said Shaw.

In speaking with Shaw its easy to see that beef raised in the Big Sky Country is a point of pride for the state legislator.

Montana beef is the best in the country, said Shaw.

When asked why he feels that way, he replied simply, it just is.
A norovirus outbreak on the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice has been ruining some passengers holidays for weeks, according to Australian media reports.

A report from Melbournes Herald Sun dated November 1, reports passengers falling ill with the vomiting and diarrhoea bug on the cruise from Hawaii to Sydney. Sick passengers were first quarantined on board on October 18.

Bay of Plenty Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack says about 16 people on board are currently affected, but about 200 have succumbed during the course of the current voyage.

Ships and aircraft entering New Zealand territory are obliged to inform health authorities if they believe they have an infectious disease on board.

Celebrity Solstice first informed NZ Health Authorities on its arrival at Milford nine days ago, with updates at Dunedin and Wellington.

The onset of the norovirus is usually abrupt with vomiting, sometimes diarrhoea and lasts 24-48 hours at the outside.

But unfortunately it is really infections, says Phil.

Put it in context, this ships got just over 4000 people on board. A town of 4000 people in New Zealand, it wouldnt be at all surprising if there were 50 or 100 people at any given time had norovirus in a town of that size.

Its a common infection. Part of the reason for it being so common is it is so easily spread, particularly in any situation of close living, whether that be a boarding school, rest home, or a cruise ship.

The peak of the current infection is believed to have passed.

The norovirus spreads through direct person-to-person contact, indirectly through ingestion of contaminated food or water.

The Celebrity Solstice arrived at 7.40am as part of a 12-night cruise from Sydney to Auckland via the South Island, and is expected to depart at 6pm today for the Bay of Islands.
A trio from Emirates Team New Zealand visited Tauranga this week assessing the harbour and vicinity for the Americas Cup challenger series and the Americas Cup.

This was to be a top secret visit but by the time they got here yesterday they had changed their minds about that and were happy for us to publicise it, says Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club commodore Nick Wrinch.

Dick Meacham, Kevin Shoebridge and Ray Davies from Emirates Team New Zealand are considering Tauranga as a possibility to host the Americas Cup Challenger series and the Americas Cup between January and March of 2021.

It seems that preparations and even plans for preparations are going very slowly in Auckland and they are getting concerned, says Nick in his newsletter this week.

They have to announce the venue by August of next year and they believe that works would have to be underway by June.

They are concerned that that deadline might not be achievable and so they are considering other options. If all else fails the event would be held in Italy and we all understand that would be a tragic loss for NZ.

Hosting the cup in Tauranga would require a big involvement from the Port of Tauranga to accommodate the three hectares for the eight or so teams, plus a village somewhere, plus facilities to host a lot of superyachts, says Nick.

To me, the thought of achieving this is mind boggling, but you could tell that these guys were used to getting things done and were not put-off by these logistical challenges, says nick.

Their next stop after seeing the harbour and race area outside the harbour off the Mount and Papamoa beaches was a meeting with Port of Tauranga.

They said at that stage that Tauranga was still a legitimate option.

So who knows what will happen from here. If nothing else our contribution will probably have ruffled a few feathers in Auckland at least, and may get things moving up there.

The Team New Zealand delegation was taken on a boat ride out of the entrance and is interested in holding Americas Cup races somewhere between Motiti and Karewa, either towards the Mount or Papamoa Beaches says Nick.

Thats the zone that will suit them and given them plenty of room, says Nick. They are looking at 40 minute races, I think.

Its just a question whether they would be able to sort out the infrastructure on land, thats the big issue as it is for Auckland.

He thinks Team New Zealand is becoming seriously concerned about how long things are taking in Auckland and is keeping its options open.

If they fail to secure a New Zealand venue the next Americas Cup racing will be taking place in Italy.

The port is the place where they have got to get some land if they are going to use it for three years, says Nick.

The area where they really liked was where the cruise ships berth. They could have the village over at the mount there too. It would be perfect.

He still cant help suspecting Tauranga is being used to ruffle Aucklands feathers a bit.

Thats a useful purpose, if it makes them get their backside into gear.
Firefighters have freed a man from a submerged car following a crash near Paengaroa this evening.

Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 33, between Maniatutu Road and Allport Road, just before 8pm.

A police spokesperson says a car went off the road and into the water near the highway.

"The single male occupant of the vehicle was reportedly trapped for a time but was freed by 8.10pm with the assistance of Fire and Emergency New Zealand."

The man was assessed by St John Paramedics at that scene of the crash.

Police are investigating the cause.
US Senate(BOWLING GREEN, Ky.) -- The Kentucky doctor who allegedly attacked Sen. Rand Paul, leaving him with six broken ribs, pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault charges Thursday.



Rene Boucher, 59, Paul's next-door neighbor for 17 years, tackled the senator to the ground last Friday, according to his arrest warrant. As Paul is a member of Congress, U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI assisted in the investigation of the incident.



Paul tweeted about his injuries Wednesday, sharing the news about his broken ribs and adding that he had a pleural effusion, which is an accumulation of fluid resulting from inflammation or changes in pressure in the chest.



The senator additionally appeared to hint at his side of the incident Wednesday, retweeting news stories that pushed back on earlier reports that the alleged assault was the result of a dispute over landscaping.



An attorney for Boucher provided ABC News with a statement Monday, saying that the incident was unrelated to politics and instead spurred by a "trivial" dispute.



"We sincerely hope that Sen. Paul is doing well and that these two gentlemen can get back to being neighbors as quickly as possible," read the statement.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
When the chainsaw roared Tuesday and the chips began to fly off the base of the 79-foot Engelmann spruce destined to light up the U.S. Capitols lawn this Christmas, a lot of pride radiated from the direction of Pete Tallmadges family.

Were not really too much for hoopla, said Tallmadges mother, Chris. But we really embraced this. It was an honor that our family was able to be part of all of this.

Pete Tallmadge was the sawyer selected to cut down this years Capitol Christmas Tree from the Three Rivers Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest near Yaak.

The plan had been to cut down the tree Wednesday following a public viewing and celebration Tuesday. But when Kootenai Forest officials found that navigating the ice-covered roads to the trees location took nearly an hour and a half  one way  from Troy on Tuesday, they decided that two trips to the site was one too many.

It was located way up the Yaak, about 47 miles from Troy, said Sandi Mason, the Kootenai Forests Capitol Christmas Tree project leader. By the time we all got up there, we just decided we needed to get it done. It couldnt have turned out better.

After the Yaak schoolchildren sang a rousing round of This Land is Your Land and the nearly 100 people who had gathered there had finished taking photographs and visiting with the sawyer and others, Tallmadge fired up his saw and made quick work of freeing the tree from its spot in the forest.

For five generations now, the Tallmadge family has worked in the wood in this part of the world.

It was kind of funny how it all came together, Chris Tallmadge said. We didnt really know anything about the Capitol Christmas Tree, but weve owned this business for a long time. We apparently were recommended to the district ranger. She called my husband, but he thought he was maybe a little old to do that.

So the ranger asked if they knew a really good sawyer.

They gave her Petes number.

Our son has been a sawyer for 25 years, Chris Tallmadge said.

Petes wife, Pam, said shes certain Tuesday will become a part of the familys lore.

It was an amazing event to be a part of, she said. Its still kind of surreal. When we were walking around and interacting with all the people who had gathered there, you could see the pride and honor on peoples faces to have this tree taken from the forest that we all love and care about.

Beyond that, Pam Tallmadge said her family couldnt have been more proud of their role in providing their nations Capitol with its Christmas tree for the holiday season.

It was one of the reasons that Pete said yes, Pam Tallmadge said. It will be a wonderful thing to be able to pass this story down through the family.  The timber industry has changed so much, but our family has stayed with it. There arent many sawyers left who can still manage to hand-fall a tree like that. Its such a privilege that Pete could honor his country that way.

Currently, three generations of Tallmadges work together in the woods. All of them were there to watch Pete in action.

Five generations of the Tallmadges have lived and worked in the Troy area. Petes great-great-grandfather homesteaded in the area and built the bar and restaurant at Bull Lake called the Halfway House.

A lot of people know about our family history, Pam Tallmadge said. They showed their support for Pete after he was chosen to cut it.

While the family would love to go back to Washington, D.C., to watch the tree- lighting ceremony, Pam Tallmadge said this summers fire season cut into the time they could work.

Im not really sure our finances will allow for it," she said. It would be nice, but with all the fires and stuff and the guys being off work, it would be tough.

For now, the tree will be stored in a warehouse for the next few days while its carefully wrapped and placed in the box that will be its home as it travels across the country. The end of the box is made of Plexiglas to allow viewing by the thousands who will come to take a gander when the truck stops in their town over the next couple of weeks.

The tree leaves on its journey to Washington on Monday via stops in Eureka, Whitefish, Libby, Troy, Trout Creek, Thompson Falls, Missoula, Helena, Great Falls, Harlem, Glasgow and Glendive.

For a complete schedule of events, visit capitolchristmastree.com/.

It was a very pretty tree, said Chris Tallmadge. But you know, it does have a double top. My husband and I noticed that right away when we came walking up to it. I looked at Stan and he just shook his head. By the time they put 3 million lights on it, whos going to notice? 
For too long Australia has tampered with our Australasian/Anzac tie. Australians here are welcome and still entitled to the original agreement for their citizens living/working here.

The fact that their own MPs dont know or understand the laws they promulgated regarding their eligibility to pontificate in Canberras parliament speaks volumes to the world at large.

Time for Kiwis to stand up for themselves. Kiwi offers to sort the humanitarian Manus refugee problem have been wiped by the present incumbent. He doesnt want them coming in to Oz by the New Zealand passport back door.

Easy fix  the government can deal with the Papua New Guinea authorities. Send the Pacific Pearl (or whatever) to Manus, offer the refugees a specialised form of New Zealand passport and get them here to build/engineer/doctor. By specialised passport I refer to the UK passport variations which make you a UK passport holder and having certain British protections but you can only reside in a specified area e.g. Gibraltar/Bermuda/Monserrat. Then incumbent Turnbulls soft objection is met. Soft in that he has also been reported saying that if the Yanks dont take them then Oz might look again at Arderns offer.

In the fullness of time Turnbull/Dutton might find themselves in the refugees situation. No pull the ladder up Jack, Im alright then eh? Remember the kudos New Zealand got with Clarks Tampa fix?

A Baker, Morrinsville (Abridged)
Top Doctors, the most prestigious medical directory in the world, has just released the names of the 50 Spanish doctors and 20 specialist medical units which are most valued in private medicine in this country, in the sixth edition of the Top Doctors Awards.

MIGUEL ANGEL ARRAEZ SANCHEZ Neurosurgery: Dr Arraez Sanchez is one of the most renowned experts in his field in Spain and abroad. He is the head of Neurosurgery at the Carlos Haya and Quiron Malaga hospitals. JOSE MARIA IGNACIO GARCIA Pneumologist: Renowned expert on asthma, sleep apnea, broncoscopy, lung cancer and emphysema. He is a professor at the University Nursing School of Ronda, in Malaga. JUAN JOSE GOMEZ DOBLAS Cardiology: An international expert on his speciality, he runs the Heart Department at the Xanit International hospital and the Clinical Management Unit of the Heart Department at the Clinico hospital. EDUARDO SANCHEZ DE BADAJOZ Urologist: Dr Sanchez de Badajoz is also an associate professor of Urology at Malaga university. With over 25 years' experience, he completed his training in hospitals in Andalucia and the UK.

For ten years the awards were all won in the USA but they were introduced in Spain in 2014 as recognition of the excellent private medical sector in this country. Four doctors from Malaga are among the 50 in Spain who are most highly valued by their counterparts.

Among the finalists in the TD Awards 2017 are nine from Andalucia, of whom Eduardo Sanchez de Badajoz, urologist; Miguel Angel Arraez Sanchez, neurosurgeon; Jose Maria Ignacio Garcia, pneumologist and Juan Jose Gomez Doblas, cardiologist, are all from Malaga.

The specialists from Malaga all work in the private sector as well as for the health service

The winners are chosen from recommendations by other doctors and marks given by their patients

The company has revealed all the names of the specialists who are most valued by the private medical sector, following recommendations made all through the year.

Marks from the patients

The four doctors combine their private sector work, for which they have been given the award, with their work for the health service. Arraez is the head of neurosurgery at the Carlos Haya hospital; Gomez Doblas is a cardiologist at the Hospital Clinico; Jose Maria Ignacio is chief pneumologist at the hospital in Ronda and director of the Pneumology Unit at the Quiron hospital in Marbella; and urologist Sanchez de Badajoz is an associate professor at Malaga university.

Among almost 4,000 doctors recommended this year, those who won the awards also scored the highest marks from patients, have over 15 years' experience and are internationally renowned.

Of the 50 winners of the Top Doctors Awards, this is the ranking by region: Andalucia (9), Valencia (7), Basque Country (6), Madrid (5), Catalonia (5), Aragon (4), Balearic Islands (4), Canary Islands(4), Galicia (2), Navarra (2), Murcia (2), Asturias (1).

The most highly recommended specialities in private medicine are general surgery, with five doctors recommended, followed by plastic and cosmetic surgery, traumatology and urology (four each) and dermatology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology and ENT (three each).
A project aimed at the prevention of school bullying and discrimination has taken teachers from three secondary schools in Malaga to the village of Kala Nera in Greece.

The group from the Salvador Rueda, Jesus Marin and Huelin schools, along with teacher training counsellors, are taking part in an EU-funded Erasmus+ project aimed at studying the similarities and differences in other countries' educational systems and how they deal with bullying and discrimination.

The group from Malaga and their Greek hosts were joined by teachers from Motril (Granada) as well as from Helsinki, Finland, and Florence, Italy.

Their activities included sport, music and drama as tools to encourage integration as well as visits to special needs and vocational schools.
The Australian-first Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) will bring together the best of Victorias aerospace research, design and manufacturing leaders to work with industry on the next generation of air mobility.
GREAT FALLS  Three former employees of the Blackfeet Head Start program have pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they falsified overtime claims to steal money from the federally funded program.

A federal indictment alleges acting director Ethyl Lee Grant, health manager Carol Hall Bird and custodian Allan Shane Goss were among several people who claimed more than 7,800 hours in overtime and received $232,000 in overpayments between April 2013 and July 2014.

All three pleaded not guilty Wednesday to theft from a tribal government receiving federal funding and wire fraud. Their trial is set for Jan. 8, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls.

Prosecutors are seeking restitution of $28,500 from Grant, nearly $17,000 from Goss, and $14,800 from Bird.

The indictment says other defendants will be named later.
Salina, N.Y. -- Plans for the redevelopment of the vacant Le Moyne Manor banquet facility and inn may be changing.

David Muraco, owner of Empire Management Co., bought the landmark property at 629 Old Liverpool Road in May 2016 and announced plans to redevelop it with a retail building and apartments.

But Muraco said he recently reached a deal to sell the property to Ronald Mucci, the new owner of Longley Jones Management Corp. He declined to disclose the purchase price.

Muraco said the sale is contingent on Mucci obtaining the town's approval to knock down Le Moyne Manor and put up an apartment building.

Syracuse-based Longley Jones is a major provider of property management services in Central New York. According to its website, its real estate roster includes more than 5,000 apartment units and 2.5 million square feet of commercial space.

It was founded in 1958 by Alan Longley and Colby Jones. Mucci joined the company as its chief financial officer in 2014. He bought the company and became its president and CEO following owner Carlyle Smith's death in 2015.

Muraco said he got busy with other projects and decided to sell after Mucci offered to buy Le Moyne Manor. If Mucci does not follow through with the purchase, he said he will return to his original plan for the property.

Mucci did not respond to requests for comment on his plans. Salina Town Supervisor Mark Nicotra said the town has not heard from Mucci.

"We'll be ready, willing and able to work with anybody who wants to redevelop the property," Nicotra said.

Le Moyne Manor was a popular location for social events and business meetings for many years. Vesta Community Housing, of Albany, bought it in 1998. It operated its banquet facility until 2011 and its hotel as a halfway house for people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction until a couple of years ago.

Vandals have done major damage to the property since its closing, as seen in these photos published on syracuse.com in June 2016:

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Charlie Sheen and Jeffrey Tambor are the latest big names in Hollywood to be accused of sexual abuse.

A new story in The National Enquirer alleges Sheen raped late actor Corey Haim when they co-starred in the 1986 movie "Lucas" together. At the time Haim was 13 years old and Sheen was 19.

"Charlie Sheen categorically denies these allegations," a rep for Sheen, who revealed he's HIV positive in 2015, told The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday.

Haim died in 2010 after years of drug abuse, which his longtime friend and frequent co-star Corey Feldman claims was sparked by abuse among Hollywood pedophiles. Another friend of Haim's, actor Dominick Brascia, told the National Enquirer that Haim told him Sheen had sexually assaulted him, then "became very cold and rejected him."

Los Angeles police told THR that they are investigating Feldman's accusations, but it's unclear if any of them include Haim. Last week, Feldman, who starred in "The Goonies" and other '80s movies, named former "License to Drive" co-star Jon Grissom and former talent manager Marty Weiss as two of his alleged abusers.

Meanwhile, Amazon says it is investigating new allegations against Jeffrey Tambor, a two-time Emmy winner who currently stars on their streaming service series "Transparent."

Variety reports a private Facebook post by Tambor's former assistant, a transgender woman named Van Barnes, accused him of sexual harassment. Tambor called Barnes "disgruntled" and denied all allegations of misconduct.

"I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation," the 73-year-old actor said in a statement.

The new allegations come in the wake of accusations against film producer Harvey Weinstein, director James Toback, filmmaker Brett Ratner, actor Kevin Spacey, Amazon Studios boss Roy Price and others. Price resigned last month after being accused of sexually harassing Isa Hackett, an executive producer on the Amazon original series "The Man in the High Castle."
Former action star Steven Seagal and "Prison Break" actor Robert Knepper are the latest in Hollywood to be accused of sexual abuse.

Portia de Rossi says Seagal put her on a private casting couch in his office during an audition for a movie, allegedly telling her "how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants." De Rossi says she ran out of Seagal's office and called her agent.

"Well, I didn't know if he was your type," the female agent allegedly said, suggesting the agent may have been aware of Seagal's reputation for sexual harassment.

My final audition for a Steven Segal movie took place in his office. He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants. I ran out and called my agent. Unfazed, she replied, well, I didnt know if he was your type.  Portia de Rossi (@portiaderossi) November 8, 2017

Im proud of my wife. https://t.co/NABbOJoBrf  Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 9, 2017

Actress Juliana Margulies described a similar encounter with Seagal in which the he allegedly showed her a gun and propositioned her for a role. He never touched her, Margulies said, and she fled.

Seagal, best known for late '80s and early '90s films like "Under Siege," "Above the Law," and "On Deadly Ground," has not commented on the allegations.

De Rossi, who came out as gay in 2005 and is married to Ellen De Generes, is an actress best known for roles on TV's "Ally McBeal," "Arrested Development" and "Better Off Ted."

Also Wednesday, costume designer Susan Bertram told The Hollywood Reporter that former "Prison Break" star Robert Knepper sexually assaulted her on the set of a film in 1992. Bertram says she was 31 when she was hired to work on "Gas Food Lodging," and Knepper allegedly reached under her dress in his trailer and grabbed her crotch "as hard as he could."

"I kind of buried it for a long time until Trump came out with his 'Grab 'em by the p----' thing. When that happened, I started reeling," she told THR. "People think that's a joke, but that really happened to me."

Bertram says she ran out, and discovered her dress was torn and she was bleeding between her legs. She told an assistant what happened, but neither felt empowered to speak out about the alleged incident.

Knepper, 58, is best known for playing T-Bag on TV's "Prison Break," but also appeared in "Hitman," "Transporter 3," "Jack Reacher," "Homeland" and "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2." In a statement on Instagram, he denied the allegations.

"Over the past few weeks, my wife and I have discussed the pain women have experienced and the bravery they have shown in coming forward," Knepper wrote. "I am shocked and devastated to be falsely accused of violence against a woman. That's just not who I am. To those who have reached out today with words of support and encouragement, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

The latest allegations come in the wake of accusations against film producer Harvey Weinstein, director James Toback, actor Charlie Sheen, filmmaker Brett Ratner, actor Kevin Spacey, Amazon Studios boss Roy Price, actor Jeffrey Tambor and others. On Wednesday, reports said Ridley Scott was reshooting scenes in "All the Money in the World," replacing Spacey with Christopher Plummer just over one month before the J. Paul Getty film is supposed to hit theaters.
Onondaga County Sheriff Eugene Conway said today he is taking steps to fire Deputy Kevin Drumm, who crashed his personal vehicle twice in Tully last month.

Drumm has been asked to resign but has refused, the sheriff said in an interview with Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard today.

"I believe he (Drumm) was under the influence,'' Conway said.

A sheriff's office supervisor - Sgt. Bernard B. Podsiedlik - is facing internal disciplinary action for his actions, or lack thereof, in the way the investigation of Drumm's accidents were handled, Conway said.

Drumm, 34, was ticketed Oct. 6 with leaving the scene of a property-damage accident after he crashed into another vehicle on Elm Street/Route 80 in Tully. He then fled, driving another 2.5 miles, where he then drove into a resident's yard and hit a mailbox, according to police and witnesses.

Conway said Drumm was not given a Breathalyzer, which tests for the presence of alcohol. Instead, he was given two tests -- motor skills and alphabet-reciting -- in the back of a patrol vehicle at a local fire station. Podsiedlik determined that Drumm passed those two tests, the sheriff said.

"That was the extent of the tests,'' Conway said.

The sheriff said that is not correct procedure.

"We didn't handle this the way we would have if it had been a civilian," Conway said. "That is something that more than disappoints me."

Drumm told a deputy investigating the crash that he became distracted when he dropped food while driving, according to an accident report. Drumm also said he thought he had hit debris in the road, so he didn't stop, the report said.

"I don't believe he accidentally hit debris in the roadway," the sheriff said. "He never looked in his rear-view mirror, and he never stopped. He didn't do the things a normal citizen would do."

"I don't find his account credible,'' Conway said.

Conway said he is taking steps as required under civil service law and the union rules to terminate Drumm. Drum was suspended without pay, but has since returned to work.

Conway said Drumm is back on the payroll, but reassigned to the sheriff's downtown headquarters and not back to road patrol.

Drumm is facing several internal charges as well as violations of the police duty manual, Conway said.

On Oct. 6, the responding deputies called their supervisor - Poseidlik - upon learning a deputy was involved in an accident, and the supervisor went to the scene.

Sheriff's patrol cars are equipped with cameras. Conway said, however, there was no video of the incident available to review. Conway said some of the in-car cameras don't work because they are old. He said he doesn't know if that's why there is no video.

Dispatchers told officers that witnesses said the driver appeared to be drunk or high.

Conway said there are no criminal charges against Podsiedlik, but he is facing internal consequences "to address his actions or inaction."

Those consequences haven't yet been determined, but could be something like additional training or a counseling memo, he said. Any discipline must go through a formal process, he said.

"I don't agree with the actions that he (Podsiedlik) took,'' Conway said. "I think if he had gone further, things would have become more clear definitively as to whether Deputy Drumm was intoxicated. But he didn't do that. And I find that to be flawed."

Deputy Stephen Saunders who responded to the scene of one of the crashes is responsible for a minor violation in that he filled out a "poor quality accident report," the sheriff said. The other deputy acted appropriately, Conway said.

Conway said the two deputies and a New York state trooper responded after Drumm crashed into the lawn.

After the crashes, Drumm's only charge was leaving the scene of a property-damage accident. He has now also been charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief in connection with the damage to the yard. That charge is a misdemeanor.

After the incident, Drumm was suspended without pay for 30 days, Conway said, which is the maximum allowed under Civil Service law.

Conway said Drumm will remain off road patrol until his situation is resolved. He is back on the payroll, as required under Civil Service, and Conway said he is working at the downtown headquarters.

He has been reassigned to the downtown sheriff's office in a role "where he has no contact with the public,'' Conway said.

Drumm told a deputy investigating the first crash into another truck that he "dropped some food that he was holding," and became distracted, according to the police accident report obtained earlier by Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. He also said he thought he hit some debris in the road when he hit the side of Tully resident Cheryl Wayne's Chevy Silverado pickup.

He also said in the report he left the scene to get his truck back to his residence.

Conway said Drumm said the second accident occurred because he had a flat tire from the first crash and then lost control and got stuck in the yard. The report is signed by Deputy S. Saunders.

The sheriff said he's upset at Drumm's actions and conduct and upset by the way the matter was handled. He said he can understand why the public thought a double standard exists for police and citizens.

"I'm upset at how this was handled by sheriff's department members and a supervisor,'' he said. "And I'm upset that it tarnishes the good things deputies do in this department."

Investigators talked to the witness who reported to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that Drumm said he was the "f...ing police,'' but that witness wasn't sure when asked what was actually heard, the sheriff said. "It was inconclusive," he said.

Conway said he learned about the Friday night incident on Monday morning, and "self-generated" a release about the incident, with the deputy's name, Tuesday morning. He said his release was not prompted by media inquiries.

The sheriff said numerous witness interviews have led police to determine there was no passenger in Drumm's vehicle. A witness had originally told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that there was a passenger.

He also said he could not discuss the case while the internal investigation was ongoing.

Drumm's annual salary is $70,038, according to the Onondaga County comptroller.

Drumm has pleaded not guilty to the leaving the scene ticket, and is scheduled to be in Tully town court Dec. 12. He is scheduled to appear on the criminal mischief charge Dec. 7 in Fabius town court.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- "I can't put my arms down!"

Tyler Wladis of Fayetteville, N.Y. has been cast as the lovable Randy Parker in a live TV performance of the holiday classic "A Christmas Story." The live broadcast will air on Fox on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

Fans of the 1983 original film and the Broadway hit "A Christmas Story: The Musical" know Randy as Ralphie Parker's meatloaf-hating little brother.

Wladis, 7, will act alongside stars like Maya Rudolph ("Saturday Night Live," "Bridesmaids") and Jane Krakowski ("30 Rock").

Rudolph will star as the mother of Ralphie and Randy, with Krakowski as Ralphie's teacher Miss Shields. Newcomer Andy Walken will star as Ralphie Parker, and Matthew Broderick ("Ferris Buller's Day Off," "The Lion King") will narrate as adult Ralphie.

Rounding out the cast are Chris Diamantopoulos ("Waitress") as Old Man Parker and Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live") as mother of Ralphie's pal, Schwartz.

Wladis said he was thrilled when he heard he got the part of Randy.

"I was screaming," said Wladis. "I almost started to cry but I didn't. I was so, so happy. I love my part. Randy is a very funny person."

Wladis has seen the original 1983 film "A Christmas Story" and liked that Randy adds comedy to the show. However, there's one scene that may be a little challenging for him -- pretending to hate meatloaf at the dinner table.

"I love meatloaf," Wladis said. "I'm the opposite of Randy in that way."

His mom, Diane, backed him up: "He loves eating everything, so this is a stretch for him to play."

The cast has had four weeks of rehearsals already, and Wladis has tried on Randy's famous red coat. It's a memorable scene in the original movie, in which their mother over-bundles up Randy for winter.

"It was hot," Wladis said about the coat. "They put stuffing in it."

On the Fox set of "A Christmas Story," the parents of the young actors have also been able to meet the famous cast.

"I'm a huge fan of Ferris Bueller so all of us moms have been fangirling very hard on Broderick," Diane said.

With her son's acting career blooming, she may meet a few more Hollywood stars in the future.

Wladis has already done TV, stage and voice work for a wide range of projects. He has starred in three Syracuse Children's Theatre productions and played Chip onstage in "Beauty and the Beast" at The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine.

"I want to be acting until I'm 60," Wladis said. "I love acting and I'm not giving up. "

He even did some voice work (screaming and crying noises) for the 2017 horror film "It Comes at Night," but it's too scary for him to watch his parts.

His favorite stage performance so far has been in "Ragtime" at The Ogunquit Playhouse last summer because he could say some "bad words."

Theater critic Bobby Franklin reviewed Wladis's performance in "Ragtime," calling the young actor "phenomenal."

"I have never seen such talent in someone so young," Franklin wrote. "His expressions and movements about the stage were just impeccable. This young man has an energy and timing that is truly amazing. He was simply a joy to watch and will surely be seen again."

Wladis said he's "very excited" for the live shoot in December and has a message for anyone watching in Central New York.

"I would say if you're watching this, thank you very much," Wladis said. "I appreciate you and I miss you, Syracuse."

See more photos of Wladis and the full cast on Playbill.com. "A Christmas Story Live!" will air on Fox on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

Katrina Tulloch writes music and culture stories for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact her: Email | Twitter | Facebook
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In the wake of mass shootings in Texas and Las Vegas, a Syracuse hospital says everyone should learn how to stop a victim's life-threatening bleeding in an emergency.

Upstate University Hospital's trauma program is offering free one-hour "Stop the Bleed" training to individuals, school districts, businesses, shopping malls and other venues that draw large crowds.

"No one ever thinks it's going to happen in their community," said Kimberly Nasby, Upstate's trauma injury prevention coordinator. "I'm sure folks at that concert in Vegas or the church in Texas never thought something like that was going to happen."

A gunman opened fire on concert-goers in Las Vegas Oct. 1, killing 58 people and injuring 546 others. Another gunman burst into a church in Sutherland Springs Texas last Sunday and shot to death 26 people and wounded 20 others.

Upstate officials say these emergencies have become so common, applying a tourniquet is as important a skill as knowing how to use an automated external defibrillator to save the life of someone whose heart suddenly stops beating.

A national push to teach people how to stop bleeding began after the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut that killed 20 children and six adults. After that incident medical experts said some lives could have been saved if immediate bystanders had this training.

It can take emergency medical personnel five minutes to respond to a shooting or accident, Nasby said. The training is critical because someone with life-threatening bleeding can die in less than five minutes, Nasby said.

The training is not designed solely to respond to mass shooting incidents. It can be used to save lives in industrial accidents, farm accidents, car crashes and household accidents, Upstate officials said.

"This is something you would use if you are standing next to someone and they put their hand through a glass window," Nasby said.

The class teaches people how to stop bleeding by using tourniquets, applying pressure above the wound with their hands and packing wounds with gauze or clean cloth.

People who take the class can buy kits containing tourniquets, gloves and gauze.

Upstate has already trained more than 260 people since it launched the program two months ago. It's in the process of training nurses and staff at the Syracuse City School District.

People can sign up for the program on Upstate's website.

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245
Nationwide, colleges and universities have endowments totaling more than $500 billion. On Nov. 5, startling records came to light surrounding the investments of more than 100 U.S. universities and colleges in secret, off-shore accounts through their endowments.

One hundred four universities, including the Ivy League school Princeton and top New Jersey state school Rutgers, are included in this list. The records are known as the Paradise Papers. Comprised of 13.4 million records, these leaked documents contain data about how universities, alongside wealthy elite and global organizations, protected their wealth through secret tax transactions.

These transactions, as reported by The New York Times and The Guardian, incriminate the universities, as the reports show investments in fossil fuels and other related industries. This is contrary to the recent push by universities for sustainability efforts and transparency about endowment investments.

The Times reports that both Columbia and Duke, top-ranked endowment universities, have ties to a Brazilian company known for controversial iron mining. Other major universities, in 2012, invested in EnCap Energy Capital Fund Fund IX-C, which has ties to oil development; included in this list is Syracuse University and Northeastern, according to The Guardian.

It is also reported that schools such as Columbia and Stanford had connections to an investment group in Bermuda prior to 2011.

College endowments are usually tax-free, as they are monetary donations given to the universities. These endowments can be invested and help generate income. However, colleges and universities can be forced to pay taxes when they generate income outside of education.

This is when investment options in private entities are pursued. By leaving the country, these endowments are given to "blocker corporations." Inferred by the name, these corporations allow colleges to use endowment money for private entities without being taxed. These dealings are done in countries such as Bermuda, where taxes are low or nonexistent. Blocker corporations are not illegal, and it is reported that 52 percent of funds are put towards hedge funds and private entities.

Recently, House GOP leaders have proposed the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act." The Act targets private universities with assets of $100,000 per student. This would mean that billion-dollar endowments would be taxed 1.4 percent on their income. This is a new threat to big, private universities.

The Paradise Papers were first leaked to German newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, by an unknown source. The documents were then shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, who enlisted the help of major publications The New York Times and The Guardian.

The information was leaked from two offshore law firms, the biggest being Appleby, founded in Bermuda. The documents, as far back as 2003, also tie public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross to wealth concealment.
Syracuse, N.Y. - The entire Valenti family is ready to make the donuts.

Their donut shop, Glazed & Confused, will open 7 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at 211 N. Clinton St. The space was most recently home to Darwin on Clinton, the sandwich shop that moved a few blocks to the Chase Bank building.

The Valentis are the creators of the Dizzy Pig - a donut dipped in maple glaze, sprinkled with cured bacon and drizzled with a bourbon-sugar mix. It's been one of the most popular $1 items at Taste of Syracuse for the past two years.

Izabella Valenti, who is 15, and who also goes by Izzy and Bella, worked the cash register at the 2017 Taste of Syracuse. She says "everyone was asking" for the location of the Glazed and Confused store. She had to tell them: "We don't have a storefront. But maybe it's a good idea."

Mom and dad - Paul and Sarah Valenti - were game. After all, the idea for selling donuts came from their kids in the first place. Izabella and Roman, 10, first encountered gourmet donuts (the kinds covered in cereals or cannoli or candies and bacon) on vacation on the Delaware shore. They found a donut place there they loved and couldn't think of a similar place in Syracuse.

The family discussed the dilemma on the car ride home. "The idea kind of sparked," Roman said. Within a couple of weeks they were brainstorming names and donut creations. By May 2016, they entered the Taste of Syracuse.

Starting next Thursday, their donuts will be available six days a week. The specialty donuts cost $2 to $3 each and include sea salt caramel apple, no sleep 'til Brooklyn (chocolate-dipped with mocha butter cream), Elvis strikes back (with peanut butter and fried bananas) and the Dizzy Pig.

They're also making "doninis," savory sandwiches built on a cake donut. Toppings include a fried egg, bacon and cheese. The sandwich is pressed and served hot, like a panini.

More classic donuts, like ones with cinnamon sugar or sprinkles, are available, too, as are vegan and gluten-free options. Boxes of a dozen range from $11 to $19. Drinks include Recess Coffee, milk and iced tea.

The store's design and logo were created by Tommy Lincoln, who owns the design firm Stay Fresh. Michael Heagerty, Valenti's former partner at the Palace Theatre, built the shop's display cases and counters.

One of Paul Valenti's first jobs as a teen was making donuts, his wife said. The family used to own Lots of Pasta in Eastwood, and Valenti had run the Palace Theatre for more than a decade. His meatballs have taken first place for the two most recent years at Meatball Madness, an annual event at the New York State Fairgrounds that benefits Elmcrest Children's Center.

Valenti is also a councilman for the town of Geddes. Sarah Valenti works at Syracuse University.

Glazed & Confused will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. The shop will also be open for special events, such as the downtown Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 24.
It's unfair to compare the cuisine of With Love's featured countries against one another at Onondaga Community College's teaching restaurant. After all, you would not necessarily compare the actual countries and cultures and say one is better than the other.

We kept this at the front of our minds, and packed away our memories of Pakistan, when visiting the latest iteration of With Love and its menu spotlighting Burmese foods on a recent Friday evening.

Burma, which is now called Myanmar, is a country about the size of Texas in Southeastern Asia. Burmese food is heavily influenced by Chinese, Indian and Thai cuisine, evident in its use of fish sauce, peanut and curries.

At With Love, alcohol is not served, nor can diners bring their own wine or beer, due to liability concerns and Onondaga Community College policy. The hibiscus mint cooler ($3) was a crisp, floral beverage similar to a Mexican aqua frescas with bright berry flavors.

The laphet yay ($3), a Burmese tea with sweetened milk, was on our mind but our hopes were dashed. Restaurant manager Adam Sudmann, who also coordinates the My Lucky Tummy dinners, informed us the tea was being held by customs by Myanmar's government and that no one was willing to pay the bribe -- the nation's government is considered among the world's most corrupt -- to speed up the process.

While funny at first, it gave us a sense of what Nancy Aye's family had endured as they escaped military rule in the Southeast Asian nation. Aye is the latest entrepreneur-in-residence leading With Love.

Our server demonstrated her knowledge of the menu by explaining the nuances of the ingredients and the varying cooking styles. For instance, a kyaw sone ($6) is described as crispy onion, bottle gourd fritter and tamarind fish sauce. Our server was able to walk us through the onion's batter, made from a ground lentil pea called channa dal. The light coating added both crunch and an earthy depth to the sweet onions.

The bottle gourd, fried in the same batter, had the texture of a thick squash. On its own, it offered little flavor, but it absorbed the tamarind sauce well. The accompanying warm sauce married sweet and sour from the tamarind, salty from the fish sauce and a pungent herbal flavor from the cilantro.

The egg roll salad is not particularly unique to Burmese cuisine, but there were distinct flavors from the blend of cucumber, mint and peanut. A hand-rolled, deep-fried egg roll was sliced in half and perched atop a mound of chopped cabbage. While we did not find out what was in the egg roll, it offered the slightest bite of chile pepper. Fish sauce provided a salty balance to the heat.

Three entrees are available. Catfish was featured in Burma's (now Myanmar's) national dish, mohinga ($14), a traditional breakfast soup. The broth was intensely fish-flavored with hints of delicate shallot. Tender rice noodles, a bean cake and soft-boiled egg rest in the bowl. Our server explained that we should squeeze the lime wedge over top and mix it for a more traditional experience. Aye explained to a neighboring table that her mohinga recipe was not reflective of any one region of the country and was a hybrid of the northern and southern regions.

Lime flavors figured prominently in the beef curry ($12). The spicy, salty beef is braised with lime leaf and served with rice. The flavor felt as if it changed with each bite. A neighboring table inquired about the spice blend, which Aye explained was turmeric, red chile powder, ginger, lemongrass and garam masala.

The spicy garlic noodles ($9) might be an understatement. The wheat noodles were aggressive, featuring a level of heat equivalent to a habanero pepper. Diced cucumber offset the spice some when eaten together, and allowed the other flavors of the dish stand out.

A single dessert is served. Three small rectangles of shwe ji cake ($5), were served over creme anglaise and topped with toasted coconut. The cake, pronounced shwee-gee, was made from a batter of farina (a milled wheat usually served at breakfast), poppy seed and coconut.

With Love's mission is educating its students on the operation of a restaurant. What it contributes to the community is another type of learning experience, introducing a community's palate to the delicacies of its newest neighbors, one semester at a time.

The Details

The Restaurant: With Love Restaurant, 435 N. Salina St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210; (315) 870-3861.

Reservations? No.

Access to Disabled? Yes.

Credit Cards? Yes.

Vegetarian Options and Allergy Information? Gluten free and vegetarian options are noted on the menu. Individuals with other allergies should inform the staff so that accomodations can be made.

Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, Noon to 2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 5 to 8 p.m.

Cost: Expect to pay between $15 to $30 per person for dinner. For our visit, we sampled the entire menu. Dinner for two with beverages, dessert, tax and 20 percent tip was $69.32.
Facebook wants to see your nude photos.

The Guardian reports the social media company is asking users to send naked photos of themselves in an effort to fight revenge porn. The company says anyone who has shared intimate, nude or sexual images with partners (or ex-partners) and worry that they might be posted online can use Messenger to send the images to be "hashed" with a unique digital fingerprint, that can potentially identify and block any attempts to re-upload the same image on Facebook, Instagram or Messenger.

Facebook is testing out the program in Australia in partnership with a government agency headed by e-safety commissioner Julia Inman Grant.

"We see many scenarios where maybe photos or videos were taken consensually at one point, but there was not any sort of consent to send the images or videos more broadly," Grant told the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

TechCrunch reports Facebook addressed concerns about revenge porn in the U.S. with photo-matching technology to prevent users from re-sharing images previously reported and tagged as revenge porn. The Australian program, however, could prevent the pictures from being uploaded a first time.

"[Facebook is] not storing the image, they're storing the link and using artificial intelligence and other photo-matching technologies," Grant told ABC. "So if somebody tried to upload that same image, which would have the same digital footprint or hash value, it will be prevented from being uploaded."

According to The Guardian, the technology was first developed in 2009 by Microsoft with Dartmouth and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It could match images of sexual abuse victims, but abusers could get around this by slightly altering the files, such as changing the size or adding small marks -- PhotoDNA's "hash" matching technology could prevent the workaround.

Roughly 4 percent of U.S. internet users -- or one in 25 Americans -- have been victims of revenge porn, according to a 2016 report from the Data & Society Research Institute. Among women under the age of 30, however, as many as 10 percent are victims.

Facebook, which says it receives about 54,000 reports of revenge porn every month, says it will delete nude photos submitted. However, it will still be accessed by "a community operations analyst" who will tag it with the hash.

Some are still expressing concerns about privacy issues, especially if users have to send nude photos that haven't been posted online -- just in case they ever are posted online.

Newsweek reports security experts are concerned about hackers potentially intercepting private images if they're not sent or received securely.

"The only safe nude photos are the ones that aren't taken," Javvad Malik, security advocate at AlienVault, told the magazine. "Unfortunately, the issue of revenge porn, or unwanted distribution of compromising photos, isn't one that can be solved by technology alone.

"Rather, it's mainly a user education and awareness process whereby compromising photos or information should be destroyed, or not captured in the first instance. It's a case of shutting the barn door once the horse has bolted."

Facebook is also facing scrutiny this week after former company president Sean Parker accused the social media network of knowingly "exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology."

"The thought process that went into building these applications, Facebook being the first of them... was all about: How do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?'" Parker told Axios in an interview on Wednesday. "That means that we need to sort of give you a little dopamine hit every once in a while, because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post or whatever...

"And that's going to get you to contribute more content. ... It's a social-validation feedback loop."

Parker, who co-founded file sharing site Napster and now chairs the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, says Zuckerberg and others were aware of this. "God only knows what it's doing to our children's brains," he told Axios.
Vatican City -- Pope Francis has ordered a ban on cigarette sales inside Vatican City.

The ban will take effect next year, according to the BBC. A Vatican spokesman said the Holy See could not cooperate in a practice that harms people's health.

The Vatican sells tax-free cigarettes and other goods at stores inside the city. About 5,000 employees, retired staff, diplomats and members of religious congregations can shop at the stores with a special card, according to The Associated Press.

The cigarette sales bring the Vatican an estimated $11 million a year in profit, AP said.

"It comes as a bit of a sacrifice for the Holy See," Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said, according to the BBC. "This was a source of revenue, but it's obviously much more important to do what's right."

Pope Francis does not smoke. He had a lung removed as a teenager, according to the BBC.

Italy has a 22 percent sales tax that applies to cigarettes, but the tax doesn't apply to goods sold inside the Vatican, AP said.

A 2015 book based on leaked Vatican documents said cigarette sales are the second-most important source of income for the city after tax-free gas sales, according to AP.

Vatican employees are allowed to buy five cartons of cigarettes a month, according to the Independent.

The Vatican said that sales of large cigars would continue for now because the smoke is not inhaled, the Independent said.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112
Earth's closest alien planet may not be alone, after all. A study reported that Proxima Centauri has a dusty ring, which may suggest the presence of other planets along with Proxima B.

The Lone Exoplanet

Located approximately 4.2 light-years away from Earth, within the southern constellation of The Centaur, Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star identified in 2016 to have starspots cycles. The European Southern Observatory previously reported that the dwarf star hosts a lone exoplanet, Proxima B, which is highly similar to planet Earth.

Early studies found that Proxima B exoplanet contains a surface temperature that supports the liquid form of water. It also has the possibility of being a habitable planet. However, NASA quashed the possibility of it being the "next Earth." Scientists revealed that the frequency of stellar eruptions from the nearby red dwarf stars, which release significant amounts of radiation, may damage its atmosphere by depleting the oxygen supply.

The recent identification of the dusty ring using the Atacama Large millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) network of telescopes in Chile suggests the Earth may have more than one alien neighbor.

"This result suggests that Proxima Centauri may have a multiple planet system with a rich history of interactions that resulted in the formation of a dust belt," said Guillem Anglada, lead author and astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia in Spain.

Dust belts like this are highly suggestive of presence of planets. Astronomers believe that these are residues of materials that fail to form as new planets.

Anglada explained that this particular discovery is important as this is the first evidence that indicates the existence of an elaborate planetary system surrounding the star nearest to the sun.

The team of researchers also found out that the dusty belt, located a few hundred million kilometers from the star, has a mass equal to about 1 percent of the Earth's. Its temperature is almost the same as that of the Kuiper Belt's.

Potential Exploration Programs

Further research into the shape of the dust ring can provide the astronomers a better understanding of the Proxima B, particularly its mass. The Breakthrough Starshot exploration project, set to zoom past the exoplanet can also help out in mapping the dust environment.

"These first results show that ALMA can detect dust structures orbiting around Proxima," study coauthor Pedro Amado stated. "Further observations will give us a more detailed picture of Proxima's planetary system."

The team also noted (PDF) a possible dust ring located about 10 times farther from the star. Described as an extremely cold belt with a 45 degree tilted orbital plane.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Microsoft is planning to make more of its own Xbox One games, just as sales of the Xbox One X go live.

Loyal Xbox gamers are likely asking what took Microsoft so long to decide this, as the lack of exclusives for the platform has been one of its major weaknesses against the industry-leading PlayStation 4 and the currently dominating Nintendo Switch.

Microsoft To Focus On Making Xbox One Games

In an interview with Bloomberg, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said that Microsoft is planning to increase its investment in the development of video games in-house. This includes creating studios that will focus on making Xbox One exclusives, as well as buying studios for them to do so.

"Our ability to go create content has to be one of our strengths," Spencer said, as Microsoft looks to turn around its approach on the matter over the past few years. This includes the shutdown of studios such as Lionhead Studios, which owned the Fable franchise, and the cancellation of games such as Fable Legends, which Lionhead was working on, and supposed Xbox One exclusive Scalebound.

Some of the biggest sellers among games for the Xbox platform were from the Halo and Gears of War series, which Microsoft published itself. However, these franchises have fallen to the sidelines as Microsoft viewed its Xbox business as important, but not core to the company.

The renewed focus on Xbox One exclusives, however, could represent a significant change in the importance of gaming to Microsoft, which is good news for loyal Xbox customers.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 vs Nintendo Switch

More Xbox One exclusives would certainly help sell more units of the console, as well as the Xbox One X, as the lack of games that are only available on the platform has been one of its biggest criticisms.

When the Xbox One X was announced as "the world's most powerful console," the biggest knock against it was the lack of exclusives. While exclusive titles such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, Persona 5, Nier: Automata, and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy have been released for the PlayStation 4 just this year, Microsoft was banking on Forza Motorsport 7 to help drive Xbox One X sales as Crackdown 3 was delayed to 2018.

The Nintendo Switch, meanwhile, was released with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and recently received Super Mario Odyssey ahead of the lucrative holiday shopping season. These two titles currently hold the highest scores among all video game reviews over the past three years.

If Microsoft wants to fight back against the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch, the Xbox One needs more exclusive titles. Thankfully, the company is headed into the right direction.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The legal marijuana marketplace in California is about to face a dilemma. While the state made it easier to access, it comes at a price  market prices possibly increasing by as much as 70 percent.

The Consequence Of Legalizing Pot

Ahead of the January sales, the California government is mulling a number of new policies including a 15 percent levy on all medical pot products. In addition, local governments are also planning to tax sellers and growers, which would eventually pass the cost to consumers.

The price increase should not come as a surprise, particularly to those who strongly pushed for the legalization of pot in California. The taxes, they pointed out, would be beneficial to the government. With the taxes from the new cannabis industry, the government projects tax revenue of as much as $1 billion annually.

However, many industry experts argued that high taxes and high prices of marijuana will just push buyers to purchase from illegal vendors.

"High tax rates raise prices in legal markets, reinforcing the price advantage of black markets," the global credit ratings firm Fitch Ratings reported. "California's black markets for cannabis were well established long before its voters legalized cannabis in November 2016 and are expected to dominate post-legalization production."

A Los Angeles-based medical marijuana cultivator and retailer Donnie Anderson shares the same sentiments. He suggested that the government should do more in cutting the cost, to benefit those in need of medical marijuana but cannot shoulder the sudden rise in prices.

Recreational marijuana will have a projected 45 percent increase in prices. About 15 percent will come from state excise tax and 7.75 to 9.75 percent from state and local sales taxes. State cultivation tax will be at $9.25 per ounce of cannabis flowers and $2.75 per ounce for leaves.

Killing Legal Retailers And Supporting Illegal Traders

The steep jump in prices will provide a thriving market for illegal traders and eventually kill off legal retailers and growers. As local government taxes add on to the expenses, many feel that their weeds will just become trash or compost.

At present, local growers can sell a trash bag of weed clippings to manufacturers for $50. When January comes, the leaves will now cost about $44 a pound.

To attract illegal traders to join the legal cannabis industry, Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg expressed that he is willing to draft an attractive tax scheme. Sunberg is also a board member of the medical marijuana ad-hoc committee of California Cannabis Voice Humbolt.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
One of health cares most corrosive myths is that nothing can be done about exorbitant cost. But there are alternatives, if they can make their way into the marketplace.

The health care policy arena has become a tug-of-war between ideologues and special interests, and offers few solutions. So far, neither group appears interested in addressing the deep overtreatment and pricing issues that drive the cost crisis.

With influence bought by the health care lobby, the health care marketplace is also largely controlled by large corporations - insurance companies, hospital systems, drug and device companies. These groups have devised mechanisms to make health care cost as much as possible, producing good-to-mediocre health outcomes at double the price paid in other industrialized countries. From this perspective, Americans now receive the lowest health care value in the world. Health cares unrelenting, breathtaking cost has become the biggest threat to our national economic stability.

There are ways to effectively manage care and cost, especially in the market. Decades of fee-for-service reimbursement, which pays for services independent of results, have so bloated nearly every part of our system that health cares excesses are bubbles waiting to burst. Theres reason to believe that this change is about to happen.

In many high cost niches of health care, there are innovative, evidence-driven companies that, have rethought health care problems and developed entirely different solutions than conventional care. These firms deliver far better health outcomes at dramatically lower cost.

Consider, for example, a Florida-based musculoskeletal (MSK) management firm, that now has Fortune 500 clients. Its processes allow its clinicians to intervene on 80 percent of MSK cases. After 100,000 patient encounters, independently reviewed data clearly show better pain reduction, range of motion and Activities of Daily Living, in half the recovery time and half the cost of conventional orthopedics. Theyre so confident about their capabilities that theyll financially guarantee a 25 percent reduction in MSK costs. MSK disorders represent 20-25 percent of group health costs and 60 percent of occupational health costs, so a company that moves to this approach will see its total health care spend drop by 5-13 percent, an enormous sum.

We have found similar impacts available in management of cardiometabolic conditions, cancer, dialysis, imaging, drugs, claims reviews, and many other areas.

Not surprisingly, most insurance companies havent been receptive to these approaches. In general, health plans make a percentage of total health care spend and so want it to be higher. Mechanisms that disrupt the status quo and drive down cost arent necessarily in their interests.

These programs are becoming readily available around the country. Larger employers -- those with 100 or more employees -- can choose programs that are most likely to fit their businesses, and watch their costs plummet. Soon, new health plans will emerge, bringing together these management modules under a single umbrella, and offering health plans with better results at lower cost.

This is coming. As it does, everything in American health care will begin to improve.

I am so excited to speak at the 2017 HealthCare Forum Conference on Nov. 16 at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel , which is hosted by the Montana Chamber of Commerce. I will give a keynote address at 2:45 p.m. called Speak Up! How Utilization Matters. There are other panels and speakers including state legislators and Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale.

To register, visit wwww.montanachamber.com/events/montana-healthcare-forum. I hope to see you in Helena!
Sony smart TV owners, take note: Google Assistant has finally arrived on models running Android TV, bringing a couple of nifty voice-based functions to make TV viewing better and more efficient.

List Of Sony Smart TVs Getting Google Assistant

Below is a list of models eligible to receive the Google Assistant update:

 2016 XBR-Z9D

 2016 XBR-X800D

 2016 XBR-X750/X700D

 Sony 4K Android TVs released in 2017

Check out Sony's official website to view all its Android TV models.

What You Can Do Using Google Assistant On Sony Android TVs

Sony is one of the few manufacturers who has adapted Android TV as its built-in TV operating system and has actually been doing this for quite some time now. With Google Assistant, users can now better integrate voice control into apps such as Netflix and YouTube. They'll be able to play back content or request to stream a specific show or film.

Ask it to "Play Master of None" or "Play Stranger Things" and it will search for those titles and play them accordingly. For YouTube, Sony says users will be able to "seamlessly" search for new, popular, and highly rated content by "simply asking" the assistant and using voice commands to pick a video.

"With so much great content available, the Google Assistant makes it easy to find the perfect show or movie by providing a natural voice interface," said Sony in a press release.

In addition to video playback voice commands, users can also ask for directions, check the weather, and even control a connected thermostat or dim the lights.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant is now rolling out to every Android TV from Sony. It marks the continuous but slow arrival of Google's voice assistant on TV sets, exemplified by its launch on the Nvidia Shield TV in September. Sony is the second and latest company to receive Google Assistant.

"This software update is available [Nov. 7] for those that already own, or plan to buy, a supported Sony 4K HDR television with Android TV  bringing new innovative technologies to our customers," said Mike Fasulo, Sony Electronics president and COO.

Google Assistant on Sony TVs, however, will not have always-listening capabilities similar to the Nvidia Shield TV, which allows users to say "OK Google" at all times to start voice command functions. On Sony Android TVs, users can access the feature by clicking the microphone button on the remote.

Do you have a Sony-branded smart TV and is it running Android TV? Have you tried using its Google Assistant features yet? As always, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The World Health Organization released a powerful set of guidelines on Nov. 7 urging farmers to reduce the use of antibiotics in fish farming and food animal productions.

If humans want to keep the world safe, by turning back the tide of antimicrobial resistance, then it is vital to take a strong and sustained action across all the sectors, according to Director General WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"A lack of effective antibiotics is as serious a security threat as a sudden and deadly disease outbreak," Ghebreyesus said.

Antibiotics And Superbugs

WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have both stated that without immediate action, humans may soon be exposed to a world where antibiotics can no longer be effective against superbugs, such as drug-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics are misused and overused in animals and people globally, which has allowed superbugs to flourish and cause difficult-to-treat infections. One out of every three antibiotics prescribed to patients is unnecessary, according to the CDC.

Antibiotics are often used as a preventive measure for illnesses that can occur when animals are overcrowded or are kept in unsanitary conditions, which is not a smart use of life-saving antibiotics, according to a report. Public health advocates have been calling for an end to the practice for over a decade.

Though the Obama government had set reduction targets for both outpatient and inpatient settings, no such reduction target was set for antibiotics use in food animal production.

Now, the new guidelines by WHO calls for a ban on using drugs for promoting growth and an end to prevention uses of the drugs unless a specific bacterial illness has been diagnosed in the animals.

WHO Guidelines

The WHO guidelines give the United States, and the world at large, a roadmap to move animal agriculture away from its dependence on using antibiotics routinely.

The organization has called on veterinarians to not use antibiotics that are most critical to human health. It also reportedly wants governments to ban the use of any new antibiotics in animals that scientists may discover in the future.

"Scientific evidence demonstrates that overuse of antibiotics in animals can contribute to the emergence of antibiotic resistance," Department of Food Safety Director at WHO, Dr. Kazuaki Miyagishima, said.

"The volume of antibiotics used in animals is continuing to increase worldwide, driven by a growing demand for foods of animal origin, often produced through intensive animal husbandry.

Incidentally, WHOs new guidelines were directly informed by a systematic review, which was published in The Lancet Planetary Health on Nov. 7.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The new word in town is that Samsung is dropping the in-screen fingerprint sensor for the Galaxy S9.

Fans shouldn't be too disappointed by that, as the rumor does continue to say that the Galaxy Note 9 might have it.

In-Screen Fingerprint Sensor May Be A Note Feature

The Galaxy Note series has some exclusive features, particularly the S Pen.

In the case of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8, the list goes on to include a dual-camera setup. If the report from South Korean news outlet The Investor turns out to be true, then another Note feature could be an in-screen fingerprint scanner for the next generation of Galaxy phones, aka the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9.

On an interesting note, this is in line with KGI's prediction that the Galaxy S9 will likely not have the feature while the Galaxy Note 9 will.

Technological Difficulties

Before they officially rolled out, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 were rumored to boast a fingerprint sensor under their screens, but as everyone knows, that didn't happen.

With the Galaxy Note 8, it's been reported that Samsung ran into some brightness issues when embedding the reader under the display. That's presumably the same problem that occurred with the Galaxy S8, which was previously attributed to simply running out of time.

It's worth mentioning that Apple also came across similar issues with the technology, failing to incorporate it in the iPhone 8. Meanwhile, Vivo managed to demonstrate a working prototype of the feature in the form of an Xplay6 phone at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2017, but it wasn't exactly fit for practical usage because of reading-speed issues.

In short, implementing an in-screen fingerprint sensor for phones is too much of a hurdle for now, which is evidenced by the difficulties that the industry's top manufacturers are facing, but it's coming in the foreseeable future.

What To Expect From The Galaxy S9

Arguably the biggest and only issue with the Galaxy S8  perhaps aside from the Bixby button, which can now be completely disabled  is the fingerprint sensor's placement. It's positioned beside the camera, and as users have come to find out, they accidentally tap on the camera instead and leave smudges on it instead of the biometric reader.

That said, if Samsung goes through with a similar design for the Galaxy S9, then it could be just like the Galaxy S8: One powerful phone with a fingerprint scanner in an unfortunate location.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
DECATUR  A flower girl in Victorian England isnt known for colorful, elaborate gowns or sophisticated speaking. Eliza Doolittle's clothing is dirty and torn as she sells flowers along the street, and her language an easy giveaway if there was any doubt about her lowly station in society.

She is a little rough around the edges, said Heather Kaloupek, who plays Eliza Doolittle. She is a little dirty.

But that changes on a bet.

Eliza Doolittle is the main character in My Fair Lady. Decatur Underground Theatre will present the classic musical Friday through Sunday and Nov. 17-19, in the Decatur Civic Center Theater.

The story follows the lowly woman with not much to offer and two pompous gentlemen who make a wager that she can be turned into someone who can fool others as a genteel, upper-class woman, royalty even.

It has nothing to do with Eliza, said Dillon Bethard, who plays Professor Henry Higgins. We just wanted to see how big our egos are.

Eliza has nothing to offer the men and is unwittingly ensnared by their challenge.

Youll be the best teacher alive if you can win this bet, actor Ryle Frey said as Colonel Pickering, poking at Higgins' ego.

The musical "My Fair Lady" was written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, based on the play "Pygmalion," written by George Bernard Shaw, and first appeared on stage in 1956. The musical has memorable songs such as Wouldnt It Be Loverly?, The Rain in Spain and I Could Have Danced All Night.

The British dialects are challenging for the actors, but the directors were able provide tips and feedback about proper English, Cockney and Welsh during auditions.

Shape the vowels this way or make sure you are dropping these consonants, director Mitchell Yaksh told the actors.

Yaksh said the audience may not know specific details of British dialects, but he wants the play to have the important details that make the story what it is. It will affect the show and will help display the wide range of accents we can bring as a cast, he said.

The dialects have been a challenge for Kaloupek. She begins the show with a Cockney dialect, then changes to proper English, then goes back to Cockney. In the beginning it was difficult, she said. I came out sounding Southern.

The speaking and dialects are important, as it opens a window into Eliza's understanding of the changes she experiences.

The theater company has remained true to the story but also made the musical its own. The relationship between Higgins and Doolittle has a modern flair more in line with contemporary relationships. Yaksh studied other productions in which Higgins is a domineering man playing opposite of a fragile girl.

He has only been rude, but she comes back to him, Yaksh said. It doesnt make sense.

For the local production, Yaksh encouraged the actress to make Eliza feistier. Higgins also shows a vulnerable and humbling side.

And Eliza realizes her worth was never based on how she spoke or how people viewed her, Yaksh said. But it is really based who she was as an individual.

The directors looked for a play with a large cast and appropriate for their audience, and said My Fair Lady was the ideal show.

When we mentioned that name to people in the theater world, their eyes would just light up, said Sandy Revis, DUT director. And it is one that people want to be in.

The story is also well-known, even for those who have never heard of Eliza Doolittle.

People who know nothing about 'My Fair Lady' or musical theater will recognize the concept or the characters, Yaksh said. The makeover idea is something that is almost any teen movie.
Seven years ago, WVUE-TV raised questions about the huge amount of overtime pay Louisiana State Police Trooper Daryl Thomas was raking in. But then-Superintendent Mike Edmonson assured the New Orleans station that Thomas' hours were on the up and up.

"I can assure you, every one of those hours he put down, he worked," Edmonson said at the time.

However, a recent investigation by WVUE revealed troubling discrepancies between the hours Thomas has claimed and the amount of time he appears to have actually been working. The trooper was paid $240,000 last year, $147,000 of which was overtime, according to the report.

He received the same eye-popping sum in overtime the year before, the station reported, but State Police brass apparently failed to take notice, even though Thomas for years has been among the state's highest-paid officials. Before being suspended with pay this week, Thomas had been assigned to the agency's Kenner-based Troop B, where he worked as a motorcycle patrolman.

During a months-long investigation, WVUE  which surveilled Thomas coming and going from his home on multiple occasions  said that each time the station filmed Thomas, it noted differences between the time he actually worked and the hours he put on his timesheet.

The discrepancies amounted to thousands of dollars in overtime Thomas claimed for time he actually spent at home. In one instance, on Labor Day, Thomas purported to have worked 16 hours when WVUE's cameras observed him at his home from 11:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. of that shift. Two days later, he again billed taxpayers for a 16-hour shift but appeared to have been at home for six of those hours.

LSP suspends 3 troopers, highway safety program amid payroll fraud investigation The State Police on Wednesday suspended a statewide highway traffic enforcement program and began a criminal investigation into three troopers

The report cites six other days when Thomas' timesheet didn't match with the hours worked.

Thomas is one of three state troopers under criminal investigation after WVUE showed its findings to Col. Kevin Reeves, the State Police superintendent. Those troopers have been suspended with pay, State Police officials told The Advocate on Wednesday.

The other troopers under investigation are Eric Curlee, a senior technician assigned to the agency's Emergency Services Unit, and Byron Sims, a polygrapher. A fourth trooper, who is on sick leave, is also under investigation, WVUE reported. State Police have not released his name because he has not been suspended.

Reeves on Wednesday also suspended the statewide highway traffic enforcement program that Thomas and the other troopers were allegedly bilking. The program, called Local Agency Compensated Enforcement, or LACE, has for years been funded by district attorneys around the state, who contract with State Police and then reimburse the agency for the extra-duty shifts worked by troopers, as well as their mileage.

The revenue from the tickets the troopers write goes to the district attorneys, public defenders and other law enforcement agencies.

"We're going to step back and look at the entire program, its policies and procedures, in an effort to ensure the oversight is effective," said Maj. Doug Cain, a State Police spokesman.

The criminal investigation comes on the heels of another scandal involving a group of State Police troopers who charged taxpayers for an unauthorized road trip they took to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon last year while driving to a law enforcement conference in San Diego. The controversial trip prompted the early retirement of Edmonson and recently led to the demotion of two high-ranking troopers.

High-ranking State Police troopers demoted, have pay cut for role in Las Vegas 'side trip' Two high-ranking State Police troopers have been demoted for taking an unauthorized "side trip" last year to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon wh

Reeves expressed concern with Thomas' activities when confronted by WVUE's undercover footage. But state officials have known for years about Thomas' prolific use of overtime, and he has long been among the top-paid state employees.

An investigative report by WAFB-TV in 2009 noted that Thomas had made some $80,000 in overtime in 2008. That report said Thomas joined the State Police in 1995 and by 2000 had been honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for making more DWI arrests than any other state trooper.

The amount of overtime Thomas earned does not appear to have raised any red flags within the State Police, even though Thomas typically bills taxpayers for more than 80 hours a week.

WVUE-TV noted that the State Police suspended Thomas for four days in 1998 for filing false paperwork in which he inflated the hours he worked during a LACE shift in St. Charles Parish. Thomas, when confronted with the "discrepancy," first claimed he had worked an extra hour because he "had trouble getting (his) tickets," adding that it took him "longer than normal" to write them, according to State Police records.

The agency determined Thomas actually had stopped worked shortly after 8 p.m. on the day in question while claiming to have worked until 9 p.m.

"Additionally, there is no required number of tickets a trooper must submit while working the LACE detail," W.R. "Rut" Whittington, a deputy superintendent at the time, wrote in a disciplinary letter to Thomas.

In a telephone interview Thursday, Edmonson stood by his comments regarding Thomas' overtime when he was first confronted by WVUE seven years ago. State Police did look into Thomas' prolific overtime, he said.

"His then-supervisors assured myself and my deputy superintendent that those hours were accounted for," Edmonson told The Advocate. "They came back to me and said that, based on their review, he'd worked the hours in question at the time."

Edmonson noted that the discrepancies highlighted by WVUE occurred after his retirement earlier this year. But he acknowledged that the station's report raises questions about how long troopers have been bilking the LACE program.

"You can try to speculate as to whether (Thomas) has done it other times, but you can't know for sure," he said. "It does make one wonder."

For the full report from WVUE, click here.
Pi Kappa Phi has joined the growing list of Greek organizations at LSU that are in hot water for violating university policy.
The recent letter from Tyler Bond of the National Public Pension Coalition lamenting the fact that teachers in some Louisiana charter schools 
DECATUR  When Janice Earl drew breath to sing Amazing Grace at the HSHS St. Marys Hospital National Donor Sabbath Service event Thursday, it was indeed amazing, she said. This year marks the 25th anniversary since she received a life-saving double lung transplant.

Another donation  this time a kidney  came from her mother, Doris Earl, in 1999.

Its given me a second chance at life if I wouldnt have gotten my lungs and my kidney, said Janice Earl, 43, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was a baby. Ive had my new lungs longer than Ive had my original lungs.

Organ and tissue donors and recipients came together at St. Marys to celebrate the gift of sharing life and organs for the Donor Sabbath holiday. The event was a wonderful celebration of life and a great opportunity to come together around faith, hope and healing, said St. Marys CEO Joan Koffman.

Local church leaders, hospital staff and community members gathered in the lobby of the hospital for prayer and a candle-lighting ceremony with donors, loved ones and organ recipients.

More than 5,000 people in Illinois are waiting for an organ transplant, said Liz Hager, the regional coordinator for the Organ/Tissue Donor Program. A third of the people waiting will die before they get the organ, she said.

Every day, we bury thousands of wonderful organs that can keep people alive, Hager said.

Another important focus of the event was to give hope to those waiting on the transplant lists across the state and the nation. The number of donors are great in Macon County because of the Life Goes On Committee, which works to raise awareness, Hager said  but there can always be more donors.

The donation of one person can save 25 other lives, Hagar said.

The easiest way to donate is to go to lifegoeson.com and sign up online; then donors will receive information in the mail. People can also sign up at their local Department of Motor Vehicles office.

St. Marys hospital here in Decatur is one of the highlights of our program, she said. They are always aware that people out there need something.

Doris and Janice Earl both said they want to encourage others to be organ donors.

Its wonderful to see the life come back into her, Doris Earl said. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Kidneys are a good organ to donate, Doris said.

God gave us two kidneys but we can survive perfectly well with one, she said.

Janice said she is thankful to her mother and her other donor and hopes other people can do the same.

You can give somebody a chance at life, Janice said. And give somebody a second chance at life.
An ACTION bus driver who said he hurt his left knee while working has had an appeal for workers' compensation knocked back.

The man, who has worked as an ACTION driver for 20 years, said he was in the driver's seat on February 9 last year when he "twisted" the knee while getting up.

An ACTION bus driver claimed to have twisted his knee on the job. Credit:Rohan Thomson

He did not tell anyone about the injury, but that weekend at home said the knee gave way and he fell, and he reported the incidents on February 16.

Comcare disallowed his workers' compensation claim in May, and a month later an internal review confirmed the decision.
It's an Ashton Circus, but not as you know it. Sixth-generation circus artist and show producer Joseph Ashton said Infamous was an adults-only, 18+ combination of circus acts and burlesque.

"It's 50 per cent dancing and singing," he said.

Performers Jessie Grant, Maddison White, Carly Shott, Holly Targett and Dante Ashton. Credit:Jamila Toderas

The Big Top was reconfigured to resemble a Spiegeltent with some of the seats placed ringside with tables and an alcoholic bar service provided - one of the reasons for the restricted entry.

Infamous was derived from The Big Top Tease, an annual two-week season of racier performances Ashtons had been putting on in Perth for the past few years.
The true power of an image, whether it be moving or still, is its ability to evoke emotion. At the launch of Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery on Thursday everyone responded in a different way.

Director of the NPG Angus Trumble said two things happened when he first saw the exhibition.

Film critic Margaret Pomeranz at the launch of Starstruck. Credit:Karleen Minney

"The first was an absolute vivid childhood memory of having seen Storm Boy," Trumble said.

"I know exactly where I was and it was an extraordinary flashback.
Unions have called for more funding to be given to Work Safe ACT in light of the territory's director of public prosecutions highlighting a need for better investigations to support prosecutor's efforts.

And the Master Builders' Association ACT has similarly called for the territory's work safety regulator to be given more funding, but stopped short of pushing for greater enforcement powers.

Unions ACT has called for more funding to help successfully prosecute construction work site prosecutions. Credit:Pat Scala

Director of Public Prosecutions Jon White on Wednesday told a Legislative Assembly hearing that work site fatalities needed to be treated with the same rigour as full-scale criminal investigation to help improve the prospects of successful prosecutions.

Mr White's comments follow a number of unsuccessful industrial court cases, as the prosecutor's offices suffers under stretched resources and Work Safe ACT faces continued union criticism for a lack of enforcement.
Whether to recruit rising West Australian star Aaron Naughton or outstanding Victorian young guns at this month's national draft has generated frenzied debate among Fremantle list management.

Naughton has stormed into top 10 selection calculations from right under Fremantle talent searchers' noses as a latest product from Dockers alignment team Peel Thunder.

Naughton is tipped to become a 200-game AFL player. Credit:Footy Prophet

Dockers list manager and head of recruiting Brad Lloyd pulled off a stunning coup in last month's hectic AFL trade period snaring a cherished number two draft pick in an astonishing swap for emerging utility Lachie Weller to Gold Coast.

Fremantle retained their original draft spot at number five and enter an annual recruitment of new talent from around the nation with two top-10 picks for the first time since 1999 when the greatest ever Docker Matthew Pavlich was taken at number four after 208-game star Paul Hasleby at two.
Appalled shoppers are calling on centres around Australia to take down life-sized advertising for a controversial lingerie chain that they have likened to "soft porn".

Sydney mother Kat Israel said she avoided walking past the Honey Birdette store at the Macquarie Centre because she did not want her children to see the its latest window banners.

Ms Israel said she found the advertising sexist, with women "posed to be very sexual" and "looking very sultry".

"People can buy what they like and that's fine but I think they shouldn't be allowed to have that sort of advertising there in a public space."
Elon Musk may be the world's richest rocket scientist.

With a fortune hovering around $US20 billion, the 46-year-old CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and co-founder of OpenAI has said he won't be happy until we've escaped Earth and colonised Mars.

A notorious workaholic, Musk doesn't spend cash on lavish vacations or expensive hobbies. Instead, the entrepreneur spends most of his time at the office or in factories, retreating to one of his four Los Angeles mansions at the end of the day.

He's been an entrepreneur since an early age. As a child growing up in South Africa, Musk taught himself to code. By the time he was 12, he sold the source code for his first video game for $US500.
DECATUR  The experience of Harristown sailor Logan Palmers family motivated U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis to call for a change in military policy that would ease travel for fallen service members families meeting their loved ones' remains at Dover Air Force Base.

Palmer, 23, was among 10 sailors killed Aug. 21 after the USS John S. McCain collided with another ship near Singapore. His family sought funding from an outside organization to pay for their travel to meet Palmers remains, Davis, R-Taylorville, said in a statement.

If Palmer had died in combat, the U.S. Department of Defense would have covered his familys travel expenses, Davis said. Waivers are granted for deaths outside of combat, but only upon request.

I am urging the DoD to change this policy so there is no question that families of our fallen will be taken care of, Davis said. The last thing they need to worry about after the death of a loved one is trying to cut through bureaucratic red tape within the Pentagon.

Davis said that he and other members of Congress representing sailors on the USS McCain sent the letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Palmer, a Sangamon Valley High School graduate, was an interior communications electrician on the the ship. He and nine other sailors who died were all in their sleeping quarters at the time of the collision, according to a report the Navy released Nov. 1.

Hundreds attended Palmer's funeral Sept. 11 in Life Foursquare Church in Decatur. He was buried with full military honors in Harristown Cemetery. He was posthumously promoted to petty officer 2nd class.

In its 72-page report, the Navy cited multiple ways in which the collision of the USS McCain and another collision involving the USS Fitzgerald in June might have been avoided. The Navy described in detail the circumstances leading up to the collisions and blamed "complacency, over-confidence and lack of procedural compliance" for the outcome.

As a result of the two deadly accidents, eight top Navy officers, including the 7th Fleet commander, were fired from their jobs, and a number of other sailors received reprimands or other punishment that was not publicly released. Among them, the commander and executive officer of the USS John S. McCain were relieved of their duties and reassigned last month.

Davis appeared at a House Armed Services Committee hearing Sept. 7 to press a Navy officer for answers about providing better communication and services to families such as the Palmers. During that encounter, Davis raised his concerns about the Palmers travel with Adm. William Moran, the vice chief of naval operations.

Moran said at the time that the Navy has a process in place to handle those flights, but "we did not get the government to move as fast as we should have," and he apologized.

Davis said he eventually sought help from the House committee's staff after trying unsuccessfully to find out more about Logan Palmer from other channels.

"Getting information on Logan took too much time and it involved way too many people," he said in September.

The full text of the letter is below:

November 9, 2017

The Honorable Jim Mattis

Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1000

Dear Secretary Mattis,

We write concerning current Department of Defense (DoD) policy that does not permit the use of official DoD travel funds for family members to view the remains of fallen servicemembers who have perished in noncombat operations. We strongly oppose this restriction of official travel funds.

On August 21, 2017, 10 sailors lost their lives when the USS John McCain collided with a merchant vessel off the coast of Singapore. One of the sailors lost was Petty Officer Logan Palmer of Decatur, Illinois. At the request of the medical examiner, the Navy brought Mr. Palmer's remains to Dover Air Force Base. Due to current DoD policy, however, Mr. Palmer's family was not afforded government sponsored transportation and was therefore forced to pursue funding from an outside organization to pay for their travel to view his remains at Dover Air Force Base.

Under current DoD policy, the Armed Forces may only cover travel expenses to Dover Air Force Base for family of servicemembers who lost their lives during combat operations. We therefore request that the policy be changed to include noncombat operations when the remains are brought to Dover Air Force Base.

Our servicemembers and their families make great sacrifices to protect our freedoms every day. These families should not have to rely on an outside organization to be provided the opportunity to view the remains of a fallen servicemember at Dover Air Force Base.

Thank you for your consideration of this important request. We look forward to your response.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
One year ago, an "impossible" thing happened: Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. His election, on the back of promises to build a wall and dismantle the West's major geopolitical institutions, was greeted with hysteria and prophesies of doom. A year later, his administration is mired in scandal, unable even to staff its departments, and it looks like much ado about nothing.

Don't assume, however, that normal service will resume in a few years. This trend has been on the march for decades, if not centuries. Between the world wars, Walter Benjamin, a German critic, documented the extraordinary emergence of mass culture: shopping malls, advertisements, city amusements and popular literature. Writing had, he observed, been "pitilessly dragged out onto the street" and, for the first time, plastered on billboards and glossy magazines.

Benjamin thought this reinvention of literacy would liberate the world. The masses had finally thrown off the shackles of awe and ignorance and would not be told how to live by priests and kings. He was right that a revolution was coming. But instead of liberation, it brought the Nazis.

The point of this is not to suggest, fatuously, that Trump is a new Hitler. Rather, it's to understand that we are experiencing the continuation of a technological trend that, badly handled, presents an existential threat to democracy. We are now living not in an age of learning, but information. The dismemberment of text from its authoritative context has continued at breakneck speed.
Alynn Pratt Killara I am an atheist. I am neither proud nor ashamed of that fact and I feel no need to congregate with like-minded people. I am not at all surprised if the third Global Atheist Convention had to be cancelled through lack of interest. I only ever get indignant if someone claims or implies that they are a more worthy person than I am purely because of their faith, so I was astounded by Michael Jensen's perception that "one of the most difficult things for an atheist to describe is how, if there's no God, right or wrong have any meaning". It is puzzling, and a little sad, if Christians can only grasp the concept of right and wrong by referring to some set of religious prescriptions. Fortunately, many atheists have no such difficulty. Col Nicholson Hawks Nest We (humans and all other species) just are, courtesy of a wonderful (but most likely not unique) biochemical/biological accident, and we should all do what we can to ensure the fruits of this accident continue for as long as possible. If one needs to join in the Great Delusion and/or fear the dire consequences of transgression to act righteously, then go ahead, but there are far more productive and practical reasons and motivations to do act thus. There, that wasn't so difficult.

Mark Morgan Westleigh Nan Howard asserts that marriage doesn't "evolve" in God's eyes (Letters, November 9), but should remember the Church's record in matters of "evolution" and "revolution" is not great. Charles Darwin and Nicolaus Copernicus come to mind! John Byrne Randwick It's good to know Nan Howard has 20/20 God sight as "God's word, the Bible" is inconsistent in its approach to marriage. Nowhere does it define marriage as only ever between one man and one woman; neither does it say that human physical intimacy is solely for the purpose procreation. Meredith Williams Dee Why

Thugs crossed the line in Dastyari verbal abuse The abuse of Sam Dastyari (Online, November 9), unashamedly uploaded as a video by stand-over merchants who thought it acceptable that their menacing behaviour reach a wide audience, shows there is no bar to expressing a viewpoint in this country, no matter how ugly and no matter what the anti-political correctness brigade claim as an excuse to spit out their venom. But, there ought to be. All credit to Senator Dastyari for reacting in a manner which lessened the chances of a physical assault upon him. These thugs crossed a line. It should be defended by no one and ought to be legally actionable to deter its recurrence. Ron Sinclair Bathurst It is totally unacceptable to abuse, harass and threaten someone and then seek protection under freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a noble value if exercised within the framework of decency, honesty and respect.

Usman Mahmood South Bowenfels I have thoroughly enjoyed watching women's cricket since the World Cup in July, far more than the current men's game. It's not hard to work out why. These women behave as professional sportspersons as opposed to the boorish and foul-mouthed behaviour displayed by the men - especially the Australians, under the guise of "sport". Now I hear that the women should be encouraged to display similar behaviours as the men. I hope that the women have too much class to descend to such a level. Lawrence Di Bartolo Kedron (QLD) Berejiklian's respect stops at the people

On the one hand we are reminded that the north shore would cop an additional six polluting exhaust stacks with the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link toll road ("Exhaust stacks top list of concerns, November 9). On the other hand we are told Premier Berejiklian's Armenian parents instilled in her values of "respect" which she came to realise "had been championed for Liberals for centuries". (Berejiklian argues technology titans are political soulmates, November 9). I put it to the Premier  would it be respectful to foist multiple polluting exhaust stacks on the residents of the north shore, the majority of whom, I would argue, don't want a bar of them? John Berry Cammeray It is a long bow for Gladys Berejiklian to call the modern Australian Liberal Party as one based in classic liberal philosophy. It is more aligned to conservative thought than classic liberalism. The Liberal Party does not have a mortgage on respect, hard work, civic responsibility and compassion. Try telling the people on Manus Island or Nauru that compassion runs deep in the Liberal party's DNA. Greg Loder Springwood

No one denies the role of free enterprise, but unbridled freedom led to the Great Depression and the Global Financial Crisis, that only social, ie, government management policies, could resolve. Australia's concerted action meant this country avoided the worst effects of the GFC, a success often overlooked. Currently, insufficient spread of national purchasing power, further weakened by rising fuel and power costs for consumers, and entrenched unemployability of certain age groups, is weakening the economy. Free enterprise is not solving this, and while this continues freedom is reduced. Graeme Tychsen Rankin Park The transparent jobs boom Matt Wade tells us ("Jobs boom puts pressure on Sydney", November 9), the construction industry had 20 per cent of the jobs. That's mainly the chippies and brickies, the electricians and the plumbers building the 40,000 dwellings needed to house the population boom. But there are others involved; real estate agents, architects, housing finance people, planners in councils and governments, importers who bring in the building materials, forestry workers who cut the timber and the dozens of other occupations dependent on housing construction. Which should indicate to all except Blind Freddie that this jobs boom is a Ponzi scheme which must one day collapse and create an awful lot of pain in the process. Don Owers Dudley

Place of birth irrelevant I don't care where my parliamentarians or their parents were born. Latent citizenship is not the same as having more than one passport. Please let's focus on the real issues at hand and let our representatives get back to running the country. Beverly Nerden Byron Bay Perhaps it's time to remind ABC TV news staff that Barnaby Joyce is currently not sitting on the front bench of parliament. Footage of Malcolm Turnbull speaking in the Lower House still shows Joyce sitting in the background. Maybe it's a ghost keeping the seat warm for him. Lorna Denham Cardiff Heights

Forget the boring citizenship expositions, I am suggesting we need some names of federal and state parliamentarians who use tax havens like Bermuda (and others), to park their wealth, as well as a list of their negative gearing properties, for which they get tax reductions, and the jobs held by retired and/or resigned parliamentarians after their farewell as national representatives in federal and state governments. That will at least clear the air about who is getting rich from sitting in governments, and what this can mean in terms of their politics. Mia Campioni Annandale NBN customers feel cheated We have fibre to the home and were the first on the mainland to be connected by Telstra to the NBN. We even participated in ads promoting Telstra and the NBN. Initially, our speeds were 80 to 90 megabits/second. I have just done a Telstra speed test and the download speed was 41.3 megabits/second and the upload 31.5, in other words less than half of our initial experience and certainly not the 100 megabits/second we are paying for. We, like many customers, are feeling somewhat cheated. Barry Spooner Minnamurra

Hospitals unpredictable It must have been upsetting for Kathryn Walker's daughter to have her surgery cancelled ("Healthcare awry" Letters, November 8), but hospitals are, by their nature, unpredictable places, and it is really not the fault of the system. Inconsiderate humans will insist on crashing their cars or falling off ladders or developing some surgical emergency needing those operating theatres urgently. Certainly hospitals need to explain more clearly to elective surgery patients that they may be bumped from the list if the days' catastrophes exceed the usual and throw the surgical program into disarray. Jennifer Briggs Kilaben Bay Automatics have drawbacks The incidence of cars (Letters, November 9), going out of control when attempting to leaving car parks is becoming far too common. With an automatic it is far too easy to select the wrong gear, whereas with a manual, even if you do select the wrong gear, you can feel the car going in the wrong direction as you release the clutch. The natural instinct when this happens is to push the clutch pedal back in. Any driver who got their licence driving a manual car is assumed to be qualified to drive an automatic.

Ian Davis Bella Vista Obstacle course is not my Domain For more than a fortnight The Domain has been an obstacle course of temporary fencing, gantry frames, and legions of portable toilets, assembled, removed, then assembled again. Now the Midnight Oil concert preparations have commandeered the entire area. The local congregation of masked plovers, gentle ground birds, have since been rendered homeless. I wonder if Peter Garrett could write a song about them? Paul Grguric Woolloomooloo Music for all

On the subject of exploiting the works of Michael Hutchence, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Slim Dusty and Beethoven (Letters, November 9) it was John Lennon who famously remarked: "Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it." Bruce Hulbert Lilyfield Fiery bet Armed with my trusty female intuition, I marched into the local TAB for my once-a-year flutter on the Melbourne Cup, informing the guy behind the help-desk that I wanted to put $10 for a win on a horse beginning with "W". He queried in a rather concerned way whether I was sure that's what I wanted to do. I was adamant: Wall of Fire came in at No.16. Now there's a reliable disappointment. Alicia Dawson Balmain
Another federal MP has been caught up in the citizenship crisis, with crossbench MP Rebekha Sharkie revealing new details that could call into question her eligibility for parliament.

But Ms Sharkie, who moved to Australia from England as a one-year-old and has previously said she had made sure she renounced her dual citizenship before the 2016 election, won't be referring herself to the High Court - despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull taking the unusual step of calling her directly and suggesting she may need to do so.

Mr Turnbull's suggestion was made during a broader conversation between the pair about the citizenship fiasco that has rocked the federal parliament and, so far, cost six MPs their seats.

The member for the South Australian seat of Mayo on Thursday revealed she only received a letter from the UK Home Office confirming the renunciation of her citizenship on June 29  20 days after nominations for the 2016 poll had closed - which could mean she was not validly elected under a strict interpretation of section 44 of the constitution.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, centre, on the campaign trail. Credit:AAP In that time there has been Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, two mighty disruptions that have played to Hanson's anti-establishment, anti-expert rhetoric. Since last year's federal election, Hanson's popularity nationally has doubled. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and her Battler Bus in Brisbane on Monday. Credit:AAP In Queensland it continues to climb. A Galaxy poll conducted last weekend found the party's vote has risen from 15 per cent to 18 per cent in the past three months, while support for the Liberal National Party has fallen to 32 per cent. The Labor vote was unmoved at 35 per cent.

Queensland Labor senator Murray Watt says One Nation's role in the state cannot be underestimated. Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls during the election campaign. Credit:AAP "One Nation is a very real presence in this campaign. I completely believe that. If they're getting 18 per cent state wide that means they're getting up to or over 30 per cent in some areas," he said. "We're two weeks out from election day but there's a very real prospect of them winning many seats. It's no exaggeration to say they will win seats and they stand a very real chance of being part of the next government in Queensland." Palaszczuk has said she would not do a deal with One Nation, even if it meant losing government.

Liberal National opposition leader Tim Nicholls has promised he would not form a coalition with One Nation or offer ministry positions, but he has left the door open to preferencing the party on a seat-by-seat basis. One Nation is relishing the thought of the major parties knocking at its door to form government. As One Nation's state leader, Steve Dickson, puts it: "It's like drinking water. Without it, you die. At the end of the day, you're going to have to come and have a drink. We're holding all the water." One Nation is fielding 61 candidates in the election and although Hanson won't put a number on how many she thinks will be successful, she believes the result will eclipse One Nation's previous high-water mark in 1998, when it won 11 seats and nearly 23 per cent of the vote. At the time, it meant the party had gained a higher percentage of the vote than any other third party at state or territory level since Federation.

"This is going to be one hell of a campaign because I think the people of Queensland are fed up with the major political parties ... I think it is time for One Nation and honestly, I think this is going to be bigger than 1998," Hanson said. One Nation is campaigning on a combination of power prices, the cost of living and jobs. Its centrepiece, so far, has been promising a new coal-fired power station for northern Queensland. "We need to address our electricity costs and changes in the state," Hanson told Sky News during the week. "If you get the electricity prices down, you're helping pensioners, ordinary mums and dads, small business owners are going to benefit from it ... People are struggling, they're really struggling." The party is also concerned about youth unemployment, the closure of TAFEs and foreign ownership. But, Hanson says, "the biggest issue is people want honesty and trust from their politicians". "They're sick and tired of lies and rhetoric. I'm not about that. What you see is what you get. I'm not going to go out there and promise you the world and then not deliver."

Come November 25 and one party will have to form government  and polling to date suggests it will, again, be a minority government. Palaszczuk governs with the support of Peter Wellington, an independent in the state's 89-member unicameral legislative assembly. Paul Williams, a senior lecturer in politics at Griffith University, says One Nation is on track to pick up at least six seats and will be the "kingmaker" come election night. "This election is almost the perfect storm  parts of western Queensland have a strong anti-Islamic sentiment and everyone is anti-political correctness, even if they can't define it," Williams says. Queensland is also the only state where more people live outside the capital city, a factor that works in One Nation's favour. While Brisbane and much of the south-east is not sympathetic One Nation territory, regional centres such as Rockhampton, Gympie, Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay and Townsville are. All were  or will be  stops on the Battler Bus tour.

"Much of regional Queensland still wishes it was the 1950s," Williams says. Michelle Landry holds the federal seat of Capricornia for the Turnbull government. It takes in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and some outlying suburbs of Mackay. Rockhampton is, she says, "a major battleground" for her party when it comes to staring down One Nation. "People need to understand Pauline Hanson isn't going to be premier. She's a federal senator," Landry says. "You don't hear boo from the candidates. It's all about her, whereas it should be about the candidates in that area." That is true, but tell that to the people who flock to see Hanson wherever her bus takes her.
MPs in favour of same-sex marriage reform are bracing for "a blizzard of amendments", or a rival bill, from Christian conservatives intent on delaying the legalisation until they have all the safeguards for religious freedom they deem necessary.

Conservatives believe the Parliament should ensure businessess and individuals who refuse services to same-sex couples on religious grounds are not exposed to adverse legal consequences under any change to the Marriage Act.

The looming progressive versus conservative battle is the next headache for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was criticised for ordering the $122 million protracted postal poll, while reassuring voters their verdict would be respected if they backed change by Parliament expediting the matter before Christmas.

With the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting that nearly eight in 10 Australians returned their forms, pessimistic "no" campaigners have confirmed they will insist on major changes to the way same-sex marriage is introduced if the "yes" vote gets up  as expected  when results are announced next Wednesday.
Dion Lee has won the Fashion Laureate, the top prize for Australia's fashion industry.

The award was presented at a gala dinner at the Cutaway Reserve in Barangaroo on Thursday amid 260 of fashion's biggest players. The accolade comes as the laureate celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Model Gemma Ward with Fashion Laureate winner Dion Lee. Ward is a guest at the Gala event held in Sydney on Thursday night.

For Lee it's the cherry on top of what he describes as the biggest 18 months of his career, a time that has included moving to New York, opening Australian Fashion Week with a spectacular show at the Sydney Opera House and branching further into new categories, including menswear, swim and eyewear.

"It's a meaningful time to win," says Lee. "It's nice to be awarded when you do feel like you're continuing to push yourself forward and challenge yourself and continuing to grow."
The family of an eight-year-old boy killed when a car crashed into his Greenacre classroom this week say they have forgiven the driver charged over his death.

Jihad Darwiche and another eight-year-old boy - his best friend - were killed after a two-tonne Toyota Kluger crashed into their classroom at Banksia Road Public School on Tuesday morning.

The driver of the car was 52-year-old Maha Al-Shennag, a widowed mother-of-four.

In a video posted to Facebook on Thursday, Jihad's father and Ahmad Hraichie spoke in a mixture of Arabic and English to deliver their message as they drove the hearse, with Jihad's green coffin clearly visible behind them.
The state's transport agency has walked away from an agreement with the Inner West Council to help fund a feasibility study into running track-free electric trams along Sydney's Parramatta Road.

Despite signing a memorandum of understanding in August, Transport for NSW said it had decided soon afterwards that committing to a detailed study of only one option for Parramatta Road would "pre-empt the outcome of our strategic planning process".

That process culminated in the release of the government's 40-year transport plan last month.

Under the deal in August, the lead agency and council had agreed to stump up $80,000 each for a study on how guided track-free trams could run along the Parramatta Road corridor linking Sydney's central business district to Burwood.
SPRINGFIELD  The Decatur community earned the 2017 Governor's Cup for its participation in the WSOY Community Food Drive, which raised 1.4 million pounds/dollars of food in its 16th year last year.

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced the honor Wednesday at a ceremony in Springfield, during which organizers Kevin Breheny of J.L. Hubbard Insurance and Brian Byers of Neuhoff Mediareceived the award along with Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and Macon County Board Chairman Jay Dunn.

Winning this award is about our community winning the award and all the efforts of the food drive which is an amazing event, Moore Wolfe said, calling Decatur a "very, very giving community."

It wouldnt be possible without the school kids who collect and all the individuals who donate, she said.

Part of the prize is a sign to put up around town, but Moore Wolfe said they hope to get more signs to spread out the visibility. Another part is the Governors Cup that travels around to each community that wins. Decatur will have to give it back unless the community wins again next year, Moore Wolfe said.

One of the best things organizers did was put "community" in the title because it really takes everyone to make it a success, Byers said.

It is amazing for them to recognize the volunteers and everyone who donates and participates, Byers said. To be a finalist was an honor and to win was pretty cool for the community.

The food drive was among 14 winners of the Governor's Hometown Award, which is given by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service to group efforts that contributed to a communitys quality of life, met a need and had strong volunteer support. Four of those were also finalists for the cup.

The process included two presentations about the project to two separate panels of judges before the winner was chosen. Presenters were Byers, Breheny, director of United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois Debbie Bogle and Jerry Pelz, director of the Northeast Community Fund, which helps distribute some of the food collected in the event.

It is important to help others, Rauner said, before announcing the prize and said the cup went to the project with the best community spirit.

The food drive has provided 22 million meals to people in the area, Byers said. Rauner has donated $25,000 to the food drive in the past.

We do the food drive to feed hungry people, the accolades are not why we do it, Byers said. But we hope this works as a thank you for the people we know about who volunteer and the people we dont know about who volunteer.

Nominations for 2017 volunteer work are being accepted. More information on the Governor's Hometown Awards and the Governors Volunteer Service Awards, which is for individuals, can be found at www.serve.illinois.gov.
The LNP could struggle to ward off One Nation in the seat of Callide, with polling revealing the retiring former deputy premier Jeff Seeney's electorate is in danger of falling to the resurgent party.

ReachTEL polling of 730 residents in the electorate, obtained by Fairfax Media, reveals One Nation candidate Sharon Lohse would receive 25.4 per cent of the first preference vote.

ReachTEL polling shows a 25 per cent first preferential vote for One Nation in Jeff Seeney's seat of Callide. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Katter's Australian Party candidate Robbie Radel would receive 10 per cent, while the LNP's Colin Boyce would receive 27.5 per cent, according to the poll taken on the night of November 8.

With One Nation and KAP signing off on a preference deal earlier this week, and the reintroduction of compulsory preferential voting, it could boost One Nations chances in the central Queensland electorate.
The Melbourne areas with the most number of unoccupied properties have been revealed, as the Andrews government sets to reap in tens of millions of dollars from its new vacant property tax.

The new tax is expected to bite hardest in the Melbourne City Council area, where more than 2500 properties - namely high-rise apartments - are vacant.

In the Moonee Valley council area, which includes Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights and parts of Flemington, there are at least 1700 empty properties.

This compares to more than 1000 vacant properties in the inner-northern Yarra City Council area, which takes in Fitzroy, North Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond.
Two teenagers have been arrested over the fatal hit-run in Melbourne's east that has left a family mourning "a loving father, son, partner and friend".

The family of Keith Stevens, who died after a stolen BMW X5 failed to give way at an intersection and ploughed into his motorbike, has revealed his organs have been donated.

"Keith was an organ donor and we know he would be pleased that in these most tragic of circumstances he was able to help improve the quality of others' lives," his family said in a statement.

Mr Stevens, a 33-year-old father, was struck by the BMW not far from his Mitcham home at the intersection of Glenburnie Road and Orient Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
Beirut: Syria's army and its allies, spearheaded by Lebanon's Hezbollah, have captured Islamic State's last stronghold in Syria, a commander in the alliance said, bringing the self-declared caliphate close to complete downfall.

"The last stronghold of Daesh [Islamic State], Albu Kamal, is free of the Daesh organisation," said the commander in the military alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

A Russian Tu-22M bomber unloads bombs on IS targets near Abu-Kamal, Syria. Credit:AP

Islamic State has been all but destroyed over the past two years. At the height of its power in 2015, it ruled an expanse of Iraq and Syria, eradicating the border, printing money, imposing draconian laws and plotting attacks across the world.

On Wednesday, after a months-long advance through central and eastern Syria, the Syrian army and allied Shiite militias encircled and attacked Albu Kamal.
Danang, Vietnam: Trade Ministers of 11 countries have reached agreement on a pact to salvage a Pacific Rim trade deal rejected by the United States that Australia has been lobbying for on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

But several countries, including Japan and Canada, disagree on how fast the agreement should be progressed. They differed, too, on what had been agreed.

A Vietnamese security official stands on guard outside the venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Danang, Vietnam. Credit:AP

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters after arriving in the Vietnamese seaside city of Danang the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement will bring together economies with a collective GDP of about $US10 trillion.

"So that is a huge market," he said.
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King Michael of Romania, ca. 1947 (Wikimedia Commons)

Romanias King to Slip Iron Curtain for Wedding

(originally appeared in the Winnipeg Tribune, 1 November 1947)

LONDON, Nov. 1  The only reigning monarch behind Europes iron curtain, King Michael of Romania [1], is flying to London to be a guest at the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.

This was announced Friday. Two other European sovereigns so far have accepted invitations to be present. They are the kings of Norway [2] and Denmark [3]. Queens of Greece [4] and Denmark [5] will also be present. Princess Juliana [6], who recently assumed office as regent of the Netherlands, while her mother, Queen Wilhelmina [7], is resting to restore her health, will go to London with her husband, Prince Bernhard [8].

In addition, there will be several members of royal families of countries which are no longer monarchies  among them ex-King Peter [9] and Queen Alexandra [10] of Yugoslavia and Prince Charles of Belgium [11].

The Crown Prince [12] and Princess of Sweden [13] will attend, presumably representing aged King Gustav [14]. The sister of Lieutenant Mountbattens mother, Princess Andrew of Battenberg [15] and also, a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, is closely related to Princess Elizabeth. She is a daughter of the first Marchioness of Milford Haven [16] and was Lady Louise Mountbatten when she married the crown prince in 1923.

During their stay in London, King Michael will probably occupy the lavish royal suite at the Romanian legation which was furnished for King Carol [17] when he visited London in 1939. Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard will be guests of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester [18] at St. Jamess Palace. The Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden will probably stay at Kensington Palace, where Lieutenant Mountbattens mother is now living.

NOTES

1. King Michael of Romania (born 1921) was in the final days of his reign as Romanias monarch at the time of this wedding. He was forced to abdicate at gunpoint on December 30, 1947. He later revealed that the British ambassador to Romania had tried to convince him to seek asylum in London during the wedding festivities  advice he didnt follow. Less than a week after his abdication, he was forced to leave Romania. He did not return until 1990.

This British royal wedding was important to Michael for other, more personal reasons: he met his future wife, Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma at Claridges in London during the festivities. They were engaged in December 1947, shortly before he returned to Romania and was deposed. They married in Athens (home of his mother, who was a Greek princess) in June 1948.

Sadly, this week the press has reported that the elderly former king, who recently turned 96, is on his deathbed at his home.

2. King Haakon VII of Norway (1872-1957) had been on the Norwegian throne for 42 years at the time of this wedding. He was a widower  his wife, Queen Maud, had died in 1938  but he was surrounded by his son and daughter-in-law, Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha, and his three grandchildren, Ragnhild, Astrid, and Harald. The Norwegian public had recently purchased a new royal yacht for his use, the Norge.

3. King Frederik IX of Denmark (1899-1972) had only been Denmarks king for a few months at the time of this wedding; he succeeded his father in April 1947. He was happily married to Princess Ingrid of Sweden, and the couple had three young daughters: Margrethe, Benedikte, and Anne-Marie, who was a little over a year old. At this point, Frederiks heir was his younger brother, Prince Knud. In a few years, the succession laws in Denmark were changed, and Margrethe was named crown princess.

4. Queen Friederike of the Hellenes (1917-1981) was the wife of Greeces new king, Paul, who had succeeded to the throne in April 1947. Political questions about the precarious Greek monarchy had been a bit of a problem for the groom; Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, and he was King Pauls first cousin. Philip had renounced his Greek citizenship and titles, becoming a naturalized Brit shortly before the wedding.

King Paul was too ill to attend this wedding, so Queen Friederike came alone on his behalf. She and Winston Churchill apparently had a bit of a dust-up during the festivities when he noted that her grandfather was Kaiser Wilhelm II. She allegedly reminded him that her great-great-grandmother was Queen Victoria.

5. Queen Ingrid of Denmark (1910-2000) had only been Denmarks queen consort for a few months in November 1947. She had given birth to her last child, Princess Anne-Marie, in August 1946. Her father, the Crown Prince of Sweden, was also in attendance at this wedding, along with her stepmother (who was an aunt of the groom).

6. Princess Juliana of the Netherlands (1909-2004) was the heir to the Dutch throne at the time of this wedding. She had been serving as the countrys regent since October 1947, a role she continued until December. She had also recently given birth to her fourth daughter, Princess Marijke (later known was Princess Christina), who had been born nearly blind. Princess Julianas mother, Queen Wilhelmina, reportedly wanted to abdicate in favor of her daughter at this point, but Juliana apparently convinced her mother to stay on, partly so that she could celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in 1950. Wilhelminas health didnt permit her to reach this milestone, though, and she abdicated in September 1948, making her daughter Queen Juliana.

7. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880-1962) was still Queen of the Netherlands in November 1947, but her increasingly bad health meant that her daughter, Princess Juliana, was acting as her regent. Wilhelmina abdicated less than a year later and lived out the rest of her life at Het Loo Palace.

8. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (1911-2004) was the husband of Princess Juliana, who was heir to the Dutch throne (and regent) at the time of this wedding. A few weeks before the wedding, the couple had baptized their youngest daughter, Princess Marijke (Christina); her godparents included Winston Churchill and Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma, both of whom also attended this wedding.

Marijke had been born nearly blind, because Juliana had contracted rubella during her pregnancy. A few months after this wedding, Bernhard introduced his wife to Greet Hofmans, a faith healer who claimed to be able to treat the babys eyes. The relationship with Hofmans later soured and divided the couple, escalating in the 1950s into what the Dutch refer to as the Hofmans Affair.

9. King Peter II of Yugoslavia (1923-1970), the exiled former king of Yugoslavia, had lost his throne in November 1945. He had been living in London since 1941, following the Axis invasion of his country. His only son, Alexander, was born in Claridges Hotel. Peter and his family were living, rather unhappily, in European exile at the time of this wedding.

10. Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia (1921-1993) never lived in the country where her husband had reigned as king. In 1942, when she was still Princess Alexandra of Greece and Denmark, she met King Peter in London. Surrounded by royals, they married at the Yugoslavian Embassy in London in 1944. Although the couple had a son, Alexander, their marriage was extremely troubled. The two nearly divorced in the 1950s, and Alexandra attempted suicide more than once.

11. Prince Charles of Belgium (1903-1983) was serving as prince regent for his brother, King Leopold III of the Belgians, in November 1947. Charles held the position from 1944 until 1950, between the end of Belgiums German occupation and King Leopolds return from exile. As regent, Charles was a part of the post-war economic restoration of the country. Belgium joined the United Nations during his regency; a few months after this wedding, the country also allowed women to vote for the first time.

12. Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden (1882-1973) was the heir to the Swedish throne at the time of this wedding. Three years after this wedding, following the death of his father, he became King Gustaf VI Adolf. Gustaf Adolf was very familiar with Britain, having married first Princess Margaret of Connaught, a niece of King Edward VII, and then Lady Louise Mountbatten (the aunt of the groom at this wedding).

Not long before this wedding, Gustaf Adolf had suffered serious personal tragedy. In January 1947, his eldest son, also named Gustaf Adolf (but known as Edmund), died in a plane crash. Edmunds infant son, Carl Gustaf, became his grandfathers heir.

13. Crown Princess Louise of Sweden (1889-1965) was Lady Louise Mountbatten before she married Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, heir to the Swedish throne, in 1923. Louises elder sister was Princess Alice, mother of Prince Philip, the groom at this wedding. Louise became Queen Louise of Sweden three years after the wedding.

14. King Gustaf V of Sweden (1858-1950) had been King of Sweden for forty years at the time of this wedding. His heirs were his son, Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (who was 65 years old), and his great-grandson, Prince Carl Gustaf (who was one year old).

15. Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark (1885-1969) was the mother of the groom at this wedding. Born Princess Alice of Battenberg, she married into the Greek royal family in 1903. She led a fascinating and complicated life, which was made even more complicated by her mental health and the precarious state of the Greek monarchy. In the spring of 1947, she moved from Athens to London to prepare for her sons engagement and wedding. She offered him one of her own wedding presents, a diamond and aquamarine tiara given to her by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra of Russia, to use to make an engagement ring and a bracelet for his new bride. Two years after the wedding, she founded an order of Greek orthodox nuns, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary.

16. Victoria, Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven (1863-1950) was the grandmother of the groom at this wedding. Born a Princess of Hesse and by Rhine, she was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Her husband, Prince Louis of Battenberg, renounced his German titles during World War I; in turn, he was granted the marquessate of Milford Haven by King George V. She settled permanently in England, living in a grace and favour apartment in Kensington Palace.

17. King Carol II of Romania (1893-1953) was the former King of Romania in 1947. He was the father of King Michael, who had succeeded him after his forced abdication in 1940. He lived in exile in Mexico and Portugal and unsuccessfully explored options that would allow him to reclaim the throne. In the summer of 1947, he had finally married his longtime mistress, Magda Lupescu, in a hotel in Rio de Janeiro.

18. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1900-1974) and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester (1901-2004) were the brides uncle and aunt. At the time of this wedding, they had recently returned from Australia, where Henry had served a two-year term as the countrys Governor-General. In November 1947, they had two young children, five-year-old Prince William (who served as a page boy at the wedding) and three-year-old Prince Richard.
JERSEYVILLE  Nearly two years before a 6-year-old Jerseyville boy died of starvation, workers with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services received a hotline call about the childs home and launched a probe that appeared to focus on the childs weight.

The hotline call in January 2016 alleged inadequate food in the home, according to a statement from DCFS spokeswoman Alissandra Calderon. After a pediatric specialist concluded that the now-deceased childs weight was a result of a medical condition, the investigation was closed as unfounded.

Twenty-two months later, the boy was dead of malnourishment, police say. Liam M. Roberts weighed just 17 pounds when his father took his body to Jersey Community Hospital Friday.

Police and prosecutors say Liams father, Michael Roberts, and stepmother, Georgena Roberts, both 42, starved the boy and his 7-year-old brother as a form of punishment over about two years. The Robertses have been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of child endangerment. Bail for each has been set at $500,000.

Court documents say the Robertses knowingly and intentionally caused Liam to become extremely malnourished, starting in December 2015.

Jerseyville County States Attorney Benjamin Goetten said authorities did not believe the dead childs malnourishment was the result of a medical condition, but declined to elaborate. He said he would release more information soon. DCFS would not disclose the medical condition.

The child endangerment charges relate to the 7-year-old boy. That child fell into a state of severe malnourishment caused by the Robertses, according to court documents. The couple withheld food and nourishment on a constant basis from that boy, charges say. Police said the boy was admitted to intensive care. He has since been stabilized, officials have said.

DCFS is investigating again after Liams death, and took custody of the boys five siblings who lived in the Roberts home in the 200 block of Ferguson Street. That includes the 7-year-old brother and a 9-year-old child, who were both taken to St. Louis Childrens Hospital Friday. The others are ages 12, 13 and 14. All five of the children have been placed with relatives.

It was unclear why the 9-year-old was taken to a hospital. Calderon has not responded to questions about the status of the 9-year-old.

Goetten said Wednesday that his office had not received any reports or evidence regarding the 9-year-olds condition to suggest that any criminal conduct occurred, therefore the parents had not been charged with abusing that child.

Neither Liam nor his 7-year-old brother were enrolled as students in Jersey Community Unit School District 100 this year, according to Superintendent Brad Tuttle. He would not say when they were dropped from the districts rolls.

He said several older relatives of the deceased child were students in the district, but he declined to release any additional information about them.

The Jersey County coroner identified Liam but declined through the prosecutors office to comment on the condition of his body or how long he had been dead when brought to the hospital. An official cause of death will be released when an autopsy report is finished.

Jerseyville Police Chief Brad Blackorby has declined to answer questions about the case and referred reporters to Goetten.
Texas A&M University police say a contractor working near the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library ended up finding the 10-year-old boy who wandered off from South Knoll Elementary an hour before school let out Tuesday.

The boy left the building after asking the teacher to use the bathroom around 1:40 p.m., according to Chuck Glenewinkel, College Station school district spokesman. When he didn't return in five to 10 minutes, the boy's teacher alerted administration, and the staff searched the school. Unable to find him, they called College Station police around 2 p.m.

"In this particular situation, the kid didn't give any indication that he was going to leave campus," said Lt. Craig Anderson, information officer for College Station Police Department.

Within 30 minutes of the call, Anderson said College Station began surfing through its network of traffic cameras to find the boy.

"At certain intersections here in town, we have traffic cameras. What we use them for is for investigations such as this," he said.

They caught sight of him at a convenience store at Welsh Avenue and Southwest Parkway, three quarters of a mile away. From there, however, they lost him.

The boy traveled on an unclear path for three more miles before ending up near a small bridge behind the Bush Library.

"A contractor saw the child, brought the child to the library thinking that his parents were probably at the Bush library, and our security officers checked the library and couldn't locate the parents," said Lt. Bobby Richardson, public information officer for the University Police Department.

Traffic cameras are often used to help provide clarity on accidents or find someone on the run, Anderson said. But there's rarely a need to use them to find students who have wandered away from campus.

Anderson said he cannot recall a recent time police were called to help find a child who wandered away from school. As Officer Kelley McKethan, public information officer for Bryan Police Department, recalls it, the last time BPD was called to help find a child who left campus was in 2012, when a 9-year-old was missing from Crockett Elementary School for about an two and a half hours before he was found five blocks away.

On Oct. 19, Casey Barrera says her 8-year-old son also wandered off from South Knoll Elementary. She said she was coming back from an interview in Houston when she received a call around 2:30 p.m. from administrators at South Knoll Elementary saying they believed that her son may have tried to walk to their home, which is just across the street from the school.

Barrera pieced together that her mother, who was helping take care of her son, had called the school to allow administrators to let her grandson walk home. A bit shy, the boy -- who is usually picked up after school -- thought he was being told to walk home at that time, Barrera said.

"He never asked to use the bathroom or anything like that," she said. "He pretty much just walked out of the front office unsupervised."

Three weeks later, it's not clear how long it took for administrators to find the boy, but Glenewinkel said he was found shortly after.

Barrera said the Oct. 19 call was terrifying and remembers hyperventilating in the car.

"I hope it doesn't happen again," she said. "Because I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."

Natalie Burns, Parent Teacher Organization president for South Knoll Elementary, said she got the sense that most parents weren't panicked Tuesday. She said, generally, parents don't feel like a teacher or administrator forgot about a child. She recounted a similar incident happening at her elementary school when she was a child.

"[It] is unfortunate that this had to occur, but that as older children they are held with responsibility and respect during their time at recess and in the restroom," she wrote in an email to The Eagle. "It is not reflective of any teacher, or any staff member, that this event occurred."
The Texas 10th Court of Appeals temporarily set up court in Bryan on Wednesday and heard three cases that gave soon-to-be legal assistants and the public more exposure to the appeals process..

The Waco-based judges, who preside over cases from 18 counties in Central Texas, including Brazos County, heard the cases on the Blinn College-Bryan Campus Student Center as part of their annual visit.

The first case questioned whether a statute banning revenge porn -- the distribution of nude pictures of people without their consent, typically following a breakup -- is unconstitutional.

The remaining two dealt with a case of a couple trying to modify a custody arrangement for their great-nephews and a man convicted of evading arrest who argues that the state did not adequately prove that he fled from police.

"Today, they were discussing a First Amendment case," said Emily Exley, one of the Blinn students who helped host the judges. "The outcome of that case is ultimately going to change how the First Amendment is interpreted for the rest of our lives."

Wednesday's makeshift courtroom is the kind of opportunity that motivated Exley to join the Blinn program.

Exley works as a calibration technician. With the oil market's most recent stumble and the masses of people she saw lose their job, Exley says she knew she needed to move into a more reliable career.

"A lot of people got laid off and had no backup plan," she said. "I want to have a backup plan where no matter where I move, I'll be able to find employment. And this has always just been interesting to me the way [law] works."

Events such as seeing the 10th Court of Appeals up close, are a chance to get to know the process and the judges and lawyers that cycle through the classroom, she said.

"When it comes to employment, it's more about who you know, not what you know," she said. "But when it comes to this sort of a situation, it's about what you know."

According to program coordinator Robert Stanberry, the event provides a valuable learning experience.

"Seeing the court in action gives our students a first-hand look at how our legal system and the appellate court system works," he said in a press release. "As a result of these visits, hundreds of Blinn students have had the opportunity to not only see a real court in action, but [to] have watched proceedings that establish precedent for future legal cases."

The justices now will return to Waco, where they will research the legal issues and precedents before issuing a written opinion.
SPRINGFIELD  Government agencies in Illinois will be required to report monthly on all bills they've incurred, after senators overwhelmingly reversed Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto Wednesday of a measure the state's check-writing official advocated as a critical step toward digging out of massive debt.

Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza pushed the plan, arguing it would help her prioritize debt payments as the state faces a $16.7 billion mass of overdue bills. In vetoing it, the Republican governor argued his political rival was trying to "micromanage" his budgeting authority, and he later expressed concern the proposal could ultimately lead to even more spending.

Nearly all lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly sided with Mendoza on the question. The Senate, without discussion, overrode Rauner's veto of the "debt transparency act" by a 52-3 vote, two weeks after the House voted 112-0 to reject the veto. The measure takes effect Jan. 1.

There is no reason that state agencies cannot do a better job of communicating with the comptroller each month about invoices theyve received that will need to be paid, said Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat and the chief Senate sponsor of the act.

Mendoza also announced Wednesday that she has begun using billions of dollars the state borrowed to pay off big chunks of that debt, built during a two-year budget stalemate between Rauner and Assembly Democrats.

"I'm laser-focused on maximizing this opportunity for taxpayers," Mendoza said in a statement.

The reporting law updates the current requirement, which calls for state agencies to report annually in October on bills they had on hand as of June 30. Mendoza said that information is critically out of date and monthly data would help her know which bills are coming, which should be paid first and which of 900 state accounts should fund them.

The monstrous backlog is one distasteful legacy of the budget standoff, the nation's longest of any state since at least the Great Depression. It ended in July when Democrats adopted an income-tax increase and annual budget over Rauner's vetoes.

The financial pressure on Illinois government has not lifted, as evidenced by the growing bill backlog, Manar said. Businesses all over Illinois are patiently waiting to be paid for services and goods theyve provided. The least we can do is engage in basic, responsible accounting practices and communicate across offices as we try to work through this.

Mendoza said she would start making major payments on the backlog with $6 billion raised by a sale of state bonds that Rauner authorized. Despite Illinois' worst-in-the-nation credit rating, it borrowed the money at a favorable 3.5 percent. That's decidedly lower than the 12 percent annually owed on about one-third of the backlog subject to late-payment interest penalties. The state already owes about $900 million in penalties alone.

Much of those IOUs are health care-related and eligible for federal dollar-for-dollar match.

"These payments will effectively stop the bleeding of late-payment interest penalties on this portion of the backlog," Mendoza said.

She said about $2.5 billion will be spent immediately on outstanding medical bills. Nearly $4 billion will cover unpaid state health insurance claims owed to medical providers in the next few days. During the coming weeks, $2 billion in federal matching funds will go toward additional state medical bills.
Is there room for diplomacy with the North Koreans?

The North Koreans were starving in 2000 and the Clinton administration offered to help them with the design of a light water reactor for their energy needs in exchange for their promise not to pursue their plutonium reactors which could be used for nuclear weapons.

When George W. Bush was elected president, the offer for the light water reactor was withdrawn. In retaliation, North Korea pulled out of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, which states, "Each of the Parties ... undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament ... ."

Now that the North Koreans are not impeded, they are approaching the time when their missiles are capable of sending nuclear missiles onto U.S. soil. Meanwhile, our own president evidently ignored the Non Proliferation Treaty and, in fact, is penning a new Nuclear Posture Review that may call for the testing and manufacturing of smaller nuclear weapons. If so, this would open the door to all other nations to want (and get) their own nuclear weapons.

Joe Cirincione, president of Ploughshares Fund, says, "This is an insane proposal (testing smaller nukes). Once you cross the nuclear threshold, you are inviting a nuclear response."

North Korea is threatened by the United States putting more and more U.S. troops in South Korea. North Koreans are not suicidal. North Korea does not want a nuclear war.

The United States does not want nuclear war. Is there room for some diplomacy here?

SALLY BREEN

Bryan

Athletes should realize where their many freedoms come from

Veteran's Day will soon be here and in my age group it is remembered with reverence and solemnity. Unfortunately, many young people look at the wars that America has fought as wars of aggression on America's part.

In their estimation, there is no such thing as a "just war." Because there is no longer a draft, many in this generation consider military service as something they don't have to bother with because it doesn't affect them.

Recently I interviewed many men in their 90s who had served in World War II. Many who were students at A&M postponed their education so they could "do their part." Serving in the military was just another part of growing up to be a responsible citizen.

Some of the A&M students who were in the Army joked that basic training was nothing compared to what they had experienced as freshmen in the Corps. Army sergeants were gentle souls compared to the upperclassmen who had trained and harassed them when they were "fish".

It was not unusual for some of the men who served in World War II to be recalled just a few years later to fight in the Korean War. They interrupted their education and careers to do what their country asked of them.

Yes, America has been in wars that were not "good wars" but fears about communism were not unfounded.

Athletes who "take a knee" should be allowed to do so in a democratic society such as ours. Dissent is part of a country that fights for the right to disagree but they need to remember that the freedom that they have to dissent was fought for by many who had gone before.

America is not a perfect country but we try to do what is right and just and if we are so bad why do so many people want to come here?

JOAN HOLTZAPPLE

Bryan
So-called natural gas' is primarily composed of methane, which has 86 times more Global Warming Potential (GWP) than CO2 in a 20 year time period.

Methane leaks directly into the atmosphere intentionally and accidentally all along the gas lifecycle.

Additional emissions

Whilst the invisibility of gas leaks creates ambiguity in quantifying total gas emissions, recent peer-reviewed studies estimate U.S. gas industry emissions 50 to 60 percent higher than official numbers published by the U.S. administration.

Even with this uncertainty in mind, Anderson and Broderick find that overall methane emissions are at dangerously high levels, in line with the most pessimistic end of scenarios as postulated by the International Panel on Climate Change.

They find that all the man-made methane emissions, including these gas leaks, are likely to add 0.6C global warming. To me, this does not sound clean' or green'. But that's not all.

The revival of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector has brought with it a huge carbon footprint. LNG is fossil gas that has been cooled to -160C into a liquid to shrink its volume by 600 times. It is then stored and transported across the globe via ships, and turned back into gas at regasification terminals.

Anderson and Broderick find that the additional emissions of LNG and long distance pipelines are approximately double those of short distance conventional production'.

Shifting impetus

The additional emissions from LNG mean that its lifecycle emissions can be as high as 134 percent of the end use combustion of CO2.'

Clearly, focus from lobbyists on end combustion has distracted from the much wider and larger life-cycle emissions of gas, including methane leaks and LNG.

These figures are unsurprisingly seldom referenced by industrialists, who have capitalized on the fallacy of gas being clean and expanded production accordingly.

For example, Total's natural gas production accounted for just a third of its output ten years ago. In 2016, it accounted for over 48 percent, which it justifies as a strategic decision in response to concerns about climate change'.

More importantly than this, these dangerous narratives on gas are leaking into the policy sphere, with shifting impetus on gas infrastructure creating an energy lock-in (pipelines are typically designed to have a useful life of about 50 years!).

Gas is becoming a central component of EU's energy policy, with new gas projects, like the Southern Gas Corridor from Azerbaijan to Italy, and extraction of new sources, like shale gas, being presented as important contributions to the energy transition.

Clean energy future

But gas is not a companion to a renewable energy future, it is competition. We must move forward carrying the message of Anderson and Broderick; In delivering a mitigation programme for 2C, there is categorically no role for bringing additional fossil fuel reserves, including gas, into production.'

Instead, they specify a reduction of energy-only carbon emissions of 95 percent by 2035, meaning that more than 2/3 of reserves need to remain in the ground.

The EU must reflect seriously on the findings of this study. If our gas frenzy continues, we risk devastating temperature rises which will confront nations with the lowest gross-emissions with the fiercest impacts.

And who will bear the brunt of this disaster? My generation. I wish not to reside in a world where geopolitics and money gain more traction that equity and sustainability.

If our planet has any hope of establishing parameters of justice, then Europe needs to relinquish its addiction to gas. Gas is not a bridge to a clean energy future. It is a dead-end.

This Author

Katie Hodgetts is a member of the Economic Justice Team at Friends of the Earth Europe. Katie Tweets at @katiehodgettssx. FOE Europe can be followed on Twitter, at @foeeurope.
NB: Could you summarise what you'd prescribe as a course of action?

JH: Yeah, the course of action should be to collect a fee from the fossil fuel companies at the domestic mines and the ports of entry and give the money to the public; an equal amount to all legal residents.

That way the person that does better than average in limiting their carbon footprint will make much more money. In fact, if you look at the distribution of energy use by the public, about 70% of the people could make money with the present distribution.

Wealthy people would lose money but they can afford that. They have a bigger carbon footprint because they travel more and they live in bigger houses, but this would be a big incentive for people to pay attention to what they are buying.

As the carbon fee rises, products that are made with fossil fuels will become more expensive. So people will tend to buy other products and this will move us off of fossil fuels. Economists all agree: this is the way to do it, let the market help you solve the problem. You can't do it by regulations, and by subsidising solar panels. It does very little good because we're getting less than 1% of solar energy from solar panels.

NB: When you look across the political spectrum today, do you feel that we could go in the direction you are prescribing?

JH: I think we will go in that direction because China will eventually go in that direction. They are already beginning to have internal carbon price and carbon tax and they have a few hundred million people living near sea-level.

They do not deny the science, they understand it and they want to go to clean energy because their pollution is so bad. So they are going to move in that direction and as their economy continues to grow, relative to the rest of the world, they may be in a position where they could virtually impose this.

You see, either the United States, or China, or the European Union has to decide that we are going to have a carbon fee or a carbon tax'. None of them have done that yet. But if just one of them would do it they could practically impose it by means of border duties on products from countries that do not have an equivalent carbon fee. That then is a big incentive for other countries to have their own carbon fee so they can collect the money themselves.

The World Trade Association agrees that such a border duty would be justified and that is what we need but we haven't got any one of these three economic powers to agree to do it yet.

NB: Why is this view not being considered as part of the roadmap to 1.5 or 2 degrees?

JH: The reason that we are not doing what every economist says we should do and have a carbon tax, is that the fossil fuel industry is too damn powerful in capitals all around the world. In Washington DC and in other capitals.

I thought that the U.S. was worse than the rest of the world and in some ways at the moment it is but I went to about a dozen countries and I found that the fossil fuel industry is very powerful in very capital.

NB: So are you hopeful we will turn this situation around?

JH: I think we'll turn it around but we better do it pretty soon because the fundamental difficulty is the delayed response of the climate system. We have only witnessed about half of the change for the gasses that are already in the atmosphere just because the ocean has so much inertia. It doesn't warm up quickly. There is more energy coming into the planet than there is going out.

Therefore the oceans are going to continue to rise even if we stabilised atmospheric CO2 today. Then the ice-sheets also have great inertia. So they are beginning to melt but sea-level is only going up at a rate that if it continues a hundreds years is only [~40cm's] but that rate has doubled a few times in the last hundred years and if it doubles a few more times then you are talking about metres.

Then we would lose all coastal cities if we stay on that path. So we really need to begin to stabilise atmospheric composition and that means reduce fossil fuel use rapidly over the next few decades. We should be off fossil fuels by the middle of the century if we want to stabilise climate.

NB: But even if we stabilise, what you are saying is that we are still going to see the impacts?

JH: Well, if we would reduce emissions a few percent each year, which economists say you could easily do if you had a rising price on carbon, then the maximum temperature rise would be 1.5 degrees [Celsius]. It is already a little more than 1 degree and it might still go up for a few decades but it would peak at about 1.5 and then begin to go down.

We would also, in addition to reducing emissions a few percent a year, need to store more carbon in the soil and biosphere. But that is possible and has other advantages with improved agricultural and forestry practises the soil can contain more carbon and become more fertile in the process. And we can do that.

NB: This is a hope story in a way?

JH: It's plausible. Economic studies show that if you had a reasonable rising carbon fee then emissions would go down by a few percent a year, so it's feasible but not without a carbon price.

This Author

Nick Breeze is a climate interviewer posting regularly at: http://envisonation.co.uk and http://climateseries.com
Councils across Britain invest 16.1 billion of their workers pensions into companies that extract coal, oil and gas, fueling dangerous climate change, according to research published today.

The new data reveals that UK local government pensions are financially invested in the industry most responsible for climate change. It has been released to conincide with the COP23 United Nations meeting in Bonn held to discuss progress on Paris Agreement climate goals.

The data and online map released by 350.org, Platform, Energy Democracy Project, and Friends of the Earth ranks councils by their fossil fuel investments, and allows residents to see every company or fund their local council has invested into.

Divest their pensions

Investments in fossil fuels have gone up in real terms (from 14bn) and did not change significantly in proportion to the size of the pension funds, when compared to 2015 data.

These figures show that councils have not made any significant changes to their investments in response to calls from the climate movement, governments, and shareholders to take climate risk into account, in the two years since the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Jane Thewlis, West Yorkshire Pension Fund member and divestment campaigner, said: Our pensions are investing in the companies responsible for the climate crisis. This flies in the face of the Paris Agreement, and of all the efforts being made locally to reduce emissions and combat climate change. Its time to divest.

George Guivalu Nacewa, Fiji Climate Warrior attending the COP23 talks in Bonn, said: In the Pacific, the impacts of climate change are not a debate, it is our reality. We need to keep fossil fuels in the ground. We no longer have time to talk. Now is the time to act.

Several councils have already committed to divest their pensions from fossil fuels, among them Waltham Forest.

Solar farm

Councillor Simon Miller, the cabinet member for economic growth and previously of the pension fund, said: I am proud that Waltham Forest has committed to divest from fossil fuels.
OTTAWA  An Illinois appeals court has ruled that a judge falling asleep during a murder trial doesn't warrant a retrial of the defendant in the case.

The Illinois Appellate Court panel in Ottawa said Whiteside County Judge Jeffrey O'Connor's alleged nap was harmless as long as he wasn't sleeping during crucial evidence or motions during Nicholas Sheley's 2014 trial. Sheley was on trial for the murder of four people in Rock Falls, about 175 miles north of Decatur, in what was a murder spree that left six dead in Illinois and two in Missouri.

O'Connor allegedly fell asleep while the lights were dim and security camera footage was being played for the jury. O'Connor denied the allegations.

"If I was not looking at the video, that does not mean that I was not listening and hearing everything that was being said," said O'Connor.

Sheley, who is serving eight consecutive life sentences, sought a new trial because he alleged O'Connor repeatedly napped.

"Of course it should be automatic reversal if the judge falls asleep," said Sheley's attorney, Steve Greenberg. "It sends an awful message to the jurors that whatever is going on is just not important."

Appellate Judge Mary O'Brien also disagreed with the majority, citing a Cook County murder conviction that was dismissed after the judge left the bench during a trial to take a phone call from another judge.

"A judge cannot be actively present on the bench when he is asleep," O'Brien said.

The appeals court ruled the evidence against Sheley was overwhelming and that O'Connor napping had no effect on the trial.
Slow recovery

Four years after, the quest for justice for the thousands of lives lost and unspeakable damage remains. The slow rehabilitation and reconstruction of Tacloban City, in particular, has been the subject of much government criticism.

Former President Benigno Aquino III promised to build as many as 250,000 houses and relocate those living in coastal areas, the most vulnerable to storm surges. But a report by the Housing and Urban Development Council in 2016 said only 25,000 of the promised units were completed. Of these, only 2,500 had been occupied.

In the aftermath of the disaster, as much as P41.8 billion (US $818 billion) in foreign aid poured into the country, according to the United Nations Office for Coordination. However, slow disbursement of funds hampered recovery for many affected residents.

A Commission of Audit report released in November 2015 said more than P364 million (US $7.1 million) in foreign donations - meant to be distributed to Haiyan-affected communities to help them rebuild their lives - was sitting in the bank account of the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which is the agency in charge of the funds.

Impassioned plea

As the horrors of Typhoon Haiyan was slowly unfolding, Yeb Sano, then the Philippines' lead negotiator at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change high-level talks in Warsaw, Poland, which took place as Haiyan struck, delivered an emotional appeal for the world to respond to the massive devastation in the Philippines.

"What my country is going through as a result of this extreme climate event is madness. The climate crisis is madness," he said. Sano himself had relatives who were victims of Haiyan.

As a result of the horrific images from Haiyan, the COP 19 in Warsaw developed the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change. The mechanism is meant to promote approaches to minimize loss and damage - irreparable impacts of climate change such as loss of lives in extreme weather events and sinking of islands due to rising sea levels.

However, it remains to be a controversial topic in climate negotiations as developed countries are averse to questions of accountability and liability.

The Paris Agreement

In 2015, the UNFCCC forged the Paris Agreement, a landmark climate treaty that was signed by 195 countries. The climate accord pushes to keep global temperatures well below two degrees Celsius as well as mitigation of greenhouse gases, adaptation practices and climate financing.

In addition to these, it also includes a provision for loss and damage.' The provision includes enhancing action and support, especially financing, to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

However, specific rules on its implementation have stalled, as developed countries are wary of touching on the issue of liability. Acknowledging liability would mean that those who have historically contributed more to the causes of climate change must pay for the cost of loss and damage.

An insurance system'

Manila Observatory chair and veteran climate negotiator Antonio La Vina says that the loss and damage mechanism is akin to an insurance system where countries make contributions to a global fund. It will be used in the event of an extreme weather event or slow onset events to compensate countries for damages.

"It advanced in Warsaw because of Haiyan but we don't want another Haiyan to happen for this to advance further," La Vina says.

Emmanuel de Guzman, secretary of the Climate Change Commission and head of the Philippine delegation to COP 23, says that the delegation will be pushing for more support for adaptation measures and the immediate action of development and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

He adds that loss and damage is still an issue but did not elaborate on the specific plans of the delegation to push for it.

According to De Guzman, President Rodrigo Duterte's message is of climate justice. "We are an insignificant emitter. We should be on the receiving end of finance and support."

When asked if this is the directive of the President, despite his prior reluctance to ratify the Paris Agreement, De Guzman said Duterte had always wanted to sign the agreement but had a few questions on the matter such as its legal implications.

Battleground for justice

As the world braces for the new normal' of increasing occurrences of extreme weather events, Sano, now the executive director of Greenpeace Philippines, is calling on the negotiations to steer the world from its reliance on fossil fuels.

"Fossil fuels must stay in the ground. Government delegations meeting in Bonn must stand up and propel climate action forward or be held accountable for their inaction," he said in a press statement.

With the implementation of the Paris Agreement set to start in 2023, Bonn, Germany will be the staging ground of the rulebook for the treaty, which must be finished by 2018. It remains to be seen if loss and damage will be given a significant push in the negotiations.

Changing climate

For many Yolanda victims, the inclusion of loss and damage in the agenda of the Paris Agreement presents an opportunity to deliver climate justice to the most vulnerable people to climate change. Sustento says that she remains traumatized by Yolanda.

Many survivors, she says, feel that those who died in the storm were luckier because they no longer have to think about the future. Sometimes she wonders if life is still worth living after losing seven family members, including both her parents.

In the years following her trauma, Sustento turned to activism. She is part of a movement that calls on rich countries to be accountable to their contributions in accelerating the effects of climate change and provide financing for concrete adaptation and mitigation measures.

"Our lives are not less than yours."

This Author

Alanah Torralba is an independent journalist and photographer from Manila, Philippines. She is currently in Bonn, Germany to attend the COP23 as a fellow of Climate Tracker. This article is adapted from an earlier publication.
You have a character that goes through the scrutiny of being sexualised , and then an audience that does the same thing.
Franklin Countys social services agency has the go-ahead to look into a lease that would consolidate three office spaces into one central location at Schewels Franklin Plaza.

Recently, after the Department of Social Services complained about working conditions at 5 East Court St., employees in that office moved to a location at 1549 Franklin St.

Now county leaders are looking at putting all of the local DSS workers -- from the Franklin Street site, an office in Boones Mill and another at 120 East Court St.  under one roof at the plaza.

The move follows several weeks of concern about workers allegedly being exposed to poor working conditions.

In March, some social services workers moved to East Court Street after their building was sold, and since that time employees reported feeling ill after only a few hours of work, Director II Deborah Powell of the county's DSS said.

Powell said numerous tests were conducted in the building to pinpoint what was causing the ill feelings the employees said they were having, but nothing was conclusive. The landlord was very concerned about the issue and worked with the agency, Powell added.

"The move was in our best interest," Assistant Director II Toni Turner said following the recent move from Court to Franklin streets.

"We feel better," Powell said. "It's nice to be able to stay here and work a full shift at your desk."

During the last county board of supervisors meeting, Social Services was given the permission to look into a lease agreement at the Schewels Franklin Plaza.

The proposed location would give all 78 employees the chance to work under one 19,800 square-foot roof for the first time.

Moving would also provide the agency with the necessary parking and updated renovations it has requested.

The cost of the lease would be $15 per square foot which would include the price for the custom renovations. The county's contribution would increase from $21,250 to $89,100. The county would be reimbursed by the state at nearly 70 percent over the course of the 1- year lease.

The lease agreement would also include no increase in the price for the duration and the option to expand into an additional 11,000 square feet.

Social Services has grown at a 3 percent increase each year over the last six years, according to Powell, but the agency does not project continuing at that rate of growth.

If the board of supervisors approves DSS request for funding, the agency could be in the new location as early as June 2018.

"I can't speak for the whole board, but I think this could be a good move based on the information that we have," Vice Chairman of the board Charles Wagner said. "I think it would be nice to have them all under one roof. There are a few concerns about how much the rent is going to be."

Even with the significant increase in the county's contribution, leasing is still a more cost-effective option than building a new location from scratch.

"You're probably looking at $4 or $5 million to build a new location with the parking and everything else we need," Powell said. "The reimbursement rate is better when leasing a building."

Schewels would invest $1.5 million in the new location to include new plumbing, lights and appliances and be more energy-efficient.

In the three current locations, security is a main concern.

"With the move we'd have a complete security system and restricted areas, so it would be much safer, Turner said. "We also wouldn't have the duplicates that we have now, which would be more cost savings."

Powell said that previously she felt that the board members were more informed about social services needs than they actually were. Powell said the supervisors understand the need to be under one roof, but they have to also think about every possible expense for the project.

The upfront costs for the move would be close to $150,000, to include the purchase of cubicles and possible wiring. That cost is also reimbursable.

"We've got to get with them to see that they have everything that we've asked for," Wagner said. "After that we can take the next steps."

Powell said that the agency is still gathering information and working to finalize the lease in order to keep the plan moving forward.

"I hope this isn't a long-term situation," she said. "I hope we are one step closer to the bigger picture."
Board of Trustees Chair Phyllis Q. Karavatakis 76 announced today that Dr. David Johns has been appointed the twelfth president of Ferrum College. Johns currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Union College, a private, United Methodist affiliated, liberal arts institution in Barbourville, Kentucky. He will assume his new role as president of Ferrum College on January 1, 2018.

Johns was the top candidate in a field of semi-finalists with experience and expertise in the roles of either president, provost, or vice president at comparable higher education institutions. The search committee consisted of Ms. Karavatakis, as the chair, along with Ferrum College trustees, alumni, faculty, student, and staff representatives who had not served on prior selection committees. In September, members began the review of applications from a deep field of qualified higher education administrators. Using professional search protocol, members then narrowed the field and conducted off-campus interviews with several semi-finalists. The committee brought their unanimous recommendation to the full Board of Trustees for their consideration and final selection.

According to Ms. Karavatakis, Of all the candidates, Dr. Johns was deemed the best fit for president of Ferrum College. During his tenure at a Methodist-related institution, Dr. Johns taught and advised a student population comparable to that found at Ferrum College in a region similar to southwest Virginia. His sense of mission, his background as a vice president for academic affairs, and his experience as a faculty member, a Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS) reviewer, a college chaplain, and a college librarian allow him to understand the complexity of higher education in the 21st century.

Johns grew up near Canton, Ohio and was the first in his family to attend college. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Malone University in 1985, his Master of Arts from Earlham School of Religion in 1989, a Master of Library Science from Kent State University in 1993, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Theology from Duquesne University in 1999.

Upon his selection as the next Ferrum College president, Johns said, I am honored to join the Ferrum community at a time of great opportunity and promise. The Colleges history of service to the region is inspiring. I believe college should be a place where we are challenged to grow, to think, and to figure out how we can contribute to healing the world. This is in Ferrums DNA and Susan and I are eager to work with the entire Ferrum community to ensure this continues for generations to come.

Johns is also a peer accreditation reviewer with the SACS Commission on Colleges, the Chair of the Faculty Research Fellowship Committee with the Appalachian College Association, and is active with the Chief Academic Officers group of the Association for Independent Kentucky Colleges & Universities.
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NORWALK  General Growth Properties, developer of the SoNo Collection, is in preliminary talks with a Toronto-based asset management firm to be taken private, according to a report in Bloomberg.

Citing a person familiar with the discussions, Bloomberg reports Brookfield Asset Management Inc. has held preliminary talks with GGP about acquiring a remaining stake in the mall owner and taking the company private.

The companies have discussed a premium of about 10 percent to 15 percent above GGPs share price as of the start of this week, although theres no guarantee a deal will happen, Bloomberg reports, citing an unnamed source who asked not to be identified as the details are private.

A representative for GGP could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

It was not immediately clear what impact, if any, a Brookfield takeover would mean for the future of the SoNo Collection.

Since August, cranes and mountains of dirt have risen into the sky alongside Interstate 95 in South Norwalk, as crews set rebars and pour concrete for the foundation walls of the SoNo Collection. GGP is aiming for an opening in the fall of 2019 in time for that years holiday shopping season.

Both Bloomingdales and Nordstrom have committed to opening new department stores at the SoNo Collection, with GGP having leases in place for 65 percent of the available retail space at SoNo Collection, up 5 percentage points from what GGP reported three months previously.

Brookfield holds approximately 75 million shares of common stock in GGP, representing about 34 percent of outstanding stock in the company.
WATERLOO, Ill.  The sky was just beginning to darken in Waterloo when he saw her  standing near the road, her startling white coat separating her from the brown deer around her: the white doe.

Rob Rachels slowed his car to a stop and carefully rolled down his window to take a picture, trying not to spook the albino deer or the two brown fawns next to her.

I was in awe when I first saw her. I couldnt believe my eyes, he said. I thought it was an angel walking out of the woods.

There have been multiple sightings of the white doe in Waterloo, usually seen with a herd and recently with her two fawns.

Rachels said after he posted about the doe on Facebook, members of various Native American tribes reached out to tell him what they believe seeing a white deer means.

According to Indian legend, thats the great spirit, Rachels said. What she represents is to expect beyond expectations, and great things are to come.

And for Rachels, those great things came the same day.

Doctors recently told Rachels he has large lesions on his brain and diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis. When he went to a doctors appointment, however, they gave him the good news  he actually does not have MS.

It was the same day he saw the white doe.

Seems like something is going the right way, he said.

Rachels said doctors still arent sure whats wrong with his brain, but he isnt worried anymore.

Ever since I saw the white deer, Im not in the negative about things, Rachels said.

An albino deer is defined as having a fully white coat with pink eyes, a pink nose and pinkish hooves  a single brown spot will negate the albino label.

Carl Handel, a district wildlife biologist for Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said fewer than 1 percent of deer are albino.

Basically every animal has the gene for being albino or melanistic (dark-colored), and its just shuffle of the genes, that one gene for being albino pops up once in a while, Handel said.

Rachels isnt the only one whos been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this rare deer.

Craig Wilson, who lives in Red Bud, said he saw the albino doe for the first time in 2011 when he was driving in the area.

I did a double-take and turned around and went back real slow, took it all in. Kind of gave me the chills.

Illinois is among four states where it is illegal to harvest an albino deer.

Wilson, a longtime hunter, said hes glad this is the case.

As precious as it is, you want to make sure it lives as long as it can, he said.

Stephanie Blackburn, 23, saw the white deer for the first time about four years ago when she was visiting her parents in Waterloo.

I didnt really believe it at first. I had never seen one or heard that can happen, she said. I was like, is it really possible? How did that happen?

Although she lives in Columbia now, whenever Blackburn visits her parents, she hopes shell catch another glimpse of the doe.

Deer in general are very beautiful, and just to see a pure white one is just, its like she was a goddess or something, Blackburn said.

Shortly after she saw the white doe, Blackburn said, she got engaged and found out she was pregnant with her daughter.

Lots of good things happened that year, she said. I really do think shes a blessing to have around."
On the new streaming show Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch, founders step into the Entrepreneur Elevator and have just 60 seconds to present their idea, product or business to a panel of investors. Whether an entrepreneur gets invited into the boardroom or sent back to the ground floor depends on what our experts think in that first minute. Here, we break down the lessons aspiring business owners can take away from each episode's pitches.

Entrepreneurs seeking funding can often spend so much time chasing money, they lose sight of what they really want for their business. The eighth episode of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch demonstrated that, showcasing the importance of the consulting role investors play in a startup.

Related: Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Ep. 8: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

The episodic streaming series introduces us to multiple business owners, each of whom has only 60 seconds to sell investors through an "elevator pitch," conducted on an actual elevator. If the team likes what they hear, they invite the budding entrepreneurs in for an opportunity to win funding.

Here are three important lessons that came out of the most recent episode of Elevator Pitch.

Be upfront if money isn't everything.

In this episode, we first meet Ray Doustdar, CEO and founder of Buiced, a company that offers multivitamins in liquid form. Each bottle includes 30 one-ounce daily servings of the same vitamins a customer would normally get through taking a pill. Buiced is geared toward the many consumers who have an aversion to taking a pill. The team was impressed with Doustdar's pitch, with one investor even calling it one of the best he'd seen.

Related: 'Shark Tank's' Lori Greiner on the Do's and Don'ts of Pitching

Doustdar made it to the boardroom, where he asked for a $100,000 seed round with 5 percent equity. However, one of the investors was concerned that when asked, Doustdar didn't seem as though he had carefully thought through the investment he was seeking. At this question, Doustdar admitted that money was not his top concern. Instead, he wanted a partner who could help him take Buiced to the next level by driving exposure through social media and retail distribution.

If you're seeking funding, a good takeaway here is to be upfront if connections and exposure are highly important to you, not just the money. This will avoid confusion. As for Doustdar, the board agreed to partner up and give him the push he needed, as well as a financial investment.

Feeling is believing.

If you're going to invest in a company, it has to feel right. That didn't happen for the companies that came next. Karen Roma and Chris Vanderhagen pitched their mattress business. They had a display so complicated, it took a while to load it all into the elevator. Roma and Vanderhagen co-founded Design Your Own Bed, which is accepting preorders for its "ME Modular Mattress." What differentiates this mattress from others is its removable sections, which can help sleepers customize a bed to their own comfort. However, the founders failed to bring the mattress topper that might have made the mattress feel more comfortable when one of the investors tried it out. This lead the panel to turn them down.

Related: 8 Ways to Win Over Investors for Your Startup

nother entrepreneur who might have won investors over if they could have fully experienced her product was Barbara Giannetti, founder of daGiulia Pasta Sauce. Giannetti aims to sell authentic Italian sauces, made from family recipes. Although her pitch was heartfelt, the pasta sauce market is highly competitive. Not only would the investors need to pay the requested $50,000 for 20 percent to help fund distribution, but they would also have to invest millions to compete in the market. That didn't feel like a safe investment. They declined to invite Giannetti into the boardroom, saying that even if this was the best-tasting sauce ever, the market was simply too difficult.

Timing is crucial.

Sometimes a product and entrepreneur win investors over, but the product itself isn't ready. That was the case with Mike Bradford and his appliance Wonderffle, which makes stuffed waffles. Bradford wants to make food more portable by allowing consumers to pack items like fried chicken, bacon and eggs, cheese or even vegetables into a waffle. The investors immediately connected with Bradford, his charisma and his idea, inviting him in to hear more.

Related: Watch This Entrepreneur Prove That the Right Details Can Make or Break a Pitch

As they asked questions, though, it became clear that Bradford was still very early in the development process. Although he has a patent pending on his device, he had not spoken with any retailers, nor had he developed additional units beyond the initial prototype. The board told him that investing would be premature, saying they likely were doing him a favor by sending him back to get further in the process before seeking investment dollars. Once he has some revenue flowing in, they believe that he'll have better luck, since he's a likeable guy and he'll be able to give investors a full picture of what they're getting into before they commit.

Before pitching investors, entrepreneurs should be fully aware of their goals, and whether the time is right for them to be seeking funding. Make sure you tell investors that you want expertise, not just money, so they understand your mindset. Also, do the research beforehand so you know the time is right for investors to be considering your company. This will save everyone involved valuable time.

Related:

Watch: Why Timing Is Everything for an Investor but Money May Not Be

Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Ep. 8: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

Watch: Why You Must Be Prepared to Confront Your Product's Flaws Before Pitching



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Had the Nationalists carried the day in 1776 and turned the Continental Congress into a national government, implied powers would have been the normal constitutional practice from the moment of independence.

The American Revolution, State Sovereignty, and the American Constitutional Settlement, 1765-1800 by N. Coleman (294 pages, Lexington Books, 2016)

The Articles of Confederation that Congress submitted to the states did not contain the language found in Article III of its draft. The Burke Amendment had effectively destroyed it. Although Congress sent the Articles to the states for their approval in late 1778, ratification did not occur until 1781. During this intervening period, Americans accepted the Articles in a de facto manner. In terms of the relationships between states and the Confederation, this meant that the impact of the Burke Amendment was immediate. Whereas Burke complained about the back-and-forth of delegates on questions of Congressional power, after the submission of the Articles to the states, Congressmen became more conscious of the limitations chaulked out to the Confederation. Some embraced the demarcation, asserting that any Congressional action beyond the limitation of the Articles would turn into a right to legislate for the whole whenever they see fit.[i] The Nationalists, who, by 1780, were a more organized and distinct group, viewed the strict limitations imposed by the Burke Amendment as a direct threat to the Revolutions success.

Beginning in 1780, Nationalists began a sustained campaign to increase the powers of the Confederation. The darkening prospects for victory, which, by 1780, were at their lowest during the entire war, coupled with the increasing financial crisis that brought the Confederation to near insolvency, drove the renewed Nationalist push. While it is undeniable that the exigencies of the war certainly shaped the Nationalists political programs and responsenor should one question their sincerity in believing their programs could remedy the situationthe Nationalist political agenda of 17811783 reflected the core tenets of their constitutional thinking that first emerged in 1776. In fact, the convergence of their political policies with their constitutional ideas were so intertwined, it becomes difficult to see each element without the other. Undoubtedly, the Nationalists would have had a policy response to the growing problems of the early 1780s, but their underlining constitutionalism explains the obvious nationalist bent of those suggestions. Their policies could only work, they believed, with a national government possessing more sovereign power.[ii]

The Nationalists policy program was not complicated, but it was sweeping. It focused on increasing the Congress authority in areas of economic and military control with derivatives being an increased power at the confederation level and the improved prestige and honor both domestically and internationally of the Confederation Congress. In 1781, Nationalists in Congress secured Robert Morris, a devout member of their group, as Secretary of Finance. Morris wanted Congress to service the wartime debt by devaluating older currency and issuing new currency, create a Bank of North America whose notes could act as currency, and for Congress to establish a source of revenue independent from state requisitions by instituting a five percent impost tax. Morris believed these measures would reverse the potential financial calamity by shoring up Congress credit. In the area of the military, Nationalists sought a national, and permanent, standing army. This force, Nationalists argued, would defend the frontier from Indian attacks while also serving as a check against British power along the Canadian border. Not only that, but with a permanent army came the need for greater infrastructure to move and house troops, store munitions, and other military needs. All of which, of course, would be supported by the Confederation.[iii] Of these lofty goals, the only success Morris had was creating the Bank of North America.

Morris and the Nationalists realized that to achieve their political and constitutional objectives they would have to combat the Burke Amendment and notions of state sovereignty. At the same time, however, they were more than aware that state sovereignty was a fundamental characteristic of American constitutionalism and a full-out assault upon state sovereignty would be not only imprudent but also counterproductive. If they wanted to fix the immediate political problems while advancing their constitutional aims, Nationalists had to work within the understanding of state sovereignty while trying to persuade and demonstrate the flaws of the Articles and its protection of state sovereignty.

The groundwork for Nationalist assault upon state sovereignty began in 17801781, when Alexander Hamilton, recently resigned as General Washingtons aide de camp, penned a long, and probably semi-private, letter to friend James Duane and published a series of six essays titled the Continentalist. Hamilton diagnosed the fundamental defect facing the Confederation as a want of power in Congressit is neither fit for war, nor peace. The primary culprit behind Congress impotency was the idea of an uncontrollable [sic] sovereignty in each state, over its internal police that overrode Congressional power. This sovereignty made the Confederation feeble. The States were so jealous of all power not in their hands that they had bullied Congress until it left only the shadow of power. So haughty were the states, Hamilton averred, they had assumed the power of judging in the last resort the measured recommended by Congress, despite having chearfully [sic] submitted when Congress had exercised many of the best acts of sovereignty. Instead of becoming the standard for the whole conduct of Administration, the Congress has succumbed to the ambition and local interest that was constantly undermining and usurping Congress. Without immediate remedies to ENLARGE THE POWERS OF CONGRESS, Hamilton warned, the Confederation would meet a SPEEDY and VIOLENT END.[iv]

Hamilton did more than register the Nationalists complaints against state sovereignty. He offered several broad suggestions that blended the policy programs with constitutional reform. The Hamiltons clearest advice came in the fourth Continentalist essay. There, Hamilton laid out six proposals to augment the power of the confederation. First, the Confederation needed power to regulate trade, both domestic and foreign. Second and third, the establishment of a small land tax throughout the United States and a capitation tax on young men, both designed to generate a revenue stream independent from state acquisition. Fourth, the disposal (i.e. selling) of all unlocated land. Fifth, a percentage of products of all mines, discovered, or to be discovered for perpetuity. Hamiltons final proposal gave to Congress the appointment of all military and naval officers.[v] In his private correspondence, Hamilton added a seventh recommendation, that Congress call a special convention that would meet to amend the Articles of Confederation to give Congress complete sovereignty in all that relates to war, peace, trade, finance, and to the management of foreign affairs.[vi] In essence, Hamiltons proposals sought to break the Confederation from its reliance upon the states. Anything short of complete sovereign authority in these areas would be worthless and perpetuate the problem.

With this call for unshared authority over these areas, Hamilton, nevertheless, acknowledged state sovereignty. Not only was it too much a part of American constitutionalism, but any attempt to deny states complete control over internal issues would have been impolitic and would undoubtedly result in a pushback by the states that could kill any attempt to give Congress the powers he was advocating. Hence, while Congress would have their complete sovereignty, the states would retain theirs in all areas of internal police which related to the rights of property and life among individuals and to raising money by internal taxes. There is some suggestion in Hamiltons writings, however, that he might have been playing a cat-and-mouse game with this acknowledgment of state sovereignty. In his letter to Duane and again in his 1784 Phocion essays, Hamilton noted that many times Congressional actions necessary for the general good, and which rise out of the powers given to Congress conflicted with the internal police of the state, or times when the states, by organizing its internal authority, conflicted with Congress. Although never stated explicitly, the underlining theme of his letters and essays suggested that the state must to concede to Congress in those instances. This argument was a complete reversal of the intent of the Burke Amendment. Thus, following Hamiltons logic, the natural question was how could the states be true sovereigns over their internal police if they had to yield to the instances without number where the Congressional actions interfered with state authority? Although Hamilton accepted and acknowledged state sovereignty, to be sure, but he suggested that it could be maneuvered against to make it as weak and ineffective as possible.

Hamilton and many of Nationalists in Congress employed the concept of implied powers to strengthen Congressional authority. Hamilton first mentioned this by noting how Congress, without the Articles and before the Burke Amendment, had wielded power with the states consent, thereby making Congress powerful. Undefined powers, he noted, are discretionary power and could only be employed for the object for which they were given. In other words, the means upon which implied powers were used were justified by the ends they were to be applied. Since Congress was fighting for no less than the independence and freedom of America, it stood that it could wield enormous powers.[vii] When coupled with Hamiltons other instance that states had to yield to Congressional authority when the two came into conflict, clearly, this use of discretionary power would weaken state sovereignty.

By 1781, however, the degree to which the Confederation could wield broad discretionary power to fulfill the teleological ends of the Congress was questionable. The political misfortunes of the war and the constitutional protection of state sovereignty guaranteed that any attempt to expand Congressional power at the expense of state sovereignty would be a difficult task, and that was especially true if that power came from implication. Even with this limitation, Nationalists pushed an implied powers argument to advance its financial policies. In particular, Nationalists used it in support of Robert Morris plan for creating the Bank of North America. When Congress incorporated the Bank on May 26, 1781, its justification rested almost exclusively on the teleological grounds. Congresswill promote and support the Bank by such ways and means, from time to time, as may appear necessary for the institution and consistent with the publick [sic] good.[viii] The only constitutional justification Congress offered was that the Bank was for the publick good, a justification that Hamilton had argued clothed Congress with a great deal of authority. But the difficulty in having implied powers provide for the expansion of federal power at the expense of state sovereignty, demonstrated itself in the same resolution. Congress also requested the states to enact legislation forbidding the creation of other Banks and to make counterfeiting a crime without benefit of clergy.[ix] Although they pushed the limits of Congressional power by claiming an implied power to create the Bank, they were not willing to claim the power of prohibiting states to create other banks or punishing counterfeiters. State sovereignty blunted the Nationalists bold ambition for constitutional revolution.

Not all members of Congress accepted the idea of implied powers, however. Some rejected the idea outright, or placed very strict limitations upon its use.[x] Although they sought a stronger Confederation, only amending the Articles of Confederation could accomplish the task. This is an important point. Amending the Articles respected the nature of the proscribed powers of the Articles, including the process of amending included in Article Thirteen, and the requirement for state consent. This maintained the idea that the states consented to any exercise of power over them. James Madison of Virginia represented the moderate wing in Congress. Two critical actions Madison performed as a new member of Congress in 1781, revealed how he sought limitations to the Hamiltonian use of implied powers.

The first occurred early in 1781 during the attempt to secure Morris plan for an impost tax. In February, John Witherspoon, a delegate from New Jersey and Madisons teacher at Princeton, moved to have Congress assume unitary authority to regulate foreign trade and institute an impost tax. Although most members of Congress backed the idea of an impost, the lack of the explicit power in the Articles meant Congress had to establish it via implication of Congress authority over external issues. Madison, however, convinced Congress to alter Witherspoons motion. He stripped the implied power from Congress and instead had that body earnestly recommend to the States that they enact legislation that would establish a five percent import tax to support the public credit and the prosecution of the war. Rather than rely upon state obedience to a congressional mandates rooted in what, at best, was a dubious constitutional interpretation, Madison had Congress amend its proposal. The change included a request from the states that as part of this impost tax Congress could collect & to appropriate the funds to pay the interest on all current and future debt and have power to appoint its own officials.[xi] Madisons amendment is quite telling. As historians Lance Banning and Adam Tate have both pointed out, Madisons action demonstrates his attachment to state sovereignty, even while seeking an incremental increase in Congressional power. At the same time, Madison also rejected the idea of an implied power that required a tortured reading of the Articles of Confederation.[xii] The amendment was also interesting for how it connected the expansion of congressional power to the consent of the states. By having the states approve of this measure via legislation meant they would give a formal blessing to this power. This notion fit well with the revolutionary argument as well as the intent and purpose of the Burke Amendment. Since Article II of the Articles protected state sovereignty and gave Congress only those powers expressly delegated to it, any expansion of Congressional power required the consent of the states. In terms of Madisons amendment, therefore, if the states blessed the idea of Congressional impost and collection, they could eventually retract it in the same way the colonies retracted their consent over Parliamentary trade measures. Recall that one of the American arguments against Parliamentary claims that it could regulate the empires trade was that the colonies had consented to that trade but could remove that consent and regulate it themselves because the colonies were separate sovereigns. Madisons motion, which Congress accepted, embraced this established idea.

Twelve states agreed to establish an impost tax. The lone objection came from Rhode Island. William Bradford, the Speaker of Rhode Islands assembly, informed Congress that the state rejected the tax because it violated state sovereignty in three distinct ways. First, it placed an unequal burden upon the commercial states. Since Rhode Island drew most of its economy from commercial trade, the impost would threaten the states economic viability. Second, the impost would violate the states constitution by introduce[ing] into this and the other states, officers unknown an unaccountable to them. Finally, the amendment would make the Congress independent of their constituents, the states, thereby making the impost repugnant to the liberty of the United States.[xiii]

Rhode Islands rejection stunned Congress. Given the near universal agreement for the necessity of the impost, its rejection by the smallest state angered Congressional members. To Nationalists like Hamilton, it represented everything that was wrong with the Articles and its stringent defense of state sovereignty. Congress responded by sending a delegation to the Rhode Island to persuade the state to change its mind. At the same time, a Congressional committee, consisting of Hamilton, Madison, and Thomas FitzSimons, drew up a written response to Bradfords letter. Written by Hamilton, the report can rightfully be called his first mature state paper. As was typical of Hamiltons style, the report offered a strong defense of the Confederations powers.

Hamilton met each of Rhode Islands objections. The impost could not burden the citizens of the state since it was a tax paid by only the consumers of imports. Thus, the impost corresponded to the comparative wealth of the respective classesthe rich and luxurious pay in proportion to their riches and luxuries, the poor and parsimonious in proportion to their poverty and parsimony. There was no way to obtain an absolute equality in the Confederation, Hamilton stated, because it violated the imperfect state of human affairs and would stagnate all the operations of government. Hamilton then argued that Rhode Islands contention that its constitution prohibited federal officers was little short of sophistry. Should their objection stand, it would defeat all the provisions of the Confederation and all the purposes of the union. The truth is that no Foederal [sic] constitution can exist without power. No constitution worthy of the name could establish the exact number of officers allowed in its state. The state legislatures must always have a discretionary power of appointing officers. At the same time, it placed an authorized limitation upon the ability of the Foederal government to appoint officers in cases where the general welfare may require it. From Rhode Islands reasoning, all officers in the post-office, a power explicitly given to Congress in the Articles, was illegal and unconstitutional. The states third objection, that it would make the Confederation independent from the states, Hamilton readily admitted but dismissed the objection as lacking any analogy between the principle and the fact. Interestingly, and not without irony, Hamilton argued that since the impost stated the date of its own termination as well as the percentage it was allowed to collect, it was not Congress intention to perpetuate that debt the impost was designed to sink.[xiv]

As he often did, Hamilton devoted significant thought to the underlying nature of American constitutionalism. Not surprisingly, he offered a strong defense of the Confederation and harsh assessment of state sovereignty. Because Congress had an absolute discretion in determining the amount of revenue it needed, nothing remains for the states separately but the mode of raising. In other words, when it came to funding the Confederation, the states were the administrative agencies of the Congress. Hamilton attacked the implications that the Burke Amendment allowed the states to judge the constitutionality of Congressional actions. Such a refusal, he noted, would be an exertion of power not of right. Interestingly, and despite not having to do so because of Congress request for the impost, Hamilton also defended the use of implied powers. The impost might not be within the letter of the Confederation but it was within the spirit. Since Congress could borrow money on behalf of the United States, by implication, then, Congress had the means necessary to accomplish the end. Thus, for the first time, Hamilton tied the idea of implied powers to the stated powers of the general government. Finally, Hamilton noted that there is a happy mean between too much confidence and excessive jealously [sic] in which the health and prosperity of a state consist. The actions of Rhode Island suggested such an extreme jealousy of its sovereignty that it actually disrupted the operation of sound government. Venting his frustration with the entire system, Hamilton lamented how the conduct of the war [was] entrusted to Congress and the public expectation turned upon them without any competent means at their command to satisfy the important trust. The result was a Congress that could not support itself, fight and win the war, achieve lasting peace, nor calm the dissatisfaction of the army with Congress that was growing more serious.[xv]

Hamiltons report was his first official stance on the nature of the Confederation and the importance of implied powers. Although he would develop those ideas even further over the next decade, the foundation of the New Yorkers thoughts were present in the report. Hamilton thought that in areas where the Confederation had clear authority, such as calling for revenue, the states were the subordinate agencies who fulfilled Congress wishes. Hamilton allowed for state sovereignty, but the report made it clear that he viewed it as more dangerous than useful to the overall objective of securing independence and establishing the United States international credit and reputation. It was Hamiltons defense of implied powers, however, that was in its infancy. Having developed the idea over the past two years, Hamilton tied the use of implied powers to the enumeration of authority contained in the Articles. Thus, if Congress did not have the power to borrow money, his argument suggested that the implied power of an impost tax did not exist. As we will see, he would develop his thinking on this point and would make implied powers a robust element of national sovereign power.[xvi]

The talks with Rhode Island went nowhere, and the impost amendment was defeated. Hamiltons report, however, received Congress approval with Rhode Islands delegation ironically voting in favor of it. What remains unknown is Madisons role in the committee report. Although he voted in favor of it, it was not clear if he accepted the implications of what Hamilton wrote. Like most members of Congress, he was shocked and disappointed by Rhode Islands objection. Despite worrying deeply what the rejection meant for the Confederations future, he nevertheless remained opposed to the use of the implied power.

Further evidence of Madisons rejection of implied powers came shortly after Congress approved the impost. Congress followed up its request for an impost tax by establishing a committee, of which Madison was also a member, to consider submitting to the states a formal amendment to the Articles to empower Congress to enforce its measures against recalcitrant states. Submitted before Rhode Island had rejected the impost, Madison and Congress seemed to have had Delaware and all of New England in mind when proposing the Amendment. Those states had purposely refused requests for aid to counteract the British invasion of the South in 177980. The proposed Amendment noted that through Article Thirteen of the Articles of Confederation the states were to abide by the determinations of Congress on all questions which by this Confederation are submitted to them. In practical application, this meant Congress possesses a general and implied power of enforcing all the Articles of the said Confederation against any of the States which shall refuse or neglector shall otherwise violate Congress recommendations or the established provisions of the Articles of Confederation.[xvii] As such, the wording of the proposed coercive amendment appears to be everything the Nationalist had been seeking, a Confederation Congress that was the supreme law of the land.

No doubt this proposal sought the general goals of the broad Nationalist faction, but a closer examination reveals several aspects of the Amendment better reflected the Madisonian approach, thereby making the proposal not quite the boon the Hamiltonian Nationalists might have expected.[xviii] First, and quite simply, though often overlooked, the amendment was a written proposal to change the Articles. As an amendment, it required the consent of all thirteen states (unlike Madisons alteration of Witherspoons proposal which asked volunteering states to enact their own laws for Congress benefit) once again reaffirming what was the clearly established understanding of the constitutional system. Therefore, if the states adopted the amendment and that was a gigantic ifit had to have the consent of all the states. Second, and also overlooked, the proposed amendment would create a written, proscribed power of Congress. Had the Nationalists carried the day in 1776 and turned the Continental Congress into a national government with no Burke Amendment, the need for this amendment would have been unnecessary; implied powers would have been the normal constitutional practice from the moment of independence. But the Burke Amendments protection of the revolutionary constitutional position of colonial/state sovereignty made the Nationalists push for sovereignty over the states the outlying and radical constitutional position.[xix] The Burke Amendments protection of state sovereignty made this proposed written acknowledgment of coercive and implied power necessary for the Nationalists. Finally, the use of the phrase all questions which by this Confederation are submitted to them suggests an inherent limiting principle. Congress would not be able to force state compliance with any recommendation it made. The request had to tie directly into a stated power in the Articles of Confederation. In other words, the proposed amendment was not a transformation of the Confederation into a national government but rather an attempt to ensure the powers Congress did possess by the consent of the states via the Articles, were not turned into what Madison called a vain phantom. Ultimately, and not too surprisingly, the proposed Amendment failed to gain approval within Congress and they never submitted to it the states.

This essay is the second part of Chapter 2, Establishing and Debating the Nature of State Sovereignty: Articles of Confederation and the Politics of Early 1780s, of The American Revolution, State Sovereignty, and the American Constitutional Settlement, 1765-1800 (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2016) and is republished with gracious permission from the author. You may read the first part here.



The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now.

[i] John Matthews to Thomas Bee, August 30, 1779 Ibid., 10: 534-535; Jack P. Greene, Peripheries and Center: Constitutional Development in the Extended Polities of the British Empire and the United States, 1607-1788 (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1986), 176.

[ii] For an opposite view, that problems of early 1780s were more important in shaping Nationalist ideology, see Gordon Wood, Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1970), 361.

[iii] A detailed examination of those policies is not relevant for our purposes here, but for excellent accounts of programs see Jack Rakove, Beginning of National Politics: An Interpretative History of the Continental Congress (New York: Knopf, 1978), 297-324; Banning, Sacred Fire of Liberty, 13-42; and Richard Kohn, Eagle and the Sword: The Federalists and the Creation of the Military Establishment in America, 17831802 (New York: The Free Press, 1975), 1-54.

[iv] Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, September 3, 1780 and The Continentalists Nos. 1-6 in Harold C. Syrett and Jacob E. Cooke, eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton 26 vols. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1956-1981) 2: 400-418; 649-665, 669-674; and 3: 75-82, 99-106 [hereafter, Hamilton, Papers]. Emphasis in the original.

[v] Hamilton, Contientialist No. 4 in Ibid., 669674.

[vi] Ibid.

[vii] Hamilton to Duane, September 3, 1780 in Ibid.,

[viii] The resolution incorporating the bank is printed in James Wilson, Considerations on the Bank of North America in Kermit Hall and David Hall, eds., The Collected Works of James Wilson 2 vols (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2007) 1: 60-61. Wilsons pamphlet, published in 1785, is a Nationalist defense of the institution.

[ix] Ibid.

[x] Banning, The Sacred Fire of Liberty, 21-22.

[xi] James Madison, Motion on the Impost February 3, 1781 in The Papers of James Madison, William T. Hutchinson and William M. E. Rachal, eds., 17 vols (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1962), 2: 303304.

[xii] Banning, Sacred Fire of Liberty, 20-21; Adam Tate, James Madison and State Sovereignty, 1780-1781 American Political Thought: A Journal of Ideas, Institutions, and Culture 2 (Fall 2013): 174-197.

[xiii] William Bradford to the Continental Congress, November 30, 1782 in Worthington C. Ford, ed., Journals of the Continental Congress, 34 vols. (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1904-1937): 23: 788-789.

[xiv] Alexander Hamilton, Continental Congress Report on a Letter from the Speaker of Rhode Island Assembly December 16, 1782 in Hamilton, Papers, 2: 213-223.

[xv] Ibid.

[xvi] Ibid.

[xvii] Madison Proposed Amendment of Articles of Confederation, Madison, Papers, 3: 17-20.

[xviii] For a compelling argument that Madison viewed the amendment and the American union through the lens of Emer de Vattels law of nations theory see Tate, James Madison and State Sovereignty.

[xix] For the opposite argument, that state sovereignty was the innovation during the early 1780s see Rakove, Beginning of National Politics, 327.

The featured image, uploaded by Rdsmith4, is a photograph of the front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Its the time to load our carts and kitchens with food for what could easily be the biggest meal of the year.

And since few of us will be out hunting for a turkey or trading food with our Native American neighbors, here are a few shopping ideas for a traditional and nutritious Thanksgiving:

Turkey: According to the National Turkey Foundation, most of us (88 percent of Americans) will have turkey on our Thanksgiving table this year. Nutritionally, turkey is considered a lean protein food  before we smother it with gravy.

Need someone to talk turkey? Poultry professionals are ready to answer questions at the Butterball Turkey Talk Line (1-800-BUTTERBALL, or 1-800-288-8372) daily from 8 am to 8 pm, Central Time. And this year we can even text questions 24/7 the entire week before Thanksgiving (yay!). That number is 1-844-877-3456.

Incidentally, the most common question received by the Butterball experts is how to thaw the big bird. Answer? Unopened wrapper on a tray in the refrigerator, breast side up. Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4 pounds of turkey.

Stuffing: Traditional cornbread stuffing  IF it is made without added wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients  can be a great dish for friends and family who avoid gluten (a protein in wheat, rye and barley). And you can make everyone happy without having to do two separate recipes. Find not one, but two gluten-free stuffings for Thanksgiving at www.epicurious.com.

Winter squash: Yes, that includes our traditional pumpkin. But dont forget all the other members of the winter squash family including butternut (one of my favorites), acorn, and kabocha (named for the Japanese word meaning squash). Nutritionally, the orange and yellow flesh of these hardy vegetables are rich in fiber and antioxidant vitamins A and C. Serve them roasted, mashed or in soups.

Sweet potatoes: And heres the age-old question. Whats the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? According to the North Carolina Sweet Potato farmers  who grow more of this tuber than any other state  what we tend to call yams are most likely sweet potatoes. A true yam is similar to a white potato and usually imported from Caribbean countries. American sweet potatoes are traditionally orange-fleshed although they can also be white or even purple. So even though we may interchange the words, the USDA requires that orange-colored sweet potatoes always be labeled sweet potato because they are.

Most importantly, these orange colored vegetables that jazz up our Thanksgiving table are loaded with anti-inflammatory substances that have been shown to slow certain disease processes and premature aging caused by too many relatives in the kitchen.

Put all these foods together and what do we have? A nutritionally complete traditional holiday feast. And there might even be room for pumpkin pie.
Veterans were once again honored for their service with the annual Veterans Day Parade that took students and community members alike through the grounds of the Grand Island Veterans Home.

Some Veterans Home residents ventured outdoors to watch the parade on a day with a warm sun and a chilly wind blowing in from the northwest. Others stayed indoors to view the parade from the windows looking out on the horseshoe drive on the south side.

As always, the parade was led by several color guards, beginning with the United Veterans Club color guard, the color guard for the Grand Island Police Department and the color guard leading the Grand Island Senior High students who are cadets of the schools Air Force Junior ROTC.

The cadets briefly halted their march so they could turn and honor the veterans who came out to the front lawn.

A Grand Island Fire Department truck was the next parade entry, just before the first wave of students started passing in front of the veterans in what is known as the Respect Walk. That wave consisted of nearly 800 Walnut Middle School students and staff members. Many Walnut students had made cards of appreciation for the veterans, with the young people periodically breaking ranks so they could personally hand their cards to veterans they saw either sitting or standing along the parade route.

The next wave was much larger, with about 2,400 Grand Island Senior High students following on the heels of the middle school kids. Many GISH students held banners they had created to salute the veterans for their service.

Both the Walnut and GISH students dropped out of the parade route so they could stand on the south side of the drive, where they faced the veterans and the Veterans Home buildings. That gave veterans and everyone else facing the students a good opportunity to read the banners.

One banner had a very simple message. Thank you, Veterans. All the other banners were variations on that message of gratitude from the young people. One poster had the message, Heroes dont wear capes and tights. They wear dog tags and combat boots. Yet another banner said, Home of the free because of the brave.

One student banner did not mention Veterans Day at all. Instead, it hearkened back to the national holiday that occurs on the final Monday in May, Memorial Day. That poster said, Memorial Day isnt about a BBQ and beaches. Its about remembering the fallen.

David Kreutzer, social work manager at the Veterans Home who served as Wednesdays parade announcer, summed up what means to see more than 3,000 students walk as a sign of respect for military veterans. Kreutzer said it was great to see every young person walking in the parade thank the veterans.

Yet another student tribute came from the Unity Band, which included students from Senior High, Grand Island Northwest High School and Grand Island Central Catholic High School.

The Unity Bands tradition is to stop twice along the parade route and turn to face the veterans and Veterans Home buildings while it plays the U.S. Armed Forces Medley, which includes the anthem for each branch of the U.S. military. Individually, each anthem is designed to stir the heart, which is why the crowd at each Veterans Day parade always breaks into enthusiastic applause at the end of the full medley.

The 2017 Veterans Day Parade Marshal was Clarence Quandt, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Korea during the Korean War. Quandts wife, Ardell, also was riding in the parade marshal car.

Other entries in the parade included the Grand Island Veterans Home bus; Grand Island Mayor Jeremy Jensen; Peace Lutheran Church comfort dogs who travel with their handlers around the country to give people comfort following times of tragedy; Mid-Nebraska Individual Services walkers and a Mid-Nebraska van; a DAV (Disabled American Veterans) van; a Salvation Arm Disaster Services van; and the American Red Cross emergency response vehicle and American Red Cross van.

Quandt, the parade marshal, volunteered at the Grand Island Veterans Home long before he became a resident there. As a result, Quandt said that he has seen lots of Veterans Day parades. Its great to have the veterans recognized, he said. Quandt also was clear about what he always likes best about the annual parade.

Its the greatest part, the students, said Quandt, who noted it is good to have young people know about the service that military veterans have performed for their country.
As special counsel Robert Muellers investigation proceeds, one thing is increasingly clear: If there is a serious congressional effort to impeach President Donald Trump after the midterm elections, it will have to be based not on a general sense that hes doing a bad job, but on something much more specific, like obstruction of justice, abuse of power or subversion of the Constitution itself.

For that we have the Framers to thank or blame  and one in particular, James Madison. It was he, the lead architect of the document, who spoke out against a more general proposal for impeachment, which would have made the president removable for maladministration. Madisons reasoning has a lot to tell us about impeachment today  and about the logic of the Constitution as a legal document.

Let me be clear that setting the exact language for impeachment wasnt the Framers preoccupation in the hot summer of Philadelphia in 1787, nor was it Madisons. I just published a 773-page biography of Madison, and, having worked on the book for seven years, I didnt think the impeachment discussion was an important enough part of his thinking to make it in.

Yet the exchange between Madison and his fellow Virginian George Mason is nonetheless highly instructive.

To begin with, Masons proposal to allow removal of the president for maladministration wasnt crazy. Six of the 13 state constitutions made maladministration a ground for removing the executive. And one of those six was Virginia. Mason knew that very well, because he had been the chief designer of the Virginia constitution right after the Revolution, the job Madison was now taking on for the country as a whole.

As the end of the convention drew near, Madison was taking pains to placate Mason. The older Virginian had begun the summer as a supporter of the Virginia plan that Madison had designed. But his republican skepticism of national government had been building, and now Mason was threatening not to sign the draft that the convention was going to endorse and send to the states for ratification.

As drafted, the proposed constitution provided for impeachment for bribery and treason only. That, as Mason noted, might not be enough. Treason had been narrowly defined, limited to overt acts in aid of a wartime enemy. Attempts to subvert the Constitution, Mason pointed out presciently, might not count as treason under this definition.

Madisons response to Masons proposal mattered. He told the delegates that so vague a term as maladministration will be equivalent to tenure during pleasure of the Senate.

That was apparently enough to persuade Mason to back down. He immediately proposed substituting high crimes and misdemeanors for maladministration  and the proposal passed by a vote of eight states to three. The high crimes language came from British practice dating back centuries.

Why did Madisons intervention work? The answer lies in its observation that the vagueness of maladministration would normalize impeachment, and thus effectively give the Senate the power to recall a president.

Madison knew Mason was afraid of the power of the Senate, which he feared would become a source of aristocratic rule. Madison himself was also wary of the Senate as it had come to be composed at the convention, because it empowered small states over large ones.

Madison was expressing the worry that too loose an impeachment standard would give a small minority of the population disproportionate power over the presidency.

The lessons for today are striking. Impeachment must be treated with high seriousness. It isnt just a recall of a president that Congress doesnt like  because that would give the Senate too much power over the elected president.

At the same time, genuine presidential wrongdoing  including a presidential effort to subvert the Constitution, in Masons phrase  counts as a high crime or misdemeanor meriting removal.

Madisons judiciousness and caution in constitutional design have stood us in good stead for more than two centuries. His lessons on impeachment should do the same.

Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg View columnist.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 08:05 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a280dcc3 4 Editorial #Editorial,South-Korea,#SouthKorea,Indonesia,#Indonesia,bilateral-ties,Moon-Jae-In Free

Shared economic interests have been the foundation of rapidly expanding Indonesia-South Korean ties, even before the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. Since the mid-1960s when entry visas to Indonesia still had to be processed in Tokyo, many Korean businesspeople, with the full support of their government, visited Indonesia to explore potential opportunities.

Hence, economic cooperation programs are predictably at the top of the agenda for the summit between President Joko Jokowi Widodo and President Moon Jae-in. The Korean President is currently on an official visit to the country, the first he has made to the ASEAN region since his inauguration in May.

Korean companies, with the full support of the Korean government, initially did business with Indonesia as a major source of raw materials such as timber, rubber and rattan for feeding their burgeoning manufacturing sector.

But the depth and breadth of the economic relationship between the two countries has been expanding steadily since the early 1970s from extractive industries, such as logging and mining, into labor-intensive, footloose manufacturing industries, such as garments, footware and electronics, and most recently the automotive, steel, petrochemical and energy sectors.

The pace of the two countries economic cooperation accelerated further after the Indonesian-Korean strategic partnership agreement was signed by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and president Roh Moo-hyun in December 2006.

There are two main factors behind the high-paced development of this economic partnership.

One is the broad complementarity of the two economies. Korea, already a developed country with very few natural resources, a population of 51.5 million and a per capita income of US$28,000, needs natural resource commodities and a market for its manufacturing industry. Two, Indonesia, with its wealth in natural resources, a population of over 260 million, but a per capita income of merely $3,600, badly needs Korean capital, technology and expertise to develop its economy.

On this visit, President Moon is accompanied by a large business delegation that is eyeing local business opportunities. In another reflection of the Korea, Inc. spirit, the Korean government has set up a business-facilitation center in Jakarta to help its small and medium-scale companies do business here. It is no wonder that South Korea is the third-largest foreign investor in Indonesia and is poised to become one of its top five biggest trading partners.

Bank Indonesia and the Bank of Korea also concluded in 2013 a bilateral currency swap arrangement on a $10 billion swap line to boost bilateral trade and to strengthen financial cooperation.

Going forward in advancing the strategic partnership, Indonesia should see to it that institutional capacity building should be an integral part of the cooperation, covering training and internships. Indonesia can also learn a lot from Korea, particularly in advanced technology industries and developing new entrepreneurs and logistics systems to cope with the international value-added chain.
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Linkedin Bank Indonesia (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Thu, November 9, 2017

Vice-President Jusuf Kalla has said that it is important for all discussions on sharia economy and finance to spur concrete actions, particularly by bidding business players, in order for Indonesia to close the gap between itself and other countries.

What we must do first is to get started in business. I often say that one of Indonesias weaknesses is the weakness in the field of economy, he said while opening the fourth Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) held by Bank Indonesia (BI) in Surabaya on Thursday.

Kalla added that Muslims, in particular, should have a greater interest in business as the Prophet Muhammad himself was a successful trader and Muslims are encouraged to follow his path.

The prophet taught us that nine out of 10 sources of sustenance is from trade. We know that the prophet was a trader. So, trade is also a sunnah [teaching] of the prophet, he said in front of a crowd of around 1,200 people, including government officials, entrepreneurs and students and teachers from 80 pesantren (Islamic boarding school).

Kalla urged pesantren teachers to not only teach about business, but also help students start their own businesses. He also dismissed the notion that the halal or sharia industry was complicated and limited, arguing that the opportunities and options offered by the halal industry are plentiful.

In regards to halal, it is very simple. As long as it is not haram [forbidden by Islamic law], as long as it doesnt involve gambling, as long as it doesnt involve speculation, then it is halal. And all that is halal is sharia, he said.

In his opening address, Bank Indonesia governor Agus DW Martowardojo highlighted the competition in the global halal industry, which has attracted many countries due to a huge market and increasing demand for halal products.

The global halal industry reached US$ 3.8 trillion in 2015 and is projected to grow to $ 6.38 trillion in 2021. This promising growth has prompted various countries to become main players in the global halal industry, he said.

He added that this phenomenon was not restricted to Muslim-majority countries, but also in countries like England, China and Thailand. As the country with the worlds biggest Muslim population, Indonesia should have a bigger opportunity to develop its halal industry and become a leading player in the global halal market.

However, this opportunity has not been seized by Indonesia, he added.

Agus expressed his hope that the establishment of the Sharia Finance National Committee (KNKS) in July would boost Indonesias sharia economy and provide effective and comprehensive strategies.

We hope that [the KNKS] can synergize policies and programs related to the development of sharia economy and finance, and from various authorities and other institutions, he said.

The four ISEF, which was held under the theme Fostering Inclusive Economic Growth and Improving Resiliency through Closer Collaboration and Coordination, featured not only seminars, workshops and meeting, but also a sharia economic fair in which small and medium enterprises, as well as financial service companies are given booths to showcase and promote their products.
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Linkedin KOMINFO (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Thu, November 9, 2017

The government is working to protect the public from cybercrimes by making it mandatory for all mobile phone users with prepaid SIM cards to register their number or numbers on a national database.

The Communication and Information Ministry is working with the Home Ministrys Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration and telecommunications operators throughout the country to ensure that everyone with a prepaid SIM card takes part in the registration process.

According to the Jakarta Police's Special Crimes Research unit, 785 cybercrime incidents were reported in 2014, of which 404 cases involved fraud, including fraud perpetrated via text messages.

Having all of the nation's 360 million prepaid mobile phone numbers registered on a national database will go a long way toward preventing such crimes. After all, there is no way of accurately identifying the individual who uses a particular mobile phone number.

It should also be noted that the current population of Indonesia is 261 million. In other words, many people across the archipelago use more than one active mobile phone number.

"We've found that some people have even used 123456 or James Bond as the names registered with their cell phone number. Do we really have 360 million actual cell phone users? How many of these numbers use fake names and fake data? The data cannot be verified," said Merza Fachys, chairman of Indonesian Cellular Telecommunications Association (ATSI).

To counter the very real threat of cybercrime, all prepaid mobile phone numbers are to be registered between Oct. 31, 2017 and Feb. 28, 2018, using the users identity card (NIK) and family card (KK) numbers.

According to Ahmad Ramli, the director general for post and informatics technology at the communications ministry, the public was enthusiastic about taking part in the registration.

As of Nov. 7 at noon, 46,559,400 prepaid mobile phone numbers had been registered.

"This demonstrates the public's enormous enthusiasm and support for this program," Ahmad said during Tuesdays Forum Merdeka Barat 9 media gathering on the SIM card registration.

"It also helps counteract the rumors circulating that this registration requirement is only a hoax," he added, referring to the inaccurate information that spread last week. One claimed that the SIM card registration was not mandatory, while another said that Oct. 31 was the last day for registering.

The focus on prepaid SIM cards is intentional. According to global digital agency We Are Social, 98 percent of the country's mobile phone subscribers were prepaid customers as of January 2017.

The ministry requires that both NIK and KK numbers are provided in registering a prepaid mobile phone number.

Those that have already registered using only their NIK number are required to send their KK number by text message to 4444.

Ahmad said, however, that people should be aware that they might encounter problems when registering their numbers by text message or through online facilities, because of the high number of people trying to register at the same time.

Dont worry, there is still time until next February. You should follow the instructions if you are unable to register successfully, he said.

In addition to registration by SMS, cellular service operators Indosat, XL Axiata (XL), Telkomsel, Hutchison 3 Indonesia (Tri) and Smartfren have opened online registration facilities on their official websites. These facilities require users to input the numbers of both their identity cards (NIK) and family cards (KK).

The SMS and online registration services are free of charge. XL, Indosat and Tri subscribers can also visit the operators service kiosks to register in person. Telkomsel subscribers can seek assistance from its call center without having to visit the service kiosks.

Indonesian Telecommunications Regulatory Body (BRTI) commissioner I Ketut Prihadi Kresna sees tremendous potential for the countrys citizens. He said the mandatory registration of mobile phone numbers was a positive step in capturing this golden opportunity.

"It will allow the circulation of hoaxes, fraud and other, similar activities to be reported easily, and it will allow the authorities to more easily discover the perpetrators identities," Kresna said.

Foreigners residing in Indonesia, meanwhile, must bring their passport, temporary stay permit (KITAS) or permanent stay permit (KITAP) to their mobile operators service center and register their phone number.

The public has until Feb. 28 to register the numbers of their prepaid SIM cards. Those who fail to meet this deadline will have their cell phone services blocked in phases, and their numbers will be fully blocked if they have not registered by Apr. 28, 2018.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 16:16 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a282cc28 1 Art & Culture exhibition,national-gallery-singapore,Raden-Saleh,Painter,painting,#exhibition Free

Masterpieces of Indonesian maestro painter Raden Saleh will be on display in Singapore from Nov. 16 until March 11, 2018, alongside the works of Filipino painter Juan Luna in an exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore.

Titled "Between Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna", the exhibition will highlight both artists' artistic journey from Southeast Asia in the 19th century to Europe to hone their craft.

As the first Indonesian artist to receive training in Europe, Raden Saleh (1811 - 1880) is said to receive recognition in Germany and Paris for his signature Orientalist animal hunts and fights. Bestowed with the "King's Painter" title by King Willem III of the Netherlands, his 3-by-4 meter painting Boschbrand (Forest Fire) (1849) depicting "a dramatic scene of animals chased by flames over the edge of a precipice" could be found on display at the gallery's UOB Southeast Asia Gallery.

Meanwhile, Juan Luna (1857 - 1899), who studied in Madrid and Rome under the wing of Spanish painter Alejo Vera, was particularly famous for his painting Spoliarium, which earned him the First Class medal at Spain's annual art exhibition in Madrid in 1884.

Read also: Explore a different side of Indonesia in these museums

Raden Saleh's 'Javanese Temple in Ruins.' (Via National Gallery Singapore/File)

Raden Saleh and Juan Luna are two of the earliest and most significant artists who propelled the prestige of Southeast Asian art around the world in the 19th century," said the gallery's director Eugene Tan in a press release on Thursday. "'Between Worlds' will enable the works of Saleh and Luna to become more accessible to our audiences while furthering our understanding of the art histories of Southeast Asia in the 19th century.

More than 100 paintings, drawings and archival materials from Southeast Asian, European and American museums and private collections are said to have been gathered for the exhibition. Among the highlighted artworks are Raden Saleh's two landscape paintings of Java from the Smithsonian's collection and the spectacular Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion (1842); and Juan Luna's Cleopatra (1881) and Ignores (The Unknown Ones) (1890-1891).

The exhibition is part of a project titled "Century of Light" that focuses on the art of the 19th century. The project features another exhibition titled "Colors of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musee dOrsay" that showcases works by Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir and Paul Cezanne, also set on the same date with "Between Worlds."

Entry to the exhibition starts at S$15 (US$11) for Singaporeans and permanent residents and S$25 for non-Singaporeans. (kes)
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Linkedin Agus Dwi Hastutik (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 09:35 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a280fd57 4 Lifestyle child-marriage,#ChildMarriage,#ChildAbuse,child-abuse,human-rights Free

Child marriage is still rampant in some parts of the archipelago for various reasons, from cultural beliefs to parents who still believe that marriage is an ultimate solution to the economic problem.



While in fact, child brides must sacrifice their adolescence to deal with domestic life, experiencing early pregnancy and facing other possible health problems that can put their lives at risk.



Angelina Ratu, 18, a university student from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), said child marriage is still common in her hometown. She is one of those lucky young girls who grew up in a family that prioritizes education.



Many young girls, especially in my area, still fall victim to child marriage. In order to at least minimize it, there must be [communal] self-awareness, she said, adding that she actively teaches teenagers in her community about the physical and psychological risks of child marriage.



Angelinas active involvement in advocating education and her aspiration to become a leader brought her to Jakarta to participate in the annual Sehari Jadi Menteri (Minister for a Day) event at the Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry on Oct. 11 to commemorate this years International Day of the Girl.



She was among 21 teenagers who passed a nationwide selection organized by PLAN International Indonesia and the ministry, and supported by UNICEF and non-governmental organization on gender equality Aliansi Aksi.



Prior the event, the 21 teenagers joined a three-day leadership training aimed at empowering them to fight child marriage in their respective communities.



Afterward, they formulated a nine-point strategy to end child marriage, one of which is asking the central government and city administrations to raise the minimum legal marriageable age for children through various regulations, including the government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu), ministerial decree (Permen) and city bylaws.



Currently, the 1974 Marriage Law includes a minimum legal marriage age of 16 years for women and 19 years for men. In some parts of Indonesia, child marriages can involve girls as young as 13 years old.



According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), there has been no significant decrease in the number of child marriages in the past eight years. Young women who wed under the age of 18 accounted for 27.4 percent of total marriages in 2008. The number decreased to 24.7 percent in 2011, but went up to 25.7 percent in 2017.

Kurnia Henderika Alberthus, a high school student who also comes from NTT, said teenagers should be empowered to have the courage to make their parents understand the importance of education. Having the audacity to have such an argument with parents, she said, was really important.



We have to keep struggling by empowering ourselves with knowledge and tell our parents to know about the consequences [of child marriage], she told the Post.



If parents [believe] that education is a priority, they will encourage their children to go to school, she said.



The 21 teenagers participating in the Minister for a Day event shared the same commitment to stopping child marriages in the country by becoming brand ambassadors in their respective provinces.



We are proud of this event. The teens have gone through quite a long selection process. We hope you can keep your spirits high and continue your life as champions  as teenagers who pioneer the prevention of child marriage, Lenny N. Rosalin, the Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Ministrys undersecretary overseeing child development, told participants.



***

The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Linawati Sidarto (The Jakarta Post) Amsterdam  Thu, November 9, 2017 09:48 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28105fd 4 Art & Culture Europalia,art-and-culture,exhibition,Iswanto-Hartono Free

Underneath Iswanto Hartonos solemnly beautiful exhibition in Amsterdam lies a powerful message of the colonial times for both Indonesia and the Netherlands.

Entering the grand, hushed hall of the 14th-century Oude Kerk (old church), visitors might easily overlook the statue of Jan Pieterszoon Coen standing in the left corner beyond a wrought-iron door.



The head of the life-sized statue glows in a soft, luminous red, and only up close it becomes clear that it is set alight: the statue is made out of wax, and will burn throughout the eight-week solo exhibition by artist Iswanto Hartono, ending on Nov. 15.



I chose Coen because he is such an important, yet controversial, historical figure in colonial history, says Iswanto.



The exposition is part of Europalia, a biannual arts and cultural exhibition based in Brussels. Each time, one country is highlighted throughout the nine-month event, and Indonesia is its focus this time. Until now, Iswanto is the only artist exhibiting work for Europalia outside of Belgium



The Oude Kerk, Amsterdams oldest building, was specifically chosen by Europalia due to its strong ties with colonial history, Oude Kerk director and curator Jacqueline Grandjean explains.



The gothic building is now a museum and arts exhibition space, and still functions as a church on Sundays. Like many old churches, it is also the burial site of prominent citizens, including Jacob van Heemskerck, the Dutch captain whose ships first reached the spice islands of Banda in 1599.



The Dutch grip on Banda, with its much-sought-after nutmeg, was a milestone in the formation of the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC), a trading company which set the groundwork for Dutch colonial rule in the Indonesian archipelago.



The churchs chapel was built with VOC money, and many of the ships which sailed to the East Indies were blessed right here, Grandjean points out.



Grandjean set out to find an Indonesian artist for the exhibition, and Jakarta-based Iswanto was a logical choice.



History is often part of his art. He has such a thoughtful, non-judgemental look on it, says Grandjean, adding that his background as an architect was an advantage. It is not easy to set up art in an old, big church like the Oude Kerk. One needs to have a good understanding of space in order to make it work.

Monuments ( 2017 ) by Iswanto Hartono (Oude Kerk/Maarten Nauw)

While Iswanto and Grandjean toyed with different approaches, such as a giant curtain made of nutmeg hanging in the main hall, it resulted in four different displays that beg contemplation. In addition to Coens statue, there are six wax miniatures of colonial buildings such as the lighthouse in Lampung, Fort Belgica in Banda and the Amsterdam Gate that used to stand in the old town Kota area of Jakarta. In reality, some of the buildings are still standing, while others have disappeared.



Candles have always been used in spiritual worship, which fits in this space. It transmits light, and yet it will disappear, Iswanto said about using wax as a medium.



The monuments depicted were built for significant reasons, and some were later also torn down for other reasons. However, does it mean that they are forgotten once they are no longer physically there? Is that how we associate ourselves with history? In order to forget, we must remember first.



The statue of Coen, recognized as the founder of Batavia (now Jakarta), was perched on what is now Jakartas Lapangan Banteng for seven decades before being torn down in 1943, during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.



In his own country, Coens statue in the middle of his hometown of Hoorn has sparked ongoing controversy between those who see him as a national hero and others who see him as the butcher of Banda. Under his command, the Dutch killed thousands of the Banda people accused of defying the Dutch monopoly on nutmeg trade.



Banda is featured in a separate room, where a glass case contains iPads with a short film combining images and animation that tell the history of Banda.



As one enters the room, faint local sounds  prayers from a mosque, people speaking the local dialect  can be heard in the background. I recorded that background track in Banda, Iswanto says.

Trophy ( 2017 ) by Iswanto Hartono (Oude Kerk/Maarten Nauw)

The most Dutch display is Iswantos silhouette interpretation of a carriage still used by the Dutch royal family for important occasions. On the side of the carriage, a gift from the city of Amsterdam to Queen Wilhelmina in 1898, is the painting Homage from the Colonies, showing the Dutch queen on a throne, surrounded by bowing subjects from its colonies, including Indonesians.



This carriage, I believe, belongs in a museum, and should no longer be used, Iswanto says. The continued use of the carriage has indeed been a subject of Dutch public debate in recent years.



Iswanto, born in 1972 in Purwerejo, Central Java, intertwined his family history onto a display of a table filled with heads of hunted animals from all corners of the world where the Dutch were present, including Indonesia, Formosa and parts of Africa.



Hunting, Iswanto says, is originally for gathering food, but it can also be seen as an act of conquering, with the heads as trophies. But hunting is also very personal for me, as my grandfather and my father used to hunt, Iswanto explained. On the wall are old family photos of his grandfathers hunting excursions in the early 20th century.



The exhibition was featured in Volkskrant and NRC, the two main dailies of the Netherlands, which is exceptional for a solo Indonesian artist. Volkskrantwrote that the exhibition was a poetic comment of Iswanto Hartono on the disappearing realization that the Netherlands and Indonesia have a shared past.



Historian Wim Manuhutu praised Iswantos work for sparking the question of the value of monuments and the stories behind them. And that one can, and should, look for the stories behind the standard explanations of those monuments.



It was so interesting to get the perspective of an Indonesian artist on our shared colonial history. Hes done it in such a way that viewers can form their own opinion instead of teaching us a lesson, said Floortje Doornik, an Amsterdam resident who came to the exhibition. The fact that its situated here, in an old church full of history, also lends to contemplation.



Grandjean points out, however, there were also critical voices. Some people were dismayed that such an exhibition was done in the Oude Kerk, which they saw as a symbol of Dutch glory.



In his opinion piece in the NRC daily, Iswanto wrote: Street names are changed, monuments are taken down and buildings are destroyed. But the VOCs true legacy  a corrupt system  was not destroyed by purging the monuments. As a matter of fact, the Soeharto era was synonymous [with] corruption.



__________________________



For further details, please log on to oudekerk.nl/en/programma/iswanto-hartono/
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States  Thu, November 9, 2017 18:30 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28344f1 2 Science & Tech Uber,NASA,flying-taxis,flying-car,technology,#technology Free

Uber on Wednesday unveiled a partnership with NASA that will see it develop flying taxis priced competitively with standard Uber journeys.

It also announced Los Angeles will join two other previously revealed "UberAIR" pilot schemes in Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas, and Dubai.

California and Texas are the US states with the largest number of cars.

"Uber's participation in NASA's UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) Project will help the company's goal of starting demonstration flights of uberAIR in select US cities by 2020," the ride-sharing company said in a statement.

Uber wants to "explore other collaboration opportunities with NASA" with a view to open "a new market of urban air mobility," it added.

The first demonstration flights are expected in 2020, moving into commercial operations by 2023 -- in plenty of time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Read also: Uber hires veteran NASA engineer to develop flying cars

The flights will have a pilot during initial flights, but could be automated in the future, spokesman Matthew Wing confirmed to AFP.

An UberAir journey between Los Angeles' airport and the Staples Center arena, for example, would take 27 minutes -- three times less time than the same journey by car.

A promotional video illustrated the app would work in a similar way to the current set-up for ordering a car ride.

But the planned electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLS) "differ from helicopters in that they are orders of magnitude quieter, safer, more affordable, and more environmentally-friendly," the company said, adding that journeys will be priced competitively with a standard Uber trip.

The vehicles will take off, land and recharge upon a network of "vertiports" installed on top of parking garages, on existing helipads or on unused land around road interchanges.

Deloitte's Pascal Pincemin said at the Paris Air Show flying taxis will not be commonplace until 2050, as their reliability will need to be established first.
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Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi  Thu, November 9, 2017 21:36 1832 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a283c236 1 National Jambi,e-ID,Home-Ministry Free

Jambi mayor Sy Fasha confirmed on Thursday that the city administration would receive 30,000 electronic resident identity (e-ID) forms from the Home Affairs Ministry.

Based on existing requirements, the e-IDs must be printed and completely distributed to the people within two weeks, he said.

The mayor further explained that his administration had received confirmation on the number of e-ID forms allocated for the city, following his meeting with the Home Affairs Ministrys Population and Civil Registration Agency (Dukcapil) officials in Jakarta recently.

We previously got information there were e-ID forms available in limited quantities and ready to be distributed in areas across the country. We then took this opportunity, said Fasha.

He said completing the distribution of the e-IDs was a priority program. The administration would immediately print the forms for residents whose data was considered valid.

As soon as they arrive in Jambi, we will print them, in line with data that has been verified by the ministry, said Fasha.

In the past week, the Jambi administration has distributed 20,000 e-IDs to the citys residents via neighborhood unit (RT) heads.

The remainder is in the process of distribution. We are striving to distribute them on time so we can continue to get additional allocations of e-ID forms [from the central government], said Fasha. (ebf)
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 15:09 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28298d6 1 National Belawan,Belawan-Immigration-Office,Indonesian-navy,TNI-AL,illegal-fishing Free

The Belawan Immigration Office said it would deport four Cambodian citizens who were arrested recently by the Navy for alleged illegal fishing activities in the countrys waters.

The offices immigration surveillance and prosecution division head, Ridha Sahputera, said the deportation of the four Cambodian citizens would be conducted in November. Immigration authorities are coordinating with the Cambodian Embassy in Jakarta to schedule the deportation, he further said.

We dont want to hold them here too long. We hope the Cambodian Embassy can understand this so the deportation process can start immediately, Ridha told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Personnel of Indonesian warship KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun-356 from the TNI Belawan headquarters arrested the four Cambodian citizens on Oct.16. They were accused of carrying out illegal fishing activities using a Malaysian-flagged vessel in the countrys exclusive economic zone. After interrogating them, the Navy handed over the Cambodians to the immigration office.

Ridha said the immigration office had deported many foreigners, especially from Asian countries, for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. We deported three people from Cambodia and Thailand two months ago, said Ridha. (ebf)
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Linkedin Aman Rochman (The Jakarta Post) Malang, East Java  Thu, November 9, 2017 20:07 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a283928d 1 National Javan-slow-lorises,slow-loris,slow-lorises,kukang-Jawa,Kondang-Merak-protected-forest,Malang,East-Java,IllegalAnimalTrade,wildlife-trade Free

Eight Javan slow lorises seized from illegal wildlife trade networks were released to the Kondang Merak protected forest area in Malang, East Java, on Wednesday.

The slow lorises  four males and four females  were seized by Kediri Police personnel from illegal traders during separate operations in July.

The Aspinall Foundations Javan Langur Center (JLC) communication officer, Anang Eko, said the eight Javan slow lorises underwent three months of quarantine and rehabilitation overseen by the International Animal Rescue (IAR) team in Bogor, West Java, before they were released into their natural habitat.

The rehabilitation included medical check-ups and training that aimed to help the animals control their behavior, he went on.

They moved from one place to another in poor living conditions and consumed food unsuitable for them. Hence, their health, eating patterns and emotional condition need to be rehabilitated, said Anang on Thursday.

The slow lorises showed signs of stress, dehydration and malnutrition when the police rescued them, he added.

We were only able to release them into their natural habitat after they were deemed healthy and completed rehabilitation. We worked with IAR, the East Java Natural Resource Conservation Agency [BBKSDA] and the Kediri Police for their release, Anang said, adding that the protected forest in southern Malang was in good condition and widely known as the natural habitat of Javan slow lorises. (ebf)

Endangered species: A Javan slow loris is ready to be released into the Kondang Merak protected forest in Malang, East Java, on Nov.8. The forest area is know as the natural habitat of Javan slow lorises. (JP/Aman Rochman)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 15:00 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28286c1 1 City Museum,free-of-charge Free

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is mulling over a plan to make entrance to museums in Jakarta free in a bid to lure more people.

Anies said elementary and high school students holding Jakarta Smart Cards (KJP) would be prioritized in the policy he was formulating.

We want them not only go to a certain museum, but all 142 museums in Jakarta, he told reporters at City Hall in Central Jakarta on Thursday .

Anies explained that there would be a mechanism to regulate the timing of visits to prevent everyone visiting at a particular time. The time allocation of visitations would be categorized based on area, age and type of school.

Allocation times for visits is needed in a bid to ensure comfort. If it was free and unregulated, it would be full and make visitors uncomfortable, he said as quoted by kompas.com. (fac)
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Thu, November 9, 2017 18:35 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2834c52 1 National bandung,Dayeuhkolot,Bandung-regency,West-Java,flooding,flood Free

Dozens of students of state elementary school SD Bojongasih 1 in Dayeuhkolot district, Bandung regency, West Java, have been forced to hold their lessons in the hall of the Bojongasih village office as flooding has affected the area.

Our school is flooded, the schools principal Cucu Siti Nurohmah said on Thursday.

The students have held their classes on mats laid on the floor of the village office for the last two days. Around 150 students were present on Wednesday, however, only 75 came to the village office, which is located around 300 meters from their school, on Thursday.

Bandung Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) officers have been helping residents to carry out their daily activities.

Most residents have chosen to stay in their homes rather than evacuating, with only 14 people from five households, including young children and elderly people, choosing to move out.

The flooding occurred because the Citarum River, which is located less than 10 meters from the residential area, overflowed after heavy downpours since Wednesday.

BPBD Bandung emergency relief division head Toni Suryana said at least 1,567 houses were inundated, with floodwater around 1 meter in depth. (ebf)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Chicago, United States  Thu, November 9, 2017 11:41 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28188c6 2 World Obama,Court,Chicago,democracy Free

Former US president Barack Obama answered a jury summons Wednesday, but was dismissed soon after arriving at a Chicago courthouse to perform the civic duty asked of all Americans.

As a prospective juror, Obama joined fellow citizens at Cook County's Daley Center courthouse, all waiting to see if they would be chosen to serve on a trial.

The former leader of the free world was the only juror to arrive by motorcade, however, accompanied by tight security and met with a throng of news media and court staff trying to snap a picture.

Past presidents, they're just like us... Barack Obama reporting for jury duty today pic.twitter.com/cScD3Tkp2B  Jason K. Morrell (@CNNJason) November 8, 2017

"He gorgeous!" one court clerk exclaimed upon spotting the former president, the Chicago Tribute reported. Potential juror Kelly Bulik told the newspaper she felt like a "piece of melting butter" as she shook his hand.

Obama thanked everyone for showing up, and was surprised by some who presented him with copies of his books to sign.

"Thanks everybody for serving on the jury. Or, at least being willing to," he said to laughter.

The former law professor left by midday, along with a number of others who were randomly selected for dismissal, according to the Tribune.

Walter Palmer is excited hes been called for jury duty in #Chicago now that he could serve alongside former President Barack Obama pic.twitter.com/eVyrAaj1Ys  Lauren Petty (@LaurenPettyNBC) November 8, 2017

Before heading to court, the former president tweeted in the morning about Tuesday night's high-profile state and mayoral election results seen as a sweeping repudiation of the politics of his White House successor Donald Trump.

"This is what happens when the people vote," Obama wrote. "Every office in a democracy counts!"

This is what happens when the people vote. Congrats @RalphNortham and @PhilMurphyNJ . And congratulations to all the victors in state legislative, county and mayors' races. Every office in a democracy counts!  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 8, 2017

Obama is not the first US president to show up for service that some Americans either dread or find excuses to avoid. Obama's predecessor in the White House, George W Bush, responded to a jury summons in 2015.

Bush was not selected to serve as a juror, but images of the smiling former president posing with delighted citizens at the courthouse in Dallas, Texas quickly showed up on social media.

Chicago has some experience with high-profile jurors. In 2004, media titan Oprah Winfrey, who at the time produced her talk show out of the midwestern city, was a juror on a three-day murder trial ending in a conviction.

While the Obamas currently live in Washington, the ex-president and first lady Michelle Obama maintain a home in Chicago, the city where he got his political start.

The south side of Chicago is also where the future Obama presidential center will be built, near the former leader's home.

Topics : Obama Court Chicago democracy
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 19:25 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2836782 1 City crime,shooting Free

Medical doctor Letty Sultri, 46, was found dead at Az-Zahra medical center in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Thursday afternoon after allegedly being shot by her husband, who is also a doctor.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. when the husband, identified as H, arrived at the clinic and argued with Letty.

A cashier at the clinic told the police that she saw H holding a gun, so stayed away from him and Letty.

Shortly after she heard six gunshots.

H ran away from the clinic after shooting Letty.

The East Jakarta Police Chief Sr. Comr. Andry Wibowo said the police were still investigating the crime scene.

"We will question some witnesses and look for the perpetrator's whereabouts," he said.

Topics : crime shooting
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Brussels, Belgium  Thu, November 9, 2017 19:52 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2838505 2 World Russia-meddling,NATO,Catalan-independence,Spain Free

The commander of NATO forces in Europe, US General Curtis Scaparrotti, on Thursday demanded Russia "stop meddling" in European elections, amid concerns about Kremlin interference in the Catalan crisis.

Spanish media have accused Moscow-backed outlets such as Russia Today and Sputnik -- which have Spanish language services -- of playing a destabilizing role in the crisis triggered by Catalonia's banned October 1 referendum.

Moscow is also suspected of interfering in last year's US presidential election and Britain's Brexit vote, and Scaparrotti said he was concerned by "Russian malign influence" in other countries.

"It is something that we've seen in the United States, we've seen it in a number of countries here in the elections of late," Scaparrotti said when asked about claims of Russian interference in Catalonia.

"It should stop meddling in other nations, (in) what is their sovereign right to determine their government and how it works," he told reporters at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said NATO ministers had "discussed at length Russia's now constant efforts to intercede in our sovereign democratic processes".

Bogus news reports and images shared widely online have helped fuel the crisis triggered by Catalonia's banned October 1 independence referendum.

Last year Moscow mounted a hacking and disinformation campaign making heavy use of social media to boost the now President Donald Trump's chances.

When asked if he had particular concerns about the Catalan crisis undermining key NATO member Spain, Scaparrotti said "we've seen these kinds of activities in other nations as well. It's a part of... what I call a destabilization campaign."

"We would encourage Russia to stay within the accepted international order and to honour each sovereign nation's right to determine their means of government, their way of government and how they run their government," Scaparrotti said.
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Linkedin Bagus BT. Saragih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9 2017

Music enthusiasts crowding the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, were recently confronted with a rare yet intriguing piano composition.

Wilson Chudiharja, a 23-year-old Indonesian pianist, was on the stage presenting his six-minute creation, Paraphrase on a Javanese Theme.



The song exudes a distinct Javanese quality from start to end. In fact, the melodically rich repertoire is wholly rooted in gamelan (traditional orchestra) scales, enchanting the international audience with a unique musical experience.



Gamelan music normally consists of several instruments, played by several people. I played a gamelan arrangement with one instrument  by one player, Wilson told The Jakarta Post.



The pianist was awarded a slot in the Mondays at One: Keyboard concert on Oct. 9 after winning a student musical competition at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).



Paraphrase on a Javanese Theme is a mesmerizing embroidery of gamelan melodic lines and instruments, such as the kenong (small gong) and saron (xylophone).



Wearing a long-sleeved batik shirt, Wilson dynamically moved his fingers across the keys; the low notes on the left were to resemble a gong, while the middle and high notes sounded like the melodies of gender (Javanese metallophone) and saron.



Wilson has a distinguished touch of the keyboard. The combination of the main melody with the complex rhythmical structures in the left hand made the biggest impression on me, said pianist Edyta Mydlowska from Poland, who was among the audience.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 20:45 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a283a5a2 1 City LRT,South-Korea,financing Free

A South Korea public company, Korea Rail Network Authority (KRNA), is set to provide US$500 million to finance the development of the light rail transit (LRT) serving the velodrome facility in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, to Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta.

The announcement was made official with the signing of an agreement between KRNA and the city-owned construction company PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) on Thursday.

The agreement was a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties last year.

"Further, Jakpro will review the public private partnership [PPP] scheme by teaming up with KRNA to continue the second phase development of LRT [serving the velodrome to Dukuh Atas]," the president director of Jakpro, Satya Heragandhi, said according to wartakota.tribunnews.com.

He added that the cooperation was expected to ease the city administration's burden in financing the project.

Besides financing the project, KRNA would provide free training to workers to operate and maintain the LRT.

This was crucial because the priority line of the LRT, serving the velodrome to Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, had been scheduled to operate before the 2018 Asian Games, Satya said. (cal)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beirut, Lebanon  Thu, November 9, 2017 12:12 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a281960c 2 World IS,Syria,Iraq,war Free

Syrian troops and allied militiamen on Wednesday encircled the Islamic State group in Albu Kamal, state media said, edging closer to ousting the jihadists from their last urban stronghold in the country.

Albu Kamal lies on the Syrian side of the border with Iraq, in the oil-rich eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

After a series of defeats in the province and the loss of IS's de facto capital Raqa further north, Albu Kamal is the only Syrian urban centre left in the hands of the jihadists.

"Army troops and allied forces have completely encircled Daesh terrorists in Albu Kamal and have begun operations to eradicate them from the town," state news agency SANA reported, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

Syrian regime forces, backed by intensive Russian air strikes, have advanced on the town from the south and west for weeks.

And Iraqi forces have closed in on the border area from the east, seizing the town of Al-Qaim from the jihadists last week.

"The advance towards Albu Kamal came after army troops and their allies met up with Iraqi forces at the border between the two countries," SANA said Wednesday.

A source from the militias allied to Damascus told AFP that fighters from Lebanon's pro-regime Hezbollah movement had advanced to the southern edges of Albu Kamal on Wednesday.

"Part of those units crossed into Iraq, with the help of Hashed al-Shaabi units, to circle around Albu Kamal and reach the northern side of the town," the source added.

The Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary alliance has denied that its own forces entered Syria on Wednesday as part of the fight.

IS overran vast swathes of oil-rich Deir Ezzor province in 2014 during a military sweep across Syria and Iraq, where it declared a self-styled "caliphate".

But the jihadist group has seen that territory shrink down to a small pocket along the Euphrates River, with Albu Kamal as its final hub.

Tens of thousands have been displaced by fighting to oust IS from the area, many living in desperate conditions in desert camps.

In recent weeks, an estimated 120,000 people have been displaced from Albu Kamal alone, said Linda Tom from the United Nations' humanitarian affairs coordination office in Damascus.

On Friday, Syrian forces backed by Russian air power took full control of Deir Ezzor, which was the last city where IS still had a presence.

Topics : IS Syria Iraq war
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 19:04 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2836641 1 City landslide,bogor Free

A motorist on Jl. Raya Puncak in Cisarua, Bogor, was caught in a landslide that closed part of the road on Thursday morning.

Fahmi, 16, suffered minor injuries as a result.

The victim was driving his motorcycle at around 2 a.m. when a 4-meter high cliff around the Riung Gunung area accidentally collapsed and buried him, Bogor police spokesman Adj. Comr. Ita Puspitalena said.

Fahmi was then rushed to Cibeureum Hospital for medical treatment. "He suffered injuries to his legs, but the doctor allowed him to go home," Ita said as quoted by bogor.tribunnews.com.

Ita added that the landslide, which was caused by severe rain, also closed some part of the road. "However, the mud has been cleaned and the road can now be used normally again," she said. (yon)

Topics : landslide bogor
"Im Maestro Mourad, glad to meet you," says Mourad Mouradyan from Artsvanist, a village in Armenias Gegharkunik Province.

Hes famous for his sense of humor in the village. Talking to Mourad, its difficult to understand where the humor starts and where it ends. He speaks with a theatrical flair. If it wasnt for his wife Sedas laughter, wed never guess whether hes joking or being serious.

Mourad's sons and grandchildren gather on the open balcony, and his wife sits next to him. In the meantime, the daughters-in-law make coffee and bring fruit.

Mourad has four sons and one daughter. Mourad lives together with his wife, three sons, daughters-in-law and ten grandchildren under the one roof. The daughter is married and living in Sevan, and one of the sons lives in Yerevan.

"We live at peace in our house. Ill tell you something, two of my daughters-in-law are sisters," says Mourad. "Two sisters got married to two brothers," adds his wife.

"The other one was from Yerevan, it was clear that she would take away our son. If she was from Gyumri, she would have taken him to Gyumri, Mourad says about the son who lives in Yerevan, and then adds that he and his family often come to the village, too, and they all live together in the summer.

A filmmaker by profession, Mourad graduated from college in 1977. He says that they wanted to send him to Stepanakert after graduating, but he didnt agree, since he didnt want to be far from his village. The same year he graduated, he was appointed director of the Artsvanist Cultural House. During the fifteen years he served as director, Mourad staged theatrical performances and acted. He names several of them - Liar Woman, Charlie's Aunt, and Parisian Groom, in which he played the protagonist. The latter was not only popular in the village, but also in the Vardenis area.

Mourad was dismissed from the post. His smile disappears and his face gets dark when he recalls it. In 1992-1993, when he lost his job, it was very difficult to raise five young children, and the country was at war. Back then, it was hard for everyone.

Seda says Mourad still isnt reconciled with his dismissal, though fifteen years have passed. He was offered the same work in 1995, but he didnt accept the offer. After leaving, he burned all the photos from the theatre. He regrets doing it now, since hes not able to show them to us. He says he burned them since he wanted to get rid of the memories.

There are no photos, but the memories are still alive. Mourad sighs and admits missing those days.

To raise his spirits, I ask him how he got to know his wife.

"How did I get to know my wife? Just like in a performance. There was a matchmaker. She was our neighbor's daughter (he points to his wife). At that time, I was already working as the director of the cultural house. If you want to know the truth, I went to 6-7 houses and ended up getting refusals, says Mourad.

"Wow, Mourad, youre such a humorist," Seda laughs. Her husband continues: "It turned out that the matchmaker was standing in my way. She was convincing everyone against giving me a girl, saying that I was short, small, and not the right person to marry off a girl to. She wanted to introduce me to Seda, her brother-in-laws daughter. In the end, I had to marry her. "

Seda and Mourad laugh. Seda confirms to me that hes joking. Mourad says they have been married for 38 years, living in peace and harmony.

After leaving the cultural house, he became a farmer. He says he wouldnt have turned to farming if his heart hadnt been broken by the cultural house. Together with his three sons, hes now engaged in farming and cattle breeding. Hes very satisfied with this year's potato and apple crop. Hes also started beekeeping.

At one point, he says, there were around 2,000 head of cattle in the village, and some 15,000 sheep, but now there are barely 200 head of cattle and 300 sheep. Mourad used to have 45 cows, and now he has only five.

"For example, why should I not have enough money to buy 200 head of cattle and 200 sheep? We never earn enough, since we must dress and feed ten grandchildren; they shouldnt stay barefoot. And the state provides AMD 67,000 ($138) allowance to the children monthly, which, of course, isnt enough to raise them," Mourad says.

Mourad wants to take a loan to open a livestock farm. He says his sons and daughters-in-law will work there. "I will raise beef cows, bulls. It's also good for the country," says Mourad, who switched from a life of art and culture to farming.

His unfulfilled dreams are now connected with the grandchildren. He hopes they will grow up and become art lovers. He stages performances with them at home and teaches them to dance.

After we finish talking, we take a family photo of them. We decline their dinner invitation, promising to return one day. Seda says theyve entertained so many guests that theyve renamed their house the Armenian Kitchen.

Photos: Hakob Poghosyan
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China  Thu, November 9, 2017 11:28 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a281754b 2 World trump,China,Xi-Jinping,North-Korea Free

US President Donald Trump said he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping believe the North Korean crisis can be solved as the two men held talks in Beijing on Thursday.

Trump made his remarks as the two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for talks focused on North Korea's nuclear threats and China's huge trade surplus with the United States.

"Our meeting this morning... was excellent in discussing North Korea and I do believe there's a solution to that, as you do," Trump said as he sat across from Xi.

He did not elaborate but Trump is likely to press Xi to further restrict trade between China and North Korea, whose economic well-being depends on its commerce with the world's second largest economy.

Xi, who has repeatedly urged the United States and North Korea to hold negotiations to resolve the crisis peacefully, told Trump that their nations should "strengthen communication and coordination in major international and regional issues including the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan".

On trade, Trump said previous US administrations had let the trade imbalance get "out of kilter".

"We will make it fair and it will be tremendous for both of us," Trump said.

The US leader heaped more praise on Xi, whom he first met at his Florida resort in April.

"My feeling toward you is an incredible warm one. As we said there's great chemistry and I think we're going to do tremendous things for both China and the United States."

Xi, who spoke first, told Trump: "For China and the United States, cooperation is the only correct choice and only a win-win (situation) can lead to a better future."

"At present, the Sino-US relations are at a new historical starting point. China is willing to work with the United States to respect each other, offer mutual benefits, focus on cooperation, manage and control differences."
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 15:07 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28293fa 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Lake-Toba Free

Lake Toba Implementation Authority Board (BPODT) is currently promoting tour packages to Lake Toba, North Sumatra, to Singaporean tourists.

BPODT president director Arie Prasetyo said there are up to 600 tour packages being offered until Nov. 21. The packages are divided into three groups: three days and two nights (3D2N), 4D3N and 5D4N trips. Out of the three, the 4D3N trip is said to be the most popular one.

The itinerary for the 4D3N package includes traveling to Huta Ginjang where travelers can explore Lake Toba.

The group then head to Eden Park where they will see music and cultural performances. In this place, visitors can also do fruit picking activity or sip a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop overlooking the waterfall.

At Eden Park, local artists will show visitors how to play the traditional music instrument and later on visitors can try it by themselves. This is the kind of attraction that [the tourists] want, Arie said.

Afterwards, the participants will then go to TB Silalahi museum and stay in Parapat.

Read also: South Sumatra to build Tourist Information Center for Asian Games 2018

On the second day, the group will catch a boat to sail across to Samosir from Parapat. While on the boat, they will be entertained by a performance of traditional acoustic music.

Arriving in Hutabolon, tourists will then have to switch to another boat to go to Siallagan. By lunchtime, they will be in Tuktuk and then go to Tomok to stay overnight.

Sigale-gale dance performance will be presented to visitors while they are in Tomok, said Arie.

On the third day, tourists will be given time to explore the city of Parapat.

As Silangit Airport has become an international airport, the Tourism Ministry is targeting to attract tourists from neighboring countries to come to Lake Toba and North Sumatra.

Singapore hosts around 15 million foreign tourists and 5 million Singaporeans. The travel duration [from Singapore] is only 55 minutes to Silangit, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

In addition to Singapore, the ministry also aim to attract tourists from Malaysia and China. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Thu, November 9, 2017 16:03 1833 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a282c1ea 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Tourism-Ministry,Arief-Yahya Free

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya brought something special to the Wonderful Indonesia booth at the World Travel Market 2017 event in London that ran from Nov. 6 to 8.

He presented visitors with the recent two awards that were given to Indonesia by London-based publication Dive Magazine.

Indonesia was named the worlds top destination for two years in a row by the publication and won in the best dive center or resort category thanks to Siladen Resort and Spa at Bunaken National Park in North Sulawesi.

Indonesia also won similar award last year. This proves that destinations in Indonesia, especially underwater [destinations], are world class, said Arief while receiving the award.

He moreover said these awards gave a positive impact towards Indonesian tourism, My formula is still the 3Cs; [winning this award] will boost Indonesians Confidence level, told Arief.

The next C is Credible, meaning that the publics trust towards Indonesia will increase. The last C is Calibration, as through this award Indonesia can see where it stands in the global scene.

In the photos posted on the official Instagram account of the Tourism Ministry (@kemenpar), Arief was seen being interviewed by CNN news anchor Richard Quest for his show Quest Means Business at the event.

A post shared by Kementerian Pariwisata (@kemenpar) on Nov 6, 2017 at 6:23am PST

Indonesia was nominated in three categories at Dive Magazine's 2017 Travel Awards: Best destination, dive center or resort and liveaboard.

A total of 13,845 votes were cast since the first polling in May, of which hundreds of nominated places and liveaboards were reduced to top 25 in each category. The second voting period was conducted in October for one full month.

In the best destination category, Indonesia took the first spot with 1,067 or 11.45 percent from the total of 9,399 votes cast.

More than 17,000 islands comprise the Indonesian Archipelago, with a wide range of diverse habitats and species, from the pelagic visitors and strong currents of Komodo National Park to the tranquil black sands of Lembeh's muck-diving oddities, and a wide range of everything else in between, wrote the publication. (kes)

Below is the complete winner's list of Dive Magazine's 2017 Travel Awards:

Best Destination 2017

1. Indonesia

2. Philippines

3. Azores

4. Mexico

5. Maldives

6. Egypt/Red Sea

7. Bahamas

8. Thailand

9. Fiji

10. Papua New Guinea

Best Dive Center or Resort 2017

1. Siladen Resort and Spa, Bunaken, Indonesia

2. Oblu Heneli, Maldives

3. Wakatobi, Indonesia

4. Lembeh Resort, Indonesia

5. Atmosphere Dauin, Philippines

6. Misool, Indonesia

7. Papua Paradise, Indonesia

8. Atlantis Diving Centre, Indonesia

9. Blue Corner Dive, Indonesia

10. Aiyanar, Philippines

Best Liveaboard 2017

1. Sea Hunter, Cota Rica

2. Pelagian, Indonesia

3. Bahamas Aggresor

4. FeBrina, Papua New Guinea

5. Nautilus Explorer, Mexico

6. M/V, Galapagos Master

7. M/V Sea Spirit, Maldives

8. M/Y Blue Horizon, Read Sea

9. M/V Ocean Sapphire, Maldives

10. Carpe Vita, Maldives.
Students in Yerevan continue to boycott classes, protesting a government bill scrapping draft deferments.

Yesterday's meeting with Armenias Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan didnt satisfy the demands of the students, and he said that there would be no further discussions.

Today, boycott participants started off from the Yerevan State University (YSU) Central Building and marched to other faculties, chanting "a free, independent lecturer", and "a free, independent student."

Security officers prevented journalists from entering the Faculty of Biology, limiting their number to three.

A clash took place between YSU Staff Chief Alik Gharibyan and the initiators of the movement.

Later, one of the organizers of the movement, Davit Petrosyan, had a private conversation with Gharibyan. A Radio Liberty cameraman was only allowed into the room to ensure a live broadcast of the conversation.

Davit says the YSU administration admitted that closing the university doors the day before was wrong. The issue of the students absence was also discussed.

Of the 550 students of the Faculty of Biology, only 100 were present at classes. Davit is convinced that its due to the boycott.

"The data about 17,000 students should be studied to understand the quality of education. If a person is registered as a student, but doesnt attend classes, we must understand whats their issue, he says.

Students also reported the presence of policemen without uniforms. These individuals left the scene after being asked to present their ID papers.

Members of the initiative mentioned that some YSU lecturers joined their movement, saying that the university administration had instructed the lecturers to refrain from expressing their position.

Speaking about youth in the provinces, Davit Petrosyan says that they havent received any proposal to join them yet. However, he believes that Facebook allows people from different provinces to express their positions, and their movement has spread.

Students from the European, American, and Slavonic Universities have joined the boycott.
As the room fills up with audiences and excitement, the Short Documentarys event was introduced by the festivals director, Paul Bruce, and an assistant producer in the Scottish Documentary Institute, Rachel Stollery. The program was a carefully selected combination of five of SDIs most prominent documentaries throughout the years and a few international contributions on ESFFs side. Strolley briefly presented the work of the instituted, mentioning a couple of intriguing opportunities for workshops and artistic collaborations. Below are the evening's most notable highlights.This 2009 BAFTA winner introduces the audience to an elderly, yet dignified competitive weightlifter and his environment. Shot in an almost highly dramatized stylistic sequence, this work explored the hidden emotional and mental strain behind the spectacle of the physical one. The pre-competition routine resembles a ritual preparation for a gladiatorial combat, where the most important opponent is your own mind. Bubbling under a grand and heavy exterior is pure anger, which serves as the emotional fuel behind the exception of titanic physical power. Ma Bar from adrian mcdowall on Vimeo Taking place in Blairgowrie, Sheila Stewart reflects on her traveler lineage, a proud minority, which is regrettably facing the last ancestors of its intertwined history and culture. While expressing her melancholic fear that with her death the culture of the travelers will perish, Sheila discusses the passage of time and its unavoidable mark on nature and its relationship to humanity. In the modern world where GMO food not only changes our nutrition habits but also our traditional values, the narrator expresses a disappointment in her generation, calling other fellow travelers victims of lies all their lives. The magical past of secrets and dreams slips between our fingers, while the traveler society is dying out, eroded both internally and externally by social circumstances. However, there is still hope in the form of the Cant language unique for the marginalized travelers, which Sheila is teaching her young granddaughter.

Bridging the Gap: Lies | Last in the Line from Scottish Documentary Institute on Vimeo The short documentary opens with a lavish and colorful shot of a flower shop, which we later understand is situated in the largest consumer goods market in the world - Yiwu Markets. Although the first scene is somewhat delicate, we soon come to see that this observational work reveals an empty, almost sedated life behind the smooth light counters of the stores. Different sellers are presented in their respective shops, in impersonal and modified, unnatural environments, where a lack of passion or any lust for life are prevalent. The partial and mundane sterile interactions between sellers and customers resemble more a static noise than a form of human connection, where the lonely and isolated existence of these individuals among objects seems so natural to them, that it is hard to even be perceived as oppressive.

Commodity City TEASER - clip 4 from Jessica Kingdon on Vimeo This work produced in collaboration with Creative Scotland is very fluidly and unobtrusively shot, giving it an intimate and authentic feel. It presents the everyday joined life of a mother and her unusual and challenged young daughter April. The close and endearing relationship between the two women is palpable, which was tastefully and sensitively achieved through the sophisticated cinematographic style and directing. The audience catches a glimpse of the mothers love for April when she admits her fear for her daughters fragile future.

Swan - Trailer | Bridging the Gap: Women from Scottish Documentary Institute on Vimeo Centered on the theme of the Spanish Civil War, this documentary is hypnotic and distressing. A steady narrating masculine voice enchants the audiences to go on a sinister journey in time, dominated by powerful wartime imagery, destitute, fear, and abuse of power. A repetitive mesmerizing device is used in the form of moving train tracks, disappearing into the darkness. The most intense segment of the work revolves around an interview with one of the 4000 Scottish volunteers during the war, a man with glass-blue eyes, who condemns the pretense and purposeful self-inflicted ignorance of the masses, leading them into dangerous blind belief in the media. The subject recognizes that fascism is built upon and feeds off lies and duplicity, leading to mass scale slavery and oppression.
A Virginia politician has made US history by becoming the first openly transgender person to be elected to any state legislature in the country.

Danica Roem beat Republican Bob Marshall, whod represented northern Virginia in the House of Delegates for 26 years, and this year proposed a Bill that would have have restricted which toilets Roem could use.

Who is she?

The 33-year-old is a Democrat and former local news reporter who also sings in a metal band in her spare time.

During the campaign Roem had to deal with being repeatedly misgendered by the notoriously conservative Marshall, who once described himself as chief homophobe, but also spoke openly about her gender.

Roem focused on jobs, schools and, most prominently, northern Virginias traffic congestion, in one of this years most high-profile US elections.

The northern Virginia resident has been vocal against Donald Trump, but was asked to run before he became president.

When Trump tried  and failed  to ban transgender people from the military, she said: It is nothing short of hypocrisy for someone unfit to serve honourably in the presidency to tell honourable, hard-working, patriotic Americans who answered their countrys call to service that they are unfit to serve because of who they are.

The message that I can succeed because of my gender, not despite it, because of who I am without being afraid of who I am is a human message, Roem told Cosmopolitan in September.

Its something that even if you are cisgender, but you have some reason that youve been singled out in your life  you can look at me and say If she can do this, so can I.

What has the reaction been like?

(Jahi Chikwendiu/AP)

The mood on social media has been celebratory.

BREAKING: Come January, a trans woman will walk into the capitol built by Jefferson to take her seat in the Virginia legislature. Danica Roem will raise her right hand, swear an oath, and, will become the first out trans person to be elected to and serve in a state legislature.  Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 8, 2017

The man who wrote the anti-trans bathroom bill just lost the election to a trans woman. Let that sink in. https://t.co/KFEZXSYvMy  Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) November 8, 2017

Tonight's results send a message loud and clear, as Danica Roem @pwcdanica put it so eloquently tonight: "Discrimination is a disqualifier. You can champion inclusion, you can champion equality and equity, and you can win."  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 8, 2017

The story of LGBT equality has been defined by people who have the courage to own their identity. Danica Roem wrote a beautiful new chapter tonight. Congratulations to Virginia's first openly transgender elected official.  Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) November 8, 2017

People also used Roems victory to mention Althea Garrison, a transgender person who won a seat in Bostons legislature in 1992 before being subsequently outed by a Conservative newspaper.

Danica Roem is NOT the first trans person to be elected to a state legislature. That accomplishment goes to Althea Garrison, a Black trans woman who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1993-95.  Venus Selenite XXX (@venusselenite) November 8, 2017

Trans woman Althea Garrison was elected to the MA state leg in 1992, serving one term. She's alive today, and ran for Boston city council this year. pic.twitter.com/i3gwmHKY8R  Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) November 8, 2017

Roem will take her seat in January  but she wasnt the only transgender person to be elected on Tuesday.

Tyler Titus, who is openly transgender, won a seat on a western Pennsylvania school board, The Erie Times-News reported.

2017 will be remembered as the year of the trans candidate  and Danicas heroic run for office the centrepiece of that national movement, Aisha Moodie-Mills, president and chief executive of Victory Fund, said in a statement.
Users discovered that Twitter blocked all photos, videos and news tweeted under the hashtags #bisexual and #bisexuality.

Twitter has been accused of bi-erasure after their search engine bought up no results for #bisexual or #bisexuality.

Filters erasing #bisexual content? Hey @Twitter, that sounds like discrimination based on sexual orientation. Also dangerous and cruel.  Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) 5 November 2017

The search results for 'lesbian' also appeared to be limited with no photos showing.

Campaigner Kate Harrad of The Bisexual Index said:

"Bisexuals have historically been hypersexualised and associated with porn and promiscuity, Kate Harrad says.

Every bi activist knows the problems of trying to search for bi content on the web - some public wifi systems block it altogether, even when it's nothing to do with sex, because bisexual is seen as a dodgy word in itself.

This is why Twitter needs to be very sensitive to any filtering that reduces access to bi content, and very aware of the problem of bisexual erasure."

Bisexual activist Lewis Oakley wrote in Pink News that there were no bisexual spaces in media technologies:

There are no mainstream bisexual magazines for us to discuss our issues in. There are no bisexual venues for us to meet one another and discuss our issues.

There are no bisexual apps to connects us and despite being one of the most prominent bi activists I still havent been in a room with ten other bisexuals my age.

Twitter HQ apologised for the mishap and tweeted that they had "identified an error" and were resolving the issue.
A Twitter thread by Give Blood NHS calling for more black blood donors has received loads of praise online for its creative gif-laden explanation  while heading off possible accusations of racism.

Do black people have special blood? Are we being racist? Is race a social construct? Lets break it down. pic.twitter.com/D6RFTj87rl  GiveBlood NHS (@GiveBloodNHS) November 7, 2017

Currently only 1% of blood donors are from black African and black Caribbean ethnic backgrounds, according to NHS Blood And Transplant, and many more are needed to help patients with one particular condition. Heres why

Everyones blood is not the same

Everyones blood IS NOT the same, so you can stop calling us racist. pic.twitter.com/PtRMQdYseG  GiveBlood NHS (@GiveBloodNHS) November 7, 2017

The Give Blood NHS account tweeted: Blood can have more than 30 different types of blood groups. Youve all heard of ABO, right? Thats one blood group youve heard of people being positive or negative? Thats another blood group.

Blood groups are more or less common in different ethnic groups. So black people are more likely to have, say, B negative blood Thats not to say white or Asian people cant be B negative or that all black people are B negative.

It just means people from the same ethnic background are more likely to have the same blood groups. And for blood transfusions to work, you need well matched blood types.

Black people are more likely to have the rare subgroup Ro than white people

Black people are more likely to have a rare subgroup called Ro. Ten times more likely than a white person. pic.twitter.com/1A6LIMXR5P  GiveBlood NHS (@GiveBloodNHS) November 7, 2017

The Ro subtype is simply blood with a certain combination of genes and is perfectly normal. People with this subtype will still always fit into one of these four blood categories: A positive, B positive, AB positive or O positive.

The NHS website Give Blood explains: The Ro subtype is more than 10 times as common in individuals from black African or black Caribbean ethnic backgrounds, than in individuals from white ethnic backgrounds.

Many people with sickle cell disease have Ro blood

That means we need more Ro blood to help the growing number of patients with sickle cell disease.  GiveBlood NHS (@GiveBloodNHS) November 7, 2017

Sickle cell disease is an inherited, life-threatening genetic condition which is more common in black people.

Give Blood NHS posted: People with sickle cell disease develop sickle-shaped blood cells that cant circulate around their body. They are at risk of stroke, serious infections and very painful crisis episodes.

Many people with sickle cell disease need regular blood transfusions of healthy blood to stay alive. If you keep getting transfusions, and your blood is not very well matched, your body will develop resistance to transfusions.

Just to clarify though, Ro subtype and sickle cell disease arent connected  if you have Ro blood, it doesnt mean you have sickle cell, and vice versa.

Theres a lack of blood donors with Ro blood

It just doesnt work if we say we need Ro donors, because then youll say, What the heck is Ro?! pic.twitter.com/S4H9D3micE  GiveBlood NHS (@GiveBloodNHS) November 7, 2017

Only 2% of current blood donors have the Ro subtype, according to NHS website Give Blood . And according to Stephen Bailey, corporate communications manager for NHS Blood And Transplant: We need 40,000 new black blood donors.

There are 36 blood group systems, but when it comes to blood transfusions, the most important ones are ABO group and Rh group. When a patient needs a single blood transfusion, they can usually be given blood based on only the ABO group and Rh group. But when someone requires multiple blood transfusions (like those with sickle cell disease), they need to be given more extensively-matched blood. If a patient has the Ro subtype and requires ongoing multiple transfusions, more often than not, theyll need the blood of the Ro subtype.

Most people dont know they have Ro blood

Well, most people dont know they have Ro blood, unless they donate and we tell them. pic.twitter.com/D2PjZS2UwP  GiveBlood NHS (@GiveBloodNHS) November 7, 2017

As part of a new initiative, the NHS have started telling donors if they have the Ro subtype and what that means. The NHS may also contact these donors and ask them to make a special effort to donate more.

And the campaign has already encouraged more people to sign up

Damn this awesome explanation. Fine, I am going to donate blood (I hate needles).  Bronson Grey (@GreyBronson) November 7, 2017

Find my black ass at the donation centre pic.twitter.com/gBElwHo6yu  (@SunchiiChenn) November 7, 2017

You can register here to become a donor and book an appointment, or attend a drop-in session. Just before donating, youll be asked to drink 500ml of fluid to help you feel better during and after the session. The nurse will check your iron levels and youll fill out a health check form. During the donation itself, a cuff will be placed on your arm to maintain a small amount of pressure and a needle will be inserted into your arm to collect 470ml of blood (just under a pint) into a blood bag  this takes between five and 10 minutes. The whole appointment should take no longer than an hour.

All I have to say is GIVE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER A RAISE  brooke (@bXbyrne) November 7, 2017
Last night, after much speculation, hours of journalists tracking her plane, Priti Patel, MP for Witham, resigned as international development secretary.

Patel, 42, who commands a massive majority of just under 19,000 had this summer flown to Israel on holiday.

Whilst there, she had meetings with several Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and centrist opposition Yesh Atid leader former journalist and finance minister Yair Lapid.

Meetings between British and Israeli officials aren't uncommon, just this week Netanyahu was in Downing Street. The two countries are important allies in finance and security.



Golan Heights hospitals Indeed, what she discussed wasn't controversial at all. She offered to help using the international aid budget to fund hospitals in the. Thesehave been used to treat those injured in the conflict in bordering Syria, both civilian and combatant alike.

It starts getting awkward when you look at the implications.

The British government has not recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Heights, meaning there is no legal framework for the money to be spent there.

salaries of terrorists Britain had in the summer suspended aid to the Palestinians , over allegations that the money was used to pay the

The Golan Heights were captured by Israel in 1967, during the six-day war and unlike the Sinai Peninsula has remained under Israeli control. It is likely that if returned to Syria, the Druze communities living there will have been targeted by ISIS.

Though, even the most partisan of individuals would be hard pressed to complain if this money was going to genuine humanitarian causes.

Then comes the fact that Patel was accompanied by Lord Polak, honorary president of Conservative Friends of Israel, department business was discussed in the presence of a man, who, regardless should not have been there when it was discussed.



Then the Foreign Office and Downing Street were not aware that Patel was there. She lied and said Boris knew. In politics, the cover-up is often worse than the original scandal.

In doing so, she has helped no-one.

By conducting diplomacy without the permission or knowledge of her cabinet colleagues, she has undermined them.

Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe Boris is having a tough time due to his comments on thecase. For a fellow minister to effectively behave as though she's better off conducting business without him makes him look weak and indecisive.

May, meanwhile, is also undermined in the same way. She's already lost Sir Michael Fallon, a senior figure in the cabinet in recent days. In a volatile situation for the PM, she's caused more turmoil, when May needs things to calm.

The cabinet looks disunited, the credibility of her party shot.

At this moment in time, there's no evidence to suggest Israel was aware of Patel's freelance foreign adventures.

But it doesn't help them either.

A lot of people around the world in Britain, look upon the state with mistrust. There have been countless conspiracy theories about the nation. Covert meetings with foreign politicians do not change that view, it looks shifty, dodgy, and makes it look like everyone has something to hide.

Lastly, almost like a secondary school teacher, I have to point out, Priti Patel has let herself down.

To avoid this whole mess, all she had to do was clear it with the Foreign Office. All that and she would have avoided all this controversy and she'd still have a job, Boris and May would have less to deal with, and the government wouldn't look like disorganised and backstabbing.

Patel has been a rising star in the Tory Party, since becoming an MP in 2010, earmarked by Cameron as an A List Parliamentary Candidate, she had been involved with the party since the late 1990s.

An economics graduate, who has worked in public and media relations, Patel had built a reputation as a brave, outspoken member of the next generation of Conservative leadership.

She'd generated controversy in the past, as she's lobbied for big tobacco and been supportive of tobacco companies, but it hadn't had much effect on her reputation.

This will.

The careers of Liam Fox and David Davis, show it is possible to return to politics. Fox, resigned in 2011 following allegations of impropriety due to his relationship with Adam Werrity and Davis having lost the Conservative leadership election in 2005, turned down the opportunity to return to the cabinet in 2010, opposing plans on tuition fees and anti-civil liberty laws.

Both were considered to be yesterday's men, but returned in 2016 as International Trade and Brexit secretaries, respectively.

But, Fox and Davis benefited from the opportunities and need for fresh blood due to Brexit. Patel may miss the opportunity as she rebuilds her reputation. A staunch Brexiteer this was a time where she can stamp her authority and fulfill her ambitions.

She'll spend it on the backbenches, though. All she had to do was speak to Boris or May. I've never been a fan of her due to her relationship with big tobacco, but she was definitely a viable candidate for the Conservative leadership in the coming future, that won't happen now.
As the final electoral votes on November 9th, 2016 were counted, gasps of surprise could be heard across the globe. Donald Trump had won the US presidential elections against all odds. Polls had suggested that his opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton, would have won, even the popular votes were in her favour, but Americas electoral system had disappointed millions.

Women took Trump's win particularly hard and not because the USA had missed out on their first female president, but rather because of whom had won.

On Trumps first Monday morning in the Oval Office, the impact on women was apparent on an international scale, as millions of women lost their reproductive rights,

The picture of Caucasian men standing around the Resolute desk as President Trump signs an executive order banning international NGOs from providing abortion services is still not forgotten.

Even now, abortions are still frowned upon by some and illegal in some countries, but the US is meant to set an example. Them prohibiting abortion services is a major setback for family planning, reproductive rights, unsustainable population growth, and our progress in contraception.

The fact is that pregnancies do happen, and sometimes they are unplanned, but what Trump apparently failed to

realise when he signed the so-called gag-rule, is that a pregnancy can be a burden to some, as it is not always the right time or place to be pregnant.

Women are, in most cases, the ones who then have to give up their education, family, their entire life just so they could bear that child, while men can easily step out of the picture and continue to pursue their dreams.

Thus, abortion often seems the better option for many women and whether the services are funded or not, those women who really want it will find a way to get it done, which could result in millions of unsafe abortions around the world.

Women will also be ill-informed, sexually transmitted diseases will spread more easily due to unsanitary equipment, and it is estimated that more than 21,000 women would die as a result of unsafe abortions.

The rule does mainly concern women abroad, but recently there have also been some issues concerning abortion within the US itself.

A 17-year-old immigrant, who was in federal custody, fought for a month with the Trump administrations objection to an abortion she wanted to have. A US appeals court did rule in her

favour

and she was able to proceed with the abortion, but, as Susan Hays, the legal director for the teens Process said, it shouldn't take dozens of lawyers for anyone to get an abortion.

Abortion is a choice that has to be taken by an individual person without any external influences. Taking that choice away would consequently take away the autonomy women have over their own bodies  a basic human right.

The saddest part is that Trumps excessive need to have power over women doesnt end with him signing the gag-rule, nor did it begin there.

When Donald Trump was still an acclaimed businessman and before he'd even considered running for POTUS, he had made quite a name for himself amongst women.

Trump has made some very crude remarks over the past three decades, and the arrival of the digital age hasnt done much to prevent that.

We all know that Trump knows his way around Twitter, and when it comes to expressing his opinions on famous women, he doesnt hold back.

To pick a few he has called Arianna Huffington ugly, claimed that Hillary Rodham Clinton cant satisfy her husband and used the word bimbo to describe Megyn Kelly.

How much money is the extremely unattractive (both inside and out) Arianna Huffington paying her poor ex-hubby for the use of his name?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2015



Sadly, Trumps stance on women doesnt end with the comments. In total, 16 women have accused Trump of sexual assault

These previous accusations have only intensified during his political career, as more and more women came forward about how Trump had treated them.

However, President Trump himself has claimed that the accusations were fake news. The White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, also confirms this , believing that the women who have accused Trump of sexual assault are lying.

Trumps behaviour towards women is what concerns women and still makes them wonder why anyone would ever vote for a man who has so little respect for them.

It also raises concerns about how other men will treat them now. The USA is what a lot of countries aspire to be, and its leader is someone many people look up to. The US president is an example for the rest of the world, and if he treats women in a disrespectful way, then who is to stop others from behaving exactly like him?

However, some people may just want to believe that Trump isnt all that bad. After all, he does support birth control without contraception, as he stated back in September 2016 when the elections were in full heat.

I would say it should not be a prescription; it should not be done by prescription," Trump said about buying birth control in a taped interview on The Dr. Oz Show.

In addition, Trump has claimed multiple times that childcare should become more affordable for women.

Yet, all of these statements seem to have just been an attempt to boost his poll numbers with women, as he hasnt actually made it any easier.

On the contrary, only two months after Trump claimed that birth control should become an over-the-counter drug, he announced that he felt Planned Parenthood, an organisation that provides reproductive health care in the US and worldwide, was bad.

In April of this year, he reinforced that belief and signed a law that aimed to cut off federal funding for the non-profit organisation, another hitch in the fight for womens rights; a fight that has been going on for too long.

So last year women were, indeed, upset that Hillary Rodham Clinton was not elected. They were frustrated that America decided to pass on their first female president. They were worried about Trumps legacy and scared of what the future might hold for them.

They were, however, right to express their concerns, as Trump has only been in power since January, yet, women see the progress their predecessors had worked so hard for ebb away bit by bit.

Nevertheless, we must not forget that Trump has also made women stronger. Now more than ever, women stand united to find a remedy for the situation they are in and they keep fighting for a fairer world.

After all, Trump may be gone by 2021, and he has already claimed that the job is more tiring then he expected it to be. So here is to hoping that he, American voters and the US Electoral College will start to realise that both men and women deserve the same human rights.
President Donald Trump and his administration have been disastrous for the LGBTQ community.

Everybody knows the Republican party isn't exactly LGBTQ friendly, but Donald Trump promised he would be different, however, as most people expected he hasn't lived up to his promises.

Before The Donald become President Trump he positioned himself as an ally of LGBT people.

Armed with false promises and empty words Trump deflected questions about LGBT people and their rights during his presidential campaign, projecting himself as a trustworthy friend who would stand by and support the LGBT community.

Not many LGBTQ people bought his act, however, taken on surface value Trump came across - at times - as a somewhat liberal Republican when it came to LGBTQ issues.

He boldly claimed he would protect LGBTQ people far better than Hillary Clinton would as president, said Caitlyn Jenner, who is transgender, could use whichever bathroom she wanted when visiting Trump Tower, and proudly waved a Pride flag on stage.

Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2016

When, for example, he was asked about the transgender bathroom access debate, he said: There have been very few complaints the way it is. People go. They use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble.

However, within a month of taking office, the Trump administration withdrew federal guidance implemented by Obama which said transgender students should have unrestricted access to bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.

This was one of the first of many policy decisions and actions which clearly indicated that President Trump and his administration were not focused on bettering the lives of LGBTQ people or ensuring the protection of their basic rights.

In fact, as months have passed the Trump administration has sought to reverse or implement policies that seek to exclude or disadvantage the LGBTQ community.

Through their actions, words and the policies, they try to push through, the Trump administration is sending a message that LGBTQ lives do not matter, and this message is dangerous.

Effectively by disregarding the basic rights of LGBTQ people they are making it seem acceptable to be discriminatory. Whatsmore, they are impacting on the quality of people's lives through implementing - or attempting to implement - regressive policies.

These are just a few of the things that have happened over the past months under the Trump administration:

January 20th: LGBTQ content removed from the official White House website.

When the Trump administration took over the official White House website - WhiteHouse.gov - it removed all the LGBTQ pages , including the page on the Office of National AIDS Policy.

While some people claimed this was simply a normal transitionary step and the pages would be updated to be in line with the new administration's views, nearly eleven months later there is still no LGBTQ content.

When you try to access www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt youre simply redirected to a page which reads: Thank you for your interest in this subject. STAY TUNED AS WE CONTINUE TO UPDATE WHITEHOUSE.GOV.

Trump is not the president of the LGBT American either; every mention of the term LGBT has been removed from the White House website. pic.twitter.com/2mC4vdpiPR  Ric Roberts2144 (@RicRoberts2144) 2 June 2017

February 22nd: Federal protections for transgender students withdrawn.

The Obama administration implemented guidance which stated transgender students should be given access to bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity but these guidelines were lifted under the Trump administration.

Just seeing the news about removing laws protecting trans people. This isnt about politics. Its about human rights, and its not okay.  Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) 23 February 2017

Transgender rights advocates criticised the move, saying the guidance was imperative in ensuring the protection of transgender students from discrimination.

March 16th: The Department of State sends two anti-LGBTQ groups to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Two groups that oppose LGBT equality and womens rights laws - The Center for Family and Human Rights (C-FAM) and Heritage Foundation - were sent as part of Americas official delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

C-FAM has been labeled a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center due to its extremist views and violent rhetoric.

March 27th: Trump signs an executive order that weakens protections for LGBTQ workers.

When he was president, Obama created an executive order in 2014 which would prohibit the federal government from contracting with firms that discriminated against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Effectively the order would help protect a lot of LGBTQ people from employment discrimination.

Obama went on to create another executive order, 14 days after this one, which required firms contracted by the federal government to prove they were complying with his first order and being fair to LGBTQ employees.

Trump rescinded this second order.

This effectively means protections for LGBTQ workers are now weakened because these companies now dont have to provide proof that theyre not discriminating against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

So although the first executive order - which is intended to protect LGBTQ employees - is still in place the second order isn't, as Camilla Taylor, senior counsel at Lambda Legal, said , "It's sending a message to these companies that the federal government simply doesn't care whether or not they violate the law.

July 26th: Trump announces hes banning transgender men and women from serving in the military

Under President Obama, and following a year-long study, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter made the decision to allow transgender individuals to serve openly in the military in 2016.

By ending the ban on transgender service members, were eliminating policies that can result in transgender service members being treated differently from their peers based solely upon their gender identity, rather than their ability to serve, Carter said.

In July Trump decided to revoke this policy decision, making the announcement on Twitter.

"We've had thousands of people working for a couple of years on this policy, and this policy is totally uplifted and thrown away with a tweet? That's amazingly poor leadership, activist and retired US Navy Seal, Kristin Beck, told Sky News in July. "What happens to all these people who currently serve, who were told it is okay to come out, it is okay to serve openly as transgender?"

Put simply, President Trump isn't the woke Republican people were promised.

In recent years America has made huge strides towards LGBTQ equality but with President Trump at the helm things have been taking a step backward.

The Trump administration doesn't care about LGBTQ people.

. Of course, there are many, many more things that have happened under the Trump administration that have been implicitly anti-LGBTQ as well as repeated ignoring of the LGBTQ community in general and the appointment of anti-LGBTQ individuals to key positions

The Trump administration - as evidenced above - has so far been disastrous for the LGBTQ community but what I believe is one of the most harmful things they have done is to reinforce the stigma against LGBTQ people.

LGBTQ teenagers are four times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, this is something that needs to be tackled but how can it possibly be tackled effectively under Trump?

Social stigma is damaging, it can make people reluctant or scared to come out and make those that do feel shameful, embarrassed and afraid.

The normalisation of this stigma will, in my opinion, only make the lives of LGBTQ people more difficult and lead to an increase in mental health issues within the LGBTQ community. This will be particularly detrimental to teenagers who are already more vulnerable and likely to suffer from poor mental health.

It should never be made to seem acceptable to be prejudiced or discriminatory to anyone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, however, when the American president and his administration is doing just that a dangerous example is being set.

Instead of being the friend he said he was, Trump has used his powers not to advance the lives of LGBTQ people but to alienate the LGBTQ community, to make their lives harder, to try and remove their basic rights and ultimately through his actions - and sometimes inaction - he has given a message that seems to say "you have no worth" and "you are not welcome here."

It's not hard to see, President Trump and his administration doesn't really care about LGBTQ Americans.

This is why it's more important than ever that people who are outside of the LGBTQ community come together to stand against this hate and erasure. To offer support, solidarity, and respect and not simply stand by ideally when Trump attempts to cut the basic rights of LGBTQ people and enforce regressive policies.

As Desmond Tutu once said, "if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."
When reporters asked if Sauat Mynbayev co-owns a company that made millions from gas and oil deals with Kazakhstan while he was the countrys oil minister, there was a one sentence reply.

S.M. Mynbayev is not a founder or shareholder of Meridian Capital Limited, said KazMunayGaz, the state oil and gas company he currently heads.

But that was last week, while reporters were finalizing their analysis of the 6.8 million confidential records from a Bermuda law firm that were leaked to the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung and shared with investigative journalists worldwide.

In the mass of documents, OCCRP reporters found evidence that Mynbayev and a group of powerful bankers had in 2002 created Meridian Capital Limited, a multi-billion-dollar empire that grew thanks to Kazakhstans booming oil industry at a time when Mynbayev was either the countrys oil minister or chief executive of the state oil company.

The revelation was published on Sunday as part of the Paradise Papers leak that offers another insight into how the rich and powerful secretly move money around the world.

Once the evidence was exposed, Mynbayev suddenly remembered.

"I declared my ownership share in Meridian Capital in a tax declaration, which I submitted over many years, as a public official should do, and I have never concealed this," he told Radio Free Europe on Tuesday.

Even if he did declare the ownership in Meridian, negotiating oil deals on behalf of Kazakhstan while being shareholder in an oil company is a conflict of interest at best.

And one he never declared even to KazMunayGas, which he still heads.

Meridian was worth US$3 billion, according to a 2006 disclosure, but the company is so secretive that the full extent of its investments may never be known. It doesnt even have a website.

The leaked documents, however, show that Mynbayev was in 2006 the second-largest shareholder, with 18.75 percent. His other six co-owners had occupied top positions in Kazkommertsbank, the fourth-largest in the former Soviet republics.

Another leak OCCRP obtained earlier revealed that the bank approved loans to Meridian with which the company funded project after project. If one project failed, they would dump the losses onto the banks balance sheets until the state had to bail the bank out at least twice.

The true cost of the banks behavior in bailouts and bad deals will likely never be known, but Kazakhstans citizens could be on the hook for billions of dollars.

All in all, as the bank was going down, Meridian kept growing. Three years after its creation, the company was paying millions in dividends to its shareholders.

It is not known how much Mynbayev profited from the company, but it would have been in the millions.

But it is known that Ian Connor, Meridians only non-Kazakhstani co-owner, had done so well for himself that he was preparing to move to Monaco to lower his tax payments.

This is according to notes from a May 2005 meeting he held with his bank, HSBC, in the French Riviera.

In that meeting, Connor estimated the companys total assets at $1.2 billion, and said he had received a $9 million dividend payment from the group the previous month.

This is why Meridians co-owners needed the secrecy Bermuda offered. The island doesnt require companies to disclose their owners.

And perhaps this is why Mynbayev claimed he had nothing to do with Meridian on a Wednesday but suddenly remembered he co-owns the multi-billion company two days after the Paradise Papers revealed he does.

Credit: Sauat Mynbaev, chairman of Kazakhstans state oil and gas company, KazMunayGaz. (Photo: KazMunayGaz web site)

occrp.org
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"I stand up and announce that his best mate's got to sit down and shut up or bugger off.
There is a growing body of research that highlights the benefits of diverse teachers for students of all backgrounds. Studies have found that teachers of color hold higher academic expectations for students of color and students of all races have more favorable perceptions of teachers of color over their white counterparts. And while many agree there is no easy solution to the persistent achievement gap between black and white students in the Madison School District, a more diverse teaching staff could help, some say.
Well-known dance critic Leela Venkataraman has been writing regular columns of dance reviews in several newspapers like The National Herald, The Patriot and The Hindu for more than three decades. She also contributes to Sruti, a monthly journal published from Chennai; Nartanam, a dance quarterly published from Hyderabad; Narthaki on-line; and for a number of international foreign journals as a commentator on dance.

She has also coauthored several books, including Indian Classical Dance: a Tradition in Transition, The Dance Phenomenon Birju Maharaj, and Step by Step Bharatanatyam. The Publication Division, Union ministry of information and broadcasting, has brought out a compilation of her writings, Indian Classical Dance ~ Through a Critics Eye, a selection of 36 articles written by Leela Venkataraman, published in newspapers, periodicals and dance magazines.

These thoughtfully-selected and systematically-presented articles offer a peek into the changing world of Indian dance.

They are also a record, or sort of documentation, of various important events, institutions and personalities that have influenced and enriched the legacy of various Indian dance forms over the years. Very wisely selected, outside the time-bound coverage of the weekly reviewed particular recitals, the articles are quite systematically arranged in this book. Opening with an introductory scenario of Tradition and Modernity in Indian Dance,the book is divided into two sections.

In Section A, the publishers have taken the articles that showcase the authors perspective on Culture, Dance, Dance Administration, Media, Indian Classical Dance Forms and Music, Criticism and the Culture Divides. In Section-B the reader comes to know about some of the immortal pioneers and legends of Indian dance. The author herself acknowledges this in her preface: I owe this book to the hard work of Ms Harini Srinivasan, Editor Publications Division, who has undertaken the task of reading through innumerable pages of print in every conceivable font size, selecting what she considered would be interesting for the general reader.

Every article in this book is an independent piece. The gist and required reference of every article is given in a few lines for the convenience of those readers who dont want to go through the whole article and just want to turn the pages enjoying the beautiful pictures. These comments also inspire them to read on. Like in the article titled Where are the Silences of a Heritage, one immediately sees the highlighted comment: This article examines the quality of meditative silence in our traditional arts and the need for audiences and performers alike to share a space that is created by a profound understanding of all that underlies creativity of any sort. Or with another article on culture the highlighted lines say: What is Indian Culture? Speakers at a seminar held in Delhi in 1995, put forwards some old and some new definitions.

In this way the publisher also helps the reader in deciding ones preference in selecting the articles to read first. In one go this comprehensive book provides a lovely glimpse of Indian dance, its critical perception and the dance scenario in general.

Apart from the subjects relating directly to Indian dance, the varied topics also cover interesting information about Madurai the Eternal City; a Tradition in Transition-Melattur; Jagannath Consciousness; Silappathikaram; the Ageless Tamil Epic; or about Male Body in Indian Dance; about Yakshagana, or the authors concerns about the Shrinking Audiences, or Music and Dance Connections and Disconnections.

The well conceived and beautifully brought out book costs Rs 860.
Companies from China and the US signed on Wednesday 19 deals worth a total of $9 billion on the first day of the US Presidents visit to the Chinese capital.

The agreements, which encompass sectors such as energy, aeronautics and agriculture, were signed at a ceremony presided by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross at the Great Hall of the People, Efe reported.

US President Donald Trump reached Beijing on Wednesday for a visit that includes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and a business summit where both leaders will participate.

Trump was accompanied by officials from some 30 big companies from sectors such as aviation, agriculture, biotechnology and machinery.

Ross said in a brief statement that Washington aims to reduce the massive trade deficit with China.

Wang said that the agreements were a warm-up ahead of the favourable outcomes that await in Thursdays bilateral talks.

China on Wednesday published data related to foreign trade during the first ten months of 2017 that showed that the countrys trade surplus with the US stood at $223 billion during the period, meaning a year-on-year increase of eight percent.

Trump had made his countrys trade deficit with China one of the focal points of his electoral campaign in 2016.
India is a lot more attractive place for business than what the World Banks recent ranking suggests, top Indian-American economist Arvind Panagariya has said, noting that the 30-point jump in one year was overdue.

Investors usually go where the environment is the best and not where the World Bank collects its data, Panagariya, professor at the prestigious Columbia University, told PTI in an interview.

Our best investment destinations do significantly better than the latter, said the former vice chairman of NITI Aayog.

I have often said that India as a place to do business is a lot more attractive than the World Bank ranking suggests.

This is because the bank collects its data in Delhi and Mumbai, not in the states with the best business environment such as Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, he said.

Panagariya, 65, was responding to a question on the latest annual report of the World Bank on ease of doing business.

India registered an impressive 30-point jump in one year, registering the best performance among emerging economies.

This (increase in ranking) was overdue. The government had made a large number of improvements that did not get included last year. I am delighted this has been rectified in the 2018 rankings, Panagariya said.

The single most important factor has been the focused effort by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to cajole the relevant entities into making improvements to the ease of doing business in areas covered by the World Bank survey, he said.

The DIPP created a detailed checklist of items and saw to it that the entities involved do the needful, said the economist who headed NITI Aayog from January 2015 to August 2017.

From NITI, we helped the DIPP where we could, particularly in getting the states on board, he said, adding that this is an area where credit must go largely to DIPP.

Panagariya said he had known for some time that the processes were undergoing improvement continuously after the present government came to office.

But the recognition of this fact by a major international financial institution sends a very important signal, he said.

As you must know, the western press has been slow to recognise the improvements in governance that have taken place in India in the last three years. Hopefully, the jump in the rankings will go some distance towards convincing foreign investors that India is fast changing as a place to do business, he hoped.

Based on the series of reforms that have been going on for quite some time now, the economist exuded confidence in further improvement in Indias ranking next year.

Not only can India improve its ranking, it will do so.

Many improvements already in place have not been included in the 2018 rankings due to usual lags between implementation and their recognition. Inclusion of these change alone would give India another boost in the 2019 rankings, he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had now set the target of taking Indias ranking in ease of doing business in the top 50, asserting that this is achievable, but one should not underestimate the difficulties.

The prime minister always thinks big. At the time, he moots these big ideas, they seem unachievable. But he makes them achievable, he said.

Today, reaching into the top 50 looks a lot more within our grasp, though we should not underestimate the difficulty: as we climb up, the slope gets steeper and steeper since we are competing against better and better performing countries, Panagariya said.

Responding to a question, Panagariya said there were several areas where there is considerable scope for improvement, prominent among them being registration of properties, enforcement of contracts, starting a business, construction permits and trading across borders.

Each of these areas has its own multiple pain points that must be addressed using the DIPP checklist approach, he said.

India, he asserted, is already looking a lot better than in May 2014.

The growth rate during the last three full financial years has averaged 7.5 per cent compared with 5.9 per cent during the last two years of the UPA. By May 2019, we will see further improvement, Panagariya said.
Governor NN Vohra on Thursday suggested Dineshwar Sharma that notwithstanding any initial reservations in some groups, he must sustain the dialogue and hear one and all, particularly elements of the society who apparently held contrary convictions.

Dineshwar Sharma, Special Representative of the Government of India for the Dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir, met Vohra at the Raj Bhavan after reaching here from Srinagar.

Sharma is currently visiting the state and meeting representatives of different sections of society, student organizations, political parties, social and religious groups.

Sharma informed the Governor about his talks with various individuals and groups in the Valley and the major concerns which had been voiced by those he had met on his first visit to Kashmir.

Sharma also called on the deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh.
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Defending the investigations of the local police in the murder of seven-year-old Pradhuman Thakur of Ryan International School in Gurugram, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that the police investigations were in progress when the case was handed over to the CBI.

With the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigations claiming that a Class 11th student was behind the gruesome murder of Pradhuman on September 8, Khattar told media here that the Haryana Police had not yet completed its investigations into the matter and had not submitted its chargesheet when the case was transferred to the CBI for investigation.

Also Read: Detained Class 11 student killed Pradyuman to delay exams, PTA meet: CBI

The case was handed over to the CBI by the Haryana government after Pradhumans family sought a CBI investigation.

The Gurugram police had arrested Ryan school bus conductor Ashok Kumar within hours of the murder and claimed that he had murdered the child after trying to sodomize him. The state police is now being accused of botching up the probe and forcing the conductor to admit his guilt in the crime.

Haryana Director General of Police B.S. Sandhu also defended the state police saying that there was no pressure on the police to hasten the probe when the matter was being investigated by it.

Following the sensational CBI disclosure in the murder case, Sandhu told reporters in Panchkula near here on Wednesday that there was nothing wrong in the Gurugram police investigations.

There is no failure of Gurugram police. There was no pressure on police. It is too early to say anything, he said.

Asked about the arrest of the school bus conductor by the Haryana Police in this matter and the embarrassment caused to the state police by the CBI findings, the DGP said: Koi baat nahin, chalta hai (it does not matter, it happens).

In a dramatic twist to the murder of the Class 2 student, the CBI on Wednesday said the horrific crime was committed by a 16-year-old student who wanted to delay upcoming exams and a parent-teacher meeting.

A court in Gurugram in Haryana sent the Class 11 student to three days in CBI custody. CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said the student was detained on Tuesday night as the prime suspect in the murder.
As the toxic smog engulfing the national capital worsened on Wednesday, the Delhi government directed all schools, government as well as private, to remain shut from tomorrow till Sunday, noting that the air pollution has become unbearable in the city.

The state government issued an advisory for Delhiites, urging them to use public transport and carpooling, stay indoors, avoid morning walks, and not to smoke.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) task force advised the Supreme Court-empowered Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) to take action listed in the severe plus category to deal with the prevailing air pollution emergency in the national capital.

The Delhi authorities then ordered an immediate halt on civil construction works and banned the entry of trucks, except those carrying essential commodities, in the city.

The decisions were approved by Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal in a meeting attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and EPCA member Sunita Narain among others.

A decision on the Odd-Even car-rationing scheme would be taken on Thursday.

The meeting also decided to increase the frequency of Metro and public buses and hike parking fees in the city by four times.

These were part of the measures the EPCA had on Tuesday asked the state goverments in the NCR to implement under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for severe category of air pollution which might even affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The EPCA had also asked Delhi Metro to cut its off-peak hours fares temporarily.

Delhi Metro announced today that its trains will undertake over 180 additional trips from tomorrow.

Kejriwal has maintained that the city has turned into a gas chamber and its alarmingly deteriorating air pollution has created an emergency situation.

The medical experts have described the prevailing air pollution in the National Capital Region as a public health emergency.

The deadly haze hanging over Delhi since Tuesday thickened on Wednesday, leading to

extremely poor visibility at many places, even as air quality plunged to more severe levels.

Directing all schools and all classes in the city to remain completely closed from tomorrow till Sunday, Delhis Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said the situation will be reviewed on Sunday.

The air pollutionhas engulfed the city. The reasons for this may be varied from stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab to vehicular/ construction pollution but the fact remains that it is affecting the health of Delhis citizens, Sisodia said.

The Kejriwal government had on Tuesday ordered all primary schools to remain closed on Wednesday.

Todays decision came as Delhis Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated further to 478, severe category, during the day as compared to yesterdays 448, with PM2.5 and PM10 ~ ultrafine deadly particulates and pollutants, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream and lungs ~ reportedly breaching the permissible levels many times over across the city and its surrounding region.

Kejriwal sought a meeting with Punjab and Haryana CMs to discuss ways to tackle the Delhis pollution situation. He sent them letters, requesting for a meeting to find solution to crop burning in those states.

He also said he will meet Union Environment MInister Harsh Vardhan to discuss the situation as soon as he is back from the UN climate change conclave in Bonn.

In its advisory to residents of Delhi, the state government advised them to use N95 mask if going outdoor during the peak pollution hours and walk or use nonpolluting mode of transport for short distance.

Do not burn dry leaves, crops residue, wood, coal, etc, the government urged the people. If you feel irritation in the throat and nose, take steam and do salt water gargles. Drink plenty of warm water and maintain good hydration.

The Union Health Ministry also issued an advisory, urging people of Delhi to remain indoors if you have breathing difficulty and try to keep children indoors as much as possible, avoid morning walk or any other strenuous outdoor activity that increases breathing rate and drink plenty of water and fluids among other measures.
Direct flights between Agra and Jaipur are proposed to start on December 15 this year, an Uttar Pradesh government official said on Wednesday.

The information was given to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a review meeting of the new Civil Aviation promotion Policy-2017, which was rolled out in September this year.

Reviewing the progress made so far under the new policy, Adityanath said that under this policy, priority has been accorded to air-linking go the state capitalwith other state capitals and divisional headquarters.

On regional connectivity, the Chief Minister also requested the Central government to ensure time-bound action on expanding airports in the states major cities. The Narendra Modi government has undertaken the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to connect small towns and cities by air.

Adityanath also directed officials to expedite work on the Jewar International Airport Project and named the Yamuna Expressway Authority as its nodal agency.

He stressed on the need of quickly initiating the land acquisition work for the project and said that selection process for picking up a consultant for preparing a DPR should be expeditiously done.

The Chief Minister also said that his government was giving priority to both road and air connectivity, noting that this will lead to development of various regions, develop the tourism sector and also create new job opportunities.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that under the RCS for the state, five air routes have been approved under which bids have been successfully received for Agra, Kanpur, and Allahabad.

To minimize travel time, at its own level, the state government has succeeded in linking Lucknow to Dehradun, Bhopal, Patna and Jaipur. In the same way, direct flights between Varanasi-Jaipur have started and air service between Agra-Jaipur is proposed to start on December 15, officials said.

Officials also told the Chief Minister that seeing the presence of people from eastern Uttar Pradesh in Arab countries, the flight between Varanasi and Sharjah, initially operating on weekly basis has now been changed to a daily flight.

Air service has also been started between Varanasi and Colombo, a flight has been added on the Varanasi-Delhi sector and that the state government was making efforts to strengthen and expand 10 existing air strips.

Of these eight are under the control of the state government and the remaining two  Jhansi and Saharanpur are under the control of the Defence Ministry. In most places like Agra, Kanpur Chakeri, Bareilly, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Faizabad, Moradabad, Aligarh and Chitrakoot, most part of the land required has been provided already.
Irrfan Khans upcoming release Qarib Qarib Singlle is all set to release this week and fans are waiting in great anticipation. The film has been garnering attention for its quirky storyline and unusual pairing.

The latest development on the film is that, the Bollywood fans would now be able to watch the movie in Switzerland. Qarib Qarib Singlle is all set to release in the romantic capital of Bollywood.

The movie will also mark the Bollywood debut of the south Indian sensation Parvathy, alongside the National Award winner Irrfan Khan.

In the generation of online dating, Qarib Qarib Singlle is a film about two people who meet through a dating app. They discover love and life over a three  city tour.

The film showcases a love story between two opposite personalities and how they grow fond of each other despite the differences.

The trailer of the film has not only received appreciation from the audience but has got thumbs-up from b-Town celebs as well.

The songs give further insights to the frictional relationship shared by the couple.

This quirky love story travels through the cities of Bikaner, Rishikesh, and Gangtok taking us on an unusual ride of a modern romance.

Qarib Qarib Singlle is helmed by filmmaker Tanuja Chandra. The film, which has been shot across real locations will release this Friday (November 10).

READ ALSO: Irrfan Khan launches third song from Qarib Qarib Singlle
Actor Arjun Kapoor, who is currently shooting in the capital for his upcoming film Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, has asked the city to stay safe as strong fog has engulfed it.

Arjun on Wednesday wrote on Twitter: Im here for a few weeks for my shoot in Delhi but its disconcerting to see the city suffocating. We need to put politics and personal agendas aside stopping the blame game and come together to find a solution otherwise all of us are going to be affected in more ways than we realise.

The Mubarakan actor added: As citizens we shouldnt feel paranoid about the air we breathe. Our capital is suffering and we are all to be blamed but now is the time to right our wrongs.

Arjun had earlier shared a video of an accident which took place on a highway here. He says smog is dangerous.

The video I posted was sent to me and as I stand and look out of the window the fear that engulfs me is that this is reality and it can happen to any of us if we arent extremely aware and careful, he said.

He added: The smog is dangerous long term and short term. Really hope things improve. Stay safe Delhi.

Directed by Dibakar Bannerjee, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar also stars Parineeti Chopra and is slated to hit the screens next year.
National Law Universities (NLUs) were set up with the intent of standardising and improving legal education in India. They were meant to provide all-round education and promote academic research in the field of law. While NLUs have made some inroads in improving legal education in the country, the full potential of these islands of excellence is yet to be unlocked. NLUs are plagued with administrative problems, which threaten institutional prospects and cause unnecessary tussles with students.

NLUs today are inefficiently administrated institutions that fail to provide basic facilities such as decent faculty, proper classrooms, proper residential areas, a functional library, hygienic environment and other such necessities. For instance, NUALS (Kochi) failed to provide students with clean drinking water which has led to a jaundice outbreak on campus.

Continued lack of these facilities and false assurances by administrations inevitably culminatein student protests such as the ones at HNLU (Raipur), DSNLU (Vizag), NLUJAA (Assam) and RMLNLU (Lucknow) to name a few. In all such protests, administrations have tended to respond with callousness and arrogance by labelling the students as undisciplined and disorderedly, trivialising the protests. This is evident from the student protest at NUSRL (Ranchi) in April earlier this year where students demanded basic rights like hygienic food, basic transparency, proper classes, coded answer scripts, proper security and a rodent-free campus.

Rather than addressing these legitimate concerns, the Vice Chancellor dismissed the protest as one for holidays and threatened disciplinary action against students. While the students had suspended the protest then on assurance of favourable consideration by the Vice Chancellor incharge, his subsequent inaction has now forced the students to resume their peaceful protest.

In my opinion, as someone who has been a part of the student administration in an NLU for his entire student life, there exists a common systematic problem with the administrative setup. NLUs have highly centralised administrative systems which lack basic transparency, especially in financial matters, and which accord little importance to collective aspirations of the students, research scholars and faculty.

Centralisation of Power

Administration of an NLU is supposed to be overseen by its Executive Council (EC). This EC is supposed to act as an accountability mechanism over the actions of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, both of whom head the administration. Most ECs consist of judges, ministers, bureaucrats and academicians. Understandably, these esteemed individuals are only able to devote limited time to the university. Typically the EC meets for a few hours twice a year.

In those few hours, the EC has to, amongst other responsibilities, approve of all major decisions pertaining to employment, academics, finance and infrastructural development. Close and proper scrutiny of these decisions or of the conduct of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars therefore becomes a pragmatic impossibility. This leads to higher centralisation of powers in the hands of the ViceChancellor and the Registrar.

Financial Matters

As of the today, the average yearly fees of NLUs is more than Rs. 2 lakhs per annum and is often subjected to multiple upward revisions. If the administrators are to be believed, consistent fee-hikes are necessary to make ends meet. They routinely cite insufficient state support as reasons to deny students requests for basic facilities.

Further scrutiny of such claims, undertaken by student bodies, have often revealed instances of serious financial irregularities such as the oneexperienced in NUJS, Kolkata, where the student body exposed a financial scam three years ago which led to the dismissal of a senior administrative officer. This shows a systematic lack of financial accountability of the administration.

Role of Student Bodies

Safeguards against these administrative inefficiencies have completely failed. Vice-Chancellors have routinely ignored or bypassed even legislative safeguards, such as statutorily-mandated Review Commissions, meant to bring about accountability and transparency. In GNLU (Gandhinagar), the Vice Chancellor reportedly attempted to bury an adverse Review Commission report.

Despite his actions and criticism by the Review CommissionsReport, he was granted an extension a week after the report finally surfaced on the internet. Several others have actively prevented such Review in violation of the statutorily prescribed time limit.

There are even those who have prevented the formation of a Review Commission for months even after the college Chancellor, the Chief Justice of India, signed off on it. The abject collapse of administrative checks and balances has left it upon the student bodies to undertake a higher burden and fight for basic constitutional rights such as health and safety before issues like faculty, library or classroom can even be addressed.

As long as these administrations can manage to escape all other mechanisms, some direct intervention by the student body becomes a must. Unfortunately, the lack of organised student bodies in most of these institutions has resulted in denial of basic rights to their students.

Role of Central Government

The change must also come exogenously. The Central Government must take cognisance of the abysmal state of affairs at most of these Universities and attempt to correct these systematic problems by directly engaging with the students. Being comparable to IITs, NITs, IIITs and IIMs (added earlier this year) in every respect, granting NLUs the status of Institutes of National Importance (INI) must also be considered especially to tackle the perpetual lack of funds.

To that end, Honble Prof. (Dr.) Sugata Bose had introduced the National Law Universities of India Bill, 2016 in the Lok Sabha in March this year, which, among other things, proposes INI status and CAG auditing for NLUs. Subsequently, elected student bodies at NLSIU, NALSAR and NUJS advocated for the same by way of a joint statement.

Administrations of NLUs have subjected students to increasingly stringent rules and regulations while simultaneously reducing facilities available to them. It appears that funds are unavailable for trivial demands such as clean washrooms while expensive cameras are installed across campus encroaching on our privacy.

Prof. N R Madhava Menon established these institutes to improve legal education and nurture a generation of social engineers. Yet, continuous fights for basic survival and a right to decent education may leave us too drained and disillusioned to be of any use to society.

(The writer is the student body President at NUJS, Kolkata for terms 2016-17 and 2017-18)
The Preamble to our Constitution, in its original form, pledged to create India, as a Sovereign Democratic Republic. Moreover, it incorporated some noble and lofty ideals like liberty, equality, justice, dignity of the individual and unity of the nation. This is why it is rightly claimed that our Constitution contains some serene values that human ingenuity and experience have been able to develop through the march of time.

It was quite natural. On the eve of our Independence, a highly competent Constituent Assembly was formed in order to frame the Constitution. Excepting Gandhiji, almost all prominent political leaders were elected to it. Moreover, a galaxy of eminent jurists, professors, writers and social workers found their seats in this House so that an ideal Constitution could be worked out through their combined effort.

It is also to be noted that it enacted the biggest Constitution of the world containing 395 Articles with numerous clauses and sub-clauses. But significantly none of them was adopted by mere majority vote. In fact, each of them was carefully and elaborately discussed ~ the prons and cons were freely considered and after amicable compromise, addition and alteration, they were accepted by general consensus. To be candid, 7,635 amendmentmotions were tabled and 2,471 of them were actually disposed of. When differences of opinion reached boiling point, Dr Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Assembly, asked the debaters to go outside in order to talk heart to heart.

Soon after they came back in a happy mood and with a compromise solution. In this way, our monumental constitution became a laborious creation of nearly three years. It was, in the words of its chief architect, Dr B R Ambedkar, good and workable.

But after some decades, our Parliamentarians discovered that there was a big gap in the drafting of the Constitution. So in 1976, they inserted two words ~ socialist and secular ~ in the Preamble by the 42nd amendment. Some people have felt happy that such amendment has brought about a significant improvement in the Preamble. The Leftists, in particular, have rejoiced because, in their view, it has made it really progressive. But in fact such amendment has not only been useless, it has also confused clear understanding.

As a stark reality, words like socialist and secular have no precise and clear meaning and moreover, the aforesaid amendment did not make any attempt to clarify them. Simply defined, socialism seeks to create an egalitarian society by eradicating all sorts of injustice and exploitation to the many by the few. But when it is discussed in detail, much confusion is sure to come up. As Dr S C Kashyap observed, it means different things to different people.

Similarly, S L Sikri points out that the term has undergone a long process of re-definition and re-evolution. In fact, the basic idea behind the word socialism is so common that everyone can claims to be a socialist. But, strangely enough no one can agree on it. This is why C D Burns observes that it is really a confusing concept. But, more aptly, CEM Joad has commented, Socialism is like a hat which has lost its shape, because everybody wears it. Thus, different types of socialism like Guild Socialism, Syndicalism, Fabian Socialism Communism, Euro-Communism, etc. have gradually come into being. Unfortunately, our Constitution has, by the aforesaid amendment, inserted the term in the Preamble ~ but it has not informed us what type of socialism it has actually chosen. Similarly, the term secularism gives forth little meaning.

During the Middle Age, the Pope was the religious Head of the entire Christian world. Every King of Europe ruled over a defined territory ~ but the Pope remained beyond such territorial limits. Moreover, he and other clergymen were above the monarchical power and they often unduly interfered with the political affairs. This is known as the Doctrine of Two swords. In other words, Europe, at that time, was under the thumbs of the Pope and his subordinates.

But, at a juncture, Martin Luther of Germany and Kelvin of France rose in revolt and they widely popularised an agitation against the system. Henry VIII, the King of Britain, too joined it on a personal ground. As a result, the authority of the Pope and his staff was sufficiently reduced and all the European Kings largely extended their power and prestige. It means, in short, a separation of religion from politics. In this way, the idea of secularism came to light. Now-a-days, a state is regarded as secular if it allows each individual the right to accept a religion of his own choice and no preferential treatment is accorded to any religion.

But, when the term secular is used separately, it may mean irreligious not concerned with religion, utalitarian ethics, not spiritual, concerned only with the affairs of this world and so on. Thus, in the absence of any precise definition of this term in our Constitution, different interpretations are eminently possible. As a stark reality, such term may give people the scope to kick up a row over a simple issue and it may even be suggested that India does not recognise any religion. For these reasons, D D Basu, the eminent commentator, has rightly observed that such words are, juristically vague and, hence, they cannot have a place in the constitution which is regarded as the highest law of the land.

Above all, the original constitution incorporated the basic ideas of secularism and socialism without having expressly mentioned these terms. As Dr MV Pylee writer, no particular religion is identified as state-religion, not does it receive any state-patronage. Art. 25 gives the citizen the fundamental right to profess, practise and propagate a religion of his own choice. Art. 25 guarantees that he can, with others, observe the essential rituals of his religion.

It is also mentioned that no tax can be imposed for the benefit of particular religion (Art. 27) and no religious instruction can be imparted in an educational institution wholly or partially maintained by the Government (Art. 30). Thus, the essence of secularism was included in the constitution long before the 42nd amendment.

Similarly, the principles of socialism wee embodied in the provisions of the original constitution. It pledged to establish liberty, equality and justice for all and the fundamental rights have sought to uphold them by judicial protection (Art. 32 and Art. 226).

Moreover, the directive Principles have been inserted in it in order to create an egalitarian state with welfare activities. So these amendments were useless. In addition, the use of two indistinct words has only confused matters.

(The writer is a Griffith Prizeman and former Reader, New Alipore College)
It remains the biggest mystery of all. How and why does the annual festival of Vibes turn into such a big success every time, that too for over 20 years? Even when its pouring and Kolkata is deluged into becoming another Venice (we hosted it in July for a few years) and also when exams are knocking at the doors of many schools, and thats November.

Lets check out some of the possibilities. It is probably due to the spontaneous warmth it generates for two whole days in one and all, participant or otherwise. For the former, its the thrill of performing on Kolkatas biggest platform. For the audience, it translates into being mesmerized by stupendous performances in ever so many events: dance, drama, debate, quiz, music, painting, science, and more.

Each and every event finds pride of place in every young talented heart. But lets rewind to the beginning. Inaugurated by Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director, The Statesman on 4 November, Vibes shot off to a brilliant start with a telling performance by the children of Mentaid, who first danced beautifully and then gave a musical recital. Day One events followed in quick succession.

Dance, One Minute to Fame, Quiz, MusicKazam were all held onstage while Sit and Draw, Face Painting, Tshirt Painting and Gallery took place offstage. Day Two comprised Debate, Drama and Fashion Show for onstage while Eureka and Science projects were held offstage. The highly awaited Prize Distribution ceremony saw winners bag the coveted trophies. Oindrila Gupta of St Joseph and Marys School was presented the Sukanya Sengupta Rolling Trophy for Best Voices Coordinator 2016  2017, Saronya Lal Mukherjee from South Point High School won the Best Writer Voices Award for 2016  2017, while Sayan Chandra of St Thomas Boys School was the Special Mention Voices Coordinator 2016  2017 and Sutanu Bhattacharya of Hindu School, Special Mention Voices Writer 2016  2017. The curtains of the event drew to a close with a pounding rock performance by Kolkata band Eeshaan.

Lead vocalist and the band leader Sayon Mitra confessed right in the beginning about his own connect with Vibes: he had been a participant for music at Vibes in 1998! Can it get any better? It did. I did not spot one unhappy or frowning face in those two days. Thats the magic of Vibes! Thank you to all the schools, their principals, teachers and students for their wholehearted support and for helping make Vibes a success.

We thank all the sponsors for their support and our eminent judges for taking out time to encourage and guide the participants. So go ahead and relive the magic in this special edition of Voices.

God bless,

(Gopali Bandyopadhyay)

Day 1 (Onstage)

Rhythmic beats

Rhythm N Hues ~ Dance

The inexplicably charming Rhythm n Hues of Vibes, 2017 booming with life and vibrancy, truly captured the hearts of the audience with its plethora of creative talents. The stage boomed with lights, sounds and music as the zestful dancers put up enthralling performances with zeal and enthusiasm.

Though all the schools were equally intent on putting up their best on the stage, needless to say, some of them deserve special mention. While BDM International hosted a beautiful traditional dance based on a devotional song centering the mythological Hindu God, Lord Shiva, DPS Joka amazed everyone with the mind-blowing depiction of natural calamities through dance. They portrayed the horrifying devastation caused by natural disasters and suggested ways to mitigate the losses un case of such destruction, all through their dance postures.

The performance put up by Gokhale Memorial left the audience spellbound in awe as the auditorium reverberated with their music and dance. They brought to life the soul of charm and elegance from the brink of heaven, through their regal graceful moves. Kalyani Central Model School elucidated a powerful item of Kathak through their dance on a Raga-yoga based song while Lions Calcutta Greater Vidya Mandir enthralled everyone with their sweet, impressive a dance based on the Rabindra Sangeet Mor Bhabonare.

St. Joseph and Marys beautifully portrayed the egregious effects of drug abuse and how drugs tend to take control of the mind of youngsters, in this age. The hip-hop songs and the gymnastic feats showcased by the Western and fusion dancers added flavour to Rhythm n Hues, turning it into a truly unique and memorable event.

Scintillating session

Brainstorm ~ Quiz

Quizzers faced an enthralling, scintillating challenge at the Brainstorm with Quizmaster Parnabs mind-boggling puzzles and innovative rounds of astounding questions. The students also gained novel experiences through brain-wracking audio-visual rounds. Interesting questions were posed like Which city is called the Saffron City of India? Of course, the answer was Pampore, located in Srinagar. Or did you know, the centenary of which famous treated is being celebrated this year? It is the Balfour Treaty of 1917, which gave birth to Israel.

How many of you did know that the only Indian and the 1st Asian to score a hat-trick in the Olympics was Neville D Souza? Or that Aurangzebs daughter who dared to speak against him when castigated by her father for wearing diaphanous attire was none other than Zebunnisa? The visual rounds also displayed scenes from movies, symbols, flags and personalities, over a wide range of topics, old and recent.

An interesting scene grabbed the attention of all, which depicted a young Prime Minister apologising for in a Parliamentary Session. The incident for which he had to apologise was the disreputed Komagata maru Incident!

Above all, Brainstorm was an intoxicating and charming experience for all quizzers which shall no doubt aid in uplifting the intellectual level of the students and remain as a cherished memory with them forever!

Get famous!

One Minute to Fame

One Minute To Fame this year brought to light some real bright talents from schools far and wide. They truly rocked the stage with their marvellous feats, music, recitation and even, believe it or not, sculpture. The performances put up by the tiny tots were perhaps the most amazing wonders of all. The youngest performer was from Sishu Patha Bhavan, who recited a small hilarious anecdote, on animals, like a poem.

His sweet voice and unnerved steadiness, stole the hearts of all! Awe-inspiring music played by a few students set the stage on fire, with an outburst of creativity! CMS Barrackpore played music on synthesiser, DPS Joka played guitar while South Point chose to play keyboard and each one of them were keen to perfect their art in their own way.

However, a rare talent was on display when a student of Indus Valley World School played an unusual musical instrument, South African in origin, known as Djembe. Another young performer, a kid from Mount Litera stupefied everyone by playing Yeh Apna Dil Toh Awara on a mouth-organ! A charming piece of sculpture was engraved on a piece of chalk by a student from Kalyani Central Model School while the participant from Gokhale Memorial captivated the audience with an astounding karate performance.

Surpassing all limits, the show really proved the essence of one minute in our lives! If they can work miracles in just one minute, imagine what wonders we could do had we utilised every minute of our lives.

Great musical journey

Muzikazam ~ solo and band

Music is something that brings a flow of harmony and helps us to express our feelings via rhythm and beats. It was evident from the performance by Sayantani Mondal from Kalyani Central Model School, who won every heart with her playback perfect voice for the song Mahi Ve.

Adding to the enthusiasm, there were solo performances by the students from Don Bosco, Bandel, DPS, Joka, Kalyani Public School, St. Joseph and Marys school, Ashoka Hall, Sakhawat Memorial Girls School and Gokhale Memorial Girls School. Besides solo, a group performance by the girls of Gokhale Memorial Girls School presented a beautiful, flawless musical journey with self-composed medley of songs and mesmerising background music.

Day 1 (Offstage)

Art extravaganza

True art is like a kite waiting to ride the winds. It emerges from the depth of ones being and takes flight like the majestic phoenix; to brighten up the world, a minute at a time. The beautiful gallery consisted of paintings, handicrafts, photography and sculptures. The mesmerising pictures of all the talented artists were a treat for the eye. A memorable event of your life was the theme for the senior participants who had enrolled themselves in the sit and draw competition. The juniors also didnt back down and gave the judges a hard time for selecting the winners. Extreme efforts were visible when the participants of face painting and T-shirt painting battled against the clock to finish their masterpieces. A lot of effort and good communication made Vibes a grand success.

(Oindrila Gupta, Coordinator, Class XII, Utsav Jain, Ex-coordinator, St. Joseph and Marys School)

Day 2 (Onstage)

Opinions stand strong

SpeakOut ~ Debate

Exuberance was natural for the schools which cleared the prelims and made a place for themselves in the Vibes. However, this complacence did not the smear the excellence of the bold speakers who cast strong arguments and stood by their stance vehemently in favour of their stance at SpeakOut. The motion of the debate We have lost our communication skills due to social media is indeed a controversial topic today. Speakers speaking for the motion stressed on the digitalisation of life through technology and disappearance of human emotions.

Gokhale Memorial spoke on the suicidal tendencies lurking on youngsters and the importance of interacting with life. GSS argued that social media has created an illusionary world, killing the time we could spend for our loved ones, while Modern English Academy and St. Xaviers Collegiate School highlighted the vanishing beauty of linguistic expressions and ushering in of a virtual space without love, care or warmth.

Speakers against the motion highlighted how social media aids in breaking all barriers of language and country and helped in uniting people in this era of globalisation. Army Public School pointed out that social media has created innovative paths for socially awkward people to communicate.

Many others like Modern English Academy also argued that talented artists often find a way to expose their innovative skills through social media which helps to establish them in their fields of interest.

Collage of theatrical masterpieces

All the Worlds a Stage ~ Drama

The drama event was truly a show of wondrous talents in the limelight. It brought forth master artists and creative minds from far and wide, adding elegance and spirit to the charm of the Vibes. The enthusiasm, zeal and vigour shown by the young school students to put up their best before the eyes of the audience were beyond articulation.

A few schools like Kalyani Public School who chose to enact Tintin, Tenali Rama, Cindrella and Kakababu stranded on an Island put up a hilarious play, charming the audience with their scintillating acting skills. However, Methodist School Dankuni amazed and mesmerised one and all by their unique style of presenting the drama through small rhymes, woven into songs. It was an unusually creative endeavour which turned their performance an exotic one.

Ashoka Hall portrayed the conflict of ideas between the old generation and the new and stressed on the value of originality ion our lives. Gokale Memorial, on the other hand, focused on the need to understand and love life, which we tend to ignore in our daily rush, through their story Jibon Tomar Jonyo.

The hopes, aspirations and regrets of humanity lying deep in us, found articulation through their play. Transcending all trivia, and soaring with the spirit of youth, All the Worlds A Stage stood out with its grandeur and brilliance!

Show of Elegance

Dress To Impress ~ Fashion Show

Just like every year, The Statesman Voices Vibes boomed with extravaganza this year, too. Dress to Impress, was simply overwhelming. Altogether nine schools participated in the show and made the crowd go rock-n-roll in joy. The models walked on the stage with grace. The theme for this year was Bollywood in the 1990s. The most vibrant were the students of Gokhale Memorial Girls School. Schools such as Patha Bhaban, Mansur Habibullah Memorial School, Methodist High School, National English School and C.M.S were stunning.

However, the dressdesigning of Methodist School, Dankuni,was done by their students, which made them occupy a special place in our hearts with its artistic creativity and novelty in fashion designing. A unique scene was observed when the students of Kalyani Public School put forward a fatherdaughter-duo with their studentmodels. Cheers from the crowd made the event lively and mesmerising.

(Oishee Pattanayak, Coordinator, Class XII, Belda Gangadhar Academy)

Day 2 Offstage

Field of Science

Eureka ~ Science Project

Ten schools with four students each participated in Eureka, science project event. They eloquently elaborated their works to the honourable judges and also to the people who came to visit their ideas. WWA Cossipore made a nice presentation of Piezzo power, with which they described ways to create energy from a crowd free of cost. Then, there was another great project by the budding scientists of Kalyani public School.

They made an osmotic power plant, where the water level, they showed, rose due to reverse-osmosis and then turbine was rotated on water and energy was created. They indeed made the judges contented with their work. BDM too made a nice electricity-generation project, which they said could be used in irrigation system, and that was stunningly amazing. Other schools did well too.

Delhi Public School (Joka), who made a model of eco-village did well elaboration. Then there were Methodist High School, who created a solar panel water tank, C.G.H.S who made a vacuum cleaner also made good project works. St Joseph & Marys School made a befitting Sewage Treatment Plant, which all the people present there loved, and it made the judges, too, happy. Having all the schoolsmade such impressive projects, it was not very easy to choose the winner.

(Oishi Pattanayak, Coordinator, Class XII, Belda Gangadhar Academy Sayan Chandra, Coordinator, Class XII, St Thomas Boys School, Kidderpore)
The Congress on Wednesday described the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre as a government of robbers and said that on November 8 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought a black law which hit hard crores of people across the country.

On November 8, the Prime Minister came on national television to announce demonetisation. It has never happened across the globe where due to an announcement of the PM crores of people lose their livelihood and youths were left unemployed, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said while addressing a protest against demonetisation in Connaught Place here.

The Congress had announced to observe November 8 as a black day.

Thousands of small and medium scale industries closed due to the sudden announcement of scrapping the high-denomination notes, the Congress leader said.

He also said that the announcement of demonetisation was a black law for the country and that being the reason, the Congress was observing its first anniversary as black day.

Dubbing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a party of robbers, Azad said: This government made the people, women, youth and senior citizens stand in banks or ATMs queues to exchange their money.

Many of the infants died in their mothers lap who stood in bank or ATM queues for hours. Many people lost their life while standing in bank queues. Many farmers committed suicide. Many people lost their jobs as thousands of small and medium scale industries closed, he said, adding: This is a government of robbers.

They looted everyone. They also looted what was with the women, which they had saved for years, Azad claimed.

The Congress leaders also slammed the BJP for celebrating November 8 as anti-black money day.

What are they celebrating? Are they celebrating the deaths which happened due to demonetisation? Are they celebrating the unemployment of crores of youths across the country? Are they celebrating the sufferings of the people due to demonetisation?

Are they celebrating the farmer suicides? Are they celebrating the unemployment of labourers who got jobless due to the shutting down of thousands of small and medium scale industries across the country? he said.

Azad was addressing a huge demonstration in central Delhi. Hundreds of Congress leaders had gathered in the Connaught Place area and also formed a human chain to protest against the scrapping of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

The Congress workers dressed in black shirts and pants and led by the partys Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken raised slogans against the Modi government. The demonstration was also attended by senior Congress leader P.C. Chacko and rebel Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav.

The Congress workers carried placards with slogans like Notebandi ne kiya prahar, thapp ho gaya karobar (demonetisation hit hard forcing businesses to close), Notebandi ne kiya vivash, 8 November kala diwas (Demonetisation forced us to observe November 8 as Black Day).

In a surprise move, Modi had on November 8, 2016 announced to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to curb black money and corruption.

Azad also said that people should not expect anything from the BJP government.

Dont expect anything from this BJP government, as this party has always been with industrialists, he said.

Azad also slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for switching to the BJP.

Nitish Kumar was lured by the BJP. He changed sides and formed a government with the BJP by breaking the Grand Alliance that was formed two years ago, Azad said.

We have not seen a foolish person like Nitish Kumar who split his own party and hit his own feet with an axe, he said.

Azad also accused the BJP of breaking away leaders of opposition parties by threatening them and luring them.

Lauding rebel JD-U leader Sharad Yadav for standing by his principles, Ghulam Nabi Azad said: He is such a kind of leader who never fears and believes in speaking the truth. Although Nitish Kumar broke away from the Grand Alliance, Sharadji remained firm on his principles, he added.
Lashing out at the Centre, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said note ban and GST rollout have broken the legs of Surat as he observed a black day in the countrys textile and diamond hub.

Gandhi interacted with industry representatives and workers at Nirman Industries loom factory in Katargam industrial development area after he arrived in the Surat city of the poll-bound Gujarat.

There was an attack on Indias economy one year back, he said.

I interacted with the people here and they told me that notebandi (demonetisation) and then GST have broken Surats legs. The industry has been finished by the twin blows not only here, but in the entire country, Rahul Gandhi said.

The people said that they have been threatened. But truth cannot be suppressed, it will come out, the Congress leader told reporters.

He said, Surat is the place which can compete with China and has been doing it. Jobs will either come to India or China. But instead of helping them, the government has destroyed their strength.

Hitting out at the new tax regime rolled out by the NDA government on July 1 this year, Gandhi said, We had told (Prime Minister) Narendra Modiji and (Union Finance Minister) Arun Jaitleyji not to implement the GST in this way.

He said, This is not a political thing, this is not between the Congress and the BJP. This is about Indias competitiveness, we have to compete with China. You please do not kill our industries and businesses. But they said that we are going to implement it at 12 midnight, he said.

You press (media) people were asking us, why we are not allowing GST to be implemented, because we wanted to save Surat and the country, he said.

GST means one nation, one tax. But this GST, implemented by Modiji, which has five layers will not work. We had said that maximum cap on taxes should be 18 per cent but they did not listen to us, the Congress leader said.

Gandhi is expected to have a formal interaction with traders in Adajan area of the city this evening.

He is also likely to participate in a candle light vigil, to mark the black day, near Vivekanand statue in Chowk Bazar area of Surat.

The prime minister had announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes as a measure to fight black money, corruption, fake currency and terror funding on this day last year.

The opposition is observing a black day today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the people of Uttarakhand on its foundation day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a message on Twitter saying, On Uttarakhand Foundation Day, my greetings to the people of the state

                On Uttarakhand Foundation Day, my greetings to the people of the state.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2017

Uttarakhand, which is currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, was formed on 9 November 9, 2000, as the 27th state. The state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttarakhand is divided into Garhwal and Kumaon regions, with a total of 13 districts.

Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, it is largely a hilly state and has international boundaries with China and Nepal and is often referred as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods) due to large presence of Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres in the state.
I have just arrived in Bonn, Germany to attend the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) being held here for the next two weeks. The annual COP takes place in November or December each year and is hosted by a country in a different continent each time. This year it is the turn of Asia Pacific and the official host is Fiji.

However, since Fiji could not accommodate around 20,000 participants from all over the world, the Government of Germany has kindly offered to physically host the meeting in Bonn while Fiji is the official host. The prime minister of Fiji is the COP president. Not every COP is equally important in terms of decision-making and COP23 is a relatively low-key meeting where the focus will be on developing the details of implementation of the Paris Agreement (PA) which was achieved at COP21 in Paris, France in December 2015 at a very high-level COP with over a hundred heads of state in attendance.

The PA has set the long-term global temperature goal of staying well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible, as well as agreeing to develop a global goal on adaptation and to treat loss and damage as a separate issue from adaptation. COP23 will discuss how to implement the agreement by developing the PA rule book, and arranging a facilitated dialogue in 2018 and a global stock-taking in 2023. Here are some of the issues to look out for at COP23.

The question on everyones mind is, what will the US do? While the US government has formally given notice of its intention to withdraw from the PA they are still in the UNFCCC and their withdrawal from the PA will take two years to come into force. Hence the US will indeed be sending a delegation which will be able to participate fully, although it remains to be seen how they behave in the negotiations.

The second major issue that has already been highlighted by the prime minister of Fiji is the issue of loss and damage from climatic events around the world which can be attributed to human-induced climate change. The series of devastating natural disasters in 2017, including the severe floods in Bangladesh and South Asia, represents a tipping point in terms of the impact of human-induced climate change.

This is perhaps best illustrated by the Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes that hit Texas (Hurricane Harvey), Florida (Hurricane Irma) and Puerto Rico (Hurricane Maria) this year. The fact that there were hurricanes was quite normal but what was abnormal was the elevated sea surface temperature in the Atlantic and Caribbean which caused each hurricane to be much more intense and devastating than it otherwise would have been.

The total loss and damage in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico is estimated to be over USD 300 billion which the US Congress will now have to consider for their reconstruction. The US, like many other countries, has a system of compensating states for loss and damage but there is no such agreement at the global level. In COP19 held in Poland in 2013, we did agree to set up the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Loss and Damage and under it an executive committee was formed which developed a five-year work plan that will be discussed in Bonn.

However, the work plan does not address the issue of raising funds for compensation for loss and damage. So, in Bonn, under the leadership of Fiji and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and support from the least developed countries (LDCs) group and the Africa group, the issue of innovative financing for compensation for loss and damage will be a contentious issue (as it is likely to be opposed by the developed countries).

Finally, it is important to realise that even though the main task of the COP is for government delegations to negotiate and make important decisions, there are various non-governmental observers from civil society and business community, including the youth, indigenous people, etc., who hold hundreds of side events all over the city. And often these events are far more interesting than the boring official negotiations!

Over the next two weeks, I hope to issue commentaries on the COP23 negotiations, as well as on the side events in Bonn.

(The writer is Director, International Centre for Climate Change and Development at the Independent University, Bangladesh)

(The Daily Star/ANN)
The Arab world is in a flux, at any rate when viewed through the political prism. And the uncertainty, post the shockwave in Saudi Arabia, has deepened with the unexpected, even abrupt, resignation of Lebanons Prime Minister, Saad Hariri.

In terms of geopolitics, his resignation address is a pregnant presentation. Chiefly, he has mentioned Iranian influence across the region. No less intriguing is his fear that he might be doomed to the same fate as his assassinated father if he continued as leader of a tormented part of the Middle East.

The other element that has caused not a little surprise in the region must be that Hariri announced his resignation from the Saudi capital of Riyadh last Saturday, indeed a few hours before the purge in the palace. The timing and venue of his resignation have been greeted with consternation both within the Arab world and the comity of nations.

It also coincides with Saudi claims that Iran has launched what it calls direct military aggression againt Riyadh. There is little doubt that Hariri has been a patron of Saudi Arabia, and the palace is ever so anxious to challenge Iran, now striving to secure unprecedented influence in the region. It is a forbidding cocktail of domestic compulsions and geopolitics that has led to Hariris resignation. Clearly, he has accorded short shrift to his government in Beirut as he brought to an end his eleven-month-old dispensation, a Parliament that has been split on regional lines, and an economy that is stuttering on account of debt and corruption.

Markedly, he has brought the curtains down on his government not in Beirut ~ his seat of authority ~ but on alien land. Hariris exit follows heightened anti-Iran rhetoric in the US, and the recent release of a cache of documents seized from Osama bin Ladens hideout in 2011. These documents reportedly suggest that the Al Qaida received support from Iranian officials. He has made a critical observation as he takes the bow ~ Iran has a desire to destroy the Arab world and has boasted of its control of the decisions in all the Arab capitals.

It is hard not to wonder if Saudi Arabia has ensured his resignation. Storm clouds were gathering before he stepped down. Indeed, on the eve of his resignation, several senior officials from Barack Obamas administration had said, on the basis of coordinated messages, that Riyadh was building up a case for military confrontation with Iran.

Saturdays announcement is likely to add to those concerns and increase fears of a confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel, which fought a devastating war in 2006. Declassification of the documents is a step towards winding back the nuclear deal, which was the centrepiece of Obamas foreign policy. President Trumps design is unlikely to attain fruition given the opposition of the West, however.
It has been a high season for diplomatic visits in the capital this week. The visit of the Prince of Wales along with the Duchess of Cornwall, as a part of a four nation, ten-day Asia tour, stands out as it is anticipated that the focus of the meetings will be on climate change and economic cooperation, in the backdrop of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) in London, April 2018.

The fact that Prince Charles is expected to personally invite Prime Minister Modi to CHOGM is a clear indication of the larger role that Britain would like to see India playing in the Commonwealth. Interestingly two Indian Prime Ministers, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, have chosen to skip CHOGM in the past  2011, 2013 and 2015. This in itself is a clear signal of Indias stance on the Commonwealth. In fact, despite Indias position as the fourth largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget, it has thus far not gained much from the forum.

It perhaps views the Commonwealth as redundant for it may be argued that it no longer has any geopolitical role or relevance. It failed, on multiple occasions, to enforce its values of democracy, peace, human rights and rule of law. This failure was most evident in its approach towards Mahinda Rajapaksas Sri Lanka, the 1995 events in Nigeria and the 1999 coup in Pakistan. Further, it can no longer claim to be a key voice in the advocacy of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as long as the United Nations remains a dominant player in the international sphere.

Besides, the Commonwealth has famously witnessed the withdrawal of membership from nations such as Maldives in 2016 and Gambia in 2013, and is often criticised for being an extension of colonialism.

Yet, the Commonwealth boasts of a diverse member body with a shared history that India can tap. The Commonwealths biggest drawback is that it lacks a strong and committed leader. This is where India can step in to fill the vacuum and transform the Commonwealth into a more relevant organisation.

In doing so, it can be used as a tool through which India can spread her soft power. However, Indias approach to soft power has to go beyond Bollywood, yoga and Indian food. It must truly draw on what Joseph Nye, the neo-liberal academician who coined the term had envisioned. Nye claimed that a country will be able to alter the behaviour of others to suit its needs without using coercion, but rather attraction. This soft power takes the form of culture, political values and foreign policies. So, India must try to change the perception of the 52 members and project itself as a strong power, and certainly one that can guide the developing world.

In addition, two separate studies  by Berthou (2013) and De Sousa (2010)  have shown that former colonies tend to trade with each other and their former coloniser more than any other country. This phenomenon can be attributed to their shared histories and the existence of old trade routes. For example, the British had established trade routes between India, Kenya, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The real potential of the Commonwealth lies here. It no longer comes as a surprise that Britain is trying hard to revive the Commonwealth in the wake of Brexit, as it finds itself in desperate need of new trade partners. India can benefit by leveraging its status in the Commonwealth to improve her trade relations with Africa and South America whose markets continue to be untapped. Another added layer is the China angle. Will India stand to gain more by actively engaging with the Commonwealth, in the backdrop of a rising China? The answer is very complex, but two important trends and observations emerge.

Firstly, India needs forums to counterbalance China and its One Belt One Road policy. It is also in need of forums like the Commonwealth, where China is not a dominant member. It is pertinent to point here that even in a forum like SAARC, China enjoys observer status. Secondly, considering the uncertainty of Indias membership to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Commonwealth may present itself as a small part of a larger solution. Nonetheless, the CHOGM 2018 conference is an opportunity for India.

It gives India the bargaining power with Britain to carve out a larger role for itself in The Commonwealth. India can leverage Britains need for stable trade partners, and Prince Charles visit is timely in this regard.

(The writer is associated with the Observer Research Foundation.)
One of the driving forces behind the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 was the idea that it would set an example. The primary target, in that respect, was the West  a Europe in the throes of a convoluted conflict that had consumed more lives than any previous war. However, it found greater resonance in the East.

Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky were convinced that their vision for Russia could be fulfilled only if significant other countries underwent a similar upheaval. A world revolution was the ultimate aim but, in the short term, their eyes were on Europes developed powers. There was indeed an uprising in Germany, and, as Lenin had predicted, it wasnt able to hold on to the territories it had acquired under the Brest-Litovsk peace agreement with Russia. But while Germany lost its crowned head, an attempt at more radical change was brutally crushed, costing the lives, among others, of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebnecht.

Attempted uprisings foundered elsewhere. Subsequently, the course of events in the Soviet Union often deterred European workers from signing up to a copycat adventure, although a sense of solidarity invariably lingered. The colonised peoples of the East, on the other hand, tended to put great store by the liberatory potential of the Bolshevik example, not least because of Lenins insistence on self-determination  enshrined in the first Soviet constitution, although under Josef Stalin it became one more technicality that meant little in practice. Among those keeping a keen eye on the Soviet experiment was Allama Muhammad Iqbal. I am reminded in this context of the Pakistani journalist with the pen name Meem Sheen, a devotee of Iqbal, who insisted that communism plus God essentially summed up the subcontinental poets philosophy.

Im not sure it was all that simple, and my limited knowledge of Iqbals complex mindset deters me from attempting to elaborate. But I was introduced decades ago by my father to a trilogy of poems in Iqbals second collection of verse, Baal-i-Jabril, that potentially supports Meem Sheens thesis. The first of the poems is titled Lenin Khuda ke Huzoor Mein (Lenin in Gods Presence), in which the leader of the Russian revolution fetches up in a celestial court and declares, essentially: I acknowledge Your Omnipotence, God, but how on earth could I have known whether or not You existed.

The declaration is followed by a litany of humanitys woes. The second poem is a highly rhythmic recitation by angels of what they have witnessed on earth, corroborating Lenins complaints. Then comes the widely known Farman-i-Khuda (Gods Command), which begins: Uttho meri dunya ke gharibon ko jaga do (Rise and from their slumber wake the poor ones of my world, as translated by Scottish academic Victor Kiernan, at one point a teacher at Lahores Aitchison College). The verses that follow are equally powerful, and the opening line echoes, perhaps deliberately, the first lines of The Internationale: Arise ye workers from your slumber. Arise ye prisoners of want The rest of the poem is all about demolishing the status quo, and arguably the most powerful verse decrees: Jis khaet se dehqaan ko muyassir nahein rozi/ Uss khaet ke har khosha-i-gandam ko jalla do (Find the field whose harvest is no peasants daily bread/ Garner in the furnace everripening ear of wheat!). It concludes with the incantation, Adaab-i-junoon Shair-i-Mashriq ko sikha do! (Go! My poet of the East to madness dedicate.)

Im not sure madness was the appropriate word; junoon could be translated as obsession. And Iqbal was by no means alone in being fascinated by the events in Russia, even if his theism was lost upon other devotees of the Bol-shevik experiment. Today marks the 140th anniversary of Iqbals birth in Sialkot, and a couple of days ago was the centenary of the Bolshevik takeover. Exactly how the poet reacted to tidings from afar on his 40th birthday is open to conjecture, but in subsequent years and decades many other poets across the colonised world found the Russian experiment awe inspiring.

It is not hard to see why the idea of the world being turned upside down exercised a particular appeal across what was later designated as the Third World.

Many of the insurrections and revolutions that followed, under conditions that inevitably varied from nation to nation, owed at least some of their motivation to the earth-shaking events of November 1917.

It is equally important to acknowledge, though, that the Soviet model was at the receiving end of notable revolts towards the end of the 20th century. Would it have been very different had so many Bolshevik ideals  including a new form of democracy  not perished, more or less, within a decade or so of the formidable upheaval? Whatever the case, the recent excesses of globalised capitalism serve as an enduring reminder that Lenins ghost hasnt lost its relevance.

(Dawn/ANN)
The freedom of press index maintained by Reporters Without Borders ranks India, the worlds largest democracy, 136th out of 180 countries, not something to be proud of. Within India, Tamil Nadu would qualify for the last place if a similar index were to be prepared. The much lamented J Jayalalitha holds the record of filing more defamation suits against the media than all other Chief Ministers in the country put together.

During her first term in office, one media house alone faced 123 defamation cases that forced the Supreme Court to intervene and quash them in one stroke.

Eddapadi Palaniswamy, the present Chief Minister who has promised Jayalalitha-style rule, is not wanting in curbing press freedom. Moved by the tragic scene of a usury victim immolating himself with his wife and two young children in front of the Tirunelveli collectorate after the collector and the police commissioner failed to restrain the usurer from resorting to strong-arm tactics in spite of repeated complaints from the victim, G Bala, a popular Chennai-based cartoonist, published a cartoon lampooning the Chief Minister, Collector and police commissioner which was widely applauded by the public.

Incensed by the unflattering publicity, the government arrested Bala from his residence on Sunday, drove him all night to Tirunelveli to produce him in court on Monday on a complaint by the collector. The cartoon portrayed the trio without clothes covering their nakedness with wads of currency notes. The collector said there was a limit to creativity and freedom of expression. The judicial magistrate before whom Bala was produced on Monday was not impressed by the collectors statement and granted the cartoonist instant bail.

The police was not willing to let their quarry go. They tried to take him into custody forcibly in spite of the bail order. The advocates present in the court rescued Bala and kept him in their chambers till the bail formalities were completed.

Although Article 19 of the Constitution provides to all citizens freedom of speech and expression, nothing explicitly guarantees freedom of the press and not much has changed since colonial rule. If anyone deserves to be arrested in this case it is the district collector for abetting the suicide of the family of four by ignoring repeated pleas for protection.

On 4 November, a group of about 10 police personnel stormed into the house of Rajarathinam, popularly known as Semmani, an advocate from Marankulam in Tirunelveli district, detained him in a local police station overnight, stripped him naked and took turns in torturing him.

At dawn they took him to another police station nearby and asked him to leave. He had to be hospitalised.

His crime, if it can be called such, was to defend Koodankulam antinuclear protesters. The time has come to ensure that freedom of press gets an institutional safeguard.
The Karnataka governments decision to observe the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan on 10 November this year triggered a serious controversy. Anant Kumar Hegde, a Minister of state of the Union government and a BJP leader as well, stirred the controversy when he wrote on twitter on 20 October, I have conveyed to Karnataka government not to invite me to shameful event of glorifying a person known as brutal killer, wretched fanatic and mass rapist.

But a few days later, the Honble President Ramnath Kovind visited Karnataka and brought himself to the centre of an ongoing controversy over the 18th century rulers legacy. On the occasion of Vidhan Soudhas diamond jubilee celebrations in Bengaluru, Kovind said on 25 October, Tipu Sultan died a heroic death fighting the British.

He was also a pioneer in the development and use of Mysore rockets in warfare. This technology was later adopted by Europeans. The Presidents evaluation of Tipu Sultan has poured cold water on the enthusiasm of some members of the Sangh Parivar. Another Union Minister, Sadanand Gowda, without refuting the views expressed by the President, demanded a public debate on the issue, before the official celebration of Tipus birth anniversary.

Two years ago, violence erupted at Medikeri in Coorg district of Karnataka on 10 November in the wake of Tipu Jayanti celebration by the Karnataka government. Several Sangh Parivar outfits described the 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan as a tyrant and tormentor of the Hindus. Their protest was against the official celebration of the birth anniversary of the bigot.

Unfortunately, after 218 years of his death, Tipu was brought to the surface of communal politics. This essay does not make any attempt to judge whether a government sponsored programme for observing the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan was uncalled for, nor does it deny anybodys right to protest. This essay only denounces politicians intrusion into historians territory and tries to locate Tipus proper place in history. Even a Hindutva activist cannot deny that Tipu offered heroic resistance against British imperialism, in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war.

Tipu died the death of a hero in May 1799, while defending his capital Srirangapatam, which was, however, plundered by the English troops. With the demise of Tipu Sultan, observed Kalikinkar Datta, a prominent nationalist historian, fell a leading Indian power and one of the most inveterate and dreadful foes of the English. He had to fight against the collective effort of the English East India Company as well as the government of Great Britain.

Tipu faced defeat after offering a gallant fight to the English, who were endowed with better military technique and superior equipment. His defeat was inevitable. Considering his time, Tipu tried to develop an efficient administrative system. According to a British historian, Tipu appeared to be the first Indian sovereign to seek to apply western methods to his administration. He divided his central administration into seven departments, among which Mir Asaf Kutchery (Revenue Department) and Malik ul Tujjar Kutchery ( Trade and Commerce Department) were very important.

Tipus biographer, Mahibul Hasan, aptly remarks, Few Indian rulers in the past were so much interested in the promotion of trade and industry as was Tipu Sultan. Silkworms were imported from Bengal and Muscate with a view to promote silk industry. Sugarcane cultivation was encouraged to develop a sugar industry in Mysore.

During the reign of Tipu Sultan, some sort of state owned banking system flourished in Mysore to curb the influence of money lenders and Sohukors. It would be somehow ahistorical to call Tipu Sultan a religious fanatic and tormentor of the Hindus. It has been alleged that he had confiscated the rent free inam lands held by the Brahmins.

But Tipu, on the basis of the findings of the Revenue Commission, had confiscated only the unauthorised rent free holdings held by Brahmins and fakirs. In 1916, Rao Bahadur K Narasimhachar, then the Director of Archaeology in Mysore, had discovered a bunch of letters in the temple of Sringeri. These letters were written by Tipu to the chief priest of the temple. The letters reveal that the temple held a large area of rent free land during the reign of Tipu Sultan.

Taking advantage of the Maratha invasion of Mysore, the Pindaris displaced the sacred image of the Goddess Sarada of Sringeri temple. Tipu immediately sanctioned financial assistance from the state treasury (tosakhana) for the consecration of Goddess Sarada. Prof Srikanthia, the editor of the Mysore gazette, informs that about 156 temples received annual grant during the reign of Tipu Sultan. Tipu considered conversion from Hinduism to Islam as a punishment to those who revolted against the state.

His apprehension was responsible for large scale conversion of non-Muslim subjects of Coorg and Malabar when they revolted against the Sultan. In one of his letters, he admitted that he converted Nairs to Islam as a punishment to their rebellion, and they deserved the punishment because they rebelled six times and six times I forgave them.

However, in the context of present day ethical standards, this act of Tipu cannot be accepted. In spire of revolt by the Hindus of Malabar, he did not confiscate the rent free holdings directly under the temple or held by the Brahmins. A number of Hindus held high posts in the army administration during his reign. Tipus subjugation of the Christian subjects as well emerged out of political considerations.

During the Second Anglo-Mysore War, the Kanadi Christians helped the English in many ways, primarily by supplying information. Retaliation against them became imperative. According to CA Bayly, the noted historian, Tipu carefully distinguished between Hindus and Christians who might be the stalking horse of British influence and the majority of his non-Muslim subjects whom he treated with consideration.

He definitely gave stress upon the Islamic features of his state, but his dependence on Hindu warriors and Tamil administrators forced him to proceed with caution. Tipu Sultan was a clever diplomat as well. He sought the help of the French to resist the English. To appease the French and secure their military assistance, Tipu became a member of the Jacobin Club established by the French and planted the tree of liberty in Mysore.

He was not a modern man in outlook, but he definitely took certain significant steps to rejuvenate the economy of Mysore. He knew that tapping of new economic resources was necessary for the survival of a warrior state threatened by enemies on all aides. Tipu Sultan definitely appears to be one of the most colourful characters among 18th century Indian rulers.

(The writer is Associate Professor, Vivekananda College, Kolkata)
Dont worry if you havent spotted a tiger yet, it has already seen you, said Naren Mallik, a safari expert and a naturalist, to a group of wildlife enthusiasts, as he prepared his open jeepsy before entering the tigers territory.

The Kanha National Park, which is spread over 1,945 sq km, in Madhya Pradesh, was established in 1955 and is dedicated to preserve and protect a variety of species especially the tigers. The park, which can also be termed as tiger country, serves as a home to both the predator and the prey. In the year 1973, when Project Tiger came into existence, Kanha too was declared as a Tiger Reserve, aiming to protect the National Animal at a time its number was going down at an alarming rate. The reports presented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in the year 2006 marked that only 1,411 tigers were left in India and by the year 2014, the numbers rose to 2226.

On asking the officials the reason behind the success of this project here at the Kanha National Park, they informed that the whole region had to be divided into two zones ~ the core and the buffer. In the core zone human activities are strictly prohibited while the buffer zone serves as a place for agricultural patches and small villages. In the year 1973, a total 45 villages were present, out of which 28 villages had to be relocated.

The two major reasons, the officials pointed, behind the relocation was: first, to ensure safety of both the wild animals and the villagers and, secondly, to prepare grasslands for other species, which included mainly the Barasinghas (black buck), Sambhars, Gaurs and spotted deers. Most of the villages were established on these grasslands and were relocated outside the core zone, where human activities are strictly prohibited now.

In 1973, when Project Tiger was started, government had to relocate the villages to a remote area. They did compensate the villagers but the major problem that emerged was the tribals, who were so deeply connected with the jungles that they didnt want to relocate. Currently, the authorities are offering compensations of Rs 10-15 lakh per family member, who has reached 18 years of age, for relocation, informed Rohit Tripathi, resort manager, Chitvan Jungle Lodge.

IN TIGER LAND

While all the human activities are strictly prohibited in the core zone, but as one treads in the buffer zone, small agricultural patches, decorated with paddy crops, which are almost ready to be harvested soon, beautifully captivates the eyes. In between the crop fields, small kids can be seen sitting on watch towers, which are not more the 8-10 feet tall ~ sights that can leave one alarmed and aware of the fact that they are villagers, but belonging to a tigers forest. This is Bandatora village, a few kilometres away from the main entrance of the Kanha National Park.

The mud huts, fenced with bamboo sticks and woods, are the only security they have to guard their cattle and themselves against the predators. Chhotelals wife NeematBai can be seen preparing dinner for her two children.

Bhaat aursaag banegaaaj (I have prepared rice and spinach for dinner), said NeematBai as her two children awaited Chhotelals return home. Chhotelal was once attacked by a tiger while he was collecting wood from the forest and luckily saved himself with the help of his axe.

Chhotelals family is part of the Baiga tribes who, along with the Gonds, form the major population of Kanha. When Project Tiger was implemented in the Kanha National Park, it was feared that it would majorly affect these two tribal establishments and their natural way of living might vanish but, interestingly, it worked in the completely opposite way. The Gonds were majorly benefitted by the policies and are now positioned in top notch government jobs. But Baigas are still unwilling to adjust with the outsiders.

Humein kya zaroorat hai kahi ja ne ki, hum yahi rahenge. Humara sab kuch to yahi hai.Log aatehaiKanha mein to wo humara naach dekh te hai! (Why should we go anywhere? We will live here. People from different parts of the world come here to see our dance!), said Iswar as he prepared his Mandhar and Nagada before performing Karma, the traditional dance form of the Baigas.

Though the Baigas and the Gonds are now living their life the way they want to, the debate still lingers on two major aspects ~ whether the relocation has altered the authentic tribal way of life and whether the human population spread around the National Park is threatening the wild species. The facts and figures remain obscure as there is no perfect record to examine these concerns.

But the fact remains the tourism industry developed because the Tiger Reserve is acting as a catalyst for the benefit of both the villagers and the wild species for sure.

KNOW THE TRIBES

Baiga

The Baiga tribes inhabit Central India and are one of the scheduled tribes of Madhya Pradesh. The Baigas are true inhabitants of forests, retaining customs and traditions handed down from their ancestors. They are fierce protectors and worshippers of the forest and mother nature. Their sacred beliefs prohibit them from ploughing the land as this is perceived as traumatising Mother Earth. They, therefore, adopt the slash and burn form of shifting agriculture, constantly remaining on the move (also known as Jhoom farming).

The Baiga seldom interact or intermarry with other tribes, often avoiding formal settlements, formal education and formal trades or work. The members of this tribe often tattoo themselves in very elaborate and colourful manner using elements and materials from the forests they live in. Karma is the most important dance and song of the Baigas, with various forms of Karma songs and dances being popular.

The advent of the most common Karma festival observed by the Baigas is before the onset of the summer harvest. It begins by planting a branch of Karma tree in the dancing arena and the community members dance around it. Karma songs involve both men and women.

Sometimes they sing as duets, or as singing dialogues between men and women, seeking answers to riddles. Moreover, many Karma songs help the new generation learn from the sayings of the ancestors, hence many songs convey teachings.

Gond

On the other side, Gond is a very large tribe of Central India, numbering 12.7 million. Traditionally, they have been cultivating land, producing crops and raising livestock. They grow rice, wheat and different types of lentils, sesame, millet and cotton. They are spread across Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal. The derivation of the word Gond is uncertain.

According to some, it may have come from Khonda, which means hill. In the eastern state of Bihar and Jharkhand, they speak Sadri and Gondi. In Assam, where they are migrants from Orissa, Oriya and Assamese are spoken.

The Gond tribe is listed as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in all states except Uttar Pradesh and Assam. They are listed as a Scheduled Caste (SC) in Uttar Pradesh, which they resent, preferring to be listed as tribals. The Gond cultivates land, produces crops and raises livestock. Pressure from the government to preserve forests and to change the way they farm has led many to do well by adopting better methods.

Many still live off the land by hunting and gathering fruit from the forests. Others raise cattle for sale.The literacy level of the Gond is below national average. They are becoming more amenable to family planning and use both modern as well as local herbal remedies. Unfortunately, they have not taken advantage of the development schemes that the government has provided for them.

The majority are Hindu. Some are animists, who believe that things in nature ~ trees, mountains and the sky ~ have souls or consciousness, and that a supernatural force animates the universe. Village gods are worshipped by the villagers as a group and a priest conducts the rites.

Idols of gods are often spear shaped, made of iron and are smeared with vermillion powder and kept at a special place called DeoKhulla, the threshing floor of the gods.

THE JUNGLE BOOK

Situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the picturesque Kanha National Park was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kiplings unforgettable classic The Jungle Book. The romance of the Kanha National Park has not reduced over time ~ it is still as beautiful.

The most captivating and striking features of this park are the open grassy meadows, where sighting blackbuck, swamp deer, sambhar and chital is common. The Kanha National Park is divided into four zones: Kanha, Kisli, Mukki and Sarhi. One can book a safari, in which the local guides take the travellers for tiger sightings into the core zones of the jungle in open jeeps. The way these local drivers follow the pug marks and sounds of monkeys, who are busy in alerting their friends about the presence of the predators, is exhilarating.

The major wildlife attractions in the park are tiger, bison, gaur, sambhar, chital, barasingha, barking deer, black deer, black buck, chousingha, nilgai, mouse deer, sloth bear, jackal fox, porcupine, hyena, jungle cat, python, pea fowl, hare, monkey,mongoose, tiger, and leopard.

The birds species in the park include storks, teals, pintails, pond herons, egrets, peacock,pea fowl, jungle fowl, spur fowl, partridges, quails, ring doves, spotted parakeets, green pigeons, rock pigeons, cuckoos, papihas, rollers, bee-eater, hoopoes, drongos, warblers,kingfishers, woodpeckers, finches, orioles, owls, and fly catchers.

TRAVEL GUIDE

Best time to visit: The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are hot and humid with maximum and minimum temperature of 40.6C and 23.9C respectively. Winters are pleasant with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 23.9C and 11.1C. Apart from that the grasslands covered with fog presents a perfect picture frame for the photographs. The park is closed from July to mid-October during monsoon.

How to reach: In order to reach Kanha National Park by flight, Jabalpur is the nearest airport, having daily direct flight connectivity with Delhi and Mumbai. Second option could be Raipur or Nagpur airports. Direct train options are available to Jabalpur or Raipur as well, from where one has to take a 3-5 hours drive to Kanha National Park.

Best stay option: Chitvan Jungle Lodge, Kanha To suit every travellers budget, the lodge has accommodation options that range from grand and luxurious suites to appointed rooms that overlook the jungle and surrounding hills.

The lodge is a good place for people from all walks of life such as leisure traveller, a peace finder, families, students and wildlife enthusiasts, who are willing to comeKanha and enjoy an adventurous vacation or a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Priti Patel, Britains overseas development secretary, resigned late on Wednesday after meeting Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street.

May had ordered Patel to cut short an official visit to Africa and return to London following reports she had held unauthorized meetings with Israeli officials, XInhua reported.

Her resignation was the second major blow within days for May following the resignation of the defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon in the so-called sex pest scandal that has currently engulfed British politics.

The fate of Mays deputy, First Secretary Damian Green, has yet to be decided with an ongoing investigation into allegations made against him which he denies.

May has also faced calls this week from the main opposition Labor Party to fire Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over his handling of a case involving a British-Iranian national, jailed for allegedly spying in Iran.

Political commentators in London say the troubles surrounding Mays front bench team could not have happened at a worst time. She heads a minority government with opinion divided in her own party over Britains future relationship with the European Union.

Patel, seen as a rising star in Conservative politics and a future leader, caused anger at Westminster over a series of unauthorized meetings with officials of the Israeli government, including a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Before leaving on a three-day official visit to Uganda, Patel apologized to May and was reprimanded and reminded of protocols for such meetings with foreign officials.

During the last 24 hours, more information emerged about further unauthorized meetings Patel had been held, and her fate appeared to have been sealed.

It emerged that Patel had visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights even though Britain has never recognized Israeli control of the area seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.
US President Donald Trump arrived here on Wednesday to hold wide ranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on a host of issues, including ramping up pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme and trade frictions between the two most powerful economies.

Both countries are also expected to sign trade deals worth billions of dollars during Trumps three-day visit.

China is pulling out all the stops to give a state visit-plus reception to Trump on his maiden visit.

Chinese officials projected the visit as a defining moment in China-US ties as it is taking place in the new era of Xi, who commenced his second tenure less than a fortnight ago as the most powerful leader of China after Mao Zedong.

Trump s programme here will start with tea with his Chinese counterpart Xi. Later the two leaders will visit Chinas iconic Forbidden City, adjacent to the Tiananmen Square followed by a private dinner.

Trump will be given an extended ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People tomorrow followed by bilateral talks with Xi. Later Trump would also take part in a business event followed by joint media event.

Trump is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and attend a reception followed by state dinner and cultural performance.

The visit will provide opportunities for President Xi and Trump to exchange in-depth views on issues that concern both sides, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a media briefing yesterday.

The visit is of great significance in pushing forward the steady development of Sino-US relations in the new era and promoting the prosperity of not only the Asia-Pacific region but also the world, she said.

Terry Branstad, US ambassador to China, said that the meeting between the two presidents will be helpful in resolving thorny issues.

There is a lot of excitement and feelings that this could be very historic and significant for the Trump-Xi meeting here, he said.

I think the chemistry between the two leaders is good, and that bodes well. If the two leaders can get along well and work out some of the differences, hopefully that can help the rest of us to work things out well, he added.

Since Trump took office in January, the two leaders have maintained close contact. They already have had two face-to- face meetings and eight phone conversations.

Branstad also said a number of memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed during Trumps visit, covering manufacturing, energy and other sectors.

Trumps visit marks the first by a head of state to China after last months once-in-a-five year Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China, which conferred a second five-year term for Xi.

The visit will be different from routine arrangements and there will be surprises, Ni Feng, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of American Studies said.

Many Chinese are concerned about the future of bilateral ties, and how the two countries will interact over the North Korea s nuclear and missile programme, An Gang, a senior research fellow at the Pangoal Institution, a Beijing-based think tank, said.

Xi and Trump spent over seven hours together in April at the US presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in the US state of Florida where the two leaders worked out a 100-day plan to boost economic cooperation.

After a deal to reopen the Chinese markets to the US for beef in July, American beef is back on Chinas menu. China says the action plan has produced some tangible results.

Ahead of his visit, Trump has said the massive trade deficit in bilateral trade is a shame, and has been putting pressure on China to open the Chinese markets more for US products and firms.

US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated USD 648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lions share with about USD 478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at USD 169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

Trump is also putting pressure on Xi to press Chinas close ally North Korea to give up the nuclear and missile programme which has become a major threat to the US.

Trump yesterday said Xi had been very helpful in dealing with the threat posed by nuclear-armed North Korea.

The two leaders will also discuss major issues of common concern, Zheng said, noting that the meeting is of great significance to Sino-US relations and to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Also expected to figure in Trump-Xi discussion is the US new South Asia policy which is piling pressure on Pakistan, Chinas all-weather ally, to dismantle terror safe havens.

China is also apprehensive about the US trying to work out a quadrilateral with India, Japan and Australia.

Japan has proposed the four countries to work out a new Silk Road plan to counter Chinas ambitious and multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

The US has been accusing China of violating international rules and norms by laying claims on the disputed South and East China seas.

China claims sovereignty on almost all of the South China Sea (SCS) which is disputed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

China has also laid claims on the Senkaku islands under the control of Japan in East China Sea and resorted to aggressive patrols in the last two years.

The US calls the dominance of China over the SCS a threat to national interest in freedom of navigation.
Deciding to report a sexual assault and pursue justice in Dane County can be a difficult process, but there are systems set up to help. One woman's story provides an example of what it can look like to navigate these systems.
Masood Azhar is a bad guy and the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief should be declared a global terrorist, the US on Wednesday said days after China blocked another bid at the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on the Pathankot terror attack mastermind.

Last week, China for the fourth time had blocked a proposal backed by the US, France and Britain to list Azhar as a global terrorist, citing a lack of consensus among the members of the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.

The JeM, founded by Azhar, has already been in the UNs list of banned terror outfits.

We certainly think that he is a bad guy. We would like to have him on that list, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said at a press conference when asked about Chinas move.

There are some committee discussions that are underway over whether to add him or the entity to the sanctions list.

That list is confidential under the United Nations, so unfortunately, I am not going to be able to comment on the deliberations at the UN under that, Nauert said.

I d have to refer you to the Chinese Government to explain why they voted the way they did, but we certainly think that this guy is a bad guy, she said when asked about Chinas action.

We consider the organisation to be a foreign terrorist organisation under the US law, Nauert said.

A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked Indias move to put a ban on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council.

China had in August extended by three months its technical hold on the US, France and UK-backed proposal to list Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN after having blocked the move in February this year at the United Nations.

Notably, China was the only country opposing the designation of Azhar by the Security Council as a terrorist.

All other 14 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council were supporting the bid to place Azhar on the sanctions list that would subject him to an assets freeze and travel ban.

Azhar is accused of several terrorist attacks in India, including one on the Pathankot air force station in January 2016.
US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday morning visited Banchang Elementary School in Beijing, accompanied by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a high-spirited atmosphere, Peng and Trump joined the students in their English, astronomy and Peking Opera classes, and watched their singing and dancing performances.

The students showed their self-designed Qipao, a kind of traditional Chinese dress, and invited the guests to help finish their wash painting of a little panda, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a cookery class, Peng and Trump joined the pupils in making a famous Beijing snack and apple pie.

The students also presented their calligraphy and handicraft to the ladies, and gave performances in the school auditorium.

Peng and Trump agreed that Chinese and American children could and should know more about each other and make friends.

Melania Trump is in Beijing with US President Donald Trump on a three-day visit.


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Organisation: REACH

Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

Reports to: Reach Regional

Coordinator and Acted Country Director

About US:

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two INGOs (IMPACT

Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Institute for Training and

Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT).

REACHs purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information

products that enhance the humanitarian communitys decision making and planning

capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts, supporting and

working within the framework of the humanitarian reform process. REACH

facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary

services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b)

situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database

and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.

In 2017, REACH will expand its operations in Uganda addressing service

delivery and information gaps in the refugee response across the country. REACH

will provide direct support to UNHCRs coordinated information management

efforts through response gap analysis, coordinated needs assessments and

geospatial analysis. All activities will be conducted in refugee settlements

hosting both South Sudanese and Congolese refugees in Bidibidi, Imvepi,

Kiryandongo, Kyangwali, Kyaka II, Lamwo, Maaji II and III, Nakivale, Oruchinga,

Pagrinya, Palorinya, Rhino Camp, Rwamwanja, among others.



Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Management of ACTED FLATS Process for REACH The REACH Programme

Assistant will support the REACH Regional Coordinator and Country Focal Point

through the systematization and management of all finance, logistics,

administration, transportation, security processes. This will include, but not

be limited to: The REACH ProgrammeAssistant will support the REACH Regional Coordinator and Country Focal Pointthrough the systematization and management of all finance, logistics,administration, transportation, security processes. This will include, but notbe limited to:



Review financial documents from field exercises

prior to submission to finance



Tasked with gathering quotations and procuring

items needed for REACH missions



Arranging transportation to and from field

locations for REACH



Providing security briefings for new arrivals



In charge of ensuring the timely submission of

administrative paperwork such as attendance sheets and leave requests for REACH

staff through the appropriate channels



Tracking all REACH equipment in country

Maintenance of REACH records: The REACH Programme Assistant

will ensure that all paperwork related to ACTED FLATs process is maintained and

filed in a clear and logical manner for easy retrieval in the REACH Drop Box

account

Support for field operations: The

REACH Programme Assistant will, when needed, deploy to field operating

locations to support REACH activities. This will include, but not be limited

to: TheREACH Programme Assistant will, when needed, deploy to field operatinglocations to support REACH activities. This will include, but not be limitedto:



In-field procurement



Transport of cash, payment of wages for casual

labourers



Management of other FLATS processes

Other tasks: The REACH

Programme Assistant will participate in other, undefined tasks that are

necessary to support the REACH mission in Uganda. This will potentially include

data collection, translation and liaising with local government officials. The REACHProgramme Assistant will participate in other, undefined tasks that arenecessary to support the REACH mission in Uganda. This will potentially includedata collection, translation and liaising with local government officials.

Accountability to Communities and Beneficiaries: The staff

member is responsible for ensuring that all relations with the communities we

work are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Due attention must be paid to ensuring that

communities are adequately consulted and informed about ACTED programme

objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies. This is the responsibility of every ACTED

staff member.

Key Performance Indicators:



Effective time management



Management of ACTED FLATS process for the REACH

team



Clear record keeping and storage of documents



Good work ethic



Ad-hoc tasks assigned by manager











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:



The applicant should preferably hold a

Bachelors Degree from a recognized University



At least two years of progressively more

responsible experience in humanitarian or development organizations



Possess basic skills with the Microsoft Office

Suite



Positive attitude and a willingness to learn



Excellent communication skills



Excellent time management skills



Ability to operate in a cross-cultural

environment requiring flexibility;



Prior knowledge of the region an asset



Fluency in English required

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to send

their updated CVs, cover letters, certified copies of academic documents and

daytime telephone contacts of three professional referees to REACH.UGA.IM@gmail.com.

The subject line should read REACH Programme Assistant.

NB: Only online

applications will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be

contacted and Reach Impact Initiatives reserves the right to recruit before the

deadline for receiving applications.

Deadline: 24th

November 2017 by 5:00PM
Organisation: RA International



Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

About RA International:

RA International is Africas leading remote site service provider. We

offer fully integrated camp services, from the construction of camp facilities

to full life support services including camp catering and camp maintenance

services  for clientele operating in remote and challenging environments. We

focus on providing remote site solutions for those involved in humanitarian

operations, and the oil & gas and mining industries. We have successfully executed

projects in Afghanistan, Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and many

other countries over the last twelve years. Our customers comprise NGOs,

governments, and private enterprises and include the United Nations, World

Bank, African Union, 14 European and North American governments, and a number

of publicly listed companies.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:



The HR/Admin must hold a Bachelors Degree in

Business Administration or Human Resources



The applicant should possess at least three to

five years of experience in a relevant field

How to Apply:

All candidates are strongly encouraged to send their updated CVs to career@raints.com



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For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com orfind us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline






Job Title: Logistics Coordinator

Organization: Abt Associates

Funding Source: United

States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Abt:

Abt Associates is an international development organization composed of

dedicated professionals who provide technical assistance, research, analysis,

and practical training services in more than 128 countries.



Project: About USAID Vector Control TaskProject:

Abt Associates, a major American business and government research,

technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector

Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 will support the U.S. Presidents Malaria Initiative

(PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach

with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria. Abt has implemented

indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2009, delivering high-quality IRS

programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data

in the world. Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to

guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and

continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and

capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic. Abt also

will continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as

environmental compliance.

Job Summary: The Logistics

Coordinator primarily oversees the logistics and warehousing functions of the

project. The jobholder manages the transportation, storage, and distribution of

IRS commodities, materials and equipment throughout the program area.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:



The ideal candidate for the USAID Project

Logistics Coordinator job placement should Bachelors Degree in Business,

Logistics, Management, or Administration and experience in procurement and

logistics.



Previous experience on USAID-funded programs and

a thorough knowledge of environmental safety and compliance regulations.



Prior exposure and experience in warehouse

management.



Proven ability to work with minimum direction

and supervision.



Demonstrated ability to work both as a member of

a team and as a team leader, with the ability to accept the inputs of other

team members.



Strong management and planning skills of project

tasks and budgets.



Demonstrates leadership and team work and

produces high quality work in a timely, cost effective manner and has excellent

writing skills.



Excellent interpersonal communications and

organizational skills.



Excellent computer skills, computer software

programs, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.



Previous experience with USAID funded programs

and/ or other international development experience.



English language fluency.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their

applications to VectorControl_Uganda@abtassoc.com with the position title in

the subject line of the email.

NB: Documentation required

to be considered includes a Cover Page, CV,

recent position held, copies of educational certificates/degrees, and contact

information of at least 3 references we can contact (must include email

addresses and phone numbers). Documentation requiredto be considered includes a Cover Page, CV, biodata form , payslip from the mostrecent position held, copies of educational certificates/degrees, and contactinformation of at least 3 references we can contact (must include emailaddresses and phone numbers).
Charlie Sheen known for his portrayal of an alcoholic ad professional in the hit series, Two and a Half Men, has recently been accused of raping a teenage boy when the actor was 19. This comes in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein controversy and Hollywood celebrities coming out and talking about their experiences with sexual abuse.

Late actor Corey Hiam's former friend has come accused Sheen of raping Hiam when he was 13 and Sheen was 19 when they were filming Lucas.

Dominick Brasica told the media, Haim told me he had sex with Sheen when they filmed Lucas, He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex. Haim said after it happened Sheen became very cold and rejected him.

This is one of more than a hundred accounts of Sheens abuse. Haims co-star from the 80s, Corey Feldman, promised to uncover what he called Hollywoods paedophile ring.

Sheen has denied these allegations, says his spokesman. Hiam died in 2010 at the age of 38 owing to drug-induced pneumonia. Hiam had apparently confided in Brasica about the encounter. Hiam also confessed that Sheen and him had sex again, but and finally got over Sheen. Sheen who is 52 now is battling HIV.

Corey Feldman, Haims close pal  who has alleged that he and his friend were abused by a Hollywood paedophile ring  alluded to the abuse in his book Coreyography: A Memoir. But Corey has never mentioned Sheen as a perpetrator.

Feldman wrote: At some point during the filming (of Lucas, Haim) explained an adult male convinced him it was perfectly normal for older men and younger boys in the business to have sexual relations, that it was what all guys do.

Feldman believes Hiam's young death marked with drug abuse stemmed from his experiences as a teen actor in Hollywood.
Prince of Wales Charles Philip Arthur George, accompanied by Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles, paid tribute to the martyrs at Delhi's Amar Jawan Jyoti.

The Prince met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and discussed a wide range of issues, including that of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will take place in April 2018 in the United Kingdom.

The royal couple is on a two-day visit to India.

The visit is part of their 10-day four nation tour to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and India.

This visit, the ninth of the Prince of Wales to India, is aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations.

India-UK trade is at $12.19 billion. India is also the third largest investor and the second largest international job creator in the UK.

UK is the third largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of $24.37 billion for the period April 2000June 2017.

UK is the third largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of $24.37 billion for the period April 2000June 2017.
In a scathing attack on Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday described him as a "tragedy manufacturer" and condemned him for "misleading" the nation on demonetisation.

Amid a war of words on the first anniversary of the Centre's demonetisation decision, Shah took to Twitter to attack the Congress and its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

"The BJP strongly condemns Rahul Gandhi for trying to mislead the nation on the issue of demonetisation," he said in a tweet.

He also asked the Congress to stop shedding crocodile tears for the poor.

"The lies of the Congress have been unmasked and it can no longer capture power by spreading fake news and fake images," the Bharatiya Janata Party chief said.

Shah's attack comes in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's tweet in which he used a photograph of an old man Nand Lal to attack demonetisation.

A former Army man, Nand Lal, 80, had broken down last year after he was unable to withdraw his pension after waiting for hours at a bank branch in Gurugram.

Shah said Nand Lal had lauded the "historic step" taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to uproot corruption and black money.

"It is deplorable how Rahul Gandhi believes in manufacturing tragedies, so much so that he is also using the poor of India to score cheap political points," he said.

Continuing his tirade against the Congress leader, Shah said the grand old party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi has become 'Incorrect News Congress'.

"It has become the biggest source of fake news in India," he said

For the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, he said, the poor are the means behind which they hide their corrupt, elite and upper class nature.

"Their use of photos to defame is not a new trick. For 15 long years, using a handful of photos, Rahul Gandhi and his party tried every trick in the book to pull down Gujarat," Shah said adding that they created an impression of Gujarat that never existed.

Shah said the Congress had insulted six crore Gujaratis.

"They tried to make Gujarat a source of ridicule but time and again they got a befitting answer from the people of Gujarat," he said.

He said Congressmen were happily tweeting photos of Karnataka Minister D.K. Shivkumar standing in a queue and withdrawing money from an ATM in the state.

"After all, what happened, we all know... hundreds of crores have been found in the properties of D.K. Shivkumar. Rahul Gandhi should share that photo as well," he said.

The BJP President alleged that Rahul Gandhi was unable to digest Narendra Modi's ever-rising popularity.

"The Congress dirty tricks department is in hyperactive mode. But, 125 crore Indians know these carriers of fake news well and have time and again rejected their fake news and fake tears," he said.
Egypt's president said the defeat of the extremist Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria was likely to have forced militants to seek a safe haven in neighboring Libya, from which they will later cross into his country where his security forces have been battling militants in the Sinai peninsula and, more recently, in its vast western desert.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi also said Egypt's ongoing arms buildup was designed in part to equip the country to deal with terrorism and redress the "strategic imbalance" in the region created by conflict and turmoil engulfing several countries in the area like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen.

Egypt has since 2014 spent more than $10 billion on French-made Rafale fighter jets and helicopter carriers, MiG- 29 fighter jets and assault helicopters from Russia and submarines from Germany. Moreover, Egypt receives USD 1.3 billion in annual US aid.

He refused to be drawn into specifics about militants' movements, saying it was only "natural" for them to move to Libya, where mostly Islamist militias wield influence over large swathes of territory, and eventually to Egypt.

"We must have the military capabilities that compensate for that imbalance in the region and to counter terrorism," he said. He refused to be drawn into specifics about the movement of militants leaving the battlefield in Iraq and Syria, saying it was only "natural" for them to move to Libya, where mostly Islamist militias wield influence over large swathes of territory, and eventually into Egypt.

"This is a threat not just faced by us, but also by Europe," he told a wide-ranging, two-hour news conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in southern Sinai.

There are no reliable estimates for the number of militants fighting Egyptian security forces, but they are believed by experts to number in the low thousands. Ominously, there has been an uptick in recent months in attacks in Egypt's western desert close to the Libyan border.

The latest one was last month, when authorities said 16 police officers were killed in what appeared to be an elaborate ambush. Security officials, however, said the number was as high as more than 50.

El-Sissi said subsequent operations by his security forces have killed the 14 militants he said participated in the attack. A "foreign" militant who participated in the attack was captured alive, he said. He also suggested that the militants were planning to attack a desert Coptic Christian monastery.

He did not elaborate, but added that joint army and police forces were actively combing the entire length of the country's porous borders with Libya to the west and Sudan to the south.

A spate of attacks earlier this year that targeted Egypt's minority Christians were blamed by authorities on militants based and trained in Libya. One attack hit Christians traveling on a quiet side road making their way to a remote desert monastery
Blessed by calmer seas, several hundred more Rohingya Muslims on Thursday joined a multitude of refugees in Bangladesh, as calls grew for upcoming regional summits to exert more pressure on Myanmars Aung San Suu Kyi to stem the crisis.

A Myanmar military operation has driven out more than 600,000 Rohingya since late August and the latest refugees to find sanctuary in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh say many thousands more are still trying to leave.

Ariful Islam, of Bangladeshs Border Guard, said about 200 people arrived on Thursday morning on the stretch of coast he commands at Teknaf, on the southern tip of Coxs Bazar district.

Abdus Sabir was among a group that came ashore at Shamlapur after a six-hour boat journey, the final leg of an escape begun weeks ago.

We fled because the military is still burning our houses, Abdus, who had abandoned his home in the Rathedaung region of Myanmars Rakhine State, told Reuters.

Nearby, Husain Shorif, from the Buthidaung region, said he had rowed for four hours to help bring across 56 people on a raft cobbled together from bamboo and plastic jerrycans.

Some boatmen were asking for huge money we didnt have. So we made our own boat and came, Shorif said, adding that thousands more Rohingya were still stranded at Pa Nyaung Pin Gyi at the mouth of the Naf river.

Reuters were unable to verify that claim as Myanmars military has restricted access to northern parts of Rakhine, where it launched a clearance operation it says was aimed at Rohingya militants behind attacks on 30 security posts on Aug. 25, but which UN officials described as ethnic cleansing.

The storm of opprobrium over the humanitarian crisis will expose Myanmar to more diplomatic pressure, at least from leaders of Muslim-majority countries and the United States, during three summits hosted by Vietnam and the Philippines.

Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmars less than two-year-old civilian administration, left on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnams central seaside resort of Danang.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for standing up to the generals who had ruled the country for nearly half a century, Suu Kyi now effectively shares power with them, under a constitution drawn up in 2008 when junta was still in control, and has little control over what they do.

After Fridays APEC summit, Suu Kyi will attend a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping in Manila on Sunday, followed by an East Asia Summit in Angeles, just north of the Philippine capital.

Setting up a regional trade block, and concerns over North Koreas ambitions to become a nuclear-armed state are summit priorities, but New York-based Human Rights Watch beseeched them to ensure stronger action by Myanmar to end the crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will meet Suu Kyi on Nov. 15 for talks on the Rohingya crisis, and they are expected to hold a joint news conference.

World leaders shouldnt return home from these summits without agreeing to targeted sanctions to pressure Burma to end its abuses and allow in independent observers and aid groups, Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that referred to Myanmar by its old name.

Adams said the leaders should discuss how to investigate alleged rights abuses and atrocities in Rakhine, and refer them to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

The rights group also urged the Security Council to impose an arms embargo, economic sanctions and travel bans targeting Myanmar military officials.

U.S. senators seek to adopt measures for the United States to impose such sanctions.

The Security Council this week opted for a strongly worded statement scolding Myanmar, as diplomats said China and Russia would have vetoed any resolution.

China has publicly supported the Myanmar governments efforts to maintain stability in Rakhine. The stance taken by China and other Southeast Asian governments fighting insurgencies by Muslim militants should spare Myanmar from any harsh spotlight in the summits final communiques.

On the Rohingya, the leaders will agree that there is no quick fix to the long-standing inter-communal problem with deep historical roots that needs to be carefully managed, an ASEAN diplomat told Reuters, adding that the group aimed to deliver $500,000 of relief supplies to Myanmar.
Syrias army declared victory over Islamic State on Thursday, saying its capture of the jihadists last town in the country marked the collapse of their three-year, hardline reign in the in the region.

The army and its allies are still fighting Islamic State in desert areas near Albu Kamal, the last town the militant group had held in Syria, near the border with Iraq, the army said.

But the capture of the town ends Islamic States era of territorial rule over the so-called caliphate that it proclaimed in 2014 across Iraq and Syria and in which millions suffered under its hardline, repressive strictures.

Yet after ferocious defensive battles in its most important cities this year, where its fighters bled for every house and street, its final collapse has come with lightning speed.

Instead of a battle to the death as they mounted a last stand in the Euphrates valley towns and villages near the border between Iraq and Syria, many fighters surrendered or fled.

Theres some fighters left but theyre few. Small numbers is all I can say, said a Syrian army commander of the remaining militants near Albu Kamal. Some were killed and some ran away. They went towards eastern or northern villages.

In Albu Kamal, the jihadists had fought fiercely, said a commander in the pro-Syrian government military alliance. But it was captured the same day the assault began.

This sealed the fall of the terrorist Daesh organisations project in the region, an army statement said, using an Arabic term for Islamic State.

The fate of its last commanders is still unknown--killed by bombardment or in battle, taken prisoner but unidentified, or hunkered into long-prepared hideouts to plot a new insurgency.

The last appearance of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared himself caliph and heir to Islams historic leaders from the great medieval mosque in Iraqs Mosul, was made in an audio recording in September.

Oh Soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centres of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets, he said.

Mosul fell to Iraqi forces in July after a nine-month battle. Islamic States Syrian capital of Raqqa fell in October to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, after four months of fighting.

But all the forces fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare, a tactic the militants have already shown themselves capable of with armed operations in both countries.

Western security chiefs have also said its loss of territory does not mean an end to the lone-wolf attacks with guns, knives or trucks ploughing into civilians that its supporters have mounted around the world.

As it did after previous setbacks, Islamic States leadership may now stay underground and wait for a new opportunity to take advantage of the chaos in the Middle East.

It might not have long to wait. In Iraq, a referendum on independence in the northern Kurdish region has already prompted a major confrontation between its autonomous government and Baghdad, backed by neighbouring Iran and Turkey.

In Syria, two rival campaigns raced across the countrys east this year driving back Islamic State -- the Syrian army backed by Russia, Iran and Shiite militias, and an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by the United States.

Syrian officials and a senior advisor to Iran have indicated the Syrian army will now stake its claim to Kurdish-held territory. Washington has not yet said how it would respond to a protracted military campaign against its allies.

Aggravating tensions -- and raising the possibility of turmoil from which Islamic State could benefit -- is a contest for power between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

It has developed a religious edge, pitting Shiite groups supported by Iran against Sunni ones backed by Saudi Arabia, infusing the regions wars with sectarian hatred.

A senior Iranian official this week spoke from Syrias Aleppo of a line of resistance running from Tehran to Beirut, an implicit boast of its region-wide influence.

In recent days the rivalry has again escalated as Riyadh accused Lebanese Hezbollah of firing a missile from the territory in Yemen of another Iranian ally, the Houthi movement.

Hezbollah is a critical part of the Tehran-backed alliance helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hezbollah fighters played the key role in ousting Islamic State from Albu Kamal, a commander in that alliance told Reuters.

Baghdadis declaration of a caliphate in 2014 launched a new era in jihadist ambition. Instead of al Qaedas strategy of using militant attacks against the West to spur an Islamist revolution, the new movement decided to simply establish a new state.

It led to a surge in recruitment to the jihadist cause, attracting thousands of young Muslims to immigrate to a militant utopia slickly realised in propaganda films.

Islamic States leadership ranks included former Iraqi officials who well understood the running of a state. They issued identity documents, minted coins and established a morality police force.

Unlike previous jihadist movements that relied on donations from sympathisers, Islamic States territorial grip gave it command of a real economy. It exported oil and agricultural produce, levied taxes and traded in stolen antiquities.

On the battlefield, it adapted its tactics, using heavy weaponry captured from its enemies during its first flush of military success, adding tanks and artillery to its suicide bombers and guerrilla fighters.

It imprisoned and tortured foreigners, demanding ransoms for their release and killing those whose countries would not pay in grotesque films posted online.

The number of those treated in this way was as nothing to the multitude of Syrians and Iraqis Islamic State killed for their behaviour, words, sexuality, religion, ethnicity or tribe. Some were burned alive, others beheaded and some dropped from the roofs of tall buildings.

Captured women were sold as brides at slave auctions. But as Islamic State was pushed from territory in recent months, there were pictures of women pulling off face veils and smoking previously banned cigarettes.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump on November 9 where they discussed the North Korean nuclear crisis.



The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People here. While Xi promised cooperation and coordination on the worsening crisis, Trump said that China has the solution to the problem.



"Our meeting this morning in front of your representatives and in front of our representatives was excellent, discussing North Korea and I do believe there is a solution to that as you do," Trump told Xi.



"We have the capacity to solve world problems for many years to come," Trump, who is on a three-day China visit, said. In response, Xi said: "China is ready to work with the United States to enhance cooperation and properly manage the differences in a spirit of mutual benefit."



He said that the US and China had "more coordination and cooperation in North Korea nuclear issue and other world challenges.



"Right now China and US relations are at a new starting point." The tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have escalated after North Korea's test firing of missiles and conducting its most powerful hydrogen test in September.



North Korea fears that the US wants to the reclusive nation to be annexed in the South Korea. The US wants China to do more to rein in its ally. But China has said that it is not the trouble-maker and has only limited ability to solve the crisis.



Power equations will be changed this time as Xi has become more powerful, because of exalted status in China, and Trump's popularity has taken a hit in the US.



The US President will also chair a business forum and there will be a signing of several bilateral agreements in the Great Hall of the People. Trump arrived here on November 8 on a three-day visit, the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea.



This is Trump's first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year. Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the US trade deficit with China.

 IANS
State Debate: Racine Journal Times says Trump needs to consider both mental illness and guns
Wary of a belligerent and unpredictable Russia, NATO is expanding its operations for the first time since the end of the Cold War and drawing up plans to improve the way the military alliance commands and deploys its forces.

NATO defense ministers were set Wednesday to endorse a scheme to create two new commands: one to protect sea lanes ferrying troops and equipment across the Atlantic from the United States, the other a logistics command to supervise troop movements in Europe.

We need a command structure which can make sure that we have the right forces, in the right place, with the right equipment at the right time, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Wednesday before chairing the meeting in Brussels.

He said the move will boost military mobility, provide better protection for sea lanes in the Atlantic and improve awareness among the 29 NATO nations of security threats in the Euro-Atlantic area.

At the end of the Cold War almost 30 years ago, around 22,000 personnel were working at 33 commands, but numbers have been slashed to fewer than 7,000 people and seven commands.

We reduced the command structure at the end of the Cold War because tensions went down, Stoltenberg said. When the world is changing, the command structure must change.

NATO allies have stationed around 4,000 troops in the Baltic States  Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  and Poland to reassure them that the alliance stands ready to defend their borders against neighboring Russia. The move came in response to Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Stoltenberg has been coy about where the new regional command centers would be based  he says the plan will be fleshed out next February  but he has noted Germanys central geographical location in Europe, suggesting that it could be in the running for one. Poland is another possibility.

Portugal, Spain or even the United States might be considered for the Atlantic command.

One key factor holding up troop movements in Europe is border controls between the various nations.

Russia has few border obstacles to contend with and can deploy its forces virtually at will. NATO commanders are appealing for red tape to be cut. Officers have said that transit and transport requests need to be submitted up to 30 days in advance in some cases.

We agree in the necessity of being able to deploy forces rapidly in Europe and find it unacceptable that bureaucratic behavior at borders should prevent a military action, Danish Defense Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

(AP)
Several provisions in the House and Senate bills would undermine higher education. Wouldn't it make sense to take the time to thoroughly analyze these proposals rather than trying to ram them through?
The number of job candidates turned down by prospective employers over 'bad debt' has risen by seven per cent in the past year, a leading recruitment company has warned.

As many as 1,923 applicants were turned down for a position due to their adverse finances in the year to July, up from 1,788 a year earlier, according to analysis of the Reed Screening database.

The company claims bad debt is responsible for people failing a vetting test 80 per cent of the time, making it the most common reason for failure. The rise comes as UK household debt has risen almost 10 per cent in the year to September to 204billion.

Scroll down for video

Bad debt test: could the state of your personal finances keep you from your dream job?

While it is common for employers recruiting staff into financial services roles to look into applicants' financial backgrounds, lots of other professionals can also be subject to the same scrutiny - which usually involves at least a credit check.

These include doctors, nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, care support workers, teachers, teaching assistants, youth staff, security officers, complaints handlers, HR specialists, engineers and recruitment consultants, according to Reed.

One example Reed gave of an unsuccessful applicant was a 24-year-old male in the running to be a collection advisor who failed screening over two undeclared defaults below 1,000, as well as debts from payday lenders and a credit card provider.

A second example was that of a 48-year-old female applying to be a claims assessor apprentice who failed screening on two undeclared defaults at a combined amount of almost 10,000, including credit card debts.

'The rising number of people being rejected for job applications due to being classed as bad debtors is dangerous - especially when you take into consideration the fact that the UKs consumer debt level has risen to 1.55trillion due to economic factors largely outside of the individuals control,' says Keith Rosser, director of Reed Screening and new chair of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners - Europe.

'This classification could prevent people from getting jobs and creates a catch 22 situation for some of those people being rejected: no job, no money, more payments get skipped  all creating an even higher chance of failing screening.'

Here Rosser explains everything you need to know about the vetting process.

Keeping up with debt repayments is the best way to keep your credit history squeaky clean

Why are job candidates' financial affairs scrutinised?

Many employers would argue that ensuring a candidates personal financial situation is disclosed reduces the risk of fraud being committed and that bad debtor classification is perhaps an indicator that the person may commit fraud in future.

This is where it is slightly challenging as there are many cases where people with no debt go on to commit fraud. It is rather like the dated argument that someone with a criminal record must declare it because the likelihood of re-offense is greater than someone offending for the first time.

Who gets screened?

The majority of candidates vetted for adverse credit or bad debt would be applying for jobs in the financial sector as this would be a chief screening requirement within the industry. However, it is not just these workers that financial screening affects, there are a wide range of careers and sectors that run this test.

Some non-financial services clients request similar levels of screening to the financial industry, such as credit checks, as they feel this level of vetting is required for the position the candidate would hold.

'No cause for alarm' Experian, the credit reference agency which provides a vetting service for employers, doesn't believe job applicants should be overly concerned by vetting procedures. A spokesman said: 'Many employers carry out background checks as a standard part of their recruitment processes, but these checks do not include general debt related problems, such as missed bill payments or arrears. Experian provides insight for employers to inform these decisions, but does not offer a score or a recommendation for whether someone should be given a job. 'One of these services is an Adverse Financial Check. This would show if a person has information on their credit history such as a county court judgement, bankruptcy or insolvency voluntary agreement. 'More detailed checks can only be carried out by CAIS (Credit Account Information Sharing) members, such as major banks, utilities and communications companies.'

What information is considered and what can I do to ensure I pass?

The current method of testing means that job applicants have to maintain reasonably good financial health and be aware that testing parameters can shift between companies. As a general rule, those with four or more defaults over the last six years will result in a candidate being rejected for a position.

Candidates can easily check their credit reports with free reports readily available online, and keeping up with regular monthly repayments in a timely fashion is of great importance to avoid this issue occurring.

Do all employers screen in the same way?

The issue is that there is no real standardised policy about when a credit check should or should not be used. This needs to change and as the experts in this field, I believe it should be led by the pre-employment screening and financial services sector.

But again, there is no clear classification of what makes a bad debtor. Screening parameters are currently set by individual companies and there is an absence of 'standard practice'; yet again, something which needs standardising and, in my view, the pre-employment screening sector needs to take a lead in this.

How much is too much debt?

It is not the level of outstanding debt that adversely affects your employment prospects, but rather if you have missed any payments or defaulted.

Of course, the greater the level of debt, the harder it is for individuals not to miss payments, especially if out of work.

This is where the catch 22 situation is created. As debt increases, so does the potential to be classified as a bad debtor and, as a result, job prospects can disappear.

Change is required to address these fundamental systematic flaws which have the potential to affect both candidates, who may find their career has stalled due to economic reasons, or company specific screening parameters rather than talent or skill, and companies, who could be filtering out a great deal of talent within the market.
Archie Normans reputation for turnaround of enterprises in difficulty goes before him

When Archie Norman was unveiled as the new Marks & Spencer chairman the share price jumped. Normans reputation for turnaround of enterprises in difficulty  such as Asda and, more recently, ITV  goes before him.

It is already plain that he wont be a shrinking violet at the nations still-favourite retailer. In a pep talk at the interim results, Norman declared that for up to 20 years the company had failed to change with the customer as quickly as the competition.

Quickly is the operative word that is galvanising chief executive Steve Rowe into action. The closure of 70 or so stores is to be speeded up. Paradoxically, the previously announced opening of up to 200 new Simply Food stores is to be slowed.

The Norman mantra of sorting out organisation, culture and capability is being tackled. As soon as Jill Macdonald, imported from Halfords, is settled in as boss of clothing, home and beauty, we can expect changes in fashion with current style director Belinda Earl vulnerable.

In a difficult retail market where M&S competes with H&M, Zara and Next on clothes, and in a crowded grocery space, M&S is just about holding its own.

Profits are down on the same period of last year but were just above forecasts. At 219million over six months there is a long way to go before the group can ever emulate Sir Stuart Roses peak of 1billion in 2008.

Nevertheless, clothing and home sales up 0.1 per cent on a same store basis outpaced Next and overall turnover was up strongly.

Criticism that M&S is behind the curve when it comes to the younger shopper is challenged by the fact that it has the largest share of denim in the UK, at 10 per cent.

It remains the top destination for lingerie, selling 35 per cent of Britains bras.

Food, which long punched above its weight, is sluggish. But expect M&S to be bailed out by turkeys and festive treats.

The reality is that M&S tends to be a top-up, luxury food destination and some core middle-class shoppers think they have found a cheaper alternative with Lidl and its Norwegian smoked salmon, fine clarets and German dark chocolate.

Eating can be as faddish  in these days of consumers looking for experiences  as fashion. It is very early days for the Norman-Rowe team and emphasis is going to be on improving execution.

Too often in the past M&S has opted for grand solutions to its problems, such as a fancy store on the Champs-Elysees, to divert attention from its core problems.

Investors, including a loyal army of private shareholders, need to see real growth to keep the faith.

Hard to do when you are discarding higher-margin clothing floor space and counting on grocery.

Hohn demarche

Any hopes the London Stock Exchange had of putting the failed Deutsche Boerse takeover behind it has been shattered by the intervention of 5 per cent investor TCI.

Other shareholders may have decided to keep schtum about where responsibility for a failed deal lies but not TCIs Sir Christopher Hohn.

He is demanding that the LSE comes clean with investors and releases a confidentiality agreement covering plans for chief executive Xavier Rolet to exit at the end of next year.

Hohn thinks the LSE is getting rid of the wrong person. It wants to see City panjandrum and chairman Donald Brydon fall on his sword and to keep Rolet in place.

It was Rolet who delivered a huge uplift in the LSEs valuation. But he was then required to drink the poison potion to try to get the unwanted merger through.

As a pillar of the City, and owner of LCH Clearnet, the LSE needs powerful leadership and full disclosure in these testing times. TCI is on the right track.

Red eye

Anyone concerned GlaxoSmithKline chief Emma Walmsley is less interested in science and research and development than predecessors should be reassured by the choice of Hal Barron.

He is one of Americas leading pharmacologists, and is now GSKs chief scientific officer and president of R&D.

The main wrinkle is that Barron will be working out of San Francisco, whereas GSKs main laboratories are in Stevenage and Philadelphia.

Good for air miles, if a little disconcerting for the other scientists in the group.
Aviva Investors Secure Income REIT will back blue chip companies in long-lease buildings

PROPERTY MOVE A 200million commercial property fund is being listed this month on the London Stock Exchange by Aviva, in the latest sign of confidence in the UK.

Aviva Investors Secure Income REIT will mostly back blue chip companies in long-lease buildings.

WHISTLE WORRIES Potential whistleblowers are put off from raising concerns due to fears it would damage their prospects, says a worldwide study by law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

SKINNY LAUNCH Beauty product firm InnovaDerma is powering ahead with its expansion of Skinny Tan despite the Advertising Standards Authority watchdog ruling it can no longer claim it reduces the appearance of cellulite.

It is launching the brand in France and stocking the range in Sam McCauley Chemists in Ireland.

MIXED PROGRESS Meat packing firm Hilton Food Group is on track to meet its goals for the year after trading well in the UK and Ireland.

But business in Sweden has suffered and the company says that it faces a challenging market in Denmark.

SOLAR BOOST Energy finance firm Octopus Investments has upped its funds in solar power to 564million.

The London company has boosted its solar panel output by 100 megawatts to 622 megawatts.

PENSION DEFICIT Five million workers in the so-called gig economy are missing out on auto-enrolment in a workplace pension, a study by the Pensions Policy Institute for insurer Zurich suggests.

Every UK employer must sign members of staff up to a pension scheme by law  but businesses such as the internet takeaway company Deliveroo and taxi firm Uber get around this by taking drivers on as freelancers.

LOANS RISE Buy-to-let lender OneSavings Bank has unveiled a 17 per cent jump in its loan book during the years first nine months, taking the total to 6.9billion. Shares in the bank were up yesterday by 2.9 per cent, or 11.6p, to 409.1p.

FUNDS RECORD Retail investors pumped a record 5.6billion into City funds in September, says trade body The Investment Association. Global funds were the most popular option.

DRESSING UP Booming demand for midi skirts and dresses helped boost sales for Yoox Net-A-Porter by 17.7 per cent to 426million in the third quarter. The average customer spent 291.80.

DIAMOND PROFIT Former Barclays boss Bob Diamonds business Atlas Mara made 15.4million profit in the first nine months of the year.

CHANGING FASHIONS The boss of Dior Sidney Toledano, 66, has stepped down after 20 years at the helm, to take on a fashion role at parent company LVMH.
The new chairman of M&S made an astonishing admission that the firm has failed for two decades  as the retailer began a major shake-up.

Archie Norman, in post for just 70 days, said M&S had failed to keep up with rivals and blamed its failure on the previous management.

He said that while top business people, such as Sir Stuart Rose and Marc Bolland, have led the company over past 20 years, it had failed to tackle changes in the industry.

Call for change: M&S chairman Archie Norman said the chain had failed to keep up with rivals and blamed its failure on the previous management

M&S has been hit hard by changes in shopping habits, which have seen rivals such as Zara and Primark steal market shares. More recently, younger shoppers have been drawn to fast-fashion outlets such as Asos and Boohoo.

In a call to arms, Norman embraced the strategy that had been put in place by current chief executive Steve Rowe ,and advocated more change, praising Rowe for grasping a few nettles and slaughtering a few sacred cows.

Speaking yesterday Norman said: There have been many highly capable people in the leadership team for M&S, but over not five years but probably 15 and maybe even 20 years, the business has failed to change in line with the customer and as quickly as the competition.

That failure is not to do with the strategy or the intellectual approach nearly as much as it is to do with the organisation, the culture and the capability.

Norman joined as chairman in September and is best known for turning Asda around in the 1990s. His arrival has sparked a radical shake-up of M&Ss turnaround strategy amid disappointing half-year results.

The retailer posted a 5.3 per cent fall in half-year profits to 219.1million in the six months to the end of September and a 0.7 per cent dip in clothing and food sales. Full-price sales increased 5.3 per cent in the period.

Slow to adapt: M&S has been hit hard by changes in shopping habits, which have seen rivals such as Zara and Primark steal market shares

Food sales, once a solid performer, were down 0.1 per cent in the second quarter. M&S is pinning its hopes on Christmas, a typically strong trading period, to drive its latest push.

It may axe more stores, will reduce womenswear space and will increase its focus on childrens clothes, underwear and mens suits.

Rowe, who has axed poor-selling ranges and scaled back on promotions, said M&S is focusing on improving prices across its food ranges, and is seeking to make its best and better lines more affordable.

Its also trying to appeal more to families by introducing family-sized desserts and meals, and has made sure this years Christmas range is 10 cheaper than the year before.

M&S said it will be ramping up the speed of its store closures and scaling back on its expansion of Simply Food stores, after admitting it had misjudged the market for the grocery outlets.

It also announced its finance boss Helen Weir would be leaving to pursue a portfolio career.

Weir, who left John Lewis to take up the role in 2015, will stay in post until a successor is found. Rowe denied that the change in strategy was down to the input of Norman.

He said: Archie and I get on well. Were different sides of the same coin, its great to have him in the business.
The British boss of Deutsche Bank has warned he could slash nearly 50,000 jobs in a battle to get the troubled German lender back on track.

John Cryan said that his firm employs 97,000 people  adding that 'most big peers have more like half that number'.

Deutsche was once the world's biggest investment bank but suffered badly during the financial crisis and has had a slow recovery since.

Axeman: Deutsche Bank boss John Cryan said that his firm employs 97,000 people  adding that 'most big peers have more like half that number'

Cryan, a plain-speaking 56-year-old Yorkshireman, has been battling to steady the ship since taking over in 2015.

This week he warned that technology could replace huge numbers of workers. 'We're too manual, which can make you error-prone and it makes you inefficient,' he said. 'There's a lot of machine learning and mechanisation that we can do.'

The chief executive suggested that rather than just a hiring freeze, he had gone even further by imposing a 'hiring frost'.

He added that money could also be saved if big banks pool resources for crime prevention. And Cryan is taking 800million of costs out of the lender's retail banking network in Germany  echoing the wave of closures which has swept Britain.

He said that many of its Postbank outlets were rarely used.

The implosion in the eurozone created a huge challenge for Deutsche, and it has also been hit with a succession of massive fines for wrongdoing.

Last year it was described by the International Monetary Fund as the world's most dangerous bank, with fears its collapse could pull down the global system.

Cryan is overseeing a five-year plan to axe 9,000 permanent jobs and has already cleared out 4,000 of them.

Another 6,000 contractors are being laid off, while senior bankers have been forced to go without bonuses. The chief executive has repeatedly dropped hints that even this cost-cutting will not be enough.
RACINE  A former Starbucks manager is in hot water after allegedly stealing nearly $38,000 from her previous employer.

Carlin R. Cook, 29, of the 3700 block of 15th Street in Kenosha, is charged with felony theft in a business setting over $10,000.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Starbucks regional asset protection manager contacted the Racine Police Department on June 8 about bank deposits missing from Starbucks, 2805 S. Green Bay Road. The manager had discovered 25 missing deposits between March 2 and May 16, totaling $37,896.24.

The manager contacted Dunbar Armored, which collects the stores deposits. The company said they received various excuses as to why a deposit was not ready or why it was not picked up on each of those occasions.

Cook, a store manager, was identified as a possible suspect. She allegedly worked on 11 of the 18 days deposits were missing. Cook was also reportedly seen on surveillance video taking a deposit bag on at least one occasion.

On June 12, the manager contacted police and told them Cook allegedly confessed to taking money from the store.

Police spoke with Cook, who reportedly admitted to taking deposits from the store, but denied taking all of them. She could not tell police how many deposits she took, but agreed it was more than five.

Cook told police she took the money because was having financial difficulties, including $80,000 in student loans and $5,000 in credit card debt.

A preliminary hearing for Cook is scheduled on Dec. 6 at the Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave.
IT seems that where there is government footprint, there is a problem of late. I am not sure who to thank for the opening of the Swaziland Christian University.

But I think to say Bayethe will be better because we are told it took the intervention of the King to have the university opened. I also want to thank Parliament and Cabinet for demonstrating to the King that they have failed. Why would it take the King to solve a problem that was created by the very same government? It is government that decided to close the university, thus creating the problem. I fail to fathom why they then failed to correct the mess they created. The learning time that has been wasted will need a lot of effort to recover and government will be complaining that students are failing yet it created the failures.



Government and tertiary students have been up in arms with each other over allowances. It is government which awarded the students scholarships. It knew how much money it had. It boggles the mind then when government fails to pay what is supposed to be paid. Why should it take strikes for government to release the funds? What is surprising is that each time the students engage in a strike, government suddenly releases the funds. Why are the funds not released before the students strike?



People are complaining that their groceries have been spoiled in fridges because there was no electricity. Reading about that I thought is it wise to have government parastatals that have no competition? This made me think of the MTN we had before Swazi Mobile came to the fore. I looked at the benefits there are now after the competition. I had never thought I would call for 15 minutes at a cost of two Emalangeni. And I asked myself what happened to the high costs that we were subjected to? If the companies granted authority could produce enough electricity to supply the nation, maybe people would stop complaining about blackouts.

The Swaziland Electricity Company, which is owned by government, had its workers on strike, who were complaining about what they had to get from government and government was not willing to release it to them. People lost a lot in terms of food rotting in fridges and government did not care. At the end, after people had suffered, government decided to give in to the workers demands.

The question is why should there be suffering first before the money is released? At the end of the day people will not be compensated. If there were other companies providing this service, I am sure this would not be happening. But because there is government footprint in all this, then this is what you get.

SEC is always awarded increases in electricity tariffs and they declare profits of millions every year. Why is the company not willing to pay its staff because after all it is taking money from innocent Swazis who have no alternative other than to get electricity from SEC and they are made to pay until they drop? What benefit is there for Swazis that this is a government parastatal if they have to pay handsomely for the service and at times do not get the service because government does not want to pay?

There is the Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) which is also enjoying a monopoly in water services in the country. We have just been told that it is failing to give water to people in Ezulwini because it is failing to negotiate with a former senator. We are told that the law allows it to do certain things but it is failing to use that law to avail water to suffering residents. I can bet my last cent that if there were other service providers in the same sector, water would have been provided to the people in Ezulwini by now.

In my opinion, SWSC also needs to go the same route as its colleagues and provide a prepaid service. I think this will help stop this annoying habit they have of not reading meters and just charge what they think. The next thing you know it stops providing water provision to your residence. What is even more frustrating is that after paying its employees take their time to reconnect the supply. When they do it is usually so late in the day. And for offices it is usually after working hours. And the next thing, after estimating, the bill will be high. I am pleased that I harvest water and have less use of their service. I will soon be using solar power instead of SEC. But I feel parastatals are no longer serving their purpose and wish there should be competitors to have them up their game. Maybe government would also know that it has to act fast, otherwise it would lose customers.
SITEKI  Doctors have recommended that the legs of Zakhele Mkhabela (30) of Lugongolweni in Siteki be amputated.



Mkhabela is one of the several people who were burnt by a highly toxic substance which fell from an overturned truck near Siteki recently. However, Mkhabela (30) has obstinately refused to be amputated and he is adamant that his injuries can be healed if he can get the right medication.



In an interview, he acknowledged that his condition was aggravating but he insisted that he would not give doctors the green light to amputate him.



I still need these legs so that I can continue working. How am I going to earn a living if I agree that my legs be removed? he queried.

He revealed that he learnt about the recommendation that he be amputated when he visited Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki about a week ago.



Mkhabela said he told doctors that there had to be another option other than that of removing his limbs.

He has since been transferred to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) hospital in Manzini where doctors are trying other options other than that of amputation. I can see a slight improvement in the injuries now that I have moved to RFM, he stated, while adding that he would undergo an operation on Friday.



Injuries of the other people who were also burnt by the highly toxic substance identified as Caustic soda, have healed except for Mkhabela and one Nkosingiphile Mthembu, who sustained a serious wound to the arm after coming into contact with the substance. Mkhabela appealed for assistance from the public so that he could get access to high quality medical care in local private health facilities or in neighbouring countries.
MANZINI  Two teachers form part of a 13 member mob which allegedly murdered a dagga dealer last month.



The teachers were arrested by the police on Sunday and made their first appearance on Monday prior to moving an application for bail at the High Court.



Allegations, which are yet to be verified in court, are to the effect that the teachers, together with the other suspects, were present when the dagga dealer, Sincomiso Ernest Dlamini was beaten to death with an assortment of weapons.



Sincomiso was found in a thicket, sleeping in a shack made out of plastic and other material.

Apparently, he was asleep with his girlfriend when the mob pounced, dragged him out of the shack and severely beat him. He later succumbed to his injuries.



The teachers happened at Ntsanjeni.

The, Nhlanhla Mnisi (32) and Nkosikhona Masilela (31) of Ntsanjeni, revealed in their court papers when applying for bail that they were government employees and were handed over to the police by their attorney, Machawe Dlamini of MV Dlamini Attorneys.

The teachers were arrested together with 11 other suspects, namely Sabelo Mnisi (44), Nkosinathi Lukhele (32), Douglas Mnisi (34), Mfanasibili Magongo (34), Thembisa Dlamini (29), who is a community police member, Sandile Msibi (29), Ndzabatetive Mnisi (35), Sandile Magongo (25), Bhekisisa Mnisi (22), Zakhele Masango (23) and Nkhululeko Mnisi (20) all of Ntsanjeni.

Mnisi, one of the teachers, in his court papers stated that he never murdered Sincomiso though he was present when the incident occurred.



I am employed as a teacher by the Swaziland Government and my continued incarceration has serious repercussions to me and my family and I may find myself having difficulties with meeting my monthly obligations and further lose my job. During investigations, I cooperated with the police and I am prepared to comply with all conditions that may be attached in relation to my bail application, he said.



Masilela also mentioned same and added that he had never taken part in the commission of the offence on the day Sincomiso was murdered.
Prosecutors Wednesday charged two La Crosse teens in a gang rape of two girls inside a South Side La Crosse garage.

One of the victims said as many as 11 males were involved in the assault at 814 S. 19th St., but Ronald Crosby Jr., 17, and Heavell Basley, 18, are the only people charged as adults in La Crosse County Circuit Court.

A 16-year-old said she and a 15-year-old were in Basleys garage late Oct. 29 or early Oct. 30 with about 15 other people after the girls had run away from the Family & Childrens Center, according to the complaint.

She said the males raped and hit the 15-year-old before she intervened, the complaint stated.

The 16-year-old girl said she protested and was forced to perform oral sex on a lot of offenders until her throat bled. Several males then raped and hit her, according to the complaint.

She told authorities that Crosby forced her to perform oral sex on Oct. 31.

The 15-year-old victim, who suffered internal injuries, said she slipped into unconsciousness after she ingested a drug during forced oral sex before a whole bunch of guys raped her, according to the complaint.

One girl also said Basley assaulted her three times and hit and strangled her before calling her a derogatory name for having sex with all those other guys, the complaint stated. She also said Crosby assaulted her twice.

Another girl present said the 15-year-old was assaulted at least 10 times but that she couldnt identify the offenders because it was dark.

Police found a twin mattress, used condoms and buckets filled with urine during a search of the garage.

Crosby denied assaulting the girls.

Basley told investigators he was being a nice guy and provided a home for the 15-year-old. He said he witnessed other males assaulting her, before admitting that he had as well, but said she forced herself on him, according to the complaint. He said the 16-year-old was not assaulted.

Prosecutors charged Crosby, of 1317 Redfield St., with sexual assault of a child younger than 16 and first-degree sexual assault, both as party to the crime, and first-, second- and third-degree sexual assault. Basley is charged with four counts of sexual assault of a child younger than 16, one charge as party to the crime, and strangulation.

Crosby is jailed on a $10,000 cash bond and Basley on $5,000.
By ERIC MANN

This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution of October 1917. As we in the United States try to imagine a revolutionary opposition to the U.S. imperialist system a great appreciation of the achievements of the Russian revolution and the Soviet Union is a critical part of our revolutionary future.

The Russian revolution created the Soviet Unionthe first workers state and the first successful revolution that survived the world imperialist counterrevolution. The Bolshevik Party (the first communist party) was part of a united front of parties that seized power from the reactionary feudal Tsar in the February revolution of 1917. Then in October 1917 the Bolsheviks overthrew the forces of capitalism and seized state power from the social democratic Kerensky government. The Russian revolution came to power as an anti-war movement against the forces in Russia that wanted to continue World War Ione of the greatest imperialist bloodbaths of all time in which more than 18 million workers of the world were sent to their deaths by the capitalist governments of Europe with strong support from their socialist parties.

The Bolshevik Party and Soviet State built its own military and police, defended themselves against external and internal capitalist attack, and survived in a hostile world for 72 yearsa true miracle against all odds. From the perspective of the worlds exploited and oppressed people this was a profound achievement in human history and offered them an optimistic vision of their own future.

The day before the successful October revolution the entire world was ruled by the U.S. and European colonial and imperialist powers. But the day after the Russian Revolution the communists created a new political momentum and material balance of forces that captured the imagination of workers and anti-colonial movements all over the world. This was reflected in the Indian independence victory of 1947, the Chinese revolution of 1949, the Cuban revolution of 1959, African independence movements in Ghana, the Congo, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, and Tanzania, the Vietnamese revolution from 1945 until its victory in 1975, and the South African independence movement against apartheid culminating in the victory of 1994.

The Soviet Union was a great friend of Black people in the United States and the pro-Soviet Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) attracted some of the greatest Black political figures in U.S. historyRichard Wright, Claudia Jones, Harry Haywood, W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, William L. Patterson and tens of thousands of Black sharecroppers, domestic workers, auto and steelworkers as well. In 1951, in the midst of a ferocious U.S. war against communists all over the world, Black communists Patterson, DuBois, and Robeson produced the historic and still prescient We Charge Genocide: The Historic Petition to the United Nations for Relief of a Crime Against the Negro People by the United States. A reading of that document 66 years later reflects the painful, egregious, and endless war of the U.S. government against Black people and the Black nation today.

Those of us in the United States who participated in the great revolutions of the Two Decades of the Sixties (1955-1975) were all pro-communist and with our own concerns and even criticisms, pro-Soviet. I was blessed to work as a field secretary with the Congress of Racial Equality and work closely with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Later, I was an organizer with the Newark Community Union Project and Students for a Democratic Society and worked closely with the Black Panther Party.

At that time in history we had a sense of history. We saw the United States as what Dr. King called the greatest purveyor of violence in the world and saw the peoples and revolutions of the Third World and the socialist and communist nations as our allies in a world united front against our own government. We supported the Cuban revolution and appreciated Soviet support for Cuba and hated the U.S. government and the CIA for working to overthrow the Cuban revolution. We supported the Vietnamese revolution and thanked both the Soviets and Chinese for trying to stop our own governments genocide against the people of Vietnam and contributing to the Vietnamese victory as we tried to stop U.S. genocide against Indigenous and Black people inside the U.S. borders as well.

Today, a new generation of organizers and those searching for revolutionary answers, especially those leading heroic struggles in Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities in the U.S. can advance their work by challenging the anti-communist lies of the system, studying the great revolutionary achievements of the Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cuban, and African revolutions, and in particular on the 100th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution, study Soviet history from the perspective of its friends and delve into the great work of pro-communist Pan African leaders Harry Haywood, Paul Robeson and W.E.B. DuBois. Our only hope is to situate ourselves in the long continuum of revolutionary experiments with a sense of deep appreciation and the most profound opposition to the crimes of the U.S. government throughout its history that continue today

I ask you to go on a journey with me to appreciate, celebrate, analyze, and learn from the key achievements of the Russian Revolution and to see the errors and abuses of that and other revolutions in the larger frame of our own governments role as the World Center of Counter-revolution that has worked to attack, infiltrate, suppress, sabotage, assassinate, invade, and if possible overthrow every successful revolutionary movement and revolution in the world

State and Revolution

The Russian revolution was the first revolution that seized state power, built its own military and police, beat back the capitalists, and was able to sustain its own revolutionary advances against the most reactionary and brutal attacks to overthrow it. It was a workers state that was born in the caldron of a world dominated by U.S. and European imperialisma world capitalist system that was exercising a brutal world colonial dictatorship over the peoples of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and Black, Indigenous, and other colonial peoples inside its borders. The Russian revolution came out of the womb needing to defend its very existence from a world imperialist system that carried out counter-revolutionary infanticide as a central tenet of its strategy and existence.

Imagine that in August 1917, while V.I. Lenin was hiding in exile, he wrote State and Revolution, arguing that Russian communists had to understand that a revolution involved a forcible seizure of power. Miraculously, only 2 months later the Bolsheviks did just that. Lenin argued that if capitalism ruled through armed force than the only revolutionary possibility was the armed overthrow of the capitalist state.

if the state is the product of the irreconcilability of class antagonisms, if it is a power standing above society and alienating itself more and more from it, it is clear that the liberation of the oppressed class is impossible not only without a violent revolution, but also without the destruction of the apparatus of state power which was created by the ruling class and which is the embodiment of this alienation

State and revolution and the successful Russian revolution spoke to the direct experience of oppressed people all over the worldeven if European socialists, their consciousness already clouded by the super-profits of empire, disagreed.

* In 1492, there were more than 100 million Indigenous peoples in the Americas. They had built complex and advanced societies that had their own conflicts and wars among them but none based on barbarism and genocidea unique byproduct of Christian European feudal capitalism. The invasion of the Spanish and Portuguese with horses, steel weapons, and even bacteria as weapons of war wiped out entire indigenous societies in decades and in a century reduced the Indigenous population by 90 percent. The Indigenous peoples fought back as warriors but could not defeat the armed states of Spain, Portugal, England, France, and later the United States. I point readers to An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz.

* In 1796 armed African slaves in Haiti led by Toussaint L Ouverture miraculously overthrew French rule in Haiti. This was met by the most vicious armed counterrevolution by the French in which LOuverture was captured and brought to France where he died in prison. The French imposed the most brutal reparations on the Haitians to pay them back for their loss of human property reparations that they are collecting to this day as the U.S. dominates Haiti militarily and the people live under subjugation and poverty. See Black Jacobins: Toussaint LOuverture and the San Domingo Revolution by C.L.R. James

* In 1863, after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation more than 400,000 Black slaves fled the plantations and joined the Union army where many of them were armed and played the critical role in the defeat of the Confederacy. From 1865 to 1877, a broad united front of radical Republicans, anti-monopoly progressive capitalists, Black freed slaves becoming free peasants, workers, and professionals, and white workers, enforced by Northern troopsstate power imposed what W.E.B. DuBois also called the dictatorship of the proletariat over the defeated Southern planters and racists. By 1877 the Republicans, representing northern monopoly capital, agreed to turn the South back to the reactionary Slaveocracy and what followed was a true genocide and re-enslavement of 5 million Blacks. DuBois Black Reconstruction in America is one of the greatest analyses of the challenges of Black revolutionary strategy and the inherent relationship between Black liberation and anti-imperialism as well as the reactionary nature of white corporate capitalism itself.

* In 1871, the French proletariat rose up in a great revolution, the Paris Commune. Karl Marx called that 30 day rebellion the first reflection of the dictatorship of the proletariat meaning that for once the working class armed itself to protect itself against the bourgeois or capitalist dictatorship. The Commune was met with brutal retaliation by the French monarchy and bourgeoisiewith more than 20,000 communards murdered in the counter-revolution.

So, since long before 1492 oppressed people have understood that unless there was an armed force to overthrow the armed forces of the oppressors there was no hope. Thus, when in October 1917 the Bolsheviks successfully seized state power, created their own armed forces, suppressed the armed forces of the occupying powers and reactionary forces in a bloody civil war, the Soviet Unions successful seizure of maintenance of state power was seen all over the world as a great historical victorythe first time in modern history that the masses of oppressed people had successfully managed to not just overthrow the power of their oppressors but create military structure to protect and maintain a new society.

In that context, the Soviet victory raised the straetegic question of control of the army and police for every social movement in the world and was the first revolution that was not immediately overthrown by capitalist powers. This was one reason the United States and the European capitalist and colonial powers sought the overthrow of the Soviet Union from the day it came to power and oppressed people all over the world felt inspiration from its victory. Throughout this essay I will document the consistent, relentless, and ruthless efforts by the U.S. government to overthrow the Russian revolution until yesfrom 1917 to 1989and the anti-imperialist imperative of decent people in the U.S. to stand up to our governments role as the Worlds Center of Counterrevolution.

The Soviet Union successfully defended its revolution from a brutal world invasion of imperialist countries that included the British, U.S., and Canadians, Indian colonial recruits sent by England, Scots, and 70,000 Japanese troops. It also had to defeat a right-wing assault inside Russia, appropriately called The Whites! in a civil war instigated by the world imperialist powers. The Russian Revolution came to power in blood and war instigated against it by the most powerful imperialist forces in the world and won! The Soviet Union was built on military force against military force. Let the record show that the United States, England, Japan, and every other capitalist state  tried to overthrow the Russian revolution and had they succeeded they would have re-established a bloody puppet government as they have all over the world. The October Revolution, led by workers, peasants, and a political party that had never governed and had been underground for a decade, took on the entire world capitalist systemand won!

The Bolshevik Revolution as an Anti-Imperialist Socialist Revolution

The Bolshevik revolution came to power in struggle not just against European capitalism and imperialism but European social democracyespecially the German Social Democratic party led by Karl Kautsky that played a role in provoking World War I. As such, the Russian revolution was not an extension of European socialism but its negation.

The Russian revolution was based on Lenins analysis of Imperialism: the Highest State of Capitalism written in 1917. Lenin explained that capitalism in its monopoly stagethe merger of industrial and finance capitalwent beyond the exploitation of the European proletariat to the oppression of whole nations and peoples of the colonies. As such, Lenin argued a world revolutionary strategy should change from workers of the world unite to workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite. More than that, Lenin argued that significant sectors of the U.S. and European working class benefited from the super-profits of imperialism and, without aggressive anti-imperialist socialist/communist parties, would support their own ruling classes in inter-imperialist wars. He argued that the responsibility of workers in oppressor nations England, Germany, France, the United States, Russia, and all those whose capitalist system benefitted from the oppression of whole nations and peopleswas to side with the colonies struggle for self-determination and independence against their own governments. Otherwise, the socialist parties of the West would become opportunists and scoundrels.

But as World War I approached, the European Social Democrats (who were at the time, the only form of socialists even with many tendencies among them) not just supported but actively participated in their own nations division of the world and one of the most bloody and disgraceful world wars18 million deaths and 23 million wounded. As the winds of war began swirling in Europe, Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Rosa Luxemburg and other left socialists aggressively opposed the war and urged workers of the world to build an anti-war movement. But Karl Kautsky, the father of German Social Democracy supported a world war initiated by Germany as did the vast majority of French, Italian, English, Austrian socialists who all capitulated to oppressor nation aspirations and supported their own capitalist classes against each other and agreed to their division of the worldincluding the colonies. What had happened to workers of the world unite? This was a devastating blow to the theory of socialism. So, the Russian revolution also overthrew the hegemony of racist, genocidal, European socialism.

The Russian Revolution came to power by opposing World War I and building the first anti-imperialist socialist movement in Europe. The Bolshevik led Revolution challenged its own nation state and rejected imperialist patriotism with the slogan Bread, Peace, and Land. Bread, for the starving industrial proletariat, Land for the starving peasants, and Peacethe most revolutionary demand of all. Russian peasants and workers in the Tsarist Army mutinied in the midst of a bloody World War and, organized and encouraged by Bolshevik cadre, refused to fight the Germans and deserted the front where they were freezing, starving, and dying. The Bolsheviks and Social Revolutionaries overthrew a government led by moderate socialist Alexander Kerensky that had come to power in February 1917 but refused to get out of WWI. Instead, the moderate socialists and liberals in Russia continued the brutal war on the side of the British, French, and U.S. against Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and Turkey. The October revolution was the first revolution that came to power by aggressively refusing to fight in an imperialist war while again, all the other socialists were sending their own working class to its deaths to support their own capitalists. No wonder the Soviet revolution has such prestige and respect all over the world from the outset.

The Soviet Union pulled its economy out of the world imperialist system and denied markets to U.S., British, French, and other world imperialists that had previously plundered Tsarist Russia

The day after the revolution what in the world was the new Russian revolution supposed to do? The Bolsheviks, as a new ruling party, inherited a nation ravaged by imperialist invasion and civil war. How could they produce an economy and feed its people in the midst of a world war and a civil war? The story of the Soviet Unions successful experiments and many errors in a rich social practice is truly remarkable. Steven F. Cohens Bukharin and the Bolshevik Revolution describes the great debates about how to merge a new socialist, more like a state capitalist at first, economy with limited but critical market mechanisms on the way to a socialist economic system. But the miracle of the Soviet experiment is that it achieved some level of self-sufficiency by somehow getting the workers to work and produce goods and the peasants to farm and produce food and somehow set up distribution systems to get the products to the people while also finding ways to get new capital to rebuild a very backward and war-devastated country. The Soviets embraced the concept of autarky that is a nation that is economically self-sufficient and independent. They used aggressive state power to keep out imperialist investors (while yes, also encouraging some) from infiltrating and taking over their economy. The Soviets used state power at times brutally for what is called primitive accumulation of capital which the capitalist nation states accomplished through violence, war, enslavement, and colonialism and the massacre of entire populations over 600 or more years that continues today. The Soviets built a new economy by forcing the peasants to produce more than they wanted and paying the workers less than they wanted, and somehow producing a surplus of agricultural products that they could export to purchase machinery to expand their economy. The record of many Soviet experiments in building an independent socialist economy in the midst of a world imperialist dictatorship, the exciting achievements of the New Economic Policy under Lenin, and the chilling abuses of forced collectivization is a story worth studying. But clearly, for Third World nations later facing the same problems after nominal independence from their imperialist masters, the fundamental challenge and achievements of the Soviet economy were inspiring. The entire concept of how oppressed people, formerly oppressed nations still surrounded by a world imperialist economic and political system, could use the state to seize its own resources, collective a lot of production and distribution, and raise the standard of living of an entire people in ways that capitalism did not and could not to this day led many Third World leaders to great gratitude to the Soviet model.

Many years later, in 1947, Winston Churchill, the arch-imperialist former Prime Minister of Great Britain, derided the Soviet Union as an Iron Curtain keeping the Eastern European nations out of the influence of the Western democracies. To some degree that was true. The Soviets tried to build a wall to keep out capitalist infiltration and re-colonization and built an international alternative socialist bloc that took more and more of the world out of the capitalist orbit. This was an amazing achievement that of course led to U.S. and European wars against the Soviet Union from the day it was born until the day it died.

The Soviet Union led a revolution inside the socialist movementProletarian Internationalism and workers and oppressed peoples unite

The victory of the Russian Soviet revolution led to a two-line struggle, a split, in the world socialist movement between the new Communist parties, aligned with the Soviet Union and the old Social Democratic parties centered in Europe. The split between communists and socialists was complex but it was shaped the communists who had opposed World War I and supported the formation of the Soviet Union and the social democrats who had supported World War I and opposed the formation of the Soviet Union. Many former socialist parties split in two with the new communist parties attracting the most dedicated, anti-racist, anti-imperialist revolutionaries in every country and by far the greatest representation of Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans and soon, Blacks in the United States.

The Soviet Union initiated and built a Communist InternationalThe Comintern where new communist parties all over the world built the first viable international movements of workers and oppressed peoples against the world organization of imperialism. The Comintern was the first successful counterforce to world capitalism and attracted the best, brightest, and most dedicated fighters in every country in the world. There is a critique that the Soviets dominated the Comintern and exercised predominant and often dictatorial control of the international party line. While there is some truth to that assertion it is often raised to anti-communist caricature. For in fact, there was significant struggle inside the Comintern and like all structures, there was a struggle for political power among communist parties who did disagree on many subjects and while of course courting Soviet approval the more effective ones, such as the Vietnamese Party led by Ho Chi Minh exercised considerable influence on Comintern policies and challenged the great nation chauvinism of the French communists who still supported, or weakly opposed, French control of Vietnam, Algeria, and other French colonies. The Comintern gave far greater voice to the communist parties of the oppressed nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America in struggle against the European communist parties and led great struggles against the white chauvinism of the South African and U.S. Communist Parties to give greater voice to Black liberation and Black members. It was of profound attraction that often small communist parties could be part of a world-wide movement and organization.

And again, contrary to anti-communist stereotypes, the Soviets won international leadership by their successful practice and greater theoretical and practical sense of strategy and tactics. Communists all over the world looked up to and admired a communist party that had successfully carried out a revolution, seized state power, pulled their nation out of World War I, built an international communist movement, set up a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and governed a multi-ethnic nation of 170 million people in a land mass that spanned from Eastern Europe to Asia. Why shouldnt the Soviet Union have great influence in setting the general direction of the world communist movementas the U.S., England, and Germany set the party line for the imperialists?

The Soviet Union became a world university for revolution. If you were a young revolutionary in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Honduras, or a Black revolutionary in the U.S. you could go to the only socialist society that actually existed and be trained in strategy, tactics, and the specifics of your peoples struggle for liberation and socialism by the leading revolutionaries in the Soviet Union and the world. As just one example, Ho Chi Minh studied in Moscow during the 1920s and from there launched a struggle against the white chauvinism and pro-imperialism of the French Communist Party where France still colonized Vietnam and more than 50,000 Vietnamese studied in Moscow through the duration of the Vietnam War. In the U.S. many Black communists studied in the Soviet Union where they were given more support for the merger of Black Nationalism and communism than they were in the U.S. Party and came back to the U.S. with more power and prestige to fight white chauvinism in the party and white racism in the U.S.

The Soviet Union Led the Worldwide Struggle against Fascism during World War II

The Soviet Union led the only worldwide movement against German and worldwide fascism while the United States conciliated with fascism and only joined the fight against Germany in World War II as a last resort. Right after the war the United States rehabilitated the fascists in Germany and Japan and turned against the Soviet Union that had sacrificed the most and won the war against fascism.

The Soviet Union and the world communist movement were the first to recognize the danger of fascism in Germany and worldwide and try to build an anti-fascist movement to stop Adolph Hitler. In the early 1930s during the rise of fascism in Germany the German and Soviet communists badly underestimated the power and appeal of Hitler. They believed that world revolution was on the horizon and as such, they refused to build a united front against Hitler with the Social Democrats who they saw as their primary competition (and the Social Democrats were sectarian towards the Communists as well.) The Comintern put forth the arrogant and sectarian slogan, After Hitler, Us meaning that after the people saw through the fascists they would turn to the communists and socialist revolution. Needless to say this was a terrible misassessment. After Hitler was the mass murder of Jews, Gypsies, and yes, communists.

Recognizing this grave mis-assessment the world communist parties began an international campaign, reflected in a major theoretical and strategic paper, The United Front Against Fascism by Georgi Dimitrov, the head of the Comintern, written in 1935. The Soviet Union encouraged world communist parties to build broad alliances with capitalist governments and social democratic forces and yes, many communist parties moved in more reformist and conciliatory directions out of a true terror that the Soviet Union and the world would be taken over by a uniquely reactionary, racist, and murderous form of capitalism led by Adolph Hitler and the German Reich. (As the Comintern argued against mechanical application of the theory, they reprimanded the U.S. Party for portraying U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelts New Deal as a form of fascism as partial to hackneyed schemes Instead, they called on the U.S. Party to defend and ally with Roosevelt against the most reactionary circles of American finance capital who are attacking Roosevelt and stimulating and organizing the fascist movement in the United States which they did.

But these efforts by the Soviet Union and the world communist movement did not sway the capitalist powers of the West to build a united front against fascism with the communists. Many histories of this period make clear that United States, England, and France saw the Soviet Union and communism as the far greater danger and hoped that Hitler would invade the Soviet Unionas many Western capitalists shared Hitlers hatred of both Jews and communists. And again, Nazi Germany was a capitalist country and many U.S. capitalists saw fascism as a commercial opportunity. There were strong pro-fascist forces in the United States including Henry Ford, Alfred P. Sloan head of General Motors, and Joseph Kennedy, Franklin Delano Roosevelts U.S. ambassador to Great Britain from 1930 to 1940.

In September 1938, while the Soviets offered massive numbers of troops to fight Hitler in Poland, the British (along with French and Italians) negotiated what came to be called The Munich Agreement with Germany agreement. This allowed Hitler and the Nazis to annex the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia while the Czechs were not even allowed at the meetingas British Prime Minister Neville Chamber claimed he bought peace in our time. After another year of unsuccessful overtures to the Western capitalist powers and aware that the Western capitalists wanted Hitler to invade the Soviet Union, in August 23, 1939, Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with the Nazis. This was denounced by capitalists all over the world as the Soviets tried to buy time before the inevitable Nazi invasion. The entire story of the Soviets efforts, mostly unsuccessful, to get the U.S., Britain, and France to stand up to Hitler is a tragic story of Western democratic conciliation with fascism. Only the Soviets were ideologically opposed to fascism, saw the grave danger, and did everything they could to build a world movement against Hitler that eventually did succeed.

In September 1939 the Germans invaded Poland and the Western allies began World War II, and the Soviet Union joined the allies shortly after Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 while the United States did not enter the war until the December 11, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the Germans, under pressure from their Japanese allies, declared war against the United States. For the United States to act as if it was a leading anti-fascist power is just not true. As usual, the U.S. watched the rise of German and Japanese fascism, stayed out of the war as long as possible, and then came in to help win the war and then take over the world at the wars end.

The Soviet Union was the main force to defeat Hitler in World War IIsacrificing 20 million of soldiers and civilians during the long German invasion which the U.S. and British welcomedhoping both sides would eventually kill each other off.

The oppressed people of the world and those Jews who survived owe their existence to the heroism of the Soviet people in spite of the cynicism and betrayal of the United States, England, and pathetic France that capitulated to the German invasion in weekswith many of the French people willingly supporting the Nazi Vichy occupation government.

Throughout the war, communist parties all over the world called on the United States and Britain to open up a second front against Hitler in Europe and yet both countries delayedagain hoping that Hitler would destroy the Soviet Union. Then, the Soviets began to defeat Hitler in the long Russian winters and the Soviet Army began to march eastward. Then, the Allies realized that the Soviets and the communists might take over all of Europe with communist parties in every country having the great prestige of leading the resistance against Fascism and only then did the United States finally take great risks. The United States, led by General Dwight Eisenhower, led a bloody and heroic battle on the beaches of Normandy, France in June 1944, in which 160,000 allied troops won a decisive battle in the and began to march on the Germans from the West. This also forced the Germans to move some troops from the Eastern front and helped the Soviets beat back the German invasion. Still, as just one measure of the supreme sacrifices the Soviet people paid in the fight against world fascism, the Soviet Union suffered the deaths of 10 million soldiers and 14 million civilians whereas the United States suffered 416,000 military deaths only 2,000 civilian deaths. The world owes the Soviet Union a profound debt for being the primary force to pay the price to defeat Hitler.

The United States violated every concept of international law and human rights by dropping a nuclear bomb on Japanese civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

On August 7, 1945 the U.S. dropped nuclear weapons, The Atom Bomb, on Japanese civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They killed more than 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki; roughly half of the deaths in each city occurred on the first day in which people were incinerated instantly and virtually all of them were civilian non-combatants. And that does not count the long term cancer deaths of those exposed to the massive radiation. And yet, a study of his horrific act indicates it was not really used to defeat the Japanese as much as to terrorize the Soviet Union since Japan was ready to surrender. And even if Japan had not yet been ready to surrender the use of atomic weapons against civilians is not an acceptable act of war and a massive violation of international and human rights treaties principles none of which constrain U.S. military actionsas the Indigenous, Vietnamese, Iraqis and so many other can testify.

U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower opposed using the bomb, It wasnt necessary to hit them (Japan) with that awful thing. knowing full well the Japanese were ready to surrender. Historical accounts indicate that the United States and U.S. President Harry Truman already saw the communist Soviet Union not the Japanese as their main enemy even though the war was still going on against Japan. They withheld all nuclear information from the Soviets and did not want the Soviet Union to come into the war against Japan because they feared Soviet influence in Asia after the war. Truman, and many other Democratic anti-communists, also wanted to terrorize the Soviet Union because they feared Soviet influence in Europe.

When they learned of the U.S. nuclear attack on Japan, and no the Soviets were not informed, Stalin and the Soviet leadership were in shock and massively depressed. They saw this as a provocation against the Soviet Union, which of course it wasan effort to get Japan to surrender before the Soviets became involved in the war, and to terrorize the Soviets in negotiations over Eastern Europe where, yes, the Soviets wanted pro-Soviet governments to protect them from a third German initiated and U.S. conciliated world war. Gar Alperovitz book Atomic Diplomacy goes into brutal detail about the cynical calculations of U.S. decision-makers who saw the Atom Bomb as a weapon against the Soviet Union. The masses of Soviet people, already traumatized by the murderous German invasion, were truly terrified of a U.S. nuclear attackwhich of course was exactly what the U.S. ruling circles, Harry Truman, Averell Harriman, Henry Stinson and all Cold war Democrats wanted to accomplish.

Right after the war the U.S. abandoned its Soviet allies and rehabilitated the Nazisincluding bringing Wehrner Van Braun, a leader of the Nazi military during W.W. II, to build their space program. Then, right after the war, with the Soviet economy decimated, the United States gave no aide to the Soviets who had sacrificed 20 million people in the fight against fascism. Instead, the U.S., through the vaunted Marshall Plan, invested $13 billion to rehabilitate the Nazis in Germany and Japan and rebuild their economies along capitalist lines in order to reintegrate them into a world capitalist orbit and prevent the rise of socialism and capitalism in Europe and Japan. It is very sad to hear liberals and even socialists today say, We need a Marshall plan for the cities, we need a Marshall plan for the environment when in fact the Marshall plan was little more than an anti-communist subsidy for the fascist states that provoked World War II.

The United States Finally Finds a War It Wants to Fightthe Cold War against the Soviet Union and world communism

As World War II was finally over in 1945, the United States began a new war against the Soviet Union and the world commuunist movement and liberation movements all over the worldthe so-called Cold War. This was reflected in attacking, repressing, arresting, imprisoning, and assassinating communist and pro-communist people in every capitalist country who had risked their lives in the fight against Fascism. As just one example, in Greece, right after WWI, the British (with U.S. support) re-occupied Greece and restored pro-nazis and monarcharchists and yes, the King, to power and organized a mass murder of Greek anti-fascist, pro-communist forces.

The Soviet Union had to rebuild its economy and society after the shambles of World War II

The Soviet Union that had illusions of significant U.S. aid after the war, suffered massive destruction and starvation imposed by the German invasion. How Soviet Union rebuilt its economy after World War II from scratch (after having to rebuild it after World War I and the revolution) and was able to provide food and social services in the face of a U.S. confrontation is a miracle of socialist development and reflects the superiority of the socialist system.

In the United States the Democratic president Harry Truman, Republican president Dwight Eisenhower, Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy, Democrat Bobby Kennedy who worked for McCarthy and Republican Congressman Richard Nixon, attacked communists in every aspect of U.S. society. In 1947 they passed the Taft Hartley law that denied communists the right to be elected trade union leadersbecause the communists were winning many of those elections. They passed the Smith Act that allowed them to imprison many of the leaders of the U.S. Communist Party.

In 1951, the U.S. government framed and by 1953 executed Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in a horrible show trial that mimicked Hitlers attack on Jews and communists. The Rosenbergs were human rights and peace movement heroes who, like many communists and non-communists in the U.S. nuclear program, wanted the U.S. to get nuclear weapons to fight fascism but also wanted to help the Soviets protect themselves against the U.S. nuclear attack. There were many people in the U.S. nuclear program who saw themselves as friends of both the U.S. and the Soviet Union and were terrified when they realized the U.S. would turn against the Soviet Union and might use nuclear weapons against the Soviets. There were not just communists but left liberals in the U.S. nuclear program who wanted to help the Soviet Union get information to build its own nuclear weapons out of self-defense against the U.S. government. The debate about whether the Rosenbergs did or did not divulge any specific U.S. nuclear secrets avoids the question of the moral imperative people have to divulge information about their governments violations of human rights to an international audiencedebates that took place when Daniel Ellsberg divulged The Pentagon Papers exposing U.S. atrocities in Vietnam, and Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning released information about U.S. atrocities in Afghanistan and throughout the world. In the case of the Rosenbergs the U.S. government fomented an anti-communist and anti-Semitic frenzy against them and executed them as they went to their deaths without recanting, confessing, or apologizing and declared their innocence until the end. The great support Julius and Ethel Rosenberg received from Black communists Paul Robeson and William L. Patterson and their heroic decision to go to their deaths proud and defiant is part of the revolutionary legacy a new generation can only dream of living up to.

The Soviet Union and the CPUSA bravely stood up to terrible intimidation by the United States after World War II and many of us in what was later called the U.S. New Left in the 1960s fought against the House Un-American Activities Committee and the ugly anti-communism of our government. We often became pro-communist before we had even met a communist out of revulsion against the racism and repression of as DuBois called it, The land of the thief and the home of the slave.

The United States, England, and France double crossed the colonial nations of Asia, African, and Latin America and Blacks who had all contributed to the Allied victory.

During World War II, the United States, England, and France, in order to get the support of their colonial subjects, promised them independence after the war against Fascism. Instead, the U.S. and French broke their promises by financing a war against the people of Vietnam that would end up murdering more than 4 million Vietnameseyes a long-term war crime and genocide. How the French capitulated to the Nazis and then were rewarded by recolonizing Vietnam and Algeria with U.S. support is just one of the many horror stories of world imperialism and the crimes of our own government. The United States, as part of its victory, replaced England and France as the worlds greatest colonial power but often preferred to allow the British and French to do the colonial dirty work with U.S. fundsso that the U.S. CIA orchestrated and supported the British overthrow of Iranian Prime Minster Mohammad in 1953 and paid most of Frances military costs in Vietnam until its final defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1955 after which the U.S. got involved directly.

The Soviet Union was the best friend of colonial peoples and was a critical material force in every Third World anti-colonial and socialist victory.

As the U.S., England, and France continued to subjugate and terrorize Third World peoples the Soviet Union supported the liberation movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with economic, military and political aid. Without this essential Soviet support, the Chinese, Korean, Cuban, Vietnamese, South African, and virtually every Third World Revolution would have faced even greater and possibly insurmountable odds. The Soviets defeat of Hitler and support for Eastern European revolutions prevented the U.S. from massing forces to stop the Chinese revolution. The Soviets and East Germans gave weapons and support to the Cubans, were critical to Nassers building of the Aswan Dam, gave weapons and training the South African African National Congress. By contrast, the United States supported gangsters and rapists in Cuba, death squads in El Salvador, and the Apartheid government in South Africa. The Soviets asked, as you should yourself, which side are you on. For us in the United States who see our own government attacking and assassinating Third World revolutions and revolutionaries today we need to have a greater appreciation of what a powerful countervailing power the Soviet Union provided for oppressed people all over the world and what a great defeat it is that it no longer exists to provide that help. If anything, that places even greater responsibility on all of us in the U.S.

The Soviet Union and the world communist movements were the best friends of Black people, recruited and trained the most brilliant Black organizers and intellectuals, challenged white chauvinism and racism inside and outside of the communist parties.

Upon the creation of the U.S. Communist Party 1919 the new, overwhelmingly white party, tried to grapple with the white chauvinism and racism of the U.S. Socialist Party from whom many of its members had leftbut not with great success or significant changes in its worldview. Both socialists and communists did not want to face the central role of racism and national oppression in the formation of the United States and the active role that so many white workers and white people of all classes played in the subjugation of Black people.

These overwhelmingly white socialist and communist groups argued that racism was not inherent in the formation of U.S. capitalism and imperialism but rather, an ideological construct that could be fought in the realm of ideas. When asked why they had attracted and recruited so few Black people both groups essentially blamed The Negro for having insufficient socialist consciousness.

Still, it was the Communist Party that began to attract revolutionary Blacks such as Cyril Briggs and groups such as the African Blood Brotherhood who in turn aggressively struggled with the Party to take seriously the rise of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association and to find a synthesis of Black Nationalism and socialism. In 1928 and 1930 the Communist International did a major study of the plight of Black people in the U.S. Resolution on the Afro-American National Questionand a critique of the white chauvinism of the U.S. and South African communist parties. The Resolution concluded that Black people in the United States centered in the Black Belt South were an oppressed nation with the right of self-determination. Even more importantly, the communists understood anti-Black racism and national oppression in an international context as a national liberation struggle against imperialism.

The Negro race everywhere is an oppressed race. Whether it is a minority (U.S.A., etc.) majority (South Africa) or inhabits a so-called independent state (Liberia, etc.), the Negroes are oppressed by imperialism. Thus, a common tie of interest is established for the revolutionary struggle of race and national liberation from imperialist domination of the Negroes in various parts of the world.

U.S. Black communists who had studied in the Soviet Union including Claude McKay, a Jamaican poet, Otto Huiswoud born in Surinam, and Harry Haywood, a former supporter of the Garvey Back to Africa Movement and member of the African Blood Brotherhood, played a major role in this study. But several U.S. communists in the Soviet Union at the time, including Haywoods brother Otto Hall, did not agree with that line nor did the majority of the Party upon their return. Still, this was a major breakthrough in an analysis of Blacks in the U.S. and represented a major break with the Socialists and yes, most CPUSA members who still saw Blacks and whites as primarily the same with Blacks suffering from racism almost as if it was just an attitude that could be ended through the struggle for socialism. By contrast, Haywood and the Comintern argued that Black national oppression in the U.S. was based on a profound material reality rooted in systematic kidnapping, slavery, state violence, and brutal subjugation based on race that created Blacks as an oppressed people and nation inside the borders of the United States.

While the Soviets and a few Black and white members of the Communist Party were the driving force for this point of view, the party never fully grasped or integrated demands for self-determination among most of its members or its practice. But that line pushed the Party into a far more anti-racist and pro-Black orientation. One form that took was the CPUSA taking up the struggle of the Scottsboro Boys9 Black youth falsely accused of raping 2 white women on a train in Alabama in 1931. Their case, thanks to the CPUSA, became a tribunal against racism in the U.S. and the system of trumped up charges, all white juries, lying witnesses, and death sentences against Black defendants. At first the NAACP and other Negro organizations would not take the case afraid of images of Black men attacking white women, but the CPUSA took it up boldly and provided legal and political defenses all over the world. Imagine in the early 1930s in pre-Hitler Germany where thousands of pro-communist German workers are protesting against U.S. racism and supporting the Scottsboro Boys, showing the value of an international organization. Many other Black communists including attorney William L. Patterson and the CP organized the International Labor Defense, played a major role in this work and won several key battles in front of the Supreme Court. While later many other civil rights organizations including the NAACP joined the campaign, this put the CPUSA and the Soviet Union on the map in the Black community.

This campaign and the Comintern influence brought some elements of Black Nationalism into the socialist and communist conversation and the socialist conversation into the Black community. Once the CPUSA began to engage Black nationalism and assert special rights of The Negro and Afro-American community it led to a profound and lasting loyalty of Black workers, intellectuals, sharecroppers, and artists so that the CPUSA became known, as the greatest compliment of all, as the Party of the Negro.

A study of the history of Blacks in and very close to the Communist Party and the Soviet Union would include Cyril Briggs, Harry Haywood, W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, William L. Patterson, Ben Davis, Claudia Jones, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Loraine Hansberry, Nina Simone, and Angela Davis. They are just a few prominent Black leaders among thousands dedicated Black communist cadre and friends whose lives were shaped by the Soviet and communist experience and who in turn shaped Black, U.S. and world history. Again, it is important for a new generation of revolutionaries, especially Black revolutionaries, to study the deep impact the Soviet Union and communism had on tens of thousands of Black women and working people who in turn played a major role in reshaping U.S. communism into a more Black and Third World culture and ideology. Martin Luther King Jr. captured this relationship (and by implication, his own politics as well) when he observed, History cannot ignore W.E.B. Dubois. It is time to cease muting the fact that Dr. Dubois was a genius who c
New York

Panera Bread said founder Ron Shaich is stepping down as CEO and the company will buy Au Bon Pain  bringing together two chains Shaich helped build.

The companies did not disclose on Wednesday how much Panera was paying for Au Bon Pain, which it says will boost its presence at airports, hospitals and colleges.

Shaich, 63, will be replaced as CEO on Jan. 1 by Blaine Hurst, who oversees Panera's restaurants. Shaich will stay on as Panera's chairman, and continue to work on the chain's strategy and future acquisitions.

"This is the right time for me to step down as CEO while still staying involved in the business," Shaich said in a statement.

It's been a year of change for Panera: In July, it was bought and taken private for more than $7 billion by JAB Holding Co., a European company that controls Krispy Kreme, Peet's Coffee and other chains. At the time, Shaich said he wouldn't be leaving the CEO post: "They'll need to carry me out with my boots on," he told The Associated Press in April.

Shaich created Au Bon Pain Co. with a partner in 1981. Au Bon Pain became a public company in 1991 and it bought a bakery two years later that was renamed Panera. Au Bon Pain was sold off in 1999 so the company could focus on Panera.

St. Louis-based Panera now has more than 2,000 restaurants and employs about 100,000. Boston-based Au Bon Pain has about 300 locations. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Both Panera and Au Bon Pain sell sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods. In recent years, Shaich has been tweaking Panera's menu to appeal to Americans who are increasingly looking to avoid processed food. At the start of the year, Panera said it removed artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors and colors from all its food. And in March it began selling drinks, such as plum ginger hibiscus tea, as an alternative to the more sugary soda it sells.
TripAdvisor is now placing badges next to hotels and resorts identified as locations of sexual assault and other major concerns, according to news reports.

The warnings are designed to identify health, safety and discrimination issues in all of the website's travel categories, company spokesman Kevin Carter told the New York Times.
Physicians whose Internet connections prevent them from viewing X-rays, students who sit in school parking lots to do homework, and employees who search for Internet connections robust enough to permit downloading their work files, are among the complaints U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko said he's heard about from constituents.

Tonko blames federal regulators' method of "one-served, all-served" to calculate broadband Internet coverage, and wants those regulators to more accurately map that coverage.
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Strasburg, Va.

Thomas Jefferson may have been the first winemaker in Virginia, but it took another 200 years for the industry to blossom in the state. Today, with 300 wineries, Virginia is the fifth-largest wine region in the United States.

While 70 percent of the state's wineries are clustered in eastern Virginia, it's worth a trip across the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west side, where some of the state's best wines are produced in the scenic Shenandoah Valley.

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges, the valley's dry climate, warm days and cool nights produce some outstanding grapes.

More Information If you go Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail: http://shenandoahvalleywinetrail.com Shenandoah National Park: https://www.nps.gov/shen/ See More Collapse

The valley is about an hour's drive from Washington, D.C., but my husband Rick and I approached it from the south, after driving up a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had planned to stay one night in the charming town of Strasburg and then head the four hours home to Pennsylvania  until we discovered the multitude of wineries in the area and added another day to our trip.

There are two dozen wineries in Shenandoah County, primarily family-owned boutique operations growing French-American hybrid grapes. We visited five of the tasting rooms in the northern region, all of which boasted stunning mountain vistas. Tasting fees ranged from $4.75 to $10, and wines were priced at $18-$30.

Shenandoah Vineyards in Edinburg, established in 1976, is still run by 90-year-old Emma Randel, who lives in the log house where her mother was born in 1895. Two decks offer lovely views of the mountains.

Fifteen acres are planted with riesling, chardonnay, vidal blanc, seyval blanc, chambourcin and traminette. We were partial to the Rebel Red blend.

Eleven miles to the north in Maurertown is the North Mountain Vineyard & Winery. At 1,000 feet (300 meters) of elevation, this land has been farmed since the 1700s, and grapes first were planted in 1982.

In addition to more traditional varietals, North Mountain grows the German-Austrian gruner veltliner and zweigeit grapes. The winery makes a spiced wine based on a traditional German gluhwein and an Oktoberfest white blend of traminette, vidal blanc and riesling. We bought a bottle of claret, a Bordeaux-style wine that North Mountain supplies to George Washington's Mount Vernon plantation.

From North Mountain, we took a beautiful, winding route over the mountain to the Cedar Creek Winery near Star Tannery, perched at 1,100 feet (335 meters) on the banks of its namesake creek. Cedar Creek produces only 30 cases of cabernet franc and 120 cases of chardonnay each year. Here, you can experience a vertical tasting, sampling different vintages of each wine with owner Ron Schmidt, a retired law enforcement officer.

We thought Cedar Creek's wines were the best of the tour, especially the 2009, 2010 and 2012 cabernet franc and the 2011 chardonnay.

At lunchtime, we traveled to the Valerie Hill Vineyard & Winery in Stephens City, where the tasting room is in a Federal-style brick manor house built in 1807 by Revolutionary War Capt. Peter Rust. The winery was serving chili and cornbread, which we enjoyed with a glass of 2015 petit verdot on the screened porch.

Valerie Hill features live music on weekend afternoons. And from October to February, "History & Hauntings" dinners include a tour of the building and ghost stories about a woman in the cellar who cries for help and a boy locked forever in the attic. The fee is $49 per person.
The American dream: Everyone knows what that is, right? We can all agree on its meaning? Equal opportunity, prosperity through stick-to-it-iveness, a slice of the pie, and a nice, comfy nest egg to retire on?

Well, no. We can't agree. Everyone's definition is individualized and distinct from everyone else's, built on personal histories as diverse as the nation. These disparate visions and experiences became clear to the team behind "A Piece of the Dream," a documentary filmmaking and media project  launching Friday online at pieceofthedream.org, and screening Friday night at Albany's Madison Theater  that crisscrosses the state with individual tales of people laboring to make a go at work and life.

"The experience is different, especially when you bring in factors of race and class," said Darian Henry, one of the young filmmakers involved in the project. "The American dream is a massive amount of alternate universes co-existing together."

Funded by the Workforce Development Institute (WDI) and shot by a team of filmmakers from Youth FX, "Dream" documents the struggles of workers in communities stretching from Long Island to Buffalo to the North Country. Twelve documentary shorts, most of them filmed over the last nine months, offer firsthand accounts of people struggling to overcome  or successfully overcoming  low wages, long hours, life after incarceration and other obstacles.

More Information If you go "A Piece of the Dream" Where: Madison Theater, 1036 Madison Ave., Albany When: 7 p.m. Friday Admission: Free Info: pieceofthedream.org Contact Amy Biancolli at 518-454-5439 or abiancolli@timesunion.com or visit the arts blog at http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts See More Collapse

"People look at this broad image of poverty in America, or low-wage workers in America, or these types of jobs  but it's very hard to find empathy there, in terms of looking at it as this massive thing," said Aden Suchak, another filmmaker on the team. "But if you really individualize it, you get to know the specific people." And in storytelling, specific beats general. "Every time you watch a personal story, you're going to relate in some way more than you would talking to a bunch of people at once."

The project highlights the "pressures of people who are in some ways completely invisible to us," said Bhawin Suchak, co-artistic director of the "Dream" effort, program director of Youth FX and Aden Suchak's father. "Because we don't see the farmer. We don't see the fruit and vegetable pickers. We don't see the guys that are, you know, taking care of the cows where our milk comes from ... and we just walk around the world, I think, with blinders on a little bit."

Among the films featured online and Friday night at the Madison are portraits of a Domino's delivery man in New York City who organized co-workers toiling on 15-hour shifts at around $3 an hour plus tips; a nursing home caregiver in Utica fighting for higher wages; an economic justice activist describing segregation and gentrification in Buffalo; a woman in Albany, scrambling to raise her family on minimum wage; and, in the North Country, a farmworker from Guatemala who works 12 hours a night, six days a week, and can barely get enough sleep during the day. Just once, he left the farm for a visit to Walmart  but that was it. "The people kept staring."

Working on "A Piece of the Dream"  and hearing so many personal stories  was transformative for Henry, an immigrant who arrived here as an 8-year-old in 1999 from Jamaica. "It was really overwhelming at times. ... It kind of extended my perception of my personal experience," she said. "And made me realize that I wasn't the only one  or, like, my family members or my friends weren't the only ones experiencing this. That it was a statewide and countrywide epidemic, almost."

Another "Piece of the Dream" documentary drops in on Anthony Barton, a barber who served time as a young man and now runs a barber school in Tarrytown. "I have a particular soft spot for people who have come from jail and are trying to find their way," he explained in an interview, "and it's extremely difficult for people with felonies, so barbering allows them a platform. ... By teaching barbering, we have empowered people to be able to be self-sufficient."

Such stories of empowerment "aren't the stories that are told very often," Bhawin Suchak said. The site "feels like a celebration of people who are the real deal  and who aren't doing it for accolades but are just, like, that's just what they do." (Telling stories has long been an object of Youth FX, the teen filmmaking program created in 2008 and  in an arrangement with the Albany Housing Authority and the city of Albany  is poised to move into a new space at 25 Warren St. with the South End Children's Cafe.)

The "Piece of a Dream" project is an outgrowth of an identically titled theatrical work mounted at the Albany Barn two years ago, a multimedia collaboration between the WDI, artist-educator Noelle Gentile and Youth FX that mixed film, live acting, photography and other elements in telling the stories of life on minimum wage in Albany.

"It was a very heavy lift to do that piece," said Gentile, co-artistic director of "Dream." The installation was hard, the presentation was complicated, and the audience was limited to 10 groups at a time. "We tried to get as many people through, but over the course of a weekend we probably had, max, 300 people who saw the show."

Afterward, they debated ways to carry the subject further. "How do we tell stories and communicate on issues that are really important to a wider audience? And so we talked about creating an immersive documentary website," Gentile said.

Victoria Kereszi, arts and cultural manager at WDI, said the organization hoped to tell New York stories with "a national reach  and international. We wanted to use the funding we have to be able to allow artists to help the workers tell their stories  and hoping that it'll reach other states, and other countries, and have people really try to see that these are humans. And that the human stories are often what creates the change."

Clocking in at around 80 minutes combined, the project's dozen stories are accompanied online by statistics, graphs, photos and other resources exploring American workplace issues. Also on the website: Spent, an online game created by the Urban Ministries of Durham, N.C., that simulates the plight of a low-wage worker juggling a job, parenthood, utilities, rent, car problems and groceries on, say, a $9-an-hour temp job.

The result is a website that aims to be immersive. "It's not the type of site where you go and click, and you're done," Bhawin Suchak said. It also aims to "put a pause on all the chatter and B.S. and see some real human beings that are doing incredible work and telling their stories  which is an act of bravery in itself, just to tell your story."

Barton knows firsthand the force and significance of storytelling. "It's monumental," he said. "There is a power in the story  and I always tell people that your story is not for them. It's meant for someone else to hear  so that they don't make the same mistakes. ... The things that we go through sometimes are not only meant for us. They're meant for other people to hear: how you survive."

abiancolli@timesunion.com
In late September, five black cadet candidates found racial slurs scrawled on message boards on their doors at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. One candidate found the words "go home n---" written outside his room, his mother posted on social media, according to the Air Force Times.

The racist messages roiled the academy in Colorado Springs, prompted the school to launch an investigation. They led its superintendent to deliver a stern speech that decried the "horrible language" and drew national attention for its eloquence.

Surrounded by 1,500 members of the school's staff, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria told cadets to take out their phones and videotape the speech, "so you can use it . . . so that we all have the moral courage together."

"If you can't treat someone with dignity and respect," Silveria said, "then get out."

Jerilee Bennett/MBI

The speech, which the academy posted on YouTube, went viral. It was watched nearly 1.2 million times, grabbed headlines nationwide, and was commended by the likes of former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

But on Tuesday, the school made a jolting announcement. The person responsible for the racist messages, the academy said, was, in fact, one of the cadet candidates who reported being targeted by them.

"The individual admitted responsibility and this was validated by the investigation," academy spokesman Lt. Col. Allen Herritage said in a statement to the Associated Press, adding: "Racism has no place at the academy, in any shape or form."

The cadet candidate accused of crafting the messages was not identified, but the Colorado Springs Gazette reported that the individual is no longer enrolled at the school. Sources also told the Gazette the cadet candidate "committed the act in a bizarre bid to get out of trouble he faced at the school for other misconduct," the newspaper reported.

The announcement thrust the Air Force Academy Preparatory School onto a growing list of recent "hate crime hoaxes" - instances in which acts of racism or anti-Semitism were later found to be committed by someone in the targeted minority group.

On Monday, police in Riley County, Kansas, revealed that a 21-year-old black man, Dauntarius Williams, admitted to defacing his car with racist graffiti as a "Halloween prank that got out of hand." Scrawled in washable paint were racist messages telling blacks to "Go Home," "Date your own kind," and "Die." The incident provoked controversy and concern at nearby Kansas State University, especially after Williams spoke with the Kansas City Star, claiming to be a black student who was leaving the school because of the incident. He was not, in fact, a student.

Officials decided not to file criminal charges against Williams for filing a false report, saying it "would not be in the best interests" of citizens of the Manhattan, Kansas, community, police said in a news release. They said Williams was "genuinely remorseful" for his actions, and published an apology on his behalf.

"The whole situation got out of hand when it shouldn't have even started," Williams said in the statement. "I wish I could go back to that night but I can't. I just want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the pain and news I have brought you all."

When reports circulated last week about the racial slurs on the car, African American students at the nearby Kansas State University campus held a meeting to talk about the incident.

Andrew Hammond, a journalism student at Kansas State, told the Kansas City Star Monday he was "outraged and hurt" to learn the crime was fake.

"As a black student who has witnessed racist incidents first-hand around Manhattan this hurts the credibility of students who actually want to step out and say something about it," Hammond said. "I'm not sure what type of human being does this kind of thing as a prank."

About three weeks earlier, police announced that a 29-year-old black man, a former student named Eddie Curlin, had been charged in connection with three racist graffiti incidents at Eastern Michigan University: A "KKK" sprayed on a dorm wall, messages ordering blacks to leave scrawled on a building, and a racist message left in a men's restroom stall.

It's unclear exactly what prompts people to commit these hoaxes, stunts and false reports. But such revelations have become a major concern for civil rights activists who document racist and anti-Semitic incidents, particularly amid a rise in reported hate crimes since the election.

"There aren't many people claiming fake hate crimes, but when they do, they make massive headlines," Ryan Lenz, senior investigative writer for the Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Project, told ProPublica. All it takes is one false report, Lenz said, "to undermine the legitimacy of other hate crimes."

These reports have also energized many right-wing commentators and Trump supporters, who argue that reports about hate speech and racist graffitti are often fake accounts disseminated by liberal media.

"Anyone (including the lapdog media) who was surprised by this hate crime hoax hasn't been paying attention," Jeremy Carl, a research fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution at Stanford University, tweeted early Wednesday in response to the news about the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. "The stream of fake hate crimes became a flood after Trump's election."

"HATE HOAX: Air Force Academy Cadet Candidate Wrote Fake Racist Messages Himself," read a headline in the conservative Daily Caller.

There is even a website called fakehatecrimes.com committed to listing hate crime hoaxes.

In August, Sebastian Gorka, then-national security adviser to Trump, appeared on MSNBC to explain why the president hadn't condemned the bombing of a mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota. He suggested it was because the attack may have been a "fake" hate crime.

"There's a great rule: All initial reports are false, Gorka said. "We've had a series of crimes committed, alleged hate crimes, by right-wing individuals in the last six months, that turned out to actually have been propagated by the left."

Despite the string of frauds, experts on hate crimes say that false accounts are still relatively rare.

Brian Levin, director for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, told Talking Points Memo that hoaxes do appear in hate crime reports, just as they do in reports of other criminal offenses. But these fakes are a "tiny fraction" of the hundreds of hate crimes reported to law enforcement every year.

"These hoaxes have become symbols for some who want to promote the idea that most hate crimes are hoaxes," Levin said. "That's important to rectify."

And indeed, scores of these incidents are cropping up across the country, particularly on college campuses.

Using a ProPublica database, BuzzFeed News found 154 total incidents of hate speech at more than 120 college campuses nationwide. More than two-thirds promoted white supremacist groups or ideology, while more than a third cited Trump's name or slogans, BuzzFeed News reported.

Yet authorities caught less than 5 percent of perpetrators in cases of vandalism or threats. In at least three instances, college officials determined the incident was a hoax, according to BuzzFeed News.

On Tuesday, Silveria, the Air Force general who gained national fame for his speech condemning the September incidents at the preparatory academy, stood by his original remarks.

"Regardless of the circumstances under which those words were written, they were written, and that deserved to be addressed," Silveria told the Colorado Springs Gazette in a Tuesday email. "You can never over-emphasize the need for a culture of dignity and respect - and those who don't understand those concepts, aren't welcome here."
Washington

President Donald Trump's choice to head the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that she believes climate change exists, but said she cannot determine whether humans are the primary cause.

Speaking at her Senate confirmation hearing, Kirstjen Nielsen said she is "not prepared to determine causation" on climate change.

Nielsen's comment contradicts mainstream climate science, including a U.S. report last week that concludes the evidence of global warming is stronger than ever and that it's "extremely likely"  meaning with 95 to 100 percent certainty  that global warming is man-made.

As head of homeland security, Nielsen would oversee a sprawling agency that leads the federal response to a range of natural disasters from wildfires to hurricanes.

Democrats criticized Nielsen's answer, which is in line with top Trump administration officials who downplay humans' role in climate change.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said his state is "sinking" as oceans rise. He called Nielsen's comment troubling. "Ninety-eight percent of our scientists say this is a problem and we as humans are the root cause," Carper said.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., urged Nielsen to "educate yourself" about climate change, adding "What I heard in your answer is politics before science. That concerns me greatly."

Nielsen, a former Homeland security official who now serves as deputy White House chief of staff, told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that she agrees climate change is important and said the Trump administration is revising its climate models to better respond to rising sea levels.

"I can't unequivocally state it's caused by humans," she said. "There are many contributions to it."

A 1,500-page draft report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program said global warming is already sickening, injuring and killing Americans with changes to weather, food, air, water and diseases. And it's expected to get worse, hurting the economy, wildlife and energy supply, the report said.

On other topics, Nielsen said she agreed with former Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly  now White House chief of staff  that a U.S.-Mexico border wall is unlikely to be a physical barrier from "sea to shining sea."

She also condemned white nationalism and refuted Islamophobia and promised to make cybersecurity a top priority.

Nielsen, a former staffer at the DHS, said the scope and pace of cyberattacks on federal networks and critical infrastructure are "continually increasing" and grow more complex and sophisticated each day. She said threats to the homeland "are too many and too varied" for any one agency to confront alone and pledged to work across government and the private sector to find solutions.

Trump nominated Nielsen last month to succeed Kelly.

Homeland Security has been leading the charge on implementing Trump's aggressive immigration agenda, and Nielsen pledged to continue that work.
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ALBANY  Upstate secessionists, pro-marijuana activists and government reformers, to name a few, all looked to a constitutional convention as the place to achieve their lofty goals.

Then everything came crashing down to earth on Tuesday  hard.

With voters overwhelmingly rejecting the prospect of holding a constitutional convention in 2019, another vote won't happen until 2037, as prescribed by the state Constitution. In the meantime, convention supporters are assessing their options for reform through a political and legislative system they see as flawed.

Voters rejected the constitutional convention question 78-16 on Tuesday night, according to unofficial results. It failed in each of the state's 62 counties by similarly overwhelming margins as about 30 percent of registered voters statewide flipped over their ballots to vote on the question.

It perhaps was not a shocking result, given opinion polling in the run up to the vote and the overwhelming financial advantage of convention opponents, who were funded in large part by labor unions.

It was a process reminiscent of the usual campaign politics, the sort that supporters panned in hopes that a convention would be different.

"(I was) disappointed" said John Bergener Jr., chair of the Divide NYS Caucus. "All the 'yes' coalition votes were outspent."

Bergener's Divide NYS Caucus had hoped for a constitutional amendment splitting the state into two, possibly three, autonomous regions. The idea is seen as a way for upstaters who feel under-represented at the Capitol to secede but without having to earn the approval of the existing state Legislature and U.S. Congress.

Despite the setback, Bergener said the group won't dissolve and may become involved in political campaigns.

Marijuana policy reform advocates got involved in the regular political campaign process early. Restrict and Regulate NY State 2019, a political action committee advocating for a convention, announced a week before the vote that it was looking to reconstitute the defunct Marijuana Reform Party, given the "overwhelming opposition" from organized labor.

That party ran candidates for statewide office, including governor, in 1998 and 2002 but with little success. In neither year did the party earn 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial race, meaning that not only did its candidates fall well short of election, it also did not secure an automatic spot on the ballot for the following four years.

Bill Samuels, founder of pro-convention NY People's Convention, said that short of a convention, he believes the only other way to bring major cultural change to state government is to challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who opposed the convention. Samuels said that his financial support for political ventures in 2018 will be stronger than the roughly $500,000 he poured into the convention effort.

Still, it's not as if a number of proposed constitutional amendments haven't already been discussed in the the halls of state government. Of course, success rates are a different story.

On the list of amendments supported by NY People's Convention, a number are familiar: Environmental bill of rights (passed by the Assembly, but not the state Senate), election reforms that include early voting (passed by the Assembly, but not the Senate), a special prosecutor for police killings of civilians (enacted for certain cases by executive order, which is repealable), a strengthened equal rights amendment (proposed in the Senate), single-payer health care (passed by the Assembly, but not the Senate), term limits (proposed but never passed) and a shift of Medicaid costs from counties to the state (proposed in Congress, and derided by the governor).

Polling also has shown that voters who may have rejected the idea of a constitutional convention still support some changes. Proposed amendments to enact term limits, institute a ballot referendum process, close the limited liability company loophole and make the Legislature full time all saw the support of a majority of likely voters in the final Siena College poll before Election Day.

Samuels still believes than an amendment protecting clean air and water is achievable through the legislative process, and he is bullish about an equal rights amendment that incorporates transgender people, the disabled and women, despite a more uphill climb.

But the convention process may just be too tough to reach.

"As far as I'm concerned, in terms of constitutional change that we need, we have to realize that this process just doesn't work," Samuels said.

mhamilton@timesunion.com  518-454-5449  @matt_hamilton10
Washington

The Trump administration announced new rules Wednesday to make it tougher for U.S. businesses to work in Cuba and for Americans to travel to the island.

The restrictions are aimed at enacting what President Donald Trump in June described as plans to reverse the Obama administration's diplomatic opening with the communist-ruled island.

Effective Thursday, businesses will be required to obey a new set of regulations that are "intended to steer economic activity away from the Cuban military, intelligence and security services," a senior White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to brief reporters.

The Cuban military is deeply enmeshed in much of the island's economy, including the tourism industry.

Individuals will be prohibited from traveling to Cuba under the new rules but can continue to travel as part of groups registered with the U.S. government and following the so-called people-to-people plan, which generally requires the trip to have an educational component.

Travel by Americans to the island had skyrocketed in the months since December 2014, when President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced that they planned to renew diplomatic ties following a half-century of Cold War-era hostility. Ties were formally restored the following year.

Advocates of better ties with Cuba reacted with anger on Wednesday, branding the new rules convoluted and confusing.

"At a time that President Trump is meeting with communist leaders in China and Vietnam, these regulations show the absolute hypocrisy and political pandering of the Trump administration on Cuba," said Collin Laverty, president of Cuba Educational Travel, a group that arranges trips to the island.

Trump is in the midst of a five-nation tour of Asia.

The restrictions will hit especially hard at the dozens of large, big-name hotels in Cuba that are at least partially owned by the military. Americans will be banned from staying in those hotels, and U.S. tour operators prohibited from booking rooms there.

John Caulfield, who served from 2011 to 2014 as head of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, which took the place of an embassy until relations were restored, said the public perception will be, "Oh, we can't go to Cuba anymore." In fact, Americans can still travel there, he noted, but it will be more complicated.

The new rules require American travelers to engage in activity that will "enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities," the Treasury Department said.

That would include renting rooms in private Cuban bed-and-breakfasts that have sprung up since the restoration of relations or dining in privately owned restaurants, which have also multiplied in recent years.

The official who briefed reporters emphasized that U.S. authorities would police potential violations of the new rules but acknowledged: "I wouldn't expect to see (a Treasury agent) at every border point."

American travelers to Cuba will still be allowed to bring back a limited amount of rum and cigars as long as they obey the other travel restrictions, the official said.
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ALBANY - The addition of many new faces come Jan. 1 in Common Council also brings an increase in the racial diversity of Albanys representatives.

Those taking seats in the 10th and 11th Wards in Albany will help change the tide in minority representation on the Common Council, shifting the makeup from five minorities to seven on the 15-seat council, underscoring the ever-changing fabric of the capital city.

Of the 98,468 city residents, 28.3 percent are black, 9.6 percent are Latino and 51.2 percent are white, the census' American Community Surveys 2015 estimates show.

Another 7 percent are Asian, while 3.5 percent of the citys population is two or more races and less than 1 percent identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or some other race.

As a result of Tuesday's election, the minority makeup of the council will be 50 percent, when accounting for council president, which will continue to have minority representation, as the seat passes from Carolyn McLaughlin to Corey Ellis.

More for you Firefighter diversity a national issue

Owusu Anane, who defeated incumbent Councilwoman Leah Golby in the Pine Hills neighborhood, is African-American and the son of Ghanaian immigrants. Alfredo Balarin, who defeated incumbent Councilman Judd Krasher in the 11th Ward, identifies as Latino and is the son of Peruvian immigrants.

Dialogue has focused on Albanys employees better reflecting the community they serve, with most recent conversation turning to a lack of minorities in the Albany Fire Department.

Anane said diversity on the council is important, but hes focused on making sure all his constituents are properly represented.

I plan to work to repeal the discriminatory trash fee, coordinate with city officials to rebuild and repair our communitys sidewalk, streets, and water infrastructure, proactively work with the Albany police and community stakeholders to develop strategies to improve public safety, promote economic development strategies that benefit everyone in our community, and ensure city services are accessible, he said in an emailed statement.

Balarin, who will be the first Latino on the Common Council, did not return a request for comment Thursday.

Joyce Love, a black woman who won the 3rd Ward council seat against incumbent Ron Bailey, said having more diversity on the council could help get things done in minority communities.

It will be better for our community that we have more diversity on the council, Love said. I think its a good thing for the whole city. We have to work together, its not just the Third Ward, or the minorities.

The number of men to women on the council, however, remains unchanged  with female representation at 33 percent, despite making up 52.7 percent of Albanys population.

Those different viewpoints matter. Its also more reflective of our city, so its really more the way it should be, said Ginnie Farrell, a white woman who won in the 13th Ward Common Council race. I love the different people who are there, but I wouldnt have minded having more women on the council.

With the increase in diversity also comes seven new faces to the Common Council, including Thomas Hoey for the 15th Ward; Jahmel Robinson for the 5th Ward; and Derek Johnson for the 2nd Ward.

Johnson, who is black and works at Giffen Elementary in the South End, said kids were shocked to see his face on campaign signs.

It was weird because whenever they see faces like that, they dont know these people. It was weird for it to be your own guy, he said. If you have a heavily minority-populated area, it just doesnt make sense not to have minority representation.

Both Johnson and Love emphasized the need for community dialogue within their wards, which can help them better ascertain what issues need to be focused on.

The Third Ward fails to have meetings to let them know whats happening in the community, Love said. Knowledge is power, and if I get information and I spread it out to my community, well know more and we can decide what to do.

Meanwhile, 15th Ward councilman-elect Thomas Hoey said he wants to focus on getting sidewalks for key roads in the neighborhood as well as increasing police presence. But he, as well as Farrell, recognized they'll need to work with other councilmembers to get things done.

"I'm more of a positive person, let's try to work together," Hoey said. "That's what we have to do as a city, state and country."
The sweeping upset victories by at least 15 Democrats in Virginia's statehouse race is, as The Washington Post wrote, stunning. But if there's an even more remarkable story to be found in Tuesday's results, it's the victory of Chris Hurst: a former local news anchor whose girlfriend was murdered on live TV two years ago, and who channeled his grief into a long-shot electoral bid that could now help turn the statehouse blue.

Hurst met Alison Parker at the WDBJ news station in Roanoke in 2012. She was a summer intern and he was already "a local celebrity," as Ian Shapira wrote for The Post.

"I think I came off as gruff and intimidating," Hurst told Shapira years later. He showed the rookie how to pull a search warrant, but otherwise rarely spoke to Parker.

"Two years later, she was hired full-time as a morning reporter, and Hurst found her impossible to ignore," Shapira wrote.

They went to lunch, and then went hiking on their days off. And they spent Sunday mornings watching the news together, and they fell in love.

One day, he gave her a ring and they promised to marry each other. Nine days after he gave her the ring, on Aug. 26, 2015, Hurst woke to the ring of his cellphone.

It was the station calling.

A former reporter named Vester Lee Flanagan  who had been fired from WDBJ  had taken his video camera and his gun, and traveled to a mountain lake where Parker and her cameraman, Adam Ward, were interviewing a chamber of commerce official.

Flanagan shot all three of them on live TV, and filmed his own footage to put online. He killed himself a few hours later. Only the chamber official survived.

For a while, Hurst stayed on at the station. But he would speak of a search for meaning to his life.

"Hurst made the break in February" of this year, Gregory Schneider wrote for The Post. "He said farewell after an evening newscast, announced that he was running for office as a Democrat."

The decision was a surprise: A 30-year-old TV reporter would become a Democratic politician and try to win the 12th District of Virginia, which had been held by a Republican since 2011.

"I came through the other side believing that I wanted to stay here and give back to the people who gave me such strength and support when I needed it," Hurst told Schneider.

While many expected him to campaign on gun control, he told voters both he and Parker liked to shoot. He didn't want broad restrictions. He fought for the political center.

Democrats had been hoping to crack the 12th; instead, they took at least 15, including Hurst's, by the end of the night.

Hurst walked out into a cheering crowd in Blacksburg. He praised his defeated opponent.

From the crowd, The New York Times reported, Allison Parker's parents watched Hurst speak.
A 50-year-old woman from Saratoga Springs was among those in the First Baptist Church in Texas when the congregation was attacked by gunman Devin Kelley.

Margaret McKenzie, who has cerebral palsy, was visiting her sister in Sutherland Springs, Texas, when she attended last Sunday morning's church service with her niece Tare Elyse McNulty.
Washington

Donald Trump handily won the election a year ago Wednesday. Ask him and he'll tell you about it.

Ten months into his presidency, Trump is still focused  some say fixated  on the election that catapulted him to power. Egged on by longtime friends and cable news, he repeatedly attacks his vanquished opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton. In public and in private, he still boasts of the size of his triumph.

"It was great victory, and a victory that made a lot of people very happy," Trump said Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea.

The president spent Wednesday shuttling from Seoul to Beijing for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He mused to reporters earlier in the week that he'd considered having "a big celebration party" but White House officials said there were no plans for any formal event marking the occasion.

There's no doubt the president remains preoccupied by his election, a fixation friends and advisers say is part ego and part defense mechanism. Despite occupying the most powerful position in the world, Trump has told confidants he still doesn't get the credit he deserves for defeating Clinton. And friends say he's well aware of the fact that numerous members of the Republican Party expected him to lose and cringe at seeing him in the White House.

"His obsession with the election is the fact that he wasn't ever accepted by the establishment," said Christopher Ruddy, a friend of the president and the CEO of Newsmax. "They have not given him the deference typical of the president."

Trump won the Electoral College vote by a comfortable margin but lost the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million votes to Clinton.

Trump's insecurity about his status has been magnified by Democratic accusations that he won the White House in part because of Russia's interference in the election. The investigations into Russian meddling are now at the West Wing doorstep, with current and former White House officials being summoned to speak with special counsel Robert Mueller. The president has responded by calling on Republican lawmakers and the Justice Department to investigate Clinton's potential ties to Russia.

The White House said Trump isn't fixated on his past successes or the investigations shadowing his administration. Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump's focus is on the fact that "the stock market has hit record highs, unemployment has hit a 17-year low, and (the Islamic State) is on the run."

"Over the next seven years, this president plans to keep his promises to the American people and create a more prosperous, free and secure future for all Americans," Sanders said.

Still, the 2016 election arguably remains Trump's most significant political accomplishment. He's struggled in office to fulfill several of his lofty campaign promises, and he faces the very real prospect of ending 2017 without any significant legislative accomplishments.

Some Republicans close to the White House say Trump's obsession with the election isn't quite as overt as it was in the early days of his presidency.

Two Republican congressional aides said Trump still brings the election up on occasion during meetings with lawmakers, but not with the frequency he did earlier. He also appears to have stopped handing out colored copies of the Electoral College map.

The congressional aides, along with five White House officials and outside Trump allies, insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose private discussions.

One election-related attribute that hasn't slowed is Trump's intense focus on Clinton, who no longer holds public office and almost certainly has no plans to run for the presidency a third time. Trump has latched onto revelations that Clinton's campaign paid a research firm that produced a dossier of his unproven ties to Russia and he's seized on a new tell-all book about the 2016 campaign from Donna Brazile, interim head of the Democratic National Committee for the last months of the race.

White House officials say that to Trump, Clinton and her years of political baggage are a reminder of the reasons millions of people voted for him.

Trump friends like Roger Stone, a Republican operative who has spent years spinning stories about the former secretary of state and former President Bill Clinton, have encouraged the president to keep up the attacks on his formal rival. And in an example of Trump's often symbiotic relationship with Fox News, friends say the president gets validation from the cable channel's heavy rotation of Clinton-related news.

As Trump hits the one-year mark of his victory, a favorite parlor game among Republicans is whether the 71-year-old will try to repeat the feat in 2020. His campaign launched work on a re-election bid shortly after the inauguration and White House officials frequently refer to Trump serving two terms. But others are less certain.

"He could be a one-term, he could decide to not run again," Ruddy said. "He's the kind of guy that doesn't psychologically need the presidency."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein and 22 other Senate Democrats introduced an assault weapons ban on Wednesday designed to "ban the sale, transfer, manufacture and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines," her office said in a statement.

"To those who say now isn't the time, they're right  we should have extended the original ban 13 years ago, before hundreds more Americans were murdered with these weapons of war," Feinstein said, referencing the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that was passed in 1994 and expired in 2004. "To my colleagues in Congress, I say do your job."
A loud noise over Nenagh caused a lot of interest around the town and surrounding areas.

The noise, which was heard around shortly after 10pm and lasted a number of a number of seconds, generated a lot of chatter on Facebook, with many thinking it may have been caused by a low-flying jet either leaving or landing into Shannon Airport.

However a spokesperson for the Irish Aviation Authority told the Tipperary Star that without having an aircraft number or display sign they could not say if it was an aircraft.

But the Tipperray Star can reveal that the most likely cause was just the Irish weather.

With the cold weather followed by a rise in temperatures, it seems likely that conditions gave rise to a one-off loud peal of thunder.

And a Met Eireann spokesperson confirmed that there was thunder and lightening activity in the area last night.

So, people can now sleep eay in their beds.

They were not being buzzed by low-flying planes and there was no alien invasion.
Children wave U.S. and Chinese flags as President Donald Trump arrives at Beijing Airport, Wednesday, in Beijing, China. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
[November 09, 2017] CAC-Florida Medical Centers Building New State-of-the-Art Facility in Little Havana

Founded in Little Havana over 50 years ago, CAC-Florida Medical Centers, a subsidiary of health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM), is confirming its continued and expanded commitment to the Little Havana community with the construction of its new 36,000 -sq.-ft. medical center at 1200 SW 1st Street. CAC-Florida Medical Centers leaders, medical staff and patients will celebrate the new center at a groundbreaking event on Thurs., Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. Slated to open in the latter part of 2018, CAC's new Little Havana Medical Center, being built adjacent to its existing location, will offer the same high quality comprehensive primary and specialty care for seniors but will also feature new, advanced medical equipment, as well as onsite dental services and a wellness and activities center. "For 50-plus years, CAC has been treating the senior population in Little Havana, providing much needed high-quality patient care," said Yogi Hernandez Suarez, MD, Vice President Care Delivery, CAC-Florida Medical Centers. "Our new CAC Little Havana Medical Center will solidify our commitment to this community and ensure that we continue to offer best-in-class primary and specialty services for our patients." CAC's new Little Havana facility will offer its patients services such as an on-site pharmacy, "CAC Fit" (Rehabilitation maintenance program), "La Buena Vida" (Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy), dental, optical and walk-in/extended hours and weekend medical sevices. The center will cater to the following specialties: cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, optometry, orthopedic, orthopedic surgeon, pediatrics, podiatry and urology.



About CAC-Florida Medical Centers CAC-Florida Medical Centers is a subsidiary of health and well-being company Humana Inc. The first CAC medical center opened its doors to Miami-Dade County's Hispanic population in 1964 under the name Clinica Asociacion Cubana. CAC holds the distinction of being Florida's first managed care facilities granted a license to operate as a health maintenance organization (HMO) as a result of the Congressional HMO Act of 1973. Today, the CAC brand is recognized throughout South and Central Florida for its commitment to members of the communities it serves and the provision of high quality, readily accessible health care.

The centers operate in a staff model setting whereby routine medical and ancillary health care services are provided in "One Place" and orchestrated by primary care physicians. This type of health care delivery is familiar to many CAC patients of Hispanic origin who grew up around the staff model setting in their native countries before migrating to South Florida. Today, the company operates full-service, multi-specialty medical centers in Miami-Dade, Orlando and Tampa to serve a culturally diverse Medicare and Medicaid patient base. About Humana Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools - such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions - combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective. More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at www.humana.com, including copies of: Annual reports to stockholders

Securities and Exchange Commission filings

Most recent investor conference presentations

Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls

Calendar of events

Corporate Governance information View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006329/en/

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[November 08, 2017] Zambia - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New Zambian data centre opened to encourage digital economy growth

Zambia is a landlocked country with a focus on developing ICTs to spur growth in the digital economy. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03102324 Consumers have benefited from access to international submarine fibre optic cables, which has seen a considerably reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing. The government's Universal Access Fund has made considerable progress, particularly in paying for more than 1,000 base stations to be built. As a result, by the end of 2017 mobile coverage should be available to 92% of the population. Separately, mobile network operators continue to invest in 3G and LTE-based services, while several ISPs have also rolled out WiMAX wireless broadband networks. MTN Zambia in addition has initiated an FttP program, initially in Lusaka. These developments are set to increase overall broadband penetration significantly in coming years. Key developments:

Government secures funds to build 800 mobile towers in rural areas;

MTN Zambia announces FttP rollout plans via its Connected Home' initiative, launches micro leding service Kongola;





$273 million to complete digital broadcast process by end-2017;

New licence framework could pave the way for a fourth mobile network operator;

Zamtel launches LTE service in the Copperbelt Province as part of the Universal Access Service;

Government adopts new converged licensing regime;

National Data Center opens as part of the government's Smart Zambia project;

Vodafone Zambia completes LTE-A rollout program;

iWayAfrica Zambia adds FttP services to its VSAT offerings;

Liquid Telecom extends FttP services;

IMF no longer sets government sale of its stake in Zamtel as a condition for $1.3 billion loan;

Western Fibre Route cable connecting Malawi to Zambia ;

Airtel commits an additional $142 million for network expansion and upgrades;

Mobile subscriber base falls as unregistered SIM cards are removed from operators' services;

Report update includes the regulator's market updates to June 2017 , operator data to Q2 2017, recent market developments. Companies mentioned in this report:





Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel, LapGreen); MTN Zambia; Bharti Airtel; Cell Z (Zamtel); ZamNet; Coppernet Solutions; UUNet Zambia; Microlink Technologies; AfriConnect; Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO); Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC); Comium.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03102324



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



https://www.reportlinker.com __________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

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Intl: +1 339-368-6001 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zambia---telecoms-mobile-and-broadband---statistics-and-analyses-300552502.html SOURCE Reportlinker

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Family members of a 14-year-old boy fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy on a northern Wisconsin reservation questioned on Thursday why the teen, whom they describe as loving and kind, was killed.

Holly Gauthier said authorities have provided few details about the death of her son, 14-year-old Jason Pero, an eighth-grader who died on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas reservation Wednesday.

Dispatchers received a call about a male subject walking down the street armed with a knife about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, said the Ashland County Sheriffs Office, which provides law enforcement services on the reservation along with the tribal police department. A responding deputy fired shots, striking the male. He was treated at the scene but died at a hospital.

Neither the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which is investigating the shooting, nor the Sheriffs Office have identified Pero.

Gauthier told Duluth station WDIO-TV she believes her son was murdered.

(There is) no reason you can justify shooting a 14-year-old boy, Gauthier said. Her son was home from school sick on Wednesday and staying at his grandparents house, she added. Gauthier said she doesnt know why Jason was outside.

The state Justice Department said a knife was recovered at the scene. Family members questioned whether Pero had a knife.

Peros grandfather, Alan Pero, described him as someone who never had one mean bone in his body. Gauthier said her son was a big teddy bear and everybody loved him.

Bad River Band Chairman Robert Blanchard said he has not heard directly from sheriffs officials about why Pero was shot and he questioned why the deputy had to take the teens life.

This is a tragedy that should not have happened. Theres other ways to do things than to pull out a gun and shoot him, Blanchard said.

Sheriffs officials said the deputy was not injured and referred further questions on the shooting to the Department of Justice. The agency said its Division of Criminal Investigation continues to collect evidence and will turn over its reports to the Ashland County District Attorneys Office, hopefully within 30 days.

Blanchard said Pero came from a good family and attended Ashland Middle School.

Its hard to talk about it without getting emotional, the chairman said.

The superintendent of the School District of Ashland, Keith Hilts, said some students are struggling with their classmates death, but mental health professionals from the community are on hand to help them. Hilts said Pero was involved in the school band and was a member of the drumming group, which will honor him at a Veterans Day assembly Friday.
[November 08, 2017] Toshiba and Newisys Deliver HPC Storage with NVMe-oF at SuperComputing 2017

Toshiba Memory America, Inc. (TMA), the US-based subsidiary of Toshiba (News - Alert) Memory Corporation, and Newisys, a Sanmina Corporation product division, will be demonstrating an HPC (High Performance Computing) NVMe-oF (NVM Express over Fabrics)1 solution at next week's SuperComputing SC17 Conference. NVMe-oF brings direct-connect NVMe SSD performance to the storage fabric with the flexibility of disaggregated storage. It provides scale-out, cloud data centers with software-defined, NVMe-oF storage that centralizes and virtualizes NVMe SSDs across the network, making them highly available to compute nodes at near direct-attached storage (DAS) performance. The demonstration features Newisys' next-generation NVMe-oF hardware platform, the NSS1160G-2N, an evolution of their recent, award-winning NVMe-oF storage system design. It is a 1U storage system with dual-node and dual-socket Intel (News - Alert) Xeon2 processors and supports up to 4x 100Gb/s Ethernet network interface cards (NICs). Each node has eight (8) Toshiba NVMe U.2 SSDs3 (16 NVMe drives per system) directly connected to the CPU, minimizing latency. Toshiba is making the demo possible with its target engine software to provide storage virtualization and SSD/flash management, which is critical to fully realize the promise of NVMe-oF connectivity. With an NVMe-oF standardized protocol, Toshiba's storage node software delivers the full performance of NVMe SSDs to compute nodes for HPC dataset load and unload times by delivering the bandwidth of direct-attached NVMe SSDs with inherent network efficiencies. Other key features of Toshiba's NVMe target engine are: Abstraction, total virtualization and high availability of NVMe-based flash storage

Provisioning of storage and namespaces to compute nodes and virtual machines

REST API (application programming interface) to connect to popular orchestration frameworks "NVMe-oF enables new levels of storage performance and flexibility for HPC and cloud data centers," said Steve Fingerhut, senior vice president and general manager, SSD and Cloud Software Business Units at Toshiba Memory America, Inc. "Toshiba's software provides a critical building block for data centers to realize the potential of NVMe-oF. Our software delivers an NVMe target engine that enables compute nodes to efficiently use the very high performanceand storage capacities of NVMe SSDs."



"Sanmina customers rely on us to deliver innovation to them," said Eugene McCabe, EVP Enterprise Computing & Storage at Sanmina Corporation. "Our collaboration with Toshiba demonstrates our commitment to innovation by proving new technologies, like NVMe-oF, in a real-world application environment." The 2017 SuperComputing Exhibition will take place in Denver, Colorado in the Colorado Convention Center on November 13-16. The demonstration will be showcased in the Sanmina booth (#237).

About Toshiba Memory America, Inc. Toshiba Memory America, Inc. (TMA) is the US-based subsidiary of Toshiba Memory Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs). From the invention of flash memory to today's breakthrough 96-layer BiCS FLASH 3D technology, Toshiba continues to lead innovation and move the industry forward. For more information on TMA, please visit www.toshiba.com/TMA and follow the company on Facebook and on Twitter (News - Alert): @ToshibaStorage and @Toshiba_Memory. About Newisys Newisys, a product division of Sanmina Corporation, provides advanced data center products including solid-state memory and disk-based storage server appliances, JBOD storage systems and other products for a variety of data center and storage applications. Newisys solutions are tailored for integration into OEM, System Integrator and Data Center products, reducing development and operating costs while improving time-to-market. More information is available at http://www.newisys.com. About Sanmina Corporation Sanmina Corporation is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, storage, industrial, defense, medical, energy, and industries that include embedded computing technologies, such as point of sale devices, casino gaming and automotive. Sanmina has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world. More information about the Company is available at www.sanmina.com.  2017 Toshiba Memory America, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services, and contact information is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. 1 NVM Express is a registered trademark, and NVMe-oF and NVMe are trademarks of NVM Express, Inc.

2 Intel and Xeon are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

3 Toshiba SSDs were used for this demo, but the Toshiba NVMe-oF storage node software supports non-Toshiba NVMe SSDs as well. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171108006311/en/

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[November 08, 2017] VoltDB Advances Customer Traction in Asian Market

Leading financial institutions select VoltDB to power fast data analysis for improved operations and customer service BEDFORD, Massachusetts, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VoltDB, the enterprise-class translytical database that powers business-critical applications, is gaining customer traction in China. Insurance company PICC and HengFeng Bank have selected VoltDB to help modernize their database infrastructures to better process high volumes of real-time data streams, resulting in improved analytics, operational efficiency and customer experiences. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/599197/VoltDB_Logo.jpg With the increasing volume of data streaming into financial institutions every day, organizations are struggling to analyze that data and take action in real-time before opportunities are lost. Traditional database technology is unable to keep pace with the scale and speed of the digitally-driven enterprise, requiring organizations to modernize data infrastructures in order to compete. PICC and HengFeng Bank both selected the VoltDB platform to consistently and accurately analyze data streams in real time, empowering them with insight to shape important financial decisions, detect fraud and assess risk in real time.



PICC, one of China's largest insurers, uses VoltDB in multiple of its primary database operations. "With support for multi-center, live exchange scenarios that power multiple applications, VoltDB enabled PICC to overcome the performance limitations of more traditional databases," said Yu Hao, architect of IT software development, PICC. "VoltDB's flexibility and open source capabilities accelerate integration with our existing infrastructure. We have built several applications on the VoltDB data platform, realizing 8 times the improvement over the prior database."

The risk of fraud, specifically, has escalated dramatically with advancing technologies and increased complexity. VoltDB helps HengFeng Bank to accelerate the identification and prevention of credit card fraud before a transaction is complete, drastically reducing fraud risk and improving the customer experience. "Traditional databases could not handle the in-process monitoring required in our credit card risk monitoring application," said Dr. Hao Yuhai, director of the IT innovation and development center, HengFeng Bank. "After extensive evaluation of several database technologies, we found that only VoltDB met the performance and efficiency requirements of our applications. We initially began testing with the open source capabilities of VoltDB, but have since moved to the enterprise edition to power our credit fraud application." "We are excited to be expanding into such a cutting edge market, and to be raising the bar for fast data analytics across the globe," said David Flower, president and CEO of VoltDB. "Both PICC and HengFeng Bank are using real-time analytics powered by the VoltDB platform to more quickly apply data-driven insights to their business. VoltDB empowers organizations around the world to accelerate innovation by better understanding and acting on critical data streams." About VoltDB

VoltDB provides the only in-memory translytical database for applications that require an unprecedented combination of data scale, real-time analytics, volume and accuracy. VoltDB supports all three modern application data requirements: VoltDB processes data points from millions of users and sources; ingests, analyzes and acts on data in milliseconds; and data managed by VoltDB is always accurate for all decisions. Organizations rely on VoltDB to build and modernize applications that drive business and operational insights. VoltDB was founded by a team of world-class database experts, including Dr. Michael Stonebraker, winner of the ACM Turing award. Media Inquiries:

For VoltDB :

Kaley Carpenter

InkHouse for VoltDB

+1-781-966-4119

[email protected] SOURCE VoltDB

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[November 08, 2017] Vdopia Rebrands to Chocolate, Increasing Focus on Mobile App Monetization Offering With Global Launch of its Ad Mediation Platform

GURUGRAM, India and FREMONT, California, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The company also launches new corporate website http://www.chocolateplatform.com Vdopia, a leader in mobile video advertising, today announced the rebranding of the company to Chocolate and launched a new website. The company has been helping game developers, publishers, agencies, advertisers, and DSPs deliver world-class mobile video advertising via its flagship product Chocolate Marketplace. The company also announced the global launch of a new ad mediation solution, Chocolate Mediation platform. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/599793/Chocolate_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/599792/Saurabh_Photo.jpg )

The new website highlights the company's positioning as a platform for delivering cutting-edge mobile video advertising solutions, which are categorized into two core offerings: Chocolate Marketplace offers leading platform for programmatic buying and selling of mobile video advertising

offers leading platform for programmatic buying and selling of mobile video advertising Chocolate Mediation offers in-app ad monetization platform to app developers & publishers. In-app video advertising is one of the fastest growing channels in digital advertising today. Through Chocolate Mediation, app developers & publishers can unlock the true potential of their app inventory by leveraging a solution that increases ad revenue, CPMs and fill rates in a seamless manner using just 1 smart SDK.



Saurabh Bhatia , CEO, Chocolate. "With the rebranding to Chocolate and the global launch of Mediation platform, we are adding many new powerful monetization tools for app developers and publishers that allows us to continue our leading position in the mobile video advertising industry," he added. Visit http://www.chocolateplatform.com to begin exploring mobile video advertising solutions and subscribe to the Blog today. One can also connect with Chocolate on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Chocolate Chocolate is a global leader in mobile video advertising. Chocolate offers two core products, Chocolate Marketplace, a global programmatic buying and selling platform for mobile video advertising and Chocolate Mediation, an end-to-end monetization solution for app developers and publishers. Vdopia, Inc. DBA Chocolate is a privately held, venture-backed company headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Fremont, California and India. Media Contact:

Tanu Kak

[email protected]

+91-8586840919

Chocolate



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[November 09, 2017] Huawei Announces New OpenLab in Malaysia to Drive Digital Transformation in APAC

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 200 government officials, technology experts, scholars, and representatives from tech companies gathered today from all across the Asia-Pacific region for the third annual Huawei Asia-Pacific Innovation Day, held in Kuala Lumpur. The event was co-hosted by Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Malaysia-China Business Council, and Huawei Technologies. This year's event focused on fostering digital economy in the APAC region, with special focus on digital transformation models for emerging markets, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and core industries like services and tourism. At the event, Huawei announced the construction of a new OpenLab in Malaysia, which will serve as an open, flexible, and secure platform for joint innovation with local partners. Huawei has built similar OpenLabs in Munich, Mexico, Dubai, Singapore, and China. Together, these labs support extensive cooperation between Huawei and over 400 solution partners globally. At the event, Huawei's Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating CEO, Guo Ping, spoke about the different stages of digital transformation, and what countries can focus on at each stage of development. "We've all heard about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs," said Guo. "When a country goes digital, they experience a similar evolution of needs. I would divide this hierarchy into four layers. The first is ICT infrastructure, which is the founation of a digital economy. The second is security, for both the physical and digital worlds. Security is necessary for further development. The third layer is developing a supportive environment for industries to go digital. Building on a solid foundation of privacy protection, the fourth and highest layer is enabling broader information sharing. More data will help cities and national governments better manage the digitization process, ultimately promoting safer cities and smarter countries."



Guo stressed that technological innovation and an open ecosystem are critical to the success of digital initiatives in the APAC region. "We need to collaborate more broadly and share views across the ecosystem, including between industries and universities worldwide. Close collaboration between industry and academia will help ensure a thriving digital economy. As always, Huawei remains committed to the Asia-Pacific region, and will continue working with our partners to drive digital economic growth and ensure a better connected future for all of APAC." The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Home Affairs, YB Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, also delivered a keynote speech at the event. He expressed his optimism about the future of digital transformation in the Asia Pacific region. He encouraged all APAC countries to communicate more and work more closely together to drive positive, sustainable economic outcomes.

Also at this event, The Brookings Institution, a U.S. think tank, released the global safe city report, a blueprint of safe cities around the world. Findings from the report indicate that, from an infrastructure perspective, the Asia Pacific region has enormous potential for smart city and safe city development. Huawei highlighted its own experience helping the Longgang District in Shenzhen, China, build out its safe city infrastructure. Openness, innovation, collaboration, and shared success were the common themes of this year's event. Tony Q.S. Quek, Associate Professor from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), spoke about Huawei's Innovation Research Program, which funds joint innovation with universities. Professor Dr. Ong Hang See from Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) and YBhg Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, CEO of Malaysia Petroleum Resource Corporation (MPRC), presented real-world examples of the electric power industry and the oil and gas industry going digital. Xue Ding, co-founder of ofo, outlined the shared bike company's partnership with Huawei, which helped ofo embed Internet of Things (IoT) chips in their bicycles and leverage artificial intelligence to offer riders more personalized services. Xue indicated that ofo would like to join forces with Huawei and other partners to build out the global IoT ecosystem. During the event, Huawei signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the SME Corporation Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Terengganu State Government, and CyberSecurity Malaysia, expanding cooperation across a number of domains, including scientific research, innovation, talent, smart campuses, and cyber security. Together, they will promote a thriving digital economy and ensure prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its debut in 2013, Huawei Innovation Day has been held in London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Singapore, and Sydney. More information can be found at: http://www.huawei.com/en/events/huawei-innovation-day-apac-2017. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20171109/1988329-1 SOURCE Huawei Technologies

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[November 09, 2017] StreamMind's Secure and Agile Software Offering Promises to Enrich and Revolutionize the IT Industry

NEW DELHI, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of a delegation of the French Tech Tour 2017 organized by Business France India, StreamMind, a leading provider of secure technology solutions for businesses and financial institutions, will be coming to India in November to begin prospecting partnership opportunities with Indian firms, based on its revolutionary TIME platform. The French company was founded in 2008 with a vision to make technology a secure, robust, and accessible tool to help businesses in their digital transformations. StreamMind specializes in system integration and the processing of electronic data flows. Its TIME platform makes it possible to quickly and agilely design new services, to interconnect heterogeneous systems in a secure way, and to aggregate data from different sources. "StreamMind was founded with the goal of making technology an easy and accessible tool to any company looking to innovate," says company President, Mr. Nicolas MUHADRI. "We believe that our comprehensive offer is equipped to support the implementation of key initiatives in India over the next few years and look forward to contributing as best we can to these important projects." Having now completed its 9-year research and development phase in partnership with the major French banks, StreamMind is focusing on its worldwide commercial expansion. India will be a key market for StreamMind in 2018, and the company hopes to contribute its digital platform and biometric technology to some of the Modi Government's digital initiatives, including those related to 'Smart Cities', 'Digital India' and the Aadhaar identification cards: TIME: TIME is the world's first interactive digital platform to combine agility and robustness. Any user-defined application built using TIME technology is conceived directly from the functional layer and deployed directly as a usable application, with no integration constraints in the existing system, therefore significantly reducing time-to-market and all associated costs. TME responds to many global challenges with enterprise technology, such as the transformation of legacy systems (while respecting the initial investment), application/system incompatibility, cost of implementation and maintenance, long time-to-markets, and lack of communication between software systems and applications.



Customer Onboarding: Customer Onboarding is an innovative system that leverages biometric technologies (facial, audio, text and handwriting recognition, remote identity validation and authentication, and biometric scoring) to provide a fully integrated onboarding process (such as the creation of a bank account). Fully replicable, the platform's various use cases may be applied in the banking, military, defence, government, healthcare, education, and e-commerce sectors. CORP Messenger: An enterprise software solution that facilitates digital exchange between companies in total security. The portal has been designed to allow companies to send, acquire, process and acknowledge documents (such as contracts, invoices, commercial offers, and shipping/delivery notices) via a centralized control interface accessible to both parties. The 2017 version incorporates several ready-to-use applications, including end-to-end invoice management (with triggered payments upon acceptance), contract management (with automatic signature and processing), and monitoring. Quick installation with easy integration, CORP Messenger facilitates both inter- and intra-company communication.

As part of the French Tech Tour, StreamMind will be visiting companies and financial institutions in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The tour will take place between the 12-17 November. About StreamMind: Since its creation, StreamMind has focused its thinking on responding to a clearly expressed need: think SOLUTION, reason SERVICE. This desire, linked to a culture of innovation, has inspired StreamMind to create universal tools, accessible to organizations of any sizes, and ultra-secure. The objective: to provide organizations with the secure, robust, and agile digital technology they need to meet any business challenge ahead. Today, StreamMind is a leading provider of state-of-the-art software and transactional solutions for businesses and financial organizations across all sectors. For further information, please contact us or visit our website: https://www.streammind.com/ About Business France: Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France's companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and runs the V.I.E international internship program. Business France has 1,500 personnel, both in France and in 70 countries throughout the world, who work with a network of public- and private-sector partners. For further information, please visit: http://www.businessfrance.fr and youbuyfrance.com.in. Company Contact:

Christina Langer

StreamMind,

Global Marketing and Communications Manager

Tel.: +33(0)1-56-92-39-59

E-mail: [email protected]



Media Contact:

Purva Marwaha

[email protected]

+91-11-43196306

Trade Officer, Business France



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[November 09, 2017] IIIT-Hyderabad Opens Research Admissions for PhD Programmes in CSE and ECE

HYDERABAD, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IIIT-Hyderabad announced the call for research applications for its PhD programs in CSE and ECE. The program is open to fresh graduates, individuals with work experience in R&D labs and industry, as well as those who have participated in research-oriented projects and published their work in a good-quality forum. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600789/IIIT_Hyderabad_Logo.jpg )

A B.Tech./B.E or M.Tech/M.E./MCA in Electronics / Electrical / Computer Science / Computer Engineering with a consistent and excellent academic record is one of the pre-requisites for applying for the program. IIIT-Hyderabad is keen on encouraging individuals who are passionate about cutting-edge research and are interested in transforming industry and society through new theory, technology or applications. Speaking about the program, Prof. P J Narayanan, Director, IIIT-Hyderabad said, "The PhD programs in ECE and CSE is ideal for research-oriented individuals who've been in the industry for 3-4 years, those who want to pursue higher studies, feel that a productive technical areer in the industry needs more specialisation, or even those who after a few years in the industry have realised that research is what they really want to do."



Some of the research areas include computer vision, language technology, robotics, computational natural science, algorithm, security, VLSI, AI/ML, data analytics, wireless communication like co-operative communication, next generation wireless communication etc. and information flow networks (network coding etc.) among others. The application process includes a written entrance test, followed by an interview. Exceptional candidates with a good track record may qualify directly for the interview. While 15th Nov is the deadline for an applicant to be considered for the exceptional candidate category, last date for general applications is 25th November 2017. More details at goo.gl/knk2Yc .

The institute will also be conducting an Open House on Monday, November 13 at 5:30 PM on the institute's various research centres and academic programs with a special focus on ongoing PhD ECE CSE admissions. About IIIT-Hyderabad:

The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) is an autonomous research university founded in 1998 that focuses on the core areas of Information Technology, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, and their applications in other domains through inter-disciplinary research that has a greater social impact. Some of its research domains include Visual Information Technologies, Human Language Technologies, Data Engineering, VLSI and Embedded Systems, Computer Architecture, Wireless Communications, Algorithms and Information Security, Robotics, Building Science, Earthquake Engineering, Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, Education Technologies, Power Systems, IT in Agriculture and e-Governance. For more information, please visit: http://www.iiit.ac.in Media Contact:

Sunory Dutt

[email protected]

+91-9676999540

IIIT-Hyderabad



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[November 09, 2017] JobTech 3Q Online Jobs Census Reveals 17.1% Sequential Increase in Singapore Human Resources Online Jobs

SINGAPORE, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- JobTech 3Q 2017 Online Jobs Census across 30 Singapore industry sectors shows a sequential quarterly growth of 17.1% in HR jobs as compared to JobTech's 2Q 2017 data. The overall number of HR jobs in 3Q 2017 stands at just over 1,200. The growth in hiring appetite for 3 consecutive quarters since 1Q 2017 reveals a general upturn in the HR sector, with the previous quarter seeing a sequential growth of 16.3%. Furthermore, JobTech has identified the most sought-after skills by employers hiring for HR roles in Singapore in 3Q 2017. MOST SOUGHT-AFTER SKILLS FROM ONLINE JOB POSTINGS IN THE SINGAPORE HR SECTOR ACROSS 30 SECTORS IN 3Q 2017







Rank HR Technical Skills % Share Of All Online HR Jobs

Rank HR Soft Skills % Share Of All Online HR Jobs 1 Recruitment 53.2%

1 Communication 65.2% 2 Payroll 30.1%

2 Interpersonal 46.7% 3 Liaison 19.8%

3 Meticulous 43.3% 4 Talent Management 11.5%

4 Independent 29.0% 5 SAP 11.2%

5 Team Player 26.1%

In general, across the entire HR sector, over 50% of jobs require candidates with proficiency in Talent Recruitment and over 30% of jobs require proficiency in Payroll. Additionally, nearly 20% of jobs require proficiency in Liaison (includes conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement). Additionally, a pattern of steady growth was observed amongst HR jobs requiring digital and data-related skills, with an average sequential quarterly growth of 18.6% observed across 3 quarters since 1Q 2017. This is faster than the sequential quarterly growth rate for the entire HR sector in Singapore. Amongst digital and data-related skills, the top 3 most sought-after skills in the HR sector are Statistics, Data Analytics and Forecasting. Additionally, the top 3 fastest growing digital and data-related skills in the HR sector between 1Q 2017 and 3Q 2017 are Tableau, R and Business Analytics. This suggests an increasing demand for digital and technology roles to analyse data in the HR sector.



According to Managing Director (APAC & Emerging Markets) for Alexander Mann Solutions, Mr. Caleb Baker, "JobTech's online jobs census provides HR professionals with a pulse on the talent market using a data-driven approach. Data Analytics is an increasingly important skillset within the HR function, and this enables HR to play a more strategic role at the boardroom level, and in driving business objectives. This is evident in the 3Q report which shows a growing demand for digital and data-related skills in the HR sector." JOBTECH'S 3Q ONLINE JOB CENSUS REVEALS TOP DIGITAL & DATA-RELATED SKILLS Most Sought-After Skills Fastest Growing Skills Statistics Tableau Data Analytics R Forecasting Business Analytics JobTech will continue to provide flash reports covering different sectors in Singapore, with a focus on highly sought-after skills and labour market trends. In this regard, JobTech is using its Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence capabilities to provide visibility and analysis of the online jobs market in Singapore to support companies and decision makers there. This is the 1st flash report generated specifically for the HR sector. For more information on the full version of JobTech Analytics Reports (Quarterly Sector Reports) and Real Time Analytics, please visit http://analytics.jobtech.sg/ About JobTech JobTech is Singapore's leading Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics technology startup that provides real-time labour market intelligence and optimized job matching tools. Our core technology took 10 years to build by top researchers at the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), a part of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). We apply the technology platform to provide complete and accurate visibility of online jobs market around the world. In Singapore, our technology tracks and analyses more than 90% of online jobs. Our customers include: financial institutions, government, recruiters, and consultancy firms. Our strong technology foundation allows us to be obsessed with powering the jobs economy. This means building products and solutions that reduce frictions in the job market and drive human resources productivity. SOURCE JobTech Pte Ltd

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[November 09, 2017]

New Sony Mobile flagship smartphones - Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact - include Qnovo adaptive battery charging technology

NEWARK, Calif., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Qnovo, the leading innovator of software to enhance battery performance, today disclosed that the newly announced Sony Mobile Communications (Sony Mobile)'s Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact smartphones include Qnovo's adaptive charging software.

With Qnovo's adaptive charging software, Sony Mobile continues to offer consumers with superior battery lifespan enabling Xperia owners to enjoy longer daily use as the battery ages.

"We are proud of our continued relationship with Sony Mobile and supporting the worldwide Xperia line of smartphones," said Nadim Maluf, Qnovo CEO. "Qnovo's adaptive charging software keeps your battery healthy for a much improved consumerexperience."







Qnovo adaptive charging software takes a unique, patented approach to battery charging by measuring battery health in real-time and continuously adjusting battery charging current. Intelligent management of the charging process enables mobile device manufacturers increased flexibility to improve all aspects of battery performance simultaneously, including longer lifespan, more daily use, faster charging and thinner devices. Qnovo technology operates on standard, un-modified lithium ion cells and optimizes battery performance throughout a mobile product's lifetime.

About Qnovo

Qnovo is reinventing one of the most basic foundations of energy storage and mobility  the battery and how it is charged. Qnovo develops innovative and patented adaptive charging algorithms and analytics that improve lifetime battery performance with enhanced safety. By augmenting battery chemistry with software, Qnovo enables batteries to charge faster, with more daily use and longer lifespan. Follow us on Twitter and our Blog.

Contact [email protected] for additional information.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-sony-mobile-flagship-smartphones---xperia-xz1-and-xz1-compact---include-qnovo-adaptive-battery-charging-technology-300552504.html

SOURCE Qnovo
[November 09, 2017] Follett, Trevlac Computer Services Ltd. Partner to Accelerate Entry of Aspen SIS into Ontario, Canada K-12 Market

MCHENRY, Ill., Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ -- Follett, which earlier this year announced it will enter the Ontario, Canada K-12 market with its Aspen Student Information System (SIS), revealed today it is partnering with Trevlac Computer Services Ltd., one of Canada's leading software development companies for schools and school districts. The partnership is a critical element of the development effort to localize Follett's Aspen for Ontario. As part of the agreement, Follett will be leveraging Trevlac's OnSIS solution to generate the appropriate files required for the Ontario provincial reporting system. Moreover, Trevlac staff will consult with the Aspen development team to expedite the process. "This allows us to accelerate our development effort to localize Aspen for Ontario," said Nader Qaimari, President, Follett School Solutins. "We know that Trevlac brings a wealth of experience and has a positive reputation in serving the Ontario education community. This is a great opportunity for Follett to gain incredible insight into the OnSIS reporting process, and to ensure compliance with all mandatory reporting requirements, which will be of utmost importance to our customers."



Since 1973, Trevlac has been providing computer services or software to schools across Canada and elsewhere in the world. Its software  including its release in June 2016 of the Trevlac Online Student Management (TOSM) system  is adaptable and customizable to any school environment, which allows users to "move with the times" without having to change products. An existing Windsor, Ontario-based customer applauds Trevlac for its ability to manage its data efficiently and effectively.

"We have been proud of our track record for completing OnSIS prior to the Ministry due dates," said Shelley Hudson, Information and Innovation Services Supervisor, Greater Essex County District School Board. "There are two reasons behind our success  first, dedicated staff and second, our Trevlac Student Management System. The Trevlac staff understands the requirements and works with the Ministry and our OnSIS team to deliver a streamlined system so all data submitted to OnSIS comes from one upload file." Aspen is a 21st century SIS that offers a mobile-friendly, one-stop application for teachers, administrators and school community. Aspen's features go well beyond the functionality of the legacy systems currently available to the Ontario community. "We look forward to assisting Follett to specifically tailor its Aspen product to the Ontario market using our expertise that has successfully assisted schools and Boards when using the OnSIS system," said Peter Calvert, President, Trevlac Computer Services Ltd. "We have been working with the Ontario Ministry of Education for many years, well before the inception of OnSIS, and we have participated in the OnSIS development." Since 2014, Aspen has powered the provincially hosted student information system known as MyEducation BC (video), serving more than 600,000 students and over 40,000 educators in British Columbia. For more information about Follett, visit follettlearning.com; for more about Trevlac Computer Services Ltd., visit www.trevlac.com. SOURCE Follett

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[November 09, 2017] Pall Partners with BioFactory Competence Center to Launch Practical Continuous Bioprocessing Courses Featuring Pall Life Sciences' Cadence Technologies; Dedicated Training Facility Planned

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pall Corporation, a global leader in filtration, purification and separation is pleased to partner with the BioFactory Competence Center (BCC) in Fribourg, Switzerland to launch new training courses in early 2018 focused on continuous bioprocessing advances. The courses will detail the state of the industry and the advantages and practical implications of transitioning from batch to semi- or fully-continuous bioprocess methodologies. Pall Life Sciences' Cadence platform technologies will be featured for hands-on training. Registration for standard sessions will be available through the BCC beginning in December and custom sessions are available upon request. "The BCC launched in January 2016 to deliver theoretical and practical biopharmaceutical industry training on everything from basic aseptic techniques to more detailed applications focused training from upstream to downstream processing, covering cell culture, cell separation, chromatography and concentration, comparing single-use vs. traditional approaches," stated Ian Marison, CEO and co-founder of the BCC. "As industry interest grows in the advantages of continuous bioprocessing, we felt it necessary to introduce specialized training for successfully navigating this next-generation of drug making." The upcoming courses will highlight key advantages of integrated continuous bioprocessing, and how best to leverage semi- or fully- continuous manufacturing technologies based on current resources and future goals. The practical sessions will feature Pall Life Sciences' process development scale technologies, including the Cadence Acoustic Separator for continuous clarification and separation, the Cadence BioSMB PD system for multi-column chromatography, and the Cadence Inline Concentrator for continuous concentration at various process steps.



"As drug manufacturers look to shift from batch to continuous processing for both small and large molecule drugs, information-sharing and continued education have become key drivers of advancement," said Peter Levison, Senior Marketing Director of Downstream Processing at Pall Corporation. "These unique training courses have been designed around real-life situations, with hands-on access to enabling technologies, and we are proud to support them." In addition to the new courses, plans exist to build a dedicated continuous bioprocessing facility in Fribourg for education on, and application of continuous bioprocessing technologies. The facility will also feature Pall Cadence platform technologies.

To learn more about BCC training programs, or to inquire about a custom-crafted session, please visit: www.bcc.ch To learn more about Pall Life Sciences continuous bioprocessing advances, please visit www.pall.com/biopharm, or email the team directly at [email protected]. You can find and follow the Pall Life Sciences biopharmaceutical division on social media here: LinkedIn  Twitter  YouTube About Pall Corporation

Pall Corporation is a filtration, separation and purification leader providing solutions to meet the critical fluid management needs of customers across the broad spectrum of life sciences and industry. Pall works with customers to advance health, safety and environmentally responsible technologies. The company's engineered products enable process and product innovation and minimize emissions and waste. Pall Corporation serves customers worldwide.

For more information, visit www.pall.com. Or follow us on social media: Google+ - YouTube - LinkedIn - Twitter - Facebook Corporate Media Contact

Pall Corporation

Mariann Kourafas

Director of Communications

+1-508-871-5469 Media Contact

White Matter Communications

Beth Willers

[email protected]

+1-415-905-0324 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pall-partners-with-biofactory-competence-center-to-launch-practical-continuous-bioprocessing-courses-featuring-pall-life-sciences-cadence-technologies-dedicated-training-facility-planned-300552717.html SOURCE Pall Corporation

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[November 09, 2017] Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Regular Dividend by Approximately 15%

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE) today announced that the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Board of Directors has declared a regular cash dividend of $0.075 per share on the company's common stock. This is an increase of approximately 15% from the prior dividend.

This dividend, the first in Hewlett Packard Enterprise's fiscal year 2018, is payable on or about January 3, 2018, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 13, 2017. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has approximately 1.596 billion shares of common stock outstanding. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an industry leading technology company that enables customers to go further, faster. With the industry's most comprehensive portfolio, spanning the cloud to the data center to workplace applications, our technology and services help customers around the world make IT more efficient, more productive and more secure.



Forward-looking statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Hewlett Packard Enterprise could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of Hewlett Packard Enterprise for future operations; other statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize as expected and other risks that are described in Hewlett Packard Enterprise's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risks described in Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Hewlett Packard Enterprise assumes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements. Editorial contact

Kate Holderness

[email protected]

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[November 09, 2017] OmniSeq Receives CAP Accreditation and Publishes Analytical Validation Paper

BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OmniSeq, Inc., a molecular diagnostics subsidiary of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, announced today that it received accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), meeting the highest standard in excellence in clinical laboratory practices. The company also announced the publication of its analytical validation of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) immune response assay in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.





The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the governments own inspection program. During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratorys records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management. CAP accreditation provides additional validation of the strength and robustness of our internal laboratory processes and procedures and is an important seal of quality, especially for our clinical and pharmaceutical customers, said Dr. Car Morrison, OmniSeqs founder, President and CSO. We are proud to align with LabCorp and other laboratories around the globe that support the CAP accreditation program.



OmniSeq offers a variety of next-generation sequencing assays approved by New York States Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (CLEP), including the companys Immune Report Card SM and OmniSeq Comprehensive SM clinical assays. In August, OmniSeq announced that it entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with LabCorp (NYSE:LH), a leading global life sciences company, for the distribution of its Immune Report Card SM and OmniSeq ComprehensiveSM clinical assays. Last month, the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics published the Analytical Validation of a Next-Generation Sequencing Assay to Monitor Immune Responses in Solid Tumors. The paper describes the multi-analyte NGS component of OmniSeqs Immune Report Card to quantify biomarkers of the host immune response in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens.

Jeffrey Conroy, OmniSeqs Senior Vice President of Technology Development and first author on the paper, said: We are pleased to publish this important analytical validation through the prestigious and influential Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Using a validated NGS and single analyte approach, OmniSeqs Immune Report Card provides clinicians with a comprehensive characterization of the immunological tumor microenvironment to guide therapeutic selection for patients with solid tumor cancers. The paper can be found at the following link: http://jmd.amjpathol.org/article/S1525-1578(17)30363-X/fulltext To learn more about Immune Report Card or OmniSeq Comprehensive, call 1-800-781-1259 or visit www.omniseq.com. About OmniSeq

OmniSeq, an innovation of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, is a molecular diagnostic laboratory based in Buffalo, New York. OmniSeq endeavors to find the right drug or the right trial for every patient by improving access to better cancer treatment options through molecular profiling. OmniSeq offers two NGS-based assays: Immune Report CardSM and OmniSeq ComprehensiveSM. OmniSeq is proud to partner with academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies to support immuno-oncology diagnostics. For more information, call 1-800-781-1259 or visit www.omniseq.com. About the College of American Pathologists

As the worlds largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP Annual Report at cap.org. Contact Information:

Matt Klusas

Chief Commercial Officer

Office: +1.716.898.8684

[email protected]

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[November 09, 2017] HRdownloads Reinvents Its Platform to Accelerate the Use of HR Tech

LONDON, ON, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - As technology has rapidly enhanced most aspects of our personal lives, it has also altered the workplace. Employees and business leaders increasingly value HR activities that keep pace with their flexible and mobile lifestyles. HRdownloads has released the newest product in their turnkey HR platform, which offers businesses an alternative to traditional HRIS systems. The latest addition is HRdrive, a cloud-based HR solution for employee management, which was fully developed in-house, and designed for full integration with HRdownloads' existing online employee training, online surveys, and policy manual and job description software applications. HRdrive equips organizations with the ability to create, deliver, and maage their HR content using mobile solutions like electronic document delivery, electronic signatures, and on-the-go access for employees to complete HR tasks from any device, anywhere. Adopting these digital HR tools will allow businesses to streamline their HR processes, and improve employee experience by increasing time for employee interactions. HRdrive is designed to be user-friendly and easily implemented by any size of business, from micro-businesses all the way up to large enterprises, looking to make the move to paperless and digital HR.



"Canadian workplaces are always evolving, and so are we," says Anthony Boyle, CEO and President of HRdownloads. "We understand that there often aren't enough hours in a day for many business leaders and HR professionals, so HRdrive was designed to help streamline HR processes for both managers and employees. We want to help businesses take their HR anywhere, whether that is literally on a commute, at the cottage, or from a home office. We also want to help organizations steer their HR into the strategic direction they wish to go." HRdrive aims to facilitate participation in HR activities at all levels across an organization. By helping HR administration become more efficient, business leaders and HR professionals can more easily plan, measure, and improve their HR strategies while attracting and retaining top talent.

Key features of HRdrive include: Electronic document delivery and signatures

Mobile scheduling, task reminders, and data storage

Fully customizable employee profiles for easy electronic file management

Real-time reporting on areas like employee engagement, turnover, and diversity About HRdownloads:

HRdownloads was founded in London, Ontario in 2008, and since then has become a leader in practical human resources solutions for business owners and HR professionals. Today, HRdownloads delivers complete bilingual support in every jurisdiction, across multiple industries, to thousands of Canadian organizations. Through time-saving HR tech solutions, they provide documentation, live HR support, surveys, and online training to streamline HR processes. SOURCE HRdownloads

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[November 09, 2017] Global Whole Slide Imaging Market - Growth, Trends & Forecasts to 2022 - Research and Markets

The "Global Whole Slide Imaging Market - Growth, Trends & Forecasts 2017 - 2022" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering. Whole slide imaging (WSI (News - Alert)) or virtual microscopy enables slide digitization and is defined as the process by which a digital image of an entire glass slide is acquired, producing a digital slide. The number of studies evaluating WSI in consultation models is small; however, available data is encouraging. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved the use of WSI systems for H&E diagnosis, although some of WSI companies have already initiated the approval process. The Digital Pathology Association suggested that the manufacturers interested in marketing whole slide imaging devices should submit de-novo applications to the Food and Drug Administration. Many manufacturing companies are also looking for opportunities in different market economies, like Europe and Canada, where the policies are not stringent and are better integrated. In Southern Sweden, the whole slide system iswidely used for primary diagnosis. The WSI telepathology program at University Health Network (UHN) in Canada has recently been expanded to provide primary frozen-section support, without incident, to a hospital 400 miles north of Toronto, where there is no on-site pathologist.



In recent years, improvements in computing power have reduced scanning times to 2-6 minutes depending on the size of the section. The Hamamatsu NanoZoomer 2.0-HT has reduced the time for scanning slides to approximately 1 minute, while the Aperio ScanScope AT pathology slide scanner can process about 31 slides per hour in its single-button automated mode. The Olympus VS120 x40 objective lens system recently won the best image award (0.16 m/pixel) in the resolution category. Several commercial virtual microscopy companies have developed software for virtual microscopy of tissue microarrays, which have become increasingly popular in diagnostic studies in the recent years. Companies Mentioned:

Olympus Corporation

Philips (News - Alert) Healthcare

Definiens AG

Digipath Inc

Leica Microsystems

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

Mikroscan Technologies

Visiopharm A/S

3DHISTECH Ltd.

Omnyx LLC Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Key Inferences 5. Market Characterization 6. Argentina 7. Others 8. Company Profiles 9. Future Outlook For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/thg3mj/global_whole View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005734/en/

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[November 09, 2017] Springfield High School & Junior High Awarded EPA Energy Star Building Label for Efficiency

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Springfield High School & Junior High with the Energy Star Building Label, representing the school's achievement in placing among the most energy efficient K-12 school facilities in the United States and making it the only K-12 building in Summit County to have earned the distinction to date for 2017. Representatives from GARDINER, the district's partner in identifying and implementing energy conservation strategies, were on hand to present district Business Manager Dustin Boswell and Maintenance Supervisor Mike Smith with the Award. "When we opened this facility in 2014, our promise to the community was to be as efficient as we could with the operating dollars that we had," said Boswell. "Although the building was new, we identified early on that we weren't getting the most from our new systems. The Energy Star award really symbolizes that we've stayed committed to that promise for our students and the community." "Anything we can do to make the environment better for students and save money at the same time, is a win-win. The superintendent and the board have really been supportive on this effort," added Smith. "It's great recognition for the distrct."



EPA's Energy Star energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA's 1-100 scale may be eligible for Energy Star certification. Springfield High School & Junior High has moved from a score of 69 a year ago to an 86 today, earning the Award. The GARDINER and Springfield teams worked closely together to identify both mechanical and control improvements, with Springfield's Smith and Gardiner's Nate Smik being particularly critical to the effort. "The approach that GARDINER took was unique," said Boswell. "It was very customized and collaborative with our staff. We identified specific issues with our building and how we could operate it better and saw things improve in a gradual, systematic way."

"Dustin, Mike and the whole team were really committed to the program, working to improve both the learning environment for the teachers and students, as well as their energy efficiency," said Smik, an Energy Engineer with Gardiner. "The Energy Star Buildings label really illustrates for the community what Springfield Local Schools has been doing for a couple years now to save the district thousands of dollars while improving comfort in that facility." About GARDINER

GARDINER is a full service HVAC, energy services and professional building services company serving Northern Ohio's commercial, industrial and institutional facilities, engineers and contractors since 1962. More than 2,500 clients in Northern Ohio trust GARDINER to solve their building comfort, reliability, energy, facilities planning, and project funding challenges. To learn more call 440-248-3400 or visit, www.whgardiner.com. Media contact:

Dan Babic

[email protected]

440-248-3400 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/springfield-high-school--junior-high-awarded-epa-energy-star-building-label-for-efficiency-300552030.html SOURCE GARDINER

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[November 09, 2017] Delphix Ranked Number 210th Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delphix, the company that has changed the dynamics of managing and consuming data, today announced it ranked 210th on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Delphix grew nearly 500% percent during this period.

Delphixs chief executive officer, Chris Cook, credits the dramatic revenue growth to the unique capabilities of the Delphix Dynamic Data Platform and the ability to boost application acceleration times by well over 100x to fuel continuous innovation. Were honored to again be named to Deloittes Technology Fast 500 list, a credit to the people and teams at Delphix who work hard everyday to solve data friction challenges for some of the most important brands in the world, Cook said. The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment, said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers. Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this years North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot forthe capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment, said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLPs emerging growth company practice. Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this years Fast 500 winners.



Delphix previously ranked 64th as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2016, and 53rd in 2015. Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 135 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 380 percent.

To learn more about Delphix, visit www.delphix.com. About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. About Delphix

Delphix's mission is to free companies from data friction and accelerate innovation. Fortune 100 companies use the Delphix Dynamic Data Platform to connect, virtualize, secure and manage data in the cloud and in on-premise environments. For more information visit www.delphix.com CONTACT: Alex Plant / [email protected]

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[November 09, 2017] Toast Ranked Third Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

BOSTON, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toast, the all-in-one restaurant technology platform and one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the U.S., announces it ranked third on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy technology companies in North America. This is the Companys first year on the prestigious list.

Toast accepts award for being the third fastest growing company in North America on the Deloitte 2017 Technology Fast 500



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/319d8f02-bb41-4e49-9641-52b14d4b0cef Were experiencing yet another exceptional year at Toast, all thanks to our loyal customers, employees, partners and investors, said Chris Comparato, CEO of Toast. Our team is thrilled to be recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. and will continue to deliver on our promise to be obsessed with customer success. Without our restaurant clients and industry-leading team, we could not have been ranked third on Deloittes Technology Fast 500. In addition to its Deloitte 2017 Technology Fast 500 listing,Toast saw the following in 2017:



Expanded its Boston headquarters, opened a Dublin-based office in October, and set plans to establish a new business operations center in Omaha, Nebraska beginning in early 2018;

Announced raising over $100 million as part of its Series C financing;

Added SynergySuite, YellowDog, Harri, PeachWorks, and more to its best-in-class partner ecosystem, the Toast API Partner Program;

Graduated from the Forbes 2016 Cloud 100: Rising Stars list to the Forbes 2017 Cloud 100, the definitive list of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world; and,

Revealed its third annual Toast Restaurant Technology in 2017 Industry Report. Toast offers advanced functionality to manage day-to-day operations of the restaurant, including quick menu modifications, real-time enterprise reporting and labor management on an easy-to-use interface. The Toast Restaurant POS features include revenue-driving tools such as physical and digital gift cards, loyalty programs and online ordering. About Toast

Founded by Steve Fredette, Aman Narang and Jonathan Grimm, Toast is a restaurant technology platform that enables customers to simplify and streamline all elements of their operation and deliver a better guest experience. Toast offers a mobile, cloud-based point of sale system (POS) that easily integrates with front-of-house, back-of-house, online ordering, gift card and loyalty programs, as well as labor and sales reporting. Since launching in 2013, the company has grown to over 500 employees. In 2017, Toast was named one of the worlds hottest cloud computing companies in the Forbes Cloud 100 and it announced raising over $100 million as part of its Series C financing. Learn more at www.toasttab.com.

About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. Contact:

Karen DeVincent

PR and Branding Manager

[email protected]

857-301-6074

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[November 09, 2017] TransAct Energy Introduces Z.E.W.O.P. to International Waste Optimization Conference in Brazil

SAN ANTONIO, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TransAct Energy Corp (OTC: TEGY) announced today that they were a presenter at the International Conference on Proper Disposal of Urban Solid Waste ("Seminario Internacional Destinacao Adequada dos Residuuos Solidos Urbanos") on November 6th, 2017 at the OAB/DF (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil Seccional Distrito Federal) Headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil. The Conference was focused primarily on the rapidly growing problem of urban waste, including innovative solutions to combat the issue. Brazil is the largest country, by population, in South America, and it is recognized for being a newly industrialized nation that has taken a lead in environmentally friendly initiatives. With a large population and rapidly expanding industrialization, waste optimization strategies are being lauded as an alternative to the use of traditional landfills. The 2016 Summer Olympic Games were held in Rio, Brazil, with the primary themes being sustainability and environmental protection. "We are honored that TransAct Energy was asked to speak at the Conference, specifically regarding our zero-emissions waste optimization plant (Z.E.W.O.P.[TM] ) as the solution to the global epidemic of urban waste. Brazil and the city of Brasilia are both regionally and globally recognzed as leaders in the international commitment to waste optimization," said TransAct Energy President & CEO, Rod Bartlett. "Our South American team has developed an excellent working relationship with the Brazilian government at all levels, and we recognize the unique opportunity that Brazil represents to our Company."



About TransAct Energy Corp. TransAct Energy Corp. is a Nevada organized company that owns proprietary technology called Zero Emissions Waste Optimization Plants (Z.E.W.O.P[TM]) which takes Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and produces multiple products without any residuals returning to the environment. These by-products include 18 different product streams including potable water, fuels, heavy metals, scrap metals, aluminum, glass, waxes, sugars and carbon which may be resold back into the marketplace at a profit. The Company intends to develop its ZEWOP[TM] technology in conjunction with municipalities globally who are facing waste-management growth while trying to alleviate environmental impacts. Please visit http://transactenergycorp.com for more information or follow us on twitter at [email protected] .

Safe Harbor This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified using forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipate," "optimistic," "intend," "will" or other similar expressions. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov . All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Phone +1-210-888-0785

[email protected]



SOURCE TransAct Energy Corp

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[November 09, 2017] Esri Provides Mapping Technology for Students to Assess Hurricane Damage

Esri, the world leader in spatial analytics, today announced it is providing its ArcGIS platform, along with high-resolution imagery from the Vexcel Corporation, to students so they can use it to identify and assess buildings in Puerto Rico that were damaged by Hurricane Maria. Obtaining high-quality, accurate imagery is a crucial step in understanding the severity of damage since ground-level access is often difficult or impossible in affected areas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005802/en/ Esri today announced it is providing its ArcGIS platform, along with high-resolution imagery from the Vexcel Corporation, to students so they can use it to identify and assess buildings in Puerto Rico that were damaged by Hurricane Maria. (Photo: Business Wire) Esri created a powerful web application that lets students easily compare pre- and post-hurricane imagery as well as utilize tools to flag buildings. The imagery was captured right after the hurricane, which makes it easy to identify damage. This mapping tool allows the extent of damage to be assessed so students can assist in surveying and learn about disaster relief efforts. "The Hurricane Maria Mappig Project was an excellent opportunity for students to contribute to a citizen science project that has real-world impacts and incredible importance to the people of Puerto Rico," said Dr. Jim Makinster, Hobart and William Smith Colleges. "I appreciated the way in which the mapping tool enabled them to both see the ways in which the hurricane impacted the homes and lives of people while, at the same time, learning how this tool and data can be used to inform local and territorial governments, emergency management teams, relief organizations, and other efforts."



Students who took part in the effort included those from K-12 and up to university level. Data was contributed by K-12 students from Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) initiative-supported schools in Arkansas, the University of Central Florida, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Central Arkansas. "Hurricanes are always devastating to communities, and Esri is committed to applying our technology toward helping rebuild in the wake of a disaster like Hurricane Maria," said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president. "Part of this effort is not only to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico have the best possible location intelligence about where damage occurred but also to educate the next generation of geographic scientists who can lend their talents to the field of disaster relief."

The next step of this project will be to use the contributed data from students and statistically analyze it to refine the results. After some additional reviews by experts, Esri will make this layer of information publicly available so organizations can use it to help with continuing recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. To learn more about how Esri uses The Science of Where to assist communities before, during, and after a disaster, visit go.esri.com/disaster_pr. About Esri Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, offers the most powerful mapping and spatial analytics technology available. Since 1969, Esri has helped customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Today, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations including the world's largest cities, most national governments, 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri engineers the most advanced solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and location analytics to inform the most authoritative maps in the world. Visit us at esri.com. Copyright  2017 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, The Science of Where, ArcGIS, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109005802/en/

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[November 09, 2017] TraceLink Ranked #177 Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

NORTH READING, Mass., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceLink Inc., the World's Largest Track and Trace Network for connecting the life sciences supply chain and providing real-time information sharing for better patient outcomes, today announced it ranked #177 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. This is the third consecutive year that TraceLink has been recognized by Deloitte as one of the fastest growing U.S. technology companies. TraceLink, which achieved 611 percent growth from 2013 to 2016, is the #6 fastest growing software company headquartered in Massachusetts and the #13 fastest growing company overall in the state, to be ranked on the 2017 Deloitte Technology Fast 500. As the pharmaceutical supply chain races to comply with global track and trace regulations and companies look for long-term strategies to optimize the value from their significant drug serialization investments, more than 700 companies turn to TraceLink, the industry's largest track and trace network connecting over 260,000 trading partners, to provide global connectivity, visibility, and traceability of pharmaceutical products. TraceLink's President and Chief Executive Officer, Shabbir Dahod, attributes the 611 percent revenue growth to the Company's enduring market leadership and its unique, differentiated software solution, as well as the industry's critical need for TraceLink's expansive, interoperable network. "We are honored to be named as one of the nation's fastest growing companies for the third year in a row. This recognition further exemplifies TraceLink's prominence as the leading solution provider for the pharmaceutical supply chain and our ability to consistently listen to our customers and deliver on their needs." "The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers." "Emerging growth companies are powering inovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year's North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment," said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP's emerging growth company practice. "Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year's Fast 500 winners."



Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 137 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 378 percent. About Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. About TraceLink TraceLink is the World's Largest Track and Trace Network for connecting the Life Sciences supply chain and eliminating counterfeit prescription drugs from the global marketplace. Leading businesses trust the TraceLink Life Sciences Cloud to deliver complete global connectivity, visibility and traceability of pharmaceuticals from ingredient to patient. A single point and click connection to the Life Sciences Cloud creates a supply chain control tower that delivers the information, insight and collaboration needed to improve performance and reduce risk across global supply, manufacturing and distribution operations. A winner of numerous industry awards including Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 (ranked number 177 in 2017), the Amazon AWS Global Start-Up Challenge Grand Prize, and the Edison Award for Innovation in Health Management, the Life Sciences Cloud is used by businesses across the globe to meet strategic goals in ensuring global compliance, fighting drug counterfeiting, improving on-time and in-full delivery, protecting product quality and reducing operational cost. For more information on TraceLink and our solutions, visit www.tracelink.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. TraceLink is funded by Goldman Sachs, FirstMark Capital, Volition Capital and F-Prime Capital. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tracelink-ranked-177-fastest-growing-company-in-north-america-on-deloittes-2017-technology-fast-500-300552959.html SOURCE TraceLink

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Wisconsins two-year UW Colleges are set to become branch campuses of nearby four-year universities by the start of the 2018 school year after the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved a sweeping and controversial reorganization of the schools Thursday.

The Regents backed the proposal from System President Ray Cross over concerns from former UW Colleges officials, student and faculty groups, Democratic lawmakers and two board members that it lacks key details and was made with minimal input from those affected by the mergers.

Cross and the plans supporters say it will change the unsustainable structure of the UW Colleges while ensuring the predominantly rural communities those institutions serve still have access to local higher education.

A motion to move forward with planning for the reorganization, which would also shift the functions of UW-Extension under UW-Madison and central System administration, was approved on a voice vote during Thursdays Regents meeting in Madison.

Although the mergers would unfold on an aggressive timeline  they are set to take effect July 1  Regents noted that Cross will return to the board at each of its next six meetings to provide updates on the implementation process.

A vote to merge is not the end, its the start of hard work, said Regent Bryan Steil, who voted in favor of the plan.

State Superintendent Tony Evers, a Democrat who is running for governor, and Regent Janice Mueller voted against the proposal.

Mueller, a former state auditor, asked to delay a vote on the plan until the Regents December meeting to give board members more time to understand the proposal and hear specifics about its potential financial impact on the UW System.

UW leaders have said the proposal would result in savings, but did not provide the board with estimates for how the reorganization of Colleges and Extension  institutions with combined annual operating budgets of nearly $300 million  would affect the Systems bottom line.

And while Cross acknowledged Thursday that the changes would result in job losses over time as campuses consolidate administration and other services, he has not said how many positions would be cut.

Very little detail

We have to be deliberative, and I dont know if weve had enough time to really study this proposal, Mueller said. Theres very little detail in the proposal; theres nothing in terms of revenues or expenses.

Muellers concerns mirror some of those raised by the plans critics, who have questioned the fast pace of the proposed mergers.

Cross presented the question before the Regents on Thursday as a choice between his proposal and less palatable alternatives, such as merging the UW Colleges with technical schools, or keeping their structure the same and eventually being forced by deficits and declining enrollment to close colleges.

Closing campuses would violate one of our core principles: Our commitment to provide quality higher education that is accessible and affordable no matter where you live in Wisconsin, Cross said. Our presence in these communities has never been more important  we need them and they need us.

The plan, which Cross announced last month, partners each of the 13 two-year UW Colleges with one of seven four-year universities. UW-Rock County, for instance, would become a branch campus of nearby UW-Whitewater.

Students attending the two-year schools would continue to pay their substantially less expensive tuition.

The System will now put together a steering committee to oversee the merger process, though Cross said many details will be worked out at individual campuses in consultation with students, faculty and staff.

Representatives for those groups have complained that Cross did not involve them when he developed the proposal.

The Regents heard more than an hour of testimony at Thursdays meeting from student and faculty groups, business leaders and UW System chancellors, many of whom supported the plan.

Cross lists benefits

Cross has argued the move will strengthen the pipeline into the four-year schools, make it easier for students to transfer and result in greater educational opportunities at the two-year campuses.

He acknowledged that the proposal was not a fully developed plan with all the details worked out, but said the time had come to put Colleges and Extension on a more sustainable path.

We could continue to study this for months or even years before coming to a decision, Cross said. But the challenges we face will not change.
[November 09, 2017] ScientiaMobile Study Shows Apple iPhone 6S Still World's Most Used Smartphone in Q3 2017

RESTON, Va., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ScientiaMobile releases new global study of mobile data usage called the Mobile Overview Report (MOVR) finding that after three quarters and many recent smartphone launches, the Apple iPhone 6S remains the most used smartphone in the world.

Apple iPhone 8, 8Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ Launch



Apple iPhone 8 Launch Trends and Most Used Apple iPhone Models in 2017 Q3







According to ScientiaMobile, 7.53% of the worlds smartphone usage is made up of Apple iPhone 6S, more than any other smartphone. ScientiaMobiles MOVR finds that the Apple iPhone 6S is also the most used smartphone in almost every continent except for South America and Africa, which had the Samsung Galaxy J5 and Apple iPhone 6 as the most used, respectively. The most significant share of usage is found to be in Oceania (13%) and North America (10%). For more details, please visit ScientiaMobiles MOVR Infographic. Apple iPhone 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8 Launches

ScientiaMobile compared usage during the first 39 days after the launch of the flagship smartphones of Apple and Samsung. The Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus had a slightly faster penetration than the Samsung Galaxy 8 and 8+. At the end of October 2017, the Apple iPhone 8 Plus had 0.64% market share and the Apple iPhone 8 had 0.42% share of global smartphone usage. In contrast, the first 39 days of the Samsung launches proved less successful, with the Samsung Galaxy S8 generating 0.40% and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ holding 0.38% of global smartphone usage.



ScientiaMobiles data suggests that the Apple iPhone 8 versions appear on track to outpace the Samsung Galaxy S8 versions in the long run. Even though the Samsung smartphones started selling in April 2017, their market share by end of October 2017 (6 months) was similar to the newly launched Apple smartphones that had been out for only 39 days. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cdef2866-71b1-4730-9cb0-86a9fc112ac8 iPhone 8 Launch, Most Used iPhone Models

ScientiaMobile compared usage data for all Apple iPhone models over the last quarter. The Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus started to arrive in the market in late September 2017. The Apple iPhone 6S continues to be the most popular smartphone in the world, with 7.53% of all smartphone usage. The Apple iPhone 7 is the second most used (7.19%).

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b5bc568-88f9-4ebe-b7b4-693baee90519 About ScientiaMobile

ScientiaMobile provides ImageEngine, the worlds most advanced device-aware image-resizing CDN. It resizes images for mobile devices and delivers them fast. It improves customer experiences and performance by reducing payload. ScientiaMobile also sells WURFL, a constantly-updated repository that catalogues thousands of devices and their capabilities with 99% accuracy and is available in many API languages. Its customers include Google and Facebook. Contact Information:

Bethany Libus

[email protected]

Direct: 703-310-6650 Ext. 118

ScientiaMobile HQ

11180 Sunrise Valley Drive

Suite 220

Reston, VA 20191

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[November 09, 2017]

Bell joins all Canadians in honouring those who serve our country

Bell True Patriot Love Fund 2017 recipients announced

Canadian veterans and reservists finding career opportunities with the Bell team

Poppy, Bell's iconic Remembrance Day television spot airs through November 11

MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell is proud to join with Canadians everywhere as we honour our veterans and prepare to observe Remembrance Day.

"On November 11, Bell will remember all who have served our country in times of war and peace, including the thousands of Bell employees from across Canada who volunteered  227 of whom gave their lives for our country," said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada. "As we honour their memory, we're proud to support today's serving men and women, veterans and their families in partnership with True Patriot Love and Hire a Veteran."

The Bell True Patriot Love Fund

Launched in 2013 as a 4-year $1-million partnership between the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative and the True Patriot Love Foundation, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund was renewed for another 4 years and $1 million in 2016. The fund has so far provided 70 grants to support mental health programs delivered through Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs), veterans' groups and mental health organizations across Canada, making a difference in the lives of more than 1,000 families.

"The mental health needs of service members, veterans and their families are often complicated by the challenges of military life, and the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is designed to support programs that recognize and respond to that reality," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "We congratulate all of this year's grant recipients on their commitment to supporting those who have done so much for our country."

Bell Let's Talk and the True Patriot Love Foundation are pleased to announce this year's grant recipients:









4 Wing MFRC

Legacy Place Society

Mainland BC MFRC

Mood Disorders Society of Canada

Moose Jaw MFRC

National Service Dogs Prince's Operation Entrepreneur

Roots of Empathy

St. John's MFRC

Perley Rideau Veteran's Health Centre

Veterans' Transition Network

Wounded Warriors Canada



"True Patriot Love thanks Bell for its long-term commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of Canadian military families," said Bronwen Evans, CEO of the True Patriot Love Foundation. "Together, we are able to provide access to critical programs and services for those brave individuals who help keep this country strong and free."

Honoured guest: Gunner Norman Cash

World War II veteran Norman Cash, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion General Wingate Branch, will be joining other veterans, community and corporate leaders, members of the military and their families from across Canada tonight in Toronto at the 9th Annual True Patriot Love Tribute Dinner presented by Bell.

Mr. Cash, 98, is featured in Bell's Remembrance Day television spot Poppy, which tells the story of a young girl  played by Ella Querin  learning the significance of the poppies she sees around her at this time of year. During the course of her journey, she encounters retired Captain Aida Gabriel, a veteran of Bosnia and Afghanistan, and Mr. Cash, who as an artillery gunner took part in the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland.

Veterans and the Bell team

Working with Canada Company's Military Employment Transition (MET) program, Bell continues to grow and enhance our workforce with the valuable skills and experience of military veterans, reservists, and their spouses.

To date, Bell has welcomed 225 veterans, reservists and their spouses to our team across the country, including Naval Cadet Melissa McCorriston, who serves with HMCS York, and is also a guest at tonight's True Patriot Love Dinner.

100th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge

Bell was proud to participate in the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge this year through its support for the Vimy Foundation and the new Vimy Education Centre, which opened April 8, 2017. Bell has a special link to the Vimy Monument, on which are inscribed the names of the more than 11,000 Canadians with no known graves.

Of the 109 employees of Bell (including from Bell Canada, MTS, MT&T and NBTel) who died during World War I, 7 died during the Vimy battle, and a total of 16 with no known graves are named on the Vimy Monument itself.

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communication services from Bell Canada, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home, and digital media. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day, and provides significant Bell funding of mental health care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

2017 Bell True Patriot Love Fund Grant Recipients

4 Wing MFRC (AB)

Suicide intervention skills training for frontline workers and community members.

Legacy Place Society (AB)

Short term housing for military personnel receiving mental health assistance and support during a family crisis.

Mainland BC MFRC

Surviving Sorrow project for mothers of fallen soldiers.

Mood Disorders Society of Canada (National)

Trauma support program for military personnel.

Moose Jaw MFRC

Resilience training to help military families manage with the challenges of military life, transitioning to civilian life and operation stress injuries.

National Service Dogs (ON and Western Canada)

Service dogs for military veterans with PTSD.

Prince's Operation Entrepreneur (QC/NS/NL/SK)

Mental health training for business boot camp volunteers.

Roots of Empathy (Atlantic Canada)

Training for MFRC staff to deliver Roots of Empathy program in schools with children from military families.

St. John's MFRC

Equine facilitated treatment program to strengthen resilience and enhance coping and communication skills for military families.

The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre (ON)

Recreation and Creative Arts program for veterans.

Veterans Transition Network (QC/ON)

A program to help military members and veterans overcome barriers to transition into civilian life.

Wounded Warriors Canada COPE Program (ON)

A program to give hope to couples struggling with PTSD.

Media inquiries:

Jacqueline Michelis

613-785-1427

[email protected]

@Bell_News

SOURCE Bell Canada
[November 09, 2017] Bell, Huawei and BeWhere bring new Internet of Things solution to Ontario winery

Pilot project with Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery an important step forward in developing IoT smart technology solutions for agriculture PELHAM, ON, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced it has partnered with BeWhere Technologies and Huawei to implement an automated Internet of Things (IoT) solution for the Henry of Pelham vineyard to help improve planning and sustainability programs. The announcement took place this morning with the three partners, alongside Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who highlighted the partnership ahead of her trade mission to China. "Ontario's technology sector is leading the way when it comes to developing solutions that can promote sustainability, grow our economy and create opportunities for our people," said Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario. "This new IoT pilot shows the innovation that can be achieved when internationally recognized companies like Huawei partner with world-class Ontario businesses like Bell Mobility, BeWhere and Henry of Pelham and leverage the incredible talent of our province's highly skilled workers." By using wireless environmental sensors connected to Bell's LTE-M wireless network, the winery will be able to remotely monitor temperature and water levels, prevent vine disease, and ultimately improve the health of its plants, lowering operating costs and providing for years of maintenance-free data gathering. "Unexpected adverse weather conditions can impact quality, yield and mortality of our crops," said Matthew Speck, Owner/Viticulturist of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery. "Bell's solution will increase the density of our environmental monitoring. We'll be able to automatically act on temperature inversions by turning on fans when temperatures change, ensuring the health of our grapes and an optimal product for our customers. The solution is not only economical and scalable, it gives growers a good view of the vines' temperature needs to improve quality and drive sustainability." "Bell's leadership in LTE-M wireless technology and in the IoT space is a result of our continued investment and innovation in broadband communications networks and services," said Claire Gillies, Vice President, Bell Mobility. "The LTE-M network enables smart sensors to collect and send data over a wider range and with much better battery life  a perfect fit for Henry of Pelham, wineries and growers across the country and many other industries."



In June, Bell announced it will launch an LTE-M (Long Term Evolution, category M1) wireless network in 2018 to support the rapidly increasing use of IoT devices on low-power, wide-area networks (LPWANs) in Canada. LTE-M improves the operating efficiency of IoT devices by enabling very low power consumption and better coverage in underground and other hard-to-reach locations. In partnership with Huawei, Bell has successfully demonstrated these benefits in its Mississauga wireless innovation lab and in network field trials.

"This project represents the best of what we can achieve when working with our long-term partner Bell and emerging Canadian IoT companies like BeWhere," said Steve Lu, President of Huawei Canada. "We are excited about the future of IoT and the benefits that smart agriculture solutions will bring to farms and vineyards across the country." "Bell's LTE-M network combined with BeWhere's environmental sensors and cloud-based applications will provide Henry of Pelham with a perfect solution to help them do what they do best  produce fine wines," said Owen Moore, CEO of BeWhere. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Bell, Huawei and Henry of Pelham on this project." LTE-M will support a broad range of large-scale IoT solutions, including smart city services, smart metering, home automation, weather and environmental monitoring, asset tracking, supply chain management, security monitoring, transportation and logistics, as well as personal wearables for healthcare and accessibility applications. About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing broadband wireless, TV, Internet and to consumers and business customers. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home and digital media. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day, and provides significant Bell funding of mental health care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk About BeWhere

BeWhere (TSXV: BEW) (OTCQB: BEWFF) is an Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) solutions company that designs and manufacturers hardware with sensors and software applications to track real-time information on movable assets. The company develops mobile applications, middle-ware and cloud based solutions that stand-alone or that can be readily integrated with existing software. Its solutions enable end-users a level of operational visibility that is more easily accessible and significantly easier to implement than in the past. www.facebook.com/bewhereinc/; www.linkedin.com/company/bewhere-inc- About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Huawei's 177,000 employees worldwide are committed to developing innovative products that support operator, enterprise and consumer customers around the world. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees, and has been named by Interbrand as one of the world's top 100 brands  the first Chinese company to receive this recognition. Huawei Canada has been in operation since 2008, and now employs over 700 people in Canada. Huawei's innovative wireless products and services support many of Canada's leading telecommunications companies, and the Huawei Canada Research Centre is a national leader in advanced communications research, including 5G. Huawei is proud to be a key part of Canada's ICT Ecosystem, and is recognized as one of the Top 30 investors in research & development. Media inquiries:

Nathan Gibson

Bell Canada

905-614-9596

[email protected]

@Bell_News Scott Bradley

Huawei Canada

613-558-5333

[email protected] Brian Boychuk

BeWhere

416-272-1268

[email protected] Bell investor inquiries:

Thane Fotopoulos

514-870-4619

[email protected] SOURCE Bell Canada

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[November 09, 2017] Green House Data Acquires Ajubeo: National Provider of Cloud Hosting and Colocation Services Expands Infrastructure as a Service Offering to Denver

CHEYENNE, Wyo. and DENVER, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green House Data, a leader in cloud hosting, colocation, hybrid IT, and managed services today announced the acquisition of Ajubeo, a Denver-based provider of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), including public, private, and hybrid cloud products. The Ajubeo customer list includes a strong presence in the Rocky Mountain region, as well as well-known international brands.

We are continuing to execute on our aggressive growth strategy through strategic acquisition as well as new logo growth, said Green House Data President and CEO Shawn Mills. Were now even better positioned to serve the Denver and other Front Range companies with high-touch, customer-focused cloud solutions while adding another edge location option for our existing customers. Ajubeo was founded in 2011 by two technology industry veterans who saw a market opportunity to deliver cloud infrastructure to CIOs in large enterprise organizations. The company grew rapidly and expanded the customer portfolio across multiple geographies and industries. Legacy Ajubeo clients can expectimproved customer experience, increased product variety, and more options for geographic resiliency and targeted service delivery, said Green House Data Chief Information Officer Cortney Thompson. In addition, our newly launched SpotLITE engagement for compliance and security-focused enterprises should add another layer of value.



The acquisition is the second M&A activity this year for Green House Data, which expanded to Atlanta and Dallas after acquiring Cirracore in April of 2017. In May, the company announced a 16M credit facility financed by Post Road group and an equity raise. Along with growth via acquisition, Green House Data has invested in new facilities, cloud deployments, and personnel to expand services throughout the United States. Founded in 2007, the company has increased its data center footprint from a single facility to over 100,000 square feet of white space in eleven facilities, with access to more than 250 carriers, service providers, and content providers in premier data centers and interconnection points across the country. All Green House Data offerings include a 100% Service Level Agreement and compliance standards such as HIPAA, SSAE 18 Type II, and PCI-DSS. The company also participates in EPAs green power program and has been recognized in the Top 30 Tech & Telecom Green Power user list.

We believe organizations who are headquartered or who want to be close to their customers in this region will find the Green House Data brand of high-touch, high-performance, sustainable cloud-computing very attractive, said Mills. Offering a right-sized IT environment and being focused on customer satisfaction has enabled our continuous growth, and I am thrilled to add an additional location in Denver. About Green House Data

Green House Data is a cloud hosting and colocation services provider with highly energy efficient, green data centers located across the country and supported by a 15 Minute Hear from a HumanSM SLA. The company is a certified VMware provider, SSAE 16 Type II and HIPAA compliant, as well as a B-Corp and EPA Green Power Partner. Visit www.greenhousedata.com to learn more.



All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wendy Fox

VP Marketing

[email protected]

307.459.2664

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[November 09, 2017] MatchCraft Nabs Three Awards at the SIINDA Media Tech Conference 2017

Creator of leading digital ad platform, AdVantage, wins big at the European conference SANTA MONICA, California, Nov. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MatchCraft, a proprietary digital marketing platform for agencies and media companies working with local businesses, was recently honored with three Industry Excellence awards at SIINDA's (Search & Information Industry Association) Media Tech Conference held in Valencia, Spain. SIINDA's Industry Excellence Awards allow companies that have proven to be innovative, customer centric and results oriented to compete for the coveted awards. The independent judging panel was a mix of media professors and industry experts from across the European continent. MatchCraft won the following awards: Gold in the Local Search & Commerce category for its Conversion Based Optimization algorithm. Gold in Vertical Online Market Solutions category for its Dynamic Auto Inventory product. Silver in Mixed Media Solutions category for its Merchant Center and Email Reporting. Receiving the award, on behalf of the MatchCraft team were MatchCraft's Sandy Lohr (Chief Executive Officer), Marc Zaks (Chief Revenue Officer) and Jeff Chew (General Manager, Europe). "The SIINDA awards allow us to compete against world-class copanies and as such we consider them to be extremely prestigious. We were honored and humbled to be recognized for our efforts," said Sandy Lohr, CEO, MatchCraft. "Our greatest reward is the privilege to serve our clients across the globe on a daily basis and these awards represent our efforts towards better serving our client base."



Read more here: https://www.matchcraft.com/matchcraft-nabs-3-awards-at-siinda-industry-excellence-awards/ About SIINDA

SIINDA (Search & Information Industry Association) is a leading Europe based non-profit association bringing together companies in the search (digital, mobile, print, vertical directories and platforms), information, and telecommunication sectors as well as businesses providing "on demand" services. They have global members and SIINDA's Media Tech conference explores everything from what the Cloud means for Local Search, to data security, why location matters with perspectives on cross media advertising. Attendees include some of Europe's greatest digital companies and minds. About MatchCraft MatchCraft, founded in 1998, provides a best-in-class marketing platform that enables companies to successfully sell and manage search, display, and social campaigns for their advertisers. Unlike other marketing technology platforms, MatchCraft's platform AdVantage helps organizations efficiently manage campaigns of all sizes, enabling clients to deliver spectacular results to their advertisers. MatchCraft's sophisticated real-time bidding algorithms, and team of digital marketing enthusiasts, work relentlessly to deliver exceptional ROI for merchants around the world. MatchCraft has headquarters in the heart of "Silicon Beach," in Santa Monica, Calif., with additional offices in The Netherlands, India and Brazil. For digital marketing news, advice and to stay in the loop on product rollouts, follow MatchCraft on Facebook, MatchCraft on Twitter, or visit www.MatchCraft.com Contact:

U.S.: 310-314-3320

Europe: +31 71 760 16 34

[email protected]

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600334/SIINDA_Awards.jpg

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600342/MC_logo_Logo.jpg SOURCE MatchCraft

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[November 09, 2017] Motoinsight Named One of Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Companies

Motoinsight was recognized for rapid revenue growth, bold innovation and its entrepreneurial spirit with a Deloitte (News - Alert) Technology Fast 50 program award. The Fast 50 program honours 50 Canadian technology companies with the highest revenue-growth percentage over the past four years. Motoinsight ranked No. 35 with a 626 percent in revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program winners are made up of public and private companies in the technology sector that share common traits and strengths and have transformed the industry. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the program augments the broader Deloitte North American Technology (News - Alert) Fast 500 initiative with winners automatically eligible for this elite ranking. Motoinsight's CEO Andrew Tai credits the company's unique vision for delivering a better car buying experience and deep collaboration with leading automakers and dealerships with the company's 626 percent revenue growth. Tai said, "Buying a car is one of the last major retail experiences that has yet to experience significant disruption, but the ways consumers want to shop are evolving ever more quickly. Our MotoCommerce omni-channel retailing platform enables traditional automakers and dealerships with the technology to adapt and deliver best-in-class purchasing experiences that can rival Tesla, Apple (News - Alert) and Amazon." "New technologies have disrupted various industries in ways that were nimaginable a few years ago," said Erica Pretorius, Partner and National Leader for the Technology Fast 50 program at Deloitte Canada. "Fast 50 winners have led the way and I can't wait to see where they take us next."



To qualify for the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 ranking, companies must have been in business for at least four years, have revenues of at least $5 million, be headquartered in Canada, own proprietary technology, conduct research and development activities in Canada and invest a minimum of five percent of gross revenues in R&D. About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 - The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program is Canada's pre-eminent technology awards program. Celebrating business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, the program features three distinct categories including the Technology Fast 50 Ranking, Companies-to-Watch Awards (early-stage Canadian tech companies with the potential to be a future Deloitte Technology Fast 50 candidate) and the Leadership Awards (companies that demonstrate technological leadership and innovation within the industry.) Program sponsors include Deloitte, Aequitas NEO Exchange, Bank of Montreal, Bennett Jones, CBRE, OMERS Ventures and Wellington Financial. For further information, visit www.fast50.ca.

About Motoinsight - Motoinsight's flagship digital retailing platform MotoCommerce enables revolutionary omni-channel and e-commerce enabled car buying experiences. Motoinsight data and technology are used by nearly every automaker, over 900 dealership franchises and the largest banks and insurance companies. Across its portfolio of owned and partnered automotive websites, Motoinsight also has one of the largest audiences of in-market new vehicle buyers which include premier brands such as Unhaggle, Consumer Reports, Globe Drive, Driving.ca, Black Book and others. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and was founded in 2011. For further information, visit www.motoinsight.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006014/en/

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[November 09, 2017] DiscoverOrg Honored On Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500 List for 3rd Consecutive Year

VANCOUVER, Wash., Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DiscoverOrg, the leading sales and marketing intelligence provider, announced today that it has earned three consecutive honors on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and energy tech companies in North America.

The company grew 191% organically between 2013 and 2016, as sales and marketing teams increasingly invest in its highly accurate and comprehensive B2B sales and marketing data platform to accelerate pipeline and revenue growth. Every day, the entire DiscoverOrg team shows up to work with a relentless drive to accelerate growth - both our customers and our own. Making Deloittes Technology Fast 500 list for three years running is an incredible testament to the power of hard work and a never-quit attitude, said Henry Schuck, CEO of DiscoverOrg. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. DiscoverOrg is ranked 21st in the state of Washington, 2d in the Portland metropolitan area, and 414th overall. Other local leaders include Zapproved LLC and Act-On Software.



This announcement is the latest in a recent string of national awards that the company has earned in 2017, including inclusion on the Inc. 5000 for the seventh straight year, Fortunes Best Places to Work, Inc. Top 50 Best Workplaces, and the Puget Sound Business Journals Fast 100. To learn more about DiscoverOrg, please visit the companys website (www.discoverorg.com). About DiscoverOrg

DiscoverOrg is the leading global sales and marketing intelligence platform used by 4,000 of the worlds fastest growing companies to accelerate growth. The company itself has been named an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company seven times. DiscoverOrgs award-winning solutions provide a stream of accurate and actionable company, contact, and contextual buying intelligence that can be used to find, connect with, and sell to target buyers more effectively  all integrated into the leading CRM, Sales Development, and Marketing Automation Platforms in the market. Data is gathered and updated through DiscoverOrgs proprietary combination of technology, tools, and integrations and then verified by an in-house research team - resulting in the highest level of accuracy available across B2B sales and marketing data platforms. About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500 Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. Media Contacts Katie Bullard DiscoverOrg [email protected] #800-914-1220

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[November 09, 2017] 2Keys Corporation receives funding from Small Business Innovation Challenge for Digital Assurance Platform

TORONTO and OTTAWA, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - 2Keys Corporation, a Canadian cybersecurity and digital identity company (2Keys), is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding under the Small Business Innovation Challenge (SBIC) program delivered by Ontario Centres of Excellence on behalf of the Government of Ontario. Launched in March, SBIC is an integral part of Ontario's Business Growth Initiative and Ontario's new economic strategy. Under this exciting new partnership, OCE and the Government of Ontario are helping Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) launch their innovations from the idea stage to become globally competitive products and services. The SBIC program uses public sector challenges as a platform for inspiring SMEs to develop and test innovative technology solutions. "SBIC is part of the expanding field of innovation-based procurement, in which the public sector is a first customer of innovation," says Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of OCE. "Innovation-based procurement drives better experiences and value-for-money for all of us as consumers of government services while also driving the creation of high-quality jobs and economic activity in Ontario." Together with key partners, 2Keys will work to show how Ontarians could have improved access to government services in the future through secure, user-friendly digital experiences. This project follows the call for submissions around Digital Identity Program problem statement issued by the Minisry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS).



"We are thrilled to receive this funding as part of the government's challenge and it will help reinforce our core strength of providing global multi-factor and other security services for the public and private sector," says John Scott, CEO of 2Keys. "We will show how we can expand our Digital Assurance Platform to be interoperable with other digital economy partners." Through SBIC, 2Keys will partner with Interac Association/Acxsys Corporation ("Interac") to show how Interac's digital payment network and digital identity capabilities could work with 2Keys' interoperable standards-based Digital Assurance Platform to deliver a simple, secure and trusted way for Canadians to transact online. This collaboration will highlight each partner's complementary capabilities in digital identity and managed security services.

"Our collaboration with 2Keys on this challenge shows our commitment to working with leading digital identity partners and government to help solve for digital identification and authentication so that Canadians can better access the digital economy provincially but also nationally and globally," says Mark O'Connell, President and CEO, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. "We bring a proven, secure, fast, scalable digital payment network that is trusted and used daily by millions of Canadians and hundreds of financial institutions and other strategic partners. And we are constantly innovating to bring the best digital experiences to Canadians leveraging these assets." Identity management is becoming increasingly complex in a digitally connected world and current identity systems need to evolve. Identity theft and fraud are growing and the need for better identity services is critical. Strategic collaboration with various identity partners  government, financial institutions, mobile technology providers, and businesses - can help solve the digital economy's identification and authentication problem in Canada. About 2Keys Corporation

Founded in 1998 and based in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada, 2Keys is a private, employee-owned company. 2Keys is a national leader in enabling secure digital experiences for Canadian governments, financial institutions and commercial clients. 2Keys designs, deploys, and operates Digital Identity Platforms and cybersecurity platforms through Managed Service and Professional Service engagements. 2Keys engagements focus on integrity, confidentiality, privacy and availability as the best way to enhance and protect digital business value for our clients. Visit www.2keys.ca to find out how 2Keys Corporation is helping the public and commercial sectors meet their information security needs. About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc.

OCE drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research across key market sectors to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario's global competitiveness. In doing this, OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario's industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and governments. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices and research, OCE invests in sectors such as advanced health, digital media and information communications, advanced manufacturing and materials, and cleantech including energy, environment and water. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda as a member of the province's Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). Funded by the Government of Ontario, the ONE is made up of regional and sector-focused organizations and helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs rapidly grow their company and create jobs. SOURCE 2Keys Corporation

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[November 09, 2017]

Pilkington Creates Specialized Discount Program with Glass.com for Its Customers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilkington created a customized program for its customers that become Glass.com Affiliates. As part of the new program, Pilkington customers receive discounted lead fees, waived sign up fees, and free downloads from install instruction databases.

Pilkington dealers will not only receive leads directly from Glass.com, but also expand their web presence by having the ability to list their company's phone number, physical address, and link to their own website. Companies will also be able to link to their own personalized pric quote tool. Glass.com Affiliates retain full control over their pricing and service areas and have the ability to cancel at any time.







Glass.com provides high quality, qualified leads from consumers nationwide. In addition to being a lead generator for shops, Glass.com also acts as an informational resource for consumers in order to educate them about the importance of safe glass installations.

Pilkington North America manufactures automotive and architectural glass and glazing products. Their automotive glass consists of original equipment manufacturing and aftermarket parts. They have manufacturing plants across the United States and Canada.



If you are a Pilkington customer, take advantage today by visiting Glass.com and signing up.



For additional information or questions, please contact operations manager, Daniel Snow, at 81-MY-GLASS-8, or by email at [email protected].

20 PGA Drive, Suite 201 Stafford, VA 22554 (suburban DC)

P: 81-MY-GLASS-8 www.glass.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Daniel Snow 81-MY-GLASS-8

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pilkington-creates-specialized-discount-program-with-glasscom-for-its-customers-300552969.html

SOURCE Glass.com
[November 09, 2017] 4Degrees Data Centers Certified Tier III for Design and Construction by the Uptime Institute

MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - After earning Tier III Certification of Design Documents, the 4Degrees data centers in Montreal and Quebec City have added the coveted Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility to the numerous distinctions they hold. This certification from the independent Uptime Institute, the global authority on data center design, provides assurance of fail-proof service at all times. 4Degrees is now one of the few players in Canada to have acquired this superior seal of quality for both the design and construction of its facilities. Today's hyperconnected world generates huge amounts of data. Companies are looking for a reliable and extremely secure partner to host their servers. In this highly competitive environment, 4Degrees has made a name for itself as a hosting solution that meets the highest standards. According to Jean Novak, President of Videotron Business Solutions, "Customer satisfaction and reliability are top priorities for us. Tier III certification provides our customers with an added assurance of business continuity. It also means 4Degrees data centers have joined the ranks of the major international players that meet the industry's moststringent standards."



Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility, which is awarded only after rigorous testing of mechanical, electrical and structural elements under real-world conditions, is the international gold standard for continuous uptime outside of the military sector. It gives customers the firmest assurance that facilities have been built in accordance with design documents and that they fully meet uptime and performance requirements. 4Degrees - just like being there

In addition to its data hosting innovations, 4Degrees uses cutting-edge technology to market its services. No matter where they may be on the planet, current and potential 4Degrees clients can check out its unmatched custom-built data centers through a new virtual tour. Professional 6K 360 cameras were used to record images of the facilities (server rooms, meeting areas, etc.) to create a unique virtual reality (VR) video. Data hosting specialists can now just put on a VR headset and have a 4Degrees immersive experience.

About 4Degrees

4Degrees offers businesses and institutions a certified, secure, flexible hosting solution. Its two data centers in the heart of the Montreal and Quebec City technology parks, meet the highest industry standards. They are designed to provide sophisticated, high availability (Tier III) secure (PCI DSS and ISO 27001) colocation facilities. 4Degrees is a subsidiary of Videotron. For more information, visit www.4degrees-colo.com About Videotron

Videotron (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico interactive television service and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of September 30, 2017, Videotron was serving 1,649,000 cable television customers, including 1,603,900 Digital TV subscribers, while Club illico, the over-the-top video service, had 347,400 members. Videotron is also the Quebec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,654,100 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2017. As of the same date, Videotron had 990,300 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 1,205,400 Quebec households and organizations. For the twelfth consecutive year, Videotron was ranked as Quebec's most respected telecommunications company in the annual Leger survey. Follow us on the Web | facebook.com/videotron

Follow us on Twitter | twitter.com/videotron SOURCE Videotron

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What will happen if the lights go out during a cyber attack against the power grid?

Local and state officials will have a better understanding of what to do if that scenario ever comes about through a two-day exercise next week in Columbia County called GridEx.

The national exercise takes place Wednesday and Nov. 16, but the local training will happen Tuesday and Wednesday, with some of the emergency training taking place at the Columbia Energy Center, a coal-fired power plant south of Portage.

The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs wanted the public to know about the training exercise in advance, so the public wouldn't be alarmed by an increased presence of law enforcement and military personnel in the area those two days.

About 65 soldiers from the Wisconsin National Guard Reaction Force will be included in the exercise, along with personnel from the state Emergency Operations Center, the Business Emergency Operations Center, utilities and power transmission providers, the FBI and FEMA.

Capt. Joe Travato of the Wisconsin National Guard said no actual power outages will take place during the exercise, but the emergency will concentrate on sustained power outages resulting from "threats to the power grid."

"GridEx is a great opportunity for our emergency management officials, the National Guard, local first responders and our private industry partners to train together, so we are ready to respond if a threat impacted our power grid," said Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Wisconsin's adjutant general.

"While we simply cannot train for every possible scenario, building relationships now makes us all better prepared if we had to respond to a real-world situation," Dunbar said.

GridEx is a prelude to a larger exercise planned next spring called Dark Sky, which will simulate a national disaster involving a power outage caused by a combination of cyber and physical threats.
[November 09, 2017] NANOBIOTIX provides update on the global development of its lead product NBTXR3

Nanobiotix provides update on the global development of its lead product NBTXR3 Nanobiotix will give two immuno-oncology presentations at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) conference this month

Tolerability, safety and first tumor response data in liver cancer will be presented at the ASCO GI conference in January 2018

IND application in process of being filed in the U.S. for a combination trial with checkpoint inhibitors Paris, France and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, November 9, 2017 - NANOBIOTIX (Euronext: NANO - ISIN: FR0011341205), a late clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering new approaches to the treatment of cancer, today provides an update on the global development of its lead product, NBTXR3. Nanobiotix's lead product, NBTXR3, has a universal physical mode of action which is designed for the local destruction of tumors. In addition to the physical destruction of cancer cells, recently published data suggests that NBTXR3 generates immunogenic cell death that could trigger a specific immune response to attack tumors. In this regard, Nanobiotix is developing several programs in Immuno-Oncology on top of its core developments. The global development of NBTXR3 is progressing well, following the Company's expectations. Status of ongoing clinical trials NBTXR3 USAGE INDICATION PHASE STATUS NEXT STEP Single Agent Head and Neck Cancer

(Radiotherapy alone in elderly patients) Phase I/II

EU Recruiting

Safety and feasibility established



Interim update on expansion cohort - mid-2018 Liver Cancers

(HCC & Metastasis) Phase I/II

France Recruiting



First set of trial data (primary & Liver Mets) - January 2018 Soft Tissue Sarcoma

(locally advanced) Phase II/III

EU, Asia-Pacific, South Africa End of recruitment



Presentation of results - H1 2018 Rectum Cancer



Phase I/II

Asia-Pacific region Recruiting



PharmaEngine calendar Prostate Cancer Phase I/II

US Recruiting



2018 Other Indications Preclinical 2018 Combinations Head and Neck Cancer





Phase I/II

Asia-Pacific Recruiting



PharmaEngine calendar Head and Neck & Lung Cancers + checkpoint inhibitors Phase I

US IND application in process IND approval - H1 2018 NBTXR3 in Head and Neck Cancer, Phase I/II trial, in elderly patients (Europe)

Prof. Christophe Le Tourneau, the trial's Principal Investigator, presented an update during the Trends in Head and Neck Oncology conference (THNO) earlier this month. This update included a median follow up of 14.2 months, confirming the potential impact of NBTXR3 on the long-term response of the treatment. Following the very positive results obtained, Nanobiotix filed a protocol amendment of this study to include 44 additional patients - an expansion which aims to demonstrate the efficacy of NBTXR3. Nanobiotix is also opening 12-15 additional sites in Europe to expand the development of this indication. NBTXR3 Immuno-Oncology clinical and preclinical programs The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) conference has invited Nanobiotix to present an update of its Immuno-Oncology program on Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) patient data on November 11, 2017. During this conference, the Company will also provide preclinical Immuno-Oncological data on November 12, 2017. NBTXR3 in Liver Cancers, Phase I/II trial (France) Nanobiotix has been selected to present at the ASCO GI conference, the world's leading gastrointestinal oncology symposium, on January 18-20, 2018. The Company plans to present the safety and tolerability results and the first tumor response of patients treated at the first dose levels, and detail the next steps of the trial. NBTXR3 in Combination with Checkpoint Inhibitors in Lung and Head and Neck Cancer patients (U.S.) - Immuno-Oncology program Nanobiotix plans to conduct its first clinical trial with NBTXR3 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the U.S., with a multi-arm trial targeting a sub-population of advanced lung, and head and neck cancer patients. The medium-term objective is to transform non-responders into checkpoint inhibitor responders while improving patient benefits. The trial aims to evaluate the ability of NBTXR3 to generate an abscopal effect. This trial also aims to expand the potential of NBTXR3, including using it to treat recurrent or metastatic disease. The trial would begin by combining NBTXR3 with any approved checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or non-small cell lung cancer. The IND application for this trial is ongoing. NBTXR3 - CE Marking Nanobiotix is working closely with the notified body in order to prepare for the CE Marking. The process is progressing according to plan and the Company's original time horizon remains unchanged. *** About NANOBIOTIX: www.nanobiotix.com Nanobiotix (Euronext: NANO / ISIN: FR0011341205) is a late clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering novel approaches for the treatment of cancer. The Company's first-in-class, proprietary technology, NanoXray, enhances radiotherapy energy with a view to providing a new, more efficient treatment for cancer patients. NanoXray products are compatible with current radiotherapy treatments and are meant to treat potentially a wide variety of solid tumors including soft tissue sarcoma, head and neck cancers, liver cancers, prostate cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma, etc., via multiple routes of administration. NBTXR3 is being evaluated in: soft tissue sarcoma (STS), head and neck cancers, prostate cancer, and liver cancers (primary and metastases). Additionally, head and neck cancer and rectal cancer trials led by Nanobiotix's Taiwanese partner, PharmaEngine, are underway in the Asia Pacific region. The Company filed in August 2016 for market approval (CE Marking) in Europe for its lead product NBTXR3. In 2016 the Company started a new preclinical research program in Immuno-oncology with its lead product NBTXR3, which could have the potential to bring a new dimension to cancer immunotherapies. Nanobiotix is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (ISIN: FR0011341205, Euronext ticker: NANO, Bloomberg: NANO: FP). The Company's Headquarters is based in Paris, France, with a U.S. affiliate in Cambridge, MA. Contact Nanobiotix



Sarah Gaubert

Director, Communications & Public Affairs

+33 (0)1 40 26 07 55

[email protected] /

[email protected]







Noel Kurdi

Director, Investor Relations

+1 (646) 241-4400

[email protected] / [email protected] Media relations



France - Springbok Consultants

Marina Rosoff

+33 (0)6 71 58 00 34

[email protected]



United States - RooneyPartners

Marion Janic

+1 (212) 223-4017

[email protected] Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Nanobiotix and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Nanobiotix considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the reference document of Nanobiotix filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) under number D.17-0470 on April 28, 2017 (a copy of which is available on www.nanobiotix.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Nanobiotix operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Nanobiotix or not currently considered material by Nanobiotix. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Nanobiotix to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Nanobiotix shares in any country. At the moment NBTXR3 does not bear a CE mark and is not permitted to be placed on the market or put into service until NBTXR3 has obtained a CE mark.

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[November 09, 2017] MDA and Airbus celebrate 30 years of business relationship

MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - MDA, a business unit of Maxar Technologies, (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), (NYSE/TSX: MAXR), has received a commemorative recognition from Airbus for 30 years of partnership. With over five decades as a supplier of satellite subsystems spanning hundreds of missions, MDA is proud to have been a key supplier to Airbus for three of these decades. During this period we have exported leading-edge Canadian technology that enhanced multiple Airbus space missions. MDA will accept the recognition at its Montreal facility in a ceremony on November 10, 2017. Members of the media are invited. SPAR Aerospace (now MDA) was awarded a contract in 1987 by DASA (a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG, now part of Airbus) to develop a satellite subsystem that modulated radio frequencies for the ERS-1 program. ERS-1 was the ESA's first Earth Observation program and its primary objective was to provide environmental monitoring. It had a pioneering role in the field of instrument development, and the introduction and demonstration of advanced observation technologies - a European success story. Our partnership was part of that success story which marked the beginning of a long-standing business relationship between two global leaders in space manufacturing. Joanna Boshouwers, the vice president and general manager of MDA's Montreal facility said, "We are very pleased to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our business relationship with Airbus. Over this period, our companies have jointly realized some of the most remarkable and innovative communications satellite payloads. We aim at working collaboratively with satellites primes worldwide, strengthening our global leadership in the development and manufacturing of innovative subsystems that position us at the forefront of the commercial communications satellites markets." "Airbus' Supplier Engagement Program recognizes the key strategic North American suppliers for their outstanding support and partnership. We are very pleased to celebrate 30 years of continuous and very fruitful business relations," stated Stewart Nolan, Head of Procurement Mission Systems for Airbus Defense and Space. MEDIA: Media personnel are welcome to attend the award ceremony, pre-registration is required and photo identification will be required to enter.







Contact: Beatrice Agostini, 514.823.8112, [email protected] Date: Friday, November 10, 2017 Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern Location: MDA

21025, route Transcanadienne

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (Quebec)

H9X 3R2

About Airbus Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats and business aviation products. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide. About Maxar Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets including satellites, Earth imagery, geospatial data and analytics. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides unmatched end-to-end advanced systems capabilities and integrated solutions expertise to help our customers anticipate and address their most complex mission critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in 21 locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes: SSL, MDA, DigitalGlobe, and Radiant Solutions. Every day millions of people rely on Maxar Technologies to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that empower a better world. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information visit www.maxar.com. About MDA MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, satellite antennas and subsystems, surveillance and intelligence systems, defense and maritime systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA's extensive space expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and commercial applications that include multi-platform command, control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems, land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and insights derived from multiple data sources, both owned and operated within the Maxar group and by customer and third party sources. Founded in 1969, MDA is recognized as one of Canada's most successful technology ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal and Halifax. MDA is a business unit of Maxar Technologies. For more information visit www.mdacorporation.com. Nancy Coleman | Maxar Media Contact | 1-303-684-1674 | [email protected] Marissa Poratto | Maxar Investor Relations | 1-604-331-2044 | [email protected] SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd.

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[November 09, 2017] InterSystems Recognized as a Challenger in 2017 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems

Among 11 vendors, InterSystems has been recognized as one of only two companies as a Challenger in the Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems from the industry analyst firm Gartner (News - Alert) for its Cache high-performance database. This Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems evaluates companies based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute, and InterSystems (News - Alert) has been positioned in the annual report since its 2013 inception. A Gartner Magic Quadrant is a culmination of research in a specific market, giving readers a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the market's competitors. Cache is used by 6 of the world's 10 largest investment banks, as well as in healthcare, retail, and beyond. InterSystems also holds an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 in the Operational Database Management (DBMS) Software market on Gartner's Peer Insights review site as of November 7, 2017, based on 20 reviews. "Service and support when upgrading to new versions has always been great," said one reviewer on the Peer Insights site, a director in the finance industry. "Service and responsiveness rank very high with InterSystems."



"We feel that this year's Gartner Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems recognizes the power of our data platform, its functionality and flexibility, as well as our commitment to customer support," said Paul Grabscheid, InterSystems Vice President, Strategy. "With the recent introduction of InterSystems IRIS Data Platform, we plan to expand that even further, offering existing and new customers robust technologies to create mission-critical, data-rich solutions." Announced in September, InterSystems IRIS is a complete, unified solution that provides a comprehensive and consistent set of capabilities spanning data management, interoperability, transaction processing, and analytics. The data platform will be available in early 2018.

A complimentary copy of the 2017 Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems can be viewed here. More information on InterSystems IRIS can be found at www.InterSystems.com/IRIS. *Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems," Nick Heudecker, Donald Feinberg, Merv Adrian, 2 November 2017. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Gartner Peer Insights reviews constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-users based on their own experiences, and do not represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. About InterSystems

InterSystems is the engine behind the world's most important applications. In healthcare, finance, government, and other sectors where lives and livelihoods are at stake, InterSystems is the power behind what matters. Founded in 1978, InterSystems is a privately held company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), with offices worldwide, and its software products are used daily by millions of people in more than 80 countries. For more information, visit InterSystems.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171109006536/en/

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[November 09, 2017] Maropost Ranked Number 32 Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500

TORONTO, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maropost today announced it ranked No. 32 on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Maropost grew 5,450 percent during this period.

Maroposts chief executive officer, Ross Paquette, credits constant innovation and customer focus with the companys 5,450% revenue growth. Paquette said, Every innovation we add to the platform is done with our customers in mind. It's not just about keeping up with the changing digital marketing landscapeit's about staying far enough ahead that our clients remain innovative in their marketing programs, implementing advanced personalization for their own customers, to optimize their revenue generation." The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment, said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers. Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this years North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bight spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment, said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLPs emerging growth company practice. Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this years Fast 500 winners.



Maropost previously ranked 37th as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2016. About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. About Maropost Maropost is a cloud-based revenue optimization suite that gives companies the ability to increase multi-channel customer engagement to maximize revenue. Through integrated marketing and sales automation, Maropost provides essential tools, strategic guidance and support needed to create more personalized customer experiences through a 360-degree business viewfrom marketing automation to CRM, commerce, and customer support. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada with development offices in Chandigarh, India, Maropost is trusted by more than 300 brands like New York Post, Golden State Warriors, Warby Parker, Shop.com and Mercedes-Benz. For more information, please contact:

Brandi Smith, VP Marketing

Maropost

1-888-438-3152 x333

[email protected]

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[November 09, 2017] Innoviz Technologies Wins CES 2018 Innovation Award

KFAR SABA, Israel, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Innoviz Technologies, a leading provider of LiDAR sensing solutions, announced today that is has won the CES 2018 Innovation Awards Honoree recognition in the Vehicle Intelligence and Self-Driving Technology category for its groundbreaking InnovizPro High Definition Solid State LiDAR. Products recognized for this honor on one of technology's most exclusive lists meet the highest standards for outstanding product design and engineering as judged by a panel of highly respected experts in their field. "We are elated to have InnovizPro recognized by the CES 2018 Innovation Awards, considered the preeminent award in the entire technology industry," said Omer Keilaf, Co-founder and CEO of Innoviz. "Our groundbreaking LiDAR solutions have not only set a new standard for performance and safety, but come at the mass market price that no other LiDAR solutions have been able to attain. Their real impact, however, lies in the fact that they are currently going into mass production, enabling the industry to move towards mass commercialization at an accelerated pace." Innoviz's LiDAR technology leverages the company's proprietary System, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Detector designs to deliver the industry's most accurate and longest-ranging autonomous vehicle sensing capabilities. The company's groundbreaking, solid-state design enables it to deliver LiDAR in a more compact, reliable device that provides higher performance than other LiDARs currently on the market. InnovizPro, a development platform designed to provide ato manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and technology companies with the most advanced LiDAR available for testing and development, will be available in the first quarter of 2018. Samples of InnovizOne, the company's automotive grade LiDAR device for levels 3 - 5 autonomous driving, will be available in 2019.



Innoviz's precise sensing technology enables it to provide a superior algorithmic layer that uses deep learning to turn 3D vision into critical driving insights. By providing advanced software solutions in areas such as HD mapping and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping), the company is able to deliver the Object Detection and Classification capabilities necessary to move the industry towards mass commercialization. Innoviz has raised $82 million since its founding in January 2016, including from several leading stakeholders in the automotive industry such as Delphi Automotive, Magna International and Samsung Catalyst. Innoviz also signed a partnership agreement with manufacturing company Jabil Optics to mass produce InnovizPro. The company has steadily expanded its team, which now consists of 100 employees, and plans to open offices in key geographical markets in 2018.

Innoviz will demonstrate its award-winning LiDAR sensor technology at the 2018 CES conference in the Smart Cities Hall, Tech East, Westgate, Booth 2101. In addition, Innoviz LiDAR will be featured in the following partner booths: Valens: LVCC North Hall, Booth 5931, Jabil: Sands Expo - Zeno, Booth 4702-4705. CES will be held January 9 - 12, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Innoviz's LiDAR will also be on display at the Innovation Awards Showcase within the Venetian Ballroom at CES Tech West. CES Innovation Awards entries are evaluated on their engineering, aesthetic and design qualities, intended use/function and user value, unique/novel features present and how the design and innovation of the product directly compares to other products in the marketplace. Products chosen as CES Innovation Honorees reflect innovative design and engineering in some of the most cutting edge tech products and services coming to market. About Innoviz Technologies Innoviz is a leading provider of cutting-edge LiDAR remote sensing solutions to enable the mass commercialization of autonomous vehicles. The company's LiDAR products, InnovizOne and InnovizPro, offer solid-state design that uses Proprietary technology to deliver superior performance at the cost and size required for mass market adoption. Headquartered in Israel, the company was founded in January 2016 by former members of the elite technological unit of the Israeli Defense Forces with renowned expertise in the fields of electro-optics, computer vision, MEMS design and signal processing. Innoviz is backed by strategic partners and top-tier investors throughout the world. For more information, visit www.innoviz.tech. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/innoviz-technologies-wins-ces-2018-innovation-award-300553041.html SOURCE Innoviz Technologies Ltd

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By Trend





Turkey was selected on Wednesday as a Board member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Anadolu reported.

A total of 134 countries voted for Turkey to join the executive board for the period 2017-2021. The vote took place during the 39th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris.

Turkish Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz presented Turkeys bid last week and said his country "strongly believes in the mission of this organization to build peace in the minds of men and women".

Previously, Turkey was a Board member for two four-year terms: 1946-1951 and 1958-1966.

The UNESCO's executive board consists of 58 member countries, who are elected for a four-year mandate, during which they discuss and negotiate key decisions.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. -- Gunfire in a restaurant parking lot at 1512 NW Woods Chapel Rd., killed one man Thursday morning at about 11:15. According to Blue Springs Chief of Police Bob Muenz, the victim was in a white van when he was shot by a gunman either inside or just outside his vehicle.
Lesson Kansas City School Choice

City School Fair - Show Me KC Schools Join us for a K-12 City School Fair and learn about the many district, charter, private and parochial schools in the KCPS boundaries! Enjoy the family programs and meet fellow parents. Free food and books! Children are welcome! 10:30 a.m. Mr. Stinky Feet * 11:30 a.m. Mayor James * 12 p.m.

Downtown Underground

8th Street Tunnel gives a glimpse into Kansas City history KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Underneath Kansas City's streets lies a piece of history unlike any other. "It's just an interesting artifact of Kansas City and it is right under our feet," said Bill Nicks who portrays 1860's Civil Engineer Octave Chanute on the tours.

Old School Injury In KCK

Neighbor broke leg during fire evacuation, KCK retirement community resident said KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A fire forced an evacuation at Plaza Towers Senior Living Community, 1200 N 75th Place, Thursday afternoon in Kansas City, Kan. It's believed the fire started in a seventh floor apartment, likely in a kitchen. Fox 4's Shannon O'Brien was on the scene and spoke to residents.

Faking It In The Golden Ghetto

Fake designer purses, wallets, jewelry seized from Mission business, authorities say Mark Lea/KMBC SOURCE: Mark Lea/KMBC Counterfeit purses, handbag and wallets were seized Thursday from a business in Mission. The Johnson County District Attorney's Office said the counterfeit designer handbags and jewelry was taken from Sue's Accessories. The owner of the business was taken into custody. The investigation continues.

Show-Me No Justice In Missouri

Mo. Attorney General Josh Hawley announces rape kit backlog investigation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley announced Thursday in a news release that his office will conduct a thorough audit of the reported backlog of unprocessed rape kits across the state. "Rape kits provide a powerful tool for identifying and prosecuting potential sex criminals.

Push Back Against Rock Chalk SecState

Member Of Trump's Election Commission Sues Group And Kobach One of the Democrats on President Donald Trump's Advisory Commission on Election Integrity is suing the group and Republican Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Kobach is vice chairman of the controversial panel, which Trump created to study election issues. Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, who filed the lawsuit, said he hadn't been receiving information about voting commission activities.

Iconic Kansas City Shrubbery Pix

Kessler And Loose Photography Blog

Classicand all of the important Kansas City links for tonight . . . Take a peek:And this is thefor right now . . .
"That incident happened near 12th and Wyoming around 5:30 p.m. in the West Bottoms neighborhood. A woman was killed and a man is in critical condition after a stabbing at a gas station."

REPORTS FROM THE SCENE REVEAL THE SUSPECTED ASSAILANT STABBED THE COUPLE WITH A BLADE ATTACHED TO A PIMP CANE!!!

Gas station battle over scarce resources amid falling temperatures . . . Here's a look at real life outside of local consulting sessions. Take a peek:More deets:UPDATE . . .The weapon used for the stabbing involvedPolice did say the suspect, they described as a black man wearing all black in his 50s, is on the run. He was last seen heading west. It is unclear if police found the cane.Developing . . .
A memorial service will be held Thursday afternoon for a Kansas City lawyer shot to death outside his Brookside home. The service for Tom Pickert will be held at the Community Christian Church at 46th and Main streets. Doors will open at 2:45 p.m.
JACKSON COUNTY EXEC FRANK WHITE ORDERS ANOTHER VETO THIS WEEK AND TAGS THE LEGISLATURE WITH AN 'UNLAWFUL' ORDINANCE!!!

THE DANGER OF JACKSON COUNTY GRIDLOCK

Jackson County Executive vetoes unlawful ordinance

Ive learned in this job that there are some tough decisions, but vetoing an ordinance that is a violation of state law is not one of those tough decisions, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. The voters elected me to be a good steward of their taxpayer dollars and to do whats right. Thats what I will continue to do.

An all out feud at the Courthouse continues . . .The latest note just sent our way moments ago . . .We can likely expect another override of this veto but the question of State Law remains.In the meantime, Courthouse Insiders warn us aboutwhich has already taken hold amid this political fight and has consequences for taxpayers, the Prosecutor's office and anti-crime efforts.Quote from the exec highlighted in this breaking news note . . .KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued a veto of Ordinance 5038, his second veto in less than a week.On October 30, the Jackson County Legislature voted 7-2 in favor of Ordinance 5038, despite a warning from the Jackson County Counselor that the ordinance was in conflict with state law.Ordinance 5038 would give the County Legislature the unitary authority to transfer any unencumbered county funds during the fiscal year without the involvement or recommendation of the Countys budget officer. It would likely have a negative impact on the Countys credit rating and essentially, give the Legislature the most limitless control over taxpayer dollars of any legislative body in the State of Missouri.On November 3, White vetoed Ordinance 5037, which proposed the creation of three new staff positions within the Legislative Auditors Office and increased salary ranges for the legislatively-appointed positions of Auditor and County Clerk. The new positions alone, when including benefits, could cost taxpayers in excess of $500,000 next year, money that could be used to fund critical County needs. Monday, the Legislature voted to override the veto . . .###############Developing . . .
NEW YORK  According to a recent study of DNA from ancient Mycenaeans and Minoans, scientists have discovered that most of the genetic code is similar to that of modern Greeks. The findings were published in Nature: the International Journal of Science, and reported in Science magazine. Since Homer wrote his epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, Greeks have considered the Mycenaeans their ancestors. The fictitious Mycenaeans depicted in those epics, including the ill-fated King Agamemnon, may not have actually existed, but the real Mycenaeans, who built their civilization and dominated Greece and the Aegean Sea around 1600 BCE-1200 BCE, are in fact the ancestors of modern Greeks, as reported in Science magazine. Only a small part of modern Greek DNA is from later groups that migrated into the country, Science reported, adding that the Mycenaeans are also closely related to the earlier Minoans, the study reveals, another great civilization that flourished on the island of Crete from 2600 BCE- 1400 BCE.

The DNA studied was from the teeth of 19 people, including 10 Minoans from Crete dating to 2900 BCE to 1700 BCE, four Mycenaeans from the archaeological site at Mycenae and other cemeteries on the Greek mainland dating from 1700 BCE to 1200 BCE, and five people from other early farming or Bronze Age (5400 BCE to 1340 BCE) cultures in Greece and Turkey. By comparing 1.2 million letters of genetic code across these genomes to those of 334 other ancient people from around the world and 30 modern Greeks, the researchers were able to plot how the individuals were related to each other, Science reported.

Three-quarters of the DNA of the ancient Mycenaeans and the Minoans came from early farmers living in Greece and southwestern Anatolia, now part of Turkey, with additional DNA from the eastern Caucasus, near present-day Iran which suggests, as Science reported, an early migration of people from the east after the early farmers settled there but before Mycenaeans split from Minoans.

The difference between the two groups is that the Mycenaeans had 4-16% of DNA of ancestors from Eastern Europe or Siberia. This suggests that a second wave of people from the Eurasian steppe came to mainland Greece by way of Eastern Europe or Armenia, but didnt reach Crete, says Iosif Lazaridis, a population geneticist at Harvard University who co-led the study, Science reported.

The two civilizations carried genes for brown hair and brown eyes, so they resembled each other, as suggested by the paintings, frescoes and pottery, which survive from both cultures, but they spoke and wrote different languages, as noted in Science. The article also cited Lazaridis observations that the Mycenaeans were more militaristic, with art replete with spears and images of war, whereas Minoan art showed few signs of warfare, as reported in Science. Minoan script also used hieroglyphics which led some to believe there could be an Egyptian connection which was disproved by the study, Science reported.

When the researchers compared the DNA of modern Greeks to that of ancient Mycenaeans, they found a lot of genetic overlap. Modern Greeks share similar proportions of DNA from the same ancestral sources as Mycenaeans, although they have inherited a little less DNA from ancient Anatolian farmers and a bit more DNA from later migrations to Greece, Science wrote.

Co-author of the study George Stamatoyannopoulos of the University of Washington in Seattle commented on the continuity between the Mycenaeans and living people noting that it is particularly striking given that the Aegean has been a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years, as quoted in Science.

The findings suggest that most of Greek DNA and that of most Europeans was therefore set in the Bronze Age. Archaeologist Colin Renfrew of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, though not involved in this particular study, told Science, The spread of farming populations was the decisive moment when the major elements of the Greek population were already provided.

Renfrew added, as reported in Science, that the findings of the study mean that ancient DNA can be found in the hot, dry landscape of the eastern Mediterranean and will allow scholars to study groups like the Hittites who arrived in Anatolia before 2000 BCE. The Hittites could be the source of the Mycenaeans Caucasian DNA and the early Indo-European languages of the area, Science reported.

Archaeologist Kristian Kristiansen of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, though not involved in the study, said, as quoted in Science, The results have now opened up the next chapter in the genetic history of western Eurasia that of the Bronze Age Mediterranean.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Andreas Trepte License: CC-BY-SA

Source: thenationalherald.com
The children will learn Urdu, English and Arabic, while at the same time their mothers will learn the Greek language

The Pakistani community's school in Greece, dubbed "Unity", will open its doors this Sunday for the first time in Athens, accepting 100 children.

The children will learn Urdu, English and Arabic, while at the same time their mothers will learn the Greek language.

The classes will be hosted at the 144th junior school in the central district of Sepolia, which was offered by the municipality of Athens.

Lessons will begin at 10:00 with the reception of children. The classes were scheduled to start on October 29 but the opening was cancelled due to threats launched by members of the extreme-right party Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi).

The head of the Pakistani Community Javed Aslam said to Athens Macedonian News Agency that "we decided to cancel the opening of the school to avoid problems. We will start in November with a feast, not with hatred and shouting. This is the picture we want to give, of a world with humanity and love." Aslam noted that all the children that will attend the Sunday lessons are pupils in Greek schools where they learn Greek.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: User:Zscout370 License: CC-BY-SA

Source: ANA-MPA
Enterprise Greece will be in Australia for a roadshow to boost investments in and exports from Greece.

Heading the deployment will be the Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Dimitris Papadimitriou. Although the full program of the roadshow is yet to be announced, it is almost certain that the minister will visit Melbourne and Sydney in his attempt to hold discussions with Greek Australian community leaders and entrepreneurs to attract investors to Greece.

A former professor of economics at New Yorks Bard College and chairman of the Levy Economics Institute, Dimitris Papadimitriou has been vice-chairman of several US Congress committees, before he was recruited by the Greek PM Alexis Tsipras for the role of Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism.

He has recently underlined that 2017 will be a landmark year for the Greek economy and its growth, as conditions have dramatically improved.

According to the Minister, the reason behind this change in economic climate is the recognition of investment opportunity that Greece can offer now that the economy is stabilised after a long period of recession.

Electing to lead the deployment of the countrys official investment and export trade agency, Mr Papadimitriou hopes to inform entrepreneurs about the Greek governments focus on developing a new national growth strategy which will act as a compass for the creation of a new productive model.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Source: neoskosmos.com
Nogaholding, the investment and business development arm of National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) in Bahrain, and Schmidt Heilbronn, a global leader in bulk logistics, have inaugurated their new joint venture facility in Bahrain.



The $20million Schmidt Logistics Bahrain will create around 100 jobs in the logistics sector (directly and indirectly). Located in the Bahrain Logistics Zone, it will support the zones expanding operations, particularly in the chemical and petrochemical logistics market.



Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrains Minister of Oil and chairman of nogaholding, said: "Our new facility will have a significant positive impact on the regional chemical and petrochemical industries and facilitate quicker and easier transportation of goods around the GCC. Through our partnership with Schmidt we are proud to have supported the establishment of this facility, and will continue to provide support for its operations in the future."



Thomas Schmidt, CEO and managing partner of Schmidt Group, said: "This new development is a reflection of the huge growth we see in the regional logistics industry. It also represents the confidence we have in Bahrain as one of our key strategic operational bases in the Gulf region. We originally chose to locate a significant proportion of our services in Bahrain because of the strong transportation links with neighbouring countries, excellent logistics infrastructure and supportive regulations."



"We are now in a position to be able to capitalise further on these competitive advantages and expand our regional offering, he added.



Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) commented at the event: "The manufacturing and logistics sector is one of the strongest in the Kingdom and Bahrain attracting more than $200 million of investment into this sector in the first half of the year - investments that will create more than 1,000 jobs over the next three years."

"Joint investments such as Schmidt Logistics Bahrain enable the growth of this world-class industry and attract companies with specialised expertise and operational skills to Bahrain to support the supply chain, creating high-quality employment opportunities for the local market," he added. - TradeArabia News Service
More than 4,000 cleaning industry professionals from over 130 companies are participating at the ongoing 5th Middle East Cleaning Technology Week (MECTW), being held in Dubai, UAE.



The event was inaugurated by Butti Saeed Al Ghandi, second vice-chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre.



The event which kicked off on November 7 will conclude later today (November 9), and is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).



Following the inauguration ceremony, Al Ghandi toured the exhibition area and got introduced to the latest scientific cleaning practices, innovations, technologies and services offered in the cleaning sector, said a statement.



At the show, Al Ghandi met exhibitors like Dhofar Global, Alliance Laundry Systems, Beeah, Karcher, Intercare, Xeros Ltd, Hygiene Tech, Viking Gulf and Vileda who displayed some of the best technologies at their booths, it said.



The Waste Management Pavilion, a part of MECTW 2017, organised a conference on Sustainable Waste Management in the Middle East.



The panelists for this conference were Ahmed Al-Sabahi, head of municipal solid waste planning, Beah Oman; Eng Naji Alradhi, waste management and treatment expert, waste management department, Dubai Municipality; and Sonia Nasser, executive director, Ras Al Khaimah Waste Management Agency.



This event brings together leaders from the cleaning and hygiene, laundry and dry cleaning and car wash and car care industries through three trade shows, conferences, awards and associated events.



Jayaraman Nair, chairman of VIS Exhibition - organisers of the show, said: The world today is witnessing global warming, poor waste management, pollution and many such issues that creates a need for sustainable development, regionally and globally.



The event is one such initiative towards this development. We have received an overwhelming response from regional and international exhibitors and are participating in this platform to know more about the dynamics of this industry and explore multitude of opportunities in this region, he said.



Exhibitors said the event is an ideal platform to showcase their products and services, strengthen their business presence as well as forge new business relationships, said a statement.



Fahad Shehail, chief development officer at Bee'ah, the Middle Easts leading and award-winning environmental management company, said: We are pleased to be a part of the event, a platform that helps showcase Bee'ah's wide variety of environmental management services, and enables us to establish new business relationships with companies that wish to take the lead in sustainability.



As sponsors of the Unsung City Cleaning Heroes Awards, we also take this opportunity to recognise the outdoor cleaning and waste management staff, who work diligently towards our most significant goals, he said.



They are the unsung heroes who initiate change from the grass-roots level, and set a benchmark for others to follow, he added.



After the inauguration of MECTW, the Unsung City Cleaning Heroes Awards were awarded to the winning street cleaning and waste management staff from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.



In addition, the event is hosting three knowledge sharing conferences, where the industry experts will discuss latest trends in the cleaning sector at the International Cleaning & Hygiene Conference, Gulf Laundrex Conference and Sustainable Waste Management Middle East Conference happening as a part of the three-day event.



Leading cleaning product suppliers, including, Diversey Gulf, Intercare, Diatona, Biodubai, Hygiene Tech, Newmatic and many more will host live product demos on all three days, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Naco, a Dutch airport consultancy and engineering company, said it has started work on a major redevelopment project at Kuwait International Airport which includes the setting up of a brand new third runway besides all airside and landside infrastructure and construction of a new air traffic control (ATC) tower.



Awarded by Avic International Holding Corporation (Avic INTL) on behalf of The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a redevelopment project, the works involve the design of several major redevelopments at Kuwait International Airport.

The redevelopment work includes renovation of the existing East Runway. Its scope of work also involves the implementation of rainwater harvesting solutions in underground containers at the airport.



According to Naco, the revamp project is aimed at boosting aviation safety in the region and ultimately increasing passenger capacity.



Naco said it will be working closely with Avic INTL, which will be responsible for construction during the project, to deliver the project alongside local engineering design firm Gulf Consult.



Working within strict timescales, the design of the three project elements is expected to be completed by February next year, with construction expected to take place over the next five years, said a top official.



"This design contract builds on our long-standing relationship with Kuwait International Airport, having worked on projects at the airport since 1977," remarked Jelmer van der Meer, the director for Airport Civil Engineering at Naco.



"We were in fact involved in the design of the existing ATC back in 1986 so its a privilege to be continuing our work with this airport. We have a great track-record in this type of work and look forward to playing our part in this huge redevelopment work to provide the airport not only with improved connectivity, but also improved reliability and safety," noted der Meer.



Naco, he stated, has extensive experience working on projects such as this at Frankfurt International Airport, as well as those with similar environmental challenges such as Abu Dhabi International Airport.



Sun Jingfeng, the project manager of Avic INTL, said: "Were delighted to be working on the delivery of the new third runway and associated works at Kuwait airport."



"The runway will be 4.5 km long and 60 m wide, and will be capable of receiving aircraft such as the Airbus 380. It will also ease traffic on current runways and once the new runway is complete, the East Runway will be refurbished and enlarged to match the new third runway," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts is making its mark in northern Thailand with the opening of the brands first property in the kingdoms cultural capital, Chiang Mai.



The 266-room Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai opened its doors to guests on November 7 marking another milestone in the hospitality companys Asian expansion strategy and growing its portfolio in Thailand to six properties strong.



Conveniently located in one of the citys most vibrant neighbourhoods, the hotel overlooks the sprawling Night Bazaar district and is a short walking distance to many cultural attractions such as Chiang Mai Old City Wall and Tha Pae Gate. Ping Riverside and Sunday Walking Street is just 10 minutes walking from the hotel.



It is also just a 10-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport, 10 kilometres from Chiang Mai National Convention & Exhibition Centre, and close to many tourist hotspot areas that surround the city.

Guests can choose from seven different room categories including Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Premier, Junior Suite, Suites, and Family Suites.



For diners, the hotel serves Thai and international cuisines at its all-day dining venue, Feung Fah Restaurant, which is designed with wooden elements to emulate the style of a local food market. Le Bistrot is a themed Italian-Thai fusion eatery, featuring a terrace with views of the bustling Night Bazaar. For a refreshing drink, the hotel's Lobby Bar and Rooftop Pool Bar both offer tempting selections, whilst the Sweet House serves freshly brewed coffee and home-made bakery items.

Featuring two multifunctional venues including the 400-delegate capacity ballroom, the hotel can cater to a wide range of events, from intimate cocktail receptions to conferences or large-scale celebrations.



The opening of Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai bolsters our cluster strategy in Thailand where we aim to operate hotels and resorts in leading cities and holiday destinations across the country. It also strengthens our presence in Southeast Asia where our development pipeline continues to grow at pace, said Olivier Chavy, president and CEO, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.



Movenpick currently manages two properties in Bangkok, two in Phuket and one in Pattaya and has three more in active development, with the 111-key Movenpick Resort Khao Yai and 96-key Movenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin both set to open in 2018 and the 220-key Movenpick Resort Mai Khao Beach  the companys third property in Phuket  on track to launch the following year (2019).



The new property in Chiang Mai will capitalise on the northern Thailand citys growing popularity with tourists looking to experience its culture, nature, history and gastronomy, said Vinai Chitaratsanee, general manager, Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai.



Chiang Mai appeals to visitors from all over the world who come to discover its unique blend of old and new, rural and urban and our hotel is well positioned to help them discover the most splendid city of cultures." - TradeArabia News Service


Drexel Hamilton President Cahill Retires; Service-Disabled Veterans Assume Leadership

Drexel Hamilton, a service-disabled veteran-owned broker-dealer, announced yeesterday the retirement of President and CEO, James Cahill. Anthony Felice, Daniel Boyle, and John Martinko, all service-disabled Veterans and employees of the firm, will assume day to day leadership of the firm.

I have had more gratification doing this job than any man should have, said Cahill. Im proud to pass the torch to three capable and deserving service-disabled Veterans.

Drexel Hamilton was founded by Lawrence Doll in 2007 on the principle of offering meaningful employment opportunities to disabled Veterans. Under Cahills leadership, the firm employs 40% veterans, half of whom are service-disabled.

Dolls ultimate goal was to build a firm that would be owned and operated by service-disabled Veterans. The appointment of Felice, Boyle, and Martinko brings his vision to fruition.

New Leadership

Felice has been with Drexel Hamilton since 2015 and will now serve as Chief Executive Officer. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY and served as an officer in the United States Army deploying overseas to Panama, Macedonia, Kosovo and Germany.

Boyle has been with Drexel Hamilton since 2011 and will now act as Co-President. He served as a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed twice to Iraq. During his service, he received multiple awards, including Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal twice; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; and a Combat Action Ribbon.

Martinko joined Drexel Hamilton in 2012 and will now function as Co-President alongside Boyle. He served as an Infantry Officer, Special Operations Airborne Ranger, in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Captain. He deployed seven times during Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a recipient of three Bronze Stars, one with the V (Valor) device denoting his acts of heroism.

Were appreciative of everything James Cahill has done for the firm and the Veterans we employ, says Felice, on behalf of the new leadership. Together we will carry on Drexel Hamiltons legacy and pay it forward to Veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Evolve Enters into Agreement to Purchase ETF Management Contracts from Sphere

Evolve Funds Group Inc. ("Evolve"), a Canadian Exchange Traded Fund provider, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sphere Investment Management Inc. ("Sphere"), to purchase the management contracts for each of the following five Sphere listed Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs"):

Sphere FTSE Canada Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHC)

Sphere FTSE US Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHU)

Sphere FTSE Europe Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHE)

Sphere FTSE ASIA Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHA)

Sphere FTSE Emerging Markets Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHZ)

Evolve has agreed to acquire the right to manage the five ETFs with approximately $68MM in assets under management, subject to obtaining unitholder and regulatory approvals.

"We are excited to expand and complement our existing product lineup with Sphere's suite of ETFs," said Raj Lala, President & CEO at Evolve. "As an innovative ETF provider, this transaction will further deepen our commitment to providing Canadian investors with products designed to address the changing global economic environment."

"We are very pleased that Sphere's products will be managed by Evolve and add a dimension to an already impressive array of products," said Keith McLean, CIO for Sphere. "These ETFs will continue to act as a core holding for client portfolios, as they provide an opportunity for good risk adjusted returns and enhanced yield for investors."

"The family of Sphere ETFs will continue to be offered as part of the carefully selected range of product solutions that we offer to our clientele," said Stuart Raftus, President of Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management in Canada. "We look forward to working with the team at Evolve, as they share our commitment to providing innovative investment opportunities for investors."

While the acquisition is subject to regulatory and unitholder approvals, it is expected the ETFs will continue to utilize a strategy that follows the Sustainable Yield Indices. Unitholders will be asked to approve the transaction at special meetings of the ETFs to be held on December 11, 2017. Further details of the special meetings and the proposals will be described in an information circular that will be available at www.sedar.com and www.sphereetfs.com on or about November 10, 2017.

About Evolve Funds Group Inc.

Evolve specializes in bringing innovative ETFs to Canadian investors. Currently, Evolve has eight ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : ALPHA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PUTS UP AN IMPRESSIVE SHOW AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET LONDON 2017 Industry: Travel PR

Top team from Alpha Destination Management, the leading destination management company in the Arabian Gulf



(TRAVPR.COM) UAE - November 9th, 2017 - Top team from Alpha Destination Management, the leading destination management company in the Arabian Gulf, is at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2017, led by the groups CEO

Mr. Ghassan Aridi.



Shaping the future of the travel industry, WTM offers the most effective business to business networking opportunities for the international community of travel professionals. Speaking from London, Samir Hamadeh, General Manager for Alpha Destination Management, said, World Travel Market is a leading global event for the travel industry. We have been exhibiting at the show for the last 20 years as it is one of the most important events for us due to the fact that the UK market is still a leading market into our destination and Alpha Destination Management is a well-known brand among the UK tour operators. At Alpha we cooperate with some of the top brands of UK tourism being their agents in the emirates and WTM offers us the perfect platform to connect and conduct business with them.



Speaking about the significance of UK as a major feeder market for Dubai in terms of tourism, Samir stressed, There has been a major focus from the destination and its stakeholders on UK and we believe it will remain one of the top source markets in 2018 for Dubai. The message that we are conveying at WTM this year is that we are committed to offering greater added value as well as investing further into technology to enhance customer experience in the destination. Dubai is moving away from being a city you must visit, to a city you must experience.



Dubai is among the top four most visited cities in the world and the best performer in the MENA region. The city recently added 17 new attractions such as the Dubai Opera, City Walk, IMG Worlds of Adventure, the worlds biggest indoor theme park, Dubai Water Canal, and Dubai Parks and Resorts, the regions largest integrated theme park resort that have all further added to Dubais appeal as well as contributed to a steep rise in leisure tourism.



Samir stated, The more the destination creates attractions and tailors its product to cater to UK tourists, the better conversion it can expect. People seek experiences. Dubai is becoming a major attractions hub and it is very important that we focus on offering experiences and added value to our customer. Our approach to UK has to be different than other markets and key to that is coming up with new ideas to grow stop over business. In order to support Dubais goal to attract 20 million visitors annually by 2020 and maintain a stable momentum of growth, there is need for new packages and offers with added-value to entice transit passengers to stay for least one night rather than simply pass by. We are also focusing on Dubais strong calendar of events to excite more travellers to come over.



Visitors will be able to find Alpha Destination Management at the Dubai Tourism stand on booth M300.



About Alpha Destination Management

Founded in 1996, by Mr. Ghassan Aridi and his partners, Alpha Destination Management is the leading destination management company and a pioneer in the tourism sector in the Arabian Gulf. Over the last two decades, the company has established itself as one of the most credible and reputed brands not only in the Gulf region but also in the international tourism industry. Controlling a significant market share of the lucrative tourism sector in the GCC, Alpha Destination Management is a market leader in the region with the largest annual turnover and wide network of international partners offering the highest levels of service and innovative and exciting experiences. Our extensive global and local knowledge and network, outstanding expertise and sound reputation is the key to success for us and all our partners.



For more information about Alpha Destination Management visit http://www.alphatoursdubai.com



For media contact:

Hina Bakht

Vice President

MPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)

Mob: +971 50 697 5146

Email: h.bakht@mpj-pr.com

http://www.mpj-pr.com ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release :



CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Hina Bakht Company: Marketing Pro Junction Phone: +971 50 697 5146 Email: pressrelease@mpj-pr.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS
The Hofsas House Hotel, a 38-room boutique family-owned inn in the heart of Carmel, is pleased to announce the launch of its special packages for 2018.



(TRAVPR.COM) USA - November 9th, 2017 - Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, November 09, 2017 - The packages appeal to a wide variety of guests, from art and wine lovers to dog owners, chocolate lovers and those looking for a relaxing spa experience. To book any of these packages during your stay, call (831) 624-2745 or email info@hofsashouse.com.

Hofsas House Packages for 2018



Get Artsy Package

For decades, Carmel, California has been a haven for artists, from authors, poets and actors to painters and sculptors. Today there are more than 80 art galleries within walking distance from the hotel. The Hofsas House is part of that artistic tradition and has been touched by one of the worlds most famous artists. Did you know that artist Maxine Albro was commissioned by Donna Hofsas to paint the welcoming mural and the headboard featured in Room 47 of the Hofsas House? In the 1940s and 1950s, Maxine was living in Carmel and was friends with Donna. After the main four-story addition to the Hofsas House was completed in 1957, Donna asked Maxine to paint the mural and add other highlights to the front of the building to enhance the hotel's Bavarian theme. Maxine also painted the three pictures now hanging in the lobby.



The Hofsas House celebrates Carmel's artistic legacy by offering guests its special Get Artsy Package. This package includes a stay in the Room 47  the very room Maxine Albro painted! Mention the Hofsas House Get Artsy package with the code HHArt and receive a gourmet cheese tray and bottle of wine upon arrival.



Carmel continues to be an artist colony and attracts some of the worlds most famous artists, including painters, sculptors, and photographers. Hofsas House can help arrange a tour of Carmel's art galleries and artists' studios with Carmel Art Tours. Discover secret passageways, visit hand-picked galleries, both the internationally acclaimed and the hidden gems. There's also an opportunity for a chance encounter with an artist at work in a Carmel studio. Cost is $25 per person, reservations are required, and participants meet for the tour at Carmel Visitors Center. Info at www.carmelarttours.com, 800-979-3370.



Wine and Chocolate Package

Upgrade your stay at Hofsas House with a four pack of handcrafted artisanal sea salt caramels from Monterey's Lulas Chocolates and a bottle of award-winning Monterey County wine.



Monterey County wines are now on par with California's other legendary wine regions such as Napa and Sonoma. In fact, Wine Enthusiast magazine named Monterey County as one of the world's top 10 wine destinations  ahead of the Napa Valley and in the company of the other famed wine-growing regions around the world.



Monterey County produces 42 different varietals of high-quality, award-winning wines, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For this special package choose either a Monterey County Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from a personally selected list of wines.



Lula's Chocolates, founded by Scott Lund, are made the old-fashioned way, using recipes passed down from Scott's grandmother, Lula herself. To this day, Lula's makes sure each hand-dipped, small batch, deliciously fresh chocolate is an experience worth savoring.



Cost for this wine-and-chocolate package is $25. Use the code HHChoc when booking this package.



Tail-Wagging Package

Hofsas House is one of the most dog-friendly hotels in Carmel. Guests receive a complimentary Doggie Welcome Package upon arrival that includes:

Hofsas House dog Frisbee

Hofsas House collapsible dog bowl

Special dog bed

Letter from Tank, our onsite Pet Concierge

Special dog amenities package

Tips and recommendations for your four-legged friends stay

Walking trail and hiking guide

A package of treats

Coastal Canine Magazine  offering the best four-legged options for visiting Carmel



This package requires a minimum two-night stay, $30 fee per night for one dog and $50 per night for two dogs.



Relax at Cinq Mondes Spa Carmel

Cinq Mondes Spa Carmel is the French cosmetic company's first and only Cinq Mondes spa in the United States and serves as the company's flagship location in the U.S. Cinq Mondes Spa Carmel combines tradition, beauty, authenticity, and luxury, allowing guests to enjoy a soothing sensory voyage of the five different worlds in the nearby Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel.

Cinq Mondes has gathered a selection of traditional treatments from around the world that are remarkable for their quality, authenticity and ceremonial traditions.

Hofsas House is partnering with Cinq Mondes to offer guests a relaxing and soothing spa package that includes a 60-minute massage or facial. Cinq Mondes' signature facial is the "Ko-Bi-Do" for its unique use of Dermapuncture, or "acupuncture without needles, as an anti-aging facial and its signature massage is the Moroccan massage. Price is $120 per massage or facials. All Hofsas House guests will get a special gift from Cinq Monde

This special package must be booked at least 72 hours in advance and is subject to availability.



About Hofsas House

The Hofsas House Hotel is a boutique family-owned inn with 38 uniquely decorated, spacious rooms, many with ocean views overlooking the pines in the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Dutch doors appoint each room allowing our guests to enjoy the fresh ocean air. Our guests watch glorious sunsets over the Pacific Ocean from the privacy of the inn's decks or rooms. Some rooms and most suites have fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars or kitchens.

The Hofsas House is located three blocks north of Ocean Avenue, eight blocks from the picturesque white sand Carmel beach and one block from a child-friendly City park. There is plenty of off-street parking and guests delight in walking everywhere in Carmel from the inn. Enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning with French roast coffee, tea, fresh pastries delivered from a local bakery, juice, yogurt and fruit.

Other amenities include a heated swimming pool, dry saunas, view deck areas and free wireless Internet access. Some rooms are dog friendly. Casual elegance, personal service and traditional family hospitality are the trademarks of Hofsas House Hotel.



Hofsas House Hotel

Between 3rd & 4th Ave on San Carlos Street.

P.O. Box 1195

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Phone: (831) 624-2745

info@hofsashouse.com

HofsasHouse.com

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.HofsasHouse.com

###
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 9

The incident in which emergency medical officer Dr Harmeet Singh allegedly misbehaved with Mayor Balwant Rai Nath when the latter mayor went to the Civil Hospital to take stock of the condition of the injured in road accidents yesterday has intensified.

Today, various NGOs and political organisations, condemning this incident, submitted a written complaint to Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra, demanding action against the doctor.

MCB Sanitation Workers Union and some councillors have complained to the Health Minister over the incident.

Organisations have threatened that if the Health Department doesnt take action against the accused doctor, then they would come on roads and also stage a protest at the Civil Hospital.

They said if the government doctor could misbehave with the Mayor, one could imagine his conduct with the patients coming.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillors have also written a complaint to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Health Minister Brahm Mohindra.

Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra has directed the Civil Surgeon to conduct a probe into the matter and directed him to submit a report within two days.

Raghubir Singh Ravi, the head of the Indian Valmiki Dharm Samaj, Vinod Kumar Mali, Municipal Corporation Bathinda Sanitation Workers Union president, Valmiki Youth Front president Naveen Valmiki and other union members met the Deputy Commissioner this morning over the issue.

Later, various social organisations announced to stage a protest against the doctor at the Civil Hospital tomorrow at 12 pm. They also announced to burn an effigy of the doctor.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6

Governor of Haryana Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki released a consensus statement titled Chandigarh Call for Action on Sustainable Development in Combating Global Epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases during the during the valedictory function of the World NCD Congress today.

Dr Rakesh Kapoor, one of the organisers of the NCD Congress, said participants from 100 countries, along with ministers of various nations, have listed some common causes of non-communicable diseases.

We have called it Chandigarh Call for Action on Sustainable Development in Combating Global Epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases. This consensus statement will be sent to the Health Ministry to take corrective measures to reduce the rate of NCD cases, said Dr Kapoor.

Prof Jagat Ram, Director, PGI, appreciated the efforts of the executive committee and delegates who had come from far-off places to contribute for the action plan against non-communicable diseases.

Ashwini Chaubey, Minister of State for Health, addressed the plenary session. He stressed the importance of remaining healthy and having good habits, avoiding tobacco and alcohol and doing Yoga regularly.

Referring to the innovations introduced by Union Health Minister JP Nadda under the leadership of the Prime Minister, he said 69,000 seats for MBBS and 33,000 seats for MD doctors had been earmarked by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

He stressed that there was a need to conduct research in Indian systems of medicine, especially Yoga, which had demonstrated health benefits to the world.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Director-General, Indian Council for Medical Research, who has been appointed DDG-Programmes at the WHO, Geneva, reiterated the importance of research studies. Tests to detect hypertension are very important, stressed Dr Swaminathan.

She also spoke about the Diabetes Prevention Survey, wherein Punjab and Chandigarh have the highest rates.

She stressed that a national programme will be launched in Punjab in January 2018. The programme will cover 130-odd districts. Under the programme, patients will undergo a screening process to detect diabetes and hypertension and treatment would be given accordingly.

Rajeev Kumar, Director NCD, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, advocated for front labelling of products.

The contents of the product will be published on the wrapper. The ball will be in the court of purchaser. Let the buyer decide whether he wants to buy the product of not, Rajeev said.

Vineet Gill Munish, WHO (India), spoke about the two per cent drop in smoking rates. In terms of the Indian population, this is a very big achievement, she emphasised. Tobacco drains the economy and destroys our environment (8 kg fuel wood is required for curing 1kg tobacco). Tobacco costs us the health of our workers and their families, she said.
Arun Maira

Arun Maira

Former member of the erstwhile

Planning Commission



Not all Indians were happy when the Supreme Court ordered that the national anthem must be sung in all movie theaters and that everyone must stand. Many were delighted. But many were dismayed. They said national feelings cannot be, and must not be evoked with mere symbolism.

The time has come to pay more attention to the words and sentiments of our national anthem. Jana Gana Mana is a celebration of India's diversity. Rabindranath Tagore wrote it way back in 1905. A few years later, in 1913, Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Gitanjali, a collection of his poems. In Gitanjali, Tagore fears that 'the world will be broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls'.

We are witnessing a fragmentation of the world in the new millennium. We thought that with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the cold war between nations was over. Now walls between nations are rising again. Within countries, including in India, walls are rising between people with different religions and cultures. Parts of countries want to break away. And majorities want to push minorities out. Hate and violence is spreading. Terror is lurking in the streets. Social media has become another battlefield.

Hard walls are rising between people with different world views: between those who believe in liberal democratic ideas, and those who believe in the superiority of their own religion, their own race, and their own nation, and want to suppress others. Increasing populism and authoritarianism is threatening democracy everywhere. The world is being frightened to protect its fragments behind narrow domestic walls.

Tagore also worried, in Gitanjali, about what would happen to the world 'when the clear stream of reason loses its way in the dreary desert sand of dead habit'. Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahnemann says that our mind has two parts. A part that 'thinks fast'. And a part that 'thinks slow'. 'Thinking fast' requires the mind to use stereotypes and mental categories so that we can make quick decisions based on superficial impressions. This helps us to take 'fight or flee' decisions quickly, as all animals can. Stereotypes are 'habits' of the mind. They enable the mind to think fast. The other part of the mind-the reflective, 'thinking slow' part works when we pause, when we listen deeply, and explore new ideas. The thinking slow part of the mind is more developed in humans than other animals. Whenever we use one part of our body much more than another part, the body changes its shape. That is how a sprinter's body develops a different shape to a weight-lifter's. Their strengths lie in different parts of their bodies.

The beauty of social media technology is that it enables us to quickly connect with many things. On social media, and in video games, one must take immediate decisions. Should I click on this or not? Thus, social media develops the 'think fast' part of the mind. There is growing evidence that the barrage of stimuli in social media is making young people very good at responding quickly and at multi-tasking. However, with the growth of their 'thinking fast' capabilities, their ability to understand people who are not like themselves is reducing. Because, not only does social media reduce the use of deeper reflective abilities, it also pushes us into echo chambers of people and ideas we like. It is not surprising then that tests by neuro-sociologists in the US have found that markers of empathy amongst college students have reduced by 40% in the last 10 years. There is even some evidence that the physical shape of the minds of children who are habituated to video-games and social media is changing.

Debates on TV have degenerated into cacophonies with everyone speaking and no one listening. Good 'communication' has two sides. On one side, speaking clearly. On the other side, listening deeply. Communication in the modern world is getting very lopsided. When teaching communication, we are taught the speaking side, to make our points more forcefully. We award winners of debates, who can effectively demolish the arguments of others and put down others. There are no awards for those who listened well and tried to understand the other point of view, to learn from it and expand their own knowledge.

Our bodies are very complex systems. Yet, yoga teaches us that something as simple as good breathing can tone up the whole body with its complex organs-the heart, the lungs, and even the mind. Listening is to human society as breathing is to the human body. Deep listening shakes the mind out of the dreary desert sand of dead habits. It reduces the narrow domestic walls between people. Listening can lead human societies towards 'the heaven of freedom' where everyone rich or poor, black or white, can 'hold their heads high', as Tagore had prayed.

The Dalai Lama says, in his Foreword to my book, Listening for Well-Being, that listening is the first wisdom tool of Buddhism. From listening follow the other two wisdom tools of Buddhism, viz contemplation and meditation. Also, deep listening to others is essential to develop compassion and empathy.
London, November 9

Britains senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her Cabinet post over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians while on a holiday in the Jewish country.

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Patels position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed through the proper procedure.

The 45-year-old minister resigned late last night after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated.

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric rise of the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a prime ministerial candidate.

She was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his Indian Diaspora Champion.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 General Election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the Vote Leave campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britains exit from the European Union (EU).

She must have hoped that the storm around her undisclosed meetings in Israel would die down after a formal apology before she flew out to Africa for an official tour of Uganda and Ethiopia on Wednesday.

But she was unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings as she was ordered to abandon the visit and fly back to London today at the request of the prime minister.

Earlier this week, Downing Street had said that May had accepted Patels apology over a series of meetings while she was on holiday in Israel in August without reporting them to the Foreign Office.

But new revelations of further meetings with Israeli officials following that visit had made Patels position within the Cabinet very precarious.

It is understood that she met Israels public security minister Gilad Erdan in the UK Parliament complex in early September and an Israeli Foreign Ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York later that month.

The British Premier was reportedly told about the unreported New York meeting during Patels apology conversation at Downing Street on Monday but only learned about her unreported meeting with Erdan after the talks.

Ministers are required to tell the UK Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but it emerged that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about any of Patels meetings  which included a meeting with Netanyahu and other political figures as well as charity organisations.

Opposition parties had been calling for Patels resignation as minister in charge of DfID and the countrys aid budget if it emerged that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct and failed to follow established protocol.

In a letter to May, Labours shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett had called on the premier to either call in her independent adviser on ministerial standards to investigate, or state publicly and explain your full reasons for why Priti Patel retains your confidence.

In her apology statement on Monday, Patel had attributed the unreported meetings to enthusiasm.

In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it, she said.

Her conduct had already led May to direct her Cabinet Office to look into tightening the ministerial code of conduct to avoid any such incidents in future.

It was widely believed that the delay in dismissing Patel was because the prime minister was more at ease keeping pro- Brexit MPs close at hand to prevent them doing too much damage as opponents of government decisions on the Tory backbenches.

But with her departure now, May has lost a second senior minister within a week, after Sir Michael Fallon stood down as defence minister amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female journalists.

Another of her close Cabinet allies, first secretary of state Damian Green, is also under investigation over misconduct allegations and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under fire over his handling of a case involving a British Iranian jailed in Tehran. PTI
London, November 9

A UK court has held as unlawful a British landlords ban on coloured people from India and Pakistan renting his properties because they cooked curry and left behind lingering smells.

Fergus Wilson, who owns hundreds of properties in Kent in south-east England, had denied being racist but lost the legal action brought by the UKs human rights watchdog when Maidstone County Court granted an injunction against the policy this week.

The injunction, in place for three years, orders that Wilson cannot apply a lettings policy stopping Indian or Pakistani people renting his properties.

If he breaches the order, he could be found in contempt of court and face jail or a hefty fine.

I find the policy is unlawful. Such a policy has no place in our society, said Judge Richard Polden in his ruling.

The 69-year-old property tycoon and former boxer defended himself in court against the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which had challenged the policy after it emerged in an email sent to a lettings company informing them of his policy of no coloured people because of curry smell.

I refuse to take tenants from a group of people that produce curry smells. I take just about anyone except Pakistanis and Indians, Wilson said in a subsequent email exchange with the EHRC when it confronted him.

Wilsons defence in court ranged from asserting that the email containing the ban on coloureds was just a joke and banter with a young letting agent, through to defending it on behalf of all landlords and describing the legal action as political correctness gone mad.

My only concern is for people who would have been coming into buy to let but now will not. Public opinion has been on my side throughout, he claimed.

He had justified his ban on Indian and Pakistani tenants on economic grounds to save costs on re-carpeting homes that smell of Indian cooking once the tenants have left.

Its perfectly legal not to buy a house because you think it smells of curry. The problem is that if you have a 250,000 pounds mid-terrace house, the valuation drops by 50,000 pounds if it smells of curry, Wilson told the court.

But the judge was not convinced with any of his arguments and ruled in favour of the EHRC, whose chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath welcomed the decision as a step closer to a more equal Britain.

Our homes are fundamental to our private lives and to who we are. Denial of a home on the grounds of race or colour is abhorrent conduct we do not accept in todays society.

There are still deep inequalities in our country and sadly some of the causes of those inequalities were illustrated by Mr Wilsons comments over the summer, she said.  PTI
Sumedha Sharma

Tribune news Service

Gurugram, november 9

A Plus One student of Ryan International School may have confessed to killing Pradyuman Thakur, a Class II student, for getting the examination and the parent-teacher meeting postponed, but the CBI plans not only to fill all gaps in its investigation but also get the answer to the key question: why did conductor Ashok Kumar confess to the crime and how could the accused go scot-free posing as a witness for this long?

The way the conductor confessed with a convincing motive and near-perfect sequential recreation hints at a bigger conspiracy. We are questioning the accused to know what transpired that led the conductor to take the blame, said a CBI official.

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Conductor Ashok Kumar, who was arrested within days of Pradyumans murder in the school toilet on September 8, had not only confessed to the crime but also given convincing statements and evidence, including the murder weapon.

The accused boy was taken to several crime-related spots today for recreation of the crime. CBI investigators said there were many blanks in the sequence of events that hinted at the possibility of a co-accused in the case.

The CBI also took the murder accused to a utensil shop in Sohna from where the boy claimed having bought the murder weapon from.

In Rohtak, conductor Ashok Kumars family said it will file a law suit against the school management and police for defamation and torture. His Rohtak-based counsel Mohit Verma said Ashok was framed and tortured to confess to the crime that he never committed.

Meanwhile, the Congress has asked the Haryana Government to take action against the Haryana Police. What is more unfortunate is that the CM supports this inefficiency, they said.
Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 9

Karnal seems to be a major contributor to the environmental pollution caused by stubble burning in the National Capital Region.

This is evident with the fact that the maximum cases of stubble burning have been reported from the district in the state, where paddy is cultivated in nearly 1.72 lakh hectares every year.

Despite a ban imposed on stubble burning by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), 310 such cases have been reported from district this season out of the total 1,011 cases in the state.

Of the total 227 FIRs registered against farmers in the state for violating the NGT norms, 211 have been registered in Karnal district. A sum of Rs 3.20 lakh has also been imposed as fine on the farmers in the district.

Last year also, the situation was no different, as 308 cases of stubble burning were reported in the district and FIRs were registered in 121 cases.

Farmers believe that burning is an easy way to decompose residue. They also blame the government for not providing equipment for stubble management at their doorstep. We are not against environmental hazards, but the government should provide equipment at our doorstep, said a farmer from Nigdhu village.

Sources in the Agriculture Department said that they had only two happy seeders and one straw bailer for the farmers, whereas a large number of area in the district was under paddy cultivation.

The sources said that 125 happy seeders, 10 straw bailers and 30 mulchers had been procured by the farmers on subsidy so far.

Farmers are not showing much interest in procuring the equipment because of high cost and out of the reach of small farmers. In such circumstances, it will be very difficult to make Karnal free from stubble burning, said Vijay Kapoor, a progressive farmer.

Vij asks Kejriwal to pay farmers for not burning stubble

Chandigarh: A political slugfest has started over smog even as the National Capital Region (NCR) and various districts of Haryana and Punjab continue to brave hazardous conditions with thick smog enveloping the atmosphere. Responding to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who yesterday said that he wanted to meet the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana to discuss the situation, state Health Minister Anil Vij today suggested that the Delhi Government should compensate Haryana farmers for not burning stubble. In his tweet, Vij said: To save Delhi people from smog, Kejriwal government should compensate Haryana farmers for not burning stubble. After all, the rice produced by our farmers is eaten by people living in Delhi too. A day earlier, Vij had said that though the state government was taking action, problems of the farmers were also genuine. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, however, has assured that the state government was taking all possible measures to ensure that there is no stubble burning. Sushil Manav, TNS

HAU, Netherlands to work on crop residue management

Hisar: A joint Indo-Dutch working group has agreed to work on crop residue management . The decision was taken during a joint meeting held in Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) which discussed the menace of stubble burning and other agriculture-related issues. HAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof KP Singh, chaired the joint meeting with a delegation from Netherlands. University and Haryana government officials were also present in the meeting. Addressing the meeting, the VC raised the issue of paddy straw burning and its side-effects on environment, public health and safety. Various solutions for agri-waste management were discussed in the meeting, a university spokesperson said. The VC also sought collaboration of Netherlands in tackling the brackish water problem in Haryana so that it could be used for irrigation purposes . He also urged the delegation to provide expertise for flower auction centre to be established at Gurugram. The HAU has submitted a project on Horticulture Centre of Excellence for Protected Cultivation under National Agriculture Higher Education Project in collaboration with Wageningen University, Netherlands. The Joint Working Group felt that there is need for minimising the post-harvest losses, integrated pest management and providing logistic support. Besides finding ways for crop residue management, the meeting also agreed on the issues of bio-defence strategy, protected cultivation, peri-urban and urban horticulture, floriculture and hydroponic vegetables, Indo-Duch Horticulture Centre at Jhajjar, agri-business incubation centre, teacher-student training, exchange programme, besides special short-term training programmes. A delegation from HAU will make a presentation to the World Bank on the above aspects for exploring the generation of resources for development of technology. TNS

Schools to remain closed in Ggram, Fbad today

Chandigarh: On account of high level of pollution in New Delhi, the Haryana Government today ordered the closure of all government and private schools in Gurugram and Faridabad on November 10. An order to this effect was issued by the School Education Department here on Thursday. TNS
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 9

The Gurugram police are under fire for a botched investigation into the Pradyuman murder case and are being accused of framing an innocent bus conductor.

Ever since the CBI has come out with an entirely different finding by apprehending a class XI student for the murder, Twitter and other social media is abuzz with posts attacking the police.

Im sure all of you must have heard who the real culprit is in the Pradyuman murder case. The rich parents, the management of the school and the Gurugram police who did such a shoddy job, didnt mind making a scapegoat of an innocent man whose only crime was his poverty, writes Renuka Shahane, actor, in her post on Facebook, which she later tweeted.

Ashok Tanwar, state Congress president, has accused the Gurugram police of misleading the investigations.

Was this CCTV footage not available when Gurugram Police investigated the case? Tanwar tweeted.

Maria Wirth @mariawirth1, who describes herself as a German woman living in India for 35 years, tweeted, From the start the arrest of the conductor looked unconvincing. Bigger issue: how many of the poor are in jails, because the real culprits were protected? Framing someone is a crime. Needs to be punished.

Rajbir Deswal, who recently retired as ADGP, Haryana, however, says there is nothing shoddy about the investigation by the police. There are stages in the course of investigation and this is one such stage. Sometimes it happens that an investigation hits a wall, Deswal says.

It has appeared in certain media reports that the CBI got CCTV footage enhanced from a Hyderabad lab, which made movements of people moving around the toilet clearer. This type of advanced technologies and wherewithals are not available with the state police, he laments.
New Delhi, November 9

The Class 11 student of Gurugrams Ryan International School, apprehended by the CBI for allegedly killing a seven-year-old student, has confessed to his crime in front of his father and an independent witness, the agency has told a juvenile court.

In its note seeking remand of the 16-year-old student from the juvenile court in Gurugram on Wednesday, the agency said his custodial interrogation was needed to ascertain if there were other people involved in the crime.

The agency also wants the teenager to identify the shop from where he had bought the knife used to slit throat of Pradhuman, a Class 2 student, on September 8, the agency told the court.

The CBI said the interrogation was needed to reconstruct the scene of crime, to unearth conspiracy, if any, and to collect any other evidence related to the case.

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He has admitted his involvement in committing the murder of...in ground floor boys washroom of Ryan International School...in presence of his father...,independent witness, welfare officer of the CBI, etc., the note said.

The court has sent the juvenile to three-day CBI custody.

In a sensational twist to the case, the agency announced on Wednesday that it had apprehended a senior student of Ryan International School on Tuesday night in connection with the murder of Pradhuman rejecting the Gurugram polices theory that the killing was the handiwork of school bus conductor Ashok Kumar.

The CBI has said that there was no evidence against Kumar so far.

According to the agency, the Class 11 student, believed to be weak in his studies, allegedly slit Pradyumans throat to get the school to declare a holiday in order to defer a scheduled parent-teacher meeting (PTM) and an examination.

The agency did not find any evidence of sexual assault, a CBI spokesperson had said on Wednesday.

The CBI was able to piece together elements of the crime by analysing CCTV footage, scientific and forensic examination, analysis of the crime scene and by questioning students, teachers and staff members of the school.

Based on CCTV footage and crime scene analysis, the agency examined all potential suspects and witnesses. The list included 125 teachers and students, sources said. PTI
New Delhi, November 9

The alarming pollution in Delhi has led to at least 20 per cent increase in the number of persons complaining of cardiac/respiratory problems this week, officials said on Thursday.

"There has been around 15 to 20 per cent increase in number of patients seeking treatment for respiratory and cardiac issues," All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Randeep Guleria told IANS.

Similarly, Safdarjung Hospital witnessed a 15 per cent rise in number of patients while Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj area recorded 25 per cent increase in patients with breathing problems.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital had on Wednesday indicated rise in number of such patients by 25-30 per cent.

The city has witnessed record pollution levels, including smog, affecting normal life and leading to closure of educational institutions in Delhi till Sunday.

The Central Pollution Control Board data indicated average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi on Tuesday at 446 -- with major pollutant PM 2.5, or particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm, recorded at 418 units. It was the worst AQI after 403 recorded for October 20, a day after Diwali.

Speaking to reporters earlier, the AIIMS Director had warned that about 30,000 persons may lose their lives in the National Capital Region alone due to current pollution levels, numbers which, he said, he had extrapolated from the number of hospital admissions.

Guleria also likened the current environmental situation in Delhi with the "Great Smog of London in 1952" that was "estimated to have killed nearly 4,000 persons within a week".  IANS
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 9

The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and the CBI on a petition seeking a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) headed by a former Chief Justice of India into alleged corruption in medical admissions in connection with which a retired judge of the Odisha High Court was arrested.

A two-judge Bench of Justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer referred the petition to a Constitution Bench comprising five seniormost judges  which will take it up on Monday.

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It asked the CBI, which is probing the matter, to seal the documents recovered during the probe and produce all material on Monday.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel Dushyant Dave submitted that since Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra-led Bench heard medical admission cases, the CJI should not be a part of the five-judge Bench that would take up the matter. We will see when the Bench is set up, said Justice Chelameswar.

A Constitution Bench headed by the CJI  which was hearing the issue of a power tussle between the Delhi Lt Governor and the elected government of NCT  abruptly rose at noon to reassemble at 2 pm.

Later, an order uploaded on the courts website read that Dushyant Dave makes submissions highlighting various aspects of the matter, the details of which we do not propose to make. But, at the same time, we are also duty- bound to place the developments that when the hearing was in progress, the officer of the Registry placed a xerox copy of the proceedings purportedly issued by the CJI, a copy of which is annexed.

During the hearing, Dave said, Allegation of fixing judges through illegal gratification is too serious a charge to permit the CBI and the government to use it for arm-twisting the judiciary.

Justice Chelameswar commented, The charges are not only serious but also sensitive not only for the judiciary but for the entire nation.

Besides an SIT probe, the petition has demanded its monitoring by the top court. Earlier, Dave and advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the petition filed by Kamini Jaiswal before Justice Chelameswars Bench and sought urgent hearing into allegations of fixing an SC Bench.

The CBI had arrested former Odisha High Court judge IM Quddusi in September in connection with an alleged cash-for-judicial relief scam involving a Lucknow-based medical college. He was later granted bail by a Special CBI court in Delhi.

The probe agency, which accused Quddusi of trying to influence a public servant, has recorded conversations between various accused.
Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 9

Himachal Pradesh registered a heavy turnout for elections to the 68 Vidhan Sabha seats today, with more than 74 per cent of the voters exercising their franchise. The polling was peaceful.

With people standing in queues past 7 pm at 435 polling stations, this figure is likely to go up. The polling percentage is marginally higher than that in the 2012 Assembly elections (73.51 per cent). The counting will take place on December 18 along with that in Gujarat.

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Though a high turnout generally indicates a strong ant-incumbency sentiment, with GST and demonetisation emerging as key issues, it is hard to say which party will benefit. However, buoyed by the turnout, BJPs Chief Minister candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal and state party president Satpal Singh Satti claimed that the BJP had won it big in the state.

While Sirmaur district recorded the highest polling percentage at 82 followed by 77.9 in Kullu district, Hamirpur saw the lowest turnout at 69.5 per cent, followed by Kangra at 72.4 per cent.

The Doon Assembly constituency recorded 88.9 per cent turnout, the highest in any constituency, followed by Nalagarh at 84.2 per cent. Both are in Solan district.

Jubbal-Kotkhai in Shimla district recorded 81 per cent polling. The lowest turnout that the state saw was in 1952, a mere 25 per cent, whereas the highest was in 2003  74.61 per cent.

In the 2012 polls, the Congress had won 36 seats and the BJP 26 with five going to Independents and one to the Himachal Lokhit Party.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh cast his vote at his native Rampur in Shimla district with wife Pratibha Singh and son Vikramaditya Singh. The CM is contesting from the Arki seat in Solan. His son is in the fray from Shimla (Rural). Leader of Opposition Dhumal, along with his son Anurag Thakur, Hamirpur MP, and other family members cast his vote at Samirpur in the Bhoranj segment.

Congress leader Anand Sharma cast his ballot in Lakkar Bazaar, Shimla.

There were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines at a few booths. Voters across the state could be seen reaching polling stations even before the polling started at 8 am. Women, who form 19 lakh of the over 50 lakh voters, turned out in strength in rural areas. In the first two hours, the state recorded a 13.72 turnout, but by 4 pm, nearly 64 per cent of votes were cast. A total of 337 candidates, 19 of them women, are in the fray.
Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 9

A red carpet was rolled out for Shyam Saran Negi (101), the first voter of independent India, who cast his vote for the 31st time today (15th time for the Assembly elections) in Kalpa.

The Kinnaur administration arranged a vehicle for Negi as the polling booth was 4 km away from his house. Negi, who was accompanied by his daughter-in-law Surmadevi, exhorted the people to exercise their franchise for strengthening the democratic set-up.

He was presented a cap, shawl and memento by Kinnaur DC NK Lath, who is his admirer.

The polling booth was set up at Government Primary School, where Shyam Saran used to work and retired after 23 years of service. It is among the three oldest schools in Kinnaur district and was opened in 1890.

Negi became the first voter of the country when he cast his vote on October 25, 1951, in Kinnaur, ahead of other parts of the country that went to the polls in February 1952. The Election Commission had made him its brand ambassador for creating awareness on voting.

In 1951, Negi was a member of the polling team and vividly remembers that he cast his first vote at the Shonthong polling station and his polling party had to trek long distances to conduct polling in Purvani  Ribba  Moarang  Nesong over a period of 10 days. He has been a witness to the electoral process, which evolved from putting a stamp on the ballot paper to the EVM and the VVPAT.
Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 9

Himachal Pradesh on Thursday recorded its highest polling in assembly elections with 74 per cent of voters exercising their franchise, the Election Commission said.

The figure was till 5 pm and the final polling percentage may be revised as final voting figures are yet to be tallied.

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Polling went on in about 500 booths even after 5 pm as many people were still in the queue.

The previous highest polling percentage of 73.5 was recorded in the 2012 assembly polls, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 64.45 per cent.

At a press conference, Saxena said the elections were peaceful and no incident of violence was reported.

A total of 11,283 VVPAT units were used in all polling booths of the 68 constituencies out of which 297 were replaced, Saxena said, adding this was well within the technical limits.

The Congress is currently ruling the hill state and the BJP is eyeing to return to power after a gap of five years.

In the outgoing 68-member assembly, the Congress and the BJP have 35 and 28 MLAs respectively. There are four Independent MLAs while one seat was vacant. The poll results will be announced on December 18.

The polling started across the state at 8 am.

The polling was peaceful but there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVAPTs from several places.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Hamirpur, respectively.

Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in the Assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI 3.

There is straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala. With PTI

HIGHLIGHTS:

*Voters in tribal district of Lahaul Spiti went back home without casting their vote after the polling staff failed to make the EVMs functional at Gondola polling station. The station is located about 35 km from Keylong, the district headquarters. New EVMs have been requisitioned from Keylong.

*In Solan district, VVPATs and EVMs develop snag at some places; replaced.

*Voters stand in long queues in Sissu in Lahaul Spiti since morning as all RVMs develop snag. As more EVMs are brought, they also develop snag. The polling staff asked for more EVMs.

*Polling began at slow pace in politically-significant Kangra district as only 3 per cent polling was recorded till 10 am. Voters enthusiastic about seeing their vote preference being reflected in VVPAT.

*Polling stopped at three places in Arki assembly segment from where CM Virbhadra Singh is contesting due to problem in EVMs. Voters wait outside as voting machines are being replaced. The three places are booth no 61, Senior Secondary School for Girls, Arki, Chamyol and Dumehair.
Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 9

Polling in the politically most significant district of Kangra remained peaceful today. Barring small problems in a few polling stations where EVMs developed snags, polling went on smoothly.

As per data provided by the district authorities, overall polling in Kangra district remained at 72.47 per cent. Kangra has 15 constituencies.

In many areas, women outnumbered men in casting votes. Voting in the Nagrota Bagwan constituency, where the senior Congress leader and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies GS Bali was contesting, remained the highest in the district at 77.9 per cent. In Baijnath, it was 65.8 per cent, Shahpur 74.8 per cent, Dehra 70.74 per cent, Jaisinghpur, 63.91 per cent, Palampur 71.92 per cent, Fatehpur 72 per cent, Jwalamukhi 73.3 per cent, Jawali 73.6 per cent, Indora 72.2 per cent, Sulah 70.60 per cent, Dharamsala 74.56 per cent, Nurpur 76.9 per cent and Kangra 76.38.

A large number of voters gathered at the polling booth number 22 at Dari near Dharamsala. However, the EVM developed snag and polling could be started only at 9 am.

Col Karki (retd.), a resident of the area, said many women had gathered at the booth early in the morning. However, due to a snag in the EVM, they could not vote. There was moderate polling in the morning hours but it picked by in the afternoon.

The candidates, including Indu Goswami from Palampur, Kishan Kapoor from Dharamsala, Rakesh Pathania and Ajay Mahajan from Nurpur, cast their votes in the afternoon.

Candidates and their supporters kept on visiting the polling booths to assess the situation.

There was a faceoff between BJP and Congress workers in Dharamsala late last night. BJP workers caught a vehicle belonging to a contractor in Palampur and alleged that it was being used to distribute money among voters. BJP workers also clashed with the staff of a local TV channel. While BJP workers alleged that the staff were hand in glove with Congress candidate, the TV channel staff claimed that they were attacked and their camera was broken by them.

The TV channel staff have lodged a complaint with the police against the Shashwat Kapoor, son of BJP candidate from Dharamsala.

Polling continued till 7 pm at some stations where EVMs developed snags.
Ehsan Fazili

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 9

As Centres interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma concluded his maiden visit to Kashmir today after three days of sustained talks with a cross-section of society, he got the feel of the ground situation in the Valley.

On the second leg of his visit, Sharma flew to Jammu, the winter capital of the state, after meeting delegations of locals, youth groups, social organisations and minority groups so as to know their viewpoints. Around 50 groups, including Sikhs and non-migrant Pandits, who stayed in Kashmir after the mass exodus with the eruption of militancy in 1989-90, met him.

Before leaving for Jammu, Sharma met Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz.

Although the separatists have rejected the dialogue offer, seeking only meaningful and result-oriented dialogue, the concerns of people in the backdrop of nearly three decades of violence were conveyed to Dineshwar Sharma during the meetings.

Sharma walked an extra mile when he met various political leaders at their respective residences on Wednesday  former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president GA Mir, MY Tarigami of the CPM, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen of the PDF, both MLAs, and Ghulam Hassan Mir, president of the DPN and a former minister.

PDP brings up trust deficit

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegation led by its vice-president, Sartaj Madni, while meeting Sharma, reminded him of the trust deficit which impedes any good initiative for peace and resolution. Madni urged the Centre to do everything possible to gain the confidence of the people and stakeholders in order to sustain the process of dialogue till every stakeholder is willingly engaged, the PDP stated.

He told the interlocutor that the PDP had taken a brave step in forging an alliance with the BJP, but in the belief that like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would offer enough space for the resolution of the Kashmir imbroglio.

Madni told him that the dialogue process should be seen as a sincere and honest effort to address issues than a mere response to violence, a PDP spokesman said.

Walking the extra mile

Sharma walked an extra mile when he met various political leaders at their respective residences on Wednesday  former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president GA Mir, MY Tarigami of the CPM, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen of the PDF, both MLAs, and Ghulam Hassan Mir, president of the DPN and a former minister
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9

Governor NN Vohra, chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, visited the holy cave shrine along with the first lady, Usha Vohra, and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the state.

He undertook an extensive inspection of the status of the construction of major infrastructure development works in the Bhawan area, particularly the material and the passenger ropeway projects. On his return journey, he, along with Chief Executive Officer Jitendra Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer MK Kumar, Chief Engineer MM Gupta, other officers concerned and engineers of the shrine board, inspected various facilities under-construction on the upcoming Tarakote Marg for the convenience of the pilgrims.

While travelling on Tarakote Marg, the Governor stopped at various places and gave directions regarding the work to be done for the completion of bhojanalayas, view points, medical units, water points, toilet blocks, power supply, sanitation, cleanliness, safety and security arrangements for the pilgrims, construction of shelter sheds and hill slope stabilisation work, installation of wire, mesh fencing, landscaping and greening of the entire area along the track, etc.

The Governor directed the CEO to take forward action for the most expeditious completion of shelter sheds, immediately commence slope stabilisation work on the vulnerable locations and take all required advance actionfor operationalising bhojanalayas, view points, medical centres and completion of other essential logistics for the facilitation of the pilgrims.

The CEO informed that work on all requisite logistics on the upcoming Tarakote Marg was going on in full swing and work on the footbridge was also going on speedily, besides the completion of other works on the link road from Gulshan Langar to Tarakote Marg. He said the work had also been speeded up on the construction of integrated modular rain-shelter sheds having special features to absorb the impact of any shooting stone for ensuring the safety of pilgrims.

While inspecting the new Darshani Deodi on the Tarakote Marg, Vohra asked for drawing up a comprehensive plan for the optimum utilisation of the available space to facilitate the pilgrims. At Tarakote, he asked the engineers concerned for the beautification of the periphery of the bhojanalaya by taking up plantation of ornamental, flowers and other species of trees. He also directed the installation of a floating fountain in the Pond at Tarakote, which had been developed and beautified by the shrine board as an added attraction for the pilgrims. He also viewed the landscaping and plantation in the area along the Tarakote Marg, with a view to enhance the ambience of the track.

In the Bhawan area, the Governor inspected the site for the reconstruction of the Durga Bhawan and asked the CEO to immediately get the drawings prepared for the construction of this building to provide free on-floor accommodation for pilgrims by maximising the utilisation of the available space. He also emphasised the need for speedy finalisation of the Master Plan for the Bhawan area, which was being formulated by the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.

While reviewing the work on the construction of the passenger ropeway between Bhawan and Bhairon Temple and material ropeway between Siar Dabri and Bhawan, the Governor directed the CEO to ensure the completion of both these high-utility projects, in all respects, within the fixed time frame.

Directions issued

While travelling on the Tarakote Marg, Governor NN Vohra stopped at various places and gave directions regarding the work to be done for the completion of bhojanalayas, view points, medical units, water points, toilet blocks, power supply, sanitation, cleanliness, safety and security arrangements for the pilgrims, construction of shelter sheds and hill slope stabilisation work, installation of wire, mesh fencing, landscaping and greening of the entire area along the track, etc.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9

The Centres interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, is yet to make a breakthrough in engaging the Hurriyat Conference, which is crucial to making the dialogue a success.

Sharma, who reached Jammu today on the second leg of his five-day tour to the state, replied in the negative when asked whether he had been successful in reaching out to the Hurriyat Conference.

Dineshwar Sharma met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here in the evening. He informed the Governor about his talks with various individuals and groups in the Valley and the major concerns voiced by those he had met on his first visit to Kashmir.

The Governor suggested to Sharma that he must sustain the dialogue and hear one and all, particularly elements of society who apparently held contrary convictions.

Earlier, Sharma met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at her residence. Mehbooba told him that he should talk to all stakeholders, including Hurriyat Conference leaders, to make the dialogue credible.

The interlocutor had told the media in Srinagar on Wednesday: I will try my best to meet Hurriyat people. He has been making efforts even before he landed in Srinagar on Monday to bring the separatist leaders on board, but his efforts have not yielded any positive result so far.

On Friday, Sharma is scheduled to meet 26 delegations in Jammu. After reaching Jammu around 4 pm, Sharma had a meeting with a delegation of the BJP. Director General of Police SP Vaid also met him. We told him that there should be no injustice with any region and everybodys views must be entertained, said BJP leader Sat Sharma.
Lovleen Bains

Doraha, November 9

One person in a family died due to dengue while all others are still undergoing treatment at the local hospital. The Bank Street, where the family resides, has other people, who too are suffering from dengue, and admitted to various hospitals

in the town.

Kusum Lata (55), who was admitted to Dashmesh Hospital, and later shifted to Rajwant Hospital in the town, was suffering from dengue for the past 15 days.

As her condition worsened and platelet count reduced to a deplorable extent, she was shifted to Apollo Hospital, where she breathed her last.

Her husband Subhash Chand Garg, son Sandeep Garg and daughter-in-law Tanu Garg are also undergoing treatment for dengue. As there was no one at home to cremate the body, all the three had to get themselves discharged to perform

the last rites of the deceased and were re-admitted thereafter.

There is a gutter in front of our home, which is seldom cleaned. Moreover, fogging which is of utmost necessity in the present situation is not being done on regular basis. When there is no fogging, how can you expect the mosquito count to decrease? rued Sandeep Garg, the son of the deceased.

Only we know what we have suffered for the past so many days. My mother is no more while me, my father and my wife are still in the hospital, but why should the council be bothered of what residents of the town are undergoing? he added.

Sanjeev Bansal of the Bank Street, whose mother has tested positive for dengue said, My mother is in serious condition at DMC Hospital and uncle has been admitted to a hospital in Jalandhar due to the similar fever.

Some people residing in our street have fallen ill due to dengue, but they have recovered with the passage of time, he added.

He alleged that the water supply of their area was faulty. Drinking water is not fit for consumption. The council has been apprised of the problem several times but to no avail, he said.

Dr Gursharan Kaur of Sidhu Hospital said as many as 150 to 200 patients suffering from dengue were admitted to their hospital in the past two months.

Utter lack of cleanliness and practically no fogging in the town is the main cause of the spread of dengue, she said.

Dr Rajwant Singh of Rajwant Hospital said they had 15 to 20 patients admitted to the hospital, who had tested positive for dengue.

Doraha is suffering due to the negligence of the Municipal Council, which has decided not to act be it sewer water accumulation in streets, rise in dengue cases or a matter as serious as dengue deaths, shared a resident.

When contacted, Executive Officer, Doraha, Rajneesh Sood, said, Fogging is being done in different areas in the town on different days.
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 9

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre and the CBI on a petition seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team headed by a former Chief Justice of India into the alleged corruption in medical admissions in connection with which a retired judge of the Odisha High Court was arrested.

A two-judge Bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar referred the petition to a five-judge Bench which will take it up on Monday.

The Benchalso comprising Justice S Abdul Nazeer--asked the CBI, which is currently investigating the matter, to forthwith seal the documents recovered during the probe and produce all material pertaining to the case before the court in a sealed cover on Monday.

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Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel Dushyant Dave submitted that since Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra-led Bench heard medical admission cases the CJI should not be a part of the five-judge Bench that would take up the matter on Monday.

We will see when the Bench is set up, said Justice Chelameswar.

A Constitution Bench headed by the CJIwhich was hearing the issue of power tussle between the Delhi Lt Governor and the elected government of NCTabruptly rose at noon to reassemble at 2 pm.

Dave said, Allegation of fixing judges through illegal gratification is too serious a charge to permit the CBI and the government to use it for arm-twisting the judiciary.

Justice Chelameswar commented, The charges are not only serious but also sensitivenot only for the judiciary but for the entire nation.

Besides an SIT probe, the petition has also demanded monitoring of the investigation by the top court.

Earlier, Dave and advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the petition filed by Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms before Justice Chelameswars Bench and sought urgent hearing into allegations of fixing an SC Bench. A person was allegedly arrested for demanding bribe in the name of a judge. The Bench had agreed to take it up at 12.45 pm.

Dave submitted to the court that he was not against anyone but the allegations were very disturbing and the issue needed to be taken up to protect the integrity and credibility of the judiciary as an institution.

The CBI had arrested former Odisha High Court judge IM Quddusi in September this year in connection with an alleged cash-for-judicial relief scam involving a Lucknow-based medical college. He was later granted bail by a Special CBI court in Delhi.

The probe agencywhich accused Quddusi of trying to influence a public servanthas recorded a large number of conversations between various accused during the investigation.
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 9

The rank-parity issue continues to simmer. In the latest round, the armed forces have refused to accept senior appointments made to the civilian cadre and no cognisance is being taken of letters making such appointments.

Rank-parity norms for the armed forces and the civilians employed in the Armed Forces Headquarters, called the AFHQ cadre, have been causing much friction.

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The Tribune was the first to report the matter in October.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), who heads the AFHQ cadre, had issued a letter dated October 5, addressed to the Chiefs of the three services. It listed the additional posts and appointments at the level of Additional Director General in five separate wings of the armed forces.

The forces shot back with two letters on November 2, stating that the office of the CAO has been issuing letters as instructions to the three Chiefs. No cognisance is being taken. The forces have written that the five appointments have been made arbitrarily without consulting the service headquarters.

The Principal Personnel Officers Committee (PPOC), a body of the three armed forces, in a letter on September 22, pointed out that its charter cleared by the Union Cabinet mandates policy matters of the AFHQ cadre.

The PPOC argued that the AFHQ cadre has made various communications regarding status equivalence based on non-existent precedence. Gross misrepresentation seems to have been made regarding equivalence, cadre restructuring and creation of higher posts, the letter suggests while seeking that all such letters be examined for their appropriateness.

The AFHQ cadre was set up in the mid-1960s to provide only secretarial support, without executive authority or powers.
New Delhi, November 9

The Congress on Thursday demanded the removal of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani over the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) slapping fine on his firm for alleged manipulative share trade.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also took a dig at the ruling party on the issue, saying the revelation was another tale of na khaoonga, na khane doonga.

He was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis promise of not allowing corruption under his watch.

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Referring to allegations against BJP chief Amit Shahs son Jay Shah and NSA Ajit Dovals son Shaurya Doval, Gandhi said the case involving Rupanis entity belonged to the series of irregularities. Both Jay Shah and Shaurya Doval have denied the allegations against them.

Na Khaoonga, na khane doonga ki kahani; Shah-zada, Shaurya aur ab Vijay Rupani (the tale of not allowing corruption; Shah-zada, Shaurya and now Vijay Rupani), Gandhi tweeted.

Another Congress leader, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, accused Modi of being tight-lipped on the issue involving Rupani. He asked the prime minister to come clear whether the BJP would face the coming Gujarat Assembly polls under a chief minister fined by the capital market regulator.

Gujarat is going to poll in two phases on December 9 and December 14.

Speaking to reporters, Singh said, The people who talk about zero tolerance against corruption should show zero tolerance in this case. We demand Rupanis resignation. If he doesnt, the prime minister should sack him.

Singh further said that under Modis watch the ease of doing business policy comes with a rider of only for the friends and family of BJP (leaders).

He alleged the country is witnessing a father- son/daughter culture of favouritism and malpractices and listed names of BJP leaders and their sons/daughters as he levelled the charges.

Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, who accompanied Singh, said the SEBI had given Rupani repeated opportunities to reply to its notices before it fined the firm concerned.

Surjewala claimed Rupani refused to reply to the notice a couple of times.

Then the chief minister said he is on bed rest for six months. Very interesting! The chief minister of Gujarat tells SEBI he is on bed rest...after a few notices and a proceeding that has gone on for close to two years, the SEBI has proceeded to indict him, he added.

According to media reports, the SEBI charged 22 entities, including Rupanis Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), for manipulative trade in a little-known company, Saran Chemicals. The HUF has been asked to cough up Rs 15 lakh.

The Securities Appellate Tribunals (SAT) order published on its website today, however, said that the Sebi will pass a fresh order in the case of alleged manipulative share trade involving Rupanis HUF and 21 others.

In its order, the SAT said Sebi shall pass fresh order after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the parties.

The tribunal has set aside the penalty order, dated October 27, after hearing an appeal filed by Akash Harishbhai Desai, one of the 22 entities penalised by the regulator for alleged manipulative trading in the shares of Saran Chemicals Ltd during the January-June 2011 period.  PTI
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, November 9

The recent meeting between Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar at the latters residence in Mumbai has raised the hopes of the Congress party in forming an anti-BJP alliance in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan told reporters here that his party had an open mind about a non-BJP alliance though a final decision on the matter would be taken by the party high command.

Chavan, who led the party protests against the Central Government to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation on Wednesday, said his party would be happy to see Thackeray break with the BJP.

Describing the saffron party as anti-farmer and anti-people, Chavan said the Shiv Sena and the NCP should first firm up an alliance before the Congress could decide on joining a broader anti-BJP front in the state.

The Shiv Sena has been praising the Congress party in recent times, with party mouthpiece Saamna extolling the virtues of Rahul Gandhi.

Acknowledging that the Shiv Senas attitude to the Congress has changed in recent times, Chavan said it was for the better.

However, Chavan stopped short of praising Thackeray. On its part, the Shiv Sena has maintained a studied silence on Pawars revelations that Thackeray had called on him more than ten days ago.

Sanjay Raut, party MP and editor of Saamna, refused to comment on the matter saying Thackeray was out of the country.

Other Shiv Sena leaders too have refused to speak on the matter.

Senior leaders of the Sena are to hold a meeting with Thackeray later this month, according to sources.
Yash Goyal

Jaipur, November 9

The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday stopped the state government from implementing its latest Bill that aimed to push reservation quota in the state to beyond Supreme Court-mandated 50 per cent.

A division Bench of justices KS Jhaveri and VS Vyas told the state government to hold off its implementation until the next date of hearing on November 13, and also advised the state government to push for a constitutional amendment instead of piecemeal legislations  such as the Bill.

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The petitioner, Ganga Sai Sharma, file a petition on November 3 against the state governments new policy to push up reservation for Other Backward Classes from 21 to 26 per cent. The petition asked the court to suspend the Bill until the court came to a decision, arguing that its implementation could create third party rights, complicating the case.

READ: Rajasthan OBC quota up to 26%

Passed by a voice vote in its legislature on October 27 despite objections from the Opposition, Rajasthan Backward Classes Bill, 2017, provides 5 per cent quota to five castes  including Gurjars  and six-sub castes in the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The Bill will take Rajasthans reservation  currently 49 per cent (21 per cent for OBCs; 16 per cent for SCs; and 12 per cent for STs)  to 54 per cent.

The development came after the Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti and the state government had reached an agreement on August 18. The other communities that will benefit from the Bill are: Banjara, Gadiya Lohar, Raika, and Gadaria.

The court had struck down a similar push for increased reservation in 2015.
Chennai, November 9

Income tax sleuths today carried out simultaneous multi-city raids on 187 premises, including those linked to sidelined AIADMK leaders VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran and Tamil television channel Jaya TV over suspected tax evasion.

Dhinakaran, the deposed AIADMK deputy general secretary, condemned as a conspiracy the searches undertaken by the Income Tax Department mostly in Tamil Nadu and targeted the Centre.

Jaya TV premises in Chennai and Dhinakarans farm house were searched as part of Operation Clean Money, under which premises belonging to 10 Income Tax assessee groups were searched, a senior I-T official told PTI here.

Of the 187 premises where the searches were conducted, most of it were in Tamil Nadu, a handful in Hyderabad, three in New Delhi, and one in Bengaluru, he said.

Such premises also include some which are linked to Jaya TV, Dhinakaran, Sasikala, and her brother Divakaran and they all fall under the category of assessees tagged for suspected tax evasion, the official said.

Dubbing the searches a conspiracy, Dhinakaran alleged it was to oust him and his jailed aunt from politics.

The searched premises include those belonging to Jaya TV (Mavis Satcom Ltd), its associates, Jazz Cinemas, an alcoholic beverages brewery, Midas Distilleries, a jewellery outlet and other firms, the official said.

The brewery and cinema firm are reported to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV, Sasikala and Dhinakaran. Jaya TV, which was named after late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and was the partys mouthpiece, is now perceived to be favourably politically disposed towards Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

Dhinakaran said his farm house off Auroville at Puducherry was searched. He, however, denied that his house in Chennai was raided.

On the farm house raid, the I-T official said it was held as part of searches into Jaya TVs account.

Searches were conducted only in the premises of those who held management positions, their associates, confidants or aides, the official said.  PTI
Chandigarh/New Delhi, November 9

With paddy straw burning taking air pollution to alarming levels in the national capital and northern states, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday took a swipe at his Delhi counterpart, saying Arvind Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation.

There is 20 million tonne of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem, Amarinder Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

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Earlier on Wednesday, Kejriwal and Capt Amarinder engaged in a Twitter conversation over the rising levels of smog in the national capital.

My office continuously trying to take time from CMs of Punjab n Haryana for me to meet the two CMs. Its an emergency(sic)," Kejriwal had tweeted hours after he sent a letter to Captain Amarinder Singh and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

The Punjab Chief Minister, who had earlier refused to penalise farmers for stubble burning, said he shared Kejriwal's concern but the state was helpless.

Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications(sic)," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Punjab CM today again urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, saying the issue of straw burning could not be tackled through means such as coercion.

He sought a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal as incentive to compensate the farmers to manage crop residue scientifically.

The chief minister has written to Modi, seeking compensation for the farmers for crop resident management to check the dangerous trend of stubble burning, which has triggered a major smog crisis in the northern belt of the country, an official release.

Singh had made this similar request to the prime minister on July 5, it said.

He also urged Modi to convene a meeting of chief ministers of the affected states along with the Union ministers for agriculture, food and environment on the issue.

Singh's statement came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought a meeting with him and Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar to discuss ways to tackle air pollution levels in the national capital.

The Punjab chief minister said most of north India, including Delhi, is currently in the throes of a pollution crisis, induced largely by burning of straw in the paddy-growing areas of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

The higher courts of the country and the National Green Tribunal have also taken cognisance of the matter, he observed.

"However, what is probably not being understood in proper perspective is that a problem which is essentially scientific and economic cannot be tackled through other means, including coercion," Singh said.

Scientific management and disposal of paddy straw entails significant cost for the farmer and he naturally prefers the cheaper and easy solution of burning the crop residue, he said, adding that there are at present no technical or biological systems for managing this farm operation that are economically attractive to the farmer.

The chief minister had earlier assured farmers that no case would be registered against them for burning crop residue.

He called upon the prime minister to get the matter examined on a priority basis and announce a compensation of cost management of crop residue at the rate of Rs 100 per quintal on wheat (above the minimum support price), and later for paddy to incentivise farmers not to burn their crop residue.  Agencies
New Delhi, November 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday leave on a three-day visit to the Philippines where he will attend the Asean and East Asia Summits and hold a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, it was announced on Thursday.

This will be Modis first official visit to the Philippines. He will be going there to attend the 15th Asean-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit, Priti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, told the media.

With this, India would have undertaken high-level visits  President, Vice-President and Prime Minister  to all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members  Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam  in the past three years.

This shows the importance India attaches to its relations with the Asean, Saran said. It symbolises Indias commitment to deepening relations with Asean member states in particular and with the Indo-Pacific region in general within the framework of our Act East Policy.

While Modi will meet Duterte, also this years Asean Chairman, on November 13, the two leaders will participate in the two Summits the next day.

Modi will also attend the special celebrations to mark 50th anniversary of the Aseans formation, a meeting of the leaders of the countries of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and an Asean Business and Investment Summit.

The RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement between the Asean member states and the six states with which the grouping has free trade pacts  Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

Asean accounts for over 10 per cent of Indias external trade. Asean and India together comprise a population of 1.85 billion, one-fourth of the global population, and a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion.

Saran said investments in India from Asean countries in the last 17 years had been over $70 billion, accounting for 17 per cent of FDI. Indian investments in Asean stand at over $40 billion.

Modis visit assumes significance as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Asean dialogue partnership.

Asean is central to Indias Act East Policy. Therefore, our Prime Minister's participation in the Asean-India Summit and the East Asia Summit provides a very important opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the partnership, Saran said.

India also has 30 sectoral dialogue mechanisms and seven ministerial-level interactions with Asean.

Saran said India supported Aseans centrality in the regional security architecture, and enhancing physical, digital, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties was a key focus in the relationship.

New Delhi attached the greatest importance to the East Asia Summit, of which India is a founding member, she said.

The East Asia Summit is held annually by leaders of Asean countries and those of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US.

On the margins of the summits, Modi will hold bilateral meetings with some other leaders as well.

Modi and Duterte were expected to set up the stage for a quantitative change in our bilateral relations with the Philippines, Saran said.

She said there was immense potential to enhance bilateral economic ties.

In the Philippines, Modi will meet members of the Indian community, visit the International Rice Research Institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation, an associate centre of the Bhagwan Mahavir Bikalang Sahayta Samiti of the Jaipur Foot fame.  IANS
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 9

As Delhi-NCR witnessed its third consecutive smog-laden day, watchdogs NHRC and NGT took to task the Centre and the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi on the steps taken so far.

Heavy pollution prompted the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government to announce its odd-even car formula for a five-day period from November 13, even as the BJP-led Central Government constituted a seven-member committee headed by the Union Environment Secretary to monitor and suggest short-term and long-term solutions to curb air pollution in the Capital.

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The committee decided to ask the governments to fully implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including control of road and construction dust, garbage burning, control of power plants and industrial emissions, entry of vehicles and several other related factors.

It was also decided to ensure that apart from other directions, closure of brick kilns, hot-mix plants, stone crushers, intensification of public transport, sprinkling of water and mechanised sweeping of roads, ban on construction, ban on use of pet coke and furnace oil be fully implemented.

The committee, which also includes the Delhi Chief Secretary, will meet regularly to ensure enforcement.

In a severe commentary on the prevailing situation in Delhi, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today questioned the Centre and states concerned (Punjab, Haryana and Delhi) over steps taken so far and issued them notices.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), too, slammed the governments for flagrant violation of the prescribed limits of particulate matter (PM) 10 and 2.5, recommending a slew of directions to deal with the situation.

These include a ban on construction and industrial activities, and on entry of trucks causing emissions till November 14.

With farmers of Punjab and Haryana facing flak for the situation in the Capital, sources say one of the suggestions at the Centres meeting was that the governments should step in to manage the stubble issue. Farmers cannot be expected to dispose of the stubble in the recommended way, it just doesnt make economic sense for them, an official said.

Quoting studies, they say stubble burning is just one part of the Delhi pollution, which is due to many factors, majority local.

While the NHRC has ordered states governments to spell out steps taken to prevent crop burning in regions adjacent to the NCR, the states say Delhi is equally, if not more, responsible for its problems.

High pollution levels are prevalent throughout the year due to factors like road dust, diesel gensets, vehicular pollution, construction and demolition, industrial and domestic activities.

The NHRC, which termed pollution as a violation of rights to life and health, has also sought reports within two weeks from the Union ministries of Environment, Health and Highway and Road Transport and the three state governments.

As pollution levels reached critical levels, air purifier manufacturers reported a spike in sales.

Construction ban till November 14

You (officials) go to the hospital and see what kind of trouble people are facing. You kept playing with peoples life. Right to life has been infringed with impunity by the authorities and other stakeholders No construction activity will be carried out on structures until further orders... all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR will also not be allowed till November 14. NGT Bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar
Jaipur, November 9

A Division Bench of the Rajasthan High Court today stayed a Bill providing 5 per cent quota to five OBCs (Other Backward Classes) and six sub-castes, including Gurjars, raising the reservation in the state to 54 per cent.

Justices KS Jhaveri and VK Vyas asked the Rajasthan Government to maintain status quo on the Supreme Court order on Special Backward Classes (SBC) after the High Court struck down the SBC quota for Gurjars in 2015 on the grounds that it would take the total reservation to 55 per cent, violating the 50 per cent ceiling by the apex court.

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Despite a protest by Congress and BSP MLAs, the Assembly had on October 26 passed a fresh Bill to provide 5 per cent quota to five communities  Banjara, Gadiya Lohar, Gurjar, Raika, and Gadaria  raising the quota limit from 21 to 26 per cent.

Minister Arun Chaturvedi said the judgment would be contested after a careful perusal.  OC
Yash Goyal

Our Correspondent

Jaipur, November 9

Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Thursday.

The Congress  the biggest opposition party with 24 lawmakers  could not field a candidate because they lacked the numbers. The BJP has 160 seats in the states unicameral legislature.

The election was spurred by former BJP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Venkaiah Naidus election to Vice-Presidents office.

Alphons, previously a civil servant who was made a union minister two months ago, landed in Jaipur on Thursday morning.

Seven of the current 10 Rajya Sabha nominations from Rajasthan are BJP candidates. Congress has two candidates, both of whose terms end early next year.

Kannanthanam  a civil servant from the 1979 batch of the Indian Administrative Services from Kerala cadre  is currently a Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Culture, and Tourism, and is the BJPs second central minister from Kerala after O. Rajagopal.

He is credited for having started a literacy movement by making Kottayam the first completely literate town of India in 1989. He later served as commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority.
United Nations, November 9

Voting began today in the Security Council and the General Assembly for the election of world court judges in which Dalveer Bhandari of India is facing a Lebanese diplomat in his re-election bid.

The Assembly and the Council are holding separate ballots to elect five judges and candidates have to get an absolute majority in both chambers. Permanent members cannot veto a candidate.

Bhandari was elected to the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2012 to complete the remainder of the term of a retiring judge. He is now running for a full nine-year term. Lebanon's Permanent Representative Nawaf Salam, a jurist-turned-diplomat, is running against him for the judgeship representing Asia.

Bhandari has received nominations from Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia and Israel. Just before the voting began in the Assembly, President Miroslav Lajcik announced that Sri Lanka has also joined in nominating him.

There are six candidates left in the race for the five judgeships up for election this year.  IANS
Gandhinagar, November 9

The Shiv Sena will be contesting 70 to 75 seats in the Gujarat Assembly elections on the Hindutva plank.

Shiv Sena national secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai told the media: We feel the BJP, that has won all across the country, has forgotten its basic agenda  Hindutva. But Hindutva is not all that we want. On our agenda is education, healthcare, farmers welfare and development.

On the reservation demand by Patidars, he said, Hardik Patel, PAAS convener, in the initial days of their agitation met Uddhav Thackeray and discussed matters related to Maratha reservation. But caste reservation and casteism is not our cup of tea.

Desai ruled out an alliance with any other party. Sources say the Sena will contest at least eight constituencies in Ahmedabad and seats where the BJP or the Congress have won with narrow margins. The party has zeroed in on 50 candidates, Desai said.  IANS
Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 9

The state government will mark Childrens Day with the commencement of pre-school classes (nursery, LKG and UKG) in its 12,500 primary schools. More than 25,000 students have already enrolled for the classes beginning on November 14.

The Cabinet had, in September, approved enrolment of children above the age of three years in pre-primary classes. Earlier, the government schools could admit students more than six years old.

With pre-primary classes, the government hopes to check decrease in enrolment of children in its schools. The strength of primary schools reduced by about 5.5 lakh students in the past seven years. In 2010, the strength was 14.5 lakh, said Krishan Kumar, Secretary (School Education).

The matter of staff rationalisation has almost been settled, he added.

The only hitch the School Education Department faced in starting the classes was from anganwaris. The state has 26,656 anganwaris with 3.2 lakh students. The strength was 5.33 lakh in 2010. If children are shifted to schools, the fear of anganwaris closing down looms large.

Anganwari Employees Federation national president Hargobind Kaur said, If the enrolment of students in government schools is decreasing, it is not our fault. Parents will never withdraw their children from government schools if teaching is of high standards.

The federation, she said, had a couple of meetings with department officers and had been assured of a workable settlement. The department still has to settle certain matters. One, these children are not covered under the mid-day meal scheme. Two, the number of primary schools are fewer than anganwaris.

DPI (Primary Schools) Inderjit Singh said, The fear of anganwaris is unfounded. We have assured them that we will iron out minor differences and work together under the changed scenario. We all have to cooperate to prevent children in the age group of three to six years getting enrolled in shops functioning in the name of schools.

The principal of a Ludhiana-based preparatory school, however, is apprehensive of governments move. If officers think that any teacher can handle toddlers, they are mistaken. Private schools offer specially designed courses for small children. In any case, parents are willing to spend on quality education for their wards, she said.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 9

Over a week after Fazilka Additional Sessions Judge summoned Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sukhpal Singh Khaira to face trial as an additional accused in a drugs case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today reserved its verdict.

Justice AB Chaudhari reserved the verdict after hearing lengthy arguments. Appearing on Khairas behalf, senior advocate Randeep Singh Rai had earlier dubbed the matter as a classic instance of political vendetta.

It was alleged that every attempt was being made to rope Khaira in as an accused with the solitary purpose to tarnish his reputation and public perception. Khaira was summoned as an additional accused in case FIR dated March 5, 2015, registered at the Sadar police station, Jalalabad.

Describing himself as a two-time MLA and a fearless politician and crusader against various evils often indulged into by the ruling party of the state, Khaira had claimed raising his voice against the drug mafia, mining mafia, corruption and other ailments affecting Punjab for the last decade.

He asserted that he was currently the Leader of Opposition in Punjab on account of his clean and bold image. Seeking the setting aside of the impugned order, dated October 31, he added that it was passed by the court after the trial and passing of the judgment of conviction and sentence against the accused facing trial.

He added that the fact was also reflected from the impugned order, wherein it was specifically noticed by the trial court that, vide its separate judgment, all the accused against whom the challan was presented, except one, had been convicted.

From the bare perusal of the impugned order, it was apparent that the order of summoning the petitioner and others as additional accused was passed after the trial regarding the main accused had culminated by virtue of judgment of conviction. Khaira added there was no substantive evidence available with the court to summon the petitioner as an accused.

SAD ridicules invite to Congress MLAs

Chandigarh: Taking a dig at Sukhpal Khaira, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) said on Thursday that it was shameful that a drug accused was inviting Congress legislators to join his party (AAP) to stake claim to form the next government. In a statement here, party spokesman Maheshinder Singh Grewal asked Khaira to explain why he "arm-twisted" the AAP high command into forcing Punjab MLAs to support him after a virtual revolt in the party. The Akali Dal also asked AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to explain his stand on the issue of drugs and his silence on summons to his party leader. TNS

AAP leader deposits passport with court

Abohar: Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira has deposited his passport with the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Sandeep Singh Josan. As the Judge has gone for training, no proceedings could be taken up on Thursday. The case has been listed for hearing on November 21. The court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Khaira in connection with a drug case. Earlier, the BJP had asked Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh to seize Khaira's passport. Party leaders Harjit Singh Grewal and Vineet Joshi had also demanded that the non-bailable warrants issued against Khaira be executed at the earliest so that he could not flee the country. oc
Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 9

Several flights got delayed today due to low visibility despite Shri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport having Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT-III B.

Some flights have also been cancelled in the past three days due to smog.

Visibility improved at about 9 am today and after that, flights managed to land and take off.

The airport authorities had installed CAT III B system to tackle low visibility during foggy weather conditions a month back. Officials at the airport had claimed that flights could land and take off even in 50m visibility with the new landing system.

But today, the authorities claimed that visibility was near zero, making it difficult for flights to land and take off.

Visibility is less than 50m nowadays, said Manoj Chansoria, Director Airport. The CAT III-B made the landing of several flights possible in the past few days. With the old infrastructure, 500m visibility was required. We cant say that it is not useful.
Lahore: A speeding bus carrying over 100 passengers fell into a ravine killing at least 27 persons and injuring 69 others in Pakistan's Punjab province. The overloaded bus was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town. The cause of accident was not known but apparently overloading was the reason as it was carrying around 100 passengers. Thirteen of the injured were rushed to a Rawalpindi hospital. PTI
Karachi: A suspected suicide bomber on Thursday killed an Additional Inspector General and three other police officers in Pakistans southwestern Balochistan province.The blast targeted the vehicle of Additional Inspector General (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel who was passing through a residential area in Quetta. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. PTI
Phoenix, November 8

An Arizona man was found guilty on Wednesday of murder and other charges in the death of a 10-year-old girl who was locked in a small bin for taking a Popsicle without permission, a court official said.

The verdict by the Maricopa County jury allows the trial of John Allen, 29, to move to the penalty phase, in which the panel will determine if he should face the death penalty, court spokesman Vincent Funari said in a statement. That phase begins on Thursday and could take weeks, he said.

Sammantha Allen, John Allen's wife, was sentenced to death in August after she was also convicted of murder in the 2011 death of 10-year-old Ame Deal, who was her cousin.

Police said the child, who was left in the Allens' care, was forced to exercise intensely for hours in the summer heat as punishment for taking the frozen treat.

The couple then ordered her to get a hinged, plastic container and climb into it, police have said. Sammantha Allen watched as her husband padlocked the girl in the box and the couple then fell asleep, police said.

The dead girl's body was found inside the small container, which only had tiny air holes at its handles.

The jury found John Allen guilty of first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse and conspiracy to commit child abuse, officials said.

Family members initially told police Deal died in a hide-and-seek game that turned tragic. Police unraveled that story during their investigation.

In John Allen's trial, jurors watched a video of him confessing to locking the girl in the box and going to sleep.

Arizona has not executed an inmate in three years. The state's last execution took nearly two hours, and resulted in a lawsuit by several inmates who claimed the state's lethal injection protocol caused prolonged suffering.

John Allen's attorney argued that his client took full responsibility and did not intend for the girl to die.

Maricopa county prosecutors and Allen' attorney, Gary Beren, could not be reached for comment late on Wednesday.  Reuters.
Sydney, November 9

Papua New Guinea began dismantling a shuttered Australian-run immigration detention centre on Thursday and warned it will use force if necessary to evict nearly 600 men if they refuse to leave within two days, according to a notice posted at the camp.

The asylum seekers have barricaded themselves inside the Manus island centre for the past nine days, defying attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea to close the camp in a standoff the United Nations describes as a looming humanitarian crisis.

The men fear violent reprisals from the Manus island community if they move from the camp to three transit centres, pending possible resettlement to the United States. The camp was closed on Oct. 31 and water and power have been cut off.

You may become very sick under these conditions of overflowing sewerage, heaps of rubbish, no clean running water, no electricity and no food, Papua New Guineas Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority said in a two-page notice reviewed by Reuters.

You are therefore instructed to vacate this compound immediately...if necessary, force may be used to relocate those who refuse to move voluntarily for your own sake. The men inside the camp, who include asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Syria, said they will continue to defy attempts to shut the camp.

They said they had exhausted their food supplies and were relying on rainwater to drink. Several of the men told Reuters that nearly 100 of them had fallen sick.

The notice added that demolition of fences would begin on Thursday. Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish journalist from Iran who has been detained on Manus island for more than four years, said on Twitter that workers had begun that task.

The refugees are watching them fearfully...(they) are extremely scared by immigration threat but still saying we will not leave this prison camp for another prison camp, he said.

Using force against ppl whove been suffering nearly 5yrs is no solution. If youre going to solve this problem send us to safe third country.

Australia has used the Manus island centre, and another on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru, to detain asylum seekers who try to reach its shores by boat. It says boat arrivals will never enter Australia, even if they are found to be refugees, as this would encourage people smugglers in Asia.

Papua New Guineas High Court ruled last year that the Manus centre, first opened in 2001, was illegal and the camp closed on Oct. 31, when Australian-funded security staff withdrew.

Thursdays PNG government notice said the camp will soon revert to the control of the nations military and anyone there unlawfully will be liable for arrest. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter ONeill on Wednesday said appropriate means would be used to apprehend those responsible for disruption.

Australias Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Thursday that the situation was unacceptable...but the government wont be backing down.

The PNG Supreme Court rejected an application by one of the men to restore services on Tuesday, despite pleas from the United Nations to make food, water, medical supplies and power available. Lawyers for the asylum seekers are due to lodge an appeal against later on Thursday. Reuters
London, November 9

Britains senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has resigned from her Cabinet post amid a political storm over her unauthorised secret meetings with Israeli politicians while on a holiday in the Jewish country.

Patels position as international development minister had become increasingly untenable after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials that were not disclosed earlier.

The 45-year-old minister resigned last night after a meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May, who had summoned her midway from a tour of Africa.

In her resignation, Patel again apologised and said her actions fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated.

It follows a week of controversies around a dozen undisclosed meetings she had with other Israelis, including PM Benjamin Netanyahu, for which she had been forced to apologise.

Her departure from the Cabinet marks an abrupt halt to the meteoric rise of the Gujarati-origin MP, often touted as a potential future leader of the Conservative party and a PM candidate.

She was elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron-led Tory government as his Indian Diaspora Champion.

She went on to be appointed to junior ministerial posts, treasury minister in 2014 and then employment minister after the 2015 General Election, before May promoted her to secretary of state in the department for international development (DfID) last year.

A longstanding Eurosceptic, Patel is among the most vocal supporters of Brexit and had steered the Vote Leave campaign in the lead up to the referendum in favour of Britains exit from the EU.  PTI
BEIRUT, November 9

Syrias army declared victory over Islamic State on Thursday, saying its capture of the jihadists last town in the country marked the collapse of their project in the region. The army and its allies are still fighting Islamic State in desert areas near Albu Kamal, the last town the militant group had held in Syria, near the border with Iraq, the army said.

But the capture of the town ends Islamic States era of territorial rule over the so-called caliphate that it proclaimed in 2014 across Iraq and Syria and in which millions suffered under its hardline, repressive strictures.

Yet after ferocious defensive battles in its most important cities this year, where its fighters bled for every house and street, its final collapse has come with lightning speed.

Instead of a battle to the death as they mounted a last stand in the Euphrates valley towns and villages near the border between Iraq and Syria, many fighters surrendered or fled.

In Albu Kamal, the jihadists had fought fiercely, said a commander in the pro-Syrian government military alliance. But it was captured the same day the assault began. This sealed the fall of the terrorist Daesh organisations project in the region, an army statement said, using an Arabic term for Islamic State.

The fate of its last commanders is still unknown-killed by bombardment or in battle, taken prisoner but unidentified, or hunkered into long-prepared hideouts to plot a new insurgency.

The last appearance of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared himself caliph and heir to Islams historic leaders from the great medieval mosque in Iraqs Mosul, was made in an audio recording in September.  AFP
Beijing, November 9

US President Donald Trump called on China to do more to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and said bilateral trade had been unfair to the United States, while Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country would be more open to foreign firms.

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On North Korea, Trump said China can fix this problem quickly and easily, urging Beijing to cut financial links with North Korea and also calling on Russia to help.

Trump was speaking alongside Xi in the Chinese capital to announce the signing of about $250 billion in commercial deals between US and Chinese firms, a display that some in the US business community worry detracts from tackling deep-seated complaints about market access in China.

Xi said the Chinese economy would become increasingly open and transparent to foreign firms, including those from the United States, and welcomed US companies to participate in his ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure-led initiative.

Trump made clear that he blamed his predecessors, not China, for the trade imbalance, and repeatedly praised Xi, calling him a very special man.

But we will make it fair and it will be tremendous for both of us, Trump said.

Trump is pressing China to tighten the screws further on North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons. At least modest progress is hoped for, though there are no immediate signs of a major breakthrough, a US official said earlier.

Referring to Xi, Trump said: I do believe theres a solution to that, as do you.

In a show of the importance China puts on Trumps first official visit, Thursdays welcoming ceremony outside Beijings Great Hall of the People overlooking Tiananmen Square was broadcast live on state television - unprecedented treatment for a visiting leader.

Earlier on Thursday, Xi said he had a deep exchange of views with Trump and reached consensus on numerous issues of mutual concern.

For China, cooperation is the only real choice, only win-win can lead to an even better future, he said.

Xi said China and the United States strengthened high-level dialogue on all fronts over the past year and boosted coordination on major international issues, such as the Korean peninsula and Afghanistan.

Relations between China and the United States are now on a new historical starting point, Xi said

Trump and Xi hit it off at their first meeting in April at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and continued their bromance on Wednesday with an afternoon of sightseeing together with their wives. However, deep divisions persist over trade and North Korea.

And while Xi is riding high after consolidating power at a twice-a-decade Communist Party Congress last month, Trump comes to China saddled with low public approval ratings and dogged by investigations into Russian links to his election campaign.

Horrible trade surplus

Trump has ratcheted up his criticism of Chinas massive trade surplus with the United States - calling it embarrassing and horrible last week - and has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices.

For its part, China says US restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and on high-tech exports need to be addressed.

Several corporate chief executives were in Beijing as part of a delegation led by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, with General Electric and semiconductor maker Qualcomm Inc among those announcing billions of dollars in sales to China.

But Qualcomms agreement to sell $12-billion worth of components to three Chinese mobile phone makers over three years is non-binding, and critics say such public announcements are sometimes more show than substance.

This shows that we have a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship, and yet we still need to focus on levelling the playing field because US companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China, said William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Trump railed against Chinas trade practices during the 2016 US presidential campaign and threatened to take action once in office. But he has since held back on any major trade penalties, making clear he was doing so to give Beijing time to make progress reining in North Korea.

A US official said both sides were in sync about wanting to minimise friction during the visit and recreate the positive tone of the April summit.

Trump was not expected to put much emphasis in his talks with Xi on thorny issues such as the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, claimed by China as its own, though the leaders aides may deal with those matters privately, the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

China has repeatedly pushed back at suggestions it should be doing more to rein in North Korea, which does about 90 percent of its trade with China, saying it is fully enforcing UN sanctions and that everyone has a responsibility to lower tension and get talks back on track. Reuters
Youre the operations manager of a major truckload carrier. Its Tuesday, a little after 2 p.m. The morning rush is over, the drivers and customers are all reasonably happy, and youre gearing up for the onslaught of late-afternoon messages from customers wondering where their trucks are and drivers alerting you that they cant load until tomorrow. Its a typical day  until you get a call from a driver with something out of the ordinary.

My engine has just shut down and Im sitting dead in the center lane of the Cross-Bronx expressway, he says. There were no warnings, no red or yellow lights. It just quit. Traffic was too heavy for me to get over to the shoulder, so Im sitting here blocking traffic. What a mess.

Then your phone chirps with a text message: Send 25,000 in Bitcoin and you can have your truck back.

If youre chuckling, saying, No, that could never happen, wipe the smile off your face. It has already happened  so far only in a lab, but its likely to happen in real life if truck makers, regulators and fleets dont take steps to protect certain vulnerabilities in the basic electronic architecture of nearly every truck built in the past 25 years or so.

A large part of the potential threat comes from the J1939 data bus. As the Society of Automotive Engineers defines it, J1939 is a common communication architecture that offers an open interconnect system allowing ECUs associated with different component manufacturers to communicate with each other.

But while J1939s open design provides a great deal of efficiency to the industry, it also makes it vulnerable.

We worked, as an industry, to develop that open architecture of J1939 so that we could have this great flexibility, as fleets and as OEMs to work collaboratively, says Gary Hunt, vice president of equipment and maintenance at ABF Freight System. Is it going to be our Achilles heel now?

Hunt is part of a new task force put together by the American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council to address cybersecurity issues.

The open architecture of J1939 is just one of the challenges. There are actually vulnerabilities all the way up and down the truck manufacturing chain.

Truck makers buy major systems and components from a lot of large suppliers, who, in turn, buy from other suppliers, said Keith Doorenbos, a system engineer with Paccar, speaking at the inaugural session of the S.5 Cyber Security Taskforce at TMCs annual meeting in Nashville earlier this year. And when we complete our part of a truck, we hand it off to bodybuilders, to telematics providers and to the fleets. Even drivers are installing or connecting their own electronics to the truck. So every piece that gets connected provides another path into the system and another risk to the system.

Theoretical models have been developed that suggest even diagnostic tools could be used to move a virus-like attack from one truck to the next, but so far, Doorenbos says thats entirely theoretical.

I dont believe its even been demonstrated by any of our white hats [good-guy hackers], but theres a lot of exposures in different elements. Basically everything thats smart out there creates another opening, he warns.

Researchers and industry insiders have known about these vulnerabilities for years, and have been testing systems for permeability. What began as a class project at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in spring 2016 made it to the pages of Wired magazine as a follow-up to the widely reported controlled hacking of a Jeep Cherokee while it drove around public highways in St. Louis. The UMTRI exercise was conducted on a closed test track, and the hacker was sitting in the sleeper with a laptop plugged into the on-board diagnostics port of a 2006 Class 8 tractor.

Theyre not the only ones. Last year, the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma began research on a truck-in-a-box. It was a typical Class 8 electronically speaking  just the wiring and electronics without the truck. While the Truck Duck originally was designed to monitor operations, I realized if I can monitor it, I can probably alter what its doing, said James Johnson from the Tandy School of Computer Science in a press release. I wrote a very basic piece of malware that changes what the software does without anyone being able to tell.

And for the past six years, the Battelle Memorial Institute and a working group within the SAE have teamed up to host an automotive cyber challenge in Detroit, where OEMs bring their vehicles in and a team of students try to hack into the systems.

These and other exercises all have concluded that the weakness is real, and the vulnerability poses a threat to operations. But just how much of a threat, and what it could be used to exploit, isnt yet clear.

Its no longer a question of if, but when, stresses Mark Zachos, chair of the TMC S.5 Task Force on Cybersecurity and chair of the SAE J1939 Network Security Task Force. He is also founder and president of DG Technologies and CEO of Dearborn Group Inc.

The OEMs who bring their vehicles into the Battelle challenge certainly do get hacked, Zachos says. Those OEMs get a lot of good information from the session, but all of the information gleaned from the attempted hackings stays in the room. They publish nothing, there are no press releases. In fact, everybody involved has to turn in their notebooks at the end and the notebooks are destroyed. Its designed as a learning experience only.

So far, all of those projects were just demonstrations, and they were accomplished with hard-wired connections to the truck. But nobody can guarantee that todays connected truck is completely and absolutely safe from some kind of deliberate intervention. As Doorenbos noted, there are plenty of ways into the system.

No one can guarantee that todays connected truck is completely and absolutely safe from being hacked.

Who would want to hack a truck?

By now you might be prepared to concede that the potential for a cyber-attack on a truck is real, but you may have a hard time imagining why someone would bother. Well, a truck could become a pretty effective weapon in some sort of terrorist attack, or it could be used by someone with an axe to grind, or even some kid who wants to prove something to his girlfriend. Doorenbos told attendees of the S.5 taskforce session that the threat could come from several quarters.

Youve got the tuners, the age-old nemesis of OEMs; the people who go in and find ways to modify trucks to get more power, better fuel efficiency, and bypass emission systems without the approval of the OEMs, he said. Then youve got your prankster category; people who are just out to demonstrate that maybe theyre smarter than somebody else. And youve got your hacktivists; people who are either socially or politically driven with specific agendas. Hacktivists have an enormous amount of dedication to put into making their particular political or social point at anybodys expense.

He says trucking hasnt yet had a lot of exposure to classic cyber criminals who are after access to traditional servers for data-mining, identity theft and financial theft (see story on p. 60). But that still leaves quite a cross-section of potential threat originators.

And at the top end of the system, youve got your nation states or pseudo nation states, the types of organizations that have very large resources and are willing to mount large-scale, very sophisticated attacks in order to support political goals, he warned. They can be very difficult, if not impossible, to completely block if they come after a system.

More likely, Doorenbos believes, the biggest threat lies in the for-profit sector: Cargo theft. Right now thats pretty much done using old-school methods, he said. What were trying to do is prevent giving them new techniques that might make that simpler, more efficient or more accessible.

Whether its a kid with an inferiority complex or organized crime looking for more efficient ways of grabbing your cargo, theres also a worst-case scenario to consider: a full-scale organized cyber terror attack using trucks.

What if a cyber attacker decides to attack every truck thats operating on the Beltway in Washington, D.C.? asked Hunt, speaking at the TMC S.5 session. [Hackers] break every single one of them and block the Beltway. Then they attack inside the beltway, and you cant get emergency vehicles in there because the Beltway is blocked with commercial vehicles.

And what might cyber terrorists do with trucks loaded with hazardous and explosive materials?

At the other end of the spectrum is something more insidious, such as a denial-of-service attack done to a truck or just some of its components.

Its not hard to imagine what could be done. Perhaps the big challenge is imagining how to prevent any or all of the above scenarios.

Encrypting data and software to prevent it from being easily accessed by outsiders is one key tactic being deployed to counter cyber threats.

Ongoing prevention efforts

As weve demonstrated, cybersecurity is an issue that affects nearly everyone in the industry, from the OEMs and their suppliers, to fleets, maintenance people, and even drivers. Theres a huge amount of work going on in the background to get a better understanding of the scale of the problem, and a few solutions are emerging that will help slow the black hats down, even if we cant shut them out completely.

A key element of a lot of cyber security efforts is encryption. Encrypting data and software so that it cant easily be reverse-engineered or accessed by outsiders is common now.

Telematics providers are on the leading edge of some of these mitigation and prevention efforts. PeopleNet, for example, says it has implemented multiple layers of security so that there are no openings for a hacker to exploit.

We ensure this through encryption and data obfuscation, says Chris Sandberg, vice president of information technology at PeopleNet. Encryption and obfuscation ensure data is transmitted in a binary format and sent separately from the encryption keys, so there is no way to decipher what the data shows even if it isnt encrypted. Essentially, this means that we created our own language  and there is no Rosetta Stone for hackers to be able to crack the code.

Another strategy is partitioning the electronic architectures on trucks so that rather than a single-vehicle network on J1939, there are a number of sub-networks separating the most critical systems from less critical systems. Engineers are also inserting firewalls or gateways between those different networks so they can control the data and the commands that can move from one network to another.

Even if somebody can compromise your telematics system, that does not automatically give them immediately the ability to send commands directly to an engine or a brake, Doorenbos explains.

But those are all modern solutions for modern trucks. Consider this sobering fact: The National Motor Freight Traffic Association recently did a survey to gather registration data for all vehicles put into service since model year 2000. The results suggest that four out of every five trucks built in the last 15 years are still registered. Thats a lot of systems to reverse-engineer, partition, encrypt and protect.

The other critical component in the cybersecurity fight is technician training. The folks who work on trucks need to be able to recognize a possible threat.

We have enough occasional hiccups with either the diagnostic software or the data connection that a legitimate threat could easily be confused as just another computer issue, notes Zachos.

This years SuperTech technician competition at TMCs fall meeting had a cybersecurity test station to expose technicians to the issue. Next year, the actual competition will probably include a cybersecurity component.

The discussion could start with outlining a basic process that could link into an existing vehicle troubleshooting process, says Zachos, who recently took over as chair of the TMC cybersecurity group from Guy Rini.

If this is the first youve really heard about cybersecurity as it relates to trucks and freight transportation, youre not alone. Its a fairly new problem, but as noted above, several U.S. universities are now actively engaged in research on the subject. The U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and other government agencies are also looking at it. And there are several industry groups actively engaged in discussion and research on the subject, including SAE, TMC, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association and the Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

Auto ISAC is an industry-operated entity created to enhance cybersecurity awareness and collaboration across the global automotive industry. Participants include light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers.

Youll be reading more about this in the coming months  hopefully here in Heavy Duty Trucking first, not in Wired magazine.
Larry Rooney has been promoted to president of Manhattan Construction Group, whose flagship business is Tulsa-based Manhattan Construction Co.

Representing the fifth generation of the Rooney family to work at Manhattan, he will continue to serve as the regional manager for Manhattan Construction Co. in Oklahoma.

Rooneys construction experience includes roles in field supervision, project management, estimating and preconstruction, and a total revenue portfolio in excess of $1.5 billion.

After working in Chicago for Turner Construction Co., Rooney joined the family business in Manhattans Houston regional office in 2010.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional and graduate of Leadership Tulsa Class 51. He serves on the board of the Tulsa Regional Chamber and on the advisory board of the Tulsa chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Other businesses in the Manhattan Construction Group family besides Manhattan Construction Co. are Manhattan Road & Bridge Co., Manhattan Pipeline LLC, Manhattan International Construction Co. Ltd, Cantera Concrete Co., Spectrum Contracting Inc. and Safezone LLC.

Manhattan Construction Group serves the commercial building, civil, pipeline and specialty construction markets through its regional offices in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, D.C. Manhattan also provides construction services internationally in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Manhattan Construction Co. announced earlier this year that it is building Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

The 42,000-seat ballpark, set to be completed in 2020, will cost about $1.1 billion, with $800 million earmarked for construction.
City officials took another step toward fully implementing the Tulsa Commission on Community Policings 77 recommendations Wednesday with the announcement of a Citizen Advisory Board and three Citizen Action Groups.

The community policing initiative was created by Mayor G.T. Bynum to help improve relations between the Tulsa Police Department and the community and to provide a vehicle for community engagement. At the heart of that effort  and one of the commissions recommendations  is the establishment of civilian oversight panels.

Wednesdays joint announcement by Bynum and Police Chief Chuck Jordan checks that recommendation off the list.

We recognize the need to improve the lines of communication between citizens and the Tulsa Police Department so all of us can work together to make our city safer. These groups will facilitate that necessary dialogue, but their creation is just one step of many that we are taking, Bynum said.

Tulsa is setting the standard across the nation when it comes to implementing a comprehensive community policing strategy, and I am thankful for these citizens who have stepped forward to offer their help.

Thus far, the Police Department has fully implemented 39 of the commissions 77 recommendations. The other recommendations are in different stages of implementation, according to the city.

Bynum appointed the 11-member Citizen Advisory Board. It will work with the Police Department to identify high-level priorities as they relate to community policing and public safety solutions.

The three Citizen Action Groups, one for each uniform police division, will work proactively with police to improve residents quality of life and reduce crime. The Police Department appointed the members of those groups.

The creation of citizen advisory and citizen action groups was part of the Community Policing Commissions top recommendation for building trust in the Police Department.

The other facets of the recommendation include creating a safer and more secure environment throughout the city; providing further transparency; working harder on procedural justice principles; and wearing body cameras.

Police recently began field testing body-worn cameras.

While we are hiring a record number of new police officers, we also know that every Tulsan has a part to play in making our city safe, Bynum said. Citizens and the Tulsa Police Department are working hand in hand to implement 77 recommendations put forth by the Tulsa Commission on Community Policing. All of the recommendations are in progress and resources have been identified.

Tulsans can check the progress of the community policing effort at cityoftulsa.org/dashboards.

Lets Talk: Attend free forum Thursday to discuss violence in Tulsa

Tonight, the Tulsa World is hosting a free forum to discuss the issue of increasing violence in Tulsa and hear from area leaders about solutions. Here are the details:

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday

Where: OSU-Tulsa, Auditorium Conference Center, 700 N. Greenwood Ave.

Panelists: Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan, state Rep. Monroe Nichols, University of Tulsa President Gerard Clancy, Family Safety Center Executive Director Suzann Stewart

Register now: The event is free, but registration is required. You can register and submit questions at tulsaworld.com/talk
A Duncan woman who married her biological mother last year received a 10-year deferred sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty in Stephens County to committing incest.

Court records indicate that Misty Velvet Dawn Spann, 26, was set for a bench trial Tuesday but instead pleaded guilty to illegally marrying 44-year-old Patricia Ann Spann, who is identified as Patricia Ann Clayton on their marriage license application, filed in March 2016 in Comanche County.

Patricia Span also was once married to her biological son.

District Judge Ken Graham gave Misty Spann a deferred sentence of 10 years, at least two of which must be under the supervision of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, court minutes show.

Patricia Spann, who is also charged with incest, is to appear in court in January.

Incest in Oklahoma is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Authorities say a state Department of Human Services child welfare investigator discovered information during an inquiry that led her to believe that Misty and Patricia Spann were involved in an incestuous relationship.

Patricia Spann told the investigator that she lost custody of Misty Spann and her other two children when they were children but reconnected with them in 2014. The mother reportedly told authorities that she and Misty hit it off.

The document indicates that Patricia Spann had looked into marrying her daughter and determined that she could because her name no longer appeared on Misty Spanns birth certificate.

The DHS worker said Patricia Spann never reported that she had married her biological son in Comanche County in 2008. That marriage was annulled in 2010 after the son described it as incestuous.

Stephens County court records show that the mother-daughter marriage was annulled Oct. 12, six weeks after Misty Spann filed for an annulment by reason of illegality and fraud. She said her mother told her she had received legal advice indicating that their marriage was legal.
By PTI: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Nov 9 (PTI) Eigtheen couples, including Prime Minister Sher Bahadaur Deuba and his wife, are contesting general and provincial elections in Nepal.

Deuba is contesting the upcoming elections for the sixth time from Dadeldhura while his wife Arzoo Deuba Rana is in the fray from Kailali-5 constituency.

The Deubas are the sole couple contesting the elections under the first past the post (FPTP) system among prominent leaders and top three political parties.

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Nepali Congress leader Bal Krishna Khand and his wife Manju Khand are in the list of proportional representation (PR) category.

Manju is contesting the elections under Khas Arya women category.

Former Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar features in the list of PR category while her husband CPN (Maoist Center) leader Barsha Man Pun is in the election race under the FPTP from Rolpa.

UML Vice Chairman Bam Dev Gautam is contesting the elections to the House of Representatives from Bardiya -1 while his wife Tulasha Thapa is in the list of PR category.

Gautam is contesting the upcoming elections for the sixth time.

UML Standing Committee member Shankar Pokharel is fighting the elections to the member of the Provincial Assembly from Dang while his wife is in the list of PR category. Shakya is the central member under indigenous women category.

Both had started their political career from students? life.

CPN (Maoist Center) leader Dev Gurung is contesting from Lamjung under the FPTP while his wife Yashoda Subedi is in the list of PR category.

Gurung had won the elections to the First Constituent Assembly under the FPTP while Subedi had become the lawmaker from PR Category.

Former Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar features in the list of PR category while her husband CPN (Maoist Center) leader Barsha Man Pun is in the election race under the direct system from Rolpa district.

The other prominent couples contesting the elections include CPN--UML Vice Chairman Bam Dev Gautam who is contesting the elections to the House of Representatives from Bardiya -1 and his wife Tulasha Thapa who is in the list of PR category.

Gautam is contesting the upcoming elections for the sixth time.

The general and provincial elections in Nepal were declared on August 21 and are seen as the final step in the Himalayan nations post-war transition to a federal democracy.

The Maoists have dominated Nepals politics for more than 20 years after waging a decade-long insurgency against government forces that claimed more than 16,000 lives.

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The civil war in Nepal came to an end in 2006.

The CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist have forged electoral alliance for both the provincial and parliamentary elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7 giving a tough fight to ruling Nepali Congress, which emerged as the largest party in the last parliamentary elections. PTI SBP PMS

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SHAWNEE  St. Gregory's University students were called to an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon and told the school will close at the end of the fall semester.

"With great sadness, the Board of Directors of St. Gregory's University voted today to suspend operations effective at the close of the fall semester 2017, the Rev. Don Wolf, board chairman, said in a statement posted Wednesday on the university's website.

"Our main concern at this moment is for our students, staff, and faculty who will be profoundly impacted by this decision. The University is working with several colleges to facilitate student transfers in an attempt to minimize disruption in our students' lives. Please keep them in your prayers," Wolf said.
Gina Michalopulos Kingsley told her mother she wanted to be a tourist when she grew up.

I thought that was a job, she said with a laugh.

Kingsley went into education. But being a tourist has played a prominent role in her life and the lives of her three sons and husband.

The first time I was in Rome I was in the Pantheon with my mother, and I remember her telling me to absorb this, said Kingsley. She kept telling me to absorb everything I was seeing and feeling.

So, 32 years later, standing with my three sons in the Pantheon, I told them to absorb everything they could see and feel. That was an amazing moment for me. I was able to come full circle.

Kingsley, a psychometrist, has turned her lifelong love of travel experience into a growing collection of travel media outlets. And she wants to pass along tips on successfully traveling the globe as a family.

Kingsley, a lifelong Tulsan, has made 10 trips to Greece, where her father grew up. She has visited 17 Greek islands in addition to the mainland.

Her travels include 30 countries on four continents. In the next year it will grow to five continents when she steps onto South America.

To travel extensively with her family, Kingsley came up with plans to involve her three sons in everything from trip planning to leading tours in various countries.

She shares those plans with other parents through blogs, a book and magazine articles.

Its my plan to make the travel more meaningful and educational for my sons, Kingsley said. Thats now the information Im trying to spread.

So often, theres a tendency to leave the kids behind. But I thought, Who wants to be left with three young boys? And, secondly, I wanted our sons to experience travel. I want them to be global citizens, to experience different cultures and people.

Her father worked for American Airlines, and his love of travel  55 countries when he was in the Merchant Marine  was passed along to his children.

Kingsley has spent the past 23 years, with a young and growing family, passing on that love of travel.

Traveling isnt unique to any group of people, she said. Whats unique is that my husband (Patrick) and I wanted to take the children on all of our travel.

For us, we didnt want to travel without them. You can do it successfully.

Kingsleys efforts have resulted in about a dozen trips to 23 countries, a blog (gypsyfamilytravel.com) to help families plan and complete exotic trips, a book (A Magic Carpet Ride) about her life of travel, and now being a regular contributor to travel magazines.

Wanting to travel as a family, and people asking me how we did it, is why I wrote the book and have the blog, said Kingsley. There are books about travel by single people. There are books about travel for emotional healing. There are books about travel for millennials. There are books by people trying to rebuild their lives.

There was a space available for travel by families. I wanted to write about how a happy family went on journeys of wanderlust. There were people out there that wanted that for their families.

The lifelong educators three sons are now 22, 20 and 16. She is preparing to soon be an empty nester, but she is happy that she has passed on her love of experiences over material goods to her children.

My friends kept asking me how do we travel with all of our children on all of these trips, said Kingsley. That led to the blog. That led to writing for a magazine. Then, after I looked back at all of my travel journals, I decided to add a book.

A Magic Carpet Ride is available from Amazon and locally at Dwelling Spaces, Ribbons and Tulsa Artery.

Before a trip, the Kingsleys would start with a family plan. Each member would adopt various stops along the way. Then, the family member would research and plan each leg of the trip.

That information was then condensed into an itinerary book full of plans, travel tips, local highlights and receipts/confirmations.

That way all of the boys were invested in the trip, said Kingsley. Then, we would put that child in charge of that part of the trip. They were the first to step foot in that country or location. Then, we followed their plan.

We would tour all morning. We would talk about what we saw over a long lunch. Then, the afternoon was for relaxing, going to beach, whatever.

Upon their return home, her sons were part of producing a photo book of the trip. She also had each of her boys keep a travel journal, something that came in handy when she started writing her book.

I started keeping a travel journal 30 years ago, and I had all of them, said Kingsley. So that was helpful in recalling my experiences for the book and for being able to put the experiences of my sons in the book and in the blog.

Her most recent travels have taken her to Cuba, Morocco, Turkey and India.

Upcoming trips will be to Iceland, Central America and South America.

I started the blog and book after the trip to India, said Kingsley. It seems like the words just poured out of me.
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more inputs)

Lahore, Nov 9 (PTI) A speeding bus carrying over 100 passengers fell into a ravine killing at least 24 people and injuring 69 others in Pakistans Punjab province, police said today.

The overloaded bus was going from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town last night.

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"The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation," said Muhammad Afzal, the Station House Officer of Saddar Police Station.

Confirming that 24 people had been killed, Afzal said that all the passengers belonged to Kohat area, the Dawn News reported.

Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition while many injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, the report said.

The cause of accident was not known but apparently overloading was the reason as it was carrying around 100 passengers, the police said.

The bus originally was to go to Raiwind via Islamabad- Lahore Motorway but it opted for another route. "The motorway is closed after 10 pm due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway because of which the driver opted to go through Grand Trunk Road," Afzal said.

"The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing through a slope," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident.

He also ordered the authorities to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads and faulty vehicles.

In April 2014, some 15 people were killed in a bus crash in Kallar Kahar, the same area where last nights accident had occurred. PTI DPB/SH AMS AKJ AMS

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"We left Syria as it was not a safe place for us to be." Nehad, Merry, and their son, resettled under the VPRS scheme, enjoy a day on Brighton beach  UNHCR/Katie Barlow

Syrian refugees given protection in the UK are benefitting from efforts to help them integrate in their new society, although more could be done to allow them to find their feet quickly, according to a new study by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners released today.

The report, Towards Integration, interviewed refugees arriving under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), as well as local authorities supporting them, to highlight the progress and challenges of integrating in the UK.

The report showed that, overall, the VPRS programme was performing well in facilitating integration. The refugees interviewed were thankful to the Government for the opportunity to come and grateful for the genuine and warm welcome they had received from civic groups and local authorities around the country.

I like it here people have been very welcoming.

However, it also highlighted some areas for improvement, particularly in English language provision, as well as the need for further support for housing and employment. Among key recommendations, the report called for the establishment of a national integration strategy to better inform and guide those supporting refugees, for the benefit of this population.

The refugees themselves wanted to express appreciation. Hamza, Asma and their three children arrived under the VPRS in 2016. They are now living in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Hamza spoke of the generous welcome received locally. People are so friendly here, he told UNHCR this year. Ramzy, another VPRS refugee living in Abingdon, also felt happy and settled in his new home. I like it here, Ramzy said, people have been very welcoming.

Hamza, Asma and their three children walk to catch a bus after a community event at St Ethelwold's B&B, in Abingdon, United Kingdom. Hamza and his family arrived in the UK in December 2016.  UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

The study highlighted education and language as key factors for successful integration. Refugees were heartened that their children could catch up on lost schooling; most children were able to quickly acquire English skills and make friends.

Mohammad and his family arrived in Scotland under the VPRS scheme in 2016. Speaking last year, Mohammad, 12 at the time, was set to start at his new school in Edinburgh. I miss Damascus, but I look forward to school, Mohammad said. I want to be a doctor. I want to help people.

The VPRS was established in response to the deadly Syrian conflict, which produced one of the largest refugee crises of recent decades. More than six years since the conflict began, Syrians still constitute the largest refugee population in the world, with over five million forced to flee to neighbouring countries, from where they eke out a precarious existence.

Mohammad Murad (left), 12, pictured with his sister Aisha, 10, brother Oweis, 4, and father Mohammed, 38, at their new home in Edinburgh.  UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

With fighting still flaring in Syria, conditions are not yet in place for the refugees to return. In this context, resettlement programmes, like the VPRS, offer a vital lifeline, allowing them to rebuild their lives without embarking on perilous journeys.

UNHCR, meanwhile, hopes that the Government builds on the success of the programme, and offers more vulnerable refugees the chance to piece together shattered lives in safety in the UK.

"Support for integration...has been striking."

The UK clearly has the capacity to resettle meaningful numbers of refugees, said Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCRs Representative in London. Integration of refugees is complex. By and large it is working, and support for integration -- from the public, local authorities and Government -- has been striking.

Refugees were generally happy with housing and reported feeling secure. However, the stock of affordable rental property was small and diminishing. Two-thirds of VPRS arrivals were survivors of violence and torture or had specific medical needs. The VPRS allows them to access crucial treatment they would otherwise be denied. Still, some cited being overwhelmed by the complexity of the medical referrals. Some local authorities were also concerned about the prospect of funding health care after 2020. Some also expressed a lack of confidence in understanding how family reunification processes work.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador David Morrissey follows a Syrian refugee family's journey of resettlement from Lebanon to the UK.

Dipti Pardeshi, UK Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration, lauded the ongoing integration efforts of various stakeholders including the Home Office, local authorities, and the public. A whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach go a long way towards achieving successful integration outcomes that also lead to strengthened social cohesion, greater economic activity and a win-win for the refugees and host societies, she said.

This year, the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador David Morrissey met one Syrian family  Maha, Talal and their two-year-old son  who were living in Lebanon at the time. They were identified by UNHCR for resettlement under the VPRS programme.

Maha and Talal told Morrissey about danger they had left behind in Syria. There is no home for them anymore, its just rubble. So there is no place for them to go back to, Morrissey said.

They are now in London. Recently, Morrissey caught up with the family to see how they were settling into their new life. They want to really take on everything here in the UK, learn the language and be part of society, he said.

I want to work. I want to learn the language and contribute something.

A key finding of Towards Integration was that further support for refugees accessing employment would encourage self-reliance and bolster integration.

A former carpenter, Talal was already taking English language classes, had created a CV, and was looking forward to getting back to work. I want to work, Talal said. I want to learn the language and contribute something.























Media Content

Read the full report here.

Read the full Press Release here.

Additional photos can be downloaded from Refugees Media here.

Related Articles
The UKs Syrian refugee resettlement programme is well managed and has made a successful start in enabling its beneficiaries to integrate in their new country, according to a study by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners.

The study, the first of its kind by UNHCR in the UK, interviewed refugees from the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), which was launched by the Government in 2014 and aims to resettle 20,000 refugees by 2020. As of mid-2017, over 8,000 had arrived.

While the study showed the programme working well, it nevertheless highlighted areas for improvement, notably in English language provision, and further support for housing and employment facilitation.

Among key recommendations were the establishment of a national integration strategy to better inform and guide those supporting refugees, for the benefit of this population.

Other proposals included a review of surge capacity to ensure local authorities (LAs) are able to support higher numbers in a short time if they chose; strengthening provision of appropriate housing by the central Government; and making family reunification planning more integral in the VPRS.

The UK clearly has the capacity to resettle meaningful numbers of refugees, said Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCRs Representative in London. Integration of refugees is complex. By and large it is working, and support for integration -- from the public, local authorities and Government -- has been striking. We hope that, with development, this model can help more refugees, from Syria and elsewhere, resettle here after 2020.

In terms of initial reception and early integration, refugees were grateful for the genuine welcome they had received and impressed by the efficiency with which tasks were completed by central and local Government and civil society.

Education and language are key in integration, with refugees heartened that their children could catch up on lost schooling; most children were able to quickly acquire English skills and make friends. Gaps, however, existed with some schools unaware of extra funding from which they could benefit. English classes (ESOL) were generally well attended. Some adults admitted struggling with language. Extra efforts are afoot to draw in groups with lower attendance. In late 2016, the Government committed 10m to English classes under the VPRS. That funding has been invaluable, although those not under the VPRS would greatly benefit from inclusion.

A minority of those interviewed were in employment, having been in the country a short while and improving their English. But there was a real desire among them to access work soon. Earlier labour market integration and validating skills from Syria would help self-reliance and reduce dependency. Existing work promotion schemes were limited and some councils felt they were working on this in isolation and would benefit from a national matching plan for employers and refugees.

Refugees were generally happy with housing and reported feeling secure. However, the stock of affordable rental property was small and diminishing. Some refugees found integration harder as a result of rural placements. In addition, the 2016 benefits cap was expected to adversely affect the welfare of many VPRS refugees.

Two-thirds of VPRS arrivals were survivors of violence and torture or had specific medical needs. The VPRS allows them to access crucial treatment they would otherwise be denied. Still, some cited being overwhelmed by the complexity of the medical referrals. Some LAs were also concerned about the prospect of funding health care after 2020. LAs recognised that reunification of family members can enhance integration prospects of resettled refugees, however, they expressed a lack of confidence in understanding how family reunification processes work.

One issue already addressed by the Government was granting refugee leave rather than humanitarian protection under the VPRS from July 2017. This gave refugees confidence in their ability to integrate.

Our hope is that, building on the success of the VPRS to date, the UK will commit to resettling 10,000 vulnerable refugees a year, Vargas Llosa said.

About VPRS and the Study

Under the VPRS, the UNHCR refers potential cases for resettlement in the UK to the Home Office, which then checks cases against eligibility criteria and carries out medical and security checks. Cases which have been accepted are then referred to the devolved administrations and LAs. In July 2017, the Government expanded the scope of the scheme to include other refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria but do not have Syrian nationality. The study comprised interviews with 167 resettled refugees as well as LAs and service providers between August 2016 and January 2017. UNHCR conducted the survey with the International Organisation for Migration and City, University of London. The refugees came to the UK from Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
This year, David Morrissey, the British actor, visited the country, host to over 1 million Syrian refugees, travelling to Beirut and the Bekaa Valley to see firsthand how the process of resettlement can change the lives of the most vulnerable refugees.

I met a young couple called Maha and Talal and their little two-year-old son, he said. They fled Syria five years ago because the conflict there was getting more and more dangerous. When I asked them about their home back in Homs, they had horrendous stories about the bombing. There is no home for them anymore, its just rubble. So there is no place for them to go back to.

Talal and Maha had moved into a condemned building in Beirut. Talal had been a carpenter in Syria and he rebuilt the windows and doors so that their home was no longer exposed to the elements before the couples baby arrived.

But employment was hard to come by and the couple struggled to pay rent after five years in Lebanon, a small country that opened its doors to refugees from neighbouring Syria with the war raging.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador David Morrissey follows a Syrian refugee family's journey of resettlement from Lebanon to the UK.

Talal and Maha were identified for resettlement by UNHCR as an especially vulnerable family. After security checks by the UK Home Office, they were selected to come to the UK. A few months after meeting them in the Middle East, Morrissey visited their new home in North West London, where they are focusing on learning English; their son Hisham is in nursery.

To be honest, when we left Syria and went to Lebanon we didnt expect we would be coming to London or to any other foreign place, Talal told Morrissey. Talal is now eager to put his carpentry skills to use in Britain.

I love my work a lot. In Lebanon it was hard to give 100% but here I want to do that. I want to work. I want to learn the language and contribute something.

Actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador David Morrissey meets a Syrian family in London, UK  UNHCR/Paul Wu

On meeting the family at their new home in London, Morrissey said: I was really encouraged to be meeting them again, seeing how committed they are to settling in. They want to really take on everything here in the UK, learn the language and be part of society.

Weve all seen on TV the devastation in Syria where these families have come from, and Ive witnessed how harsh life can be for refugees in Lebanon. Through resettlement, UNHCR provides a lifeline for people to rebuild their lives. And here they are trying to rebuild their lives full of hope and encouragement.

Now resettled in the UK, Talal's exercise book helps him to practise English every day.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

Maha told Morrissey: We have a new life. I was very happy when I came here, it felt like home.

UNHCR estimates that close to 1.2 million refugees will need resettlement in the coming year. Last year, 125,800 refugees were able to depart and start a new life through the programme.

Today, UNHCR releases a report, Towards Integration, on the UKs Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. The study shows Syrian refugees are grateful for the genuine welcome they have received and that refugee children are catching up on lost schooling. It finds that more targeted support in language, housing and employment would assist integration for refugees in the UK.

UNHCR is asking the UK Government to resettle 10,000 refugees from Syrian and other countries where people are fleeing violence and persecution.

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

David Morrissey meets Syrian family in Lebanon.  UNHCR/Paul Wu

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68th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioners Programme (2-6 October 2017)

To view video recordings of the 68th session of the Executive Committee, please click on the links below:

For French language documentation, please click here.

Documents are also available on the United Nations Official Documents System (ODS) in the six required languages.

The Nansen Refugee Award ceremony took place on Monday, 2 October in Geneva. For more information on the ceremony and the 2017 winners, please visit www.unhcr.org/nansen.
Ibrahim Ickbal is from Mahajanga, Madagascar. To date, many Karana remain unable to access any nationality.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

MAHAJANGA, Madagascar  Since he was 15, Ibrahim Ickbal, a 50-year-old father of two, has worked in the same jewellery shop in the city of Mahajanga, on Madagascars northern coast. Although he barely earns enough to rent the two-room house he shares with his wife and children, he considers himself lucky to have a job of any kind.

Ibrahim belongs to Madagascars Karana community, an ethnic minority group. Although his family arrived in Madagascar from India more than a century ago, Ibrahim does not possess Malagasy nationality. Like a significant portion of the Karana in Madagascar, and like his father before him, he is stateless.

While there are no exact figures, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates that there are currently millions of people around the world who lack any nationality. The majority belong to ethnic, religious, or linguistic minorities.

When Madagascar won independence from France in 1960, most Karana were not given citizenship. Until recently, Madagascars nationality law only granted citizenship to children born to at least one parent with Malagasy nationality, meaning that statelessness was often passed from one generation to the next. The Karana are thought to number at least 20,000 and while some manage to run successful businesses, without access to education and formal employment, many others live in poverty.

Stateless minorities: The Karana of Madagascar

Despite living in Madagascar for generations, stateless Karana must obtain residency permits to remain in the country legally. Recently, Ibrahim had to take out a loan from his employer in order to pay for a new biometric residence permit. With my modest salary, it will take two years to pay back the loan, he said. This has been an enormous financial investment, and I still cannot vote or travel.

Ibrahims new residency card describes his nationality as undetermined.

Olivia Rajerison, 35, knows only too well how statelessness impacts the lives of thousands of people in Madagascar. She works as a lawyer for Focus Development Association, UNHCRs implementing partner in Madagascar, assisting stateless people to access public education and health care. In addition, were it not for a recent change of the law, Olivias own daughter would have been born without Malagasy nationality.

Were it not for a recent change of the law, Olivia's daughter would have been born without Malagasy nationality.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

Omar Hussein and his wife Fatimabay Jacob from Mahajanga, Madagascar. Their identity documents indicate their nationality to be "undefined".  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

Aziz Asgaraly from Mahajanga, Madagascar, helps poor Malagasy children and orphans at Karana community funded projects.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

Mahamadhoussen Chamimakatomme from Mahajanga, Madagascar, attends a UNHCR stateless workshop.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

Omar Houssen belongs to Madagascar's Karana community. UNHCR estimates that there are currently millions of people around the world who lack any nationality.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

View over the port town of Mahajanga, Madagascar. Despite living in Madagascar for generations, stateless Karana must obtain residency permits to remain in the country legally.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

Olivia is Malagasy but she is married to a French citizen. Until earlier this year, when Madagascar amended its nationality legislation, Malagasy women married to foreign nationals could not pass on their nationality to their children. Some women got around the law by having children with their foreign partners first and marrying them later, but Olivias fourth child was born after her marriage. Under the previous nationality law, her daughter would not have been able to obtain Malagasy nationality and would have been considered a foreigner in the country of her birth. In cases where a father was unable to pass on his foreign nationality, children ended up stateless. Thanks to the amendment, men and women now have equal rights to pass on nationality to their children, thereby reducing their risk of statelessness.

I feel relieved that my daughter does not have to worry about her nationality. I also feel proud that I have been able to be part of this positive change in my country through my work, Olivia said, adding: We still have a long way to go. There are many others who are facing great uncertainties, limitations and suffering in their lives due to lack of nationality.

Besides the Karana, there is an unknown number of people belonging to other minority groups in Madagascar who remain stateless. In addition, the recent amendments to Malagasy nationality law still do not allow women to pass on their nationality to foreign spouses. Such a change to the law would offer a solution for people like Ibrahim whose wife is Malagasy.

In 2017, UNHCR organized consultations with the Karana community and other stateless minorities in Kenya and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, to better understand how being stateless impacts their lives. Their testimonies were then presented in a report entitled: This is our Home Stateless Minorities and their Search for Citizenship.

The nationality law reform is an encouraging and important step in reducing statelessness in Madagascar, commented Melanie Khanna, head of UNHCRs Statelessness Section, based in Geneva. UNHCR encourages further amendments to the nationality law to bring it in line with international standards that help to prevent and reduce statelessness.
Every day we pray for protection and peace. Boussam Abdulahi, Nigerian refugee

In 2021, the Nigerian refugee crisis will be going into its seventh year. Since violent attacks of the Islamist group Boko Haram started to spill over Nigerias north-eastern frontier in 2014, Cameroon, Chad and Niger have been drawn into what has become a devastating regional conflict.

To date, the Lake Chad Basin region is grappling with a complex humanitarian emergency. Over 3.2 million people are displaced, including over 2.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in north-eastern Nigeria, over 684,000 IDPs in Cameroon, Chad and Niger and 304,000 refugees in the four countries.

The crisis has been exacerbated by conflict-induced food insecurity and severe malnutrition, which have risen to critical levels in all four countries. Despite the efforts of Governments and humanitarian aid, some 12.5 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad Basin region, with 5.3 million people remaining food insecure.

The challenges of protecting the displaced are compounded by the deteriorating security situation as well as socio-economic fragility, with communities in the Sahel region facing chronic poverty, a harsh climatic conditions, recurrent epidemics, poor infrastructure and limited access to basic services.

The Nigerian military, together with the Multinational Joint Task Force, have driven extremists from many of the areas they once controlled, but these gains have been overshadowed by an increase of Boko Haram attacks in neighbouring countries. Despite the return of Nigerian IDPs and refugees to accessible areas, the crisis remains acute.

What is UNHCR doing to help?

UNHCR has scaled up its response and is working with the authorities in north-eastern Nigeria, as well as with UN partners, national and international NGOs, the forcibly displaced and affected populations. These joint efforts are geared towards assisting displaced persons, as well as returning refugees and IDPs to regain their dignity and a sense of normal life. UNHCR is providing protection-by-presence in the field through strategic protection monitoring, vulnerability screening, provision of material assistance and subsequent individual protection referrals to service providers

UNHCRs work also includes efforts to ensure that the rights of persons of concern are respected. This work is among other things, geared towards preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) through the provision of legal and psycho-social support to survivors of SGBV. Such efforts also encompass the provision of shelter and basic household items as well as safeguarding legal rights by providing documentation and legal aid.

The agency is also advocating for increased access to social and basic services for displaced persons, respect for the Civilian and Humanitarian character of IDP camps and a better protection environment overall.

Supporting the governments efforts towards the restoration of peace and security to enable durable solutions is also part of UNHCR engagement in Northeast Nigeria operation. This includes capacity building and training for authorities, the military, partners and persons of concern on international and national legal frameworks for the protection of IDPs and other persons of concern. The Capacity building initiatives also cover international humanitarian law and other relevant frameworks on human rights. This is taking place at both the state and national levels.

Working jointly with other agencies, UNHCR also facilitates sessions on protection against sexual exploitation and abuse for security agents and humanitarian workers at the state capitals as well as at local level.

In neighboring Niger, Cameroon and Chad, UNHCR is working with the authorities to improve the protection environment, ensure that refugees enjoy the right to asylum and that they are not forced to return to Nigeria against their will.

The agency is also coordinating the humanitarian assistance provided by 47 UN agencies and NGO partners through the 2019 Regional Refugee Response Plan.
The Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Teams travelling to Tokyo will bring hope and inspiration to millions worldwide and will shine a light on the power of sport to help displaced people rebuild their lives.
This Land is Your Land is a series of stories profiling some of the many Americans who are welcoming refugees with compassion and support.

The United States has an exceptional history of welcoming refugees. Since 1975, the U.S. has welcomed over 3 million refugees for resettlement from all over the world, and with help from American families and communities, these refugees have now built new lives and homes in all 50 states.

2017
New Delhi, Nov 9 (UNI) During her ongoing visit to India following an invitation from the President Ram Nath Kovind, Queen Mathilde of Belgium recently made a visit to the head office of Fusion Microfinance here.

While making her visit, the Queen showed a keen interest in having an overview of the work done by Fusion Microfinance and its impact on the lives of its clients.

She also interacted with some of the esteemed clients of the brand to understand their socio-economic background and impression of the intervention made by Fusion in their lives.
Bomb kills three, including senior police official, in restive southwestern Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan, Nov 9 (Reuters) A bomb killed a senior Pakistani police official on his way to work and two others on Thursday in the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, an official said.

Baluchistan was rocked by a series of attacks late last year that claimed over 180 lives and raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including fighters affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the province.

The violence has raised concerns about security for projects in the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, today, jointly flagged off the Khulna-Kolkata train service and opened two bridges on railway routes. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined the inauguration through videoconferencing.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, today, jointly flagged off the Khulna-Kolkata train service and opened two bridges on railway routes connecting Dhaka with Sylhet and Chittagong.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined the inauguration through videoconferencing from West Bengal as the two leaders took part in the function from their offices in New Delhi and Dhaka.

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PM Hasina opened the projects from her official Ganabhaban residence, while Modi inaugurated the schemes from his office in New Delhi. They also launched an "end to end" immigration and customs facilities of Dhaka-Kolkata "Maitree Express" train service and second Bhairab railway bridge and Titas railway bridge.

PM Hasina said that Bangladesh wants collaborative engagements with India and other neighbours for regional peace, prosperity and benefit of the people in South Asia.

Sheikh Hasina said there is an excellent relation between Bangladesh and India which is very much essential for development of both the countries. "Bangladesh-India relations are in fact setting new high standards of bilateral cooperation in the region and beyond", she added.

"I am sure we would be having many more similar, happy occasions in the days ahead for the greater benefit of our people...I look forward to working with your Excellency in our joint endeavour," she said.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was present at the New Delhi office while Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM Hasina's Political Affairs Advisor HT Imam, and Economic Affairs Advisor Dr Moshiur Rahman, were present at the Hasina's official Ganobhaban residence.

Referring to connectivity as one of the major pillars of Bangladesh-India cooperation, the Bangladesh PM said two countries are not only connected through rail, road, inland water and air, but also connected through internet bandwidth, coastal routes and power grid.

She also mentioned the inauguration of Khulna-Kolkata rail service and said that this bond won't remain in only rail, it will also create bonds between the people of the two countries.

"These new modes of connectivity are adding diverse dimensions to our overall connectivity architecture...I am happy to note that we have recently extended our connectivity to the space too," she said.

At the outset of her speech, the Bangladesh prime minister extended Diwali and Bijoya greetings to PM Narendra Modi, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the people of India.

PM Hasina also invited them to visit Bangladesh.

--- ENDS ---
Clashes in Ukraine: Grave impact on population

United Nations, Nov 9 (UNI) Recent escalation of fighting in close proximity of critical infrastructure and services in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, could endanger over a million lives, the top United Nations official in the country has warned.

As we enter winter, any disruption of essential services, such as water and heating amid freezing temperatures could have grave consequences, said Neal Walker, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, in a statement Wednesday.

I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to respect civilian infrastructure and to protect civilians. Any intentional disruption of access to quality water supply or critical heating systems is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law, he underscored.
Egyptian lawmaker to propose anti-gay bill as part of crackdown

CAIRO, Nov 9 (Reuters) An Egyptian lawmaker is introducing a draft bill that would imprison those engaging in or promoting same-sex relations, a copy of the draft seen by Reuters on Thursday showed.

Amnesty International said the bill is "another nail in the coffin for sexual rights in Egypt" and should be scrapped.

It would introduce sentences of to up to 10 years in prison for people engaging in or promoting same-sex relations.
IDA approves holistic development of nine islands

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) The Island Development Agency (IDA) on Wednesday approved the holistic development of nine islands of Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) and Lakshadeep. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the second meeting of the IDA.

While four will be developed in A&N island and five islands will be taken up in Lakshadweep. The development projects are being steered up by the NITI Aayog for promoting and implementing development based on sustainable approach to building a thriving maritime economy of the project islands and it was decided Naval air station at Shibpur near Diglipur in northern A&N island will be used for civillian use.

There would be a PPP package including a airport at Minicoy Island will be for the tourism purpose. It was agreed to promote tuna fishing industry for improving livelihoods in Lakshadweep. Union Home Minister directed all concerned to expedite implementation of ongoing key infrastructure projects in the islands and develop community based tourism in consultation with local stakeholders, said the Government in a statement. NITI Aayog was also asked to drive the formulation of PPP projects and proposed detailed guidelines to boost private sector participation.
United Nations, Nov 9 (UNI) The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Major Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli, a commander in the Al-Saiqa Brigade accused of murdering 33 people in the context of the ongoing conflict in Libya, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the United Nations Security Council.

Addressing the Council in New York, the Prosecutor also urged the international community to turn over Al-Tuhamy Mohamed Khaled, former head of the Libyan Internal Security Agency, and Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi.

Mr Busayf Al-Werfalli, is a commander in the Benghazi-based Al-Saiqa Brigade, who, according to Ms Bensouda, has been  and possibly still is  active in the Libyan National Armys (LNA) Operation National Dignity.
Will not allow conspirators to succeed: Hemant 16 Nov 2022 | 7:54 PM Ranchi, Nov 16 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said he will not allow the conspirators to succeed in their mission of overthrowing his government and called on the state's tribals and people at the grassroots to come under one roof. see more..

No truth that he is going to join BJP: Marri Sashidhar Reddy clarifies 16 Nov 2022 | 7:54 PM Hyderabad, Nov 16 (UNI) Former Minister and Senior Congress leader on Wednesday clarified that there was no truth that he is going to join BJP



Reacting to the rumors that he will join the BJP, Reddy said that he came to Delhi to participate in his grandsons school function. see more..

Kakinada SP launches `Disha cyber Kavachmobile scanning kiosk 16 Nov 2022 | 7:53 PM Kakinada, Nov 16(UNI) Kakinada district superintendent of police M.Ravindranath Babu has launched the` Disha cyber Kavach mobile scanning machine kiosk at the district police office here on Wednesday. see more..

Ramayana, Mahabharata circuits to be developed in UP 16 Nov 2022 | 7:49 PM Lucknow, Nov 16 (UNI) To foster the states religious potential and also establish the state as the hub of religious and spiritual tourism in the country, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to the New Tourism Policy. see more..
Papua New Guinea starts dismantling detention camp, threatens forcible evict of asylum seekers

By Colin Packham and Tom Westbrook

SYDNEY, Nov 9 (Reuters) Papua New Guinea began dismantling a shuttered Australian-run immigration detention centre on Thursday and warned it will use force if necessary to evict nearly 600 men if they refuse to leave within two days, according to a notice posted at the camp.

The asylum seekers have barricaded themselves inside the Manus island centre for the past nine days, defying attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea to close the camp in a standoff the United Nations describes as a "looming humanitarian crisis".
UN says believes Afghanistan air strike killed civilians

KABUL, Nov 9 (Reuters) The United Nations mission in Afghanistan said at least 10 civilians may have been killed by an air strike in the northern city of Kunduz last week, despite a US military investigation that found no civilian deaths.

In a series of messages on Twitter, the NU Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said interviews with multiple survivors, medics, elders and others gave it strong reason to believe that civilians were among the victims of Saturday's attack.

"Credible reports that at least 10 civilians killed in Kunduz Afghanistan air strike 4 Nov, UNAMA initial findings show," it said.
It was in Miaoergang, a quiet village 50 km away from Beijing's crowded ring roads, where the Chinese government won a decisive victory in its fight against smog.

A worker at a CNG station at Miaoergang village on the outskirts of Beijing.

By Ananth Krishnan: Miaoergang, a quiet village that is 50 km away from Beijing's crowded ring roads, is an unlikely battleground for the city's fight against smog. But it was here, the government believes, that it won a decisive victory in its fight against smog.

Delhi may be mulling an odd-even car ban. In Beijing, this is used only as an emergency measure under a four-tier alert system, as local officials have realised that vehicular pollution is a limited source.

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Smog - whether in Delhi or Beijing - doesn't respect city limits. So Beijing launched a coordinated campaign around the city and in villages in four surrounding provinces.

This involved a door-to-door campaign to phase out wood and coal burning within the city, and a massive effort in surrounding villages to install CNG units to stop coal burning and to encourage farmers to sell their stubble to prevent crop burning.

In Miaoergang, a CNG power station was built at the centre of the village in 2014. "At first, this station was only serving this village, but we have since expanded it to serve six surrounding villages as well which have all now stopped coal burning", a worker at the station told India Today.

Then there was a door-to-door campaign to stop wood and coal burning and to set up gas and electricity-powered units in the city's neighbourhoods. "Through our campaign, we have reduced coal burning by 1.6 million tons and the burning of sulphur dioxide by 16 million tons", a government official said.

An odd-even car ban is also one weapon, but used only for emergencies when smog is forecast.

Besides its four-tier system of alerts that call for emergency measures from stopping construction sites to odd-even vehicle bans, the capital has also pushed through larger structural changes:

Four gas-fired plants have been opened to provide central heating for residents, cutting coal consumption by 9 million tons.

Stringent checks have been placed on construction sites and trucks - a huge source of dust in cities. Nine construction companies found violating norms were handed a one-month ban on bidding of projects in Beijing. No bribes were allowed to skirt the rules.

More than 3,000 trucks were fined for illegally carrying construction materials without permits.

As many as 1,500 high-emission vehicles were prevented from entering the city.

Orange and red alerts were issued before high-pollution days, leading to temporary odd-even car restrictions and closures of all construction sites as emergency measures.

The measures, the government says, have worked. Till September, the average air pollution readings were down by 34.8 per cent compared to 2013.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | NGT slams Kejriwal government as Delhi's air quality deteriorates

--- ENDS ---
Things will take an ugly turn in the Bigg Boss house as Hina Khan and Mehjabeen will lock horns in tonight's episode over nominations.

By India Today Web Desk: Tonight Bigg Boss 11 is going to pack in more action, if such a thing is even possible. From new fights to blame games, you will get to see it all in tonight's episode.

Here's what will happen:

Benafsha sent to jail

Who will the housemates send to the Kaal Kothri? Tune in tonight 10.30pm to find out! #BB11 pic.twitter.com/cJYHEjVnC5- Bigg Boss (@BiggBoss) November 9, 2017

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For pulling Akash's hair in an earlier episode, and repeatedly calling the contestant ugly, Benaf will be punished by Bigg Boss. She will be asked to spend the night in the kaal kothari, despite giving her best in the luxury budget task. Arshi, Akash, and Shilpa will celebrate Bigg Boss' decision, while Benaf will get upset and walk away from the room. Benaf will also be nominated for eviction for her behaviour with Akash.

Contestants to nominate participants who performed the worst

The housemates face the consequences of the luxury budget task. Catch the drama, tonight at 10.30pm on #BB11! #BBSneakPeek pic.twitter.com/8G5uNEiitZ- COLORS (@ColorsTV) November 9, 2017

Participants will decide who will get nominated for performing their absolute worst in the luxury budget task. Hina will take Vikas' name initially as she will think him responsible for contestants walking out of the rocket. Vikas will give it back to Hina and nominate her for instigating people to leave the rocket in the luxury budget task.

Hina and Mehjabeen lock horns

Hina and Mehjabeen will have a war of words, and Hina will shout at Mehjabeen for spreading gossip, while Mehjabeen will blame her for making fun of her. Later in the episode, Hina will break down as she will claim she didn't make a mockery out of common contestants, and that Mehjabeen's claims are false.

Talk about high-voltage drama.

--- ENDS ---
Hina Khan feels Bigg Boss has spoken to her rudely, in an unseen clip.

By India Today Web Desk: Bigg Boss 11 contestant Hina Khan , the Miss Right of the house, was recently seen shedding tears in the house after her feeling were hurt by none other than Bigg Boss.

The Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actress in an unseen footage is seen asking Bigg Boss to apologise for his behaviour. "Bigg Boss mujhe sorry bolo, mujhe hurt hua hai, bolo maine rudely baat ki," she says in a lighter vein.

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She also adds that she won't live with him in the house after the finale if he doesn't apologise.

Sabyasachi, Priyank Sharma and Luv Tyagi are also seen in the clipping with the drama queen.

Meanwhile, Hina Khan for the first time on the show has admitted that she's wrong (to the cameras), after she instigated other housemates to step out of the rocket to relieve themselves and the prize money turns zero. The said task apart from affecting prize money was also linked to luxury budget and captaincy.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Washington, Nov 9 (PTI) Women with a type of breast cancer fuelled by oestrogen still face a substantial risk of cancer returning or spreading even 20 years after a diagnosis, researchers warned today.

Standard treatment for oestrogen receptor-positive, or ER-positive, breast cancer includes five years of the endocrine-based treatments tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, both of which are taken daily as a pill.

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The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine analysed data from 88 clinical trials involving 62,923 women with ER-positive breast cancer.

The patients all received endocrine therapy for five years and were free of cancer when they stopped therapy.

Over the next 15 years, however, a steady number of these women saw their cancer spread throughout the body, as late as 20 years after the initial diagnosis.

"Even though these women remained free of recurrence in the first five years, the risk of having their cancer recur elsewhere (for example in the bone, liver or lung) from years five to 20 remained constant," said Daniel F Hayes, Professor at the University of Michigan in the US.

The risk of recurrence was directly tied to the original cancers size and characteristics, and to the number of lymph nodes that were cancerous.

Among patients who were recurrence-free when they stopped taking endocrine therapy after five years, the highest risk of recurrence was for those with originally large tumours and cancer that had spread to four or more lymph nodes.

These women had a 40 per cent risk of a distant cancer recurrence over the next 15 years.

Women with small, low-grade cancers and no spread to the lymph nodes had a much lower 10 per cent risk of cancer spreading distantly during the following 15 years.

"It is remarkable that breast cancer can remain dormant for so long and then spread many years later with this risk remaining the same year after year and still strongly related to the size of the original cancer and whether it had spread to the nodes," said Hongchao Pan, lead author from the University of Oxford in the UK.

Doctors have long known that five years of tamoxifen reduces recurrence by about half during treatment, and by nearly a third over the next five years.

Aromatase inhibitors, which work only in post-menopausal women, are even more effective than tamoxifen at reducing recurrence and death from breast cancer.

Newer studies have suggested an additional five years of endocrine therapy is even more effective, sparking the question of whether every woman should continue on this therapy for 10 years.

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Life-threatening side effects are rare with these therapies, but they can impact patients quality of life.

"As we look at extending endocrine therapy for 10 years, we wanted to determine whether there were certain subgroups of women whose risk of recurrence was so low they might not need to continue endocrine therapy after five years," Hayes said. PTI SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
(Nov. 7, 2017) -- Samer Dessouky, professor of civil and environmental engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio, has received $298,000 through the Strategic Alliance between the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute and CPS Energy, established in 2010, to generate power from hot pavements. Dessouky will use the funding to improve a technology he developed with his team that converts heat from paved surfaces into electricity. This technology allows paved areas, such as freeways, airport runways and parking lots to generate electricity, which can be used in rural areas for powering signage and data collection systems independently of the electric grid.

Spaces dominated by pavements are much hotter than green spaces, because they absorb heat while green spaces are cooler, said Dessouky.

In 2016, Dessouky and his team began developing a thermal energy-harvesting system. They tested this system by installing several prototypes near the Concrete Laboratory on the west side of the UTSA Main Campus. In their system, power was harvested from the temperature differential between the surface of the pavement and the lower temperature deeper into the soil. The project, supported by CPS Energy allows his team to fine tune the way the system works.

Dessouky is utilizing drones to fly across large landscape like airports and universities, to map out where heat is most concentrated. This aids Dessouky and his team in finding the best places to implement his technology.

Since airports consist of large areas of concrete pavement, theyre ideal for this kind of technology, he said. In a blackout, this could be used as a back-up source of power for illuminating LED at runways and taxiways or could be used as the sole means of lighting rural civilian airport runways.

Earlier this year Dessouky, his collaborator, A.T. Papagiannakis, McDermott Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and their graduate student Utpal Datta, won first place in the Innovation Competition of the American Society of Civil Engineers and second place in the Airport Cooperative Research Program University Design Competition for their new, innovative technology.

Dessouky believes that the technology could also benefit uncongested, rural areas with few alternatives to power sources. Hes also looking at how it could benefit UTSAs own campuses, which feature many green spaces in addition to concrete structures and several asphalt parking lots that can absorb a great amount of heat.

By using that natural source of heat, youre actually aiding the planet, he said. In reducing our use of fossil fuels for powering the grids and taking advantage of renewable energy resources, we are moving toward a cleaner planet.

UTSA is ranked among the nations top four young universities, according to Times Higher Education.
By PTI: (Eds: With additional details)

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) In an unprecedented development, the Supreme Court today referred to a constitution bench, comprising five senior-most judges, a plea claiming that alleged bribes were being taken using the names of apex court judges promising to secure favourable settlement of a case.

Terming as "disturbing" the allegations levelled in CBIs FIR that also made former Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi as one of the accused, the top court said the plea would come up for hearing before the constitution bench on November 13.

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The decision that the five senior-most judges would be part of the constitution bench assumes significance in the wake of senior advocate Dushyant Daves submission that the medical admission matter, the genesis of CBI FIR, was being heard by the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and hence, he should not be involved with it either on the judicial or on the adminstrative side.

A bench of Justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer issued notices to the Centre and the CBI on the plea seeking setting up of a special investigation team (SIT), to be headed by a retired Chief Justice of India, to probe the matter.

"Having regard to the totality of the circumstances, we deem it appropriate that this matter be heard by the constitution bench of the first five judges in the order of seniority of this court," the court said in its order.

Dave, appearing for petitioner lawyer Kamini Jaiswal, referred to the CBI FIR on the basis of which Justice (Retd) Quddusi was arrested and subsequently granted bail.

He argued that the facts of the case as alleged by CBI were "disturbing", as according to the probe agency, a conspiracy was hatched and huge illegal gratification demanded for procuring a favourable order in a matter relating to medical college admissions pending before the top court.

Asserting that the matter relates to the "integrity" of the highest judicial fora in the country, Dave told the bench that several incriminating documents were seized by CBI during investigation in the graft case and there was apprehension that these materials could be misused.

He sought the passage of an interim order to direct the CBI to hand over these documents, including the case diary, in a sealed cover to the registrar of the court.

"We deem it appropriate to direct the second respondent (CBI) to produce the entire material collected by the CBI in the course of investigation of the crime and keep it in a sealed cover and produce the same before the constitution bench on Monday, the November 13," the bench said.

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Dave said the medical admission matter, on which the case was lodged by the CBI, was being heard in the apex court by a bench headed by Chief Justice Misra and hence the CJI should not be a part of the constitution bench.

The bench was, however, non-committal on this submission.

"This matter cannot be heard by the CJI, neither in administrative side, nor in judicial side," Dave said while urging the apex court to mention in its order that the constitution bench would not comprise the CJI.

He said Quddusi, along with some other accused, was arrested in connection with the case and granted bail but the CBI has not appealed against the order enlarging him on bail.

Dave also said that besides the six accused named in the FIR, CBI has also mentioned other unknown public servants and private persons alleging they had demanded huge gratification to induce public functionaries by corrupt and illegal means.

He claimed that the CBI had allegedly seized Rs two crore cash from an alleged aide of the retired judge and the money was to be given to a hawala operator.

"My first concern is that, has the CBI deliberately filed a false case so as to discredit and pressurise this great institution or is there something more to it? This needs a thorough and detailed investigation and truth needs to come out. I pray to the almighty that allegations levelled against this great institution are false," the senior lawyer said.

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"People are arrested. They get bail in next 48 hours and then you (CBI) forget about it," he said.

Regarding the materials seized by CBI, Dave said an order should be passed for preservation and protection of these "extremely incriminating materials" and the court could direct the CBI Director to ensure its safe custody or hand it over in a sealed cover to the apex court registrar.

Initially, the matter was mentioned in the morning before the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar for an urgent listing of the petition today itself.

The court said the matter would come up for hearing before it at 12.45 pm after Dave said it should be heard today itself as the FIR contained serious allegations.

"The FIR contained certain allegations which are disturbing. The allegations pertain to the functioning of this court. On perusal of the FIR which was placed before us in the morning, we thought it necessary and proper to take up the matter immediately," the bench observed.

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During the hearing, an officer of the apex court registry was spotted in the court room by Justice Chelameswar who asked him about the purpose of his visit.

The registry official handed to the bench a photocopy of a note purportedly issued by the CJIs office which was taken on record by the bench as annexure of its order.

"At the same time, we are also duty bound to place the developments that when the hearing of the matter was in progress, the officer of the Registry placed a xerox copy of the proceedings purportedly issued by the Chief Justice of India, a copy of which is annexed to this order," it noted.

Quddusi, who had also served as a judge in Chhattisgarh High Court, was arrested along with Lucknow-based Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences chairman B P Yadav, his son Palash Yadav and three others, for allegedly trying to settle a matter relating to a medical college barred from admitting new students. PTI ABA MNL SJK RKS ARC

--- ENDS ---
Jennifer Aniston's role alongside Reese Witherspoon in the as-yet unnamed show will be her first recurring part in a series since the end of "Friends" in 2004. (AFP/Matt Winkelmeyer)

Jennifer Aniston's role alongside Reese Witherspoon in the as-yet unnamed show will be her first recurring part in a series since the end of "Friends" in 2004. (AFP/Matt Winkelmeyer)

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the spokesperson said Apple had given the go-ahead for two seasons totaling 20 episodes - a rarity in the world of television series production, and the latest hint at the California tech giant's content production ambitions.

According to US media, several broadcasters were engaged in a bidding war for the as-yet unnamed project - a drama that will offer a peek into the lives of American television's morning presenters.

Stars Aniston and Witherspoon are also co-owners and co-executive producers, alongside production company Media Res, which will lead the project, according to the Reporter.

While Witherspoon enjoyed success this year with the HBO series "Big Little Lies," Aniston's role will be her first recurring part in a series since the end of "Friends."

It is the second television production project announced by Apple in recent weeks.

In mid-October, Apple announced an agreement with NBC Universal and director Steven Spielberg's production house to work on ten new episodes of "Amazing Stories," a five-time Emmy Award winning show broadcast on the American channel NBC between 1985 and 1987. According to the Wall Street Journal, the series' budget will exceed US$5 million per episode.

Apple intends to invest US$1 billion in program production, according to US media reports. Currently, it only offers third party content for purchase on its Apple Music and Apple Store platforms.
An Indian sweeper cleans a road amid heavy smog in New Delhi on November 8, 2017. (Photo: AFP / SAJJAD HUSSAIN)

An Indian sweeper cleans a road amid heavy smog in New Delhi on November 8, 2017. (Photo: AFP / SAJJAD HUSSAIN)

Dense grey smog shrouded the roads of the world's most polluted capital. Many pedestrians and bikers wore masks or covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and scarves.

The US embassy website showed the concentration of PM 2.5 - the microscopic particles that are the most damaging to health - topped 700 early on Wednesday morning, 28 times the WHO guidelines.

"Due to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, the health of children cannot be compromised," tweeted Manish Sisodia, Delhi's deputy chief minister.

"We have ordered the closure of all the schools in Delhi until Sunday."

An estimated five million students are enrolled in nearly 6,000 government and private schools in the capital, according to official data.

The Indian Medical Association warned of a public health emergency and urged administrators to "curb this menace", while the Environment Pollution Authority warned that things were set to get worse in the coming days.

"When I came to Delhi in 1984, the air in the city was clean. But today when I left at 4 am for work I could barely see anything," said Jeevanand Joshi, a roadside tea seller.

"This is not fog, this is smoke, and it is certainly making us sick."

The city of 20 million has the unenviable distinction of being the world's most polluted major city, often surpassing Beijing.

Since 2014, when WHO figures showed the extent of the crisis, authorities in Delhi have closed power plants temporarily and experimented with taking some cars off the road.

But the temporary measures have had little effect.

Delhi's air quality typically worsens before the onset of winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground and prevents them from dispersing into the atmosphere, a phenomenon known as inversion.

High levels of moisture in the air and a lack of wind meant emissions had become trapped in the environment, according to India's Central Pollution Control Board.

Firecrackers set off to celebrate last month's Diwali festival of lights in the city added to the toxic mix created by pollution from diesel engines, coal-fired power plants and industrial emissions.

The problem is further exacerbated by farmers who burn crop stubble after the harvest in northern India, a practice that remains commonplace despite an official ban.

On Tuesday the Environment Pollution Authority, which was set up by the Supreme Court to tackle the issue, ordered the closure of dust-spewing brick kilns and an increase in parking fees to encourage the use of public transport.

"In terms of air pollution, things are expected to get much worse in the coming days," Bhure Lal, head of the agency, said in a statement late Tuesday.
The car which crashed into a classroom in Sydney. (Photo source: 9news.com.au)

The car which crashed into a classroom in Sydney. (Photo source: 9news.com.au)

The incident unfolded at the Banksia Road Public School on Tuesday when the car ploughed into a wooden classroom building with 24 students inside.

Two boys bore the brunt of the impact and died, while three young girls are fighting for their lives, leaving the community in shock.

The 52-year-old woman driver, Maha Al-Shennag, has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and with negligent driving.

Police have indicated the crash was being treated as non-intentional.

Her lawyer Nick Hanna told the Sydney Daily Telegraph she was "deeply sorry for the loss and hurt suffered by the children, the school, the families and the community".

"Her thoughts and prayers are with all those affected," he added.

Al-Shennag, reportedly a widowed mother-of-four who was dropping off a child at the school, has had her licence suspended. She was bailed to appear in court on Nov 29.

The school opted to open as usual on Wednesday, with counsellors on hand to support returning children, as tributes, flowers and teddy bears were left at the school gates.

"I cannot begin to comprehend the sadness being felt by the parents and families of the two young boys who have died in the tragic accident at Banksia Road Public School," New South Wales state Education Minister Rob Stokes said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with their families and the entire school community."

Ambulance workers said they arrived to "a scene of carnage" with one father describing lifting the car off a dying boy.

He said another badly injured classmate, who later died, lay a few feet away.

"He was saying 'I want my mum'. She wouldn't have got to see him before he died."
Two tourists walk on a street in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province after the typhoon Damrey swept over the city. - Photo kenh14.vn

A report in the Van Hoa (Culture) newspaper said no tourist was injured as the hotels had carefully prepared to cope with the storm, despite the province being untouched by severe weather for many years. The hotels stored food and trained their staff to handle the situation. They strictly followed regulations and guidelines set by the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism.

All the hotels closed their doors last Friday night before the storm made landfall in the central and south-central coast.

Typhoon Damrey, the 12th major storm to hit Viet Nam this year, made landfall early Saturday morning with winds of up to 135km/h. It forced the provincial Cam Ranh International Airport to close for 14 hours, from 9pm, November 3, to 11am, November 4. Many flights were cancelled, especially charter flights from two major tourist markets Russia and China. However, 30 minutes after re-opening, the airport welcomed the first flight arrival from China.

From 10.30am November 4, while the hotels started doing check-out for their guests, tourists agencies also started to transport tourists to the airport.

From 12am November 4, all the tourist services have been re-operated.

Khanh Hoa, with the resort city of Nha Trang and several other tourism destinations were among the hardest hit regions.
Has Delhi government done enough to make capital's gas chamber safe for breathing? Find out.

By Prabhash K Dutta: The Delhi government has announced to implement vehicle rota system in the national capital in order to reduce air pollution in the city. The decision was announced by Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot following a meeting convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The odd-even formula will be implemented from November 13 till November 17. Meanwhile, the meteorological department has said that the smog cover that has engulfed Delhi is likely to start easing from Friday evening. The wind speed over Delhi is likely to pick up more pace blowing away the suspended particles from the city's air.

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Thick smog cover has become a trend in Delhi at the onset of winter every year. The atmospheric symptoms seem to follow a set pattern. Winds from western Uttar Pradesh and Punjab-Haryana region converge over Delhi sky making it a sluggish region for aerial activities.

The particles released from all the sources of pollution just remain suspended without moving to any direction. Crop residue burning only accentuates the weather condition. Some attempts were made to save Delhi from the smog cover that the city finds itself engulfed by right now.

STEPS TAKEN TO SAVE DELHI FROM SMOG, POLLUTION

The Supreme Court ordered a ban on sale and purchase of crackers ahead of Diwali to keep the air pollution level down. Similar orders were in place in the past also but this time the government machinery made sure that the ban on sale of crackers were implemented rigorously. The result was encouraging. The spike in pollution levels in Delhi was not as high compared to previous years.

The Delhi has shut down the Badarpur power plant. It will remain shut till March next year. The government further plans to shut it down permanently in July 2018. According a Centre for Science and Environment report of 2015, the Badarpur power plant is the most polluting power plant in India. It alone is responsible for 80 per cent of polluting particulate matter coming from power sector units in Delhi.

The Delhi government has already announced a four-old increase in charges for parking lot. Currently, the parking fee in authorised parking area for cars is Rs 20 per hour. Now, it will attract Rs 80 an hour. This has been done to discourage people from using private vehicles in large numbers.

The Delhi government announced to bring back odd-even formula to reduce the number of vehicles plying on the city roads. There are a few exceptions but as a matter of rule the vehicles having registration number ending in odd number will ply on one day while those with even numbers will ply on the other day.

The government has banned the use of private generator sets in Delhi. Though, it is an unpopular move especially for regions which have frequent power cuts yet have small business units. Diesel generators are considered a big source of air pollution in the city.

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Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ruled that all the building construction activities in Delhi-NCR must be stopped immediately. The NGT also ordered that the workers engaged in such activities would continue to get remuneration for the period of closure.

The NGT, further, ordered that steps be taken to put a full stop on the practice of crop residue burning in states surrounding Delhi including Punjab and Haryana. It also said that the polluting industrial units of Delhi should be shut down.

WHAT CAUSES AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI?

According to a study by IIT-Kanpur, conducted in 2015, Delhi is enveloped by pollution layer all around with contribution from multiple sources within Delhi, nearby region and even from long distances. It found that the winters of Delhi are particularly bad for air quality.

Particulate pollution is the main concern in the city where levels of PM10 and PM2.5 are 4-7 times higher than the national air quality standards in summer and winter months.

According to IIT-Kanpur study, the winter sources of pollution include secondary particles (which contribute 25-30 per cent pollutants), vehicles (20-25 per cent), biomass burning (17-26 per cent), municipal solid waste burning (8-9 per cent) while soil and road dust also contribute to some extent.

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This is a contrasting situation of pollution from summer, when the main sources of pollution include coal and flyash (26-37 per cent), soil and road dust (26-27 per cent), secondary particles (10-15 per cent), biomass burning (7-12 per cent), vehicles (6-9 per cent) and municipal solid waste burning (7-8 per cent).

The contribution of the biomass burning in winter is quite high at 17 per cent. Biomass burning is prohibited in Delhi and it is not a common practice at a large scale, the study found. However, the same is not true for neighbouring states.

The increased presence of particulate matter during October and November in Delhi's air to attributed to large scale crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana. The soil and road dust and airborne flyash - construction activities being the main factor - are the major sources of PM10 pollution in summer. But, during winters, they are minor contributors.

HOW TO MAKE DELHI BREATHE SAFE?

The IIT-Kanpur study proposed to make it mandatory for about 9,000 hotels and restaurants in Delhi having sitting capacity of more than 10 persons not to use coal in tandoors. The PM emission volume from these tandoors in the form of flyash is large.

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Around 10 per cent households in Delhi still use firewood, crop residue, cow dung, and coal for cooking. The report suggested that LPG should be made available to all the households in the city. Power plants should be either modernised or closed.

Crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana is the major cause of worry at the onset of winter. The farmers find it easy to burn the residue in the fields before they prepare the same for the next crop. Employing labour force to uproot the residue is a costly affair for the farmers.

The residue uprooting machines are too costly for the farmers to afford. The Centre or the state governments can develop a model to make the new machines available at the village or panchayat levels. The farmers can be encouraged to use them while laws should be framed to ban crop residue burning completely.

The three MCDs burn solid waste accumulated in landfills. These solid wastes continue to smolder (partial combustion) slowly for long periods contributing to the suspended particulate matter that gets trapped with onset of winter. The report recommended improvement in infrastructure for collection and disposal of municipal solid wastes. It should be banned completely.

Vehicular pollution is the second largest source for PM10 and PM2.5 in winters. Emission level BS VI, use of electric and hybrid vehicles, traffic planning and restriction of movement of vehicles can be used to ease air pollution in Delhi.

Construction activities are the third most contributor in PM 10 particles. Measures like wet suppression, wind speed reduction, proper handling and storage of raw materials can be adopted effectively. On-road movement of construction materials should be fully covered.

The wind speed over Delhi reduces every year during October-November due to its geographical conditions. This weather phenomenon increases the density of suspended particles in Delhi air. Breathing becomes difficult as pollutants make the air toxic. Now, it is up to the government to take measures to regulate pollution causing activities by means of encouragement and putting adequate legal framework in place.

--- ENDS ---
"I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation," Patel wrote in a letter to May, becoming the second minister to leave the cabinet in one week.

May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army.

Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings - including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance.

Patel wrote in her letter that there had been a "number of reports about my actions and I am sorry that these have served as a distraction."

May accepted Patel's resignation, replying in a letter that "the UK and Israel are close allies, and it is right that we should work closely together. But that must be done formally."

The departure comes a week after Michael Fallon quit as defence secretary following allegations of sexual harassment.

CHAOTIC CABINET

Britain is facing a major challenge in Brexit, but May has struggled to keep her ministers in line since losing her Conservative parliamentary majority in a snap election in June, and she heads a government that looks increasingly adrift.

Months of public divisions over the negotiations with the European Union have given way to scandals over foreign affairs and sexual abuse, leading some MPs to call on her to reassert her authority with a long-mooted Cabinet reshuffle.

May's deputy Damian Green is being investigated for allegedly groping a journalist in 2014 - which he denies - while a similar probe is under way into the behaviour of junior trade minister Mark Garnier towards his secretary.

And Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been accused of jeopardising the case of a British woman jailed in Iran, after appearing to suggest she was training journalists at the time - something her family strongly denies.

Speaking shortly after Patel's resignation while on a trip to Washington, DC, Johnson told reporters his Conservative colleague had been "a first class secretary of state."

"It's been a real pleasure working with her and I'm sure she has a great future ahead of her," Johnson added.

Opposition party politicians criticised Patel, and the prime minister.

Kate Osamor, Labour's shadow international development secretary, said May "must get control of her chaotic cabinet and decaying government".

Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson said she had "rightly been forced to step down for her cover up."

"This was an appalling error of judgement and is nothing short of a major failure by the British government."

FUNDING TO GOLAN HEIGHTS

On Monday, Patel revealed details of her meetings in Israel, which included discussions with non-governmental organisations and businesses.

She said they were arranged by Lord Stuart Polak, honorary president of the lobbying group Conservative Friends of Israel.

But it emerged late Tuesday there had been another two unauthorised meetings in September, with Israel's Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan in London and senior foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York.

During her meetings, Patel discussed the possibility of British aid being used to support medical assistance for Syrian refugees arriving in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Downing Street said.

However, reports suggest that she did not explain to May that this involved supplying funding to the Israeli army, which has facilitated the treatment of more than 3,100 wounded refugees in Israeli hospitals since 2013.

Britain views the Golan Heights as occupied territory and a minister told MPs on Tuesday that funding the Israeli Defence Forces there was "not appropriate".

A senior Palestinian official on Wednesday condemned the meetings as "scandalous", urging May to take action.

In a further development on Wednesday, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported that Patel visited a military field hospital in the Golan Heights as a guest of the government.

The British aid ministry declined to comment on the report.

Patel was a leading campaigner for Britain to leave the EU in last year's referendum. The daughter of Ugandan Indians, the 45-year-old has been an MP since 2010.
The exhibition takes place in Ariyana Danang Exhibition & Convention Centre on November 7-10, 2017.

This is event runs under the framework of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders Week in Danang and is hosted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

The exhibition is aimed at promoting Vietnams featured and traditional products, as well as introducing local projects calling for investment from APEC economies. The exhibition is also expected to encourage the vast engagement of Vietnams localities and enterprises in the APEC integration.

At the exhibition, visitors can take a closer look at policies and projects calling for investment, along with the popular and traditional export products of Vietnam through 63 booths. Additionally, there are 16 booths for where visitors can purchase the products of popular Vietnamese brands as souvenirs.

The exhibition is expected to attract more than 1,000 visitors, including world-leading businesses in trade, investment, and tourism, as well as economists and reporters from international and domestic media organisations.
Barack Obama leaves the jury area at Chicagos Daley Center after being dismissed for jury duty Wednesday. All eyes had been on the former president Wednesday at Chicagos downtown court complex.
On Sunday 5 November 2017, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, speaking in a pre-recorded address, observed that it was incongruous for the Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, to resign not from Lebanon, but from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh in the presence of MBS. He accused Saudi Arabia of interfering in Lebanons internal affairs.

On Monday 6 November, the Saudi Minister for Foreign Affairs, Adel Jubair, declared on CNN that the firing of a missile by Houthi rebels against Riyadhs airport was an act of war. Then his no 2, the Minister of Gulf Affairs, Thamer al-Sabhan, speaking this time on Al-Arabiya, qualified Hassan Nasrallahs speech as a declaration of war against Saudi Arabia.

According to the Israeli TV Channel 10, in the afternoon, the Netanyahu government addressed a cable to all ambassadors to ask them:

 to lobby the government to which they are attached, to explain to it, Israels position on the resignation of the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Such an approach is very rare.

 to persuade the government that his resignation proves just how dangerous Iran and the Hezbollah are dangerous for Lebanons security.

- to declare that this resignation negates the argument that Hezbollahs participation in the Lebanese government stabilizes the country.

 to support Saudi Arabia in its war against the Houthi rebels from Yemen and to declare that firing the missile at Riyadh airport calls for reinforcing pressure against Iran and Hezbollah.

In fact, the international press is treating Saad Hariris resignation as a matter quite separate from the Palace coup which followed at Riyadh. However, all elements revealed since then lead us to think that this resignation was only an element of the Palace coup and point to Hassan Nasrallah being right.

Israel is not envisaging attacking Hezbollah again since it is well aware of the military and diplomatic risks of such an operation. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing Saudi Arabia to attack the Lebanese resistance in its place and is preparing international public opinion for this.
CAB Holds Charities Fair at Boyd's

Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau will be holding a Charities Fair at Boyds Leisure Centre on Friday 10th November from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

The aim is for the different charities to showcase their work and recruit prospective volunteers interested in supporting the individual charities. Charities will be invited to set up a stall, display their work and talk to different people about the different charitable work that they undertake for the community.

"Our focus is to encourage people to get up, get going and get active. We want to raise awareness about volunteering opportunities and inspire people to volunteer, whatever their passion, whenever and wherever they choose to do it."

"There will be opportunities to find out what roles are on offer and find out what interests you more. Volunteering must be a choice freely made by each individual to be able to choose what they are more comfortable with and ultimately dedicate time to."

Charities can also provide Citizens Advice with links to their website https://www.here2help.gi/ to spread the word through social media networks and be able to showcase volunteer community needs.

"Our intention is to build stronger connections between organisations and individuals at a local level by giving people better information about volunteering opportunities in Gibraltar and helping organisations reach more diverse communities."

It is also a good opportunity for the general public to become aware of what help is available to them, provided by these charitable organisations.

CAB Gibraltar would like to thank existing volunteers for their effort, dedication and selflessly giving up their time to help others less fortunate than themselves.

The event will be opened by Mrs Justine Picardo at 9.45am and will be attended by over 20 local Charities.
Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Neuro

Charlie Sheen has issued a brief statement refuting accusations that he sexually assaulted Corey Haim in the mid-1980s. In an article published today by The National Enquirer, actor Dominick Brascia accused Sheen of raping Corey Haim during the filming of the 1986 movie Lucas, saying, He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex, Brascia told the publication. Haim said after it happened Sheen became very cold and rejected him. When Corey wanted to fool around again, Charlie was not interested. But in a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter earlier today, a representative for Sheen said he categorically denies these allegations.

According to The Enquirer, Brascias description of the encounter was corroborated by dozens of other sources who claim that Haim said Sheen abused him during filming. Haim was just 13 at the time, while Sheen was 19, meaning the alleged encounter would have been a statutory rape even if it was consensual, as one anonymous Sheen friend described it to the publication. Brascia is also alleged to have had a sexual relationship with Haim, who died in 2010 at the age of 38, a claim that Brascia emphatically denied when asked about it by The Enquirer. A story about Haim being sexually assaulted during Lucas also came up in Corey Feldmans memoir, Coreyography, in which he described an alleged encounter between Haim and an adult co-star, but never named names. According to Feldman, the older actor told Haim, It was perfectly normal for older men and younger boys in the business to have sexual relations, that it was what all guys do, and added that, Haim, innocent and ambitious as he was, allowed himself to be sodomized.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Hours after the premiere of his new movie I Love You, Daddy was canceled, a New York Times report details several sexual-misconduct allegations against Louis C.K. In encounters dating back to the late 1990s, five women told the Times the comedian asked if he could masturbate while they were in the room, or masturbated in front of them or during phone calls. After their alleged encounters, two of the women say, C.K. privately apologized for his behavior. Through a representative, C.K. declined to answer any of the Times questions about the accusations.

Comedians Julia Wolov and Dana Min Goodman told the Times that C.K. invited them to his hotel room after a successful show in Aspen, Colorado, in 2002. Suddenly, he asked if he could take his penis out. The women say he took all of his clothes off and masturbated in front of them, and they fled. In 2003, writer, illustrator, and performer Abby Schachner spoke to C.K. on the phone, when she heard him begin to masturbate. I definitely wasnt encouraging it, she told the Times. In 2005, comedian Rebecca Corry said she appeared in a television pilot with C.K. that was executive produced by Courteney Cox and David Arquette. Corry told the Times C.K. asked if he could masturbate in front of her. She declined, but made Cox aware of the incident. What happened to Rebecca on that set was awful, Cox wrote in an email to the paper. A fifth woman, whose story was included anonymously, said she was in her early 20s and working on The Chris Rock Show in the late 90s when C.K., a writer and producer on the show, repeatedly asked her to watch him masturbate and she agreed, because of the workplace culture.

Women Share Their Experiences With Sexual Assault and Harassment

On at least two occasions, according to the Times, C.K. contacted the women after the alleged incidents to apologize. Six years after their phone call, Schachner said she received an apologetic Facebook message from Louis C.K., saying that the call ended in a sordid fashion. After Defamer posted rumors alluding to C.K.s history of sexual misconduct, Corry said C.K. reached out to her, too: He apologized for an incident that never happened  shoving her into a bathroom  instead of their encounter on the TV pilot. Corry told the Times that the way he misremembered the incident made her think he had a longer history of misconduct. Wolov and Goodman never received an apology, but said they felt bullied by C.K.s powerful manager Dave Becky  who represents Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, and Amy Poehler, among others  to stop discussing the alleged incident in the Aspen hotel room. Becky denied that he threatened the women.

Vulture has reached out to FX, which works with C.K. on his show Louie, for comment. We will update this post if we hear back.
Louis C.K. Photo: TIFF

Louis C.K.s new movie I Love You, Daddy had its premiere set for tonight in New York City, but its distributor, The Orchard, just canceled the event citing unexpected circumstances. The company said in a statement, On behalf of The Orchard, please accept our apologies. Were incredibly sorry for any inconvenience. I Love You, Daddy has stirred up controversy because a central plot element involves the 17-year-old daughter of C.K.s character engaging in a romantic relationship with a much, much older filmmaker named Leslie (played by John Malkovich), who prefers very young women and is even rumored to have molested a child at one time. Early feedback about the Malkovich character compared him to a Woody Allen figure. C.K.s character, Glen, is a successful TV writer and producer. In real life, the comedian, writer, and producer has weathered accusations of sexual harassment over the past year  accusations he largely refuses to address  and Allen, who often puts May-December romances at the center of his films, has also been accused of misconduct with his own daughter when she was a child. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a New York Times story about C.K. is about to be published and tonights premiere was scuttled in the event it contains damaging information. A planned appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was also scrapped.
Bookseller One Grand Books has asked celebrities to name the ten titles theyd take to a desert island, and theyve shared the results with Vulture. Below is Stranger Things star Matthew Modines list.

A Man Without a Country, by Kurt Vonnegut

This is collection of Vonnegut observations that will make you mourn his passing. We need a new Vonnegut today to make sense of the utter nonsense were living through. A writer with his obstinance, humanism, wit, and wisdom.

The Man Who Planted Trees, by Jean Giono

The story highlights how the positive actions of a single individual can transform the world we share. In this case, its the story about a Elzeard Bouffier, a humble shepherd who reforests a landscape destroyed by war. Try and find the version with the beautiful wood engravings by Michael McCurdy.

Food of the Gods, by Terence McKenna

For many years I was curious about human consciousness. How did we become conscious of our consciousness? McKenna argues, quite convincingly, that it may have been because of our hunter-gatherer ancestors consumption of psychotropic plants and herbs. Fun fact: The book was recommended to me by Whoopi Goldberg.

Birdy, by William Wharton

Okay, yeah, I did play Birdy in the film directed by the always amazing Sir Alan Parker. If you saw the movie, you should read the book. The hypnotic magic of Whartons prose is pure poetry. After you read the book, watch, or rewatch the film and see how right we actually got it.

White Noise, by Don DeLillo

All right, I said before that I missed Vonnegut. Well, Don DeLillo isnt Vonnegut. And hes not trying to be. Hes like Vonnegut and is an equal wordsmith. DeLillo is also a brilliant observer of life with a deliciously wicked sense of humor. He understands how best to employ irony and uses it to point out our collective anxieties and the absurdities of contemporary living. DeLillo is the shit.

Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius

Observations about life from a Roman emperor from almost 2,000 years ago. Remarkably fresh, simple, and pertinent. Filled with rational emotion and practical aphorisms. When I read this the first time, I felt like I was receiving loving guidance from a dear friend. The writing is that simple and relatable. Seriously, Marcus was an emperor, and you never feel like hes talking down to the reader!

The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway

How can you not love the old fisherman, Santiago, and this great sea story by ol man Hemingway. Ernest won the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes for his efforts with this book. In many ways, the story echoes Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick. But Hemingway takes the reader much deeper into the personal journey of man versus nature. Through Santiago we are reminded of humility and the fragility of life. So vulnerable we are in our little boats floating in a universe unimaginably large and benign to the desires or passions of human ambitions.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, by Yuval Noah Harari

Here we are. Top of the heap. Eight billion people crawling on every piece of earth available. Early humans learned that through cooperation they could, say, travel off our planet and walk on the moon. The question now is, can we survive another millennia? With all of our technology, science, medicine, an ever-exploding population, and an unending appetite for a finite amount of earthly resources, will we survive much longer?

The Butter Battle Book, by Dr. Seuss

Leave it to the Dr. to make simple sense of human stupidity. Like Stanley Kubricks masterpiece Dr. Strangelove, the story is about the real possibility of mutually assured destruction from the use of nuclear weapons.

The Cousteau Almanac of the Environment: An Inventory of Life on a Water Planet, by Jacques-Yves Cousteau

When I was a boy I dreamed of sailing and exploring the the open seas. I know my inspiration arose from watching episodes of The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. This almanac was the first gift I received from my then girlfriend, now wife, and why I still love her. She saw my passion for the ocean and presented me with a book by my hero. Cousteau gives many examples of how we have been destroying our shared environment for thousands of years. But more importantly, he always leads us to solutions we can implement to save and restore our planet. We have one planet. We have to take care of it.
Want to chat with a real live serial killer? Call 1-900-BLACK-HOOD for the low, low price of 99 cents a minute, paid directly to the Riverdale Register Libel Defense Fund!

We kick off this weeks Riverdale with the surprise phone call that ended the last episode. Yes, its the Black Hood, and he forbids Betty to tell the police or even Jughead that theyve spoken. If she does, lets just say he knows the exact location of the farm where perma-pregnant, very murderable Polly has been hiding out. Betty asks Archie  whos welcome back at Riverdale High since posting an apology video, which we dont get to watch, but which I believe in my heart was also filmed against a background of shirtless teens in fuchsia masks  to walk her to school. She quickly spills her guts to him about her unwanted new friend.

Meanwhile, after the rumble with the Bulldogs and an anti-southside op-ed by Alice Make Riverdale Great Again Cooper, the Serpents arent feeling exactly neighborly. Jughead realizes that F.P. was keeping the gang in line, so hell have to step up and take his dads place to prevent them from going to war. If he survives Serpent initiation, that is. The first stage is the guardianship of the Beast, who proves to be a sweet, shaggy dog. In the next, Jughead must memorize a series of Serpent laws and scream them into Tall Boys face. As someone who is capable of (a) taking care of a dog, and (b) reciting the Girl Scout Promise, I was briefly convinced that I should be anointed Grand Supreme Serpent Queen, but then Jughead had to grab a knife from a (venom-less, but still) rattlesnake coiling around the blade, and now Im less interested.

Bettys phone rings again. (That Lollipop ringtone is getting real old, real quick.) The Black Hood says hell email her something to publish in The Blue and Gold to prove her loyalty. If she does it, she can ask him any question she likes. An old, yellowed front page of the Riverdale Register appears in her inbox, with the headline Southside Teen Arrested and Released on Bail. The accompanying photo is none other than a very young, very Twin Peaks-y Alice Cooper. Betty is torn: Publishing the front page would destroy her mothers credibility. On the other hand, Alice is being an enormous jerk. When Sheriff Keller reports that handwriting specialists determined that two different people wrote Alice and Bettys Black Hood letters, Alice accuses her daughter of writing the message she received herself. Aaaand with that, Operation Publish Moms Old Incriminating Mugshot is a go.

At least shes earned the right to ask a question. The Black Hood wont let Betty ask his name, so she asks if shed recognize his face. She would. Quid pro quo, Clarice. Im selfish, Betty. I dont like sharing you with other people, the Black Hood tells her. She can start by cutting Veronica out of her life. Wait, hold on: Given Sheriff Kellers findings, is Betty not going to consider even for a moment that the person whos been calling her might not be the actual Black Hood? Nev and Max wouldnt let this slide on Catfish. Also, keep an eye on Bettys ponytail throughout this episode. Its like a dogs tail: Her hair hangs lower and lower as her emotional well-being declines.

Potential investors for the Lodges SoDale project are on their way to attend a swanky open house, including the St. Clairs and their son Nick, Veronicas old friend from New York. Veronicas parents encourage their Junior Businesswoman of America to sell Nick on the deal, because he in turn will sell his father. If Nick St. Clair wasnt cryogenically frozen in a storage locker leased by the CW since Gossip Girl went off the air, then hes a host who wandered out of the Bret Easton Ellisthemed version of Westworld. Hes inappropriately flirty with Veronica and, in general, might as well have CREEPY RICH WEIRDO delicately embroidered on his creepy rich forehead.

Nick invites the whole gang minus Jughead  and including the Pussycats, Reggie, and Cheryl  to a party in his hotel room, where everyone sits in a circle while Nick regales them with a long, boring anecdote about Gal Gadot, possibly the most boring celebrity you could tell a long, boring anecdote about. (No offense, Gal Gadot.) Then Nick opens his jacket to reveal a stash of Jingle Jangle. Veronica  feeling pressured to please Nick, as the Lodge familys appointed good-time Fredo  is reluctantly in, as is Archie, as is everyone but Betty.

What is Jingle Jangle, exactly? MDMA? The music gets louder and everyone, generally, gets dancier and make-outier. Cheryl is flipping her hair around like that Herbal Essences commercial that aired before she was born. Kevin is basically Ron Swanson on Snake Juice. Sober Betty looks on, soberly. She also takes this opportunity to torch her relationship with Veronica, announcing to everyone that she is a privileged, shallow, airhead party girl, a fake friend who only hangs out with them because of circumstance. Ouch.

It gets worse: Once everyone leaves, Nick comforts Veronica by trying to bang her. She rebuffs his uncomfortably handsy advances and he calls her a tease. When Nick threatens to sabotage the deal between their parents if she doesnt comply, she slaps him.

If Betty thought pushing Veronica away was hard, shes in for another level of hurt. The next friendship excommunication that the Black Hood orders is  Jughead. By this point, Betty isnt even wearing a ponytail, but a low bun, which might be reason enough to rush her to the nearest emergency room. She begs Archie to do the dumping for her. He breaks the news to Jug at his trailer, just as the Serpents arrive for the final stage of his initiation: beating the hell out of him.

At the Lodges fancy-pants party for SoDale, which will wipe the southside off the map in favor of whatever the in-universe equivalent of Whole Foods is, Hal Cooper shows up to cover the event alone, telling Hiram that Alice decided to stay home and keep a low profile post-scandal. Sorry, not so fast  Alice Cooper was just waiting to make her glorious entrance in a deeply low-cut, fiery-red, floor-length snake-print dress-cape-shorts combo (with matching clutch!) that my mortal brain does not have the vocabulary to describe. The finishing touch: a gold serpent necklace. She marches in and tells her husband to shove it. I dont entirely understand what is going on here, but I do know that I love it.

Nick apologizes to Veronica, explaining that hes been in and out of rehab over the last few months. Could Nick be  not terrible? Just kidding. Nick is extremely terrible. He slips something into Cheryls drink, and as the Pussycats ft. Veronica perform Out Tonight from Rent for some reason, he leads the barely conscious Blossom heiress up to his room. Well, this is a horrifying development. The Pussycats, thank God, see this happening from the stage, giving chase and bursting into Nicks suite as their song confusingly continues to play. The girls give Nick St. Clair the same treatment Jughead is getting from the Serpents, with the advantage of high heels to kick with. Cheryl is determined to press charges for attempted rape and make Nick suffer; Veronica cant imagine how many times her ex-friend must have done this before.

Over on the southside, a bloodied but victorious and newly single Jughead is rocking a new Serpents tattoo on his shoulder. He and Toni make out to Harry Styless Sign of the Times in his trailer, as you do. I am genuinely worried for the welfare of the actress who plays Toni, should the #bughead faithful find out her home address.

Bettys phone rings again. Ill give you one guess as to whos calling. She did her part with Jughead, and now she demands to know who the Black Hood really is. He directs her to an abandoned house at the edge of Fox Forest, where she goes, alone, because despite being extremely intelligent, Betty is also deeply stupid. Theres a black box tied up with a red bow waiting for her inside. It contains a black hood of her very own. Over the phone, he instructs her to put it on, then turn around. Behind her is  a mirror? Uh, why? To show you that were the same, he explains. Black Hood, this life lesson is lame as hell. When she hears a loud creak, Betty flees the house.

But she and the Black Hood still have unfinished business. He knows shes been telling Archie everything. Now, hell kill Polly and her whole family unless she names another sinner who deserves death by his hand. Nick St. Clair, she answers. Honestly, Betty, excellent choice.
From Office Hour, at the Public. Photo: Carol Rosegg

On April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people and wounded 17 at Virginia Tech, the university in Blacksburg where he was a senior majoring in English (a change from his original major in business information technology). At the time, the Virginia Tech massacre was the deadliest shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history  a fact that seems nauseatingly laughable now. Also at the time, I was a college junior directing a production of Peter Barness Red Noses, a play set during the Black Plague. My administrations response to the horrifying news from my home state was to ban the use of onstage weapons. Our medieval swords and daggers were taken away and locked up. We didnt have the word for it yet, but the justification was that audiences would find weapons of any kind triggering. My classmates and I objected to what seemed like a shortsighted, reactionary conflation of sensitivity with creative censorship  not knowing that we were entering a new world, a world where acts like Chos would become, within a decade, literally a daily occurrence. Our own American Black Plague.

Three days before I saw Julia Chos Office Hour at the Public, eight people were killed in the West Side Highway bike path by a driver who then exited his car waving guns and screaming. (The Twitter news cycle wouldnt reveal till later that those weapons were a pellet gun and a paintball gun, but the deaths were real.) Two days after I saw it, 26 people were shot and killed in a church outside San Antonio. A month before that, a sniper killed 58 people and injured more than 500 in Las Vegas. We all know these numbers. They are our reality now. Office Hour is an attempt to grapple with that reality. And because were an unrelentingly earnest nation, we  at least those of us who take an interest in art at all  are primed to think that any creative attempt to look at Big, Serious, Painful Subjects is necessarily a good thing. But Im not so sure. Office Hour has moments that feel vital, honest, and valuable. Its also built around, and builds to, a scenario that I find deeply questionable, perhaps even irresponsible.

The play is what it says on the label. Almost all of its 90 minutes unfold during a meeting between Gina (Sue Jean Kim)  an adjunct English professor at an unidentified university  and Dennis (Ki Hong Lee), her student, a silent loner in a black hoodie and sunglasses whose creative-writing assignments are aggressively sexual, scatological, and violent. Gina has been warned about Dennis. The play has a prologue of sorts in which two of Denniss former English teachers, David and Genevieve (Greg Keller and Adeola Role), meet Gina over coffee and describe the 18-year-old student as a classic shooter. Theyre scared and desperate. David flunked him; Genevieve spent her semester as his teacher nervously avoiding him. They both see the school as unwilling to get involved. They want Gina to get through to him because, as Genevieve ventures hesitantly, You guys must have stuff in common 

Gina stiffens at this. She and Dennis are both Asian  Korean-American, to be exact. So are the actors, Kim and Lee. So is Julia Cho. So was Seung-Hui Cho. At its most effective moments, Office Hour is interested not only in the question of gun violence, but in the painful, isolating struggle faced by the children of immigrant parents in this country. Gina has every right to resent the implication, but the truth is that she and Dennis do have things in common. They both know the brutal combination of familial expectation, social ostracism, and discouragement of creativity that  given enough time in the pressure cooker  can produce an artist or a mass murderer. In one of the plays best scenes, Gina and Dennis hold pencils to their ears and role-play a phone conversation, with Gina in the role of well-meaning, unwittingly hurtful parent and Dennis in the (not really a) role of confused, suffering child. Dad and me, we supposed to support you the rest of our lives? Gina needles, her English acquiring an accent, Where are your [writing] awards? If youre so good, why havent your teacher noticed? Why hasnt anyone noticed? Doing your passion sounds good but if everyone did that, where would we be, huh? Your father didnt do that. I didnt do that. We didnt have the luxury of doing that.

Shes Denniss mother and shes her own. Perhaps shes Julia Chos too? Or perhaps not. Whatever the facts, Cho here seems to be following the advice that she puts into Ginas mouth earlier in the play: I dont know much  but I do know that the simpler, the truer, the more close to actual size the writing is, the better. The telephone role-play feels fresh and honest and  unlike much of Office Hour  actually allows for humor. According to the rules of the plays universe, however, it may not have really happened. Like Caryl Churchills Hearts Desire, Office Hour plays itself out as a sequence of potential scenarios: variations of what could happen between Gina and Dennis over the course of their meeting. (Though the construct isnt a completely tidy one: The blackouts between scenes dont take us fully back to the beginning of the encounter, so its hard to keep track of which events are real. Not to mention the fact that the clock on the sets wall moves incongruously forward in real time over the course of the play.) Some scenarios lead to tears, confessions, and the beginnings of meaningful connection. Others  many others  lead to someone getting shot.

Which brings us to the big, unavoidable spoiler  because its impossible to talk about Office Hour without talking about the peak of its action. Outside the Publics Martinson Theater, youll see a pretty standard warning sign: This performance contains loud recorded gun shots, live blanks, violence, and strobe effects. Its not enough. The climax of Office Hour is an immersive mass shooting. The theater goes dark, and the sound of gunfire comes from everywhere  the stage, the back of the auditorium, beside you, underneath you. Sound designer Bray Poor clearly has speakers all around the room, and for what feels like an eternity (though perhaps its half a minute), the audience is captive in the most awful sense. Its a sickening experience  I spent most of it gripping my armrest and thinking to myself, This is where these things happen. In theaters. In churches. In places of congregation.  and its clearly meant to be sickening. I realize that in writing these words, I might be fulfilling director Neel Kellers dearest wish for the production. Yes! an artist who has set out to create such an effect might reasonably think. It worked!

But what worked? For me, the climax of Office Hour overwhelms the rest of the play to a destructive degree. It feels like a cruel trick on an audience who came willing to listen and learn. Im not trying to clutch my pearls here: I have vivid memories of storming into the office of my college dean, railing at what I regarded as censorship in the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting. Art can, and sometimes should, trouble and provoke. But the question should be, to what end? In the case of Office Hour, my guess is that the play and its creators want us to look at something  really look at it. Theres a not particularly subtle monologue by Dennis in which he describes the Pacific Garbage Patch: We know it is there but we dont see it. And because we cant see it, we dont think about it. So it just sits there. Getting bigger day by day by day.

Are we truly not already looking? It seems disingenuous to imply that audiences dont confront the existence of our countrys deadly garbage patch every single day as we open our papers and glance at our phones. In varying degrees, we all walk through this current world carrying with us a leaden ball of fear. And though it contains moments of humanity and insight, Office Hour ultimately makes a defining decision that, for me, does little more than increase that fears dismal, daily weight.

Office Hour is at the Public Theater.
Finn Wolfhard. Photo: Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Image

The kids of Stranger Things have been embroiled in a terribly adult controversy. On Wednesday night, 14-year-old star Finn Wolfhard tweeted a plea to fans not to harass him and his co-stars, writing that while he doesnt want to ex-communicate people who love the show, anyone who calls themselves a fan and actively goes after someone for literally acting and doing their job is ridiculous. To anyone who doesnt follow the minutiae of a fandom built around a group of teens whose worlds were turned upside down overnight, the child stars tweets might read as overdramatic or harsh. But the unfortunate tension between the Netflix shows young cast and those whove acted with an unhealthy obsession toward them  especially adults  has been building for months. Heres a look at the storm of events that prompted Wolfhards response.

November 2016: The first whiff of something wrong came in the months after the Stranger Things season-one premiere when fans online began aggressively shipping main characters Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Mike Wheeler (Wolfhard), who are both children, with the hashtag #Mileven. (The two share an innocent kiss at the end of the first season.) The problem, it seemed, was that some fans could not differentiate between the characters and the stars and began conflating their desire to see a romantic development between the duo with both Eleven and Mike and Millie and Finn. One fan-made image of Wolfhard and Brown edited to look like the Joker and Harley Quinn circulated online, and was later criticized.

CAN THIS HOE STOP pic.twitter.com/koAAcJbSam  L (@wheelingbyers) January 29, 2017

According to Reddit, Wolfhard addressed the issue of shipping the characters on his brothers Twitch stream (where fans flooded the comments demanding Wolfhards take on #Mileven) last November, writing, its [sic] true, people dont understand that were people who arent the characters in the show  and then they attack my friends. It appears a fan had found the phone number of Wolfhards friend and harassed him to get to Wolfhard.

October 19, 2017: Nearly a year later, BuzzFeed published a lengthy post titled Fans of an Actor in It and Stranger Things Are Worried He Is Being Sexualized by People. The subject of the article was Wolfhard, whom concerned fans felt was being treated inappropriately. They pointed out chatter on social media now shipping Wolfhards character in It and another young boy in the remake (Jack Grazer), as well as messages directly to Wolfhard calling the 14-year-old baby daddy. Forcing heterosexuality or Queerness onto children is weird. Let them figure out that shit themselves. Yall are weirdos, one person tweeted. They said the issue escalated when fans began shipping the actors, not their characters. Grazer wrote a message on social media saying that both the ship and the speculation about his sexuality were annoying and needed to stop.

Jack!!! Has!!! Finally!!! Spoken!!!! Stop that, stop assuming the kids sexualities, stop thinking that reddie and fack are the same. pic.twitter.com/6As23p4ewH  MIC (@theIostsister) October 6, 2017

October 27: Retired senior NBCUniversal executive Mike Sington tweeted a photo of Millie Bobby Brown at the Stranger Things 2 premiere commenting on her grown-up looks, which prompted backlash from former child actress Mara Wilson, as well as Patricia Arquette. Wilson wrote, The people that were mostly a threat to me as a child were not Hollywood insiders, but grown-up male fans. Sington later apologized for his tweet, saying he didnt mean to add to the the objectification or even sexualization of a minor.

October 30  November 4: Days later, 27-year-old model Ali Michael posted a message on Instagram asking Wolfhard to hit me up in four years. Her comment was quickly criticized for sexually propositioning a minor. She later apologized, saying, It was never my intention (nor has it ever been) to sexualise a minor in any way shape or form. Wolfhard later told TMZ that her comment was nuts and gross and called her apology weird.

this is disgusting, shes literally 27 and hes 14 what the fuck pic.twitter.com/apZRunPlIR  caI (@tomothyholland) October 30, 2017

November 3: The Daily Beast published a piece criticizing Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers for forcing a young actor on the show to kiss her equally young co-star. In an after-show episode of Beyond Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers admitted that they planned an unscripted kiss between new character Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) without warning the 15-year-old actress. (It was her first kiss.) Sink recalled, I get there, the first day of Snowball  one of you, I think it was you Ross, you say, Ooh, Sadie, you ready for the kiss? Im like, What! No! Thats not in the script  thats not happening. So the whole day I was so stressed out. Duffer responded, You reacted so strongly to this  I was just joking  and you were so freaked out that I was like well, I gotta make her do it now  thats why Im saying its your fault. The Duffer Brothers later reacted to the controversy, saying the kiss was a lot of fun and all the young cast members enjoy it. Sink also clarified that she never objected to the kiss and that the Duffer Brothers created a comfortable space. She continued: And if I felt uncomfortable with anything, I wouldnt have done it.

November 4: Appearing to have directly provoked Wolfhards most recent response, in a since-deleted tweet, the actor was accused of being heartless for not stopping to greet fans who staked out his hotel; fans described him as being so rude. The criticism sparked a wave of support from Wolfhards co-stars, including Shannon Purser, who called these fans behavior toward a child intimidation and explained that no actor is under any obligation to stop for anyone. Game of Thrones Sophie Turner also voiced concern that adults were stalking and then berating a child, leading a discussion about consent and access when it comes to child stars.

Okay, no. No actor is under any obligation to stop for anyone. Finn is an incredibly kind human. But he's human and he needs breaks too. https://t.co/b4Lfrl1wU3  Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) November 4, 2017

So true. we really love the fans. Finn is the nicest guy u will ever know. we all work so hard, and need a break sometimes. #Compassion  https://t.co/On3Fo8NeB8  Noah Schnapp (@noah_schnapp) November 5, 2017

Damn... seeing fully grown adults wait outside the Stranger Things kids hotels etc , and then abuse them when they dont stop for them...  Sophie Turner (@SophieT) November 6, 2017

November 8: Wolfhard tweeted a message to Stranger Things fans, asking them to stop harassing him and his co-stars and to be mindful of the language they use online.

Hey everybody! I don't wanna ex-communicate anyone from this fandom, but if you are for real you will not harass my friends, or co-workers. Ya'll know who you are.  Finn Wolfhard (@FinnSkata) November 8, 2017
In May 1917, just a few weeks after the United States entered World War I, a motion picture called The Spirit of 76 debuted in Chicago. It was advertised as a historical romance dealing with the American Revolution and its causes, and its depiction of the British was particularly negative.

Because the U.S. was now fighting alongside Great Britain in the war, authorities confiscated the film. Later that year Robert Goldstein, its writer and producer, was fined $5,000 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating the Espionage Act by disparaging an ally and giving aid and comfort to the enemy: in this case, the Germans. Because in 1915 the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that movies did not have First Amendment protection, a federal appeals court upheld the decision.

The Espionage Act  along with amendments to it the following year, which together became known as the Sedition Act  allowed a virulent censorship under the guise of patriotism and unity in time of war. Anyone who pays much attention to the art world these days knows that while our entry into WWI is a century in the past there is still strong pressure to censor or remove from public view works of art deemed offensive. Today, however, the rationale isnt patriotism: Its sensitivity.

This fall, more than 1,600 students at the University of Indiana demanded the administration remove from view a portion of a 1930s-era mural by famed Midwestern regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton entitled A Social History of Indiana.

The controversial panels depict, in part, a Ku Klux Klan rally, acknowledging a time when the group was prominent in the state. Benton originally painted the piece for the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair, and in 1940 the entire 22-panel mural was donated to the university and installed in pieces in three new buildings. The Klan rally portion, along with another section, wound up in one of the largest lecture halls on campus.

At the end of September, IU Provost Lauren Robel issued a statement marked by the kind of level-headed rationality we ought to expect from any university administrator. While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, she explained that Benton intended his murals to show all aspects of the states history, even the ugly and discomfiting parts, so we could confront the mistakes of the past.

Unlike the current controversy over Confederate statues, the artists intention was never to honor or memorialize individuals (or the Klan itself). She pointed out that in the foreground of the scene, the depiction of a racially integrated hospital eclipses the Klan rally and also shows the heroic newspaper reporters who finally succeeded in turning public opinion against the Klan. So it is a mistake to assume that a depiction of a historical event is the same as honoring it. Those who dont understand the context and history wrongly condemn the mural as racist simply because it depicts a racist organization and a hateful symbol.

Removing the murals isnt an option: The paint has become fragile over the decades and the two spaces in the hall were specifically designed to display these particular panels. On the other hand, says Robel with admirable clarity, covering the murals feels like censorship and runs counter to the expressed intent of the artist.

The solution the university has settled on is to move classes out of the hall, keep the murals in place, and use the space for a gallery and public lectures. The goal is to teach about the power of art and the need to understand history more fully. Lets hope that it works.
In Irish playwright Martin McDonaghs The Pillowman, the writer Katurian Katurian (Jamal Wilson) finds himself called in for a police interrogation, no small thing under the totalitarian government in which he lives.

As detectives/investigators Tupolski (Jonah Hardt) and Ariel (Garrett Borel) get into their tag-team questioning, their reasons begin to surface: Some of the authors unsettling short stories involving child violence have details that resemble those uncovered in some recent brutal child murders.

Are his stories revealing a connection to the murders? Sheer coincidence? And why is his mentally slow brother Michal (Christian Trigleth) being detained as well?

On the surface, it looks like a police procedural, a mystery needing solution, but as the investigation proceeds and some of Katurians dark fairy tales come to life, the play drifts into questions of creativity and repression, of imagination and inspiration, of shades of truth.

While the subject matter and implied violence make it strong going for some audiences, McDonaghs use of language, humor and dialogue creates a play thats more dark comedy than grim drama, the director said.

McDonaghs an amazing playwright . . . almost David Mamet-ial in his language, said Elizabeth Talbot, the McLennan Community College theater and stage movement instructor who directs the McLennan Theatre production of The Pillowman. The play opens a four-performance run on Thursday.

Its not suitable for children. Its quite graphic in parts and we retained some of the (strong) language, she said. McDonaghs intent wasnt to make audiences squirm, however, but spark some thinking about storytelling, imagination and the effect a writer has on his or her readers, she added.

Talbot, who grew up in England and studied theater in London, noted that McDonaghs 2003 Olivier Award-winning play is standard fare in many English theater schools.

The Pillowmans language feels more British than American in its rhythm and structure, though Talbots four principal actors and nine ensemble players wont be adopting English accents. The play is staged in MCCs Music & Theatre Arts Building theater, a smaller space whose intimacy ratchets up the plays emotional intensity.
What is it like to be in a newsroom when the world's largest democracy makes history? India Today editors and writers tell you their stories.

By Ganesh Radha-Udayakumar: As news days go, November 8 last year was mostly unexceptional.

Important events occurred: a Jet Airways flight made an emergency landing in Karachi, the Supreme Court gave the government two days to figure out how to tackle pollution in Delhi, and Indian peacekeepers were injured in an explosion in Africa - which also killed a child. But history was to be made only the next day, when US voters were expected to catapult Hillary Clinton through what she would later call America's "hardest and highest glass ceiling."

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But Prime Minister Narendra Modi had other ideas.

When Modi began that momentous speech on demonetisation, Padmaja Joshi was live on her primetime show. Shruti Singh was in the newsroom, overseeing work at the web desk. Vivek Surendran, a senior writer, was waiting for his bill at a restaurant near Delhi University's north campus. And Rohini Swamy, a deputy editor based in Bengaluru, was on her way home, having just withdrawn Rs 35,000 in bills that would soon be worthless.

"I was off that day, but I drove straight to work," Vivek said. He knew he had his work cut out. "I knew people would have umpteen doubts and I wanted to help using the power of reach we journalists have."

His concern and sense of urgency inspired an article titled 'What the FAQ just happened,' a comprehensive explainer on the goals of demonetisation, the nitty-gritty of note-exchanging, and more.

"People around me were as clueless and shocked as I was," Vivek said of the initial mood in the newsroom that evening. Kumar Shakti Shekhar, a senior journalist, said he and his colleagues didn't know how to react.

"We were shell-shocked," he said. "We looked into our wallets and started counting the demonetised notes, and also those which were lying in our homes."

Dev Goswami, a chief sub-editor who then worked for a website that focused on US news, didn't find out about the note ban until an hour later. And he thought the people ranting on Twitter were spreading fake news.

'WE HAD TO GET CRACKING'

In the India Today newsroom, the feeling of stupefaction soon dissipated. After all, hundreds and thousands of people were hurrying to their living rooms for find their remotes, tapping away feverishly at their phones, or opening new tabs on their desktops - all hungry for more information.

"There was a brief moment of trying to comprehend the enormity of exactly what had happened and its ramifications, but then we had to get cracking," said Padmaja Joshi, the editor who anchors India Today TV's 8 pm show. Television reporters, she explained, needed to get to "the nerve center of the action."

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Prime Minister Modi had said the soon-to-be-defunct bills would be valid till midnight, so stores opened their doors to shoppers, and petrol pumps and ATMs saw huge queues. "To tap into the immediate mood, we had to deploy resources ASAP," Padmaja Joshi said.

On the web desk, too, shock soon gave way to animation.

"Senior editors were mighty excited," recalls Shruti Singh, who was heading the evening shift. It "seemed like they were injected with adrenaline or something."

Within hours, the desk had published several articles and a video.

And the two weeks that followed were "really crazy," Shruti said. "I could understand the plight of the common man because my wedding was in two months, and my family also needed cash for shopping and preparations."

GOING CASHLESS

With over four-fifths of the paper money in circulation gone, people had to survive without their cash - at least till enough new notes entered the system. Javed Anwar and his team, who cover technology news for the India Today website, wrote several articles to help their readers do just that.

"And the stories were popular, people read them. They wanted to know about apps that would tell them about the functional ATMs. And how to use PayTM, they wanted to know that. And we told people...how to use cab apps for transport, how to use food delivery apps or grocery shopping apps to shop without using cash," Javed said.

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Vivek Surendran, a section editor like Javed, said his 'For Your Information (FYI)' team spent four months tracking and busting myths about the note ban.

"In fact, we still do, right?" he adds.

A SURPRISE THAT DEFIED ALL EXPECTATIONS

On November 8 last year, journalists knew Modi was about to make a major announcement. What they didn't know was what exactly it would be.

"We started speculating. Some said it would be about holding simultaneous elections. Others even said Modi would declare Emergency, as Indira Gandhi had done in 1985," said Kumar Shakti Shekhar.

"Everyone was thinking aloud," said Vishal Pant, an executive editor at India Today TV, describing the moments before Modi began speaking.

And when the prime minister put an end to all the speculation, several minutes into his speech? "Pandemonium," was the word Vishal Pant used.

"See, this is something that affects all of us personally as well. At one level, we are journalists. But we're human beings first," he said.

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And it's that human side to the demonetisation story that will be remembered years later.

As another senior editor pointed out, the note ban - an epoch-making event not unlike the Emergency - gave people something to tell their children about. It produced scenes and stories that would be unheard of in normal circumstances.

After all - as this editor explained - when else can you see queues snaking out of ATMs in the middle of the night - and pizza joints getting calls from the people in line?

--- ENDS ---
The Opposition's unity on the issue remained visibly dented as the principal opposition party Congress went solo with its nationwide protests.

By Sweta dutta: A year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation gambit, Opposition political parties tried to corner the ruling BJP dispensation on Wednesday, but failed to put up a united front.

The Opposition's unity on the issue remained visibly dented as the principal opposition party Congress went solo with its nationwide protests whereas Trinamool Congress, RJD, DMK and AAP held their own lacklustre demonstrations in their respective strongholds.

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The opposition parties, who came together to hold a slew of press briefings and jointly approached the then president Pranab Mukherjee for a rollback of the move last year, were seen making scattered attempts at taking on the Modi government.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi held out his carefully drafted opinion piece on demonetisation for an international business daily. Later, he reached out to traders and businessmen in poll-bound Gujarat, while his party colleagues led rallies across the country. Senior leaders such as former PM Manmohan Singh and P Chidambaram, who have been in touch with finance ministers of Congress-ruled states, drew up a plan to counter the BJP on technical points, while the party's research department helped churn out reader-friendly content for social media and other propaganda literature.

Congress MP and research department head, Rajeev Gowda, said, "From a detailed 42-page document drafted by the research team, I brought it down to a readable 10-page explainer on the various aspects of demonetisation such as the reasons for failure, damage to economy. We have also produced some data on how demonetisation and GST came as a double whammy for the Surat traders. While there is political rhetoric and speeches, there is a lot of work going on to put out the exact facts."

The AAP's second rung leadership led 'Dhoka Diwas' (Betrayal Day) in the capital, while its party supremo and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leaders remained neck-deep in crisis management in smog-hit Delhi.

DMK chief MK Stalin led a rally in Madurai marking the demonetisation anniversary as 'Black Day' where he made desperate attempts to dispel rumours around his recent meeting with Modi. "That will never happen as the DMK is ideologically opposed to the policies of the BJP," he said. "Many parties may have come to power and gone, but DMK had always served the needy and contributed for the growth of the economy."

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee turned her Twitter display picture black while her party colleagues held rallies in West Bengal.

ALSO WATCH | Former Armyman, Nand Lal, whose picture Rahul Gandhi tweeted, supports Modi on demonetisation

--- ENDS ---
This years Veterans Day Parade through downtown Waco will be held Friday, with close to 4,000 participants and 180 units including floats, school bands, drill teams and veterans.

The parade will start at 13th Street and Austin Avenue at 11 a.m. and proceed down Austin Avenue to City Hall. Residents are encouraged to line Austin Avenue to show their support and appreciation for men and women who have served our country.

The parade can also be viewed on WCCC-TV, on channel 10 on both Time Warner/Spectrum and Grande cable as well as in HD on Grande channel 810 and on Wacos web channel at www.WCCC.TV.

Gatesville Field of Honor Flag Display

The Gatesville Exchange Club will have a Field of Honor Flag Display in tribute to active military members, veterans, and first responders. Exchange Club members will post hundreds of 3-by-5-foot U.S. flags on 8-foot white poles at the corner of East Main and 27th Street in Gatesville. The flags will be on display Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Members of the military from North Fort Hood will be among those who share shifts in standing guard over the flags 24 hours a day.

There will be a dedication ceremony at the Field of Honor at 10 a.m. Saturday. Col. Brian A. Payne, commander of the 120th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division West, will be the guest speaker.

Calligraphy Guild

Angie Vangalis with the Texas Lettering Arts Council will present a program on the Centennial Edition of the Speedball Textbook which was published in 2015, at the Waco Calligraphy Guild meeting Saturday.

The meeting will start at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 800 N. New Road. Call 848-4165 for more information.

League of Women Voters meeting

The League of Women Voters will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

The public is encouraged to attend and learn about upcoming voter education, voter registration and membership recruitment efforts. Contact lwv.waco@gmail.com for more information.

NAMI Waco seminar

NAMI Waco will have a Family and Friends Seminar at 8 a.m. Saturday for family members, partners, friends and significant others of loved ones with a mental health condition.

The free four-hour course will be at The Voice, 1101 Wooded Acres, Suite 118. For more information, call 297-7107.
Dallas-based Half Price Books, which closed its Waco store in 1991, will open an outlet shop at Waco and Valley Mills drives to sell books shipped from Half Price locations around the state, the chain has confirmed.

Half Price Books, which has 124 stores in 17 states, signed a lease on 12,000 square feet between Guitar Center and the Mardel Christian and Education store in the shopping center that also includes Practically Pikasso, Jasons Deli and La Bella Salon and Beauty Lounge.

Waco real estate agent Pat Farrar markets the center and negotiated a deal with the discount bookseller on space most recently occupied by a seasonal store selling Halloween merchandise.

This will be a bare-bones location featuring books stacked on tables, and we hope to open sometime in December. It will be stocked with books now stored in warehouses across Texas, company spokeswoman Emily Bruce said.

The shop plans to sell a little bit of everything, with prices starting at $2, Bruce said.

She said the chain will convert the space into a more traditional Half Price Books store during the first quarter of 2018. Until then, the outlet will not buy books from the public as many of the chains stores routinely do.

We closed our last store in Waco in 1991, but obviously it is a growing and emerging market, and were looking at new locations, Bruce said. This will be our fifth outlet store, with others in Rockford, Illinois; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Bloomington, Indiana; and Olympia, Washington.

She said the chain, which was founded in 1972, plans to open additional stores next year in the Chicago and Cincinnati markets.

I think its great they are coming back to Waco. They were here in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and competition is healthy. There are so few book stores in town, said Billy Haney, a longtime staffer at Goldens Book Exchange on Franklin Avenue in business for nearly 40 years. We were here the first time they were here, and we will be here the second time.

Haney said that despite the closings in recent years of Books-A-Million at Central Texas Marketplace and the Hastings multimedia superstore at Bosque Boulevard and Valley Mills Drive, Goldens continues to hold its own, primarily thanks to loyal customers and good management.

Our business this year actually is better than last year, he said, adding Goldens sells paperbacks at half price and hardbacks usually at less than half price, as well as comic books and collectibles.

Farrar said he and Randy Reid, both with Reid Peevey Company, had been tag-teaming the courting of Half Price books for almost 12 years.

Its been a long process, but its good to have them back, Farrar said.

He continues to pursue tenants for 16,000 square feet between Half Price Books and Mardel and 23,500 square feet that became vacant in the retail center, Brazos Place, when Office Max shuttered its store there.

We have people wanting to get in there, but the owners of the center are very conscientious and want the right tenant mix, Farrar said.

Brazos Place is owned and operated by an entity controlled by brothers Chris and Kenneth Young, who also own TYMCO, a local company that makes street-sweeping equipment and enjoys international sales.
Jurors in the Jacob Carrizal trial, the first of 154 Twin Peaks cases to be tried, could be handed the case by noon Thursday.

After 21 days of trial, prosecutors and Carrizals defense closed out their cases Wednesday and are prepared to give final jury summations when the trial continues Thursday morning.

Judge Matt Johnson of Wacos 54th State District Court and the attorneys worked Wednesday evening on the courts instructions to the jury, which will be about 40 pages and complex.

It should take the judge from 45 minutes to an hour to read the courts charge to the jury, and then attorneys on both sides will have up to an hour to give jury summations.

Carrizal, 35, president of the Dallas Bandidos chapter, is charged with directing the activities of a criminal street gang and two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity with the underlying offenses of murder and aggravated assault.

If convicted, Carrizal faces a minimum of 25 years in prison on the first count and a maximum life prison term.

The first count charges that Carrizal, as part of the identifiable leadership of a criminal street gang, knowingly directed or supervised the commission of or a conspiracy to commit murder and/or aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, by members of a criminal street gang, Bandidos.

Carrizal, a locomotive engineer for a Dallas railway company, was back on the stand Wednesday, trying to explain to the jury about the biker lifestyle, the Bandidos reputation versus how his chapter operates and why the father of two risked being put back in jail to continue his association with the biker group he calls family.

Carrizal started his testimony Tuesday and spent most of his time on the stand Wednesday under cross-examination from prosecutor Michael Jarrett, who asked repeated questions about the beef between the Bandidos and Cossacks and several incidents involving assaults between the groups around the state.

Carrizal said he wouldnt lie, commit a crime or lose his integrity for his Bandidos brothers, telling Jarrett that while previous groups of Bandidos might have earned the gang reputation, his chapter is not like that. While Carrizal said they might not dissuade the tough reputation so others wont mess with them, his group does not commit crimes and does not meet the legal definition of a criminal street gang.

Jarrett asked if he ever assaulted a man in a bar for no reason. Carrizal said he slapped a man while he and his fiancee were having an argument that he thought the man interfered in. He said he and the man are now good friends.

Jarrett asked why the Bandidos and their support groups from Dallas decided to come to the Twin Peaks biker coalition meeting if he thought the Cossacks might be there. He said he was not going to come because of a chance the Cossacks might be there and said those meetings are sacred ground where violence is not tolerated. He said they didnt come to Waco expecting to get into a fight.

Jarrett asked why they didnt leave after they saw the Cossacks had taken over the patio area. Carrizal said Bandidos dont run and he didnt see them until it was too late. Even if he wanted to leave, he couldnt drive away because the Cossacks surrounded him and the other Bandidos before they had a chance to park their bikes, Carrizal said.

Carrizal disputed Jarretts contention that the Bandidos came to Waco as a show of force to show the Cossacks which group controlled the state.

Jarrett asked Carrizal to tell the jury again about how he fired his Derringer twice at a fallen Cossack. Carrizal said he only shot the Cossack after he saw him pointing a gun at him and that he acted in self-defense. The Cossack, Jacob Rhyne, died at the scene.

Jarrett noted that Carrizal lied to an officer about having a gun later. Carrizal explained he was still in shock about what happened and was afraid because he had never been in trouble with the law before.

Jarrett said Carrizal, who was vice president at the time, didnt back away from the Bandidos after almost losing his father, who was wounded in the shootout. Instead, he was promoted to president, got a new Harley and continued to associate with Bandidos in violation of the terms and conditions of his bond, Jarrett said.

The prosecutor asked Carrizal about a taped phone conversation Carrizal had with another member of the Bandidos while Carrizal was still in jail. The man asked Carrizal how he was doing and Carrizal said, Just trying to outdo you.

Carrizal told Jarrett he was just joking, but Jarrett told the jury the man Carrizal was talking to is under indictment in Tarrant County for an incident at a Fort Worth bar in which a man was killed.

Days after Twin Peaks, where nine people lost their lives, and you told him you are trying to outdo him? Jarrett asked.

No, I dont agree with that, Carrizal said.

Carrizal later told his attorney, Casie Gotro, on redirect that there is nothing funny about the men who lost their lives at Twin Peaks that day, adding he lost a good brother.

Gotro asked why he continues to hang out with Bandidos, even after she admonished him that he could go back to jail. Carrizal said the Bandidos are the only ones who can understand what he went through that day and that tightness, that brotherhood, is important to him.
Jurors in the Jacob Carrizal Twin Peaks shootout trial deliberated more than nine hours Thursday without reaching a verdict and were sequestered for the night.

At about 10:45 p.m., Judge Matt Johnson ordered the jury to be sequestered at a hotel and to resume deliberations at 9 a.m. Friday. After deciding they would discontinue deliberations, the jurors asked to call their families to let them know theyre OK and to make arrangements for fresh clothes and medication.

Johnson said they could make one phone call in the presence of a bailiff.

County officials say this is the first time in at least three decades a jury in McLennan County has been sequestered.

At 9:15 p.m. Thursday, the jury sent a note to Johnson saying they were deadlocked on all three counts against Carrizal. The note said Mr. P indicated he has personal experiences with the Cossacks and his opinion wont change. The judge instructed jurors to continue deliberations.

Court officials brought the jury dinner at about 8 p.m. as deliberations continued.

About four hours into deliberations, jurors asked if they could watch video from Waco Police SWAT officer Michael Buchers dash cam.

Johnson arranged for the video to be played in the jury room so the jury would not have to return to the courtroom.

Carrizal is charged with directing the activities of a criminal street gang and two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity with underlying offenses of murder and aggravated assault.

The May 2015 shootout at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco left nine bikers dead and 20 others wounded.

The courtroom was almost full Thursday morning as attorneys in the case gave jury summations after Johnson read 57 pages of the courts instructions.

Carrizals mother and father, two brothers and fiancee were seated on the front row. Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt, two assistant chiefs and a number of uniformed officers also were in the courtroom.

Among those at the courthouse waiting for the verdict Thursday night with Carrizal was Clifton Dozer Roberts, national Bandidos president.

Carrizals father and his brothers also are members of the Bandidos. His father was wounded at Twin Peaks and remains under indictment in the shootout. His uncle was president of the Dallas Bandidos chapter at the time of the Twin Peaks shootout and is also under indictment.

In closing statements, prosecutor Michael Jarrett said the state had proved the Bandidos are a criminal street gang involved in murders, drugs, weapons and extortion.

He also said the state had aptly documented the bad blood between the Cossacks and Bandidos.

On May 17, 2015, our community here in Waco, Texas, was forever changed by the actions of some people who believe a patch, a piece of clothing, was more sacred than human life, Jarrett told the jury.

Carrizals attorney, Casie Gotro, told the jury the state and its experts are using outdated intelligence that casts all Bandidos as members of a criminal street gang. The state also painted the biker culture and its members as either criminals or cowards, she said.

Today, you are going to carve out some room for something in the middle, more something I think, I believe, were better for as a society, she said.

Gotro said Carrizal and his Dallas chapter members are not criminals and did not come to Waco looking to pick a fight.

Prosecutors contend the shootout was the culmination of a turf war between the two groups and the Bandidos came to Twin Peaks to prove which group was dominant in Texas.

Gotro said Carrizal and his group were surrounded by Cossacks.

She said Carrizal had no chance to run, even if he wanted to. However, she said he stood his ground and stepped up to help defend his fellow Bandidos when they came under attack.

Jarrett said Carrizals claims of self-defense cannot be considered because as a member of a criminal street gang, Carrizal cannot lawfully carry a gun and, therefore, has no legal claim to self-defense.

Carrizal admitted he pulled a two-shot Derringer from his back pocket and shot at Cossack Jacob Rhyne, who he said was aiming a pistol at him.

Testimony showed Rhyne, who was killed, was shot by Waco police using .223-caliber rifles.

Gotro told the jury Waco police saved lives that day and saved Carrizals life twice.

McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna said Carrizal showed less courage than arrogance by leading the group to Waco to assert the groups control over Texas biker groups.

Gotro said the Bandidos are the victims of police profiling and are hounded because they are different and out of the mainstream. That doesnt make them criminals, she said.
In his speech to the South Korean legislature Tuesday, President Trump had a message for Kim Jong Un. The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, Trump told the North Korean tyrant. They are putting your regime in grave danger. Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face.

The problem is that Kim believes the opposite. It will take action, not just words, for Trump to disabuse him of that notion. Fortunately, Trump has shown there is a way to do just that. After the Syrian regime used chemical weapons on its people in April, Trump launched a military strike that took out the base from which that chemical attack was launched. The message to Syrian President Bashar Assad was clear: Use of chemical weapons will no longer be tolerated. Do it again and more military action will follow.

If Trump wants to stop North Koreas drive for nuclear missiles capable of striking the U.S. homeland, he should look to the success of his Syrian strike as a model. He should announce that North Korean nuclear and missile tests will no longer be tolerated  that, henceforth, North Korea is a ballistic missile no-fly zone and a nuclear weapons no-test zone. Any attempt by North Korea to launch a ballistic missile will be met with a targeted military strike either taking out the missile on the launchpad or blowing it up in the air using missile defense technology. And any attempt to test a nuclear weapon will be met with a targeted strike taking out the test site and other related nuclear facilities.

Trump should make clear that so long as North Korea does not retaliate, he will take no further military action against the regime  just as he did not take further action against Assad. However, if North Korea does retaliate, then the United States reserves the right to, as Trump put it to the U.N. General Assembly, totally destroy North Korea.

The historical record suggests North Korea would opt for regime survival and not retaliate. After Israel destroyed Syrias nuclear reactor at Deir al-Zour in 2007, the Assad regime essentially pretended the attack never happened. Similarly, when Israel took out Iraqs Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, Saddam Hussein executed Iraqi officials responsible for defense of the reactor but did not retaliate against Israel.

Both Israeli actions were part of what is known as the Begin Doctrine  named for then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who in 1981 declared that on no account shall we permit an enemy to develop weapons of mass destruction against the people of Israel. Now is the time to announce a Trump Doctrine that North Korea shall not be permitted to develop weapons of mass destruction, or the means to deliver them, against the American people.

Trump would have bipartisan support for this doctrine. Former Democratic secretaries of defense Ashton Carter and William Perry proposed a similar policy a decade ago. Just this week, former Obama director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair proposed that any further missile tests be met with a massive American and South Korean air and missile strike against all known DPRK nuclear test facilities and missile launching and support facilities.

Preventing such tests would be a justifiable act of self-defense. As former acting CIA director Michael Morell recently pointed out in The Washington Post, North Korea may have the capability today to successfully conduct a nuclear attack on the United States. We should therefore operate on the assumption that it does have this capability  and that any missile launch could in fact be a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States, which the United States has the right and responsibility to prevent.

Announcing an end to all North Korean nuclear and missile tests would take control of the situation away from Pyongyang. U.S. national security would no longer depend on unreliable assurances from the North Korean regime but rather on our military deterrent. Today, the Kim regime holds the initiative and can escalate tensions by carrying out nuclear or missile tests without consequences. Removing the regimes ability to do so would give the initiative back to the United States and its allies and stabilize the Korean Peninsula. It could also prevent an accidental war. A test missile that North Korea intended to land in the Sea of Japan could land in Japan itself. Its safer to take out North Koreas missiles before launch rather than risking an accidental strike on Tokyo or Seoul.

With a Trump Doctrine declaring North Korea a no-fly and no-test zone, Trump can accomplish what three American presidents before him could not  an immediate halt to North Koreas efforts to threaten American cities with nuclear missiles.
Where to start

Your Oct. 29 opinion section is again filled with poorly reasoned liberal opinions with no serious commentary from a conservative viewpoint.

Bloomberg View writer Conor Sens column attacks Republican tax cuts, saying the last thing this economy needs is more jobs. That makes no sense from either an economics or common-sense standpoint. More jobs will bring competition for workers and higher wages and will stimulate all sectors of the economy.

Trib columnist Blake Burlesons column was going along fine till he lumped all firearm regulations together and indicated that Republicans support no such regulations. If he believes that most Republicans do not support regulation of fully automatic weapons, I think he is clearly wrong.

And Kate Dawsons Texas Perspectives column indicates President Trump will cause our extreme-weather disaster bills to grow and that climate change is responsible for this years major hurricanes and fires. Never mind that no major hurricane has hit the U.S. coast in the 12 years before this fall. Never mind that for years governmental policies have toed an environmentalist line and prevented thinning forest growth. Never mind that increased population and development make increased damage inevitable. Never mind that climate cycles have occurred throughout history and that the portion of climate change caused by human activity is uncertain. And never mind that, even if fully implemented, the Paris Climate Agreement would have only a tiny effect despite its substantial economic cost. Criticize President Trumps behavior if you wish, but blaming him for natural disasters is not reasonable.

Please include some conservative analysis to balance your overwhelmingly liberal opinion pages.

Tod Swann, Waco

Bless the rich

Conservative Trib columnist Pete Commanders thoughts on tax reform and defense of Republican efforts hit the matter head-on [Imagine a day without really rich people! Nov. 2]. The one thing I add: What if rich people closed all of their businesses and went on extended vacations? Where would we and all the whiners about the rich go? Wed have no work and find ourselves without necessities such as electricity, food, gasoline for our vehicles, perhaps even police protection.

I have never been even close to rich but I also never got a job from a poor person.

One can argue about which tax cuts are fair and which are not, but as for all these proposed tax cuts leading to an increase in the national debt by some $2 trillion over 10 years: This would still only average $200 billion a year. That would be a .01 percent increase in national debt a year  a historic low rate increase since before the Great Depression. During President Obamas eight years, the average increase was 8.79 percent with a low of 1.89 percent in 2015.

Jim Cantrell, Axtell
Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting United States President Donald Trump on Thursday discussed ways to work more closely in combating terrorism as well as in "upholding peace and stability" in South Asia.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping make joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters.

By Ananth Krishnan: China has said President Xi Jinping and visiting United States President Donald Trump on Thursday discussed ways to work more closely in combating terrorism as well as in "upholding peace and stability" in South Asia and "reached a consensus" on the same.

"What I know is that the two sides also discussed the anti-terrorism issue and the upholding of peace and stability in South Asia and reached a consensus in this respect", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters, after the two leaders held wide-ranging talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and signed business deals with a value estimated at $250 billion, according to officials.

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"In terms of fighting terrorism, we share common interests. The two countries stand ready to work with other parties for strong anti-terrorism cooperation", Hua said.

After their talks, President Trump told reporters that both leaders were committed to working together in Afghanistan and "stopping radical Islamic terrorism".

TRILATERAL TALKS ON ANTI-TERROR COOPERATION

Meanwhile, in another development, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that officials from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan had on November 7 held a tri-lateral dialogue on anti-terrorism cooperation in the South Asian region.

In an interview to Chinese state broadcaster China Global Television Network on Wednesday, Trump's National Security Adviser General (retd) H.R. McMaster had highlighted the potential for closer counter-terrorism cooperation and on "combating trans-national terrorist threats that emanate from particular areas of the world."

"Now with the ISIS about to be defeated, Daesh is soon going to be wiped out. Iraq and Syria, for example, are losing their haven and support base. More and more effective operations are being launched against the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. We have an opportunity to improve our intelligence sharing, our law-enforcement efforts and our counter-terror finance efforts. And so these are just some of the many areas where US interests and Chinese interests are very much aligned and will allow us to work even more closely together", he said.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | China to again block application seeking ban in UN on JeM terrorist Masood Azhar

--- ENDS ---
WAVERLY  Paula Peterson of Waverly has returned home after spending a few days in boot camp.

This was not a military boot camp, but a camp designed for women who have a strong interest in agriculture. The camp was designed to teach those women the best way to get the word out about todays agriculture.

This year, American Farm Bureau Federation recognized 15 farm and ranch women leaders as graduates of the organizations 11th Annual Womens Communications Boot Camp. The camp was held Oct. 24 to Oct. 27 in Washington D.C.

It was an intense week of learning more effective communication skills. Peterson said. Im calling it learning to give passionate persuasive presentations. We did mock interviews with radio, newspaper and TV with them asking us questions designed to draw you into negatives.

The goal, she said, was to teach the women how to bridge back over to their topics.

When we were chosen we were given options of presenting on the 2018 Farm Bill, Immigration Policy and Regulatory Reform-Endangered Species Act. I presented on the 2018 Farm Bill, she added.

Peterson said that one of the presenters, Sherry Saylor, chairwoman for the American Farm Bureau Womens Leadership Committee, told them at the beginning that their challenge was to turn fear into curiosity.

And I tried to take that to heart, she said.

She said that she had the full support of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau, as well as the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.

Megahn Schafer from Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation strongly encouraged me to apply for this opportunity, Peterson said. I met some absolutely amazing women, learned that I have a lot to learn and reminded myself how important it is to continue to push yourself outside of the little box I like to live in.

The group of agricultural leaders was recognized after completing the intensive three-day course that featured sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying and messaging.

The Womens Communication Boot Camp is the experience of a lifetime, Saylor said. She is an Arizona row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Womens Leadership Committee.

Graduates of this program are persuasive and effective advocates for agriculture, with a passion for connecting with influencers at the local, state and national levels, she said.

Peterson was the only individual attending from Nebraska. She joined women farmers from Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Kansas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia. Each individual had an application process to follow to be selected to attend. The program, which has more than 165 graduates, is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau.

The American Farm Bureau Womens Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBA staff, hosts and provides training for Womens Communications Boot Camp.

Peterson said she was excited to have been selected to attend boot camp.

Agriculture literacy is too important of an issue to leave to someone else to share, she said. It is my job to continue reminding people we as farmers are doing this because we honestly cant imagine a better job than feeding the world for a living.
Casa Internazionale delle Donne has 30 days to pay 833K debt.

Rome's Casa Internazionale delle Donne has been given 30 days to pay the city a back-rent of 833,000 to the administration of mayor Virginia Raggi's anti-establishment Movimento 5 Stelle.

The city denies that it has issued an eviction notice however the letter it sent to Casa delle Donne on 8 November warns that if the centre fails to pay the debt within 30 days the city would begin a "coercive procedure" to recover the funds and repossess the property.

Casa delle Donne is supposed to pay the city a monthly rent of around 7,000 but is only able to pay 3,000, its director Francesca Romana Koch told Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. However Koch points out that the services it offers are valued at 700,000 a year.

In addition to acting as a refuge for female victims of violence, the self-financed Casa delle Donne has provided social services, education and cultural activities for women for the last three decades. Koch describes it as "a reference point for migrants, young people, women, associations and people in fragile situations."

Located on Via della Lungara in Trastevere, the centre was opened in 1987 after members of the Roman feminist movement occupied part of an abandoned 17th-century convent building once used as a women's jail. In 1992, following extensive negotiations, the Casa Internazionale delle Donne received official approval from the city.

The administration of Raggi's predecessor Ignazio Marino, of the centre-left Partito Democratico, had prepared a draft resolution to write off the centre's debts, in recognition of its free services, however Marino fell from power before any action could be taken.
What do a baroque crypt of a church and a cave used as Mithreaum 2000 years ago have in common? Basically nothing, apart the fact that theyre religious places, theyre sunk below ground, dark and windowless. Yet the two religions had a lot to share and theyve been rivals for two centuries during the Roman Empire.

Both religions came originally from the middle-east and both had a very fast growth in the capital of the Empire. But on the rising of the IV Century a.D. the Christian faith triumphed while Mithraism felt into a millenary oblivion.

Fortunately, here in Rome as in other areas of the Empire few ancient temples known as Mithrea survived underground and are now an important historical source to understand features and rites of this sill, up to a point, mysterious religion. Even more they are incredibly fascinating places.

Saturday December the 9th we will walk underground to visit one of the best preserved Mithea of Rome, that will be opened just for us. Later, we will get into the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane and walk downstairs again, this time into one of the most interesting crypts of the city.

It will be an underground morning, we will discuss about ancient rituals, we will see beautiful art and it will all be quite a surprising parallel, but with rhymes and reason.

Contact us at tours@wantedinrome.com or fill in the form below.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Facebook has partnered with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and a non-profit body, SEEDS in India, to offer tools to these agencies to help them respond more effectively to natural disasters.

The US-based firm will offer disaster maps data that illustrate aspects like peoples movement and concentration of Facebook users in the given area before and after a calamity.

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Facebook Head of Programs (India, South and Central Asia) Ritesh Mehta said the intention of introducing these initiatives is to help improve response efforts to natural disasters in India. "During and after these crises, response organisations need accurate information to help communities response, recover and rebuild," he added.

Traditional communication channels are often offline and it can take significant time and resources to understand where help is desperately needed, he said.

He explained that in case there is an area which has a high concentration of Facebook users that suddenly goes offline, even that data insight can be used to rush services to the area.

Disaster Maps was introduced globally in June and uses aggregated location information that users have chosen to share with Facebook.

These tools have been deployed in Peru and the US.

Chaya Nayak, Public Policy Research Manager at Facebook, said a lot of insights for developing the tools came from India. "We saw people using Facebook intensively during Chennai floods to connect and extend support to each other," she added. Facebook already has a safety check feature that allows users to notify their friends and family that they are safe. Facebook is also holding its first annual Disaster Response Summit in India with NDMA, which will bring together many humanitarian organisations to help train and discuss how technology can be used to devise better responses to natural disasters and subsequent recovery.

The social networking giant is also supporting the pilot of the ASK-DIV (Aapda Samachar Karyakarta-Disaster Information Volunteers) scheme where a network of trained volunteers provide supplementary information to inform government relief efforts through the Facebook Workplace platform.

The programme, which is being executed by SEEDS, will establish a network of volunteers to provide real-time, first-hand information on disasters in their local communities. The programme will be piloted in two disaster prone states - Assam and Uttarakhand. PTI SR MR

--- ENDS ---

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By PTI: (Eds: With additional quotes and details)

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Asking NHAI to put in "abeyance" scrapping of 20 highway projects till "case by case review" is done, Union minister Nitin Gadkari directed the Authority to debar a defaulting developer only after completion of any pending legal proceedings.

"It is not that only developers are at fault. At times, we (NHAI) have not provided them with adequate land and regulatory clearances. So, I have asked the NHAI to review the matters case by case. I will also personally examine each case and then only take further decision," Gadkari told PTI after chairing a high-level meeting on the issue.

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The road transport, highways, shipping, water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation minister said each case will be reviewed with "full transparency" as it is the infrastructure sector that impacts the economy.

"I have directed the NHAI to review these cases and undertake detailed examination of each case on its own merits, examine the same from legal sustainability, if required," the minister said.

Directions have also been issued to debar any defaulting developer only after completion of any pending legal proceedings.

The minister said, "We have taken a slew of positive steps. At the time I took over, as many as 403 projects involving an investment of Rs 3.85 lakh crore were stuck. We solved the problems by a series of meetings with bankers and developers with full transparency and with a positive approach. We took 22 Cabinet decisions," he said.

"We will rectify those which can be rectified. We will further examine those which cannot be rectified and will terminate which cannot be solved," Gadkari said.

The NHAI last week had uploaded a list on its website, which it withdrew later, containing details of 20 projects terminated by the regulator after April 2014 due to the contractors default in which developers were asked to make representation to the NHAI headquarters by November 6.

It has also uploaded names of companies such as Larsen and Toubro, HCC and Essel Infra Projects and the period for which they were barred from bidding for projects.

Meanwhile, a statement from the ministry said, "In cases where the termination of projects and the consequent debarring of any of the construction agencies had been stayed in any pending arbitration proceedings or by any court orders, the decision in such cases should be taken only after completion of the legal proceedings, unless the adjudicating body/court had refused to intervene or decline any interim relief on the termination orders."

In cases where the NHAl does not receive any representation in response to its show-cause notice, the cases should be decided as per law after following the due process, the statement added.

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The NHAI earlier this week had said it will maintain a "status quo" on its decision to scrap 20 contracts and will consult all stakeholders, including highway developers body NHBF and the road transport ministry.

The development came barely days after Gadkari had told PTI that he would chair a meeting of highway developers and officials from the NHAI and the road ministry to look into issues facing the sector.

Taking a strong exception to the NHAI move, highway builders federation NHBF has earlier said none of the companies that have been debarred for the next 2-3 years were issued any kind of show-cause notice or given an opportunity to represent before they were put to shame in public.

The highway builders body in its letter to Gadkari and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, has said, "Even assuming that the NHAI falls under the definition of a state instrumentality and thereby it has powers to blacklist an entity flows from the executive power to carry out the trade/business, it has no authority to upload such document in the public domain."

The letter stated, "This unilateral action of the NHAI has totally shaken the confidence of the developers/ contractors community, especially when the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is coming out with ambitious development of national and state highways including the Bharatmala scheme."

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When contacted, infrastructure major L&T has said termination cannot be treated as its default. PTI NAM ARD

--- ENDS ---
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Bank of Amazon. Facebook Financial. Wal-Bank.

Amid intense lobbying by financial firms, US politicians for years have rejected attempts by giant retailers to muscle in on banking.

But Keith Noreika, the temporary head of the agency that oversees US national banks, said on Wednesday that it's time for another look. Addressing the industry at a conference in New York, he called for ending the centuries-old separation between banking and commerce.

Noreika, who is serving as the acting leader of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency acknowledged the taboo nature of upsetting a fundamental principle of financial regulation. Still, he argued that the goal should be boosting economic growth, not keeping lending and retailing separate because that's what has been done traditionally.
OPEC predicts coal usage will peak in 2035, before beginning its decline. Credit:Bloomberg The transportation sector will be the primary consumer of oil. While renewable energy usage is increasing rapidly, OPEC forecasts its share of the market will not be as large as oil and gas combined. The shale oil industry in the United States could undo the price hikes caused by the OPEC production cut. Credit:AP This is due to the much lower base renewables are growing from, compared with the more-established fossil fuel industries, rather than issues around adoption.

The most growth in renewables will be in solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Wind turbines and solar technology will have the fastest rates of growth for energy take-up. Credit:Bloomberg Fossil fuels will retain a dominant role in the global energy mix, although with a declining overall share. OPEC Hydro power is also projected to grow from 6.8 mboe a day in 2015 to 10.3 mboe a day in 2040, but OPEC was unclear on whether this includes pumped storage facilities. Nuclear energy will grow at an average rate of 2.3 per cent annually, from 13.5 mboe a day in 2015 to a modest 23.8 mboe a day in 2040.

Hail shale US tight oil, also known as shale oil, has been labelled the most important contributor to non-OPEC supply. This year, tight oil helped support the market through a downturn and will continue its positive progression, but will quickly peak. "Compared to last year's report, the medium-term outlook is moderately brighter, largely based upon the US tight oil sector's resilience and ability to bounce back," OPEC stated. "Tight oil makes up the bulk of rising supply in the US, rising to 11.1 million barrels a day by 2022."

This growth is driven by aggressive drilling in the US' Permian basin, as well as additional exploration and production in Canada, Argentina, and Russia, but will peak in 2025 at an estimated 13 million barrels a day. "With the exception of Canada, and minimal volumes in Russia and Argentina, tight oil remains overwhelmingly a US success story," OPEC said. This increase is being supported by technology improvements and better asset utilisation. Evolving energy demand The report forecast a massive expansion in global energy demand  including not just electricity but also industrial usage, transport, and agriculture  growing 35 per cent from 2015 to 2040, at an annualised rate of 1.2 per cent; this equates to an additional 96 mboe a day.

Most of this growth will be in non-OECD countries, which will have energy demand increase 56 per cent during this period, or an annualised rate of 1.9 per cent. This growth will be tempered by relatively flat energy demand in the OECD region of 0.1 per cent per annum. However, this will not alleviate ongoing energy poverty, because this enormous growth in energy per capita consumption between developing and OECD countries is forecast to remain wide. The greatest growth in energy demand will come from India, which will have a 3.5 per cent increase in annualised demand to 2040. China is projected to retain the largest share of global demand. While coal does account for the major share of fuel usage, at 64.3 per cent as of 2015, it will fall to less than half of fuel share for the country by 2040.

OPEC also forecast increased green energy frameworks, as governmental policies and international agreements put climate change remediation as a global priority. "The current trend [on energy policies] is expected to lead toward a long-term global convergence that focuses on energy efficiency and the increased adoption of clean modes of energy, including renewables," the report stated. "Among the visible long-term global energy policy trends is the increasing penetration of electric vehicles, the tightening of fuel emissions standards, and the desulphurisation in the road transportation, marine, and aviation sectors." This decarbonisation of industry will be driven by the increased uptake of lower-emission, energy-efficient technology. Oil in the medium term

The oil market has had a two-year high on the back of OPEC's decision to slash output levels, at the same time as American and Russian producers pulled back, raising prices strongly in recent months. This year, 24 oil-producing countries began to cut output levels by 1.8 million barrels of oil equivalent a day, for an initial six-month period, but quickly agreed to extend the deal to March 2018 to reduce oversupply and lower existing crude oil inventories. OPEC will meet this month to decide whether to extend this deal beyond 2018. Citibank analysts believe this resolution to continue production declines will pass, and that ongoing instability in oil-producing regions will only strengthen the market. "The breakout of oil from about $US58 per barrel to about $US64 per barrel has been heavily driven by geopolitical risk and increasing optimism on an OPEC deal," Citibank analysts said.

"The next move in oil prices is likely to be driven by investor flows, which themselves will likely be driven by OPEC," they said. "Market consensus seems to be wholeheartedly towards a nine-month extension of the current output deal announced at the 173rd OPEC meeting ... the likelihood of a nine-month extension remains high." The analysts say bullish risk around outputs in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa has been a relatively ignored factor in oil's strength. "We believe geopolitical risks have been overlooked and underpriced in oil markets this year and developments in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Iraq and Latin America bolster this idea," Citi analysts said. UBS analysts have also forecast strong growth for the sector, although they believe the price may soon hit a ceiling.
By PTI: Vardhan Panaji, Nov 9 (PTI)ARefusing to comment on pollution due to a coal handling facility in Goa, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said he cannot offer a specific comment on any state-related issues although he stressed the need for coal for the countrys energy needs.

Goas Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has leased out its capacity to Adani Murmugao Port Terminal Private Limited (AMPTPL) and South West Port Limited (SWPL).

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Local residents as well as the Congress are opposing the coal operations claiming that pollution caused by them is affecting the port town of Vasco.

"There cannot be any specific reaction to the issues pertaining to a particular state. They are general issues," Vardhan told reporters here when asked about the opposition to the MPT facility.

He said coal is needed to take care of the countrys energy needs.

"The country is very gradually and very strictly moving towards ensuring that by the year 2022, we convert ourselves into producing 175 GW of clean energy," he said.

The minister said every state, including Goa, hasAto fulfil its responsibility in this direction.

Meanwhile, the Congress today asked the Goa government to stop all the coal-related infrastructure projects as well as the existing coal operations in the coastal state for the sake of people.

Congress Legislative Party spokesman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco today accused Union minister Nitin Gadkari of "corruption" and "misuse of power" for the benefit of few corporates.

"We demand that all coal-related infrastructure projects in Goa be stopped immediately and that a high-level inquiry be conducted into the corruption and misuse of power by Union minister Nitin Gadkari and another BJP leaders to benefit few corporates," Lourenco told reporters.

He alleged that Manohar Parrikar government is serving "private corporations" and "destroying" the state, known for its rich ecology.

"We urge the government to respect and bow down to the people of Goa instead of serving private corporations hell bent on destroying the state," he said.

While AMPTPL handles about 5.2 million tonnes of coal annually, the SWPL 7.2 million tonnes. PTI RPS A NSK

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has raised the stakes against Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Credit:Andrew Meares Just a few months ago, Attorney-General George Brandis said High Court referrals "should never be done on a party-line vote", calling it "a very dangerous course". The pair met for two hours on Wednesday to try and thrash out a compromise agreement to Mr Turnbull's new parliamentary disclosure regime, designed to end the crisis that has consumed the Parliament for nearly five months. Mr Shorten says he wants disclosures made by December 1, to give the Parliament time to refer any suspect MPs to the High Court before finishing for the year. Mr Turnbull now proposes December 7 - the last scheduled sitting day - which would still require Parliament to be recalled the following week to make any necessary referrals. Ms Keay, Ms Lamb and Mr Wilson are now considered at threat because they had not received confirmation of their renunciation until after they nominated as candidates in June last year. Under a black-letter reading of the High Court's decision last month, that could mean they too are ineligible to remain in Parliament.

Lower house crossbencher Rebekha Sharkie is also believed to be in a similar situation. Prominent constitutional experts have said they believe the court should rule on their cases if only to achieve further clarity. Former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, who is fighting a byelection in his NSW seat after being ruled ineligible, told Leigh Sales on 7.30 on Thursday evening that he was frustrated by MPs who hadn't come forward before the High Court ruling. "At the start the National Party put themselves out, obviously in my case with the help of Penny Wong's staffers sneaking around in New Zealand," he said. "But we 'fessed up and myself, Matty Canavan and Fiona Nash put ourselves before the High Court, two of us now don't have a job." He said any other MPs in similar circumstances should have done the same thing.

"Maybe the High Court if they'd seem them show up as a job lot might have had a different perspective on how big this issue is." Mr Joyce also took aim at Mr Shorten. "You can't say you're holier than thou and then not actually go through the process of proving that holiness you purport to have," he said. In his letter, Mr Shorten also said he wants MPs to publicly disclose all issues that could see them ruled ineligible from Parliament - such as criminal convictions, bankruptcy proceedings and government contracts - not just their citizenship status. Junior government minister David Gillespie is already before the High Court for a potential government contract, and questions have also been raised about Queensland businessman turned backbencher Barry O'Sullivan.

Mr Shorten also said any ministers who come under a citizenship cloud must immediately be stood down - unlike Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash. He also called for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield to be referred to Parliament's powerful Privileges Committee for concealing what he knew about former Senate president Stephen Parry, who resigned from Parliament last week after confirming he was a dual UK citizen. But Mr Turnbull dismissed this suggestion as "absurd." Mr Shorten said he had also rejected a suggestion by Mr Turnbull that with the exception of same-sex marriage the Parliament only deal with non-controversial legislation for the rest of 2017. Tasmanian crossbencher Jacqui Lambie meanwhile has said she will resign if documents she's seeking fail to prove her belief that she is not a UK citizen by descent, a status she may have inherited from her Scottish father. "Four and a half years ago when we sat down and looked at all this and we had advice and everything was tickety-boo and they said you don't need to renounce your citizenship because you have nothing to bloody renounce," she told Tasmania Times.
Dismissing the "frenzy", Mr Turnbull proceeded to lay out the government's work in response to North Korea, terrorism in South-East Asia, meetings with world leaders, company tax cuts and job creation.

Stefanovic grilled Mr Turnbull on Thursday morning over Parliament's worsening citizenship fiasco, asking the Prime Minister whether he and his government would survive it.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is facing backlash amid the dual citizenship crisis. Credit:Andrew Meares

Taken aback, the Prime Minister hit back: "Well, Karl, you've got a job. If you are looking for a job and you need a job and you've got one because of the strong economic leadership we've provided, you may think it's 'waffling'. But if you've been unemployed and you're getting a chance to get ahead, you would say you are being very patronising - saying young people getting jobs is 'waffling'."

Stefanovic replied: "OK, this is what I want, this is the real you, this is the real you, this is what we want."

Mr Turnbull continued: "And, Karl, is it the real you to patronise people who are out of work and are getting the chance to get ahead? I don't think it is. I think you're a fair dinkum Aussie. I think you've got compassion and I think you know that my job is to ensure that more Australians have the chance to get ahead and realise their dreams."

Mr Turnbull's proposed solution to the dual citizenship crisis - a measure compelling all MPs to disclose relevant documents by the end of the year - has failed to gain Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's support.
Talks aimed at reviving the stalled Trans-Pacific Partnership between Australia and 10 other nations could add as much as $100 million to the cost of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme a new study has found.

The talks, which began in Vietnam on Wednesday, are aimed at restarting the 12-nation trade agreement without the US, which withdrew after President Donald Trump took office.

PBS's outlays of $2.2 billion on biologic medicines could be cut by 24 per cent if existing protections were removed, a study says.. Credit:Louie Douvis

Although 11nations including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore have signed the agreement, its text says it cannot be ratified without the US.

Australia and Japan are leading a push to have a near-identical agreement signed and ratified by the end of the year with provision for the US to join later.
Labor senator Sam Dastyari will consult with his family before deciding if he lodges a formal police complaint after being racially abused in a Melbourne pub.

A group of men called Senator Dastyari a "terrorist" and told him to return to his birth country of Iran during the incident on Wednesday night.

"You terrorist, you little monkey," one of the men shouted at Senator Dastyari during the incident, which was filmed and later posted on the Facebook page of far-right group Patriot Blue.

On Thursday, Senator Dastyari said he hadn't decided whether to lodge a police complaint because he hadn't had the chance "to properly process it all and talk to my family".
When you think about the types of people you trust, "politicians" do not jump to mind.

Experts who measure these things have repeatedly found politicians are regarded as a questionable bunch. In 2017, Roy Morgan surveyed Australians about how they saw 30 professions. More than 90 per cent rated nurses as "very high" or "high" for their "ethics and honesty". Doctors, pharmacists, school teachers and engineers also featured up the top of the list.

Down the other end, only 16 per cent of those surveyed rated MPs for their ethics and honesty  putting our elected representatives in the same zone as stockbrokers and real estate agents. (In the interests of full disclosure: newspaper journalists scored a whopping 20 per cent.)

So when a politician turns around and says "trust me", it's hard to know whether to laugh, cry or throw a tomato.
The 2018 Met Gala theme and hosts have been revealed and, kyrie eleison on us all.

"Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" will be the theme of next year's event, Vogue magazine revealed on Wednesday.

Rihanna stole the show at the 2016 Met Gala. Credit:AP

The annual charity ball, which is known for its outrageous red carpet outfits, will be hosted by Amal Clooney, Rihanna and Donatella Versace, who is a sponsor.

Is hosting a celebration of Catholicism right now a failure to read the room (or at least the Magistrates' Court of Victoria court list)? Possibly. But, with Jude Law's Young Pope on screens, Elle's R. Eric Thompson wrote in response to the announcement, "Catholicism is a really having a moment. Or, like, a millennium."
Facebook's latest attempt to wipe revenge porn off its platform: asking users to send their own nude photos.

The Australian government's Office of the eSafety Commissioner announced it is joining a pilot program with Facebook to prevent intimate images of users from appearing against their will on the social network's platform.

The unusual catch: users worried an inappropriate image might appear on Facebook's platforms are asked to send an intimate image via Messenger, a preventive measure designed to flag the images before they're shared.

Facebook did not respond to requests for comment.
Geelong came in next, with a speed score of 94.26, followed by The Gold Coast and Newcastle. For fixed-line broadband, Ookla ranked Australia 56th in the world for average download speeds overall (24.12 Mbps), between Guam and the United Arab Emirates, and 73rd for average upload speeds (8.48 Mbps), between Croatia and Fiji. Mobile faster than fixed in reality Of particular note from the report was that Speedtest.net data showed fixed-line broadband speeds were significantly slower than mobile speeds in Australia. Specifically, the mean download speed over fixed broadband was 45.4 per cent slower than over mobile. Meanwhile, upload speeds on fixed broadband were 40.8 per cent slower than those on mobile.

Ookla said it was intriguing that speeds varied by ISP in Australia, as they should theoretically be consistent across all providers who are on the national broadband network. One possible explanation is the fee ISPs are charged by NBN Co per megabit, which critics within telcos say is too high and should be reduced because it acts as a tax on bandwidth, driving down uptake of faster speeds. Another factor is the mix of access technology, with some areas being served by ADSL, dial-up, HFC, a variety of fibre architectures  from fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the basement to fibre to the premises (FTTP). Meanwhile, people outside the NBN fibre network are served by a combination of fixed wireless and satellite. Optus and Telstra are likely to be ahead in fixed-line speeds because they have the advantage of having access to the HFC cable network, which helps boost their average download speeds. Meanwhile, TPG has been rolling out a fibre to the basement network that has helped increase its speeds. Another reason speeds vary so much between carriers is because some telcos attract customers at the lower end of the market who wish to purchase only 12 Mbps download speeds and 1 Mbps upload speeds. Telcos respond

Telstra said it was pleased Ookla had confirmed the telco had the fastest mobile network. "We recently engaged Systemics to conduct an independent benchmarking survey of the three mobile networks, and after driving 41,000 kilometres around Australia making calls and using data they found Telstra was the leading national provider," a Telstra spokesperson said. While Ookla was one of the more established tests, Telstra said there were still limitations to the accuracy of aggregate third-party measurements given issues with sample size and geographic spread. "The results can be especially problematic on the fixed network given the different mix of technologies involved," the spokesperson said. "Also these sorts of tests do not provide an overall view of what customers value, such as coverage, support for video streaming and new capabilities such as our support for the internet of things." Meanwhile, an Optus said the company was pleased the Ookla report showed that it offered the fastest fixed broadband internet speeds overall in Australia, "particularly given the significant rise in streaming services".

"We will continue to roll out 4.5G network technology to select capital cities which will result in customers' experiencing significant improvements in data speeds," a spokesperson said. They added that it was important to take "a holistic view of a carrier's network which should also include network coverage  including regional and remote towns  and also voice performance". A Vodafone spokeswoman said it was encouraging to see the Ookla results "while our network continues to evolve and meet the needs of our customers as their usage habits change and grow over time". Asked if any of the mobile providers prioritised speed tests over other data in order to game results, a Telstra spokesman gave a firm "no" while Optus said it did not do this either. Vodafone did not answer the question. Nicholas Demos, MyRepublic's ANZ managing director, said the results were a great indicator of the growing education in the local market since the provider's launch less than a year ago.

"There has been a shift in the Australian internet landscape and MyRepublic congratulates Ookla for this survey that provides the public with detailed information on ISP performance by city. This will help provide much-needed guidance to the end customer in what is a cluttered market," he said. A spokeswoman for Vocus Group, which owns iPriumus, said Vocus had recently been reviewing its NBN services following the issuance of the guidance on broadband speeds from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). "This review has included determining the best approach that ensures customers are provided with clear information about the maximum attainable speeds that they can expect to receive, and the expected performance of their service during peak periods," the spokeswoman said. "Once we complete our review we will provide the necessary information to consumers, and will offer appropriate remedies for customers who are not capable of achieving the maximum attainable speed of their plan." It's understood that the Vocus consumer business has historically operated in the cost-conscious end of the market, and therefore has a high proportion of customers on the lowest NBN speed tier (12Mbps/1Mbps plan).
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will appeal the "inadequate" three year jail sentence given to a WA man who brutally bashed his former partner so badly she now has to eat through a tube.

The woman's injuries included a fractured skull, broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken jawbone and bleeding on the brain.

Domestic violence affects many thousands of people every year across Australia. (File image).

The long list of injuries were inflicted by the woman's ex-partner - 32-year-old Joshua Simon Yamalulu - in the Kimberley region in February this year.

WAtoday reported on the shocking domestic attack last month.
Britain's International development secretary Priti Patel leaves 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday. Credit:AP However confusion reigned over the details of the affair, as a British newspaper reported that Number Ten had indeed been aware of the extra details of Patel's meetings, but had asked her not to make them public. The editor of the Jewish Chronicle said he had the story from senior and reliable sources, but it was flatly denied by the prime minister's office. Britain's Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel in October. Credit:AP Mrs May, in her letter accepting Ms Patel's resignation from government, said it was "right" that she had decided to resign "and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated".

In her resignation letter, Ms Patel offered a "fulsome" apology to the prime minister and the government, saying her actions "were meant with the best of intentions" but had fallen below the standards expected of a secretary of state. Her words, probably unconsciously, echoed the words of former defence secretary Michael Fallon's resignation letter a week ago, in which he accepted that "in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the armed forces that I have the honour to represent", in relation to his behaviour towards women. The Patel scandal began last Friday when the BBC reported that Ms Patel had met senior politicians and discussed government business when on holiday in Israel in August. She had failed to alert the Foreign Office of the meetings, contrary to government policy, the report said. Ms Patel then denied to the Guardian that she had broken the ministerial code, telling the newspaper "Boris [Johnson, foreign secretary] knew about the visit". She blamed the Foreign Office for briefing against her.

But on Monday under increasing pressure she released a statement of clarification, admitting that "in hindsight" her "enthusiasm to engage" with people and organisations in Israel "could be mis-read". Her apology was followed by a list of 12 meetings she had arranged on that holiday, including one with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And she said the Foreign Office had been aware of her visit, "but not in advance of it". Mrs May had not known about those meetings  including the one with the Israeli PM, until Friday. She had summoned Patel to her office and reminded her of her obligations  political code for a telling-off. But compromising details continued to emerge: such as when she returned from the trip she had asked her officials to look at giving aid to the Israeli army in the Golan Heights.

And it was reported that Patel had not included on her list a visit to an Israeli military hospital in the Golan Heights. This was a breach of diplomatic protocol, as Britain considers the Golan Heights to be an occupied part of Syria. And The Sun reported on Wednesday that Patel held two more secret meetings in September, with an Israeli minister in London and an official in New York - Yuval Rotem, the former Israeli ambassador to Australia. At that point Mrs May summoned Ms Patel back from Africa, where she had been just about to begin a three-day official visit. There seemed little alternative to sacking her, though it creates a new political headache for Mrs May. Loading
By PTI: Vardhan Panaji, Nov 9 (PTI)ARefusing to comment on pollution due to a coal handling facility in Goa, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said he cannot offer a specific comment on any state-related issues although he stressed the need for coal for the countrys energy needs.

Goas Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has leased out its capacity to Adani Murmugao Port Terminal Private Limited (AMPTPL) and South West Port Limited (SWPL).

advertisement

Local residents as well as the Congress are opposing the coal operations claiming that pollution caused by them is affecting the port town of Vasco.

"There cannot be any specific reaction to the issues pertaining to a particular state. They are general issues," Vardhan told reporters here when asked about the opposition to the MPT facility.

He said coal is needed to take care of the countrys energy needs.

"The country is very gradually and very strictly moving towards ensuring that by the year 2022, we convert ourselves into producing 175 GW of clean energy," he said.

The minister said every state, including Goa, hasAto fulfil its responsibility in this direction.

Meanwhile, the Congress today asked the Goa government to stop all the coal-related infrastructure projects as well as the existing coal operations in the coastal state for the sake of people.

Congress Legislative Party spokesman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco today accused Union minister Nitin Gadkari of "corruption" and "misuse of power" for the benefit of few corporates.

"We demand that all coal-related infrastructure projects in Goa be stopped immediately and that a high-level inquiry be conducted into the corruption and misuse of power by Union minister Nitin Gadkari and another BJP leaders to benefit few corporates," Lourenco told reporters.

He alleged that Manohar Parrikar government is serving "private corporations" and "destroying" the state, known for its rich ecology.

"We urge the government to respect and bow down to the people of Goa instead of serving private corporations hell bent on destroying the state," he said.

While AMPTPL handles about 5.2 million tonnes of coal annually, the SWPL 7.2 million tonnes. PTI RPS A NSK RDS

--- ENDS ---
Danang, Vietnam: South-east Asia's most serious humanitarian crises in decades are off Malcolm Turnbull's agenda when the prime minister attends the region's annual leaders' summits, beginning on Friday.

As he flew out of Australia for the famed Vietnamese seaside city of Danang, Mr Turnbull said he plans to focus on economic opportunity and regional security during a five-day trip to Vietnam, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on an earlier trip abroad to Israel. Credit:AP

More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar's Rakhine State in 11 weeks, the largest movement of civilians in Asia since the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s.

The world's worst humanitarian emergency is unfolding in Rohingya refugee camps at the Bangladesh border.
Washington: Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, known for defying the federal government on issues like same sex marriage, had sexual encounters with teen girls decades ago, according to a report in the Washington Post.

The revelations, amid the allegations of sexual abuse rocking Hollywood and beyond, prompted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call for Moore to drop out of the Senate race.

"If these allegations are true, Roy Moore should step aside for all the obvious reasons," McConnell, who backed Moore's opponent in the Republican primary, told reporters. He said the allegations are "very disturbing."

Several other Republicans, already reluctant to back the controversial former state supreme court judge, echoed McConnell or distanced themselves from Moore, who denied the allegations in a statement to Breitbart News.
It seems the Congress' reservation promise to Patidars have its senior think tank on a different page.

By Jumana Shah: Just when the Congress is poised to promise additional reservation to the Patidar community under the OBC in exchange of support during polls, a senior voice of the party's think tank Sam Pitroda claimed a lot can be done without availing quota benefits, especially for the top of the pyramid privileged sections of the society.

Pitroda, who is in Gujarat for a five-day visit to interact with a variety of sections of the society to prepare the Congress manifesto asserted that India is a land of opportunities, and everyone doesn't need special privileges for development.

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"Yes those communities who haven't had the benefit of development due to social discrimination need special considerations, but otherwise there are enough opportunities," Pitroda said.

When asked how does this philosophy weigh in with the Congress party's negotiations with the Patidar community of granting additional quota under the OBC category, Pitroda said, "It doesn't contradict with my philosophy, but it is for the party to take a call."

He underlined that though he plays an important role in the party, he doesn't occupy nor wants to occupy any post in the party officially. Pitroda's opinion is of significance as he articulates the Congress party's core philosophies.

Though as he stated, he doesn't occupy an official position in the party, he is considered as one of the people closest to Rahul Gandhi.

The young scion is now all set to take over the national Congress as its president. Gujarat Congress is in the middle of a contentious negotiation with the Patidar community, and its outfit Patidar Anamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS) that is seeking reservation for the community under OBC.

Though Congress sources would prefer to be tightlipped, the party is trading this promise for support of the community for it in the coming elections.

VIDEO | Gabbar Singh: The flavour of Gujarat Assembly elections this time around

--- ENDS ---
The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Kunio Mikuriya, announced today that 2018 will be dedicated to strengthening the security of the business environment, with the slogan A secure business environment for economic development.

The development of international trade is not an end in itself, but rather a vehicle through which economic development can be achieved. We should, therefore, strive to create an environment for businesses that will foster their participation in trade, for the benefit of all.

With the above in mind, it is imperative that we ask ourselves, how we can, as Customs, contribute to better secure the business environment and, in doing so, boost economic prosperity. Three key elements come to the forefront:

 Enabling environment

It is globally recognized that Customs can contribute to making the business environment more stable and predictable by, for example, streamlining procedures, tackling corruption, enhancing integrity, and facilitating the movement of goods, conveyances and people in general.

 Safe environment

Legitimate businesses require a secure supply chain to prosper, but some threats come from within the trade itself, such as the shipment of illicit goods that could endanger peoples health, safety and security. Combating cross-border crime, including the illicit funding of international terrorism through trade activities, is our responsibility. By taking advantage of the WCOs tools, instruments and expertise, Customs has the means to actively secure the global trade landscape.

 Fair and sustainable environment

The importation of illegal goods, such as goods that infringe intellectual property rights (IPR), or legal goods which, for example, are smuggled into a country to avoid the payment of duty or whose value has been misreported, can do immense harm to a countrys economy. It is not only a question of financial losses for both legitimate traders and governments, such activities can also affect governance, the economy, development and human security across the globe.

All these different aspects of securing the business environment are invariably connected to the current Customs focus on trade facilitation, in particular the implementation of the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention and the World Trade Organizations Trade Facilitation Agreement that support the goals contained in the United Nations Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said Secretary General Mikuriya.

Many WCO tools, instruments and initiatives that have been developed can readily assist Customs administrations in building a secure business environment, such as the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade or the WCO Security Programme. They not only enhance Customs overall trade-related processes, they also contribute to an increase in both security and trade facilitation.

The WCOs annual theme will be launched on International Customs Day, which is celebrated annually by the global Customs community on 26 January in honour of the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) which took place on 26 January 1953.

The WCO invites the Customs community to mark 26 January 2018 in their diary.
" We will not be going with BJP before or after elections in Maharashtra and Gujarat. In fact, we will contest against BJP," said Pawar.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: NCP chief Sharad Pawar cleared the air about alliance with BJP in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Speaking at the event of TV Journalists Association in Mumbai, Pawar said that there was no chance that NCP will shake hands with BJP in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

"We are contesting on limited seats in Gujarat but we are in talks with Congress. We will not be going with BJP before or after elections in Maharashtra and Gujarat. In fact, we will contest against BJP," said Pawar.

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Pawar feels that mood Of Gujarat is against incumbent government and it is very hard to predict what would be the political scenario post Gujarat elections in the Nation. Pawar admitted that people are attending Rahul Gandhi's rallies. Pawar blames BJP for maligning image of Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi on social media.

Pawar slammed Fadnavis government over farmer's issue for not giving loan waiver immediately. Pawar said "State government is not serious towards this issue. We had taken serious measures on farmer's issues. But this government is neither giving them loan waive nor good price for produce," said Pawar.

Recently Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackery met Sharad Pawar at his residence in Mumbai. This was revealed by Sharad Pawar in a NCP's chintan meeting at Karjat. Though the duo discuss Maharahstra's political scenario but today Pawar questioned the stand of Shiv Sena who is criticising BJP government being part of government.

Speaking on film Padmavati controversy, Pawar said that filmmakers should not play with emotions Of people.

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A voter turnout of 54.09 per cent was recorded till 2 pm in Himachal Pradesh. Polling is being held in a single phase in the state on 68 assembly seats.

Voters queue up at a polling booth in Dharamshala. Photo: ANI.

By India Today Web Desk: Polling in Himachal Pradesh on 68 assembly seats is underway to decide the fate of 337 candidates, with the BJP feeling confident of wresting the state from the Congress.

The fate of 337 candidates will be decided by as many as 50,25,941 voters, including 19 lakh women and 14 transgenders. Voting began at 8 am and will go on till 5 pm. Counting of votes will be held on December 18.

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Virbhadra Singh, JP Nadda, Shanta Kumar and PK Dhumal are among the top candidates who will be contesting the polls.

Virbhadra has already announced that this will be his last election.

While the Dhumal-led BJP and the Virbhadra-led Congress are contesting all 68 seats, the BSP is fighting on 42 seats. CPI-M will field candidates on 14 seats, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party on 6 each and the CPI on 3.

Meanwhile, VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines are being used for the first time in this election and 10 per cent of total EVMs and VVPATs have been kept in reserve.

A total of 11,500 Himachal Pradesh police jawans, 6400 home guards have been deployed across the state on election duty. Sixty-five companies of paramilitary forces have also been stationed for security, said Himachal Pradesh DGP Somesh Goyal.

HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:

54.09 per cent polling in Himachal Pradesh till 2 pm.

Senior Congress leader Vidya Stokes cast her vote a polling booth in Shimla's Barubag #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/Qj4doKbMOr- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Right before his wedding, a bridegroom casts his vote at a polling booth in Manali's Baashing village #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/a2zYx0jQCk- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

28.6 per cent polling recorded till 12 noon.

#HimachalElections2017 Union Minister JP Nadda casts his vote at a polling booth in Bilaspur pic.twitter.com/wt7a9jrJr0- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Voting starts after delay at booth number 55 in Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.

Voters create ruckus on Telag polling booth, which falls under Sadar assembly constituency of Bilaspur. Ruckus due to a technical glitch in EVM, administration on the spot to fix it.

13.72 per cent polling recorded in first two hours of Himachal Pradesh election.

#HimachalPradeshElections Virbhadra Singh and his son Vikramaditya cast their votes at a polling booth in Shimla. Virbhadra Singh says the Congress party will be victorious with full majority pic.twitter.com/CKm4rxorbo- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Hamirpur: BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal and BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur cast their votes. #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/pNxe6IzYu0- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Confident of getting majority in the election, the next Government too will be of Congress, says Virbhadra Singh.

Time has come, people have made up their mind to get rid of Congress, a party that has looted Himachal Pradesh. The state needs a senior leader like Dhumalji to look at the affairs of Himachal, which is under the debt of more than Rs 50,000 crore, says BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur.

Candidate selection has been good this time, which wasn't the case in the previous election. We are hopeful of good results. Our cadres are working hard to ensure that the BJP wins with a good majority, says PK Dhumal.

We will focus on the law and order situation, corruption, mafia rule, development works are numb, the economic situation is bad, says Dhumal.

All polls are important. This election will be a mandate against a useless government, which changes the face and fortune of Himachal Pradesh: Dhumal.

We aimed to get 50-plus seats, but now that we are receiving so much support from all sections of society, we expect it to cross 60, says BJP's CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Himachal Elections 2017: Voting at polling station number 55 in Kinnaur, Reckong Peo has not yet started due to a technical glitch, the polling booth is all women-managed.

Polling underway in all the 68 constituencies of #HimachalPradesh, people cast their votes at a polling booth in Shimla's Rampur pic.twitter.com/FmqglALAw1- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Elderly woman, Barfi Devi, casts her vote at polling booth number 7 in Samirpur #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/2TILgQi2Pk- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Voting for all the 68 constituencies to begin shortly: Visuals from #Bilaspur in #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/jDeLjfdPgs- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Polling in #HimachalPradesh to begin at 8 AM, visuals from polling station number 7 in #Dharamshala pic.twitter.com/6tYRDSv52F- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

#Visuals from a polling station in Mandi, voting to begin at 8 AM in all the 68 constituencies #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/Z8fL2OpcxG- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

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WATCH VIDEO | Himachal election: Polling underway on 68 seats, Virbhadra says Congress will get majority

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According to a survey conducted by India Today-Axis My India in October, BJP will win the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election by defeating the Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: Though the single-phase voting for the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh Assembly has taken place today, the state will have to wait for 40 days for counting to take place and result to be announced. In the mean time, both Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh of the Congress and BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal have got ample time to cool their heels.

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If the Congress wins, 83-year-old Singh will continue in his chair for another five years. By that time, he would have turned 87.

But if the BJP is victorious after results are announced on December 18, Dhumal may not have the same privilege and opportunity as his political rival Singh. He may remain in the chief minister's post only till the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

OPINION POLL RESULT FAVOURS BJP

According to a survey conducted by India Today-Axis My India in October, the BJP will register a victory in today's Himachal Pradesh Assembly election by defeating the Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh.

According to the poll, BJP will garner 43 to 47 of the total seats in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. As the majority mark is 35, BJP will register an easy victory.

On the other hand, the opinion poll suggested, the Congress will bag 21 to 25 seats. Other parties, including independents are likely to win just two seats.

In the 2012 Assembly elections, the Congress had contested under the leadership of Virbhadra Singh and won 36 seats. The BJP could garner just 26 seats. Virbhadra Singh took oath as the chief minister for a record sixth time.

As far as the vote share is concerned, the BJP, which looks poised to win the Himachal Pradesh elections, is likely to get 49 per cent - almost half - of the votes polled, the survey said. Against this, the ruling Congress will garner 38 per cent of the vote share.

TRUNCATED TERM FOR DHUMAL?

Born on April 10, 1944, Dhumal is 73 years old. He will turn 75 in 2019.

As an unwritten policy, the BJP does not make or retain any leader above the age of 75. There is no member above this cut off age in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's council of ministers. There is perhaps no one in most of the BJP governments in the states, including Madhya Pradesh.

After the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, senior BJP leaders such as LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Yashwant Sinha and Shanta Kumar were reportedly not included in Modi's cabinet as per this age criterion.

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After Amit Shah became the BJP president in July 2014, he created a new 'Margdarshak Mandal' and included Advani and Joshi in it.

Peeved over the unwritten or unspoken age criterion, Yashwant Sinha took a dig at Modi and said all those who are above the age of 75 were declared brain dead on May 26, 2014, the day the BJP-led NDA government was sworn in at the centre.

Sinha, who was 76 then, was sidelined and denied a party ticket for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Sinha has been occasionally firing salvos at Modi and the BJP government since then.

After turning 75, Najma Heptulla and Kalraj Mishra were dropped from Modi's cabinet while Anandiben Patel was removed as Gujarat chief minister.

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dropped two senior state ministers Babulal Gaur and Sartaj Singh from his cabinet on the ground that they were well past 75 years of age.

In keeping with the age criterion, Dhumal is likely to be removed as chief minister any time after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP may not like to invite trouble for itself by removing Dhumal in the midst of the general elections.

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If Modi comes back to power in 2019 with a comfortable majority, Dhumal is likely to be replaced as chief minister.

WILL JP NADDA REPLACE DHUMAL?

According to the India Today-Axis My India survey, though the BJP appears to be winning the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election, Virbhadra Singh is still the most popular leader in the hill state. Of all the people surveyed, 31 per cent felt that Singh should be the chief minister.

Singh was followed by Union Health Minister JP Nadda (24 per cent) of the BJP. With 16 per cent votes, Prem Kumar Dhumal was the third choice for the CM's post.

Nadda was always the BJP's favourite for the Himachal Pradesh chief minister's post. The party was either not in favour of declaring a chief ministerial candidate at all for the Assembly election or project Nadda as the face if at all it had to do.

Grapevine even has it that Nadda was included in Modi ministry in order that he gains some administrative experience. Considered close to the RSS and Modi, he was tipped to take over as the BJP president from Home Minister Rajnath Singh after the last general elections.

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However, Shah was a better choice for Modi. But Nadda became a part of the Modi government later.

The present political circumstances forced the BJP to tweak its plan. It declared the CM candidate and made Dhumal as the party's face.

However, after the 2019 general elections, he may be replaced by Nadda on the post. It may be a short-lived happiness for Dhumal.

WATCH | Battleground Himachal: Will Dhumal upset Virbhadra's applecart?

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By PTI: Melbourne, Nov 9 (PTI) Human-caused global warming is significantly increasing the rate at which hot temperature records are being broken around the world, a study has found.

Global annual temperature records show there were 17 record hot years from 1861 to 2005.

Researchers at University of Melbourne in Australia examined whether these temperature records are being broken more often and if so, whether human-caused global warming is to blame.

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The results show human influence has greatly increased the likelihood of record-breaking hot years occurring on a global scale.

Without human-caused climate change, there should only have been an average of seven record hot years from 1861 to 2005, not 17, researchers said.

Human-caused climate change at least doubled the odds of having a record-breaking hot year from 1926 to 1945 and from 1967 onwards, according to the study.

The study also projects that if greenhouse gas emissions remain high, the chance of seeing new global temperature records will continue to increase.

By 2100, every other year will be a record breaker, on average, according to the study published in the journal Earths Future.

The new findings show how climate change is visibly influencing Earths temperature, said Andrew King, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne.

"We can now specifically say climate change is increasing the chance of observing a new temperature record each year," said King, lead author of the study.

"It is important to point out we should not be seeing these records if human activity were not contributing to global warming," said King.

The study strengthens the link between human activity and recent temperature trends, according to Michael Mann, a climatologist at Pennsylvania State University in the US.

"This work builds on previous research establishing that, without a doubt, the record warmth we are seeing cannot be explained without accounting for the impact of human activity on the warming of the planet," Mann said.

Record hot years have been occurring more frequently in recent decades. 2014 was the hottest year on record since 1880, but that record was quickly broken in 2015 and again in 2016.

Research published earlier this year in the journal Geophysical Research Letters found these three consecutive records in global temperatures were very likely due to anthropogenic warming.

In the new study, King developed a method to isolate the human role in changing rates of record-breaking temperatures globally.

Unlike previous studies, the method uses a single source of temperature data, in this case global annual temperatures, allowing King to study temperature records on a global scale.

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King first looked at global temperature data from 1861 to 2005 and identified which years were hot record breakers. He then used a wide array of climate models to simulate global temperatures in this period. PTI SAR SAR

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By India Today Web Desk: The inconvenience caused to people and vehicular traffic in Hyderabad due to beggars begging for alms on the streets was addressed by the State Police on Tuesday.

The government of Telangana decided to take no chance in the preparation for Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be held at Hitec city in Hyderabad from November 28 to 30. A number of foreign delegates are said to be attending the summit including Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump.

Begging banned ahead of @IvankaTrump visit to Hyderabad in case she,like Siddharth,gets so moved,she renounces the world and becomes Buddha! https://t.co/trNnwNZsMS- Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) November 9, 2017

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The Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad issued a Prohibition notice under Section 144 of criminal procedure code 1973 on Tuesday banning begging on streets till January 7,2018.

"It has come to my notice through the public that many beggars are begging alms in an indecent manner. They are also employing children and handicapped persons to solicit or receive alms at the main junctions of the road. Such acts are causing annoyance and awkwardness by exposing in an indecent manner to divert the attention of the vehicular traffic as well as pedestrians and public in general to induce them to give alms. These acts are dangerous to the safety of the vehicular traffic and public in general," the notice read.

On November 8, 400 beggars were reported to be sent to a rehabilitation centre at Chanchalguda Jail.'

Beggers who were brought to a shelter after begging on the streets sit inside a dormitory in Hyderabad. TelanganaGovernment has banned begging on the streets for a period of two months, ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.@AFPphoto @WeAreHyderabad pic.twitter.com/ngLFtW2sxf- Noah Seelam (@noahseelam) November 9, 2017

"Some beggars argued that we were taking their freedom to live anywhere they want but we told them it was for their own good because they are going to the rehab centre where they will be taken care of," an official said. About 6,000 beggars in the city would be shifted to rehab centres and shelters for homeless as reported by the Indian Express.

Any person found begging on the streets is therefore liable to be prosecuted for another two months with the ban being in effect from 6 am today.

The decision was taken two months ahead of the global summit as Hyderabad wants to be seen as a global city.

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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 08, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 08, 2017 | 02:49 PM | PADUCAH, KY

McCracken County's Property Valuation Administrator is running for re-election.



Nancy Bock has held the office for the past 25 years. Prior to her election she was a deputy in the office for 15 years.



Bock has been responsible for assessing all property, both real and personal that lies within McCracken County. During her tenure in office, Bock says the latest technology has been put in place. McCracken County was the first in the state to have a website in 1999, and it has been kept up-to-date over the years, including use of online maps and sketches.



Bock says her desk is the first one residents see when they enter her office, and her daily goal is to help taxpayers understand how the assessment process works.



Bock has served as an Executive Member on the Kentucky Chapter of International Association of Assessing officers for the past 7 years. She was recently chosen as the Deputy Executive Director of the chapter, and has served as past President. She also serves the first district on the Executive Committee of the PVA Association. Bock has taught classes and continues to teach to other PVA's, Deputies, and Revenue Employees throughout the Commonwealth. She was chosen as 2010 Kentucky PVA of the Year and 2013 Instructor of the Year.



The McCracken County PVA Office was also chosen as the 2012 Outstanding Jurisdiction in Kentucky, and in 2016 she was awarded the PVA Gold Service Award.



Bock is active in Mt. Zion Baptist Church and their childrens worship program. She also teaches Sunday school and is serving as the Commander of the Kids' Awana program this year.
VanMeter to be next Kentucky chief justice as Minton retires
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 07, 2017 | ULLIN, IL

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 07, 2017 | 07:02 PM | ULLIN, IL

Police have found and arrested a man who fled from a traffic stop Tuesday in Johnson County.



The Illinois State Police District 22 says 30-year-old Michael A. Lafond was arrested at 8:05 am Thursday, after a resident spotted him walking across a field along Deer Ridge Road and called police. State Troopers and Johnson County Sheriff's Deputies responded and took him into custody without incident.



Lafond ran from troopers during a traffic stop Tuesday on I-24 near exit 7. He was wanted for failure to register as a sex offender.





Original Story:

Police searching for a man who fled from a traffic stop in Johnson County.



The Illinois State Police District 22 says 30-year-old Michael A. Lafond ran from troopers during a traffic stop on I-24 near exit 7. He was last seen on Tunnel Hill Road at Deer Ridge Road.



Lafond was wearing a light Gray T-shirt, gray fleece (pajama) pants and slip on canvas shoes. He is described as white, 5'10" tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He has shoulder-length brown hair and a musical note tattoo on his temple. No photo of Lafond was available.



State Police are urging residents in the Goreville area to lock their doors and be on the watch for Lafond. He is Wanted for failure to register as a sex offender.



Anyone who spots him should not approach him, but should call 911.




By The Associated Press Nov. 09, 2017 | 11:57 AM | LOUISVILLE, KY

Rick Pitino's lawyer says allegations in an indictment that implies former Louisville men's basketball coach was involved and aware of money payments to recruits are "false, misleading and defamatory."

Steve B. Pence reiterated that Pitino had no knowledge of any payments to players. Christian Dawkins, who was indicted on Tuesday, says during a recorded conversation a coach agreed to call an Adidas executive for money to send the family of a recruit. Pitino is not named in the indictment.

Pitino was fired Oct. 16 by Louisville's Athletic Association after the school acknowledged that it was being investigated in a national federal corruption probe of college basketball. He is not named in the complaint or the indictment unsealed this week.
By The Associated Press Nov. 09, 2017 | 05:54 AM | BOWLING GREEN, KY

The county prosecutor in the case against a man accused of assaulting U.S. Sen. Rand Paul says criminal charges may be changed because of the severity of the lawmaker's injuries.

Warren County attorney Amy Milliken didn't provide any more details but said her office is working with Kentucky State Police and the FBI. She says the investigation "has not concluded."

Rene Boucher pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault Thursday. Boucher is accused of attacking the senator while he mowed his lawn in the neighborhood where they live.

Neither the prosecutor or Boucher's attorney have said what prompted the attack, but Boucher's attorney has said it was trivial and not related to politics.

Paul wrote on Twitter that he suffered six broken ribs and has excess fluid around the lungs.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) A centre of excellence for integrated beekeeping development will be launched tomorrow in Haryanas Ramnagar as part of the Indo-Israeli Agricultural Project (IIAP), the Israel Embassy here today said.

The project is a cooperation between the Union government, Indian state governments and Israels Agency for International Development Cooperation--MASHAV.

"Tomorrow, India and Israel will inaugurate a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Integrated Beekeeping Development in Ramnagar, Haryana," the Embassy said.

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Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ambassador of Israel to India Daniel Carmon, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Haryana, Om Prakash Dhankar, are to attend the event.

"The (IIAP) project is currently active in nine states across India, and will include seven more states in the next phase of the project," the Embassy said in a statement.

The CoE is one of 18 fully operational centres in the Indo-Israeli Agricultural Project. It will be the 14th MASHAV-MIDH centre to be inaugurated in India and the fourth in Haryana.

The beekeeping centre in Ramnagar is the "first of its kind", and will address queen bee rearing, quality control laboratories, enhanced production, honey production value chain and pollination.

On the eve of the inauguration, Ambassador Carmon said, "Centres of Excellence are an integral part of India and Israels growing partnership. Haryana is one of the first to implement this tool for its farmers, and has more IIAP centres than any other state."

"I hope to see more states open IIAP centres across India, and that the private sector too joins us in the endeavour to bring advanced agro-technology to Indian farmers," he said.

India and Israel are celebrating 25 years of relations in 2017. PTI KND AAR

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There's a moment in Shared Experience's As You Like It, a touring version of their Theatre by the Lake production, when theatrical magic happens. Rosalind (Jessica Hayles) and Celia (Layo-Christina Akinlude), forced to flee the dulled, office-like court of Duke Frederick (a cantankerous Alex Parry), push two huge flats aside, revealing a vast expanse of green space. What had once been a desaturated two-dimensional conference room is transformed into a bright, verdant and quirky Forest of Arden.

A deer trots along the stage. Birds fly overhead. There's a telephone box stuffed full of books. For no apparent reason, there's a water cooler among the trees. Designer Libby Watson lets the imagination run wild, supported by fantastic lighting from Chris Davey and video design from Dan Denton and Ian Galloway. In a single motion, both the stage and play open up - anything seems possible, out in the pastoral copses of middle England.

It's a shame, then, that the rest of As You Like It rarely lives up to this sense of free-spiritedness. The majority of the show is sadly more Shakespeare-by-numbers. For all its quaint charm, director Kate Saxon is perfunctory with her interpretation of the text - scenes are pushed through, lines are delivered, and, compared to the bold primary colours of the set and costume, the characters and dialogue feel somehow beige. The court fool Touchstone and shepherdess Audrey's romantic escapades, to pick an example, normally a comedic highpoint, felt largely muted.

Which, considering the themes of the play, is a strange result. This is a piece usually replete with irony and hilarity. Shakespeare deals with social conflicts, relevant conflicts - the corrupt government versus pastoral living, the role of man versus the role of woman, the lovelorn versus lovesick. It all amounts to a whirling farce that should have comedic beats at every turn.

The music accompaniment provided by five of the nine cast members improves the show's pace in places, but the ensemble never really clicks in a meaningful sense - Josie Dunn's energetic clarinet performance existing in isolation rather than being part of a uniform whole. These accompaniments are also too sporadic, too fleeting, to have a wider impact on the overall piece.

There is a grand turn from Hayles, bringing a savviness and yearning inquisitiveness to one of the Bard's most distinctive female roles. Her silent movement sequences, delivered alone on stage, expose the suppressed optimism of this woman scorned and banished. They are beautifully choreographed by Sian Williams. A flash of excitement and ingenuity amidst the mundane. Akinlude also conjures a laugh from the slightest facial expression.

But overall Shared Experience seems too afraid to tamper with Shakespeare's words. This could have burst into an exciting production but ended up feeling too idle, too bland to leave a lasting impression.

As You Like It runs at Richmond Theatre until 12 November ahead of a UK tour.
By PTI: By Anisur Rahman

Dhaka/Kolkata, Nov 9 (PTI) A number of connectivity projects, including a new passenger train service between Kolkata and Bangladeshs southwestern industrial city of Khulna, were today launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina that will help reduce the travel time by three hours.

These projects also include the second Bhairab and Titas railway bridges built at the cost of USD 100 million; and the International Rail Passenger Terminus at Chitpur in Kolkata.

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The two leaders through videoconferencing flagged off the inaugural run of the Bandhan Express, a fully air-conditioned weekly passenger train service, between Kolkata and Khulna.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined the inauguration through videoconferencing from West Bengal.

On the occasion, Modi said the ties of friendship between India and Bangladesh have further strengthened.

Modi said in Bengali, Aaj ei shubho uplokkhe dui desh bashider amar abhinandan janai. Aaj amader moitreyee, bandhon aro sudriro holo (I congratulate the people of the two countries on this auspicious occasion. Our ties of friendship got more strengthened today.)

Modi said he was happy to launch the important projects to enhance connectivity.

"The most important dimension of the connectivity is the people-to-people linkage," Modi said.

"The inauguration of the international passenger terminus will benefit passengers of the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitri Express and Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express. It will not only help them in customs and immigration but also save three hours of their travel time. The two rail services are named according to our shared vision," he said.

He said India was proud to be a reliable partner in Bangladeshs development.

"I am happy to know that work is in progress in our USD 8 billion concessional finance commitment. Development and connectivity are interconnected and we have taken steps to strengthen the decades-old historical links specially between the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh," Modi said.

Modi said he believed that the two nations will touch the new heights in development and prosperity as they strengthen ties and relations between the people.

He Hasina and Banerjee for their support.

Hasina said, "Today is a great day for relations between the two countries with the inauguration of the train services and the two bridges. This train service is a dream come true for people on both sides of the border."

She said her country wanted collaborative engagements with India and other neighbours for regional peace and prosperity.

"We want to cooperate with India and other countries in the immediate neighbourhood for creating an area of peace in South Asia where we can live as good neighbours and pursue constructive policies for our peoples benefit," she said.

Hasina said Bangladesh-India had set new high standards of bilateral cooperation which was essential for regional development.

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Bangladesh Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also joined the premiers through videoconferencing.

Chief Minister Banerjee described the launch of the projects as a remarkable day for India and Bangladesh.

"The relations between the two countries will strengthen in the future," she said. PTI AMR MM DV CPS NSA AKJ NSA

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) India today sent an emergency shipment of 21,000 kilo litres of petrol to Sri Lanka which is facing a shortage of the fuel.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the shipment was sent from Paradip in Odisha and is expected to reach Trincomalee port in Sri Lanka in a day.

"The supplies have left Paradip today, with 21,000 kilo litres and is expected to reach Trincomalee port in a day. Additional supplies are available at Kochi if so needed," he said.

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In a telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday had conveyed to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena that India is sending petroleum supply to the island nation.

The Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) on Tuesday received flak for the fuel shortage after motorists lined up in long queues at petrol stations.

But the company dismissed as "mischievous and factually incorrect" the allegations that it was responsible for the fuel shortage in the island nation. PTI MPB ZMN

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (EDS: Correcting word in para 2)

Mumbai, Nov 9 (PTI) French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler today said that financial and technological issues as well as differences over fixing responsibility for the construction of the proposed 10,000 MW nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra are "being well negotiated".

"The size of the project is massive and there have been certain issues that had to be negotiated between both the countries, be it over cost or financing or the nuclear liability law," Ziegler said at the India Nuclear Energy summit organised by UBM (rpt) UBM India here.

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Ziegler said these issues are being well negotiated and "we expect some action will take place very soon".

The ambassador, however, did not define the timeline in this regard.

French firm EDF and Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) have already signed a preliminary agreement to build six atomic reactors at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district.

The six 1,650 megawatt EPR reactors, with a combined capacity of nearly 10,000 MW, would make Jaitapur one of the worlds biggest nuclear sites and also the contract.

Speaking on the occasion, Atomic Energy Commission of India member Ravi Grover said the country is working towards achieving its target to have 63,000 MW of nuclear capacity by 2032.

"We have huge scope for developing nuclear capacity. We have tied up with global firms in various fields for increasing our nuclear capacity. At the same time, we are also working on developing domestically designed pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs)," he said.

The Centre has decided to develop 10 new domestically designed PHWRs that will use uranium as fuel. PTI PSK RSY NSK MKJ

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today made a strong case for skilling youth, saying they are needed to serve not only the Indian economy but also the global marketplace.

"One distinct feature of Indias population is that we have a large number of younger people and therefore we have more hands which can work. The second distinct feature (is) that compared to the rest of the world where population in most developed countries is either stabilising or going down, that (is) not happening in India," he said.

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Advanced economies at times find it difficult to have people to service their economies but in the economy like India, there is a much larger base of working population, he said at the National Entrepreneurship Awards 2017.

"The distinct feature of India is we have a large younger population; proportionately to the rest of the world, we have many more people who can work. People who cannot only service our own economy but can also do it outside. Thats why a large Indian diaspora is gradually increasing," he said.

Observing that there is a need to harness excess population as the best economic resources, the Finance Minister said this can be done over a period of time by skilling young people.

Speaking on the occasion, Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that banks under the Mudra Yojana have given loan of Rs 4 lakh crore, benefiting 9 crore people.

Of this, 3 crore people are new beneficiaries, he added.

Talking about Stand Up India campaign, Pradhan said it is progressing well and 40,000 youth have got loans under the programme.

Meanwhile, ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar said skill development can help in realising inclusive growth plans. PTI DP CS MKJ

--- ENDS ---
"I will not be scared and will continue with what I am doing," a news agency quoted the woman, Rafia Naaz, as saying.

Rafia Naaz, the yoga teacher against whom a fatwa was issued. (Photo: ANI)

By India Today Web Desk: A fatwa has been issued against a Muslim woman from Jharkhand for teaching yoga, the news agency ANI reported.

The woman, Rafia Naaz, told ANI she had received many threats, and expressed gratitude to the state government for providing her with security.

"I will not be scared and will continue with what I am doing," she said.

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A defiant Naaz, a graduate student of commerce who has performed yoga with Baba Ramdev, has said she will "continue to do yoga and teach yoga" for as long as she lives, according to a Mirror Now report.

The report says Chief Minister Raghubar Das himself asked state police to protect the girl.

"What is wrong if some woman teaches yoga?" Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas asked.

"Protesting this is highly condemnable," he said.

"Some people have made religion a joke."

WATCH | New fatwa bans Muslims from posting pictures on social media

--- ENDS ---
Its rare for 90 percent of people to agree on anything, but thats what happened Tuesday when area voters roundly and emphatically rejected Winona Area Public Schools $82 million facilities referendum.

The lopsided election was a heavy blow to a school district struggling with a budget shortfall and an aging fleet of elementary schools  schools that are an ever-growing strain on the districts budget, WAPS officials say.

The results also send Winona school board members back to the drawing board with an urgent and vexing question: What will they do next?

Our facilities, financial and educational needs arent going away, Superintendent Rich Dahman said Tuesday after the referendums fate had become clear. Well continue to have different discussions about how to meet our educational needs within the financial realities of the district.

The referendum called for the consolidation of the districts elementary schools  Jefferson and Madison schools would have been closed  as well as renovations to Winona Senior High School and other district buildings.

WAPS officials said the plan, once fully implemented, would have saved the district $1.1 million annually and prevented further cuts to staff and programming.

But voters were united in their belief that this plan wasnt the right one.

Dahman said he heard from some community members who were fiercely opposed to any school closures, as well as some who disagreed about which schools to close. Many, he said, didnt like the idea of closing Jefferson.

Ben Baratto, chairman of the school board, suggested the district might have asked taxpayers for too much. Its too soon to tell, he said, but a less expensive plan might have garnered more support.

I talked to a number of people before this referendum, he said. I had a pretty good sense of how this was going to go. Maybe $82 million was just too big of a number for Winona.

On Wednesday, school board members said they would soon begin working on a Plan B intended to solve the districts facilities and financial issues in a more popular way.

To better gauge community sentiment, Dahman said the district is planning a public outreach effort that could include community surveys, public listening sessions and private meetings with parents and community groups.

Its important that we get specific information from the community about what they would support, Dahman said Wednesday. We have some very pressing facility and financial needs, and we wont be able to meet our educational needs until we get answers to those problems. If the board makes the decision to bring another proposal to voters, it has to be something the community is going to support.

Board members could bring a referendum to voters as early as next spring, though the board has no timetable for its next attempt at a facilities overhaul.

The board could also forego a referendum and vote to close elementary schools on its own volition.

Member Steve Schild, a proponent of consolidating schools, has previously supported motions that would have directly led to school closures, but he could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Other board members say theyre reluctant to close schools without the approval of voters.

I just really feel that we should give it one more try before we face the serious thing of closing a school on our own, Jeanne Nelson said. Id so much prefer if, as a unified community, we could decide on a plan and say, Yes, I know this is a compromise, but its in the better interest of our students.

Nelson supported the facilities plan outlined in the referendum and said its too early for her to consider the viability of other plans.

She said the board must act quickly, however, with crucial budget decisions looming.

I think we often lose sight of kids in this whole process while we talk about buildings, she said. What we decide about facilities will affect  whether or not we can give students PSEO opportunities, whether or not we can plan for the programs we need, whether or not we can bring Title I to K5 students in math and reading.

Even though the referendum wasnt successful  Im pleased that this board has pushed the community to seriously look at our schools, she added. Past boards havent been willing to go this far, but now is the time to seek a resolution. We cannot hide from this.
The Winona Rotary Club recently hosted a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack Event in Winona. We would like to thank the community, the 574 people who volunteered their time to put together the specially formulated food packets, and everyone who helped to raise the over $27,000 that was contributed to pay for the food that we packed. Together we were able to pack 124,416 meals which will feed over 300 starving children for an entire year.

We have received confirmation that the meals we packed have been sent to Nicaragua. The partnering organization Food for the Poor will help to distribute the meals to those in need.

The Winona Rotary Club was proud to be able to work with the many wonderful area organizations, businesses, school groups, and churches that helped to make this humanitarian effort possible. Mark your calendars for October 6, 2018 for next years packing event.

The Winona Rotary Club, FMSC, and the children receiving the lifesaving food all say a big thank you for a job well done!

Mark Patterson, Rotary FMSC Chairperson
The Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance exists to continue the reconciliation process between Winona and the Dakota Nation through educational, cultural and service projects designed to bring us bot together in greater wholeness. Our mission is to create sustainable alliances among indigenous nations, the city of Winona and the Winona community with a mutual understanding that we are all related. The city of Winona and the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance have established a covenant of friendship with a solemn commitment to perpetual peace friendship and compassion between the Dakota people and the City...as well as recognizing their equal rights, respect for the Dakota language, culture and natural law.

Oour latest educational event, co-sponsored by the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance and Turtle Island Student Organization from WSU was "We are All Downstream: water rights and Indigenous rights divestment" and was held Oct. 28. We ask that you seriously look at your banking institutions... are they actively contributing to the oil pipelines? Continuing our dependence on oil means that these pipelines will continue to exist, and their very existence threatens our water. They will leak, at some point. This is a fact. oil that is spilled will affect you as it finds its way to the water table. This is a human issue, and one that everyone everywhere must wake up to.

We are looking for some dedicated people who might join our organization, (and perhaps become a member of our board of directors) to carry on the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance legacy. If you are interested, please consider coming to our next board meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday November 14 in room 315 (conference room on the 3rd floor) of the old Winona Knitting Mills building at 902 E. Second Street. We will also be holding an end of year meeting, also open to the public, on December 12 where we will recap our activities for the past year, and vote on new officers. Please consider becoming a part of this important organization. Feel free to contact us through our website, winonadakotaunityalliance.org. for further detailed information

Mary Martha Dust, Fountain City, Wis.
A few years ago when I was put in charge of my fathers finances, I became acquainted with La Carte Vitale. A small plastic card, more dear to the French than their European passport.

A visit from the doctor: the card... Ambulance, emergency room: the card.. Operation, chiropractor, walker, medical supplies, drugs: the card. No money was exchanged or almost none, no co-pays, no authorization, no worry except one: get better.

Who paid? Each month a percentage of my fathers income was withdrawn from his account. Very reasonable I thought. About the same percentage as my Medicare plan B. How simple, I thought.How come we dont have that system in the U.S? Actually, people on social security do, and so do our veterans...

When I would bring up the concept-universal healthcare-to some of my friends, I would get responses such as:

It cannot happen here. What would happen to the Health Insurance industries and to all those who invest in them or work for them?

My answer: The entire population of this country, more than 320 million US citizens would live without worry and be taken care of. No bankruptcy, no staying in a job one does not like, no postponing a visit to the doctor because of unaffordable co-pays. Many lives would be saved.

We cannot afford it.

My answer: Of course the cost of doctors, nurses, hospital administrators and drugs would have to be controlled and kept in line with other professional remunerations (At that point I can hear the groan of lobbys and interested parties). Can we afford this system as it is? According to World Health Organization statistics, when you look them up under countries, you find that we spend 17 percent of our Gross National Product for healthcare. Much more than most countries whose expenses vary around 10 percent. Check it out yourself.

I want to have a choice of healthcare providers.

My answer: Do you have a choice now? The insurance companies decide where you can receive care and what procedures and expenses will be reimbursed. With Universal Healthcare you would have a choice and anywhere you happen to live in the US you would have access to it.

I do not want to pay for people who do not contribute.

My answer: Dont you already? You paid for richly remunerated CEOs and the Gold plan of some. This year you paid for people who needed expensive procedures when you only visited your G.P. everyone pays for everyone else... All for one, one for all!

Is is Socialism!

Wow! The ultimate ideological objection! My answer: England, France, Germany, Canada, etc. etc. Socialist countries? Their people do not seem to mind. In fact, the British are so fond of their National Health Care Service that they featured it in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics along with their queen.

Finally: Is healthcare a right? Yes or no?

Wrong question. Healthcare is not a right. Simply put: It is what developed, modern countries do! Universal healthcare along with postal service, transportation, energy, police, public education, parks, libraries and all sorts of such amenities make life more livable in first world countries. Maybe some will object to all those things too, and would prefer to live... in Timbuktu?

So... the card anyone? Or better said: Medicare for all!

Rosine Tenenbaum, Winona
Sauk County soldiers who served in the Korean War will be awarded medallions Friday during a Veterans Day observance in Baraboo.

With the traditional Veterans Day date of Nov. 11 falling on Saturday, the holiday will be observed on Friday this year.

Baraboo High Schools Baraboo 21 Club will pin medallions on Korean War vets. The club was formed to create a memorial to local survivors of a European World War I battle, but has expanded its focus to honor veterans of other U.S. wars. It recognized World War II vets on Pearl Harbor Day, and Vietnam vets on Memorial Day.

Club adviser Steve Argo expects 30-40 Korean War vets to participate Friday. We did want to let everyone know the importance of the Korean War veterans to our community, he said. Itll be a nice present for all these guys.

The club will distribute medallions shortly before the communitys Veterans Day observance begins at 11 a.m. Ceremonies at the Baraboo Civic Center will include appearances by the high school band, Mayor Mike Palm, and an honor guard. Baraboo 21 Club member Solveig Argo, the advisers daughter, will address the gathering.

The club hopes to dedicate on Veterans Day 2018 a memorial to the survivors of the 1918 Tuscania sinking. It has been approved for placement along the Riverwalk at Mary Rountree Evans Park. Steve Argo said fundraising efforts continue, including a recent donation of $1,000. Were making progress, he said.

Veterans Day events continue throughout the weekend. The Baraboo Masonic Lodge, 108 Second St., will serve a free chili dinner to thank veterans and support the Badger Honor Flight program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday from 2-6 p.m., Baraboo Elks Lodge 688, 623 Broadway, will offer its annual veterans spaghetti dinner. Elks will serve spaghetti, breadsticks, desserts and beverages. Cost is $5 per person, but veterans eat for free. The Green Bay Packers game will be televised at the dinner.
Theft  Tuesday at 7:51 a.m., a man told police that his wallet was stolen from an unlocked locker in the YMCA of Dodge County, 220 Corporate Drive.

Theft  Tuesday at 10:25 a.m., a woman reported that her wallet was stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 1200 block of Wayland Street.

Retail theft  Tuesday at 1:49 p.m., an employee at Shoe Sensations, 1645 N. Spring St., told police a purse was stolen. A woman was cited with retail theft.

Accident  Tuesday at 4:28 p.m., there was a vehicle accident in the 100 block of Knaup Drive.

Theft  Tuesday at 5:36 p.m., a woman told police her camera was stolen in the 300 block of Henry Street.
1967

Mrs. Wayne Trumbower, Guidance Director at Columbus High School, reports there has been a great deal of interest shown in evening adult vocational classes that will be offered at the high school.

Nearly 1,200 members of the congregations of the Central conference of the Western Wisconsin district gathered at Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Luthers posting of his 95 theses. A 225-member choir sang at the event.

1977

Police Chief Lee Erdmann reported on an unruly Halloween crowd of some 200, which led to 12 arrests and some damage by vandals. Many in the crowd, which ranged in age from 10 to 30 years old, where not residents of Columbus.

The City Council voted to cap the parking meters in Columbus for a trial period of Jan. 1 to March 1, 1978. Several council members were concerned that residents realize the revenue of $8,000 to $10,000 per year would have to be made up in city taxes.

1987

The Columbus High School FFA will be the first school in the nation that will have a special satellite feed from the National FFA convention in Kansas City. The new satellite dish at the high school was funded by the Columbia Rural Electric Cooperative and the local FFA and FFA Alumni Chapters.

The Citizens Facility Study Committee, made up of educators and interested citizens, was appointed by the Columbus School Board to evaluate the condition of building facilities in the Columbus School district. The district has four school buildings; Fuller Street, Hampden, Dickason and the Columbus High School.

1997

The Finance Committee of the Whole Columbus City Council approved a 1998 Columbus City Budget which showed a tax levy increase of 26 percent over last year and an increase in expenses of 8.57 percent.
By India Today Web Desk: A lot transpired between good friends Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover over a period of few months. After reports of their 'mid-air' tiff, Sunil not only quit The Kapil Sharma Show along with three other colleagues Chandan Prabhakar, Ali Asgar and Sugandha Mishra, but also took to social media to lash out at the comedian for abusing his colleagues.

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It was said that Kapil threw a shoe at Sunil Grover during the fight and abused his other colleagues. Post the incident, the above-mentioned colleagues left the show and the ratings of The Kapil Sharma Show started falling. To the extent that it had to be taken off air.

KAPIL BREAKS HIS SILENCE

Kapil maintained his silence all this while. The comedian, however, opened up about the whole thing in an interview to India Today recently. He denied that he flung a shoe at Sunil.

"The day we reached Australia I was very upset. I was also shooting for the film, a person in the film's cast had passed away. I wanted to cancel the Australia tour but the tickets were sold. When the show was about to start, a girl came to me crying, complaining about a boy, I yelled at the boy - who's my childhood friend. Chandan (Prabhakar). Chandan didn't come to see me. I saw him just before the flight and I lost my cool and started shouting at him. Sunil was not involved. He was just concerned. He's my favourite co-artist. My favourite on the show. I'm sure he's listening, I want to tell him I love you and I miss you," Kapil told India Today.

REUNION ON CARDS

The two however have decided to bury the hatchet and get back together again. In an interview with Mid Day, Kapil revealed that he's in touch with Sunil over messages and is going to meet him soon to discuss an upcoming project.

"Sunil and I haven't met in a long time, but we chat over messages. He is currently in Canada. As soon as he returns, we will meet up and discuss the possibility of a new show. Hopefully, we should be back together. The rest of the cast members are also ready to come on board."

Hope things work out between the two!

--- ENDS ---
Congressman Mark Pocan was recovering at a Madison hospital Wednesday after undergoing triple bypass heart surgery to pre-empt an unspecified cardiac issue, his office reported.

The surgery went well and Mark is looking forward to a speedy recovery so he can return to Washington soon to continue fighting for the people of Wisconsin, Pocans office said in a statement.

Pocan spokesman Ron Boehmer said there is not yet a timetable for his return to Congress. It is expected he will be hospitalized for at least the next two days, Boehmer said.

Pocan, D-Black Earth, underwent the procedure Wednesday at Meriter Hospital.

Pocan, 53, did not suffer a heart attack prior to the surgery, Boehmer said.

Boehmer said Pocan has not had any prior heart surgeries. He said the decision was made to perform the triple bypass after Pocan underwent a series of medical tests last week.

Pocan has not voted in the U.S. House since Oct. 26, missing 31 votes in that span, House records show. Boehmer said the missed votes were due to the health issue.

Pocan has represented south-central Wisconsins 2nd Congressional District, which includes Dane County, since 2013.
Student loan debt represents a major concern for the youngest Americans.

Early this year, Forbes reported that 44 million borrowers carry $1.31 trillion in debt among them. Most of those students at least received a degree and an education for their expenses. However, tens of thousands of Americans lost out on those opportunities when a slew of high-profile, for-profit colleges closed their doors, defrauding students of hundreds of millions of dollars collectively.

Despite this, the Associated Press and other news outlets report the Department of Education is considering a plan to undo an Obama administration policy of canceling $550 million in these deceptive loans. The expected outcome would be partial, rather than complete, forgiveness of these loans.

Students took out loans to receive an education. Yet they may not have their loans fully erased despite having no chance of ever getting what they were promised by the now-defunct schools.

Many of the institutions no longer in business openly warned prospective students that their credits likely would not transfer. That, in itself, isnt a problem  except for the absolute lack of warning that these same schools were closing. As a result, students were left holding the bag on loans that no longer could get them the degree they sought.

One doesnt need a doctorate in economics to realize this isnt right; students who were equally defrauded wouldnt have their loans equally forgiven.

Just as troubling are the steps U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has actively taken Secretary of Education to overturn this consumer protection.

Use of a policy established in the early 1990s called borrower defense, which allowed students at for-profit and vocational schools to have their loans waived if it was determined they had been defrauded, had understandably exploded. But an expansion to the rule that would have added further protections for borrowers was frozen before it was scheduled to take effect in July.

This follows a lack of action on more than 65,000 borrower defense claims since the confirmation of DeVos  whose nomination was accompanied by controversy regarding her ties to for-profit education  in February. Not a single one has been approved in the last nine months, according to the AP.

DeVos defended her action by saying some students could have their loans canceled without a valid reason. Being on the hook for a fraudulent loan  while not having a college to attend or the ability to transfer credits to a new school  certainly strikes us as a valid reason.

Protecting students from deceptive loans for a good they wont receive is a worthy cause, regardless of ones political affiliation. As such, we encourage the Department of Education to stand behind those students sold a bill of goods instead of an education.
Veterans Day events around Sauk Prairie will include several community stops, a public ceremony and school visits by local servicemen and women.

VFW Post 7694 Commander Tom Schuster said Veterans Day serves to remind people in the community about those who served and continue to serve the country in order to ensure certain freedoms remain.

During World War II almost every male went out, Schuster said. People didnt think that was going to happen again and then we had Vietnam and men were drafted. People got fed up with the government and largely didnt believe in what the United States. was doing. I served two tours; the first time I really felt I was helping to fight communism. By the second time though I had real doubts about what I was doing.

Schuster said when the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan happened, older vets rallied and vowed not to let another generation of soldiers feel the way they did coming home from Vietnam.

When we went into Iraq, the Nam vets stepped up and said, well have your back, Schuster said. I think we have to do that to keep vets in the forefront of peoples minds. Because when you look at me, you wouldnt know anything wrong. But I am 100 percent disabled. A lot of our Vietnam veterans are coming back with Agent Orange. If we didnt do these Veterans Day events it would otherwise be, you did your thing, fine, go ahead.

Not only does the day serve to remind the public what personal sacrifices soldiers have made  and continue to make  but it also calls attention to the things they do to support the community.

There are scholarships we promote and we turn a lot of money over to the food pantry, Schuster said. There are homeless services in Sauk County we have contributed to for vets, whether they need money to pay rent or utilities our fundraisers raise money for those kinds of things. Thats just some of the stuff we try and do.

A public Veterans Day ceremony will be jointly conducted by the Sauk City American Legion Kuoni-Reuter Post 167 and Sauk Prairie Veterans of Foreign Wars Lachmund-Cramer Post 7694 at the Sauk Prairie Area Veterans Memorial in Sauk City at the entrance to August Derleth Park.

A moment of silence will be held at 11 a.m. to commemorate the time the armistice began that ended the hostilities of World War I, followed by a 21-gun military rites salute and playing of Taps. The 1,048 named veterans on the Sauk Prairie Area Veterans Memorial who served during the period from the Civil War through southwest Asia will be observed.

In addition to the public program, the local VFW also will visit some of the schools for Veterans Day programs.

We go to Tower Rock and teach them how to fold and fly a flag because they raise and lower the flag each week, Schuster said. At Grand Avenue, we have a little program; (VFW member) Bart Mauch has his fathers WWI uniform and Bible that stopped a bullet.

Tower Rock Principal Kelly Petrowski said having the students hear directly from veterans in the Sauk Prairie community is especially beneficial.

The program allows our students to have awareness of others, Petrowski said. It is a point of connection for our students with adult community members. The other benefit our students gain is being able to hear from adults who may have vastly different life experience than their own.

Schuster said the kids and schools have really taken to the VFW Veterans Day program. The schools look forward to it every year, Schuster said.
Prior to the celebration of of Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary, the state authorities have turned the Kodagu in a fortress so as to avoid any law and order situation during the celebrations.

By Rohini Swamy: The issue around Tipu Jayanti celebrations is turning out to be nothing less than a war zone, with the Congress government adamant on its stand to celebrate the man who put Karnataka in the world map.

But the BJP has also decided to fight it out by calling for protests across the state. The state police machinery have been instructed not to allow any processions or protests on the day.

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In 2015, two people lost their lives as the Tipu Jayanti celebrations turned violent and so the government has asked the police to ensure that Tipu Jayanti celebrations be conducted on November 10 in Karnataka under heavy police deployment.

The state police have identified sensitive and hypersensitive areas in Kodagu, Mysuru and Dakshina kannada.

According to police sources the deployment will be as follows :

There are 10 check posts that lead Mysuru and Kodagu through Kannur, Wayanad, Kasaragod and Hassan, Dakshina Kannada and Mysore districts. These check posts will keep a close vigil on miscreants who may disrupt peace. Prohibitory orders will be out in place from Thursday until Saturday.

40 CCTV cameras have been installed in all check posts and a total of 249 CCTV cameras have been installed in Madikeri, Virajpet and Somawarpet in Kodagu district.

Especially in the areas around Kodagu, the police deployment will include 1 additional police superintendent, 8 Deputy superintendent of police, 23 police inspectors, 68 sub inspector, 113 assistant sub-inspectors, 1500 constables, 27 district armed units, 15 KSRP Troops and a company of rapid operation forces.

The forest department too have been asked to cooperate with the police as it is a heavily wooded area and in case of law and order issues, they would need their assistance.

800 history sheeters have been asked to sign bonds so that they will not cause any law and order problems.

Sale of liquor has been banned on Friday and the police are holding peace meetings with various groups in Mysuru and Kodagu to ensure peace in the area.

The BJP leaders who have been crying hoarse that their names should not be printed in the invitation cards for the state Tipu Jayanti celebrations have finally got their way. The district authorities have reprinted the invitation cards while dropping the names of BJP MPs Ananth Kumar Hegde and Suresh Angadi.

Ananth Kumar Hegde had written a letter to the chief secretary asking his name to be removed from all invites. They had claimed that the congress government was doing it against their will.

--- ENDS ---

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IMC urged to fast-track SASSA, SAPO deal

CALS and the Black Sash Trust are monitoring developments in the social grant payments system

The Constitutional Court's decision extending the suspension of invalidity on the contract between the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) ends on 31 March 2018. For SASSA to meet its legal obligations, it needs an alternative grant payment system and in the interim a new service provider. However, since the Constitutional Court judgment on 17 March 2017, there has been no progress.



Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for Comprehensive Social Security, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, told the joint hearing of Parliaments Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Social Development Portfolio Committee today that government will move with the necessary speed to introduce an integrated payment system which will be provided by government through a partnership between SASSA and the South African Post Office (SAPO), working with entities like Home Affairs. A project plan will be developed by Friday 17 November 2017. While the intervention by the IMC is welcomed at this late stage, we would like to see concrete action by 21 November 2017.



It is also unclear what is meant by a hybrid model for the payment of grants and how the banks will be involved. The Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) indicated its willingness to assist. One of its members, Grindrod Bank, with IT support from Net1, has created the SASSA bank account and recently the EasyPay Everywhere bank account to facilitate debit orders and other deductions particularly for Net1 subsidiaries.

In the course of our community monitoring work, we have taken up many cases of unauthorised, fraudulent and unlawful deductions and debit orders. We do not want a repeat of the past where profit is the sole motive of the service provider and grant beneficiaries constitutional right to social security and social assistance is violated. In order to re-establish the integrity of the social grant system the Black Sash would like to reiterate the important considerations below:

The personal confidential data collected during the social grant registration process must be protected and used only for the payment of grants. It should not be used for the marketing and sales of financial and other services. This protection should also include the bank cards issued to grant beneficiaries, the machines reading these cards and the control of access to confidential data. The bank accounts of grant beneficiaries must be ring fenced and protected from debit orders and unauthorised, fraudulent and unlawful deductions. Child support grants and temporary grants need particular protection. The new bank account should include some free services such as no transaction costs should be charged for cash withdrawals from ATMs, and grant beneficiaries should receive at least one free bank statement a month. Grant beneficiaries must be able to navigate the recourse system themselves, with no cost which is currently almost impossible.

CALS and the Black Sash will continue to monitor these developments and look forward to the report on 21 November 2017
By P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan, Jeemon Jacob: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today tabled Justice Sivarajan Commission report on high profile multi-crore solar scam. The report has indicted former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy along with his personal staff for helping Team Solar company Saritha.

While tabling the report, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that his government had decided to form a special investigation team headed by DGP Rajesh Dhawan to probe the recommendations of the Commission. The team will probe all charges including sexual abuses leveled against Oommen Chandy, former UDF ministers, sitting and former MLAs, and sitting members of Lok Sabha without naming them.

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He also added that Special Investigation team headed by DGP A Hemachandran, who previously probed the solar scam, would face vigilance inquiry and criminal proceedings for the cover up in the case. "Our policy is to provide equal justice to all and we have taken action as part of our policy. I assure the House that we would continue to ensure equal justice to all," Vijayan said.

CHANDY CORNERED

On the other hand, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala challenged tabling of the judicial commission report alleging that the LDF government was trying to trap Oommen Chandy in sexual abuse case. "We would not allow such move and we will take the issue to the people of Kerala", Chennithala said.

Chennithala was the first person to mention Chandy's name in connection with sexual harassment case in solar scam. Soon, Chief Minister stood up and told the Assembly that he had not mentioned "former Chief Minister's name" while tabling the report but it was Leader of Opposition who made the remark.

"Sir, even now I am not mentioning his name. But Leader of Opposition has mentioned former Chief Minister's name. I don't understand his motive. Our policy is to provide equal justice to all. We will continue with our policy in government," CM Vijayan said.

"It was a wrong move. The UDF has been defaced and Chief Minister scored over them with the punching remark," senior legislator PC George, who represents Poonjar told India Today. George was with the Congress during UDF rule but contested 2016 Assembly election as independent candidate.

CPI(M) legislator Suresh Kurup felt Leader of Opposition's remark was "unwarranted". Kurup said, "It was objectionable too. His remarks will go in the records of Assembly for ever. He played a Brutus."

SOLAR SCAM

As per the allegations, the Team Solar Energy Company, floated by main accused Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha S Nair, used women to lobby with the influential people in the UDF government including the then CM Chandy. The scam involved alleged duping of crores of rupees from people in powerful positions.

The solar scam came to light when one of the customers, who had paid for the installation of solar panel filed a case against the company. Justice Sivarajan Commission has presented its report in four volumes. Solar scam popped up during the previous UDF government under Chandy.

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WHAT DOES REPORT SAY?

The enquiry conducted by Justice Sivarajan has found that former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy through his personal staff assisted solar scam accused Saritha and her company in enabling them to cheat their customers. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also submitted the action taken report.

It says that the then Home Minister T Radhakrishnan made all efforts to ensure that Oommen Chandy was extricated from criminal liability by influencing police officers. Former Power Minister Arayadan Mohammad allegedly assisted Team Solar company in whatever manner possible.

The SIT has strained much by dubious method to give a clean chit to Oommen Chandy from criminal liability. The SIT did not probe into involvement of other ministers, government officials, central ministers, MLAs and police officials.

Persons mentioned in Saritha Nair's letter dated for July 9, 2013 had contacts with her and her advocate over phone. Judicial commission has recommended that the case should be considerate for applicability of Prevention of Corruption Act in the matter.

The commission recommended further enquiry by a competent authority to uphold the discipline of police force. It also suggested necessary steps to be taken to preserve CCTV footage of secretariat and offices of ministers at least for a year.

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The Sangli police arrested four of their colleagues for allegedly beating a prisoner Aniket Kothale, a suspect in a theft case, to death in their custody and later burning his dead body to destroy the evidence.

By Kiran Tare: Taking a suo motu cognizance of a prisoner's murder in police custody the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to Maharashtra Director General of Police.

The NHRC has asked DGP Satish Mathur to submit a detailed report on the matter within four weeks. The commission also has asked Mathur to clarify why he failed to inform it about the custodial death despite standing guidelines to report such incidents within 24 hours of the incident.

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In its notice, the NHRC has observed that the law enforcing agencies are for the protection of the people. Anyone who is a suspect of a crime, if taken into custody by police, is expected to be protected by his custodian. The gruesome act committed by the police personnel is the worst example of cruelty and lawlessness amounting to violation of Right to Life of the victim.

The Sangli police on Wednesday had arrested four of their colleagues for allegedly beating a prisoner Aniket Kothale, a suspect in a theft case, to death in their custody and later burning his dead body to destroy the evidence. The policemen, one sub inspector and four constables, had claimed that Kothale had escaped from their custody.

Inspector General Vishwas Nangre-Patil said that the policemen allegedly used third degree on Kothale. "The investigation has revealed that he was suffocated by immersing his face into water and was hung upside down and was hit hard which resulted in his death," he said.

The policemen had taken the body of the deceased to the Civil Hospital and the doctors were reportedly told to give a favorable report.

As the doctors refused to toe their line, the policemen took Kothale's body to Ambaghat area in a private car. On November 7, the body was set on fire at another spot by the police personnel by pouring kerosene.

The body reportedly did not burn completely and they poured some petrol on it and burnt it again. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Sangli Dr Deepali Kale had found the suspects missing when she visited the police station in the early hours of November 7. She was told that during night the accused had fled from the custody.

The state Crime Investigation Department (CID) is likely to initiate a probe in this matter.

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By India Today Web Desk: Himachal Polls 2017 LIVE: Voting underway; BJP says time to get rid of Congress has come

Polling in Himachal Pradesh over 68 assembly seats is underway to decide the fate of 337 candidates, with the BJP feeling confident of wresting the state from the Congress.

Now, Riyadh says Prince Abdul Aziz is not dead in purge crackdown

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Reports had earlier said Abdul Aziz had died, hours after the the death of Mansour Bin Muqrin, son of former crown prince Muqrin al-Saud.

Mahira Khan apologises for photos with Ranbir. Was it really a 'mistake'?

Mahira Khan opened up about the viral photos with Ranbir Kapoor and apologised for making a mistake.

Team India needs Dhoni in dressing room: Nehra to India Today

MS Dhoni cannot be expected to perform the way he used to when he was 26 and he should continue to play both limited-overs formats for India if his body can take the toll, said Ashish Nehra.

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A 17-year-old dies of cancer in Mumbai. But, his father refused to bury his body. Police intervened three times over 12 days before the last rites could be performed.

By Divyesh Singh: After repeated interventions by police, a 17-year-old boy's body was buried at a burial ground in central Mumbai yesterday, 12 days after he breathed his last. He died on October 27 after a long battle with cancer. But, his bishop father refused to bury his body.

Bishop Octavio Nevis kept the body of his son Meshak in a refrigerated glass box for 12 days offering prayers to God in order to bring him back to life. The family claimed that Meshak had been declared dead on two occasions in the past by the doctors of the Tata Memorial cancer hospital. But, he came back to life on both occasions, they claimed.

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The bishop's family believed that Meshak would come back to life if they offered prayers to God. After Meshak's death last month, his body was embalmed and kept under freezing condition to prevent it from decomposing. Bishop Nevis kept praying with his disciples and family members for 12 days.

PRAYERS AND POLICE

Meshak's body was initially kept at the family's ground floor residence at Krishna apartment in Subhash Nagar, Chinchpokli area of Mumbai. But, three days later, some neighbour tipped off the police about the superstitious ritual going on in the locality.

Police intervened and the family was forced to shift the body from the residential colony to Octavio Nevis' Jesus For All Nations (JFAN) church in Nagpada in Mumbai. The prayers continued at the JFAN for four more days. Four days later, the police again came knocking and asked the bishop's family to perform the last rites.

Meshak's family told the police that they would be taking his body to Ambernath for burial. But, at the JFAN church in Ambernath, the bishop resumed his prayers along with his disciples and family members. But, the police again visited them after five days and warned the family of serious action if they did not perform the last rites. CASE AND CLAIMS

Finally, the bishop agreed to bury his son's body. The bishop is now facing a case filed by Dr Narendra Dabholkar's Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti (ANIS). The ANIS has petitioned that a case be filed against Octavio Nevis for promoting superstition.

"We were conducting normal prayers to bring him back to life. We pray to god and God answers. Yes, earlier, he was brought back to life twice because of our prayers. He was declared dead by Tata hospital doctors. But, we prayed and God answered. We do normal prayers that is it," countered Shadrach Nevis, Meshak's elder brother.

Meshakh's elderly grandmother Philomena is very upset with media and police. Speaking to India Today she said, "It is our faith, our religion then why do people interfere. We don't interfere with anyone else's faith or belief. We are proud of him (Octavio Nevis). He has become so famous, thanks to the media and police, the whole world knows him."

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She added "?His body was not stiff at all. It was soft as ever. God kept him fresh and preserved him."

Neighbours in the building claimed that around 300 people arrived every morning in the compound after Meshakh's death. They sang and offered prayers till evening. The activity at the housing compound generated a lot of curiosity with more and more people coming to visit the site until someone tipped off the local police.

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Cameco to suspend McArthur River and Key Lake

09 November 2017

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Cameco will temporarily suspend production from the McArthur River mining and Key Lake milling operations in northern Saskatchewan by the end of January "due to continued uranium price weakness", the Canadian uranium producer announced yesterday. The duration of the suspension and temporary layoff of about 845 workers is expected to last 10 months, it said.

Uranium prices have fallen by more than 70% since the Fukushima accident in March 2011 and remain at low levels. Cameco said it has been partially sheltered from the full impact of weak prices by its portfolio of long-term contracts, but those contracts are running out and it is necessary to position the company today to generate cash flow if prices do not improve.

Cameco plans to meet its commitments to customers from inventory and other supply sources during the suspension, which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis "until inventory is sufficiently drawn down or market conditions improve". It will continue to evaluate the "optimal mix" of its sources of uranium supply to feed into its contract portfolio, which could see it make further changes to its inventory position, production profile or purchasing activity, it said.

The company's annual dividend in 2018 will be $0.08 per common share, a reduction of $0.32 per common share on an annual basis.

"With the continued state of oversupply in the uranium market and no expectation of change on the immediate horizon, it does not make economic sense for us to continue producing at McArthur River and Key Lake when we are holding a large inventory, or paying dividends out of proportion with our earnings," said Tim Gitzel, Cameco's president and CEO.

Cameco expects its share of the costs to maintain both operations during the suspension to range between CAD 6.5 and CAD 7.5 million per month. However, some of the items affecting these costs won't be known until the operations are actually shut down. More details will be provided in the companys fourth-quarter results, which will be released in February.

Cameco has committed sales volumes of 28 to 30 million pounds in 2018. Using inventory to help meet contract commitments now allows Cameco to draw down its inventory without suffering a loss by selling at low market prices, it said. It also avoids the risk of holding excess inventory valued above market prices on its balance sheet if prices remain low.

"This measure is consistent with other actions Cameco has implemented over the past five years as part of a deliberate and disciplined strategy to strengthen the company in the long term. We have reduced supply, avoided selling into a weak spot market, resisted locking-in long-term sales commitments at low prices, and significantly reduced costs, " it said.

"To decrease costs, we suspended production at the Rabbit Lake operation, stopped development and curtailed production at our US operations, reduced workforce across all our sites including head office, changed air commuter services for operations in Saskatchewan, changed shift schedules at two Saskatchewan sites, and downsized corporate office functions including a consolidation of our global marketing activities," it added.

As discussed in the company's third quarter 2017 Management Discussion & Analysis, the year-on-year, average unit cost of sales (including depreciation and amortisation) is down 13%, its cash production costs are down 10%, and direct administration costs are down 20%. Planned capital expenditures for 2017 are expected to be 26% lower than in 2016.

"To date, we have made good progress in reducing costs but unfortunately given the continued market weakness, more needs to be done," said Gitzel. "We can't control the market, so our focus is on positioning the company to weather the continued low uranium prices and have uncommitted, low-cost supply to deliver into a strengthening market."

As a result of the suspension, the workforce at the operations will be reduced temporarily by about 845 workers - 560 employees and 285 contractors. About 210 workers - 160 employees and 50 contractors will be retained to maintain the facilities in safe shutdown state.

Gitzel said: "We regret the impact these actions will have on our workforce and other stakeholders and are doing what we can to cushion it while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the company. We believe these actions will help shield the company from the nearer term risks we face and will benefit all our stakeholders for their continued patience and support of our strategy to build long-term value."

Cameco will also review its corporate support activities for McArthur River and Key Lake operations, which may result in temporary workforce reductions at the corporate office.

Cameco is the operator of both McArthur River mine and the Key Lake mill that processes all the ore from McArthur River to uranium concentrate. Cameco owns 70% of McArthur River and 83% of Key Lake. Areva Resources Canada Inc. owns the remainder. Together, the operations produced 11.1 million pounds of uranium in the first nine months of 2017, with Cameco's share being 7.8 million pounds.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
The Aswan High Dam is an embankment dam that was constructed across the Nile in Egypt in the years between 1960 and 1976. The Aswan High Dam is 3,830 meters long, 980 meters wide at the base, 40 meters wide at the crest, and 111 meters tall. It contains 43,000,000 cubic meters of material.

History

Prior to the construction of the High Dam, the flooding of the Nile occurred on a yearly basis down the valley from its drainage basin of origin. As a result, the floods gave rise to high water that was rich in natural nutrients and minerals that were able to nourish the fertile soil along its plains. The Nile valley has been suitable for farming activities for a long time. As Egypt's population grew and technology increased, it was necessary to control the flooding to protect and support farming land and its economically significant cotton crop. The Aswan Low Dam had been completed at the beginning of the 20th century downstream. It was the success of the Aswan Low Dam when it was utilized maximally that prompted the building of the Aswan High Dam after the Egyptian Revolution in 1952.

Significance of the Aswan High Dam

The Aswan High Dam has the ability to better regulate flooding and droughts. The dam mitigated the effects emanating from floods with navigation along the Nile river both upstream and downstream of the dam being improved. In addition, a new fishing industry has been established around the dam causing the establishment of factories for the industry and packaging being set up in close proximity to Lake Nasser.

The dam also provides increased water storage for irrigation in surrounding areas and generates hydroelectricity. In this respect, the dam has proven to be of great importance to Egypts plans of industrialization. It has been established that the dam has had a notable effect on the culture and economy of the country.

The reservoir storage has been increased by construction of the High Aswan dam. The regulation of floods is made possible and the excess water could be stored to be released later over a number of years. As a result of the lack of reliable rainfall, Egypts agriculture is heavily dependent upon irrigation. It facilitates the growth of two crops per year which is beneficial and when the high dam at Aswan releases water, it is channeled into the irrigation canals.

The Aswan High Dam has led to an increase in agricultural production, electricity generation, employment opportunities, and enhancement of navigation that gives a boost to the tourism industry. However, in the event of all these vital aspects, the dam flooded a significantly large area resulting in the relocation of many people, coastline erosion, soil salinity, and health complications. In spite of these negative aspects, with a reservoir capacity of 132 cubic kilometers, the Aswan High Dam provides water for about 33,600 km of irrigation land and hence meets the irrigation needs of both Egypt and Sudan.
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The train would start ferrying passengers from November 16. It would leave Kolkata at 11 am (Indian time) and reach Khulna after four-and-a-half hours.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina will jointly launch a cross-country passenger train service today.

The Khulna-Kolkata train service opens two bridges on railway routes connecting Dhaka with Sylhet and Chittagong.

Bangladesh government officials said the two premiers would inaugurate the projects through a video conferencing from New Delhi and Dhaka. They would also launch an 'end-to-end' immigration facility to ease Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree train services.

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Railway officials said the two new bridges have been built on the Bhairab and Titas rivers for the second track for simultaneous operation of up and down train services from Dhaka to Chittagong and Sylhet.

"We will call the new structures as the second Bhairab Bridge and second Titas bridge," a railway official familiar with the process said.

The train, which will operate on the 117-km-long Khulna-Kolkata route, would be dubbed as 'Bandhan Express'.It would start ferrying passengers from November 16 and according to the schedule, it would leave Kolkata at 11 am (Indian time) and reach Khulna after four-and-a-half hours.

The 984-meter long and 7-metre wide Bhairab Railway Bridge was built at a cost of 567 crore Taka. Its construction work began on December 25, 2013 and ended last month.

Under an agreement with Bangladesh government, India's Ircon-Afcons JV constructed the bridge having both dual gauge and broad-gauge facilities.

The new Titas Bridge is 218-metre long and 7-metre wide and was built at a cost of 161.36 crore Taka by another Indian company called Gannon-Flcl Consortium under a nearly identical agreement with the government.

The construction work of the second Titas Bridge started on January 27, 2014 and ended last month.

Bangladesh Railway's eastern zone general manager and project director of the two bridges Md Abdul Hai told media that the up train from Dhaka would move through one bridge, while the down one would use the other bridge. The trains connecting Dhaka with the major two cities could ply without any crossing at Bhairab and Akhaura stations.

"The bridges will reduce travel time between Dhaka and Chittagong and Dhaka and Sylhet. We will be able to run the dual gauge and broad gauge trains at 100-km and 120-km per hour respectively," the official said.

Hai said Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) of Bangladesh had approved the initiative on November 9, 2010 to smoothen the Dhaka-Chittagong double line train services.

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A mother said she is deeply sorry over the deadly car crash she caused while she was distracted.

52-year-old Maha Al-Shennag from Australia, dropped off her son to his Arabic class at 9:45 a.m. before the crash occurred.

As Al-Shennag, a widowed mother of 4 children, began driving away from the schools parking lot, she dropped a water bottle.

Police believe that as she was leaning over to pick up the water bottle, she accidentally pressed on the accelerator of her Toyota Kluger SUV.

She plowed through the wall and stopped inside a classroom at the Banksia Road Primary School in Sydney.

Neighbors who heard the commotion ran to the school, where they helped free children from underneath the car.

24 children were in the classroom with their teacher. Many students and the teacher were treated at the scene.

Two boys were taken to Westmead Childrens Hospital, where they died of their injuries. The boys were identified as Andrew Encias and Jihad Darwiche.

A 9-year-old girl in a serious condition and two 8-year-old girls are recovering at the hospital, where they are said to be in a stable condition.

The female driver was not injured but she was taken to Bankstown Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests after the crash.

Police said that this is a case of a tragic accident.

Al-Shennag was arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm by misconduct. Her licence was also suspended.

Al-Shennags attorney Nick Hanna released a statement, saying that her client is deeply sorry for the loss and hurt suffered by the children, the school, the families and the community.

The father of Jihad Darwiche released an emotional Facebook video as he was riding in the hearse with his sons casket behind him.

He spoke in Arabic and the driver, a family member, translated what he said.

The father Ahmad Hraichie said that the family forgives the driver as this was the will of the creator.

The father added that people should not retaliate against the school as this was not their fault, or against the driver.

He also said that the family is willing to sit down with Al-Shennag over a meal and discuss how to move forward.
KODIAK, Alaska (AP)  Alaska researchers warn that the changing levels of ocean acidity could have grave consequences for red king crab populations in the Bering Sea.

The acidity of waters off Alaska could change dramatically over the next 50 years, leading to possible crab stock failure in about 100 years, said Robert Foy, director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Centers Kodiak Laboratory.

A change in pH, the scale of acidity, is occurring as more carbon dioxide is dissolved in the water, Alaskas Energy Desk reported . Researchers expect ocean acidification to occur faster at locat...
By India Today Web Desk: Nawazuddin Siddiqui's first girlfriend, theatre and television actress Sunita Rajwar, was not amused when she found a mention in his memoir, An Ordinary Life. She has sent a legal notice to Nawazuddin, journalist Rituparna Chatterjee who helped pen the book and the publishers, Mumbai Mirror reports.

Calling it "extraordinary lies", Sunita had slammed Nawazuddin on Facebook for claiming that she dumped him because she probably wanted to "date someone successful, not a struggling, desperate actor who was out of work." She also denied that she had been telling people about their relationship once he became famous, and challenged him to name the people she had supposedly been talking to.

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Nawazuddin posted an apology on Twitter after the backlash and announced that the book will be withdrawn. Not just Sunita, Niharika Singh had also hit out at the Haraamkhor actor for "fabricating stories and manipulating a fleeting relationship". Nawazuddin, in his book, had claimed that he was in a year-and-a-half long extra-marital affair with Niharika and revealed personal details about their relationship without her consent.

In her legal notice, Sunita included excerpts from the memoir where her name is mentioned and the reason for their break-up was assumed to be his poor financial condition. She said that the depiction of their relationship in the book is false, and that it has caused her mental trauma and hurt, as well as spoiled her reputation. Even though Nawazuddin withdrew the memoir, it is still in circulation, she claimed, stating that the damage caused is irreparable.

Sunita has demanded that Nawazuddin apologise to her in a press conference, and post the same on his social media handles within 24 hours of receiving the notice. She also demanded a compensation of Rs 2 crore, which shall be given to charity, from all the recipients of the notice. Sunita has also put forth the condition that Nawazuddin should not use her name in any publication from this point on.

ALSO WATCH: FIR against Nawazuddin for slapping a girl

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For almost one month, 12,000 Ontario community college professors, instructors, counsellors and librarians have been on strike to win wage increases after years of pay restraint, greater academic freedom, and job security for low-paid contract workers.

The corporate press has characterized the striking workers as obstinate and unreasonable in their demands. On the other hand, the College Employer Council (CEC) has been portrayed as a fair and exasperated party to the negotiations, whose members overriding concern is the well-being of the provinces half-million college students. The truth is this body of high-salaried managers and administrators is determined to uphold the precarious working conditions and low wages that are undermining the college system for students and teachers alike.

In recent days, the provincial Liberal government, which has repeatedly criminalized job action by workers, has signaled that it stands ready to illegalize the strike. Emboldened by the governments support and union retreats at the bargaining table, the CEC is now availing itself of anti-worker legislation to compel the strikers to vote on its final offera proposed contract that would meet none of their demands.

The thoughts and perspectives of the workers themselves are almost nowhere to be found. The potted comments of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) union officials are not aimed at mobilizing workers to fight for their entirely justified demands, but at reaching an accommodation with management and imposing a sell-out deal on its members. OPSEU has acknowledged the bankruptcy of its own leadership by announcing that the issue of job security will not be resolved in the current strike, instead shunted off to a committee for further study.

Educators on the picket line at George Brown College in Toronto were eager to share their thoughts on the strike with a WSWS reporting team.

The strike is about taking a principled position on workers rights, began one full-time professor in the colleges Social & Community Services Department.

This strike is against the precarity thats happening in post-secondary education, but also happening everywhere else as well, he continued. That is linked to working with dignity in the educational system. Its linked to being able to deliver quality education, and thats linked to the wider health and sustainability of all our communities. It is a large struggle that has many far-reaching goals.

Ed Ksenych, a full-time sociology professor, elaborated on the pervasiveness of part-time teaching contracts and administrative control over the curriculumthe two primary issues in the strike.

One of the decisions theyve made is to increasingly hire contract faculty. Four-fifths of the faculty here are contract faculty, working in very precarious positions, he explained.

We are fighting for equal pay for equal work, contract faculty or not, added Ed. They are not getting paid what full-time staff are paid, despite doing the same work. Administration has done that by not paying them for evaluation and preparatory time.

Another reason why I think were out on strike is that faculty have been excluded from important decision-making and input, particularly with regard to our work and academics.

When asked about working conditions for contract faculty, a partial-load professor in the Social Work program described the situation faced by the 81 percent of instructors who fall into this category. We are hired every four months, or not hired, he explained. Theres no way to know until you get that contract and sign it. You could get hired for the same course five times in a row, and then someone else could get that, and theres no recourse really. You could get all new courses every term.

Every time you teach a new course, its a huge learning curve for the instructor. Its challenging. Its evenings and weekends. Theres very little in the way of a downtime anymore.

That does impact the classroom in the end, he added. You have to take shortcuts sometimes. How can you learn the material you want to be teaching so that you can speak from a place of expertise in the classroom, and at the same time provide meaningful feedback, all with a huge amount of volume?

Chris, a counsellor, added, For contract faculty, they dont get much prescribed in the way of course preparation. Theyre just given the course outline and told just go and develop this whole course. But youre only paid for the nine hours that youre actually in the class.

So, yeah, you earn 80 bucks an hour for those nine hours. But that gets whittled down when youre working twenty extra hours a week, because youre having to prepare all your materials.

Pointing to the broader political issue of attacks on public education and attacks on democratic rights, a social work professor commented, When youre precarious, youre afraid to stand up for the values and principles of public education for fear of blacklisting.

Post-secondary education, whether its university or college, are democratic spaces. We produce the future populations and leaders of a democratic society. But if youre afraid to stand up for principles of equity, social justice, critical thinking, then you wont have those values in your future society. Youre de-democratizing our society. Thats what we stand against. This is all connected.

The strike is a key moment in Ontario, noted her colleague. Were trying to create opportunities for the public to understand. Im on the bus, someone asks me why youre striking, I tell them, Oh, do you know that we have 81 percent part-timers? And people on the bus go, What! It is beyond belief that this is how our educational system is functioning.

In an attempt to pit students against their professors, the media has given prominence to a campaign by several college student associations demanding that both sides quickly reach an agreement.

For Ed Ksenych and his colleagues, the pressures faced by students are deeply connected to the issues at stake in the strike.

Im not doing this for me, he told the WSWS. I voted to go out on strike for the contract faculty and because of what I saw happening negatively not just recently but over many years to my students.

One of the worst things thats been happening has been the intensification of teaching and learningshortening the semesters, downloading more onto students backs. Weve seen that our students are not handling this well. Mental health issues are going up. I see them struggling in class just to stay awake, because theyre working at the same time that theyre trying to complete a degree.

If you take a look at the root of the word school, it comes from the Greek word for leisure. Its the one thing our students do not have. We did have it in my generation. We had time to actually learn. Right now everything is so under pressure that the students are under immense distress. Mostly time distress, but add on to that economic distress as well.

Shelly Mehta, a professor of Early Childhood Education, emphasized that the rank-and-file educators place the students first, despite the often inadequate resources.

Our department goes above and beyond to accommodate students, she said. Other departments do the same, we really do cater to our students, but its difficult. Im the coordinator for the first year of the program, and adding on seventy students to my load with the same hours is tough, because youre finding that workload just increases, and its draining. There are a few students out there that Im personally concerned about. These classes are their safety net, and theyre not here, so I worry about them.

Shellys colleague Rachel Brophy, a professor in the same department, urged students to join their struggle.

I wish they would be more engaged, because that kind of solidarity would strengthen the fight, she said. Whats happening here has such an impact on them as students, but it will also impact on them once they are working.

When asked how educators and the working class as a whole should carry forward the fight against capitalist austerity, in the face of the routine defeats of isolated strikes, Rachel replied, We have to know that we are fighting the same fight, were battling the same issues at our workplaces, even though we work for different institutions. Its a workforce battle, in terms of contract work, decent pay, job stability.

Maybe its a lesson that we need to collaboratea united front.
Democrats scored lopsided victories in state and local elections on Tuesday, propelled by mounting popular opposition to President Donald Trump and his attacks on health care and democratic rights.

The Democrats easily ended eight years of Republican control of the New Jersey statehouse, as Democrat Phillip Murphy defeated the incumbent lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, by 15 percentage points in the race for governor of the 11th most populous state in the US.

In the more hotly contested and politically significant Virginia gubernatorial race, the Democrats retained the governorship of the 12th largest state as incumbent Lt. Governor Ralph Northam bested Republican lobbyist and former party chairman Ed Gillespie by an unexpectedly large margin of nine percentage points. The Democratic sweep included all three statewide officesgovernor, lieutenant governor and attorney generaland the capture of at least 15 formerly Republican seats in the Virginia House of Delegates, the state legislatures lower chamber.

The Democrats rout in the legislative races was on a virtually unprecedented scale. Going into Tuesday, the Republicans controlled 66 of the chambers 100 seats. With several races still too close to call, the Democrats may very well take control of the body, marking the most sweeping shift in the Virginia legislature since Reconstruction.

The outcome was not a vote of confidence in either Northam or the Democratic Party, which suffered a debacle in the 2016 elections and lost four special congressional elections earlier this year. Rather, it was a repudiation of the politics of the far-right, which are being encouraged by both Trump and his former chief adviser, Stephen Bannon, the head of Breitbart News.

Virginia is the state where, last August, white supremacists and neo-Nazis staged an armed demonstration in Charlottesville, the home of the University of Virginia. One of the marchers plowed into a group of counter-protesters with his vehicle, killing Heather Heyer. After the fascist riot, Trump solidarized himself with the neo-Nazis, declaring that they included very fine people, while placing the blame for the violence on both sides.

In the final month of the campaign, Gillespie, a veteran of the Republican Party establishment, who had served as a counselor to George W. Bush, adopted the racist and anti-immigrant tactics of Bannon. He accused Northam of protecting undocumented immigrants and violent immigrant gangs by casting the deciding vote against a Republican-backed bill banning the establishment of sanctuary cities in the state. He also sought to link Northam to a convicted pedophile and denounced him for supporting the removal of Confederate statues from public squares.

At the same time, Gillespie sought to distance himself from Trump personally, barely mentioning his name and declining to invite him to come to Virginia to campaign in his behalf. Trump, for his part, issued a series of tweets in the run-up to the vote declaring that a Northam victory would result in rampant crime and the unleashing of the Salvadoran M-13 gang.

Northam, a conservative former Army doctor who had twice voted for George W. Bush and had been unsuccessfully recruited by Virginia Republicans, capitulated to Gillespies immigrant baiting. In the final week of the campaign he declared that, if elected, he would sign a bill to ban the establishment of sanctuary cities. He also repudiated a campaign ad sponsored by a Latino organization showing a pickup truck with a Gillespie for governor sticker and a Confederate flag chasing down a group of minority youth.

Despite Northams capitulation, Gillespies open appeal to racist and fascistic elements evidently backfired, ensuring his defeat and widening its margin.

Northam was chosen by the Clinton wing of the Democratic Party establishment to pursue its strategy of largely writing off voters in rural areas and working class regions devastated by layoffs and mine closures and basing its campaign on more affluent suburban voters as well as minorities. He defeated a Bernie Sanders-backed challenger, former congressman Tom Perriello, in the Democratic primary last spring.

During the campaign, he issued ads promising to work with Trump and avoided the issue of social inequality or any other question that remotely challenged the wealth and power of the ruling class. He focused instead on gun control and diversity, i.e., questions of racial and gender identity. In his victory speech, Northam called for unity, saying the election was a mandate to end the divisiveness  and to end the politics that have torn this country apart.

Despite Northam and the generally right-wing character of his campaign, popular hatred for Trump found a distorted and limited expression in his vote and that for other Democratic candidates. Transgender candidate Danica Roem defeated the incumbent Republican state legislator who had boasted that he was the states chief homophobe and sponsored a bill restricting transgender people from using bathrooms of their choice in government buildings.

The Republican author of fliers denouncing Latino gang members was defeated by a Democratic Latina candidate. The Republican whip in the House of Delegates was defeated by a Democratic Socialists of America member running as a Democrat. Another Republican incumbent was defeated by the boyfriend of the television reporter who was murdered on camera last year, running on a gun control program.

Voter turnout in Virginia was the highest in 20 years, up by more than 12 percent from the last gubernatorial election. It was particularly high in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., which have large numbers of federal employees and are generally more affluent than the rest of the state.

Northam won 80 percent of the vote in Arlington, 78 percent in Alexandria, 68 percent in Fairfax County and 60 percent in Loudon and Prince William counties. He performed better in these areas than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, who won the state overall by 5 percentage points. He also did better in small cities such as Richmond and Norfolk and in their suburbs. He lost heavily in most of rural Virginia, including the former mining regions in the southwest, but not as badly as Clinton had.

Exit polls show that Northam crushed Gillespie among younger voters, scoring 69 percent of the under-30 vote as compared to Clintons 54 percent. Black voters favored Northam over Gillespie by a 73-point margin, while Hispanic voters did so by 33 points.

Northam also ran well ahead of the retiring incumbent Democratic governor, Terry McAuliffe, who narrowly won (48-46 percent) in 2013.

According to exit polls, 47 percent of voters strongly disapproved of Trump. Of these voters, 95 percent cast ballots for Northam. Thirty-four percent of voters said they went to the polls to register opposition to Trump.

Despite the focus of both candidates on immigration and crime, health care was by far the most important issue for voters, with 39 percent listing it as their top issue. This was more than double the next issue, gun policy, at 17 percent, which was followed by immigration. Northam won the health care vote 77 percent to 23 percent.

The victor in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, Phillip Murphy, is a former Goldman Sachs banker and major Democratic Party donor who was appointed US ambassador to Germany by President Obama. His victory was a forgone conclusion as the Republican incumbent, Chris Christie, had seen his poll numbers decline to 14 percent. Voter turnout in New Jersey was a record low 35.1 percent.

Murphy adopted a more populist posture than Northam, aligning himself more closely with the trade unions on the basis of support for a $15 minimum wage and talk about raising taxes on the wealthy. He is positioning himself to work with the unions in slashing the states massive pension liability on the backs of the workers.

Other elections across the country that indicate the growth of anti-Trump sentiment include:

* The capture by the Democrats of an Upper Peninsula Michigan House seat by more than 20 points in a district that Trump had won by four points.

* The Democratic capture of a Republican-held seat in the Washington State Senate, giving the Democrats complete control over the state legislature. As a result, the Democrats now control the executive and legislative branches of the entire Pacific Coast, including California, Oregon and Washington, accentuating the geographic divide between the solidly Democratic West Coast and Northeast and virtually the entire center and part of the country.

* Democratic victories in three special elections for the Georgia House of Representatives in districts that had been won by Trump.

* The approval by Maine voters of a referendum to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in defiance of the Republican governor, who had vetoed a similar measure.

Incumbent Democrats easily won reelection in mayoral elections in New York and Boston.

In the face of these indications of a general shift to the left in popular sentiment, the predominant response within the Democratic Party establishment is to call for the party to move even further to the right. Douglas E. Schoen, a former pollster for President Bill Clinton and author of Putins Master Plan: To Destroy Europe, Divide NATO, and Restore Russian Power and Global Influence, wrote in a post on The Hill website that Northam had rejected the brand of liberal progressive politics as that promoted by Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. He continued: Democrats in particular must continue to embrace the policy alternatives and centrist positions that propelled Northams success.

The Washington Post editorialized: The triumph of Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam in Virginias gubernatorial election Tuesday was a victory of decency, civility and moderation Despite some flirtation with a $15 minimum wage and a few other populist stances during the spring Democratic primary, when he faced and vanquished a leftist challenger, his campaign generally avoided appeals to the Bernie Sanders-inspired extreme of his partys base.
The state of Texas executed Mexican citizen Ruben Ramirez Cardenas, 47, late Wednesday night via lethal injection after a last-minute appeal by his attorneys to the US Supreme Court to halt his scheduled execution was rejected. The execution had been denounced in advance by the Mexican government and by international human rights advocates.

Cardenas had been convicted and sentenced to death in 1998 for the abduction and murder of his 16-year-old cousin, Mayra Laguna, the previous year. Cardenas insisted that his confession to police had been coerced and maintained his innocence even as he was ushered into the death chamber in Huntsville, Texas.

I will not and cannot apologize for someone elses crime, but, I will be back for justice. You can count on that! Cardenas declared in his final written statement.

According to his legal team, the evidence used against Cardenas was faulty and the confession used in his trial was forced under pressure from the police. His attorneys had also argued that state officials violated his rights by not allowing new-found evidence to undergo DNA testing.

Notably Cardenas was not given an attorney until 11 days after his arrest, during which time he was interrogated freely by police. Furthermore, Cardenas was never given the chance to speak to Mexicos consulate after he was arrested, in violation of international law.

Cardenas attorney, Maurie Levin, argued that evidence used against Cardenas is now obsolete. This includes DNA tests conducted over 20 years agoa time when the accuracy and methods of forensic testing were in questionand an eyewitness who could not identify Cardenas in a lineup but identified him at trial.

The central evidence used in Cardenas conviction were his various confessions. His story varied during the interrogation over the week and a half he had no attorney.

Levin argued that Cardenas confessions are false and extremely unreliable, citing inconsistencies between his confessions and the facts of the crime including lack of evidence of sexual activity even though Cardenas said that he raped his cousin, and his statement that he killed her in the back of a car despite only two drops of blood being found there.

Under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, all persons arrested from a foreign nation must be informed that they are able to contact their nations consulate and receive regular consultation from the consulate during their detention. In 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that the US violated this treaty with more than fifty Mexican citizens on death row. The court ruled that all the cases were to be reviewed before any executions were carried out.

In a news release, U.N. Human Rights experts Agnes Callamard and Elina Steinerte stated, If the scheduled execution of Mr. Cardenas goes ahead, the US Government will have implemented a death penalty without complying with international human rights standards.

However, in 2008 the US Supreme Court ruled that the treaty was only binding to the federal government, and had no jurisdiction over the states. [International Court of Justice] decisions do not become domestic law absent a Congressional enactment, the high court ruled.

According to a Reuters report, the Mexican government still claims Texas actions to be illegal.

Cardenas is the seventh person put to death in Texas this year, a state which is infamous for carrying out more executions than any other.

Florida executes man for murders over 20 years ago

On Wednesday, the state of Florida executed Patrick Hannon, 53, for the murders of Brandon Snider and Robert Carter in 1991.

Hannon was killed via lethal injection in the Florida State Prisons death chamber in Starke and pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m. local time. Hannons death marks the third execution in the state since August.

According to official records, Hannon and his friend Jim Acker went to Sniders apartment in 1991 in response to Snider vandalizing Ackers sisters apartment. Acker initially attacked Snider with a knife, nearly severing his head. Robert Carter, Sniders roommate, was also at home and attempted to flee, but was shot six times by Hannon.

During his trial, Hannons jury initially recommended the death penalty after finding him guilty of both murders. Hannon had asked for another sentencing phase, based on recent changes to Floridas death sentencing process, but was denied.

Earlier in the year, the state of Florida revised its death penalty sentencing law, requiring a unanimous jury vote for a death sentence. The Supreme Court found that Floridas prior law, which did not require a unanimous vote, to be unconstitutional. However, the Florida Supreme Court decided that cases decided before 2002 are not affected by the new law and thus denied Hannons request to halt his execution.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente argued that Hannons jury was not given enough information or evidence to make an informed decision during the sentencing phase of the trial. Pariente dissented from the rest of the Supreme Court in denying Hannons request.

Hannons jury never heard the substantial mitigation that could have been presented if his counsel had performed a reasonable investigation, Pariente wrote.
Over a quarter (27 percent) of London residents live in poverty, according to a study by poverty charity Trust for London. The research also showed that a shocking 37 percent of London children are living in poverty.

Although the proportion of Londoners living in povertydefined as earning less than 60 percent of the median incomehas slightly decreased from the 29 percent reported six years ago, due to population increase the total number of Londoners living in poverty has remained fixed at a staggering 2.3 million people.

While figures vary across London, none of the capitals 32 boroughs has a poverty rate below 15 percent, nor fewer than around 30,000 residents experiencing poverty. Poverty, inequality and social exclusion are a London-wide problem, the report states, which requires a serious and concerted response from every borough.

Despite employment rates in London being ostensibly at their peak since 1992, more than half (58 percent) of Londoners in poverty live in a working family, a total of 1.3 million inhabitants. This is a 50 percent increase in a decade, and marks a shift in the nature of poverty away from workless families in social housing towards in-work poverty.

As the report noted, a major reason for this massive rise in in-work poverty is the increasing prevalence of insecure contracts, under-employment and low pay. According to Trust for London, families with adults working only part-time or with a self-employed member have higher rates of poverty than other working adults, at 45 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

The number of self-employed workers in the UK has rocketed over the last decade, reaching 4.7 million in 2016, of which more than half are low-paid. Businesses often classify workers who are, to all intents, full or part-time employees as self-employed so they can avoid paying sick pay, holiday pay and pensions.

Low pay also affects other working adults; just over one in five (21 percent) of employees in London are low-paid. Weekly pay in London has fallen over the last 10 years, with a larger proportion of workers earning less than 200 per week in 2016 than 10 years previously. In 2016, 13 percent (410,000) workers earned less than 200 a week, while another 20 percent, or 630,000, earned less than 400 (but more than 200).

The report noted that since the financial crisis, wages have either been stagnating or increasing very slowly, despite the fact that the cost of living has been rapidly increasing, particularly in terms of housing costs in London.

Housing costs in London are among the highest in the world, with average rents now at 1,800 a month according to property-lender Landbay. A single adult in poverty earns less than 144 a week after deducting taxes and housing costs, while the average family of four has less than 347 a week to cover all other living costs.

Housing costs in London are more than double the average outside the capital, one of the main reasons poverty in the UKs largest city is higher than in the rest of the country, where average poverty rates stand at a still-very-high 21 percent.

Average housing expenses have more than quadrupled in the last 20 years, while wages have risen only fractionally in comparison. Social housing costs have risen even more quickly than private rental costs, with local councils increasing rents by 30 percent in the last five years, compared to a rise of a fifth in the private sector.

As the report hints, the chief responsibility for these appalling poverty levels lies with Labour and Conservative governments, which have both carried out relentless cuts to social security benefits over the last decade.

Cuts to Local Housing Allowance payments (housing benefit for the private rented sector) and the introduction of the bedroom tax on council houses deemed to be under-occupied have made it harder for low-income families to live in London, according to the report. Other cuts to come to social security, such as reduced work allowances under Universal Credit, or limiting support to only two children, will only exacerbate this problem, it continued.

The research points to the damaging impact of the benefit cap, with the number of families in London affected rising by 70 percent when the cap was lowered. Eighty percent of those affected are families with children.

Although overall poverty rates have fallen, the report noted that the depth of poverty is beginning to gradually increase. One measure of this is having a household income below 50 percent of median income, rather than below 60 percent. Rates of deep poverty have increased by 1.5 percent over the last five years.

Trust for Londons study also revealed the rampant levels of wealth inequality in the UK capital. While more than a quarter of Londons population are struggling to get by, the capitals rich and super-rich are swimming in their ill-gotten gains.

Half of Londons wealth is owned by its richest 10 percent. The bottom 50 percent own only 5 percent, while the bottom fifth of households in London own a mere 0.1 percent.

Wealth inequality is far higher than income inequality. The income of someone just making it into the top 10 percent of households in London was eight times higher than that of someone just counted in the bottom 10 percent. On the other hand, the wealth of someone just in the top 10 percent was a staggering 295 times higher than someone just in the bottom 10 percent. In 2010-2012, it was 160 times higher.
By PTI: Srinagar, Nov 9 (PTI) An overground worker of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was today arrested in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district, police said.

Showkat Ahmad Lone was arrested by security forces during an operation in Kulgam, 75 kms from here, a police official said.

One pistol and four rounds were recovered from Lones possession, he said.

Lone, who was working as overground worker for Hizbul Mujahideen, was believed to be a close associate of outfits comander Riyaz Naikoo, the official said. PTI MIJ DIP

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Socialist Alternatives candidate for City Council, Ginger Jentzen, lost Tuesdays Ward 3 election to Democrat Steve Fletcher in a tightly contested race. Minneapolis elections employ rank-choice voting where voters rank their top three choices, their later choices transfering to that candidate when their top choices are eliminated. Jentzen won the most first choice votes but lost in the third round by a margin of 55.8 percent to 44.2 percent, totaling 3,844 votes.

Minneapolis municipal elections took place in amid widespread hostility to incumbent Mayor Betsy Hodges, who was humiliated in Tuesdays vote, winning just 18.1 percent of first choice votes and did not make it past the first round. Initially elected as a progressive member of the Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL), Hodges is now reviled for overseeing the crackdown on protests following the police murders of Jamar Clark and Justine Damond earlier this year. Hodges has protected the police from public outrage.

The fact that Jentzen, former director of the trade union coalition 15Now, won a significant amount of support is an indication that broad sections of voters remain interested in candidates who call themselves socialists. Though Jentzens campaign was a milquetoast brand of liberal reforms, including defending the Affordable Care Act, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and introducing rent control, she won support from voters attracted to her decision not to take money from corporations.

Socialist Alternative billed Jentzens campaign as a continuation of Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2016. Jentzen had the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who also backed Sanders campaign.

In April, Jentzen published an election statement laying out Socialist Alternatives orientation to the Democratic Party. Like Socialist Alternative City Councilperson Kshama Sawant in Seattle, Jentzen claims socialists must form a block with sections of the Democratic Party:

We should strongly oppose the city establishments efforts to oust the few on City Council who stood with low-wage workers. I will continue building the movement for $15 alongside Cam Gordon [Green Party] and Alondra Cano [Democratic Party], and I want more pro-worker City Council members.

No Democratic politician stands with low wage workers. Jentzens efforts to tell workers to trust the supposed progressive wing of the Democratic Party is a death sentence for workers and the fight for social equality. This shows the real purpose of Jentzens campaign: to block growing discontent with the Democratic Party from developing in a revolutionary socialist direction. As she put it, Elected officials need to use their positions as an organizing tool for social movements. In other words, elected officials need to collaborate with the Democrats to guide social opposition into safe channels that will not threaten capitalist property relations.

Jentzen proclaims that this alliance between the pseudo-left and sections of the Democratic Party must be based on the trade unions.

In her run for city council, Jentzen received endorsement from union bureaucracies, including the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7250. A significant factor in the MNAs support for Socialist Alternative lies in the fact that during the 2016 strike of 4,800 nurses, Socialist Alternative had members on the bargaining committee, which pushed concessions contracts on defiant nurses and sought to prevent the Minneapolis nurses from linking their struggle with other nurses on strike throughout the country.

Socialist Alternatives strategy is to integrate itself into the trade union bureaucracy. On November 4, the groups website announced that Ryan Timlin, a Socialist Alternative member, won an unopposed race to become president of Minneapoliss Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, whose 2,600 members drive the city busses.

In the face of growing hostility to the Democratic Party, reflected in Hodges Minneapolis defeat, Socialist Alternative is playing an increasingly prominent role in shoring up support for the local Democratic Party. This is the flip-side of efforts by the Sanders faction of the Democrats to recruit the pseudo-left into a coalition that will provide it with electoral legitimacy.

The World Socialist Web Site wrote on the recent Democratic Autopsy that proposed the party build relationships with groups that operate in the left orbit of the Democratic Party. It was notable that the autopsywritten by Democratic politicianscited the fight for $15 as an example of the power of union activism teaming up with non-union advocates for workersThat growth would certainly help to expand the middle class and, with it, support for the [Democratic] party.

Socialist Alternative is one of the sections of non-union advocates to which the Democratic Party is referring. Just as Socialist Alternatives Seattle City Councilperson Kshama Sawant has, the groups strategy is to build local coalitions in open alliance with sections of the Democrats to both provide the Democrats with a left crutch amidst growing social opposition and allow Socialist Alternatives network of activists and aspiring trade union bureaucrats to gain access to the levers of local political power.

Those interested in socialism should view Socialist Alternatives alliance with the Democratic Party as everything socialism is not.
Written and directed by Jason Hall

Jason Halls directorial debut, Thank You for Your Service, is a drama about three US soldiers returning from the Iraq War and their difficulties adjusting to civilian life.

The film is based on the 2013 non-fiction book of the same title by Washington Post reporter David Finkel, who concentrated on veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment returning to Kansas after a 15-month deployment in Iraq in 2007-2008.

The new movies greatest failing is its attempt to portray the psychic injuries inflicted on young American soldiers without addressing the character of US imperialisms neo-colonial enterprise in the Middle East. Thank You for Your Service takes for granted the just character of that conflict, or at least never raises the issue. In other words, what ought to be considered and criticized before anything else, the drive for global hegemony by the American ruling elite that goes by the name of the war on terror and which is responsible for the murderous violence done to Iraqis, Afghans and Americans, is left unexamined. The film is concerned solely with the immediate fate of the US troops.

The storyline is simple enough. Adam Schumann (Miles Teller), the movies central character, is guilt-ridden for having survived physically intact when others in his platoon were not so lucky. His recurring nightmare involves having dropped another soldier Michael Emory (Scott Haze) on his head, while he was carrying him out of a building during an ambush in Iraq (I still taste his blood). Adam is fortunate to be returning to a loving, patient wife (Haley Bennett) and their two small children.

Tausolo Solo Aieti (Beulah Koale), an American Samoan, although he too has the support of his (pregnant) wife, wants nothing more than to re-enlist. He credits the military with saving his life, by supposedly giving him some kind of one. Having survived a blast from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), his brain has been severely traumatized. The last of the lead trio in Thank You for Your Service is Will Waller (Joe Cole), who discovers upon his return that his fiancee has emptied their house and taken their daughter, leading him to commit suicide not long after the movie begins.

Reminiscences in bars between the threelater, the tworevolve around the death in Iraq of a fellow serviceman, James Doster, whose wife (Amy Schumerplaying it straight in an unimpressive performance) only gets the full story of his fate toward the end of the film. Solo soon becomes the patsy of a hard-nosed drug dealera veteran of the Persian Gulf War.

Every Iraq war veteran in Thank You for Your Service is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in one form or another. The movies production notes point out that since September 11, 2001, of the two million servicemen and women who have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, or both, roughly 500,000 have returned with some level of psychological wound.

However, the movies scope is breathtakingly narrow. We witness the callous treatment of the former soldiers at the hands of the Department of Veterans Affairs bureaucracy, but it does not occur to the filmmakers to make any connection between the brutality of this treatment and the brutality of the war itself. In the end, the American ruling elite, including the military brass, adopts the same hostile attitude toward its heroes in uniform as it does toward the populations it is attempting to subdue. The veterans are entirely disposable as soon as they are no longer able or willing to fight, a drain on resources and best left to rot.

Halls Thank You for Your Service does not even go through the motions of pretending to have any concern for the Iraqi people, who have suffered horribly for nearly three decades as a result of Washingtons geopolitical aims. More than one million Iraqis have died as a result of the actions of the American military, CIA and their allies in one of the greatest crimes of modern history.

The brief scenes in Iraq exist only as the occasion for American soldiers to suffer from atrocities committed by a dark, alien race. (We never slowed downwe just mowed them down, says Adam without remorse.) Hall has created a group of unconscious beings who never question what they were doing in and to someone elses country. In fact, many US veterans are devastated precisely by what they did to Iraq and the Iraqis, not by what the Iraqisfighting a foreign invaderdid to them.

The list of Iraq and Afghanistan war movies of exceptional quality is not that long, but a number of the better fiction and documentary works have driven home precisely this last point, including Of Men and War (2014, Laurent Becue-Renard), Good Kill (2014, Andrew Niccol), The Kill Team (2013, Dan Krauss), Far from Afghanistan (2012, the sections directed by Minda Martin and Travis Wilkerson), How to Fold a Flag (2009, Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein), Battle for Haditha (2007, Nick Broomfield) and others.

The pedigree of Thank You for Your Service is not a good one. Director Hall was the screenwriter for Clint Eastwoods dreadful 2015 movie American Sniper, whose promotion was, as the WSWS wrote, the latest means by which the political and media establishment in the US is pursuing its militaristic agenda. In the press notes for his Thank You for Your Service, Hall uncritically refers to the US as an empire and describes the soldiers as warriors. At the very best, he is bowing resignedly to this imperialist reality.

Furthermore, basing ones film on the writings of Finkel, a conventional bourgeois journalist formerly embedded with the US military in Iraq and supporter of the war on terror, is a poor starting-point for any serious project.

According to the movies production notes, it was during journalist David Finkels eight-month tenure embedded with the soldiers of the 2-16 Infantry Battalion that he met the man [Adam Schumann] who would largely serve as the bridge between his account of over there [in Iraq] (detailed in The Good Soldiers) and coming home (Thank You for Your Service).

Finkels sympathy for the damaged troops is entirely empty and hypocritical, since he endorses the lies and propaganda that helped get them there in the first place. He would merely like the American military to take a little more care in the conduct of its global warfare, including the treatment of veterans, so that it does not arouse popular indignation and opposition at home.

Tellingly, in US army whistleblower Bradley (now Chelsea) Mannings 2013 personal statement to his court martial, he condemned Finkel for withholding the video that became known as Collateral Murder when it was later released by WikiLeaks, showing US gunships sadistically killing a group of Iraqis, including two journalists, in Baghdad in July 2007.

Manning told the court: In Mr. Finkels book [The Good Soldiers, 2009], he writes about the aerial weapons team attack. As I read an online excerpt in Google Books, I followed Mr. Finkels account of the event belonging to the video.

I quickly realize that Mr. Finkel was quoting, I feel in verbatim, the audio communications of the aerial weapons team crew. It is clear to me that Mr. Finkel obtained access and a copy of the video during his tenure as an embedded journalist. I was aghast at Mr. Finkels portrayal of the incident. Reading his account, one would believe the engagement was somehow justified as payback for an earlier attack that led to the death of a soldier.

Unfortunately, pop star Bruce Springsteen was more than happy to lend his talents to the production. His new song, Freedom Cadence, plays during the closing credits. According to the filmmakers Bruce loved it [the film], [and] watched it twice. Thank You for Your Service does make an effort to present the trauma that has permanently injured the delicate fabric of the minds and personalities of young soldiers. Although their social and economic backgrounds are never indicated, one assumes they were plucked from the working class and disenfranchised of Topeka, Kansas, a Midwestern city.

Koales Solo is effective as a man leading a life in purgatory, unable, despite the presence of wife and infant son, to anchor himself to any meaningful reality. But it becomes tedious to listen to and watch half-men bouncing around like pinballs, the filmmaker never allowing them to express a thought about the wider questions involved. It is also tedious to be exposed to the films complacent outlook about life in America.

Speaking of which, the movie that comes to mind as a sharp contrast here is William Wylers The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), about three veterans returning from World War II. That work, made in the aftermath of a conflict that was seen by millions as a legitimate struggle against fascism, exhibited a far more critical spirit in relation to American society and the military itself.

Memorably, Dana Andrews as Fred Derry in Wylers film wants nothing more than to get out of his uniform and never put it on again. He balks when his status-conscious wife (Virginia Mayo) wants him to dress up like a soldier when they go out at night. As for his medals, Derry tells his father, Fancy words that dont mean anything. You can throw em away. The tone of The Best Years of Our Lives is generally democratic, sensitive and thoughtful.

The makers of Thank You for Your Service are engaged in a very different and crude kind of effort, covering up the social contradictions in American life and essentially whitewashing a widely detested war, while wringing their hands in false-populist style at the fate of a selected few of its victims.
Official White House Photo(CHICAGO) -- Former President Barack Obama reported for jury duty in Chicago on Wednesday, fulfilling his role as both citizen and celebrity.



Cell phone video from a fellow juror shows a relaxed Obama signing in at the Richard J. Daley Center and then shaking hands with those seated around the jury pool waiting room.



The former president even signed one of his books that a fellow juror had brought.



Did you know I was coming?" Obama asked the person with a smile. You brought a book and everything!



Obama was briefly selected for a jury panel but was sent home after 12 p.m. when Circuit Court Judge Tim Evans dismissed the group.



Obama's presence in Chicago's downtown county courthouse prompted extra security measures that meant delays and snaking lines to get through the buildings entrance screening.



But some jurors were more impressed than inconvenienced by the fact that Obama showed up to perform his civic duty.



It shows us all that I dont have a good excuse and its an important duty for all of us," first-time juror Walter Palmer told ABC Chicago affiliate WLS.



For his day of public service, he will presumably receive the standard payment for every Cook County juror, which is $17.20.





Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
By PTI: Ahmedabad, Nov 8 (PTI) Members of the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) started holding talks with senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal late tonight here to know how the party plans to grant reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat.

The meeting started at 11.30 pm. Sibal, who was scheduled to arrive at 9 pm, reached the venue late.

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"We have been invited to hold a meeting with Sibal and other Congress leaders to discuss the road map prepared by the party to grant reservation to Patidars," PAAS leader Dinesh Bambhania said.

Hardik was not present during the meeting, that is going on at Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) headquarters in the city.

Hardik has set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community under the OBC category.

He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue.

The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18. PTI PJT PD NP KIS

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GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (CBS46) - A man accused of robbing at least two Gwinnett County banks took time out of his busy schedule to chat with CBS46 about traffic at a busy Lawrenceville intersection.

Lawrenceville police say Eric Rivers is the man accused of robbing several Gwinnett County banks in recent weeks. They've been looking for him, and they say they caught him with the the help of CBS46.

"I think you caught him off guard. I think you surprised him," said Det. Scott Pendergrass.

Before cameras were rolling, Rivers told reporter Ashley Thompson that he wanted to take off his du-rag and hat.

While at the shopping center near Lawrenceville-Suwanne Road and Duluth Highway, he indulged in an opportunity to appear on television.

"Gwinnett County doesn't really have it's own transportation," he said. So MARTA coming out here will really help out a lot."

Police said Rivers robbed the Chase Bank on Collins Hill Road before the interview. They also believe he was in several other nearby banks scoping them out.

Right after the interview, police said he went into a nearby Fidelity Bank.

"He kind of has a skit that he plays," said Pendergrass. "He goes into them and spends an extended amount of time in the banks."

Rivers was arrested Tuesday night. CBS46 was there as he was escorted into the Lawrenceville Police Department.

"We have no other evidence there was anybody else with him, so we would say he's by himself," says Det. Pendergrass.

In total, police say this guy hit up five banks and was successful at robbing two.

Copyright 2017 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Deputies are warning about a recent scam involving a fake call from Publishers Clearing House stating that you must send $1,000 to Mexico.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office alerted citizens to the scam on Facebook:

They say the scam involves a call from Publishers Clearing House stating that you must send $1,000 to Mexico to claim your winning from a sweepstakes. Deputies say scam callers also state that Sheriff "AJ" Smith will be calling to confirm the winnings.

Deputies are advising residents not to send money to anyone to receive a prize, saying that legit operations do not ask for a winner to send money.

They also note that Sheriff Smith is not and will not be calling anyone regarding a sweepstakes.
TAMPA, Fla. (WTXL) - Gov. Rick Scott has taken steps to better coordinate services for the displaced Puerto Rican families who have come to Florida after Hurricane Maria.

On Thursday, Scott directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to activate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to Level 2. This means the State Emergency Response Team has activated, enhancing coordination between federal, state and local emergency management agencies.

The activation is in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offering Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) to Puerto Rican families in Florida displaced by Hurricane Maria.

Since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Scott said, more than 140,000 Puerto Ricans have arrived in Florida

The activation will help in the delivery of resources at Florida's Disaster Relief Centers at Miami and Orlando international airports, he said. Those places are preparing to assist more families with crisis counseling, educational resources, job placement services, medical services and help getting housing and drivers licenses.

FEMA will use federal funds to pay for all TSA expenses and costs, he said.

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By Kamlesh Singh: Padmavati is riveting. Not the film, but the drama around it. With such fight scenes, strong language and occasional comic relief as free promotion, Sanjay Leela Bhansali may not need to spend on publicity. Rajasthan distributors have already said no to exhibiting his medieval drama after the Rajput community went medieval on him. Elsewhere, politicians have jumped in.

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So much so that Padmavati has united Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress politicians in Gujarat where both these parties have demanded editing the film in a way that doesn't hurt sentiments of the Rajputs. Rajputs, famous for their bravery, are claiming their sentiments are hurt just at the thought of the Alauddin Khilji character having thoughts about Maharani Padmini .

The filmmakers have clarified that there's no such thought sequence. The trailer came out. It was less about Khilji and more about Rajput bravery, sacrifice and justice. That however hasn't assuaged the assumed, in this case presumed, hurt sentiments.

So what's wrong with Padmavati? Looking at all the evidence, we can safely conclude that it's the choice of actor who plays Alauddin Khilji: the brilliantly maverick storehouse of energy, Ranveer Singh.

You see Ranveer Singh is not a usual villain choice. He is not Shakti Kapoor, Raza Murad, Amrish Puri, Prakash Raj, Ashish Vidyarthi or Ashutosh Rana, who people have accepted as villains. We are a society that takes cinema seriously. Ranveer Singh is hero material. He is a star.

The fear is that Ranveer Singh, by virtue of playing Khilji, will make Khilji likeable. That it won't be black and white like typical Bollywood film characters are. Ranveer Singh will make this all grey. And Rajputs simply cannot take that.

Khilji was not a barbarian as shown in the trailer, some say. Well, he may have been a sophisticated, cultured Shahanshah but history written by his contemporaries also shows him to be an extremely cruel religious nutcase, who got people slaughtered in thousands and did not spare even women and children, something even the cruellest of them avoided.

Rajputs believe any attempt to humanise him will insult the thousands of not just Rajputs who were killed only because they did not accept the marauder Khilji's suzerainty. But is that the only reason?

Well, it is one of the reasons. The other is clearly the competitive hurt sentiments game. Do we even need to list the names of films that got into trouble because it cast poor light on a caste or community? This is just to assert identity and control creative licence.

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Since successive governments and the oppositions have participated in this game with equal zeal in the past, Rajputs are confident a compromise will be reached. It will be a few minor cuts. And a warning to Bollywood: Keep off history. Because our histories are different.

ALSO WATCH: Sanjay Leela Bhansali thrashed on Padmavati sets for allegedly distorting history

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Local law enforcement met with Leon County and Tallahassee officials to share an update on public safety, spending two hours going over crime and ways to stop it before it happens.

There have been three homicides since the last city commission meeting. That brings this years total to 21. But officials are stressing that these figures need to be put in perspective and shouldnt panic the public.

Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo has been tapped to lead the public safety collective, which includes State Attorney Jack Campbell and Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil.

DeLeo said much of the violence in the county isnt random and that many of the suspects arrested in homicides and shootings already had a criminal history.

Overall, crime is down more than 14 percent between the city and county compared to this time last year. To help keep the numbers down, police will install six cameras next week in the Bond Community.

The strongest thing that we can do is to have an active community that works with the police department and law enforcement  whether they call us directly or call Crime Stoppers," said DeLeo. "What they will do is help build some cases with having better evidence, which will give us a better case to work with the state attorneys office on  and hopefully, in some incidents, it will help prevent and deter a crime as well.

The meeting also included an update on whats called the neighborhood public safety initiative and a program called T.E.M.P.O. that reaches out to disconnected youth. This is the first commission meeting since city manager Rick Fernandez decided to take an administrative leave as the Florida Commission on Ethics investigates.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL (WPBF/CNN) - It is a soldier's homecoming in south Florida 73 years in the making.

People at West Palm Beach airport gave a hero's welcome as the remains of Sgt. Richard Gordon Sowell, known to many as 'Tiny' Sowell, arrived on a Delta flight on Wednesday.

Sowell was serving in World War II in 1944 when he was killed by a mortar on the Japanese island of Saipan. During the battle, authorities weren't able to gather the 21-year-old's body. They later recovered several sets of remains, but couldn't make positive identifications.

The remains were buried in numbered graves in Hawaii. Earlier this year, a DNA match of Sowell's remains were confirmed through a relative.

"He kind of became legendary in our family. So the fact that he was brought home today is just really moving and quite an amazing experience for all of us. We're very proud of him, said Wally Baldwin, a great uncle.

Sowell will receive full military honors. He will be buried at a family plot at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday.

Copyright 2017 WPBF via CNN. All rights reserved.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee man sentenced to life in 2011 for a double murder in 2009 has been transported from a state prison to Leon County to await a motion hearing.

Victor S. Hamilton, booked into the Leon County Detention Center on Wednesday, received a November 14, 2017, hearing date.

He was convicted in the killing of two men on Aug. 20, 2009, at a Holiday Inn on Tennessee Street.

In part, he is seeking to appeal his sentence on the grounds that the state attorney improperly shifted the burden of proof.

He also says his assigned legal representation did not accurately represent him by failing to file a pre-trial motion to prevent the state from displaying at his trial the AK-47 found on the scene.

Additionally, he claims his legal representation did not represent him to the best of their ability.

He was granted a post-evidentiary hearing, where both parties reviewed previous evidence and legal representation for accuracy.

In 2009, Hamilton was convicted of killing Earl Wright and Otis Stewart. He was found guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm and shooting into an occupied building.

During a fight at the hotel, Hamilton, according to a probable cause affidavit from September 2009, retrieved a gun from his car and fired three to five rounds high above the crowd and then several rounds into the crowd.

Officers said more than 100 people had gathered at the hotel for an after-hours DJ party.

Witnesses and video from both the hotel and the Moon nightclub, where there was a TJ's DJ event on Aug. 19, 2009, identified Hamilton.

He has been serving his sentence at the Liberty Correctional Institution in Liberty County.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - If you know the man in the image, the Tallahassee Police Department wants you to call them.

Police say that the man committed grand theft at a store at 2033 West Pensacola Street on Oct. 16, 2017.

He took items from the counter and ran from the store eastbound on Pensacola Street toward Ocala Road.

TPD's number is (850) 891 - 4200. Crime Stoppers is at (850) 574 - TIPS.

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BSF and Pakistan Rangers are set to hold talks in New Delhi from Thursday. The talks have been kept low key and the media has been kept out.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Admist continued tensions between India's Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan's Rangers will begin their talks from Thursday. One of the first meeting where media has been kept out.

The talks are expected to be low-key. The goal of the meeting is to put out grievances between the two forces. Both countries have earlier blamed each other for targeting civilians and multiple ceasefire violations at the border.

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A 19-member Pakistan Rangers delegation led by Major General Muhammad Saeed accompanied by DG Sindh Rangers reached New Delhi today for 44th Biannual DG level talks. The Indian delegation will be headed by DG KK. Sharma.

Ceasefire violation, attack on civilians especially targeting of schools at border, sniping of BSF soldiers, discovery of tunnels, inadvertent crossing at border are issues likely to be raised.

Incidentally, the talks have been kept under wraps as the Pak delegation arrived on the anniversary of demonetisation which falls on November 8, a move by that is said to counter Pakistan sponsored terrorism and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) which kept a parallel economy alive.

The talks between two forces is expected to keep the lines of communication open, in a bid to maintain peace and tranquility at the international border, which Pakistan refers to as working boundary. BSF will reiterate that Pakistan should respect the November 2003 ceasefire agreement.

While there have been sector level talks in September, there have been constant irritants. With snow fall in Kashmir valley, the attention of Pakistan ISI will shift to lower planes in Jammu.

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Efforts aim to get more of Yakima Countys children into preschool
Will the juvenile apprehended by the CBI be set free in three years if he is found guilty of murder in Pradyuman Thakur murder case? What does the law say?

By Prabhash K Dutta: The Pradyuman Thakur murder case has turned on its head in two months as the two probe teams nailed two separate suspects. The Haryana police arrested school bus conductor Ashok Kumar and presented him before camera "confessing" that he murdered the 7-year-old boy at the Ryan International Public School near Bhondsi in Gurgaon.

The CBI, after the case was handed over to it under intense media glare and mounting public pressure, revisited the evidence collected by the Haryana police, gathered fresh proof from the crime scene and carried out forensic examination of all the materials in possession. And, now, a class-XI juvenile is in custody on the charge of killing his junior from class-II on September 8.

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Pradyuman's family members and their lawyer have demanded that the juvenile be tried as an adult under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

THE NEW LAW

The Nirbhaya case had generated a sentiment against "lenient" conduct of the law towards juveniles, approaching 18, found to have committed heinous crimes. Justice JS Verma committee was constituted to examine the deficiencies in the existing criminal law system dealing with crimes committed by juveniles.

The JS Verma committee had rejected the demand for lowering the age of juveniles but called for reform in the existing juvenile justice system and recommended stricter punishment for certain crimes. However, the government, acting in tandem with popular sentiment, brought the the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

Parliament gave its approval to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 on December 22, 2015 in the aftermath of the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case. This law provided the legal framework to try juveniles aged 16-18 as an adult if they are found to have committed heinous crimes.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS?

The 2015-Act has made distinction between petty, serious and heinous offences. Under the new law juvenile offenders, who commit "heinous offences" between the ages of 16 and 18, may be treated as adults by putting them to trial under the criminal justice system.

However, the decision whether the minor committed a heinous crime as juvenile or an adult has be decided by the Juvenile Justice Board. If the board certifies that the minor, aged 16-18, committed the crime with mature mind and as an adult, he will be sent to adult courts.

The Juvenile Justice Board is required to assess the mental and physical capacity of a child to commit such offence, his ability to understand its consequences, and the circumstances in which the said offence was committed. The Board is expected to take its decision in this matter within a period of three months.

PRADYUMAN MURDER AND JUVENILE SUSPECT

According to CBI probe, the juvenile - arrested on the charge of killing Pradyuman - committed the crime with the motive to postpone a scheduled parent-teacher meet and got the ongoing exams cancelled.

The reports say that the juvenile had decided to commit a murder and waited for a victim. "Pradyuman happened to be at wrong place at wrong time", the CBI theory of the murder says. A Mail Today report quoted the classmates and neighbours of the juvenile saying that the suspect was "violent" in behaviour, "bully" and addicted to "pornography".

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Reports also suggest that the juvenile was undergoing psychiatric treatment for his violent behaviour for past one year. After the CBI arrested the juvenile suspect, the family of Pradyuman demanded "strict punishment" for the juvenile.

The final decision is to be taken by the Juvenile Justice Board in three months. If the board decides that the minor suspect is a juvenile, he may be tried by the Juvenile Justice Board and face a maximum punishment of three years.

But, if the Juvenile Justice Board, after observing the minor suspect for three months, concludes that the suspect had attained the maturity level of an adult, the accused will be tried in a regular court. In that case, the accused may be awarded life sentence or death by hanging, the maximum punishment for committing a murder under the IPC.

WATCH | Class-XI student held for killing Pradyuman Thakur

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Chaim Meisels, the great grandson of the Satmar Rebbe, Moshe Teitelbaum, has come a long way since his childhood in the radical Hasidic group in Brooklyn, New York, until he received his officers ranks during a ceremony at the Bahad 1 military training base in southern Israel last week.

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On the way, he faced hurdles and difficulties as well as a lot of pain, but also huge success. He shared his experience in an emotionally moving Facebook post titled Where theres a will theres a way.

Chaim Meisels. If you give it your 100 percent, youll find the way

Why did I leave a wife, a child, family, friends and a successful job and decide to become a combat soldier? he asks before sharing his story: His loss of faith, his marriage at the age of 17 and the birth of his daughter, who is four years old today, and the dream that was always thereto serve the State of Israel, which he fell in love with at the early age of 11 during his first visit to the country, despite being brainwashed against it.

As a Haredi child in Brooklyn, he says in the post, I had a feeling that something was missing, and I didnt know what. My first visit to Israel was at the age of 11. I discovered the State of Israel, the Jewish state. I didnt know yet how it would affect me, but I felt I had found my home.

When we returned to Brooklyn a few days later, I felt like a different person. Suddenly there was something I connected to, the State of Israel. But because I am the grandson of the Satmar Rebbe, and the community I grew up in doesnt support the state, I had no one to talk to about it.

Under the chuppah at 17

He returned to Israel at the age of 15, this time to study in a yeshiva in Bnei Brak. The only language I spoke at the time was Yiddish, and I was unable to communicate with the outside world like I wanted to.

When I returned to the United States a year later, I bought a phone with Internet access (which we were not allowed to own in the yeshiva) and decided to learn English, learn about Israel and a little about the big world.

The changeover began the age of 17, he says in his post, when I realized that I wanted to leave the Haredi world, but most of the people I knew who had left didnt succeed. The social gap and the language made it difficult for them to deal with a different kind of life.

I decided to turn to the rabbi and tell him that had not observed Shabbat for years, that I no longer felt connected. His answer was that I got where I was because I wasnt married yet, and that as soon as I had a wife of my own I would no longer want to leave, because girls would no longer make me happy. He explained that once I was married I could do more and help outside the yeshivaand I would be a freer person.

Satmar Hasidim in the US (archive photo)

Two weeks later, Im meeting with the girls parents and being asked questions about the Talmud, etc. I pass the test. I have a meeting with the girl while our parents are in the other room. After a 50-minute conversation with her, I agreed. We got engaged that same night.

Several months later, the couple met under the chuppah, but the rabbis promises failed to be realized. Right after the wedding, I realized I was not really connecting with her. While Im thinking about the State of Israel, shes thinking about what the rabbi said.

Six weeks later, I come home and my wife tells me shes pregnant. I was happy, I was very excited, until I slowly began to think about what I had done. How was I going to raise a Haredi child in a world I disagree with? I knew it was too late, that the girl was about to come into the world at any moment and that I was about to become a father in a second.

I couldnt stay any longer. I gave it a lot of thought, I tried to speak to people on the outside, friends who had left and those who remained.

I left. I bid farewell to my wife and to the community, and most of my family left me, he writes. I found a good job. I started life from scratch, and like a little child I learned how to dress (in clothes that werent black and white), and how to talk to people.

I was told I had no chance in the army

Now, he was left with the dream to serve the state. A few months before Operation Protective Edge, almost a year after I left the community I grew up in, I decided I wanted to enlist in the IDF. I registered through the Garin Tzabar program to make aliyah, but after two meetings they told me that because I was 19, divorced with one child, I wasnt suitable for the army. Even the friends around me said I wouldnt succeed in the army. They said I had no chance.

But Meisels didnt despair. I bought a plane ticket and arrived in Israel on my own. At first, a friend got me in touch with the Chayal el Chayal Lone Soldier Home in memory of Michael Levin and with Tziki Aud, who has helped me out tremendously. In August 2014, I joined a Hebrew course at the at the Michve Alon base. After three months of basic training and a course, I reached the Golani Brigade and made it into the elite Egoz unit. I didnt tell anyone my story. I was afraid that like in Garin Tzabar, they would think I was unsuitable.

Chaim Meisels Facebook post

At the beginning of the course, I lagged behind and failed to become one of the leading team members. So after a year, when I wanted to start a commanders course, they wouldnt let me. After consulting with Rabbi Hoshea Friedman, the Pashkaner Rebbe (and a brigadier-general in the IDF), I chose to leave the unit and move to the brigade.

I went to a squad commanders course, and after a short sick leave I came back as a commander in Golanis 13th Battalion. After a few months in this position, I started an officers course, where I learned for eight months how to be a good and professional office and how to accomplish every mission needed to defend the State of Israel.

Hoping to renew contact with daughter

Today, Meisels lives on his own in Beit Giora, a building in Jerusalems Kiryat Yovel neighborhood, where all tenants are lone soldiers.

Rivka, my daughter, is already four years old, he writes. Her family wont let us be in touch because Im not Haredi.

I hope that one day, when she grows up, Ill be able to renew contact with her and explain to her why I had to leave her and immigrate to Israel; explain to her that I chose a different way from what she is familiar with.

I love my family, who simply doesnt understand or accept my view of the world. I chose a road of Judaism that is different from theirsa Judaism in which standing up and defending the Jewish peoples state is just as important and huge as studying Torah.

As of next week, he concludes his post, Ill be a platoon commander in a squad commanders course, and Im going to invest in building the IDFs new commanders.

The reason Im telling you this is for you to learn that where theres a will, theres a way. No matter what people tell you or who tells it to youif you really want to succeed and are willing to make an effort, youll eventually succeed.

"We have the best army in the world, and it doesnt matter where you came from and what youve done until now. If you give it your 100 percent, youll find the way.
Pressure sometimes gets good things out of people. A year after Donald Trump was elected US president, and in the middle of Benjamin Netanyahu's investigations and his familys legal woes, the prime minister has started talking about his ideological aspirations.

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Prime ministers discuss ideology in two cases: Either before they rise to power or when they step down. Its one of the best reasons for limiting a prime ministers term, to give him a limited amount of time to implement his beliefs or abandon them (in the event that he lied).

Last Friday, at the Chatham House independent policy institute in London, Netanyahu was asked about the option of a Palestinian state. He replied that we have seen many Muslim states in the Middle East fail and that the model of modern sovereignty with no boundaries should be reexamined (in other words, we should no longer rely on the 1967 borders).

To the people sitting in the room it may have seemed like another typical attempt to avoid making any progress towards a Palestinian state, but there was actually a refined moment of truth there.

Netanyahu in London. A refined moment of truth (Photo: EPA)

Since the Bar-Ilan speech, which was basically forced on Netanyahu by former US President Barack Obama, Israel has been lying to itself and lying to the world. There is no prime minister who believes in a return to the 1967 lines, including minor border corrections.

There will be no such prime minister, if only due to the familiar limitations of Jerusalem, refugees and Israeli settlers. There is no Palestinian leader who would agree to settle for a state that would be established on less than that. Thats the only fact the involved parties agree on. From here, the matter is subject to interpretation.

In the past few years, when Israeli representatives have spoke about an Israeli state, what they meant is an extended autonomy in which the Palestinians have political (and diplomatic) control, but Israel retains permanent security access. They mean supervised crossings. In short, they mean something very similar to what we have today. The only difference between Right and Left in this context is the size of the discussed territory.

When the Palestinians talk about a Palestinian state, they see Israel in their imagination, and when the international community deals with two states for two people, they see the Green Line.

These differences are the source of the dispute with the international community, and sometimes the reason why the State of Israel is misunderstood. Their immediate question is how can we bridge between statements and action: If we want two states for two people, why are we building beyond the 1967 lines?

About a year ago, when Trump was elected president, there was a unique opportunity to present a different Israeli vision from the Bar-Ilan speech and convince the Americans to accept a different sovereignty model to the one that has been discussed in countless conversations since the Oslo Agreements. Israel chose to mumble something unclear, and in response emissaries popped up, as well as Trumps mysterious peace initiative, which no one really know what its about.

The Israeli strategy for the past decade has been to lie, and to maneuver until the dangerous winds have blown over. But the danger is still here and the lie hasnt advanced us anywhere.

Two years ago, I sat with the leader of one of the opposition parties, who told me about a negative campaign that had been planned against Netanyahu. In one of the polls, they checked whether presenting him as a liar on Israeli-Palestinian issues would help drive voters away. Politics is ugly on all sides. The findings were surprising: The Right believed he was lying for the Land of Israel. The Left believed he was lying and had no intention of making progress in that area. Everyone agreed and no one was surprised.

What is true for domestic relations is problematic where foreign relations are concerned, which is why the London event is so interesting, because it made Netanyahu say what he has been saying behind closed doors for a long time now: The truth about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We cant reach an absolute solution of Israel-style Palestinian independence. It wont happen because its too dangerous, no matter how many Bar-Ilan speeches are delivered on the way. What we have is basically an extended autonomy, a state minus, an entity or even a Palestinian empire, if thats what they wish to call itas long as its clear that the foundation is the existing Palestinian Authority territories, a political separation from Israel and maintaining the security restrictions. A different kind of sovereignty. We should have said this a long time ago.
The Israel Democracy Institute recently released a report on Jewish-Arab relations in Israel titled Limited Partnership. Its a report which should concern all of us, as it reveals that considerable parts of Israels Jewish majority dont believe in equal rights.

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This is particularly evident among Israels largest group, people affiliated with the Right (ultra-Orthodox, national-religious and right-wing secular Jews). About 40 percent of the respondents (the large majority of whom are affiliated with the Right) believe Jews should have extra rights in the State of Israel. About 41 percent (in the same composition) believe Arabs should be allowed to purchase lands only in Arab communities. Twenty-five percent believe they should not be allowed to purchase lands at all.

About 51.5 percent believe Jews and Arabs should live separately. The majority of Jews (about 66 percent) are against adding Arab parties (of any kind) to the government and appointing Arab ministers. The majority of Jews (68 percent) believe a person cannot feel Palestinian and be a loyal citizen of the state at the same time. The majority of Jews (52.5 percent) believe Israels Arab citizens are interested in the states destruction.

As soon as it is determined that equality is not a value, discrimination wont remain in one area only (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Fifty-eight percent of the Jewish respondents believe the state must revoke the citizenship of people who refuse to declare that Israel is the Jewish peoples nation state. Considering the fact that most Arab respondents (67 percent) believed the State pf Israel has no right to define itself as the Jewish peoples nation state (as opposed to a state of all its citizens, which they do acknowledge)the explosive potential is clear.

I dont think that the Jews attitude towards the Arabs stems from pure racism, although there is racism within Jewish society (and in the Arab society as well, to a certain extent). The tensions between Jews and Arabs in Israel stem first of all from the national conflict, and other issues are coming along for the ride.

Its reasonable to assume, for example, that if there was no conflict, the public mainstream would be less attentive to racist ideas that present themselves as Jewish traditionjust like it largely ignores the attempt to apply these idea to Christians, for example. Its reasonable to assume that if this were just about tensions between the majority and a minority, without the violent conflict between Israel and the Arabs and without the battle between the West and radical Islam in its wider sense, the views would be more moderate. The Arab political leadership, which appears to be more radical than its voters, contributes to the tensions as well.

We shouldnt find comfort in all these insights, however. The Israeli public isnt settling for the demand to apply stricter security checks on the Arabs. It sees Israels Arabs as a foreign element (how ironic, considering the fact that they are the original inhabitants of the place rather than a community of immigrants), a minority whose presence we must tolerate having no other choice. This is reflected in the Jews feeling that Israels Arabs are interested in the states destruction (a view which isnt expressed by the Arab respondents) and in their feeling that it is illegitimate for Israels citizens not to see themselves as part of the Zionist project (in other words, to recognize the states political legitimacyas the vast majority of them dobut not that it is the Jewish peoples nation state).

An Arab who refuses to accept this definition (Haredi Jews, for example, are allowed to reject it) should be punished by having his citizenship revokedin other words, by having all his civil rights revoked. The perception that the only way for an Arab to be a loyal citizen is by denying his Palestinian identity is a rejection of the dual national identity principle as part of being loyal to a state, which allowedand still allowsJews all over the world to feel like loyal citizens of their countries and loyal sons of their people.

The apartheid-like elements revealed in the respondents views (a demand for separation, a ban on purchasing lands, a demand for extra rights for Jews, lack of interest in the Arabs language and culture, an objection to the appointment of Arab ministers) are a symptom of a disease being adopted by the entire Israeli culture in the name of the national strugglerejecting the equality principle, a principle which is the basis of democracy and human rights.

The attack on the equality principle is an expression of nationalism whose roots are religious-cultural (we are the chosen people) and political-cultural (the entire world is against us, we are in a constant danger of destruction), and its fruits pop up in every single site. These fruits are poisoned.

As soon as it is determined that equality is not a value, discrimination wont remain in one area only. It will infiltrate everywhereagainst those who the majority doesnt wish to honor. The hostile and discriminating attitude towards Arabs is just the beginning.
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have concluded 2017 ranking 67th and 78th respectively on the "World's top tourist destination" list, with Hong Kong expecting to finish up the year taking the top spot, despite political dissent and tensions between the capitalist city and the central Beijing communist government.

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According to the report published by research firm Euromonitor International, Hong Kong will round out the year with 25.7 million tourists, marking a 3.2% drop compared to 2016. It will suffice, however, to continue leading the ranks.

Jerusalem's Western Wall (Photo: Reuters)

Euromonitor International's listing did not bode quite as well for the two Israeli hotspots despite their top-100 positions, however, as Tel Aviv dropped one place and Jerusalem dropped a whopping five compared to last year.

A city with nothing to worry about is Thailand's capital Bangkok, which retained its second place on the "most visited" list and is right on Hong Kong's tail, concluding the year with 21.3 million visitors, a 9.5% spike compared to the preceding year. If the Thai capital maintains its current rate, it will soon overtake the Chinese city to become the world's most toured destination.

Tel Aviv beach (Photo: Tel Aviv Municipality)

London is the most toured city in Europe and third in the world. By the year's end, 19.8 million tourists will have visited the UK's capital. However, the report projected it will lose its position in the coming years as Asian destinations grow ever more popular.

Hong Kong retained its first place on the list, for now (Photo: Shutterstock)

"Asia Pacific is the standout region driving change in travel," said Wouter Geerts, Senior Travel Analyst at Euromonitor International,

Rounding out the top ten list are (in order) Singapore, Macao, Dubai, Paris, New York, Shenzhen and Kuala Lumpur. According to Euromonitor's estimates, the five most toured cities in 2025 will be Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Macao and Dubai.

Bangkok is second on the list, and eyeing the first position (Photo: AFP)

The study also highlighted some surprising trends. The city with the largest increase in the number of visitors, for instance, is Denpasar, capital of the Indonesian province of Bali. Denpasar saw an increase of more than 50% in the number of tourists, while the country's capital, Jakarta, saw an increase of almost 50%. The number of tourists to visit the Indian capital of New Delhi grew by 30%.

The European city with the most impressive growth in tourists is Greece's Heraklion, with an 11% growth in this past year. Other European destinations with impressive growth rates are Greece's capital of Athens in second place with a 10% increase and Artvin in northeastern Turkey in third with a 9% growth rate.
The top US, British and French diplomats urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to renew the mandate of experts charged with determining who was responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also said it's "essential" to seek justice for the victims and hold those responsible accountable.

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Their joint statement follows the latest report by experts from the Joint Investigative Mechanism, or JIM, blaming the Syrian government for an attack using sarin nerve gas that killed about 100 people in Khan Sheikhoun in April, and the Islamic State extremist group for a mustard gas attack at Um Hosh in Aleppo in September 2016.

Russia vetoed a US-sponsored council resolution on October 24 that would have renewed the mandate of the experts from the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which expires on November 14. Russia's ambassador said Moscow wanted to see the JIM report, which was issued two days later.

The Western powers praised the JIM report. "We have full trust in the JIM's findings, its professionalism and independence," the top US, British and French diplomats said Wednesday.

But Russia, Syria's most important ally, strongly criticized the JIM's conclusion blaming President Bashar Assad's government for the Khan Sheikhoun attack on April 4. Russian officials denounced the experts' investigative methods and failure to visit the town.

At a Security Council meeting Tuesday to consider the JIM report, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Vladimir Safrankov complained about the hunt for "mythical or invented chemical weapons in Damascus."

In September 2013, Syria accepted a Russian proposal to relinquish its chemical weapons stockpile and join the Chemical Weapons Convention. That averted a US military strike in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (Photo: AFP)

Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari on Tuesday called the JIM report fabricated and said the government "considers the use of chemical weapons an immoral act that must be condemned."

Russia and the United States have submitted rival resolutions to extend the JIM's mandate but it's unclear whether a compromise can be reached by November 16. If the mandate isn't extended, the JIM will cease operations immediately.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the Security Council Tuesday that the US revised its resolution to include some points in the Russian draft.

But she claimed the Russian draft would keep Syria from being investigated and said Russia is continuing "to push unacceptable language only meant to undermine the investigators and divide this council."

Tillerson, Johnson and Le Drian stressed that "there is more work for the JIM to do" and "it is vital for the international community to continue to investigate cases where chemical weapons have been used in Syria."

They pointed to a recent OPCW report that a sarin attack that injured 50 people "most likely" took place days before the Khan Sheikhoun attack in the town of Ltamenah, about 15 kilometers away.

"We therefore urge the United Nations Security Council to maintain the JIM's investigative capacity," they said.

The US, UK and French diplomats also called on the OPCW's executive council to respond to the JIM report and "send an unequivocal signal that those responsible for the use of chemical weapons will be held responsible."
In a new blow to Britain's beleaguered government, the UK international development secretary quit Wednesday over unauthorized meetings with Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Priti Patel resigned after being ordered back from a trip to east Africa and summoned to 10 Downing St. by Prime Minister Theresa May. If she had not quit, she would almost certainly have been fired.

Patel is the second Cabinet departure in a week for a government facing crisis on several fronts, including divisions over Brexit and growing allegation of sexual misbehavior in politics.

Patel has been under pressure since it was revealed last week that she held 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials, including Netanyahu, during a vacation in Israel in Augustand that she hadn't told May or colleagues about it.

Priti Patel (Photo: Getty Images)

Patel apologized, but when details of two further meetings emerged, May acted.

In her resignation letter, Patel said her conduct "fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state."

May replied that it was right Patel had decided to quit "and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated."

Patel said earlier that her meetings in Israelarranged by Stuart Polak, honorary president of the group Conservative Friends of Israelstemmed from her "enthusiasm to engage." But critics accused her of breaching ministers' code of conduct and making a major diplomatic gaffe in a region of high political sensitivity.

Israeli media reported Wednesday that Patel visited an Israeli military field hospital in the Golan Heights during her August trip.

After the visit, Patel discussed with her department the possibility of British aid being given to the Israeli army to support medical assistance for refugees from the Syrian civil war arriving in the Golan Heights. A fellow minister has said the idea was rejected.

Patel's situation had been made worse by her contradictory statements about the meetings.

(Photo: Getty Images)

When news broke about the August trip, Patel insisted that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson "knew about the visit." Her department was later forced to clarify the statement, saying "the foreign secretary did become aware of the visit, but not in advance of it."

Patel apologized, saying the meetings "did not accord with the usual procedures."

May summoned Patel to Downing St. after details of two more meetings emerged. She also met Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in London on September 7 and foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on September 18in both cases without any other British officials present.

The demotion to backbench lawmaker cuts short a rapid rise for 45-year-old Patel, who was first elected to Parliament in 2010, became international development secretary in 2016 and has often been mentioned as a future leadership contender.

Labour Party lawmaker Jonathan Ashworth said Patel's position was untenable even if she had been unaware she was breaking rules when she met Netanyahu and the others.

"If she didn't know, she's incompetent. If she did, she's lying," he told Sky News. "Either way she's got to go."

Patel's departure is an unwelcome new headache for May, and follows the November 1 resignation of Defense Secretary Michael Fallon after sexual harassment allegations against him emerged.

PM Theresa May (Photo: Getty Images)

Several lawmakers have been suspended by their parties amid a growing scandal over sexual harassment and abuse in British politics. May's deputy prime minister, Damian Green, is facing a civil service investigation after a young party activist accused him of unwanted touches and text messages.

In another headache for the government, Johnson apologized Tuesday for saying a British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran had been training journalists when she was arrested. The family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe says she was on vacation, and accused Johnson of putting her at risk of a longer prison sentence with his misleading comments.

May's critics say her failure to fire the foreign secretary shows how weak she is in the wake of June's snap election, which May called in a bid to boost the Conservative majority in Parliament.

The move backfired, and she now leads a minority government deeply divided between proponents and opponents of Britain's exit from the European Union.

Divisions within the British government about what sort of post-Brexit relationship the UK wants with the bloc are complicating divorce negotiations, and the clock is ticking down to Britain's departure in March 2019.
The presiding judge in the Beer Sheva lynch case sought to clarify reports Thursday made the previous day that claimed he had decided not to consider footage of the murder captured on camera.

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The Beer Sheva District Court judge said that he had not rejected the footage as evidence, but rather had opted to delay discussions on its content until both the prosecution and defense teams had fully formulated their cases, which had yet to be completed due to legal technicalities.

On Wednesday it was reported that the judge presiding over the case involving the October 2015 violent killing of an innocent foreign man in the confused aftermath of a deadly terror attack had announced that the crucial CCTV footage capturing the brutal lynch will not be considered in the final verdict.

The incident took place at the height of what became known as Israel's 'wave of terror' when a terrorist shot IDF soldier Sergeant Omri Levy in the Beer Sheva Central Bus Station and snatched his M-16 rifle which he used to open fire, murdering the soldier and wounding nine others, several of them members of Israel's security forces.

Haftom Zarhum killed in a lynch

As a stampede of panicked crowds fled the scene, security forces mistook Haftom Zarhum, an Eritrean man who worked at the station, for the gunman, and shot him before he was set upon and brutally beaten to death by an enraged mob.

The country was rocked by the footage in which Zarhum is seen sprawled defenseless on the ground after being shot when a crowd of civilians hurl verbal insults at him while crashing down benches on him and kicking him.

Indictments were filed for causing intentional aggravated injury against the main culprits, identified as David Moyal, IDF soldier Jacob Shamba, Eviatar Damari, and Israel Prison Service Officer Ronen Cohen.

Only after two years did the police explain how they obtained the footage without a court injunction which, according to the defendants attorneys, was illegally seized and therefore not admissible as evidence in court.

The prosecution by contrast, highlighted that the defendants themselves identified themselves in the harrowing recordings which itself qualifies as evidence, rendering the technical requirements of how it was obtained unnecessary.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to be questioned Thursday at his residence on a corruption case known in Israel as Case 1,000, involving illicit gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from businessman Arnon Milchanand Case 2,000concerning backroom deals supposedly reached between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher and owner Arnon Mozes.

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It will mark the fifth time Netanyahu will be questioned, and the first since March.

In addition, it will also be the prime minister's first inquest since his former chief of staff Ari Harow signed a state witness agreement. Netanyahu will also likely be questioned on the Submarine Affair, albeit not as a suspect but merely to provide testimony.

PM Netanyahu will be questioned again Thursday (Photo: Olivier Fitoussi)

illegal payments from the German ThyssenKrupp company, which supplied all six of the IDF's submarines, intended to sway tenders to build surface vessels and submarines for the Israeli Navy in the company's favor.

Police have grumbled recently about the difficulty in coordinating a time and place for questioning the prime minister, and have gone so far as to claim he was "playing for time."

"It appears someone on the other side is fine with the investigation lagging," police sources said privately.

Netanyahu and his associates, on the other hand, maintained their refrain of "There won't be anything, because there wasn't anything."

Police investigators arriving to the Prime Minister's Residence (Photo: Amit Shabi)

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer was summoned by the police recently to testify in the illicit gifts investigation against Netanyahu, Channel 2 News reported Tuesday.

Dermer, who is considered a close associate of Netanyahu's, was asked about alleged attempts he made, at the prime ministers request, to get then-US Secretary of State John Kerry to help organize a US visa for billionaire Arnon Milchan, who allegedly supplied Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, with gifts worth hundreds of thousands of shekels for years.

Commenting on the visa allegation, the prime minister's associates said, "The recent spate of tendentious and illegal leaks continues, this time attempting to besmirch the prime minister solely for carrying out his duty to conserve Israel's security."

"Milchan was denied a visa due to media articles regarding his contribution to the country's security. It's inconceivable someone who has done so much for Israel will be penalized for these contribution and that an Israeli prime minister will remain apathetic to that. The prime minister contacted foreign governments on behalf of (former Mossad chief) Meir Dagan as well, and others who have done much for Israel's security," sources close to Netanyahu claimed.

Netanyahu allegedly contacted John Kerry to assist in providing a US visa for Milchan (Photo: EPA)

Another person to provide police with testimony was Indian billionaire Ratan Tata. Milchan allegedly contacted Netanyahu nine years ago with an idea to create a free trade zone on the Jordanian border, an initiative on which Rata served as his partner but the idea never came to fruition.

Arnon Mozes is the publisher and owner of Yedioth Ahronoth Group, which includes Ynet.
Following the confession of the teenager, the CBI now suspects the involvement of more people in the Pradyuman murder case.

Seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur was found with his throat slit inside the school washroom on September 8.

By India Today Web Desk: A day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained a Class 11 student of the Ryan International School in Gurgaon in connection with the murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, the teenager has confessed to the crime.

The CBI in its remand application submitted to the juvenile justice board said that the juvenile has admitted to his "involvement in committing the murder of Pradyuman Thakur on the ground floor of boys washroom of Ryan International School, Gurugram in the presence of his father".

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Sources had earlier said that the CBI will question the teenager today for seven hours and during the course of interrogation he is likely to be taken to the spot of crime and then to the shop from where he got the knife.

A Gurgaon court remanded the arrested teenager to CBI custody for three days on Wednesday. Pradyuman's post-mortem report said that the seven-year-old sustained an 18-cm long and 2-cm deep wound, a little over his neck, which cut through his ears up to the superficial scalp tissue behind the ear.

Given the nature of Pradyuman's injuries, who was found murdered with his throat slit inside the school washroom on September 8, the boy could not have survived for more than 2-3 minutes, the post-mortem report said.

HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES IN THE PRADYUMAN MURDER CASE:

5:10 PM: CBI suspects in involvement of more people in the Pradyuman murder case

5:00 PM: CBI to recreate the crime scene at Ryan International School

1:45 PM: Arrested Class 11 student confesses to killing Pradyuman

12:40 PM: ANI quotes Gurgaon police commissioner, "We have not paraded the conductor before the media, we produced him in the court". The officer denies any pressure on the force to hush up the case.

12:25 PM: "There was no pressure at all. We did an honest attempt to bring justice to the family," the Gurgaon police commissioner said.

12:24 PM: The officer said that Gurgaon Police carried out the investigation into the Pradyuman murder at "a very early stage" and then handed over the probe to the CBI. "I am hopeful (CBI) will bring culprits to book and bring justice to the family," he said.

There was no pressure at all. We did an honest attempt to bring justice to the family: Gurugram Police Commissioner on Pradyuman murder case pic.twitter.com/FBjV8bGdhD- ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

12:22 PM: "We had not concluded investigation, we had not done a specific role attribution. Evidence was in the process of being gathered," said Gurgaon police commissioner.

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12:20 PM: Facing heat over alleged botch-up in the Pradyuman murder case, Gurgaon police commissioner said that the police had not concluded the investigation and evidence was still in the process of being gathered when the CBI took over the case.

THE SENSATIONAL TWIST IN THE MURDER CASE

The suspect's father had told India Today on Wednesday that the CBI told him that his son wanted exams to be postponed and therefore murdered Pradyuman so that the school declares a holiday.

As the teenager's father alleged that his son was being framed, the CBI maintained that he was apprehended after a thorough investigation based on scientific evidences and as well as forensic analysis of the CCTV footage and call records.

The arrested teenager was the last person seen leaving the washroom where Pradyuman was found murdered.

In a Mail Today report, the teenager is described by his classmates as "aggressive" and "a bully" who wanted to do something "big" to postpone the exams and a parent-teacher meeting. He is reportedly addicted to pornography and according to a student "always talked about sex and watched blue films even during school hours".

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The Gurgaon Police had arrested the school bus conductor Ashok Kumar on the day of the crime for the murder of Pradyuman Thakur. Sources in the CBI said the bus conductor is "not in the picture" but are yet to give him a clean chit in the case.

(Inputs from Munish Pandey)

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Major lapses found in Pradyuman murder investigation, CBI arrests Class 11 boy

--- ENDS ---
On the third week of their protest and three days since commencing a hunger strike, bereaved families who lost loved ones in West Bank terror attacks and the heads of the Samaria Regional Council who joined them received further support, this time from residents of a Gush Etzion Palestinian village one of the planned bypass roads is expected to pass through.

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Residents of the village contacted the protest's leaders to voice their support. One of the village's elders told the protesters camped out opposite the Prime Minister's Residence that bypass roads were just as essential to the region's Palestinian denizens.

Protesters opposite the Prime Minister's Residence were joined by Palestinians calling to expand existing roads (Photo: Samaria Regional Council)

"The road that exists today that spans the Tunnels Checkpoint all the way to Shoket Junction is being used by all of the area's residents, which creates serious traffic jams. We have people who work in Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital, laborers and people who work in commerce and tourism, and all of them pass through that road alone," the elder said.

"A Palestinian wishing to drive to work in the morning who wants to get there in 30 minutes has to get up at five in the morning, otherwise he risks spending several hours stuck in a traffic jam, from six until eleven in the morning," he continued.

The families and local council heads are protesting budgets promised to buttress various security components not being delivered to settlements and going towards the creation of four main bypass roads going around Qalandiya, Lubban, Huwara and Al-Arroub.

Protesters are demanding a budgetary article determining the precise monetary expenditure expected to be spent on the aforementioned projects.

Samaria Regional Council chief Dagan said the struggle was common to both Jews and Arabs (Photo: Barel Efraim)

The Palestinian also commented on road safety. "Everybody has to use a road that was originally paved for donkeys. Nowadays donkeys have been replaced with semi-trailers and articulated buses. Everything is so congested, and the road simply can't handle that much traffic. It needs to be expanded and put in order," he opined.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council and one of the protest's leaders, spoke about the unexpected support. "This struggle is everyone's, and now we found out the Arab public in Judea and Samaria is also part of it. We were contacted by village leaders who wished to voice their support," he said.

"When it comes down to it, it's also a struggle for life-saving infrastructures, both for Jews and Arabs. I call on the Israeli government to come to its senses and approve in a budgetary line itemand not merely media promises the paving of roads and other security measures in Judea and Samaria," Dagan demanded.
Security personnel at the Kerem Shalom border crossing thwarted an attempted smuggling of 1.5 tons of compressed tobacco into the Gaza Strip.

The seized tobacco was secreted away in a shipment of poultry vitamins.
With police activity intensifying over the various investigations into the affairs of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, elements within the Likud party are striking back with a series of what appear to be legal and public measures intended to tarnish the police's standing and image, as well as that of its commissioner.

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Wednesday morning, the bill barring the police from recommending indictments at the conclusion of investigations passedby a majority of 52 in favor versus 42 opposedfollowing a raucous Knesset debate.

Members of PM Netanyahu (L)'s Likud party are said to be targeting Police Commissioner Alsheikh in new legislative measures (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, Marc Israel Sellem)

The bill was highly controversial, with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit publicly speaking against it, and the debate preceding it included accusations levied by the coalition purporting the bill was meant to serve Netanyahu's personal interests in stalling for time.

After the vote, Likud members put forward another initiative, once again placing the police and its chief front and center. Channel 2 News reported Likud MKs are planning to propose a bill reducing the commissioner's salarycurrently NIS 83,000 a monthwhile increasing the prime minister's wagecurrently NIS 49,000 a month.

The planned reduction was placed in the context of a larger move to slash salaries of senior judiciary, military and police officials, but current Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh's stood out, in light of recent legislative initiatives seeking to cut the statue of police down to size, both legally and in the eyes of the public.

The police's response was severe. "We have nothing else to do but regret the dangerous trend of harming the police in any possible way. Nevertheless, we will not be deterred by any attempts to weaken us," its statement said.

An unnamed former police chief said Alsheikh was the subject of 'mafia tactics' (Photo: Avi Mualem)

Even more severe was an unnamed former police commissioner, who decried the treatment Alsheikh was receiving as harassment. "They're fighting the commissioner and using mafia tactics to do so. They're sending him one hint after the other, until he understands he shouldn't mess with the prime minister. They're trying to terrorize him," the former police chief said.

Another former police commissioner, who chose to speak on record, was Assaf Hefetz. Hefetz said in a Ynet studio interview he "didn't recall such tongue-lashings. They want to circle the wagons around the prime minister and intimidate the police."

Hefetz also claimed the supposed anti-police legislative initiatives will not influence the law enforcement organization. "Police are strong enough, and the commissioner is strong enough, to withstand these attacks. There's no doubt in my mind both the commissioner and cops are unperturbed by such attacks," he said.

"It's plain to see this commissioner, appointed by the prime minister himself, busies himself was the public interest and the law far more than the interests of any particular individual. It's also plain to see the people behind these initiatives will invariably fail. The public must understand some MKs are abdicating their duties as the public's emissaries and are not acting against the public's interest," Hefetz accused.

Former Commissioner Hefetz said police and current commissioner Alsheikh were strong enough to withstand the attack (Photo: Dana Kopel)

The former police commissioner also noted he did not think Netanyahu was pulling the strings behind the scenes. "He distanced himself from them, but they persist on their accord to ingratiate themselves to him. There's no other explanation. They might want to help the prime minister to stop any recommendations being made on his investigations but the recommendation will reach the public no matter what," he said.

"As for the law, we can see the minister of justice opposes it, as do the attorney general and the minister of public security, at least to its current wording," Hefetz concluded.

Meanwhile, sources close to Alsheikh said he was carrying on business as usual, but that he also spoke privately about coming to terms with the fact his term will not be extended past this year, his third in the role.

Responding to the report about his and Alsheikh's salary, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was not interested in raising his own wage in the least. "The prime minister does deem it necessary to change his salary or the salaries of other top officials," said a source close to him.

PM Netanyahu professed publically he had no interest in recent bills supposedly defending him (Photo: Olivier Fitoussi)

However, the above statement bore a striking resemblance to one made last week, at the heights of the public debate surrounding the recommendation law and another bill forbidding police from investigating a sitting prime minister.

"I'm uninterested in any law pertaining to ongoing investigations related to me," Netanyahu said then. Despite this assurance, some have presumed the prime minister's public statements were not necessarily congruent with the go-ahead he gave Likud MKs privately to promote said legislation.

The Israel Police also had a starring turn in a discussion held by the Knesset's Internal Affairs Committee, when its chairman MK Dudi Amsalem (Likud) instigated a discussion on "the commissioner's media adviser and police spokeswoman's lashing out at the committee's chair and other MKs."

Interior Affairs Committee Chairman Amsalem convened a discussion on recent statements by police officials (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Amsalem then presented a series of tweets made by Alsheikh's media man Lior Horev, including "Dudi Amsalem, why didn't you pass through (the Prime Minister's Residence) to shine some shoes They're very angry there" and "The daily winner in the Loco Cock-a-doodle-do Award is Nava Boker."

The Ministry of Public Security's comptroller and police both determined Horev violated the terms of his employment as well as his commitment to avoid "publishing public criticism of government policy." Horev declined comment.
A resident of eastern Jerusalem was acquitted Thursday despite being indicted for conspiracy to assist an enemy in times of war and confessing two years ago to planning to plant a bomb in a hotel in the southern holiday resort of Eilat. The State Attorney's Office has already filed an appeal to the Supreme Court over the decision to the acquittal.

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Khalil Nimri, 23, was charged by the Southern District Attorney's Office, along with Ashraf Salameh, 25both of whom lived and worked in Eilat at the timein 2015 for allegedly planning the attack with the intention of killing a group of Ashkenazi religious tourists staying in the Hotel Be Center, formerly called the Rio hotel.

Khalil Nimri (Photo: Haim Horenstein)

The two were arrested at the end of November 2015 and later confessed their involvement in the plot following the conclusion of an intensive and protracted Shin Bet investigation.

According to the indictment, Nimri and Salameh did not know each other before planning the details of their plot and met while working in Eilat.

The two were arrested after a receptionist in the hotel reported suspicions stemming from Nimri asking a series of unusual questions. A few days later, the receptionist said that he had made a mistake in identifying Nimri after an encounter with Salameh, who was subsequently arrested.

The two met in one of their homes where they decided to carry out an attack against Jews to take revenge during the height of what became know as the wave of terror in which Israel experienced daily shootings, stabbing and car-ramming attacks.

Nimri sought to avenge the death of a childhood friend who was killed in October 2015 during a stabbing attack in Jerusalem, and Ashraf Salameh also felt the need take revenge on the State of Israel and carry out a terror attack, the indictment states.

Khalil Nimri's mother in court (Photo: Haim Horenstein)

The panel of judges in the Be'er Sheva District Court did not provide a reason for their decision to let Nimri off the hook. However questions were raised over the veracity of the confession, which was ultimately not accepted.

The bulk of the case was predicated on Nimris confession, as is common in many security-related trials. However, the confession did not entirely correspond with objective evidence presented during the legal proceedings.

Despite the fact that the judges determined that the confession was admissible in court, objective evidence did not indicate that Nimri was guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Nevertheless, the judges were not able to state unequivocally that the confession was false due to the precedent it could set in future security-related trials.

(Photo: Meir Ohayon)

In many cases, The Shin Bet succeeds in uncovering and thwarting terrorist incidents, said Nimris Lawyer after the acquittal. However, it is clear throughout the entire interrogation ... (they refused) to look at the reality staring them in the faces, gathering evidence and interrogating witnesses, in the unshakable belief that the truth is revealed by the interrogation procedures, and that "they will not let the facts confuse them."

Later, Nimri would claim that he confessed under pressure during the 11-hour Shin Bet grilling.

During the investigation, it emerged that Nimri never even stepped foot even in the targeted hotel.

The defendants confession was false, the attorney wrote, pointing out that the Shin Bet investigator presented details to Nirmi that only people who were actually in the hotel could have been familiar with.

The receptionist recognized Nimri, who she believed was the person working in the hotel. A few days later, the mistaken identity was acknowledged.

Salameh, on the other hand, was in the hotel and confessed to the plan during his investigation.

We came to the conclusion that even if his confession was admissible, there is no evidence proving the defendant's responsibility beyond reasonable doubt, the judges wrote. We will not be providing our reasons at the moment but we will endeavor to do so within 30 days.

Speaking after the court decision, Nimri said: You dont know how happy I am to be released, to see my family but I am angry.

His mother also added I prayed for two years. I told them I didn't raise my boy like that.
Stella Penn Pechanac, an Israeli IDF veteran in her thirties, was the spy hired by disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein to locate actresses and journalists who attempted to reveal his decades-long record of sexual assault and abuse, the British Daily Mail paper reported Thursday morning.

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Penn, an employee of intelligence firm "Black Cube", was reportedly collecting information about one of the biggest names alleging mistreatment by Weinstein, actress Rose McGowan, who accused the producer of rape.

Penn reportedly posed as a women's rights activist and recorded at least four meetings with McGowan in an attempt to collect sensitive information which could be used as leverage against her in a bid to prevent her from publically coming forward with the details of the abuse she suffered at Weinstein's hands.

Penn Pechanac (L) was reportedly hired by Weinstein to gather information about actress Rose McGowan (Photo: MCT)

Penn presented herself to McGowan as "Diana Philip", a top London investment firm executive, and supposedly offered her $60,000 for participating in a conference on combating discrimination against women in the workplace.

In the next few months the two met several times, including in New York and Los Angeles hotels, where Penn pressured McGowan to divulge information. The Daily Mail further claimed Penn was recently married and resides in Jaffa.

In Israel the mysterious spy is known as Stella Pechanac, an actress who graduated from Nissan Nativ's famed acting studio. Pechanac performed in plays alongside such luminaries of the stage as Shlomo Vishinsky, Jason Danino-Holt, Gaia Shalita Katz, Liel Danir, Meggie Azarzer and others.

Penn's grandmother, Zejneba Hardaga, was a Bosnian Righteous among the Nations who saved Jewish families from the Nazis in Sarajevo during the Holocaust. Hardaga was the first Muslim woman bestowed with the honor.

In a 2011 interview she gave to Yedioth Ahronoth, Pechanac said, "After the army I sort of began examining myself inwardly and wanted to reconnect with my past. Today I'm both Esther and Stella. I'm the granddaughter of a Muslim woman and the daughter of a Christina father and Muslim mother, who converted to Judaism. And I try to encompass all of that in my person."

Previously, actresses Gwyneth Paltrow (L) and Angelina Jolie came forward with sexual misconduct accusations against Weinstein (Photo: Getty Images)

On her acting career, Pechanac said, "I always get asked where I'm from in auditions. I don't look Israeli and no matter how much I try and distance myself from labels, being the granddaughter of a Muslim and all that, I'll always be told I should play the foreigner. They'll pick up on my accent and won't let me place the native-born Israeli. I've been told I was beautiful and charismatic, but that a special part that needs to be written for me."

The Daily Mail reported Weinstein paid Black Cube no less than 1.3 million dollars to spy on his "enemies", including multiple actresses and fashion designer Kenneth Cole. The contract between the parties was reportedly signed October 24, 2016.

The details of Weinstein's intelligence-gathering network appear in the agreement, a copy of which New Yorker magazine obtained. The agreement stated its aim was to prevent Weinstein's indiscretions from becoming public. During the course of Black Cube's investigations, information was gathered on dozens of women, for which psychological profiles were reportedly constructed. Their sexual history was also traced.

Weinstein oversaw the investigations himself, with the help of his attorneys, and also utilized people formerly employed in the movie industry.

The founder of Black Cube is Dan Zorella, 32, formerly of one of Israel's classified intelligence units. Zorella founded the company four years ago with his friend Avi Yanus. Their goal was to build a civilian version of intelligence agencies such as the British MI6, American CIA or Israeli Mossad.

Weinstein reportedly paid almost $1.5 million to private intelligence firm to keep lid on scandal (Photo: Getty Images)

What originated as a start-up created by friends transformed into a gigantic company employing dozens of former Israeli intelligence officials, from computer whizzes to stealth operatives with proven kills.

"It is Black Cube's policy to never discuss its clients with any third party, and to never confirm or deny any speculation made with regard to the company's work," a Black Cube spokesman said.

"Black Cube supports the work of many leading law firms around the world, especially in the US, gathering evidence for complex legal processes, involving commercial disputes, among them uncovering negative campaigns. The company does not get involved in family disputes or sexual harassment cases.

"It should be highlighted that Black Cube applies high moral standards to its work, and operates in full compliance with the law of any jurisdiction in which it operates strictly following the guidance and legal opinions provided by leading law firms from around the world."
An Egyptian lawmaker is introducing a draft bill that would imprison those engaging in or promoting same-sex relations, a copy of the draft seen by Reuters on Thursday showed.

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Amnesty International said the bill is "another nail in the coffin for sexual rights in Egypt" and should be scrapped.

It would introduce sentences of to up to 10 years in prison for people engaging in or promoting same-sex relations.

Footage of pride flag being raised at Egyptian concert

The law is part of a wider crackdown against homosexuality that started in September when a group of people were seen raising a rainbow flag at a concert, a rare public show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in the conservative Muslim country.

"If passed, this law would further entrench stigma and abuse against people based on their perceived sexual orientation," said Najia Bounaim, North Africa Campaigns Director at Amnesty International.

"The Egyptian authorities must urgently scrap this draft law and put an end to this alarming wave of homophobic persecution," Bounaim added.

The crackdown comes as Egypt, a main Western ally in the Middle East, is under fire for its human rights record and the United States has withheld some of its $1.3 billion in annual military aid.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Photo: AFP)

At least 70 people have been arrested and some have been subjected to anal examinations that amount to torture since September.

Homosexuality is not specifically outlawed in Egypt but discrimination is rife. Gay men are frequently arrested and typically charged with debauchery, immorality or blasphemy.

Egyptian authorities do not deny going after gays.

Gay men and rights activists say the LGBT community has been facing an aggressive crackdown since 2013, when President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as military chief ousted President Mohamed Mursi, an Islamist.
The Jerusalem Labor Court severely criticized on Wednesday the statement of claim put forward by former Prime Minister's Residence employee Shira Raban against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara, citing problematic phrasing, and taking issue with the use of the word "slave" to describe Raban's experiences at the Residence.

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"When I read the statement of claim, I got the impression it was created for some medium other than these legal proceedings. The appellations you gave employees, why is that necessary? Why wasn't her name mentioned in the suit? These descriptions have no place in legal proceedings and I will not allow them," said Labor Court President Eyal Avrahami.

Judge Avrahami (L) objected to the manner in which the plaintiff against Mrs. Netanyahu characterized herself as a 'slave' (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg, Alex Lipkin)

Avrahami also bristled at the use of the term "slave", saying, "I request the word 'slave' be stricken from the statement. This suit is also meant for ears other than these legal proceedings."

Raban's attorney Oren Gross replied, "If she was forbidden to use the bathroom, is that not slavery? The suit is intended to demonstrate the mores of the Prime Minister's Residence."

Incensed with the reply, Judge Avrahami poured cold water on the explanation. "I don't care about the mores ... It's irrelevant. I don't care about background noises from the respondent's residential floor. I only care about what happened to the plaintiff," he said.

Gross insisted he'd used the term because "When an employee is shouted at and humiliated, like in the 1930s, and screamed at for being short, she's a slave. The statement of claim describes what she went through."

The plaintiff's attorney Oren Gross insisted the use of the term was justified (Photo: David Sasson)

Despite his criticism and requests, Avrahami did not force Raban's legal team to change the phrasing. He did, however, accede to the request of the prime minister's adviser on Haredi affairs Rivka Paluch, chief caretaker Efi Azulay and Chief of Staff Yoav Horowitz, to have their names stricken from the suit.

The State Attorney's Office objected to attorney Yossi Cohen's request to have the name of his client, Sara Netanyahu, also stricken. "The entire episode in question took place on the second floor. There's no single person there aware of what occurs, and Mrs. Netanyahu is the one giving the orders. Only she can defend her account of events. We therefore must insist she not be stricken from the suit," said the state's representative, attorney Maggie Krietenstein.

Mrs. Netanyahu's attorney Yossi Cohen wished to had her name stricken from the suit (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

At the discussion's conclusion, Mrs. Netanyahu's attorney scathed the very nature of the trial. "This suit is contemptible and ugly, and was not worded by a jurist but by a PR man. The judge ordered the plaintiff to properly word her suit and expressed his opinion on her slanderous verbiage. Anyone present in the court could plainly see Mrs. Netanyahu has been seriously wronged."

The Netanyahu family also issued a statement. "The labor court's discussion is proof positive of Mrs. Netanyahu's unambiguous victory and an utter defeat for the public relations and lawyers for Meni Naftali , Naomi Landau and company, who have tried tarnishing Mrs. Netanyahu's name with lies and libels. The president of the court reaffirmed our claim the suit was for media purposes alone, and the claims contained therein were slanderous and divorced from reality," the statement read.
Two-and-a-half years ago the initials BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) meant little to the wider general public. But then the BDS coalitionestablished in 2005 and calling for the imposition of economic, academic and cultural boycotts on Israelintensified its struggle, especially by exerting heavy pressure on music artists not to perform in Israel.

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These new reinvigorated efforts caused the Israeli government to declare the BDS a strategic threat, prompting the Ministry of Strategic Affairs to launch a campaign against the coordinated boycotts.

Today, dozens of organizations are engaged in local and international battles to eliminate the erroneous and pernicious perceptions that the BDS movement seeks to instill within its supporters, among them IFOR (International Freedom of Research) ISRAELis, and the Institute for Zionist Strategies (IZS) that are leading the struggle against the boycotts on three fronts.

The academic boycott threatens to silence liberal voices

IFOR is the initiative by Dr. Sharona Aharoni-Goldenberg, a senior legal lecturer at the Netanya Academic College, who banded together with colleagues such as Dr. Roy Gilbar in order to fight against the academic boycotts in Europe and the US.

The initiative was born two-and-a-half years ago after Dr. Goldenberg witnessed the gloomy reality taking place regarding Israels integration in the international academic world.

Their articles were rejected by magazines and periodicals, they were not invited to professional conferences and in many cases they were simply ignored or protested against during lectures and academic meetings.

Have such cases of academic boycotts occurred in history?

Yes. Its a disgrace. There is a picture from 1933 in which soldiers can be seen placed at the entrances of universities and not allowing Jewish researchers to enter, she says.

Members of IFOR battle against the academic boycotts by utilizing tools they are most familiar with. They lecture in Israel and around the world, establish research groups an and write opinion pieces in the international press.

We are trying to change the perception and communicate the message that academic boycotts are an oxymoron and that they are an assault on human rights, says Dr. Goldenberg.

Recently, for instance, there were calls to boycott a conference in Israel for cancer research. This harms the pursuit of truth, the advancement science and promotion of society. Another example is the Dublin Conference on academic boycotts. Two Israeli research groups sent abstracts but were not allowed to enter the conference, she recalled.

According to Dr. Goldenberg, many of the Israeli researchers are afraid of the boycotts and conceal their academic affiliation. Israeli students studying abroad also witness the anti-Israel climate permeating college campuses.

It seeped not only to Israeli lecturers and students but also to Jewish students. In the US there are students who are scared to study in certain universitiesuniversities that the Telegraph newspaper dubbed no go zone universities, because they were bought by Islamic organizations, Dr. Goldenberg explains.

We see an effect I dubbed the ripple effect. It started with silencing Israeli lecturers and continued into intimidating Israeli students and made its way to Jewish lecturers and students on campus. In my opinion, the next stageand it has already begunis the silencing of differing liberal voices, Dr. Goldenberg predicts.

Using post-military travels as a PR tool

ISRAELis is an organization that was established by three IDF officers, Eyal Biram, Barak Deri and Jonathan Sabrui, who after recently being discharged from their military service began to grasp the huge and untapped power held by young Israelis when it comes to portraying Israels image.

Every year, some 400,000 Israeli youngsters aged 20-24 travel abroad, the majority of whom are freshly discharged from the army. During their trip they get to know, on average, five fellow travelers of their age group, a meeting that has the potential to totally transform Israels image.

The idea is to build a community of discharged soldiers who are involved in improving Israels public image, says 25-year-old Biram, recounting his own experiences during his post-military travels which led to the creation of his organization.

I met two French people and in a simple conversation over a beer in the hostel I managed to convey a simple message: What you have heard about Israel is simply not true. I told them that I served in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge. They had never heard of the tunnels or about the soldiers who were killed. Its possible that those same French people went home and came across the issues of the BDS and remembered that they met with Eyal from Israel and described the situation differently, Biram says.

Today, the three young entrepreneurs hold training workshops in three stages in cooperation with the Defense Ministry and the Institute of Public Diplomacy.

The first stage includes basic training as part of a preparation course for freshly discharged IDF soldiers, who are given the tools to communicate messages designed to enhance Israels image.

The second phase consists of training a patrol team of activists comprising ambassadors aptly nicknamed the tourists who possess stronger public relations tools. The third stage, which is currently in its development stage, is a digital platform designed to assist and support tourists during their travels after the army.

Nothing exists to help the population of discharged soldiers and we have here the ability to create a significant change. We have 1,500 graduates and we predict that by the end of 2017 well have 40,000. At this rate, in another ten years half a million Israelis will be Israeli ambassadors, Biram predicted.

Change begins from the inside

Unlike ISRAELis, which concentrates most of its efforts on public relations outside Israel, the Institute for Zionist Strategies focuses all its energy inside Israels borders.

The institute was born 12 years ago, and five years ago, as part of its framework, the Blue & White Human Rights offshoot movement was created, an apolitical group managed by Noah Dromi which deals predominantly with rights of Palestinians.

We dont say that everything is wonderful and nothing is happening here, explains the CEO of the IZS, Miri Shalem.

We also dont show a negative reality. IDF soldiers are not evil demons and even if the Palestinians dont have a state, not everything is bad. Some of them work inside Israel and receive a high salary compared to what they would receive in the PA. They also receive medical treatment, she points out.

The activities of the IZS against the BDS movement focus on three central areas. The first one is volunteer work at checkpoints in the West Bank (most of the volunteers are residents of Gush Etzion), which includes monitoring the operations of workers at the checkpoints, solving specific problems and providing medical assistance.

All this is in cooperation with the authorities and without the involvement of the media, Shalem stresses.

The second main area of focus is patrols at the checkpoints, which receives particular scrutiny from organizations abroad.

The third area is the training of geopolitical tour guides, a particularly popular role in the West Bank but less so in Israel.

"We dont present a rosy picture, but rather the complex reality that will cause people to question anchored perceptions in their minds.

Sometimes when delegations arrive to Israel, like Taglit, they are given tours that ignore the realitythey are shown the startup nation and the beaches of Tel Aviv. Our activities are designed to create a change in Israeli domestic discourse that will also spreads abroad. It allows for a different perspective on the conflict.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Strategic Affairs.
Lebanon believes Saad al-Hariri, who resigned as prime minister on Saturday while in Saudi Arabia, is being held by Riyadh, and Beirut plans to work with foreign states to secure his return, a top Lebanese government official said on Thursday.

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A second source, a senior politician close to Saudi-allied al-Hariri, said Saudi Arabia had ordered him to resign and put him under house arrest. A third source familiar with the situation said Saudi Arabia was controlling and limiting his movement.

Al-Hariri's shock resignation, read out on television from Saudi Arabia, pitched Lebanon into a deep political crisis and pushed the country back to the forefront of a regional struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saad al-Hariri (Photo: Reuters)

It has fuelled speculation in Lebanon that the Sunni Muslim politician, long an ally of Riyadh, was coerced into stepping down by the Saudis.

Saudi Arabia and members of al-Hariri's Future Movement have denied reports that he is under house arrest. But he has put out no statements himself denying his movements are being restricted. He made a one-day flying visit to the United Arab Emirates earlier this week before returning to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hariri's office said in statement he had received the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia on Thursday. He had also met the head of the EU mission to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, and on Tuesday the British ambassador and the US charge d'affaires.

Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud (L), Hariri (C) and Hassan Nasrallah (Photo: EPA, Getty Images, AFP)

Saudi Arabia says Hezbollah, which was included in al-Hariri's coalition government, had "hijacked" Lebanon's political system.

In his resignation speech, al-Hariri attacked Iran and Hezbollah for sowing strife in Arab states and said he feared assassination. His father, a veteran former prime minister, was killed by a bomb in 2005.

SAUDI ARRESTS

The top government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Lebanon is heading towards asking foreign and Arab states to put pressure on Saudi to release Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri."

"Keeping al-Hariri with restricted freedom in Riyadh is an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. Our dignity is his dignity. We will work with (foreign) states to return him to Beirut," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the government had yet to declare its position.

The official said al-Hariri was still Lebanon's prime minister, echoing other Lebanese government officials who say al-Hariri's resignation had not been received by Aoun.

Aoun wants al-Hariri to return to Lebanon and explain the reasons for his resignation declaration before he takes a decision it.

aad al-Hariri with Saudi King Salman in Riyadh (Photo: AFP)

The resignation of al-Hariri, who is a business tycoon with major investments in Saudi Arabia, came at the same time as a wave of arrests of Saudi princes and businessmen accused of corruption by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The second source, a senior Lebanese politician who is close to al-Hariri, said: "When he went (to Saudi Arabia) he was asked to stay there and ordered to resign. They ordered him to read his resignation statement and he has been held under house arrest since."

Lebanese President Michel Aoun is moving towards a diplomatic approach to "uncover the mystery surrounding al-Hariri's resignation", said Lebanon's al-Manar television, which supports Iran-backed Shi'ite movement Hezbollah.

Al-Hariri came to office last year in a political deal that made the Hezbollah-allied Aoun head of state.
BEIRUT  Syria's army declared victory over Islamic State on Thursday, saying its capture of the jihadists' last town in the country marked the collapse of their project in the region.

The army and its allies are still fighting Islamic State in desert areas near Albu Kamal, the last town the militant group had held in Syria, near the border with Iraq, the army said.

But the capture of the town ends Islamic State's era of territorial rule over the so-called caliphate that it proclaimed in 2014 across Iraq and Syria and in which millions suffered under its hard-line, repressive strictures.
BEIRUT  Hezbollah has called on Saudi Arabia to stay out of Lebanese affairs, saying the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, announced from Riyadh over the weekend, "has raised many questions."

In a statement, the militant group's parliamentary bloc said Saudi Arabia was mired in crisis after the failure of its 2 -year military intervention in Yemen, which has led to a military stalemate.

Saudi Arabia has demanded that Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed group, play no role in Lebanon's government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was interrogated for the fifth time for four hours on Thursday at the Prime Minister's Residence, by police investigators from the Lahav 433 Investigative Unit. Netanyahu is currently being investigated regarding bribery allegations in several different cases.

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This was the first time Netanyahu has been investigated since his former chief of staff Ari Harow turned state witness. Harow is reportedly cooperating with the police on the illicit gifts affair (also known as "Case 1,000"), which is looking into billionaire Arnon Milchan's gifts to Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. Among other allegations, it is said that Netanyahu had pushed for Milchan to receive a US visa by contacting then-US state secretary John Kerry three times on the matter.

The investigators questioned Netanyahu under warning on suspicion of bribery, based mainly on Milchan's testimony. Netanyahu adhered to the version that the gifts he received were between friends, and that he never intended to "reciprocate."

Police investigators enter the PM's Residence (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Netanyahu was also interrogated on Thursday on his recorded conversations with Yedioth Ahronoth media publisher Arnon Mozes, as part of "Case 2,000": specifically, the two are suspected of brokering a deal that would have Mozes's media empire give less critical coverage of Netanyahu, in exchange for Netanyahu seeing to a decrease in the circulation of Yisrael Hayoma free newspaper and Mozes's main competition, which is owned by staunch Netanyahu's supporter, US casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.

Finally, Netanyahu was also due to be asked about the submarine deal ("Case 3,000"), in which several of his close associates and familial relations have been questioned, in regard to the the Israeli Navy's procurement of several submarine from German shipbuilding company ThyssenKrupp. Netanyahu is not considered a suspect in this case, and his comments on it will be regarded about as a freely given testimony.

Following the end of his investigation, Netanyahu issued a statement, saying, "I will repeat it this evening with absolute confidence: there will be nothing, because there was nothing!"

Netanyahu (Photo: Olivier Fitoussi)

The police has previously complained of Netanyahu's unavailability for questioning, with some saying that he is "trying to make the time pass," and that "perhaps someone on the other side finds it beneficial to to draw out the investigation."

Netanyahu, for his part, has repeatedly stated his innocence, claiming that "there is nothingbecause there was nothing."
The largest seen aerial exercise in Israel began on Thursday and is to continue for the next two weeks. 1,000 highly-trained fighter pilots from eight different countries opened the "Blue Flag" exercise, which includes roughly 100 of fighter jets, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is the most immense military drill to take place so far this year.

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This is the third time Israel has hosted the exercise, which takes place once every two years. In addition to Israel, this year it included teams from Greece, India, the US, Germany, Poland, France and Italy.

During the drill, Israeli F-15 and F-16 jets will come up against German Eurofighters and French Mirage jets.

Largest international aerial exercise takes place in Israel (:  ,  ", :  )

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Most of the jets are kept in the southern Ovda airport, with the soldiers themselves staying in hotels located in the coastal city of Eilat.

Fighter jets taking part in Blue Flag (Photo: Shaul Golan)

The drill will include about 100 daily aerial excursions and roughly 1,000 flights in total. Pilot will communicate with one another in English, in accordance with NATO security protocol.

German officer during exercise (Photo: Shaul Golan)

Measuring up to fellow soldiers

"It's interesting to see different approaches to solving the same problem," said a high-ranking IAF officer. "This is an international event that is strategically important to Israel. We've matched each country with the scenarios that interest it.

(Photo: Shaul Golan)

"It's quite an experience to see the Eurofighter maneuver and lock in on its targets," he added. "It the closest to war we can get in an exercise, under a policy of openness that includes dilemmas over what to reveal and what not reveal to our guests. You get to see your level as a pilot and as a soldier when compared to others."

International forces lining up before 'battle' (Photo: Shaul Golan)

"What's really interesting to see during the exercise itself is how each country brings its culture into the exercise," added Cpt. Noam, from the Israeli Air Force. "Some are more precise and 'strict,' let's call it that, when it comes to punctuality, while others in charge have more of the Israeli creative thinking mentality, with a little more flexibility." He further stated that "what's really fun to see is how each country brings its own colors to the exercise itself."

(Photo: Shaul Golan)

The culmination of a year's training

Each country will be paying its way in the exercise. Preparations for the drill lasted for a year and constitute the apex of the IAF's training over the past two years.

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

The exercise is comprised of several generic scenarios that do not identify a specific enemy, though each pilot was given an Arabic name, as well as intel they must use to overtake the enemy.

(Photo: Shaul Golan)

The scenarios to in the drill range from classic head-on aerial attacks, to dropping ammunition, facing UAVs, evading anti-aircraft systems and attacking them.

Israeli Air Force pilot (Photo: Shaul Golan)

The team managing the drill decided that both the "blue" alliance and the "red" alliance will include an imaginary country, with the blue team including the nation of "Falcon Land" and the red including "No War Land." Each of these countries were given their own weapons and soldiers whose aim is to target and take down enemy jets, while protecting their own forces and technology.

This is the first time that German Air Force fighter jets fly above the State of Israel, and the first time that Germanyas well as France and Indiatake part in the international exercise. Ovda Commander, Col. Itamar, whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors, spoke during the exercise's opening remarks, in addition to German Air Force Maj. Boomer, who spoke in Hebrew.
Israel is planning a diplomatic offensive to step up pressure on Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah at the United Nations, Intelligence Minister Israel said on Thursday.

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Katz told The Associated Press that he believes conditions are ripe to take a stand against Iranian actions in the region, including its support for the Lebanese Shiite militant group.

Netanyahu (L) and Katz (Photo: Elad Gershgorn)

In particular, he said that Israel wants the world, after years of inaction, to tightly enforce a 2006 cease-fire agreement that called on Hezbollah to disarm and stay away from Israel's border.

Katz believes that the surprising resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri has created a golden opportunity to strike at Iran and its allies. "The resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister (Saaded) al-Hariri exposes Hezbollah's real face," Katz said. "Iran is taking over Lebanon. Hezbollah is taking over Lebanon."

Israel has closely been watching Iran's involvement in the war in neighboring Syria and is deeply concerned that Iran, along with Hezbollah, will maintain a permanent presence in post-war Syria. It fears that Iran could use Syrian territory to stage attacks on Israel, or create a land corridor from Iran to Lebanon that could allow it to transfer weapons more easily to Hezbollah.

Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

Hezbollah and Israel battled Israel to a stalemate in a monthlong war in 2006 that ended in a UN-brokered cease-fire.

The agreement, UN Security Council Resolution 1701, called for the disarmament of militant groups in Lebanon and an end to arms transfers to them. The only armed forces allowed in southern Lebanon were the Lebanese national army and UN peacekeepers.

The cease-fire, however, has been poorly enforced, and Israel believes Hezbollah has amassed an arsenal of some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel, much of it stockpiled near the border.

"We don't need a new resolution. We just need to implement an existing one," said Katz, who will head to the United States later this month to press Israel's case.

"I think al-Hariri's resignation allows Israel to lead a process with the United Nations, with the Security Council, United States, France and other countries and demand to implement Resolution 1701," he said. "That first of all is a process we plan to lead."

Announcing his resignation last Saturday in a pre-recorded speech from Saudi Arabia, al-Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Hezbollah of holding Lebanon hostage. Hezbollah has members in the Lebanese unity government that al-Hariri formed last year.

Al-Hariri's surprise resignation has thrown Lebanon into turmoil, with many people accusing Saudi Arabia of carrying out a power play aimed at wrecking the unity deal with Hezbollah. On Thursday, al-Hariri's party in Lebanon demanded he return from Saudi Arabia, implying he was being held against his will.

Katz spoke before Thursday's accusations against Saudi Arabia, but discounted the possibility that the kingdom was behind his resignation. "I don't think they forced him to resign. The threat against him in Lebanon is concrete," Katz said.

Israel has long sought better enforcement of the UN cease-fire. But Katz said changing circumstances make the time ripe for diplomatic action.

He cited the strong support for Israel by the new US administration, the international jockeying for influence as the Syrian war moves toward an end and what he called Israel's "shared interests" with Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab countries who also feel threatened by Iran.

In a sign of progress for Israel, the Security Council under American pressure renewed the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon in September with new orders for more patrols and detailed reports on run-ins with Hezbollah.

Israel has largely stayed on the sidelines throughout the six-year Syrian war. But officials have acknowledged carrying out dozens of airstrikes inside Syria against suspected weapons shipments bound for Hezbollah.

Israel has been lobbying both the US and Russia, Syria's strongest ally, for safeguards that Iran and its allies will remain far from its borders in post-war Syria and that sophisticated weapons will not be able to reach Hezbollah.

Katz said Israel prefers diplomatic arrangements, but is ready to use military action if necessary.

"Israel has made clear what its red lines are and we will stand by those red lines," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly stated he did not take advantage of his position and power to promote the interests of his friends and associates in exchange for bribes, during his four-hour police investigation on Thursday at the Prime Minister's Residence. It was Netanyahu's fifth interrogation on bribery allegations and the first interrogation since his former chief of staff, Ari Harow, turned state witness.

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During the investigation, Netanyahu was confronted with Harows testimony, as well as with the suspicions raised in billionaire Arnon Milchans recent testimony in the illicit gifts affair (also known as Case 1000), which is looking into billionaire Arnon Milchan's gifts to Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.

Among other allegations, it is said that Netanyahu had pushed for Milchan to receive a US visa by contacting then-US state secretary John Kerry three times on the matter and and protecting Milchans investment in the Channel 10 franchise.

Netanyahu with former chief of staff Ari Harrow (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

In exchange for Netanyahu's help in these matters, the Israeli-born Hollywood producer allegedly gifted the Netanyahus with hundreds of thousands of shekels worth of cigars and champagne.

The prime minister was questioned under caution on bribery allegations based on Harow and Milchans testimonies. Netanyahu stuck to his version he had never intended on giving Milchan anything in return for his gifts.

According to a report by Channel 2 News correspondent Amnon Abramovich, Netanyahu was instructed by his lawyers to address Milchans testimonies as a states witness's testimonies.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and State Attorney Shai Nitzan will receive the transcripts of the prime ministers interrogation and make a decision on how to move forward with the investigation.

In the past two weeks, excluding the days he spent in London on an official visit, Netanyahu consulted his lawyers, Jacob Weinroth and Amit Hadad, several times on the version he would provide his investigators with.

Netanyahu with billionaire Arnon Milchan (Photo: Getty Images)

Netanyahu, according to the Channel 2 report, told the investigators that he had received legitimate gifts from Milchan as part of his years-long, consecutive friendship with the billionaire. Netanyahu's version is that he only helped Milchan because of his contribution to Israel's security, just like he helped former Mossad Director Meir Dagan, who was his rival, when he was fighting cancer and had to undergo a liver transplant in Belarus. Milchan, however, told the investigators that he was forced to recruit other donors to share the burden of funding Netanyahu's expensive gifts.

As for the Channel 10 franchise, Netanyahu's version is that he preferred Milchan would sell his shares to businessman Len Blavatnik rather than to the other potential buyer, advertising mogul Ilan Shiloach, because he wanted that the Channel would have a sympathetic owner rather than a hostile one, and not because the NIS 10 million which Milchan allegedly earned from the deal.

As for gifts he received from other wealthy businessmen, Netanyahu's version is that this is a legitimate custom among friends.

Police investigators arrive at the Prime Minister's Residence, Thursday (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

The other affair Netanyahu was questioned on Thursday is his recorded conversations with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes (also known as Case 2000). The two are suspected of discussion a deal that would aid Yedioth Ahronoth in the print market in return for a more favorable coverage of the prime minister in the paper.

Mozes allegedly told Netanyahu in one of their discussions: "We worked things out wonderfully in the 2009 elections. Have you forgotten?" According to Channel 2, the investigators are attempting to find out whether the two had reached some kind of a business deal in 2009.

Arnon Mozes is the publisher and owner of Yedioth Ahronoth Group, which includes Ynet.
Hundreds of people held a mass prayer at the Western Wall on Thursday for the return of the bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, who were killed in action during the 2014 Israeli operation in Gaza and whose bodies have been held by Hamas since then.

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Prominent rabbis, public figures and the fallen soldiers family members arrived at the holy site in Jerusalem for a first-of-its-kind event as part of the campaign to bring the bodied back home for burial.

I thank everyone who helped and everyone who prayed, Hadars father, Simcha Goldin, said at the end of the rally. He asked the Israeli public not to stop praying, God forbid, but also to complement the prayers with action.

Simcha Goldin at the Western Wall (Photo: Netanel Ariel)

He called on the public to start explaining to its leadershipboth the religious and the political leadershipthat its time for action and theres no time left. The time is now. We must pressure them and not let go, and bring Hadar and Oron to be buried in Israel. Its our mission, its a mitzvah, its what the public is demanding.

Restore our national dignity

The prayer was led by Jerusalems Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern, Safeds Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu and Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, a leading religious-Zionist rabbi.

(Photo: Netanel Ariel)

Knesset Member Moti Yogev of the Bayit Yehudi faction called on the government, together with Simcha Goldin, to use all means at Israels disposal to exert considerable pressure on the terror organizations, without releasing terrorists, to return the two soldiers, who were killed while defending the citizens of the State of Israel.

It is our duty to bring them for burial in Israel and to restore our national dignity, he said. We are appealing both to the government and to God, added Rabbi Eliyahu.

Nachman Shapira, one of the campaigns leaders and rallys organizers, said: For three years, the State of Israel has been abandoning Hadar and Oron, giving in to terror and failing to pressure the terror organizations. For three years, the families have been fighting alone. We havent forgotten Hadar and Oron and we demand that the government put heavy pressure on Hamas and claim a heavy price from them.
The United States and Russia are nearing an agreement on arrangements for Syria as the Islamic State group nears defeat.

Four US officials say the countries are discussing a deal ahead of a potential meeting Friday between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The United States has been reluctant to hold a formal meeting between the leaders without a substantive agreement to announce. The officials say the agreement aims to strengthen the "deconfliction" system keeping the US and Russian militaries from colliding in Syria. Another element would focus on reducing violence in Syria's civil war and limiting the influence of foreign forces, particularly those supported by Iran.

The deal would also reaffirm a UN-led political process for Syria. The officials weren't authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.
A Spanish judge has agreed to jail Catalonia's top lawmaker in the rebellion probe stemming from the regional parliament's independence vote, setting her bail at 150,000 euros ($175,000) and ordering her passport confiscated.

Prosecutors had asked Supreme Court magistrate Pablo Llarena to jail Catalan Parliament Speaker Carme Forcadell and three other lawmakers without bail on Thursday.

Forcadell is the speaker of the regional parliament where, disregarding warnings from Spain's Constitutional Court, separatist lawmakers passed a declaration to proclaim a new Catalan republic on Oct. 27. Prosecutors are pursuing a criminal case against the speaker and five members of the parliament's governing body.
When the calendar flips to November, it is inspiring to see communities throughout the Third District host ceremonies and parades to honor the Nebraskans who have served our country. In Congress, we are focused on demonstrating the gratitude of a nation by ensuring our veterans, the men and women currently serving, and their families receive the care and recognition they deserve.

Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon has introduced the Gold Star Family Support and Installation Access Act to strengthen our commitment to the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This legislation ensures Gold Star Families have lifetime access to military installations and allows remarried Gold Star spouses to keep their benefits for as long as they have dependent children at home.

As a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General, Congressman Bacon knows the importance of caring for military families, and I am glad to join him in this effort by cosponsoring the bill.

I am also a cosponsor of recently-introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which sunk in minutes after being struck by Japanese torpedoes following a covert operation to bring atomic bomb components to Tinian during World War II. An estimated 900 of the 1,197 men onboard made it into the water alive, and after enduring four days of temperature extremes in shark-infested waters, only 317 lived to be rescued.

Dale Krueger of Wayne is one of the fewer than 20 U.S.S. Indianapolis survivors alive today. Through the years, multiple Nebraska reporters have profiled his incredible story, describing how he clung to a large net after the ship went down  while also clinging to the hope of being found and brought to safety. Clarence Hupka of Cook, another brave survivor of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, passed away only days ago on October 29.

I hesitate to ask anything more of our veterans, but one request I will make of these heroes is to share their stories. According to the VA, only 558,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive today, with more than 3,800 of these veterans living in Nebraska. Sadly, we lose an average of 362 World War II veterans each day, along with a growing number from the Korean and Vietnam wars.

This is why I hosted an interactive training earlier this year on compiling veterans accounts for the Library of Congresss Veterans History Project. An important way to serve our veterans is to preserve their stories, and it is crucial for current and future generations to understand the cost of freedom. I encourage all Nebraskans to participate in this effort, and if you would like more information on the Veterans History Project, please visit www.LOC.gov/vets or contact my Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900.

As in years past, my office will also help collect cards for the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program, formerly known as Holiday Mail for Heroes. This is a wonderful opportunity to share gratitude and greetings with service members and their families. If you wish to join us in this effort, please drop off your cards without postage to my Grand Island or Scottsbluff offices by Monday, December 4. You can also bring them to any mobile offices or Caseworker in Your Community events hosted by my staff. More information is available on my website at AdrianSmith.house.gov/HolidaysforHeroes.

On Veterans Day, and every day, we honor those who made the selfless decision to defend our freedom. To all Nebraska veterans and their families, thank you for bravely answering the call.
YORK  This past week, Erica Jenkins was supposed to be transported to York County District Court for a status hearing prior to a jury trial in a case where she is accused of beating another inmate at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.

But Jenkins refused to be transported and that status hearing had to be pushed to Nov. 28, which means a jury trial has also been postponed to a later date.

The case is being prosecuted by the Nebraska Attorney Generals office.

Jenkins has been officially charged with assault by a confined person with a weapon and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. If convicted, she could be facing another 70 years in prison  on top of the 80-100 years shes already serving.

Jenkins is accused of attacking Christine Bordeaux, who is Jenkins cousin. Investigators say the motive behind the alleged attack was that Bordeaux assisted authorities in prosecuting Jenkins regarding the killing of Curtis Bradford. That killing was part of whats been termed as one of the worst killing sprees in the states history, which was committed by Jenkins brother, Nikko Jenkins.

Besides the murder conviction, Erica Jenkins is also serving 40-60 years on two counts of robbery in the Aug. 11, 2013, deaths of Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge Cajiga-Ruiz (the murders of which were committed by her brother).

Jenkins has also been convicted in the past of assault on a law enforcement officer and two counts of assault on a health care worker.

In this most recent case, it is alleged that Jenkins beat Bordeaux with a padlock in a sock while a co-defendant, a fellow inmate, held Bordeaux down and kicked her.

According to prison officials, Bordeauxs injuries included a concussion, a broken nasal bone, a broken finger, a broken arm and contusions.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri told his countrymen - from Saudi Arabia - that he was resigning. Lebanon has been awash with speculation that its PM may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia.

Workers hang a poster of Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Hariri's shocking announcement of his resignation - made from Saudi Arabia - has fueled speculation that he may be held against his will. (Photo: AP)

By AP: Saudi Arabia has ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible", at a time when tensions between the two governments have skyrocketed.

"Due to the situations in the Republic of Lebanon, the official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Saudi nationals visiting or residing in Lebanon are asked to leave the country as soon as possible," the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

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"The Kingdom advised all citizens not to travel to Lebanon from any other international destinations."

On Saturdday, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri shocked his country when he announced in a televised statement out of Saudi Arabia that he was resigning. He has not been seen in Lebanon since.

He said his country had been taken hostage by the militant group Hezbollah, a partner in his coalition government and a major foe of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia says it considers Hezbollah's participation in the Lebanese government an "act of war" against the kingdom.

'NECESSARY FOR HARIRI TO RETURN'

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said he will not consider the premier's resignation until the two meet in person.

Hariri's political party, the Saudi-aligned Future Party, called for his immediate return to Lebanon.

The party issued a statement saying it was "necessary" for Hariri to return "to restore Lebanon's dignity and respect."

The statement read by former Prime Minister Fuad Saniora seemed to indicate that Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia against his will.

But Saudi officials have denied Hariri is under house arrest.

--- ENDS ---
YORK  Six York College students are accused of shooting children with BB guns while they were trick-or-treating on Halloween night, according to York Chief of Police Ed Tjaden.

The male students from York College are also accused of stealing the BB guns from a local retail business, as well as shooting out windows in parked cars.

On Nov. 1, the York Police Department received reports of assaults and incidents of criminal mischief conducted with BB guns during the previous night, Halloween, explained Chief Tjaden. A group of seventh graders reported being yelled at and shot at with a BB gun, and two vehicle windows had been shot out during the same night. The York PD follow-up led to the discovery of a vehicle matching the victim-reported description at York College, which had BBs in plain sight. Further investigation led to the discovery of a receipt for the purchase of a BB gun on Oct. 31, also found in the vehicle. During the investigation, it was also discovered that BB guns were stolen from a local retailer.

Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported among the seventh graders, Chief Tjaden said.

A father of one of the children involved told the York News-Times that three of the kids in the group were hit with BBs  and also acknowledged that he was extremely grateful no one had serious injuries.

Chief Tjaden says the six York College students were cited for various charges including: second degree assault, criminal mischief and theft by shoplifting.

The case has been turned over to the York County Attorney for review and filing, Chief Tjaden said. It is notable that the follow-up that led to the resolution of this case began with specific descriptions of the suspect vehicle involved, offered by the seventh grade victims who paid specific attention to their surroundings and were able to offer a solid lead.

The total amount of the damages reported in the criminal mischief is approximately $400 and the total approximate value of the items stolen is $150, the chief added.

York College Dean of Student Development Catherine Seufferlein has issued a statement regarding the situation: We have been in communication with local law enforcement and we are in full cooperation with the investigation. We support the work that they are doing. Our students are being fully cooperative in the investigation. We are waiting to take action until we know more."

As of Thursday morning, formal charges had not yet been filed with the York County Court in this case and the names of the college students have not yet been released because formal filing has yet to take place.

College authorities said in a statement on Thursday: York College is thankful that no serious injuries were reported and the amount of damages reported from the criminal mischief and theft is small; however, representatives from the college are sincere in their apology to the community and specifically to those who were harmed.

We are as shocked and disappointed as the rest of the community by the behavior of these students. I dont know of any other incident like this in our history and it will not be tolerated, said Steve Eckman, president of York College.

This is very far from the standard of conduct we hold students to at York College. As a Christ-centered college, our mission is to equip students for lifelong service to God, family, and society. In this instance, that mission was violated in an egregious way. While York College is not responsible for the action of these students, we do sincerely apologize to the community for their behavior. Our partnership with the community is very important to us. We strive always to be a good partner in the community and we hope that this will not sully the perception of York College students as a whole in our community. These actions are not representative of our student body.
YORK  The salaries for the countys elected officials have to be set for 2019 before Dec. 1, because thats the first day candidates can start filing for the 2018 election cycle.

Its particularly important because the positions of all the countys elected officials and three commissioners will be on the ballot this next year and the salaries have to be set before filing starts.

Historically and typically, the county boards have situated those salaries based on a 1-3 percent increase range stipulated on what the cost of living index is.

This time around, however, the increases might be much higher because the elected officials (not including the commissioners) are requesting substantial salary increases to better situate them in the ranges suggested by the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO).

York County Attorney Christopher Johnson spoke on behalf of himself and all the other elected county officials in making the request.

As you are all aware, NACO came out with a salary study, which places York County in Category Four, with other counties in the same range including Seward and Hamilton, Johnson explained.

And the findings, according to the study, were that the salaries of this countys elected officials are below NACOs recommended range.

For example, NACO recommends salaries for the treasurer, assessor, clerk of the district court, public defender and clerk to be somewhere between $59,800 and $75,000. Johnson pointed out that the salaries for 2018 for these positions have already been set at $58,078, which is on the south end of the south number on the low end of the recommendation, so we are suggesting that those be raised.

And the NACO salary recommendations also increase from there due to multiple duties that a position might take on, Johnson said.

In York County, as an example, the sheriff runs the jail, the clerk is also the registrar of deeds and the election commissioner, the deputy clerk is the also the human resource director for the county, the deputy county attorney is also the zoning administrator, etc.

Right now, the sheriffs salary is $69,538 and NACO recommends that the sheriff be paid between $70,000 and $110,000, Johnson said. The county attorney is now paid $78,600 and NACO suggests a range of $95,000 to $124,000 based on the fact both of these positions are always on call.

The officials, as a group, requested to the commissioners the following: that the clerk of the district court, treasurer, assessor, clerk and public defenders salaries be raised to $65,000; that the county attorney be paid $100,000; and the sheriff be paid $75,000. They are also requesting that a 3 percent annual increase be built into the salary structure.

This is what falls in line with the other counties in our grouping, Johnson told the commissioners. As compared to other counties in the grouping, York County is one of the highest valued counties with the lowest levies  these increases would put the salaries into the same range of salaries in lesser valued counties.

And these would be for 2019, said Commissioner Randy Obermier.

That is correct, Johnson said. These salaries wouldnt necessarily be for the current officials as we have an election to go through next year so the salaries wouldnt necessarily be for ourselves because there is no guarantee they will all be reelected . . . or that they will all run.

We have been getting 1 percent raises and the other employees have been getting raises between 2.5 and 3 percent, added York County Clerk Kelly Turner.

These proposed salaries would be at the lower end of NACOs recommends for our grouping, Johnson noted. For an example, the Seward County Attorney is being paid $17,000 more than the York County Attorney, for the same work load, the same number of felonies, etc.

Well, the salaries need to be set before Dec. 1, Obermier said. We have one more meeting before then and today we have one absent commissioner. I didnt know any of this was coming to us today. Id like us to table this so we can review these.

We were pretty much in line with the NACO salary survey in the past, but not so much in the last few years, commented York County Treasurer Brenda Scavo.

My position has three jobs, Brendas has two, as examples, and I didnt know if you would take that into consideration to pay those positions extra money, Turner said to the commissioners. You gave my deputy an extra job and you gave her extra money. You gave the deputy county attorney an extra job and you gave him extra money.

And does NACO consider the assessor and the county appraiser as being the same person? asked York County Assessor Ann Charlton.

Also, the question should be asked if the county attorney should be paid extra for being coroner, added Commissioner Bill Bamesberger.

Johnson said being coroner is part of the duties of being county attorney and cannot be a reason for extra pay due to state statutes.

The commissioners took the matter under advisement and will review the NACO salary survey/study before making a decision at their next meeting.
This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company.

As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism.

We hope you are equally as excited as us.

This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers.

Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited.

In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy.

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Stable conditions were recorded in the Perth property market over the September quarter, with preliminary quarterly data indicating steady or improved levels across the majority of key market indicators, according to the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA).

Conditions in the September quarter mirrored those experienced in the June quarter, noted REIWA president Hayden Groves.

Weve observed six months of stable conditions, with both the June and September quarters posting consistent results. Historically, before a market improves there is a sustained period of level stock, sales activity and house prices, which is what we appear to be witnessing at the moment, he said.

Significant growth was noted in Perths median house price, which came in at $499,000 for the September quarter.

Once all sales have been settled, Groves expects the revised September quarter median to rise to approximately $515,000, a bump up from the June quarter median of $510,000.

Perths median house price only experienced a marginal 1% decline when compared to the same period last year.

Comparatively, between the September quarters in 2015 and 2016, Perths quarterly median house price declined by 2.3 per cent, Groves said. These longer term trends are a good indicator as to the positive direction the market is headed, as the rate of decline is slower than it was two years ago.

Stability was also noted in Perths preliminary median unit price, which came in at $395,000 for the three months to September. REIWA projects this figure to lift to about $407,000 once all sales have been settled, placing it on par with the June quarter median.

Property sales were also showing signs of stability, with 6,960 preliminary sales reported in Western Australia over the September quarter. Once all sales have been settled, this preliminary figure is expected to lift to about 8,000.

In the Perth metro region, property sales increased in the September quarter. Once all transactions have settled, we expect sales to exceed 6000, up from 5,730 in the June quarter, Groves said.

REIWA analysis shows despite softer market conditions, this quarters projected sales figure is not far off the 10 year quarterly average of 6,780. Given the challenging economic factors facing the state, its a testament to the strength of our local market that it has held up relatively well through the downturn.

Related Stories:

Perth Property Maintains Favourable Forecast

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New reports coming out of the region suggest that the helicopter crash that killed Prince bin Muqrin was not an accident, but an assassination attempt, a successful one.

By India Today Web Desk: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's purge push in Saudi Arabia took another curious turn after new reports coming out of the region suggested that the helicopter crash that killed Prince bin Muqrin was not a crash, but an assassination attempt, a successful one.

A Saudi warplane shot down the helicopter that Prince Mansour bin Muqrin and his seven other senior aides took that day, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

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The helicopter had crashed near the border with Yemen. The newspaper, however, did not disclose its source of information. Prince Muqrin was the son of Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the powerful former Saudi intelligence chief.

Bin Muqrin had apparently sent a letter to over a thousand princes, asking them to not support Mohammed bin Salman's succession to the throne, Middle East Monitor quoted the New Khaleez as reporting.

The attack sends a clear message to others within the royal family that Bin Salman will stop at nothing to silence his critics and those who oppose him", the report claimed.

INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER ARRESTS OF SAUDI PRINCES

The incident followed the sudden arrests of senior Saudi princes in what is being called a purge and a crackdown on corruption. Those arrested included Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the world's richest investors. Nearly a 100 ministers and princes are now imprisoned at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, converted into a temporary prison.

Soon after the arrests, the news of the death of another prince shocked the world. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, the youngest son of late king Fahd, apparently died in a firefight resisting arrest.

While multiple sources confirmed the death, the Saudi Information Ministry issued a denial. There's no clarity on whether the prince is injured and alive or killed as various reports claimed.

The news of another prince Prince Turki bin Mohamed bin Fahd having fled the country continues to trickle in. Earlier, reports suggested that he may have sought asylum from Iran, Saudi Arabia's avowed rival in the Middle East. That, however, could not be independently confirmed.

The Saudi ruling family got Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri, then on a visit to Riyadh, to resign from his position and accuse Iran of meddling in Lebanon's affairs, putting the arch-rivals face to face again. Hariri said he might have been assassinated if he had stayed on in Beirut by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

--- ENDS ---
Latest News

Washington, DC - Betty Nash had a special day recently at Reagan National Airport in D.C. She was honored by American Airlines for her service as a flight attendant, having stood the test of time, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].

Betty began her career 60 years ago when they still called them stewardesses. She overcame the prejudices of ageism and sexism by holding out and watching things change for the better. By the way, she is still on the job at the young old age of 82.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - Makaylla Reveles had a difficult time deciding where to go to college. She knew she wanted to be a teacher, but didnt know where to start. The first person in her family to pursue higher education, she felt overwhelmed and alone trying to figure out which college would be the best fit. That was until her senior year of high school when her guidance counselor told her about Arizona Western College.

What I hope for the most is by going to college I will inspire my younger brothers to go to college, said Reveles. I hope that they know that they can follow in my footsteps, that they can make something of themselves. They are not stuck in a box, they need to break out of it and know they can further their education after high school and I will be there, helping them and guiding them, every step of the way.

About 66% of AWCs student population is made up of first-generation college goers, which is the largest percentage of any other community college in Arizona and one of the highest percentages of community colleges in the U.S.

We take great pride in having such a high percentage of first-generation students at AWC and we want to celebrate the fact that we are establishing a college-going culture in Yuma La Paz counties, said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr, also a first-generation college student.

That said, we know first-generation students need additional support and guidance, because thats not coming from parents and siblings who have preceded them to college. AWC embraces this challenge to make sure these students have all the resources they need as they become the first in their family to earn a credential.

In conjunction with other institutions around the country, AWC will be holding a First-Generation College Student Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 8, on the 52nd anniversary of the Higher Education Act. The community is invited to attend this event, especially any current or potential first-generation students.

The celebration will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the grassy area NE of the 3C building on AWCs main campus, 2020 S. Ave. 8E. The program will begin with a welcome by Director of TRIO Programs Michelle Thomas and Dean of Students Mary Kay Harton, followed by stories from first-generation students, faculty, and staff. A proclamation will also be given by Dr. Corr declaring Nov. 8 to be First-Generation College Student Day at AWC.

Additionally, there will be an information fair running for the duration of the event providing resources and support services available for first-generation students. Attendees who are first-generation students will be encouraged to sign the Wall of Expression as a form of encouragement and solidarity.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear their "I am First Gen" shirts if they have one. A limited number of shirts will be available at the event.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - On Monday, at approximately 2:26 a.m., the Yuma Police Department responded to a call reference shots fired in the 2200 block of South Walnut Avenue.

The initial investigation revealed a 30 year old male had been shot while in the 2200 block of Walnut Avenue. The victim was transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The shooter was described as a younger male, wearing a gray hoodie and dark jeans.

The case is still under investigation.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call Officer Castillo with the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
OMV Petrom's three-quarter net income at 1.85 bln lei, up twofold plus from year ago OMV Petrom Group posted a three-quarter net income of 1.848 bln lei, more than two times higher (111 pct) than the net 878 ml lei registered in the similar period of the year before, shows the unaudited financial report released on Thursday by the company.

The clean CCS net income attributable to company stockholders was of 2.054 bln lei, by 128 percent higher from the same period of the year before. The clean CCS earnings per share stood at 0.0363 lei.



The group's sales in the first nine months of the year totaled 14.294 bln lei, up 20 percent from the 11.953 bln lei registered Citeste articolul mai departe pe stiripesurse.ro

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- Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasized, on Thursday, at the Feast of St Pious Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, that the saints, who bring peace to the soul, are also intercessors before the Most Holy Trinity for peace between peoples, told Agerpres.

- The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) opened Thursday's session higher on all indices, with transactions of 445,854 lei (90,259 euros), carried out in the first half hour after the start of operations. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro

- Three people got infected with the West Nile virus in the last week, the total number reaching 47, the National Institute of Public Health informed on Thursday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help

- Romanian rowers on Thursday progressed to three women's race and three men's race finals at the World Rowing Championships at Racice, the Czech Republic, joining the women's eight (W8+) crew. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro

- Romanian tennis player Irina Begu clearly defeated her compatriot Irina Bara on Thursday, 6-0, 6-2, and qualified for the quarter-finals of the Tiriac Foundation Trophy (WTA 125) tournament, equipped with total prizes of 115,000 US dollars, hosted by the National Tennis Centre in Bucharest. Fii

- Sibiu International Airport will open six new routes in the next period, with state aid worth over 2.2 million euros, the contribution being over 370,000 euros per route, over a period of three years, according to a decision adopted unanimously by the county councilors on Thursday. Fii la

- The governing coalition decided to apply a salary increase for budget officers with a quarter of the difference provided by Law 153, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca declared on Thursday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro 

- The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) opened Thursday's trading session with almost all indices on the rise, and with 1.056 million RON (216,326 euros) worth of transactions performed in the first 30 minutes after the start of trades. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro
By PTI: (Eds: With additional details)

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) The Supreme Court today asked the CBI to apprise it of its stand on allowing the request of Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, to go abroad for a few days.

The apex court also asked the probe agency to apprise it of the reasons of not interrogating Karti if it decided not to call him at present.

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"You take instructions on allowing the respondent (Karti Chidambaram) to go abroad for 4-5 days and what conditions can be imposed on him," a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said.

The bench perused the documents submitted by CBI against Karti in a sealed cover and observed that the prosecuting agency had grievances looking at the past conduct of the respondent.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, said the documents which the court perused are part of the case diary and cannot be shared with Karti.

He said the apprehension arose from the past conduct of Karti who had in June-July during his visit abroad had closed his bank accounts.

The bench asked Mehta why the CBI was not interrogating him if it is in the know of things.

"It is upon the investigating agency and till it files the charge sheet, the probe agency is not supposed to disclose the evidence and timeline of investigation," Mehta said.

He said Kartis earlier act, coupled with his repeated request to go abroad, is "really shocking" and the agency will be justified in asking that he should not be allowed.

"The apprehensions are not on some unfounded reasons. There are proper evidence and materials in this regard," the ASG said.

To this, the bench suggested that CBI should interrogate him now and allow him to go abroad for 4-5 days with some conditions.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti, said this was the fear for which he was resisting that the court should not see the documents of the CBI as it would influence the judges.

He said copies of the documents of CBI have not been served upon them and they cannot argue without them.

"I dont know what the judges are thinking after perusing the documents but can anyone tell me what wrong I did when I went abroad in June-July. There is not a single document which have my signature for closure of bank accounts," he said.

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He said that CBI should show documents to the court that he had multiple foreign bank accounts.

Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, also appearing for Karti, said he was called for interrogation for two days and the questioning happened only two and half hours while for 14 hours he was kept waiting.

"This FIR is of 2008 and they are questioning me now. The money which came to India or went abroad was under the law and with permission from RBI," he said.

Sibal again intervened and said he was ready to answer any question and was not afraid of any questions.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on November 16 and asked the CBI counsel to seek instruction about their stand on allowing Karti to visit abroad for few days.

The CBI FIR, lodged on May 15, had alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Kartis father was the Union Finance Minister.

The top court is hearing CBIs appeal challenging Madras High Court order staying the governments LoC against Karti. The CBI had on September 1 told the top court that there were "good, cogent" reasons for issuing the LoC.

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Earlier, the apex court had said that Karti would not be allowed to leave India without subjecting himself to investigation in the case. The court had then stayed the high court order putting on hold the LoC against Karti. PTI MNL ABA SJK RKS ARC

--- ENDS ---
WASHINGTON: Democratic election victories in Virginia and New Jersey showed Republicans losing more ground in suburban areas, where President Donald Trump`s unpopularity could cost them dearly in next year`s congressional races.

The results from Tuesday, particularly in Virginia, suggest that Trump`s strategy of playing to a loyal but limited base has not enabled him to broaden support for his presidency or his party.

Democrats were delighted, believing that control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and perhaps even the Senate, now both controlled by Republicans, might be up for grabs in next year`s elections.

Some Republicans shared that view after their party`s candidates did poorly among independent, college-educated, women, and minority voters in suburban areas.

Unless we get our act together, we are going to lose heavily, Republican Senator John McCain said on Wednesday.

Democrats would need to pick up 24 seats next year to retake control of the House. Should that happen, Trumps policy agenda would be effectively dead and the administration would come under greater scrutiny.

The win by Democrat Phil Murphy in New Jersey`s governor`s race came as no surprise because of the unpopularity of outgoing Republican Governor Chris Christie. But Ralph Northams 9-point victory over Republican Ed Gillespie for governor in swing-state Virginia was larger than expected.

Trump quickly tried to distance himself from Gillespie`s poor showing, saying on Twitter that the Republican candidate "worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for."

Still, Trump`s leadership record appeared to motivate Democrats to vote in record numbers in Virginia, with exit polls showing that many came out simply to express their displeasure with the president.

Trump is turning off more voters than hes bringing in, said Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist in Washington. His base is strong, but it isnt growing."

During his first year in office, Trump has consistently played to a base of passionate supporters, many of them older white men who live in rural areas declining in population, and has shown little inclination to reach out to the majority of voters who disapprove of him.

Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster based in Virginia, said the party was on a risky track. "Republicans have traded fast-growing upscale suburban counties for slow-growing or declining rural areas. That is not a formula for long-term success."

There also may be signs of slippage in Trump`s political base.

In Virginia, Gillespie campaigned hard on immigration and crime - two hot issues with the president`s supporters - but did worse than expected in some rural and suburban areas that Trump easily won last year.

In rural Dickenson County, considered to be the heart of Trump country in Virginia, Gillespies margin over Northam was almost 7 percentage points less than Trumps margin of victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton last year.

Trump won the city of Virginia Beach in 2016 by 3 points, but Gillespie lost to Northam there by 5, a swing of eight points.

`SUBURBS OUT IN FULL FORCE`

More critically, Gillespie was blown out by Northam in northern Virginias populous suburbs, where Trump also struggled in the presidential race.

The suburbs came out in full force, said Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist. They appear to be very motivated to try and deliver a message to Trump.

In growing Loudoun County, outside of Washington, Democrat Barack Obama barely edged out Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential race. On Tuesday, Northam buried Gillespie there by almost 20 points.

Im worried, Ari Fleischer, a former White House spokesman for Republican President George W. Bush, told Fox News on Wednesday. Democrats came out in huge numbers yesterday in the races and if they have that kind of enthusiasm going into 2018, its going to be very tough sailing for Republicans.

Gillespie, a longtime Washington insider and lobbyist, tried to keep his distance from Trump personally even as he adopted some of his more combative campaign rhetoric.

It was a strategy that failed and Mackowiak said the result reflected Trump`s historically low approval rating. I dont think the White House was worried about that before, but now I think they have to be."

The five-day Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll has Trump hovering around 35 percent approval nationally, with close to 60 percent of respondents disapproving of his performance in office.

A person familiar with Trumps political operation dismissed the election results on Tuesday as having anything to do with the president, noting that both New Jersey and Virginia were won by Clinton in 2016.

Andrew Surabian, an adviser to the pro-Trump political group Great America Alliance, said Gillespie lost because he was exactly the kind of establishment Republican that Trump voters have rejected.

Ed Gillespies campaign went down in flames because he failed to fully embrace the president or his agenda, Surabian said, "and without a coherent message and an authentic messenger, Republican candidates will not be successful moving forward.
London: The new entrant in the telecom industry, Reliance Jio, is planning to launch its own Virtual Reality (VR) app in 2018 and is hoping to collaborate with experts at Birmingham City University in England, the university said.

Aiming to explore potential partnerships in the future, the Head and Creative Director of Jio Studios, Aditya Bhat and Ankit Sharma respectively, visited the university on Wednesday to learn more about how it is training the next generation of virtual reality (VR) professionals.

The Founder and Managing Director of philmCGI, Anand Bhanushali, also spent time with senior academics of the university as part of a visit organised by the UK`s Department of International Trade.

Based out of both Mumbai and Pune, philmCGI is an animation studio where some 90 artists provide computer-generated images and visual effects services in films and television for some of the biggest studios in Europe and Asia, and is also expanding its offer in VR and Augmented Reality (AR).

"Today we have discussed a number of opportunities for collaboration," said Bhanushali.

"Lots of innovative solutions can be developed when applying fresh minds to companies such as ourselves," Bhanushali added.
Karachi: A suspected suicide bomber on Thursday killed an Additional Inspector General and two other police officers in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province in a targeted attack, officials said.

The blast targeted the vehicle of Additional Inspector General (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel who was passing through a residential area in the provincial capital Quetta.

Shakeel was killed along with two police officials while six others, including three officers, were injured, police said.

The TV footage showed that the vehicle was badly damaged in the attack.

Shakeel has served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) operations, acting DIG investigations and AIG operations, as well as holding a number of other key posts.

The injured have been shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Civil Hospital in Quetta, police said, adding that the initial probe showed that it was a suicide bombing.

The area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been launched in the surrounding areas.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri have strongly condemned the attack.

The culprits behind the attack would be brought to justice. The government will not bow down before terrorists, Zehri was quoted as saying by the local media.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Balochistan has been rocked by a series of attacks which raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including those affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the restive province.

The unrest has raised security concerns for projects in the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a transport and energy link from western China to Pakistan's southern Gwadar port.

At least six police commandos and a civilian were killed last month when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a security force's convoy on the Quetta-Sibi Highway.
Beijing: Cash-rich China on Thursday wooed the US by signing deals worth more than USD 250 billion during President Donald Trump's first visit, amidst his criticism of the Communist giant's unfair business practices and the "chronic imbalance" in bilateral trade.

The deals were signed at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump at the Great Hall of the People after the two leaders held wide-ranging talks. Xi had hosted Trump yesterday at the iconic Forbidden City, home for Chinese emperors.

In statements to reporters after their talks, Xi and Trump offered placatory views of US-China ties, and insisted that differences between the two countries would be cast aside in place of a cooperative partnership.

"We want a vibrant trade relationship with China," Trump said. "We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade and the concrete steps it will take to solve the problem of massive trade distortion."

Ahead of his visit, Trump has said the massive trade deficit in bilateral trade is a shame, and has been pressuring China, the world's second largest economy, to open its huge market more for US products and firms.

The US goods and services trade with China totalled to an estimated USD 648.2 billion in 2016 in which China had a lion's share with about USD 478.9 billion exports. The US exports to China stood at USD 169.3 billion, according to US trade figures.

In his remarks, Xi also offered a conciliatory view of the US-China ties, insisting that bilateral differences could be resolved.

"As two distinctive countries our two sides may have different views or differences on some issues. This is natural," Xi said. "They key is to properly handle and manage them."

Trump also said he does not fault China for taking advantage of differences between the way the two countries do business.

"I don't blame China," Trump said during remarks to business leaders of both countries.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens,'' I give China great credit."

Instead, Trump said previous US administrations were responsible for what he called "a very unfair and one-sided" trade relationship with China.

This, he said, allowed the trade deficit to take place and to grow.

The deals signed between Chinese and American companies included the purchase of 300 Boeing planes, US-made chip sets and soybeans.

Chinese and US companies signed trade and investment deals worth more than USD 250 billion, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Other official media reports put the figure around USD 253 billion. However, it is unclear how much of that figure is past deals being re-announced or simply the potential for future deals.

Facts have shown that China and the United States have huge potential in reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, President Xi said.

Significantly, China also managed to push its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was earlier criticised by the US.

China's Silk Road Fund, a unit under the People's Bank of China to promote the Belt and Road international trade initiative, will set up a joint fund with the US, Hong Kong- based South China Morning Post reported.

China had set up a USD 40 billion Silk Road fund to assist the BRI projects.

Among a long list of agreements ranging from shale gas to car parts, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the state energy group, signed a USD 43 billion deal to jointly explore natural gas with the US in Alaska, the Post report said.

China's sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, will offer financial support. Bank of China, a Chinese state- owned bank, will help with finance, too.

Chinese phone makers, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo will sign deals to buy products from Qualcomm, the US telecom mobile chip-maker, the report said.

The US tech firm Broadcom made a USD 105 billion takeover bid for Qualcomm earlier this month.

China Investment Corp is to set up a joint fund with Goldman Sachs. Other deals include the Chinese purchase of planes from Boeing and the imports of Tesla cars into China, the report said.

Both sides inked deals worth USD 9 billion yesterday.
New Delhi: The seventh edition of the Dhaka Lit Fest (DLF) later this month will see a special focus on freedom of speech and women-centric issues, the two major themes of the literary event.

"On free speech, this year we will focus on the phenomenon of fake news and the impact of social media on literary thinking and consumption. Our women`s panels this time include `HerStory`, focusing on women breaking new ground, including piloting fighter jets," K. Anis Ahmed, a director of the festival, told IANS in an email from Dhaka.

"We will also have a panoply of panels covering literature in both English and Bangla, and a range of other topics from spirituality to global arms trade, a collapsing world order to the plight of the Rohingyas. We are also proud to be launching a special issue with first-time partners Granta magazine. And, of course, thrilled to be the hosts of the coveted DSC Prize award ceremony," Ahmed added

Sadaf Saaz and Ahsan Akbar are the other directors of DLF, to be held at the Bangla Academy in the country`s capital.

Over 200 speakers, performers and thinkers, representing 23 countries, will participate in the three-day event, which is free and open to all. Amongst its hundred-plus sessions, the festival will launch the British literary journal Granta in Bangladesh.

The success of the literary extravaganza, Ahmed noted, has been because of both organic growth as well as the steadfast vision of its three directors.

"The foundation was laid during our first years with Hay-on-Wye as partner. But we faced a unique challenge in our first year (branded as Dhaka Lit Fest) when the advent of the blogger killings led to 19 cancellations in the 30 days before the festival. We still forged ahead and the festival was bigger than any previous year. We can never thank enough the writers who did come through that year, despite travel warnings by certain countries. Nor can we admire enough the local attendees who thronged by the thousands, ignoring all threats," he added.

The lit fest was called Hay Festival Dhaka from 2011-14 and was renamed as Dhaka Lit Fest from 2015 after the organisers began marching ahead without any affiliations.

This year`s line-up features a diverse range of creative personalities, which include Adonis, Ben Okri, Tilda Swinton, Lionel Shriver, Nabaneeta Dev Sen, William Dalrymple, Esther Freud, Charles Glass and Syed Manzoorul Islam, among others.

Evaluating the contemporary literary scene in the country, Ahmed said that Bangla has always boasted a strong literary tradition, but it had become a bit hidebound in recent decades.

"We found it a bit too inward looking, and we feel the lit fest has majorly renewed interest in learning more about other cultures, new topics and also taking our writings out to others via translation. This new energy and productivity is quite palpable, especially in the works of outfits like Bengal Lights Books and Dhaka Translation Centre," he maintained.

He said that the organisers expect a bigger-than-ever audience to come out and enjoy the festival -- and buy more books than ever before. For younger people to come out in even stronger numbers and turn into readers, and embrace a life of thinking and debate.

One of the most significant aspects of this edition of the lit fest is the fact that DSC Prize for South Asian Literature will be announced, for the first time, on the evening of November 18.

"It`s a tremendous honour for DLF to be chosen as a host for this prestigious prize. For a country like Bangladesh, where Bangla by far remains the dominant language, a prize like DSC will hold a very special appeal: It may be the only prize, as far as I`m aware, which considers works in translation alongside ones in English. I think Bangladeshi writers and readers will greatly appreciate this dimension of the prize, and take inspiration from it to be part of a cross-cultural discourse even as they keep writing in their own tongue," Ahmed said.

This year`s programme will include book launches, film screenings and special performances, and the announcement of winners of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature and Gemcon Literary Awards, the highest monetary value literary prize in Bangladesh.
There is a form of logical fallacy that is specifically called politicians logic. It goes like this: We must do something. This is something. Therefore, we must do this.

The Delhi government has decided to bring back one of its high-visibility initiative, the odd-even plan. The vehicle rationalisation scheme is now being brought into force as an attempt to control atmospheric pollution that North India is now gasping from.

There seems little doubt in the minds of those running the Delhi government that the smokescreen that is choking the city-state is a result of the stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

Apparently, allowing only a half of Delhis cars on the streets is a credible way to stop the smoke from stubble burning from drifting in.

Weather patterns are responsible for creating low wind speeds that locked the smoke into a tight spiral flow. This means the smoke is unable to dissipate fast enough from a limited geographical area.

This Meteorological Department expects this weather system to weaken by the weekend.

Neither the Delhi government nor the Centre nor the National Green Tribunal can order the wind to blow faster.

In fewer words, its going to stay like this till the weekend, after which it is expected to get better.

This round of the odd-even scheme will last only five days. It will begin on November 13, a Monday. This happens to be the very day by which the weather pattern is expected to have changed. In other words, the odd-even plan will come into effect when the smoke starts blowing away. And by weekend, the skies of Delhi will most likely return to the depressing shade of grey we are used to.

It is clear that the government wants to be doing something. So it is doing just that  something. If it is innocent, the Delhi government is run by fools. If it is not innocent, it means the Delhi government aims to take credit for changing the weather.

And all of this is just about the intentions, seemingly petty ones, of the Delhi government.

We have not even begin discussing the real issues:

1. The smoke is a result of stubble burning by farmers. Find a way to get them to not do that, whatever that way may be.

2. The residents of cities across the northern plains are victims. The skies of their cities are not filled with smoke because they set every tree on fire. What then is the wisdom of asking victims not to drive for two or three days.

3. The efficacy of the odd-even scheme as a pollution-control method is questionable. If it was indeed effective, why did the Delhi government not implement it during the winter of 2016-17?

4. In the scheme of things, this maybe frivolous. Where is the justice for those who own vehicles with odd-numbered plates? They cant drive for three days, while the even-numbered ones have to stay off the roads only for two.

Our governments  both states and Centre, politician and civil servant  have long gotten away from the responsibility of truthful and effective action through tokenisms like this latest round of odd-even.

It is time for them wake up and take a deep breath. Better they do something about it before their next coughing fit.
Shenzhen: As smartphone players in India begin to infuse Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities into devices while looking at Cloud for safe and secure deposit of massive data, Chinese telecom giant Huawei will ramp up its efforts towards building devices with these capabilities for the Indian market, a top company executive has said.

"AI is the hot technology now. Huawei is making huge investments into this technology. We have the software and we have the chipset. It is important not only for consumer electronics but also for many other things as well. Thousands of engineers are working on this project," Peter Zhai, President, Huawei India Consumer Business Group, told IANS in an interview here.

Huawei unveiled its first mobile AI computing platform "Kirin 970" early in September in its bid to pack smart devices with powerful AI features to offer better user experience. The company is positioning it as an open platform for mobile AI, opening up the chipset to developers and partners who can find new and innovative uses for its processing capabilities.

In a benchmark image recognition test, the "Kirin 970" processed 2,000 images per minute which was faster than other chips on the market, according to Huawei.

Huawei also wants to be the biggest consumer electronics company in the world, Zhai said.

"The consumer electronics business constitutes around 27 per cent of Huawei`s overall business. It is a very important part of our business and we will continue to work towards capturing greater market share in India`s consumer electronics business," Zhai said, adding that the next focus for the technology giant is the Cloud enterprise market.

"India is very important for Huawei. The Indian smartphone market is now the second-largest in the world. It is bigger than the US market. In the next three to five years, it will become closer to China in size. So it will be a very fast-growing market and a very promising market," Zhai told IANS.

"Nobody can ignore India because this market will keep becoming bigger," he added.

In the third quarter of this year, the Indian smartphone market grew 37 per cent (quarter on quarter) and 18 per cent (year on year). The performance of Chinese brands remained strong and contributed to more than half of the total smartphone shipments, according to market research firm Counterpoint Research.

Huawei recently surpassed Apple to claim the second position in worldwide smartphone sales after Samsung.

How does Huawei plan to win the Indian market?

"The Chinese have one winning strategy -- put yourself in an undefeatable position and then start taking on the rivals. Huawei follows that," Zhai stressed.

"Huawei wants to win the Indian market with technology, word-of-mouth communication and good quality products. With this strategy, we can strengthen the base for long-term success," Zhai said, hinting that Huawei is looking for long-term gains rather than short-term success.

"In the past 30 years, Huawei has invested 10 per cent of its global revenue in R&D. We will continue this strategy which has helped us taste success all these years," Zhai said.

Huawei`s R&D centre in Bengaluru is the company`s second-biggest centre globally. It has contributed significantly to language customisation, software applications, and creating updates for its Emotion User Interface (EMUI).

"From my experience, the market ultimately allows only those to survive who offer technology-leading high-quality devices," Zhai said.

"Today, the only Chinese company to thrive in Europe is Huawei. Why? Some players may become popular one year, gain 10 to 20 market share and disappear next year, but we are not like them," he said, adding that with the introduction of 5G around 2020, Huawei will emerge as the leading technology company in the world.

"One generation network creates one generation company. With 5G we will start leading," he said.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI to apprise it of its stand on November 16 on whether Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, can be conditionally allowed to go abroad for 4-5 days.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing CBI, to seek instruction on the issue and apprise it next Thursday.

During the hearing, the bench perused the documents supplied by CBI in a sealed cover relating to materials found during the investigation conducted so far.

The CBI FIR, lodged on May 15, had alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Karti's father was the Union Finance Minister.
NEW DELHI: Standing firm on his opposition to crop burning, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that Delhi is ready to take all steps but stubble burning needs to stop. "The high increase in PM levels in Delhi is not just due to local reasons. People & govt of Delhi are ready to take all steps but these steps will not be enough until a solution to crop burning is found," Delhi CM said.

He also said that a decision on whether the odd-even car rationing scheme will be implemented in Delhi or not will be taken today if the need arises.

"For a month from mid-October to mid-November, the whole northern India becomes a gas chamber, not just Delhi," the Chief Minister said after inaugurating 20 continuous ambient air quality monitoring station.

Calling for the crop burning issue to be solved, he said: "Until state governments don't find economically viable solutions to crop burning, the rise in pollution will not stop," he said.

The chief minister also called on his counterparts of the neighbouring state and the Central government to come together, keeping politics aside and find a solution to the issue.

Pollution in the national capital has reached disastrous levels with smog enveloping the whole city. The Health Ministry has issued a pollution advisory, asking citizens to drink plenty of water and to avoid areas with smoke or heavy dust, among other measures.

All schools in the nation capital will remain shut till Saturday. The Delhi Metro will also increase the frequency of trains to encourage people to use the public transport due to heightened pollution levels.

The city's air quality worsened ahead of winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground, preventing them from dispersing into the atmosphere.
New Delhi: With pollution levels soaring over the Delhi sky, the Odd-Even traffic management plan will make a comeback in the city from November 13 to November 17. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot announced the decision and said that the exemptions will be as were in the last two rounds.

This will be Delhi's third tryst with the Odd-Even plan after it was first implemented for 15 days on January 1 of 2016 and then again on April 15 of the same year. Back then - and even this time, several exemptions were and have been made - especially for two-wheelers, CNG cars and women drivers driving alone or with children and/or children. (Full list of exemptions here)

Gehlot also added that IGL stickers for CNG cars will be available from Friday at 22 CNG stations across Delhi and that additional DTC buses will be put on road from Monday.

While the AAP government has repeatedly claimed that it has managed to bring down pollutants in the air, environment experts say a number of factors decide the level of contaminants in the air. Most, however, agree that the traffic management plan eases road congestion and its implementation does more harm than good.

Delhi has one of the highest motor vehicles' density in the country and entry of heavy vehicles from other states leads to not just congested roads but higher pollution levels. While the entry of trucks, barring those carrying essential commodities, was banned on Wednesday, the current situation is being primarily blamed on stubble burning in adjoining states and prevailing weather conditions. Odd-Even road management though may still manage to create some level of positive impact, say environmental experts.
According to SEBI order, Rupani's alleged manipulative transactions took place between January-June, 2011. His Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) has been asked to pay a fine of Rs 15 lakh.

By India Today Web Desk: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has penalised 22 entities, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), which has been asked to pay a Rs 15 lakh fine for manipulative trading through a listed firm called Sarang Chemicals.

According to SEBI's order on its website posted on October 27, the alleged manipulative transactions by Rupani were done between January and June, 2011. He took charge as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2016.

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Rupani has been asked to pay the penalty within 45 days. SEBI has said that Rupani's HUF and 17 other entities "had indulged into artificial volume rise/creating misleading appearance of market/getting unlawful or unfair gain."

WHAT THE ORDER SAID

"The noticee (Rupani HUF) contended that the CD (compact disk) attached to SCN is damaged and it is unable to open the same. Considering the request of the noticee, another CD was sent to him vide communique, dated May 25, 2016, and informed the noticee number 18 that in case it is still unable to open the CD then, its duly authorised person may collect the same from office of undersigned with prior intimation. It was also stated in said communique to provide its e-mail ID. Vide letter dated June 13, 2016, the noticee requested for keeping in abeyance the proceedings till Mr Vijay Rupani recovers. As per medical certificates attached with said letter suggested for rest of eight weeks to Vijay Rupani from May 18, 2016, however, no reply towards the SCN has been received from it/him till date," the order said.

SEBI, which is the capital market regulator, has imposed an overall penalty of Rs 6.9 crore on 22 entities, which the investigation revealed were "connected or related".

In May 2016, SEBI had issued a common show cause notice to the 22 entities, alleging violations under SEBI Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) relating to the securities market.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Arrested ISIS terrorists worked at Ahmed Patel's hospital, he should resign, says Rupani

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: The Delhi Traffic Police said on Thursday that all borders entry points from where heavy and medium goods vehicles enter into Delhi shall be sealed with effect from 11.00 pm of 9th November to 11.00 pm of 12th November.

"All borders entry points from where heavy and medium goods vehicles enter into Delhi shall be sealed by Delhi Police with effect from 11.00 pm of 9th November to 11.00 PM of 12th November which can be further extended depending upon air quality in Delhi in coming days," it said.

"All neighboring districts and states have been requested to deploy adequate manpower on their part at all border entry points in their respective areas of jurisdiction and help Delhi Police in implementing the directions in true and letter and spirit," Delhi Traffic Police added.

"The concerned authorities of the neighbouring have also been requested to ensure that flow of other motorists is not affected due to stoppage of entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles into Delhi from border entry points," it further said, as per ANI.

Meanwhile, the odd-even traffic rationing plan returned to the national capital and will be in place for five days from November 13 as people continued to inhale toxic air for the third day on Thursday, with the situation expected to be even worse on Friday.



The traffic plan was announced on a day the Delhi High Court said there was an "emergency situation" vis-a-vis pollution in Delhi-NCR and asked the Delhi government to consider implementing cloud seeding to induce artificial rain apart from vehicle rationing on roads.



The Environment Ministry formed a seven-member committee headed by the Environment Secretary to find long and short-term solutions to the worsening problem.

AIIMS on Thursday reported a 15-20 percent rise in cases of respiratory problems being received, which was also the case with Safdarjung Hospital across the road, as per IANS.



The NGT (National Green Tribunal) asked the pollution control boards of NCR to ban all industrial and construction activities in the region till November 14 and directed the Delhi government to sprinkle water on the hot spots using helicopters. It also banned entry of trucks carrying construction material into the NCR.

On the other, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who inaugurated 20 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, blamed stubble burning for the "severe" air quality and said the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab should come together with Delhi to find a solution.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Tax rates on 80 percent items of top 28 percent slab are likely to be slashed at the GST Council's 2-day meeting starting in Assam's capital Guwahati on Thursday.

"Tax rates on 80 percent of 227 items falling in top slab is likely to be reduced from 28 percent to 18 percent in the next GST Council meeting. The GST fitment committee has also recommended reducing tax rates from 18 percent to 12 per cent on a number of goods", Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is also a member of the GST Council, yesterday said at a function at the Bihar Chamber of Commerce.

As per reports, officers from finance departments of various states will convene on November 9 while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the meeting on November 10.

The GST Council, which comprises of representatives of all states, have already rationalised tax rates for over 100 items. The Council has last month approved an approach paper to be followed by the fitment committee while deciding on future rate revisions.

In further relief to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), GST Council is likely to rationalise tax rate in sectors where the total incidence of taxation has gone up because the goods were earlier either exempt from excise or attracted lower VAT rates in the previous indirect tax regime.

The GST Council has been meeting every month since the GST rollout on 1 July. The meetings have resulted in an array of changes to ease compliance burden on businesses as well as provided relief to consumers.

Under GST, various goods and services have been bracketed in 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. GST has subsumed over a dozen taxes, including excise, service tax and VAT, and transformed India into a single market.
New Delhi: The 2015 Paris climate agreement has one new member-nation with Syria signing the pact in a joint effort to win the battle against climate change.

The United States of America now remains the only country in the world who is not part of the agreement.

In June this year, President of the US Donald Trump announced the country's withdrawl from the accord citing that it undermined the country's economy, cost US jobs, and put it at a disadvantage to other nations.

Syrian officials announced their intention to ratify the landmark deal at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany, on Tuesday, CNN reported.

"This is the very last country that actually announced, so everyone has joined and the US is now so isolated," said Safa Al Jayoussi, Executive Director of IndyAct, an environmental organisation based in Lebanon that works with Arab countries on climate change.

Syria's Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment M. Wadah Katmawi said that developed countries "in their capacity as the primary contributors to climate change, should live up to their legal and humanitarian responsibility" by offering technical and financial support to developing countries to help battle climate change.

The Syria People's Assembly voted to approve ratification of the agreement last month, according to the country's state-run media outlet SANA.

Roua Shurbaji, a spokeswoman at the Syrian mission to the United Nations, said the country's decision was part of an effort "to be effective in all international areas including climate change".

"We will get there," Shurbaji was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "We are in the process of becoming part of the agreement. We will have our commitments and targets."

Syria, plunged in a civil war, was not present at the 2015 negotiations for the climate agreement, which is dedicated to lowering emissions and strengthening countries' abilities to deal with the effects of climate change.

Nearly 200 countries signed on the pact at the time. Nicaragua was the only other hold-out, based on criticisms that it was "insufficient" in addressing climate change.

However, the Central American country recently announced its intent to join the agreement. In late October, Nicaraguan Vice President and First Lady Rosario Murillo said the nation had submitted a "document of adhesion" to the UN to join the pact.

Paula Caballero, Director of the climate change programme at the World Resources Institute, said: "With Syria's decision, the relentless commitment of the global community to deliver on Paris is more evident than ever.

"The US' stark isolation should give (US President Donald) Trump reason to reconsider his ill-advised announcement and join the rest of the world in tackling climate change."

The process of US' withdrawl will be completed in 2020, however, he is not invited "for the time being" to the climate change summit being hosted in December in Paris, the Elysee Palace press office told CNN.

(With IANS inputs)
Gandhinagar: The Shiv Sena, will be contesting on 70 to 75 seats of the Gujarat Assembly in the coming elections in the state.

The Bal Thackeray party will be using the Hindutva plank to contest, as it feels the BJP has forgotten its old aim of preserving Hindu sentiments.



Informing the media, Shiv Sena national secretary and a Rajya Sabha MP, Anil Desai, said, "We will be contesting for the Assembly seats. The agenda of Hindutva has always been the forte of the Shiv Sena right from its inception. We feel that the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has won all across the country, in the states as well as the Centre, has forgotten their basic agenda on which the people have voted them for, which too is Hindutva. We will be contesting for the preservation and upholding of our religion, which will be our main agenda."



Desai said, "But Hindutva is not all that we want, but our other basic criteria will be upliftment of the education in the state, which has gone down the drain. There will be also other issues related to health, farmers and development. But we won't be contesting on the caste politics like other parties."



On the issue of reservation for which Hardik Patel, leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), is fighting for, Desai said, "Hardik in the initial days of their agitation came and met Uddhav Thackeray as he did with any other significant political leader and discussed some matters related to Maratha reservation with him. But caste reservation and casteism is not our cup of tea. For us every community is equal."



Desai added that the Shiv Sena won't be having any alliance with any other political party at the moment. The party did not declare from which state assembly constituencies it will be contesting. But according to sources, the party will be contesting in at least eight constituencies in Ahmedabad, and seats where either the BJP or the Congress has won on narrow margins of less than 5,000 votes.



Desai said, "The party has zeroed in on around 50 candidates and another 20-25 likely candidates for the contest."
New Delhi: The Class 11 student of Ryan International School, apprehended by the CBI for allegedly killing a seven-year-old student, has confessed to his crime, the agency has told a juvenile court.

In its note seeking remand of the 16-year-old student from the juvenile court in Gurugram the agency said that his custodial interrogation was needed to ascertain if there were other people involved in the crime.

The agency also wants the teenager to identify the shop from where he had purchased the knife used to slit the throat of Pradhuman, a Class 2 student, on September 8, the agency told the court, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the victim`s family has demanded that the juvenile student be tried as an adult and accordingly, be given a harsh punishment.

"The age of the arrested student falls into the category of 16 to 18. Therefore, there is an option with the board to try him as an adult. We demand a strict punishment for him, and we`ll ensure he is tried as an adult and is hanged till death," Sushil Tekriwal, the advocate of Pradyuman`s family has said.

The advocate, however, did not rule out the involvement of the school management in shielding the student.

"We still believe there is a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched on part of various people, including the student who has been arrested. The CBI inquiry also indicates the involvement of the Pinto family, and it has not ruled out that possibility," the advocate said, adding, "Wiping out all evidences could not have been possible without the involvement of the top notches."

On the other hand, Varun Thakur, father of Pradyuman Thakur, said, "We request the CBI for further investigation and frame charges against everyone involved so that a strong message is conveyed and a criminal thinks twice before committing such a crime," as per ANI.

Earlier, Pradyuman`s mother also expressed agreement with the arrest, reasoning that the investigative agency must have found proof to apprehend the concerned student.

"If CBI has caught hold of that child then they must have had some evidence or proof. We have been saying this from the start that not only us, no one was able to digest the theory of the police," Sushma Thakur.

Thakur added she had faith in the CBI since the beginning and had therefore been demanding an inquiry by the agency into the case.

The CBI was handed over the case on September 22.

Meanwhile, Gurugram Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar on Thursday defended their investigation by saying that they handed over the case to the CBI at a very initial stage and it was not concluded that time.

The police commissioner said that they were not under pressure to save the culprit and asserted they made an "honest attempt to bring justice to the family".

(With Agency inputs)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a message for all the voters in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh  Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in record numbers.

On Thursday morning, the day of Himachal polls, the Prime Minister posted the following message on Twitter:



                           Urging people of Himachal Pradesh to vote in recrod numbers. November 9, 2017

BJP has trained all it's guns on the Himachal elections, blasting the incumbent Congress and the 'bailed' Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh over corruption.

Campaigning for the party, PM Modi addressed six rallies in the hill state last week. Party chief Amit Shah also addressed seven rallies.

Polling has begun in 68 constituencies in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday morning. A total of 50.25 lakh electorate, including 19 lakh women, will decide the fate of 338 candidates including 19 women.

Himachal election results will be announced after 40 days  on December 18, along with those for Gujarat, which goes to poll on December 9 and 14.
SHIMLA: The Bharatiya Janata Party is confident of scoring a massive victory in Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, expecting at least 60 out of the 68-seats in the hill state.

We aimed to get 50 plus seats but now that we are receiving so much support from all sections of the society, we expect it to cross 60, said Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate from the hill state.

With promises of development and safety, Dhumal is eyeing his third chief ministerial tenure in the state.

Supporting the senior leader, Anurag Thakur, a BJP MP from Hamirpur, said, ''The time has come. People have made up their mind to get rid of Congress who has looted Himachal Pradesh. The state needs a senior leader like Dhumal ji to look at the affairs of Himachal which is under the debt of more than Rs 50,000 crore.

The BJP has trained its gun on the Himachal elections, with senior leaders campaigning in the state. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led six rallies, while party chief Amit Shah addressed seven.

Congress, too, is confident of winning the state polls.

Confident of getting the majority in the election. The next Government too will be of Congress, said the incumbent chief minister Virbhadra Singh.

Voting in 68 constituencies of the state began today morning. The polling will continue until 5 pm.
Shimla: A record over 74 percent, highest in four decades, of Himachal Pradesh's 50.25 lakh electorate on Thursday exercised their franchise in the assembly elections where the ruling Congress and the BJP were locked in a straight contest.

"The percentage is expected to go up further. This is the highest poll percentage recorded by the hill state in assembly polls," Dilip Sharma, Director General, Election Commission, told reporters in New Delhi.

Election officials said the polling was peaceful and no major untoward incident was reported from the 68 seats.

However, there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines at a few polling booths, which led voting continuing at these booths even after the polls officially closed at 5 pm.

Voters across the state were seen reaching polling stations even before polling started at 8 am. despite the cold in the single-phase election. Higher reaches witnessed mild rain and snow later in the day.

"Despite minor hiccups as EVMs developed snags at some places, there was no report of any delay in starting the poll process," an electoral officer said.

In the first two hours, the state recorded 13.72 percent polling but by 4 pm., nearly 64 percent of votes were cast.

A total of 337 candidates, 19 of them women, are in the fray. There are 112 Independent candidates. The main contest is between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress has projected incumbent Virbhadra Singh, 83, as its Chief Ministerial candidate, while former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, 73, is the BJP's. Both are contesting the elections.

Both Singh and Dhumal cast their votes along with family members at their hometowns Rampur and Samirpur respectively.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Congress leader and former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma cast their votes in Bilaspur and Shimla towns.

"The BJP has made false promises run fake campaigns in the state to lure the voters," Sharma told reporters.

After casting his votes, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is trying to get at the helm for the seventh time, said he was confident of the Congress getting a majority.

On the other hand, two-time Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Dhumal said the BJP was aiming to get 60 plus seats this time.

Women, who form 19 lakh of the over 50 lakh voters, turned out in strength in the rural areas. The electorate also includes 14 transgenders.

The Congress and the BJP have fielded candidates on all 68 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist have fielded 42 and 14 candidates respectively.

Shyam Sharan Negi, 100, the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in the assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Elections official provided him with a vehicle for his transportation to the polling booth from his home.

For the first time, the Election Commission used VVPAT machines to ensure secrecy of the votes.

The highest polling station in the state has been set up at an elevation of over 15,000 feet at Hikkam in Lahaul and Spiti district. It has 194 electors and saw an 85 percent turnout despite snow in the evening.

In Chamba town, the Election Commission made special arrangements for transporting at least 30 patients from a government hospital to their respective polling booths.

The vote count will be held on December 18 along with Gujarat.

The Congress had won 36 of the 68 seats in Himachal Pradesh in 2012 with a 42.81 percent vote share, while the BJP bagged 26 seats with a 38.47 percent vote share.

In the 2012 assembly elections, the poll percentage figure was over 73.5 percent, the highest since 1977, while it was 68.36 percent in 2007.
By PTI: Srinagar, Nov 9 (PTI) Security forces today launched cordon and search operations at multiple places in south and central Kashmir as part of efforts to flush out militants from the Valley, police said.

The anti-militancy operations are going on in over a dozen villages in Shopian, Anantnag and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir and in some parts of Budgam district in central Kashmir, a police official said.

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"House to house searches are going on but so far no arrests have been made," the official said.

The three districts of south Kashmir along with Kulgam are worst affected by the recent surge in militant activities, the official said. PTI MIJ NKS

--- ENDS ---
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday lashed out at his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal claiming that the latter has views on everything without understanding the situation.

"Mr Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr. Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem," he said.

His statement comes hours after Kejriwal said enough is not being done by neighbouring states to stop crop burning which is resulting in rising level of pollution.

"Setting politics aside, Centre, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi should come together to find a solution to stubble burning which causes high pollution level during this time every year. I have been seeking a meeting with both Haryana and Punjab chief ministers since yesterday, but I have not received any response," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal had suggested that the Punjab and Haryana government should evolve a technology and give financial assistance to stop stubble burning. "If health cost is much on illness, then we may make some contributions because it is the responsibility of all," he added.

Stating that he knows the extent of the problem, the Punjab CM said he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi again, seeking compensation for farmers for crop resident management to check the dangerous trend of stubble burning.

Responding to Kejriwal's request for a meeting, he said that he has urged the PM to hold a meeting of all CMs of the affected states. "Just me meeting the Delhi CM won't resolves anything: the Punjab CM said.

He has also urged the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers of the affected States along with the Union Ministers for Agriculture, Food and Environment on the issue.

The two Chief Ministers have been conversing on Twitter over crop burning where Kejriwal had asked Amarinder to meet to find a solution to the problem but the latter said the issue can only be solved by the Central Government. "My office continuously trying to take time from CMs of Punjab n Haryana for me to meet the two CMs. Its an emergency(sic)," Kejriwal tweeted hours after he sent a letter to Captain Amarinder Singh and Manohar Lal Khattar.

The Punjab Chief Minister, who had earlier refused to penalise farmers for stubble burning, said that he shared Kejriwal`s concern but the state was helpless. "Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications(sic)," he tweeted.
New Delhi: India on Thursday said that there should be a conducive environment that has to be created and is free of terror for talks with Pakistan.

"Our stand remains unchanged. For the talks to go ahead there should be a conducive environment. That environment has to be created which is free of terrorism and free of terrorists getting support from Pakistan," MEA spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the new South Asia strategy of the Trump administration focuses on reducing tension between India and Pakistan, a top American diplomat had said on Wednesday but ruled out any mediator role for the US between the two South Asian neighbours.

"The South Asia strategy also focuses on reducing tensions between Pakistan and India," Alice Wells, acting assistant secretary for south and central Asia, had told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan held jointly by House Foreign Affairs Subcommittees for Middle East and North Africa, and Asia and Pacific.

"The United States does not seek a role as a mediator between India and Pakistan, but encourages both countries to restart dialogue at the earliest opportunity. An improved relationship between these two countries is critical to regional security and stability," Wells had said.

The Trump administration, she said, is increasingly concerned about the threat to strategic stability in South Asia associated with the introduction of new nuclear-capable ballistic or cruise missile systems in the region.

"In particular, the region and the world looks to both Pakistan and India to safeguard against a nuclear conflict in South Asia," she had said.

On the other hand, Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said on November 07 that war with India was not an option.

He had also admitted that the relationship between the two neighbours would remain tense until the Kashmir issue is resolved.

"Until Kashmir is resolved, Pakistan-India relations will remain tense. But war is not an option," Abbasi had said while addressing a conference on `Future of Pakistan 2017` at the London School of Economics` South Asia Centre.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: In a strong message to China, India on Thursday rejected Beijing's objection to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is ''an integral part of the country'' and the Indian leaders are free to go anywhere in the state.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and Indian leaders have that much freedom to visit Arunachal as they have in visiting other states in the country," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Kumar made this remark while replying to a question on next round of talks between Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary dispute.

Both sides are in touch with each other, he added.

"We do not have any confirmed dates for talks as yet. The two sides are in touch. Once we have some dates for it, we will let you know," Kumar said.

On Monday, China had objected to Sitharaman's first visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday and Sunday, saying her tour of the "disputed area" was not conducive to peace in the region.

During her trip to the state, Sitharaman also visited forward army posts in the remote Anjaw district bordering China to take stock of defence preparedness.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet and routinely objects to top Indian officials' visits to the area.

Asked about China's latest comment that India's stand on the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is wavering, Kumar said New Delhi's position on the issue is "very clear" and "principled".

"We have seen the relevant remarks. India's position on connectivity is very clear, (it) is principled and is consistent....,'' he said.

China had on Wednesday said that India's stand on its BRI is wavering, and the CPEC, a part of the project, does not involve any territorial dispute as claimed by New Delhi.

China has been reiterating that the USD 50 billion CPEC which traverses through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a connectivity project and will not affect its stand that the Kashmir issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan through talks.

India has strongly objected to the CPEC as it is being laid through the disputed territory and boycotted a high-profile Belt and Road Forum organised by China in May.

The MEA spokesperson concluded by saying that India will always be open to any efforts which will address its legitimate concerns in this regard.

With PTI inputs
PANAJI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee has the "same kind of DNA" that made them unwavering in their commitment to public welfare which boded well for the country, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

"He (Modi) has the DNA of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who always gave importance to science. The slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' was extended to include 'Jai Vigyan'. Vajpayee didn't only say this when he was the prime minister but he showed it through his various actions," Vardhan said.

The minister was addressing a workshop organised by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) here on 'Indian Ocean: Economic and Geostrategic Significance', where he lavished praise on Modi.

He said Modi was receptive to new ideas and would not brook pressure while implementing schemes for the country's welfare.

"Modi is working for public welfare with the same kind of DNA (that Vajpayee had). That DNA reflects in his (Modi's) thought which bodes well for the country," Vardhan said.

He said India's standing under Modi went up globally.

Vardhan said he was part of several delegations the prime minister led abroad and Modi's imprint could be felt long after he had left that country.

The minister said the aim of the Modi government was to achieve the dream of a new India by 2022 that would free from maladies like communalism, terrorism and naxalism.

Vardhan reminded the scientific community of the idea of scientific social responsibility broached by the prime minister under which the researchers would use innovation and research for public welfare.

"The attempt is to change the definition of the impact factor in the scientific community. The impact factor would not be decided by how many people have read your (research) papers but how many people have benefited from it," Vardhan said.


New Delhi: The AAP government has brought back the Odd-Even road management rule to fight against rising pollution in the capital. First introduced on January 1 of 2016 and then again on April 15, this is the city's third tryst with Odd-Even rule.

Following are some of the key highlights this time:



* The Odd-Even road management rule will be in force from November 13 (Monday) to November 17 (Friday).

* The list of exemptions will be the same as on last two occasions. It includes CNG cars with IGL-certified hologram stickers, two-wheelers, women-only vehicles - including children up to 12 years of age, vehicles being used for medical emergencies, vehicles being used by differently-abled and vehicles carrying school children in uniform. (Full list of exemptions here)

* Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot has said IGL stickers will be available at 22 CNG pumps across Delhi from November 10.

* He has also said extra buses for public transportation is being arranged.

* Pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas spiked in recent days. While schools are shut till Sunday (November 12), trucks have been banned from entering the city (barring those carrying essential commodities). Construction and industrial activities have also been banned.
There seems to be no end to Twitter attacks by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After targeting the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the Gandhi scion has now hit out at Vijay Rupani, the chief minister of poll-bound Gujarat.

Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, quoting his statement: Na Khaunga na khaane dunga.

Sharing a news report on allegations against Rupani, Rahul Gandhi tweeted, Na Khaaunga na khaane dunga ki kahaani, Shaah-zada, Shaurya aur ab Vijay Rupani.

This came The Congress demanded that either the Gujarat Chief Minister must resign or Modi should break his "silence" and dismiss him over the allegations after the Sebi charged 22 entities, including Rupani`s Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), with "manipulative trades" in a little known company Sarang Chemicals.

Meanwhile, Regulator Sebi is slated to pass a fresh order in the case of alleged manipulative share trade involving Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Ramniklal Rupani's HUF and 21 others, after its Rs 6.91 crore penalty against them was set aside by the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

The tribunal has "set aside" the penalty order, dated October 27, after hearing an appeal filed by Akash Harishbhai Desai, one of the 22 entities penalised by the regulator for alleged manipulative trading in the shares of Saran Chemicals Ltd during the January-June 2011 period.

The individual penalty amount was varied for entities and was Rs 15 lakh in the case of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) of Rupani, who took over as the chief minister in August 2016 and is currently heading BJP's campaign for the state's two-phase assembly polls on December 9 and 14.

In a two-page order, dated November 8 and published on its website today, SAT said "Sebi shall pass fresh order after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the parties".

The appellant and other parties against whom the order was passed have been asked to submit their replies within three weeks from November 8, as per the SAT order.

(With agency Inputs)
New Delhi: Facing intense criticism after Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) rubbished their findings in the murder case of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, Gurugram Police has clarified that their investigations had not concluded when the case was handed over to the country's top investigation agency.

Gurugram Police had last month said that the child may have found bus conductor Ashok Kumar 'masturbating' inside the toilet of Ryan International School for which his throat was slit. There were even reports - quoting sources within Gurugram Police Department - that said Ashok attempted to sexually assault the two-year-old but instead killed him when the child resisted. Once CBI took over investigations though, these reports were completely denied, leaving many to question the manner in which Ashok was arrested and his 'confession' obtained. There are also allegations that the cops faced political pressure.

Commissioner of Gurugram Police Sandeep Khirwar though denied the charges on Thursday - a day after CBI charged a Class 11 student of the same school for allegedly murdering Pradyuman. "There was no pressure at all. We did an honest attempt to bring justice to the family," said Khirwar. "Evidence was in process of being gathered. We had not concluded the investigation, had not done a specific role attribution."

Khirwar said that the investigation carried out by his department was at an early stage before being handed over to CBI. He added that he is hopeful the culprit(s) will booked and Pradyuman's family will get justice.

Ironically, it was Pradyuman's family which had questioned Gurugram Police after Ashok was arrested. Seeking a proper probe, the family had said the bus conductor could not be the killer and had demanded the case be transferred to CBI. On Tuesday, when CBI said a 16-year-old allegedly killed Pradyuman in a bid to get exams postponed, Ashok's family breathed a sign of relief. Pradyuman's family though continues to await justice.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday referred to a five-judge constitution bench a petition seeking probe into the alleged role of a retired Orissa High Court judge in a scam involving a medical institution and casting its shadows on the functioning of the top court.



The bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer directed the CBI Director to keep the entire record of its investigations into the matter and the case diary in a sealed cover and place it before the constitution bench that will hear the matter on Monday (November 13).



The court said that the constitution bench would comprise five senior most judges of the top court.



The court did not say anything on a plea by senior counsel Dushyant Dave that the constitution bench should not include Chief Justice Dipak Misra as the matter relating to the medical institution in question was heard by the bench headed by him.



On Wednesday, a petition was filed seeking a SIT probe into the matter before Justice Chelameswar and he agreed to hear it.



However, in the post lunch session on Wednesday it surfaced that the matter that Justice Chelameswar had said he would hear was assigned to another bench by Chief Justice Dipak Misra.



In September, the CBI had arrested retired Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi and five others, including the chairman of a private medical college in Lucknow, in connection with the medical admission scam case.


Bhubaneswar: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which had played a pivotal role in the Ramjanmboomi movement in the 1990s, on Thursday said that an action plan for the construction of a grand Ram Temple by 2018 will be chalked out very soon.

VHP spokesperson Surendra Jain said that every possible measure will be taken to ensure the construction of a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh by 2018.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Jain said that the issue will be discussed with all top leaders of the outfit this month.

A three-day meeting of VHP's Central Managing Committee will be held for the first time in Odisha`s capital starting November 27, he informed.

"In this meeting, the construction of Ram Temple issue will be widely discussed and an action plan for its implementation would be chalked out. Now, there won't be any delay. We will take every step to construct the temple by 2018," Jain said.

The VHP leader said representatives from all states would participate in the meet which will begin on November 27. Besides, there will be representation from 50 foreign countries.

Besides the Ram Temple, other issues including religious conversion, cow protection and jihadi terrorism would also be discussed during the three-day meeting.

The VHP leader also accused the Christian missionaries of conspiring against Hindus and demanded that the state government make public the report of the Naidu Commission, which probed the murder of Hindu monk Laxmananand Saraswati.

"So that people could know who were the culprits in the case," he added.

Jain also accused the incumbent Odisha government of failing to protect Hindus from conversion despite there being a law against forced religious conversion.

The VHP leader also condemned the state government for changing the name of Abhimanyu Samant Sinhar road to Mother Teresa road.

Interestingly, the Mahant Satyendra Das of the makeshift Ram Mandir at the disputed site in Ayodhya, recently said that there was no enmity here between the two communities over the issue.

He said the apex court`s verdict was likely to be in favour of constructing the Ram Mandir at the disputed site -- where once stood the 16th century Babri Masjid that was demolished by Hindu fundamentalists in 1992 -- as evidence "clearly showed" the existence of a temple at the spot in the past.

Satyendra Das said the court`s decision was expected soon, thus facilitating the construction of the "long-cherished" grand mandir at the birthplace of Lord Ram in a year`s time.

On the other hand, former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti, who has been associated with the Ram Temple movement, had rejected the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's initiative to resolve the Ayodhya issue.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar does not qualify to mediate on the matter as he has never been associated with the movement, he had said.

The Art of Living Foundation had said last week that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been in touch with several imams and swamis, including Acharya Ram Das of Nirmohi Akhara, to help find an out-of-court settlement to the Ram Temple dispute.
United Nations: Voting began on Thursday in the Security Council and the General Assembly for the election of world court judges in which Dalveer Bhandari of India is facing a Lebanese diplomat in his re-election bid.

The Assembly and the Council are holding separate ballots to elect five judges and candidates have to get an absolute majority in both chambers. Permanent members cannot veto a candidate.

Bhandari was elected to the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2012 to complete the remainder of the term of a retiring judge. He is now running for a full nine-year term. Lebanon`s Permanent Representative Nawaf Salam, a jurist-turned-diplomat, is running against him for the judgeship representing Asia.

Salam was nominated by Lebanon and France and his candidacy was endorsed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation at its foreign ministers` meeting at Tashkent last year.

Bhandari has received nominations from Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia and Israel. Just before the voting began in the Assembly, President Miroslav Lajcik announced that Sri Lanka has also joined in nominating him.

There are six candidates left in the race for the five judgeships up for election this year after a Zambian candidate, Chaloka Beyani, withdrew from the race. The five candidates of the six remaining, who each get a majority of the votes in both the Assembly and the Council, will assume office next February.

Besides Bhandari, ICJ President Ronny Abraham of France, Vice President, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia, and Antonio Augusto Cancado Trindade of Brazil and Christopher Greenwood of Britain, whose terms end this year, are running for re-election.

Bhandari is the only one facing a challenge.

By tradition jurists from the permanent members of the Security Council have a seat in the ICJ assuring British and French candidates of their election, and no one from their regions are challenging the Somali and Brazilian judges.

The court does not officially have regional quotas but its statutes also say that the judges should represent the "main forms of civilization" and the "principal legal systems of the world" and this has in practice given rise to a regional distribution system.

Bhandari is currently representing a swathe of Asia from the Middle East to the Far East along with judges from China and Japan.

He was elected to succeed Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh of Jordan and he defeated a candidate from the Philippines. Therefore, he will essentially be facing Salam who is also from the region.

The Indian Mission to the UN held a reception for him last month to meet the delegates who will be voting in the election.

While Bhandari also received nominations from Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia and Israel, Salam

Bhandari, who is from Rajasthan, has been a Supreme Court judge and the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

This year and last, India`s candidates won two other international elections in the legal field. In June, Neeru Chadha was elected to International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) based in Hamburg, Germany.

Aniruddha Rajput was elected by the UN General Assembly to the International Law Commission last November.
While the report confirms the allegations about former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his office, Congress today said that many questions still remain unanswered.

By P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan: The Judicial Commission report which probed the allegations of Solar Scam has put the Congress-led opposition under pressure.

While the report confirms the allegations about former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his office, Congress today said that many questions still remain unanswered.

Chandy alleged that the report has given more emphasis to the alleged letter written by prime accused Saritha S Nair. Is this Solar Commission report or Saritha Report asked Oommen Chandy.

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The former chief minister has raised doubts about the authenticity of several findings in the report. The report is in four volumes, but one complete volume was not signed by the Commission which is a huge error that raises doubts about the report.

Chandy said that the letter mentioned in the report was fabricated. Saritha wrote the letter while she was in judicial custody.

The jail warden has given a receipt for the 21 page letter. But the letter which was considered by Solar Commission had 24 pages. Even commission does not comment on the allegations made in the letter.

"During the hearing Saritha declined the sexual allegations against me," said Oommen Chandy.

--- ENDS ---
SRINAGAR: Terrorists on Thursday attacked a police officer, open firing on him in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag. According to ANI, the officer has now been admitted to hospital.

More details are awaited.

Earlier in September, terrorists attacked a police party at a bus-stand in Anantnag district.

The incident killed one policeman, while and two others were injured in the terror attack.

Notably, the attack took place 500 yards from the venue of Home Minister Rajnath Singh's meeting on Sunday.
SRINAGAR: Security forces on Thursday launched a cordon and search operation in as many as13 villages of Shopian district.

Police said the Rashtriya Rifles, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) undertook the operation.

More than the objective of targeting militants, these operations are aimed at "area domination" so as to keep the militants on the run and to prevent them from establishing a base in heavily populated areas.

On Monday, three terrorists were gunned down and a jawan was martyred in an encounter between the security forces and terrorists in J&K's Pulwama district.

The gunbattle took place in Pulwama's Aglar Kandi.

A day earlier, the Indian Army foiled a major infiltration bid and killed two terrorists in an encounter Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

(With IANS inputs)
Ranchi: Maulana Saif Abbas, a prominent Shia cleric, on Thursday jumped into the defence of Rafia Naaz - a Muslim girl who teaches yoga in Jharkhand, but faces threats to her life from the members of her own community.

"What is wrong if some woman teaches yoga?" Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas said while referring to the fatwa issued against Naaz.

"Protesting this is highly condemnable," he said, adding, "Some people have made religion a joke."

The reactions from the Shia cleric came days after a fatwa was issued against Naaz after which the Jharkhand government decided to provide her adequate security.

The fatwa asked Naaz not to teach yoga to anyone.

Jharkhand: A fatwa has been issued against Yoga teacher Rafia Naaz in Ranchi for teaching Yoga pic.twitter.com/7SbrO5pVMB  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

The matter was brought to the notice of Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary to Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, and on his instructions, the police stepped up the security of the girl.

Acting on the instructions, Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kuldeep Dwivedi even sent a police team to meet the girl.

She was later provided two security guards - one male and one female.

A resident of Doranda locality in Ranchi, Rafia Naaz ekes out a living for her family by teaching yoga.

She is the eldest of her siblings and also doing M.Com from a local college.

Naaz rose to fame after she shared the stage with yoga guru Ramdev in the city some time back.

Her family members are scared of threats issued by the members of her own community.

Naaz, however, said, "I will continue to do yoga and teach yoga till the end of my life."

Naaz said that he had received many threats, and expressed gratitude to the state government for providing her with security.

(With ANI inputs)
BENGALURU: The Bengaluru Police restricted all kinds of the public procession in Karnataka on Friday to prevent untoward incidents on the occasion of Tipu Jayanti.

"No pro or anti processions will be permitted. If required we will impose Section 144 and strict action will be taken against anyone who breaks rules," Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Sunil Kumar said in view of Tipu Jayanti.



The police official added that a circular has been released restricting all kinds of public processions on Friday. All security arrangements will be made to maintain the law and order in the city."



As many as 13,000 policemen, along with personnel of the Garud Commando Force, 30 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 20 platoons of the City Armed Reserve (CAR), will be deployed in sensitive and hypersensitive areas to prevent any untoward incident.



On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court refused to put a stay on Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations, slated to be celebrated across the state on November 10.



The Karnataka government, headed by Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah, has planned to celebrate the erstwhile ruler's birth anniversary. However, opposition BJP and some outfits are opposed to Tipu Jayanti celebrations.



Tipu Jayanti is being observed since 2015 following a government decision, which had triggered a major row and caused violence in Kodagu district that year.



Recently, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde had stirred a hornets nest after he requested the Karnataka government not to include his name in programme invitations for Tipu Jayanti celebrations.



"Conveyed (to) Karnataka government not to invite me to the shameful event of glorifying a person known as a brutal killer, wretched fanatic and mass rapist," Hegde had tweeted.



A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker from the state Prahlad Joshi has alleged that Tipu Sultan was "anti-Hindu, anti-Kannada and exploited India".



Known as the "Tiger of Mysore", Tipu Sultan ruled the Mysore kingdom from 1782-1799 succeeding his father Hyder Ali.



Though Tipu Sultan was born in 1750 at Devanahalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru, his kingdom's capital was at Srirangapatna near Mysore.



Tipu Sultan is also viewed in a negative light in Kodagu district of the state where he is alleged to have persecuted the local Kodava population, as also the Roman Catholics of Mangaluru, on religious grounds and forced conversion to Islam.
Bhopal: Bhopal Public Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Ajatshatru Srivastav on Thursday issued a notice to doctors over an erroneous report that said a gang-rape victim, a 19-year-old civil services aspirant, indulged in consensual sex with culprits.

He further asked them how such a serious lapse in a medical report can occur. Srivastav`s statement came hours after a senior doctor clarified that the medical reports of the victim were incorrect and had been rectified.

Earlier in the day, Dr Karan Peepre, Superintendent of the Sultania Women Hospital, said the erroneous report was made by a newcomer.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Peepre, said, "It was a mistake by a newcomer and now, the report has been rectified and issued again.

"On Thursday, the 19-year-old was abducted by four men and was allegedly gang-raped near the Habibganj Railway Station in Bhopal.

All the four accused have been arrested.
Damoh: Teachers of a government school in Madhya Pradesh have come under scanner for allegedly forcing the students to clean toilets.

The teachers have, however, denied the allegation.

Parents allege students were made to clean toilets by teachers in a Government school in #MadhyaPradesh's Damoh. pic.twitter.com/yMuhvWDjhi  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

According to ANI, the parents of the students alleged that their wards were forced by some teachers to clean toilets in Madhya Pradesh`s Damoh district.

A group of students too alleged that they were forced by their teachers to clean the toilets.

"When my daughter was coming home to have lunch, they asked her to first clean the toilet and then go," one of the parents said.

However, the school management has flatly refuted the allegation and said no such work was done by students.

"The students were not asked to clean the toilets. A cleanliness drive is going on in school and labourers are cleaning and whitewashing the school building," a teacher said.

Meanwhile, Hemant Kherwal, DPC, Damoh said that they would take action against the concerned teachers if the allegation is right.

"I have been told that a cleanliness drive was going on in the school. Children were not made to do anything like that. If it is found that they were made to do so, then an action will be taken against people responsible," said Kherwal.
Mumbai: A shocking video of a roadside vendor throwing scalding oil over customers complaining about the bad quality of food is going viral on the Internet.

In the video, which was posted by ANI, a Chinese food stall owner can be seen throwing boiling oil over customers complaining about bad food quality.

The incident occurred in Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar.

#WATCH:Owner of a roadside eatery threw hot oil on a customer who complained about the food served, in Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar. 2 arrested pic.twitter.com/ypsfVKHRGn  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

Several customers suffered serious burns after the owner flung hot oil on them.

In the video, the vendor can be seen filling a water jug with hot oil from a wok and chasing the customers before hurling it at them.

The vendor comes back, refills it and goes after the customers. He can be seen hurling the hot oil on the customers at least thrice.

It all started when a man complained about the food which infuriated the food stall owner. Other customers too joined him and complained about the bad quality of food, which triggered a heated argument between the vendor and the customers.

In the process, the Chinese food stall was also vandalised and the furniture kept there were broken.

In the video, some customers can also be seen throwing things at the vendor. In retaliation, the vendor attacks them with hot oil.

A complaint was filed and the vendor was arrested by the police.

However, the vendor also filed a counter-complaint accusing the customers of vandalising his stall and abusing the staff.
Mumbai: An owner of a Maharashtra roadside eatery threw hot oil on a customer after he complained about the food service.

The incident took place in Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar, a town located in Thane.

#WATCH:Owner of a roadside eatery threw hot oil on a customer who complained about the food served, in Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar. 2 arrested pic.twitter.com/ypsfVKHRGn  ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

In a video posted by news agency ANI on Thursday, the owner is seen using a jug to pour hot oil from a wok and throwing it targetting the customers.

Meanwhile, two persons have been nabbed in connection with the incident.
New Delhi: One of the finest finds of Bollywood, Kajol has an ocean of fan following who eagerly awaits each of her big screen releases. The gorgeous actress is also quite an avid social media user, keeping her fans and followers updated with latest pictures and film announcements.

Recently, Kajol took to Twitter and shared a major throwback picture which has her posing with her first love. And no it's not Ajay Devgn if you are thinking that but her first car!

Yes, she bought her first Maruti car and gave an amazing pose too.

Check out the picture:

Look what I found ! A pic of me and my first love .... my first car ever !!! #tbt pic.twitter.com/G8gejESIef  Kajol (@KajolAtUN) November 9, 2017

The actress has as many as six Filmfare Awards, including five Best Actress awards and the Best Villain award in her name. In 2011, she was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth-highest Indian civilian award, by the Government of India for her contributions to the arts.
By PTI: Colombo, Nov 9 (PTI) Sri Lanka is committed to work towards reconciliation with Tamils and has taken concrete steps to prevent torture, the foreign ministry said today after a media report claimed that more than 60 Sri Lankans were subjected to physical abuse under the current government.

The report quoting International Truth and Justice Project -- an advocacy group administered by the Foundation for Human Rights -- claimed that the men were accused of trying to revive the LTTE and tortured between early 2016 to as recently as July of this year.

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Responding to the report, Sri Lankas Foreign Ministry said, "The National Unity Government that was formed in Sri Lanka following the January 8, 2015 Presidential Election and the August 2015 Parliamentary Election, is committed, as promised to the people of the country, to work towards reconciliation, good governance, rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights, and has taken numerous concrete steps to prevent the commission of torture."

The National Human Rights Commission had ensured access to places where there may be complaints of torture, issuance of orders to all police and security officials forbidding torture of any kind, with punishment to the full extent of the law, if violated, the ministry said.

The commission is welcoming visits by human rights organisations, including to the places where allegations of torture have been made, so that they can see for themselves that such illegal and reprehensible actions are not taking place in the country, it said.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said yesterday the story would be taken notice of by the world body.

The LTTEs 30-year separatist campaign ended on May 18, 2009 in the northeastern Mullaithivu district when Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the LTTE, was killed by Lankan troops.

According to UN figures, up to 40,000 civilians in the conflict.

Sri Lanka?s former regime refused to acknowledge the civilian toll of its wartime campaign, drawing censure from the international community.

President Maithripala Sirisenas government came to power in January 2015 promising justice for war victims, but his administration has been accused of dithering ever since. PTI Corr NSA

--- ENDS ---
Los Angeles: Mariah Careys former bodyguard Michael Anello says the pop diva sexually harassed him by flouncing around in sheer lingerie while he was on the job. He has now threatened to sue her.

Carey also called Anello a "Nazi", according to a draft of the complaint obtained by tmz.com. Carey labeled Anello and his colleagues skinheads, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members and white supremacists.



She "wanted to be surrounded by black guys, not white people," Anello has claimed. Carey, a New York native, is of mixed race -- her father was black and Venezuelan and her mother is Irish.



In 1990, she lashed out at a Playboy reviewer who wrote that she was a "white girl who can sing".



Anello plans to sue over a $220,000 unpaid invoice for security his company provided to Carey from June 2015 through May 2017.



According to tmz.com, he is after another $511,000 for two remaining years on a security contract.
New Delhi: Hindi film industry's talented star Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been vocal about his personal life in the public domain but never was it discussed so much. The actor's personal associations during his initial days of struggle in Bollywood were made public once his memoir 'An Ordinary Life' was released.

The memoir became a hot topic of discussion not just within in the industry circles but also on social media as details of his extra-marital affair with 'Miss Lovely' co-star Niharika Singh grabbed eyeballs. Not just that, Nawaz's account of his relationship with famous theatre and television actress Sunita Rajwar too caught attention.

Sunita took to her Facebook page and shared a detailed account of her association with the actor from NSD days.

Now, the TV actress has slapped Nawaz with a legal notice according to Mumbai Mirror report. It mentions that Sunita has taken a legal recourse and sent a notice to Nawaz, to the publishers of the book and also to the journalist Rituparna Chatterjee, who assisted the actor in his memoir.

The actress has stated that the book has hurt her caused mental trauma. She has demanded an apology from the actor through a presser along with same being posted on his social media handles within 24 hours of the notice. Also, a sum of Rs 2 crore which will be used for charitable purposes.

Both the women were quick to rubbish all that was written in the book and did put on their side of the story as well. Niharika reportedly said, "He obviously wants to sell his book and it would appear that he is willing to exploit and disrespect a woman just to do so.

After Nawaz received a lot of criticism over his controversial account, the actor took to Twitter and shared that he has decided to withdraw the book.
New Delhi: A new review report of the launch schedule has indicated that the first launch of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will carry the new Orion spacecraft, may be delayed until 2020.

As per earlier schedule, the rocket was slated for a 2019 launch. But, NASA hopes that it would be able to launch the uncrewed mission by December 2019.

This mission, known as Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) is a critical flight test for the agency's human deep space exploration goals.

The review follows an earlier assessment where NASA evaluated the cost, risk and technical factors of adding crew to the mission, but ultimately affirmed the original plan to fly EM-1 uncrewed.

"While the review of the possible manufacturing and production schedule risks indicate a launch date of June 2020, the agency is managing to December 2019," said acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot.

"Since several of the key risks identified have not been actually realized, we are able to put in place mitigation strategies for those risks to protect the December 2019 date," Lightfoot said in a statement on Thursday.

NASA said its ability to meet its agency baseline commitments to EM-1 cost, which includes SLS and ground systems, currently remains within original targets.

The Orion spacecraft is designed to take astronauts to deep space and to eventually enable humans to explore beyond the Moon, Mars and other destinations beyond low-Earth orbit.

NASA said it now plans to accelerate a test of Orion's launch abort system ahead of EM-1, and is targeting April 2019.

Known as Ascent-Abort 2, the test will validate the launch abort system's ability to get crew to safety if needed during ascent.

Moving up the test date ahead of EM-1 will reduce risk for the first flight with crew, which remains on track for 2023, NASA said.

(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: Equipped with proper online 'boarding passes', more than one lakh Indians are all set to travel to Mars.

The flight to the Red Planet was 'booked' via NASA's InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission slated for launch on May 5, 2018.

Overall, 2.4 million people from around the world will be 'travelling' to Mars.

The names of all the passengers will be etched on to a silicon wafer microchip using an electron beam to form letters with lines one one-thousandth the diameter of a human hair. This chip will then be attached to the top hull of the lander.

NASA on Wednesday stated, that India ranks third in the global list with regard to the number of names submitted for the Mars mission.

The first is the US with 6,76,773 names followed by China with 2,62,752 names. India stands at number three.

Space experts aren't surprised with US leading the list, since it is, after all, a NASA mission. However, the fact that India ranks one after China is a matter of significance, due to two factors  the heightened interest and curiosity triggered by India's path-breaking Mangalyaan mission and the overall strengthening of India-US ties.

NASA's InSight is a 720-day mission which aims to collect data on the Martian interior by monitoring 'Marsquakes'.

The mission also aspires to gain broader insight into the formation of rocky planets in the entire solar system.
NEW DELHI: The offices of Jaya TV, Dr Namadhu MGR newspaper were among a number of locations connected to the Sasikala faction of the AIADMK that were raided by officials of the Income Tax Department in the early hours of the Thursday. I-T officials said the raids were in connection to allegations of tax evasion.

The list of locations that were raided reads like a family directory of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala. Those raided were her nephew and AIADMK challenger TTV Dhinakaran and nephew and Jaya TV MD Vivek Jayaraman in Chennai. In Mannargudi and Thanjavur, raids focused on the residences of Sasikala's husband M Natarajan, Divaharan and Sundaravadanam; apart from a number of their associates.

Ground reports quoted officials saying the raids are based on concrete information of tax evasion and that they had been observing the situation for a significant amount of time.

The raids began around 6 am, and according to officials, taking place at more than 180 different locations.

Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR have for decades functioned as the mouthpieces for the AIADMK and its now deceased supremo J Jayalalithaa. Since her death, they have been used as a tool in the factional war for the control of the AIADMK.

The faction led by TTV Dhinakaran has controlled the channels and the newspaper. These and the movie theatre business Jazz Cinemas are all controlled by the Sasikala clan. While initially part of the Sasikala faction, the vast chunk for the AIADMK rank and file, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, has since split with the Sasikala family and joined hands with the former rebels, led by O Panneerselvam.

Now, the EPS-OPS faction and the TTV Dhinakaran faction are locked in a battle to claim the iconic 'two-leaves' symbol of the AIADMK. The matter is pending before the Election Commission.
Bengaluru: A Karnataka student with his team at the Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, has developed a sophisticated early warning system to protect small businesses vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Kashyap Vijay, who hails from Karnataka, is part of a five-member team at the Edith Cowan Security Research Institute in Perth that worked on the project to develop the tool, a release here said.

Termed as 'honeypots', the Modern Honey-Pi network is a defensive tool which can be used by cyber security professionals to gather intelligence and monitor attacks aimed at their organisation, it said.

They are connected to a company's network looking like a high-value target for cybercriminals but they actually collect data about possible attacks, it said.

The release said they can also be connected to an internal network, for devices which have been compromised.

The early warning lets cyber security professionals take action as soon as criminal activity is detected and hopefully put a stop to any attack.

The data collected on potential cyber attacks is also shared with law-enforcement and intelligence services, the release said.

"The Honeypot-pi system comes at a fraction of the price of employing a trained cyber security professional," Vijay Kashyap, Research Assistant, ECU Security Research Institute, claimed adding tt costs as much as a coffee machine.

The project was part of a work on integrated learning placement for a group of students studying in ECU's cyber security programme.

The group is already in discussions with potential investors about commercialising their project, the release added.
New Delhi: A survey on demonetisation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app has received support from 81 per cent of participants with an approval rating of 4.6 out of 5 for the decision, official sources said on Thursday.

Close to 50,000 people have given feedback in first 24 hours of the launch of the survey on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the demonetisation decision.

The sources also said that despite "good response" given by participants, Modi has asked officials to work on these feedback.

The sources claimed that 93 per cent of the participants in the survey on Modi's app believed his steps to fight corruption and black money were right and 81 per cent accused the UPA government of not taking adequate measures against these.

Ninety per cent respondents said demonetisation has helped fight corruption with "huge detection of black money" and 92 per cent said a decision like this was necessary to fight graft and black money, they said citing figures.

Eighty-seven per cent of participants said they were satisfied with the results of demonetisation while 92 per cent expressed the view that a less-cash economy was taking shape and it would prove to be beneficial for the country in the long run.

Demonetisation has emerged as a rallying point for both the BJP and the opposition with the latter terming it a failure and marking its anniversary as 'black day' while the ruling party describing it as an attack on black money and observing the day as 'anti-blackmoney day'.

Sources recalled that Modi had sought feedback on demonetisation last year too and the decision received high approval.
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said Thursday 201 people are being held for questioning over an estimated $100 billion in embezzlement and corruption, after the biggest purge of the kingdom`s elite in its modern history.

Princes, ministers and a billionaire business tycoon were among dozens of high-profile figures arrested or sacked last weekend, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidates power.

The purge comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia and Iran facing off over a missile attack from Yemen and a potential political crisis in Lebanon after prime minister Saad Hariri`s shock resignation announced from Riyadh.

"A total of 208 individuals have been called in for questioning so far... Seven have been released without charge," the Saudi information ministry said in a statement.

Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned that assets related to the alleged corruption cases would be seized as state property, as the government appears set to widen the crackdown.

"The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large," the ministry said.

"Based on our investigations over the past three years, we estimate that at least USD $100 billion has been misused through systematic corruption and embezzlement over several decades."

High-profile figures, including billionaire tycoon Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, were arrested or sacked in the weekend crackdown - just after an anti-graft commission headed by the crown prince was established.

Prince Mohammed, the son of 81-year-old King Salman, is already seen as the country`s de facto ruler controlling all the major levers of government.

With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, the crown prince has centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history.

The crackdown comes as he moves to accelerate his Vision 2030 program to modernise the conservative kingdom, but also as Riyadh takes a more aggressive stance in its wider region.

In the wake of a failed missile attack against Riyadh airport on Saturday, which was claimed by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, the kingdom has accused Tehran of "direct aggression".

Iran vehemently dismissed the charge that it supplied missiles to the Huthis and warned Saudi Arabia of its "might", prompting fresh acrimony between the regional heavyweights.

The tensions appear to be playing out in a new political crisis in Beirut.

On November 4, Hariri cited Iran`s "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life when he announced his resignation in a televised speech from Riyadh, precipitating a new political crisis in Beirut.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon "as soon as possible" and also called on them not to travel to the country, without specifying any threat.

The new tensions could escalate the proxy conflict between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in wars and power struggles from Yemen to Syria.
By Anusha Soni: At 10.30 am today, a mentioning was made in Court No 2 of the Supreme Court premises by senior advocate Dushyant Dave, seeking an urgent hearing of a plea which made allegations of judicial corruption and judges being involved in a medical admissions scam.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising of second senior most judge, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, and Justice Abdul Nazeer granted an urgent hearing at 12.45 pm. Mentioning is a special oral request to urgently hear a case, which is not listed in the Supreme Court schedule for the day. It is usually done in the Chief Justice of India's (CJI) court. But right now, in the CJI court, a five-judge constitution bench is hearing the Centre vs Delhi case, involving the scope of the powers of Delhi's Lieutenant General and the Chief Minister in the National Capital Region. Hence, the mentioning was made in Court No 2.

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Curiously, after the request was granted for an urgent hearing, the five-judge bench headed by the CJI, which rises at 1 pm everyday, rose up at around 12.00 pm.

When the hearing began at 12.45 pm, a note from the registry was handed over to Justice Chelameswar. Dushyant Dave, appearing for the petitioner Kamini Jaiswal, raised questions over judicial propriety and argued that the issue concerned "not the individuals, but the institution of judiciary".

He argued that the allegations are "very disturbing" and needed to be taken up to protect the integrity and credibility of the judiciary as an institution. Upon hearing the matter, the bench led by Justice Chelameswar issued notice to the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and sought their responses. The court also referred the matter to the bench of top five judges in the Supreme Court and will be heard on Monday.

WHAT IS THE MATTER ABOUT?

The matter pertains to the arrest of retired Orrisa High Court judge Justice IM Quddusi. On 19 September 2017, the CBI had registered an FIR that criminal conspiracy was hatched by several people. including one retired judge of the Orissa High Court, Justice Quddusi, and officers of the Prasad Education Trust.

A conspiracy was hatched to bribe and influence the judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court to secure favourable orders in the cases of this education trust pertaining to a recognition of a medical college run by them, whose recognition had been denied by the Medical Council of India (MCI) citing various deficiencies.

The FIR states that a middle man named Biswanath Agarwala from Orissa was engaged with the purpose of influencing the judges. Immediately after the registration of the FIR, raids were conducted and reports suggest that about Rs 2 crore in cash was recovered from the conspirators and some of them were arrested including retired Justice Qudussi. It is alleged that these persons secured bail and no effort was made by the CBI to challenge their bail and nothing is known about the progress of the investigation.

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During the hearing today, Dushyant Dave also argued that since all the MCI matters have been heard by CJI Dipak Misra, he should not be a part of the bench. However, Justice Chelameswar has referred the hearing to the top five judges of Supreme Court.

Judicial corruption and the cry for accountability has been growing from within the bar in the recent past. Earlier, it was none other than Dave himself, who filed a plea seeking investigation into the letter of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Khalikho Pul, who committed suicide. The plea was later withdrawn after a heated exchange in an open court. This is the second such plea coming in.

It will be worth watching on Monday whether the Supreme Court constitutes a special team to look into the corruption charges at the top-most level of India's judiciary.

--- ENDS ---
BEIJING: North Korea and trade will likely top the agenda when U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sit down for formal talks on Thursday, a day after Trump warned Pyongyang of the grave danger of developing nuclear weapons.

China has been keen to show the importance it puts on Trump`s visit, the first by a foreign leader since the end of a key Communist Party Congress last month where Xi cemented his power. Xi took Trump and his wife on a tour of the Forbidden City on Wednesday.

Trump has ratcheted up his criticism of China`s massive trade surplus with the United States - calling it "embarrassing" and "horrible" last week - and has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices, fuelling worries of increased tension between the world`s two largest trading countries.

For its part, China says U.S. restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and on high-tech exports need to be addressed.

Roughly $250 billion in deals with U.S. companies are expected to be announced during the visit, people familiar with the matter said, with several corporate CEOs in Beijing as part of a delegation led by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Some in the U.S. business community have expressed worry that contract wins could come at the expense of resolving long-standing complaints over market access restrictions in China.

"This shows that we have a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship, and yet we still need to focus on levelling the playing field because U.S. companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China," said William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Trump railed against China`s trade practices during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and threatened to take action once in office. But he has since held back on any major trade penalties, making clear he was doing so to give Beijing time to make progress reining in North Korea.

TOUGH LANGUAGE

China has repeatedly pushed back at suggestions it should be doing more to rein in North Korea, which does about 90 percent of its trade with China, saying it is fully enforcing U.N. sanctions and that everyone has a responsibility to lower tensions and get talks back on track.

Trump used some of his toughest language yet against North Korea in a wide-ranging address in Seoul on Wednesday that lodged specific accusations of chilling human rights abuses, although he offered no evidence to support the accusations.

He also called on countries around the world to isolate Pyongyang by denying it "any form of support, supply or acceptance".

There was no immediate public mention of North Korea from either Trump or Xi as they wrapped up their festivities at the Forbidden City, where Xi gave Trump the rare honour of a personal tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

"Looking forward to a full day of meetings with President Xi and our delegations tomorrow. THANK YOU for the beautiful welcome China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it!" Trump said on Twitter after the visit and dinner there.

Chinese state media praised the tone of the initial get-together on Thursday, part of what China has promised will be a "state visit plus" for Trump.

"Trump seems to be pragmatic on his Beijing policy, and has no interest in ideological diplomacy. He hasn`t used the issue of human rights to make trouble for China so far, and this means the Sino-US relationship can focus on substantive matters," influential tabloid the Global Times said in an editorial.
TEXAS: Florida put to death a 53-year-old man on Wednesday for the 1991 murder of two men, an official said, while in a separate case in Texas attorneys for a Mexican national sought to prevent his execution.

At Florida State Prison in Starke, Patrick Hannon was put to death by lethal injection at 8:50 p.m. local time, said Florida Department of Corrections spokeswoman Ashley Cook.

Hannon was convicted in the January 1991 murders of Brandon Snider and Robert Carter, who were killed in the Tampa apartment they shared.

Hannon lost several appeals with the Florida Supreme Court and in U.S. District Court. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to halt the execution.

Hannon was the 22nd person executed in the United States so far this year, compared with 20 in the full year 2016 and 28 in 2015, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

In Texas, officials were planning to put to death a Mexican national on Wednesday for the February 1997 kidnap, rape and murder of his 16-year-old cousin, Mayra Laguna. The convict, Ruben Cardenas, 47, told investigators he was high on cocaine at the time.

Mexican officials and two United Nations experts have called for Cardenas to be spared the death penalty and his attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block the execution.

Texas has executed six people this year, and Florida three.
Brussels: NATO will increase its training mission in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 16,000 troops, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday.



Underlining that Afghanistan's security situation remained "very challenging", Stoltenberg said NATO would increase its support for Afghanistan as part of its Resolute Support Mission.



Around 13,000 troops from 39 NATO and partner countries are in Afghanistan, training the Afghan forces within the framework of a NATO-led mission.



During the ministerial meeting, the US gave a briefing on its new South Asia strategy, under which its troop numbers in Afghanistan have increased. The NATO chief said 27 other nations have also agreed to increase their troop numbers in the coming months, Xinhua news agency reported.



Ministers from NATO allied countries and partners also confirmed they would continue to fund the Afghan security forces until at least 2020.



In addition to the financial support from the US, "other NATO allies and partners will continue to provide almost a billion US dollars each year to the Afghan defence and security forces," added Stoltenberg.



The ministers were joined by Afghanistan's Acting Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami.



The Resolute Support Mission is a NATO-led mission launched in January 2015 to provide training, advice and assistance to Afghan security forces and institutions.


Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump will meet tomorrow in Vietnam, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies on Thursday.

The meeting "will be on November 10," but the exact time is being decided, Ushakov told the official TASS agency.

Both leaders will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang.

The pair last met at the G20 summit in Germany in July.

On Sunday Trump said he thinks "it's expected we'll meet with Putin" to discuss North Korea.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have plummeted as a US probe has accused Trump's former campaign aides of secretly meeting Kremlin-connected officials.

Russia has vehemently denied allegations of interfering in the US election last year that brought Trump to power.
What is the real story that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif-starrer Tiger Zinda Hai is loosely based on?

By Dev Goswami: On December 22, Salman Khan will be back on the silver screen to reprise the role of a Research and Analysis Wing agent on a mission to rescue Indians stranded in a foreign country.

Tiger Zinda Hai , which also stars Katrina Kaif, is a sequel to 2012's Ek Tha Tiger. The Ali Abbas Zafar-directed film will see Tiger, the code-name of Salman's RAW agent character, go back to the same country where he was at the beginning of Ek Tha Tiger - Iraq.

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"Inspired" by true events, Tiger Zinda Hai promises to be a high-octane action thriller as it tracks Tiger's attempts to rescue 25 Indian nurses held captive by a dangerous terrorist organisation in 'Ikrit' (the real incident took place in Tikrit), Iraq.

The true events that Tiger Zinda Hai is "inspired" by are from 2014, when just months after the new Modi government took charge, India's diplomatic corps with some possible help from the intelligence agencies pulled off a secretive rescue of 46 Indian nurses held captive by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq.

Complete details of that rescue are still hard to come by. Did a prominent Malayali businessman, active in the Middle East, play a role in securing the nurses' release? Was the Indian government in touch with the ISIS captors? And, was there really a 'Tiger' who went to Iraq to physically rescue the nurses from certain death?

What we know is that all through their brief captivity, the nurses, nearly all of them from Kerala, somehow managed to stay in touch with Ajay Kumar, who was then India's ambassador to Iraq, and the then Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

WHEN THE MILITANTS CAME

In June 2014, the nurses, who were recruited by a Delhi-based agency, were working at a hospital in Tikrit, a city in northern Iraq that was the hometown of former dictator Saddam Hussein.

Just months before, the Islamic State had sprung to global prominence, driving Iraqi forces out of key cities in the west and the north, cities the global terrorist group then declared a part of its "Caliphate".

In mid-June that year, the ISIS militants reached Tikrit and the nurses, who had been confined to their hospital ever since they reached Iraq, heard the distant sounds of battle. Thinking that they were facing certain death, the nurses frantically called up the Indian ambassador in Iraq.

"On June 13, we called up Ajay Kumar, the Indian ambassador in Baghdad, and pleaded with him to move us out," one of the nurses told India Today as she recalled what happened in Iraq just days after her release. Another of the nurses got in touch with the then Kerala CM Oommen Chandy.

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Both the officials promised the nurses all help but at the same time advised them to pay heed to the militants' demands, should they come knocking at the Tikrit hospital. So, the nurses waited as the sounds of the battle drew closer until one day the ISIS militants arrived at the hospital.

"They wore black clothes, balaclavas and sunglasses. We were frightened. They brought in a few of their men who were badly injured and asked us to attend to them," the nurse who spoke to India Today after her release recalled.

The militants, however, went back, presumably to continue fighting whatever Iraqi forces remained in Tikrit. Then on July 3, the militants finally came to take the nurses away.

"They arrived around 11.30 in the morning and asked us to leave the hospital in 15 minutes. They said they were going to blow up the hospital but wanted to shift us to Mosul," another of the 46 nurses told India Today back then.

"We immediately rang up the Indian Embassy. The officials asked us to try and plead with the militants to spare us, but to go with them if they didn't relent. They said the Government might consider a commando operation to rescue us if things went bad," she added.

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CAPTIVITY

The militants corralled them into a bus that took them to Mosul. During the journey to Mosul, the nurses received mysterious phone calls from officials in New Delhi. The officials asked the nurses to keep texting them details of whatever they could see from their bus windows.

The initial apprehension, however, soon dissipated. According to a Hindustan Times report from 2014, the nurses, in fact, did not even consider themselves to be in captivity.

"Our apprehension really forced us to hate them (initially). But later we found in such a lawless situation, they were protecting us. At their mercy, they could have done anything to us but they never misbehaved or taunted any of us," one of the nurses told the daily then.

THE RELEASE

MJ Nithyamol (centre) with her family in Kottayam

All throughout, the nurses stayed in touch with Chandy and Kumar as Indian officials worked furiously behind the scenes to secure the women's release. This, it seemingly turns out, involved establishing some contact with the ISIS militants.

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On July 4, the militants themselves led the nurses to Indian officials on the ground in Iraq. "The militants returned and asked us to board a bus. It took us to a spot where a couple of Indian embassy officials were waiting for us. The officials rushed us to the Erbil international airport by 8.45pm," one of the nurses told India Today after getting back to the country.

The government has never officially acknowledged that it was in touch with the ISIS militants. Neither has it admitted to seeking help from prominent Malayali businessmen operating in the Middle East.

Oommen Chandy, however, said that the efforts to rescue the nurses did involve some NRI businessmen. "Malayali NRI businessmen in the Middle East have helped significantly in the release of Malayali nurses from the war-hit regions of Iraq and Libya. The situation as you know was critical and some of our businessmen extended help," the former Kerala CM told The News Minute earlier this year.

On July 5, the nurses finally flew back home to a rapturous welcome even as Iraq devolved into further chaos and strife. Details of the behind-the-scenes action that ensured the nurses' release may never be made public. But, the rescue will definitely go down as one of the proudest moments for India's diplomatic community.

Now, it remains to be seen how much of the real story will make its way to the big screen, with Bhai's Tiger rescuing the 25 nurses and screaming it out loud that Tiger zinda hai.

(The writer tweets as @devgoswami)

ALSO WATCH: Islamic State leader Baghdadi's death continues to be a mystery

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By Sandeep Unnithan : On November 6, Yash Raj Films released the official trailer of its newest spy thriller Tiger Zinda Hai. The film set for a December 22 release is a sequel to the 2012 Ek Tha Tiger. The 3.14-minute trailer pays homage to Salman Khan's larger-than-life action-hero avatar, principal deity of the Rs 500 crore plus blockbuster.

A CAGED BEAST

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"Everybody hunts, but no one hunts better than a Tiger," he drawls in the voice-over. He's hunting adversaries loosely modeled on the evil Islamo-fascist Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its self-styled Caliph Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi. The malicious Abu Usman leads a black-clad Toyota-pickup riding terrorist-insurgent group called 'ISC'. And in case you missed ISIS's medieval depredations from when they ruled territory the size of Great Britain for nearly three years, Usman supervises the beheading of orange jumpsuit-clad hostages.

THE REAL STORY

The film's premise is based on an incident during ISIS's reign of terror - the imprisonment of 46 Indian nurses by ISIS in Tikrit. The nurses were released on July 5, 2014 thanks to some deft work by Indian diplomacy and the Malayali expatriate community in the Gulf. It was the subject of a recent Malayalam film Take Off, released earlier this year. There are subtle changes in Tiger Zinda Hai though. The ISIS black flags are replaced with red ones, the story unfolds in 'Ikrit', the nurses downsized to 25, manageable and enough to fill a bus driven to safety by our Rambo-esque super spy, Tiger. The trailer reveals there are things that even Tiger can't do, like fire a 12.5 kg FN-MAG medium machine gun with just two hands: our hero wisely uses a shoulder strap assist.

Films like Tiger Zinda Hai should be welcomed because they step outside the cosy confines of Bollywood's make-believe and offer rare references to real-world barbarians. There's nothing better than watching a popular movie star beat a monster to pulp, especially someone like Baghdadi who unleashed unprecedented savagery.

TOO LATE

The only trouble with this movie: it seems to have come too late in the day. As of this writing, ISIS's Caliphate has crumbled. Its de-facto capital Raqqa overrun by Syrian forces, its largest Iraqi city Mosul retaken by Iraqi forces and, 24 hours after the the release of the Tiger Zinda Hai trailer, government forces captured Abu Kamal, the last major ISIS-held town in Syria. ISIS's territory has possibly shrunk to the size of the Channel islands. Its once triumphant black-clad fighters staggering out of their bombed-out hideouts, babbling apologies and denouncing their criminal group. The odious Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is possibly dead or a hiding in a spider hole from his former victims. At any rate, there's only his screen inspiration Abu Usman left for Salman Khan to pummel with his fists.

ALL ABOUT THE TIMING!

So here's the thing with making a movie about real life villains: they need to be well-timed. Tiger Zinda Hai's predicament is not unusual. Sylvester Stallone battled the evil Soviet occupiers in Afghanistan in Rambo 3, only to find the movie overtaken by history. It hit the screens on May 10, 1988 just 10 days before the USSR began pulling out of Afghanistan. This is why Tiger Zinda Hai's arrival is like that of the police in the Hindi movies of the 1970s and 80s: after the hero has beaten up the villain.

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(The writer tweets as @SandeepUnnithan)

ALSO WATCH: Islamic State leader Baghdadi's death continues to be a mystery as US believes he's still alive

--- ENDS ---
The U.S. government has amended Obama-era regulations regarding trade with Cuba to bring them in line with President Trumps June order to cut off potential American business ties with Cuban government entities.



The U.S. government has amended Obama-era regulations regarding trade with Cuba to bring them in line with President Trumps June order to cut off potential American business ties with Cuban government entities.

We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, said in a statement.

The amendments, which were published by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, and the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry Security in todays Federal Register, will be made immediately to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and Export Administration Regulations, respectively.

The State Department is taking complementary steps to implement these policy changes that cumulatively seek to channel economic activities away from the Cuban military, intelligence, and security services, while maintaining opportunities for Americans to engage in authorized travel to Cuba and support the private, small business sector in Cuba, Treasury said.

To prevent illicit financial transactions under the presidents order, the State Department will present a list of entities and sub-entities, as well as personnel, that have connects to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services.

BIS will set up a general policy of denial for license applications to export items for use by entities and sub-entities on the Cuba Restricted List. Some export license exceptions may be permitted if they prove beneficial to the Cuban people, such as gift parcels, humanitarian donations, and consumer communications devices.

OFAC will require Americans that travel to Cuba to do so under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

The regulations will not affect trade or travel transactions, such as purchasing a flight, made prior to the presidents June 16, 2017 announcement.

Business groups called President Trumps action a setback to improving the lives of Cubans.

These new regulations are a kick in the gut to Cuban entrepreneurs who are struggling to support their families, said Engage Cuba, a coalition of trade associations. Americans are significantly contributing to the growth of Cubas private sector. Todays announcement will only make it harder for Americans to travel to Cuba and support the growing private sector.


YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia who is in Israel on an official visit met with Israel's minister of regional cooperation Zakhi Hanegbi on November 7, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia.

Greeting the Armenian Foreign Minister, Zakhi Hanegbi recalled with warmth his meeting with Edward Nalbandian this year in Yerevan, hoping that FM Nalbandians visit to Israel will give new impetus to Armenian-Israeli relations.

Thanking for the reception Edward Nalbandian noted with satisfaction that the activation of interactions and more frequent mutual visits in the recent period show the reciprocal interest of Armenia and Israel to further deepen relations.

During the meeting the interlocutors referred to the implementation process of the agreements reached in the sidelines of Minister Hanegbis visit to Armenia.

The Ministers also discussed in detail the recent regional and international developments.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Moldova Igor Dodon will arrive in Armenia on official visit on November 9. This is his first visit to Armenia. It, of course, is important in terms of giving new impetus to the political and economic ties between the two countries, as well as further deepening and strengthening them.

The deepening and strengthening of political and economic relations between the two states is a necessity especially in the context when Armenia and Moldova are included in the European Unions Eastern Partnership program and have common interests in the European and Eurasian integration processes. Armenia, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), can contribute to deepening Moldovas cooperation with the Union, and Moldova in its turn, as a country that signed the Association agreement with EU, can contribute to deepening and strengthening Armenias partnership with the EU especially when the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership agreement is expected to be signed between Armenia and the EU on November 24.

ARMENPRESS presents the level of political and economic cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Visits and meetings

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan paid a working visit to Moldova in July 2013.

Before that, in December 2012 the Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Vice PM, minister of foreign affairs and European integration Yuri Lanke visited Armenia. Moldovas Vice PM, minister of foreign affairs and European integration Natalia Gherman arrived in Armenia on a working visit in September 2013.

Political consultations were held between the foreign ministries of Armenia and Moldova in Chisinau in June 2015 which was attended by Armenian deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan. The meeting of Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian and Moldovas Vice PM, minister of foreign affairs and European integration Andrei Galbur was held on the sidelines of the Munich security conference in February 2016.

Andrei Galbur paid a working visit to Armenia on November 16-17 2016.

Armenian deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan attended the inauguration ceremony of the Moldovan President on December 23 2016.

On July 10, 2017 Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian participated in the informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries in Chisinau.

Signed documents

Armenia and Moldova have established diplomatic relations on May 18, 1992. 18 documents, 17 agreements and 1 MoU have been signed between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Economic ties

In 2016 the trade turnover volume between Armenia and Moldova comprised 1 million 238 thousand 71 USD which was a decrease of 26% compared to 2015. In 2016 the export from Armenia to Moldova amounted to 334.4 thousand USD, and the import 904 thousand 31 USD. In January-June 2017 the trade turnover between the two countries comprised 774 thousand 85 USD. During this period 331 thousand 79 USD products were exported form Armenia to Moldova, and goods worth 443.06 USD were imported from Moldova.

During the visit to Armenia, the Moldovan President will meet with the countrys high-ranking leadership  President Serzh Sargsyan, Parliament Speaker Ara Babloyan and Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

After the completion of the Armenian-Moldovan high level talks at the Armenian Presidential Palace, the two Presidents will deliver statements for media over the results of talks. President Igor Dodon will also visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Matenadaran, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, the Chess Academy of Armenia. He will also visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.

Shant Khlgatyan
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Economist Atom Margaryan says a clear improvement has happened in the economic condition in the past one and a half year.

Armenias macroeconomic indicators are clearly growing in the last 1.5 years. This is proved by the official data of the last 9 months. The 5 year and mid-term spending programs of this government are already giving certain results, the economist told ARMENPRESS.

According to Margaryan, the 5,1% growth of economic activity of the 9 months of the current year make the planned 4,3% economic growth, which was revised from 3,2%, for 2018 realistic.

The key sector of the economy, the industry branch, continues to be improved. Although we cant say the same about agriculture and construction. Certainly the decrease pace have significantly dropped in both, nevertheless according to the 9 month data, we continue to have decrease. But I have to mention that these declines are balanced by the investment of other branches in economic growth, he said.

Speaking on the indicators of foreign trade turnover, the economist said that the 23,2% growth of imports has its prerequisites.

The economist says the increase in import volumes is due to investments activeness, which has increased the volumes of imports of investment or capital products.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. UK secretary of state for international development Priti Patel announced resignation, CNN reports.

While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated, she wrote. I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation.

Priti Patel was summoned back from Kenya by Prime Minister Theresa May after it was revealed she met senior Israeli officials during a family holiday in the summer, a significant breach of diplomatic protocol.

During the visit, Patel, who paid for the trip herself, met with a dozen politicians and organizations, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government approved the proposal on signing the agreement On facilitating visa issuance between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Denmark.

During todays Cabinet meeting, deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan mentioned that the agreement will significantly facilitate visa procedures for Armenian citizens.

Armenian citizens will be able to stay in Denmark and in territories of other Schengen zone countries up to 90 days during 180 days. The facilitation relates to different groups, scientists, representatives of NGOs, members of delegations. This is a serious step in the facilitation of visa procedures with the EU, Kocharyan said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Taking aim at the health ministry advisory that tobacco shopkeepers should stop retailing non- tobacco FMCG and other products, they said the move would push them to poverty and benefit modern trade outlets.

Terming the move as "undemocratic", Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangh and its partner trade associations, which claim to represent nearly 75 lakh traders pan India, said all products sold by the retailers are legal.

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The associations are opposing the recent suggestion of the health ministry as their livelihood depends on selling of both non-tobacco items of everyday use such as bread, eggs, juices, soft drinks, wafers and the like, along with tobacco products.

Members of the trade associations have also met with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda, who has assured them to look into the matter, the association said in a statement.

"This is grossly unfair and a draconian suggestion. This will have a life-threatening effect on our families. All our family members are deeply troubled and stressed," the association said in a statement.

Any forced reduction in the products sold by us will have a severe financial impact, it added.

"This move is against the Governments promise of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikasand will have a mass-scale destructive effect on peaceful jobs and livelihoods," said Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangh President Ram Ashrey Mishra. PTI KRH ARD

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government approved the multi-sector policy-based loan agreement worth 80 million Euros between the finance ministry and the KfW Development Bank, reports Armenpress.

During the November 9 government session, finance minister Vardan Aramyan said the loan funds are provided at two tranches  40 million Euros each for 2017 and 2018.

Within the frames of the loan agreement budget support loan is provided to Armenia for 2017 and 2018 based on the multi-sector policy table which aims at improving the process of water and solid waste reforms and implementing agricultural insurance mechanism, the minister said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Moldova Igor Dodon arrived in Armenia on official visit on November 9 at the invitation of President Serzh Sargsyan, press service of the Armenian Presidents Office told Armenpress.

Moldovas President Igor Dodon and First Lady Galina Dodon were welcomed by President Serzh Sargsyan and First Lady Rita Sargsyan at the Presidential Palace. The official welcoming ceremony was followed by a private meeting of Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Igor Dodon.

Welcoming his Moldovan counterpart in Armenia, President Sargsyan said the Moldovan President is a desirable guest in Armenia and highly appreciated his official visit which is taking place in the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

This is a very good chance to analyze the work we have carried out over the past 25 years and outline the prospects. The ties between our peoples exist not for a century, thats why our inter-state relations are built on a very firm base. I am just convinced that your visit will be a very good impetus for boosting our relations. We are interested in this. We are interested in close cooperation at all spheres, political, economic, humanitarian. We have no restriction for mutual cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral formats. Welcome in Armenia. I am very happy that you are in Yerevan. This is your first official visit, and I hope such visits will take place every year, Serzh Sargsyan said.

The Moldovan President thanked for the invitation and considered his visit historical, taking into account that this is the first visit of Moldovan President to Armenia over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

During this period no working and official visit was held, therefore, I made a decision to visit Armenia taking into account our common historical ties, interests both within the CIS and new integration programs in the CIS. We, of course, pay a great attention to this visit. Yes, we have signed many agreements over the last 25 years. We have 15 agrements, and 7 more are being prepared at the moment. We need to talk, there are certain results and, of course, prospects. We are interested, and I hope for thoroughly discussing with you the experience of your activity within the EAEU. I know that you are going to sign a partnership agreement with the European Union soon. I think that countries, like Armenia and Moldova, are doomed to having good relations with all, the West and the East. For us, for Moldova, your experience both being in the EAEU and signing the agreement with EU is relevant.

I would like to thank you for supporting our position on becoming an EAEU observer. Its not the first time we talk on this occasion. Thats why I am convinced that we will work together on this path.

You know that there is an Armenian community in Moldova with which are cooperating well.

I want to thank you that for the first time a very important step took place for deepening the bilateral relations, I mean the opening of Armenian Embassy in Chisinau in late 2016. And this year we have started actively cooperating with the Ambassador whom you appointed to Moldova. All this shows that we enter a new level of bilateral relations, the Moldovan President said.






YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. During a meeting with Armenian Members of Parliament, Johannes Hahn, Commissioner of EUs Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations, reaffirmed that he doesnt see any obstacles for signing the Comprehensive and Expanded Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Armenia, Tsarukyan faction MP Naira Zohrabyan said during the session of the parliamentary committee of European Integration Affairs.

The delegation of our party had different meetings for two days in Brussels. We also met with Commissioner of EUs Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, who once again reaffirmed that there is no obstacle for signing the agreement neither from the European side nor the Armenian side, Zohrabyan said.

She said they also had meetings regarding visa liberalization with the EU. The issues of starting negotiations on this matter are mostly tied with domestic legal issues of several EU countries, which are mainly related to migration flow risks. There are obstacles from some of EU member countries, however I think the ministry of foreign affairs will begin separate negotiations with these countries, in order to address their concerns. It is surprising for me that France is among these countries. Anyhow, one can understand these countries. After the latest terror attacks they lead an alert migration policy, Zohrabyan said.

The MP also said that parliamentary hearings will take place December 1 on the Armenia-EU framework agreement.

She expressed hope that the agreement will be signed November 24, which will enable to discuss the agreement at depth with EU member country ambassadors.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. A Cabinet sitting was held on November 9, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia.

Prior to discussing the agenda items, the Prime Minister instructed those responsible to improve the quality of appeals by administrative procedures. Unlike the judicial appeal, the appealing of administrative acts by administrative procedure is free of charge and takes a relatively short period of time to complete. However, our surveys have shown that administrative acts are mostly appealed in judicial order. The problem is particularly driven by the fact that the rulings on administrative appeals are often issued based on insufficient reasoning or other practical shortcomings to ensure the integrity of examination. At the same time, those complaints rejected by administrative procedure are often complied with following court proceedings. There are nearly 9,200 cases being examined in the Administrative Court as of November, 2017. The date of the first trial session for them will be set in January 2018, while the case itself will be examined by the Court of Appeal no sooner than in 2019, the Prime Minister said, adding that the aforementioned workload of the Administrative Court may lead to serious risks in terms of preventing citizens from being provided a fair trial and protecting the business environment.

To this end, the Prime Minister gave 2 months time to the Ministers of Justice, Transport, Communication and Information Technologies, Agriculture, the State Revenue Committee Chairman, the Chief of Police and the Mayor of Yerevan to submit to the Government Staff proposals and recommendations for enhancing the quality, reasonableness, effectiveness and transparency of administrative appeals.

The Government adopted a relevant decision to provide citizens of Armenia with wider access to affordable heart surgery services on a privileged basis. It is proposed to increase the total budget of the Cardiac Surgery Services Program by AMD 194,477.6 thousand at the expense of deductions that will result in additional reimbursements provided for 220 heart surgeries by the end of 2017.

The Executive approved a document referred to as Public-Private Sector Partnership Policy in the Republic of Armenia. By the same decision, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments was tasked to elaborate and submit to the Government Staff a draft law resulting from the foregoing document. The reference note says that the Government of the Republic of Armenia has assumed a commitment to formulating a comprehensive and systemic approach to all transactions implemented in PPP format. The implementation of PPP will help develop infrastructure, attract foreign direct investment, mobilize the private sectors financial and other resources, as well as to ensure effective implementation of the public-private sector dialogue.

The Government made amendments and additions to one of its previous decisions. The amendment suggests that individuals with long entrepreneurship experience in various sectors of the economy might be appointed to serve as Armenias commercial attaches and trade representations in foreign countries.

Due to the need for exercising electronic surveillance over the beneficiaries of the probation, the Government approved a procedure to follow in using and financing the facilities of electronic surveillance.

The Government will allocate 20 million drams to cover 60 percent of tuition fees for 73 Syrian-Armenian students. According to the reference note, 302 Syrian-Armenian students currently need compensation for tuition fees. The balance shall be settled through funds available from the Armenian General Benevolent Union and Galoust Gulbenkian Foundation.

The meeting endorsed the proposal to sign a Visa Facilitation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark. The agreement seeks to facilitate the issuance of visas to the citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark and other Schengen Zone-member States for not more than 90 days for each period of 180 days.

The Cabinet approved a  80 million-worth draft loan agreement based on multi-vector policy between the Republic of Armenia, in the face of the Ministry of Finance, and the Reconstruction Credit Institute (KfW Bank).
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Fruitful Artsakh: this is the headline of this years Telethon of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund which will be held on November 23, the Fund told Armenpress.

The Telethon is aimed at building new irrigation network and installing solar power plants in Artsakh.

Before the Telethon numerous famous figures send video messages calling on to join the Telethon, make donations for the prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh.

This year Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, US Congressman Adam Schiff and CongresswomanTulsi Gabbard addressed messages on this matter.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti called on his fellow citizens to make donations to the Fund: By providing a small assistance today you become a guarantor of great changes of the future.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said during its 25 years of activity the Fund has implemented programs worth 350 million USD in Armenia and Artsakh. The economy of Armenia and Artsakh prospers thanks to each investment of the Fund, new jobs are being opened. I want to thank you for being a part of this great program.

In his remarks Congressman Adam Schiff said: This years Telethon will make the life of the Artsakh people easy and more prosperous. Lets support our brothers and sisters in Artsakh by joining the Telethon.

The Telethon is being held in Los Angeles every year. Over the past 25 years the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has carried out more than 50.000 programs worth over 350 million USD in Armenia and Artsakh thanks to nearly 700.000 donors.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian-Moldovan high-level talks with the participation of the delegations of the two countries were held in the Armenian Presidential Palace on November 9 on the sidelines of the Moldovan Presidents official visit, press service of the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Igor Dodon summed up the results of talks with statements for media representatives.

In the evening an official reception will be held on behalf of the Armenian President for President of Moldova Igor Dodon.





President Serzh Sargsyans statement for media after the meeting with his Moldovan counterpart:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We just held talks with President of Moldova Igor Dodon.

Mr. Dodon is for the first time in Armenia on an official visit. And he is the only and the first President of Moldova who visited Armenia. This visit is symbolic since it is taking place in the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. The ties between our peoples exist not for a century, and this highlights the depth of our relations and the mutual sympathy of the two peoples.

We have discussed a wide range of issues. During the discussions we both expressed a wish to develop the cooperation and utilize the great potential of bilateral relations. We consider the decision to open an Armenian Embassy in Chisinau last year as a practical step on this path.

Together with Mr. President we paid a special attention to the development of cooperation in commercial field. Despite that the trade turnover between Armenia and Moldova has increased by 33% in the first 9 months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, moreover, the export of Armenian products increased by 2.1 times, we cannot be satisfied by this, and it is necessary to assist the business so that to give stable nature to this growth trend. I think that in line with the traditional ways of cooperation in economy, our countries also need to pay more attention to high technologies, innovations.

We hope that the Inter-governmental commission will move forward the entire range of issues of the bilateral economic agenda, will assist its diversification and launch of new interesting programs. Moreover, we have agreed to hold a session of the Inter-governmental commission not later than next year in spring.

A special attention was also paid on the cooperation in the cultural-humanitarian sphere.

Of course, the talks also focused on the topic of foreign policy. I am convinced that by developing the mutual cooperation in line with the centuries-old friendship and mutual respect of our peoples, we can achieve more effective cooperation at different multilateral formats. We welcome and support Moldovas desire to closely cooperate with the integration unions.



During the talks I once again reaffirmed Armenias stance on settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict exclusively through peaceful means based on the norms and principles of international law, the provisions of the UN Charter which in particular relate to the non-use of force and threat of force, territorial integrity of states, equal rights and peoples right to self-determination.

Importance was also attached to the implementation of agreements reached at the Vienna, St. Petersburg and Geneva summits which aim at preventing escalation of the situation, maintaining the ceasefire regime, reducing tension in the conflict zone and taking additional steps to activate the negotiation process.

Before Igor Dodon will deliver remarks, I would like to state the following:

We are really interested that our citizens and economic entities receive new opportunities for implementing joint business, scientific and cultural programs. And we hope that based on the results of todays talks the relations between our countries will more actively develop. There are good prospects for cooperation of Armenia and Moldova. All conditions exist for this, and, most importantly, the friendship, trust, cooperation, and, of course, the desire of the peoples of our countries to strengthen the creative partnership. Summing up my speech I would like to thank Mr. President for the constructive, practical and reliable atmosphere of todays meeting.




YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. All investment companies of Armenia and Georgia will receive a full assistance by the competition agencies of the two countries, Armenpress reports.

Armenia's State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition and the Georgian Competition Agency on November 9 signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing bilateral equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic competition field.

Artak Shaboyan, Chairman of the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition, and Nodar Khaduri, Chairman of the Georgian Competition Agency, attached importance to the decisive role of favorable competitive environment for the economic development. They outlined the main directions which will serve base for the new cooperation in the future.

The Armenian-Georgian trade-economic ties have always developed actively and dynamically. Today there are more than 300 companies in Armenia with the participation of the Georgian capital. Armenian companies as well are quite represented in Georgia, and especially in the recent years the entry of new companies has significantly increased. Thats why we attach a specific importance to the development of favorable economic environment by the existence of equal mutual competitive and favorable conditions, Artak Shaboyan said.

He said the two countries are in the same region and have deep economic ties which will enable to conduct research in this or that commodity market.

He assured that if Georgian investment companies meet entry barriers or other competitive problems, they will receive a full assistance by the Armenian competition authorities to quickly and effectively solve the problem. And, of course, the contrary: we have a lot of companies represented in Georgia. Their interests will also be effectively protected.

Chairman of the Georgian Competition Agency Nodar Khaduri said the MoU will further deepen and strengthen the already existing cooperation.

I am confident that the relations already formed between our countries, as well as the MoU signed today will contribute to further deepening the cooperation in economic competition field in terms of implementing joint functions, exchange of information and etc, Nodar Khaduri said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. While on an official visit in Armenia, President of Moldova Igor Dodon and First Lady Galina Dodon visited the Tsisternakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan on November 9, reports Armenpress.

Moldovas President and First lady were accompanied by Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan.

President Igor Dodon laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.

Thereafter, the Moldovan President visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, got acquainted with the exhibits and left a note in the Memory Book.

I was deeply impressed by the historical documents, photographs and eyewitness testimonies of tragic events that took place with the Armenian people more than 100 years ago. They are kept in the museum, as well as in the hearts of each Armenian. I sincerely and cordially wish the Armenian people peace, kindness, solidarity and prosperity, the Moldovan President wrote.

He also planted a symbolic fir tree in the Memorial park.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on November 9 received Chairman of the Georgian Competition Agency Nodar Khaduri, press service of the government told Armenpress.

PM Karapetyan said the Armenian-Georgian friendly relations can be characterized as high-level and dynamically developing, and it is necessary to continue the joint efforts aimed at further expanding the multi-sector cooperation, as well as developing the commercial ties.

The PM welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed between the Armenian State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition and the Georgian Competition Agency.

Nodar Khaduri thanked the Armenian PM for the reception and informed that he had productive discussions with his Armenian counterpart, and the sides jointly outlined the cooperation directions of mutual interest.

The officials also exchanged views on issues relating to ensuring equal competitive environment for companies in the two countries and jointly studying the competition barriers.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Moldovan President Igor Dodon is confident that his visit to Armenia will open a new page in bilateral relations, reports Armenpress.

During the joint press conference with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan, President Igor Dodon said a number of activities are planned in near future aimed at boosting the bilateral ties.

I am very happy to be the first one among the Moldovan Presidents who visited Armenia. This year we mark the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties of the two countries. The Moldovan presidents didnt visit Armenia both on working and official visits. I think my visit to Armenia will open a new page in our bilateral relations, Igor Dodon said.

According to him, during those years the two countries managed to move forward on numerous issues. 15 inter-governmental, inter-state agreements were signed, at the moment there are some agreements which are ready for signing. He expressed hope that after his visit the two countries will establish a new level of bilateral cooperation.

If we talk about the trade relations, I want to state that the existing level in this sense doesnt correspond to the potential existing between the two countries. We have agreed to hold a session of the Inter-governmental commission, as well as a business forum. I am sure that the businessmen will be able to find common programs which will boost the commercial ties, Igor Dodon added.

The Moldovan President noted that his delegation also includes the head of Moldova-Armenia inter-parliamentary friendship group. He said this group includes more than 20 MPs and added that the friendship group will hold a session next year.

We have discussed with the Armenian President the cooperation of the two countries in international  European and regional platforms. I am confident that our countries are doomed to having good relations with the West and the East. In this sense Armenia is a good example for Moldova. We are highly interested in Armenias experience with the status of the membership to the EAEU. I want to thank Serzh Sargsyan for the assistance we felt in the new integration processes. Majority of Moldovan people are in favor of cooperating with the EAEU, and this year we have taken the first steps on this path. I have signed a cooperation agreement with the EAEU in early April. I have submitted application for getting a status of observer. Armenia has assisted us during the two sessions of the presidents of the EAEU member states in Bishkek and Sochi. We hope to receive this assistance in future as well, Igor Dodon said.

He added that for them it is interesting to analyze the roadmap Armenian passes. In this regard the two Presidents agreed on exchange of experience.

We also discussed in-detail other issues relating to bilateral relations, and touched upon the issues facing our countries. We hope the issues faced by Armenia will be solved exclusively through peaceful means in accordance with international agreements, the Moldovan President noted.
By PTI: Hyderabad, Nov 9 (PTI) The TRS, which is ruling Telangana, will raise its proposal to hike reservations to backward sections among Muslims in Parliament and could also approach Supreme Court on the matter, party chief and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today.

Speaking on welfare of minorities in the Legislative Assembly, Rao said he has taken up the issue of reservation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, he said, responded positively to the request.

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As the proposed 12 per cent quota would lead to the reservations exceeding the 50 per cent cap, the way to facilitate reservation is by including it in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution as done in the case of Tamil Nadu, he said.

"If they dont give, we will fight in Parliament or we will go to Supreme Court," he said.

The state legislature had earlier passed a bill increasing quotas for STs and Muslims.

Rao announced several measures for the welfare of minorities, especially for the welfare of Muslim community.

They include setting up skill development centres and women empowerment centres, protection of Waqf lands, recruitment of Urdu teachers and Urdu officers (in CMO, district Collectors offices and others), promotion of Urdu as second official language and construction of a building at Ajmer in Rajasthan.

Responding to a request from MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, he said the state government would make efforts to get the jewellery of Nizam (housed in Delhi) to Hyderabad.

Those who participated in the debate include Leader of Opposition (Congress) K Jana Reddy, his party colleague T Jeevan Reddy and BJPs Ch Ramachandra Reddy. PTI SJR RS NSK

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Moldova Igor Dodon visited the Armenian Parliament of November 9 as part of his official visit to the country. The President had a meeting with Speaker Ara Babloyan.

During the meeting the Speaker expressed hope that President Dodons visit will contribute to strengthening intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary cooperation between Armenia and Moldova.

According to Babloyan, boosting the Armenian-Moldovan political dialogue and deepening cooperation in commercial and humanitarian fields stems from the interests of the peoples of both countries.

The Speaker highlighted the role of inter-parliamentary relations, especially parliamentary friendship groups, in boosting ties, and attached importance to partnership in international platforms.

Speaking about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Babloyan mentioned that Armenia is in favor of a peaceful settlement of the conflict: all issues must be solved around a negotiations table.

The Speaker said that being a EEU member, Armenia is ready to expand ties also with Europe and become a bridge between Asia and Europe.

The President of Moldova said he is happy to visit Armenia and he hopes that his visit will contribute to enhancing relations in both business and humanitarian fields. He also highlighted the work of parliamentary friendship groups.

At the request of the Moldovan President, the Speaker touched upon the parliamentary administration system of Armenia, the parliamentary supervision function and increase of powers, as well as issues relating to the new electoral process. Lawmakers from the Armenia-Moldova friendship group MP Aram Sargsyan, Arman Saghatelyan and Karen Bekaryan participated in the meeting.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan together with his staff members visited on November 8 Tavush Province to conduct fact-finding works in the bordering communities that are in the target of Azerbaijani armed forces.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Human Right Defenders Office, Arman Tatoyan toured in Chinari community accompanied by head of the community Samvel Saghoyan and recorded the traces of Azerbaijani shootings on the walls of the kindergarten.

Like in other bordering communities, here the target of Azerbaijani armed forces is civilian population. In the extraordinary report to be published in the near future we will also include the damages caused to the civilian population assessed by the Governorate of Tavush Province. The international community must know the truth, Armenias Human Rights Defender said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. An official reception on behalf of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was given in honor of President of Moldova Igor Dodon who is on a state visit in Armenia. During the reception the two Presidents raised toasts. The Presidents also referred to the results of the first day of the visit of the Molodovan President to Armenia, the potentials and prospects for developing interstate relations, the historical interactions of the two peoples, as well as the significant contribution of the Armenian community in Moldova to strengthening the friendship between Armenia and Moldova.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, the two Presidents reaffirmed their readiness to develop interstate relations and implement joint projects and ideas, raising toasts for the friendship, future strengthening of cooperation between Armenia and Moldova, peace and welfare of the two countries and peoples.
The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day?

Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount.

Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists.
Tom Campbell

Tourism is a major revenue generator in North Carolina, creating more than 200,000 jobs and contributing almost $23 billion to our economy. Our number one tourist attraction is Biltmore estate in Asheville, attracting more than 1 million visitors annually.Touring Biltmore, one gets a glimpse into the lifestyle and opulence of the rich at the turn of the 20th Century, but to truly understand the backstories of wealth, ambition, grandeur and the personalities involved we recommend reading, The Last Castle, The Epic Story of love, loss, and American royalty in the nation's largest home, written by North Carolinian Denise Kiernan.George Vanderbilt, the grandson of "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, inherited $12 million at the young age of 23. Never interested in the family railroad empire George was an avid reader and loved art. George and his mother came to Asheville in 1888, immediately falling in love with the beautiful scenery, clean air and warmer climate. George was especially awestruck by Mount Pisgah and that summer purchased 661 of what would ultimately become more than 125,000 acres he amassed.Teaming with Frederick Law Olmstead and Richard Morris Hunt the wealthy young bachelor determined to build a home to equal any in America or Europe, naming his estate Biltmore. Work begin in earnest in 1890, planting trees, constructing a rail spur, building roads and a village nearby to house the artisans and craftsmen working on the project. George scoured the globe to purchase tapestries, art, furniture, books and antiques befitting such a grand estate.At the close of 1895, six years after beginning construction, Biltmore was sufficiently completed for the 33 year-old George to entertain for the first time in the 175,000 square foot palace more than 1,000 workers helped construct. Biltmore's annual operating costs were estimated to be $250,000, requiring a staff of 300 for his part-time residence, grounds and farming operation.George married at age 35 and had a daughter. They frequently traveled between Biltmore, New York, France and England. At one time Vanderbilt's wealth was estimated to exceed $20 million, but a series of bad investments, downturns in the economy, large charitable donations and excessive spending found George struggling to maintain his lavish lifestyle. He sold off land, including his beloved Mt. Pisgah, creating America's first national park. Vanderbilt further cut Biltmore's expenses and continued to search for ways to stop the depletion of his wealth while still maintaining his opulent standard of living.George Vanderbilt died in 1914 at the age of 51. His widow Edith inherited a lot of real estate in various locales but also money worries. She considered selling off the valuable furnishings, books and artwork in Biltmore to generate cash, but was unable to find experts who could evaluate their worth. Desperate to raise funds she decided to open the house to the public for a small admission fee. While many were eager to see America's largest private residence, revenues were small, especially during the Great Depression. Biltmore finally turned a small profit in the 1960s.Grandsons Bill and George Cecil and their family preserved Biltmore with the furnishings Vanderbilt purchased, leaving us a mirror into The Gilded Age. But even today massive inheritance taxes pose a financial threat.We urge you to read the book and then spend at least a day inside The Last Castle.
Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to introduce bipartisan legislation to help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, autism and related conditions. Kevin and Avonte's Law ( S. 2070 ), named in honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety, would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering.said Senator Tillis.Senator Grassley said.Senator Klobuchar said.The bill, which passed the Senate by voice vote in the 114th Congress, is named in honor of two young boys diagnosed with autism who wandered away from supervised settings and drowned. One of the two, nine year-old Kevin Curtis Wills, died in 2008 after jumping into the Raccoon River near his home town of Jefferson, Iowa. The other, high school student Avonte Oquendo of Queens, New York, drowned in NYC's East River in 2014. Six year-old Hamza Elmi of St. Cloud, Minnesota, who was also diagnosed with autism, drowned in the Mississippi River near his home in 2015.The bill would reauthorize the expired Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, and broaden it to support people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Specifically, the bill would allow Justice Department grants to be used for state and local education and training programs to help prevent wandering and reunite caregivers with missing family members who have a condition linked to wandering.Under the bill, the grants can be used for the development of training and emergency protocols for school personnel, to supply first responders with additional information and resources, and for locative tracking technology programs to assist the families and caregivers of individuals who may wander from safety because of their condition. Grant funding may also be used to establish or enhance notification and communications systems for the recovery of missing children with autism.Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are also cosponsoring this legislation.The bill is supported by, among others, the Autism Society of Iowa, Autism Speaks, the National Autism Association, SafeMinds, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, ANCOR (American Network of Community Options), National Autism Society of America, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Color of Autism Foundation.
Harvard history professor Jill LePore tells this story. She was hosting an event in her home for new students, promoting the university's history and literature program. One of the students there was suddenly distracted by urgent text messages from her parents telling her, "Leave right now, get out of there, that is a house of pain."LePore's tale exemplifies the attitude that many Americans now have with regard to liberal arts education-it's a waste of time; a "house of pain." Studying history, literature, philosophy or anything else that doesn't have a clear occupational path is just throwing away years of school time and a great deal of money. Focus instead on practical subjects that might at least lead to a job after college.One person who doesn't agree that a liberal arts education is a waste of time is Randall Stross. Stross majored in Chinese history, went on work in Silicon Valley, wrote a column for the New York Times ("Digital Domain"), has written several books including The Launch Pad, and is currently a professor of business at San Jose State University.His latest book is entitled A Practical Education: Why Liberal Arts Majors Make Great Employees. As he sees things, the big problem is that while top business executives say they prize the abilities that liberal arts majors have, their subordinates don't.Interviewed by Inside Higher Ed about his book, Stross said, "Chief executives tend to advocate for hiring graduates with the analytical and communication skills that a liberal education sharpens, but the managers or teams who make the actual hiring decisions have in recent years sought instead something else, what they call the ability of a new hire 'to hit the ground running.'" They doubt that a student can do that without a STEM major or a career-oriented degree.The purpose of A Practical Education is, Stross says, to "nudge" the business world back toward considering what liberal arts majors can do. He goes about that by presenting case studies of a number of recent Stanford graduates who managed to find good employment in tech companies despite having studied the liberal arts. Those cases are illuminating, and not just because they pertain to elite university liberal arts majors. They also tell us a lot about the post-college job search that most American grads face.Consider Meredith Hazy, who majored in English. She loved literature and her courses, giving little thought at all to what she'd do after graduation. When that day inevitably came, she decided to try finding employment at one of the many tech firms in the Palo Alto area, even though she knew almost nothing about computers. Twitter was a company she had heard about, so she applied for an advertised opening for an "account manager," although she had little idea what that job would entail.In her interview, the recruiter asked, "How would you convince people to use Twitter ads?" She pictured this exercise "as a form of improvisational theater" and did well enough to earn a second interview. Incidentally, she was not asked anything about her major or coursework.For her second interview, she was given the task of preparing a paper on "the digital ad space." Meredith knew nothing about that either, but set about writing the paper just like she would have if she'd been given a paper assignment on an unfamiliar writer. "The ability to learn quickly what you needed to know," she said, "was the only real prerequisite." She got the job with Twitter.After working for Twitter for a year, she grew restless and started looking again. She came across a new firm named Stripe, which had been founded just a year before by two brothers who had dropped out of college. Stripe needed a risk analyst, which meant identifying and predicting fraudulent purchases. Meredith had never done anything like that, but persuaded the interviewer that she had the necessary drive and brainpower. She got that job, too.Stross acknowledges a crucial point, namely that "her Stanford pedigree and the school's reputation for selectivity confers a competitive advantage to its job-seeking graduates over those who went to less selective schools." If Meredith had majored in English at, say, San Jose State, she might never have been granted an interview at either firm. I'll come back to that point later.Another Stanford grad Stross profiles is Stephen Hayes, a 2010 history major. Like Meredith Hazy, he was not sure what to do after graduation, and during his senior year decided to apply for Teach for America. After a year of teaching 7th graders, he was ready for something else. He applied at Google even though he didn't have a tech background.In his Google interview, his Stanford coursework never came up, but his TFA experience did. He was offered a six-month job working in Google's People Operation Group on a team charged with coming up with better questions for interviewers to ask job applicants.After completing his time at Google, Hayes went job-hunting again and clicked with a company called Inkling, which makes software for interactive textbooks. His work required him to read and compare original book versions of material with the digital versions Inkling had prepared and note any discrepancies. Essentially, the job called for good proofreading skills.All this time, incidentally, he was deferring his admission to Stanford's law school. To keep him from going, his boss at Inkling made him such a good offer that Hayes told the law school that he wouldn't be enrolling.After two years at Inkling, Hayes and his girlfriend (who also worked there) decided to take a four-month trip around the world and look for new jobs when they returned. Stephen got an interview with Lyft. The interviewer told him to prepare a case study on how to launch Lyft into a new market-Las Vegas. Hayes knew little about this business, but that did not daunt him. Stross explains, "This exercise entailed quickly acquiring essential information about unfamiliar topics, distilling, rearranging and adding his own insights, then presenting the result. It was not dissimilar from the process of preparing a history paper."He landed the job.The stories Stross tells about Stanford grads who ventured out into the world with only their liberal arts degrees are inspiring. The question is whether they will lead more employers to give liberal arts grads serious consideration, rather than filtering them out because they don't look like employees who are ready to "hit the ground running."I suspect that it won't, due to a problem that Stross dimly perceives-Stanford's reputation for only admitting really sharp students. Stanford's "brand" opens up doors that would be closed to graduates of less selective institutions. Many employers want and need workers who have the drive, mental acuteness, and communication skills that Stanford grads like Meredith and Stephen have, but they know that the graduates of many other schools aren't comparable to them.Liberal arts grads at many other colleges don't have the innate ability of Stanford students to begin with, then they coast along to their degrees, taking a lot of undemanding courses. They never develop much of the "soft skills" that Stross extols. He looked at the cream of the liberal arts crop; most other students would be of doubtful value to an employer.Although Stanford's "brand" is still good, the "liberal arts" brand in general has been badly harmed by the erosion of academic standards and the diffusion of the curriculum. That is why so many students and their parents are drawn toward the "hard" majors. It requires a lot of discipline to earn a STEM degree. There are right and wrong answers. Professors don't let students fake understanding of the material. Those degrees demonstrate knowledge and ambition.College is largely about signaling your trainability. STEM and serious occupational degrees signal that the individual can meet challenges, while liberal arts degrees-sadly-only signal that the student has accumulated enough credits of some sort to graduate. They might have been tough credits that honed the student's mind, but most business recruiters are rightly skeptical.Yes, the liberal arts can be a practical education, but at too many schools there isn't much education going on in their programs. Despite Stross's fine book, liberal arts degrees will probably continue to be disfavored.
By PTI: on terrorism: Congresswoman

By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Nov 9 (PTI) US President Donald Trumps new South Asia policy lacks details on how his administration is going to get Pakistan to reverse its course and do more in the fight against terrorism, a top American lawmaker has said.

Trump in August announced his South Asia policy and criticised Pakistan for providing safe havens for terrorists.

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Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said that terrorist groups in the region cannot be defeated without the support of Pakistan.

"I also don?t see how we can defeat these groups without the support of Pakistan. I know the President put an emphasis on Pakistan needing to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, to order, to peace, but the strategy was lacking on details on how we are going to get Pakistan to reverse course," she said.

Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Ros-Lehtinen said Pakistan "needs to quit hedging its bets" and get fully on board with the US and Afghanistan.

"But the strategy was short on details on exactly what tools we will use, and how, to convince Pakistan that its interests align with what we aim to achieve in Afghanistan and Pakistan is the correct move," she said during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Referring to the recently concluded trip to Pakistan by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, she hoped that Pakistan would act this time. PTI LKJ NSA

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Our new video blows the lid off of a dirty secret, that America's iconic mountain lions are being killed at unsustainably high numbers for nothing more than trophies. This level of killing is not sound wildlife management and will wreak havoc on mountain lion populations. We are working with native carnivore researchers to provide the best available science to wildlife decision makers, science that strengthens the case against the trophy hunting of mountain lions. Photo by Alamy

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Trophy hunting organizations and state fish and wildlife agencies are in cahoots in the Southwest in executing ruthless mountain lion killing programs, typically involving radio telemetry equipment, packs of hounds, and rifles and bows they use to shoot lions theyve driven into trees to kill at point-blank range. The trophy hunters are motivated by bragging rights and taxidermy (they are head hunters, and dont eat the lions). And the states, in addition to catering to that small subset of hunters and enabling their unsporting methods of killing, view the lions as competitors with human hunters for deer and elk. In their economic calculus, every deer or elk lost to a lion is one less hunting license fee paid to the states, to paraphrase an observation from the esteemed outdoor writer Ted Williams.

But The HSUS and other wildlife protection groups are fighting back, and taking a stand for lionsin Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Last week, after legal maneuvers by WildEarth Guardians, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Western Environmental Law Center, state and federal authorities temporarily halted a massive mountain lion control program in Colorado ostensibly designed to inflate mule deer populations, pending further environmental review.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife had entered into an agreement with U.S. Department of Agricultures Wildlife Services to kill hundreds of mountain lions and dozens of black bears on two study sites to determine if these massive predator-control projects could revive the Centennial States flagging mule deer population.

These sorts of programs are a fools errand. Across the Western U.S., mule deer struggle because of habitat destruction and corridor loss. In Colorado, this has been exacerbated by rampant oil and gas drilling in western Colorado with its spider web of roads and drill pads that have degraded tremendous amounts of former mule deer habitat and migration routes.

And in New Mexico, a federal judge recently rejected the States second attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by The HSUS and Animal Protection of New Mexico challenging the states Department of Game and Fishs 2016 decision to open a cougar trapping season on public landsfor the first time in almost 50 years. Even though hounding is bad enough, its all the more outrageous to allow trapping and snaring programs for lions, since the lions suffer in the traps and the traps catch whatever creature is unlucky enough to trigger the device.

The Commissions 2016 Cougar Rule radically expands cougar trapping on more than nine million acres of public trust land, including key Mexican wolf habitat, as well as expanding opportunities for trapping on private land. The risk of a cougar trap injuring or killing a Mexican wolf is high due to the similarity in size and habitat preference between the species.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, we are in full battle mode, as we conduct the signature-gathering campaign to qualify a ballot measure to halt any trophy hunting of lions in the state. The measure would also forbid trophy hunting of bobcats, jaguars, ocelots, and lynx, in a state with the richest diversity of wild cat species in the United States.

Despite Western states claim of using science, their arguments amount to no more than fake news and faux science. When trophy hunters kill an adult male lion, his females and kittens are susceptible to mortality from incoming males, as many other studies from Utah, Montana, and Washington have shown. Killing one male lion results in the death of numerous other lions, particularly dependent kittens, who are cannibalized by incoming males. And if a trophy hunter kills an adult female, any kittens under 12 months of age will likely die from starvation, predation, or exposure.

Two summers ago, Americans reacted with outrage in seeing an American trophy hunter grinning over an African lion he killed in Zimbabwe. He conducted that hunt for no other reasons than bragging rights and the trophy. The people who kill mountain lions here in the Southwest are motivated by the same purposes.

Lions strengthen population of deer and elk. They are needed apex predators in intact ecosystems. The states have no idea how many lions they have, and their programs are a relic of antiquated attitudes towards predators.

Its one thing to kill animals for meat. Its another to do it just for the heads. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, its the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable.

P.S. Using cutting-edge, remote-camera technologies, Panthera discovered that mountain lions are far more social than biologists ever realizeddespite 60 years research. Females share their kills with other females and their kittens and even with the adult territorial male. In return, the adult males protect the females and all of his kittens from immigrating males. If left undisturbed, mountain lions have a stable social society where reciprocity between individuals is shared. A revolutionary finding.
Avoid everyday appliances (speakers, cameras, fridges, juicers, remotes, pets) built around internet-connected computers and designed to fail when the company goes bust or just wants to brick it. [Update: Logitech clarified what's happening to the Harmony Link devices and promised to replace them free of charge; more below.]

Owners of the product have received an email from the company warning that the Link will completely stop working in March. "On March 16th, 2018, Logitech will discontinue service and support for Harmony Link. Your Harmony Link will no longer function after this date," the email says. There's no explanation or reason given as to why service is ending in the email, but a Logitech employee provided more details on the company's forums. "There is a technology certificate license that will expire next March. The certificate will not be renewed as we are focusing resources on our current app-based remote, the Harmony Hub." The Verge has reached out to Logitech for further comment.

Reddit is also mad about this; a Hacker News commenter noticed that the term "class action" is now being automoderated as a swear word at Logitech's support forums!

UPDATE: Logitech will replace the devices, writes Rory Dooley, head of Logitech Harmony, with new devices that have similar functionality.

If you are a Harmony Link user, we will reach out to you between now and March 2018 to make arrangements to replace your Link with a free Harmony Hub, a product with similar app-based remote control features to Link, with the added benefit of controlling many popular connected home devices plus, it works with popular voice assistants. You can also contact us at https://support.myharmony.com/email to make arrangements for your replacement. We understand that services are important to you. Because the certificate that's expiring relates to security, we would be acting irresponsibly by continuing the service knowing its potential/future vulnerability.

They also stopped blocking lawsuit talk on their forums.
French-language broadcasters in Canada have been given the all-clear signal to freely use the word "fuck" on radio and television. The Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council (CBSC), which decides which words are safe and which ones will cause grievous damage to the nervous systems of people who hear them uttered, declared "fuck" to be "part of the common French spoken language" and that it doesn't have "the same vulgar connotations when used in French."

For now, English speakers in Canada will remain under the care and protection of the CBSC when it comes to the forbidden word.

Image: Metropolico.org/Wikipedia
Kelli Sullivan called the Evangeline Parish, Louisiana Sheriff's Department for help with a difficult neighbor who'd harassed her family; when the Sheriff's Deputy arrived, he shot their rat terrier in the head in front of her children, then griped about the expense of the valuable hollow-point bullet he'd squandered on killing their beloved pet.



But that's not the end of it, although that would probably be more than enough. A deputy unable to handle the "aggressive manner" of a 12-lb. dog is going to have severe difficulties handling aggressive behavior by full-grown humans. Nope, the deputy then allegedly had the audacity to:





A. Claim his killing of the dog was in the family's best interest, and





B. Complain about the cost of the bullet.

According to Kelli Sullivan, after killing Leia, the deputy told her that if she had bitten him, he'd have to sue, and that shooting her was the better option. He then told her, "It was a shame I had to waste that bullet, it was a really expensive hollow-point bullet."
Last week, Senator Rand Paul was severely injured after an alleged assault by his neighbor, anesthesiologist/inventor Rene Boucher, who worked with Paul at a local hospital.

At the time, it wasn't clear what motivated the beating. Paul is a political ideologue with a long history of extreme positions that favor the super-rich and subject poor people to cruel austerity, and his neighbor was apparently left-leaning, so naturally there was speculation that the fight was political in nature.





But Jim Skaggs, who developed the gate-guarded community in Bowling Green where Paul and Boucher both live, suggests that there was longstanding tension between Paul and many of his neighbors, including Boucher, due to the Senator's inability to compromise on such matters as lawn-trimmings, overhanging tree branches, and the community's extensive Homeowners Association guidelines, which minutely prescribe how people in the community must conduct themselves.





Paul is a legendary property-rights ideologue, named for Ayn Rand. Mysteriously, he decided to buy a home in a community where the other property owners subjected buyers to contracts that bound their behavior and then decided that the sanctity of that contract could be unilaterally overriden, insisting on personal variances.

Paul is said to have had a history of blowing his lawn trimmings onto his neighbors' property.

Skaggs described Boucher a "near-perfect neighbor." However, Skaggs is not a neutral party: as a local Republican operative, he has previously opposed Paul's positions and challenged his eligibility to run for the presidency.

Paul's injuries are extensive enough that his staff say they don't know when he'll return to Washington. This is a mixed bag for Senate Republicans: on the one hand, their margin of majority is so slim that a single missing person could cost them key votes. On the other hand, Paul's intransigent insistence on hard-line positions has blown up votes in the past, as he's led his ideological coalition to vote against the party on the grounds of insufficient ideological purity.

Paul "was probably the hardest person to encourage to follow the (home owner's association regulations) of anyone out here because he has a strong belief in property rights," said Skaggs, who is the former chairman of the Warren County Republican Party. Skaggs noted the 13 pages of regulations governing the gated community are extensive. But even from the start of Paul's residence in Rivergreen, Skaggs said Paul has been difficult to work with. "The major problem was getting the house plans approved," Skaggs said. "He wanted to actually own the property rights and build any kind of house he wanted. He didn't end up doing that, but it was a struggle."

US Sen. Rand Paul and his neighbor have a history of conflict, says gated community developer

[Thomas Novelly/Courier Journal]





(via Super Punch)
The telcoms industry has aggressively lobbied state legislatures to pass laws banning cities from setting up their own internet infrastructure, even in places where there is no broadband, exacerbating the high prices and poor service that Americans pay for their internet.

One way to counter this is with ballot initiatives in which the public cast binding votes overruling their captured regulators and legislatures. That's what happened in Colorado this week, despite what the mayor of Fort Collins called an "aggressive misinformation campaign" by Comcast-backed industry associations to scare voters into voting for more expensive, lower-quality, less competitive internet.



In addition to the 31 counties that have voted to overrule the state restrictions, dozens of municipalities in the state have also passed similar ballot measures. Including cities, towns, and counties, more than 100 communities in Colorado have pushed back against the 12-year-old prohibition, according to the Institute for Local Self Reliance.

Sorry, Comcast: Voters say "yes" to city-run broadband in Colorado

[Jon Brodkin/Ars Technica]





Nearly Half of Colorado Counties Have Formally Rejected a Comcast-Backed Law Restricting City-Run Internet

[Kaleigh Rogers/Motherboard]





(Image: http://www.ictas.vt.edu, CC-BY-SA)
Al Franken's speech on big tech and its surveillance, influence, opacity and high-handedness sometimes lacked coherence (you can't call for "Net Neutrality principles" for Amazon, Google, and Facebook and ask them to police bad speech, propaganda, etc), but the important thing is where he gave that speech.

Franken spoke at an event hosted by the Open Markets Institute, a fearless anti-monopoly thinktank that was expelled from the New America Foundation after they praised the EU's antitrust settlement against Google and Google cut off funding to New America in retaliation.

Technology has many sins to answer for, starting with the list of horrors that Franken spelled out, but these are problems, largely, of monopolism. Tech grew up in the era of financial ascendancy, in which shareholder considerations and casino-style IPO payouts were the main feature of the business world; and tech came of age in the era of monopoly, when Chicago School-influenced regulators stopped prosecuting any kind of anti-competitive conduct or mergers, save those that raised prices  leaving intact the kinds of commercial activity that reduced competition, choice, and the power of other entities in the ecosystem, from workers to suppliers to retailers.

Too often, "technology critics" mistake correlation for causation. They blame search engines and social media for our ills  not financialized, unchecked, rapacious search engine and social media companies, driven by global capital, serviced by tax-havens, encouraged by policymakers.

So Franken doesn't quite have a handle on what tech companies should and should not do, and that means he needs to be educated on this  the important thing is that he's locating his criticism exactly where it belongs: in the unchecked, winner-take-all system of neoliberal, unchecked capitalism.

Franken's proposed solution to tech's power? More hearings, investigations, and perhaps rules that would require Google and Facebook, in particular, not to discriminate in the content they distribute, much as internet providers may not favor some content over others under so-called net-neutrality rules. "As tech giants become a new kind of internet gatekeeper, I believe the same basic principles of net neutrality should apply here," said Franken. "No one company should have the power to pick and choose which content reaches consumers and which doesn't," he said. "Facebook, Google, and Amazon, like ISPs, should be neutral in their treatment of the flow of lawful information and commerce on their platform."



AL FRANKEN JUST GAVE THE SPEECH BIG TECH HAS BEEN DREADING

[Nitasha Tiku/Wired]

(Image:  , CC-BY)
Shaun Bridges is the disgraced ex-Secret Service Agent who pleaded guilty to stealing bitcoin from online drug dealers while he was investigating the Silk Road; he's serving a 71-month sentence and has just had two years added to it after he pleaded guilty to stealing more bitcoin after his guilty plea, while he was out on bail

Bridges admitted that, in 2015, he stole 1600 bitcoin that had been seized from Bitstamp, a Bitcoin exchange. After the theft, he attempted to change his name and Social Security number, which led the DoJ to take him into custody, fearing he was preparing to flee the country or go underground.

At his sentencing hearing this week, Bridges asked the judge for leniency, citing the poor conditions in the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he had been incarcerated. According to Bridges, he has "no educational opportunities, no recreational opportunities; I'm pretty much alone, 99 percent of the time. They talk about one hour per day; it's more like one hour per three days. The six years I face in the case psychologically breaks you; you're just alone all the time."

The only observer to attend the hearing was Ars Technica reporter Cyrus Farivar.

In August 2017, Bridges pleaded guilty to new counts of money laundering and related forfeiture. In May 2015, Bridges was separately sentenced to 71 months in prison after he stole money from online dealers while investigating Silk Road, a now-defunct Tor-hidden underground website. "Particularly troubling is the fact that Mr. Bridges did engage in further efforts to conceal a need to steal after he had entered the plea agreement," Judge Seeborg said. However, Seeborg later noted, "It does appear that, from all that I've read Mr. Bridges has a new perspective on what he's done and, hopefully, the decision to try to lead his life going forward in a different way." Bridges, who spoke briefly during the hearing, teared up and addressed the judge for a few minutes. "I put myself here, I understand why I'm here," he said. "It's my actions that put me before this court."

After admitting to new crime, ex-Secret Service agent sentenced to 2 year [Cyrus Farivar/Ars Technica]

(via Beyond the Beyond)
Jacques Nasser, a director of 21st Century Fox, testified in a proceeding that Bill O'Reilly's contract had a provision stipulating that "could not be dismissed on the basis of an allegation unless that allegation was proved in court."

From WaPo:

As part of the review, Jacques Nasser, a director of 21st Century Fox, gave testimony on the company's inner workings.

And what astonishing workings: As Nasser told the story, there was a quick reaction to the accusations against former Fox News chief Roger Ailes, who was sued by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson in July 2016. After a review of Ailes's conduct, he was quickly ousted.

Such a lightning response, however, wasn't possible in the case of O'Reilly, Nasser told CMA, because of O'Reilly's contract. Requiring sexual-harassment allegations to be proved in a court of law before dismissing the accused party  that's a steep requirement. Analyses have shown that well above 90 percent of all civil cases are settled or dismissed before they reach a trial. Not only that, but a wealthy man like O'Reilly can use his assets to ensure that he'd never face a proven claim of sexual harassment.

"He would never let a claim go to trial where he would even have the slightest chance of losing," says Lisa Banks, a partner at the employment law firm Katz, Marshall & Banks.
The story of an engine gone rogue in Karnataka, and of how a railway staffer caught up with it, is the stuff of movie magic. Except it wasn't.

By India Today Web Desk: It would have made a fantastic Hollywood script. A train engine starts travelling without a loco pilot. Stations are asked to clear signals and tracks. A railway staffer chases the engine. On a bike.

The engine slows down. The bike-borne staffer is eventually able to catch up with it, gets on board, and stops it.

advertisement

Cut to song location.

But this wasn't the product of a writer's imagination. It actually happened yesterday - in Karnataka's Wadi district.

Railway officials said the electric engine of a Chennai-Mumbai train which arrived at Wadi station at 3 pm began moving on its own due to a slip up, after the loco pilot got off. (The route from Wadi to Solapur in Maharashtra isn't electrified, and a diesel engine needed to be attached to the bogies for their onward journey)

The engine had travelled 13 kilometres before the Bollywood-style chase ended near Nalwar.

But why did the engine begin to move in the first place?

Officials said that wasn't clear. They said an special team was conducting an inquiry.

(Inputs from PTI)

ALSO WATCH | Man miraculously survives high-voltage electric shock in Mumbai

--- ENDS ---
Four people have been charged in a record-setting fentanyl bust in Edmonton last summer.

An investigation by the Edmonton police drug and gang enforcement unit led to the July seizure of 130,000 fentanyl pills with an estimated street value of $3.9 million.

Police also seized $1 million in cash.

Four people  aged 34, 33, 31 and 29  were arrested and charged on Monday.

The four face numerous charges including production of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.

In March, police began investigating a group of people believed to be trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs. As part of that investigation, police searched an Edmonton home on July 5 and seized 67,000 fentanyl pills valued at about $2 million.

Police then searched three more homes in Edmonton and a fourth in Sturgeon County north of the city, where they found a fentanyl pill processing lab.
Bitcoin for beginners (Quartz)

Never discuss politics or religionor Bitcoinin polite company.

The cryptocurrency has sparked debates about its longevity and stability since its earliest transactions. But as it has steadily gained valueand attention from some of the worlds most influential business peoplediscussions about its survival have become increasingly heated.

In October, Ben Bernanke, former head of the U.S. Federal Reserve, denounced it as a speculative venture that would never replace fiat currency, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon has called Bitcoin a fraud that will eventually blow up.

No, thats not how it works (Giphy)

On the other hand, rumours that Goldman Sachs is considering a new brokerage built around cryptocurrencies are circulating, and its CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, has recently talked about his openness to Bitcoin in statements and interviews.

Whether or not bitcoin is speculative or destined to fail, its impacting real people in very real ways.

Bloomberg reported on Nov. 7 that, according to Google Trends, searches for buy bitcoin have surpassed searches for buy gold. And as recent spikes in bitcoins value have shown, investing in the cryptocurrency while the cost dips can yield big rewards for the person who holds on.

For instance, a bitcoin purchased for $3,803 in July was worth $8,423 at the end of October. For anyone spent $3,803 on Bitcoin in July, thats a profit of $4,620.

According to the Canadian Bitcoin Index, the 52-week return on an investment in Bitcoin is 777 per cent. So while it might or might not be a speculative bubble, its returns are very real for investors who get the timing right

Dramatization of the bitcoin mining process (Giphy)

To bring the discussion down to earth for the lay person looking to invest, one Toronto man agreed to share his experience investing in Bitcoin with Yahoo Canada.

With no prior investing experience, the 34-year-old restaurant managerwho asked not to be named for privacy reasonshas taken a chance on Bitcoin, investing approximately $4,000 in the cryptocurrency between July, when a bitcoin was worth $3,803 on average, and October, when it was worth more than twice that amount.

Story continues

Heres how its worked out for him so far.

Q: Why did you assume the risk of investing in Bitcoin versus something safer and more tested, like mutual funds or company shares?

A: Because its had much higher returns than any of those other things in the last year, and I didnt think, based on my research, that it was that big of a risk. But, of course its a little bit of a risk and I guess since Im in the situation where I dont have a family to support or a mortgage to pay, I guess I was okay to take a bit of a risk. But I didnt really think it was much of a risk.

Q: What do you plan to do with your investment in the long term?

A: Theres a whole market of other crypto currencies besides Bitcoin that each represent another company or serve another purpose. So you can use Bitcoin to then convert into these other coins. And some of these coins are even more volatile than Bitcoin, so theyll jump 100 per cent in value in a day sometimes. Of course, theyll almost always drop after that. So thats like a micro stock market with these digital coins, so you can trade on that marketplace.

Q: How do people react when they learn youve invested in bitcoin?

A: It just depends on whatever is in the news. At first, even two months ago, people were like, Oh, Bitcoin is still a thing? But now its been in the news more because its been hitting such heights of value, so I think people are becoming aware of it again. So now when I bring it up people say, I heard its booming again. I will say theres one family member, an elder family member, whose only reaction was to send me the one really negative article they could find about Bitcoin.

Q: Were there other factors besides profitability that drew you to Bitcoin?

A: Bitcoin is like a virtuous idea. It might not turn out to work the way it was intended to work when it was created but the purpose it can serve, its like a very democratic concept. Whereas mutual funds and anything with banks, weve been hearing a lot about the negative investing that a lot of banks do. So it was also like a virtuous alternative to those other investmentsTheres definitely a possibility that this will take a lot of power from the banks and put it back in the hands of everyone. So it feels like maybe were on the frontier of that.

Q: Based on what youve learned, what would you do differently if you were to start over again?

A: When I first started out I was very cautious, but I dont know if I would really change that. The price kept going up right away, and if Id invested faster Id have done better. But the price continues to go up. Basically any time that it dips down in price, Ive learned, is a pretty good time to buy because it might not get any lower than that in the long run.
Rumble

Our lives are full of moments where we must interact with each other and make compromises for the sake of coexisting. We face complicated social involvements that require some give and take to get things done and to benefit everyone. A life full of selfish decisions and actions would make everything harder for all involved. But occasionally, this compromise is difficult and emotions and pride get the better of us all. Tact an diplomacy gives way to anger and resentment and the sparks fly. This is what happened here in a simple and easily solved dilemma. As cars made their way through the parking lot, two met bumper to bumper and reached an impass. Onlookers could hear horns honking and impatient voices. It seemed that either could have backed up a little to make way, but the moment became tense and both dug in their heals. Cameras came out as people watched the exchange. Two grownups should have been able to resolve the matter without a spectacle. The man in the car with the trailer has difficulty in backing up. And in fairness, he has not blocked anything but his own lane. He wants to go forward and around the corner. The lady coming around the curve has entered into the middle of the lane and she could either adjust to her right, or back up out of the way. But she has her sights on a parking spot that is being blocked by the car and trailer. She may be afraid to back up, but she has the option to veer out and to her right. The car and trailer could pull forward and completely resolve the matter. What she does not like is the escalation in his voice as she hesitated and tried to decide what to do. Her initial reaction was to stop and do nothing. The man honked. She stared at him. He gestured and told her to move her car. And this is where it seemed to become unfriendly. Her passenger got out of the car, stood in the lane and began smoking a cigarette. She said she could not move as she was waiting for him to get back in. This was clearly a move of defiance. The camera recorded the moments that followed that initial meeting and up to that point. The man's impatience is now at a peak as the minutes have dragged on. Traffic has built up behind both vehicles. Backing up now is tricky for the woman, and impossible for the man. Other horns honked. The man began to swear and the passenger of the woman's car makes a deliberate show of taking his time getting back into the car. Spectators began to talk about intervening with advice or a reprimand. The cars behind both vehicles backed up and out of the way, leaving just the two in the predicament. The man finally got into the vehicle and the woman made a very slow move forward and out of his way. For Canada, this is an unusual display of impatience that left people shaking their heads. What had gone on for nearly 5 minutes was a seemingly needless showdown. Who is more to blame in this scenario? Is it the man with his rude demands, or the woman with her reluctance to move her car over to the right?
From the moment President Truman became the first world leader to recognize the new Jewish state, Israel has had no better friend than the United States of America, and the U.S. has had no more steadfast ally than the state of Israel.

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

.

..Mosaicmagazine.com..06 November '17..November 29 marks the 70th anniversary of UN General Assembly resolution 181, recommending the partition of Mandate Palestine into two separate Jewish and Arab states. On that day in 1947, millions of listeners sat glued to their radio sets to follow the voting. The outcome set off spontaneous celebrations among Zionists everywhere, for it constituted the first formal international endorsement of a Jewish state.To celebrate the anniversary, Israels embassy to the United Nations is restoring the hall in Flushing Meadows, New Yorktoday the main gallery of the Queens Museum, then the meeting place of the General Assemblyto its appearance in 1947. The announced plan is to reenact the vote, with the current ambassadors of member states that voted yes recasting their ballots.The most conspicuous of the ballots cast will be that of the United States. Indeed, the vote and its sequel are set to be told as a largely American story. Israels UN ambassador, Danny Danon, has placed the celebration in this historical context:In keeping with this, the keynote speaker in New York will be U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence. Again and again, we are likely to hear how Harry Truman stood up to his State Department (and, perhaps less heroically, catered to Jewish voters) by saying yes in November 1947 and then by immediately recognizing Israel when David Ben-Gurion declared the state on May 14, 1948. And once again, we will be reminded of Eddie Jacobson, Trumans Jewish business partner in a Kansas City haberdashery before the Depression, who famously traded on his old friendship to secure a critical meeting between Truman and the Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann in March 1948.The rest of the story has been carefully burnished over the years, including by Truman himself. In 1953, when Jacobson introduced the former president to a Jewish audience as the man who helped create the state of Israel, Truman upped the ante by comparing himself with the ancient Persian ruler who restored the Jews to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile: What do you mean helped to create? I am Cyrus.Historians, it is true, still debate Trumans motives. But they also agree on one thing: Israels creation owed more to Truman than to any other world leader. Without Truman, write Allis and Ronald Radosh in their book on Truman and Israel, the new state of Israel might not have survived its first difficult years, and succeeded thereafter. Michael J. Cohen, in his earlier book on Truman and Israel, states that in 1947 and 1948, Truman arguably played the decisive diplomatic role in the birth of the new state of Israel. Michael Oren, in Power, Faith, and Fantasy, his bestseller on America in the Middle East, asserts that Trumans comparison of himself with the Persian ruler Cyrus was not entirely bluster.The problem here is simple: everything said about the contribution of Truman could be said about that of Joseph Stalin.
Data Analytics

Research Project Figures Out How to Crowdsource Predictive Models

An MIT research project has come up with a way to crowdsource development of features for use in machine learning. Groups of data scientists contribute their ideas for this "feature engineering" into a collaboration tool named "FeatureHub." The idea, according to lead researcher Micah Smith, is to enable contributors to spend a few hours reviewing a modeling problem and proposing various features. Then the software builds the models with those features and determines which ones are the most useful for a particular predictive task.

As described in "FeatureHub: Towards collaborative data science," the platform lets multiple users write scripts for feature extraction and then request an evaluation of their proposed features. The platform aggregates features from multiple users and automatically builds a machine learning model for the problem at hand. The name was inspired by GitHub, a repository for programming projects, some of which have drawn numerous contributors.

To test the platform, the researchers recruited 41 freelance analysts with data science experience, who spent five hours each with the system, familiarizing themselves with it and using it to propose candidate features for each of two data science problems. In one problem, the participants were given data about users of the home rental site Airbnb and their activity on the site. They were asked to predict, for a given user, the country in which the user would book his or her first rental. In the other problem the workers were given data provided by Sberbank, a Russian bank, on apartment sale transactions and economic conditions in Russia. The test subjects were given the job of predicting for a given transaction the apartment's final selling price. Of the 41 workers who logged into the platform, 32 successfully submitted at least one feature. In total, the project collected 1,952 features.

The predictive models produced with FeatureHub were then compared against the ones submitted to Kaggle, a data-science competition service that uses manual effort for its results. The Kaggle entries had been scored on a 100-point scale, and the FeatureHub models fell within three and five points of the winning entries for the two problems. Importantly, however, while the Kaggle entries took weeks or months of work, the FeatureHub entries were produced in days.

Smith is hopeful for the use of the platform. "I do hope that we can facilitate having thousands of people working on a single solution for predicting where traffic accidents are most likely to strike in New York City or predicting which patients in a hospital are most likely to require some medical intervention," he said, in an MIT article about the project. "I think that the concept of massive and open data science can be really leveraged for areas where there's a strong social impact but not necessarily a single profit-making or government organization that is coordinating responses."

A paper on the project was recently presented at the IEEE International Conference on Data Science and Advanced Analytics in Tokyo. Co-authors included Smith's thesis advisor, Kalyan Veeramachaneni, a principal research scientist at MIT's Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, and Roy Wedge, a former MIT undergraduate who is now a software engineer at Feature Labs, a data science company based on the group's work.

The project was partially funded through a National Science Foundation grant focused on creating a community software infrastructure, called LearnSphere, that supports sharing, analysis and collaboration across the wide variety of educational data.
In 2011, Drew Estate recruited Willy Herrera to join its company. At the time, Herrera was working at the small El Titan de Bronze factory located in Little Havana, Miami. Drew Estate and its founder Jonathan Drew were looking for someone to join the company to blend something Cubanesque  a style Herrera had become familiar with while working at El Titan de Bronze. Herrera would go on to release his first Drew Estate project, the highly rated Herrera Esteli. Following the departures of Steve Saka and Nicholas Melillo, Herrera would emerge as the companys Master Blender. In a matter of three years, Herrera went from blending at the small El Titan de Bronze factory to now essentially managing Drew Estates La Gran Fabrica, the largest factory in Nicaragua. While Herrera from time to time would still help out at El Titan de Bronze, almost two years ago, he would return to El Titan de Bronze and work on a project for Drew Estate that would be produced out of the legendary Miami factory. That project would become the limited production Herrera Esteli Miami  a cigar released in one size, a Corona Larga. Today, we take a closer look at the Herrera Esteli Miami.

The Herrera Esteli Miami project came at an interesting time in Drew Estates history. Shortly after Herrera was named Master Blender at Drew Estate in 2014, Drew Estate was acquired by tobacco giant Swisher International. Drew Estate co-founder Jonathan Drew had long proclaimed that while Drew Estate was a large company, it was very boutique in terms of its culture. While some subscribed to that theory, following the acquisition by Swisher, many questioned whether Drew Estate would go totally corporate. However, Drew Estate continued to respond by continuing to be Drew Estate. The Herrera Esteli Miami project was perhaps one of the best examples of this.

Without further ado, lets break down the Herrera Esteli Miami and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

The Herrera Esteli utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder over Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican

Country of Origin: United States (El Titan de Bronze)

Vitolas Available

At press time, the Herrera Esteli Miami was available in one size  a 5 3/8 x 48 Corona Larga. The cigars were packaged in ten-count boxes. As mentioned this was a limited production release.

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga was on the darker side with a strong cinnamon-colored tint to it. There was a light coating of oil on the surface. This was a smooth wrapper with thin visible veins and thin wrapper seams.

There are two bands on the Herrera Esteli Miami. These bands use the red, white, and gold color scheme found on other limited edition Herrera Esteli products, The primary band has white lettering on a red background with some gold trim. On the center of the band is the text HERRERA ESTELI by DREW ESTATE. To the left is the text (in smaller font), WE WARRANTEE THE TOBACCO USED IN HERRERA ESTELI ARE THE FINEST VINTAGE AGED AIR CURED BLACK CIGAR LEAF. To the right is the text HANDMADE AT EL TITAN DE BRONZE 1071 SW 8TH ST MIAMI, FLORIDA (the address of El Titan de Bronze.

Just below the primary band is a secondary band. This is also red with gold trim. On the center of the band is the text MIAMI surrounded by a 2016 on each side  all in white font. There is a gold pinstripe both above and below that text.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

I opted to go with a straight cut to remove the cap of the Herrera Esteli Corona Larga. After the cap was clipped, I moved on to the pre-light draw. The cold draw was simple as it delivered a mix of cedar and floral notes. Overall, I considered this to be a satisfactory pre-light draw. At this point, I was ready to light up the Herrera Esteli Miami and awaited what the smoking phase would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga started out with a mix of red pepper, nut, and natural tobacco. Early on I found the natural tobacco to go primary with the nut mixed in. Meanwhile, the red pepper moved into the background. As the cigar progressed through the first third, some cocoa and floral notes also surfaced in the background. Meanwhile, the retro-hale produced an additional layer of red pepper and cedar.

During the second third, the natural tobacco and nut flavor still remained primary. At times, the natural tobacco produced a nougat-like sweetness. The red pepper and floral notes remained in the background. The cocoa diminished and by the second half, these notes had dissipated.

The final third of the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga, the cedar took over as the primary flavor. The red pepper was a close secondary note with the floral and natural tobacco notes also still in the equation. This is the way the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga came to a close. The resulting nub was cool in temperature and slightly soft to the touch.

Burn and Draw

The burn of the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga maintained a straight path from start to finish. There was a slight amount of curvature on the burn line, but the cigar was never in danger of meandering or getting off track. In fact, I didnt find this curvature required more in the way of touch-ups. Meanwhile, the resulting ash was light gray. This was an ash that was on the firmer side. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

I also found the draw to the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga to perform quite well. This draw managed the amount of openness and resistance very nicely. This was a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

The Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Largas I smoked for this assessment had about a year of age on them. As one would expect there was some mellowing since it was released. I found the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga to be a medium strength, medium to full-bodied cigar from start to finish. I also found the intensity of both attributes to increase slightly along the way, but in the end I still found the strength to remain in the medium range and the body to remain in the medium to full range.

When it came to strength versus body with the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Large, I found the body to have the edge.

Final Thoughts

One thing that stands out about the Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga is how unique this cigar is. It is not only a unique cigar for El Titan de Bronze and for Drew Estate, but its a unique cigar as a whole. While I did enjoy the flavors in the first half more than the second half, I still found the overall cigar experience to be more than satisfying. I also found the year of age to this cigar was quite kind to it. In my opinion, the 5 3/8 x 48 format worked quite well with the blend. The Herrera Esteli Miami Corona Larga is not only a cigar Id recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast, but its also a nice cigar for a novice looking to graduate to something medium/medium plus. As for myself, this is a cigar Id smoke again  and its worth buying multiples to have in the humidor.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Nut, Cedar, Red Pepper, Floral

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium+

Strength: Medium

Body: Medium to Full

Finish: Good

Rating

Assessment: 3.5-Box Split

Score:90

References

News: Drew Estate Announces Herrera Esteli Miami

Price: $13.00

Source: Drew Estate

Brand Reference: Herrera Esteli
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Women treated for early stage breast cancer still face a substantial risk of recurrence up to 20 years later, a large, new study shows.

Cancer experts say the findings should help inform women's treatment decisions.

Specifically, the researchers followed women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, which means the hormone helps fuel the cancer's growth. Standard treatment includes hormonal therapy -- with drugs that block estrogen's effects -- to help prevent a return of the cancer.

All of the women in the study, nearly 63,000, were scheduled to receive the typical five years of hormonal therapy.

Researchers found that while the women remained cancer-free for those five years, the risk for recurrence over the next 15 years was still significant.

It was greatest for women whose initial cancer had spread to multiple lymph nodes near the breast by the time it was diagnosed. Their odds of eventually having a distant recurrence -- meaning the cancer spread to such tissue as the bones, liver or lungs -- were as high as 41 percent.

Doctors have long known that women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer often have recurrences many years later, said Dr. Harold Burstein, a cancer expert affiliated with the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He was not involved in the research.

"But the risks in this study are probably higher than many of us would've thought," said Burstein, who's an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

He stressed, though, that the women in the study started their treatment more than 20 years ago, and many advances have been made since.

"We're doing a better job of treating this disease now," Burstein said. "These numbers are probably worse than what women today would face."

Senior researcher Dr. Daniel Hayes agreed.

"These data are scary," said Hayes, a professor at the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center. "But women with ER-positive cancer are doing better now than 25 years ago."

Still, he said, the findings give doctors and women more information for making treatment decisions.

That's because women can opt for more than five years of hormonal therapy. Studies have shown that longer treatment further cuts the risk for recurrence.

However, that can also mean additional years of side effects -- like hot flashes, sexual dysfunction and joint pain, Hayes said. If women have a clearer picture of their future odds of recurrence, he said, that could help them decide whether the treatment is worth the downsides.

For the study, Hayes's team combined the results of 88 trials that included almost 63,000 women, all with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. After their initial treatment with surgery, and sometimes chemotherapy, all were prescribed five years of hormonal therapy. Most received the drug tamoxifen, sometimes with newer hormonal drugs called aromatase inhibitors.

Overall, the study found, the odds of a distant recurrence varied greatly, depending on how far the original cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Women with no affected lymph nodes faced a 13 to 19 percent chance of a distant recurrence in the 15 years after their hormonal therapy ended. For those with one to three affected nodes, the odds of a distant recurrence were 20 to 26 percent. Women with four to nine nodes affected, the chances of such recurrence were 34 to 41 percent.

The findings were published Nov. 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study, Hayes said, was not designed to tell anyone what to do. "I could show these same data to two different women and get two different treatment decisions," he said.

But, he added, "there's no question" that women in these situations should discuss longer-term hormonal therapy with their doctor.

Dr. Neil Iyengar, who specializes in treating breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, described the research as "a very useful study for patients and doctors."

Iyengar said he sees many women with earlier-stage cancers struggle with the issue of whether the side effects of hormonal therapy are worth it. The new findings, he said, might offer some women more motivation to continue -- at least for the first five years, if not beyond.

But Burstein pointed out that additional hormonal therapy does not erase the possibility of a recurrence.

It won't turn that 13 percent risk into zero risk," he said. "But it can reduce it."

More information

The American Cancer Society has more on hormone therapy for breast cancer.
Second meeting of Island Development Agency held in New Delhi

Published: November 9, 2017

The second meeting of Island Development Agency (IDA) was held in New Delhi. It was chaired by Rajnath Singh. It reviewed concept development plans and detailed master plans for holistic development of 9 islands.

These 9 islands include four in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Smith, Ross, Long, Avis) and five in Lakshadweep (Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).

Key Facts

In the meeting, it was decided that Naval air station at Shibpur near Diglipur in northern Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be co-used as Joint User Airport. It was also decided to develop PPP package including airport (Joint User Airport) at Minicoy Island, to unlock the tourism potential.

It was agreed to promote tuna fishing industry for improving livelihoods in Lakshadweep. All concerned agencies were directed to expedite implementation of ongoing key infrastructure projects in islands and develop community based tourism in consultation with local stakeholders.

NITI Aayog was also asked to drive the formulation of PPP projects and proposed detailed guidelines to boost private sector participation. It aims at promoting and implementing development based on sustainable approach to building thriving maritime economy of project islands.

Island Development Agency (IDA)

The IDA was set up in June 2017 following Prime Ministers review meeting for the holistic development of islands. Its first meeting was held in July 2017 were directions were given to identify and execute infrastructure and connectivity projects together with provisioning of water and electricity.

The meetings of the agency are chaired by the Union Home Minister. Members of IDA include cabinet secretary, home secretary, secretary (environment, forests and climate change), secretary (tourism) and secretary (tribal welfare).

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2017

Topics: Andaman & Nicobar Islands  Island Development Agency  Lakshadweep  National  Rajnath Singh

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The investigating agency told the court that taking Savitri Rai into custody would help them find more information on the absconding GJM chief.

By Arindam De: The West Bengal CID (Crime Investigation Department) moved Sikkim High Court seeking custody of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activist Savitri Rai. She is a key aide of GJM's absconding chief Bimal Gurung.

In September, in what was a major setback to the West Bengal police, a court in Sikkim extended interim bail to Rai. The West Bengal CID appealed to the Sikkim High Court to set aside the interim bail.

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The High Court has set December 1 as the next date of hearing and the bench headed by justice meenakshi Rai has asked Rai to file a reply on why her interim bail should not be cancelled and she be handed over to the West Bengal police.

Sources in CID said that the central committee of GJM had a meetig in Namchi area of south Sikkim. A team of Kalimpong police had led a raid to the place in search of the GJM chief. One person was killed in shootout that ensued but Gurung slipped away. The incident led to a major standoff between West Bengal and Sikkim, with the latter accusing the West Bengal police of crossing state boundaries without legal documents and without intimating the Sikkim police.

A part of the raiding West Bengal police team was detained, including the vehicle of the Kalimpong SP. Later the police personnel, as well as the seven other GJM activists they arrested were released without charges. Only Savitri Rai was produced in a Namchi court, which granted her interim bail.

An angry West Bengal administration shot off communications to Gangtok to help nab Gurung and his associates charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The state government formed a legal team of three lawyers each from the Calcutta High Court and the Siliguri court to weigh every possible legal options. Approaching the high court is a strategy framed by that legal team.

Representing CID, advocates Mayukh Mukherjee, Rajdeep Mazumdar and Abhrajyoti Das told the high court, "...the GJM leader has pending cases against her in courts in West Bengal. So for the sake of investigations we are requesting the honourable high court to cancel her bail and hand her over to West Bangal police."

CID appraised the court that Savitri Rai is one of the key accused in a case of fanning violence during the meeting of the state cabinet in Darjeeling on September 8.

The investigating agency told the court that taking Rai into custody is required in order to reveal more information on the absconding GJM chief. Questioning her could provide inputs about Gurung's movements, whereabouts, contacts, his present base after his dramatic escape from Singla forest, the court was told.

--- ENDS ---
Trade ministers and delegates from the remaining members of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) attend the TPP Ministerial Meeting ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang on November 9, 2017. Photo by AFP/Na Son Nguyen

'There were diverse views, but we were able to conclude with very good outcome, which reflects the interests of all APEC economies.'

Ministers from Asia-Pacific countries ended their meeting on Thursday with a "very good outcome", despite differing views on trade and protectionism, Vietnamese Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh told a news conference.

Talks among trade and foreign ministers from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries on a communique for leaders were extended into a second day in the face of U.S. demands for changes to the language used concerning issues such as free trade and protectionism, officials at the talks said.

"There were diverse views, but we were able to conclude with very good outcome, which reflects the interests of all APEC economies," the Vietnamese minister said, referring specifically to trade and protectionism.
Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao (L), CEO of VietJet Air and Scott Price, vice president of global leverage for Walmart International at the APEC CEO Summit in Vietnams central city of Da Nang on November 9. Photo by AFP/Hoang Dinh Nam

The 'bikini airline' owner has her sights set on offering more than just swimwear.

The founder and CEO of Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet has said she wants to sell products from the worlds biggest retailer Walmart on her airline.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, the first and only female billionaire in Vietnam according to Forbes magazine, presented the idea to Scott Price, executive vice president of Global Leverage for Walmart International, at the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnams central city of Da Nang.

We call ourselves a consumers' airline, Thao said on Thursday at the APEC CEO Summit.

"The idea to work with Walmart is an example of VietJets customer-oriented approach, emphasizing our philosophy of providing more convenient services for Vietnamese clients in the near future," she said.

She also spoke about the role of technology in trade and business, suggesting a tech connection with Walmart for VietJets passengers.

Price said the company is willing to work with VietJet as it has yet to open any stores in Vietnam, providing there is demand for its products.

We plan to expand further," Thao said. "Vietnamese airlines play an important role in connecting Southeast Asia. In the near future well collaborate with more airlines, such as Koreas ASIANA.

Vietjet already has deals with Quatar Airway and Japan Airlines, and is in talks with an airline in the U.S. and another in Europe.

Thanks to the connections that VietJet is building, passengers can fly anywhere they want to around the world, Thao said.

The CEO Summit has gathered more than 2,000 local and foreign businesses and is one of the most important events at the APEC Summit. It is hosting leaders from the 21 Pacific Rim nations and thousands of businesspeople, including Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, UPS CEO David Abney, and chairman and CEO of J.P. Morgan Asia Pacific Nicolas Aguzin.

Last week, Thao secured 55th spot on the World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2017 ranking, jumping seven places from the previous year, and was the only Vietnamese national named on the list compiled by Forbes.

According to the magazine, Thao has an estimated net worth of $1.93 billion, eclipsing the figure of $1.2 billion it calculated in March.

Thao launched VietJet in 2011. Her bikini airline, nicknamed after its unique yet controversial promotion scheme of putting female crew in bikinis on some flights, now offers 300 flights a day, or more than 40 percent of the countrys flights, with a fleet of 45 jets.

In May, Bloomberg reported that the Hanoi-based VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co. was in talks to become the first Vietnamese company to list on an overseas stock exchange.

"Weve been approached by some foreign stock exchanges including London, Hong Kong and Singapore, which expressed their interest in our stock," Thao was quoted as saying in the report.

According to Bloomberg, VietJet reportedly received shareholder approval in April to boost its foreign ownership limit to 49 percent from 30 percent.

She told Bloomberg in an interview a year ago that she has plans to make VietJet a global airline. We want to make VietJet the Emirates of Asia.
Chile's president vows to help victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet and Vietnam's Tran Dai Quang sign agreements in Hanoi on Thursday. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The toxic chemical used by the US during the war continues to scar millions of people.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet had a productive day with her Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang during an official state visit on Thursday. One of the agreements she signed is aimed at helping children and adolescent victims of Agent Orange.

Between 2.1 to 4.8 million Vietnamese citizens were directly exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals sprayed by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese Association of Victims of Agent Orange believes there are tens of thousands of third-generation victims of dioxin in the country.

At the meeting, Bachelet also pay her condolences to the victims of Typhoon Damrey, which struck central Vietnam on Saturday killing at least 109 people, according to government data.

Both leaders also agreed to deepen ties in various areas, including peaceful and law-abiding solutions for sovereignty disputes, in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam East Sea.

Bachelet arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday and is set to leave for the APEC Summit in Da Nang on Thursday night.

She also invited Quang to visit Chile at a later date.

Bachelet, 66, was the first woman to be appointed president of Chile in 2006. After losing her reelection bid in 2010, she regained the position in 2014.

Vietnam and Chile signed a free trade agreement at the beginning of 2014.

Bilateral trade reached $1.03 billion last year, with Vietnam holding a $740.4 million trade surplus, according to official figures.
In Vietnam's biggest city, Justin Trudeau concludes official visit by jogging past locals

The charismatic Canadian prime minister was on an official visit before going for a jog along a canal.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau capped a hectic day in Ho Chi Minh City by jogging along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal on Thursday evening, catching locals off-guard and setting the media abuzz.

The charismatic prime minister was on an official visit to Vietnam's biggest city before going for a jog along the canal, which is considered an example of smart urban development.

According to media reports, he started jogging at around 7 p.m. With his cap on, Trudeau, flanked by several of his guards, ran past many locals who were exercising outdoors.

Many locals were surprised to see Trudeau jogging along the Nhieu Loc Canal on Thursday evening. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen

The surprise appearance of the Canadian prime minister attracted widespread attention.

"He looks so handsome and gentle," an elderly woman who was working out along the canal said.

"When I realized he was the Canadian prime minister, I was in awe of such a young, handsome and down-to-earth leader," Nguyen Thi Thanh, 61, said.

Last May, another photo of Trudeau jogging past a group students taking prom photos in Vacouver, Canada, also went viral, creating a made-for-meme internet sensation.

But after it was pointed out that the shot was snapped by his official photographer, his critics blasted the media for continuing to fall for what "seems to be a constant stream of PR stunts", The Guardian reported in May.

The report cited Robyn Urback, a columnist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, as saying that in politics, even the most spontaneous run-ins are carefully set up. And public photobombs by politicians in their Sunday sweats usually involve some sort of prior coordination, she said.

Trudeau runs past many locals who were exercising outdoor. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen

The Vietnamese press had a field day covering Trudeau's activities in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. His first stop on Thursday afternoon was the city's stock exchange (HoSE).

Trudeau hit the gong in the HoSE lobby three times, a ritual conducted by businesses when they list their shares on the stock exchange.

The Canadian prime minister was surrounded by a sea of reporters as he toured the stock exchange building.

Two young Vietnamese fans welcomed Trudeau outside the building with a Canadian flag.

In Vietnam's biggest city, Justin Trudeau concludes official visit by jogging past locals A day in Saigon of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau The Canadian prime minister's next stop was Ton Duc Thang University, where he interacted with hundreds of students.

A pencil portrait of Trudeau, drawn by the university's graphic design students, was displayed in the main lobby.

At 3 p.m., Trudeau arrived at the university, where he was enthusiastically welcomed by more than 1,400 students.

"It's a great honor for me to be able to meet Canada's prime minister. He is so handsome and elegant," Anh Nguyet, a student who had been waiting for Trudeau's arrival since 12.30 p.m., said.

Trudeau appears to be eye candy thanks to his charisma.

The Canadian prime minister greeted university staff and students before giving a speech about globalization, the fourth industrial revolution and start-ups.

Students react while listening to his speech.

Trudeau and Nguyen Thanh Phong (R), Ho Chi Minh City's chairman, on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday morning, Trudeau will leave for Da Nang, where he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which will also host other world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin.
3 Vietnamese cities named among the most visited in the world

Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Ha Long all made it into the world's top 100 for international arrivals.

Ho Chi Minh City has been ranked 36th on a list of the 100 leading cities in the world in terms of international tourist arrivals.

The list, compiled by global business intelligence firm Euromonitor International, also placed Hanoi in 52nd and the northern city of Ha Long in 56th.

Ho Chi Minh City is expected to receive 5.5 million foreign visitors this year, up 5.8 percent from last year. Hanoi will welcome an estimated 4.3 million visitors, while Ha Long is expected to receive 4 million arrivals, respective increases of 7.5 percent and 14.3 percent.

The Telegraph recently recommended Hanoi as an amazing food destination, while Ho Chi Minh City has cracked various lists of top destinations for solo and retiree travelers, including being named by priceoftravel.com as one of the cheapest cities for backpackers. Both cities were named among the world's fastest growing destinations by MasterCard last year.

According to the report, Hong Kong was the most visited city in the world with 26.6 million arrivals in 2016, benefiting from its strategic location and relationship with China, followed by Bangkok, which overtook London in 2015.

Asian cities dominated the global destination rankings thanks to the inexorable rise of Chinese outbound tourism, said Euromonitor International.

In 2010, 34 cities from Asia Pacific made it onto the list. That figure has jumped to 41 cities on the latest ranking and is expected to grow to 47 cities in 2025. Asia Pacific is the standout region that has driven change in the travel landscape and is expected to continue doing so in the coming decade, with Singapore overtaking London as the third most visited city in the world by 2025 to make the podium fully Asian, said Euromonitor International.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Carlos Barria/File Photo

'Theres never been an agreement, certainly not to a full bilat(eral).'

Prospects for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. counterpart Donald Trump at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam this week were unclear after contradictory statements from the two sides.

Putin and Trump, who had their first face-to-face meeting in July to discuss allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, are both planning to attend this week's summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang.

The Kremlin, which wants to try to improve battered U.S.-Russia ties, says it has been trying to set up a meeting and Trump told Fox News before his Asia tour that he might meet Putin in Vietnam to talk about Syria, Ukraine and North Korea.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies on Thursday that such a meeting would happen on Friday.

"Right now the time of the meeting is being agreed. It will be on the tenth (of November)," Ushakov told agencies.

But U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, on a visit to Beijing with Trump, said no decision on whether Trump and Putin would have formal talks had yet been taken.

Tillerson also questioned whether the two men would have enough to talk about to justify such a meeting.

Theres never been an agreement, certainly not to a full bilat(eral), said Tillerson, who said it would not be unusual however if the two men had a spontaneous "pull-aside meeting" chat if they bumped into each other.

The question is whether weve got sufficient substance (for a more formal meeting) and were working with the Russians as you know on a number of difficult areas," said Tillerson.

"Were in contact with them and the views that the two leaders are going to meet if theres something sufficiently substantive to talk about that would warrant a formal meeting.

Putin and Trump first got together at a G20 summit in Hamburg in July when they discussed accusations of Russian interference in the U.S. election but agreed to focus on better relations rather than litigating the past.

But ties have soured further since then.

Trump in August grudgingly signed off on new sanctions against Russia, a move Moscow said ended hopes for better relations. Putin ordered Washington to cut its embassy and consular staff in Russia by more than half.

Tensions have also flared over the conflict in Syria.
In the six and a half years since Syrias civil war began, more than 5 million Syrians have abandoned their homes and fled the country to escape the violence unleashed by Bashar al-Assads regime against its own people. Today, more than 5 million people have taken refuge in neighboring countries, primarily in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Currently, Jordan hosts nearly 655,000 Syrian refugees, over 38 percent under the age of 11 years. Due to the brutality of the conflict, thousands of refugees have suffered both physical and psychological trauma. Some have become physically disabled, having sustained severe injuries such as loss of limbs or spinal cord injuries. Others have been mentally and emotionally scarred by the violence around them.

Through a grant from the State Departments Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, a U.S. non-profit organization called the Polus Center for Social & Economic Development is partnering with Asia Development Training, Incorporated to build national rehabilitation capacity in Jordan.

The Polus partnership supports the Al Bader Center, the Al Hussein Center, Syria Without Borders, and the Al Salaam Center, which house victims of landmines and unexploded ordnance while they are fitted for a prosthetic and orthotic device. Polus also provides artificial limbs, wheelchairs, and braces, and trains refugees who have lost limbs, to help rehabilitate others. This partnership helps ease their suffering.

"A significant component of the project includes training for refugees who have lost limbs to landmines on how to first heal themselves, and later become skilled rehabilitation professionals capable of helping others. Some of these technicians have already returned to Syria to provide prosthetic services to recently-injured war victims, wrote Program Manager for Conventional Weapons Destruction Programs in Jordan and Syria, Natalie Wazir in a recent blog post.

Since 1993 the United States has invested more than $2.9 billion in conventional weapons destruction programs, including survivor assistance, in more than 100 countries. As the worlds leading provider of financial and technical assistance for the clearance of explosive remnants of war, the United States looks forward to continued collaboration with our partners in the region.
"Our nations share an enduring bond," said President Donald Trump on his recent visit to Japan. America and Japan face many challenges and many opportunities, "but we will be facing them together, in friendship and as allies," said the President.

The most dangerous threat remains the aggressive nature of the North Korea regime. Kim Jong-Un has continued to develop North Korea's unlawful weapons programs, including illegal nuclear tests and outrageous launches of ballistic missiles directly over Japanese territory. The regime, said President Trump, is a "threat to the civilized world and international peace and stability."

"We will not stand for that," said President Trump. "The era of strategic patience is over."

President Trump noted the tragic stories of Japanese young people whom North Korea has abducted over the years. "No child," he said, "should ever be subjected to such cruelty."

President Trump also decried the barbaric murder of the young American college student Otto Warmbier, at the hands of the North Korean regime. "It's a horrible story," he said. "And we can't let that happen."

The United States of America stands in solidarity with the people of Japan against the North Korean menace. History has proven over and over that strong and free nations will always prevail over tyrants who oppress their people.

The powerful and enduring U.S.-Japan alliance includes more than 50,000 members of the United States military stationed in Japan. In addition to that, 33,000 are stationed in South Korea. American and Japanese military personnel train together, work together, and will stand together to defend the security and sovereignty of both countries.

America is also committed to improving its economic relationship with Japan. "As President of the United States, I am committed to achieving a fair, free, and reciprocal trading relationship," said President Trump. "We seek equal and reliable access for American exports to Japan's markets in order to eliminate our chronic trade imbalances and deficits with Japan."

"A mutual respect for culture and sovereignty," said President Trump, "will continue to bring the U.S. and Japan closer together, and open up new avenues of cooperation and success. The U.S. looks forward to working side by side with Japan in military and economic partnership.
How to Create Bold Beauty Lighting

Posted by Jacqui Palumbo on November 7, 2017 | Gear, Photographer Interviews

Once upon a time, world-renowned Nikon Ambassador Matthew Jordan Smith was just a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta trying to find his way. Now, some 30 years later, this highly sought-after celebrity, beauty and portrait photographers A-list clientele includes Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, Jennifer Connelly, Jamie Foxx and makeup leaders LOreal, Olay, Pantene and Revlon.

Smith describes his lighting style as crisp, sexy, bold lighting, and every part of it is intentional. Its a style perfectly suited for beauty and fashion models such as Tyra Banks, whom he worked with on test shoots before she was discovered and continued to shoot over the years (Smith even appeared as a guest photographer on Americas Next Top Model five times). I believe a photographers lighting style is more important today than at any other time in the history of photography, he says. Smith advises young photographers to do as many test shoots as possible to discover their unique style. Nothing can be left to chance when it comes to lighting.

Smith recently relocated to Tokyo, but before he left Los Angeles, he had a beauty shoot with Japanese television personality Becky. Becky, who is enormously famous in Japan (so much so that she arrived at the studio in disguise), had just cut her long hair, so the portraits were a rebranding of her new look.

All of the portraits were made with just a monolight or the sun. In both cases, Smith measured the light using a Sekonic L-858D-U light meter, which he highly advises: Nothing takes the place of using a light meter. I believe in being precise when it comes to lighting and you cant do that by just reading the histograms.

To make the image of Becky alone and Becky with her sister, JJ, Smith placed a monolight head with a beauty dish on a C-stand with a C-stand arm in front of his subjects, and a reflector on a mini C-stand with a C-stand arm under his subjects to create a reflection in their eyes.

To achieve the shadows on Beckys face in the first image, Smith used good old-fashioned sunlight, plus a large white V-flat placed behind him to open up the shadows. The shoot was actually over and we were about to break down the set, and she was on her way to take off her makeup and get dressed again when I saw the sunlight come through the window. Smith recalls. At that very moment, I screamed: Stop! Dont change, and brought her back and we got that shot.

What Youll Need:

Cameras: Nikon D5

Lenses: AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4, AF-S NIKKOR 58m f/1.4G

Lights: Monolight, natural light

Other Equipment: Beauty dish, reflector, light meter, C-stand and C-stand arm, mini C-stand and C-stand arm, large white V-flat

 Amy Touchette

This article has been excerpted from How to: Bold Beauty Lighting (PDNEdu, Fall 2017). Read the full article in the digital edition.
Botifler is used as an insult or nickname, but it is an interesting word, at least from the philological point of view. The etymology of this Catalan term that has reemerged with unusual force during the so-called secessionist process is not clear. It was used as a derogatory term for the followers of the Bourbon royal family, and now pro-separatists are using it against Spaniards opposed to Catalan independence.

There are two main theories about its origin: one argues that it is a creation of French-influenced speech and another points to native speakers. The first goes back to the French phrase beaute fleur (the beautiful flower), alluding to the coat of arms for the House of Bourbon. From beaute fleur to botifler there is only one phonetic step. The term could also come from the adaptation of the surname of Marshal Louis Francois de Boufflers (1644-1711), according to some texts from the beginning of the 18th century.

It always has a pejorative meaning and its use goes back to the War of Succession Emili Casanova, professor of Catalan philology

The second theory credits Catalan philology. The term could come from the Catalan phrase bot unflat, inflat, which compares a rich, fat person to the majority of the malnourished, poor population in the 17th and 18th centuries. It could also mean a conservative person, says Emili Casanova, professor of Catalan philology at the University of Valencia. Francesc de Borja Moll and Joan Coromines, other experts, point out that botifler shares its root, botir, with botiro, a word used to refer to Bourbon soldiers.

The term has been documented in Catalonia since the beginning of the 18th century. It has also been used in the Balearic island of Mallorca, and later in Valencia, a port city on the eastern coast, says Casanova. It always has a pejorative meaning, and its use goes back to the War of Succession. In Catalonia, it reemerges with great force and refers back to the Renaixenca, he adds, referring to the cultural movement for Catalan literature and language during the mid-19th century.

There is no doubt of the insults significance against Felipe V supporters during the War of Succession (1701-1715), against the Austrians.

The traitors

Felipe V upside down in a museum in Xativa.

Today there is some confusion in the use of botiflers, linked to the bitterness in the way pro-independence people use it. Some consider it to mean traitor. Historically, this use has been documented, but only referring to those in Catalonia who supported the Bourbons. It has been revived with secessionism as an insult, especially directed against politicians and intellectuals.

In the Valencia region the term is kept alive as a critical way of referring to those who represent Castilian centralism or those who reject their language and culture.

It also alludes to the battle of Almansa, when the Bourbon army severely defeated the Austrians on April 25, 1707, which led to the siege and fire of Xativa, a town in the eastern region of Valencia. To this day, Xativa displays a portrait of Felipe V upside down at the Casa de la Ensenanza museum.

English version by Debora Almeida.
Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at a meeting in Washington. Saul Loeb (AFP)

A team of specialists created by the European Union in 2015 to detect and fight Russias online attacks have noticed a significant increase in campaigns aimed at magnifying the Catalan crisis. This Brussels-based department, which answers to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, says that its day-to-day activity debunking fake news coming out of Russia now includes Catalonia as a regular subject, besides more traditional topics such as Ukraine or the Baltic states.

Analysts for this team say that fake news on the subject of Catalonia have multiplied in media outlets with links to the Kremlin. Some recent fake headlines include: Spanish now taught as a foreign language in Catalonia (published in Vesti.ru on September 17), The Balearic Islands join demand for independence from Spain (September 21 on Sputnik), and High-ranking EU officials support the use of violence in Catalonia (October 2 on the Facebook page of the Moldavian politician Bogdan Tirdea).

This is a non-military strategy whose goals are political

East Stratcom Task Force

The team, known as the East Stratcom Task Force, says that information about Catalonia has grown from four items a week to 241. Analysts who spoke to EL PAIS on the condition of anonymity out of fear of Russian reprisals said that the information is aimed at weakening EU members states and suggesting a collapse of Western liberal democracies, with Russia as the alternative.

The first questionable story about Catalonia appeared on the news website Izvestia.ru in September of last year, under the headline Catalonia will recognize Crimea as part of Russia. The story quoted Jose Enrique Folch, a Catalan activist with no ties to the regional government who nevertheless claimed that the latter would recognize the annexed peninsula of Crimea as part of Russia.

A classic example flagged by East Stratcom is a television program called Vesti Nedeli, which is aired on the Russian state network. On October 1, the day that Catalonia held a referendum that had been banned by the Constitutional Court, the program featured a special on the Catalan crisis. The host warned about the risk of a civil war in Spain, and called the central government suicidal. Spain is on the brink not of a conflict, but of a war, he said.

Information published about Catalonia has grown from four articles a week to 241 a week

In a very common twist used by the Russian propaganda machine, a conspiracy theory was then posited that contradicted what the host had said earlier: Maybe Brussels is interested in encouraging separatism in order to weaken national governments and get more power.

There are 17 people on the task force, including diplomats, journalists and computer experts, and it has a mandate to combat misinformation coming out of Russia. One of its tools is a website called EUvsDisinfo.eu, which hosts a database with a selection of the most common lies disseminated by Russian outlets.

According to the East Stratcom Task Force, the Kremlin invests up to a billion euros a year on its public media outlets. These include two that operate in Spanish: RT, with a presence in 100 countries, and Sputnik, which publishes stories in 33 languages. On top of that, the Russian government amplifies its fake news and hoaxes through troll farms: companies that use phony, automated social media profiles to ensure maximum impact.

This is a non-military strategy whose goals are political, said sources at East Stratcom. The goal of this disinformation campaign is to undermine and destabilize the West, exploiting existing divisions or creating new, artificial ones.

Although there is almost unanimous agreement in Brussels that the task forces job is essential, there are many who criticize the shortage of funds allocated to it. In March, 120 politicians, scholars and intellectuals asked High Representative Federica Mogherini to triple East Stratcoms capacity and earmark more funds for its mission. For now, East Stratcom has no budget of its own and works with funds from the communications department of the EU diplomacy department.

English version by Susana Urra.
Spanish economy minister Luis de Guindos (l) in Brussels. ERIC VIDAL (REUTERS)

Spain is headed for its fifth straight year of growth. Thanks to help from the European Central Bank (ECB) and a banking bailout worth over 40 billion, the Spanish economy managed to emerge from a protracted recession and is now expanding at twice the euro zone rate.

The old risks are still there in the form of high debt and deficit levels, and an extremely high jobless rate. But now there is a new political uncertainty to contend with. Brussels has echoed an earlier warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by saying that the Catalan crisis will have a negative impact on the Spanish economy.

Strong, balanced growth is set to continue in Spain

EC Autumn Economic Forecast 2017

Private analysts figure that the separatist push will cost between 2 billion and 12 billion, according to BBVA Research. The Spanish government places this figure at around 5 billion, but notes that if the crisis drags out the impact could be much bigger.

Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC)s Autumn 2017 Economic Forecast admits that there will be an impact, although no figures are being provided.

Market reactions to recent events in Catalonia have remained contained. The risk exists that future developments could have an impact on growth, the size of which cannot be anticipated at this stage, reads the report. The overall conclusion, however, is that strong, balanced growth is set to continue.

The study is dated October 22, when companies had already begun transferring their registered headquarters out of Catalonia, including leading lenders LaCaixa and Sabadell, while the tourism industry had begun noticing a drop in bookings.

Private analysts figure the separatist push will cost between 2 billion and 12 billion

Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos believes that Spanish GDP will grow 2.3% in 2018, five tenths of a point less than the previous government forecast. Brussels is slightly more optimistic, according to sources familiar with the situation. Spain is no longer considered a risk to the euro zone, although it needs to work on reducing a public deficit that has been missing its EU targets for years. Brussels expects Spain to bring this figure down to 3.1% of GDP this year.

In the meantime, the EC is also waiting for Madrid to come up with a blueprint of the 2018 budget. With the Catalan crisis in full swing, the Spanish executive decided to extend the existing budget as it was unable to secure enough legislative support for the new spending plan. But Brussels has noted that the provisional figures relayed by Madrid will not guarantee compliance with 2018 deficit targets.

If the Catalan crisis is resolved quickly, growth will suffer the less for it, and it will be easier for Spain to comply with EU fiscal regulations. But if the situation endures beyond the regional election scheduled for December 21, there could be economic consequences ranging from higher borrowing costs on the debt market, increased business flight from Catalonia, a sustained fall in tourism, and a continued freeze on investment in the region. And the impact on the Catalan economy would affect the Spanish economy as a whole, as Catalonia contributes around a fifth of Spains GDP.

English version by Susana Urra.
Political prisoners Victor Diaz and Raul Herrero. Uly Martin

I was a prisoner for eight years in Madrid, Calatayud, Soria and Segovia because of my political ideas, and I dont even know how long I lived in hiding, recalls Victor Diaz-Cardiel, 82. At the General Directorate for Security in Puerta del Sol youd get beaten up by seven or eight people until you collapsed. My father was beaten so he wouldnt engage with any more communist militants And now they tell me that the Jordis [Sanchez and Cuixart, leaders of Catalan civic groups ANC and Omnium, currently in pre-trial custody] and jailed members of the Catalan government are political prisoners? To trivialize reality like that is a lack of respect.

This veteran leader of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE)  a group banned under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco and only legalized two years after his death in 1977  was elected to the Central Committee in 1965, during his first stint in prison, and later he served as secretary general in Madrid. Diaz-Cardiel disagrees with the decision by a judge at the Audiencia Nacional, Spains High Court, to place former members of the Catalan government in pre-trial custody on charges of rebellion and sedition. He calls the move a mistake and politically disproportionate.

You could be held there indefinitely, because we were in a state of exception. There were no limits

Carles Vallejo

Yet he views it as an insult to have them described as political prisoners, as Catalan separatists and the left-wing anti-austerity party Podemos are doing.

They are politicians in prison, not political prisoners, adds Raul Herrero, a member of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and a former PCE leader in Madrid.

Herrero was arrested in 1970 for being a dangerous communist, as his police file attests. He was granted conditional release a year later, after spending six months at a penitentiary hospital to recover from the torture he was subjected to. He would rather not talk about that, and instead focuses on Dolores Gonzalez Ruiz, a lawyer who was instrumental in his release, and who was herself seriously injured as a result of a far-right attack against a Madrid law firm in 1977, known as the Atocha Massacre.

Funeral for the victims of the 1977 Atocha Massacre.

It is debatable whether you could legally talk about rebellion [by former Catalan officials], but dont talk about repression to those of us who have mobility problems due to beatings inside Francoist police stations, says Herrero. Im not the emotional type, but whats going on today has nothing to do with those days.

The Jordis and Catalan government members are being unfairly detained, but you cant just casually call them political prisoners, because you would be drawing false parallels between democracy and fascism or dictatorship. We cannot do that  especially for the sake of the new generations, agrees Carles Vallejo, 67, who is president of the Catalan Association of Former Political Prisoners under Franco.

Vallejo was sent to Madrids Carcel Modelo twice: once in 1970, for organizing the Comisiones Obreras (CC OO) union at a well-known auto factory. Later I was forced to go into exile because the prosecutor was asking for 20 years behind bars for crimes that are no longer considered as such. Each situation should be looked at in context. Fascism is complete arbitrariness. You cannot draw these comparisons.

They are politicians in prison, not political prisoners

Raul Herrero

The torture sessions were a horrible nightmare, he recalls. The punches, the kicks, the interrogation sessions every two hours, the lack of personal hygiene, the solitary confinement that made him lose all sense of day and night It was 20 days of hell inside the Political-Social Brigade headquarters. They threatened me with a gun, but the worst part was the uncertainty, he remembers. You could be held there indefinitely, because we were in a state of exception. There were no limits.

To say that there are political prisoners in Spain is to falsify history, and it is hypocritical as well, says Antonio Gallifa, another former PCE leader, in angry tones. He got a four-year sentence for presiding a clandestine assembly of CC OO delegates in an abandoned factory, was sent to Carabanchel prison, and was subjected to torture like the others.

After nearly a month that was not exactly pleasant, I still hadnt given them a single piece of information, notes Gallifa proudly. I confessed to nothing.

This victim of Francoist persecution believes that the people behind the unconstitutional independence push in Catalonia are criminals who have committed one unlawful act after another.

English version by Susana Urra.
While imprisoned labor activist Mahmoud Salehi, who is suffering from serious kidney and heart problems, was first taken to the prisons clinic and then to Imam Khomeinis hospital in Saqqez, where he is still in intensive care, his family has voiced concerns over his health.

The doctors have insisted Salehi should be transferred to a better-equipped hospital in Tehran, Urmia, or Tabriz to continue the treatment, his family maintained. Nevertheless, the prison officials have not yet responded to our demands for transferring him.

Salehis son, Sarmand, had previously told Radio Farda that his father had already had two heart operations this year.

Moreover, his kidneys need dialysis every second week.

Salehi has explicitly declared on Facebook that he developed serious kidney problems in 2015 while being incarcerated. While being behind bars at the Intelligence Ministrys detention center in the city of Sanandaj, I lost my kidneys after being deprived of medical treatment, and I received my medicine with much delay, he said.

On Wednesday November 9, Iranian judicial and intelligence officials rejected the family's request to transfer him to a better hospital in Tehran.

Radio Farda's labor issues reporter, Roozbeh Bolhari says that Iranian intelligence and some judiciary officials seem to have a special sensitivity toward Mr. Salehi.

Meanwhile, media photos show Salehi handcuffed and shackled to a hospital bed, while three security officers watch over him.

Pictures of Salehi and another prisoner of conscience, Mohammad Nazari, handcuffed and shackled on their hospital beds triggered a widespread wave of criticism on social media.

International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) also condemned the move as unacceptable.

It is regrettable that Iranian officials, instead of immediately releasing Mahmoud Salehi and Mohammad Nazari, have treated them as criminals, persecuting, humiliating, and tying them to their beds, AIs researcher for Iran-related cases, Raha Bahreini, told Radio Farda.

International law allows the use of tools such as fetters and handcuffs only for prisoners who are at risk of harming themselves or attacking others and trying to escape, AI reiterated.

Furthermore, using chains and shackles that humiliate prisoners dignity and cause pain is unlawful under any circumstances.

Referring to its investigation and research, AI announced that Irans judiciary and prison officials repeatedly violate international law and insist on shackling and handcuffing political prisoners whenever they are taken to hospital.

As a rule, such behavior is aimed to humiliate, persecute, punish, and bring extra pain upon prisoners and, in many cases, has delayed or disturbed their medical treatment, AI noted.

Meanwhile, the chairman of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has also protested the violations of labor prisoners rights.

In a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ITUC General-Secretary Sharan Burrow voiced her deep concern over Salehis deteriorating health.

Salehi should not be returned to prison and all charges against him must be canceled, she wrote.

Salehi, 45, is a baker from the city of Saqqez in Kurdestan. He is one of the founders of the Coordinating Committee of Labor Organization and has been arrested several times for allegedly organizing strikes and launching labor rights movements.

My father lost his kidneys during the last detention in 2015, but now we are really worried for his life, his son, Sarmand, told the Iran Human Rights Monitor.
Dutch media and Sky News Arabic have reported that an Arab-Iranian political activist was gunned down in front of his residence on Wednesday in The Hague by unknown assailants.

The victim, Ahmad Maula Abu Nahd, also known as Ahmad Nisi was one of the founders and leaders of an Arab secessionist group in Iran, known as Al-Ahwaz Liberation Movement (ALM).

The group first appeared in 1997 and declared its goal the liberation of Irans south-western province of Khuzestan, the port of Bushehr, Hormozgan province in the south and islands under the sovereignty of Iran in the Persian Gulf.

The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the group a terrorist organization and the group itself considers armed struggle justified. Some reports say that Iran had already asked the Interpol for Ahmad Maulas extradition from Holland.

In the past few decades, there have been several armed attacks on government targets in Khuzestan and arrests of Arab-Iranian activists as well as elements considered terror suspects by the authorities.

Khuzestan is the main oil producing region of Iran with a mixed population of Arabs and other Iranian ethnic groups. However, the province suffered heavily during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and is still plagued by economic and social problems. The Arab population complains that the oil wealth benefits all of Iran, while the central government neglects the needs of Khuzestans population.

There are no official reports about the identity of the assailant(s). Some Dutch media reports say that one person has been arrested, who was pointed out to the police by the victims son.

Tensions have been rising between Iran and Saudi Arabia in recent months and especially in the last few days. The killing of Ahmad Maula can lead to accusations that Iran might have been behind the murder.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:

The Geneva meeting was an important signal showing that the sides to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are ready to re-engage in negotiations in good faith, Harry Kamian, the Charge d Affaires, a.i., to the U.S. Mission to the OSCE said this at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna Nov.9.

As a Co-Chair country, the United States reiterates our strong support for your [the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group] work and we appreciate your unwavering engagement with the sides to advance a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Kamian said, reads a message posted by the U.S. Mission to the OSCE.

The U.S. diplomat further noted that the United States welcomes the joint statement by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan following the October 16 summit organized by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group in Geneva.

This summit was an important signal showing that the sides are ready to re-engage in negotiations in good faith. We are pleased that the presidents agreed to take urgently needed measures to reduce tensions along the Line of Contact, and we encourage the sides to build on this positive momentum, he added.

Kamian further reiterated calls for the sides to implement the measures agreed upon at the summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg in May and June 2016, respectively. The sides agreed then to expand the monitoring by the Office of the Chairmanships Personal Representative, which can eventually be reflected in the 2018 OSCE budget. The United States also encourages the sides to work on the proposal to establish an OSCE investigative mechanism, he noted.

Further stressing the importance of the OSCE monitoring mission assessment of the situation on the ground, he noted that even a small ceasefire violation could spiral quickly out of control.

The United States appreciates the close collaboration of the Austrian Chairmanship and the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office in supporting the Co-Chairs mediation efforts and stabilizing the situation on the ground, he added.

We also support confidence-building measures and increased dialogue between Armenians and Azerbaijanis that can help stabilize the security situation and create a more constructive atmosphere for negotiations, Kamian said.

The U.S. diplomat stressed that this conflict has indeed gone on far too long, adding the status quo is unacceptable.

At the same time, we all agree that there can be no military solution to the conflict. As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the United States remains deeply committed to working with the sides to find a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict, one based on the principles shared by participating States of non-use of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights as embraced in the Helsinki Final Act, he concluded.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

Trend:

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov within his visit to Ethiopia has met with the countrys President Mulatu Teshome, the press service of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

Mammadyarov conveyed greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to President Mulatu Teshome. In his turn, Teshome thanked for the sincere greetings and asked to deliver his most sincere greetings and the best wishes to President Ilham Aliyev.

President Teshome noted that Ethiopia attaches importance to the development of relations between the two countries and underlined the significance of high level mutual visits and increasing of efforts to bring bilateral cooperation to a higher level.



Teshome mentioned Ethiopian students that studied in Azerbaijan, adding that those alumni could play a role of the bridge between the two countries.



Elmar Mammadyarov mentioned that thousands of African students studied in higher education institutions of Azerbaijan. Expressing readiness of Azerbaijan to continue cooperation with Ethiopia in this field, Mammadyarov informed about higher education institutions of Azerbaijan as well as their education opportunities for foreign students.



Touching upon significant position of Ethiopia in African continent and African Union, Elmar Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan remains interested in the development of bilateral relations with Ethiopia. The minister also noted the importance of expansion of the legal base between the two countries.



Further, Mammadyarov spoke about the development and achievements of Azerbaijan as well as prospects of regional projects implemented by Azerbaijans initiation and participation including North-South, East-West transport corridors.

Informing President Mulatu Teshome on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the minister reiterated the fair position of Azerbaijan on the settlement of the conflict.



During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on the ways to strengthening of economic relations, increasing of trade turnover as well as prospects of cooperation in the fields of communication and logistics between the two countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

Trend:

Azerbaijani defense minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has attended the meeting of defense ministers of states contributing to the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the press service of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported Nov. 9.

During the meeting, issues of security in Afghanistan, the future of the NATO Resolute Support Mission, the development of the Afghan Defense and Security Forces were discussed.

Speaking at the meeting, Zakir Hasanov noted the contribution of Azerbaijan to the mission of supporting international peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, and highlighted the implementation of various programs in educational, infrastructure, transport, investment and other fields with the aim of support to Afghanistan.

In his speech, the minister of defense brought to the attention of the meeting participants that Azerbaijan, as a reliable partner of the Alliance, will continue its contribution to the security of Afghanistan beyond 2017.

Especially noting the historic importance in the great geopolitical space of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which was officially inaugurated last week, the defense minister has also stressed that this project has become an important part of the transport map of Europe and Asia, and creates great opportunities to provide the needs of the Resolute Support Mission.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:

Azerbaijan expects undertaking practical steps by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen with a view to intensifying the negotiations.

This was announced by the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE at the 1163rd Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in response to the statements by the Co-Chairmen of the OSCE MG, the Head of the HLPG and the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the Minsk Conference in Vienna Nov.9, the Azerbaijani mission told Trend.

The Azerbaijani delegation reiterated that the country welcomes the efforts of the Co-Chairmen aimed at reinvigorating the substantive, results-oriented talks.

The summit of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, held in Geneva, on 16 October 2017, is the step in right direction. The meeting proved that attempts to precondition the resumption of substantive talks are doomed to failure. We generally positively assess the fact of the meeting and its outcome, as reflected in the joint statement. We expect undertaking practical steps by the Co-Chairmen with a view to intensifying the negotiations, the delegation said.

However, the Azerbaijani delegation continued, unlawful practice by Yerevan on altering the demographic, cultural and physical character in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan demonstrates its systematic policy aimed at consolidating the occupation and imposing a fait accompli.

Such steps by Armenia, including armed provocations along the Line of Confrontation, undermine the peace efforts, and shall be comprehensively addressed by the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen, the Azerbaijani delegation said, further urging the OSCE participating States to implement their commitments under international humanitarian law and human rights instruments to prevent and reverse illegal economic and other activities of their natural and legal persons, wherever located.

Further reminding that the UN Security Council resolutions, the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and the decisions and documents of OSCE form the basis for the conflict resolution, the Azerbaijani delegation said if Armenia is genuinely interested in seeking a political solution to the conflict, then it must engage constructively in the conflict settlement process on this precise basis.

The step-by-step approach for the conflict settlement has no alternative and remains the best chance for achieving a peace. The underlying concept of this approach is based on removing consequences of the conflict, which are identified in the UN Security Council resolutions, in particular starting with withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces, while deferring remaining political issues for future negotiations within the Minsk Conference. This approach is the main thrust and is at the core of the proposals currently on the negotiation table, the delegation said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.9

By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:

The facts concerning detention of Azerbaijani women in Iraq are being investigated, Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesperson for Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry, told Trend Nov.9.

Earlier, a member of the Iraqi parliament Vian Dakhil wrote on her Twitter page that 512 Russian and 200 Azerbaijani women as ISIS members were captured and incarcerated by Iraqi forces.

Hajiyev said that such statements are not new.

"Facts are being investigated and studied. The Azerbaijani side is in constant contact with the relevant Iraqi authorities through the embassy in Iraq on this issue, he concluded.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:

Azerbaijan expect the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group and the OSCE participating States to condemn any effort to promote and propagate the illegal regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

This was announced by the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE at the 1163rd Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in response to the statements by the Co-Chairmen of the OSCE MG, the Head of the HLPG and the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the Minsk Conference in Vienna Nov.9, the Azerbaijani mission told Trend.

The Azerbaijani mission said that statements of the high-level officials of Armenia before and immediately after the Geneva meeting raise questions as to real intensions of Yerevan.

In this context, we expect the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group and the OSCE participating States to condemn pointless legalistic exercise by Armenia to justify secession of the Armenians of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and any effort to promote and propagate the illegal regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the mission said, further mentioning that such attempts were denounced by the UN Security Council back in 1993.

The Azerbaijani mission stressed that Armenia must understand and remember that neither Azerbaijan, nor the international community will ever recognize the results of unlawful occupation of territories and ethnic cleansing.

No peace settlement of the conflict can be reached which violates the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is inconsistent with international law. The military occupation of the territory of Azerbaijan does not represent a solution and will never produce a political outcome desired by Armenia, the mission said.

The Azerbaijani mission also hailed the activity of the HLPG, which took several initiatives for familiarizing with the current trends and developments in international peacekeeping, increasing its visibility both within the organization and vis-a-vis the outside relevant actors and exploring possibilities of enriching its peacekeeping options.

We remain of the view that the HLPG, as one of the three pillars of the OSCE dealing with the conflict, should be better integrated into overall peace process. HLPGs participation in monitoring exercises along the Line of Confrontation is important to ensure its situational awareness and in this regard, we underline the necessity for granting equal access for all members of the Group to monitoring without any undue restrictions. We condemn attacks on and discrimination against the HLPG members on the ground of their nationality, the mission said.

The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office is an important element of the Minsk Process. We value the mandate of the Personal Representative to support activities of the Co-chairmen and the HLPG in discharging their mandate.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 9

By Diana Aliyeva Trend:

Representatives of about 60 major South Korean companies attended the Uzbek-Korean business forum and a stock exchange in Tashkent with the participation of entrepreneurs of the two countries.

More than 150 representatives of large enterprises and companies from various regions of Uzbekistan became participants of the forum.

The event was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan jointly with the National Bank of Uzbekistan within the visit of a business delegation of South Korea Nov. 7-11.

The South Korean companies engaged in construction, food industry, trade, production of jewelry, medical equipment, personal care products, gas cylinder equipment, agricultural machinery, ICT, packaging materials, textiles and textile equipment, logistics, fruit and vegetable processing and finished products took part in the forum.

During the event, presentation of lines of credit of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) in the National Bank of Uzbekistan was held. The lines of credit are allocated for the purchase of equipment of the South Korean companies. The business delegation also visited the exhibition-fair Made in Uzbekistan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.10

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

S&P Global Ratings has revised its outlook on ForteBank JSC to positive from stable and affirmed its 'B/B' long- and short-term issuer credit ratings.

At the same time, S&P Global Ratings raised its Kazakhstan national scale rating on the bank to 'kzBB+' from 'kzBB'.

"The rating actions reflect our view that ForteBank has made progress in strengthening its market share, generating new good-quality business, and recovering legacy problem loans," reads a message of the agency.

"The bank's position in the Kazakh banking system has strengthened; it is now the fifth-largest bank in terms of total assets. ForteBank also has a more balanced mix of corporate, small and midsize enterprise, and retail customers on both sides of its balance sheet compared to other medium-sized peers, and good sector and single-name diversification in its loan portfolio, which is positive for risk and returns diversification. The bank is mainly funded by customer deposits with a good balance of individuals and corporations, including government-related entities."

S&P Global Ratings further stressed that the bank's creditworthiness could be further boosted if it sustains or augments its market share, maintains a diversified customer profile, and further improves its profitability metrics over the next 12-18 months.

"We continue to view ForteBank's capital and earnings position as moderate. This assessment reflects our expectation that our risk-adjusted capital (RAC) ratio for ForteBank could decrease to about 6.3% by year-end 2018 compared to 6.5% at year-end 2016 in view of increased provisioning," reads the message.

"ForteBank's asset quality is weaker than peers', in our view, reflecting its higher level of nonperforming loans (NPLs; loans over 90 days overdue) and lower provisioning rate on both legacy and new NPLs. Overall, the bank's NPLs accounted for 25.8% of total loans at mid-2017, which is one of the highest ratios in Kazakhstan. Of NPLs, 83% related to loans disbursed before October 2014. NPLs on new loan production over the past three years were only 5.8% as of mid-2017, which compares favorably to peers. The legacy portfolio reported a provisioning coverage of NPLs of 28% at mid-2017, which is insufficient in our opinion. We note, however, that NPLs that were not covered by provisions were fully covered by collateral."

S&P Global Ratings consider ForteBank's funding to be average, reflecting the diversified profile of its funding base, strong positive dynamics of the deposit base over the past three years, and a stable funding ratio of 150% as of mid-2017.

It added that the bank's liquidity is sufficient and well-managed.

The positive outlook also reflects expectation that the bank's track record of generating new business, augmenting its market share, and recovering problem loans will continue over the next 12 months.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.9

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

The inflow of foreign investment into the Uzbek economy decreased by more than 40 percent, from $ 3.3 billion to $ 1.9 billion in the period from 2011 to 2016.

This was announced by Azim Ahmedkhadzhayev, the Chairman of the State Committee for Investments at the round table on improving the investment climate in the country Nov. 8.

However, foreign investments in Uzbekistan amounted to $4.2 billion since the beginning of the year. Some $ 3.7 billion of total investments came accounted for the foreign direct investment. Among the investors are companies from the USA, Turkey, South Korea, Germany, Russia and Japan, he noted.

Ahmedkhadzhayev noted that one of the tasks of the committee is to disclose the country's total investment potential. Efforts in this direction were recognized by the World Bank in the new ranking "Doing Business-2018", in which Uzbekistan entered the top ten world leaders to improve the business climate.

"From 2012 to 2017, Uzbekistan rose up by 92 positions in the ranking - from 166th to 74th place. Our next goal is quite ambitious - we want to enter the top 20 countries by 2025, " he said.

Uzbekistan is carrying out a significant revision of the legislative framework for attracting foreign investments, Azim Ahmedkhadzhayev stressed. A draft concept of the Investment Code has been developed, he said, adding that this is a consolidated legal document that does not have any references to external regulations or articles.

A meeting of the Council for Foreign Investments will be held in late November, where it is planned to discuss the mechanisms of public-private partnership in Uzbekistan, as well as the corresponding bill.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By NIgar Guliyeva  Trend:

Further development of trade-economical collaboration between Kazakhstan and the UK promises pretty good perspectives, Kazakh ambassador to the UK Yerlan Idrissov said as he addressed the Kazakh-British Investments Forum in London City Nov.8.

The Kazakh-British Investments Forum was organized by London City Corporation, Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) and National Company Kazakh Invest JSC and supported by Kazakhstans Embassy in UK, the Kazakh Invest JSC reported.

Investment opportunities of Kazakhstan and AIFC were presented to the Government and Private Business officials of Great Britain during the forum.

Idrissov further noted that Great Britain is the third in a list of Investors to Kazakhstan.

Ambassador of Great Britain to Kazakhstan Dr.Caroline Brown, in turn, stressed that British professionals are willing to share experience with Kazakh colleagues.

International confidence is a key to success of Astana International Financial Center. The more investors from the Great Britain and other countries and a variety of economic sectors consider the investment opportunities to Kazakhstan, the more will be a role of AIFC in providing financial and juridical services that investors will need," said Dr.Brown.

Governor of AIFC Kayrat Kelimbetov said that AIFC is well-placed to become Eurasian gate providing trade and financial flows between East and West countries.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of National Company KazakhInvest JC Birzhan Kaneshev delivered new approaches of the company, targeting regions and industries, to the operations with future investors.

The total direct investments volume from UK to Kazakh economy makes $12 billion. According to the National Investments Strategy of Kazakhstan, accepted earlier this year, and in the context of investments attraction, The Great Britain is one of the high-priority countries, and this makes collaboration between our countries even stronger," Kaneshev said.

Within the forum, Collaboration Memorandum was signed between British Trade Chamber in Kazakhstan and European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

Moreover, a number of meetings were held with companies running businesses in Kazakhstan, as well as those who are looking for such opportunities, in particular, Aggreko, Metalysis, Sentinel, William Hare, ConnectIreland, International Development Ireland and etc.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

Kazakhstan and Switzerland may cancel visas for holders of service passports, Kazinform reports citing the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two countries are negotiating the possibility of introducing visa free regime for holders of service passports.

Murat Kabdenov, chairman of the Migration Service Committee of the Internal Affairs Ministry, and Ardak Madiyev, director of the Consular Service Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, traveled to Bern to hold consultations with Swiss colleagues.

After discussing the draft Intergovernmental Agreement on visa free travel of citizens - holders of service passports, Kazakh and Swiss officials agreed to submit specific proposals on the content and ways of implementing the project in the nearest future.

Also, the sides touched upon the problems of counteraction to illicit migration and implementation of the bilateral Intergovernmental Agreement on readmission as well as expressed intention to preserve dialogue between the authorized agencies of Kazakhstan and Switzerland.

The Swiss side was briefed in detail on migration processes in Kazakhstan, the bills on relaxation of visa policy that had been passed in Kazakhstan recently and the agreements that had been achieved with EU countries in terms of simplification of visa regime for Kazakh citizens.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 9

By Diana Aliyeva Trend:

Uzbekistan has been officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a country that eliminated measles and rubella, UNICEF office in Uzbekistan reported.

The country achieved elimination of these diseases from January 2014 to December 2016.

The Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella in the WHO European Region underlined that this fact contributes significantly to the goal of eliminating measles and rubella throughout the European region.

In 2007, Uzbekistan introduced the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination to the National Immunization Calendar. Two shots of MMR vaccine for children (in the ages of 12 months and 6 years old) build good immunity against these diseases for the rest of their lives.

MMR vaccination rates in the country are as high as 99.5 percent during the first vaccination and 99.7 percent in re-vaccination (2016).

Infectious diseases are one of the major threats to the health of children. Therefore, the Ministry of Health makes significant effort in implementing the National Immunization Program, to prevent and eliminate vaccine preventive diseases.

Children under the age of 14 years old constitute 27 percent of Uzbekistans population, said Sascha Graumann, UNICEF representative in Uzbekistan. Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health investments we can make for future generations. We will continue working with the Government, international partners and local communities to achieve and maintain universal routine immunization rates.

UNICEF assists the government of Uzbekistan in procurement and introduction of new vaccines, strengthening the cold chain, achieving sustainable self-financing of vaccines procurement, and continuously increasing demand for vaccination through communication efforts.

During last decade, Uzbekistan has been transferring to sustainable and independent financing of vaccines procurement. In 2010, 90 percent of vaccines delivered to the country were purchased using the state budget. By 2020, the country plans to become fully independent in vaccine procurement.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 9

By Diana Aliyeva Trend:

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has met with Deputy Assistant to the US President and National Security Council Senior Director for South and Central Asia Lisa Curtis in Tashkent, the US Embassy in Uzbekistan said.

The sides discussed a new strategy in South Asia and bilateral cooperation.

Lisa Curtis noted Uzbekistans recent progress in the area of economic reforms and the improvement of regional relations.

The parties discussed the terrorist attack that took place Oct. 31 in New York, and agreed on in-depth cooperation in the fight against threats.

Curtis stressed that the US is committed to working with the government of Uzbekistan and partners throughout the region to ensure peace and stability.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 6

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Initial agreements for cooperation between Iran and Russia in oil sector have appeared amid growing speculations over a possible decision by the US administration to slap new sanctions on Tehran.

The Islamic Republic once appeared passionately interested in collaboration with the western producers like Shell and Total, but the recent initial agreements with Russian companies, including Gazprom and Rosneft, have cast shadow over Irans plans to continue cooperation with European oil producers.

Following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aka nuclear deal, back in January 2016, Tehran cherished hopes that cooperation with western giants would develop its ageing upstream and downstream sectors.

However, the recent talks with Russian companies last week were taken by a group of observers as an indication of Tehrans distrust in the western partners.

Iranian and Russian officials during President Vladimir Putins visit to Tehran on Wednesday inked six initial agreements, including two documents with Gazprom and two other MoUs with Rosneft.

While Iran in order to develop its oil and gas industry deeply needs to lure about $200 billion in investment by 2021, this group of observers suggests that any possible decision by the US to re-impose sanctions on the Middle Eastern nations energy sector would pave the way for Russian companies to grab a larger share from the Islamic Republics huge market.

Commenting on the countrys decision to cooperate with Russia, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that the recent deals with Russian companies will help his country confront US President Donald Trump's "unilateralism".

The outline deal with Rosneft includes cooperation on several projects worth up to $30 billion, paving the way for legally-binding documents to be signed within a year. According to Rosnefts head, Igor Sechin, the output from the joint project is seen plateauing at 1.1 million barrels per day.

Tehrans "strategic cooperation" with Gazprom also envisages developing Iranian gas fields with subsequent gas transportation and monetization, including through liquefaction and petrochemical production. The sides in the meantime have agreed to collaborate on a project for the construction of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

While Iranian leaders have pinned considerable hope in cooperation with the Russian giants, rumors about the productivity and transparency of the Russian companies are flying around.

Both countries heavily rely on hydrocarbon resources, but they apparently lack sufficient technologies and funds to develop their own oil and gas industries. On the other hand, it seems that the sides have, so far, failed to draw up a clear scheme to show how the investments will be split between Iranian and Russian companies.

It appears that todays political landscape and the risks of a new series of western-imposed sanctions on both Tehran and Moscow have encouraged the regional allies to join efforts aimed at deepening bilateral ties through every possible means.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7

By Umid Niayesh Trend:

Food industry is one of the biggest employer sectors in Iran, with a 17 percent share of the total industrial jobs in the country.

Following the removal of international sanctions, the Iranian entrepreneurs now have an eye to foreign markets.

The Iranian administration, for its turn, encourages export of agricultural products, amid all concerns about the water shortage and disappointing horizon of countrys water reserves.

Iran has 50 million hectares of farms, of which 20 million hectares are under cultivation. Over 100 million tons of food products are produced in the country annually.

Reportedly over 11,200 food industry unites are active across the country.

Irans food products export was in rise following the removal of the international sanctions in 2016. The Islamic Republic exported over 1.18 million tons of food products, worth $2.7 billion during the last fiscal year(ended March 20), 8 percent more year on year in terms of value.

The countrys food products exports in the first half of the current fiscal year (March 20-Sept. 21) witnessed a rise by 12 percent as well, according to, Mehdi Karimi Tafreshi, the head of the board of directors at Irans Food Producers Cooperative.

According to Tafreshi, Iran has the capacity to double its annual food product exports to $5 billion.

Irans food products is exported to some 80 countries including Persian Gulf states, Central Asia, Russia, and even European and American countries, he said, adding that Iraq and Afghanistan are main destination of Iranian food products.

Iran annually exports $900 million worth of food products to Iraq, equal to 15 percent of the countrys overall exports, according to Tafreshi.

The Islamic Republic has also taken successful steps in export of food products to Russia. Tehrans food exports to Russia increased by $140 million during the first half of the current fiscal year to $450 million.

The Islamic Republic currently exports dairy products, dried fruits, fruits and vegetables, raisins, canned food and sweets to Russia, Tafreshi said.

He belives that high price of Iranian food products is a disadvantage for the country, which tries to increase its share from Russian market.

Tafreshi noted that the Iranian government must allocate subside for Iranian food producers and help them to decrease transportation costs.

Experts refer to shortcomings in banking ties as a main obstacle in boosting mutual tade between Tehran and Moscow.

Business magnate and a member of Tehran trade chamber, Asadollah Asgaroladi, also refers to the issue of transportation, saying there is a need for air cargo carriers as dairy products expire soon.

Dairy products had the biggest share in Irans food exports, standing at 387,000 tons worth $634 million in last fiscal year.

Besides dairy products, Sweets, chocolate, biscuits and similar products as well as tomato paste, oils, juices and fruit concentrates, compote and canned food, mineral water and pasta are other top Iranian exported products in the food sector.

Iranian officials say that the countrys annual agricultural products stand at 120 million tons, worth $80 million.

The figure includes 82 million tons of crops, 20 million tons of horticultural products, 14 million tons of livestock and over one million tons of fishery products.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Iranian Defense Ministry has echoed plans for manufacturing heavy fighter warplanes.

Strengthening air force is among the main plans of the ministry, DEFA Press News Agency quoted Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami as saying.

Saying that the ministry has presented its proposal on strengthening the countrys defense capabilities to the administration and parliament, he vowed that the country will take proper measures to gain strategic air power.

The ministry has launched the process for designing and producing heavy fighters, he added.

Iran has been relying on domestic capabilities to develop all sorts of military equipment in recent decades, ranging from watercraft to drones and missiles.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has once again urged the international community to establish a ceasefire in Yemen.

In a Twitter post on Thursday, Zarif called for ensuring delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance to the people of Yemen and restoring peace and stability to the crisis-hit country through dialogue and national reconciliation

Back in 2015, Zarif had offered his four-point peace plan to the United Nations.





Mark Lowcock, the UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, has also warned against the dire situation in Yemen, saying the conflict-torn country faces the world's largest famine in decades "with millions of victims" if aid deliveries are not resumed.

Earlier on Nov.6, the Saudi-led coalition blocked air, land and sea routes into Yemen after Houthi rebels launched a missile at capital Riyadh. However, the Saudi officials said that the countrys air defense systems intercepted the ballistic missile near the Saudi capital.

Following the missile attack Saudi Arabia announced the decision on the blockade describing it as a solution to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to the Houthi rebels.

Iran has rejected the alleged involvement in arming the Yemeni rebels.
President Donald Trump emerged from a lengthy meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday to declare that he believed he and Xi together can solve "probably all" the world's problems, France 24 reports.

"I look forward to many years of success and friendship working together to solve not only our problems, but world problems, and problems of great danger and security," Trump said between meetings at the Great Hall of the People. "I believe we can solve almost all of them, and probably all of them."

Trump and Xi were discussing a series of thorny issues during Trump's second day in China, including China's willingness to put the squeeze on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, and the U.S.-China trade relationship.

Trump projected confidence on both fronts. He said both he and Xi believe "a solution" exists on North Korea. And he said the countries' trade relationship which he complained had gotten "so far out of kilter" would be made "fair and it'll be tremendous for both of us."

Xi, meanwhile, said U.S.-China relations were at a "new historic starting point." He said China was willing to work with the U.S. "with mutual respect, seeking mutual benefits, to focus on cooperation and control our differences."

Before the meetings, China rolled out the red carpet for Trump, treating him to an elaborate welcome ceremony on the plaza outside the Great Hall of the People before the leaders turned to their private talks.

Trump looked on approvingly as a Chinese honor guard played the national anthems of both countries, cannons boomed and soldiers marched. He clapped and smiled as children waving U.S. and Chinese flags and flowers screamed and jumped wildly.

Before arriving in China, Trump had delivered a stern message to Beijing, using an address to the National Assembly in South Korea to call on nations to confront the North.

"All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea," Trump said. "You cannot support, you cannot supply, you cannot accept."
Talks on pushing ahead the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal without the United States reached a critical point on Thursday as ministers from the 11 countries discussed a proposed agreement in principle, Reuters reports.

Meetings over the TPP, ditched by U.S. President Donald Trump in one of his first acts in office, have been held on the sidelines of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in the Vietnamese resort of Danang.

Clear agreement on proceeding without the United States would be a boost for the principle of multilateral free trade pacts over the bilateral deal-making that Trump favors.

But while Japan has been lobbying hard for a quick agreement to move ahead, Canada, New Zealand and Malaysia are among countries that have appeared less enthusiastic to hurry.

We have collectively reached the stage where we can discuss a proposal for a final package for an agreement in principle of the TPP, Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told ministers from the other countries.

I would like to emphasize once again the importance of reaching an agreement in principle right here.

Motegi said negotiators had tried to reach a conclusion satisfactory to all, or put in a different way, a conclusion that makes everybody equally unhappy.

The TPP aims to eliminate tariffs on industrial and farm products across a bloc whose trade totaled $356 billion last year. It also has provisions for protecting everything from labor rights to the environment to intellectual property - one of the main sticking points.

As ministers left a first meeting on Thursday, they said more discussions were needed. An official said they were expected to meet again in the evening ahead of talks between TPP leaders on Friday.

Mexicos position, like that of Canada, is complicated by the fact that is also renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the Trump administration.

Canada, whose economy is the second biggest among the TPP-11 after Japan, said on Wednesday it would not be rushed into a revived TPP deal.

Trump and other APEC leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China and Russian President Vladimir Putin, will meet on Friday in the Vietnamese seaside resort of Danang.
A suicide bomber killed a senior Pakistani police official on his way to work and two others on Thursday in the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, officials said, Reuters reports.

Baluchistan was rocked by a series of attacks late last year that claimed over 180 lives and raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including fighters affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the province.

The violence has raised concerns about security for projects in the $57 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a planned transport and energy link from western China to Pakistans southern deep-water port of Gwadar.

Attacks on security officials in Baluchistan have accelerated, with four suicide bombings and one armed attack targeting police in the past six months.
European Union leaders are preparing for the fall of Theresa May before the new year after the prime minister lost her second cabinet minister in a week, The Times reports.

Fears are growing in Brussels that the instability of Mrs Mays government raises the real prospect of a change of leadership or elections leading to a Labour victory.

One European leader told The Times that officials were planning for both scenarios. There is the great difficulty of the leadership in Great Britain, which is more and more fragile, the leader said. Britain is very weak and the weakness of Theresa May makes [Brexit] negotiations very difficult.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that based on "credible reports" at least 10 civilians were killed in the November 4 airstrikes in Kunduz, Press TV reported, citing Afghan media.

The UN mission added that after multiple interviews with survivors and medics, there was sufficient ground to believe that "civilians were among the victims."

A member of the Kunduz provincial council warned that such airstrikes must be carried out in a manner that do not imperil civilian lives, while giving a different tally for the Saturday air raids.

He said 15 people were killed in Gharaw Qeshlaq and Rajkia villages, while two others lost their lives in Qatlam village.

Kabul says the US airstrikes were part of the military operation in Char Dara district against the Taliban militant group.

In October, over a dozen civilians were killed in a US drone strike that was said to be aimed at militant targets in the countrys eastern province of Kunar.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that he believes, like Xi, that there is a solution to the North Korea issue, Reuters reported.

It was too bad that past U.S. administrations let trade get out of kilter but we will make it fair to both sides, Trump also told Xi as they begun formal talks at Beijings Great Hall of the People.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey shouldnt make concessions to the EU, said former Turkish President Abdullah Gul, the countrys media reported Nov. 9.

Having urged to stop negotiations with the EU, Gul said that first of all, one should look whether there is any benefit for the Turkish people from the reforms that Ankara conducted to join the EU.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Brussels, not Ankara, will take the first step to end negotiations on Turkeys accession to the EU.

Erdogan noted that Ankara wont lose anything if Turkey is not admitted to the EU.

Turkey began its EU accession talks in 2005. In 1963, Turkey and the European Economic Community (the EU's former name) signed an association agreement.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 9, 2017 - 15:34 | All

Whaling vessels left a western Japan port on Thursday to conduct what Tokyo calls "research whaling" in the Antarctic Ocean for the third time since an international court ruled against the practice in 2014.

Two vessels set sail from Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on a mission to catch 333 minke whales through March and collect scientific data necessary to manage whale stocks and the ecosystem in the Antarctic, according to the Fisheries Agency.

They will join the 8,145-ton mother ship Nisshin Maru and two other ships departing from different parts of Japan before heading for the far south.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 2014 that Japan's whaling program was "not for purposes of scientific research" and ordered its suspension. Japan in response submitted a revamped plan to the International Whaling Commission, capping the number of catches to a third of what it was.

Based on the new plan, Tokyo resumed whaling in the Antarctic Ocean the following year.

Japan has been catching whales in the region for "scientific research" since 1987. But the program has drawn criticism with conservationists condemning the activity as commercial whaling in disguise, since the whale meat is sold on the open market in Japan.

Conservationist group Sea Shepherd said in August it is abandoning its annual antiwhaling activities in Antarctic waters, citing increased use of sophisticated technology by Japanese whalers.

The group had previously disrupted and interfered with the whale hunting operations of Japanese ships.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 9, 2017 - 10:51 | Urgent, All

Four Japanese tourists were killed Wednesday in a car accident in Ayutthaya, central Thailand, local police said.

The Japanese Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the death of the four -- two men and two women. Local media reported that a Thai tour guide also died in the accident, while the driver was seriously injured.

(Thailand emergency authorities)

The accident occurred in Ayutthaya, about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, at around 4 p.m. when the car carrying the four appears to have crashed into a slow-moving truck and burst into flames, according to media reports.

The car was apparently traveling at over 100 kilometers per hour at the time. Given the circumstances, the police are looking into the possibility that the driver may have dozed off at the wheel, according to the reports.

The four were identified as Katsuhiko Narimoto, 65, Haruka Narimoto, 30, Kumiko Komeima, 59, and Yoshio Komeima, 68. They were on a sightseeing tour organized by Tokyo-based Nippon Travel Agency Co.

The four left Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday and were due to return to Japan on Friday after touring Bangkok and Ayutthaya. They were making a one-day trip to the popular tourist spot when they were killed in the accident, according to the travel agency.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased," agency President Akihiro Horisaka said at a news conference in Tokyo.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 9, 2017 - 17:43 | World

South Korea said Thursday it was inappropriate for Japan to take issue with inviting a former "comfort woman" to a state banquet hosted for U.S. President Donald Trump and using in a banquet dish shrimps caught in waters around islets at the center of a territorial dispute between the two countries.

The attendance of the 88-year-old South Korean woman, Lee Yong Soo, at Tuesday's banquet on and the "Dokdo shrimp" menu had prompted Japan to lodge what a Japanese official described as a "protest" to South Korea through diplomatic channels.

S. Korea invites former "comfort woman" to state banquet with Trump

"It's inappropriate (for Japan) to take issue with the menu and invitees for a state banquet as such matters are to be determined after comprehensively considering all sorts of factors," Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu Duk told reporters.

Noh said South Korea has conveyed its position to Japan through diplomatic channels.

Japanese officials see the invitation of Lee, one of the most vocal critics of the issue, to the event runs counter to the spirit of a 2015 bilateral agreement aimed at "finally and irreversibly" settling the so-called comfort women issue.

Lee has spoken widely of her suffering from being forced into sex slavery by the Japanese during World War II. She was one of the about 70 guests the South Korean government had invited to the banquet.

The pair of rocky islets controlled by South Korea, where they are known as Dokdo, are also claimed by Japan, which calls them Takeshima.
In the year since he was elected, President Donald Trump has been willing to blast or praise specific companies by name on Twitter, and that's doing measurable harm  or benefit  to the stock prices of those firms in the short term, a CNBC analysis has found. We've never seen a president as willing to criticize American companies as Trump has in the year since Election Day. He's name-checked more than 15 companies on Twitter in that time, several of them more than once. Tweet He has sparred with Boeing (BA) over the cost of the Air Force One program. ("Cancel order!") He's blasted the retailer Nordstrom (JWN) after it announced it would drop his daughter's product line. ("My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom.") And he lit into the pharmaceutical giant Merck (MRK) after that company's CEO resigned from the president's manufacturing council in the wake of the president's racially tinged response to events in Charlottesville, Virginia. ("@Merck Pharma is a leader in higher & higher drug prices while at the same time taking jobs out of the U.S."). Tweet The president has also praised companies by name when they take steps that dovetail with his agenda. He lauded ExxonMobil (XOM) in March when it announced new details of an expansion it began in 2013. ("Buy American & hire American are the principals at the core of my agenda, which is: JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! Thank you @exxonmobil," the president tweeted on March 6, before correcting the spelling to "principles" a few hours later.) Trump lavished Ford (NYSE:F) with praise when the automaker announced new details of a long-running plan to invest billions in new plants in the U.S. ("Big announcement by Ford today.") And sometimes he has commended companies he previously blasted, apparently concluding the situation has turned to his benefit. On Jan. 3, the president blasted General Motors (GM) in a tweet criticizing it for its production of the Chevy Cruze in Mexico. "Make in U.S.A. or pay big border tax," the president wrote. But all seemed forgiven by Jan. 24, when automakers went to the White House. "Great meeting with Ford CEO Mark Fields and General Motors CEO Mary Barra at the @WhiteHouse today," the president wrote. Tweet Tweet These tweets aren't just empty pixels. They have a surprisingly large short-term impact on the company's stock prices. On average, a negative tweet by the president caused an immediate short-term negative 1.2 percent move in the targeted company's stock price, CNBC's analysis found. Similarly, a positive tweet by the president generated an immediate short-term 1.1 percent move higher. Tweet That has a real dollars and cents impact, although short-lived. Averaged out, positive Trump tweets generated $1 billion in market value for the companies in the short term, and the negative tweets slashed $1.3 billion in market value in trading shortly after the tweet. To be sure, there are a lot of trends that move stock prices on a given day, and each situation is unique to the company involved. But it does appear the president has a power no previous holder of the executive office wielded: the ability to move markets with a tweet. Correction: This story was revised to correct that Trump's tweet was targeting Boeing about Air Force One.

WATCH: Companies in Trump's crosshairs & how they've fared



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Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former President Donald Trump's entry on Tuesday into the 2024 presidential race confirmed the world's "worst kept secret" and created another variable for markets that some investors say remains a low priority for now. Trump, who has mounted relentless attacks on the integrity of U.S. voting since his 2020 election defeat, announced his bid at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, seemingly with the aim of pre-empting potential Republican rivals. His high-spirited televised announcement comes after a disappointing showing in last week's midterm congressional elections that many Republicans blame on him and as the party closes in on a majority in the 435-seat House of Representatives.
Oracle (ORCL)'s co-chief executive Mark Hurd has pledged support to any tax change that allows the company to funnel its huge cash pile back into the United States. The U.S. government wants to reduce the federal corporate tax rate to 20 percent from its current maximum level of 35 percent. It also says profits that companies are holding overseas could soon be repatriated at a rate of around 10 percent. Oracle has an estimated $66 billion sitting overseas and Hurd told CNBC Tuesday that he welcomed any prospect of being able to use the cash within the United States. "We are certainly supportive of repatriation," he said at the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal. "The opportunity to bring our cash back to the US and to invest it is certainly very attractive. And so for that part of tax reform we are very supportive." Hurd, who has been critical of the Trump administration in the past, said tax repatriation would help his firm make better use of its cash pile. "You see us raising debt in the United States because of our inability to access our cash offshore," he said. "So the fact that we can repatriate our money allows us a much more efficient use of cash but an opportunity again to invest it back into various things that we do whether its M&A (mergers and acquisitions), new facilities, or hiring more employees." Despite being pressed, Hurd failed to clarify if the cash would be used to pay off some the company's sizable debt. But he said Oracle was clearly a company committed to investment.

The sentiment echoes comments from Apple's CEO Tim Cook, who said last week that U.S. tax reform is sorely needed and should have been fixed years ago. Apple said in an August conference call that $246 billion of cash, 94 percent of its total, was held outside the U.S.



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While eliminating state and local tax deductions will "hurt in some places," it's something that has to be done, Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., told CNBC on Tuesday. While the Senate Finance Committee is working on its version of the tax bill , the draft of the GOP House tax bill released last week included the repeal of the deductions for state and local income tax (SALT) payments. "There's no reason in the world  that a couple with two children in Iowa pay more federal tax than the same couple with two children, same income, same deductions, in California," Perdue said in an interview with " Power Lunch ." "We're going to clean that up. Create a more level playing field, both on the individual side and on the corporate side as well."New York, California and other high-tax states would be hard hit by the removal of the deduction, a fact seized upon by Democrats to bolster their argument that Trump's plan is a gift to the wealthiest Americans and the corporate sector. House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady has said lawmakers would have a chance to propose changes to the bill. The House is marking up, or debating and amending, the legislation, this week. Brady has already agreed to retain the deduction for property tax payments up to a cap of $10,000 as part of a SALT compromise and has said he would be open to raising it. Meanwhile, it's unclear when Senate Republicans will release their tax bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday it would be out on Friday, but his spokesperson later said he misspoke. Earlier in the day, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, told NBC News the proposal would be released Thursday. McConnell also said the chamber will aim to mark up its legislation next week. Ultimately, the Senate bill would have to be reconciled with the House version before it is sent to President Donald Trump to sign. Perdue told CNBC he's optimistic Republicans will wind up with tax legislation that will cause the economy to "really pop," noting that this is "what America wants.""We're in a good position to get this across the line. The president wants to get this done in the House and Senate, get it passed by Thanksgiving so it's on his desk by Christmas." On Tuesday, Fitch Ratings said the proposed cuts will not pay for themselves through growth and will "significantly" add to the long-term U.S. debt.  CNBC's Jacob Pramuk and Reuters contributed to this report. While eliminating state and local tax deductions will "hurt in some places," it's something that has to be done, Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., told CNBC on Tuesday. While the Senate Finance Committee is working on its version of the tax bill , the draft of the GOP House tax bill released last week included the repeal of the deductions for state and local income tax (SALT) payments. "There's no reason in the world  that a couple with two children in Iowa pay more federal tax than the same couple with two children, same income, same deductions, in California," Perdue said in an interview with " Power Lunch ." "We're going to clean that up. Create a more level playing field, both on the individual side and on the corporate side as well." New York, California and other high-tax states would be hard hit by the removal of the deduction, a fact seized upon by Democrats to bolster their argument that Trump's plan is a gift to the wealthiest Americans and the corporate sector. House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady has said lawmakers would have a chance to propose changes to the bill. The House is marking up, or debating and amending, the legislation, this week. Brady has already agreed to retain the deduction for property tax payments up to a cap of $10,000 as part of a SALT compromise and has said he would be open to raising it. Meanwhile, it's unclear when Senate Republicans will release their tax bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday it would be out on Friday, but his spokesperson later said he misspoke. Earlier in the day, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, told NBC News the proposal would be released Thursday. McConnell also said the chamber will aim to mark up its legislation next week. Ultimately, the Senate bill would have to be reconciled with the House version before it is sent to President Donald Trump to sign. Perdue told CNBC he's optimistic Republicans will wind up with tax legislation that will cause the economy to "really pop," noting that this is "what America wants." "We're in a good position to get this across the line. The president wants to get this done in the House and Senate, get it passed by Thanksgiving so it's on his desk by Christmas." On Tuesday, Fitch Ratings said the proposed cuts will not pay for themselves through growth and will "significantly" add to the long-term U.S. debt.  CNBC's Jacob Pramuk and Reuters contributed to this report.



More From CNBC


FILE PHOTO - The logo of Airbus is pictured at the company's headquarters in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

By Tim Hepher and Alexander Cornwell

PARIS/DUBAI (Reuters) - Airbus (AIR.PA) is close to a deal worth at least $14 billion (10.68 billion pounds) to sell over 30 of its A380 jetliners to Dubai's Emirates to seek to secure production of its struggling superjumbo until the middle of next decade, two people familiar with the matter said.

The deal, if confirmed, is expected to be announced at the opening of the Dubai Airshow on Sunday.

Airbus said it does not comment on commercial discussions.

A spokeswoman for Emirates, which is by far the largest A380 buyer with 142 on order and 100 already delivered, said: "We do not comment on rumours or speculation."

The airline's chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said last week it hoped to order more A380s at the Nov 12-16 event.

The deal comes as Airbus trails rival Boeing (BA.N) in orders this year, with 35 percent of their combined tally ahead of the industry's largest Middle East event.

That gap widened as Boeing announced orders and commitments for 300 jets during a visit to China by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday.

The 544-seat European A380 entered service amid huge fanfare in 2007, but its future has been thrown into doubt by sluggish sales as airlines turn to efficient twin-engined jets.

Airbus has not sold a four-engined A380 since March 2015. So far this year it has posted only two cancellations.

Airbus has cut production of the A380 to eight per year from a peak of 30 but needs to secure more sales to hold production at this rate. It recently launched a programme of improvements called A380plus to make the double-decker jet more efficient.

Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders has said he believed it would be producing the superjumbo 10 years from now and was working on sales.

Airbus has almost 100 A380s left on order, but roughly half of these are seen unlikely to be delivered as airlines alter their plans. Of the rest, Emirates is the dominant customer.

"On the basis of the current order book its future is not terribly exciting, but an order for another 30 or so would underpin production to the middle of next decade," said Sash Tusa, aerospace analyst at UK-based Agency Partners.

Story continues

Analysts say Emirates also has a stake in the future of the A380 because it has built a large part of its network and brand around the aircraft, alongside the Boeing 777, and could see the value of its fleet suffer if the programme fades away.

Its chief executive has praised the aircraft's ability to pull in passengers to its Dubai hub and lamented patchy interest from other airlines. But executives at many airlines remain worried about the challenges of filling such a large plane.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher and Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Keith Weir)
Voice technology makes technology available to anyone of all ages, from all skill sets and backgrounds, Amazon VP of Alexa Al Lindsay said. Source: WebSummit

Amazon VP of Alexa Al Lindsay has a bold goal for Alexa, the popular voice-controlled personal assistant: one day, Alexa should be capable of holding conversations up to 20 minutes long.

A lot of what people ask Alexa for today are fairly short interactions, Lindsay told Yahoo Finance at the annual Web Summit tech conference, held this week in Lisbon, Portugal. Longer conversations arent yet the norm.

Indeed, use any one of the voice-controlled personal assistants currently on the market, such as Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant or Cortana, and youll quickly realize Lindsay and his competitors still have a lot more to work to do before five-, 10- or 20-minute conversations are possible.

For now, interactions with Alexa are a start-and-stop affair where users instruct it to perform one or two of over 25,000 different tasks: telling you the latest news, calling an Uber or playing the latest Nick Jonas album off Spotify. But what Alexa cant do, for instance, is book an entire trip to the Bahamas in one go. You can do bits and pieces  book a hotel, check your flight status  but its not as intuitive as booking it yourself online yet or talking to an old-school travel agent.

Thats still the stuff of Lindsays longer-term, unfulfilled dreams: a truly versatile Star Trek-like computer that accomplishes virtually anything you throw at it with a simple voice command.

To truly realize that vision, youll want a number of things: youll want to have it everywhere, be able to talk to it from anywhere, be able for it to do all of the things you would want an intelligent assistant do for you, and ultimately do it in a very conversational way, Lindsay added.

A long road ahead

Getting there will require a lot of work accomplished by the 5,000 or so Amazon employees who now work on Alexa in places as far-flung as Germany and India, as well as outside developers. Perhaps realizing that making Alexa a conversational whiz was a herculean task, Amazon readily shares Alexas software development tools with third parties.

Story continues

Last year, Amazon announced the Alexa Prize, a $2.5 million competition for university students who develop social bots using Alexas technology that can convincingly chat with people about pop culture and news events for up to 20 minutes. This March, Amazon announced the Alexa Fund, a $100 million venture capital fund that gives cash to companies and developers who drum up new skills that let Alexa perform new tasks.

If we can actually get to the point where its truly conversational and equivalent to speaking to another human, anyone will be able to interact with it effectively, Lindsay explained. You wont have to learn how to use a touchscreen or how to use an app. You just speak to it.

The Amazon executives goal of having Alexa become truly ubiquitous could become reality faster than many think. The voice-controlled assistant started simply enough in 2014 when the first Echo speaker launched, but if this years CES in January was a good indicator, Alexa could soon be everywhere you want it to be. There were Alexa-compatible smartphones, baby monitors, air purifiers, self-driving cars, even refrigerators.

Its an ambitious effort, though hardly an altruistic one. The more Alexa-enabled devices there are in the world  and Lindsay tells Yahoo Finance there are already tens of millions of Alexa-enabled devices now  the more people interact with Alexa. And the more engaging Alexa becomes, the more likely they are to use Amazons wide array of services and buy things, whether its a new album off Amazon Music or dinnerware from Amazon.com.

After all, Amazon has a 76% market share of the home smart speaker market in the U.S., according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, and the Seattle tech giant clearly wants to keep it that way.



JP Mangalindan is Chief Tech Correspondent for Yahoo Finance covering the intersection of tech and business. Email story tips and musings to jpm@oath.com. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

More from JP:
Educators who spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pocket to buy school supplies would no longer be eligible for a tax deduction under the GOP tax reform bill, and the proposal is drawing fierce criticism from teachers advocates.

Under current law, teachers are eligible for a tax deduction of up to $250 for money spent on classroom supplies.

Will a teacher in my district who buys pens, pencils, paper for his students be able to deduct these costs from his tax returns under this plan? Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene asked on Monday, at a markup hearing for the proposed GOP tax bill, which she described as morally bankrupt.

Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, confirmed that the tax plan would repeal the deduction for teacher expenses. The bill has drawn criticism from Democrats and teachers associations, who argue it will further burden teachers who already spend a significant amount of their own money on their classrooms.

Under the Republican plan, corporations are still allowed to deduct state and local taxes, California Rep. Mark Takano, a Democrat, said in a Facebook post on Monday. Workers are not. Corporations are still allowed to deduct business expenses. Teachers are not.

Republicans have argued that the bill will simplify the tax code and reduce taxes overall, but an analysis by the Tax Policy Center found that high-income households would see the largest cuts.

An Oklahoma teacher drew national attention earlier this year when she panhandled for school supplies at a highway intersection. At the time, she said she typically spends $2,000 to $3,000 of her $35,000 salary on classroom supplies each year. A 2013 study by the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that 99.5% of teachers use their own money on school supplies, spending $485 on average in one school year.

As educators spend more and more of their own funds each year to buy basic essentials, Republican leaders chose to ignore the sacrifice made by those who work in our nations public schools to make sure students have adequate books, pencils, paper and art supplies, National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen Garcia said in a statement about the tax proposal last week.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, also spoke out against the tax plan.

They are giving huge estate tax breaks to the Trump kids while taking away working families ability to deduct the costs of higher education, union dues and even the money educators spend on their classrooms, she said in a statement last week. We will do everything we can to fight this bill.
On Nov 7, BP Plc BP was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Why the Upgrade?

Along with third-quarter 2017 results, BP announced expectations of a sequential improvement in production during fourth-quarter 2017 on project ramp-ups.

The British energy giant commenced natural gas production at the Khazzan field in Oman. The project, expected to have an inventory of 300 drilling wells, is the largest start-up by BP in 2017. Also, it is the sixth project start-up among the seven new this year.

All the projects are likely to take BP closer to its target of adding 800,000 barrels of oil equivalent every day by 2020.

We appreciate the companys renewed share repurchase program, reflecting BPs improving financial strength on the back of a healthy crude pricing scenario. The integrated energy player will likely start repurchasing stocks in the October-to-December quarter of 2017. Also, the companys current dividend yield of 5.7% is higher than 4.1% of the Zacks Oil International Integrated industry.

Moreover, the companys pricing chart is impressive. Year to date, BP has rallied 10% against 5.7% gain of the industry. Also, efficiency of the companys drilling operations is improving as reflected by the steady decline in non-productive time since 2012.

Other Stocks to Consider

A few better-ranked energy players are Par Pacific Holdings Inc. PARR, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., or Sinopec SNP and Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. NOG. Par Pacific and Sinopec sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Northern Oil carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Par Pacific managed to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, the average earnings surprise being 195.26%.

Headquartered in Beijing, Sinopec is a leading integrated energy player. The company will likely witness year-over-year earnings growth of 59.1% in 2017.

Story continues

Based in Minnetonka, MN, Northern Oil is an upstream energy player. The companys 2017 revenues are estimated to grow 44.1%.

Wall Streets Next Amazon

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Bitcoin (virtual currency) coins placed on Dollar banknotes, next to computer keyboard, are seen in this illustration picture, November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Jemima Kelly

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Bitcoin hit a record high just shy of $8,000 on Wednesday after a coalition of developers and investors suspended a software upgrade planned for next Thursday that could have split the digital currency in two.

In an email on Wednesday, the lead developer of the team planning to carry out the upgrade said "Segwit2x" would be scrapped for now as it could "divide the community." The email by Mike Belshe, chief executive of blockchain security firm BitGo, was also signed by some of the biggest names in the bitcoin world.

SegWit2x is an agreement among high-profile figures in the bitcoin world aimed at upgrading the bitcoin network's capacity. It received significant support when it was announced in May but many bitcoin developers had withdrawn support for the upgrade over the last few months, analysts said.

The software upgrade would have attempted to address the bitcoin network's limitations in processing millions of daily transactions. The network has not kept pace with growth and is unable to process transactions fast enough.

The upgrade would have changed bitcoin's rules leading to a so-called fork, effectively cloning the existing bitcoin to create another crypto-currency.

Segwit2x was supposed to be the second step in a broad two-step process to enhance transaction capacity. The first step occurred over the summer.

"Indefinitely postponing the fork is a healthy move for crypto assets," said Guy Zyskind, CEO and co-founder of Enigma, a data-driven, crypto-investment platform.

"The ability of the bitcoin community to self-correct and avoid a contentious fork inspires confidence and shows how the ecosystem is entering a more mature phase," he added.

Bitcoin surged to a record high of $7,888 on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange in the 20 minutes that followed the statement. It was last traded up 3 percent on the day at $7,354.10 (BTC=BTSP).

"Our goal has always been a smooth upgrade for bitcoin," BitGo's Belshe said in his email. "Although we strongly believe in the need for a larger blocksize, there is something we believe is even more important: keeping the community together."

Charlie Lee, creator of the Litecoin crypto-currency and a leading industry expert, said in a post on Twitter the bitcoin community may need to implement Segwit2x in the future anyway, but it should be done when there is consensus.

(Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss in New York and Jemima Kelly in London; Editing by Susan Thomas)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump greet flag-waving children in Beijing. (White House Photo)

With President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping looking on, Boeing and China Aviation Supplies Holding Co. today signed an agreement for the purchase of 300 airplanes valued at more than $37 billion.

The agreement provided a public relations boost to all sides: Trump and Boeing could herald a win for U.S. exports, while Xi could soften Chinas image in the minds of the American public and policymakers.

China is a valued customer and key partner, and were proud that Boeing airplanes will be a part of its fleet growth for years to come, Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a statement. Boeing and China have a strong history of working together based on great mutual respect, and these orders build on that foundation.

Incredible day in China. Signed an agreement for 300 airplanes. Strengthens relationship in biggest market. https://t.co/2JKsDUuEDq pic.twitter.com/e8eBtbczkQ  Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) November 9, 2017

But Boeing didnt say how many of the 260 single-aisle and 40 twin-aisle airplanes were the subject of previous agreements, repackaged for public consumption. Bloomberg News quoted unnamed sources as saying that most of the planes were in fact parts of deals going back to 2013.

Thats standard practice for the kinds of announcements highlighted during visits by heads of state, particularly in China. Beijing is a master of selling the same agreement 10 times, Jorge Guajardo, a former Mexican ambassador to China, said in a tweet before todays announcement.

China Aviation Supplies will handle receipt of the planes from Boeing over the next several years, and distribute them to state-supported airlines according to their needs.

Story continues

The arrangement is similar to the terms for the deal between Airbus and China for 140 airplanes, valued at $23 billion. That agreement was announced in July during Xis visit to Berlin.

In a separate announcement, Boeing said CDB Aviation, finalized an order for 42 single-aisle 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 10s and eight twin-aisle 787-9 Dreamliners. The order, valued at $7.4 billion, was announced as a tentative deal at the Paris Air Show in June. Six of the 737 MAX 8 orders were converted to 737 MAX 10s.

CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co.

More from GeekWire:
By Alwyn Scott

(Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) said it signed an agreement on Thursday to sell 300 planes to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company worth $37 billion (28.11 billion pounds) at list prices, one of several deals announced during a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing.

General Electric Co (GE.N) said it had signed jet engine deals worth $2.5 billion and a $1 billion agreement for power plant equipment and services.

State-run China Aviation Supplies, which leases planes to Chinese airlines, said the Boeing agreement covered 260 B-737s and 40 B-777s and B-787s. The breakdown between firm orders and non-binding commitments was not immediately available.

Analysts said, however, that some of the orders may be among more than 300 from undisclosed buyers posted this year, and it was not clear how much of the China deal was new business.

The new agreement also may overlap substantially with a similar, 300-plane agreement Boeing signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2015 visit to the United States..

That deal, valued at $38 billion at the time, included orders and commitments for 190 B-737s and 50 Boeing wide-body planes, as well as leases for an additional 60 B-737s.

A spokesman for the planemaker declined to comment on what proportion of the new China agreement represented new or existing orders, but it was believed that some of the orders were already in Boeing's backlog. Boeing typically lets plane buyers determine what details to reveal about orders.

Boeing shares were down 1.4 percent at $260.30.

STRONG DEMAND

Boeing says one out of every four jetliners now rolling off its assembly lines is being delivered to Chinese customers, suggesting Chinese demand is strong, despite vagueness about how many actual Chinese orders it has won.

Plane makers also acknowledge a multi-step wooing process with customers such as China. The government first determines how many airplanes its airlines will need, allowing detailed contract discussions to take place. After talks conclude, the government must give final approval to the contracts before the orders become firm.

Story continues

Some customers ask Boeing to not identify them as buyers even on firm orders, and China is typically among those, according to industry experts. Boeing had 323 orders by unidentified customers as of Nov. 7, of which 282 were for its 737 narrow body family.

Separately on Thursday, Boeing said it had received orders for 42 B-737 MAX jets and 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners from CDB Aviation, a unit of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co . The order was worth $7.4 billion at list prices.

Boeing and European rival Airbus (AIR.PA) have been jostling for market share in China, the world's fastest growing aviation market, with both opening assembly plants in the country.

China's owned aircraft fleet is currently equally split between Boeing and Airbus, but going by order book trends, Boeing seems to have gained a big lead in terms of the number of aircraft orders from China, said Corrine Png, chief executive of transport research firm Crucial Perspective.

China Aviation Supplies has also played a prominent role in deals announced during previous government exchanges.

In July, it agreed to buy 140 aircraft from Airbus in a deal worth $23 billion at list prices during a visit by Xi to Germany. It also was among three Chinese companies involved in the 2015 Boeing order.

Boeing's latest signing in China follows an order for 39 wide-body jets from Singapore Airlines last month.

Earlier on Thursday, General Electric said it had signed deals worth $3.5 billion in China.

They included a $1.4 billion agreement for GEnx engines for 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners, signed with Juneyao Airlines Co Ltd and ICBC Leasing, the leasing arm of state bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd .

It also included an order valued at $1.1 billion for 80 LEAP engines made by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran SA (SAF.PA) of France.

GE's power division also signed a partnership agreement with China Datang Group to provide gas- and steam-powered turbines and components, plus services and digital technology for power projects in China. It valued that deal at $1 billion.

A GE spokesperson said its engine orders were new, and deferred to Boeing on how much of aircraft order was new.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in SHANGHAI, Ben Blanchard and Stella Qiu in BEIJING, Additional reporting by Jamie Freed in SINGAPORE and Alwyn Scott in NEW YORK; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Bernadette Baum)
Boeing facilities are seen in Los Angeles, California, U.S. April 22, 2016. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo (Reuters)

By Alwyn Scott

(Reuters) - Boeing Co <BA.N> said it signed an agreement on Thursday to sell 300 planes to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company worth $37 billion at list prices, one of several deals announced during a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing.

General Electric Co <GE.N> said it had signed jet engine deals worth $2.5 billion and a $1 billion agreement for power plant equipment and services.

State-run China Aviation Supplies, which leases planes to Chinese airlines, said the Boeing agreement covered 260 B-737s and 40 B-777s and B-787s. The breakdown between firm orders and non-binding commitments was not immediately available.

Analysts said, however, that some of the orders may be among more than 300 from undisclosed buyers posted this year, and it was not clear how much of the China deal was new business.

The new agreement also may overlap substantially with a similar, 300-plane agreement Boeing signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2015 visit to the United States..

That deal, valued at $38 billion at the time, included orders and commitments for 190 B-737s and 50 Boeing wide-body planes, as well as leases for an additional 60 B-737s.

A spokesman for the planemaker declined to comment on what proportion of the new China agreement represented new or existing orders, but it was believed that some of the orders were already in Boeing's backlog. Boeing typically lets plane buyers determine what details to reveal about orders.

Boeing shares were down 1.4 percent at $260.30.

STRONG DEMAND

Boeing says one out of every four jetliners now rolling off its assembly lines is being delivered to Chinese customers, suggesting Chinese demand is strong, despite vagueness about how many actual Chinese orders it has won.

Plane makers also acknowledge a multi-step wooing process with customers such as China. The government first determines how many airplanes its airlines will need, allowing detailed contract discussions to take place. After talks conclude, the government must give final approval to the contracts before the orders become firm.

Story continues

Some customers ask Boeing to not identify them as buyers even on firm orders, and China is typically among those, according to industry experts. Boeing had 323 orders by unidentified customers as of Nov. 7, of which 282 were for its 737 narrow body family.

Separately on Thursday, Boeing said it had received orders for 42 B-737 MAX jets and 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners from CDB Aviation, a unit of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co <1606.HK>. The order was worth $7.4 billion at list prices.

Boeing and European rival Airbus <AIR.PA> have been jostling for market share in China, the world's fastest growing aviation market, with both opening assembly plants in the country.

China's owned aircraft fleet is currently equally split between Boeing and Airbus, but going by order book trends, Boeing seems to have gained a big lead in terms of the number of aircraft orders from China, said Corrine Png, chief executive of transport research firm Crucial Perspective.

China Aviation Supplies has also played a prominent role in deals announced during previous government exchanges.

In July, it agreed to buy 140 aircraft from Airbus in a deal worth $23 billion at list prices during a visit by Xi to Germany. It also was among three Chinese companies involved in the 2015 Boeing order.

Boeing's latest signing in China follows an order for 39 wide-body jets from Singapore Airlines last month.

Earlier on Thursday, General Electric said it had signed deals worth $3.5 billion in China.

They included a $1.4 billion agreement for GEnx engines for 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners, signed with Juneyao Airlines Co Ltd <603885.SS> and ICBC Leasing, the leasing arm of state bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd <601398.SS>.

It also included an order valued at $1.1 billion for 80 LEAP engines made by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran SA <SAF.PA> of France.

GE's power division also signed a partnership agreement with China Datang Group to provide gas- and steam-powered turbines and components, plus services and digital technology for power projects in China. It valued that deal at $1 billion.

A GE spokesperson said its engine orders were new, and deferred to Boeing on how much of aircraft order was new.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in SHANGHAI, Ben Blanchard and Stella Qiu in BEIJING, Additional reporting by Jamie Freed in SINGAPORE and Alwyn Scott in NEW YORK; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Bernadette Baum)
FILE PHOTO: The Boeing Company logo is projected on a wall at the "What's Next?" conference in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 4, 2016. REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo

By Alwyn Scott

(Reuters) - Boeing Co said it signed an agreement on Thursday to sell 300 planes to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company worth $37 billion at list prices, one of several deals announced during a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing.

General Electric Co said it had signed jet engine deals worth $2.5 billion and a $1 billion agreement for power plant equipment and services.

State-run China Aviation Supplies, which leases planes to Chinese airlines, said the Boeing agreement covered 260 B-737s and 40 B-777s and B-787s. The breakdown between firm orders and non-binding commitments was not immediately available.

Analysts said, however, that some of the orders may be among more than 300 from undisclosed buyers posted this year, and it was not clear how much of the China deal was new business.

The new agreement also may overlap substantially with a similar, 300-plane agreement Boeing signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2015 visit to the United States..

That deal, valued at $38 billion at the time, included orders and commitments for 190 B-737s and 50 Boeing wide-body planes, as well as leases for an additional 60 B-737s.

A spokesman for the planemaker declined to comment on what proportion of the new China agreement represented new or existing orders, but it was believed that some of the orders were already in Boeing's backlog. Boeing typically lets plane buyers determine what details to reveal about orders.

Boeing shares were down 1.4 percent at $260.30.

STRONG DEMAND

Boeing says one out of every four jetliners now rolling off its assembly lines is being delivered to Chinese customers, suggesting Chinese demand is strong, despite vagueness about how many actual Chinese orders it has won.

Plane makers also acknowledge a multi-step wooing process with customers such as China. The government first determines how many airplanes its airlines will need, allowing detailed contract discussions to take place. After talks conclude, the government must give final approval to the contracts before the orders become firm.

Story continues

Some customers ask Boeing to not identify them as buyers even on firm orders, and China is typically among those, according to industry experts. Boeing had 323 orders by unidentified customers as of Nov. 7, of which 282 were for its 737 narrow body family.

Separately on Thursday, Boeing said it had received orders for 42 B-737 MAX jets and 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners from CDB Aviation, a unit of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co . The order was worth $7.4 billion at list prices.

Boeing and European rival Airbus have been jostling for market share in China, the world's fastest growing aviation market, with both opening assembly plants in the country.

China's owned aircraft fleet is currently equally split between Boeing and Airbus, but going by order book trends, Boeing seems to have gained a big lead in terms of the number of aircraft orders from China, said Corrine Png, chief executive of transport research firm Crucial Perspective.

China Aviation Supplies has also played a prominent role in deals announced during previous government exchanges.

In July, it agreed to buy 140 aircraft from Airbus in a deal worth $23 billion at list prices during a visit by Xi to Germany. It also was among three Chinese companies involved in the 2015 Boeing order.

Boeing's latest signing in China follows an order for 39 wide-body jets from Singapore Airlines last month.

Earlier on Thursday, General Electric said it had signed deals worth $3.5 billion in China.

They included a $1.4 billion agreement for GEnx engines for 10 B-787-9 Dreamliners, signed with Juneyao Airlines Co Ltd and ICBC Leasing, the leasing arm of state bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd.

It also included an order valued at $1.1 billion for 80 LEAP engines made by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran SA of France.

GE's power division also signed a partnership agreement with China Datang Group to provide gas- and steam-powered turbines and components, plus services and digital technology for power projects in China. It valued that deal at $1 billion.

A GE spokesperson said its engine orders were new, and deferred to Boeing on how much of aircraft order was new.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in SHANGHAI, Ben Blanchard and Stella Qiu in BEIJING, Additional reporting by Jamie Freed in SINGAPORE and Alwyn Scott in NEW YORK; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Bernadette Baum)
WASHINGTON  If youre a vulnerable Republican lawmaker from a high-tax state like New York, New Jersey, or California, Tuesdays stunning Democratic sweep in key state and local elections may give you some pause.

WASHINGTON  If youre a vulnerable Republican lawmaker from a high-tax state like New York, New Jersey, or California, Tuesdays stunning Democratic sweep in key state and local elections may give you some pause.

Passing a tax reform bill that analysts say raises taxes on some middle-class Americans was already a politically risky move, but the task may prove even more difficult given the Democrats big wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and Washington state.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was quick to make the connection for Republicans in a Senate floor speech on Wednesday.

If you think the results [in Tuesdays elections] were terrible for you, wait till you pass a bill that raises taxes on middle-class families in your district, he said.

Many Republicans were equally quick to dispute that characterization, insisting they had more reason now to pass their tax bill.

If anything, this just puts more pressure on us to follow through, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said at a Wednesday event on tax reform hosted by The Washington Examiner. It simply means weve gotta deliver.

Republican strategist Doug Heye agreed, saying the GOP needs a legislative victory its candidates can tout ahead of the 2018 congressional midterm elections.

Voters still want to see Washington do something, and Republican primary voters especially want to see Congress move something that is a legislative priority, he said.

While conceding that the Democratic sweep, especially down ballot, doesnt bode well for Republicans, he argued that a direct correlation between Tuesdays results and the fate of the tax bill is tenuous at best.

The legislation House Republicans are marking up this week includes drastic cuts to the corporate tax rate, as well as cuts to small business and individual income taxes. In order to offset the large amount of revenue lost with those cuts, Republicans propose eliminating several popular deductions, including the one for most state and local taxes.

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Some GOP lawmakers from high-tax states like New Jersey and California have balked at eliminating the popular deduction over fears the bill would raise taxes on their middle-class constituents  and spark a voter backlash against the GOP.

The bill in its current form clearly raises taxes on some people, including in my state, Rep. Darrell Issa, rated by analysts as a vulnerable California Republican in next years elections, said on Tuesday.

In order to ameliorate those concerns, the measures latest draft includes a compromise that allows taxpayers to continue to deduct up to $10,000 in personal property taxes. The provision was welcomed by centrist GOP lawmakers like Rep. Tom MacArthur (N.J.), who told HuffPost on Wednesday that the election result didnt affect his thinking on the tax bill at all.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), on the other hand, said lawmakers ought to take Democrats gains into consideration.

He questioned this attitude of, We have to get tax cuts to get the voters with us. A tax cut which is going to raise taxes on your constituents  it makes no sense, King told HuffPost.

I think a lot of them are in silos, King said of his GOP colleagues. The echo chamber.

Senate Republicans, in their version of a tax bill to be unveiled soon, are said to be considering eliminating entirely the state and local tax deduction, including for property taxes.

Some Republicans are expressing concern about the political fallout in the midterms of the GOP proposals on state and local taxes.

Republicans defending RAISING TAXES on middle-class taxpayers already paying high state/local taxes display an arrogance that will cost us the majority in Congress faster than you can say Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi, Ron Nehring, who headed the presidential campaign in California for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) last year, tweeted on Tuesday, referring to the leader of House Democrats.

Cruz may present problems for GOP leaders on tax reform. On Tuesday, he called raising taxes on middle-class households in high-tax, heavily Democratic states like New York and California a mistake. The senator also called for repealing Obamacares individual mandate, which assesses penalties on taxpayers who do not purchase health insurance, in order to help pay for the tax bill.

Injecting Obamacare, which Republicans failed to repeal earlier this summer, into the tax debate would open a whole host of other problems in the Senate. Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), the chief tax writer in the House, said it was still up for discussion. But he did not include a provision in the House tax bill to do so.

More broadly, Republicans face a Goldilocks problem on tax reform that also stymied their efforts to repeal Obamacare.

Winning enough GOP House votes for tax reform spurred the compromise on the property tax deduction. In order to win over enough GOP votes in the Senate, however, they must eliminate enough deductions to clear that chambers budget restrictions, which only allow for an increase to the deficit by $1.5 trillion over a decade. The Congressional Budget Office estimated on Wednesday the House the House bill would add $1.7 trillion to the deficit over that period.

Theyre in a difficult dynamic, Schumer told reporters. To get the bill to pass in the House, you make it difficult to pass in the Senate.

Matt Fuller and Arthur Delaney contributed reporting. This article has been updated with comments from King and more perspective on obstacles Republicans face to passing a tax reform bill.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., joined at right by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., holds a news conference on Capitol Hill to respond to the Republican tax reform plan in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Were not Trump!

This persuasive mantra apparently carried Democrats to a handful of victories in the recent off-year elections, where they picked up the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey and made a few impressive state-house gains. This is supposedly a repudiation of President Donald Trump, and a forewarning that Republicans who control Congress could lose the House next year and in a more dramatic scenario, the Senate.

Except theres one problem: Democrats still dont have a coherent message, aside from were not Trump. Thats especially true on the economy, following a presidential election in which the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, completely failed to connect with working-class voters who feel abandoned by corporate, technology and political elites.

What do Democrats stand for?

Over the summer, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, acknowledged that we didnt tell people what we stood for. Then he released a plan, called A Better Deal, to remind voters what his party does stand for: a $15 minimum wage that would hammer many businesses, a $1 trillion infrastructure plan for which no funding exists, Trumpian-style protectionism, and a bunch of policy ideas from President Barack Obamas playbook that never came close to passing.

If you havent heard of the Better Deal plan, thats because its a dull and inauthentic effort to make Democrats seem like they get it. Much of the political establishment panned it immediately. The main spokespeople for this plan are Schumer, whos 66, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, whos 77. Theres talk that the main contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 will be Joe Biden, who will be 77, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who will be 80. If Sen. Elizabeth Warren runs, shell be 71. Real leaders recruit and groom their successors, and know new blood can be just as important as experience. If theres any new blood in the Democratic Party, its still interning for Schumer and Pelosi.

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Sanders obviously hit a nerve last year with his calls for universal health care, free college and higher taxes on the wealthy. So, its no surprise the Democratic message is moving left, in Sanders direction. But this is a failing strategy, for one simple reason: It relies on government solutions, and Americans deeply distrust the government. There arent enough leftists in America to win on a strategy that says the solution to Trumps abrasiveness is more federal intervention.

Democrats have a chance at fixing health care

The Dems do have one giant opening: health care. Republicans flubbed that issue so badly this year, with three failed and humiliating attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, that they have basically admitted to having no ideas on health care. Yet it remains a giant problem. Soaring costs are a burden for just about everybody, especially people who have to buy their own insurance and dont qualify for subsidies under the ACA. Obamacare, as the ACA, is known, extended coverage to more people, but it did virtually nothing to get medical costs under control. Somebody needs to address that, and the Republicans have basically said, not us.

Some Democrats favor Medicare for all, which is Sanders plan for moving to a system in which all health care coverage comes from the government. Bad idea. Just 45% of Americans say they trust the executive branch, which would have to administer universal health care, and only 35% trust Congress, which would write such a law. Heres a better idea: Build on the existing health care system, based on employer-provided coverage, with better incentives to control costs. Focus heavily on easing the burden on private business owners, who get gobsmacked year after year with double-digit increases in insurance costs that leave little left to offer raises to their workers. Perhaps offer a new government backstop for people unable to pay for coverage or obtain it through an employer. But dont threaten to break the parts of the health care system that work, which is what Sanders would do.

Finding their way to 2018

Trump and his fellow Republicans have left few other openings for Democrats to exploit. Trumps 20th-century view of the worldhis support for fossil fuels, for instance, and his call for more assembly-line jobsignores the role of technology in the modern economy. Democrats could seek ways to spread digital prosperity further, and probably enlist the help of many prominent Silicon Valley moguls. Theres also a sound economic case for more legal immigration, rather than less, as Trump prefers, because it would expand the labor force and help offset the aging of American society. That would boost growth and help keep the economy vibrant.

If all that fails, Democrats will end up running in 2018 as nothing more than not-Trumpers. It may sway some people, but voters tend to prefer knowing who their candidates are, rather than who they are not. If the Democrats know who they are, now would be a good time to tell voters.

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Encrypted communication available.

Read more:

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman
Donald Trump Jr. took to his Twitter on Election Day to encourage his 2.2 million followers to vote for Ed Gillespie, a Republican candidate whos running for Virginias governor in a close race against Democratic candidate Ralph Northam.

However, Trump Jr. may not have gotten the message for Gillespies campaign out that the way he wanted because he told his Twitter followers to vote on the wrong day, not just once, but twice. In a series of tweets, Trump Jr. instructs his followers twice to vote for Gillespie tomorrow although he was tweeting on Election Day; one post has since been deleted, but one is still available on Trump Jr.s timeline.

Lets take @EdWGillespie across the finish line tomorrow! Virginia: get out and vote for Ed & entire @GOP ticket #VAGov #VA  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 7, 2017

Trump Jr. later tweeted that the vote was today and also retweeted his fathers tweet encouraging voters to vote for Gillespie.

If you support @realDonaldTrump, then do 2 things in #Virginia TODAY:

1) Get out & vote

2) Vote for @EdWGillespie  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 7, 2017
Equifax Interim CEO Paulino Barros (L), former Equifax CEO Richard Smith (C) and former Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer (R) testify before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on Protecting Consumers in the Era of Major Data Breaches on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Equifax (EFX) will roll out a new credit locks for life product in January that will be open to all Americans, whether or not they were impacted by the cybersecurity incident, and some consumers may be wary that participating may result in waived rights.

The lock is similar to a freeze, but is not subject to regulation by states.

Speaking at a Senate hearing today, interim CEO Paulino do Rego Barros Jr. declined to guarantee that consumers would not be forced to give up their rights to sue if they used Equifax products. Equifaxs terms of service includes forced arbitration clauses that waive consumers legal rights to sue Equifax.

I believe consumers have a choice to choose the products that they need, Barros told Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). We work according to the law and we use the tools that the industry uses to have arbitration in place.

Companies generally prefer using arbitration to class action suits and often have forced arbitration clauses in their terms of use or service.

But does this apply to Equifaxs new credit locks for life product? Answering the question explicitly, an Equifax spokesperson clarified to Yahoo Finance that the company does not intend to have the arbitration clause apply to the service.

There is no guarantee that you will keep your right to sue

Consumer advocates remain skeptical due to the broad language on Equifaxs own website.

Unless they rewrite every other arbitration clause on their website, there is still a substantial risk that consumers who purchase the credit lock program will be subject to arbitration, said F. Paul Bland, executive director at consumer group Public Justice and an expert in class action suits.

Bland said that if the website arbitration clause is broadly worded  he said last time he checked it was  it could apply to the new credit lock program. And in cases where its not clear or there is apparently conflicting terms, it often comes down to the arbitrator deciding if the situation falls under their purview, Bland said.

Story continues

Equifax has had an arbitration problem before

When news broke of the Equifax security breach, in which 145 million peoples personal information was hacked  including Social Security numbers  the company immediately rolled out a complimentary credit monitoring service called TrustedID that had terms that restricted consumers legal rights to sue.

Since Equifaxs complimentary service effectively funneled scared consumers into credit monitoring, significant public blowback ensued and the company walked back its statement and removed controversial language from TrustedIDs terms of use.

For both the TrustedID program and the new credit lock service, which Equifax says do not bind consumers to arbitration, there is little clarity  something that is needed due to that funneling effect of scared consumers with compromised personal information trying to protect themselves.

Consumers must review the new products terms with care

With such an unclear situation, its imperative that consumers pay attention before signing up for anything, given that the interim Equifax CEO acknowledged the companys continuing use of arbitration.

Its hard to know what the answer will be without seeing if Equifax amends/changes/rewrites its broader (mother ship) arbitration clause, said Bland. But if they dont do that, then there is a very high chance that any disputes over the credit lock program will be forced into arbitration, even if the terms and conditions that apply to it deny that there is arbitration there.

For some consumers, it may simply be better to use a credit freeze, which is regulated by the state. Bluementhal asked Barros whether the company was resorting to credit locks to avoid state oversight and scrutiny.

Not at all. We did it because its simple to use  more accessible to use, Barros said. Its easier to understand for the consumer.

Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Confidential tip line: emann[at]oath[.com].

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A logo is seen on the roof of the ArcelorMittal steelworks headquarters in Ostrava, Czech Republic, April 1, 2016. REUTERS/David W Cerny

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will investigate whether ArcelorMittal's (MT.AS) proposed purchase of Italian steel plant Ilva will lead to price hikes, a move likely to force the steelmaker to offer more concessions to address competition concerns.

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, reached a 1.8-billion-euro ($2.1 billion) deal to acquire Europe's biggest capacity steel plant in June. The loss-making plant in Taranto in Italy's south is grappling with a serious pollution issue.

The European Commission opened a full-scale investigation on Wednesday, voicing worries that the merger might reduce competition in some flat carbon steel products and result in higher prices, especially for customers in southern Europe.

"Those European industries need access to steel at competitive prices to compete in global markets," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

The Italian government said there was a lot of material for the Commission to deal with.

"We are absolutely confident that this second phase of the investigation will be concluded quickly," Deputy Industry Minister Teresa Bellanova, who is following the Ilva dossier, told Reuters.

ArcelorMittal, based in Luxembourg, said it would work constructively with the EU enforcer to gain approval for the deal "in a timely manner".

The Commission said concessions offered by ArcelorMittal last month failed to address its concerns, without providing details about the proposals. It will rule by March 23 whether to clear or block the deal.

Italian authorities are keen to keep the deal to save more than 10,000 jobs ahead of general elections due early next year.

($1 = 0.8628 euros)

(Additional reporting by Massimiliano Di Giorgio in Milan; editing by Francesco Guarascio and Mark Heinrich)
Q3 earnings season is finally starting to wind down, and in nearly every sector of the market, investors have been able to find exciting results. Nevertheless, a few marquee reports remain to be released, including that of Wall Street darling Nvidia Corporation NVDA.

Nvidia has been a leading manufacturer of graphics chips for years, but recently, the company has emerged as one of the stock markets most exciting growth picks. Shares of the semiconductor giant have gained nearly 100% so far this year, and investors are hoping the stock can break even higher after another impressive report.

Nvidia will release its third-quarter fiscal 2018 financial results after the closing bell Thursday. Based on our current consensus estimates, we expect the company to report earnings of 94 cents per share and revenues of $2.36 billion, which would represent year-over-year growth rates of 13.36% and 17.96%, respectively.

But the most exciting aspect of Nvidias impressive growth story has been its managements focus on cutting-edge technologies. The company has its hands in a variety of emerging tech trends, including autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and datacenter production.

With that said, investors will likely be focusing on the growth of these initiatives when Nvidia reports on Thursday. Luckily, we can turn to our exclusive non-financial metrics consensus estimate file for a preview of whats to come. These key stock-driving estimates are updated daily and are based on the independent research of expert stock analysts. For more information on the NFM file, click here.

(Nvidia remains a top choice among PC gamers)

Based on the latest of these consensus estimates, we expect Nvidias Gaming division to be the foundation of its report. The companys high-powered graphics chips are a favorite among PC gamers, and a worldwide rise in the popularity of competitive gaming, known as esports, has made this one of the hottest corners of the tech sector.

Story continues

Our consensus estimate is calling for Nvidia to post Gaming revenues of $1.332 billion, up about 7.07% from the $1.244 billion reported in the year-ago period.

Nevertheless, some of the companys most exciting growth is coming from its Datacenter segment. Demand for Nvidias datacenter-focused products has exploded due to an increase in datacenter production around the world, and management has successfully marketed its solutions to compete with industry leaders like Intel INTC.

According to our latest consensus estimates, Nvidia is expect to post Datacenter revenues of $460 million, which would represent a staggering 91.67% gain from the $240 million reported last year.

Still, investors might be even more interested in the companys Automotive unit. As the world sits on the cusp of the autonomous vehicle revolution, Nvidia stands poised to be a leader. Through its Drive PX computer and its Tegra mobile processors, Nvidia is providing the power needed to support these innovative machines.

Our consensus estimate is calling for the company to report Automotive revenues of $150 million. This result would mark year-over-year growth of 18.11% from the $127 million posted in the prior-year quarter.

Of course, investors will also be interested to see whether Nvidia can surpass expectations. In an effort to predict the companys chances of posting an earnings beat, we turn to the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction). The ESP compares the most recent analyst estimates with our overall consensus figure, which takes the average of every estimate we have seen over time.

This is done because, generally speaking, if an analyst evaluates their earnings estimate right before an earnings release, it means that they have fresh information which could potentially be more accurate than what analysts thought about a company two or three months ago.

With that said, Nvidia currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.17%, which implies that analyst sentiment has warmed slightly in the lead up to tomorrows report. Along with the stocks Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), we can feel more comfortable about the odds of an Nvidia earnings beat tomorrow.

Nevertheless, make sure to check back here for our full analysis once Nvidias report is out!

Want more stock market analysis from this author? Make sure to follow @Ryan_McQueeney on Twitter!

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Families of victims in the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs shooting pray at a prayer vigil in Floresville, Texas, November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

By Stephen Nellis and Dustin Volz

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For about 48 hours after a deadly rampage at a Texas church, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies did not ask Apple Inc to help them unlock the gunman's iPhone or associated online accounts, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday.

A cellphone belonging to Devin Kelley - accused of killing 26 people on Sunday before taking his own life - was sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Quantico, Virginia, crime lab because authorities could not unlock it, Christopher Combs, head of the FBI's San Antonio field office, said on Tuesday.

Combs did not specify what kind of phone Kelley had during the attack in Sutherland Springs, Texas, but a second person familiar with the situation confirmed to Reuters that it was an iPhone.

The first source said that in the 48 hours between the shooting and Combs' news conference, Apple had received no requests from federal, state or local law enforcement authorities for technical assistance with Kelley's phone or his associated online accounts at Apple.

The delay may prove important. If Kelley had used a fingerprint to lock his iPhone, Apple could have told officials they could use the dead man's finger to unlock his device, so long as the phone had not been powered off and restarted.

But iPhones locked with a fingerprint ask for the user's pass code after 48 hours if they have not been unlocked by then.

Officials also could have asked for data from Kelley's iCloud online storage account if he had one. If Apple receives a warrant or court order, it will give law enforcement authorities iCloud data, as well as the keys needed to decrypt it.

If an iPhone user backs up an iPhone using iCloud, the online data can contain texts, photographs and other information from the phone.

The first Reuters source said the FBI had yet to ask as of Wednesday for assistance unlocking the device. It could not be learned whether Apple had received a court order to turn over iCloud account data. It also could not be learned whether the FBI had tried to use Kelley's fingerprint and failed to unlock his phone despite not contacting Apple.

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The FBI declined to comment when asked about the type of phone used by Kelly. A spokeswoman referred to Combs' news conference on Tuesday.

The FBI has criticized Apple for how difficult it is to obtain data from its devices when they are locked. The phones contain a so-called "secure enclave" that makes it difficult to crack their encryption, and too many errant attempts to unlock an iPhone can erase all data.

The FBI challenged Apple in court over access to an iPhone after a 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, in which a couple authorities said was inspired by Islamic State killed 14 people. The couple died in a shootout with police hours after the massacre. An iPhone 5C, recovered by authorities, did not have a fingerprint sensor.

The legal issues in the case were never settled because the FBI found third-party software that allowed it to crack the device.

But federal authorities were accused of missteps in unlocking the San Bernardino phone.

Last year, Apple executives who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity criticized government officials who reset the Apple identification associated with the phone, which closed off the possibility of recovering information from it through the automatic cloud backup.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco and Dustin Volz and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Weber, Jonathan Oatis and Howard Goller)
FedEx planes on the tarmac during the presentation of the future extension of the FedEx hub in Roissy-en-France, North of Paris, France, October 18, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer (Reuters)

By Tim Hepher and Sudip Kar-Gupta

PARIS (Reuters) - ATR, the world's largest maker of regional turboprop planes, on Wednesday announced an order from FedEx Express for at least 30 newly designed 72-600F freighter models, sealing its return to the lucrative U.S. market for the first time in over two decades.

The aircraft will be the first to be delivered by the Franco-Italian planemaker in a brand-new freighter configuration rather than as passenger planes, a move that may also boost the recently lacklustre second-hand market for its turboprop fleet.

ATR, a joint venture between Airbus <AIR.PA> and Italian company Leonardo <LDOF.MI>, said the FedEx order comprised firm plans to buy 30 of the planes, with an option to buy another 20.

Deliveries will begin in 2020, it added.

ATR earlier this year reported a preliminary deal to supply 20 aircraft to Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways, but the FedEx deal marks its first firm contract in the world's largest aviation market and involves a marquee customer.

"It is an important deal for ATR which has been cooking for some time," a person familiar with the negotiations said.

"Having a freighter program also opens a greater perspective for the second-hand market," he added. Passenger jets often get recycled as freighters after years in service.

The U.S. breakthrough follows tentative deals announced at the Paris Airshow earlier this year to sell ATR turboprops to China, which is on course to overtake the U.S. as the world's aviation powerhouse and is developing its own rival turboprop.

Brazil's Embraer <EMBR3.SA> has also expressed interest in returning to the market for turboprops, which tend to be more efficient than some jets over short distances.

ATR's only significant current competitor is Canada's Bombardier, whose Q400 it outsells by around three to one. Bombardier has said it is confident of increasing its 25 percent market share.

Story continues

The U.S. deal is a victory for ATR chief executive Christian Scherer, who was appointed a year ago with plans to expand the European company's footprint.

Industry sources say the Airbus veteran was involved in a previous assault on the U.S. market via FedEx in the 1980s, when the then struggling European company struck a tentative deal to sell 24 unwanted jets to the U.S. package firm.

That deal was never completed and Airbus later secured a foothold in the U.S. by offloading half of the jets to PanAm.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Former Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer apologized on Wednesday for a pair of massive data breaches at the Internet company and blamed Russian agents at a hearing on the growing number of incidents involving major U.S. companies.

As CEO, these thefts occurred during my tenure, and I want to sincerely apologize to each and every one of our users, she told the Senate Commerce Committee, testifying alongside the interim and former CEOs of Equifax and a senior Verizon Communications executive. Unfortunately, while all our measures helped Yahoo successfully defend against the barrage of attacks by both private and state-sponsored hackers, Russian agents intruded on our systems and stole our users data.

Related: Why Russia Might Still Block Facebook Next Year

Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless operator, acquired most of Yahoos assets in June, the same month Mayer stepped down. Verizon disclosed last month that a 2013 Yahoo data breach affected all 3 billion of its accounts, compared with an estimate of more than 1 billion disclosed in December.

In March, federal prosecutors charged two Russian intelligence agents and two hackers with masterminding the 2014 theft of 500 million Yahoo accounts, the first time the U.S. government has criminally charged Russian spies for cyber crimes.

The charges came amid controversy relating to alleged Kremlin-backed hacking of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible links between Russian figures and associates of President Donald Trump.

Special Agent Jack Bennett of the FBIs San Francisco Division said in March the 2013 breach was unrelated to the one Yahoo disclosed in December and that an investigation of the larger incident was continuing.

We now know that Russian intelligence officers and state-sponsored hackers were responsible for highly complex and sophisticated attacks on Yahoos systems, Mayer said on Wednesday.

Russia has denied trying to influence the U.S. election in any way.

The Senate Commerce Committee took the unusual step of subpoenaing Mayer to testify on Oct. 25 after a representative for Mayer declined multiple requests for her voluntarily testimony. A representative for Mayer said on Tuesday she was appearing voluntarily.

Mayer became CEO of Yahoo in 2012. One of the earliest employees of Google, now known as Alphabet, she was the Internet search companys first female engineer and led various businesses at Google including the design of its flagship search engine.
Defense major Lockheed Martin Corp.s LMT Aeronautics business division secured a modification contract, under which it will upgrade four P-3B aircraft, to support the government of Greece. Work related to this deal is expected to be over by December 2023.

Details of the Deal

Valued at $260 million, the contract was awarded by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, NJ. Per the terms of the agreement, Lockheed Martin will offer structural mid-life upgrades, tailored-phased depot maintenance, a country-specific designed mission integration and management system as well as new avionics for the aircraft. Notably, the mid-life upgrade will extend the service life of each aircraft by 15,000 flight hours.

Majority of the work for this contract will be executed in Marietta, GA and Schimatari, Greece. Foreign military sales (FMS) funds will be used to partly finance the deal.

A Brief-Note on P-3B

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, P-3B Orion is a four-engine airliner-sized turboprop-powered aircraft. It is used for anti-submarine and maritime surveillance.

Our View

Lockheed Martin is the largest U.S. defense contractor with a platform-centric focus that guarantees a steady inflow of follow-on orders from a leveraged presence in the Army, Air Force, Navy and IT programs. Its Aeronautics segment is engaged in major defense programs of the nation like F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter; C-130 Hercules; F-16 Fighting Falcon; F-22 Raptor; and C-5M Super Galaxy. Notably this segment is a primary growth driver for Lockheed Martin.

Moreover, FMS has been a strong forte for its growth trajectory, with the company witnessing strong demand for its equipment, ranging from C-130J aircraft in France and Germany to helicopters in Poland to missile defense systems in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East regions. In line with this, in October, Lockheed Martin signed a deal worth $3.8 billion, with the Bahrain Defense force, under which the latter will buy 16 upgraded F-16 aircraft. Surely, the deal will boost Lockheed Martins sales at the Aeronautics business division.

Story continues

Notably, this segment recorded 14% sales growth in the third quarter. It goes without saying that such consistent inflow of contracts both domestic as well as overseas like the latest one for P-3B upgrades will provide further impetus to this divisions sales growth in the coming quarters. This in turn will allow the company to retain its position as the largest defense contractor of Pentagon.

Price Performance

Shares of Lockheed Martin have rallied 24.6% over a year, underperforming the industrys 36.9% gain. This could be because the earlier budget cuts have put pressure on the top line although the present defense budget is more in favor of the sector. Moreover, Lockheed Martin's performance lagged the likes of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. HII, Leidos Holdings, Inc. LDOS and The Boeing Co. BA that have outperformed the industry.

Zacks Rank

Lockheed Martin currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Maine residents on Election Day voted to extend Medicaid coverage to an estimated 70,000 of their neighbors by overwhelmingly approving a ballot initiative 59 percent to 41 percent with two-thirds of precincts reporting their vote tallies, according to The Associated Press via the Portland Press Herald.

The outcome of the vote on Maines Question 2 is a win for those low-income Mainers who had been unable to access health coverage through the program, called MaineCare in the Pine Tree State, and a political loss for Gov. Paul LePage (R), who led the public opposition to the ballot initiative after vetoing five bipartisan bills to achieve the same outcome since 2013.

The decision by Mainers to extend health coverage to about 70,000 people  which is more than live in Portland, the largest city in the state  stands in contrast to efforts at the national level by President Donald Trump and the GOP to repeal the Affordable Care Act and significantly scale back programs that help people get covered.

Maine now joins 31 states and the District of Columbia that have expanded Medicaid under provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

That law called for a nationwide Medicaid expansion to anyone earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $16,000 for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four. The Supreme Court, however, ruled in 2012 that states could opt out of the expansion.



After Maines vote, there are still 18 states that havent adopted the policy, and more than 2 million people are uninsured as a consequence.

The effort to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot in Maine began on Election Day a year ago. Since then, Mainers for Health Care, a coalition of groups supporting expansion, waged a statewide public awareness, outreach and advertising campaign to win over voters. LePage and his allies did the same through a political action committee they founded called Welfare to Work.

The Maine Medicaid expansion won the endorsements of dozens of organizations in the state, including the Maine Hospital Association, the Maine Medical Association, the Maine State Nurses Association and the state chapters of national organizations like the American College of Physicians and the American Nurses Association.

Story continues

Medicaid expansion became the law of the land in Maine with the outcome of Tuesdays vote, but the benefits wont be available to eligible residents until the middle of next year at the soonest, Robyn Merrill, a spokeswoman for Mainers for Health Care and executive director of the legal aid organization Maine Equal Justice Partners, said in an interview before Election Day.

The Maine legislature now must develop a plan to pay for the states share of the cost of Medicaid expansion. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government pays at least 90 percent of the expense and states must pick up the rest.

Medicaid expansion may go before voters in Idaho and Utah next year, as advocates are currently in the process of gathering signatures to get the question on the ballot in those two states.

Also on HuffPost

Told NAACP To 'Kiss My Butt'

Soon after taking office in 2011, LePage told the civil rights group the NAACP to "kiss my butt" after they were upset the governor wasn't going to attend their Martin Luther King Birthday events in the state.



My son happens to be black, so they can do whatever theyd like about it, he told a reporter for WGME-TV. The fact of the matter is theres only so many hours in a day, so many hours in a week, and so much that you can do.



In response to a question about whether he had a history of slighting the organization, LePage responded, "Tell them to kiss my butt. ... If they want to play the race card, come to dinner; my son will talk to them.

Made A Sexual Reference About A Legislator

In 2013, LePage went after Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson (D), saying he had a "black heart" and "no brains." The governor was upset at the legislator for saying he wasn't willing to negotiate with Democrats on the budget.



"Sen. Jackson claims to be for the people, but hes the first one to give it to the people without providing Vaseline," LePage said.



When a reporter suggested his comment would offend people, LePage replied, "Good. It ought to, because Ive been taking it for two years."

Quarantined A Nurse Who Did Not Have Ebola

LePage sent law enforcement to enforce a quarantine at the home of Kaci Hickox in 2014. The nurse had returned home to Maine from treating Ebola patients in West Africa. There was no evidence that Hickox had contracted the Ebola virus, and ultimately, she never did. But that didn't stop the governor from forcing her into quarantine.



"I remain appalled by these home quarantine policies that have been forced upon me even though I am in perfectly good health," Hickox said at the time.



A state judge eventually sided with Hickox and said she was free to leave her property.

Said Drug Dealers Are Coming To Maine, Impregnating White Women

In January, LePage claimed that out-of-state drug dealers were coming to Maine and impregnating white women before they leave.



Now the traffickers ... These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty, these types of guys. They come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, and they go back home, LePage said. Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave, which is a real sad thing because then we have another issue that weve got to deal with down the road. Were going to make them very severe penalties.



The comments ignited intense backlash. LePage initially said he wasn't talking about race, but he later admitted he was.



In August, LePage defended himself by saying he keeps a book of drug arrests in Maine that backed him up.



"I will tell you that 90-plus percent of those pictures in my book  and its a three-ringed binder  are black and Hispanic people from Waterbury, Connecticut, the Bronx and Brooklyn," he said.

Claimed The IRS Is Like The Gestapo

In 2012, LePage blasted Obamacare and said the IRS is the "new Gestapo" because it would be imposing tax penalties on people who don't have health care.



"We the people have been told there is no choice, he said. You must buy health insurance or pay the new Gestapo -- the IRS.



A few days later, LePage doubled down.



"What I am trying to say is the Holocaust was a horrific crime against humanity and, frankly, I would never want to see that repeated. Maybe the IRS is not quite as bad -- yet," he said.

Said Dirty Asylum-Seekers Will Bring The 'Ziki Fly'

In February, LePage said he believed asylum-seekers were the biggest problem in the state because of the diseases they may be bringing in.



What happens is you get hepatitis C, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV, the ziki fly, all these other foreign type of diseases that find a way to our land, LePage said during a town hall meeting.



There is no such thing as the ziki fly. The disease LePage was presumably referencing was the Zika virus, which is transmitted by a certain type of mosquito and has rapidly spread through Latin America. Zika has been linked to a condition called microcephaly, which results in newborns having an abnormally small head and incomplete brain development. El Salvador has urged women not to get pregnant until 2018 as a precaution. The Zika virus is not currently found in Maine.

Wanted Bring Back The Guillotine For Drug Traffickers

In January, LePage said he thought drug traffickers should be subject to death by guillotine.



What I think we ought to do is bring the guillotine back. We should have public executions, LePage said in an interview with the radio station WVOM.



The last time France executed someone by guillotine was in 1977. The country abolished the death penalty in 1981. The United States has never used this method of execution.

Suggested Loosening Child Labor Laws

LePage has suggested that the state should loosen child labor laws, saying a hard day's work never hurt anyone.



I went to work at 11 years old, he said in 2011. I became governor. Its not a big deal. Work doesnt hurt anybody.



At the time, the legislature was considering measures to pay students a sub-minimum wage and extend the hours that students could work during the school week.

Called Khizr Khan A 'Con Artist'

LePage, a supporter of Donald Trump, called Gold Star father Khizr Khan a "con artist" for speaking out about the GOP presidential nominee during the Democratic convention.



Then theres the almighty, powerful ones like Mr. Khan  which is a con artist himself  and he uses the death of his son, whos an American soldier, which we respect and honor, and he uses that to go after Trump, which I found very distasteful, he said.



Khans son, Army Capt. Humayun S.M. Khan, was killed in 2004 in Iraq while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers from a bomb blast.

Wanted Obama To 'Go To Hell'

While running for governor in 2010, LePage said he'd have a message for President Barack Obama if elected: "Go to hell."



We came from behind because we have a message. We have a message that says: One, we've had enough of the federal government. We've had enough. Two, we've had enough of the state government. And No. 3, government should be working for the people, not the people working for the government, LePage said. And as your governor, you're gonna be seeing a lot of me on the front page saying Gov. LePage tells Obama to go to hell.

Urged Mainers To Shoot Drug Dealers

In January, LePage said he wanted state residents to start shooting drug dealers on sight in order to help alleviate Maines heroin crisis.



Everybody in Maine, we have constitutional carry, the governor said. Load up and get rid of the drug dealers.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Insurance Back 2017 EMEA GARTNER Eye on Innovation Gala: "Most Innovative Digital Cost-Saving Initiative" Award goes to an insurance company

GARTNER has announced the winners of the 2017 Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for financial services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).



The "Most Innovative Digital Cost-Saving Initiative" distinction was awarded to ZURICH Insurance, which sought to improve the inefficiencies around the handling of injury claims with a cognitive computing solution to fully automate the injury report assessment, leveraging AI solutions. Another finalists for the same category was the Turkish insurance company AKSIGORTA, which used robotic process automation (RPA) to launch its RobotX core RPA project for entering the MTPL insurance market.



The "EMEA GARTNER Eye on Innovation Awards" recognize innovative use of technology-enabled capabilities to highlight "best in class" financial industry initiatives launched within the past 12 months, and to offer insight into developments in digital innovation. The finalists presented their case studies during GARTNER Symposium/ITxpo and winners were selected by the audience. The overall regional winner for EMEA was National Bank of Greece (NBG).



Winners and finalists for each of the three categories were:



Most Innovative Digital Business Model



Winner: ABSA Bank - ABSA Bank wanted to help the 50 percent of people under the age of 30 in South Africa who are declined credit because they have insufficient credit history, despite the possibility of them having sufficient affordability. By leveraging modern-day scoring methodologies and technologies, the bank has broken the boundaries that previously defined credit-lending practices by testing the viability of new social media data points as a viable data source, hence driving financial inclusion. Using a new social media scoring model, ABSA has found a way to provide alternative lending methods by making use of advanced analytic techniques to capture previously rejected and nontraditional customers. The digital solution leverages the power of social data from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to create a score, which serves as an indicator for customer ID verification and fraud prevention. Absa estimates that this will boost financial inclusion of people under the age of 30 in South Africa to 58.8 percent.



Finalist: Standard Chartered - In partnership with American International Group (AIG) and IBM, Standard Chartered has successfully piloted the first multinational, "smart contract"-based insurance policy using Blockchain, a distributed ledger technology that radically enhances the level of trust between insurers and the companies they protect. The blockchain solution is unique in that it not only enables Standard Chartered and AIG to execute multinational coverage more efficiently, but it also brings a new level of certainty and clarity to the underwriting process and enables the bank to achieve improved transaction security across multiple business locations. An initial pilot program has shown that blockchain could lower the administrative burden on both the insurer and insured while streamlining operational efficiencies for employees.



Finalist: VKB Insurance - VERSICHERUNGSKAMMER Bayern (VKB) is one of the first insurance companies in Germany to have built an innovative and cost-efficient Hadoop platform for analytics with structured and unstructured data. As a result, multiple use cases exist for improving customer experience, increasing efficiency of automation, and creating a new business model for partner banks and other public insurances. One such example is the screening of incoming written communication from customers using IBM's Watson to conduct sentiment analysis. This helps to improve and personalize communication with customers and react to their complaints effectively.



Most Innovative Digital Customer Service or Product



Winner: National Bank of Greece - The National Bank of Greece (NBG) is keen to appeal to younger customers. In April 2017, it sponsored Greece's largest youth music festival with the objective of turning the entire festival ticketless and cashless, while at the same time introducing a new product to the market that would appeal to the youth market. NBG developed a contactless wristband that would further extend the capabilities of its existing mobile wallet solution, i-bank Pay, a waterproof Visa prepaid card in microtag form that fits inside a wristband. More than 27,000 festival goers used the paybands at the event and NBG hopes for an "adoption rate of 10 percent of initial users who will go on to bank with them and use i-bank Pay in the future."



Finalist: DenizBank - Denizden Topraga is a "first of its kind" augmented agricultural intelligence app that opens up the possibility of large-scale farming to agriculturists of all sizes. The app is unique in offering a wide range of agricultural advice, a price comparison site for farmers from across Turkey, a social network for farmers, a mechanism for sharing farming machinery and the latest agricultural news, all in one app. DenizBank hopes that more than 40,000 users will join the app's first active wave in the first quarter of 2018.



Finalist: Emirates NBD Group - The Emirates NBD banking group set out to test the feasibility of performing cross-border remittances over a blockchain network. Using a blockchain network for remittances offers an alternative to traditional SWIFT payment messages between Emirates NBD and ICICI Bank. The use case involved an ICICI Bank branch in Mumbai remitting funds to an Emirates NBD branch in Dubai in real time. The blockchain network eliminates the need for traditional financial messaging between banks, which can take anything from a few hours up to two days. The banks expect that reducing the reliance on SWIFT messages and shortening the settlement time frame will lower processing costs, with the savings ultimately being passed on to customers.



Most Innovative Digital Cost-Saving Initiative



Winner: ZURICH Insurance - ZURICH sought to improve the inefficiencies around the handling of injury claims with a cognitive computing solution to fully automate the injury report assessment. ZURICH leveraged AI to fully automate the medical report evaluation, so handlers could focus on more value-added activities; for example, negotiating a settlement with the counterparty. Software robots were also deployed to take over more simple tasks such as rekeying information or updating databases. The combination of the cognitive solution and the software robots enabled Zurich to significantly improve the process productivity using AI, while ensuring that the quality in decision making was at least as good as in the old process. KPIs included the assessment for a medical report being cut from around one hour to just a few seconds, some 40,000 hours of manual work have been saved, accuracy in the claims handling process has improved, and the overall run rate benefits from this solution are $5 million per year.



Finalist: AKSIGORTA - When Turkish insurance company AKSIGORTA wanted to enter the motor third-party liability (MTPL) fleet insurance market, it realized that upgrading its IT systems to support this type of mass fleet operation would take up to four months, which would effectively see it missing the peak demand season. After a successful pilot, the IT department decided to use robotic process automation (RPA) to launch its RobotX core RPA project. The company estimated that, had it taken its existing approach, the system development cost of selected projects would have been 500 days, but the RPA solution cost was only 150 days, increasing revenue by more than 5 percent.



Finalist: MASHREQ Bank - Banks in the Middle East and Africa are increasingly investing on Fintech solutions to sustain and differentiate their offerings. Before taking a plunge into next-generation technologies like cognitive automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to leverage big data and address changing customer expectations, MASHREQ wanted to integrate and optimize systems and processes, streamline operations, improve efficiencies and accelerate customer satisfaction. It thus implemented an intelligent, unified digital platform for business operations and customer experience, becoming the only private bank in the region to capitalize on digital and RPA technologies to deliver intuitive services to customers. In the first phase, this digital platform has not only optimized efforts, automated manual processes and standardized them across branches in all regions, but it has also provided end-to-end integration and 360-degree enterprise visibility powered by gamification, supporting well-informed interactions, augmenting productivity and providing enhanced decision-making capabilities.





Author: Adina TUDOR on 09.11.2017





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Bitcoin prices have been surging, sending its market cap past a $100 billion as more people are becoming believers in the value of this cryptocurrencey.

When asked about bitcoin, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said he is primarily concerned about its use for illicit purposes.

Its something we are looking at very carefully and will continue to look at, Mnuchin said. The first issue and the most important issue is to make sure that people cant use bitcoin for illicit activities. So we want to make sure that you dont have the dark web funded in bitcoins. And thats something that is a concern of ours today.

So if youre a bitcoin dealer in the United States, you have thecustomer requirements and BSA requirements. And those are issues Im discussing with all my international counterparts. So our number one issue is, we wanna make sure that this is not used for illicit transfers of funds.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sits down with Yahoo Finances Nicole Sinclair to talk about the administrations tax reform push

Mnuchin added he didnt have timeline for one the Treasury might have an official position on the cryptocurrency. But he emphasized that the government is looking into it.

Theres nothing specific. But we do have working groups that are looking at this. And again something well be watching very carefully.

The surging value of the cryptocurrency has continued to attract attention. The IRS is looking into big individual profits by pushing for records for users on Coinbase, one of the US online exchanges for bitcoin. Meanwhile, law enforcement is on the alert as transactions are anonymous and difficult to track, making it popular for terrorist financing, ransom for cyber criminals and money laundering.

Chart of Bitcoin

Meanwhile, figureheads across finance have chimed in. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon called it a fraud, Bridgwaters Ray Dalio called it a bubble and Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said he thinks its Enron in the making. On the other hand, investment strategist Tom Lee sees it continuing to surge.

This week, Citi CEO Michael Corbat, who said he doesnt dismiss it, also said to Bloomberg that bitcoin is enough of a threat to the financial system that governments will need to issue their own versions.

Story continues



Nicole Sinclair is markets correspondent at Yahoo Finance

For more from Secretary Mnuchin, please see:

Secretary Mnuchin: Corporate tax cuts are about bringing jobs back to the US

Please also see:

Benioff: Companies like Facebook and Twitter must take full responsibility for what theyve created

Marc Benioff: We cant leave anyone behind during the fourth industrial revolution

Mellody Hobson: Diversity isnt about do-gooderismits about the bottom line

Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis: America doesnt have a debt problem
By Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate tax-cut bill, differing from one in the House of Representatives, was expected to be unveiled on Thursday, complicating a Republican push to overhaul the federal tax code. As the House tax committee moved ahead on its bill, senators were weighing new approaches to corporate taxes, deductions for state and local taxes, and the estate tax on inherited assets, senators said, providing few details. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters that senators would be briefed on the bill on Thursday and it would be released afterward. He said it would not be delayed by potential changes in the House's bill. "It doesn't make any difference what they do," Cornyn said. House and Senate Republicans are working on separate plans for the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax code since the 1980s. President Donald Trump and his House allies have proposed slashing the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent. The tax overhaul is a priority for Trump, who says it will boost economic growth and create jobs. Republicans have yet to score a major legislative win since he took office in January, even though they control Congress as well as the White House. Democrats have blasted the proposals in the Republican tax legislation as giveaways to large corporations and the rich. Senator Orrin Hatch, chairman of the tax-writing finance committee, told reporters he would prefer not to delay a corporate tax cut by a year, which some lawmakers said was a possibility. "Id prefer to get it done," he said. Financial markets have rallied since Trump's stunning election victory in November 2016, driven partly by expectations that he and Congress would slash taxes on businesses. Stock markets closed little changed on Wednesday, with investors focused on chances for a tax bill becoming law. "I do think there's disappointment with Republicans kicking the tax bill around. ... Some of the things leaking out are not encouraging," said Bucky Hellwig, senior vice president at BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama. WARNING TO REPUBLICANS The latest version of the House would add $1.7 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years, more than the $1.5 trillion initially projected, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which tallies the costs of legislation, said on Wednesday. The House bill, unveiled last week, would repeal a tax deduction Americans can now take for state and local income and sales taxes, but preserve it for business owners. It would cap the deduction for state and local property tax paid at $10,000. Republican Senator David Perdue told reporters the Senate bill would possibly repeal the entire state and local tax (SALT) deduction, an item important to people in heavily Democratic high-tax states such as California, New York and New Jersey. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said victories for Democrats in state elections on Tuesday should be a warning to Republicans. New Jersey voters elected a Democratic governor on Tuesday. Virginia chose a Democrat to succeed its outgoing Democratic governor. "The Republicans should look at the elections last night, and it should be a giant stop sign for their tax bill. Where did they get clobbered? In the suburbs," Schumer said. There are enough Republicans from high-tax states in the House to torpedo the tax bill, given that Democrats are likely to be united in their opposition to it. Republicans, who have a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate, also may need support from Democrats to pass their version of the bill. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, whose vote is crucial to approving a tax bill, declined to say if the Senate bill would duplicate the House's proposed estate tax repeal, but she told reporters: "Its certainly true that I expressed reservations about having complete repeal of the estate tax." Like Collins, several Republican senators have questioned the need to repeal the estate tax, but Republicans have long complained that it is a burden on family businesses and farms. (Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Katanga Johnson and Susan Heavey; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Peter Cooney)
Even if Qualcomm declines Broadcom's $103 billion buyout bid, shares of the chipmaker still have plenty of ways of climbing higher over the next year, according to one Wall Street analyst. RBC Capital Markets upgraded Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) shares to outperform from sector perform Tuesday, with a $70 price target, noting that Broadcom's recent bid implied the stock could gain another 10 percent. But "with or without" Broadcom, analyst Amit Daryanani contends the stock could still gain over the next year. "The probability of the initial unsolicited bid becoming the final bid is low and therefore think there is an upside narrative here," wrote Daryanani in a note to clients. But even "if QCOM board rejects the offer, we think the roadmap for value creation is fairly distinct." Qualcomm shares have risen roughly 17 percent since Friday, when reports of a potential bid from Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) first surfaced. The $70 per share cash and stock offer would be the largest technology acquisition ever.Shares of Qualcomm were up 1.4 percent Wednesday. But even without a deal, Daryanani believes the company can grow on its own. Qualcomm's deal with NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) is expected to close within the next few months, adding $1.20 to earnings per share. Qualcomm announced that it agreed to buy NXP for about $38 billion last year, as it seeks to expand the reach of its chips from phones to cars. Improving relations with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) would also bode well for Qualcomm, which supplies chips for the iPhone. The two companies have been locked in a multinational legal battle throughout the year; Apple teed off the dispute in January by suing Qualcomm for $1 billion for excessive royalties. "Our investment thesis assumes Qualcomm and Apple should be able to resolve the dispute in calendar year 2018, possibly with Qualcomm offering some level of concessions," added the analyst. "Should Apple and Qualcomm settle the dispute, we believe payments from Apple will resume and Qualcomm should expect catch-up payments from Apple as well."WATCH: Broadcom reviewing candidates for Qualcomm slate: Source Even if Qualcomm declines Broadcom's $103 billion buyout bid, shares of the chipmaker still have plenty of ways of climbing higher over the next year, according to one Wall Street analyst. RBC Capital Markets upgraded Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) shares to outperform from sector perform Tuesday, with a $70 price target, noting that Broadcom's recent bid implied the stock could gain another 10 percent. But "with or without" Broadcom, analyst Amit Daryanani contends the stock could still gain over the next year. "The probability of the initial unsolicited bid becoming the final bid is low and therefore think there is an upside narrative here," wrote Daryanani in a note to clients. But even "if QCOM board rejects the offer, we think the roadmap for value creation is fairly distinct." Qualcomm shares have risen roughly 17 percent since Friday, when reports of a potential bid from Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) first surfaced. The $70 per share cash and stock offer would be the largest technology acquisition ever. Shares of Qualcomm were up 1.4 percent Wednesday. But even without a deal, Daryanani believes the company can grow on its own. Qualcomm's deal with NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) is expected to close within the next few months, adding $1.20 to earnings per share. Qualcomm announced that it agreed to buy NXP for about $38 billion last year, as it seeks to expand the reach of its chips from phones to cars. Improving relations with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) would also bode well for Qualcomm, which supplies chips for the iPhone. The two companies have been locked in a multinational legal battle throughout the year; Apple teed off the dispute in January by suing Qualcomm for $1 billion for excessive royalties. "Our investment thesis assumes Qualcomm and Apple should be able to resolve the dispute in calendar year 2018, possibly with Qualcomm offering some level of concessions," added the analyst. "Should Apple and Qualcomm settle the dispute, we believe payments from Apple will resume and Qualcomm should expect catch-up payments from Apple as well." WATCH: Broadcom reviewing candidates for Qualcomm slate: Source



More From CNBC


The U.S. Department of Justice may block Time Warner's sale to AT&T if it doesn't sell CNN first, according to a report from the Financial Times. The $85.4 billion deal was proposed last year, just weeks before the U.S. presidential election.

After Donald Trump was elected, some wondered if his disdain for the cable news channel would somehow thwart the deal. The FT is now reporting that this may actually happen.

https://twitter.com/MattGarrahan/status/928330524074086401

The FT report says that AT&T is opposed to selling CNN and plans to fight this in court.

The New York Times is now reporting that if AT&T doesn't sell Turner Broadcasting, the group that owns CNN, it could be asked to sell DirecTV instead. AT&T purchased DirecTV in 2015.

AT&T CFO John Stephens acknowledged at a conference on Wednesday that the timing of the deal is "now uncertain." It was originally expected to close by the end of the year.

In a press release following the conference, AT&T said its "discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the companys acquisition of Time Warner are continuing. Stephens said he couldnt comment on those discussions but that there is now uncertainty as to when the deal will close."

NEW: The Justice Dept claims that AT&T privately offered to sell CNN. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson DENIES that: "Throughout this process, I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so."  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 8, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

It's typical for large deals to undergo antitrust review to avoid unfair competition or monopolies. It's not typical for the president to weigh in on a deal due to a personal grudge against a company.

Shortly before the election, Trump promised to block the deal if he were elected to office. At one point, he said the acquisition could "destroy democracy." He later said "I haven't seen any of the facts."

Story continues

In a recent post on TechCrunch, Senator Al Franken argued that that the sale of Time Warner to CNN is a "raw deal" that would be bad for consumers.

If CNN does not end up selling to AT&T, a long-time rumor is that it could sell to CBS. Earlier this year, CBS CEO Les Moonves said that he believes CNN could "enhance" CBS, "but I don't think that's on the table right now."

TechCrunch is owned by Verizon, a competitor of AT&T. The author of this story previously worked at CNN.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch talks with journalists before heading into a tax meeting (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images): Getty Images

Defying the orders of Donald Trump, Senate Republicans are expected to propose delaying the implementation of a lower corporate tax rate until 2019 as the party rushes to pass a sweeping tax rewrite by the end of the year.

The proposal is likely to anger the President, who has insisted that Congress immediately reduce the rate to 20 per cent from 35 per cent to spur the economy.

Lowering the corporate rate is a centrepiece of the Republicans plan to cut taxes  an effort that is anticipated to get more complicated once the Senate reveals legislation said to greatly diverge from the Houses measure.

House Republicans are advancing a bill that would lower the corporate tax rate in 2018. However, they are also having trouble dealing with the total cost of their bill, which has surpassed the $1.5 trillion price tag they were permitted to have under budget rules.

Since Republicans are using a legislative process known as reconciliation  meaning they can push a bill through Congress without any support from Democrats  they must keep the cost of the bill to $1.5 trillion over 10 years.

Party members in both the House and Senate are desperate to find ways to fund their bills so as not to increase the deficit by more than this amount. This is why the Senates version is expected to delay the corporate tax cut and entirely eliminate the state and local tax deduction  moves that would help Republicans raise a lot of money. The Houses version, meanwhile, only limits the deduction.

Critics of the effort for a tax rewrite say the overhaul will significantly benefit the wealthiest Americans while only providing modest gains for some middle-class families, which Republicans have said the legislation will help the most.

The party could face significant consequences in the House if members gets rid of the state and local tax deduction, which aides constituents in high-tax states, particularly those that live in suburban areas, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Story continues

While speaking on the Senate floor, Mr Schumer warned House Republicans representing suburban districts that the tax bill could be their political doom.

This should be a three-alarm fire for every House Republican in California, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, Illinois, Colorado. ... You'll pay a price. House Republicans should kill the bill now if they want to have any hope of stopping the full repeal of state and local deduction, Mr Schumer said.

Republicans in the Senate would likely not pay the same political price since the high-tax states primarily have Democratic senators.

The House is expected to vote on its tax measure next week. If the Senate manages to pass its own bill, it is likely that the two chambers of Congress will go to conference to merge the two pieces of legislation.

Mr Schumer argued that the Senate version is likely to prevail in this setting.

Voting to repeal the state and local deduction ... would be political suicide, all to bow down to special wealthy interests, special big interests of large corporations, Mr Schumer said.
The Senate tax plan is not expected to include a controversial 20 percent excise tax on imports by multinational companies, according to three people briefed on the issue.The tax is a critical revenue raiser in the House bill  worth about $155 billion over a decade  and applies to purchases by U.S. subsidiaries of multinational businesses from their foreign counterparts. Among the most vocal opponents of the new fee is the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, which called it a "backdoor border adjustment tax."The fee covers both intangible goods such as intellectual property as well as consumer parts. But unlike the border adjustment tax  a proposal that Republicans have discarded  the transactions must occur within a single parent company.Business groups such as the Organization for International Investment also fear the tax could disrupt international supply chains and raise costs for multinational companies  and ultimately consumers."It's an extraterritorial reach into global supply chains that were never part of the U.S. tax base," OFII President Nancy McLernon said. "It will have a disproportionate impact on international companies that have made a deliberate decision to invest and create jobs in the United States." Last week, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady defended the tax as a crucial to ensuring that companies do not shift profits overseas. He said that the border adjustment tax was abandoned months ago and that the excise tax in the current bill bears no resemblance to that proposal. "It's nowhere near this," he told reporters. The Senate Finance Committee in response to a request for comment said it could not get into the details of the plan. Correction: The conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity is opposing the new fee. An earlier version misstated its name. The Senate tax plan is not expected to include a controversial 20 percent excise tax on imports by multinational companies, according to three people briefed on the issue. The tax is a critical revenue raiser in the House bill  worth about $155 billion over a decade  and applies to purchases by U.S. subsidiaries of multinational businesses from their foreign counterparts. Among the most vocal opponents of the new fee is the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, which called it a "backdoor border adjustment tax." The fee covers both intangible goods such as intellectual property as well as consumer parts. But unlike the border adjustment tax  a proposal that Republicans have discarded  the transactions must occur within a single parent company. Business groups such as the Organization for International Investment also fear the tax could disrupt international supply chains and raise costs for multinational companies  and ultimately consumers. "It's an extraterritorial reach into global supply chains that were never part of the U.S. tax base," OFII President Nancy McLernon said. "It will have a disproportionate impact on international companies that have made a deliberate decision to invest and create jobs in the United States." Last week, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady defended the tax as a crucial to ensuring that companies do not shift profits overseas. He said that the border adjustment tax was abandoned months ago and that the excise tax in the current bill bears no resemblance to that proposal. "It's nowhere near this," he told reporters. The Senate Finance Committee in response to a request for comment said it could not get into the details of the plan. Correction: The conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity is opposing the new fee. An earlier version misstated its name.



More From CNBC


WASHINGTON  Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Thursday will unveil their own version of tax reform legislation that will shower benefits on corporations and the wealthy.

WASHINGTON  Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled their own version of tax reform legislation that will shower benefits on corporations and the wealthy.

The bill adheres to the basic framework laid out by congressional leaders and the White House in September, which called for cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent.

The most excited group out there are big CEOs, about our tax plan, White House economic adviser Gary Cohn said this week.

But the Senate version of the legislation contains several key differences from a House bill introduced last week, and it wont be easy for lawmakers in the two chambers to reconcile their competing visions for reform.

Unlike the House bill, the Senate bill fully repeals a tax deduction that allows households to reduce their taxable income by the amount they pay for state and local taxes. Bending to pressure from Republicans in high-tax states like New York and New Jersey, House leaders retained a deduction for property taxes up to $10,000.

But in the Senate, no Republicans represent New York, New Jersey and California.

The dynamic of that issue is obviously different in the Senate than in the House, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the GOP conference chair, told reporters about eliminating tax deductions in order to bring in more revenue. We want to do as many base-broadeners as we can.

The Senate legislation also has slightly different tax brackets and retains write-offs for student loan interest and adoption costs that the House bill controversially repeals. Both versions of the bill undercut tax subsidies for mortgage interest, but the Senate bill allows homeowners to continue deducting interest payments on mortgages worth up to $1 million, whereas the House bill sets a $500,000 cap.

Another crucial difference is that while the House bill cuts the corporate tax rate immediately, the Senate version delays the change to 2019, an aide said. Delaying the corporate tax cut is a gimmick that makes the bill look less costly in the 10-year budget window typically used to evaluate the revenue effects of legislation.

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The bills cost matters because, according to budget rules Republicans set for themselves, the legislation cant lose more than $1.5 trillion worth of revenue over 10 years. The House bill loses about that much, according to several estimates, but its provisions have been in constant flux. The House bill contains a lot of trade-offs: It loses trillions of dollars in corporate and individual income tax revenue, while replacing some of that revenue by eliminating a swath of deductions that most households use to reduce their tax burden.

A political problem for House Republicans is that because their bill gets rid of all those deductions, its difficult for them to say every household will get a tax cut. Their own experts on the Joint Committee on Taxation, as well as outside analysts, have said at least 1-in-5 tax filers will ultimately pay more under the plan.

One way Republicans want to avoid middle-class tax hikes is by expanding the child tax credit. The House bill increases the credit to $1,600 from its current per-child maximum of $1,000. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) have pushed for expanding the credit up to $2,000, but the new Senate legislation only raises it to $1,650.

The House bill does a huge favor to extremely wealthy heirs by eliminating a tax on estates worth at least $5.49 million. The Senate bill keeps the estate tax, but doubles the amount of wealth thats exempt. Many House Republicans have indicated theyre willing to keep the tax if it means getting the bill approved, however.

The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to begin marking up its tax plan next week. House Republicans finished marking up their bill on Thursday and said they would vote next week.

Despite the growing fear of a Democratic wave in 2018 elections, Senate Republicans said that their crushing state and and local losses in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday give them more reason to pass their tax bill.

I think if youre going to run for office, you want to be able to point to things youve been able to get done, Thune said. And I think right now, theres a general frustration in the country, even though weve gotten some things done in our agenda, some of the big ticket items remain unfinished.

Arthur Delaney hosts the HuffPost Politics podcast:

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
elephant

REUTERS/Buddhika Weerasinghe

Stocks ticked up on Wednesday, after edging lower the day before.

Dow: 23,563.36, +6.13, (+0.03%)

S&P 500: 2,594.38, +3.74, (+0.14%)

Nasdaq: 6,789.12, +21.34, (+0.32%)

1. Trump's DOJ reportedly demands Time Warner sell CNN or DirecTV  or the AT&T deal gets blocked. The US Department of Justice has informed AT&T that it must sell Turner Broadcasting, the group of channels that includes CNN, if it wants approval for its $84.5 billion acquisition of Time Warner, according to a New York Times report citing people briefed on the matter.

2. Time Warner tumbled after the reports. Shares were down by about 6.6% in the mid-afternoon.

3. The Feds are investigating billionaire Carl Icahn's role advising the Trump administration. They are investigating his informal advisory role to the Trump administration in connection with his investment firm, Icahn Enterprises L.P., which has a significant stake in a fuel refiner that would benefit from regulatory changes that Icahn reportedly lobbied for.

4. A critical mistake cost traders betting against Snap huge profits. Snap may be the most shorted app-based company in the world, but traders betting on a decline in the stock took their foot off the gas at exactly the wrong time.

5. The Chinese giant behind WeChat, Tencent, is taking a 10% stake in Snap. The news comes as a vote of confidence in the company, which on Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings that failed to meet Wall Street's expectations and made the stock dive in after-hours trading.

6. Snap reversed some of its losses after the announcement crossed. Shares were down by about 14.88% in the afternoon.

7. Maine's governor is trying to block the state's Medicaid expansion the day after voters overwhelmingly supported it. Gov. Paul LePage said in a statement Wednesday that he would not allow implementation until the state legislature made certain changes to its budget.

Story continues

ADDITIONALLY:

Trump has delivered little on trade  and that's partially because of North Korea.

Trump says the postelection stock rally is "virtually unprecedented." Here's how it stacks up against those of other presidents.

REPORT: Around 25% of Americans would have higher taxes under the GOP tax plan in 10 years.

Zillow says America's red-hot housing market is a bit of a problem.

House Republicans suddenly have a massive problem with their tax bill.

NOW WATCH: THE BOTTOM LINE: Chipotle's earnings disaster, Amazon's new headquarters, and the unstoppable stock market

See Also:

SEE ALSO: Here's what happens with your stuff after you die
AT&Ts $85.4 billion planned Time Warner acquisition would be a massive transaction with the potential to remake the media and telecommunications industries, but the deal now faces some big obstacles.

At a Wells Fargo media and telecom conference on Wednesday morning, AT&T chief financial officer John Stephens said that closing the mega-deal for Time Warner is now uncertain even as he declined to elaborate on the companys ongoing discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice about securing regulatory approval for the transaction.

Meanwhile, multiple news outlets reported on Wednesday afternoon that anonymous sources with knowledge of the regulatory process have said that the Justice Department has told AT&T that the telecom giant would need to sell off part of Time Warners vast media portfolio in order to win antitrust approval for the deal. The New York Times reports that regulators may want AT&T to divest either Time Warners Turner Broadcasting unit, which includes CNN and other cable networks, or satellite television provider DirecTV.

Get Data Sheet, Fortunes technology newsletter.

However, the Financial Times reported that the Justice Departments primary demand is for the sale of CNN, a leading cable news network that has frequently drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, who refers to the network and its journalists as fake news on a regular basis. Trump voiced his opposition to the AT&T-Time Warner deal while campaigning for the White House, calling the deal too much concentration of power between Time Warners media assets (which also include HBO and Warner Bros. movie studios) and AT&Ts huge wireless and broadband distribution network. But, the presidents oft-stated animus toward CNN and its reporting could also be seen as an obstacle to the deals completion should the Trump administrations Justice Department ultimately opt to challenge the acquisition.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made it clear on Wednesday that the company has no intention of unloading CNN. Until now, weve never commented on our discussions with the DOJ. But given DOJs statement this afternoon, its important to set the record straight. Throughout this process, I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so, Stephenson said in a statement.

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Politico reports that sources say the Justice Department has not explicitly demanded that AT&T sell CNN along with the rest of Turner, but that the company is interpreting regulators request for structural remedies as pressure to shed the cable news network. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department is preparing a lawsuit to challenge the deal in case an agreement cant be reached between the government and the companies.

Should the Justice Department move to block the deal, it would come as something of a surprise, especially considering that the Justice Departments top antitrust regulator, Makan Delrahim, even said earlier this year that he did not think the deal presented a major antitrust problem due to the fact that neither of the two companies directly competes in the same spaces. And, while AT&T last month said it extended by a short period its deadline to close the planned deal, the transaction has already won regulatory approval in other countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Mexico without the need to sell any assets.

(Note: Time Warner is the former owner of Fortunes parent company, Time Inc., which was spun off in 2014.)
AT&T has "no intention" of selling CNN despite the Justice Department's demand the company sell it in order to approve the Time Warner acquisition, according to CEO and chairman Randall Stephenson.

"Until now, we've never commented on our discussions with the DOJ," Stephenson said in a statement. "But given DOJ's statement this afternoon, it's important to set the record straight. Throughout this process, I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so."

Sources told CNBC that the Justice Department wants AT&T to sell Turner Broadcasting, which includes CNN, or DirecTV as condition for approval of the $85 billion AT&T (NYSE: T)-Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) deal.

In addition, DOJ sources told NBC News AT&T offered selling CNN during a meeting on Monday regarding the proposed merger. The DOJ's Antitrust Division "flatly rejected it" because it would not solve potential anti-competition issues. Justice Department officials told NBC News there are multiple ways to solve issues regarding the AT&T-Time Warner deal, but selling CNN would not resolve concerns."The Department is committed to carrying out its duties in accordance with the laws and the facts," a DOJ spokesperson said in response to Stephenson's statement. "Beyond that, the Department does not comment on any pending investigation."

Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) shares were down 6 percent after the reports. AT&T (NYSE: T)'s stock was up 1 percent.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized CNN as fake news on his social media Twitter account in the past year.Tweet LinkThe company previously said it expected the deal to close by the end of 2017.When asked about the deal earlier Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Media and Telecom Conference in New York, AT&T Chief Financial Officer John Stephens said:"We are in active discussions with the [Department of Justice]. Those are continuing on. I can't comment on those discussions, but with those discussions, I can now say that the timing of the closing of the deal is now uncertain."Stephens said the AT&T acquisition of Time Warner is a "vertical integration" merger across industries. He noted that the government has not blocked a "vertical" deal in more than 40 years.

Story continues

AT&T announced the cash and stock deal to acquire Time Warner in October 2016. Time Warner shares dropped 4 percent on Nov. 2 after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department's antitrust division was preparing for litigation in case it decided to sue to block the deal.

The Financial Times first reported on Wednesday that the Justice Department told AT&T and Time Warner it must sell CNN. The New York Times later reported that either CNN or DirecTV must be sold.



CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin contributed to this report.

WATCH: Trump's war on 'fake news' may have claimed first victim on the Street





More From CNBC
WASHINGTON  The chief financial officer of AT&T told an investor conference on Wednesday that the timing of closure of its massive acquisition of Time Warner is now uncertain as the Justice Department scrutinizes the transaction.

The timing of the closing of the deal is now uncertain, John Stephens, senior executive vice president and CFO of AT&T, said at the Wells Fargo conference in New York. He declined to comment on the substance of the discussions with Justice Department lawyers.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the DOJ was considering a lawsuit to challenge the deal. The company has been in discussions with the DOJ, presumably about ways to approve the deal with a set of conditions.

While it is unclear what the Justice Department has been focusing on, there has been concern among rivals that AT&T could withhold Time Warner content from rivals or gain unfair leverage in carriage negotiations. In August, an economist hired by Starz unveiled a study that argued the merged firm would have the incentive and ability to foreclose HBO competitors from AT&Ts subscribers. The study was co-authored by Jeffrey Eisenach, who led Donald Trumps transition effort at the FCC.

AT&T has said they expected the merger to close by the end of the year, but the company recently extended its agreement with Time Warner as it became clear that approval would not come earlier this fall.

AT&T and Time Warner have pitched the merger as the type of vertical integration that has in the past not raised serious antitrust concerns, as opposed to a horizontal merger that removes competition.

But Makan Delrahim, the chief of the DOJs antitrust division, was not confirmed by the Senate until September. During the presidential campaign, Trump said he opposed the merger, citing concentration of the news media and unhappiness with CNN, but the DOJ is supposed to have a degree of autonomy from the White House as it scrutinizes the transaction. Moreover, the federal government would have to come up with a legal case to challenge the deal.

Story continues

Amy Yong, an analyst at Macquarie Securities, wrote in a research note on Tuesday that its Time Warner analyst believes that tension between CNN/President Trump should not be taken lightly. She also noted that before he was named antitrust chief, Delrahim had said that there were few hurdles around the deal.

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Telephone and Data Systems Inc. TDS is slated to report third-quarter 2017 results on Nov 8, before the opening bell.

In the last four quarters, the companys earnings display a mixed earnings surprise history. The companys bottom line matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one and lagged the same in two of the previous four quarters. The companys earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in only one of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 788.46%.

Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Factors at Play

Telephone & Data Systemscontinues to compete with the likes of CenturyLink Inc. CTL and Frontier Communications Corp. FTR, to name a few. Additionally, the companys wireless division  United States Cellular Corp. USM  continues to operate in an intensely competitive wireless market and remains significantly challenged by the offering of service plans from lower-cost mobile operators. We further believe that high costs associated with network integration and construction of new cell sites, aggressive equipment pricing, increasing capacity in existing cell sites, wireless technology upgrades and spectrum licensing will put considerable pressure on the companys finances.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Quote

We believe these headwinds have led to the dismal price performance of Telephone & Data Systems. Over the past three months, shares of Telephone & Data Systems have lost 5.0% compared with the industrys decline of 4.5%.

Meanwhile, Telephone and Data Systems is looking out for opportunities to bring more fiber in order to better address services, both in its current footprint and adjacent areas. By leveraging on fiber, the telco is trying to meet the growing demand for TV and broadband services. The company continues to expand its business in the managed hosting and cloud service market. Launch of Shared Data plans at nominal prices should help the company gain consumers. It continues to experience strong smartphone demand at its wireless wing  U.S. Cellular.

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At the end of the last reported second-quarter 2017, the service provider claimed to have expanded about 19% of its network route miles with fiber. The telcos fiber network investments are also driving positive results in consumer services like Internet Protocol TV (IPTV). Its IPTV connections grew 12.1% year over year to 46,200, with a net addition of 5,000 connections compared with the prior-year figure. Additionally, more customers are opting for higher speeds, including 1 Gbps, in the companys FTTH-enabled markets.

Total cable connections were 297,000, up 3.3% year over year. Broadband Connections totaled 140,300, up 11.6%. We expect this trend to reflect in the upcoming quarterly results.

Dividend Payment

We appreciate Telephone and Data Systems decision to reward shareholders with a third-quarter 2017 dividend of 15.5 cents per Common Share and Series A Common Share, payable on Sep 29 2017, to shareholders of record as of Sep 15 2017. The move indicates the companys commitment to create value for shareholders and underlines its confidence in business growth.

As investors prefer an income-generating stock, a high dividend-yielding firm is much coveted. Investors are always on the lookout for companies with a track record of consistent and incremental dividend payments.

Key Pick

Here is a company in the broader Utilitiessector  which houses Telephone and Data Systemsthat has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

TELUS Corporation (TU) has an Earnings ESP of +1.80% and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank(Strong Buy) stocks here.

The company will release third-quarter 2017 financial results on Nov 9. The companys earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the previous four quarters.

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
[caption id="attachment_3970" align="alignnone" width="620"]

Theodore Wells Jr. of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Donald Ayer of Jones Day.

Theodore Wells Jr. of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Donald Ayer of Jones Day.[/caption] Echoes of modern controversies could be heard Wednesday night in the U.S. Supreme Court chamber. The Muslim faith is not a pacifist faith, one lawyer said. Another countered that Muslim doctrine does not require the faithful to pick up a gun in any war.But the debate was not a rehearsal of litigation over the Trump administrations travel ban, or any other current headline-making case.Instead, it was a re-enactment of the 1971 Supreme Court case Clay v. United States, in which legendary boxer Muhammad Ali appealed the rejection of his application for conscientious objector status at the height of the Vietnam War.

Sitting at the chief justices center chair, Justice Sonia Sotomayor presided over the mock hearing sponsored by the Supreme Court Historical Society. Alis widow Lonnie Ali and other family members attended too. Justice Clarence Thomas, who sometimes seems bored on the bench, watched raptly from a spectators seat.

Veteran New York litigator Theodore Wells Jr. of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison argued on behalf of Ali, and when it was over, he tucked two quill pensthey are handed out to court advocatesinto his breast pocket. The late civil rights lawyer Chauncey Eskridge argued for Ali in 1971.Representing the government in opposition to Ali was Jones Day partner Donald Ayer, channeling long-ago Jones Day partner Erwin Griswold, who argued the Ali case in 1971 as U.S. solicitor general. A former deputy solicitor general himself, Ayer wore the traditional morning coat for the occasion.Setting the stage for the event was former law school dean Thomas Krattenmaker, who clerked for Justice John Harlan II the year the Ali case was decided. Both Krattenmaker and Harlan played key roles in the sub rosa deliberation after the oral argument that turned a loss into a win for Ali, as Krattenmaker described it. Those behind-the-scenes maneuvers, recounted in a 2013 HBO movie, overshadowed the argument itself.But Sotomayor made it lively nonetheless. Wells started out by requesting four minutes of rebuttal time, which high court practitioners dont ask for so explicitly. Three, Sotomayor shot back. Considerable time was spent on the belligerenceor lack thereofof the Muslim faith. A key issue in the Clay case was whether he and his religion eschew all wars, or just some warsa factor used in granting or denying conscientious objector status. Alis own statements about war were ambiguous.Once the argument was over, Sotomayor amused the audience when she said, Remind me if I ever have to sit in this chair again, I need to have it raised. She recounted how the eight-member courtThurgood Marshall was recused because of his involvement in the case as solicitor generalwas ready to vote against Ali until Harlan, who was assigned to write the opinion, changed his mind. Krattenmaker had given Harlan a copy of Elijah Muhammads "Message to the Blackman in America," a book that convinced him that Muslims in general, and Ali in particular, were for all practical purposes opposed to all war. Harlans colleagues were not happy with his change of mind. If anyone did that today, wow! Sotomayor exclaimed. But Harlans shift got other justices thinking about a compromise. In the end, the court issued a per curiam opinion that sidestepped controversial issues but ruled for Ali on grounds that the government was unclear about why he was denied objector status.Describing Ali as quite the poet, Sotomayor tried her hand at poetry too in handing down the opinion Wednesday night. We granted cert on a narrow question presented, she said. But now the government says, We never meant it. She finished by saying, Mr. Ali, youre free. We reverse.
TransCanada's (NYSE: TRP) financial results went in reverse during the third quarter, with earnings and cash flow declining sharply. While that's quite a departure from the rapid growth rate the company posted in the first two quarters of this year, it wasn't entirely unexpected. That's because the company was going up against a tough comparable quarter and it recently closed several asset sales.

That said, TransCanada's speed bump shouldn't slow it down very long because the company expects to put the finishing touches on several expansion projects by the end of the year. Those expansions and others to follow should restart the company's growth engine in the coming quarters.

A gas pipeline under construction.

Image source: Getty Images.

Drilling down into the results

As the table below shows, TransCanada's earnings and cash flow were significantly lower than they were in the year-ago period:

Metric Q3 2017 Q3 2016 Year-Over-Year Change Comparable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization $1.7 billion $1.9 billion (11.6%) Comparable distributable cash flow $769 million $994 million (22.6%) Distributable cash flow per share $0.88 $1.25 (29.6%)

Data source: TransCanada. Note: In Canadian dollars.

Driving that decline were the company's energy and U.S. natural gas pipeline segments:

A chart showing TransCanada's earnings by segment in the third quarter of 2016 and 2017.

Data source: TransCanada. In millions of Canadian dollars. Chart by author.

Energy earnings plunged because the company closed the sale of its U.S. Northeast power assets last quarter. The company put those electric plants up for sale last year so that it could pay down the loan it took out to buy Colombia Pipeline Group.

That deal had fueled TransCanada's growth for the past year by driving up results in its U.S. natural gas pipelines segment. However, since the transaction closed in July of last year, it made for a tough comparable quarter for the company this time around. In addition to that tough comp, earnings were also under pressure due to the timing of contributions to Columbia Gas' pension plan. Finally, TransCanada recently sold stakes in two natural gas pipelines to its MLP, TC Pipelines (NYSE: TCP), which had a slight impact on its earnings in the third quarter.

Story continues

The company partially offset those weak spots by delivering stronger results in its Mexico natural gas pipelines and liquids pipelines segments. In Mexico, TransCanada benefited from putting the Mazatlan pipeline into service. Meanwhile, liquids pipelines' earnings got a boost from higher volumes flowing through the Keystone Pipeline System, as well as some incremental income from the August completion of the Grand Rapids pipeline.

Fully fueled and ready to grow

While TransCanada's earnings took a step back last quarter, that's just a blip for a company that still has plenty of growth ahead of it from in-process expansion projects. For example, earlier this month the company's U.S. natural gas pipeline segment placed its Rayne XPress and Gibraltar Midstream projects into service. Meanwhile, its liquids pipelines segment followed up the Grand Rapids project by putting the Northern Courier project into service this month. That pipeline supports Suncor Energy's (NYSE: SU) massive Fort Hills mine in the oil sands region. It's a crucial piece of infrastructure because it will enable Suncor Energy to move oil out of its latest mine while providing TransCanada with rising income as Suncor ramps its volumes. Finally, TransCanada has 2.3 billion Canadian dollars ($1.8 billion) of projects in its NGTL system in Canada that should enter service by year-end.

TransCanada has several more projects slated for start-up in 2018. In January, it should complete the $1.6 billion Leach XPress project in its U.S. natural gas pipelines segment, followed by the $600 million Mountaineer XPress by the end of the year. Meanwhile, in Mexico, it has three projects scheduled to enter service next year, which will nearly double the size of its portfolio in the country to $5 billion. Finally, it expects to finish its CA$1.1 billion ($870 million) Napanee power plant in Canada next year.

These projects should fuel steady earnings growth for TransCanada over the next year. Furthermore, the company should also benefit from several rate adjustments and new contracts. For example, it secured additional capacity contracts for its Canadian mainline gas pipeline, which should improve volumes and earnings on that system in the future. Meanwhile, its Northern Border pipeline, which it owns via its stake in TC Pipelines, recently reached an agreement with shippers on a new rate that should boost earnings at its MLP. These and other rate cases should bolster the profitability of TransCanada's legacy systems in the coming years.

A high-yield growth stock for the long term

Don't let TransCanada's third-quarter results fool you; the company still has plenty of growth left in the tank. Its massive CA$24 billion ($18.9 billion) expansion project backlog supports the view that the pipeline giant can grow its dividend by an 8% to 10% compound annual rate through 2020. TransCanada stock remains an excellent option for income seekers because they can collect a 4%-plus yield that should rise at a rapid pace over the next few years.

More From The Motley Fool

Matthew DiLallo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Department of Justice wants AT&T to sell the cable news network

The Justice Department has reportedly asked AT&T and Time Warner to ditch Turner Broadcasting, a company that owns a suite of cable channels including frequent Donald Trump foil CNN, as a potential requirement before approval of a pending $85.4 billion merger deal between the companies.

Justice Department officials have indicated that selling DirecTV could possibly be another way to win approval, people with knowledge of the deliberations told the New York Times.

The potential requirements lay the groundwork for a fight as the two companies look to merge, making a giant company that could offer wireless and broadband internet services, just as upstarts like Netflix are disrupting the traditional media landscape.

Mr Trump frequently singles out CNN for what he perceives as an anti-Trump bias, and has even tweeted a gif of him beating up the CNN logo.

The President has also criticized the proposal, saying that it is the kind of deal that destroy democracy, and said on the 2016 campaign trail that it is the type of power structure that he is fighting against.

Analysts have said there are few legal grounds on which to block the merger, in spite of critic concern that the proposal is illustrative of claims that there is too much consolidation in the media and telecommunications industry.

Executives at AT&T had originally hoped to cobble a deal together before the end of the year, but that timeline has been imperilled recently. John Stephens, AT&Ts chief financial officer, said at a recent investor meeting that the Department of Justices (DOJ) approval was the only remaining obstacle.

We are in active discussions with the DOJ, Mr Stephens said. I cannot comment on those discussions. But with those discussions, I can now say that the timing of the closing of the deal is now uncertain.

The chief executive of AT&T, Randall Stephenson, has attended at least two meetings with Mr Trump in the course of negotiating the merger. Just after one of those meetings, Mr Trump took shots at CNN on Twitter, saying their credibility will soon be gone! Mr Trump told Mr Stephenson that he was doing a good job after the second meeting.

Story continues

I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so, Mr Stephenson said in a statement provided to Reuters following the news that the Justice Department was considering the requirement.

In an email provided by a DOJ spokeswoman, White House spokesman Raj Shah said that Mr Trump "did not speak with the attorney general about this matter," and that "no White House official was authorized to speak with the Department of Justice on this matter."

In a separate statement, DOJ's new antitrust chief, Makan Delrahim, said he has "never been instructed by the White House on this or any other transaction under review by the antitrust division."

Executives at both AT&T and Time Warner have reportedly balked at the request to ditch CNN, since the proposal is a vertical merger, meaning that they do not currently compete directly.
With all the cacophony about how to pay for tax reform and who will benefit  effective lobbying by the wealthy from both political parties means that there has been deep silence on the tax expenditure that most benefits the hyper-rich. No one is seriously discussing raising the capital gains rate to the same as income tax, which is how President Reagan paid for his 1986 tax reform.

If the Trump administration went back to the Reagan tax plan and taxed capital gains at the same rate as income tax, the government would save between $148 billion and $226.3 billion a year. Currently 62% of that windfall tax expenditure goes to the top 1%. It is the tax expenditure that most skews in favor of the wealthy, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

With this kind of money, you could double spending on education and affordable housing and still not have spent it all. Or if you believe in smaller government, give the middle class a giant tax break  you choose.

But no one is talking about this. Why? Generally, only wealthy elites get what they want from US politics. As a recent Princeton study finds: When the preferences of economic elites  are controlled for, the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically insignificant impact upon public policy.

In other words, if the very wealthy have the same views on an issue as you do, you might get what you want. But if your views dont line up  and the hyper-rich clearly dont think like the masses on capital gains taxation  youre out of luck.

Here is how this works in practice. The top federal income tax bracket is 39.6% and will stay that way under the proposed House bill. That is what you pay if you earn a lot from actually doing work, such as doctors, lawyers, journalists and others do who went to college but are not investors, real-estate or tech- moguls.

The top long-term capital gains tax bracket is 20% (or 23.8% with the Affordable Care Act surcharge). That is what you pay if you sit at home and watch the money you inherited grow, or if you are wealthy enough to have lots of money to invest. Thats very, very few of us.

Story continues

The top qualified small business stock rate is 0%. Thats what you pay if youre an early investor in an internet business (for up to $10 million or 10 times your gain, whichever is more) if you get in before the business is worth $50 million. So some Silicon Valley seed investors pay effectively no tax. This provision was supposed to help small time entrepreneurs. In actual fact, almost only tech-internet businesses take advantage of it, because the lady who runs a dry cleaner or salon has no idea this tax provision exists. And the types of businesses that regular Americans start  any service or farm business (or anything thats an LLC)  are specifically excluded.

As Warren Buffett memorably put it in a New York Times op-ed in 2011, If you make money with money, as some of my super-rich friends do, your [tax] percentage may be a bit lower than mine [under 17.4%]. But if you earn money from a job, your percentage will surely exceed mine  most likely by a lot.

Those who favor different rates for income tax and capital gains tend to argue that people wouldnt invest if investment income were taxed at normal rates, and that it would stop job creation. There is absolutely no evidence for this. Others argue that taxing capital gains is unfair double taxation. Whether this is true is complex, and depends entirely on what the underlying asset is and how long it is held. Theres an easy fix: either have a reasonable total minimum tax rate for the wealthiest Americans, as Warren Buffett has suggested, or make capital gains rates progressive. This would let average Americans who invest a little of their hard-earned money have preferential rates, but the very rich  who get the large majority of their income from capital gains  would pay rates closer to what others do.

The Trump administration and Congress rightfully put several other beloved and mostly far less expensive tax expenditures up for consideration. According to the House bill, the mortgage interest deduction will be reduced, the deduction for state and local taxes almost abolished, and even a future tax on fancy healthcare plans is being preserved. (Other than the exclusion for health plans, these cost far less than the windfall tax rates investors have on capital gains.)

But those that most benefit the hyper-rich  the stepped-up basis for stocks at death, and capital gains treatment  will be maintained. In sum, this sounds like socking it to the fairly wealthy who work for a living, especially those from high-tax blue states, but sparing the billionaires. Because where else would Congress get its campaign contributions?

President Trump was elected to help the forgotten man, not the wealthy donors who sustain both parties. Time for his administration to begin to do that.
U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as they depart for Seoul, at U.S. Air Force Yokota base in Fussa, on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan, November 7, 2017.

For US defense contractors, Donald Trump might be looking like a salesman-in-chief right about now. In the space of two days, Trump has urged the leaders of Japan and South Korea, as well as the US Congress, to spend heavily on the expensive systems offered by the likes of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeings defense divisionall in the name of defending against North Korea.

Yesterday while in Japan, the first stop in a trip through Asia, Trump held a joint press conference with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, whom he urged to buy US military equipment as protection against North Korea. Doing so, he noted, would also create American jobs and help address the USs trade deficit with Japan, the second-highest behind only China.

One of the things I think is very important is the prime minister is going to be purchasing massive amounts of military equipment, as he should, he said. Its a lot of jobs for us and a lot of safety for Japan. Trump mentioned F-35 fighter jets, missiles, and missile-defense systems.

Abe, for his part, seemed open to the idea, and indeed Japan has ordered such items from the US before. Like Trump, he takes a hard-line position on North Korea, which helped him emerge victorious from a recent snap election in Japan.

Also yesterday, Trump asked US lawmakers for an additional $4 billion to spend on missile defense to counter the North Korea threat.

This request supports additional efforts to detect, defeat, and defend against any North Korean use of ballistic missiles against the United States, its deployed forces, allies, or partners, he wrote in a letter to Congress. Trump had originally requested $9.9 billion for missile defense for the year ending Sept. 30, 2018.

Leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives Armed Services Committees said they welcomed the request.

Story continues

Today, Trump traveled to South Korea. In a press conference, he said that South Korea had agreed to order billions of dollars of military equipment, and drew the connection again to jobs for Americans.

Trump: South Korea will be ordering "billions of dollars" worth of military equipment from the U.S., creating jobs for Americans  Anna Fifield (@annafifield) November 7, 2017

Trump also boasted about the quality of US military gear while in both countries. We make the greatest military equipment in the world, he said in Japan. Theres nothing close.

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U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City with Chinas President Xi Jinping and Chinas First Lady Peng Liyuan in Beijing, China, November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

BEIJING (Reuters) - Meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week will focus on addressing trade imbalances between the two countries, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Ross was speaking at a signing ceremony for commercial deals between the two countries worth about $9 billion that were signed as part of Trump's visit to China.

Trump has railed against China's massive trade surplus with the U.S., accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices.

Data released Wednesday showed China's exports to the U.S. rose 8.3 percent on-year in October, while imports increased 4.3 percent. That resulted in $26.62 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last month, down from a record $28.08 billion in September.

Chinese vice premier Wang Yang said at the ceremony that deals signed between China and U.S. firms will contribute to overall stability between the two countries.

(Reporting by Matthew Miller; Editing by Sam Holmes)
U.S. markets are looking to start off the day in the red. Besides a number of earnings reports to digest, investors are analyzing businesses deals the U.S. has made with China, along with the Senates tax plan. Yahoo Finances Alexis Christoforous, Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer, Jared Blikre and Myles Udland discuss the big stories of the day.

Todays topics:

U.S., China sign $250B in business deals

Trump said China can easily end the threat of North Korea

Senate to unveil its version of tax bill

Dow set to snap 7-day winning streak

Macys and Kohls report earnings

Disney earnings preview

IRS pushing Coinbase for bitcoin customer records

DOJ demanding sale of CNN to approve Time Warner, AT&T deal

Roku rips higher after crushing sales estimates

Snap closes in on record low after JPM downgrade

D.R. Horton beats on expectations

Walmart preps color-coded sections for Black Friday shopping ease

Spacey out of All the money in the world

Apple to release iPad redesign next year: Bloomberg

Pokemon Go creators to launch Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

TWITTER POLL:

Would you buy a newly designed iPad?

 I have to have it.

 Waiting for OLED display

 iPad is on its way out.

 I hate Apple.
LISBONUber now has its eyes on the skies. In a talk Wednesday morning at the Web Summit conference here, chief product officer Jeff Holden outlined the ride-hailing firms plans to take commuters across major cities in electric-powered air taxis by 2020, starting in Los Angeles.

But its plans to have four-passenger, vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft zip above skyscrapers faces a major obstacle that Holden brushed off during that 25-minute presentation.

Traffic is a problem in the sky, too

As part of what its also called its Elevate project, Uber is banking on a major reengineering of the air-traffic control system  the current one isnt geared to handle the flocks of new aircraft that Uber envisions.

We need to handle a lot more air traffic flying over cities than has ever been done before, Holden said. We need a foundational reboot of the air-traffic system.

Uber plans to do that by putting its UberAir operations into an existing NASA project to open up the nations airspace to drone traffic called UTM (for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management). But UTM is still far from completion, and Ubers piloted vehicles will be far larger and heavier than any drone.

A longtime aviation analysts take: Good luck with that.

Jeff Holden discusses Ubers plans for flying cars.

Bob Mann, president of the airline consulting firm R.W. Mann & Co., called Ubers 2020 goal purely aspirational, but then thats Uber.

He wrote in an e-mail that integrating commercial UberAir service into the existing air system would start without a vision, protocol or procedure. Uber might be able to begin commercial flights in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles  but most likely beyond that time, he added.

Indeed, the history of past attempts to modernize the air-traffic control system is full of delays. And the air is worse than the roads in one important aspect: Uber cant just start service first and ask permission later.

Beyond helicopters

The rest of Ubers aerial effort seems better-grounded. Holden pitched it as both a logical response to big-city traffic getting worse all the time and an outgrowth of its earlier venture into aerial transportation with its UberChopper service.

Story continues

Holden said traditional helicopters will never work for more than luxury commuting: They are too noisy, not safe enough, too polluting and too expensive.

We need an entirely new kind of aircraft, Holden said.

So instead of a helicopters one large rotor or the two massive, rotating propellers of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) plane like the Boeing (BA) V-22 Osprey, Ubers four-passenger air taxi will take to the air with six electrically-driven rotors.

That makes an UberAir taxi simpler and safer than a helicopter and much quieter.

Theres a lot of sources of sound from a helicopter that are gone from this design, he said.

Once transitioned to level flight, it can hit 200 miles an hour and go 60 miles on a charge. A special charger developed by Ubers partner ChargePoint will be able to recharge the battery in four minutes.

Holden said flight demonstrations should begin in a bit over two years, with service ideally launching in Los Angeles and then Dallas beginning in 2020.

That would be comfortably before the 2020 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 timeframes that executives at other air-taxi projectsAirbus Urban Air Mobility and Volocoptersuggested in a panel here Tuesday.

Pricing possibilities

Existing helicopter-taxi services suffer from prohibitively high prices. Uber drew headlines and scorn when it launched UberChopper by charging $3,000 to take five people from Manhattan to the Hamptons. It doesnt want anything close to that for UberAir.

In the early days, pricing will certainly not be less than the cost of driving your own car, but its also not going to be crazy high, Holden said. Once we kind of stabilize after launch, well be able to offer an UberAir ride at an UberX price.

He cited a ride from Los Angeles International Airport to the Staples Center downtown, saying it would take 27 minutes. On a weekday morning, the Uber app put the price of that route via UberX as $31. Google (GOOG, GOOGL) Maps said the drive would take only 34 minutes at that time.

The highlight video that closed his talk, showing a businesswoman choosing UberAir to get her home to her waiting husband and kids faster, did not show prices on the screen of her Uber app.

I know that Id pay a healthy premium to have an UberAir whisk me across Las Vegas during CES and free me from that giant tech conferences hellish traffic. But I strongly suspect that five years from now, Ill still be taking a regular Uber or Lyft across Vegasexcept that CES gridlock is already so bad that its often faster to walk.

More from Rob:

Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro.
United Airlines is flying its final 747 flight before retiring the iconic jumbo jet.

The plane departed at 2:50 Eastern Time from San Francisco  50 minutes late, according to FlightAware  and is slated to land in Honolulu, Hawaii at 8:01 P.M eastern time, or 3:01 P.M. Hawaiian time. The entire journey is expected to take 5 hours and 11 minutes. The route was symbolic, replicating the route Uniteds first 747 flew in July of 1970.

United said more than 300 people boarded the flight, and that tickets had sold out within 90 minutes of the announcement. Celebrations were underway at San Francisco Airport before the departure, and will continue once the plane has landed in Hawaii.

The airline had announced this past January that it was retiring 747 jets. The last international 747 flight, from Seoul, South Korea to San Francisco, took place on October 29.

While today is bittersweet, well continue to honor the Queen of the Skies game-changing legacy of connecting people and uniting the world with our next generation of long-haul aircraft, United CEO Oscar Munoz said in a statement.
United States Cellular Corp. USM, a subsidiary of Telephone & Data Systems Inc. TDS, posted mixed financial results in the third quarter of 2017. While the bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the top line missed.

GAAP net loss came in at $299 million or a loss of $3.51 per share against net income of $17 million or 20 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. However, adjusted earnings per share of 11 cents were well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a penny per share.

United States Cellular Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

United States Cellular Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | United States Cellular Corporation Quote

Quarterly total revenues of $963 million declined 6% year over year. Also, it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $976.5 million. Quarterly Service revenues decreased 6% to $737 million. Revenues from Equipment sales decreased 5% to $226 million.

Quarterly operating expenses increased 32% to $1,323 million. Operating loss was $360 million against operating income of $22 million in the prior-year quarter. Total cell sites in service were 6,436 compared with 6,374 at the end of 2016. Total company-owned towers were 4,051 compared with 4,015 at the end of 2016.

Cash Flow

In the third quarter of 2017, cash from operations came in at $174 million compared with $155 million in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly free cash flow was $78 million compared with $53 million in the year-ago quarter.

Liquidity

United States Cellular exited the third quarter of 2017 with cash and short-term investment of $548 million compared with $586 million at the end of 2016. Total debt was $1,644 million compared with $1,629 million at the end of 2016. The debt-to-capitalization ratio at the end of third-quarter 2017 was 0.32 compared with 0.31 at the end of 2016.

ARPU & Churn

Quarterly postpaid ARPU (average revenue per user) decreased to $43.41 from $45.19 at the end of 2016. Postpaid ARPA (average revenue per account) was $116.36 compared with $120.67 at the end of 2016. Postpaid churn declined to 1.16% from 1.41% registered at the end of 2016. Prepaid ARPU decreased to $33.12 from $33.25 registered at the end of 2016. Prepaid churn decreased to 4.75% in the reported quarter from 5.44% at 2016-end.

Story continues

Subscriber Statistics

United States Cellular exited the third quarter of 2017 with a subscriber base of 5,089,000 compared with 5,031,000 at the end of 2016. Postpaid subscriber base totaled 4,513,000 compared with 4,482,000 at the end of 2016. Prepaid subscriber base totaled 515,000, compared with 484,000 at the end of 2016. In the reported quarter, United States Cellular gained a net of 35,000 postpaid subscribers compared with a net loss of 6,000 customers in the year-ago quarter. The company gained 31,000 prepaid customers in the same quarter compared with 67,000 users in the prior-year quarter.

Guidance for 2017

United States Cellular expects total operating revenues in the band of $3,850-$3,950 million. Adjusted EBITDA is projected at $740-$840 million while capital expenditure is estimated at around $500 million. The company projects adjusted OIBDA in the range of $600-$700 million.

Recent Development

United States Cellular currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

In May 2017, the company submitted an application to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a six-month special temporary authority (STA) to conduct trial runs in the 3.5 GHz band in some areas of Maine and North Carolina. Major U.S. telecom operators are currently exploring ways to commercialize usage of 3.5 GHz unlicensed wireless spectrum. Verizon Communications Inc. VZ is planning to deploy small cells, both low power and high power, using the 3.5 GHz band. Meanwhile, in March 2017, the FCC awarded AT&T Inc. T a license to test a 3.5GHz network.

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Both Trump and Kim have visited the Chinese capital in the last six months (AFP Photo/Jim WATSON) (AFP/File)

Beijing (AFP) - US and Chinese companies signed nearly 20 deals worth a total $9 billion on Wednesday at the start of President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang oversaw a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People but they did not immediately give details about the 19 deals.

Wang said the agreements were merely a "warmup" before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping oversee their own ceremony on Thursday involving bigger deals, including in exports of natural gas and soybeans.

Trump plans to use the three-day trip to press Xi on China's massive trade surplus with the United States, which slightly fell in October to $26.6 billion, according to official Chinese data released on Wednesday.

"Addressing the imbalance in China trade has been the central focus of collaborative discussions between President Trump and President Xi," Ross said.

"Achieving fair and reciprocal treatment for the companies is a shared objective," he said.

For his part, Wang said: Economic deals are "an important ballast for the overall bilateral relationship", adding he believed they would contribute to its "stabilisation".
A man walks past a gate with the corporate logo of the state oil company PDVSA in Caracas, Venezuela November 3, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello - RC199AA2C410 (Reuters)

By Corina Pons and Davide Scigliuzzo

CARACAS/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has transferred most of the funds to make the delayed final payment on its 2017N bond, market sources said on Wednesday, as investors asked financial industry group ISDA if the delay constituted a credit event.

President Nicolas Maduro said last week that the bond would be paid in full, but added that all future sovereign and PDVSA debt payments would be restructured and refinanced.

Although Maduro said future debt would be honoured, investors nonetheless interpreted his comments as an indication his government was preparing to default.

PDVSA has broken the 2017N payment into separate portions, the sources said, asking not to be identified.

They added that it was not immediately evident when bondholders would receive the funds or which bank was the recipient bank for the funds.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) posted a question from creditors on its website, seeking to determine if a "credit event" had taken place with respect to the bond.

If ISDA ultimately determines that it has, it would trigger payment on Credit Default Swaps - a form of insurance against default often described as CDS - taken out on PDVSA bonds.

ISDA's Determination Committee first votes on whether or not to accept the question and then votes on the answer, according to an ISDA spokeswoman.

PDVSA did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The full payment of $1.169 billion, which includes $1.121 billion in principal and $47 million in interest, was due on Nov. 2. Since October, Venezuela and PDVSA have been skipping interest payments, invoking a 30-day grace period in an apparent effort to ease a cash crunch that has left the country desperately short of basic goods such as food and medicines.

Venezuela and PDVSA bonds were down slightly on Wednesday, having pared losses from the morning.

Venezuela's 2018N bond was down 0.500 points to a bid price of 31.000 and a yield of 164.58, while PDVSA's 2022 bond was down 1.100 points to bid 26.900.

(Writing by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Rosalba O'Brien)
Volkswagen AG VLKAY reported that it has collaborated with Google for comprehensive research in the field of quantum computing. The announcement was made at the technology conference, Web Summit 2017, in Lisbon.



The companies will investigate the usage of quantum computers and aim to build expert knowledge and focus on research for practical purposes.



A combined team of specialists from Google and Volkswagen will work on the project using a Google quantum computer. The machines architecture is apt for experimental computing operations.

Volkswagen AG Price and Consensus

Volkswagen AG Price and Consensus | Volkswagen AG Quote

Quantum computers have the capability to solve highly complex tasks much faster than conventional supercomputers.



The companies want to continue with traffic optimization and development of high-performance batteries for electric vehicles besides finding structures for new materials and using artificial intelligence with new machine learning processes.



The algorithms, simulations and optimizations will be developed by the specialists of Volkswagen Information Technology Centers (IT labs) in San Francisco and Munich along with experts from Google.



Per management, Volkswagen wants to be among the first to use quantum computing technology for corporate processes soon after the technology is made commercially available.



Price Performance



The stock has gained 7.5% in the last month, outperforming the 4.3% rise of the industry it belongs to.







Zacks Rank & Key Picks



Volkswagen carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked companies in the auto space include PACCAR Inc. PCAR, Cummins Inc. CMI and AB Volvo VLVLY. All stocks sport a Zacks Rank#1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



PACCAR has an expected long-term growth rate of 10%.



Cummins has an expected long-term growth rate of 12.1%.



Volvo has an expected long-term growth rate of 15%.



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Quantum computing is all the rage lately, with companies large and small looking for ways to create the technology and then use it to solve a range of issues. Microsoft has a new coding language for quantum computers, Intel has created a test chip for the new tech and scientists are looking for ways to use corkscrew light beams for future practical quantum computing applications. Now Volkswagen and Google are teaming up for comprehensive research in the field, looking to use quantum computers and AI to create better EV batteries, something that Toyota is also pursuing.

The two companies also want to work on traffic optimization (a key development for an autonomous-automobile future) and new machine learning processes. The announcement was made at a 2017 Web Summit in Lisbon, and said that Volkswagen specialists in San Francisco and Munich will work with Google's universal quantum computers.

"Quantum computing technology opens up new dimensions and represents the fast-track for future-oriented topics," said Volkswagen's CIO Martin Hofmann in a statement. "We at Volkswagen want to be among the first to use quantum computing for corporate processes as soon as this technology is commercially available. Thanks to our cooperation with Google, we have taken a major step towards this goal."
Up, down and in between: bitcoin sought direction on Wednesday as traders looked to price in a shift in the protocol's outlook.

It turns out it wasn't your average "sell the news" event.

While bitcoin set a new all-time high of $7,879 in the aftermath of affirmation a controversial software proposal had been scrapped, its price fell just as quickly, erasing gains to hit a low of $7,070. But for analysts, the $1,000 range was a case of bitcoin's traders pricing in complex news: a group of miners and businesses would no longer seek to update bitcoin's software or otherwise form their own cryptocurrency.

In this way, market observers admitted the charts showcased something that hasn't been seen since September when China moved to ban ICOs and shutter its crypto exchanges  an unexpected shock.

As profiled by CoinDesk, the software proposal called Segwit2x, had been expected to be introduced to the network in mid-November, and many new buyers were said to have been allocating capital into bitcoin in anticipation of a split, thinking new coins would be created.

Yet, with the prospect of a quick dividend off the table, a look at cryptocurrency pricing service CoinMarketCap reveals a sea of assets in the green, as traders moved elsewhere in the market.

"Everyone was selling alts [alternative cryptocurrencies] and buying BTC. Now we are unwinding that," said BTC VIX, the organizer of bitcoin trading group Whale Club.

Others, like Nejc Kodric, CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp, noted it appears the news resulted in dissatisfaction for those thinking they could win big with a quick purchase before a split.

Kodric told CoinDesk:

"I think 2x was a big cloud of uncertainty which now went away ... some like it, some were just in it for the airdrop."

Others suggest it simply could have been the case that any development in the market was enough to spook new buyers.

Driven to bitcoin by its now nearly 700 percent gains on the year (or the news that major derivatives companies are looking to the market to launch new products), they simply may have lacked the ability to make a strong determination of how they felt about the event.

Story continues

Such a view was put forward by Tim Enneking, managing director of the hedge fund Crypto Asset Management.

"I don't think most people understood enough about the fork to understand the implications," he said.

The beneficiaries?

Still, with the market rally cooled, there were also attempts to determine how the news could reshape the relationships between available blockchains with publicly traded tokens.

Amos Meiri, CEO of Colu, a startup seeking to encourage the business adoption of local cryptocurrencies, noted the decision is likely to push startups that were inclined toward the Segwit2x proposal, to other options.

Still, even while he was against the measure, Meiri acknowledged that, for many of his bitcoin business peers, the scrapping of further Segwit2x scaling is cause for concern for which those businesses could actively seek other solutions.

For instance, on Twitter, there was talk about what the move could mean for litecoin and bitcoin cash, both blockchain communities that appear to define their protocol as a vehicle for peer-to-peer payments, though neither rose very much on the day. Bitcoin cash, created after an August fork of the bitcoin blockchain was down roughly 5 percent, while litecoin, which launched in 2012 to offer merchants faster payments, was up just 0.21 percent.

However, there are those who believe these cryptocurrencies may soon become more valuable to a new group of users disenfranchised with the state of bitcoin.

Jake Smith, manager of Bitcoin.com, an interactive web portal for cryptocurrency, called today's events "great news for bitcoin cash."

"Businesses will start flipping. High fees hurting a lot of businesses," he continued.

As such, the statements set up for what could be further price discovery in the market ahead.

Ping pong ball image via Shutterstock.

Related Stories
What happened

Shares of Baker Hughes, a GE Company, (NYSE: BHGE) tumbled 14.2% in October. While some tepid commentary from analysts initially weighed on the stock, the primary fuel driving the decline was the company's weak third quarter.

So what

Analysts haven't been all that bullish on Baker Hughes' prospects since it combined with GE's (NYSE: GE) oil and gas business earlier this year. That didn't change in October. Deutsche Bank, for example, initiated coverage on 20 oil service stocks last month, but rated Baker Hughes a hold, choosing rival Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) and two others as its best long-term ideas. Meanwhile, UBS started Baker Hughes with a neutral rating, due in part because it has less exposure to the faster-growing U.S. land market driven by shale drilling now that it's part of GE (which is where Halliburton excels). Finally, J.P. Morgan thinks that GE might end up unloading its stake in Baker Hughes to help turn the industrial giant's fortunes around.

A close-up of drill pipes with oil workers and a rig in the background.

Image source: Getty Images.

However, the biggest hit to Baker Hughes stock came toward the end of the month when it reported third-quarter results. The oil service and equipment giant posted $0.05 per share in earnings, which missed the consensus estimate by $0.07 per share while revenue came in flat versus the prior year. Contrast that with Halliburton, which reported strong results: Revenue jumped 42% year over year while earnings came in $0.05 per share ahead of expectations.

In addition to those lackluster results, Baker Hughes warned that slower spending in North America and continued weakness offshore could weigh on fourth-quarter results. Furthermore, CEO Lorenzo Simonelli described the current business environment as "challenging." That warning matched what oilfield service leader Schlumberger reported, with it also suggesting that fourth-quarter earnings might miss analysts' expectations. However, Schlumberger's CEO thought that the industry's current activity drop could eventually boost oil prices, which would be better for business. Halliburton, likewise, cautioned that growth in its drilling and evaluation business could slow from the brisk growth rate it reported in the third quarter.

Story continues

Now what

Baker Hughes' stock has gotten off to a rough start as part of GE. That said, the company recently made a move to take advantage of its sell-off by authorizing a $3 billion buyback program, which could enable it to retire as much as 8% of its outstanding shares. Those cash returns, when combined with what should be a better oil market next year, could make investors quickly forget about last month's drop.

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Matthew DiLallo has the following options: short January 2018 $24 puts on General Electric. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has reportedly been subpoenaed to testify to the Senate Commerce Committee about the massive cyber hack that compromised 3 billion accounts. The U.S. has charged four alleged Russian spies with the breach, which is now being investigated by the government for insight into Russias cyber espionage activities.

Issued Oct. 25, according to a report by The Hill, Mayers subpoena reportedly came after the former Google employee and Yahoo chief executive declined multiple invitations to appear before the committee voluntarily. Since being served, she has agreed to testify willingly, says The Hill, though she has also reportedly asked for the court order to be lifted. A Mayer representative has refuted these events, The Hill reports.

The Commerce Committee hearing on data breaches is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. Eastern, and in addition to Mayer will also include testimony from current Equifax CEO Paulino do Rego Barros, former Equifax CEO Richard Smith, president and chief executive officer of Entrust Datacard Todd Wilkinson, and Karen Zacharia, the chief privacy officer for Verizon, which bought Yahoo for $4.48 billion in June 2017.

Mayer resigned from Yahoo after Verizon finalized its purchase of the former search giant. After five years as the head of Yahoo, she has reportedly been on the look out for another CEO opportunity. But with a $23 million severance package, Mayer may not be rushing to get back to the corner office.
FILE PHOTO - Federico Marchetti, CEO of online clothing retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter speaks during a news conference at the unveiling of the company Tech Hub premises at White City in London Britain June 27, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville (Reuters)

By Giulia Segreti and Claudia Cristoferi

MILAN (Reuters) - A "bump in the road" will push Yoox Net-a-Porter's (YNAP) <YNAP.MI> revenue growth this year to the lower end of its guidance range, the luxury online retailer's chief executive said on Wednesday.

The e-tailer, which runs four different websites as well as online flagship stores for famous fashion brands such as Armani and Valentino, has set a goal to increase revenue annually by 17-20 percent at constant exchange rates in the years to 2020.

CEO Federico Marchetti said the transfer of products between different warehouses for The Outnet - one of the group's e-shops  was slower than expected, impacting the availability of items and triggering a 20 million euro ($23 million) loss for the full-year.

"We just had a very small bump in the road ... it happens, just like when you move houses", Marchetti told Reuters in an interview ahead of the group's third-quarter results.

He underlined that the issue was a "one-off", with no knock-on effects for future years and that product availability for The Outnet would be restored by the end of November.

Marchetti said this year's EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) would grow from last year while EBITDA margins would be "broadly in line" with 2016. In August the group said it expected core profit margins to improve this year.

The CEO confirmed the group's revenue growth guidance to 2020, saying that the business was "strong, robust and solid".

In contrast, consultancy Bain & Co has forecast 4-5 percent yearly sales growth for the next three years.

The retailer, whose shares are up just over 20 percent since the beginning of the year, has weathered the luxury sector's slowdown in recent years. It has signed new partnership agreements as well as broadening its product range to include expensive watches and jewelry.

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The most expensive item sold in the last quarter was a 58,000 pound necklace, the company said.

Marchetti said that the group did not have specific sales targets for its own newly-launched menswear label 'Mr P' but said there were "big expectations" for it.

YNAP also plans to create its own label to sell on Yoox and these in-house products are expected to represent 10 percent of the group's off-season revenue by 2020.

The group - which last year signed a 130 million euro joint venture with Dubai-based billionaire Mohamed Alabbar - launched its Yoox website in the Middle East region ahead of schedule.

"Middle East will be one of fastest growing markets, along with China, if not the fastest growing market (for the group)," Marchetti said.

(Editing by Valentina Za and Elaine Hardcastle)
Asamuddin Mukhdum, a young Afghan, sees his ancestral homeland every day but cannot visit despite being only separated by a fast-flowing river amid scenic mountains.

Standing in the graveyard in northeastern Afghanistans Badakhshan Province, Mukhdum has a birds eye view of his ancestral homeland in Tajikistans Gorno-Badakhshan region across the Pyanj River.

Yet a quarter-century after the demise of the Soviet Union, Mukhdum is among tens of thousands of Tajiks whose ancestors fled their homes to escape Bolshevik oppression nearly 90 years ago but have yet to return to their homeland and be reunited with their families.

Mukhdum, whose family lives in Badakhshans Khwahan district, says his ancestors fled Gorno Badakhshans Darvoz region in the 1930s. He says their community included many literary figures who fled communist persecution.

There are writers and poets here who came from Bukhara and Kulob; there were all migrants, Mukhdum said while pointing to marble tombstones in the graveyard on top of a hill alongside the Pyanj River. This grave is of Mullah Abdul Hakim. The grave of Mullah Abdullah is there, and Mullah Barats grave is in the center of [Khwahan] district.

According to RFE/RL Central Asia specialist Bruce Pannier, an exodus from Central Asia toward Afghanistan began in 1916 when colonial master Tsarist Russia started conscripting people from Central Asia for military service in Europe during World War I.

He says the arrival of Bolshevik forces in 1917 was initially greeted with enthusiasm by many in Central Asia as these new Russians promised equality for all the peoples of the new country: the Soviet Union.

But it quickly became apparent to people in Central Asia that equality meant drastically changing their way of life, he said. Religion was to be banned and women emancipated, changes the overwhelming majority of Central Asians did not support.

More than 100,000 Central Asians joined Mohammad Alim Khan, the Amir of Bokhara, to flee into Afghanistan in 1920. His forces suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Red Army.

The Soviet campaign continued for decades forcing wealthy elites, clerics, nationalist figures, and Basmachi rebels to seek refuge in Afghanistan.

This meant families were divided for decades as those living in the Soviet Union were unable to contact those who left for Afghanistan, Pannier said. It was only years later, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan [in the 1980s] that some of the Central Asian troops in the Red Army -- Uzbeks, Tajiks, and Turkmen -- discovered they had relatives in northern Afghanistan.

In Khwahan, Rahmatullah Osman, now in his 90s, was 9 years old when his family fled the Bolsheviks in the 1930s.

When we immigrated here, Nader Shah was killed [in 1933] and Zhair Shah became the Afghan king, Osman recalled. He stopped allowing migrants from Tajikistan. They arrested us and took us to Baghlan Province, where our parents died in confinement.

Osman still spends his days at his small shop in Khwahan. He now counts 15 children and some 90 grandchildren and great-grandchildren among his family.

Osman finally met some of his relatives after seven decades when he visited Tajikistan nearly 10 years ago.

However, Ismail, now in his 60s, who goes by one name only, has not been as lucky. He says faith drove his ancestors to escape to Afghanistan.

Our ancestors left all their wealth and just escaped with their lives and faith and crossed the [Pyanj and] Amu Darya rivers to come into Afghanistan, he told RFE/RLs Tajik service.

Mukhdum says obtaining a visa to Tajikistan is a tall order. Its really difficult to get a visa to Tajikistan in Afghanistan. You need to have a lot of references to get one, he said.

Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan -- three Central Asian countries sharing a border with Afghanistan -- are still largely reluctant to allow a relatively free flow of people and trade across their borders with Afghanistan.

Since 2001, the nongovernmental Agha Khan Development Network has built several bridges across the Pyanj River, which later turns into the Amu Darya, to connect Tajikistan and Afghanistan. But the move has not boosted mobility between the two countries.

The reunion of families in Central Asia and Afghanistan who have been separated by decades will undoubtedly go a long way toward strengthening ties in an area that did not have a border until some 150 years ago, Pannier noted.
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -- Neighbors say when three men kicked down the doors and burgled the home of a North Korean diplomat in Islamabad last month, it took them more than three hours to lug out their booty: thousands of bottles of Scotch whisky, beer, and French wine.

The robbers came prepared. Police and witnesses said they brought three cars and a small truck to plunder Hyon Ki Yong's trove of alcoholic drinks, which is worth more than $150,000 on the black market in a country where it is illegal for Muslims to consume alcohol.

The police, who recovered much of the stash soon after the October 3 burglary, say the three robbers were police officers and have issued arrest warrants for them and a member of a well-known bootlegging family. They also arrested Hyon's housekeeper.

Senior police and customs officials say the discovery of such a large amount of liquor has led them to conclude that some North Korean diplomats are involved in selling alcohol either to make money for themselves or to provide funds for the cash-starved regime in Pyongyang.

The North Korean government is facing increasingly tough United Nations-backed economic sanctions because of its nuclear weapons and missile development programs.

"This North Korean was involved in liquor selling," said a senior police official in Islamabad who is familiar with the investigation, in reference to Hyon.

The officer said North Korean diplomats in Pakistan had been doing this for years, though he provided no direct evidence of such sales.

Reuters could not independently verify whether Hyon had been selling alcohol.

A diplomat from the North Korean Embassy declined to comment on Hyon's case or the wider allegations about alcohol sales.

"It has been discussed between the embassy and MOFA (Pakistans Foreign Affairs Ministry)," said the diplomat, who put the phone down before identifying himself. He did not respond to subsequent calls.

Reuters was unable to reach Hyon for comment.

The investigating police officer, Ishtiaq Hussain, said the housekeeper, Boota Masih, had "confessed" to his role in the crime and provided all the details.

Masih is in custody and could not be reached for comment. Reuters couldn't determine if he has a lawyer.

One of the officers being sought by police, Malik Asif, told Reuters when contacted by phone that he denies being involved in the burglary. He said he is currently in hiding.

He said he had no doubt that North Koreans were involved in the alcohol-smuggling business.

"They have been doing this business for a long time," he added.

Pressure From Embassies

Some foreign diplomats in Islamabad have long held suspicions that North Korean diplomats in Pakistan are involved in bootlegging.

They say they believe Pakistan has turned a blind eye to bootlegging by North Koreans, perhaps out of courtesy to the historic ties between the two countries. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Pakistani scientist lionized as the father of Pakistans atomic bomb, said in 2004 that he had sold nuclear secrets to North Korea.

Pakistan denies being lax in policing such behavior by North Korean diplomats. No such activity has ever been or shall ever be tolerated, foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal told Reuters.

When asked about this particular case, Faisal said: "Pakistan is actively investigating the case and any indiscretion, if proved, will be punished as per national and international laws.

Pakistan has also always denied helping North Korea with its nuclear program.

This summer, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad along with South Korean and Japanese counterparts lodged a complaint with Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry about the size of the North Korean mission in Pakistan because they wanted to reduce its ability to raise funds for Pyongyang by reselling imported alcohol, according to diplomatic sources in Islamabad and Seoul.

The Japanese and South Koreans had been making such requests for more than a year, according to a source in Seoul. A Japanese foreign ministry source has denied knowledge of the demarche.

The source in Seoul estimates North Korea has 12 to 14 diplomats in Pakistan, split between Islamabad and Karachi, prompting some diplomats to wonder why Pyongyang needs so many representatives when -- according to Pakistani central bank data -- its official trade with Pakistan ceased since August 2016.

Washington has been tightening the diplomatic and economic noose around North Korea, seeking to cut its foreign sources of funding amid fears the world's most isolated regime is on the cusp of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to American shores.

The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan declined to comment, as did Japan's foreign ministry.

The South Korean foreign ministry said: "Our government is closely monitoring any movement concerning illegal activities of North Korea, but we cannot officially confirm this case."

Pakistan's foreign ministry didn't respond to questions about the pressure it faced from other nations over the size of North Korea's mission.

"Angry And Upset"

When Hyon discovered the robbery on October 4 after returning to Islamabad from a trip to China, the diplomat rushed to the nearby police station to report the crime.

"He was angry and upset," said Hussain, the police officer who interviewed Hyon at Islamabad's Kohsar police station. "And very worried."

Hyon told the police the robbers had fled with 1,200 bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, 200 cases of wine, 60 cartons of beer, dozens of bottles of tequila, two diamonds, and $3,000 in cash, according to a police document reviewed by Reuters. On the black market, the whisky alone is worth $80 per bottle, or a total $96,000.

Hyon and the North Korean Embassy told police the alcohol was imported legally and presented documents to back up its case. Police declined to make the documents available.

A week after the robbery, North Korea's ambassador to Pakistan met with the foreign ministry's chief of protocol to request that Hyon's missing items be returned, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry document seen by Reuters.

It is unclear whether Hyon, who would have diplomatic immunity, is himself under investigation.

Documents reviewed by Reuters showing four separate alcohol import orders by North Korea's embassy between March and December 2016 paint a picture of a mission importing alcoholic drinks that would be far above any reasonable personal needs of its diplomats.

During the nine-month period, the embassy imported 10,542 bottles of French Bordeaux wine through Truebell, a United Arab Emirates-based company. The four orders, billed by Truebell at $72,867, also included a total of 17,322 cans of Heineken and Carlsberg beer, as well as 646 bottles of champagne.

A person who answered the phone on Truebell's number in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, told Reuters the company no longer has any dealing with North Korea but did not elaborate and would not answer any more questions.

Alcohol Quotas

Alcohol is a sensitive issue in Pakistan.

Muslims, by law, are not allowed to consume alcohol, but many among the Westernized elite drink.

Non-Muslims such as Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs, accounting for about 3 percent of the population between them, are allowed to drink alcohol, but obtaining high-quality imported liquor and wine is almost impossible through legal means.

This has spawned a lucrative black market. Alcohol is smuggled across borders and through sea ports, while several diplomats from poorer countries told Reuters they had been offered thousands of dollars by bootleggers to buy their quarterly "alcohol quotas.

"I've been approached five times, usually at diplomatic receptions," said one non-Western diplomat.

Under Pakistan's rules, Hyon, who has the rank of first secretary at the North Korean Embassy, would every three months be allowed to import a consignment of alcohol. Under one of the allowed formulas that would mean 120 liters of various spirits, 18 liters of wine, and 240 liters of beer -- only a fraction of the amount he reported missing.
English Danish

Company announcement no 2017-09 9 November 2017

Interim Management Statement covering the period year-to-date

Continued strong performance in line with our expectations

Hearing aid wholesale business continues to deliver strong organic growth driven by Opn

2017 outlook maintained: EBIT of DKK 2.3-2.6 billion

The strong performance by the Group in the first half of the year has continued into the second half, and we have seen strong revenue growth year-to-date, although we are also seeing the effect of comparative figures becoming somewhat tougher during the second half-year.

Year-to-date, Hearing Devices has performed strongly, the main driver of organic growth being our wholesale business, which has delivered market share gains based on solid growth in both volumes and the average selling price (ASP), mainly driven by Oticon Opn. The growth trajectory into the second half-year has become increasingly ASP-driven due to positive geographical, product and channel mix shifts, whereas volume growth rates were below volume growth rates in the first half-year. Our retail business has year-to-date delivered an organic growth rate in line with the estimated market growth rate with additional revenue growth from acquisitions.

Hearing Implants has continued its strong momentum from the first half-year, with particularly strong performance by our cochlear implants business sparked by a combination of some large tender orders for our previous product generation and an increased uptake of the Neuro system. Also our bone-anchored hearing systems business has succeeded in continuing its growth trajectory into the second half of the year.

In Diagnostic Instruments, growth in the second half-year has continued in line with growth in the first half-year. This is mainly due to strong organic growth in North America, South America and Asia.

The strong performance by the Group has translated into a continuation of the strong free cash flow generation from the first half-year into the second.

We maintain our outlook for growth in sales in 2017 in all the Group's three business activities, and we continue to guide for an EBIT of DKK 2.3-2.6 billion before restructuring costs of around DKK 175 million.

"2017 is set out to be a very good year for the William Demant Group, and I'm pleased to see that we continue our strong performance. We keep seeing positive effects of our continued roll-out of Opn and the open sound paradigm, and we now offer high-quality stereo streaming to Opn hearing aids from any device without compromising on audiology, rechargeability or size. It remains on top of our hearing healthcare agenda to continue to offer innovative solutions and to drive new technological advances," says Sren Nielsen, President & CEO.

Hearing Devices

Market trends

In the US hearing aid market, the unit growth rate was approx. 3-4% in the first ten months of the year, mainly driven by growth in the commercial market of almost 4% according to statistics from the Hearing Industries Association (HIA). In the same period, sales to the large public channel, Veterans Affairs (VA), grew by a little more than 1%. In Europe, we estimate that the average unit growth rate for the first nine months of the year was approx. 2% with an only marginally positive unit growth rate in the UK and a roughly flat unit growth rate in Germany. For Japan and Australia, we estimate that unit growth year-to-date has been slightly negative. Overall, we continue to see the global unit growth rate for this year slightly below the Group's general expectations of a 4-6% unit growth rate per year.

We still estimate that the average selling price (ASP) on the global hearing aid wholesale market has been relatively stable, with the positive effect from new high-end product launches counterbalancing the slight pressure caused by channel mix shifts and a highly competitive business environment. We consider the overall retail pricing environment to be stable despite significant regional and local differences.

Wholesale

Our hearing aid wholesale business has continued its strong performance from the first half-year, resulting in a strong organic growth rate above the market growth rate, although we are also seeing the effect of comparative figures becoming somewhat tougher during the second half-year. While growth in the first half-year was primarily driven by higher volumes, growth in the second half-year is becoming more the result of a higher ASP due to a number of positive mix shifts. Volume growth rates into the second half-year were below volume growth rates in the first half-year. Year-to-date, we have seen solid growth in both volumes and the ASP, and we have succeeded in gaining market share throughout the year.

We have seen a continued positive product mix shift, which is mainly attributable to Oticon Opn continuing to perform very well. We continue to successfully drive our audiological agenda with the open sound paradigm, which resonates well with customers and end-users and is underpinned by new evidence of improved speech understanding and reduced listening effort. End-user feedback remains very positive, and the expansion in June of our Opn product portfolio with rechargeability, new styles and new features has helped widen and deepen the segments that we can address. With our recent announcement at EUHA of the introduction of the new ConnectClip, we now enable end-users to stream phone calls and music in high quality to both ears from any modern smartphone (including Android devices). Based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), this improved connectivity comes without any compromises on audiology, rechargeability or hearing aid size and thus helps us expand our open sound paradigm to a wider audience.

The new product families, Zerena from Bernafon and Enchant from Sonic, which were launched in early summer and introduced 2.4 GHz connectivity in these brands, also help improve product mixes for both brands.

We have also seen positive ASP effects from geographical and channel mix shifts, with particularly strong organic growth rates in North America. This trend has been driven by strong growth in sales to both independents and VA. As far as the latter is concerned, our market share almost doubled to 13.8% in September compared to 7.0% in the same period last year measured in hearing aid units. With effect from the beginning of November this year, we introduced our Opn 1 miniRITE-T and BTE13PP styles to this channel along with our tinnitus feature, which has further strengthened our offering.

In Europe, we have experienced some headwind from the acquisition by a competitor of a large retail chain, which has led to reduced volumes in certain regions, although the effect on revenue has been less significant. So far, the timing of orders from the NHS in the UK has also had a negative effect on volumes in the second half-year, but a positive effect on the overall ASP. Meanwhile, we continue to grow our wholesale volumes to our own retail business and independents and overall, our volume growth in Europe has so far been moderate in the second half. Organic growth in Asia has been strong year-to-date, with China as a main growth driver.

Retail

The organic growth rate of our retail business has year-to-date been in line with the estimated market growth rate, while we also continue to add revenue from acquisitions made primarily in North America. While we have seen the impact of the slight softening of market unit growth, we see no reason why this trend should not reverse to the growth levels dictated by structural trends. Australia, where we operate a sizeable retail business, is one of the markets that have seen negative growth during the year.

Generally speaking, performance tends to be stronger in markets where we operate consolidated retail chains than in those markets where our retail activities are more fragmented. Canada, the UK and France are all examples of mature retail operations with strong growth momentum, whereas the US is an example of a more fragmented market where the consolidation of acquired activities into a coherent operational set-up remains a complex task.

Hearing Implants

Overall, Hearing Implants has succeeded in continuing its strong organic growth from the first half of the year based on a strong product offering and new approvals.

Particularly our cochlear implants business has seen strong growth in the second half-year where we have delivered some large tender orders placed by export markets for our previous product generation, which has negatively impacted the overall ASP. Furthermore, we have seen an increased uptake of the Neuro system due to launches in new markets in combination with a dedicated sales effort in more established markets. We recently released our first reliability report for the Neuro Zti implant with excellent results, and with the Neuro 2 external processor and the new Genie Medical fitting software to be launched around year-end, we will have a highly compelling product offering.

Also our bone-anchored hearing systems business has succeeded in carrying its strong momentum into the second half of the year driven by Ponto 3. The Ponto 3 SuperPower, in particular, is performing strongly, and we continue to see positive clinical results in terms of improved speech understanding.

Diagnostic Instruments

In Diagnostic Instruments, growth generated in the second half-year has so far been in line with the strong growth delivered in the first half-year, mainly driven by North America, South America and Asia. Although the comparative figures for the same period last year are fairly favourable, the strong performance year-to-date reflects a combination of healthy markets, solid sales execution and strong product portfolios. The latter were further strengthened by the presentation of new products from several of our brands at the recently held EUHA congress in Nuremberg, Germany.

Personal Communication

Sennheiser Communications, our joint venture with Sennheiser KG, has seen the positive momentum in its underlying business (excluding inventory effects) continue from the first half of the year into the second half-year with positive contributions from all three segments, i.e. CC&O, Mobile and Gaming. However, growth has been negatively impacted by inventory reductions in the second half-year.

Other matters

Strategic initiatives

We are still executing on our strategic initiatives and based on the cost base for 2016, we maintain our expectation of total annual cost savings of DKK 200 million, once the initiatives are fully implemented. Expected restructuring costs for 2017 remain unchanged at DKK 175 million of which DKK 83 million was spent in the first half-year.

Share buy-back

Year-to-date, the Company has bought back shares worth DKK 661 million in total. As of today, the Company's holding of treasury shares corresponds to approx. 1.56% of the share capital.

We aim at a target gearing multiple of 1.5-2.0 measured as NIBD (net interest-bearing debt) relative to EBITDA, and as indicated in our Interim Report 2017, we expect the level of share buy-back to be higher in the second half of 2017 than in the first.

Outlook for 2017

We maintain our 2017 outlook as stated in our Interim Report 2017, including our expectation to generate growth in sales in all the Group's three business activities: Hearing Devices, Hearing Implants and Diagnostic Instruments.

For 2017, we continue to guide for an EBIT of DKK 2.3-2.6 billion before restructuring costs of around DKK 175 million.

*******

Further information:

Sren Nielsen, President & CEO

Phone +45 3917 7300

www.demant.com Other contacts:

Rene Schneider, CFO

Sren B. Andersson, VP IR

Mathias Holten Mller, IR Officer

Trine Kromann-Mikkelsen, Media

Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1be9b0ee-42e2-40e8-a5bc-b63fd10ee8c2
Highlights



20th consecutive quarter of positive Cash Flow from Operations and EBITDA

Achieved increased generation at Raft River; expected to provide approximately $1 million increase in revenue in 2018

Completed multi-well flow test at San Emidio II; results continue to support resource estimate of 25MWs (at P90) to 47MWs (at P50)

El Ceibillo development project awarded two grants during the third quarter of 2017

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Geothermal Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American:HTM), a leading and profitable renewable energy company focused on the development, production, and sale of electricity from geothermal energy, announced today its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2017, ended September 30, 2017, updated guidance for 2017 and highlighted notable achievements in the third quarter of 2017. This earnings release should be read in conjunction with U.S. Geothermal's financial statements, and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), which are available on the Company's website at www.usgeothermal.com and have been posted at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.

Summary of Financial Results*

(in millions except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Operating Revenue $6.81 $6.73 $21.56 $20.90 EBITDA $1.49 $3.01 $7.71 $8.74 Net Income (Loss) $(1.13) $0.27 $(0.61) $1.07 Net Income (Loss) Attributable to U.S. Geothermal $(1.83) $(0.15) $(2.01) $(0.49) Per Share $(0.09) $(0.01) $(0.11) $(0.03)

* Refer to Appendix for further detail on EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Net Income, As Adjusted.

Operating Revenue for the first nine months of 2017 was $21.56 million, compared to $20.90 million in the prior year period. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2017 was $7.71 million compared to $8.74 million for the prior year period. Net Income (loss) for the first nine months of 2017 was $(0.61) million, compared to $1.07 million in the first nine months of 2016. Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Geothermal in the first nine months of 2017 was $(2.01) million, or $(0.11) per share, compared to $(0.49) million, or $(0.03) per share in the prior year period.

On a quarterly basis, Operating Revenue for the third quarter of 2017 was $6.81 million, compared to $6.73 million for the prior year period. EBITDA was $1.49 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $3.01 million for the prior year period. Net Income (loss) for the third quarter of 2017 was $(1.13) million, compared to $0.27 million in the prior year period. Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Geothermal for the third quarter of 2017 was $(1.83) million, or $(0.09) per share, compared to $(0.15) million, or $(0.01) per share in the prior year period.

"Although we experienced mechanical issues at two of our operating plants that negatively impacted gross profit by approximately $1.2 million, we also had non-recurring costs that impacted our results for the first nine months of 2017," said Douglas Glaspey, Interim Chief Executive Officer. "Our plants are performing well as we enter our best quarter of the year for historical generation, and we are optimistic that we will deliver results within the guidance range that we have updated today.

2017 GUIDANCE AND OUTLOOK SUMMARY

2017 Full Year Guidance for Existing Operations*

2017 Consolidated Guidance 2017 USG Portion Guidance Total Plant Operating Revenue $30  34 million $18  22 million Adjusted EBITDA $17  21 million $11  13 million EBITDA $14  18 million $8  11 million Net Income, As Adjusted $5  9 million $2  5 million

* Refer to Appendix for further detail of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Net Income, As Adjusted.

Development Projects Update



Successfully completed multi-well flow test at the recently drilled Southwest Zone wells at San Emidio II. Flowing temperature from the three wells ranged from 319F to 325F. Test results confirm resource estimate of 25MW (at P90) to 47MWs (at P50).

El Ceibillo development project awarded $3.42 million grant from the German Development Facility for Latin America for further drilling.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $825,319 grant to U.S. Geothermal Guatemala S.A. to provide funding for a feasibility study on the El Ceibillo development project.

Company continues to respond to RFPs/RFOs from potential customers in order to secure power purchase agreements to foster significant Corporate growth.

NOTABLE THIRD QUARTER 2017 HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Operations:

The addition of a new production well (RRG-5) and an upgraded injection pump resulted in a total annual average increase of 1.6 net megawatts of generation at Raft River which should result in approximately $1 million additional revenue in 2018.

Commenced evaluation of an enhancement program to increase generation at the San Emidio I project. Permit filed with the BLM to drill a full-sized twin of an existing observation well.

Generated a fleet wide total of 62,701 megawatt hours for the quarter, as compared to 66,055 megawatt hours in the prior year period.

Generation from all facilities totaled 228,415 megawatt hours for the first nine months of 2017, as compared to 228,722 megawatt hours in the year ago comparable period.

Strategic:

Executive Committee of the Board of Directors continues to evaluate qualified candidates with the plan to appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer in the near future.

Cash Management:

Ended the third quarter with $237.7 million in Total Assets, Cash and Cash Equivalents of $10.5 million (Company share of $9.9 million), and Restricted Cash of $29.0 million.

Conference Call

U.S. Geothermal Inc. will host a telephone conference call for investors and analysts on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT) to discuss the third quarter of 2017 financial results, which were filed after market close on Thursday, November 9, 2017.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 407-8133 in the United States and Canada and by dialing (201) 689-8040 internationally. A replay of the conference call will be available until November 17, 2017 by dialing (877) 481-4010 in the United States and Canada and by dialing (919) 882-2331 internationally. Please use replay ID: 21666.

A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available at the following location: http://www.investorcalendar.com/event/21666. During the webcast, Management will refer to slides that will be posted to its website. The slides and accompanying webcast will be available on the "Upcoming Events" section of the website at the following location: http://www.usgeothermal.com/events.cfm.

About U.S. Geothermal Inc.:

U.S. Geothermal Inc. is a leading and profitable renewable energy company focused on the development, production and sale of electricity from geothermal energy. The Company is currently operating geothermal power projects at Neal Hot Springs, Oregon, San Emidio, Nevada and Raft River, Idaho for a total power generation of approximately 39 MWs. The Company is also developing an additional estimated 110 MWs of projects at: the Geysers, California; a second phase project at San Emidio, Nevada; at Crescent Valley, Nevada; and the El Ceibillo project located near Guatemala City, Guatemala. U.S. Geothermal's growth goal is to reach over 200 MWs of generation by 2022 through a combination of internal development and strategic acquisitions.

Please visit our Website at: http://www.usgeothermal.com

The information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the definition of the Safe Harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned to review the risk factors identified by the company in its filings with United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the staffing of executive positions, development schedules or estimated resources of U.S. Geothermal, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; interpretation of the results of well tests; project development; resource megawatt capacity; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various 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 U.S. Geothermal's expectations include the uncertainties involving the availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of results of well tests; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the development and operation of properties; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in U.S. Geothermal's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities and in other U.S. Geothermal reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations, beliefs and opinions on the date the statements are made. U.S. Geothermal Inc. assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if management's expectations, beliefs, or opinions, or other factors, should change.

The NYSE American does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Scott Anderson  Director of IR and Corporate Communications

U.S. Geothermal Inc.

Tel: 208-424-1027

Fax: 208-424-1030

sanderson@usgeothermal.com

(see appendix below)

APPENDIX

GROSS PROFIT IMPACTS

Additional year-over-year financial impacts in 2017 totaled $3.02 million. Impacted items included:

Non-recurring expense of approximately ($1.44) million related to the severance provision of the former CEOs contract and legal costs.

Neal Unit 1 frozen vaporizer tubes resulted in ($0.69) million of lost revenue.

Neal Hot Springs incurred a ($0.71) million property tax liability which resulted from the ending of a 3-year tax holiday.

Unplanned outage at San Emidio I resulted in $(0.62) million in lost revenue.

Conversion of Raft River RRG-5 to a production well resulted in a $0.44 million gain in the nine-month period. We anticipate that the increased generation at Raft River will provide approximately $1 million increase in revenue in 2018.

The below table summarizes revenues for 2017 and 2016, and reflects seasonality by quarter of our generation and corresponding revenues.

OPERATING REVENUE BY QUARTER

(in millions) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2017 $8.44 $6.31 $6.81 tbd 2016 $8.50 $5.66 $6.73 $10.58



RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TERMS:

In addition to these financial results reported in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information to aid investors in better understanding the Companys performance. For comparability of reporting, management considers this information in conjunction with GAAP amounts in evaluating business performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, the measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following tables provide a reconciliation of the EBITDA, EBITDA Adjusted, and Net Income Adjusted; presented for both the Consolidated financials as well as Attributable to U.S. Geothermal only (consolidated less minority interest).

EBITDA is calculated as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and is not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. EBITDA is presented as a metric commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of a companys ability to service and/or incur debt.

Adjusted EBITDA reflects EBITDA adjusted to exclude discretionary exploration costs, non-cash stock compensation as well as the value assigned to stock options granted, and write-off of discontinued exploration activities and other large non-recurring items.

Net Income, As Adjusted reflects Net Income before Tax and other large non-recurring items and is provided to support year over comparisons. The Company recognized a Deferred Tax Asset starting in 2015, and though tax amounts are now reflected in our Financials as required by GAAP, any current tax obligation is offset by a reduction in the recognized Deferred Tax Asset.





Consolidated Summary of Financial Results Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2017 (in millions) Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Net Income (loss) $(1.13) $0.27 $(0.61) $1.07 Interest $1.17 $1.24 $3.57 $3.22 Income Tax Expense $(0.19) $(0.09) $(0.15) $(0.30) Depreciation & Amortization $1.63 $1.59 $4.90 $4.75 EBITDA $1.49 $3.01 $7.71 $8.74 Exploration costs, Stock based comp. $0.16 $0.25 $0.71 $0.90 Non-recurring Expenses $1.44 $0.75 $1.44 $0.90 Adjusted EBITDA $3.09 $4.01 $9.90 $10.54





Full Year Guidance (Consolidated) (in millions)



2017 Net Income $

2.6  6.6 Interest $ 4.6 Income Tax Expense $ 0.9 Depreciation & Amortization $ 6.3 EBITDA $ 14.4  18.4 Exploration costs, Stock based comp. and Non-recurring Expenses $ 2.15 Adjusted EBITDA $ 16.6  20.6





Net Income, As Adjusted (Consolidated) (in millions, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Net Income (loss) $(1.13) $0.27 $(0.61) $1.07 Income Tax Expense $(0.19) $(0.09) $(0.15) $(0.30) Non-recurring Expenses $1.44 $0.75 $1.44 $0.90 Net income, As Adjusted $0.12 $0.93 $0.69 $1.67





Full Year Guidance (Consolidated) (in millions)



2017 Net Income $ 2.6  6.6 Income Tax Expense $ 0.9 Non-recurring Expenses $ 1.44 Net income, As Adjusted $ 4.9  8.9





ATTRIBUTABLE TO U.S. GEOTHERMAL (Consolidated less Minority Interests): Summary of Financial Results (Attributable to U.S. Geothermal) (in millions) Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Net Income (loss) $(1.83) $(0.15) $(2.01) $(0.49) Interest $1.02 $1.08 $3.10 $2.74 Income Tax Expense $(0.19) $(0.09) $(0.15) $(0.30) Depreciation & Amortization $0.82 $0.82 $2.46 $2.45 EBITDA $(0.17) $1.66 $3.41 $4.40 Exploration costs, Stock based comp. $0.16 $0.25 $0.71 $0.90 Non-recurring Expenses $1.44 $0.75 $1.44 $0.90 Adjusted EBITDA $1.43 $2.66 $5.56 $6.19





Full Year Guidance (Attributable to U.S. Geothermal) (in millions) 2017 Net Income $ 0.1  2.6 Income Tax Expense $ 0.9 Interest $ 4.0 Depreciation & Amortization $ 3.3 EBITDA $ 8.3  10.8 Exploration costs, Stock based comp. and Non-recurring Expenses $ 2.2 Adjusted EBITDA $ 10.5  13.0





Net Income, Attributable to U.S. Geothermal As Adjusted (in millions, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Net Income (loss) Attributable to U.S. Geothermal $(1.83) $(0.15) $(2.01) $(0.49) Income Tax Expense $(0.19) $(0.09) $(0.15) $(0.30) Non-recurring Expenses $1.44 $0.75 $1.44 $0.90 Net Income (loss) Attributable to U.S. Geothermal, As Adjusted

$(0.57) $0.51 $(0.72) $0.11




1 Kudos

-- To support the argument for incentive program means- the program should be able to sell more cars as well as with some profits to the manufacturer. If this is justified, then that should be the correct answer choice.



A. The amount of discount generally offered by manufacturers to dealers is

carefully calculated to represent the minimum needed to draw consumers'

attention to the product.

-- Since this answer choice exactly says - discount offered is carefully calculated to attract customers. It means it results in more sell with some profit to the manufacturer. Thus A supports the incentive program and should be a correct answer choice.



B. For many consumer products, the period of advertising discounted prices to

consumers is about a week, which is not sufficiently long for consumers to

become used to the sale price.

-- Irrelevant, hence not a correct answer choice.



C. More prestigious auto makers do not use incentive programs because they

dilute the company's brand name.

-- Irrelevant, hence C not a correct answer choice.



D. During such a promotion, retailers tend to accumulate in their warehouses

inventory bought at discount; they then sell much of it later at their regular

price.

-- This is an opposite answer. It is going exactly opposite to the incentive program. Thus though the sales will increase, profitability for the manufacturers will get hurt. Hence D cannot be a correct answer choice.



E. If a manufacturer fails to offer such promotion but its competitor offers them,

that competitor will tend to attract consumers away from the manufacturer's

product.

-- This is a new information and taking us away from the main argument of incentive program. Hence E cannot be a correct answer choice.



I hope this helps. Thank You.



Thanks,

Akhil M.Parekh
Sorry! The requested post has been removed or deleted by its author.
pikolo2510 wrote:

Hello ,



I'm planning to apply to schools in the US in R2. Request you to please review my profile and give your valuable feedback on the bschools I selected. Need your help to shortlist them



GMAT Score : 700 (Q49, V35)

Nationality : Indian

Gender : Male

GPA : 7.93/10

UG Degree : Industrial Engineering

Work Ex Duration : Current - 3 Years

Work Ex Industry : Product Management

About the Company : It is a US based company started in the Bay area back in 2007. Now it a mid level firm spanning across multiple countries



About My Work Ex:

1. Led a small team and improved the product in a year. Worked closely along with the CTO to enhance the experience of the user

2. Led the product launch in Indonesia

3. Led the product launch and handled the entire Middle East region as a product. I am the Product manager for the Entire region now

4. Carried out multiple improvements in the product which led to increased user experience in the product

5. Worked with multiple teams across the globe including chinese, indonesian, malaysian, middle east and american nationals for the product

6. Got promoted twice in three years(From trainee to Product manager) and also featured in the company newsletter as the "Employee of the Month"



Post MBA goals:

1. Short term goal :Work in similar but higher PM roles or work in smaller firms that have entrepreneurial roles and lead the product for 4-5 years atleast

2. Long term goal : To start my own firm after 10 years



Target Colleges:

McCombs, Duke, Darden, Tepper, Kenan-Flagler, Yale, Ross, Tuck, Fosters (UWA) , Cornell



mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant

Chicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT Club

Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/

Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders



Kate RichardsonmbaMission Senior Admissions ConsultantChicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT ClubSign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders Signature Read More

Hi pikolo2510, thanks for reaching out!Your work experience sounds really strong. Product management is a hot field for MBAs as you probably know. I especially like that you've had exposure to different markets and countries and you've had leadership experience of both teams and full product launches. The two promotions are great too!On your goals, since you're not making a big career switch, make sure you identify the key areas of growth during the MBA -- what skills will you build, what experiences do you need, etc. to be a better PM and eventually start your own venture.You have a solid and well-balanced GMAT score too. It'll make some of the top schools like Tuck and Yale challenging, but those aren't completely out of reach. I think your best chances are at schools where your GMAT is closer to or above their average, and schools that are known for Tech and Entrepreneurship. I would definitely keep McCombs and Foster on your list -- those seem like very natural choices. Tepper, Duke, and UNC are good choices too. Have you looked into Cornell's Tech-focused MBA? That might be a good fit too.Best of luck!Kate_________________
Profile Evaluation Request [ #permalink

Hello,



I would like to request your help in my profile evaluation and help me in knowing chances of getting into my target B schools.

Here is a brief snapshot of my background & experience:



I am an Indian male currently working in a top multi-national Indian mobile technology solutions company in India. I am working as an inside consultant and international business development manager for a range of technology products in in South East Asia, India & Europe. I was chosen for the international sales leadership program in my company last year, which is a program aimed at developing emerging leaders.

My main job responsibilities include leading sales, marketing & developing business strategies in assigned territories.

Prior to this, I worked at Tech Mahindra and Mtree Software as a business analyst working with multiple clients from US.



I have travelled extensively in Europe & Asia for trainings, conferences, network development, sales & business meetings.



I currently have 7 and half years of work experience.



Business venture:

I have always had an interest in e-commerce ventures and cars. We started a e-commerce venture looking to solve the problem of fragmented aftermarket in cars segment in India. So what we started off as a part-time engagement has now been turned into a small business since 1 year. We have registered 200+ partners on board and have more than 50 transactions daily on our website. I do this as a part time activity with some support from my friend, who is also a business partner.



Social responsibilities:

I started a small community program with my wife where we serve food to poor people every night. We call this program as Roti Bank where more than 30 families prepare some extra food and wheat pancake(Roti) daily and we serve it free of cost to more than 50 people daily. In last 6 months, we have increased our community from 2 families to 30 families and plan to make it to 100 by end of next year.

I am also a volunteer for one of India's leading NGO- Teach for India. Here I am responsible for working with the full time teachers to develop curriculum, activites etc, for students from low income background.



GMAT:740 (Q51, V40)



Education:



Bachelor of Engineering- Computer Science Engineering (No GPA, 71%)

Jss Academy of Technical Education (Within the Top private engineering colleges in India)



Post Graduate Diploma in Management  Sales & Marketing(GPA - 5.7)

Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow(Among top 5 post graduate colleges in management education in India)



Grade 12 :81%

Grade 10: 87%



Post Graduate Diploma Experience

During my post graduate diploma, my focus was completely on international marketing and sales. I took electives which included Cross-cultural communications, effective communication skills, international marketing, B2B marketing etc. Considering my prior experience, education and keen interest in international business, I was handpicked by Mahindra group for leading the international sales in their Mobile Technology division. Having worked in international sales for almost 5 years, I have gained valuable insights how different markets work.



Post International MBA goals :

Strategy consulting for International market entry .

Considering my background, current experience and passion for international projects, I am keen on pursuing a career in strategy consulting for International Market Entry post my MBA. I have good exposure of market knowledge gathering and holding discussions with people from executive level to CXO level. With MBA degree, I aim to gain knowledge of Strategy management and core finance concepts like corporate finance, transfer pricing etc. MBA will also help me in knowledge sharing sessions with students from different countries and I will be able to gain more insights on how business works and how people think in different parts of the world. My experience within the international sales and marketing has given me a lot of knowledge & ideas that will be helpful in framing business strategies around international market entries in different situations and scenarios.



Target schools :

INSEAD, London Business School, MIT, Wharton, Cornell , Ross, SAID, Judge



Can you help me with your views whether these schools are best aligned for the kind of work i am looking for post MBA. And also whether my profile would be considered as a good fit in these schools.
Last month during World Dairy Expo, I found time during the busy week of showing and judging to attend a workshop held on the grounds. Dairy Girl Network hosted various events during the week that allowed women in the dairy industry to connect with one another. These networking events gave these women, who hail from all areas of the country, the opportunity to learn from others.

Attending an event with new people for the first time can be a little intimidating, but Dairy Girl Network made it an inviting place for all in attendance. I attended the Empower Young Womens Workshop where we listened to a panel of industry guests and interacted with one another through a question and answer session. As the workshop was focused toward high school and college-aged women, topics surrounding career advice was a main focus of the panel discussion.

By attending this two-hour event I heard from fellow dairy girls that gave me extra confidence to continue pursuing a career in agriculture. Listening and learning from others with the same questions, comments, and concerns that I had was informative. Something I heard from the panel discussion that day was dont be afraid to fail, an important reminder for young agriculturists who are beginning to make their mark in their desired fields.

Finding something we can become involved with and grow as individuals is a rewarding experience. The inspiring words I have gathered from speakers in organizations, like the Dairy Girl Network, make me empowered to be entering this industry.

Elise Regusci

Elise Regusci grew up on her family's farm in Modesto, Calif. Regusci attends Cal Poly University, majoring in dairy science with an agricultural communication minor. On campus, she is the Los Lecheros Dairy Club Ag Council representative and a member of the Cal Poly dairy judging team. Regusci was a Brown Swiss Youth Ambassador and is the 2017 Hoard's Dairyman summer editorial intern.





The webinar Fine tune herd care with new milk analyses will be held on Monday, November 13, at noon (Central time).

Milk quality specialist, Dave Barbano, Cornell University, will discuss milk fatty acid (FA) testing technology. The mid-infrared milk analysis tool is a new concept for improving efficiency of milk production when used in combination with other herd data. The webinar is sponsored by Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF).

Register at www.hoards.com/webinars.
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ




The UN will walk this path with Haiti, Mohammed said on Twitter, referring the work under way inside Haiti towards becoming an emergent country by 2030, the finish line agreed by all nations to achieve of the Agenda and its landmark 17 Goals, knows as the SDGs.



The high-level delegation was dispatched by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations to the Haitian people in a new spirit of partnership.



In an opinion piece late last week in the Miami Herald, the UN chief said the partnership would stretch across the UN's work on the island  including to continue addressing Haiti's cholera challenge and the unacceptable incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel  and aims to help Haiti move from an emergency approach to durable solutions, from assistance to investment support, from handouts to hand-to-hand cooperation for sustainable development, to democracy and dignity for all Haitians.



On Saturday, Mohammed echoed the new spirit of partnership set out by Guterres, saying: We come to try to find another way to do things better; because in the past, we have fallen short. We were not able to do what we had planned, she said in a joint press conference with Haitian President Jovenel Moise in the capital, Port-au-Prince.



The visit of the two UN officials comes just after the appointment of Susan Page, of the United States, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in Support of Justice in Haiti (UNMIJUSTH), which succeeded the UN Stabilization Mission, known as MINUSTAH, on 16 October.



The role of the new UN mission is to assist the Haitian Government to strengthen the rule of law institutions, to continue to develop the capacity of the national police and to promote human rights.



UN reaffirms commitment to eradicating cholera



As a key part of the visit, the two UN officials met families affected by cholera and coping with lack of access to water and sanitation.



Mohammed and Sheeran also co-Chaired a High-Level Cholera Committee meeting (HLCC) alongside Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant. The Haitian Government and the UN representatives jointly expressed their determination work in partnership to achieve zero transmission of cholera. They further expressed their commitment to achieving the SDGs, including improving access to water, sanitation and healthcare.



While cholera transmission has dropped dramatically, from over 18,000 new cases per week at the onset of the epidemic in 2010, to 250 per week this year, success will require more funding to maintain the highly effective work of emergency response teams, and commitment to the fight against cholera in the medium and long-term, the officials jointly agreed.



Urging UN Member States and partners to provide comprehensive support, the Deputy Secretary-General emphasized during the meeting that addressing the root causes of cholera in Haiti is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, in the immediate term, we urgently require funding to ensure continued operation of the rapid response teams; failure to do so risks losing the gains achieved to date.



The Deputy Secretary-General and the Special Envoy also witnessed the efforts of the many heroes working to eradicate the disease. Their visit was also an opportunity to learn about successful cholera control programmes, including in communities that ended open defecation, mobilized to build toilets, and raised awareness of the importance of sanitation.



Photo: UN Haiti







Source: www.justearthnews.com














Judge Kate O'Malley, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

[Merpel - are those exceptional circumstances clear?].

Lord Neuberger

This report covers numerical limits in claims, relevance of the file history, harmonisation, and a vote as to whether the decision inhas improved the law.Sir Robin Jacob continued with a question for the panel submitted by a patent attorney: Do claims that contain numerical limits restrict the extent of protection, or under the DoE, do they now cover anything that works?Lord Neuberger explained that he had got close to considering this question when considering an application for permission to appeal in [2012] EWCA Civ 1638, although the case settled before it was decided upon by the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal had found that there was infringement, even though the amount of silver in the infringing product was higher than that specified in the claims. There is an argument that where a patentee has defined their monopoly in a claim by 'book-ending' a range with two numerical limits, the patentee does not intend to go beyond that specified range. However, although that might be persuasive, one also needs to read the claims in the context of the specification which might indicate otherwise. Lord Sumption observed that the issue of numerical limitations would be considered by the Court in the context of question 3 of thequestions - the parties may have deliberately indicated a range with precision.Judge O'Malley explained that typically there is a very good reason why a patentee has specified numerical limitations - to avoid prior art. She suspected that this is why she does not see many DoE cases involving numerical limitations, but there are exceptions, and the DoE could extend a claim slightly beyond numerical limits, provided there is no prior art issue. Claims are often drafted as "approximately X", thereby giving the Court the ability to analyse the issue more broadly.Judge Kalden recalled a recent difficult case about emulsion, where there was a numerical limitation about particle size in the claims. The size specified in the claims was said to be an 'average' size, and some particles in the infringing product were outside that range - the Dutch Court found infringement on the basis of the DoE. As a general rule, it is difficult to sustain arguments about the DoE on numerical limitations, but there are exceptions.From a German perspective, Judge Meier-Beck recognised that the DoE has a very narrow role in claims with numerical ranges, but it is not excluded.Judge Meier-Beck said that he subscribes to the view that life is too short to look at the file history, certainly the worldwide file history!Lord Sumption stated that the English position is clear - the prosecution history is only referred to in exceptional circumstancesJudge O' Malley confirmed that in the US, Courts look only to the file history of the US patent office, not other jurisdictions. In thecase, the US Court would not have been able to say that the examiner was wrong to insist on a limitation to pemetrexed disodium. In the US, if the examiner requires a limitation, you have the choice to either challenge that decision of the examiner at the relevant time, or accept the limitation. If you accept the limitation, you have to live with that limitation. Thecase would have been pretty clear in the US - the argument on equivalents would not have survived the prosecution file history estoppel.There was agreement from members of the panel that the examiner in the pemetrexed case had got it wrong - disodium was only an example of a way to perform the inventive concept and the limitation to disodium was too restrictive.Judge Kalden said that we do not have the UPC at the present time, but harmonistaion has been achieved to a great extent. The UK Supreme Court decision inis a good example of a further step in this harmonisation process, and is a welcome development. Different decisions from different Courts often turn on the evidence, sometimes on the procedural rules (which may not be desirable, but is nevertheless what happens), and also on an appreciation of the facts in the case. Judges are human and the way in which they interpret evidence will be different (indeed courts in one jurisdiction will have different opinions - which was why we were all at the event in the first place). The European Courts are doing very well at present in terms of harmonisation.Judge Meier-Beck confirmed that thedecision from his perspective is an important step in harmonising law on Article 69 of the EPC.Sir Robin first asked lawyers in the audience to respond with a show of hands - has the decision inimproved the law? It seemed to the author that a small but significant majority of lawyers attending think that the decision has not improved the law (although there were many abstainers). Next, Sir Robin asked patent attorneys in the audience to respond to the same question - here, a more sizeable majority thought that the decision has not improved the law.Sir Robin rounded the event off by giving Lord Neuberger a speech to mark his retirement from the UK Supreme Court. The author notes that this marks the end of an era for Lord Neuberger, but the beginning of another for UK patent practitioners.a film of the event can be found here




The call follows a reported decision on Saturday by Saudi Arabia, which is leading the coalition fighting Houthi separatists in the country, to close air and sea ports in Yemen.



The three-year conflict has claimed the lives of well over 5,000 civilians and contributed to one of the worlds biggest humanitarian disasters, according to the United Nations.



Yemen imports up to 90 per cent of its daily needs and seven million people are being kept alive by humanitarian aid.



Humanitarian operations are being blocked as a result of the closure ordered by the Saudi-led coalition, Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told reporters at the regular press briefing in Geneva.



He said the UN has received reports that in some areas, the blockade is now impacting the daily life of Yemenis, with fuel prices jumping up to 60 per cent overnight and cooking gas jumping up to 100 per cent. Long lines of cars are queuing at gas stations, he added.



Laerke said humanitarian flights to and from Yemen were put on hold, and the coalition had asked UN personnel to tell all ships arriving at the sea ports of Hodeida and Saleef to leave.



He told reporters that the current situation in Yemen is catastrophic. Some seven million people are on the brink of famine and were only being kept alive thanks to humanitarian operations.



That lifeline has to be kept open and it is absolutely essential that the operation of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) be allowed to continue unhindered, he stressed.



Echoing these concerns, the Office of the UN high Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also expressed alarm at a series of attacks on civilians in recent days that have killed dozens of people, including several children.



On 1 November, OHCHR said, two airstrikes Saudi-led coalition hit a market in Saada governorate, killing 31 traders and guests at a hotel.



The following day in Taiz, a Houthi shelling left five children dead, according to OHCHR Spokesperson Rupert Colville.



He added that survivors said the children were playing in the street when a rocket from a Houthi-controlled area fell on them.



Colville added that UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein will soon be appointing an expert panel mandated by the Human Rights Council to investigate alleged violations and abuses of international human rights and international law committed by all parties to the conflict.



If possible, the Group of Eminent Experts will identify those responsible.



Photo: Giles Clarke/OCHA



Source: www.justearthnews.com








New York, Nov 8(Just Earth News): Condemning the acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday called for a comprehensive response to prevent and suppress such acts and tackle their underlying causes.

In a resolution adopted Tuesday, the 15-member Council also urged Somali authorities, to continue expedite the passing of comprehensive anti-piracy and maritime laws, to establish security forces with clear roles and jurisdictions to enforce these laws, as well as strengthen the capacity of its Somali courts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for piracy.

The Security Council also called upon UN Member States, working in conjunction with relevant international organizations, to adopt legislation to facilitate prosecution of suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Also in the resolution, the Council urged all Member States to criminalize piracy under their domestic law and to favourably consider the prosecution of suspected  and imprisonment of those convicted  pirates apprehended off the coast of Somalia as well as their facilitators and financiers ashore, in line with applicable international law.

The UN body responsible for matters relating to international peace and security further encouraged flag States and port States to also consider the development of safety and security measures on board vessels, including, where applicable, developing regulations for the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships, aimed at preventing and suppressing piracy off the coast of Somalia, through a consultative process, including through the relevant UN entities.

The Council also commended the efforts of the European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 151, counter-piracy efforts of the African Union and the naval activities of the Southern Africa Development Community, as well as the efforts of other States to suppress piracy and to protect ships transiting through the waters off the coast of Somalia.

Photo: EUNAVFOR

Source: www.justearthnews.com
After the successful intercept, the Saudis wasted little time in assigning ultimate responsibility for the strike to regional rival Iran, which has long been accused of arming the Houthis and supporting them both materially and logistically. The Iranians have repeatedly denied such outright support, but since the outbreak of the war and the installation of an internationally enforced blockade of Yemen, several weapons caches have been captured that were apparently en route from Iran to Houthi-controlled areas of the Arabian country.

The ballistic missile launch was a clear act of aggression by Iran, according to a statement issued by the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting back against the Houthi on behalf of Yemens elected President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi. The broader mission of the coalition is generally understood to be the confrontation of Iranian influence throughout the Arab world, and the emerging war of words over the Houthi missile launch takes place against the background of an increase in overall tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Predictably, Iranian officials dismissed the Arab accusations of an Iranian hand in the attempted missile strike. As CNN reports, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the hardline paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps insisted that the Burqan H2 had been domestically produced in Yemen. However, the range of Yemeni and particularly Houthi missiles was considerably shorter at the outset of the civil war in 2015. And Iran has been reliably credited with helping to extend the missile range of other non-state actors. Sometimes, as in the case of the dramatic boost in missile range for Hamas around 2014, this has been accomplished through the provision of Iranian technology and know-how to missile production sites in other states.

Irans official denials of responsibility for the Yemeni missile launch were also undercut by the regimes immediate rhetorical response. A video report pointed to some of the ways in which the IRGC and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei tacitly celebrated the incident. Media outlets close to the IRGC described the strike as a missile slap to the face of the Saudi kingdom and predicted more strikes of a similar nature. And Kayhan newspaper, which is a direct mouthpiece for the supreme leader, even went as far as to suggest that in the future a Houthi missile might target Doha, the capital of the Saudi-allied United Arab Emirates.

The report concluded that with foreign proxies now using IRGC missiles, the Guards are confident of their power to threaten Irans regional rivals. Meanwhile, another report from the same outlet indicated that there were signs the Islamic Republic had moved to make such threats in the days immediately preceding the Houthi missile strike. Specifically, it called attention to the November 4 resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri  a move that was announced from Saudi Arabia in a further sign of discord and increasingly clear delineation of the regional fault lines.

The report notes that Hariri had represented Saudi interests in Lebanon in much the same way that Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrallah represents Iranian interests. His resignation may therefore represent a contraction of Saudi influence in that country and a weakening of the political infrastructure that formerly prevented full-scale Iranian dominance of that country. IranWire also emphasizes that the resignation came one day after Hariri had met with Ali Akbar Velayati, a close advisor of the Iranian supreme leader. This seems to suggest that Velayati had issued an ultimatum for the Lebanese prime minister to shield Hezbollah from emerging pressures coming from Saudi-led Arab powers and particularly from the United States.

In his announcement, Hariri claimed that one of the reasons for his resignation was because he feared the possibility of an assassination plot like the one that claimed the life of his father, apparently at the hands of Hezbollah. By delivering that message from Saudi Arabia, he seemed to be sending the message that that country would stand in his defense, which led some to describe the speech as a Saudi declaration of war against Iran.

Such observers pointed in particular to the portion of Hariris speech in which he addressed Iran directly: I want to tell Iran and its followers that they are losing in their interferences in the affairs of Arab nations. Our nation will rise just as it did before, and the hands that will harm it will be cut.

Just two days later, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia responded to the Houthi missile strike by saying that it could rise to be considered an act of war by Iran, thus potentially setting the stage for the Saudis to justify formalizing their implicit declaration of war. CNN reported on Monday, as many outlets have done, that Saudi intervention in Yemen is a de facto proxy war with Iran, and one that threatens to bring together multiple other theaters of regional conflict.

In light of this situation, the two main regional rivals are evidently scrambling to deepen their influence among established and potential partner states. In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have led an effort to punish neighboring Qatar into disavowing its public outreach to the Islamic Republic. But for its part, Iran has provided aid to Qatar in order to urge the small and relatively impoverished nation to more fully break with its Arab partners.

Meanwhile, to the east of Iran, the regime has been working to expand its partnership with Pakistan and specifically to add a military dimension to recent, economically-focused collaboration.

Irans Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported on Monday that the Chief of Staff of the Parkistani army had arrived in Tehran to meet with his counterpart and discuss closer military cooperation.

At the same time, shipments of goods from Parkistans rival India have started to be channeled through the Chabahar port, a recent joint venture of India and Iran. Voice of America news reported upon this at the end of October and noted that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had promised that there would be no American threat to the operation of the hub, which he characterized as being designed for regional stability.

But as tensions continue to escalate to the west of Iran, American allies may urge the White House to reconsider this position, on the understanding that any newly established revenue streams and/or military cooperation agreements with Iran threaten the stability of the region, as long as the Islamic Republic continues to celebrate or facilitate efforts by its regional proxies to attack Saudi Arabia and other Arab powers.
The young recruits are said to have received only one to three months of military training before they were being sent to the war front. Reports alleged that nine-year-old children were being used in human wave attacks, while others were blown up as they charged across the minefields to clear the way for the IRGC. Many of the child soldiers captured by Iraqis during the Iraq-Iran war were in their early teens.

The Iranian child soldiers wore plastic keys around their necks. The keys symbolized their permission to enter paradise.

Estimates regarding the Iran-Iraq War, say that around a million people were killed between 1980 and 1988, and that the paramilitary Basij Force recruited thousands of children to clear minefields. There are no reliable records about the actual number of children casualties in the war, but according to a report by the International Committee of the Red Cross at least 10 percent of Iranian prisoners of war were underage children. As well, Iranian military officers captured by Iraqis during the war, admitted that nine out of 10 Iranian child soldiers were killed in the battlefields.

According to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released on October 1st of this year, the IRGC and its armed Basij units continues to sacrifice the children of Afghan refugees in Iran in the same way. This was seen in the Syrian conflict, where, as the HRW report states, Afghan children as young as 14 have fought in the Fatemiyoun division, an exclusively Afghan armed group supported by Iran that fights alongside government forces in the Syrian conflict. Under international law, recruiting children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities is a war crime.

Also in Iran, the execution of juvenile offenders is increasing every year. When she presented her report to the UN earlier this year, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Situation in Iran Asma Jahangir, expressed her grave concern over the highest number of executions of juvenile offenders, which totaled 435 in the first six months of the year. The Special Rapporteur stated, I note that Iran has ratified both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which commit the country to protecting and respecting childrens right to life. she added, These Conventions also unequivocally forbid the passing and carrying out of the death penalty on anyone below 18 years of age.

Philip Luther, Amnesty Internationals Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa said, It is absolutely appalling that two decades after it ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Iran continues to display such a chilling disregard for childrens rights.

The rise in the number of street children in Iran who work as beggars and street vendors, has also raised concerns among international organizations. The US State Departments annual report on human trafficking 2017 states, Street children in Iran are highly vulnerable to trafficking. Organized criminal groups kidnap, purchase and force Iranian and migrant children, especially Afghan refugee children, to work as beggars and street vendors in cities, including Tehran. These children, who may be as young as three years old, are coerced through physical and sexual abuse and drug addiction.

On March 8th, 2017 Fatemeh Daneshvar, chair of the social committee of Tehrans City Council, in reference to babies born prematurely to street women, was quoted as saying, Most of these infants are taken abroad and we do not know whether they are sold to organs trafficking gangs, to families or to brothels. Daneshvar added, This gang sells baby girls for a price higher than boys and sends the babies to unknown destinations.

Irans media outlets released a chilling report on November 3rd. Director of Tehrans Municipality Welfare Office Reza Qadimi said, Of the 400 street children rounded up recently 90 percent were sexually abused and raped. In rare instances street children are put in foster care programs.

Supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the IRGC appear to believe that children are dispensable, but the Iranian people and their children deserve better. A new policy on Iran must focus on a better future for the nation.
Iraqi Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi is in Washington this week for talks with Trump administration officials and congressional leaders. He hopes that the administration will make good on promises to counter Irans influence inside Iraq, as well as across the Middle East.

One of Iraqs three vice presidents, Al-Nujaifi and his brother head a prominent Iraqi defense faction. They were both represented in Washington by the same lobbyist who was employed by Michael Flynn last year. Flynn was President Trumps original national security adviser. Trump fired Flynn in February, and Flynn is now under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.

At the U.S. Institute of Peace last Tuesday, al-Nujaifi described Shiite militias in Iraq as operating a parallel army that may divide the nation. The Iranian-backed factions have gained a lot of power and maybe they can pose more problems, al-Nujaifi said.

Al-Nujaifi said in an interview, More attention should be paid to the strengthening of military capabilities of the people of former ISIS-occupied areas, training and enabling them to defend their areas. He suggested deploying more American military forces. More than 2,000 additional troops to Iraq have been authorized by The Pentagon since President Trump took office, but it is reported that analysts arent expecting any new, significant surge. In fact, Mideast analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Michael Knights, said, I presume his pleas will be met with collective eye-rolling.

Actually, after two years of lobbying in Washington al-Nujaifis brother, Atheel failed to gain much support. Atheel al-Nujaifis only lobbyist was Washington lawyer Robert Kelley, who is now a Trump adviser.

Kelley set up Osama al-Nujaifis meetings with Trump administration officials this week. Kelley also registered Flynn Intel Group with Congress for its lobbying on behalf of a Turkish-owned company, Inovo BV in October of last year. However, in March Flynns firm instead filed as a foreign agent with the Justice Department, conceding that the work it did probably aided Turkeys government.

The filing is now under scrutiny as part of former FBI Director and special counsel Robert Muellers probe.
The Fairway

The CTM

Although the shape had a secondary meaning as representing a licensed taxi, this was not enough for LTC to win its appeal and the limited evidence that LTC had taken steps to educate the public that the shape of the taxis denoted trade origin proved fatal.





Substantial value





One remarked upon feature of the High Court decision was the finding that the shape of the mark held substantial value essentially because of the shape's fame and iconic status. Floyd LJ did not consider the matter to be

City travel is a highly litigated area at the moment but this is not a post about Uber but rather the protection of two very different modes of London transport, the black cab and the scooter.This post concerns the black cab but watch this space for more on its scooter cousin.The Court of Appeal's decision in The was recently handed down. This case was an appeal from a decision by Arnold J that various registered trade marks of The London Taxi Corporation (LTC) were invalid for (i) lack of inherent distinctive character, (ii) lack of acquired distinctiveness, (iii) the shape providing substantial value and (iv) in one instance, the mark was revoked for non-use.The trade marks in issue (both UK and Community trade marks - now EU trade marks) depicted the shape of two types of London taxis including the Fairway. The appeal considered various issues and ultimately upheld the High Court decision. The following questions/issues are particularly interesting particularly in the context of shape marks.Floyd LJ made a few interesting observations about who is the end user of a taxi. Is it the person driving the taxi or can it also include the person who rides in the back? Both Case C-371/02 BOSTONGURKA (ECLI:EU:C:2004:275) Case C-409/12 KORNSPITZ (ECLI:EU:C:2014:130) considered as they distinguished between a "consumer" and an "end user". Floyd LJ did not consider either case to be of tremendous assistance as the end user for chopped pickled gherkins and oblong bread rolls respectively likely meant other members of the household rather than someone who had temporary hire of a taxi without ever taking full possession of the goods.Likewise, inwhere the end users constituted a class of persons to whom the trade mark might have had significance, once again the end users took full possession. Having considered the pros and cons including an admission that in some circumstances, the type of vehicle could be a relevant consideration for the hirer e.g. for a chauffeur service, he concluded (obiter) that "" and "."Range Rover's are often turned to as a vehicle for traversing rough terrain and the Appellants wheeled them out to try and effect a rescue based on the General Court's decision in Case T-629/14 (ECLI:EU:T:2015:878) which concerned the shape of a Range Rover. The shape mark was allowed to proceed to registration for "vehicles for locomotion by air and water" (but not for locomotion by land). The registration was allowed because the Range Rover shape departed significantly from "the norm and customs of the sector for vehicles for locomotion by air and water" and consequently it was not devoid of distinctive character for these goods although it was for vehicles in general. As Floyd LJ summarised, "put crudely, the makers of the Range Rover could have registered the shape for a place or a boat but not for a car".Floyd LJ considered that there was merit to the argument that marks which depart significantly from the norms and customs of the sector necessarily possess distinctive character. However, the features that LTC identified as distinctive did not "depart" (emphasis added in the judgment) from basic car design features and were "no more than a variant on the standard design features of a car". Therefore he agreed with Arnold J that the marks did not have inherent distinctive character.This was the main area of dispute. The black cab is undoubtedly an iconic and highly recognisable vehicle but this was not enough to prove that the shape marks have "come to identify the [taxis] as originating from a particular undertaking and so to distinguish those goods from those of other undertakings".entirely clear cut and if the question of substantial value had proven essential to the appeal he would have referred to the CJEU. As it stood, any such referral is unnecessary but the issue may well arise in the future.
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American Tim Freriks remembers visiting the world famous Grand Canyon as a child.

He recalls looking up from the very bottom of the Grand Canyon at the huge walls of rock hundreds of meters above his head.

At the time, Freriks was not excited about the long walk back to the top. And he never imagined he would one day run up the trail along the side of the canyons walls.

Freriks had that childhood memory after he ran from the canyons North Rim to the South Rim. He finished the 34-kilometer rim-to-rim run with what is called the fastest known time, or FKT.

There was no prize -- only the unofficial record for the fastest race time. This kind of award has become a goal for athletes in all kinds of activities on trails, mountains and mountain cliffs.

A growing athletic movement

Endurance events have captured the imagination of an increasing number of trail runners, climbers and mountaineers. Social and traditional media have helped create attention for these men and women. In the past, the competitors may not have been well known, but now they can earn money from company sponsorships.

The Associated Press reports that Freriks run, completed in under 2 hours and 40 minutes, was one of several notable records set in October.

Two rock climbers made history at Yosemite National Park in California. They set a speed record for climbing up the huge wall of El Capitan in under two hours 20 minutes. Normally, this climb takes experienced climbers three days.

Shawn Bearden is a trail runner and a physiology professor at Idaho State University. He says endurance events have been influenced by a number of things. They include the development of lighter equipment, growing interest in long-distance running and the ability of people to follow athletes progress online.

Some people are refusing to wait for traditional races and compete whenever they want.

The FKT stuff is a cool dynamic, said Tim Freriks, Youre out there alone a lot of the time. There isnt much publicity. It feels more pure.

There is a long history of people setting out to set speed and distance records. For years, sailors have attempted to set records for sailing around the world. Swimmers have successfully crossed the English Channel since 1875. And now simply climbing to the top of Mount Everest, the worlds tallest mountain, is not enough. Some climbers want to see if they can be the fastest at reaching the top.

I think its a natural human tendency to keep pushing back the human boundaries of whats perceived to be possible  like trying to set a world record, said Peter Bakwin, a Colorado native. Bakwin, a trail runner, created a website for listing fastest times.

Runs and climbs that once took months, weeks and days are now being completed in only weeks, days and hours.

As one of the few people keeping unofficial records, Bakwin is now seen as a judge of whether a claim is true. In the past, people self-reported their successes on the honor system. Now, modern technology can prove if the claims are true using global positioning system records, digital photographs and social media posts.

Record competition

Sometimes, it is difficult to keep records.

Bakwin was the first person known to run the Muir Trail in under four days. The Muir Trail travels along some of the most beautiful parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. On foot, the trip normally takes two to three weeks to complete.

Bakwin said he would run about 80 kilometers a day, and only take short breaks to sleep. However he also took time to enjoy nature. He remembered being tired one night and decided to climb to the top of a mountain under a full moon.

It was magical, he said. Its hard to explain the attraction of pushing your limits of endurance in nature. Some people get it and some people think its totally crazy.

However, his best time from 2003 did not last even a year before someone broke his record.

In October, Americans Brad Gobright and Jim Reynolds broke the speed record for climbing up El Capitan. They climbed the 884-meter vertical wall in 2 hours and 19 minutes. Their time beat the record set five years earlier by Americans Hans Florine and Alex Honnold.

To set the new record, they took a risk by bringing very little equipment with them as they climbed. This helped them go faster, but also meant they had little protection from falling. They also did not carry any water.

Florine has held the speed record for climbing El Capitan eight separate times.

Florine said many people have asked him if he would try to set the record again. But at the age of 53, he said he feels too old.

Freriks, who is 26, is the same age as Florine when he set his first record on El Capitan. Freriks imagines his rim-to-rim run record will be broken, but if so he will try to reclaim it again.

Im Phil Dierking.

The Associated Press reported this story. Phil Dierking adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Are there any physical challenges you would like to set a record for? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

athlete - n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength

crazy - adj. unable to think in a clear or sensible way

endurance - n. the ability to do something difficult for a long time

sponsorship - n. an arrangement in which a sponsor agrees to give money to someone or something

online - adj. connected to a computer, a computer network, or the Internet

dynamic - adj. always active or changing

tendency - n. a quality that makes something likely to happen or that makes someone likely to think or behave in a particular way

post - v. to add (a message) to an online message board

vertical - adj. going straight up
1 Protesters hold banners reading "Freedom Political Prisoners, We are Republic" as they gather in Sant Jaume square at a demonstration during a partial regional strike in Barcelona, Spain.


This is Whats Trending Today

Social media services Twitter and Snapchat announced this week they are taking on new looks. Both services have far fewer users than Facebook, and are seeking to expand their audiences.

Twitter is expanding its message limit to 280 characters for nearly all its users, ending its well-known 140-character limit.

And Snapchat, long popular with young people, will make changes in hopes of becoming easier for everyone to use. It has yet to provide details of the changes.

Twitter says that 9 percent of tweets written in English reached the 140-character limit. As a result, users had to spend time reworking the wording of tweets. By removing that barrier, Twitter is hoping people will tweet more, increasing the interest of other users.

The Associated Press reports that people around the world are talking about the changes to Twitter.

Some German government officials celebrated the changes Wednesday. Germanys justice ministry wrote that it can now more easily tweet about legislation concerning the oversight responsibilities for marking beef.

The law is known in German as the Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz.

In Rome, student Marina Verdicchio welcomed the changes. She said the move will give us the possibility to express ourselves in a totally different way and to avoid canceling important words when we use Twitter.

Others were not as excited, including at least one person who repeated the words of Shakespeare: Brevity is the soul of wit.

The expansion to 280-character tweets will be extended to all Twitter users except those tweeting in Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Those languages will still have the 140-character limit. That is because writing in those languages involves fewer characters.

And thats Whats Trending Today.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

audience - n. the people who watch, read, or listen to something

character - n. a symbol (such as a letter or number) that is used in writing or printing

brevity - n. the quality of being brief; the use of few words to say something

wit - n. an ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny
Best Buy Co., Inc. retails technology products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Domestic and International. Its stores provide computing products, such as desktops, notebooks, and peripherals; mobile phones comprising related mobile network carrier commissions; networking products; tablets covering e-readers; smartwatches; and consumer electronics consisting of digital imaging, health and fitness, home theater, portable audio comprising headphones and portable speakers, and smart home products. The company's stores also offer appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry, ovens, refrigerators, blenders, coffee makers, and vacuums; entertainment products consisting of drones, peripherals, movies, music, and toys, as well as gaming hardware and software, and virtual reality and other software products; and other products, such as baby, food and beverage, luggage, outdoor living, and sporting goods. In addition, it provides consultation, delivery, design, health-related, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, and warranty-related services. The company offers its products through stores and websites under the Best Buy, Best Buy Ads, Best Buy Business, Best Buy Health, CST, Current Health, Geek Squad, Lively, Magnolia, Best Buy Mobile, Pacific Kitchen, Home, and Yardbird, as well as domain names bestbuy.com, currenthealth.com, lively.com, yardbird.com, and bestbuy.ca. As of January 30, 2022, it had 1,144 stores. The company was formerly known as Sound of Music, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Technical Solutions. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. It also provides nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and overhaul, and inactivation services of ships. In addition, the company offers naval nuclear support services, including fleet services comprising design, construction, maintenance, and disposal activities for in-service the U.S. Navy nuclear ships; and maintenance services on nuclear reactor prototypes. Further, it provides life-cycle sustainment services to the U.S. Navy fleet and other maritime customers; high-end information technology and mission-based solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence, and federal civilian customers; nuclear management and operations and environmental management services for the Department of Energy, DoD, state and local governments, and private sector companies; defense and federal solutions; and unmanned systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia.
Kinder Morgan, Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Pipelines, Products Pipelines, Terminals, and CO2. The Natural Gas Pipelines segment owns and operates interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline, and underground storage systems; natural gas gathering systems and natural gas processing and treating facilities; natural gas liquids fractionation facilities and transportation systems; and liquefied natural gas liquefaction and storage facilities. The Products Pipelines segment owns and operates refined petroleum products, and crude oil and condensate pipelines; and associated product terminals and petroleum pipeline transmix facilities. The Terminals segment owns and/or operates liquids and bulk terminals that stores and handles various commodities, including gasoline, diesel fuel, chemicals, ethanol, metals, and petroleum coke; and owns tankers. The CO2 segment produces, transports, and markets CO2 to recovery and production crude oil from mature oil fields; owns interests in/or operates oil fields and gasoline processing plants; and operates a crude oil pipeline system in West Texas, as well as owns and operates RNG and LNG facilities. It owns and operates approximately 83,000 miles of pipelines and 143 terminals. The company was formerly known as Kinder Morgan Holdco LLC and changed its name to Kinder Morgan, Inc. in February 2011. Kinder Morgan, Inc. was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Ecopetrol S.A. operates as an integrated energy company. The company operates through four segments: Exploration and Production; Transport and Logistics; Refining, Petrochemical and Biofuels; and Electric Power Transmission and Toll Roads Concessions. It engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas; transportation of crude oil, motor fuels, fuel oil, and other refined products, including diesel, jet, and biofuels; processing and refining crude oil; distribution of natural gas and LPG; sale of refined and petrochemical products; supplying of electric power transmission services; design, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of road and energy infrastructure projects; and supplying of information technology and telecommunications services. As of December 31, 2021, the company had approximately 9,127 kilometers of crude oil and multi-purpose pipelines. It also produces and commercializes polypropylene resins and compounds, and masterbatches; and offers industrial service sales to customers and specialized management services. It has operations in Colombia, the United States, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, South America, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos and changed its name to Ecopetrol S.A. in June 2003. Ecopetrol S.A. was incorporated in 1948 and is based in Bogota, Colombia.
CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois Universitys Bailey Angeline Martin-Giacalone of Belleville has been selected by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureates to accept the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, and to speak as a representative of all Illinois Student Laureates in a Saturday ceremony in Springfield.

Martin-Giacalone, a senior-level honors student majoring in biological sciences, will head to Springfield with her nominator, Sara Schmidt, coordinator of honors student development at EIU, to participate in the weekend ceremony.

I am incredibly humbled and grateful to be selected as a Lincoln Academy Student Laureate and additionally be chosen as the student speaker for the ceremony, Martin-Giacalone said about receiving the award and the honor to speak on behalf of all laureates. "It is due to the unparalleled support that I have received from EIU faculty and staff, as well as my family, that I get to represent EIU by accepting this honor."

Each fall an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and thereby becomes a student laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. In the spirit of Lincoln, student laureates are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

According to her nomination, Martin-Giacalone is a top student at EIU with a 3.93 cumulative GPA and a 4.0 GPA for all courses completed toward her biological sciences major and all music courses completed toward her minor. During her time at EIU, she has pursued a range of experiences in science and service including an internship at the Illinois Summer Neuroscience Institute, clinical rotations and operating room observations at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis, the University of Massachusetts Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, and the Purdue University Summer Research Opportunities Program based in Mattoon. She also has assisted Dr. C.C. Wharram in the EIU Center for the Humanities with a project examining dying in an age of health and in organizing lectures focused on public health issues. Soon she also will join Dr. Gary Bulla's lab on the EIU campus.

Martin-Giacalone is also an avid volunteer. She visits and assists with social activities for residents of the Charleston Rehabilitation and Health Care Facility, serves on the University Housing and Dining Services Health and Wellness Committee, and is part of the universitys Social Justice League. In these roles, she has developed and presented programs focusing on life, leadership and overcoming challenges. In 2016, she received both the Brad Wright Resident Assistant Award and Scholarship and the Social Justice Advocate Award.

Martin-Giacalone indicates three potential academic and professional paths she would be equally interested in pursuing. They include an master's/doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Physiology; a doctorate in Epidemiology and Clinical Research; or a doctorate in Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies focused on Race, Inequality and Language. In each of these programs, she sees unique opportunities for developing the skills and networks needed to build and maintain diverse teams of medical practitioners capable of effectively addressing issues having global impacts.

It will be exciting to see how Bailey makes great contributions to society, said Schmidt, her nominator. It is certain that Bailey will make a real impact where it is needed most. 

Since the programs inception in 1975, over 2,000 Illinois students have been honored as Lincoln laureates. According to the organizations website, each recipient is selected to honor individuals whose contributions to the betterment of humanity have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity as exemplified by the great Illinoisan whose name we bear.

The annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Ceremony recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the states four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois.

Brock Michael Taylor, Mattoon, attending Illinois Wesleyan University, will also be honored as student laureate at this ceremony.

For more information about the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, visit https://thelincolnacademyofillinois.org. For more information about EIU, or to learn more about its various programs and services, visit the EIU website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIUs public information office at 217-581-7400.
Learning from each other. Credit: www.shutterstock.com

In Bali on 5 September this year, a husband violently hacked off his wife's feet with a machete. The victim, Ni Putu Kariani, survived the horrific attack, but will be permanently disabled.

In Sydney, about one month after Kariani was attacked by her husband, Rachael Anne Lee had her throat slashed, allegedly by her partner. Like Kariani, Lee faces long-term disability. We still don't know whether she will suffer paraplegia as a consequence of the assault.

Domestic violence affects women in both Australia and Indonesia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in four women in Australia has been abused physically or sexually by their partner. In Indonesia, one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Australia and Indonesia should work together to tackle this universal problem. While Australia's dwindling aid budget might hamper cooperation at the intergovernmental level, grassroots advocates should explore opportunities for collaboration in combating domestic violence.

Counting dead women

In 2016, the Commission on Violence Against Women in Indonesia reported 13,602 cases of violence against women, most of which were domestic violence (75%). But this represents only a fraction of the real occurrence of domestic violence, due to under-reporting and poor data collection.

Kariani's case is one among many instances of domestic violence in Indonesia that Australian women's rights activist Kate Walton is trying to track in her project "Menghitung Pembunuhan Perempuan" (Counting Dead Women). She scours news sources for reports of domestic violence to create a database of incidents. She also shares this information with government and local NGOs to raise awareness.

Reliable statistics and data are important to combat violence against women. But counting women who have been assaulted, maimed or killed by abusive spouses is only one part of the solution.

Too little, too late

In 2004, Indonesia passed the Anti-Domestic Violence Law. Under this Law, domestic violence is broadly defined to include not only physical but psychological, economic and sexual violence. However, 12 years since its enactment, barriers to implementing the law remain.

Complicated legal processes, difficulties obtaining medical evidence, and costs in both religious and criminal jurisdictions can be deterrents to women seeking a divorce to escape domestic violence, or even reporting domestic violence.

Lack of education or awareness of rights, geographical or economic barriers and negative community or cultural attitudes also limit access to justice. Further, women who experience domestic violence may fear reprisals or stigma from their families or communities. These problems are not unique to Indonesia. Australian advocates have long highlighted the systemic barriers to addressing domestic violence.

In Indonesia, the majority of domestic violence complaints are dealt with through non-legal avenues. At a local level, family or community leaders often mediate through traditional dispute resolution. There are also reports of police regularly dismissing women's claims about domestic violence.

Most cases do not make it to court. Of the domestic violence cases that do reach the courtroom, the majority are resolved through divorce proceedings, rather than in the criminal courts.

At the institutional level, the response to domestic violence in Indonesia may be described as too little, too late. Currently, the gaps in government policy and programs are being filled by NGOs to the best of their capability.

Front-line services

Programs such as Yayasan Pulih in Jakarta and Rifka Anisa in Yogyakarta provide front-line services to Indonesian women. However, community programs to assist victims of domestic violence are largely constrained by funding. The scale and capacity of these programs needs to be increased urgently.

Similarly, front-line women's services in Australia continually face funding cuts and are often overwhelmed by the number of women seeking assistance. However, as highlighted in the findings of the recent Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016), domestic violence responses in Australia have considerably improved in the last decade. Although there are still failures and limitations, the system is continually progressing. There is now increased reporting of domestic violence to police and greater community and institutional awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence.

There is a lot that Indonesia can learn from Australia in combating domestic violence. Unfortunately, in light of Australia's continuing foreign aid cuts, cooperation on domestic violence is unlikely to increase at an intergovernmental level.

However, there remains significant opportunity for Australian NGOs and advocates to collaborate directly with Indonesian NGOs to help tackle domestic violence at the grassroots level.

"Collaboration" does not merely mean the export of Australian knowledge of and approaches to domestic violence. It means the integration of Australian and Indonesian knowledge and the adaptation of Australian approaches to the Indonesian cultural context. Australian Kate Walton explains that when working on gender issues in Indonesia, her organisation has to consider a huge range of elements. These include not only gender but religion, culture, geography, ethnicity and class.

Bilateral collaboration is key

Regardless of their wealth, status, education, religion or ethnicity, women continue to face a high risk of domestic violence. It is not only harmful for individual women, but has broad negative impacts on Australian and Indonesian communities.

Our response to violence defines us as a society. It may be convenient to treat cases like Kariani's and Lee's as one-offs, or reduce them to the individual psychology of the abuser, but it is wrong to do so.

Domestic violence reflects deeply unequal power relations between men and women. Patriarchal social structures and gender norms in both Australia and Indonesia perpetuate violence against women.

Collaboration between Australia and Indonesia at a grassroots level has the potential to improve community capacity to prevent and respond to domestic violence. Australians and Indonesians must take the initiative to build bilateral relations and work together to end domestic violence.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
(HealthDay)Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be a more effective treatment than laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) for control of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Jessie P. Bakker, Ph.D., from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues randomized patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35-45 kg/m2, severe OSA, and at least one OSA symptom to CPAP or laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB). In the LGB group, 14 of 28 underwent LGB only, 10 underwent CPAP only, and four underwent neither, while in the CPAP group, 20 of 21 received CPAP only and one began CPAP followed by gastric bypass surgery.

The researchers found that LGB was associated with a greater drop in BMI. In intention-to-treat analyses, the effective apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) at nine months was 29.5 and 20 events/hour in the LGB and CPAP groups, respectively (P = 0.02), while at 18 months, the effective AHI was 20.9 and 21.4 events/hour, respectively (P = 0.89). There were significant but similar improvements in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores with both treatments. Similar AHI and ESS results were seen in analyses limited to patients who received their assigned treatment. There was a linear relationship between change in AHI and change in BMI, with a 3.3 percent reduction in AHI for every 1 percent reduction in BMI. There was no difference in slope by treatment.

"The superior impact of CPAP on the effective AHI means that in our opinion, CPAP is a more effective treatment than LGB for control of OSA," conclude the authors.

One author is now a paid employee for Philips Respironics, which also donated CPAP machines and supplies for the study. She accepted the position after study completion.

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
In this Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, photo, Dr. Jesse Pines poses for a portrait at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences Clinical Learning and Simulation Skills (CLASS) Center in Washington. Pines teaches emergency medicine at the school and also does a rotation in the hospital's emergency room. A push by the insurer Anthem to limit ER visits to true emergencies worries doctors and patients who question whether they will make the right call or get stuck with a bill. "I think it's completely unfair to patients," said Pines. "It runs the risk of really hurting some people." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Alison Wrenne was making waffles for her two young children one morning when abdominal pain forced her to the floor. A neighbor who is a physician assistant urged her to go to the emergency room.

Wrong decision, according to her health insurer. Wrenne was diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst, but Anthem said that wasn't an emergency and stuck her with a $4,110 bill.

"How are you supposed to know that?" said the 34-year-old from Lexington, Kentucky. "I'm not a doctor ... that's what the emergency room is for."

In an effort to curb unnecessary and costly ER visits, the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer has told customers in a few U.S. states to go to the hospital only in a real emergency such as a heart attack, stroke and major bleedingor they could wind up footing the bill.

Anthem, the nation's second-largest insurer, wants patients to consider alternatives like drugstore clinics, nurse advice hotlines or telemedicine. Insurers for years have been raising ER co-payments to try to deter unnecessaryand expensivevisits, and Anthem's policy marks another round in this long-standing fight.

Even doctors agree the ERan important revenue source for hospitalsisn't the best option for minor complaints like sinus infections, rashes or ankle sprains. They say it's better in those cases to see a family doctor who knows a person's medical history.

But some also worry that Anthem's clampdown will scare patients away from the ER in an actual emergency, especially in cases where major problems may not seem serious at first.

"I think it's completely unfair to patients," said Dr. Jesse Pines, who teaches emergency medicine at George Washington University. "It runs the risk of really hurting some people."

Customers in Missouri and Georgia received letters earlier this year from Anthem warning them that minor complaints should be checked out at places like clinics or urgent care centers, where visits can cost $85 and $190, respectively. By comparison, Anthem says a typical ER visit costs around $1,200.

The ER should be used "as it was designedto treat life-threatening illness," said Dr. Craig Samitt, Anthem's chief clinical officer. "This is in no way meant to compromise a member's determination of whether they've got an emergency."

The push began in 2015 in Kentucky and will expand to Indiana next year and possibly other states that have seen a rise in unnecessary visits. Those involve "common medical ailments" that the average person knows should not be seen in an emergency room, according to Samitt.

Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc. says it wants to steer patients into using the right locations for their care. It has a similar policy for MRIs that pushes some patients away from getting scans at more expensive hospital locations.

There are many exceptions to the ER rule: Patients won't get dinged when there isn't an urgent care center nearby, if they need help on a Sunday or major holiday, if a doctor recommends going to the ER or if someone is under age 14.

This July 2017 photo provided by Meghan Beth Photography shows Alison Wrenne and her husband, Daniel, in their backyard in Lexington, Ky. Alison Wrenne was making waffles for her two young children one morning when abdominal pain forced her to the floor. A neighbor who's a physician assistant urged her to go to the emergency room. Wrong decision, according to her health insurer. Wrenne was diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst, but Anthem said it wasn't an emergency and stuck her with a $4,110 bill. (Meghan Potter/Meghan Beth Photography via AP)

Samitt also said Anthem isn't simply rejecting every non-urgent ER claim it receives. The insurer has a physician review a case before issuing a denial, and will consider a patient's circumstances. Anthem said it may cover a patient who arrives with chest pains that turn out to be indigestion instead of a heart attack.

However, hospital officials in Missouri say many of Anthem's reviews haven't been this thorough. The insurer has rejected some claims in only a couple days and hasn't requested patient records before making a decision, said Daniel Landon, a senior vice president with the Missouri Hospital Association.

U.S. emergency department visits are expected to climb to around 150 million this year, up from 141.4 million in 2014. The rise is due partly to coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act, an aging population and an increase in opioid overdoses, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Other insurers also review ER use but not as aggressively as Anthem, said Laura Wooster of the emergency doctor group. The group has asked Anthem to stop immediately.

"I would hope that other insurers would take a look at this ... and realize it's a dangerous enforcement mechanism to consider," she said.

Anthem spokeswoman Joyzelle Davis said the insurer has met with representatives of the doctor group, but it has no plans to stop its program.

Anthem said it has seen a drop in unnecessary ER visits in Kentucky since it started its review there and has rejected only around 1 percent of all claims as avoidable.

In Wrenne's case, the letter from Anthem said: "We do not believe that a person with an average knowledge of health and medicine would think that this needed care right away" to avoid a serious problem. The insurer said she could have been treated safely in a doctor's office or clinic.

The hospital whittled Wrenne's bill down to several hundred dollars. But now she's nervous about using the ER again.

"It's just frustrating to be a reasonable person and have to weigh the cost of ... going to the ER or not because you have no idea what the bill would be," she said.

Judy Kurtz also is worried about future emergency care. The 62-year-old Maysville, Kentucky, resident was hit with a $1,600 bill a couple years ago after the insurer rejected an ER visit.

A doctor had told her to seek emergency help after an antibiotic reaction made her throat and face swell. She said Anthem eventually paid the claim. But it took about a dozen phone calls and six months to get the insurer to change its mind.

The retired school teacher doesn't want to go through that again and has set a high bar for going to the ER.

"It would have to be terribly life-threatening if I were to go," Kurtz said. "I would probably have to be (unconscious) and someone would have to carry me out."

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Survival rates for childhood brain cancer have not improved for decades. Credit: shutterstock.com

Brain cancers are the leading disease-related cause of death in Australian children. And survival rates have changed little in decades. As a paediatric oncologist, the worst conversation I can have with my patients or their parents is to tell them their tumour is incurable.

Last week, the federal government announced the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, with a A$100 million injection for research to double survival rates and improve quality of life for people living with brain cancer over the next ten years. This is an important step forward.

My hope is that we can replicate for brain cancer what has been achieved for leukaemia. The survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukaemia was once zero but today it's 85%. To achieve this outcome for brain tumour patients, we will need to adopt a similar strategy as with leukaemia.

Childhood leukaemia treatment

In the first half of the last century, parents whose children were diagnosed with leukaemia were told to take them home to die. Then chemotherapy was introduced. In the early 1940s, the first chemotherapy trial in children used a drug called aminopterin, which suppresses the immune system.

In November 1947, Dr Sidney Farber, a pathologist at Children's Hospital in Boston, discovered that aminopterin had a potent effect on leukaemia cells growing in the test tube. He tested aminopterin in 16 children with leukaemia and obtained temporary remission in ten of them. While this provided a glimmer of hope, it wasn't a cure. After the treatment stopped, the cancer always came back.

A major breakthrough came in 1965 in the US with a combination of four drugs  vincristine, prednisone, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine  known as VAMP. These drugs all have different mechanisms of action and together were shown to induce long-term remissions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)  the most common form of childhood leukaemia.

Today it is a generally accepted rule of cancer treatment that drugs are more effective in combination than as single agents. In the period 1965-1979, childhood leukaemia death rates in the US fell 50% due to improvements in therapies like this, as well as other ongoing developments.

Leukaemia lessons

The significant advances in the treatment of paediatric ALL have come, in large part, from the high participation rate of patients in clinical trials. But there are several other lessons that will help in our battle against brain cancer.

First, the initial and crucial discoveries in leukaemia treatments were made in the laboratory, using models that reflected the disease in humans. Until recently, these models have been lacking for paediatric brain tumours.

Second, leukaemia was not cured with any single magic bullet. Combination therapy made a radical difference to success rates.

Today children with leukaemia are cured by using intensive treatment with 10 to 12 different chemotherapeutic agents. Given brain cancer is even more aggressive than leukaemia, it is likely potent combinations will be needed to make a difference in outcomes.

Third, there was a seamless transition from the lab to clinical (human) trials in leukaemia. It was the same researcher running the laboratory who took his or her discoveries and started treating their own patients.

Aminopterin has a potent effect on leukaemia cells growing in a test tube. Credit: shutterstock.com

Difficulties in brain cancer

Brain tumours may occur in or near critical areas of the brain. For instance, these areas may control speech, movement or even breathing, making surgery risky or impossible.

The most aggressive cancer in children is a type of brain tumour called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which remains completely incurable. Its sensitive location in the brainstem means the tumour cannot be removed surgically. Even biopsies are usually not performed.

Patients don't respond to chemotherapy. The only standard therapy is radiation, which only temporarily delays disease progression. Most children do not survive more than one or two years after diagnosis.

Even if drugs can be shown to work in the lab, a major challenge for drug treatments for brain cancers is the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects the brain from toxins but also stops access for many anti-cancer drugs. Very few drugs can make it across the barrier from the bloodstream to reach tumours. In tumours like DIPG, it seems the blood-brain barrier is particularly tight.

What we need to do

One issue that has hampered medical research into childhood brain cancer treatments is a lack of tissue samples. Farber easily obtained leukaemia cells from the blood of his patients, which was central to making his discoveries. Collecting samples from brain tumour patients is much more risky and until recently had been considered impossible.

To address this my team started a donation program for parents to donate their child's tumour after a child has died. We are also learning how to safely biopsy DIPG tumours. We have obtained 31 tumour samples to help investigate DIPG's genetics and biology and to test potential treatments.

This is part of a global initiative that owes its existence in large part to the generosity of parents wanting to help other families. We have used this resource to screen more than 3,500 drugs, in one of the largest DIPG drug screens. As a result, we have identified five active drugs that cross the blood-brain barrier and have anti-DIPG activity.

We have also performed screens looking at thousands of different drug combinations to identify further active therapeutic strategies.

Funding for brain tumour research will help ensure discoveries made from efforts like this can be rapidly translated to clinical trials to help children who need new treatment options. To achieve this, it is critical that funding goes to support intensive laboratory research, as well as the clinical trial infrastructure needed to bring these discoveries directly to the patients.

Last but not least, personalised medicine holds great hope for children with brain cancer, offering the opportunity to exploit each tumour's distinctive molecular and genetic features. We have conducted a pilot personalised medicine study for Australian children with high-risk cancers, through the Zero Childhood Cancer program led by the Children's Cancer Institute and Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.

About half the children in this study had brain tumours  highlighting that this remains a critical area in need of more research and new treatments.

In mid-September, we opened a national clinical trial that will enrol up to 400 children with high-risk cancers over the next three years. We expect children with brain cancers will be one of the biggest groups of patients on the trial.

We hope the program will not only help individual children but that lessons learnt from the trial will be used to discover and test future treatments for brain cancer, boosting survival further.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
The UN's labour organisation was accused Thursday of capitulating to pressure from tobacco companies after it withdrew an announcement that it had cut financial ties with the industry.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) had initially released a statement announcing it had severed links with so-called Big Tobacco, a relationship that has dogged the Geneva-based body for months.

But the ILO later announced that it had not made a final decision and the issue would be discussed again in March.

ILO spokesman Hans Von Rohland told AFP that his office had been sent a draft resolution in which members would agree that "no new funding shall be accepted by the ILO from the tobacco industry."

"We sent out the second-to-last version (of the resolution) by mistake," he said.

'Invisible hand of tobacco lobby'

Activists argued the events pointed to the tobacco lobby's powerful influence.

"Something behind closed doors and outside the main plenary produced this decision", said Shuo Peskoe-Yang, a senior researcher at Corporate Accountability, a US-based civil society group.

The outcome is a result of "the invisible hand of the tobacco industry", he told AFP.

The ILO includes representatives from employers, labour unions and member-states.

Peskoe-Yang said he understood that there was widespread support to cut off tobacco funding from Europe, Canada, Australia and elsewhere, but that African voters in particular faced pressure to keep ties open.

"The tobacco industry was dangling these funds in front of the Africa bloc", he said, noting that the United States was also in favour of preserving the links.

The ILO had justified its ties to tobacco companies as a way of helping improve the working conditions of the some 60 million people involved in tobacco leaf growing and production worldwide, notably in Africa and Asia.

The agency has received more than $15 million from Japan Tobacco International and groups linked to some of the world's biggest tobacco companies for "charitable partnerships" aimed at reducing child labour in tobacco fields.

But activists and civil society groups have insisted that tobacco-funded programmes had little impact in improving workers conditions.

They argued that a partnership with a major UN agency was allowing tobacco companies to portray themselves as a responsible corporate actor even as their products were killing millions of people each year.

Pressure on the ILO has mounted since United Nations Economic and Social Council passed a resolution in June calling for the UN system to prevent "tobacco industry interference".

Corporate Accountability said that interference would now continue.

"Tobacco corporations have already admitted to using the ILO as an avenue of influence within the UN system, made all the clearer by the ILO's dubious decision," the group's deputy director for campaigns, Gigi Kellet, said in a statement.

"For now, the ILO will remain one of the industry's primary tendrils in its campaign to block, weaken and delay labour and public health protections."

The ILO said the programmes linked to tobacco funding were due to expire next year. A decision will then be made on their possible renewal.

 2017 AFP
With a scarcity of lungs available for transplantation, the use of lungs from donors older than age 60 has been shown to achieve reasonable outcomes and should be considered as a viable option, according to research published online today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

"The availability of suitable donor lungs for transplantation continues to be a major obstacle to increasing the number of lung transplants performed annually," said William Whited, MD, of the University of Louisville in Kentucky. "Research such as this that explores the means of expanding the donor pool is of critical importance."

Dr. Whited, along with senior author Matthew Fox, MD, and other colleagues from the University of Louisville queried the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) thoracic transplant database to identify lung transplant recipients age 18 years or older. Between January 2005 and June 2014, 14,222 lung transplants were performed. Of these lung transplant recipients, 26% were age 50 years or younger, with 2% receiving lungs from donors older than age 60. Among this group of younger patients who received older donor lungs, there was no significant difference in 5-year survival when compared to patients who received lungs from younger donors.

The researchers also examined the impact of double versus single lung transplant on long-term survival, finding that younger patients who received older donor lungs experienced much better outcomes when a double versus a single transplantation was performed. The study showed that in younger patients who received a single lung transplant using organs from older vs. younger donors, there was a lower 5-year survival (15% vs. 50%). However, with a double lung transplant, there was no significant difference in 5-year survival (53% vs. 59%).

"This study demonstrated that reasonable outcomes are possible with the use of advanced age donors," said Dr. Whited.

"Ideal donor" criteria vary by hospital, but the researchers said that the criteria generally consist of brain death, age less than 45 to 50 years, minimal smoking history, and no evidence of pneumonia or trauma. Donor organs that do not meet all of the ideal donor criteria are sometimes accepted, but not always. Dr. Whited explained that while the use of extended criteria donor lungs varies from program to program, most surgeons should be willing to accept non-ideal donors, especially those who are older but otherwise good candidates.

"The vast majority of potential donors do not meet the relatively strict donor criteria," said Dr. Whited. "As a result, we need to continue exploring options that would expand the donor pool and more aggressively utilize extended criteria donors. Much like the general population, the donor pool has continued to grow older. Now more than ever, we have to rely on older donors."

The U.S. Organ Procurement & Transplant Network (OPTN) reports that 1,399 people currently are waiting for a lung transplant in the United States. The overall median waiting time for candidates on the wait list is 4 months, while more than 200 people die annually waiting for a lung transplant, according to an OPTN report.

More information: William M. Whited et al, Does Donor Age and Double Versus Single Lung Transplant Affect Survival of Young Recipients?, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery (2017). Journal information: Annals of Thoracic Surgery William M. Whited et al, Does Donor Age and Double Versus Single Lung Transplant Affect Survival of Young Recipients?,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2017.07.030
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 50 years and above instead of 60 to define older people in sub Saharan Africa. This is primarily because of low life expectancy in the region. In addition, people aged 50 and older have health and functional limitations akin to those experienced by people 60 or above in developed countries.

There are about 46 million older people (5% of the population) in sub Saharan Africa, and this is expected to increase four-fold by 2050. In Uganda, the number of older people has increased from 1.1 million in 2002, to 1.3 million in 2010 and projected to 5.5 million by 2050.

Older people are more prone to detrimental health conditions such as hearing loss, disabilities, diabetes, depression and other health challenges. Limited access to health care for this vulnerable group is a growing concern in developing countries.

Few studies have addressed older peoples' health needs in sub Saharan Africa. My study examined the challenges that older people in Uganda face when they seek health care. The findings suggest that poverty and physical disabilities are the leading reasons that older people don't seek health care services.

Access to health care for older people

I analysed data from 2,382 older people in Uganda.

Accessing healthcare meant visiting public health facilities or private health facilities in the 30 days before the study. The factors that were significantly associated with access to health care were social and economic status, the severity of illness and how it affected people's ability to work, the type of physical disability and the presence of non communicable diseases.

According to the findings, older persons who were younger, lived with other people and were married were more likely to seek treatment for an illness. Older persons' access to healthcare was also higher among those who owned bicycle and earned regular wages to pay for treatment.

The unavailability of drugs for non communicable diseases, the lack of adequately trained staff to care for older people and poor equipment and services discouraged the respondents from going to hospital. Long queues, poor service by health workers and long distances to the hospitals also restricted their access to health care.

About a third of the respondents had a form of disability related to their hearing, sight or walking, or had impaired memory. Almost a quarter, 23%, had a lifestyle disease and more than half had ill health generally. The disability was associated with advanced age, rural residence, living alone and ill health.

Our findings suggest that older persons with conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes used health care more often than those without because chronic health conditions create a greater need for health care. These findings confirm an argument from a previous study done in the US. It found that people seek treatment in greater numbers for severe illnesses and life threatening conditions.

Breaking the barriers to healthcare

These findings are important for policymakers, programme implementers and researchers to improve the status of health care for older people.

The government should expand programmes such as the social assistance grants for empowerment (SAGE) aimed at reducing poverty among older people so that they can afford basic healthcare. This has been done in Kenya where older people receive special grants. The promotion of the extended family support system in cultures where it previously existed but had fallen away has encouraged more older people to seek medical help.

Uganda's primary health care system should be strengthened to provide long term care to older people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. This has worked in rural South Africa. It is also important to train specialised cadres of healthcare workers to manage lifestyle diseases in Uganda's healthcare system.

The establishment of community outreach interventions that provide home care services for disabled older people could also solve the challenges of access to the health facilities.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Credit: University of South Carolina

The numbers tell the story of the opioid epidemic. And the story is tragic.

Ninety-one Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, a figure from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that includes prescription drugs and heroin.

The number of drug deaths is rising, with more than 59,000 overdose deaths in 2016. Six in 10 drug overdose deaths in 2014 involved an opioid, such as a painkiller or heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each day, more than 1,000 people are treated by emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.

In 1999, there were twice as many deaths from car accidents as there were from drug overdoses. That number has flipped, with more than 40 percent more deaths from overdoses in 2014 than from car wrecks. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50.

The opioid epidemic is driven by overdoses in prescription drugs, heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl, a synthetic opioid much more powerful than heroin. The epidemic has destroyed lives across the country, and it affects Americans regardless of age, race, wealth or hometown. It's a complex situation, with no easy fixes. And it shows no signs of improvement.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina are addressing various aspects of the epidemic, focusing on opioid addiction and the Affordable Care Act, the neuroscience of addiction and prescription drug monitoring programs.

"There are a number of people who reach out to me with questions, who are really grasping for answers. There are personal and professional stories across the board," says Jill Turner, a researcher in the College of Pharmacy. "It's important for an institution like USC to have a role of leadership, to take a stance and show we care in that we have work going on that's trying to address these problems from multiple perspectives."

Science of addiction

Jill Turner grew up in West Virginia, one of the states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.

When she returned to her picturesque hometown, population 2,000, after college, what she saw changed her. She had long known that West Virginia struggled with adequate health care and poor health insurance options, but this was different. What started as the over-prescribing of opioids had grown into a full-blown crisis.

"[The town] was decimated by opioids. It was really incredible," she says. "People who had been all-star athletes were on heroin. I've had a number of friends either die or go to jail because of opioids."

Both of Turner's grandparents had died from smoking-related cancer, so she originally thought she would conduct cancer research. But the stark image of addictionboth to nicotine and opioidsstuck with her as she moved on to earn a doctorate in neuroscience from Georgetown University and complete a postdoctoral fellowship in neurogenetics at the University of Pennsylvania.

At Carolina, where she is an assistant professor of drug discovery and biomedical sciences in the College of Pharmacy, her research aims to understand the biological factors that make it difficult for smokers and drug addicts to quit. She also looks for ways to tailor treatment based on a person's genetic makeup.

For example, her research has examined the biomolecules that mediate opiate addiction, known as the mu-opioid receptor. Just a small change in a person's DNAone point, one nucleotidecan have a large effect on whether that person becomes addicted. Turner has found that people with a certain variant of the mu-opioid receptor can more easily quit smoking and are less likely to become addicted to heroin or opioids.

Her work aims to understand the biological factors that cause low success rates of smokers and addicts who want to stop, and to learn how to apply that knowledge to personalized medicine. That has led her to pharmacogenomics, also known as precision medicine, which is designed to adapt therapeutics to a patient's genetic code.

The toll of Americas opioid epidemic is tragic, but UofSC researchers are engaged in the struggle, finding tools that could help turn the tide. Credit: University of South Carolina

In her lab, that means looking at nicotine and opioids.

Her collaborator in Finland has data from twins collected since the 1970s, allowing researchers to mine data and ask questions about addiction and specific genes, understanding whether people are predisposed to certain addictions.

A key part of the brainthe area that controls executive functionchanges with extensive, continued drug use. It's the area of the brain that lets a person understand both goals and consequences, and it looks completely different in addicts, she says.

"They act without forethought. So, you have an individual, and you can't take them out of the environment where they may be the only sober person and they have impaired inhibitory control," Turner says. "That means they have increased impulsivity and they live where opioids are readily available. They are set up to fail."

Just as a person can't unlearn how to ride a bike, an addict is always an addict and must learn what triggers drug use and stay away from it.

"Honestly, the brain is very complex. You're not going to find a single bullet that can help this. To attack it, you have to move outside the idea that there's one way to fix this," she says. "We have to change in the way our society views drug addiction and change the way we attack the problem.

"You're treating depression, anxiety, a whole host of other things. You need to treat the person as a whole, and not just as an addict. That means not only understanding how a person's genetic code may help, but understanding their family history. For example, screening for epigenetic markers may help us understand how genes and family history interact, leading to better treatment. It's a brave new world."

A safety net with holes

Christina Andrews, an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, has watched the opioid epidemic gain more and more attention.

"When it reached a point where the CDC said this is an epidemic, where we are losing more people in a year to opioid overdoses than to AIDS at the height of that epidemic, it was a real wakeup call," she says.

"Every addiction is different, and this particular addiction is a very powerful one. Considering the risks related to withdrawal and overdose, it's particularly dangerous."

Andrews' research examines the financing of drug abuse treatment systems under the Affordable Care Act, including how insurance plays a role in access to drug treatment. It's especially relevant as opioid addiction and changes to the ACA have come to the center of the national debate on the future of health care in America.

The ACA put addiction treatment in the same category as other medical services, meaning it must be covered by existing insurance. The ACA also expanded health insurance through Medicaid and the establishment of state health insurance marketplaces. The opioid epidemic caused many states to consider how they treated drug addictions and find potential opportunities offered by the ACA to help address treatment.

Andrews' work uses information from the National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey, a longitudinal survey that has collected data since 1988. Starting in 2013, she began using the information to determine the impact of the ACA on access to and quality of drug addiction treatment programs. She's now looking at more recent data to see what has changed with the implementation of the ACA, including the number of people being treated for addiction, the number of insured versus uninsured patients, and whether people are getting treatment longer because they are insured.

"The numbers show a three-fold increase in the proportion of clients coming in with opioid addiction," she says. "We're looking at data between 2000 and 2017 and have not seen any significant increase in availability of drugs used to treat it despite years of work to achieve that."

From 1999 to 2013, the amount of prescription opioids dispensed in the U.S. nearly tripled, yet there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report. Credit: University of South Carolina

She says insurers were initially slow to cover buprenorphine, which has similar properties to methadone as a drug to treat addiction, but with lower risk of abuse. While insurance companies are offering more coverage for that drug, the system is seeing a decrease in the number of providers offering methadone. And because of concerns regarding fraud and misuse of prescriptions, with few exceptions, each provider can prescribe buprenorphine to only 100 clients per year."

Andrews' research has shown that though the ACA covers substance abuse treatment, the programs and other infrastructure aren't always in place. For example, more than half of addiction treatment programs do not accept insurance, and many state agencies around the country that assist treatment providers aren't helping the programs figure out ways to accept the insurance, she says. At the same time, many people struggling with addiction aren't equipped to navigate the red tape of enrolling in treatment programs.

"It's exciting to think in the humblest way that the work I'm doing could help inform some aspect of decision making and public policy and could help save lives," she says. "Unfortunately, the epidemic is not showing any signs of abating right now. But it's good to see some efforts are being made to foster a national conversation about it."

Tracking the epidemic

Prescription drug monitoring programsstate-run databases used to track the prescribing and dispensing of controlled prescription drugscan help detect suspected cases of abuse.

For Zaina Qureshi, an assistant professor of health services policy and management in the Arnold School of Public Health, information mined from the databases might hold a key to help address part of the opioid crisis. The monitoring programs provide information about a patient's controlled substance prescription history and can help identify patients who are at high-risk for addiction and could be helped by intervention.

In 2010, Qureshi began working with colleagues at Carolina and other institutions to determine how academic detailingoutreach programs that educate physicians about the drugs they are prescribingcould be used to better understand part of the opioid epidemic.

"We wanted to figure out if clinicians valued academic detailing programs related to opioids," she says. "Prescription drug monitoring programs have been shown to work, so we want to educate doctors on how to use the PDMP optimally and inform them about best practices in pain management."

Qureshi and her team used geo-spatial mapping to determine patterns of opioid prescribing from 2010-2011the first time that such a technique was applied to study opioids in South Carolina. The findings indicate a relatively small percentage of providers, concentrated in a few counties (Charleston, Richland, Greenville, Barnwell and Aiken), who account for most opioid prescriptions. This group represents a potential target for physician education and engagement in handling pain management and appropriate use of opioids.

The initial study didn't control for prescriptions written at pain management clinics, something that is being added in further research. The next step will use data from 2009 through 2015 to look for doctors who are prescribing well above average amounts of opioids.

"Addressing the opioid crisis is a complicated balancing actwhile there is a push for education, prevention and enforcement to reverse the epidemic, physicians must also ensure that patients suffering from legitimate acute and chronic pain have access to appropriate opioid medications," Qureshi says. "To that end, our long-term goal is to create a shared decision-making tool that would allow patients to share their goal and preferences with providers in order to facilitate more effective opioid prescribing practices.

"In 2014, the American Medical Association Opioid Task Force decided physicians needed to be better educated about effective and evidence-based opioid prescribing," she says. "We're trying to figure out now what these trends mean and where can we innovate."

About opioids

Here is some basic information about opioids from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain.

Prescription opioids are prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain, but can have serious risks and side effects. Common types are oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and methadone.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is many times more powerful than other opioids and is approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Many states have seen an increase in illegally made and distributed fentanyl.

Heroin is an illegal opioid, with its use increasing in recent years across the country.

Naloxone, which often goes by the brand name Narcan, is the anti-overdose medication used by first responders to attempt to revive people during an overdose.

From 1999 to 2013, the amount of prescription opioids dispensed in the U.S. nearly tripled, yet there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report.

Almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opioids in 2014.

Drug deaths are rising, with more than 59,000 overdose deaths in 2016. More than six in 10 of those drug overdose deaths in 2014 involved an opioid, such as a painkiller or heroin. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths quadrupled.

According to a 2014 CDC study, 12 statesincluding South Carolinahad more opioid prescriptions written than people in 2012, with Alabama in the top spot with almost 143 prescriptions per 100 people.

From 2014 to 2015, death rates for synthetic opioids other than methadone (including drugs such as tramadol and fentanyl) increased 72.2 percent.
Clark County Interagency Group to meet

CASEY -- The Clark County Interagency Group will meet at noon today at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Casey. Ashley Dillingham from HSHS Home-care and Hospice will be the speaker.

For more information, contact Amy Corbin, Triple C Coordinator, SAIL, at 217-345-7245.

Embarras Volunteer Conservation Day set

CHARLESTON -- The Embarras Volunteer Stewards will hold a Conservation Day at 10 a.m. Saturday at Warbler Bottoms. This is another Grand Prairie Friends property along the Embarras River. Take Bypass Road opposite the Lake Charleston entrance, turn right on CR 550 N. and continue to the parking area.

All are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary. Sturdy footwear and gloves are recommended. Tools are provided, but extra loppers and shovels are welcome.

Visit www.embarrasstewards.org for more information. Updates are posted on the group's website. To receive email notifications, contact thorsenhutton@gmail.com.

Class of 1958 to meet for breakfast

MATTOON -- The Mattoon High School Class of 1958 is meeting for breakfast at Denny's at 9 a.m. Saturday. For more information call 217-856-3554.

Alpha Upsilon accepting donations for Socks for Soldiers project

MATTOON -- Since 2009, Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a leadership and service organization, has sponsored an annual drive to collect "Socks for Soldiers" as part of the national project Hope for Heroes. Some of the socks are put in backpacks along with personal care items and are sent overseas to deployed service members. Some go to wounded veterans in hospitals and some go to veterans in Illinois.

Drop boxes have been placed in various businesses and schools around town until Nov. 11, Veterans Day, to collect new, black or white, men's or women's, tube or crew style socks. Alpha Upsilon Chapter appreciates the community's help and support of this project. For information or to request a donation pickup contact Jane Raciti at 217-234-8999 or any chapter member.

Autumn coin show planned

SPRINGFIELD -- The Central Illinois Numismatic Association's annual autumn coin show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Northfield Center I, 3210 Northfield Drive.

The show will feature 72 dealer tables with U.S. and foreign coins, stated quarters and presidential dollars, books for collectors, ancient and modern coins, U.S. and foreign paper money, proof sets, and mint sets.

Admission is $1. Members and children under 16 get in free. Future shows will be held March 25, 2018, and July 22, 2018. For more information contact show Chairman Patrick Devine at 217-787-3241.

Registration open for EIU 'Holiday Hustle' 5k

CHARLESTON -- The Holiday Hustle, to be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 2 in front of Old Main in Charleston, is an annual 5k walk/run that raises money for One Stop Community Christmas in Mattoon.

The early registration deadline is Thursday, Nov. 16. The cost until this day is $20 per person.

For more information contact eiuholidayhustle@gmail.com.
This diagram shows how cellular highways work. Credit: Robert O'Hagan/Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Inside cells, protein "motors" act like trucks on tiny cellular highways to deliver life-sustaining cargoes.

Now a team led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has discovered how cells deploy enzymes to place traffic control and "roadway under construction" signs along cellular highways.

"To stay alive and function, every cell in our body needs to transport cargoes to the place they're needed inside the cell, in the right amount and at the right time," said Robert O'Hagan, lead author of a new study and assistant research professor in the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey and the Department of Genetics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "So there has to be a lot of organization in how transport inside the cell is regulated, and now we know a lot more about how that happens."

The study, published online today in Current Biology, has implications for future therapies for spinal cord and nerve injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Co-authors include Malan Silva, who earned a doctorate at Rutgers; Winnie Zhang, Sebastian Bellotti and Yasmin Ramadan, who received bachelor's degrees at Rutgers; and Professor Maureen M. Barr, who heads the Barr Lab in the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey and the Department of Genetics in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Robert O'Hagan, assistant research professor in the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey and the Department of Genetics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, with C. elegans - a microscopic roundworm - in the background. Credit: Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

The highways inside cells are called microtubules, and proteins called kinesins and dyneins act like motors and are essentially the cargo trucks in cells, O'Hagan said. The motor proteins drive cargoes around microtubule highways, but a central question in cell biology is how intracellular transport and the highway systems are organized. Questions include how the motor proteins know where to go and how fast they need to be.

The Rutgers-led team studied C. elegans, a microscopic roundworm, and looked at microtubules in cilia - hair-like organelles that protrude from cells and perform sensory tasks. The scientists found that TTLL-11 is an enzyme that puts traffic signs composed of the amino acid glutamate on the microtubule highways to regulate the speed of the protein cargo trucks. CCPP-1 is an enzyme that takes down these glutamate traffic signs when there are too many of them, according to O'Hagan.

"Working together, they seem to regulate the speed of the motors that move cargoes on the microtubular highways," he said.

The scientists also found that the glutamates can also act as a "roadway under construction" sign, changing the highways' structure, he said.

Professor of Genetics Maureen M. Barr (left), Assistant Research Professor Robert O'Hagan (center) and Lab Technician Yasmin Ramadan SAS'16 (right) in the Barr Lab. Credit: Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

Intriguingly, these enzymes are involved in degenerating cells that are crucial for vision, as well as neurons, O'Hagan said. The study suggests that future therapies targeting these enzymes might counter neurodegenerative diseases or nerve damage, including spinal cord injuries, he said.

"The picture that's emerging from our and other labs' research is that, for neurons to regenerate after injury or to survive in the brain, they need to be able to reorganize their microtubular highways and their cargo trucks in order to bring the right cargoes around to rebuild or maintain the cell," he said.

"There's a lot more to be discovered," he added. "Our next step is to see how this works in the spinal cord in mammals, so we've started studies of rat spinal cord neurons."
In a Twitter-based study, Penn researchers found that people with ADHD tended to post messages related to lack of focus, self-regulation, intention and failure, as well as expressions of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. They often used words like those in the word cloud above more frequently than the control group and often posted during hours of the day when the majority of people sleep, from midnight to 6 a.m. Credit: University of Pennsylvania

What can Twitter reveal about people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD? Quite a bit about what life is like for someone with the condition, according to findings published by University of Pennsylvania researchers Sharath Chandra Guntuku and Lyle Ungar in the Journal of Attention Disorders. Twitter data might also provide clues to help facilitate more effective treatments.

"On social media, where you can post your mental state freely, you get a lot of insight into what these people are going through, which might be rare in a clinical setting," said Guntuku, a postdoctoral researcher working with the World Well-Being Project in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Perelman School of Medicine's Center for Digital Health. "In brief 30- or 60-minute sessions with patients, clinicians might not get all manifestations of the condition, but on social media you have the full spectrum."

Guntuku and Ungar, a professor of computer and information science with appointments in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Arts and Sciences, the Wharton School and Perelman, turned to Twitter to try to understand what people with ADHD spend their time talking about. The researchers collected 1.3 million publicly available tweets posted by almost 1,400 users who had self-reported diagnoses of ADHD, plus an equivalent control set that matched the original group in age, gender and duration of overall social-media activity. They then ran models looking at factors like personality and posting frequency.

"Some of the findings are in line with what's already known in the ADHD literature," Guntuku said. For example, social-media posters in the experimental group often talked about using marijuana for medicinal purposes. "Our coauthor, Russell Ramsay, who treats people with ADHD, said this is something he's observed in conversations with patients," Guntuku added.

The researchers also found that people with ADHD tended to post messages related to lack of focus, self-regulation, intention and failure, as well as expressions of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. They often used words like "hate," "disappointed," "cry" and "sad" more frequently than the control group and often posted during hours of the day when the majority of people sleep, from midnight to 6 a.m.

"People with ADHD are experiencing more mood swings and more negativity," Ungar said. "They tend to have problems self-regulating."

This could partially explain why they enjoy social media's quick feedback loop, he said. A well-timed or intriguing tweet could yield a positive response within minutes, propelling continued use of the online outlet.

Using information gleaned from this study and others, Ungar and Guntuku said they plan to build condition-specific apps that offer insight into several conditions, including ADHD, stress, anxiety, depression and opioid addiction. They aim to factor in facets of individuals, their personality or how severe their ADHD is, for instance, as well as what triggers particular symptoms.

The applications will also include mini-interventions. A recommendation for someone who can't sleep might be to turn off the phone an hour before going to bed. If anxiety or stress is the major factor, the app might suggest an easy exercise like taking a deep breath, then counting to 10 and back to zero.

"If you're prone to certain problems, certain things set you off; the idea is to help set you back on track," Ungar said.

Better understanding ADHD has the potential to help clinicians treat such patients more successfully, but having this information also has a downside: It can reveal aspects of a person's personality unintentionally, simply by analyzing words posted on Twitter. The researchers also acknowledge that the 50-50 split of ADHD to non-ADHD study participants isn't true to life; only about 8 percent of adults in the U.S. have the disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In addition, people in this study self-reported an ADHD diagnoses rather than having such a determination come from a physician interaction or medical record.

Despite these limitations, the researchers say the work has strong potential to help clinicians understand the varying manifestations of ADHD, and it could be used as a complementary feedback tool to give ADHD sufferers personal insights.

"The facets of better-studied conditions like depression are pretty well understood," Ungar said. "ADHD is less well studied. Understanding the components that some people have or don't have, the range of coping mechanisms that people usethat all leads to a better understanding of the condition."

More information: Sharath Chandra Guntuku et al. Language of ADHD in Adults on Social Media, Journal of Attention Disorders (2017). Journal information: Journal of Attention Disorders Sharath Chandra Guntuku et al. Language of ADHD in Adults on Social Media,(2017). DOI: 10.1177/1087054717738083
A concerted effort to prevent opioid overdoses in Canada has not resolved the public health crisis, with British Columbia's coroner saying Thursday the number of deaths in the province nearly doubled from last year

Westernmost British Columbia is at the epicenter of a national crisis that saw 2,800 people die of drug overdoses last year, mostly involving the potent narcotic analgesic fentanyl.

Since the start of this year, the British Columbia coroner's office recorded 1,103 overdose deaths, up from 607 during the same period last year.

Fentanylwhich is estimated to be up to 100 times stronger than morphinewas detected in approximately 83 percent of the suspected illicit drug-overdose deaths, it said in a statement.

Vancouver, it added, had the highest rate of overdose deaths and also the largest rate increase.

Officials said the number of overdoses would spike in the days after income assistance payments were made.

In February, the federal government announced Can$75 million (US$60 million) to bolster emergency services in order to combat overdose deaths linked to fentanyl and try to curb abuse.

Ottawa also cracked down on imports of fentanyl and its precursors, handed out thousands of naloxone kits used to treat overdoses, and removed legal hurdles to opening new supervised injection sites.

Until recently, Vancouver had the only safe injection sitealso called drug consumption roomson the continent.

But health authorities rushed to open new sites in cities across the country where volunteers dole out syringes and naloxone.

An estimated two dozen unsanctioned pop-up sites also opened in tents in several city parks, including in Ottawa and Toronto, as demand outstripped the availability of spaces.

 2017 AFP
He reiterated that the countrys strategic nuclear forces already started receiving Borei-class boomers. "It made it possible to increase the share of modern strategic submarines to 82%," the general specified.



In five years, 102 ballistic missiles were bought for these subs, Gerasimov specified. "Battle capabilities of the group of strategic nuclear-powered submarines increased by 25%, and the stealth and sustainability of the nuclear strategic forces also increased," the chief of the General Staff noted.



Gerasimov also reiterated that five Borei-A class nuclear subs are being built now. The last ship in this series - the Knyaz Pozharsky (Prince Pozharsky) - was laid down in December last year.



 Copyright 2017 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



Navy Recognition comment on Project 955A

On 15 December 2009, a Defense Ministry official announced that the laying down of the fourth Project 955 Borei-class submarine had been postponed from December to the first quarter of 2010. The reason for the delay was said to be "organizational and technical reasons". The fourth ship of the 955 class will actually be the first improved "955A" variant. It is reported by unnamed sources that this modification will include major structural changes and probably other changes. Two Project 955A submarines, the Knyaz Oleg and Generalissimo Suvorov, were laid down in 2014. The Project 955A submarine Emperor Alexander III was laid down in 2015.



The first Project 955A submarine Knyaz Vladimir is now set to join the Russian Navy in 2018 or one year later than planned. It was originally expected to be launch in August-September 2017.
Pashinyan: 2023 budget growth in social protection compared to 2018 is 56%

Inflation in UK up to 41-year high of 11.1% in October

Pashinyan: We don't want to provoke war between CSTO and Azerbaijan

Pashinyan's explanation: How should we fight inflation?

Pashinyan: Army budget 2023 more than doubled compared to 2018

CNN: CIA director visits Kyiv

Macron urges Iran to calm down and respect the French

IRGC forces detain Mossad spy in southern Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister expresses dissatisfaction with number of 'unrealistic comments' by Azerbaijani officials

Parliament Vice-Speaker: Armenian military-industrial complex able to establish serial production of military products

Armen Grigoryan receives Major General Daniel Lasica

Ivanka Trump says she will not participate in her father's presidential campaign

KGB of Belarus states about 'threat of intervention' from Baltic States, Ukraine, and Poland

Belarus says AFU blew up bridges in direction of Gomel and Mozyr

22-year-old soldier dies in accident with army truck in Armenia

Indonesian president hands over G20 presidency to India

Azerbaijani Ombudswoman's distorted perception of reality: French Senate Resolution 'will undermine peace in the region'

Nikol Pashinyan holds telephone conversation with Irakli Garibashvili

Four explosions blow up in sky over Belgorod

NATO Secretary General to hold meeting of alliance on incident in Poland

Finnish Foreign Ministry: Many in NATO believe that Turkey has created an awkward situation for the alliance

Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem receives group of wounded participants of 44-day Karabakh war

AP: Drone with explosives attacks oil tanker off the coast of Oman

LPR announces attack by AFU from Popasna to Kharkiv Oblast

Toyota reveals next-generation Toyota Prius hybrid

Central Bank head: State Budget deficit in Armenia to grow to 3.1% of GDP in 2023

Erdogan believes Russia had nothing to do with the missile incident in Poland

Thanasis Bakolas shares concerns that Armenian politician banned from leaving Armenia

Biden and Sunak discuss missile incident in Poland at G20 summit

Russian Defense Ministry: Elements of the Ukrainian S-300 system fell in Poland

Erdogan: Biden administration is determined to sell F-16s to Turkey

Gold price remains stable

Copper falls in price

Microsoft to leave Azerbaijan

G7 and NATO leaders say they are ready to support Poland in investigation of bombings

Joe Biden asks Congress for new funding for Ukraine

Finance Minister: Capital expenses will greatly increase in Armenia in 2023

Azerbaijani MFA accuses French Senate of undermining relations normalization process between Baku and Yerevan

Armen Grigoryan to pay working visit to India

AP: Missile falls in Poland may have been fired by Ukraine to shoot down Russian missile

Erdogan plans to discuss fertilizer transportation and grain deal with Putin

Oil price falls

Blinken calls on Armenian Prime Minister to maintain momentum of peace talks with Azerbaijan

CNN: NATO aircraft tracked the trajectory of the missile that fell in eastern Poland

Armenian FM to visit Tunisia

Yerevan draft budget 2023 revealed

U.S. Embassy: Major General Daniel Lasica arrives in Armenia

Armenian MOD refutes another misinformation of Azerbaijani MOD

Media: Fire in Istanbul is caused by several explosions, not just one

Drone 'allegedly' blows up oil depot in Oryol Oblast

Trump officially announces that he will run for president in 2024

Anwar Gargash: UAE has no interest in choosing sides between great powers

Ukraine suspends oil pumping through Druzhba pipeline towards Hungary

Germany urgently needs gas turbines to stabilize power grids

Polish media report on fall of two missiles on country's territory

Economic downturn worsens in eastern EU due to a spike in inflation

U.S. believes that meeting between Biden and Jinping was strong signal to rest of world

Karabakh MFA welcomes resolution adopted by French Senate

Italy bans facial recognition technology and smart glasses

Germany to establish maintenance center in Slovakia for weapons supplied to Ukraine

Energy Ministry: Russia carried out most massive shooting of Ukraine's energy system since war starts

French Senate passes resolution calling for sanctions against Azerbaijan

Rishi Sunak hints that he will abandon plans to declare China 'threat' to national security

EU supports any call to phase out fossil fuel use

Secretary of Security Council of Armenia receives delegation of EU special envoys, member states

Armenian President Vahagn Khachatryan receives newly appointed ambassador of Cyprus

Zelenskyy's adviser: The situation after Russian shelling is critical

Newly appointed ambassador of Cyprus visits Armenian Genocide memorial

Borrell: EU countries must work together to replenish their military stocks

French Senator: Are the lives of Armenians worth less than the lives of Ukrainians?

Turkey plans to strike targets in northern Syria

Emergency power outages in Kyiv due to explosions

Lavrov calls Zelenskyy's speech at G20 summit performance beyond all regulations and decency

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince embarks on Asian tour

Ukrainian media report missile strikes in number of areas

Chinese 50-year-old man runs marathon smoking

Pashinyan receives delegation of EU special envoys, EU member states on Eastern Partnership

Bloomberg: Paris overtakes London to become Europe's largest stock market

Anti-Iranian rally held in Baku

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: Pashinyan's approaches and wordings do not contribute to solving urgent problems

Borrell announces appearance of EU rapid reaction force in 2023

Norwegian Defense Minister pledges $30 million to NATO fund for Ukraine

Italy auctioned biggest truffle for record 184 thousand euros

Serviceman kills fellow soldier in Armenia

Kyodo: 67-year-old Japanese princess diagnosed with breast cancer

Mehriban Aliyeva hurriedly gives up her role of UNESCO 'Goodwill Ambassador' before French Senate meeting

Jeff Bezos says he's ready to give away most of his fortune

Britain to allocate $11.8m to rebuild Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Peskov: Kyiv cannot and doesn't want to negotiate, SVO will continue

Turkey detains another suspect in planning terrorist attack in Istanbul

Tasnim: Iranian authorities released 38 protesters in southeast

Terrorist attack: Number of detainees in Istanbul grows to 50

Armenian FM presents to Europeans consequences of September Azerbaijani aggression

Biden and Erdogan back extension of grain deal

Macron and Erdogan meet on G20 margins

UN: Earth's population is 8 billion people

Indian PM urges G20 countries to find peaceful solution to Ukraine

Minimum wage to rise in Armenia

Ministry: Air pollution level in Armenia up by 30-40% over the past five years

Erdogan and Biden hold talks in Bali
YEREVAN.  The American side is aware that Azerbaijan hampers the introduction of investigative mechanisms [at the Karabakh conflict zone], and Azerbaijan must fulfill its commitment assumed on the presidents level.

Without the implementation of these agreements, the American sideand, I believe, all the other sidesrealizes that there can be no other point of agreement in the near future between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

So the agreements should materialize, at least for some control. I believe the [US] State Department has decided this, especially considering the fact that Secretary of State [Rex] Tillerson supports this initiative.

Former special adviser to US Department of State, American analyst specializing in USSR issues, Institute of World Politics (Washington, D.C) professor, and columnist Paul Goble, told the aforesaid to 168 Zham (Hour) newspaper of Armenia, as he reflected on US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekutas statement about certain decisions which the US Department of State has made regarding the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

The latter assured that the foreign policy outlined by [US President Donald] Trump has not changed, and will not change in the near future if there will be no geopolitical rearrangements in the South Caucasus, wrote 168 Zham.
All leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have confirmed their participation in the summit to be convened in Minsk.

Pavel Shidlovsky, Charge dAffaires a.i. of the Belarusian embassy in the US, told about the aforementioned to RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

He noted that the summit is slated for November 30.

Belarus is the current chairing country of the CSTO.

The CSTO has become one of the most effective organizations in Eurasia, said Shidlovsky. All [member] countries act as one by showing solidarity.

Armenia is also a member in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
General information

The Coles County Council on Aging offices are located at the LifeSpan Center, 11021 E. County Road 800N, Charleston (northeast of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center). The telephone number for the center is 217-639-5150. The numbers for the programs are: Coles County LSVP, 217-639-5155; Telecare, 217-639-5166; Family Care Giver Resource Center, 217-639-5168; and Dial-A-Ride, 217-639-5169 or 1-800-500-5505. Peace Meal Lunch at LifeSpan is served at noon.

Peace Meal Lunch at LifeSpan

Nov. 13-17

Suggested donation for lunches is $3.50 for those over 60, and $6 for those under 60.

Monday  Sloppy Joe sandwich, German potato salad, Brussels sprouts, mixed fruit, bun, orange bread.

Tuesday  Meatloaf, creamed peas and potatoes, tomatoes and zucchini, dinner roll, Hawaiian salad.

Wednesday  Sweet and sour chicken w/vegetables over brown rice, fruited gelatin, whole grain wheat (1), warm fruit crisp.

Thursday  Saucy riblet, macaroni and cheese, warm black-eyed pea salad, blueberry muffin, apricots.

Friday  No Peace Meal lunch served.

Calendar of events

Nov. 13-17

Bingo: If you are interested in playing Bingo at your LifeSpan Center on our newly scheduled Bingo days, please call your LifeSpan Center Welcome Desk and register in advance 217-639-5150. Registration is required in order to secure a spot for bingo games.

Monday  9-10 a.m., Operation Gratitude and Made with Love, bring your letters, Shirley Wilson will teach you how to begin knitting hats and scarves for soldiers; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Bob Ross painting class, call to register; 11-11:45 a.m., Zumba Gold; noon-12:30 p.m., Peace Meal Lunch at LSC.

Tuesday  8:30 a.m, AARP Smart Driver; 9-10 a.m., mens coffee group  Mattoon Health Care; 9-10 a.m., Arthritis Foundation exercise class; 10-10:45 a.m., chair yoga; 11-11:45 a.m., Zumba Gold Toning Class; noon-12:30 p.m., Peace Meal Lunch at LSC; 1 p.m., Movie  LifeSpan Family Theater; 1-3 p.m., Mattoon/Charleston Art Guild  new members welcome; 1:30-3:30 p.m., Retired Teachers; 2-3 p.m., Tai Chi.

Wednesday  9-10 a.m., Veterans Coffee Group  Mattoon Health Care; 10:30-11:30 a.m., Bible study; 10:30 a.m., bingo with Hilltop Skilled Nursing & Rehab; 11-11:45 a.m., Zumba Gold; noon-12:30 p.m., Peace Meal Lunch at LSC; 12:30-3:30 p.m., card games with Lifes Journey Senior Living; 1-3 p.m., ladies game of pool for all ages; 1 p.m., Movie  LifeSpan Family Theater; 3-3:30 p.m., Balance Class.

Thursday  9-10 a.m., Arthritis Foundation exercise class; 10-10:45 a.m., chair yoga; 10:30-11:30 a.m., bingo with Carriage Crossing; 11-11:45 a.m., Zumba Gold Toning Class; noon-12:30 p.m., Peace Meal Lunch at LSC; 1 p.m., movie  LifeSpan Family Theater; 2-3 p.m., Tai Chi.

Friday  11-11:45 a.m., Zumba Gold; NO Peace Meal Lunch at LSC; 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dine with a Doc, call for reservations; 1 p.m., Movie  LifeSpan Family Theater.

Dial-A-Ride
YEREVAN.  Head of the Armenian state service for food safety said he would not like to use genetically modified organism (GMO)-containing products.

Ishkhan Karapetyan, Head of the State Service for Food Safety (SSFS) of Armenia, told the aforesaid to reporters, after Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the government.

Our service is carrying out activities within the scope of its authorization, and studying the circulation process, he said. At present, the volume of the seeds imported [to Armenia] by Monsanto company doesnt exceed 1 percent in total imports. I dont think it contains a great risk.

When asked how expedient it is for the GMO-containing food to enter Armenia, the SSFS chief responded as follows, in particular: Whether or not such food will come to Armenia is out of my competence. I myself, as a human being, as a citizen, naturally dont think that its expedient to sell GMO-containing products in Armenia.

Also, Karapetyan noted that under the food safety law in Armenia, the GMO content of a food product must be labeled in the country.

Rafik Mansour, Charge dAffaires a.i. of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, recently noted that Monsanto company, which produces GMO seeds, will be entering the market of Armenia. Subsequently, concerns were raised that this may be risky for the countrys population.

And in response to Armenian News-NEWS.ams inquiry about this matter, the U.S. Embassy had stated that it is ultimately up to Armenias farmers and agribusinesses to whether to use the products and services of Monsanto company.
YEREVAN.  The company Monsanto has been registered and working in Armenia for 20 years. The activities of the company are being examined, Armenian Minister of Agriculture Ignaty Arakelyan told reporters after the government's meeting on November 9.

Asked about the activities of the American company Monsanto, that import GMO seeds in Armenia, he said: Now we are investigating whether there are any risks in their activity. We must deal with risks not only for agriculture, but overall risks, and we are working the Ministry of Nature Protection. I cannot yet inform about the steps taken. We will tell everything after investigation is over. The fact is that we are not working with this company, they are working on they own, the minister said, adding, that there is always a danger in using GMO products, so it is necessary to understand the possible risks.

Rafik Mansour, Charge dAffaires a.i. of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, recently noted that Monsanto company, which produces GMO seeds, will be entering the market of Armenia. Subsequently, concerns were raised that this may be risky for the countrys population.

The well-known musician Serj Tankian also urged people to stay away from Monsanto products.

US embassy on Monsanto: Decision on which products to use is up to Armenias farmers
Seemingly everyone has something political to say in the wake of the latest -- it hurts to say that: "the latest" -- mass shooting in America, but no one appears to actually be striving for what needs to be done: taking action.

If it wasn't so sad, it would be amusing that most Americans yap, yap, yap about gun control like a kennel of dogs, then turn around, lay down and go to sleep.

I'm talking about both sides here. And I feel like I understand both sides.

My heart hurts for the victims and their loved ones in Sutherland Springs, Texas. They're in my prayers. And I have mixed feelings about some liberals who are mocking "thoughts and prayers" as useless.

On one hand, yes, if all we do in the wake of every mass shooting -- as they continue and continue -- is offer thoughts and prayers without action, that does little to help the problem.

On the other hand, how dare anyone question the power of prayer for those of us who believe?

Prayer is an intensely personal and private thing. Many people pray in private alone. Some folks pray together and aloud more than others. Some believers are more vocal about their prayer and their faith in God than others. But prayer isn't a passive endeavor -- at least, not for me.

I'm sure many people pray to ask God to show them the right actions they need to take in a particular situation. That would seem to make sense in the context of mass shootings and gun control. But first should come thoughts and prayers for the victims and their loved ones.

Yet, I'm not going to tell anyone how to pray or for what they should pray on any topic. If anyone tells me they are praying for me, I'm intensely humbled, and exactly what and how they are praying is none of my business.

Shame on people making fun of others for thoughts and prayers.

Yet prayer without action in the big picture regarding these kinds of situations specifically isn't enough. We have got to stem the tide of mass shootings in this country.

Of course, many gun rights advocates say more guns are the answer. They claim that if someone inside that Texas church had had a gun, the shooter could have been stopped before or amid his evil deeds.

And they point to the man who exchanged fire with and pursued the shooter, most likely keeping the perpetrator from killing more people. That's the way to stop a crazed gunman, they say.

And that's true. An armed good guy -- preferably a police officer, though -- is a good way to stop a gun-laden madman.

But how about stopping the mentally out-of-whack guy to begin with?

We've learned from this case that existing gun laws weren't properly enforced or utilized to prevent this murderer from having firearms in the first place.

That's where we need to start: properly enforce gun control laws already on the books.

I have no problem with more gun control for civilians: limiting the capacity of magazines, not allowing some firearms to be available to the general public, limiting how many firearms a person can purchase in a certain amount of time or more closely monitor those who buy a lot of guns in a relatively short amount of time, and so forth.

"This limits our freedoms!" some gun owners may say. Yep. That's right.

Limits on "freedom" are all around us.

We can't drive the wrong way on a one-way street. We can't buy certain cold medicines without signing for them, and we can only buy a set amount of them within a certain period of time. And there are good reasons for those limits on our freedoms.

I'm talking about reasonable limits for law-abiding citizens, parallel with tough enforcement for those who are found illegally possessing guns.

But don't call me anti-gun.

I went target shooting a few weeks ago with one of my sisters and her family. It had been probably 20 years since I'd done so, even though I've always enjoyed target practice.

I'd never shot more than a .22, but this time I also got my hands on a .38 Special, shot slugs from a shotgun my brother-in-law had, and tried out a .40 semiautomatic.

It was a lot of fun. One of my nephews' girlfriend came along, and even thought she had never fired a gun, she tried out a Beretta that my dad bought when he was in the service in Italy decades ago. She didn't like shooting, but she was game.

I have friends and family members who won't even have a gun in the house. I can understand that, but I'm not afraid of guns -- just respectful of what they can do. And I have no problem with reasonable gun control.

The question is: Whose definition of "reasonable" do we use?

This is where building upon thoughts and prayers is vital, and backing away from some extremists' "confiscate all guns from civilians" is key.

Action. We need action.

And the action we need is each side taking a step toward the other. We need leaders who will say to the other side, "Where can we meet in the middle?"

Instead of vilifying gun owners, those who lean toward more gun control should approach them and ask what they would consider "reasonable" ways to try to keep guns out of the hands of madmen.

Rather than looking down on those who cry out for additional restrictions on guns, NRA members and allies should propose what they think makes sense, and see where the two sides can come close to agreement. There has got to be some common ground here.

Above all, we have got to stop talking "at" each other and actually talk "to" each other, for crying out loud!

It seems people are quite good at arguing on Facebook, or throwing memes at each other, or tweeting barbs at the opposition. How about we try to do better as a human race in general?

If you've never fired a gun, have an instructor or a well-trained friend show you the basics. You might find that a semiautomatic is kind of fun for target practice.

If you can't imagine life without the guns in your safe, talk to a friend in the city, where the only imaginable reason to have any gun out of necessity is self-protection -- yet police are ready at hand to curb criminals.

My thoughts and prayers are with all victims of mass shootings in this country. But some of my prayers are that we, as a nation, take proper action to address gun control, mental health issues and other things that contribute to this epidemic. I'll do what I can to help with the effort and support compromise.

What will you do?
Ousted Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad al-Hariri, who resigned on November 3, is being held in Riyadh by Saudi authorities. Beirut intends to appeal to foreign states to secure his return, a top Lebanese government official said.

Hariri's sudden resignation, announced in Saudi Arabia, caused a serious political crisis in Lebanon and pushed the country into a regional confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This has provoked a speculation that al-Hariri, the Sunni Muslim politician, was forced to resign by the Saudis, reported Reuters.

The second source, a senior Lebanese politician who is close to Hariri, said: When he went (to Saudi Arabia) he was asked to stay there and ordered to resign. They ordered him to read his resignation statement and he has been held under house arrest since.

Saudi Arabia and Hariri's assistants have denied reports that he is under house arrest. But he hasnt put out statements denying his movements are being restricted. He made a one-day flying visit to the United Arab Emirates earlier this week before returning to Saudi Arabia.

President of Lebanon Michel Aoun moves towards through diplomacy disclosing the secrets associated with the resignation of Hariri, Lebanese TV channel al-Manar reports.

Saudi Arabia claims that Hezbollah, which was included in Hariri's coalition government, hijacked Lebanon's political system.
Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday it has detained 201 people as part of a sweeping probe, estimating that at least $100 billion has been misused through embezzlement and corruption in past decades, AP reported.

The kingdoms Attorney General Saud al-Mojeb said in a statement that 208 people had been called in for questioning since Saturday evening, and that seven people were released without charge, leaving 201 people still in detention.

The figure released by the government is far larger than previously reported as it appears more arrests were made throughout the week.

Among those detained are billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and two of the late King Abdullahs sons, including Prince Miteb who until Saturday had headed the powerful National Guard before he was ousted and detained. Prince Miteb was once a contender for the throne and was believed to be opposed to the kings 32-year-old, Mohammed bin Salman, becoming successor as crown prince.

The crown prince is leading the probe as the head of a newly-formed anti-corruption committee.

The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large, the attorney general said, adding that based on investigations over the past three years, at least $100 billion has been misused through corruption.

The government has declined to name the individuals being questioned, saying it is respecting their privacy during this phase of the process.

An estimated 1700 bank accounts have been frozen belonging to individuals. Al-Mojeb confirmed that action was taken to suspend personal bank accounts, but did not disclose any figures. The government has stressed that only personal banks have been frozen, leaving companies and businesses so far untouched.
US pressure to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal could push Tehran into deciding to build its own nuclear weapons, French President Emmanuel Macron warned in an interview published Thursday.

"If you want to stop any relation with Iran regarding nuclear activity, you will create a new North Korea," Macron told Time magazine.

"If you stop the 2015 agreement, what's your other option? To launch war? To attack Iran? I think it would be crazy in the region," he said.

Macron called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed in July 2015 between Iran and six powers, including France and the United States, "the best possible deal regarding Iran."

But US President Donald Trump has labelled the agreement too lenient on Iran and accuses the country of violating it, calling for a renegotiation.

If the US abrogates the JPCOA, Macron said, it will backfire.

"Because it's exactly what we experienced with North Korea. And suddenly you will wake up in ten to twelve years time without any control, but (Iran) having the nuclear weapon."

Macron said he wants Washington to join an effort to force Iran to stop supplying ballistic missiles to its allies in the region, pointing to the missile launched at Saudi Arabia last week by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

"So we should negotiate a new series of criteria and a new treaty with Iran to stop their ballistic activities in the region."
Lots of restaurant news to tell you about, so let's get started.

* A restaurant is moving into the old Dempsey's Burger Pub spot at 228 N. 12th St. According to signs in the windows, it will be called Flap Jacks American Diner. The owner did apply for a liquor license a few months back, so I'm guessing it will be more than just a breakfast place.

* There is a sign up advertising that Honest Abe's Burgers and Freedom is planning to open another location in a former Dickey's Barbecue space near 27th Street and Cornhusker Highway.

* Sultan's Kite is planning to open a second location in south Lincoln. It will be in the former Little King's building at 7350 S. 13th St. Owner Sultan Attaie told the Daily Nebraskan he hopes to be open by sometime in January.

* Yogurtini has announced on its Facebook page plans for a second location at 40th Street and Old Cheney Road. No potential opening date was given
The American newspaper The New York Times published a review on the documentary "Intention to Destroy", telling about the Armenian Genocide.

The newspaper noted that "some 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks in the early part of the 20th century. What should be an accepted fact remains a provocative topic, as the Turkish government continues to ignore or deny the events and, as it has for a century, coerce businesses and push other governments to do the same.

Joe Berlinger, the director, uses old footage of survivors and insights from historians to provide an overview of the crimes. He also embeds himself with the cast and crew of The Promise, a recent fictional film set around 1915 that explores the fighting and mass killings. Mr. Berlingers plan is smart as well as symbolic  evidence shows that the Turkish government has often pressured studios into shelving movies about the genocide.

Discussions on the film set are intertwined with historical analysis, and there are explorations of crowd psychology, revisionism and German cooperation with the Ottoman Turks; its no stretch to see how the massacre of Armenians helped lay groundwork for the Holocaust.

At its core, Intent to Destroy is a call to remember the victims, both for their sake and for our own. If you want to understand Yugoslavia, if you want to understand Rwanda, if you want to understand any other mass atrocity [that] is happening today, you should really look into the Armenian genocide, one scholar says near the end of the documentary. History is not in the past."

Intent to Destroy is a documentary by filmmaker Joe Berlinger. He meets with historians and scholars to discuss the Armenian Genocide and the continuing denial by the Turkish government of it ever happening.

Serj Tankian has composed the music for the film.
Liz Sullivan (C), mother of Kate Steinle, who was killed by an illegal immigrant in San Francisco, is comforted during a Senate judiciary committee hearing in Washington on July 21, 2015. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

As Families Mourn the Loss of Loved Ones, They Fight Lax Immigration Policies

Groups for victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants gain momentum under Trump administration

WASHINGTONIts a piece of knowledge that may gnaw away at them forever: The death of their loved one was preventable.

Preventable because the person who killed them was in the United States illegally.

The election of President Donald Trump has given victims of illegal alien crime a bigger stage to voice their appeals, and they are using it to support the enforcement of immigration law.

Wendy Hartlings daughter Casey Chadwick was 25 years old when she was stabbed to death and stuffed into a closet by a Haitian man who had been in the country illegally since the early 1990s.

Jean Jacques was released from prison after serving 15 years for attempted murder; he subsequently violated parole and was jailed again, finally being released in January 2015. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tried to obtain identity documents for him so they could deport him, but failed, and Haiti refused to take him back, according to an Office of Inspector General report on the case. Jacques killed Chadwick in June 2015.

According to a 2001 Supreme Court ruling, ICE cannot detain an illegal alien for more than six months if there is no significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future.

Every single one of those crimes was not only preventable if our immigration laws had been enforced, but should never have happened on the second go-around, when the sanctuary city had custody and could have handed the alien over to ICE.  Kris Kobach, secretary of state, Kansas

I thought at first it was just me, Hartling said about being a victim of illegal alien crime. But no, this is an epidemic, and it has to be stopped. And there are laws already in place. He was supposed to be deported. He wasnt. Why?

Hartling spoke at an event in Washington on Nov. 2 for The Remembrance Project, an initiative launched to spotlight the lives lost to illegal alien crime.

The project started in 2009 when founders Tim Lyng and Maria Espinoza looked into the death of Houston police officer Henry Canales. They discovered that Canales had been shot by an illegal alien, and his widow was trying to sue the city of Houston for its sanctuary policies. Over the next few years, five of the six police officers killed in Houston were killed by illegal aliens.

Lyng and Espinoza had started researching how many victims of illegal alien crimes existed nationwide, and were staggered by how many they found.

Steve Woods was 17 when he was killed by a group of Mexican teens at a San Clemente beach in California in 1993.

Woods was impaled through the skull by a paint roller that was thrown at the car he was riding in while getting away from the other teens. He died after spending 25 days in a coma.

It goes on. It does not stop. It does not end. There is no such thing as closure, said his mother, Kathy Woods. But why do we have to fight so hard just for our rights, just to get justice?

Louise Gram Sollowin, 93, was raped, sodomized, and beaten in her own bedroom in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2013. She died four days later.

The attack was carried out by Mexican national Sergio Perez, 18, who had been deported twice previously.

The ferocity of his attack was so severe that in Grams 12-foot by 14-foot bedroom with 10-foot ceilings, there was not 1 square foot of wall or ceiling that did not have at least a moderate amount of blood splatter, Bill Hartzell, her granddaughters husband, testified in front of the Senate judiciary committee on Oct. 3.

14 Percent

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said there is no way to tell how many illegal immigrants are in the United States, although the commonly used number is 11 million.

Kobach said the number of crimes committed by illegal aliens in the United States is extraordinarily high when compared to legal aliens and citizens.

We can never know what the exact crime rate is, but we do know that it is disproportionately high, he said. He posits that the estimated 3 to 4 percent of the population who are in America illegally, commit 14 percent of crime.

That number comes from looking at the Federal Bureau of Prisons data that says about 22 percent of inmates are noncitizensboth legal and illegal. And about two-thirds of those were illegal before they were convicted of the crime, which gives 14 percent.

Sanctuary policies, lax enforcement by the federal government, and the Supreme Court ruling from 2001 have led to thousands of criminals being released back into communities over the years, rather than being deported.

As of June 2016, there were 191,161 convicted criminals with pending deportation proceedings who were at large in the United States, according to an ICE Weekly Departures and Detention Report.

Sanctuary Cities

Acting Director of ICE Tom Homan said that as of July 31 this year, almost 10,000 criminal aliens who have been released onto the streetsrather than being turned over to ICEhave committed another crime.

Every single one of those crimes was not only preventable if our immigration laws had been enforced, but should never have happened on the second go-around, when the sanctuary city had custody and could have handed the alien over to ICE, Kobach said.

Sanctuary jurisdictions prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, most often by refusing to hand over a criminal inmate for which ICE has requested to take custody.

In sanctuary cities such as New York, Chicago, and large cities in California, ICE is forbidden to enter correctional facilities to question a person of interest, and in most cases, local law enforcement is banned from notifying ICE when an illegal criminal alien is about to be released.

Proponents for sanctuary policies say that the policies promote trust in immigrant communities and, therefore, immigrants will come forward to report crimespurportedly making the community safer.

However, Department of Justice Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Blanco said more often, people wont report crimes because they are afraid of retribution from the criminals.

One of the things that concerns them is when they live in the same community in which these individuals have been released back into the community, Blanco said at a congressional hearing in June. That worries them and that prevents them from coming forward.

Protections such as the U-visa exist for illegal aliens who are victims or witnesses of crime. And law enforcement officers dont ask the immigration status of witnesses and victims of crimes, unless they themselves have been arrested for a crime.

Legislation

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said three immigration bills passed by the House in the last several months are all steps toward enforcing existing immigration law and closing sanctuary loopholes.

Kates Law, named after Kate Steinle, who was fatally shot in San Francisco by an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times, seeks to increase the penalties for illegal aliens who attempt to re-enter the United States after deportation.

The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act seeks to cut federal funding to jurisdictions that limit cooperation with ICE. The bill includes language from Sarahs Law, named after Sarah Root, who was killed by a drunk driver who was in the country illegally. The man posted bail and disappeared. Sarahs Law intends to ensure the detention of illegal alien criminals who cause death or serious bodily harm.

And the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act seeks to expedite the removal of alien gang members.

The three bills passed the House mostly along party lines and are now waiting for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring them to the Senate.

Meanwhile, the family members of the victims continue to fight.

We need to get everybody on the same page so that [this] wont happen to any other child, said Hartling.
Niocorp Developments Ltd. announced Thursday that it has struck a deal with a company to build a natural gas pipeline to serve its proposed mine in southeast Nebraska.

The company said in a news release that it has signed an agreement with Rockies Express Pipeline LLC to build a 27.8-mile natural gas pipeline that will supply its planned Elk Creek Superalloy Facility.

The agreement calls for Rockies Express to design, build and operate the pipeline, which will run from its main gas line in Marshall County, Kansas, to the site near Elk Creek in Johnson County. Niocorp would contract separately for the purchase of the natural gas to be carried by the pipeline.

Niocorp said the deal is worth $63 million over 11 years and is dependent on the mining project going forward.

The company, which is based in the Denver area, has been working for several years to build a mine operation near Elk Creek, where it plans to extract niobium, scandium and titanium.

Niocorp earlier this year released its long-awaited feasibility study showing that the mine could be worth as much as $17.6 billion over its projected 32-year lifespan.

The company is now in the process of trying to raise the more than $1 billion needed to get the mine built. Construction is expected to take about two years.

Arranging for long-term delivery of natural gas to the Elk Creek facility is an important milestone to have reached, and we are pleased to be working with the Rockies Express team on this important aspect of our project, Mark A. Smith, executive chairman and CEO of Niocorp., said in a news release.

The pipeline would still need government regulatory approval, which Niocorp said Rockies Express would be responsible for securing.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Yemen is facing a mass famine that will affect millions of lives unless the Saudi-led coalition ends its blockade and allows aid deliveries into the country, the UN aid chief warned Wednesday.

Mark Lowcock, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, warned "it will be the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims."

The UN official spoke to reporters after briefing the UN Security Council during a closed-door session on the crisis in Yemen, where the coalition has been waging a military campaign against Huthi rebels since March 2015.

The council demanded that the Saudi-led coalition keep Yemen's air and sea ports open to aid deliveries in a country where seven million people are already at risk of famine.

Council members expressed concern about the "dire humanitarian situation in Yemen" and stressed "the importance of keeping all of Yemen's ports and airports functioning," Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, who holds the council presidency, told reporters after the meeting.

The coalition shut down Yemen's borders in response to a missile attack by Yemen's Huthi rebels that was intercepted near the Riyadh airport.

But the United Nations, which had already listed Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, responded to the decision with dismay, warning that the situation was already "catastrophic" in the country.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir by phone on Wednesday and received some "indication that they will be examining the reopening of entry points into Yemen," said Cardi.

Some 17 million Yemenis are in desperate need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine and cholera has caused more than 2,000 deaths.

On Tuesday, a Red Cross shipment of chlorine tablets, which are used for the prevention of cholera, was blocked at Yemen's northern border, the International Committee for the Red Cross said.

Story continues

- Immediate access -

The UN aid chief said humanitarian flights must be allowed to resume to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and to the government-controlled city of Aden.

He called for "immediate access to all sea ports" for deliveries of fuel, food and other vital supplies -- as well as assurances from the coalition that there will be no further disruption.

"What we need to see is a reduction of blockages on all sides, not an increase in them," said Lowcock.

The Saudi-led Arab military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after the Huthis forced him into exile.

The Arab world's poorest country, Yemen is almost totally dependent on imports for food, fuel and medicine.

UN aid agencies and other relief organizations have said the border closures have led to a surge in prices of many goods.

French medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Wednesday that the coalition had denied clearance for its flights for the past three days, directly hindering its ability to provide life-saving aid.

The war has had a heavy toll on civilians, killing thousands and destroying the already weak health system.
Yass! Finally early to my queens post before all of the cry baby haters come through! 

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Matt Murdock would never

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LOL right? There definitely isnt a shortage.

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she looks healthier than i think we've ever seen her which does make me happy

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ia Im glad she gained some weight

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Ppl on here been saying this before. Was she really that skinny during her 1989 days

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she started looking way healthier once she started dating hiddleston (immediately started gaining weight, let her curls come back out, stopped dressing in such a bizarrely over-styled way) and luckily she's kept it up. although apparently she's been telling fans she knows people are saying she looks pregnant.

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I wonder what the record is for most posts about one person in one day

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I still remember AnnE day fondly.

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Honestly though, since all of yall are crying because she hasnt publicly said she isnt pro trump, I think shes going to wait until her first sales come through and break the record and then shes going to finally speak on it.



Ontd is so invested that shes a hardcore republican but deep down shes gonna end up playing all of them!

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mte. so theoretically she's not holding back because she actually is pro trump, but because her willingness to use her platform to encourage awareness and change is conditional/she's money-hungry (similarly to a republican, on both counts)... yeah what a relief. 



lol i just realized this post is from days ago, sorry



Edited at 2017-11-12 12:05 am (UTC)

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I don't care what party she affiliates with. Her tactics are directly from her father's Merrill Lynch playbook. It's painfully obvious what she actually cares about, and it's not music or social issues lol

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how do you possibly believe that is a good thing

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Honestly though, since all of yall are crying because she hasnt publicly said she isnt pro trump, I think shes going to wait until her first sales come through and break the record and then shes going to finally speak on it.

that'd be a terrible strategy. as a stan, you should expect a bit better from her.

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there were rumours from the secret sessions that there's a song that calls out trump in some way but idk if that was true, it was only said early on and never really repeated so i debut it.

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If she is waiting to say that until after she gets Republican money that isnt a good look either. That is kind if gross actually. Spineless greedy stand for nothing 

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This is a stupid reason to constantly hate on ONTD. Just because they don't like your fave lol. I mean, you can leave.

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Lol. She's a coward so she won't say shit because there are still concert tickets to sell.

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NO ONE CARES

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You do! Hater 

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Does it answer what the video has to do with the song?

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This gif is so wrong. I feel so bad for laughing, but I'm still laughing even as I type this. LOL!

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Taylor liked this on Tumblr. It made me laugh because it was so cheesy.



Edited at 2017-11-09 01:46 am (UTC) Taylor liked this on Tumblr. It made me laugh because it was so cheesy.

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lol have they never listened to an album before?

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this video was so empty that i forget it even happened

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I love her. I had her Pandora radio on today, and I loved It. It's been a while.



Edited at 2017-11-09 01:54 am (UTC)

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omg, I love her hair and lipstick

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miss her

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Im kinda excited for this album

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Same I was wishy washy yesterday and despite all the raging post Im actually now excited for the album  I like when big pop girls release a new album

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When the hell is this damn album gonna leak? Its taking forever.

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Probably tomorrow morning

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She is giving me Madonna in Give Me All Your Luvin looks in the still

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- no leak (still)

- allegedly a Target in North Miami, FL was selling rep, but this is unconfirmed

- another screenshot surfaced on FB of a dude holding copies of rep

- some of my contacts have said that it's nearly impossible that an industry/insider leak is gonna happen b/c the leaks that have happened [which I havent seen but are "confirmed" by some of my sources] have trackers on them, so nothing that's viable for distribution unless y'all tryna get See You In Court'd

- New Zealand stores allegedly will start selling Fri 9am (Thursday 5pm EST)

- Some Aus stores said they would sell at midnight (8am EST Thursday) which is the latest we would for sure get it (but its looking like this is gonna be it unless someone legit steals it from a store)

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http://i63.tinypic.com/zogcrc.jpg this is the screenshot of the miami dude who has it. but we don't know where he got it lol

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according to reddit "Target in Biscayne Boulevard (Miami) already has them out. Lucky folks.."

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i still care! thank you for fighting the good fight <3

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*chokes on tea* North Miami Target totally would do that

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jfc, ontd is obsessed with her

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god, mte

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same. that's emotionally and mentally exhausting. this is just stupid fun.

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IA, scrolling through ontd lately is so depressing

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Yeah, the last month of posts has been really dark.

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IA I think thats why theses so many posts because the rape/sexual harrament are too real and soul draining to constantly read about. Taylors messy ways are mostly innocuous so these posts are mindless fun.

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Truly

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Idk man I get defensive for women who are getting called crazy or "difficult" or anything along those lines, even if it is Taylor, so this isn't even entertaining for me lol



The last post was filled with ontd psychologists picking apart how crazy she must beIdk man I get defensive for women who are getting called crazy or "difficult" or anything along those lines, even if it is Taylor, so this isn't even entertaining for me lol

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Better than Hilary Duff walking posts.



Those are just sad.

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Mark Feit found a home on theater stages.

I wasnt an athlete in high school, so I was very much in the drama world, the 42-year-old local actor said. My parents were in shows all the time. As a kid, I was helping to build sets, running sound and painting. I grew up in community theater.

But then came a radio career and drama took a backseat.

Feit spent more than 20 years in radio, including 13-plus at Three Eagles Communications in Lincoln, where he worked on air under the name Mark Taylor and as an operations manager and program director. He co-hosted the morning show with Lincoln radio icon Cathy Blythe on KFOR (1240 AM) for nearly five years.

He left radio for good in 2012 for nonprofit work, first as development director for the Alzheimers Association Nebraska Chapter and currently as Lincoln director of Community Health Charities of Nebraska.

The career change has allowed him to return to local stages.

You cant do (theater) if you cant stay awake long enough, Feit said, referencing his early hours on the KFOR morning show.

On Friday, Feit begins a run playing the title character in Lincoln Community Playhouses production of Norm Fosters Ethan Claymore. The Playhouse will present the feel-good, holiday play, which Feit calls a cross between Its a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, for six performances over the next two weekends in its studio theater.

I get to wear overalls, Feit joked.

With Christmas just a week away, Ethan Claymore is a reclusive, struggling egg farmer and artist who has given up looking for love or laughter. Much to his surprise, Ethan is visited by the spirit of his long-estranged older brother (Paul Durban), who  along with an enthusiastic, meddlesome neighbor (D. Chapelle) and the towns new school teacher (Deanna Walz)  is determined to bring the sparkle back into Ethans life.

Directed by Scott Glen, Ethan Claymore is a heartwarming comedy/ghost story/love story, which is meant to renew faith in family values and the importance of friendships.

Its funny and very thoughtful at the same time, said Glen, who is directing his fourth Playhouse show in the last three years. Its about redemption and people making amends and making up for errors in their past.

The cast also includes Dylan Wilson and Noah Trumble.

For Feit, Ethan Claymore will be his fourth show at the Playhouse since 2015, and his second this year. He played an arrogant country club director in Ken Ludwig's farce, The Fox on the Fairway, which opened the Playhouses 72nd season in July.

That was immensely fun, he said. I really like playing jerks.

His other Playhouse credits include a starring turn as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (April 2016), which included Glen in the cast, and a supporting role in the comedy You Cant Take It With You (November 2015).

I cant dance, so I dont do musicals, Feit said. I just cant do it. My wifes a good dancer, and Ive tried taking lessons, but my feet wont do what my brain tells them to. So I look for roles that are fun, big or small. And they have to be juicy.
Thoughts and prayers to the GOP 

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only way to stop a bad guy with a vote is a good guy with a vote :)

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This needs to be the new mantra, motto, rallying cry for all those who oppose the current administration.

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did you really come up with this

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Omg this is gr8

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i like this. like a simplified version of platos the price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men

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omg I'm stealing this <3

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LePage is long overdue for death. Why is he still alive.

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I'm not too far from Maine.

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I'm in Maine. He sure is one exhausting son of a bitch.

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indictments would be the best gifts this holiday season tbh

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Did you see James Comey officially made his twitter handle his name?

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mueller should be petty as fuck and wait until thanksgiving and raid the flynn house to arrest senior and his idiot son as theyre eating.

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I was so excited to see every single blue win. And I was really encouraged by how well Northam did, especially knowing his primary opponent set aside their differences to campaign for him. We need that kind of unity regardless of who wins the primary election so we can kick these R jackasses out.



I was personally responsible for my mother going to vote in PA. I texted her in the morning, she said she was gonna do it, then I texted her later and she was like "I FORGOT! On my way!" The main judicial election in her area went to a Republican, unfortunately, but many others in her area for mayor and whatnot went blue.

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A lot of people did a lot of good work in the months leading up to this election and I'm SO proud of everyone involved.



I feel like there has been a groundswell of local involvement in politics since the election last year and it's starting to pay off. Makes me hopeful for 2018.

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Glad for all the Democratic wins. Now, to keep the momentum moving forward.

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A resounding defeat tonight for President Trump. Voters around the country rejected the ugly politics we have seen this past year. Instead, they chose candidates who unite and inspire us.  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 8, 2017









someone else shared this on my feed and then I realized it was Biden and cackled someone else shared this on my feed and then I realized it was Biden and cackled

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lollll same. Im sure mr anti-populist, pro the rich are just like you and me is filled with inspiration.

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Please run in 2020.

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too old, let's get some younger people in

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Pass

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The diversity of candidates that won was so amazing and I hope that it wasn't just a one off thing but we will continue to see.

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One of the things that got me by last year was remembering how sad I was when I saw Bush re-elected but I also saw Obama win in my state that night, and I never would have guessed he'd be the next president. So I thought to myself today, that can apply to the Dems who won now.

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i live in prince william county and the volunteers at my voting place were telling me how surprised they were at the voter turnout, i guess in the past people didn't give a shit about local elections, but regardless i am incredibly proud to have been a part of this!!!

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this gives me so much hope.

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Danica Roem's election for sure!

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She's an infinitely better woman than I am, goddamn

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lmao

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There's a delicious subtle dig in there. You know it is chapping the hell out of Marshall's ass that he lost to her. It's going to sting for a long time. I might be projecting my own pettiness, though.

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Far classier than I could be

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This shade lmao

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dems need to do what they did in virginia in all 50 states. run everywhere, canvas everywhere, get people involved and excited everywhere. lets fucking go!!!

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NH is already there.

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I donated $35 to Indivisible the night of the election since that's their main goal -- helping organize in the field.

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Michael Scott is one of the best comedic characters of all time, TBQH

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i said this once and everyone looked at me like i was an idiot lmao

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I say this a lot and that is generally the reaction I get. I assume most people are thinking "get a load of this idiot. She doesn't even know that the phrase is 'how the tables have turned'."

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me too! but ppl not getting the reference at work fuel me lmao, i wanna be that 'asshole' i guess xD

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I just cackled out loud. I love The Office.

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Happy and proud of my fellow Virginians! Every single person i voted for (down to the local officials) won :)



Also, I'm just so shocked over our house of delegates. Like I was worried about how the major races would go but i'm not surprised about the outcome. The House of Delegates though :O

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twitter looks so ugly now

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i'm embarrassed to say that i can't commit to read past 140 characters, i get bored and move on

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I think it's the format. It's just a block of text. I start reading a paragraph, and then it's like "k, got the point". Twitter conditioned us this way!

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lol same. I see that wall of text and just keep scrolling...

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Honestly if I read the first bit I get the gist of what people are saying and move on. Nine times outta ten it's a Gone Girl quote lol.



Edited at 2017-11-09 05:20 pm (UTC)

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doesn't everyone have it now?

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i don't but i think it's because my app is not updated?

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He already has it, i think

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The fucking moron immediately used #280characters to throw a republicant under the bus lol

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why do we need 280 characters? Now I have to scroll double the usual amounts for tweets that aren't useless in my TL.

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SCREAMING AT THIS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN EMBEDDED

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Wish it stayed at 140

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lol

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omg

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jfc

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I bet you also pronounce gif as 'jif'.

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my timeline feels so cluttered its annoying af.

idk why twitter continues to deliver shit nobody asked for.

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i don't mind it. twitter is full of threads anyways, this just makes threads smaller.



the visual of longer tweets will take some getting used to, but whatever.

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twitter is full of threads anyways, this just makes threads smaller.



mte

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I feel like its gonna do the opposite and now we will have even longer think pieces thru tweets lol

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The thread thing is why I'm happy it happened. People are allergic to RTing just the first, they HAVE to do every tweet, so may as well cut the number of those in half. The only thing I've found annoying so far are the people deciding to tweet movie quote paragraphs or the stuff like SMG's tweet.

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Twitter threads are also bad.

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Mte

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I feel like I'm missing something because I don't understand the uproar. It's just a shorter Plurk to me though, I guess. Plus, I read and write a lot



idk lol

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280 characters >>>>> banning nazis.

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And they recently verified a nazi that was behind the Charlottesville rally :-)

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Ugh WTF @twitter

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Christ. Twitter really needs to get it together.

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mte

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Yup. Long posts are for tumblr as well.



More importantly, even tumblr has a "read more" function.

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Julia Ormond said that, not Harrison Ford...

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lol can all these people shut the fuck up it's just twitter

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you shut the fuck up!

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lmao mte. so dramatic

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lol

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me trying to meet word requirements in essays

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LOL

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When theres a ... at the ned of someones long ass tweet I give up and move on.

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I am gonna miss that part so much.





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  Cookie Monster (@MeCookieMonster) November 8, 2017 Don't get me wrong, I love cookies, but lbr it's already annoying.

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Stans are making me hate it because theyre already insufferable, and trump having it is also a mistake

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I was about to post this one, it's the only one I like lol

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I was so confused until I clicked the tweet

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Lmao right? I was like...some of these aren't letters.

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these are fucking saltines on my android lol

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NASA Opens Third Phase of 3D Printed Habitat Challenge

The goal is to develop technologies needed for future missions to Mars or the moon.

NASA has launched Phase 3 of its 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge, which seeks ways to create or develop technologies needed to create off-world habitats for the agency's upcoming missions to Mars, the moon, and perhaps beyond. Those astronauts will have to construct habitats on site, and NASA, with its partner, Bradley University, is inviting teams to register and compete in this phase.

Phase 1 asked participants to develop state-of-the-art architectural concepts, and it was completed in 2015. Phase 2 concerned the manufacture of structural components and was completed in August 2017. Phase 3: On-Site Habitat Competition challenges competitors to fabricate sub-scale habitats using indigenous materials, with or without mission-generated recyclables, and offers a $2 million total prize purse.

Registration opened Nov. 7, and teams may register through Feb. 15, 2018. Submissions are due in 2018, and the on-site competition will take place April 29 through May 4, 2018, according to the timeline.

"The ideas and technologies this competition has already produced are encouraging, and we are excited to see what this next phase will bring," said Monsi Roman, program manager of NASA's Centennial Challenges. "The solutions we seek from our competitions are revolutionary, which by nature makes them extremely difficult. But this only fuels our teams to work harder to innovate and solve."

Bradley University President Gary Roberts said the school is honored to be the challenge partner again. "Bradley prides itself on experiential learning and student engagement," he said. "This challenge isn't something our students can learn about in a textbook or in a classroom. This is a forward-thinking concept coming to life, and they have a chance to see it firsthand. They will meet the people making it happen and learn about the ideas that are fueling innovation. This could change the way they imagine the future and push their creative limits."

In addition to NASA, Bradley University has partnered with sponsors Caterpillar Inc., Bechtel, and Brick & Mortar Ventures to run the competition.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.nasa.gov/winit. The rules are available here.
As body art has grown increasingly popular, one trope has bubbled to the top of dining culture: the image of the tattooed "hipster" chef. And its no surprise; after all, kitchens are one of the places where you are not judged for the art on your hands, your biceps, your neck or your chest. Chefs are hard-working, creative, emotional beings whose work is intensely personal. Their senses of humor are often fabulously twisted. And those are just some of the things that make the stories behind their tattoos so engrossing. This series is a tribute to chefs and their creativity, both in their kitchens and on their skin. Click for a look at the other articles in the series.

Paul Zerkel, chef and co-owner of Goodkind, says hes always appreciated -- and trusted -- the artistic sense that tattoo artists bring to the table.

"For me, my tattoos have always a reflection of a time in my life, but theyre also an expression of the artist. I never come to a tattoo artist with a picture. Theres always a conversation involved, and I always want it to reflect the art that they create."

He pauses, admitting that theres one exception: his very first tattoo.

"My first tattoo was a mosquito. It was 1989 and there werent a lot of people in my group of friends getting tattoos, but I really wanted one. I was 18 and Id gone to a Primus concert and bought one of their stickers. I put it on my bass. At the time, you couldnt get tattoos in Milwaukee, so we had to drive to Waukesha to get it. I went with my girlfriend at the time and I dragged my bass along. The tattoo artist pretty much copied the sticker. I thought it was cool."

"I had it for probably 26 years before I finally decided to cover it. It was time. I was tired of looking at it, and it no longer represented anything I wanted on my body. Id grown out of it. Instead, I decided to put a black raven over the top."

The raven was inspired by an interaction he had while living with his (now) wife Lisa Kirkpatrick in Portland, Oregon.

"Lisa was working at a restaurant called Colosso, and one of her servers there had a brother who was handicapped. But, he was also known for being a mystic of sorts. One day he asked me: Do you ever see a raven around you? Thats your spirit animal; hes always keeping his eye out for you."

Zerkel says the experience made an impression. "Since then, Ive become somewhat obsessed with ravens. I started really paying attention, and to this day Im always looking around for them, wherever I am."

Zerkel, whose interest in music and theater earned him a slot as bassist for the Milwaukee band Soma in the 1990s, says music also became part of the equation when it came to body art. [Read more about Zerkel's rocker days here.]

"When we were living in Portland, I got the four strings," he says. "They bleed into a fern pattern on my shoulder. Ferns have always been one of my favorite house plants; Im not really sure why. I guess its because theyre sort of these Sideshow Bob hair looking things. I just really like their shape and pattern. The tattoo artists name was London Bellman; he was a friend of my chef at the time."

A couple of years later, after moving back to Milwaukee, Zerkel learned from a friend that there was a tattoo artist from Green Bay who was coming down to Milwaukee and hosting tattoo sessions in an acquaintances living room.

"I wanted a lace doily," he says. "At the time I had this plan to do this sort of grandmother wall featuring little portraits of bands I loved along my arm, with a wall-papery pattern behind it. That never actually came to fruition. But, I kept the doily. I thought about covering it up, but ultimately decided to leave it. Oh, and its Packers green because we were watching a Packers game while he worked."

But music and mysticism arent the only themes Zerkel has represented on his body. There are also meaningful pieces that reference his work as a chef, particularly at Goodkind, which he owns with his wife Lisa Kirkpatrick, Katie Rose and Jess and William Seidel. Take for instance the pea tendrils that surround his raven tattoo.

"Weve always said that were five peas in the pod," he says. "And that shows up in various places. There are actually five peas in our logo, symbolic of the five owners. And these are all peapods on pea tendrils that surround the raven. And now a few of us, including Katie Rose and Lisa have tattoos with references to peas in them."

His latest body art, he notes, was a true commitment.

"Wed just passed our three year anniversary at Goodkind, and I thought: Its about time to reflect a bit. Id pretty much settled on the idea of having a Goodkind tattoo, and Ive always loved the idea of the "Love" and "Hate" tattoos from "Cape Fear." But, I wanted to keep the design really simple."

So, he consulted with Mark Meyer from Goodland, who drew up a design.

"Back in the 80s youd never get a hand tattoo," he says. "And Id always sort of maintained this idea that Id only get tattoos that I could cover with sleeves  you know, in case I had to attend a wedding or funeral. But, Im old enough now that Ive stopped caring. Im a chef, and this is my life. And I dont really care if people make judgments about me at this point. People see the tattoo and they always ask me what Ill do if Goodkind closes. The short answer is, Ill have tattoos that say good and kind. And thats OK, too."

When I asked if the tattoos on his fingers were a particularly painful endeavor, he nodded.

"Yeah, it hurt. Fortunately, it was a really short sitting. It was kind of like getting dental work done; you can tell people its not going to hurt, but it always does. And, in the end, youre branding yourself. So, it should hurt."

As for future tattoos, Zerkel says he still has future art in mind.

"Im not done," he says. "In fact, Im re-addicted, so to speak. At some point I have to get a pirate flag for my father, who passed away last year. And Id like to get a laurel to tie the two tattoos on my shoulders together. It might even be something like the strawberry thief theme on the wallpaper at Goodkind "
Though it's already been serving customers for more than a week now, the first Grimaldi's Pizzeria in Wisconsin officially opens at The Corners of Brookfield, 20019 Lord St., on Friday, Nov. 10. We stopped in for a peek on Wednesday.

Located in the new Brookfield mall, Grimaldi's is set on a corner in a recreated "town square" (think Bayshore), with a covered outdoor seating area that will be inviting once the warm weather returns.

Inside, the exposed brick interior, which covers nearly 5,000 square feet, is filled with red and white checkered tablecloths, an open kitchen and a full bar. The walls are adorned with framed photographs of New York City, where the first Grimaldi's opened nearly 30 years ago.

It's warm and inviting, if a little loud at times.

The first Grimaldi's was opened in Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood in 1990 by Patsy Grimaldi. When he retired not long after, he sold to Frank Ciolli, whose son runs the chain based out of Scottsdale, Arizona, with 54 locations in 16 states. The Brooklyn location, practically right under the Brooklyn Bridge, is still open.

The staff at the new place was extremely friendly and doted especially on the kids, bringing them small pizza pans with lumps of dough to keep their hands and minds occupied.

The open-concept kitchen allows diners to get a glimpse of the oven that is Grimaldi's bread and butter, as well as the pizza makers prepping the pizzas for the oven.

The oven itself is no joke. Fabricated onsite by Grimaldi's, which created its own oven manufacturer to build them, the pizza ovens are made of 25 tons of brick, steel and concrete. The interior is eight and a half feet deep and five feet wide and can accommodate 18 pizzas.

When the restaurant is rocking, the cooks are really tested. They have to use an almost unwieldy 110-inch pizza stick to maneuver the pizzas in the oven. And since the anthracite coal burns hot  it can reach upwards of 1,200 degrees in there  time is of the essence. A quick distraction can mean the difference between a perfect pizza and one to pitch into the trash.

The oven  and Grimaldi's ingredients (it uses Bel Gioioso cheese, among others)  make for pizza with a really great crispy and nicely toasted crust.

According to the company's executive chef, Cory Lattuca  who was in Milwaukee for a week to help train staff and open the new restaurant  Grimaldi's uses special flour, proprietary pepperoni and sausage recipes, and a water filtration system that recreates New York City water.

"Believe it or not," Lattuca says, "New York has phenomenal tap water. It has a high lime content and is great for baking."

Because the ovens generate so much heat, Grimaldi's can put raw sausage on the pizza and it's cooked by the time the pizza is done, Lattuca says.

We sampled a basic cheese pizza and a Brooklyn Bridge pizza with sausage, ricotta and roasted red peppers.

Both had phenomenal crusts and a nice blend of toppings. Unlike most American pizzas, Grimaldi's pies aren't weighted down with tons of sauce and cheese, and that's OK because the crust is so good, it's better when it's allowed to shine.

We paired the pizza with Grimaldi's own Mille Gradi Tuscan red wine blend, created by Lattuca in Italy along with the folks at Rocca della Macie in Castellina in Chianti. It's fruity with a dash of oak.

If it's not to your taste, the restaurant has a good wine list with a number of interesting choices, like Prunotto's brightly acidic Fiulot barbera from Piemonte.

Grimaldi's doesn't do much beyond pizza  which is clearly the focus  but it does offer a variety of salads. The house salad has romaine lettuce tossed with red onion, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, green olives and a vinaigrette.

I preferred the classic Caesar, also built on a bed of romaine but with croutons baked with garlic and salt in that searing oven, and topped with romano, Asiago and parmesan.

There are a handful of other options, too, including a caprese.

For dessert, Grimaldi's offers a range of solid New York-style cheesecakes and a few other options like cannoli and tiramisu. Order a pick-three platter and share it to get the full experience.

While Milwaukee does not suffer from a shortage of pizza, Grimaldi's is a nice addition because it brings a pizza experience unlike the others on tap here.
Whether its offensive politics to even more offensive Halloween candy  looking at you, candy corn  Lewis Black has built an impressive career out of being really, really, ridiculously angry. So one might assume the Donald Trump presidency, which celebrated one year this week, would be a golden age of rage for the comedian and his signature furious finger-spasming, roiling rants.

"He's really good for comedy in the way that a stroke is good for a nap," Black jokes, during our phone conversation before he heads to Milwaukee  one of the few things to earn a rave rather than a rant during Black's bits, thanks to our impressive alcohol intake  for two nights of comedy at The Pabst Theater on Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11.

Before he hits the stage, though, we chatted some more about today's exhausting politics, Wisconsin's impressive obsession with alcohol and artery-clogging foods, and Black's insane way of staying sane through it all.

OnMilwaukee: I imagine its hard to write comedy in this political climate just because of the amount of stuff every week. I was looking back and the Trump orb photo that went viral was just a couple of months ago, but it feels like five years ago already.

Lewis Black: Yeah, because he cant jam enough stuff into a day for us. I just dont understand how people miss the point that you can yell about all these presidents all you want  which Ive done. Ive been through all of them. I find them all kind of noxious in their own special way, because who would want to be president except for somebody where something is wrong. And then you come to this, and heres another way were not going to accomplish anything. "Boy, hes getting stuff done!" No! Nothings getting done. We dont do anything. We are really more interested in how NOT to get something done than actually how to do it.

In order for this to work  which most Americans seem to lose sight of; its not that Washington is broken, Congress is broken  those people have to work together. Thats the deal. You dont like the other person? I dont care! You come up with a prom float and shut up!

Its like that bit from your routine from years ago, that its a party of no ideas and a party of bad ideas.

And Ive got a really bad idea, and Im going to make it worse! And really, his interests, whether people like it or not  and I can say this having been around him in New York City for 40 years  his interest is in himself. Hes really mostly interested in what people think of him and that people are talking about him. Which is why all these comments from time to time, they go, "Boy, he doesnt have empathy." Well, no, because its all about him.

I dont know how people miss this. I dont know how theyre oblivious to it. I dont know if its because weve been steeped in Facebook and Twitter to the point that we dont get it anymore? That we cant see something that normally, viscerally, Americans would react to. And they dont anymore. I dont get it.

And as a performer, its exhausting. I just want to talk about weather. Not even climate stuff  just weather. Just today, in New York City, its going to be 66 and rainy. Tomorrow its going to be 40. You know what that is? Thats a chest cold, thats what that is. Thats not weather.

Youve interacted with Donald Trump in the past or been at events with him?

Hes been in my city! Weve lived in the same city for 40 years. I was doing jokes about him 40 years ago. I dont need to keep making jokes about him! I need somebody else!

Hes gotten in touch with me, because I did a piece about him on "The Daily Show" where we basically said what America needed in 2012 was a third-world, banana boat type of dictator  and that Donald Trump seemed perfect. And then I held up a "Donald Trump for President" thing. And then he got in touch. I didnt get back in touch with him, partly because I was busy  I was dealing with my parents and what was going on with them. And he kept trying to get in touch with his assistant, and all I kept thinking was Im a comic and I dont have time; hes an entrepreneur, and hes got time to keep getting in touch?

Then I decided not to get in touch with him because thats what he expects. He thinks because hes him, because hes the Donald, people should hop to and get back to him. And no. And we never talked  and I had no desire to talk to him. Was he going to invite me to be on "The Apprentice"? Ugh!

So what do you do to relax during these high-stress times?

I take a toilet seat, and I hold it up, and then I drop it on my penis. And that kind of takes the edge off. I just think that, from time to time, you create a larger pain in order to avoid the other pain. I mean, I dont do it a lot, because then you end up having to see a doctor. All things in moderation!

Youre also a huge wine connoisseur. Where did that come from?

It just came from the fact that I cant drink a lot of beer because Im allergic to it, so I can only have a little beer but I can have a lot more wine. I wouldnt call it a wine connoisseur. I would call it a way to hide an alcohol problem. "Oh, hes drinking wine; he must have taste." No, he must have a problem.

Its mostly because my brother was over in Europe way early on, like in the 80s, and started sending back wine. When he came back to the states to live, he was, "Try this! Try this! Try this!" A couple of my friends were really wine  I dont call them connoisseurs; theyre wine psychotics. They would introduce me to a variety of things, so just from the sheer volume of what Ive drunk, Ive got a pretty good idea of whats what.

We appreciate that you appreciate our love of alcohol here in Milwaukee. Is that your favorite part of visiting?

Well that, and Ive learned how to drink there. The first time I had Jager was there; the first time I had Ketel One vodka was there. You were getting a variety of liquors before anyone else, so I dont know if you had guys on the side of the road pulling trucks over and stealing the liquor.

But the whole state has always been a joy to wander through and drink in. It was one of the places where youd do shows on a Friday or Saturday, and the second show, generally in most cities, people would be really out of control. But in Milwaukee, youre just getting started. It was always a great audience. Its always been. I did Summerfest for years. Wisconsins a big part of making my career happen.

Is there anywhere or anything in particular you have to do when you come to town?

Well, the butter burger is always fun, but generally in Milwaukee, its wandering around and seeing what else youve done in terms of how youve added cheese to something that didnt need it or fat to something that didnt need it  and then usually the opportunity to eat it. I remember one of the first ones was there was a burger that was fried in a stick of butter, and I said, "Well, I have to have that." And I immediately went out to get it.

I do have to have a brat when Im there. Theres always stuff. If theres yet another craft beer I havent seen, lets try that.
One might assume that the move from the bustling, blockbusting commotion of Hollywood, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Steven Spielberg, to the mild, friendly streets of Milwaukee, rubbing your hands to stay warm three-fourths of the year, would come as a brutal blow to a filmmaker. But that wasnt the case for Suzanne Jurva.

"I came up here during the film festival, and I was at Colectivo Coffee, sitting there by myself  I was supposed to be house hunting, quite frankly  and I picked up the program book and spent way too much time devouring it," Jurva recalls. "I probably missed a house appointment, but I realized that I was going to be OK. I had people up here, people who understood film."

As it turns out, there are a lot of those kind of people  filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, editors, just general film fans and more  in the Milwaukee area, even more than anyone couldve expected. In fact, according to a recent ICF International study commissioned by Milwaukee Film, there were approximately 14,600 film industry jobs in the Greater Milwaukee area in 2015  five times more than the citys beloved and ballyhooed beer industry.

Apparently, Milwaukee is more Production Crew than Brew Crew, not just an exciting diversion for two weeks in the fall but an actual, thriving industry generating $1.55 billion in annual sales and $530 million in labor income in 2014 as well as growing 10 percent from 2010 to 2015, double the rate of overall employment in the area.

And now its time for this quietly teeming industry to officially know, like Jurva did in that that Colectivo years ago, that they have people here  as well as resources and support.

Thats where Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance comes into the frame.

After plenty of teasers during this past film festival  mainly the glimmering, multi-colored preview that played before certain selections  the MFA will officially launch tonight at the Milwaukee Art Museum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring additional statements and announcements from Milwaukee Film, County Executive Chris Abele, Oscar-winner and Milwaukee Film board member John Ridley ("12 Years a Slave," "Let It Fall") as well as more enlightening and encouraging statistics from the ICF International study about Milwaukees now-provably thriving cinema scene.

"With 15,000 people working here, we have a lot of power," says Jurva, who serves as director of the MFA.

The alliances role, then, will be helping unite and harness that power toward further building the Milwaukee film industry and community through four main ways: advocacy, education, networking and funding for filmmakers. Some of that will be through networking events  notoriously necessary for the film business. Some of that will be through workshops and panel discussions, helping to guide filmmakers  amateur and advanced  and enhance their skills and industry knowledge. And some of that will be finding new branches of funding to support more projects and Milwaukee professionals.

"Milwaukee Film did provide support to filmmakers here, but this will allow more support," Jurva explains. "All these different sectors within filmmaking have been identified and people identified, and people are on committees and were each growing what we need for each committee.

"The mission is that we grow the film industry here, grow it organically in that we, through finding more funding, can sit here and do more films through the independent filmmaker route. And also that corporations understand that they dont have to take their commercial money somewhere else. We have very good people sitting here; you dont have to be in New York or L.A. to make your commercial."

Of course, one of the assumed components of a growing film scene  especially on a national scale  is the inclusion of tax credits or incentives for productions, much of the reason for the boom in projects in New Orleans and Georgia. Milwaukee briefly had incentives beginning in 2007, but just six years and a few high-profile productions later ("Public Enemies," "Transformers 3"), the state eliminated them from the budget.

"We can look to different film hubs around the United States  for example Austin," Jurva notes. "I dont know what the state of Texass tax credits are, but they never come up as big tax credits. But Austin is a huge film hub with tons of filmmakers, South By Southwest, the Austin Film Festival, the Austin Film Society. Thats what we can model ourselves after  and that comes with growing talent here, keeping talent here and advocating for talent here."

The lack of tax credits is far from the only challenge, with Jurva noting that the cuts in funding for the arts have affected filmmakers across the board. "Its just as hard to make a movie anywhere," she says. But the Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance aims to make Milwaukee a place where it can be at least a little easier, especially for its growing homegrown creative talent.

"You can be anywhere and work right now, so (Milwaukee) is an easier place to live and work with the lower cost of living  and I can get anywhere in Milwaukee in 15 minutes. I can book multiple meetings in a day, and the people here are fabulous," Jurva explains.

"I went to the Tech Summit last week at Northwestern Mutual, and a woman from Texas said the only problem here in Milwaukee is that were not like Texans: A Texan walks in the room and promotes, promotes, promotes. A Milwaukee person is like, 'Well  yeah.' So were going to promote  promote the sector, promote our people, grow the industry organically and show the government how much impact we have."

The Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance is open to all people, from filmmakers to simply film enthusiasts, those who want to learn and make leaps in the industry with the organizations help to those who just want to provide their support. All can join as a member by signing up either at tonights launch party or at the MFAs website and choosing a donation amount. Jurva notes theyre aiming to register 300 members by the end of 2017.
Once again, Wisconsin Vision, Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association, Milwaukee Public Schools and Prevent Blindness Wisconsin have teamed up to bring free eye exams and glasses to students at two MPS schools via the Clear Days Ahead program.

The program brought vision screenings to nearly 500 students ages 4-14 at Westside Academy, 1945 N. 31st St., and Kagel Elementary, 1210 W. Mineral St. this autumn.

Optometrists, opticians and others volunteered their time to do the tests. Even the Wisconsin Vision's CEO Darren Horndasch was at Kagel this week testing kids.

After the tests, students who needed prescription glasses got them free from Wisconsin Vision.

"A pair of glasses can make all the difference in a student's ability to learn," said MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver in a statement. "We want to thank Wisconsin Vision and the MTEA for their work to ensure our students can see clearly and actively participate in their classes."

"Each year, we identify some students who are legally blind without glasses," said Wisconsin Vision's Beth Bush. And undetected vision problems can seriously hamper a child's learning.

The Clear Days Ahead program kicked off in 2010 and nearly 1,000 pairs of glasses have been given to MPS students during that time.

Here are some photos taken at the screenings at Kagel Elementary on Thursday:
A former Lincoln police officer who left the department under the cloud of a sexual assault allegation made his first court appearance Thursday by video from jail.

Gregory Cody, 54, wore blue jail clothes and said little in the brief hearing.

The prosecutor, Dan Zieg, read the charges to Cody, who said he understood. He bonded out of jail soon after.

A day earlier, the Lancaster County attorneys office filed a warrant for Cody's arrest on a charge of first-degree sexual assault of a person mentally or physically incapable of resisting. He is accused of using his position of authority to coerce a mentally ill woman into a sexual relationship that lasted more than a year.

Codys attorney, John Ball, said Cody turned himself in at the jail 45 minutes after being told of the warrant and wasnt a flight risk.

The allegations he strongly disputes, Ball said in court Thursday, arguing for a $50,000 bond.

He said Cody no longer is a police officer  he retired as a result of the allegations  and is not a danger to the community.

Zieg asked for a $250,000 bond, saying the alleged assaults happened numerous times and that Cody "was in a position of power and authority over her as a police officer. It's charged as an aggravated offense, he said.

Lancaster County Judge Timothy Phillips set bond at $150,000 and ordered Cody to have no contact with his accuser. Cody needed to pay 10 percent, or $15,000, to be released from jail.

His family went directly to the clerks office to post his bond, and he was released by 4:30 p.m.

In a nine-page affidavit, a Nebraska State Patrol investigator said Cody's accuser, a 30-year-old Lincoln woman, described more than a year's worth of interactions with Cody, including about 50 incidents of sexual encounters that she described as forced, most of which occurred while he was on duty.

She said it began in July 2016, after Cody released her from custody rather than take her into emergency protective custody and said she would "owe him."

According to court records, she had told several friends, health care workers and at least one Lincoln police sergeant and one officer she was being stalked and abused by an officer before any formal investigation began.

The police department placed Cody on unpaid administrative leave Oct. 18. He retired two days later and will receive about $1,965 per month through his pension with the city. Some of that money he contributed himself; some was matched by the city.

Another officer was put on unpaid, investigative suspension and soon resigned.

Police have not released that officer's name, but a personnel change-in-status form shows Joseph Keiser resigned Oct. 30 from the Lincoln Police Department after being placed on unpaid investigative suspension.

Court records say Cody's accuser had told an unnamed officer that she was being sexually assaulted by a Lincoln police officer who had threatened to have her put in emergency protective custody if she didn't comply. She told him it was Cody.

The officer told her how to report the allegation to Internal Affairs and suggested she contact the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office or Nebraska State Patrol. But he didn't come forward to anyone in the police department until after Chief Jeff Bliemeister sent an internal memo that Cody was being investigated.
Former Philippine president Benigno Aquino was charged in a special court Wednesday over an anti-jihadist raid that left 44 police commandos dead, the office of the government Ombudsman said Wednesday. Aquino, who ended his six-year term last year, could be jailed for up to 15 years if a special court finds he is guilty of illegal acts and usurpation of powers in the January 2015 bloodbath, prosecutors said. Aquino, who was not present in court, is accused of allowing a suspended police chief to oversee the operation against a fugitive Malaysian Islamist leader. It turned into a bloody gunbattle with Muslim rebels that claimed the lives of 44 police officers. While the raid apparently succeeded in its objective of killing bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, one of the United States' most wanted fugitives, the huge death toll shocked the nation and imperilled peace talks with Muslim rebels. The Ombudsman, an anti-corruption prosecutor, alleged Aquino had allowed a close ally, police chief Alan Purisima to oversee the raid even though the Ombudsman had previously suspended Purisima over a separate graft case. "The President of the Republic of the Philippines, while in performance of his official and administrative functions, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and criminally persuade, induce or influence Alan La Madrid Purisima," the charges read. Hearings in the case have not yet begun. Aquino had previously argued that he had the authority to tap Purisima as a "resource person" in the raid. But the Ombudsman said the suspended police chief should not have had such authority. Allies of Aquino's successor, the firebrand Rodrigo Duterte, have sought to use the raid to attack Aquino, who has criticised Duterte's bloody anti-drug campaign which has claimed thousands of lives. However Duterte defended Aquino on Wednesday, saying that he could not be charged with usurpation because presidents had full authority over police. "The president can always intervene, modify or amend or change altogether," Duterte told reporters. "He is the head of government insofar as the police are concerned," he added.
Some wear glasses. Others have sombreros and a cigar. These are Bolivia's "natitas" -- human skulls with miracle-working powers. On Wednesday thousands of people and their skulls converged on La Paz's oldest cemetery as part of a pre-Hispanic tradition. Some arrived with music bands or mariachis, others with food and drink. The skulls are usually adorned with sombreros, wool hats, or crowns made from flowers or cloth, while some worshippers fill the skulls' eye cavities with cotton. They light candles and recite prayers in the belief the skulls possess special powers. According to indigenous Andean tradition, skulls offer protection to believers, ensuring health and prosperity. "We have had about 10,000 visitors and around 700 'natitas' were on display," cemetery official Ariel Conitzer told AFP. In Bolivia and other parts of Latin America, "nato" refers to a snubbed nose, like those of the skulls. Worshippers arrived early to pay tribute in the passages of the graveyard which dates from 1826, one year after the republic's establishment. According to authorities, many of the skulls were extracted from graves or forgotten tombs in the same cemetery. Others have been passed down through the generations, and are normally kept at home inside an urn. "Here's Andrea, Alex, Julia," a man tells the ATB TV channel, showing a box with three skulls wearing colorful cold-weather hats and sunglasses. "They take care of us, they have a little room in the house." The festival takes place eight days after the start of the Catholic "All Saints" celebration, and events are carried out in numerous cemeteries across the country.
A Philippine Navy contingent began to sail to Thailand, Wednesday, to participate in the first-ever Association of Southeast Asian Nations Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) to be held in Thailand from the 13th to 22nd of November.

This is very historical. We are involving our naval reservists, the rescue recon group, as part of the contingent, Fleet-Marine Ready Force commander, Commodore Albert Mogol said.

The AM-NEX 2017 will be held simultaneously with the 50th ASEAN founding anniversary and the 11th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting.

Commodore Albert Mogol is part of the Philippine Navy Contingent.

Mogol believes the naval exercises will greatly help in further improving the relationship of the Philippines with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Through naval diplomacy, we can do more to ease the tension within the region and have cooperation among our ASEAN neighbors, Mogol said.

Aside from the 10 ASEAN countries, also participating in the naval drill are other non-Southeast Asian nations such as Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka and the United States.

By joining AMNEX, the Philippine Navy aims to expand its ties with its counterparts for possible humanitarian assistance and disasater response operations.

Margarita Paredes, who lives in the province of Cavite, escorted her grandchild earlier who is among the students chosen to participate in the naval drill.

Margarita said she feels happy and sad with the travel of her 23-yr old grand daughter.

She should take care of herself, especially her health. And I pray she returns to us in good shape, Paredes said.

The Philippine Navy contingent is expected to dock in Thailand on the 13th of November and is expected to return home on the 28th of the same month.  Aiko Miguel | UNTV News & Rescue

The post Philippine Navy contingent departs for a regional maritime security collaboration in Thailand appeared first on UNTV News.
A Singaporean housewife who planned to join the Islamic State (IS) group in the Middle East has been detained without trial under the city-state's tough security laws, authorities said Thursday. It was the latest arrest of a Singaporean for allegedly supporting the jihadists or planning to fight with them, with the city-state's leaders warning it is a prime target for an attack due its status as a regional financial centre. Munavar Baig Amina Begam, 38, a naturalised Singapore citizen originally from India, was radicalised online by a contact who convinced her the IS group was fighting to defend Sunni Muslims in the conflict zone, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. "She was radicalised to the extent that she was prepared to undergo military training and take up arms to fight for ISIS in the Middle-East if called upon by ISIS to do so," said the ministry, using another name for the jihadists. Amina, who also shared IS propaganda on social media, has been detained under the tough Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial for up to two years. The arrest comes amid attempts by IS to establish a base in Southeast Asia. A religious school teacher, Abu Thalha bin Samad, was also detained under the act for being a member of Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the ministry said. JI was behind a series of deadly attacks in the 2000s, including the 2002 Bali bombings, but has not carried out major assaults in recent years. The 25-year-old Singaporean had been teaching in a JI-linked school outside the city-state. The ministry worked with a regional government to deport Abu Thalha to Singapore before he was detained but did not say which one. JI is mainly active in Indonesia.
Credit: University of Minnesota

Annually updated research from the Accessibility Observatory at the University of Minnesota ranks 49 of the 50 largest (by population) metropolitan areas in the United States for connecting workers with jobs via transit.

The new rankings, part of the Access Across America national pooled-fund study that began in 2013, focus on accessibility, a measure that examines both land use and transportation systems. Accessibility measures how many destinations, such as jobs, can be reached in a given time.

Though rankings of the top 10 metro areas for job accessibility by transit remain unchanged from the previous year, new data comparing changes within each of the 49 largest U.S. metros over one year helped researchers identify the places with the greatest increases in access to jobs by transit. Cincinnati and Charlotte improved more than 11 percent. Seattle, which ranks 8th for job accessibility by transit, improved nearly 11 percent. In all, 36 of the 49 largest metros showed increases in job accessibility by transit.

"This new data makes it possible to see the change from year to year in how well a metro area is facilitating access to jobs by transit," said Andrew Owen, director of the Observatory. "Transit is an essential transportation service for many Americans, and we directly compare the accessibility performance of America's largest metropolitan areas."

This year's reportAccess Across America: Transit 2016presents detailed accessibility values for each of the 49 metropolitan areas, as well as detailed block-level color maps that illustrate the spatial patterns of accessibility within each area.

Key factors affecting the rankings for any metro area include the number of jobs available and where they are located, the availability of transit service, and population size, density, and location. Better coordination of transit service with the location of jobs and housing will improve job accessibility by transit.

The findings have a range of uses and implications. State departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies can apply the evaluations to performance goals related to congestion, reliability, and sustainability. In addition, detailed accessibility evaluation can help in selecting between project alternatives and prioritizing investments.

The research is sponsored by the National Accessibility Evaluation Pooled-Fund Study, a multi-year effort led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and supported by partners including the Federal Highway Administration and 11 additional state DOTs.

The Accessibility Observatory at the University of Minnesota is the nation's leading resource for the research and application of accessibility-based transportation system evaluation. The Observatory is a program of the Center for Transportation Studies. CTS is a national leader in fostering innovation in transportation.

Top increases in job accessibility by transit:

Cincinnati (+ 11.23%) Charlotte (+ 11.02%) Orlando (+ 10.83%) Seattle (+ 10.80%) Providence (+ 10.65%) Phoenix (+ 7.51%) Riverside (+ 6.59%) Milwaukee (+ 6.53%) Hartford (+ 6.44%) New Orleans (+ 6.18%)

Top 10 metro areas for job accessibility by transit:

New York San Francisco Chicago Washington Los Angeles Boston Philadelphia Seattle San Jose Denver

More information: The Transit 2016 report and other Access Across America research reports for auto, walking, and soon biking, are available at access.umn.edu Detailed interactive color maps illustrating the jobs accessible by transit in each metro area are available on the study web page at Access Across America: Transit 2016: access.umn.edu/research/america/transit/2016/
Brazilian and Dutch researchers use single-cell algae to try to solve the problem of managing the waste generated by sewage treatment . Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Sewer treatment systems are designed to avoid discarding large amounts of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen, components of the organic matter load mainly comprising feces and urine, into watercourses. The massive dumping of such substances in watercourses causes eutrophication, the excessive growth of aquatic microorganisms, especially algae. This leads to potentially serious imbalances in aquatic communities and releases pathogens into the environment.

However, common phosphorus/nitrogen removal techniques have an undesirable effect. The reaction between these substances and the chemical additives employed in the process produces residuals in the form of a low-applicability, onerous sludge, explains Luiz Antonio Daniel, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo's Sao Carlos Engineering School. "Some Brazilian states ban its use as fertilizer in agriculture, for example," he explained. "The sludge ends up being discharged into landfills. The cost of disposal is therefore considerable."

One way of making sewage treatment as sustainable as possible is to implement a decentralized system. Therefore, the so-called "black water" of household waste, the effluent's "heaviest" fraction consisting mainly of a relatively undiluted mixture of feces and urine, would be sent to mini-centers serving smaller populations from house units to small-size towns, rather than to big waste treatment plants. The black water would be processed by single-cell algae, which help to remove the pollutants and simultaneously produce large amounts of biomass for such uses as composting. This model is being studied by a partnership between Dutch and Brazilian scientists.

In the reactors tested by the EESC-USP team, microalgae of the species Chlorella sorokiniana, use nitrogen and phosphorus from black water and the micronutrients present in human waste to multiply. Specifically, because they absorb the nitrogen and phosphorus in black water, the algae are rich in these elements, which are essential to the industrial-scale fertilizers applied today.

"It wouldn't be necessary to decentralize excessively. We needn't treat the sewage of each home or building separately. We could have units serving a few thousand inhabitants, up to some 10,000," Daniel estimated. "Because approximately 50 percent of Brazilian towns have fewer than 10,000 inhabitants and only 25 percent have sewage treatment systems, many localities can introduce such systems from scratch."

Grietje Zeeman is an Emeritus Professor in Wageningen University's Department of Environmental Technology in the Netherlands. She recalls that in the 19th century, fecal matter and urine collected from households were used as fertilizer by Dutch farmers. In fact, the system was only deactivated in the early 1980s. "With the system we have today, which can be called 'flush and forget,' this nutrient reuse cycle has been lost. Our idea is to close the cycle again," Zeeman said.

The first step entails decentralizing sewage collection to prevent the dilution of black water and the nutrients in feces and urine. After the algae complete the absorption of organic matter, the next step is collecting the layers of microbes that grow in the liquid. This can be done in two ways, according to Daniel. "In the Netherlands, they mostly use sedimentation, in which a polymer is used to settle the algae at the bottom of the reactor, and they can be collected from there," he said. "Here, we use flotation. We inject compressed air into the liquid, and bubbles form on the surface containing the algae as they float up. A mechanical scraper then collects this biomass and discharges it into a channel."

To leverage this technique, it is necessary to use efficient biomass drying methods, according to Daniel. If algae are stored without being dried, their cells can rupture, and the nutrients to be used at the end of the process can leak out.

The partnership with the Dutch team, he added, has been very useful for purposes of comparison. Considering the differences between the two countries in terms of climate, it is possible to develop methods to optimize the production of algae depending on the context. "The sun doesn't shine year round in the Netherlands as it does here, for example, nor do they have our high temperatures, which sometimes inhibit algal growth. Therefore, the Dutch reactor we've tested at USP gets too hot. To achieve a larger scale, we'll have to make several adjustments," Daniel said.

Optimizing the process so that it works on an industrial scale is the next step in the studies. Field tests will be conducted at the Monjolinho sewage treatment plant in Sao Carlos.

An advantage of using Chlorella in the process is that these algae are already present in nature and do not require genetic modification to do their work. Hence, there should be no problems with regard to the disposal of treated sewage into rivers and lakes. "If you leave a sample of sewage out in the open, it will naturally be colonized and go green," Daniel said, stressing the importance of seeing black water and other effluents as potential resources.

Provided by FAPESP
For years, Apple and other multinational firms have faced inquiries from government authorities about tactics they employed to lower their tax bills.

Now, new published reports show just how some of these global corporations tapped elite tax specialists to devise clever strategies, including island havens and secretive shell companies, to avoid paying billions of dollars into government coffers.

The disclosures contained in the so-called Paradise Papers - documents and corporate records primarily from Bermuda-based law firm Appleby - immediately added fuel to the debate over the GOP's tax proposal released last week, which includes slashing the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent.

"We are all bearing witness to the consequences of Congress' failure to address offshore tax haven abuse," said Gawain Kripke, policy director for Oxfam America. "Yet congressional leaders are charging forward with a tax bill which has as its primary feature a massive windfall for offshore tax dodgers."

The international antipoverty organization called for an immediate pause on the Republican tax bill and an investigation into the activities revealed by the Paradise Papers.

Apple, in response to reports based on the documents, on Monday defended its tax payments, saying the maker of iPhones is the largest taxpayer in the world and that the company "pays every dollar it owes in every country around the world."

While critics have decried the Republican tax bill as a corporate handout, others argue that a tax overhaul is needed precisely because of the current system. They say the 35 percent tax rate leaves U.S. companies at a disadvantage against foreign rivals and motivates corporations to set up complex tax structures to reduce their tax burden, as well as to stash international profits abroad.

American businesses have long complained that the U.S. corporate tax rate is the highest among advanced economies, but the reality is that many American multinationals pay a much smaller percentage. The tax code is rife with many exemptions and special provisions, and tax lawyers and advisors have come up with creative methods to exploit loopholes in the system.

The result is that more than $100 billion in corporate tax revenue is lost annually by the U.S. government, according to analysts' estimates. And while the American statutory corporate tax rate is among the highest, total U.S. corporate taxes collected, as a percentage of the economy, is about average for developed countries.

The House GOP tax plan would allow multinational companies to bring home an estimated $2.6 trillion parked in offshore entities at a rate of 12 percent or lower. Even so, tax policy experts doubt that the tax proposal would discourage U.S. firms from going abroad or their penchant for devising tax shelters.

"I don't think the tax overhaul is going to really address the flaws in our international tax rules," said Eric Toder, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute. "With a 20 percent (corporate tax) rate, I suppose that decreases the incentive to stash money overseas. On the other hand, you still want to get the rate down to zero if you can."

Few companies have been seen as aggressive - and successful - in pushing down corporate taxes as Apple, making it a target of government investigations in the U.S. and Europe. One particular focus in recent years was how Apple had booked its massive earnings, much of it intellectual property generated in the U.S., to offshore tax shelters in Ireland.

A Senate subcommittee in May 2013 claimed Apple had used various methods to avoid paying federal taxes on $44 billion of earnings between 2009 and 2012. Apple's chief, Tim Cook, said at the Senate hearing then that the maker of iPhones pays "every single dollar" of taxes that it owes.

But not long after that Senate testimony, Apple sought a new strategy and, with the help of the legal- and tax-advisory firm Appleby, eventually found a new tax haven on a tiny island in the English Channel called Jersey, according to published reports based on the Paradise Papers.

These leaked records, originally obtained by a German newspaper, have been shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which is made up of media organizations such as the New York Times, the Guardian in Britain and CBC in Canada. The Los Angeles Times is not a media partner.

In its statement Monday, Apple contended that there were a number of inaccuracies in the reports by the consortium.

"The changes Apple made to its corporate structure in 2015 were specially designed to preserve its tax payments to the United States, not to reduce its taxes anywhere else," the company said. No operations or investments were moved from Ireland, said Apple, which noted that its effective tax rate on foreign earnings is 21 percent.

In addition to details of Apple's tax-restructuring strategy, the Paradise Papers included information about the use of shell companies and other tax-reducing strategies by corporations such as Nike, Uber, Facebook and Allergan, as well as individuals.

Last year, the Obama administration sought to crack down on companies moving headquarters overseas, so-called corporate inversions, to avoid paying U.S. taxes. Officials also sought to curb another tax-avoidance practice in which multinational firms make loans or shift finances between affiliates to strip out earnings in higher-tax countries or take advantage of tax breaks such as interest deductions.

2017 Los Angeles Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Illegal logging is an immensely profitable global activity, linked to corruption, human rights abuses, criminal networks, and environmental destruction. A 2017 study by the Global Financial Integrity ranked illegal logging as the third largest global crime in value, after counterfeiting and drug trafficking.

Australia imports roughly A$8.1 billion worth of timber products a year, and according to estimates from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, up to A$800 million comes from sources with some risk of being illegally logged.

Yet the federal government is currently considering significantly weakening regulation that prevent the import of illegal timber. Companies will be less likely to know where their wood comes from, and consumers will have less assurance that they are buying products from a legitimate source.

The proposed reform will require amendments to the 2012 Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation. Once the changes are introduced, the parliament has 15 sitting days to disallow the changes.

Major change

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has proposed significant changes to our timber import rules, with the aim of reducing the costs for businesses to comply with regulations. The proposal is to introduce a "deemed to comply" arrangement for certain private certification schemes.

Under current laws, businesses need to assess and manage the risk that imported timber or wood products may have been illegally logged. This is known as "due diligence", and applies to timber imports worth A$1,000 or more.

The "deemed to comply" provisions assume that an importer has complied with the regulations, in some cases without actual checks and proofs of legality. This will exempt companies from undertaking their own due diligence.

But the Australian government recognizes that certification schemes still face challenges in dealing with deliberate fraudulent activity. Given the prevalence of bribery in illegal logging, it is not uncommon for illegally logged timber to have the "correct" government documents and achieve certification.

This problem is recognised in the European Union, which advises that regulations take into account the risk of corruption, saying that "even official documents issued by authorities cannot be considered reliable".

Neither the EU or US regulations recognise third-party certification systems as a means of assuring timber legality (only as part of a system of due diligence or due care).

When it comes to illegal logging, due diligence works

Illegal logging degrades forests, harms wildlife, and emits greenhouse gases. The land sector, including logging, deforestation and other activities, accounts for 24% of total global emissions.

As well as causing environmental harm, illegal logging involves human rights abuses like violence against local communities, forced labour, and pollution of vital water supplies.

This is why developed countries around the world have created timber import standards, which play a key role in curbing illegal logging.

Experience in Europe shows that enforcing illegal logging laws and due diligence requirements has a significant positive impact. The more European authorities enforce these measures, the more aware and compliant the industry becomes. Companies change their supply chains as a result of due diligence processes, which in turn has an immediate impact in the countries that supply the timber.

In contrast, countries with inactive or inefficient enforcement see uncertainty within the industry and lower levels of awareness.

Watering down Australia's due diligence requirements fly in the face of this evidence. While the proposed change is designed to make it cheaper and easier for companies to comply with the law, there's a real chance it will increase the trade of illegal timber. Businesses will have fewer incentives to make sound decisions and consumers will not be able to tell if the timber they consume is indeed legally sourced.

Any changes to our laws should strengthen them, not water down their requirements and limit their value and effectiveness. Our current legislation is the best defence for consumers and businesses. It should be enforced to ensure that the wood imported and sold in Australia does not cause harm both to people and nature.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Credit: NASA

An aviation renaissance, one focused on energy efficiency and economic impact, is on the horizon, and it's changing how engineers look at aircraft power and design.

Although the aircraft industry continues to adopt innovative technologies, which are making current aircraft more energy efficient, there's new interest in exploring alternative propulsion systems and energy sources. This new interest presents an opportunity to develop cutting-edge technologies that will dramatically reduce fuel usage, while opening up potential new markets and business opportunities for American companies and carriers.

"I feel we are at a tipping point in commercial aviation," says Jim Heidmann, manager of NASA's Advanced Air Transport Technology Project (AATT). "We are exploring and developing game-changing technologies and concepts for aircraft and propulsion systems that can dramatically improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact and accelerate the introduction of new aircraft."

To provide better efficiency with less noise and fewer emissions, NASA is working with the aviation industry and academia to develop unique vehicle concepts that will use different fuselage shapes; longer, skinnier and more blended wings; innovative materials and components; and highly-integrated propulsion (engine) systems.

NASA aims to accelerate the final testing and validation of these advanced concepts and technologies through its New Aviation Horizons initiative. This initiative outlines the development of a series of experimental planes (X-planes), which will achieve the agency's aircraft-level metrics for fuel consumption, emissions and noise.

The work has already begun under New Aviation Horizons as NASA is preparing to build and fly the first such X-plane  a low-boom supersonic flight demonstrator. A turboelectric aircraft configuration is among several candidates for future subsonic transport X-planes that will prove the benefits of these advanced technologies in piloted flight within the next decade.

STARC Contrast: Smaller engines provide more power

One of the most pivotal areas of commercial aviation's transformation centers around propulsion, and a team of engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is conducting cutting-edge research into high-pressure-ratio compact gas turbine engines, low-emission combustors, electric-enhanced propulsion and boundary-layer ingesting (BLI) engines.

"We believe global competition and international certification standards will drive reduced fuel consumption and more efficient aircraft and propulsion concepts that may use cleaner forms of energy," said Heidmann. "We also see the potential emergence of alternative modes of commercial transport, such as on-demand and flight service between rarely-traveled locations, both of which would represent new markets and potential beneficiaries of revolutionary propulsion technologies."

Some of the key propulsion system advances the NASA Glenn team is pursuing converge in an aircraft concept study called STARC-ABL (single-aisle turboelectric aircraft with an aft [at the rear of the aircraft] boundary-layer propulsor).

The STARC-ABL concept, developed by NASA's Jim Felder and Jason Welstead, is under consideration as one of NASA's future X-planes. It looks similar to the proven tube-and-wing aircraft you see every day. But, unlike those aircraft, a significant amount of electrical power, approximately three megawatts, is used for turboelectric propulsion, in addition to the electrical operation of subsystems like flight controls, avionics and de-icing.

Imagine a Boeing 737, but with slightly smaller engines. Not a dramatic design departure, but STARC-ABL's tail features a "T-tail" horizontal stabilizer configuration with a BLI ducted fan on the tail, which is driven purely by electric power derived from generators mounted to the underwing engines.

The wing-mounted engines supply 80 percent of the thrust required during takeoff and 55 percent at cruise, while the tail-mounted, all-electric BLI turbofan accounts for remaining thrust. Researchers predict a potential fuel consumption improvement of roughly 10 percent using this innovative system.

Next Step: Collaboration leads to solutions

While NASA is preparing for initial ground tests of a subscale STARC-ABL concept later this fall at NASA's Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) at Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio, several vehicle-level development challenges remain: How to balance aerodynamic efficiency, appropriately optimize the engines and aft BLI fan, validate the BLI benefits, store energy, compensate for additional weight, and meet safety and operational requirements.

To further investigate the challenges surrounding the hybridization of commercial aircraft, NASA is looking to industry and academic expertise for solutions.

NASA recently awarded 12-month contracts to Boeing, teamed with Georgia Tech, and Liberty Works, with ES Aero, to develop preliminary single-aisle, 150-seat aircraft designs using promising electric-enhanced propulsion and vehicle configuration concepts.

"During the 12-month cycle, we'll work with the teams to take a deep dive into their hybrid and turboelectric aircraft concepts," said Amy Jankovsky, NASA's AATT subproject manager. "These concepts will provide in-depth, detailed analyses of the propulsion and electrical systems, and we will recommend technology development paths for their concepts."

The year-long study will also reveal new development approaches and any unforeseen technological hurdles, as well as any safety and flight certification challenges that could get an aircraft like STARC-ABL or other next-generation, hybrid or turboelectric aircraft concepts aloft within 20 years.

And while those proposed industry concepts could look like STARC-ABL, the real objective is to transform commercial aviation by using new propulsion technologies that meet NASA's aircraft-level requirements of energy use, life-cycle carbon, landing-and-takeoff emissions and noise.

Ready for Takeoff: Development, testing, flight

Final reports from the industry study will outline hybrid-electric and conventional single-aisle aircraft concept designs, technology roadmaps for the major electrical systems and aircraft subsystems, and the evaluation of the concepts' performance against NASA aircraft metrics.

"As we move forward, we'd like to further develop the powertrains for these and any other concepts that may prove viable by building and testing them at NEAT and other NASA facilities," said Jankovsky. "We'll identify key performance parameters for components such as motors, generators and power electronics, and any wind tunnel, altitude and other ground tests and flight demonstrations that are appropriate."

Ultimately, NASA hopes to contribute to a next-generation aircraft that will substantially reduce fuel burn, noise and emissions. Many researchers feel we are only a few steps away from a major aviation revolution, and that a commercial aircraft using NASA-developed, hybrid-electric or turboelectric propulsion technology could be flying to an airport near you in the not too distant future.

Provided by NASA
Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Finally, some good news for the Greenland halibut, a deep-water flatfish with two eyes on one side of its head: climate change has altered its ecosystem and beluga whales, at times, are less likely to eat them.

Little is currently known about how climate change impacts food webs, but University of Manitoba researchers have gained valuable new insights into how it is affecting beluga whales, Greenland halibut, and the forage fish they both eat.

David Yurkowski's paper, "Temporal shifts in intraguild predation pressure between beluga whales and Greenland halibut in a changing Arctic," published in Biology Letters, examined 30-years of data to see how flexible the foraging dynamic between beluga and halibut are.

This dynamic is classified as "asymmetrical intraguild predation," the killing and eating of potential competitors, meaning that beluga and halibut eat forage fish, but with beluga whales also eating halibut. Climate change, however, is driving species redistribution around the globe, and in the high Arctic, the forage fish capelin (Mallotus villosus) has recently become more available. Yurkowski found that during summer, belugas are now eating less Greenland halibut while consuming more forage fish. The full repercussions of this shift are still unclear but confirm an ecological reconfiguring in part of the food web.

"These findings show how Arctic predators are responding and adjusting to climate change. And these adjustments can modify the dynamics of the food web in many complicated ways, with consequences that reverberate across the entire Arctic food web. It's possible the entire structure and function of the Arctic food web is dramatically changing," says Yurkowski, a post-doctoral fellow in the department of biological sciences at the University of Manitoba.

More information: David J. Yurkowski et al. Temporal shifts in intraguild predation pressure between beluga whales and Greenland halibut in a changing Arctic, Biology Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0433 Journal information: Biology Letters
A former Lincoln police officer has been arrested and accused of coercing an emotionally fragile woman into a sexual relationship while he was on duty.

Gregory S. Cody, 54, who left the force last month, was booked into Lancaster County jail Wednesday afternoon on a charge of first-degree sexual assault of an incompetent person. He was a 27-year veteran of the police department, working most recently as a street officer in southwest Lincoln.

His attorney, John Ball, declined to comment about Cody's arrest Wednesday.

He would face up to 50 years in prison if convicted.

In a nine-page affidavit, Nebraska State Patrol Investigator Neal Trantham said Cody's accuser, a 30-year-old Lincoln woman, described more than a year's worth of interactions with Cody, including about 50 incidents of sexual encounters that she described as forced.

She said it began in July 2016, when Cody released her from custody rather than take her into emergency protective custody and said she would "owe him." They became friends on Facebook and conversations quickly turned sexual.

According to court records, she had told several friends, health care workers and at least two other Lincoln police officers she was being stalked and abused by an officer before any formal investigation began.

She told one officer over the summer  identifying Cody by name and showing the officer Cody's personal cellphone number saved on her phone, according to the affidavit.

That officer told her how to report it to internal affairs, but didn't take the information to superiors until after Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister sent an internal memo to all officers about the investigation.

A sergeant on the police force also came forward in response to the memo, and said the woman had told him Oct. 16 that there was a rapist in the department but wouldn't say who.

The woman later told investigators about an incident in Cody's police vehicle in the parking lot of the Lincoln Children's Zoo that she says happened the night of Oct. 15.

She said Cody had tried to touch her breasts, grabbed her crotch and squeezed her neck and kissed her, according to the affidavit. When she tried to leave, she said, he pushed her into the "search position" against his SUV and put his hand into her pants and penetrated her.

The first investigation of her allegations started Oct. 17, after police found her lying on a sidewalk, intoxicated, near Holmes Lake Park. She said she had fallen from the backstop at a nearby ball field.

At a Lincoln hospital where she was being treated, she told a mental health specialist she was being abused, physically and sexually, by a police officer but was afraid to report the abuse.

Later that day, Cody, while on duty and in uniform, entered the hospital's locked intensive care unit where she was being treated, according to Trantham's affidavit. The woman told nurses after he left that Cody was the one who had been assaulting her for more than a year.

The police department placed Cody on unpaid administrative leave Oct. 18. He retired two days later.

Another officer later was put on unpaid, investigative suspension and soon resigned. It is uncertain whether that officer is one of the two who did not immediately report the woman's allegations. Police have not released that officer's name.

An early retirement or resignation has no impact on an officer's ability to collect pension benefits, city Human Resources Director Doug McDaniel said recently. And a later criminal conviction  even for an event that occurred while the officer was working  wouldn't have an impact.

The law, labor contracts and the ongoing investigations have prevented Lincoln police from disclosing more information, Bliemeister said previously.

In a statement Wednesday following Cody's arrest, the police chief said: "The Lincoln Police Department will not tolerate actions that undermine the publics trust.

"The actions of these individuals do not define the men and women of our agency, he said.
Interior of the former prison in Arnhem. Credit: Shutterstock / stockvideoshooter

In general, children of criminal parents are more than twice as likely to exhibit criminal behaviour themselves. The journal Aggression and Violent Behavior published the results of a study led by Sytske Besemer about the intergenerational transfer of criminal behaviour. Besemer subjected 23 samples in 25 publications to a systematic review and these included data from 3,423,483 children. She performed research at the University of California at Berkeley with Rubicon funding and is now a criminological researcher at Uber in San Francisco.

In the article, "A systematic review and meta-analysis of the intergenerational transmission of criminal behavior," the researchers also noted that the transfer of criminal behaviour from generation to generation is high in the United States compared to Denmark and Sweden. In the United States the government adopts harsher punishments.

The research revealed that children of criminal parents had a 2.4 times higher chance of falling into crime than children without criminal parents. After the figures had been screened for other factors  such as socioeconomic status, family size, teenage parenthood, conflict with parents, level of education enjoyed, and child abuse  the chance that children with criminal parents break the law was still 1.8 times higher.

This transfer was the strongest from mothers to daughters, followed by mothers to sons, fathers to daughters and then fathers to sons. A possible explanation for this is the traditional role of the mother in child raising or the absence of the father, for example in a single parent family or where the father is in prison. Also it is less usual for women to exhibit criminal behaviour and that makes the problem of these mothers more extreme and consequently the transfer of the behaviour stronger. But the researchers do not provide any answers to this.

However, it was clear that the transfer of criminal behaviour was stronger for cohorts born after 1981. This is an important fact according to the researchers. After all, delinquents in the United States and Europe have been more harshly punished since the 1980s: more people are sent to prison and they receive longer prison sentences. In the 1960s and 1970s there was more of an emphasis on the integration and rehabilitation of delinquents.

Humane prison system

Besemer: "In the Netherlands, for example, a tolerant and social prison policy developed after the Second World War with a humane prison system and humane punishments. Until the end of the 1980s, the number of prisoners per head of population was the lowest in Western Europe. There was a turning point after that, and the Netherlands became stricter for several decades. In recent years, however, the number of prisoners in the Netherlands has decreased again."

No conclusive evidence

There is no conclusive evidence for a causal relationship between criminal parents and criminal behaviour in their children. Sytske Besemer: "But these children are subjected to a strong combination of risk factors for criminality. They find themselves in the situation where antisocial behaviour is easy to learn, in environments with 'risk factors for criminality," and they also bear the brunt of the government's prejudices towards them. There might well be an inheritable antisocial tendency as well. All of these factors reinforce each other."

Governments should switch from a short-term focus on trying to control crime to a genuine prevention of criminality to disrupt the crime cycle, argues Besemer. "Interventions aimed at the children of sentenced parents could be a fruitful starting point. Examples are intervention programmes that involve the entire family, such as education and training courses for parents."

Sytske Besemer (1982) worked until 2014 with Rubicon funding on her research "Intergenerational continuity of criminal behaviour, family dynamics, and the criminal justice system" at the University of California at Berkeley. The meta-analysis published on 27 October 2017 is the most important result that emerged from the Rubicon-funded research.

More information: Sytske Besemer et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the intergenerational transmission of criminal behavior, Aggression and Violent Behavior (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2017.10.004
Coal ash from China's high-uranium coal deposits, such as what is produced by this power plant, is too radioactive to be reused in building materials, a new study shows. Credit: Shifeng Dai

Manufacturers are increasingly using encapsulated coal ash from power plants as a low-cost binding agent in concrete, wallboard, bricks, roofing and other building materials. But a new study by U.S. and Chinese scientists cautions that coal ash from high-uranium deposits in China may be too radioactive for this use.

"While most coals in China and the U.S. have typically low uranium concentrations, in some areas in China we have identified coals with high uranium content," said Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. "Combustion of these coals leaves behind the uranium and radium and generates coal ash with very high levels of radiation."

The level of radiation in this coal ash could pose human health risks, particularly if it is recycled for use in residential building materials, he said.

Some of the coal ash samples analyzed in the new study contained radiation levels more than 43 times higher than the maximum safe limit established for residential building materials by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

"The magnitude of radiation we found in some of the Chinese coal ash far exceeds safe standards for radiation in building materials," said Shifeng Dai, professor of geochemistry at the state key laboratory of coal resources and safe mining at China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) in Beijing and Xuzhou, China. "This calls into question the use of coal ash originating from uranium-rich coals for these purposes."

Vengosh, Dai and their teams published their findings Nov. 8 in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science and Technology.

The new paper is part of an ongoing collaboration between researchers at CUMT, Duke and Duke Kunshan University to identify the environmental impacts of coal and coal ash in China. Vengosh holds a secondary faculty appointment at Duke Kunshan, which is in China.

To conduct their study, the scientists measured naturally occurring radioactivity in high-uranium coals from 57 sites in China. They also measured radiation levels in coal ash residues produced from this coal, and in soil collected from four sites.

"By comparing the ratio of uranium in the coal to the radioactivity of the coal ash, we identified a threshold at which uranium content in coal becomes too high to allow coal ash produced from it to be used safely in residential building construction," said Nancy Lauer, a Ph.D. student at Duke's Nicholas School, who led the research.

This thresholdroughly 10 parts per million of uranium is applicable to high-uranium coal deposits worldwide, not just in China, "and should be considered when deciding whether to allow coal ash to be recycled into building materials," she said.

All radionuclide measurements of coal and coal ash samples were conducted in Vengosh's lab at Duke.

"Since our findings demonstrate that using ash from this high-uranium coal is not suitable in building materials, the challenge becomes, how do we dispose of it in ways that limit any potential water or air contamination," Vengosh said. "This question requires careful consideration."
An Early Neolithic grave from Bataszek (Hungary), which was also part of the DNA analyses. Credit: Anett Osztas

(Phys.org)A large international team of researchers has found that Neolithic hunter-gatherers living in several parts of Europe interbred with farmers from the Near East. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes comparing DNA from several early groups in Europe and evidence of interbreeding.

The Neolithic period, often described as the New Stone Age, was a period of human history from approximately 15,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE. It was a time defined by the development of settlements and the refinement of tools and the arts. Prior research has shown that people living in what is now Germany, Hungary and Spain were mostly hunter-gatherers during the early Neolithic period, but were "replaced" by farmers moving in from the Near East (Anatolia). In this new effort, the researchers suggest that interbreeding between the two groups led to the decline of the hunter-gatherers. The end result is that most modern Europeans are descended from the Near East immigrant farmers, but have remnants of hunter-gatherer DNA.

To learn more about the early history of humans in Europe, the researchers obtained and analyzed 180 DNA samples of people from early Hungary, Germany and Spain dating from between 6,000 and 2,200 BCE. They used data from the DNA analysis to create a mathematical model, which was used to build a simulation of population interactions in the areas of study.

Sampling of petrous bone from a human skull. Credit: Balazs G. Mende

The researchers found that there was a lot more breeding going on between the two groups than has been thought. They found that as the farmers moved in, interbreeding began almost immediately. It continued for approximately the next several hundred years at all of the sites under study, though the team reports a more rapid pace in Spain and Germany than in Hungary.

The researchers note that their findings make sense logically, as wellit would seem far more likely that contact between the two groups would result in interbreeding, rather than one group simply out-reproducing the other to the point that the original group simply disappeared.

Middle Neolithic Collective grave of La Mina, Spain, excavation situation Credit: Manolo Rojo Guerra

Cave Els Trocs in the Spanish pyrenees with Early Neolithic burials, discussion between members of the excavation group. Credit: Kurt Werner Alt

Geographic locations of the samples analyzed in the study "Parallel palaeogenomic transects reveal complex genetic history of early European farmers" with a close-up of Hungary (based on figure 1a-b from Nature, Lipson/Szecsenyi-Nagy et al. 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature24476). Credit: Nature, Lipson/Szecsenyi-Nagy et al. 2017.

More information: Mark Lipson et al. Parallel palaeogenomic transects reveal complex genetic history of early European farmers, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature24476 Abstract

Ancient DNA studies have established that Neolithic European populations were descended from Anatolian migrants who received a limited amount of admixture from resident hunter-gatherers. Many open questions remain, however, about the spatial and temporal dynamics of population interactions and admixture during the Neolithic period. Here we investigate the population dynamics of Neolithization across Europe using a high-resolution genome-wide ancient DNA dataset with a total of 180 samples, of which 130 are newly reported here, from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods of Hungary (60002900 BC, n = 100), Germany (55003000 BC, n = 42) and Spain (55002200 BC, n = 38). We find that genetic diversity was shaped predominantly by local processes, with varied sources and proportions of hunter-gatherer ancestry among the three regions and through time. Admixture between groups with different ancestry profiles was pervasive and resulted in observable population transformation across almost all cultural transitions. Our results shed new light on the ways in which gene flow reshaped European populations throughout the Neolithic period and demonstrate the potential of time-series-based sampling and modelling approaches to elucidate multiple dimensions of historical population interactions. Press release Journal information: Nature

 2017 Phys.org
The result of the surfactants' action. Credit: Ravan Rahimov

Chemists from RUDN University have synthesized new surfactants and studied their characteristics. The compounds obtained can efficiently collect petroleum spilled on the surface of water. The scientists have reported their findings in the Journal of Molecular Liquids.

During their research, the chemists have synthesized new ionic and nonionic surfactants. To do that, they first obtained nonionic surfactants, monoisopropylamines and diisopropylamines, and then turned them into ion forms using polymethacrylic acid.

The scientists have identified the physicochemical and colloid-chemical parameters of the compounds. An important property of the synthesized substances is their ability to localize thin (less than one millimeter) petroleum films on the surface of waterthat is, to limit their distribution, forming thicker oil spillages with lesser area.

"It is known that the problem of the global ocean petroleum pollution is relevant because of the intensification of the rates of petroleum production and the ever-larger volumes of petroleum being transported along waterways. When spilled petroleum is collected mechanically, a thin film (< 1mm) remains on the surface, which can only be localized by physico-chemical methods, including the use of petroleum-collecting surfactants," says Ravan Rahimov from the Department of Organic Chemistry of the RUDN University.

Many petroleum-collecting surfactants are not easily dissolved in water. That impedes the diffusion speed and slows down the spillage localization. The researchers have managed to improve both diffusion and adsorption, the latter meaning concentration of substance on the boundary of the mediums, in this case water and petroleum.

In the course of the research, the scientists used such methods as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, conductometry (measuring of the solutions' electroconductivity), and viscometry (measuring of the fluid viscosity). They also used the tensiometric method (precision measurement of surface tension) to establish that compounds produced on the basis of one of the compounds studied, dodecylamine, exhibit the greatest surface activity. Also, the efficiency of petroleum collection is influenced by the intensity of the formation of micellesindependently formed aggregates of molecules. Their formation is related to the structural features of the surfactant molecules (for example, the size of the nonpolar radical and the nature of the polar group).

The scientist describes the petroleum-collecting surfactant's action: "The petroleum-collecting reagent spontaneously spreads and creates surface pressure. This pressure influences the petroleum film on the water surface. When the pressure of the reagent spread is more than the pressure of the petroleum spread, the film thickens and shrinks under the surfactant's spread pressure."

In their work, the chemists cite the data on comparing the compounds they had obtained with other surfactants by their ability to collect petroleum. The compounds synthesized have shown high efficiency in each of the three environments in which the measurements were conducted: distilled, fresh and sea water; in particular, the best results were obtained using the sea water.

The research was conducted in collaboration with the scientists from the Institute of Petrochemical Processes of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

More information: Ziyafaddin H. Asadov et al, Alkyl chain and head-group effect of mono- and diisopropylolalkylamine-polymethacrylic acid complexes in aqueous solution, Journal of Molecular Liquids (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2017.09.042
Tech companies face dilemma after conundrum after balancing act, and now the spotlight is on their funding sources.

There's Saudi money. Russian money. And let's not forget money from ads and fake news that add fuel to the raging fire of cultural, racial, political and religious divisions in the United States and elsewhere.

There are questions surrounding Russian investor Yuri Milner's investments in Facebook and Twitter after a New York Times report that showed Kremlin-backed money was included in those investments. (Milner pushed back against the report, saying it's all a part of doing business, and saying the timing of his investments don't coincide with suspected Russian meddling into the 2016 U.S. presidential election. He also said, "just to be Russian, suddenly, is to be under suspicion.")

In addition, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the billionaire tech investor who has holdings in Apple, Twitter and Lyft, has been arrested. News of what the Saudi government is calling a crackdown on corruption - dozens are being held - emerged over the weekend.

"We need to talk about this money because, boy, is there a whole lot of it - and as the world's moneyed dictators, oligarchs and other characters look for more places to park their billions, mountains more will be coming to Silicon Valley," columnist Farhad Manjoo wrote in the New York Times.

A recent Bloomberg report showed that Facebook and Google helped push anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-refugee ads in swing states during the elections - a glaring contrast to the publicly espoused views of the companies and their chief executives. Facebook and Google have advocated for immigrants. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has dined with refugees. Both he and Google CEO Sundar Pichai have called for support of Muslims.

During last week's Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about Russian ads and fake news, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, asked the general counsels of Facebook, Twitter and Google how much profit they made from Russian propaganda surrounding the 2016 elections. The companies had no response.

There are plenty of other recent examples of tech companies profiting from hate and misinformation, from PayPal providing payment support to hate sites such as JihadWatch to Google continuing to cash in on ads on fake-news sites.

Where do the companies draw the line? Should they?

Also, what's a principled tech user to do when it seems no tech company is conflict-free? The introspection and push for changes that seem necessary at this point isn't limited to the tech companies - we use their products, too.

We're coming to find out that "anything you use that's financially free might have another cost to it," said Ann Skeet, director of Leadership Ethics with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, in a phone interview with SiliconBeat Tuesday.

"Companies respond to customers and markets," Skeet added. Maybe that means "not using a site for a while until certain conditions are met."

She said many of these tech companies began with, and still have, good intentions.

As they've grown and made money from various sources and users, some of whom do not share those good intentions, "they have to decide: Is that the business they want to stay in?" Skeet said.

And amid troubling times in tech, Silicon Valley historian Leslie Berlin, who has written "Troublemakers," a book about the tech industry's rise here, said in an interview with this publication last week: "We can't lose sight of how important these companies have been for pushing economy forward, and for really enhancing people's lives. (The problems) are the flip side of how important they have become to us."

2017 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The fossils provide further evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures. Credit: Northern Illinois University

At Northern Illinois University, Dan Gebo opens a cabinet and pulls out a drawer full of thin plastic cases filled with clear gelatin capsules. Inside each numbered capsule is a tiny fossilsome are so small they rival the diminutive size of a mustard seed.

It's hard to imagine that anyone would be able to recognize these flecks as fossils, much less link them to an ancient world that was very different from our own, yet has quite a bit to do with usor the evolution of us.

The nearly 500 finger and toe bones belonged to tiny early primatessome half the size of a mouse. During the mid-Eocene period, about 45 million years ago, they lived in tree canopies and fed on fruit and insects in a tropical rainforest in what is now China.

The fossilized phalanges are described in detail in a new study by Gebo and colleagues, published online this fall ahead of print in the Journal of Human Evolution.

Representing nine different taxonomic families of primates and as many as 25 species, the specimens include numerous fossils attributed to Eosimias, the very first anthropoid known to date, and three fossils attributed to a new and much more advanced anthropoid. The anthropoid lineage would later include monkeys, apes and humans.

"The fossils are extraordinarily small, but in terms of quantity this is the largest single assemblage of fossil primate finger and toe specimens ever recorded," said Gebo, an NIU professor of anthropology and biology who specializes in the study of primate anatomy.

All of the finger and toe fossils imply tree-dwelling primates with grasping digits in both hands and feet. Many of the smaller fossils are between 1 and 2 millimeters in length, and the animals would have ranged in full body size from 10 to 1,000 grams (0.35 to 35.3 ounces).

"The new study provides further evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures, the size of a mouse or smaller," Gebo said. "It also adds to the evidence pointing toward Asia as the initial continent for primate evolution. While apes and fossil humans do come from Africa, their ancestors came from Asia."

The tiny finger and toe fossils are kept in clear gelatin capsules. Credit: Northern Illinois University

The newly described fossils were originally recovered from a commercial quarry near the village of Shanghuang in the southern Jiangsu Province of China, about 100 miles west of Shanghai. In recent decades, Shanghuang has become well-known among paleontologists.

"Shanghuang is truly an amazingly diverse fossil primate locality, unequaled across the Eocene," Gebo said. "Because no existing primate communities show this type of body-size distribution, the Shanghuang primate fauna emphasizes that past ecosystems were often radically different from those we are familiar with today."

Co-author Christopher Beard, a paleontologist at the University of Kansas in Lawrence who has been working on Shanghuang fossils for 25 years, said the limestone in the quarry is of Triassic agefrom the very beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs some 220 million years ago. Owing to a subsequent phase of erosion, the limestone developed large fissures containing fossil-rich sediments dating to the middle Eocene, after dinosaurs went extinct.

In the early 1990s, more than 10 tons of fossil-bearing matrix were collected from the fissures and shipped to the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. There, the matrix was washed and screened, yielding fossil bones and teeth from ancient mammals, many of which remain to be identified.

"Because of commercial exploitation of the quarry site, the fossil-bearing fissure-fillings at Shanghuang are now exhausted," Beard said. "So, the fossils that we currently have are all that will ever be found from this site."

Gebo was initially recruited during the late 1990s to spearhead research on primate limb and ankle bones from Shanghuang. That led to two publications in 2000, when he and colleagues first announced the discovery of 45 million-year-old, thumb-length primates, the smallest ever recovered, from this same site. The work identifying body parts also helped cement the status of Eosimias, first identified by Beard on the basis of jaw fragments discovered at the site, as an extremely primitive anthropoid lying at the very beginning of our lineage's evolutionary past.

In more recent years, Gebo found additional specimens, sifting through miscellaneous elements from Shanghuang both at the Carnegie Museum and the University of Kansas. He brought the delicate and minuscule finger and toe fossils to NIU for study using traditional and electron-scanning microscopes.

The fossils that endured the millennia may be small but still have a story to tell. "We can actually identify different types of primates from the shapes of their fingers and toes," Gebo said.

Professor Dan Gebo. Credit: Northern Illinois University

Primates are mammals, characterized by having bigger brains, grasping hands and feet, nails instead of claws and eyes located in the front of the skull. Living prosimians, or living lower primates, include lemurs and tarsiers, and have broader fingertips. In contrast, most living anthropoids, also known as higher primates, have narrow fingertips.

Fossils from the unnamed advanced anthropoid are narrow, Gebo said.

"These are the earliest known examples of those narrow fingers and toes that are key to anthropoid evolution," he added. "We can see evolution occurring at this site, from the broader finger or toe tips to more narrow."

Unlike other prehistoric forests across the globe that have a mixture of large and small primates, Shanghuang's fossil record is unique in being nearly absent of larger creatures.

The unusual size distribution is likely the result of a sampling bias, Gebo said. Researchers might be missing the larger primate fauna because of processes affecting fossil preservation, and for similar reasons scientists at other Eocene localities could be missing the small-sized fauna.

"Many of the fossil specimens from Shanghuang show evidence of partial digestion by predatory birds, which may have specialized on preying upon the small primates and other mammals that are so common at Shanghuang, thus explaining the apparent bias toward small fossil species there," Beard added.

Some of the primate fossils found in Shanghuang are found in other countries. Eosimias fossils have been recovered in Myanmar, for example. But Shanghuang stands out because of the presence of more advanced anthropoids and the sheer diversity of primates.

"You don't find all of these fossil primates in one place except at Shanghuang," Gebo said.

More information: Daniel L. Gebo et al, Phalangeal morphology of Shanghuang fossil primates, Journal of Human Evolution (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.08.001 Journal information: Journal of Human Evolution
Members of the sKan team meet James Dyson during a visit to the company's UK Headquarters last week. Credit: McMaster University

What started as a final year engineering class project at McMaster University is now an internationally recognized improved solution for the early detection of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Michael Takla, Rotimi Fadiya, Prateek Mathur and Shivad Bhavsar, all graduates of McMaster's Electrical and Biomedical Engineering program, have received the prestigious James Dyson Award and $50K to support the development of The sKan, the team's skin cancer detection device.

The sKan was one of only two Canadian projects that made the shortlist of 20 finalists, selected from over 1,000 entries from 23 countries by a panel of Dyson engineers. Named after the renowned British inventor, designer and force behind Dyson, the home appliance technology company, the James Dyson award celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers.

The sKan assists physicians and the average person in detecting melanoma by creating a thermal map on the region of interest on the skin. The device is made up of 16 temperature-sensitive components called thermistors that look for areas of significant temperature difference on the skin, which may indicate risk of melanoma.

Current diagnosis methods are purely qualitative and based only on visual inspection. The sKan provides quantitative information about skin spots so that physicians can select appropriate patients for a biopsy.

"We came across the issue of skin cancer and how technology hasn't had the same impact on its diagnosis as it has on other fields in medicine,"Mathur said. "We found research that used the thermal properties of cancerous skin tissue as a means of detecting melanoma. However, this was done using expensive lab equipment. We set out to apply the research and invent a way of performing the same assessment using a more cost-effective solution."

The knowledge the team gained from their undergraduate engineering program, which has since evolved into the new Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBiomed) program, helped them develop and execute their idea.

"Our education on anatomy and physiology allowed us to understand the physiological concepts discussed in the research papers we used," said Bhavsar. "We were also able to design a large portion of our electrical system based on the knowledge we gained from our Electrical & Computer Engineering courses."

Hubert deBruin, Co-Director, iBiomed, Michael Noseworthy, Director, School of Biomedical Engineering and Raimond Wong, Associate Professor, Department of Oncology worked closely with the team as mentors while working on sKan for their final year engineering capstone project.

"They played a big role in the development of our device," Takla said. "They provided guidance in the design, made us aware of possible sources of error and provides suggestions when we came across challenges. Dr. Noseworthy was also kind to offer us his lab space and equipment for us to complete some preliminary calibration tables."

"I'm elated to see students from our program developing a start-up that can have direct impact on patient health," said Noseworthy. "The Biomedical Engineering faculty at McMaster are always focusing on real life medical problems and how engineering can play a pivotal role in solutions."

Raimond Wong, who is also chair of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Site Group at the Juravinksi Cancer Centre, assisted the team in providing a clinical perspective on the project.

"Engineering students will spend all of their time and effort to work towards finding a solution" said Wong. "They're willing to listen carefully to what the problem is and find all the answers they can get from all sources. It's exciting to work with students like that."

"We're proud of The sKan team for winning this international award," said Ishwar K. Puri, McMaster's Dean of Engineering. "At McMaster Engineering we inspire all of our students to have big ideas through design thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship. We educate them to become engaged citizen scholars who will transform the world and solve those wicked problems our society faces."

The next step for the sKan group is to create a new prototype that will bring them to the pre-clinical testing phase.

"Our aspirations have become a reality," said Mathur. "Skin cancers are the most common form of cancer worldwide, and the potential to positively impact the lives of those affected is both humbling and motivating."
The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) satellite, a 3U CubeSat, is shown with solar panels fully deployed, flanking the body of the spacecraft, which has a circular aperture at the top for the microwave radiometer antenna, used for atmospheric science measurements. There are also two small, thin tape-measure antennas on the top, used for UHF radio communication with the ground station. Credit: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Behind every weather forecastfrom your local, five-day prediction to a late-breaking hurricane track updateare the satellites that make them possible. Government agencies depend on observations from weather satellites to inform forecast models that help us prepare for approaching storms and identify areas that need evacuating or emergency first responders.

Weather satellites have traditionally been large, both in the effort needed to build them and in actual size. They can take several years to build and can be as big as a small school bus. But all of that could change in the future with the help of a shoebox-sized satellite that will start orbiting Earth later this month.

The NASA-funded CubeSat, called Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA), will be launched into Earth's orbit from the rocket carrying the next big U.S. weather satellite (NOAA's JPSS-1) into space. MiRaTA is designed to demonstrate that a small satellite can carry instrument technology that's capable of reducing the cost and size of future weather satellites and has the potential to routinely collect reliable weather data.

Microwave radiometers are one of the workhorse instruments aboard today's weather satellites. These sensitive instruments measure radio frequency signals related to the thermal radiation emitted by atmospheric gases, such as molecular oxygen and water vapor, and also detect particles such as cloud ice. These data are key inputs for models that track storms and other weather events. Calibrating these radiometers is important for keeping them from drifting so their data can be used for accurate weather and climate models. Therefore, a calibration target is usually included in the satellite to help the radiometer maintain its accuracy.

Miniaturizing microwave radiometer instruments to fit on a CubeSat leads to the challenge of finding a calibration instrument that is not only accurate but also compact, said Kerri Cahoy, principal investigator for MiRaTA and an associate professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "You don't have room for the bulky calibration targets that you would normally use on larger satellites," Cahoy said. "Microwave radiometer calibration targets on larger satellites can be the size of a toaster, but for CubeSats, it would have to be the size of a deck of cards."

Cahoy and her colleague William Blackwell, the microwave radiometer instrument lead at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, have come up with a solution based on a technique she studied in graduate school called radio occultation (RO), whereby radio signals received from GPS satellites in a higher orbit are used to measure the temperature of the same volume of atmosphere that the radiometer is viewing. The GPS-RO temperature measurement can then be used for calibrating the radiometer.

"In physics class, you learn that a pencil submerged in water looks like it's broken in half because light bends differently in the water than in the air," Cahoy said. "Radio waves are like light in that they refract when they go through changing densities of air, and we can use the magnitude of the refraction to calculate the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere with near-perfect accuracy and use this to calibrate a radiometer."

In 2012 NASA's In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies (InVEST) program issued a request for technology demonstration proposals, which prompted Blackwell and Cahoy, who was then teaching at MIT, put their theory to the test by offering a project to Cahoy's students in her sensors and instrumentation class to determine if the idea was feasible. When two students demonstrated through computer modeling that radio occultation could indeed function for radiometer calibration, Cahoy and Blackwell asked The Aerospace Corporation's Rebecca Bishop, who has developed GPS-RO receivers for CubeSats, to join the team. They then submitted a full proposal for MiRaTA to NASA, which gave the greenlight for funding in the spring of 2013.

Building MiRaTA was a team effort. Bishop modified an off-the-shelf, low-cost GPS receiver to make the radio occultation measurements for calibration; MIT Lincoln Laboratory and University of Massachusetts Amherst applied their engineering skills to further miniaturize the microwave radiometer; and Cahoy and her student team, guided by expert mentors at MIT Lincoln, built the satellite that would house everything.

"Building a CubeSat can be hard because you have to put batteries, a radio, a computer, your instruments, wheels that you spin to tip and turn your satellite, and folded solar panels and antennas all into a very small space," Cahoy said. "And you're using the space equivalent of scotch tape and super glue to constrain this mess of wires and connectors and get it into its housing.

"But," Cahoy added, "the hard work will really pay off in great science data if it all goes as planned."

In the best-case scenario, three weeks after launch MiRaTA will be fully operational, and within three months the team will have obtained validation data from both the radiometer and the GPS receiver. The big goal for the missiondeclaring the technology demonstration a successwould be confirmed a bit farther down the road, at least half a year away, following the data analysis.

If MiRaTA's technology validation is successful, Cahoy said she envisions an eventual constellation of these CubeSats orbiting the entire Earth, taking snapshots of the state of the atmosphere and weather every 15 minutesfrequent enough to track storms, from blizzards to hurricanes, in real time. "Our goal is to have our radiometers perform just as well as those on current weather satellites and be able to provide the kind of data that helps agencies and people in the path of a natural disaster prepare early and wisely," she said.

"This is a very exciting mission as it will be the first on-orbit demonstration of an all-weather, three-frequency radiometer CubeSat using atmospheric GPS-RO-based calibration," said NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Charles Norton, a program associate in NASA's Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) and the task manager for MiRaTA. "It's a true testament to the creativity and innovation of the teams involved that they're advancing measurement technologies for future small satellite constellation missions," he said, while adding that Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory and NASA Wallops Flight Facility are supporting ground station and mission operations for the CubeSat.

MiRaTA and other Earth science InVEST missions are funded and managed by NASA's ESTO program in NASA's Earth Science Division. ESTO supports technologists at NASA centers, industry and academia to develop, refine and demonstrate new methods for observing Earth from space, from information systems to new components and instruments.

Small satellites, including CubeSats, are playing an increasingly larger role in exploration, technology demonstration, scientific research and educational investigations at NASA, including: planetary space exploration; Earth observations; fundamental Earth and space science; and developing precursor science instruments like cutting-edge laser communications, satellite-to-satellite communications and autonomous movement capabilities.
Stanford biology graduate student Tim White and and Kosta Stamoulis of the University of Hawaii track a gray reef shark within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Credit: Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium

The Trump administration is considering rolling back federal protections for a number of national monuments. While most are on land and relatively accessible, three are deep below the ocean's surface and many miles from the mainland: the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, both in the central Pacific Ocean, and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the coast of New England. While most people will never explore the canyons and reefs of these watery realms, their value is hard to overestimate, according to Stanford scientists with years of experience exploring and studying these and adjacent areas.

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment spoke with marine experts Rob Dunbar, Fiorenza Micheli, Stephen Palumbi and Tim White about potential impacts from a loss of protections, including the resumption of commercial fishing in currently off-limits areas.

Why are protected ocean areas such as these so important?

Micheli: These are the only protected areas that are large enough to effectively protect highly mobile species, including sharks and seabirds. Within protected areas, fish and invertebrates can also attain large size. These large animals are ecologically important, but also support fisheries productivity and value through their high reproductive output and replenishment of fishing grounds, and their high value when they leave the protected areas and are caught.

Dunbar: These areas are home to large and very long-lived animals such as deep-sea corals and sponges. They provide habitat space for all kinds of smaller and mobile animals like fish and seem to be important nursery grounds for a number of key fish species. The shallow water areas are often important coral reef ecosystems that provide space and complexity that all other reef organisms depend on.

What short- and long-term impacts would the resumption of commercial fishing have on these areas?

Dunbar: If a trawl fisherman runs a net along the bottom, the destruction can be near total. Ecosystems may not return to a pre-disturbance state for many thousands of years. Fish recruitment declines, and the fisherman has killed the goose that lays golden eggs. It's short-term gain and long-term disaster.

Palumbi: A major problem is the bycatch of species such as sharks, turtles and birds that fishermen do not want and cannot sell  sharks especially.

Stanford biology graduate student Tim White watches a shark swim by in the shallow waters of Palmyra Atoll within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Credit: Mike Burnett

White: It's not just fishing. If marine monuments are axed we could also see oil drilling and deep-sea mining happening just a 20-minute boat ride away from our nation's healthiest coral reefs. This totally contradicts a bipartisan conservation legacy in the central Pacific: President George W. Bush created the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in 2009 and President Obama expanded this protection in 2014.

What do you make of the argument that the migratory nature of various fish means that monuments do little to actually protect them?

Dunbar: These monuments are effective breeding, reproduction and juvenile growth areas. By going farther afield from the monuments to catch fish, fishermen are more likely to still be able to catch fish in 10 or 20 years. The burden really needs to be on the fishing industry to prove convincingly that these areas can support more commercial activity without harming the resource.

Micheli: Several studies have documented a "fishing the line" response where fishing tends to redistribute and concentrate around the edges of protected areas. Increased reproductive output by large and more abundant animals within protected areas and migration of a fraction of individuals across their boundaries have been shown to compensate for shifts in fishing grounds. It is also important to remember that current protection amounts to less than 4 percent of the ocean, less than 2 percent protected from all extractive uses.

What, if anything, might be misunderstood or poorly understood in a federal analysis of whether to roll back protections in any or all of these areas?

Micheli: The expected economic gains of a protections rollback are poorly understood, likely overestimated and most likely unsustainable. The consequences for marine biodiversity and ocean resilience to climate variability and extremes are major and should be clearly accounted for in federal analysis.

Palumbi: Fishing is not a precisely targeted business that lets you take only what you are authorized to take. Fishermen catch a range of other species besides what they are licensed for, like sharks that play important roles in ocean ecosystems. It's like foresters on national lands being allowed to cut down a few large redwoods, but bulldozing dozens of other trees to get them. A second issue is who crews these boats  there have been reports of low-paid foreign workers virtually imprisoned on boats, unable to leave the boat at port because they lack documentation.

Dunbar: What's happening now has the appearance of rollback by fiat  without taking into consideration years, if not decades, of sound science. There is a reason these areas were protected and those reasons were based on careful and thoughtful analysis of the available data and the proposals evolved over a long period of time.
Parker Solar Probe arrives at the integration and testing facility at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

On Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, NASA's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, for environmental tests. During the spacecraft's stay at Goddard, engineers and technicians will simulate extreme temperatures and other physical stresses that the spacecraft will be subjected to during its historic mission to the Sun.

Before arriving at Goddard, Parker Solar Probe was at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, where it was designed and built.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is scheduled for launch on July 31, 2018, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The spacecraft will explore the Sun's outer atmosphere and make critical observations that will answer decades-old questions about the physics of stars. The resulting data will also help improve how we forecast major eruptions on the Sun and subsequent space weather events that can impact life on Earth, as well as satellites and astronauts in space.

Parker Solar Probe is removed from its shipping container inside the integration and testing facility at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

Parker Solar Probe is wheeled into a clean room at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

Technicians examine Parker Solar Probe in a clean room at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

Provided by NASA
The Northern Territory is currently experiencing an outbreak of banana freckle. Credit: Wikimedia

Irish horse Rekindling's win in the 2017 Melbourne Cup follows months of training, an aeroplane journey across the world, and, because this is Australia, a month in quarantine.

As a country, we have some of the most stringent quarantine regulations in the world, and even if you are a multi-million dollar champion racehorse, you still have to play by the rules.

Rekindling, along with the ten other international horses competing in the Cup, would have spent a minimum of 14 days in pre-travel quarantine in Department of Agriculture and Water Resources approved quarantine facilities in their home countries. Once they arrive in Australia, the horses would then have spent a minimum 14 days quarantined at the commonwealth-operated Post-Entry Quarantine facility at Mickleham in Victoria.

This may seem exacting, but an exotic pathogen or pest carried with a horse could have a devastating impact on the Australian environment and economy.

Biosecurity touches the lives of every Australian, every day  from the food we eat, to our environment, and to the economy. Being free of many diseases, weeds and pests, and responding rapidly and effectively when outbreaks occur, keeps Australia's industries productive and protects our unique environments and ecosystems.

Our status as a producer of high-quality, safe animal and plant products is essential to the wellbeing of our economy and overall quality of life. This means biosecurity is a shared responsibility. It is about governments, industry and the community working together to manage risks.

When disease strikes

The cost of an invasion can be very high for farmers, industry, the community, and the economy. For example, the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza is estimated to have cost around $522 million in direct and indirect losses.

The outbreak was the most serious animal disease emergency in recent Australian history. At its peak, 47,000 horses were infected in NSW on 6,000 properties, and horse owners and industry workers faced major impacts on their livelihood and lifestyle. The disease was eradicated in six months.

Likewise, in 2007 there was a detection of Khapra beetle in some personal belongings arriving in Perth. This beetle can cause losses of 75 per cent in stored grain, potentially costing an estimated $117 million per year if it became established in Western Australia.

Australia is currently dealing with a number of invasions, by eradication if possible or by management if not, including:

Millions of cargo containers arrive into Australian ports every year. Credit: Andrew Robinson

an outbreak of banana freckle in Cavendish bananas in the Northern Territory, first detected in 2013. In 2015, the banana industry was devastated again after the discovery of Panama Disease TR4 on a property in Queensland. The estimated cost of eradicating banana freckle and Panama TR4 is currently $26 million and the national response is ongoing

the discovery of TomatoPotato Psyllid (TPP) in Perth in February 2017. Once established, this insect is impossible to eradicate. TPP can carry zebra chip disease in potatoes, which cost the New Zealand potato industry $45 million in 2008/2009. If established in Australia, it could reduce production by an estimated 20 to 50 per cent

Managing biosecurity threats in Australia

Millions of people, mail parcels, baggage, ships, animals, plants and cargo containers enter Australia every year. A range of sophisticated technologies and approaches including research, shared international resources and intelligence, help prevent the introduction and spread of disease.

Surveillance and monitoring of risk areas are critical, along with border control activities, to manage potential biosecurity threats at Australia's airports, seaports and international mail centres.

These practices mean our nation is one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world's most severe pests, weeds and diseases. While our geographical isolation plays a key role in maintaining this status, this is rapidly changing as the barriers of time and distance become less relevant and international travel and trade increase.

And the onshore risks are only increasing with time.

Population changes and expanding urban areas are bringing people closer to agricultural production and sensitive environmental areas. Climate change also brings new threats and different ways for diseases and pests to spread, risking our agriculture industries, our unique environment, native flora and fauna, our tourism industries and lifestyles.

Governments world-wide are responding to these increased threats by strengthening biosecurity, and Australia's biosecurity system is looking at smarter ways to target the greatest risks, using intelligence-led, evidence-based and risk-weighted strategies.

My new book, Invasive Species  Risk Assessment and Management, also edited by Dr Terry Walshe, Professor Mark Burgman and Dr Mike Nunn, reviews the fundamental challenges of implementing effective and sustainable biosecurity measures, drawing largely on Australia's experiences.

It presents a comprehensive review of risk-based techniques that help policy makers and regulators to protect national interests from invasive pests, weeds and disease before, at and inside national borders. Much of the contents comes from the research of Australia and New Zealand's Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis.
Credit: University of Nottingham

Agencies and community groups in the UK need more dedicated funding to help fight modern slavery, according to a new report.

There is also a need for clearer leadership and co-ordination of anti-slavery activity, as well as consistency across the country in order to ensure appropriate services are provided to victims.

These are just some of the findings from the research report"Collaborating for Freedom: Anti-Slavery Partnerships in the U.K.," which explores how we can make our communities more resilient to modern slavery by bringing agencies together to combat crime.

The report is a collaborative project between experts at the University of Nottingham's Rights Lab and the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Kevin Hyland OBE.

The six-month project mapped UK 'modern slavery partnerships'groups of organisations coming together to address slavery locally and regionally. This mapping exercise was achieved through a targeted survey. The second phase of the research explored the different types of partnership work which is already taking place around the country and what has been successful.

Dr Alison Gardner, the lead researcher on the project from the University, said: "Local partnerships play a vital role in tackling modern slavery and by mapping their work we can start to share good practice and help to make our communities slavery-free."

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, who spearhead's the UK's fight against modern slavery, said: "Modern slavery is a brutal abuse, denying people of their dignity, safety and freedom. It impacts millions worldwide and thousands here in the UK. If we want to see more victims rescued and more perpetrators behind bars, we need to work together. Police, charities, local authorities, health services and others must not act in silos, and this research identifies how those agencies can better work in partnership to provide a professional response to stop this evil trade in human life."

The findings of the report will provide the first comprehensive overview of anti-slavery partnership work in the UK, together with an assessment of its strengths and challenges, and the associated implications for national and local policymakers.

The findings will be presented by experts from the University's Rights Lab and the Anti-Slavery Commissioner at a national conference on Thursday 9 November in the Trent Building at the University of Nottingham.

The conference, which is being held as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's annual Festival of Social Science, is also part of an anti-slavery awareness campaign, which has seen local organisations pledging their commitment to making Nottingham a slavery-free city.

Other key findings from the report show that:

Varying approaches in the way local agencies are addressing modern-slavery are affecting the consistency and quality of service responses.

Whilst many partnerships focus on training frontline staff and sharing information, the majority of partnerships were not yet influencing deeper problems of slavery, such as what is happening in their supply chains.

There is very little dedicated funding to promote joint planning of local anti-slavery activity.

There is high demand for increased co-ordination of partnership work at a national, sub-regional and local level.
Plant with thrips on it in a greenhouse. Credit: Stephanie Kruger / MLU

The bigger the male, the higher his chances to successfully matethis applies, at least, to thrips, insects measuring only two to three millimetres in length that are hard to recognise with the naked eye. The larger males not only drive off their smaller rivals, they also have better immune systems and produce more sperm. This discovery was made by biologists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). Their study is published in the Journal of Insect Behaviour.

"Larger males have better chances of procreating than their smaller rivals," says Dr Stephanie Kruger, the study's lead author. The researcher works alongside Dr Gerald Moritz, a professor of biology from Halle, who has been studying thrips for many years. Kruger has investigated a species of thrips called Echinothrips americanus which is only 1.3 millimetres in size. This species is a pest insect that came to Europe from the U.S. at the end of the 20th century, and is now a common occupant of Germany's greenhouses. These small insects, which belong to the order Thysanoptera cause major damage to the agriculture industry and the horticulture sector.

There are many reasons why the larger males have a higher reproduction success rate. "For one thing, strong males drive off their smaller rivals. Their size also allows them to more easily mount females when mating," says Kruger. Additionally, females from many different species of insect prefer larger males, as they promise a higher probability of survival for the eggs and offspring. Furthermore, the animals produce more secretions, which females use as nutrients during egg production. There is even a benefit to male fertility: they produce more sperm.

Until recently, little had been scientifically known about the reproductive biology of thrips. The biologists from Halle were able to refute, for example, the widespread hypothesis that so-called sternal glands impact mating success. The actual purpose of these glands, located on the insect's abdomen, remains unclear. Kruger has a hypothesis, and further research should allow her to determine whether male thrips guard the pupae with the intention of being the first to mate with the hatched females. "We presume that the males mark the territory they are guarding," says Kruger. If they have a larger pore plate, and consequently more sternal glands, they have an advantage over other males by being able to demarcate their territory. The biologist would also like to analyse whether the females actively seek out their mates or whether the larger males are more successful in finding a copulation partner due to their higher levels of aggression.

Development Biology research division at MLU, led by Professor Gerald Moritz, has been studying thrips for many years. The order encompasses more than 6,100 species. These micro-insects, with their stinging and sucking mouthparts, cause major damage in the agriculture industry. They infest cut flowers and damage fruit and vegetables by boring into the plant cells and extracting cell sap. They have diminished harvest yields of strawberries in the U.S. and Germany. In addition, several species transmit major plant viruses. Thrips are also a nuisance in the living rooms of plant lovers throughout the country. Their sucking activity leaves an optically displeasing, silver-grey discoloration on indoor plants like rubber plants and palms.

More information: Stephanie Krueger et al, Size Matters  Correlation of Body Size, Structure of Sternal Glands and Mating Success in Echinothrips Americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Journal of Insect Behavior (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s10905-017-9627-z

Provided by Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg
An infographic depicting results by King et al. Credit: Carla Schaffer / AAAS

With a readership that runs into the millions, few would argue that the New York Times doesn't influence public debate on a host of issues. But what about a news outlet with a circulation of only about 50,000?

The answer, says Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor Gary King, is that even small- to medium-sized media outlets can have a dramatic effect on the content and partisan balance of the national conversation about major public policy issues.

In the first large scale randomized media experiment ever conducted, King and former students Benjamin Schneer, now assistant professor at Florida State University, and Ariel White, now assistant professor at MIT, found that if just three outlets write about a particular major national policy topic - such as jobs, the environment, or immigration - discussion of that topic across social media rose by more than 62 percent, and the balance of opinion in the national conversation could be swayed several percentage points based on that coverage.

"For several hundred years, scholars have tried to measure the influence of the media. Most people think it is influential, but measuring this influence rigorously with randomized experiments has until now been impossible," King said. "Our findings suggest that the effect of the media is surprisingly large. Our study's implications suggest every journalist wields a major power and so has an important responsibility."

Those findings, King said, are the result of more than five years of work, much of which was spent convincing 48 news outlets to agree to take part in the study. Fortunately, about half of these outlets were represented by the Media Consortium, a network of independent news outlets, eager to find a way to measure impact and willing to help.

"Much of the work leading up to this study involved finding a way to bridge the cultural divide between journalism and science," King explained. "Through years of conversations, much trial and error, and a partnership with Media Consortium Executive Director Jo Ellen Green Kaiser, we learned to understand journalistic standards and practices, and the journalists learned to understand our scientific requirements. What ultimately made it all work was a novel research design we developed that satisfied both camps."

Though similar efforts have been tried in the past, they invariably collapsed as journalists chafed at the notion of being told what to report and when to report it.

To address the problem, previous researchers fell back on clever tricks, such as studying areas that fell outside the broadcast area of a particular outlet but, because no one knew whether the areas were truly random, they were hard to evaluate. Such studies faced many problems, particularly their inability to control for a host of factors like race, education, or income.

"From a scientific point of view, we have to be able to tell the journalists what to publish, and preferably at random times," King said. "From a journalistic point of view, these scientific requirements seem crazy, and journalists reasonably insist on retaining absolute control over what they publish. The two sets of requirements seem fundamentally incompatible, but we found a way to create a single research design that accomplished the goals of both groups."

It wasn't only the participation of news outlets that made the study noteworthy, though.

"If you're doing something like a medical experiment, you may randomly assign individual people to one of two groups, and then each person is your unit of analysis," he said. "But when a media outlet publishes something - no matter how small - the potential audience it could impact includes basically everybody in the country. That means our unit of analysis can't be a person; it has to be the entire country, which greatly increases the cost of the study." This means that the equivalent of an entire experiment in many other studies constitutes only one observation in this study.

Because collecting each observation was so expensive, and so logistically challenging, King and colleagues used, and further developed, novel statistical techniques to enable them to collect only as much data as needed. They could then examine, after each massive national experiment, whether they now had enough data to draw reliable conclusions.

"That allowed us to keep going until we got to the point where we had exactly as much data as we needed, and no more," King said. "As it turns out, we ran 35 national experiments that produced 70 observations."

To achieve the experimental randomization needed for the study, King's team, the Media Consortium staff, and journalists at the 48 outlets together identified 11 broad policy areas - like jobs, the environment, or immigration. They then simulated the tendency of journalists to influence each other and publish stories on similar topics, sometimes known as "pack journalism," by choosing three or four outlets from their participating group of 48 to develop stories together that fell into the same broad policy area.

"For example, if the policy area was jobs, one story might be about Uber drivers in the Philadelphia area," King said. "We would then identify a two-week period where we predicted there wouldn't be any surprises related to that topic area - so if the President was planning to give a speech about immigration in one of those two weeks, we would not run an experiment on immigration during that time."

Randomization came from researchers flipping a coin to determine which of those weeks would be the publication week, and which the control week.

"At first, our outlets didn't really understand what randomization meant," said Kaiser. "Our project manager Manolia Charlotin and the researchers worked very closely with all the outlets to ensure they followed the researchers' rules. This was a resource-intensive project for us, but the unexpected benefit was that outlets found they also gained many qualitative benefits from collaborating."

In both treatment and control weeks, King, Schneer, and White used tools and data from Harvard-based start-up Crimson Hexagon, to monitor the national conversation in social media posts. King is co-founder of Crimson Hexagon and, with a previous generation of now former Harvard students, developed the automated text technology that was originally licensed by Harvard to create the company. He explained that this methodology "is used to evaluate meaning in social media posts. So if you have a set of categories you care about, we identify example posts in these categories, which is what humans are good at," King said. "Then our algorithm can amplify that human intelligence and, without classifying individual posts, can accurately estimate the percent of posts in each category each day."

What they found, King said, is that the effect was larger than anyone anticipated.

"The actual effect is really big," King said. "If three outlets (with an average circulation of about 50,000) get together and write stories, the size of the national conversation in that policy area increases a lot - it's a 62 percent increase on the first day's volume distributed over the week, just from these three little outlets."

"These national conversations about major policy areas are essential to democracy," he added. "Today this conversation takes place, in part, in some of the 750 million publicly available social media posts written by people every dayand all available for research. At one time, the national conversation was whatever was said in the public square, where people would get up on a soapbox, or when they expressed themselves in newspaper editorials or water-cooler debates. This is a lot of what democracy is about." King explained, "The fact that the media has such a large influence on the content of this national conversation is crucial for everything from the ideological balance of the nation's media outlets, to rise of fake news, to the ongoing responsibility of professional journalists."

More information: G. King at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA el al., "How the news media activate public expression and influence national agendas," Science (2017). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi  1126/science.aao1100 Journal information: Science
A judge sent the Lincoln man responsible for several Belmont-area fires to prison Thursday, saying his actions showed a complete disregard for property, the lives of multiple pets and ultimately "for the lives of the people in your community.

I do think you pose a risk to this community, Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus said, sentencing David Fenstemaker to 19 to 24 years in prison.

But first, Fenstemaker, 44, said he just wanted to apologize to the court, to his family and to the people affected directly and indirectly by what he did.

In September, he pleaded no contest to second-degree arson and burglary for the Jan. 1 break-in at the Pet Care Center, 3220 N. 14th St., directly behind his girlfriend's apartment.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to pursue more charges arising from the investigation into other fires set in the same neighborhood at about the same time. But outside the hearing, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Dan Packard said his plea cleared about a half-dozen other arson cases.

On Jan. 1, surveillance cameras captured video of a masked man inside the pet clinic at 8:04 p.m. Six minutes after he left, firefighters responded to a fire alarm and found a couch almost entirely burned in a basement break room and a wooden chair burning in a main floor office.

Packard said the damage originally was estimated at $15,000, but later was believed to have been much greater.

Police came to suspect Fenstemaker when an officer saw him walking in the area two days later and stopped him, believing his gait was similar to the distinctive gait of the masked man on the video.

A search of his girlfriend's apartment turned up a police scanner, two-way radios, a can of lighter fluid, ski masks, boots and a gray jumpsuit that looked like the kind the suspect was wearing in the video, according to court records.

By then, police already were looking into seven fires they thought could be related, including two fires Oct. 3 at Belmont Baptist Church and two fires Dec. 5 at Aspen Haus, a three-story apartment building for people 55 and older.

Thursday, Deputy Lancaster County Public Defender Yohance Christie asked the judge not to consider any other allegations not charged.

Were not here on that today, he said.

Christie asked for a sentence that would give Fenstemaker a light at the end of the tunnel and allow him to get treatment.

In the end, Ideus went through Fenstemakers criminal history, which included charges of burglary and arson in Utah, though he denied he committed the arson there. And she said he was a high risk to reoffend.

Sir, when you broke into this facility, she said of the pet clinic, "you stole items, used an accelerant and you started a fire two different places.

And she sent him to prison.

Fenstemaker will have to serve about nine years before hes eligible for parole.
Integration of Self-Order Kiosks and POS

Self-Ordering Kiosks are becoming more popular in Quick Service and Fast Casual restaurants. Most recently McDonalds announced that they would be rolling out self-order kiosks to all of their 14,000 US stores. Many of the other major QSR players have followed suit with their own trials, pilots and rollout announcements, while in the Fast Casual space companies like Panera have been executing their own kiosk rollout strategy for some time.

Beyond the kiosk, the mission-critical system that these companies all have in common is of course their Point of Sale. But while the POS is a common component in all of these companies, it is often times from a different POS provider, given the number of options there are to choose from. This diversity of POS systems creates some challenges for the retailers now wanting to integrate kiosks, and also for the kiosk solution providers themselves.

There is, however, an organized way for both retailers and solution providers to work together and effectively go about the business of exploring kiosks and finding the best fit. The goal of both parties is to find the combination that provides the desired self-order kiosk function in a solution that is also well integrated with their POS, so as to mitigate issues with respect to cost, redundancy of data, support and long-term cost of ownership.

Keep in mind that what you are looking for as far as integration boils down to two key areas:

Integration of sales data on the kiosk into the sales database that is on the existing POS. You want the sales data from the kiosk to be included in the total sales reporting you get from the POS, but you also want to be able to separately see the sales that are being generated on just the kiosk; Integration of back-end systems, including payment processing and KDS. Through the POS, the kiosk should be able to make use of the payment processing/payment gateway services you already have in place. By the same token, the kiosk should be able to send prep information to the POS so that it in turn sends it to the KDS. In other words, leverage what you have. You should not be paying extra for separate payment processing and KDS services for just the kiosk; nor should you even consider those options from a pure operations standardization standpoint.

Start with Your POS Provider

Some POS solution providers have added self-ordering kiosk modules to their existing solution portfolio. This is clearly the safest and most expedient way to find a kiosk solution that is already fully integrated with your POS, since presumably the POS vendor will have done a good job with the integration of this new module into their existing POS framework. The vendor should be able to articulate how their native integration addresses both of the key points described above.

Even though this would be the preferred way to go, you still have to be cautious on one front, and that is with respect to the functionality of the POS vendors self-ordering kiosk software. Cost is, of course, a question to be raised, but in terms of functionality, you should make sure you know what youre getting.

The potential problem here is due to the fact that POS vendors, of course, specialize in POS systems, and not in self-ordering systems. As a result, they might have overlooked required functionality or some of the small functional components that arent readily apparent. They could also have rushed their product to market in order to take advantage of the growing self-order kiosk market.

In any case, also be aware that there is sometimes a tendency to look at self-ordering as easy to develop; straightforward; an extension of the POS, if you will. After having personally installed over 1,000 self-order systems, I can tell you that is not the case.

So, the message here is to do your due diligence and hopefully be able to take advantage of this option, which, at the end of the day, could be your shortest, and most cost-effective path to deploying self-ordering kiosks.

Note that a variation of this option would be to ask your POS vendor if they already work with (are integrated with) any self-ordering kiosk systems. If so, that could be just as effective for you, perhaps more so, as if the POS vendor had their own self-order module.

Look for Kiosk Software Vendors That Have POS Integration

If your current POS provider does not offer a self-ordering kiosk option or does offer one but it does not satisfy your requirements, then your best bet is to look for a kiosk software vendor that understands the importance of this integration point.

It can be costly and time-consuming for self-order kiosk software vendors to be integrated with more than, say 1 or 2 POS vendors. Usually, the integration is the result of a previous client engagement, and thats how the development effort was funded. However, there are now web-based third-party frameworks that essentially enable self-order kiosk software vendors to integrate with a number of the major POS systems on the market.

Look for a vendor that has been proactive in this respect and is upfront about the various POS systems their software is integrated with through one of these third parties. Keep in mind that there is a cost, but it is minimal and could be included in the software licensing cost or the cloud subscription cost, whichever you may be using for your self-order kiosk software.

With this option, you want to first see if the POS you are using is on the kiosk software vendors list of integrated systems. If it is, you can proceed to ask questions about the integration, whether there is a third-party framework involved, the cost, etc.

If neither of these options works out for you, then there is another to consider.

Discuss Integration Options & Costs with your Self-Order Kiosk Vendor

The kiosk software vendor may be able to work with your existing POS vendor to integrate the two systems. First, however, your POS vendor has to have the type of system that can be talked with in the form of Application Programming Interfaces (API). It will likely be up to you to get the two vendors talking about the integration so that you can get the information you need. First, if its doable. Second, how much its going to cost.

Keep in mind that both the POS vendor and kiosk software vendor could essentially reuse the integration work at other clients of theirs, so that should factor into the cost that they quote you.

The Final Option

If you really want to deploy self-order kiosks in your business, but none of the options above works out for you, there is one final option: Run your kiosk as a standalone system.

The drawbacks here should be readily apparent: No sales data integration; having to potentially use another payment processor for just the kiosk; having to potentially use another KDS, or receipt printer, for just the kiosk. However, it can be done, and youre likely to find that most kiosk software vendors will have at least something to offer in place of true integration for all of these areas.



Other Point of Sale articles of interest:
25% Increase in Buy Online, Pickup In-Store Expected This Holiday Shopping Season

DALLAS  November 9, 2017  Kibo, the worlds leading cloud-based unified commerce platform, has released a new report on consumer shopping expectations and habits for the 2017 holiday season. Kibos Holiday Consumer Trends Report: 2017 Edition, is based on responses from 3,000 U.S. consumers and highlights a number of key findings and trends in fulfillment, inventory visibility, promotions, cart abandonment, gift returns, and more. These findings will be critical for retailers looking to win more consumers during the competitive holiday season.

According to the new research, 58% of consumers say theyll rely on the buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS) fulfillment option this holiday shopping season, an increase of 25% over last year. In the fiercely competitive holiday environment, retailers must focus on BOPIS services if they want to maximize in-store foot traffic and thereby cement their brands reputations for stellar service across both digital and physical buying touchpoints.

Other key findings highlighted in the study include:

Over half of shoppers (54%) said they use online inventory information to justify a trip to a store during the holidays.

Consumers reasons for using BOPIS during the holiday include saving on shipping costs (66%), saving time while in-store (53%), and getting the product when its convenient (39%).

70% of shoppers have the expectation of receiving free shipping during the holidays, a clear influence of Amazon Prime.

Almost half of shoppers surveyed (46%) indicated the top way to improve their experience is for retailers to provide offers and promotions that are relevant to their current gift search.

70% of shoppers indicated a relevant discount will make them more likely to visit or shop on a website during the holidays.

67% of shoppers expect free shipping when gifts are returned, and 65% expect to be able to return an online purchase to a store.

Its clear that consumer expectations for this holiday season are as high as ever, and retailers need to prepare by providing connected and seamless experiences across online and physical channels. BOPIS fulfillment and accessible inventory information are going to take center stage this season for the seemingly obvious reasons of saving busy holiday shoppers time and money, said Tushar Patel, CMO, Kibo. Retailers can further enhance their odds of winning more consumers by providing better personalized and relevant product recommendations and promotional offers. Consumers are shopping on the behalf of others this time of year. Personalization solutions that rely only on typical past behaviors will seem completely irrelevant while shopping for gifts. Only retailers using real-time individualization solutions can predict buying intent and change the offers in response to consumers real-time shopping behaviors. The benefits of this continues beyond the holiday season, as consumers fall back into more normal shopping behaviors. No shopper wants be haunted for the next six months by the doll they purchased for their niece at Christmas.

Click here to download Kibos Holiday Consumer Trends Report: 2017 Edition, for further guidance on consumers omnichannel expectations for the holidays, from eCommerce site functionality to shipping speed and returns.

Methodology: The Kibo Holiday Consumer Trends Report includes survey feedback from 3,000 U.S. consumers, ages 18-65+, with 50% of the respondents female and 50% of the respondents male.

About Kibo

Kibo empowers retailers and branded manufacturers to achieve optimal performance of B2C and B2B commerce through unified consumer experiences. With over 40 years of innovations, Kibo provides a complete omnichannel commerce platform delivered with the lowest total cost of ownership and the fastest time to market. By leveraging cloud technologies, individualized buying experiences, and true enterprise scale, Kibo enables you to reach higher peaks of sales and consumer loyalty. No matter the challenge, Kibo powers your success. For more information, visit kibocommerce.com

Other Point of Sale News:
Lancaster County sheriff's deputies arrested an Oregon marijuana processor Wednesday after finding 110 pounds of the drug, plus about $1.1 million in a cannabis extract called shatter, during a traffic stop, Sheriff Terry Wagner says.

Richard Wilkinson, 38, of Damascus, Oregon, was stopped near the downtown Lincoln interchange on eastbound Interstate 80 around 2 p.m., Wagner said.

Deputies believed Wilkinson's U-Haul van and another vehicle were following too closely, and when they approached the van, they smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, Wagner said.

They searched the vehicle and found sealed packages of raw marijuana, vials of hash oil, 3,500 marijuana seeds and 25 pounds of shatter.

Shatter is a concentrated THC product that is broken off into small pieces from a peanut brittle-like sheet and smoked.

On the East Coast, shatter sells for $100 a gram, the sheriff said.

Wagner said he believes this seizure is one of the biggest shatter seizures his deputies have made.

Wilkinson's licensed marijuana processing company, Rich Extracts, advertises the shatter product on its website. His company is based in a Portland suburb.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Deputies also arrested John E. Carlson, 50, of Cranston, Rhode Island, on suspicion of aiding and abetting the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Carlson was stopped in a vehicle traveling in tandem with Wilkinson's van, and deputies found a personal amount of marijuana on him, Wagner said.

Deputies believe Wilkinson and Carlson were heading to a state where medical marijuana is legal, the sheriff said, but that makes no difference for his deputies.

"It's still illegal in Nebraska, and that's all we focus on," Wagner told reporters Thursday.

Prosecutors charged both men with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
Retailers Say Senate Tax Bill Would Energize Our Nations Economy

WASHINGTON, November 9, 2017 The National Retail Federation said a tax reform plan expected to be unveiled in the Senate tonight would provide a strong boost for businesses and consumers alike and shows that the chamber is committed to passing tax reform by the end of the year.

This is a proposal that would cut taxes, create jobs and energize our nations economy, NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. This plan would free up resources both large and small employers need to grow, and give middle-class workers tax cuts that would let them take home bigger paychecks to better support their families. Thats a win for everyone. We look forward to reviewing the details.

Moving quickly to expedite this process is a clear sign that senators are making passage of tax reform by the end of the year a top priority, French said. With reform now on the fast track in both chambers of Congress at the same time, the modernization of our tax code that has been needed for so long is finally in sight.

Members of the Senate Finance Committee plan to release their tax reform proposal tonight. Earlier today, the House Ways and Means Committee approved its version of reform, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and sent the measure to the House floor for debate next week. The two chambers will work in parallel to meet President Trumps goal of having a final version on his desk by Christmas.

Like the House bill, the Senate measure is based on the Unified Framework for Fixing Our Broken Tax Code plan released in September after extensive negotiations between the House, Senate and White House that began early this year. Both would reduce the federal corporate tax rate to 20 percent from the current 35 percent, lower taxes on small business pass throughs, and reduce personal income taxes for middle-class workers.

NRF has led the retail industrys fight for tax reform for years, calling on Congress to eliminate tax breaks that benefit only some industries and to use the revenue saved to lower rates for all companies, including small businesses. A recent NRF analysis found that reducing the corporate tax rate to 20 percent could result in the creation of between 500,000 and 1.5 million new jobs throughout the economy.

NRF is the worlds largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nations largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs  42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nations economy.



More websites for Point-of-sale niches:

POS-Advice.com  a 100% focus on restaurant point of sale

POSforum.net  a support forum where users share information and answer tech questions for various restaurant POS products including Oracle/Micros and Aloha.

Restaurantsoftwarelist.com  A list of technology solutions for restaurants and hospitality. Find developers, manufacturers, resellers and processors.
'Good news' goes bad

The caller who interrupted James Botsfords dinner in early spring 2013 told the Wausau resident he had just hit the jackpot.

We have good news, said an Enbridge representative. Your land has been selected as a possible location along a proposed corridor for a new pipeline.

The land Enbridge was eyeing is a 160-acre patch of eastern North Dakota farmland that has been in the Botsford family for decades. The parcel is just down the road from Botsfords grandfathers old farm, where the young Botsford spent summers helping him raise wheat, oats, sunflowers and soybeans.

The Enbridge representative explained that the companys proposed Sandpiper Pipeline, designed to carry North Dakota shale oil to the Enbridge terminal in Superior, would likely be crossing the Botsford family property and that he would have a check coming as compensation.

Botsford told him not to waste the paper.

The retired attorney, who moved to Wisconsin in 1991, maintains he is no environmental warrior, but said he and his wife have zero interest in helping Enbridge get North Dakotas shale oil to market.

The couple views shale oil as a particularly troublesome fuel due to environmental damage caused by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, that is required to bring it to the surface.

We drive cars and tractors and lawnmowers, Botsford said, acknowledging his own oil dependence.

But when Big Oil knocks on your door and dangles a bag of silver and says, wed like you to materially participate in putting a lot more carbon into the atmosphere, especially from this extra carbon-laden oil that we can only get out by fracking, which brings an additional layer of toxins  those things combined made me tell them: No. I dont want to participate.

Botsford eventually found himself as the lone holdout of all the property owners along the North Dakota portion of the 616-mile route.

He said pressure to cede a 50-foot swath across a half mile of his land came from friendly Enbridge representatives  at first. The initial offer, he said, was for about $12,000, and when he declined the company doubled it. Then the offers kept climbing, to $35,000, to $38,000 and then to $51,000.

Each offer came with a follow-up call from Enbridge asking if Botsford and his wife were going to sign the agreement.

I kept saying: Its a matter of principle. My wife and I dont want your money, and were not going to participate.

Botsford said he finally got a call from a corporate muckety-muck. He doesnt recall his name, but Botsford remembers what he told him: You know we are never going to say, Yes. So why dont you go around us? Botsford recalled. He said: Mr. Botsford, you dont understand  We are Enbridge. We dont go around anything. We go through it.

That was it for me, Botsford said, and I responded  and this is verbatim  Well, in that case: (Expletive) you.

The companys hard line, Botsford said, elevated his principled stand against the pipeline. Suddenly it wasnt just about trying to block the flow of unconventional oil.

Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel James Botsford speaks to a group of Wisconsin landowners worried that Enbridge is going to expand its pipeline network by acquiring rights to their properties. Botsford recently won his own battle with Enbridge in North Dakota.

Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel James Botsford speaks to a group of Wisconsin landowners worried that Enbridge is going to expand its pipeline network by acquiring rights to their properties. Botsford recently won his own battle with Enbridge in North Dakota.

This was a foreign corporation, a Canadian-based corporation, wanting to condemn our land and their whole purpose of this pipeline was to get this oil to the Great Lakes to sell it on the world market, he said. How could this be justified as a public use for a North Dakota land owner?

Enbridge sued Botsford, and eventually won the right to claim the use of the Botsfords property through eminent domain.

The Botsfords didnt give up.

They pressed their case to the North Dakota Supreme Court, and that is where Enbridge backed down.

One likely reason is that in fall 2016 Enbridge announced it was pulling back on its plans for the Sandpiper line and instead investing in the Dakota Access Pipeline, which runs from North Dakota to Illinois.

To settle with Botsford, Enbridge returned to him the easement granting the company the right to bury the pipeline on his property, and the company made a written promise in court to never again seek his property for a pipeline route. It also paid his attorneys fees.

Botsfords home near Wausau is not along Enbridges Wisconsin pipeline route, but he is closely following the controversy over the potential for a new pipeline running out of Superior because it would likely require easement acquisitions along the entire route which could lead to fights similar to the one he fought in North Dakota.

He said if the company does push ahead with a statewide easement expansion, he expects a much more ferocious fight from Wisconsin landowners than what took place in North Dakota.

Wisconsin is more worldly, more analytical. More critical, he said. I dont think Enbridge will be able to steamroll over the people of Wisconsin to the degree they did in North Dakota.

'This is about property rights'

Most of the Canadian oil coursing out of the city of Superior  roughly 20% of the nations imports  flows through an underground cluster of pipes along an 80-foot wide swath of mostly private land stretching the length of Wisconsin.

Enbridges predecessor acquired the right to use most all the Wisconsin properties by negotiating deals with individual owners a half century ago. Enbridges fight with the Engelking family notwithstanding, the company maintains its relationship with those property owners over the years has been based on trust and ethical dealings, and indeed there are many landowners across the state who have no problem with Enbridges pipes running under their properties.

Yet the company in recent months has come under blistering criticism from a growing number of landowners who are accusing Enbridge of brutish tactics when it comes to pumping ever-increasing volumes of oil across their property.

The newest Enbridge pipe in Wisconsin opened in 2009, but the company has since added pumps to bump up pressure that allows its capacity to double from an initial 400,000 barrels per day to 900,000 barrels per day. It could soon be carrying 1.2 million barrels per day.

Retired physician Paul Harkins was among more than 50 property owners who drove to Madison in May to tell lawmakers about their sour dealings with Enbridge. He was still stinging from trouble he had with the company during construction of the 2009 pipeline.

In addition to Enbridges 80-foot-wide easement, the company commonly also has the right to temporarily use additional land beyond the easement borders for maintenance and construction projects related to the pipes.

In Harkins' case, he said Enbridge wanted to cut a swath of trees almost right up to his house to make it easier for construction crews to squeeze the new pipe into the 80-foot easement.

Harkins ended up in court and prevailed in stopping the company from cutting down the trees and endangering his septic system by rolling heavy equipment over it. The pipeline was built anyway and the battle cost him thousands of dollars in legal fees, but he nevertheless claimed victory because he stopped Enbridge from ravaging his property outside Marshfield.

The victory came with a lot of stress  he said he was essentially threatened with financial ruin for trying to stop the crews from leveling his trees.

Its very intimidating to have a $35 billion company in your face saying they are going to sue you with the full force of the company, Harkins said.

His victory was short-lived; crews returned to his property a few years ago to conduct a new survey.

The company says it may some day need to expand its easements on private properties across Wisconsin to build a new pipeline because, according to Enbridge engineers, the companys existing easement can hold no more pipes.

The company insists that no decision has been made on whether to pursue a new line crossing the state, let alone a new round of easement acquisitions on private properties along the corridor.

Even so, the company this summer began construction of the 14 mile-long Wisconsin portion of a new $7 billion line that runs from Alberta to the Enbridges terminal at Superior.

A pitched battle is under way over the Minnesota pipeline permit to complete the line, and if Enbridge prevails, company critics say that almost surely will necessitate a new pipeline running out of Superior  you cant add to the flow into Superior without expanding the flow out of Superior.

Enbridge, in fact, has previously told its investors it is considering a twin to the Superior-to-Illinois line that opened in 2009 and will soon be capable of carrying 1.2 million barrels per day.

Furthermore, in 2014 crews surveyed lands straddling the existing Wisconsin easement. That included taking an inventory of houses, barns, sheds and other structures and natural features up to 300 feet beyond the current easement border. Company officials say they are not eyeing an easement expansion that wide. If they do eventually move ahead with an expansion, they have said they are considering adding something closer to 50 feet.

Harkins isnt waiting for Enbridge to make up its mind on whether or how to proceed. Hes already saying no  and not because hes worried about how a new pipeline could add to the Earths rising temperatures.

Im not an environmental extremist, said the Rhinelander native with undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Wisconsin. This is about property rights. This is about safety. And its about property values.

It may be an uphill fight. While Enbridge says talk of an expansion is premature, it recently became easier for the company to claim use of private properties along the existing pipeline corridor.

The company has the Wisconsin Legislature to thank for that.

Republicans make exception for Enbridge

Just hours before the Fourth of July holiday weekend started in 2015, the Legislature slipped into the state budget bill a 24-page wish list of last-minute measures -- most of which had nothing to do with the state budget.

One of those  a move to gut the state open records law and make it easier for politicians to cut secret deals  was revealed and reversed after public outcry from citizens across the state.

Compared to the other 65 items on the list, number 51 stands out for the profound impact it could have on landowners across the state. It is called PSC Condemnation Authority for Oil Pipeline Companies.

The PSC is the state Public Service Commission, a three-person board that regulates utilities and many liquids delivered by pipeline, including oil.

The PSC has the authority to condemn private property, a maneuver that has commonly and historically been used to acquire property for government projects that serve all citizens, things like construction of roads, schools and landfills.

But the ability of private companies to gain government support in seizing private lands for profit grew substantially in 2005, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that governments can force transfer of private land from one owner to another in the name of economic development.

In their landmark decision  Kelo vs. New London, Conn.  the justices ruled that a group of property owners had to sell their homes so they could be replaced with office buildings, condominiums and retail development that would generate more property tax revenue for the city.

The 5-4 decision by the courts liberal justices, joined by swing vote Anthony Kennedy, drew a stinging rebuke from their conservative colleagues as an outrageous case of government overreach.

Something has gone seriously awry with this Countrys interpretation of the Constitution, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his dissenting opinion. Though citizens are safe from the government in their homes, the homes themselves are not.

The Connecticut residents lost their properties, but the hoped-for development was never built.

Even so, many conservatives contend the damage done by the ruling extends far beyond the borders of those vacant New London lots.

Some states responded by reining in the authority of governments to claim private lands, specifically for pipelines.

Wisconsins Republican leadership took a different tack.

The one-paragraph addition in the 2015 state budget bill appeared innocuous enough: Delete the reference to corporation and substitute business entity in the current law provision which conveys the authority to condemn real estate and personal property to corporations that transmit oil or related products in pipelines in Wisconsin and that maintain a terminal or product delivery facilities in Wisconsin

Public records reveal that the tweak in wording was inserted after lobbying on behalf of a U.S. Enbridge subsidiary  Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership.

Limited liability partnerships are formed for a variety of reasons, including lowering business taxes and limiting a companys exposure to lawsuits involving bankruptcies, or accidents.

The problem for Enbridge was that a limited partnership entity wasnt specifically mentioned in Wisconsin law as an eligible enterprise to acquire property through condemnation.

Enbridge learned this in 2008 when it requested permission from the Public Service Commission to use condemnation to claim additional private properties while constructing its latest pipeline.

Most property owners affected by the expansion negotiated agreements with the company to allow increased rights to use of their land. But in some places along the line the company needed some government muscle to acquire additional rights from the unwilling.

The Public Service Commission gave Enbridge the go-ahead to claim the properties. But in a statement accompanying the approval, one commission member noted that the wording in state law made it ambiguous as to whether Enbridges limited partnership status made it eligible to acquire private property through condemnation, which she called one of the states most dramatic powers and one that must be applied solemnly.

Seven years later, Enbridge lobbyists went to work on Republican legislative staff to ensure the company would not be denied future condemnation authority based on its limited liability partnership status.

Email exchanges in the summer of 2015, initially obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio, show an Enbridge lobbyist pressed state legislation drafters to get a change in the description of a business eligible to condemn property from a corporation to any business entity.

When one legislative drafter noted that the change may not be needed because Enbridge had been granted the right to condemn property for the pipeline project in 2008, Enbridge pressed harder.

The change needs to be made, an Enbridge attorney explained in an email to an Enbridge lobbyist at the time. The PSC is not like a court. A finding in one contested case has no binding precedential value for another contested case.

Two weeks later, with no public notice or hearing, the company got from the legislature the change it sought.

This is not a blank check for Enbridge to condemn any property it desires. The company would still need approval from the Public Service Commission, which would have to find the project is in the public interest. But it does remove an obstacle for the commissioners to give Enbridge the ability to condemn private lands. All of the commissioners have been appointed by business-friendly Gov. Scott Walker, who signed the budget changing the law.

Neither the offices of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos nor Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald responded to repeated requests to answer questions about the law change.

Walkers staff also did not respond to emails inquiring about the change in the law.

Brian Jorde, an attorney who has been consulting Wisconsin property owners along the existing Enbridge pipeline route, said it is impossible to reconcile principles of conservatism with condemning private lands in order to build pipelines to benefit a for-profit company that serves refineries outside the region.

Its the reality, I think, of economics and dollars superseding values. Because if your value system, as a conservative, is individual rights, individual freedom, defending the constitution, then you could no way ever, morally or ethically, fundamentally support a foreign for-profit company that is going to take those very rights from your neighbors or yourself, he said. It absolutely cannot be squared.

That argument held sway with central Wisconsins Wood County Commission late this summer. In a 10-8 vote, the board approved a non-binding resolution asking the state legislature and Walker to change the state condemnation law to prohibit the taking of private land by for-profit oil pipeline companies.

A similar resolution passed Oct. 10 in Walworth County and another one is in the works in Jefferson County. All of the counties are along the Enbridge route.

A public necessity?

Paul Wehking, who describes himself as conservative, is nervous about the future of his home, in which he and his wife have raised two teenage boys and near which the Enbridge pipelines run.

Wehking is not asking for anyones sympathy for having to live with the lines already crossing his property; he knew there was a pipeline easement on the land when he bought his Dane County house 17 years ago.

He didnt protest when a new line was added in 2002, nor when two more lines were added in 2009, including a smaller one that carries a highly volatile diluent. That is a chemical concoction pumped from the Chicago area to western Canada that liquefies the clay-like tar sands oil so it can be piped south.

Wehking said this diluent line came with a safety packet for the family that included a glow stick, a whistle and a list of Dos and Donts should a leak occur. The dont list included turning on lights (hence the glow stick), starting a car, or using a cellphone, all of which could spark an explosion.

He said the to-do list was fairly simple.

They basically tell you to run, he said. Upwind.

Wehking isnt demanding the diluent line or any other pipe be moved. He just doesnt want Enbridge to be allowed to expand the easement further into his yard, and possibly into his living room.

I dont think they are evil, Wehking said of Enbridge. Its just that wed rather not be infringed upon further  or be condemned and have to move out of there.

Wehking cant understand how the company could be allowed to claim his land for the benefit of its stockholders. And he doesnt buy the argument that the line is necessary for the citizens of the state. Beyond a short-term bump in construction jobs, he said he doesnt see how a new pipeline will significantly boost Wisconsins economy.

I havent seen anything that says how Wisconsin benefits having this thing plowing its way through the state, corner to corner, Wehking said. If you could see something tangible, in terms of gas prices or jobs here in Wisconsin, that would be one thing.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently reached a similar conclusion. In September, it weighed in against construction of the new Enbridge line running from Alberta across the state and into Superior.

The department commissioned a study from the global energy economics consulting firm, London Economics International, to evaluate the need for a new line that could more than double the current lines existing flow from 390,000 barrels per day to 844,000 barrels.

The reports conclusion: Refineries in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest have been operating at high levels of utilization, which indicates both they are not short of physical supplies of crude oil and have little room to increase total crude runs.

Minnesotas commerce department concluded the state would be better off if Enbridges existing decrepit line were shut down and the new line not built because the oil is not needed. Enbridge contends the department based its decision on a flawed analysis and argues that the oil flowing in the line is indeed a necessity.

Necessity is the operative word for one prominent Wisconsin conservative voice when it comes to eminent domain.

Eminent domain should only be used for public necessities, Mark Belling said during his Feb. 16 show on WISN-AM radio. He was talking about a push by the Village of Brown Deer to claim a piece of private property to build a new public works facility, a move Belling did not see as essential.

If that landowner did not want to sell, he said, it is the villages responsibility to find someone who does. Thats how capitalism works.

There is a difference between a public necessity and a public improvement or a public good, said Belling.

When asked by the Journal Sentinel about his opinion regarding the pipeline issue as it relates to his views on eminent domain, Belling declined to comment, saying he was not familiar enough with the details.

During his Feb. 16 show he noted that some conservatives tend to invoke their principles regarding eminent domain on a case-by-case basis.

Many of the people who are on my side  the conservative side  they change their opinion on this if the project is something that they like.
The new study analyzes a spill in the Straits of about 190,000 gallons of oil.

Thats about half of a spill estimate previously supplied by Enbridge and well under what pipeline critics say is possible -- particularly if there is a leak in one of the lines during winter, when the Straits can be smothered under a two-foot blanket of ice.

The study calculates the economic toll of this realistic case spill would range from $100 million to $200 million.

This estimate left retired firefighter Thomas Shaver quivering with anger as he spoke at a public hearing on the future of the Mackinac lines in Traverse City this summer that drew more than 300 people.

What kind of analysis could possibly come up with a $100 million figure from a spill into a body of water that 40 million people draw their drinking water from, much less the effects it would have on tourism in the state, recreation, agriculture, fishing? he fumed. This is such a ludicrous number that it demonstrates the whole study was simply an exercise in absurdity.

The call to close the lines has drawn support from both Republicans and Democrats. A 2016 poll commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation showed 63% of Michigan residents think the Mackinac lines should not be allowed to operate, compared to 22% who approve of them (the rest were either undecided or declined to give an answer).

Traverse Citys Barb Willing, a retired private investigator who is now a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, said in an interview outside the hearing that she read the study with an open mind because I was looking for solutions.

And her conclusion is that continuing to operate Line 5 is the solution.

The best way to move the oil is through the pipeline, she said. Emotionally, it might sound right (to shut it down), but intellectually its not.

Another person who testified in favor of the line was Upper Peninsula native Rob Kitchen. He grew up swimming in Lake Superior and taking vacations to Mackinaw City on the south side of the Straits. Today he takes his own kids on vacations in the area and agrees a spill would be a disaster for the state. But he doesnt think it will happen.

Kitchen works for Enbridge as an area supervisor in lower Michigan. That doesnt give him a rose-tinted view of the issue, he said.

What I think people dont get is that Enbridge is just as concerned about a spill as the people here, if not more, he said outside the hearing.

Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Tourists this summer stroll past a sign opposing Enbridge Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac in Mackinaw City, Mich.

Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Tourists this summer stroll past a sign opposing Enbridge Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac in Mackinaw City, Mich.

Kitchen said the alternatives analysis confirmed that the underwater lines are in excellent shape and said he likes the pipelines safety odds. But what exactly are those odds?

The alternatives study looked at all the likely threats facing the lines under the Straits  things like corrosion, metal fatigue, operator error and freak accidents  and tried to put a number on the potential for a line failure in the coming decades.

The combined probability of failure for all threats that we established between now and 2053 is about 1.6%, Mihell said at a separate hearing held in early July near the state capital of Lansing.

So about a 1 in 60 chance of really having a failure in the Straits between now and 2053. And weve been asked specifically not to weigh in on whether we feel things are high or low or to offer opinions. They are what they are.

Wisconsin watching

The fate of Line 5 is critically important to Wisconsin because if the pipeline is closed, the alternatives analysis hints it would increase pressure to add another Wisconsin pipeline to a system that now carries about 2 million barrels per day through the state to the Illinois border.

The alternative analysis report did not consider piping the Line 5 Alberta crude to the Canadian coasts. It did briefly address the idea of an all-Canadian pipeline route arching north of Lakes Superior and Huron and then down into Sarnia. The route was dismissed as too costly because it nearly doubles the length of Line 5 and would pass through exceptionally rocky areas.

That leaves the route down the length of Wisconsin, through Illinois and across lower Michigan as a likely pipeline option if the Mackinac pipes are pulled.

Enbridge is adamant that it has no current plans to add a new Wisconsin line.

But it has told investors it is considering building a new pipe through Wisconsin that would be a twin to its largest line. That lines capacity has grown since it opened in 2009 from 400,000 barrels per day to 560,000 barrels per day by 2013. Today it can carry some 900,000 barrels per day. Soon it will be capable of carrying 1.2 million barrels per day.

So a twin to that line could carry a volume of oil roughly equal to the Line 5 load  and the anticipated additional barrels expected to flow into Wisconsin if Enbridge gets the final permits from neighboring Minnesota to complete an under-construction line from Alberta to the city of Superior.

While the alternatives analysis essentially concluded the Wisconsin route is the only viable pipeline option to move Line 5 oil, it also said this 762-mile path from Superior to Sarnia, Ontario, via Chicago would come with significant environmental impacts.

A big one is that Enbridges existing 80-foot-wide easement through Wisconsin already carries four pipelines and can hold no more. This means a new pipe could require an easement expansion across the state. In Wisconsin alone, the route crosses more than 1,000 private properties.

We didnt ask neighbors about the construction, the Line 5 alternative analysis study stated.

But the Canadian pipeline company did ask Wisconsins political leaders to give them more government leverage to force deals with those private landowners when and if the time comes to add a new line.

And those political leaders complied by quietly slipping Enbridge-requested language into a state budget bill without any public notice or hearings.
MSU Summer Study

Dates: courses are offered during full, half, and concentrated, shorter sessions.

Times: courses are offered in the evening as well as during the day.

Locations: courses are offered on MSU's campus in East Lansing, off campus across Michigan, online, and abroad.

Admissions, Financial Aid & Enrollment

Programs & Courses

Whether you are a current Michigan State University student seeking to earn your degree faster, a guest student from another college or university, or an educator looking for courses to energize your teaching, we welcome your interest in MSU Summer Study!MSU Summer Study offers many options, giving you the flexibility you need:Information regarding admission to the University can be found on the Office of Admissions website Lifelong Education is available to those not wishing to pursue an undergraduate or graduate MSU degree.To see if you qualify for Summer financial aid at MSU, visit the MSU Office of Financial Aid beginning in January and no later than March 1. You must also have complete the FAFSA form to be considered for summer financial aid.To learn about enrollment, visit the Enrollment and Registration page. Academic Programs and Course Descriptions are the primary sources for University regulations, policies, procedures, costs, and academic program requirements.Michigan State University provides students with learning opportunities that extend beyond its East Lansing campus:Summer courses on campus, off campus, online and study abroad are listed on the MSU Schedule of Courses Summer sessions are divided into two main seven-week sessions, each offering a variety of semester-long courses concentrated within the seven-week period. This format permits students to complete course requirements or explore new subjects while attending school for only half of the summer. The two-session format also provides students the opportunity to complete two semester's worth of courses in such fields as calculus, foreign language, chemistry, or accounting within a single summer.In addition to the two summer half sessions, there are full semester courses offered and many special session courses taught on an even more concentrated basis over three or four-week periods, scheduled at various times during the summer. The dates for each course are listed in the Schedule of Courses Visit the Academic Calendar for specific first, second and full summer session dates.
" " The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is the largest pyramid at the Giza complex in Cairo, Egypt. Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Lonely Planet Images/Getty Images

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the storied Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Also called Khufu's Pyramid, It's among the oldest, biggest human-made structures on Earth. Part of what makes it so wonderful is that, old as it is, it still holds mysteries. Built sometimes between 2509 to 2483 B.C.E. to entomb the remains of Egyptian pharaoh Khufu  also known as Cheops  the Great Pyramid was built to withstand millennia of harsh desert winds, but nobody really knows how it was built or exactly what its internal structure is like. But thanks to particle physics, we now know a little something more.

New research published in the journal Nature suggests that the pyramid might hold a vast, previously unknown cavity, an empty space roughly as long as an airplane hangar. The exact dimensions aren't known, but how does a researcher find a chamber like this  what they're calling a "void"  when they're not exactly allowed to take sledgehammers to a 4,500-year-old structure?

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" " Muons detectors both within and outside the Great Pyramid allowed researchers to scan the structure's interior. ScanPyramids

The international research team used a technique called muon tomography  a particle physicist's version of an x-ray machine, which uses the high-energy cosmic rays that are constantly pelting Earth from deep space to visualize, say, what's behind a heavy limestone wall. These cosmic rays are mostly made up of hydrogen nuclei, but as they hit our atmosphere, they explode into smaller elementary particles. A byproduct of this process is the creation of negatively charged particles called muons, which, once they pop into existence, shoot towards the ground at unfathomable speeds. They can be slowed down by big, dense things, though  things like the Great Pyramid of Giza.

In 2015, ScanPyramids, a project of Cairo University and the Heritage Innovation Preservation (HIP) Institute, set out to explore the innards of the largest pyramids in Egypt. Muons are predictably difficult to detect, but not impossible, and muon tomography works by seeking out muons as they pass through matter, powering down and decaying in the process. Because hitting something solid can accelerate muon death, the researchers looked for places in the pyramid where more muons were evident, suggesting the particles were falling through an empty space  or at least one made of less solid material.

So, in Khufu's Pyramid, just above a cathedral-like hall called the Grand Gallery, the researchers found a significant amount of muons, using three different detectors, in three different experiments, meaning something is there  and that something is nothing.

The research team hasn't offered up any theories about what purpose the space might originally have served.

" " What is being called a "hidden chamber" within the Great Pyramid is depicted in this 3-D visualization with a cluster of white dots above the pyramid's Grand Gallery. ScanPyramids

"There are so many theories  nice ones but also crazy ones," coauthor Mehdi Tayoubi, president of the Heritage Innovation Preservation institute in Paris and co-founder of ScanPyramids told Nature News.

But experts warn not to get too excited:

"There's zero chance of hidden burial chambers," University of Bristol Egyptologist Aidan Dodson, who was not part of the research team, told Nature.

However, this research might be a good lead in gleaning more insights into how this incredible structure was built.

Now That's Interesting In addition to the Khufu's Pyramid, the research team will turn their muon detectors on the two other major pyramids at Giza, as well as the iconic Sphinx.
BANSEA has inked an MOU with the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) to carry out its goal

Singapore-based startups may get to access more early-stage financing opportunities in the future, thanks to a new partnership.

Today, the Business Angel Network South East Asia (BANSEA) has announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE).

The objective of the MoU is to grow investment opportunities, growth and market access for startups and angel investors in Southeast Asia.

Startups will be able to access BANSEAs angel investor networks in China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Europe, and the US to gain access to early-stage funding opportunities and deal flows. In turn, startups will be able to tap into ACEs services, such as training, mentorship, business consultation and market access advice.

ACE, a government-backed but privately-led entrepreneurship initiative, will also work together with BANSEA to co-organise various activities to grow Southeast Asias startup ecosystem. Both parties will also seek to promote each others business or programmes.

Angel investors play an important role to provide seed capital and mentorship in early-stage startups, said Michelle Kung, Executive Director of BANSEA, in an official press statement.

With our strong angel investor network and ACEs extensive reach to the Singapore and regional startup scene, we are confident that this partnership will bring more high quality deal flows to our network and assist promising startups in fuelling their growth and achieving their potential, she added.

Currently, the Singapore government has several existing schemes to boost angel investment opportunities in the country. These include the SPRING SEEDS Capital (SSC) and the Angel Investor Tax Deduction Scheme (AITD).

Also Read: An overview of the Southeast Asian tech investment landscape

The partnership between ACE and BANSEA is a strategic move to further ACEs mission to create greater investment opportunities for promising startups and strengthen Singapores early-stage financing landscape, said Edmas Neo, Executive Director of ACE.

Last week, ACE signed an MOU with the Korea Business Angel Association

(KBAA) to boost local and foreign investment opportunities for Singapore startups.



Image Credit: BANSEA

The post Angel investor network BANSEA aims to boost Singapores early-stage funding landscape appeared first on e27.
FILE PHOTO: A United Nations (U.N.) chemical weapons expert, wearing a gas mask, holds a plastic bag containing samples from one of the sites of an alleged chemical weapons attack in the Ain Tarma neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria August 29, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Abdullah/File Photo (Reuters)

By Anthony Deutsch

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Britain accused Russia on Thursday of carrying out a "thinly veiled political attack" on the head of the world's chemical weapons watchdog, escalating a row over the agency's investigation into toxic attacks in Syria.

The comments, made during a session at the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), were the latest sign of deep political division at the body over the Syrian conflict.

In an Oct. 26 report the U.N.-OPCW investigation team blamed the Syrian government for an April 4 attack using the banned nerve agent sarin in the opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhoun, killing around 80 people. The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons and Moscow rejected the findings.

The mechanism was established in 2015 by the U.N. Security Council to identify individuals, organisations or governments responsible for chemical attacks in Syria. Its mandate expires on Nov. 17, but its work is incomplete.

Moscow is poised to veto efforts by Britain, France, Germany and the United States to extend the mandate.

U.S. representative Kenneth Ward told delegates at a meeting of the OPCW's 41-member executive council that they were fighting for the future of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the watchdog's founding treaty.

"There can be no doubt that since 2013, Syria has engaged in a grotesque and calculated campaign of chemical weapons use," he said. "Russia continues to deny the truth and, instead, collaborates with the Assad regime."

A draft Russian-Iranian proposal circulated at the OPCW and seen by Reuters called for a new investigation, to be based on samples taken from the attack site. The Syrian government itself has already presented samples from the scene to the investigation team, which tested positive for sarin.

"It is a thinly veiled political attack on the professional integrity of the director general," the British delegation said in a statement, referring to the OPCW's outgoing Turkish head, Ahmet Uzumcu. "It seeks to undermine the capability and competence of the (OPCW)."

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The Russian delegation at the OPCW could not be reached for comment.

Syria joined the OPCW after a sarin attack on Aug. 21, 2013, killed hundreds of people in Ghouta, a district on the outskirts of Damascus. It has said it declared and destroyed all its chemical stockpile, but chemical attacks continue in the country's civil war [L4N1L24LP].

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Gareth Jones/Mark Heinrich)
Meet 12 of the 25 startups that pitched at the AppWorks Demo Day in Taiwan

AppWorks is one of the most important accelerators in Taiwan, making their Demo Days a big deal in the country

AppWorks is the premiere accelerator programme in Taiwan. The company now has a US$50 million investment fund and has put money into companies like EZ Table and Kuo Brothers  two Taiwanese startups that have really taken off.

The Demo Day is the culmination of a 6-month programme and with 14 batches, the AppWorks alumni network consists of 780 Founders and 320 active startups.

In this latest batch, almost all of the companies hailed from outside of Taiwan and include companies from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

Lets meet the startups!

Booqed  Hong Kong

This startup turns your companys office into a co-working space. It wants tenants to utilise their extra space by renting it out to individuals or tiny startups. People who are looking for a more affordable rental option  but dont want to visit cafes  can use Booqed to find a spare desk in an office.

The company targets business travellers, entrepreneurs, freelancers and event planners. The whole process can be done on a mobile app and it operates in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore.

CoverGo  Hong Kong

CoverGo wants to help improve customer service in the insurance sector. It consolidates insurance policies into one centralised location so people can easily understand their portfolio.

The startup then connects people with insurance advisors so they can ask questions. The second feature also helps advisors improve customer engagement and experience. The company does not sell insurance.

Also Read: Join us Thursday, November 16 for an AMA with PropertyGuru Co-founder Steve Melhuish!

CoverGo also has a whole bunch of articles (mainly in Chinese) for people to educate themselves.

Qourier  Singapore

Qouriers name fits its service perfectly. The Singaporean startup is a courier company that connects businesses with a network of freelancers for deliveries. So for companies that may not operate in a logistics-heavy industry, but need to deliver something across town, this is an excellent option.

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The whole company is app-based and people can check their delivery status and check-in with drivers to make sure packages reach their destination. It is a same-day delivery company meant for short distances like within a city.

Micepad  Singapore

Micepad is an events management SaaS product that offers software solutions as companies host, then analyse, an event. It has tools for pre-event marketing, live audience engagement, online networking analytics and even gamification.

The company is live in cities across the world stretching from North America to Asia and Europe. Micepad customises is products to the client and adjusts its services to fit their needs.

Cytron Technology  Malaysia

A Malaysian marketplace for DIY electronics components. Its the perfect website for kids who want to build their own robots and while they can purchase any of the items individually, the site also has kits so they are guaranteed to build something cool.

It sells items like miniature wheels, circuit boards, sensors and motors. For the hardcore builders, they can choose items based on their favourite brands.

StickerHD  Taiwan

Everyone loves stickers, and across the startup world it is very common to run across laptops covered in colourful decals. StickerHd lets people customise their stickers. A set of 5 costs about US$15.

The company says the stickers are sun-resistant and waterproof and can be delivered across Asia in about 7 days.

FBbuy  Taiwan

In Taiwan, Facebook Live has become a popular channel for infomercials and people often buy goods via the social media giant.

Someone has to fulfil those orders and FBbuy wants to be that company. The help merchants with order collection to help them bridge the gap between social media and e-commerce.

Shouhan  South Korea

Shouhan is a mobile-based language learning app for people who want to learn Korean. It works a bit like Udemy in the sense that it outsources teachers who are incentivised to use the platform because they receive a chunk of the lesson fee.

It has niched the product so the language lessons are tailored specifically towards the typical Korean lifestyle. It mixes lessons like video classes with 1-on-1 native speaking tutors.

Codibook  South Korea

Codibook is an online fashion e-commerce site. The typical price for an item ranges from US$20 to US$100 and it boasts dozens of brands.

Also Read: In an increasingly complex industry, HAULIO takes on a massive challenge

The startup calls itself, an online customized shopping service that boasts the most members and content in South Koreas fashion sector.

Botimize is an analytics service that is focussed only on a companys chatbots. It tracks metrics like total conversations, messages and average time of conversations. It also performs conversational analytics so business owners can see the words that their customers are talking about.

The platform boasts a smooth-looking backend so companies are can quickly navigate and find actionable data.

Mr. Reply  Hong Kong

Want to incorporate a chatbot but dont know how to code? (Or dont want to dedicate the resources necessary?). Mr. Reply is here. The company has built a chatbot-building service so marketers and small-business owners can set up a chatbot.

The company is probably not targetting the average tech company, but rather those more traditional companies who think building a chatbot is a waste of energy.

Origami Labs  Hong Kong

This company has built a ring called ORII that lets people take calls using just their fingers. It leverages on the vibrations from the earbone to enhance how people talk. People wear the ring, and when the get a call on their phone, instead of picking up the phone and putting it to their ears, they use a finger, press on their lobe and start talking.

This neat Kickstarter page has a longer video to explain the product in more detail.



The post Meet the 12 startups that pitched at the AppWorks Demo Day in Taiwan appeared first on e27.
By Simon Cameron-Moore

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar warned on Wednesday that a scolding delivered by the U.N. Security Council could "seriously harm" its talks with Bangladesh over returning home more than 600,000 people who fled to escape a Myanmar military crackdown.

In a statement on Monday, the Security Council had urged Myanmar to "ensure no further excessive use of military force" and expressed "grave concern over reports of human rights violations and abuses in Rakhine State".

Responding, Myanmar's de facto leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi, whose less than two-year-old civilian administration shares power with the military, said the issues facing Myanmar and Bangladesh could only be resolved bilaterally, a point she says was ignored in the Security Council statement.

"Furthermore, the (Security Council) Presidential Statement could potentially and seriously harm the bilateral negotiations between the two countries which have been proceeding smoothly and expeditiously," Suu Kyi's office said in a statement.

In contrast, Bangladesh issued a statement saying Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali "appreciated the recent statement of the U.N. Security Council" during a meeting with a new resident coordinator of the United Nations in Bangladesh.

The Myanmar statement said Ali had been invited to Myanmar on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17, but Bangladeshi officials told Reuters that the earliest the talks were likely to take place was during the minister's visit for a regional meeting in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21.

The two sides have to agree a process for repatriation of Rohingya, with Bangladesh reluctant to fall back on the drill used for the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar in the 1990s, as it wants a more lasting solution.

A senior Bangladesh foreign ministry official said the United Nations should be involved in the process this time.

"For years, we tried to resolve this issue bilaterally with Myanmar, but it was in vain," the official told Reuters. "This problem is not going to be resolved anytime soon. The UNs involvement in the process is a must."

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A sour note was struck over the talks last week, as Bangladesh officials voiced outrage over Suu Kyi's spokesman casting suspicion that Bangladesh might drag its feet over the repatriation process in order to first secure hundreds of millions of dollars in international aid money.

Speaking at a conference for Commonwealth countries' parliamentarians in Dhaka on Sunday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for more international pressure on Myanmar.

"I would request all of you to discuss Rohingya issue with utmost priority and exert pressure on the Myanmar government to stop the persecution of its citizens and take them back at the earliest," she said.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to visit Myanmar on Nov. 15, with moves afoot in Washington to table a bill calling for sanctions on Myanmar that specifically target the military and related business interests.

In a nod to China, the Myanmar statement said it appreciated the stand taken by some members of the Security Council who upheld the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.

To appease council veto powers Russia and China, Britain and France dropped a push for the Security Council to adopt a resolution on the situation and the 15-member body instead unanimously agreed on a formal statement.

MORE BOATS REACH BANGLADESH

The United Nations has denounced the violence during the past 10 weeks as a classic example of ethnic cleansing to drive the Rohingya Muslims out of Buddhist majority Myanmar.

Rejecting that accusation, the military says its counter-insurgency clearance operation was provoked by Rohingya militants' synchronised attacks on 30 security posts in the northern part of Rakhine State on Aug. 25.

Rohingya refugees say the military torched their villages, but the military say the arsonists were Rohingya militants. The refugees' have given harrowing accounts of rape and murder. Myanmar says those accusations will have to be investigated.

Meantime, the exodus from Rakhine continues. Several thousand Rohingya reached Bangladesh last week, many wading through shallows on the Naf river on the boundary between the two countries, and some making a short, but perilous sea crossing in small boats.

On Wednesday, 52 Rohingya came ashore in Bangladesh on a raft lashed together from bamboo and plastic jerrycans, having been unable to find a boat to take them, Shariful Islam, a Bangladesh border guard official, told Reuters.

On Tuesday, border guards told Reuters of at least two other boats with 68 Rohingya reaching Cox's Bazar, where they would join the multitude sheltering in refugee camps.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who defied the junta that ruled Myanmar for decades, has been pilloried abroad for not speaking out more forcefully to rein in the military.

Last week she visited Rakhine for the first time since the crisis erupted, meeting community leaders and seeing the efforts to deliver aid and return the region to some semblance of normality.

She has spoken of plans for repatriation centres at which refugees will have to prove they once lived in Rakhine, before being allowed to return. But having been classed as stateless by former junta rulers, Rohingya could struggle to pass the test.

(Additional reporting by Shoon Naing in YANGON, Serajul Qadir and Ruma Paul in DHAKA, Ponir Hossain in COX'S BAZAR; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Nebraska's attorney general has chosen Norfolk killer Jose Sandoval as the next condemned prisoner to die, after a 20-year hiatus in executions in this state.

No request to the Nebraska Supreme Court for an execution warrant has been made, but Corrections Director Scott Frakes served notice to Sandoval on Thursday of the lethal injection drugs that would be administered to cause his death if an execution takes place.

That combination of drugs chosen has never been used in an execution.

State regulations require the prisons chief to notify condemned inmates 60 days prior to the attorney general requesting an execution warrant.

Attorney General Doug Peterson said he is prepared to request the Supreme Court issue Sandoval's execution warrant after at least 60 days have elapsed from the notice.

Corrections officials have chosen a new protocol for administering lethal injection drugs and have purchased diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracuriam besylate and potassium chloride.

The drugs were purchased in the United States and received into the department's inventory Oct. 10, said Dawn-Renee Smith, spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

She would not name the company or suppliers from which they were purchased, or say whether the supplier was local or a compounding company. The Journal Star is pursuing the answers to those and other questions.

Nevada has a similar drug protocol, but uses three drugs: fentanyl, diazepam and cisatracurium. That protocol is in question after a judge said Wednesday she may cut a paralytic (cisatracurium) from the states previously untried lethal injection plan, after hearing that it could mask movements reflecting awareness and pain, according to The Associated Press.

The Nebraska department has tested its drugs for quality, according to a Corrections news release.

Sandoval, 38, is housed on death row at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. He was convicted and sentenced to death 13 years ago for killing five people at the U.S. Bank branch in Norfolk in September 2002.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, a longtime opponent of the death penalty, said in spite of the notice he doubted an execution was going to be carried out any time soon.

He and others need to know where the drugs came from, and whether there was a private compounding company manufacturing them, he said.

Other issues that have to be resolved, he said, include whether or not this combination of drugs has been used anywhere else, even though that would not bind Nebraska; whether or not the combination of drugs would be effective in accomplishing an execution; and whether they were designed to be used to take someone's life.

The Associated Press reported in April that a German pharmaceutical company spokesman said the potassium chloride the Nebraska Corrections Department had purchased in 2015 was not intended to be sold to a state corrections department. A distributor had tried unsuccessfully to get the department to return the drugs.

The fact that the department is withholding certain information, Chambers said, indicates it is not fully transparent and may feel there are weaknesses in what it is doing.

Chambers charged that the notice of intended execution drugs is timed to coincide with Gov. Pete Ricketts re-election campaign.

Ricketts responded, saying: "Last year the people of Nebraska reaffirmed that the death penalty remains an important part of protecting public safety in our state."

Thursday's announcement is the next step to carrying out the sentences ordered by the court, he said.

ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad said the organization was horrified" that the department planned to use Sandoval as a "test subject for an untested and experimental lethal injection cocktail."

"This rash decision will not fix the problems with Nebraskas broken death penalty and are a distraction from the real issues impacting Nebraskas Department of Corrections: an overcrowded, crisis-riddled system," she said.

America is a nation turning away from the death penalty, Conrad said, with more and more states seeing that ending capital punishment means improving public safety. Fiscal conservatives, faith leaders and public safety officials are increasingly leading efforts to replace the death penalty.

The ACLU will continue to discuss the states misguided plan with experts locally and nationally and evaluate the grave constitutional, legal and policy questions associated with this untested protocol, she said.

The attorney general said in a statement he agrees with the notice that was given to Sandoval.

"Sandoval planned the Sept. 26, 2002, Norfolk bank robbery when, in less than a minute, five innocent people were brutally shot and killed," Peterson said in a news release.

The dead included bank employees and customers. Sandoval personally killed three people, two more people were killed, and three more were in the midst of the gunfire that day. Sandovals crimes were captured on video.

The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld Sandovals convictions and death sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court then denied further review of the sentence. Sandoval never filed any challenges to the Supreme Court decisions, Peterson said.

The last execution in Nebraska was Robert Williams in December 1997. It was carried out using the electric chair.
NATO countries have still not agreed how many extra troops they will send to Afghanistan to boost local forces in their fight against the resurgent Taliban, the alliance's chief admitted Thursday. NATO this week announced it wanted to send around 3,000 extra troops to Afghanistan, bringing the Western military footprint up to about 16,000 soldiers to help the Afghans break the stalemate in the 16-year fight against the Taliban. But after talks with the alliance's 29 defence ministers in Brussels, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged there were still "gaps" in the roster that needed to be filled. "We are now in the process of increasing the troop level," Stoltenberg said. "We haven't finalised that so it's not possible to provide any final figures when it comes to how much different countries are going to contribute." The additional troops, most of them American, will help train and advise local Afghan forces who have struggled to hold Taliban and Islamic State extremists at bay while suffering heavy casualties. Washington has asked NATO allies to contribute 1,000 extra troops for Afghanistan to add to 2,800 US forces, but diplomatic sources say they may have to be content with just 700. Stoltenberg said NATO had made progress but was still in the process of gathering troop commitments. "We got some new announcements from some nations during the meeting today but we staill have some gaps that we will continue to work on," he said. NATO leaders are optimistic that 2018 could see Afghan forces start to gain momentum against the Taliban, thanks to renewed training efforts, a growing air force and thousands of extra Afghan commandos. Plus US President Donald Trump has given American forces greater leeway in how and when they can hit the Taliban, and Afghan forces are increasingly going on the offensive. But the Taliban poured scorn on NATO claims of success. "The Taliban are those who, in defence of their belief and country, forced the half-million NATO-led world forces equipped with modern weaponry and technology to kneel down," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. - IS fight - Immediately following the summit, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis hosted a separate meeting with partners from the coalition fighting the Islamic State group in the Middle East, where the jihadists continue to lose territory. Mattis said coalition partners are looking to the United States for a clear plan about what follows the physical defeat of IS. "Maybe three-quarters of the questions I am getting asked now is (about) going forward. It's not about are we going to be able to stop ISIS, are we going to be able to overcome ISIS. They are now saying: 'What's next? How is it looking?'" Mattis told reporters this week using another acronym for the group. Following back-to-back losses, including of their Syrian and Iraqi strongholds of Raqa and Mosul, IS fighters are down to defending their last holdouts along the Euphrates River valley. America's military involvement in Syria has until now been focused solely on fighting IS, but with the jihadists on the ropes, Washington must articulate its longer-term interests and what role, if any, US forces will play in Syria. A French source said allies were keen to hear what Mattis had to say about the role of Iran -- a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- following Trump's tough rhetoric against Tehran. "We are wondering how the speeches by top US officials on the need to push back the Iranian presence in the region is going to manifest itself in real terms in the military strategy," the source said. - Cyber role - NATO members agreed Wednesday to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations, with the alliance also upgrading other capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia. The changes are part of NATO's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe. The North Korean nuclear crisis has also been high on the agenda in Brussels. Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test -- its most powerful to date -- and Stoltenberg said the crisis demanded a united international effort.
Pop star Davido gets the same reaction wherever he goes in Africa, whether it's in Guinea or Mozambique, Botswana, Kenya or Sierra Leone: teeming crowds and adoring fans. The 24-year-old icon is one of the favourites for best artist at this year's All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which take place in Lagos this weekend. AFRIMA -- sponsored by the African Union -- are the continent's equivalent of the American Grammy Awards, with interest reflecting the continent's rich seam of emerging talent. Davido and his Nigerian compatriot Wizkid, Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, Sarkodie of Ghana and Ivory Coast's DJ Arafat are leading a musical revolution: Afrobeats. The genre was born in Nigeria but has spread across Africa as fast as the rhythm of the bass in a nightclub. "Nigerians knew how to mix all the influences of Afropop: Congolese soukous, Ivorian coupe-decale, Ghanaian Highlife, Jamaican dancehall," said video journalist Hugo Claveau, who wrote and directed the documentary, "Afrobeats, From Nigeria to the World". "They created a sound for all of Africa. They created the first pan-African music," Claveau told AFP. Banning Eyre, an African music specialist, added: "It's very interesting for me, because it's totally different from what we've seen in the African scene for the past 30 years." - Breaking boundaries - Afrobeats (with an 's') -- a name given in homage to the Afrobeat (without an 's') of the 1970s -- was born about 10 years ago with pioneers such as 2Face, D'Banj and P-Square. The internet and satellite television channels did the rest. "Music channels like MTV or Channel O made a big impact on exporting Nigerian music," said Efe Omorogbe, 2Face's manager and the head of the Now Muzik Limited label. "For the first time you could sit at home in South Africa and you see the best of Nigerian artists." In its wake came the French channel TRACE, which in turn led to TRACE Naija (slang for Nigeria) two years ago, where Nigerian music accounts for about 60 percent of its output. TRACE Africa is one of the most popular channels in French-speaking Africa and about a third of its programming is exclusively Nigerian. Omorogbe said the channels "broke the boundaries. Now Africa makes one boundary, not 53". The increase in festivals and events such as AFRIMA has equally allowed artists to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate. Wizkid, for example, sings on "My Soweto Baby" with the South African DJ Buckz. Ivory Coast's DJ Arafat and Nigerian Iyanya use their song "Fever" to call on "Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria" to dance together. The internet has again been a game-changer. Kenyan afro-pop star "Sauti Sol sent me a beat and I liked it, I thought it was cool," said Kritzbeatz, a 22-year-old Nigerian music producer. "So I did a mix with my sound and now we have 'Whine for me'. He came to Lagos for an event, so we took this opportunity to shoot the video clip." - Huge market - African pop stars are fighting among themselves to work with Nigerians in hope of breaking into a huge market of nearly 190 million people, where pop music is ever-present. "Smaller markets naturally look towards Nigeria," said Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, a journalist with the Music in Africa magazine. "Tanzanians can't afford to do music for the Tanzanian market only. But Nigerians are very proud of their music and very resistant to what's coming from the outside." In Nigeria, music is business, where sponsors and patrons can invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to finance a concert. By signing Wizkid, Davido or D'Banj, record labels Sony and Universal are finally turning towards African pop music instead of the "world music" of Salif Keita or Youssou N'Dour to conquer the African market. The financial rewards are considerable. "There are all falling over themselves to sign contracts with Nigerian artists," said Claveau. "But the guys developed their business by themselves. They conquered the continent and don't need them to fill stadiums in Africa. "What they want now is export themselves to the United States or Europe but for that the main players are still timid."
President Rodrigo Duterte has already arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam for the APEC Economic Leaders meeting.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that President Duterte will be meeting with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on the sidelines of APEC Summit on November 10, Friday.

No agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries, but the meeting aims to enhance economic relations between the two countries.

They are taking the chance to have short bilateral meetings and consultations, DFA Usec. For International Economic Relations AmbassadorManuel A.J. Teehankee said.

Aside from this, President Duterte will also meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and he will thank Russia for the arms and ammunition donated by Russia during the Marawi crisis.

I am sure the Marawi crisis will be one of the important topics of discussion, how to counter terrorism and radicalization. . . . there is also the important factor of economic cooperation, which is the highlight of APEC and the increased potential of economics, business and trade and investment between Russia and the Philippines, Teehankee said.

Papua New Guinea will be the host of APEC Summit in 2018 so President Duterte will also meet with Prime Minister Peter O Neill.

There are other economic leaders the President is likely to meet during the sidelines of the summit in Vietnam but the schedule is still being finalized.

Meanwhile, as Chairman of ASEAN this year, President Duterte is set to deliver a keynote address, Thursday, for the APEC CEO Summit.

The speech will focus on regional economic integration and inclusive growth.  Rosalie Coz | UNTV News & Rescue

The post PRRD to hold talks with leaders of Russia, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea in Da Nang appeared first on UNTV News.
By Yara Bayoumy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraq's top Sunni Muslim politician said on Wednesday he would back Shi'ite Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi for a new term as long as conditions such as bringing Shi'ite militias under state control and balancing relations with other countries are fulfilled.

Osama al-Nujaifi, Baghdad's Sunni Vice President, was in Washington for talks with senior State Department and congressional officials to discuss issues facing Iraq as the battle against Islamic State winds down.

Iraq will hold parliamentary elections on May 15. Abadi, who has not yet said whether he would seek a second term, took over the premiership in 2014 from Nuri al-Maliki, a close ally of Iran. Abadi is credited with quickly rebuilding the army and defeating Islamic State in its main Iraqi stronghold, Mosul, last July, with strong assistance from a U.S.-led coalition.

Asked whether he would ally with Abadi, Nujaifi told Reuters in an interview:

"This is very possible ... We may be able to ally with him but that hasn't happened yet ... We need talks, but his (politics) are the closest to us in the next elections."

Nujaifi said Abadi had to "determine his position," given that he belonged to the Dawa party, a Shi'ite group with close ties to Iran.

"He has to leave this umbrella and embrace the national umbrella and he can get lots of support," Nujaifi said.

"We support him but not without conditions. There must be political agreement based on mutual interests of Iraqis, an exit from sectarian politics ... controlling the weapons, and the balance in relationship with countries ... If we agree on these things, we can be together."

Nujaifi singled out the Iran-backed Shi'ite militia forces known as Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMFs) as one of the biggest challenges in post-Islamic State Iraq, and said it would be impossible to hold elections if their weaponry was not brought under government control.

Story continues

Iranian-backed militia groups were formed after Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on Iraqis to defend their country days after Islamic State seized control of the northern city of Mosul. They played a major role in protecting Baghdad and pushing back Islamic State. But the militias have also created headaches for the government. Many of them have ties to Iran and have amassed vast military and political influence.

$30 BILLION FOR MOSUL

Abadi has promised to rein in the militias but it is a daunting task and Iraqi and Western officials say he is too weak to take on the militias directly.

Parliament approved a law late last year that will transform PMFs into a legal and separate military corps.

"This of course shapes a threat to stability in Iraq if these weapons are not controlled and melded with the armed forces. If there's any political disagreement, it could turn into armed confrontations ... The only correct way is to meld these forces with the armed forces and to control them."

"It is unreasonable to run the elections under the shadow of the spread of all these weapons or with the displacement of millions of people ... This will distort these elections."

Asked whether the Baghdad government had the will to remove them from Iraqi cities, he said:

"I think that is natural, but they (PMFs) have influence in Baghdad .... Their role and their influence on the state is very big. It's not easy for the prime minister to force them to do something outside their attitudes," Nujaifi said.

Abadi declared victory over Islamic State in Mosul in the summer after a months-long battle, three years after the militants seized the city and made it the stronghold of a "caliphate" they said would take over the world.

Nujaifi said Mosul would need at least $30 billion to rebuild the city and its infrastructure.

"Estimates indicate that 70 percent of the city was destroyed or largely destroyed. The infrastructure, all aspects of life, water, energy, the hospitals are all destroyed."

(Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by James Dalgleish)
NATO members agreed Wednesday to increase the use of cyber weaponry and tactics during military operations, with the alliance also upgrading other capabilities to combat a resurgent Russia. The changes are part of the alliance's biggest shakeup since the Cold War, with defence ministers backing the creation of two new command centres to help protect Europe. The revamp reflects the "changed security environment" of recent years, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels. The threat to the alliance's eastern flank has grown as a concern after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. "We are now integrating cyber effects into NATO missions and operations to respond to a changed and new security environment where cyber is part of the threat picture we have to respond to," Stoltenberg said. "In any military conflict cyber will be an integral part and therefore we need to strengthen our cyber defences and our cyber capabilities," he added, noting that such tactics have been effective in the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria. After years of stripping back its command structure since the end of the Cold War, NATO wants to add the new command centres -- one to protect lines of communication across the Atlantic and one to coordinate the movement of troops and equipment around Europe. - NATO hit by cyber attacks - The creation of a new NATO cyber operations hub comes as the alliance faces hundreds of attacks on its networks every month and fears grow over the Kremlin's electronic tactics. NATO declared cyber -- where attackers disrupt websites, intercept communications and sabotage technologies used in combat -- as a conflict domain last year, putting it on a par with land, sea and air. "We have seen a more assertive Russia, we have seen a Russia which has over many years invested heavily in their military capabilities," Stoltenberg said. "NATO has to be able to respond to that. We are constantly adapting and what we are doing in Europe now is part of that adaptation." Cyber capabilities will now be included in NATO missions in the same way as planes, tanks and ships -- fully integrated but still under the control of the contributing country. The two-day meet at NATO headquarters will also cover the North Korean nuclear crisis, which will be the focus of a working dinner on Wednesday, where defence ministers will be joined by the EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini. US President Donald Trump arrived in on Beijing Wednesday to press China to do more to get Pyongyang to curb its nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes. - US role in Syria? - Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test -- its most powerful to date. "All NATO allies agree that we have to put strong pressure on North Korea because North Korea is responsible for reckless behaviour, irresponsible behaviour developing nuclear weapons and by developing missiles," Stoltenberg said. On Thursday talks will turn to Afghanistan, where NATO plans to boost its training and support mission for local forces by some 3,000 troops. Later in the day US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will hold a separate meeting with partners from the coalition fighting IS in the Middle East, where the jihadists continue to lose territory. As he flew to Europe, Mattis told reporters that coalition partners are looking to the United States for a clear plan about what follows the physical defeat of IS. "Maybe three-quarters of the questions I am getting asked now is (about) going forward. They are now saying: 'What's next? How is it looking?'" Mattis said. Following back-to-back losses, including of their Syrian and Iraqi strongholds of Raqa and Mosul, IS fighters are down to defending their last holdouts along the Euphrates River valley. America's military involvement in Syria has until now been focused solely on fighting IS. A French source also said allies were keen to hear what Mattis had to say about the role of Iran -- a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- following Trump's tough rhetoric against Tehran.
Toasted, roasted and grilled or already over the hump?

Posted on 9 November 2017 by dana1981

Last week news stories came out that said that global human carbon emissions may have peaked, essentially implying that we could already be over the hump and on the way to solving climate changewhile other news stories that same day and in that same publication noted that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations jumped by a record amount in 2016. These stories exemplify the emotional roller coaster that often comes with following climate change news. How can we reconcile the ebbs and flows between hopeful and apocalyptic climate stories?

The answer lies in considering the timeframe around a piece of climate news. For example, the seeming contradiction in the two news reports is explained by the monsterEl Nino event of 2016 that intensified droughts and consequently weakened the ability of vegetation to absorb carbon dioxideshowing that while human carbon pollution is responsible for the long-term rise in atmospheric concentrations, there is still ample short-term natural variation.

To give a second example: In a recent story, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund was quoted saying: If we don't do anything about climate change now, in 50 years' time we will be toasted, roasted and grilled. While that is an alarming statement, it focuses on a potential scenario in which half-a-century from now we have failed to change the course of our climate policies.

Its important to remember, however, that with the international Paris climate accords, nearly every nation in the world agreed to begin the process to alter that worst-case course.

Another recent story noted that theres a large gap between the Paris climate goals and the emissions cuts weve achieved so far. But the agreement was signed a mere two years ago, and global carbon emissions appear close to peaking. (They must peak by around 2020 to give us a realistic chance to meet the Paris targets). Moreover, it was agreed that countries must strengthen their emissions pledges during five-year reviews to meet the Paris goals, which means its hardly fair to pass judgment at this date. True, its too early yet to know if the worlds nations will indeed be able to follow through with such ambitious plans, but there are positive signs. For example, China had pledged to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030, but it appears to already be approaching that goal 10-to-15 years ahead of schedule. Thats a significant development, so it bears repeating: China may reach its carbon reduction goals 10-to-15 years ahead of schedule.

On the other hand, the climate news coming out of the United States under the Trump administration seems constantly grim. However, the United States is just one country, and even there we see some good long-term news. Despite the administrations efforts to maximize coal burning and the associated carbon pollution, coal is rapidly being phased out of the American power grid for purely economic reasons; quite simply, wind, solar, and natural gas are cheaper options.

Ultimately, the wildly fluctuating tone in climate change news stems from the fact that we now stand at a critical point in human history. To avoid causing exceptionally damaging climate changes, we must take aggressive steps now to cut human carbon pollution, and those actions must continually accelerate in the coming decades. The future climate will depend on the path we choose now and in the foreseeable future. Todays scientists and journalists are trying to read the tea leaves to determine which path were taking, which leads to a see-sawing between "theres hope" and "were doomed" stories.

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Mildred Hayes, the divorced single mother played with searing ferocity by Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, is a hard person to be around. Understandably so, since its only been seven months since her teenage daughter, Angela, was found raped and murdered near their house in the small town of the title. Fixated on finding the perpetrator, Mildred cruises the streets in her old wood-paneled station wagon, dressed in a union work suit she seems never to take off, gaze fixed stonily ahead. She has no patience for the soothing pleasantries of the local priest, who drops by her house for a cup of tea and is served a profane rant about pedophilia in the Catholic clergy. She even scoffs at the repeated pleas of her surviving child, high schoolaged Robbie (Manchester by the Seas Lucas Hedges, who also turns in a quiet but remarkable performance in this months Lady Bird), to take it down a notch and quit rubbing the horrible details of Angelas murder into the face of everyone she meets.

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Instead Mildred takes it up a notch. Spotting three long-unused billboards on her drive home, she conceives a notion to rent them out with custom-made messages directed at the local police chief, Bill Willoughby (Woody Harrelson). Ill let you discover what each of the billboards saysits enough to know that they sum up with admirable economy both the savage nature of the crime and Mildreds fury at the Ebbing police, who havent yet made any arrests. The department is doing all it can, Chief Willoughby assures her, though thats less than reassuring when the cop assigned to the case is a blustering numbskull like Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), known around town for his mistreatment of black suspects in custody.

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McDormands vanity-free, fiercely truthful performance is the kind Hollywood ought to honor.

The Irish playwright Martin McDonagh has written and directed two other movies, In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, both of which, like Three Billboards, mix scabrous humor and shocking bursts of violence with surprisingly warm character comedy. With Three Billboards, McDonagh finds the best balance of tones he has yet on the big screenwhich is not to say that this audacious and sometimes brutal movie hangs together completely. The last half-hour goes a little gonzo for my taste, with coincidences and bodies piling up fast, and there are at least two apparent endings before the real one comes.

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But at its best, Three Billboards has two important things McDonaghs previous films lacked: a lived-in sense of place and a vividly drawn female protagonist. Despite their memorable settingsa medieval Belgian tourist town, the Southern California deserthis earlier movies had a theatrical quality, the locations serving mainly as a scenic backdrop for tense encounters among chatty, neurotic men. Mildred Hayes is neither chatty nor neurotic. Shes stolid, monomaniacally convinced of the rightness of her cause, and as likely to communicate her needs with a swift kick in the crotch as via reasoned dialogue.

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And unlike the displaced heroes of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, Mildred is a part of a broader social landscape. For better or for worse, she belongs in Ebbing, even if most of its inhabitants, including her ex-husband (John Hawkes), regard her as certifiable. McDonagh deftly establishes a host of secondary characters who are more than just plot-advancers: the manager of the rundown office that rents out the billboards (Caleb Landry Jones), a regular at the town bar with a longtime crush on Mildred (Peter Dinklage), or the thuggish Officer Dixons even meaner mother (Sandy Martin). By the end, Ebbing feels like a town we know our way around, from the grubby confines of the police station to that lonely stretch of farm road with its three accusing billboards.

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Though the cast is brilliant all around, the versatile Sam Rockwell still manages to stand out, even if Dixons hasty redemption arc feels unearned. But its Frances McDormands complete commitment to her often unlikable and sometimes unhinged character that lifts Three Billboards in Ebbing, Missouri to a higher moral plane. Mildred, the movies sole flashback implies, was not always that nice to her daughter when she was alive, and her idea of how to lift her grieving sons spirits is to flick a spoonful of soggy cereal at his head and then mock his annoyance. But nice and good are two different things, and though Mildred makes many choices that are reprehensible or downright dangerous, McDormand never fails to convince us of the fundamental decency of this woman, a tragic heroine struggling to find even the tiniest scrap of meaning in a comically awful world. I said above that Mildred is a tough person to be around, and she isthere are moments late in the movie when she commits acts that push at the limits of audience sympathy and goodwill. But McDormand, at age 60 one of our most gifted and least calculating actresses, fearlessly challenges us to love her character anyway. Her vanity-free, fiercely truthful performance is the kind Hollywood ought to honor, and I hope shell be recognized when awards season rolls around. Im tempted to take out three billboards.
Gary Cohn, the former Goldman Sachs president whos now Donald Trumps top economic adviser, accidentally went full-plutocrat during an interview with CNBCs John Harwood published Thursday, while attempting to defend the administrations ludicrously regressive tax plan. Among other bloopers, the National Economic Council director explained that CEOs of big corporations were the most excited group out there about a proposal that would ultimately raise taxes on a good chunk of the middle class. He also said that while the administration hadnt set out to lower taxes on the wealthy, hes not upset about it, as if its massive rate cuts for business owners were merely some form of serendipity.

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Cohn also left it unclear whether he had any idea how much middle-class families actually pay to the IRS each yeara fairly important detail that one might expect the White Houses point man on tax reform to know. During the interview, Harwood pointed out that the House Republican plan spends lavishly to lower rates for big businesses, but only modestly helps ordinary families. Cohn readily agreed, and proceeded to explain that the bill couldnt possibly lower middle-class taxes any further because they were already so low. Heres the exchange:

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Harwood: If you look at Joint Tax, $1 trillion in net cuts for business, $200 billion through the estate tax, and $300 billion for individuals. So, four times as much in business tax cuts and estate tax as for individuals.

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Cohn: Yup. But, John, if you look at what were doing for middle-class taxpayers, the reality is kind of simple. The median-income family in the United States, the family that earns about $60,000 in the United States, the Speaker [Paul Ryan] talked about them getting a $1,182 tax cut. That family is now paying a marginal tax rate of less than 1 percent. Theyre paying less than $500 of total taxes in the system. So a $60,000 earner, family of four, is paying less than $500. We have cut their taxes significantly. You cant go much further in the tax system.

Harwood: Youre saying you cant give middle-class taxpayers more of a tax break than youve done?

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Cohn: Unless you want to start going negative tax rates and go into the negative world. So, when people score this, youre scoring against the bound of zero.

There are multiple reasons why this line of argument is ludicrous, but the most glaring one boils down to exactly two words: payroll taxes. The levies that fund Social Security and Medicare are often a much bigger burden on low- and middle-income families than federal income taxes. As Seth Hanlon of the Center for American Progress points out, the family that Cohn uses as an example would pay more than $4,000 next year in payroll taxes. There are plenty of ways Republicans could cut that total without going into the negative world, as Cohn put it. In fact, one of the simplest and best proposals to do so comes from two GOP senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida, who want to let families fully count the child tax credit against their payroll taxes. So far, it appears their idea is being largely ignored, while their party plots enormous cuts for corporations.

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Presumably, Cohn has an inkling that payroll taxes are a thing that exist and could maybe be cut. But telling Harwood that a middle-income family would pay less than $500 into the system under the GOP plan suggests he has little idea how much money regular households actually owe in taxes, and isnt seriously considering ways to lighten the load. With the exception of figures like Lee and Rubio, this kind of thinking is unfortunately par for the course among most Republicans (or Democrats who work for them, like Cohn). Its a mindset that says the only real taxes are the ones that rich people pay.
All Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) users now have the ability to tweet using 280 characters, double the previous 140-character limit.

The change went into effect on November 7 and all those strategies and tricks you had for getting your small businesss message across in a short form are now fodder for the history books.

Only select users had access to the expanded character count during an initial roll out over the past month. But the social media platform now opened up the feature to all users following a successful trial run.

On its official company blog, Twitter says the change will make it less likely your whole message will have trouble fitting inside the new 280 characters confines of a post. Product manager Aliza Rosen says that with the 140-character limit, 9 percent of tweets would hit the limit, with no characters to spare. In a limited run of 280 character tweets, just 1 percent hit this limit.

Heres a chart the company put together to emphasize that point:

For now, the new feature is leading to plenty of jokes and complaints from business users about other features that Twitter has yet to debut, like the oft-asked-for edit button.

Dear Twitter,

All we wanted was an edit button

All we wanted was an edit button

All we wanted was an edit button

All we wanted was an edit button

All we wanted was an edit button

All we wanted was an edit button

All we wanted was an edit button#280characters! #WednesdayWisdom ? pic.twitter.com/3ol2SoRGwN  Paul Dunphy Esquire (@pauldunphy) November 8, 2017

At least theres now space for endless animal emojis ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????#280characters  Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) November 8, 2017

Social media managers attempting to re-write Twitter strategy due to #280characters change pic.twitter.com/jPVWvuz1tF  Matt Navarra ?? (@MattNavarra) November 8, 2017

Who needs #280characters? A picture is worth a thousand words. pic.twitter.com/IVEA3GqHyY  krispykreme (@krispykreme) November 8, 2017

But going forward, it could also make an actual impact on business users. First of all, the expanded character limit will likely make it easier to fit more in-depth thoughts into tweets. Previously, if you had a promotion or piece of content that wouldnt fit within the 140-character limit, you would have to break it up into multiple tweets, link to a blog post or even share a photo of the entire thought, decreasing the chances people would actually read the whole thing.

The 140-character limit certainly made it difficult for businesses to share in-depth messages. But it also forced a lot of businesses to condense their content into bite-sized pieces, which likely helped a lot of them more effectively communicate with consumers who arent interested in sifting through long form content to find the main point.

Overall, the expanded character limit is probably going to have both positive and negative effects for small businesses and Twitter users as a whole. If its overused, it could lead to a lack of interest from those who were initially drawn to the brevity of Twitter. But if people use it sparingly and effectively, it could give your business and others a better way to get select messages across to customers.
A tour will show which parts of Bratislava have served as film locations

The scene from the film Wilsonov in which Bratislava, the then-Wilsonov prepares for signing an agreement about joining the city with the USA. (Source: PubRes)

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Did you know that one of Bratislavas fountains was built exclusively for a film or that the scene of bloodshed and a frantic manhunt in Vienna in the blockbuster Peacemaker was actually shot in Bratislava? All this information and much more will be divulged by guide Ivor Svihran during a tour called Film Locations in Bratislava on November 12. He has prepared it in cooperation with the Slovak Film Institute for the occasion of The International Film Festival Bratislava.

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Film Bratislava actually has three dimensions, said Ivor Svihran. These dimensions include Czech-Slovak and Slovak movies that were shot in Bratislava, foreign films shot here but in which Bratislava played different cities, and films located in Bratislava but which were shot elsewhere.

The most well-known foreign movie filmed in Bratislava is probably Peacemaker with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman in the leading roles. It was shot in 1996 at several locations in the Slovak capital but Bratislava always played a different town  Vienna or war-torn Sarajevo.

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Other films shot in Bratislava include, for example, Dragonheart from 1996, Eragon from 2006 and Uprising. For the latter, a complete Warsaw ghetto set was built at the place where Eurovea now stands. Additionally, Kull the Conqueror was shot at Devin castle.

The bizarre category of films whose plots take place in Bratislava but were shot elsewhere include the Bond movie, The Living Daylights from 1987 filmed in Vienna, Derailed from 2002 with Jean-Claude Van Damme as the main character, filmed in Sofia as well as the B-horror film Hostel, from 2005, filmed in the Czech Republic.

The first of three 3-hour tours will be simultaneously translated into English. It will start at 9:00 in front of the Kino Mladost cinema on Hviezdoslavovo Square. The fee is voluntary and booking is recommended.
Creating new jobs is no longer the gold star; support for investors should change into more directed support to reduce regional disparities and increase the economys competitiveness.

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Creating jobs in manufacturing will no longer be a condition for winning state investment assistance. This is one of the main changes brought by a revision to the law on regional investment assistance, approved by the cabinet on November 8. The draft law further toughens the evaluation of investment plans, brings more transparent conditions for granting investment aid, tightens the conditions for their implementation, and introduces a strict definition of steps of the state administration bodies in the event of their breach. The revision means a shift from flat support for the creation of new jobs to more addressed support to reduce regional disparities and increase the economys competitiveness.

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The revision still needs to be passed by parliament to enter into force by April 2018. It will replace the law from 2008.

Primarily we want to push new investors to invest in the north, east and south of Slovakia, said Economy Minister Peter Ziga after the cabinet session as cited by the SITA newswire. The second basic point is that we will try to offer investors arriving in Slovakia to invest here support in not in cash but rather tax reliefs and we will push them into investing into technologies with higher added value.

The most significant changes include the omission of the requirement to create jobs in industrial production. When it comes to technology and business service centres, the condition of having a certain ratio of jobs for people with university education has been replaced by a condition of paying higher salaries than the district average, reads the explanatory document from the Economy Ministry as cited by the TASR newswire.

Meanwhile, investment aid should be redirected to less developed regions of Slovakia, considering also the changing needs of investors, progressive technologies and activities with high added value.

The currently valid law on investment assistance valid from 2008 has been revised 11 times. During this period of time, both Slovakias economy and the global economy have undergone significant development. As a consequence, the current wording of the law does not respond either to the new needs of Slovakias economy nor the new needs of possible as well as established investors, writes the Economy Ministry.
The ministers first need to learn more about the proposal.

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The government did not discuss the planned purchase of armoured vehicles for the Slovak armed forces after it withdrew the topic from its November 8 session agenda.

The problem was that the Slovak National Party (SNS), whose nominee Peter Gajdos leads the Defence Ministry, tried to push through its own rules for modernising the army without further discussion with its coalition partners, the Dennik N daily reported.

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The coalition parties Smer and Most-Hid criticise SNS for hiding details of the proposed 1 billion purchase. Moreover, the ministry proposes skipping the proper bid competition and assigning the order directly.

The document submitted for the governments session suggests from whom Slovakia should buy an 81 eight-wheel personnel carrier for about 417 million and smaller four-wheel armoured vehicles for nearly 800 million, Dennik N wrote.

We have opened a debate, said Justice Minister Lucia Zitnanska (Most-Hid), as quoted by the TASR newswire. Apparently, this material needs more talks and can be negotiated at the government level only after negotiations at the coalition level take place first.

The cabinet will deal with the material next week, she added.

Proposals have to be published in advance

After the summer crisis, the coalition parties agreed on rules to avoid problems. The ministers have to publish their proposals at least one day before the government session, so the coalition leaders can comment on them, said PM Robert Fico, as reported by Dennik N.

SNS did not comment on submitting the document. The Defence Ministry said it concerns the biggest army modernisation ever, and that they will discuss the proposal next week.

The Defence Ministry will subsequently present the necessary information to the public, which can be published in compliance with the law on protection of classified information, said its spokesperson Danka Capakova, as quoted by Dennik N.

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Interior Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer) said after the session that the material is well-drafted yet so extensive that many of us havent had a chance to peruse it yet, as reported by TASR.

Chair of Most-Hid Bela Bugar told Dennik N that the discussion was only suspended and that it is an ordinary procedure.

Meanwhile, the opposition commented on the proposal, criticising the fact that the minister wants to disclose nearly everything concerning the purchase.
Allegations that the extremist party had received money from a pro-Kremlin businessman were not confirmed.

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The police investigation did not confirm reports that the far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia (LSNS) led by Marian Kotleba is financed from abroad. The information came from the German public-service television ZDF in May, which referred to leaked emails.

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After operational verification, the National Criminal Agency did not find any reason to start criminal prosecution in the case, the Police Corps presidium said, as quoted by the Pravda.sk website.

The leaked emails suggested that pro-Kremlin Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeev, who is on the European Unions sanction list, financed the demonstrations against the West and NATO that took place in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary via Belarusian entrepreneur Alexander Usovsky.

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LSNS was alleged to have received the money as well, the CTK newswire reported.

The party, known for its criticism of Slovakias membership in NATO and the EU refused the accusations in June. It claimed it did not receive money from Russia, nor Belarus, Washington or Brussels and that it had no reason to fear the investigation.

The party still faces the proposal that it be dissolved. The General Prosecutors Office called it an extremist party with fascist tendencies which violates the constitution, laws and international treaties with its programme and activities.

It is not clear when the Supreme Court will decide in the case, CTK wrote.
The festival will offer the best of this years wines from the boroughs of Raca, Nove Mesto, Vajnory and Devin

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Saint Martins Days, marking the feast of one of Bratislavas patrons, St Martin, on November 11, are due to perk up Bratislavas centre this coming weekend, joining the Old Towns kermesse and the Young Wine Festival of Bratislava.

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The festival will begin with the blessing of the new wine at the Saint Ladislaus Chapel in the Primates Palace at 16:00 on Friday, November 10. The square in front of the palace will then host a tasting of the best of this years wines from the boroughs of Raca, Nove Mesto, Vajnory and Devin, lasting until Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, a fete will be organised on Rudnayovo Square offering mulled wine and various specialities, including roast ox.

It will be sold at a symbolic price on Saturday from 14:00, with the proceeds due to be given to charity, said Marek Papajcik from the Bratislava city hall communication department as cited by the TASR newswire.

The kermesse will include a ceremonial mass at Saint Martins Cathedral to mark the saints day and lantern processions in the Old Town on Saturday, November 11, and at Bratislava Castle on Monday, November 13.

Wine-growing traditions in Bratislava go back 3,000 years, as the area used to be known for centuries as Slovakias most noted wine region.

Several curious legal prescriptions were linked to Saint Martins Day in Bratislava in the past. For example, it was permitted to serve wine in the citys cellars even during the so-called Bannzeit, when all other Bratislavan wine-growers were prohibited from selling wine. Meanwhile, wine was served in the underpass of the Old City Hall, at the Franciscan monastery in the centre and at the so-called Apostolic Cellar in the Green House, which was ceremonially visited on the day by the mayor and councillors to taste the new wine.
Ministers will vote on a new home for the EMA on November 20

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Bratislava and Milan have emerged as frontrunners to host the EUs medicines agency after Brexit, in a fiercely contested lobbying battle that will come to a head this month, the Financial Times newspaper has written.

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Senior diplomats said the bids by Slovakia and Italy stood out in a crowded field battling for the European Medicines Agency, with 19 countries competing against them. Amsterdam and Copenhagen are also seen as tough contenders.

The London-based EMA is perceived as the jewel in the crown among more than 40 specialised EU agencies. It has 900 full-time staff and receives visits from some 35,000 national regulators and scientists each year because of its vital role in approving new medicines for sale on the EU market.

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Ministers will vote on a new home for the EMA in a secret ballot on November 20.

The economic heft of the EMA, and the prestige of hosting it, have prompted what one diplomat described as a massive lobbying effort now reaching its climax, the Financial Times wrote.

Diplomats said Bratislavas bid had gathered momentum despite a lukewarm reception from the agency itself, which has warned that more than 70 percent of staff might leave if it is moved to the Slovak capital.

The Slovak bid is seen by officials as the strongest from central and eastern Europe, a region which is under-represented among EU agencies. Slovakia, a member of the eurozone, is also viewed in Brussels as a bastion of at least some pro-EU feeling in a region increasingly hostile to European integration. Bratislava is within commuting range of Vienna, which is itself mounting a bid for the agency.

EU officials warn of uproar if at least one agency is not granted to one of the 10 central and eastern European countries that have joined the EU since 2004, the Financial Times wrote.

Slovakia is the only country from central Europe not to host a European institution. For the EMA it is offering offices in Westend Plazza, a construction project led by the developer J&T Real Estate located in Patronka. They will be completed in 2018.
Igor Matovic confirmed the sale and promised to return to the deal at a press conference next week

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One of the biggest regional newspaper networks has a new owner. Pavlina Matovicova, spouse of MP Igor Matovic, has sold the publishing house regionPRESS to the company Z+M Press owned by two Czech businessmen, the Sme daily reported.

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RegionPRESS publishes 36 regional weeklies, for example Bratislavsko, Trnavsko, Zilinsko and Kosicko. These are free regional newspapers that have been on the market since 1997 and are distributed to 1.5 million households. They combine classifieds with regional news.

The value of the transaction has not been revealed.

With this purchase, Z+M Press will expand its business activities in Slovakia.

We are pleased that we have successfully completed the whole acquisition process for regionPRESS and we can now start to fully focus on growth in the Slovak market, said David Sevcik director of Z+M Press, as cited by the SITA newswire from a press report. This acquisition offers great potential and it will be a challenge for us to expand our activities through an established company with tradition and experience.

RegionPRESS reports turnover in millions of euros. It reported sales of 5.3 million last year and reported an aggregate profit of 8.7 million between 2010 and 2016.

Igor Matovic confirmed the sale of the company and promised to return to the deal at a press conference next week.

The sale of the publishing house does not affect the ongoing investigation of Matovic and his old trade license.

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Matovics movement, OLaNO, used the newspapers for political agitation when its representatives used to have their columns there.

The new owner will likely halt this content. Sevcik said that after the change of ownership regionPRESS will be an apolitical company.

One of the basic principles of our functioning is that we refuse to actively engage with politicians and political parties, said Sevcik.
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Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. provides natural gas compression services and equipment to the energy industry in the United States. It fabricates, manufactures, rents, and sells natural gas compressors and related equipment. The company primarily engages in the rental of compression units that provide small, medium, and large horsepower applications for unconventional oil and natural gas production. As of December 31, 2021, the company had 2,023 natural gas compression units in its rental fleet with 418,041 horsepower. The company also engages in the design, fabrication, and assembly of compressor components into compressor units for rental or sale; engineers and fabricates natural gas compressors; and designs and manufactures a line of reciprocating compressor frames, cylinders, and parts. In addition, it is involved in the design, fabrication, sale, installation, and service of flare stacks and related ignition and control devices for the onshore and offshore incineration of gas compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gases. Further, the company offers customer support services for its compressor and flare sales business; and exchange and rebuild program for small horsepower screw compressors. Its primary customers are exploration and production(E&P) companies that utilize compressor units for artificial lift applications; E&P companies that focuses on natural gas-weighted production; and midstream companies. Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Midland, Texas.
Axel Springer SE operates as a publishing company primarily in Europe and the United States. The company operates through three segments: Classifieds Media, News Media, and Marketing Media. The Classifieds Media segment operates a portfolio of online classified portals in the areas of real estate, jobs, cars, and general. This segment operates SeLoger, Immoweb, and Immowelt/Immonet real estate portals; Totaljobs, Jobsite, and Saongroup job portals; meinestadt.de, a regional portal; and car and general classified ad portals, including LaCentrale and Yad2. The News Media segment offers newspapers primarily under the BILD and WELT brands in Berlin, as well as the FAKT name in Poland; automotive, computer, and sports magazines under the AUTO BILD, COMPUTER BILD, and SPORT BILD brand names; and a tabloid under the BLIKK name in Hungary. This segment also operates Internet portals, such as Onet.pl and azet.sk; profession.hu, a job portal; WELT, a news channel; BILD.de, a news and entertainment portal; WELT.de, a news portal; Upday, a mobile news portal; businessinsider.com; and Autobild.de, a digital appearances of the magazine. Its digital offerings also comprise analytics, studies, and digital market data for companies and institutions. The Marketing Media segment provides advertising services on performance or reach based marketing. The company distributes its print media primarily through press wholesale companies, station book trade, and press import companies; and digital products principally through its webpages or download platforms, including the app stores of Apple and Google. Axel Springer SE was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
State education officials want to define what students should learn to be engaged citizens who vote, volunteer and understand the art of civil discourse when they graduate from high school.

Defining civic readiness became part of the Nebraska Board of Educations strategic plan, was among the topics of a social studies education summit in February and comes on the heels of legislation that would have required civics testing in schools.

The state Board of Education is expected to vote on the definition, which would help educators know what students should be learning and be better able to measure whether theyre learning it.

What it does is clarify what it means to be civic-ready, said Cory Epler, the state education departments chief academic officer.

The states social studies standards include civics education, but the definition being considered by the board is broader and could encompass more than social studies classes, Epler said.

It would promote experiences students can have in high school to inspire civic-mindedness, rather than teaching specific standards.

Getting a 70 percent on a test as a senior in high school doesnt necessarily mean as a 40-year-old youll be an engaged citizen, he said.

The proposed definition includes having a fundamental understanding of the structure of government and the history that informs policies, as well as having the skills necessary to be involved citizens with a personal commitment to ideals important in a democracy.

The definition stresses the need to be advocates but also to respect and understand differing opinions and the value of civil discourse.

In todays polarized political climate, the need to learn how to have a discussion where everyones views are respected is particularly important, Epler said.

The timing is right, he said.

The definition is similar  if more detailed  to language in a bill supported by the state Board of Education during the last Legislative session that would have updated the Americanism statutes written in 1949.

Opponents of that bill argued the changes would weaken the standards and promote socialism.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krists original bill would have required high school students pass the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test to graduate, but he amended it to instead allow schools latitude to decide when and how to test students social studies knowledge.

Epler said more states are moving to create standards that promote civic-readiness in addition to college and career-readiness, and Nebraska has added that to its goals.

The definition will allow teachers to make sure their classes teach the skills defined by the state, and will help the state improve teacher training, he said.

At Lincoln Public Schools, civics-related activities include participation in a citywide student vote during presidential elections, required community service hours as part of a government and politics class, and opportunities in student government.

A small work group drafted the proposed language, but state education officials reached out not only to educators, but to groups on both sides of the political spectrum, as well as state officials, including the secretary of state, Epler said.
Who controls Syria once ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and other rebels are defeated? It is basically a showdown between Iran (which has been at war with Israel since the 1980s) and Israel (which does not want Iranian military forces on its Syrian border under any circumstances). Iran is also at war with Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Arab allies. Not surprisingly the Saudis and Israel have been cooperating more since 2001 because of this shared threat. Yet the Arabs in general have a problem as they have been insisting that Israel does not have the right to exist since Israel was created in 1947 and decades of state sponsored propaganda leaves a lot of Arabs confused as Israel and Saudi Arabia cooperate to deal with Iran. .

The Saudis are likely to become more public about their alliance with Israel because the Sunni Arabs believe they can rely on Israel more than their Western allies and that will require more open joint operations soon. The Western allies can back off from a fight while the Israelis cannot as they, and Saudi Arabia, are the main Iranian objectives. Iran is moving forward towards a confrontation and given past performance, might agree to back off if offered enough of an incentive.

When it comes to Iran Israel has some very public backing from Russia despite the fact that this puts Russia at odds with their two other allies (Turkey and Iran) in Syria. The Russians see the Israelis as a more powerful and reliable ally that the Turks or Iranians. Russia is also backing the Kurds in Syria and that is causing problems with Turkey. For example on October 31st Russia invited the Syrian Kurds to a November 18th Syrian Congress on National Dialogue conference in Russia. The Kurds were among 33 groups invited to a UN backed effort to work out a peace deal for post-war Syria. Russia has long tried to play peacemaker even though to make any progress it must offend its new allies Turkey and Iran. Russia is recognizing the key role the Syrian Kurds played in defeating ISIL in Syria and driving ISIL out of Raqqa. In contrast Turkey and Iran want to attack the Syrian Kurds and force them to submit to Assad rule. A week later Turkey said it had convinced Russia to allow the Syrian Kurds to attend. That was incorrect but Russia did postpone the conference until it could deal with Turkish objections.

ISIL Withers But Does Not Die

ISIL has lost all its major urban areas, more recently Raqqa and Deir Ezzor city in eastern Syria. Overall ISIL has lost 98 percent of the territory it controlled at their peak in late 2014. At that point ISIL controlled about ten million people in Syria and Iraq. Now they control less than 100,000.

Syrian forces are moving down the Euphrates River valley towards the Iraq border, clearing out remaining ISIL forces as they go. At the Iraqi border Iraqi troops (and Iran backed Shia militia) have already captured both sides of a key border crossing.

Up north the Kurds still control most of the Turkish border but the Turks are making their move to change that. Down south rebels still hold a lot of the Jordan border while the Israeli border is mixed with Syrian troops holding about half and various rebel groups the rest. Syrian forces control most of the Lebanon border. There is still a lot of fighting expected and before this is over (sometime in 2018) about half a million will have died in the war, most of them Syrians.

Libya is seen as the new ISIL base area. That is not working out so well because if there is one thing most Libyans can agree on is the need to keep ISIL out. With their headquarters in Syria gone, along with most of the territory ISIL had controlled until about a year ago, Libya still has to deal with more than a thousand ISIL members seeking to establish base areas (for training and planning operations worldwide).

As happened in Syria, Iraq Afghanistan and elsewhere harsh ISIL rule enraged many of the locals. In Libya ISIL punished or executed people for minor infractions of what ISIL considers proper Islamic lifestyle and that eventually backfired. ISIL definitely believes that if you cant be loved by your subjects than fear is an acceptable substitute. That approach works both ways and ISIL lost in Libya and most everywhere else.

ISIL also needs money and with the Syrian oil income gone people and drug smuggling gangs have become more important, especially in Libya and Afghanistan. ISIL remains the most effective hired guns smuggling gangs can get. But even ISIL cannot stand up to the Western troops or determined local militias.

November 6, 2017: In the east, (Deir Ezzor province) a roadside bomb wounded five Russian soldiers and four Russian journalists.

November 4, 2017: The Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri resigned while visiting Saudi Arabia. Hariri, who was raised in Saudi Arabia and maintained a second home there, was persuaded to become the new Lebanese prime minister in late 2015 despite the fact that his father had been murdered by Hezbollah in 2005 after leaving the same job. The Hariri clan and many other prominent Lebanese Sunnis and Christians have complained about Iran backed (and created) Shia Hezbollah militia taking control of Lebanon. This has happened even though the Shia are a minority in Lebanon but with Iran backed Hezbollah have managed to develop a veto over most government decisions.

November 3, 2017: In the east, (Deir Ezzor province) Syrian troops cleared the last ISIL held areas of the provincial capital (Deir Ezzor city). At this point Syrian forces will move southeast to clear the Euphrates River valley to the Iraqi border. There ISIL today lost control of Qaim on the Iraqi side of the border. ISIL had had controlled this town since 2014. Qaim was special because it was the main border crossing between Iraq and Syria and increasingly hit with airstrikes and now ground forces as well. ISIL lost most other border towns already but held onto Qaim as long as they could because it was a key link in the main road from Mosul to Raqqa. That link is apparently no longer considered essential because ISIL no longer occupies Raqqa or Mosul. But the Qaim crossing also opens the way for a Iran-to-Lebanon highway for Shia forces. American backed rebels in Syria might still block use of that road.

In the southwest (Quneitra province) al Nusra rebels attacked Hader, an Assad controlled Druze village near the Israeli border. The attack began with a suicide car bomb exploding. This killed at least nine and wounded over 20. There was a lot of gunfire after that but the remaining rebels in the attack force appeared to retreat. Later that day, under pressure from the Druze community on the Israeli side of the border, Israel agreed to do what it could to keep the Islamic terrorists away from the Hader but would not send Israeli troops into Syria.

The Druze in Syria (about five percent of the population) turned against the Assad government by 2015. At this point Israel had, for several years, been letting badly wounded Syrians in for medical treatment but with Islamic terror groups like Al Nusra and ISIL operating on the border by 2015 and threatening Syrian Druze the situation has become tense. This led some Israeli Druze to assume that wounded Syrians were often al Nusra or ISIL men and there were some violent attacks on ambulances. One mid-2015 attack led to the murder of the Syrian patient. Israeli soldiers had been injured trying to protect ambulance crews and patients. Israeli police managed to track down the Israeli Druze responsible for the violence and end it.

Israeli Druze leaders had condemned the attacks and that helped the police investigation because the Druze can be very secretive (a centuries old trait). At the same time Druze leaders announced that Israeli Druze have raised nearly $3 million for Syrian Druze by 2015 and that fund raising continues. In 2015 Israel announced that it had told Syrian rebels across the border that if they wished to continue receiving Israeli medical aid for their badly wounded they must leave the Syrian Druze alone and help protect them from harm. Since late 2014 al Nusra and other Syrian rebels have come to control most of the border adjacent to Israel. This created problems with the Israeli Druze who feared for the safely of the 500,000 Syrian Druze.

The 130,000 Israeli Druze have been pressuring Israel since 2013 to rescue or help protect Druze living across the border in Syria. Israel has agreed to help but never released a lot of details. The solution apparently involved quietly making deals with Syrian rebels. This solution meant there was no need to allow lots of Syrian Druze into Israel or send Israeli troops across the border to establish a safe zone for Syrian Druze. This would preserve the lands of Syrian Druze and not turn them into refugees, but would also be more expensive (in cash and lives) for Israel by establishing a new border.

In 2015 Al Nusra was temporarily allied with ISIL and both these groups, especially ISIL, were very hostile to Druze (a semi-Islamic sect considered heretical by most mainline Moslems). By 2015 over a hundred Druze had already been murdered by Islamic terrorists in Syria and there was a sense of desperation among Israeli Druze. Al Nusra apologized for Druze their men killed recently but ISIL was unapologetic. Other Syrian rebel groups were willing to leave the Druze alone and even protect them in order to gain immunity from Israeli attacks. With ISIL gone from the Israeli border by late 2017 al Nusra and Assad forces control most of the Israeli border. Al Nusra has replaced ISIL as the source of most Islamic terror attacks.

November 1, 2017: In central Syria (Homs province) an Israeli airstrike did major damage to an industrial facility outside the city. Locals indicated that that plant and storage area had long been used by the Syrian military and may have contained a chemical weapons facility. All Syrian chemical weapons are supposed to be gone since a 2013 Russian brokered deal. But in the last few years there have been a number of confirmed instances where Syrian forces used chemical weapons.

October 31, 2017: In the northeast (Hasakah province) Turkish police found a smuggling tunnel under the border to the Kurdish town of Qamishli. The entrance on the Syrian side was blocked. The tunnel was about six meters (20 feet) beneath the surface.

The U.S. revealed that in the last two months they had killed 11 senior ISIL officials in Iraq and Syria, most of them having something to do with weapons development, finance, media and transportation. This is why the ISIL program of arming commercial UAVs with explosives suddenly disappeared and why so many ISIL dead appeared malnourished while captured (or surrendered) ISIL fighters talked of growing shortages of food and all manner of supplies. Large stockpiles of these supplies are being captured in Syria and Iraq but the organization that once arranged for distribution of this stuff were in disarray, in large part because the few senior ISIL officials who knew how it worked have recently been killed (while the few others have disappeared and appear to have used their resources to get out of the region). Another purpose of this decapitation (going after key leaders) campaign was to reduce the number of ISIL fighters getting home, especially if they came from the West. It was also noted that these decapitation attacks were hurting ISIL media operations, which were once the most successful among many Islamic terror groups. As suspected the last of the ISIL media experts were in Raqqa because after that city was captured by Kurd led rebels two weeks ago, ISIL media activity took a sharp drop. It is believed that ISIL still has some media experts out there and that they are seeking a new base of operations.

Russia announced that one of its Kilo class diesel-electric submarines in the Mediterranean had launched three Kalibr cruise missiles against ISIL targets in eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province). Russia makes these announcements as part of a promotional program for sales of its Kilo subs and various Russian made weapons they can be equipped with. This marketing approach is working and that is one reason Russia also revealed that it would not reduce its air force activity in Syria now that ISIL was beaten but would increase it. Russia is more confident of using its new aircraft models in combat now that it has found and fixed various minor problems with some of these aircraft and the smart bombs and guided missiles they use.

October 27, 2017: Iraq called a halt on its offensive against its autonomous Kurdish provinces in northern Iraq. In return the Iraqi government expects the Kurds to turn over control of border crossings (to Turkey and Syria) as the Kurds has already (before the Iraqi October 16 offensive against its Kurds) agreed to. This agreement allows the Iraqi forces to direct all their military forces towards the remaining ISIL held territory along the Syrian border. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are believed to have persuaded the Iraqi government to call off the offensive but the details of that are not yet known. The U.S. led air coalition continued its airstrikes in Iraq along with support on the ground and extensive logistic, technical and intelligence support.

October 26, 2017: In the east (Hasakah province) the main border crossing (Fishkhabour) with Iraq came under threat of attack on the Iraqi side by Iran-backed Shia militias and Iraqi troops. This threat did not materialize for several days but is apparently still present. If the Iraqi troops did make a move they would be an attack on one of the original (since the early 1990s) autonomous Kurdish provinces (Dohuk). Fishkhabour is also near one of the main border crossings to Turkey (Ibrahim Khalil). This border crossing was turned over the Iraqi government control on the 30th, which was according to an existing agreement. That deal will also turn control of the Fishkhabour to the Iraq government later. This crossing to Syria connects Iraqi Kurds with Syrian Kurd controlled Hasakah province. Losing access to this would make it more difficult for American troops who aid and advise the Kurds from moving between Syria and Iraq. Turkey wants this as well as Iran and the Assad government.

The UN released a report on an investigation into continued chemical weapons use in Syria. The report confirmed that the Assad government used nerve gas against a pro-rebel village in Idlib province during April 2017, an attack that killed over 83 (30 of them children) and left over 300 with nerve gas related injuries. This is a war crime that many UN members are demanding be prosecuted. As expected the Assads denied the charges safe in the knowledge that their ally Russia would use their veto to block any major war crimes prosecution. The UN investigators had concluded early on that the April attack used nerve gas but the latest report confirms that the nerve gas was delivered by the Assad forces. Another part of this report confirmed that ISIL used mustard gas in several September 2016 attacks.

Nerve gas was first used in combat during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) and Syrian patron Iran was believed to have let the Syrians know details of how nerve gas worked in combat. In 2013 the Assads knew that once they defeated the rebels they could rebuild the plants that manufacture the nerve and mustard gas and rebuild their pre-rebellion stocks in a few years. It was believed that the Assads would not hold onto a secret stash of mustard and sarin as using it would get them in even more trouble. It is doubtful that the Assads would sell any secret stash because it would likely be used against them. But in late 2013 there were suspicions that some of the Assad chemical weapons were not accounted for. The Americans doubt that ISIL had any success manufacturing chemical weapons. It was already known that ISIL was creating primitive chemical weapons by filling 120mm mortar shells with potentially lethal industrial chemicals (like chlorine or grain fumigant). Chemicals like this can be lethal to humans in large quantities, but when used in a mortar shell or as part of a vehicle bomb the amounts victims might be exposed to only have temporary effects ranging from nausea to poor vision, problems breathing and so on.

Nerve gas is different and the effects are unmistakable, gruesome and often fatal. Moreover the ability to accurately identify the composition or chemical weapons residue has improved greatly since the 1980s. Each batch of chemical weapons is a little different, especially rarely manufactured items like mustard or the various nerve agents (some are a gas some are an aerosol). Chemical analysis can quickly identify the type and identifying profile of the samples taken from a victim or the vicinity of the attack. This analysis was done to some of the Syrian stuff surrendered and destroyed in 2014. That means any use of chemical weapons leaves an informative data trail that can be read and followed.

October 25, 2017: In the east (Deir Ezzor province) SDF forces reported being attacked eight kilometers from Deir Ezzor city by ISIL and Assad forces. The ISIL attack force was largely destroyed while the Kurds fired back as the Assad forces and maintained their position.

October 24, 2017: Lebanese media confirmed that Hezbollah was withdrawing all its forces from Syria in early 2018. Hezbollah had earlier told the media about how soon its next war with Israel will happen but a lot of Lebanese were dubious. So were the Israelis who reported that Israeli military analysts agreed with that because the chatter (monitoring of attitudes in Lebanon among Hezbollah supporters and Lebanese in general) indicates that another Hezbollah war now would be unlikely. At the moment Hezbollah military power is crippled by losses (nearly 2,000 dead) in Syria and the continued deployment of about a third of their available forces there. In addition a significant number of veteran personnel are working in Iraq and Yemen supporting local pro-Iran Shia militias. More Hezbollah personnel will be heading back to Gaza now that Hamas has resumed its alliance with Iran. Same with Iranian efforts to form a Syrian Hezbollah along the Israeli border, especially the Golan Heights. This effort is led by the Quds Force and Hezbollah commanders who have long worked directly for Quds. In the long term (the 2020s) Iran is building something that is more than another bit of destroy Israel propaganda. By establishing military bases in Syria and organizing a branch of Hezbollah in Syria Iran has legal justification for stationing Iranian troops in Syria. Unless Israel interferes Iran could rebuild the Syrian military, especially the Syrian ballistic missile stockpile. Iran would have time (and money) to deal with the financial problems that are crippling Hezbollah and Hamas. Thus by the mid-2020s Iran would be in a much stronger position for attacking Israel. That would include the new Israeli natural gas fields off the coast near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah getting out of Syria is a necessity for Hezbollah which grew even more unpopular in Lebanon over the last five years.

October 23, 2017: In the south (outside Damascus) there was an outbreak of fighting between FSA rebels and nearly ISIL groups. This happened in a ceasefire zone that FSA had agreed to but ISIL had not. Nevertheless the local ISIL forces informally complied (most of the time) with the ceasefire, until now. This may have had something to do with the recent ISIL loss of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor city.

October 21, 2017: In the south (Israeli border), five small rockets fired from Syria landed in the Israeli Golan Heights and in response Israeli artillery fired on three Syrian army artillery positions. Israel has adopted a policy of only firing on the Syrian Army if anyone fires into the Golan Heights. There are a number of different groups in southern Syria that have a presence on the Israeli border. Israel suspects this particular incident was carried out by Hezbollah. Rather than try to determine exactly who fired into Israel each time Israel retaliates against the Assad forces as an encouragement to actually take control of their southern border. Earlier in 2017 the Assads said they now controlled the border with Israel and they may or may not.

In central Syria (Homs province) ISIL forces retreated from the town of Qaryatayn and Syrian soldiers entered to find that the Islamic terrorists had killed over a hundred residents before they withdrew (rather than fight Syrian troops inside the town). This sort of thing has become common in Homs province as ISIL forces retreating from towns they had long held are often murdering dozens of civilians before they leave and taking some civilians with them to use as hostages.

Russia used its UN veto to block a proposal to continue investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The UN had investigated and confirmed accusations that Assad forces used nerve gas earlier in 2017.

October 20, 2017: In the east (Raqqa province) the U.S. supported SDF (largely Kurdish) militia declared their effort to take control of the ISIL capital of Raqqa was completed. Now the SDF Syrian Kurds have to decide what to do about the Iraqi and Iranian threats join forces and attack the Iraqi and Syrian Kurdish areas. The SDF suspected the same sort of thing will happen to them. Since mid-2017 Iran led Iraqi Shia militiamen have entered an area (Hasakah province) that has largely been under Kurdish control since 2012 and the Syrian Kurds warned Iraqis to stay out. These accidental incursions apparently had more to do with the Iranian goal of establishing a safe (for Iranian arms shipments) land route from Iran to Lebanon. A major highway crosses the border in the area where the Iraqi Shia militia are operating, now on both sides of the border.

October 19, 2017: In the south (Israeli border), , a mortar shell fired from Syria landed in Israel and within hours Israeli artillery tanks fired on an Syrian army mortar position visible from the Israeli side of the border.

In the east (Deir Ezzor province) SDF handed over control of the largest natural gas field to Russia. SDF had captured this Conoco natural gas facility in late September. The Conoco (an American company) connection ended in 2005 when the Syrian government took possession of the facility.

October 18, 2017: In the east (Deir Ezzor province) a Syrian Army general (Issam Zahreddine) died when his vehicle his a landmine. Zahreddine was a veteran (1980s) officer and a commander of 7,000 Syrian Republican Guard troops clearing ISIL out of the province.

In Nineveh Province Kurdish forces withdrew, as they had earlier agreed, from the border town of Rabia and the major border crossing with Syria.

Russia made it clear their forces in Syria will not be reduced anytime soon because with the rebels defeated Russia has two military bases in Syria to develop and agreements to continue training and rebuilding the Syrian military. Opinion polls in Russia show 54 percent of Russians approve of the Russian efforts in Syria, but 34 percent oppose the Syrian operation and that percentage is increasing. While the government has kept Russian casualties down it has not demonstrated how the expensive operations in Syria are helping the average Russian.

October 16, 2017: Senior Russian military officials visited Israel and met with their Israeli counterparts. This was the first time a Russian Minister of Defense had visited Israel and, as expected, some major agreements were worked out and details of some were made public. Apparently Israel and Russia confirmed some modifications to their agreement on what Russia would do to keep Iranian forces (including Iranian backed Shia militias like Hezbollah) away from the Israeli border. Israel wanted the Russians to keep the Iranians at least 60 kilometers from the border but the Russians have agreed to smaller buffer zones (10-20 kilometers) and are willing and able to enforce those buffer zones. In part this is done by telling the Assad government that continued Russian assistance for the Assads is contingent on the Assads cooperating with the Russians in keeping the Iranians away from the border. At the same time the Russians do not interfere with Israeli air and missile strikes on Iranian weapons shipments moving from Syria to Lebanon (for Hezbollah). Syria protests via the media but does little beyond that. This cozy relationship with Israel is more valuable to Russia than any deals it has with Iran. Russia recognizes that Israel has the strongest economy in the region as well as the most capable military and nuclear weapons. After the Russian delegation left a senior Israeli official visiting Japan repeated that Israel would, if necessary, use military force to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

In the west (Lebanon border) an Israeli reconnaissance jet flying along the Syrian border was fired on by a Syrian air defense unit based across the border in Syria. The Syrian SA-5 anti-aircraft missile missed the Israeli jet, as these missiles have done several times already in 2017. Three hours later an Israeli airstrike hit the Syrian SA-5 unit. The SA-5 is a 1960s design that Russia has updated and Syria received the latest S-200 version of the missile in 2010.

October 14, 2017: In Syria an IRGC general (Abdollah Khosravi) was killed while commanding Shia mercenaries. Khosravi was known to be involved organizing a unit of Shia volunteers from Iran and Iraq.

October 13, 2017: In the north (Idlib province, west of Aleppo and bordering Turkey) another 80 Turkish troops entered Syria in twelve armored vehicles. The Turks have kept their troops strength in Syria low. At first (August 2016) only about a thousand troops came in but occasionally Turkish troop levels increased by several thousand, most of those coming to the border or crossing it briefly. The Turks have kept their own casualties down (71 dead so far) and depended on Turk supported FSA Syrian rebels (about 12,000 of them) to do most of the fighting (and losing about 600 dead in the process).

October 11, 2017: In Damascus three suicide bombers tried to get into a police station but failed and two of them detonated. The three attackers and two policemen died. There are still some rebel held areas outside the capital and a lot more Syrians in government controlled communities that are hostile to the Assad government. It is much more difficult for Islamic terrorists to get into the capital and carry out attacks, but what happened today shows it is still possible.
Equity & Technology

Home Connectivity and the Homework Gap

Is the internet destined to become just another wedge pushing the achievement gap wider?

Nearly one in five homes with school-aged children does not have access to broadband, according to the Pew Research Center. Those numbers get starker when looking at kids from less economically privileged homes  31.4 percent of households making under $50,000 a year and 39.7 percent in homes taking in less than $25,000  or students of different racial backgrounds, with black and Hispanic families with school-aged children having no access to broadband at rates of about 39 percent and 37 percent, respectively.

With such disparity in home broadband access, is the internet destined to become just another wedge pushing the achievement gap wider?

Source: Brookings Institute, "Signs of digital distress: Mapping broadband availability and subscription in American neighborhoods," September 2017, brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/broadbandreport_september2017.pdf

Partnerships with the Private Sector

At California's Pomona Unified School District, a partnership with Sprint is beginning to offer a hopeful answer to that question.

"As you can imagine, these hotspots are a pretty effective bridge, very effective as a matter of fact, for mitigating this digital divide," said Oliver Unaka, public information officer at Pomona USD.

At rural Beekmantown Central School District in New York, students now have access to WiFi on the bus on longer routes, which can be up to 45 minutes.

With 24,000 students, approximately 82 percent of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch, Pomona is currently at the beginning of a 1-to-1 Chromebook rollout. The district also has its share of economic inequity, drawing students from parts of Diamond Bar, CA, where the median annual income is approximately $90,000 and only about one in 20 residents lives under the poverty line and the city of Pomona, with a more modest yearly median income of about $50,000 and a poverty rate above one in five.

The hotspots Unaka mentioned recently came courtesy of Sprint as part of its 1million project.

"Now it doesn't matter if you find yourself in south Pomona, or if you come from a household where the average household income is $30,000, versus someone else in our school district whose average household income is $300,000," Unaka said. "The reality is both students are prepared to effectively compete in a global economy once they graduate from Pomona Unified School District."

Before partnering with Sprint, Unaka said administrators at Pomona noticed an "inordinate amount" of students hanging around campuses after school. When they asked the kids what was going on, they said they were there to access the WiFi.

Source: Brookings Institute, "Signs of digital distress: Mapping broadband availability and subscription in American neighborhoods," September 2017, brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/broadbandreport_september2017.pdf

Unaka said that they weren't necessarily there because their assignments explicitly required access to broadband, though. Rather, when "these students get online, they have chat groups, they interface with tutors, I mean they've become so resourceful in terms of learning and marshalling resources to facilitate their growing minds that the absence of that internet considerably shuts off those avenues, those portals to them and they're stuck doing it the way that I guess people did it in the dark ages" when he grew up.

Kajeet's access points are used by schools to provide internet access from home. Students' families are also able to access the internet through the devices

Schools Creating Community Spaces

For schools or districts that are looking to connect students, leaving a library or other communal space open and available for students after school hours is "A pretty reasonable solution in a lot of places," according to Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and former director of the Office of Educational Technology within the Department of Education.

"In fact there are some schools," Culatta said, such as in Mooresville, NC, where "they actually open up their school in the evening, I think even on the weekends, even for community members because remember, these kids are going home and they don't have internet connections; their families don't either. And often those families need it for job training and job applications, and so they actually invite the family members in to be able to use the connection in the school because in the afternoons and weekends all that bandwidth is sitting there unused anyway."

Culatta later pointed out via email that Mooresville Graded School District no longer holds this policy, but has partnered with a local ISP to provide home access for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Ministers from the Asia-Pacific on Thursday agreed in principle on the terms of a free trade pact that includes 11 economies in the region despite the withdrawal of the U.S. early this year, negotiators told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Toshimitsu Motegi, Japanese Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, told Tuoi Tre after a closed-door negotiation in Da Nang, located in Vietnam, that all sides had reached in-principle consent with regard to the TPP.

Motegi noted that there were many difficulties in negotiating this multilateral trade accord, including a balance of interests for all sides.

Asked about Japans efforts in the negotiation, the minister answered that his country had engaged in bilateral talks with many nations to secure their in-principle agreement.

The ministers will announce the result of their negotiation on Friday, the Japanese official revealed.

A minister from Malaysia told Tuoi Tre that he was happy with the negotiation by raising his thumb up.

We had a very good meeting, Australian minister Steven Ciobo said, walking out of the tense meeting room.

A minister from the Mexican delegation said that an official announcement would be made on Friday, adding that all sides had reached consensus and he was happy with it.

Toshimitsu Motegi (L), Japanese Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, speaks to reporters after the TPP negotiation in Da Nang, Vietnam, November 9, 2017. Photo: Thuan Thang/Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh had said the same day that the 11 remaining negotiating countries would continue trying to adjust the pact without the U.S. in order to ensure interests for all.

We have kept trying to maintain the TPP as a quality trade accord, while seeking similarities to make sure it benefits all members, Minister Anh said.

The TPP aims to eliminate tariffs on industrial and farm products across a bloc whose trade totaled $356 billion last year, according to Reuters.

It also has provisions for protecting everything from labor rights to the environment to intellectual property  one of the main sticking points, the news agency said.

Vietnams economic expert Vo tri Thanh told Tuoi Tre that the ministers being able to reach in-principle agreement on the terms of TPP-11 is a positive sign.

We can expect the 11 economies to reach a consensus on a final plan to put the TPP-11, which retains all the spirits of the erstwhile TPP, into effect in the shortest time possible, Thanh said.

A minister from Malaysia (second left) walks outside the meeting room at the APEC summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, November 9, 2017. Photo: Quynh Trung/Tuoi Tre

Another Vietnamese economist, however, said it is too early to jump at a conclusion as agreeing in principle means there are still issues that need solving.

The pundit advised that the answer can only be found in the post-meeting conference on the TPP on Friday in Da Nang, when official contents of the closed-door negotiations over the last few days are expected to be disclosed.

Pham Chi Lan, another seasoned Vietnamese economist, also appeared skeptical. Lan said the in-principle agreement could mean that the economies involved have agreed to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the TPP, or set a new timeline to pursue the trade pact.

Ministers of the TPP-11 member economies gathered for the negotiation behind closed doors from around 7:30 pm on Thursday and only left the meeting room at 10:00 pm, to the surrounding of some 50 Vietnamese and international journalists.

TPP is a free trade agreement originally involving 12 member states of the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the U.S. and Vietnam. It was expected to serve as a counterweight to Chinas growing regional dominance.

However, the White House announced the United States withdrawal from the deal in January, leaving the remaining 11 members to adopt the new name of TPP-11 to continue negotiations without Washington.
Asia-Pacific business leaders confidence has hit a three-year high, while Vietnam has emerged as a popular destination for new funds among members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a PwC survey finds.

Thirty-seven percent of APEC CEOs are very confident of revenue growth during the next 12 months, up from 28 percent in 2016 despite trade policy uncertainty and related political tensions in many of the economies that make up APEC, according to findings from the APEC 2017 CEO survey.

The surveys main points were announced in a press conference held during the APEC Leaders Week in the central city of Da Nang on Wednesday.

APEC is a regional economic forum established in 1989 and comprised of 21 member economies, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam, among others.

PwC surveyed 1,412 APEC business leaders with responsibility in each of the 21 APEC economies from May to July 2017, prior to the annual APEC CEO Summit, which is taking place from November 8 to 10 as part of the APEC summit in Da Nang.

In the next year, a net 50 percent of businesses surveyed by PwC will shore up their global investments, including those outside the APEC region, up from 43 percent last year, as APEC businesses increase their foothold and influence on the global economy.

In the meantime, 71 percent of those surveyed who are raising investment will direct those increases into APEC economies in 2018, and 63 percent of all APEC CEOs expect their broader global footprint to expand over the next three years.

The biggest domestic investment winners will be Vietnam, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, the survey reads.

The PwC survey suggests that Vietnam is the top APEC target for business leaders overseas investment, followed by China, Indonesia, the U.S. and Thailand.

Business leaders confidence suggests they are not waiting for the fog of uncertainty to clear to push ahead with investment plans, Bob Moritz, PwC Global chairman, commented.

In the short term this will drive momentum for APEC, increasing its global influence and supporting deals activity with 71 percent of CEOs expecting to rely more on business partnerships or joint ventures in the future.

Dinh Thi Quynh Van, PwC Vietnam general director, said that it is not surprising that confidence levels are high among business leaders in Vietnam, as close to half (47 percent) of foreign business investors in the country plan to hike their investments in Vietnam over the next 12 months.

Automation challenges

The survey also points out that automation is a key recurring theme in strategies for building the workforce of the future.

For ASEAN businesses, automation is high on the agenda, considered the key building block in their strategy to develop a digital workforce.

However, the survey notes, skill gaps are a top concern, with 26 percent of CEOs in Vietnam saying they are less confident today than they were a year ago that they can secure the talent and skills needed to compete on a global level.

Asked if this contradicts the outlook that Vietnam is the top investment target among APEC economies, Van, the PwC Vietnam general director, said the business leaders confidence stemmed from expectations for Vietnams potential in the long term, from ten to 20 years, not just the next few years.

Van said while Vietnam has yet to have many skilled laborers, the Southeast Asian countrys investment in workforce training over the last few years was higher than regional countries.

Moreover, the PwC Vietnam general director added, international businesses also begin training their own workforce before starting operations in Vietnam. One good example, Van said, is Samsung, which started from a production complex with 40,000 workers in Vietnam to massive investment with more than 200,000 laborers.

And we cannot say these Samsung laborers have basic skills, not to mention the company also has a research and development center in Vietnam, Van said, adding that many other international businesses are willing to help Vietnam with the workforce training.

Many businesses have said they will take the lead in the retraining and reskilling efforts for their workforce, enabling them to update their skills in the time of automation, a trend which Sridharan Nair, territory senior partner for PwC Malaysia and Vietnam, said is a good sign.

Businesses used to think that this is none of their business and the job of governments, but they now know that if they do not address these challenges, things will get tough for them, he said.

PwC is a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 236,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.

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A state funeral will be held for a centenarian, who, along with her late husband, voluntarily donated an equivalent of over US$8 million to Vietnams revolutionary government back in 1945.

The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front will hold the state-level funeral for Hoang Thi Minh Ho, who passed away at 104 at her own home in Hanoi on Sunday last week.

Ho was widow of patriotic bourgeois Trinh Van Bo, who voluntarily contributed 5,147 taels of gold to the revolutionary government in 1945.

One tael is equivalent to VND36 million (US$1,572) in the current foreign exchange rate.

Her coffin will lie in state at the National Morgue at No. 5, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi.

A memorial service will be held at the site from 11:15 am to 12:45 pm on Tuesday next week (November 14), according to her relatives.

She will be buried the same day at Mai Dich Cemetery in the capital.

Ho was born in 1914 in the capital city to a Confucian scholar and an opulent merchant in the then Hang Dao Street.

At 18, she married Trinh Van Bo before inheriting a house at 48 Hang Ngang Street and a silk store named Phuc Loi.

Upon the resounding success of the August Revolution, an uprising launched by the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) against French colonial rule in Vietnam on August 14, 1945, through the introduction of an acquaintance, the patriotic couple at their discretion dedicated part of their house to the revolutionary officials as their workplace.

The couple was unaware that late President Ho Chi Minh, who led the government, was among the officials.

It was during his stay at the house that President Ho Chi Minh composed the Declaration of Independence which ushered in the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Trinh Van Bo and his wife Hoang Thi Minh Ho (second and fourth from right) pose for a photo with their children.

He served as its president from 1945 to 1969.

Only a few days after, in enthusiastic response to the governments Tuan Le Vang (Gold Week), Bo and his wife contributed the enormous amount of the precious metal to the then empty state coffers.

The couple also played a crucial role as the campaigners of the Gold Week, raising 20 million French Indochinese piastre, the currency of French Indochina between 1885 and 1952, and 370kg of gold from local merchants and other social classes.

A street in Cau Giay District, Hanoi will be named for Trinh Van Bo, according to a resolution recently submitted by the Hanoi Peoples Committee to the municipal Peoples Council.

The street will be among the 20 new and five current ones that will have their lengths adjusted.

The municipal Peoples Council fifth plenum, slated for early December, will consider the resolution for approval.

Trinh Van Bo Street is expected to span 1.2km and has a width of 7.5m.

It will stretch from the Nguyen Dinh Hoan intersection to the Phung Chi Kien T-junction.

Bo (1914-1988) was the youngest in a family of three children.

His father was Trinh Phuc Loi, a merchant in the early 20th century.

His mother, of Chinese origin, helped his father successfully run the Phuc Loi silk store, which not only supplied products to domestic clients but also traded items with neighboring countries and even China, India and Switzerland.

In 1932, he married Ho and elevated their inherited silk store to further prosperity.

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The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has arrived in great style in Vietnam for the upcoming APEC summit on a private jet captained by himself.

Bolkiahs plane touched down at Da Nang International Airport at around 5:20 pm on Thursday.

The 71-year-old Sultan, who succeeded to the throne in 1967, has been known for flying his own planes on several official trips to foreign countries.

The aircraft  an Airbus A340-212  reportedly set the Bruneian leader back a total 175 million (US$229.65 million), including 95 million ($124.66 million) in customization, according to Business Insider.

Its makeover included the addition of a luxurious cabin decorated with precious metals, gems, and valuable wood, as well as the installation of additional fuel tanks that increased the jets non-stop flight range to 15,000 kilometers.

The plane is nicknamed the Flying Palace for its luxury and scale, with reportedly only three other aircraft produced at its size.

An infographic providing the details of the Airbus A340-212 private jet owned by Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei. Graphic: Air Charter Service

The Bruneian monarch and his family also own a modified Boeing 747-430, a Boeing 767-270, and two Sikorsky S-70 helicopters, according to Business Insider.

In April 2013, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah captained the Flying Palace to the Philippines for a two-day state visit.

Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum comprised of 21 Pacific Rim member economies, including Brunei and Vietnam.

The Sultan of Brunei will join 20 other world leaders  including U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe  in Da Nang this Saturday at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, which is the culmination of Vietnams year-long hosting of APEC events.

Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, is pictured sitting in the cockpit of a private jet that landed in Da Nang on November 9, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Hassanal Bolkiah (R), the Sultan of Brunei, disembarks from the aircraft after landing at Da Nang International Airport. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, is welcomed by a Vietnamese guard of honor after arriving in Da Nang. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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Five Vietnamese fishermen have pled not guilty following their capture by Indonesian authorities for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.

A flotilla of five fishing boats from the southern Vietnamese province of Kien Giang was operating near Hon Khoai Island off the southern province of Ca Mau on April 13 when they were apprehended by Indonesian vessels.

The 70 fishermen aboard the boats were released while the five captains were kept in custody while awaiting trial.

During their trial on Indonesias Natuna archipelago in June, Captains Luu Van Ly, Cao Van Hoang, Le Thanh Thien, Le Thanh Thua, and Hua Minh Trung pled not guilty and voiced disapproval for the indictment.

According to Ly, 43, the Indonesian officials who took him into custody forced him to sign a piece of paper written in a foreign language.

Ly later learned that the document was an admission that his boat was operating in Indonesian waters, as indicated by specific coordinates.

The fishermen asserted that he and his crew members were fishing at a different coordinate well within Vietnams maritime sovereignty.

They also asked competent authorities in Indonesia to investigate and re-examine the exact location of the ships prior to the arrest.

Ha Hai, a lawyer from the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association representing the five fishermen, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that Indonesian authorities had not recorded the correct location of the boats.

According to statements, several fishing boats were operating in Vietnamese waters when they were pursued by Indonesian ships, Hai said.

While steering away from their pursuers, some of the boats accidentally sailed into the disputed waters between the two countries, he elaborated.

The coordinates listed in the case records are those of the location of arrest, not of the location of the boats before the pursuit, the lawyer stated.

Authorities in Kien Giang Province have also voiced their support for the fishermen.

In April, the provincial border guard command coordinated with regional naval and coast guard units to clarify the case, asserting that the ships were operating within Vietnams maritime zone.

In May, the Kien Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a similar statement.

The provincial Peoples Committee also petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Vietnam in Indonesia to oppose the arrest.

However, their efforts seemed in vain after the court in Natuna ruled on November 2 that Thien would be fined IDR300 million (US$22,181) for violating local fishing laws.

Thien will have one month to pay, otherwise he faces six months behind bars.

On November 9, Trung was found guilty of similar charges.

The other three captains are expected to stand trial later this month.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang, the Embassy of Vietnam in Indonesia is working with local authorities to protect the rights of the Vietnamese fishermen.

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UK drama Death in Paradise is looking to the Brexit tug of war to see how it will impact on the shows filming in Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupe is an overseas territory of France, so its part of the EU, which makes it really easy to film there, creator Robert Thorogood tells RadioTimes. If we left the single market, it could make things much harder for us. So, like the rest of the UK, were just going to have to wait and see what happens after Brexit.

A source added that, Other islands like St Lucia are beautiful  but the complicated arrangements would make it very hard if not impossible. At the moment filming (in Guadeloupe) is the same as filming in London but Brexit will change all that.

Production series seven was halted during Hurricane Irma but filming on series eight remains scheduled for next year.

If the show is recommissioned, series nine would be expected to start filming in April 2019.

Moving forward, Areal OHanlon replaces outgoing star Kris Marshall.
More TV heartache for the Prime Minister as Malcolm in a muddle, by Four Corners reporter Michael Brissenden, highlights leadership issues at the top.

In the week the same sex marriage survey results will be announced, Four Corners will take you into the battle for control raging inside the Liberal Party. As reporter Michael Brissenden will show, whatever the results of the postal survey, the politicking will be far from over.

If you dont want to be prepared to be part of the team, get out! Former Liberal Premier

When Malcom Turnbull took the leadership of the Liberal Party he promised to do things differently, end the slogans and act decisively. But for the last two years hes been unable to stamp his authority on his government.

Malcolm Turnbull has a difficulty, as every leader does in keeping us all together and ultimately history will tell as to how successful he has been in that. Former Cabinet Minister

The Prime Minister has been held back by the conservative forces in the party, stoked by the man he deposed, Tony Abbott.

Their ideological beliefs are stronger for them than their desire to provide good government. Liberal historian

Divisive debates inside the party over same sex marriage, energy policy and climate change have become proxy wars for the bitter internal battle underway.

2017 is a pretty exciting time to be a conservative activist in this country. Social conservative activist

Social conservative activists are feeling energised and more confident by the day and as Four Corners will show, theyre playing a long game to take over the direction of the party, branch by branch.

Were trying to give the power to the membership. So if you want to call that a power grab Ill wear that any day of the week. Social conservative activist

These activists warn that if theyre unsuccessful in taking control of the party, theyll take their votes elsewhere.

I believe Cory Bernardi could be the Australian Ronald Reagan. Social conservative activist

In what will become a momentous week in Australian politics, Four Corners examines the Liberal Partys identity crisis and what it means for Malcolm Turnbulls leadership.

At some stage, even he must realise, as I think the rank and file of the party have realised, that this sort of division is unacceptable. Former Liberal Premier

Monday 13th November at 8.30pm on ABC.
A former US TV news anchor has detailed allegation of sexual assaults by Kevin Spacey.

Heather Unruh, who worked at Bostons WCVB until 2016, held a press conference alleging Spacey groped her son, who had been drinking in a bar.

I have wanted to say something for a very long time, especially moments like when Kevin Spacey has the honour of hosting something like the Tony Awards and is celebrated as a man and an actor, said Unruh.

The climate in this country is changing. Theres a shift, she said. There is less victim-blaming going on now. I was really emboldened by the victims in the Harvey Weinstein case. They were astonishingly brave women and theyve come out in such large numbers and it sparked a lot of conversation in our house about it being the right time.

In July of 2016, her 18-year-old son, she says, was sexually assaulted by Spacey inside the Club Car Restaurant on Nantucket. Unruh says her son, who was not of legal drinking age, told Spacey he was and that the actor bought him drink after drink after drink.

My son was a starstruck, straight 18-year-old young man who had no idea that the famous actor was an alleged sexual predator or that he was about to become his next victim, she said. When my son was drunk, Spacey made his move and sexually assaulted him.

Unruh made it clear her son did not give consent and called Spaceys actions a criminal act.

Spacey stuck his hand inside my sons pants and grabbed his genitals, she said. My sons efforts to shift his body to remove Spaceys hand were only momentarily successful. My son panicked, he froze. He was intoxicated.

A police report has now been filed, she revealed.

The claims are the latest in a growing list against Spacey, ignited by actor Anthony Rapp.

A former bartender working in London has also come forward with further sexual assault allegations telling BBC Spacey groped and propositioned him 10 years ago.

Actor Harry Dreyfuss, son of Richard Dreyfuss, alleges Spacey sexually assaulted him in 2008. [Spacey] knew he could fondle me in a room with my father and that I wouldnt say a word. He knew I wouldnt have had the guts. And I didnt.

Netflix has since severed all ties with Spacey who has since sought treatment, without directly acknowledging allegations.

Source: Hollywood Reporter
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at Dubai's Chamber of Commerce in Dubai, UAE, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Ludovic Marin/Pool (Reuters)

DUBAI (Reuters) - France sold two Gowind-class corvettes of state-owned shipbuilder Naval Group to the United Arab Emirates, President Emmanuel Macron told a new conference on Thursday.

The deal also includes an option for two more vessels, the French presidency said in a statement.

The president's office did not disclose financial details.

French arms sales to the Gulf Arab region have surged in recent years as Paris has nurtured new links with Sunni Arab states, which appreciate its tough stance on their Shi'ite rival Iran and similar positions on the region's conflicts.

(Reporting by Sylvia Westall; writing by Michel Rose; editing by John Irish)
FILE PHOTO: An employee looks at equipment in a new facility at a nuclear waste disposal plant in the town of Fokino in Russia's far-eastern Primorsky region June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Yuri Maltsev (Reuters)

By Geert De Clercq

PARIS (Reuters) - A cloud of radioactive pollution over Europe in recent weeks indicates that an accident has happened in a nuclear facility in Russia or Kazakhstan in the last week of September, French nuclear safety institute IRSN said on Thursday.

The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, saying it was likely to be in a nuclear fuel treatment site or centre for radioactive medicine. There has been no impact on human health or the environment in Europe, the IRSN said.

IRSN, the technical arm of French nuclear regulator ASN, said in a statement it could not pinpoint the location of the release of radioactive material but that based on weather patterns, the most plausible zone lay south of the Ural mountains, between the Urals and the Volga river.

This could indicate Russia or possibly Kazakhstan, an IRSN official said.

"Russian authorities have said they are not aware of an accident on their territory," IRSN director Jean-Marc Peres told Reuters. He added that the institute had not yet been in contact with Kazakh authorities.

A spokeswoman for the Russian Emergencies Ministry said she could not immediately comment. It was not immediately possible to reach authorities in Kazakhstan or the Kazakh embassy in Moscow.

Peres said that in recent weeks IRSN and several other nuclear safety institutes in Europe had measured high levels of levels of ruthenium 106, a radioactive nuclide that is the product of splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor and which does not occur naturally.

IRSN estimates that the quantity of ruthenium 106 released was major, between 100 and 300 teraBecquerels, and that if an accident of this magnitude had happened in France it would have required the evacuation or sheltering of people in a radius of a few kilometers around the accident site.

The ruthenium 106 was probably released in a nuclear fuel treatment site or centre for radioactive medicine, Peres said. Because of its short half-life of about a year, ruthenium 106 is used in nuclear medicine.

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The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, as that would have led to contamination with other radionuclides too. It also ruled out the crash of a ruthenium-powered satellite as an IAEA investigation has concluded that no ruthenium-containing satellite has fallen back on earth during this period.

Measurement from European stations showed high levels of ruthenium 106 in the atmosphere of the majority of European countries, at the beginning of October, with a steady decrease from Oct. 6 onwards.

The IRSN said that the concentrations of ruthenium 106 in the air that have been recorded in Europe were of no consequence for human health and the environment.

The institute also said that the probability of importation into France of foodstuffs, notably mushrooms, contaminated by ruthenium 106 near the site of the accident is extremely low.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq in Paris, additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Laila Bassam and Tom Perry

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon believes Saad al-Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia, from where he resigned as Lebanese prime minister, two top government officials in Beirut said, amid a deepening crisis pushing Lebanon onto the frontlines of a power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

A third source, a senior politician close to Saudi-allied Hariri, said Saudi Arabia had ordered him to resign and put him under house arrest. A fourth source familiar with the situation said Saudi Arabia was controlling and limiting his movement.

In a televised statement indicating deep concern at Hariri's situation, his Future Movement political party said his return home was necessary to uphold the Lebanese system, describing him as prime minister and a national leader.

Hariri's resignation last Saturday, read out on television from Saudi Arabia, came as a shock even to his aides and further embroiled Beirut in a regional contest between Riyadh and Tehran.

Hariri's exit fuelled wide speculation that the Sunni Muslim politician, long an ally of Riyadh, was coerced into stepping down by Saudi Arabia as it seeks to hit back against Iran and its Lebanese Shi'ite ally, Hezbollah.

In his resignation speech, Hariri denounced Iran and Hezbollah for sowing strife in Arab states and said he feared assassination. His father, a former prime minister, was killed by a bomb in 2005.

Saudi Arabia has denied reports he is under house arrest.

But Hariri has issued no statements himself to that effect, and has not denied that his movements are being restricted.

RESTRICTED FREEDOM

"Keeping Hariri with restricted freedom in Riyadh is an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. Our dignity is his dignity. We will work with (foreign) states to return him to Beirut," said the senior Lebanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the government had yet to declare that position.

Saudi Arabia says Hariri resigned because Hezbollah, which was included in Hariri's coalition government, had "hijacked" Lebanon's political system.

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Hariri aides had until Thursday denied he was under house arrest but took a dramatically different tone after a meeting of the Future Movement convened at Hariri's Beirut residence on Thursday.

A statement read by former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said his return was "necessary to recover respect for Lebanon's internal and external balance, and in the framework of full respect for Lebanese legitimacy".

Hariri's aunt, Bahia, sat next to Siniora as he read the statement. The party stood behind his leadership, it said.

Hariri came to office last year in a political deal that made the Hezbollah-allied Christian politician Michel Aoun head of state and produced a coalition government grouping most Lebanese parties including Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia blessed the government at the time, but has been fiercely critical of the Hariri-led government since he stepped down, saying it failed to act against Hezbollah, whose guerrilla army is far more powerful than the weak state.

Saudi Arabia had wanted Hariri to take a tougher stance towards Hezbollah, and he failed to do so, the fourth source said. "He was functioning as if it is business as usual, so the Saudis had to accelerate the process and to force a resignation."

Saudi Arabia this week lumped Lebanon together with Hezbollah as parties that are hostile to it, breaking with a long-established policy that has drawn a line between them and raising concerns of further Saudi measures.

SAUDI ARRESTS

Hariri flew to Saudi Arabia last Friday.

The top Lebanese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Lebanon is heading towards asking foreign and Arab states to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to release Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri."

The official said Hariri was still Lebanon's prime minister, echoing other Lebanese government officials who say his resignation had not been received by Aoun, and his government therefore remained in place.

The resignation of Hariri, a business tycoon whose family made its fortune in Saudi Arabia, happened at the same time as a wave of arrests of Saudi princes and businessmen accused of corruption by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The senior Lebanese politician close to Hariri said: "When he went (to Saudi Arabia) he was asked to stay there and ordered to resign. They ordered him to read his resignation statement and he has been held under house arrest since."

Two U.S. officials said the Saudis, led by Crown Prince Mohammed, had "encouraged" Hariri to leave office.

The fourth source said: "He is under controlled movement by the Saudis, limited movement."

Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc said Saudi Arabia must halt its interference in Lebanese affairs.

He made a one-day flying visit to the United Arab Emirates, a close Saudi ally, earlier this week before returning to Saudi Arabia.

Hariri's office said in a statement he had received the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia at his Riyadh residence on Thursday. He had also met the head of the EU mission to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, and on Tuesday the British ambassador and the U.S. charge d'affaires.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert confirmed U.S. Charge d'Affaires Chris Henzel met with Hariri. Asked about reports Hariri was being held in Saudi Arabia, Nauert declined to elaborate on his status or what was discussed, calling the talks "sensitive, private, diplomatic conversations."

Nauert indicated the United States would not treat the Lebanese government any differently as a result of the uncertainty over Hariri.

Saudi Arabia warned its citizens on Thursday against travel to Lebanon and said those already there should leave. It has issued similar advice about Lebanon to its citizens before.

Lebanon's Maronite patriarch will visit Saudi Arabia next week and has received "a positive response" from Saudi officials over the possibility of seeing Hariri, his spokesman said.

Patriarch Beshara al-Rai's visit "had been decided on a long time ago. In light of the developments, his mission has become national," Walid Ghayyad said. The patriarch will take a message to the kingdom that "Lebanon cannot handle conflict."

(Additional reporting by Samia Nakhoul, Tom Perry, Ellen Francis, Sarah Dadouch and Lisa Barrington in Beirut and John Walcott in Washington; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Toby Chopra and Peter Cooney)
Nebraska voters could get the chance to decide whether to expand Medicaid coverage as part of the federal health care law after Maine voters defied conservative opponents and overwhelmingly approved a similar measure.

State Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln has said he will propose a resolution next year to have lawmakers place the issue on the November 2018 general election ballot. Tuesday, Maine became the first state to expand coverage through a statewide referendum.

The measure's prospects are far from certain in Nebraska's conservative, one-house Legislature, but Morfeld said he's hopeful that some senators who oppose an expansion of Medicaid would be open to letting voters decide the matter.

"I think Nebraska voters are infinitely more reasonable than the Legislature and the governor," said Morfeld.

Nebraska lawmakers have rejected five previous attempts to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Gov. Pete Ricketts and former Gov. Dave Heineman also opposed the efforts, but a legislatively referred ballot measure would only need approval from 30 of the Legislature's 49 senators to appear on the ballot.

Expanding Medicaid would provide coverage to an estimated 90,000 low-income adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who have no dependents. Ricketts and opponents in the Legislature have said the program would create long-term budget problems and draw resources from other vulnerable groups.

Groups that have pushed for the expansion said they will work on any effort to cover the affected population, which consists largely of residents in service jobs with no benefits, such as hotel and construction workers.

"We've seen over the last five years that the need for these folks to get coverage has not gone away," said Molly McCleery, deputy director for health care programs with Nebraska Appleseed. "They've been waiting, and our Legislature has not taken action on it."

Roughly 11 million people nationally have gotten coverage through the expansion of Medicaid. The health care law appeared to be in jeopardy earlier this year, but President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have repeatedly failed to repeal it.

With Maine's vote Tuesday, 32 states and the District of Columbia have now expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The 18 that have not done so are mostly conservative states in the Midwest and South and mountain states.

Supporters of Medicaid expansion in Idaho and Utah have started similar efforts to get the question on the 2018 ballots in their own states. In Maine, voters expanded Medicaid even though Gov. Paul LePage had vetoed five different expansion measures approved by that state's Legislature.

There isn't enough polling to guess whether Nebraska voters might do the same thing as Maine, said John Hibbing, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science professor. Unlike GOP-dominated Nebraska, Maine's congressional delegation is divided between the parties and Democrats control both houses of its Legislature.

"It would be a really interesting campaign," Hibbing said. "I'm sure (supporters) are thinking, 'What have we got to lose?'"

In 2014, Nebraska voters approved a minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $9 an hour that was placed on the ballot through a petition drive, despite opposition from a majority of lawmakers.

However, in 2012, voters rejected an effort to loosen legislative term limits and give senators a raise. A majority also voted to reinstate the death penalty in November 2016, overriding lawmakers who abolished the punishment in defiance of Ricketts.

Morfeld said lawmakers who want to expand Medicaid have worked in good faith to address opponents' concerns over the years, but nothing has worked so far.

"I'll just say it's incredibly frustrating to work in the Legislature and with the governor when they constantly oppose affordable health care legislation and provide absolutely no alternative," he said.
By Joseph Nasr

HAMBURG (Reuters) - Many Syrian refugees in Germany have resigned themselves to the reality that there will be no swift return to the land of their birth, where a civil war is nearing the start of its eighth year.

They are starting to build new lives in their host country, driving up demand for "Made in Syria" goods there as they seek to soothe homesickness with a precious slice of their old lives.

Products popular among the half a million Syrians, who mainly arrived over the last three years, range from nuts, sweets and sesame paste to clothes, vertical spinning grillers used to make shawarma meat in diners and hair removal wax.

"People want the very same things they were used to in Syria," said trader Anas Msouty, sitting in his dim underground office near Hamburg Port as workers sorted out parcels of baklawa sweets and clothes that had just arrived from Syria.

"The German market is full of similar products from Turkey, but Syrians want Syrian (goods)," added the father-of-six, who had to abandon his Islamic women's clothing factory outside Damascus when he fled the country.

Orders have grown 25-fold since Msouty set up his trading firm Sajeda three months after his arrival in Germany in early 2016. He now imports 25 tonnes of Syrian goods a month.

He is not alone in capitalising on this trend; dozens of Syrian restaurants, stores and supermarkets have sprung up in all major German cities over the past two years, with more opening every month. In Berlin alone, at least half a dozen new Syrian eateries and as many supermarkets have opened this year.

The rise in demand for Syrian goods is contributing to a gradual revival in Syrian exports to Germany, which has taken in more Syrian refugees than any other Western nation.

Exports from Syria rose to 15.5 million euros (13.63 million pounds) in 2016 and totalled 8 million euros in the first five months of this year alone, according to official German data.

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This is still a far cry from the pre-war level when non-oil Syrian exports to Germany totalled around $100 million a year.

More than 5 million Syrians - almost a quarter of the pre-war population - have fled the Middle Eastern nation, according to the United Nations. It is unclear how much support rising demand for Syrian goods among refugee populations in Germany and elsewhere may be having on Syria's shattered economy. Little data is available from the war zone.

The revival in trade in Germany nonetheless appears to have coincided with a bottoming out of economic activity in Syria.

The World Bank estimates the country's gross domestic product contracted by an accumulated 61 percent in 2011-2015, but in 2016 it shrunk by only 2 percent, though it mainly puts the improvement down to a slowing in the population exodus.

Msouty, who supplies Syrian individuals and businesses in Germany, said he was proud of his contribution to recovering Syrian exports, which he said is providing much-needed income to factory owners and workers in Syria.

"We are resuscitating the Syrian economy," he said.

BERLIN BOULEVARD

In Berlin, the boulevard of Sonnenallee - dubbed "Arab Street" for its abundance of Arabic shop signs - has become one of the most popular shopping destinations and hangouts for the capital's Syrian refugees.

It boasts three Syrian supermarkets, two Syrian restaurants and one Syrian sweet shop, which have all opened over the past two years.

"This is just a smell of home," said Houda Bayyad, a veiled young mother shopping at one of the supermarkets, which opened in recent weeks.

"It doesn't solve our problems like learning German and finding a job. But it makes our life here easier," said the 20-year-old, holding a jar of Makdous, a Syrian delicacy of baby aubergines stuffed with walnuts, garlic and sun-dried red peppers pickled in olive oil.

Most Syrian goods come from factories in areas under government control mainly in and around Damascus but also from Aleppo. Three companies in Damascus that supply Msouty with goods declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The products are transported in trucks through relatively safe areas under government control to the port of Latakia in northern Syria and loaded onto container ships bound for Hamburg. Other products come by plane via Beirut.

This trade is proving indispensable for Syrians setting up businesses in Germany.

Sweet shops, and coffee and nut roasters, need specialised machines to make sweet and salty delights such as baklawa and roasted kernels. They prefer to import equipment from Syria as it is cheaper than to buy them in Germany from European or Turkish manufacturers.

Restaurateurs depend on speciality raw ingredients to recreate the flavours that Syrians crave.

L'Amira Falafel, a Syrian restaurant in Hamburg that opened in 2015, has proved so popular that it has now opened at a second location in the northern city.

"Our main goal was to make sure that everything we prepare tastes like in Syria," said Mohammad Abou Saeed, co-owner of the eateries where it is hard to find a table any time of the day.

"To do that we needed the same sesame paste, pickles and spices we used in Syria," he added, gesturing at a waiter to bring baked bread to a couple who had just walked in.

"It makes us very happy when diners tell us our food reminds them of Syria."

(Additional reporting by Rene Wagner; Editing by Pravin Char)
The New Zealand Prime Minister's famous cat has died after being hit by a car.

Paddles the rescue cat rose to fame on social media with the Twitter account 'FirstCatofNZ' and her 'paddlesgram' Instagram account.

Hundreds of New Zealanders have been paying their respects after the announcement was made on Paddles' Twitter account which was only set up last month when Jacinda Ardern, 37, became prime minister .

The post said: "Very sad PR Guy here. Tysm [thank you so much] for loving Paddles, the whole world will mourn her. Not bad for a lil SPCA puss."

A spokesman for Ms Ardern said: "Paddles was sadly killed yesterday after being run over by a car near the Point Chevalier home of the PM."

:: Foreign Office's Palmerston is mouser in chief as Larry catnaps

The Prime Minister paid her respects to the ginger and white moggy on Facebook.

Ms Ardern wrote: "To anyone who has ever lost a pet, you'll know how sad we feel.

"Paddles was much loved and not just by us. Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

"And on behalf of Paddles, please be kind to the SPCA. They found her before we did and we will always be grateful for that."

Palmerston, the British Foreign Office cat, tweeted: "My deepest condolences to @jacindaardern at this difficult time. @FirstCatofNZ did more in a short time than many do over a long career."

Some cat lovers have said they want to send Ms Ardern and her partner a card as others said Paddles brought joy to many at a time when the "world isn't the greatest place right now".

Another said: "Paddles united so many, a true politician to the end."

Ms Ardern's partner, Clarke Gayford, has asked those mourning Paddles to donate to the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

"Just spoke w Paddles' Dad, @NZClarke. If you would like to remember Paddles you are most welcome and encouraged to donate to the NZ SPCA," the FirstCatofNZ account.

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Paddles' Twitter biography, said: "Paddles Ardern-Gayford. She/her. First Cat of New Zealand. Have thumbs, will tweet. Not affurliated with Labour Pawty. Bullies will be SCRATSCHED/blocked."

She had gained 11,400 Twitter followers since the end of October and her Instagram account, which was only set up four days ago, had 360 followers.

Last month Paddles interrupted Ms Ardern's congratulatory phone call from US President Donald Trump by "announcing her very squawky arrival", Mr Gayford revealed.
By Tommy Wilkes and Simon Cameron-Moore

COX'S BAZAR/YANGON (Reuters) - Blessed by calmer seas, several hundred more Rohingya Muslims on Thursday joined a multitude of refugees in Bangladesh, as calls grew for upcoming regional summits to exert more pressure on Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to stem the crisis.

A Myanmar military operation has driven out more than 600,000 Rohingya since late August and the latest refugees to find sanctuary in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh say many thousands more are still trying to leave.

Ariful Islam, of Bangladesh's Border Guard, said about 200 people arrived on Thursday morning on the stretch of coast he commands at Teknaf, at the southern tip of Cox's Bazar district.

More than 200 Rohingya have drowned in the strong currents and high surf trying to reach Bangladesh from Buddhist-majority Myanmar over the past two months.

But the sea was fairly flat on Thursday morning as Abdus Sabir came ashore at Shamlapur along with a large group of Rohingya after a six-hour boat journey to complete an escape begun weeks ago.

"We fled because the military is still burning our houses," Abdus, who had abandoned his home in the Rathedaung region of Myanmar's Rakhine State, told Reuters.

Nearby, Husain Shorif, from the Buthidaung region, said he had rowed for four hours to help bring across 56 people on a raft cobbled together from bamboo and plastic jerrycans.

"Some boatmen were asking for huge money we didn't have. So we made our own boat and came," Shorif said, adding that thousands more Rohingya were still stranded at Pa Nyaung Pin Gyi at the mouth of the Naf river.

Reuters was unable to verify that claim as Myanmar's military has restricted access to northern parts of Rakhine, where it launched a clearance operation it says was aimed at Rohingya militants behind attacks on 30 security posts on Aug. 25. UN officials described the operation as "ethnic cleansing", an accusation Myanmar has denied.

Story continues

The storm of opprobrium over the humanitarian crisis will expose Myanmar to more diplomatic pressure, at least from leaders of Muslim-majority countries and the United States, during three summits hosted by Vietnam and the Philippines.

Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar's less than two-year-old civilian administration, left on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam's central seaside resort of Danang.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for standing up to the generals who had ruled the country for nearly half a century, Suu Kyi now has to share power with them, under a constitution drawn up in 2008 when junta was still in control, and has little control over what they do.

After Friday's APEC gathering, Suu Kyi will meet leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping in Manila on Sunday, followed by an East Asia Summit in Angeles, just north of the Philippine capital.

OUTCRY

Setting up a regional trade block, and concerns over North Korea's ambitions to become a nuclear-armed state are priorities, but New York-based Human Rights Watch beseeched the Asian leaders to ensure stronger action by Myanmar to end the crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will meet Suu Kyi on Nov. 15 for talks on the Rohingya crisis, and they are expected to hold a joint news conference.

"World leaders shouldnt return home from these summits without agreeing to targeted sanctions to pressure Burma to end its abuses and allow in independent observers and aid groups," Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that referred to Myanmar by its old name.

Desperate for help to cope with the massive influx of people, Bangladesh is lobbying furiously for pressure to be put on Myanmar.

"We want international communities to continue building pressure on Myanmar. Otherwise, they won't resolve the crisis," a foreign ministry official in Dhaka told Reuters, adding that ministers from Germany, China, Japan and Sweden were expected to visit both countries later this month.

HRW's Adams said leaders meeting Asia should discuss how to investigate alleged rights abuses and atrocities in Rakhine, and refer them to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

The rights group also urged the Security Council to impose an arms embargo, economic sanctions and travel bans targeting Myanmar military officials.

Some U.S. senators are pressing for the United States to impose its own sanctions, also targeting the military.

The Security Council this week opted for a strongly worded statement scolding Myanmar, as diplomats said China and Russia would have vetoed any resolution.

China has publicly supported the Myanmar government's efforts to "maintain stability" in Rakhine. The stance taken by China and other Southeast Asian governments fighting insurgencies by Muslim militants should spare Myanmar from any harsh spotlight in the summits' final communiques.

"On the Rohingya, the leaders will agree that there is no quick fix to the long-standing inter-communal problem with deep historical roots that needs to be carefully managed," an ASEAN diplomat told Reuters, adding that the group aimed to deliver $500,000 of relief supplies to Myanmar.

(Additional reporting by Navesh Chitrakar and Mohammad Ponir Hossain in COX'S BAZAR, Ruma Paul in DHAKA and Thu Thu Aung in YANGON; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
(Repeats story first published on Nov 7, adds details)

By Foo Yun Chee

LISBON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - European Union regulators have asked iPhone maker Apple for details of its recent tax structure following last year's order to pay back taxes of up to 13 billion euros ($15 billion) to Ireland, Europe's anti-trust chief said on Tuesday.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who issued the record back-tax bill against Apple in August 2016, said she wanted to make sure the company now complies with the bloc's rules which ban unfair state aid.

"I have been asking for an update on the arrangement made by Apple, the recent way they have been organised, in order to get the feeling whether or not this is in accordance with our European rules but that remains to be seen," Vestager said on the sidelines of the Web Summit, one of the world's biggest conferences on the future of the internet.

"We are looking into this of course without any kind of prejudice, just to get the information," she said in the Portuguese capital Lisbon.

Vestager said her request preceded reports based on the "Paradise Papers" which showed that Apple shifted key parts of its business to Jersey as an offshore tax haven in a move to maintain a low tax rate. Apple has said no operations were moved from Ireland.

"We have no contact after the Paradise Papers. We are in the process. There is no particular need," she said.

The company had no further comment on Vestager's remarks on Tuesday.

According to the August 2016 decision issued by the EU, Apple met with the European Commission in 2015 to explain its new corporate structure as well as submitting a summary with the key elements as a follow-up.

Vestager also said it was too early to say whether the latest leaks on tax arrangements by companies would lead to any general investigations.

"That remains to be seen if we will open more cases after the Paradise Papers."

Story continues

The Commission last month sued Ireland for its tardiness in collecting the money from Apple.

"We have no indication when it comes to the time perspective of Apple's recovery. We do have from the Irish government the progress made," she said.

($1 = 0.8649 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, additional reporting by Julia Fioretti; editing by Jon Boyle)

See Also:
MINSK, Belarus (AP)  Sloane Stephens is back in the United States team for the Fed Cup final, and Victoria Azarenka is missing for Belarus.

That alone gives the early advantage to the Americans.

Stephens, who won the U.S. Open this year for her first major title, missed the opening two rounds of the international team competition because of a foot injury. But she is back and will be playing alongside CoCo Vandeweghe, Shelby Rogers and Alison Riske in the best-of-five series this weekend in Minsk.

"I'm happy to be back playing and happy the team made the finals," the 13th-ranked Stephens said Wednesday. "It's awesome I can be on this team."

The United States is looking to win the Fed Cup for the first time in 17 years, while Belarus is playing in the final for the first time.

Stephens hasn't played in the Fed Cup since the 2016 quarterfinals, but she said it's been "no problem at all" slipping back onto the squad.

"Obviously, I've known these girls since I was 12-13 years old, so we're all really good friends," Stephens said. "It's easy to be with girls you like, girls you have fun with and girls you've been around for a really long time."

Stephens didn't play from the 2016 Olympics through Wimbledon in 2017 and underwent foot surgery during that period. She arrived in Minsk after not winning any of the four matches she's played since her surprise U.S. Open victory. She retired with a knee injury from her last match against Barbora Strycova in China last week.

Vandeweghe, in her first week at a career-high No. 10 ranking, won two Fed Cup singles points against Germany in the quarterfinals, and two singles and the doubles points against the Czech Republic in the semifinals.

But the U.S. Open semifinalist said she knows very little about this weekend's competition, having never played Aryna Sabalenka, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Vera Lapko or Lidziya Marozava.

Story continues

"I feel like I'm coming in with wool over my eyes a little bit," Vandeweghe said.

Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, is not playing in the final because of an ongoing custody dispute with the father of her infant son.

If U.S. captain Kathy Rinaldi wins the title, she would be the first female to do so since Billie Jean King led the Americans to the last of their record 17 titles in 2000.

"It would be a great honor to be named as another female (champion) captain alongside Billie Jean," said Rinaldi, who is in her first year as captain. "I spoke to Billie Jean before I came over. She had some very inspiring words for me."

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Men inspect damages after an airstrike on the rebel-held city of Douma, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta, Syria November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh (Reuters)

By Tom Miles

GENEVA (Reuters) - The 400,000 civilians besieged in the Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta face "complete catastrophe" because aid deliveries are blocked and hundreds of people need urgent medical evacuation, U.N. humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said on Thursday.

Seven people have died because they were not evacuated and 29 more were at imminent risk including 18 children, he told reporters in Geneva after a regular meeting of the U.N. humanitarian taskforce on Syria.

"I feel as if we are now returning to some of the bleakest days of this conflict again," Egeland said.

"Nowhere is it as bad as in Eastern Ghouta," he said of the area, which is surrounded by the army.

The area east of Damascus had been "completely sealed off" since September, leaving U.N. aid convoys and evacuations as a potential lifeline facing a "bureaucratic wall of inaction".

"We cannot continue like that. If we only get a fraction of what is needed it will be a complete catastrophe," he said. "What about a ceasefire now in this area and a green light to all medical evacuations?"

As well as people wounded in the fighting, there were a growing number of acutely malnourished children, which meant they were very close to dying, he said.

"Why men in their 50s and 60s like me stop women and children from getting the medical service that would save their lives is beyond my imagination. It can change tomorrow."

Russian, Syrian and U.N. officials had met in Damascus to try to break the deadlock, both for Eastern Ghouta and for about 55,000 civilians stranded on the Jordanian border in a desolate area known as the Berm.

"The first meeting still hasnt produced at all the concrete results that were needed but it is our strong feeling that the Russian Federation wants us to get the access and wants to help us so we are hopeful that this trilateral mechanism will yield results."

Story continues

The Berm had not received an aid distribution since June, but the United States, Russia and others had worked out a detailed plan to supply aid from Damascus.

Despite diplomatic efforts to set up "de-escalation zones" there was still fighting in many areas, including Aleppo, Idlib, Raqqa, Deir al-Zor and Hama, and civilians were being caught in the crossfire.

He said the war had lasted longer than the Second World War, and supplies were depleted, so that the coming winter could be the toughest of the war even if it is the last.

"This is a man-made disaster, it can end," Egeland said.

(Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Web Summit Lisbon 2017

Reuters

Uber drivers in Portugal have planned a strike in Lisbon, the same day the ride-hailing firm's product chief was in the city to give a keynote speech about flying cars.

The strike, scheduled to take place between 4pm and 8pm on Wednesday, coincides with with the popular Web Summit conference, attended by an estimated 80,000 people. Uber's chief product officer, Jeff Holden, gave his keynote speech on Wednesday morning.

The National Association of Alternative Transportation Platform Partners (ANPATT), which represents drivers for ride-hailing apps like Uber and Spanish rival Cabify, confirmed to Business Insider that it had called on drivers to strike to coincide with the summit.

ANPATT spokesman Joao Pica told Business Insider that drivers were protesting their treatment by Portuguese police.

Uber and Cabify are only just set to be legalised in Portugal, under certain conditions. Up until now, the government has been ambivalent at best about Uber's legality, according to local media. While the law is currently being debated in parliament, police have continued to issue thousands of fines to Uber and Cabify drivers for running a supposedly illegal service, Pica said.

"We are being targeted by the police," he told Business Insider. "The law is at the moment in parliament and [because] it has not passed yet the police chase us. We don't approve."

ANPATT claimed police had issued the equivalent of 5,000 (4,422) in tickets during just one day of Web Summit.

It isn't clear how many drivers are likely to participate in the protest. According to local publication Eco, Uber has 3,000 drivers in Portugal  with the bulk almost certainly located in the country's capital. One hour into the scheduled strike, Uber's app still showed driver availability close to Feira Internactional de Lisboa, where Web Summit takes place.

Web Summit and Uber did not respond to a request for comment. However, Web Summit emailed attendees warning them of possible action on Wednesday.

Story continues

Business Insider understands that Web Summit and Uber are monitoring the situation.

Strikes are nothing new for Uber to deal with, though it's unusual for the company's own drivers to strike. The ride-hailing firm is often protested by local taxi drivers who complain Uber drivers are driving down prices unfairly.

There have been Uber driver strikes in Asia, with Indian drivers complaining about how much the company slices off passenger fares as commission. Indonesian drivers reportedly protested low pay earlier this year.

NOW WATCH: Here's what happens if you leave a splinter in your skin for too long

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SEE ALSO: Uber wants to bring flying cars to traffic-congested Los Angeles by 2020
Ncondezi Energy announced on Thursday that it has signed a non-binding offer with China Machinery Engineering Corporation and General Electric South Africa at a formal signing ceremony in Beijing, China.

The AIM-traded company said the signing of the offer followed its announcement on 20 October that the parties had agreed in principle to its terms.

As it said then, the offer provides for the entry into exclusive negotiations to develop, construct and operate the integrated Ncondezi 300MW coal-fired power project and open-pit coal mine in Tete, Mozambique.

CMEC and GE were selected as preferred partners to develop the integrated project due to their leading experience in the energy sector, and specific experience developing projects in Mozambique, Ncondezi said in its statement.

Under the offer, Ncondezi has now granted exclusivity to CMEC and GE until 30 April next year to conclude a binding joint development agreement and tender on the EPC and O&M contracts for the integrated project, subject to the offer not being terminated by CMEC and GE following their due diligence or by Ncondezi if CMEC and GE fail to submit binding offers in accordance with agreed timelines.

The key terms of the non-binding offer remain unchanged from the previous announcement, Ncondezis board confirmed.

As previously announced, the non-binding offer is subject to a number of conditions, which remain unchanged.

They include CMEC and GE successfully completing their due diligence and agreeing the JDA.

During the visit to Beijing, the parties also updated the work program and timetable to complete the project due diligence and, if successful, to conclude the JDA.

The appropriate responsibility and resource allocations were also agreed to, with a view to ensuring key deliverables would be met within the target timeframes.

The company will make a further update on the JDA to shareholders as appropriate.

There is no certainty that the transactions contemplated by this announcement will occur, Ncondezis board cautioned.
Beazley said claims for natural catastrophes could be as much as $300m (229m) in the second half after a spate of hurricanes, earthquakes and fires triggered claims for the Lloyd's of London insurer.

The company said after taking California wildfires into account it expected catastrophe claims between $200m and $300m for the second half of 2017. The impact on pretax profit will be $175m, it predicted.

Beazley had previously estimated catastrophe claims, including Atlantic hurricanes and earthquakes in Mexico, would be between $175m and $275m.

Andrew Horton, Beazley's chief executive, said: "The third quarter of 2017 was defined by the high frequency and severity of natural catastrophes. Beazley is in the catastrophe insurance business and paying natural catastrophe claims is part of what we do. Our focus is currently on providing the support and resources necessary to help our policyholders recover as quickly as possible."

Horton said Beazley was able to deal with the large claims because of the diverse range of risks it insures against and that it expected the rates it charges to rise.

Gross written premiums for the nine months to the end of September rose 6% to $1.8bn. The combined ratio for 2017 will be about 100%, indicating the company will avoid losses for the year.
Londons FTSE 100 was down 1.1% to 6,707.35 in afternoon trade.

Fresnillo declined as gold prices fell, while Severn Trent retreated as its stock went ex-dividend.

On the upside, Shell and BP gushed higher as oil prices advanced on the back of OPECs agreement to cut production by 1.2m barrels a day to 32.5m barrels from January next year.

BP was also underpinned by an upgrade to outperform from neutral by Credit Suisse on valuation grounds.

The bank said the progress made on capital productivity and efficiency, as presented at the recent field trip in Baku, is impressive and should be applauded.

Dixons Carphone was a top gainer as Credit Suisse initiated coverage of the stock at outperform with a 420p price target.

Despite robust like-for-like growth and profit delivery this year, shares are down 33% year to date on investor concerns about weak sterling and demand next year. We argue that Dixons Carphone will pass through higher costs, while demand is likely to remain stable and the flux in the industry should help the company gain market share in the UK and Europe.

Legal & General was also boosted by a broker note, as Barclays upgraded the stock to overweight from equalweight and lifted the price target to 276p from 194p.

We upgrade Legal & General to Overweight as we believe the risk of a UK recession has faded while the Solvency II capital requirements of writing bulk annuities is much more efficient than expected, the bank said.

Risers

Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,163.50p 2.12%

Dixons Carphone (DC.) 338.30p 1.96%

Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,059.00p 1.63%

Capita (CPI) 532.50p 1.53%

BP (BP.) 466.30p 1.49%

ITV (ITV) 170.40p 1.43%

Legal & General Group (LGEN) 239.10p 1.40%

Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 196.90p 1.34%

Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,420.00p 0.64%

Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 148.70p 0.27%

Fallers

Fresnillo (FRES) 1,146.00p -4.50%

Severn Trent (SVT) 2,098.00p -4.07%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,634.00p -3.88%

Mondi (MNDI) 1,574.00p -3.61%

Unilever (ULVR) 3,086.00p -3.44%

Old Mutual (OML) 183.70p -3.26%

Compass Group (CPG) 1,330.00p -2.99%

Carnival (CCL) 3,925.00p -2.94%

British American Tobacco (BATS) 4,270.00p -2.81%

London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 2,671.00p -2.80%
Londons FTSE 250 was down 1% to 20,098.08 in afternoon trade on Thursday, with housebuilders lower after a cautious update from Redrow and uninspiring data from RICS.

Housebuilder Redrow was weaker after saying that trading in the first 18 weeks of the current financial year has been in line with expectations, but also highlighting a slight slowdown in sales in recent weeks amid ongoing political and economic uncertainty.

The sector was hit more broadly as the latest figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors showed house prices were down in four areas of the country in October, with London, the South East, East Anglia and north-east England all showing declines.

Bovis Homes, Bellway and Crest Nicholson all fell.

Inmarsat was trading down as it reported higher third quarter revenues thanks to encouraging maritime sales but lower profits as it continues to invest in grabbing market share in airline in-flight internet.

Builders merchant Grafton declined despite posting a rise in revenue for the 10 months to the end of October as it reaffirmed its expectations for the year, while Card Factory fell as its stock went ex-dividend.

Vectura took a hit as Hikma Pharmaceuticals gave an update on its generic version of GlaxoSmithKlines Advair for asthma, saying approval in the US faces more hurdles. Vectura formulated the drug and provided the puffer device.

Halfords was on the back foot after it reported a drop in interim profit as the weaker pound increased costs.

Going the other way, low-cost Hungarian airline Wizz Air flew higher as JPMorgan Cazenove upped its price target on the stock.

Hochschild Mining was on the front foot as it said that following the recent approval of the amendment of the Pallancata operation's Environmental Impact Assessment to include the Pablo vein, it now has all the requisite permits and approvals in place to proceed with mining operations.

CLS Holdings was up after it acquired Columbia Bracknell, a multi-let office property in Bracknell, Berkshire, for 14.7m excluding costs, while Dixons Carphone advanced as Investec upgraded its stance on the stock buy from hold, saying any further material downgrades are unlikely.

Risers

Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 3,155.00p 4.33%

Rank Group (RNK) 232.50p 2.20%

Playtech (PTEC) 828.00p 2.10%

3i Infrastructure (3IN) 200.20p 2.04%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 237.20p 1.89%

Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 1,151.00p 1.77%

CLS Holdings (CLI) 229.00p 1.73%

Dixons Carphone (DC.) 155.10p 1.70%

Acacia Mining (ACA) 174.50p 1.69%

Restaurant Group (RTN) 290.00p 1.36%

Fallers

Inmarsat (ISAT) 510.50p -8.84%

Card Factory (CARD) 285.10p -7.22%

Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 764.50p -7.11%

Vectura Group (VEC) 90.00p -6.69%

Halfords Group (HFD) 314.50p -5.47%

Redrow (RDW) 606.50p -5.46%

Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,695.00p -5.25%

Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 1,123.00p -5.15%

Bellway (BWY) 3,447.00p -5.02%

Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 520.00p -4.59%
RACINE COUNTY  The Racine County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a $151.6 million budget, but with a change to the funding earmarked for generators.

The budget was approved unanimously Tuesday.

Originally, Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave proposed spending $200,000 to buy at least two large generators for lift stations and multiple smaller generators. That budget item was in direct response to the flooding that occurred in western Racine County during July.

The board approved an amendment, before approving the budget, that would only provide $100,000 for generators and shift the other $100,000 to paving parking lots of parks such as Cliffside and Quarry Lake.

The amendment was proposed by Supervisor Ronald Molnar during the Finance Committee meeting but was rejected. Molnar then brought the proposal before the entire board, and it was approved on a 12-6 vote.

While Im appreciative of the inclusion of the funding in reaction to the situation in Burlington, Molnar said, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations require that any municipal lift station must have a backup generator.

This matter has consequently required us to review Racine Countys emergency preparedness and also has identified some areas for improvement so we can better respond in the future.

Molnar said there is a need for generators but said, I think that the $100,000 as presented in the resolution will more than satisfactorily meet the need thats presented while also addressing needs that are present throughout the year in many other areas.

Additional support is, without question, needed to address neglected areas in our parks in our year-round use, Molnar said.

County Finance Director Alexandra Tillman said the county will stretch those dollars; we will make them work. Well get multiple generators for the county.

Supervisor Robert Grove said with Quarry Lake Park being considered for a triathlon in 2018, We need to spiff her up a little bit.

Other budget items

The county will levy $52.9 million, which is an increase of $700,000 over this years levy. The tax rate went down 6 cents from last year to $3.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Besides the change for generators, the 2018 budget will provide funds to increase staffing at the District Attorneys Office by 2.5 full-time-equivalent positions.

The budget also includes $100,000 for the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization, $100,000 for the Burlington Community Pool and $103,000 to be divided among the five Racine County municipal libraries in the Lakeshores Library System.

The budget also spreads out $500,000 to several different nonprofits. County officials also urged other groups to utilize the countys online application process to apply for funds.

Overall, Supervisor Robert Miller commended Delagrave and his staff for putting together an excellent budget.

It meets our citizens needs, and it keeps the tax rate stable, Miller said. We can take this to our constituents and show them that we have great county government.
Cenovus Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in Canada, the United States, and the Asia Pacific region. The company operates through Oil Sands, Conventional, Offshore, Canadian Manufacturing, U.S. Manufacturing, and Retail segments. The Oil Sands segment develops and produces bitumen and heavy oil in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. This segments Foster Creek, Christina Lake, Sunrise, and Tucker oil sands projects, as well as Lloydminster thermal and conventional heavy oil assets The Conventional segment holds assets primarily located in Elmworth-Wapiti, Kaybob-Edson, Clearwater, and Rainbow Lake operating in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as interests in various natural gas processing facilities. The offshore segment engages in the exploration and development activities. The Canadian Manufacturing segment includes the owned and operated Lloydminster upgrading and asphalt refining complex, which upgrades heavy oil and bitumen into synthetic crude oil, diesel fuel, asphalt, and other ancillary products, as well as owns and operates the Bruderheim crude-by-rail terminal and two ethanol plants. The U.S. Manufacturing segment comprises the refining of crude oil to produce diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, and other products. The Retail segment consists of marketing of its own and third-party refined petroleum products through retail, commercial, and bulk petroleum outlets, as well as wholesale channels. Cenovus Energy Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
A 10-month criminal investigation appears to have come to an end Thursday with a 26-year-old Racine man being arrested and thousands of "fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone tablets" being recovered after two Racine homes were raided, the Racine County Sheriff's Office said Friday. Officers reported they found 3,622 fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone tablets equaling 16 ounces of fentanyl and 2.4 pounds of marijuana at two Racine residences following the execution of search warrants.
VMware, Inc. provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. The company also provides networking solutions, such as VMware NSX, NSX Distributed and Gateway Firewalls, NSX Network Detection and Response Engine, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, Tanzu Service Mesh, and VMware SASE; security solutions consisting of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint, Workload, and Container; and digital workspace solutions comprising Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management, Access, Intelligent Hub, and Horizon. In addition, it offers application modernization solutions, such as Tanzu Application and Operations Platform, Tanzu Application Service Platform, Tanzu Observability, Tanzu Community Edition, and Tanzu Labs; and cloud management solutions, including vRealize Cloud Management, vCloud Suite, and CloudHealth by VMware Suite. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will not seek reelection in 2018. Goodlatte is in his 13th term, and is another in a string of long-serving House Republicans to announce their departure in recent weeks.

Goodlatte represents a safe Republican district in the western part of the state. Donald Trump won here by 25% in 2016, and the area voted for Ed Gillespie by a 22% margin in the gubernatorial race just completed. The updated list of 2018 House retirements can be found here.
He said that Snapchat currently reaches more than 70 percent of the 13- to 34-year-old population in developed world markets such as the United States, but acknowledged that the mostly elusive older users are the key to future and sustained growth.



Shares in the Los Angeles-based company have tumbled from $24.48 after its first day of trading in March to below $13 on Tuesday night.



Although details of the redesign were scarce, Spiegel said the plan is to surface more of the vast quantity of content on our platform that goes undiscovered or unseen every day, in a more personalized way.

Previously, technology publications have lauded Snapchat for its ability to draw teenagers and millennials with its ephemeral content thats mostly sent privately. The apps complexities have long put off parents more likely to be on Facebook. As a result, teenagers in particular have felt uninhibited about what they share.



But Snapchats number of daily active users  178 million  now pales in comparison to the more than 300 million daily users on competitor Instagram Stories. Instagram, the social media service owned by Facebook, launched the Snapchat-like Stories feature in August 2016.



Snapchat isnt the only beleaguered social-media darling thats making changes to boost growth. Twitter announced Tuesday that it would double its tweet limit from 140 to 280 characters.



Twitter product manager Aliza Rosen wrote in a blog post that Twitter began to consider a new limit so every person around the world could express themselves easily in a tweet.



She said that a test of the expanded character count in September revealed that people with more room to tweet enjoyed more engagement, picked up more followers and spent more time on Twitter.
How to watch and what to know about Northern Iowa at South Dakota

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MADISON  The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. board on Wednesday approved a $3 billion contract with Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn Technology Group, a deal the companys CEO is personally backing should it fall apart.

The company plans to invest billions of dollars to build a massive facility in the Village of Mount Pleasant and hopes to employ as many as 13,000 workers when the facility is fully constructed.

The Taiwanese companys chosen area, where acquisition specialists have been negotiating purchase agreements with property owners, is on 1,198 acres between Interstate 94 and Highway H and between Highway KR and Braun Road.

A second, 1,073-acre area directly north of that will be acquired for Foxconn expansion. A third, 622-acre area east of the manufacturing campus will be acquired for construction staging during the building of that campus, and in the future for other development.

Already the Village of Mount Pleasant and Racine County have approved transferring jurisdiction of road construction, in areas related to the Foxconn site, to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said the agreement is one more step toward ensuring that Foxconn locates in Racine County. We continue to work on the local level to bring the project to fruition.

Contract details





Under the terms of the contract, released publicly for the first time Wednesday, the company will be able to collect up to $1.35 billion in construction-related tax credits if it creates a gradually increasing number of manufacturing jobs, up to 8,450 through 2025.

It will also be able to collect up to $1.5 billion in tax credits if it creates up to 13,000 manufacturing jobs by 2022 and maintains that number through 2032.

Though Gov. Walker and Foxconn CEO Terry Gou agreed earlier this year on a $10 billion investment by the company, the contract only requires the company to invest $9 billion in the state to be eligible for tax credits.

The jobs must pay at least $30,000 per year and average $53,875 annually. The job credits pay out 17 percent of the first $100,000 of salary, which is higher than 7 percent for the states typical enterprise zone job credits. The construction credits equal 15 percent of capital investment, up from 10 percent in a typical enterprise zone.

The company will be eligible to receive the first $10 million in job credits starting next year if it creates 1,040 jobs in the state. To receive any credits next year, the company must create at least 260 jobs. But if the company doesnt earn the credits in a given year, they can be carried forward into subsequent years.

Foxconns personal guarantee





Within five years, the state can reclaim any credits it pays out if the company provides false information, leaves the state or ceases operations and doesnt restart within a year. After that, if the company employs fewer than 6,500 workers the state can reclaim a sliding scale ranging from $965 million in 2023 to $386 million in 2032.

Compliance with the terms will be audited by an independent accountant based on a sample of the companys workforce at the end of each year.

Gou is pledging to personally back 25 percent of the amount that would be refunded to the state should the company default. Publicly traded parent company Hon Hai Precision Products, the 27th largest company in the world, would back the rest.

After 2032 the deal ends and the state would have no recourse should the company reduce its Wisconsin workforce. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau anticipates the state will recover the $3 billion in lost tax revenue by 2042.

Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still said Gous personal guarantee, and connecting the construction tax credits to the companys manufacturing workforce in the state during construction, are unusual for deals of this magnitude.

It sounds like a pretty good belt and suspenders, Still said.

Tax exemption similar to Bucks arena





The $2.85 billion in tax credits will mostly be paid from the states existing tax collections because Foxconn also will benefit from a state tax credit that almost eliminates state corporate taxes for manufacturers. The amount of that benefit to the company is unknown.

Foxconn is also receiving a sales tax exemption estimated to be worth $150 million, similar to the Milwaukee Bucks arena deal. And it is eligible to receive a $100 million incentive as part of a $764 million tax incremental financing district for infrastructure improvements offered by local officials in Racine County.

The WEDC board vote is the final layer of public oversight before the contract can be signed and construction can begin, likely some time next year.

The company is planning to manufacture liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens at the 20 million-square-foot Mount Pleasant campus starting in 2020.

The WEDC board received a copy of the contract Monday ahead of the vote, breaking with the agencys past practice of only providing a staff report summarizing the deal.
SANTA FE  The judge presiding over the corruption trial of former state Sen. Phil Griego warned the ex-lawmaker on Wednesday that hell spend his nights in jail if he ever speaks again to someone called to testify during the trial.

The admonishment came after a witness in the case, real estate broker John Mahoney, revealed that Griego had talked to him outside the courtroom Wednesday  saying he wanted to talk once the case was over, that he had someone interested in a property Mahoney has.

Prosecutors for the Attorney Generals Office called the revelation an extreme problem that could be intended to encourage Mahoney to provide testimony favorable to the defendant.

District Judge Brett Loveless, addressing Griego directly, said he might have ended up in custody if prosecutors had asked for it.

Youre lucky the state didnt ask for your remand because I seriously contemplated doing it, Loveless said.   I dont want this to come up again. If it does, you will find yourself in jail.

Tom Clark, an attorney for Griego, said his client meant no harm. Its natural to say hello and greet people you know, he said.

Mr. Griego is friendly, Clark said, and all of these people know each other and have known each other a long time.

Furthermore, he said, there was no indication that Mahoney had testified any differently Wednesday that he did at an earlier hearing.

The back-and-forth came outside the presence of the jury. They were dismissed for the day, but Mahoney was asked to stay while prosecutors asked him about his conversation outside the courtroom with Griego.

He said, When this is all over, Id like to talk to you,' Mahoney testified. He mentioned he had someone who might be interested in property I have.

Mahoney was once a supervising real-estate broker who worked with Griego. Prosecutors allege Mahoney is a victim of fraud because Griego didnt tell him about a real-estate deal he was working on  the sale of a historic state building.

The state alleges Griego used his position as a state official to push the sale and then pocket a $50,000 commission on the transaction.

Griego, in turn, denies the charges, arguing that he didnt even vote on legislation related to the sale and became the broker only later.

Deputy Attorney General Sharon Pino, meanwhile, told the judge that she believes Griego contacted Mahoney earlier, too, after a preliminary hearing last year, indicating Wednesdays interaction isnt the only time Griego has talked to a witness.

Obviously, there is an extreme problem with the defendant approaching someone who he knows is a witness and implying he has someone interested in property he may own, Pino said.
Albuquerque police officers overwhelmingly voted down their collective bargaining agreement with the city, which would have included a small raise.

Shaun Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, said police officers on Monday voted 299-10 against the agreement and will now try to reach a new one that includes a larger raise with the next mayors administration, which takes office Dec. 1.

The police union and Mayor Richard Berrys administration have feuded throughout Berrys term about officer pay. The agreement that was voted down would have given every officer with the rank of lieutenant or below a .42 cent per hour pay increase.

The rank and file and their vote speaks volumes that the Albuquerque Police Department and the city of Albuquerque is going in the wrong direction, Willoughby said. Police officers know that the No. 1 problem plaguing the city of Albuquerque is crime and the fact that (police) are severely understaffed is part of that crime epidemic.

The citys Chief Administrative Officer, Rob Perry, said that the City Council appropriates wages and pay increases for all departments. The council had set aside an extra $1.2 million to increase officer pay in the city fiscal year, he said.

Perry said the current fiscal year was a tough year to budget for and the police would have received the largest pay increase across all city departments.

Other city employees got offered (a) zero percent raise, Perry said.

An Albuquerque police officer makes $28 per hour, which amounts to about $58,000 a year in base pay, and experienced officers can make more.

Officers also have opportunities for overtime and they accounted for 127 of the 250 highest-paid city employees in the 2016 calendar year.

But Willoughby said the departments wages dont compare with police departments in surrounding cities like Denver and Phoenix, or federal law enforcement jobs.

He said the union was looking forward to negotiating with the next administration.

Every individual that does what we do in the city of Albuquerque is graciously looking forward to a change in leadership at City Hall, he said. Im hoping those opportunities are before us.
Deputies say a suspect stole weapons and other items out of a deputy vehicle in the early morning hours of Oct. 27 in northeast Albuquerque (BCSO) Deputies say a suspect stole weapons and other items out of a deputy vehicle in the early morning hours of Oct. 27 in northeast Albuquerque (BCSO) Prev 1 of 2 Next

A suspect stole a rifle and handgun, along with other items, out of a deputys patrol vehicle vehicle in the early morning hours of Oct. 27, according to a Bernalillo County Sheriffs spokeswoman.

Deputy Felicia Maggard said the burglary happened around 2 a.m. in northeast Albuquerque, near Louisiana and Paseo del Norte NE.

Deputies are asking for the publics help in identifying the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual are urged to contact BCSO Property Crimes detectives at (505) 468-7350.


WASHINGTON  Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says hes cracking down on corruption. But the sweeping arrests of Cabinet ministers and senior princes Saturday night looked to many astonished Arab observers like a bold but risky consolidation of power.

MBS, as the headstrong 32-year-old ruler is known, struck at some of the kingdoms most prominent business and political names in a new bid to gain political control and drive change in the oil kingdom. By the count of the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya news channel, the arrests included 11 princes, 4 ministers and several dozen others.

Hes creating a new Saudi Arabia, said one Saudi business leader contacted Sunday. He noted that the anti-corruption campaign follows other aggressive but controversial moves, including a royal decree allowing women to drive and limits on the religious police.

This is very risky, the business leader said, because MBS is now challenging senior princes and religious conservatives, simultaneously. The executive, who strongly supports MBS liberalization efforts, worried that hes fighting too many wars at once.

The list of arrestees includes Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, the son of the previous king and the head of the Saudi National Guard, traditionally a locus of tribal power. The National Guard was part of the balance among the royal family. Hes taken that balance out, the Saudi executive noted. Hes the goliath who can fight it all.

MBS appears to be deliberately dismantling the traditional governance system in Saudi Arabia, which involved a slow, sometimes sclerotic process of consensus within the royal family. The young prince has instead seized executive power and wielded it aggressively to push his agenda.

The forward-leaning face of this change process was on display a week ago, when MBS hosted a gathering of technology and business leaders from around the world. Saturday nights arrests showed the iron fist inside the futuristic velvet glove.

MBS described his campaign in a brief video clip circulating on Saudi social media. I assure you anyone involved in corruption will not be spared, whether hes a prince or a minister, or anyone. The arrests were accompanied by a decree creating a new supreme committee to investigate corruption. The committee has the right to take any precautionary measures it sees fit, including seizing assets and banning travel.

MBS has chosen whats likely to be a popular target with younger Saudis. Corruption has enfeebled Saudi Arabia for generations, draining the royal treasury and impeding the modernization that the crown prince says he wants. MBS is betting he can mobilize these younger Saudis, hungry for a new kingdom, against the older princes. Hes hoping the religious establishment, too, will support a purge of the elite.

Hes closing the circle of people who can feed at the trough, said a Saudi political analyst contacted Sunday. Instead of 10,000 stakeholders, there will now be just a few.

The roster of those arrested includes billionaire tycoons, such as Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, head of Kingdom Holding Co. and one of the most prominent Saudi global investors; Saleh Kamal and Waleed al-Ibrahim, co-founders of Middle East Broadcasting Corp., the regions first satellite channel; and Adel Fakieh, the minister of economy and planning, who until the putsch was one of MBS key lieutenants in developing his reform program.

MBS has now shattered the leadership circle of the previous king, Abdullah, who died in 2015. In addition to Prince Miteb, MBS arrested Prince Turki bin Abdullah, another prominent son and former governor of Riyadh. Also arrested was Khaled al-Tuwaijiri, who as chief of Abdullahs royal court was a virtual prime minister. In June, MBS toppled the previous crown prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, clearing the way for him to eventually succeed his 81-year-old father, King Salman.

While accompanied by the rhetoric of reform, this weekends purge resembles the approach of authoritarian regimes such as China. President Xi Jinping has used a similar anti-corruption theme to replace a generation of party and military leaders and to alter the collective leadership style adopted by recent Chinese rulers.

MBS is emboldened by strong support from President Trump and his inner circle, who see him as a kindred disrupter of the status quo  at once a wealthy tycoon and a populist insurgent. It was probably no accident that last week, Jared Kushner, Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law, made a personal visit to Riyadh. The two princes are said to have stayed up until nearly 4 a.m. several nights, swapping stories and planning strategy.

MBS would probably be flattered to be described as a Saudi Trump. But Xi and his anti-corruption power play may be the real role model.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  During his six years in the New Mexico Senate, Tim Keller earned a reputation as a business-minded progressive who led the charge for reform following high-profile scandals in state agencies.

While he endured ribbing from colleagues for his tendency to jump on hot-button issues, Keller also drew praise for sponsoring bills that restructured the State Investment Council and the scandal-plagued Public Regulation Commission.

Keller, now running in Albuquerques mayoral runoff election, also teamed up with Republicans on some bills, including 2011 legislation to tighten New Mexicos law that gives a preference to in-state contractors.

But he was also a reliable Democratic vote on most controversial legislation that came up in the Senate, voting in favor of a 2009 bill to repeal the states death penalty and against a 2011 bill that created the states A-F grading system for public schools.

He was more liberal than I was, but he always listened and was respectful of leadership, recalled former Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, a Roswell Democrat. You could tell he had some goals and objectives.

In all, Keller introduced 206 pieces of legislation during his six-year tenure at the Roundhouse, a figure that includes bills, proposed constitutional amendments and non-binding memorials.

Of that total amount, 30 were either signed into law or otherwise enacted and 14 measures were vetoed.

Legislation axed either by GOP Gov. Susana Martinez or her predecessor, former Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson, included separate bills to remove the governor from the State Investment Council, to require an annual analysis of the states various tax breaks, and to give the Legislature more authority to obtain confidential information from state agencies.

From 2009 through 2014, Keller said he had more of his bills vetoed than almost any other legislator, if not the most, because much of his proposed legislation called for changes to existing agencies or more disclosure from the executive branch.

I think its because I stood up to overreach of power by governors, he said.

A run against the system

Keller first arrived at the Roundhouse in 2009 after knocking off longtime Democratic senator Shannon Robinson the year before in Albuquerques Senate District 17.

He was one of three progressive candidates to oust more moderate Democratic incumbents in the 2008 primary election, a development that some predicted would shake up the Senates old guard.

I literally ran against the system, Keller said of his 2008 Senate bid.

However, conservative Democrats maintained influential posts after the shake-up, and a severe economic downturn led to several years of spending cuts and tax hikes to balance the states budget.

Keller got five of his bills passed in his first legislative session  a high number for a freshman lawmaker  and also won approval for a memorial that officially recognized a diverse swath of southeast Albuquerque as the International District. It had been derisively referred to as the war zone, a moniker thats still sometimes used.

Keller was re-elected in 2012 and was subsequently elected by fellow Senate Democrats to serve as majority whip. Former Senate Democratic floor leader Michael Sanchez of Belen described Kellers quick rise as unusual, and attributed it to his congenial nature, hard work and the fact that he had earned the trust of the Democratic caucus.

He was reliable in votes that were necessary, but Tim always voted his conscience, Sanchez told the Journal.

Keller, for his part, described his transition from political newcomer to part of the Senate establishment as part of a maturation process.

If anything, what I learned to do is push the envelope, but get things accomplished, Keller said in a recent interview.

Obvious retaliation

While Keller was prolific as a state senator, he largely managed to steer clear of controversy.

Some GOP lawmakers he worked with, such as Rep. Paul Bandy, R-Aztec, still have mostly positive things to say about Keller, nearly three years after his departure from the Legislature.

He and I differed a lot on different policies, but we worked together pretty well, said Bandy, who teamed up with Keller on several bills, including the 2013 legislation to add minimum qualifications for PRC members.

However, Kellers opponent in the mayoral runoff, Albuquerque city councilor Dan Lewis, has blasted Keller for being soft on crime during his Senate tenure, including voting for the 2009 death penalty repeal, and for a 2011 bill that would have barred cities and counties from enacting or enforcing local ordinances aimed at restricting where convicted sex offenders can live.

Keller has defended his votes on those bills.

Meanwhile, Kellers name also surfaced in an out-of-state breach-of-contract lawsuit in which a former employee of a Native American consulting firm for which Keller worked alleged the former state senator, among others, was improperly paid to help the company win contracts from Native American clients.

Keller was not a party in the lawsuit and denied ever soliciting work for the firm, the California-based Blue Stone Strategy Group LLC, or any undue influence from the company in his annual public infrastructure funding requests.

Keller left the job after he was elected state auditor in 2014  he also vacated his Senate seat after winning  and described criticism stemming from the lawsuit as obvious retaliation from the state Republican Party for investigating possible misdeeds by Martinez administration officials.
NM launches new child care provider tool

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Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Top New Mexico judicial branch officials had a big ask Wednesday  a budget increase request for the coming year of roughly $15.4 million  but called the increased funding necessary just to keep the states judicial system functioning given high staff vacancy and turnover rates.

This budget will not even get us close to what we need in the real world, Supreme Court Chief Justice Judy Nakamura told members of an interim legislative committee. This is just to strengthen what we have and rebuild what we have.

But getting all of the requested funding could prove unlikely, as New Mexico lawmakers will go into the 2018 legislative session with just $25 million in projected new money, and a wide range of needs across state government.

In making their pitch Wednesday, court officials acknowledged the states budget constraints and said the judicial branch is not requesting money for any new judgeships, unlike in previous years. In addition, Nakamura said the courts have already looked at internal ways to save dollars.

The $15.4 million increase requested for the coming fiscal year  it would amount to a 9.6 percent budget increase  would be used to provide salary increases of varying sizes for more than 1,000 court employees and judges, to cover rising employee health insurance premiums and for other court expenses. In all, spending for the New Mexico court system is set at about $161 million for the current budget year, or roughly 2.6 percent of total state spending.

Nakamura said courts have been struggling to keep their doors open in recent years due to staff shortages. All 46 magistrate courts around New Mexico have cut back their operating hours to save money, and 28 of the 46 are only open to the public for a half-day or less.

In addition, the judiciary had a statewide vacancy rate of nearly 14 percent  or about 251 vacant positions  as of last month.

We cannot find people right now that want to work for us for our pay, Nakamura told members of the legislative Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee during Wednesdays hearing at the state Capitol.

While most lawmakers expressed support for the courts, some said theyd like to see a long-term plan instead of an annual plea for funds.

Im trying to see if we can get out of this cycle and to begin planning what we really need down the road, said Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque.

Meanwhile, Nakamura also pushed back against a recent Legislative Finance Committee report that found judicial spending had increased in recent years faster than the amount of cases. Specifically, the report found the total number of civil and criminal cases filed in district courts around the state dropped from roughly 400,000 in the 2014 budget year to 350,000 in the 2017 budget year, which ended in June.

Nakamura said those figures dont tell the whole story, and cited a recent spike in both civil cases, which typically take longer periods of time to resolve than criminal cases, and court hearings.

Its not just the judiciary clamoring for criminal justice system funding.

Gov. Susana Martinez this fall announced she would seek an additional $6.5 million in the coming budget year for prosecutors in Bernalillo County, while prosecutors around the state also argue they are underfunded.

And later during Wednesdays legislative hearing at the state Capitol, the states Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur testified that his department is also a crucial part of the criminal justice system.

If there are requests for more funding for prosecutors and law enforcement, any increase in funding for other branches are going to have to include the public defenders, Baur said. We understand  there are difficult decisions to be made about funding.

Some lawmakers suggested a standalone funding bill for courts, prosecutors and public defenders should be introduced in the upcoming 30-day session, which starts in January. That would be a departure from the norm, which typically involves including such funding in the massive annual budget bill for all state agencies and programs.

Journal staff writer Maggie Shepard contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Its been 18 months since a sacred tribal shield belonging to Acoma Pueblo turned up on a Paris auction block.

With help from the U.S. State Department, the pueblo convinced the foreign auction house to halt the sale. But Acoma Pueblo Gov. Kurt Riley told Congress Wednesday the shield still hasnt been returned to New Mexico. Acomas elders  especially the medicine specialists  are growing impatient, he said.

A big part of the problem is that the U.S. does not have an explicit ban on the export of these items, Riley said at a Capitol Hill hearing, describing the response tribes often hear when they confront foreign art dealers selling their stolen artifacts.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, who has introduced a bill to ban such exports, suggested the Interior Department could do more administratively. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee that hosted Wednesdays hearing, also noted that President Donald Trumps administration has halted its review of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

I hope the department is not abdicating its responsibilities to tribes by declining to develop its own plans to solve the problem given what we know, Heinrich said.

John Tahsuda, principal deputy assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at Interior, said the agency is being deliberate.

We need to get this right, Tashuda said. The full responsibility isnt just in our hands  the Department of Justice and the State Department have a role in this. We need to do it the right way so that our actions are defensible and we can proceed with prosecutions.

Riley thanked the federal officials for their efforts on behalf of Acoma and other tribes, but he urged them to speed up their work.

The sense of urgency is strong in my community, Riley said, adding that Acoma Pueblo members frequently tell him, The shield must come home. Please, just bring it home.
PUEBLO, Colo.  Authorities plan to continue searching in the Pueblo area as they investigate the 2013 disappearance of a pregnant woman.

Investigators used heavy machinery and bloodhounds to search a creek bed near homes Wednesday in an area they have previously checked out as part of the Kelsie Schelling case.

Police have said the 21-year-old was driving from her home in Denver to meet her boyfriend in Pueblo when she went missing.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Pueblo police announced renewed plans to search for her Tuesday but didnt provide details other than it was prompted by new information.

Schellings mother, Laura Saxton, says the family is entering its fifth holiday season without Kelsie or her baby, which describes as torture.
Bad ideas often get rejected, but unfortunately they often get revived, too.

That was the case last week when the state Assembly passed legislation that would eliminate the states minimum hunting age.

The GOP-backed bill, which passed on a vote of 57-32 and now goes to the state Senate, was advanced under the guise that such a decision is a matter of parental choice.

Were returning the choice to the parent, state Rep. Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond, the author of the bill, said during the debate.

Actually, what the bill would do is roll back the clock on hunter safety progress that has been made in Wisconsin over the past 50 years as the state Department of Natural Resources has gradually made hunter safety training mandatory.

Under current law, children as young as 10 can hunt in Wisconsin without passing a hunter safety course as long as they are accompanied by an adult mentor who stays within an arms length. Only one gun is allowed between the mentor and the young hunter.

To hunt alone a youth must be 14 years old and must pass a hunter education course; children ages 12 and 13 can hunt with a parent or guardian, but must also have a hunting safety certificate.

Stafsholts bill would eliminate the age requirement altogether for mentored hunts,meaning a toddler could be out in the woods with a weapon if a parent so chooses. It would also eliminate the one-weapon restriction.

There was a time, of course, when the decision whether a child had sufficient judgment and respect for the handling of a firearm was, indeed, left up to the parent.

Before the state Senate takes up this measure, we would ask them to remember just how bloody those days were.

Wisconsins hunter education and safety program, along with the institution of things like mandatory blaze orange, is a remarkable success story.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources annual report, Even though the number of licensed hunters has remained fairly steady over the past 50 years, our hunting incident rate has dropped substantially.

Just how much? According to the report, the firearm incident rate for hunters over the past 50 years has plummeted from 27 incidents per 100,000 licensed hunters in the years 1964-1973 down to 4.047 incidents per 100,000 hunters between 2003-2013,

And while proponents of changing the law argue that there are fewer young hunters in the state and it is important not to lose the states hunting heritage, the facts of the DNRs report shows that the number of licensed hunters has stood at about 700,000 per year for the past decade. The 10-year-old mentored hunt has grown in popularity from 19,054 when it first began six years ago to 31,250 in 2014.

Perhaps even more significantly, the number of hunting incidents and fatalities in the past decade has dropped from 31 incidents and four fatalities in 2006 to just 11 incidents and one fatality last year.

The state Senate should also take note that there was a spike in incidents involving juvenile hunters last year and that 46 percent of the shooters in hunting incidents were under age 18 and 42 percent of the victims were juveniles. That could be a one-year aberration, however, because the DNR report says that on a 10-year average, juvenile hunters contributed to just over 20 percent of the total number of incidents.

Still, that goes to the issue of judgment and safety of juvenile hunters and it argues against the proposal to eliminate the age restrictions for young hunters.

In our view, that would be a setback for safe hunting in Wisconsin.

Parental control may be a catchy buzzword, but we would no more like to see it applied to hunting than we would to parents who would decide that their 10-year-olds are fully capable of driving a car on our roads and highways. We dont see anyone advancing that argument.

Lets keep our woods and fields as safe as possible during the hunt and lets keep the mentored hunting age and single gun restriction at age 10.
WASHINGTON  A month before Alabamas special election, Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore abruptly faced lurid allegations Thursday of sexual misconduct with minors decades ago  and an immediate backlash from party leaders who demanded he get out of the race if the accusations prove true.

The instant fallout followed a Washington Post report in which an Alabama woman said Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, had sexual contact with her when she was 14. Three other women interviewed by the Post said Moore, now 70, approached them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s. All four women spoke on the record to the Post.

The Moore campaign denied the report as the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation.

Defiant as ever, Moore himself issued a fundraising appeal asking for emergency donations in a spiritual battle.

I believe you and I have a duty to stand up and fight back against the forces of evil waging an all-out war on our conservative values, he wrote. I will NEVER GIVE UP the fight!

Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice, has made his name in Republican politics through his public devotion to hardline Christian conservative positions. He was twice removed from his Supreme Court position, once for disobeying a federal court order to remove a 5,200 pound granite Ten Commandments monument from the lobby of the state judicial building, and later for urging state probate judges to defy the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage.

On Thursday, senior Republicans, including President Donald Trump, swiftly called for Moore to step aside from the Senate race if the allegations are shown to be true. And the man he defeated in the Republican primary, current Sen. Luther Strange, left open the possibility he may re-enter the campaign.

Moores name cannot be removed from the ballot before the Dec. 12 special election even if he withdraws from the race, according to John Bennett, a spokesman for the Alabama secretary of state. A write-in campaign remains possible, Bennett added.

Strange wouldnt immediately say whether hed re-enter the race.

Well, thats getting the cart ahead of the horse. But I will have something to say about that. Let me do some more research, he told The Associated Press.

The Alabama special election is to fill the vacancy created when Trump tapped Sen. Jeff Sessions to serve as the U.S. attorney general. Then-Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Strange in the interim.

Reaction after the Post story was published online was swift and severe.

The White House said Trump believes Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore will do the right thing and step aside if sexual misconduct allegations against him are true. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters traveling with Trump in Asia that the president believes a mere allegation  especially one from many years ago  shouldnt be allowed to destroy a persons life.

But Sanders said: The president also believes that if these allegations are true, Judge Moore will do the right thing and step aside.

The allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore are deeply troubling, said Colorado Sen. Chairman Cory Gardner, who leads the Senate GOP campaign arm. If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell added, If these allegations are true, he must step aside.

The intensity of the reaction may partly reflect lingering bad feelings from the primary contest between Strange and Moore, held in late September. Much of the Republican establishment  including McConnell and President Donald Trump  supported Strange, while the GOPs more conservative flank  including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon  backed Moore.

Bannon referenced Moore only briefly during an appearance Thursday night in New Hampshire, attacking The Washington Post as an apparatus of the Democratic Party.

On the ground in Alabama, some Republicans were willing to downplay the allegations.

Take Joseph and Mary. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus, Alabama state Auditor Jim Ziegler told The Washington Examiner.

Moores Democratic challenger, former U.S. attorney Doug Jones, had little to say aside from an eight-word campaign statement: Roy Moore needs to answer these serious charges.

In the small eastern Alabama town of Heflin, a handful of people interviewed by the AP indicated they were indifferent to the allegations if not disbelieving of them.

He seems like a good guy to me, said Pat Hurst, a resident of the town just off Interstate 20 some 75 miles east of Birmingham. I assume everybody has made some kind of mistake in life, but I wouldnt think he needs to step aside unless they prove that he is guilty of some bad sexual conduct.

In response to the allegations, Becky Ashley said: I dont believe them at all. I believe this is Doug Jones, some of his doings, you know. I just dont believe Roy Moore would do that.

Right now there is a lot of accusations being made against a lot of people, said Randall Mccaffrey. So I just wonder if its, you know, maybe these are just the times we are in right now.

The Post reported that Moore, then 32, first approached 14-year-old Leigh Corfman in early 1979 outside a courtroom in Etowah county, Alabama. After phone calls and meetings, he drove her to his home some days later and kissed her, the Post quotes Corfman as saying. On a second visit, he took off her shirt and pants and removed his clothes except for his underwear before touching her over her bra and underpants, Corfman told the Post. He also guided her hand to touch him over his underwear, she said.

I wanted it over with  I wanted out, she told the Post. Please just get this over with. Whatever this is, just get it over.

In Washington at least, few Republicans came to Moores defense in the hours after the report was published.

The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying, said Arizona Sen. John McCain. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn said, If it is true I dont think his candidacy is sustainable.

Alabama law lists the legal age of consent as 16.

The states statute of limitations for bringing felony charges involving sexual abuse of a minor in 1979 would have run out three years later. Corfman never filed a police report or a civil suit, the Post said.

None of the other women said that Moore forced them into any sort of relationship or sexual contact.

___

Associated Press writers Alan Fram and Andrew Taylor in Washington and Robert Ray in Heflin, Alabama, contributed to this report.
The formula for being a happy flyer? Follow the sun and avoid big-city airports.

New data released this week by Tripit, a travel-organizing app, said cities with pleasant weather and mid-size airports like Albuquerque score high with air travelers. The happiest travelers are those going through sun-drenched metros across the nation, from Hawaii to Arizona to New Mexico to Florida.

The aptly named Albuquerque International Sunport landed No. 10 on a list that tracks sunny-dispositioned travelers either coming home or vacationing. Honolulu topped the list as the place with the happiest air passengers, followed by Phoenix, where sunny skies are always a given.

The rankings also showed that good things can come in smaller packages. Sunport ranked No. 18 of the top 20 arrival airports, according to the Tripit report, which examined more than 575,000 flight ratings from 2016 and 2017. The majority of travelers that arrived and departed from airports that are not the largest airport hubs tended to rate their flights higher, according to the report.

Nothing beats an overnight at a mega hub like OHare because of a snowstorm, joked Mayor Richard Berry, decidedly proud of Sunports high marks and himself a frequent flyer. Coming home is always a pleasure, he said of Albuquerques airport, which he likened to others in mid-major cities around the county, such as Kansas City, Mo., Nashville and Tampa.

The weather (here) is great, obviously, said Berry, who enjoys talking to fellow passengers on flights in and out of Albuquerque. He not only gets positive comments about the blue skies and sunshine, but also about the states unique culture, history and food. Visitors tell him how nice the locals are, and how easy it is to negotiate their way around Sunport.

Its invariably on the order of We love your airport,' said Berry of a facility that welcomes 5 million travelers a year. Sunport is a great front porch for our community.

A $30 million makeover now under way will refurbish the ticketing, baggage claim and exterior areas of the terminal, with each ticketing station featuring a design motif inspired by the states tribes and pueblos, Berry said.
After his various stints on television as a host and as a judge, Bollywood Director-Producer, Karan Johar has decided to take control of a talent hunt show and will be judging the talents on their acting and singing skills. Tentatively named 'Ticket to Bollywood', the show is going to air on Star Plus and will give a once in a lifetime opportunity to the winner to work in a Karan Johar film under the banner of Dharma Productions.

To be produced by Endemol, the show was previously named as India's Next Superstar and will hunt for the next big superstar.

The famous casting director Mukesh Chhabra will be hunting for talents along with other actors from the television industry. The auditions for the reality show are said to be in full swing and show is set to go on-air in a few months.

Watch this space for more updates.
Madison Turnt, the experiential marketing specialist unit of Madison World, has just completed Har Pal Ujjawal campaign in Deo, Bihar, to celebrate Chhath Puja with the devotees, for its client Tata Salt.

The festive town, Deo, is thronged by more than 10 lakh devotees annually who observe a fast and camp at the kund overnight, eagerly waiting for the sunrise to make their offerings to the rising sun. It is ironic that, at a festival which is dedicated to the God of Light, one of the major issues faced is the lack of sufficient light. Identifying this need, Madison Turnt and Tata Salt ideated a clean and renewable source of light to offer the suns energy to the devotees. The brand placed solar panels along the banks of the kund to absorb the sun's energy during the day and use it for illuminating the kund at night. These solar panels will charge an artificial sun installation built by Tata Salt and placed at the very center of the kund over the floating bed. The idea behind this solar powered sun is to provide the devotees with suns blessings and energy at nightfall, thereby illuminating their lives.

The solar panels will be a permanent fixture even post the campaign to ensure that the initiative not only provides a joyous experience to the devotees, but also provides the temple staff with light through a clean-energy source.

Speaking on the innovation, Mr. Sagar Boke, Head  Marketing, Consumer Products Business, Tata Chemicals stated, Chhath Puja is a renowned thanksgiving festival devoted to the Sun God where thousands of devotees camp at riverbanks without basic necessities like light and electricity. We wanted to offer a tangible solution for this issue to make worship hassle-free. Through installing solar panels for the devotees, we not only sparked a smile amongst the worshipers but also addressed the long-term issue of insufficient light around the area. With this initiative, we hope to make our consumers har pal ujjawal.

Says Mr. Vikram Sakhuja, Partner & Group CEO, Madison Media & OOH, What better way to celebrate devotees of the Sun than giving the power of the Sun even at night with a Solar Panel activated Sun installation at this years Chhath Puja. Madison Turnt conceived and executed this on behalf of Tata Salt for lakhs of devotees at Deo in Bihar.

Says Mr. Sunny Vohra, Sr Vice President, Madison Turnt, It would have been another dark and discomforting Chhath Puja at Deo in Bihar. However, Madison Turnt found a better way to celebrate devotees of the sun on behalf of Tata Salt. A solar panel activated sun installation illuminated the kund to facilitate a smooth and orderly functioning of rituals. Providing the power of the sun to devotees even at night, Madison Turnt conceived and executed this magical experience for lakhs of devotees.

Madison Turnt focuses on Events, Activations, Exhibitions and Field Marketing and true to its tag line is High on Experience! The Unit is a part of Madison Out-of-Home group and has already worked with a large number of prestigious clients likes Vivo, Nissan, Britannia, Michelin, Reebok, Roca, LinkedIn, Marico, LG, Philips, Kohler, JSW, Toyota, Raymond, Renault, Asian Paints, Dabur, CNBC, Godrej, Pidilite, Tata Motors and Croma.
Its been a year since the Modi Government introduced its demonetisation drive in India. The policy decision taken to curb black money in the society and also fasttrack the countrys move to digital payments is most remembered for the haunting images of people standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs in search of elusive cash. Overnight, 86 per cent of the countrys currency, especially 500 and 1,000 denomination notes was rendered invalid.

We at Adgully have been following up with industry stalwarts on the impact of the demonetisation drive across media, marketing and advertising. Print players, broadcast experts and radio majors have reminisced about how the initial days after demonetisation were, analysed the short term and long term impact, how they coped with the challenges that cropped up and what the industry did to tide over the impact of demonetisation.

Now on the first anniversary of demonetisation, Adgully spoke to a cross-section of digital industry leaders, who shared their insights, experiences, advice, analyses and much more

Immediately following demonetisation, Network18 Digital experienced a drop in advertising, driven by primarily real estate clients, admitted the companys CEO Manish Maheshwari. He explained that many of the new launches of real estate clients were postponed, which impacted their marketing plans and consequently their media spends. This was also a time when e-commerce companies faced a problem with their cash-on-delivery (COD) business and moderated their ad spends until they fully understood the impact. Also, an immediate increase in ad spends from digital wallet players following demonetisation was noticed, Maheshwari added.

On how his company combated the impact, Maheshwari said, There are two things we did immediately to minimise the adverse impact for us. First, we re-purposed our sales team from real estate to BFSI clients, who we thought would benefit from demonetisation. Second, we got our sales team to pitch long-term brand building campaigns where the client was not looking for immediate sales bump.

Last years growth in the overall digital industry was generally muted, since most advertisers adopted a wait-and-watch approach, he added.

At the same time, many in the industry felt that even as demonetisation affected the ad industry on a very vast level, it worked as a catalyst in boosting the growth rate of the digital ad industry. The digital industry has been fortunate in leveraging the benefits of demonetisation as it brought a major shift in advertisers from television to digital. Our payment model emerged as a major reason behind this shift, said Ashish Bahukhandi, Founder & CEO, Apps Discover.

He further said, Initially, majority of mainline ad campaigns were either held back or faced cost cuts, which played a key role in creating business for digital industry, even during demonetisation. Whereas we are in the digital space and we have always been promoting the concept of digital transactions as they are more transparent and smooth. Therefore, even after demonetisation nothing has changed in our payment method. During any sort of budgetary crisis, all non-measurable expenses are curtailed and unlike other advertising mediums, we are economical and promote online transaction, which worked as a shield in protecting us from the effects of demonetisation.

He affirmed that the impact on digital ad spends was minimal as digital ads are known for being budget-friendly. So, the only impact demonetisation had on our ad spends is that it increased business for us, Bahukhandi added

Sahil Chopra, CEO and founder, iCubesWire, too, noted that The advertisement budgets overall were at all time low compared to the preceding times leading to lesser inflow. At a personal level it was a matter of unrestfor everyone but at the organizational level we suffered because our partners experienced the drastic impact on advertisement spends, in turn affecting our business as well.

He further added, "Just like the 2 sides of the coin, it was an opportunity for some while a threat for few. The FMCG, e-commerce, retail and various other industries were at the receiving end where COD had been a prominent contributor to them by the end users had received a massive hit, overall giving a drastic blow to the revenues, making it all time low. While on the other side, the digital wallets, UPI apps and other advocating for e-money made gains by rising to the need and gained the limelight overnight. Kotak Mahindra introducing 811, UPI as well as banking app, being specific to the date itself,Paytm enjoying the growth like never before and all the others UPI and wallets from Axis, HDFC, ICICI and many more in the same league advocating e-money, not only outgrew comparatively but also had the maximum advertisement spends compared to the preceding times to viral the brand by manifolds."

Ritesh Singh, Co-founder and MD, #ARM Worldwide, too, noted that post-demonetisation, customers as well as brands stopped spending as much as they were before. Few businesses started holding on to their spends, while there were few other businesses who shuffled their budgets and started spending more on digital. The first half of the festive period went well, but the second half saw a dip in advertising budgets.

On overcoming the effects of demonetisation, he said, Our business is dependent on the aggression and desire for growth of our customers. In Q4, we tried our best to raise the bar as much as we could do. Also, as a de-risking measure, we rescheduled the plans of our international expansion.

For Pooja Jauhari, CEO, The Glitch, At first it was caution and understanding what the possible effects of it could be. Clients were cautious, as FMCG and any other categories which are fast moving and operate on cash would be. They were learning how this would affect their business and in turn, marketing spends had to be made wisely.

She added, Honestly, we are not a cash business and apart from the initial settling-in period, the effects were not drastic and things got back to normal very quickly. However, we focused on stronger e-commerce strategies to help our clients ride this wave. A few clients did stop spending, but a few saw the opportunity in making their e-commerce presence stronger.

Jauhari added, At The Glitch, this helped us push for sharper e-commerce strategies, which opened up newer avenues for our clients. In my opinion, spends have become sharper and smarter. And that is always a positive thing.

On one year of Demonetisation, Geetika Dayal, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, "Demonitization was a sudden announcement, be it any organization or business, everyone faced some friction. Many start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) associated with TiE experienced a slowdown in funding and expansion plans. Some of our members reported issues. Overall, more startups and businesses experienced unavoidable delays in receivables. However, few startups observed ramp up in funding specially in the finance technology sector, with millions of Indians looking for alternate ways of transactions."

Dayal, further noted that after demonetization a rise in plastic money was observed, more people started using their debit cards for payments rather than for withdrawing cash at ATMs due to the long ques. Debit card transactions rose to more than 1billion in January from 817 million reported transaction in the previous year.

"While major ecommerce players suffered a dip in sales as well as order value, e-wallet companies utilized this opportunity to the fullest and experienced their biggest business boost yet. The number of mobile wallet transactions increased to 63 lakhs from 17 lakhs. Paytm, one among the biggest players in the mobile wallet space revealed that it served 45 million customers within three weeks postdemonetization.", she affirmed.

According to Neena Dasgupta, CEO & Director at Zirca, Demonetization was a sudden move by the Indian government, yet we welcomed the move and the spirit behind it. This move created panic among the people who ended up rushing to exchange their old currency notes. However, ZIRCA was not impacted by this move in a big way because most of our transactions occur via cheques or via bank transfers. For example, payments to partners and vendors are made using cheques or bank transfers.

She further noted that It took a couple of months for the digital advertising industry to cope with the aftermath of demonetization. However, advertisers soon began actively advertising on digital platforms once consumer demand picked up.

"The initial slowdown and the reduced ad spends in the beginning of 2017 impacted overall annual ad spends drastically," Dasgupta noted.
Vikram Bhatt, the ace content maker for films, television and the digital space, will soon be adding yet another feather to his cap.

Mr. Bhatt who has given us many successful series like Gehraiyaan, Spotlight, Maya, Twisted and the upcoming Untouchables, on varied platforms on the digital space will soon come up with a content platform of his own, a new app which will offer high quality shows.

Untouchables, the murder cum court room drama series, that is presently being shot by Vikram Bhatt will be the first series to be premiered on the app. Untouchables has the producer playing the central role. The series is being directed by his daughter Krishna Bhatt.

The app will be tentatively called VB App. The application will mostly launch in January next year (2018).

Vikram has also made shows for OTT network Viu and also has a channel on. However, he aims to go solo and create his own content platform on Alt Balaji with VB App, thus emerging one of the major players in the growing OTT universe in India.
Gun Control Failed Again at

the First Baptist Church

By Rob Morse. November 7th, 2017

Article Source

Gun Control failed again. Despite our 23 thousand firearms regulations, a murderer entered a Texas church and killed 26 people. Dozens more are injured. Gun control failed..until it didnt.

The murderer had frequently sent threatening text messages to his mother in law. She attended the church. She was not inside during the attack, but the grand-mother in-law was. Grandma was killed during the attack. The murderer was an atheist and frequently criticized religion and people with religious beliefs.

The murderer had a long history of domestic problems. He beat his first wife and child while he was in the Air Force. He received a courts martial and spent a year in the stockade for that assault. His rank was reduced and he received a bad conduct discharge. Had he received a dishonorable discharge, he would have been a prohibited person and owning firearms would have been illegal. He should have been prohibited from buying firearms because of his domestic violence conviction. The Air Force didnt enter his criminal conviction into the FBIs National Instant Background Check System (NCIS).

Many gun owners think that real gun control means having a gun ready and being proficient with it. This is where this second kind of gun control then saved lives. A neighbor who lives next to the church heard the gunfire. He grabbed his rifle, a gun similar to the gun the murder used. The neighbor, Stephen Willeford, then shot the murderer several times. That return fire was enough to make the murderer break off the attack on the church. The murderer got in his car and drove away. Willeford and a passerby followed the attacker. They were in touch with police as they trailed the murderer. After the murderer crashed his car, the murderer took his own life.

The talking heads reacted in very predictable ways after this attack.. The murderer used a semi-automatic rifle so the anti-gun groups said we need to ban assault rifles. They also called for more background checks and blamed the NRA.

Since the mainstream media wont do it, I can point out the incontrovertible facts.

The murderer bought his guns by passing an FBI background check.

The murderer was refused when he tried to get his Texas concealed handgun license.

Two ordinary citizens, one of them armed, stopped the attack long before the police arrived.

Contrary to common belief, you can carry in a church or other house of worship in Texas unless you are given verbal or written notification to the contrary. The church does not appear to be posted as a gun free zone under Texas law. That means the congregation could have been armed for their own defense. They chose not to be. Fortunately, their neighbor was armed.

The murderer was not an NRA member. The armed defender, Stephen Willeford, was an NRA firearms instructor.

After the attack, Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, said this, There are laws against murder, and this guy violated the laws against murder. So, adding some other gun law would not, I dont think, in any way change this guys behavior.. I would rather arm law-abiding citizens and make sure that they can prevent this from happening as opposed to trying to pass laws that would prevent law-abiding citizens from having guns.

I agree. Ive recently heard from many honest men and women who provide security for their churches. As you would expect, they are shocked. They are also fortified. Church security works very hard to protect their fellow parishioners, and to remain anonymous. They save lives. They save lives when gun control fails.

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Off road motoring brings all manner of challenges and excitement, and what better way to experience them with your mates than in this wacky 1943 International Harvester M5 Half-Track Personnel Carrier.

Conceived as a high-mobility infantry vehicle its capable of resisting small arms fire and mortar splinters  which could come in very handy on your daily commute.

M5 Half-Track will carry you and 11 mates in comfort

It can carry a dozen people at speeds in excess of 40mph and is easier to drive than a Full-Track machine.

Distinguished by its flat-section front wings and rounded rear corners, the M5 is deemed by many to be the ultimate Half-Track.

Delivered on April 27 1943, this model  serial number M5-2696  is believed to have been used by Polish forces during the Allied liberation of Europe.

Half-Track saw service with Polish and French forces

Known to have been in Germany following the cessation of hostilities, it was thoroughly overhauled by the Mercedes-Benz Works before being reallocated to the French Army.

Stationed in French Guyana, South America for decades, the Half-Track returned to France during the 1980s where it was acquired as surplus by the Belgian collector Mr Louis Amerijckx.

Then a Supreme Court Judge and chateau owner, Mr Amerijckx took some persuading but eventually sold the M5 Personnel Carrier to Dutch enthusiast Ivo Rigter in 1987.

It took 27 years to restore Half-Track to its former glory

Determined to return the IHC machine to factory specification and condition, Mr Rigter scoured Europe and the United States in search of correct parts. Some 27 years and 2,500 restoration hours later, the Half-Track was finally completed to his satisfaction.

The quality of the work which has gone into rejuvenating the Half-Track has to be seen to be believed.

Sporting the markings of the Polish 10th Regiment Dragonders, the M5 Personnel Carrier also has the name Krystyna emblazoned on its doors as a tribute to Krystyna Skarbek who served as a Polish Special Ops Agent during WW2.

Half-Track named after spy immortalised by James Bond

It is thought she was the inspiration for the character Vesper Lynd in Ian Flemings James Bond novel Casino Royale.

The Half-Track has driven less than 1,000 miles since restoration, mostly by the vendor for taking friends to the pub! Potentially road legal once UK registered, it would make a hell of a statement at anyones local.

The M5 Half-Track will go under the hammer at the H&H Duxford auction on November 15 and its pre-sale estimate is 90,000 to 110,000.

Whats your fantasy off-road drive?

Adrian Flux insurance specialises in 44 and off-road insurance. Policies are designed to suit each customers individual needs  we like a challenge, so the more unusual the vehicle, the better.

We can offer flexible and competitive quotes for most circumstances, sourcing the best schemes those offered by our panel of more than 40 insurers.

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TOKYO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/-- Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced that the company will launch its first serviced apartment in Cikarang, located in Greater Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Construction is expected to start soon, with a scheduled opening in the fall of 2019.

Offering the function and privacy of apartments with the facilities and move-in-ready condition of hotels, serviced apartments are fully furnished apartments that provide hotel-like amenities, services, and security. The typical clientele is business people, especially those relocating from overseas for a short or long-term stay with or without their families.

Fujita Kanko's Cikarang serviced apartment, yet to be branded, is expected to have 214 rooms in three unit types for both single and family residents, accommodating both business travelers and expats. The facilities will include a restaurant, gym, club lounge and Japanese-style spa with outdoor bath.

Cikarang, approximately 22 miles (35 km) east of Jakarta's city center, is known for its up and coming industrial developments, including Kota Jababeka, the largest industrial park in Southeast Asia. The area is attracting a growing number of international companies setting up their Indonesian offices/facilities.

"Southeast Asia is a market that we've been eagerly watching, and we saw a big opportunity in Cikarang," said Akira Segawa, President and CEO of Fujita Kanko. "We have built our expertise as a hospitality company for over 60 years, so expanding into the serviced apartment business is a natural extension of Fujita Kanko's core offerings. This is a strategic move for us."

Fujita Kanko currently has six overseas offices in Asia: Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Yangon and Jakarta, which was opened in 2015 to promote its 70+ Japanese properties, build international recognition for its businesses among travelers and other stakeholders, and develop local business.

Fujita Kanko is also accelerating its new hotel openings. Its scheduled openings include Hotel Gracery Asakusa and Hotel Gracery Seoul in 2018, and Hotel Gracery Taipei in 2019.

About Fujita Kanko

Fujita Kanko Inc., established in 1955, is a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo. In addition to its core hospitality business, the company operates wedding and banquet facilities, high-end resorts, leisure facilities and related services. It has 70 properties/facilities, including its five-star flagship, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, and 34 mid-priced hotels throughout Japan in the Hotel Gracery and Washington Hotels groups.

Keiko Okano

keiko.okano@didit.com

+1-212-583-1084 (U.S.)

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fujita-kanko-expands-business-with-its-first-serviced-apartment-in-indonesia-300552902.html

SOURCE Fujita Kanko Inc.
LONDON, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5184211



Report Details

Phototherapy equipment  our new study reveals trends, R&D progress, and predicted revenues

Where is the Phototherapy Equipment market heading? If you are involved in this sector you must read this brand new report. Visiongain's report shows you the potential revenues streams to 2027, assessing data, trends, opportunities and business prospects there.



Discover how to stay ahead

Our 146-page report provides 135 tables, charts, and graphs. Read on to discover the most lucrative areas in the industry and the future market prospects. Our new study lets you assess forecasted sales at overall world market and regional level. See financial results, trends, opportunities, and revenue predictions. Much opportunity remains in this growing Phototherapy Equipment market. See how to exploit the opportunities.



Forecasts to 2027 and other analyses reveal the commercial prospects

 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2027, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

 You find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), product profiles and commercial developments.



Discover sales predictions for the world market and submarkets

Along with revenue prediction for the overall world market, there are forecasts for 3 Phototherapy Equipment Types, 2 Phototherapy Applications and 2 Phototherapy End-Users, each forecasted at a global, regional and national level.



Phototherapy Equipment, by Type

 Conventional

 LED-Based

 Fibre-Optic



Phototherapy Equipment, by Application

 Skin Disease

 Neonatal Jaundice



Phototherapy Equipment, by End-User

 Hospitals & Clinics

 Home Use



In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 6 regional and 17 leading national markets:



North America:

 The US

 Canada

 Mexico



South America:

 Brazil

 Argentina

 Paraguay

 Bolivia

 Rest of South America



Europe:

 Germany

 The UK

 Italy

 Spain

 France

 Rest of Europe



APAC:

 Japan

 China

 India

 Australia

 Thailand

 Rest of Asia-Pacific



RoW:

 Middle East

 Africa

 Other Countries



The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Phototherapy market, with a focus on the Phototherapy Equipment segment of these companies' operations.

There will be growth in both established and in developing countries. Our analyses show that the both developed and developing markets, China, India and the Australia in particular, will continue to achieve high revenue growth to 2027.

Leading companies and the potential for market growth

Overall world revenue for Phototherapy Equipment will surpass $810m in 2027, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2027.

Our work identifies which organisations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.

How the Neurostimulation Market report helps you



In summary, our 146-page report provides you with the following knowledge:

 Revenue forecasts to 2027 for the Neurostimulation market and 3 different segmentations, with forecasts for 3 Equipment Types, 2 Applications and 2 End-Users at a Global, Regional and National level  discover the industry's prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues

 Revenue forecasts to 2027 for 6 regional and 17 key national markets  North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa are forecasted, as well as the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, Australia, Thailand

 Discussion of what stimulates and restrains companies and the market

 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 10 companies involved in the Phototherapy Equipment market



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5184211



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

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View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-phototherapy-equipment-market-2017-2027-300552202.html

SOURCE ReportBuyer
November 8, 2017

The small Syrian population that has remained steadfast in the Golan Heights continues to be loyal to Damascus and the Syrian motherland, although 50 years have passed since the Israeli occupation and despite the unilateral Israeli decision to annex the Golan Heights to Israel in 1981.

Out of 130,000 Syrians living and farming the Golan Heights before 1967, 25,000 Syrian Druze continue to live in about 5% of the occupied Syrian territory. Roughly 23,000 Jewish settlers have been living in some 34 settlements in the Golan Heights, in violation of international law.

Syrians in five Golan Heights villages remained on their land when Israel conquered the Golan Heights. The residents of four of these villages  namely Majdal Shams, Bukata, Masada and Ein Qinya  are Druze, which is a secretive offshoot of Islam, mainly based in Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The fifth village, which is the village of Ghajar, is very close to Lebanons border and its residents are Muslim.

While Israeli Druze are subject to compulsory enlistment in the Israeli army, since their religious leaders agreed in 1956 that their sons serve in the Israeli army, Druze in the Golan Heights fully reject Israel and its occupation and are fiercely attached to their Syrian Arab nationality.

The nearly seven-year-long civil conflict in Syria has taken its toll on Syrians living in the occupied Golan Heights.

Nizar Ayoub, the director of the Arab Human Rights Center in the Golan Heights, told Al-Monitor that the grinding conflict in Syria has taken quite a toll on the Syrian people in the Golan Heights. We used to export our apples, enroll our children in Syrian universities and enjoy family visits with our people in Syria. Yet this is no longer the case.

Even though Syria and Israel have been formally in a state of war since 1967, UN peacekeeping troops administer a small border crossing run by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force that allows limited movement of agricultural products, students and family visits.

Ayoub said that before violence broke out, farmers in the Golan Heights were able to export their products by land to the Arab world via Syria. The markets were open, and we were able to obtain a good price for our apples; now the choices we have are much more costly. We have to either ship to Europe via Israeli middlemen or pay for storage until the price becomes more profitable.

Restrictions resulting from the Syrian civil war are not limited to agricultural products. Ayoub noted that hundreds of students used to cross the border to attend classes at Syrian universities. Yet due to the conflict, the Golan students are now forced to study in Israeli or Palestinian universities or travel abroad. He said, Omar, my son, wants to study medicine. Had the situation been stable, he would have been enrolled in a medical school in Syria. Now I am looking to see if we can find him a seat in a medical school in Bulgaria or Romania.

Ayoub said that given the circumstances, the Golan residents are helping their relatives in Syria. Presently we are sending money to our relatives in Syria to help them meet their basic needs, such as food and fuel, he added.

Suha Munther, a lawyer from Ein Qinya in the Golan Heights, recounted similar stories about the difficulties facing the Golan students. My cousin  Noor Munther  wanted to study dentistry. Unable to continue her studies in Syria, it took her eight years to graduate including her time at the American University in Jenin. If Syria was stable and open, it would have taken her four years, she told Al-Monitor. In the beginning, she waited, hoping to be able to pursue her studies in Syria, but violence made her finally change schools, Munther added.

The conflict in Syria got much closer to the residents of the occupied Golan Heights this week.

Salman Fakhreddine, a freelance researcher and activist, told the Saudi-based Arab News on Nov. 4 that the residents of Majdal Shams heard the clashes that occurred in the villages on the other side of the border that the UN monitors, especially in Hadar village. Arab News quoted Fakhreddine as saying that Hadar has paid a high price in the Syrian civil war. Over 100 have been killed [there] in the last three years and 15 have been killed in the last few days, he said. We hear the shooting and the shelling from our homes.

Because Hadars residents are Druze, Israel made public statements Nov. 4 that they will not allow the village to fall, which prompted many in the Golan Heights to say that some protest demonstrations by the Druze are meant to give Israel an excuse to expand its occupation.

Fakhreddine warned that the Israelis are using the minority Druze residents of the village to prepare for a possible military intervention. The Israeli army has stated its willingness to do that. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is ready and prepared to assist the residents of the village and will prevent the harming or conquering of the village of Hadar because of our deep commitment to the Druze population, an Israeli army spokesman was quoted as saying.

Munther, however, is not worried about a potential Israeli military expansion. If Israel could occupy more territory it would have done so. But they know that the Syrian Arab soldiers on the other side will not let them pass. Munther lashed out at the spiritual head of the Druze community in Israel. Mowafaq Tarif [the Druze religious leader in Israel] doesnt speak on our behalf, and we dont feel that he represents us, she said.

Munther, who is very proud of her support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, blamed Israel for perpetuating the war in Syria. While I speak in my name, I believe that Israel orchestrated much of the problems we have been seeing in Syria. It was clearly behind the creation and the armament of some of the armed terrorists in Syria.

Israel has boasted and publicly stated since the beginning of the conflict that they are treating hundreds of injured opposition fighters from Syria in Israeli hospitals. The Independent reported June 19 that Israel is giving direct aid to the opposition.

Editor's note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
Bharatpur-Manang power line to be built

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has begun work to construct a 220 kV transmission line in the Marshyangdi corridor to evacuate electricity generated by power plants on the Marshyangdi and nearby rivers.
November 7, 2017

CAIRO  The Egyptian regime has been trying to enroll judges and members of judicial authorities and committees in training sessions in strategic and national security studies at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, a judicial source that attended one of the sessions told Al-Monitor. The sessions, which started three months ago, are ongoing and will target all judicial committees and authorities in Egypt.

The Nasser Higher Military Academy was established by presidential decree in 1965. It was set up as a training program for senior civil servants across various state sectors to prepare them for leading positions. Many journalists and ministry officials as well as heads of some key institutions were required to complete the training to occupy such positions.

A judge who is a member of an Egyptian judiciary committee told Al-Monitor that he had been ordered to take the training session in strategic and national security studies at the Nasser Higher Military Academy in Dokki district in Giza. He noted that attendance has become mandatory for all members of the judicial authorities.

The source, who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons, explained that the two-week session entails six training hours per day, saying that principles and strategies of national security are taught in addition to the importance of information security.

The source added that the sessions are intended to unite the ranks of judges and introduce them to the principles of national security and the importance of confidentiality and privacy.

The source said the trainees were warned about the dangers of critical coverage of their work by journalists as well as their monitoring by social media users. The judges were specifically warned not to talk to media correspondents, be they Egyptian or foreign, and to restrict their communications to official spokespeople of the parties concerned.

The sessions consist of lectures given by generals in the Egyptian army as well as former diplomats and media and communication instructors. Maj. Gen. Jamal Hawash lectures about crisis management, constitutional Sharia, the role of the law in defending the state and protecting Egypts national security from breaches.

Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hosni Azb lectures about information systems and the importance of confidentiality and privacy and withholding negative information about any institution.

A political affairs researcher told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the Egyptian authorities are forcing judges and members of the judicial authorities to attend the lectures. This reminded people of [President] Gamal Abdel Nassers practices in establishing the Socialist Vanguard System as a secret system within the judiciary to lure its members to political and organizational ideas of the Arab Socialist Union, he said.

The researcher added, The main roles of the Socialist Vanguard System included recruiting members in different state institutions by instructing them to protect national security and the fledgling revolution from remnants of the feudal system and those who are biased toward the royal system, which was overthrown by the Free Officers Movement in 1952.

The researcher added that through these sessions, the state is now seeking to recruit judges rather than force them to join a covert organization.

These sessions were not the Egyptian authorities only attempt to control judges. On April 28, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a law amending the way heads of judicial committees are appointed, giving the security authorities the power to vet judicial appointments and the president to appoint them directly. The State Council voiced its opposition to the law, and three prominent judges appealed it on the grounds that their seniority had been disregarded.

Other such efforts have included salary raises. In 2015, former Minister of Justice Ahmed al-Zend succeeded in paying the judicial staff's overdue medical allowances, estimated at 3,000 Egyptian pounds ($169) for each judge and prosecutor. On June 15, the Supreme Judicial Council decided to increase the salaries of prosecutors and judges of various ranks by 30%.
November 9, 2017

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Russia, Kuwait and Qatar next week to press for a more robust diplomatic response to the escalating crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia that Turkey fears could unleash chaos throughout the region.

Moscow, which has long enjoyed close cooperation with Tehran, has also sought in recent months to improve ties with Riyadh. Kuwaits neutral foreign policy has allowed it to push for a resolution of the months-long rupture between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Turkish newspapers said Erdogan will seek support for a solution as long-simmering tensions between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran threaten to erupt into a full-blown confrontation. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of an act of war following a missile strike from Yemen on Riyadh over the weekend. Iran denied launching the missile, which was intercepted.

Yemen and Syria are theaters of proxy wars between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iraq and Lebanon are political battlefields and Saudi Arabia, joined by the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain, cut diplomatic ties with and imposed a blockade on Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and cozying up with Iran.

Turkey has sought to maintain ties with both Tehran and Riyadh, though those relationships are beset with their own challenges: Turkey and Iran back opposite sides in Syria and Iraq, and Saudi Arabia and Turkey diverge over the Muslim Brotherhood, with which Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party sympathizes but Riyadh views as an existential threat.

Erdogans role in trying to ease hostilities between the Middle East heavyweights may be limited.

Turkey is not at the center of this regional power struggle. Its unclear how effective the presidents talks will be, how he can act as a mediator in a practical way when the misunderstandings between Saudi Arabia and Iran are so deep and likely to last a long time. Its not possible to resolve this by merely changing perspectives or through persuasion, Selim Koru, an analyst at Ankaras Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, told Al-Monitor.

Erdogan has already sought and failed to mediate a resolution of the standoff between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Turkeys closest ally in the Gulf.

But Turkeys historical position in the region  a likely reference to the former Ottoman realm that included much of the Middle East  means it can secure peace, reported the Star newspaper, which is close to the government. Ankara has repeatedly warned that regional conflict would only harm the Islamic world, it said.

Other pro-government outlets went further, saying the regional dispute actually targets Turkey. The UAE, which wields influence over Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is an enemy of Turkey who supported a failed military coup against Erdogan and terrorist groups against Turkey, according to Yeni Safak.

The arrests of dozens of Salmans rivals, as well as recent reforms apparently intended to make the kingdoms strict brand of Islam more moderate, has unnerved Turkeys Islamists, who see it as part of a wider US-backed plot to remake the Muslim world, columnist Semih Yildiz wrote for Al-Monitor.

We hope that a process that will contribute to Saudi Arabias peace will occur here, said Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogans spokesman, revealing little on Turkeys stance on the developments.

Media and ideologues close to the government are very outspoken about what is going on in Saudi Arabia, and they are not pleased at all. There is an argument that those who have been purged [by Salman] were more supportive of good relations with Turkey, Koru said.

Turkey has been hemmed in by its sectarian entanglements, some former diplomats say, urging the government to return to its traditional policy of neutrality in the Middle East.

In this environment, what Turkey needs to do is stay out of the Middle East, focus on peace at home and keep relations with the West sturdy. However, Ankara is doing precisely the opposite of all three, wrote Asli Aydintasbas in a column for Cumhuriyet.

Turkeys relations with the United States have sunk to new lows, with Erdogan repeatedly implying that Washington is plotting against him. But Prime Minister Binali Yildirim meets Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday as the NATO allies look to heal the fractured relationship.

US President Donald Trumps support for Saudi Arabia, including a tweet he sent out praising the arrests, is part of his pressure campaign on Iran, which he accuses of supporting terrorism and violating a deal to curb its nuclear program, wrote Milliyet columnist Verda Ozer.

We are entering a period in which those who move closer to Iran will be burned. It is now more important than ever for Ankara to start looking at relations with Tehran much more through this balance, Ozer wrote.
November 9, 2017

TEHRAN, Iran  The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the formation of a series of republics in the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Since these states' independence, Iran, which regards the Caucasus as a strategic region, has sought friendly relations with them. It now enjoys very good ties with Armenia and balanced relations with Georgia. In the case of Azerbaijan, bilateral relations have been maintained despite political tensions primarily revolving around Bakus ties with Israel. In recent years, however, Tehran and Baku have begun to develop more extensive relations than those between Iran and the two other Caucasus nations.

Jafar Khashe, a senior researcher at the Caucasus Studies Institute, told Al-Monitor, Since Azerbaijans independence, the Islamic Republic of Iran has supported it both in political and economic areas. There were, however, some impediments in their ties, which hindered extensive cooperation. But certain regional developments in recent years made Baku pay attention to the Iran-Russia axis, an issue which was also welcomed by Iran, and finally resulted in the promotion of Tehran-Baku mutual relations.

After the election of Hassan Rouhani as Irans president in 2013, bilateral ties with Azerbaijan experienced a remarkable expansion, as his administration pursued interactions with other countries, especially neighboring states. For a better understanding of how relations between the two countries have evolved in recent years, Al-Monitor spoke with Mohsen Pakaein, who served as Irans ambassador to Azerbaijan from late 2012 to August 2016.

The two countries have signed 103 documents so far, including 30 economic pacts, on a whole range of economic issues, including oil, gas, petrochemicals and bilateral trade in various spheres, Pakaein said. Currently, the value of trade exchanges between the two countries amounts to $500 million, which will increase in the next year.

The two countries have several major projects underway, including construction of an automobile plant in Azerbaijan to produce 10,000 cars annually. Over the next month, Iran and Azerbaijan expect the key railway connecting Irans Astara and Azerbaijani Astara to become operational. In the meantime, another railway is being built between Rasht, Iran, and Azerbaijani Astara, with Baku having expressed its readiness to invest $100 million in it.

The railway projects, part of the North-South Transport Corridor, have been intensely pursued by both sides. Iranian Economy Minister Massud Karbasian was quoted by Iranian media as saying during a late October visit to Azerbaijan, The railway [system] will connect 14 southern, eastern and western neighbors of Iran to Azerbaijan, while connecting Azerbaijan to southeast Asia through the Persian Gulf.

The two neighbors have also begun talks about new collaborations, including construction of a bus-manufacturing plant and the establishment of medical centers in Azerbaijan. In addition, Iran has expressed readiness to provide its northern neighbor with machinery to modernize its agriculture. Also on the agenda is opening an independent bank aimed at facilitating financial and agricultural contracts in Azerbaijan, as well as the use of the two countries currencies in mutual trade exchanges.

According to official figures, bilateral trade between Iran and Azerbaijan rose by 70% in 2016. It also grew by 30% in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the corresponding period last year. Azerbaijans president, Ilham Aliyev, hailed the news growth Oct. 27, days before an official visit to Tehran, stating, [It] shows that all agreements reached between the two countries are being implemented.

Cooperation between the two countries is not limited to trade. In October in Baku, Iran and Azerbaijan held their first meeting on joint defense cooperation with the aim of promoting their military relations. Officials of both countries have on various occasions stressed the political will to further expand ties.

The two countries economic relations, like their political ties, are expanding every day and Iran can become the Republic of Azerbaijans biggest trade partner in the near future, Pakaein told Al-Monitor.

To this end, joint economic commissions between Tehran and Baku that had been suspended for five years were resumed after Rouhanis election in 2013, and annual sessions have been held as part of efforts to accelerate economic projects. Dozens of high-level visits, including 10 official meetings at the presidential level, have been held.

The latest meeting between Rouhani and Aliyev took place Nov. 1 in Tehran, on the sidelines of a trilateral session that included their Russia counterpart, Vladimir Putin. At a joint presser the same day, Rouhani reiterated Irans determination to further expand ties.

Interaction with the world, especially neighboring countries, is a key strategy pursued by Tehran. We welcome every means that leads to enhancing ties with Moscow and Baku, Rouhani said.

Pakaein believes that cooperation between Tehran and Baku can be expanded into many fields beyond those in which they are currently engaged. The two neighbors could begin to invest jointly in the Caspian Sea, he said. Iran and Azerbaijan also can cooperate in the construction of dams and power plants as well as the exchange of technical and engineering services.

Despite the majority of cooperation between the two sides being economic related, Khashe believes that their growing economic ties can lay the ground for resolving political issues, including the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Mutual ties between Tehran and Baku, rather than having an economic basis, are because of the political will of their officials, he said. The development of trade and economic relations in recent years has been impacted by regional and multilateral cooperation. Definitely, the continuation of ties both at the mutual [bilateral] and regional levels will lead to more confidence building and will bring their approaches closer to each other.

Despite the expansion of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan reaching a new high in recent years, Irans share of Azerbaijans $9.2 billion import market is still insignificant. In 2016, it only exported $359 million in goods to Azerbaijan, less than 4% of all of Azerbaijan's imports. This is likely to change with facts on the ground suggesting that ties between the two countries will likely further expand in coming years.
November 9, 2017

In a visit to Iran to boost military relations, Pakistans chief of army staff, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, expressed interest in learning from Irans Basij Organization. The meeting between the two countries at the military level was hailed in Iranian media as a new era in Iran-Pakistan military relations.

Speaking to Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Bajwa said, We believe the most important factor in your success against enemies is the support of the people, and I hope this trip will be the basis for transferring to Pakistan the experience of the Basij and the example of the Iranian peoples forces.

The Basij Organization, which formally operates under the IRGC, was created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution on the orders of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and former supreme leader. It was not until after the Iraqi invasion of Iran in 1980 that the Basij took on a life of its own and became a popular force for its role on the front lines. Basij popularity took a hit after the 2009 presidential election, in which its forces played a significant role in quelling protests. Iranian officials have claimed that Basij membership is in the millions, which may be technically accurate. However, full-time, active membership is likely 100,000.

Despite some differences on regional issues, the two military leaders heaped praise on each others countries and promised greater military cooperation. The mutual cultural and linguistic similarities of a part of Pakistan and Iran shows the depth of this relationship, said Jafari. He added, With the existence of conspiracies and treachery of the enemies against Islam and regional countries, with respect to the past, Iran and Pakistans relationship will become deeper.

In reference to the experiences of Irans armed forces during the Iran-Iraq War, Jafari said, The presence of the people in defending the Islamic Revolution and the homeland resulted in changing the fate of the war. The United States, Western European countries and nearly all of the Arab countries supported former Iraqi President Saddam Husseins invasion of Iran, which was under sanctions and was forced to rely on volunteer forces such as the Basij. Jafari called the peoples forces such as the Basij the most important component of the Sacred Defense, which is what the Iran-Iraq War is called in Iran.

To what degree Irans wartime experiences, especially the evolution and formation of the Basij, can be transferred to Pakistan remains to be seen. Iran does, however, have experience in building up and supporting forces in Iraq and Syria. Of Irans efforts in helping the Iraqi and Syrian governments to build up a peoples force, Jafari said, Today, this example has been transferred to other countries. And in Syria and Iraq  when the decision was made for the entrance of the people into the war  their presence was organized, and the defense of the people alongside the army turned the page against Daesh [the Islamic State] and marked the defeat of takfiris.

During his three-day visit, Bajwa also met with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri.
November 8, 2017

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, government minister Haim Ramon and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri were a political pair of contradictions with significant power. Ramon, a blue-eyed Ashkenazi, was considered a rising star in the Labor Party. Deri, a native of Meknes, Morocco, was Shas' boy wonder, minister of interior at age 29. The two men hypnotized the press. The height of their collaboration was 1990's Foul Trick, which led to the collapse of the unity government headed by Likud Chairman Yitzhak Shamir.

Ramon later said that what he loved about Deri was his daring, his refusal to be obsequious toward the Ashkenazim who run the country and his ability to negotiate as an equal with Yitzhak Rabin, the ultimate sabra (Ashkenazi Israel native), as if he were the prime minister, and not the reverse.

Ramon also noted that his own party included talented and educated Mizrahi who attained key posts, but when facing the Ashkenazi elite, he contended, they acted like little, grateful children, even when they experienced systemic ethnic discrimination. It seems Ramon was thinking of, among others, Shlomo Ben-Ami, a brilliant historian and native of Morocco raised in the northern periphery town of Kiryat Shmona. Ben-Ami had been a rising star in the Labor Party at the end of the 1990s, when in 1999 the party chairman, Ehud Barak, appointed him minister of home security of all things. At that time, that portfolio was regularly given to politicians of Mizrahi background.

This anecdote  whose significance Ramon, with his sharp political senses, discerned  is more than a narrow political analysis. Ramon essentially came to see Shas, and Deri, as its leader, as an expression of proud and unapologetic Mizrahi identity. This perspective won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Mizrahi voters for Shas.

The driving force of the Shas phenomenon was undoubtedly Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, whose eminence as a religious scholar and the mission he led  to fix the systemic discrimination in the ultra-Orthodox world on the part of Ashkenazim toward Mizrahim  created a kind of political explosion that peaked in the 1999 election. It was then that the Hes Innocent campaign for Deri, convicted of corruption and about to enter prison, created an electoral landslide of desertions from Likud, until that point the political home of the traditional Mizrahim lite, into the embrace of Shas, which won 17 mandates.

Shas gave its voters a political identity and a social home. They felt part of the success of a rising power in politics that was founded on Mizrahim. That period in Shas' history is considered a transition from a party with a moderate political identity, most of whose voters and leaders served in the army and for which ultra-Orthodoxy was not the most important thing, to a party trying to be the Mizrahi equivalent to the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox political parties.

Evidence of its imminent demise is the embarrassing recording aired Nov. 6 on the news, in which Deri is heard fearing a covert move to oust him. In a conversation with Yaakov Cohen, son of Rabbi Shalom Cohen, president of the Council of Rabbinic Sages, Deri speaks out against Rabbi Shlomo Amar, former chief Sephardic rabbi who is considered an independent figure in Shas with broad political connections.

Hes bored all day. He has to wield control, Deri said heatedly about Amar. He needs the power.  All day he has to be in the headlines.  This isnt a man who has students. Its not a man who has followers.

Politically speaking, the recording exposed the political crisis of the Shas chairman. It certainly hasnt attracted voters to the movement, which the latest polls predict is on its way to extinction, but the immediate political take on the crisis in Shas and the prophesies of its collapse miss the positive: Shas  born in the mid-1980s of the ethnic, religious, social and political discrimination of Mizrahi Jews in Israel, and having changed the ways of the world in all these respects  has completed its historic mission.

In recent years, Shas has strayed from what characterized it at its start. This drift began even before Rabbi Yosef's death and Deris return to the chairmanship (at the expense of former Chairman Eli Yishai). The party created as the political home of traditional Mizrahim has turned more Orthodox and become an economic mechanism, sometimes corrupt, geared toward retaining its political power by perpetuating poverty and using ethnic discrimination as an electoral engine.

The distance that Shas has strayed from its formative essence, as a moderate and open party compared to the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox parties, is reflected in the story of former Knesset member Yigal Guetta, who was forced to resign from the Knesset in September when it was revealed that two years prior he had participated in the wedding of his gay nephew. With this incident, Shas was revealed to be an extremist ultra-Orthodox party from the Dark Ages, with Deri turning his back on Guetta as rabbis demanded his ouster.

That episode represents the death of the old Shas, which was tolerant and accepting, whose traditional Mizrahi voters enlisted in the army as did its leaders. Over the years, Shas has become a sad copy of the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox. Its Knesset members prefer to send their daughters to Ashkenazi institutions despite the discrimination, and their sons have grown distant from the Zionist worldview and prefer to shirk military service. Thats why Haim Amsalem left Shas in December 2012 to found Am Shalem. His party was popular, but failed to pass the electoral threshold in the 2013 elections. A year ago, Amsalem joined HaBayit HaYehudi.

It stands to reason that more recordings will pop up in the near future, as the visceral internal battle in Shas continues to tear the party apart from within. Theyll set off political and media firestorms lacking in actual significance, because the die has already been cast. Shas has ended its historic mission as an agent of change, and all that's left is the meaningless political fallout.
November 9, 2017

Two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus closest associates, his personal diplomatic envoy Yitzhak Molcho and his family lawyer David Shimron, were detained this week in the context of an investigation into the Israeli purchase of German submarines suspected to have involved bribery.

One has to be really gullible to believe that brothers-in-law Shimron and Molcho, business partners who occupy adjacent offices, dont know what each other is up to, Michael Ben-Yair, who was attorney general under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, wrote this week on Facebook. One has to be really gullible to believe that Netanyahu, a relative of Shimron [and by extension of Molcho] who pulls their strings like a puppeteer on various missions at his behest and on his behalf, knows nothing about the doings of these two, obviously at his behest and on his behalf.

The monthly Peace Index published this week by the Israel Democracy Institute and the Evens Program in Mediation and Conflict Resolution at the University of Tel Aviv indicates that the Israeli public is not naive. indicates that the Israeli public is not naive. A firm majority (58% of the Jews surveyed and 68% of the Arabs) do not believe that the various criminal investigations into the prime minister and his close associates are designed to unseat him, as Netanyahu and his allies keep claiming. A clear majority believes the prime minister should not be immune from investigation if warranted: 66% of the Jews polled and 86% of the Arabs oppose the so-called French law proposal that would preclude probes of serving prime ministers unless theyre suspected of a particularly egregious offense.

A July poll published by Maariv also shows that only 30% of those surveyed believe the claims by Netanyahu and his associates that the prime minister was not involved in the so-called submarine affair  compared with 55% who disbelieve the denials. A majority does not buy Netanyahus claim that the investigations by the police and the state prosecutor are the result of efforts by political rivals to depose him. Half of Israelis believe Netanyahu is corrupt. As expected, his standing in stronger among members of the right and of religious parties.

The submarine affair is shaping up to be a major corruption scandal reaching to the prime ministers very doorstep. Even as the list of Netanyahus close associates linked to the scandal grows longer, progress has been made in the investigation of gifts allegedly received by the prime minister from wealthy businesspeople after Israels ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, was questioned by police regarding Netanyahus actions on their behalf. The prosecutor is also examining Netanyahu's possible indictment over an alleged quid-pro-quo dirty deal he cooked up with the publisher of Israels mass circulation Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Moses. Police suspect that Netanyahu asked for positive coverage in exchange for limiting the circulation of Yedioths competitor.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Sara Netanyahu will have a hard time convincing Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to shelve her indictment concerning the household expenses of the prime minister's residence. In the best-case scenario for Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife will claim that the man who holds the fate of the state in his hands had no idea what went on under his nose.

This week, Israels Securities Authority announced that it had prima facie evidence to support suspicions against Netanyahus friend Shaul Elovitch, who holds the controlling interest in the Bezeq Telecommunications Company, and Shlomo Filber, personally appointed by the prime minister to run the Communications Ministry. Among other things, the two are suspected of fraud, breach of trust and obstructing legal proceedings. In July, the state comptroller revealed that when Netanyahu signed a conflict-of-interest agreement in 2015, after he insisted on naming himself communications minister, he forgot to report his friendship with Elovitch, one of Israels leading telecom tycoons. Netanyahu claimed that the only affiliation he has with the telecom market pertains to clients of his associates Shimron and Molcho. In this case, too, Netanyahu and his associates keep repeating the mantra nothing will come of this because there was nothing and accuse the comptroller of collaborating with the media to unseat an incumbent prime minister.

Yet polls show that if elections were held now, the prime minister would leave his two main opponents  Zionist Camp chair Avi Gabbay and Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid  far behind. In response to a question put to them in a Channel 10 TV survey  Who in your opinion is most suited to be prime minister?  28% answered Netanyahu, and Gabbay and Lapid got the backing of 11% each. In a similar poll conducted in July by Maariv, Netanyahu led with 26%, Lapid took 14% and Gabbay 12%. According to the pollsters and my colleague Mazal Mualem, if the Knesset elections were held today, the current governing coalition, the one whose members shelter a man considered by most Israelis to be corrupt, would remain in power.

One must be truly gullible or simply criminal to extricate Netanyahu, Molcho and Shimron from the entanglement they personally and intentionally created, wrote Ben-Yair, adding, I find it hard to believe that crucial official positions are filled by gullible people or by those breaching Israels trust and the public interest. Indeed, there are quite a few wise people in such positions who protect the interests of the state and the public. But what about the Israeli public? How is it possible that a person who is at best only a liar, inciter and greedy hedonist manages to lure millions of people astray like the Pied Piper of Hamelin?

If we accept the diagnosis offered Nov. 4 by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, that the public is not stupid, we are left with the possibility that when people wake up every day to headlines of corruption scandals, moral corruption does not trouble their sleep. The next stage, which is drawing near, is for the citizens of Israel to re-elect a criminal as their leader and entrust their fate to him. A larger and far stronger democracy recently chose to be led by a man of dubious integrity, a liar, inciter, and greedy hedonist. Israelis love him.
November 9, 2017

Next week, the Knesset's Interior Committee will debate a proposed piece of legislation by Minister for Public Security Gilad Erdan, which would expand the authority of civilian security guards. According to the proposal, security guards will be given powers similar to the police in that they will have the right to detain suspects, demand that they identify themselves and even use force to prevent them from entering crowded spaces such as shopping malls and public transportation. Erdan claims that the purpose of the law is to increase civilians' sense of safety in recreation centers and offices that provide services to citizens.

This proposed expansion of authority is an extension of the Body Search law (nicknamed "stop-and-frisk" bill), initiated by Erdan and approved by the Knesset in February 2015. This law expanded the authority of the police to search the body and possessions of any person if he is suspected of potentially acting violently, or if he threatens someone or assaults them verbally. At the time, the law came under widespread public criticism and was opposed by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI). As a result, it was eventually toned down so that the authority to conduct such searches was limited to instances in which there was "reasonable suspicion."

Even after the law was toned down, however, ACRI claimed that there was still a significant concern "regarding unacceptable profiling of Ethiopians, Arabs and people of Middle Eastern background. These communities are still at risk of over-policing, in the absence of supervision of police conduct on this matter." Now these same powers are being given to civilian security guards.

On the day that Erdan's proposal to expand the authority of civilian security guards was first made public, on Nov. 6, Salah Azbargeh, a bus driver with the Metropoline bus company, sustained a serious beating from civilian security guards at Beersheba's central bus station.

Azbargeh, who lives in the Bedouin settlement of Arara, arrived at the bus station as usual early in the morning, wearing the bus company's uniform. He claims that the guards prevented him from entering, even though other drivers entered the station before him. He was then told by the guards to enter through the main entrance for the general public, a 10-minute walk from there. When he complained that he would be late for his shift and that Jewish drivers entered just before him, he was attacked so severely by the security guards that he required medical treatment at the local hospital. Other drivers at the entrance documented the event, showing Azbargeh lying on the ground while the security guards beat him from every direction.

In a conversation with Al-Monitor, Azbargeh claimed that the security guards stopped him from entering solely because they identified him as an Arab. He said that the guards beat him even though he was wearing the Metropoline uniform and it was obvious to them that he was coming to work. "A Jewish driver went through [the gate] half a minute before me. I tried to explain to them that I would be late for my route, but they didn't care. They started cursing me, pushing me around and beating every part of my body," he said.

Upon his release from hospital, Azbargeh went to the police station to file a complaint. A surprise was waiting for him there as well. He was detained for interrogation, because the staff of the security firm claimed that he had attacked them first. The video clip filmed by his friends showed investigators the intensity of the violence to which the guards subjected him.

In October 2015, Azbargeh prevented a terrorist attack in Kiryat Gat. "The passengers started shouting to me while I was driving that there was a terrorist on the bus," he recalled. "The first thing I did was let everyone off. I was the last person on the bus, so the terrorist attacked me by spraying something in my eyes. I kicked him and he fell. Then I chased after him, but he grabbed a gun from a soldier. I called the police, and luckily the entire incident ended with only two people getting injured."

When asked how it feels to have prevented a terrorist attack in the past, only to be beaten by security guards for no reason whatsoever, he said, "I was insulted mainly. They insulted me in front of all the passengers standing at the gate. The first bus standing there was a bus with passengers from my village  people I know personally. They saw me being humiliated. I was beaten up in front of all the other drivers, which hurts more than the pain from the blows themselves."

Azbargeh's friend, Talal Abu Sauleq, who is also a Metropoline driver, told Al-Monitor that the company's Arab bus drivers are not opposed to the security arrangements. They recognize the need for security measures, but because of their appearance they are not only immediate suspects but also an easy target for humiliation. According to him, security guards act aggressively and sometimes even barbarically toward Arab drivers, "which is why granting them the same authority as police officers is both dangerous and scary."

Abu Sauleq said that security guards board his bus as soon as he arrives at the station. They remove anyone they think looks suspicious and conduct a humiliating search on them in front of all the other passengers. "There isn't even an examination area so that they can conduct the search privately and with dignity," he said, adding that the security guards do not use common sense. "Most of them start working there as soon as they get out of the army, so they still think in terms of the West Bank," he claimed. "Every Arab looks dangerous to them and they behave toward them accordingly."

Attorney Nidal Othman, the director of the Coalition Against Racism in Israel, told Al-Monitor that his group will oppose Erdan's law any way they can. "It is a terrifying and disturbing law, which obligates all of us to oppose it," he said. He explained that Erdan's law effectively allows every security guard to be a police officer, without the required training. "That's a recipe for disaster and it will be used mainly against Arab society in Israel."
November 8, 2017

Oman is rarely mentioned when people talk about Russias policies in the Middle East. Yet in recent weeks, some interesting developments have been spotted on this track.

In early October, just in time for the second Russian-Omani Business Forum  which was held in Oman's capital, Muscat  Oman eased visa requirements for Russian citizens. Both developments testify to the countries' progress in fostering bilateral ties; this development has been gaining momentum since a Russian Federation Council delegation visited the sultanate in April 2016. Should the trend continue, Oman might take its relationship with Russia to the "next level," thus becoming, arguably, the last Gulf state to recently bolster its ties with Moscow. So far, Russia's political, economic, military and technical cooperation isn't as close with Oman as it is with other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Russia-Oman bilateral relations were largely haunted by the Cold War legacy. Oman was the only Gulf monarchy directly affected by the Soviet expansionist policy in the Middle East. By the time the Soviet Union was aiding the Marxist Dhofar Liberation Front  which participated in a communist-inspired insurgency in Dhofar province  Moscow has already swayed its influence in South Yemen. The USSR hoped the Dhofar Front would be instrumental in bringing communists to power in Oman.

The Dhofar Rebellion, though ultimately unsuccessful, was deemed a Soviet attempt to intervene in Omans affairs. Nevertheless, Oman managed to overcome hurdles and cultivate friendlier relations with Moscow in the post-Soviet period.

The Arab Spring in 2011 created opportunities for a rapprochement between Russia and Oman. The sultanates stances on the Syrian and Yemeni crises, which differ from the other GCC states, were conducive to closer political ties between Moscow and Muscat. Oman refused to back the intervention of Gulf Arab states and their allies against the Houthi alliance with former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Oman sustained its diplomatic presence in Sanaa, which was controlled by Salehs loyalists and Houthis. Moscow acted along the same lines, as it did not sever ties with either of the parties. Meanwhile in Syria, despite the formal recognition of the National Coalition for the Forces of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people in 2012, Muscat refrained from cutting ties with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moreover, Oman's position was neutral during the first (2014) and the second Qatar crisis. The sultanate has not withdrawn its ambassador from Qatar or imposed any sanctions.

But Russia's military intervention in Syria in September 2015 must have hindered the rapprochement between Moscow and Muscat by thwarting Omans efforts to mediate between the Assad regime, Iran, the Gulf countries and insurgents. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem had visited Muscat in August 2015, which was followed two months later by a Damascus meeting between Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and the Syrian president. In this respect, Russias involvement in the conflict radically altered the balance of power in Syria, frustrating Omans diplomatic efforts.

However, Russia's growing progress in the Syrian peace process helped bridge the gap between the two countries. Besides, Oman may view Russias presence in Syria as an instrument for preserving the power balance, and a counterbalance both to Irans ascendancy and the potential post-Islamic State (IS) deployments of the United States in Syria and Iraq. Over recent decades  since the sultanate began to deviate from its conservative and pro-Western policies of the Cold War period  the key pillars of the countrys foreign policy have been a non-aligned status, balanced relations with major world and regional players and a balance of power in the Middle East.

Over recent decades  since the sultanate began to deviate from its conservative and pro-Western policies of the Cold War period  the key pillars of the countrys foreign policy have been a non-aligned status, balanced relations with major world and regional players and a balance of power in the Middle East.

Oman's political establishment  along with most of its citizens  professes the Ibadi school of Abd-Allah ibn Ibadh, which differs from Sunnism and Shiism. In pursuit of its interests, Oman strategically exploits the political differences between its more powerful Sunni and Shiite neighbors. This requires a flexible foreign policy. For instance, Muscat considers its membership in the Saudi-dominated GCC a tool for curbing Iranian influence. At the same time, Oman keeps relations with Iran on track, regarding them as an effective means of countering Saudi Arabia's "great power" ambitions.

Muscat served as a mediator between the United States and Iran shortly before the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was signed. Ahead of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2013, lengthy US-Iranian consultations paved the way for this nuclear agreement, which was a feather in Omans diplomatic cap. The country had hosted five meetings between the two sides. In February 2017, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani paid a visit to Oman, which was followed by the Iranian foreign ministers October trip to Muscat.

Nevertheless, Omans January decision to sign on to Riyadh's Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, which is often seen as an anti-Iranian initiative, could mitigate the countrys Iranian facet in its foreign policy. At the same time, some experts believe that this entirely nominal step will have no far-reaching consequences. Oman will still seek to retain the status of the Arab Switzerland by adopting non-engagement or non-alignment policies.

Muscat applies the same approach in dealing with the great powers in the Middle East. Russias military presence in Syria and more proactive US regional policies may compel Oman to reconsider its ties with Moscow and Washington to walk a thin line between the two power centers. Given that the level of US-Omani cooperation is rather high, one can anticipate a stronger trend toward Russia in Omani external policy, to a reasonable degree.

Oman deems de-confliction and restoring Middle Eastern peace as essential to its future development. Thus, Russian-Omani interaction will largely depend on trust, which was to some extent undermined by Russia's military intervention in Syria. Therefore, building this credibility will hinge on Moscows further strategy in the Middle East.
November 9, 2017

WASHINGTON  Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim met with Vice President Mike Pence at the White House for over an hour today to try to clear the air over a series of issues that have quickly strained relations between Ankara and the Donald Trump administration. Those irritants include: Turkeys request for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose movement Turkey considers behind the coup attempt of July 15, 2016; the United States working in Syria with predominantly Kurdish fighters whom Turkey considers linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK); the jailing of dozens of journalists and an American pastor in Turkey; and most recently, visa restrictions between the two countries.

The White House said Pence and Yildirim hoped to usher in a new chapter in US-Turkish relations.

The leaders expressed hope that their meeting would help to usher in a new chapter in US-Turkey relations and agreed on the need for constructive dialogue, as friends and Allies, on bilateral challenges, the White House said in a readout of the Pence-Yildirim 80-minute meeting.

They highlighted the United States' and Turkey's mutual interest in stability and security in the Middle East and agreed to further intergovernmental consultations toward that end, the readout continued. The Vice President also thanked the Prime Minister for Turkey's contributions to global security and the fight to defeat [the Islamic State], and he underscored the US commitment to stand with Turkey against the PKK and other terrorist threats. The Vice President expressed deep concern over the arrests of American citizens, Mission Turkey local staff, journalists, and members of civil society under the state of emergency and urged transparency and due process in the resolution of their cases."

Yildirim's charm offensive included meetings with journalists, think tankers and lawmakers in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will continue in New York for meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jewish community leaders and investors. However, Yildirim's cordial message urging the working out of problems bumped up against bureaucratic, legal and military obstacles that make resolving some of the deepest irritants in the relationship quite difficult.

Relations between Turkey and the United States are going through tough times, Yildirim, speaking through a translator, told some dozen journalists at a roundtable in an elegant meeting room at the Turkish ambassadors residence in Washington on Wednesday.

Strained ties are not only about Turkey-US relations, but also about the region in which our country is located, Yildirim said, noting the situation is not very bright in Syria, Iraq and probable problems to come. In such a context, the relations between Turkey and the USA might be worsened.

Of course, this does not serve our interests, he said. Turkey and the United States have deeply rooted historical ties that have been strained from time to time. But common sense prevailed.  With a common stance, we will always be able to work out problems.

Yildirim said Wednesday that in his meeting with Pence, he hoped to talk about all these issues with the vice president in an open manner, so we can start a new era.

Before the Turkish delegations arrival this week, conversations between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had made way for a small breakthrough in restarting visa applications between the two countries on a limited basis.

Visa applications have started, and we hope this will be normalized very soon, Yildirim said.

The Turkish delegation, which also included the Turkish foreign minister, had a very fruitful meeting with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Yildirim said. We have come to realize that certain problems are due to insufficient information. This leads to certain wrong perceptions. We had a chance to talk about these. The Turkish prime minister proposed more reciprocal parliamentary-congressional exchanges to improve the information regarding Turkey. Such increased visits might then change their prejudiced ideas about Turkey.

In summary, what I am trying to say, the worsening of relations between the United States and Turkey is not only a problem for these two countries, but also cause for worsening of the threat in our region, he said.

Asked about accusations that have appeared in the Turkish media blaming members of US think tanks and even the US government of supporting the July 2016 coup attempt, Yildirim said the Turkish public is suspicious of why the United States continues to harbor exiled cleric Gulen.

Almost all of the Turkish people are sure that this coup was carried out by Fethullah Gulen, Yildirim said. Whether the United States is behind this coup attempt or not  we have identified that Gulen was the mastermind of the coup attempt, we have delivered the request to the United States for extradition or restriction of his activities in this country. But no steps [have been] taken in this regard."

This leads to that opinion in the Turkish public, Yildirim said. Sometimes perceptions become more important than facts.

The coup attempt of July 15, 2016, is like 9/11 to us, he said. The US administration and US politicians should show more empathy toward us. And we expect more positive steps taken by them.

Former US Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey said he was sympathetic to Turkish frustration with the United States over Gulen. And he praised Turkish efforts to try to reset relations with Washington.

The Turks are making a major effort, as is the US government, to resolve some of these disputes and to get on a better level, because the truth is, on our basic strategic level, we and the Turks see the region pretty similarly, Jeffrey, now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Al-Monitor. We are both status quo powers, we are both opposed to Iranian, Russian and various terrorist groups overthrowing the international order.

Given that, and the relationship, it is a good opportunity to move forward, Jeffrey said. That is what the Yildirim visit is focused on.

The problem is three sets of issues, Jeffrey said. They are trying to "resolve these complicated legal  cases," including ones against President Recep Tayyip Erdogans bodyguards in Washington; the case of the American pastor detained in Turkey; and the Turkish personnel of the US Embassy who have been arrested. These things are very complicated because it involves the legal system from both countries, Jeffrey said. But they are making some progress.  I think that is moving in a relatively good direction.

The second issue is Fethullah Gulen, [which is a] legal issue  but goes much deeper than that, Jeffrey said. Turks feel that most people in America do not really think Gulen was behind the plot. And that it was made up of something else. That is very troubling to Turks."

Turks, even those opposed to Erdogan, believe the Gulenist organization was behind the attempted coup, Jeffrey said. That doesnt mean they have evidence against Gulen personally. But they believe his organization was behind it. And they are very frustrated. It is a political issue.  That is very worrisome.

But extradition is very difficult unless there is a clear-cut legal case, Jeffrey said.

The one issue I think we can make the most progress on is Syria and Iraq, Jeffrey, who also previously served as US ambassador to Iraq, said. We cooperated well on [the issue of Iraqi] Kurdistan. Both the United States and Turkey dont want to see the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG] squeezed more. At this point that would be violating the constitution. The constitution establishes an autonomous Kurdistan. If the Iraqi government, pushed by the Iranians, wants to take further steps [against the KRG], there would be joint pushback by the United States and Turkey.

In Syria, the Turks are finding it hard to believe that the United States does not have a clear plan regarding what it intends to do with the Syrian territory that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have taken from the so-called Islamic State, Jeffrey said.

The Turks want us to consult with them, Jeffrey said. What are we going to do with Syria?  They want to consult with us.

All we have are the talking points, that the top priority is the fight against [IS], Jeffrey said. But the problem is  it is almost impossible to tell the Turks that  we dont know what we are going to do now. No one can believe that.
It seems Bixby Vision on Verizons flavor of the Galaxy Note 8 is not capable of identifying and providing information on wine. At present, this is not a confirmed aspect by Verizon, but some form of a confirmation has come through Samsungs community forums. In the aptly named Bixby vision does not show wine forum post, the user notes how the feature does not seem to be working. After much back and forth between the original poster and a Samsung Moderator, the moderator explains I was able to look into this a bit deeper. It looks like this feature may have been taken off on the Verizon models of the Note8. Seemingly confirming that the feature is not just currently absent on Verizons Galaxy Note 8, but was never included at launch.

Although it is unclear as to why this is the case, as this is a shared feature with the likes of the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, it is also possible the feature is inactive on those phones as well. Which if correct, could stem back to an issue which first came to light when the two Galaxy S8s launched, as Bixby Vision was not available at that time on Verizons versions. In particular, it was the Amazon integration which powers Bixby Visions capabilities that was not present. While an update did come through a few weeks later adding Bixby Vision to those phones, the reasoning begin the delay was never fully explained. Whether the two instances are related or not remains to be seen, although they could be as they do presumably rely on the same underlying Amazon technology. Meaning while it may now be working for most items, it might not have been ever optimized for wine content on Verizon models.

Adding further confirmation to the feature having been omitted, in addition to it missing from the Galaxy Note 8s camera interface on the Verizon model it also seems to be absent from the Bixby Vision settings in general. As in those settings users are able to toggle on and off various categories such as images, places, text, and wine. The wine option however does not show at all within the settings on Verizon models, based on screenshots shared by the original poster of the issue. You can see the difference between the original posters Bixby Vision settings below compared to the settings screen we pulled from a T-Mobile variant of the Galaxy Note 8.
Chinese team conduct Pokhara-Ktm railway study

A visiting Chinese delegation conducted a study in Pokhara on Wednesday to determine the viability of building a railway network to link Pokhara with the Capital.
Blowing into the bottom speaker of the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL may be able to revive a dysfunctional microphone, some users suggested as part of a still-ongoing discussion on the companys product forums. Microphone-related issues troubling certain Pixel 2 phones have already been extensively documented and acknowledged by the Alphabet-owned tech giant, though no solution has yet been provided by the firm in an official capacity, prompting some users with faulty units to try circumventing the problem on their own. A video demonstration of the technique can be accessed by referring to the banner below, with the clip being shared by one Pixel 2 owner on Googles product forums.

Reports of faulty microphones mostly pertain to the smaller Pixel 2, though a number of Pixel 2 XL owners also took to Googles product forums to complain about the same problem in recent weeks. The blowing trick appears to work with both handsets, with its very existence suggesting that the cause of the original problem is hardware-related, especially as blowing into a working speaker will sometimes cause the microphone to stop functioning, numerous users claim. The scope of the problem remains unclear, though only a minority of sold units are presumably affected by it, or online complaints pertaining to the issue would likely be counted in tens of thousands instead of dozens. If you happen to own a unit with a sketchy microphone, you should be eligible to receive a regular return merchandise authorization (RMA) and get a replacement phone from Google.

One Verizon customer who bought the Pixel 2 from the wireless carrier was told that the microphone issue will be resolved with an over-the-air update from Google but if blowing into the mic can be a temporary remedy, the problem is unlikely to be solvable with such a move, unless its a result of some unprecedentedly bizarre software bug. Despite not enjoying the smoothest of launches, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are still largely praised by both critics and consumers alike, having been described as some of the best Android devices ever created. Not all of Googles target markets have yet received every model, with some units like the Black and White Pixel 2 XL only being scheduled to start shipping to Europe around Christmas due to shortages.
Googles has revealed ten tips for Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners in an attempt to help them get the most out of either handsets camera in the built-in portrait mode. Thats because, for those who still may not have heard, the two devices feature some of the best photo-taking hardware to have ever graced a smartphone  and arguably the very best, for the time being. So it makes sense that Google would want to help its users snap better, more memorable images now that the holidays are fast approaching. Google is also encouraging users to reshare images on social media, using the hashtag #teampixel, for a chance at having the images featured in future Google posts.

Google starts out by recommending a change-up in the distances an image is being shot at. The photographer should move closer to the subject while moving to a position where there is a greater distance between the subject and the background, wherever possible. The result should be a heavier amount of blur in the background while bringing the subject  whatever the subject happens to be  into crystal-clear focus. Meanwhile, Google also says that while capturing moments with more than one subject, photos will turn out best if each subject is an equal distance from the camera. For the best images, photos should be shot with either clean backgrounds or against backdrops that have lined patterns such as a bricks or staircases because those tend to provide the best sense of depth. Thats as opposed to backgrounds containing lots of clutter or other people. The subject should ordinarily be placed in the foreground of the shot, to prevent an unintentional bokeh effect on the subject itself. Tying into each of those things, Google says the Pixel 2s grid tool can be used to make sure the subject is in a desirable position formulaically. However, users can still get great images by switching up to an angled perspective or altering the height a shot is being taken from and then tapping on the desired subject on their screen  which redirects the focal point to whatever was tapped on. Tapping is also particularly useful when the image is washed out by a light source behind the subject. Beyond that, the Pixel 2s software has manual tools to aid in getting the perfect shot, including exposure adjustment  which is easily accessed by first tapping and then sliding up or down on the screen. Finally, the company says images taken in diffuse lighting, as is provided by shaded outdoors areas or cloud cover, tend to have the best color saturation and help to prevent squinting.

Its worth pointing out that some of the tips Google has outlined could certainly be used with almost any smartphone and should be helpful for just about anybody. Others are, of course, more dependent on the array of camera-related hardware and software found exclusively in the Pixel devices. In any case, anybody who is interested in better mobile photography will probably want to head over to the source link below for a more in-depth look at each of the tips and more high-quality example images.
The OnePlus 5T will arrive in a week, as OnePlus confirmed that it will be announced on November 16 in New York, and the companys CEO just shared some new info on Weibo (Chinese social network). The companys CEO said that prices of mobile phone components are rising faster than house prices in Shenzhen, which could indicate that the OnePlus 5T will end up being more expensive than expected. Pete Lau, OnePlus CEO, actually said that the OnePlus 5T will cost less than $600, though his latest post is rather worrisome for those of you who are looking to purchase the OnePlus 5T.

Do keep in mind that Pete Laus latest post might not indicate an increase in OnePlus 5Ts pricing, OnePlus may find a way to keep the prices at bay, well see. In any case, the OnePlus 5T will resemble the OPPO R11s quite a bit, as its design is based on the design of the OPPO R11s which had been announced quite recently. The OnePlus 5T will be made out of metal, it will sport a rear-facing fingerprint scanner, and its bezels will be quite thick. The phones alleged front panel actually surfaced earlier today, and weve seen quite a few leaks of the phone at this point. The OnePlus 5T will, most probably, sport a 6.01-inch fullHD+ (2160 x 1080) AMOLED display, along with 6GB / 8GB of RAM and 64GB / 128GB of non-expandable internal storage. The device will be fueled by the Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core SoC, just like its predecessor, the OnePlus 5. This handset will also sport a dual camera setup on its back, were expecting to see 20 and 16-megapixel shooters again, though OnePlus might opt to include new sensors in the OnePlus 5T.

The OnePlus 5T will include a battery that is larger than 3,000mAh, and youll be able to recharge it using the companys proprietary Dash Charge fast charging, while wireless charging will not be a part of the picture. The OnePlus 5T will retain the OnePlus 5s footprint, while the phone will also sport a 3.5mm headphone jack. Android 8.0 Oreo will come pre-installed on the OnePlus 5T, and on top of it, youll be able to find OnePlus OxygenOS skin, with all of its features.

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All OnePlus 5T launch event attendees will receive a number of unique perks should they choose to join the phone makers first stateside product unveiling, the Chinese original equipment manufacturer revealed on Thursday. The company took to its official forums to detail some of the advantages of attending the upcoming launch event, adding that it will be donating all of its proceeds to F-Droid, an installable catalog of free and open-source Android apps. The tickets will be priced at $40 a piece, with all attendees being eligible for a comparable $40 discount off of their OnePlus 5T pre-orders. Advanced orders on the companys latest Android flagship will first be offered to individuals attending its launch event, presumably so as to ensure that every one of them gets the opportunity to secure their unit before it possibly goes out of stock, as is often the case with new devices from the BBK Electronics-owned consumer electronics manufacturer.

Attendees will unsurprisingly be provided some hands-on time with the upcoming device, as well as the opportunity to meet some of the largest tech influencers in the world, OnePlus said, without mentioning any specific names. Everyone who finds themselves at the New York City gathering next Thursday will also receive what the firm refers to as the swag bag containing a number of its goodies including the Travel Backpack in your choice of Space Black and Morandi Gray, as well as the Never Settle T-Shirt.

The OnePlus 5T will be officially unveiled on Thursday, November 16th, with its New York City launch event being set to start at 11:00 AM EST and run until 2:00 PM. The smartphone will go on sale in North America and Europe five days later, with November 21st also marking its limited flash sale in India where it will be retailed as an Amazon exclusive and officially hit the market on November 28th. Customers in OnePluss home country will be able to purchase the OnePlus 5T from December 1st. No specific pricing details have yet been provided by the Shenzhen, Guangdong-based phone maker, though its previous hints and recent reports suggest that the OnePlus 5T wont be more expensive than its predecessor, with sources recently claiming the flagship will start at $479.
Ubers recently appointed Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi is currently in the process of controlling costs while still heavily emphasizing corporate humility, The Information reported on Thursday, citing numerous people close the company. The 48-year-old who replaced ousted co-founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick in August is said to have dismissed some hiring requests from his lieutenants in recent weeks, signaling that the era of increasingly aggressive spending at Uber may be nearing its end. The head of the company is also planning on hiring a new Chief Financial Officer in the near future, having reportedly told some officials that his search for a new CFO is nearing its end. There have been no new reported developments in regards to Ubers search for its first-ever Chief Operating Officer which started while Mr. Kalanick was still the companys CEO but was seemingly halted following his ousting, though some unnamed officials allegedly still expect such a role to be created in the near future.

The second chief in Ubers eight-year history recently hired ex-Orbitz CEO Barney Harford, appointing him as a consultant tasked with analyzing the companys operations and providing recommendations on major strategy shifts. Former U.S. Associate Attorney General Tony West is another one of Mr. Khosrowshahis recent hirings appointed as a general counsel meant to contribute to resolving the firms numerous legal issues that arose in recent times. Mr. Khosrowshahis efforts to keep Ubers spending in check are believed to be directly related to his previously expressed ambition to prepare the company for an initial public offering by 2019. While the San Francisco, California-based ride-hailing firm is unlikely to hit profitability in two years time, the lower its net losses are by the time its roadshow starts, the more money will it likely be able to raise with an IPO.

Mr. Kalanick often suggested he doesnt see an IPO as a priority while he was still heading Uber, with the startups current negotiations with SoftBank over a major investment worth up to $10.5 billion reportedly being delayed due to a power struggle at the firm revolving around its ousted co-founder. Mr. Kalanick and his successor are already said to have clashed over the formers decision to appoint new board members earlier this fall, with the overall state of the company still appearing to be far from healthy enough for an IPO.
Vivo is introducing a new color option for the Vivo V7 Plus smartphone model launched in India a couple of months ago, expanding the list of flavors to three choices which now include the new Energetic Blue paint job aside from the existing Midnight Black and Champagne Gold options. The Energetic Blue Vivo V7 Plus appears to be exclusive to the Indian market where it is currently scheduled for a pre-order period at Amazon between the 10th and 14th of November.

Chinese smartphone maker Vivo seems be targeting younger customers with the new color option, with the company describing the flavor as a complement to the energetic personality of its audience. Spec-wise, the Energetic Blue model remains identical to the Midnight Black and Champagne Gold variants, meaning that the device carries a 5.99-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1440 x 720, leading to an 18:9 aspect ratio and a screen-to-body ratio of nearly 85 percent. The smartphone relies on the Snapdragon 450 chipset from Qualcomm which features eight ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores clocked at up to 1.8GHz and the Adreno 506 graphics chip. The processor is paired with 4GB of RAM and users have access to 64GB of on-board storage while also being able to expand the external memory by up to an additional 256GB via a microSD card.

The Vivo V7 Plus is considered to be a selfie-oriented smartphone, primarily due to the inclusion of a generous 24-megapixel front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture. The back panel features a single 16-megapixel sensor with the same aperture and offers phase detection autofocus, HDR, and 1080p video recording capabilities. A rear-mounted fingerprint scanner resides below the camera assembly and the device relies on a 3,225mAh battery while running Android 7.1.2 Nougat out of the box, complete with Vivos proprietary Android skin Funtouch OS 3.2. In India, the Vivo V7 Plus has been launched through both Flipkart and Amazon, but it appears that the upcoming Energetic Blue flavor will be released exclusively through the latter. The launch price will remain the same as with the Gold and Black flavors, i.e. the Energetic Blue variant will cost Rs. 21,990 or the rough equivalent of $340.
Court orders suspension of Tamakoshi survey licence

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the government to suspend the survey licence issued to TBI Holding for the Tamakoshi 3 Hydropower Project.
MadridThe circle of corruption surrounding the PP, split over several cases such as "the Barcenas papers" and the Gurtel plot, is tightening around Mariano Rajoy. A judicial ruling is all that is needed to prove the existence of a slush fund in the Spanish party designed to make payments off the books to its leaders, as well as irregular financing via an illegal business network led by Francisco Correa. All of the indications not yet confirmed by a judge have allowed the Spanish president to dodge the accusations-- when it is not him, he delegates his defense to his Ministers--, but there are now many testimonies that contradict the version that he gave four months ago in his statement to Madrids National Court.

"Never", "in no way" are some of the formulas that Rajoy repeated time and again in his appearance as a witness in the trial of the first phase of the Gurtel plot, in reference to whether he received cash payments from the party and if he knew, as leader of the PP, that the party's election campaigns had been financed illegally in some towns. Like a mantra, he shirked all responsibility. "I don't handle money issues, I'm only involved in the political situation", he insisted. This differed from the version given by former PP treasurer Luis Barcenas, who in his testimony for the "Barcenas papers" case stated that in the party's headquarters on Madrids calle Genova they knew about everything, with Maria Dolores de Cospedal, the Secretary General of the party, at the helm.

The legal proceedings over the first stage of the Gurtel case (1999-2005) are coming to an end, and the prosecutor is taking it for proven that the PP participated in a lucrative way in the scheme, which filled several pockets of the party with cash from the slush fund, which came in turn from a network of bribery and illegal contracts led by businessman Francisco Correa. "The government will wait for the ruling, and only at that time will it take the appropriate measures", argued Rafael Catala, Minister of Justice, after Podemos spokesperson Irene Montero criticized during the congressional session that "he who steals, even if wrapped in a flag, is still called a thief".

Another prominent name from the PP who has distanced himself from the plot is ex-President Jose Maria Aznar. In an interview on Wednesday morning on Cadena SER radio, the honorary president of the party stated that he is not "responsible" for either Gurtel or the party's slush fund. He argued that he didn't handle the day-to-day management of the PP, and that he knewFrancisco Correa, head of the plot very little. "I don't feel responsible, but I don't feel indifferent either", he admitted.

A "criminal organization", according to the UDEF

Added to Barcenas' story, the notation 'M. Rajoy' in his notes, and the Prosecutor's accusation was the chief inspector for the Spanish police's Financial and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF), Manuel Morocho, who appeared on Tuesday before the Congressional investigative commission looking into the illegal financing of the PP, four months after its last session. Morocho stated that the "indications" of corruption connected with the PP outline the "profile of a criminal organization", although he emphasized the need to wait for a court of law to "assess and rule on" this thesis. "The existence of a second set of books (the slush fund) is still an assumption", insisted Morocho, who did not hold back from pointing the finger at Mariano Rajoy. In her appearance, Podemos PM Carolina Bescansa asked Morocho about the names that appear in the Barcenas papers, and he responded that, in effect, the name of the PP leader appears "circumstantially".

Morocho also took advantage of his appearance in Congress to emphasize the number of complaints and lawsuits that PP leaders have file against him for heading up the Gurtel investigation. "The aim was very clear: to destabilize the investigation", said Morocho, who added that the seven complaints were dismissed. In addition, he expressed his support for creating a central office that would "bring together different agencies" with the aim of streamlining legal processes against corruption.
By Dezan Shira & Associates

Editor: Vasundhara Rastogi

On October 27, 2017, Malaysias Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tabled the countrys much anticipated 2018 budget. The new budget is in line with the governments agenda to achieve Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) or National Transformation 2050; TN50 is a 30 year-plan,first introduced in the budget 2017,that aims to make Malaysia one of the worlds top 20 countries by 2050.

Termed as a generous and people friendly budget, the proposed allocation for 2018 stands at RM280.25 billion (US$66.3 billion)  a rise of 7.5 percent from 2017. The Malaysian government has proposed several tax incentives for investors and venture capital firms in the 2018 budget. In this article, we look at the salient features of the budget and their implications for businesses.

Corporate tax and tax incentives

Capital allowance for ICT equipment and software

The budget pays attention to the upgrade of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and communications systems, which is crucial for a strong digital infrastructure for businesses. Currently, expenditure incurred on the purchase of ICT equipment and software packages is eligible for the accelerated capital allowance (ACA), which effectively allows a full capital allowance claim in the year of acquisition. The budget 2018 proposes capital allowance claim at the rate of 20 percent initial allowance and 20 percent annual allowance on the following expenditure:

Expenditure incurred on the purchase of ICT equipment and computer software packages, with effect from the assessment year (AY) 2017; and

Development of customized software comprising of consultation fees, licensing fees and incidental fees related to software development. This proposal is effective from AY 2018.

Tax incentives for Malaysias capital market

To promote Malaysias capital market and make it internationally more competitive, the budget proposes a three-year exemption on stamp duty for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and structured warrants (SW). It will be applicable on ETF and SW executed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020.

Besides, the budget offers tax relief for venture capital companies equivalent to the amount of initial investment; tax deductions for angel investors in venture capital projects; income tax deductions for environmentally and socially responsible Islamic bond issuers; and income tax exemptions for fund managers of conventional socially responsible funds.

Implementation of Earning Stripping Rules

The budget proposes replacement of the thin capitalization rules by the Earning Stripping Rules (ESR), a new method introduced by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Under the ESR, the interest deduction on loans between related companies within the same group will be limited to a ratio to be determined by the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (MIRB), ranging between 10 percent and 30 percent of the companys profit before tax. The ESR rules will be effective from January 1, 2019.

Other tax incentives

The Principle Hub Incentive: To increase Malaysias competitiveness as a global operations center for multinational companies, the budget has extended the application period for principal hub tax incentive to December 31, 2020. The principal hub incentive was initially launched in 2015 to provide income tax exemptions for companies which set up global operation centers in Malaysia. Currently, this incentive is available for applications made to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) by April 30, 2018.

Extension of incentives for new four- and five-star hotels: To expand tourism, the budget has extended the tax incentive for investment in four- and five-star hotels for a further two years, while the tax incentive for tour operators has been extended to 2020. For medical tourism too, the investment tax allowance has been extended.

Personal income tax

To increase the disposable income of the middle-income group and to address the rising cost of living in Malaysia the budget proposes to cut individual income tax rates by two percentage points for those earning between RM 20,000 (US$4,730) to RM 70,000 (US$16,552) a year.

The five percent rate on income up to RM 35,000 (US$8,276) will be reduced to three percent; the 10 percent rate on income up to RM50,000 (US$11,823) will be lowered to eight percent, and the 16 percent rate on income up to RM70,000 will be cut to 14 percent.

Goods and services tax relief

In an attempt to lower the cost of business, the budget proposes an exemption from the goods and services tax (GST) on services provided by the local authorities beginning next year. The exemption will come into effect from April 1 or October 1, next year, as opted by the respective local governments. Local authorities will not, however, be exempted from GST on the acquisition of commercial buildings or land, petroleum, and on the importation of motor cars.

In addition to that, all reading materials, including magazines, comics, journals and periodical publications will be zero-rated from January 1, 2018. Further, there will be a total exemption from GST for handling services provided by operators at all ports in the country for the period between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020.

The GST appeal tribunal and customs appeal tribunal will be merged into a single customs appeal tribunal, to enable taxpayers to submit their appeals on both customs and GST matters from January 1, 2019.

Support for businesses

Fourth industrial revolution

For business communities, the budget focuses on building capacity and capability to ensure Malaysian corporates are well placed to ride the fourth industrial revolution.

In view of rapid technology development, the Malaysian government has taken several measures to help companies transform into industry 4 (the fourth industrial revolution) with an emphasis upon digital application, big data analytics, robotics and automation applications.

The government in its budget proposes that the ACA and an automation equipment allowance be provided on the first RM10 million (US$2.4 million) qualifying capital expenditure incurred in AY 2018 to AY 2020. This incentive would apply to applications received by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020.

An increase in loans for small businesses

Realizing the significant contribution of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the nations growth and labor market, the Government has allocated RM200 million (US$47.3 million) for training programs, grants and soft loans for SMEs.

The budget proposes an allocation of about RM0.5 billion (US$118.2 million) into Tekun, a financial services agency that provides financing facilities for small enterprises, and RM200 million (US$47.3 million) into Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM). The fund has benefited over 400,000 borrowers, of which the budget states to be majority women and good paymasters.

Other initiatives

Among other initiatives include a grant of RM245 million (US$58 million) under the domestic investment strategic fund, to upgrade smart manufacturing facilities. The Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ), first announced in Budget 2017, featured once again in Budget 2018. The initial phase of the DFTZ will enable 1,500 SMEs to participate in the economy, attract RM700 million (US$165.5 million) worth of investment and create 2,500 job opportunities. Additionally, the budget reduces the required minimum level of venture capital investment in a start-up business from 70 percent to 50 percent for the period 2018-2022.

About Us ASEAN Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including China, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road & Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates provide business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax and advisory services throughout the ASEAN and Asia. We maintain offices in Singapore, as well as Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, and maintain Alliance offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as throughout China, South-East Asia, India and Russia. For assistance with ASEAN investments into any of the featured countries, please contact us at provide business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax and advisory services throughout the ASEAN and Asia. We maintain offices in Singapore, as well as Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, and maintain Alliance offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as throughout China, South-East Asia, India and Russia. For assistance with ASEAN investments into any of the featured countries, please contact us at asean@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 ASEAN 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017 introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment, and taxation. We also include the latest development news for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.

How to Set Up in the Philippines



In this issue of ASEAN Briefing magazine, we provide an introduction to the Philippines as well as analyze the various market entry options available for investors interested in expanding to the island nation. We also discuss the step-by-step process for setting up a business entity in the Philippines, highlighting the various statutory requirements for overseas investors. Finally, we explore the potential for Singapore to serve as a viable base to administer investors Philippine operations.
Govt to announce provincial capitals after scheduled polls

The government will announce temporary capitals of seven provinces and governors immediately after the federal and provincial elections, fearing strong protests from the ground if any dispute arises ahead of the scheduled polls, according to officials.
India nun rape case: Bangladeshi man jailed for life

A sessions court in Kolkata on Wednesday sentenced a Bangladeshi man to life in prison for raping a septuagenarian nun during a robbery at a convent in West Bengal's Ranaghat in March 2015, media reports said.
Appleby is hitting back at the intense media coverage its connection to the Paradise Papers scandal has caused.The top offshore law firm said that the media is wrong to characterise the incident as a leak.We wish to reiterate that our firm was not the subject of a leak but of a serious criminal act and our systems were accessed by an intruder who deployed the tactics of a professional hacker, it said.The firm lashed out at allegations of what could be perceived as failings in its business practice standards.Operating in highly regulated jurisdictions, we face an ever-increasing level of compliance obligations. Our overriding objective is to have the procedures and policies to ensure that we have 100% compliance with our obligations. This is a major undertaking and Appleby invests significantly in compliance professionals and processes, not only to put in place the requisite procedures and policies but also to review constantly our current practices to see where there can be improvement, Appleby said.The firm said it is grateful for the support of its clients, referrers, intermediaries, local governments, financial institutions, the general business community, and even its rivals.We wish to apologise to our clients and to our colleagues for the difficulties which have arisen from this incident. We remain committed to working with each and every client to talk to them about what has happened so that they can understand its impact on them and in order to support them with their own reporting requirements. We also remain committed to the highest standards of client service and confidentiality, the firm said.The incident involves 13.4m documents detailing financial activities of about 120,000 people and companies connected to assets worth around US$10 trillion. Famous people and organisations linked to the papers include Queen Elizabeth II, Apple, Bono, Facebook, Lewis Hamilton, Nike, Twitter, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Uber.
A cloud accounting service provider is getting into the online legal documents space.ASX-listed Reckon has partnered with AusDocsOnline to offer small, medium, and franchise businesses across Australia access to legal documents via the internet.Reckon customers can download the latest legal documents for a fraction of the cost and time of consulting a lawyer directly, taking the hassle out of ensuring policies and procedures are up to date, Reckon said.The partnership sees AusDocsOnlines library of more than 500 legal documents, which are written by lawyers and backed by LexisNexis Australia, available to Reckon customers.Workplace legislation is tougher than ever today. Small businesses are typically unable to afford HR or legal professionals, or the time to review policies, they tend to expose themselves to costly, damaging claims, said Shaun Locke, Reckon ANZ national sales manager. By alleviating such administrative concerns for small businesses, this will free up time to focus on revenue driving opportunities. At the same time, good employee management with consistently applied procedures and policies can also provide transparency, greater staff satisfaction and higher productivity.The partnership also targets advisors, including accountants, bookkeepers, and business consultants who assist small businesses with compliance. AusDocsOnline also provides access to affordable professional advice on workplace and commercial law, as well as services for human resources and industrial relations.
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MSR

The 2018 KTM 790 Duke is described as the companys sharpest tool in the shed, built with one thing in mind - to dominate the street through power and agility. For this reason, the engineers went with an extra strong CroMo steel chassis combined with KTMs first inline twin - the LC8c, with c standing for compact.The latter displaces 799 cc and cranks 105 horsepower (77). KTM said nothing about torque, but considering its a high-compression two-cylinder, it should be more than enough to pop wheelies and shred the tire.Power delivery goes through a six-speed manual gearbox fitted with an anti-hopping clutch, and theres even a quickshifter system mounted from the factory allowing both up- and downshifts without pulling the clutch lever.But thats not all, as the 790 Duke comes with a lot of other advanced electronics. Besides the standard, you also benefit from four riding modes (Sport, Street, Rain, Track), traction control, and), which is an engine brake control. If due to shifting down or abrupt throttle-off, the engine drag torque is too high, the ride-by-wire system balances the throttle exactly as much as is needed to ensure a controlled deceleration.The front end is fitted with four-piston radial calipers biting on dual disc brakes and a 43 mm upside-down fork, which handles the compression and rebound damping in separate tubes. The springs are also progressive, assuring a smooth operation throughout the stroke and preventing bottoming out.The rear uses a gas-assisted WP shock with progressive spring and preload adjustment, and, in late KTM style, the rear subframe is exposed, also housing the airbox and allowing the engine to breathe colder air.Seat height is set at 825 mm, the tank can hold 14 liters (3.7 gal), and the whole assembly offers a very generous 186 mm (7.3 inch) ground clearance. With no fuel or fluids, the 790 Duke tips the scale at 169 kg (372 lb) so it should be somewhere around 185 kg (408 lb) when full, which paired with the 105 hp engine, should feel very snappy.The new KTM 790 Duke is expected to reach dealers sometime next year, and it can be had in two color setups - gray on black or gray/orange on black. Further customization is possible through a wide range of accessories including billet parts, phone/GPS mounts, bar-end mirrors, handlebar risers, crash pads, and more.
SUV

PHEV

To understand how bad the two automakers are in the profitability department, the European division of General Motors has been losing money with Opel and Vauxhall since 2000. Every single year since the turn of the millennium. With the help of Groupe PSA, streamlining Opels and Vauxhalls operations will result in positive operational free cash flow by the end of the decade. But wait, theres more about the PACE! plan!According to a joint statement, the CMP and EMP2 will be localized in all Opel/Vauxhall plants. To the point, the manufacturing plant in Eisenach will usher in an EMP2 -basedin 2019. Russelsheim will welcome an EMP2-based D-segment vehicle too. The bottom line is, Groupe PSA will reduce the platforms used by Opel and Vauxhall from 9 to 2 by the year 2024. In addition to these synergies, the future is electric.PSA confirmed that its push for electrification includes Opel and Vauxhall, starting with the Grandland X. Every model within the group will benefit from full and/or partial electrification by 2024, with Opel and Vauxhall projected to have four such models by 2020. The next-generation Corsa F , for example, is confirmed to get an all-electric variant.Last, but certainly not least, PSA claims Opel is on the prowl. By 2022, the German automaker will enter 20 previously untapped export markets. Exploring global export opportunities is one of the keys to bring the struggling brand back to profitability, and PSA wants to make sure thatll happen by fostering growth with the help of light commercial vehicles.PACE! will unleash our full potential. This plan is paramount for the company, to protect our employees against headwinds and turn Opel/Vauxhall into a sustainable, profitable, electrified, and global company, declared Michael Lohscheller, chief executive officer of Opel
Images: NASM

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum opened 41 years ago on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is the most popular museum in the U.S., with about 8 million visitors a year. Now the NASM is due for its first major upgrade, the museum has announced. The seven-year project, which begins next summer, will transform the exterior of the building, and all 23 galleries will get a makeover. A new We All Fly exhibit will introduce visitors to the many different forms of general aviation, from aerobatics and air racing to gliders, ultralights, business aviation, agriculture and firefighting. Interactive elements will put visitors in the cockpit. Other new exhibits will focus on the Wright brothers, early flight, engineering and air travel. The museum will remain open to the public through the entire project.

Transformation of exhibitions begins a new era for the museum, said the director, Gen. J.R. Jack Dailey. Were developing innovative ways to experience Americas favorite museum through exhibitions that merge modern technology and design to highlight legendary aircraft and spacecraft. Dividing the work into two stages, with part of the building operational at all times, will allow the museum to remain open. A lot of people come to Washington once in their life, Christopher Browne, deputy director of the museum, told Smithsonian Magazine. Theyve got one trip on the Mall, and we want to make sure we can provide them with an experience. Granted, it wont be the full museum, but certainly the half of the museum that will remain open at any given time will showcase some of our most iconic artifacts. The total cost of the upgrade will be about $1 billion, raised from federal funding and private donations. More than 350 million people have visited the museum since it opened July 1, 1976. Admission is free.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal today asked Twitter, Google and Facebook to inform all of their users who were exposed to ads and content purchased or placed by Russian actors during the 2016 election.

"You owe your users full information regarding when, where, and how they may have been unwitting participants in Russia's campaign to sow division and spread disinformation in the United States," Blumenthal wrote in letters to the companies' CEOs.

Context: The companies took a lot of heat on Capitol Hill last week for allowing Russian content with malicious intent to spread on their platforms and are under pressure to add new safeguards. Several lawmakers called on the companies to release more information about the ads and stories that appeared on their platforms so citizens have a better idea of what it looks like. Some ads have been released.
Boeing signed a $37 billion deal with the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company to sell them 300 planes, per Reuters. The sale includes 260 Boeing 737s as well as several 777s and 787s  all commercial jets.

The big picture: The Trump team expects to sign $250 billion in business deals while in China, Bloomberg reports.
President Trump has largely taken it easy on China during his two-day stop in Beijing, something Barack Obama was criticized for during his first trip to China as president, which took place under surprisingly similar circumstances.

The parallels: Obama and Trump both visited China in November of their first years in office as a part of larger multi-country swings through Asia as major legislative packages hung in the balance back home. And each of their trips garnered criticism for being largely deferential to their Chinese hosts  though both presidents might argue that their decisions were part of a larger strategy to establish stronger relations with the United States' biggest competitor on the world stage.

Their prior rhetoric

During his 2008 campaign, Obama called China a currency manipulator , which he cited as the cause for the United States' trade deficit with the increasingly powerful country. But he largely took a moderate path on China at this stage in his presidency, hoping to bait them into supporting sanctions on Iran or taking action on climate change.

, which he cited as the cause for the United States' trade deficit with the increasingly powerful country. But he largely took a moderate path on China at this stage in his presidency, hoping to bait them into supporting sanctions on Iran or taking action on climate change. Trump took a strikingly hard tack on China  now a bonafide superpower  throughout his 2016 campaign, accusing the country of unfair trade practices, including steel dumping on the international market, on multiple occasions. The apotheosis of Trump's criticism of China came in May 2016, when he declared that he wouldn't "continue to allow China to rape our country" via currency manipulation.

The lead up

Obama had concentrated much of his political capital at home attempting to push the Affordable Care Act through Congress in the months before and after his stop in Beijing in mid-November 2009. That left him unable to bring a plan to China for some of his more grandiose visions, like action on climate, as congressional Democrats already had too much on their plate. And notably, Obama postponed a meeting with the Dalai Lama just before his trip to avoid tensions with Chinese leaders upon his arrival.

attempting to push the Affordable Care Act through Congress in the months before and after his stop in Beijing in mid-November 2009. That left him unable to bring a plan to China for some of his more grandiose visions, like action on climate, as congressional Democrats already had too much on their plate. And notably, Obama postponed a meeting with the Dalai Lama just before his trip to avoid tensions with Chinese leaders upon his arrival. Trump's relationship with China heading into his visit had also been a balancing act between his coarse rhetoric regarding trade imbalances and his attempts to pressure the Chinese into action on North Korea. He seemed to have some success on the latter issue, getting China to agree to stop its banks from doing business with North Korea.

While there

China largely held firm against Obama's biggest demands during his trip, refusing to take action on the issues most important to the U.S. like Iran and human rights. Obama's town hall meeting with Chinese students in Shanghai was blocked from wider broadcast around the country. During joint press statements with then-Chinese President Hu Jintao, Obama mentioned human rights  but no questions were taken from reporters. Perhaps tellingly, he mused while standing on the Great Wall during his visit, ""It gives you a good perspective on a lot of the day-to-day things. They don't amount to much in the scope of history."

Trump, too, remained largely deferential to his Chinese hosts, soaking in the pageantry of Chinese welcome ceremonies and also agreeing to a demand that no questions be asked during his press statement with Xi. Notably, his compliment to China on "taking advantage" of the U.S. on trade was a much softer approach than he showed on the campaign trail. One concession Trump did get from his hosts: the ability to tweet from behind China's Great Firewall.

The headlines

From Obama's trip:

From Trump's trip:
The premiere of Louis C. K.'s film "I Love You, Daddy" at the Paris Theatre has been cancelled ahead of the publication of a New York Times story about the comedian, in case of damaging allegations, the Hollywood Reporter reports. C.K. also cancelled his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, originally scheduled for Friday.

Why it matters: There have been several Hollywood stars accused of sexual harassment and assault over the past few weeks, including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, leading to intense speculation about what the Times' story will contain.

There was already controversy surrounding the film, which centers on a TV writer and producer attempting to stop his teenage daughter from falling in love with a 68-year-old filmmaker, mirroring Woody Allen's film "Manhattan," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

C.K. defended the film to the Hollywood Reporter, saying: "We're depicting oxygen-rich people who live in these beautiful apartments and offices saying whatever they want. Folks say shit to each other. You can't think about the audience when you're making the thing. If you do, you're not giving them something that came out of your gut. You'll be making something that you're like, 'Is this O.K. for you?'"
Mahottari sees tough competition; unexpected result may come

Analysts have speculated that unexpected results are likely in Mahottari district in the election to the House of Representatives scheduled for November 21.
Last night brought a couple of developments that signal potential for big new oil-and-gas projects in Alaska, but both come with plenty of caveats.

Why it matters: Officials in Alaska have long been searching for ways to revive the state's oil production, which has fallen to just a quarter of its late '80s peak, and to find a pathway for bringing large natural gas reserves to market.

China eyes big LNG investment: In a deal announced in conjunction with President Trump's trip to China, China pledged to invest in a major liquefied natural gas project in Alaska.

The joint development agreement is between Sinopec, Chinese state-owned CIC Capital Corp., Bank of China, the state of Alaska and the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation.

Via Reuters, U.S. officials said the plan would bring $43 billion in investment, create 12,000 jobs during construction and cut the U.S. trade deficit with Asia.

Reality check: Yes, the concept of the deal makes sense on both sides at a time when China's LNG imports have been rising. But in a short note circulated to reporters this morning, the prominent consultancy Wood Mackenzie cautions that the deal remains speculative and final investment decisions would be years away.

"The main issue for the Alaska LNG project is its high cost," said Kerry-Anne Shanks, WoodMac's head of Asia gas and LNG research.

"Sinopec may be able to secure cheaper LNG supply elsewhere," she said.

Next phase of ANWR battle set: Last night Senate Energy and Natural Resources chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, announced that the committee would mark up legislation next Wednesday to authorize oil exploration on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The bill that Alaska lawmakers unveiled is here.

It's moving under budget reconciliation, which means it's not subject to Senate filibusters.

GOP control of Washington means ANWR drilling advocates are closer opening the coastal plain of the refuge to drilling than at any time since the mid-2000s, when an effort fell just short.

Yes, but: Uncertainties abound. The effort is linked to GOP plans to move tax legislation through the budget reconciliation process, which could fall apart.

And as we noted here, modest oil prices and ample opportunities elsewhere create question marks around the level of industry interest in expensive Arctic projects that would also face litigation from environmentalists.
Roy Moore, the GOP's nominee in Alabama's special Senate election to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions, was alleged today in a report by The Washington Post to have sexually assaulted a 14-year-old in 1979 while he was 32. The report also claims that Moore pursued multiple other relationships with teenage girls at the time.

Why it matters: Moore is one of the most controversial and conservative politicians in America, known for his unbending stances on social issues. He had twice lost his position as the Chief Justice of Alabama's Supreme Court  once by removal, once by resignation  after his refusal to back down on federal directives on cases relating to religion and sexuality.

Moore's backstory

He attended West Point and the University of Alabama Law School, returning to his hometown to begin a private law practice in 1977. From there, he entered the local district attorney's office, eventually became a state circuit judge in 1992, and was elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2001.

Moore was removed as the Chief Justice in 2003 after he refused to remove a stone monument of the Ten Commandments that he had commissioned and placed outside the state's main courthouse, defying a federal court order.

Moore was reelected as Chief Justice in 2013, but refused to acknowledge the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage in 2016 by directing his probate judges to enforce Alabama's marriage ban. That decision led to his suspension in May 2016 and his resignation in April 2017  when he decided to pursue the open Alabama Senate seat.

Moore in his own words

On the separation of church and state: "The Church's role should be separated from the state's role. That is the definition of separation of church and state. But separation of church and state was never meant to separate God and government."

"The Church's role should be separated from the state's role. That is the definition of separation of church and state. But separation of church and state was never meant to separate God and government." On homosexuality: "Homosexual conduct should be illegal, yes." Moore then compared homosexuality to bestiality  and, when asked if homosexuality was the same as bestiality, he responded, "It is a moral precept upon which this country was founded."

"Homosexual conduct should be illegal, yes." Moore then compared homosexuality to bestiality  and, when asked if homosexuality was the same as bestiality, he responded, "It is a moral precept upon which this country was founded." On the September 11 attacks: "You know, we've suffered a lot in this country. Maybe, just maybe, because we've distanced ourselves from the one that has it within his hands to heal this land."
Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz has been floated as a possible Democratic Party challenger to President Trump in 2020, and today demurred but did not shut the door. Schultz's reply when asked about his presidential ambition, during the DealBook Conference in New York City.

"I'm deeply concerned about the direction of our country... and about the millions of Americans not participating in our economy. A lot of people are talking about the stock market, but the stock market is not a proxy for our economy... I am not thinking today about running for president."
Trump with Xi and Melania at a state dinner in Beijing. Photo: Thomas Peter / Pool via AP

China reportedly signed $253.4 billion worth of deals with American companies during President Trump's state visit, per AP. The big-ticket items include agreements with Boeing and Qualcomm.

Between the lines: "Such contract signings are a fixture of visits to Beijing by foreign leaders and are intended to defuse foreign complaints about China's trade surpluses and market barriers," AP reports. But often these deals are already in the books and won't subtract from the U.S.'s trade deficit with China, which was $347 billion last year.

The deals include...
The partisan gap in Americans' concerns about U.S.-Russian relations has widened  and flipped  since President Trump was elected last year, per a Pew report.

Reproduced from a Nov. 9, 2017 Pew Research Center study.

Behind the numbers: Pew has shifted wording on its questions about Russia over the years, depending on relevant foreign policy issues. In 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013 and 2015, respondents were asked their views on "growing authoritarianism in Russia." In 2009 and 2013, they were asked about "growing tensions between Russia and its neighbors." Respondents were asked about "tensions with Russia" in 2016 and "Russia's power and influence" in 2017.

Key takeaways:
Presidents Trump and Xi during a welcome ceremony in Beijing. Photo: Andy Wong / AP

President Trump's second day in China kicked off with an elaborate welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square. After that, it was down to work as Trump took part in bilateral meetings and business events with his Chinese counterpart before taking the stage for a joint press conference that didn't feature any questions from the press. POTUS then met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, effectively the country's prime minister, and took part in a meet and greet with First Lady Melania Trump at the U.S. embassy. The day ended with a Chinese state dinner.

Go deeper: What to expect from the rest of Trump's trip.

On the western edge of Tiananmen Square, President Xi formally welcomed President Trump to Beijing with a massive welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People:

Presidents Trump and Xi walk outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People during a welcome ceremony. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP

Another view of the crowds outside of the welcome ceremony. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP

The delegations then entered the building to take part in bilateral meetings:

Presidents Trump and Xi face each other  along with their delegations  at a bilateral meeting. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP

Presidents Trump and Xi then talked business between the United States and China at a public event:

President Xi introduces President Trump at a U.S.-China business event. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP

Presidents Trump and Xi then took part in a joint press conference, which notably did not feature any questions from the press  a rollback from changes instituted under the Obama administration during events in China

Presidents Trump and Xi shake hands following their joint statements to the press. Photo: Andy Wong / AP

Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump headed to a Beijing primary school with Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan to view classes and greet schoolchildren:

First Ladies Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan at an event at Beijing's Banchang Primary School. Photo: Greg Baker / Pool via AP

Trump then met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, continuing his visits with top Chinese officials:

President Trump and Premier Li pose for photos outside of their meeting; Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP

Presidents Trump and Xi and their wives then took a short break before reconvening for a state dinner:

Presidents Trump and Xi chat as they enter a state dinner. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP
Keith Schiller, who was Donald Trump's bodyguard for many years and served in the White House as Director of Oval Office Operations, told congressional investigators this week that a Russian associated with the 2013 Miss Universe pageant offered to "send five women" to Trump's Moscow hotel room, but was rejected, NBC News reports.

Per the report, Schiller said he thought the offer was a joke and said, "we don't do that type of stuff." Schiller was before the House Intelligence Committee, and addressing the contents of the Steele dossier, which alleged that Russia had tapes of Trump engaging in compromising activities in his hotel room. Schiller testified he was "confident" nothing of the sort had taken place, per the report.
Israeli and Palestinian officials expect President Trump to unveil a Mideast peace proposal by early next year. What nobody knows yet is the shape it will take or if the proposal will be based on creating a Palestinian state, which has been U.S. policy for the last 20 years. In the meantime, the two sides are on their best behavior to avoid being singled out by Trump as an obstructionist party.

Sound smart: The U.S. "peace team" working on the issue is relatively small and very discreet  just five people, including senior adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Jason Greenblatt. The entire process is being run by Trump's aides, with the State Department, NSC and other agencies providing advice and support. According to U.S. officials, Trump is the driving force on this issue and is personally involved. Israeli officials say they hear Trump is pushing his team to have a proposal soon.

In the last nine months Trump has met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas separately three times each to discuss his peace initiative. His special envoy Jason Greenblatt has been constantly shuttling between Jerusalem, Ramallah and Arab capitals.

Greenblatt's last trip to the region lasted three weeks, and Kushner, who is officially leading the "peace team," came to the region three times and spends hours every week in phone calls with Arab leaders in order to get their support.

The small, close-knit team has meant almost no leaks and zero public scandals, mistakes or embarrassments. (The other members are Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell, U.S. Ambassador to Tel-Aviv David Friedman and Consul General to Jerusalem Don Blome.)

What they're saying:

Netanyahu told U.K. Prime Minister May last week that he's in "wait and see mode" and expecting a proposal late this year or early next year, according to Israeli and British officials. "I don't know what peace plan Trump is about to present and I am not sure anybody knows, but I am happy the Trump team is bringing fresh and out of the box thinking on this issue," he said.

last week that he's in "wait and see mode" and expecting a proposal late this year or early next year, according to Israeli and British officials. "I don't know what peace plan Trump is about to present and I am not sure anybody knows, but I am happy the Trump team is bringing fresh and out of the box thinking on this issue," he said. Abbas told a group of former Israeli members of Knesset that he expects a plan later this year and that Trump has told him he supports the two-state solution and is planning to make his position public soon, according to people present at the meeting.

that he expects a plan later this year and that Trump has told him he supports the two-state solution and is planning to make his position public soon, according to people present at the meeting. A White House official says there is no artificial deadline and the goal is to "facilitate a deal that works for both Israelis and Palestinians, not to impose anything on them".

What to watch:

Trump is counting on Saudi Arabia to help get both the Israelis and Palestinians to say yes to any initiative. Kushner builds on his close relationship with the Saudi crown prince Mohamed Bin Salman as a conduit for a much bigger Saudi role in the peace process than ever before. Kushner's meeting with MBS in Riyadh two weeks ago focused mainly on this issue. President Abbas was in Riyadh earlier this week to talk about the peace process with the Saudi leadership.
Visiting Yerevan on Thursday, Moldovas pro-Russian President Igor Dodon said Armenias membership in a Russian-led bloc and simultaneous pursuit of closer ties with the European Union should serve as an example to his country.

I am convinced that our small countries are doomed to have good relations with both the West and the East, he said after talks with President Serzh Sarkisian. In this sense, Armenia is an example for Moldova. For us, Armenias experience as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is very interesting.

Dodon argued that EEU membership has not prevented Armenia from negotiating a new deal on comprehensive and enhanced partnership with the EU, which is expected to be signed later this month.

Most citizens of Moldova want to cooperate with the Eurasian Economic Union, he claimed at a joint news briefing with Sarkisian. He thanked the Armenian leader for supporting his efforts to gain an observer status for Moldova in the trade bloc currently comprising Russia and four other ex-Soviet states.

We welcome and support the Republic of Moldovas pursuit of closer cooperation with integration blocs, Sarkisian said for his part.

Dodon has been at odds with Moldova's pro-Western government ever since taking office last December. Political leaders from the countrys ruling coalition recently threatened to suspend him for trying to block Moldovas military cooperation with NATO.

The Moldovan constitution gives the president of the republic largely ceremonial powers. Still, Dodon's position has been strengthened by the fact that he was elected in a direct popular vote, the first president to win office through such an election since 1997.

Moldova and the EU signed an Association Agreement in June 2014. Three months earlier, the EU agreed to lift its visa requirements for Moldovan nationals travelling to Europe.

Armenia was also on course to sign such an agreement with the EU. President Sarkisian precluded its signing with his unexpected decision in September 2013 to seek Armenias membership in the EEU. The move was widely attributed to Russian pressure.

The Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is due to be signed on November 24, is a less far-reaching alternative to the Association Agreement. It does not contain any free trade-related provisions despite calling for an approximation of Armenian economic laws and regulations with EU legislation.

Dodon described the CEPA as very interesting. We followed a different path, he complained. We first signed the Association Agreement with the EU and are only now starting to build bridges with the EEU. That was fraught for Moldova.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetian defended on Thursday the Armenian militarys plans to draft more university students when he met with several organizers of continuing street protests against the measure.

Defense Minister Vigen Sargsian and Education Minister Levon Mkrtchian also took part in the meeting that lasted for about two hours. Mkrtchian met them separately on Wednesday.

The leaders of students boycotting classes said Karapetian did not accept their demands for the government to withdraw a controversial bill that would essentially scrap remaining draft deferments. In their words, he suggested instead that they propose amendments to the bill after it is passed by the Armenian parliament in the final reading.

The opposite side did not share our view. Therefore, we will continue our struggle, one of the protest leaders told more than a 100 fellow students rallying outside the prime ministers office in Yerevan.

Another leader urged the students to continue the boycott that began on Tuesday. So far it has mainly affected classes in Yerevan State University (YSU), the largest and oldest in Armenia.

The protesters again gathered at the YSU campus earlier in the day, urging more students to join their campaign. They then marched to Karapetians office.

The main official rationale for the bill drafted by the Armenian Defense Ministry is to close a key loophole to avoiding compulsory military service. Officials say the measure would affect only about 15 percent of male students of state-run universities who are eligible for government scholarships. The other students, who pay tuition fees, are already drafted at the age of 18.

Critics say that the minority of studies must be able to continue their studies uninterrupted. They say that is essential for the development of science and scholarship in the country.

Defense Minister Sargsian has repeatedly dismissed such arguments. He has argued that only a small percentage of students qualifying for draft deferments pursue academic or scientific careers.

Deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov, who is also the spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), likewise said on Thursday that the bill will not hurt higher education in the country. He also insisted that most Armenian students do not back the protesters demands.

There are dozens of universities in Armenia but there are rallies only in one of them and they involve only some of its students, Sharmazanov told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). We have 87,000 students. How many of them are protesting?
Maoist Centre takes action against 4 rebel candidates

The CPN (Maoist Center) has taken disciplinary action against four rebel candidates of the party in Salyan and Humla districts.
9 November 2017 10:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 125 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on November 9.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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9 November 2017 11:16 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

One of the main problems of the extremely computerized modern world community is its vulnerability to criminal cyber attacks, targeting individual people, private companies, and even entire states. In this regard, it is very important to use mechanisms able to protect from these threats.

For 10 months of this year, 5,500 corporate users in Azerbaijan were subjected to cyber attacks, representative of Kaspersky Lab in the country Mushvig Mammadov told Trend on November 8. On average, every user was exposed to 50 attacks.

The main cause of cyber-incidents is malware. According to our research, this also happens due to the low level of knowledge of cybersecurity employees in companies, that is, clicking different links and opening files received from unknown addressees, Mammadov said.

From this point of view, he added, it is important to conduct trainings among employees of companies, but this practice is not applied at the proper level in Azerbaijan.

The report by Kaspersky Lab titled Information Technology Security Threats, published in the second quarter of 2017, showed that 22.81 percent of computers in Azerbaijan are at risk of infection via the Internet, which is about 24 percent less compared to the first quarter of this year.

In order to protect a computer from any kind of cyber attacks, the user should use antivirus programs and be attentive while surfing the Internet, not visiting suspicious websites and using such applications.

Additionally, it is advised to regularly back up the data stored on computer. Even if the computer has never been subject to malware infection, damage of hard disk or other components can greatly complicate access to important information in the future. Therefore, data backups should be done on a regular basis.

Web threats pose a broad range of risks, including financial damages, identity theft, loss of confidential information/data, theft of network resources, damaged brand and personal reputation, and erosion of consumer confidence in e-commerce and online banking.

Today, Azerbaijan is one of the leading countries implementing high technology in the region. The country is confidently striving to enter the worlds ICT race.The cyber security center, created in 2013, aims to protect users from online threats, malware cyber-attacks and other adversities.

In Azerbaijan, the population is highly computerized and computer skills have become a major requirement for all applicants.Today, the number of Internet users in Azerbaijan exceeded 7.8 million in first half of 2017, accounting for 78.2 percent of the countrys population, according to Statistical project Internet World Stats. The country ranks first among the countries of Post-Soviet region for the level of broadband internet penetration.

the South Caucasus country is one of the leading countries implementing high technology in the region, outrunning many neighbors, according to recent survey that measures the commitment of Member States to cyber security in order to raise awareness.

Azerbaijan with 0.559 points stands 48th in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), covering 193 countries, leaving behind many CIS countries.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 November 2017 16:08 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The issue of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan has been once again raised at the international arena  at the meeting of the Third Committee within the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, Report informed on November 2.

The General Assembly refers to the Third Committee items on the agenda that deal with social, humanitarian and human rights issues.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner for Refugees presented the annual report describing a new model of meeting the needs of millions of people around the world who are forced to leave their homes due to crisis.

Habib Mikayilli, who represented Azerbaijan, drew attention of the meeting participants to the ethnic cleansing carried out against Azerbaijanis in Armenia and in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as the creation of a mono-ethnic state in Armenia. He noted that high-ranking Armenian officials regularly made statements propagating hatred and intolerance.

Due to the ethnic cleansing policy carried out by Armenia and the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan, the number of refugees and internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan hit more than 1.2 million people. With a population of over 9.8 million, Azerbaijan is among the countries carrying the highest IDP caseload in the world in per capita terms.

Armenias aggression against Azerbaijan is illegal, unilateral separation from independent states is prohibited by international law. The fact that this illegal situation continues because of political circumstances does not mean that it becomes legal, he added.

Mikayilli urged Armenia to abandon its racist ideology and learn to live in peace with its neighbors.

Armenia unleashed a war against Azerbaijan, carried out ethnic cleansing on a massive scale and destroyed the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people in the occupied territories, he noted, adding that the leadership of Armenia is known for hate speech and incitement to violence.

Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan by laying territorial claims on the country. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

To this day, Armenia has not implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 November 2017 14:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The issue of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was raised at the 96th Rose-Roth seminar of NATO Parliamentary Assembly held in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.

In her speech at the seminar, Member of Azerbaijani Parliament Malahat Ibrahimgizi, who is a member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the NATO PA, noted the double standards of international organizations in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, she told Trend on November 8.

In my speech I said that for more than 25 years Armenia has been occupying the territories of Azerbaijan, over a million of our compatriots have become refugees and IDPs, she said.

The MP stressed that when adopting resolutions in connection with other countries, a mechanism for its implementation is immediately developed and appropriate measures are taken.

Ibrahimgizi added that when it comes to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the fact of occupation of Azerbaijani territories, international organizations remain silent and are indifferent to the issue  they try to absolve themselves of responsibility saying the OSCE Minsk Group deals with this issue.

I noted that this is an absolutely erroneous thinking. If an organization can contribute to a peaceful resolution of this conflict, it must do so, since there are no restrictions and prohibitions in this regard, said the MP.

Ibrahimgizi added that such an approach of international organizations is a manifestation of double standards.

Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan by laying territorial claims on the country. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

To this day, Armenia has not implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

For more than 20 years, the OSCE Minsk Group is working to find a peaceful solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. While the Group acts as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, it failed to make any move to achieve a breakthrough in the peace process so far.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 November 2017 10:11 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Azerbaijani presidents assistant for public and political issues Ali Hasanov met with a delegation of heads of municipalities of the Cukurova Municipalities Union of Turkey in Baku on November 8.

At the meeting, Hasanov said that Azerbaijan and Turkey are two fraternal states with common national and moral values and historical roots.

"The expression we are one nation, two states by Azerbaijans national leader Heydar Aliyev and the statement Azerbaijans joy is our joy, its sorrow is our sorrow by Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, are the thoughts defining the philosophy of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations," noted Hasanov.

He said that as a result of joint efforts of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the relations between the two countries have strengthened and reached the level of strategic partnership.

The cooperation between the relevant government agencies and local self-governing bodies of Turkey and local executive authorities of Azerbaijan is of great importance in further development of mutual trust between Azerbaijan and Turkey, added the Azerbaijani top official.

In this sense, it is essential to organize mutual visits, said Hasanov.

Noting the support of local municipalities in the effective activity of Azerbaijans diaspora organizations in Turkey, Hasanov noted that exhibitions, concert programs, scientific-practical conferences and other events held regularly are followed with great enthusiasm in Azerbaijan.

It was noted that the feeling of love and respect for the Azerbaijani peoples national leader Heydar Aliyev in Turkey is also observed in the activities of municipalities. Construction of the Heydar Aliyev park and monument complex in Adana Provinces Ceyhan City, Adana Metropolitan Municipalitys decision on giving the name of the national leader to one of the existing parks, plans on establishing a university named after Heydar Aliyev, construction of parks named after Heydar Aliyev in the Mersin Provinces Tarsus City and Hatay Provinces Payas town, and others once again confirm this.

Moreover, monuments, parks, museums dedicated to Azerbaijan have been created and other works have been done at the initiative and organization of Turkish municipalities.

It was noted that the establishment of relations of sister cities between different cities of Azerbaijan and Turkey is of great importance for sharing local self-governance experience.

Currently, Azerbaijans Ganja and Turkeys Izmir, Kars, Bursa, Ordu, Ankara, Elazig, Eskisehir, as well as Azerbaijans Sumgayit and Turkeys Ceyhan, Bakus Khatai District and Tarsus, Nasimi District and Izmit, Shaki City and Meram, Mingachevir City and Golbasi, Shamakhi and Sharur cities and Igdir are sister cities.

Hasanov said the relations between the municipalities of Azerbaijan and Turkey are also developing within various conferences and exhibitions.

It was noted that memorials on graves of Turkish soldiers killed in the battles against Armenian Dashnak armed units in Azerbaijan in 1918 were reconstructed or repaired and that memorial ceremonies are held in front of the Turkish Martyrdom monument on September 15 every year.

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9 November 2017 11:58 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Syrias army and its allies, spearheaded by Lebanons Hezbollah, captured Islamic States last stronghold in Syria on Wednesday, a commander in the alliance said, bringing the self-declared caliphate close to complete downfall, Reuters reported.

The last stronghold of Daesh (Islamic State), Albu Kamal, is free of the Daesh organization, said the commander in the military alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Islamic State has been all but destroyed over the past two years. At the height of its power in 2015, it ruled an expanse of Iraq and Syria, eradicating the border, printing money, imposing draconian laws and plotting attacks across the world.

On Wednesday, after a months-long advance through central and eastern Syria, the Syrian army and allied Shiite militias encircled and attacked Albu Kamal.

Hezbollah was the foundation in the battle of Albu Kamal, said the commander, adding that hundreds of the elite forces of the Iran-backed Shiite group took part in the battle.

Syrian state television declared Albu Kamal is liberated. But a war monitor, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said it was not true that Albu Kamal was taken and there was still fighting in the area.

Albu Kamal is located on the border with Iraq on the bank of the Euphrates. During the battle, Hezbollah forces entered Iraq and the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces crossed into Syria to help capture the town, the commander said.

Islamic State retains control over some areas of desert and villages nearby, as well as a town and some other villages in adjacent areas of Iraq, and in scattered pockets elsewhere in both countries.

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9 November 2017 10:41 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

China National Vehicle Import and Export Company, Kazakh SaryarkaAvtoProm and Kazakh Export signed an agreement on production line of Chinese vehicle brands in Kazakhstan, the press service of SaryarkaAvtoProm said in a message.

The first vehicle brand that will be produced within the agreement is JAC S3 crossover.

This production line was launched amid the visit of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Kazakhstans Kostanay Region, where the vehicle assembly plant is located.

The agreement signed by the Kazakh and Chinese companies is expected to attract investments worth $1 billion in Kazakhstans vehicle industry within 10 years.

China National Vehicle Import and Export Company provides SaryarkaAvtoProm with right to manufacture and export JAC vehicles to Russia.

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9 November 2017 10:57 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged regional powers to refrain from sparking off new crises in the region through bombings and resignations.

Back on Nov. 5, Yemeni rebels targeted an airport in Saudi Arabia's capital with a ballistic missile. However, the missile was intercepted over northeast Riyadh, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defense.

Following the attack, the Saudis accused Iran of direct military aggression by supplying missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen and launched several air strikes on Houthi-held regions in Yemen.

In a separate and surprise move last Saturday, Lebanons Prime Minister Saad Hariri in a televised broadcast from Saudi Arabia unexpectedly resigned.

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9 November 2017 11:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The second meeting of ministers of communications and high technologies of Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) will be held in Istanbul on Nov. 9, says a message posted on the Turkic Councils website.

The first meeting of ministers of communications and high technologies of Turkic Council states was held in Baku on Nov. 28-29.

The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, which includes Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, was established in 2009.

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Four of the top vendors hospitals use to attest to the meaningful use program are Allscripts, Cerner, Epic and Meditech, according to June 2016 ONC data.

Here are 20 hospitals and health systems that posted job listings seeking EHR and IT expertise during the past two weeks.

Editor's note: This is not an exhaustive list. Job listings were compiled from job seeker websites.

Allscripts

1. Community Hospital (Grand Junction, Colo.): Seeks an IT system analyst

2. Heritage Valley Health System (Beaver, Pa.): Seeks an EHR clinical analyst

3. Huggins Hospital (Wolfeboro, N.H.): Seeks a clinical analyst

4. Orlando (Fla.) Health: Seeks a EMR systems administrator and programmer

5. University of Kentucky HealthCare (Lexington): Seeks a clinical programmer analyst

Cerner

1. Alameda Health System (Oakland, Calif.): Seeks a CIO

2. Children's Mercy Hospital (Kansas City, Mo.): Seeks a meaningful use programmer and analyst

3. Dignity Health (San Francisco): Seeks a regional clinical informaticist

4. Shriners Hospitals for Children (Tampa, Fla.): Seeks a clinical analyst

5. Virginia Mason Hospital & Medical Center (Seattle): Seeks a clinical system analyst

Epic

1. Alameda Health System (Oakland, Calif.): Seeks a CIO

2. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago: Seeks an Epic core services and integration manager

3. Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora): Seeks a vice president of IT

4. NYU Langone Health (New York City): Seeks an Epic MyChart manager

5. University of Chicago Medicine: Seeks a business systems analyst lead

Meditech

1. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston): Seeks a management information systems analyst

2. Cook Children's Health Care System (Fort Worth, Texas): Seeks a health information management systems coordinator

3. Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital (Valencia, Calif.): Seeks a senior clinical systems analyst

4. St. Joseph Health (Irvine, Calif.): Seeks a regional manager for clinical documentation

5. North Carolina Specialty Hospital (Durham): Seeks a clinical informatics specialist
Narayangarh-Muglin road will be closed on Saturday

Narayangarh-Muglin road section will be closed on Saturday to bring down a mud mound including a huge rock near Setidobhan in Chitwan. The mud mound has been terrorising people passing through the road stretch for the past few weeks.
Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic began the second phase of its $1.5 billion transition to the Epic EHR, rolling the system out Nov. 4 at Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Minnesota.

Epic went live at Mayo sites in Wisconsin July 8. For part two of the EHR launch, 11 hospitals and 40 clinics went live on the platform Nov. 4, Steve Peters, MD, chief medical information officer at Mayo told Becker's Hospital Review.

Dr. Peters added that Mayo's Minnesota sites learned valuable lessons observing their Wisconsin counterparts transition earlier this year, including adjusting the amount and type of training as well as the availability of support staff.

Epic replaces three EHRs Mayo currently uses in a move toward a single, integrated patient record. Once Epic is in place across the Mayo system, patients and healthcare providers will be able to access information on medications, allergies, immunizations, lab results and health histories in the same place. Additionally, patients will be able to use one online portal to access Mayo information from all its locations and receive feedback on preventive health reminders. They will also receive a single billing statement no matter where they receive care at Mayo.

"Thousands of frontline employees in different roles across Mayo Clinic provided exceptional input to help inform this important decision. The clear consensus at all Mayo locations was that Epic could provide the general and specialty functionality, usability and technical capabilities, and meet Mayo's needs now and into the future," Dr. Peters said.

Mayo's Rochester campus is scheduled to roll out the system in May 2018, and its Arizona and Florida campuses are planning to launch the EHR in October 2018.

"No matter which Mayo facility patients visit  whether in rural Minnesota, Rochester, Jacksonville or Phoenix  they will receive the same care and attention," Dr. Peters said.

Editor's Note: This article was updated Nov. 9, 2017, at 4:04 p.m. to incorporate additional information and comments provided to Becker's Hospital Review by Mayo Clinic.

More articles on EHRs:

20 hospitals, health systems seeking Allscripts, Cerner, Epic, Meditech talent

Marshall Medical Center goes live on Epic EMR

University of Vermont Health Network requests $150M from state board for Epic EHR
Daytona Beach, Fla.-based Halifax Health is planning to build a $105 million, 95-bed hospital after the health system's board of commissioners agreed to fund the construction, despite an ongoing court battle over the site, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal.

The site of Halifax's new medical campus, which will include a freestanding ED, hospital and medical offices, is located outside of the taxing district Halifax Health was established to serve. The ongoing lawsuit, filed by former Ponce Inlet Mayor Nancy Epps, questions if the Halifax Health has the authority to operate these facilities though they are outside of the taxing district.

During the board meeting Monday, Halifax Health's CEO Jeff Feasel recommended approval but also noted the cost increase and the ongoing lawsuit.

"We feel confident we're going to win," Mr. Feasel told commissioners.

If all goes according to plan the hospital, which will be the centerpiece of Halifax's new medical campus in Deltona, Fla., is scheduled to open in early 2019.
Major for-profit hospital operators produced mixed financial results in the third quarter of 2017.

1. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare ended the third quarter of this year with net income of $426 million on revenues of $10.7 billion. That's compared to the same period of 2016, when the company recorded net income of $618 million on revenues of $10.3 billion. HCA took an estimated $140 million hit from hurricanes Irma and Harvey in the third quarter of this year, and the Texas Medicaid Waiver program also took a toll on the company's finances.

2. Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare ended the third quarter of this year with a net loss of $367 million on revenues of $4.59 billion. That's compared to the same period of 2016, when the company recorded a net loss of $8 million on revenues of $4.85 billion. Tenet said revenues from the Texas Medicaid Waiver program and Florida's Medicaid program were lower than expected in the third quarter of this year. The company also took an estimated $30 million hit from hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

3. Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems' revenues dipped to $3.67 billion in the third quarter of this year, down from $4.38 billion in the same period of 2016. The decrease in revenue was attributable, in part, to lower patient volume. On a same-facility basis, admissions were down 14.8 percent in the third quarter of this year. The company's financials also took a $40 million hit from hurricanes Harvey and Irma in the three months ended Sept. 30. The company ended the third quarter of 2017 with a net loss of $110 million, compared to a net loss of $79 million in the same period of the year prior.

4. King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services' revenues climbed 5.5 percent year over year to $2.5 billion in the third quarter of this year. The revenue boost was largely attributable to an increase in patient volume. UHS ended the third quarter of this year with net income of $141.2 million, down from net income of $151.9 million in the same period of the year prior. UHS incurred a $22 million to $24 million hit from litigation and hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

5. Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health recorded revenues of $1.58 billion in the third quarter of this year, down slightly from $1.59 billion in the same period of the year prior. LifePoint's financials were impacted by lower patient volume in the most recent quarter. The company said admissions, inpatient surgeries, outpatient surgeries and emergency room visits all declined year over year in the third quarter of this year. The company ended the third quarter of 2017 with net income of $27.5 million, down 30 percent from net income of $39.5 million in the same period of 2016.

More articles on healthcare finance:

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A group of investors sued Outcome Health and its two founders Nov. 7, alleging the Chicago-based tech and advertising startup engaged in fraud and breach of contract, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Here are six things to know about the lawsuit.

1. The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court in New York County, follows an Oct. 13 The Wall Street Journal investigation that alleged a subset of employees at Outcome Health manipulated pricing and sales information to mislead pharmaceutical advertisers.

2. The investors, who collectively invested almost $500 million in Outcome Health about eight months ago, include Goldman Sachs Group's asset management arm, Alphabet's CapitalG unit, Norwest Venture Partners and Laurene Powell Jobs' investment arm Emerson Collective Investments.

3. The investors said they requested access to Outcome Health's data and "discovered manipulations consistent with those reported by The Wall Street Journal," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also claims the company's founders "either knew of, or recklessly disregarded" the alleged data manipulation.

4. The lawsuit claims Outcome Health provided false data and financial reports prior to the equity investors' $487.5 million investment. The investors also claim they are entitled to reclaim their respective investments, and that the $225 million placed in a separate account for the founders should be frozen.

5. In initial The Wall Street Journal investigation, Outcome Health officials noted an independent counsel would review the allegations of information manipulation. Lanny Davis, a lawyer on behalf of Outcome Health, said the company put three employees on paid leave during the review.

"The company strongly denies the practice of misreporting of campaign information," Mr. Davis told The Wall Street Journal. "The company's policy is to accurately report information to every customer on every program."

6. In an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review, Outcome Health co-founders Rishi Shah and Shradha Agarwal said, "We have been completely transparent with employees, customers and investors, and always operated with complete integrity. The equity investors led by Goldman Sachs are misusing the court system to advance their own short-term, self-interest of winning an advantage over debt-holders  all to the detriment of the business, its employees and customers."
The following healthcare layoffs were reported by Becker's Hospital Review so far in November. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.

1. SSM Health lays off 350 employees

St. Louis-based SSM Health laid off 350 employees, or about 1 percent of its 35,000-person workforce, on Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

2. Georgia hospital lays off 27 employees

Washington County Regional Medical Center, a rural 56-bed hospital in Sandersville, Ga., laid off 27 employees Tuesday to cut costs, according to WMAZ.

3. AnMed Health lays off 94 employees

Anderson, S.C.-based AnMed Health cut 159 positions, the health system confirmed to the Independent Mail.

4. AmeriHealth Caritas to lay off 400, cease Iowa Medicaid management

Managed care health plan AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will leave the state's Medicaid program, resulting in the layoff of 400 employees, according to a Quad-City Times report.

5. Amgen to lay off 200 research & development workers

Amgen, a Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based biopharmaceutical company, will lay off 200 research and development workers by the end of the year, according to STAT.

6. Genentech to lay off 13% of workforce at California plant

Genentech, a biologics drugmaker owned by Roche, will cut about 13 percent of its workforce at its plant in Vacaville, Calif., as the company faces increased biosimilar competition, according to STAT.

7. California hospital lays off employees in cost-cutting measure

Orchard Hospital, a 45-bed facility in Gridley, Calif., laid off employees Oct. 27, according to the Taft Midway Driller.

8. Humana to lay off 1,300 employees

Louisville, Ky.-based Humana will lay off 1,300 employees early next year, according to the Courier Journal.

9. UnitedHealthcare to lay off 381 in Phoenix

UnitedHealthcare in Phoenix, part of the insurance branch of UnitedHealth Group, will lay off 381 employees, a company spokesperson told ABC 15.

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CMS Administrator Seema Verma revealed her vision for Medicaid this week to the National Association of Medicaid Directors. As part of her remarks to the NAMD, which represents state health leaders, she indicated the federal government would support states' proposals to impose work or community engagement requirements to their Medicaid programs, according to The New York Times.

CMS said Ms. Verma stressed her agency is committed to efforts that help working-age, able-bodied citizens on Medicaid rise out of poverty.

"These are individuals who are physically capable of being actively engaged in their communities, whether it be through working, volunteering, going to school or obtaining job training," Ms. Verma said, according to NYT. "Let me be clear to everyone in this room: We will approve proposals that promote community engagement activities."

The report states she also criticized the former administration and the ACA's Medicaid expansion, saying, "The thought that a program designed for our most vulnerable citizens should be used as a vehicle to serve working age, able-bodied adults does not make sense."

Overall, her comments prompted disagreement from the NAMD, which argued against Ms. Verma's assertion that Medicaid shouldn't serve working-age, able-bodied adults, according to the report.

Read the full NYT report here.

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The Rosebud (S.D.) Tribal Council has approved a motion to ban the top five officials from the Rosebud Comprehensive Health Care Facility after they failed to confer with the council over the contracting of a controversial staffing agency, according to the Rapid City Journal.

Indian Health Services contracted Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Tribal Emergency Medicine to staff emergency medical positions at IHS hospitals in Pine Ridge and Rosebud, S.D., as well as Winnebago, Neb., and Fort Yates, N.D.

John Shufeldt, MD, the CEO and CMO of Tribal Emergency Medicine, is the former founder and CEO of urgent-care chain NextCare, which was forced to pay $10 million in 2012 for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. The tribal council opposed the decision by IHS to contract such an embattled firm without their consultation.

"The Rosebud Sioux Tribe feels that IHS is already misspending and misusing our federal funds and to bring Tribal Emergency Medicine to Rosebud IHS is unacceptable," said a summary of the motion written by the Rosebud Tribal Council.

No officials from the hospitals have yet to be removed from the reservation.
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, traveled to San Antonio-based Brooke Army Medical Center to visit several survivors of the mass shooting Sunday that killed 26 people and injured at least 20 more, the San Antonio Express-News reports.

The vice president and his wife later joined Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and others to give a speech outside of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where the shooting took place.

Among the crowd were survivors of the shooting, including two individuals who reportedly chased gunman Devin P. Kelley, 26, and followed him onto a nearby highway before Mr. Kelley reportedly crashed his vehicle and fatally shot himself, according to the report.

"Three days ago, evil descended on this small town," Mr. Pence said during his speech. "Faith is stronger than evil.  I'm here as vice president to ensure that the full resources of the United States are brought to bear."

Mr. Pence also addressed the "bureaucratic failures" that allowed Mr. Kelley to obtain a firearm despite having an alleged history of mental illness, according to the report.

"We will find out why this information was not properly reported in 2012 and we are working with leaders in Congress to ensure this never happens again," Mr. Pence said.

Mr. Pence and his wife also attended a vigil at Floresville High School to honor those who died in the incident.

Just before the vice president's visit to First Baptist, police gathered in Floresville, Texas, after receiving reports of an active shooter. However, officials determined the threats were not substantiated, the report states.
Physicians and nurses at Chesterfield, Mo.-based Mercy Virtual Care Center carry out all of the same tasks healthcare personnel at traditional hospitals undertake: checking a patient's vital signs, recording notes, even conducting exams and engaging in small talk. However, the patients do not travel to the facility to receive care, because the hospital has no beds, Politico reports.

Instead, Mercy Virtual Care physicians and nurses remain seated in front of monitors, some showing patients in their homes and others plastered with images of the patients' internal organs and limbs and a list of problems that computer programs tell them to look for.

The center began as an office in St. Louis-based Mercy's flagship hospital in 2006, but was converted into its own hospital in 2015. Officials sought to construct the facility keeping in mind the impending structural and organizational changes in the industry during the next few years. For that reason, officials emphasized the importance of virtual communication to keep chronically ill patients at home to avoid expensive hospitalizations that may expose them to other stressors and infections.

However, officials claim the biggest difference between Mercy Virtual Care and the traditional hospital is the difference in payment models. According to Politico, Mercy Virtual is currently operating in the black, in part because existing Medicare payment reforms have converted some of the agencys payments into lump sums for treating specific illnesses. Randall Moore, MD, president of Mercy Virtual Care, said the hospital is able to treat patients and discharge them quicker than the average hospital, allowing the facility to pocket the money it does not spend on care for patients in need of longer hospital stays, the report states.

"Our idea is to deliver better patient care and outcomes at lower cost, so we can say to an insurer, 'You expect to spend $100 million on this population this year. We can do it for $98 million with fewer hospitalizations, fewer deaths and everyone's happy,'" said Dr. Moore. "It's a very strong future business model."

The hospital's care model emphasizes the notion that healthcare providers do not need to wait for a sick person to enter the facility before treating them. At Mercy Virtual Care, physicians and practitioners reach out to patients before they're aware of their own symptoms, often creating a more intimate relationship between the patient and their provider, the report states.

While the majority of Mercy Virtual Care's telehealth and remote monitoring services are used by patients at hospitals within the Mercy health system, Mercy Virtual Care has also partnered with Chapell Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care and Penn State Health, the parent company of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center. Officials at both institutions report improved outcomes since employing Mercy Virtual Care's services, including lower rates of physician burnout, fewer hospitalizations and fewer patient readmissions, among other outcomes, according to the report.

To read the full report, click here.
Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health is facing additional pushback regarding its mandatory flu shot policy.

The pushback comes from the Minnesota Nurses Association, which represents 2,000 of the health system's nurses. In a statement to Becker's, the MNA said it filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Essentia Nov. 2 "for ignoring our union's upcoming negotiations and continuing to threaten nurses with termination if they do not receive the flu immunization." The union claims Essentia had promised it would hold off on policy enforcement until the completion of negotiations but did not do so.

"Essentia's drastic change in its position is duplicitous, disappointing and wrong," the MNA added.

Still, union officials said the MNA negotiating committee met Tuesday to negotiate with Essentia in good faith despite the "bullying behavior." However, the union claims Essentia would not negotiate over the policy.

This is not the first time a union has come out against the policy. Last month, the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, which represents some Essentia industrial and service workers, filed for an injunction in the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, seeking to stop implementation of the policy. As of Tuesday, a settlement in that case had not been reached, according to the Duluth News Tribune, which cites court documents.

Rajesh Prabhu, MD, infectious disease and chief quality and safety officer for Essentia, declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings or negotiation discussions.

However, he did tell Becker's via email, "Essentia Health cares for vulnerable patients every day. Immunization significantly minimizes the risk of patients contracting influenza while under our care. What most people don't know is that one can spread the flu even with minimal to no signs of illness. To protect our patients, all of Essentia colleagues, volunteers, students and vendors are required to get a flu shot or receive an exemption."

Dr. Prabhu added that as of this morning, more than 92 percent of Essentia employees have received the flu shot or were approved for an exemption.

The Minnesota Department of Health does not have a formal position on the policy, according to the Duluth News Tribune. Overall, the CDC recommends "everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season."

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Nepal, Bahamas set up diplomatic ties

Nepal and the Bahamas have established diplomatic relations. The number of countries with which Nepal has established diplomatic relations has now reached 153.
The former CEO of ArthroCare, an Austin, Texas-based medical device company, was sentenced Nov. 3 to 20 years in prison for his role in a $750 million fraud scheme, according to the Department of Justice.

From 2005 through 2009, the company's then-CEO, Michael Baker, and his co-conspirators artificially inflated sales and revenues by entering into fraudulent end-of-the-quarter transactions. According to evidence presented at trial, they would "park" millions of dollars worth of ArthroCare's devices at its distributors at the end of each quarter and report the shipments as sales in the company's quarterly and annual filings to meet Wall Street analyst forecasts.

The evidence presented at trial also showed the company's distributors accepted shipment of the products in exchange for upfront cash commissions, extended payment terms and the ability to return the products.

In addition to falsely inflating the company's revenue, Mr. Baker lied when he was deposed in November 2009 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the DOJ.

Mr. Baker was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2014 for his role in the scheme, but that conviction was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. After a two-week re-trial in August 2017. Mr. Baker was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud, seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of securities fraud and two counts of making false statements.

In addition to his prison term, Mr. Baker was ordered to pay a $1 million fine and forfeit $13.7 million.

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Wisconsin has lost out on an estimated $11 million in Medicaid fraud settlement money since 2013 because it weakened and then repealed its False Claims Act, according to a report from the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.

Wisconsin is the only state to ever repeal the False Claims Act, according to the report. Thirty states continue to have False Claims laws, and an additional 13 have laws that function similarly in terms of recouping funds when Medicaid is defrauded.

Wisconsin's False Claims Act became noncompliant in 2011 when the federal government issued new requirements. The state declined to update its law and gave up a 10 percent share of fraud recoveries given to states with such laws. Later on, the state gave up additional incentive payments associated with the law, according to the report. Wisconsin repealed the False Claims Act as part of the 2015-17 budget.

This means Wisconsin is losing out on money associated with national fraud settlements. For example, the state will receive $3.4 million as part of a national settlement with Mylan for underpaying EpiPen rebates to Medicaid. In this settlement, Wisconsin lost out on nearly $700,000 due to the repeal of the False Claims Act, according to the report.

The repeal was supported by business lobbies that opposed its qui tam provision, which allows whistle-blowers and their attorneys to win a portion of the penalty. Businesses felt this provision turned citizens into "bounty hunters," according to the report. However, without this provision, opponents of repeal say there is less incentive to report fraud  and historically 88 percent of healthcare fraud cases were brought by whistle-blowers, not the government, according to the report.

The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism notes the state's Medicaid fraud unit is still receiving referrals, and sources have said it may be too early to tell if the repeal has had an effect on whistle-blower behavior.

Read the full report here.

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A New York state physician faces 166 charges related to the unlawful prescription of opioids, including one count linking the physician's prescribing practices to six opioid overdose deaths, according to a grand jury's superseding indictment made public Tuesday.

Prosecutors first indicted Eugene Gosy, MD, last year on 114 federal narcotics and fraud charges, alleging Dr. Gosy prescribed millions of opioids without legitimate medical reason at his Williamsville, N.Y.-based pain clinic, according to WGRZ. The new charges issued against Dr. Gosy include one count of unlawfully conspiring to distribute and dispense controlled substance for reasons other than legitimate medical purpose, resulting in the death of six patients who overdosed. The indictment also alleges Dr. Gosy's clinic issued more opioid prescriptions annually than any other clinic or hospital in the state.

"Today's superseding indictment represents the first time that a physician in the Western District of New York has been alleged to be criminally responsible for unlawfully prescribing drugs, which resulted in the death of a patient," said James Kennedy, Jr., acting United States attorney for the Western District of New York. "Sadly, the superseding indictment alleges that more than one patient succumbed to the inadequate and unlawful treatment they received at the hands of Dr. Gosy and those who worked for him. While today's indictment does not represent a panacea, it does provide a powerful antidote directed at one of the root causes of the opioid epidemic."

The charges linking Dr. Gosy's opioid prescribing practices to the patient deaths carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. The physician could also face a $1 million fine.

"Dr. Gosy did his best to treat them by prescribing medication for their pain, and from what we understand from our investigation, these patients chose to abuse the medication and unfortunately several of them had fatal overdoses," Joel Daniels, Dr. Gosy's attorney, told WGRZ. "But the Government has decided to blame Dr. Gosy, and blame him in these cases involving the deaths of these patients."

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Although Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini deferred comment on a potential $70 billion deal with CVS Health, he said Aetna's future delivery system will harness personalized treatment, according to a Hartford Courant report.

During a technology conference in Half Moon Bay, Calif. on Tuesday, Mr. Bertolini spoke about a recent meeting with George Blankenship, former executive at Apple, GAP and Tesla Motors. When asked if Aetna is considering an Apple-like business model, Mr. Bertolini said, "It's a real deal."

Mr. Bertolini added making Aetna's business more consumer-centric starts with understanding patients' wants. Some analysts predict CVS Health's bid for Aetna is an effort to stay ahead of Amazon. Other industry experts attributed the proposed merger to another competitor  UnitedHealth Group.

While the deal remains unconfirmed, sources familiar with the deal told Reuters Aetna and CVS Health want to finalize their proposed merger as soon as December.



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Representatives from some of Massachusetts' biggest employers called on the CEOs of Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare and Anthem to end a monthslong feud over reimbursement rates, according to a Hartford Courant report.

Hartford HealthCare left Anthem's provider network after the organizations failed to negotiate a new contract by a Sept. 30 deadline. The break meant as many as 60,000 Anthem members lost in-network access to Hartford HealthCare's facilities. The dispute continued into early October, when Hartford HealthCare sued Anthem over allegations the insurer changed its emergency care reimbursement policies following the failed negotiations. A district judge tossed that lawsuit earlier this month.



Members from large employers urged the break be mended in a Tuesday letter addressed to Elliot Joseph, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, and Jill Hummel, president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Connecticut.



"We expect a resolution that improves healthcare quality and access, and insures that high quality care remains affordable for both patients and employers," the employers wrote, according to the report. "It is in everyone's collective best interest  including your own  to immediately return to the negotiating table and resolve this dispute once and for all."



The letter was signed by Mohegan Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown and Bob Tessier, executive director of the CT Coalition of Taft-Hartley Health Funds, as well as state and municipal leaders. Up to 4,000 of Mohegan Sun's 7,000 employees are affected by the dispute, according to Jeff Hamilton, assistant general manager of the casino and resort. Mohegan Sun is self-insured and pays Anthem to provide benefits, he told Hartford Courant.
A proposed provision in a new defense policy bill would allow the U.S. Department of Defense to approve medical devices and drugs, a power FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, argues his agency should retain, reports The Hill.

The Senate's National Defense Authorization Act would develop a regulatory pathway for the DoD to authorize emergency military uses for medical products

While supporters of the bill argue the provision is necessary to improve care for soldiers, the FDA claims establishing a new pathway is dangerous.

"We think we provide a level of oversight that helps ensure the safety of products, helps follow-up to make sure that if there are adverse events we're monitoring them, we're collecting that information," said Dr. Gottlieb, according to The Hill. "So we think keeping it within the FDA context is the right thing."

Although the FDA chief does not support the provision, he pointed to an alternative proposal to accelerate approvals through the agency for the military.

"I'm fully committed to trying to expedite products for the war fighter, and ... if they pass the language that has been put forward  the alternative language  we will commit to very quickly putting in place the implementing guidance to stand up that process," Dr. Gottlieb added.
In August, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, issued a statement on how the agency will enforce oversight of the stem cell industry moving forward. Dr. Gottlieb noted the FDA is ramping up efforts to prevent dishonest players in the field from selling "dangerously dubious products." Additionally, he wrote the FDA would release a policy on regulations for the new industry this fall.

"We are in a grey area, regulatory-wise as to what we can do with our own stem cells," says John Arnone, chairman and CEO of Eatontown, N.J.-based American CryoStem. "The rules have not been fully established yet."

Mr. Arnone notes the industry is still in its infancy, and the U.S. would benefit to look globally for guidance. He points to Japan as the most progressive country for regenerative medicine, as smaller companies can more easily initiate clinical studies and introduce a product to market.

"I do believe the U.S. is going to come up with a regulatory structure shortly that will allow smaller companies to participate and bring inventions to the market in a cost-effective manner," he adds. "The U.S. recognizes it's getting behind the world in this regenerative medicine and it's because of excessive regulation. This excessive regulation is costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars in revenue to countries more advanced in medical tourism, an accelerating trend that is unlikely to change in the near future without regulatory reform."

American CryoStem, or CRYO, has successfully made its way through the maze of regulations. Founded in 2008, CRYO built its laboratory processing operations under available FDA guidance and holds 18 patents for its technology. The company collects, processes and stores pure adipose tissue and adipose tissue derivatives for current or future use in regenerative medicine. CRYO has a network of approximately 200 surgeons and works with universities and private companies to develop regenerative medicine applications. In addition to its main New Jersey laboratory facility located in Princeton, N.J., the company has affiliated licensed facilities in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shenzhen, China.

Provider physicians receive collection boxes filled with CRYO's transportation medium to return patients' harvested tissue. Once received at its FDA-registered clinical laboratory, CRYO processes the lipoaspirate in line with the physician's instructions.

"Our real expertise lies in our laboratory process; once we receive the adipose tissue from patients we process it to the stromal vascular fraction, we are then able to expand the Mesenchymal cells and store them or differentiate those cells if requested," says Mr. Arnone.

He believes the great opportunity in the field is regenerative medicine applications. CRYO has patented 14 lines of stem cell mediums in the areas of growth, transportation, storage, differentiation and more.



He emphasizes the company only uses a patient's own material to create a autologous product  a model they've used since the company's beginning.

"Over time, you're going to see this being one of the largest industries in the world," Mr. Arnone says. "It's going to be common place, with people using their own stored biological material to heal and repair themselves."
Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Nov. 9, 2017.

Zimmer Biomet Q3 sales drop, led by 2.9% decrease in the Americas

Zimmer Biomet reported net earnings for the quarter of $98.8 million, a 37.8 percent drop over the same period last year. Net sales in the Americas hit $1.1 billion, a 2.9 percent decrease over the same period last year. Interim CEO, Senior Vice President and CFO Daniel Florin reported the revenue decrease in the third quarter was driven by the slow pace of supply recovery in key brands, as well as slower-than-anticipated sales recapture in the U.S.





Dr. Arthur Jenkins to leave academic post at Mount Sinai for independent practice in 2018

Mount Sinai Co-Director of the Neurosurgical Spine Program Arthur Jenkins, MD, is planning to transition into full time private practice on Jan. 1. He will leave his post for private practice, but maintain academic affiliation as faculty, as well as surgical and admitting privileges at Mount Sinai. His new practice will be known as Jenkins NeuroSpine.





Medtronic reports $7.4B in sales, $101.8M in charitable donations for 2017

Medtronic released its 2017 fiscal year integrated performance report, showing the restorative therapies group, which includes the company's spine business, reported $7.4 billion in sales last year. The company donated $101.8 million to charitable causes last year through corporate cash contributions given through Medtronic Foundation, as well as product donations and employee volunteering.





Facts on Sen. Rand Paul's attacker Dr. Rene Boucher

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., MD, was allegedly assaulted by his neighbor, former anesthesiologist Rene Boucher, DO, Nov. 3, NPR reports. Dr. Paul fractured five ribs and suffered a lung contusion in the attack. An advisor to Dr. Paul said although the pain could persist for several months, Dr. Paul would return to the Senate soon, Bowling Green Daily News reports. Read about Dr. Boucher, here.





Mazor reports Q3 revenue at $17.2M, $3.7M net loss

Mazor Robotics reported third quarter revenue at $17.2 million. Mazor received a purchase for 22 Mazor systems, including 19 for Mazor X. Operating loss for the quarter was reported as $3.8 million and net loss hit $3.7 million, or $0.07 per share.





Smith & Nephew Q3 revenue jumps 3%

Smith & Nephew reported 2017 third quarter revenue increased 3 percent, driven by growth in the knee implants and emerging markets. Smith & Nephew's third quarter revenue reached $1.1 million, a 3 percent increase over the same period last year. The company divested its gynecology business in August 2016 and reduced reported growth by 1 percent.





K2M sees $62.7M in Q3 revenue

K2M saw total revenue of $62.7 million in the third quarter of 2017, reflecting a 6 percent year-over-year increase. The company's U.S. complex spine grew 3 percent year-over-year and its U.S. minimally invasive surgery growth of 14 percent year-over-year. K2M experienced a net loss of $8.5 million, compared to $7.9 million in the third quarter the year prior.





Opioid use greatest among spine osteoarthritis patients compared to hip, knee patients

Canada-based University of Toronto researchers examined the opioid use of patients with knee, hip or spine osteoarthritis. Fifteen percent of overall patients reported they "sometimes" used opioids. Spine patients reported the highest opioid use at 40 percent. Females under 65 years old had the greatest overall opioid use. The researchers reported this statistic was particularly reflective of spine patients.
Here are snapshots of the leaders running eight of the major spine societies.

North American Spine Society  Daniel Resnick, MD

NASS' board of directors appointed Dr. Resnick the new president in October. He previously served as NASS' director of the research council, secretary and vice president. He is a professor, vice chairman and residency program director of neurosurgery at Madison-based University of Wisconsin as well as a principle investigator for prospective trials analyzing the clinical and economic efficacy of spine treatments. NASS leverages education, research and advocacy to advance the best quality care based on evidence and value.

International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery  Jeffrey Goldstein, MD

Dr. Goldstein is serving his 2017 to 2018 term as ISASS president. Dr. Goldstein serves as chief of the spine service and director of the spine fellowship at New York City-based NYU Lanonge Health. He is participating in various clinical trials and researches biomedical materials and devices. ISASS is dedicated to analyzing ideas in the clinical and basic sciences in regards to boosting spine care.

AOSpine International Board  K. Daniel Riew, MD

Dr. Riew is currently in the middle of his July 2015 to June 2018 term as the chairman of AOSpine's International Board. Dr. Riew is the co-chief of the spine division and director of spine surgery at New York City-based Columbia Orthopedics. He completed his spine surgery fellowship at University Hospitals of Cleveland. AOSpine is committed to advancing the spine industry by disseminating research, engaging with the community and advancing education.

Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery  Greg Anderson, MD

Dr. Anderson is the international chairperson of SMISS, whose mission is to provide the necessary tools and knowledge for surgeons to enhance patient safety, outcomes, satisfaction and costs for minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Anderson is an orthopedic surgeon at Philadelphia-based Rothman Institute as well as orthopedics and neurological surgery professor at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Anderson previously served as the chief of orthopedics at the Langley Air Force Base.

Scoliosis Research Society Todd J. Albert, MD

Dr. Albert became SRS' 48th president in September, and will serve for a one-year term. He previously served as SRS' chair of the program committee and the International Meeting of Advanced Spinal Techniques. Dr. Albert serves as surgeon-in-chief and medical director of New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery. He has written seven books, 40-plus book chapters and 300 articles.

Cervical Spine Research Society  Darrel S. Brodke, MD

Dr. Brodke is the president of CSRS, which offers a platform to discuss and collaborate on the diagnoses and treatments of cervical spine injury and disease. Dr. Brodke is the Louis and Janet Peery Presidential Endowed Chair as well as orthopedics professor and vice chairman at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He completed his spine fellowship at Seattle-based University of Washington.

The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine  Teija Lund, MD, PhD

Dr. Lund is serving his one-year term as president of ISSLS, whose mission involves providing a forum for information exchange regarding lumbar spine health. She previously served as AOSpine Europe chairperson from 2010 to 2013. Dr. Lund has treated patients in Helsinki, Finland, at ORTON Hospital.

Spine Intervention Society  Timothy Maus, MD

Dr. Maus currently serves as the president of SIS, which seeks to create the highest standard of interventional procedures for spine pain treatment. Before taking on this position, he served as the chair of the SIS education division and treasurer. Dr. Maus is involved in National Institutes of Health-funded research on analgesic strategies at Mayo. He completed his neuroradiology fellowship at Rochester-based Mayo Clinic.
Northern Ireland Marks and Spencer stores are set to avoid the chop as the high street giant says it is speeding up plans to close under-performing clothing stores and will slow expansion of its Simply Food chain as its battles to restore its fortunes.

The group, which has 21 stores in Northern Ireland, said it would further "reshape" the clothing and home arm to focus on the most successful locations, while also driving more online sales.

But it's understood that Northern Ireland stores will not be among those included in its accelerated clothing store closure plans.

Marks and Spencer will also slam the brakes on its Simply Food store opening programme amid "difficult" trading and launch a "significant" cost review under the next push of its turnaround plan.

It has just opened its latest foodhall at a filling station forecourt close to Belfast International Airport.

Meanwhile, a larger new Marks and Spencer store is to create 80 jobs, and a further 100 during its construction, with a new shop in Craigavon.

Half-year figures at the retailer showed a 5.3% fall in underlying pre-tax profits to 219.1m for the six months to September 30.

Bottom line profits jumped to 118.3m from 25.1m a year earlier thanks to a boost from its international arm after exiting loss-making markets.

Boss Steve Rowe, who has been in the top job for over a year, told the Belfast Telegraph in September: "We're adding about 200 jobs in Northern Ireland, which is a continuation of our success story here.

"Some of our largest market shares are here in Northern Ireland, including our second-largest food market share."

In its latest trading update, like-for-like sales improved in its embattled clothing and home arm, down by a better-than-feared 0.1% in its second quarter after a 1.2% fall in the previous three months.

M&S said revenues overall had stopped falling in the division, while its action to cut the number of clearance sales saw full-price sales surge by 5.3%.

Food sales came as a disappointment though, down 0.1% in the second quarter, as the group admitted it needed to review prices and ranges.

Mr Rowe said: "The business still has many structural issues to tackle as we embark on the next five years of our transformation, in the context of a very challenging retail and consumer environment."

The group also confirmed it has launched the hunt for a successor to finance chief Helen Weir, who is leaving to pursue a "plural career" and seek a variety of board positions and advisory roles. The group's plans to step up its overhaul comes a year after it first announced that it would shut 30 of its larger UK stores, with a further 45 being downsized or converted to food-only, while also axing 53 loss-making international stores.

It has so far completed six of the 30 announced UK closures.
Nepali woman dies in Kuwait while trying to escape confinement

A Nepali woman has died in Kuwait while trying to escape confinement.
Ryanair says it will take time to regain customer confidence after a "screw-up" over pilot holiday chaos and cancellations hit hundreds here, while it is warning its Northern Ireland links to elsewhere in the UK could be at threat due to Brexit.

David O'Brien, chief commercial officer, told the Belfast Telegraph that while it's likely to apply for a UK operation certificate, that it will not guarantee the future of its Belfast and Londonderry links to London and Liverpool after the UK's exit from the EU.

In September, the airline left hundreds of Northern Ireland passengers - among 700,000 in total - furious after it cancelled flights and pulled 25 aircraft due to an error over pilot holiday rosters.

Mr O'Brien said he could not quantify how much damage has been caused to the company and its brand among customers here.

He said the "very specific rostering failure" let to a huge number of pilots being given holiday time off.

"There was a screw-up, a management failure, whereby at a very specific level, 50% of the pilot leave was allocated in the last four months of the year, which doesn't work."

He said the removal of its Belfast to Gatwick aircraft was "one of the least impactful decisions".

It's bringing back its London route a month earlier, but will instead be flying in to Stansted, rather than Gatwick, amid issues with its slots.

"I think we have to work hard to regain customer confidence," he said.

He said sales remain "solid" and he's confident bookings will return quickly once the route begins again next year.

He described the cancellations and pilot problems as "a certain blemish on an otherwise impeccable" record.

The airline is taking on a new boss to oversee its pilot management.

Tackling the issue of customer concerns following the cancellations, which forced many to book with other airlines, he said it has compensated those hit.

"It is logistically, very difficult, for an airline to go and find flights with another airline, for many people. But what we communicated was, you can have a refund, and in the case of those within the 14-day period, compensation... even if people had paid 9.99, they were still getting the compensation, which runs to hundreds of euros.

"And, other associated claims, such as re-routing, we will process as we receive them."

Speaking about the impact of Brexit on the airline, he said that following on from comments from the industry, including Air France, setting up an air operator's certificate (AOC) elsewhere in Europe could not ensure the protection of its flights after Brexit.

EasyJet has applied for an AOC in Austria in an apparent bid to allow it to continue flying in the EU.

Mr O'Brien said it was likely the airline would set up its own AOC in the UK, but that it would not guarantee the future of its domestic UK routes.

"In all probability, we will set up a UK AOC, but already the head of Air France says that is not going to be acceptable.

"A very significant part of our business is in the UK, the greater part of that is the UK to Europe.

"In the greater percentage of the range of the scenarios... I think that is likely to continue.

"But a scenario which is more likely, is that easyJet can't fly domestically in Europe, and we can't fly domestically in the UK.

"The good news for Belfast is, we have one UK route, and the remainder of our 14 routes are to Europe.

"It will be a number of weeks, and months of chaos... theoretically, if we couldn't fly in the UK, we couldn't operate our domestic route to London, and we wouldn't be able to operate our Liverpool and Glasgow to City of Derry Airport flights."

Ryanair remains on track to land record annual profits this year.

However, according to Mr O'Brien, the pilot problems are costing it around 25m (22m) in refunds for its customers.
Radio presenter Stephen Nolan has had to defend his own tax affairs following questioning from TUV leader Jim Allister.

Mr Allister appeared on Thursday's Nolan Show to discuss revelations uncovered in the Paradise Papers about the offshore tax affairs of Northern Irish business people.

"Tax avoidance schemes have been on the go for many years, and of course people have exploited them," said Mr Allister.

"And of course it raises moral issues. And I suppose it is particularly acute when it involves moving money offshore.

"But there have been other tax avoidance schemes for delaying tax. For example there has been a scheme that some people by joining syndicates have been part of promoting the film industry.

"And HMRC has been investigating those, has the Nolan programme any information on that?"

Presenter Nolan interjected to clarify it was him Jim Allister was referring to.

"Just to call a spade a spade, I dont know why youre skirting around this. Im tired by the way Jim, thats why Im slurring my words slightly. I dont know why youre skirting around this issue. I am in a film scheme, yes I am in a film scheme, it has been widely reported," he said.

"And yes that film scheme, I invested into it - just as many other people did. Whats your problem?

"And by the way you do not avoid one penny of tax in a film scheme."

Stephen Nolan is a partner in Invicta Film Partnership No23 LLP, a 175-strong syndicate which purchased the master print of the Da Vinci Code, allowing for tax payments to be delayed for up to 15 years.

On Thursday's Nolan Show the programme was looking at information in the Paradise Papers which focused on the tax affairs of property developer and president of Glentoran David Chick, as well as his business partner Jim Davis.

Both deny any wrongdoing.
A sex offender told his probation officer he had a "long-standing" interest in children and that no treatment programme would change this, a court has heard.

Carey Lyons, who has 68 previous convictions mostly linked to indecent images of children, struggles to cope on his own and deliberately reoffends so he can be returned to prison.

The 59-year old has already served several sentences after being caught with images of children being sexually abused.

He was back at Belfast Crown Court yesterday where he was handed a three-year sentence for further offending between December 2014 and March 2016.

The court heard that on March 23 last year, Lyons' premises in Belfast's Ormeau Road were searched after a support worker from the Probation Board raised concerns that he had breached the terms of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). During the search, items including a laptop, hard drive and other digital devices were seized. Lyons was arrested and during an interview, he told police he was attracted to girls aged between eight and 12.

Some 17,753 indecent images and videos were found on the devices before police stopped counting. There were 356 prohibited images of children, as well as 14 extreme pornographic images.

Lyons pleaded guilty to 22 offences, including multiple charges of possessing indecent images of children. He also admitted breaching a SOPO.

During sentencing, Judge Patricia Smyth noted comments made by a probation officer who worked with Lyons, who revealed he deliberately reoffended so he will be returned to the only place he feels safe - prison.

The probation officer was also told by Lyons that he had a "long-term interest in children... and there may not be any treatment which will change this". Lyons was handed a three-year sentence for his latest offending - half in custody and the rest on supervised licence.

As he has already served his custody period on remand, Lyons is due for immediate release.

Judge Smyth said Lyons will be required to undertake a treatment programme. He was ordered to live at an address approved by the Probation Board, and is banned from having unsupervised contact with children.
A former Northern Ireland prison officer has revealed how colleagues "made her life hell" as a breastfeeding mum when she returned to work after maternity leave.

Jayne, from the north west, told how she broke down in public, plunged into depression and began self-harming to the point she feared she would "kill herself by accident" because of what she was going through at Magilligan Prison near Limavady.

After maternity leave with her second child, the 32-year-old felt she could no longer work in the Co Londonderry facility's H-block accommodation units due to the lack of hygiene and the preponderance of cigarette smoke and other substances.

But despite an agreement to adjust her duties so that she wasn't required to work in those areas as a breastfeeding mother, her co-workers objected to the new arrangements and she was eventually forced out.

The mum-of-two then sued the Prison Service for sex discrimination, bullying and harassment. This week she was awarded 55,000 in an out-of-court settlement, described by lawyers as "a very substantial payout".

Her solicitor Kevin Gallagher said: "It's a novel case arising from circumstances whereby an employer's decision to accommodate a breastfeeding mother has caused resentment among her colleagues."

In an exclusive interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Jayne (whose real name has been withheld for security reasons) gave a harrowing account of how she was driven to the brink of suicide in what became, for her, a hostile workplace.

"I have the physical scars on my arms and legs from the self-harm that helped me to cope with how I was being treated by certain colleagues," she said.

"I starting cutting myself on my legs and on my forearms when the bullying was going on. I always kept them covered up so no one would notice.

"At the worst times I just kept cutting deeper and deeper. Eventually I went to the doctor and told him I was worried I was going to kill myself by accident."

Jayne's request to be exempted from the H-blocks upon returning to work was solely out of concern for the health of her young son, whom she was still breastfeeding, which also meant she needed to express milk during shifts.

"The H-blocks are vile - there's mice, lice, cigarette smoke and drug smoke in the air and a toilet that's rarely cleaned... I didn't feel it was a healthy environment for a breastfeeding mum to be working in," she said.

"The small room they wanted me to work in is covered in silverfish - little lice-type insects - and you can seem them darting about.

"I've seen mice too. I actually caught a mouse once in one of the wings and I carried it up to the control room. I wasn't a parent at that time.

"I was expressing milk between two and four times a night and they were expecting me to set my breast pump down on a work top in that office.

"They also said I could express in the control room without a curtain over the window - by shouting out to the others not to come near the window when I was expressing."

During her H-blocks exemption, Jayne noticed "quite early" into her return that some staff were "stand-offish", while others blanked her completely when she spoke to them.

She also said there were numerous attempts to pressurise her into work there, and on one occasion "it ended up with me in tears trying once again to defend the right to protect my breastfed child".

In another example, Jayne recalled a conversation with a male colleague who "commented how embarrassing it was having to talk to me about what I do with my breasts".

As the bullying got worse, one staff member approached her "in an agitated and aggressive manner about being fed up with being shafted" when he checked the rota and saw he had been assigned to H-blocks.

Following that incident Jayne said: "I burst into tears, my heart was racing and I couldn't stop shaking. I tried to hold it together but my voice broke and I started crying."

As the situation worsened and her mental wellbeing deteriorated, the distraught young mother finally disclosed that she'd been self-harming.

There followed a public breakdown while she was at church with her three-year-old daughter, after which she was referred to a psychiatric unit and placed under crisis care.

"The tears started tripping me, the floodgates opened and it was really horrible," she recalled. "It all just got too much."

Finally, after "a major anxiety attack", a doctor assessed Jayne's mental health and deemed that she "would not be fit to return to prison work due to the severity of self-harm and depression".

So, rather than fulfilling a promising career in the prison service - 11 years of which she'd already devoted to her job - she ended up being pensioned out in March, aged 32.

"This happened because some people didn't think it was fair that I should get out of working in the H Blocks for a few months to protect my wellbeing and that of my nursing child," she said.

Mr Gallagher said his firm, Millar McCall Wylie, is delighted to have been able to assist Jayne in securing a "substantial settlement in an industrial tribunal context" in this important case.

"We regularly encounter mothers experiencing issues arising from their return to the workplace following maternity leave," he said.

"More common concerns for returning mothers relate to the changing of duties or the impact of maternity leave on career progression. However, the issue of accommodating mothers who continue to breastfeed on return to work has become more prevalent in recent times.

"Although employment legislation protects pregnant women from discrimination in the work place, breastfeeding mothers returning from maternity leave have no specific protection.

"We hope that the claimant's case demonstrates to women in this position that they can claim protection from less favourable treatment and harassment under the Sex Discrimination Order.'

The 55,000 settlement is little more than two years' salary for Jayne. Is it enough for what she's been through?

"It's hard to put a figure on it because at the end of the day this has cost me my career," she said.

"There is breastfeeding legislation in the rest if the UK and it doesn't apply here.

"That's one of the reasons I took this to a tribunal. Settling wasn't an easy decision to make but in the end I did it for my children. It was taking its toll on my mental health and I knew it was the right thing to do."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has condemned a "brutal attack" in which a Derry teenager was shot in the leg in a paramilitary-style shooting.

A 17-year-old male was shot after two masked men forced their way into his home in Gartan Square area of the Bogside at around 10.45pm.

One of the men was armed with a baton or wooden bat and the other with a handgun.

It is believed a woman in her 50s may also have been assaulted by the intruders.

She was taken to hospital for treatment.

Two other adults were in the property at the time and it is understood they were not hurt.

Responding to the attack SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said "enough is enough" and that "these brutal attacks must stop".

"These actions achieve nothing but cause pain, destruction and fear  not only to the victims directly involved but to families living here in the Bogside," he said.

"Fear and violence didnt work in the past it wont work now. With an upsurge in these types of attacks across the City in recent times, I have sought an urgent meeting with the PSNI and I will be working with community and council partners to make our communities safe."

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about the crime or who may be able to identify the perpetrators to contact Criminal Investigation Branch detectives on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the reference 1428 with the date 08/11/2017.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
McCandless given suspended prison term for benefit fraud.

A Newtownabbey woman has been convicted for claiming 22,382 in benefits she was not entitled to.

Jennifer McCandless (43) of The Glade, Mossley, Newtownabbey claimed Housing Benefit totalling 22,382 while failing to declare capital.

She was given a six month prison sentence suspended for two years at at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday.

The fraud was uncovered after an investigation by the Department for Communities.

McCandless has repaid the money to the department in full.
Numbers are not enough

It will not do much good if women elected to power are not committed to the cause
Two men are to stand trial charged with the murder of high-profile loyalist George 'Geordie' Gilmore, a judge ordered.

Samuel David McMaw, 29, and Brian McLean, 35, are jointly accused of carrying out the killing in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.

Gilmore, 44, died after being hit by bullets fired at his car on the Woodburn housing estate in broad daylight in March this year.

He had been lured into a trap by alleged murderers who goaded him into a chase, detectives claim.

The attack formed part of a year-long feud between Gilmore's grouping and the UDA's South East Antrim unit which has cost more than 5m to police, according to the prosecution.

McMaw, the alleged gunman from Starbog Road in Kilwaughter, Co Antrim, and his associate McLean, of The Birches in Carrickfergus, appeared together at Belfast Magistrates' Court for a preliminary enquiry hearing on Thursday.

Both men face further counts of attempting to murder two of Gilmore's friends and possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. They deny all the offences.

Gilmore came under attack as he returned from attending court in support of friends accused of trying to kill a pub doorman at a bar in the town two days previously.

His son, George Junior, was travelling in convoy in a second vehicle.

Two men, allegedly identified by witnesses as McMaw and McLean, were spotted standing in the area.

Prosecutors claim they began shouting and making hand and arm gestures in a bid to provoke the Gilmores into a pursuit.

McMaw was then allegedly seen to crouch down in an alleyway, attempt to pull a balaclava over his face and brandish a gun.

As Gilmore tried to speed off up to eight shots were fired from a 9mm pistol.

One bullet went through the windscreen, striking the loyalist in the back of the head.

During the hearing to establish if they have a case to answer both defendants declined to give evidence or call witnesses at this stage.

District Judge Broderick granted a prosecution application to have them returned for Crown Court trial on a date to be fixed.

McMaw and McLean are expected to remain in custody until their arraignment.
The number of women currently imprisoned in Northern Ireland has more than doubled since the millennium, according to figures contained in a new report.

In 2000 there were 23 women in jail here. But the latest information relating to the end of September showed that 53 females were currently behind bars.

The report compiled by the Institute of Criminal Policy Research at Birkbeck College at the University of London also revealed that there were almost 4,000 women imprisoned in England and Wales, while there were 360 in Scottish prisons.

Since 2000 a number of high-profile female killers have been incarcerated in Northern Ireland.

Hazel Stewart and her lover Colin Howell were convicted of the murders of their respective spouses, RUC man Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell.

And Karen Walsh, dubbed the 'Crucifix Killer', was jailed for the murder of 81-year-old Maire Rankin at her Newry home on Christmas Day in 2008.

Newry killer Lindsay White is also locked up in Hydebank's Ash House, the women's wing, for beating a homeless Polish man to death in July 2009.

Green Party MLA Clare Bailey said the figures in the latest edition of the World Female Imprisonment List were "deeply alarming".

"In Northern Ireland in particular, prisons are being used as 'safe places' to house women who need mental healthcare and support," she said.

"The majority of women imprisoned in NI have not committed violent crimes - many are victims themselves - of rape, domestic abuse and sexual assault.

"Many suffer mental ill-health, and many have not been tried at all and are imprisoned on remand.

"The trauma, harm and inappropriateness of incarceration cannot be overestimated.

"These failures are compounded by unnecessary cuts to public services and an absent Executive. Without a functioning government, investment in public services and a range of long-term, cross-departmental measures to address poverty, gender-based violence and our mental health crisis, more women will be failed and more women will be incarcerated.

"Imprisonment is not the solution to the vast majority of these cases.

"We should be offering care, support and, where necessary, rehabilitation.

"We call on all parties and on the British Government to cooperate as a matter of urgency so that we can begin to address these issues."

Globally, almost 7% of the prison population is now female with researchers calculating that the over 700,000 women inmates represent more than a 50% rise on the 466,000 that were behind bars in 2000.

The new figures include those who are currently on remand and awaiting trial. In comparison, the amount of male prisoners has risen by around a fifth (20%) in the last 17 years.
The teenager has been found safe and well.

Missing 17-year-old Chloe Osbourne from Belfast has been found safe and well, police have said.

Chloe was last seen in Dublin on Monday, sparking a police appeal.

On Friday police confirmed she had been found and thanked the public for their help in the appeal.
It is understood Danny Bradley made the approach to Stormont's then-deputy first minister in 2015

A request to Martin McGuinness seeking permission for former IRA men to give evidence at the inquest of a teenager shot dead by the Army was turned down, a court has heard.

Belfast Coroner's Court was told Danny Bradley, whose brother Seamus was killed by soldiers in disputed circumstances in Londonderry in 1972, approached the late Sinn Fein veteran asking if IRA members who witnessed the incident would testify at the inquest.

Mr Bradley has made a written statement ahead of the start of the inquest next month outlining what he saw of the incident in the Creggan area of Derry.

In it he claims there were many other witnesses but he has declined to name them.

David Heraghty QC, representing the Bradley family, told a preliminary hearing in Belfast: " Some of the people he makes reference to he can't identify because they were masked; some are now deceased; and some, down to their background in paramilitaries, he does not feel safe to provide names."

The barrister added: "Mr Bradley says he approached Martin McGuinness about this and sought permission and permission wasn't forthcoming."

It is understood Mr Bradley made the approach to Stormont's then-deputy first minister in 2015.

Mr Heraghty did not outline any further details to the court on how the claimed request was handled by Mr McGuinness.

Coroner Judge Kinney acknowledged Mr Bradley's hesitancy in providing names to the coroner's court.

But he stressed that key eyewitness evidence may now go unheard at the inquest.

"I understand that Mr Bradley has reluctance in providing names," he said.

Seamus Bradley, a 19-year-old IRA man, was killed during Operation Motorman - an Army attempt to gain control of republican areas in Belfast and Derry that had previously been considered no-go zones for the security forces.

The Army claimed he was shot while he was in a tree and suffered additional injuries as he fell.

His family have alleged he was shot while running from the area and sustained further injuries while in the custody of soldiers.

Before his death earlier this year, Mr McGuinness, an IRA commander in Derry at the time of the incident, provided a statement to the coroner outlining the activities of the organisation in the city during Operation Motorman.

He informed the court of his willingness to co-operate with the process and said he would assist in any way he could.

The inquest into Mr Bradley's death is due to start in Derry on December 11.
Stephen Gault (centre), whose father Samuel was killed in the Enniskillen bombing

The son of a man killed in the Enniskillen bombing has said he fears community relations between Protestants and Catholics could be damaged in the town amid an ongoing row over the placement of a memorial for the atrocity.

On the 30th anniversary of the bomb on Wednesday, a temporary memorial was unveiled to the 12 victims.

Bereaved families say they have attempted to have it erected permanently at the site of the blast but that the local Catholic diocese owns the land and it has not yet given them permission.

The St Michael's Diocesan Trust, part of the Diocese of Clogher, has said it has not yet made a decision regarding the victims' families request and it was only informed of their intentions in late September.

Stephen Gault, whose father Samuel was killed in the 1987 IRA attack, said: "Yesterday (the 30th anniversary) was a traumatic enough day without all this happening.

"I had to see on television footage of a memorial with my father's name on it taken off by a forklift, words can't describe it.

"People can't get their heads round it, even Catholics here have been saying to me that they're disgusted.

"For a town that has already suffered so much, the two communities have never become divided.

"But truthfully, I don't know what the future will bring, will this divide the two communities here now?"

In a statement, a spokesperson for the diocese said: "We are all sensitive to the memories and grief being experienced during these days by the families and relatives of those who died and were injured in the Enniskillen Remembrance Sunday bomb of 1987.

"All of us recognise the place of remembrance in life and the importance of how memorials can help us to come to terms with personal pain and loss.

"It is important to note that St Michael's Diocesan Trust received initial documentation from the Ely Centre (victims' group behind the memorial plan) in late September 2017.

"The Trust wishes to place on record that, as owner of the property concerned, it was not consulted by the council in relation to the granting of planning permission.

"Nonetheless, the Trust is in the process of giving due and careful consideration to all aspects of the request and has yet to come to any decision."

The attack took place on Remembrance Sunday in 1987, when the IRA bomb exploded at a Poppy Day remembrance service in the town.

Twelve people were killed and scores more were injured.

A 13th person was killed the following day, when loyalist paramilitaries killed a man in Belfast in retaliation for the bombing.

No-one has ever been held to account for the attack.
A think tank found women are twice as likely as men to face discrimination in the world of work

The Tanaiste has said a Government colleague's questions to a senior civil servant about her marital status in a job interview are disturbing and disappointing.

Amid calls for Independent Alliance minister John Halligan to resign over the incident, Ms Fitzgerald, minister for enterprise and innovation, apologised to the woman.

The Tanaiste said she accepted Mr Halligan's regret over the line of questioning.

"The minister's questions during the interview were discriminatory and they were unacceptable, that's absolutely clear," she said.

Mr Halligan, minister of state for training and skills, who is currently in Thailand on government business, was on an interview panel to select a new private secretary in May 2016.

He asked a candidate with 23 years experience if she was married and had children. He also said he knew he should not be asking the questions.

In a case taken to the Workplace Relations Commission, the civil servant said she felt the questions were unfair and inappropriate.

She is being paid 7,500 euro compensation by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Mr Halligan issued a statement saying he regretted the line of questioning.

"The incident should never have happened and he has accepted that," Ms Fitzgerald told the Dail.

"The person is owed an apology and I want to unequivocally give that on behalf of the department."

There have also been calls for Mr Halligan to foot the compensation bill himself, with minister for rural and community development Michael Ring calling for the personal intervention on Today with Sean O'Rourke on RTE Radio.

The affair was highlighted as new research revealed women are twice as likely as men to face discrimination at work.

In a study of discrimination in society based on Central Statistics Office records, leading think tank the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission found issues of pay and promotion for women are frequently raised.

It also found almost one in eight people in Ireland reported some experience of discrimination over the preceding two years.

The analysis showed that Travellers face the worst discrimination and are almost 10 times more likely to be discriminated against when looking for work.

They are also 22 times more likely to experience discrimination in accessing private services, the report found.

Lead author Frances McGinnity, of the ESRI, said: "Discrimination can be damaging to the individuals who experience it, in terms of their self-esteem, well-being and for their material outcomes such as their income and access to valued positions and services.

"There are also costs at a societal level. Discrimination in the labour market may be economically inefficient, as the skills of individuals are not effectively used. Discrimination can also undermine social cohesion."

The study also found people with a disability are more than twice as likely to be discriminated against at work, in recruitment and in accessing public and private services.

The ESRI said black people in Ireland are three times more likely to experience discrimination in the workplace and in access to public services, and over four times more likely to experience discrimination in access to private services.

People aged 45-64 are more likely than younger people to experience discrimination when looking for work, the report said.

And it also found that never-married lone parents are more likely to experience discrimination in public and private services than unmarried adults with no children.
Priti Patel arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, after she was ordered back to Britain (John Stillwell/PA)

Theresa May has maintained the delicate Cabinet balance between Leavers and Remainers as she replaced Priti Patel with another hardline Brexiteer.

Penny Mordaunt, the minister for the disabled, was promoted to become the new International Development Secretary following Ms Patels dramatic resignation on Wednesday.

In her second emergency mini-reshuffle in the space of a week, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to promote two other women MPs.

Victoria Atkins became the first of the 2015 intake of new Conservative MPs to enter the Government, becoming a junior Home Office minister.

She replaced Sarah Newton who moves to take over Ms Mordaunts responsibilities at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Downing Street will hope the appointments restore some stability after the turmoil of recent weeks which saw Sir Michael Fallon forced to resign over allegations of improper conduct.

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In particular the choice of Ms Mordaunt as International Development Secretary will be seen a signal to reassure hardline Brexiteers that there will be no back-pedalling.

Like Ms Patel  who was forced to quit over her unauthorised contacts with senior Israelis  she was a high-profile campaigner for Leave in last years referendum.

She underlined her pro-Brexit credentials by backing Andrea Leadsom in the subsequent Conservative leadership contest.

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Following the announcement, Ms Patel tweeted her support for her successor, congratulating her dear friend on her appointment.

Opposition parties however questioned Ms Mordaunts commitment to the international aid agenda and urged her to distance herself from the legacy of her predecessor who was highly critical of some aid programmes.

For Labour, shadow international development secretary Kate Osamor said: The new Secretary of State faces an immediate challenge of restoring integrity to British international development policy after the actions of Priti Patel.

Unlike Priti Patel, who too often used the department to prop up her personal networks and leadership ambitions, Mordaunt must also quickly commit to the central cause of the department: to help the worlds poorest.

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Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson said: Having an International Development Secretary who does not dismiss the entire concept of international aid must be the first qualification for the job.

Penny Mordaunt must immediately distance herself from her predecessor in this regard.

There was anger also among Remain campaigners who criticised controversial comments she made during the referendum suggesting the UK could not veto Turkey joining the EU.

Labour MP Chuka Umunna said: This is the same minister who falsely claimed Turkey was about to join the EU. Words fail me.

There was, however, a welcome for her appointment from within the aid community, with Romilly Greenhill of the ONE campaign, saying a past stint as an aid worker in Romania meant she was well suited to the role.

Her recent advice to not let pessimism and cynicism distract us from eradicating the problems that cause poverty and disease resonates with the British public and our 500,000 members, many of them our own dedicated youth ambassadors. Ms Greenhill said.

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Asked if she was joining a Cabinet in chaos, Ms Mordaunt said: Im delighted to have been appointed by the Prime Minister to be the new Secretary of State for International Development.

Im looking forward to working with the team here to continue building a safer, more secure, more prosperous world for us all and really giving the British public pride in what we do.
The family of a British woman jailed in Iran have demanded further action from Boris Johnson, after the countrys state TV broadcast a report claiming that the Foreign Secretarys comments in Parliament amounted to an unintended admission of her guilt.

The Channel 2 report said that Mr Johnsons suggestion that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists when arrested in Iran last year had dealt a blow to the efforts of campaigners and UK authorities to support her position that she was in fact on holiday.

Mr Johnson has admitted that his comments could have been clearer, and told MPs on Tuesday that the UK Government has no doubt that she was on holiday in Iran.

He told Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif in a phone call that there was no justifiable basis for further legal action and said he had received assurances that recent developments in her case were not linked to his remarks.

But Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband Richard said that Wednesdays broadcast showed that Mr Johnsons actions so far do not look sufficient.

In a statement, the Free Nazanin Campaign said: Iranian state TV evening news ran a long feature on Nazanin, using the Foreign Secretarys words last week to discredit Nazanin and negate the efforts to release her. Assurances given this week do not look sufficient.

The UK Government should not be in denial about the gravity of the situation or the abuse Nazanin is suffering at the hands of the Iranian authorities. The Governments first duty  both governments first duty  is to protect its citizens.

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Mr Ratcliffe said he wanted to take up Mr Johnsons offer of a meeting to discuss the case, and wanted to join the Foreign Secretary on his planned trip to Iran, due to take place before the end of the year.

He also urged the Foreign Secretary to ensure that a Farsi translation of Mr Johnsons clarification should be issued to the Iranian media and posted on the website of Britains embassy in Tehran.

He called on Mr Johnson to ask Mr Zarif to acknowledge in public that his wife was in Iran on holiday with her daughter Gabriella at the time of her arrest.

He said Nazanins parents, who live in Iran, watched the evening news in growing horror and were in a state of shock and disbelief as a result of the broadcast.

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Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe herself is likely to have seen the broadcast with fellow inmates in prison and her reaction to seeing herself publicly framed by the Iranian authorities is as yet unknown, he said.

Following Mr Johnsons comments last week, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was summoned before an unscheduled court hearing at which she was threatened with the doubling of her five-year jail sentence.

Wednesdays TV broadcast said that the British media and authorities had spent the last year trying to emphasise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes innocence until last week, the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson utters a sentence that proves costly for the government of this country.

It added: Just this one sentence from the Foreign Secretary was enough to deal a blow to all the attempts of the British media and authorities in the past few months

It appears that the statement of Boris Johnson was an antidote to all the statements of various media and UK authorities who had been claiming in the past year-and-a-half that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had come to Iran for humanitarian reasons.

Asked about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes case during a visit to the US, Mr Johnson told Sky News: We have some difficult consular cases in Iran and we are working on all of them.
Conditions on the UKs highest mountain are being recorded for the first time in more than a century.

A team of scientists scaled Ben Nevis to install a weather station on its summit to keep track of wind, pressure, temperature, precipitation and humidity.

Such data has not been kept since 1904 when a Victorian observatory staffed by volunteer weathermen closed its door for the last time.

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Dr Barbara Brooks from the expedition said: This is a temporary weather station, which for four weeks will do the same work as the Victorian weathermen all those years ago. Thankfully, technology has moved on so theres no need for our team to be stationed on the summit over the winter months.

Having access to Ben Nevis records through Operation Weather Rescue means we will be able to start making comparisons, looking for any patterns and better understand the conditions on our mountain tops.

If we can prove that the technology works and the data is robust, were hopeful this could lead to a new, permanent weather station on the summit, which would be invaluable for meteorologists.

Operation Weather Rescue: Ben Nevis launched in September to try to digitise two million lost measurements taken by the Victorian volunteers known as the Weathermen of Ben Nevis.

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The weather enthusiasts had recorded the data by hand, every hour on the hour, each day of the year, from 1883 to 1904.

Since the project started, more than 3,500 volunteers have digitised over 1.25 million of their observations.

Dr Brooks hopes the new, temporary weather station will produce comprehensive data to be compared with these Victorian records. It took the team five hours to reach the 1,345-metre summit on Tuesday.

Climate change specialist Professor Ed Hawkins, who led the operation, said: Operation Weather Rescue: Ben Nevis will fill gaps in our knowledge and provide a baseline from which we can measure any changes to the weather today.

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Unearthing this type of data feeds into the bigger picture, helping international researchers understand climatic changes and make better forecasts for the future.

The Ben Nevis weather data will tell us more about extreme rainfall which is thought to be becoming more common in the UK.

The new weather station relies on 3G coverage at the peak of Ben Nevis to transmit data back to the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS).

From next week, the information will be available for the public to view in real time on the NCAS website.

The Natural Environment Research Council team aims to have initial comparisons on show at the organisations free interactive event, UnEarthed, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh between November 17 and 19.
Parties stress on pollution control

Pollution control has been one of the key components, among other environmental issues, in the manifestos of major political parties going into the federal and provincial elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.
The resignation of Priti Patel over her unauthorised meetings with senior Israeli officials is the latest blow to rock Theresa Mays Government.

So what now for the Prime Minister?

First of all she has to find a replacement for Ms Patel  the second time in a week she has been forced to carry out an emergency mini-reshuffle following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon as defence secretary. She will be under pressure to pick another hardline Brexiteer to maintain the delicate balance around the Cabinet table between supporters of a hard and soft break with the EU.

Will that draw a line under her difficulties?

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Hardly. The issues are piling up thick and fast  starting with the Brexit negotiations themselves. The sixth round of talks is beginning in Brussels with the Government anxious to make progress. Mrs May needs EU leaders to give the green light for trade talks to start when they meet next month for their final summit of the year. However, they have made clear Britain needs to move first on the issue of money and the so called divorce bill  and that could cause more difficulty for the Prime Minister at home.

Any other money worries?

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The Budget is less than a fortnight away, with Philip Hammond under pressure to come up with extra cash for public services starved of funding after seven years of austerity, with the NHS top of the list. However, additional spending could force the Chancellor to abandon his target of balancing the books by the mid 2020s  something he will be desperate to avoid.

Are there any other ministers in trouble?

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Damian Green, Mrs Mays trusted ally and effective deputy prime minister, is the subject of a Cabinet Office investigation into his conduct, including claims of inappropriate advances towards a female activist, all of which he strongly denies. And Boris Johnson continues to face questions over his handling of the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British woman held in an Iranian jail.

Where does this leave Mrs May?

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Ever since she saw her Commons majority wiped out in the general election in June there has been speculation over how long she can last. So far, the Conservatives have failed to come up with a plan B while MPs are terrified another election will hand the keys of Number 10 to Jeremy Corbyn. How long that will last remains to be seen.
Ian Squire, fellow Christian charity workers David and Shirley Donovan and Co Antrim woman Alanna Carson were working as medical missionaries when they were abducted on October 13

A British charity worker killed after being held hostage with a Northern Ireland woman in Nigeria was "constantly pushing the boundaries of generosity", his family said.

Ian Squire, fellow Christian charity workers David and Shirley Donovan and Co Antrim woman Alanna Carson were working as medical missionaries when they were abducted on October 13.

In a statement, Mr Squire's family said: "We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Ian, a loving father, husband, and devout Christian, who dedicated much of his life in the service of others. It's clear that Ian had touched many hearts with his kindness and grace.

"The extent of his impact is only made more apparent by the overwhelming response from the community in the wake of his death.

"He was a man constantly pushing the boundaries of generosity with his charity work, the scope of which knew no borders, taking him all the way to developing countries that needed it the most."
Niels Hoegel covers his face during his trial at the regional court in in Oldenburg (AP)

A nurse who is serving a life sentence in Germany for two murders may have killed more than 100 patients, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors and police in Oldenburg said they have completed examinations of patients who died during Niels Hoegel's time as a nurse at two local hospitals and have found a further 16 cases in which he is suspected.

In late August, they said they had determined that he might have killed at least another 84 patients beyond the ones for whose murder he is already serving time in prison.

Prosecutors have said that they expect to bring more charges by early 2018 against Hoegel, who gave patients overdoses of heart medication and other drugs because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them.

Hoegel was convicted in 2015 of two murders and two attempted murders at a hospital in Delmenhorst and was sentenced to life in prison.

During his trial, Hoegel said he intentionally brought about cardiac crises in some 90 patients in Delmenhorst because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them. He later told investigators that he also killed patients in Oldenburg.

Hoegel worked at the Oldenburg hospital from 1999 to 2002 and in Delmenhorst from 2003 to 2005.

Prosecutors said he is now suspected in 38 cases in Oldenburg and 62 in Delmenhorst, but that in five of those cases further examinations are needed.

As part of a wider investigation involving both hospitals, police and prosecutors reviewed more than 500 patient files and hundreds more hospital records. They also exhumed 134 bodies from 67 cemeteries, and questioned Hoegel six times.

Police have said that if local health officials had not hesitated in alerting authorities, Hoegel could have been stopped earlier.

Authorities are already pursuing criminal cases against former staff at the two medical facilities.

AP
PM promises charter revision

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged the people to vote for the Nepali Congress in the upcoming federal and provincial elections for amending the constitution in favour of Madhes and the Madhesi people.
Sutherland Springs church gunman Devin Kelley was ousted from the Air Force in 2012 (Texas Department of Public Safety via AP, File)

The Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed by a gunman during Sunday services will be demolished, the pastor said.

Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this week that it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church as a place of worship.

A national Southern Baptist spokesman said Mr Pomeroy discussed the plan with the denomination's top executives, who travelled to the rural community in a show of support.

Sing Oldham said the pastor described the building as "too stark of a reminder" of the massacre. Mr Pomeroy expressed hope he could turn the site into a memorial for the dead and put up a new building on property the church owns.

On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of the gunman.

Mr Pence told the crowd that the attack was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman "deranged".

"Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church, if the attacker's desire was to silence their testimony of faith, they failed," the vice president added.

The governor said Texans come together at times of crisis and tragedy. "It's what we do," Mr Abbott said. People in the crowd responded "amen".

He also proclaimed Sunday November 12 a state-wide day of prayer.

Mr Pence also visited wounded congregants at a San Antonio hospital and met with families of the dead in Floresville, not far from Sutherland Springs. He went from table to table at a high school library, attempting to console devastated family members.

"The whole country is praying over you," he told one man who lost his sister-in-law.

He stopped to talk with John Holcombe, whose family was decimated by the shooting. Mr Holcombe, who suffered shrapnel wounds, lost his wife, Crystal, who was pregnant with their first child. Also killed were three of her children, his parents, a brother and a toddler niece.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Pence said President Donald Trump had ordered federal agencies to provide extensive help to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

The Texas Department of Public Safety released an official list of those killed in the rampage. The eight male victims and 17 female victims ranged in age from one to 77.

Eight of the fatalities were children or teenagers. The oldest of them was 16.

Authorities said the 26 dead also included Crystal Holcombe's unborn baby. All the victims died at the scene, except for one child who died in hospital.

Eleven people remained hospitalised with wounds they suffered in the attack.

AP
Last Sunday was November 5, the anniversary of gunpowder, treason and plot. Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators planned to blow up the King and Parliament on November 5, 1605, but thankfully their plot failed. The gunpowder was discovered, the conspirators were arrested and it is that event which is commemorated on Bonfire Night.

Of course, November 5 is also the anniversary of the landing of William Prince of Orange in England in 1688 and the start of the Glorious Revolution.

It was interesting, therefore, to see the date marked across Great Britain with thousands of community bonfires and fireworks displays.

The little town of Lewes in Sussex has a very strong bonfire tradition and each of the six bonfire societies in Lewes organises its own one.

Held on the Saturday night this year, they attracted around 60,000 spectators. Bonfire Night in Lewes is now so popular that the organisers have had to make it all-ticket.

The tickets are free, but it is a way of controlling the numbers in a small town.

Newspapers, radio and television carried many reports about Bonfire Night, and several things struck me about them.

I was impressed by how well-organised most of the bonfires are. Many of them are organised by constituted bonfire societies and some of these have their own website, Facebook page, Twitter account and commercial sponsorship. One was actually co-sponsored by Waitrose.

I was also impressed by the nature of the media coverage, which presented a picture of popular and enjoyable community celebrations.

The bonfires were simply part of the annual programme of civic events and Bonfire Night was one element of British folk culture. Bonfires in Great Britain are viewed as traditional, enjoyable and normal.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close William Young used a drone to take this remarkable photo of the bonfire at Sandy Row. 11/07/2017 Sandy Row Photo: William Young Sandy Row Photo: William Young Roden Street Photo: William Young Shankill Photo: William Young The scene on Love Lane in Carrickfergus as the local community rebuild a bonfire after the original bonfire they build was burnt on Monday evening. Picture by Matt Mackey / presseye.com 10/07/2017 The scene on Love Lane in Carrickfergus as the local community rebuild a bonfire after the original bonfire they build was burnt on Monday evening. Picture by Matt Mackey / presseye.com 10/07/2017 The scene on Love Lane in Carrickfergus as the local community rebuild a bonfire after the original bonfire they build was burnt on Monday evening. Picture by Matt Mackey / presseye.com 10/07/2017 Pacemaker Press Belfast 11-07-2017: Final preparations takes place for the Bonfire on Sandy Row in Belfast .The bonfires will be lit in loyalist areas as part of Eleventh Night celebrations on Tuesday night. Picture By: Arthur Allison. Pacemaker Press Belfast 11-07-2017: Final preparations takes place for the Bonfire on Sandy Row in Belfast .The bonfires will be lit in loyalist areas as part of Eleventh Night celebrations on Tuesday night. Picture By: Arthur Allison. Pacemaker Press Belfast 11-07-2017: Final preparations take place for the Bonfire on Sandy Row in Belfast .The bonfires will be lit in loyalist areas as part of Eleventh Night celebrations on Tuesday night. Picture By: Arthur Allison. SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan posted this photo of one of his election posters on a bonfire and said he considers the action a hate crime. Workmen board up windows of property beside a bonfire at the end of the Comber Greenway off Ravenscroft Avenue in east Belfast. [Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com] Workmen board up windows of property beside a bonfire at the end of the Comber Greenway off Ravenscroft Avenue in east Belfast. [Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com] Masked men continue to build a bonfire at Inverary Playing Fields in Belfast. Police in Northern Ireland have warned their resources could be stretched amid growing fears of tension around the burning of Eleventh night bonfires. [Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire] PA Masked men continue to build a bonfire at Inverary Playing Fields in Belfast. [Photo: PA Wire 10/07/2017] PA A bonfire constructed across the road from a petrol station in Carrickfergus was set alight in the early hours of Tuesday morning. / Facebook

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Yes, it is a busy night for the Fire Service and there were some reports of damage to property, as well as some anti-social behaviour.

But this was always reported in context and there was no attempt to whip up a frenzied demand for Bonfire Night to be curtailed.

A common feature of Bonfire Night and a long-standing tradition is the burning of effigies, much in the same way as Lundy is burned by the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

However, in more recent years the effigies on some English bonfires have been those of contemporary figures, rather than just effigies from the past.

In the village of Edenbridge in Kent they burned an effigy of Harvey Weinstein, but many others chose political figures, ranging from the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Donald Trump and Nigel Farage.

All this was reported with barely a word of criticism and, indeed, the political effigies received a lot of positive coverage.

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Freelance journalist Jamie Milton, who writes for The Guardian and The Independent, blogged enthusiastically about the opportunity to burn effigies of hate figures.

However, here in Northern Ireland the burning of Sinn Fein election posters on some Eleventh Night bonfires was described by the partys northern leader Michelle ONeill as hate crime, with some of her colleagues making complaints to the PSNI and demanding investigations.

So, what is the difference between burning a poster in Northern Ireland and burning a 20ft effigy in England?

Could it be that some politicians in Northern Ireland spend too much time cultivating the image of the Most Offended People Ever. We have our cultural traditions in Ulster and some of these are around parades, bonfires and historical murals.

Indeed, during the Festival of Britain in 1951 the poet John Hewitt described Orange murals as Ulsters only expression of folk art.

Unfortunately, there are those who want to eradicate those traditions and one argument they often make is that our folk traditions are primitive, primeval and out of step with modern Britain.

Bonfire Night was a timely reminder of just how spurious that argument is  and long may it continue.

Oh, and perhaps we could look at bringing November 5 back into our calendar of events here in Ulster.
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First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

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Is AMR Modern-day FRANKENSTEINS MONSTER?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to pose a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and economic loss. The rising AMR is a matter of huge concern that needs to be tactfully handled and health authorities of several countries, including India, have formulated action plans for its containment. Significant efforts by the government, an active involvement of startups and diagnostic players is a good start. The question remains, whether this will be enough.

For Feedback, please email us at: communications@mmactiv.com
Why Nov 9th Is The 2nd Last Lucky Day Of 2017? Life oi-Syeda Farah

According to the Vedic astrology, each year, it is believed that a combination of astrological planets and Nakshatras bring forth up to 6 auspicious days that are revered to as Guru Pushya Yog.

And, according to astrology, these 6 days are so pious that any and every auspicious activity is given a go-ahead by the priest on this day. It is alloted during a specific 'muhurat' of the day.

So, check out and find out more about this auspicious day when everybody is believed to get lucky in one way or the other.

The Change Is Due To Jupiter 'Thursdays' are days that are said to be quite lucky and it is ruled by the planet Jupiter (Guru); it is often dedicated to the worshiping of Lord Vishnu. This helps those who have been suffering the destructive effect of the former life. The Importance Of Praying To Jupiter Jupiter represents Luck, and people who have this planet as a native are believed to have a heavily negative effect of this planet as per their birth chart. They are often advised to worship Lord Vishnu, especially on every Thursday. Why Is It An Auspicious Day? November 9th, 2017, is the 4th of this highly auspicious day in the entire year. This day is considered to be a highly sanctified period. The occurrence is said to have happened earlier and the second last one which is the fourth Guru Pushya Yog is just a few days away. It Is Going To Be After 3 Long Years The past 3 Guru Pushya Yogs which have occurred in this year were on: January 12th, February 09th, and March 09th. This upcoming Yog which is happening on November 09, 2017, is all the more auspicious, as it has come after 3 long years! The Auspicious Time Of The Day On this day, the Guru Pushya Yog would begin at 1:39 PM and it is said that it would last until 6:09 AM the next day. This auspicious muhurat would give a window of 16 hours and 30 minutes of the auspicious time overall. zodiac-signs What You Are Addicted To, According To Your Zodiac Sign It Is A Lucky Day For All! This special Yog is believed to carry special blessings of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu in any activity that happens in this period, as the person will witness all the positive results. All the work done under this auspicious time is said to bring in immense wealth, fame, and fortune for the person. So, go ahead and make your day a lucky one!
Indian Women Who Stunned The World With Their Bold Avatars Pulse oi-Syeda Farah

Women empowerment is all over the place. There are times when it is over-done too. But there are those cases of some of the bold women who have made a mark of themselves in the society by supporting and fighting for the right cause.

We've listed out details of a few brave Indian women who have gone up a notch in acquiring a righteous place for us women. These women have taken feminism to a total different level with their boldness and unique approach towards society and other things.

You May Also Like To Read: This Indian "Iron Woman" Sure Knows How To Break Gender Stereotypes

So, here is a list of women who have stunned the society with their revolutionary changes and moves and made a change in the Indian society.

So, check out more to know about the bold avatars of these pretty Indian women.

A post shared by Red Earth / 1100 Walks (@saree.man) on Oct 19, 2017 at 11:44pm PDT When 'NO BLOUSE' Challenge Was Cool! An Instagram campaign called 'Blouse Free Saree' was initiated and many women showed their interest of participating in it. This move started the Satvik trend of no blouse dressing. According to the sources, over 1000 women had posted their pictures with saree sans blouse on their Instagram account and named it as the 'saree.man'. life Women You Won't Believe Exist!! The Lipstick Rebellion The movie 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' was subjected to all kinds of roadblocks. After much chaos and drama, the movie was released. When the movie was released, it was tagged a 'lady oriented film'. This is what motivated women to come together to demand their rights to tell their stories freely in a male chauvinist society. The move was started by the cast of the movie with a hashtag #LipstickRebellion and encouraged women to post pictures of themselves with a gesture that clearly indicates 'giving the finger' to patriarchy! #MeToo A campaign called #MeToo was initiated to take a stand against sexual harassment. The campaign encouraged women from around the world to come out and post this message on their social media profiles. The trend went viral and even men started posting pictures with the same. This trend marked a shift from victim blaming or slut shaming to encouraging women to speak for themselves. #FreeTheNipple This campaign was launched in the year 2014. The main intention of this campaign was to provide equal rights to both men and women. From the aspect of freedom, protection and gender equality, this campaign raised a strong voice against female censorship. Actress Saloni Chopra became the first Indian to join the famous Free The Nipple' movement and since then, the trend was set. #StudentsAgainstABVP Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, changed her Facebook DP and tagged it wit a status: "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me." The trend spread like a wildfire and students across the country started posting their pictures with a placard message to fight against ABVP. #ProudToBleed A study revealed that out of 355 million women across India, only 12% of them use sanitary pads. Diya India Foundation along with actress Saloni Chopra created an awareness campaign where they encouraged women to use sanitary pads. When Kangana Ranaut Spilled The Beans In An Interview She showed her most daring and confident side when she came on National television in mid September. In the entire interview, she revealed something shocking about her life and the controversies that she had been facing. She shared her most personal and intricate details about her relationships that left people's mouth wide open.

We, at Boldsky, salute these women for their undying spirit and would wish to have a world where equality would be given utmost importance to by all.
Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues and human interest stories. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years.
Sixth EPG meeting postponed

The sixth meeting of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India Relations has been postponed.
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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/11/2017 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon City Council has given Precision Toyotas ownership the green light to build a new 27,000-square-foot dealership on its property, despite the fact it is located in a flood plain.

The property at 424 18th St. North is south of the Assiniboine River in a diked protection area.

The dike does not provide 100 per cent protection from high water events, city engineer Patrick Pulak said. Theres no such thing as 100 per cent protection.

Submitted An artist's rendering of Precision Toyota's proposed 27,000-square-foot dealership, slated for completion in spring 2019.

There was a lengthy discussion on the topic at a council meeting earlier this week, and it seemed the project might be derailed or delayed. The citys planning department requested more time before a decision was made on the variance application.

The deferral will allow administration time to bring forward a more complete and defensible recommendation on how development should proceed in the diked flood plain area, (not just one site in isolation), stated the council report.

The current flood design level is the elevation of the top of the dike, which is 362.5 metres above sea level. The citys risk management group advises against constructing the proposed building below the minimum flood design level.

The zoning bylaw requires that the first floor of buildings are built to at least 0.6 metres above the design flood level, and the finished grade for buildings is at least 0.3 metres above. These were the two points that were ultimately waived.

Paul Roy, the lawyer representing Precision Holdings Ltd., presented to council during the public hearing. He pointed out that the group first approached the city about this project in December 2015.

It wasnt till October that we had an understanding that administration had serious issues with this, he said. If this is deferred, there are some problems for my client. Theyve made commitments to Toyota and theyre ready to go to tender.

He pointed out that the proposed building complies in every way, except for elevation. If they were to construct to the new building above the design flood level, Roy said the floor would have to be 10 feet up from the existing grade. The floor would be at the roof level of the existing building.

The business has been in Brandon at that location for nearly 40 years, and Roy said the owners are willing to take the risk.

They have confidence in the dike, he said, adding its a low life-safety risk, as it is not residential. If the water comes up, they move the cars.

The new building is a requirement of Toyota Canada, and plans have already been approved.

Roy also noted that there are multiple properties that have been built in the floodplain  multi-family residential properties on Kirkcaldy Drive, a Co-op gas station, and further south is the citys fire hall.

We agree that the bylaw needs to be studied but  this isnt the project to stop because of that, he said.

Coun. Barry Cullen (Victoria) questioned the need for more time.

We already know the elevation of our dike, we already know the elevation of this property  by asking for more time, I dont think you can find any solution thats going to keep this dealership dry, or any other business.

Coun. John LoRegio (Meadows-Waverly) said as the business has already been through floods, the owners know what to expect and are still willing to invest.

Why are we even talking about this, theyre willing to take the risk, he said.

Ultimately, council decided to approve the plan with some standard conditions, such as completing roadway improvements, contributing to boulevard trees and agreeing to save harmless clauses in the development agreement, among others.

Scott Ball, general manager of Precision Toyota, was pleased with councils decision.

It means were going to move forward, he said. Weve been on that property a long time, so were pretty excited to build there again and continue on with what were doing.

The cost of the new building is estimated at $5 million, and Ball said the plan is to have it completed by spring 2019.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
The most powerful and celebrated Aussie investor in Silicon Valley says fears of Amazon's dominance in e-commerce are overblown.

Jeremy Liew, who was propelled into the top echelon of US startup investors earlier this year when his early bet on Snapchat paid off spectacularly, told Fairfax Media over coffee in San Francisco this week that Jeff Bezos' $US500 billion ($628 billion) plus e-commerce giant should not be seen as invincible.

"The narrative of you can't compete with Amazon, it just looks like it is wrong," he said.

His comment comes as Amazon prepares to finally launch an online retail offering in Australia, as soon as this month. The Seattle-based internet conglomerate, which has had a presence in Australia via its web services business for years, is holding a seller summit in Sydney next Monday.
Trump China visit: US leader strikes warmer tone with Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump has lavished praise on Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a marked contrast to his previous criticism of China on the flashpoint issues of North Korea and trade, BBC reported.
Flight Centre will try to sell customers more of its own tours, hotel rooms and other products as the nation's largest travel agent tries to improve its profitability in the notoriously margin-thin industry.

The company told shareholders at its annual general meeting on Thursday that it wanted to make selling its own "in-destination" products a core pillar of business growth, along with leisure and corporate travel bookings.

Flight Centre founder and managing director Graham Turner.

"It is about the vertical experience," managing director Graham Turner told Fairfax Media.

"You deal with the customer instore and then they go on your own products as well.
Warren Ebert's Sentinel Property Group has flipped a second Melbourne commercial asset in as many months.

The Dandenong Home Quarter complex, about 31 kilometres south-east of town, is understood to be selling for more than $30 million, reflecting a modest capital gain for the Brisbane-based syndicate which acquired the retail asset 18 months ago for $29.8 million.

Eastwood Village Shopping Centre in Bairnsdale.

Occupying 3.2 hectares at the prominent intersection of Frankston-Dandenong Road and the Dandenong Bypass, Dandenong South, the 12,234-square-metre complex returns annual rent of $2.24 million from 11 tenants including major retailers, Officeworks, Supercheap Auto and The Good Guys.

With 275 car parks, it services a local population of more than 150,000, according to CBRE selling agents Justin Dowers, Kevin Tong and Mark Wizel.
The uranium price slump has forced the world's largest producer, Cameco, to temporarily suspend production at two key operations from next year, driving Australian uranium miners' shares skywards.

Canadian giant Cameco on Thursday said it would shutter its MacArthur River mining and Key Lake milling operations for 10 months by the end of January, pulling a significant chunk of production from the world market.

Uranium shares prices have skyrocketed as the world's largest uranium miner announces it will suspend production at two operations. Credit:Glenn Campbell

The news triggered a spike in the stock prices of local producers, with Toro Energy jumping 20 per cent, Aura Energy 31 per cent, Peninsular Energy 29 per cent, A-Cap Resources 10 per cent, Pepinni Minerals 11 per cent, Greenland Minerals and Energy 15 per cent and Cauldron Energy more than 12 per cent.

Uranium prices have fallen more than 70 per cent since Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown following a tsunami in 2011 and have reached what uranium miners call "an unsustainably low level".
Campaigners from the Stop Adani alliance are shifting into overdrive as they try to inflict maximum damage on Queensland's major parties for supporting the coal mine.

Opponents of Adani's mega Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland plan to cold call more than 100,000 voters in the final two weeks of the state election campaign.

Protesters in Sydney make their views on Adani clear. Credit:AAP

Alliance volunteers will also carry out a comprehensive doorknocking campaign in Brisbane on November 18, supported by new TV, online and mobile billboard ads.

The protest group says a primary focus will be "pressuring LNP leader Tim Nicholls to veto the $1 billion public loan to Adani" but also ensuring all candidates reject Adani's mine.
Hello Canberra!

As the end of the week nears we're in for a partly cloudy day today, top of 25. Unfortunately the chances of rain tomorrow have firmed up a bit, to 50 per cent. There should only be up to 2mm, and the forecast says we'll go back to cloudy weather on Sunday.

If you're stuck for ideas on what to do this weekend, have a look here for inspiration.

Keep reading for today's top stories.

CTP payments pass $100 million mark
The Federal Highway seems an unlikely meeting place for Lindy Chamberlain and Courtney Love, two of the most misunderstood women of recent time.

But in Love/Chamberlain the pair meet not far from Canberra, forming a friendship of sorts, exploring the idea of how we treat women whose behaviour, or perceived behaviour, deviates from social expectations.

Heidi Silberman and Emma McManus as Lindy Chamberlain and Courtney Love. Credit:Karleen Minney

It's a study of how women are judged, by each other, by the media, and how, even in the darkest of times, a connection might be the light needed on that dark road.

"If our versions of Lindy and Courtney can connect with each other then perhaps understanding is possible between unlikely people who share the experience of pain," director Cathy Hunt said.
"We were all really confused." Sonia approached the girl and asked if she was okay. "She was just in shock, and kept saying 'he was looking at me under the cubicle wall," she said. Sonia immediately took off after the man, and chased him until level one of the Reid Library building. She lost sight of him, and notified a security staff member. Meanwhile, Jenny stayed with the victim and attempted to comfort her.

"She was just really shaken up. Her hands were shaking and she was a bit teary," she said. The two girls went to speak to staff, and Sonia soon spotted the man again outside the library and pointed him out to security. Sonia said when he saw her pointing he took off at a sprint and was temporarily chased by herself and the attending guard. The witnesses, three in total, spoke to campus security and provided their statements for a police report which they were told would be filed, and that they would be "contacted later if needed". A security guard also reportedly told one of the girls there was little they could do as the man "hadn't actually done anything", and if "they were feeling unsafe they should call the UWA security number".

Jenny said this response was not what the girls had been hoping for. She sent an email to check what was being done and received following response from UWA's head of security, who said the case had been passed on to WA Police: The incident occurred in a campus bathroom earlier this year. Credit:Patrick Matte "Hi Jenny, "Thank you for your assistance this morning, passing on the information but more importantly returning to see if [redacted] was ok.

"We do have information that can assist the Police and will be working with the Library staff to manage this incident and the safety of all students and staff. "I ask that you allow the police and UWA staff to manage this. "Again thank you for your assistance, the information provided by you and the other girls will help identify and provide the police the information they need to deal with the person." Police media spokesman Samuel Dinnison said Wembley police station confirmed CCTV footage had been received and a report had been made by the university. The incident was now being investigated.

Jenny said while she appreciated the effort made to record their statements, she believed there needed to be a campus-wide warning about the incident. "I understand the police and UWA staff wanted to manage what was going on but we were essentially told [they wanted to] keep quiet so it didn't panic anyone," she said. "They didn't want to make it public to make people worried, or cause 'unnecessary panic'. "But... we needed to be made aware so we could be safe. "It was kind of buried. When I saw the report about the hidden camera in the disabled toilets this morning, I thought it was important to bring attention to it.

"There was no warning to students, no emails to students, no posters  nothing," she said. Sonia agreed with Jenny, and said she had been dissatisfied by the way students weren't told about the incident. "They said they would put on extra staff to patrol the library... but really, how can people be vigilant if they don't know what to look out for?" The university Guild said it was aiming to make the campus feel safer for its students. Credit:Joe Armao UWA Student Guild president Nevin Jayawardena said the campus was attempting to improve its security.

"The Guild was informed of the incident. There is a clear need to improve security services and facilities to ensure that students and guests visiting University campuses are safe," he said. "Since the incident, UWA has put additional security measures in place as well as signage within the libraries to assist both Campus Security and the Police in addressing suspicious activity. "It is appalling that this person has exploited the privacy of the toilets and I hope that any footage captured through the security cameras will assist in the Police investigation. "I hope to work with the university to ensure that adequate security measures have been put in place where both the privacy and safety of students using these facilities are protected. "If any students have been affected by this incident, the UWA Student Guild offers a free counselling service through the Student Assist Department."

CCTV footage of the man was captured during the incident. A UWA spokesman said student safety was a priority, and the university was reviewing its current processes. "The University of Western Australia can confirm that a report was made to UWA Security on September 13 about a man in a female toilet in the Reid Library," he said. He also confirmed the report was made to UWA security at 10.16am, and two security guards were dispatched and arrived at the Reid Library at 10.24am. "UWA Security has provided police with security images of the person of interest and other evidence to assist in his identification," the spokesman said.

"Library staff members have been provided with a photograph of the person of interest with instructions to report him if he is seen again. "Unfortunately incidents such as this happen from time to time in public places and universities are no exception. Currently around 45,000 people use the Reid Library every week and the library is open to the public. "The safety and security of people at UWA is the University's top priority and we are in the process of reviewing procedures around safety on campus, including security patrols, security cameras, lighting and help points." According to publicly available advice from the WA Police, identifying information such as photographs or full names of potential suspects should never be distributed in order to prevent the assumption of guilt. Loading
Alex Rashid is, in some ways, a poster boy for Australian policy on Manus Island.

He holds out no forlorn hope of settling in Australia. Nor does he want to move to the United States or New Zealand. He wants to settle in Manus permanently.

The problem is, he cannot afford the immigration fees, has no idea how to navigate the process, and says the Australian government is providing no help at all.

Mr Rashid fled Burma by boat more than four years ago to escape the persecution of the Rohingya minority that he was born into. Now, as the Australian government hoped all the Manus refugees would, he wants to stay on Manus Island. Forever.
Veg prices soar by up to 53pc as deliveries slump

Vegetable prices in the Kathmandu Valley have soared due to a drop in supply, shipment delays and the hoopla over the coming elections. As per the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board, fresh produce has become dearer by up to 53 percent.
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My dad is very idealistic. I love that about him, and I try to emulate him often by imagining I can do big things  like he always said I could.

But the other day, talking to him about the challenges of raising teens, I had to cry foul.

Whatre you worried about? he said through the phone, between puffs on his pipe. Just tell them to do the right thing!

The word rang in my ears like an alarm bell: the right thing. Yes. Tell them to do that thing that is right.

I was walking in the park and I stopped along the path to let out a huge belly laugh.

I proceeded to list off a variety of bad habits we both like to engage in, like eating whole sleeves of cookies at a time, which is clearly not right. Like

his smoking and mine.

I didnt mean to get literal, but lately, as I watch my kids and my friends and neighbors kids grow into young adults, I am struck by how different they all are. Some are more risk-taking, some are more cautious. Some are more social, some are more independent. Some are more rebellious, some are more rule-following. But what is right, and how do we measure it?

The public school system has run amok trying to test and measure everything, to create a metric by which all kids are judged. It is wrongheaded, Im afraid, though maybe it was originally set up  like my dads advice  with best intentions.

The problem is that every child who comes on to the Earth is a unique creature. By nature and by nurture they become what they are going to become, and while parenting them is a wild ride, I feel that it more about watching and listening than judging and telling.

Ugh. This is the hard part. I dab on lots and lots of lavender, I bathe in it, I have to. I like to give my kids a ton of independence, which means that I just have to take a deep breath as I watch my younger one head off to high school on his bike, braving the crazy New York City streets to navigate his way on two wheels. I put my fingers together in prayer as my older one takes commuter trains in and out of the city to visit friends in the suburbs.

I relax and let them do these things, not because these are right things, but because these are the things they have a mind to do, and I need them to be who they are.

The naysayers claim I am too permissive. They say there are very clear parameters of acceptable behavior. But I respectfully beg to differ. Some of my favorite people do and have done some crazy things. Im taking a storytelling class, and the stories are crazy, including the ones about what people did in their youth.

Believe me, I want this not to be the case so very much. I want there to be a strict list of rules, and a straightjacket I could employ if these boys should fall out of line. Unfortunately (or fortunately), they are going to come to decisions about what is right for them, and that is going to be the right way. Even if it is wrong.

Read Fearless Parenting every other Thursday on Brook lynPa per.com .
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This shop is O Live and well!

A Park Slope purveyor of fine olive oils triumphed in a David-versus-Goliath legal battle against a national association of other liquid-fat merchants, according to the shops owner, who boasted of his victory after being sued for claiming his specialty cooking products are superior to cheaper, grocery-store varieties.

We fought against the big guy and we won, said Greg Bernarducci, who owns O Live Brooklyn on Fifth Avenue between Sterling and St. Johns places.

The New Jersey-based North American Olive Oil Association  which represents companies that produce 5560 percent of all olive oil sold in the country, according to court documents  filed suit against the fruit-fat seller, its supplier Veronica Foods Company, and several other New York State purveyors of the Mediterranean pantry staple in federal court last year.

Lawyers for Big Olive Oil accused O Live Brooklyn of false advertising for marketing its California-sourced products health benefits  chiefly, a lower risk of heart disease  as far superior to those of less expensive varieties typically found at grocers such as Key Food and C-Town.

The suit also alleged that the local olive shops products Ultra Premium designation  a label only applied to items sold through Veronica Foods  is a self-invented moniker that dupes consumers into buying more of that distributors oils because it implies the goods are certified by an independent party.

But Bernarducci and his fellow defendants stood by their $20 bottles, insisting the oil within is held to a higher standard and that there is nothing illegal about promoting the benefits of the so-called premium California-made cooking compliment, the shopkeeper said.

Were trying to help people know what good olive oil tastes like, Bernarducci said.

The olive-oil trade association ultimately lost the case because it had no right to sue on behalf of its various clients, according to Judge Arthur Spatt, who said the group had no evidence to prove the oil shillers it reps were uniformly harmed by the defendants claims.

Spatts decision still allows the associations individual clients to sue O Live Brooklyn, however, and the groups executive director hinted that lawyers are searching for strategies to silence the local olive hawker.

We disagree strongly with the conclusion and are considering all options at this point, said Joseph Profaci.

But Bernarduccis attorney said his client is not bruised by the prospect of future litigation, because his specialty liquid-fat is as life-enhancing as he claims it to be.

Its possible for individual members to sue, but in my opinion its unlikely, said Richard Shurin. When you look at the merits of the case, I think all the statements made are in fact true.
An Tanaiste yesterday published a Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation Paper, Building Stronger Business: Responding to Brexit by competing, innovating and trading. The Paper sets out work underway, and planned, by the Department and its Agencies in response to Brexit.



The Paper is focused on the current needs of companies as many firms are already dealing with the consequences of the Brexit referendum result. The Government says it is providing supports to help make companies more resilient in the face of Brexit and other global challenges.



Speaking yesterday, the Tanaiste said, "Our approach is to minimise risks and maximise opportunities by supporting the growth and resilience of Irish enterprises in the context of Brexit. We are focussing on: deepening national and firm level competitiveness; fostering product, service and process innovation within companies; and working with businesses to diversify their trade with the world. We know some businesses are planning for Brexit but many are not and I would urge all companies to engage with the supports that are available."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
One of Irelands leading philanthropic organisations, The Community Foundation for Ireland, has today published a report entitled Irelands VitalSigns 2017. Almost 1,000 people living in Ireland completed the citizens survey which grades the satisfaction of life in Ireland.

Irelands VitalSigns, a report card on the vitality of the nation is published every two years, and grades twelve key areas that affect the quality of life of those who live, work, play and learn in Ireland.



The report combines the survey results with published factual data and expert leaders opinions to create a holistic view of life in Ireland today. Originating in Canada, Ireland became the first European country to gauge the public sentiment of the standard of living within a nation using this method in 2013.



The report grades each area on a scale of A-F, similar to a school report card. Ireland dropped from a C+ grade in 2015 to a C grade in 2017 for satisfaction with life in Ireland. The area that people are most satisfied with is Arts and Culture. The areas that decreased in grade from 2015 were Environment, Getting Around and Older People.



Housing scored the lowest at a D and over 500 individual comments were received from the public looking to voice their concerns in this area. The three priorities that people highlighted in this area were - homelessness, availability of rental housing and cost of renting.



Out of the 115 options that people were presented with the following were the top ten most important issues for those living in Ireland today:

1. Access to healthcare

2. Mental health

3. Quality of the healthcare system

4. Mental health among children and young people

5. Child poverty

6. Early childhood development

7. Homelessness

8. Home life for older people (independent living and home care services, family and informal care and nursing homes)

9. Engagement in social connection, isolation and loneliness for older people

10. Libraries and reading



The Community Foundation for Ireland awarded over 6 million in grants to charitable causes in Ireland last year and utilises the VitalSigns report to inform people who want to give back about the causes that are concerning people in Ireland.



Commenting on the report, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland, Tina Roche said, "We work with generous people who want to give back in a strategic and impactful way. We often work closely with our philanthropic donors on advising them about the issues facing Irish society. Therefore, the VitalSigns report provides insights that assist us in focussing support towards areas where we can make the most impact. For example, an earlier VitalSigns report highlighted that young person often feel disconnected from the structures and initiatives that purport to support them."

She added, "As a result of that insight, we set up a Youth Fund to help and support young people, specifically in the area of employment and to date awarded 177,450 to nine youth organisations. If philanthropy is to make an impact in Ireland, it is crucial that we gather the insights of people on the ground, listen to them and then really direct resources to where they matter most in the long-term."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
A newly established company based on the principles of the new sharing economy scooped the overall winner of the first Smart Ageing Innovation Awards last night.



The Freebird Club was officially launched in 2017 as a social travel and homestay club exclusively for the over 50's. It is now developing as a global 'peer-to-peer' community, whereby Freebird Club members can travel and stay with each other in the context of a trusted social membership club.

By creating an authentic community of travellers and hosts, based on the principles of the new 'sharing economy', the Freebird Club opens up a whole new world of social travelling for mature adults, a new way of generating income in later life and a fun and accessible way to meet new people and enjoy social and cultural interaction as we grow older.



The Smart Ageing Innovation Awards are run by Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange (ISAX) and supported by Bank of Ireland celebrate the new world of Smart Ageing Innovations across multiple categories including - Homes & Housing, Food & Drink, Travel and Tourism, Ingenuity, Health and Wellbeing.

Over 200 invited guests, including An Tanaiste, Frances Fitzgerald were in attendance at College Green, House of Lords, Dublin last night to witness the Awards.



Speaking at the presentation of the Awards, An Tanaiste, Frances Fitzgerald said, "The ongoing improvements in population longevity mean that the potential of the global smart ageing market is huge. However, few countries have the kind of leadership required to help businesses exploit this new area of opportunity. Through the work of ISAX in bringing together businesses, academic institutions and government agencies, Ireland is well placed to become an International test bed for smart-aging innovations."

She added, "The role of ISAX in supporting businesses develop new solutions through the Smart Ageing Innovation Awards is commendable, and I was impressed by the calibre of entries this year. Whilst all entrants are winners there is one business that stood out to the judges and I congratulate The Freebird Club on that achievement."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Former Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer apologized on Wednesday for two massive data breaches at the internet company, blaming Russian agents for at least one of them, at a hearing on the growing number of cyber attacks on major U.S. companies.

"As CEO, these thefts occurred during my tenure, and I want to sincerely apologize to each and every one of our users, she told the Senate Commerce Committee, testifying alongside the interim and former CEOs of Equifax Inc and a senior Verizon Communications Inc executive.

"Unfortunately, while all our measures helped Yahoo successfully defend against the barrage of attacks by both private and state-sponsored hackers, Russian agents intruded on our systems and stole our users data."

Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless operator, acquired most of Yahoo Inc's assets in June, the same month Mayer stepped down. Verizon disclosed last month that a 2013 Yahoo data breach affected all 3 billion of its accounts, compared with an estimate of more than 1 billion disclosed in December.

In March, federal prosecutors charged two Russian intelligence agents and two hackers with masterminding a 2014 theft of 500 million Yahoo accounts, the first time the U.S. government has criminally charged Russian spies for cyber crimes.

Those charges came amid controversy relating to alleged Kremlin-backed hacking of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible links between Russian figures and associates of President Donald Trump. Russia has denied trying to influence the U.S. election in any way.

Special Agent Jack Bennett of the FBIs San Francisco Division said in March the 2013 breach was unrelated and that an investigation of the larger incident was continuing. Mayer later said under questioning that she did not know if Russians were responsible for the 2013 breach, but earlier spoke of state-sponsored attacks.

Senator John Thune, a Republican who chairs the Commerce Committee, asked Mayer on Wednesday why it took three years to identify the data breach or properly gauge its size.

Mayer said Yahoo has not been able to identify how the 2013 intrusion occurred and that the company did not learn of the incident until the U.S. government presented data to Yahoo in November 2016. She said even "robust" defenses are not enough to defend against state-sponsored attacks and compared the fight with hackers to an "arms race."

Yahoo required users to change passwords and took new steps to make data more secure, Mayer said.

"We now know that Russian intelligence officers and state-sponsored hackers were responsible for highly complex and sophisticated attacks on Yahoos systems," Mayer said. She said "really aggressive" pursuit of hackers was needed to discourage the efforts, and that even the most well-defended companies "could fall victim to these crimes."

The current and former chief executives of credit bureau Equifax, which disclosed in September that a data breach affected as many as 145.5 million U.S. consumers, said they did not know who was responsible for the attack.

Senator Bill Nelson said "only stiffer enforcement and stringent penalties will help incentivize companies to properly safeguard consumer information."

Thune told reporters after the hearing the Equifax data breach had created "additional momentum" for Congress to approve legislation. He said Mayer's testimony was "important in shaping our future reactions."

The Senate Commerce Committee took the unusual step of subpoenaing Mayer to testify on Oct. 25 after a representative for Mayer declined multiple requests for her voluntarily testimony. A representative for Mayer said on Tuesday she was appearing voluntarily. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
A newly announced deal between three Chinese companies and the U.S. state of Alaska will include a liquefaction plant, 800-mile gas pipeline and a gas treatment plant. Above, employees of the Sinopec petrochemical oilfield in the Zhongyuan area in Puyang, Henan province, inspect the facility in December 2015. Photo: Visual China

Alaska and three major Chinese firms signed an agreement on Thursday to cooperate on development of a massive natural gas project in the energy-rich U.S. state, as China looks for sources of the cleaner-burning fuel to reduce its reliance on dirtier coal.

The deal will see energy giant China Petrochemical Corp. (Sinopec), sovereign wealth fund CIC Capital Corp. and Bank of China join with Alaska Gasline Development Corp. to advance Alaska LNG, one of the states strategic infrastructure projects.

The signing came as U.S. President Donald Trump made his first visit to China, and as he pressures his counterpart, Xi Jinping, to take more steps to reduce the two countries large trade imbalance.

No financial details were provided, including how much the new Chinese partners might invest in the massive project, which will be capable of processing 20 million metric tons (22 million tons) of gas per year. The two sides said the deal will see them work cooperatively on LNG (liquefied natural gas) marketing, financing, investment model and China content in Alaska LNG, and get a periodic result by 2018.

The project includes a liquefaction plant, 800-mile gas pipeline and a gas treatment plant on the North Slope of Alaska. No cost has been given, though industry reports estimate the figure at about $45 billion.

Sinopec is interested in purchasing natural gas from the project on a long-term stable basis, said Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, who accompanied Trump on his trip to Beijing. This is an agreement that will provide Alaska with an economic boom comparable to the development of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in the 1970s, he said in an announcement of the deal.

Walker was just one of several energy-related officials accompanying Trump on the China leg of the trip, representing an area where the two countries might cooperate as the U.S. president stresses the need for a more balanced trade relationship. Others included top executives from Texas LNG, Chenier Energy Inc. and Delfin Midstream.

The three Chinese partners all emphasized their credentials as major buyers, investors and developers in big projects such as ones from the energy sector.

Todays agreement brings the potential customer, lender, equity investor, and developer together with a common objective of crafting mutually beneficial agreements leading to increased LNG trade between Alaska and China, said Keith Meyer, president of Alaska Gasline Development.

The tie-up comes as China looks for cleaner energy sources in a bid to wean itself off dirtier coal, a major element behind the countrys current heavy air pollution. National gas is seen as one of the easiest substitutes, and the country is already involved in a similar pipeline project to import such gas from Russia. That project has the pair developing a pipeline that will be able to transport up to 38 billion cubic meters (1.34 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas annually from Russia into China.

Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)
Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
Pramod Mishra is a biweekly columnist for The Kathmandu Post. He is the department chair of English Studies at Lewis University in the United States.
The experience gained from implementing assessments using updated IISA guidance in Kenya and Ghana provides an opportunity to inform other countries interested in best practices for assessing their data quality and creating actionable data quality improvement plans. Data quality improvement is important to provide the most accurate and actionable evidence base for future decision-making and investments in immunization programs. This review provides best practice experiences and recommendations for countries to use an IISA to assess data quality from national administrative structure down to the facility level. This methodology also meets the requirements for use by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for monitoring national immunization data quality at a minimum interval of every 5 years in conjunction with funding decisions.

Findings of immunization information system assessments in Kenya and Ghana identified some common challenges, such as incompleteness of the facility child register, low confidence in target population data, and infrequent analysis and use of data at the facility level. The assessments also examined larger systemic challenges that could explain the root causes of these problems, such as a poorly defined subdistrict administrative level in Ghana and need for training on data quality and data use among facility staff in both countries.

The availability, quality, and use of immunization data are widely considered to form the foundation of successful national immunization programs. Lower- and middle-income countries have used systematic methods for the assessment of administrative immunization data quality since 2001, when the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Data Quality Audit methodology. WHO adapted this methodology for use by national programs as a self-assessment tool, the Data Quality Self-Assessment. This methodology was further refined by WHO and CDC in 2014 as an immunization information system assessment (IISA).

The collection, analysis, and use of data to measure and improve immunization program performance are priorities for the World Health Organization (WHO), global partners, and national immunization programs (NIPs). High quality data are essential for evidence-based decision-making to support successful NIPs. Consistent recording and reporting practices, optimal access to and use of health information systems, and rigorous interpretation and use of data for decision-making are characteristics of high-quality immunization information systems. In 2015 and 2016, immunization information system assessments (IISAs) were conducted in Kenya and Ghana using a new WHO and CDC assessment methodology designed to identify root causes of immunization data quality problems and facilitate development of plans for improvement. Data quality challenges common to both countries included low confidence in facility-level target population data (Kenya = 50%, Ghana = 53%) and poor data concordance between child registers and facility tally sheets (Kenya = 0%, Ghana = 3%). In Kenya, systemic challenges included limited supportive supervision and lack of resources to access electronic reporting systems; in Ghana, challenges included a poorly defined subdistrict administrative level. Data quality improvement plans (DQIPs) based on assessment findings are being implemented in both countries. IISAs can help countries identify and address root causes of poor immunization data to provide a stronger evidence base for future investments in immunization programs.

In 2001, WHO developed a methodology, the Data Quality Audit (1) to be used in lower- and middle-income countries to assess NIP administrative vaccination coverage data quality (2,3). WHO adapted this methodology for NIPs as a self-assessment tool, the Data Quality Self-Assessment (4). However, these methodologies focused on data validation and often missed underlying systemic issues, sometimes resulting in recommendations that were not actionable, not implemented, or that had little impact (5,6). In 2014, WHO and CDC collaborated to develop updated guidance for IISAs. Designed to be adaptable to a specific country context, the IISA guidance consists of four modules (Box). Modules are designed to identify the root causes of data quality problems and inform the development of actionable DQIPs.

The first IISA was conducted in Kenya in 2015. The desk review and national data review modules were performed remotely over a 3-month period using data and documents gathered by the Kenya Ministry of Health; the reviews were finalized 2 months before fieldwork began (Figure). Field questionnaires were refined using desk review findings and pilot testing. Teams collected data from four counties, eight subcounties, and 16 health facilities over a 5-day period. The DQIP was finalized 6.5 months after conclusion of the fieldwork.

An IISA was conducted in Ghana during 2016; modules were adapted to suit country needs. The desk review and national data review modules were conducted collaboratively by the Ghana Ministry of Health, WHO, and CDC during a 3-day in-country meeting 2.5 months before commencement of fieldwork. Participants were divided into two teams; one created a detailed description of the immunization data system, and the other analyzed immunization data trends and selected field assessment sites. After piloting the questionnaires, field teams visited four regions, eight districts, 14 subdistricts, and 34 health facilities over 7 days. Teams conducted initial analyses to create region-specific presentations for the debriefing. The DQIP was finalized 4.5 months after completion of the fieldwork.

In both countries, four field data collection teams were deployed for the IISA, each composed of three to four members, including national and subnational ministry of health and NIP officials and one partner (WHO or CDC) representative. Subnational staff members evaluated sites outside their jurisdiction. Purposive sampling was used to select diverse sites, accounting for setting, population density, and vaccination coverage. Field teams used standardized questionnaires to gather information on immunization data practices and challenges. To assess concordance among data sources, teams compared aggregate totals of administered third doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine and oral poliovirus (OPV3) vaccine among different facility data collection tools (tally sheets, monthly reports, and child registers). These totals were compared with data at higher administrative levels. After data analysis was finalized, a DQIP was developed.

Assessment results indicated a range of performance across indicators in Kenya and Ghana (Table). Staff members in 10 of 16 health facilities in Kenya and 23 of 34 in Ghana reported meeting monthly to discuss vaccine administration data. However, only five health facilities in Kenya and 14 in Ghana displayed these data using an updated monitoring chart. Staff members in half of facilities (Kenya = 50%, Ghana = 53%) reported that monthly targets for immunization of children aged <1 year were not accurate; targets were felt to be too high or too low compared with the actual population size. Reasons cited by staff members for concerns about target population sizes were similar across sites, including population migration and clients crossing between ill-defined health facility catchment areas. Staff members at most facilities (Kenya = 81%, Ghana = 100%) reported needing additional training in at least one of the following immunization-dataquality domains: record-keeping, reporting, analysis, and use for action.

In Kenya, concordance was higher between data reported at the subcounty and health facility levels (63%) than between different data sources within the health facility (0%31%); in Ghana, concordance was poor between subdistrict and health facility data (25%). In both countries, concordance between immunization tally sheets and child registers at health facilities was low (Kenya = 0%, Ghana = 3%) (Table). Root causes of data quality challenges reported by staff members in Kenya include redundant data collection tools, lack of transportation, limited supportive supervision, and lack of airtime or internet access for electronic data reporting. In Ghana, the subdistrict level is responsible for providing supportive supervision to assigned health facilities. However, subdistrict staff members are co-located within designated health facilities; one set of staff members are responsible for all operations within their own facility as well as subdistrict supervisory activities. Root causes of data quality challenges noted by staff members in Ghana include poorly defined roles of subdistrict staff members and a lack of training on supportive supervision, data management, and interpretation. In contrast, district staff members in Ghana demonstrated proficiency in data analysis, use, and interpretation, based on field team observations of vaccination rate monitoring charts and responses to interview questions on calculation of key indicators.
Eurocement Group unveil plans to build cement plant

09 November 2017

According to Trend News Agency, the new cement plant will be an expansion of Akhangarancement JSCs existing site in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This project is expected to raise the production capacity of Akhangarancement from 2Mta to 5Mta.

The site already includes the Combine of Building Materials and Structures (KSMiK), which produces commercial concrete, mortar and reinforced concrete structures. The addition of this new project will make Akhangarancement JSC the largest cement enterprise in the region.

Interfax reports that the Eurocement subsidiary, Akhangarancement, has the second largest cement production capacity in Uzbekistan. Whilst having a 30 per cent share of the Uzbekistan cement market, the company also exports to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

Eurocement has confirmed that the new plant will be fitted with equipment mainly from European manufacturers. Beijing Triumph International Engineering has won the contract for the project, which is said to be worth more than US$160m. The company will now work on the design, construction, manufacture and training of personnel for the plant.

The new plant will be operational from 2020.

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9 Christian leaders arrested in Australia after protesting deportation of asylum seekers

Australian Christian leaders have been arrested after holding a prayer vigil at the office of the Minister for Justice, a result described as ironic by theologian and campaigner Jarrod McKenna.

The nine leaders from different Church traditions were protesting the deportation of 267 men, women and children to detention camps on the Pacific island of Nauru.

The majority of them are asylum seekers who were brought from the island to Australia because they needed treatment for serious medical conditions. More than 30 are babies born in Australia to asylum-seeker mothers.

Australia has refused to allow them to stay and has defended its hard-line approach to refugees, who are turned back at sea or detained in camps, arguing it deters people-traffickers. Some camps have been the scene of riots, sexual abuse and beatings and have been widely criticised by human rights groups.

The issue has been highly controversial in Australia, where campaigners have protested using the #lethemstay hashtag. Among the supporters of the asylum seekers is activist theologian Jarrod McKenna, who tweeted "IRONY: 9 faith leaders being arrested in the Minister for JUSTICE office for pleading #LetThemStay."

IRONY: 9 faith leaders being arrested in the Minister for JUSTICE office for pleading #LetThemStay. #lovemakesaway pic.twitter.com/Z5E7KRfti5  Jarrod McKenna  (@jarrodmckenna) February 17, 2016

The Christian leaders, protesting as part of the faith-based Love Makes A Way movement, targeted the officer of Justice Minister Michael Keenan.

"No-one should be in detention on Nauru, where there is no functioning hospital  but it would be particularly cruel to rip children out of classrooms and send away these 37 babies born on Australian soil," said Love Makes a Way spokesperson Kate Leaney.

"In his maiden speech, Mr Keenan MP espoused the benefits of a multicultural Australia and the importance of freedom. We are here in part to pray and appeal to Mr Keenan that he might stand for the freedom from oppression for people seeking asylum on our shores," she said.

However, police arrested the protesters and removed them from the office. A Love Makes A Way statement said: "The peaceful, prayerful vigil was met with dignified and respectful police response.

"The same response is not expected for the 267 men, women and children vulnerable to be deported to offshore detention on Nauru."
Archbishop of Canterbury accuses BBC of failing to show same 'integrity' over child abuse as the Church

The BBC has defended itself against criticism from the Archbishop of Canterbury that it lacked 'integrity' in its response to the Jimmy Savile child abuse scandal.

Archbishop Justin Welby said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the corporation had not shown the same integrity the Anglican and Catholic churches had.

Invited to reflect on the programmes 60th anniversary of being on air, he said: 'I think we are a kinder society more concerned with our own failures, more willing to be honest where we go wrong in most of our institutions.' But there were still 'dark areas'.

He continued: 'If I'm really honest, I'd say the BBC is one. I haven't seen the same integrity over the BBC's failures over Savile as I've seen in the Roman Catholic Church, inthe Church of England, in other public institutions over abuse. We may be proved wrong about that but you know that's one area.'

The Archbishop also referred to the dispute over the pay gap between men and women at the BBC, and said that in the church, male and female bishops received exactly the same stipends.

Archbishop Welby was speaking just weeks before Lord Carlile publishes his review into how the Church of England handled a claim by 'Carol' into allegations of abuse by the late Bishop George Bell of Chichester, who died in 1958.

In Australia, where the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches have been under investigation by a royal commission into institutional child sex abuse, and the Catholic Cardinal George Pell is facing multiple historic child sex abuse charges, only yesterday it emerged that one victim was forced to take the Anglican Church to court over failure to pay a $1.5 million settlement.

The BBC, Church of England and Roman Catholic Church will all be examined soon in the UK's own version of the Australian commission, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay. This December, the UK inquiry will look at the English Benedectines and next March, at the Church of England's Chichester diocese.

Meanwhile six church sex abuse survivors silence condemned the Archbishop's attack on the BBC.

In a statement they said: 'Speaking from our own bitter experience, we do not recognise Archbishop Welby's description of the integrity with which the Church of England handles cases of abuse in a church context.

'Far from the 'rigorous response and self-examination' he claims, our experience of the church, and specifically the archbishop, is of long years of silence, denial and evasion. The Church of England needs to confront its own darkness in relation to abuse before confronting the darkness of others.'

Matthew Ineson, who as a teen was raped by a C of E vicar, Trevor Devamanikkam, who killed himself just before he was due to appear in court to answer to the charges, told The Guardian: 'I know from my own experience, and the experience of others, that safeguarding within the C of E is appalling.

'The church has colluded with the cover-up of abuse and has obstructed justice for those whose lives have been ruined by the actions of its clergy. I have been fighting for five years for the church to recognise its responsibilities and I'm still being met with attempts to bully me into dropping my case.'

Keith Porteous Wood of the National Secular Society told Christian Today: 'Dr Welby seems to have forgotten the findings of the Gibb Report he commissioned, of his Church's withholding of evidence at the highest level from the police relating to jailed ex bishop Ball. Has he also forgotten the misery all this abuse caused over decades, compounded by the resistance of his Church to admit guilt and pay compensation?

'Is he unaware despite numerous complaints that some abuse victims continue to be bullied throughout their lives for failing to remain silent?

'Does he think that the 4,444 victims of Catholic abuse found by the recent Royal Commission in Australia or the countless thousands identified in numerous reports on Ireland provide an upstanding exemplar?

'Until this interview with the BBC, I had been optimistic that Dr Welby was going to be the desparately needed new broom on child abuse for the Anglican Church.'

A BBC spokesman defended the corporation. He said: 'This isn't a characterisation we recognise. When the Savile allegations became known we established an independent investigation by a High Court judge. In the interests of transparency, this was published in full. We apologised and accepted all the recommendations.

'And while today's BBC is a different place, we set out very clear actions to ensure the highest possible standards of child safeguarding.'

Regarding the Archbishop's comments on the gender pay gap, the BBC added: 'Gender pay is a challenge for all organisations not just the BBC. The national gender pay gap is 18 percent. The BBC's is under ten percent and we have committed to closing it in 2020. We know we have to go further and faster. We are not unique in this. The Church of England's own published pay gap for non-office holders is 41 percent. We all collectively have more work to do, to sort an issue that is a problem across the vast majority of organisations.'

Lambeth Palace said: 'We fully accept the failures of the Church of England in the area of safeguarding.

'Since the Archbishop took up his role, he has been very clear that the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults should be the highest priority of all parts of the Church and was one of the first to call for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

'The Church's National Safeguarding Team was created in 2015 and there are now robust House of Bishops safeguarding policies in place along with independent audits for all dioceses and dedicated training on hearing disclosures for all senior clergy.

'The Archbishop fully supports the Church's commitment to develop a stronger national approach to safeguarding to improve its response to protecting the vulnerable.

'The Archbishop believes this level of rigorous response and self-examination needs to extend to all institutions, including the BBC.'
Are American churches under attack?

'It's going to happen again,' warned Texas' Attorney General Ken Paxton after at least 26 people were killed and many more injured in the state's worst mass shooting on Sunday.

The target  a church  left the tiny community of Sutherland Springs devastated as residents turned out for a prayer vigil on Sunday night.

But statistically Paxton is right. It will happen again. And it will happen to other churches.

Since 1980 there have more than 145 attacks on churches in the US, according to a database by the Center for Homicide Research in Minneapolis which kept a record of church shootings from 1980-2005.

Averaging almost four every year, the list only records attacks directly on churches and said 185 people died, including 36 children, just up until 2005.

Since then even worse horrors have been witnessed in churches. Most prominently in 2015 the white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered 9 African-Americans at one of America's oldest black churches  Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church  in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

Before that in July 2008 Jim David Adkisson confessed to walking into a children's musical performance at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, pulling out a shotgun, and firing on the audience. Two people died and 7 were wounded.

The year before in December 2007 the 24-year-old Matthew J. Murray killed four people at two different locations  the first was a Youth With A Mission training centre in Arvada, Colorado, after being told he couldn't stay the night and then at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where Youth With A Mission has an office.

Earlier that year in August Eiken Elam Saimon shouting 'liar, liar!' opened fire on First Congregational Church in Neosho, Missouri. Three people died during that Micronesian service and five were wounded.

These are just a few examples.

The Center for Homicide Research in Minneapolis' research documents the extensive recent history of attacks on churches. Hatred of a particular group was behind a large proportion of the attacks. In 23 of the 139 cases from 1980-2005, the violence was targeted at a domestic partner. In 10 of the cases the motivation was 'religious difference' and one was labelled a hate crime.

Dallas Drake, the principal researcher for the Center, told Pacific Standard the idea came out of a discussion about settings where homicides had not occurred.

'We were having discussions internally about, "Is there any place that hasn't had mass shootings or mass murders?" and somebody came up with the idea of perhaps churches,' said Drake. 'Of course, we proved that wrong.'

Paxton, Texas' Attorney General, said the solution was not for less guns but more guns.

Churches should consider 'arming some of the parishioners' or hiring security guards, he told Fox News hours after the attack.

If more churchgoers were armed 'there's always the opportunity that the gunman will be taken out before he has the opportunity to kill very many people', he said.

'We've had shootings in churches for, you know, for forever. It's going to happen again, and so we need people in churches, professional security or at least arming some of the parishioner or the congregation so they can respond if something like this  when something like this happens again.'

President Donald Trump also seemed to suggest the solution was more guns rather than less guns.

Speaking from Tokyo on Monday he blamed the incident on the attacker's 'mental health problems' and said it 'isn't a guns situation.' He said it was lucky there was an armed local on the scene who shot at the attacker, otherwise 'it would have been much worse.'

But the research reveals an alarming trend of increasing violence.

Unless something dramatically changes in America's attitude to gun laws, we will see more and more mass shootings and more churches targeted by violence.

Read the full report on the Texas church shooting here.

And read about Ken Paxton's response here.
Christian protesters arrested after protest hanging four storeys above minister's building

Two Christian protesters in Australia have been arrested after hanging suspended four storeys above the foreign office minister Julie Bishop in protest at the country's treatment of asylum seekers.

Cornerstone Church pastor Jarrod McKenna and psychologist Delroy Bergsma started their protest at 5 am on Wednesday and were detained six and a half hours later at 11.30 am. Flying banners reading 'SOS Manus' and 'Love makes a way for asylum seekers', the pair say Australia's policy of holding refugees on Manus Island, known for its squalid conditions, leaves them hanging in the balance.

'That's why we are hanging here, urgently calling on the foreign minister and the government to take immediate action to ensure no more people die on Manus,' said McKenna.

'What's happening on Manus Island is an emergency  600 people who sought safety in Australia have been imprisoned for years and are now deprived of food, water, medical care and a safe future.'

Bergsma described the conditions on Manus Island as 'desperate and urgent'.

He said: 'We are appealing to the over 300 Christians who have been involved in #LoveMakesAWay to date to take immediate action. We are also appealing to all Australians of good conscience to take immediate action in support of the 600 people held on Manus. We must not let the Manus Island death toll rise.'

The pair are part of the 'Love Makes A Way' peaceful protest movement and are calling for the island to be evacuated.

Writing on Facebook McKenna said he wanted the inmates to know that although 'they were invisible to the Australian public, that they were in their prayers.'

He said: 'Our prayer that this will make you visible, that your cries will be heard and your suffering will be seen.

'We just want to thank you for your courage your kindness to ask, we want to ask for your forgiveness for the fact that for 4 plus years 5 billion dollars has been spent on infrastructure to keep you locked up when you are simply seeking safety.

'We hope these small actions will be a little sign that you are not forgotten, you're not invisible that your lives are of worth.'
Dramatic escape and recapture of imprisoned Chinese Christian lawyer

The Chinese Christian human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng escaped house arrest in August and hid for 23 days before being recaptured, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).

ICC said that, with the help of two friends, Gao escaped from his home in Shaanxi and hid in a holiday house in Jiexiu city in a neighboring province, until Shaanxi police mobilised a large number of officers to cross the border and recapture him. While his friends were detained, according to ICC, Gao vanished again and now is believed to be under police custody in Beijing.

A friend who assisted with the rescue, Li Fawang, was released on October 26 with bail pending trial.

'Upon learning that Gao sought to escape from his house arrest, Shao Zhongguo snuck him out and the two met with Li Fawang in neighboring province Shanxi. Li had pre-arranged with a local friend to provide accommodations for Gao until they found another safe haven. Their plan went unnoticed until about three weeks later when both Shao and Li were arrested and detained by the police,' ICC said.

Li fleetingly saw Gao when he was about to be transported back to Shaanxi for detention, according to the group. 'The encounter was so brief that Li was unable to utter a word to Gao. Gao's whereabouts became unknown after they parted ways.'

Both Li and Shao reported suffering mistreatment while being detained. They were shackled, beaten, denied daily necessities, fed leftover food, and Li, who suffers from diabetes, was not given medicine for the first few days and lost his eyesight as a result.

Gao's lawyers yesterday visited two ministry of public security offices in the Shaanxi province to inquire about Gao's case on November 8, ICC reported. 'Officials from different offices all responded with, "No, we do not handle his case."'

Gao's health is reportedly declining. He has in the past publiclay documented the mistreatment he has received while being detained by the Chinese authorities. Gao's memoir, A China More Just (2007), documents his 'fight as a rights lawyer in the world's largest communist state'. He has been detained a number of times over the decades, and first disappeared in 2009.

Gina Goh, ICC's regional manager, said: 'Though we are glad to know that...Gao enjoyed brief freedom that was taken away from him for more than a decade, we are concerned about his treatment after being recaptured. In most cases, the Chinese government treats human rights advocates and Christians on the same level as terrorists once they are imprisoned, often putting them through torture and solitary confinement. Given Gao's successful escape, he is subject to retaliation from law enforcement. We hereby urge the Chinese government to stop its unlawful detention of...Gao immediately.'
Hollywood and Westminster may 'erase' people, but the Church should be different

Today, it emerged that Kevin Spacey is almost literally to be 'erased' from Hollywood.

The director and producers of the completed but unreleased movie All the Money in the World have chosen to remove Spacey from the movie, recast his role and reshoot his scenes following sexual misconduct allegations against the actor.

This news jogged the memory towards a column earlier this month by the Christian Today editor Mark Woods, who drew attention to the unforgiving nature of worlds such as Hollywood and Westminster, compared with the Church.

He wrote: 'Let's be clear: no one can justify Weinstein-like behaviour, in Hollywood or in Westminster. But anyone can denounce evil. The Church is called to go further: to call sinners to repentance, and to offer the full and free forgiveness of Christ to all who want it. It's hard to argue for mercy when the whole world is howling for vengeance, but that's what we're for.

I thought of this again last night when peering over someone's shoulder (no, I don't read newspapers edited by partisan Conservative politicians) at the London Evening Standard's main cartoon, a withering depiction of the Prime Minister, Theresa May.

Which in turn made me think back to this little diary item in the Mail on Sunday last month:

George Osborne's fury at Theresa May for ditching him after the EU referendum has yet to abate. The former Chancellor  now editor of the Evening Standard  was told by a newspaper vendor close to his office: 'You've really got it in for her, haven't you, George!' His ominous response? 'I'm not finished yet.'

That rings true. Osborne is the epitome of the secular Westminster operator, a game-player who has devoted much energy into his drip-drip campaign of revenge against May, not because the two have much that divides them politically, but because she (apparently) told him to go away and 'learn some emotional intelligence' while dispensing with his services as Chancellor.

Osborne's hubris was demonstrated when, in April, he finally bowed to pressure to quit the House of Commons after taking on the Standard job, saying he was leaving Parliament 'for now' as if being re-elected involved nothing more than reapplying to a top London club (and the most gossipy club in the capital, it is, too).

There is a wider point here: A good Christian would not spend months coldly issuing vengeful, repeated attacks on someone over such a disagreement. A good Christian would, for his own sake as well as that of others, forgive and move on.

But neither Westminster nor Hollywood remotely reflect the approach of the Church. Indeed, they are worlds apart from it.

Or at least they should be: the treatment by the Church of England of the former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, and that of the late former bishop George Bell, needs further scrutiny and reflection, but that's for another day.

In the meantime however, the Church should be wary of writing people off in the style of those Westminster types who say the career of a 'disgraced' politician is but a footnote against the headline of their mistake, or indeed those Hollywood types who 'erase' an actor from a film.
Jarrod McKenna: 'The Church is having to be born again in the UK'

One of Australia's most influential Christian leaders is speaking in the UK this weekend in a bid to help the Church to reach out to its young.

Jarrod McKenna, 34, a Christian pastor and activist who has become a leading advocate for refugees and asylum seekers in Perth, believes a fundamental realignment is needed in Britain if the Church is to take its message to where Jesus is, with the poor, the vulnerable and the disenfranchised.

"The Church is having to be born again in the UK," he told Christian Today This was because the Church was no longer meant to be at the "centre" of establishment and power. "There is this incredible opportunity to be found where Jesus is, on the margins," he said.

As a teaching pastor at Westcity Church he comes out of but is not defined wholly by the Anabaptist tradition, leaving him with a fundamental passion for social justice, community living and deep spiritual discipline.

His home in Perth is the First Home Project, a converted meth lab where he and his family live with 17 refugees, mostly Muslims. The Friday night dinners there have become the stuff of legend in Australia and are almost on their own worth a trip around the world to experience. He's also national director of Common Grace which campaigns in Australia on behalf of the "oppressed, brokenhearted and captive".

Although married, to Teresa, with a son, Tyson, he is sometimes described as an "urban monk". He is also often compared to Philadelphia's Shane Claiborne, a leader of the "new monasticism" movement such as the The Simple Way, which combats through lifestyle injustices such as homelessness and the scandal of empty homes.

"The stuff I most enjoy, that I think is most transformational, is aligning Scripture back to people where they can read it out of their own context. I love hearing what people are doing, learning from people's experience here," he said.

As a child, he knew what it was like to be on the outside looking in through struggles with dyslexia and ADHD. His own parents also were from backgrounds of poverty and persecution, his father leaving Ireland and destitution behind in 1972 to settle eventually in Australia, and his mother from a Russian Jewish background. Jarrod came to faith at 13. "It was very significant for me, deciding to follow Jesus," he said. Key to this was the commitment to non-violence. "Getting out of the waters of baptism, I realised I couldn't kick people in the head any more."

He studied fine arts and sculpure at university, and puts his creativity to use in his decision to live out his passion for Jesus as someone who witnesses for those on the edges of society. It is a form of live art, almost performance art, except for Jarrod it is not an act in the sense of acting, but as action. It is real life.

One of the topics he will be speaking to at the Youth Work Summit this weekend is the Love Makes A Way movement which is making headlines in Australia over the peaceful protests for nearly 1,000 children of asylum seekers held in detention. It has become the largest faith-based civil rights movement in Australia in recent history with more than 200 arrests already. Jarrod himself has been arrested four times, and each time he has been released almost immediately by a magistrate. He describes police officers weeping as they arrest protesting pastors, and one officer even asking if he would go to hell for making the arrest.

"Australia is a very secular place," he said. "Just eight per cent are regular church attenders. Seeing Christians risk themselves for those considered last and least in society is having a profound impact. People are coming to faith after reading in the papers about Christians putting it on the line for children in detention."

His message for the whole Church in the UK, not just the youth work scene, is invaluable because it comes at the faith not from a place of dogma, of unbending theology on issues of sexuality and marriage, but because he comes from a place of love and life. He lives out what he believes, and through this has the power to be an agent of change at the most fundamental levels of society. "I became a Christian because I realised that God loved me. To say yes to that was to say yes to living that life. My theology is still not much more complex than that. My hope is that the Church will be found in surprising places among surprising people with its sleeves rolled up, living that love we see revealed in Jesus."

No pointy hat for this man, that's pretty certain, although it is to be hoped that some of the UK's pointy hats will take the time to find out what he is saying, and why. The problems and his answers to them are not just for down under, they are universal and stand to save lives, never mind the Church.

Jarrod McKenna will be keynote speaker at tomorrow's Youth Work Summit, a youth ministry training event meeting in Tonbridge, Kent.
Margery Kempe: 6 quotes from England's weeping mystic

Today the Church of England remembers Margery Kempe. Although not officially a saint, she was a mystic known for her passionate devotion to Christ  devotion that frequent led to storms of weeping and to her being described as 'the Madwoman of God'.

Born in around 1373 and died at some point after 1438, she dictated her 'Book of Margery Kempe' to an unnamed priest  speaking of herself in the third person  and extracts were published the printer Wyken de Worde in 1501. The manuscript was only rediscovered in 1936.

Kempe was born in Kings Lynn, but made pilgrimages to Rome, Jerusalem, Spain and Germany. She seems to have suffered a nervous breakdown after the birth of her first child (she was to have 14) during which she saw demons attacking her. She became very devout, seeing visions and experiencing spiritual ecstasies. She visited Julian of Norwich in her cell and spent time with her, seeking to understand her spiritual feelings.

Her book describes her sexual temptations as well as her religious feelings and is regarded as the first autobiography written in English by a woman. It also tells of her frequent trials for heresy, as she was challenged by the religious authorities on whether she was orthodox or not and whether she should be allowed to teach in public; she was never convicted.

Here are six quotes from the Book of Margery Kempe.

1. On a night, as this creature lay in her bed with her husband, she heard a sound of melody so sweet and delectable, that she thought she had been in Paradise, and therewith she started out of her bed and said: 'Alas, that ever I did sin! It is full merry in Heaven.'

2. [She] many times met with men of that district who said to her, 'Woman, give up this life that you lead and go and spin, and card wool, as other women do, and do not suffer so much shame and so much unhappiness. We would not suffer so much for any money on earth.'

Then she said to them, 'I do not suffer as much sorrow as I would do for our Lord's love, for I only suffer cutting words, and our merciful Lord Christ Jesus...suffered hard strokes, bitter scourgings, and shameful death at the last, for me and for all mankind, blessed may he be.'

3. Then the lady's priest came to her, saying, 'Woman, Jesus is long since dead.'

When her crying ceased, she said to the priest, 'Sir, his death is as fresh to me as if he had died this same day, and so, I think, it ought to be to you and to all Christian people.'

4. Then many people were amazed at her, asking her what was wrong with her; to which she, like a creature all wounded with love, and in whom reason had failed, cried with a loud voice: 'The Passion of Christ slays me.'

5. Sometimes she wept very abundantly and violently out of desire for the bliss of heaven, and because she was being kept from it for so long.

6. Patience is more worthy than miracle-working.
Mike McHargue was an atheist. Then he started reading science and became a Christian

'Institutional Western Christianity seemed to me to have little to do with the work of Christ. Then I noticed the first people to show up after any natural or humanitarian disaster were Christians. I noticed the people who gave the largest percentage of their income to charities, including secular charities, were Christians.'

Mike McHargue is also known as Science Mike and describes himself as 'a Christian-turned atheist, turned follower of Jesus'. His book, Finding God in the Waves has a sub-heading that would intrigue even the most convinced agnostic: 'How I lost my faith and found it again through science.'

Now a host of The Liturgists Podcast alongside Michael Gungor with more than a million downloads a month as well as his own Ask Science Mike weekly Q&A, McHargue says he is not trying to resolve the dispute between science and religion.

Instead he wants 'to propel us to a posture of humility in our knowledge, to embrace the limitations of human experience and ultimately use science and faith to catapult us into a freedom from our addition to certainty and instead to embrace the truest of all things which is that God is love.'

In an interview with Christian Today he describes his own loss of faith as 'awful' as he realised he longer believed what his conservative upbringing in a strict Baptist church had taught him.

'God wasn't just an idea to me. God had kept me alive in the roughest years of my life,' he says.

'The stakes were personal for me. When I realised I didn't believe in God at all it would have been easier to hear one of my parents had died. At least my parents were external to me but God was with me every moment of every day in times of sorrow and hope. The idea that God might not be there was both intellectually stimulating and ultimately terrifying.'

After months of plotting the demise of Christianity with a network of humanist and atheist friends he built up, McHargue says he slowly, cautiously, began to reconsider. But this came about, not through an encounter with Christian friends, but through studying science.

'There would be these great moments when I would read a book about neuroscience and literally run out of my room shouting "eureka!", he says.

'At the same time I was afraid. I didn't want to build a new theological house of cards that could be knocked over again. I didn't want to be wrong again. I wanted to make sure this time I built a perfect understanding of God that would be beyond question or critique of later failure.

'I got stuck there for over a year before I realised any idea I can have about God is just that  a human idea. What we are given by God is story and metaphor and image to relate to an ultimately unknowable thing that which created and sustains all that there is.'

So he arrived back at a Christian faith, albeit one very different from the one he left.

The book's foreword is by Rob Bell  considered beyond the pale by some hardline evangelicals after he raised the suggestion everyone might, eventually, go to heaven  and that would be enough to put off a large portion of McHargue's former Baptist colleagues.

But although he is critical, he manages to balance that with genuine warmth as he describes his re-entry into church life.

'I guess I expected a hero's welcome,' he says. 'What I have found instead is when you have been deeply immersed in a community of people and part of your personal journey involves a change of ideas  that community feels rejected by you.

'They feel betrayed. So the people who had lived out 35 years of my life of faith with, one day found me to be a stranger and they reacted with all the confusion and fear you would expect. It was not them it was me who changed.

'So I actually tried to be gracious to those who believe what I once did.

'I can't think where I have got now is some superior route of knowing God. God gives us the understanding we need to serve. We have got to hold space for those who react with a sense of betrayal or else we become a camp of warring factions and what does that tell the world about the message of Christ?'

He speaks with such sincerity that you believe him when he says: 'I have never met a church I didn't love.'

Southern Baptists, he says, have one of the lowest defection rates of any religious denomination in the US. But of those who do defect, a disproportionately large number became outright atheists.

'If you come from a theological framework that says this is the one truth and there is no other truths, and this is the one correct interpretation of God then people can either go all in or reject it completely,' he says. 'What we are seeing in the West right now is a generation has said I can't take all of it so I guess I'm out.'

He speaks of conservative evangelical churches as operating in a 'self-imposed sociological ghetto' with their agitated need to form strict boundaries of who is 'in or out'.

He says: 'If there is a God and that God is in control why do we feel God needs our defending insead of our trust and service?

'If the Bible is true then God has a plan for the redemption of all mankind that involves us being a good neighbour.'

But despite his fractious re-entry into the church, to the extent where he still meets considerable criticism, he says he can finally now call himself a Christian again.

'It was hard to call myself a Christian for a long time beause I thought of how my atheist friends experienced people who call themslves Christians. And I thought of how my gay and lesbian friends experienced Christians.'

But he adds: 'It appears that this global movement centred around the person of Jesus Christ has strengths and weaknesses. It has flaws and it has things it does better than anyone else. Because Christianity is made of people.

'Today I unhesitatingly count myself among their number. I am a Christian because I am a flawed human trying to do the work of Christ in this world.'
NVIDIA news: 'Star Wars' themed GPUs with custom LEDs now available

PC gamers are now being given a choice between the Jedi or the Sith, as the graphics processing unit (GPU) company NVIDIA has released two "Star Wars" themed graphics cards with two corresponding light emitting diode (LED) colors for each of the two factions.

The GPU in question is NVIDIA's, or rather, "the world's most powerful" consumer video card, the GTX Titan Xp. The GPU's "Star Wars" collector's edition version comes in two versions, Galactic Empire (red) or Jedi Order (green), similar to some lightsabers from the franchise. This may disappoint some "Star Wars" fans though, especially those who might have been expecting the Jedi Order card to be blue.

NVIDIA has also released a teaser for the said GPUs. The clip is cleverly woven together to make the video cards' inner workings look like the insides of a Death Star, a superweapon in the "Star Wars" universe. To show off the GPUs' bright lightsaber LEDs, they are also equipped with a transparent window on the top of the shroud, focusing on the lights which extend to the radial fans of the video card.

Along with the fans and the shroud of the GPU, the card's name on the side of the shroud also lights up, revealing an illuminated "Titan X" model name. This can be seen once the graphics card has been plugged in the computer, provided that the user has a windowed computer case, which is highly recommended since the selling point of the collector's edition GPU is the special LED.

Other than the LEDs, the specifications of the graphics card remain the same. The two "Star Wars" Titan Xps will be utilizing the same Pascal-based Titan Xp architecture, with 3,840 CUDA cores running at 1.6 gigahertz (GHz) and 12 gigabytes (GB) of GDDR5X video memory, which can go as fast as 11.4 GB per second (Gbps). Both cards also reportedly have twice the capability of the Xbox One X, currently the world's most powerful console.

The two GPUs are expected to be released in the middle of November and will cost $1,200 each.
Protestants, Catholics and atheists surge leaving Orthodox trailing, says Pew survey

Orthodox Christians have been declining as a share of the overall Christian population  and the global population  due to far faster growth among Protestants, Catholics and non-Christians, according to a new Pew Research Center report.

The figures show that over the last century, the Orthodox Christian population around the world has more than doubled and now stands at nearly 260 million, and that in Russia alone, it has surpassed 100 million, a sharp resurgence after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Yet today, overall just 12 per cent of Christians around the world are Orthodox, compared with an estimated 20 per cent a century ago. Of the total global population, four per cent of the total global population is Orthodox, compared with an estimated seven per cent in 1910.

The geographic distribution of Orthodoxy also differs from that of the other major Christian traditions in the 21st century, the Pew data show. Today, nearly four in five Orthodox Christians (77 per cent) live in Europe, a relatively minor change from a century ago (91 per cent).

But only around a quarter of Catholics (24 per cent) and one in eight Protestants (12 per cent) now live in Europe, down from an estimated 65 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively, in 1910.

According to Pew, Orthodoxy's falling share of the global Christian population is connected with demographic trends in Europe, where there are lower overall fertility rates and an older population than developing regions of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and South Asia.

Meanwhile, Europe's population has long been shrinking as a share of the world's total population, and is projected in coming decades to decline in absolute numbers as well.

The largest Orthodox Christian population outside of Europe today is in Ethiopia, with the centuries-old Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church having an estimated 36 million adherents  nearly 14 per cent of the world's total Orthodox population. Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia are more religiously observant, by several common measures, than Orthodox Christians in Europe, Pew reported.

On religious observance furthermore, the lowest level comes from Orthodox Christians in the former Soviet Union, perhaps reflecting what Pew calls 'the legacy of Soviet repression of religion'. In Russia, just six per cent of Orthodox Christian adults say they attend church at least weekly, while 15 per cent say religion is 'very important' in their lives, and 18 per cent say they pray daily.

Orthodox Christians in the US, who make up roughly 0.5 per cent of the overall US population and include many immigrants, display 'moderate' levels of religious observance, lower than in Ethiopia but higher than most European countries, according to Pew. Around half (52 per cent) of Orthodox Christian adults in the US say that religion is very important to them, roughly one-in-three (31 per cent) report that they attend church weekly or more, and a slim majority say they pray daily (57 per cent).
Religion in US set to decline dramatically in next 20 years

America's loss of religion will dramatically accelerate over the next 20 years and those with no faith will become the largest 'religious' grouping.

This is according to Allen Downey, a professor of computer science at Olin College, who used historical data from the General Social Survey (GSS) to make predictions about the future of religious belief in the US.

While America has 'defied gravity' in that it has maintained high levels of religiosity as it became more modern, Downey says 'secularisation in the US will accelerate in the 20 years'.

In a blog post offering an extended version of research first published in the Scientific American he wrote: 'The fraction of people with no religious affiliation has increased from less than 10% in the 1990s to more than 20% now. This increase will accelerate, overtaking Catholicism in the next few years, and probably replacing Protestantism as the largest religious affiliation within 20 years.'

Not only that but the strength of belief from those with faith will also decline as those who believe the Bible is the actual word of God to be taken literally is set to decline as those who view the Bible as a series of legends will increase.

Downey makes clear this research could just reflect a loosening of the stigma of being viewed an atheist in the US rather than actual views changes.

'Due to social desirability bias we can't be sure what part of these trends is due to actual changes in belief, and how much might be the result of weakening stigmas against apostasy and atheism,' he writes. 'Regardless, these results indicate changes in what people say they believe.'
Samsung's Galaxy S8 Active release date news: Device officially coming to Sprint and T-Mobile this month

Three months after its limited release on AT&T, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is finally coming to Sprint and T-Mobile. Samsung announced the news via press release, confirming that the device will arrive to both carriers in Meteor Gray later this month.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active shares much in common with the standard S8, including the processor, cameras and 64 gigabytes (GB) of expandable storage. It is just the military-grade casing and flat quad HD super AMOLED display that makes it stand out from the flagship models. These two changes make the device less susceptible to damage, thanks to its rubber bumpers rather than Galaxy S8's hallmark curved glass coating on the front and back of the handset.

It is shatter-resistant and can take falls from up to 5 feet high. It is also dust- and water-resistant. In terms of internal specifications, its only difference from the 2017 flagship is that it touts a larger 4000 mAh battery. The Galaxy S8 only has a 3000 mAh battery.

T-Mobile will start selling the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active online on the 17th and in stores on the 22nd. According to BGR, the carrier will offer the device with full support for LTE Band 71, the new spectrum that it is using for its LTE network. The company website says it is "enabled with a signal so powerful that it can penetrate walls for 4X better in-building coverage." The device is the second phone to launch with full compatibility with T-Mobile's new network.

Patrons who are interested in buying the device can get the S8 Active for $100 down and $30 monthly payment over two years or $820 outright. A JUMP! On Demand 18-month lease is also available for $100 down and $29 per month. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is available on AT&T for $28.34 per month for 30 months or for $849.99 full retail.

As for Sprint, details about the handset's availability are still to be determined.
'Scandal' season 7 episode 6 spoilers: Quinn gone missing, Mellie to meet the Bashrani ambassador

ABC has kept things under wraps about its upcoming "Scandal" season 7 episode 6 "Vampires and Bloodsuckers."

Three days before its release date, the network has yet to reveal promotional photos or even a quick teaser for it. Thus, fans are really wondering what will transpire in the next episode after the events of the previous chapter, "Adventures in Babysitting."

In "Scandal" season 7 episode 6's official synopsis revealed by Spoiler TV, the Gladiators will be gathered to come to Quinn (Katie Lowes) and Charlie's (George Newbern) nuptials. However, things are going to be pretty intense as Quinn will go missing.

In other "Vampires and Bloodsuckers" events, Mellie (Bellamy Young) will be meeting the Bashrani ambassador, Marashi (Shaun Toub), to talk about the repercussions of the assassination of President Rashad (Faran Tahir). The upcoming episode will be graced by guest stars Dean Norris as Fenton Glackland and Jay Hernandez as Curtis Pryce.

Meanwhile, Cartermatt reported that "Scandal" season 7 episode 6 is oddly titled. Although the information revealed about the upcoming chapter is very scarce, the publication noted that the political thriller television series' final season will be full of "unexpected twists and turns" for the Gladiators and the White House.

In the previous episode, "Adventures in Babysitting," Mellie decided to stop working as she tried to figure out what would happen next after the plane, which was boarded by President Rashad, exploded. As he is believed to be dead, the young girl Quinn tried hard to save maybe also departed. Additionally, Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) is expected to be back to Vermont to save Olivia (Kerry Washington). Can he save Liv from the misery she is into now that she seems gone at this point?

Find out in the coming "Scandal" season 7 episode 6 "Vampires and Bloodsuckers" airing on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
'Stranger Things' actor David Harbour wants to see show run for three more seasons

Actor David Harbour, who plays Police Chief Jim Hopper in the horror series "Stranger Things," thinks that three more seasons of the show will suffice to complete the entire narrative arc of the show.

The actor sat down with Variety to talk about his take on the future of the popular series. He shared that the series creator Duffer Brothers are planning on concluding the series with four seasons. For Harbour, he sees the series running for five.

"I do know that there's an end to the story," said the actor. "And I know that there's an end for all of these characters. And I'm happy about that, because I don't want it to become like other shows, which are great shows, but like 'Walking Dead' or 'Game of Thrones' where you continue to spiral out of the story just to create content."

The actor, who is currently shooting a remake of "Hellboy," wants to see more action for his character in the third season. He noted that he punched some people in the first season but did not get to do it in season 2. "I would definitely like him to be running around Hawkins, punching people," he said.

Harbour also noted that season 2 has given some hints of what may be in store for his character in future seasons. In one scene, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, unearthed some boxes in Hopper's old home labeled "Dad," "New York," and "Vietnam." Harbour described them as "layers of the onion that can be peeled back."

Between his newfound paternal role in the second season of "Stranger Things" and the viral "Dancing Hopper" meme, Harbour has become one of the most likable actors in Hollywood. As the overarching narrative of "Stranger Things" continue to unfold in future seasons, his character will also continue to embark on adventures to save his beloved town.
Texas shooting update: 26 victims include the guest pastor and 7 members of his family

At least 26 people were killed, including eight members of one family, while 20 others were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday.

The Holcombe family lost eight members, including four children, in the violent attack. Bryan Holcombe, an associate pastor at the church was killed in the gunfire, along with his wife of four decades Karla, and their son Marc. Marc's young daughter Noah was also killed in the shooting.

Bryan and Karla's other son John was injured when a shrapnel struck his leg. However, his pregnant wife Crystal and three of their five children, Emily, Megan, and Greg, were all killed in the mass shooting.

The victims were attending a church service at the First Baptist Church on Sunday when the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Devin Kelly, began firing at them as he was walking towards the church clad in body armor.

The victims of the massacre ranged in age from 18 months to 72 years old. The 14-year-old daughter of the First Baptist Church's pastor was also among those who were killed. The pastor, Frank Pomeroy, and his wife Sherri were travelling out of state when the killing happened.

Lula White, the grandmother of Kelly's wife, was also killed in the attack.

As the gunman exited the church, a local resident engaged the suspect with his own rifle. The killer then fled in his car, while the resident was joined by another person and pursued the suspect in a high-speed car case.

According to authorities, the suspect called his father during the chase and told him that he had been shot and he did not think he was going to make it. The suspect's vehicle crashed off the road on to a field in Guadalupe County.

The killer was found dead in the vehicle. He had three gunshot wounds, two from the local resident who fired back at him, and a self-inflicted shot to the head.
The City College of New York has been without a president since October 2016, when Lisa Coico resigned after the New York Times uncovered evidence that she fabricated expense reports to deceive prosecutors looking into the schools use of foundation monies, and that she did not pay back a $20,000 security deposit for a rental home. Coico also received tens of thousands of dollars from the City College Fund, which provides scholarships to indigent students. The school launched a national search for a new president, but sources with knowledge of the process suggest that CCNYs fiscal problemsyears of mounting budget deficits amid a decline in state funding, all while the college has been trying to grow its expensive but excellent science programs proved a deterrent for many candidates.

Vincent Boudreau, a political science professor and former dean of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, has been serving as interim president. Boudreau has been at the school for 26 years and is well liked by his colleagues. He has cut some administrative positions and done his best to restore some fiscal responsibility after Coicos corruption. His competence, plus a stalled search process, made him a logical candidate to assume the position permanently. Colin Powell himself has backed Boudreau for the job.

But then a group of 20 former politicians from the neighborhoodincluding former congressman Charles Rangel, former governor David Paterson, and former assemblyman Keith Wrightdecided that appointing Boudreau was unacceptable. We can collectively attest that he has made no substantial effort to forge nurturing and meaningful bonds with the surrounding community, they wrote in a letter to the New York Times. Based upon this horrendous dearth of civic concern, social intelligence, political ingenuity and lack of community engagement, we cannot support this finalists candidacy for the office of president. CCNYs chancellor dutifully announced that the naming of a permanent new president was postponed indefinitely.

Boudreau has lived in the neighborhood and taught its students for the better part of three decades. What is Rangel, et al.s objection to him? Perhaps a demand for community engagement is their coded way of suggesting that the next president should be a racial minority. Boudreau is white, and those leading the effort against Boudreau are black.

But there may be other issues at work here.

Rangels relationship with City College has been under scrutiny for years. After giving his papers to the school, he was caught using official House of Representatives letterhead to solicit donations for the Charles B. Rangel School for Public Service, a violation of congressional rules. Even before that, the Daily Beast wrote, the $30 million academic center was criticized as a vanity project after Rangel funneled $1.9 million in taxpayer money to finance it. In 2010, after corruption allegations forced Rangel to resign as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, CCNY considered renaming the center.

No doubt the sputtering Harlem political machinewhich lost Manhattans last black congressional seat in 2016 to Adriano Espaillat, a Dominican immigrantwould like to flex its muscles again. A good relationship with the new City College president might mean more jobs and influence over contracts. Patronage and wheel-greasing has been the dominant political mode in Harlem for decades, and Boudreau might be out of step with the old guards proprietary view of how appointments are awarded.

In a statement, David Paterson praised CUNY for delaying the vote, saying that all parties involved would agree that it is far more important to students, families and the community that we take as much time as possible to make sure we get the right person. But no evidence exists to suggest that Boudreau faces opposition from students, families, or the community. The letter is a last gasp of former politicians who dont deserve a say in City Colleges leadership. CCNYs chancellor should stop humoring them and speed the way for Boudreaus election.

Editors Note: Dr. Lisa Coico, former President of City College, submitted a letter disputing certain statements in this article. A copy of that letter is available in the comments section below and here.
A new study by Stanford Universitys Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (CREDO) comparing academic achievement in traditional public schools (TPS), charter management organizations (CMOs), and independent charters in New York City found charters generally superior to their traditional cousins, with charter elementary school students outperforming traditional public school students in reading and math. The gains for independent charter schoolsthose charters not part of a networkalso outdid TPS, but by a smaller margin. Not only do charters do it better; they also do it for less money. A recent University of Arkansas study shows that charters are educating children in New York City for almost $5,000 a year less than traditional public schools.

At about the same time that the CREDO report was released, New York Citys United Federation of Teachers and the New York State United Teachers filed a lawsuit claiming that proposed new standards, which allow charter schools to certify their own teachers, will water down the quality of the schools educators. The suggested changes, authorized by the State University of New Yorks charter school committee, suggest that teachers could be certified after 160 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of teaching practice, rather than going through the seemingly endless process required of TPS teachers, who ultimately must earn a masters degree to teach in New York.

The value, if any, of a masters degree on teacher quality, is minimalas I can attest, from my own experience in education school. Paying teachers on the basis of masters degrees is equivalent to paying them based on hair color, Harvard researcher Tom Kane maintains. The progressive Center for American Progress reports that teachers with masters degrees are no more effective, on average, than their counterparts without masters degrees.

New Yorks charter proponents want to change the standards in part because many schools are short on teachers and because they believe that they can train teachers better than traditional education schools can. New York City TPS are also facing a teacher shortage, it turns out, but their solution, courtesy of Mayor Bill de Blasio and school chief Carmen Farina, is to draw on the so-called Absent Teacher Reserve (ATR)800 or so teachers from schools that closed or whose jobs may have been eliminated. Many of these reservists are inept, have checkered pasts, and have sat idle for years because no principal wants to hire thembut firing them is next to impossible because of their powerful union. So they do no teaching but still collect their paychecks and get yearly raises. Now the city is in the process of reinstating them, and principals have little say about it. Worse, many of these unwanted teachers will be placed in low-performing schools, where they will instruct the at-risk kids who can least afford their incompetence.

The New York Times profiles a few unfireable teachers who will soon have regular assignments. In her last permanent job, one unnamed science teacher did not bother to enter her students grades regularly. She gave one student in her earth-science class a grade of 83 percent, though the student never came to school. Administrators observing her classes often found students talking, listening to music on headphones, or sleeping. Francis Blake, who worked in a Bronx elementary school, was disciplined for poor performance, insubordination, and neglect of duties. He had been caught sleeping in a classroom when he was supposed to be helping with school dismissal. Felicia Alterescu, a special-education teacher, has been without a permanent position since 2010. She received a string of unsatisfactory ratings, was disciplined for calling in sick when she was attending a family reunion, and had been arrested on harassment charges. Both Blake and Alterescu earn salaries at the top of the pay scale$113,762 a yeardespite not working. But paying them not to teach is preferable to subjecting innocent children to their influence in the classroom.

Consider the contrast: while teachers unions try to stifle a non-traditional charter school certification program, hundreds of ATR teachers trained the old-fashioned way are about to flood the public school system. Their students wont be impressed with their masters degrees.

Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images
The chief executive of the Association of Charitable Foundations has said that the umbrella body is changing and will look to enhance its policy voice with the government and with sector regulators.

Speaking at the ACFs annual conference in London yesterday, Carol Mack said the umbrella body for charitable trusts and foundations in the UK would be looking to enhance its advocacy and policy work around vital issues facing UK charitable trusts and foundations at the highest levels of government.

Mack also announced that ACF were working on a number of other new projects, including a member-led project that will work with you in articulating what leading foundation practice looks like across a number of areas.

She also said that the ACF was investing and delivering more accessible services for its members, and was looking to enhance the evidence base around the role of philanthropy which she said was becoming more important in this era of so-called fake news.

A spokesman for ACF told Civil Society News that ACF would be looking to be more proactive in bringing foundations concerns and expert input to policy makers and regulators across the UK, including the Charity Commission, the CC Northern Ireland, OSCR in Scotland and with the Information Commissioner's Office and would be enhancing capacity in-house in order to do that.

Mack also referenced findings in the ACFs most recent Giving Trends 2017 report, published in late September, which showed that grant making by charitable foundations was now comparable to grants made to charities by government.

In her speech, Mack said that while the sector was still trying to answer questions about how to deal with this, shed noticed a move amongst ACF members towards more place-based or community funding and an increased appetite for collaboration amongst trusts and foundations.
Online shopping giant Amazon has today launched an online giving service, AmazonSmile in the UK, which donates a percentage of the purchase cost of millions of products to charity.

Customers can shop through smile.amazon.co.uk and donate to a choice of ten UK charities while doing so. Purchases made through AmazonSmile cost the same as through the standard Amazon website, with 0.5 per cent of the net purchase price of eligible products going to charity. The percentage excludes VAT, shipping costs and returns.

AmazonSmile launched in the United States four years ago and has so far raised $62m (47.4m) for charity.

The ten charities that customers can choose to donate to are: British Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie, the Royal British Legion, RSPCA, Save the Children, Stonewall, Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital Charity, Magic Breakfast, and Scottish Womens Aid.

Doug Gurr, UK country manager at Amazon, said: Were offering a simple way for customers to support good causes ahead of the busiest shopping period of the year. Over time, we hope to see similar success here as in the US, where over $62 million has been donated to over 230,000 charities since launching.

Early next year, all registered charities in the UK will be able to apply to be part of AmazonSmile.

Rebecca Mauger, director of fundraising at the British Red Cross, said: We believe small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. Working with AmazonSmile provides a new way for people to support the Red Cross, helping us reach even more people in crisis in the UK and overseas.

Ben France, head of corporate partnerships for the Royal British Legion, said: We are proud to be a beneficiary of AmazonSmile and offer Amazon customers a simple and regular way to support us. The Legions work is made possible thanks to the publics generous support and the money raised from customers using AmazonSmile will help us provide hope and support to the Armed Forces community wherever its needed.
A new report based on data from the top 10 charities in the UK shows that a high spend on advertising doesnt guarantee increased editorial coverage or social media engagement.

Industry Report: Charities, published by media monitoring organisation Meltwater and think tank nfpSynergy, analysed online, print and social media coverage data for the UKs top 10 charities from 1 July 2016 to 1 July 2017. The 10 charities have been taken from nfpSynergys research into brand awareness.

The report showed that the NSPCC was the most covered UK charity in the national newspaper press between January and July of this year, with 25,847 articles being published about it in the UK and Ireland.

The next two most covered charities were the British Red Cross and Cancer Research UK, with 25,347 articles and 24,767 articles respectively.

The report showed that Macmillan Cancer Support spent the most on advertising - over 32m in the last 12 months - and yet was mentioned by UK national newspaper less than 8,000 times in that time period and also attracted only 41,879 social media mentions  making it one of the weakest of the top 10 charities in both metrics.

Macmillan Cancer Support also spent the most money of any of the top 10 charities on digital advertising, yet was ranked 8 out of 10 for social media mentions in the last 12 months. Meltwaters report said this could be a result of many internet users having ad blocking software.

National newspapers disinterested in global charities

The report found that Oxfam was mentioned by global news agencies far more often than it was by UK-based, national news organisations. Between 1 January and 1 July 2017, over 65,000 articles were written about Oxfam globally, compared to just 7,542 in the UK and Ireland.

Save the Children, another international aid organisation, saw similar discrepancies between global and national media coverage. STC was written about over 52,000 times globally, but just 10,993 articles were written about it in the UK and Ireland.

The report said that STC had only 8 per cent share of voice in the UK and Ireland, while Oxfam had only 5 per cent, among the ten top charities, yet between them they had a combined global share of over 67 per cent.

Meltwater suggested this was because the British and Irish media and public take more of an interest in local charities.

Most journalists think critical stories will continue

Drawing on nfpSynergys Journalists Attitudes and Awareness Monitor report, last updated in May, Meltwater said that over 80 per cent of journalists believe the level of critical stories about charities will increase or stay the same over the coming year.

A further 65 per cent of the 150 journalists surveyed said they would cover a charity scandal or controversy in their newspaper or online.

Despite this, the report showed that the number of negative stories about charity fundraising published by the press since 1 July 2015 to now has considerably died down by as much as 84 per cent.

Meltwater said this could indicate that charities have dealt with issues around perception of fundraising enough not to warrant more coverage. However, it did also suggest that charities have been pushed out of the headlines by a year of long-running political dramas and that there was never much chance of a silly season in 2016 following the Brexit vote.

The report also predicted that negative media coverage could flare up again in future with regards to upcoming GDPR. Its inevitable that at least one charity will slip up at some point, with data protection said the report and when the first fines roll in, they will make headlines in national newspapers, perhaps bringing other charities into the limelight with them.
The charity sector - particularly the grant-giving sector - finds it hard to share power with people from "minority communities", the chief executive of a major grant giver told an audience of trusts and foundations yesterday.

Bharat Mehta, chief executive of Trust for London, told the Association of Charitable Foundations' annual conference that in almost 20 years he has only met a handful of people from minority communities at the "top of the table" in charitable trusts and foundations in the UK.

Sharing power comes very hard in our sector, particularly in the funding sector," he said. "In the near two decades that Ive been involved in the grantmaking world, Ive only encountered a handful of people from minority communities at the top of the table, either in governance terms or in management terms.

Now thats two decades, and Im talking about a handful of people. Its not changed. So were not particularly good at sharing power in terms of race, gender and certainly not class.

Mehta said that as foundations and trusts try to navigate the changing landscape of the sector and of wider society, they must remember they can also be forces of change.

I think that while we go through this change, and these important discussions, we need to bear in mind that we ourselves can be forces of change. We have the power to do it, we have the ability to do it, we just need to have the will to do it.

Mehta also said it was a great sadness to him that larger charities have not been the ones taking up issues and bringing them to the national agenda in the way that many smaller organisations have. Mehta used as an example for this Citizens UKs Living Wage Campaign, which he said was now a national phenomenon and proof that small organisations have borne fruit.

Foundations will struggle to respond to new technology

Also speaking on the panel, Rhodri Davies, programme leader at the Charities Aid Foundation, said foundations and trusts will likely struggle to respond to issues brought on by emerging technologies  such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency  in the future, if they do not make the effort to get to grips with the issues now.

Davies said that, even if the leadership of foundations and trusts arent concerned with the opportunities such technologies will likely present, they might be concerned about the risks they pose.

That might be risks to your own organisation in terms of the way that charities and other organisations and charities operate. Or it might be the risks they pose in creating new challenges for your beneficiaries or for society more widely. Weve already spoken about the role technology plays in widening inequality. Either way, foundations and others will struggle to respond effectively if they havent got to grips with these issues themselves.

Davies said that one thing foundations will be looking back on in 20 years time will probably be asking themselves whether or not they understood and adapted to those changes fully at the time, or fell behind.

Small charities need foundations to speak up for us

Also on the panel, Anne Fox, chief executive of criminal justice organisation Clinks, said that small charities need foundations and trusts to speak up for us and the people we support more now than ever.

Fox said that various gagging clauses, anti-advocacy clauses and lack of time means the sector once renowned for its ability to speak truth to power no longer has this as its defining quality across the board.

She said the system currently was imbalanced and that foundations must be more willing to listen critically sometimes to what charities tell them, and to ask us the right questions.

Fox said she was aware this might be seen as a challenge, or indeed a complete departure from established practice for some foundations, but said speaking up and out is not necessarily overt campaigning and reiterated that foundation and trusts sector is influential, and the relationships you hold are influential.
Much of the mainstream press hailed Tuesdays Democratic wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and beyond as an explicit biteback at Donald Trump. In a cycle flush with stories about the anniversary of Trumps election win, parts of the press seemed intent on casting Republican setbacks as a narrative shift.

Ralph Northams comfortable win in the Virginia governors race was the crest of a progressive wave, they saidThe New York Times heralded a first, forceful rebuke of Trump and his party, The Washington Post called it nothing less than a stinging repudiation of Trump, and The New Yorker described it as a turn in national politics.

ICYMI: The most-read stories since Trumps election win might surprise you

But sweeping conclusions about the frailty of Trump and the resurgence of the Democratic Party are premature. These were local elections settled by local dynamicsand while Trump was a factor, its impossible to divine a uniform Trump effect across states. Editors and observers interviewed by CJR paint a more complex picture than a Trump slump: The president was one consideration in elections that hinged on state-specific issues and personalities, filtered through particular demographics that dont perfectly reflect the country as a whole.

If you watched some of the national punditry on the eve of the election, there were some folks who thought it likely that Republican Ed Gillespie was going to win the Virginia governors race, says Andrew Cain, politics editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Those of us who watch the numbers year after year in statewide elections knew that while it was possible for Gillespie to prevail, it was going to be a challenge given the pace of demographic change in the state and the fact Democrats seem to have something of a hold on the states population centers.

While the mainstream media touted Virginia as the strongest evidence of voter backlash against Trump, some headlines mentioned Phil Murphys win in the New Jersey governors race. Jeff Edelstein, a columnist with The Trentonian, says thats also a mistake. We were going to get a Democrat governor no matter who was president this time aroundwe had eight years of a Republican, and Chris Christies popularity just sunk, he says. Incumbent Christies approval rating has hovered just above single digits for months, dragged down by scandals like Bridgegate and a decision to sun himself on a beach the state government had closed to the public over the July 4 holiday.

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Thats not to say Trumps unpopularity didnt have an impact in these states; it almost certainly did. The clear margin of Northams victory and rampant, unexpected gains for the Democrats in the Virginia state legislaturewhere a transgender woman, Danica Roem, unseated a sponsor of an anti-transgender bathroom billlikely had something to do with Trumps low approval rating. Edelstein reckons Democrats similarly profited in down-ballot races in New Jerseyeven though they escaped the national attention afforded their Virginia counterparts. Further afield, the party picked up the mayoralty of Manchester, New Hampshire, for the first time in 14 years, and took control of the Washington state legislature.

ICYMI: Former NYTimes journalists are ticked off by new Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks movie

The problem is more that mainstream news outlets have extrapolated national significance from states that dont reflect the full complexity of an increasingly divided country. New Jersey has a long record of electing gubernatorial candidates from the opposite party to the president. Virginia, meanwhile, has been leaning blue for some time and was the only Southern state not to vote for Trump last year. Its highly questionable it can still be classed as a swing state, and its certainly not a bellwether of the national political picture, as The Guardian suggested.

Ever since Trump was elected, sections of the media have drawn tenuous, big-picture stories from small-picture races and states, drawing contradictory conclusions as a result. Karen Handels win over Jon Ossoff in a Georgia Congressional special election in June was hailed in some parts as a body-blow for Democratseven though she only won narrowly in a solidly Republican district. And Roy Moores victory over Luther Strange in Alabamas GOP Senate primary last month was called a victory for exactly the sort of flame-throwing Trumpism that yesterdays elections supposedly repudiated.

To try to extrapolate too much from Virginia and Alabama, in particular, sort of misses the point. Those couldnt be two more different states. Virginia went blue in the last election, Alabama has been a red stronghold for well over two decades now. And crazy events have happened in both states, [like] Charlottesville, says Elaina Plott, an Alabama native who writes for Washingtonian magazine. Im gonna be much more interested in understanding what happens in a state like Pennsylvania when it comes to predicting what we might see in 2018 and beyond.

Outlets like CNN and FiveThirtyEight have already cast yesterdays victories for Democrats as a huge boost to their 2018 midterm prospects, albeit with some caveats. The analysis might end up being right. But if the medias failure to predict Trumps win last year was attributable, in part, to treating states in isolation and not as movable parts in a dynamic country, then it should be extra careful to avoid the same mistakes going forward.

ICYMI: A recent op-ed made a very important point about the word collusion

A widely echoed New York Times analysis about this weeks elections declared Trumpism without Trump to be a losing formula. Even leaving aside the fact Moore won on a Trumpian platform in Alabama without the presidents personal endorsement, this sort of take is flawed. The media cant conclude, in the same breath, that the results in Virginia and New Jersey were both a direct rebuke to Trump and a reflection of his absence from those races. As CNBC senior columnist Jake Novak says in an interview with CJR, Its time for everyone to understand that Trump and the Republican Party are two different things.

Parts of the media, especially left-leaning outlets like Vice, framed the run-up to Tuesdays elections as a first test for the anti-Trump resistance, gambling that this had the makings of what Cain at the Richmond Times-Dispatch calls a Beach Boys electioncatch a wave and youre sitting on top of the world. The results seemed to confirm that preordained narrative, giving it extra potency.

Its okay for journalists to synthesize linked local events into a broader national pattern, and its okay for them to invoke Trump when doing so. But the instinct to confirm a presupposed trend is dangerousand this weeks elections did not make for conclusive evidence. Going into it, if I was king of all media, Id wanna see Trump get trounced, because thats a better story, says Edelstein at The Trentonian. In that regard the media kinda got what it was looking for.

TRENDING: New York Times makes important statement about mass shootings with a series of clocks

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of stories marking one year since Donald Trump shocked the world with his Election Day upset on November 8, 2016.

In the hours after it became clear that Donald Trump would become the 45th president, Jelani Cobb was worried. I was wildly disconcerted, he says of the election of a candidate whose campaign trafficked in racially divisive, misogynistic messages. Cobb feared not just for the future of the country, but also for the state of his profession.

One year later, Cobb, a staff writer at The New Yorker and professor at the Columbia Journalism School, admits that its still surreal when he sees images of Trump presiding over official functions. At the same time, he believes journalism has evolved, at least to an extent, in its coverage of a most unusual president.

ICYMI: The most-read stories since Trumps election win might surprise you

On the anniversary of Trumps election, Cobb joined CJRs The Kicker to look back on the events of the past year, both for journalism and the country. The following conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Were recording this on November 8, 2017, but I want to start by going back a year. You were in North Carolina on the day of the election. What were you there to report on?

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I was there to write about some of the issues around voter suppression. It became some of what I wrote about, but the bigger story, obviously, was the tectonic shift in American politics that allowed Donald Trump to be elected as the president.

As you processed that tectonic shift that evening and the following morning, what were your thoughts? How did you think about what had just happened?

I was wildly disconcerted. The reason for my concern was as an observer of American politics, having been at one of Trumps rallies, I had come to believe the term populism was a euphemism. A great deal of what he was articulating was not about peoples economic concerns: It was a cultural backlash that took on some very misogynistic and potentially violent overtones. Having seen that be rewarded with a majority in the Electoral College, I then became very concerned about what kind of climate we were embarking upon, what it meant for mediahaving seen things like when Trump specifically singled out Katy Tur for the derision, ridicule, and possible violence from people in the crowd at his ralliesand I thought we had just embarked upon a very dangerous moment.

Both for the country and for journalism as a profession?

For the country and for journalism, yeah.

A few weeks after that, you warned against the normalization of Trumps absurdities, writing that they could blend into the background in the way that police sirens can become ambient noise in New York City. What did you mean by that, and has that happened?

If you live in New York City, or any major city, you hear sirens all the time. We dont process the fact that if we hear a siren, something has gone terribly wrong. Its just ambient.

There were things that were happening that people were just moving past without necessarily grappling with what the long-term implications. One being the complete untethered relationship from what we know as factual truth. When PolitiFact had scored that 71 percent of Trumps statements were at the very least partly false, and he nonetheless had a reputation among his supporters for being the more honest of the candidates, I thought that was a real cause for concern.

What it said was, we are now not dealing with the same approach to reality. Anything can be justified or rationalized. So in that regard, I think we have seen movement in two directions. One is that, even as he has historic low support overall, he has retained support in the [mid-80-percent range] among his electorate. All of the things we have seen that are contrary to the institutional practices and values of democracythe targeting of the media as enemies of the people, the attacks upon the independent judiciary, the conflict that he got into with not one but two Gold Star families, the disregard of the intelligence community, the willingness to use the bully pulpit of the presidency to single out and attack individual citizensall these things that should be alarming, to one set of the public, has been. But for another set of the public, it has gone completely unnoticed.

ICYMI: Former NYTimes journalists are ticked off by new Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks movie

Is there some blame for journalists in not making it clear that those incidents you mention should be alarming?

I think that it has been made clear; the problem is that its not being heard. We have the echo-chamber effect. Theres this a la carte approach to reality, where if you want to view the world in a particular way you can find the information that justifies you having that point of view. Its not simply the Fox News element of it, but also Breitbart and a host of lesser known blogs are replicating information. We now have this question about the role bots are playing in all this. Were just now, a year after the election, having Congressional hearings about Facebook, Google, Twitter, and the role of Russian false advertising that was being promulgated on social media. I think this conversation has been had, but it hasnt been had in places where it really matters.

Which are?

We have these media mega-entities on the coasts and in the large cities, and then we have wide swaths of the country that are basically media deserts. Not only are they media deserts for local information, they have a suspicion if not disdain for the large corporations that are providing information to them now. Its very difficult to penetrate that.

Playing on racial divisions was a huge part of Trumps campaign, and weve seen Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie try to touch on some of those same tactics over the past month, though obviously things turned out differently. Has the media done enough to recognize and respond to the racial dynamic of the Trump presidency?

There has been a very curious bifurcation in the way the media has handled this. In terms of the large, legacy media organizations, you certainly did see people calling out what Trump was doing early on, saying he was trafficking in the worst kinds of demagogic, divisive, ultimately dangerous politics.

At the same time, after the election there was almost a genre of newspaper article trying to separate the racism that had been brandished by the campaign from the racism of the electorate that voted for Trump. That became a kind of curious element of the conversation because on some level it became self-exculpatory. It didnt really matter, the contents of the hearts of the people who voted for him. The fact was that there was a person who has played a significant role in the mainstreaming of white nationalism in our politics, and irrespective of what their reasoning was, people still voted for someone who represented that. We still have to deal with those implications.

As time has gone on, we saw things like the reflexive willingness to denounce and politicize violence that appears to have been the product of a person of Arab descent or a person of Muslim faith, in contrast to things like what we just saw in Texas or Las Vegas, where the shooter is white, and theres a kind of restraint from the presidency. Youve seen media conversations pointing that out quickly. Just the other day there was an interesting social media debate when Brian Stelter from Reliable Sources announced that he was going to have Kellyanne Conway on. He got an immediate backlash, which I participated in, because people were saying Why would you give her a forum if she has been so dishonest and untruthful in so many other instances? Is it not irresponsible to do so? To his credit, he said he thought it was important to get people in official capacities on the record with their statements. He did say in the course of that interview that he would not allow her to use his forum to spread misinformation. That, I dont think, would have happened even six months ago.

So you think there has been some level of adaptation from journalists to that tectonic shift you mentioned earlier?

Sure, theres been a level or recognition, even if its only for existential and self-interested reasons. But I think the media being self-interested is also beneficial to democracy. Protecting the institution ends up having a salutary effect on other institutions in society.

My great grandparents were slaves. I choose to stay, to stand and to fight. #standandfight  jelani cobb (@jelani9) November 9, 2016

TRENDING: New York Times makes important statement about mass shootings with a series of clocks

Coming full circle, the morning after last years election, you tweeted, My great grandparents were slaves. I choose to stay, to stand and to fight.

That was a quote, actually, from Paul Robeson, the African American activist who in the midst of the Cold War was persecuted for his leftist politics and was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. When he refused to talk about whether he was a member of the Communist Party, a frustrated congressman said, If you like the Soviet Union so much why dont you go live there? Robeson said, Because my parents were slaves and they helped build this country, and no fascist-minded politician will drive me from it.

Its kind of an amazing thing: My parents were slaves. People dont understand what that means. You could say that this is the basis for recrimination, like I hate you, I hate your society, I hate everything about you. But Robeson saw it as sweat equity, that we helped build this place. Like, You dont have the authority to tell me to leave. Thats what I was thinking about at that point.

I had kind of been wrestling with what, at that point, was an unknown and unknowable landscape. We were looking at this kind of populism not only in the United States, but resurgent in Europe, the geopolitical implications of Russia trying to undo the Atlantic alliances, and the kind of world I figured at worst-case scenario would come to resemble the one that produced World War I. Those were things that I was thinking about at that point in time. I also had a real come-to-Jesus conversation with (New Yorker Editor) David Remnick about this. He was saying, We have to fight, and then he wrote that amazing editorial that day.

A year on, are you optimistic about that fight?

Im always hesitant to use the term optimism because I think that sometimes we take optimism as an easy out. What I think is that hope is not lost. I think it is possible for a more democratic society to emerge from the rubble of the moment were presently occupying.

Photo above by Peter Morenus/UConn Photo.

ICYMI: A recent op-ed made a very important point about the word collusion

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.
In the past, Rhode Island courts have upheld insurance policy provisions that require insureds to commence legal action against the insurance company within a time period that is less than the legislatively-enacted statute of limitations. See, e.g., National Refrigeration, Inc. v. Travelers Indemnity Co. of America, 947 A.2d 906, 912 (R.I. 2008) (two-year limitation provision upheld; Hay v. Pawtucket Mutual Insurance Co., 824 A.2d 458, 460, 461 (R.I. 2003) (Rhode Island courts have long adhered to the validity of limitations provisions in insurance contracts). Recently, the Rhode Island Supreme Court in Chase v. Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 160 A.3d 970 (2017) demonstrated that suit limitation provisions will be enforced under Rhode Island law, even though they may be less than the applicable statute of limitations provided that no estoppel exists.

In Chase, the insured, Eric Chase, insured a property that he owned with Nationwide. The property suffered a casualty loss in June 2010 which resulted in extensive interior and exterior damage. The loss was reported in a timely manner and, after investigating the loss, Nationwide accepted the claim as being covered under the policy. Nationwide authorized Chase to repair the property. Nationwide then authorized a partial release of funds to enable Chase to begin the repairs. Unfortunately, the released funds were not sufficient to pay for the repairs as well as covering Chases additional living expense (ALE). When Chase requested the release of additional funds, Nationwide refused. In March 2014, nearly four years after the loss, Chase attempted to invoke the policys appraisal clause. Nationwide rejected appraisal because, according to Nationwide, there was a significant passage of time regarding the loss date and the date for the appraisal request and the fact that Chase failed to provide documentation regarding the claim that had previously been requested by Nationwide. Because of this, Chase filed suit in November 2014, four years after the loss. In the lawsuit, Chase alleged that Nationwide had engaged in a pattern of dilatory conduct, thereby refusing to fulfill its obligations under the [p]olicy.

In the bad faith lawsuit, Nationwide filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. Chase responded that Nationwide should be estopped from enforcing the contractual two-year limitation provision in the policy. However, Chase offered nothing to support that argument. The trial court granted the Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court began its analysis by focusing on Chases estoppel argument. The court noted that with respect to Rhode Islands statute of limitation, enforcement of the limitation period could be tolled through estoppel in situations where settlement negotiations involved statements or conduct calculated to lull the claimant into a reasonable belief that his claim would be settled without a lawsuit. 160 A.3d at 974 citing National Refrigeration, Inc. v. Travelers Indemnity Co. of America, 947 A.2d 906, 911 (R.I. 2008). Nevertheless, the court also observed that [m]ere negotiations between the insurer and a claimant cannot alone justify the application of estoppel. If so, settlement negotiations would be frustrated and impeded. Id. citing Greater Providence Trust Co. v. Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 355 A.2d 718, 721 (1976). For estoppel to occur, the proponent of the estoppel argument must demonstrate (1) the insurer, by his actions or communications, has assured the claimant that a settlement would be reached, thereby inducing the late filing, or (2) the insurer has intentionally continued and prolonged the negotiations in order to cause the claimant to let the limitation pass without commencing suit. Id. citing McAdam v. Grzelczyk, 911 A.2d 255, 260 (R.I. 2006).

The court in Chase then turned to the complaint that was filed by Chase. Acknowledging that the court was required to assume everything plaintiff alleged in the complaint as being true, it was clear to the court that Chase did not comply with the terms of the insurance policy because he failed to bring suit within two years from the date of loss. The insurance policy clearly required any action against the insurer to be commenced within two years after the date of loss or damage and not from the date the claim was rejected. The facts were simple: The casualty loss occurred in June 2010 but the suit was not filed until November 2014. The only way Chase could possibly extract himself from the two-year limitation provision was through the successful argument of estoppel. Unfortunately, Chase did not plead sufficient facts that would create a prima facie estoppel argument. The only hint in the complaint that Nationwide might be estopped from enforcing the two-year provision was Chases broad and undetailed allegation that Nationwide engaged in a pattern of dilatory conduct thereby refusing to fulfill its obligations under the [p]olicy. Without more, the court could not make the leap to assuming that the delay was aimed at inducing or causing Chase to exceed the two-year contractual window to file the suit. Therefore, Chases estoppel argument failed.

The Chase case demonstrates the importance of pleading technique. All relevant facts and allegations should be placed into the pleading in order to avoid dismissal motions which require the court to take the allegations in the complaint as true. A dismissal is rare because most competent lawyers will plead sufficient facts to at least establish a colorable argument  assuming the facts are true  for the allegations and legal theories asserted.
Officials in Des Moines, Iowa, are considering turning most one-way downtown streets into two-way and adding more bicycle lanes in an effort to increase safety and promote retail development.

The city, the Urban Land Institute of Iowa and the Greater Des Moines Partnership worked together to create the Connect Downtown plan, The Des Moines Register reported. Connect Downtown would cost about $33 million, with an additional $500,000 in annual maintenance.

A report on the plan said reintroducing two-way traffic will make the area safer by reducing vehicle speeds and benefit local businesses by making them more accessible.

This isnt just an exercise to add bike lines, said Larry James, chairman of the Urban Land Institute of Iowa. The purpose of the project is to really focus on safety of all users, including drivers, by slowing traffic to the speed limit, and to encourage economic development.

The report said changes could increase commutes for drivers during peak hours by one to three minutes.

The downtown area is experiencing an increase of development, with 2,300 apartment units scheduled to open this year. The Connect Downtown plan could benefit downtown residents and businesses by improving walkability, said Kris Saddoris, vice president of development for Hubbell Realty Co.

We have a lot of beautiful places downtown, but the reality is we havent focused on how to get around other than in your car, Saddoris said. (The plan) is just as critical to retain the growth that weve experienced as it is to our future.

While city leaders seemed to support the idea at a Monday workshop, some questioned where the city would get the funds for the project.

The business community would likely play an important role in funding the project, said Councilwoman Christine Hensley.

City Council will consider adopting the plan on Nov. 20.
Indianas county prosecutors remain vehemently opposed to any form of marijuana legalization and insist the plant is not medicine amid a push by a conservative state lawmaker to have it recognized as such.

The Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys argues any type of marijuana legalization would come with grave consequences in a letter sent to Republican Gov. Eric Holcombs administration. The letter, dated last week, was publicly released Monday.

Reports abound of efforts to legalize marijuana in the state of Indiana, wrote David N. Powell, the associations executive secretary. We respectfully ask the (administration) to formally oppose the legalization of marijuana in any form, for any purpose.

It comes as state Rep. Jim Lucas  a media-savvy politician better known for his outspoken opposition to gun restrictions  says he will 100 percent full-throttle pursue medical marijuana legislation.

The libertarian-leaning lawmaker from Seymour faces long odds during the session beginning in January, but the fact that a Republican is so vocally pushing the measure marks a significant change.

Reached Tuesday for comment on the prosecutors letter, Lucas said: The gloves are off. Holcombs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Although federal law still considers marijuana illegal, more than half of U.S. states, including some conservative ones, have legalized medical marijuana for the treatment of certain conditions.

This is what pisses me off: we got 29 states that are ahead of us that have shown the benefits, Lucas said. Can it be abused? Sure, anything can be abused. But since we know this can save lives, why do we want to continue to risk the quality of life, or the wellbeing of innocent people, just because some might go out there and abuse it?

He suggested medical marijuana could provide an alternative to addictive painkillers.

The prosecutors association disagrees. They also say those who argue that marijuana can be used as medicine are relying on half-truths and anecdotal evidence. But thats at odds with scientific studies that have found marijuana can treat chronic pain and ease nausea from chemotherapy, among other medical issues.

A federal advisory panel said in a January report that there are likely medical benefits to marijuana, but also potential risks that need to be researched more.

Powell said in his letter that a Food and Drug Administration review is the only legally recognized procedure for bringing safe and effective medications to the American public.

To date, the FDA has not found marijuana to be either safe or effective medicine for any condition, he added.

Last year, Indiana took baby steps toward adopting medical marijuana after Holcomb signed a law allowing those with a form of epilepsy to use cannabidiol, often referred to as CBD, which is derived from pot plants but lacks the stuff that will get you high.

The prosecutors association opposed the measure.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Investor-funded litigation is not new but it is expanding its reach in commercial auto cases, according to experts in the field.

Panelists at the 2017 Risk Management Summit in Las Vegas, Nev., addressed the growing trend of investor funded litigation in commercial auto claims during the session, Investor Funded Litigation Update.

Insurance Journal was a sponsor of the summit that was hosted by eServices, a division of Energi that provides a turnkey risk management, claims and marketing technology for companies.

Though investor funded litigation has been around since ancient Greece, theres been a noticeable uptick in its use in cases within the past 20 to 30 years, according to John Ferrante, vice president of Litigation Management for eClaims Management. Initially, it was used as a way for smaller businesses to remain a party in lawsuits with larger companies that had access to more funds.

Funding can be in the form of loans or assignments.

In some states, including Florida, it is illegal for an attorney to front money to a client, though in California, Massachusetts and Louisiana, counsel on a case can provide a loan or cash advance for a clients living expenses. In states where it is considered legal and ethical, the attorney is considered an investor in the case.

In California and some other states, doctors can be investors as well and they do so by agreeing to take less money than billed, panelists said.

Nick Gristina, a partner in the New Orleans office of Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson LLP, said that one company, Oasis Financial, is a well-known provider of cash advances in Louisiana. The plaintiff completes an application and pays a fee for the firm to review the case. A representative of Oasis will call and speak with his or her counsel and if they deem the case viable they will provide a cash advance.

Another firm, Diagnostic Management Affiliates (DMA), located in Louisiana, acts as an HMO or PPO insurer. It coordinates medical visits and funds the case with the stipulation that plaintiff counsel pays the high interest loan back within two years or upon settlement.

According to Timon Sullivan, a trial attorney with Ogden & Sullivan, P.A., in the state of Florida, if a doctor agrees to take a letter of protection from a lawyer in order to bill a certain amount and the attorney agrees to pay that amount, that fact can be used to impeach the doctors testimony at trial.

Jonathan Colman, a principal and managing partner at Colman Law Group who practices in both Nevada and California, said that it is legal to crowdfund to litigate ones own case. But he said this brings up ethical questions, including: is there a duty to pay back the plaintiff first or should the investors be paid before the plaintiff?

Conflict Question

Colman said there is also the question of conflict since investors are not to play a role in the decision-making behind case handling.

Gristina said that in Louisiana, although the investor must be passive and cant be involved in settlement discussions, there is still tacit control or influence on the claim.

Another concern around these funding schemes is whether counsel is breaking privileged communications by providing case information to investors. If a confidentiality agreement is signed by a client, then he or she is the holder of privilege.

Gristina said he knows lawyers who wont take cases tied to litigation financing because they are harder to settle. Theres no incentive to settle when theres an investor backing a plaintiff in a case and because they arent present it can make it impossible to settle.

Others agreed. Funding companies have no incentive to take any less, Sullivan said.

At the same time, some judges believe litigation financing levels the playing field, according to Gristina.

Sullivan recommended defense counsel make sure the funding company is a designated a party of interest, so it must attend mediation.

Sullivan cited a Florida commercial auto case that was investor funded. Due to the funding he received, the plaintiffs Social Security benefits were cut off, forcing him to file an appeal. Sullivan obtained the name of the litigation financing company as well as gained access to the funding agreement through the Social Security appeal documents.

Funding company information isnt usually disclosed but in northern California, a new rule says that if investor funding is involved, it has to be disclosed on class action lawsuits.
Troopers say a South Carolina state senator charged with driving under the influence had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, but Sen. Paul Campbell said that doesnt matter because he wasnt driving.

Campbells blood-alcohol level was 0.09 percent on a breath test taken at the Charleston County jail after the Saturday night crash, Highway Patrol Cpl. Sonny Collins said. The legal limit in South Carolina is 0.08 percent.

Michaela Caddin said that after she was rear-ended by Sen. Paul Campbell on Saturday night on Interstate 26 north of Charleston, Campbells Mercedes pulled off the highway in front of her and she watched as Campbell got out of the drivers side, his wife got out of the passenger seat and they switched places.

Campbell and his wife, Vicki, were also charged with providing false information to police because they switched seats after the senator failed to stop in time on Interstate 26 in congested traffic and hit the back of a Jeep, Collins said.

The family of the other driver, Michaela Caddin, provided a photo of her Jeep to WCIV-TV, showing a dented rear door and scratches on the bumper. She and the Campbells were not seriously hurt.

The wreck could have been a lot worse, Caddins mother, Paulette Caddin-McRann told the judge at Campbells bond hearing.

He chose to have alcoholic beverages last night and got behind the wheel and provide false information to the police, she said. I hope as he sits in jail with a normal person he thinks about his actions.

The lawyer for the woman says the lawmaker should resign if he lied to state troopers.

Attorney Matt Yelverton, who represents Caddin, said Tuesday that the Goose Creek Republican should quit if convicted of lying.

Campbell said little during the bond hearing and was released on his own recognizance. He has told reporters since that the truth will come out at trial that he was not behind the wheel.

The 71-year-old Goose Creek Republican was first elected to the state Senate in 2006 and is chairman of the Ethics Committee. Both charges against Campbell are misdemeanors. Senators can only be suspended automatically when charged with felonies.

Campbell also is chief executive of the authority overseeing operations of the Charleston International Airport.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
There's no shortage of buzz around the entrepreneur who's raised millions of dollars or just sold their start-up, but what about the struggles it often takes to get there?

Zack Schwartz, co-founder of MoreMate, a social and dating location-based app, is still on that first part of the journey. Nevertheless, he's found a way to live in one of the world's most expensive cities  but it's not easy.

While his team is based in Bangkok, the American expatriate moved to Hong Kong in an effort to meet new investors.

"I have a lot of friends and meet a lot of people who say, 'Wow that's so cool what you're doing,'" he said referring to his life as an entrepreneur.

But looks can be deceiving, he admits.

"I can't even go out to see a friend, because I'm afraid that splitting dinner with them is too much money for me," he said.

His start-up is young and the little income it generates is put back into the business, meaning his personal income is minimal.

Schwartz recently shared 7 tips for surviving cash-strapped:
Alaska Gasline Development, the State of Alaska, Sinopec, China Investment Corp and the Bank of China have signed an agreement to advance LNG in Alaska , the U.S. government said in an email.

China's top state oil major Sinopec , one of the country's top banks and its sovereign wealth fund have agreed to help develop Alaska's liquefied natural gas sector as part of President Donald Trump's visit, the U.S. government said on Thursday.

A full moon helps illuminate an Alaskan pipeline under the faint glow of the Aurora Borealis on November 19, 2002 near Milne Point, Alaska.

The agreement will involve investment of up to $43 billion, create up to 12,000 U.S. jobs during construction, reduce the trade deficit between the United States and Asia by $10 billion a year, and give China clean energy, it said.

There were no other details. AGDC is building a gas treatment plant, an 800-mile (1,287 km) pipeline to south central Alaska for in-state use, and a liquefaction plant in Nikiski to produce up to 20 million tons of LNG per year for export.

China, the world's third-largest gas buyer, is importing more LNG as the government tries to wean the country off dirty coal as part of its push to clear the skies, while the United States wants to sell more of its excess gas abroad.
As President Donald Trump uses his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to address trade and North Korean issues, he also may bring up China's theft of American intellectual property.

Despite a cyber-warfare truce, one defense analyst said China is probably still engaged in the theft of sensitive U.S. military technology. Hacking over the years is one of the reasons China has been able to narrow the gap with the U.S. in advanced missiles, drone technology and even stealth aircraft.

Also, a report predicts that by 2030 the Chinese could dominate artificial intelligence and exploit it for military purposes.

At the same time, China is pressing its domestic tech firms to help the country's military "to speed up" the application of advanced technology.

For example, when China wanted to build the J-20, a new stealth fighter jet, they were reportedly helped by industrial espionage. The J-20 became operational in September.

There were said to be several prototypes of the plane, but the final sleek design resembles the F-22, a stealth fighter made by Lockheed Martin . China's smaller stealth fighter, called the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, in development is seen as a knockoff of Lockheed's F-35.

"What Beijing has been very good at is targeting U.S. defense contractors, getting into their computer systems through various types of essentially cyber warfare and stealing the designs of some of America's best military assets," said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a think tank founded by former President Richard Nixon.

Although a U.S.-Chinese cyber-hacking truce was announced in 2015, Kazianis and others remain skeptical it will matter over the long term. He says China could have agents in other countries still doing hacking or "camouflage" such activity through various methods.

"So we don't even have a good idea if they stopped," he said. "It's obviously a huge, huge problem."

According to Kazianis, the Chinese have been able to hack into computer networks to steal designs and other information on U.S. carriers, advanced defense systems as well as the F-22 and F-35 jets.

Indeed, a federal grand jury in 2014 indicted a Chinese national for a computer hacking scheme that involved the theft of trade secrets from Boeing's C-17 military transport aircraft. The individual, who last year entered a guilty plea, also was accused of working with two co-conspirators based in China to steal military data about the F-22 and F-35 jets.

The concern is China's supersonic J-20 could one day become a threat to the F-22 and the smaller F-35 fighters.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank based in Washington, said Beijing's "J-20 has the potential to considerably enhance China's regional military strength."

For one, the J-20's could give China an advantage should it want to use the warplane in a dogfight with the U.S. or allies. Also, depending on its stealth capabilities, the J-20 could be used for strikes on Taiwan or U.S. airbases.

Then again, the J-20's design may make it susceptible to detection. It features angles that allow it to deflect radar emissions from the front but reports suggest its signature reduction falls short elsewhere. Portions of the J-20's engines also "may work against its stealth capabilities," according to CSIS.

"Almost every fighter in the world has some kind of emissions that come out with radar or communications devices just like radios that we can detect," said John "JV" Venable, a senior research fellow for defense policy at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington conservative think tank. "When we can pick those [emissions] up, then we can actually find, fix and kill that fighter."

Venable, a retired Air Force colonel, said the U.S. military's ability to "mask emissions is very good, and our ability to detect is very good. We just don't know what theirs is [with the J-20]."
Amazon Web Services caught many established tech giants sleeping as it boomed to a $20-billion-a-year business, and now it's making a move to dominate a new cloud market: the Middle East. Amazon recently announced it will be investing in its first Mideast data centers, based in Bahrain, which the company said will be built by 2019. Amazon Web Services continues to be a major source of revenue, growing 42 percent in the just-reported third quarter, with a top-line contribution of $4.6 billion. But there are signs that the rest of the tech world is catching up to Amazon in the cloud: The AWS results marked the ninth-consecutive quarter of a declining trend in AWS revenue growth (Q3 was actually flat compared to Q2), making new markets more important to Amazon's investment in the cloud.

Manama, the modern capital of the Arabian Gulf island nation of Bahrain Jane Sweeney | Getty Images

"The Middle East is a bit of a dead zone when it comes to cloud computing," said John Dinsdale, chief analyst and managing director of Synergy Research Group. "Will this change? Yes, but slowly." He added, "Any firm that wants to be a serious global cloud provider cannot afford to just ignore the Middle East." An Amazon spokesman said the company would not go into details about plans for AWS in the Middle East but added that the company is "far from being done adding [cloud computing data centers] in this part of the world." Amazon Web Services has benefited from the cloud computing boom of the past decade, which allows companies to outsource many IT functions to large, off-site data centers. AWS accounted for 10 percent of Amazon 's total revenue in the third quarter, and operating income of $1.17 billion compared to operating profit of just $347 million for Amazon as a whole. AWS is on pace for annual revenue over $15 billion. But U.S. competitors, including Microsoft Azure and Oracle , are coming hard after Amazon in the cloud  where it has achieved as high as double the market share of any other player, 30 percent, according to one 2017 estimate. International tech players are pushing into cloud services, too, including Alibaba Cloud. Alibaba already has a data center in Dubai, and Oracle has planned a center to serve the United Arab Emirates. "That's one of the gaps in coverage," said Santhosh Rao of tech consulting firm Gartner. "The Middle East is one obvious region that (Amazon) hadn't addressed." There are more than 370 data centers in the world, but most of these are in the United States, Western Europe and East Asia, according to Synergy Research Group. At least in Saudi Arabia, Chinese tech companies like Alibaba and Tencent are poised to dominate the cloud market. But Rao said this is not necessarily the case in the larger region and that it's too early to tell how Saudi Arabia and Dubai will react to the data centers in Bahrain. "They just set up shop," Rao said. "We'll have to wait and see how it plays out in the long run."

Mideast start-ups stand to benefit from cloud boom

Bringing cloud services to the Middle East dovetails with the broader business trends in the region, where Internet-based businesses and start-ups are booming. Earlier this year, Amazon acquired the Middle East's largest online marketplace, Souq.com, that serves seven countries and boasts 45 million website visits per month. Souq.com was founded by a Northwestern Universityeducated Syrian entrepreneur, Ronaldo Mouchawar. It has been reported that Amazon offered $650 million before there was an $800 million bid from United Arab Emirates-based Emaar Properties, the owner of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Amazon prevailed in the acquisition nonetheless. Souq.com, often called the Amazon of the Middle East, is emblematic of the success of a small but growing start-up scene in the Gulf countries. "Candidly, like most Americans, I didn't know this was going on in the Arab World," said Chris Schroeder, who in 2013 published Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East" in 2013. "People are often surprised that there's incredible talent and an incredible tech ecosystem (in the Middle East)." More from Global Investing Hotspots: Middle East joins the blockchain revolution

Saudis set $500 billion economic development zone

Blockbuster Saudi oil IPO on track for 2018 Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain are poised for start-up investment because of rising middle-class segments of their societies and increasing access to technology. "We are working to quickly integrate Souq and Amazon capabilities to provide an exceptional shopping experience for customers in the Middle East," said a spokesperson for Souq.com via email. Schroeder said the Souq.com acquisition may have a ripple effect on other start-ups by showing that lucrative exits are possible in the Middle East. "It's inspiring to them," he said.

Candidly, like most Americans, I didn't know this was going on in the Arab World. Chris Schroeder author, "Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East"

For companies like Fetchr, a Dubai-based start-up that offers consumer and business-to-consumer courier services, the basic cloud computing services already offered have been vital to the expansion of the company. It recently expanded to Jordan and also has operations in the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Fetchr and other start-ups stand to gain access to a much wider network of services, along with increased speed and capability in data-sharing as the cloud evolves in the region. "You've practically got supercomputer power at the tips of your fingers," said Junaid Qureshi, vice president of technology at Fetchr. "I think it's going to be a game changer."

Bahrain's start-up scene

Amazon's decision to set up their first center in Bahrain sidesteps Dubai, which has received attention as a promising global hub for start-ups and is where Alibaba's cloud operations are based. But Megha Kumar, research director of software at IDC for the Middle East and Africa, said these tech giants can reach many businesses in the region once they set up cloud services in one of the Gulf countries. Bahrain's bustling start-up scene may have factored into Amazon's decision. Bahrain has a number of programs that support the start-up economy, including a labor fund called Tamkeen and the Economic Development Board of Bahrain, which help to mentor business and start-up owners. At a recent investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain's Commerce Minister H. E. Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani said that the oil-rich state  like the rest of the GCC  has taken steps to diversify its economy. "We're moving Bahrain to a digital economy," Al Zayani said. "We're moving into the next frontier.

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President Donald Trump's policies have placed China as a leader on the international stage, according to Ian Bremmer, founder and president of political consultancy Eurasia Group.

A year into his presidency, Trump's priority of American jobs and the economy, a doctrine called "America First," has resulted in a broad U.S. withdrawal from international engagement, reflected by the nation's exit of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and the Paris climate change accord.

"Trump is a unilateralist," Bremmer told CNBC on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Da Nang, Vietnam.

That stance has presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with ample opportunities to boost his country's global leadership and further Beijing's superpower ambitions. For example, Beijing joined the remaining 11 TPP member states for discussions in March after Washington left the pact in January.

Many countries are experiencing a clear shift toward Beijing in the absence of other strong leaders, Bremmer said on Thursday. Not only is the world's most populous nation "writing checks," it boasts "much more control of their economy than a western advanced industrial democracy," he noted.
"He's a dealmaker. He's re-established the strength of the U.S. military," he added.

"He's telling the international community very clearly: 'Don't mess with us. We want fair trade.  We want balance. We want thoughtful trade,'" Rensi said in an interview with " Closing Bell ."

Trump is currently overseas on his first trip to Asia , arriving in China on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump is overall doing "pretty well" since he took office early this year, but when it comes to international relations and strategy, he's doing an "outstanding job," former McDonald's CEO Ed Rensi told CNBC on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump and U.S. first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, November 8, 2017.

Don Peebles, CEO and chairman of The Peebles Corporation, also gave Trump high marks when it comes to international relations.

"He's sending a message that we're not going to tolerate any aggression, for example, and also that we want a fair trade system," he told "Closing Bell."

"That's, I think, what's destroyed our manufacturing industry here in this country  these unfair trade agreements," he added.

Wednesday marked the first anniversary of Trump's election, although he's only been in the White House for 10 months.

Rensi called Trump's first five months a "disaster" as the new president tried to get his staff in place. However, he praised Trump as a strategist who is not playing "silly" political games.

"He's learning the job, and the thing I love about him the most is he's not a politician," he said.

Peebles, on the other hand, gave Trump a "C" for his management style.

"I would give him a higher grade if he would lead by example and if he would sometimes roll his sleeves up and force some action, and I think he's going to have to do that to get tax reform passed," he explained.

Rensi said it's lawmakers who must make tax reform happen.

"They need to start doing the right thing instead of worrying about getting re-elected. You can't satisfy everybody. There's going to be pain in that tax bill for a lot of people, and there's going to be benefit for more people," he said. "It's going to create jobs. That's what we've got to focus on."
It's a complicated relationship. Microsoft and Salesforce compete in areas like business intelligence and customer relationship management software. Beyond that, Microsoft outbid Salesforce for LinkedIn in 2016, and Microsoft previously tried to buy Salesforce.

This week, Salesforce made some moves of its own onto Microsoft's turf, integrating more deeply with both Google and Facebook.

At the investor meeting, Kirk Materne of Evercore asked Benioff if it would be possible for Microsoft and Salesforce to "come back together on behalf of customers."

Here's a transcript of what Benioff said in response:

No, there's always one person in the room who's using a Surface laptop, so I get that. And it's you. Who else is using a Surface laptop? Raise your hand. OK, we have three people. And how many are using Macs? Raise your hand. How many iPads? OK. How many PCs? And then we've got the three Surface.

You know, look. They're 1 percent of the CRM market. You know the numbers. I like having competitors. But what I just get blown away with is how they just can't keep, you know, that management team in place. They just keep leaving Microsoft. You know that. And I think they don't have confidence in that ability to execute in that business. So that has weighed to our favor, and customers feel that.

You know because you go to these conferences just like I do. There is no conference like this that they do and that's the  in my opinion, the mark. That is  why is it that they don't have anything like this? That when they put on a conference like something  it's always the resellers who come together, and then -- where are these people? Now, that isn't to say they don't have, like, Build, where they get these really high-end developers using the IDE. You know what I mean? Is that the conference I've been to where I'm like, Oh, yeah, these are all the -- and they're all Windows -- they have a Windows fever. And they have Windows API fever at the conference. But I haven't seen that in any other part of their business, other than the Windows API. Maybe they'll get it in Azure -- I don't know. But I haven't seen that yet. Because the last time that I went to the conference, I didn't see that. I only see that fever around the Windows API. And the Surface laptop.
New Jersey House Representative Leonard Lance spoke out against Trump's "Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill," claiming the removal of state and local tax deductions would create inequities among states.

"I think tax reform should benefit all Americans and not pick winner states over loser states," Lance said on CNBC's "Fast Money."

The congressman is supportive of tax reform. And after Tuesday's gubernatorial election, in which Democrats took key states, Lance recognizes the strength of the Republican party may depend on delivering on the promises Trump's administration made. In the bill's current state, Lance cannot support it.

"We need to have further discussion and further compromise, and I point out that states, like New Jersey, subsidize the nation in so many ways," he said.

New Jersey is pays among the highest state and local taxes in the country, due to its large concentration of wealthy residents. Abolishing state and local tax deductions would disproportionately harm residents of states like New Jersey.

"I really don't favor paying taxes-on-taxes," Lance said.

Lance also took issue with the $1.7 trillion price tag, and would like more analysis of the policy's long-term impact. Emphasizing that tax reform overall is positive, Lance seemed optimistic about the Senate's draft, anticipated for release Thursday.
As President Donald Trump continues to push for one-on-one trade partnerships in Asia, Australia's minister for trade says his country still sees merit in bigger blocs.

"We are unashamedly pro a multilateral rules-based global trading system. We think it has served the world very well, notwithstanding that there are, of course, pockets where we have to make sure we have to redistribute benefits of those trade gains to everybody," Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo told CNBC.

"We'll pursue multilateral, we'll pursue plurilateral, we'll pursue bilateral [deals]," he said.

Ciobo has been actively pushing for trade investment for Australia: "I've got eight deals underway at the moment. We think multilateralism is a very big part of it," he said.



But Ciobo did not discount the merit of having some bilateral trade partnerships, too.
China's growing middle class and a young, travel-loving population present a massive growth opportunity for Airbnb, one of the company's co-founders told CNBC on Thursday.

Speaking at the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, Nathan Blecharczyk said the start-up is doing very well in the world's second-largest economy.

"China has been the fastest growing country for Airbnb domestically, out of all [of the] countries in which we operate, and second-fastest growing from an outbound travel perspective," he said, suggesting that there are more opportunities to grow in that market. Blecharczyk is also chairman of Airbnb's China operations and frequently spends his time in the country.

Broadly, the Asia Pacific region is very important to the the California-based company, according to Blecharczyk, and it is taking steps to solidify its presence there.

On Thursday, Airbnb announced it will invest $2 million through 2020 to support what the company called "innovative tourism projects" throughout the region.
AstraZeneca's drug sales fell again in the third quarter, hit by generic competition to former blockbusters like cholesterol pill Crestor, although the pace of decline slowed as it looks to new cancer treatments to revive its fortunes.

Product sales were down 3 percent compared with an 11 percent fall during the first half of the year. Emerging markets proved a bright spot, with Chinese sales up 12 percent, the company said on Thursday.

Chief Executive Pascal Soriot believes the drugmaker has reached a turning-point as its pipeline of new medicines starts to deliver and the impact of patent losses recedes. Consensus forecasts also point to a recovery in sales and profits from next year.

Still, the speed of AstraZeneca's turnaround remains uncertain as the No. 2 British drugmaker goes head to head with industry giants like Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb , and Merck in the fast-growing but fiercely competitive cancer drug market.

Total revenue rose 9 percent to $6.23 billion in the quarter, helped by a $997 million payment from Merck, which struck a cancer drug partnership deal with the British group in July. Sales of Crestor, while down 16 percent, were also higher than expected.

That was not enough to stop a fall in core earnings per share (EPS), which exclude some items, of 15 percent to $1.12. But the overall results were better than expected and the shares had risen around 1 percent by 1130 GMT.

Industry analysts, on average, had forecast quarterly earnings of $1.04 and revenue of $5.95 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data.

For the full year, AstraZeneca said it expected 2017 core EPS to be "towards the favorable end of the guidance range of a low to mid-teens percentage decline".

Soriot said he remained confident AstraZeneca could achieve annual revenue of more than $40 billion in 2023, despite skepticism among analysts like Trinity Delta's Mick Cooper who said it was "difficult" to see how this would be done.

Soriot first gave a bullish long-term forecast of 2023 revenue hitting $45 billion back in 2014, as he fended off a takeover attempt by Pfizer . Since then, a stronger dollar has shifted the target slightly but Soriot said the expectation in constant exchange rates had not changed.

"Our long-range plan so far reconfirms that we can get to the $40 billion to 41 billion dollars at today's currency rates that we communicated back in 2014," he said.
AT&T and the Justice Department could be on their way to a major court battle, which one analyst believes the company stands a strong chance of winning.

The fight centers on AT&T 's hopes to acquire Time Warner and news Wednesday that the government wants the company to first sell Turner Broadcasting, which includes CNN, or sell DirecTV. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said the company has no intentions of divesting itself of those holdings.

Paul Gallant, a Washington analyst at Cowen Research, thinks the company won't have to.

"If this does go to court, we think AT&T holds a strong position and would likely prevail," Cowen said Thursday in a note to clients.

The company has three advantages, according to Gallant: The deal is "vertical" so it would be difficult to prove harm to the marketplace as it does not eliminate a rival; the DOJ would bear the burden of proof that the deal is anti-competitive; and the department's earlier attempts to negotiate behavioral conditions for approval indicate that it knows a legal case isn't strong.
With respect to wages, there is scant, if any, evidence that suggests cutting taxes will lead to a hike in take-home pay for workers at any level. History has shown that both temporary and permanent tax cuts that lead to rising corporate profits and widening profit margins most often result in the gains being paid to shareholders in the form of stock buybacks and dividend increases, not given to workers in the form of pay increases.

Companies do not raise wages when rapid technological change is leading to greater automation, lower labor costs and higher productivity.

It's a bald-faced lie that wages will magically rise once corporate tax rates come down.

Indeed, with corporate profits at both cyclical and historic highs, companies have been in no hurry to raise wages, a conundrum that has defied economic orthodoxy.

And, very few people will see a noticeable increase in after-tax income, except for the very wealthy, according to most analyses of the plan. That means the purported acceleration in future economic growth is also an exaggeration.

While the House bill eliminates the deductions for state and local income taxes, it does allow a maximum $10,000 deduction for local property taxes.

That's good news for those who live in low-tax states.

The Senate bill released today eliminates all state and local tax deductions, including those for property taxes. That creates huge disincentives for anyone interested in buying a home in New York, New Jersey, Illinois or California, the biggest and most expensive property markets in the nation.

If the two bills are reconciled and no deductions remain, expect the roof to cave in on the American housing market. There will be ripple effects of some consequence in areas outside the highest-priced markets, as well.

The House bill also eliminates the $13,570 adoption credit, with scant reason. On average, it costs a couple seeking to bring home a bundle of joy up to $50,000 just to go through the adoption process. Further, it costs about $230,000 to raise a child from infancy through age 18, allowing for just food, clothing, shelter and a public school education.

For a pro-life party that would rather see a child given up for adoption than aborted, how on Earth does this punitive measure make sense? The Senate version of a tax reform bill keeps the adoption credit.

Meantime, the elimination of the estate tax, or even the increase in the amount of money that can be passed tax-free from one generation to the next, benefits the offspring of only a very few. And yet somehow Congress prioritizes that over assisting families living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to get by on the median income of $50,900 a year.

In another craven move, repealing the Affordable Care Act without replacing it would cut the federal deficit by nearly $340 billion over the next 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated, helping to reduce the $1.5 trillion cost of the tax cuts.

Middle-class families, who by most accounts will shoulder the cost of a large corporate tax reduction even without this crude "pay-for," will be hit even harder.

President Trump's top economic advisor, Gary Cohn, blurted out that "the most excited group out there are big CEOs, about our tax plan."

Need I say more?

The money on this faux tax reform would be much better spent on infrastructure, education, job retraining and immigration law reform.

Addressing the actual, over the theoretical and ideological, needs of the economy will help the people who were promised relief by this president. But nothing I have seen about either the House or the Senate version of tax reform fits that bill.

Instead, "average Americans" will, once again, be footing the bill for those far less needy than themselves.
Following is the transcript of a CNBC interview with Hadley Gamble and Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel Al Jubeir. The interview was broadcast on CNBC on 9 November 2017.

Hadley Gamble: Your Excellency, thank you so much for joining CNBC. I want to kick off by asking you about the ballistic missile launch from Yemen. You've called that an act of war. Is Saudi Arabia headed for a direct conflict with Iran?

Adel Al Jubeir: We hope not. What the, the missile was Iranian built, it was similar to a missile that was launched against the city of Yanbu on the 22nd of July. It's a carrying missile, has a range of over 900 kilometres. It was smuggled into Yemen in parts and then assembled in Yemen we believe by the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah experts and then it was launched at our city. We believe that the missile that landed in Riyadh is of a similar make and we hold Iran responsible for this. They're the ones who provided the missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council resolution 22:16. We believe that it was Iranian experts and Hezbollah experts who taught and coordinated the attack against Saudi Arabia. So we believe that this could be considered an act of war.

HG: President Trump tore up a historic nuclear agreement with Iran earlier this year. There is a lot of concern that the Iranians are moving to a nuclear weapon. Is this about a race against the clock? Is this about getting and basically neutralizing Iran before they can become a nuclear power ?

Adel Al Jubeir: It's about fixing a deal that needed to be fixing. The nuclear agreement was weak. It has a sunset provision which expires 12 years after the signing of the agreement which lifts the restrictions on how many centrifuges Iran can have. The Iranians theoretically could have 50,000 to 100,000 centrifuges. They can produce enough enriched material for a bomb within weeks and this is a very, very dangerous. The other provisions that need to be tightened are the inspections provisions, to include non-declared sites and military sites and we would like to see the International Atomic Energy Agency do a much more robust job in dealing with this. That's with regard to the nuclear agreement. The other part has to do with Iran's behaviour, its support for terrorism and its ballistic missile program, both of which are violations of international resolutions and so we would like to see sanctions on Iran for its support of terrorism and sanctions on Iran for violating the ballistic missile resolutions of the United Nations. When you combine those three, fixing the, the nuclear agreement and holding Iran accountable for its support of terrorism and for its ballistic missile program, then I think we have an effective way of dealing with Iran.

HG: Ok. What about... So what about Lebanon because you have Saad Hariri resigning as prime minister from Riyadh just a few days ago and you have the Gulf Affairs Minister for Saudi Arabia essentially saying that this country is at war with Lebanon. Is this going to be a situation where Saudi Arabia attacks Hezbollah? What measures are you going to take with regards to Lebanon?

Adel Al Jubeir: The situation in Lebanon is unfortunate. It is a result of Hezbollah's activities supported by Iran. Hezbollah continues to maintain its militia even though it should hand over its weapons. There can be no militia outside the scope of government institutions. Hezbollah has put roadblocks in front of every initiative that Prime Minister Hariri tried to implement. Hezbollah pretty much hijacked the Lebanese system and Hezbollah has been the instrument that Iran uses to dominate Lebanon. The instrument that Iran uses to interfere in Syria with Hamas and with the Houthis. And so we see Hezbollah's mischief all over the region. Hezbollah has been responsible for smuggling weapons into Bahrain. Hezbollah is involved in criminal activities such as drug dealing and money laundering.

HG: But would you consider taking direct action against Hezbollah?

Adel Al Jubeir: We are saying that the world has to make sure that we designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. There can be no difference between a political wing and the military wing. This is not, this is a bird with one body and one mind. And Hezbollah needs to be designated, the world needs to take actions in terms of curtailing their activities and the world needs to push back against them wherever they operate. That's what we're saying. We cannot allow Lebanon to be a platform from which harm comes to Saudi Arabia. The Lebanese people are innocent. The Lebanese people have been dominated by Hezbollah and we need to find a way to help the Lebanese people come out from under the thumb of Hezbollah.

HG: Are you considering cutting diplomatic ties with Lebanon?

Adel Al Jubeir: We're looking at various options and we're consulting with our friends and allies around the world to see what the most effective ways is of dealing with them ..(inaudible).. Hezbollah.

HG: Talk to me a little bit about your allies here because the United States government has expressed for support for Saudi Arabia given Iran's aggression. At the same time they've expressed support for the government of Lebanon in terms of more money and weapons as well. How do you square this? Is this a conflicting narrative? Can they do both at the same time?

Adel Al Jubeir: The U.S. wants to help the Lebanese government be strong and be independent. So do we. The U.S. wants to curtail Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon. So do we. The U.S. wants to push back hard against Hezbollah and its terrorist activities and its criminal activities. And so do we, so I don't see a difference between the positions of our two governments. We have made it clear that we cannot allow Lebanon to be a base from which attacks against Saudi Arabia take place and we are urging the Lebanese and the Lebanese government in particular to take firm and resolute actions against Hezbollah.

Hadley: When you look at what's happening in the broader region, President Sisi of Egypt has come out and expressed support for Saudi Arabia. At the same time he said that it's not a good idea to attack Hezbollah. He doesn't want to see anything that destabilises the region further. What do you think about those comments?

Adel Al Jubeir: I think it's in line with what everybody is thinking. We, we are saying we have to find ways to curtail Hezbollah's influence and its mischief and we have to find ways to push back against Hezbollah's terrorist activities and its involvement in the affairs of other countries at the behest of Iran. And there is no contradiction in the positions.

HG: Would Saudi Arabia to be prepared to go it alone and take on Hezbollah directly without Egypt?

Adel Al Jubeir: I think we have, we have a large number of countries around the world if not all countries, with the exception of possibly Iran, that are against Hezbollah's terrorist activities and that are against Hezbollah hijacking the Lebanese state. So we're not alone in this.

HG: Talk to me a little bit about the possibilities there including Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he stands shoulder to shoulder with his Arab friends when it comes to Iranian aggression. Is there truth to the rumours that Israel and Saudi Arabia could be working together to tackle Hezbollah?

Adel Al Jubeir: I can't comment on rumours, but what I do know is that Iran is an outlaw state, that Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism, that Iran harbours terrorists, that Iran was in cahoots with Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden since the 1990s, that Al-Qaeda's virtual board of directors fled to Iran in 2002 and have been living there ever since. They have directed terrorist operations including against Saudi Arabia from Iran while they were there. The order to blow up the three housing compounds in Riyadh came from Saif al-Adel, who's their head of their operations, while he was in Iran in a phone call which we incidentally have on tape. There is, the evidence is irrefutable. Iran has attacked and blown up more than 12 embassies in Iran in violation of international laws and norms. Iran has assassinated diplomats around the world including a number of Saudi diplomats. Iran has staged terrorist attacks in Europe and South America and throughout the Middle East. So Iran is an outlaw state. Iran needs to be held accountable for the mischief it's causing. Iran is recruiting people and sending militias to fight in Syria and in, Iran is interfering in Iraq. Iran is smuggling weapons into Bahrain. Iran is involved with the Houthis in Yemen. Iran is all over the place in a very negative and very hostile way.

HG: And given that, would there then be the possibility for a potential alliance with Israel when it comes to taking on Iran?

Adel Al Jubeir: The whole world is determined to push back against Iran.

HG: Talk to me a little bit about what's been happening over the last several days here. It's been a massive crackdown on corruption. 1,800 bank accounts have been frozen. This is at a time that Saudi Arabia is really looking for international investment. Are you worried that the international community are going to begin to question that transparency given the fact that there hasn't been an official release of the names of the people involved in the investigation and there hasn't been a release of the charges?

Adel Al Jubeir: Quite the contrary. I think that this will increase investor confidence in Saudi Arabia because it shows that we have adopted a zero tolerance policy on corruption just as we have adopted a zero tolerance policy on terrorism and extremism and terror financing. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced ..(inaudible).. announced more than two and a half years ago that he will fight corruption and fight it robustly. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has made it very clear that no prince and no minister and no high ranking official is immune from corruption charges. The public prosecutor started an investigation two and a half years ago and unearthed a large number of cases of individuals who are involved in corruption and the decision was made to bring these people in for questioning and to confront them with the evidence and to deal with this issue in a very resolute manner. A sizable percentage of our budget we discovered was being stolen and this cannot stand. Where you have corruption, you cannot have justice, you cannot have investment, you cannot have the efficient and transparent government. I believe that the international community will be very, very pleased that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not only transparent, not only firm, but has actually taken decisive action against individuals who robbed public goods. And the reason the names have not been announced is under our legal system, we don't publicize names until after the verdicts are out. And this process is still ongoing. The questioning is ongoing. The individuals will have trials in accordance with our laws just like everybody else and they will be held accountable. So this is a hugely important step for Saudi Arabia. Now foreign investors can come in Saudi Arabia and compete on an equal footing with everybody else.

HG: There's been conflicting reports about just what happened with the arrest of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz. Could you clarify what exactly happened ?

Adel Al Jubeir: I can't comment on the individual cases I leave that to the public prosecutor.

HG: There's also a question of, we're talking about something like $800 billion dollars worth of assets that are either in Saudi Arabia or abroad belonging to those who are under investigation. Is this really about corruption or is this really about getting the cash? Because those funds you guys can really use right now, especially with vision 2030.

Adel Al Jubeir: Yeah, I can't again comment on numbers and so forth I leave that to the public prosecutor and I think in time people will know. The bottom line is: money was stolen from the public treasury and that robbed the country of the ability to invest it for the good of its people. And so of course people have to return the funds that were stolen.

HG: So when you look at what's happened over the last several days, it is an unprecedented move from the government. This was a very large crackdown. What does it mean for the future of this country ?

Adel Al Jubeir: It means that the country is moving on the right track, that the country is opening up, that the country is implementing its 2020 national transformation plan to make government more efficient, more transparent, more accountable. How can it do that if we don't deal with corruption? It means we have we have to empower our youth. We empower women. We moderate. We adopt and push for a moderate Islam so that people can live normal lives in our country. They can, they can realize their hopes and dreams and ambitions and in the process make our country much greater than it is. And so this, this, the issue of corruption is critically important to this and I think when you look at the total changes that have occurred in Saudi Arabia over the last two years, these are vast changes, and tremendous changes that will transform our nation and make us into a stronger, much more dynamic society.

HG: And finally... You yourself were the target of an assassination attempt by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. How much of this is personal for you?

Adel Al Jubeir: None of it is personal. This is all about serving your country and protecting your country's interests. The fact is, as I mentioned earlier, Iran's track record is incredible in terms of terrorism and assassinations and death and destruction. Iran is on a rampage and has been since the Khomeini revolution in 1979. And until and unless Iran behaves like a normal country that respects international laws, that respects the sovereignty of nations, that respects the principle of good neighbourliness and non-interference in the affairs of other countries, it would be impossible for people to deal with Iran. The Iranians have to decide if they are a revolution or a nation state. So far they have decided they're a revolution on a rampage trying to expand. And that's not acceptable.

HG: Your Excellency thank you so much for joining CNBC.

Adel Al Jubeir: Always a pleasure.
Politicians in Europe need to make courageous steps on policy and regulation to push the continent's tech industry closer to that of China's, a venture capitalist said Thursday.

Klaus Hommels, founder and CEO of Lakestar, said that China's tech giants have benefited from a regulatory environment in a way that Europe's have not.

"I think we need to be a little bit more courageous," Hommels told CNBC at the Web Summit conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

Hommels highlighted that China has implemented a number of policies to enhance innovation. For instance, one policy known as the Made in China 2025 plan seeks to boost the country's high-tech industries. Another, called the Robotics Industry Development Plan, is a five-year program that focuses in on the robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

The investor said that the economic behemoth has managed to take its tech companies to a point where they could compete with "everybody else."

"Some call it protectionism, others call it active industry policy," he said. "This is something we could easily do but we need to be courageous on the political side and that is not always the currency that politicians play with."

China is host to a number of internet giants. Alibaba , Tencent and Baidu have all made significant headway both in China and, increasingly, around the world. Tencent, for instance, bought a 10 percent stake in U.S. social media firm Snap on Wednesday, a move that boosted shareholder confidence in Snap after disappointment over earnings.
European stocks posted sharp declines by Thursday's market close, as a string of corporate earnings triggered negative moves across sectors and bourses. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed sharply lower, down 1.11 percent provisionally on Thursday, with all sectors and major bourses ending in negative territory. Looking to major bourses, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 slipped 0.61 percent, while France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX tumbled further, closing down 1.16 and 1.49 percent respectively.

European markets



Basic resources led the losses Thursday, ending the day down 2.44 percent. Several miners posted sharp declines on the back of a drop in metal prices, with nickel dropping over 2.5 percent by the market close. ArcelorMittal 's shares meanwhile slumped 3.4 percent after EU anti-trust regulators said they would investigate whether its proposed purchase of Italian steel plant Ilva would lead to price hikes, Reuters reported. While all sectors finished lower, Europe's banking index saw some of its stocks rise during trade. Germany's Commerzbank posted a net profit in the third quarter as the lender continued to focus on a major overhaul. Its shares popped 2.35 percent higher on the news. Several Italian banks closed sharply higher, with BPER Banca jumping 9.9 percent, after it strengthened its core capital ratio during its third quarter, Reuters reported. Insurer Aegon also rose sharply, finishing up 4.8 percent, after third quarter underlying pretax profit beat market expectations.

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German sportswear firm Adidas posted another strong quarter of sales and profit growth Thursday, driven by expansion in China and North America, where it has been taking market share from rival Nike. Its shares however fell 4.67 percent by the close. Luxury brand Burberry tumbled 10 percent, with Reuters citing investor concern after the U.K. company outlined Thursday the cost of its new transformation, including store refurbishment.



Vestas meantime tanked more than 19 percent after the firm lowered its 2017 profit margin outlook. The world's largest maker of wind turbines cited increased competition and uncertainty over U.S. tax reform as likely challenges to its industry over the coming months.

'Unfair trade practices'
A co-founder of Facebook bashed the company during an interview, saying that the social network was built to exploit vulnerabilities in human psychology.

Sean Parker, founding president of the company, told Axios in an interview Wednesday that the premise of the social media site  a "social-validation feedback loop"  is "exactly the kind of thing that a hacker like myself would come up with."

A like or a comment on a post sends users "a little dopamine hit," he said, encouraging them to post again.

"The inventors, creators  it's me, it's Mark [Zuckerberg], it's Kevin Systrom on Instagram, it's all of these people  understood this consciously. And we did it anyway," he said, according to a transcript of the interview.

Parker said he would tell early holdouts to the platform that "we'll get you eventually."

"I don't know if I really understood the consequences of what I was saying, because [of] the unintended consequences of a network when it grows to a billion or 2 billion people and ... it literally changes your relationship with society, with each other," Parker said. "It probably interferes with productivity in weird ways. God only knows what it's doing to our children's brains."

Parker left his post as president of Facebook in 2006 after less than two years but remains chairman of a Facebook segment dedicated to awareness and social causes, according to his LinkedIn account.

Read the full Axios report here.
CNBC's John Harwood sat down with National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn to discuss a range of topics, including the matter of luring companies to stay in America. What follows is a condensed, edited transcript of their conversation.

Harwood: Do you think the economic effects you're describing will take place even if firms don't take money that they repatriate and invest, but instead give it into share buybacks as they did the last time we had a holiday?

Cohn: Absolutely. The minute we pass the law, you are going have to take an accrual on your books for the taxes owed on that money. Once you end up owing us the taxes, now you're making a business decision. If people bring the money back because they think there's an economic return that makes sense here in the United States, we believe there's a great economic sense. If they go to your alternative, which is that they issue dividends, or they buy back stock, guess what? We get another 20 percent tax on the money that they issued in dividends or they issue in taxes. So, we get a repatriation tax, we get a dividend or capital gains tax. But people to get those dividends, or they get those capital gains, they're probably investors. What are they going to do? They're going to go reinvest that money back in the market.

Harwood: That doesn't limit the wage effects you guys are expecting, the idea that you're going to hire more workers and pay the marginal worker more?

Cohn: I'm saying the open investor doesn't want the money. If I got a pool of capital invested in the market today, and you send me a big dividend, I'm most likely sending that money back to someone else so they can reinvest it and hire workers.

Harwood: The Penn-Wharton model that was run by this former Bush economist has got a new projection out that shows that there is a chance that this will shrink the economy in the long run because of the deficit drag.

Cohn: We don't agree with that. We believe that we're going to have a very stimulative effect on the economy by lowering the business tax rate, by lowering the corporate rate, and making America competitive with the rest of the world. Look, a year ago, I was on the other side of this equation. I was advising companies how to get out of the burdensome U.S. tax system. We were talking about inversions  we were talking about moving companies out of the United States. The most compelling presentation I could make to a board is, hey, I can turbocharge your earnings without doing anything in your company. I can just relocate your domicile, and you can hold your board meetings, you can do a few things, and you can go from a 35 percent tax rate to a 15 percent tax rate. You can deliver 20 percent of your earnings to the bottom line.

Harwood: Did you feel guilty advocating that as an American?

Cohn: No. I didn't feel guilty because boards have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders. That's what they're supposed to do. So, you know what? We're going to make America competitive. We're going to make it compelling for people to build their companies in America.

Harwood: You, I imagine, are the point person in the White House for big CEOs because you come from their world, they know you. What are you hearing from them right now?

Cohn: The most excited group out there are big CEOs, about our tax plan. They all tell me how they excited they are to get a tax plan that makes the United States competitive, makes it so they can grow their business domestically, makes it so they can  actually pay wages here. People have trapped their money offshore. So, you can't pay U.S. workers. You can pay non-U.S. workers, 'cause you've got the money offshore.

Harwood: Don't businesses have a ton of domestic cash?

Cohn: Well, they borrow money at home to expand if they want to expand at home, but their real earnings are trapped offshore. If companies were making that money onshore, they'd be paying their labor, they'd be paying their workers more money. So, our biggest supporters are really the Business Roundtable. When you talk to all the CEOs  they're the most excited about this.

Read more from the Gary Cohn Speakeasy interview:

... on Goldman Sachs and the White House.

... on repealing the estate tax.

... on Cohn's plan after tax reform.

... on the value of trickle-down economics.
told CNBC on Thursday that Goldman Sachs ' agreement to establish a $5 billion investment vehicle with China's sovereign wealth fund is aimed at putting money into "U.S. companies that could be helped by better access to China."

The China Investment Corporation and Goldman have pledged to split the investment, with each side putting money into the fund and each side raising new capital from companies in their respective nations, Blankfein said on CNBC in an interview from Beijing. Goldman was one of the first American banks to make inroads into China.

Blankfein, a frequent critic of the White House, is traveling with President Donald Trump as part of a business delegation led by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The Goldman chairman and CEO said the Trump administration has America's best interests in mind.

He urged cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

"These are the two biggest economies in the world," Blankfein said. "Look at how much we have to gain when we work together."

Blankfein also told CNBC it's inevitable that the Chinese economy will be bigger than the U.S. economy based on the sheer population disparity alone. But on the measure of "purchasing power," China has already surpassed the U.S., he said.
Donald Trump is certainly a pro-business president, but he's not trying to enrich the wealthy, Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein told CNBC on Thursday.

Blankfein, a frequent critic of the White House, was traveling in Beijing with President Trump and a delegation of business leaders for the U.S. state visit to China.

The Trump administration is "a kind of champion for American interests," Blankfein said, but added he finds the president's rhetoric "excessive" sometimes.

"There are things I disagree," he said, reflecting, "maybe I haven't shown enough appreciation for the positives" of the Trump administration.

He stressed that he believes Trump is supporting business in such a way to boost the economy and help all Americans.

However, Blankfein noted, "It's not growth at all costs. We need to have some regulation."

Blankfein also talked about his firm's agreement to establish a $5 billion investment vehicle with China's sovereign wealth fund. He said the fund is aimed at putting money into "U.S. companies that could be helped by better access to China."

Meanwhile, he also told CNBC it's inevitable that the Chinese economy will be bigger than the U.S. economy based on the sheer population disparity alone. But on the measure of "purchasing power," China has already surpassed the U.S., he said.
The Justice Department pushed back Thursday on allegations that it is trying to get AT&T to sell CNN and other properties as part of its plans to acquire Time Warner. In another strange twist to the deal, AT&T's CEO backed up that account.

Instead, the DOJ presented AT&T with several options by which it might be willing to satisfy antitrust concerns, but never demanded a CNN sale, a government official familiar with the discussions told CNBC.

The official called the accusation that the government was trying to force a CNN sale "shocking" and countered that AT&T was attempting to make the matter political.

"They're trying to make this a political issue. It's not," the official said.

The government suggested that AT&T sell either Turner, which owns CNN, or Direct TV, the official added.

In an unusual back and forth played out in the media, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said the company would not consider divesting CNN. Stephenson himself gave credence to Thursday's statements out of the DOJ.

"I have never been told that the price of getting the deal done was selling CNN," Stephenson said at the DealBook conference in New York.

Sources had told CNBC that the government had demanded a sale of the Turner properties or Direct TV to approve of the deal.

The Justice official said the department would prefer that AT&T abandon the deal altogether. Failing that, the department would like to see a sale of either Turner or Direct TV  but also is open to other ideas that would satisfy antitrust concerns.
"A bill that focuses on boosting existing law enforcement will not satisfy the most passionate gun control advocates, but almost everyone else will see it as a step in the right direction."

President George W. Bush, saw similar successes with his Project Safe Neighborhoods program to focus on gang-connected gun violence, black market gun runners, and other gun crimes. Project SAFE got more than $1.5 billion from the Bush administration. And violent crime fell sharply during the Bush years, even when compared with the already falling crime numbers under President Clinton. Also, note that the focus wasn't on making new rules about what guns were or were not legal. It was all about crime prevention.

Not everyone agrees that more and better funded law enforcement was the real reason for the reduction in crime nationwide that is continuing even now. But the other factors, be they economic or social, are not the kinds of things that can be replicated by an act of Congress.

But speaking of Congress, in 2004 the Republican Congress cut anti-gun funding, presumably under the new fiscal pressures from the war in Iraq. The number of gun crime prosecutions really started to fall under the Obama administration. Federal prosecutors brought a total of 5,082 gun violation cases in 2013 recommended by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, compared with a record 8,752 prosecutions of ATF cases brought by the Justice Department in 2004 under President Bush according to the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys.

So there's the answer, or at least the best answer we can expect from the government. Instead of continuing to do nothing or participating in shouting matches about the NRA, the best and most plausible solution is to rededicate the efforts that worked so well before to reduce gun crimes. The two key elements are focusing on illegal guns and coming up with the cash.

Now, there are those who will argue that cutting down on gun crimes generally is different from needed action to reduce the number of the kinds of mass shootings we've seen in recent weeks and years. But that argument falters a bit when we learn a little more about some of these shooters.

For example, we learned this week that criminal databases meant to keep violent people from buying guns don't work if the folks who are supposed to enter names into that database don't have the time, the will, or the job skills to do it. That's what happened when the Air Force never put the Sutherland Springs shooter's prior domestic violence conviction into the FBI database used in gun background checks. More money and manpower could help make those kinds of screw ups less common.

Improved community policing like we saw as a result of the 1994 crime bill might also produce positive results when it comes to gang-related mass shootings in urban areas. And an extra officer or two in a rural or suburban area could also help local cops keep better tabs on ex-felons and other people who are, as they say, "known to law enforcement."

Now, will such a bill aimed at gun crime crackdowns actually pass?

Yes.

There are a number of factors that tell us why. First, you do have national outrage over these shootings that most politicians clearly want to respond to in some way. A bill that focuses on boosting existing law enforcement will not satisfy the most passionate gun control advocates, but almost everyone else will see it as a step in the right direction. Democrats can also ride the fact that Republicans killed the funding for this kind of plan back in 2004 if they want to score partisan political points.

Second, congressional Republicans from blue states and swing districts who are getting more and more worried about the 2018 midterm elections need something like this to take home to their voters.

And President Trump, who seems most at home when he's talking law and order issues and praising police should have no problem backing a plan to give them more manpower and financial support. That's especially true if some of the money is earmarked for better weapons interdiction at the U.S.-Mexican border.

The only stumbling block would be the deficit hawks who may hold up such a bill with demands of corresponding cuts coming from somewhere else. But those hawks would be a lot wiser to choose a less urgent issue to make their stand.

Again, this is not a fairy tale proposition. Increasing federal spending to effectively reduce gun crimes is already a proven bridge-building process even in Washington. But yes, somebody in power is going to have to start the ball rolling. Law and order Republicans like Rep. Peter King in the House could join with a Democrat like Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota to start the process. King makes sense because of his seniority and his anti-crime branding and Heitkamp has already proven to be a Democrat who's number one goal does not seem to be embarrassing and attacking President Trump. That's what it's going to take from both parties to clear the hurdles in this current political environment. But it's not impossible.

The good news is that the blueprints are already available and the popular support for it is almost guaranteed.

Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
There is "irrational exuberance" in the initial coin offering (ICO) market and it's a technology that's here to stay, the co-founder of Ethereum said Wednesday.

Joseph Lubin told CNBC that while there is a lot of excitement around ICOs, the long-term potential of the "profoundly powerful" technology is huge.

"There's certainly some irrational exuberance in the space, it's such a profoundly powerful technology that people are excited about it and I think that that's what's driving this rush into the ecosystem," Lubin said in a TV interview at the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

"People tend to, or groups of people tend to, operate in fear and greed cycles and I think we are going to see that. I think the growth in the ecosystem is going to continue quite dramatically."

Ethereum creates a blockchain platform for developers to build apps on top of. It also offers a digital currency called ether, which is the second largest by market capitalization behind bitcoin .

ICOs are a way for companies to raise money  people pay money in exchange for a token or digital currency. The token doesn't usually give the investor equity in the company. Instead, it can be traded or used to do something with the firm.

Companies have raised more than $3 billion via ICOs so far this year, according to website Coinschedule, which tracks activity in the space. Many have poured cold water on ICOs though, while regulators in China and South Korea have banned them.

Lubin said that many business systems and key infrastructure could be moved to the blockchain or distributed ledger technology. This refers to a way a network of machines works together to facilitate a process, such as a transaction. All parties are involved in the process and a ledger of activity is recorded and tamperproof.

Many ICOs are carried out via the Ethereum blockchain. As a result of the benefits of the technology, Lubin said that ICOs and the number of tokens in existence are set to rise.

Lubin even described a situation where a person could launch an ICO for themselves. For example, a person could launch their own token to raise $5 million, which would put them through college and even help them start a business. Investors could see a return once the business starts to flourish.

"Capital formation in the form of tokenized securities will, I think, be more efficient," Lubin said.

The benefits include a broader number of investors in the company and the ability to create new business models through the issuing of digital tokens.

"So I think token launches, which are nonsecurity tokens, as well as tokenization of securities will be a huge paradigm."
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said Thursday that it should not have been possible for one of his employees to deactivate the president's Twitter account.

"We had an employee who, on this person's last day, took it upon themselves to deactivate the account," Dorsey said. "There are a number of things that came out of this for us. First, that should never have been possible. We started looking into the controls we have in place, what we can improve and where we have weaknesses, where we have gaps. Second, particular policies around what agents have control over and what they don't."

Dorsey spoke in an interview with New York Times columnist and CNBC anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times DealBook Conference. Sorkin asked if Dorsey received a call from the president's staff, and he said they've had "conversations."

President Donald Trump had his account deactivated for 11 minutes earlier this month, an action that's very different from an account suspension, according to Dorsey, but results in the account being out of public view.

Tweet: Earlier today @realdonaldtrump's account was inadvertently deactivated due to human error by a Twitter employee. The account was down for 11 minutes, and has since been restored. We are continuing to investigate and are taking steps to prevent this from happening again.

Dorsey said that Twitter has had to flex "new muscles" as far as transparency, especially when it comes to how and why accounts are blocked from the Twitter feed. He said there is a policy to keep content live based on whether it is "newsworthy," referring to the president's tweets.

"We're trying to close the gap between policy interpretation and policy enforcement," Dorsey said.

Twitter is under scrutiny for social media's role in spreading Russian propaganda during the 2016 election.

Sorkin asked Dorsey why he did not attend recent congressional hearings on the topic of Russian interference, sending a lawyer instead, just like Google and Facebook .

Dorsey said he would absolutely be happy to stand up and represent his company, but that the lawyer was the best person to speak to the deep nuances of Twitter's legal policies.

"If I was called specifically, I would go," Dorsey said. "I would get prepared and make sure I understood every single aspect of what happened and what we're doing about it, more importantly."

Twitter recently rolled out extended character limits of 280 characters for tweets. Dorsey said he still will likely average under 140.

Dorsey is one of the few people to take on the challenge of running two publicly traded companies, Twitter and Square . Both companies have performed well over the past few months.

Dorsey said it took time to understand how to run both companies, but he's learned that the right team and the right use of time are more important than how much time he spends at each company. He compared his ventures to the Walt Disney company in that he plans for his companies to endure beyond his lifetime, and that means building structures that do not depend solely on him. (Dorsey is a board member at Disney.)

Twitter reported higher-than-expected earnings for last quarter, despite a nearly flat user base. And Square also exceeded Wall Street's expectations, narrowing losses amid a growing volume of transactions. The company is also delving deeper into hardware with a new product called Square Register.

But the pressure is high on both companies to aim for perfection. Square shares have seen triple-digit percentage gains this year.

Dorsey said that Square lost some customers to aggressive competitors like Amazon, but many of them have come back.

Dorsey said that much of the commentary around financial innovations like bitcoin is very surface level, and that bitcoin research could have wide-ranging and "seminal" implications. Square briefly accepted bitcoin in 2014.

"It's a decentralized ledger. That has extreme power," Dorsey. "I want to make sure as a company  and this is not just Square, but also Twitter  that we're looking at technologies like the blockchain, like cryptocurrencies, and learning from it, and learning how to apply it."
The government must collaborate with businesses if it wants to solve some of society's most pressing problems, Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky told CNBC on Thursday.

"It takes all of us working together," Gorsky told "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer in a special Veterans Day show at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. "If we're going to solve issues like health care, if we're going to take on issues about how do we grow our economy, how do we create more high-paying jobs, that requires industry and the government working together."

Gorsky spoke to tax reform, which The Washington Post reported on Thursday was facing competing bills from Senate and House Republicans.

The Trump administration has been pushing for sweeping tax reform that lawmakers say will make filing taxes easier on the layman and make U.S. companies more competitive.

"It starts with smart tax policy," Gorsky said. "How do we make sure that we have competitive tax policy so that companies, frankly, aren't making bad decisions about moving their things around based on tax alone? It should be based on the strategy."

And for Gorsky, a West Point graduate, a successful strategy has two components: innovation and execution.

"You've got to have a very clear plan, make sure you're delivering on that, that you're crossing the T's, dotting the I's," the CEO said.

Gorsky added that he learned much of the strategy he now employs at the massive pharmaceutical and consumer goods company he runs at West Point.

But the CEO also delivered a harrowing public service announcement about veterans that he thinks goes largely unnoticed.

"We owe the men and women of this country who have served  the millions who have served, who really protect us, keep us safe, such a deep debt," Gorsky said. "That whole theme of make sure you say 'Thank you for your service,' I think that's a great gesture, it's awesome to do, but it's not enough."

In reality, scores of veterans suffer from serious mental conditions, and an average of 20 veterans are lost to suicide per day, the CEO said.

"We cannot leave them behind," Gorsky told Cramer. "The [Department of Veterans Affairs] has a lot of great programs and we've got to make sure these people know where and how to get help. We've got to make sure they know how to reach out to the VA, to other veteran service organizations. And frankly, sometimes all it takes is a friend to make a call, to connect, to reach out, so we've got to get communities, cities, churches, everybody working together because they deserve our best."
Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, Roy Moore, displays a pistol to express his support for Second Amendment as he speaks at a campaign rally on September 25, 2017 in Fairhope, Alabama.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called on the Alabama GOP nominee for Senate, Roy Moore, to withdraw from the race if multiple allegations that he pursued sexual relationships with teenagers are true.

"If these allegations are true, he must step aside," McConnell told reporters, following the publication of the story in The Washington Post. In it, four women described on the record how Moore allegedly tried to initiate sexual relationships with them while they were in their teens and he was in his early 30s. The 70-year-old Moore denies the allegations.

From The Washington Post:

Moore chatted with [14-year-old Leigh Corfman] and asked for her phone number, she says. Days later, she says, he picked her up around the corner from her house in Gadsden, drove her about 30 minutes to his home in the woods, told her how pretty she was and kissed her. On a second visit, she says, he took off her shirt and pants and removed his clothes. He touched her over her bra and underpants, she says, and guided her hand to touch him over his underwear. Aside from Corfman, three other women interviewed by The Washington Post in recent weeks say Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s, episodes they say they found flattering at the time, but troubling as they got older. None of the women say that Moore forced them into any sort of relationship or sexual contact.

In a written statement to the Post, Moore said: "These allegations are completely false and are a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign."

In the September Alabama primary, Moore defeated incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, who was backed by President Donald Trump. After the vote, Trump called Moore to congratulate him. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said later that Trump does not share Moore's views on religion and several other issues.

McConnell was not the only Republican senator on Thursday to demand that Moore step aside if the allegations are true.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski told NBC News she was "horrified" by the allegations, and if they were true, Moore "should step down immediately."

JUST NOW: @lisamurkowski on WaPo Report on Roy Moore: "I'm horrified and if it's true he should step down immediately."

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., also said Moore "ought to step aside" if "there's any truth to that story."

FLAKE to @thedailybeast on MOORE: "If there's any truth to that story, he ought to step aside.

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey echoed Flake: "If there's a shred of truth to it, then [Moore] needs to step aside."

But while most Republicans stressed that the allegations needed to be proven before Moore should step down, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the accounts of the four women, which were corroborated by friends and family, were enough to convince him that Moore should drop out of the race.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," McCain said in a statement. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of."

Moore's campaign chairman, Bill Armistead, called the story a "last ditch Hail Mary" by Moore's political opponents.

"Judge Roy Moore has endured the most outlandish attacks on any candidate in the modern political arena, but this story in today's Washington Post alleging sexual impropriety takes the cake," said Armistead.

This is not Moore's first brush with controversy. The former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court first gained national attention in 2003, when he was removed from his position for refusing to take down a statue of the Ten Commandments, which he'd had installed in front of the state's primary judicial building.

A decade later, Moore was again elected Chief Justice, and in 2016 he was again removed from office, this time for instructing lower court judges to uphold a ban on same sex marriage, despite a Supreme Court decision which found the ban was unconstitutional.

In recent years, Moore has also argued that Muslims should be prohibited from serving in Congress, that homosexuality is "an inherent evil" and that evolution does not exist.

During the state's 2017 Senate Republican primary, Moore won the backing of Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to President Donald Trump. Bannon's endorsement came as a surprise to some conservatives, given that Trump had publicly backed Moore's opponent.
Steve Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury Secretary, speaking at the New York Economic Club on Nov. 9th, 2017.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday said President Donald Trump will see a tax increase under the proposed Republican tax plan.

"He will have a tax increase," Mnuchin said. "For people who make over $1 million in the high tax states, there will be a tax increase."

Mnuchin was speaking at The Economic Club of New York ahead of the unveiling of the Senate GOP tax plan expected later Thursday.

Initial analyses of the tax plan suggest that Trump will see his federal tax rate decline if the Republican tax proposal is passed. His total tax rate, however, including state and local taxes, could increase, just as Mnuchin said.

Trump, like others making $1 million a year in taxable income, will benefit from a reduced federal tax rate, according to an analysis by the Joint Committee on Taxation. That analysis showed that the average millionaire will go from a tax rate of 32.5 percent to 29.9 percent.

The numbers could change as the House is revising the bill in committee.

Despite the likely decrease in his federal tax rate, taxpayers such as Trump who live in high-tax states and localities will be hit hardest by the House GOP's proposed end to state and local deductions for itemized filers.

The state and local tax deduction, or SALT deduction, is effectively a subsidy from the federal government to state and local governments. It's generally used by higher-income taxpayers and is disproportionately used by taxpayers in states with high state and local taxes. In Washington, D.C., the average SALT deduction in 2014 was $15,500, according to the Tax Policy Center.

For his part, Trump said Tuesday that he called his personal accountant to check how he would be affected, according to The Washington Post. According to the Post, the president told senators Tuesday that he would be a "big loser" under the plan.
Heather Ogg's grief has turned to anger as she approaches the second anniversary of her teenage son's shooting death. "It feels like, in a sense, that my son's life didn't matter," she said. Tanner Douglas, 16, was killed Dec. 3, 2015, while on a hunting trip with his father near Laredo, Texas. The father told police his rifle, a Remington Model 721, went off while he was unloading it, without touching the trigger.

Tanner Douglas. Photo courtesy of Heather Ogg. Authorities ruled the death accidental. The state crime lab found the gun to be "unsafe." "The rifle fired each time the bolt was locked in the closed position with no pressure being applied to the trigger," the report said. What the family did not know at the time of Tanner's death was that the gun was one of millions covered under a nationwide class-action settlement announced a year earlier, over allegations that Remington concealed a deadly design defect that allows the guns to fire without the trigger being pulled. CNBC first investigated those allegations in 2010. The settlement, made public in December 2014, covers some 7.5 million guns, including the iconic Model 700 rifle. While still maintaining that the guns are safe, Remington agreed to replace the triggers, free of charge, in most of the guns. In older models, like the Model 721 that killed Tanner Douglas, the company agreed to provide a product voucher along with a gun safety DVD. But nearly three years later, the vast majority of the guns have not been fixed, and it is unclear if they ever will be. This, as another hunting season is underway or about to begin in much of the country. "We are stalled," said Houston attorney Mark Lanier, who represents plaintiffs in the class-action case. A federal judge gave final approval to the class-action settlement in March, but two Model 700 owners promptly appealed the ruling, saying the agreement did not do enough to properly notify the public, and accusing Remington of deliberately downplaying the risks in order to reduce its costs.

The Remington 700 trigger mechanism Brandon Ancil | CNBC

In court filings, Remington has defended the settlement as "fair, reasonable, and adequate." But with the appeal pending, the trigger replacement program is effectively on hold. An attorney representing Remington, Dale Wills, said the company "generally does not comment on pending litigation." He referred CNBC to the official settlement website, which says owners "will not be entitled to a retrofit until after the pending appeal is resolved." The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Kansas City has agreed to hear oral arguments but has not yet set a date. In the meantime, plaintiffs' attorneys said the company is only retrofitting guns that the owner can prove fired without the trigger being pulled  a small fraction of the total. Separately, a recall of Model 700 and Model Seven rifles with a newer trigger mechanism  manufactured between 2006 and 2014  is continuing, but attorneys would not say how many guns have been repaired. Safety debate Remington has consistently said the guns are safe and free of defects. The company blames all of the incidents  which number in the thousands, according to lawsuits and customer complaints  on user errors such as improper maintenance and failure to practice proper firearm safety. The lawsuits have linked the alleged defect to hundreds of serious injuries and at least two-dozen deaths. For Heather Ogg, Remington's stance adds insult to injury. "That's blood on their hands every time somebody gets killed, because they know there's a defect with these guns and they're not doing anything to let people know about it," she said.

Tanner Douglas. Photo courtesy of Heather Ogg. Ogg said attorneys have told her family it would be fruitless to take legal action against Remington, because of a Texas law requiring product liability cases to be brought within 15 years of the product's sale. The gun in question had been in the family for generations, first owned by Tanner's great-grandfather. The Model 721 first went on the market in 1948. However, it is common for guns to be treated as family heirlooms, and Ogg says Tanner's father was meticulous about maintenance and safety. "His dad was a very conscious person about these things," she said. "If we're going to take it hunting, it needs to be cleaned, and we need to make sure there's nothing that's going to jam it up or anything like that." Michael Douglas told police that the gun fired when he closed the bolt while unloading it. He said he had the muzzle pointed safely downward, toward the floorboards of his vehicle. But he said the shot ricocheted off another gun in the vehicle, striking Tanner, who was standing nearby, in the rib cage. A bullet fragment was recovered at the scene, according to the state crime lab report. No charges were filed.

Photo courtesy of Heather Ogg. "There was no question in my mind. I mean, his dad would never do anything to harm him intentionally," Ogg said. Only afterward, while planning the boy's funeral, did the family begin learning about alleged issues surrounding Remington rifles and about the class-action settlement. As owners of one of the oldest models in question, the settlement would have entitled them to a product voucher worth only $10 plus the gun safety DVD. But Ogg says the mere possibility of a problem would have raised a red flag with the boy's father. "I know for a fact he would not have taken that gun hunting. He would not have used that gun unless it had been fixed because he was so 'gun safety.' If there was a problem with the gun, he would not have taken it out there risking someone's life," she said. Spreading the word With the class action settlement on hold, Remington critics are trying to alert the public about what they see as a life or death situation. Richard Barber of Montana, whose own son was killed in a hunting accident in 2000, has launched a Facebook page featuring some of the Remington internal documents he uncovered in his long search for answers. Nonetheless, he says he feels a sense of "impending doom" as hunting season begins, knowing that other families are likely to suffer the same fate. "As sure as the sun is going to come up tomorrow, people are going to be maimed or killed this year," he said. Barber initially worked as a paid consultant to the plaintiffs' attorneys in the class-action case but says he resigned after it became clear that neither side was interested in getting the truth out. He eventually became an outspoken critic of the settlement, which he calls a "sham," although he is not involved in the appeal. Barber blames the legal system for the settlement being in limbo. "The courts seem to be satisfied if money changes hands," he said, rather than finding the truth and punishing the guilty. Barber also blames plaintiffs' attorneys, who stand to collect $12.5 million in fees once the settlement is finalized. "The people who are thumping their chest about this settlement had a vested financial interest in this case," he said. One of those attorneys, Lanier, is urging hunters to pay heed regardless of the settlement. "This is a safety hazard still, and all hunters should be aware," he said. "I would not use a Remington 700 without having it retrofitted."
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Saudi Arabia's foreign minister urged the international community to slap fresh sanctions against Iran Thursday, accusing its arch-regional rival of supporting terrorism.



"We would like to see sanctions on Iran for its support of terrorism and sanctions on Iran for violating the ballistic missile resolutions of the United Nations," Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi minister of foreign affairs, told CNBC Thursday. When asked whether Saudi Arabia was headed for a direct conflict with Iran, Al-Jubeir replied, "We hope not."



The Kingdom's foreign minister went on to say the most effective way of dealing with Iran would be for the international community to hold Tehran accountable for "fixing" the nuclear agreement, supporting terrorism and for its ballistic missile program.



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Ballistic missile attack

Saudi Arabia blames Iran for allegedly being behind a ballistic missile attack on Saturday. The missile, which was fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, was intercepted in flight near Riyadh's airport. In response, Iran's United Nations Ambassador, Gholamali Khoshrou, described the allegations as "unfounded," Tasnim News Agency reported. Tehran also denied arming the Houthi movement, which has fought a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government since 2015. The ongoing civil war in Yemen is akin to a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran and their competing ideologies of Sunni and Shia Islam, respectively. While Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia backs the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, its rival Iran backs the pro-Shia Houthi movement loyal to the country's former president Ali Abdulla Saleh. On Monday, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Iran's alleged actions may be considered "an act of war," state media reported.

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Hezbollah 'hijacked' Lebanese system

Further to the apparent proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen, the latest Middle Eastern country in danger of becoming an epicenter of hostile relations between the two arch-rivals is Lebanon. Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri, a long-term Sunni ally of Saudi Arabia, stunned the world by resigning at the weekend, citing assassination threats and blaming Iran for interference in Lebanon. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia warned its citizens against travelling to Lebanon and asked those in the country to leave as soon as possible, the kingdom's official news agency (SPA) quoted an official source in the Foreign Ministry as saying, Reuters reported. "Due to the circumstances in the Lebanese Republic, the kingdom asks its citizens who are visiting or residing" in the country to leave it as soon as possible, the source added. Al-Jubeir described the situation in Lebanon as "unfortunate." He went on to accuse Hezbollah of "hijacking the system" and putting "roadblocks" in front of Hariri at every opportunity.

A reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran. Getty Images

Speaking from Riyadh, Hariri criticized Iran last weekend, and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, for igniting conflict in the region. Tehran later rejected the remarks of Beirut's outgoing leader, according to reports. Saudi Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan said Monday the Lebanese government would "be dealt with as a government declaring war on Saudi Arabia" and made a thinly-veiled threat of further action, Reuters reported, citing comments from an Al-Arabiya TV interview with Sabhan. Trump waded into the escalating geopolitical uncertainty on Monday evening, offering encouragement to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. president tweeted that the Kingdom's leaders know "exactly what they are doing."

Nuclear deal
The foreign minister of Saudi Arabia has refused to quell rumors that his country is working with Israel to tackle the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah.

Abel Al-Jubeir said Thursday that Hezbollah, a political and militant Shia-Islamist group, has hijacked the system in Lebanon and is spreading a malign influence throughout the Middle East.

He said many countries want to push back against Hezbollah but would not be drawn either way on whether Saudi Arabia was now working with Israel.
Republican Sen. John Thune told CNBC the tax rate "structure" in the Senate's reform bill, set to be unveiled Thursday, will differ from the House plan.

The House bill proposes to cut the number of income tax brackets from seven to four: 12 percent, 25 percent, 35 percent and 39.6 percent.

"We do have a different rate structure than what we have today, and we do have a different rate structure than what the House plan has," Thune told "Squawk Box."

He did not provide specifics.

As chairman of the Senate GOP conference, the South Dakota lawmaker is the third-ranking Republican in the Senate.

Thune also declined to comment on whether the Senate bill would delay implementing certain measures, such as the corporate tax cut, saying "that'll all come out later."

A few hours after Thune's appearance, a source told CNBC that the Senate tax plan would delay a corporate tax cut until 2019. On Wednesday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the GOP bill would increase the federal budget deficit by $1.7 trillion over 10 years.

"We've looked at different options on that," Thune told CNBC on Thursday, adding he's "happy" with what the Senate has done in regards to the rate structure.

The highlights of the Senate plan will be similar to the House bill, he said.

"We'll take a slightly different approach on a couple of the issues," he added. "But in the end, we all want to get to the same place."

"What we try to do is ensure there's progressivity in the code, that the tax burden is similar to what it is today, and ... the relief flows evenly," he said.

Senate Republicans are preparing to put out their tax plan two days after the GOP took a drubbing in off-year elections.

Democrat Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie in Virginia's hotly contested race for governor, which many analysts viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump.

In New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy won the gubernatorial race against Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who was No. 2 to the unpopular, outgoing Gov. Chris Christie.

Democrats, who did well around the country in other state races and locally, were looking ahead to next year's midterm House and Senate elections with renewed optimism.
"A number of members both on and off our committee have raised questions about the authorities of the legislative and executive branches with respect to war making, the use of nuclear weapons, and conducting foreign policy overall," Corker said in a statement Wednesday.

The announcement of the Nov.14 hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Corker chairs, amounts to a significant escalation of what has so far been a war of merely words between the powerful Republican and his party's standard-bearer.

After months of questioning President Donald Trump's temperament and fitness for office, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announced Wednesday that he would convene a hearing to examine the president's authority to use nuclear weapons.

"This continues a series of hearings to examine those issues and will be the first time since 1976 that this committee or our House counterparts have looked specifically at the authority and process for using U.S. nuclear weapons. This discussion is long overdue, and we look forward to examining this critical issue," Corker said.

The announcement came less than a day after Trump delivered a combative speech aimed at North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, in which the president called North Korea a "dark fantasy" and a "military cult." Speaking in South Korea, Trump accused the hermit kingdom of being founded on "a deranged belief in the leader's destiny to rule as parent-protector over a conquered Korean Peninsula and an enslaved Korean people."

Trump's insistence on engaging in brinkmanship with the nuclear-armed dictator has stunned many military and foreign policy professionals, who fear the president's ego could lead the country down a path to war.

Some of those professionals are scheduled to testify at Tuesday's hearing. One, Brian McKeon, is the former Acting Under Secretary for Policy at the Department of Defense under President Barack Obama, and a critic of Trump's approach to nuclear-armed North Korea.

Another witness is retired Air Force General Robert Kehler, a former commander of the U.S. Strategic Command and an expert in nuclear weapons and the capabilities of America's nuclear arsenal.

The third witness is Peter Feaver, a former director for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration. In 2016, Feaver was one of nearly 50 Republican national security officials who signed a letter opposing Trump's candidacy for president. Since then, Feaver has made no secret of the fact that he views Trump as a potential threat to national security.

"In a crisis, for instance with a nuclear-armed North Korea, Trump's temperament could be problematic and could lead to dangerous escalation, whereas another President with better self-control might be able to manage it more safely," Feaver told the Duke University Chronicle in August of last year.

A White House spokesman did not immediately respond late Wednesday to a request for comment on the hearing.

Feaver's view is one that Corker has expressed repeatedly, not least when he called the White House "an adult day care center" last month in response to attacks from Trump.

Senator Bob Corker tweet: It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.

Trump first began targeting Corker in August, after the senator criticized Trump's response to a deadly white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Va.

"The president has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence that he needs to demonstrate in order to be successful," Corker told Chattanooga website Nooga.com.

The Tuesday hearing is scheduled to being shortly after 10:00 a.m. ET.
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Siemens is set to conclude internal preparations to sell its health care unit by the end of March of next year, the chief executive officer told CNBC Thursday. "We have a fascinating health care business," Joe Kaeser, CEO Siemens told CNBC, "and are going to float the business ... because we do believe this is an attractive market and we want to keep control of that business going forward." The German industrial group announced in August . At the time the firm said it expected to value the business at up to 40 billion euros ($47 billion). However, Kaeser told CNBC that the firm will only go to the market when it sees an "optimal timing."

Joe Kaeser, chief executive officer of Siemens AG, during a news conference in Berlin, Germany, May 7, 2014. Krisztian Bocsi | Bloomberg | Getty Images

"I want to make sure that my company is ready, that we go whenever it is an optimal timing," he said. "So we are going to be done latest by March 2018 with our internal preparations and then we will look into the market, what it does and that the options are, and we'll take it from there," Kaeser added. As a preparation for the IPO, Siemens announced Thursday the appointment of Jochen Schmitz as the new chief financial officer of its health care business.

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Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Kohl's  The retailer missed estimates by 2 cents a share, with quarterly profit of 70 cents per share. It did post a surprise rise in comparable-store sales, and overall revenue did beat Street forecasts, but investors appear to be focusing on the revenue miss and an increase in expenses.

Norwegian Cruise Line  The cruise line operator earned an adjusted $1.86 per share for its latest quarter, four cents a share above estimates. Revenue beat forecasts, as well. Norwegian said its results were impacted by the recent hurricanes, but that bookings have now rebounded to pre-storm levels.

Office Depot  The office supplies retailer earned an adjusted 14 cents per share for the third quarter, 1 cent a share above estimates. Revenue also beat forecasts. Comparable-store sales dropped by 5 percent, but that was smaller than the 5.7 percent decline expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Party City  The retailer of party supplies matched estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of 13 cents per share, but revenue missed forecasts and the company gave a full-year forecast that falls below current analysts' estimates. Party City mentioned hurricane disruptions as one negative factor in the most recent quarter.

Time Inc.  The magazine publisher reported adjusted quarterly profit of 36 cents per share, 7 cents a share above estimates. Revenue came in below forecasts. Time saw greater online advertising, but not enough to negate a drop in print advertising volume.

Dish Network  The satellite TV provider came in 2 cents a share below estimates, with quarterly profit of 57 cents per share. Revenue also fell short of consensus. Dish's results were impacted by the quarter's hurricanes, with many customers unable to receive service, and the company expects to incur one-time expenses in restoring lost service.

Edgewell Personal Care  The company behind brands such as Edge, Playtex, Stayfree, and Hawaiian Tropic fell a penny a share short of expectations, with adjusted quarterly profit of $1 per share. Revenue also fell short of estimates. The company said the year has been "challenging" due to unprecedented competitive pressure.

DR Horton  The home builder came in 1 cent a share ahead of estimates, with quarterly earnings of 82 cents per share. Revenue also beat forecasts. The company saw an 18.2 percent jump in sales orders compared to a year earlier, and also announced a quarterly dividend hike to 12 1/2 cents per share from 10 cents a share.

Coty  The cosmetics company beat estimates by 3 cents a share, with quarterly profit of 10 cents per share. Revenue also beat forecasts. Coty said results may be uneven over the next few quarters but that it is pleased with overall improvements resulting from its growth strategy.

21st Century Fox  Fox matched consensus estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of 49 cents per share, while revenue beat forecasts. Fox saw higher ad sales during the quarter, with revenue rising by 10 percent at its cable division.

Square  Square came in 2 cents a share ahead of estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of 7 cents per share. The mobile payments company also beat forecasts with its revenue. Square saw a growing number of businesses adopt its payment platform during the quarter, and raised its full-year profit and revenue forecast.

Roku  Roku lost an adjusted 10 cents per share for its latest quarter, far smaller than the $1.37 per share loss that analysts were expecting. The maker of streaming video players reported better-than-expected revenue, as it saw a jump in active accounts and streaming hours.

IAC/InterActiveCorp  IAC reported adjusted quarterly profit of 55 cents per share, compared to a consensus estimate of 83 cents. Revenue beat forecasts for the website operator, thanks in large part of the performance of majority-owned dating site Match , but the bottom line was impacted by an increase in expenses.

Hostess Brands  Hostess came in 6 cents a share higher than consensus forecasts, with adjusted quarterly profit of 18 cents per share. The snack maker's revenue was below forecasts. Hostess said supply constraints at one of its manufacturers was an issue that cost it more than $3 million.

AstraZeneca  AstraZeneca saw sales fall during its third quarter as it faces increasing generic competition, although the decline in the drugmaker's revenue was slower than in prior quarters.

Perrigo  Perrigo reported adjusted quarterly profit of $1.39 per share, compared to the consensus estimates of $1.11 a share. The health products maker's revenue beat forecasts, and Perrigo also raised its full-year outlook as it outperforms peers amid tough competition in the generic drug business.

Snap  Snap is on watch once again, following the news that China's Tencent had acquired a 10 percent stake. Tencent issued a statement today saying it could help the Snapchat owner publish video games and improve ad sales.

Twilio  Twilio matched estimates with a quarterly loss of 8 cents per share, but the cloud communications company did see revenue top estimates and it also gave strong current quarter revenue guidance.
If former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama had to pick the words that have guided her over the years, she said she would pick a song by Stevie Wonder or a poem by Maya Angelou. Despite those and many other points of inspirations, Obama said the words she thinks of every day are those of her parents: "When I think about the words that stay in my head, that guide me, what I wake up to every day, it's the voice of Marian and Fraser Robinson," she said in an interview with poet Elizabeth Alexander during the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit in her Chicago hometown.

Obama reflected on the words and phrases that her parents shared with her growing up: "Do what you say you're going to do, be honest and true, and treat people with dignity and respect." "Those words guide me and they led me to Barack Obama," she added, "who reminded me very much of my own father in his decency and his honesty and his compassion. That was my foundation." Michelle and Barack Obama celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past October, during which Michelle tweeted to Barack, " you're still my best friend and the most extraordinary man I know."

Chris Kleponis | Getty Images

She underscored how when thinking about the everyday words that personally influence you, they don't have to be poetic or set to music to matter. "Most of the words that guide us are those words that we've heard growing up," Obama said. "For me, I had some pretty powerful parents who were very understated and humble in their own rights, but I live each day trying to make them proud." She believes she has her later father, Fraser, to thank for this way of perceiving each day. Before Obama was born, Fraser used to be an athlete who used to box and swim until he was suddenly stricken with MS. Growing up, Obama said she saw how despite Fraser's disability," he commanded a level of respect," and was the center of not just their nuclear family, but their entire family. "My father used to sit in his chair and people would come for advice, they would come for money, for love, for affirmation and he would give that affirmation so willingly," Obama said. "But the thing that I remembered about my father is that he never complained." In spite of needing a cane to walk, Fraser got up each day, put on his blue uniform and drove to work at a water filtration plant in Chicago.
CNBC's John Harwood sat down with National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn to discuss a range of topics, including similarities he sees between President Donald Trump and Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein. What follows is a condensed, edited transcript of their conversation.

Harwood: Compare the construction of this tax plan that you've been a part of with the process of a major initiative at Goldman Sachs.

Cohn: It's similar in many respects, and it's different in many respects.

Harwood: Less rational, right?

Cohn: I don't think it's less or more rational. So, a major initiative at Goldman Sachs, we would literally go through and we would be very methodical, and very organized, and we would think through what we wanted to achieve, how we were going to achieve it. What would be the intended outcomes; what would be the unintended outcomes? Could we live with the unintended versus the intended? What could go wrong? What could go right? How would we solve for all of the issues? And we would test that over, and over and over again, and bring in as many smart people as we possibly could to test that scenario.

Harwood: And how is it different now?

Cohn: You only had to convince one, two, or three people to do it. At the end of the day there was a small, small group of us. In dealing with what we have to deal with in taxes, we have 400-plus members of Congress and 100 members of the Senate. So, we not only have to think about what the objective is with taxes, and tax reform. We have to think how do we get 218 votes, and how do we get 51 votes on top of understanding the intended consequences, the unintended consequences. We have to overlay that with a big political umbrella.

Harwood: Compare Donald Trump and Lloyd Blankfein as bosses.

Cohn: They've got a lot of similarities.

Harwood: What are the similarities? I'm surprised to hear you say that.

Cohn: Look, they're both very driven. They're both very passionate. They both strongly believe in what they're doing. Their core messaging is very similar. I mean, they come into the office with passion every day. And they are both driven by the mission and feel like they need to get the mission accomplished, day in and day out.

Harwood: How are they different?

Cohn: Look, a corporate setting and the White House are different settings. You know, one's an elected official with a very public persona, one's a CEO with a fairly private persona and driving messaging inside the private persona where your clients don't really want to see you make news. Where on the other side, where your clients want to see you make news, which is the electorate, you approach those two things from a very different perspective. So, they're both managing their clients very effectively. And I think they both understand who their client base is, and they manage their client base effectively.

Read more from the Gary Cohn Speakeasy interview:

... on keeping companies in America.

... on repealing the estate tax.

... on Cohn's plan after tax reform.

... on the value of trickle-down economics.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017.

President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will likely meet on the sidelines of an economic summit in Vietnam Friday, according to a Kremlin spokesperson.

"Right now the time of the meeting is being agreed," presidential aide, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters Thursday, according to Russian news agencies.

Trump and Putin are both expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) leaders' meeting which opens in Danang, Vietnam on Friday.

The U.S. and Russian leaders first met in July at the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. However, bilateral relations have since become increasingly fraught, with Congress imposing fresh sanctions on Russia, Moscow limiting the number of U.S. diplomats in the country and the closure of diplomatic offices by the U.S.

On Wednesday, Russia's state-run news agency TASS reported Ushakov as saying it would be "entirely logical" for Trump and Putin to shake hands and discuss geopolitical issues.
President Donald Trump received a ringing endorsement this week from an unexpected source: A highly nationalistic Chinese propaganda outlet.

In a Thursday editorial, China's Global Times praised many of the U.S. leader's qualities, and criticized the American media for "fake reports" that painted a negative picture of the man.

"Trump is one of the most popular heads of state on the Chinese Internet, and generally the Chinese public holds a positive attitude toward him," wrote the Global Times, a Communist Party-owned newspaper.

China is this week engaged in an all-out charm offensive to try to butter Trump up for any negotiations he may have with Xi. The U.S. leader arrived in the country on Wednesday.

The Chinese "have figured out, as many other countries have realized, that the way to win over President Trump and get him to back off some of his more hostile campaign rhetoric is to turn up the charm," Aaron Connelly, research fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, told CNBC earlier in the week.

The dig at the U.S. media is particularly noteworthy because Trump has frequently criticized the press, which he has derided as biased and purveyors of "fake news." The propaganda outlet's mirroring of his terminology, therefore, is unlikely to be a coincidence.

In its editorial, the Global Times wrote that the supposed high opinion of Trump in China "doesn't come easily, as the initial impression of Trump was completely led by U.S. media reports.

"These absurd reports deeply influenced Chinese public opinion. It wasn't until his election victory that the Chinese public realized they had been cheated by the American media," it added.

Despite that flattery, the Chinese press has routinely criticized Trump  sometimes sharply  over differences in issues like Taiwan and North Korea.

In December, Global Times called Trump "ignorant like a child" in handling diplomacy after the then president-elect stated that the U.S. did not necessarily have to stick to the "One China" policy.

In April, state news agency Xinhua criticized the U.S. for its strike in Syria, calling it the actions of a weak politician who was attempting to flex his muscles.

In August this year, Xinhua rebuked the U.S. president for his "emotional venting" on Twitter after he criticized China for not reining North Korea in.

Nevertheless, the Global Times posited that: "Many leading U.S. media outlets are now discredited among the Chinese public, partly because of their fake reports during the elections and subjective opposition against Trump."

It did not cite any specific reports that it believed were fake.

On Thursday, Trump's visit to China was a top trending topic on the country's microblog platform Weibo, where news about the U.S. leader's visit was greeted with a Chinese-language hashtag translating to "#Trumpishere."

Reactions to Trump's visit were generally warm in a country where the brash style of the U.S. leader is perceived to be fresh and free-spirited.

The Global Times put it this way: "Chinese appreciate his directness, which is in sharp contrast to [2016 presidential rival] Hillary Clinton, who always puts on airs. This has won him popularity since the election campaign. Many feel he may stick to his own ideas, but he is not insidious."

Trump's granddaughter's recital of Chinese poetry and her latest rendition of a Chinese song to the Xis have also charmed the Chinese public.

Global Times also gave bonus points to Trump for seeming to be "pragmatic" on his Beijing policy so far with "no interest in ideological diplomacy."

"He hasn't used the issue of human rights to make trouble for China so far, and this means the Sino-U.S. relationship can focus on substantive matters," it added.
President Donald Trump can return to the United States claiming to have snagged over $250 billion in deals from his maiden trip to Beijing. Whether those deals live up to the lofty price tag is another question altogether.

Watched by Trump and China's President Xi Jinping at a signing ceremony in Beijing, U.S. planemaker Boeing , General Electric , and chip giant Qualcomm sealed lucrative multibillion-dollar deals.

"This is truly a miracle," China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said at a briefing in Beijing.

The quarter of a trillion dollar haul underscores how Trump is keen to be seen to address a trade deficit with the world's second-largest economy that he has long railed against and called "shockingly high" on Thursday.

But U.S. businesses still have many long-standing concerns to complain about, including unfettered access to the China market, cybersecurity and the growing presence of China's ruling Communist Party inside foreign firms.

William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said the deals pointed to "a strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship" between the two countries.

"Yet we still need to focus on leveling the playing field, because U.S. companies continue to be disadvantaged doing business in China."

U.S. tech companies like Facebook and Google are mostly blocked in China. Automakers Ford Motor and General Motors must operate through joint ventures, while Hollywood movies face a strict quota system.

"(These deals) allow Trump to portray himself as a master dealmaker, while distracting from a lack of progress on structural reforms to the bilateral trade relationship," Hugo Brennan, Asia analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said in a note.
While Uber is unprofitable, Khosrowshahi said, the "math is working" in certain geographies, and the company is simply subsidizing other investments. The U.S. won't be profitable for about the next six months, depending on how rival Lyft performs, he said in an interview by New York Times columnist and CNBC anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times DealBook Conference .

Kalanick, Uber's co-founder who stepped down as CEO amid intense scrutiny of the company's culture, had previously said it should go public " as late as humanly possible ." He did not immediately reply to CNBC's request for comment on Thursday.

"We have all of the disadvantages of being a public company, as far as the spotlight on us, without any of the advantages," he said in his first high-profile appearance since he became CEO. "So Travis [Kalanick] and the whole board now agree we should just go public. The numbers support it."

Major investors from Saudi Arabia and Japan are not pushing Uber to go public  but it's the right thing to do and  by 2019, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Thursday.

The IPO goal of 2019 is not due to pressure from potential investor SoftBank, the ultimate long-term investor, Khosrowshahi said. Uber also has an existing $3.5 billion investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which could be compounded by a SoftBank's Vision Fund, also backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth arm.

Khosrowshahi has already made waves since officially joining Uber at the end of August. He did not inherit an easy company to manage. When he took over, Uber was reeling from regulatory investigations and a workplace culture investigation that resulted in the exodus of key staffers.

"I don't know exactly when it went sideways. Winning can hide rot within an organization, and I think Uber was winning ... and I think winning gave some excuses for bad behavior," Khosrowshahi said.

Khosrowshahi said he ignored calls early on to gauge his interest in the CEO role, wanting to avoid the "media circus." He said he viewed himself as a back-up option behind "giants of industry" like Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Meg Whitman and Jeff Immelt, formerly of GE.

"I was really worried about the leaks, et cetera, that were going on, and really happy that my name did not leak out there until the very end," Khosrowshahi said. "Things are never as bad as the press makes them out to be."

Khosrowshahi said he has read some of the allegations of sexual harassment at Uber, but he did not ask to see the workplace culture report before taking the job. He said he thought about making it public once he joined the company.

"When I got into this role, I didn't want to take sides. And I wasn't interested .... in what happened in the past. I'm interested in the company, and the employees, and the brand, and how we move forward," Khosrowshahi said. "Don't tell me what happened, tell me what we're going to do."

On top of that, Kalanick was sparring with top investors, dividing the board of directors. Major investors like SoftBank and potential foes like Alphabet's Waymo have also been circling amid Uber's shakeup.

"The board went in a very bad direction," Khosrowshahi said. He added: "We're reconstituting the board. It's going to be a big board, but that's OK. ... Our bringing in SoftBank as a strategic investor at the right price would be a good thing."

One of the disputes at Uber was the extent to which certain shareholders could control the makeup of the rest of the board. Many companies have multiple share classes and are able to make long-term investments, Khosrowshahi said. But in Uber's case, the structure needed to be simplified.

"You have two parties here who are far from being in concert and are shooting at each other," Khosrowshahi said. "And to some extent, what I told the board is, 'If we're going to shoot at each other, at least let's shoot at each other with conventional weapons instead of nukes.' ... This is not about control, this is about the company."

Khosrowshahi said he pushed Kalanick, who is still a board member, to back off, and he took it "really well."

"Over a period of time, I would be foolish not to use Travis' incredible genius and his knowledge. ... Some weeks we won't talk, some weeks we talk 10 times," Khosrowshahi said. "I think he understands the 'why,' which is that early on I've got to have my space. ... He's been very plain with me that he wants to be involved in the company, and I've told him I want him involved."

He's also reformulated the company's cultural code from the bottom up as the massive start-up prepares to go public. When Uber's license to operate in London was canceled, Khosrowshahi did something that's stereotypically un-Uber: Apologized.

"I think we were generally immature about how we dealt with regulators," Khosrowshahi said.

But Khosrowshahi is not softening on one of Uber's other battles, namely, a lawsuit from Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car venture.

"It's going to court," Khosrowshahi said. "The damages claims that they have, I think, are highly questionable."

Khosrowshahi also pushed back at proposals that all drivers should be staffers instead of contractors, saying that drivers like to be their own bosses. He pointed to changes Uber has made under his tenure, including allowing tipping, to support driver happiness and higher pay.

"Part of the issue is the cost of insurance, and the biggest winner in this is the insurance companies," Khosrowshahi said. "Believe me, we're not making a ton of money here in the U.S. on the drivers."
People check the information on a polling station during a nationwide election for new governors in Maracaibo, Venezuela, October 15, 2017.

The Trump administration sanctioned 10 current and former Venezuelan government officials on Thursday, alleging connections to various government corruption charges in the wake of state elections in October that cemented the rule of President Nicolas Maduro.

The sanctions freeze all assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. citizens from "dealing with them."

"As the Venezuelan government continues to disregard the will of its people, our message remains clear: The United States will not stand aside while the Maduro regime continues to destroy democratic order and prosperity in Venezuela," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a press release.

The sanctions, designated by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), appear to be levied mainly in response to the Oct. 15 elections, where Maduro's socialist party won governorships in at least 17 of the country's 23 states, the Washington Post reported at the time.

The Department's allegations of corruption and election tampering against the 10 officials include: Strategically relocating polling stations without providing adequate notice to voters; performing various disruptive functions on behalf of Venezuela's "Asamblea Constituyente," or Constituent Assembly, which the Department describes as "illegitimate"; curtailing the freedom of the press and restricting the democratic process using state-controlled media; and other allegations.

The elections "were marked by numerous irregularities that strongly suggest fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of governorship," the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a press release.

The sanctions are being implemented under an Executive Order passed in March 2015 under the Obama administration, which also sanctioned some Venezuelan government officials.
U.S. equities fell on Thursday, pulling back from record highs, on worries that a corporate tax cut could be delayed.

A proposed plan by Senate Republicans would push slashing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent until 2019. The move contrasts with a bill working its way through the House. The proposed Senate measure would also alter the individual tax system.

"That's what gave us this new leg down," said Art Cashin, director of floor operations at UBS, on CNBC's "Squawk Alley."

Expectations for tax reform have increased recently, helping lift the stock market to all-time highs. The major indexes briefly fell more than 1 percent on Thursday, but managed to close well off their session lows.

The Dow Jones industrial average finished 101.42 points lower at 23,461.94, with McDonald's as the biggest decliner; it fell 1.8 percent. The Dow briefly fell more than 250 points.

The pulled back 0.4 percent to 2,584.62, with industrials as the leading decliner; the sector fell 1.3 percent.

The Nasdaq composite lagged, falling 0.6 percent to 6,750.05.

The Russell 2000, which tracks small-cap stocks, fell nearly 0.5 percent. Companies in the Russell 2000 have more to gain from an immediate domestic tax cut since they are more likely to be U.S.-based and not sprawling global entities.
A Senate tax bill, differing from one in the House, is expected to be unveiled today, further complicating a Republican tax overhaul push. The bill could reportedly delay implementation of certain measures, including the corporate tax cut until 2019. (Reuters)

President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will likely meet on the sidelines of an economic summit in Vietnam tomorrow, according to a Kremlin spokesperson. The leaders first met in July at the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. (CNBC)

The U.S. upholds and sticks to the "one China" policy, Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping today. As president-elect, Trump broke with protocol and accepted a congratulatory phone call from the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. (Reuters)



* Trump: 'I give China great credit' for taking advantage of the US ... but that must change (CNBC)

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister urged the international community to slap fresh sanctions on Iran for its alleged support of terrorism today. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind a ballistic missile attack on Saturday. (CNBC)

The Justice Department is reportedly seeking to reach a plea deal in its investigation of the former son-in-law of onetime Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Manafort was indicted on 12 counts related to hiding foreign payments last month. (WSJ)

After months of questioning President Trump's temperament and fitness for office, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., has announced that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will convene a hearing to examine the president's authority to use nuclear weapons. (CNBC)

The Senate Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Nov. 28 for Jerome Powell, President Trump's nominee for chairman of the Federal Reserve. Powell is garnering support from GOP lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Reuters)

Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein said today that his firm's agreement to establish a $5 billion investment vehicle with China's sovereign wealth fund is aimed at putting money into "U.S. companies that could be helped by better access to China." (CNBC)



* Blankfein: Trump's rhetoric is sometimes 'excessive' but he has America's back on the world stage (CNBC)

Authorities say the first known DREAMer to allege he was improperly deported was arrested for trying to re-enter the country for the second time this year. Juan Manuel Montes claimed he was deported by Border Patrol agents despite having deportation protections. (USA Today)

AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson says the company has never offered to sell CNN, nor does it have any intention to sell it, despite the Justice Department's demand the company sell it in order to approve the Time Warner acquisition. (CNBC)

FBI agents say they are unable to unlock the iPhone of the shooter behind Sunday's deadly Texas church shooting, and a search warrant allowing investigators access has been executed. (USA Today)

Snapchat's (SNAP) biggest design shakeup since its launch is reportedly scheduled to take place in December. The redesign would make the popular social media app "easier to use," according to Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. (Business Insider)



* Cramer says Snap shouldn't even be a public company due to its 'hellish earnings' (CNBC)

* Snap's big Chinese investor just revealed some of its plans (Reuters)

Wal-Mart (WMT) isn't making any big changes to its Black Friday store hours this year, as some other retailers have. The big-box retailer's website on Thanksgiving will kick off its online Black Friday sale at 12:01 a.m. ET. In-store doorbuster deals begin at 6 p.m. (CNBC)
[The stream is slated to start at 4:30 p.m., ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]

Business executives and innovative entrepreneurs alike will join CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times DealBook Conference on Thursday.

Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of both and , will close off the day's interviews, which have touched on the role of social media in the changing retail landscape and the political arena. Twitter has been on the forefront of these conversations.

Dorsey also has a window into the lives of American small businesses through Square, the devices that let businesses run credit cards on tablets and phones.
Getty Images

On Oct. 27, ETF Managers Group filed for a new ETF, the Alternative Agroscience ETF, a first-of-its-kind fund to track the burgeoning legal marijuana industry. Except the Alternative Agroscience ETF isn't precisely a new fund. Instead, ETFMG is retrofitting an existing ETF, the Tierra XP Latin America Real Estate ETF (LARE ), with a new strategy. Effective Dec. 26, LARE's index will change from a Solactive benchmark that tracks mostly Mexico and Brazil REITs to a Prime Indexes benchmark tracking cannabis cultivators, producers and distributors, as well as cannabinoid drug makers, fertilizer producers and tobacco companies. The Alternative Agroscience ETF would be the first marijuana ETF to come to market in the United States. As such, its first-mover advantage could be significant. More from ETF.com: The 4 horsemen of stock ETFs

Surging Japan ETFs ride new tailwind

Top volatility ETF takes a unique approach "As an issuer, we've seen increasing demand from investors looking for solutions to gain access to this space," said Sam Masucci, chief executive officer and founder of ETF Managers Group, the fund's investment advisor. But the index transition also means radically altering LARE's focus and risk/return profile, as well as eliminating the market's only pure-play Latin American real estate fund. The move has left some investors fuming. "I think it's a little scummy what they're doing," said Peter DeCaprio, portfolio manager and principal at Crow Point Partners in Hingham, Massachusetts. Crow Point is the largest investor in LARE, owning a 22 percent stake, according to most recent 13-F filings. "But as long as they have support at the board level, if they want to change up the strategy, then they can," he added.

Changing indexes not uncommon

This isn't the first time an issuer has changed the index backing one of its funds. It's not even all that uncommon. ETF.com lists hundreds of such instances since 2003. "Index changes aren't as rare as people think," said Kris Monaco in an email. Monaco is managing partner of Level ETF Ventures, which owns and operates Prime Indexes, the index provider of the new Alternative Agroscience ETF. "It demonstrates the robust nature of the industry, and the need for both issuers and index providers to continue to innovate." Typically, issuers attempt to maintain some consistency between an old and new index. Though index providers may change or the securities universe may be tweaked, a small-cap ETF will generally remain a small-cap ETF, a tech fund a tech fund and so on.

I think it's a little scummy what they're doing. Peter DeCaprio portfolio manager and principal at Crow Point Partners

But not always. Sometimes changing a benchmark affects dramatic change on the ETF, transforming large-cap ETFs to small-cap ones or switching focus from one single-country market to another and so on. One of the most radical changes was in 2013, when Exchange Traded Concepts made an index change to its Canadian oil sands ETF that transformed it into an income-focused fund-of-funds. The ETF gained a new name, the YieldShares High Income ETF, and a new ticker, (see: "First Yield-Focused Magoon ETF Goes Live"). Monaco was also involved in the YYY change.

Low assets can prompt change

Usually, the ETFs chosen for change tend to be extremely low in assets and average trading volume. For example, the YieldShares Canadian oil sands ETF had less than $1.5 million in assets when it transitioned into YYY in 2013 (today it has $207 million). LARE has also failed to gain significant market traction. As of Nov. 1, it had $6.0 million in assets and an average daily volume of $90K. "There's a need to make sure a fund resonates strongly with investors, that it's solving a portfolio allocation problem," said Masucci by email. Despite its low assets, however, LARE had its user base. "It's a one-of-a-kind product, which is what we liked," said DeCaprio, whose firm typically maintains an allocation in emerging markets between 13 percent and 16 percent. "It was a good diversifier inside the key EM bucket. I'm surprised there aren't more assets in it, frankly."

Meanwhile, ETFMG will be able to point to LARE's current track record in the prospectus and marketing materials for the new fund. This is misleading, says DeCaprio, since the Alternative Agroscience ETF is untested, whereas LARE has seen stellar performance. Year-to-date the fund is up 24 percent. "The only reason to keep this shell of the ETF alive is to capitalize on the existing track record," said DeCaprio. "If they can do that, then the ETF marketplace has bigger problems than I thought." Preserving the old track record is standard practice for ETFs that change their indexes, however. "The track of the security is historical," said Masucci in an email. "[Overtime] the historical returns will be attributed to the portfolio based on the new index." Many considerations go into the choice to convert an ETF to a new benchmark instead of closing it, says Masucci. Chief among them: cost. Launching a new fund via retrofitting an old one with a new index is "less expensive and faster to market" than filing a new prospectus and registering a brand-new fund, he said, adding: "To construct a new prospectus typically runs anywhere between $75,000 to $100,000. This way costs about half that."

No sponsor input

Interestingly, the brand behind LARE, Tierra Funds, had no decision-making power over the fund's index switch. Tierra Funds, a private fund manager of Latin America real estate, served as LARE's sponsor, a role with limited involvement in day-to-day decisions. According to the prospectus, Tierra's job was primarily to pay "certain expenses" of the fund and to "provide marketing support." As such, Tierra had no direct input into which index or index provider ETFMG as investment advisor chose to use, even though Tierra's name was the brand on the fund (see: "Who Actually Owns Your ETF?"). If this sounds familiar, it's because this is the same sponsor relationship PureFunds had with ETFMG, before being ousted from the PureFunds ISE Cyber Security ETF  now the ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK)  earlier this year. PureFunds has filed a lawsuit against ETFMG over the termination (see: "ETF Shakeup: PureFunds Brand Name Ousted").

It seems to us to be an unfriendly move from an investor's point of view. Elisabeth Kashner director of ETF research and ETF analytics for FactSet

"Tierra agreed that, through no fault of theirs, the fund didn't really resonate with the greater investor base," said Masucci. "Tierra Funds has a financial obligation to support funds. If you go two years, as we have with LARE, without attracting enough assets to be self-supporting, then obviously that's a concern of theirs as well." Tierra Funds declined to comment on the nature of the termination of its relationship with ETFMG. Neither did LARE's investors have any input over the index switch. Nor would any investor in any such change, due to the procedures outlined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, which governs investment policies of registered investment companies, including mutual funds and ETFs. (A fund's investment objective, which often states its index by name, is an example of an investment policy.) According to the '40 Act, there are "fundamental" and "non-fundamental" investment policies. The distinction between the two is somewhat circular, in that a fundamental policy requires shareholder approval to change, while a non-fundamental one does not. (Non-fundamental policy changes require at least 60 days' written notice to investors.) More from Smart Investing:

Bitcoin too risky for "serious" investing, say advisors

Millennials lack confidence to invest: Bank executive

What investors should do before market gets gored Funds have the discretion to decide for themselves which policies are fundamental and therefore require a vote from shareholders. And they use it. Scan any SEC filing and you'll see plenty of investment policies defined as "non-fundamental"  including ETFMG's post-effective amendment filing the new Alternative Agroscience ETF. It's all legal and by-the-book. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing for investors, says Elisabeth Kashner, director of ETF research and ETF analytics for FactSet. "It seems to us to be an unfriendly move from an investor's point of view," she said.

'Lack of recourse for investors'

Kashner also expressed concerns over "the lack of recourse for the investor," citing a September court case decided in BlackRock's favor. In this class-action lawsuit, ETF investors sued BlackRock for losses incurred during the Aug. 24, 2015, "flash crash," stating that had failed to clearly state the risks of trading using certain order types. The judge, however, ruled that investors who'd bought ETFs after they'd first been issued to authorized participants were unable to sue the issuers for misrepresenting risks in the registration statement. Though the decision is likely to be appealed, it could make it harder for investors to sue issuers over risks not included in the fund prospectus  such as the risk of their fund completely changing its exposures through a new benchmark. That leaves investors with the only recourse they've ever had to express displeasure over an index change: pulling their money from a fund. Once LARE switches to a marijuana stocks ETF, "there is zero chance we will stay in this fund," said DeCaprio, whose largest client is a manufacturer of medical marijuana. Dave Nadig, CEO of ETF.com, weighed in on the controversy: "With any investment, knowing what you own is always the most important guidepost. Anytime you see even a subtle change in a fund's investment objective, I worry existing shareholders can end up with unintended exposures. And this hardly seems like a subtle change." Interestingly, neither the website for LARE nor the Tierra Funds website mentions the impending index change. While recent SEC filings do reflect the impending change, the websites investors often turn to when researching a fund are silent on the matter. "Woe be to any investor who stumbles on the Tierra Funds website right now," said Nadig. "They'd have no reason to believe that the fund will invest in anything other than Mexican and Brazilian REITs for the foreseeable future."  By Lara Crigger, ETF.com. Contact Lara Crigger at lcrigger@etf.com




'JavaScript, not to be confused with Java, was created in 10 days in May 1995 by Brendan Eich, then working at Netscape and now of Mozilla. JavaScript was not always known as JavaScript: the original name was Mocha, a name chosen by Marc Andreessen, founder of Netscape.Jun 27, 2012'



Hey guys. New to angular, so this might be a noobish question:



I have an array of objects, each containing variables like "country", "site", etc.



I want my list to show all the instances of only one variable. The following test works:



HTML < pre > < tr ng-repeat =" x in testSites | orderBy:myOrderBy" > < td > {{x.country}} < /td > < /tr >





However, I want to use a variable where "country" is used above. Like this: {{x.aspect}}



I've tested the 'aspect' variable, and it works, having the value 'country' as default, so it should show the exact same result, but all I get is an empty list.



Thanks a lot in advance.



I am unable to create a simple dialog box using jQuery for some reason. I imported a reference to jQuery3.2.1.js. I am trying to call a div with a class named "dialogue-box" in a section with the id called "dialogue".





Here is my code:



$(document).ready(function(){ $( " #dialogue .dialogue-box" ).dialog({ title: " MENU" , width: 500 , height: 600 , modal: true }); });



if anyone could please let me know what i am doing wrong, I would apperciate it.



Thanks,



I am developing a simple user interface, in which I want to add lazy-loading concept on the text using 'vanilla' JavaScript. I this right now I am displaying information about 10 users only. When I am going to scroll down I want to load the rest of the information. For that, I find out the current scroll position. If it reaches the bottom, want to append next data to existing one. I tried to append the simple text, It worked. But it is unable to append elements from div. How should I rectify that code?? Thanks..!![here is the code]



I'm slowly learning Jvascriopt, creating a personal webpage to display snapshots from my webcam. It sends files to my FTP server every x seconds, but changes the filename to include date/time coding. I want to display the latest file, but its impossible to sync camera, server and workstation time down to the second. So my plan is to loop down from 59 secs, looping when the file is not found.



If I have the following line, I want to trap an error if the file is not found. The "TRY" method doesn't seem to capture an error though, any ideas?

document.write('')



Thx,



please send me java typed code using java.io for hospital management



JavaScript is not the same thing as Java. That's not how it works. There are plenty of sites where you can pay someone to do your work for you. This is not one of them.





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer









"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."

- Benjamin Disraeli







Send me your credit card and I'll happily send you the code.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.



There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.





he is not aware of the forum



suggest me to how to code the calculation of working hours in Week excluding Weekends(saturday and sunday) in JavaScript or jquery using Moment.js



I'm fiddling around setTimeOut javascript function. I've 5 function calls with different time delay. What I want is to execute only those functions which have a 500ms delay difference between each functions. I've created a fiddle (https://jsfiddle.net/vt7sanav/). Can someone suggest what should i do to check the delay between two functions is 500ms then execute the function else ignore the function.



Example: Packet1 comes in, should be sent(printed) straight away, Wait 500ms and within 500ms, ignore new msgs(function calls). Print only messages which have a delay of 500ms in between.



function postMessage(msg) { $( " #msgBox" ).append( "

" + msg + " time:" + new Date().getSeconds() + " :" + new Date().getMilliseconds()); } function makeRequest(msg) { postMessage(msg); } function makeRequestThrottled(msg) { postMessage(msg); } function sendMessage(msg, delay) { setTimeout(() => makeRequestThrottled(msg), delay); } sendMessage( " Packet1" , 200 ); sendMessage( " Packet2" , 600 ); sendMessage( " Packet3" , 1800 ); sendMessage( " Packet4" , 2400 ); sendMessage( " Packet5" , 2600 );







function sendMessage(name, delay) { console.log(name, delay); } var packetInfo = [{ name: ' Packet1' , delay: 200 }, { name: ' Packet2' , delay: 600 }, { name: ' Packet3' , delay: 1800 }, { name: ' Packet4' , delay: 2400 }, { name: ' Packet5' , delay: 2600 }]; var prev = undefined; for ( var i = 0 ; i < packetInfo.length; i++) { var item = packetInfo[i]; if (i == 0 ) sendMessage(item.name, item.delay); else { if ( item.delay - prev.delay > 500 ) sendMessage(item.name, item.delay); } prev = item; }



I need to parse a JSON in javascript.

This works fine if the JSON is like:

JavaScript { " test" :[{ " data" :{ " ... where I can access the data like (if arg was "receiveddata" in the callback function)

recieveddata.test[index].data ...



but know I'm in the case where I have this: JavaScript { " 1" :[{ " data" :{ " date_of //notice the " 1 " as key There is no way I can access the data like above as receiveddata.1[index].data ...



How can I access the data? (or should I ask the source to update their key names)



(I'm using the jQuery getJSON function, which works fine on other JSON's where there are normal keys.)



thanks.

V. (MQOTD rules and previous solutions)



{ "1" : [ { "field": "value"... You can access properties in the JavaScript through index notation as well, this is one of the funniest things in JavaScript. This makes it possible to have properties, and attributes in a way that is impossible in other languages directly. JavaScript supports, object.property , object["property"] and much more ways to access the properties, and attach the properties. Thus, when you have a property called (for instance), " object.1 ", or " object.something-else ", then you can access them through index notation and that would be valid JavaScript.



So I am unsure as to what your JSON is like but if the JSON schema is like the following  which indeed is like yours, var str = "{ \"1\": [{\"field\": \"attr\"}]}"; Then you can execute the following JavaScript and do what you intent to, JavaScript var obj = JSON.parse(str); alert(obj[ " 1" ][ 0 ].field); Try this, and you will see how strange sometimes JavaScript can be. Try the code online here, [Edit fiddle - JSFiddle](https://jsfiddle.net/afzaal_ahmad_zeeshan/mvbtztpL/)

The sh*t I complain about

It's like there ain't a cloud in the sky and it's raining out - Eminem

~! Firewall !~





Do you believe it, I was actually thinking about this solution and I dismissed it!

(I was not able to get it through normal index, so I dismissed a key index, because usually if key index is possible, so is normal indexing)



anyway got it up and running, thanks for pointing it out

V. (MQOTD rules and previous solutions)



Hi I want to know how to hide developer tool option from setting in chrome, f 12 button , and right click inspect element option .i will be grateful if i will get a reply asap.



Guys, what do you think about Google Policy with Angular releases? Just half of a year - and we ' ll got Angular 6 version. Is it too fast or it' s ok?